Written Answers of 23 November 1994

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Permanent Secretaries
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what arrangements are being made for the future appointment of permanent secretaries following the White Paper, "The Civil Service: Continuity and Change".

  Mr. David Hunt
  The White Paper made clear in paragraph 4.24 that, as vacancies arise at this level, the arrangements for identifying candidates, either through internal procedures or by open competition, will be considered on a case by case basis by addressing a number of "prior questions". Appointments to a number of permanent secretary vacancies which will arise next year have now been addressed in this way. Those in the Department of Employment and the Central Statistical Office will be made following open competition. The appointment of the Permanent Secretary, Office of Public Service and Science will be made following consideration of candidates across the civil service as a whole.

  Large Hadron Collider Project
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the amount of the French contribution to the large hadron collider project at CERN which is in dispute; and what impact this amount makes on the project.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  The United Kingdom and German Governments, with the support of other CERN member states, are seeking an appropriate additional contribution to the large hadron collider—LHC—project from France which properly reflects the considerable.benefits they derive from hosting CERN. A host state.contribution of 10 per cent. of a project's cost is the norm for such large international facilities such as CERN.

  Accordingly we have asked the host states, France and Switzerland, to consider making an additional contribution of 290 million Swiss francs towards a construction cost of 2.9 billion Swiss francs. At present the sum offered by the host states falls significantly short of this amount. Negotiations are continuing to find a satisfactory settlement.

  Detailed analysis, endorsed by CERN management, suggests there is a significant funding gap if the LHC is to be completed by 2005. Any shortfall in the contribution from host states would have to be made up by further cuts at CERN or increased contributions from other sources.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give the reasons why the decision on the large hadron collider project at CERN is being held up; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  The Government believe that, in principle, the large hadron collider project is the right next step for particle physics and for CERN. However,144
  before giving formal approval for the project to go ahead, a fair and sustainable financial framework must be established. Such a framework must include the acceptance of tight cost control mechanisms and an appropriate additional contribution from the host states, France and Switzerland, in recognition of the considerable benefits which they have derived, and will continue to derive, from the location of CERN at Geneva.

  Negotiations with CERN management and other member states have been progressing and in the last few months good progress has been made. We hope to be able to secure the basis for agreement before the next CERN Council meeting in December.

DEFENCE

  Defence Agencies
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about defence agency status for the Defence Clothing and Textiles Authority.

  Mr. Soames
  The Defence Clothing and Textiles Authority became Defence Agency of the Ministry of Defence on 22 November 1994. The DCTA, although an organisation with tri-service responsibilities, is presently part of the Quartermaster General's department within the Army. It comprises a small headquarters at Andover and a number of interlocking business functions across the country; it employs a total of 447 staff comprising 13 military and 434 civilian staff.

  The primary role of the DCTA is to provide an agreed range of clothing and textile products to meet the operational needs of the MOD and other defined customers within agreed standards, and in the most cost effective manner.

  As the first chief executive, Brigadier R. H. T. Kirby CBE will be offered new opportunities to build on the current organisation's professional expertise and high performance standards. Through a more commercial approach, the chief executive will actively seek to improve the efficiency and value for money of his organisation and thereby fulfil the agency's aim of.providing its customers with an efficient service which.offers the best value for money.

  The chief executive has been set the following key targets for financial year 1994–95:

  1. To achieve 80 per cent. availability of stock from shelf.

  2. 80 per cent. of research and development milestones to be met by the due date and within budget.

  3. 80 per cent. of procurement to meet total planned lead time for delivery.

  4. To develop the framework for a full customer satisfaction survey.

  5. To establish the mechanisms required for full cost accruals accounting system.

  6. Initiate action to formulate and develop plans for restructuring and collocation of the agency.

  7. Complete national measurement accreditation service NAMAS of DCTA laboratories.

  8. To remain within financial year 1994–95 cash allocation, incorporating current efficiency assumptions.

  9. To initiate a review of the scope for further private sector involvement, aiming to complete implementation by April 1998.

  I have arranged for copies of the agency's framework document to be placed in the Library of both Houses.
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  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about defence agency status for the Royal Air Force signals engineering establishments.

  Mr. Soames
  The Royal Air Force Signals Engineering.Establishment—RAFSEE—became an agency of the Ministry of Defence on 22 November 1994. RAFSEE is based primarily at Royal Air Force, Henlow, with one division currently located at Royal Air Force, Wyton and due to move to Royal Air Force, Waddington in 1995. The establishment belongs to the Signals Units group which is part of Logistics Command, the headquarters of which is at Royal Air Force, Brampton.

  The role of RAFSEE is to provide a quick reaction signals engineering capability for military operations worldwide. This work includes design, manufacture, installation and recovery for the full range of strategic and tactical communications, radar and information and electronic systems. It also extends to providing special signals equipment for the Royal Air Force's_ electronic reconnaissance squadron, and special avionic equipment for aircraft of the three services.

  As the first chief executive, Air Commodore P. C. Ayee will be offered new opportunities to build on the current organisation's professional expertise and high performance standards. In maintaining RAFSEE's operational capability, the chief executive will actively seek to improve the efficiency and value for money of his organisation.

  The chief executive has been set the following key targets for financial year 1994–95:

  1. To deliver 100 per cent. of operational tasks to time.

  2. To maintain 100 per cent. of core skills needed to support likely operations.

  3. To deliver 70 per cent. of all tasks to time, an improvement of 10 per cent. over the previous year.

  4. To put in place a system to monitor and report on the on the quality of delivered tasks.

  5.To reduce costs per task manhour by five per cent.

  6. To complete a competing for quality feasibility study on £7,970,000 of non-core business by 31 January 1995.

  7. To produce shadow accrual accounts by 1 April 1995.

  I have arranged for copies of the agency's framework document to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about defence agency status for the Army's logistic information systems.

  Mr. Soames
  The directorate of logistic information.system—Army—was established as a Defence agency on 21 November 1994 and will now be known as the Logistic Information Systems Agency—LISA. LISA will comprise a headquarters at Andover, alongside the quartermaster general's headquarters—QMG—and two main centres of activity at Bicester and Donnington where the base ordnance depots are located. LISA's initial strength will be 46 servicemen and 351 civilians.

  The role of the agency is to enhance the logistic effectiveness of the Army in peace and war by providing information systems, services and support.

  As the first chief executive, Brigadier A.W. Pollard will be given the authority, responsibility and opportunities to improve the quality of information systems support to Army logistics in a comprehensive, competitive and efficient manner. Building on the Government's successful competing for quality initiatives, he will be following an innovative approach to the involvement of
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  the private sector in the non-core aspects of the agency's work. If study work confirms preliminary assessments it is envisaged that a partnering contract with a private sector supplier will be awarded by competition towards the end of 1995. Consideration is being given, within the bounds of Government policy and without detriment to military priorities, to including some novel revenue sharing arrangements in this contract with the partner. This will be achieved by exploiting the wider market potential offered by partnering and any under utilised, but unavoidable spare LISA capacity. The scope for offsetting LISA costs will thus have obvious value for money benefits to the taxpayer.

  The chief executive has been set the following key targets for the first year of operation:

  1. Meet targets laid down by QMG for the timeliness, cost and planning effectiveness of projects. Projects should be delivered within planned time and cost tolerance without adjusting the project plans.

  2. By 1 April 1995, carry out a customer satisfaction survey, completeness and responsiveness of the services offered and set targets for improvement.

  3. By 1 April 1995 introduce dummy invoicing for chargeable services provided by LISA.

  4. Within the competing for quality framework, and in order to deliver CFQ efficiency savings, reach a decision by 1 April 1995 on a partnering agreement with the private sector or determine what other CFQ initiatives should be employed to achieve the desired savings and efficiencies.

  5. By 31 December 1994 LISA will finalise its pre-CFQ initiative organisational structure and by 1 April 1995 will complete the associated internal changes.

  6. LISA will introduce financial and business systems to enable the operation of a full cost accruals accounting system by 1 April 1995.

  7. For financial year 1994–95 to operate within budgetary provision and achieve agreed output. By 1 April 1995 establish baselines for agency overheads and unit costs of chargeable output, as a more reliable means of measuring efficiency, and set targets for reductions.

  I have arranged for copies of the agency's framework document to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Royal Dockyards
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a further statement on the proposed sale of the royal dockyards at Devonport and Rosyth.

  Mr. Freeman
  Following invitations to tender issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 July 1994, initial bids have been received from Devonport Management Limited, for Devonport dockyard, and from Babcock International Group, for Rosyth dockyard. No other bids have been received to date. We are currently evaluating these bids and negotiations will take place with each of the companies, but outcomes other than sale cannot be ruled out.

  Gordon Foxley
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the report of his Department's internal investigation into the activities of Gordon Foxley and others.

  Mr. Freeman
  It will, in due course, be necessary to report to the House on my Department's investigations into recent corruption cases. At present, however, the investigations are still in train and, in the case of Gordon Foxley, are closely integrated with a civil action which
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  has been launched against Foxley, members of his family circle and the companies involved.

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if all facilities which comprise the Trident works programme at CSB Faslane and RNAD Coulport will have received a full complete safety case before HMS Vanguard goes out on operational patrol; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if all new construction at CSB Faslane and RNAD Coulport has now been completed; whether all facilities have now received a full and complete nuclear safety case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  All major new construction at CSB Faslane and RNAD Coulport in support of the Trident programme is complete. Clearance of all facilities necessary to support HMS Vanguard's first operational patrol has been given or is in hand. Work to achieve the full safety clearance of all facilities is progressing as planned and is due to complete next year.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the first two lifts of a Trident submarine in the shiplift at CSB Faslane;

  (2) if the shiplift at CSB Faslane will have achieved unlimited safety clearance before HMS Vanguard goes out on operational patrol;

  (3) what progress has been made in obtaining a full and complete nuclear safety case for the shiplift at CSB Faslane; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  HMS Vanguard was lifted fully on the Faslane shiplift during the week commending 24 October, following a partial lift to establish the fit between the submarine and its supporting cradle. Work towards achieving full through-life safety clearance of the shiplift is progressing as planned and is due to complete next year.

  HMS Vanguard
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's progress towards achieving HMS Vanguard's first patrol.by the end of December.

  Mr. Freeman
  HMS Vanguard remains on course to start her first operational patrol around the turn of the year.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement of reported problems with HMS Vanguard's reactor.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is not our practice to comment on the material state of individual submarines.

  F3 Tornados
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his current estimate of the date of commencement of legal action against the Bricom group in relation to damage caused in the course of the Airwork contract for modifications to F3 Tornados at RAF St. Athan.

  Mr. Freeman
  We hope to be able to complete the preparation of the claim against Bricom by the end of financial year 1994–95 when it will be raised against the company. Whether or not specific legal action has to be taken will depend on the company's response to the claim.

  Future Large Aircraft
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the decision on FLA C130J can be delayed until the feasibility studies on the future large aircraft are completed in the first quarter of 1995.

  Mr. Freeman
  Our objective is to meet the operational air transport requirements of the armed forces. FLA is already being taken into account in our assessment.

  Wegberg Hospital
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has already been spent on the proposed market testing of RAF hospital Wegberg in Germany; what is the estimated final cost; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  It would not be possible to identify separately the cost of market testing the RAF hospital at Wegberg from the overall study of health provision for British forces Germany. The additional cost of the market test was some £100,000 in financial year 1993–94 and is estimated to be £600,000 this financial year and £160,000 next year. As a result of this project, we expect to make substantial savings against the current cost of this activity which is currently in excess of £30,000,000 per annum.

  Operation Seafire
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the distance flown by helicopters from RAF Chivenor to the rendezvous with West Glamorgan firefighters during Operation Seafire on 17 October off the west Wales coast; what was the distance flown from that rendezvous to the Stena Sea Lynx; and what was the average speed (i) over each leg of the journey from Chivenor to the Sea Lynx separately and (ii) over the whole journey, excluding the stop in west Glamorgan.

  Mr. Soames
  The distances flown by, and average speed of, the RAF search and rescue helicopter involved in Exercise Seafire on 10 October 1994 are shown in the table:

  Distance nm

  Average speed kts

  RAF Chivenor to rendezvous point

  86

  110

  Rendezvous point to Stena Sea Lynx

  51

  125

  The average speed over the whole journey, excluding the stop in west Glamorgan, was 118 kts.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Mr. David Hart was last employed by his Office and for what reason he left; what role Mr. Hart played in providing written or oral advice in the defence costs study initiative; and what access he had to official information concerning the replacement programme for the Hercules transport aircraft or information supplied by British Aerospace concerning its participation in the future large aircraft.

  Mr. Freeman
  Mr. David Hart is one of a number of unpaid, independent advisers who provide my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence with informal advice from time to time. At my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State's request, he was involved in the defence costs study, "Front Line First",
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  but he has not been involved in deliberations on the replacement programme for Hercules transport aircraft.

ENVIRONMENT

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action he proposes to take to meet World health authority health-based air quality guidelines for transport-related pollutants by the year 2005;

  (2) if he will make it his policy to explore with the Institution of Environmental Health Officers, other professional bodies and local authorities how forms of collaboration similar to the London air quality network and unit can be built on and encouraged in other conurbations;

  (3) what action he proposes to take to establish in appropriate areas by 2005 local air quality standards based on the critical levels required to protect sensitive eco-systems.

  Mr. Atkins
  These matters will be covered fully in the response to our consultation paper, "Improving Air Quality" which we expect to publish shortly.

  Recycling
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to work with vehicle manufacturers and dismantlers to develop a cradle-to-grave strategy for recycling.

  Mr. Atkins
  Currently 1.5 million vehicles are scrapped in the United Kingdom each year and in the process 75 per cent. by weight is recycled, with the remainder going to landfill. In December 1993, the Automotive Consortium on Recycling and Disposal—ACORD—which represents all sectors of the industry, presented to Government a preliminary plan which would increase the recovery of scrap from vehicles to 95 per cent. by body weight by the year 2015. This will require a cradle-to-grave approach to the manufacture of new vehicles and components in which design for recovery will play an important part. ACORD has now produced a detailed implementation plan which we will be discussing with it shortly.

  Geese
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has taken prior to issuing licences for geese to be shot in London parks.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government seek the advice of their statutory scientific adviser, English Nature, before issuing any licence to kill geese in London parks.

  Landfill Sites
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to alter the regulations regarding the licensing of landfill sites registered for the disposal of toxic or nuclear waste.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government have no plans to deregulate the disposal of toxic or radioactive waste at landfill sites. One of the proposals in the consultation 150
  document, "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy: Preliminary Conclusions". published in August, was that waste producers should be encouraged to make more use of the controlled burial of radioactive waste in landfill sites. However, this would remain subject to the same strict regulatory control as at present. The proposals in the document are being considered in the light of the responses received. The disposal of controlled wastes, including special wastes, is subject to the enhanced waste management licensing arrangements introduced under the Environmental Protection Act in May this year.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the landfill sites in the country at present registered for nuclear waste disposal and those where applications are under consideration.

  Mr. Atkins
  A small number if users of radioactive material are currently authorised under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 to dispose of low level radioactive waste by controlled burial at specified sites. The sites where such burial is specified in the relevant user's authorisations and which may receive waste are:

  Milton Landfill, Cambridge

  ICI Limited, Cowpen Bewley Tip, Cleveland

  Vickers Waste Ponds, Walney Island, Cumbria

  Rolls-Royce, Hilts Quarry, Derbyshire

  Magnesium Elektron, Swinton, Greater Manchester

  Cilgwyn Quarry, Caernarfon, Gwynedd

  Braziers Landfill, Hertfordshire

  SCM Chemicals, Site tip, Humberside

  Clifton Marsh, Preston, Lancashire

  Sefton Meadows Tip, Merseyside

  Beighton Tip, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

  Beddingham Quarry, Sussex

  Ryton Tip, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear

  BNFL, Drigg, Cumbria

  BNFL, Sellafield, Cumbria

  Some of the users of radioactive material are licensed under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965. The sites where waste arising from such users can be buried are: Cowpen Bewley, Vickers, Hilts Quarry, Ulnes Walton, Clifton Marsh, Drigg and Sellafield. With the exception of Drigg, the wastes arise locally to the burial site.

  There are no outstanding applications for authorisation under RSA 1993 which involve burial of low, medium or high level radioactive waste.

  Enterprise Zones
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what study he has made of the consequences for the infrastructure of neighbouring areas of the initial enterprise zones.

  Mr. Curry
  The Department's preliminary report, "An Evaluation of the Enterprise Zone Experiment", HMSO 1987, examined a number of linkages between zones and their local areas. A further report, based on the performance of the first round zones, is due for publication early next year.

  Council Tax Valuations
  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend the council tax valuation orders to allow a reduction in valuations to reflect the current market value of houses affected by blight caused by the announcement of major infrastructure
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  projects where the time from the announcement to the payment of compensation, if a decision were taken to proceed, would be more than five years.

  Mr. Curry
  No.

  Humber Estuary
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) for what reasons his Department referred back to the National Rivers Authority its list of areas of high natural dispersion under the urban waste water treatment directive when the Humber estuary was not included upon it; and how many other areas not originally in the National Rivers Authority list were subsequently added after the original list had been submitted to him;

  (2) what discussions he or any members of his Department had with Yorkshire Water before the designation of the Humber estuary as a area of high natural dispersion for the purpose of the urban waste water treatment directive;

  (3) upon what scientific basis the Humber bridge was chosen as the western end of the high natural dispersion area for the purpose of the urban waste water treatment directive;

  (4) upon what environmental impact assessment he made his decision that the Humber estuary was an area of high natural dispersion;

  (5) what direct consultation his Department and the National Rivers Authority had with the port health authority, the city of Hull, Associated British Ports and the public on both banks of the Humber before designating the estuary as an area of high natural dispersion;

  (6) on what date his decision was taken under article 6 of the urban waste water treatment directive that the Humber estuary was an area of high natural dispersion.

  Mr. Atkins
  In March 1992 the Department published a consultation paper on, among other issues, the criteria and procedures for identifying less sensitive areas, high natural dispersion area—HNDAs, under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. The scientific criteria for identifying HNDAs were published in a second consultation paper in March 1993. These consultation papers were the subject of parliamentary answers and news releases and were placed in the Library of the House. They were sent to the Association of County Councils and the Association of District Councils, among others.

  Discussions then took place between the National Rivers Authority, the water industry and the Department on the identification of locations meeting the agreed criteria. In July 1993, my hon. Friend, the Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo) announced the NRA's working list of HNDAs, which included parts of the Humber. Subsequently, in light of advice from the NRA, Ministers concluded, and I announced on 18 May 1994, that the Humber met the criteria for HNDAs.

  Discharges into HNDAs must have at least primary treatment—which entails the provision or improvement of treatment at most locations. Comprehensive studies are now being carried out in respect of each HNDA to satisfy the NRA, before it issues any discharge consents, that the discharge will not adversely affect the environment. If the NRA is not satisfied in any particular case, additional treatment will be required. The NRA has a statutory duty
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  to publish consent applications and to serve notice of its intention to issue a consent, which allows representations or objections to be made. This duty is not affected by the decision to identify a HNDA.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Kenneth Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the will list those development projects since 1964 which have involved demolishing or rendering uninhabitable more than 55 listed buildings.

  Mr. Curry
  The information is not held centrally in this form.

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites of prospective opencast mining which as yet do not have planning permission but have been included in the reserves listed in the portfolios of the proposed regional coal companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  On privatisation, regional coal companies will acquire exploration licences, conditional operating licences and options for leases in relation to the coal at portfolios of prospective opencast sites.

  Prospective opencast sites are at different stages in the process of assembling the interests and rights in and over land and of obtaining planning and other consents, all of which are necessary for the extraction of coal. The grant of planning consents will remain a matter for the planning authorities.

  A list of those prospective sites which have, as yet, obtained no planning permission, by Regional Coal Company, has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any of the reserves of prospective opencast sites which have previously been the subject of unsuccessful planning applications for opencast mining have been included in the portfolios of the proposed regional local companies; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  A number of the prospective opencast sites included in the portfolios of the regional coal companies have, in the past, been the subject of unsuccessful planning applications. It has, however, been made abundantly clear throughout the sales process that the grant of any planning consents in the future will remain a matter for the planning authorities.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what calculation his Department has made of the effect on the purchase price of regional coal companies of the inclusion of possible but unapproved sites for opencast coal mining; and what is the difference between the purchase price of possible, but unapproved, sites and that of approved or working sites on a cost per tonnage basis.

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  In submitting bids for regional coal companies, prequalifiers for the sale of British Coal's mining activities were assessing the overall value of a portfolio of assets, including prospective opencast mining sites. Bidders were not asked to provide details of their bids on

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  a site-by-site basis, and no such assessment has been made by my Department.

TREASURY

  Pensions
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many retired civil servants, retired officers of the armed services and other retired public servants, are receiving pensions of more than 50 per cent. of the current salaries for the jobs from which they retired; and what is the annual cost to the Exchequer.

  Sir George Young
  This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Most public service pension schemes provide a half-pay pension only after a full career, and a one-off lump sum payment of three times the annual pension. However, most public servants do not serve long enough to retire with a half-pay pension.

  Taxes (Wales)
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the total raised from income tax revenue in Wales,(a) in 1990, (b) in 1991, (c) in 1992, (d) in 1993 and (e) in the first six months of 1994;

  (2) what was the total raised from income tax revenue in Scotland, (a) in 1990, (b) in 1991, (c) in 1992, (d) in 1993 and (e) in the first six months of 1994.

  Sir George Young
  Estimates of income tax liabilities for residents of Scotland and Wales are given in the table for 1990–91, 1991–92 and the latest available year for regional estimates, 1992–93. Information on income tax receipts has not been provided for Scotland and Wales as they merely reflect administrative arrangements for the collection of tax.

  Estimates of income tax liabilities for residents of Scotland and Wales

  £ million

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Scotland

  5,070

  5,170

  5,130

  Wales

  2,370

  2,500

  2,330

  IMF
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the United Kingdom's annual contribution to the International Monetary Fund.

  Mr. Nelson
  The United Kingdom makes no direct annual contribution to the International Monetary Fund. As a member of the IMF, the United Kingdom maintains a reserves position with the IMF. Of this SDR 700 million—equivalent to £653 million—is unremunerated. The balance is remunerated at the fund's rate of remuneration. At end September 1994, the United Kingdom's reserve position in the IMF stood at SDR 1,354.3 million—equivalent to £1264 million.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the United Kingdom's annual contribution to the IMF's(a) structural adjustment facility, (b) enhanced structural facility and (c) other relevant facilities.
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  Mr. Nelson
  The only specific IMF facility to which members contribute directly is the enhanced structural adjustment facility—ESAF. Over the life of the facility, the United Kingdom will contribute up to £377 million to the subsidy required for ESAF loans. This amount includes a contribution of the £50 million made earlier this year when the facility was expanded and enlarged. Over time, the United Kingdom will contribute about one-ninth of the subsidy required by ESAF. In 1993–94, a payment of £20 million was made under these arrangements.

  Overseas Debt
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the non-concessional debt owed to the international multilateral financial institutions by severely indebted low income countries has been cancelled or converted to International Development Association terms.

  Mr. Nelson
  Debt owed to the international financial institutions is not cancelled. Under the International Development Association fifth dimension facility, complementary IDA credits, provided in proportion to interest payments due on outstanding IBRD debt, have helped ease the debt service burden of eligible IDA-only countries undertaking internationally supported economic reform programmes. I refer the hon. member to the answer which the Chancellor gave on 19 October to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) for details of proposals that he made in Malta this year to help further reduce the burden of debt owed to the IFIs by the poorest, most indebted countries,Official Report, 19 October column 272.

  European Investment
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what amount in pound sterling the facilities of the European Investment bank were increased under terms agreed at the Edinburgh Council.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Edinburgh European Council established a special temporary lending facility, within the European Investment bank, to support capital investment in infrastructure projects. This facility amounted initially to 5 billion ecu or £3,925 million, but was subsequently increased to 7 billion ecu, or £5,495 million by the Copenhagen European Council.

  All figures converted at 18/11/94 £/ecu conversion rate (£1 =1.2738 ecu).

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the expenditure implications for the European Union's budget arising out of the activities of the European investment bank and European investment fund.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The activities of both the European Investment bank and the European investment fund are financed in each case largely from the resources of the institution concerned and, to this extent, impose no direct costs on the budget of the European union. However:

  (i) the European union has subscribed for 600 million ecu, £471 million, worth of shares in the European investment fund, for which 20 per cent. is to be paid in. This sum of 120 million ecu, £94 million will be charged to the EU budget.

  (ii) the European union has provided guarantees to the European Investment bank in respect of lending programmes

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  which it undertakes in eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America, and in the Mediterranean countries. These guarantees stand on the budget as a contingent liability.

  All figures converted at 18/11/94 £/ecu conversion rate (£1 =1.278 ecu).

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what amount in pound sterling the establishment of the European investment fund following the Edinburgh Council is predicted to cost the budget of the European Union.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The European Union has subscribed for 600 million ecu, or £471 million, worth of shares in the new European investment fund, of which only 20 per cent is to be paid in to the fund. This sum will be paid from the EU budget, in four equal annual tranches of 30 million ecu, or £23.5 million, over the years 1994 to 1998.All figures converted at 18 November 1994 £/ecu conversion rate (£1 = 1.2738 ecu).

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the £24 billion expenditure package referred to in the Prime Minister's statement of 14 December 1992,Official Report, column 36, is affected by European Union budgets.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The package referred to by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is not affected by European Union budgets.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish any variation or extension of the text of the presidential communique of the December 1992 European Council in Edinburgh in respect of the revised arrangements for financing the European Community as now contained in the draft Council decision 9298/93.

  Mr Heathcoat-Amory
  Draft Council decision 9298/93 was superseded by Council decision 94/728/EC, Euratom of 31 October 1994—the "own resources decision".

  The arrangements for Community own resources established by the new own resources decision do not differ in any material respect from those agreed by the Edinburgh European Council.

  EC Budget
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the figures in table 11.1 of

  United Kingdom Contributions to and Receipts from the European Community Budget

  Cash Plans

  £ millions

  1989–90 outturn

  1990–91 outturn

  1991–92 outturn

  1992–93 outturn

  1993–94 estimated outturn

  1994–95 plans

  1995–96 plans

  1996–97 plans

  1997–98 plans

  Gross payments

  5,804

  6,411

  6,129

  6,970

  8,407

  8,308

  9,943

  9,910

  10,552

  Public sector receipts

  -2,035

  -2,388

  -2,757

  -2,810

  -3,864

  -3,963

  -4,293

  -4,441

  -4,526

  United Kingdom abatement

  -1,317

  -1,838

  -2,428

  -1,993

  -2,350

  -1,899

  -2,256

  -2,108

  -2,744

  156
  Cm. 2517 to take account of latest information; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The information in the accompanying table reflects the latest forecast and is consistent with the information which I will publish in next week's Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  The pattern of our net contributions to the EC budget is obscured by considerable fluctuations from one year to the next. These are caused by adjustments to our payments in previous years as later information become available, differences in the level and timing of receipts, and movements in the size of our abatement. These effects, are increased because we use a different financial year from the Community. Our estimate of the underlying level of the net contribution—that is, what we think the net contribution is when the various irregularities are stripped out—is as follows:

  Estimate of underlying public sector net contribution to the EC Budget

  £million

  1988

  1,500

  1989

  1,700

  1990

  1,900

  1991

  2,100

  1992

  2,200

  1993

  2,400

  1994

  2,500

  1995

  2,700

  1996

  3,100

  1997

  3,300

  1998

  3,500

  1999

  3,550

  Of the increase of £850 million between 1995 and 1999, some £600 million results from the effects of Community gross national product and inflation within the present own resources ceiling which is set at 1.20 per cent. of Community GNP. The remaining £250 million is a consequence of the agreement at the Edinburgh European Council to increase the own resources ceiling from 1.20 per cent. to 1.27 per cent. by 1999.

  These figures look large because they are presented in cash terms, for consistency with the rest of our public expenditure arithmetic. But the real scale of the Edinburgh settlement can be seen in the fact that it increased the own resources ceiling over seven years by 7/10,000ths of Community gross national product.
  157

  United Kingdom Contributions to and Receipts from the European Community Budget

  Cash Plans

  £ millions

  1989–90 outturn

  1990–91 outturn

  1991–92 outturn

  1992–93 outturn

  1993–94 estimated outturn

  1994–95 plans

  1995–96 plans

  1996–97 plans

  1997–98 plans

  Net public sector contributions to the European Community budget

  2,452

  2,18

  943

  2,167

  2,192

  2,446

  3,394

  3,361

  3,282

  For domestic public expenditure planning purposes, part of the United Kingdom's contribution to the Community budget is attributed to the overseas aid programme. The net contribution to the EC budget when adjusted for this element, our payments to the European Investment, bank and our receipts from the European Coal and Steel Community form the United Kingdom's net payments to EC institutions, the latest estimates for which are: 1994–95 £2,043 million, 1995–96 £2,821 million, 1996–97 £2,765 million and 1997–98 £2,639 million.

  EC Expenditure
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will raise with the EC Commission its statement on page 13 of the draft budget for 1995 on the intention of the EC to exceed the legal limits of agricultural spending by accountancy devices.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 21 November 1994]: The agricultural guideline can be increased or exceeded only with unanimity in the Council. The Government have made it clear that they see no case for agreeing to a breach of or increase in the guideline for 1995, and that this option is therefore not available to the Council.

  It is too early to tell whether spending in 1995 would, in the absence of further measures to control it, exceed the guideline. An approach to the Commission would therefore be premature.

  Stamp Duty Office, Cardiff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he has had in relation to the decision to close the Cardiff stamp duty office, located at Companies house, Crown way, Maindy, Cardiff; what representations he has received in relation to the closure prior to and since the announcement; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 22 November 1994]: The decision to close the Cardiff stamp office was taken by the Inland Revenue on operational grounds. The closure is one of several changes taking place in the interests of making the stamp office as a whole more efficient. The stamp office is consulting the trade unions about redeployment of the Cardiff stamp office staff as the aim is to offer all staff alternative positions with the Inland Revenue. To date, I have received no representations about the closure.

  Company Cars
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to further modify the tax rules in relation to company cars, to remove the incentives for environmentally damaging behaviour.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 22 November 1994]: As with all tax issues, the Chancellor makes his decisions in the Budget. I cannot therefore comment further at this stage.

  Debtor Countries
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the British Government's policy on providing direct contributions to debtor countries to assist in the settlement of arrears or debt-service to the IFIs.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Kingdom provides programme aid in support of economic reform programmes agreed with the IMF and World bank as part of a collective donor effort to help finance the country's overall external financing requirements including debt service commitments. Exceptionally, at the request of the Zambian Government, we have agreed that our programme aid for 1994–95 may be used to reimburse the government for some of its debt service commitments to the international financial institutions. This is in the context of an agreed overall government budget which provides for increased social services provision.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  European Economic Area Nationals
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of EEA countries have been required to leave the United Kingdom on the basis of direct referrals from the Benefits Agency since the Income Support (General) Regulations were amended in April 1993; and, how many of these EEA nationals are lone parents.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Between April 1993 and December 1993, 183 European Community nationals, whose cases were referred by the Benefits Agency, were advised that because they were not economically active and had become a burden on public funds the Secretary of State was not satisfied that they were exercising a right of residence under European Community law and they should accordingly make arrangements to leave the United Kingdom. Since January 1994, when EC rights of residence were extended to all European economic area nationals, 393 EEA nationals have been advised in similar terms up to the end of October 1994. Information is not available as to whether any of these cases involved lone parents.

  Police (Truncheons)
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of
  159
  alternatives to the traditional truncheon for use by the police.

  Mr. Howard
  Home Office research published today, into assaults on police officers and police trials of the expandable side-handled baton, confirms that there is a need for better ways of restraining violent suspects, that the expandable side-handled baton is very good for this purpose, and that a three-piece expandable baton is acceptable to many officers. I have already given my support to police forces that are using the expandable side-handled baton. In the light of these reports and of further scientific research, I am content for chief officers, if they wish, to introduce the rigid version of that baton. I am ensuring that chief officers have available good, scientifically based information about the different characteristics of different batons as a basis for their choice.

  I have also, as police authority for the Metropolitan police, agreed that they may have 24 inch and 26 inch batons in addition to the 22 inch ones already being issued. This follows satisfactory scientific evaluation of the new batons.

  Emergency Planning
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are planned to ensure effective co-ordination for emergency planning between any new unitary authorities established within an existing county council boundary in England.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Local authorities in England and Wales, together with the principal associations representing them, have been consulted on the delivery and co-ordination of emergency planning following the outcome of the local government review. We are considering their responses and hope to make an announcement before the end of this year.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many asylum seekers have been detained under the Immigration Act 1971 since(a) 26 July 1993 and (b) 1 January;

  (2) if he will provide a breakdown of the number of asylum seekers currently held in detention by (a) nationality, (b) gender, (c) length of detention, (d) place of detention and (e) immigration status at the time of application.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  At 18 November 1994, a total of 654 people who had sought asylum were detained. This figure includes people awaiting the setting of directions for removal following refusal of the application, as well as those whose application was under consideration or subject to appeal. Of this figure, 167 had been in detention less than one month, 125 between one and two months, 233 between two and six months and 129 had been in detention longer than six months.

  Information on the gender, immigration status, nationality and location of detention is given in tables A, B and C. Information on the numbers who have been detained since 26 July 1993 and 1 January is not available.
  160

  Table A Number of people detained on 18 November 1994, who had sought asylum, by immigration status and gender

  Immigration Status

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Port case

  281

  24

  305

  Illegal entrant case

  276

  8

  284

  Deportation case

  55

  10

  65

  Total

  612

  42

  654

  Table B Number of people detained as at 18 November 1994 who had sought asylum, by nationality

  Number detained

  Afghanistan

  1

  Albania

  6

  Algeria

  74

  Angola

  11

  Bangladesh

  20

  Bulgaria

  1

  Cameroon

  2

  Chad

  1

  China

  10

  Colombia

  8

  Cyprus (TRNC)

  19

  Dominica

  1

  Egypt

  3

  Eritrea

  1

  Estonia

  1

  Ethiopia

  5

  Gambia

  3

  Ghana

  56

  Hong Kong

  1

  India

  87

  Iran

  4

  Iraq

  5

  Israel

  2

  Ivory Coast

  10

  Jamaica

  5

  Kenya

  6

  Lebanon

  2

  Liberia

  5

  Libya

  6

  Malawi

  1

  Malaysia

  1

  Mauritius

  5

  Morocco

  7

  Mozambique

  1

  Nigeria

  117

  Pakistan

  28

  Peru

  1

  Philippines

  2

  Romanian

  5

  Russia

  2

  Rwanda

  1

  Sierra Leone

  13

  Slovenia

  1

  South Africa

  6

  Sri Lanka

  13

  Sudan

  3

  Tanzania

  1

  Trinidad and Tobago

  1

  Tunisia

  3

  Turkey

  49

  Uganda

  5

  Former Yugoslavia

  6

  Zaire

  22

  Zimbabwe

  1

  Nationality doubtful

  3

  Total

  654

  161

  Table C Number of people detained as at 18 November 1994, who had sought asylum, by location of detention

  Number Detained

  Immigration service establishment

  Campsfield House

  154

  Gatwick Beehive

  16

  Harmondsworth

  90

  Manchester airport detention suite

  8

  Queens building

  25

  Stansted

  8

  Newhaven

  11

  Dover Harbour Board

  8

  Glasgow

  1

  Prison service establishment

  Armley

  14

  Birmingham

  40

  Brinsford

  6

  Bristol

  2

  Brixton

  4

  Bullingdon

  3

  Canterbury

  1

  Cardiff

  1

  Chemlsford

  3

  Crumlin Rd.

  2

  Dorchester

  1

  Durham

  1

  Elmley

  8

  Erlestoke House

  1

  Exeter

  2

  Feltham YC centre

  2

  Greenock Harwich

  2

  Haslar

  74

  Highdown

  5

  Hindley remand centre

  1

  Holloway

  1

  Leicester

  1

  Lewes

  1

  Liverpool

  1

  Norwich

  3

  Pentonville

  5

  Risley

  1

  Rochester

  60

  Saughton

  1

  Shrewsbury

  1

  Strangeways

  6

  The Mount

  1

  Wandsworth

  7

  Winchester

  7

  Winson Green

  1

  Wolds remand prison

  3

  Wormwoods scrubs

  4

  Police cells

  55

  Total

  654

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost per week of detaining an asylum seeker under the Immigration Act 1971.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The available information does not identify separately those detention costs which relate to asylum seekers. However, for the year ended 31 March 1994 the average weekly cost of accommodating all categories of detainee in detention accommodation for which the Immigration Service is responsible was estimated at just over £800 per detainee.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many asylum seekers detained 162
  under the Immigration Act 1971 have been released from detention as a result of an application to the courts for habeas corpus (a) in the past five years and (b) since 26 July 1993;

  (2) how many asylum seekers detained under the Immigration Act 1971 have been released from detention as a result of an application to the High Court for bail (a) in the past five years and (b) since 26 July 1993.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Information on the number of asylum seekers released from detention on bail as a result of an application to the High Court or as a result of an application for habeas corpus, is not separately identifiable in the statistics.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers granted temporary admission to the United Kingdom while their asylum claim is examined by the Home Office have subsequently absconded or otherwise failed to comply with the terms of temporary admission(a) in the past five years and (b) since 1 January.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information requested is not available.

  Anti-doping Convention
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the measures that he proposed to fulfil the United Kingdom's Obligations under article 4 of the Council of Europe anti-doping convention

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The proposals which the Government announced on 2 November for imposing controls on anabolic steroids and on which I consulted my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage, who has overall responsibility for the Council of Europe anti-doping convention, will help restrict their availability to sportsmen and women, among others, in conformity with the principles of article 4 of the convention.

  Young Offenders
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people are currently being held in adult prisons.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter have been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Llin Golding, dated 23 November 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many young people are currently being held in adult prisons.
  On 30 September 1994, 876 young persons (inmates aged between 15 and 20 and sentenced young offenders aged 21) were held in adult prisons (local prisons, closed training prisons and open prisons) in England and Wales.

  Animal Experimentation
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which animals currently come under which schedule of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
  163
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Schedule 1 of the 1986 Act, which lists standard methods of humane killing and the animals for which they are appropriate, has not been amended since 1986.

  Schedule 2, which lists the animals which may be obtained only from designated breeding or supplying establishments, has been amended to add "any bird of the species Coturnix coturnix (quail)".

  Prisoners (HIV)
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions are made to monitor routinely the CD4 cell counts of identified HIV-infected prisoners in Great Britain.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Keith Hill, dated 23 November 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the monitoring of CD4 cell counts.
  Routine clinical and laboratory monitoring, including CD4 cell counts, is accepted practice in the clinical and medical care of HIV infected individuals in the community.
  The Prison Service seeks to provide the same level of care and prison medical officers have been advised that such monitoring should form part of routine medical supervision of HIV-infected patients in prison. These guidelines have been issued on the manual 'HIV and AIDS a multi-disciplinary approach in the prison environment' which is available in all Prison Service establishments and to health care centres.

  Passport Agency
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the United Kingdom Passport Agency.

  Mr. Howard
  A review of the work of the United Kingdom Passport Agency has now been completed. Like other reviews of executive agencies, this included an evaluation of the agency's performance, and a review of options for its future organisation.

  The evaluation found that since its establishment, the agency has clearly improved the service it provides and is operating in a more efficient and businesslike way. Applications have increased from 3.3 million in 1991–92 to 3.6 million in 1993–94, but targets for turnaround times have been achieved whilst unit costs have been reduced.

  As to the future of the agency, I have concluded that neither privatisation nor full contracting out of the agency's activities is feasible and that passports should continue to be issued by the United Kingdom Passport Agency. But there is scope for further improvements in efficiency and quality of service, and for further reducing unit costs. As part of this process, the private sector needs to become progressively involved in the passport issuing process.

  As a first step, the agency is developing plans for partnership with travel agents and other retail outlets so that they, as well as the agency's own offices, will issue and receive completed application forms and fees from the public. The intention is that these arrangements will be in place next year.

  The agency is also undertaking a review of the size and location of its offices, which will be completed early next
  164
  year and will involve private sector consultants. The agency will also look at ways of involving the private sector in the issuing operation after the decision to grant a passport is taken, and in the provision of support services. It is intended to move the agency to trading fund status from April 1996.

  The framework document for the agency will be revised to take account of these developments. The agency's key targets for 1994–95 are:

  (i) to process properly completed, straightforward applications within a maximum of 20 working days in the periods of peak demand between January and June. 15 working days in July and August, and 10 working days at other times.

  (ii) to process such application within an overall average of nine working days for the year as a whole, and

  (iii) to reduce unit costs by a further 3.2 per cent. in real terms in comparison with the outturn for 1993–94.

  The chief executive will remain directly accountable to me for the performance of the Passport Agency. An advisory board, including two private sector members with experience of delivering services to the public, will continue to provide me with an independent assessment of the agency's performance.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Quangos
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which quangos his Department has abolished since 1979.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Since 1986 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including the Overseas Development Administration, has abolished or de-classified 10 quangos:

  1986

  United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO (Advisory)

  1987

  Overseas Superannuation Scheme Advisory Board Anglo-Irish Encounter

  1988

  None

  1989

  Advisory Panel on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

  1990

  None

  1991

  Developing Countries Trade Agency

  Irish Pensions Appeal Tribunal

  1992

  Institute of Development Studies

  1993

  Bureau of Hygiene and Tropical Diseases

  (Managing Committee)

  Commonwealth Development Corporation

  Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations

  To answer this question in full, that is, which quangos the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has abolished since 1979, would incur disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many quangos his
  165
  Department was responsible for (a) in 1979 and (b) in the latest year for which a number is available.

  Mr. Goodlad
  In 1979 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including the Overseas Development Administration, was responsible for 36 quangos. In 1993 the latest year for which a number is available, it was responsible for 18.

  Embassy Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff are employed

  United Kingdom based staffing levels at overseas posts in European countries

  British Embassies

  British Consulates General

  British Consulates

  Post

  United Kingdom based staff 1994

  Post

  United Kingdom based staff 1994

  Post

  United Kingdom based staff 1994

  Ankara

  26

  Amsterdam

  3

  Florence

  1

  Athens

  32

  Barcelona

  2

  Malaga

  1

  Belgrade

  21

  Bilbao

  1

  Oporto

  1

  Berlin

  22

  Bordeaux

  1

  Palma

  1

  Berne

  15

  Dusseldorf

  11

  Bonn

  68

  Frankfurt

  5

  Bratislava

  3

  Geneva CG

  7

  Brussels

  30

  Hamburg

  3

  Brussels JMO

  4

  Istanbul

  22

  Bucharest

  25

  Lille

  1

  Budapest

  30

  Lyons

  1

  Copenhagen

  20

  Marseilles

  1

  Dublin

  24

  Milan

  6

  Helsinki

  22

  Munich

  7

  Kiev

  19

  Naples

  2

  Lisbon

  22

  St. Petersburg

  7

  Ljubljana

  2

  Stuttgart

  1

  Luxembourg

  7

  Zurich

  3

  Madrid

  37

  Minsk

  2

  Moscow

  89

  Oslo

  23

  Paris

  89

  Prague

  25

  Reykjavik

  3

  Riga

  3

  Rome

  46

  Sarajevo

  2

  Skopje

  2

  Sofia

  23

  Stockholm

  22

  Tallinn

  2

  The Hague

  30

  Tirana

  2

  Vatican City

  2

  Vienna

  29

  Vilnius

  2

  Warsaw

  38

  Zagreb

  9

  Arms
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to(a) reduce and (b) eliminate the flow of arms to states where they are likely to be used in the repression of civilians; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Davis
  All applications for licences to export defence equipment are subject to strict controls. They are considered case by case in the light of established criteria. These criteria include the guidelines
  166
  full time and how many part time in each British embassy in each European country; how many staff are employed full time and how many part time in each British consulate in each European country; and how the level of staff is determined in each case.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The table gives details of United Kingdom-based staff slots in embassies and consulates in European countries, including service attaches and staff from other Government Departments and agencies. All are full time.

  Staffing levels are assessed against the objectives and activities of posts; they are reviewed regularly by FCO inspectors.

  agreed with European Union partners and in the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. In particular, we do not export defence equipment which is likely to be used for internal repression.

  DNA Testing
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the number of children who have been DNA tested for immigration
  167
  purposes in (a) Pakistan, (b) Sri Lanka, (c) India and (d) Bangladesh in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I have been asked to reply.

  The available information is given in the table. Information on the number of DNA tests on children in Sri Lanka is not collected centrally.

  Number of DNA tests on children in the Indian sub-continent carried out under the Government scheme, 1991–1993

  Number of children

  Country where application made

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Bangladesh (Dhaka)

  760

  1,040

  790

  Pakistan (Islamabad, Karachi)

  440

  580

  410

  India (Bombay, New Delhi,Calcutta, Madras)

  30

  20

  110

  Total Indian sub-continent

  1,230

  1,640

  1,320

  All figures rounded to the nearest 10.

  Columns may not sum due to rounding.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will arrange for publication in the Official Report of a copy of the letter on plutonium smuggling sent to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent to which he refers in his answer of 3 November Official Report, column 1385.

  Mr. David Davis
  Yes, the text of the letter was:The British Government was represented by officials from the DTI and the FCO at the meeting called by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna on 2 and 3 November.
  The meeting discussed what role the Agency might play in combating nuclear smuggling. The United Kingdom shared the views expressed at the meeting that the responsibility for preventing illicit trade lay primarily with the governments concerned. But we also feel that the IAEA has two important roles to play. Firstly, in coordinating assistance to member States to help improve national systems of nuclear material accountancy and control and of physical protection. Secondly, in developing a reliable data base of information on illicit trade in nuclear materials.
  Based on views expressed at this meeting the IAEA Secretariat now intends to produce recommendations for action to be presented to the Board of Governors at its next regular meeting on 8 December. The Agency issued a, press release at the end of the meeting on 3 November, a copy of which I will place in the Library of the House.

  Rights of the Child Convention
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made toward meeting the terms of the United Nations convention on the rights of the child; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Kingdom's First Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child was published in February 1994. Copies were placed in the library. The report sets out the ways in which the United Kingdom's policy, law and practice meet the provisions of the convention.

  Anti-personnel Mines
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement 168
  on the Government's position on a unilateral ban on the production, sale, export, transfer and use of anti-personnel mines.

  Mr. David Davis
  We are very much in favour of measures to regulate the production, transfer and use of anti-personnel landmines. But to be effective, such measures need to command wide international support and respect. We are working with like-minded countries to that end.

PRIME MINISTER

  Court of Auditors
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Prime Minister what response he proposes to make to the latest report of the EC Court of Auditors; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom welcomes the Court of Auditors' report for 1993; its findings and recommendations will assist in the fight against fraud and financial mismanagement and in favour of better value-for-money. The United Kingdom has been in the lead in pressing the Commission and the European Parliament to attack fraud and improve financial management. We secured important improvements in the treaty on European union, including giving the European Court of Auditors enhanced status as a full Institution of the European Union. The United Kingdom has also pushed for better value for money in Community expenditure.

  Following on from the Edinburgh European Council conclusions, the 1993 structural funds regulations required, for the first time, prior appraisal of expenditure, effective monitoring and evaluation of results. In March of this year, the United Kingdom proposed a joint action to ensure that member states make legally binding commitments to take tougher action against criminal fraud. The United Kingdom also supports the principles of a proposal from the Commission for a complementary framework of financial penalty rules and wants to see these principles carried through effectively. Both proposals are currently under discussion.

  The European Court of Auditors' report will be considered by the Council of the Ministers early next year. The United Kingdom will urge that its findings are followed up vigorously by the Commission and member states; that appropriate action is taken; and that the Commission reports back fully on the results.

  As I said last week, following the Anglo-French summit at Chartres, we shall press for the Council of Ministers to act on the court's special reports on particular areas of the Community budget and we wish to see member states co-operate in taking tougher action against criminal fraud. We also wish to see the Commission step up its spot checks for fraud and fraudsters; the European parliament as a whole, rather than just its budgetary control committee, act on fraud; and we are in touch with the German presidency to see how we can use the Essen European Council to add further momentum to the fight against fraud.

  European Union (Finance)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minster what provisions exist to ensure that the obligations entered into
  169
  between European Union member states in matters related to the European Communities (Finance) Bill are honoured.

  The Prime Minister
  The purpose of the European Communities (Finance) Bill is to enable the United Kingdom to give effect to a new own resources decision. The British Government, and the Governments of all other member states, committed themselves politically to the financial arrangements which are the basis of the own resources decision by a settlement at the Edinburgh Council, during the British presidency in 1992.

  The relevant arrangements for giving legal effect to this international agreement are set out in article 201 of the treaty establishing the European Community which states that:
  "The Council, acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, shall lay down provisions relating to the system of Own Resources of the Community, which it shall recommend to the Member States for adoption in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements."

  National procedures for adoption are a matter for each member state. In the United kingdom, the practice is to ask for Parliament's approval by means of a Bill adding the new own resources decision to the list of relevant "Treaties" in section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

  When all member states have notified adoption of the new own resources decision, it will enter force, retrospectively if necessary, with effect from 1 January 1995. Once in force, member states will be under a legally binding obligation to make contributions to the Community budget in accordance with the new own resources decision.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Asbestos-related Diseases
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many victims of asbestos-related diseases have had benefits recouped under the compensation recovery unit powers following successful claims for damages against an employer or other party.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is a matter for Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available:

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Andrew Mackinlay, dated 22 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many victims of asbestos related diseases have had benefits recouped under the Compensation Recovery Scheme.
  The full range of information you have requested is not available. The Compensation Recovery Unit's computer system records cases involving victims of asbestosis rather than asbestosis related diseases. In addition, information relating to cases settled prior to January 1993 is no longer held on the computer system and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.
  However, I am able to tell you that there have been recoveries in 171 cases involving victims of asbestosis where final settlement was made after January 1993.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the target time for the Child Support Agency to answer inquiries about cases; in what percentage of inquiries the target is reached; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Alistair Darling, dated 23 November 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency's target time for answering written queries.
  Under its current Charter Standard the Agency aims to reply to all routine written enquiries within 10 working days of receipt. Figures published for the period April 1994 to August 1994 show we replied to 29 per cent. of such enquiries within this timescale.
  These results are disappointing, but the Agency is working to improve performance.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps are taken by the Child Support Agency to investigate the financial circumstances where the parent with care is self-employed.

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 23 November 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about steps taken to investigate the financial circumstances where the parent with care is self-employed.
  The formula for assessing maintenance is applied equally to both the parent with care and the absent parent. where either parent is self-employed, they will need to provide evidence to the Agency about their business. Details of the information required by the Agency and the steps taken to verify such information are contained in the Child Support Adjudication Guide and the Child Support Manual, copies of which are held in the Library.
  I hope that this reply is helpful.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps are taken by the Child Support Agency to investigate cases where the parent with care is fraudulently claiming benefit; and how many such cases have been discovered since the agency was set up.

  Mr. Burt
  As an intermediary between two parties in the arrangement of child maintenance, the Child Support Agency has no direct role in the detection of fraud, although if social security benefits are in payment and a potential fraud against the benefits system is alleged, relevant information is passed to the Benefits Agency or the Employment Service.

  Although figures are not available for the entire period since the Child Support Agency was get up, in the first six months of 1994–95, the Child Support Agency referred 5,561 cases to the Benefits Agency for investigation. In the same period, the Benefits Agency identified benefit savings on a total of 2,213 cases which had been referred by the Child Support Agency. No referrals have been made to the Employment Service.

  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how long the Child Support Agency takes to process an assessment from the receipt of the information from all persons involved based on the child support charter.
  171
  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Miss A Chant, the chief executive. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Iain Mills, dated 23 November 1994:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency's clearance times.
  The Child Support Agency Charter Standard relating to maintenance assessments is to aim to write with an assessment within 5 working days of receiving all information needed from both parents. Figures published for the period to August 1994 shows performance as 17 per cent. but this reflects the fact that the Agency is clearing older cases.

  Income Support
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much will be saved from the social security budget by reducing the entitlement of 18 to 24-year-olds from current levels of unemployment benefit to the under-25s' level of income support at current rates of youth unemployment from April 1996 for each subsequent year.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The estimated savings arising from reducing the entitlement to 18 to 24-year-olds from the current levels of unemployment benefit to the under-25s' level of income support based on current levels of youth unemployment are £25 million in 1996–97 and £30 million in 1997–98.

  Notes:

  1. Savings rounded to the nearest£5 million.

  2. 1996–97 savings are in 1996–97 prices. 1997–98 savings are in 1997–98 prices.

  Table 1: The average incomes of pensioner units by source, 1974–1992

  a) Pensioner couples

  Average income

  Growth

  Average income from each source as

  £ per week July 1992 prices

  percentage

  percentage

  percentage of total income

  Income Source

  1974

  1979

  1992

  1974–1979

  1979–1992

  1974

  1979

  1992

  Earnings

  32.10

  26.10

  18.00

  -19

  -31

  -21

  16

  8

  Benefit income

  77.80

  87.70

  107.10

  13

  22

  50

  53

  45

  Occupational pension

  18.40

  17.50

  45.40

  -5

  160

  12

  11

  19

  Other income

  0.50

  0.90

  1.40

  86

  65

  *

  1

  1

  Total gross income

  155.70

  164.80

  237.80

  6

  44

  100

  100

  100

  Deductions

  22.20

  23.80

  31.60

  7

  33

  14

  14

  13

  Total net income1

  133.50

  141.00

  206.20

  6

  46

  86

  86

  87

  Total net income AHC2

  116.60

  122.20

  190.70

  5

  56

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  1 Median net income, at 1992 prices, was £107.60 in 1974, £115.10 in 1979 and £162.90 in 1992.

  2 Median net income after housing costs, at 1992 prices was £103.20 in 1974, £97.90 in 1979 and £145.80 in 1992.

  b) Single Pensioner

  Average income

  Growth

  Average income from each source as

  £ per week July 1992 prices

  percentage

  percentage

  percentage of total income

  Income Source

  1974

  1979

  1992

  1974–1979

  1979–1992

  1974

  1979

  1992

  Earnings

  8.10

  5.90

  5.10

  -27

  -14

  -10

  7

  4

  Benefit income

  51.80

  58.00

  70.80

  12

  22

  64

  69

  56

  Investment income

  12.00

  9.30

  25.20

  -23

  172

  15

  11

  20

  Occupational pension

  8.70

  10.10

  24.50

  16

  142

  11

  12

  19

  Other income

  0.70

  0.60

  0.70

  -14

  29

  1

  1

  1

  172
  3. Estimates assume that contributory benefit is paid for 6 months in 1996–97 and 1997–98: ie they assume that jobseekers allowance has been introduced in full.

  4. Estimates use the May 1994 unemployment benefit statistics and the 1990–91–92 Family Expenditure Surveys.

  Savings figures assume transitional protection in 1996–97.

  National Insurance
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy not to levy national insurance contributions on employer-funded meal vouchers and childcare provided outside the workplace.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Employer-funded vouchers for meals and childcare provided outside the workplace are benefits in kind on which national insurance contributions are not chargeable.

  Industrial Injury Compensation
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to change the current system of industrial injury compensation.

  Mr. Hague
  We have no such plans at present but under the long-term review of social security expenditure each part of the social security programme is being examined to ensure that the objectives are right for the 1990s and beyond.

  Pensioners' Incomes
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what is the latest information held about pensioners' incomes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The latest information is in the tables. This revises information given to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 19 July at columns 201–4 and on 17 October at columns 59–60.
  173

  b) Single Pensioner

  Average income

  Growth

  Average income from each source as

  £ per week July 1992 prices

  percentage

  percentage

  percentage of total income

  Income Source

  1974

  1979

  1992

  1974–1979

  1979–1992

  1974

  1979

  1992

  Total gross income

  81.30

  83.90

  126.40

  3

  51

  100

  100

  100

  Deductions

  10.80

  10.30

  17.00

  _5

  65

  13

  12

  13

  Total net income1

  70.50

  73.60

  109.40

  4

  49

  87

  88

  87

  Total net income AHC2

  59.10

  60.70

  93.00

  3

  53

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  1 Median net income, at 1992 prices, was £60.70 in 1974, £66.80 in 1979 and £86.30 in 1992.

  2 Median net income after housing costs, at 1992 prices was £48.70 in 1974, £52.10 in 1979 and £62.80 in 1992.

  c) All pensioner Units

  Average income

  Growth

  Average income from each source as

  £ per week July 1992 prices

  percentage

  percentage

  percentage of total income

  Income Source

  1974

  1979

  1992

  1974–1979

  1979–1992

  1974

  1979

  1992

  Earnings

  16.40

  12.90

  9.90

  -22

  -23

  15

  12

  6

  Benefit income

  60.80

  68.20

  84.40

  12

  24

  57

  61

  50

  Investment income

  14.20

  12.10

  32.80

  -15

  171

  13

  11

  20

  Occupational income

  15.10

  17.90

  40.00

  19

  123

  14

  16

  24

  Other income

  0.60

  0.70

  1.00

  13

  48

  1

  1

  1

  Total gross income

  107.10

  111.80

  168.10

  4

  50

  100

  100

  100

  Deductions

  14.70

  14.90

  22.40

  1

  50

  14

  13

  13

  Total net income1

  92.40

  96.90

  145.60

  5

  50

  86

  87

  87

  Total net income AHC2

  79.00

  81.90

  129.50

  4

  58

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  1 Median net income, at 1992 prices, was £65.60 in 1974, £68.40 in 1979 and £93.50 in 1992.

  2 Median net income after housing costs, at 1992 prices was £50.00 in 1974, £53.00 in 1979 and £76.40 in 1992.

  Notes to table 1:

  (1) Components may not sum to totals owing to rounding.

  (2) '*' denotes a figure of less than 0.5 per cent.

  (3) All average amounts are means unless otherwise stated.

  (4) All figures are before housing costs unless otherwise stated.

  (5) Pensioner units are defined as single people over state pension age and couples in which the husband is over state pension age.

  (6) '1990–1' denotes estimates from the combined sample for 1990 and 1991. One quarter of the 1991 Family Expenditure Survey sample has been omitted because of problems in the collection of information on community charge payments following the delayed issue of bills in April 1991. As a result the sample size in that year is too small to provide reliable estimates of pensioner's incomes. For this reason the remaining data for 1991 has been combined with that for 1990.

  (7) 'N/A' means Not Applicable.

  Table 2: Proportion of pensioner units with investment income and the average amount for those in receipt

  percentage of units with investment income

  Average amount for those in receipt(£per week,1992 prices)

  Percentage growth in average amount since 1979

  1974

  1979

  1992

  1974

  1979

  1992

  1992

  a) All pensioner units

  Pensioner couples

  58

  71

  84

  31·70

  24·50

  54·30

  122

  Single pensioners

  49

  57

  71

  24·40

  16·40

  35·60

  117

  All pensioner units

  52

  62

  76

  27·20

  19·70

  43·30

  120

  b) Recently retired pensioner units

  Pensioner couples

  60

  73

  83

  32·10

  26·00

  59·80

  130

  Single pensioners

  54

  60

  67

  20·40

  15·20

  51·20

  236

  All pensioner units

  58

  68

  77

  28·30

  22·00

  56·80

  158

  Notes:

  (1) Recently retired pensioner units are defined as: single women aged 60–64; single men aged 65–69; and couples in which the husband is aged 65–69.

  (2) All average amounts are means.

  Table 3: Proportion of pensioner units with investment income and the average amount for those in receipt

  percentage of units with Occupational Pension

  Average amount for those in receipt(£per week,1992 prices)

  Percentage growth in average amount since 1979

  1974

  1979

  1992

  1974

  1979

  1992

  1992

  a) All pensioner units

  Pensioner couples

  53

  65

  72

  51·30

  52·80

  92·00

  74

  Single pensioners

  24

  32

  53

  37·20

  35·00

  59·90

  51

  All pensioner units

  34

  43

  60

  44·80

  44·40

  71·70

  61

  174 175

  Table 3: Proportion of pensioner units with occupational pension and the average amount for those in receipt

  Percentage of units with occupational pension

  Average amount for those in receipt (£ per week, 1992 prices)

  Percentage growth in average amount since 1979

  1974

  1979

  1992

  1974

  1979

  1992

  1992

  b) Recently retired pensioner units

  Pensioner couples

  63

  68

  73

  56·20

  62·10

  99·90

  61

  Single pensioners

  24

  37

  53

  46·40

  37·70

  71·70

  90

  All pensioner units

  43

  55

  65

  54·30

  55·30

  91·60

  66

  Notes:

  (1) Estimates of the percentage of pensioner units of occupational pension income are based upon data from the family expenditure survey and the GAD survey of occupational pension schemes. Due to thin use of additional information, it is not possible to derive the overall average occupational receipt from the estimates in this table.

  (2) Recently retired pensioner units are defined as: single women aged 60–64; single men aged 65–69; and couples in which the husband is aged 65–69.

  (3) All average amounts are means.

  Data Matching
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the information given to the hon. Member for Langbaurgh (Mr. Bates) on 12 July,Official Report, column 573, in respect of actions taken to establish and investigate inconsistency in information given in relation to claims for different benefits made by the same person.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I have authorised further exercises to extend the comparison of information held on computer files to include housing benefit; council tax benefit; retirement pensions; widow's benefit; invalidity benefit and severe disablement allowance.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons over the age of 65 years are currently receiving the mobility component of the disability living allowance; and if he will break the figure down by sex and region showing the proportion of the over-65 population in each region receiving the benefit.

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is in the tables.

  Number of people 65 and over receiving the DLA mobility component by sex

  Females

  132,800

  Males

  137,200

  Total

  270,000

  Note:

  The figures are based on a quarterly 5 per cent. statistical extract as at 31 August 1994 (Source-ASD).

  Number of people aged 65 and over receiving the DLA mobility component by region

  Number

  Population

  Percentage

  Northern

  20,300

  497,500

  4·1

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  29,500

  795,600

  3·7

  East Midlands

  18,900

  649,300

  2·9

  East Anglia

  7,400

  366,700

  2·0

  South East

  48,700

  2,668,300

  1·8

  South West

  17,700

  903,500

  2·0

  West Midlands

  26,000

  820,400

  3·2

  North West

  47,000

  1,001,000

  4·7

  176

  Number of people aged 65 and over receiving the DLA mobility component by region

  Number

  Population

  Percentage

  Wales

  24,600

  506,000

  4·9

  Scotland

  29,600

  777,000

  3·8

  All

  270,000

  8,983,300

  3·5

  Notes:

  1. The Numbers of people over 65 and receiving the mobility component are estimates based on a quarterly 5 per cent. sample as at 31 August 1994 (source—ASD).

  2. Population figures are 1991 based projections for mid 1994 and not actual population figures (source OPCS and GAD for Scotland and Wales).

  European Economic Area Nationals
  Dr. Howells
  to ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his Department's policy toward nationals of EEA countries who have been engaged in casual employment in relation to whether they are regarded as being within the provisions of regulation (EEC) No. 1612/68, and whether they are exempt from the habitual residence test for claims for income support.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Work has been defined by the European Court of Justice as needing to be "genuine and effective" before the person performing it comes within the scope of regulation (EEC) No. 1612/68. A national of an EEA country who has been engaged in "genuine and effective" work and who claims income support when unemployed is treated as being habitually resident.

  Invalidity Benefit and Reduced Earnings Allowance
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will give the age and sex distribution of current invalidity benefit claimants in Mid Glamorgan at(a) Porth, (b) Tonypandy, (c) Pontypridd and (d) Aberdare;

  (2) if he will give for the Porth, Tonypandy, Aberdare and Pontypridd areas the number of invalidity benefit claimants claiming for an adult dependant but no child dependants and the number of these adult dependants not working;

  (3) if he will give the number of invalidity benefit claimants in receipt of state earnings-related pensions and the average amount claimed in the areas of Porth, Tonypandy, Aberdare and Pontypridd;
  177
  (4) if he will give the number of claimants in the Porth, Tonypandy, Aberdare and Pontypridd areas claiming reduced earnings allowance.

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

EDUCATION

  Head Lice
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what response she has made to the open letter sent to her on 4 October by Community Hygiene Concern on the subject of head lice in schools.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department has replied to Community Hygiene Concern commending its good work in providing information and advice on the problem of head lice. however, the Department for Health is primarily responsible for child hygiene. I understand that that Department is in communication with Community Hygiene Concern over its "bug busting" campaign.

  Discretionary Awards
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what consideration he has now given to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation report into discretionary awards provision; and what action he proposes to take in the light of its findings.

  Mr. Boswell
  The provision of discretionary awards is in the first instance a matter for local authorities.

  Infirmity retirements

  Premature retirement

  Financial year ended

  Gender

  Number retired

  Average pension1 £

  Average lump sum1

  Number retired

  Average pension2 £

  Average lump sum2

  31 March 1989

  Male

  1,241

  5,704

  17,085

  6,313

  6,213

  18,552

  Female

  2,182

  4,667

  13,944

  6,034

  4,618

  13,734

  31 March 1990

  Male

  1,653

  6,192

  18,551

  6,241

  6,573

  19,672

  Female

  2,539

  5,134

  15,357

  6,051

  4,983

  14,845

  31 March 1991

  Male

  1,821

  6,530

  19,735

  5,669

  6,993

  20,938

  Female

  3,117

  5,442

  16,298

  5,952

  5,284

  15,767

  31 March 1992

  Male

  1,770

  7,292

  21,865

  5,087

  7,671

  22,984

  Female

  2,890

  5,978

  17,916

  5,175

  5,712

  17,074

  31 March 1993

  Male

  1,960

  8,181

  24,542

  6,364

  8,392

  25,108

  Female

  2,937

  6,737

  20,201

  5,843

  6,401

  19,158

  31 March 1994

  Male

  2,314

  8,912

  26,738

  6,061

  8,957

  26,820

  Female

  3,235

  7,174

  21,518

  6,170

  6,630

  19,861

  1 Including the cost of enhancement.

  2 Does not include cost of enhancement which is payable by, and at the discretion of, individual employers.

  Note:

  The table includes teachers in the maintained schools sector, further and higher education and certain independent schools.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the average annual cost of employing a physical education teacher.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department's estimate of the average annual cost of employing a classroom teacher in England and Wales as at 1 April 1994 is around £23,800. It is not possible to estimate the average annual cost of employing teachers in specific subjects.
  178
  However, the Government are concerned by evidence in the Gulbenkian report that potential students' chances of obtaining discretionary award support depend increasingly on where they happen to live. My right hon. Friend and I have had a number of discussions with interested parties and are keeping the situation under review.

  Examination Marks
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many students in each of the last three years in England and Wales were dissatisfied with the advanced level grades allocated to them and asked for their papers to be remarked; and in how many cases original marks were(a) upgraded, (b) downgraded and (c) unchanged.

  Mr. Boswell
  This information is not held centrally.

  Teachers
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teachers have taken early retirement in each of the last six years; and what has been the total cost of the retirement packages, including pension enhancements.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table shows the number of members of the teachers' superannuation scheme, together with the corresponding average lump sum and annual pension, who retired on the ground of infirmity, redundancy or organisational efficiency in each of the last six years. Employers may enhance the pension of those who retire on the ground of redundancy or organisational efficiency: the cost of this is not recorded centrally.

  Graduates
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many 1994 graduates are currently unemployed(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of 1994 graduates.

  Mr. Boswell
  Information on 1994 graduate destinations is not yet available. Provisional figures of graduates from full-time first degree courses at English institutions in academic year 1992–93 show that 13,600—
  179
  or 12 per cent.—were recorded as unemployed approximately six months after graduation.

  University Students
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will estimate the average annual cost to public funds, including Higher Education Funding Council (England) grants and the payment of college and university fees, but extending maintenance grants and loans, of a student attending(a) the universities of Oxford or Cambridge and tutoring (i) a fee band 1 subject and (ii) a fee band 2 subject and (b) the average for such students at other English universities.

  Mr. Boswell
  The average annual cost to public funds per student at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge is about £4,900. The cost per student at other English universities ranges from just under £1,000 for the Open university to about £4,500. Institutions with high levels of part-time participation or which place a greater emphasis on the arts and humanities tend to have lower costs. The average annual cost per student at other English universities is about £2,800.

  The information required to estimate the average annual cost by fee band is not readily available.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Christmas Expenditure
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many official Christmas cards he and his Ministers intend to send in 1994; how much these cards will cost(a) to buy, (b) to post and (c) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes; and if he will place in the Members' Library a sample copy of the official Christmas card he intends to send this year.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I and my hon. Friends have not yet decided how many official Christmas cards we will send this year. The card chosen will cost 20p and will be posted second class. A copy will be placed in the Library at the time the first cards are posted. The information on staff time to sign, address and place cards in envelopes is not available.

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will place in the Library a copy of the national playing fields register, divided into parliamentary constituencies.

  Mr. Sproat
  The "Register of Recreational Land" records information by local authority district and not parliamentary constituencies. I will, however, consider the practicalities of presenting the information in this manner and will advise the hon. member as soon as possible.

  ITN
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to revise the status of ITN as the only news provider available to the ITV companies following the ITC's decision to postpone the imposition of the 20 per cent. ownership limit.

  Mr. Dorrell
  None. The nomination of bodies corporate as nominated news providers is entirely a matter 180
  for the ITC, in accordance with the powers set out in section 32 of the Broadcasting Act 1990.

  Turner Bequest
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are the terms of the Turner bequest of pictures to the nation; how these are now carried out; and if he will agree to meet the editors of the "Turner Journal".

  Mr. Dorrell
  The terms of the bequest under which J. M. T. Turner left his pictures to the nation are both complex and, in part, contradictory. Since opening of the Clore gallery in 1987 at the Tate gallery, London, there has been almost general agreement that the main conditions of the bequest have been met. Some of Turner's works are also displayed separately at the National gallery, London.

  The display of the bequest is a matter for the trustees of the Tate and National galleries and it would be inappropriate, therefore, for me to meet the editors of the "Turner Journal" to discuss this matter.

  Digital Terrestrial Frequencies
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the allocation of digital terrestrial frequencies.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Trade and Technology Minister announced on 19 January 1994 that the Government had decided to make available the frequency band 217.5 MHz to 230 MHz for potential terrestrial digital audio broadcasting services in the United Kingdom.

  My predecessor announced on 14 July 1994 that it was the Government's intention that spectrum, including channel 35, would be made available for digital terrestrial television.

  Television Licence Fees
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action he is taking to ensure that residents in the Channel islands pay the television licence fee.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Under section 180 of the Broadcasting Act 1990, responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system passed to the BBC with effect from 1 April 1991. The day-to-day administration and enforcement of the licensing regulations in the Channel islands is carried out actively by the island post offices under contract to the BBC.

TRANSPORT

  Tamar Road Crossing
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the terms of reference for the investigation by consulting engineers into the question of a possible second Tamar road crossing; and when he hopes to receive their report.

  Mr. Watts
  Terms of reference for the studies have not yet been agreed. We are in discussion with the local authorities. I hope that we will be able to invite bids for the working early next year.

  A38
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now announce his Department's preferred routes for the A38 trunk road improvements between the Saltash-Trerulefoot and Liskeard-Bodmin sections; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Watts
  I am pleased to be able to announce today the preferred routes for improvements of these two sections of the A38 trunk road in south east Cornwall. I have sent to my hon. Friend brochures giving details of the proposals. Brochures are also being sent to all affected and interested parties.

  Public Transport, Merseyside
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the deregulation of Merseyside public transport;and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The Transport Research laboratory has carried out a number of studies on our behalf into the effects of bus deregulation both nationally and locally including one on Merseyside in 1989. I am kept aware of the current situation in Merseyside through visits and meetings both with the Passenger Transport Authority and the Passenger Transport Executive.

  Buses (Standing Passengers)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what information his Department has on the implications of accidents as a result of standing passengers on buses; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what proposals his Department has for changes in (a) the regulations and (b) bus design in relation to standing passengers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The information available on the reducing number of standing passengers killed or injured on buses, including those moving either to a seat or to alight from the vehicle, does not indicate that any change to the provisions for ensuring the safe carriage of standing passengers on buses is necessary.

  Driving Tests
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to introduce some form of post-driving test compulsory motorway training with appropriate flexibility taking into account proximity of motorways to the test applicant; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  We have no plans to introduce compulsory post-test motorway training. However, in the new year we shall be launching a voluntary scheme for post-test driver training which will include a session on motorway driving. This will be part of the "Pass Plus" scheme, which is one of the measures we are introducing to improve new driver safety, following our consultation paper last year.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department has on the number of drivers receiving training from a qualified driving instructor before taking their driving test; and what information his Department has as to discount on car insurance on the use of a qualified driving instructor.
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  Mr. Norris
  About 98 per cent. of drivers take professional driving instruction prior to taking their driving test. We have no information which indicates that insurance discounts are given as a result of taking qualified driving instruction, but discounts on motor insurance will be available to those who successfully complete our post-test training course, "Pass Plus", to be launched in the new year.

  Overtaking
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Transport what plans the Government have to amend current legislation to prohibit drivers from overtaking vehicles that are loading or discharging school children.

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Railtrack
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the firms with which his Department has consulted, or is currently in consultation with, over the privatisation of Railtrack and the costs from each firm;

  (2) what has been the total cost to public funds so far for consultations into the privatisation of Railtrack.

  Mr. Watts
  In the period up to 31 March 1994, the Department spent about £16.5 million on external consultancy costs on the whole rail privatisation programme. Planned expenditure in 1994–95 is £12 million. It is not possible to disaggregate the costs attributable to advice on Railtrack matters.

  Crewe Bridge
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if the Highway Authority has received an application for Nantwich road to be closed due to engineering work on Crewe bridge;

  (2) what are his Department's plans to divert traffic in Crewe and Nantwich;

  (3) what consultations he has had with local traders in the Crewe bridge area of Nantwich road over the proposals for long-term closure of the main road for engineering work;

  (4) what approval the Highway Authority has given for Nantwich road area to be closed for engineering work for a period of longer than three months;

  (5) if he will publish the details of any diversion in the Crewe bridge area of Nantwich road;

  (6) if he will direct Railtrack to carry out urgent consultations with traders in the Crewe bridge area of Nantwich road over the proposals for long-term closure of the main road for engineering work.

  Mr. Watts
  The reconstruction of Crewe station railway bridge is presently being undertaken by Railtrack. Crewe and Nantwich borough council, as agents for Cheshire county council who have responsibility for the A534—Nantwich road—which is carried by the bridge, is providing traffic management while the work is carried out and will be issuing details of any diversions in the area.

  One complete weekend closure is planned for 26 and 27 November to allow the installation of bridge beams and a six-week closure is proposed from 11 March 1995.

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  There are no plans for Nantwich road to be closed for a period longer than three months.

  My Department has no plans to divert traffic in the area.

  Consultation with local traders about closures on the A534 is a matter for Railtrack and Cheshire county council and their agents.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a special budget urgently available for temporary car parking in the Crewe bridge area of Nantwich road to Crewe and Nantwich borough council.

  Mr. Norris
  No. The resources my Department allocates for local transport infrastructure go to local highway authorities and passenger transport executives. Crewe and Nantwich borough council are not eligible.

  Railway Construction (Compensation)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to modify the Railways Clauses Consolidation Act 1845 to extend the right for compensation to persons or businesses damaged by bridge engineering works over the railway;

  (2) if he will institute a study of the rules of compensation given to businesses in the area of roads which are closed for engineering work with a view to amending the legislation in the Railways Clauses Consolidation Act 1845.

  Mr. Watts
  There are no plans to amend the Railway Clauses Consolidation Act 1845 to require compensation to be paid for loss of trade resulting from highway closure necessitated by railway bridge works. Retailers and other businesses have no legal right to any prevailing level of passing trade and temporary reductions in traffic flows have to be accepted as part of the commercial risk of running businesses.

  Driving Licences
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will amend driving licence legislation so that United Kingdom citizens who moved abroad with short-period driving licences do not have to retake their driving tests on their return.

  Mr. Norris
  We plan to use the new powers under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 to enable drivers who can prove that they held a full short period licence before 1 January 1976—when such licences were replaced by ones valid till age 70—to regain their full driving entitlement without having to pass a further test.

  LGV Driving Schools
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what amounts of correspondence he has received on the issue or regulation of LGV driving schools.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department has received nine letters in the last 12 months asking about the regulation of LGV driving instruction.

  Unauthorised Road Works
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the penalties for engineering work carried out on main roads for a period of longer than three 184
  months which has not been approved by the Highways Authority.

  Mr. Norris
  The carrying out of unauthorised works on or to a highway would constitute unlawful interference with the highway. Part IX of the Highways Act 1980 sets out the various offences of unlawful interference with a highway and specifies the penalties by way of a fine appropriate to each.

  Radioactive Materials (Transport)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when Road Transport will implement the current IAEA regulations for the safe transport of radioactive materials, first published in 1985.

  Mr. Norris
  Most road transport in the United Kingdom of radioactive materials is already being undertaken in conformity with current IAEA regulations. United Kingdom regulations implementing those IAEA regulations should be made by March next year.

  Road Closures
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are taken to avoid closing main roads in trading areas to all traffic for engineering work for the two weekends before Christmas.

  Mr. Norris
  This is a matter for the traffic authorities concerned.

  Staff Annual Reports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will analyse the annual staff report markings for 1994 in his Department by gender, grade and ethnic group.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department already does so.

  Road Schemes
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to reassess all road schemes for which contracts have not yet been let to take into account the recommendations of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution.

  Mr. Watts
  Very careful consideration will be given to all of the Royal Commission's recommendations.

  Railways
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to include in the criteria for public contribution to railways costs the social and environmental benefits of attracting traffic to rail from road.

  Mr. Watts
  It is already the Government's policy to subsidise loss-making passenger services, because they perform a valuable social service. Grants are also available to the rail freight sector to encourage a switch from road to rail in recognition of environmental and other benefits.

  Cycling
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what response he has made to the report "Trust Pedal Power-A Review of Transport Policies and Programmes
  185
  1994–95", a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  I expect to discuss aspects of this report with representatives of the cyclists' public affairs group, when I meet them soon. I am pleased that the report recognises the opportunity offered by the new package approach to local transport funding. Our circular on transport policies and programmes draws local authorities' attention to the importance of incorporating cycling provision within their package bids where appropriate. We shall give due weight to such provision in the forthcoming settlement.

  Environment Action Programme
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken under the fifth environment action programme to strengthen the environmental input into the transport policies of the European Union.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 22 November 1994]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I seek to ensure full consideration of environmental impacts at all appropriate stages in the development of transport policies in the European Union.

  Driving Standards Agency
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the reason for the delay in settling the 1 April 1994 pay award for driving examiners and the executive and clerical support grades of the Driving Standards Agency.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 22 November 1994]: This is an operational matter for the Driving Standards Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from S.J. Ford to Mr. Jeff Rooker dated 23 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your question concerning the reason for the delay in settling the 1 April 1994 pay award for driving examiners and the executive, clerical and support grades of the Driving Standards Agency.
  In making any pay offer to staff for 1994–95, the Agency must be limited to what it can afford. Without ways of generating new money DSA's offer, had it been made quickly early in 1994, would have been very small, and at best, no more than one per cent. The Agency has tried since then to work up the pay increase to a higher level through productivity arrangements. In an attempt to generate higher productivity, and therefore earn more fees, the Agency has made an offer of 2.5 per cent. on average payable in the form of an attendance bonus. In acknowledgement of the delay since April part of this, in the form of a lump sum bonus not linked to attendance has been offered.

  Equines
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to increase the number of equines in service in London streets; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 22 November 1994]: None.

  MV Norrana
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the co-ordinates of the location of the ferry MV Norrana when fire was discovered on board at 00.22 hours on 9 April 1990.
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  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C.J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 23 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  The position of MV `NORRANA' at 0022 on 9 April 1990 was 51 34.7N 005 44.9W.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the times at which, during the fire incident on board the MV Norrana on 9 April 1990(a) the call for helicopter and firefighter assistance was received by Her Majesty's Coastguard, (b) Her Majesty's Coastguard requested search and rescue helicopters and firefighters from RAF Brawdy and Dyfed fire service, (c) search and rescue helicopters took off from RAF Brawdy, (d) helicopters arrived at Haverfordwest to pick up firefighters, (e) the helicopter took off with firefighters, (f) the helicopter arrived over MV Norrana and (g) firefighters began to be lowered.

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 23 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  During the fire incident on board the MV `NORRANA' in April 1990 (a) the call for helicopter and firefighter assistance was received by Her Majesty's Coastguard at 23.19 on 8 April, (b) Her Majesty's Coastguard requested search and rescue helicopters from RAF Brawdy at 23.20 and firefighters from Dyfed Fire Service at 23.22, (c) search and rescue helicopters took off from RAF Brawdy at 23.40, (d) not recorded, (e) the helicopter took off with firefighter at 00.07 on 9 April, (f) the helicopter arrived over MV `NORRANA' at 00.20, and (g) firefighters began to be lowered at 00.25

  Operation Sea Fire
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what emergency service personnel and equipment, were placed on board the Stena Sea Lynx prior to exercise Operation Sea Fire on 17 October.

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mr. C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 23 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport had asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  During exercise SEAFIRE on 10 October 1994 no emergency personnel or equipment, except directing staff (distaff) were placed on board prior to exercise.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the co-ordinates of RAF Chivenor, of the position of the ferry Stena Sea Lynx throughout Operation Sea Fire on 17 October, and the pick-up point in West Glamorgan for firefighters involved in the exercise.
  187
  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mr. C. J. Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 23 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  The details of co-ordinates you requested are:

  a. RAF Chivenor: 51 05N 04 09W.

  b. Stena Sea Lynx during exercise SEAFIRE on 10 October 1994: 51 ION 005 30W - Vessel drifted during exercise.

  c. Grid reference for pick-up point for West Glamorgan Fire Service: Sheet 159 672 989.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he intends to take to ensure that search and rescue helicopters respond within the one-hour limit set by his Department and the Ministry of Defence following the Operation Sea Fire on 17 October.

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C.J Harris to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 23 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  The MOD/DOT target is to locate search and rescue (SAR) helicopters in order to provide a helicopter at a range of 40 miles anywhere off the coast of the United Kingdom in 1 hour by day and 100 miles in 2 hours by night. These criteria are based on readiness states of 15 minutes by day and 45 minutes by night, timings which in normal circumstances are usually bettered.

  Market Testing
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are(a) the results of the market test of his offices in Eastcote, (b) the total cost to public funds of the market test to date and (c) his estimates for the savings per year that he expects his Department to make.

  Mr. Norris
  (a) Eastcote Office Services lost the distribution market test. Call off contracts have been set up for the supply of stationery and office equipment. Eastcote is to close on 31 March 1995; some staff will transfer to central London. (b) £112,100 (c) £655,000.

  Staff Annual Reports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for the reporting year 1992–93 the annual staff report box markings for female typists excluding typing manager grades.

  Mr. Norris
  Thirty box one, 270 box two, 211 box three, and three box four.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the percentage of(a) female support grades and (b) male grade 7s receiving box 1, 2 and 3 markings in 1992–93 on the basis of the information supplied in his answer of 18 July, Official Report, columns 69–70.

  Mr. Norris
  (a) box one nil, box two 32 per cent, and box three 68 per cent.

  (b) box one 5 per cent., box two 53 per cent., and box three 42 per cent.

  Cycling
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has planned or already undertaken to assess the potential of cycling and walking for short journeys.

  Mr. Norris
  We have undertaken a review of the published literature on studies of short trips involving pedestrians and cyclists, as part of our research programme, and we expect to publish it in the new year.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what protection he intends to give to the west Dorset coast of special scientific interest affected by the A35 Chideock-Morcombelake bypass;

  (2) what protection he intends to give the Roughs site of special scientific interest affected by the A259 Dymchurch-M20 junction 11 improvement;

  (3) what protection he intends to give to the Combe Haven site of special scientific interest affected by the A259 Bexhill and Hastings Western bypass;

  (4) what protection he intends to give to the Pevensey levels site of special scientific interest affected by the A259 Pevensey-Bexhill improvement;

  (5) what protection he intends to give to the Camber Sands, Rye harbour site of special scientific interest and Walland marsh site of special scientific interest affected by the A259 Rye bypass.

  Mr. Watts
  These are operational matters for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms. Joan Walley, dated 23 November 1994:
  The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. Watts has asked me: to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the protection it is proposed to give to a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSS1) affected by proposed schemes to improve the A259 trunk road between Pevensey and Rye in East Sussex.
  The proposed A259 Pevensey-Bexhill Improvement would involve the construction of a new second carriageway generally on the north side of the existing road. The widening has been designed to minimise the impact on the Pevensey levels SSS1. The proposals include the creation of about 2.5 ha of new woodland and scrub habitat and over 5000 metres of new ditch. The new planting would increase the habitat available to reed and sedge warblers and the new length of ditch would substantially increase the aquatic habitat. Arrangements would be made to rescue and relocate, as far as possible, any important plan specimens before construction started. An improved drainage system would better control run-off from the road.
  The proposals for the A259 Bexhill and Hastings Western Bypass include a high viaduct across Combe Haven, instead of an embankment, to minimise landtake and reduce the impact on the SSSI. Special measures would be taken to keep damage during construction to a minimum and to restore the area as far as possible. Large scale planting of native trees and shrubs to reflect local conditions would be carried out. Elsewhere along the scheme, the development of wetland habitats in ditches and storage ponds would help replace lost habitats.
  Detailed proposals for minimising the A259 Dymchurch-M20 scheme on the Roughs SSS1 have been made available to the public inquiry which is underway at present. These include measures to replicate, as far as possible, existing conditions. This would include grading the earthworks to match existing gradients and re-using soils

  189
  and local seed sources to encourage the re-establishment of a varied species rich grassland. At the top of the cutting, a near vertical rock face would be created. Rocks with a particular good cover of lichens and mosses would be set aside during the contract to be replaced on the new rock face. Translocation of tree bark would also be carried out with a view to recolonising trees in the area. Road drainage would be kept separate from ground water issuing from the cuttings. The ground water would be diverted into existing streams to help maintain their natural habitats.
  The preferred route for the A259 Rye Bypass has not yet been designed in detail and will, in any event, be subject to review as part of the A259 Guestling Thorn to east of Rye Planning Conference. As presently envisaged, the route would be placed in tunnel where it crosses the Camber Sands and Rye Saltings SSS1. The salt marsh is expected to recover quickly once construction is complete. The Rye Harbour and Walland Marsh SSS1s would be affected by the route but an objective of the detailed design will be to keep its impact to the minimum possible.
  Where appropriate, the proposed protection measures referred to above have been developed in consultation with English Nature and the National Rivers Authority.
  On the A35 Chideock-Morcombelake Bypass, this scheme has recently been fully debated and examined at a public inquiry and it would not be proper for me to comment on the Minister's behalf at this stage. The Inspector will submit his report and recommendations to the Secretaries of State for Transport and the Environment in due course.

  Property Purchases
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many properties have been acquired under the Department's discretionary purchase scheme since its introduction in January 1992; what was the total value; and how much money has been allocated out of the Department's budget to the scheme this year.

  Mr. Watts
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Geoffrey Clinton-Brown, dated 23 November 1994:
  As you probably know, since the creation of the Highways Agency in April this year, it falls to me as Chief Executive to write to MPs who have tabled questions on matters which relate to operational matters of the Highways Agency and to give the information requested.
  In answer to your question about the discretionary purchase scheme operated by the Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, the position is that approximately 540 properties have been acquired to date. Total purchase costs have amounted to a little over £60.0 million. Excluded from this total are legal surveyor fees, plus disturbance compensation, where payable, and also departmental handling costs. Separate provision is not made in the Department's budget for this scheme but it is covered by the overall Lands budget for 1994–95, totalling £236. million.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Norman Shaw Buildings
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what steps he takes on a daily basis to ensure that tradesmen's vehicles, refuse collection trucks, post office vehicles and other motor vehicles do not obstruct access to or prevent parking in the Norman Shaw north car park on the part of hon. Members or their staff.
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  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The arrangements for parking are kept under regular review by the Administration Committee. If the hon. Gentleman has details of any specific difficulties being experienced I shall invite the Committee to consider them.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what consultations he has had with right hon. and hon. Members with offices in the Norman Shaw Buildings before proceeding with the redevelopment of the car park at those buildings; what was the total cost of that work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  As a consequence of work commencing on the phase 2 site the Administration Committee gave approval for the five parking spaces in Canon Row reserved for residents of the phase 1 building to be transferred to the area in the Norman Shaw car park between the main gates and the entrance barrier. In order to compensate for these spaces, an additional six spaces were provided in the inner courtyard of Norman Shaw north. Members with rooms in the Norman Shaw buildings were informed of these revised arrangements in a notice issued by the Serjeant at Arms on 2 February. The removal of the security hut at the Embankment entrance this summer has enabled the layout of the Norman Shaw car parks to be improved with an overall gain of a further six spaces. The total cost of the redevelopment work was £43,400 including VAT.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee (1) what consultations he had with right hon. and hon. Members with offices in the Norman Shaw Buildings before proceeding with the installation of card-controlled access gates in the tunnel giving access to the Palace from Westminster underground station; what was the total cost of that work; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what consultations he had with right hon. and hon. Members with offices in the Norman Shaw Buildings before proceeding with the provision of new security gate access facilities at those buildings; what was the total cost of that work; and if he will make a statement;

  (3) what consultations he had with right hon. and hon. Members with offices in Norman Shaw Buildings before proceeding with the development of card-controlled access equipment to the rear door of the Norman Shaw North Building; what was the total cost of that work; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  The installation of automatic access controls at these entrances is in line with the policy on access to the precincts approved by the House in 1989. It is not the practice to publish details of the costs of security measures which have been implemented.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee how many parking spaces at the Norman Shaw Buildings are currently allocated to staff with residences within the Palace and its outbuildings; and who are the staff concerned.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  Six spaces are allocated to the following: the Speaker's Secretary; the Clerk of the House; the Serjeant at Arms; the Deputy Serjeant at Arms; the Head Office Keeper and the Second Office Keeper.

  Residential and Overnight Accommodation
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will give a
  191
  breakdown by building, size and location of all residential and overnight accommodation which is currently available within the Palace and its outbuildings and by whom precisely that accommodation is used; and if he will estimate the annual cost of providing that accommodation in terms of construction, maintenance, decoration, cleaning, notional lost rental value and other costs.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  Details of House of Commons residential and overnight accommodation within the parliamentary precincts are contained in the parliamentary space audit database. I have asked the Director of Works to write to the hon. Gentleman. Details of the annual cost could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Photocopiers
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee whether daily checks are made on the quality of the copies provided by photocopiers in the Norman Shaw buildings.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The photocopiers in the Norman Shaw buildings are monitored and serviced twice daily. In addition, the staff rely on users to report any interim faults including deterioration of copy quality.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee on how many occasions in the last 12 months for which figures are available repairs have been required to photocopiers(a) in the Norman Shaw North building and (b) elsewhere within the Palace of Westminster; on average how many calls per copier per month each of these two figures represent; and what was the total cost of the purchase, servicing and maintenance of all photocopiers in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I assume that the hon. Member's question relates to machines provided for the use of Members and their staff.

  During the 12 months November 1993 to October 1994 inclusive, the number of occasions on which faults requiring the attention of a service engineer were logged for those photocopying machines supplied by the Serjeant at Arms for Members' use was 109 in the Norman Shaw North building and 390 elsewhere in the parliamentary estate. This represents an average of 0.91 calls per copier per month in Norman Shaw North building and 0.57 calls per copier per month elsewhere in the parliamentary estate. The total cost of leasing which includes the costs of maintaining the photocopiers supplied by the Serjeant at Arms for Members' use was £324,177.24 in financial year 1993–94.

  Parliamentary Staff
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission if he will give figures, grades, titles and ranks for all officers of the House whose salaries are higher than those of hon. Members of the House as at June 1994.

  Mr. Beith
  One hundred and one officers of the House in the following grades receive basic salaries above the £31,687 paid to hon. Members:

  Grade

  Clerk of the House

  1

  Clerk Assistant

  2

  Clerk of Committees

  2

  Principal Clerks, Class I

  3

  Speaker's Counsel

  3

  Principal Clerks, Class II

  4

  Deputy Principal Clerks

  5

  Deliverer of the Vote

  5

  Assistant to Speaker's Counsel

  5

  Supervisor of Broadcasting

  6

  Senior Clerks

  7

  Deputy Deliverers of the Vote

  7

  Serjeant at Arms

  3

  Deputy Serjeant

  4

  Director of Works

  4

  Assistant Serjeant

  6

  Deputy Director of Works

  6

  Deputy Assistant Serjeant

  7

  Principal Building Surveyor

  7

  Librarian

  3

  Deputy Librarian

  4

  Assistant Librarians

  5

  Deputy Assistant Librarians

  6

  Senior Library Clerks

  7

  Director of Finance and Administration

  3

  Accountant

  4

  Head of Establishments Office

  4

  Head of Finance Office

  5

  Computer Officer

  5

  Deputy Accountant

  6

  Staff Inspector

  6

  Deputy Head of Establishments Office

  6

  Editor, Official Report

  4

  Deputy Editor

  5

  Principal Assistant Editors

  6

  Assistant Editors

  6

  Committee Sub-Editors

  7

  Director of Catering Services

  5

  Catering Accountant

  7

  Executive Chef

  7

  Speaker's Secretary

  5

  193
  Salary scales for these grades as at June 1994 are as follows:

  Grade

  Pay Range £ per annum

  Implementation Dates

  1

  95,051

  1.4.94

  2

  65,990–79,394

  1.4.94

  3

  56,131–66,283

  1.4.94

  4

  47,897–57,612

  1.8.93

  5

  39,365–57,612

  1.8.93

  6

  30,680–49,697

  1.8.93

  7

  29,436–44,050

  1.8.93

  27,106–41,003

  1.8.93

  Note:

  Grade 3 rates include £2,000 per annum London allowance. All rates below grade 3 include recruitment and retention allowance.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission if he will give a breakdown by grades, salaries and functions of the number of people currently employed by the House.

  Mr. Beith
  I refer the hon. Member to the 16th Annual Report of the House of Commons Commission (House of Commons Paper No. 602 of Session 1993–94). He will find the information that he requires in the Departmental annual reports and appendices 1 and 2, subject to the revision of the pay scales for grades 1,2 and 3 with effect from 1 April 1994 as follows:

  Right to buy sales to local authority sitting tenants1

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Total

  Scotland

  29,182

  26,943

  18,755

  19,829

  16,366

  111,075

  Borders

  505

  304

  262

  268

  270

  1,609

  Central

  2,132

  1,568

  1,091

  1,247

  1,184

  7,222

  Dumfries and Galloway

  692

  494

  407

  510

  552

  2,655

  Fife

  2,213

  1,500

  1,051

  1,183

  905

  6,852

  Grampian

  1,635

  1,540

  1,272

  1,985

  1,998

  8,430

  Highland

  666

  584

  558

  672

  659

  3,139

  Lothian

  5,520

  4,019

  2,665

  2,442

  1,774

  16,420

  Strathclyde

  13,671

  13,689

  9,413

  9,852

  7,658

  54,283

  Tayside

  2,001

  3,127

  1,894

  1,535

  1,221

  9,778

  Islands Councils

  147

  118

  142

  135

  144

  686

  1 Includes a small number of voluntary sales.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what means he has of monitoring whether NHS dental services are achieving national targets in improving dental health in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Government monitor the state of dental health from the results of a range of epidemiological surveys based on the inspection of a sample of individual patients. Annual surveys of child dental health in Scotland are carried out under the Scottish health boards' dental epidemiological programme; five year-old and 12 or 14 year-old children are surveyed in alternate years. In the United Kingdom as a whole 10-yearly surveys of adult and child dental health are carried out by the Office of Population Census and Surveys; the last adult survey was in 1988 and the most recent child survey was in 1993.
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  Grade 1: – £95,051 –

  Grade 2: – £65,990 – £79,394

  Grade 3: – £56,131 – £66,283

  Police and Security Staff
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed as representing the House of Commons Commission how many(a) police officers and (b) security staff are currently deployed within the Palace of Westminster; and what is the total annual cost of that deployment.

  Mr. Beith
  One hundred and sixty police officers and 205 security officers are currently deployed within the Parliamentary Precincts. The House of Commons' share of the cost of the security force was £10.317 million in 1993–94.

SCOTLAND

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, by region, the number of council houses sold under right-to-buy legislation in the last five years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of local authority houses sold by region under the right-to-buy legislation for the five year period from 1989 is shown in the table:

  Housing
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, by region, the number of schemes between district councils and developers and housing associations that have been established in the last five years to build new houses to rent; and if he will list, by region, the number of new houses to rent that these schemes have provided.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on local authority joint ventures with the private sector to build new houses for rent is not held centrally.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratios
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the pupil-teacher ratios for(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94 for public section (i) nursery schools, (ii) primary schools, (iii) secondary schools, (iv) non-maintained

  195
  schools, (v) special schools and (vi) all schools; and whether these figures include unqualified teachers.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested for education authority schools is as follows. All teachers in Scottish schools are qualified; therefore there are no unqualified teachers included in the calculation of pupil:teacher ratios.

  Pupil: teacher ratios in Education Authority schools in Scotland at September

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Nursery

  25–5

  25–9

  Primary

  19–3

  19–5

  Secondary

  12–6

  12–8

  Special

  4–3

  4–5

  All Schools

  15–6

  15–8

  Teachers
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many newly-trained teachers had obtained employment in education by(a) September and (b) May following their qualification; and what percentage this represents of the total of newly qualified teachers for each year since 1990–91.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information is collected in respect of the destination of newly qualified teachers in the September and March following graduation. The table shows in respect of each year the number who were known to be teaching in the September and March following graduation. The destination was unknown for 21 per cent. of teachers graduating in June 1991, 25 per cent. in 1992 and 34 per cent. in 1993.

  Graduates known to be employed as teachers

  September

  March

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Qualifying in June of:

  1991

  829

  47

  1,134

  64

  1992

  920

  47

  1,198

  61

  1993

  997

  43

  1,251

  54

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers were registered unemployed in Scotland in(a) May and (b) September for each year since 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information on the previous occupation of the unemployed is available from the labour force survey, a sample survey of households. Unfortunately, the sample size is too small to give a reliable estimate of the number of unemployed teachers in Scotland.

  Nuisance Legislation
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what conclusions the Government have reached in the light of the responses to their consultation paper "Contaminated Land Clean-up and Control" and the recent consultation exercise on the revision of Scotland's nuisance legislation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  The Government intend to replace the existing Scottish nuisance provisions in the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897 with those of part III of the 196
  Environmental Protection Act 1990, which apply mainly to England and Wales. A clear majority of the 37 responses to our August consultation paper were in favour of such a change, which will usefully strengthen controls on nuisance in Scotland.

  I hope to make a further announcement on the outcome of the contaminated land review shortly.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Quangos
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds have been allocated to non-governmental organisations by the Overseas Development Administration during the latest financial year; and who have been their recipients.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Overseas Development Administration allocated £158,449,755 to United Kingdom non-governmental organisations in 1993–94. Details of the grants paid to recipients have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Western Saharans
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response Her Majesty's Government have made to finance emergency aid to alleviate the immediate crisis in the western Sahara; and what plans are being put into effect to provide resources to western Saharan refugees to rebuild the fabric of their society in exile in the medium and longer term.

  Mr. Baldry
  The United Kingdom contributes to the Saharawi refugees through its regular budget payments to UNHCR and the European Union. We have no plans for any direct bilateral contribution to the Polisario-run camps following their recent devastation by rain and flooding.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the damage caused by the rains and floods in the western Saharan refugee camps of southern Algeria on 8 September and 29 and 30 October; and how many refugees are without shelter.

  Mr. Baldry
  Schools, hospitals and dispensaries made of compressed sand-based bricks in the camps were damaged, as were tents and food and other supplies. It is understood that the earlier wave of torrential rains left some 20,000 people without shelter; the rains at the end of October, according to UNHCR, left up to a further 30,000 people shelterless and eight died.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance will be given in the immediate future to the western Saharan refugees, to supply tents, blankets, medicines, food and fuel.

  Mr. Baldry
  The UN department of humanitarian affairs and UNHCR have provided cash for local relief purchases and have airlifted tents, blankets, plastic sheeting and electricity generators into Tindouf. A UNHCR and world food programme assessment mission has recently visited the affected area and arrangements have been made urgently to replenish destroyed food stocks.

  Overseas Funding
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which directorates in the European Commission are responsible for funding overseas population and reproductive health activities.

  Mr. Baldry
  Directorate General VIII is responsible for any such programmes in countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Directorate General I is responsible for projects of this type in Asia, Latin America and Mediterranean.

  China
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs if he will place in the Library copies of reports on population control in China received by his Department from the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the United Nations fund for population activities.

  Mr. Baldry
  Copies of the United Nations Population Fund 1993 inventory of population projects and the International Planned Parenthood Federation 1994 annual report supplement will be placed in the Library of the House, together with a copy of China's national report to the international conference on population and development.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the reasons why the Chinese Government bans the publication of official statistics on methods of population control.

  Mr. Baldry
  We understand that the Government of China does publish yearly statistics on the number of people using contraceptives, including information on methods used.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department had with representatives of the People's Republic of China at the international conference on population in Cairo.

  Mr. Baldry
  The United Kingdom delegation participated with Chinese and other delegations to the international conference on population and development in discussions on reproductive rights and a range of other issues.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings his Department has had with the Chinese embassy to discuss Chinese population control policies.

  Mr. Baldry
  Officials from my Department meet on a regular basis with officials from the Chinese embassy to discuss a range of issues, including population.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the reasons for the prevalence of sterilisation as a major method of population control in China.

  Mr. Baldry
  Sterilisation is an important method of contraception for couples who have completed childbearing in many countries, not just China. It is one of the most popular methods of contraception in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what statistics are used by 198
  his Department to assess the effect of Chinese population control policies on the human rights of Chinese women.

  Mr. Baldry
  Reliable statistical data relating to alleged abuses of women's human rights in population programmes are not available.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department had about Chinese population control with representatives of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the United Nations fund for population activities at the international conference on population in Cairo; and with what results.

  Mr. Baldry
  Officials met with staff from the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the United Nations population fund at the international conference on population and development and continue to have dialogue with these two organisations. Both organisations remain committed to promoting better reproductive health care and free choice.

  Aid and Trade Provision
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those projects to which the Overseas Development Administration has provided funding under the aid and trade provision since June 1993.

  Mr. Baldry
  A list of aid and trade provision projects approved for funding since June 1993 is as follows:

  ATP agreements concluded since June 1993

  Country

  Project

  1993

  Malaysia

  Railway double tracking

  Morocco

  Tetouan gas turbines

  India

  Bombay and Delhi airports

  1994

  Lesotho

  Muela hydropower project

  China

  Chicken processing plant phase II

  Sri Lanka

  Kundasale strategic study

  Chile

  Santiago traffic control

  Thailand

  Mini hydros

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the projects funded under the aid and trade provision in(a) Malaysia, (b) Indonesia and (c) Nigeria, since 1979.

  Mr. Baldry
  Lists of projects funded under the aid and trade provision in Indonesia and Malaysia have been placed in the Libraries of the House. No aid and trade provision projects have been funded in Nigeria.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all projects financed under the aid and trade provisions since 1984.

  Mr. Baldry
  A list of all aid and trade provision projects financed since 1984 has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he uses for determining whether assistance should be given to a country under the aid and trade provision; and if he will make a statement.
  199
  Mr. Baldry
  Following the wide-ranging aid and trade provision review announced in June 1993, country eligibility criteria for aid and trade provision is based on credit-worthy low-income developing countries with a 1989 per capita income of under US $700.

  Reproductive Health Services
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is European Union policy on funding reproductive and sexual health services for adolescents in developing countries.

  Mr. Baldry
  The issue of reproductive and sexual health services for adolescents is not treated as a separate policy by the European Union. Under the European Union's broader health care programme to developing countries there are projects which include the provision of improved reproductive health services to all, including adolescents.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what budget lines in which European Union directorates can be used for population, reproductive and sexual health projects in developing countries.

  Mr. Baldry
  The primary source of funding for such projects in developing countries is the EC's country aid programme for the state concerned. African, Caribbean and Pacific programmes are funded through the European development fund. Asian, Latin American and Mediterranean programmes are funded through the budget lines for the regions—Asia B7–3000, Latin America B7–3010, Mediterranean B7–4051 for individual Mediterranean countries and B7–4080 for Mediterranean regional programmes. Three smaller budget lines are also relevant: B7–5046—health programmes in the fight against AIDS in developing countries: B7–5047—maternal and child health care; B7–5050—aid for population policies and programmes in developing countries.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what follow-up initiatives are taking place within the European Union in the context of the Cairo programmes of action with non-governmental organisations and with officials of the European Union member states; and who is the point of contact in Brussels for an hon. Member wishing to take these matters further.

  Mr. Baldry
  The European Union held a co-ordination meeting of member states earlier this month to discuss action to be taken in respect of the Cairo programme of action and plans further meetings. European Union member states will be represented at the development assistance committee meeting, which is focussing on population assistance, to be held in Paris at the end of the month. The third European parliamentarians' consultation on population, reproductive health and development will be held in Brussels in May next year. If hon. Members require further information they should contact the Overseas Development Administration in the first instance.

  Overseas Superannuation Programme
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the average pension 200
  payment made under the overseas superannuation programme in (a) 1994 and (b)

  Mr. Baldry
  Most overseas pensions are paid monthly, though some 20 per cent. are paid at less frequent intervals. The average pension payment in 1994 is about £420, compared with £431 in 1993.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the forecast number of pension payments to be made under the overseas superannuation programme for each of the next three years.

  Mr. Baldry
  It is expected that the number of pension payments will decrease about 4 per cent. a year in line with the decline in the overseas pensioner population, which is at present around 34,000. The forecast number of payments for each of the next three years is about:

  1995: 336,000

  1996: 322,500

  1997: 309,500

  Withholding of Aid
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those recipients of Overseas Development Administration bilateral aid which have had aid withheld following failure to adhere to International Monetary Fund and World bank reform programmes since 1985.

  Mr. Baldry
  Since 1985 there have been occasions for temporarily withholding promised balance of payments aid in support of economic reform, following slippages in implementing policies agreed with the International Monetary Fund and the World bank, in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia.

  In this period, balance of payments support for reforms in Nigeria was suspended as a result of serious doubts about the direction of policy. Balance of payments support, together with other forms of development aid, was discontinued in Somalia and Sudan for wider reasons.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries to which aid has been curtailed due to contravention of the Overseas Development Administration's good government criteria since 1990.

  Mr. Baldry
  Significant cases of restrictions on aid, for a longer or shorter period, since the beginning of 1990 because of concerns over good government include Burma, China, The Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Sri Lanka and Zambia. In some of those cases, action reflected concern about other issues, notably economic policies, as well as good government. In addition, aid to South Africa was limited to non-government channels prior to a democratic Government taking office 1994.

  African Development Bank
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the United Kingdom's annual contribution to the African development bank fund.

  Mr. Baldry
  In 1993–94, a payment of £1.8 million—equivalent to 1.9 million special drawing rights at the agreed rate of exchange—was made to the African development bank representing the final instalment of the paid-in element of the UK subscription to the fourth
  201
  general capital increase; and £18 million was drawn down again United Kingdom pledges to the African development fund.

  World Bank
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is the United Kingdom's annual contribution to the International Development Association arm of the World bank;

  (2) what is the United Kingdom's annual contribution to the International Finance Corporation;

  (3) what is the United Kingdom's annual contribution to the World bank;

  (4) what is the United Kingdom's annual contribution to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

  Mr. Baldry
  The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association and the International Finance Corporation are members of the World bank group.

  In 1993–94, a payment of $19.8 million—£12.9 million at the rate of exchange on the date of payment—was made to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. This was the final instalment of the paid-in element of the United Kingdom subscription to the 1988 general capital increase.

  International Development Association resources are committed over three years, but donor contributions are drawn down typically over a 10-year period in line with project expenditure. International Development Association is currently drawing down resources against the 7th, 8th,9thand10th—current—replenishments. United Kingdom payments in 1993–94 totalled $209.3 million.

  In 1993–94, payments totalling £7.3 million were made to the International Finance Corporation, comprising the second of five instalments of $10.5 million—£7.1 million at the rate of exchange on the date of payment—of the United Kingdom subscription to the International Finance Corporation's 1991 capital increase; and £230,000 in support of International Finance Corporation advisory services for Africa.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the British Government's contribution to the World bank's fifth dimension arrangements for re-financing multilateral debt.

  Mr. Baldry
  The United Kingdom does not contribute to the International Development Association fifth dimension, which is funded primarily by annual allocations from International Development Association loan reflows.

  Multilateral Aid
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he will(a) monitor Britain's contributions to multilateral aid and (b) ensure that those contributions are (i) well-spent and (ii) subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

  Mr. Baldry
  The United Kingdom participates actively in meetings at which overall policy priorities and expenditure proposals by multilateral organisations are discussed. The policies and programmes of the multilateral development banks are discussed and determined by their respective boards of directors, on all 202
  of which the United Kingdom is represented. For assistance channelled through the European Community, policy issues are discussed in the Council of Ministers of the European Union and project proposals are considered in management committees. There is frequent contact between ODA administrators and advisers with the senior management of the multilateral institutions, a major objective being to help improve the efficiency of their systems and procedures including evaluation. Contributions to multilateral organisations which are administered by ODA form part of the aid programme which is subject to scrutiny by Parliament.

  Women
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Her Majesty's Government have done to provide increased opportunities for, and participation by, women in education, training, planning and work in developing countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The enhancement of the status of women is one of the Overseas Development Administration's seven priority objectives. The 1994 departmental report on Foreign and Commonwealth Office expenditure describes progress in pursuing this objective. The 1995 report will do likewise.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next plans to visit Ilford to discuss the future of manufacturing industry.

  Mr. Eggar
  I hope to meet manufacturers from Ilford and the surrounding area early next year in the course of a series of meetings to promote manufacturing in London.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures he will take to increase investment in manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The most important influence on investment is a stable economic climate built on low inflation. Underlying inflation is at its lowest level for 27 years. My Department is helping companies to win in world markets through improvements in their competitiveness.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people were in employment in manufacturing industries in June 1979 and June 1994.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Employment in manufacturing industry—Great Britain—was 7.3 million in June 1979 and 4.6 million in June 1994. The fall in manufacturing employment since 1979 reflects structural changes and sharply increased productivity.

  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to improve the competitiveness of United Kingdom manufacturing firms.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The White Paper, "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win" sets out the most comprehensive agenda ever to raise the competitiveness of United Kingdom manufacturing firms. The Government are committed to work with business to
  203
  create a climate in which all United Kingdom companies can compete and beat the world's best.

  Small Companies
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to improve procedures to reduce the late payment of debt to small companies.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  In the White Paper on competitiveness in May this year we announced a number of new measures to address the problem of late payment. The measures include:new prompt payment requirements for Government Departments and their agencies;
  improvements to court procedures for debt recovery and a review of the small claims limit;
  the implementation of proposals that public companies should state their payment policies in their directors' reports;
  the development of proposals for a British standard for prompt payment and
  work with trade associations, business links and others to improve credit management in small firms.

  We have also announced that we will re-examine the case for legislation for a statutory right to interest in two years if there had been no significant improvement.

  Domestic Utilities
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will initiate an investigation into standing charges on domestic gas, electricity, water and telephone bills.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Standing charges are a matter for utility companies and the independent regulators, and are subject to price controls. The Government see no case for an investigation.

  GATT
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his latest estimate of the likely benefits to the United Kingdom of ratification of the GATT Uruguay round.

  Mr. Needham
  The GATT has recently estimated that by 2005 the Uruguay round will boost annual world income by at least $510 billion. For the EU, the benefit would be around $164 billion—an annual increase equivalent to more than 3 per cent. of GDP. There is every reason to believe that United Kingdom income will increase in line with that of the EU as a whole.

  Manufacturing
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of output was accounted for by manufacturing in(a) 1979 and (b)

  Mr. Eggar
  The share of manufacturing in GDP was 28.5 per cent. in 1979 and 21.7 per cent. in 1993. Other main industrialised countries have also seen a decline in the share of GDP accounted for by manufacturing.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table of the size of the United Kingdom's non-oil manufacturing base for each year since 1979 assuming an index of 100 in 1979.
  204
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Index of Production for manufacturing industries, expressed in terms of 1979=100 is given in the table.

  Manufacturing Output (1979=100 in 1990 prices)

  Year

  1979

  100.0

  1980

  91–4

  1981

  85–8

  1982

  85–7

  1983

  87–4

  1984

  90–7

  1985

  93–3

  1986

  94–5

  1987

  98–9

  1988

  105–9

  1989

  110–6

  1990

  110–4

  1991

  104–4

  1992

  103–8

  1993

  105–1

  Source:

  Central Statistical Office.

  Note:

  Index includes mineral oil refining which accounted for 2 per cent. of production in 1990.

  Companies House
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in the privatisation of Companies House.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with his Ministers over the future of Companies House; and if lie will make a statement.

  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 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.

  VSEL
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will refer the GEC bid for VSEL to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to refer the GEC bid for VSEL to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Director General of Fair Trading is currently investigating this proposed merger and he will advise my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in due course. A decision on whether or not it should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission will be taken once that advice is received.

  Solvents
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussion he has had with industry with regard to replacing dangerous solvents with safe substances.

  Mr. Eggar
  Restrictions on chemicals must be based on sound science and an assessment of the risks attached
  205
  to their legitimate use, and I have had no cause to discuss with industry the phasing out of any solvents. There are regulations in place which restrict the marketing and use of certain chemicals used in industrial and consumer products. Providing these regulations are observed, products should be safe in normal use.

  Tameside
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance his Department is giving to encourage firms to locate, or stay in Tameside.

  Mr. Wardle
  The services of INWARD, the regional development organisation for the north-west are available to Tameside as to other parts of the region. As Tameside is not an assisted area, regional selective assistance is not available. However, a business link outlet has been open in Denton since May to offer support to incoming as well as existing firms.

  Stagecoach Ltd
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received regarding anti-competitive practices by Stagecoach Ltd.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) has written to my right hon. Friend President of the. Board of Trade about the activities of the Stagecoach bus company. My right hon. Friend has also received several letters about the conduct of Stagecoach subsidiaries in particular areas.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the responsibilities of his Department in relation to the crash of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Heseltine
  There are no direct responsibilities, but my Department is contributing to research on explosion hazards to civil aircraft set up as a result of the Lockerbie incident.

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the provisions made by insurance companies to meet compensation for mis-sold personal pensions.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  My Department wrote on 25 October to all life offices asking them to provide, by the end of February 1995, revised estimates of their exposure to personal pensions misselling in the light of the criteria set out in the SIB statement.

  Gas
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to change the structure or remit of the Gas Consumers Council.

  Mr. Eggar
  The DTI/Ofgas joint consultation document published in May invited views on the future role and organisation of the Gas Consumers Council. I am still considering the issue and await the Trade and Industry Select Committee's report with interest. No decision has been taken yet.
  206
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of gas consumers will benefit from reduced prices as a result of the deregulation of domestic supply.

  Mr. Eggar
  Competition will exert a powerful downward pressure on prices and provide strong incentives for efficiency and improved service. It is not possible to estimate the outcome in detail, either in terms of the precise number of people who would benefit from reduced prices, or how large those reductions might be in each case. Independent suppliers have said they are confident of being able to offer average savings of around 10 per cent. on current British Gas prices.

  Insolvency Acts
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has received during the past 12 months on the subject of the Insolvency Acts with particular reference to bankrupt contractors' inability to pay sub-contractors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  My Department has received a number of representations during the past 12 months regarding the position of sub-contractors under insolvency legislation when their contractor becomes insolvent. This is seen to be a particular problem in the construction industry. In July a report following a review by Sir Michael Latham of contract arrangements in that industry—sponsored jointly by the Government and the industry—made a number of recommendations. An implementation forum has been established to take the issues forward.

  Traditional Industries
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to help the traditional industries of Leicester.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The DTI already has in place a number of schemes that are helping industries in Leicester and elsewhere.

  The first business link in the country opened in Leicester on 27 September last year with £725,000 funding from my Department. Business link Leicester is part of a national network which will provide world class business support to all industries in Leicester.

  Business Regulations
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what further plans he has to remove unnecessary regulations on business.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  We are continuing our efforts to reduce unnecessary burdens on business. Latest developments include:The Deregulation and Contracting Out Act received the Royal Assent on 3 November. We shall be bringing forward the first orders under the deregulation order-making power after the new special parliamentary arrangements for their scrutiny have been put in place.
  The deregulation task force under Francis Maude is active on a number of fronts to reduce regulatory burdens on business. In Europe an EC expert group is looking critically at the impact of EC and national legislation on competitiveness and employment. The United Kingdom and Germany have also set up a high-level group of businessmen to scrutinise EC regulations and to stimulate specific deregulatory measures in Europe.

  Package Travel
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the operation and enforcement of the European directive on package travel.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The EC package travel directive has been implemented in the United Kingdom by the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 and, where criminal sanctions apply, is enforced by local authority trading standards departments. My Department will publish revised guidance notes to the regulations shortly.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the number of applications for regional selective assistance which were rejected in each development and intermediate area in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The latest complete information is given in the table.

  RSA applications rejected in the period 1 April 1993–31 March 1994

  DA

  IA

  Total

  East Midlands

  17

  13

  30

  North East

  21

  3

  24

  North West

  66

  57

  123

  South East

  —

  4

  4

  East

  —

  —

  —

  London

  —

  —

  —

  South West

  12

  8

  20

  West Midlands

  11

  46

  57

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  3

  13

  16

  Total

  130

  144

  274

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the total amounts of regional selective assistance grants made in each development and intermediate area in the last 12 months.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This information is published in the annual reports on the Industrial Development Act 1982, available in the Library of the House. Final figures on grants made since 1 April 1994 are not yet available.

  Nuclear Review
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade in what form he plans to publish his response to submissions to the nuclear review.

  Mr. Eggar
  No decisions on either the form or the timing of the announcement of our conclusions have yet been made.

  British Coal
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will make a statement about the Government's sell-off plans for British Coal.

  Mr. Eggar
  On 12 October the Government announced that preferred bidders had been identified for the regional coal companies and certain care and maintenance collieries. Detailed discussions with the preferred bidders are continuing, with a view to completing the sales by the end of the year.

  New Investment, Hampshire
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's policy on attracting new investment in Hampshire.

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government's economic policies have been directed to creating the right environment to encourage growth and investment. The low taxation and inflation levels the country now enjoys are a direct consequence of those policies. My Department's deregulation initiative helps to remove disincentives for investment by reducing the regulatory burden on companies.

  Investment from overseas companies in the United Kingdom is also a major contributor to the United Kingdom economy. My Department's Invest in Britain Bureau is active in promoting the United Kingdom to overseas investors and in ensuring, in collaboration with the Government offices in the regions, that any enquiries received are properly handled. All these activities help to attract new investment to the United Kingdom.

  We look to local authorities and other local partners such as training and enterprise councils to create at the local level the infrastructure and regulatory framework which will build on the Government's activities to produce an environment which is attractive to and supportive of investment.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. Denis MacShane
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will veto any further applications for subsidies for European steel producers beyond those covered by the December 1993 Council of Ministers' agreement and if he will also endorse the policy of no more subsidy in the steel industry following decisions reached at the 8 November European Council of Ministers; and if he will make it his policy in future to intervene on behalf of industry.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Her Majesty's Government are committed to the December 1993 agreement and will continue to press for rigorous enforcement of the state aid rules. At the 8 November Industry Council we made clear the grave difficulties we would have in assenting to any further derogation requests. The free and fair operation of market forces is the best means of securing the long term prosperity of the United Kingdom steel industry.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences were applied for under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1985(a) in 1992 and (b) in 1993; how many in each case were in respect of applications made under part III, group 1 of the order; and how many of the applications were circulated to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  This question could be answered only at disproportionate cost. There will however he some details of licences issued and refused in the annual report of the Export Control Organisation to be published shortly. A copy of that report will be placed in the Library of the House and I will also arrange for the hon. Member to receive a personal copy.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when approvals were given to the British Nuclear Fuels for the acceptance by the German nuclear authorities for the return of conditioned radioactive wastes from reprocessing at Sellafield in the categories of(a) solid low-level residues, (b) MEB-Crud barium carbonate slurry, (c) radioactive hulls and ends, (d) centrifuge cake slurry and (e) vitrified high-level wastes; and how many further categories of waste remain to be approved for return.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This a matter for the management of British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Defence Equipment
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list on a country-by-country basis the number of applications for export licences for defence equipment that were(a) received and (b) issued in 1993.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 21 November 1994]: This question could be answered only at disproportionate cost. There will however be some details of licences issued and refused in the annual report of the Export Control Organisation to be published shortly. A copy of that report will be placed in the Library of the House and I will also arrange for the hon. Member to receive a personal copy.

WALES

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

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Local authorities are expected to make provision for responding to emergencies such as storms and floods when setting their budgets. In addition my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may provide extra financial assistance for disasters and emergencies, such as severe flooding under the Bellwin scheme in accordance with section 155 of the Local Government Finance Act 1989.

  Loans may also be available from the social fund to individuals qualifying on grounds of hardship.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many representations have been made by his Department to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on the subject of the export of live animals from Wales; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what representations he has made to the Commission of the European Union on the subject of the export of live animals from Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office is in regular contact with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and about the export of live animals. The Minister of Agriculture, who has been conducting the negotiations and discussions with the Commission on behalf of the United Kingdom Agriculture Departments on the issue of 210
  live animals exports, is actively seeking agreement on new European Union rules.

  Arts Funding
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with local authorities regarding funding of arts provision in Wales following local government reorganisation.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None, while the Arts Council of Wales has initiated discussions with transition committees.

  Minority Languages Charter
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the Government will sign the European charter on minority languages; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Government Departments with an interest in the European charter for regional or minority languages are still considering its implications for the United Kingdom. The decision on whether to sign the charter must take into account the situation of each of the indigenous minority languages spoken with the United Kingdom.

  European Union
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times he has been to European Union meetings to discuss matters appertaining to Wales in(a) 1993 and (b) 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I attend European Union meetings when it is appropriate and in the interests of Wales that I should do so. In the past month, for example, I have addressed the board of directors of the European investment bank during their recent very successful visit to Wales. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones) has also met Mr. Jacques Blanc, the President of the EC Committee of the Regions. I also expect to meet a number of the incoming Commissioners as soon as this can be arranged.

  Acquired Rights Directive
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales following his letter dated 29 June to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, (Mr. Llwyd), what further action he now proposes to amend section 44 of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 following further consideration of European Court of Justice verdicts in relation to the acquired rights directive.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Government are considering what changes may be necessary to legislation on redundancy as a result of the European Court of Justice's rulings. It will not be necessary to amend section 44 of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 if changes are made only to the legislation mentioned in subsection (1).

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to publish a league table of TEC performances in Wales, in the form of the Department of Employment's initiative in England.
  211
  Mr. Redwood
  The 1993–94 performance of the 82 TECs in England and Wales was published on 25 August 1994 in the form of inter-TEC comparisons, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House.

  Health (Administration Costs)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total spent by the family health services authorities on administration and the number of whole-time equivalents employed by the authorities in administration in the current financial year.

  Mr. Redwood
  The amounts that family health services authorities in Wales have been authorised to spend in 1994–95 and the average number of staff employed in 1993–94 are as follows:

  FHSA

  £000's

  Staff (WTE)

  Clwyd

  1,386

  65

  Dyfed

  1,306

  58

  Gwent

  1,494

  87

  Gwynedd

  982

  51

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,917

  81

  Powys

  697

  30

  South Glamorgan

  1,629

  72

  West Glamorgan

  1,246

  56

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the total spent by the district health authorities on administration and the number of whole-time equivalents employed by the authorities in administration in the current financial year.

  Mr. Redwood
  The total spent by Welsh district health authorities on administration in the 1992–93 financial year—the latest year for which data is available—was £26.554 million.

  As at 30 September 1994—the latest date for which data are available—a total of 3,014 WTE were employed by the authorities in administration. This does not include administration in hospitals or in other local centres.

  Source:
  Summarised accounts of health authorities in Wales.
  NHS payroll system and associated information systems.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give(a) the total spent by the NHS trusts on administration and (b) the total number employed in administration and management, in the current financial year.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) the total spent by Pembrokshire NHS trust on administration in the 1992–93 financial year—the latest year for which data are available—was £1.785 million.

  (b) as at 30 September 1994—the latest date for which data is available—a total of 5,341 whole-time equivalent staff were employed in administration and management in the 24 operational NHS trusts in Wales.

  Source:
  Pembrokeshire NHS trust annual accounts.
  NHS payroll system and associated information systems.

  Badgers
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many licences have been granted by his Department for interference with badger setts following the Badgers Act 1991 and the Protection of Badgers Act 212
  1992; and for which purpose listed in section 10 of the 1992 Act such licences were issued.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Fifty-eight such licenses have been issued: 12 for the prevention of serious damage, 39 in connection with agricultural or forestry operations, six for work associated with watercourses or drainage, and one for fox control purposes.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many farmers in Ynys Mon have(a) expressed an interest in the environmentally sensitive area scheme since it was launched (b) signed agreements under the scheme and (c) have already received payments under the scheme.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is as follows:

  (a) 344

  (b) 81

  (c) 18

  Redberth-Sagerton Bypass
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the cost of survey work for the proposed Redberth-Sagerton bypass in each year since 1972; and what is his best estimate of the cost in this and subsequent years.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Expenditure on topographical and geotechnical work for the proposed A477 Sageston-Redbeth bypass was incurred as follows:

  Year

  £

  1971–72

  3,400

  1972–73

  3,169

  1988–89

  2,000

  1989–90

  26,834

  1990–91

  8,881

  1991–92

  81,042

  1992–93

  23,545

  1993–94

  25,055

  Total

  1173,926

  1 Includes £58,369 for contractors' work.

  Estimated expenditure still to be incurred on such survey work is as follows:

  Year

  £

  1994–95

  120,000

  1995–96

  8,000

  Total

  1128,000)

  1 Includes estimate of £83,000 for contractors' work.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the responsibilities that his Department has lost since(a) 1975 and (b) 1979; and if he will estimate the numbers of staff or part-time equivalent who used to undertake these responsibilities.
  213
  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 22 November 1994]: The functions transferred from my Department since 1975 and the estimated numbers of associated staff are:

  Number of staff

  (1) Derelict Land (1975) to the Welsh development Agency

  Not available

  (2) Small Firms Service (1986) (to the WDA)

  7

  (3) Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre (1988) (to WHCSA)

  52·5

  (4) Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector (1992) (new Government Department

  74

  (5) Orbital Prosthetist Service (1993) (to WHCSA)

  2

  (6) Dental Services (1993) (to the Dental Practice Board)

  8·5

  (7) Divisional Medical Office (1993) (to the Benefits Agency)

  41·5

  Numbers 1 to 5 were transferred to other Welsh organisations.

  umbers 6 to 7 were transferred to joint England and Wales bodies.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the responsibilities that his Department has gained since(a) 1975 and (b) 1979; and if he will estimate the numbers of staff or part-time equivalent used to administer these responsibilities.

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 22 November 1994]: The functions that my Department has gained since 1975 and the estimated numbers of associated staff at the time are:

  Number of staff

  Industry—1975

  82

  Ancient monuments—1978

  221

  Further education policy, excluding universities—1978

  24

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food—1978

  536

  Regional development grant—1984

  78

  Training, enterprise and education—1992

  67

  The Secretary of State assumed responsibility for the Further and Higher Education Funding Councils in 1993; no additional staff are employed in the Welsh Office on these functions. Reform of the European Union's common agricultural policy has since 1992 generated substantial additional work for, and brought certain new responsibilities to, the Welsh Office's Agriculture Department. An estimated 90 staff are engaged on this work.

HEALTH

  Herbal Medicines
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has concerning the extent to which herbal medicines are banned in each of the other member countries of the European community; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Like the United Kingdom, other European Community member states restrict or ban the use of certain herbal ingredients which present potential safety concerns. We keep in close contact with other 214
  countries over safety issues and take action where necessary to protect public health.

  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what form, when, through what procedures, and subject to what consent by the House she proposes to bring forward the proposed Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations, Pharmacovigilance and Related Matters) Regulations.

  Mr. Sackville
  We intend to lay the proposed regulations before the House shortly subject to resolving outstanding issues. The regulations will be subject to the negative resolution procedure.

  Asthma
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of asthma cases indicated in the 1991–92 national survey of morbidity in general practice for those aged(a) up to four years, (b) five to 14 years and (c) 15 to 24 years; and what were the 1981–82 figures.

  Mr. Sackville
  The 1991–92 data are not yet available.

  1981–82:Patients consulting—rates per 1,000 persons at risk

  All ages

  0–4

  5–14

  15–24

  17·8

  26·0

  29·3

  16·6

  Rates are based on the number of patients who consulted at least once during the year for asthma.

  Mental Health Units
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the urgent review of the therapeutic suitability of mental health units within district general hospitals recommended by the mental health nursing review team is now under way.

  Mr. Bowis
  Copies of the report of the mental health nursing review team have been sent to all provider units. It is for them to ensure that the layout and working practices of their mental health units reflect the needs of patients. Copies of the report are available in the Library.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department will publish a code of practice or protocol covering the use of covert surveillance techniques in identifying the possible abuse of children.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department has no proposals to do so. The Department has, however, commended to the chairmen of all area child protection committees the high level of inter-agency collaboration demonstrated by Staffordshire Child Protection Committee in the production of a joint working protocol on covert video surveillance in hospital. Copies of this will be placed in the Library.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the turnover of each national health service trust in each year since its inception.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 18 May at column 517. The figures for 1992–93 have now been finalised. We expect information for 1993–94 to become available in December.
  215
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide details of the surpluses or deficits recorded by each individual national health service trust in each year since inception.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 26 May at column 295. The figures for 1992–93 have now been finalised.

  Quangos
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which quangos her Department has abolished since 1979.

  Mr. Sackville
  A list of non-departmental public bodies abolished by the Department of Health and Social Security from 1980–1988, and by the Department of Health from 1989–1993 will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many quangos her Department was responsible for

  Non-elective admissions (general and acute) by region 1991–92 to 1993–94: England '000 finished consultant episodes

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Regional health authority

  Per cent

  Per cent

  Per cent

  Northern

  256

  47

  268

  47

  280

  48

  Yorkshire

  292

  48

  304

  48

  322

  49

  Trent

  333

  49

  348

  49

  368

  48

  East Anglian

  148

  49

  159

  49

  166

  48

  North west Thames

  212

  45

  234

  47

  236

  47

  North east Thames

  290

  49

  298

  49

  311

  50

  South east Thames

  253

  48

  262

  47

  275

  48

  South west Thames

  190

  46

  202

  48

  202

  49

  Wessex

  199

  45

  214

  46

  232

  46

  Oxford

  156

  48

  158

  46

  171

  46

  South western

  239

  47

  241

  45

  261

  46

  West Midlands

  382

  48

  394

  48

  414

  48

  Mersey

  210

  49

  218

  49

  242

  51

  North western

  337

  46

  344

  45

  360

  45

  Special HAs

  24

  22

  24

  21

  25

  21

  England

  3,521

  47

  3,668

  47

  3,865

  47

  Acute Nursing Care
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people over 60 years were recorded in the United Kingdom for each of the last 10 years as receiving acute nursing care in an NHS bed.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Diethylstilboestrol
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on the establishing of a national register of women who have been exposed to diethylstilboestrol between 1945 and 1975.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has no plans to establish a national register.

  Homicides Inquiry
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for health what steps she is taking to ensure that inquiries into homicides by mentally ill people, independent of the providers involved, are being set up in every such case as required by circular HSG (94) 27.

  Mr. Bowis
  The requirement to hold independent inquiries into homicides involving mentally ill people was re-emphasised in the draft guide to arrangements for
  216
  (a) in 1979 and (b) in the latest year for which a number is available.

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1979 the Department of Health and Social Security was responsible for 97 non-departmental public bodies. At 1 April 1993, the latest year for which data are available, the Department of Health was responsible for 50 non-departmental public bodies.

  Emergency Hospital Admissions
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency hospital admissions were made by region for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The table shows the number of non-elective admissions in the general and acute sector for each regional health authority in England, in total arid as a percentage of all admissions for the last three years, from information collected by the National Health Service Executive. It is estimated that over 80 per cent. of non-elective admissions are emergencies.

  inter-agency working for the care and protection of severely mentally ill people which was issued to the national health service and local authorities for consultation on 10 October. Copies will be placed in the Library. When information about a homicide involving a mentally ill person becomes known to the Department, the NHS Executive or social services inspectorate seeks confirmation from the relevant authorities that action will be taken in line with the requirements of circular HSG(94)27, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mentally Ill Patients
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the timetable for publication of the report by the social services inspectorate on the inspection of local authorities' arrangements to support mentally ill patients discharged from hospital.

  Mr. Bowis
  It is anticipated that the report will be published toward the end of the financial year.

  Munchausen's Disease
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of Munchausen's disease by proxy have been reported in the last year.
  217
  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Bristol, East (Ms Corston) on 24 February at column 353.

  Hair Dyes
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has concerning the health risks associated with the use of hair dyes; and what advice is given by her Department.

  Mr. Sackville
  Materials which are not permitted in hair dyes are given in the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 1989 which give effect to the Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EC. The European Commission is advised on health risks associated with chemicals in hair dyes and other cosmetics by the cosmetics working party and the Scientific Committee on Cosmetology. The Department is represented on the former and other United Kingdom experts are members of the latter.

  The Department is not aware of any information to indicate that chemicals in hair dyes pose any significant risk to health. Materials used in hair dyes are currently under review with the intention of producing a positive list for inclusion in the directive.

  Food Handlers
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how she intends to enforce the directive that requires all food handlers to be supervised and trained in food hygiene matters commensurate with their work activity; and what financial support is being provided to help industry meet any added costs of the proposals.

  Mr. Sackville
  Regulations to be laid in early 1995 will make clear that local authority food enforcement officers will enforce these and other food hygiene requirements. The Department has consulted on draft regulations, a draft revision to Food Safety Act Code of Practice No. 9 on food hygiene inspections, and a draft compliance cost assessment. The latter estimates costs arising from the requirement for food hygiene training, taking account of the fact that most food businesses already meet the requirement.

  Anti-epileptic Drugs
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment her Department has carried out of research carried out in(a) the United States of America and (b) countries of the European Union into possible side-effects in switching between branded and generic anti-epileptic drugs;

  (2) what research her Department has commissioned into the side-effects of switching between branded and generic anti-epileptic drugs.

  Mr. Sackville
  Evidence relating to the bioequivalence of generic and brand named anti-epileptic products is assessed at the time of licensing. Before a generic product may be licensed in the Untied Kingdom the company wishing to market the product must provide evidence to the licensing authority to show that the product is bioequivalent to the corresponding brand leader. As some anti-epileptic drugs have a narrow therapeutic margin, particular attention is paid to the issue of equivalence with these drugs during the licensing process.

  The Department has not commissioned any research into this issue. As with all medicines, the safety of
  218
  anti-epileptic drugs on the market is monitored by the Medicines Control Agency. Relevant research concerning generic inequivalence is assessed as part of this process. Appropriate action would be taken if evidence came to light of clinically important side effects occurring on switching between branded and generic anti-epileptic drugs.

  Secure Accommodation
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many young people in secure accommodation have been the subject of violence at the hands of other inmates in each year from 1989 to 1993.

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Psychotherapy Services
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the current Departmental review of strategic policy on psychotherapy services to be completed; and if it will be published.

  Mr. Bowis
  The review is expected to be completed by April 1995 and a decision on publication will be made at that time.

  Complementary Medicine
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the efficacy of self regulation of alternative and complementary healers; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. Professional self regulation, through either statutory or voluntary arrangements, is widely accepted as the basis for effective regulation of professions in the health care field.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she has considered implementing a national register of therapists offering alternative healing and medicines.

  Mr. Sackville
  No. We encourage those groups of complementary medicine practitioners not covered by statutory registration arrangements, to develop voluntary registration systems based on agreed standards of education, training and codes of practice.

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what checks her Department makes upon the activities of alternative or complementary healing;

  (2) what measures her Department has taken to monitor activities of alternative therapists and healers who are not governed by voluntary regulation schemes;

  (3) what measures her Department has taken to ensure that any member of the public who has been mistreated by an alternative or complementary therapist has recourse to disciplinary proceedings against that practitioner;

  (4) what measures are available to the public to ensure that a complementary therapist can be barred from practising if such action is necessary for the public good.

  Mr. Sackville
  This Department does not monitor the activities of complementary therapists. Whether on a voluntary register or not, they are at liberty to offer their services to the general public, subject only to those provisions of statute and common law which apply. For
  219
  example, there are restrictions on purporting to treat cancer and venereal disease and upon attendance at childbirth; and they are subject to relevant provisions of the Medicines Act.

  The Department recognises that membership of a reputable and well regulated profession—whether regulation is by statutory or voluntary schemes—is beneficial in the maintenance of codes of ethical practice and disciplinary processes. Members of the public are advised to check that a practitioner is a current member of a reputable organisation and carries proper indemnity insurance before accepting treatment. We also advise that they seek the advice of their general practitioner before proceeding.

  Where complementary therapy treatment has been provided in the national health service, dissatisfied patients may seek redress through the NHS complaints procedures. Where treatment has been obtained in the private sector, patients may pursue complaints through the disciplinary procedures—where these exist—of the professional group to which the practitioner belongs. They may also seek redress through the courts.

  Blood Transfusion Centres
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will meet the chairman of the National Blood Authority to seek reconsideration of the decision to close blood transfusion centres at Brentwood, Liverpool, Lancaster, Oxford and Plymouth.

  Mr. Sackville
  These matters are the responsibility of the National Blood Authority, which has undertaken a thorough and widespread consultation. Full consideration will be given to the results of the consultation before decisions are made.

  Respite Care
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will detail the average costs for the full time respite care provided by local councils and the health service.

  Mr. Bowis
  The cost for respite care varies across the country and depends on the type of care provided and it is for purchasers of this service to decide the best way of meeting individual needs in a cost effective way. Community care funding for this year included £20 million extra for respite and home care services rising to £30 million next year.

  Performance-related Pay
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will detail the criteria and methods for assessing performance-related pay in the national health service for(a) doctors and (b) nurses.

  Mr. Malone
  We have no plans to introduce performance related pay for doctors and nurses.

  Operations
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will detail, by region, for each of the last five financial years,(a) the number of national health service operations by clinical specialisation undertaken in the private sector, (b) the number of national health service operations by clinical specialisation undertaken in the
  220
  private sector as a percentage of total national health service operations, (c) the number of national health service patients treated in the private sector and (d) the number of national health service patients treated in the private sector as a percentage of total national health service patients treated;

  (2) if she will detail, by region, for each of the last five financial years, (a) the cost of national health service operations by clinical specialisation undertaken in the private sector, (b) the cost of national health service operations by clinical specialisation undertaken in the private sector as a percentage of the total cost of national health service operations, (c) the average cost per patient of national health service operations by clinical specialisation undertaken in the private sector and (d) the average cost per patient of national health service operations by clinical specialisation undertaken in the state sector;

  (3) if she will detail by region over each of the last five financial years (a) the average length of stay for national health service patients by clinical specialisation treated in the private sector and (b) the average length of stay for national health service patients treated, by clinical specialisation, in the state sector.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on the average length of stay by specialty in national health service hospitals in England is published in "Hospital Episode Statistics, Volume 1", copies of which are available in the Library. The latest published information is for 1991–92. The other information requested is not available centrally.

  Carers
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the contribution that full-time domestic carers make to care in the community.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Government acknowledge the vital contribution to community care made by full and part-time carers. One of the key aims of our community care reforms is to ensure that service providers make support for carers a high priority. That is why community care funding for this year included an extra £20 million for respite and home care services, rising to £30 million next year. It is also why carers are involved alongside users when needs are assessed and plans made for them to be met and why we have encouraged local authorities to give carers the right to request that their own needs be assessed.

  NHS Pay Arrangements
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will detail new costs associated with establishing local pay arrangements in the national health service.

  Mr. Malone
  A major support programme has been mounted by the National Health Service Executive to assist trusts to prepare for establishing local pay arrangements. The estimated expenditure on this support programme in 1994–95 is £500,000. Any additional costs for individual trusts and other employing authorities will be more than offset by savings which they can expect from increased flexibility in the use of staff. Local pay will enable NHS employers to target rewards more closely to improvements in the quality and quantity of healthcare.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the proportion of entrants to adult training schemes who leave the schemes to take up part-time employment; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions;

  (2) what is the proportion of entrants to training for work schemes who leave the scheme without a qualification; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions;

  (3) what is the proportion of entrants to adult training schemes who leave the schemes without a qualification; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions;

  (4) what is the proportion of entrants to training for work schemes who leave the scheme to take up part-time employment; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions;

  (5) how many places were filled on each training scheme in each of the last 10 years;

  (6) what is the proportion of entrants to youth training scheme who leave the schemes early; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions;

  (7) what is the proportion entrants to youth training schemes who leave the schemes to take up part-time employment; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions;

  Training,Educational and Enterprise Programme Expenditure (£million)

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Job Training Programme

  232·9

  219·4

  286·2

  272·3

  Wider Opportunities Training Programme

  22·2

  26·0

  Other Occupational Training

  4·7

  7·0

  16·5

  24·2

  Open Tech/Learning

  18·1

  17·6

  14·5

  15·9

  New Job Training Scheme

  0·9

  66·9

  Adult Training

  200·8

  10·9

  Employment Training

  419·0

  1,096·6

  1,76·4

  131·4

  629·5

  Training for Work

  762·0

  Learning for Work

  14·0

  Workstart Pilots

  1·0

  Skill Choice

  7·0

  Open Learning Credit

  2·0

  Youth Training Scheme

  836·2

  869·9

  939·1

  1,064·9

  993·2

  976·0

  Youth Training/Credits

  823·4

  746·4

  617·0

  642·0

  Training and Education Support

  62·5

  56·4

  47·2

  52·3

  37·1

  39·0

  Training Access Points

  6·4

  Training of Trainers

  10·7

  National Council for Vocational Qualifications (Net)

  0·5

  3·7

  3·8

  3·0

  2·6

  3·7

  3·9

  4·0

  Careers Officer Training

  0·4

  0·7

  0·4

  0·5

  0·5

  0·4

  0·6

  0·6

  0·6

  0·1

  Careers Service Strengthening

  11·9

  12·5

  12·9

  13·9

  14·8

  17·0

  17·6

  18·7

  19·1

  21·0

  Career Development Loans

  0·3

  0·2

  0·7

  1·4

  3·8

  5·4

  6·9

  8·0

  Skills Training Agency (Net)

  3·6

  10·8

  -5·5

  -6·8

  10·5

  19·9

  4·3

  Residual Schemes

  10.0

  222
  (8) what is the proportion of entrants to adult training schemes who leave the scheme to take up full-time employment; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions;

  (9) what is the proportion of entrants to training for work schemes who leave the scheme early; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions;

  (10) what is the proportion of entrants to adult training schemes who leave the schemes early; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions;

  (11) what is the proportion of entrants to training for work schemes who leave the scheme to take up full-time employment; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions.

  (12) what is the proportion of entrants to youth training schemes who leave the schemes without a qualification; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions;

  (13) what is the proportion of entrants to youth training schemes who leave the schemes to take up full-time employment; and what it has been in each of the last 10 years for each of his Department's regions.

  Mr. Paice
  As the information is contained in a large number of tables, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the amount spent by his Department on each training programme in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Paice
  The information requested is provided in the following table:
  223

  Training, Educational and Enterprise Programme Expenditure (£million)

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Technical Vocational and Education Initiatives

  26·3

  40.6

  71·9

  60·7

  87·8

  129·1

  135·1

  140·7

  118·5

  119.0

  Non Advanced and Work Related Further Education

  65·6

  112·8

  114·9

  110·0

  101·9

  103.2

  105.4

  101.3

  103·0

  Special Temporary Employment Programme

  5·0

  Compacts/Education Business Partnerships/Education Initiatives/Careers Service Partnerships

  1·2

  3·6

  6·5

  12·5

  12·6

  12·0

  Enterprise in Higher Education

  5·8

  10·5

  13·3

  14·7

  13·0

  Careers Guidance Review Implementation

  6·3

  Careers Libraries

  6·0

  Other Education Initiative

  6·5

  National Record of Achievement

  2·3

  2·0

  Careers Service

  Enterprise Training

  4·5

  Business Growth Training/Business and Enterprise Training

  21·3

  48·0

  Business and Enterprise Support/Employer Investment in People

  161·8

  149·2

  132·0

  Enterprise Allowance Scheme

  80·1

  108·4

  149·7

  200·7

  196·7

  170·9

  133·1

  Local Enterprise Agencies

  2·0

  1·9

  1·9

  Small Firms Advisory

  1·1

  4·9

  7·7

  7·8

  Small Firms Information Service

  2·9

  2·8

  Small Firms Information Service

  0·9

  Other Enterprise and Small Firms Initiatives

  0·2

  0·4

  0·3

  1·8

  0·7

  0·7

  0·0

  Youth Enterprise Initiative

  1·5

  1·3

  3·6

  5·5

  4·4

  2·6

  5·0

  Local Initiative Fund

  9·9

  48·2

  49·7

  50·0

  TEC Challenge

  13·0

  Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme (net)

  10·8

  11·0

  3·7

  3·9

  5·7

  16·5

  27·5

  1·5

  Administration

  15·2

  21·1

  20·2

  20·6

  154·0

  191·1

  239·3

  196·5

  205·5

  198·9

  Note:

  Administration costs are included. However, prior to 1988–89 costs of administration were included in the main programme costs. From 1988–89 they are shown separately.

  Expenditure up to and including 1990–91 is for GB. Expenditure in 1991–92 is England/Wales and expenditure from 1992–93 is England only.

  Quangos
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which quangos his Department has abolished since 1979.

  Ms Widdecombe
  The following public bodies, listed in the "Report on Non-Departmental Public Bodies", the "Pliatzky Report", Cmnd 7797 January 1980, and editions of "Public Bodies" since its establishment in 1982, have been abolished.

  Executive Bodies

  Co-operative Development Agency

  23 Industry Training Boards as follows:

  Air Transport and Travel

  Carpet Industry

  Ceramics, Glass and Mineral Products

  Chemical and Allied Products

  Clothing and Allied Products

  224

  Cotton and Allied Textiles

  Distributive Industry

  Engineering (mainstream only. The Engineering Construction ITB remains)

  Food, Drink and Tobacco

  Footwear, Leather and Fur Skin

  Foundry

  Furniture and Timber

  Hotel and Catering

  Iron and Steel

  Knitting, Lace and Net

  Man-made Fibres Producing Industry

  Paper and Paper Products

  Petroleum (later, Offshore Petroleum)

  Printing and Publishing

  225

  Road Transport

  Rubber (later Plastics Processing)

  Ship Building

  Wood, Jute and Flax

  Industrial Training Research Unit Ltd.

  Manpower Services Commission (later Training Commission)

  National Dock Labour Board

  Underwater Training Centre

  34 Wages Councils as follows:

  Aerated Waters (England and Wales)

  Aerated Waters (Scotland)

  Boot and Shoe Repairing

  Button Manufacturing

  Coffin Furniture and Cerement Making

  Corset

  Cotton Waste Reclamation

  Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing (England and Wales)

  Dressmaking and Women's Light Clothing (Scotland)

  Flax and Hemp

  Fur

  General Waste Materials Reclamation

  Hairdressing Undertakings

  Hat, Cap and Millinery (Great Britain)

  Lace Finishing

  Laundry

  Licensed Non-Residential Establishment

  Licensed Residential Establishment and Licensed Restaurant

  Linen and Cotton Handkerchief and Household Goods and Linen Piece Goods

  Made up Textiles

  Ostrich and Fancy Feather and Artificial Flower

  Perambulator and Invalid Carriage

  Pin, Hook and Eye, and Snap Fastener

  Ready-made and Wholesale Bespoke Tailoring

  Retail Bespoke Tailoring (Great Britain)

  Retail Food and Allied Trades (created in 1979 from the merger of 6 separate Councils)

  Retail Trades Non-Food (created in 1979 from the merger of 3 separate Councils)

  Rope, Twine and Net

  Rubber Proofed Garment Making Industry

  Sack and Bag

  Shirtmaking

  Toy Manufacturing

  Unlicensed Place of Refreshment

  Wholesale Mantle and Costume

  Advisory Bodies

  Advisory Committee on Homeworking

  Advisory Committee on the Resettlement of Ex-regular Members of the Armed Forces

  Advisory Committee on Women's Employment

  Advisory Group on Enterprise Training

  Advisory Panel on Deregulation

  125 Area (formerly District) Manpower Boards

  Careers Materials Advisory Committee

  Careers Service Advisory Council for England

  220 District Advisory Committees created under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944—replaced by 60 Committees for the Employment of Disabled People

  Industrial Language Training Advisory Committee

  Manpower Services Committee for Scotland

  Manpower Services Committee for Wales

  National Steering Group for Local Collaborative Projects under the Adult Training Strategy

  226

  Non-advanced Further Education Joint Consultative Group

  Open Tech Programme: Steering Group

  Quality Standards Group

  Royal Commission on the Distribution on Income and Wealth

  Services Resettlement Committee

  Special Employment Measures Advisory Group

  30 Special Programme Board and Area Boards

  Technical and Vocational Educational Initiative National Steering Group

  Training and Further Education Consultative Group

  Training of Trainers Advisory Group

  Tripartite Steering Group on Job Satisfaction

  Youth Training Board

  Youth Training Board Advisory Group on Content and Standards

  Your Training Scheme Certification Board

  Tribunals

  Levy Exemption Referees

  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many quangos his Department was responsible for(a) in 1979 (b) in the latest year for which a number is available.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Details of the public bodies associated with the Employment Department group in 1979 were published in the "Report on Non-departmental Public Bodies" (the "Pliatzky Report") Cmnd 7797 January 1980. In that year the Department was responsible for:68 Executive bodies (including 34 Wages Councils and 24 Industry Training Bodies);
  386 Advisory bodies (including 220 District Advisory Committees created under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944; 125 District Manpower Committees; and 28 Special Programme Area Boards);
  4 Tribunals (including the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal which was incorrectly classified as an advisory body in 1979).
  The Department is currently responsible for:

  11 Executive bodies;

  64 Advisory bodies (including 60 Committees for the Employment of Disabled People);

  4 Tribunals.

  Details will be published in the 1994 edition of "Public Bodies" later this year.

  None of these figures include the range of advisory committees to the Health and Safety Commission—currently numbering 22—which were incorrectly listed as advisory non-departmental public bodies in 1979. These committees do not have NDPB status and were removed from "Public Bodies" in 1991.

  Skills Levels
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is Britain's position in the World Economic Forum's skills league table.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The United Kingdom was ranked 18th, in respect of the availability of skilled people, out of the 41 countries covered in the World Economic Forum's "World Competitiveness Report, 1994". However the forum's findings are based on limited statistical evidence and put Japan well below the Philippines.

  Employers
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's estimate of the number of employers with 200 or more employees in each training and enterprise council area.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The available information relates to individual workplaces, not employers. The number of workplaces in each training and enterprise council area with more than 200 employees at September 1991 is shown in the following table:

  TEC

  Units

  Hampshire

  364

  Heart of England

  121

  Isle of Wight

  14

  Kent

  308

  Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire

  60

  Surrey

  215

  Sussex

  276

  Thames Valley Enterprise

  329

  Bedfordshire

  131

  CAMBSTEC

  104

  Essex

  277

  Greater Peterborough

  71

  Hertfordshire

  234

  Norfolk and Waveney

  189

  Suffolk

  121

  Aztec

  129

  CENTEC

  622

  CILNTEC

  320

  London East

  239

  North London

  134

  North West London

  95

  SOLOTEC

  223

  South Thames

  236

  West London

  276

  Avon

  251

  Devon and Cornwall

  222

  Dorset

  128

  Gloucestershire

  118

  Somerset

  92

  Wiltshire

  162

  Birmingham

  284

  Central England

  95

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  191

  Dudley

  53

  HAWTEC

  84

  Sandwell

  89

  Shropshire

  85

  Staffordshire

  216

  Walsall

  61

  Wolverhampton

  63

  Greater Nottingham

  160

  Leicestershire

  224

  Lincolnshire

  90

  North Derbyshire

  66

  North Nottinghamshire

  95

  Northamptonshire

  145

  South Derbyshire

  123

  Barnsley and Doncaster

  102

  Bradford and District

  114

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  120

  Humberside

  183

  Leeds

  206

  North Yorkshire

  138

  Rotherham

  56

  Sheffield

  118

  Wakefield

  78

  CEWTEC

  100

  228

  TEC

  Units

  Cumbria

  91

  ELTEC

  126

  LAWTEC

  184

  Merseyside

  191

  NorMidTEC

  121

  QUALITEC

  37

  Bolton and Bury

  97

  Manchester

  348

  METROTEC

  60

  Oldham

  45

  Rochdale

  34

  South and East Cheshire

  79

  Stockport and High Peak

  73

  County Durham

  117

  Northumberland

  44

  Teesside

  117

  Tyneside

  208

  Wearside

  63

  Gwent

  91

  Mid Glamorgan

  123

  North East Wales

  70

  North West Wales

  45

  Powys

  10

  South Glamorgan

  130

  West Wales

  124

  The table excludes Agriculture and Horticulture (Standard Industrial Classification 80, Activity Heading 0100).

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those parliamentary constituencies where the current level of unemployment is lower than in November 1990.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information requested is available from NOMIS database in the Library.

  Construction Site Safety
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider amending the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to allow the police the power to enforce its prescriptions with regard to ensuring proper supervision and securing of construction sites to ensure the safety of the general public.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I am satisfied that existing arrangements for enforcement of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 on construction sites and elsewhere are adequate and efficient. I have no plans to amend the legislation.

  Chemical Poisoning
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many workplace incidents have resulted in death from chemical poisoning in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The following table shows the number of workplace incidents in the United Kingdom, as reported to enforcement authorities, which resulted in death from chemical poisoning:
  229

  Year (Commencing 1 April

  Number of Incidents

  Number of Fatalities

  1988–89

  13

  13

  1989–90

  7

  8

  1990–91

  14

  18

  1991–92

  11

  12

  1992–93

  7

  8

  These figures do not include deaths as a result of long-term exposure to chemicals, deaths arising from chemical poisoning reported to Her Majesty's inspectorate of mines, nor to local authorities in Great Britain for which figures are not readily available. Chemical poisoning is defined as exposure to, or asphyxiation by, chemicals and fumes, including natural fumes such as methane in sewers.

  Compensation Claims
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in how many cases compensation claims to industrial tribunals have exceeded the upper limit laid down by the Government in the past two years; and how many have been settled at or above the limit.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I regret that the information is not available.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what plans he has to review compensation arrangements for successful applicants against unfair dismissal who win their cases in an industrial tribunal;

  (2) when he last reviewed the upper limit for compensation imposed on claims for unfair dismissal settled in the applicant's favour at an industrial tribunal; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Following the last review, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State announced on 17 October 1994, in—"Limits on guaranteed payment and limits on a weeks pay; A report by the Secretary of State for Employment", HC 664, that the limits used for calculating unfair dismissal compensation were not to be

  Farm animals rejected as unfit for transport following veterinary inspection

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1994 March to September

  Cattle (including Calves)

  1,078

  839

  906

  1,257

  1,654

  Sheep

  6,950

  5,527

  13,722

  26,813

  13,083

  Pigs

  2

  —

  17

  —

  632

  Goats

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Totals

  8,030

  6,366

  14,645

  28,072

  15,371

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by country the number of bovine spongiform encephalopathy affected herds in member states of the European Union.

  Mrs. Browning
  The numbers of herds affected by BSE in member states of the European Union are not available. However, we understand that the numbers of cases of the disease in each member state as at 11 November 1994, or otherwise if specified, are as follows:
  230
  changed. The outcome of the next review will be announced next year.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many public appointments(a) he is responsible for making and (b) require his approval, including those not listed in "Public Bodies"; and if he will give this figure in terms of (i) appointments to executive bodies, (ii) appointments to advisory bodies and (iii) other appointments.

  Miss Widdecombe
  [pursuant to the reply, 27 October 1994, c. 840]: I regret that figures quoted in my reply of 27 October 1994, were incorrect. The figures for public appointments which were stated to be taken from "Public Bodies 1993" also took account of a number of changes since its publication.

  The figures listed in "Public Bodies 1993" are as follows: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Employment is responsible for 3,434 appointments, including some which require his approval. A total of 221 of these are to executive bodies, 789 to advisory bodies and 2,424 to other appointments.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Animal Transportation
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has held and intends to hold with hauliers in relation to provisions for carrying small livestock.

  Mrs. Browning
  Officials have held one meeting with the various interests concerned with the carriage of small livestock by courier service. No further meetings are currently planned.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many livestock animals were classed as unfit to travel in each year since 1989.

  Mrs. Browning
  The available information is given in the following table, excluding 1993 when no figures were available. The figures relate to animals inspected prior to export from Great Britain.

  Member State

  Number

  Belgium

  —

  Denmark

  1

  France (to 1 September 1994)

  9

  Germany

  4

  Greece

  —

  Ireland (to 21 September 1994)

  97

  Italy

  2

  Luxembourg

  —

  Netherlands

  —

  Portugal

  10

  Spain

  —

  United Kingdom

  139,893

  Viral Haemorrhagic Disease
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether approval for a vaccine for viral haemorrhagic disease will be under consideration at the next meeting of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

  Mrs. Browning
  I believe that the hon. Member has in mind the Veterinary Products Committee. I announced on Friday 18 November that a provisional licence for a vaccine against viral haemorrhagic disease in rabbits had been issued the previous day, following advice from the committee.

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the papers submitted to the Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products before they considered their advice to him on the use of BST.

  Mrs. Browning
  The EC Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products does not directly advise Ministers, but publishes formal opinions on dossiers submitted to it in accordance with directive 87/22/EEC. In the case of the two applications for BST its "Opinions and Evaluation Report" was published on 1 February 1993. Copies are available in the House Library as part of the consultation package on BST issued on 28 April 1994.

  In assessing dossiers the committee considers all available information, both published and unpublished, but details of the data it receives remain confidential in accordance with article 3(1) of the directive.

  Food Colourings
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what consideration has been given by United Kingdom approved authorities to bans on the use of E124 ponceau 4R in Norway and the United States for reasons of health risk to asthmatics, in relation to permitting use in the United Kingdom;

  (2) what consideration has been given to bans on the use of E110 sunset yellow colouring in Norway and Finland by United Kingdom approved authorities in relation to permitting use in the United Kingdom;

  (3) what consideration has been given by United Kingdom approved authorities to bans on the use of E104 quinine yellow food additive in Norway, the United States, Australia and Japan for reasons of hyperactivity, in relation to permitting use in the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Browning
  We are aware that the colours E104, E110 and E120 can give rise to adverse reactions in a small minority of the population. Nevertheless, each of these colours has been assessed as acceptable for use in food both by United Kingdom and by EC expert scientific committees, and they are listed as permitted colours in the EU colours directive.

  As a general rule we do not ban the use of food additives which may cause intolerance reactions to a small number of individuals. But statutory ingredient labelling requires the presence of colours to be declared—and this should enable affected individuals to avoid food containing additives to which they react.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration has been given by the United Kingdom approval authorities 232
  to the use of food colourings by Messrs Mars in their food product M &Ms.

  Mrs. Browning
  All the food colourings used in this product have been subject to safety evaluations by expert scientific committees both in the United Kingdom and in the European Union. Such evaluations form the basis of food additive regulation.

  Hill Farmers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to encourage hill farmers under 40 years to remain on the land.

  Mr. Jack
  Under the EC side of the farming and conservation grant scheme an enhanced rate of grant has been payable to established young farmers under the age of 40 who have taken out improvement plans. Farmer in less-favoured areas, which cover most upland areas in England, regardless of age may be eligible for higher rates of grant under the farm and conservation grant scheme. They are also entitled to hill livestock compensatory allowances and an additional supplement to the sheep annual premium scheme.

  Fishing
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishing boats have been or are being decommissioned in each of the registered ports in the United Kingdom; what is the total estimated cost; what proportion this is of his targets in each case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jack
  The following table sets out the number of vessels decommissioned under the 1993 scheme, and those declared successful under the 1994 scheme:

  Country

  Port

  Number in 1993

  Number in 1994

  England

  Brixham

  5

  6

  Fleetwood

  10

  10

  Grimsby

  13

  14

  Hastings

  5

  10

  Lowestoft

  5

  12

  Newlyn

  2

  7

  North Shields

  17

  23

  Plymouth

  4

  7

  Poole

  1

  4

  Sub-total

  62

  93

  Scotland

  Arbroath

  3

  1

  Ayr

  4

  9

  Buckie

  4

  9

  Campbeltown

  2

  7

  Eyemouth

  8

  1

  Fraserburgh

  2

  2

  Lerwick

  3

  —

  Lossiemouth

  7

  5

  Macduff

  —

  2

  Mallaig

  4

  4

  Oban

  —

  1

  Peterhead

  3

  —

  Pittenweem

  2

  1

  Portree

  —

  1

  Scrabster

  1

  2

  Stornoway

  1

  2

  Ullapool

  1

  1

  Wick

  —

  1

  Sub-total

  45

  49

  233

  Country

  Port

  Number in 1993

  Number in 1994

  Northern Ireland

  Ardglass

  1

  2

  Belfast

  —

  1

  Kilkeel

  10

  5

  Portavogie

  17

  5

  Sub-total

  28

  13

  Wales

  Caernarfon

  —

  2

  Milford

  Haven

  —

  2

  Sub-total

  —

  4

  total

  135

  159

  234
  Expenditure on the 1993 and 1994 schemes is expected to total 16.7 million. I am encouraged that between them they will remove 4.8 per cent. of the fleet, assuming that all vessels successful in this year's tender are scrapped. With £8.3 million still available for next year, I am confident of exceeding my estimate of at least 5 per cent. for the whole programme to which column 417 of the Official Report for 7 July 1993 refers.

  Timberwoff Crossbreed Dogs
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many reported incidents of attacks on livestock by timberwolf crossbreed dogs there have been in each of the last four years.

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 21 November 1994]: The Ministry has no records of attacks on livestock by timberwolf crossbreed dogs.

  HIGHER EDUCATION COSTS
  HIGHER EDUCATION COSTS
  STUDENT LOANS
  STUDENT LOANS
  HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY COUNCIL
  HIGHER EDUCATION QUALITY COUNCIL
  UNIVERSITY RESEARCH ASSESSMENT
  UNIVERSITY RESEARCH ASSESSMENT
  PARISH CHURCHES LISTED GRADE 1
  PARISH CHURCHES LISTED GRADE 1
  PARISH CHURCHES: ENGLISH HERITAGE GRANTS
  PARISH CHURCHES: ENGLISH HERITAGE GRANTS
  HISTORIC BUILDINGS: ENGLISH HERITAGE GRANTS
  HISTORIC BUILDINGS: ENGLISH HERITAGE GRANTS
  PHARMACISTS: ADVICE TO FHSAs
  PHARMACISTS: ADVICE TO FHSAs
  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CIRCULAR HM(71)90
  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CIRCULAR HM(71)90
  MAMMOGRAPHY FACILITIES
  MAMMOGRAPHY FACILITIES
  STUDENTS: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
  STUDENTS: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
  JUBILEE LINE: DEVELOPERS' CONTRIBUTION
  JUBILEE LINE: DEVELOPERS' CONTRIBUTION
  JUBILEE LINE: SAFETY
  JUBILEE LINE: SAFETY
  ROYAL DOCKYARDS: OFFERS TO PURCHASE
  ROYAL DOCKYARDS: OFFERS TO PURCHASE
  CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC ORDER ACT 1994: INCREASED PENALTIES AND NEW OFFENCES
  CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC ORDER ACT 1994: INCREASED PENALTIES AND NEW OFFENCES