Written Answers of 12 May 1994

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Citizens Charter
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will define the words "aim", "target", "guarantee" and "commitment", as they are used in the citizens charter programme.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  A key principle of the citizens charter is that public services should publish standards of service—that is a clear statement of the level of service which service users can expect—and an explanation of how the service will respond if standards are not met. Within the charter programme, the words "aim", "target", "guarantee" and "commitment" have their normal meanings.

  South Korea (PhDs)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many PhDs in technical subjects there are per capita in(a) South Korea and (b) the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The information is not available. However, comparable information is available relating to the number of PhDs awarded in each country per year. The figures for 1990 are:

  South Korea

  United Kingdom

  Engineering and Technology

  440

  750

  Maths and Computer Science

  75

  290

  Natural Science

  170

  2,290

  TOTAL (of above)

  685

  3,330

  National Population (millions)

  43

  58

  Sources: Human Resources for Science and Technology: The Asian Region (1993), National Science Foundation, United States of America; University Statistics (1992–93), Volume 1, Students and Staff, University Statistical Record.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much overseas aid Her Majesty's Government have given to Nicaragua in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  United Kingdom gross bilateral aid was as follows:

  £ thousands

  1988–89

  244

  1989–90

  20

  1990–91

  158

  190

  £ thousands

  1991–92

  206

  1992–93

  1,814

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what overseas aid Her Majesty's Government are currently providing to Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  British aid to Nicaragua comprises English language teaching experts and scholarships. In this financial year we hope to spend £240,000. Finance is also provided for projects jointly funded with non-governmental organisations.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many soft loan projects for Indonesia have been approved in the past 10 years; what was their value in cash terms; what purposes they were serving; and which British-based firms have benefited.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  Soft loan projects for Indonesia approved in the past 10 years are as follows:

  Title

  Contract Value £ million

  United Kingdom Supplier

  Steel Bridging

  9·930

  Mabey & Johnson

  Navigational Aids

  9·906

  Pharos Marine

  Rehabilitation of

  11·384

  Quantel Link

  Bandung TV Studios

  Scattered Diesels

  7·233

  Rustons

  Cigading-Serpong

  31·860

  Davy BRI

  Railway

  Citayam-Cibinong

  22·915

  Foster-Wheeler

  Railway

  Cigading Port

  17·280

  Tarmac

  Refurbishment

  Rehabilitation of

  6·330

  Audix Ltd.

  Jakarta Radio Studios

  Steel Bridging

  3·832

  Mabey & Johnson

  Radio Communications

  37·234

  Philips

  System for the Ministry of Forestry

  Airport Security

  11·452

  International Aeradio Ltd.

  Systems

  Flight Simulator (Merpati)

  4·960

  Aeronautical Systems Designers Ltd.

  Shortwave Radio

  29·000

  Marconi

  Transmitters for National Broadcasting Network

  Jambi Diesel Power Plant

  5·739

  Mirrless Blackstone

  Western Universities Equipment

  14·284

  Philip Harris Int./Fisons

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the financial terms of soft loans of the category of that given to Indonesia on 7 April.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The £80 million loan arrangement signed with the Indonesian Government on 7 April 1994 provided finance at 3·343 per cent. interest, repayable over 25 years with a seven-year grace period.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many current and former officials and Ministers in his Department have been asked to give written or oral evidence to the Scott inquiry.

  Mr. Needham
  Eighteen current and former officials and Ministers have been asked to give written evidence. Of these, 10 have also provided oral evidence.

  Power Lines
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consideration he has given to the report of the public inquiry into the construction of power lines from Lackenby, Cleveland, to Shipton, north Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend has today given a provisional response to the National Grid Company's applications to install new 400 kv overhead electric lines between Lackenby and Shipton via Picton.

  Implementation of the inquiry inspectors' recommendations would enable the National Grid Company to place a new line, mostly above ground, between Lackenby and Shipton. However, the inspectors recommended that consent should not be granted for certain sections where they judged that the environmental impact would be too great.

  The recommendations of the inquiry inspectors were, in summary, as follows:

  (a) Lackenby to Picton

  It was recommended that consent should be refused for the 30 km northern—Portrack—route option, but that it should be granted for the greater part of the 22 km southern route option running south-westwards from Lackenby passing to the east of Middlesbrough. The exceptions are a section of the route south-east of Nunthorpe and a section to the south of Newby.

  Installation of the new line would enable 31 km of existing 275 kv overhead line to be dismantled.

  (b) Picton to Shipton

  Of the three route options, all around 53 km in length and aligned broadly north-south, the inspectors recommended a significant part of the westernmost route passing to the east of Northallerton and Thirsk. However they recommended refusal of that section of the route which would pass through the East Moor site of special scientific interest. From a point some 3 km south of Easingwold, they recommended a switch from the westernmost route to the central route for the remainder of the line to Shipton.

  In line with usual practice, my right hon. Friend will not proceed to a decision on whether to grant consent until the company secures the necessary rights to run any new line across land on the recommended route. Consent needs to be obtained from the landowners in question. If consent is not obtained, the company can apply to my right hon. Friend for the necessary right to be granted, but decisions whether or not to grant such rights will not be taken without giving the landowners an opportunity to make representations.

  My right hon. Friend has, however, indicated that, in the event that the necessary rights are obtained, then, as he is minded at present, any consents granted by him on the
  192
  applications for the new line would be likely to follow the inspectors' recommendations as to the route the line should take. He is at present minded to refuse the applications for those routes—or parts of routes—which the inspectors considered should be rejected.

  I am placing in the Library of the House copies of the inspectors' report and the letter to the company conveying my right hon. Friend's provisional decision.

  Mr. Deva
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many dwellings lie(a) within 200 m of the proposed new route and (b) within 200 m of lines which are likely to be dismantled if permission is given for the new overhead line in Cleveland and north Yorkshire.

  Mr. Eggar
  In relation to the overhead line route for which my right hon. Friend is minded to grant consent, around 100 dwellings lie within 200 m. I understand that more than 4,400 dwellings lie within 200 m of the existing line in the Middlesbrough area, which would be dismantled if the new line is installed.

  Energy Technology Support Unit
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will publish the appraisal of United Kingdom energy research and development prepared by the energy technology support unit.

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department's summary of this appraisal is published today by HMSO as energy paper 61, entitled "Energy Technologies for the UK". I have placed a copy in the Library of the House. The Energy Technology Support Unit will shortly be publishing the supporting technical papers as ETSU Report R-83.

  US Telecommunications Market
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 4 May,Official Report, column 513, what has been the response of the United States authorities to his representations regarding access for British telecommunications companies to the United States market.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The United States authorities have, since 1991, revised their rules to require United States carriers to provide leased lines for international simple resale; adopted the United Kingdom principle of equivalence in judging routes suitable for ISR; and removed their prima facie treatment of all foreign telecommunications operators as "dominant".

  More recently the United Kingdom has actively supported applications from United Kingdom companies to gain licences in the United States, and to remove discriminatory treatment of foreign applicants for telecommunications licences requiring radio frequencies. These are being considered by the United States authorities.

  Malaysia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of the water supply projects in Malaysia won by Thames Water; and what is his resulting assessment of British-Malaysian trade relations.

  Mr. Needham
  Any contracts won by Thames Water in Malaysia have been on commercial terms. The details of such contracts are a matter for the company.
  193
  A large number of British companies are continuing to trade with Malaysia in areas outside the ban on Government contracts imposed on 25 February. We are in close touch with the Malaysian Government and are working hard to restore relations to a sound and flourishing basis as soon as possible.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  External Frontiers Convention
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of whether the current wording of article 10 of the draft European Union convention on controls on persons crossing its extreme frontiers takes sufficient account of the rights of persons opposing the public policies of any of its member states.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The provisions of article 10 of the draft external frontiers convention broadly reflect the principles contained in the United Kingdom immigration rules for refusal of admission in such cases and the equivalent principles operated by other member states. Member states will be giving further consideration to the precise way in which article 10 will be implemented.

  Crime Clear-up Rate
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the clear-up rate for recorded offences in each police district in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is published in table 4 of "Home Office Statistical Bulletin 6/94", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Carl Bridgewater Case
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants within his Department are working(a) full time and (b) part time on considering new evidence submitted on 8 June 1993 in relation of the conviction of four persons for the murder of Carl Bridgewater in 1978.

  Mr. Maclean
  No official is working full time on this case. In accordance with normal working procedures, one officer is principally responsible for examining the various representations that have been submitted since June 1993. Other officials have also given substantial consideration to the case and will continue to be involved as necessary while the current review is in progress.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he now expects to decide whether to refer to the Court of Appeal new evidence submitted on 8 June 1993 in relation to the conviction of four persons for the murder of Carl Bridgewater in 1978.

  Mr. Maclean
  A number of representations on behalf of those convicted in this case were received between June 1993 and April 1994. We understand that more may follow. We have asked the police to make inquiries into some of the matters raised. When those inquiries have been completed and any further representations have been considered, my right hon. Friend will consider in the light 194
  of all the information available to him whether it would be right for him to refer any of the convictions to the Court of Appeal or to take any other action.

  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which factors he is considering as part of the new evidence submitted to him on 8 June 1993 in relation to the conviction of four persons for the murder of Carl Bridgewater in 1978 before determining whether the case should be referred to the Court of Appeal.

  Mr. Maclean
  All the matters raised in the latest series of representations will be taken fully into account before any decision is taken on whether to refer any of the convictions to the Court of Appeal.

  Weapons
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many weapons were voluntarily surrendered to the police in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No central record is kept of the numbers of weapons surrendered to the police. The available information is that the national firearms amnesty held in 1988 resulted in over 47,000 guns being handed in. Local operations by seven police forces in Great Britain resulted in the surrender of 7,494 bladed weapons in the three years from April 1990 to March 1993.

  British National Party
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on why police officers provided the defeated British National party candidate in Tower Hamlets with a police escort at the count when reporters wished to put questions to him; and how many officers were involved.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand from the Commissioner that two officers escorted the British National party candidate, Mr. Derek Beackon, when he left York Hall, Bethnal Green after the announcement of the election result. Supporters and opponents of the British National party had gathered outside the building and the police were concerned that Mr. Beackon's appearance there might result in a breach of the peace.

  Court of Appeal
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what have been the changes in the last five years for which figures are available for the number of civil servants within his Department working full time on considering new evidence in relation to convictions for serious criminal offences where he has to make a decision on whether to refer such cases to the Court of Appeal.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the table:

  Staff engaged in considering alleged wrongful convictions and related matters

  Year

  Number

  1989

  18

  1990

  17

  1991

  17

  1992

  20

  1993

  21

  Elections
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the situation in respect of the description of candidates on ballot papers during local, parliamentary and European elections to reduce possible confusion as to the political party affiliations of candidates; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  We have at present no plans to do so.

  Life Sentences
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases of current life sentence servers the judge's recommended minimum imprisonment has been increased by the Home Secretary by(a) less than five years (b) five to 10 years and (c) more than 10 years.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  Information in the form requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. For the readily available information I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Dixon) on 3 March 1994 Official Report, columns 830–31.

  South Yorkshire

  HMP Moorland (opened july 1991)

  HMYOI Hatfield

  HMP Lindholme

  Convicted

  Remand

  1985

  (i)

  127

  16

  —

  —

  (ii)

  8

  3

  —

  —

  1986

  (i)

  122

  425

  —

  —

  (ii)

  4

  37

  —

  —

  1987

  (i)

  119

  392

  —

  —

  (ii)

  6

  23

  —

  —

  1988

  (i)

  155

  366

  —

  —

  (ii)

  6

  30

  —

  —

  1989

  (i)

  197

  187

  —

  —

  (ii)

  7

  25

  —

  —

  1990

  (i)

  146

  314

  —

  —

  (ii)

  5

  32

  —

  —

  1991

  (i)

  226

  243

  56

  24

  (ii)

  9

  20

  12

  8

  1992

  (i)

  182

  337

  51

  53

  (ii)

  8

  38

  4

  8

  (i) Number of occasions on which prisoners attended outpatient facilities.

  (ii) Number of occasions on which prisoners were transferred to NHS hospitals.

  North Yorkshire

  HMP Wakefield

  HMYOI Weatherby

  HMP Askham Grange

  HMYOI Northallerton

  1985

  (i)

  69

  165

  417

  78

  (ii)

  24

  10

  31

  8

  1986

  (i)

  49

  148

  252

  50

  (ii)

  30

  10

  9

  7

  1987

  (i)

  72

  202

  349

  67

  (ii)

  27

  10

  51

  9

  1988

  (i)

  84

  138

  309

  80

  (ii)

  25

  13

  21

  11

  1989

  (i)

  115

  163

  243

  118

  (ii)

  21

  8

  21

  12

  1990

  (i)

  168

  98

  234

  73

  (ii)

  35

  8

  23

  17

  1991

  (i)

  125

  56

  359

  96

  (ii)

  11

  5

  37

  8

  1992

  (i)

  192

  58

  155

  86

  (ii)

  39

  5

  31

  10

  (i) Number of occasions on which prisoners attended outpatient facilities.

  (ii) Number of occasions on which prisoners were transferred to NHS hospitals.

  Prisons (Hospital Visits)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each HM prison and remand or detention centre in(a) South Yorkshire, (b) North Yorkshire, (c) West Yorkshire and (d) Humberside how many hospital visits have been allowed to prisoners in each year since 1985; and if he will show the hospitals attended.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  [holding answer 5 May 1994]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 12 May 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about hospital visits since 1985 by prisoners in South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside.
  Central statistical information about visits to NHS facilities details only the number of visits or transfers, not the hospital attended. The available information is shown in the attached tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.
  197

  West Yorkshire

  HMP Leeds

  HMP and YOI New Hall

  HMP Rudgate

  HMP Thorp Arch

  1985

  (i)

  367

  94

  205

  154

  (ii)

  30

  2

  14

  7

  1986

  (i)

  411

  45

  240

  100

  (ii)

  26

  4

  9

  2

  1987

  (i)

  220

  101

  131

  162

  75

  (ii)

  24

  13

  1

  12

  0

  1988

  (i)

  244

  126

  25

  182

  75

  (ii)

  24

  17

  6

  13

  3

  1989

  (i)

  201

  123

  39

  230

  54

  (ii)

  26

  17

  3

  6

  2

  1990

  (i)

  225

  120

  37

  189

  148

  (ii)

  23

  27

  10

  13

  2

  1991

  (i)

  160

  134

  30

  312

  156

  (ii)

  29

  21

  8

  28

  6

  1992

  (i)

  216

  125

  13

  314

  134

  (ii)

  24

  27

  2

  21

  10

  1 Separate figures available, for prison and YOI, from this date.

  (i) Number of occasions on which prisoners attended outpatient facilities.

  (ii) Number of occasions on which prisoners were transferred to NHS hospitals.

  Humberside

  HMP Everthorpe

  HMP Full Sutton

  HMP Hull

  HMYOI Hull

  1985

  (i)

  148

  (Opened 1987)

  60

  3

  (ii)

  12

  —

  9

  0

  1986

  (i)

  136

  —

  163

  27

  (ii)

  12

  —

  18

  4

  1987

  (i)

  107

  8

  164

  60

  (ii)

  5

  0

  21

  3

  1988

  (i)

  64

  61

  1213

  (ii)

  6

  10

  22

  1989

  (i)

  76

  69

  277

  (ii)

  0

  23

  31

  1990

  (i)

  52

  129

  230

  (ii)

  12

  25

  20

  1991

  (i)

  61

  145

  323

  (ii)

  13

  14

  32

  1992

  (i)

  129

  119

  208

  (ii)

  11

  18

  24

  1 Combined figures for Health Care Centre at Hull from this date.

  (i) Number of occasions on which prisoners attended outpatient facilities.

  (ii) Number of occasions on which prisoners were transferred to NHS hospitals.

SCOTLAND

  Conservation
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many proposed Ramsar sites there are in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  There are at present 48 sites in Scotland proposed for designation under the Ramsar convention. In addition, 18 sites have already been formally designated.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he intends to address the question of homelessness in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  I have today placed in the Library of the House copies of a consultation paper entitled "Tackling Homelessness". This follows the publication on 29 March of a research report dealing with the operation of the 1991 code of guidance on homelessness in Scotland. The consultation paper takes into account the results of this 198
  research and sets out a range of specific questions about the way in which the present framework of legislation on homelessness is interpreted and applied in practice by local authorities.

  The primary statutory responsibility for dealing with homelessness lies with local housing authorities and there is no intention of changing this arrangement. At present there are essentially two methods of acquiring a tenancy with a local housing authority—either by making a direct application to the landlord concerned, and usually going on the relevant waiting list until a suitable property becomes available, or by being accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need by a local housing authority—in which case the authority has a duty to secure long-term accommodation for that household.

  There is a considerable overlap between these approaches. It is known from the code of guidance research that in the six local authority areas studied, around 31 per cent. of homlessness applicants were already on a general waiting list. In 1992–93, 24 per cent. of all new housing authority lets in Scotland were to homeless households.

  I am concerned to ensure that there are no legislative or other barriers which may prevent local housing authorities arriving at a suitable balance between the needs of different groups of applicants. One of the purposes of this

  199
  consultation is therefore to find out whether such barriers exist in Scotland and, if so, to decide how they can be overcome. Consequently the consultation paper sets out a number of questions for discussion on this and other related issues which need to be addressed by local authorities, Scottish Homes and other housing agencies.

  The Government's overall aim is to achieve a fair and effective system for meeting the housing needs of those who rely on rented housing in both the public and private sectors. I intend to review the results of this consultation very carefully before bringing forward any proposals to change or reform the basis for homelessness provision in Scotland. At this stage, I look forward to a helpful and constructive response to the consultation paper which is being circulated to all Scottish hon. Members and to a wide range of housing interests.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Mobile Telephones and Pagers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) portable telephones, (b) pagers and electronic bleepers and (c) car telephones are currently used by her Department; what are the annual costs of operating this equipment; and to which personnel it is made available.

  Mr. Jack
  The Ministry and associated agencies currently have approximately 1,200 mobile telephones of various types. This figure includes carphones, but these are normally issued only to Ministers and to some members of senior management.

  The Ministry currently has approximately 500 radio pagers, including tone, numeric and message pagers.

  The Ministry has centrally arranged call-off contracts for the provision of mobile telephones and radio pagers but financial and procurement responsibility for such equipment rest with local managers. However, total expenditure for service rental and call charges for 1993–94 was approximately £398,855.

  The Ministry and its associated executive agencies have a large number of field officers providing service to food, farming and fishing interests. In order that the service can be fast and efficient, these officers need to be able to make contact and be contacted whatever their situation.

  Local management evaluate the business need and financial justification and decide which type of equipment is best suited to meet requirements and to whom it should be issued. Financial, technical and procurement advice is provided centrally.

  Nephrops Nets
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the Seahouses fishing vessels Fidelis and Providence were boarded and instructed on his Department's behalf on 5 May to cease using nephrops nets in which the square mesh panel was fitted forward of the flapper; whether the notice issued by district inspector W. P. Bridge about the square mesh panel being placed either forward or to the rear of any flapper had been withdrawn on or before 5 May; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  A requirement to incorporate square mesh panels in nephrops nets was introduced in 1991 after full 200
  consultation with the industry. Experients had shown that these panels, when placed in the net's cod end, any extension piece or immediately in front of any extension piece, allow undersized fish a greater opportunity to escape from nets and grow on to maturity. This is reflected in Statutory Instrument 1991 No. 1380 as amended by Statutory Instrument 1992 No. 1344. The district inspector's notice correctly sets out the essential provisions of these SIs as they relate to North sea nephrops nets. It has not been withdrawn.

  FVs Fidelis and Providence were routinely inspected at sea by officers from the fisheries protection vessel HMS Quorn on 5 May. The nephrops nets examined did not appear to the inspecting officer to conform with the requirements of the statutory instruments and the skippers concerned were cautioned.

DEFENCE

  Service Personnel (Redundancy)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures have been established for those service personnel who wish to appeal against their selection for compulsory redundancy.

  Mr. Hanley
  Personnel selected for compulsory redundancy can appeal against the decision through commanding officers, to specially constituted appeal boards. The appeals procedure is explained in the instructions giving details of proposed redundancies and inviting applications for redundancy. If appeals are rejected, personnel can seek redress of complaint in accordance with provisions laid down in the Service Discipline Acts.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the criteria used to select service personnel for compulsory redundancy.

  Mr. Hanley
  Service personnel have been selected for redundancy in those areas where strengths exceed requirements, taking into account the need to retain a proper balance of age, skills, career structures and levels of experience. Volunteers have been selected wherever possible, but insufficient volunteers in some ranks and specialisations, and the need to maintain career structures, has meant that some compulsory redundancies have been necessary. Over 90 per cent. of those selected for redundancy have been volunteers.

  Ex-service Personnel
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson) of 24 March,Official Report, column 366, if he will place in the Library data obtained from voluntary post-exit returns relating to employment among ex-service personnel.

  Mr. Hanley
  Data from the voluntary returns made by the service personnel after discharge is obtained through the Tri-Service Resettlement Organisation's post-exit survey. I am placing a copy of synopsis No. 3 of the most recently published survey in the Library of the House.

  Service Staff Colleges
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he expects to take a decision on the future location of the three service staff colleges;

  (2) further to his answer of 6 May, Official Report, column 674, when he expects to give consideration to the future location of the three service staff colleges.

  Mr. Hanley
  Formal recommendations arising from tthe Defence costs study as a whole will be put before Ministers shortly. It will take some time to consider all the issues involved, but we expect to be able to announce our broad conclusions before the House rises for the summer recess.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been commissioned by his Department into issues relating to the future location of the three service staff colleges; and what were their terms of reference.

  Mr. Hanley
  The defence costs study into training examined a number of issues relating to the future location of the service staff colleges. Its remit was to identify means for achieving maximum efficiency and rationalisation in individual and specialist training in MOD and the services. The study was to range as broadly as necessary and:consider where common practices can be adopted across the services
  explore options for rationalising existing structures and arrangements, identifying any penalties/costs and savings identify timescale for implementation

  Research
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the regional distribution of defence research work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  The location of defence research work is primarily determined by the availability of facilities, and best value for money considerations. My Department has no plans to change this policy.

  Anti-personnel Mines
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce the outcome of the inquiry into the loss of anti-personnel mines from Shoeburyness.

  Mr. Aitken
  I hope to be able to announce the outcome of this inquiry shortly.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 29 April,Off Report, column 400, to what extent Greece has agreed to and supported NATO decisions on Bosnia.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have been asked to reply.

  Greece has not blocked any NATO decisions on Bosnia, although it disassociated itself from the 9 February decision on Sarajevo.

WALES

  Rural Development
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make a statement regarding the internal reorganisation of his Department with regard to the sponsorship of the Development Board for Rural Wales;

  (2) if he will make a statement setting out the responsibilities of the regional development division of his Department; and which division of his Department is responsible for rural, tourism and countryside matters.

  Mr. Redwood
  Following the internal reorganisation of Welsh Office, the regional development division is responsible for sponsorship of the Development Board for Rural Wales, the Wales tourist board and the Welsh Development Agency; and co-ordination of the application of the strategic development scheme within rural areas. RDD has responsibility for general tourism and rural policy matters. The environment division is responsible for sponsorship of the Countryside Council for Wales.

  Boreholes
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) by what mechanisms householders in Wales whose homes and gardens are severely damaged by new boreholes sunk by water utilities may obtain compensation; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will call for a report on damage caused to private houses and gardens in the area of Fron, Montgomery as a result of borehole operations by Severn-Trent Water Ltd.; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what assessment he has made of the methods whereby assessment is made of the risk of damage to property in Wales from new water boreholes; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) if he will institute a public inquiry into the conduct of and damage caused by water borehole operations near Fron, Montgomery; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) what proposals he has to make water utilities liable for damage caused to property in Wales as a result of the sinking of water boreholes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Flags
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received from(a) organisations and (b) individuals in favour of replacing the Welsh dragon with the Union flag on promotional literature issued by the Welsh development agency.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have received no such representations. The changes to the promotional literature which I have suggested to the Welsh development Agency are intended to heighten the profile of Wales as a location for inward investment, and there is no question of the Welsh dragon being replaced by the Union flag. Like the hon. Member, I am proud of the dragon and the Welsh colours and wear them wherever possible.

  Local Government Reform
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the sea fisheries committees covering the Welsh coastline within the six-mile limit in relation to the continuation of obligations subsequent to Welsh local government reform.

  Mr. Redwood
  I propose to consult the unitary authorities, after they have been elected in 1995, about their views on the future arrangements for sea fisheries committees. Existing sea fisheries committees would also be consulted.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the payments made in accordance with the Welsh Development Agency redundancy scheme between 1983 and 1989;

  (2) if he will list all Welsh Development Agency redundancy payments made in excess of the approved redundancy scheme between 1983 and 1989.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Department gave approval to redundancy terms for the agency to use in 1983. My Department was not notified of individual payments made during the period 1983 to 1989. I have asked the chairman for details of such payments and I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what written guidance or observations the Welsh Office gave to the Welsh Development Agency regarding the redundancy payment to Mr. Price, the former director of Winvest and WDI; and when it was given.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Department wrote to the agency on 25 November 1991 when the case of Mr. Price first came to light. The Department subsequently wrote on 19 February 1992 requiring the agency to refer further cases of redundancy to the Department.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance was given to the Welsh Development Agency regarding lease car schemes; when Treasury central unit on purchasing guidelines became available to the Welsh Office; and when these were sent to the Welsh Development Agency.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Department gave approval to the agency's car leasing scheme on 27 April 1987. Treasury CUP guidelines were issued in November 1990 and those were sent to the agency in February 1992 when it was considering changes to its approved car leasing scheme.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance was given to the Welsh Development Agency between 1983 and 1992 regarding redundancy arrangements after the Welsh Development Agency entered the Mid-Glamorgan pension fund.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Department wrote to the agency on 12 April 1983 asking for notice of proposed actions on redundancy; details of additional payments; and stating that the terms of redundancy payments must conform to public sector standards.

  The Department wrote subsequently, on 29 June 1983, in response to an agency proposal put to the Department on 1 June 1983, giving approval to the agency's redundancy arrangements.
  204
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department authorised the payment of moneys for redundancy by the Welsh Development Agency in excess of those authorised by the Welsh Development Agency redundancy scheme.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Department gave retrospective approval to excess payments identified by the NAO in connection with the agency's 1991–92 accounts.

  Tawe Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the National Rivers Authority, Wales region, in relation to falls in salmon and sea trout spawning runs on the River Tawe subsequent to the completion of the Tawe barrage in Swansea; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  This is a matter for the National Rivers Authority which has, under the Water Resources Act 1991, a statutory duty to maintain, improve and develop salmon and sea trout stocks. I understand that studies into the effect of the Tawe barrage on migratory fish stocks are continuing.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the progress achieved in the appointment of a complaints commissioner in relation to the Cardiff Bay barrage groundwater protection provisions.

  Mr. Redwood
  I expect to make an announcement about the appointment of the independent groundwater complaints administrator shortly.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what instructions he has given to the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation(a) concerning the implementation of the undertakings given in the House of Lords special select committee and (b) in pursuance to the undertakings given in the letter dated 8 March 1993 from David Compton, director of engineering operations for the Cardiff Bay development corporation to Norman Robson, chairman of the Cardiff flood action committee in relation to informing named individual householders in the Cardiff area by post of the date of the start of construction of the proposed Cardiff Bay barrage.

  Mr. Redwood
  None, but my officials have discussed the issues with officials from the Cardiff Bay development corporation.

  Caines Report
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what disciplinary action has been taken against officials at the Welsh Office following the Caines report.

  Mr. Redwood
  The permanent Secretary considered the findings of the Caines inquiry and concluded that there were no grounds for disciplinary action. I accepted that conclusion.

  Rural Affairs
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the breaking up of the rural affairs tourism and countryside section of his Department;
  205
  what proposals he has had for ensuring that rural affairs are not downgraded by alterations in his administrative structure; and what proposals he has for improving co-operation between policy making on rural affairs, tourism and countryside matters.

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlisle) today. The new arrangements will facilitate the co-ordination of policies on rural and tourism development throughout Wales and bring together sponsorship responsibility for the relevant agencies. The reorganisation will also provide within a single group comprehensive coverage of conservation, environmental and planning matters.

EDUCATION

  Teachers
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the average number of years in employment as teachers of those with relevant qualifications.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table shows the distribution of qualified teachers in service in England and Wales at 31 March 1992, in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary sector, by their length of teaching service.

  Percentage of teachers in service for

  Primary

  Type of school Secondary

  Total

  Under 5

  21

  16

  18

  5–9

  16

  16

  16

  10–14

  18

  20

  19

  15–19

  20

  22

  21

  20–24

  16

  15

  16

  25 and over

  9

  11

  10

  Total

  100

  100

  100

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers have taken early retirement on health grounds in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table shows the number of members of the teachers' superannuation scheme who retired on the grounds of ill-health for the financial years 1984–85 to 1993–94. It covers lecturers in further and higher education as well as school teachers.

  Financial year

  Number of infirmity retirements

  1984–85

  2,449

  1985–86

  2,698

  1986–87

  2,707

  1987–88

  2,545

  1988–89

  3,423

  1989–90

  4,192

  1990–91

  4,938

  1991–92

  4,662

  1992–93

  4,897

  1993–94

  5,535

  The 1993–94 figure represents about 1 per cent. of all teachers and lecturers.
  206
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students have become qualified teachers in each of the last 30 years.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the average cost to public funds of a teacher taking early retirement on health grounds.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The average pension and lump sum for a teacher retiring on the grounds of ill health during 1992–93 were £7,909 and £23,723 respectively.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many newly qualified teachers entering the profession leave within five years; and what proportion of the total qualifying this is.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The data requested are not readily available. However, an analysis produced by the Department suggests that 90 per cent. of newly qualified teachers enter teaching in England and Wales at some point in the five years after qualifying and that 63 per cent. are in service at the five-year point after qualifying. Many of those leaving teaching within five years will return at a later date.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many lecturers in further education have relevant teaching qualifications.

  Mr. Boswell
  The information centrally held on the qualification of FE lecturers is not complete. I will write as soon as possible to the hon. Member with details of the information that is available.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many teachers have taken voluntary redundancy in each of the last 10 years;

  (2) what is the average cost to public funds of a teacher taking voluntary redundancy.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Employers of teachers are not required to inform the Department which teachers seek or acquiesce in dismissal on grounds of redundancy. Information is therefore not available centrally about the numbers of teachers concerned or costs.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many newly qualified teachers have not entered the teaching profession in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The data requested are not readily available. However, the table shows the destination of teachers qualifying from the university sector in 1993. Further details for the university sector are available from the Universities Council for the Education of Teachers.

  Destination, as at December 1993, of teachers completing initial training in the summer of 1993 at universities in England and Wales.

  PGCE

  Degree

  Total

  Obtaining teaching post in United Kingdom

  7,467

  2,433

  9,900

  Not seeking a teaching post

  710

  330

  1,040

  Seeking a teaching post

  772

  301

  1,073

  Not known

  1,011

  721

  1,732

  Total successful completers

  9,960

  3,785

  13,745

  Source: Universities Council for the Education of Teachers.
  207
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers are currently employed in local education authority or grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  In January 1993, 396,332 full-time equivalent teachers were employed in the maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools sector in England, including LEA and self-governing—GM—schools and sixth-form colleges.

  Departmental Advertisements (Complaints)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library a copy of his response to the Advertising Standards Authority reports on the recent complaints concerning his Department's advertisements relating to grant-maintained status when that report is made available.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 April 1994,Official Report, columns 193–94. Once the outcome of the ASA's investigations is published, which is expected within the next week, a copy of the Department's response to their investigations will be placed in the Library.

  National Curriculum Review
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the estimated total cost of Sir Ron Dearing's review of the national curriculum; what is the total cost to date; and if he will provide a detailed breakdown of such costs.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The estimated total cost to date is £1·3 million, comprising:

  (i) £755k for the interim and final Dearing reports on the National Curriculum; and

  (ii) £528k for work on slimming down the curriculum by the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (SCAA) and its advisory groups (excluding SCAA's internal staff costs).

  The eventual cost of the current consultation on the revised curriculum proposals is estimated at about £2 million, which includes the cost of publishing and distributing the consultation documents and a report on the outcome of consultation.

  Funding Agency for Schools
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proposals he has in respect of the eligibility of the Funding Agency for Schools to continue to operate in local education authority areas under redrawn boundaries where it has been established under existing boundaries.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend would need to consider this matter in the light of the individual circumstances applying in the new LEA areas.

  Sport
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the time given to sport in the national curriculum, following the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority's review.
  208
  Mr. Robin Squire

  My right hon. Friend has no power to specify how much time should be allocated to physical education or any other national curriculum subject. This is a matter for individual schools. However, the national curriculum as proposed is expected on average to free up the equivalent of 20 per cent. at key stages 1, 2 and 3 and 40 per cent. at KS4. This is to allow more scope for teachers to exercise their professional judgment.

ENVIRONMENT

  Businesses (Compensation)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provision exists for businesses to claim compensation for loss of business due to(a) road works and (b) works associated with water supplies; and what plans he has to change these provisions.

  Mr. Baldry
  Compensation for loss of business due to development by a public authority, or other body acting under statutory powers, is assessed in accordance with the land compensation code, specified for England and Wales principally in the Land Compensation Acts 1961 and 1973, the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 and the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. One of a series of official booklets on the compensation code deals with the position of businesses affected by public development. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.

  The compensation code was thoroughly reviewed prior to the introduction of important changes in the 1991 Act. My right hon. Friend has no proposals for further amendment.

  Properties, Redditch
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on the sale by the Commission for New Towns of the freeholds of properties in Redditch to Burford Estates and Shenstone Properties;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the sale by the Commission for New Towns of the freeholds of properties in Redditch to property developers is in accordance with Government policies to encourage home ownership and affordable housing.

  Sir George Young
  Throughout the 1980s, the leaseholders of residential properties in Redditch had the opportunity to purchase their freeholds, with specific mailshots being made in both 1985–86 and 1989–90. Following this, in accordance with the Commission for the New Town's statutory remit to dispose of its assets for the best price reasonably obtainable, the freeholds of the remaining properties were advertised on the open market and were sold in two blocks on the basis of tenders received. Most leaseholders of houses have the right to enfranchise under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 which sets out the basis for a fair price to be determined with provision, in the event of a disagreement, for either party to refer the matter to the local leasehold valuation tribunal.

  Urban Regeneration
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will be taking nationally and regionally to ensure that a target proportion of the
  209
  single regeneration budget is used to support (a) voluntary sector run projects and (b) black and ethnic minority projects.

  Mr. Baldry
  The single regeneration budget is intended to be a locally responsive source of funding for regeneration. There is therefore no fixed, centrally determined quota or target for the support of particular activities.

  The bidding guidance for the single regeneration budget makes clear that one of its objectives is to
  "promote initiatives of benefit to ethnic minorities"
  and that bids should also aim to
  "harness the talents and resources of the voluntary sector and volunteers and involve local communities".

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what decision he has made on how single regeneration budgets will be assessed in terms of the level of involvement and partnership with the voluntary sector.

  Mr. Baldry
  The bidding guidance for the single regeneration budget, released on 14 April, copies of which are in the Library of the House, says that bids should"aim to harness the talents and resources of the voluntary sector and volunteers and involve local communities".
  Bids will be judged against the criteria set out in the checklist at annex A of the guidance.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will appoint regional advisers at the 10 new regional integrated offices to advice on the strategy for supporting and developing black and minority ethnic programmes and projects under the single regeneration budget.

  Mr. Baldry
  A key objective of the single regeneration budget is to"promote initiatives of benefit to ethnic minorities"
  and projects which benefit individuals will be monitored to ensure that all those intended to benefit, including ethnic minorities, do so. In addition, each regional office will have a senior official from the Home Office to provide advice on issues for which the Home Office has the lead policy responsibility.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce a scheme whereby licensees of almshouses and properties owned by registered charities will qualify for grants towards the cost of draught proofing and insulation.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department is currently considering whether it is possible for the licensees of almshouses to benefit from the provisions of the home energy efficiency scheme.

  Eltham Well Hall Site
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet considered the planning application from Safeway for the development of the Eltham Well Hall site in the London borough of Greenwich; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  I expect to announce my decision on this application soon.

  Housing, Liverpool
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Liverpool Federation of Council Tenants and Residents Associations in respect of the consultation paper, "Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies"; and what his response has been.

  Sir George Young
  One of my officials acknowledged on 10 May a letter dated 20 April from the chair of the Liverpool federation which set out the federation's comments on the proposals in the Government's consultation paper, and on certain other aspects of housing policy.

  RECHAR
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funds were approved under the RECHAR programme for the provision of a community hall at Widdrington, Northumberland.

  Mr. Baldry
  A European regional development fund grant of £225,000 was approved under the Tyne and Wear and South East Northumberland RECHAR programme for the provision of a community hall at Widdrington.

EMPLOYMENT

  Youth Training
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for City of Durham (Mr. Steinberg) of 29 April,Official Report, column 379, for what reason the information on youth training recipients and income support is not available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information requested by the hon. member for the City of Durham (Mr. Steinberg) is not available because the Department does not collect current data on the income level of youth training participants or on their eligibility for income support. The youth cohort study provides information, on a sample basis, on incomes of certain age groups, but this information is dated and does not establish individuals' entitlement to income support.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Filing Cabinets
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what plans he has to replace Members' filing cabinets in compliance with EU regulations; and what will be the cost.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  Older four-drawer filing cabinets and those without anti-tilt mechanisms are being identified and replaced as part of agreed refurbishment programmes in order to meet British Standard 4438. A total of £35,000 has been set aside in 1994–95 for this work.

  Private Members' Bills
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 6 May,Official Report, column 651, what authorisation is required by

  211
  Parliamentary Counsel to undertake drafting of amendments to Private Members' Bills; and who authorised the drafting of the amendments to the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill which appeared on the notice paper published on Wednesday 4 May.

  Mr. Newton
  Parliamentary Counsel undertakes drafting work at the request of Ministers. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People authorised his Department to instruct Parliamentary Counsel on the drafting of the amendments tabled on 3 May which appeared on the notice paper published on Wednesday 4 May.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 6 May,Official Report, column 651, which Government Department gave instructions to Parliamentary Counsel to draft the amendments to the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill.

  Mr. Newton
  The Department of Social Security.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when the figure of £200 available to assist towards the cost of drafting of Bills of Members successful in the ballot for private Members' Bills was first set; when it was last varied; and what is its value when last set adjusted by the retail price index.

  Mr. Newton
  Pursuant to a resolution of the House of 29 November 1971, hon. Members who have secured one of the first 10 places in the ballot are entitled to claim not more than £200 towards the cost of drafting assistance for their Bill. This allowance has not been increased since it was introduced; its value adjusted by the retail price index and expressed in March 1994 prices is £1,371.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 6 May,Official Report, column 651, what is his estimate of (a) the number of man-hours taken to draft the amendments referred to in his answer and (b) the cost to the Exchequer.

  Mr. Newton
  Work on drafting of amendments to the Civil Rights (Disabled Persons) Bill was carried out in parallel with other work being undertaken by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, and the time taken cannot be accurately assessed. This work did not involve any additional cost to the Exchequer.

  Internet
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what plans his Department has(a) to use the Internet, (b) to make available on the Internet press releases and other departmental information which the public may wish to have access to and (c) to use the Internet as a means of increasing the openness of his Department.

  Mr. Newton
  The Privy Council has no plans to use the Internet.

HEALTH

  Residential and Nursing Homes, North-East
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds there are in(a) residential homes and (b) nursing homes in the villages of (i) Murton, (ii)
  212
  Seaham, (iii) Peterlee, (iv) Easington colliery, (v) Easington village, (vi) Horden, (vii) Blackhall, (viii) Shotton, (ix) South Hetton and (x) Haswell; and how many are at present vacant.

  Mr. Bowis
  The most recent information available centrally relates to 31 March 1993 and is shown in the table. The information on location is based on that supplied by homes and has not been centrally validated.

  Durham: staffed residential home places available and vacant and nursing home beds, in certain villages, 31 March 1993

  Residential homes

  Nursing homes

  Village

  Places available

  Places vacant

  Beds available

  Murton

  47

  5

  34

  Seaham 1

  169

  16

  262

  Peterlee2

  72

  15

  100

  Easington colliery

  0

  0

  54

  Easington village3

  59

  15

  46

  Horden2

  30

  2

  52

  Blackhall

  31

  8

  112

  Shotten south4

  50

  1

  0

  Helton

  0

  0

  88

  Haswell

  0

  0

  0

  1Including Dawdon, Seaham. One of the homes in Seaham is dual registered.

  2Horden, Peterlee has been allocated to Horden rather than Peterlee.

  3Including Easington unspecified.

  4Including Shotten colliery and Shotten.

  Birth Defects
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider funding research into the possible causes of deformed limb birth defects; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Further to my response to an earlier question on this subject from my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson) on 20 April at column 544, the Department is currently considering the question of further research.

  Health Trusts (Non-executive Directors)
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the names and full-time occupations of all the non-executive directors appointed to health trusts in each regional health authority in London.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 17 January at column 385. Details of the additions and amendments that apply to the entries relating to London have been placed in the Library.

  Isotope Departments and Pathology Laboratories
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list those isotope departments and pathology laboratories which are eligible to apply for accreditation by her Department; if she will list those pathology laboratories and isotope departments which have been(a) granted or (b) refused accreditation; and if she will indicate the grounds on which accreditation was refused.

  Mr. Sackville
  Neither isotope departments or pathology laboratories have to be accredited by the Department. There are several professional accreditation
  213
  schemes but participation by laboratories is voluntary. Information is not kept centrally on details of applications to these schemes or their outcome. A clinician who wishes to administer—inject into—a human being a radioactive substance is required to hold a certificate, issued under the provisions of the Medicines (Administration of Radioactive Substances) Regulations 1978, before administering such a product. The site where such a clinician is based does not need to be accredited.

  East Gloucestershire Health Trust
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she will list the principal results achieved by the East Gloucestershire Health Trust since its formation in April 1991; and what it is doing to meet the targets laid down in her "The Health of the Nation" White Paper.

  Mr. Sackville
  East Gloucestershire national health service trust is a good example of how the NHS reforms are benefiting patients. My hon. Friend may wish to contact Mr. Thompson, the chairman of the trust, for details.

  Hospitals, London
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the names and numbers of hospitals which are planned for closure in inner London in the next five years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Proposals for changes to hospital services are developed in the light of discussions between hospitals and local health authorities. Proposals for significant changes in the pattern of services are subject to public consultation. No hospital or hospital department will close unless suitable alternative services are available.

  Poverty and Ill Health
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has of the extent of the link between poverty and ill health.

  Mr. Sackville
  A wide range of factors—including genetic predisposition, environment, exposure to risk, lifestyles—are associated with the incidence of ill health. Some, but not all, of these are linked with income levels. The Department keeps in touch with research developments in this field.

  Tuberculosis
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cases of TB were reported by each region and for England as a whole in(a) 1992 and (b) 1993;

  (2) how many deaths from TB occurred in (a) England and (b) each region in 1993;

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested for 1992 is shown in the tables. Figures for 1993 are not yet available.

  Tuberculosis notifications-1992

  Tuberculosis deaths

  England

  5,597

  520

  North

  268

  22

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  498

  47

  East Midlands

  356

  50

  214

  Tuberculosis notifications-1992

  Tuberculosis deaths

  East Anglia

  77

  19

  South East

  2,567

  178

  South West

  199

  44

  West Midlands

  869

  84

  North West

  763

  76

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has recently decided that a tuberculosis inter-departmental working group should be established to decide what further prevention and control measures might be necessary to help maintain the United Kingdom's excellent record in combating the disease.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost of drug treatment in primary care for TB in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Net ingredient cost of antituberculous drugs in England

  £ thousands

  1989

  1,139

  1990

  1,163

  1991

  1,363

  1992

  1,418

  1993

  1,471

  Notes:

  1. Antituberculous drugs are contained in the British National Formulary section 5.1.9.

  2. The figures for 1991 to 1993 are on a different basis to earlier years and so not directly comparable. The 1989 to 1990 data are based on a sample of 1 in 200 prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only in England. The data from 1991 cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England.

  Prednisolone
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations requesting compensation for side-effects she has received from patients who have taken the steroid prednisolone; and what action she is taking.

  Mr. Sackville
  Several representations have been received from patients who have taken steroids. Separate information is not held on representations made from those who have taken prednisolone. It is not the Department's policy to become involved in individual claims for compensation. This is a matter for individuals themselves to pursue with the companies concerned, if necessary, through the courts, as in other areas of health care.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines she has issued concerning the steroid prednisolone and its possible side-effects;

  (2) what discussions she has had with the manufacturers of the steroid prednisolone concerning its possible side-effects.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health has not issued specific guidelines about prednisolone. However, prescribing information on prednisolone and other corticosteroids is available to doctors in product data
  215
  sheets which are produced by the manufacturers and authorised by the licensing authority, and in the British National Formulary" which the Department of Health sends free to all prescribers. These provide extensive warnings about the side-effects of corticosteroids. Specific advice about the risk of immunosuppression in patients taking systemic corticosteroids and the association with disseminated chickenpox was recently sent to all doctors and pharmacists in the bulletin "Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance" volume 20: 1 February 1994, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Following a review of the safety of corticosteroids by the Committee on Review of Medicines in the mid-1980s there were communications with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry—ABPI—and individual companies, as a result prescribing information in product data sheets was revised. In the light of the recent recommendations made by the Committee on Safety of Medicines—CSM—regarding severe chickenpox in association with corticosteroids, the product information available for corticosteroids is being further revised. A large number of manufacturers are involved and will shortly be approached individually in writing on this matter.

  GP Fundholders
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the criteria for a GP fundholder removing patients from his or her list.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  General practitioner fundholders are no different from any general practitioner in this respect.

  Smear Tests
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many laboratories report a smear test as cytology negative when no endocervical material has been seen on the slide.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 25 April at column 64.

  Primary Health Care
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure equity of income and resources between primary health care in inner cities and elsewhere.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 1 November 1933 at column 60.

  Health and Inequalities
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is(a) the remit and timetable and (b) the membership of the new working group on health and inequalities.

  Mr. Sackville
  The terms of reference and membership of the variations sub-group of the Chief Medical Officer's "Health of the Nation" working group are as follows:

  TERMS OF REFERENCE

  For the current Health of the Nation key areas:
  By spring 1995 to prepare a report for the Chief Medical Officer as to how the Department of Health and the national health service can make best use of existing information in tackling ethnic, geographical, socio-economic and gender variations in health status, with particular reference to the strength of observed relationships and evidence about the effectiveness of interventions.
  216
  By the end of 1994 to prepare a report for the departmental research directorate in areas in which new epidemiological and research information is needed to inform the targeting of interventions for high risk groups of the population and further understanding of underlying processes relevant to policy on longer-term intervention.
  To support the Public Health Information Strategy with the health variations aspects of its work.

  Membership

  Dr. J. Metters (Chairman)—Deputy Chief Medical Officer—Department of Health

  Dr. S. Adam—Director of Public Health, North Thames (West)

  Dr. J. Chambers—Health Education Authority

  Professor M. Marmot—Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London

  Professor M. Pringle—Department of General Practice, The Medical School, Nottingham

  Dr. J. Fox—Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Professor S. McIntyre—Medical Research Council Medical Sociology Unit, Glasgow

  Professor P. Fonagy—Psychoanalysis Unit, University College London

  Dr. K. Kelleher—Director of Public Health, Wolverhampton Dr. A. Peatfield—Medical Research Council Observer

  To be confirmed—Economic and Social Research Council Observer

  Dr. D. McInnes—Department of Health (Health Promotion Division)

  Mrs. J. Griffin—Department of Health (Research and Development Division)

  Mr. K. Guinness—Department of Health (Health Promotion Division)

  Dr. S. Gupta—Department of Health (Health Promotion Division)

  Dr. A. McConville—National Health Service Executive Headquarters

  Mr. R. Willmer—Department of Health (Statistics Division)

  Miss E. Lynam (Secretariat)—Department of Health

  Dr. K. Binysh (Secretariat)—Department of Health

  Dr. L. Catan (Secretariat)—Department of Health

  Health Workers
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 15 April,Official Report, column 318, if she will publish a breakdown of the reported 750 redundancies by occupation, gender, ethnic origin and age.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Contraception
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many, and what percentage of, women of child-bearing age were registered by general practitioners for contraceptive care in each year since 1990 and in each month since 1 April 1993; and how many women were seen in family planning clinics, in each year since 1990.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information on women registered with general practitioners for contraceptive care is not available centrally. For information about attendances at family planning clinics, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 5 May at columns 627–28.

  Hospital Stays
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average length of stay in hospital for patients in the surgical specialties.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 6 May at columns 661–62.

  Health Service Administration
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of managers and clerical and administrative staff employed by each regional health authority for each year since 1989.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 4 November 1993 at column 458 and the letter sent to him on 30 November 1993 by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. A copy of the letter is available in the Library.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior managers in the NHS there were on each spinel point, 1 to 30; what was the flat salary on each point; what was the annual cost of employment per whole-time equivalent on each point since the introduction of these grades; what was the number of unit general managers in groups one to five, the salary range in each group, and the annual cost of employment per whole-time equivalent on each point since the introduction of these grades; and what was the number of district general managers in groups one to three, the salary range in each group and the annual cost of employment per whole-time equivalent on each point since the introduction of these grades.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave him on 27 July 1993 at columns 835–39 and to my subsequent reply on 6 December 1993 at columns 71–72. The tables provide the latest-1993–-salary figures for national health service senior managers and unit and district general managers.

  Table 1

  Basic salaries of NHS senior managers 1993

  Spine point

  1993 (£)

  1

  47,300

  2

  45,470

  3

  43,730

  4

  42,040

  5

  40,420

  6

  38,870

  7

  37,370

  8

  35,940

  9

  34,560

  10

  33,230

  11

  31,950

  12

  30,720

  13

  29,540

  14

  28,400

  15

  27,310

  16

  26,260

  17

  25,240

  18

  24,280

  19

  23,350

  20

  22,450

  21

  21,590

  22

  20,760

  23

  19,950

  24

  19,190

  25

  18,450

  26

  17,740

  27

  17,060

  28

  16,400

  29

  15,770

  30

  15,160

  Notes:

  1. All salary rates effective from 1 September.

  2. Senior managers' salaries may be enhanced by performance-related pay nationally and geographical allowances in south-east of England.
  218

  Table 2. Salary range for unit and district general managers 1993

  Grade

  1993 (£)

  DGM1

  49,130–70,950

  DGM2

  46,400–67,020

  DGM3

  42,460–61,560

  UGM1

  42,460–61,560

  UGM2

  37,300–53,980

  UGM3

  33,660–48,830

  UGM4

  29,120–42,150

  UGM5

  —

  Notes:

  1. All salary retes effective from 1 September.

  2. General managers' salaries may be enhanced by peformance-related pay nationally and geographical allowances in south-east of England.

  3. The UGM5 grade was assimilated into UGM4 with the restructuring in 1990.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing the total amount spent on administration by(a) regional health authorities, (b) district health authorities, (c) special health authorities, (d) family health services authorities, (e) trusts and (f) the Department of Health/NHS executive, in 1993–94, in each case breaking the figure down to show expenditure on (i) salaries and wages and (ii) establishment expenses.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The information is not yet available.

  Regional Health Authorities
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the revenue and capital allocations for regional health authorities in 1994–95.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 26 April at columns 153–56 for revenue allocations for 1994–95. Similar information for capital allocations is shown in the table. Most hospital and community health services capital investment now takes place at national health service trusts. This does not feature in capital allocations made to regional health authorities.

  Region

  1994–95 Capital allocation (£000)

  (1)

  (2)

  Northern

  28,436

  Yorkshire

  9,474

  Northern and Yorkshire

  37,910

  Trent

  10,466

  East Anglia

  5,188

  Oxford

  9,240

  Anglia and Oxford

  14,428

  North West Thames

  39,246

  North East Thames

  24,492

  North Thames

  63,738

  South East Thames

  3,777

  South West Thames

  11,590

  South Thames

  15,367

  Wessex

  19,228

  South Western

  4,188

  South and West

  23,416

  West Midlands

  28,068

  Mersey

  19,496

  North Western

  8,432

  North West

  27,928

  England

  221,321

  Notes:

  1 Column 2 is the 1994–95 capital allocation for each region as at March 1994.

  2. Further sums for specific purposes will be added to allocations during the year.

  Employment Safeguards
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what employment safeguards exist for nurses, midwives, or health visitors who publicise misconduct or mismanagement in the NHS.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Ms Primarolo) on 31 March at column 1051.

  Ministerial Visits
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 6 May,Official Report, column 665, if she will list those national health service establishments that she or members of her team have already arranged to visit before 9 June.

  Mr. Sackville
  A number of visits are being arranged but final decisions on whether they take place will depend on parliamentary business and other factors.

  NHS Costs
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) doctors, (b) consultants, (c) nurses, (d) administrators and (e) others currently serve in the national health service and at what annual cost; what were the comparable figures in real terms five, 10 and 15 years ago; and if she will make a statement.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 22 March 1994]: The information is shown in the tables. The latest staffing information available is as at 30 September 1992 and the latest expenditure information is for the 1992–93 financial year. Comparable expenditure figures for 1977–78 are not available. The number of managers has been deliberately increased since the mid-1980s—not just since the reforms —because the service was previously undermanaged. Much of the increase arises from the reclassification of existing staff—including many senior nurses—as managers. General and senior managers still account for only 2 per cent. of the total national health service workforce in England and 3 per cent. of the total NHS expenditure on salaries and wages. The number of administrative and clerical staff in clinically-related posts has increased over the last few years in order to free clinical staff to concentrate their skills and experience on direct patient care.

  Table 1

  Numbers1 of doctors, consultants, nurses and midwives, administrators and other NHS staff in England—whole-time equivalents.

  1977

  1982

  1987

  1992

  Doctors2

  24,250

  27,250

  28,040

  32,360

  Consultants3

  10,470

  11,980

  13,280

  15,290

  Nursing and Midwifery4

  340,760

  394,040

  397,910

  397,090

  Administrators—including General and Senior managers introduced from 1986

  99,040

  108,800

  114,600

  151,700

  Others5

  272,530

  285,490

  239,360

  214,220

  Totals

  747,050

  827,560

  793,190

  810,660

  Source: Medical Workforce Census. Non Medical Workforce Census. Form KM49.
  220
  Notes:

  1All the figures have been independently rounded to the nearest 10.

  2Medical staff, locum doctors, and locum consultants. Locum consultants cannot be separately identified for 1977, for consistency they are included with doctors for all years.

  3Medical and dental consultants—but excluding locum consultants.

  4The nursing and midwifery figures exclude agency nurses and agency midwives. Figures for 1977 are not directly comparable with 1982 and later years due to a reduction in the length of their working week from 40 hours to 37·5 hours. From 1989 Project 2000 nurse training was introduced. To maintain comparability with earlier years the figures for 1992 include 18,300 Project 2000 students. Unlike traditional nurse learners, these students are not employees and are not normally included in workforce figures.

  5The "Others" figure includes the following staff groups; dental (excluding consultants), professional and technical, professions allied to medicine, scientific and professional, ancillary, maintenance, works, ambulance (including ambulance officers and control assistants), and others who have not been classified elsewhere.

  Table 2

  Expenditure on salaries and wages by health authorities and NHS trusts in England in real terms

  1982–83 £000s

  1987–88 £000s

  51992–93 £000s

  Doctors1

  [1,285,586]

  858,424

  1,151,866

  Consultants2

  [note 1 refers]

  785,139

  960,449

  Nurses and Midwives

  4,627,292

  5,338,438

  6,089,087

  Administrators3

  1,155,881

  1,245,645

  1,992,881

  Others4

  3,341,250

  3,302,913

  3,335,078

  Total

  10,410,009

  11,530,559

  13,529,361

  Source: Annual accounts and annual financial returns of district, regional and special health authorities and NHS trusts.

  Notes:

  1 The yearly figures for doctors are not directly comparable because the 1982–83 figure for doctors includes expenditure on consultants. Separate figures were not available. For subsequent years separate figures have been provided.

  2The consultant figure is for medical and dental consultants.

  31987–88 and 1992–93 figures also include general and senior managers following redesignation of staff groups.

  4"Others" consists of all salaries and wages not included in the four other categories.

  5 Figures for 1992–93 are provisional.

  6 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) deflator has been used to convert figures to 1992 prices.

  7 Comparable figures for 1977–78 are not available.

  NHS Trusts
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the conveyancing and start-up cost of each wave of NHS trusts.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 5 May 1994]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Raynsford) on 17 May 1993 at column 29 and to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) on 18 May 1992 at column 63. The final amount allocated towards start-up and conveyancing costs for fourth wave trusts was £34,742,000.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Attorney-General how many current and former officials and Ministers in his Department have been asked to give written or oral evidence to the Scott inquiry.

  The Attorney-General
  To date, both I and my predecessor as Attorney-General have been asked to give evidence together with five officials currently in my departments.

PRIME MINISTER

  United Nations Security Council
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Prime Minister if, when he last met President Clinton, they discussed the structure, functions and membership of the Security Council of the United Nations; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The structure, functions and membership of the United Nations Security Council were not discussed during my visit.

  Ministerial Visits
  Dr. Liam Fox
  To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to pay an official visit to Woodspring.

  The Prime Minister
  I have no immediate plans to do so.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 12 May.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 12 May.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 12 May.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Tigris and Euphrates Valleys
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what latest assessment Her Majesty's Government have received from medical sources of the latest disease position in the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates, related to defective water-pump and water-filtering equipment.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 April,Official Report, column 599. We have not received any subsequent assessments or reports.

  Savings Disregard
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Prime Minister what the reasons were for the discrepancy between his oral answer of 5 May,Official Report, column 843, and the answer of
  222
  the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security on 14 March, Official Report, column 480, in respect of the uprating of the savings disregard.

  The Prime Minister
  There is no discrepancy between my answer on the lower savings disregard and my hon. Friend's answer, which explained the basis of the formula affecting savings held between £3,000 and £8,000. There is no statutory requirement to increase the capital limits as part of the annual uprating of benefits. We keep the limits under review, but there are no current plans for change.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Prime Minister how many current and former officials and Ministers in his Department, including the Cabinet Office, have been asked to give written or oral evidence to the Scott inqury.

  The Prime Minister
  My predecesor and I have both given written and oral evidence to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry. In addition, one serving and one former official have given written and oral evidence relating to their respective service within the Prime Minister's Office and the Cabinet Office, and two former officials have submitted written evidence only.

TREASURY

  Disposable Income
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate by how much the typical family's disposable income will change in 1994–95.

  Mr. Portillo
  Real personal disposable income is expected to rise by 1 per cent. in 1994.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much marginal rates on income tax have changed since 1979; and what evidence he has of the effect on incentives of cutting marginal rates of direct taxation.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Since 1979 we have cut the top rate of tax from 83 per cent. to 40 per cent. and the basic rate from 33 per cent. to 25 per cent. We have introduced a new 20 per cent. rate for those on low incomes. This has improved incentives and encouraged enterprise at all levels.

  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of total income tax revenue is now paid by the highest 10 per cent. of earners; and what was the proportion in 1979.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The top 10 per cent. of income tax payers are currently estimated to pay 45 per cent. of total income tax compared with 35 per cent. in 1978–79.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of people in the United Kingdom who will be paying income tax in 1996.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Latest estimates suggest that 26·3 million individuals will be liable to income tax in 1996–97.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received in the last four weeks as to the level of income tax.
  223
  Mr. Dorrell
  I have received a number of representations on the level of income tax.

  Taxation
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of earnings was payable by a person on average income married with two children in direct and indirect taxation in 1978–79 and 1994–95.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the information placed in the House of Commons Library as noted in the answer to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) on 13 April 1989,Official Report, column 620, for estimates, based on illustrative assumptions, of direct and indirect tax payments in 1978–79. Direct and indirect tax payments in 1994–95 will depend on what happens to prices, income and spending patterns.

  United Kingdom Economy
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to meet the director general of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss the state of the United Kingdom economy.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I will be meeting the Director General of the CBI later this month as part of the regular contact that I maintain with him.

  Corporate Taxation
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis he has made of levels of corporate taxation in the United Kingdom compared with current levels in other EU member states.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The rate of corporate taxation in the United Kingdom is kept under frequent review. The United Kingdom continues to provide the lowest rate in the European Union.

  Taxation Rates
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received since 1 April regarding increased taxation; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has received a number of representations.

  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect the changes in interest rates since 1990 have had on the disposable income, after mortgage payments, of an average family with an average mortgage.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The halving of mortgage rates since October 1990 has reduced interest payments on a typical £33,000 mortgage by about £160 a month.

  Income Tax and National Insurance
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the difference between(a) the total annual amount of income tax and national insurance contributions that it is estimated that a married man on average earnings with two children will pay in 1995–96 and
  224
  (b) the amount that the same person would pay in 1995–96 under the regimes of (i) 1977–78, indexed and (ii) 1978–79, indexed.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Income tax and national insurance payments in 1995–96 will depend on the levels of earnings in that year.

  If a married man on average earnings with two children paid income tax and national insurance contributions in 1994–95 on the basis of the 1977–78 tax regime indexed to current prices he would be about £930 a year worse off; on the same basis, the 1978–79 regime would make him £690 a year worse off.

  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax and national insurance was payable on an income of £150,000 last year and in 1978.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Assuming that all income is earned, that the only income tax allowances and reliefs available are the married man's allowance for 1978–79 and the personal and married couple's allowance for 1993–94, and that class 1 national insurance contributions are paid at the contracted-in rate, the amounts payable were £116,542 in 1978–79 and £56,015 in 1993–94.

  Economic Growth
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the rate of economic growth in the United Kingdom and that of other EC economies.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The United Kingdom grew faster than any other major European Community country in 1993, and is expected to do so again this year.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review his forecast of the economic growth rate for the next 12 months.

  Mr. Portillo
  Publication of the first Industry Act forecast of 1994 is planned for the summer.

  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest United Kingdom figure for economic growth.

  Mr. Portillo
  In the first quarter of 1994, United Kingdom gross domestic product grew by 0·7 per cent., to a level 2·6 per cent. higher than a year before. GDP has now grown for eight quarters in succession.

  Inflation
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current rate of inflation in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Germany and France.

  Mr. Nelson
  Headline inflation in the year to March was 2·3 per cent. in the United Kingdom, compared with 2·5 per cent. in the United States, 3·2 per cent. in Germany and 1·5 per cent. in France.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the average rate of retail price inflation in each of the last five Parliaments; and what is the current average for the present one.

  Mr. Nelson
  The average rate of retail price inflation for the last five Parliaments are shown in the table:
  225

  Parliament

  Assembled

  Dissolved

  Average rate of Retail Price Inflation Per cent.

  6 March 1974

  20 September 1974

  17·0

  22 October 1974

  7 April 1979

  15·2

  9 May 1979

  13 May 1983

  11·5

  15 June 1983

  18 May 1987

  4·8

  17 June 1987

  16 March 1992

  6·4

  These compare with a current average of 1·4 per cent. for the present Parliament, assembled 27 April 1992 up to and including March 1994.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the impact of non-seasonal sales and special offers on measurements of inflation.

  Mr. Portillo
  Non-seasonal sales discounts are recorded in the retail prices index in the same way as any other price change, as are special offers that involve a straightforward price reduction. However, some special offers, such as discounts on multi-pack buys or on the next purchase, are not measured in the RPI.

  The RPI does not identify the reasons for price changes, so the impact of non-seasonal sales and special offers is not separately distinguishable.

  Tax Changes
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how much more a married man on average earnings with two children will pay in taxation over the next two years as a result of the changes in taxes announced in last year's Budgets.

  Mr. Portillo
  Since 1978–79 the real take-home pay of such a family has risen by around £83 a week. What happens to its tax payments and take-home pay in the next two years will depend on what happens to its income and its spending pattern.

  VAT
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of an average household's income he estimates will be spent on value added tax in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96.

  Sir John Cope
  The latest published information shows that VAT paid by households averaged around 6·8 per cent. of household gross income in 1992.

  Alcoholic Drink Excise Duty
  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in excise duty on alcoholic drink during(a) 1993–94, (b) 1992–93 and (c) 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  In the March 1992 Budget excise duties on all alcoholic drinks were increased by 4·5 per cent. In March 1993 most of these duties increased by 5 per cent., while the duty on spirits remained unchanged. On 1 January 1994 most alcohol duties increased by 1·9 per cent. but the duties on beer and spirits remained unchanged. Full details are available in the Budget documents and the relevant legislation.

  Demand
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the level of total demand in the economy.

  Mr. Portillo
  For domestic demand, the most recent figures available are for the fourth quarter of 1993. By then it had risen for seven successive quarters, to a level over 4½ per cent. above its trough in the first quarter of 1992.

  Cross-border Shopping
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated loss of duty from alcoholic beverage sales in the United Kingdom for 1993–94 and for 1994–95 as a result of cross-border shopping in the single market.

  Sir John Cope
  Information on which to base an estimate is available only for the calendar year 1993. Customs and Excise estimate the loss of duty from additional cross-border alcohol sales as £70 million.

  Late Payment
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about proposals for combating the practice of late payment by large companies to suppliers.

  Mr. Portillo
  We expect to announce our proposals shortly. These will take account of the responses to DTI's recent consultation paper on prompt payment.

  Tax Revenues
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the change in the number of full-time jobs on tax revenues.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I expect tax revenues to increase as the economy strengthens and unemployment falls.

  Public Expenditure Debt Interest
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of public expenditure debt interest represented(a) in 1979 and (b) currently.

  Mr. Portillo
  General Government gross debt interest payments accounted for 10½ per cent. of general Government expenditure in 1979–80. The figure in 1992–93 was 6¾ per cent.

  Finance and the City Review
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the timetable for completion of the review of finance and the City.

  Mr. Nelson
  Work on the industrial finance initiative and the associated programme of consultations will continue tinto the second half of this year. The output from the exercise will, in the first instance, inform our Budget considerations in the autumn.

  Public-private Initiative
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the projects announced in the public-private initiative are under construction; and how many have yet to begin construction.
  227
  Mr. Dorrell
  Of the projects listed in "Breaking New Ground", published by the Treasury in November 1993, 30 are either completed or under construction. Decisions have still to be taken on some of the remaining projects, but the total value of those currently expected to proceed under the private finance initiative is over £6 billion, or approximately £8 billion if the Jubilee line extension is included.

  Unemployment (Cost)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the overall cost of unemployment since 1979.

  Mr. Portillo
  No accurate estimate can be made of the overall cost of unemployment because any such calcuation is highly sensitive to the assumptions on which it would have to be based.

  Russian Economy
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next expects to meet the managing director of the International Monetary Fund to discuss the Russian economy.

  Mr. Nelson
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer had a meeting with the Managing Director of the IMF on 24 April before the spring meetings of the IMF and World bank. He discussed many issues during the meeting, including relations with Russia.

  Economic Forecasts
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest forecast for 1994–95 of(a) the rate of growth of gross domestic product and (b) the rate of inflation.

  Mr. Portillo
  In the November 1993, "Financial Statement and Budget Report", GDP was forecast to grow by 2·5 per cent. in 1994–95. Underlying inflation, as measured by the RPI excluding mortgage interest payments, was forecast to be 3·25 per cent. in the fourth quarter of 1994. A new forecast will be published in the summer.

  Growth, Competitiveness and Employment White Paper
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress being made on follow up work on the Delors White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment.

  Year ended 31 March

  Handguns

  Rifles

  Shotguns

  CS Gas canisters

  Stun guns

  Total

  1984

  908

  155

  10

  152

  11

  1,236

  1985

  150

  52

  7

  174

  2

  385

  1986

  108

  156

  11

  141

  30

  446

  1987

  1,071

  28

  21

  114

  291

  1,525

  1988

  168

  31

  6

  276

  309

  790

  1989

  130

  55

  28

  395

  73

  681

  1990

  1,489

  144

  44

  414

  301

  2,392

  1991

  253

  535

  49

  1,132

  48

  2,017

  1992

  176

  126

  82

  692

  53

  1,129

  1993

  138

  41

  39

  2,580

  427

  3,225

  1994

  304

  349

  68

  6,266

  216

  7,203

  Totals

  4,895

  1,672

  365

  12,336

  1,761

  21,029

  228
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Brussels European Council in December 1993 discussed the Commission's White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment. The presidency conclusions of the Council set out a framework for action, mainly by member states, to tackle unemployment and improve the European Community's competitive position. The main elements of this framework concern structural reform of labour markets; deregulation; completion of the single market; and work on a programme of infrastructure projects—trans-European networks. I welcome the shift in the Community's agenda towards priorities advocated by the Government which this framework represents. The Council of Economic and Finance Ministers will discuss progress on 16 May and 6 June, in preparation for the Corfu European Council. I shall be reiterating the importance which the Government attach to effective implementation of the Brussels European Council conclusions, on a basis consistent with the principle of subsidiarity, and shall be seeking further progress in a number of areas.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect of reform of the common agricultural policy on the European Union budget.

  Sir John Cope
  The effect of reform is to reduce the overall economic burden of the common agricultural policy.

  Reform results in payments to farmers based on area of land rather than output produced, and this, combined with a set-aside obligation, reduces the encouragement of surplus production. Area payments to farmers increase budgetary costs, while the accompanying lower support prices reduce consumer and resource costs.

  The budgetary costs of CAP reform continue to be met within the agricultural guideline.

  Illegal Weapons
  Mr. Blair
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many illegal weapons were seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in each year since 1979.

  Sir John Cope
  Customs do not hold central records of seizures of illegal weapons prior to 1983. The table sets out the number of illegal weapons seized by Customs and Excise nationally in each financial year since 1983–84.

  Firearms Imports
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people(a) were found by Customs to be illegally importing firearms and ammunition and (b) were prosecuted for illegal importation of firearms and ammunition in (i) 1992 and (ii) 1993.

  Sir John Cope
  Customs do not hold central statistics on the number of people found to be illegally importing firearms and ammunition. The table shows, for 1992 and 1993, the number of: detected irregularities in firearms and ammunition importations; seized firearms; and resulting prosecutions. It is customs policy to take offence action, either by prosecution or compound penalty, when there is sufficient evidence to show that those concerned were knowingly concerned in a fraudulent evasion of United Kingdom prohibitions and restrictions. In all other cases action is restricted to seizure of the goods. The compound penalty procedure is used primarily in respect of non-commercial importations of CS gas canisters or undeclared firearms held for personal security reasons by visiting yachtsmen. These factors account for the low rate of prosecutions resulting from a large number of detections and seizures.

  Year

  Detections

  Firearms seized1

  Prosecutions

  1992

  N/A

  1,427

  6

  1993

  276

  8,674

  4

  1The significant increase in the number of weapons seized in 1993 is the result of a small number of major seizures of CS gas canisters and the seizure of a major arms shipment at Teesport in November 1993.

  VAT on Fuel
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now review his policy of imposing VAT on domestic fuel; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  No.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the ratio of public sector employees to employees in the private sector; and what it was in(a) 1979, (b) 1985 and (c)

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested is as follows:

  Ratio of public to private sector employees

  Mid-year 1979

  1 : 2·4

  Mid-year 1985

  1 : 2·7

  Mid-year 1990

  1 : 3·4

  Mid-year 1993

  1 : 3·5

  Relevant information is available in the Central Statistical Office publication, Economic Trends, January 1994—Table C of "Employment in the public and private sectors". A copy is available in the Library.

  Public Expenditure
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his current target for public spending as a percentage of national wealth.

  Mr. Portillo
  The Government are committed to reducing public spending as a share of national income: the plans that we announced in the Budget in November imply that public spending will fall from 45 per cent. of national income in 1993–94 to 42·5 per cent. in 1996–97.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on the Chancellor's departments within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (2) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on European Communities within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (3) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure new control total by department on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (4) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for the public expenditure new control total and general Government expenditure on the same basis as table 5·2 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (5) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on local authority self-financed expenditure within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (6) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on agriculture, fisheries and food within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (7) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on the legal departments within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (8) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on defence within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (9) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on education within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (10) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on employment within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (11) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on housing, environment, the Property Services Agency and local government within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (12) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on Foreign Office activities and on overseas development within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;
  231
  (13) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on health within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (14) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on the Home Office within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (15) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on Northern Ireland within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (16) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on Scotland within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (17) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on social security within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (18) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on trade and industry and on the ECGD within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (19) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on transport within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (20) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on Wales within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95;

  (21) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on the Office of Public Service and Science and on other Cabinet Office expenditure within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget report 1994–95;

  (22) if he will publish outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure on the national heritage within the new control total on the same basis as table 5B.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" 1994–95.

  Mr. Portillo
  [holding answer 6 May 1994]: Outturn figures for 1993–94 for public expenditure, on the same basis as tables 5B.3 and 5.2 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1994–95", will be published in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1995–96." The table gives the latest estimates for these figures, which are subject to revision and may differ from the eventual published figures.

  Estimated outturn for 1993–94 new control total and general Government expenditure

  £ million

  Ministry of Defence

  23,450

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  1,450

  Overseas Development Administration

  2,250

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (including IBEA)

  3,010

  Trade and Industry

  3,340

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  -60

  Department of Employment

  3,620

  Department of Transport

  6,10

  DOE—Housing

  7,650

  DOE—Other environmental services

  2,320

  DOE—PSA

  110

  DOE—Local government

  29,350

  Home Office

  5,960

  Lord Chancellor and Law Officer's Departments

  2,480

  Education

  9,830

  232

  £ million

  Department of National Heritage

  990

  Department of Health

  29,950

  Department of Social Security

  67,800

  Scotland (including Forestry Commission)

  13,620

  Wales

  6,330

  Northern Ireland

  7,110

  Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments

  3,410

  Cabinet Office—OPSS

  1,240

  Cabinet Office etc

  460

  European Communities

  1,620

  Local authority self-financed expenditure

  9,700

  Adjustment

  -300

  New control total

  242,700

  Cyclical Social Security

  14,400

  Central Government debt interest

  19,400

  Accounting adjustments

  7,900

  General Government expenditure excluding privatisation proceeds

  284,400

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much has been paid in disability living allowance to people suffering from back ailments in each of the last three years;

  (2) if it is standard practice for people who have applied for disability living allowance because of back ailments to be examined by a chiropractor; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) how much has been paid in disability living allowance for each of the last three years;

  (4) what proportion and number of people in receipt of disability living allowance suffer from back ailments.

  Mr. Scott
  Information is not available about the number of people receiving disability living allowance who have a back ailment. Available information dates from April 1993 and relates to people whose main disabling condition is attributable to a back ailment. Currently 8 per cent.—108,000—of DLA recipients have this as their main disabling condition. In 1993–94 we estimate that DLA expenditure on this group was around £200 million.1

  Disability living allowance was introduced in April 1992. Total expenditure for 1992–93 was £1,973 million and for 1993–94 is estimated to have been £2,505 million.2

  It is not standard practice for medical examinations to be undertaken in connection with claims for DLA. An independent adjudication officer decides in each individual case what additional evidence, if any, is required to reach a decision on entitlement.

  1Source: DSS Analytical Services Division—based on a 5 per cent. sample.

  2Source: Social Security Departmental Report The Government's Expenditure Plans 1994–95 to 1996–97 (March 1994) Cm 2513.

  Detective Agencies
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department has spent on contracts with private detective agencies since 1991; and if he will make a statement.
  233
  Mr. Hague
  This Department uses a private company to serve documents in connection with the collection of arrears of national insurance contributions. The cost of the contract for the period April 1991 to March 1994 was £302,461.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the take-up of disability working allowance; and what plans he has to improve the allowance.

  Mr. Scott
  Disability working allowance was introduced in April 1992. By 30 April 1994, 43,088 applications had been received and 12,416 claims had been successful.

  We have announced six changes to improve the benefit. From October 1994 we will introduce a child care costs disregard of £40 which could increase disability working allowance by up to £28 a week. From April 1995 there will be automatic remission of NHS charges for those with savings of £8,000 or less, access to disability working allowance will be extended for those undertaking training for work, the rate for couples and lone parents will be increased from £63·75 to £72·10 a week, the threshold for single people will be increased from £43·00 to £53·75 and we will introduce a disabled child's premium of £19·45 a week.

  These are significant improvements to the benefit.

  Child Support
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the savings made by the Child Support Agency in its first year of operation excluding(a) those savings made and passed on by the old liable relatives system, (b) moneys passed directly from parent to parent and taken into consideration and (c) those savings brought forward from the Child Support Unit prior to the agency's start-up.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 12 May 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the benefit savings made by the Child Support Agency.
  The Agency has so far achieved £335 million in benefit savings in 1993–94. This does not represent the total savings achieved as some will be scored retrospectively. It includes £195 million which arises for maintenance arranged under the old Liable Relative system, and which is not yet the subject of a new CSA assessment.
  Some maintenance is collected by the Agency as part of its collection service and some is paid direct between parents. At the end of March the benefit savings figure included £172·9 million which had been paid direct.
  I hoipe this reply is helpful.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many maintenance application forms in relation to the Child Support Act 1991 have been issued in Scotland since April 1993 to(a) lone parents on income support, (b) lone parents on family credit, (c) disability working allowance and (d) lone parents not in receipt of social security benefits;
  234
  (2) how many maintenance application forms in relation to the Child Support Act 1991 have been returned in Scotland since April 1993 from (a) lone parents on income support, (b) lone parents on family credit, (c) disability working allowance and (d) lone parents not in receipt of social security benefits.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 11 May 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of maintenance application forms issued by, and returned to the Child Support Agency in Scotland.
  I am afraid that the figures requested are not available for Scotland separately. Figures are, however, available for Great Britain as a whole. From April 1993 to March 1994 maintenance application forms were issued to 320,400 parents with care on income support, 223,800 parents with care in receipt of either family credit or disability working allowance, and 29,650 parents with care not in receipt of social security benefits. 284,150 maintenance application forms have also been issued to clients who were receiving income support prior to April 1993.
  In the same period 626,600 maintenance application forms were returned.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many women in Scotland have claimed exemption under the Child Support Act 1991 because of undue harm or distress; how many have no information about the whereabouts of the father of their child or children; how many are unable to name the father; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many lone parents in Scotland have had their claim for exemption under the Child Support Act 1991 (a) turned down and (b) accepted; and how many have withdrawn their claim;

  (3) how many lone parents in Scotland have had a reduced benefit direction made against them under the Child Support Act 1991; and how many have had their benefit cut.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 11 May 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about cases in which the requirement to cooperate provisions of the Child Support Act have been waived or where Reduced Benefit Directions have been issued.
  I am afraid that the figures requested are not available for Scotland separately. Figures are, however, available for Great Britain as a whole. From April 1993 to March 1994, 68,400 claims were considered in relation to the requirement to cooperate. Of these, the Agency accepted "good cause" in 15,800 cases where there was the risk of undue harm or distress; in 8,400 cases where the absent parent was unknown, and in 7,500 other cases. Figures are not available for the number of cases where the parent with care has no information about the absent parent's whereabouts.
  In the same period, 627 cases were referred to the Benefits Agency to consider the implementation of a Reduced Benefit Direction. Details of the number of cases in which benefit was reduced is matter for the Benefits Agency, and I understand that such information is not available, except at disproportionate cost.
  I hope this reply is helpful.
  235
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many absent parents in Scotland have been issued with a maintenance inquiry from under the Child Support Act 1991; how many have returned a maintenance inquiry form; how many have been assessed to pay maintenance; and how many have actually paid maintenance to the Child Support Agency or to the lone parent involved.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Dr. Norman A Godman, dated 11 May 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of maintenance enquiry forms issued by, and returned to the Child Support Agency in Scotland, and the number of absent parents who have been assessed for and who are paying maintenance in Scotland.
  I am afraid that figures are not available for Scotland separately. Figures are available, however, for Great Britain as a whole. From April 1993 to March 1994, 466,600 maintenance enquiry forms were issued to absent parents, of which 296,600 have been returned. In the same period, 205,500 maintenance assessments were made.
  With regard to how many absent parents are paying, the Child Support Computer System records client's details on an individual case by case basis, and it is not currently configured to produce information on the total number of absent parents paying maintenance.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average maintenance payment level in Scotland under the Child Support Act 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 11 May 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the average maintenance level in Scotland.
  I am afraid that estimates are not available for Scotland separately. In Great Britain as a whole, however, it is estimated that from April 1993 to March 1994, the average maintenance assessment was £45–£50 a week.
  I hope that this reply is helpful.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) lone parents on income support, (b) lone parents on family credit, (c) lone parents on disability working allowance and (d) lone parents not in receipt of social security benefits have received maintenance under the Child Support Act 1991; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Ros Hepplewhite, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 11 May 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about parents with care receiving maintenance.
  236
  The Child Support Computer System produces national statistics about the amount of maintenance collected, but it does not relate this to individual cases. An enhancement to provide this is planned for the summer.
  I cannot, therefore, yet answer the question in the form in which you ask it, but you may wish to know that by the end of March 1994, the Agency had recorded £210 million maintenance as having been collected. This does not represent the total sum for 1993–94 because some amounts are recorded retrospectively. It also does not include payments made directly by an absent parent to a parent with care where benefit is not an issue.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number of(a) absent fathers and (b) absent mothers in receipt of income support who have had a 5 per cent. reduction in their benefit under the provisions of the Child Support Art 1991.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 11 May 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many absent mothers and fathers on Income Support (IS) have had 5 per cent. deducted from their IS under the Child Support Act 1991.
  The information is not available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. To obtain the information would involve a physical examination of every live and closed file currently held; in excess of 12M cases.
  The Benefits Agency does not keep a running total of the number of individual customers whose benefit has been reduced because a deduction has been made for child support. However, routine management statistics are maintained on a quarterly basis which show that the number of IS customers with a deduction for child support for the quarter ending 28 February was 16,413. Figures are not available which would break this total down by gender.
  Although quarterly statistics have been kept since deductions for child support commenced, these do not represent the total number of customers who will have had deductions made, as many customers will feature in consecutive quarters dependent on the time they are in receipt of IS.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Milk Marketing
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the timetable for the proposed reform of milk marketing has been changed; what progress is being made concerning the future of the Northern Ireland milk marketing board; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Milk Marketing Board for Northern Ireland has accepted that the vesting date of 1 April 1994, as proposed in its reorganisation scheme, was not realisable. The board may now propose a new vesting date of up to 1 January 1995, but this does not preclude an earlier vesting date provided that their proposals have been approved. Ministers are still examining the proposals in the board's reorganisation scheme. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish details of health and safety legislation which is presently applicable in Great Britain but has still to be applied to Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Some Great Britain health and safety legislation relates to specific industries—mainly underground coal mining but including some others such as jute processing and nuclear power generation—which have no presence, or only a minimal presence, in Northern Ireland and it has not been considered necessary to replicate this legislation for Northern Ireland.

  The following Great Britain health and safety provisions, of a more general nature, have still to be replicated for Northern Ireland:

  Title

  Statutory instrument number

  Footnote number

  1. The Mines and Quarries (Tips) Regulations 1971

  1971/1377

  1

  2. The Mines and Quarries (Tipping Plans) Rules 1971

  1971/1378

  1

  3. The Anthrax Prevention Order 1971 (Exemptions) Regulations 1982

  1982/1418

  2

  4. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1984

  1984/1358

  3

  5. The Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987

  1987/37

  4

  6. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (Amendment) Regulations 1989

  1989/1457

  5

  7. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990

  1990/824

  3

  8. The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 1993

  1993/1321

  9. The Miscellaneous Factories (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 1993

  1993/2482

  10. The Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994

  1994/237

  11. The Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994

  1994/299

  12. The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 1994

  1994/397

  13. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (Classification, Packaging and Regulations 1994

  1994/669

  14. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail Regulations 1994

  1994/670

  Footnotes:

  1. It is now considered appropriate to replicate these items in view of the possible commencement of surface gold mining activities in Northern Ireland.

  2. These regulations give powers to grant exemptions from the requirements of the Anthrax Prevention Order 1971 and while they have presently no significant relevance for Northern Ireland there is a possibility that they may have to be replicated at some time in the future in response to a requirement of the textile industry.

  3. These items were not replicated because of the run-down of the towns gas industry in Northern Ireland. However, it is now appropriate to consider replication as the application of the regulations in Great Britain is to be extended to cover liquefied petroleum gas and also because of plans to bring a natural gas supply to Northern Ireland.

  4. This item has been replicated in so far as it applies to dangerous substances other than explosives by the Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991. It is hoped that regulations covering explosives will be in place later this year.
  238
  5. The application of these regulations to Northern Ireland would relate to mines only and they have not been replicated because there is minimal mining activity in Northern Ireland.

  Stormont Estate
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list(a) Government developments in buildings, car parks and other constructions on (i) the Stormont estate and (ii) within a 2 km radius, commenced since 1988 and specifying their purposes, (b) the developments for which planning permission was applied for and then granted, indicating any planning permission refused as well as specifying which developments and extensions went ahead without any planning permission, (c) which (i) temporary buildings have been pulled down and (ii) land returned to its original use as parkland or agricultural land, specifying the locations and (d) the number of civil service jobs decanted out of the Stormont area since 1988; and if it is his intention to return any land concerned from its use for civil service buildings and related developments to parkland.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The information is as follows:

  (a)

  (i) Within the Stormont estate there has been no new provision of general office accommodation or associated car parking since 1988.

  (ii) Within a 2 km radius of Stormont estate, developments which have commenced since 1988 consist of three laboratories, one animal carcase incinerator, one temporary car park and additional car park spaces at Netherleigh, Massey avenue. Planning permission was obtained for all these developments.

  (b) Planning permission was sought and obtained for all developments which required planning permission, which additionally comprised the following:

  Dundonald house—disabled access ramp

  Dundonald house—new entrance works and disabled access

  Castle buildings—replacement of fire escape

  Prince of Wales avenue public toilets—replacement building

  Massey avenue public toilet and store—replacement buildings

  Stormont estate boundary fence phase IV

  Veterinary science division—three laboratories

  Veterinary science division—one animal carcase incinerator

  Veterinary science division—one temporary car park

  The following are permitted developments and therefore do not require planning permission:

  Courier headquarters—replacement temporary building

  Stormont estate—erection of bus shelters

  Stormont castle—works to extend car park

  (c) (i) No temporary buildings have been pulled down.

  (ii) No land has been returned to parkland or agricultural land as a result of the demolition of temporary buildings., However, a site beside Craigantlet buildings previously hardcored and earmarked for a computer contingency site, has been returned to parkland.

  (d) Approximately 1,017 jobs have been permanently moved out of the Stormont estate since 1988.

  No office accommodation has been declared surplus as a result of the outward movement of staff from the Stormont area and there are no plans at present to return any land to its former use.

  Police (Clear-up Rates)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the clear-up rate for recorded offences in each police district in the last year for which figures are available.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The last year for which figures are available is 1992. The clear-up rates are shown by police division.

  Division

  Divisional headquarters

  Clear-up rates Per cent.

  A

  Musgrave street, Belfast

  29·7

  B

  Grosvenor road, Belfast

  30·6

  D

  Antrim road, Belfast

  34·9

  E

  Strandtown, Belfast

  29·3

  G

  Newtownards

  35·6

  H

  Armagh

  37·4

  J

  Mahon road, Portadown

  42·1

  K

  Dungannon

  39·5

  L

  Enniskillen

  38·7

  N

  Strand road, Londonderry

  42·3

  O

  Coleraine

  36·1

  P

  Ballymena

  40·0

TRANSPORT

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre and Department of Transport have drawn so far regarding the benefits of introducing photocard licences.

  Mr. Key
  Credit-card-style driving licences which included a photograph and the driver's signature would help the enforcement authorities to identify drivers with more certainty. Drivers would be more likely to carry the new licences because of their convenient size and better durability. These changes would be of great benefit to the enforcement authorities and would help protect the motoring public against fraudulent use of stolen driving licences.

  Transport Research Laboratory
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list research projects undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory into(a) pedestrian safety, (b) public transport and (c) disabled drivers and pedestrians in the last five years;

  (2) what research projects have been undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory on behalf of foreign Governments in the last five years; and if he will list the value of these projects and the Governments involved.

  Mr. Key
  As the information requested by the hon. Member relates to operational matters of the Transport Research Laboratory I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. Wootton to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 4 May 1994:

  PQ 2144/93/94, PQ 2141/93/94
  The Minister for Roads and Traffic has asked me to reply to your two Questions on research projects undertaken in the last five years by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).
  240
  I enclose two lists of projects. One is a list of projects on (a) pedestrian safety, (b) public transport and (c) disabled drivers and pedestrians. The other is a list of projects carried out for foreign governments over the last five years giving the nature of the research, the total value of each project and the government for which the research was undertaken.

  Road Traffic Growth
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of the Secretary of State for the Environment of 25 April,Official Report, column 36, if he will place in the Library details and applications of the econometric model employed by his Department for forecasting road traffic growth.

  Mr. Key
  The econometric model to which my right hon. Friend referred and on which the estimated carbon saving is based was described in detail in an article published in "Transport Policy 1993", volume. 1, No. 1. I am placing a copy of the article in the Library.

  Motorway Use
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has of the total amount of annual use that is made, in journey miles, of the United Kingdom motorway system; and if he will provide separate figures for(a) cars and vans and (b) larger freight vehicles and coaches.

  Mr. Key
  The provisional estimate of traffic on the motorway system in the United Kingdom in 1993 is 38·6 billion vehicle miles of which cars, taxis and light vans account for 32·7 billion vehicle-miles and goods vehicles 5·3 billion vehicle-miles. Figures for cars and light vans excluding taxis are not available. Provisional figures are not available for coaches.

  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what was the cost of road traffic accidents over the last five years on the A64 between Hopgrove roundabout and the Castle Howard dual carriageway and between Malton and Seamer;

  (2) what was the cost of road traffic accidents on the A64 over each of the last five years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Key
  As the information requested relates to operational matters of the Highways Agency, I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. John Sykes, dated 11 May:
  I have been asked to reply to your questions numbered 14 and 15 on the Order Paper for Tuesday 10 May because the information requested relates to operational matters for which the Highways Agency is responsible.
  The cost of road traffic accidents on the A64 trunk road between Leeds and Scarborough in each of the last 5 years was:

  Year

  £ million

  1989

  9·49

  1990

  11·45

  1991

  7·46

  1992

  7·68

  1993

  6·72

  241
  The cost of road traffic accidents over the last five years on the single carriageway of the A64 trunk road between Hopgrove Roundabout and the Castle Howard dual carriageway was £5.69m and between Malton and Seamer was £12·67 million.

  School Transport
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the terms of reference of the working party on investigating problems of safety in school transport; and when he expects to publish the findings of the working party.

  Mr. Key
  My Department is currently considering the full technical and cost implications of fitting seat belts to all seats in new minibuses and coaches. We hope to publish the conclusions shortly.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if spent nuclear fuel rods from(a) Germany and (b) other European countries will be transported through the channel tunnel.

  Mr. Freeman
  This is a decision for Eurotunnel. I understand that it will not be allowing spent nuclear fuel rods or any nuclear waste to be transported throught the tunnel.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) for what reasons his Department proposes to construct a split-level interchange on the A27 at Comps Farm; and what account he has taken in making this proposal of his decision not to proceed with the A26 Beddingham to Itford farm diversion scheme;

  (2) what steps he is taking to incorporate the suggestions made by Lewes district council into his proposals for the A27 Lewes to Polegate improvement scheme; what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of his present proposals for the stretch of road at the foot of Mount Caburn; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) if he will make it his policy in respect of the A27 Lewes to Polegate improvement scheme that he will undertake an assessment of the environmental damage lighting will cause before any decision is taken as to which stretches of the proposed new dual carriageway will be lit; and if he will make a statement;

  (4) what percentage of land (a) used during construction of the proposed A27 Lewes to Polegate improvement scheme and (b) used as part of the new road or its immediate curtilage, falls within the Sussex downs area of outstanding natural beauty;

  (5) what representations he has received from doctors in Lewes about the health implications of the proposed A27 Lewes to Polegate scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  (6) what assessment he has made of the likely change in polluting gases from vehicle exhausts which will result from the construction of the proposed A27 Lewes to Polegate scheme; and if he will make a statement;

  (7) what was the average daily flow of vehicles along (a) the A27 Lewes to Beddingham, (b) the A27 Beddingham to Polegate and (c) the A26 Beddingham to Newhaven for (i) 1983 and (ii) 1993; and what are the projected flows for (A) 2003 and (B) 2013;
  242
  (8) what steps he intends to take to improve road safety along the present A27 Lewes to Polegate road in advance of the construction of the proposed A27 Lewes-Polegate improvement scheme;

  (9) what assessment he made of the potential growth in passenger and freight traffic of the Lewes to Polegate rail line before announcing his plans to construct a new dual carriageway from Lewes to Polegate;

  (10) if he will indicate the location, frequency and severity of accidents along the A27 Lewes to Polegate road for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement;

  (11) how many hectares of countryside he estimates will be needed to enable the proposed A27 Lewes to Polegate improvement scheme to be built; how many of these hectares will be returned to countryside following the construction of this scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Key
  [holding answer 9 May 1994]: These questions relate to operational matters of the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Simon Hughes, dated 11 May 1994:

  A27 Lewes to Polegate improvement
  The Minister for Roads and Traffic, Mr. Key, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about various aspects of the A27 Lewes to Polegate Improvement.
  The total estimated land take for the Preferred route is 233 hectares, subject to detailed survey and design. It is proposed that some 60 hectares should be returned to agriculture after regrading. Of the remainder, about 60 hectares are required for the new carriageway construction (including verges and central reserves) and 113 hectares for cutting and embankment side slopes, landscaping and planting.
  The accident data for the last 10 years is not readily available but data for accidents over the period between 1990 and 1994 is given below.

  Number of accidents

  Slight

  Serious

  Fatal

  1990

  21

  12

  3

  1991

  21

  6

  2

  1992

  33

  7

  —

  1993

  24

  7

  1

  19941

  9

  2

  1

  1To March.

  The accidents are spread along the length of the route from Lewes to Polegate with particular concentration in Firle Straight and between Ripe and Alciston. The 7 fatal accidents involved the deaths of 8 people.
  The A27 Lewes-Polgate Improvement scheme is necessary to solve existing problems of safety and congestion along this section of the trunk road, and meets the demands of predicted future traffic flows. No detailed assessment of potential growth in passenger and freight traffic of the Lewes-Polegate rail line has been made but it is considered that the effect of any such growth would be small in terms of the overall traffic flow on the A27 and would not affect the need for the proposed improvement.
  A number of small improvement schemes have recently been completed on the A27 between Polegate and Lewes as part of the Highways Agency's rolling programme of minor works. During 1994–95 the Agency will improve signing and carriageway markings between Salmeston and Alfriston roundabout as part of a maintenance scheme which will improve skidding resistance to the road surface and we have commissioned extra signing at Charleston Farmhouse where visibility is poor to warn drivers of possible queues ahead. We are also investigating whether safety

  243
  improvements which might help reduce accidents at Alfriston roundabout and the Wilmington crossroads are feasible and justified.
  The recorded flows and the forecast flows of vehicles (Annual Average Daily Traffic) for the sections of road requested are summarised below—

  A27 (a)

  A27 (b)

  A26 (c)

  1993

  114,500

  111,200

  6,150

  1993

  22,200

  15,300

  9,600

  19982

  31,200–34,200

  22,200–24,300

  12,100–13,300

  20032

  39,500–48,300

  28,100–34,300

  15,300–18,700

  1 There is no automatic traffic counter data for 1983 on the A27. Flows are based on 1985 figures adjusted for growth from 1983 to 1985.

  2 Forecast flows represent a range based on the low and high expectations of economic growth. Forecast flows for 2003 are not currently available but flows for 1998 are given.

  These sections of road, as currently constructed, are not designed to accommodate the forecast levels of traffic growth.
  The pollution from vehicle exhausts will reduce in future years as a result of more stringent exhaust emission controls, irrespective of the scheme proposals. The scheme will however improve the free flow of traffic along the A27 and this is expected to contribute to a further improvement in air quality. Detailed air quality comparisons will be published as part of the Environmental Statement for the scheme.
  A letter has just been received from the doctors at the St. Andrew's Surgery in Lewes. The doctors seek further information on and express concern about the possible health implications from vehicle pollution.
  Of the areas of land so far identified for temporary construction works which will be returned to agriculture and for permanent use, about 50% would be within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in both cases.
  The case for lighting parts of the route between the junctions at Lewes, Beddingham and Polegate has yet to be assessed. The environmental effects of any proposed lighting will be given in the Environmental Statement for the scheme.
  Lewes District Council have highlighted particular areas of concern where they believe the Preferred Route has an adverse effect on the landscape, on conservation interests or on people. Possible means of reducing these effects will be considered and detailed environmental assessments carried out before the draft Orders are published.
  The proposed split-level junction at Comps farm is to provide access to and from the new route for traffic wishing to access the port of Newhaven. The siting of the junction makes use of the natural landform north of Comps Farm to contain as far as possible the visual intrusion of the slip roads and roundabouts, and is considered to be the best location for the junction either with or without improvement of the A26.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts Committees
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) if he will list all the magistrates courts committees which have appointed a head of service and those magistrates courts committees whose head of service are(a) purely a chief executive to the committee and (b) both chief executive to the committee and a justices' clerk to a sole petty sessions area;

  (2) if he will list those magistrates courts committees that have named their head of service (a) chief justices' clerk, (b) justices' chief executive, (c) chief executive and (d) another name; and if he will list those other names and the number of magistrates courts committees adopting each one.
  244
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Under the present statutory arrangements, every magistrates courts committee has a clerk who serves in an administrative capacity and is not a head of service. Sometimes the post is full time, sometimes part time with the postholder serving also as a justices' clerk for one or more petty sessional divisions or, in a few cases, as a local authority official. The Lord Chancellor's approval is not currently required for the appointment of clerks to committees and committees are free to give their own titles to the posts without consulting the Department.

  All official correspondence from the Department is addressed to clerks to the magistrates courts committees. However, a number of committees have combined the role of clerk to the committee with that of a chief executive by appointing that individual as a joint justices clerk for all the petty sessional divisions in the committee's area.

  Immigration Tribunals (Adjudicators' Expenses)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement about the purpose of the new expenses forms for part-time adjudicators for the immigration tribunals.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The expense forms relate to the payment of fees for judicial employment. The use of forms to claim and monitor expenses is standard departmental practice and is not new.

  The latest versions of these forms were introduced as part of a revised system for the payment of fees. This commenced on 5 April 1994 following a general review of accounting procedures. The earlier system had been set up when the workload of the Immigration Appellate Authorities—IAA—was smaller than now, and when part-time adjudicators were deployed less frequently. The revised system was set up to facilitate monitoring of expenses by the IAA's administration following a reversal of these trends.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many representations he has had concerning the new expenses forms for part-time adjudicators for the immigration tribunals.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have not received any representations concerning the new forms for payment of fees to part-time adjudicators.

  Inner London Youth Court Panel
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the ethnic breakdown of the(a) male and (b) female members of the inner London youth court panel.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Information on the particular ethnic origin of magistrates serving on the inner London youth court panel is not currently available. In general terms there are 236 members of the inner London youth court panel of whom 88 are males and 148 females. Of these, 10 males and nine females are from the ethnic minority community.

  Race Awareness Seminars
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what future plans he has for the judicial race awareness seminars.
  245
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to her on 26 January 1994 at column 239 and to the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 30 March 1994 at column 748. This programme of seminars is arranged by the Judicial Studies Board. I understand that the board plans to hold 35 seminars for the judiciary over the next two years at locations throughout England and Wales.

  Crown Court
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many sitting days in the Crown court were lost as a result of listed trials being disposed of without a jury being sworn in in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Bosnia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he regards the external borders of Bosnia-Herzegovina as unchangeable in any Bosnian settlement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We remain of the view that the only way to a lasting peace is through a settlement acceptable to the parties. The terms of that settlement, including territorial and constitutional arrangements, must be for the parties themselves to decide. Within a settlement, the external borders of Bosnia-Herzegovina would remain unchanged unless the parties agreed otherwise.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the extent of Serb forces in the Brcko area.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Posavina corridor, and Brcko which lies within it, is an area held by Bosnian Serb forces. The United Nations has recently deployed military observers to the area to monitor the situation. The United Nations has not made data available on the detailed deployment of Bosnian Serb forces in the area.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the text of remarks made by the Minister of State, the right hon. and learned Member for Grantham, (Mr. Hogg), in Sarajevo about the retention of territory by the Serbs in any Bosnian settlement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My discussions with members of the Bosnian Government on Sarajevo on 3 May were confidential. No official statement was subsequently issued by either side. In comments to the press, I reiterated our support for the European Union action plan.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was his initial estimate of how many civilians were wounded in the recent fighting in Gorazde and on what information it is based; how many wounded have been evacuated from Gorazde since the latest ceasefire; and if he will make a statement.
  246
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Based on information provided by the local Bosnian authorities the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees report that the number of people wounded on the Bosnian Muslim side in the recent fighting in Gorazde was 715 dead and 1,970 wounded. No distinction is made between civilian and military casualties. A total of 290 casualties have been medically evacuated.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is UN and Nato policy about the defence of Brcko in Bosnia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Security Council agreed a presidential statement on 4 May calling on all parties to agree to a resumption of negotiations and demanding that they refrain from any offensive military action, or any action likely to lead to renewed fighting. The statement noted with concern indications of increased tension in the Posavina corridor area where Brcko is situated, welcomed the steps taken by UNPROFOR to deploy military observers there, and warned the parties of the serious consequences of any offensive military action in the area. The Security Council is keeping the situation under review.

  NATO stands ready to support the United Nations and UNPROFOR in the performance of its mandate.

  Conventional Arms Register
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom deposited its 1993 submission to the United Nations register of conventional arms; and if he will place a copy of the submission in the Library.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Mr. Thompson) on 9 May 1994,Official Report, column 5.

  Macedonia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the mandate of United Nations personnel in Macedonia in the event of offensive activity against Macedonia.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The mandate for UNPROFOR in the former Yugoslavia republic of Macedonia under United Nations Security Council resolution 795 is to monitor and report any developments in the border areas which could undermine confidence and stability in FYROM and threaten its territory.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amendments he will be seeking to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty when it comes up for renegotiation next year.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are seeking the unconditional and indefinite extension of the non-proliferation treaty, in unamended form, at the 1995 extension and review conference.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the decision of the Arab League Council meeting of Foreign Ministers in Cairo in so far as it related to the Lockerbie case; and what response he is making.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the written reply I gave to him on 12 April,Official Report, column 21.

  The Arab League, and our partners in the United Nations Security Council, are aware of our position on the proposal in the Arab League Council resolution for a Scottish trial of the two accused of the Lockerbie bombing to be held at the seat of the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

  Our view remains that the Libyan Government should comply with the mandatory Security Council resolutions and, in particular, hand over the two accused for a trial in Scotland or the United States without further delay.

  Iraq
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the question of the current sanctions against Iraq was last discussed by the Council of Ministers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Council of Ministers most recently discussed sanctions against Iraq at the EU-Gulf Co-operation Council on 8 May.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Her Majesty's Government's policy will be on the renewal of sanctions against Iraq at the Security Council of the United Nations on 17 May; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Security Council meeting on 17 May will be to review whether Iraq has met the conditions for the removal of United Nations sanctions. The meeting will not decide whether or not to renew sanctions. The sanctions regime against Iraq will continue to remain in place, without need for renewal, unless and until the Security Council passes a resolution specifically deciding on their lifting.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Red Cross or the Red Crescent concerning medical supplies to Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies issued an appeal for funds for assistance to Iraq on 25 March, which included provision for medical supplies. The British Red Cross is clarifying one or two issues concerning the appeal, following which a decision on a possible contribution from us will be taken.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects United Nations sanctions have had on the economic situation in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We keep all aspects of the situation in Iraq under review. It is open to the Government of Iraq 248
  to ensure the removal of economic sanctions by complying fully with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation concerning the effects the UN sanctions on Iraq have on the education and culture of Iraq.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have received no representations from UNESCO concerning the effects of UN sanctions on Iraq.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to him or to the United Nations by the United Nations Children's Fund concerning the effects sanctions have had on the children and young people of Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I am not aware of any UNICEF representations to us or the United Nations about the effect of sanctions on the children of Iraq.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made on the effects the UN sanctions have had on the medical provision and supplies to the civilian population of Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The provision of medical supplies is specifically exempted from United Nations sanctions on Iraq. The Security Council has also provided means under its resolutions 706 and 712 for the Government of Iraq to export a fixed quantity of oil in order to pay for such supplies; although the Iraqis have refused to make use of this facility. With the help of information from UN agencies and British non-governmental organisations we keep all aspects of the humanitarian situation in Iraq under review.

  MV Playa
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has in respect of the Yugoslav ship Playa detained in the port of Liverpool; what the policy is towards the crew of the ship; if communication with the outside world is permitted; when he expects the ship to be released; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The MV Playa is a Montenegranowned ship. Under paragraph 24 of Security Council resolution 820, we are obliged to impound all vessels, freight vehicles, rolling stock and aircraft of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the United Kingdom. The crew can be supplied with water, gas, solid fuel, medical products, goods for personal hygiene and goods for cleansing under an open licence which has been granted by the DTI. The supply of other goods may be authorised on request.

  There are no restrictions on the crew's ability to communicate and they are free to leave the United Kingdom at any time.

  The ship cannot be moved until it is either sold to non-Federal Republic of Yugoslavia nationals or until sanctions are lifted.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many current and former officials and Ministers in his Department have been asked to give written or oral evidence to the Scott inquiry.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Thirty-one FCO officials—27 serving and four former—and eight FCO Ministers—two serving and six former—have been asked to supply written evidence to Lord Justice Scott's inquiry. Of these, 19 officials—16 serving and three former—and seven Ministers—one serving and six former—subsequently 250
  have been asked to attend to give oral evidence. All officials and Ministers asked to supply written evidence, and to give oral evidence, have done so.

  Entry Clearance
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amendments have been made to the list of posts designated to accept entry clearance applications overseas.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The latest list has been placed in the Libraries of the House today.

  IRAQ-TURKEY PIPELINE
  IRAQ-TURKEY PIPELINE
  ENTRY CLEARANCE APPLICATIONS OVERSEAS: LIST OF POSTS
  ENTRY CLEARANCE APPLICATIONS OVERSEAS: LIST OF POSTS
  DEFENCE REVIEW TEAM: CONSULTANCY ASSISTANCE
  DEFENCE REVIEW TEAM: CONSULTANCY ASSISTANCE
  POLLUTION CONTROL REVIEW
  POLLUTION CONTROL REVIEW
  CEVELAND: UNITARY AUTHORITIES ELECTIONS
  CEVELAND: UNITARY AUTHORITIES ELECTIONS