Written Answers of 21 November 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Industrial Injuries Compensation Scheme
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what calculation he has made of the additional court days and members of the judiciary needed consequent on the abolition of the industrial injuries compensation scheme.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No such calculation has been made.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the future of the industrial injuries compensation scheme.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  None.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate has been made of the additional costs to the legal aid fund of abolition of the industrial injuries compensation scheme.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No such estimate has been made.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary. Lord Chancellor's Department how many overseas visits he and the Lord Chancellor made between 1 January and 30 June; during how many of those visits he or the Lord Chancellor took part in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and in which countries those activities took place.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have not made any official overseas visit in the period 1 January to 30 June. The Lord Chancellor has made two official overseas visits. Both these visits were arranged and taken in the Lord Chancellor's capacity as Speaker of the House of Lords and did not include any fund-raising activities for the Conservative party. The first was to India, Singapore and Papua New. Guinea, from 1 to 9 January; the second to The Hague, from 23 to 26 June.

  Small Personal Injury Claims
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he intends to respond to the consultation exercise conducted by his Department into legal costs in small personal injury claims.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In August, following the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of Afzal v. Ford Motor Co. Ltd., the Lord Chancellor announced that he does not intend to take any further action at this time on the proposals contained in his consultation paper on small personal injury claims. The central aim of the proposals was to clarify the position of personal injury claims falling below the small claims limit, and this clarification has
  14
  been provided by the Court of Appeal. The Lord Chancellor will continue to monitor the effect of the judgment on these cases.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the delay in making a decision in respect of equal treatment as between men and women in the payment of invalidity benefit upon reaching retirement age.

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) on 3 November at column 1376.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security during how many of the overseas visits made by Ministers in his Department between 1 January and 30 June 1994 those Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if he will list the Ministers and the countries in which those activities took place.

  Mr. Hague
  Two of the Department's Ministers made overseas visits during the period 1 January to 30 June 1994. The right hon. Member for Chelsea (Mr. Scott) made a visit to Norway and the hon. Member for Bury, North (Mr. Burt) made visits to Luxembourg—twice—and to Canada and the United States of America.

  Fund-raising activities for the Conservative party are not part of our official duties.

ENVIRONMENT

  Commons Registration Act 1965
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what purposes land registered under village green in the Commons Registration Act 1965 can be used; and who has the final jurisdiction over such land.

  Mr. Atkins
  Town and village greens are defined in section 22(1) of the Commons Registration Act 1965 as places where people have a customary right to indulge in lawful sports and pastimes.

  Town and village greens are protected from inappropriate development or activities by section 12 of the Inclosure Act 1857 and section 29 of the Commons Act 1876. Only the courts have ultimate jurisdiction over town and village greens.

  Timberwolf Crossbreed Dogs
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to register timberwolf crossbreed dogs.

  Mr. Atkins
  Licences are required for keeping any animal which appears among those species listed on the schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. Wolves and any wolf hybrids are listed in the schedule. Licensing under the Act is the responsibility of district councils in England.
  15
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many incidents of people being attacked by timberwolf crossbreed dogs have been reported in each of the last four years.

  Mr. Atkins
  I am aware of the recent reported incident in Anglesey. No other incidents of people being attacked by timberwolf crossbreed dogs have been reported to my Department.

  Environmental Damage (Coalfields)
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make adequate resources available to clear up environmental damage in coal areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  English Partnerships, under the sponsorship of my Department, has since 1 April 1994 has responsibility for the derelict land grant programme which encourages reclamation of derelict land for beneficial uses, including the improvement of the environment. My right hon. Friend issued guidance on 14 April 1994 identifying coalfield reclamation as a priority for English Partnerships to address in developing its derelict land reclamation programme. For 1994–95, English Partnerships has allocated £122 million to this programme of which around £30 million will be spent in the coalfield areas.

TREASURY

  EC Expenditure
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total net burden—gross payments to the EC less abatement on the United Kingdom Exchequer—of EC spending in the current financial year; and by how much it will increase in 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Government's current forecast of the United Kingdom's gross contributions to European Community Institutions and our abatement for the current financial year, together with forecasts for the period 1995–96 and 1996–97, are set out in table 11.1 of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's departmental report—Cm 2517, page 92. As is usual, revised forecasts are being prepared for the Budget.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions he made about the growth of gross domestic product in the EU as a whole in his calculation about the consequences of the increased resources agreed at the Edinburgh summit.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The effect of the Edinburgh financing settlement will be to increase the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EC budget by about £75 million in 1995–96, rising to £250 million in 1999 compared with what we would have paid if the present 1.2 per cent. own resources ceiling had been retained.

  This estimate is based on the assumption that EU GNP will grow by 2½per cent. a year in real terms, and that inflation will be 2½ per cent. a year, over the period 1995 to 1999.

  VAT
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the revenue secured from VAT on fuel in the current financial year; and what percentage this is of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EU.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The estimated revenue from VAT on fuel and power in the current financial year is £950 million. These receipts have no direct effect on the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EC, which is calculated on a notional harmonised VAT base.

  Civil Service
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what redundancies are being made in the civil service; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  The Government expect civil service manpower to fall significantly below 500,000 over the next four years. The Government's aim has been, and will continue to be, that reductions in the size of the civil service should as far as possible be achieved without redundancies. But the scale of the changes in prospect raises the possibility that, in some areas, some redundancies will be unavoidable.

  Wherever possible, these will be dealt with on a voluntary basis. There will be full consultation with staff and unions as appropriate.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidelines he has issued to Departments that use private sector consultants to advise on whether civil service functions should be privatised.

  Sir George Young
  General advice on the use of private sector consultants is contained in a booklet produced by HM Treasury entitled "Seeking Help from Management Consultants", published by HMSO in 1990.

  Household Debt
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of debt per household for every £100 of disposable income in 1993.

  Mr. Nelson
  Figures for the level of household debt outstanding are not available. For the personal sector as a whole—which includes unincorporated private businesses and non-profit-making bodies as well as households—total financial liabilities were about £109 per £100 of disposable income in 1993.

  Charities
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of those registered charities for which the Inland Revenue has waived tax liability in each of the past five years.

  Sir George Young
  I cannot comment on any charity's tax affairs.

  National Audit Office
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the total amount of public money which is no longer subject to the remit of the National Audit Office following the creation of(a) the Housing Corporation, (b) opted-out schools and (c) the non-departmental public bodies.

  Sir George Young
  Nil.

  Flight Tax
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue he estimates will be generated by the flight tax; and what proportion, as a percentage of that revenue, will be spent on promoting inbound tourism to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  It is expected that £90 million will be raised from air passenger duty in the remainder of 1994–95, £315 million in 1995–96 and £340 million in 1996–97.

  It is not the Government's policy to earmark the revenue from any particular tax to any specific part of the public spending programme. The best way to decide among competing claims on taxpayers' money is to consider each on its merits and set priorities among them.

TRANSPORT

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress towards achieving the upgrading of the west coast main line.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current timetable for upgrading the west coast main line.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The feasibility study for the modernisation of the west coast main line is progressing Well. Railtrack aims to select next year a private sector partner for the main works.

  Cycling
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to adopt a policy for cycling which reflects Her Majesty's Government's sustainable development strategy and planning policy guidance 13.

  Mr. Norris
  Our June policy statement recognised that cycling is an economical, healthy and environmentally friendly form of transport for local journeys for a great many people.

  Fenchurch Street Line
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the privatisation of the Fenchurch Street line; and if he is now in a position to state if the line is profitable.

  Mr. Watts
  The London, Tilbury and Southend line is planned to be franchised in 1995. It currently receives Exchequer support.

  Motor Vehicles (Defective Exhausts)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the number of prosecutions in 1993 and since 1 January 1994 against motorists for driving a motor vehicle with a defective exhaust system.

  Mr. Norris
  No figures are available on the number of prosecutions and convictions in 1993 because detailed figures are not kept on the number of prosecutions for emissions offences.

  Figures for 1994 are, in any event, not available.

  Bypasses
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what environmental considerations he takes into account in assessing his policy towards the building of bypasses.

  Mr. Watts
  Our aim in building bypasses is to take heavy through traffic out of communities. In doing so, we always seek to limit any adverse environmental effects by thorough assessment and good-quality design.

  Driving Licence Fraud
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to combat driving licence fraud.

  Mr. Norris
  We plan to introduce a new plastic card driving licence in 1996 incorporating a photograph of the holder. This will help to eliminate misuse of licences and impersonation at driving tests.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the total expenditure on the high-speed rail link between London and the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Watts
  The estimated cost of the channel tunnel rail link is around £2.7 billion at fourth quarter 1992 prices.

  Sir Keith Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the environmental statements for the channel tunnel rail and the M2 widening scheme will be published.

  Mr. Watts
  The environmental statements for the channel tunnel rail link and the widening scheme for junctions 1 to 4 of the M2 and the A2 at Cobham were published on Thursday 17 November. They were circulated to statutory agencies, local authority offices, libraries and information centres along the route. Copies of both statements were placed in the Library. Further background material to the CTRL statement is available for inspection at the offices of my Department's parliamentary agents, Sherwood and Co., 35 Great Peter street, Westminster.

  Related to the environmental statements and the Bill, a leaflet, entitled "A Guide to Parliament's consideration of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill", was also published on 17 November. The leaflet contains advice on who can petition against the Bill, how to petition and the parliamentary process. It has been distributed widely.

  A2
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce proposals to dual the A2 road between Dover and Lydden.

  Mr. Watts
  The highways agency expects to announce arrangements for consulting the public on its proposals for the A2 Lydden—B2060—to Dover improvement scheme later this month.

  Northern Line
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the involvement of the private sector in the Northern line.

  Mr. Norris
  London Underground Ltd. is holding a competition for the supply of privately financed trains for the Northern line. It is currently evaluating the bids which it received early in September, and a decision is expected later this year.

  Heathrow (Tunnels)
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice was received from AMEC regarding the construction of the tunnels at Heathrow airport.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The refurbishment of the road tunnels entering the central terminal area and of the western side bore is an operational matter for Heathrow Airport Ltd.

  London Lorry Ban
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional resources will be furnished to assist the implementation of the London lorry ban after the present permit system is abandoned.

  Mr. Norris
  Additional resources will be provided for the revision of warning signs. Administrative savings made by the local authorities following abolition of the permit system could be used to strengthen enforcement.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department intends to take to tackle the problem of urban air pollution.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I am determined that transport will play its part in reducing pollution in the air we breathe. As a result of improvements to vehicle standards and measures such as my recent initiative on enforcement, we are now set to see a marked and progressive decline in pollutants that will extend well into the next decade.

  London Transport
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about investment in London Transport.

  Mr. Norris
  Investment expenditure by London Transport has been at record levels in real terms since 1990, averaging £800 million a year at today's prices, and this year is forecast to be around £1 billion.

  South London Rail Study
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with London 20
  Transport concerning its involvement in the south London rail study.

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend and I have regular meetings with the chairman of London Transport to discuss a variety of issues, including possible improvements to the underground. I understand that London Transport is still assessing the results of the south London rail study and hope to produce a report shortly.

  Networker Trains
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about when future orders will be placed for class 465 networker trains for Kent commuters.

  Mr. Watts
  British Rail is currently considering the business case for new class 465 networker passenger trains. I expect to hear the outcome of its considerations next month.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the minutes of discussions between the Secretary of State for Transport and journalists in March 1989 on the subject of Lockerbie.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  It is not normal practice for minutes to be taken of press briefings.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport during how many of the overseas visits made by Ministers in his Department between 1 January and 30 June 1994 those Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if he will list the Ministers and the countries in which those activities took place.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  None.

  Rural Areas
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations he is giving to the needs of rural areas with minimal public transport.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Our transport policy has always given weight to the needs of rural areas. We have made it easier for local authorities to subsidise socially necessary but uncommercial bus services, and for unconventional transport, like post buses, to be introduced in very sparsely populated areas.

  Heathrow Airport
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of BAA's application, and supporting statements, to be permitted to operate a mix landing mode at Heathrow airport.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to hold a public inquiry in the event of him not rejecting outright the request of BAA for permission to operate a mix landing mode at Heathrow.

  Mr. Norris
  I have had no request from BAA regarding the mode of operation at Heathrow airport. I have, however, received a report of a Heathrow runway capacity
  21
  enhancement study sponsored by BAA, National Air Traffic Services and airlines. We are currently studying the report.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Research Councils
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to conclude his review of manpower requirements for the research councils.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  By the end of this year.

  Historic Government Papers
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he will be taking to bring forward the publication of historic government papers.

  Mr. David Hunt
  All possible steps.

  Citizens Charter
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he intends to publish the third annual report on progress in the citizens charter.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  We expect to publish the citizens charter third report during 1995.

  Breast Cancer
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to change the method by which medical research projects into breast cancer are assessed as appropriate for funding by the Medical Research Council.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  I have told the hon. Lady on several occasions that it is for the Medical Research Council to assess research applications, and to allocate resources according to the quality of the proposals it receives.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many overseas visits the Chancellor of the Duchy and the Parliamentary Secretary made between 1 January and 30 June; during how many of them he and the Parliamentary Secretary participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and in which countries these activities took place.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made two overseas visits, to Belgium and Japan, in an official capacity between 1 January and 30 June 1994. The then Parliamentary Secretary made only one overseas visit in the same period, to Belgium. Fund-raising activities for the Conservative party are not part of our official duties.

  Research and Industry Co-operation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what new proposals he has to improve the co-operation between scientific research institutions and British industry.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Government continue their commitment to innovation and wealth creation in science 22
  and technology laid out in the White Paper "Realising Our Potential" and have announced a number of initiatives to this end, of which the innovative manufacturing initiative was the latest. A foresight forum was held in September to consult business and S and T communities and participants praised the success of the networks formed by the technology foresight panels.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Offshore Oil and Gas Licences
  Mr. Brandreth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will announce the blocks to be offered in the 16th round of offshore oil and gas licensing on the United Kingdom continental shelf.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I hope to be able to make an announcement very soon.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that British Coal land leased to miners' welfares will be outwith any disposal scheme; and if he will ensure that its future use for sport and recreational use is safeguarded.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  A number of options are currently being considered for the future of British Coal's recreational land. No decisions have yet been taken.

  It is the Government's objective, however, that land currently in active use for sport and recreation is retained for those purposes.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what mechanisms he will apply to ensure that the assets of the coal industry are not packaged in a different way from its liabilities.

  Mr. Eggar
  In general, the property, rights and liabilities of British Coal which relate to the on-going business will transfer to successor companies. Certain liabilities of British Coal relating to the period before privatisation—for example, liability for personal injury and disease as announced on 6 June—will remain in the public sector.

  This was explained in the information memorandum which was provided to prequalifiers for the sale.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that proceeds from the coal industry's assets are used to tackle the aftermath of the industry's decline; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  No. However, the Government have put in place a substantial regeneration package for areas affected by coal closures, with support of £200 million.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the value of United Kingdom trade with Indonesia in the last three years.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The information is regularly published in Business Monitors MA20 and MM20, overseas trade statistics of the United Kingdom, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue a directive to the Coal Authority and British Coal to stop further opencast applications.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  No.

  Textile Machinery
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the Export Credits Guarantee Department, while under Government ownership, was ever subject to a claim for payment from Stone Platt International, Platt Hollingsworth, Platt Saco-Lowell, John D. Hollingsworth, Longclose Engineering, Platt Longclose, Stone Platt Industries or Platt Brother, relating to the export of textile machinery supplied to PT Westra Inda, Texmaco-Polysindo of Indonesia or companies owned by Texmaco of the Philippines or any related companies under the ownership or control of Mr. Marimutu Sinivasan which was subsequently not made in full; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what settlements the Export Credits Guarantee Department reached with PT Westra Indra, Texmaco-Polysindo of Indonesia or companies owned by Texmaco of the Philippines or any related companies under the ownership or control of Mr. Marimutu Sinivasan relating to non-payment for textile equipment received from British suppliers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Needham
  I can confirm that an agreed settlement of certain outstanding amounts due to the United Kingdom organisations mentioned by my hon. Friend and guaranteed by ECGD has been reached.

  Details are commercial in-confidence between the parties and I am, therefore, unable to disclose further information to my hon. Friend.

  Companies House
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to privatise the activities of Companies House(a) fully or (b) partially.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  No decision has yet been taken on the future of Companies House.

  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced on 19 July, Official Report, columns 179–80, that consultants were to explore further the possible contracting out of most of the activities of Companies House. Their report has now been received and is being considered.

  Ship Building
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what role his Department plays in preventing the growth of monopoly in(a) commercial ship building, (b) major warship building and (c) defence prime contracting.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Director General of Fair Trading keeps markets under review and, if appropriate, will refer them to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation. Any concerns the hon. Member has should be directed to him.

  Defence Division
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will describe the responsibilities and staffing of the Department of Trade and Industry's defence division.

  Mr. Heseltine
  My Department does not have a defence division. Defence-related matters as they affect my Department are dealt with by the appropriate divisions.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs during how many of the overseas visits made by his Ministers between 1 January and 30 June those Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if he will name the Ministers and the countries in which these activities took place.

  Mr. Baldry
  Fund-raising activities for the Conservative party are not part of our official duties.

  MI6 Headquarters
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the current situation in relation to the cleaners at MI6 headquarters.

  Mr. Hurd
  I wrote to the hon. Lady on this matter on 17 November, and I have arranged for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

PRIME MINISTER

  Al Yamamah Agreement
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will arrange for publication in the Official Report of a copy of the letter on the Al Yamamah agreement with Saudi Arabia to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent referred to in his answer of 3 November, Official Report, column 1257.

  The Prime Minister
  No. A copy is available in the Library of the House.

  Cabinet Meetings
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Prime Minister whether the fact that a given Cabinet Minister has or has not attended a given meeting of the full Cabinet is a matter of public record.

  The Prime Minister
  It is not normal practice to publish details of attendance at Cabinet.

  Security Services Committee
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will give the names and Departments of the proposed Clerks to the Committee relating to the security services.
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  The Prime Minister
  As stated by my right hon. Friend the former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Cabinet Office will provide the support staff for the committee on the intelligence and security services,Official Report, 22 February 1994, column 247.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what expenditure has been allocated and under which vote for 1994–95 for the committee on the security services;

  (2) if the committee on security services will be able to travel abroad to take evidence.

  The Prime Minister
  The expenditure for the intelligence services committee has been allocated under the Cabinet Office vote, class XIX. The annual cost of the committee is expected to be approximately £100,000. As my right hon. Friend the former Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, explained—Official Report, 22 February 1994, column 247—this sum will be met from within existing provision. It includes provision for foreign travel where necessary for the committee to fulfil its functions.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects the committee on the security services(a) to meet and (b) to submit its first report to him; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  Subject to the provisions of the Act, the committee will determine its own procedure. The date of the first meeting will therefore be a matter for the chairman and the committee. The committee is required to make an annual report to me on the discharge of its functions.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) when he expects to give evidence to the committee on the security services;

  (2) what restrictions there are on the people from whom the committee on the security services will be able to hear evidence.

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the statements made by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office—my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg)—Official Report, Standing Committee E, 24 March 1994, columns 250–54; 29 March 1994, columns 259–60; and Official Report, 27 April 1994, columns 336–37. I have nothing further to add.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will now name the hon. Members who are on the parliamentary committee relating to the security services.

  The Prime Minister
  I have been in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, the right hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair), over the membership of the committee and expect to be able to make an announcement shortly.

  Small Business Bureau
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Prime Minister what hospitality he has provided at 10 Downing street for the Small Business Bureau since April 1992.

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Youth Policy
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps the Government takes to co-ordinate youth policy.

  The Prime Minister
  Matters affecting young people are dealt with by the Government Department which has 26
  the responsibility for the specific issue involved. Where policy matters involve a number of Departments' interests, Government Departments work closely together.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Prime Minister how many overseas visits he has made as Prime Minister; and during how many of those visits he has undertaken fund-raising activities for the Conservative party.

  The Prime Minister
  I have made 83 overseas visits as Prime Minister. Fund-raising activities for the Conservative party are not part of my official duties.

HEALTH

  Herbal Medicines
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy towards herbal cures; and if she will make a statement.

  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations she has received concerning the proposed Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations, Pharmacovigilance and Related Matters) Regulations and the future availability of herbal medicines.

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether she will consult all interested parties before taking final decisions on regulations concerning the availability of herbal remedies and essential oils for aromatherapy;

  (2) whether she will make a statement on Government proposals regarding the availability of herbal remedies and essential oils for aromatherapy;

  (3) whether she will take steps to ensure the continued availability at a reasonable price of harmless herbal remedies and essential oils for aromatherapy.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will now make a statement on her policy on the future availability of herbal remedies.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether traditional herbal remedies will in future require registration; what representation she has received on this issue; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Herbal medicines currently exempt from product licensing requirements under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968 will continue to enjoy this exemption. The exemptions and public health safeguards under section 56 of the Act also remain. The position on the sale of aromatherapy oils also remains unchanged. There should, therefore, be no effect on the prices of these products.

  We have received representations on the issue of herbal medicines from herbalists and manufacturers of those medicines, their representative organisations and from members of the public. Officials will be holding further meetings with the organisations involved before new regulations are finalised.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she intends to take to ensure that future European directives or European court decisions do not provide a definition of industrially produced products
  27
  which threatens in any way the continued availability of herbal remedies; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We are confident that we have safeguarded the position of herbal medicines in the United Kingdom, under European Community law. We will continue to work with other European Community member states and the European Commission to ensure that herbal medicines remain available to the many people in the United Kingdom who use them and to maintain existing public health safeguards.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are routinely taken by the Medicines Control Agency to ensure that in bringing forward proposals for new regulations or legislation to reflect new European directives and regulations its proposals are no more stringent than the minimum which is required; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Where the United Kingdom enters into European Community undertakings our policy is to implement fully but not to over-implement. We routinely consult industry and others with an interest in the control of medicines. This includes inviting comments on any new burdens on business. Our aim is to minimise such burdens and we take all comments into account in finalising legislation.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are taken by the Medicines Control Agency to ensure that any proposed new European directives allow the United Kingdom the greatest flexibility in the interpretation and implementation of those directives; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Where it is appropriate for the European Community to legislate, the United Kingdom seeks to ensure in negotiations that the text agreed is fully consistent with our policy objectives. The United Kingdom's policy is to implement fully our European Community undertakings, but not to over-implement.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has concerning the guidance given to the Medicines Control Agency by the deregulation unit of the Department of Trade and Industry and the extent to which the agency communicates with the unit about the drafting of proposed new regulations; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Trade and Industry has published a number of guidance documents for Departments and their agencies on deregulation. There are regular contacts between the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry on deregulation issues.

  Cot Deaths
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she is now able to add to the answer given on 18 April 1990 to the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) by the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Forth) concerning the work of Barry Richardson and cot deaths; and if she is now in a position to give a definitive response to his findings;

  (2) what is her response to the work of Barry Richardson, the Robens institute at Surrey university and others linking cot deaths to abnormally high levels of antimony in the blood and tissue of victims.
  28
  Mr. Sackville
  A hypothesis by Mr. B. Richardson, that sudden infant death syndrome was caused by toxic gases generated by fungal action on plastic cot mattresses, was examined in detail by an expert working group set up by the Chief Medical Officer in 1990. The group considered Mr. Richardson's evidence, evidence from work specially commissioned for it from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist and the International Mycological Institute, and other scientific evidence including published work. It concluded that the hypothesis was not supported by the evidence. Its report was published in May 1991 and copies are available in the Library.

  The Department of Health has seen no further evidence to contradict the group's conclusion, in particular those relating to the suggestion that antimony and other chemicals are released by fungal action from cot mattresses. Trace levels of antimony are widely distributed, including food, water and tobacco smoke.

  The work reported form the Robens institute has provided no answers, but raised some questions which need proper investigation. The Chief Medical Officer has asked for additional information, and will convene a small expert group to steer further work.

  The advice to parents and carers of small children remains that of the successful "Back to Sleep" campaign:

  Lay your baby on its back

  Don't expose your baby to cigarette smoke

  Avoid overheating the baby

  Follow good hygiene—keep all clothing and bedding clean and fresh.

  Special Transitional Grant
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations she received in response to her circular LASSL(94)3; and if she will summarise its contents;

  (2) in how many cases she has exercised her discretion on the repayment of special transitional grant in respect of meeting the independent sector condition; and if she will name the authorities concerned.

  Mr. Bowis
  Final audit returns for 1993–94 are not required until 31 December 1994. In considering any action to be taken as a result of those returns we will take into account representations made by local authorities, including any made by those authorities listed in LASSL(94)3, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment she has made of the implications for statutory services of local authorities using their base-line budgets to meet their new community care duties under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 because they have already spent their special transitional grant allocation;

  (2) what representations she has received from those local authorities which have already spent their 1994–95 special transitional grant;

  (3) what steps she has taken to monitor the commitment effect of expenditure incurred during the 1993–94 financial year in terms of the adequacy of the special transitional grant in individual local authorities for the current financial year;

  (4) what steps she has taken to establish how many local authorities have already spent their special

  29
  transitional grant allocation for 1994–95; and if she will make a statement;

  (5) what representations she has received regarding the implications of charging for services arising as a result of the special transitional grant being exhausted in a number of local authorities;

  (6) what advice she has given to those authorities that have already spent their 1994–95 special transitional grant allocation with regard to (a) meeting community care needs using other resources and (b) prioritising their responses to community care referrals.

  Mr. Bowis
  In addition to resources available to them through the personal social services standard spending assessment, local authorities have been given £1.27 billion to meet their additional responsibilities under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 in 1994–95, including a special transitional grant of some £736 million. We are aware of a few authorities which have expressed concern about the level of their resources for community care. It is for them to decide, from their total available resources, including special transitional grant, what proportion they wish to devote to community care taking account of local circumstances and priorities. It is also for them to manage those resources effectively throughout the year.

  Organ Donor Register
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the public response to the NHS organ donor register.

  Mr. Sackville
  Since 6 October, when the national health service organ donor register was launched, about 1.5 million leaflets with registration forms have been sent to post offices, general practitioner surgeries and other public places, and in response to the telephone freeline No. 0800 777 555. We are very encouraged by the volume of applications already received, including people registering through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, and will continue to give full publicity to the register.

  Water Fluoridation
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from health authorities regarding the level of co-operation by water companies towards the fluoridation of water supplied in line with the levels suggested in her Department's oral health strategy for England.

  Mr. Malone
  A number of health authorities have, from time to time, made such representations.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health during how many of the overseas visits made by Ministers in her Department between 1 January and 30 June 1994 those Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if she will list the Ministers and the countries in which those activities took place.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Hepatitis C
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with haemophilia have 30
  contracted hepatitis C in consequence of being given contaminated blood supplied under the NHS; how many have since died of the condition; what action she is taking in regard to compensation; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  These figures are not collected centrally. There are methods of transmission of hepatitis C other than the use of blood and blood products. I understand from the United Kingdom haemophilia centre directors that, of 126 haemophilia patients known to have died in 1993, 12 showed the cause of death as liver disease of which hepatitis C may have been the cause.

  We have no plans to make payments to haemophilia patients who may have been infected with hepatitis C.

  Elderly Patients
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current number of national health service beds available for nursing elderly people.

  Mr. Bowis
  There is no designation of national health service beds, whether in hospitals or in nursing homes, intended specifically for the nursing of elderly people.

  Secure Accommodation
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussion her Department has had with Humberside county council about the provision of secure accommodation for young people on remand.

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs) on 22 April at columns 696–97 for details of the local authority capital programme, funded by the Government, to build an additional 170 secure places nationally for criminal justice purposes. The programme was drawn up in consultation with regional groups of authorities. No further secure provision is currently planned in Humberside, but a total of 17 additional places are to be provided by Sheffield and Leeds, to which all authorities in the Yorkshire and Humberside region will have access.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional resources she will give for Humberside county council to meet its responsibilities to provide secure accommodation for young people on remand.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Government are committed to paying a fair price through fees to local authorities where they are required to arrange secure accommodation for children and young people on remand.

  Young People (Residential Care)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young people are in residential care in Humberside for whom there is no proper accommodation available; how many are forced to sleep on camp beds; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  The arrangements made for the accommodation of children looked after by Humberside are the responsibility of Humberside county council.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fire Services
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the average cost per household for fire services for each fire authority area in England and Wales for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local fire stations have been closed in each fire authority in England and Wales in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  This information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average fire service cover per 1,000 of population for each fire authority area in England and Wales since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  This information is not available in the form requested.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fire engines on average were in use for each fire service in England and Wales in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Information in the form requested is not recorded by my Department; but information about the number of fire appliances available to each fire authority has been published annually by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. The figures for 1979–80 to 1989–90 are published in the annual series "Fire Service Statistics, Actuals" and the figures for 1990–91 to 1993–94 are published in "Fire Service Statistics, 1992", "Fire Service Statistics 1993" and "Fire Service Statistics 1994".

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost of attending an incident for each fire authority in England and Wales for each year since 1979 in real terms.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  This information is not available and any attempt to provide it could be only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of hours per year for each fire authority in England and Wales spent on fire prevention for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The average number of hours per year for each fire authority in England and Wales spent on fire safety for each year since 1989 is:

  Year

  Hours

  1989

  30,877

  1990

  30,224

  1991

  34,753

  1992

  35,807

  1993–94

  36,377

  Collection of data for number of hours spent by fire authorities in England and Wales was not commenced
  32
  until the year 1989. Data for 1989 to 1992 were collected on a calender year basis; those for 1993–94 were collected on a financial year basis.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firemen and women were employed by each fire authority in England and Wales in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information requested is published in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services, copies which can be found in the Library.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the capital expenditure budget and (b) the revenue budgets for each fire authority in England and Wales in real terms for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list(a) the number of incidents attended to by each fire authority (b) the class of incident and (c) the estimated average loss per incident for each fire authority in England and Wales since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The number and type of fire incidents attended by each fire authority in England and Wales for 1982 to 1992 are given in the annual Home Office publication "Fire Statistics United Kingdom", available in the Library. Primary, secondary and chimney fires are separately identified. The relevant statistical tables for each year are as follows:

  Year

  Table number

  1982

  59

  1983

  60

  1984

  62

  1985

  65

  1986

  66

  1987

  64

  1988

  64

  1989

  59

  1990

  61

  1991

  62

  1992

  61

  For the years 1979–81, supplementary table S9 contains information on the number of primary and secondary fires for each brigade area. Information on the number of chimney fires for each brigade area for these years is not available.

  Information on loss from fire incidents is not collected centrally.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average response time per incident for each fire service for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The available data are shown in the following table. Data are not available for 1980. Average response times to fire incidents will vary with the different categories of risk within each brigade area.
  33

  Average response time1 TO FIRE INCIDENTS BY BRIGADE AREA, 1979, 1981–1992

  Brigade area

  1979

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Avon

  9

  7

  6

  6

  7

  8

  8

  6

  6

  6

  7

  6

  6

  Bedfordshire

  12

  7

  8

  9

  11

  14

  15

  7

  8

  8

  10

  8

  8

  Berkshire

  15

  8

  6

  10

  10

  10

  19

  6

  7

  6

  9

  7

  6

  Buckinghamshire

  11

  10

  9

  9

  10

  10

  10

  7

  9

  8

  7

  8

  8

  Cambridgeshire

  9

  9

  10

  7

  9

  14

  12

  8

  7

  8

  8

  8

  8

  Cheshire

  9

  6

  10

  8

  9

  7

  9

  6

  6

  6

  7

  7

  7

  Cleveland

  8

  6

  5

  7

  5

  9

  6

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Cornwall

  9

  6

  6

  6

  8

  9

  9

  5

  9

  5

  6

  6

  6

  Cumbria

  10

  7

  10

  9

  11

  14

  10

  8

  7

  8

  7

  8

  7

  Derbyshire

  10

  7

  9

  7

  9

  11

  8

  7

  6

  7

  7

  7

  7

  Devon

  12

  9

  8

  8

  9

  10

  11

  8

  8

  7

  7

  7

  7

  Dorset

  10

  12

  8

  8

  11

  12

  11

  7

  8

  7

  7

  7

  7

  Durham

  12

  8

  7

  7

  10

  8

  10

  7

  10

  7

  8

  7

  7

  East Sussex

  7

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  6

  8

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Essex

  10

  9

  9

  8

  12

  13

  11

  8

  9

  7

  7

  7

  7

  Gloucestershire

  10

  11

  10

  9

  10

  12

  10

  9

  10

  8

  8

  7

  7

  Hampshire

  10

  7

  9

  8

  12

  11

  14

  7

  6

  6

  7

  7

  6

  Hereford and Worcester

  10

  9

  9

  8

  11

  10

  12

  8

  9

  8

  9

  9

  9

  Hertfordshire

  9

  6

  6

  6

  10

  8

  9

  9

  8

  8

  8

  7

  8

  Humberside

  8

  8

  7

  8

  7

  8

  13

  6

  9

  6

  6

  7

  7

  Isle of Wight

  7

  6

  12

  6

  18

  7

  17

  10

  6

  7

  6

  7

  7

  Kent

  10

  7

  8

  8

  11

  11

  9

  9

  10

  7

  8

  7

  8

  Lancashire

  8

  6

  6

  6

  7

  9

  9

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  8

  Leicestershire

  9

  8

  8

  6

  7

  6

  12

  8

  8

  7

  8

  7

  7

  Lincolnshire

  10

  8

  9

  9

  11

  12

  15

  9

  11

  9

  9

  9

  9

  Norfolk

  12

  9

  8

  11

  13

  10

  12

  8

  8

  8

  9

  8

  8

  North Yorkshire

  10

  9

  9

  8

  9

  11

  13

  8

  9

  8

  9

  9

  9

  Northampshire

  9

  10

  8

  8

  10

  12

  11

  7

  9

  6

  7

  7

  6

  Northumberland

  10

  9

  9

  11

  8

  8

  11

  9

  8

  9

  8

  8

  8

  Nottinghamshire

  9

  8

  5

  7

  9

  9

  13

  5

  6

  5

  5

  5

  6

  Oxfordshire

  7

  7

  8

  9

  13

  11

  10

  7

  7

  7

  7

  8

  8

  Shropshire

  11

  9

  8

  9

  9

  10

  12

  7

  7

  7

  7

  8

  7

  Somerset

  8

  7

  8

  7

  9

  10

  11

  8

  8

  9

  8

  8

  9

  Staffordshire

  12

  8

  7

  7

  9

  10

  9

  7

  7

  7

  7

  7

  8

  Suffolk

  10

  9

  8

  10

  12

  11

  12

  8

  7

  9

  8

  9

  8

  Surrey

  11

  7

  7

  7

  8

  9

  8

  6

  6

  7

  7

  7

  7

  Warwickshire

  9

  9

  10

  10

  8

  9

  9

  7

  7

  7

  8

  9

  8

  West Sussex

  9

  9

  9

  13

  13

  11

  11

  6

  7

  8

  6

  6

  7

  Wiltshire

  10

  10

  9

  8

  12

  13

  10

  8

  5

  8

  8

  9

  8

  Greater Manchester

  8

  8

  6

  6

  7

  9

  7

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Merseyside

  10

  10

  6

  6

  7

  7

  8

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  4

  South Yorkshire

  9

  9

  6

  7

  7

  9

  9

  5

  5

  5

  5

  6

  6

  Tyne and Wear

  6

  6

  5

  4

  5

  7

  7

  5

  5

  6

  6

  6

  5

  West Midlands

  7

  7

  5

  5

  7

  8

  7

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  West Yorkshire

  9

  9

  5

  5

  8

  8

  9

  5

  6

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Greater London

  9

  9

  7

  7

  9

  10

  9

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Clwyd

  12

  12

  7

  7

  13

  10

  10

  7

  7

  7

  7

  8

  7

  Dyfed

  18

  18

  9

  10

  18

  15

  12

  11

  9

  9

  9

  9

  9

  Gwent

  13

  13

  9

  8

  14

  11

  12

  7

  7

  8

  8

  7

  8

  Gwynedd

  18

  18

  9

  11

  11

  15

  16

  8

  9

  9

  9

  9

  9

  Mid Glamorgan

  8

  8

  10

  7

  12

  14

  12

  8

  8

  9

  8

  9

  9

  Powys

  11

  11

  11

  11

  15

  17

  13

  10

  10

  10

  11

  11

  10

  South Glamorgan

  11

  11

  7

  10

  14

  12

  12

  6

  5

  6

  6

  6

  7

  West Glamorgan

  10

  10

  8

  7

  10

  10

  10

  6

  6

  7

  7

  7

  7

  Northern Ireland

  10

  10

  8

  7

  10

  10

  9

  6

  6

  6

  7

  7

  7

  Strathclyde

  10

  10

  7

  8

  10

  10

  8

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  7

  Highlands and Islands

  15

  15

  12

  11

  21

  15

  11

  11

  11

  11

  12

  13

  11

  Grampian

  11

  11

  9

  8

  10

  13

  12

  7

  7

  7

  8

  7

  7

  Tayside

  8

  8

  9

  6

  11

  9

  11

  6

  6

  5

  5

  6

  5

  Lothian and Borders

  9

  9

  6

  6

  8

  9

  10

  6

  6

  5

  6

  6

  6

  Fife

  9

  9

  7

  7

  7

  7

  10

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Central

  14

  14

  7

  8

  16

  10

  9

  7

  7

  7

  9

  7

  7

  Dumfries

  8

  8

  8

  9

  8

  14

  8

  9

  11

  9

  10

  9

  8

  Note: 1 From the time the brigade answered the first call to the time when the first fire appliance attended at the fireground.

  Source: Home Office fire statistics

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the factors taken into account when determining levels of capital and revenue expenditure for each fire authority in England and Wales.
  34
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  It is for each fire authority to determine the level of its capital expenditure and revenue expenditure. My right hon. and learned Friend, in determining basic credit approvals for capital expenditure for each fire and civil defence authority, takes into
  35
  account a number of factors, including the numbers of fire and emergency and specialist vehicles, fire stations and uniformed employees. The responsibility for distributing basic credit approvals for capital expenditure to county fire authorities in England rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, who is also responsible for determining the standard spending assessments, and determining the capping principles, for all local authorities in England. In Wales, these responsibilities fall to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average number of hours per year for each fire authority in England and Wales spent on maintaining equipment for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional resources will be made available to the probation service to deal with additional assessments of high risk prisoners for home leave from 17 November.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The major probation service involvement in the new procedures will be through the contribution of probation staff seconded to Prison Service establishments. These staff are paid for by the Prison Service, so probation services will require no additional funding.

  Appropriate Adults Scheme
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what research his Department has undertaken into the operation of the appropriate adults scheme;

  (2) what stage his Department's working party on appropriate adults has reached; and when it is due to report;

  (3) what proposals his Department has to amend the appropriate adults scheme.

  Mr. Maclean
  The appropriate adults working group, set up in response to a recommendation made by the Royal Commission on criminal justice, has met twice. It has commented during the public consultation stage on the draft revised codes of practice issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, and expects to be ready to consult widely about its proposals in the new year.

  The Department has recently supported research studies by John Moore's university, Liverpool, and by Loughborough university and MENCAP on the working of the appropriate adults scheme. It is also supporting three other research projects about entry into the criminal justice system and the PACE—Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984—codes which deal, among other things, with the scheme.

  Overseas Domestic Workers
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proposals have arisen out of the discussions his Department has had with other Government Departments over ways of improving the situation of overseas domestic workers in the United Kingdom;
  36
  (2) what is the nature and remit of the review currently being undertaken into the situation of overseas domestic workers in the United Kingdom;

  (3) when he expects the review currently being undertaken by his Department into the situation of overseas domestic workers in the United Kingdom to report; and if he will then publish it;

  (4) what action his Department is planning to strengthen measures to protect overseas domestic workers from abusive employers during their stay in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  There has not been a formal review, but I am considering the arrangements for the admission of domestic workers in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Employment Department.

  Whitemoor
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what evidence has been submitted to him of inconsistency in the application of Prison Service policy directives in respect of the special secure unit at Whitemoor;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the efficacy of management action in respect of any failure by staff at the special secure unit at Whitemore prison complying with written instructions;

  (3) how many written instructions were issued to prison staff working in the special secure unit at Whitemoor during (a) 1992 and (b) 1993; and what subjects were covered;

  (4) what evidence has been submitted to him of a failure by the Prison Service to respond to requests for operational directives in respect of the special secure unit at Whitemoor prison;

  (5) whether any ex-Ministers have received letters in accordance with the Salmon procedure from the Woodcock inquiry;

  (6) what letters were sent by the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame A. Rumbold), to the special secure unit at Whitemoor prison regarding body and cell searches;

  (7) how frequently inmates in the special secure unit at Whitemoor are allowed special food orders;

  (8) what evidence has been sent to him in respect of non-compliance by prison staff with written instructions in respect of the special secure unit at Whitemoor prison during 1994;

  (9) how many prison staff at (a) Whitemoor prison, (b) Prison Service headquarters and (c) elsewhere have received letters in accordance with the Salmon procedure from the Woodcock inquiry at Whitemoor prison;

  (10) what artistic materials belonging to any prisoners in the special secure unit at Whitemoor during 1994 were placed in storage; how long these materials had been in storage; and from which prison they were transferred;

  (11) whether there was any impediment to the observation of the special secure unit by staff while inmates were in the hobby room at Whitemoor during the last 12 months.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  These are matters for Sir John Woodcock as part of his independent inquiry into the attempted escape from Whitemoor prison on 9 September.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals were contacted by the Home Office from the public appointments unit in the Cabinet Office and invited to put their names forward to become independent members of the new police authorities.

  Mr. Maclean
  Four hundred and nine.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Extradition Warrants
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Attorney-General how many extradition warrants served on the Garda by or on behalf of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland police forces over the past three years have resulted in the person whose extradition was being sought being delivered to the United Kingdom authorities within(a) one month, (b) two months, (c) three months and (d) six months, or over, of the warrant being served.

  The Attorney-General
  There have been 22 persons in respect of whom extradition warrants have been delivered to the Garda since 1 November 1991 by the police forces of the United Kingdom, including the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and who have to date been returned to the United Kingdom on the foot of those warrants.

  Of these 22, six were returned within one month, six were returned within two months, one was returned within three months, five were returned within six months and one was returned after more than six months.

  In respect of the remaining three, there has not been time to ascertain the precise period of time that elapsed from the delivery of the warrant to the return of the person in question. Central records are not maintained in respect of every aspect of each such case. The records that have already been examined indicate, however, that the period was approximately six months in one case and less than six months in the other two cases.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) if officials of his Department have had discussions with Arthur F. Plunkett in the office of the Attorney-General of the Irish Republic about the extradition warrants served on the Garda Attorney-General by the Royal Ulster Constabulary in respect of Brendan Smyth;

  (2) on which dates officials of his Department spoke to Mr. Matt Russell in the Department of the Attorney-General of the Irish Republic about the extradition warrant issued by the RUC in the case of Brendan Smyth;

  (3) on how many occasions between I April 1993 and 1 February 1994 officials of his Department spoke to Mr.
  38
  Matt Russell in the Department of the Attorney-General of the Irish Republic;

  (4) on what dates between 1 April 1993 and 1 February 1994 officials of his Department had discussions with Arthur F. Plunkett in the office of the Attorney-General of the Irish Republic.

  The Attorney-General
  It is not customary for the United Kingdom to identify officials of a foreign Administration with whom United Kingdom officials have been in contact on departmental business.

  Officials of my Department had regular contacts with the Irish Attorney-General's Office from 1 April 1993 to 1 February 1994 on extradition and other matters.

  They spoke to the Irish Attorney-General's Office concerning the case of Brendan Smyth on 20 September 1993, 14 October 1993, 18 November 1993 and 6 December 1993.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations his Department received from the Catholic Church in respect of Brendan Smyth; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Attorney-General how many extradition warrants have been served on the Gardai by or on behalf of United Kingdom and Northern Ireland police forces which relate to child sex abuse cases over the past three years.

  The Attorney-General
  Since 1 November 1991, extradition warrants have been delivered by the police forces of the United Kingdom, including the RUC in respect of five persons whose return to the United Kingdom was sought for offences involving children under 14 years old.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Attorney-General how many overseas visits he and the Solicitor-General made between 1 January and 30 June; during how many of those visits he or the Solicitor-General took part in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and in which countries those activities took place.

  The Attorney-General
  During the period in question, I made two official visits overseas and the Solicitor-General one. No such fund-raising activities took place during those visits.

  Opus Dei
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Attorney-General what is his policy in relation to employing members of Opus Dei in his Department.

  The Attorney-General
  There is no specific policy in relation to the secondment of Opus Dei members to my Department. The civil service does not discriminate: on grounds of religion.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the increase in the total sum spent by the United Kingdom on CAP finance within the domestic budget; and what is the estimate for next year.

  Mr. Jack
  Details of expenditure in the United Kingdom on the CAP are contained in table 12 of the MAFF-IB departmental report 1994—Cm 2503—which has been deposited in the Library of the House.

SCOTLAND

  Shettleston Health Centre
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what charges have been made against the person, or persons, alleged to have destroyed the Shettleston health centre by setting fire to it; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  On 1 June 1994, three persons appeared on petition at Glasgow sheriff court on charges of wilful fireraising arising out of the fire at Shettleston health centre on 30 May 1994.

  Lockerbie
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Lord Advocate will now review the charges against the two Libyan suspects of the Lockerbie bombing; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate sees no reason to review the charges against the two Libyans accused.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Extradition Warrants
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Attorney-General about the delay in the Irish Republic Attorney-General's response to the extradition warrant issued by the Royal Ulster Constabulary to the Garda in April 1993 in respect of Brendan Smyth; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I have not discussed this matter with my right hon. and learned Friend.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations his Department made(a) through the Anglo-Irish intergovernmental machinery and (b) directly to the Attorney-General of the Irish Republic about the delay in the Irish Republic Attorney-General's response to the extradition warrant issued by the RUC to the Garda in April 1993 in respect of Brendan Smyth; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  None. This extradition case was a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General and it would, therefore, have been 40
  inappropriate for me to have made representations in the manner described.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations his Department received from the Catholic Church in respect of Brendan Smyth; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  My Department has received no representation from the Catholic Church in respect of this matter.

  Hualon Corporation
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he intends to take following the statement, details of which have been sent to him, made by a senior executive of the Hualon Corporation relating to its proposed production of high-quality clothing products at facilities in Northern Ireland for which it has been awarded grant aid by the Northern Ireland Industrial Development Board; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Industrial Development Board has sought and received confirmation from the president of Hualon that the company remains 100 per cent. committed to its agreement with the IDB which relates to the production of large volumes of basic fabrics.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether lie will make available in the Library copies of the minutes of all those meetings of the Northern Ireland Development Board at which the subject of grant aid to the Hualon Corporation was discussed.

  Mr. Ancram
  No. Minutes of the Industrial Development Board concerned with the provision of grant aid to any client contains commercially confidential and sensitive information.

  Industrial Development Board
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which members of the Northern Ireland Industrial Development Board have recently resigned; what, in the case of any such resignation, were the reasons given; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  Mrs. Jennifer d'Abo recently, citing concern about the Hualon investment as the reason for her resignation.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names and summarise the background of the current members of the Northern Ireland Industrial Development Board and identity which members of the board are not currently based in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  Name

  Occupation

  John B. McGuckian

  Chairman, Ulster Television plc

  Roy Bailie

  Chairman, W and G Baird Holdings Ltd.

  Trefor Campbell

  Managing Director, Moy Park Ltd.

  John Freeman

  Irish Secretary, Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union

  41

  Name

  Occupation

  Roger Aldridge1

  Executive Director, Estates and Store Development, Marks and Spencer plc

  Terry Carlin

  Northern Ireland Officer, NIC/ICTU

  Roy McNulty

  President, Short Bros plc

  Maria Moloney

  General Manager, Marketing and Business Development, Harland and Wolff (Holdings) plc

  John Spence

  Chairman, Richardsons Fertilizers Ltd.

  Paul McWilliams

  Chairman, ACT Business Systems (Ireland) Ltd.

  1 Not based in Northern Ireland.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many overseas visits he and each of his Ministers have made between 1 January and 30 June; during how many he or each of his Ministers have participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if he will list the Ministers and the countries in which these activities took place.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Between 1 January and 30 June 1994, Ministers in my Department made 17 overseas visits in their official capacity. Fund-raising activities for the Conservative party are not part of our official duties.

  Hillsborough Castle
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what Government staff were on duty at Hillsborough castle during the period it was made available to the Conservative political centre on 4 November; and at what cost.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Ten members of staff were on duty at Hillsborough castle for the Conservative political centre conference on 4 November. Their salary costs, which have been charged to the Conservative political centre, amounted to £250.19.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under what rule Hillsborough castle was made available to the Conservative political centre for an event on 4 November.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Where a government building is a Secretary of State's residence, it may be used by that Secretary of State for a private function provided there is no charge to public funds.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what fee has been charged to the Conservative political centre for the use of facilities at Hillsborough castle on 4 November.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The Conservative political centre has been charged £878.09 full cost recovery for the conference on 4 November at Hillsborough castle.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to make available the facility of holding meetings at Hillsborough castle to any of the constitutional political parties.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  No.

EMPLOYMENT

  Job Seeker's Allowance
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what provision will be made in the job seeker's allowance legislation to ensure that those who cannot work on a particular day, or in particular types of work, for reasons of religious belief or conscience, will not be disqualified from benefit for failing to accept the first job offered.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The job seeker's allowance White Paper sets out the Government's intention that job seekers will be allowed to restrict their availability for work on grounds of religious or conscientious convictions. We similarly intend such convictions are to be taken into account in considering whether job seekers have good cause for refusing work which is offered to them.

  Apprenticeships
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many modern apprenticeship places have so far been filled.

  Mr. Paice
  In this year's small-scale prototype development, training and enterprise councils estimate, as at 8 November, that some 885 modern apprentices have started training. Over 790 of these are employed.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the employers or employers' organisations that have so far committed themselves to the modern apprenticeship scheme; and how many places each has agreed to provide.

  Mr. Paice
  A large number of employers—large and small—have expressed support for modern apprenticeships. In this year's small-scale prototype development, training and enterprise councils estimate that nearly 600 employers are involved. A breakdown of places by employer is not available.

  Output-related Funding
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received on the subject of output-related funding.

  Mr. Paice
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received representations from the Training and Enterprise Council National Council and other interested parties.

  Prior Options Review
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the terms of reference of the prior options review of the Employment Service executive agency; what is its membership; when it is expected to report; and what consultants have been employed to work with the review.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The terms of reference of the prior options review of the Employment Service are:With the aim of ensuring that the functions of the Employment Service are organised so as to offer a high quality, cost-effective service to clients, the review will examine the feasibility of abolition, privatisation, strategic contracting out and, where these are rejected, market testing; or of maintaining current arrangements; and will make recommendations to Ministers.
  43
  The review is being conducted by officials in the Department in consultation with the Office of Public Service and Science and Her Majesty's Treasury and with the co-operation of the Department of Social Security, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Employment Service itself, with the aim of reporting to Ministers by the end of March 1995.

  As part of the review, and following a competitive tendering process, Ernst and Young was commissioned to carry out a detailed examination of the potential and existing external markets in relation to the delivery of the services under review.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what contingency plans he has in the event of a training and enterprise council becoming insolvent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Paice
  The contractual relationship between Government and a training and enterprise council might be ended in a number of ways. We have contingency plans appropriate to a variety of circumstances. The choice would depend on the appraisal of the circumstances and the need to maintain appropriate services.

EDUCATION

  Pupils
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils in each local education authority area are without a school because of parental requests to mainstream schooling not being met; and for what length of time they have been without formal education.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what is the level of expenditure per pupil in grant-maintained schools in 1994–95; and what is the expected level of expenditure per pupil in grant-maintained schools in 1995–96;

  (2) what is the estimated outturn in 1994–95 of local authority expenditure on grant-maintained schools.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  It is estimated that some £1.4 billion will be recouped from local education authorities in 1994–95 in respect of annual maintenance grant— AGM—paid to grant-maintained schools by the Funding Agency for Schools. Dividing this amount by the most recent information available on numbers of pupils at GM schools contained in the 1994 form 7 census produces a figure of some £2,200 per pupil. However, this should be treated with caution. The final amount of AMG recouped from LEAs will depend on the extent of any redeterminations of AMG for existing GM schools, and calculation of AMG for schools becoming GM, up to the end of the financial year. LEAs will also incur direct expenditure on pupils at GM schools in respect of services for which they retain statutory responsibility. Moreover,44
  the form 7 figures do not include pupils in schools which have become GM since the census date.

  Expenditure on AMG in 1995–96 will depend on the number of GM schools and on decisions by LEAs which have not yet been taken.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if the post for the director of the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation was advertised.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No. The Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation took over from the Grant-Maintained Schools Centre the role of providing factual information to schools considering grant-maintained status, with effect from April 1994. The directors of the centre and the foundation, having taken account of legal advice on the provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 and what they saw as good employment practice, decided that employees of the centre working on information activities should be offered equivalent posts with the foundation. On this basis the director of information of the centre was offered the post of director of the foundation. The Department was not involved in this decision and has no powers to intervene in such appointments.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the level of grant given to the Grant-Maintained Schools Centre before April 1994.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  After the establishment of the Grant-Maintained Schools Centre in 1988, the following grant was provided by the Department:

  Grant1 £000s

  1988–89

  25

  1989–90

  250

  1990–91

  425

  1991–92

  600

  1992–93

  577

  1993–94

  782

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the amount of grant aid allocated this year to Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation Ltd.; and who is its finance director.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation Ltd. has been given a grant ceiling of £695,000 for the current financial year. The amount of grant paid, within that ceiling, will depend on the foundation's actual expenditure on agreed activities. The foundation's finance officer is Mr. James Curran.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the level of grant given to the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation; how many existing and proposed offices it has; and how many existing and proposed staff it employs at each of the offices.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation Ltd. has been awarded grant to a ceiling of £695,000 for the current financial year. It has one head office and three existing local offices and plans to increase the number of local offices in England to five. There are currently 7.7 full-time equivalent staff employed at the head office and four full-time staff are employed in the three existing local offices. The number of staff at the head office is due to increase to 9.7. The number of staff
  45
  in the local offices will increase to six, one at each of four offices and two staff at the fifth.

  I understand that the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation will also be opening an office in Wales, with funding provided by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education during how many of the overseas visits made by Ministers in his Department between 1 January and 30 June 1994 those Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if he will list the Ministers and the countries in which those activities took place.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  None of the Ministers in my Department participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party during official ministerial visits overseas between 1 January and 30 June 1994.

  Student Loans Company
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the initial terms of appointment of the chief executive of the Student Loans Company; when he was first appointed; and what proposals there are to extend or renew his contract.

  Mr. Boswell
  The chief executive was appointed to the company on 10 January 1990, on a fixed-term contract of five years' duration. That contract was extended in December 1993 for a further three years and will now expire on 9 January 1998.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what investigations are presently being held into the financial affairs of the Student Loans Company; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what inquiries are currently being conducted or planned into the financial and other affairs of the Student Loans Company Ltd.; and what specific matters are under investigation and by what agency.

  Mr. Boswell
  Some uncorroborated allegations have recently been made about certain executives at the Student Loans Company. These are being investigated by a team from Coopers and Lybrand which will report to my right hon. Friend and to the board of the company. It would not be appropriate to comment on the nature of allegations which have not been proven and are under investigation.

  Teachers
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what were the pupil to teacher ratios for(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94 for public sector (i) nursery schools, (ii) primary schools, (iii) secondary schools, (iv) non-maintained schools, (v) special schools and (vi) all schools; and whether these figures include unqualified teachers.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information about pupil-teacher ratios for all types of school for January 1994 and previous years is published in table 2 of "Statistics of Schools in England Press Notice"—ref 204/94. Copies are available in the Library.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many full-time teaching staff, in public 46
  sector schools, there were for (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94 in (i) primary, (ii) secondary, (iii) all schools, (iv) further and higher education and (v) university.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information about full-time equivalent teaching staff in maintained schools and institutions of further and higher education and universities in England for the years required is shown in the table:

  Full-time Equivalent Teaching Staff by type of school and institution: England

  £ thousands

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Primary schools1,2

  179.4

  180.6

  Secondary schools1,2,3

  177.0

  178.9

  All schools1,2,3,4

  373.1

  375.6

  FE and HE5,6

  94.6

  N/A

  Universities7,8

  26.5

  26.9

  1 Including qualified teachers only.

  2 Position at January each year.

  3 Excluding sixth form colleges.

  4 Includes maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools.

  5 Including sixth form colleges.

  6 Includes a small number of staff who have research duties only.

  7 Position at December each year.

  8 Full-time teaching staff only.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the capital expenditure on education by each local authority in England for(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table sets out the gross capital expenditure on education by each local authority in England for 1992–93.

  Final outturn figures are not yet available for 1993–94.

  Total Capital Expenditure on Education in 1992–93 by LEA1,2

  (£'000s)

  City of London

  25

  Camden

  1,542

  Greenwich

  1,122

  Hackney

  1,397

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  4,822

  Islington

  809

  Kensington and Chelsea

  2,023

  Lambeth

  2,526

  Lewisham

  1,057

  Southwark

  3,586

  Tower Hamlets

  14,272

  Wandsworth

  6,076

  Westminster

  1,298

  Barking and Dagenham

  6,604

  Barnet

  2,734

  Bexley

  3,206

  Brent

  2,496

  Bromley

  6,189

  Croydon

  4,532

  Ealing

  3,524

  Enfield

  2,990

  Haringey

  693

  Harrow

  5,442

  Havering

  2,739

  Hillingdon

  5,513

  Hounslow

  7,311

  Kingston-upon-Thames

  1,257

  Merton

  3,468

  47

  Total Capital Expenditure on Education in 1992–93 by LEA1,2

  (£'000s)

  Newham

  6,775

  Redbridge

  5,370

  Richmond-upon-Thames

  2,713

  Sutton

  3,907

  Waltham Forest

  5,869

  Birmingham

  13,361

  Coventry

  5,388

  Dudley

  10,935

  Sandwell

  2,242

  Solihull

  2,644

  Walsall

  2,618

  Wolverhampton

  3,897

  Knowsley

  2,775

  Liverpool

  2,786

  St. Helens

  2,169

  Sefton

  2,524

  Wirral

  3,022

  Bolton

  2,322

  Bury

  1,047

  10,421

  Manchester

  Oldham

  8,629

  Rochdale

  9,404

  Salford

  2,305

  Stockport

  2,033

  Tameside

  1,910

  Trafford

  5,572

  Wigan

  4,032

  Barnsley

  4,170

  Doncaster

  833

  Rotherham

  3,399

  Sheffield

  7,366

  Bradford

  12,380

  Calderdale

  2,227

  Kirklees

  7,663

  Leeds

  26,207

  Wakefield

  5,609

  Gateshead

  4,551

  Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  3,123

  North Tyneside

  2,426

  South Tyneside

  2,538

  Sunderland

  6,033

  Isles of Scilly

  117

  Avon

  14,077

  Bedfordshire

  5,880

  Berkshire

  16,234

  Buckinghamshire

  11,931

  Cambridgeshire

  23,230

  Cheshire

  21,908

  Cleveland

  5,130

  Cornwall

  14,611

  Cumbria

  12,325

  Derbyshire

  15,921

  Devon

  26,643

  Dorset

  14,622

  Durham

  8,218

  East Sussex

  18,156

  Essex

  19,844

  Gloucestershire

  7,331

  Hampshire

  23,715

  Hereford and Worcester

  5,493

  Hertfordshire

  13,432

  Humberside

  9,416

  Isle of Wight

  2,184

  48

  Total Capital Expenditure on Education in 1992–93 by LEA1,2

  (£'000s)

  Kent

  25,898

  Lancashire

  24,352

  Leicestershire

  12,644

  Lincolnshire

  19,485

  Norfolk

  5,707

  North Yorkshire

  8,170

  Northamptonshire

  3,250

  Northumberland

  5,338

  Nottinghamshire

  8,164

  Oxfordshire

  10,784

  Shropshire

  4,256

  Somerset

  11,132

  Staffordshire

  10,792

  Suffolk

  12,328

  Surrey

  15,917

  Warwickshire

  4,200

  West Sussex

  13,845

  Wiltshire

  9,949

  Total England

  811,097

  Notes:

  1 The figures cover expenditure on nursery and primary education, secondary education, polytechnics, higher and further education, the youth service and other education services. It includes the education element of the urban programme.

  2 The figures include both expenditure financed by central Government, in the form of basic and supplementary credit approvals, and expenditure financed by local authorities from other resources, such as capital receipts and revenue expenditure.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the spending per pupil on(a) books and equipment and (b) repairs and maintenance in (i) 1992–93 and (ii) 1993–94.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Local education authorities' spending per pupil in 1992–93 on books and equipment and on repairs and maintenance was £75 and £82 respectively. These figures are for LEA-maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools. Equivalent information for 1993–94 is not yet available.

  Similar information is not available for grant-maintained or independent schools.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the estimated outturn in 1994–95 for local authority expenditure on discretionary student awards and support.

  Mr. Boswell
  Details of local authorities' expenditure on discretionary awards in 1994–95 are not yet available. In 1992–93, the latest year for which outturn data are available, spending on discretionary awards by English LEAs was £267 million.

  Youth Service
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the estimated outturn for local authority expenditure on the youth service in 1994–95.

  Mr. Boswell
  Local education authorities' net recurrent spending in cash terms on the youth service was £274 million in 1992–93, the latest year for which figures are available.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much she has estimated it will cost to introduce nursery education for all four-year-olds; and what timetable she has set on such plans.
  49
  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has established an official task force to draw up proposals to implement my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's commitment to provide a pre-school place for all four-year-olds whose parents wish to take it up. The cost will be determined as part of this work. There is no set timetable, but the first new places will be provided during the lifetime of this Parliament.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils in each local education authority area from black and ethnic minority backgrounds(a) are currently in special schools and (b) are without a mainstream school place.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information on the ethnic origin of pupils in certain age cohorts in special schools was collected for the first time in 1994. The data are currently being analysed.

  Information on the number of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds without a mainstream school place is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment she has made of the impact of changes to the standard spending assessment formula on the funding given to local education authorities to meet the needs of children with origins outside predominantly English-speaking countries.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The changes made to the education standard spending assessment formula for 1994–95 reflect the latest available information about the relative costs of educating children in different circumstances, including those with origins outside predominantly English-speaking countries, so as to make the distribution of grant between authorities fairer. But SSAs are not prescriptive and LEAs are responsible for funding schools according to their own priorities between and within services.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to charge students a commercial rate of interest on student loans.

  Mr. Boswell
  None.

  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to transfer the student loans scheme to the private sector; and what options for such a transfer she has considered.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government have no current plans to transfer the student loans scheme to the private sector. The loans scheme is kept under review, and a range of options for introducing private finance has been examined.

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much private sector sponsorship has been received for city technology colleges in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Private sector sponsorship towards capital expenditure on city technology colleges in 1993–94 amounted to some £2.5 million. A figure for 1994–95 is not yet available.

  Local Education Authority-Maintained Schools
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the level of expenditure per pupil in local education authority-maintained schools in 1994£95; and what is the expected level of expenditure per pupil in local education authority-maintained schools in 1995£96.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The net institutional expenditure per pupil in respect of LEA-maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools was £1,857 in cash terms for 1992£93 the latest year for which figures are available. This does not include the costs of school meals, home to school transport, LEA central administration and financing costs of capital expenditure.

WALES

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations the Welsh Office has received on the review of the hill livestock compensatory allowances in 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I have received representations from individual farmers, industry bodies and Members of Parliament.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations the Welsh Office has made to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the review of the hill livestock compensatory allowances; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The review of hill livestock compensatory allowances is conducted jointly by Ministers from all the agriculture Departments having regard to the representations made to them by the farming industry.

  Sheep Quotas
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received on the operation of the siphon in relation to inter-partnership transfer of sheep quota; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I have received a number of representations from the industry over the operation of the siphon in relation to transfers of quota within partnerships.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to the Commissioner responsible for agriculture in the European Union on the operation of the siphon in relation to inter-partnership transfer of sheep quota; what responses he has received; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Following representations from the United Kingdom concerning the siphon, the Commission is expected to bring forward proposals next year to allow transfers of quota between members of producer groups to be exempt from the operation of the siphon.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received on the subject of sheep quota in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I have received several representations from Members of Parliament, industry bodies and individual producers covering a number of different aspects relating to sheep quota.
  51
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the claims for sheep quota from the national reserve will be determined; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Applicants to categories 1 and 2 of the 1993 national reserve have already been notified of the outcome of their bids. Claims for the remaining categories—3 to 7—are being processed and producers will be advised of the outcome of the applications shortly.

  Cambrian Coast Railway Line
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps the Welsh Office has taken to ensure the promotion of and the future development of the Cambrian coast railway line; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government's plan for transferring the railways to the private sector is the best way of ensuring the promotion of the Cambrian coast line.

  Flooding
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what European funding is available to combat the effects of severe flooding and the damage caused thereby; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There is no European funding directly available to combat the effects of severe flooding and the damage caused thereby. However, following certain very severe incidents such as the flooding at Towyn and Llandudno the European Community has kindly made money available for flood victims from its fund for aid to disaster victims.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about his Department's handling of the claims made by the people of Llanrwst for compensation arising out of flood damage; when settlement is to be made; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office agreed to take over consideration of claims in June 1994 following denial of liability by the contractor, who undertook the bridge works at Llanrwst, and his insurers. Before any claims could be determined, it was necessary to establish that the works were a contributory factor in the incident. A specialist hydrologist was appointed, his preliminary report has been received and is being considered. It is the intention to conclude this matter as quickly as possible.

  Llanrwst Bypass
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the present estimate of the cost of the Llanrwst bypass scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The answer is £9 million. The preferred route for the bypass was published on 18 October 1994. The route will now be protected for planning purposes. Draft orders under the Highways Act 1980 will be published in due course.

  A5
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the present estimate of the Padogbends A5 road improvement scheme; how many representations he has received on the subject in the past 18 months; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The estimated costs of the Pont Padog approaches improvement is shown in "Roads in 52
  Wales: 1994 Review" as £6 million. Thirty-three representations have been received in the last 18 months. The nature of the work that may be undertaken at Pont Padog is the subject of further consideration. My right hon. Friend expects to discuss options with the National Trust before reaching a decision.

  Conwy Valley Railway Line
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps the Welsh Office has taken to promote and further develop the Conwy valley railway line; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government's plan for transferring the railways to the private sector is the best way of ensuring the promotion of the Conwy valley line.

  Crime
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations his Department has made to the Home Office on the crime rate in Wales in 1993–94.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None.

  Roads
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the road improvement at Bryn Coed Ifor on the Dolgellau to Bala road is going to be commenced; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There are no road improvements planned for Bryn Coed Ifor on the A494 trunk road. The hon. Member may be referring to the proposed Drws y Nant improvement which is approximately one mile to the north-east towards Bala. Work is planned to start following the completion of design and statutory procedures and subject to the availability of finance.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency concerning(a) the number of consultancy companies and (b) the total cost of preparing the agency's corporate plan for submission to his Department; if he will make a statement on the status of the corporate plan; and if he will place a copy in the Library at the earliest possible date.

  Mr. Redwood
  The preparation of the corporate plan is a matter for the agency. I have, however, recently met the chairman and the board to discuss a draft.

  I understand that the agency is considering the publication of a summary when the plan has been finalised.

  I wish Parliament and others to be told of the action that will follow from the plan. I will be asking the agency to control its use of consultants more tightly.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of people employed in bodies either funded by his Department or in bodies where appointments to the board require his approval for each year since 1974; and to how many bodies his answer refers.
  53
  Mr. Redwood
  Information giving the number of staff employed on 1 April in each public body from 1981 to 1993 is shown in the annual report "Public Bodies"— HMSO—Information for the years 1979 to 1981 is shown in the "Report on Non-Departmental Public Bodies"— 1980 Cmnd 7797—, and in "Non-Departmental Public Bodies Facts and Figures" for 1980 and 1981. These publications are available in the Library of the House. Information for years prior to 1979 is not available.

  In my reply to the hon. Member on 3 November, Official Report, column 1330, the information relating to NDPBs for the years 1979–80 and 1980–81 was omitted in error. It is given as follows:

  Welsh Office Expenditure (£ million)

  NDPBs

  1994–95

  Cash

  Prices

  1979–80

  70.0

  177.3

  1980–81

  97.0

  207.7

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many overseas visits he and each of his Ministers made between 1 January and 30 June 1994; during how many of them he or each of his Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if he will list the Ministers and the countries in which these activities took place.

  Mr. Redwood
  Between 1 January and 30 June 1994, Ministers in my Department made four overseas visits in their official capacity. Fund-raising activities for the Conservative party are not part of our official duties.

  Open Government
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the pricing structure applied to members of the public or organisations applying for information under the open government code of practice.

  Mr. Redwood
  In line with guidance on charging produced by the Office of Public Service and Science, which recognises the diversity of cost and operational structure across the range of bodies implementing the code, the Welsh Office and its agency Cadw operate the following scheme for charges under the code of practice on access to government information

  No charge is made for straightforward requests, including information necessary to explain: benefits, grants, rights and entitlements; the standards and availability of services; the reasons for administrative decisions made in the applicant's case; the ways in which the citizen may exercise rights to appeal or complain about a decision; regulatory requirements affecting affairs of a business, or commercial interests; and the main points of existing departmental policies or initiatives. A charge will be levied where requests do not come within any of these categories and where the staff costs, including overheads as set out in the Treasury guide to fees and charges, to provide the information exceed £100. Up to £100 would normally cover, for example, a day's worth of an administrative officer's time.

  For applications expected to cost more than £100 to process, applicants will be given a written estimate and
  54
  their confirmation that they wish to proceed will be obtained before the work goes ahead. Applicants are informed of their rights of appeal against the imposition of charges, to the Department and Cadw in the first instance and ultimately to the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

  The charging policy of the Planning Inspectorate executive agency in Wales, for which I am jointly responsible with the Secretary of State for the Environment, follows the charging policy for the Department of the Environment.

  The charging policy of ADAS, for which I am jointly responsible with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, follows the charging policy for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the letter of 29 October to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West(a) what was the cost of the KPMG and departmental review of compliance with statutory and other requirements of all Welsh Office executive non-departmental public bodies and (b) if he will place a copy of the review in the Library.

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

DEFENCE

  LSD Experiments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) in what year LSD experiments on members of the armed forces at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment(a) commenced and (b) concluded;

  (2) from what source the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment got the LSD for use in experiments with members of the armed forces, referred to in his answer of 3 November, Official Report, column 1235;

  (3) what contact his Department has had with the United States counterpart concerning any military utility in the use of LSD;

  (4) what was the highest dose of LSD administered to members of the armed forces during experiments at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, referred to in his answer of 3 November, Official Report, column 1235;

  (5) what long-term physical and psychological monitoring has been used for members of the armed forces involved in LSD experiments at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, referred to in his answer of 3 November, Official Report, column 1235;

  (6) how many members of the armed forces were used in the experiments involving LSD at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down, referred to in his answer of 3 November, Official Report, column 1235.

  Mr. Soames
  These are matters for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down, under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, CBDE, to write to the hon. Member.
  55
  Letter from G. Pearson to Dr. David Clark, dated 21 November 1994:
  Questions 13, 22, 28, 31, 34 and 40, Order Paper 16 November 1994

  1. Your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about work carried out by the Ministry of Defence with LSD have been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.

  2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE) is to carry out work to ensure that the United Kingdom Armed Forces are provided with effective protective measures against the threat that chemical or biological weapons may be used against them. As part of that programme, evaluation is carried out of chemicals that may be utilised by an aggressor as a chemical warfare agent.

  3. Our records indicate that work and studies involving LSD took place between 1961 and 1972 and included about 72 Service volunteers who were involved in laboratory and field trails during the period from 1962 to 1968. The maximum dose administered was no more than 200 micrograms and given orally in water. All the volunteers were informed that the purpose of the tests was to assess the effects of LSD on troops in a military setting where the behaviour of those volunteers who were given LSD could be compared with those control volunteers who had not been given LSD. Immediately after the study, all volunteers were told which treatment they had received.

  4. The effects of LSD on the Service volunteers were variable and were unpredictable. Although the effects of having received LSD only lasted for about 90 minutes the Service volunteers would have returned to normal behaviour after a night's sleep. All volunteers were medically checked before leaving CBDE and found to be fully recovered. There is no evidence to link controlled administration of a single does of pure LSD with any long term effects. In addition, over the past 40 years there is no evidence that Service volunteers have had any deterioration in their health as a result of their participation as a volunteer in a study at CBDE.

  5. The LSD used in the work and studies carried out at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment came from one of three sources: synthesis or partial synthesis at CBDE, purchase from a commercial supplier, as it was not a controlled drug at that time, or provision by the then US Army Chemical at Edgewood, Maryland. The results were published in the scientific literature and one of these papers shows that the LSD used in that study was purchased from a commercial supplier.

  6. The results from the work and studies have been published in several articles in scientific journals:

  a. Brimblecombe R. W. (1963). Effects of psychotropic drugs on open field behaviour in rats. Phychopharmacologia, 4, 139–147.

  b. Bebbington A. and Brimblecombe R. W. (1969). Actions of some toxic substances (psychotomimetic) on the central nervous system. Br. Med. Bul. 25, 293–298.

  c. Brimblecombe R. W. (1970). The use of animal tests to predict behavioural effects of chemicals on man. Ciba-Found-Study-Group, 35, 6–24.

  d. Barrass B. C. and Coult D. B. (1972). Effects of some centrally acting drugs with ceruloplasmin. Prog. Brain. Res. 36, 97–104

  e. Barrass B. C. and Coult D. B. (1972). Effects of some centrally acting drugs with ceruloplasmin. Biochem. Pharmacol. 21, 677–685.

  f. Bewster K., Coult D. B. and Pinder R. M. (1972). 1-phenylpiperazines. Potential antagonists of lysergic acid diethylamide. Clim. Ther. 7, 87–91.

  g. Buxton D. A. (1972). Behavioural actions of some substituted amphetamines. Prog. Brain. Res, 36, 143–158.

  h. Green D. M. and Aldous F. A. B. (1972). The effects of anticholinergic drugs, chloromazine and LSD25 on evoked potentials, EEG and behaviour. Prog. Brain. Res. 36, 171–181.

  i. Upshall D. G. and Wailling D. G. (1972). The determination of LSD in human plasma following oral administration. Clin. Chim Acta. 36, 67–73.

  j. Barrass B. C. and Coult D. B. (1973). Phenol oxidase activity in brain tissue. Biochem. Pharmacol, 22, 2897–904.

  56

  k. Brimbelcombe R. W. (1973). Psychotomimetic drugs; biochemistry and pharmacology. Adv. Drug. Res. 7, 165–206.

  l. Aldous F. A. B., Barrass B. C., Brewster K., Buxton D. A., Green D. M., Pinder R. M., Rich P., Skells M. and Tutt K.J. (1974). Structure-activity relationships in psychotomimetic phenalkylamines. J Med. Chem 17, 1100–1110.

  m. Leyland C. M., Gwyther R. J. and Rylands J. M. (1979). Improved method for detecting drug effects in the open field. Psychopharmacologia. 63, 33–37.

  7. These results formed part of the technology database held by the Establishment in the area of evaluation of the potential hazard to Service personnel from possible chemical warfare agents. This information was drawn upon during the 1960s and 1970s in the agreements with our NATO allies to exchange information and so promote collaboration and cooperation in areas such as research and development in chemical and biological defence. The agreements with the United States at that time included:

  a. The Technical Cooperation Programme involving UK, US, Canada and Australia which had subsumed the earlier trilateral UK/US/Canada meetings.

  b. American, British, Canadian and Australian Armies (ABCA) agreement Quadripartite Working Group (QWG) on NBC defence.

  c. The NATO Panel VII on chemical and biological defence.

  8. As I indicated to you in my reply of 3 November 1994, (Official Report, column 1235–1236) it was concluded that LSD would not present a significant battlefield hazard as it was extremely expensive and being a solid it would be difficult to disseminate further and the effects were not highly predictable.

  European Army
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration his Department has given to the creation of a European army; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  We have no plans for the creation of a European army.

  United Nations Peacekeeping Operations
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration his Department has given to preparing a common UN peacekeeping military doctrine; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  A common military doctrine would significantly assist the conduct of UN peacekeeping operations. The United Kingdom has been active in discussions on this issue. As part of our contribution to this debate the British Army are preparing a manual on peacekeeping on which we have consulted closely at the United Nations.

  Bosnia
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's evaluation of the military implications in Bosnia of any lifting of the UN arms embargo.

  Mr. Soames
  We judge that lifting the arms embargo would lead to an intensified conflict, with severe risks that UNPROFOR would be caught up in the fighting and lose its impartiality in the eyes of the warring factions. In such circumstances, UNPROFOR could no longer carry out the UN mandate and would have to withdraw.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent meetings he has had with his United States counterpart concerning the Bosnian arms embargo; and if he will make a statement.
  57
  Mr. Soames
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has regular discussions with his United States counterpart on a wide range of issues. In the course of these discussions, our opposition to lifting the arms embargo has been made clear, on the grounds that this would only serve to fuel an intensified conflict and that, in such circumstances, UNPROFOR would have to withdraw.

  Gulf War
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the licence holders of each of the licensed vaccines administered to military personnel in the Gulf war 1990–91.

  Mr. Soames
  The licence holders of the vaccines administered to military personnel in the Gulf war 1990–91 are:

  a. Wellcome medical division–licence holder for:

  Tetanus

  Typhoid

  Poliomyelitis

  Yellow Fever

  Cholera

  The licence holder for the above products is now Evans Medical.

  b. Smithkline Beecham—licence holder of Hepatitis B vaccine.

  c. Merieux and Smithkline Beecham—licence holders for meningococ all vaccine.

  d. Details relating to vaccines employed by British forces against the biological warfare threat are classified.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many patients have been examined by his Department's appointed specialist for problems associated with Operation Granby; if these patients undergo tests to ascertain their immune status; and if there were any toxic residues in their blood or body tissues.

  Mr. Soames
  Forty patients have so far been examined by the military medical consultant physician appointed to investigate personnel who believe their health has been adversely affected by Operation Granby.

  The special tests employed in these assessments are tailored to the particular requirements of each patient after considering the medical and occupational history, the reported symptoms and clinical signs found on examination. If considered clinically necessary, these special tests include immunological and toxicological investigations.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the vaccines administered to military personnel in the Gulf war 1990–91.

  Mr. Soames
  The vaccines administered to military personnel in the Gulf war 1990–91 fall into three groups:

  a. Those administered as a matter of peacetime routine—these are only administered when in-date immunity has lapsed:

  Tetanus

  Typhoid

  Poliomyelitis

  Yellow Fever

  Hepatitis B—medical staff only

  b. Those administered to combat natural disease threats specific to the area of deployment:

  Cholera

  Meningococcal Meningitis—medical staff and personnel in day-to-day contact with host nation personnel

  c. Anti-biological warfare vaccines. Details of the specific medical countermeasures employed by British forces against
  58
  the potential biological warfare threat during Operation Granby remain classified.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why it was considered necessary to vaccinate Her Majesty's forces serving in Operation Granby against plague and not botulism toxoid; and what account was taken of the policy of the United States Department of Defence on the subject.

  Mr. Soames
  Details of the specific medical countermeasures employed by British forces against the potential biological warfare threat during Operation Granby remain classified.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list details of the names and specific expertise of the medical specialists examining members and former members of the armed forces who have complained of suffering from desert war syndrome.

  Mr. Soames
  At present, all members and former members of the armed forces who come forward for medical assessment in connection with the alleged Gulf war syndrome are seen initially by Wing Commander W. J. Coker OBE BA BSc MB ChB FRCP, consultant physician at Princess Alexandra's RAF hospital, Wroughton. Dependent upon the results of these initial examinations, the patient may be referred to an appropriate military or civilian specialist for further investigation.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is an authorised practice to administer whooping cough vaccine together with anthrax vaccine; and what was the reason for administering this combination to Her Majesty's forces taking part in Operation Granby.

  Mr. Soames
  Details relating to biological warfare protection measures employed by British forces remain classified.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the research data on the vaccines administered to military personnel in the Gulf war of 1990–91.

  Mr. Soames
  No. The only research material on vaccines held by my Department relates to biological warfare protection measures employed by British forces and is classified.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if all the vaccines administered to military personnel in the Gulf war of 1990–91 were licensed.

  Mr. Soames
  All vaccines administered to military personnel in the Gulf war of 1990–91 were licensed. Civilian vaccine product licences do not, however, cover prophylactic use against a biological warfare threat, but those administered to United Kingdom troops for this purpose were licensed for similar civilian use in their country of origin.

  Joint Air Force Command
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his French counterpart concerning the development of a joint air force command.

  Mr. Soames
  At the United Kingdom-French summit on Friday 18 November, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, and his French counterpart, launched a new initiative aimed at increasing
  59
  significantly the ability of the air forces to operate together on a range of future operations. This common venture will be known as the Franco-British Euro Air Group and will be based at High Wycombe.

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on the ratification of the chemical weapons convention.

  Mr. Soames
  My Department continues to play a major part in the work of the chemical weapons convention preparatory commission, and our national preparations for entry into force are well advanced. We intend to ratify the chemical weapons convention as soon as possible.

  Meteorological Office
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the hospitality expenditure for the Meteorological Office for the financial year 1993–94.

  Mr. Soames
  This is a matter for the Meteorological Office. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from M. A. Bittleston to Dr. David Clark, dated 21 November 1994:
  The Defence Secretary has asked me to respond to your Parliamentary Question which asked for a breakdown of the Meteorological Office's hospitality expenditure for the financial year 1993–94.
  As you would expect the total sum of £25,206 is made up by a host of quite small items, most of which were incurred in the course of winning some £16 million worth of commercial business and maintaining in international fora the standing of the Office as a world class science-based organisation.
  I have therefore grouped together in the Annex to this letter the main constituent items.

  Annex

  1. The main categories of hospitality expenditure for the Meteorological Office for the financial year 1993–94 were:

  £

  Commercial Hospitality

  8,545

  Reciprocal International Hospitality

  4,712

  Academic Interchanges

  3,336

  Recruitment and Training

  3,191

  Government, Local Government and Advisers Hospitality

  2,000

  Miscellaneous

  3,422

  Total

  25,206

  Contracts
  Mr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts have been placed by his Department under the no acceptable price, no contract initiative; what was their total value in each of the years since the initiative was introduced; and what criteria are used to evaluate the success of the procurement initiatives.

  Mr. Freeman
  The no acceptable price, no contract initiative was introduced on 1 July 1992. Two hundred and forty-two contracts have been let under the initiative to 31 July 1994. In the 13-month period from 1 July 1992 to 31 July 1993 a total of 46 contracts were placed, valued at £886 million. During the year 1 August 1993 to 31 July 60
  1994 a further 196 contracts were let, with a total value of £2,996 million.

  The initiative improves the timeliness of our non-competitive risk pricing. The initiative is a success in the context of the significant increase in the value of work priced before contract placement and industry has not demurred at this approach. Nevertheless, it has still to be proven whether estimating accuracy is maintained. This will be determined by the cost audit of those contracts selected for post-costing examination.

  Vaccinations
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if members of Her Majesty's forces are permitted to refuse vaccinations or drugs in any theatre of war.

  Mr. Soames
  The administration of vaccines or the provision of drugs to service personnel would normally be undertaken on the basis of informed consent. In certain circumstances, refusal to receive treatment could lead to disciplinary action.

  Departmental Offices
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of(a) repairs an alterations and (b) air conditioning to his Department's headquarters in Whitehall for the (i) financial year 1994–95 and (ii) financial year 1995–96.

  Mr. Soames
  The estimated cost of repairs and alterations covering essential maintenance to my Department's main building in Whitehall is £2,462,000, including VAT, in the current financial year, and £2,488,000, including VAT, in the financial year 1995–96. These costs cover works required mainly for health and safety reasons. There is some provision in these figures for the maintenance of essential air conditioning systems in the building.

  Defence Accounts Agency
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received concerning the proposed relocation of the Defence Accounts Agency from Cheadle Hulme to Bath; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  There is no proposal to relocate the whole of the Cheadle Hulme office to Bath. I have, however, received a number of representations from hon. Members about the proposal to bring together at Bath certain elements of the agency's computer work which are currently carried out at Liverpool, Cheadle Hulme and Bath.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many redundancies among his Department's personnel and civilian support staff would be expected in Cheadle Hulme should Defence Accounts Agency computing facilities be relocated to Bath; and what would be the cost of those redundancies.

  Mr. Freeman
  I expect to take a decision on the agency's mainframe rationalisation project early in the new year. It is too soon to anticipate the announcement I may have to make then on reductions in civilian posts.

  Inhumane Weapons Convention
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Government plan to ratify the 1981 UN convention on inhumane weapons, in relation to the use of land mines.

  Mr. Freeman
  We continue to work actively towards ratification of the UN weaponry convention—protocol II of which contains strict rules governing the use of land mines—and intend to complete the process so as to be a full state party for next year's weaponry convention review conference. Meanwhile, we do, of course, adhere strictly to the provisions of the convention.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence during how many of the overseas visits made by Ministers in his Department between 1 January and 30 June those Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if he will list the Ministers and the countries in which those activities took place.

  Mr. Soames
  None of the Ministers in this Department participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party while on visits overseas during the period in question.