Written Answers of 25 May 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Consultants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the expenditure on management and financial consultants by his Department in 1992–93.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  On the best information currently available expenditure on external consultants in 1992–93 was £3.455 million. It is not possible to isolate management and financial consultants as our records do not identify them in this way.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 139, what was the cost of the calls made on (a) car telephones and (b) portable telephones in 1993–94; how much this equipment cost to buy or hire; and what were the maintenance costs.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In 1993–94, the cost of calls made on car telephones was £4,621; and the cost of calls made on portable telephones was £35,023. The capital cost of this equipment was £113,547. The maintenance costs, that is, the fixed charges, for the same year were £111,644.

  Gazumping
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what evidence he has of the current extent of gazumping of house purchasers; and what plans he has to control this.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No records are kept of the number of transactions in which "gazumping" occurs. The existing law is sufficiently flexible to allow the use of a variety of procedures or devices which preclude "gazumping", and buyers and sellers are free to adopt whichever best suits their needs. There are no plans to restrict this freedom.

ENVIRONMENT

  Special Protection Areas
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the grounds on which an area may be excluded from a proposed special protection area under the European Union birds directive.

  Mr. Atkins
  Judgments by the European Court of Justice indicate that member states of the European Community have a margin of discretion in the selection of special protection areas and in the determination of their boundaries. The margin of discretion has not been defined 150
  by the court. Article 2 of the birds directive—79/409/EEC —requires member states to take requisite measures to maintain bird populations while taking account of economic and recreational requirements.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what advice he has received from English Nature as to whether the intertidal mudflats of Tipner lake within Portsmouth harbour qualify on scientific grounds for inclusion within the proposed special protection area and Ramsar site;

  (2) when he expects to designate Portsmouth harbour as (a) a special protection area under the European Union birds directive and (b) as a Ramsar site.

  Mr. Atkins
  English Nature has advised that the potential Portsmouth harbour special protection area and Ramsar site is of special importance within the United Kingdom and the European Union for the range of wildfowl and wader species which use the site. In particular, it contains internationally important numbers of regularly occurring migratory species of wild birds, including dark-bellied brent goose, red-breasted mer-ganser, black-tailed godwit and dunlin. English Nature advises also that the area within Tipner lake which falls within the proposed SPA boundary is an integral part of that site.

  My right hon. Friend expects to designate an area of Portsmouth harbour as a special protection area and Ramsar site later this year after considering representations received.

  Clay Target Shooting
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the results of research by the Building Research Establishment on public response to noise from clay target shooting; what further research is planned on the subject; and whether he will now approve the draft code of practice on clay target shooting under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

  Mr. Atkins
  Preliminary studies on response to clay target shooting noise were carried out by the Building Research Establishment, but, having regard to competing research priorities and the likely outputs from the project, it has not been pursued.

  I do, however, recognise that there is some concern about this issue. In July 1993 the Institution of Environmental Health Officers, the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association and the British Shooting Sports Council were asked to produce an agreed code of practice on this activity. It was made clear that if an agreed code could not be produced then the decision not to introduce further restrictions over clay, target shooting under the general development order would be reconsidered. I understand that the organisations involved hope to reach agreement on such a code in the near future. It will be for these organisations to decide whether the code is subsequently submitted for approval by the Secretary of State under section 71 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what discussions his Department has had with the United States authorities regarding the disposal of
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  hazardous wastes shipped to the United Kingdom for disposal from bases of the United States armed forces in Europe;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the nature and quantities of hazardous wastes shipped to the United Kingdom for disposal from bases of the United States armed forces in Europe;

  (3) by what means hazardous wastes that have been shipped to the United Kingdom from bases of the United States armed forces in Europe are disposed of.

  Mr. Atkins
  There have been no recent discussions between my Department and the United States authorities on the disposal of hazardous wastes from bases of the United States armed forces in Europe.

  Notifications for the importation into the United Kingdom of hazardous wastes from such bases were received by Torfaen borough council in March. The notifications were for the disposal at Rechem's high temperature incinerator at Pontypool of the following:
  formaldehyde, liquid pesticide (pyrethrin), adhesive, paint (laboratory waste):—1x 20,000kg consignment.
  dilute nitric acid, acetic acid, sulphuric acid, ferric chloride solution (laboratory waste):—1x 20,000kg consignment.
  cresylic acid and laboratory chemicals: sodium carbonate, magnesium chloride, sodium oxalate (laboratory waste):—1x 20,000kg consignment.
  polychlorinated biphenyls (from redundant electrical equipment):—3x 60,000kg consignments; 4x 40,000kg consignments.

  Rented Housing
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations, and from what organisations, the Government have received about their consultative document on access to local authority and housing association tenancies.

  Sir George Young
  We have now received nearly 10,000 responses from a wide variety of organisations, including local authorities, housing associations, and bodies campaigning on behalf of specific interests, as well as from individual members of the public.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when the Government will publish their response to public representations about their consultative document on access to local authority and housing association tenancies;

  (2) what is the Government's response to the public representations about their consultative document on access to local authority and housing association tenancies.

  Sir George Young
  I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stockport (Ms Coffey) on 18 May,Official Report, column 796.

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against his Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Mr. Baldry
  Two.

  Tenancy Agreements
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many local authority tenants in 1993 took legal action against their landlords for failing to 152
  satisfy the terms of the tenancy agreement; how many of these cases resulted in court action, and how many of the cases which resulted in court action were found in favour of the tenant;

  (2) how many local authority tenants were taken to court by their landlords in 1993 for breach of the tenancy agreement;

  (3) how many complaints of noise disturbance from local authority tenants went to court last year; and in how many of these cases the court found in favour of the tenant.

  Sir George Young
  This information is not held centrally.

  Liverpool Housing Action Trust
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much the Liverpool housing action trust has spent on consultants' fees since its inception.

  Sir George Young
  This is a matter for the Liverpool housing action trust. The chief executive will write to the hon. Member.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what evaluation he has commissioned of the prospective public expenditure savings arising from the announced reduction by United Kingdom Nirex Ltd. of the capacity of the planned national repository for nuclear waste;

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and what interdepartmental discussions have taken place, on the cost implications of the proposed national repository for radioactive waste; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the review of the costs of the repository.

  Mr. Atkins
  Questions relating to the sponsorship of Nirex are a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. However, the cost implications of Nirex's proposed repository will be considered in the radioactive waste management review, announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment on 19 May,Official Report, columns 535–36. The Department proposes to publish the preliminary conclusions of the review later in the summer, as a basis for consultation.

  Green Ministers
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the most recent meeting of Green Ministers was held; what matters were discussed; and what decisions were taken.

  Mr. Atkins
  Green Ministers met on 18 May 1994 to discuss progress on green housekeeping. Ministers agreed to keep their departmental strategies up to date, to revise their purchasing guidance to emphasise environmental factors including the use of recycled paper in packaging, to improve energy usage, and to assess the practicality of developing environmental management systems. Ministers agreed to meet again later in the year to review progress.

  DNA Bank
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evaluation he has made of the environmental implications of the location of the first European DNA bank at Whitehaven.

  Mr. Atkins
  I am not aware of any environmental implications of this data bank.

  Natural Gas Vehicles
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the conversion of vehicles to run on natural gas; and if he will make a statement about the benefits for the environment and air pollution of natural gas vehicles.

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department has received a number of interesting representations about vehicles fuelled by natural gas. It is clear that such vehicles can be quieter than conventional vehicles and that they can give rise to relatively low emissions of gaseous pollutants. There may be scope for them to offer a useful contribution towards environmental improvement.

  Written Answers
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average cost of preparing written answers to parliamentary questions to his Department.

  Mr. Baldry
  Parliamentary questions are answered within the financial guidelines issued by the Treasury. No records are kept of the costs incurred in answering individual questions where the amounts involved are not in excess of these limits.

  Planning Inspectorate Agency
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what performance targets he has set for the Planning Inspectorate Agency for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Baldry
  The key objectives for the agency in 1994–95 remain to preserve the impartiality and quality of the inspectorate's work while seeking further to improve efficiency. I have set the following further key targets for the agency's work in England:

  Timeliness:

  (a) 80 per cent. of planning appeals by written representations to be decided within 18 weeks;

  (b) To provide an inspector for local plan inquiries when requested within 26 weeks of the end of the objection period;

  Financial:

  (a) Unit costs of planning appeals decided by written representations to be held at or below £690;

  (b) Recover 90 per cent. of receipts due within 8 weeks of invoice date;

  Efficiency:
  Generate a 3 per cent. efficiency improvement in running costs, as compared with 1993–94;

  Quality:

  (a) The number of justified complaints about the way Inspectors have carried out their duties, and the number of High Court challenges, should be less than one in every hundred decisions issued;

  (b) The number of justified complaints about the way the Inspectorate handled the procedural aspects of casework should be less than one in every hundred cases received;

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  Volume:
  To determine 15,500, appeals, subject to intake not declining;

  Information and Guidance:
  To complete a third customer survey by 31 December 1994.

  These and other performance targets for the agency will be included in its business plan for 1994–95 which will be published shortly.

  Separate targets for the agency's work in Wales are being announced today by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales.

  Coal Privatisation
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what amendments he proposes to make to the Town and Country Planning General Development Order as a consequence of coal privatisation.

  Mr. Baldry
  It is essential that the planning system should provide continuity for the privatised industry, but it is equally important that operators should take responsibility for restoring sites once mining operations have ceased. We have today published for consultation draft amendments to the GDO and associated draft guidance which will provide such a framework.

  Mines started before 1 July 1948 derive their planning permission from the general development order and surface development carried out at GDO mines before 1988 have no restoration conditions attached. The permission is personal to British Coal and its lessees or licensees.

  After privatisation, in addition to the planning permission operators will need a licence from the Coal Authority unless they have an existing licence from British Coal.

  As the existing GDO permission is personal to British Coal and its lessees or licensees, the GDO will need to be amended to grant permitted development rights for licensees of the Coal Authority to continue underground mining at GDO mines, otherwise there would be no planning permission for the continued extraction of coal at such sites.

  The Coal Industry Bill provides a power for my right hon. Friend to attach conditions to the GDO permission for underground working requiring the restoration and aftercare of the pithead surface area. We propose that the new GDO permission for licensees of the Coal Authority for continued underground mining will be subject to such conditions. These will require the operator to submit a scheme for the restoration and aftercare of the site for the mineral planning authority's approval.

  There are also a number of minor technical amendments needed to the GDO, broadly to change references to British Coal to the Coal Authority and to update definitions in line with the Coal Industry Bill.

  I believe these proposals will provide the necessary planning continuity for the industry and ensure that sites are restored to a beneficial use once mining operations cease.

  Sulphur Emissions
  Mr. David Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the United Kingdom intends to sign the new United Nations Economic Commission for Europe protocol on reducing sulphur emissions; and if he will make a statement.
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  Mr. Gummer
  Yes. I plan to attend the ministerial session of the executive body of the convention on long-range transboundary air pollution in Oslo on 13–14 June and to sign for the United Kingdom the new protocol on the further reduction of sulphur emissions. The text of the protocol will be published as a Command Paper and laid before Parliament in due course.

  Based on the concept of critical loads, which the United Kingdom played a leading part in developing, the protocol will require parties to reduce their sulphur emissions by specified amounts, depending in part on the quantity of their emissions and on the nature of their impact on the environment across Europe. The United Kingdom's obligations will be to make reductions, against 1980 emission levels, of 50 per cent. by 2000, 70 per cent. by 2005 and 80 per cent. by 2010.

  These are challenging targets which will substantially deal with acidification problems in the United Kingdom within the time frame of our sustainable development strategy, in addition to providing substantial benefits for other European countries affected by our emissions. The targets will provide a stable long-term framework for planning by Government and industry. While it is possible that developments in the economy at large may result in earlier achievement of the targets, our national strategy and policies will be based firmly on the targets and timescales set out in the protocol.

  Other key obligations in the new protocol will be for parties:
  to apply specified emission limit values to major new combustion sources (ie. those whose construction is authorised after 31 December 1995);
  to set specified national standards for the sulphur content of gasoil two years after entry into force of the Protocol;
  for existing large combustion plants above 500 MWth, to apply the specified emission limit values from 1 July 2004 subject to not entailing excessive costs or to apply equivalent emissions limitations as defined in the Protocol or to apply "other appropriate provisions" which deliver the necessary reductions;
  for existing large combustion plants of 50–500 MWth, to use the specified emission limit values as guidance from 1 July 2004;
  to produce within six months of entry into force of the Protocol a national strategy setting out how they will achieve their reductions;
  to submit reports on measures taken and progress in meeting the reduction targets;
  for the UNECE to review progress in 1997.

  The protocol also establishes a compliance committee which will monitor the delivery of the agreed targets.

  The Government warmly welcome this protocol which will bring substantial environmental benefits. The effect of the protocol's provisions is to leave the United Kingdom general flexibility to decide how to meet our obligations and will place no new obligations on us as to the means by which the sulphur emissions reductions are to be secured. In particular, for existing plant, the terms of the protocol will allow us to maintain the approach taken in the United Kingdom's national plan under the EC large combustion plants directive and also allow the use of economic
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  instruments. Therefore the provisions of the protocol will be without prejudice to HMIP's obligations under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to apply BATNEEC —best available techniques not entailing excessive cost —in deciding on authorisations on a site-by-site basis. Our strategy for implementing the protocol, on which we shall be consulting in due course, will met our obligations in a way which is cost-effective, appropriate to our national circumstances, and consistent with our economic and environmental objectives.

  Capital Receipts
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the results of the capital receipts holiday which ended on 31 December 1993 for each local authority, with the amounts raised.

  Mr. Curry
  [pursuant to his answer, 11 May 1994, Official Report, column 170]: I regret that one figure for the London borough of Lewisham was given incorrectly. I have arranged for a revised table to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list(a) the budgeted change in balances 1993–94, (b) the revised estimated change in balances 1993–94, (c) the estimated change in balances 1994–95, (d) the level of balances of financial reserves as at 31 March 1994 and (e) the estimated level of balances or financial reserves as at 31 March 1995 for each local authority and in total; and if he will state the sources of the information.

  Mr. Gummer
  The latest available information as reported for each local authority is given in tables which I have arranged to be placed in the Library of the House. The estimated change in balances in 1993–94 and levels at 1 April 1994 are subject to substantial amendment as authorities finalise their accounts; in general the amount actually drawn down from reserves is substantially less than suggested by local authorities' initial budgets. This is illustrated by the total figures given in the table; 1991–92 and 1992–93 figures have been added as these are the last years for which final figures are available.

  Revenue reserves, all England local authorities Use of balances

  Budget (1) £ million

  Revised Estimate (2) £ million

  Outturn (3) £ million

  1991–92

  -593

  -781

  -171

  1992–93

  -580

  -571

  280

  1993–94

  -536

  -447

  n/a

  1994–95

  -775

  n/a

  n/a

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  Level of Reserves Estimate made:

  One year in advance (4) £ million

  Current (5) £ million

  One year later (6) £ million

  Two years later (7) £ million

  31 March—1 April 1991

  1,965

  2,589

  3,500

  3,501

  31 March—1 April 1992

  1,995

  2,719

  3,410

  2,908

  31 March—1 April 1993

  2,138

  2,838

  3,625

  n/a

  31 March—1 April 1994

  2,302

  3,178

  n/a

  n/a

  31 March—1 April 1995

  2,403

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Sources

  Column (1) DOE/CIPFA General Fund Revenue Accounts (RA) return for the year, budgeted figure.

  Column (2) RA return for following year, revised estimate figure.

  Column (3) Revenue Summary (RS) return for the year, outturn figure. 1992–93 figure is provisional.

  Column (4) RA return for the year up to 1 April; implied figure from revised estimate year (Column 6) and estimated and budgeted changes over two years.

  Column (5) RA return for the year starting 1 April; implied figure from revised estimate for level at beginning of year and revised estimate of change during year.

  Column (6) RA return for the year starting on the following 1 April; revised estimate figure.

  Column (7) RS return for the year starting 1 April. 1 April 1992 figure is provisional.

  Notes:

  Figures include Local Management of Schools and Colleges reserves. Outturn changes may not correspond with implied changes in outturn levels as authorities may further amend their accounts after submitting RS returns.

  Local and Regional Government
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish a table showing the amount and proportion of general government expenditure which is(a) directly controlled by and (b) partly or indirectly controlled by institutions of local and/or regional government, in each country of the European Union, with averages for the European Union as a whole.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information on the degree of control is not available. However, total local government as a percentage of general government expenditure is shown in the table for the year 1991, the latest published year. The information given is under the European system of accounts definitions which allows for comparison of European Union countries on the same basis.

  National currency of country

  millions

  Countries

  Local government expenditure1 (A)

  General government expenditure1 (B)

  (A) shown as a percentage of (B)

  Belgium

  426526

  3674880

  11.6

  Denmark

  255354

  622986

  41.0

  Netherlands

  83860

  368800

  22.7

  Greece

  4—

  4—

  4—

  Spain2 (1990)

  4805.7

  24156.2

  19.9

  France

  594.3

  3629.9

  16.4

  Ireland

  4—

  4—

  4—

  Italy

  185414

  887240

  20.9

  Luxembourg

  4—

  4—

  4—

  Germany3

  150880

  1273490

  11.9

  Portugal

  4—

  4—

  4—

  United Kingdom

  67429

  288796

  23.3

  Arithmetic average of above percentages

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  1 Defined as total within the distribution of income account and current transaction account.

  2 Data for Local Government includes a figure of autonomous communities.

  3 Lander are not included in Local Government, under ESA definitions.

  4 No data available.

  Source: Eurostat National Accounts — Detailed Accounts by Sector 1980 to 1991 — tables 2 (Overview of sector accounts).

PRIME MINISTER

  Baroness Thatcher (Visits)
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the names and companies of all the representatives of British companies who accompanied the former Prime Minister during her visit to Jordan in September 1985.

  The Prime Minister
  As far as I am aware, no representatives of British companies accompanied the Prime Minister on this visit.

TRANSPORT

  Porous Asphalt
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what studies his Department has undertaken into the use of porous asphalt in the United Kingdom;

  (2) on how many occasions in the last five years where commercial vehicles are likely to use a motorway, at the rate of over 4,000 vehicles per lane per day, permission has been given for the use of porous asphalt in the construction of the road;

  (3) if he will set out the criteria by which decisions have been made to use porous asphalt on motorways, or other developments, in the United Kingdom in the last five years;

  (4) if he will list the developments where porous asphalt was used on motorways and trunk roads in the last 10 years;

  (5) what EC directives or regulations relate to the use of porous asphalt on motorways or trunk roads.

  Mr. Key
  These five questions concerning the use of porous asphalt 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. Mike O'Brien, dated 20 May 1994:

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  The Minister for Roads and Traffic, Mr. Robert Key, has asked me to write to you in response to the five questions you asked relating to the use of porous asphalt.
  The Department, in conjunction with TRL and industry, has been investigating the design and production of porous asphalt surfacings for many years including taking account of developments abroad. This work included laboratory tests as well as longer term road trials to optimise the performance of porous asphalt. These trials included sites on the A38 at Burton on Trent, the M1 south of Leeds and the M6 north of Junction 18 in Cheshire.
  The successful outcome of these trials led to the Minister's announcement on 28 July 1992, that porous asphalt surfacing could be used on schemes in future where the conditions were suitable, benefits outweigh the higher cost and the needs for more expensive winter maintenance and more frequent resurfacing. Porous asphalt is not suitable for use on all roads. The criteria on which decisions are based for adopting porous asphalt surfacings are set out in Volume 7 of the Department's Design Manual for Roads and Bridges at document HD27/94 entitled "Pavement Construction Methods" and published in January 1994. These advise it is not used where traffic exceeds 4,000 commercial vehicles per lane per day.
  Use of porous asphalt surfacing has been approved for a number of schemes within criteria laid down. Additionally, use has been approved on two lengths of the M25 where the traffic exceeds 4,000 commercial vehicles per lane per day in order to gain experience of the more durable mixtures at higher traffic levels.
  Apart from the trial applications mentioned above, two other projects are under construction where porous asphalt is due to be laid. The schemes are:

  A5 Fazely-Two Gates-Wilnecote BP

  A50 Blyth Bridge-Queensway Improvement

  The above information relates purely to roads in England. Porous asphalt has also been laid by local authorities on roads for which they are responsible.
  Use of porous asphalt, as with any other surfacing material, is subject to EC directives and regulations on safety. Additionally specifiers are bound within the Public Procurement Directive. In accordance with this requirement the Technical guidance, as given in document HD27/94, was notified to the EC under the terms of the Notification Directive.

  Shipping
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what instructions are in force on the nationalities of crew and officers of fishing and merchant vessels registered under the national flags of(a) Denmark, (b) Italy, (c) Greece, (d) Germany and (e) the Netherlands.

  Mr. Norris
  With regard to merchant vessels I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wallasey (Ms Walley) on 28 April,Hansard, column 598. The Department does not collect information on manning requirements for fishing vessels.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many foreign-owned merchant and fishing vessels are registered under the national flags of(a) France, (b) Germany, (c) Denmark and (d) the Netherlands.

  Mr. Norris
  The Government do not collect these data. To obtain reliable information from other sources would involve disproportionate cost.

  M62 Relief Road
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many properties have been purchased by his Department within the Bury, South constituency arising out of his proposals for the M62 relief road;

  (2) how many properties have been let by his Department within the Bury, South constituency arising
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  out of his proposals for the M62 relief road; and how many of such properties have their rent paid in whole or in part out of public funds.

  Mr. Key
  These are operational matters for the Highways Agency. The chief executive has written to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Sumberg, dated 23 May 1994:
  I refer to your two questions to the Secretary of State for Transport tabled in the House for written reply on 20 May, about properties purchased and let in connection with the proposed M62 Relief Road. As Robert Key has explained to the House, these are operational matters on which I have been asked to reply.
  We have now completed purchase on 89 properties within the Bury South constituency. Of these, 17 have been let by our interim letting agent. As far as we are aware, none of these properties has their rents paid in whole or part, from public funds. In all cases our letting agents have provided an employer's reference for the tenant.
  As I explained in a previous reply, a full management agreement will be offered for tender shortly. The present agents are having to deal with a large number of properties becoming available over a short period. In addition, we are finding that some properties require repair and maintenance before they are in a suitable condition for letting.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what was the(a) budgeted and (b) actual expenditure on the abandoned King's Cross station project;

  (2) what was the (a) budgeted and (b) actual expenditure on the abandoned south London route alignment to the channel tunnel.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 27 January 1994,Official Report, column 393. Figures for budgeted, as opposed to actual expenditure, are not readily available.

  RAF Northolt
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to increase the daily number of civil aircraft movements permitted at Royal Air Force Northolt; what discussions he has held on these proposals with the Secretary of State for Defence; and what consultation he has had with the local hon. Member or neighbouring residents about them.

  Mr. Norris
  There are no such proposals.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instruct the Franchising Director to include the existing sleeper services between Scotland and England in the contract with operators of the west coast main line.

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. Friend has instructed the Franchising Director that his specification of minimum service levels for railway passenger services is to be based on that being provided by BR immediately prior to franchising, taking into account the existence of and justification for seasonal variations in service schedules. The Franchising Director will consult the appropriate local authorities and rail users consultative committees on his
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  proposals for the minimum service specifications for franchised operations on the west coast main line in due course.

  Transport and Environmental Strategy
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to provide a long-term integrated transport and environmental strategy after consultation with the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Mr. MacGregor
  [holding answer 24 May 1994]: "Sustainable Development: the UK Strategy", which was the result of detailed discussions between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and me, set out the principles by which the Government develop their transport policies. These include the following aims:
  —To strike the right balance between the ability of transport to serve economic development and the ability to protect the environment and sustain further quality of life.
  —To provide for the economic and social needs for access with less need for travel.
  —To take measures which reduce the environmental impact of transport and influence the rate of traffic growth.
  —To ensure that users pay the full social and environmental cost of their transport decisions, so improving the overall efficiency of those decisions for the economy as a whole and bringing environmental benefits.

  We are pursuing a range of policies consistent with these aims.

  Naval Exercises (English Channel)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the closure to traffic of an area of the English channel on 5 and 6 April due to a Sea Wolf missile failing to explode during a Royal Navy exercise.

  Mr. Hanley
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 4 May, Official Report, column 550.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Hypnosis
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the use of hypnosis by the police in obtaining evidence for the courts.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Methods of investigation are a matter of operational discretion for chief officers of police. In 1988 the Home Office issued guidance to the police discouraging the use of hypnosis in the investigation of offences, on the grounds that evidence obtained by this method would be likely to be both unreliable and inadmissible in court, as well as carrying a risk of harm to the witness. We have no plans to issue further guidance on this subject.

  Alcohol-related Crime
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistical information his Department maintains about alcohol-related crime.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Home Office collects information on the number of offences of driving after consuming 162
  alcohol or taking drugs. Numbers of offences of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs are included with the number of offences of causing death by dangerous driving. The figures are published in Home Office Statistical Bulletins "Motoring Offences" and "Notifiable Offences", copies of which are held in the Library.

  The 1988 British Crime Survey provides some evidence on how many victims of violent crime said the offender was drunk. Of all the violent incidents covered in the survey, 44 per cent. were said to involve a drunken offender. One out of two victims of street assaults cited a drunken offender, and four out of 10 female victims of domestic violence did so.

  Wheel Clamping
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a statement on the outcome of his Department's consultation paper, "Wheelclamping on Private Ground."

  Mr. Maclean
  We are still considering the possible options for regulating wheel clamping on private land and will make our conclusions known as soon as possible.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people entering the United Kingdom in 1993 were detained by immigration officials; and from this figure what percentage were released without charge.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The available information relates to passengers detained overnight or longer, and there were 5,571 such persons in 1993. Persons detained under Immigration Act powers are generally not charged with a criminal offence, but on release are either removed from the country or granted leave to enter. There is no central record of how such cases are resolved.

  Greyhounds
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to his answer of 12 April,Official Report, columns 2–3, for how much longer the project licence issued under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 for the use of non purpose-bred greyhounds in research will be valid;

  (2) if any of the greyhounds used in scientific procedures in 1992 were ex-greyhound racing registered dogs;

  (3) if any exemptions have been granted under article 10(3) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to allow the use of non purpose-bred greyhounds since 1992–93.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The project licence in question terminates on 1 June 1994.

  In 1992, 10 procedures were carried out on four greyhounds which were racing registered at the time of the study. We are not aware that any of the other non purpose-bred dogs used in procedures in 1992 were ex-racing registered dogs.

  No exemptions have been granted since 1992–93. This would not preclude the use of non purpose-bred greyhounds under project licences previously issued.

  Special Police Protection
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) royal households and (b) special households in total attract police protection in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Howard
  For security reasons it would not be right to provide any details of the properties concerned.

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against his Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Mr. Howard
  There are five members of staff in the main Home Office who are currently taking legal action against the Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  I have asked the Director General of the Prison Service to write to the hon. Member about the number of such legal actions being taken in the Prison Service.

  Police Officer Activities (Report)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  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 the reports of activities of a police officer, details of which have been sent to him.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I understand from the Commissioner that he is considering the paper forwarded to him by my hon. Friend.

  Immigration
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 May Official Report, columns 10–11 on leave to remain on the basis of a common law relationship, (a) how many of the partnerships had children and (b) how many of the relationships had been in existence for more than four years.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is not available in the statistics.

  Prison Staff Ratios
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present ratio of prisoners to prison officers, taking into account staff away on escort duties, in court and on sick leave.

  Mr. Peter Lloyd
  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 Dame Jill Knight, dated 25 May 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the ratio of prisoners to prison officers, taking into account staff away on escort duties, in court and on sick leave.
  The ratio of prisoners to prison officers varies between establishments, but, as at 19 May 1994, the overall ratio of
  164
  prisoners to prison officers, including senior officers and principal officers, was 2.01:1. Figures for the number of staff scheduled to be on duty on that day, whether at their establishment or on court or escort duty, and of those on sick leave, are not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Animal Experimentation
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider making a distinction between purpose-bred and non-purpose bred cats and dogs when compiling any future animal statistics used in licensed scientific procedures.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Government have no plans to make the distinction suggested. However, changes which are being introduced to the statistical system will make it possible to distinguish, from 1995 onwards, between dogs and cats which have been bred at or obtained from a designated breeding establishment, and those which have been obtained from other sources.

  Specialist Operations
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the specialist operations at Scotland Yard together with their annual cost for the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In the interests of security, it is Home Office policy not to reveal details, including costs, of individual special operation branches. The annual staffing cost of the branches to 31 March 1994 is around £158 million. This figure represents the average of salaries for the ranks and grades involved.

  Obscene Publications
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent discussions he has had with the Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis about the future of the obscene publications branch; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what recent representations he has received from right hon. and hon. Members concerning the future of the obscene publications branch; and how many of those representations have (a) opposed and (b) supported the disbanding of that branch;

  Mr. David Alton
  (1) whether it is the policy of his Department to close the obscene publications squad;

  (2) what plans there are for the disbandment of the obscene publications branch at New Scotland Yard; what is the reason for such action; and what assessment he has made of the effect of such a measure on the operational capability of the police, both in London and nationally.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Metropolitan police headquarters functions and specialist units, such as the obscene publications branch, fall within scope of the Commissioner's restructuring exercise, which aims to make the best possible use of resources and to place functions where they are most appropriate. My right hon. and learned Friend has discussed this matter with the Commissioner during their regular meetings.

  Overseas Domestic Workers
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the maltreatment of overseas domestic workers; and what measures he is taking in response to the recent cross-party delegation on this issue.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  None; but we consider representations carefully and keep the general arrangements for the overseas domestic workers scheme under review.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were granted entry clearance at posts abroad to come in to the United Kingdom as overseas domestic workers under the 1980 concession after 31 August 1993.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The information requested is not available.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received regarding overseas domestic workers in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  In the past year, my right hon. and learned Friend and I have received 22 letters from right hon. and hon. Members and noble Lords about the exceptional arrangements for the admission of domestic workers from overseas. I met a delegation led by my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington (Mr. Fishburn) and Lord Hylton. A number of letters have been received from organisations and members of the public.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overseas domestic workers have applied for a visa extension since August 1993; and how many of these applications have been granted.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The readily available data indicate that some 600 overseas domestic workers were granted further leave to remain in the second half of 1993.

  Sheehy Report
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's present views as to further implementation of the Sheehy committee report.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 28 October 1993 the Government's response to the recommendations of the inquiry into police responsibilities and rewards.

  Yemen (Somali Nationals)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what special arrangements the Government have instituted regarding the issue of entry clearance to family members of Somali nationals resident in the United Kingdom who are stranded in Yemen.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have no special arrangements for the issue of entry clearances in Yemen for any single nationality. Although the visa service has been suspended following the evacuation of staff last week, inquiries can be addressed to the British embassy in Sana'a which remains open.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Counsel
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list for each of the past 10 years those occasions on which the Office of Parliamentary Counsel has been requested to supply amendments or new clauses to Back Benchers for use in debate on private Members Bills in which Departments have an interest.

  Mr. Newton
  This information is not recorded.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will institute an inquiry into the use of the Office of Parliamentary Counsel by Departments to draft amendments or new clauses for use by Back Benchers in relation to debate on private Members Bills, and the effect on the timetable for preparation of amendments to Government legislation occasioned by such use of the personnel of the office.

  Mr. Newton
  I have no plans to do so.

EMPLOYMENT

  European Social Fund
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to provide support for voluntary organisations funded by the European social fund who have received no payments from the fund for the financial year commenced in January.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The responsibility for the delays in payment under the European social fund rests with the European Commission. The Commission will not release money from the fund until it has approved the United Kingdom's plan for 1994 to 1999. The plan was submitted in November 1993, and despite pressure from this Department, the Commission has only just begun negotiations with us. The Government are pressing the Commission to approve the plan as soon as possible.

  The Department has parliamentary authority to make payments as an agent of the Commission only once the funds have arrived. We sympathise with the position in which the voluntary organisations find themselves as a result of the Commission's delays. We are considering urgently whether we can do anything to alleviate the problems they are facing.

  Diploma Directive
  Dame Jill Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to issue a consultation document on the implementation of the Council directive for a second general system to supplement the second diploma directive 89/48/EEC.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Work on implementation has begun including consultation with other Government Departments. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will consult on proposed legislation in due course.

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against his Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.
  167
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Six.

  Personnel Data Processing
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Empolyment what was the total expenditure on staff and training costs relating to the aborted personnel data processing system.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The total expenditure on staff and training costs in respect of the Department's personnel data system was £2.70 million.

  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the answer of 13 May,Official Report, columns 264–65, on the moneys paid to McDonnell Douglas in respect of personnel data processing, if he will break down expenditure on other items.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Further to the written reply of 13 May, on amounts paid to McDonnell Douglas on the personnel data processing system, the expenditure on other items is broken down as follows:

  £

  Project Management

  159,375

  Contractors

  88,757

  Training

  33,812

  Maintenance of IT Equipment

  69,770

  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the organisations and people, other than McDonnell Douglas, to whom payments were made in respect of the aborted personnel data processing system, together with the nature of the work done.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The following table lists the organisations and people, other than McDonnell Douglas, to whom payments were made in respect of the personnel data processing system. The table also describes the nature of the work done.

  Organisation

  Nature of work

  ASK/INGRES

  Technical Audit

  Computer People North

  Conversion Programming

  Crow Associates

  Management and Organisational review

  DBI Associates

  Project Risk Analysis and Evaluation Project Management

  Duhig Berry

  Advice on use of PRINCE

  Ernst & Young

  Business Analysis

  Young Workers Directive
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the young workers directive is next to be considered by the Council of Ministers.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I expect the young workers directive to be considered at the next meeting of the Labour and Social Affairs Council on 22 June.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he is to issue strategic guidance to TECs this year; and if he will make a statement.
  168
  Mr. David Hunt
  The Government will issue strategic guidance to all training and enterprise councils in England tomorrow.

  I am pleased that this year's guidance "TECs: Towards 2000" is being issued jointly with my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Education, Transport and the Home Department.

  "TECs: Towards 2000" presents the Government's strategic agenda for TECs, and emphasises their key role in driving national competitiveness at local level. TECs are asked to address in their corporate plans the major challenges and opportunities for local economic development and regeneration in their areas.

  Copies of "TECs: Towards 2000" are available in the Library.

  Employee Involvement
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the Government's policy on employee involvement in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. David Hunt
  We believe that, to be successful, employee involvement must be voluntary and flexible, unlike that which would be imposed by the European Commission's draft directive on European works councils. I have today published "The Competitive Edge", a new booklet which gives examples of some of the many forms of effective employee involvement practice in the United Kingdom. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Employment Benefits
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the main employment benefits in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the Pacific rim countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 17 May 1994]: In the United Kingdom the main, statutory, employment benefits include redundancy payments, maternity leave and sick pay, as well as protection against unfair dismissal and harassment, or discrimination at work.

  The following table, based on information available to the Employment Department, shows that, mostly, these benefits exist in the Pacific rim countries of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. However, coverage of the work force and the value of these benefits varies considerable from country to country.

  EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM—MAY 1994
  Redundancy Payments
  Statutory minimum payments depend on age and length of service and are subject to a maximum (full details appear in the July 1993 Employment Gazette page 317). Employees are covered if: they have worked for two years for a minimum of 16 hours a week; or have worked for five years between 8 and 16 hours a week.
  Maternity Leave
  90 per cent. of earnings for six weeks plus £47.95 a week for 12 weeks. Eligibility is on the same basis as for redundancy payments. However, the rules for maternity pay are being revised. For more detail on the current rules, and the future requirements, see "Changes in Maternity Pay, Proposals for Implementing the EC Pregnant Workers Directive" published by the Department of Social Security (DSS) August 1993.
  Sick Pay
  The Statutory minimum is related to the employees earnings and

  169
  is payable for a maximum 28 weeks. All employees are covered except for a few groups such as those on contracts of 3 months or less. More detail is available from the DSS Guide NI270 "Employer's Manual on Statutory Sick Pay".
  Protection Against Harassment Discrimination
  Race and sex discrimination at work is generally prohibited. The clauses are set out in: the Equal Pay Act 1970; the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Race Relations Act 1976. These rights apply to all employees irrespective of length of service or hours of work. Other rights such as protection against unfair dismissal are subject to the same qualifying period as redundancy payments above.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IN PACIFIC RIM COUNTRIES

  SINGAPORE
  Redundancy Payments
  Can be claimed provided employee has been employed for at least 3 years. No amounts stipulated by law.
  Maternity Leave
  8 weeks paid maternity leave if the employee has been employed for 6 months or more.
  Sick Pay
  14 days paid sick leave per year, in addition to any time spent in hospital up to a limit of 60 days. Employee must have worked for at least 12 months to qualify.
  Protection Against Harassment/Discrimination
  Anyone who thinks they have been unfairly dismissed may appeal to the Minister for Labour. If the Minister finds against the company they must either reinstate or compensate the worker.

  TAIWAN
  Redundancy Payments, Maternity Leave, Sick Pay
  There is legal entitlement to these benefits but only in certain industries. Maternity leave cannot exceed 8 weeks, the value of the other benefits depends on a number of factors including length of service, age and sex. The industries covered are: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; Mining and Quarrying; Manufacturing; Construction; Water, Electricity and Gas Supply; Transportation, Warehousing and Communications; Mass Media; other industries designated by relevant central level authority.
  Protection Against Harassment/Discrimination
  There is some protection against unfair dismissal.

  HONG KONG
  Redundancy Payments
  An employee who has worked for an employer for more than 2 year's is entitled to two-thirds of normal monthly salary for every years service.
  Maternity Leave
  Maximum 10 weeks leave at two-thirds normal pay, as long as the employee has been in continuous employment for at least 18 hours a week for four consecutive weeks.
  Sick Pay
  Two-thirds normal pay for continuous sickness days of at least four. Same qualifying criteria as Maternity Leave/Pay.
  Protection Against Harassment/Discrimination
  170
  Employers may not dismiss pregnant employees who have been in continuous employment for at least 12 weeks, or employees who are on sick leave due to occupational injury or disease. Employees who are absent because they have to give evidence in criminal proceedings are similarly protected. In all these cases if the employee is dismissed compensation must be paid.

  SOUTH KOREA
  Redundancy Payments
  Employers must pay 30 days wages for each year worked. This applies only to companies with 5 or more employees, for those firms with fewer employees the Ministry of Labour sets down guidelines depending on the company's status.
  Maternity Leave
  A maximum of 60 days paid leave.
  Sick Pay
  There is no statutory sick pay, although employers must pay for 50 per cent. of medical fees—the government pays the rest.
  Protection Against Harassment/Discrimination
  Discrimination based on sex, nationality, religion or social position is prohibited by the Labour Standards Act.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Consultants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Attorney-General what was the expenditure on management and financial consultants by the Law Officers' Departments in 1992–93.

  The Attorney-General
  The expenditure was as follows:

  £

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  Nil

  Crown Prosecution Service

  48,100

  Serious Fraud Office

  108,820

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  335,000

  Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects to lay before Parliament and publish the annual report of the Serious Fraud Office for the year 1993–94.

  The Attorney-General
  The annual report for the SFO for 1993–94 was laid before Parliament at 11.00 am today and then published. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Portable Telephones
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 174, what was the cost of calls made on (a) car and (b) portable telephones in 1993–94; how much this equipment cost to buy or hire; and what were the maintenance costs.

  The Attorney-General
  The costs are listed in the table.
  171

  Car telephone calls (£)

  Portable telephone calls (£)

  Cost of equipment1 (£)

  Maintenance costs (£)

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  975

  —

  2,340

  190

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  —

  1,650

  4,890

  —

  Crown Prosecution Service

  6,980

  300

  26,800

  690

  Serious Fraud Office

  —

  3,410

  11,150

  —

  Total

  7,955

  5,360

  45,180

  880

  1 Including subscriptions and rental.

EDUCATION

  Teacher Training Agency
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what reasons the stipulations in his notes on the clauses of the Education Bill on the qualifications for members of the Teacher Training Agency in terms of experience and capacity in teaching, higher education, or teacher training were not reflected in the advertisement for the appointment of a chief executive to the agency.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The chief executive's main duty will be to manage the executive functions of the agency. He or she will be directly accountable for the control of the agency's expenditure and will have a role quite different from that of the other members of the board. This is reflected in the advertisement for the post.

  The Secretary of State will take into account in making all appointments to the agency the requirements of clause 2 of the Education Bill, which include not only those mentioned by the hon. Member, but experience in industrial, commercial or financial matters, or the practice of any profession.

  Student Statistics
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many third level students from(a) the Republic of Ireland, (b) other European Community countries and (c) non-European Community countries were enrolled in universities and colleges in England and Wales in each year since 1984–85; and what has been the cost or income in each category to the education budget.

  Mr. Boswell
  The following are the numbers of students for England and Wales which are readily available:

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Republic of Ireland

  2,615

  3,072

  3,756

  Other EC

  17,360

  21,664

  25,243

  Non-EC

  49,194

  51,177

  53,422

  I will write to the hon. Member with figures for the earlier years.

  The costs of provision for students from individual EC member states are not recorded separately. For 1991–92 the total cost to the education budget attributable to students from EC states studying in England and Wales is estimated at approximately £105 million. For 1990–91 and 1989–90, the equivalent figures for expenditure attributable to students from other EC member states were in the region of £90 million and £75 million respectively. British
  172
  nationals studying elsewhere in the European Community enjoy reciprocal rights. Students from non-EC countries are expected to meet the full cost of their tuition. Income from non-EC students is credited to the host institution and not to the education budget.

  Balanced against these costs is the benefit to the United Kingdom economy from the money spent in this country by students from overseas.

  Teachers (Early Retirement)
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers have sought early retirement in each of the last three years for which figures are available because of(a) redundancy and (b) illness; and if he will break the figures down by local authority and regionally for grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor) on 12 May,Official Report, columns 207–08.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  National Environmental Technology Centre
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the expenditure on consultancy of AEA Technology Ltd., the National Environmental Technology Centre and its predecessors over the last five years, distinguishing between consultancy on management, marketing and technical issues.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Consultancy work for AEA Technology is a management matter for the Atomic Energy Authority. With regard to Warren Spring Laboratory, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on Monday 16 May 1994,Official Report, columns 302–05.

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against his Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Mr. Heseltine
  There are no cases in the Department of Trade and Industry where proceedings have been issued.

  In three cases claimants are currently seeking damages from the Department through their solicitors.

  Company Investigations
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the inspectors to inquire into the affairs of Dunlop Holdings Ltd. were appointed; when their inquiry
  173
  was completed; what are the business connections of the inspectors; what is the cost of the investigation; how it has been disbursed to each inspector; what reports have been published; and when he will publish the final reports.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The inspectors were appointed on 25 July 1980 and made a substantial interim report on 18 December 1980, a second interim report on 10 March 1981 and a final report on 12 November 1981. Their first interim report was published on 17 February 1981 and it was decided not to publish their other reports. Both inspectors were departmental officers and the cost of their investigation is not available.

  Future Large Aircraft
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has had concerning the future large aircraft; and if he will make a statement on this aircraft.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  My Department has received many representations on the future large aircraft programme. The decision on the replacement of the existing Hercules fleet is a matter for the Ministry of Defence and my Department is in close touch with the MoD on the industrial implications of the programme.

  Plugs and Sockets
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet received the consultant's report on possible CENELEC—European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation—proposals on plug and socket standards.

  Mr. McLoughlin
  The report by the British Standards Institution Research Association has now been received and is being made available thorugh HMSO. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  East-West Business Forum
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the outcome of the east-west business forum that took place in Warsaw on 5 and 6 May 1994 and preceded the west-east conference of Ministers of Economy, Industry and Trade.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The business forum drew up a business declaration which highlighted the areas of reform that needed to be addressed by the central and east European countries and areas where G7 countries could help. This was discussed by the conference which agreed that the declaration should be given wide circulation. I have placed a copy of the declaration and of the conference conclusions in the Library of the House.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out(a) the terms of reference of the deregulation panel, (b) its membership and (c) the terms of appointment of the members of the panel.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make a statement on the functions of the deregulation panel before the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill receives Royal Assent;
  174
  (2) what are the functions of the deregulation panel established by his Department;

  (3) when the deregulation panel was established;

  (4) who are the members of the deregulation panel; and on what dates they were invited to join the panel;

  (5) when the deregulation panel first met; and how many times it has met.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  The formation of the deregulation task force, to be chaired by the right hon. Francis Maude, was announced on 19 January 1994. A number of appointments have been made and some work has been started, but other individuals are still being approved. It would therefore be inappropriate to announce some names but not all. When the task force has its full quorum, an announcement of the membership and its terms of reference will be made.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the budget of the deregulation panel.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 May 1994]: The deregulation task force does not have a separate individual budget. The costs of administrative support are part of the deregulation unit budget, which is published in the departmental supply estimates.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make the minutes of the deregulation panel available to hon. Members.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 May 1994]: Minutes of the meetings of the deregulation task force will not be available. However, the task force will publish an annual report.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the relationship between the deregulation panel and the deregulation unit.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 May 1994]: The deregulation task force will work closely with the deregulation unit, which is the focal point for the deregulation initiative across Whitehall.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the relationship between the deregulation panel and the deregulation task forces.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 May 1994]: The deregulation task force is the successor body to the seven business deregulation task forces, whose proposals for reform were published on 19 January 1994 and the eighth charities and voluntary organisations task force, which has completed its work and is due to report shortly.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the level of remuneration of each member of the deregulation panel.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 May 1994]: Individuals will not receive payment for their work as members of the deregulation task force.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the term of office of each member of the deregulation panel.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 May 1994]: Members of the deregulation task force will be appointed for an initial period of two years.
  175
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the criteria used to appoint(a) the deregulation panel as a whole and (b) each member of the deregulation panel.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 May 1994]: The purpose of the deregulation task force is to help my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to promote deregulation which will enhance the competitiveness of United Kingdom business and the effectiveness of the voluntary sector. The criterion for membership is the ability to contribute to this purpose.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list(a) the occupations and (b) the political affiliation of each member of the deregulation panel.

  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 May 1994]: The formation of the deregulation task force, to be chaired by the right hon. Francis Maude, was announced on 19 January 1994. A number of appointments have been made and some work has been started, but other individuals are still being approached. It would therefore be inappropriate to announce some names but not all. When the task force has its full quorum, an announcement to the membership and its terms of reference will be made. This will include the occupations of members appointed. The Department does not hold information on the political affiliations of appointees to advisory bodies. Appointments are made on the basis of the person judged best for the job; political affiliation is not a factor.

  Teaching Company Scheme
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress of the teaching company scheme.

  Mr. Sainsbury
  The teaching company scheme is now in its 19th year of operation; following changes made in 1986, it is now widely regarded as one of the most

  Name

  Professor John Goodman

  Chairman: Manchester School of Management

  Professor David Johns

  Vice Chancellor: University of Bradford

  Dr. James Kinloch

  Chairman: The Kinloch Electronics Group

  Professor Stan Mason

  Principal and Vice-Chancellor: Glasgow Caledonian University

  Professor John Midwinter

  Head of Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department: University College London

  Mr. Colin Mitchell

  Communications and Corporate Mail Manager: ICI

  Mr. William Morris

  Vice-President: Short Brothers plc

  Dr. A. W. Nelson

  Managing Director: Epitaxial Products Ltd.

  Dr. John Parnaby, managing director, Lucas Applied Technology Ltd. chairman of the LINK steering group, will join the board as an observer. DTI and the Office of Science and Technology will also be represented on the board.

  The board will be responsible for the successful continuation of TCS and its development to include new initiatives such as the teaching company centres and proposals to introduce the TCS concept into colleges of further education announced in the White Paper on Competitiveness, Cm. 2563.
  176
  successful mechanisms of technology transfer and has been replicated in several other countries. TCS helps firms to access technology in United Kingdom universities by enabling them to employ young graduates to install specific technologies or processes in the firm. The graduates are jointly supervised by the firm and the university.

  Graduates receive a salary, paid through the university, which comprises an element of public sector support from one or more sponsors, together with a contribution from the firm.

  As at 16 May 1994, 509 TCS programmes are in progress, involving 586 graduates and 82 universities. Over 50 per cent. of TCS programmes take place in small and medium-sized enterprises; it is intended to increase this proportion to about 60 per cent.

  Although conceived as a joint DTI/SERC scheme, TCS has expanded its sponsorship base to include other research councils and government departments. Eleven organisations now act as sponsors.

  A recent interdepartmental review of the scheme concluded that there were areas where its internal operation could be improved. Copies of the review have been lodged in the Library of the House.

  Among a wide-ranging list of recommendations, four stand out:
  1. It will no longer be necessary for individual programmes of interest to DTI, EPSRC or other sponsors to receive joint sponsorship; the effect of this will be to allow each sponsor to target more clearly those types of firm or technology that it wishes to support.
  2. Longer term planning within TCS will be improved, by the production of a 5–year strategic plan, amended on an annual basis and supplemented by an annual business plan.
  3. The managerial focus of the scheme will be sharpened by the nomination of DTI as lead sponsor department. DTI will ensure that the scheme is delivered according to the wishes of the sponsors as a whole.
  4. The scheme will be supervised by a new Teaching Company Scheme Board, to be chaired by Sir Anthony Gill. The Board will comprise the following members, providing a balanced representation of industrial and academic interests:

  Coal Industry Privatisation
  Mr. O'Neill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how he proposes to ensure the funding of British Coal Enterprise after the privatisation of British Coal.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 23 May 1994]: No decisions have been taken on the longer-term future of British Coal Enterprise Ltd. In the mean time the 1994 Coal Industry Restructuring Grants Order, approved in the House on 19 May, will enable the funding of BCE to continue for a further year.

WALES

  Private Members' Bills
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what occasions since April 1992 Ministers from his Department have(a) requested Parliamentary Counsel to assist in preparing amendments to private Members' Bills on behalf of other private Members and (b) authorised officials to instruct parliamentary counsel to prepare amendments which were subsequently passed to private Members.

  Mr. Redwood
  I am advised there have been no such requests or instructions since April 1992.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the level of provision made in Wales to assist those disabled by multiple sclerosis.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The provision of assistance for people with a disability, including those with multiple sclerosis, is the responsibility of health authorities and local authorities.

  Whilst separate analyses in relation to specific conditions are not regularly made locally, the arrangements for social care planning have identified the needs of all people with a disability. How these needs can best be met is set out in the social care plans for each county and the implications for the NHS are reflected in the local strategies for health produced by health authorities.

  Gwerin y Coed
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review the level of grant given to the Gwerin y Coed, Woodcraft Folk for Wales, by his Department for 1994–95.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  No. The size of the grant reflects the limited extent of Gwerin y Coed's youth work in Wales.

  Care and Repair Wales
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the reasons why his Department decided to defer notification to Care and Repair Wales of the financial grant which will be made to it for the financial year 1994–95 until June 1994; and whether he will review this decision and make available as soon as possible a definite timetable on which care and repair plans can be based.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Both Care and Repair Cymru and 16 local schemes have already been offered funding for the first quarter of 1994–95. I am now making them an offer for the remainder of 1994–95.

  Land Authority for Wales
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the board members of the Land Authority for Wales, their full-time occupations and the companies which employ them; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  A list of the board members of the Land Authority for Wales which details their employment is held in the Library of the House. Those board members who have full-time occupations are employed by:178

  R. P. V. Rees: Coopers and Lybrand

  R. W. S. Knight: Cooke and Arkwright

  T. J. Mahoney; Self Employed Retailer

  Each of them has arrangements with their business to make the necessary time available for LAW.

  Planning Inspectorate Agency
  Mr. Richards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what performance targets he has set for the planning inspectorate agency's work in Wales for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The key objectives for the agency in Wales in 1994–95 remain to preserve the impartiality and quality of the inspectorate's work while seeking further to improve efficiency. The agency's key performance targets in Wales will be:

  Timeliness

  (a) Eighty per cent. of planning appeals by written representations to be decided within 17 weeks;

  (b) To provide an inspector for local plan inquiries when requested within 26 weeks of the end of the objection period;

  Financial

  (a) Unit costs of planning appeals decided by written representations not to exceed £690;

  (b) Recover 90 per cent. of receipts due within 8 weeks of invoice date;

  Efficiency
  Generate a 3 per cent. efficiency improvement in running costs as compared with 1993–94;

  Quality

  (a) The number of justified complaints about the way in which Inspectors have carried out their duties, and the number of successful challenges in the High Court, to be less than one in every hundred decisions issued;

  (b) The number of justified complaints about the way in which the Inspectorate handled the procedural aspects of casework to be less than one in every hundred decisions issued;

  Volume
  To determine 1,050 appeals, subject to intake not declining;

  Information and Guidance
  To determine a third customer survey by 31 December 1994.

  These and other performance targets for the agency will be included in its business plan for 1994–95 which will be published shortly.

  Separate timeliness and volume targets for the agency's work in England are being announced today by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment.

TREASURY

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against his Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Mr. Nelson
  None.

  Alcohol (Illegal Resale)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to publicise the telephone hotline to which members of the public may report the illegal resale of personal imports of alcoholic liquor; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  The launch of the anti-bootlegging hotline on 27 April was extensively reported in the national and trade press and on television. Customs and I will continue to publicise the hotline—0800 901 901—in the media, at trade meetings and by the use of posters, leaflets and other publicity material.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many prosecutions have taken place since 1 January 1993 of people illegally importing and reselling alcoholic liquor in England and Wales; how many resulted in fines or imprisonment; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) how many prosecutions have taken place since 1 January 1993 of people illegally importing and reselling alcoholic liquor in Northern Ireland; how many resulted in fines or imprisonment; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Cope
  In England and Wales customs and Excise have successfully prosecuted 56 people since 1 January 1993 for illegally importing and reselling alcoholic liquors in the United Kingdom. The courts awarded prison sentences against two people and fines of up to £8,000 against 43 people.

  No prosecutions have yet been brought in Northern Ireland.

  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received to date about the importation of cheap alcoholic drinks from the continent; and what replies he has sent.

  Sir John Cope
  I have received a number of representations on this subject. The replies I have sent have answered the questions raised, offered clarification of the issues involved and set out the Government's position, as appropriate.

  Proportion of income paid in income tax and social security contributions *

  Marginal rates of income tax and social security contributions *

  £20,000 gross earnings

  £40,000 gross earnings

  £20,000 gross earnings

  £40,000 gross earnings

  France1,2

  Income tax and social security contributions

  46.6

  49.9

  51.4

  69.1

  United Kingdom2,3

  Income tax and social security contributions

  31.6

  38.1

  44.4

  50.4

  Japan4

  Income tax and social security contributions

  29.5

  45.1

  41.7

  63.8

  Germany1,2,5

  Income tax and social security contributions

  29.1

  34.0

  48.1

  33.3

  United States of America1,6

  Income tax and social security contributions

  23.7

  31.0

  34.30

  38.90

  *Includes both employees' and employers' contributions.

  1Figures for 1993. Earnings converted into local currencies using purchasing power parities.

  2No local income taxes.

  3Income tax plus national insurance contributions less child benefit expressed as a percentage of earnings. The married man is assumed to be in receipt of the full married couple's allowance.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants are now employed; and how many civil servants were employed immediately prior to the process of market testing.

  Mr. Dorrell
  On 1 October 1993 there were 546,339 permanent civil servants, the lowest in the post-war period. Final figures for 1 April 1994 are not yet available, but these are expected to show a further decline to about 535,000. On 1 October 1991, immediately prior to the announcement of the introduction of market testing in November 1991, there were 560,903 permanent civil servants.

  Taxation
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average tax rate including local and central Government income tax and social security payments, as a percentage of the gross income of a married man with two children earning(a) £20,000 a year and (b) £40,000 a year in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) France, (iii) Germany, (iv) the United States of America and (v) Japan in 1993; and what he estimates will be the percentage figures for the same persons in the United Kingdom in the fiscal year 1995–96 based on Government tax policies already announced.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 29 March 1994]: The table gives the information requested.

  International comparisons of this nature can be misleading because the rules of the tax and social security systems, and the level of provision of public services, vary widely. For example, in Germany, people with the levels of income shown would be above the threshold where they cease to be liable to make contributions for sickness and they would have to make private provision. The comparison also takes no account of indirect taxes. The table includes employers' social security contributions. This gives a more complete picture, as both the employer's and employee's contributions are likely to affect take-home pay.

  Figures for the United Kingdom for 1995–96 will depend on changes in earnings and prices and the value of allowances.
  181
  4Local taxes at the standard rate.

  5Excluding those social security contributions for employees with earnings above the insurable ceilings.

  6California local income tax rates.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will make it her policy, after the formation of the meat hygiene service, to make representations for British meat inspectors to have equivalent status to French and Dutch veterinary technicians for the purposes of relevant European legislation on abattoirs.

  Mr. Soames
  The meat hygiene service is committed to delivering a cost-effective and consistent meat inspection service and, to do so, will seek to maximise the role of qualified meat inspectors in slaughterhouses within the requirements of the legislation.

  The EC has harmonised rules on the training of veterinarians and mutual recognition of veterinary qualifications, but has never harmonised the training and qualifications of technicians—termed "auxiliaries" in the directives. If the chief executive of the meat hygiene service, in the light of operating experience, considers such EC harmonisation would facilitate the achievement of the MHS objectives we will explore the possibilities with the Commission and other member states.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps she is taking to encourage and promote the establishment of more small abattoirs.

  Mr. Soames
  The Government have always recognised the importance of small abattoirs and have taken a number of steps to ensure that the single market rules are applied sensibly and flexibly. We negotiated in the EC fresh meat directive less onerous structural requirements for low-throughput abattoirs and were instrumental in increasing the original throughput limit of 12 livestock units per week to 20 until 31 December 1994. We will press for this limit to be made permanent in the Commission's review of the impact of the Directive on small businesses. In mid–1993, we introduced an upper limit on local authority charges for meat inspection, which provides assurances to small abattoirs about the maximum level of charges they may face. Together, these measures will create a stable situation within which new small abattoirs can be established if there is a market opportunity for them.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment she has made of the difference in average attendance fees being paid by small abattoirs to(a) veterinary surgeons and (b) environmental health officers.

  Mr. Soames
  Official veterinary surgeons and meat inspectors or environmental health officers are employed for meat inspection duties by local authorities which recover the costs from abattoirs, subject to a maximum of £40 for the first four livestock units and £6.30 for each additional livestock unit. The maximum charge of £40 was based on £28 for veterinary attendance, being the average turnout fee paid to local veterinary inspectors in 1991, and £12 for the meat inspector's duties.

  Fish Landings
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is her estimate for the last 12 months of the landing of unlogged fish around the coast of the United Kingdom; what percentage of total landings this represents; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  The landing of unlogged fish is an illegal activity and it is not possible to make a meaningful estimate of the extent to which it occurs. Illegal landings jeopardise the livelihoods of fishermen and those dependent on the industry and undermine the efforts that are being made to conserve stocks. The United Kingdom fisheries inspectorate devotes substantial resources to detecting and preventing unlogged landings of fish and appropriate enforcement action is taken where there is firm evidence of illegal landings occurring.

  Sheep Dips
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will amend the regulations governing certificates for the purchase of organophosphorus dips by restricting the use as well as purchase of such dips to certificate holders.

  Mr. Soames
  I have no plans to do so. The existing controls are effective as they stand, and prevent those purchasing organophosphorus dips from selling or supplying them on to others. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations also already require those working with dips to be adequately trained. Possession of a certificate will be taken into account by HSE inspectors when assessing how this requirement has been met.

  Spanish Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is her policy to rely upon relative stability, according to its recognised definition, to keep Spanish registered fishing vessels, or fishing vessels owned by Spanish citizens out of all parts of the North sea.

  Mr. Jack
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 13 April to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison),Official Report, column 183–84.

  Nuts (Allergies)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures she is taking to encourage the clearer labelling of food stuffs in order to eliminate risks to people who are allergic to nuts.

  Mr. Soames
  Labelling is only really effective with pre-packaged foodstuffs and we have encouraged manufacturers and retailers to indicate the presence of nuts or peanuts in a foodstuff on a voluntary basis where the EC labelling rules do not provide for it. In the much larger area of food purchased through catering outlets where the problems for people who suffer from this allergy occur, we have alerted operators to the serious nature of the allergy and to the need to have available reliable information on recipes so as to answer accurately questions from sufferers. I am pleased to say that on all fronts we have had a positive response.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Local Authority Museums
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase assistance to museums run by local authorities containing collections of national significance.

  Mr. Sproat
  There are many museum collections of national significance, a large number run by local authorities. In his announcement on 11 May,Official Report, column 172, my right hon. Friend advised the House that he was about to undertake a review of the Department's policy towards museums and galleries. That is now under way: we welcome comments from anyone who wishes to offer them, but it would not be right for me to anticipate the outcome of the review.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what information he has concerning local authority museums selling all or part of their collections due to financial constraints in the years 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sproat
  There are a number of reasons why museums, including those run by local authorities, might dispose of items in their collections. However, systematic data on such disposals, and the reasons for them, are not collected by my Department.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which museum collections owned by local authorities attract central Government grant assistance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sproat
  Local authorities and their museums attract grant assistance from Government Departments in a wide variety of ways and for differing purposes. It is not possible to provide comprehensive details of such assistance across the museum field. While my own Department does not offer specific assistance to local authority museums, it does provide funding to bodies such as the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Museums and Galleries Comission, which provides grants and other support to a wide range of museums and galleries; similarly, my Department participates in the museums and galleries improvement fund, a joint initiative with the Wolfson Foundation and Family Charitable Trust.

  British Road Transport Museums
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what direct assistance his Department give towards the costs of the British road transport museum in Coventry.

  Mr. Sproat
  I understand that the museum of British road transport in Coventry has been helped in a number of ways by the west midlands area museum service, which receives funding from the Museums and Galleries Commission. It has also received assistance towards acquisitions from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and from the PRISM fund for preservation of industrial and scientific material which is administered by the National museum of science and industry on behalf of the Museums and Galleries Commission.
  184
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the most significant collections in the United Kingdom road transport heritage; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sproat
  There are a number of museums in the United Kingdom with significant road transport material in their collections. They are important in different ways and it is not possible to specify which is the most significant.

  Indemnity Undertakings
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many indemnity undertakings were given by Departments under section 16 of the National Heritage Act 1980 for the six-month period ended 31 March 1994; and what was the value of contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time and remaining outstanding as at 31 March 1994.

  Mr. Brooke
  In the six-month period ended 31 March 1994 the following undertakings to indemnify were given by the relevant Departments for items on loan to national and non-national institutions:

  Number

  Department of National Heritage

  437

  Scottish Office Education Department

  43

  Welsh Office Education Department

  32

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland

  14

  The value of contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time and outstanding at 31 March 1994 are:

  £

  Department of National Heritage

  1,844,520,914

  Scottish Office Education Department

  106,369,193

  Welsh Office Education Department

  41,061,343

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland

  9,268,944

  Royal Palaces
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what accommodation is available at Buckingham palace for the use of the Duke of York.

  Mr. Sproat
  His Royal Highness the Duke of York has use of two bedrooms, a dressing room, a sitting room, a dining room and two bathrooms at Buckingham palace. These rooms do not form a self-contained apartment.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are the reasons for making grace-and-favour accommodation available at the historic royal palaces; and who occupies it.

  Mr. Sproat
  About half the units of grace-and-favour accommodation at the historic royal palaces have been made available to pensioners who were former employees of Her Majesty the Queen, and the remainder to employees or holders of positions in the royal household whose duties require their attendance at Hampton Court or the Tower of London.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on what basis rent is assessed for Prince Michael of Kent.
  185
  Mr. Sproat
  The rent is assessed on a basis which takes into account the fact that His Royal Highness the Prince Michael of Kent is a more immediate member of the Royal Family who undertakes some official engagements on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what amount was taken in revenue from entry charges and merchandising by the Historic Royal Palaces Agency in the last financial year; and what is the target for next year.

  Mr. Sproat
  The provisional outturn figures for income from entry charges and shops in 1993–94 are £14.035 million and £4.934 million respectively, totalling £18.969 million.

  For 1994–95, the corresponding targets set for the agency by the chief executive are £17.678 million and £5.463 million, totalling £23.141 million.

  Museums
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what was the staffing level for the science museum library at the south Kensington site in May 1992; what it is now; and what is the projected site level for May 1995;

  (2) what is the present salary of the director of the science museum;

  (3) for what reasons Mr. Andrew Dow was removed from his appointment as curator of the national railway museum; whether the approval of a full meeting of the trustees was obtained before the removal of Mr. Dow; and what payment was made to Mr. Dow following his removal.

  Mr. Sproat
  These matters fall within the statutory responsibility of the trustees of the National museum of science and industry as set out by the National Heritage Act 1983.

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against his Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Mr. Sproat
  No civil servants within the Department of National Heritage are taking legal action against the Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many missions have been conducted by the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq to inspect military and nuclear sites; and if he will arrange for copies of all reports of UNSCOM visits to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There have been 74 UNSCOM/ IAEA missions to Iraq. The 75th is at present in Iraq. UNSCOM inspection reports are not published but a description of missions is given in the six-monthly reports 186
  issued by the Secretary-General of the UN. The latest of these are Security Council documents S/1994/489 and S/1994/490 for UNSCOM and the IAEA respectively. In addition the IAEA submits more detailed inspection reports to the UN Secretary-General which are circulated as UN documents. The latest of these are S/1994/31, on the 22nd IAEA mission, and S/1994/355, on the 23rd mission. All these documents are available in the Library of the House.

  Korea
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, during his recent meeting with his South Korean counterpart, he discussed the use by North Korea of blueprints of the British Magnox reactor design to construct its plutonium production reactors currently under inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We do not know whether North Korea has drawn on plans of British reactors in the production of its own reactors. North Korea possesses a graphite moderated reactor which, while much smaller, has generic similarities to the reactors operated by British Nuclear Fuels plc. However, design information of these British reactors is not classified and has appeared in technical journals.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs did not discuss this matter with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea during their recent meeting.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the International Atomic Energy Agency nuclear safeguards inspection visit to the North Korean nuclear facilities on 18 May.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The full outcome of the latest visit of an International Atomic Energy Agency inspection team to North Korea will not be known until after their return to Vienna. However, the IAEA Director-General, Dr. Blix, reported to the United Nations Security Council on 20 May that the inspectors had been allowed to perform outstanding safeguards activities at the radiochemical laboratory. He also confirmed that North Korea had begun discharging fuel from the core of its 5MW reactor, in violation of its safeguards agreement.

  EU Foreign Affairs Council
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 16 and 17 May.

  Mr. Hurd
  I attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 16–17 May.

  The Council took the formal decision—by unanimity —to admit Norway, Austria, Finland and Sweden to the Union. The treaty of accession will now be signed at the European Council on 24 June.

  President Delors presented a short paper describing progress on the follow-up to the White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment. He noted that recent economic news in the Community was encouraging; drew attention to efforts to improve the functioning of the

  187
  internal market; highlighted progress on identifying priority transEuropean network projects; and noted that work was continuing on the audit of selected pieces of legislation for their effects on employment.

  In the discussion that followed, I and others emphasised the importance of deregulation and of completing the single market, especially in areas such as transport, energy and telecommunications.

  The Council reviewed progress in the negotiations towards a partnership and co-operation agreement with Russia.

  The Council agreed that the EU's partnership and co-operation agreement with Ukraine would be signed in June, and had a first discussion of Commission proposals on further ways to enhance the EU/Ukraine relationship.

  The Council agreed unanimously a Commission proposal to resolve a dispute between the EC and Chile over Chilean apple exports to the EC.

  The Council considered a Commission report on relations with Switzerland. It asked the Commission to bring forward as soon as possible mandates for negotiations on research, free movement of people, trade in agricultural goods, public procurement and technical barriers to trade. On transport, the Council asked the Commission to seek urgent clarification from the Swiss on how the Swiss people's recent vote to ban the transit of heavy goods vehicles would be implemented.

  The Council discussed recent developments in the peace negotiations on former Yugoslavia. It agreed unanimously to extend the joint action on humanitarian aid to Bosnia and to apply part of the resources for this to the EU administration in Mostar. The Council had a short discussion of the situation in Algeria and the possibilities for Community assistance. It issued the statement on Rwanda which appears at the end of this answer. The Commission also indicated that it would shortly propose an interim agreement between the EU and South Africa.

  The Council adopted by concensus a code of conduct for continuing multilateral negotiations on trade in certain service sectors, where agreement could not be reached by the conclusion of the Uruguay round. This will enable the Community to participate effectively in the continuing GATT negotiations on services.

  The Council agreed the draft conclusions for the launch conference of the stability pact in Paris on 26–27 May and discussed prospects for the conference.

  The Council discussed a compromise text aimed at unblocking the negotiations on an energy charter treaty.

  At the request of the Danish Government, the Council discussed the operation of its openness policy. It asked officials to consider whether existing procedures for handling applications for documents needed amending, and to make recommendations to the Council. The Council agreed to reject the application by the Guardian newspaper for a number of Council documents. Denmark and the Netherlands voted against.

  The Secretary General of the Council urged member states to take a flexible approach on the protection of classified information under titles V and VI of the Maastricht treaty. The Council referred the matter to COREPER.

  The Council agreed that informal contacts with the European Parliament on titles V and VI should continue, but that decisions would have to await the election of the new Parliament.
  188
  A co-operation council with Egypt and the first meeting of the European Economic Area Agreement Council took place in the margins.

  DECLARATION BY THE EUROPEAN UNION ON RWANDA
  The European Union, recalling its declaration of 18 April 1994 on Rwanda, again appeals urgently to all parties to the conflict to bring an end to the genocide now taking place in the country.
  The European Union expresses its full support for the United Nations' humanitarian efforts and in this context welcomes the resolution that is currently before the Security Council. The European Union looks forward to an urgent decision on measures which can be implemented soon.
  The European Union welcomes the initiative of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights to conduct a mission on both Rwanda and Burundi and supports the call for a special meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights.
  The European Union expresses its appreciation and support for the efforts of the OAU and to President Mwinyi of Tanzania for their initiatives in convening a regional conference, in which both the authorities of Rwanda and the RPF will be invited.
  The European Union urges the two sides to agree on the need to respect the Arusha agreement, which, through the way of negotiation, offers the best available basis for national reconciliation. In this context the European Union supports the call for an early imposition of an arms embargo on Rwanda, and calls on all concerned to refrain from any action that is liable to exacerbate the situation.
  The European Union is eager to increase its humanitarian aid whenever and where such aid can be brought to the populations that have suffered so cruelly from the violence. In this respect it will continue its immediate assistance to refugees in the neighbouring countries and will endeavour to equally assist the stricken populations within Rwanda, whenever conditions allow this.

  Kanwar Singh Dhami
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the arrest of Kanwar Singh Dhami, president of the Akal Federation, in Chandigarh, Punjab; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We understand that Mr. Dhami's case is before the courts and that his lawyers have regular access to him. Her Majesty's high commission in New Delhi have spoken to his lawyers in Punjab. They confirmed that he is in good health and has not been maltreated.

  Punjab
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has of individuals being tortured whilst under unlawful detention in Punjab; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We receive regular information from Her Majesty's high commission in New Delhi about allegations of torture and unlawful detention in Punjab. Although the situation has improved in the last year, we remain concerned that abuses continue to take place.

  South Africa
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to hold discussions with the British groups of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Inter-Parliamentary Union in order to develop programmes and to invite members of the new South African Parliament to visit
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  London and take part in such programmes of political development within their country; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We attach importance to establishing close operational links with members of the new South African Parliament and will take every opportunity to do so.

  To this end my noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey will shortly hold a meeting with several hon. Members and noble Lords who have a close interest in South Africa, including many who were election observers under the auspices of the IPU and CPA, to discuss how to take forward this initiative.

  Mr. Edward Roberts
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what record the Minister for Overseas Development has of receiving a recorded delivery letter from Mr. Edward Roberts of 28 Dulverton road, Liverpool 17, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war at Drancy.

  Mr. Lennox Boyd
  My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory), wrote to the hon. Member on this matter on 20 May.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he made of the likely use to which the 21 battle tanks sold to Nigeria in 1993 will be put prior to agreeing to the sale.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  We considered this export licence application carefully, in the light of our usual criteria, including the international guidelines to which we are committed. We were satisfied that the equipment in question would be used to fulfil Nigeria's legitimate defence needs.

  Malawi
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the recent elections in Malawi.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The Government welcome the peaceful transition to multi-party democracy in Malawi brought about by these elections, which both the joint international observer group and the Malawi electoral commission declared free and fair.

  We commend the ready acceptance of the results by all sides in Malawi and in particular former-President Banda's call for all political parties to co-operate in building a better Malawi.

  We look forward to working closely with the new Government and with President Muluzi. The Permanent Secretary at the ODA is visiting Malawi from 31 May to 2 June. The new Government face many challenges including a serious crop failure. We plan to offer an additional £3 million in balance of payments support for 1994–95, and 10,000 tonnes of food aid to help them overcome it and keep to their economic reform programme.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 31 March,Official Report, column 1025, if he will give the percentage of cases cleared by individual Child Support Agency centres during each quarter of 1993–94 in (a) under 40 days, (b) between 40 and 100 days and (c) over 100 days; and when he expects to be able to provide detailed information as to the average time taken for each stage of the assessment process.

  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. Adam Ingram, dated 25 May 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking about clearance times for the maintenance application process.
  Figures for the first two quarters covering the period 5 April to 30 September 1993 are not available. Figures for the third and fourth quarters are shown in the attached annex.
  Information on the time taken to deal with maintenance application and enquiry forms is currently being validated and should be available shortly.
  In my earlier reply of 31 March 1994, I said that the figures quoted were year to date figures from 5 April 1993. I have since established that they were year to date figures from 1 October 1993 as figures prior to that date are not available. Please accept my apologies for this mistake.
  The answer also corrects information given to the honourable member for Glasgow Garscadden (Mr. Dewar) on 18 February 1994 at Col 1023, and the honourable member for Dunfermline West (Ms Squire) on 8 March 1994 at Cols 215–216.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what figures are available to show waiting times between the parent with care contacting the Child Support Agency and an initial maintenance inquiry form being dispatched.

  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 Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 25 May 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the time taken between a parent with care contacting the Agency and a maintenance enquiry form being issued to the absent parent.
  Contact between a parent with care and the Agency normally begins when the Agency issues a maintenance application form to the parent with care. In a small proportion of cases, however, the parent with care may contact the Agency to request such a form.
  Information on the time taken to deal with maintenance application forms, measured from the date on which the form is issued to the date on which processing of the form is completed, is currently being validated and should be available shortly.
  I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Child Support Agency contacts the parent with care in all cases where a delay occurs in obtaining information from the absent parent, and if he will make a statement.
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  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 Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 25 May 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about contact with parents with care when there is a delay in obtaining information from the absent parent.
  If an absent parent fails to return the Maintenance Enquiry Form (MEF) the Agnecy will issue a letter warning that an Interim Maintenance Assessment (IMA), which is generally higher than a full maintenance assessment, will be considered if information requested is not received within 14 days of receipt. At the same time the parent with care is notified that this warning letter has been issued.
  If an absent parent does return the MEF but fails to provide all of the information required, then the Agency will still consider imposing an IMA. In such cases a warning letter will be sent to the absent parent and the parent with care will be notified at the same time.
  If no response is received at this stage and an IMA is to be imposed, both the absent parent and the parent with care will receive a letter setting out the amount of the IMA and the date from which it will be imposed.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he will take to reduce the number of weeks which the Child Support Agency requires to process maintenance assessments; 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 Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 25 May 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the time taken by the Agency to process maintenance assessments.
  The Agency originally expected to take 6 to 12 weeks to clear a straightforward case once fully operational. The aim of clearing such cases within that time scale was first expressed before the Agency had experience of live operation. In practice, the assessment process has turned out to be more complex and clearance times longer than was originally expected.
  The maintenance formula which is used in making the assessment is detailed as it has to take account of the individual circumstances of both parents. A great deal of information is required to ensure the assessment is realistic, and accurately reflects their circumstances. It is inevitable therefore that the entire process will take time.
  At this stage it is still too early to predict what clearance times will be achieved in the longer term, although the Agency is working hard to ensure that all applications for maintenance are cleared as quickly as possible.
  I can reassure you that the Agency is constantly reviewing all aspects of its operations to ensure that the most effective means of handling cases are identified and changes made where the process can be improved.
  I hope you find this helpful.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what time limit has been established for an interim award of maintenance to the parent with care from the Child Support Agency.

  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.
  192
  Letter from Ros Hepplewhite to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 25 May 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the time limit for an interim award of maintenance to a parent with care.
  When Maintenance Enquiry Forms (MEFs) are issued, absent parents are advised that they must be completed and returned within 14 days of issue. If, after 14 days the absent parent fails to return the MEF, a letter is issued to advise him or her than an Interim Maintenance Assessment (IMA) will be considered if the information required is not received within 14 days.
  If a MEF has still not been return 28 days after it has been issued, the child support officer will consider whether an IMA is appropriate. Once the child support officer decides an IMA is appropriate, it will be imposed within 9 days. If an IMA is considered not to be appropriate at this stage, the case may be referred for an interview locally with the absent parent to resolve the matter. All cases will be followed up subsequently and a decision made in the light of all the circumstances.
  In all cases, our aim is to make a decision as soon as the information is available.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence is available to identify any transfer of care from one parent to the other resulting from assessment by the Child Support Agency; and what studies have been undertaken on this.

  Mr. Burt
  Matters relating to the care and residence of a child are principally matters for the court. The Department has not undertaken any studies on this issue.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to link the pay of the chief executive of the Child Support Agency to the time taken to send replies to letters and to the extent to which those replies answer the questions asked; and if he will give reasons for his decision.

  Mr. Burt
  The Child Support Agency chief executive's entitlement to a performance bonus is largely determined by the achievement of the published key performance targets for the agency taken as a package. Details of the key targets for 1994–95 have not yet been decided. They will be published in the agency's business plan, a copy of which will be available in the Library.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish details of those boundaries between areas linked to different weather stations for the purposes of the cold weather payments scheme which follow the line of a road in a built-up area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Scott
  The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against his Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Mr. Scott
  There are currently 49 cases of serving or ex-officers of the Department who are pursuing legal action against the Department for alleged injury arising out of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Pensioners Benefits
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the total sum of benefits deducted from pensioners as a result of periods in hospitals as in-patients in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is not available.

  Maxwell Pension Fund
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Government will respond to the second report of the Social Security Committee on the work of the Maxwell Pension Fund trustees; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  The Government's response to the Select Committee's report is published today. We welcome the Committee's continued interest in the process for recovering assets missing from the Maxwell pension funds.

  The Government strongly support the initiative taken by the Maxwell Pensioners Trust to promote an overall settlement to disputes relating to missing pension fund assets. We share the Committee's view that the initiative offers the best chance for resolution of the schemes' problems with minimum cost and delay.

  The Government are currently considering the detailed recommendations of the Pension Law Review Committee, and will take the Select Committee's views into account when finalising its response.

  Invalidity Benefits
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how the evaluation will be made as to whether a claimant is in the latter stages of multiple sclerosis in respect of eligibility for the incapacity benefit to be introduced in 1995;

  (2) what role will be played by Benefits Agency adjudication officers in evaluating the claims made by sufferers of multiple sclerosis for invalidity benefit under the provisions he announced on 30 November;

  (3) what representations she has received from the Multiple Sclerosis Society in regard to the effects on the eligibility of claimants for incapacity benefit of the legislation that comes into force in 1995.

  Mr. Scott
  I have been asked to reply.

  All claims to incapacity benefit will be decided by Benefits Agency adjudication officers. The adjudication officer will have before him evidence provided by the claimant in the form of a questionnaire, a GP's diagnosis and statement of main disabling conditions, and a report from a departmental doctor providing advice on the level of functional limitation and any other evidence that the claimant and/or representative has provided.

  We have developed a list of conditions which will exempt certain groups of claimants from the new test of incapacity. The list includes those claimants suffering with severe and progressive neurological or muscle-wasting diseases such as the latter stages of multiple sclerosis. In such claims no further inquiries will be made and the adjudication officer will determine that the person is incapable of work.

  As part of the consultative process on the proposals for the new medical test, we have received representations
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  from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We will take account of their comments in the further development of the test.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Health and Social Services
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received concerning the establishment of an independent staff commission to review and monitor personnel procedures of the health and social services trusts in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  Health and social services trusts are bound by the same employment legislation as other Northern Ireland employers. My noble Friend Baroness Denton has not received any representations concerning the establishment of a commission to monitor and review the personnel procedures of such trusts.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on liaison between the new health and social services trusts in Northern Ireland and(a) universities in Northern Ireland and (b) the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work, on the training of personnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  My noble Friend Baroness Denton is quite content that the existing liaison arrangements will continue to operate satisfactorily. Health and social services trusts are empowered to make facilities and staff available in connection with training by a university or any other body providing training in connection with the health and personal social services.

  Trusts which provide a significant level of personal social services must appoint one executive director who holds a recognised qualification in social work.

  Additionally, where a trust has a significant medical teaching commitment, the Department of Health and Social Services must appoint a non-executive director from the university with a medical or dental school specified in its establishment order.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 10 May,Official Report, column 126, what was the cost of calls made on portable telephones in 1993–94.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The cost of calls made on portable telephones for the 1993–94 financial year was £70,000.

  Cairnshill Primary School
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when application was made for planning permission for temporary accommodation at Cairnshill primary school; what was the closing date for objections to this application; how many objections there were; whether this scheme for temporary accommodation has been approved by the Department of Education; what proposals there are to replace this temporary accommodation with permanent buildings; what is the estimated cost of this temporary accommodation; and if he will make a statement.
  195
  Mr. Ancram
  The Department of the Environment received the application for planning permission on 21 April 1994; the closing date for representations was 13 May 1994 and six objections were received. The approval of the Department of Education is not required as this is a matter for the South-East education and library board; there are no plans at present to replace the proposed accommodation with permanent buildings; the estimated cost of the work is £160,000.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the enrolment for each of the past five years at Cairnshill primary school; and what is the projected enrolment for each of the next five years.

  Mr. Ancram
  The enrolments are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1989–90

  353

  1990–91

  351

  1991–92

  383

  1992–93

  414

  1993–94

  430

  1994–95

  1454

  1 Estimated.

  Projections of future enrolments are not available, but it is understood that the South-Eastern education and library board is currently carrying out a review of primary and secondary school provision in the area.

  Meat Industry
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect of the European Commission's de-seasonalisation scheme on the Northern Ireland beef industry; what effect this scheme will have on employment at dead meat plants; what proposals he intends to make to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the de-seasonalisation scheme.

  Mr. Ancram
  The objective of the scheme was to reduce the concentration of cattle slaughterings in the autumn. The premium was paid in Northern Ireland in 1993 and 1994 resulting in a significant switch of slaughterings from the autumn to late winter/early spring. Northern Ireland will not be a qualifying region for the premium in 1995. If, as a result, slaughterings return to the traditional pattern in autumn 1994, employment at meat plants is likely to alter accordingly with a return to greater use of seasonal staff to handle the increased throughput in the autumn. The European Commission is scheduled to review the operation of the scheme next year. It would not be appropriate to make any proposals to the Commission at this stage.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated number of cattle killed at meat plants in each of the past two years; how many cattle from Northern Ireland went to the Republic last year to be killed; what assessment he has made of the reasons for a movement of beef cattle, stores and calves from Northern Ireland to the Republic; what assessment he has made of the implications of such movement for the viability of Northern Ireland dead meat plants and employment; and if he will make a statement on his proposals to bring this movement of animals to an end.
  196
  Mr. Ancram
  Cattle slaughterings in Northern Ireland totalled 498,565 in 1992 and 432,660 in 1993.

  Because of BSE restrictions, the movement of cattle out of the United Kingdom is prohibited unless they are under six months of age or originated outside the United Kingdom. About 3,000 cattle are recorded as having been moved from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland for slaughter last year as well as around 20,000 calves for onward shipment to other member states. There is no record of the movement of store cattle to the Republic of Ireland.

  I am not aware that the movement of stock to the Republic of Ireland has had any serious effects on employment or the viability of meat plants in Northern Ireland and am not proposing any action to stop such cattle movements.

  Carryduff, Castlereagh
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the police have investigated cases of(a) joy riding, (b) vandalism, (c) attacks on persons and (d) illegal drugs in Carryduff during the past six months; whether any persons were prosecuted for matters relating to these problems in Carryduff; whether the police had such matters directed to their attention; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Wheeler
  These are operational matters which are the responsibility of the Chief Constable. However, I have been advised that there have been investigations into incidents involving stolen vehicles, vandalism and assault in the Carryduff area during the last six months. No persons have yet been charged and investigations are on-going.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many homes at Carryduff, Castlereagh, were let or re-let by the Housing Executive during the most recent 12 months for which figures are available; and how many of these homes were allocated to families from west Belfast.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; however, I am advised by its chief executive that from 1 May 1993 to 30 April 1994, there were 24 lettings/re-lettings of Housing Executive dwellings in the Carryduff area of Castlereagh. One of these was allocated to a family originally from West Belfast, but living in Lisburn in the five months immediately prior to the allocation.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extent there has been an increase in incidents requiring police attention at Church road, Carryduff in the borough of Castlereagh; what proposals he has to increase police presence at Church road; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Wheeler
  I am advised that there has been a limited increase in minor incidents in Church road, Carryduff.

  The deployment of police is an operational matter for the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. However, the Chief Constable has advised me that additional constables have been appointed to the local neighbourhood unit at Carryduff.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of state for Northern Ireland to what extent there has been an increase
  197
  in incidents requiring police attention at the Killynure Housing Executive estate in Carryduff in the borough of Castlereagh; what proposals he has to increase policing at this estate; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Wheeler
  I am advised that there has been a limited increase in minor incidents at the Killynure housing estate, Carryduff.

  The deployment of police is an operational matter for the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary who has advised me that additional constables have been appointed to the local neighbourhood unit at Carry duff.

  Non-departmental Bodies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the non-departmental bodies in the Province the conduct of which can be referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The offices of the Northern Ireland Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints, common-ly referred to as "the Ombudsman", are held by the same person. The function of the Northern Ireland Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration is to investigate complaints of alleged injustice as a consequence of maladministration by Northern Ireland Departments, including their agencies, while the function of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints is to investigate similar complaints against local and public bodies. The list of non-departmental bodies which are subject to the jurisdiction of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints is as follows:—

  Local bodies
  Local Authorities (ie District Councils)
  Any new town commission established under the New Towns Acts (Northern Ireland) 1965 to 1968 and any committee or sub-committee thereof.
  Harbour Authorities.

  Chairman:

  N. Hamilton

  Under Secretary, Department of the Environment

  Members:

  W. V. Blease

  Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  E. Holmes

  Director, Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations

  W. A. Doran

  Deputy Director, Construction Employers' Federation

  Mrs. J. McCrum

  Ex Director, Housing Rights Service

  D. J. A. Young

  Chairman, Building Societies Association

  Ms C. Laird

  Institute of Housing

  R. Best

  Joseph Rowntree Foundation

  Prof. A. Murie

  Heriot Watt University

  P. Sweeney

  Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust

  R. J. Polley

  Rent Officer for Northern Ireland

  Ms P. Bowen

  Tenants Representative

  Toll Roads
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what study his Department has made relating to the introduction of toll roads in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  With the enactment of the necessary enabling legislation earlier this year, the Department of the Environment is in a position to introduce toll roads and will be prepared to consider suitable proposals.

  Training Schemes
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many students, in each of the last two years, at each Government training centre in Northern
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  Public Bodies

  Agricultural Marketing Boards

  Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland

  Arts Council for Northern Ireland

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

  Education and Library Boards

  Enterprise Ulster

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

  Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland

  Health and Social Services Boards

  Health and Social Services Trusts

  Industrial Training Boards

  Labour Relations Agency

  Laganside Corporation

  Livestock Marketing Commission for Northern Ireland

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland

  Northern Ireland Central Services Agency for the Health and Social Services

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee

  Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment

  Northern Ireland Sports Council

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  pecial Health and Social Services Agencies

  Trustees of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  Trustees of the Ulster Museum

  Youth Council for Northern Ireland

  Office of the Northern Ireland Commission for the Rights of Trade Union Members

  Housing Policy Advisory Group
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the members of the advisory group, including their occupations, established to undertake a review of Government housing policy in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  The membership of the advisory group is as follows:

  Ireland received a placement with an employer prior to completing national vocational qualification level 2 examinations;

  (2) how many students have left each Government training centre in Northern Ireland in each of the last two years without sitting national vocational qualifications level 2 examinations.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. J. S. Crozier. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from J. S. Crozier to Mr. Roy Beggs, dated 24 May 1994:

  199
  You have asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students, in each of the last two years at each Government Training Centre in Northern Ireland received a placement with an employer prior to completing NVQ Level II examinations. You also asked how many students have left each Government Training Centre in Northern Ireland in each of the last two years without sitting NVQ Level II.
  The Secretary of State has asked me, as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency and therefore responsible for the operation of Training Centres to reply.
  I should first explain that the general objective for trainees in Training Centres is that they should achieve qualifications at NVQ Level III. The normal procedure is that trainees spend a year in a Training Centre followed by a period of work placement and training with an employer of such duration as is necessary to enable the qualification to be secured. Since the Level III qualification is only achieved on the completion of the full programme, until recently trainees in general had no qualification as such on leaving the Training Centre after their first year.
  In 1992/93 changes were introduced with the objective of enabling all trainees to achieve a Level II qualification on leaving the Centre before being placed with an employer on their way to Level III. However the unavailability of documentation at that time from Awarding Bodies made it necessary in many cases to place trainees in their employment placement and then to ask them to return to Training Centres to complete their NVQ Level II assessments as required.
  The 1992/93 intake of trainees left Training Centres during 1993/94. Approximately 50% of leavers during 1993–94 were placed with an employer prior to completing all of the requirements of NVQ Level II. In total however including those who returned to Training Centres to complete their qualifications,. 74% achieved the Level II qualification. I regret that I do not have readily available in meaningful form figures showing precisely how many students left each Centre without assessment for NVQ Level II or who received a placement with an employer prior to completing NVQ Level II assessment. However I append a breakdown for each Centre showing the percentage of the 1992–93 intake which achieved a Level H qualification.
  Figures are not yet available for the 1993–94 intake since the trainees recruited in that year have not yet left their respective Centres. It is expected however that 90% of those who finish their first year in 1994 will have achieved NVQ Level II before being placed with an employer.

  Self-employment
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland are self-employed.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  At June 1993, the latest date for which information is available, there were an estimated 74,500 self-employed persons in Northern Ireland.

  Company Sizes
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many companies in Northern Ireland employ(a) fewer than 50 people and (b) more than 500 people.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  There are approximately 21,000 non-agricultural enterprises in the private sector in Northern Ireland employing fewer than 50 employees and 55 enterprises with more than 500 employees.

  IRA Interviews
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many orders under schedule 7 to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 have been served on journalists of Republican News or An Phoblacht in respect of interviews with members of the Irish Republican Army.

  Sir John Wheeler
  None.

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against his Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The present number of civil servants taking legal action against the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments as a result of work-related upper limb disorders is eight.

  Birth Control and Abortion
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has studied the results of the survey on attitudes to birth control and abortion carried out by Ulster Marketing Surveys, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  I am aware of the results of the opinion polls carried out in 1992 and 1993. Ministers welcomed these surveys as a useful contribution to informing debate within Northern Ireland on these topics.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to extend the Abortion Act 1967 to Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  None. The Government have consistently held to the view that legislation should not be introduced to reform Northern Ireland abortion laws unless this is likely to command broad support within the Province. While concluding that such support did not exist, the Government have in the past undertaken to keep the matter under review and to be prepared to modify their policy to take account of any significant shift in public opinion which may occur.

  Running Cost Limits
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the 1994–95 running cost limits for the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The gross running costs limit for 1994–95 for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is £787,031,000. There is also a net running cost limit for the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency. Details of the provision for individual Northern Ireland Departments are set out in the Northern Ireland Estimates which were laid before the House today.

  Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library the review prepared by the Chief Constable of the RUC under section 31 of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989.

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 23 May 1994]: No. There is no obligation under the Fair Employment (National Insurance) Act 1989 to make reviews under section 31 available to any person or organisation. I understand that the review prepared by the Chief Constable in fulfilment of the requirements of the Act, as an internal document, contains information which could prejudice the security of individual police officers. It is not appropriate

  201
  that it be made public, but I understand that the Chief Constable has made it available to the Fair Employment Commission. It is the policy of the RUC that no member or job applicant receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, marital status, religion or political opinion.

SCOTLAND

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about current levels of local government expenditure in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  An analysis of the 1994–95 budget estimates of all Scottish local authorities has recently been completed and I am pleased to say that all authorities have budgeted at or below the expenditure limits implied by the provisional capping principles which my right hon. Friend announced on 30 November 1993. In those circumstances, my right hon. Friend does not propose to take capping action against any Scottish local authority this year.

  Full Employment Programme
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to establish a new full employment programme for Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  I have given priority to measures which create an environment in which companies will create new jobs and I am encouraged by the fall in seasonally adjusted unemployment in Scotland in eight of the last nine months.

  Trades Union Congress
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the economy and employment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  My ministerial colleagues and I have frequent contacts with the STUC on matters concerning the Scottish economy. We look forward to a continuing exchange of views.

  Geriatric Beds
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of(a) geriatric and (b) psychogeriatric beds in national health service hospitals in Scotland on the most recent available date; and what were the equivalent numbers for the same date three years previously.

  Mr. Stewart
  In December 1990 there were 11,341 geriatric assessment and long-stay beds in the NHS in Scotland. At December 1993 there were 10,433 beds. Over the same period the number of psychogeriatric beds increased from 5,875 to 6,036.

  Ambulance Service
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the general manager of the Scottish ambulance service to discuss its future.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with the general 202
  manager regarding the future of the Scottish Ambulance Service. The chief executive of the management executive of the NHS in Scotland visited the headquarters of the Scottish Ambulance Service on 25 April and he met the general manager of the Scottish Ambulance Service on Friday 13 May. The future of the Scottish Ambulance Service was discussed on both occasions.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the minimum qualifications for a driver of an accident and emergency ambulance; and whether exceptions among such post holders have been drawn to his attention.

  Mr. Stewart
  All recruits to the Scottish Ambulance Service must have a clean driving record with a minimum of two years' experience.

  Since 1981 new accident and emergency staff have been required to complete a two-week roadcraft driving course. In those rural areas where contractors or ambulance auxiliaries are used as drivers an assessment is made of their driving standards by a qualified ambulance service driving instructor and training is given as appropriate.

  The Scottish Ambulance Service management has a protocol that in exceptional circumstances non-emergency staff may drive an accident and emergency vehicle.

  No other exceptions have been drawn to the attention of my noble and learned Friend.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received concerning the prospect of awarding trust status to the Scottish Ambulance Service; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend is aware of an early-day motion on 5 May about trust status for the Scottish Ambulance Service but has not received any other representations. The trust application is out for public consultation and all comments received will be carefully considered before a decision is made.

  Quangos
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people currently serving on quangos in Scotland are appointed by him; and how many further appointments would be required if the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill were to be implemented.

  Mr. Lang
  The number of people serving on bodies sponsored by my Department and appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland, as at 1 September 1993, was 1,472. This excludes children's panel members. The Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill makes provision for the establishment of a number of public bodies and the abolition of a number of others—such as the Scottish Valuation Advisory Council and many area tourist boards. It is too early to say what the overall effect will be.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Dr. Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has recently had with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss the proposed changes to local government in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend last met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 28 January 1994. The Convention did not raise any issues relating to local government reform at that meeting.
  203
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local government reform; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend and I are scheduled to meet the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 22 July as part of the normal consultation on local government finance matters. It is likely that local government reform will be discussed at that meeting.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names and locations of schools which would have catchment areas crossing the local education authority boundaries proposed in the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill; and how many pupils will be affected in each case.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Comprehensive information on school catchment areas is not held centrally within the Scottish Office. I cannot therefore add to what
  I said to the hon. Member during the debate on the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill on 18 May. Catchment areas are in any case unaffected by the proposed changes in local government boundaries and catchment areas at the time of local government reorganisation would remain in place unless and until the new authorities seek to change them.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of savings on staff costs through local government reorganisation; and how this was calculated.

  Mr. Stewart
  The Government estimate that a 32 unitary authority structure of local government will save up to £52 million per year in staff costs. The savings are calculated to accrue from a reduction in the number of local authority posts of up to 1,800.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further representations he has received on his proposals for local government.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend continues to receive a range of representations about the Government's proposals for local government reform in Scotland. Since January I have also met 25 hon. Members who accompanied delegations to discuss the new structure.

  Training
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scottish Enterprise Network to discuss the current level of provision for training in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend met the chairman and chief executive of Scottish Enterprise at the local enterprise company conference on 25 March 1994 when a range of issues, including training, was discussed.

  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met Scottish Enterprise to discuss training for young people.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend met the chairman and chief executive of Scottish Enterprise at the local enterprise company conference on 25 March 1994 when a range of issues, including training for young people, was discussed.

  Environmental Protection Agency
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reconsider the Government's current proposals to introduce legislation to create a Scottish environmental protection agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  We remain committed to the establishment of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and legislation will be introduced shortly to enable detailed planning to proceed.

  Sport and Recreation
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will introduce measures to improve sport and recreational facilities in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The provision of sport and recreational facilities is primarily for local authorities to determine. The Scottish Sports Council, funded by Government and which provides national specialist sports facilities at Inverclyde, Cumbrae and Glenmore Lodge, offers an expert advisory service to local authorities for new development in sport facilities. The national lottery will offer exciting opportunities for further improvement of sport and recreational facilities throughout Scotland.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to make the Forestry Commission a "next steps" agency.

  Mr. Lang
  My fellow forestry Ministers and I are currently considering the report of the forestry review group which was asked to review, among other things, the options for the ownership and management of Forestry. Commission woodlands. An announcement about our conclusions will be made in due course.

  Health Service
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Scottish health service.

  Mr. Stewart
  The NHS in Scotland is treating a record number of patients, is progressively reducing the amount of time people wait for treatment, is providing more information and more choice to patients, and is funded at record levels.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Oppenheim
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on productivity in manufacturing.

  Mr. Stewart
  Manufacturing productivity in Scotland —defined as output per person employed—is at an all-time high.

  It is estimated that Scotland's productivity growth in the 1980s was above that in any of the G7 economies. This impressive performance was maintained in 1993, when output per person employed was 5.1 per cent. higher than in 1992.

  Sports Funding
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when next he intends to meet the chairman of the Scottish Sports Council to discuss funding of sport in Scotland.

  Sir Hector Monro
  I met the chairman of the Scottish Sports Council as recently as 6 May and expect that I will meet him again in the near future, when the funding of sport in Scotland may well be discussed.

  Long-term Health Care
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines are issued to health boards and health trusts on the choice of health care for elderly patients requiring long-term health care.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend has issued no such guidelines. Choice of health care is determined by clinical assessment and need. It is for individual health boards to determine the care needs for their elderly population and to purchase accordingly. In so doing they are expected to have due regard for the Government's community care objectives and what is best for the individual.

  Economy
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of the Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the Scottish economy.

  Mr. Stewart
  I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, West (Ms Squire).

  Local Services
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local services.

  Mr. Stewart
  My right hon. Friend and I are next scheduled to meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 22 July as part of the normal consultation on local government finance matters.

  Trauma Centres
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had from the medical profession regarding his proposals to set up major trauma centres in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  Since publication of the report "Emergency Healthcare in Scotland: Future Structure of Accident and Emergency Services" on 11 April, no representations have been received from the medical profession.

  Hospital Trusts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to meet the chairman of the health boards to discuss the hospital trusts.

  Mr. Stewart
  My noble and learned Friend the Minister of State is due to meet health board chairmen on 24 June 1994.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of calls made on(a) car and (b) portable telephones in 1993–94; how much this equipment cost to buy or hire; and what were the maintenance costs.

  Mr. Lang
  The cost of calls made on(a) car telephones in 1993–94 amounted to £11,275; this equipment cost £6,948 to buy or hire and there were no maintenance costs. The cost of calls on (b) portable telephones was £31,236; this equipment cost £69,102 to buy or hire and the maintenance costs amounted to £2,035.

  Accident and Emergency Services
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current average waiting time at each accident and emergency department for emergency cases; and what were the times at the same period in 1993.

  Mr. Stewart
  Information on waiting times in accident and emergency departments has not previously been collected centrally, but arrangements are in hand to collect this in future.

  Fishing, Aberfeldy
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about loss of public access to fishings controlled by the Aberfeldy angling club in respect of the River Tay Catchment Area Protection Order; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Representations have been received from two parties over access to fishings on the River Tay controlled by the Aberfeldy Angling Club, one of which was on behalf of the Scottish Campaign for Public Angling. These were additional to the inquiry from the hon. Member.

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against his Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Mr. Lang
  There are no civil servants currently taking such legal action.

  Housing Improvement
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will release immediate dedicated funding that will enable Scottish local authorities to eradicate dampness in their housing stock; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Substantial resources totalling some £426 million have been made available to local authorities for investment in their housing stock. It is for local authorities themselves to determine how to utilise the resources made available to them. However, under the housing plan system introduced on 30 April 1993 local authorities are asked to give priority to tackling condensation and dampness, within their capital programmes.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will release immediate cash funding to
  207
  Scottish local authorities to enable them to upgrade and modernise housing stock in areas such as Glasgow, Pollock; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Substantial resources totalling some £426 million have been made available to local authorities in 1994–95 for investment in their housing stock. These allocations are generally not earmarked for specific purposes and it is for local authorities themselves to determine the use to which these resources are put, including the level of expenditure on the upgrading and modernisation of their stock.

  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount of money has been spent on improving and adapting privately owned, privately rented and local authority houses in Scotland in the 12–month period ended 31 March in order to accommodate the community care programme; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Sheltered Accommodation
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons are currently living in sheltered accommodation in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Figures are held only centrally on the total number of sheltered dwellings in Scotland and are included in the publication "Housing Trends in Scotland: Quarter ended 31 December 1993—Table 1, HSG/1994/4" which is available in the Library.

  Acquired Rights Directive
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assumption he made, in his estimate of savings on staff costs through local government reorganisation, on the applicability of the acquired rights directive to the transfer of staff to the proposed new local authorities.

  Mr. Stewart
  The question of whether or not the acquired rights directive applies to transfers of staff to the proposed new local authorities does not have implications for the Government's estimates of the number of posts that will be saved as a result of local government reorganisation.

  Gamma Ray Survey
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received the report commissioned by his Department from the Scottish universities research and reactor centre at East Kilbride on the air gamma ray survey of parts of south-west Scotland; what evaluation has been made of the report; and what action he intends to take as a result.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The report of the aerial radiation survey undertaken by the Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre, was received in the Scottish Office on 25 March 1994. The survey was undertaken to examine the technique for rapidly monitoring radioactivity in the event of an emergency and to establish baseline radiation levels.208
  The report offers suggestions for maintaining the aerial survey equipment in a state of readiness and makes recommendations about the monitoring and assessment of environmental radioactivity in the areas surveyed. The report's recommendations will be considered by the chief inspector of Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate.

  Chapelcross Nuclear Site
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether section 6.4 in the appendix to his departmental guidance note on integrated pollution control, Scotland, applies to military nuclear activities at the Chapelcross nuclear site operated by British Nuclear Fuels.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 24 May 1994]: No uranium processes, prescribed for authorisation under integrated pollution control, are carried on at the Chapelcross nuclear site. Further, for any site subject to a nuclear site licence made under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, any such processes are exempted from authorisation by virtue of the terms of section 6(4). Thus for both reasons the section does not apply to any activities carried on at the site.

  Ferry Services
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects KPMG to conclude its review of Scottish ferry services; and when he expects to be able to publish its findings.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 May 1994]: We expect to receive the final report from the consultants shortly. The report is likely to contain a considerable amount of commercially sensitive information which it would not be appropriate to publish. Pending consideration of the report I cannot give any indication of whether or when any findings may be published.

  Parliamentary Counsel
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what occasions since April 1992 Ministers from his Department have(a) requested Parliamentary Counsel to assist in preparing amendments to private Members' bills on behalf of other private Members and (b) authorised officials to instruct parliamentary counsel to prepare amendments which were subsequently passed to private Members.

  Mr. Lang
  Scottish Office Ministers have not on any occasion since April 1992 requested Parliamentary Counsel to assist in preparing amendments to private Members' Bills on behalf of other private members. On one occasion, in respect of the Carrying of Knives Etc. (Scotland) Bill, Ministers authorised an amendment which was tabled during the Committee stage by the Bill's sponsor.

HEALTH

  Medical Research
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government's total annual medical research commitment is as a percentage of the health budget.
  209
  Dr. Mawhinney
  The United Kingdom Government's expenditure on health and medical research accounted for about 1.4 per cent. of the total United Kingdom health budget, of £37,379 million, in 1992–93.

  Open Government
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the remit of the task force on open government in the NHS and its sub groups.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The steering group of the task force on "Openness in the NHS", which held its first meeting in February 1994, has the following broad remit:"to establish a balance between effective management of health service business on the one hand, and access for the public to information and involvement in decision-taking on the other,
  to provide a Code of Practice on Openness in the NHS,
  to recommend guidance on information to be made available by NHS organisations, and
  to make initial recommendations to the Secretary of State by June 1994."

  Three working groups have been established to support the steering group by considering the issues as they relate to providers, purchasers and those who contract to provide patient services to the NHS.

  The remit of all three groups is:
  "(i) To identify regularly available documents, and other categories of information, which should normally be made available to the public,
  (ii) To identify documents, and categories of information, which may not be suitable for issuing to the public,
  (iii) To make proposals on the principles underlying a scheme of fees for the release of information, and
  (iv) To put their proposals in the context of other developments which may contribute to increasing public involvement in the NHS".

  Accident and Emergency Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports she has received from Trent regional health authority concerning the extent to which the accident and emergency departments at hospitals within the region reached patients charter standards during the quarter ended(a) 31 December 1993 and (b) 31 March 1994.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The national health service executive does not collect centrally, as a matter of routine, information on individual national health service trusts and directly managed units in this area.

  However, a special exercise is taking place to gather data for the first set of national health service performance tables which will be published shortly.

  Doctors (Out-of-hours Work)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she received the report by KPMG Peat Marwick about out-of-hours work by doctors.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  A draft report was received on 30 March. The final version is due shortly.

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against her Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Hospital Consultants
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital consultants are at present suspended from their duties; for how long each has been suspended; and how many others have been suspended over the course of the last decade.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  We do not collect such information. Decisions, including possible suspensions, rest with the employing authority.

  Powered Wheelchairs
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to take action in response to the recommendation of the McColl report—ISBN0948064269 HMSO 1986—that high performance and dual-purpose powered chairs be provided for severely disabled people who satisfy the agreed criteria; and if growing children will be regarded as qualifying for this service.

  Mr. Bowis
  The issue of wheelchairs, including high performance and dual-purpose powered wheelchairs, is a matter for determination between health authority purchasers, in the light of their priorities and resources, and national health service hospital and community units. This includes provision for growing children where appropriate.

  NHS Trusts
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are given to NHS trusts in calculating full or marginal costs when bidding for contracts.

  Mr. Sackville
  Costing guidance given to national health service trusts, for use when negotiating contracts with NHS bodies for the provision of health care, is contained in "The Costing For Contracting Manual", which consists of FDL(93)59, FDL(93)76 and FDL(94)10.

  The fundamental principles behind the costing of services within the NHS are that: price should be equal to cost, costs should be established on a full cost basis, there should be no planned cross subsidisation between "contracts" and that a minimum standard of cost classification should be established.

  Price can only be established on a marginal cost basis where there is, in year, unplanned spare capacity.

  The rules for private patient contracts are contained in Her Majesty's Treasury "Fees and Charges Guide".

  Copies of all the documents are available in the Library.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are issued by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority concerning the disposal of the human embryo in establishments which they license.

  Mr. Sackville
  Guidance is included in section 7.19 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's code of practice, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the income derived from the sale of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority licences in the last financial year; how much was generated by the sale of treatments; what percentage of the Human Fertilisation
  211
  and Embryology Authority's income is generated by the sale of licences and treatments; how many licences and treatments were declined; and what consideration she has given to the propriety of a medical ethics committee having to meet financial targets as part of its remit.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority was established by Parliament under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 to license and control centres providing certain infertility treatments, undertaking embryo research or storing gametes or embryos. The HFEA aims are to ensure the effective regulation of such centres, to promote good practice in centres and to provide relevant advice and information as necessary. One of its objectives is to identify the ethical and social implications of developments in research and treatment and to develop policy accordingly.

  The HFEA's main financial regime is designed to enable it to carry out the functions laid down for it in the 1990 Act. The HFEA's main financial objective is to carry out its statutory duties efficiently, effectively and economically and to recover in licence fees the proportion of income determined by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Treasury.

  In 1992–93, the last year for which audited accounts are available, licence fee income was £686,040, 66.8 per cent. of the HFEA's total budget. In the same year five licences were refused, including two for research applications. Unaudited accounts for 1993–94 show a fee income of £830,932, 70.8 per cent. of the HFEA's total budget. In that year one treatment licence was refused, one licence revoked and one licence suspended. In addition, four research applications were refused.

  Information about licensed centres' income and treatments refused is not available centrally.

  Child Care Services, Lambeth
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessments he has made of the further report into child care services in Lambeth which had been requested by her Department to be delivered by 1 March.

  Mr. Bowis
  The report into child care services in Lambeth for the period up to 1 March 1994 gave continuing cause for concern about the provision and operation of child protection and child care services in the borough, including a serious deterioration in the situation with unallocated cases. In April, Lambeth was asked to send a further report on the situation, and the steps it is taking to bring about improvement. This report is awaited.

  Deregulated Drugs (Advertising)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that major pharmaceutical companies cease their present practice of naming a specific high street retailer when advertising their newly deregulated drugs; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  No. The naming of retail outlets in advertisements for over-the-counter medicines is a matter of commercial judgment for the company concerned.

  Cancer
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of research into cancer in the United Kingdom is funded by(a) charities and (b) the Government;

  (2) what steps she is taking to improve funding of cancer research in the United Kingdom.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The advisory group on national health service research and development priorities relating to cancer will report to the Department's central research and development committee in July. Proposals for research relating to the identified priorities will be called for later in the year.

  It is impossible to identify the percentage of research into cancer in the United Kingdom as it is not known how much pharmaceutical companies invest in cancer research each year. Also, it is not possible to identify clinical research supported through local NHS research programmes or excess service costs for the NHS attributed to cancer research.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of bone cancer per 100,000 head of population there have been in England in each year since 1970.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Bone cancer (ICD1 170): incidence rates per 100,000 population, England, 1971–1988

  1971

  0.92

  1972

  0.89

  1973

  0.84

  1974

  0.87

  1975

  0.90

  1976

  0.88

  1977

  0.81

  1978

  0.83

  1979

  0.88

  1980

  0.80

  1981

  0.96

  1982

  0.84

  1983

  0.86

  1984

  0.87

  1985

  0.88

  1986

  0.84

  1987

  0.88

  1988

  0.94

  1 International Classification of Diseases, 8th and 9th Revisions.

  Published data at the national level are available only when information has been obtained from all of the regional cancer registries; delays occurring in a small number of registries have therefore meant that the latest available cancer registration data are for 1988.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of cancers of all types per 100,000 head of population there have been in England in each year since 1970.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.
  213

  All malignant neoplasms1: incidence rates per 100,000 population, England, 1971–88

  Year

  Per cent.

  1971

  290.5

  1972

  293.5

  1973

  305.0

  1974

  328.2

  1975

  325.8

  1976

  331.2

  1977

  337.7

  1978

  337.5

  1979

  341.7

  1980

  340.8

  1981

  347.3

  1982

  352.0

  1983

  353.1

  1984

  355.9

  1985

  378.3

  1986

  372.4

  1987

  386.6

  1988

  407.8

  1For 1971–1978 inclusive, ICD codes 140–209 excluding ICD 173 (non-melanoma skin cancer, which is known to be under-registered); for 1979 onwards, ICD codes 140–208 excluding ICD 173.

  Published data at the national level are available only when information has been obtained from all of the regional cancer registries; delays occurring in a small number of registries have therefore meant that the latest available cancer registration data are for 1988.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the report of the conference on myalgic encephalomyelitis held in Dublin.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. The conference was held on 18 to 20 May and no official report of the presentations has so far emerged.

  Consultants (Pension Rights)
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances a consultant changing from one trust hospital to another will lose pension rights.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Press Office
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 159, what information she has about the budget for her press office in each year from 1990–91 to 1994–95 in any form that is available or as part of another budget.

  Mr. Sackville
  The press office is not separately identified in the overall budget for the Department's information division. The manpower cost of the present 14 staff employed in the press office is £396,108. This figure does not include other divisional running costs.

  This information is not available for previous years.

  City Deprivation Scores
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the deprivation score for inner London and the 10 biggest cities outside London.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  This information is not available in the form requested.

  Paediatric Beds
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the total number of paediatric beds in(a) the London implementation group area and (b) nationally in each of the last five years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 11 May at column 157.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate for the value of fundholding allocations retained by general practitioner fundholders at the year end for 1993–94.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Information about general practitioner fundholders' efficiency savings for 1993–94 will not be available until later in the year.

  District Health Authorities, Nottinghamshire
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list, for each NHS trust within the North Nottinghamshire and Nottingham district health authority areas, those non-executive directors who live(a) within and (b) outside the boundaries of each district health authority.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  All chairmen and non-executive directors appointed to national health service trusts within the areas covered by the North Nottinghamshire health authority and the Nottingham health authority who live within the respective authorities boundaries are listed.

  North Nottinghamshire Health Authority

  Bassetlaw Hospital and Community Health Services NHS Trust

  Mrs. J. Lee

  Mr. L. Taylor

  Mr. P. Reynard

  Mrs. L. Turner

  Mr. R. Hassett

  King's Mill Centre for Health Care Services NHS Trust

  Mr. D. Venn (Chairman)

  Mrs. F. Stein

  Central Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mr. G. Vere-Laurie (Chairman)

  Ms L. Hamer

  Ms A. Vinter

  Mrs. E. Hanson

  Nottingham Health Authority

  Nottinghamshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Mrs. G. Coppel

  Mr. A. Baines

  Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust

  Mr. N. Deakin (Chairman)

  Mr. R. Illingworth

  Nottingham Community Health NHS Trust

  Mr. B. Cooke

  Mr. M. Rudge

  Professor C. Chilvers

  Nottingham Healthcare NHS Trust

  Mr. R. Little (Chairman)

  Mrs. H. Markson

  Mr. J. Tarrant

  Mrs. U. Sood

  Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust

  215

  Mr. M. Suthers (Chairman)

  Mr. G. Longbottom

  Professor E. Symonds

  Consultant Episodes
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish a table showing the total number of finished consultant episodes within each English health region for 1993–94.

  Mr. Sackville
  Finalised figures are not yet available.

  Cars (Expenditure)
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the expenditure on cars by(a) regional health authorities, (b) district health authorities and (c) trusts in 1993–94.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information for 1993–94 is not yet available.

  Birmingham Hospitals
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals there were in Birmingham in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Bryan Baker, the chairman of West Midlands regional health authority, for details.

  London Hospitals
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assumptions she makes about the additional costs for teaching, research and overheads for London hospitals.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 23 May 1994]: In allocating resources, we assume that teaching hospitals incur excess costs, compared with those of other hospitals, which are attributable to the impact of teaching and research on the hospitals' services. The arrangements for allocating resources to regional health authorities include a service increment for teaching and research which recognises the excess costs. In 1994–95 they are assumed to be £37,744 per medical clinical undergraduate student outside London and £41,141 in London.

  Research
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost of the research projects her Department has commissioned for the past five years; and what was the total cost of projects undertaken by staff employed by(a) universities and polytechnics, (b) independent research institutes, (c) health authorities, (d) management consultants and (e) other organisations, in each of those years.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 20 May 1994]: The total cost of research commissioned by the Department for
  216
  the past five years is shown in the table and includes the Department's centrally commissioned programme for health and personal social services research:

  Year

  Cost £ million

  1993–94

  133.9

  1992–93

  31.3

  1991–92

  27.4

  1990–91

  23.7

  1989–90

  19.2

  1 Estimate.

  Source: Forward Look of Government-funded Science, Engineering and Technology, HMSO, 1994.

  This information does not include the cost of research carried out by Department of Health-sponsored non-departmental public bodies which is not commissioned by the Department, but by the NDPBs in line with their statutory responsibilities or in agreement with the Department of Health. The forward look includes research commissioned by the Department and by the NDPBs.

  For the years before 1992–93 information about where the research was carried out was not collated centrally in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action she takes to identify cases where patients require long-term or permanent levels of medical care with unusually high levels of funding requirements; and what steps are taken to assist district health authorities in meeting these additional costs;

  (2) if she will ring-fence funding for special medical cases where individual care needs are of an unusually high level; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  District health authorities and general practice fundholders are responsible for purchasing health care for the identified health needs of their populations including high-cost cases.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid Distribution
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage and cash amount of Overseas Development Administration assistance has been allocated to(a) bilateral aid, (b) the European Union, (c) international financial institutions, (d) east and central Europe know-how funds and (e) other recipients over each of the past five years.

  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  The breakdown of overseas development assistance is as follows:
  217

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  £000

  Per cent.

  £000

  Per cent.

  £000

  Per cent.

  £000

  Per cent.

  £000

  Per cent.

  (a) Bilateral aid to developing countries

  831,859

  56.8

  925,416

  56.7

  1,020,358

  60.0

  983,483

  49.8

  1,036,274

  49.6

  (b) European Union

  264,039

  18.0

  281,727

  17.2

  321,739

  18.9

  443,434

  22.5

  442,782

  21.2

  (c) International Financial Institutions

  234,239

  16.0

  230,788

  14.1

  192,661

  11.3

  298,821

  15.1

  351,617

  16.8

  (d) Know How Fund

  0

  0.0

  2,178

  0.1

  14,164

  0.8

  28,348

  1.4

  46,761

  2.2

  (e) Other1

  133,337

  9.1

  193,458

  11.8

  151,560

  8.9

  220,808

  11.2

  213,932

  10.2

  1 "Other" consists of:

  Bilateral

  CEE/FSU—Food aid and Disaster relief.

  Other ODA Expenditure—Polish Interest Stabilisation Fund.

  Multilateral

  UN Agencies, Commonwealth organisations, International research organisations.

  3. Administration costs.

  Investment Personnel
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the know-how fund's training for investment personnel scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The training for investment personnel scheme was introduced in August 1990 as the second of two investment support schemes for British business under the auspices of the know-how fund. To date 120 businesses have taken up TIPS grant offers totalling £2.89 million. Further details about the scheme are in the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke) on 17 December 1993 at columns 923–24.

  In the light of the growing demand for grant from British business since 1990, we have decided that the scope and criteria of the scheme should remain, but that in the future the basis for approving grant should be the number of trainees trained, with a ceiling of 70 per cent. on the proportion of eligible costs met. Small companies are likely to qualify for the higher rate of grant. The maximum amount of grant available for all applications will continue to be £50,000.

  These changes will take effect on 1 June.

  Paul Goodall
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the dates on which meetings or contact was made with the Bosnian authorities to discuss the murder of Mr. Paul Goodall;

  (2) what contact has been made with Interpol regarding the murder of Mr. Paul Goodall;

  (3) when a representative of the Overseas Development Administration last met the public prosecutor in Zenica to discuss the murder of Mr. Paul Goodall;

  (4) if a written report on the circumstances surrounding the murder of Mr. Paul Goodall has been received from the public prosecutor in Zenica;

  (5) what assistance has been given to the Islamic fund-raising organisation AGASI.
  218
  Mr. Lennox-Boyd
  [holding answers 23 May 1994]: We are doing all we can to insist that the Bosnian authorities carry out a proper investigation into the murder of Paul Goodall and bring the killer or killers to justice. The Overseas Development Administration has had numerous contacts with the Bosnian authorities since Mr. Goodall's murder and an ODA representative last met the public prosecutor in Zenica on 8 April 1994. The Bosnian authorities have decided not to issue a report on the circumstances surrounding Mr. Goodall's murder on legal grounds as this could influence the pre-trial investigation.

  The new chargé d'affairs in Sarajevo who arrived in late April has had a meeting with the Minister of Justice and the Deputy Interior Minister to press for action, and will have further contacts with the police in Sarajevo. He will shortly be travelling to Zenica to pursue the matter further there.

  We understand that the Bosnian Government have not so far involved Interpol. The chargé d'affairs is encouraging the Bosnian Government to draw on all possible sources of assistance.

  We have no knowledge of an Islamic fund-raising organisation called AGASI, and have given it no funding.

DEFENCE

  Royal Windsor Horse Show
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery did not participate in this year's royal Windsor horse show.

  Mr. Hanley
  The decision that the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery should not participate in this year's royal Windsor horse show was taken by the show's committee.

  Botswana
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on participation in, and costs of recent Army exercises in Botswana.

  Mr. Hanley
  The Army currently holds annual company level exercises in Botswana. The most recent of these took place in January/February 1994 and involved 1 Glosters. The next exercise is planned for November/ December 1994 and will involve 3 Para. The cost of the
  219
  last exercise was £66,000. This comprised vehicle hire of £24,000, container movement of £38,000 and additional in-theatre costs of £4,000.

  Aircraft of the RAF's air transport force were used to deploy and recover the personnel and equipment involved in this exercise, within the annual flying programme for the force. Therefore, only incidental additional expenses were incurred on this aspect of the training.

  Arms Imports
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) combat aircraft, (b) attack helicopters, (c) warships or other military vessels, (d) large calibre artillery launcher systems, (e) tanks, (f) armour-protected vehicles and (g) missiles and associated launch vehicles were imported into the United Kingdom in 1993 (i) permanently and (ii) temporarily.

  Mr. Aitken
  Imports and exports in 1993 of those equipments were reported in the United Kingdom's latest return to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms; a copy of our return was placed in the Library of the House earlier this month.

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present number of civil servants taking legal action against his Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Mr. Aitken
  There are at present 38 claims outstanding against the Department as a result of work-related upper limb disorders.

  Dartmouth Naval College
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what courses other than initial officer training are offered at Britannia royal naval college Dartmouth; for how many personnel; and at what cost.

  Mr. Hanley
  During 1993–94 the following training courses, other than initial office training, were offered at Britannia royal naval college:

  Student numbers

  Annual costs (£K)

  Naval studies non-grad academic

  59

  11.5

  International sub Lt course

  30

  3.8

  Special duties list officers

  30

  6.8

  Graduates technical course

  37

  2.6

  University bursars acquaint

  26

  1.1

  Strategic studies

  11

  0.8

  University RN unit courses

  45

  0.4

  CCF officers

  33

  0.4

  Combined Cadet Forces Sea Cadet Corps

  165

  0.4

  Short intro (SIC2)

  0

  0.8

  Short intro (SIC4)

  44

  1.8

  Undergraduates technical course

  8

  1.8

  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many students from foreign and Commonwealth countries attend Britannia royal naval college, Dartmouth; and what is the annual fee income therefrom.

  Mr. Hanley
  In the financial year 1992–93, the most recent year for which complete figures are currently 220
  available, 143 places at Britannia royal naval college, Dartmouth were taken up by students from foreign and Commonwealth countries, generating an income of £562,000.

  International Military Services Ltd.
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the assets of International Military Services Ltd. have now been disposed of.

  Mr. Aitken
  International Military Services Ltd. ceased trading on 31 July 1991. Most assets and good will have been disposed of, but the company will not be wound up until its residual obligations have been met.

  Civil Servants
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what economies in open structure grade civil servants employed within his Department are now being sought.

  Mr. Aitken
  Current plans involve a reduction in excess of 20 per cent. at grades 1 to 3 between 1 April 1990 and 1 April 1995. This does not take account of the outcome of the defence costs studies, which may result in further reductions.

  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the London-based open structure grade civil servants employed in his Department have been made redundant since the 1990 prospect study; and what savings resulted.

  Mr. Aitken
  My Department's policy is to minimise, through pre-redundancy measures, compulsory redundancies in civilian staff at all levels. As a result, there have been no compulsory redundancies in members of the open structure in London or elsewhere, but some 200 members of the open structure have left under early retirement schemes.

  Aircraft
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had, and what representations he has received, concerning the future large aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  In recent weeks, a number of representations have been received from hon. Members about the future large aircraft. The subject has also been discussed in some detail with a team from British Aerospace, when it gave us a presentation on the subject this week.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he proposes to replace the Hercules aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  We plan to replace or refurbish about half of the Hercules fleet on a rolling basis by the end of the century. We do not envisage taking a decision on the balance of the Hercules fleet, which will be considered alongside the possible replacement of other RAF transport aircraft, for a number of years.

  Low Flying
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, column 305, since what date it has been his policy not to publish detailed information on activity in low flying areas.

  Mr. Hanley
  It has been our policy not to publish detailed information on activity in low flying areas since the introduction of the present United Kingdom low flying system in 1979.

  Royal Arsenal, Woolwich
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on whose authority Mallet's mortar was removed from the MOD Royal Arsenal site in Woolwich; what consultations took place; what representations he has received; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Aitken
  Since the 1980s, the Royal Arsenal has had an agreement with the Royal Armouries for the loan of Mallet's mortar and other artefacts. This agreement was revised in 1991 when the Royal Arsenal undertook to pay the maintenance costs of the Royal Armouries. It also stated that when the Royal Arsenal no longer required Mallet's mortar it was to be returned to the Royal Armouries. That has now been done and the mortar is at Fort Nelson, Portsmouth. I am not aware of any consultations, and have not received any representations.

  D-day
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien) of 10 May,Official Report, column 127, what representatives of Opposition parties have been invited to the events his Department is organising to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D-day landings.

  Mr. Hanley
  [pursuant to his reply, 23 May, Official Report, c. 70]: The following representatives of Opposition parties have been invited:

  House of Commons

  The Rt. Hon. Mrs. Margaret Beckett

  The Rt. Hon. James Molyneux

  The Rt. Hon. Stanley Orme

  Mr. John Home Robertson

  Mr. Frank Cook

  Mr. Eddie Loyden

  Mr. Don Dixon

  Mr. Archie Kirkwood

  Rev. Martin Smyth

  The Rt. Hon. Paddy Ashdown

  Mr. John Denham

  Mr. Bruce George

  Mr. John McWilliam

  Mr. Menzies Campbell CBE QC

  222

  Mr. Andrew Mackinlay

  The Rt. Hon. Sir David Steel KBE

  Mr. William Ross

  Mr. Ken Maginnis

  House of Lords

  Lord Hill Norton

  Lord Carver

  Lord Callaghan

  Lord Bramall

  Lord Bonham-Carter

  Lord Mayhew

  Lord Gregson

  Lord Scarman

  Lord Shaughnessy

  Lord Williams of Elvel

  Lord Ennals

  Air-to-air Missile Programme
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current status of the Royal Air Force's advanced short range air-to-air missile programme.

  Mr. Aitken
  I am pleased to report that the contract for development and production of an initial batch of advanced short-range air-to-air missiles awarded to British Aerospace in March 1992 is proceeding well. Progress to date has been satisfactory; British Aerospace have met all major milestones and the programme remains on schedule to meet the in-service date of December 1998.

  I am also pleased to announce that, following a recent review of the operational requirements of the RAF's Harrier and new European fighter aircraft, the contract for the follow-on order of a further quantity of missiles, announced in the statement on the defence estimates 1994, has been awarded to British Aerospace.

  This represents an important endorsement of the programme by the Government, is an excellent fillip for British Aerospace in its continuing efforts to promote the exportability of the missile and, with the order valued at some £66 million, is, in itself, excellent news for British industry.

  Hawk Jets, Indonesia
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action Her Majesty's Government will take if the Hawk jets that Britain has exported to Indonesia are proved to have been used to commit human rights violations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have no evidence that any of the Hawk aircraft supplied to Indonesia have been used to commit human rights violations. If the hon. Member has evidence, we are prepared to examine it.

  MALAWI: ELECTIONS
  MALAWI: ELECTIONS
  INVESTMENT PERSONNEL TRAINING SCHEME
  INVESTMENT PERSONNEL TRAINING SCHEME
  TURKEY: ALLEGED DEPORTATION OF REFUGEES
  TURKEY: ALLEGED DEPORTATION OF REFUGEES
  SRI LANKA: SCHOOLBOYS' DISAPPEARANCE
  SRI LANKA: SCHOOLBOYS' DISAPPEARANCE
  LANDMINES: INHUMANE WEAPONS CONVENTION
  LANDMINES: INHUMANE WEAPONS CONVENTION
  ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASES: COMPENSATION
  ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASES: COMPENSATION
  VACCINATION EFFECTS
  VACCINATION EFFECTS
  GATT AGREEMENT: EFFECT ON DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
  GATT AGREEMENT: EFFECT ON DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
  GATT AGREEMENT AND UK DECISION-MAKING
  GATT AGREEMENT AND UK DECISION-MAKING
  FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICE: APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR GENERAL
  FORENSIC SCIENCE SERVICE: APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR GENERAL
  EXTRADITION APPLICATIONS TO USA
  EXTRADITION APPLICATIONS TO USA
  EXTRADITION APPLICATIONS BY USA
  EXTRADITION APPLICATIONS BY USA
  PRISONERS: ASSAULTS AND OTHER OFFENCES
  PRISONERS: ASSAULTS AND OTHER OFFENCES
  PRISONERS: ASSAULTS ON PRISON STAFF
  PRISONERS: ASSAULTS ON PRISON STAFF
  PRISONERS: ARMED ASSAULTS ON PRISON STAFF
  PRISONERS: ARMED ASSAULTS ON PRISON STAFF
  PRISONERS: DEATHS
  PRISONERS: DEATHS
  PRISONERS: ESCAPE FROM GROUP 4 ESCORTS
  PRISONERS: ESCAPE FROM GROUP 4 ESCORTS
  COURT ESCORT AND CUSTODY SERVICE—HUMBERSIDE AND THE EAST MIDLANDS
  COURT ESCORT AND CUSTODY SERVICE—HUMBERSIDE AND THE EAST MIDLANDS
  ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
  ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
  COAL PRIVATISATION AND THE GDO
  COAL PRIVATISATION AND THE GDO
  SULPHUR EMISSIONS
  SULPHUR EMISSIONS