Written Answers of 29 November 1994

PRIME MINISTER

  State Property Inventories
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will give the dates on which state property inventories have been checked since 1980.

  The Prime Minister
  Departments are responsible for maintaining records of property which they hold for their specialised or operational use. Property Holdings maintains a record for the common user office estate. No central record is kept and the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what evidence he has to support the public statement of Mrs. Stella Rimmington that MI5 had assisted in the tracking down and issue of warrants for the culprits of the Lockerbie crime; and if he will place in the Library the report of the conduct and knowledge of MI5 about terrorist threats against airliners in October to December 1988.

  The Prime Minister
  The greater part of the Security Service's efforts is directed to countering terrorism.

  As I made clear in reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Ravensbourne (Sir J. Hunt), on 14 July Official Report, column 712, it remains the Government's policy not to provide information on the operations of the security and intelligence agencies. I have, therefore, nothing further to add to what the Director-General has already said.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 29 November.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 29 November.

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

  Zoological Society
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the conduct of the council of the Zoological Society of London in respect of its adherence to its constitution and its performance of its objectives; and if he will make a statement.

  The Prime Minister
  The Zoological Society of London is an autonomous body operating under a royal charter. Ensuring adherence to the charter is not a matter for the Government.

  Government
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Prime Minister how many members there are of his Administration, including Whips,(a) in the House of Commons, (b) in the House of Lords, (c) in neither and (d) in total; and if he will provide comparable figures for November 1989, November 1984 and May 1979.

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter of public record. The information requested can be obtained from the Library of the House.

  Ministers
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the number of Ministers in Her Majesty's Government in each year since 1979.

  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter of public record. The information requested can be obtained from the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prevention of Terrorism Acts
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the exclusion orders placed upon those people under the Prevention of Terrorism Acts, with particular reference to John Matthews; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  The Government hope that the day is approaching when exclusion orders will no longer be needed but we are not prepared to lower our guard prematurely. There are currently 61 orders in force which I or my predecessors have made and I keep the need for them under review.

  Wheel Clamping
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to introduce legislation to regulate those who seek to clamp vehicles parked on private land.

  Mr. Maclean
  Following the consultation process completed last year, the Government are considering what action it would be appropriate to take in respect of wheel clamping on private land. Our aim is to ensure that any measure introduced to prevent or deter irresponsible and heavy-handed wheel clamping on private land does not prevent sensible measures being taken to control genuine parking problems.

  We will make an announcement as soon as possible.

  National Criminal Intelligence System
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the total costs involved in the integrated national criminal intelligence system project; which computer company provided the equipment; and what consultants were employed.

  Mr. Maclean
  From the project's initiation in autumn 1989 to its termination in February 1993 total costs involved in the integrated national criminal intelligence system were £1.447 million. No computer equipment was provided as the project did not proceed beyond the design stage. The private sector firms engaged as consultants
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  were Computer Sciences Co. Ltd. Grafton Database Associates Ltd, Hoskyns', PA Consultants, Software AG and World Quality Systems.

  Airports (Immigration officers)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those United Kingdom airports receiving scheduled flights from abroad which do not have permanent, full-time immigration service staff stationed at the airport.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The airports are Belfast (International), Teeside, Humberside, Biggin Hill, Eastleigh (Southampton), Exeter and Kirkwall (Orkney). At six of these locations arrangements exist to provide immigration coverage from the nearest permanently staffed port or office. The exception is Kirkwall where immigration coverage of scheduled flights is provided by customs officers under the provisions of paragraph 1(1) of schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971.

  Probation and Community Service Orders
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of unexecuted warrants(a) for breach of probation orders and (b) for breach of community services orders in each probation service area in England and Wales, and in total in England and Wales in (i) 1991, (ii) 1992 and (iii) 1993 and on the latest date for which figures were available.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is not available centrally.

  Selection Panels' Lists (Total = 686)

  Home Secretary's Lists (Total = 342)

  (a) Number

  (b) percentage of 686

  (c) Number

  (d) percentage of 342

  (e) percentage of (a)

  Women

  192

  30

  73

  21.3

  38

  Ethnic Minorities

  52

  7.6

  23

  6.7

  44.2

  Voluntary Sector

  35

  5.1

  10

  2.9

  28.6

  Businessmen

  262

  38.1

  167

  48.8

  63.7

  Educationalists

  114

  16.6

  30

  8.8

  26.3

  Lawyers

  23

  3.4

  10

  2.9

  43.5

  It is not possible to calculate a total figure, as many of the candidates fall into more than one of the categories listed.

  Hunt Saboteurs
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance has been given to the police in relation to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in particular in relation to their treatment of hunt saboteurs.

  Mr. Maclean
  On Royal Assent, we issued to all police forces a circular and introductory guide on the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Copies have been put in the Library of the House. The information provided is explanatory rather than interpretative. The application of the provisions in respect of the offence of aggravated trespass is an operational matter for chief officers.

  Camera Surveillance
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what guidance is issued to(a) local authorities and (b) police authorities regarding responsibility to display signs warning of the existence of camera surveillance when it is used to monitor on-street activity in city or town centres;

  (2) what guidance is issued to (a) local authorities and (b) police authorities regarding the preservation of privacy for domestic and office premises within CCTV field of vision, where closed circuit television is used to monitor on-street activities in city or town centres.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government issued good practice guidelines to local authorities and police authorities on the use of closed circuit television in public places earlier this month. Where cameras are not place prominently the guide recommends that there should be clear signs indicating that a CCTV system is in operation. The guide also recommends the development of local codes of practice for each scheme so that due attention is given to issues of privacy.

  Police Authority Membership
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of those submitted by the independent selection process for nomination as independent members of English police authorities were(a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities, (c) from the voluntary sector, (d) businessmen, (e) educationists and (f) lawyers; and what proportion (i) of each group and (ii) in total remained on the list after the Home Office review of the suggested names.

  Mr. Maclean
  Nominations have been received in respect of 36 of the 37 English police authorities. The Home Secretary has considered 35 of these, and the information is as follows:

  Adoption
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many babies adopted by British residents in Romania and in India have been(a) granted or (b) refused admission; and how many appeals against refusal have been (i) rejected and (ii) successful in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Statistics relating to children entering the United Kingdom with a view to adoption are not collected centrally.

  Firearms
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost to police in operating the firearms licensing system in respect of each of the categories of firearms fees listed in the table in his answer of 21 July,Official Report, column 282.
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  Mr. Maclean
  The estimated costs1 for each category for the year 1993–94 are as follows:-

  £

  Firearm Certificate Issue

  593,000

  Shot Gun Certificate Issue

  1,303,000

  Shot Gun Certificate Renewal

  3,460,000

  Registered Firearm Dealer Issue of Certificate

  20,000

  Home Office Club Approval

  21,650

  1 Costs vary from year to year according to the number of certificates issued.

  2 No certificates for Home Office club approval fell due for renewal during 1993–94.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the best practice costs detailed in the 1991 guidelines issued to chief police officers for(a) the issue and renewal of a firearm certificate, (b) the issue and renewal of a shot gun certificate, (c) the issue of a certificate to a registered firearm dealer and (d) Home Office club approval.

  Mr. Maclean
  The models of best practice for the administration of the firearms licensing system issued to chief officers of police in 1991 do not include costings.

  Costings of best practice are contained in a subsequent study undertaken in 1992 by the independent consultants Ernst and Young. The costings identified, for both uniformed and civilian staff, are as follows:

  Uniformed Procedure

  Civilian Procedure

  Firearm Certificate

  Issue

  55.57

  36.18

  Renewal

  12.12

  10.23

  Shot Gun Certificate

  Issue

  44.11

  28.92

  Renewal

  11.18

  9.08

  Registered Firearms Dealer

  Issue of Certificate

  124.52

  77.72

  Home Office Club

  Approval

  92.26

  57.64

  Young Offenders
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the rates for re-offending for those aged under 21 years within(a) two years and (b) four years in each year since 1990 for those punished

  Two year reconviction rates1 for those aged under 21 at commencement of probation and community service orders and for those aged under 21 when sentenced to a custodial sentence by type of original offence2 based on samples of offenders commencing order or discharged during 1990

  England and Wales—percentages and numbers

  Disposal

  Theft of a motor Vechile5

  All offenders

  Assault3

  Criminal damage4

  Burglary in a dwelling

  Burglary of a building

  Theft from a motor vehicle4

  Theft from shops4

  Probation

  Reconviction rate

  81

  70

  48

  64

  76

  79

  73

  64

  Number in sample6

  446

  3,653

  321

  475

  402

  534

  492

  1,161

  Community service

  Reconviction rate

  75

  67

  66

  65

  67

  75

  65

  73

  Number in sample6

  196

  1,603

  205

  172

  147

  229

  245

  310

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  with each of the possible sentences listed in his answer of 20 July, Official Report, columns 267–68, for offences of assault or criminal damage;

  (2) what are the rates for re-offending within four years for those aged under 21 years in each year since 1990 for those punished with each of the sentences listed in his answer of 20 July, Official Report, columns 267–68, for the offences of (a) burglary of a dwelling-house and (b) burglary of buildings;

  (3) what are the comparable rates for re-offending within two years for those under 21 years in each year since 1990 for those convicted of (i) theft from shops, (ii) theft of a motor vehicle and (iii) theft from a motor vehicle by a sentence of (a) absolute or conditional discharge, (b) fine, (c) bind over of parent, (d) supervision order, (e) attendance centre order, (f) community service order, (g) probation order, (h) combination order and (i) detention in a young offender institution;

  (4) what are the rates for re-offending within two years for those aged under 21 years in each year since 1990 for those punished with each of the sentences listed in his answer of 20 July, Official Report, columns 267–68, for the offences of (a) burglary of a dwelling-house and (b) burglary of buildings;

  (5) what are the rates for re-offending within four years for those aged under 21 years in each year since 1990 for those punished with each of the sentences listed in his answer of 20 July, Official Report, columns 296–68, for the offences of (a) theft from shops, (b) theft of a motor vehicle and (c) theft from a motor vehicle.

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information on re-offending is on the rate of reconviction for offenders who commence probation and community service and for sentenced prisoners who are discharged from Prison Service establishments. The latest available information relates to a two-year period following the commencement of an order or the discharge from prison during 1990.

  The table gives two-year reconviction rates for those aged under 21 at commencement of their order or aged under 21 when sentenced to a custodial sentence.

  These comparisons do not make allowance for the different nature of offenders, with different risks of reconviction, who receive different sentences nor for the fact that for those commencing community penalties there is a greater likelihood of being convicted in the early part of the follow-up period for offences which were committed before the period started. These issues will be addressed in a report in preparation—"Explaining reconviction rates: a critical analysis", a Home Office research study.
  557

  Two year reconviction rates1 for those aged under 21 at commencement of probation and community service orders and for those aged under 21 when sentenced to a custodial sentence by type of original offence2 based on samples of offenders commencing order or discharged during 1990

  England and Wales—percentages and numbers

  Disposal

  Theft of a motor vehicle5

  All offenders

  Assault3

  Criminal damage4

  Burglary in a dwelling

  Burglary of a building

  Theft from a motor vehicle4

  Theft from shops4

  Young offender institution

  Reconviction rate

  89

  72

  57

  60

  77

  83

  75

  81

  Number in samples6

  528

  5,932

  722

  764

  825

  600

  546

  970

  1 Reconviction rates are for offences on the 'standard list'. These include all indictable offences and more serious summary offences. A definition of standard list offences is contained in Appendices 4 and 5 of "Criminal statistics England and Wales 1993" (Cm 2680).

  2 The most recent standard list offence recorded in the period up to and including the commencement or discharge date. This may on occasions not be the offence for which the sentence is passed.

  3 This consists of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm or to resist apprehension, wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm (inflicting bodily injury with or without a weapon), assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault with intent to resist apprehension or assault on a person assisting a constable and assault on a constable but does not include common assault as all but a few rare subclasses of common assault are not standard list offences.

  4 On account of the relatively low numbers for some of the disposals in the samples for offences of criminal damage, theft from a motor vehicle and theft from shops the quoted figures are based on pooling samples over the period 1987 to 1990.

  5 This consists of theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle and stealing and unauthorised taking of a conveyance.

  6 The number in the samples are given for information. The reconviction rate based on the smallest sample (ie. that for community service and the offence of burglary in a dwelling) could range by chance by about plus or minus 8 percentage points. The rate will be generally more accurately determined as the numbers sampled increase.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of 10 to 16-year-olds found guilty or cautioned for each year since 1981.

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is given in the table.

  Number of 10–16 year olds found guilty or cautioned1 for all offences 1981–1993

  England and Wales

  Year

  Found guilty

  Cautioned1

  Found guilty and cautioned1

  1981

  118,260

  108,237

  226,497

  1982

  110,018

  112,684

  222,702

  1983

  100,445

  115,437

  215,882

  1984

  93,271

  119,848

  213,119

  1985

  82,631

  134,567

  217,198

  1986

  62,630

  113,496

  176,126

  1987

  53,597

  114,401

  167,998

  1988

  46,850

  101,375

  148,225

  1989

  40,373

  96,627

  137,000

  1990

  37,255

  112,081

  149,336

  1991

  32,544

  105,662

  138,206

  1992

  29,006

  112,867

  141,873

  1993

  29,260

  99,870

  129,130

  1 Excludes motoring offences.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the cost to public funds of employing ministerial special advisers in his Department.

  Mr. Howard
  My Department employs two special advisers.

  Salaries for special advisers are negotiated individually in relation to their previous earnings, and are confidential. They are, however, normally paid on a special advisers' salary spine of 34 points, ranging from £19,503 to £67,609. Appointments are non-pensionable, and the salary spine reflects this.

  Prisoners (Drugs and Alcohol)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities there are for treating those with drug or alcohol problems who are being held in prison in the United Kingdom.

  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 Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 29 November 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question on what facilities there are for treating those with drug or alcohol problems who are being held in prison in the United Kingdom.
  All prisons within England and Wales provide prisoners with access to education, treatment and counselling services for substance misuse via the prison health care centre, the probation service or outside drug agencies. Some but not all of the facilities are already used by both alcohol and drug misusers.
  As part of the new Prison Service drugs strategy, to be launched during January 1995, all prison governors will be required to develop and implement local drug strategies which will form part of their contract with their area manager. The local strategies will include provision for education, treatment and throughcare services for prisoners who misuse, have misused or are at risk of misusing drugs.
  The Prison Service will also be launching the first phase of the implementation of a range of treatment programmes throughout Prison Service establishments during 1995. The different programmes will be evaluated.
  The Scottish Office and Northern Ireland Office will be able to provide information on the provision of treatment programmes for prisoners with drug or alcohol problems in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of those with drug or alcohol problems currently being held in prison in the United Kingdom.

  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.
  559
  Letter from Derek Lewis to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 29 November 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question on the number of prisoners with drug or alcohol problems being held in prison in the United Kingdom.
  During 1993 the Home Office Addicts Index was notified of 3,764 drug addicts identified by prison medical officers within the United Kingdom. Prisoners addicted to alcohol addiction are not reflected within this figure.
  There are currently no central records of the number of alcohol addicted prisoners in England and Wales.

  Secure Training Centres
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has received to support the need for the creation of secure training centres; and if he will publish these reports.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Home Office commissioned two pieces of research on persistent young offenders, both of which confirmed the existence of a small number of young people who are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime.

  The first was a survey of police forces undertaken by the Home Office during 1992. It is contained in annex B to the memorandum of evidence submitted for the sixth report from the Home Affairs Select Committee, Session 1992–93: HC441-II, "Juvenile Offenders".

  The second was commissioned from the Policy Studies Institute and is entitled "Persistent Young Offenders". Its findings were published in February 1994.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what bids he has received for the running of the secure training centres.

  Mr. Maclean
  Twenty-five organisations have indicated an interest in tendering to finance, build or refurbish, operate and maintain secure training centres. We expect to receive firm bids in response to invitations to tender, the first of which will issue within a few weeks.

  Criminal Records
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances the new criminal records system, Phoenix, will hold personal data which relate to individuals who have been acquitted, or who are not prosecuted; and if he will make a statement on how long such data are retained.

  Mr. Maclean
  Data relating to acquittals and to cases discontinued without a caution will be deleted from the Phoenix system within 42 days of the date of notification, save for certain exceptional cases in which the data will be retained for a longer period. Rules closely defining these exceptional cases are currently being produced by the police service in consultation with the Home Office and the Data Protection Registrar, and I shall make an announcement once they have been finalised.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation which relates criteria for the retention of personal data which describes the analysis of DNA samples, fingerprints and criminal records to the seriousness of the offence; if he will list the current retention criteria; and on what statute the retention criteria is based.

  Mr. Maclean
  Legislation relating the retention of fingerprints, samples used for DNA profiling, and national 560
  criminal records to the seriousness of the criminal offence already exists. Under section 27 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, fingerprints may be retained where the offender has been convicted of a recordable offence, and criminal convictions may be retained in national records where the offender has been convicted of such an offence. Recordable offences are defined in the National Police Records (Recordable Offences) Regulations 1985. Records of convictions for offences which are not recordable may be held in local police collections. Under section 64 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, a sample taken from any person for DNA profiling purposes may be retained if it was taken in the course of an investigation as a result of which a person was convicted of a recordable offence. Samples from persons not convicted of an offence cannot be used in evidence against the person or for any investigation. Their retention is for technical, administrative and legal reasons.

  The current practice is that criminal records for recordable convictions are retained by the National Identification Bureau for 20 years, provided that there have been no subsequent convictions; if, however, the conviction involves either homicide or terrorism, the record is retained indefinitely; and if the conviction involves indecency or illicit drugs, or a custodial sentence was imposed, or the record reveals mental illness, the record will be retained until the subject reaches 70 years of age.

  Fingerprints are retained until the whole of the associated criminal record is deleted. Rules for the retention of criminal records on the Phoenix application of the police national computer will comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act and are being developed by the police service in consultation with the Government and Data Protection Registrar. Detailed rules for the retention of samples taken for DNA profiling within the statutory framework set out above are currently being prepared, but the work is at an early stage.

  Anabolic Steroids
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department made of the legal status of anabolic steroids in Spain before he made his announcement of 2 November.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, on whose recommendations the Government's proposals are based, made no specific assessment although were aware of the controls on anabolic steroids in the European Union member states and in a number of other countries. We understand that in Spain, as currently in the United Kingdom, anabolic steroids are subject to the law governing medicines and may be supplied lawfully only on prescription.

  Automated Facial Recognition
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's research into automated facial recognition from photographs.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Department's work aims to ensure that the police are able to make maximum use of both images and eye witness reports in the investigation of
  561
  crime. The first stage will be the provision of images to accompany the textual information on the Phoenix criminal justice record service.

  Operational trials have shown that photographs which have been coded by reference to physical features can be retrieved during the interview of a witness significantly more successfully than uncoded photographs. But manual coding is a very labour intensive process and my Department is therefore investigating automatic coding methods. It is also working with facial identification practitioners to establish standards for the analysis and presentation of facial identification evidence to the courts.

  Conviction rates and average sentence length (months) given for the offence of theft and handling stolen goods and all offences in the Ashton-Under-Lyne and South Tameside Petty Sessional Divisions by age groups, 1989–1993

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  All offences1

  10–17

  18+

  All ages

  10–17

  18+

  All ages

  1989

  Ashton-Under-Lyne PSD

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  71

  62

  64

  78

  79

  79

  Average sentence length (months)

  (1.6)

  (2.4)

  (2.4)

  (2.2)

  2.7

  2.6

  South Tameside PSD

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  (76)

  64

  66

  76

  78

  78

  Average sentence length (months)

  (2.3)

  (1.7)

  (1.8)

  (3.3)

  2.3

  2.5

  England and Wales PSDs

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  72

  66

  67

  71

  78

  77

  Average sentence length (months)

  3.1

  2.6

  2.7

  3.4

  2.9

  3.0

  1990

  Ashton-Under-Lyne PSD

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  74

  61

  63

  78

  76

  76

  Average sentence length (months)

  (4.0)

  (1.9)

  (2.0)

  (3.3)

  2.5

  2.6

  South Tameside PSD

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  (67)

  57

  58

  77

  79

  78

  Average sentence length (months)

  (3.2)

  (1.9)

  (2.1)

  (2.4)

  2.5

  2.5

  England and Wales PSDs

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  70

  65

  66

  69

  76

  76

  Average sentence length (months)

  3.0

  2.5

  2.6

  3.3

  2.8

  2.9

  1991

  Ashton-Under-Lyne PSD

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  74

  65

  66

  72

  78

  77

  Average sentence length (months)

  (2.5)

  (1.3)

  (1.4)

  (3.0)

  2.1

  2.2

  South Tameside PSD

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  (95)

  66

  70

  75

  79

  79

  Average sentence length (months

  —

  (2.0)

  (2.0)

  (2.5)

  2.9

  2.9

  England and Wales PSDs

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  66

  63

  64

  65

  73

  73

  Average sentence length (months)

  3.0

  2.4

  2.5

  3.3

  2.8

  2.9

  1992

  Ashton-Under-Lyne PSD

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  83

  65

  68

  75

  73

  73

  Average sentence length (months)

  (1.8)

  (1.9)

  (1.8)

  (2.3)

  2.4

  2.4

  South Tameside PSD

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  (84)

  67

  69

  67

  72

  72

  Average sentence length (months)

  (2.0)

  (2.5)

  (2.4)

  (3.3)

  2.9

  2.9

  England and Wales PSDs

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  62

  62

  62

  60

  72

  71

  Average sentence length (months)

  3.2

  2.4

  2.5

  3.4

  2.8

  2.9

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  These standards may eventually be embodied in a computer system.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing(a) the rate of conviction and (b) the average sentences for cases heard by (i) Tameside South magistrates court and (ii) Ashton-under-Lyme magistrates court in relation to (i) all crimes of theft, (ii) all juvenile crimes and (iii) crimes of theft committed by juveniles, for each of the last five years.

  Mr. Maclean
  The 1989 to 1993 information is given in the table.
  563

  Conviction rates and average sentence length (months) given for the offence of theft and handling stolen goods and all offences in the Ashton-Under-Lyne and South Tameside Petty Sessional Divisions by age groups, 1989–1993

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  All offences1

  10–17

  18+

  All ages

  10–17

  18+

  All ages

  1993

  Ashton-Under-Lyne PSD

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  (64)

  76

  76

  (49)

  70

  70

  Average sentence length (months)

  (3.0)

  (2.3)

  (2.3)

  (3.0)

  2.9

  2.9

  South Tameside PSD

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  76

  67

  69

  72

  68

  68

  Average sentence length (months)

  (2.0)

  (3.3)

  (3.2)

  (3.1)

  3.3

  3.3

  England and Wales PSDs

  Conviction rate (per cent.)

  62

  63

  63

  58

  70

  69

  Average sentence length (months)

  3.9

  3.0

  3.1

  3.8

  3.2

  3.2

  1 All offences—Indictable, summary non-motoring and summary motoring.

  ( ) Percentage based on less than 50 defendants and average sentence length based on less than 50 offenders aged 14–17 sentenced to immediate custody.

  Violent Crime
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will commission research to investigate the effect of violent crime on victims and their families, assess the extent to which families suffer post-traumatic stress and identify the support which should be provided to such families.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: Research of the kind proposed already exists. I have arranged for a copy of Home Office Research and Planning Unit Paper 80, "The long-term needs of victims: A review of the literature", to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ex-gratia payments were made in each of the last three years to date to special constables or their dependents for being killed or injured on duty; which police authorities recommended ex-gratia payments he made; and what payment was made in each case.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]:This information is not readily available and comprehensive figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost. As a policy, all reasonable recommendations are approved. The records available show that three payments were approved in the last year. The largest was for £2,439 to a special constable in Hampshire.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his officials have made in amending current regulations to enable police authorities to provide non-contributory insurance cover for special constables who are injured or killed in the course of their duties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: Adequate arrangements exist under regulations to cover any special constable killed or permanently disabled in the course of his or her duties. As far as injury or illness are concerned, the majority of specials are adequately provided for under the regulations and police authorities are free to recommend an ex-gratia payment in any case in which they consider the regulatory cover to be inadequate. But I have asked officials to review the current regulations to identify ways in which they might
  564
  sensibly be improved. These may include the provision of personal accident insurance cover.

  Non-payment of Debts
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what indication he has of the number of people imprisoned over the last year for(a) non-payment of debt and (b) non-payment of court fines; what is the trend over recent years in respect of (i) the numbers in each category and (ii) the length of prison sentences for the people in both categories; what is the average cost of keeping an individual in prison; what are the average debts and fines over which the person was imprisoned; and what proposals he has to end or reduce terms of imprisonment for those involved in relatively small cases of debt or fine.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: Provisional information shows that some 23,000 persons were received into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales for fine default in 1993 and about 17,500 between January and September 1994. A total of 2,020 persons were received for non-payment of debt in 1993 and about 1,330 between January and September 1994. Information for the previous 10 years was published in "Prison Statistics, England and Wales, 1992", tables 6.3 and 7.1 Cm 2581, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Information for 1982–92 on the length of time served by fine defaulters and debtors is also published in "Prison Statistics", tables 6.5 and 7.1. The average net operating cost per prisoner per week is published in the "Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts, April 1992-March 1993", table D, volume 2, Cm 2385, and was £494 at 1992–93 prices.

  The Government believe that wherever possible fines should be enforced by the range of other measures available to the courts without recourse to imprisonment. They have no plans at present, however, to remove imprisonment as final sanction for offenders who have failed to respond to other methods of enforcement.

  Obscene Publications Branch
  Mr. Alison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of financial and manpower resources is envisaged for the obscene publications branch

  —S01 (4)—for the year 1995 following recent changes within the Metropolitan police; and what has been the

  565
  comparable level of such resources allocated for 1994, 1993, 1992 and 1991.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 November 1994]: Staffing levels for the obscene publication branch in 1995–96 are still under consideration. Manpower levels and costs for the financial years 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 and current 1994–95 levels are as follows:

  Police

  Civil staff

  1991–92

  1 Detective Superintendent

  1 Higher Executive Officer

  1 Detective Inspector

  4 Executive Officers

  8 Detective Sergeants

  6 Administrative Officers

  8 Detective Constables

  Total cost: £883,606

  1992–93

  1 Detective Superintendent

  1 Higher Executive Officer

  1 Detective Inspector

  4 Executive Officers

  10 Detective Sergeants

  4 Administrative Officers

  9 Detective Constables

  Total cost: £1,083,628

  1993–94

  1 Detective Superintendent

  1 Higher Executive Officer

  1 Detective Inspector

  3 Executive Officers

  7 Detective Sergeants

  3 Administrative Officers

  8 Detective Constables

  Total cost: £987,040

  1994–95

  1 Detective Chief Inspector

  2 Executive Officers

  1 Detective Inspector

  4 Administrative Officers

  7 Detective Sergeants

  6 Detective Constables

  Total cost: Not available

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment he has made of which method of decommissioning nuclear power stations is most compatible with the principle of sustainable development as defined at the Rio earth summit agreement;

  (2) what assessment he has made of whether a method of decommissioning nuclear power stations exists which is compatible with the principle of sustainable development.

  Mr. Eggar
  The consultation document, "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy: Preliminary Conclusions", published by the Department of the Environment in August, considered a variety of decommissioning strategies. Responses are being considered and a statement will be made in due course.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which body manages the Windscale advanced gas-cooled reactor decommissioning project; and what are his plans for the future management of the project.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Decommissioning of the Windscale advanced gas-cooled reactor—WAGR—is part of the decommissioning and radioactive waste management operations programme which is managed by 566
  the DRAWMOPS directorate within the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Government division. The DRAWMOPS directorate has recently awarded a management contract for the next phase of WAGR decommissioning to AEA Technology following a competitive tender exercise. This contract is to manage the decommissioning through to the removal of all main components including the four heat exchangers and reactor internals which is expected to take five and a half years.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the criteria which will be used to determine the method of decommissioning nuclear power stations in future.

  Mr. Eggar
  Detailed proposals for the decommissioning of nuclear power stations will be the subject of agreement between the operator and the regulatory authorities at the appropriate time.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if Her Majesty's Government will underwrite the costs of decommissioning nuclear power stations if it proves to be prohibitive for private finances.

  Mr. Eggar
  Schedule 12 to the Electricity Act 1989 provides power to make grants to operators, subject to certain limits, in respect of qualifying expenditure, which may include the costs of decommissioning nuclear power stations.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to make it a criminal offence to change the electronic identity of a mobile telephone; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  My Department, with the Home Office and Oftel, have been discussing with the mobile phone industry what steps can be taken to tackle the problem of mobile phone theft. In particular, the industry is considering improved control of electronic serial numbers and equipment marking schemes. The Federation of Communication Services has proposed the introduction of a new criminal offence of reprogramming a mobile phone. Discussions are continuing with the industry about whether any new offence along these lines would be at all effective in reducing the problem of mobile phone thefts, and whether such an offence could be compatible with protection of the legitimate interests of mobile phone users and others.

  Significant offences already exist under the Theft Acts 1968 and 1978 covering the theft and handling of mobile phones and section 42 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 covering the fraudulent use of telecommunications equipment.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the land area of the United Kingdom can be reached by mobile phones.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Mobile phone services are currently available in an area where over 98 per cent. of the United Kingdom population live, well in excess of the figure of 90 per cent. of the United Kingdom population required by the licences issued to the mobile telecommunications operators under the Telecommunications Act 1984. The Department of Trade and Industry does not hold figures on the percentage of land area of the United kingdom which can be reached by mobile phones.

  Exports
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many licences under the Export of Goods (Control) Order were(a) applied for and (b) issued in 1992 and in 1993, stating in each case how many were for sole use military equipment.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  This question could be answered only at disproportionate cost. There will, however, be some details of licences issued and refused during the years in question 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.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the outstanding amount on export credits guarantees on arms deals between United Kingdom companies and(a) Nigeria, (b) Indonesia, (c) Malaysia, (d) Saudi Arabia, (e) Jordan, (f) Qatar, (g) the United Arab Emirates, (h) Oman and (i) Turkey.

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: ECGD has no business requirement to analyse amounts outstanding in terms of arms or other trade sectors. Consequently the Exports Credits Guarantee Department data on amounts outstanding in these markets are not held on a basis which enables me to provide the information requested.

  Saudi Arabia
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all the companies represented in the trade mission of November 1994 to Saudi Arabia; and what is his Department's role in respect to this mission.

  Mr. Needham
  Due to commercial confidentiality I am unable to list the companies involved in the mission organised by British Aerospace. It involved some 50 companies mainly drawn from the engineering and food processing sectors.

  My Department's involvement in this mission was in an advisory capacity, due to our involvement in the joint offset committee which aims to encourage companies to set up manufacturing joint ventures in Saudi Arabia to help the kingdom diversify its economy.

  January 1991

  January 1992

  January 1993

  January 1994

  2October 1994

  Per cent.

  South East

  4.5

  7.6

  9.7

  8.9

  7.1

  1(4.2)

  1(7.3)

  1(9.4)

  1(8.6)

  1(7.3)

  Thanet

  10.2

  13.7

  16.4

  16.4

  13.9

  Dover and Deal

  5.3

  8.5

  11.2

  11.3

  9.4

  Folkestone

  7.1

  9.9

  12.3

  13.3

  11.6

  Hastings

  7.3

  11.0

  13.9

  13.2

  11.3

  Isle of Wight

  9.5

  11.5

  14.4

  14.5

  10.2

  Sittingbourne and Sheerness

  8.3

  12.1

  15.3

  14.8

  12.2

  1 Seasonally adjusted figures.

  2 Latest available figures.

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the oral answer of the Minister of Defence Procurement on 22 November Official Report, column 461, when Her Majesty's Government intend to ratify the chemical weapons convention.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The Government intend to ratify the chemical weapons convention as soon as possible. The necessary implementing legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time and other Government legislative priorities permit.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the chemical weapons convention will be ratified in the current parliamentary Session;

  (2) what are the reasons for the delay between the signing of the chemical weapons convention and its ratification.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The Government intend to ratify the chemical weapons convention as soon as possible. The necessary implementing legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time and other Government legislative priorities permit.

  Gas and Electricity Companies
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what powers the Government have to regulate the call-out charges levied by the privatised gas and electricity companies.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Call-out charges levied by electricity companies for work on equipment and wiring belonging to the customer, and British Gas call-out charges in respect of appliance servicing and repair, are subject to competitive pricing by other service providers and are not regulated.

  There is generally no call-out charge by British Gas to make safe escapes of gas.

  Unemployment
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made in reducing unemployment in south-east England, particularly in the new assisted areas; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Eggar
  The level of unemployment in the south east, excluding London, has shown a welcome fall from a high point of 9.7 per cent. in January 1993 to its current level of 7.1 per cent. Unemployment within the assisted areas has also fallen as shown in the table.

  High-technology Enterprises
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to promote further regional distribution of high-technology enterprises; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Regional policy seeks to address disparities in employment opportunities and to develop the indigenous potential of the assisted areas, including their ability to attract high technology investment. But investment decisions by high technology and other firms must remain, in general, matters for commercial judgment. The Government do provide advice to companies on technological developments through business link offices.

  National Consumer Council
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what the level of funding for the National Consumer Council was in(a) 1991, (b) 1992, (c) 1993 and (d) 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The grant-in-aid paid to the National Consumer Council1 for each year since 1990–91 was:

  1990–91: £1,606,650

  1991–92: £1,895,609

  1992–93: £2,138,978

  1993–94: £2,322,686

  Final figures for 1994–95 are not yet available.

  Note: Figures include DTI contribution to NCC staff pension fund.

  Source: National Consumer Council Annual Reports 1990–91 to 1993–94

  1 Figures do not include grant–in-aid paid to the NCC's Associate Councils (the Scottish and Welsh Consumer Councils) and the Consumers in Europe Group.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average and the median time his Department has taken to pay suppliers in each of the last 12 months; and what proportion of bills it took more than six weeks to pay.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The information requested is not available. However, my Department conducts an annual survey of the proportion of its bills paid on time which is defined as within 30 days—or another period if agreed with the supplier—of receipt of both a valid invoice and the goods or services. The result is published in the annual Trade and Industry expenditure plans which is available in the Library of the House.

  Monopolies and Mergers Commission
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what are his reasons for reopening consideration of the proposed takeover of T. Bailey Forman Ltd. following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report of October 1994;

  (2) on how many occasions in the last five years companies have been allowed to make representations for reconsideration of a recommendation following a report on a takeover proposal from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Mr. Eggar
  It is the role of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to provide advice to Ministers on the proposed transfer of newspaper titles. The final 570
  decision as to whether to give consent to such transfers is for Ministers to make.

  In publishing the MMC report on the proposed transfer of the newspaper titles of T. Bailey Forman on 31 October I announced that I accepted the MMC adverse findings and that I would refuse consent unless satisfactory conditions could be agreed by 5 December. I invited third party comments on such conditions by 21 November.

  The last time that Ministers consulted interested parties about conditions to attach consent to a newspaper transfer was in February 1989 following the MMC report on the proposed acquisition by EMAP plc of shares in TR Beckett Ltd.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions in the past five years unanimous recommendations on takeover proposals from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission have been subsequently overturned.

  Mr. Eggar
  None.

  "Marketing Your Business"
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which consultants were appointed to assist in production of the booklet "Marketing Your Business"; how much was paid to them; what was the remit given to them; and by what process they were appointed.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Business skills seminar workbooks including "Marketing Your Business" were originally written in 1988 by a group of experienced training providers on behalf of the Training Agency. Their remit was to produce a series of workbooks for use and reference by owner managers of new and small businesses. I understand that they were appointed on recommendation of Training Agency area offices.

  This book was one of a series of books written by a number of people. It is not possible to identify the separate cost of writing this particular book.

  Exports
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will produce a table to show what proportion of United Kingdom exports, including services and invisibles, was exported to the rest of the EC single market in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The information is provided in the table.

  EC1 share of United Kingdom current account credits

  Per cent.

  1984

  37.2

  1985

  39.1

  1986

  37.8

  1987

  38.5

  1988

  38.5

  1989

  38.7

  1990

  41.2

  1991

  44.0

  1992

  45.0

  1993

  43.6

  Source:

  United Kingdom Balance of Payments, The Pink Book 1994, CSO.

  Note:

  1 EC includes Portugal and Spain (which joined in 1986) for all years and the former German Democratic Republic from the second half of 1990.

  Business Links
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many business links are currently in full operation.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: There are now 52 business links fully operational. By the end of the year this will raise to over 60 and by the end of next year I expect there to be 200, covering all parts of England.

  Open Government
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the charging policy of his Department and the agencies for which he is responsible in respect of inquiries under the code of practice on access to Government.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 22 November 1994]: In line with guidance on charging policy produced by the Office of Public Services and Science, which recognised the diversity of cost and operational structure across the range of bodies implementing the code, my Department has developed the following scheme of charges for information under the code of practice on access to government information. The Department has always provided much information free of charge. When requests for information under the code can be dealt with simply and quickly the Department makes no charge. Only when a significant diversion of resource is required will a charge be made in line with the amount of work involved in extracting and preparing the information to answer the request.

  Charges are based on a two-tier composite hourly rate according to the grade of person performing the work. For SEO and below the rate is £14 per hour, and for grade 7 and above the rate is £34 per hour. There is no charge if the information can be supplied for a forecast amount of less than £100. If the estimated amount is more than £1,000 the charge will be calculated on a grade-by-grade basis of the average pay cost for that grade together with direct costs such as photocopying.

  I have asked each of the agency chief executives to write to the hon. Member about their schemes of charges.

  Letter from Mike Hoddinott to Mr. Jeff Rooker, dated 29 November 1994:
  Your recent Parliamentary Question to the President of the Board of Trade asked for a statement on charging policy in respect of inquiries under the Code of Practice on Access to Government. Each agency chief executive has been asked to reply.
  The charging policy of Accounts Services Agency follows that for the Department.

  Letter from David Durham to Mr. Jeff Rooker, dated 29 November 1994:
  You recently tabled the following Parliamentary Question to which I have been asked to respond direct to you as Chief Executive of Companies House Executive Agency.
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will make a statement on the charging policy of his Department and the agencies for which he is responsible in respect of inquiries under the Code of Practice on Access to Government.
  Companies House is a public registry, and most information on companies is charged for under Companies Act powers, based on the full economic cost of providing it.
  Where requests are received involving the Code, our policy is to make a flat charge of £5 to cover administrative cost. If the work involved in satisfying the request is likely to take more than half a
  572
  day of staff time, our policy is to give a quote for the full cost and obtain agreement to this before undertaking the work.
  To date, no requests involving the Code have been received.

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Jeff Rooker, dated 29 November 1994:
  You asked the President of the Board of Trade to make a statement on the charging policy of his Department and the agencies for which he is responsible in respect of inquiries under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I am replying on behalf of The Insolvency Service.
  The Service has developed its charging policy in accordance with guidance produced by the Office of Public Services and Science. To cover the costs of dealing with applications, there is a standard minimum charge of £20 for each access request under the Code. Where dealing with a request would involve considerable expenditure of resources and the estimated costs of supplying the information would exceed £100, an additional charge will be made based on the hourly rates of the grades carrying out the work. For insolvency specialist grades, these hourly rates are set out in the Insolvency Regulations 1994 and begin at £26 an hour for an examiner grade, rising to £49 an hour for an official receiver.
  The Service will however advise applicants where the information sought is already provided in the normal course of its activities without charge or is known to be available free of charge elsewhere, so that the applicant will not incur costs unnecessarily through the formal operation of the Code.
  The Service also publishes information guides for the public which are available free of charge.

  Letter from R. D. Worswick to Mr. Jeff Rooker, dated 29 November 1994:
  Mr. Taylor's answer to your Parliamentary Question on the charging policy of the Department of Trade and Industry and its Agencies in respect of enquiries under the Code of Practice on Access to Government indicated that Chief Executives of Agencies would write to you.
  In the case of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, we are following the Department's charging policy, as described in Mr. Taylor's response. Since the introduction of the Code in April 1994 we have adopted the two tier composite hourly charging regime at the rates determined by DTI as a whole: £14 for a senior scientific officer (equivalent to a senior executive officer) or below; and £34 for Grade 7 and above. As for the Department, there is no charge if the information can be supplied for a forecast amount of less than £100; and if the estimated amount is more than £1000 the charge will be calculated on a grade by grade basis of the average pay cost for that grade (or equivalent) together with any direct costs.

  Letter from W. Edgar to Mr. Jeff Rooker, dated 29 November 1994:
  I would refer to your question to the President of the Board of Trade in respect of the charging policy for enquiries under the Code of Practice on Access to Government. As an Executive Agency of the DTI involved in the supply of technology services to the public and private sector our charges are dictated by the market place for our services and the level of the competition which we face. We operate in competition with both the public and private sectors for the majority of our services and therefore all of our charging is market driven.

  Letter from Peter Clapham to Mr. Jeff Rooker, dated 29 November 1994:
  I am writing in response to your question to the President of the Board of Trade regarding the charging policy of the DTI and its Agencies in respect of inquiries under the Code of Practice to Access to Government Information.
  The National Physical Laboratory makes no charge for providing small quantities of information which are readily available. Where a significant amount of effort is involved, the full economic cost of the work is charged.
  I hope this provides the information you require.
  573
  Letter from Jon Cowdock to Mr. Jeff Rooker, dated 29 November 1994:

  Charges .for information supplied under the Code of Practice on Open Government
  I have been asked to reply, in the absence of the Agency's Chief Executive, on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory to your question concerning charges for open government.
  The National Weights and Measures Laboratory applies the same charging policy as DTI. Details of that policy are set out in the reply given by Mr Taylor on 22 November.

  Letter from P.R.S. Hartnack to Mr. Jeff Rooker, dated 29 November 1994:

  Code of Practice on Access to Government Information
  You asked the President of the Board of Trade to make a statement on charging policy for inquiries under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I have been asked to reply in relation to the Patent Office.
  The Patent Office provides a great deal of information to the public. This includes explanatory literature, which is free; publications for sale at various prices; information supplied in accordance with statutory requirements and on payment of the relevant fee; and consultancy services, for which charges are made on the basis of database access, document supply and hourly rates. None of these activities is affected by the Code of Practice.
  In line with guidance on charging policy produced by the Office of Public Services and Science, which recognised the diversity of cost and operational structure across the range of bodies implementing the Code, the Patent Office has adopted the following scheme of charges. Where an inquirer can be directed to a published document, or free literature is available, there will be no charge. Inquiries requiring further work will be charged according to hourly rates based on the average pay costs of the grades involved, together with any direct costs incurred. However, where the total cost is less than £30, no charge will be made.

  Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. Jeff Rooker, dated 29 November 1994:

  Code of Practice on Access to Government Information—Charging Policy
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked Chief Executive of DTI Agencies to reply direct to your parliamentary question about our charging policy in respect of enquiries under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I am replying in respect of the Radiocommunications Agency of the DTI.
  As a net running cost Agency we are wholly funded by licence fees and other charges paid by our customers. Because of this funding regime we have adopted a slightly different charging policy to that of our parent department. We have set a basic "registration" fee of £15 (this is equivalent to the minimum licence fee we charge and will be linked to that level in future) for all requests for information invoked under the Code, ie outside our existing information flow procedures. This registration fee would cover all cases costing up to £100 to deal with. However, for more detailed cases when estimated costs of providing the information exceed the £100 level, we will use the Departmental composite hourly rates—but the initial £15 fee would be used as a deposit, deductible against any higher charge imposed. For cases estimated to cost over £1,000 we will also follow DTI central policy.

  Electricity
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the price of electricity paid by 80MW consumers in each EC member state; and by how much these prices have increased since 1987.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]:The average price of electricity paid by consumers of 80MW capacity, with an 86 per cent. load factor, in each EC member state for October 1994, and the increase since October 1987, are given in the table.
  574

  Country

  Price pence per kWh

  Percentage increase

  United Kingdom

  3.40

  137.7

  Belgium

  3.13

  21.3

  France

  3.20

  33.9

  Germany

  4.58

  15.1

  Italy

  3.24

  54.3

  Netherlands

  3.20

  24.5

  Spain

  4.43

  2—

  1 For the United Kingdom there is a decrease of about 2 per cent. when the effectt of inflation, as measured by the GDP deflator, is excluded.

  2 Data for Spain are not available for October 1987.

  Data for Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Luxembourg, are not available.

  Source:

  Energy Advice.

  Retail Sales Statistics
  Mr. Sainsbury
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has that seasonal adjustment for retail sales statistics gives a more reliable indication of activity than comparisons with a similar period of the previous year.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have been asked to reply. Both measures are useful. Seasonal adjustment of retail sales statistics, whilst difficult, allows a sensible comparison of activity in the trade across months. Without adjustment, comparisons even with a similar period of the previous year can be distorted by moving holidays such as Easter and comparisons within a year are not possible.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Population Control
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department has on the reasons for the prevalence of sterilisation as a method of contraception in the developing world; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 28 November,Official Report, column 198.

  World Bank
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will introduce legislation prohibiting the United Kingdom executive director at the World bank from approving projects which do not have demonstrable local consultation and environmental assessment.

  Mr. Baldry
  The bank's operational guidelines require adequate local consultation and environmental assessment in project design. Where we are not satisfied that these requirements have been fulfilled, we are ready to withhold approval.

  Overseas Aid
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries which have received advice and assistance on
  575
  privatisation, contracting out and civil service and local government reform as part of the overseas aid programme in each year since 1989 and the cost in each case.

  Mr. Baldry
  Countries receiving advice and assistance from the aid programme since 1989 on privatisation, contracting out of civil service or local government reform include:-

  Albania

  Anguilla

  Bangladesh

  Bulgaria

  Cameroon

  China

  Colombia

  Czech Republic

  Dependent Territories: Montserrat; and Turks and Caicos Islands

  Ecuador

  Egypt

  Estonia

  Gambia

  Ghana

  Grenada

  Guyana

  Hungary

  India

  Indonesia

  Kenya

  Kirgistan

  Latvia

  Mexico

  Nepal

  Nigeria

  Poland

  Romania

  Russia

  Sierra Leone

  Slovakia

  Slovenia

  Uganda

  Ukraine

  Zambia

  Information by year showing the cost in each case is not centrally recorded and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  EU Aid
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the European Union overseas aid schemes and European Union overseas aid budget headings under which United Kingdom governmental and non-governmental organisations can apply for European Union overseas aid funds, and the amount of European Union funding given to United Kingdom organisations under each European Union overseas aid scheme and under each European Union overseas aid budget heading in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Baldry
  The main EC aid instruments, in all of which United Kingdom governmental and 576
  non-governmental organisations can participate, are as follows:

  The Lomé Convention for African, Caribbean and Pacific countries;

  The Asia and Latin America Programme;

  The New Mediterranean Policy;

  Phare (for eastern and central Europe);

  Tacis (for the former Soviet Union);

  The EC Food Aid Programme; and,

  The EC Humanitarian Aid Programme.

  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will write to my hon. Friend once the data requested on funding for United Kingdom organisations have been prepared.

  China
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what statistics his Department has received published by the Chinese Government on contraceptive use; and if he will place copies in the Library.

  Mr. Baldry
  Statistics about contraceptive use are published in the "Family Planning Statistical Yearbook", produced annually by the Chinese Government. The most recently available yearbook was published in 1993. We will arrange for copies of this to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the International Planned Parenthood Federation has made a report separate from its annual report, to his Department, regarding the work of its affiliate the Chinese Family Planning Association in monitoring human rights abuses in China's population control programme; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have a continuing dialogue with the International Planned Parenthood Federation on a range of issues, including China's population policy. Such discussions and any information shared are on the understanding that they remain confidential to the IPPF and Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters were discussed between representatives from his Department and representatives of the Chinese Government at the Cairo population conference.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 28 November,Official Report, column 198.

  Kenya
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the present projects in Kenya being funded in full or in part by aid from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Baldry
  Projects supported by United Kingdom aid funds in Kenya with an aid allocation of more than
  577
  £500,000, and against which expenditure has already taken place, or will take place in the current financial year, are as follows:

  Aid allocation £ millions

  Small Enterprise

  Small Enterprise Awards Scheme

  0.5

  K-Rep Micro-enterprise Credit

  1.0

  Barclays Bank Loan Guarantee Scheme

  0.7

  Policy Implementation and De-regulation

  0.6

  Health and Children by Choice

  Isiolo Hospital Immediate Support

  0.5

  Family Planning Services

  2.0

  Essential Drugs Supply

  1.5

  Contraceptive Supply

  1.5

  Education

  Faculty of Information Sciences (Completed 1994)

  1.0

  Kenyatta University Science Staff Development

  1.6

  Moi University Library

  8.3

  Strengthening of Primary Education

  3.3

  Books for Primary Schools

  0.6

  Renewable Natural Resources

  Kenya Indigenous Forests Conservation (Completed 1994)

  5.0

  Kenya Wildlife Service Vehicles

  0.8

  Kenya Agricultural Research Institute

  10.6

  Kenya Trypanosomiasis Research Institute

  2.4

  Efficient Use of Plantation Timber

  0.8

  Moi Oxford Forestry Link

  0.53

  Agricultural Information Centre, STEP

  0.7

  Parastatal Reform

  Kenya Railways Phase II (Completed 1994)

  7.3

  Kenya Ports Authority (Completed 1994)

  11.4

  Good Government

  Senior Administrators Overseas Programme (Completed 1994)

  1.4

  Other

  Molo-Olenguruone and Bomet-Litein road (Completed 1994)

  12.0

  Poverty-focused NGO programme

  3.0

  Bailey Bridging Phase III

  2.8

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions United Kingdom representatives in Sri Lanka have had with factions, ethnic groups, party and community leaders; what proposal he has to enable the United Kingdom to assist the peace process; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  I visited Sri Lanka from 15 to 16 November. I met representatives of a wide range of Sri Lankan opinion. Her Majesty's high commission in Colombo also maintains contact with all legitimate political, trade union and human rights groups.

  Our standing offer to help facilitate talks, if all parties would find it useful, remains on the table.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment United Nations observers monitoring the border between the Republics of Serbia and Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina have made as to whether the flow of supplies across that border has been limited in accordance with United Nations resolutions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The latest report of the international conference on the former YugoslaviaICFY—mission concludes that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia—FRY—Government are continuing to meet their commitment to close the border between the FRY and the areas of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina under the control of Bosnian Serb forces.

  It is essential that the ICFY mission should be equipped to monitor the border closure effectively. Ten United Kingdom observers have been serving with the ICFY mission since it began work in September 1994. In response to an appeal from the ICFY Secretariat for additional help, we have decided to contribute a further ten observers and to provide five four-wheel-drive vehicles. This makes the United Kingdom the second largest contributor.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Bosnian Government in respect of the recent use of Bihac and other demilitarised zones in Bosnia-Herzegovina to launch their military attacks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have urged all parties, including the Bosnian Government, to refrain from fighting in and from the United Nation designated safe areas and weapons exclusion zones.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports have been received by his Department of breaches in the arms embargo in favour of Bosnian-Muslim and Bosnian-Croat forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are aware of reports, both from the media and other sources, of breaches of the United Nations arms embargo. Evidence of such breaches is taken up with the United Nations Sanctions Committee and the country concerned.

  Yugoslavia
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further measures are being considered to encourage the Governments of Serbia, Montenegro and the Federal Yugoslav Government to continue to co-operate with the international community in implementing United Nations and Security Council resolutions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Nations Security Council decided in its resolution 943 to suspend the ban on international air links, a ferry crossing to Italy and cultural and sporting contacts in response to a decision by Belgrade to support the contact group plan for Bosnia, to cut off all but humanitarian supplies to the Bosnian Serbs and to co-operate with a mission from the international conference on former Yugoslavia.
  579
  Further sanctions relief is envisaged if the contact group plan for Bosnia is implemented. The contact group would also respond positively if Belgrade took other steps towards peace, such as support for a peace plan for Croatia and recognition of the other states of former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Croatian Government regarding the need to comply with United Nations resolutions on the importation of arms into the former Yugoslavia; what actions Her Majesty's Government propose to take in the event of evidence of Croatian non-compliance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Croatian and other Governments have been made aware of our strong views on the need for all member states to comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions. Evidence of non-compliance with United Nations sanctions is taken up with the Government concerned and with the United Nations sanctions committee.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what controls are in place at airports in the Republic of Croatia to ensure that arms shipments, in breach of United Nations resolutions, are not being transported through Croatia to combatants in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  As in other countries of former Yugoslavia and in neighbouring countries, the United Nations have established, under EU/CSCE auspices, a sanctions assistance mission in Croatia, based in Zagreb. This mission has authority to observe and report back its findings to the United Nations sanctions committee.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received reports indicating that the Russian Federation is considering unilaterally abandoning trade sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia at the beginning of 1995; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have received no reports of this nature. The Russian Government continue to be actively involved in the efforts of the contact group to achieve a peaceful settlement in Bosnia.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs what restrictions are in place on the transport and telecommunications industry with regard to the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Since April 1993 transportation owned by or operated from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been subject to impoundment by member states under United Nations Security Council resolution 820. In September this year, some restrictions were suspended for an initial 100 days. Aircraft and civilian flights can operate to and from Belgrade airport, as can the passenger ferry service between Bar in the FRY and Bar in Italy.

  Telecommunications are exempt from United Nations sanctions imposition. The only restriction, under UNSCR 820, is that the supply of goods to the FRY, relating to the industry, are subject to UNSC authorisation on a case-by-case basis.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under which United Nations Security Council resolution airlines may engage in 580
  commercial activity with the former Yugoslavia; what restrictions remain with regard to their (a) marketing, (b) technical services and (c) financial transactions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  United Nations Security Council resolution 943 permits civilian passenger flights to and from Belgrade airport carrying passengers and personal effects only and cargo authorised by the United Nations Sanctions Committee.

  Technical and marketing services may be provided in respect of such flights; no licence from the DTI or authorisation from the United Nations is required.

  The United Nations Sanctions Committee is in the process of finalising guidelines relating to financial transactions. Payments will be permitted from funds credited to blocked accounts on or after 5 October 1994 in order to pay the direct expenses incurred by JAT in operating passenger flights in and out of Belgrade airport.

  United Nations Resolutions
  Mr. Elletson
  : To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with the Government of the Russian Federation following the recent decision by the United States Administration on non-participation on the enforcement of United Nations resolutions; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are in regular contact with Russia on the situation in former Yugoslavia, and are aware of Russian views on US policy, but we have held no discussions specifically on this subject.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for a relaxation on the restriction of exports from the republics of Serbia and Montenegro whilst the Governments of the two republics continue to co-operate and assist the implementation of United Nations resolutions concerned with the war in the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Any relaxation on the restriction of exports from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia—Serbia and Montenegro—must be agreed by the United Nations Security Council and not just the United Kingdom. It will be considered within the wider context of the sanctions regime as a whole.

  We believe that further steps by the FRY authorities to comply with the requirements of the international community should be rewarded with the further relaxation of sanctions.

  Sudan
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response the European Union has received from the Government of Sudan to the European Union's criticism of Sudan's treatment of the inhabitants of squatter camps on the outskirts of Khartoum.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Sudanese Government have officially rejected the EU statement released on 31 October and questioned its factual basis. This statement condemned the use of violence by the Sudanese authorities in ejecting residents from a Khartoum squatter camp, during which at least five residents died and 14 were severely injured.
  581
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of large-scale troop movements in the Nuba mountains area of Sudan.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  With the ending of the rainy season, fighting is beginning to intensify in southern Sudan and the Nuba mountains area.

  Departmental Security
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who has been awarded the contract for the supply of security services at his Department's buildings.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The contract for guarding FCO buildings in London has been awarded to the Security Facilities Executive, an agency of the Department of the Environment.

  Dependent Territories
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the United Kingdom complies with the recent United Nations declaration that all existing dependent territories be decolonised by the year 2000; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None. We respect the wishes and interests of the peoples of the dependent territories in determining their own future, in accordance with the United Nations charter and international law. We give every assistance to those dependent territories which are able to proceed to independence without forcing it on those which are not.

  Internet
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to provide information via the Internet; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply on this issue by my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (Sir M. Lennox-Boyd) on 6 May 1994 at column 677. The FCO welcomes the recent moves by Her Majesty's Treasury and CCTA in establishing a Government presence on the Internet. Active consideration, in discussion with the CCTA, has and continues to be given to making FCO information available over the Internet.

  Serbia
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the embargo on trade with Serbia along the Danube; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On the whole, the operation is effective. Co-operation from the four national Customs services involved—Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary is good. The only persistent difficulty is the control, at certain points on the river, of the cross-bank trade by small boats.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to place in the Library the background papers, including public documents from foreign countries received and collated by the European Union intergovernmental conference unit in the Foreign Office, as and when these papers are received.

  Mr. David Davis
  We will ensure that Parliament receives copies of the relevant papers submitted to the study group of the 1996 intergovernmental conference by the Community institutions. We will also place in the Library important public documents relating to the IGC, including those from other member states. Ministers will in any case provide Parliament with regular accounts of the preparations for the IGC in the course of normal parliamentary business.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which cabinet Committees, official's committees and consortia with outside interests and how many civil servants are working on preparations and proposals for the 1996 intergovernmental conference arising from the Maastricht treaty.

  Mr. David Davis
  Ministers and officials in various Governmental Departments have already begun preparations for the 1996 intergovernmental conference. As work proceeds, it will be co-ordinated by the ministerial committee on defence and overseas policy, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, and by the ministerial sub-committee on european questions, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The views of outside bodies will be taken into account in these preparations.

  Israel
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Israeli Government urging them to release Mordechai Vanunu; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Mr. Vanunu appears to have been treated in accordance with the normal judicial process in Israel. There is no evidence of any illegality in the United Kingdom and we have no formal standing to intervene. We have, however, raised with the Israelis our concerns over humanitarian aspects of this case. The Israelis assured us in 1993 that the conditions under which Mr. Vanunu is detained have improved.

  OECD
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to end the United Kingdom's involvement with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No.

  Christmas Expenditure
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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

  583
  if he will place in the Library a sample copy of the official Christmas card he intends to send this year.

  Mr. Baldry
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers expect to send 2,078 Christmas cards this year at a purchase price of £679.95. Postage and staff costs are not available. A sample copy of the card that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be sending has been placed in the Library.

  EC Membership
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will issue a White Paper setting out in detail the gains and losses to Britain from EEC membership.

  Mr. Goodlad
  I refer to the replies my right hon. Friend the Economic Secretary gave on 17 March at column 821 and on 30 June at column 680, the reply my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 18 May at column 470 and the reply given by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General on 25 November, at column 468 in answer to very similar questions from the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell).

  Transsexuals
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases concerning the rights of British transsexuals are currently being considered by the European Court of Human Rights; what is the estimated cost of defending those cases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are not, at present, any cases involving the rights of any British transsexuals before the European Court of Human Rights. There are, however, three cases before the European Commission of Human Rights.

  As two of the cases are in the very early stages and the third, although at a more advanced stage, is not yet concluded, it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the likely total cost which will be incurred by the Government in relation to these cases.

  European Directives
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all existing or draft European directives which make reference to the concept of "industrially produced" or similar terms.

  Mr. David Davis
  Council directive 89/341/EEC of 3 May 1989—amending directives 65/65/EEC, 75/318/EEC and 75/319/EEC—on the approximation of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action relating to proprietary medicinal products, and Council directive 85/374/EEC of 25 July 1985 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states concerning liability for defective products both refer to the term "industrially produced". It is not sufficiently clear what is meant by "similar terms" for this part of the question to be answered.

  Rwanda and Burundi
  Mrs Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on the situation in(a) Rwanda and (b) Burundi; and if he will make a statement.
  584
  Mr. Baldry
  We share the concerns that have been widely expressed about the problems of Rwanda including the difficulties created by the presence of large numbers of refugees in neighbouring countries. We are also aware of the fragility of the situation in Burundi.

  We are working closely with our partners in the United Nations and EU and with the OAU in the search for effective solutions to the problems of the region. With United Kingdom support, the EU last week agreed a package of 67 million ecu—about £52 million—of rehabilitation assistance to Rwanda in key sectors, including technical support to the Government of Rwanda to begin the process of reconstruction.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar on his country's exclusion from the United Kingdom regulations on mortgage indemnity insurance captives; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  The question of building societies being allowed to set up captive insurance companies in Gibraltar, to write mortgage indemnity business, was discussed when the Chancellor met the Chief Minister on 17 February.

  They have since corresponded on the issue. My right hon. and Learned Friend will consider the matter further when the provisions of the amended Financial Services Commission Ordinance are fully in operation.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Pregnant Service Women
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Attorney-General when he gave advice to the Ministry of Defence with regard to the legality of its policy regarding the dismissal of pregnant service women.

  The Attorney-General
  By convention, the law officers do not normally disclose whether they have been asked to advise on a particular issue or the substance of any advice that they may have given.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Christmas Expenses
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how much public money will be spent on entertaining, Christmas decorations and other festive activities this Christmas season by his Department and Government agencies answerable to his Department; and of this sum how much will be spent in Ministers' private offices and official residences.

  Mr. Newton
  Disaggregated information of this nature is not available. The costs are covered by the entertainment expenditure of the Privy Council Office which, for the financial year ended April 1994, was £9,892. I am not responsible for any agencies.

HEALTH

  Health Care in London (Leaflet)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who is distributing the leaflet "Changing the Focus of Health Care in London".

  Mr. Malone
  The Department of Health distributed the booklet to national health service organisations and local authorities in inner London for them to make it available to patients and members of the public visiting hospitals, clinics, surgeries, libraries, neighbourhood resource centres and so on.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce legislation to allow complaints in the national health service to be monitored by community health councils; and if she will increase the resources of community health councils accordingly.

  Mr. Malone
  Community health councils already have an important role in supporting individual complainants. In partnership with national health service trusts and/or health authorities they are also able to monitor complaints more generally. The Government do not, therefore, believe that legislation is needed in this area.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will alter the regulations governing community health councils to allow full membership to people over 70 years of age; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  The Community Health Council Regulations 1985, as amended, do not contain any restriction on the age of members of community health councils.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will extend the statutory powers of community health councils and district advisory committees to give them the right to enter(a) nursing and residential homes and (b) general practitioner premises; if she will make it her policy to require home managers and general practitioners to give community health councils information about the services they offer to patients; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  It would not be appropriate to give community health councils power to enter residential care homes, which are already subject to statutory inspection by local authorities. Commissioning health bodies have responsibility for arranging visiting and inspection arrangements for CHCs in the course of negotiating contracts with private nursing homes. CHCs locally have the opportunity to develop constructive working relationships with general practitioners which might include visits to premises.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce legislation to ensure that community health councils(a) are consulted at the earliest possible stage in the process of establishing a new community care trust home and (b) have the right to access to community care trust homes subject to the agreement of residents or their guardians in line with the current statutory rights of access to national health service premises; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  District health authorities have a statutory duty to consult community health councils on any proposals for substantial changes and developments of 586
  service. CHCs already have a statutory right to inspect premises controlled by national health service trusts.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce legislation to ensure that community health councils have the right to(a) meet regularly with (i) trust boards, (ii) health authorities and (iii) local and regional offices of the national health service Executive and (b) visit all activities financed or licensed by the national health service; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  Community health councils already have the right to regular meetings with health authorities. It is for national health service commissioning bodies to include visiting and other rights for CHCs in contracts with those who provide services to the national health service. EL94(4), copies of which are available in the Library, makes clear that individual NHS trusts should agree regular liaison arrangements with CHCs. Subject to parliamentary approval of the Health Authorities Bill, responsibility for establishing and supporting CHCs will pass from regional health authorities to the regional offices of the NHS executive from April 1996. The Government do not consider that legislation is needed to supplement these comprehensive arrangements.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to increase public awareness of community health councils; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  The national health service executive is working with the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales—ACHCEW—on a project for ACHCEW to develop a resource pack for community health councils to use to increase public awareness of their role and activities.

  Quarry House, Leeds
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the amount of the severance pay being offered to staff currently facing redundancy at Quarry house, Leeds.

  Mr. Sackville
  The severance payments vary according to factors such as age, salary and length of service and are calculated on an individual basis. The ways in which the sums are calculated are set out in the civil service pension scheme booklet "Early Retirement Benefits", a copy of which is available in the Library. The terms which apply to this scheme are the same as for compulsory departures.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reserve price she has put on Quarry house, Leeds.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  London Implementation Zone
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many London households are in the London implementation zone area and how many outside.

  Mr. Malone
  The 1991 census results show that the number of Greater London households in the London initiative zone area is 1,712,051 and the number outside the London initiative zone is 1,051,115.
  587
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to extend the London implementation zone to the London borough of Redbridge.

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Respite Care
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will issue guidance to local authorities and health authorities to ensure adequate provision of respite care; if she will ensure that sufficient funding is available to enable health authorities and social services to make adequate provision; if she will monitor the adequacy of the provision; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  It is for health authorities and local authorities to decide locally the specific type and level of services to be provided. The Department continues to monitor the delivery by authorities of the new community care arrangements, including the development of domiciliary, day and respite services to enable more people to live in their own homes and to ensure that authorities make practical support for carers a high priority.

  The total funding available to local authorities for personal social services, including the special transitional grant for community care, has increased by 15 per cent. this year on last, and since 1990–91 from £3.6 to £6.4 billion. Of this, £20 million represents additional resources this year specifically for home and respite care services—rising to £30 million in 1995–96.

  Dental Fillings
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has conducted or commissioned concerning the effects of amalgam fillings on the human body; what have been the results or conclusions of such research; and what plans she has to commission or conduct such research in the future.

  Mr. Malone
  The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment advised in 1986 that the use of dental amalgam is free from the risk of systemic toxicity and that only a few cases of hypersensitivity occur. The subsequent research findings, and recent evaluations by several authoritative national and international expert committees are consistent with that advice. The Department of Health will continue to assess and evaluate all research in this area.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average number of dental fillings in(a) 12-year-old children and (b) eight-year-old children in each district health authority in England.

  Mr. Malone
  The preliminary results of the 1993 children's dental health survey show that the average number of filled teeth in permanent dentition was 0.7 for a 12-year-old and 0.1 for an eight-year-old. Information from this survey is not published at district health authority level. However, the 1992–93 survey by the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry of dental caries experience of 12-year-old children provides information on the number of filled teeth for 12-year-old children by district health authority. Copies of the results of the survey will be placed in the Library.

  HIV and AIDS
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which HIV and AIDS organisations were refused funding under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 for the current financial year; the amount each organisation requested and the reasons given for refusal;

  (2) which HIV and AIDS organisations have successfully applied for funding under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1986 for the current financial year; how much they requested; and how much they received.

  Mr. Sackville
  Applications for HIV and AIDS voluntary organisations exceeded the section 64 funding available for 1994–95 by over 100 per cent. Our priority was to continue grants to those organisations to whom financial commitments had already been made and renew funding to organisations whose funding was due to end after March 1994. No funding then remained to make any new grants. The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Specialist Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ensure that NHS specialist services provided on a national basis are purchased by one authority for the whole of the United Kingdom; and that regionally based NHS specialist services are purchased by a small number of lead authorities on behalf of all other authorities within a region; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Services which meet the supra-regional services criteria are provided on a national basis and are contracted for by the national health service executive. Guidance has been issued to regions requiring them to ensure that purchasers have appropriate contracting arrangements in place for purchasing other specialised services. Purchasers are encouraged to use a "lead purchasing approach". Copies of the guidance, EL(93)98, are available in the Library.

  Kawasaki Disease
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to reduce deaths from Kawasaki disease.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 13 July at column 602.

  Dental Health (Children)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will meet the editor of the Bolton Evening News to discuss the benefits to children's dental health of fluoridation of water.

  Mr. Malone
  We have received no such request, but would consider any proposal on its merits.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys report on the dental health of children will be available.

  Mr. Malone
  It is hoped that the report will be published shortly.

  Macmillan Nurses
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Macmillan hospital nurse posts within the NHS are currently being funded by the Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not routinely collected by the Department. Data from the Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund show that there are currently 239 national health service hospital nurse posts being funded by the charity. Macmillan nurse posts are usually grant-aided by the Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund for the first three years, after which the costs are taken up by the NHS.

  Single-sex Hospital Accommodation
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ensure that all NHS patients, with the exception of young children and patients in intensive care units, should be offered the choice of accommodation in a single-sex area with segregated toilets and bathroom facilities without delaying their treatment or otherwise reducing its quality; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for local decision, but we do expect all patients to be treated with dignity and respect for their religious and cultural beliefs. A new standard in the revised and expanded patients charter to be issued in the new year will expect patients to be told in advance if they are to be treated in mixed-sex wards. This will allow them to raise any objections with the hospital which will, where possible, take account of their views.

  Hip Replacements
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were on waiting lists for hip replacement surgery in each year from 1983 to 1993 in England, Wales and Scotland.

  Mr. Malone
  Information on the number of people waiting for treatment in England is collected by specialty and published in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", copies of which are available in the Library. Data on the number waiting by individual procedure are not available centrally.

  Information relating to Wales and Scotland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has carried out on the effect on the reduction of junior hospital doctors' hours on accessibility to patient services; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  A number of research projects have been supported, fully or in part, by central funds. The main studies include:Description and preliminary evaluation of Department of Health initiatives to reduce junior doctors' hours—Dr. Irene
  590
  Higginson, health services research unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 1992;
  The interface between junior doctors and nurses: a research study for the Department of Health—Greenhalgh and Company, September 1994;
  Medical support worker policy—Northern general hospital, Sheffield, on-going;
  The patient's progress —Department of Health, on-going
  Evaluation of processes for creating successful roles for nurse practitioners—Sheffield Centre for Heath and Related Research, on-going;
  Evaluation project on parasurgical assistants—University of Sheffield, Department of Surgical Sciences, on-going.

  Much of the research in this area has concentrated on how best various disciplines can work together to deliver good quality patient care. The evidence suggests that an effective use of skill mix can help maintain continuity of care, improve services to patients, help reduce junior doctors' hours and provide a range of staff with opportunities to develop their skills further.

  As well as projects supported directly by central funds, our regional task forces have been able to develop a range of local schemes to examine how best to reduce juniors' hours. They also evaluate the effect on patient care and juniors' hours of the extra senior medical posts, over 800 in all, which we have funded since 1991.

  North Staffordshire Patient Transport Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will investigate the competition for the north Staffordshire patient transport service contract; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have no plans to do so.

  Infertility Treatment
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she plans to publish the counselling guide on multiple pregnancies for patients attending infertility treatment centres; and if she will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Sackville
  A guide for patients entitled "The Prospect of Triplets and Quads", written by Dr. Frances Price, was published in July 1993. Copies were sent to all assisted conception centres licensed under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.

  Copies will be placed in the Library.

  NHS Management Consultants
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she plans to take to control the level of fees to management consultants paid by NHS trusts.

  Mr. Malone
  The employment of consultants is a matter for local rather than national decision. To assist health authorities and trusts to achieve best value for money, the Department published comprehensive guidance—EL(94)78—this on the use of consultants, entitled "The Procurement and Management of Consultants within the NHS". This guidance included an indication of the range of fee rates that might be reasonable depending on the skill levels required. Copies of guidance will be placed in the Library.

  NHS Executive
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to implement paragraphs 13 to 15 of the national health service executive letter EL (94) 4; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  All elements of executive letter EL(94)4 came into effect on 25 January 1994.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all the current(a) chairs and (b) non-executive directors of each trust board, indicating the gender and occupation of each individual.

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 24 October at column 445.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total expenditure by NHS trusts on the insurance of buildings and equipment in each of the last four years.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance or instructions have been given to national health service trusts about the timely payment of suppliers' bills; and what evidence she has about the performance of national health service trusts in this regard.

  Mr. Sackville
  The national health service has been routinely monitored against a payment target of eight weeks from receipt of goods and services. Monitoring in the 1994–95 financial year shows that trusts are generally meeting this target.

  New guidance was issued to the national health service in October 1994 on the timely payment of suppliers. The guidance includes the expectation that all trusts will abide by the Confederation of British Industry prompt payment code and with Government accounting regulations. A copy of the guidance, FDL(94)67, is available in the Library.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will abolish all national health service prescription charges during the next financial year; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  GPs
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to introduce mandatory training schemes for GP receptionists;

  (2) what plans she has to allocate extra money to GPs in order to help fund the practice reception programme.

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will(a) increase the resources available to family health service authorities to ensure that more frequent inspections are carried out of general practitioner premises, (b) introduce measures to enforce standards and
  592
  (c) ensure that public money spent by general practitioners is used for the maximum benefit of patients; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  Under their terms of service, general practitioners are responsible for the provision of adequate practice premises from which to see their patients and it is for family health services authorities to decide the frequency of practice visits needed in the light of local circumstances. Minimum standards are set out in the statement of fees and allowances which are payable for premises and measures already exist to enforce them.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if general practitioners in the South Thames region will remain free to accept or reject secondary care contracts; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  Health authority decisions about contracts should be reached in close co-operation with general practitioners. However, GPs remain free to refer their patients in line with their clinical judgment to a service or hospital with which the health authority has no contract.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy that general practitioners in the South 'Thames region will remain able to choose fundholding, locality purchasing or neither; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  The recent executive letter "Developing NHS Purchasing and GP Fundholding"—EL(94)79—copies of which are available in the Library, emphasised that health authorities should work with all general practitioners to develop local health and purchasing strategies. The experience of the past four years has shown that patients receive more appropriate services when general practitioners take on direct responsibility for purchasing through fundholding. This remains voluntary.

  Children (Employment)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she is taking to enforce the law on the employment of children.

  Mr. Bowis
  The enforcement of the law protecting children at work is the responsibility of local authorities.

  Suicide
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many suicides have occurred in each standard region for each year since 1979; and how many of those committing suicide were unemployed.

  Mr. Bowis
  The number of suicides, including undetermined deaths, in each standard region for the years 1979 to 1992 will be placed in the Library. Information on employment status at the time of death is not generally available.

  Gender Therapy
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will name the health authorities which are unwilling to fund referrals to gender identity or dysphori a clinics; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.
  593
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce national criteria and protocols for gender reassignment therapy in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Guidance already exists on medical proficiency and the importance of counselling. The production of protocols is primarily a matter for the medical profession.

  Out-patient Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if waiting times for out-patient consultant appointments at Hereford are subject to the same criteria for patients from Powys as for patients from Hereford and Worcester; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) if waiting times for out-patient consultant appointments at the Royal Shrewbury hospital are subject to the same criteria for patients from Powys as for patients from Shropshire; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  Health authorities and general practitioner fundholders must purchase services for their patients according to the appropriate national and local standards applicable to their residents taking account of available resources.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the availability of NHS dental services for adults in rural areas; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  : Family health services authorities in England report that they can help patients in all areas to find national health service dentists.

  Northern Health Authority
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement concerning the location of the new headquarters of the Northern health authority, the cost of relocation and the cost of using existing premises.

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) on 22 November at column s 84–85.

  The business case estimated that relocating to Durham would be cheaper than retaining the existing headquarters by around £225,000 a year.

  Secure Units
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received concerning the need to amend reporting procedures when patients, whether referred under the Mental Health Acts or voluntary, abscond from a secure unit; if she will describe current reporting procedures; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  None.

  The current procedures are given in chapter 21 of the code of practice to the Mental Health Act 1983 and paragraphs 76 to 80 and 288 and 289 of the memorandum to the Mental Health Act 1983, copies of which are available in the Library. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department is notified if a patient subject to restrictions under sections 41 or 49
  594
  of the Mental Health Act 1983 absents himself without leave.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what legal advice she has receiwd or sought to clarify on whether those referred to secure units under the Mental Health Acts have a mandatory or discretionary right to exercise outside such units; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  The decisions as to whether a patient is allowed to exercise outside a secure unit, whether within or outside the secure perimeter, is one for the clinical staff responsible for his or her care. In the case of a patient subject to restriction under sections 41 or 49 of the Mental Health Act 1983, any proposal to grant leave outside the perimeter of the unit has to be approved by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  Domiciliary Care Agencies
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she has to introduce a system of registration for domiciliary care agencies; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Warwickshire North, (Mr. O'Brien) on 12 April at columns 293–94.

  Blood Donors
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she has to alter the arrangements whereby donor blood is obtained by voluntary and unpaid donation; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have no such proposals.

  Durham Business School
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will institute an inquiry into the lodging of NHS funds with the Durham business school for the purpose of payment for MBA studies; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a local matter for Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. John Greetham, chairman of the authority, for details.

  Health Education Authority
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement concerning her policy for the future of the Health Education Authority.

  Mr. Malone
  We will inform the House once a decision has been made about the Health Education Authority.

  Bishop Auckland Hospital
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent to date on the preparation of the business plan and planning for the refurbishment of Bishop Auckland hospital by the Bishop Auckland hospitals trust.

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for Bishop Auckland hospitals national health service trust. The hon. Member
  595
  may wish to contact Mrs. Barbara Gill, chairman of Bishop Auckland hospitals NHS trust, for details.

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Alex Cartile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make a statement concerning her policy in connection with the performance of operations at community hospitals;

  (2) if she will make a statement concerning the future of the operation theatre and associated facilities at Newton Abbot community hospital.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is the responsibility of individual purchasers, in discussion with their hospital providers, to ensure that high standards of quality and safety are maintained for all surgical procedures. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mrs. Leverton, chairman of Plymouth and Torbay district health authority, about the future of the operating theatre at Newton Abbot hospital.

  Tinnitus
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate she has made of the number of people with tinnitus in England and Wales; and how many tinnitus-only clinics there are;

  (2) what guidance she has issued to health authorities regarding special provision for the relief of tinnitus; what assessment she has made of the adequacy of resources available for it; and if she will make a statement;

  (3) what plans she has to review the provision of NHS services for people with tinnitus; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is not known how many people suffer from tinnitus. The numbers of tinnitus-only clinics are not available centrally. However, there are facilities for the treatment of tinnitus at all national health service ear, nose and throat departments.

  As with all patient groups, responsibility for the provision of services for people with tinnitus rests with health authorities who have to assess needs and priorities against their resources. We have no plans to review these provisions.

  North Durham Hospital Trust
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent to date on the preparation of the business plan, and planning for the new general hospital by the North Durham hospital trust.

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for North Durham acute hospital NHS trust. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. C. P. Douglas, chairman of the trust, for details.

  Herbal Remedies
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 22 November 1994,Official Report, column 86, what steps she took to obtain counsel's- opinion about possible court interpretations of the term "industrially produced", prior to formulating her policy on such matters in relation to the availability of herbal remedies; and if she will make available in the Library a copy of all legal opinions received.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is not Government's practice to disclose such information.
  596
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 22 November,Official Report, column 86, how she is able to safeguard the position of herbal remedies in possible future legal cases; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 22 November at column 86.

  Research
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been carried out into the effect of insulin-like growth factor-I on human beings.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  I have been asked to reply.

  The effects of insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1, being a naturally occurring substance in humans, have been studied extensively and the Medical Research Council is currently funding a project on the effect of IGF-1 on binding protein in implantation and pregnancy. There are a large number of reports on research into IGF-1 on human beings which have been published in the international scientific literature. The MRC is always willing to consider soundly based proposals in competition with other applications for council's support, and funding decisions are dependent upon a peer review process.

  Medicines Legislation
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will now make it her policy to decline to introduce the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations, Pharmacovigilance and Related Matters) Regulations; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  We consulted on the proposed regulations and have made revisions to take account of representations we received. We intend to introduce the regulations shortly.

  Sheep Dips
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will revise the guidance given to general practitioners on the diagnosis, treatment and benefit implications of conditions caused by exposure to organophosphorous sheep dips; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Training in diagnosis and treatment is principally a matter for the medical profession rather than the Government. All general practitioners and accident and emergency departments were sent the Department's book "Pesticide Poisoning" when it was published, copies of which are available in the Library, and the chief medical officer wrote to all doctors in England in 1991 and again with the chief executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate in June 1993 to alert general practitioners to the possibility of exposure to pesticides and certain veterinary medicines including organophosphorus sheep dips and to remind them of the reporting schemes operated by Employment Medical Advisory Service and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's veterinary medicines directive. The chief medical officers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also wrote to doctors in those countries. All doctors therefore should be aware of the possibility of poisoning if over exposure to any of these products occurs and the symptoms to be expected.
  597
  This guidance is still valid.

  Any benefit implications are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

WALES

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his proposals for local government revenue spending in 1995–96.

  Mr. Redwood
  I propose to set total standard spending in Wales for 1995–96 at £2,767 million. This figure includes £124.4 million for care in the community. It represents an increase of £72 million, 2.7 per cent. on the comparable level of funding for 1994–95.

  I propose to set central Government support for TSS through aggregate external finance at £2,450.8 million.

  Within AEF I propose to make available £1,711.1 million in revenue support grant, £520 million in distributable non-domestic rates and £219.7 million in specific and supplementary grants.

  My Department has today written to the local authority associations to consult them on my proposals for revenue support grant in 1995–96.

  I shall announce provisional standard assessments and provisional capping principles for police authorities in Wales later this week. I shall announce provisional standard spending assessments and provisional capping principles for county and district councils in mid December. I shall announce final details of the settlement early in the new year.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of people suffering a disability in each of the counties of Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Richards
  Information of the incidence of physical and sensory disability is contained in the reports of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys published in 1988–89. These showed that 16.4 per cent. of adults and 3.1 per cent. of children in Wales had such disabilities. This information is not available separately for counties.

  The 1991 census asked whether respondents had any long-term illness, health problem or handicap which limited their daily activities or the work they could do, including any problems which were due to old age. The following table contains information from the 1991 census relating to Welsh counties.

  Residents with a limiting long-term illness:

  Number

  Percentage of residents

  Clwyd

  64,051

  15.7

  Dyfed

  57,244

  16.7

  Gwent

  76,456

  17.3

  Gwynedd

  35,755

  15.2

  Mid Glamorgan

  109,379

  20.5

  Powys

  16,735

  14.2

  South Glamorgan

  56,202

  14.3

  598

  Residents with a limiting long-term illness:

  Number

  Percentage of residents

  West Glamorgan

  70,173

  19.4

  Wales

  485,995

  17.1

  Source:

  1991 Census—Report for Wales.

  Deeside College, Kelsterton
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to visit the Deeside college, Kelsterton.

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit Deeside college.

  Buckley Disability Action Group
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit the offices of Buckley Disability Action Group, Clwyd.

  Mr. Richards
  Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have plans to do so at present.

  Holyhead
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his Department's total financial contribution to investment in the port of Holyhead; and what are the implications of such investment for travelers by sea to the Republic of Ireland and for travellers by rail to stations to Crewe and London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Richards
  Under the European regional development fund, £4.3 million has been made available to Holyhead since 1987 of which £2.5 million related to port development. In addition, since 1991, the area has attracted £300,000 assistance under the strategic development scheme, £1.9 million under the urban programme scheme and investment of £3.1 million by the WDA through the Holyhead joint venture board. The Department has also invested over £9.9 million in regional selective assistance and £525,000 in regional enterprise grant within the Holyhead travel-to-work-area.

  Improvements at the port will provide a better standard of service to travellers and the business community, as well as improving the prospects for local employment.

  Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which schools he has visited in each of the counties in Wales in 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Richards
  In 1994 my right hon. Friend has visited the following schools:

  Name of school

  County

  Llanfihangel Rhydithon County Primary School

  Powys

  St. Davids High School

  Clwyd

  Eirias High School (Grant Maintained)

  Clwyd

  Trelai County Primary School

  South Glamorgan

  Dynevor Comprehensive School

  West Glamorgan

  Ysgol Bro Lieu

  Gwynedd

  599
  I have undertaken four visits with two more programmed for December. My right hon. Friend and I are keen to visit as many schools as diary commitments and other pressures allow.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to assist people in Wales who suffer disability, with a view to improving access to buildings, transport and employment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Richards
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security and Disabled People on Thursday 24 November 1994.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many individuals have responded since July 1993 to Welsh Office advertisements for the register of public appointments; how many of these have been appointed; and if he will list those appointed.

  Mr. Redwood
  The general advertising campaign in July 1993 inviting people to join the Welsh Office register of candidates elicited over 2,500 inquiries. Approximately 1000 individuals subsequently returned nomination forms. Six of these have been appointed to public bodies in Wales. They are:

  Mr. H. K. Evans

  Mr. Heddwyn Evans

  Mrs. C. A. Hinton

  Mr. M. C. G. Pepper

  Mr. H. D. B. Williams

  Mrs. V. Wilson

  Health Authorities and Trusts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of health authorities and trusts as at 30 September.

  Mr. Richards
  There were nine district health authorities, eight family health services authorities and 24 NHS trusts in Wales as at 30 September 1994.

  Rural Transport
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will institute a review of rural transport provision in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  County councils are required to review regularly the level of public transport provision in their areas and if necessary buy in services which are not being provided commercially.

  Animal Transport
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement of his policy concerning the effect on the Welsh farming industry of the reluctance of shippers to carry live animals.

  Mr. Redwood
  I am aware of the concerns in the industry about the ban by ferry companies on the transport of live animals. The situation is being monitored closely, and it is still too early to assess fully the impact of the ban on the farming industry. However, the Government are actively seeking agreement on European Community rules on the welfare of animals in transit, introducing 600
  tighter national laws and urgently checking proposals for new transport facilities so that those which are satisfactory can proceed.

  Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Line
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet Railtrack and train operators to discuss the carriage of rail freight on the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth line; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  A meeting is planned with the director of Transrail to discuss the carriage of rail freight on all lines in Wales. The matter will also be raised at the next meeting with the chairman of Railtrack.

  University of Wales
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the Welsh Funding Council is able to, or expected to, take steps to alter the arrangements reached between the university registry and the constituent institutions within the university of Wales following the Rosser report; and if he will make a statement on the funding of those institutions.

  Mr. Redwood
  The arrangements agreed between the University of Wales and its constituent colleges following the Rosser report, and the University Registry's role within those arrangements, are matters for the university and the colleges to decide. The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales' responsibility is to allocate funds for teaching and research and to do so in a way which ensures accountability and value for money.

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on the provision of abattoirs and meat processing facilities in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  Decisions about the provisions of abattoirs and meat processing facilities in Wales are a matter for the commercial judgment of those involved in the industry.

  European state aid regulations put severe restrictions on the granting of financial aid to investments in abattoir facilities. However, financial support can be considered for meat processing under the European processing and marketing grant scheme administered by my Department.

  Libraries
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration has been given to the special circumstances in Wales in the preparation of the Aslib report on the development of regional hyper-libraries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Richards
  The review of the Public Library Service in England and Wales, commissioned by the Department of National Heritage from Aslib, included a case study of the Gwynedd library service. The draft report was published in September and has been circulated for comment to a wide range of library interests.

  The Library and Information Service Council (Wales), which has statutory responsibility to advise the Secretary of State on library matters, has considered the draft report in full, including the recommendations relating to regional hyper-libraries, and has submitted comments to Aslib.

  Coronary Disease
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to reduce the waiting times between diagnosis and bypass operations for younger coronary disease patients in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Younger coronary disease patients will benefit from the Government's policies to open a new heart treatment centre in south Wales; to reduce the causes of heart disease through health promotion, and to reduce waiting times generally for both outpatient and inpatient hospital diagnosis and treatment.

  Apprenticeships
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the firms which have agreed to participate in the arrangements for the modern apprenticeship scheme; how many apprenticeships each has agreed to provide; what funds he is providing to each company via the appropriate training and enterprise councils; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department has contracted with the training and enterprise councils in Wales for the delivery of 550 places on the modern apprenticeships programme in 1994–95. The training and enterprise councils, training providers—including colleges—and a variety of employers are involved in its delivery. Information on the firms involved is not held centrally.

  Wales Engineering Centre
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the appointment of a chief executive for the Wales Engineering Centre.

  Mr. Redwood
  Engineering Centre for Wales appointments are a matter for the chairman and members of the centre.

  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has decided the details of the transitional arrangements to phase-in the effects of the 1995 revaluation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The revaluation will result in significant local and sectoral changes in rateable values and rates bills. Around 76,000 properties will see increases in their bills, and around 26,000 will see reductions. The Welsh Office's consultation paper, published last month, outlined proposals for transitional arrangements to phase-in the effects of these changes. In the light of responses to that paper and the package of support announced by the Chancellor today, I propose that no business will face a year-on-year increase of more than 10 per cent. after allowing for inflation. For property with a new rateable value of less than £10,000, the maximum real increase will be 7.5 per cent. For small composite properties such as shops with living accommodation, the limit will be 5 per cent.

  I estimate that around 62,000 Welsh properties will benefit from relief. I am sure that this will be widely welcomed by the business community.

  The Exchequer contribution will cover part of the cost of the scheme. The remainder will be met by limiting real reductions in rates bills, as proposed in the consultation paper. For 1995–96, the limits will be 10 per cent. for properties with a rateable value under £10,000 and 5 per cent. for larger properties.
  602
  Other details of the scheme will be as proposed as in the consultation paper. Regulations giving effect to the transitional arrangements will be laid before Parliament shortly.

  Non-domestic Rates
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the Welsh non-domestic rate poundage for 1995.

  Mr. Redwood
  The 1995 revaluation has increased overall rateable values in Wales by around 18 per cent. I propose to reduce the Welsh poundage from 44.8 to 39.0p reflecting this.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Nurses
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of qualified nursing staff by speciality for each region in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Moss
  The information for 1990–93 has been placed in the Library. The figures before 1990 were not collected on a compatible basis and figures for 1994 are not yet available.

  "Making Belfast Work"
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list expenditure by(a) constituency and (b) district electoral area in Belfast under the "Making Belfast Work" initiative from its inception.

  Mr. Moss
  Information on expenditure by constituency and district electoral area is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, work is on-going on a database which links project information to different spatial regions.

  Details of projects funded under the "Making Belfast Work" initiative from its inception to the end of the 1991–92 financial year are contained in the MBW strategy proposals. A copy of this document was placed in the House of Commons Library in April of this year. I have arranged for details of projects funded by the initiative from 1992–93 to the present also to be placed in the Library.

  Roads
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many minor cross-frontier roads have been reopened to date; and how many more have still to be reopened.

  Sir John Wheeler
  Some 41 of the 104 crossings previously subject to closure orders are open to traffic. Of those, work at 17 crossings has been completed, is in progress on 14 others and was not required at the remaining 10. Some of the remaining 63 crossings are on private land where it will be for the landowner to decide what, if any, work is required.

  Residential Care Homes
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all of the registered residential homes
  603
  and nursing homes in the Armagh and Dungannon unit, and the Newry and Mourne unit of management.

  Mr. Moss
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: The information requested is as follows:

  ARMAGH AND DUNGANNON UNIT OF MANAGEMENT

  Nursing Homes

  Armagh, Hamiltonsbawn Road, Armagh

  Castledillon, Drumilly, Portadown Road, Armagh

  Chestnut Lodge, 47 Carrickaness Road, Benburb

  Collegelands, Lislasly Road, Aughanlig, Dungannon

  Copperfields, Moore Street, Aughnacloy

  Corkhill Lodge, Donaghmore, Dungannon

  Dungannon, Killyman Road, Dungannon

  Fairlawns, 63 Drumcairn Road, Armagh

  Greenpark, Keady Road, Armagh

  The Haven, Quarry Lane, Dungannon

  Hockley Lodge, 11 Drumilly Road, Armagh

  Hockley Mews, 11 Drumilly Road, Armagh

  Manor Court, Dungannon Park, Dungannon

  The Meadows, Newline, Richhill, Armagh

  Nightingale, Old English Road, Dungannon

  Rathowen, 118 Portadown Road, Tandragee

  The Retreat, 62 Drumilly Road,Armagh

  Sanville, 17 Annagher Road,Coalisland

  The Valley, 8 Tullybroom Road, Clogher

  Residential Homes

  Ballymore Retreat, 111 Ballymore Road, Tandragee

  39 Ballynahonemore Road, Armagh

  The Bawn Cottage, 31A Main Street, Hamiltonsbawn

  Benvinda, 49 Maynooth Road, Richhill

  Corkhill Lodge, Corkill, Donaghmore, Dungannon

  112/113 Fairgreen Park, Keady

  Fairlawns, 63 Drumcairn Road, Armagh

  Glenview, 9 Cabragh Road, Dungannon

  Hebron House, 84/86 Main Street, Markethill

  Lisnakee House, 18 Moodage Road, Tandragee

  Monique, 28 Moor Road, Coalisland

  Roughan House, Newmills, Dungannon

  St. Macartan's, 74 Main Street, Clogher

  Sunnymead, Deansbridge, 12 Portadown Road, Armagh

  NEWRY AND MOURNE HSS TRUST

  Nursing Home

  Ardmaine, Fullerton Road, Newry

  Amos Vale, 75 Warrenpoint Road, Rostrevor

  Avila, Convent Road, Bessbrook, Newry

  Cairngrove, Balmoral Avenue, Rathfriland Road, Newry

  Cairnhill, Rathfriland Road, Newry

  Coolbawn, 23 Queen Street, Warrenpoint

  Glencarron, 6 Creamery Road, Crossmaglen

  Kilbroney House, 83 Kilbroney Road, Rostrevor

  Lisnaaran, 4 Greenpark Road, Rostrevor

  Our Mother of Mercy, 1 Home Avenue, Newry

  Rathfriland Manor, Rosconner Terrace, Rathfriland

  Rockfield, Windmill Road, Newry

  St. John of God, Courtney Hill, Newry

  St. Joseph's, Prince's Street, Warrenpoint

  604
  Residential Homes

  Arbour House, 16 Great George's Street South, Warrenpoint

  Coach House, Mourne Grange Camphill Village Community, Newry Road, Kilkeel

  Glenbeigh House, 18 Victoria Square, Rostrevor

  Glencarron, 6 Creamery Road, Crossmaglen

  Moneydarragh Lodge, 8 Kilkeel Road, Annalong

  Mourne Grange Camphill Village Community, Newry Road, Kilkeel

  Our Mother of Mercy, 1 Home Avenue, Newry

  Peacehaven, 38 Newry Street, Rathfriland

  Sennen House, Rostrevor, Warrenpoint

  St. Joseph's, Prince's Street, Warrenpoint

  Seafort House, 6 Queen's Street, Warrenpoint

  Brendan Smyth
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will explain the meaning and purpose of the Royal Ulster Constabulary's request on 2 December 1993 to the Irish Attorney-General to be told in due course that the warrant had been endorsed in respect of Brendan Smyth.

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 28 November 1994): By its letter of 2 December to the Commissioner of the Garda Siochana, the RUC inquired whether the warrants in respect of Brendan Smyth had been backed for execution. The RUC was not at that time aware that he might voluntarily return to Northern Ireland.

  The Banks Residential Home
  Sir James Kilfedder
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what formal proposals he has received about the future of The Banks residential home, Bangor; what is the nature of any such proposals; and what is the timescale for considering them.

  Mr. Moss
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: I have been asked to approve a proposal from the North Down and Ards Community trust that "The Banks" should close. I have recently visited the home and met local interests and I will announce my decision as quickly as possible.

  The trust has said that, if the closure is agreed, it will explore the possibility of identifying a buyer for the building who would be willing to build a nursing home and accommodate all existing residents.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he is taking to monitor the economic impact of the national lottery.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The national lottery has already been a great success, with £25 million raised for good causes in the first two weeks, and I expect this to continue. My Department, together with the bodies responsible for distributing lottery proceeds, will naturally be monitoring how those proceeds are spent.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether those national lottery proceeds
  605
  administered by the Arts Council can be distributed to film projects.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Yes.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage where funds from the national lottery destined for distribution to the good causes but not yet paid to applicants are held; what assumptions have been made about rates of interest accruing; and who will receive any such interest.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Proceeds from the national lottery are held in the national lottery distribution fund pending draw down by the good causes. The investment of the fund is the responsibility of the National Debt Commissioners. Interest gains received by the fund will be at a rate consistent with those normally achieved by risk-free investments. All the interest gained by the investment of the fund will be attributed equitably to the good causes and add to the sum of the proceeds available for distribution.

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will give instructions that national lottery tickets should be available at Selkirk, Melrose, Lauder, Earlston and Newton St. Boswells.

  (2) if he will give instructions that national lottery tickets should be available at Innerleithen, Walkerburn, West Linton and Broughton.

  Mr. Dorrell
  This is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. I have therefore asked Peter Davis, the Director-General of the national lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the lottery, to write to the hon. Gentleman, placing copies of his response in the Libraries of the House.

  Millennium Fund Commissioners
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether the millennium fund commissioners can distribute money to private companies or individuals.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Directions have been issued to the Millennium Commission under section 26 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, concerning matters which the commission should take into account when distributing lottery proceeds. These include the need to ensure that lottery proceeds are distributed to projects which promote the public good and which are not intended primarily for private gain. The Millennium Commission's guidance for applicants, which was issued this week, makes it clear that commercial organisations or those conducted for profit will be eligible if they can demonstrate that their project will promote the public good, and that individuals will not normally be eligible to apply for lottery funds on their own behalf.

  Sports and Arts
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the future of the Foundation for Sport and the Arts.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer to the hon. Member to the Budget statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer today.

  Tourism
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the completion date of the Touche Ross 606
  consultants' report on the English tourist board's crown grading scheme; and on what date he expects to respond to it.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A review of the Crown accommodation classification and grading scheme was commissioned by the English tourist board from KPMG Peat Marwick. The work is complete and has been sent to me. I intend to write to the chairman of the ETB very soon.

  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress he has made on developing a comprehensive strategy for tourism; when he will make his Department's new policies public; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I am considering the conclusions which are emerging from work that has been taken forward with the English tourist board and the British Tourist Authority, drawing on the views of the industry. I shall make an announcement in due course.

  Bowood House (Correspondence)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consideration was given to purchasing items of correspondence from Bowood house for the national archives; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sproat
  The national institutions which maintain archives were notified of the recent auction of correspondence from Bowood house. I understand that the National libraries of Scotland and of Wales and the National Maritime museum successfully bid for items they wished to acquire for their archives.

  Libraries
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the five local authorities which spend(a) most and (b) least per head of population on library book provision; for the year 199293, together with the sums they spent; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sproat
  The five local authorities in England spending the most per head of population on library book provision in 1992–93 were (source CIPFA):City of London (£129.54), Westminster (£4.34), Lambeth (£3.75), Llanelli (£3.35) and Kingston-Upon-Thames (£3.21).

  The five spending least were:
  Sheffield (£0.89), Bamsley (£0.87), Hillingdon (£0.78), Wakefield (£0.72) and Brent (£0.34).

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the projected average expenditure for library books per head of population for(a) the United Kingdom as a whole, (b) the English counties, (c) the metropolitan districts and (d) the London boroughs for 1995–96; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Sproat
  No figures for projected expenditure on library books are yet available for 1995–96.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the spending on library books per head of population, measured by the book index(a) in 1981–84 and (b) in 1992–93; and what steps he is taking to increase current expenditure.

  Mr. Sproat
  Spending per head of population, as measured by the book index used in the national book committee report, was:

  (a) £1.058 in 1981–84; and

  (b) £1.849 in 1992–93

  607
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what response he has made to the 12th annual report of the national book committee, a copy of which has been sent to him.

  Mr. Sproat
  We are currently reviewing the findings of the national book committee report "Public Libraries and their Book Funds".

  More generally, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage continues to monitor the provision of public library services in England, including book expenditure, by analysing statistics and by investigating complaints; and the Department is prepared to intervene directly where there is doubt about an authority's ability or willingness to fulfil its statutory obligations under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.

  Museum Staff
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many staff employed in each of the museums funded by his Department are from countries within the European Union; and how many from without.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: The information is not collected by my Department and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list, in tabular form, the staffing levels, full and part-time, of each of the museums funded by his Department.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: The details of staffing levels for museums which my Department holds are not broken down into full and part-time employees. Figures collected in the course of 1994 for total staff numbers at the museums directly funded by my Department are as follows:

  Number

  Royal Armouries

  134

  British Museum

  1,079

  Imperial War Museum

  425

  National Gallery

  430

  National Maritime Museum

  350

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  560

  National Museum of Science and Industry

  589

  National Portrait Gallery

  125

  Natural History Museum

  825

  Tate Gallery

  506

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  850

  Wallace Collection

  67

  Geffrye Museum

  24

  Horniman Museum

  80

  Museum of London

  307

  United Kingdom's Gross and Net contribution to the EC Budget (£ million)

  Year

  Gross contributions before abatement of refunds

  Negotiated refunds

  Abatement

  Gross contributions after abatement and refunds

  Public sector receipts

  Net contribution after abatement refunds and public sector receipts

  1973–74

  200

  —

  —

  200

  104

  96

  1974–75

  197

  —

  —

  197

  232

  -35

  1975–76

  370

  —

  —

  370

  354

  16

  1976–77

  544

  —

  —

  544

  320

  224

  1977–78

  941

  —

  —

  941

  382

  559

  1978–79

  1,323

  —

  —

  1,323

  555

  768

  1979–80

  1,665

  —

  —

  1,665

  781

  884

  608

  Number

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

  94

  Sir John Soane's Museum

  20

TREASURY

  Classic Cars
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement concerning his policy in connection with road fund licences for classic cars when they are not being kept for use on public roads.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  In his Budget speech today, my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor gave some further details on the Government's approach to continuous licensing for vehicle excise duty licensing based on possession rather than use of a vehicle.

  As the Chancellor made plain, in introducing continuous licensing, the Government will not seek to disadvantage those honest motorists, including classic car owners, who do not pay VED now because their cars are genuinely off the road. A consultation document will be issued shortly setting out details of the proposals.

  EU Contributions
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the(a) gross contributions, (b) receipts and (c) net contributions by the United Kingdom to the European Community for each year since 1973; and what are his estimates of those amounts until 2000 assuming current OECD estimates of growth rates and national states tax policies and (i) the adoption and (ii) the non-adoption of the Edinburgh own resources proposals.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Government's estimates of the United Kingdom's gross contributions, receipts and net contributions to European Community institutions for the financial year 1973–74 to 1993–94, together with the latest forecast of our contributions up to 1997–98, which take account of the Edinburgh own resources proposals, are set out in the following table. The estimates for the years up to 1999–2000 which my hon. Friend requests are also set out at the foot of the table. These long-term estimates are inevitably more speculative as they extend considerably 'beyond the period covered by OECD estimates. Financial year forecasts of the United Kingdom's net contributions are subject to wide fluctuations for technical reasons such as the timing of payments. Longer term forecasts must be treated with particular caution.
  609

  United Kingdom's Gross and Net contribution to the EC Budget (£ million)

  Year

  Gross contributions before abatement of refunds

  Negotiated refunds

  Abatement

  Gross contributions after abatement and refunds

  Public sector receipts

  Net contribution after abatement refunds and public sector receipts

  1980–81

  1,900

  645

  —

  1,255

  1,022

  233

  1981–82

  2,330

  959

  —

  1,371

  1,146

  225

  1982–83

  2,820

  774

  —

  2,046

  1.308

  737

  1983–84

  3,097

  239

  —

  2,858

  1,897

  961

  1984–85

  3,614

  589

  —

  3,025

  1,892

  1,133

  1985–86

  3,745

  —

  823

  2,922

  1,930

  992

  1986–87

  5,121

  —

  1,343

  3,778

  >,557

  1,221

  1987–88

  4,906

  —

  1,137

  3,769

  1,958

  1,811

  1988–89

  5,167

  —

  1,600

  3,567

  2,400

  1,166

  1989–90

  5,804

  —

  1,317

  4,487

  2,035

  2,452

  1990–91

  6,411

  —

  1,838

  4,573

  2,388

  2,185

  1991–92

  6,129

  —

  2,428

  3,701

  2,757

  943

  1992–93

  6,970

  —

  1,993

  4,977

  2,810

  2,167

  1993–94

  8,407

  —

  2,350

  6,057

  1,864

  2,192

  1994–95

  8,308

  —

  1,899

  6,409

  5,963

  2,446

  1995–96

  9,943

  —

  2,256

  7,687

  4,293

  3,394

  1996–97

  9,910

  —

  2,108

  7,802

  4,441

  3,361

  1997–98

  10,552

  —

  2,744

  7,808

  1,526

  3,282

  1998–99

  11,190

  —

  13,570

  7,620

  1,640

  2,980

  1999–2000

  11,830

  —

  3,170

  8,660

  4,930

  3,730

  1 A substantial increase is anticipated in the United Kingdom's abatement to reflect the final correction of an earlier year.

  The Government's estimates of the net cost of the Edinburgh own resources proposals are:

  £ million

  1994–95

  25

  1995–96

  75

  1996–97

  100

  1997–98

  165

  1998–99

  230

  1999–2000

  250

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement concerning the cost to public funds of employing ministerial special advisers in his Department.

  Mr. Nelson
  My Department employs two special advisers.

  Salaries for special advisers are negotiated individually in relation to their previous earnings and are confidential. They are, however, normally paid on the special advisers salary spine of 34 points, ranging from £19,503 to £67,609. Appointments are non-pensionable, and the salary spine reflects this.

  VAT on Building Works
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reduce or remove VAT on building works to(a) listed buildings and (b) buildings in conservation areas.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have no plans to reduce or remove VAT on building works to listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas.

  VAT has been applied at the standard rate to the repair, restoration and maintenance of all buildings since 1973. VAT zero-rating is permitted only for approved alterations to listed buildings.

  ERM and Monetary Union
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies he has commissioned on the benefits and losses to Britain arising from(a) returning to the exchange rate mechanism and (b) monetary union; and if he will issue a White Paper giving his own assessment.

  Mr. Nelson
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor has not commissioned any specific studies on the issues referred to, although naturally he considers carefully advice rendered on future economic policy. The Government have no plans to issue a White Paper on this subject.

  Members and Civil Servants
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is, for an out-of-London hon. Member and for a civil service assistant secretary, each with 20 years' reckonable service(a) the normal retirement age, (b) salary, (c) annual pension and (d) the deduction from salary for pension in the last year of employment.

  Sir George Young
  For a member of Parliament, the pension scheme assumes a normal retirement age of 65, but accrued pension benefits are payable at age 60 to a retired member with 20 years' service. The current parliamentary salary is £31,687. On retirement, taking 30 November 1994 as the last day of service, the pension would be £11,730, with an option to give up part of the pension to provide a lump sum. The maximum lump sum allowed at 60 would be £37,940, leaving a pension of £8,500. The deductions in the last year of employment would be £1,897, or 6 per cent.

  For a civil service assistant secretary grade 5, the normal retirement age depends on the policy of the employing Department, but will be between age 60 and 70. The current salary would be between £36,739 and £54,815. Under principal civil service pension scheme, again assuming 30 November 1994 as the last day of service, the pension would be between £9,064,75 and £13,518,34, together with a lump sum of between

  611
  £27,194.25 and £40,555.02. The deductions from salary in the last year of employment would be between £543.89 and £811.10. A deduction of 1½ per cent. of pay is made towards the cost of dependant benefits only. The value of pension provision is taken into account in setting rates of pay.

  Earnings and Inflation
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each year since 1978(a) the average earnings and (b) the average rate of inflation.

  Mr. Nelson
  The following table gives the information requested on average earnings:

  April of Year

  Average gross weekly earnings of full-time Adult1 employees2 Great Britain £

  1978

  79.10

  1979

  89.60

  1980

  110.20

  1981

  124.90

  1982

  136.50

  1983

  147.40

  1984

  159.30

  1985

  171.00

  1986

  184.70

  1987

  198.90

  1988

  218.40

  1989

  239.70

  1990

  263.10

  1991

  284.70

  1992

  304.60

  1993

  316.90

  1994

  325.70

  Notes:

  1 For 1978 to 1982, figures are compiled on basis of men aged 21 and over and women aged 18 and over. Since 1983 figures are compiled on the basis of employees on adult rates.

  2 Figures are average gross weekly earnings of full-time employees whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence:

  Source:

  Department of Employment; New Earnings Surveys.

  The information requested at (b) is available in table 8 of the publication "Retail Prices Index September 1994", CSO Business Monitor MM23, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Enhanced Payments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to recover enhanced payments made to public officials if there is evidence of incompetence.

  Mr. Aitken
  None. Performance-related pay or bonuses to public officials will usually reflect performance in a preceding period. The recovery of such payments would not normally be appropriate. A decline in performance might be reflected in future payments or in other action.

  Civil Service
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many voluntary resignations from the non-industrial home civil service there have been in each of the last 10 years.

  Sir George Young
  Information on resignations from the non-industrial home civil service is given in table 7 of 612
  "Civil Service Statistics", copies of which are in the Library.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he has as to how many civil servants have left the civil service for jobs in the private sector in each of the last 10 years.

  Sir George Young
  This information is not available.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Peter Shore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his circular letter to hon. Members of 11 November, what was his estimate of the United Kingdom's gross payment to the EC in 1999; what was his estimate of the average annual growth of United Kingdom gross domestic product between 1995–96 and 1999; and what was his estimate of annual average growth of community gross domestic product in the same period.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 25 November 1994]: The United Kingdom's gross contribution to the European Community after abatement is expected to be £8,660 million by 1999–2000. These long-term estimates are inevitably speculative as they go considerably beyond the period covered by OECD estimates which were used in the table contained in my answer on 23 November to a question from the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks), Official Report, columns 155–58.

  The average annual growth rate assumptions used in making this forecast are consistent with the assumptions which will be announced in the Budget.

  VAT on Fuel
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the increase in VAT on fuel from April 1995 on the inflation rate.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: It is estimated that the increase in VAT on domestic fuel and power in April 1995 will add just over 0.4 per cent. to the retail prices index. Inflation is expected to remain well within the Government's target range 1–4 per cent. through the course of 1995. The imposition of VAT on domestic fuel and power is essential to raise revenue and to encourage energy conservation, contributing to Rio commitments on global warming.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bi-valve Molluscs
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how directive 91/492/EEC is implemented in the Netherlands and in France; and what assessment he has made of the nature of the monitoring of that directive and whether it is as rigorous on the continent as it is in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Jack
  It is for the European Commission to keep track of such matters and to assess the effectiveness of any supporting procedures, such as monitoring in this case. We ourselves have little information on the progress of implementation of directive 91/492/EEC in other member states. There is not independent check that we can usefully apply.

  Bovine Immuno-deficiency Virus
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has considered reports that the former milk marketing board refused to take milk for reasons of BIV from a cow herd which itself was in part subsequently slaughtered for use in meat products; and whether he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Browning
  Infection with bovine immunodeficiency virus—BIV—is neither notifiable nor reportable and the disposal of infected animals is the responsibility of the owner of the animals. Infection with BIV should not preclude any bovine animals, which are not showing signs of disease, going for slaughter for human consumption subject to the normal ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections and other statutory controls on slaughterhouse operations, nor should it preclude the milk from such animals going for human consumption. In March this year, the milk marketing board decided to stop buying milk from a farm where there were cattle with serological evidence of exposure to BIV. The then Minister reviewed this decision, as required by the milkmarketing scheme, and decided not to uphold it on the ground that the board had gone outside its powers in the scheme.

  Agricultural Land
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the amount of grade one agricultural land accepted for building development in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Jack
  This information is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

  Cows
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the relationship between ovarian cysts, mastitis in cows and doses of BST administered to cows.

  Mrs. Browning
  Such issues were covered in the safety assessment carried out by the Veterinary Products Committee and the Medicines Commission, in advising the licensing authority on the two applications received for licences for BST products.

  Flooding
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportions of the costs of flooding in the last 12 months for which figures are available can be attributed to increased run-off from land.

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only by extensive surveys and flood modelling.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest information on the extent and costs of flooding of roads and property in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Jack
  Surveys of flood risk areas are undertaken by the National Rivers Authority at local level and the results made available to local authorities to inform the planning process. In addition, the Association of British Insurance has recently published a report entitled "Identification of Coastal Flood Areas in England and 614
  Wales", in collaboration with the National Rivers Authority and the Ministry.

  Claims for flood damage to property are handled by insurance companies. The risk of flooding is reduced significantly through expenditure by Government and the responsible local agencies on the maintenance and improvement of flood defences.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has that the change-over from grass or spring cereal crops to winter cereal crops contributes to the run-off from land.

  Mr. Jack
  Grass is the most effective type of vegetation for reducing the rate at which rainfall runs off from land, and there is evidence that agricultural practices which leave land without grass or crop cover can lead to an increased rate of run off. How spring cereals compare with winter cereals in this respect depends on local circumstances, but winter cereals may provide some limited crop cover—and hence surface water storage—in the winter months when rainfall is generally highest.

  Live Animal Transport
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many lorries transporting animals through Plymouth harbour on the night of 21 November(a) did and (b) did not fulfil the requirements of the journey plan.

  Mrs. Browning
  Nine vehicles arrived for loading on the ferry, of which three were turned back by the Ministry veterinary inspector on the ground that the arrangements made to protect the welfare of the animals during the proposed journey were not satisfactorily recorded on the journey plans presented for his inspection.

  Sheep Dip
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the latest available figures for the number of sheep farmers authorised under the certification scheme to purchase organophosphorous dip products in Wales, Scotland and each of his Department's regions in England; and what, in each case, was the total estimated number of sheep farmers.

  Mrs. Browning
  The certification scheme is run by the National Proficiency Tests Council. There are 90,000 registered sheep farmers in the United Kingdom. The number of farmers who have applied for certification in each NPTC region by 27 October 1994 is set out in the following table. The information is not available by MAFF regions.

  By 11 November, a further 647 sheep farmers had applied for certification. A total of 1,761 certificates had also been issued by that date. None of this data is available on a corresponding regional basis.

  The decision on whether or not to apply for certification is a matter for the individual sheep farmer, bearing in mind their judgment on the possible need to purchase OP sheep dips for the treatment of sheep in the coming year.

  Applications for Sheep Dipping Certificates received by 27 October 1994

  Counties

  Numbers registered

  Northumberland

  1,036

  Durham

  Tyne & Wear

  615

  Applications for Sheep Dipping Certificates received by 27 October 1994

  Counties

  Numbers registered

  Cumbria

  Lancashire

  Cheshire

  Merseyside

  Greater Manchester

  Yorkshire

  493

  Cleveland

  Humberside

  170

  Lincolnshire

  Derbyshire

  339

  Leicestershire

  Northamptonshire

  Nottinghamshire

  Shropshire

  253

  Staffordshire

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  357

  Gloucester and North Avon

  Warwickshire

  West Midlands

  Cambridgeshire

  110

  Norfolk

  Suffolk

  Essex

  50

  Hertforshire

  London (North of Thames)

  Bedfordshire

  139

  Berkshire

  Buckinghamshire

  Oxfordshire

  Kent

  186

  Sussex East

  London (South of Thames)

  Surrey

  61

  Sussex West

  Hampshire

  89

  Isle of Wight

  616

  Applications for Sheep Dipping Certificates received by 27 October 1994

  Counties

  Numbers registered

  Dorset

  489

  Somerset

  South Avon

  Devon

  Cornwall

  Wiltshire

  Clwyd

  522

  Gwynedd

  Powys

  327

  Dyfed

  520

  Glamorgan

  166

  Gwent

  Scotland

  1,062

  Northern Ireland

  235

  ATB Landbase

  2,277

  Badgers
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library papers relating to the epidemiological investigation by his department's veterinary staff into the TB herd breakdown on the Highgrove estate in November 1993.

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: No. The report of this investigation, as of similar investigations into individual animal disease outbreaks, contains information which is unsuitable for disclosure on commercial confidentiality and other grounds.

  Newcastle Disease
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of Newcastle disease were identified in each year since 1985.

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The last confirmed case of Newcastle disease in Great Britain was in 1984.

DEFENCE

  Indonesia
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's budget spending planned for the current year on training for the Indonesian military; and what was so spent in 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr Soames
  It is not our practice to disclose information of this nature.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what defence matters were discussed when the Chief and Vice Chief of Defence Staff visited Indonesia last year.

  Mr. Soames
  The visits by the Chief of the Defence Staff and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff to Indonesia in February 1994 and October 1994 cost my department a total of £11,032.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the arms working party clearance was given in respect of the proposed sale of Scorpion light tanks to Indonesia.

  Mr. Freeman
  Information relating to arms working party clearances is commercially confidential. A company receiving approval through the AWP process still has an obligation to apply for an export licence from the Department of Trade and Industry before exporting goods. The consideration of the export licence application will, in the normal way, take account of all relevant factors.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what equipment is covered by the memorandum of understanding between the United Kingdom and Indonesia; and what is the total value of goods already sold.

  Mr. Freeman
  Any memorandum of understanding between the Government of the United Kingdom and another Government is confidential between the two Governments. Details of the value of goods sold are confidential between the purchaser and the supplier.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the cost to public funds of employing ministerial special advisers in his Department.

  Mr. Soames
  My Department employs one special adviser. Salaries for special advisers are negotiated individually in relation to their previous earnings, and are confidential. They are, however, normally paid on a special advisers' salary spine of 34 points, ranging from £19,503 to £67,609. Appointments are non-pensionable, and the salary spine reflects this.

  Military Training
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the countries from which foreign students have visited or will visit the United Kingdom for military training in United Kingdom military establishments during 1994.

  Mr. Soames
  Those countries from which foreign students have visited or will visit the United Kingdom for military training in United Kingdom military establishments during 1994 are as follows;
  618

  Country

  Country

  Country

  Abu Dhabi

  Greece

  Pakistan

  Albania

  Grenada

  Paraguay

  Antigua

  Guyana

  Philippines

  Australia

  Hong Kong

  Poland

  Austria

  Hungary

  Portugal

  Bahrain

  India

  Qatar

  Bahamas

  Indonesia

  Romania

  Bangladesh

  Ireland

  South Africa

  Barbados

  Israel

  Saudi Arabia

  Belgium

  Italy

  Senegal

  Belize

  Ivory Coast

  Seychelles

  Bermuda

  Jamaica

  Sierra Leone

  Botswana

  Japan

  Singapore

  Brazil

  Jordan

  Slovakia

  Brunei

  Kenya

  Slovenia

  Bulgaria

  Korea

  Spain

  Canada

  Kuwait

  Sri Lanka

  Cayman Island

  Latvia

  Sudan

  Chile

  Lebanon

  Swaziland

  St. Christopher Nevis

  Lithuania

  Sweden

  Cyprus

  St. Lucia

  Switzerland

  Czech Republic

  Malaysia

  Tanzania

  Denmark

  Maldives

  Thailand

  Dominican Republic

  Malta

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Dubai

  Malawi

  Turkey

  Ecuador

  Mauritius

  UAE

  Egypt

  Montserrat

  Uganda

  Estonia

  Mozambique

  Ukraine

  Falkland Islands

  Namibia

  USA

  Fiji

  Nepal

  Venezuela

  Finland

  Netherlands

  St. Vincent

  France

  Norway

  Yemen

  Gambia

  New Zealand

  Zambia

  Germany

  Oman

  Zimbabwe

  Ghana

  HMS Brazen
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the estimated total eventual costs of repairing HMS Brazen following her grounding; where the repairs will be carried out; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The initial repair work to HMS Brazen was carried out in the Chilean port of Talcahuano and further repair work will be undertaken by Devonport Management Limited at Devonport royal dockyard under the existing commercial arrangements for operational repairs. The eventual total cost of the repair work is expected to be some £2.5 million.

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conditions as to the use of British defence suppliers for equipment updates and replacement were agreed in the contract for the sale of four type 21 frigates to Pakistan; what information he has on the value of contracts placed for such work(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  No conditions as to the use of British defence suppliers were stipulated in the contract for the sale of six—not four—ex-RN type 21 frigates to Pakistan. United Kingdom companies competed for all subsequent major Pakistan upgrade or replacement programmes and so far two equipment contracts have been won. It is not our practice to disclose details of values of such contracts which are commercially confidential between the supplier
  619
  and the customer Government. Authoritative details of contracts awarded for major upgrades elsewhere are not available.

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which helicopters are available for use on the type 23 frigates currently on trials or training programmes.

  Mr. Soames
  Mark 3 Lynx helicopter are available, for use as necessary to type 23 frigate on trials or testing programmes.

  Car Theft
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the result of his Department's inquiry into the theft of a car from the home of the Army commander of southern district on 11 November; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  A private car belonging to the General Officer Commanding, southern district, was stolen from the grounds of his official residence on 11 October. The theft was investigated by the Hampshire constabulary as a criminal matter. The vehicle was found on 4 November and returned to its owner.

  Correspondence
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, North can expect a reply to his letter of 19 September concerning the recall to his unit of one of his constituents who had previously been discharged on medical priority.

  Mr. Soames
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State replied to the hon. Member on 22 November.

  Northolt Airport
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the report by the Policy Studies Institute on Northolt airport; if it remains his policy to retain Northolt as an exclusively military airport whilst allowing no more than the currently permitted number of civilian or business flights; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  Consideration of the report issued by the Adam Smith Institute on airport capacity in the London area is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, although RAF activity at Northolt, in particular flying operations, will continue to have primacy over civil use.

  Byelaws
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the legal costs of his Department's police and the Crown Prosecution Service relating to byelaws at HMS Forest Moor and Menwith Hill station since 1990; how much in costs has been awarded to people appealing against their convictions; and how many appeals against convictions concerning byelaw offences have been upheld.

  Mr. Soames
  The costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence police as they relate specifically to HMS Forest Moor and Menwith Hill station are not recorded separately and could only be provided at disproportionate cost; costs to the Crown Prosecution Service are a matter 620
  for my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General.

  Records of costs awarded to individuals appealing against their convictions and of appeals upheld against convictions for byelaws offences are not held centrally.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons he is considering new military land byelaws; and to what extent he regards existing byelaws as being extant and operational.

  Mr. Soames
  New Military Lands Act byelaws are being drafted to replace those ruled to be defective by the courts; and for establishments where changes to the boundaries necessitate new byelaws. The opportunity is being taken to review many existing sets of byelaws.

  Military Lands Act byelaws are extant and operable at all sites to which they apply, except where they have been found defective by the courts.

  Molesworth
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who controls the National Security Agency base at Molesworth; and by whom the base commander is employed.

  Mr. Soames
  RAF Molesworth is situated on Crown freehold land and Her Majesty's Government retain control over the use made of the site and its facilities. These facilities are operated with the agreement of Her Majesty's Government by the United States European Command and the base commander is an officer of the United States Air Force.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the five items received at NSA Molesworth containing polychlorinated biphenyls, referred to in his answer of 25 October 1994,Official Report, column 584; and what is the name of the contractor through which they were disposed of.

  Mr. Soames
  The five items suspected of containing PCBs were two empty five gallon cans of electrical insulation oil, and three items of electronic scrap and capacitators. The licensed contractor used to dispose of the contaminated items was Biffa Waste Services Ltd.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons convoys transporting nuclear weapons from Faslane to Burghfield by road do not display radiation symbols on vehicles.

  Mr. Soames
  Regulation 20f of the Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) (Great Britain) Regulations 1974, as amended in 1985, exempts vehicles carrying nuclear weapons from the requirement to display radiation symbols.

  Royal Dockyards
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount spent by his Department on the privatisation of the royal dockyards at Devonport and Rosyth.

  Mr. Freeman
  During the period between 18 October 1993, when my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced our policy
  621
  towards the future management of the dockyards—Official Report, 18 October 1993, columns 39–41—and 31 October 1994, total identifiable expenditure for work associated with developing and implementing plans for the proposed privatisation of the royal dockyards amounts to some £7.2 million. Given that the current dockyard management contracts are due to expire no later than April 1996, my Department would expect to have incurred in any case costs for work related to any future management arrangements for the royal dockyards.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total amount paid to consultants by his Department for work concerned with the privatisation of HM royal Devonport dockyard.

  Mr. Freeman
  Payments made or outstanding to consultants for work related to the proposed privatisation of the royal dockyards between 18 October 1993, when my right hon. and learned Friend announced our policy towards the future management of the dockyards,—Official Report, 18 October 1993, columns 39–41—and 31 October 1994 total some £6.5 million. Costs attributable to Devonport cannot be separately identified.

  Tornado
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what proposals he has to replace F3 Tornados assessed as no longer suitable for operational use, subsequent to the 25 fatigue index modification contract carried out at RAF St. Athan by Airwork Ltd;

  (2) if he will give the number of F3 Tornado aircraft damaged in the course of the 25 fatigue index modification contract by Airwork Ltd. at RAF St. Athan, which have been assessed as (a) capable of flying again and (b) suitable only for cannibalisation

  Mr. Freeman
  It is the intention that all aircraft, damaged by Airwork, will be recovered to a full operational standard and returned to the RAF for normal operational use.

  Equipment Programmes
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he is now ready to issue further invitations to tender for equipment programmes following his statement on 14 July.

  Mr. Freeman
  I am pleased to confirm the plans on three major equipment programmes. For the Royal Navy, we are now ready to issue an invitation to tender for the build of a further batch of up to three type 23 frigates. These vessels will form a most valuable contribution to the maintenance of a modern, capable force of 35 destroyers and frigates.

  I am also glad to confirm the plans on two weapons programmes of major importance to the RAF. An ITT will be issued for a conventionally-armed stand-off missile to enhance the RAF's capability for precision attack against high-value fixed targets, the importance of which was demonstrated in the Gulf conflict. In addition, we shall at the same time be issuing an ITT for an advanced air-launched anti-armour weapon. This will be a vital element of the offensive support capability to be provided by the Harrier GR7, Tornado and Eurofighter 2000 in the next decade.

  Defence Contracts
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money was paid by his Department to GEC to bid against VSEL for the contract for the Trafalgar class of submarines.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 25 November 1994]: We offered contracts to both GEC and VSEL for studies to produce, in advance of bids, innovative and improved construction and integration techniques in order to reduce the ultimate costs to my Department. Both companies have agreed to provide early sight of such proposals but only GEC accepted the offer of a contract to do so. The value of the contract is commercially confidential.

  Royal Marines School of Music
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the costs incurred if the proposed relocation of the Royal Marines school of music to Portsmouth takes place in respect of(a) hiring new music professors and other civilian staff at Portsmouth, (b) expenditure on contract staff and casuals while permanent posts are being filled and (c) training new staff.

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 25 November I994]: Salary costs for 15 professors of music are estimated at £481,000. This figure is the same regardless of the location chosen for the Royal Marines school of music. The salary costs for other directly-employed civilian staff should the Royal Marines school of music move to Portsmouth are estimated at £165,000. This figure compares with that estimated for continued occupation at Deal of £932,000. The cost of recruitment action to take on new staff is expected to be negligible.

  Pre-planning and timely recruiting would aim to avoid the use of contract staff and casuals while permanent posts are being filled.

  Any training necessary for new staff would be conducted under current internal arrangements at negligible cost.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many deductions from earnings orders have been served in the last 12 months by each of the Child Support Agency offices.

  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 Ann Chant to Mr. John Spellar, dated 29 November 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of deductions from earnings orders that have been served in the last 12 months by each of the Child Support Agency offices.
  During 1993–94, 2,600 deductions from earnings orders (DEOs) were issued. In the first year of the Agency's operations, this information was collected on a national basis only, and cannot be broken down by month or by regional centre.
  623
  Between April and September 1994, a further 11,470 DEOs were issued, split between the Agency's regional centres as follows:

  Number

  Belfast

  2,006

  Birkenhead

  1,981

  Dudley

  1,296

  Falkirk

  2,162

  Hastings

  2,323

  Plymouth

  1,702

  I hope that this reply is helpful.

  Benefits and Contributions Agencies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many beds have been stolen from the nursing and first aid stations on the Newcastle sites of his Department's Benefits Agency and Contributions Agency;

  (2) if he will place in the Library a list of all items over £100 in value stolen from the Newcastle sites of (a) the Benefits Agency and (b) the Contributions Agency;

  (3) what was the cost of stolen items from the Newcastle sites of the (a) DSS Benefits and (b) DSS Contributions Agency in each of the last three financial years;

  (4) what computing equipment has been stolen from the Newcastle sites of his Department's Benefits and Contributions Agencies; and whether data on staff or claimants were removed with the computing equipment.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The administration of the Contributions Agency is a matter for Mr. George Bertram, the acting chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from George Bertram to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 28 November 1994:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS ON SECURITY AT DSS, LONGBENTON
  As Acting Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency, I have responsibility for answering questions about relevant operational matters. As I have overall control of accommodation and equipment for all Agencies which share the Department's Newcastle site, I have been asked to respond to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Questions about the theft of equipment. Because of the nature of the questions I have combined the responses.
  It is over nine years since one bed was reported missing from a sick bay of the nursing facilities on the Newcastle site of the, then, Department of Health and Social Security.
  I have attached as an annex to this letter a list of individual items stolen and which were valued at over £100.
  For the financial years in question the recorded value of the items reported stolen on the Newcastle site are:-

  1991–1992: £15,900

  1992–1993: £8,778

  1993–1994: £6,850

  Separate figures are not kept for the individual agencies on the site. All Information Technology equipment is included in these figures.
  The computer equipment stolen has been stand-alone personal computers, printers, and a software package. Data on staff and customers is not stored on this equipment. The annex gives more detail on these losses.
  624
  We regularly meet with the Departmental Security Office and our Departmental Information Technology Security Group to address the current levels of security, exchange information and consider whether further improvements can be made. It is clear from this work that the current threat to IT equipment and other items from an increase in theft is the same for all governmental departments and commercial premises.
  Our physical security at the Newcastle site, which is 64 acres and employs some 9000 people has been reviewed in the last year. We have made a number of improvements such as the completion of the perimeter fencing of the site and the introduction of modern security equipment but we continue to look for further ways of improvement and are very much aware of this in our plans for the future.

  Items over £100 stolen from DSS Longbeaton

  Reported

  Item missing

  1991–92

  4 April 1991

  VCR

  14 June 1991

  ICL PC

  24 July 1991

  TV set

  13 September 1991

  Mackintosh PC

  20 September 1991

  Vacuum cleaner

  4 October 1991

  Fax machine

  7 November 1991

  £120.00 cash from unlocked drawer

  20 January 1992

  Two Protocol Analysers

  13 March 1992

  £180.00 cash from unlocked drawer

  17 March 1992

  231 desk tidies from store

  18 March 1992

  Monitor, CPU, Keyboard and Printer

  1992–93

  3 May 1992

  Microwave from Bellway

  11 May 1992

  Apricot xen-s keyboard

  18 May 1992

  Microwave from Bellway

  21 May 1992

  £140.00 cash

  22 July 1992

  Multi-meter and rechargeable torch

  28 July 1992

  60 desk tidies from store

  31 July 1992

  £100.00 cash from drawer

  2 October 1992

  Two rolls of carpet

  9 October 1992

  Two hydroponic plant displays

  12 October 1992

  Microwave from store

  25 November 1992

  £152.90 cash from unlocked drawer

  8 December 1992

  HP Laserjet printer

  5 January 1993

  VDU Monitor

  10 January 1993

  One Siemens Nixdorf PC

  10 October 1993

  Once ICL DRS M55 PC

  2 April 1993

  Lap top computer

  1993–94

  28 April 1993

  7 Feature telephones and adapted phone for hard of hearing

  18 May 1993

  HP Laserjet printer

  29 May 1993

  Portable TV/Radio from unlocked drawer

  8 June 1993

  Fujitsu dot matrix printer

  28 July 1993

  Two 14 inch TVs and two VCRs

  9 August 1993

  HP Laserjet printer

  10 August 1993

  HP Laserjet printer

  13 September 1993

  £100.00 cash from unlocked drawer

  23 December 1993

  "Apple" style desk top printer

  30 December 1993

  HP Laserjet printer

  22 January 1994

  HP Laserjet printer

  15 May 1994

  Computer monitor. "Thief apprehended"

  Quarry House
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on his plans to transfer more Benefits Agency staff to Quarry house, Leeds.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The deployment of Benefits Agency staff is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Derek Fatchett, dated 28 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about plans to transfer more Benefits Agency staff to Quarry House, Leeds.
  There are presently no plans to transfer more Benefits Agency staff into Quarry House. A number of Benefits Agency staff are located in other buildings in Leeds and should space become available in Quarry House in the future the Agency would consider the possibility of transferring some of these staff into the vacated offices.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Payment of Benefits
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people in England and Wales collected(a) income support, (b)

  Customers paid by automated credit transfer

  Benefits

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Thousands 1993–94

  Income Support1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  44

  Family Credit

  37

  53

  76

  91

  105

  Child Benefit

  1,297

  1,407

  1,505

  1,595

  1,708

  Retirement pension and widows pension2

  1,982

  2,160

  2,392

  2,671

  3,232

  Invalidity Benefit3

  —

  —

  —

  12

  90

  Unemployment Benefit4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  109

  Notes:

  1 The option to have Income Support paid by ACT came into effect in w/c 31 October 1993.

  2 No separate figures are available for payments of Retirement Pension and Widows Pension.

  3 The option to have Invalidity Benefit (IVB) paid by ACT came into effect in w/c 31 May 1993. Figures available showing the number of payments by IVB are combined with Sickness Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance Figures.

  4 The option to have Unemployment Benefit paid by ACT came into effect in w/c 20 September 1993. These figures have been obtained from the Employment Service Agency.

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish details of the work carried out by his Department's compensation recovery unit since it was established showing the number of cases in which it had reclaimed benefit payments, the total sum recovered for each year of its operation and the total annual operating cost of the unit including all administrative costs, salaries and all other outlays incurred by the unit since its creation.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is a matter for Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He 626
  family credit, (c) child benefit, (d) pension, (e) widow's pension, (f) invalidity benefit and (g) unemployment benefit, from the Post Office each week in each year since 1989–90;

  (2) how many people in England and Wales had (a) income support, (b) family credit, (c) child benefit, (d) pension, (e) widow's pension, (f) invalidity benefit and (g) unemployment benefit paid directly into a bank account in each year since 1989–90.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is a matter for Mr. 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. Geoffrey Robinson, dated 28 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the payment of benefit into bank accounts or at the Post Office.
  Information is not available in the exact format requested. This is because data is not collated relating to the number of customers being paid on a weekly basis at Post Offices. To obtain this information would be at a disproportionate cost.
  That information that is available regarding payments by automated credit transfer is not captured geographically nor weekly and to obtain it for England and Wales would be at a disproportionate cost.
  However, I have provided at Appendix A a table showing the number of customers, on an annual basis, from the year 1989–90 who have been paid by automated credit transfer.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 28 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for the number of cases in which the Compensation Recovery Unit had reclaimed benefit payments, the total sum recovered and the annual operating costs of the Unit including all administrative costs, salaries and all other outlays since its creation.
  The information requested has been provided for each financial year.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  627

  Period

  Number of cases

  Total amount recovered £ million

  Operating costs £ million

  1 August 1989–31 March 1990

  —

  —

  0.13

  1 April 1990–31 March 1991

  3,950

  3.7

  1.7

  1 April 1991–31 March 1992

  20,781

  25.3

  1.9

  1 April 1992–31 March 1993

  30,782

  51.3

  2.1

  1 April 1993–31 March 1994

  36,094

  81.9

  2.7

  1 April 1994–31 October 1994

  22,224

  56.2

  1.7

  National Insurance Numbers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will introduce legislation to restrict the use of the national insurance number by his Department to benefit-related purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I have no such plans at present but the position is being kept under review.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what undertaking he gave to the Data Protection Registrar in respect of restricting the national insurance number to tax and benefit-related purposes; and what revision he has made to the undertaking following the use of that number by a private sector firm in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Data Protection Registrar has been advised it is departmental policy to restrict use of the national insurance number to national insurance, tax and social security benefit-related purposes. I can confirm that a request has been received from a private sector organisation for permission to use the national insurance number and that this is currently under consideration within the terms of the policy.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what criteria he decides to meet or consult organisations of people with learning difficulties.

  Mr. Hague
  The same criteria are used for organisations of people with learning difficulties as others representing disabled people.

  Since I became Minister for Social Security and Disabled People, I have met as many organisations as possible covering a wide range of disabilities, including people with learning difficulties.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has yet completed his review of national insurance contributions for 1995–96.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have completed the annual review under section 141 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992. For the second year running, the Government will help employers by reducing the three rates of contributions payable for lower-paid employees. These 628
  will be cut by 0.6 per cent. for all employees earning less than £205 a week at a cost of £250 million a year. This will encourage the creation of new jobs. It will complement a further measure which the Government propose which will give employers taking on someone who has been out of work for at least two years a full national insurance rebate for up to a year. I am also increasing the help with fuel costs for pensioners, widows and certain disabled people which I introduced last year. Together with the general increases in contributory benefit expenditure which I am maintaining, this will mean a continuing shortfall in the national insurance fund between income and outgoings, but I will maintain the stability of the fund by means of the Treasury grant. The national insurance contribution rebate will be introduced from April 1996. The other changes to NICs will take effect from 6 April 1995.

  Employers and Employees

  There will be no change to the standard rates of contributions for either employees or employers, which remain at 10 per cent. and 10.2 per cent. respectively.

  In line with the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, the lower earnings limit for class 1 contributions is to be raised to £59 a week, which is the nearest whole pound to the basic retirement pension rate for a single person from April 1995. The upper earnings limit is to be raised to £440 a week which is slightly less than 7.5 times the new basic pension rate as provided by the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act. These new earnings limits will replace the current ones of £57 and £430 respectively.

  Under the current structure, employees whose earnings reach the lower earnings limit will continue to pay an initial contributions of 2 per cent. of that limit and standard rate contributions of 10 per cent. on that portion of their earnings which exceeds the lower but not the upper earnings limit. For employers the three contribution rates for the lower paid will be reduced by 0.6 per cent. each to 3 per cent., 5 per cent. and 7 per cent. respectively. The thresholds for these rates will also be raised so that from April 1995 they apply to weekly earnings which fall below the ceilings of £105, £150 and £205 respectively, compared with £100, £145 and £200 at present.

  Not Contracted Out Employees and their Employers

  Neither the employee nor his employer will have to pay any contributions if earnings are less than £59 a week. Those whose .earnings do not exceed £430—the former upper earnings limit—will pay 16p a week less in contributions than at present. This is because a further £2 of their weekly earnings will be subject to a deduction of 2 per cent. rather than 10 per cent. For employees with earnings above £430 the maximum possible increase will be 84p a week. Employers will pay between 35p and £6.53 a week less where the employee's earnings are less than £205 a week. There will be no change for employers where earnings are £205 a week or more.

  Contracted Out Employees and their Employers

  Those with earnings between £59 and £430—the former upper earnings limit—will pay 13p a week less. For those who earn more than £430 the maximum possible increase will be 69p a week. Employers will pay between 29p and £6.57 a week less where the employee's earning are less than £205 a week. There will be little change for employers where earnings are £205 a week or more.
  629
  Rebate for Employers taking on the long-term unemployed

  Employers who hire someone who has been out of work for two years or more will get a full NIC rebate for that person for a year, starting in April 1996.

  Self-Employed People

  The flat rate class 2 contribution will be raised by 20p to £5.85 a week.

  There will be no increase in the rate of class 4 contributions, currently 7.3 per cent. The annual limits of profits between which class 4 contributions are paid will be raised to £6,640 and £22,880 from £6,490 and £22,360 respectively. Self-employed people who pay only class 2 contributions will pay an extra £10.40 a year in 1995–96.

  For people with profits between £6,490 and £22,360—the former upper profits limit—class 4 contributions will be reduced by £10.95 per year assuming an unaltered level of profits. For those self-employed people with profits at or above the new upper profits limit the annual charge for class 4 contributions will be £27.01 higher.

  Class 3 (Voluntary) Contributions

  The rate of class 3 contributions will be raised by 20p to £5.75 a week.

  National Health Service Allocation

  The allocation to the national health service, currently 1.05 per cent. from employees and 0.9 per cent. from employers, remains unchanged.

  Treasury Grant

  In accordance with section 2(2) of the Social Security Act 1993, I propose to maintain the level of the national insurance fund during 1995–96 by means of a grant from the Treasury. I estimate that the grant required will be approximately £5.1 billion.

  As usual, I shall be laying a draft order before Parliament together with a report by the Government Actuary describing the effects of my proposals.

  Benefit Rates
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out details of the new rates of benefit proposed from April 1995.

  Mr. Lilley
  As usual, the annual uprating of social security benefits will take place in the first full week of the tax year—in 1995 this will be the week beginning on 10 April.

  The increases announced today are fully in line with the Government's commitment to help those in greatest need and includes the second stage of extra help for the effect of VAT on domestic fuel. Expenditure on social security will be £86.5 billion in 1995–96, £90 billion in 1996–97 and £93.5 billion in 1997–98.

  I have reviewed social security benefits in accordance with section 150 of the Administration Act 1992. My proposals, which are set out in the schedule, fully reflect the commitment to increase all major benefits in line with inflation. The statutory instruments to implement them will be laid before both Houses for debate. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland proposes to introduce similar changes for Northern Ireland.

  All national insurance benefits, excluding some transitional amounts, will be uprated at least in line with
  630
  the annual increase in the retail price index up to September which this year is 2.2 per cent.

  Income-related benefits will rise by around 1.9 per cent., slightly more than the Rossi index—RPI less certain housing costs—owing to the extra help for VAT on domestic fuel.

  Fifteen million people gained from the extra help for VAT on domestic fuel which was announced last year. They include pensioners receiving retirement pension and those receiving income support, widow's benefit, invalidity benefit—to be replaced by long-term incapacity benefit—or severe disablement allowance. From April 1995, the total extra help will be up to £1 a week for a single person or £1.40 a week for a couple. This extra money is a permanent addition to benefit rates and will be subject to future upratings in the normal way.

  Social fund cold weather payments have already increased by £1 this month. From 1 November 1995 they will rise by a further £1.50 to £8.50. This increase is higher than the amount announced last year and will give substantial extra help to income support recipients who are pensioners, disabled people or have young children.

  Some key points of the 1995 increases are:

  Retirement Pension

  Retirement pension will rise by £1.55 to £59.15 per week for a single person and by £2.35 to £94.45 for a couple. In common with certain other benefits, these amounts include the extra help for the effect of VAT on fuel.

  Incapacity Benefit

  Incapacity benefit replaces sickness benefit and invalidity benefit from 13 April 1995, the initial basic rate of long-term incapacity benefit will be £59.15 per week. This represents a full increase in line with inflation compared with the previous rate of invalidity benefit, as well as including extra help for the effect of VAT on domestic fuel.

  Unemployment Benefit

  Unemployment benefit for a single person will rise from £45.45 to £46.45 per week.

  Child Benefit

  Child benefit will be fully uprated in line with prices; this means that the new rates will be £10.40 per week for the first or eldest eligible child and £8.45 for each subsequent child.

  War Pensions

  War pensions will, again, be uprated fully in line with prices. the 100 per cent. rate of basic war disablement pension will increase from £98.90 to £101.10 per week.

  Disability Working Allowance

  Disability working allowance will be uprated fully in line with the Rossi index. In addition, the allowance for couples/lone parents will rise from £63.75 to £73.70 per week and the threshold for single people will rise from £43 to £54.80 per week.

  A schedule of the main proposed social security benefit rates to April 1995 will be placed in the Library.

  Industrial Injury Benefits
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of restoring the reduction in industrial injury benefits made since 1979.

  Mr. Hague
  It is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the cost involved.

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to what level the £35 limit above which occupational pensions are deducted from unemployment benefit could be raised without the cost exceeding the estimated saving from extending such deductions to people aged under 55 years.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Estimates of the precise level at which this occurs are not reliable as it is necessary to estimate the number of people who become entitled to contributory benefit because the limit has been raised, and estimating this number with accuracy becomes more difficult the higher the level of limit. However, it is estimated that the £35 per week limit above which occupational pensions are deducted from unemployment benefit could be raised to between £65 and £75.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates assumed 2.4 million unemployed claimants (GB) and 500,000 unemployment benefit claimants.

  2. Estimate assumes that the job seeker's allowance has been introduced and in particular that contributory benefit for the unemployed lasts for six months.

  3. Figure estimated using the PSM with 1990–91–92 FES data and 1994 unemployment benefit statistics.

  Benefits (Remortgages)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what are the projected savings resulting from the cessation of payments in respect of concomitant interest in respect of remortgages;

  (2) how many people claiming income support have sold their property since May 1994 following non-payment by the Department of the concomitant interest payments to cover remortgage payments;

  (3) if he will make a statement regarding concomitant interest payments;

  (4) how many people claiming income support who have remortgaged their home have not been paid concomitant interest payments by his Department since the rule change of May 1994;

  (5) what the projected year-on-year figures are for concomitant interest payments in the years 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The effect of the change to the rules on income support help with mortgage interest payments that came into effect on 2 May 1994 was to stop benefit from being increased to meet the interest on loans that people take out while they are receiving income support. Loans that result from the special needs of disabled person, the need to provide separate sleeping accommodation for children of different sexes over the age of 10 years or for essential repairs and improvements are excluded from this restriction. Where remortgages are concerned, income support continues to be able to held with the interest on the parts of a remortgage that were taken out to pay off loans, or parts of loans, that would have been eligible for benefit had they not been paid off. The new rules only apply if the amount of interest that has to be met has increased as a result of the remortgage, and this increase is not covered by one of the exempt categories.

  We have no evidence of anyone having sold their property as a result of the rule change. The other information that has been requested is not available.

  War Pensioners
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans exist to reform provision with regard to war pensioners.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  None.

  Organophosphorous Sheep Dips
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what new advice he has received from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on medical conditions caused by exposure to organophosphorous sheep dips; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  I have received no new advice. The council keeps developments in the field of occupational diseases under review. I understand that the council's research working group is aware of reports on the links between organophosphates and health.

EMPLOYMENT

  Youth Opportunities
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to create employment opportunities for 16 to 25-year-olds.

  Mr. Paice
  The Government will continue with the policies that have already reduced unemployment among young people under 25 by over 100,000 in the last year and given the United Kingdom an unemployment rate for this age group among the lowest in Europe.

  Employment Initiatives
  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what initiatives his Department has undertaken to reduce unemployment rates among the over-50 age group.

  Miss. Widdecombe
  The Government have introduced a number of measures to reduce unemployment among the over-50 age group.

  Training (Women)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what action his Department is taking to promote training for women returning to the labour market after having children.

  Miss. Widdecombe
  The Department is promoting training and employment opportunities for women through its new horizons and fair play initiatives. Women who wish to return to work can enter training for work without having to be registered as unemployed for six months.

  European Union (Discussions)
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last discussed the issue of unemployment with Employment Ministers of other member states of the European Union; and if he will make a statement.
  633
  Mr. Portillo
  Unemployment has naturally figured prominently in the discussions I have had with my counterparts. I want to make sure that it moves to the top of the Community's agenda.

  Regional Expenditure
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's expenditure per head of population in the south-west; and what is his Department's average expenditure per head for all English regions.

  Miss Widdecombe
  It is not possible to give a comprehensive and accurate comparison of the Department's expenditure between the south-west and other English regions because much of the Department's budget is managed on a national, rather than regional basis and because not all the Department's activities are organised within common regional boundaries.

  Stress
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment his Department has made of the effect of stress on employees.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  In December 1993, the Health and Safety Executive published a major review of the scientific literature on the nature, causes and effects of occupational stress. A copy of the review, which was undertaken on HSE's behalf by Professor Tom Cox of Nottingham university, was placed in the Library.

  Coalfield Communities Campaign
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met representatives of the coalfield communities campaign to discuss employment issues.

  Mr. Paice
  My right hon. Friend has not been asked to meet representatives of the coalfield communities campaign.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many adult males were placed in full-time employment in the month covered by the most recently published statistics on unemployment.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Past surveys indicate that the majority of people who leave unemployment go into jobs.

  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current figures for unemployment(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in other European Union countries and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Portillo
  The United Kingdom unemployment rate is lower than that for all EU countries except Portugal and Luxembourg. Details are provided in the following table:

  Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates in EU countries

  Latest Month

  Belgium

  10.1 (September)

  Denmark

  9.8 (September)

  Germany1

  —

  Greece2

  —

  Spain

  21.9 (September)

  France

  11.3 (September)

  Ireland

  17.5 (September)

  Italy

  11.9 (September)

  634

  Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates in EU countries

  Latest Month

  Luxembourg

  3.4 (September)

  Netherlands

  9.9 (August)

  Portugal

  6.0 (September)

  United Kingdom

  9.0 (September)

  EC Average

  10.7 (September)

  Notes:

  1 No ILO rate available for unified Germany.

  2 Only 1991 annual average figures available for Greece.

  Source:

  Statistical Office of the European Community Unemployment Bulletin.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed regionally and nationally for each year since 1979 for less than eight hours per week; and to what extent they are counted by his Department as being in work.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  This information could be provided from the labour force survey only at a disproportionate cost. Data from 1984 onwards may be obtained via the Quantime LFS service available in the Library.

  The definition of employment used by the LFS follows the guidelines of the International Labour Organisation. This counts as "in employment" everyone who did at least one hour of paid work in the reference week.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what were the median and modal age by gender, both regionally and nationally, of those workers with two or more part-time jobs aged(a) 21 to 24 years, (b) 25 to 34 years, (c) 35 to 54 years and (d) 55 years and over in each year since 1979;

  (2) what were the regional and national numbers of jobless two-adult households who have been without work for (a) six months, (b) one year and (c) two years and over in each year since 1979 to date;

  (3) if he will list the numbers of unemployed, both regionally and nationally, for white collar occupations, in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  This information could be provided from the labour force survey only at a disproportionate cost. Data from 1984 onwards may be obtained via the Quantime LFS service available in the Library.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the United kingdom are in work, as a percentage of the total population of working age; and what are the comparable figures for the other G7 countries.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information is given in the following table:

  Total employment as a percentage of the population aged 15 to 64 in the G7 nations; 19921

  Per cent.

  United Kingdom

  68

  Germany

  66

  France

  60

  Italy2

  56

  USA

  71

  Canada

  64

  Japan

  74

  Source:

  OECD, except United Kingdom—Employment Department.

  1 1992 is the latest year for which comparable data are available.

  2 Aged 14 to 64 years.

  635
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of part-time jobs are taken by women with an earning partner.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Latest estimates from the spring 1994 labour force survey for Great Britain show that 58 per cent. of the people whose main job was part-time were women with a partner in employment.

  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the United Kingdom are in work, as a proportion of the total population of working age; and what are the figures in other major EU countries.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information is given in the following table:

  Total Employment as a Percentage of the Population aged 15 to 64 in the major EU Countries: 19921

  Per cent.

  United Kingdom

  68

  Germany

  66

  France

  60

  Italy2

  56

  Source:

  OECD, except United Kingdom—Employment Department.

  1 1992 is the latest year for which comparable data are available.

  2Aged 14 to 16 years.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what was(a) the number of adult male part-time workers in Great Britain in April 1993 and (b) the proportion of those workers whose earnings, excluding overtime, fell below (i) £5.88 per hour, (ii) £5.53 per hour, (iii) £4.15 per hour, (iv) £4 per hour, (v) £3.50 per hour, (vi) £3 per hour and (vii) £2.50 per hour;

  (2) if he will list the proportions of manual, non-manual and all full-time (a) male and (b) female employees earning less per week than (i) £221.50, (ii) £208.53, (iii) £156.40, (iv) £150.80, (v) £131.95 and (vi) £94.25 excluding overtime payments (1) by standard economic region, (2) for Great Britain as a whole and (3) for Northern Ireland;

  (3) what was (a) the number of adult female part-time workers in Great Britain in April 1993 and (b) the proportion of those workers whose earnings, excluding overtime, fell below (i) £5.88 per hour, (ii) £5.53 per hour, (iii) £4.15 per hour, (iv) £4 per hour, (v) £3.50 per hour, (vi) £3 per hour and (vii) £2.50 per hour;

  (4) if he will list the proportion of (i) full-time employees earning less per week than (a) £221.50, (b) £208.53, (c) £156.40, (d) £150.80, (e) £131.95, (f) £113.10 and (g) £94.25 excluding overtime payments and (ii) part-time employees earning less per hour than (1) £5.88 per hour, (2) £5.53 per hour, (3) £4.15 per hour, (4) £4 per hour, (5) £3.50 per hour, (6) £3 per hour and (7) £2.50 excluding overtime payments, indicating (i) and (ii) in relation to (I) Great Britain as a whole, (II) each county in England, (III) each county in Wales, (IV) each London borough and Greater London as a whole and (V) each regional authority and borough in Scotland.

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

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many workers are on(a) part-time contracts and (b) short-term full-time contracts; and, for
  636
  each category, how many are (i) female and (ii) male; and if he will further break down the figures by standard region.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Information is available from the labour force survey on the numbers of part-time and full-time employees who report that they are working under a contract for a fixed period or for a fixed task.

  The information for spring 1994 is shown in the following table.

  Part-time and full-time employees on fixed-term contracts

  Thousands Part-time

  not seasonally adjusted Full-time

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  South East

  18

  78

  93

  65

  -Greater London

  1—

  29

  36

  30

  -rest of SE

  11

  49

  57

  36

  East Anglia

  1—

  1—

  11

  1—

  South West

  1—

  15

  16

  15

  West Midlands

  1—

  18

  19

  13

  East Midlands

  1—

  18

  14

  11

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1—

  14

  31

  19

  North West

  1—

  23

  27

  22

  North

  1—

  12

  23

  10

  Wales

  1—

  1—

  11

  1—

  Scotland

  1—

  17

  34

  20

  Northern Ireland

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Great Britain

  53

  211

  280

  189

  United Kingdom

  54

  214

  284

  192

  1 Under 10,000 and so not shown

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if children under 15 currently working in factories and businesses are included in his Department's statistics as employed persons.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The labour force survey measure of employment only includes persons of age 16 years and over. Employment estimates derived from the employer-based survey make no reference to the age of the employee.

  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment to what he attributes the current changes in unemployment figures; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: Unemployment has fallen faster in the United Kingdom over the past year than in any other EU country, and has fallen by over 450,000 since recovery in the labour market began. On internationally comparable figures, released last week by the Statistical Office of the European Communities, the unemployment rate in the United Kingdom is nearly two percentage points below the EU average. I attribute this to the pursuit of sound macro-economic policies promoting strong economic growth with low inflation, active measures to help people back to work and the avoidance or removal of unnecessary regulations that obstruct enterprise, competition, and job creation.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what changes there have been in the number
  637
  of 16 and 17-year-olds on youth training schemes, nationally, regionally and in Nottingham in the last year.

  Mr. Paice
  The information requested is given in the following table.

  Youth training (including Youth Credits) change in in-training from August 1993 to August 1994

  15 August 1993

  14 August 1994

  Change over period (percentage)

  Greater Nottingham TEC

  4,160

  3,870

  -7

  South East

  25,000

  26,200

  +5

  London

  19,200

  18,200

  -5

  Eastern

  20,200

  21,900

  +8

  South West

  19,800

  18,000

  -9

  West Midlands

  27,100

  27,400

  +1

  East Midlands

  23,000

  22,600

  -2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  28,700

  27,200

  -5

  Merseyside

  12,400

  13,500

  +9

  North West

  35,200

  37,500

  +7

  North East

  20,800

  18,700

  -10

  Wales

  15,100

  14,200

  -6

  Scotland

  33,500

  31,900

  -5

  Great Britain

  280,000

  277,100

  -1

  Source:

  TEC operating agreement—Annex J Scottish and Welsh Offices.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people in the United Kingdom have either education or training places; and what the figures were in 1979.

  Mr. Portillo
  Some 1.1 million 16 and 17-year-olds in the United Kingdom were participating in education and training in spring 1994 compared with 1 million in spring 1984—the earliest year for which information is available. This represents an increase from 54 per cent. to 84 per cent. of the age group as a whole.

  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he next expects to meet the chairman of the Construction Industry training board to discuss youth training on construction sites.

  Mr. Paice
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the Construction Industry Training Board chairman recently and discussed youth training and other matters. There are no plans to meet him again in the near future.

  Older Workers
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what initiatives his Department has undertaken to improve the training prospects of older workers.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Our "Getting On" campaign encourages employers to develop and train their staff regardless of age.

  Unemployed older people are eligible for all the Government's employment and training programmes according to normal criteria.

  Priority Suppliers Scheme
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest position on the priority suppliers scheme.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government were forced to abolish the priority suppliers scheme because it was 638
  incompatible with EC law. The European Commission has confirmed that the PSS was illegal and could not be continued. The Government undertook to discuss the matter with the European Commission and to reintroduce a scheme if that was possible.

  In the discussions with the European Commission the Government have sought to establish whether any preferential purchase arrangements for Remploy and other sheltered workshops can be operated within the law.

  We have just concluded our talks with the Commission. A new scheme can be introduced but it has to be different from the PSS in two ways. First, to conform with treaty requirements, access to the scheme has to be extended beyond British suppliers to comparable ones in every country of the European Union and the European economic area. "Comparability" will be defined by reference to eligibility criteria which broadly reflect our own criteria for funding supported workshops. Those include requirements that the organisation be a non-profit-distributing body; at least 50 per cent. of its work force must be severely disabled employees engaged in work which makes a genuine contribution to the organisations's business; and employees must be paid the same or closely equivalent wages as non-disabled employees doing the same or similar work. To enable workshops in all member states—which satisfy these criteria—to register their interest, an announcement will be made annually in the EC Official Journal.

  The second change is that the scheme will have to be confined to contracts below the relevant threshold above which the EC directives—93/36/EEC and 92/50/EEC—and the general agreement on tariffs and trade Government procurement agreement apply. Those thresholds are currently £96,403 for Government supplies contracts and £149,728 for some textiles products purchased by the Ministry of Defence.

  The new arrangement, which will be known as the special contracts arrangement, will like its predecessor help eligible supported workshops for severely disabled people to compete for business with United Kingdom Government Departments and their agencies: it will be administered by the Employment Service, which will circulate to Departments and their agencies details of the organisations registered under the scheme, and their products. When awarding contracts covered by this scheme, Departments will be expected to award a contract to an eligible contractor if its tender provides the same value for money as the best rival tender, and provided all other tender requirements are acceptable. Where a tender was unacceptable on price alone there would, as under the previous scheme, be an opportunity to submit a revised tender for part or all of a contract.

  Although we believe that the special contracts arrangement will be of some benefit, there remains the more fundamental problem of increasing competitive pressure, particularly in the textiles and clothing trade, from low cost producers beyond the EC. We shall continue to work with Remploy and other supported employers as they adapt to meet the challenges of the changing business environment.

  The fact that we needed to end the PSS has never put in question the Government's commitment to make payment to Remploy or similar bodies to compensate them for the extra cost of employing disabled people. That is a principle to which we remain committed. The sum of more than £140 million that the Government make

  639
  available for the supported employment programme has never been in doubt.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met representatives of the training and enterprise councils to discuss TEC budgets.

  Mr. Paice
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I regularly meet the TECs representatives to discuss a wide range of topics, including TEC budgets.

  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress is being made with the arrangements to introduce three-year licences for TECs; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Paice
  I am pleased to be able to announce that 12 training and enterprise councils have completed the process of meeting the rigorous standards we set for the award of the new 3-year licence. The licences will be effective from April 1995. The TECs are:

  Barnsley/Doncaster

  HAWTEC—Hereford and Worcester

  Humberside

  Leicestershire

  Lincolnshire

  North Derbyshire

  North Nottinghamshire

  Northumberland

  Rotherham

  Sheffield

  South and East Cheshire

  Sunderland City

  A number of other TECs are close to completing the process. I expect to make further announcements shortly of TECs to be awarded licences from April 1995.

  Our expectation is that the introduction of licensing for all English TECs will take until 1997. Licensing is one part of the contract framework between Government and TECs which is designed to support continuous improvement in their performance, value for money and accountability across all that they do.

  To be awarded a licence, a TEC must meet rigorous criteria. These cover the TECs corporate plan and its strategic impact in working with other local bodies, its performance on the main programmes funded by the Government and other areas of its capability as an organisation.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the reduction in unemployment in(a) Britain and (b) other major EU countries.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The latest internationally comparable statistics from Eurostat show that the fall in the United Kingdom's unemployment rate over the past year has been greater than in any other country in the European Union.

  Statistics and Research
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much money his Department will spend this year on statistics and research.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The running costs and programme expenditure of statistical services division and economics,640
  research and evaluation division in Employment Department headquarters amount to £23.8 million in 1994–95.

  Not all this total relates to the collection of information or pure research. A significant proportion of the work of the divisions concerned involved the provision of statistical and economic advice and also evaluation.

  Crown Enforcement Notices
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many inspections have been carried out into Crown premises in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for trends in the number of Crown enforcement notices requiring improvements within the meaning of his answer of 12 July,Official Report, column 535.

  Mr, Oppenheim
  Information is not available on the number of inspections of Crown premises. There was a significant reduction in the number of Crown enforcement notices in 1986–87 when Crown immunity was removed from the national health service.

  Psychological Testing
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what studies his Department has undertaken into the use of psychological testing for employment.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  In the late 1980s, the Department published the policy document "Assessment Through Psychological Testing". Subsequently, we published the report "Review of Psychometric Tests for Assessment in Vocational Training", which is now maintained by the British Psychological Society.

  We have also funded two studies of employers' recruitment practices in relation to young people, which were completed in 1992 and 1993 respectively. These studies "The Selection of Young People by Medium Sized and Large Organisations" and "The Recruitment and Selection of Young People by Small Firms", both included psychological testing among the range of recruitment practices covered.

  In addition, we are funding a project in the Tower Hamlets area on psychometric testing and the ethnic minorities. This is currently in progress.

  Output-related Funding
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to the reply, 21 Novermber,Official Report, column 42, how many representations he has received, and how many were in favour and how many against output-related funding.

  Mr. Paice
  It is not possible to quantify the number of representations, which have been made from many quarters over many years. Although some representations have drawn attention to potential difficulties, there has been much support, particularly from training and enterprise councils.

  European Court
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the implications for Britain of the judgment of the European
  641
  Court in the case of Raymond van der Elst and the French Office des Migrations Internationale.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The Employment Department, together with the Home Office, is considering the judgment of the European Court in this case and any implications there may be for the United Kingdom.

  Graduates
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list numbers and percentages of

  Unemployment among new graduates, United Kingdom 1979–80 to 1985–86

  Number and percentages of all graduates, of known destination, in each subject group

  1979–80

  1981–82

  1983–84

  1985–86

  Male/Female

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  Education

  Per cent.

  3.2

  12.6

  4.8

  12.1

  4.6

  5.2

  4.5

  4.6

  Number

  15

  62

  21

  105

  21

  46

  10

  33

  Medicine, Dentistry and Health

  Per cent.

  0.7

  1.0

  0.8

  1.0

  0.6

  1.2

  0.9

  1.1

  Number

  23

  21

  27

  23

  20

  30

  26

  32

  Engineering and Technology

  Per cent.

  4.8

  4.2

  8.9

  8.8

  5.5

  5.3

  5.1

  4.7

  Number

  401

  20

  786

  58

  496

  42

  376

  32

  Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary

  Per cent.

  8.3

  8.5

  12.4

  16.1

  11.3

  12.8

  5.1

  5.9

  Science

  Number

  65

  36

  96

  67

  88

  55

  34

  29

  Science

  Per cent.

  10.8

  7.6

  17.3

  11.6

  11.7

  8.9

  9.3

  6.1

  Number

  1,020

  343

  1,732

  588

  1,223

  483

  875

  319

  Administration, Business and Social

  Per cent.

  10.2

  8.3

  14.0

  11.6

  10.8

  8.2

  7.0

  5.9

  Studies

  Number

  1,005

  515

  1,384

  826

  995

  601

  487

  339

  Architecture and other Professional and

  Per cent.

  6.8

  5.3

  4.1

  6.9

  3.9

  5.2

  2.6

  2.7

  Vocational Subjects

  Number

  46

  15

  26

  24

  25

  20

  18

  6

  Language, Literature and Area Studies

  Per cent.

  15.4

  9.2

  19.1

  13.1

  15.1

  9.9

  11.7

  7.2

  Number

  414

  461

  490

  727

  376

  554

  227

  357

  Arts other than languages

  Per cent.

  13.2

  10.1

  22.2

  14.7

  16.3

  11.7

  11.3

  9.0

  Number

  361

  297

  609

  481

  434

  370

  288

  237

  Multi-disciplinary Studies1

  Per cent.

  11.3

  8.2

  Number

  374

  249

  Total

  Per cent.

  8.8

  7.8

  13.3

  11.3

  9.5

  8.2

  7.5

  6.1

  Number

  3,350

  1,770

  5,171

  2,899

  3,678

  2,201

  2,715

  1,633

  1 Only available after 1985.

  Unemployment among new graduates, United Kingdom 1987–88 to 1992–93

  Number and percentages of all graduates, of known destination, in each subject group

  1987–88

  1989–90

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Male/Female

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  Education

  Per cent.

  2.3

  2.1

  2.7

  1.9

  5.7

  3.8

  5.4

  4.3

  Number

  7

  19

  7

  19

  41

  36

  19

  48

  Medicine, Dentistry and Health

  Per cent.

  0.5

  0.7

  0.7

  0.8

  1.3

  1.6

  1.4

  1.9

  Number

  14

  24

  20

  28

  17

  58

  42

  71

  Engineering and Technology

  Per cent.

  3.2

  1.6

  8.1

  5.8

  10.6

  7.9

  10.7

  7.3

  Number

  242

  13

  343

  27

  825

  99

  897

  96

  Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary

  Per cent.

  4.6

  4.5

  9.34

  5.51

  10.1

  7.88

  9.2

  7.3

  Science

  Number

  31

  24

  47

  30

  55

  39

  51

  39

  642
  Unemployed graduates by subject group since 1979 to date, broken down by gender.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The table provides the data requested for alternate years up to 1992 and for 1993. The data have been compiled from annual reports published by the Universities Statistical Record on surveys of the first destinations of new graduates. They refer to the position of graduates at the end of the calender year in which they graduated and they exclude graduates from institutions which did not have university status prior to 1992.
  643

  Unemployment among new graduates, United Kingdom 1987–88 to 1992–93

  Number and percentages of all graduates, of known destination, in each subject group

  1987–88

  1989–90

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Male/Female

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  Science

  Per cent.

  6.9

  4.6

  5.2

  4.9

  14.9

  9.6

  13.6

  8.6

  Number

  659

  248

  643

  311

  1,593

  644

  1,502

  627

  Administration, Business and Social

  Per cent.

  5.5

  4.6

  4.8

  2.6

  10.9

  7.8

  9.7

  6.4

  Studies

  Number

  411

  289

  475

  340

  921

  589

  832

  511

  Architecture and other Professional and

  Per cent.

  1.9

  2.8

  11.2

  8.5

  14.3

  10.2

  10.7

  4.8

  Number

  12

  7

  36

  7

  116

  31

  95

  16

  Language, Literature and Area Studies

  Per cent.

  9.1

  6.0

  11.2

  8.5

  16.1

  10.1

  15.9

  7.9

  Vocational Subjects

  Number

  173

  291

  223

  383

  335

  536

  357

  454

  Arts other than languages

  Per cent.

  10.5

  7.3

  9.0

  8.0

  17.5

  10.8

  15.7

  9.4

  Number

  287

  205

  295

  230

  536

  355

  521

  338

  Multi-disciplinary Studies

  Per cent.

  8.1

  6.9

  10.4

  7.9

  14.5

  10.9

  14.4

  8.4

  Number

  289

  226

  621

  303

  611

  464

  623

  386

  Total

  Per cent.

  5.7

  4.8

  7.1

  5.6

  12.3

  8.5

  11.6

  7.1

  Number

  2,125

  1,346

  2,710

  1,678

  5,050

  2,851

  4,939

  2,586

  Maternity Leave
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the definition of other contractual benefits besides salary for a woman on 14 weeks maternity leave under regulations in force since 16 October; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: A woman absent from work on statutory maternity leave is entitled to the benefit of the terms and conditions of employment which would have been applicable to her if she had not been absent, with the exception of remuneration. This is under section 33 of the Employment

  Outstanding debt at end of year

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  11992–93

  £ million 1993–94

  Bolton

  245

  241

  234

  215

  216

  146

  152

  Bury

  108

  110

  118

  117

  115

  82

  80

  Manch

  ester

  1,138

  1,096

  1,129

  1,275

  1,382

  1,326

  1,277

  Oldham

  279

  287

  292

  274

  274

  242

  242

  Rochdale

  216

  228

  —

  248

  278

  212

  204

  Salford

  420

  428

  437

  450

  467

  403

  376

  Stockport

  151

  160

  163

  165

  156

  116

  104

  Tameside

  224

  217

  219

  248

  262

  186

  183

  Trafford

  99

  118

  118

  113

  109

  81

  82

  Wigan

  303

  303

  317

  276

  278

  250

  237

  Total

  3,183

  3,188

  —

  3,381

  3,538

  3,045

  2,937

  Note:

  In addition, debt inherited from the former Greater Manchester county council amounts to £260 million.

  1 The debt of most housing authorities was reduced in 1992–93 as the result of the commutation of certain loan charge grants in October 1992.

  Sources:

  1987–88 to 1989–90—Outstanding loan debt, capital outturn returns.

  1990–91 to 1993–94—Total external debt, borrowing and lending surveys and PWLB.
  644
  Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 as inserted by section 23 of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Authority Debt
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current level of debt for each local authority in Greater Manchester, the current figure for each year since 1987–88 and the totals for the whole Greater Manchester metropolitan area.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The information is as follows:

  Under-occupation
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the extent of under-occupation in(a) the rented and (b) owner-occupied sectors.

  Households with more bedrooms than the bedroom standard 1993–94

  Thousands

  Number of bedrooms more than bedroom standard

  Tenure

  One

  Two

  Three or more

  Tenants

  2,120

  810

  70

  Owner-occupiers

  5,450

  4,300

  980

  These figures are from the 1993–94 survey of English housing and are subject to sampling error.

  Homelessness Data
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has done into the accuracy of homelessness data used by his Department in the standard spending assessment formula.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The Department is currently undertaking research on the impact of the 1991 homelessness code of guidance. One of the areas covered by this research is the consistency of authorities' statistical returns.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from local authorities about the accuracy and appropriateness of using homelessness figures as an indicator within the standard spending assessment formula.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Since the 1994–95 settlement, the following local authorities have made representations on the use of homelessness data:

  Coventry city council

  Dudley metropolitan borough council

  London borough of Newham

  London borough of Hounslow

  London borough of Islington

  Avon county council

  Barrow borough council

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of appeals outstanding against the 1988 uniform business rate valuation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  At the end of September, there were around 235,000 1990 non-domestic rating appeals outstanding with valuation tribunals in England, the vast majority of which were made after the initial appeal period to reflect changes in material circumstances.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to deregulate the radioactive nuclear waste industry and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Proposed changes to the regulatory responsibilities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food were contained in paragraph 194 of the Department's consultation paper "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy: Preliminary Conclusions",
  646
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the extent of under-occupation in the(a) rented and (b) owner-occupied sectors.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The latest estimates for England are as follows:

  published in August. Copies were placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the 39 dump sites identified as suitable for placing low-level radioactive nuclear waste.

  Mr. Atkins
  A recent press release by Greenpeace listed 37 landfill sites which are, or have in the past, received low-level radioactive waste for disposal by controlled burial. Ten of these sites are in Scotland and the information relating to Scotland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution currently monitors and publicly reports upon the remaining 27 sites in England and Wales. A number of these sites are now closed or do not now receive radioactive waste for disposal. The sites which are specified in the authorisations issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, and which currently receive such waste are listed

  Milton Landfill, Cambridge

  Cowpen Bewley Tip, Cleveland

  Waste Ponds, Walney Island, Cumbria

  Hilts Quarry, Derbyshire

  Magnesium Elktron site, Greater Manchester

  Cilgwyn Quarry, Gwynedd

  Braziers Landfill, Hertfordshire

  SCM Chemicals site, Humberside

  Clifton Marsh, Lancashire

  Sefton Meadows Tip, Merseyside

  Beighton Tip, South Yorkshire

  Beddingham Quarry, Sussex

  Four of these 12 sites receive low-level radioactive waste from premises licensed under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, and which are local to the site of burial. The remaining sites receive waste generated by activities which are not a part of the nuclear industry, most commonly hospitals and universities.

  Authority to make controlled burials is granted only after a comprehensive assessment of waste producer's application and of the site it proposes. There are no outstanding applications for authorisation to make controlled burials of waste generated at nuclear sites, or for additional producers of waste to make consignments to sites currently used by others.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration has been given to(a) dry storage at the site of production and (b) other alternative methods of dumping of radioactive nuclear waste.
  647
  Mr. Atkins
  A consultation document containing the preliminary conclusions of the Government's review of radioactive waste management policy was published in August and copies placed in the Library of the House. The responses are now being considered and a statement of future policy will be made in due course.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what responses his Department has received to the consultation document "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy: Preliminary Conclusions", published on 5 August 1994.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department has received more than 250 responses to the consultation document. A list of these has been placed in the Library of the House and copies of individual responses may be obtained through the Library. In addition, we have received over 5,000 letters from members of the public following campaigns by Greenpeace. All the points raised are receiving careful consideration.

  Anti-social Tenants
  Mr. Thurnham
  : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to encourage local authorities to make use of injunctions and civil actions to deal with anti-social tenants in council housing.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The Government encourage local authorities to develop a variety of strategies and practices to deal with anti-social behaviour, which include the use of injunctions and other appropriate remedies.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers local authorities have to evict anti-social tenants.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Local authorities have powers under the Housing Act 1985 to evict anti-social tenants. Breaking tenancy agreements and causing a nuisance to neighbours are among the grounds for taking repossession action.

  Fly Posting
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce legislation to allow the organisers of events advertised through fly posting to be prosecuted.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  It is an immediate offence, under section 224 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and regulation 27 of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992, to display an advertisement without the prior consent of the owner of the land, or premises, on which it is displayed. The maximum penalty on summary conviction of this offence is £1,000 with a daily penalty of £100 for a continuing offence. Paragraphs 51 and 52 of the annex to Department of the Environment circular 5/92 advise local planning authorities on effective prosecution procedures for fly posting.

  Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the current levels of elephant products stockpiled by range states and affected by CITES regulations.
  648
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The most recent information is contained in a paper by Tom Milliken of TRAFFIC East/South Africa, prepared for the meeting organised by the United Kingdom on behalf of the European Community and held in Kasane, Botswana from 19 to 23 September 1994. He estimates that the total volume of raw ivory held in the African range states is of the order of 500 tonnes. There is no quantified information on stockpiles of other elephant products, although South Africa does hold a stockpile of elephant hides. Copies of the report of the Kasane meeting and the background paper mentioned are in the Library.

  London Government
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who governs London; and what is their authority to do so.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The provision of public services in Greater London and its government is carried out by central Government Departments, centrally appointed bodies, the 32 London boroughs and the corporation of the City of London, and London-wide local government bodies. The authority for these bodies' responsibilities is conferred by legislation.

  Directorships
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 22 November,Official Report, column 70, what rules apply to prevent possible conflicts of interest in cases where serving officials in his Department have held directorships in companies as part of the staff development programme involving contact between Whitehall and business.

  Mr. Robert B Jones
  Officials are not nominated for non-executive directorships of companies whose sector of business is the concern of their management or policy responsibilities in the Department. If they are posted to new official duties which create such a conflict of interest, they resign the directorship. In common with all members of staff, officials holding non-executive directorships are required to observe the Department's rules of conduct governing the use of official information and experience, and the avoidance of conflicts of interest or the appearance of such conflicts; in particular, they should as directors declare an interest and withdraw from discussion of any dealings between the company concerned and the Department, and within the Department they should declare an interest and withdraw from any involvement in official business involving that company. In order to avoid personal financial interest officials do not receive fees for their directorships; in cases where fees are payable, they are surrendered to the Exchequer.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 22 November 1994,Official Report, column 70, what considerations underlay the decision not to keep records of the public limited companies to which he refers.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The corporate status of the host organisation has not been relevant to the staff development objectives of non-executive directorships, which have been held in a variety of organisations, some not being companies. However, in all cases the same rules governing the avoidance of conflicts of interest have applied.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he gives to local authority unitary development plans when he arbitrates on planning permission appeals in respect of the turning down by local authorities of applications to develop open-cast mining sites; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  If the development plan is relevant, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State must determine the appeal in accordance with the plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. This is a statutory duty under section 54A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the operation of which is explained in planning policy guidance note 1, "General Policy and Principles", a copy of which is held in the Library.

  Rented Homes
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the total output of rented homes by housing associations and local authorities in the current year; what was the figure for 1978–79; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Housing associations are now the main providers of new social housing. Local authorities primary housing tasks are now the efficient management of their own stock of housing and enabling other organisations to provide new housing. In England during 1978–79 local authorities completed 76,500 dwellings and new towns completed a further 8,000 new dwellings; during 1993–94 local authorities completed 1,400 new dwellings and by 1994–95 we expect this may have fallen to less than 1,000.

  Housing associations provide additional rented homes through new build and through rehabilitation. In England during 1978–79 they provided some 33,600 new rented homes in this way. We currently forecast that in 1994–95 housing associations will provide 41,800 new rented homes through the Housing Corporation's approved development programme. We also estimate that local authority supported housing association activity will provide in the region of 10,000 new homes in 1994–95.

  In addition, the cash incentive scheme for local authority tenants; the tenants incentive scheme, for housing association tenants; and the 60 per cent of do-it-yourself shared ownership help social sector tenants to become owner-occupiers and so free up existing properties for re-letting to new tenants. These schemes were not in existence in 1978–79. We currently estimate that in 1994–95 some 13,000 new housing association and local authority lettings will be provided in this way.

  Orimulsion
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding the burning of orimulsion in power stations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  We have received no representations about the burning of orimulsion in power stations this calendar year.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Gamier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his estimate of the non-domestic rate poundage for next year;
  650
  (2) if he has decided the details of the transitional arrangements to phase in the effects of the 1995 revaluation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The 1995 revaluation will not lead to any significant change in overall rateable value in England. We therefore propose to set the poundage for England next year at 43.2p, in line with the increase in the retail prices index in the year to September 1994.

  However, the revaluation will result in significant local and sectoral shifts in rateable values. My Department's consultation paper, published last month, outlined proposals for transitional arrangements to phase in the effects of these shifts on rate bills. In the light of responses to that paper, and the generous package of support announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor today, I now propose that no business will face year on year increases of more than 10 per cent., after allowing for inflation. For property with a new rateable value of less than £10,000—£15,000 in London—the maximum real increase will be 7.5 per cent., while for many small shops combined with living accommodation, the corresponding limit will be 5 per cent.

  We estimate that nearly 1 million smaller properties and 250,000 million larger properties in England will benefit from relief. One third of beneficiaries will be shops. A further 170,000 properties will see reductions in their bills as a result of the revaluation. I am sure this will be widely welcomed by the business community.

  The Exchequer contribution will cover part of the cost of the scheme. The remaining element will be met by limiting real reductions in rates bills, as proposed in the consultation paper. For 1995–96, the limits will be 10 per cent. for small properties and 5 per cent. for large ones.

  Other details of the scheme will be as proposed in the consultation paper. Regulations giving effect to these changes will be laid before Parliament shortly.

  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his proposals for the appropriate level of aggregate local authority spending in 1995–96, and the level of central support for that spending.

  Mr. Gummer
  I propose that total standard spending for 1995–96 should be £43.51 billion for England. This represents an increase of £930 million—2.2 per cent.—compared with this year's figure, including the amount for transitional community care special grant and provision for local government reorganisation transitional costs. Excluding community care and reorganisation, this still represents a cash increase of 0.8 per cent.

  I propose that the level of aggregate external finance distributed to local authorities in 1995–96 should be £34.67 billion. This represents an increase of £430 million—1.2 per cent.—compared with this year's figure, including community care. Net of community care, this represents a cash decrease of 0.4 per cent.

  I also propose that the national non-domestic rate poundage for 1995–96 in England should rise to 43.2p, reflecting this year's revaluation and the annual increase in the retail prices index to September. This will ensure that the benefit of the government's success in tackling inflation will once again be passed on in full to businesses.
  651
  I propose to set the distributable amount of non-domestic rates at £11.35 billion. I propose that the total of revenue support grant should be £18.32 billion. Special and specific grants within AEF will amount to £5 billion.

  I shall announce shortly my proposals for the distribution of Government grants, including my proposals for changes in the standard spending assessment methodology. At the same time, I shall announce my capping intentions. I shall also set out my proposals for the third year of the scheme of transitional assistance to those households which faced particularly significant increases in their local tax bills following the introduction of the council tax.

  It is essential that local and central Government continue to play their part in restraining expenditure. Our overriding priority is to reduce the public sector deficit. My proposals for total standard spending, aggregate external finance and the non-domestic rate poundage represent a balanced approach to the funding of local authority services in 1995–96. I look to local authorities to take the same responsible attitude in determining their spending priorities and setting their budgets in 1995–96. However, in the context of a tough settlement, I am confident that with efficient housekeeping and efficient collection of the council tax, these proposals will allow local authorities to maintain their current levels of spending and carry out their functions.

  Consultants
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what employment consultants were engaged between 1 January 1990 and 30 April 1992 by his Department or organisations responsible to it; for what posts; and when these posts were filled.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  This information is not available centrally for non-departmental posts, and could not be assembled without disproportionate cost. Within the Department, the consultants used, posts to be filled and dates are as follows:Douglas Llambias Associates
  Chief Executive, The Buying Agency; filled 31 October 1991;
  Goddard Kay Rogers Associates Ltd.
  Chief Economist, Department of the Environment; filled 3 February 1992;
  MSL International
  Chief Executive, the Planning Inspectorate; filled 1 January 1992;
  NB Selection Ltd.
  Chief Executive, Royal Parks agency; filled 16 March 1992. Responsibility for this agency subsequently transferred to the Department of National Heritage.
  Saxton Bampflyde International plc
  Director, Property Holdings; filled 10 December 1990. Director and Chief Inspector, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of pollution; filled 1 May 1991. Chief Executive, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre; filled 16 March 1992.

  County Hall
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the contractual price agreed between the London residuary body and the Shirayama Corporation for the scale of the riverside building in the country hall complex; and how much of the sale price has now been received by the London residuary body.
  652
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The terms of the sale— including the sale price—of the riverside building of county hall were a matter of commercial confidentiality between the London residuary body and the purchaser. Some £50 million of the purchase price was distributed by the LRB to the London boroughs in proportion to the total populations of each borough in accordance with the London Government Reorganisation (Capital Money)(Greater London) (Amendment) Order 1993.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the remaining parts of the County hall complex to be sold; what is the estimated value of the unsold parts; and how much has been spent by the London residuary body in marketing the site.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The London residuary body has announced that the sale of the remainder of the county hall site is to be completed on 29 March 1995 and that the agreed purchase price is £17.5 million. The cost of marketing the site is a matter for the LRB.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what have been the maintenance costs of county hall over the past two years; and how much relates to the riverside building.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  This is a matter for the London residuary body.

  London Residuary Body
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to which property or properties the £10 million deferred capital receipt appearing in the London residuary body accounts for 1993–94 relates; and when he expects the receipt to be available for distribution to the London boroughs.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  This is a matter for the London residuary body.

TRANSPORT

  Railways
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the current value of domestic and other properties acquired by the British Railways Board in pursuance of the building of a high-speed railway line between London and Dolland's Moor, broken down by(a) present market valuations, (b) cost of purchase and (c) present written down value in the books of (i) the British Railways Board, (ii) European Passenger Services Ltd. and (iii) any other public sector body;

  (2) how many properties were acquired by the British Railways Board in each borough or district along the route of the proposed high-speed railway line between London and Dolland's Moor; what was the cost of these acquisitions; how many properties have been subsequently disposed of and at what value; and what was the cost of the properties so disposed of.

  Mr. Watts
  All properties acquired in advance of need for the present channel tunnel rail link have been purchased by Union Railways, an agency company wholly owned by the British Railways Board. The present
  653
  market value and present book value is £13.9 million. Total purchase cost, including home loss and disturbance payments, where appropriate, was £38.8 million. The cost and number of these purchases by local authority area is:

  Local authority

  Cost (£ million)

  Number

  Shepway

  6.1

  42

  Ashford

  16.7

  111

  Maidstone

  9.6

  54

  Tonbridge and Mailing

  0.3

  2

  Camden

  6.1

  2

  None of these properties has been sold.

  Disabled Drivers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if orange badges for disabled drivers issued by one local authority are accepted by others; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Orange badges are valid throughout England, Scotland and Wales, except in the City of London, the city of Westminster, the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea and a part of the London borough of Camden. Badges are also accepted under a similar parking scheme operating in Northern Ireland. In addition, access to certain town centres may be prohibited or limited to vehicles with special permits in addition to the orange badge.

  Commercial Vehicles (Testing)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration his Department has given to the introduction of a legal requirement that the large goods vehicle test be carried out on a fully laden vehicle.

  Mr. Norris
  We have considered the possibility of requiring large goods vehicles to be tested fully laden, most recently in the context of the initiative to facilitate a significant expansion of the arrangements for on-site testing by Vehicle Inspectorate staff at operators' own premises. We have concluded that this would impose an unnecessary cost burden on the road haulage industry.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by British Rail network those passenger train services that have not met their punctuality targets during the last 12 months.

  Mr. Watts
  Of British Rail's 52 route groups, the following have not met their punctuality targets over the 12-month period ending 11 November:

  South east routes

  LTS Rail

  Northampton Lines

  North London Lines

  Kent Link

  South London Lines

  Sussex Coast

  654

  Great Northern

  InterCity routes

  Gatwick Express

  Cross Country

  East Coast

  Midland Mainline

  West Coast

  Regional routes

  Merseyrail City Line

  West Yorkshire Short

  Lancashire Local

  Manchester Local

  North Wales Branches

  ScotRail East

  ScotRail Central

  Avon

  Central Inter Urban

  Mid Wales & Marches

  Transpennine

  Red Routes
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the purposes of red routes.

  Mr. Norris
  The aims of the red routes are set out in chapter 5 of "Traffic Management and Parking Guidance", local authority circular 5/92. A copy of the circular is in the Library.

  Buses (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the outcome of his negotiations with the European Commission for a directive to ensure that future generations of new buses will be more accessible to disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  We have pressed for a number of changes to the proposed draft directive in the interests of safety, accessibility and the needs of bus and coach manufacturers and operators. We are currently awaiting revised proposals. Our aim, which we shall be taking forward in future discussions on the directive, is to ensure that low-floor buses are introduced where technically feasible.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. Marland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the increase in the number of heavy goods vehicles using the(a) A48, (b) A40, (c) B4136 and (d) B4215/4221 heading towards the Severn bridge since one-way tolls on the Severn bridge have been imposed.

  Mr. Watts
  In April and May this year, Gloucestershire county council carried out a traffic survey for the Highways Agency which indicated that 575 more heavy goods vehicles than would be expected, allowing for traffic growth, were travelling westbound on roads through Gloucestershire per 24-hour day. The increases by individual roads were:(a) A48, 200 HGVs; (b) A40/A4136, 200 HGVs; and, (c) B4215/134221, 175 HGVs. The eastbound HGV flows on these roads were slightly less than would have been expected.
  655
  Not all the extra vehicles could be positively identified as avoiding the Severn bridge because of the one-way tolls.

  Transport Supplementary Grant
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the bids made by each local

  Bids for 1995–96 included in transport policies and programme submissions—all figures are in £ thousands

  Authority

  Minor road schemes (TSG eligible)

  Minor road schemes (not TSG eligible)

  Structural maintenance on carriageway

  Structural maintenance on bridges

  Major public transport projects

  Minor works (other than local safety schemes)

  Mioner works (other safety schemes

  Parking

  Total

  City of London

  —

  —

  —

  1,022

  —

  2,794

  —

  290

  4,106

  Barking

  1,630

  —

  696

  134

  —

  1,243

  600

  175

  4,478

  Barnet

  665

  —

  500

  300

  —

  5,806

  815

  —

  8,086

  Bexley

  10,362

  —

  1,310

  1,100

  —

  1,796

  700

  550

  15,818

  Brent

  400

  —

  1,165

  663

  —

  12,493

  3,601

  —

  18,322

  Bromley

  246

  850

  620

  370

  —

  1,416

  320

  51

  3,873

  Camden

  —

  —

  4,358

  2,981

  —

  1,783

  635

  —

  9,757

  Croydon

  5,039

  —

  2,340

  920

  —

  4,243

  1,760

  500

  14,802

  Ealing

  550

  —

  145

  126

  —

  6,738

  600

  300

  8,459

  Enfield

  846

  —

  2,775

  3,735

  —

  2,582

  855

  —

  10,793

  Greenwich

  3,900

  —

  717

  1,053

  —

  2,625

  660

  120

  9,075

  Hackney

  30

  —

  844

  2,662

  —

  4,751

  455

  —

  8,742

  Hammersmith

  —

  —

  560

  1,380

  —

  6,746

  600

  600

  9,886

  Haringey

  1,365

  —

  620

  884

  700

  3,072

  370

  210

  7,221

  Harrow

  6,622

  —

  419

  1,245

  —

  2,772

  220

  —

  11,278

  Havering

  —

  —

  115

  850

  —

  1,402

  550

  589

  3,506

  Hillingdon

  3,289

  —

  598

  2,456

  —

  8,158

  2,968

  —

  17,469

  Hounslow

  1,652

  —

  1,831

  1,593

  —

  6,666

  1,355

  784

  13,881

  Islington

  —

  —

  1,330

  1,693

  —

  5,534

  1,414

  20

  9,991

  Kensington

  743

  —

  271

  175

  —

  1,165

  640

  —

  2,994

  Kingston

  9,562

  —

  1,110

  4,375

  —

  2,788

  746

  1,195

  19,776

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  1,043

  1,330

  —

  1,744

  766

  —

  4,883

  Lewisham

  3,428

  —

  424

  255

  —

  1,865

  1,194

  —

  7,166

  Merton

  10

  —

  175

  150

  —

  2,192

  870

  320

  3,717

  MNewham

  3,031

  —

  405

  4,361

  —

  4,782

  2,361

  1,915

  16,855

  Redbridge

  —

  —

  786

  1,200

  —

  5,578

  305

  183

  8,052

  Richomd

  —

  —

  217

  460

  —

  4,938

  830

  —

  6,445

  Southwark

  4,634

  —

  2,002

  1,155

  —

  1,590

  400

  —

  9,781

  Sutton

  811

  —

  170

  853

  —

  4,864

  760

  —

  7,458

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  2,160

  1,094

  —

  7,481

  578

  1,204

  12.517

  Waltham Forest

  742

  —

  320

  178

  —

  2,294

  845

  190

  4,569

  Wandsworth

  —

  —

  1,000

  995

  —

  7,278

  2,400

  860

  12,533

  Westminster

  1,093

  4,912

  128

  5,565

  —

  2,772

  1,825

  790

  17,085

  Bolton

  1,614

  —

  1,114

  4,613

  —

  3,462

  348

  98

  11,213

  Bury

  —

  —

  1,026

  1,250

  —

  3,038

  315

  378

  6,007

  Manchester

  11,907

  725

  3,049

  3,339

  —

  10,054

  1,550

  —

  30,624

  Oldham

  3,000

  —

  1,006

  3,062

  —

  6,129

  660

  100

  13,957

  Rochdale

  —

  —

  1,000

  3,000

  —

  1,000

  274

  —

  5,274

  Salford

  10,971

  300

  1,927

  1,585

  —

  8,435

  1,621

  —

  24,839

  Stockport

  592

  —

  3,228

  3,294

  100

  6,080

  541

  300

  14,135

  Tameside

  2,125

  —

  1,500

  931

  —

  3,744

  350

  15

  8,800

  Trafford

  18,972

  —

  428508

  1,387

  —

  3,298

  377

  100

  24,562

  Wigan

  1,798

  —

  850

  1,390

  —

  7,861

  350

  150

  12,399

  Knowsley

  16,260

  —

  1,178

  405

  —

  3,792

  541

  470

  22,645

  Liverpool

  3,200

  —

  2,200

  1,200

  —

  5,440

  1,200

  250

  13,490

  St. Helens

  3,574

  —

  200

  300

  —

  930

  150

  15

  5,169

  Sefton

  3,103

  —

  524

  1,305

  —

  2,627

  395

  651

  8,605

  Wirral

  2,180

  —

  400

  2,145

  —

  2,748

  400

  —

  7,873

  Barnsley

  7,676

  —

  1,373

  1,399

  —

  2,022

  464

  —

  12,934

  Doncaster

  17,950

  —

  1,334

  2,625

  —

  2,021

  800

  780

  25,510

  Rotherham

  595

  —

  736

  2,740

  —

  1,945

  350

  —

  6,366

  Sheffield

  14,677

  —

  4,350

  6,024

  600

  11,180

  750

  70

  37,651

  Gateshead

  908

  —

  520

  660

  —

  4,220

  500

  250

  7,058

  Newcastle

  10,859

  —

  2,152

  2,835

  —

  1,856

  700

  —

  18,402

  North Tyneside

  450

  —

  1,490

  660

  —

  1,322

  300

  —

  4,222

  656
  authority in England for transport supplementary grant for 1995–96 broken down into (a) major highway schemes— eligible for TSG, (b) structural maintenance on carriageways, (c) structural maintenance on bridges, (d) major public transport projects, (e) minor works-highways and public transport, (f) minor works-local safety schemes and (g) parking.

  Mr. Norris
  The figures are shown in the following table:
  657

  Bids for 1995–96 included in transport policies and programme submissions—all figures are in £ thousands

  Authority

  Minor road schemes (TSG eligible)

  Minor road schemes (not TSG eligible)

  Structural maintenance on carriageway

  Structural maintenance on bridges

  Major public transport projects

  Minor works (other than local safety schemes)

  Mioner works (other safety schemes

  Parking

  Total

  South Tyneside

  66

  —

  370

  1,130

  —

  1,090

  360

  700

  3,716

  Sunderland

  2,525

  —

  2,828

  1,537

  —

  2,412

  1,250

  170

  10,722

  Birmingham

  30,602

  1,332

  4,565

  3,590

  —

  7,632

  1,585

  952

  50,258

  Coventry

  12,829

  —

  602

  857

  —

  1,220

  533

  —

  16,041

  Dudley

  13,288

  0

  1,608

  1,282

  0

  2,327

  690

  600

  19,795

  Sandwell

  5,758

  0

  3,135

  5,286

  0

  2,082

  738

  70

  17,069

  Solihull

  1,720

  0

  1,150

  469

  0

  646

  909

  1,250

  6,144

  Walsall

  3,342

  0

  1,280

  3,209

  0

  7,819

  850

  124

  16,624

  Wolverhampton

  11,524

  0

  3,306

  4,000

  0

  4,512

  820

  220

  24,382

  Bradford

  1,133

  0

  3,523

  4,161

  0

  6,561

  1,100

  0

  16,478

  Calderdale

  436

  0

  3,690

  2,318

  0

  2,372

  417

  0

  9,233

  Kirklees

  30

  54

  5,365

  2,283

  0

  6,163

  596

  100

  14,591

  Leeds

  18,655

  942

  4,000

  2,336

  2,750

  12,400

  1,825

  785

  43,693

  Wakefield

  9,490

  0

  1,628

  1,641

  0

  3,861

  1,230

  0

  17,850

  Avon

  9,493

  0

  3,505

  3,170

  5,020

  7,735

  1,261

  0

  30,184

  Bedfordshire

  8,895

  0

  1,476

  2,624

  500

  3,602

  751

  0

  17,848

  Berkshire

  9,844

  0

  2,202

  1,900

  0

  3,267

  1,746

  52

  19,011

  Buckinghamshire

  6,633

  75

  2,900

  1,800

  0

  2,290

  1,014

  1,060

  15,772

  Cambridgeshire

  4,020

  0

  3,901

  4,958

  0

  5,010

  3,030

  49

  20,968

  Cheshire

  20,816

  783

  15,841

  5,381

  0

  4,537

  900

  55

  48,313

  Cleveland

  10,540

  0

  3,148

  601

  0

  2,599

  786

  0

  17,674

  Cornwall

  7,535

  0

  3,439

  5,228

  0

  4,823

  830

  1,220

  23,075

  Cumbria

  5,930

  0

  3,000

  3,000

  0

  6,430

  600

  693

  19,653

  Derbyshire

  6,191

  0

  2,369

  2,650

  9,788

  5,745

  1,386

  549

  28,678

  Devon

  7,648

  292

  6,052

  5,342

  300

  8,054

  1,328

  576

  29,592

  Dorset

  2,300

  0

  1,800

  3,170

  0

  4,524

  806

  0

  12,600

  Durham

  7,735

  2,855

  2,095

  2,450

  0

  5,966

  500

  0

  21,601

  East Sussex

  10,244

  0

  4,924

  3,194

  4,000

  2,908

  791

  100

  26,161

  Essex

  9,689

  2,899

  5,900

  4,244

  0

  12,130

  3,620

  0

  38,482

  Gloucestershire

  6,633

  0

  2,548

  1,686

  0

  4,046

  937

  80

  15,930

  Hampshire

  17,353

  2,000

  12,241

  3,471

  0

  7,351

  2,379

  2,300

  47,095

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  6,424

  0

  5,406

  1,851

  0

  5,316

  797

  402

  20,196

  Hertfordshire

  9,120

  0

  3,500

  4,450

  0

  5,704

  2,500

  0

  25,274

  Humberside

  6,038

  720

  5,998

  2,912

  0

  3,653

  1,000

  120

  20,441

  Isle of Wight

  2,390

  0

  810

  320

  0

  3,919

  270

  0

  7,709

  Kent

  143,034

  1,800

  15,745

  5,987

  0

  13,216

  6,376

  0

  186,158

  Lancashire

  15,862

  0

  11,035

  16,043

  1,940

  9,030

  2,650

  3,550

  60,110

  Leicestershire

  4,829

  0

  4,414

  3,080

  6,091

  8,581

  2,005

  0

  29,000

  Lincolnshire

  2,420

  0

  2,808

  3,150

  0

  4,823

  650

  117

  13,968

  Norfolk

  11,553

  11

  5,522

  6,300

  0

  6,303

  5,315

  685

  35,689

  Northamptonshire

  6,398

  410

  4,686

  2,350

  0

  1,680

  1,100

  250

  16,874

  Northumberland

  10,110

  0

  5,000

  6,370

  0

  1,190

  765

  445

  23,880

  North Yorkshire

  10,529

  0

  7,241

  7,210

  0

  5,687

  910

  1,142

  32,719

  Nottinghamshire

  7,634

  112

  5,720

  3,120

  6,136

  13,120

  1,144

  1,664

  38,650

  Oxfordshire

  1,228

  4,045

  3,756

  2,792

  0

  1,253

  2,148

  708

  15,930

  Shropshire

  6,062

  0

  4,257

  2,568

  0

  9,474

  540

  0

  22,90

  Somerset

  10,051

  0

  2,568

  4,853

  0

  3,351

  867

  0

  21,690

  Staffordshire

  16,606

  0

  8,000

  2,400

  0

  7,084

  910

  0

  35,000

  Suffolk

  3,815

  2,200

  7,141

  5,200

  0

  14,470

  1,450

  945

  35,221

  Surrey

  30,735

  0

  8,213

  9,453

  0

  10,867

  9,150

  30

  68,448

  Warwickshire

  180

  0

  3,825

  2,850

  0

  2,960

  1,505

  74

  11,394

  West Sussex

  4,294

  4,414

  2,110

  737

  0

  3,336

  2,936

  2,025

  19,852

  Wiltshire

  3,702

  0

  2,320

  450

  0

  2,796

  763

  0

  10,031

  Greater Manchester PTE

  0

  0

  0

  0

  44,183

  8,523

  0

  0

  52,706

  Merseyside PTE

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11,548

  25,725

  0

  0

  37,273

  South Yorkshire PTE

  0

  0

  0

  0

  72,020

  5,815

  0

  0

  77,835

  Tyne and Wear PTE

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1,765

  2,840

  0

  0

  4,605

  West Midlands PTE

  0

  0

  0

  0

  24,572

  10,559

  0

  0

  35,131

  West Yorkshire PTE

  0

  0

  0

  0

  400

  290

  0

  0

  690

  Total

  768,972

  31,731

  297,205

  276,876

  192,413

  570,798

  127,252

  38,470

  2,303,717

  Marine Pollution
  Mr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects the Government to publish 658
  their detailed response to the report of Lord Donaldson's inquiry into the prevention of marine pollution from merchant shipping.
  659
  Mr. Norris
  Work is well advanced in taking forward the report's recommendations and in preparing a response. We believe that it makes sense to delay publication to take account of current developments in the European Community and in the International Maritime Organisation. As a consequence, we now hope to publish the response in the new year.

  Railways (Finance)
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what external finance limit has been set for the railway industry for 1994–95; and what estimate he has made of Government grant support for 1994–95.

  Mr. Watts
  The external finance limit for the railway industry as a whole has now been set at £1,496 million. This represents an increase of £259 million on previous plans. The increase is met either from reallocations within existing Department of Transport programmes or from the reserve and does not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  The British Rail and Railtrack EFLs have been set, respectively, at contributions of £272 million and £333 million and European Passenger Services EFL at a requirement of £177 million. Grant support, comprising franchising director and metropolitan railway grant, is estimated to be £1,924 million. Any further adjustments will be notified to Parliament.

  A2
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 21 November,Official Report, column 19, what arrangements he proposes for consulting the public on the proposed A2 Lydden-Dover improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Watts
  I am pleased to announce that public consultation on this scheme will start at the end of this week with the local distribution of brochures describing the proposed improvement. Public exhibitions will be held on 9 and 10 December at Dover district council offices to give the public the opportunity of discussing the proposals with representatives of the Highways Agency and their consultants.

  Those wishing to comment on the proposals are invited to write to the Highways Agency before the end of the consultation period on 3 February.

  Transport Council
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the result of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 21 and 22 November.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Transport Council met in Brussels on 21 and 22 November. It agreed a resolution on ferry safety, calling for a number of detailed initiatives at International Maritime Organisation and Community level.

  A common position was reached on a directive giving the force of European Community law to the Paris memorandum of understanding on port state control, which lays down rules for state inspection of foreign ships. At my request, the council agreed to call on the Commission to work with the countries of the Paris MOU group to monitor the standard of shipping in EC ports and
  660
  to report back to the council within a year with proposals for tougher measures as necessary.

  A draft directive on mandatory reporting by ships— EUROREP—was discussed. Much of the text was agreed by the council, but the key issues of concern to the United Kingdom—finalising reporting lines, adoption of EUROREP by the IMO and the directive's date of entry into force—were referred back to the committee of permanent representatives for further discussion.

  The Commission outlined a proposal to consider granting individual exemptions from competition rules to groups of shipping companies that offer multimodal rates, provided they improve the efficiency of their land-side operations. Some member states supported the proposal. I, supported by a number of other delegations, pressed for the proposal to be considered afresh, in consultation with the commercial parties involved and with our major trading partners. In the absence of consensus, the presidency concluded that the position should be closely monitored; that the council should be consulted immediately if there were any unforeseen difficulties; that the transition to the new approach should be conducted in a reasonable and flexible manner; and that in any event the Commission should report to the council on experience with the new approach.

  The council also formally adopted three measures on which it had previously reached a common position: a directive on the training and certification of seafarers, a directive on rules and standards for classification societies and a regulation on port fees for oil tankers.

  The council agreed a resolution calling for a European contribution to the development of a global satellite navigation system.

  It agreed that consideration of the negotiating mandates for aviation and land transport agreements and Switzerland should be resumed immediately, with a view to agreeing them, at the latest, at the next Transport Council in March 1995.

  There was an exchange of views on the scope of a draft directive on the interoperability of the high-speed train network. The matter was referred back to Coreper for further discussion.

  The council discussed a proposed directive on the appointment of dangerous goods advisers by companies concerned with the transport of dangerous goods. The United Kingdom, supported by a number of other delegations, questioned the need for such a directive. A compromise proposal was referred back to Coreper for further discussion.

  The council also discussed trans-European networks, air traffic management, road transport negotiations with eastern European countries and measures to help Community shipping. No votes were necessary.

  Bedford
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many letters he has received from the Bedford area on the desirability of urgently completing the bypassing arrangements for the town;

  (2) how many vehicles of all descriptions cross the (a) Newnham bridge, (b) Bedford Town bridge and (c) Prebend Street bridge in Bedford daily;

  (3) what he estimates to be the cost of constructing a mile of motorway; and what were the figures (a) 10 and (b) 20 yéars ago.
  661
  Mr. Watts
  These are operational matters for the Highways Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Sir Trevor Skeet, dated 29 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Questions about road schemes in Bedfordshire since these are operational matters for the Highways Agency. I will answer your questions in the order in which they appeared on the Order Papers for 22 and 23 November.

  22 November 1994
  35. The inclusion in the national roads programme of a bypass for any town is not dependent solely upon the size of that urban area. When assessing the inclusion of a potential scheme the Department must have particular regard to the benefits to local people, the levels of strategic traffic that will be removed from the town and to the benefits that will accrue to the national roads network.
  The roads programme includes bypass schemes for several other towns around the country that are of a similar size to Bedford, including Hastings, Wigan, Gateshead and Carlisle.
  36. The £38 million contract for the Bedford Southern Bypass, began in August this year and we expect the new road to open to traffic in Summer 1996.
  With regard to other parts of the full bypass, in April this year the Secretary of State for Transport announced the outcome of his Review of the roads programme which examined the relative merits, in terms of economic costs and benefits, environmental impact, and the contribution of trunk road schemes to the strategic network. The Review concluded that the proposals for Bedford are in the main sufficiently important to be taken forward but that there are other schemes nationally that are considered to require a higher priority.
  The A428–A421 element of the Bedford Western Bypass has been placed in the longer term category and will be developed by the Agency as the road programme rolls forward. A consortium of local development interests has however suggested that they could provide, at their own expense, a single carriageway link along the protected corridor for the bypass between the A428 and A421 as part of new development for which planning permission has been sought. Progress on the new scheme would depend on the decisions on the planning application.
  As you are aware, a public inquiry to hear objections to the proposals for the Norse Road link element of the Bedford Southern Bypass has been arranged for January next year. Progress on the scheme beyond that stage would be dependent upon the inquiry Inspector's Report and the joint decision of the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment.
  The Agency will progress these schemes as quickly as circumstances allow but their implementation is subject to the completion of the remaining statutory procedures and to the availability of resources.
  37. The Agency is not able to calculate a figure for any financial loss incurred by Bedford because it does not yet have a Bypass. We can, however, give an estimate of the benefits which would accrue generally from its construction and the relief it provides to the existing road network. Our cost/benefit computer programme (COBA) is used to calculate a monetary figure, which compares the cost of a new road with travel benefits, such as journey time, vehicle operating costs, and reduction in accidents. The figures are calculated over a 30 year period and discounted. A strongly positive figure represents good value for money.
  For the Bedford Southern Bypass the benefits could be as much as +£82.7 million, for Bedford Western Bypass +£41.1 million and for the Norse Road Link +£13.0 million. I emphasise that these figures represent the benefit accruing globally, not just to the towns or villages bypassed.
  38. Our forecasts suggest that traffic flows on the completed Bedford Southern Bypass will range between 17,000 to 23,000 vehicles (24 hour Average Annual Daily Traffic) along the length
  662
  of the scheme. This information is taken from the latest traffic model that is being prepared for use at the Norse Road Link public inquiry.
  The Southern Bypass will include a full grade separated junction with the A6 trunk road south of the town in order to allow easy access for traffic between the two routes. From this point the existing A6 route through Bedford will be available for traffic travelling to and from the north.
  39. In the past ten years £31,085,158 has been spent on trunk road schemes in northern Bedfordshire, £43,577,768 has been spent in the south of the County and £59,560,890 on the maintenance and on small improvements to the trunk road and motorway network covering Bedforshire as a whole. In addition, we make allocations to the County for their major schemes. Recent examples are the A5065 Luton Dunstable Relief Road, the A507 Shefford, Clifton, Henlow Bypass, the A422 Stagsden Bypass and the A507 Arlesey Stotfold Bypass. We also made significant contributions to the reconstruction of the County and Longholme Bridges at Bedford.

  23 November 1994
  35. By 24 November 1994, the Secretary of State for Transport had received 55 letters from local people, organisations and companies in response to the current "Getting Bedford Moving" campaign. A reply will be sent to all those who have written.
  36. Traffic flows recorded on the 3 bridges in Bedford are:

  (a) Newnham Bridge: 30,600

  (b) Bedford Town Bridge: 27,600

  (c) Prebend Street Bridge: 28,400

  (All vehicles, Average Annual Daily Traffic 1993)
  37. The average cost of constructing a mile of motorway is about £7.6 million per mile, excluding VAT and design costs at 1992 prices. Using price indices we have calculated the equivalent cost 10 years ago to be about £6.6 million/mile and 20 years ago £2.11 million/mile.

  Bedford (Road System)
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what towns of the size of Bedford or larger remain without by-passes in England;

  (2) what are his plans for the completion of the full bypass for Bedford;

  (3) what he assesses to be the loss incurred by Bedford as a result of the inability of its road infrastructure to cope with the traffic;

  (4) how many vehicles the southern route in Bedford is expected to carry when completed; and how he expects vehicles to reach the A6 from the route travelling north;

  (5) how much money has been allocated for major roads (a) in the south of the county of Bedfordshire and (b) in the north of the county during the past 10 years.

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answers 28 November 1994]: These are operational matters for the Highways Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Laurie Haynes to Sir Trever Skeet, dated 29 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Questions about road schemes in Bedfordshire since these are operational matters for the Highways Agency. I will answer your questions in the order in which they appeared on the Order Papers for 22 and 23 November.
  663
  22 November 1994
  35. The inclusion in the national roads programme of a bypass for any town is not dependent solely upon the size of that urban area. When assessing the inclusion of a potential scheme the Department must have particular regard to the benefits to local people, the levels of strategic traffic that will be removed from the town and to the benefits that will accrue to the national roads network.
  The roads programme includes bypass schemes for several other towns around the country that are of a similar size to Bedford, including Hastings, Wigan, Gateshead and Carlisle.
  36. The £38 million contract for the Bedford Southern Bypass, began in August this year and we expect the new road to open to traffic in Summer 1996.
  With regard to other parts of the full bypass, in April this year the Secretary of State for Transport announced the outcome of his Review of the roads programme which examined the relative merits, in terms of economic costs and benefits, environmental impact, and the contribution of trunk road schemes to the strategic network. The Review concluded that the proposals for Bedford are in the main sufficiently important to be taken forward but that there are other schemes nationally that are considered to require a higher priority.
  The A428–A421 element of the Bedford Western Bypass has been placed in the longer term category and will be developed by the Agency as the road programme rolls forward. A consortium of local development interests has however suggested that they could provide, at their own expense, a single carriageway link along the protected corridor for the bypass between the A428 and A421 as part of new development for which planning permission has been sought. Progress on the scheme would depend on the decisions on the planning application.
  As you are aware, a public inquiry to hear objections to the proposals for the Norse Road link element of the Bedford Southern Bypass has been arranged for January next year. Progress on the scheme beyond that stage would be dependent upon the inquiry Inspector's Report and the joint decision of the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment.
  The Agency will progress these schemes as quickly as circumstances allow but their implementation is subject to the completion of the remaining statutory procedures and to the availability of resources.
  37. The Agency is not able to calculate a figure for any financial loss incurred by Bedford because it does not yet have a Bypass. We can, however, give an estimate of the benefits which would accrue generally from its construction and the relief it provides to the existing road network. Our cost/benefit computer programme (COBA) is used to calculate a monetary figure, which compares the cost of a new road with travel benefits, such as journey time, vehicle operating costs, and reduction in accidents. The figures are calculated over a 30 year period and discounted. A strongly positive figure represents good value for money.
  For the Bedford Southern Bypass the benefits could be as much as +£82.7 million, for Bedford Western Bypass +£41.1 million and for the Norse Road Link +£13.0 million. I emphasise that these figures represent the benefit accruing globally, not just to the towns or villages bypassed.
  38. Our forecasts suggest that traffic flows on the completed Bedford Southern Bypass will range between 17,000 to 23,000 vehicles (24 hour Average Annual Daily Traffic) along the length of the scheme. This information is taken from the latest traffic model that is being prepared for use at the Norse Road Link public inquiry.
  The Southern Bypass will include a full grade separated junction with the A6 trunk road south of the town in order to allow easy access for traffic between the two routes. From this point the existing A6 route through Bedford will be available for traffic travelling to and from the north.
  39. In the past ten years £31,085,158 has been spent on trunk road schemes in northern Bedfordshire, £43,577,768 has been spent in the south of the County and £59,560,890 on the maintenance and on small improvements to the trunk road and motorway network covering Bedfordshire as a whole. In addition, we make allocations to the County for their major schemes. Recent examples are the A5065 Luton Dunstable Relief Road, the A507 Shefford, Clifton,
  664
  Henlow Bypass, the A422 Stagsden Bypass and the A507 Arlesey Stotfold Bypass. We also made significant contributions to the reconstruction of the County and Longholme Bridges at Bedford.

  23 November 1994
  35. By 24 November 1994, the Secretary of State for Transport had received 55 letters from local people, organisations and companies in response to the current "Getting Bedford Moving" campaign. A reply will be sent to all those who have written.
  36. Traffic flows recorded on the three bridges in Bedford are:

  (a) Newnham Bridge: 30,600

  (b) Bedford Town Bridge: 27,600

  (c) Prebend Street Bridge: 28,400

  (All vehicles, Average Annual Daily Traffic 1993)
  37. The average cost of constructing a mile of motorway is about £7.6 million per mile, excluding VAT and design costs at 1992 prices. Using price indices we have calculated the eqivalent cost 10 years ago to be about £6.6 million/mile and 20 years ago £2.11 million/mile.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give a full list of all persons appointed to public bodies identifying the salary paid and known political allegiances.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  Such information is not held centrally. Details of the remuneration of full and part-time public appointments are given in "Public Bodies 1993", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Details of political allegiance of persons appointed are not sought.

  Crown Servants
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will name the current members of the Advisory Committee on the Acceptance of Business Appointments by Crown Servants, indicating their occupation and background and which other public and private sector board posts they hold.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  The members of the Prime Minister's Advisory Committee on Business Appointments are:

  The right hon. the Lord Carlisle of Bucklow QC - Chairman

  The Lord Bridges GCMG - Deputy Chairman

  Sir John Blelloch KCB

  Sir Denys Henderson

  Sir Charles Huxtable KCB CBE

  Sir Robin Ibbs KBE

  The right hon. Peter Shore MP

  The right hon. the Lord Thomson of Monifieth KT

  Lord Carlisle, Lord Thomson and Mr. Peter Shore are senior parliamentarians and former Ministers, Lord Bridges is a retired diplomat; Sir John Blelloch is a retired senior civil servant; Sir Charles Huxtable is a retired senior Army officer; Sir Robin Ibbs is Chairman of Lloyds bank; Sir Denys Henderson is chairman of ICI and the ZENECA group.

  Three members of the advisory committee hold public appointments in other advisory bodies sponsored by my Department: Sir John Blelloch is a member of the Security Commission; Lord Thomson is a member of the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee and the Standing Committee on Standards in Public Life; Mr Peter Shore is a member of the Standing Committee on Standards in Public Life.

  665
  Details of other public and private sector board posts held are a matter for individual committee members, and are not sought as a matter of course by my Department.

  Animal Experiment
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which of the events in the national week of science and technology, supported by his Department, will be dealing with the issue of animal experimentation.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  The programme for next year's national week of science, engineering and technology will not be finalised until the new year. At present there are no events planned which deal with the issue of animal experimentation and which would be supported by my Department.

  Expenditure Plans
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the expenditure plans of his Department in the period 1995–96 to 1997–98.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Provision for the Office of Public Service and Science, HMSO, Central Office of Information is £1,339 million in 1995–96, £1,357 million in 1996–97 and £1,386 million in 1997–98.

  Planned expenditure on public service tasks—OPSS, HMSO, COI—is £54 million in 1995–96, £53 million in 1996–97 and £53 million in 1997–98.

  Provision for science is £1,285 million in 1995–96, £1,304 million in 1996–97 and £1,333 million in 199798. As a result, the science budget, which is provision excluding EC funding to research council institutes, has been maintained in 1995–96 at its 1994–95 level in real terms, almost 2 per cent. above its level in 1993–94.

  I shall be announcing the allocation of the 1995–96 science budget in due course.

  Christmas Expenditure
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how much public money will be spent on entertaining, Christmas decorations and other festive activities this Christmas season by his Department and Government agencies answerable to his Department; and of this sum how much will be spent in Ministers' private offices and official residences;

  (2) to ask the Minister without Portfolio how much public money he will spend in his ministerial capacity on entertaining, Christmas decorations and other festive activities this Christmas season;

  (3) to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money will be spent on entertaining, Christmas decorations and other festive activities this Christmas season by Government Whips in their offices and official residences including No. 12 Downing street.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have been asked to reply. Disaggregated information of this nature is not available. Such costs as relate to Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service and Science, Central Office of Information and Her Majesty's Stationery Office are covered in running 666
  costs expenditure, which is published in the annual report, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) 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 Library a sample copy of the official Christmas card he intends to send this year;

  (2) to ask the Minister without Portfolio how many official Christmas cards he intends to send in 1994 in his ministerial capacity; 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 Library a sample copy of the official Christmas card he intends to send this year;

  (3) to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many official Christmas cards the Government Whips 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 the Chief Whip intends to send this year.

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have been asked to reply.

  I shall write to the hon. member when the number of Christmas cards sent by my office is known, and will be glad to send him one and to place one in the Library. The Minister without Portfolio and the Government Whips do not have official Christmas cards.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list all executive agencies, their parent department and their date of establishment.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  The information requested is as follows:

  Launch Date

  Lord Chancellor

  HM Land Registry1

  2 July 1990

  Public Record Office1

  1 April 1992

  Public Trust Office1

  1 July 1994

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  Wilton Park

  1 September 1991

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  Central Statistical Office1

  19 November 1991

  HM Customs and Excise2

  1 April 1991

  Inland Revenue2

  1 April 1992

  Paymaster1

  1 April 1993

  Royal Mint1

  2 April 1990

  Valuation Office1

  30 September 1991

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Fire Service College

  1 April 1992

  Forensic Science Service

  1 September 1991

  HM Prison Service

  1 April 1993

  United Kingdom Passport Agency

  2 April 1991

  President of the Board of Trade

  Accounts Services Agency

  1 October 1991

  Companies House

  3 October 1988

  Insolvency Service

  21 March 1989

  Laboratory of the Government

  30 October 1989

  667

  Launch Date

  Chemist

  National Physical Laboratory

  3 July 1990

  National Weights and Measures

  18 April 1989

  Laboratory NEL

  5 October 1990

  Patent Office

  1 March 1990

  Radiocommunications Agency

  2 April 1990

  Secretary of State for Transport

  Coastguard

  1 April 1994

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  2 April 1990

  Driving Standards Agency

  2 April 1990

  Highways Agency

  1 April 1994

  Marine Safety Agency

  1 April 1994

  Transport Research Laboratory

  2 April 1992

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  2 April 1990

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  1 August 1988

  Secretary of State for Defence

  Army Base Repair Organisation

  1 April 1993

  Chemical and Biological

  1 April 1991

  Defence Establishment

  Defence Accounts Agency

  1 April 1991

  Defence Analytical Services Agency

  1 July 1992

  Defence Animal Centre

  1 June 1993

  Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency

  22 November 1994

  Defence Operational Analysis Centre

  1 July 1992

  Defence Postal and Courier Services

  1 July 1992

  Defence Research Agency

  2 April 1991

  Disposal Sales Agency

  1 October 1994

  Duke of York's Royal Military School

  1 April 1992

  Hydrographic Office

  6 April 1990

  Logistic Information Systems Agency

  21 November 1994

  Maintenance Group Defence Agency

  2 April 1991

  Meteorological Office

  2 April 1990

  Military Survey

  2 April 1991

  Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation

  1 April 1992

  Queen Victoria School

  1 April 1992

  RAF Signals Engineering Establishment

  22 November 1994

  RAF Training Group Defence Agency

  1 April 1994

  Service Children's Schools (North West Europe)

  24 April 1991

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  ADAS

  1 April 1992

  Central Science Laboratory

  23 April 1994

  Central Veterinary Laboratory

  2 April 1990

  Intervention Board1 4

  2 April 1990

  Pesticides Safety Directorate

  1 April 1993

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  2 April 1990

  Secretary of State for National Heritage

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  1 October 1989

  Royal Parks Agency

  1 April 1993

  Secretary of State for the Environment

  Building Research Establishment

  2 April 1990

  Ordnance Survey1

  1 May 1990

  Planning Inspectorate5

  1 April 1992

  668

  Launch Date

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  6 July 1939

  Security Facilities Executive

  15 October 1993

  The Buying Agency

  31 October 1991

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments)

  2 April 1991

  Secretary of State for Social Security

  Social Security Benefits Agency

  2 April 1991

  Social Security Child Support Agency

  5 April 1993

  Social Security Contributions Agency

  2 April 1991

  Social Security Information

  2 April 1990

  Technology Services Agency

  Social Security Resettlement Agency

  24 May 1989

  Social Security War Pensions Agency

  13 April 1994

  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

  Central Office of Information1

  5 April 1990

  Chessington Computer Centre

  1 April 1993

  Civil Service College

  6 June 1989

  HMSO1

  14 December 1988

  Occupational Health Service

  2 April 1990

  Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency

  2 April 1991

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Historic Scotland

  2 April 1991

  Registers of Scotland1

  6 April 1990

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  1 April 1992

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  12 April 1991

  Scottish Office Pensions Agency

  1 April 1993

  Scottish Prison Service

  1 April 1993

  Scottish Record Office1

  1 April 1993

  Student Awards Agency for Scotland

  5 April 1994

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Compensation Agency

  1 April 1992

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing NI

  2 August 1993

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency

  1 April 1992

  Northern Ireland Child Support Agency

  5 April 1993

  Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland

  1 April 1992

  Rate Collection Agency

  1 April 1991

  Social Security Agency (NI)

  1 July 1991

  Training and Employment Agency (NI)

  2 April 1990

  Valuation and Lands Agency

  1 April 1993

  Secretary of State for Education

  Teacher's Pensions Agency

  1 April 1992

  Secretary of State for Health

  Medical Devices Agency

  27 September 1994

  Medicines Control Agency

  11 July 1991

  NHS Estates

  1 April 1991

  NHS Pensions

  20 November 1992

  Secretary of State for Employment

  Employment Service

  2 April 1990

  669

  Launch Date

  Attorney General

  Government Property Lawyers

  1 April 1993

  Minister for Overseas Development

  Natural Resources Institute

  2 April 1990

  1 Agencies that are Government Departments.

  2 Government Department operating on Next Steps lines.

  3 The Secretary of State for Wales is responsible for ADAS in Wales.

  Agency

  Present Chief Executive

  Grade

  1Remuneration in 1993–94

  Method of appointment

  Accounts Services Agency

  Mike Hoddinott

  5

  43,974

  internal

  Adas

  Dr. Julia Walsh

  2

  80,563

  open competition, direct entrant

  Army Base Repair Organisation

  Brigadier Jim Drew

  —

  53,000

  armed forces

  Building Research Establishment

  Roger Courtney

  3

  61,529

  internal

  CADW

  John Carr

  5

  49,752

  open competition, direct entrant

  Central Office of Information

  Mike Devereau

  3

  69,166

  internal

  Central Science Laboratory

  Dr. Peter Stanley

  3

  61,531

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Central Statistical Office

  Bill McLennan

  1A

  114,063

  open competition, direct entrant

  Central Veterinary Laboratory

  Dr. Tony Little

  3

  62,806

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Chemical Biological Defence Establishment

  Dr. Graham Pearson CB

  3

  59,599

  internal

  Chessington Computer Centre

  Robert Edwards

  5

  49,200

  internal

  Civil Service College

  Dr. Stephen Hickey

  3

  559,533

  open competition, serving civil servant

  The Coastguard Agency

  Chris Harris

  4

  349.744

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Companies House

  David Durham

  4

  50,000

  open competition, direct entrant

  Compensation Agency

  Denis Stanley

  5

  547,357

  open competition, direct entrant

  Defence Accounts Agency

  Mike Dymond

  4

  55,051

  internal

  Defence Analytical Services Agency

  Paul Altobell

  4

  55,422

  internal

  Defence Animal Centre

  Colonel Roache

  —

  444,309

  armed forces

  Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency

  Brigadier Richard Kirby

  —

  355,958

  armed forces

  Defence Operational Analysis Centre

  David Daniel

  4

  548,624

  internal

  Defence Postal and Courier Service

  Brigadier Tweedie Brown

  —

  562,889

  armed forces

  Defence Research Agency

  John Chisholm

  2

  147,238

  open competition, direct entrant

  Disposals Sales Agency

  Keith Ellender

  6

  342,930

  internal

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  Stephen Curtis

  3

  57,142

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing (NI)

  Brendan Magee

  5

  436,379

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency (NI)

  Brian Watson

  6

  40,017

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Driving Standards Agency

  Dr. John Ford

  5

  247,500

  open competition, direct entrant

  Duke of York's Royal Military School

  Col. Gordon Wilson

  —

  43,698

  armed forces

  Employment Service

  Mike Fogden CB

  3+

  67,557

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Fire Service College

  Nigel Finlayson

  5

  564,383

  internal

  Forensic Science Service

  Dr. Janet Thompson

  3

  62,946

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Government Property Lawyers

  Tony Osborne

  3

  59,380

  internal

  Highways Agency

  Lawrence Haynes

  2

  3100,000

  open competition, direct entrant

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  David Beeton

  3

  60,903

  open competition, direct entrant

  Historic Scotland

  Graeme Munro

  3

  55,415

  internal

  HM Prison Service

  Derek Lewis

  2

  133,280

  open competition, direct entrant

  HMSO

  Dr. Paul Freeman CB

  2

  68,000

  open comptition, serving civil servant

  Hydrographic Office

  Rear Admiral Nigel Essenhigh

  —

  260,747

  armed forces

  The Insolvency Service

  Peter Joyce

  3

  57,847

  open competition, serving civil servant

  670
  4 The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretaries of State for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are jointly responsible for the Intervention Board.

  5 The Secretary of State for Wales is responsible for the Planning Inspectorate in Wales.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the chief executives of all executive agencies, their civil service grade, and their salary range; and whether they were outside appointments or appointed through open competition.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  The information is reproduced in the table.
  671

  Agency

  Present Chief Executive

  Grade

  1Remuneration in 1993–94

  Method of appointment

  Intervention Board

  Guy Stapleton

  3

  55,586

  internal

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  Dr. Richard Worswick

  3

  63,000

  open competition, direct entrant

  HM Land Registry

  John Manthorpe CB

  2

  67,000

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Logistics Information Systems Agency

  Brigadier Allan Pollard

  —

  355,958

  armed forces

  Marine Safety Agency

  Robin Bradley

  4

  345,680

  open competition, direct entrant

  Medical Devices Agency

  Alan Kent

  4

  353,776

  open competition, direct entrant

  Medicines Control Agency

  Dr. Keith Jones

  3

  82,698

  open competition, direct entrant

  Meteorological Office

  Professor Julian Hunt

  2

  82,000

  open competition, direct entrant

  Military Survey

  Major General Mike Watson

  —

  260,486

  armed forces

  National Physical Laboratory

  Dr. Peter Clapham

  3

  62,645

  open competition, serving civil servant

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory

  Dr. Seton Bennett

  5

  55,263

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Natural Resources Institute

  Anthony Beattie

  3

  60,831

  internal

  Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation

  Capt. Wade Graham

  —

  545,854

  armed forces

  NEL

  William Edgar

  3

  86,000

  open competition, direct entrant

  NHS Estates

  John Locke

  3

  65,620

  open competition, direct entrant

  NHS Pensions Agency

  Alec Cowan

  5

  50,911

  open competition, direct entrant

  Northern Ireland Child Support Agency

  Patrick Devlin

  5

  45,665

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Occupational Health Service

  Dr. Elizabeth McCloy

  3

  256,512

  open competition, direct entrant

  Ordnance Survey

  Professor David Rhind

  3

  59,001

  open competition, direct entrant

  Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland

  Mike Brand

  5

  48,320

  internal

  Patent Office

  Paul Hartnack

  3

  62,751

  open competition, direct entrant

  Paymaster

  Keith Sullens

  5

  43,000

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Pesticide Safety Directorate

  Geoff Bruce

  4

  54,929

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Planning Inspectorate

  Chris Shepley

  3

  552,839

  open competition, direct entrant

  Public Record Office

  Mrs. Sarah Tyacke

  3

  59,550

  open competition, direct entrant

  Public Trust Agency

  Miss Julia Lomas

  4

  356,000

  open competition, direct entrant

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  Marcus Black

  5

  47,864

  open competition, direct entrant

  Queen Victoria School

  Brian Raine

  5

  543,048

  open competition, direct entrant

  Radiocommunications Agency

  Jim Norton

  3

  269,000

  open competition, direct entrant

  RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency

  Air Vice Marshal Richard Kyle MBE

  —

  260,941

  armed forces

  RAF Signals Engineering Establishment

  Air Commodore Peter Ayee

  —

  355,045

  armed forces

  RAF Training Group Defence Agency

  Air Vice Marshal John May

  —

  356,710

  armed forces

  Rate Collection Agency (NI)

  David Gallagher

  6

  38,534

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency

  Michael Geddes

  3

  59,278

  open competition, direct entrant

  Registers of Scotland

  Alan Ramage

  4

  547,197

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Royal Mint

  Roger Holmes

  3

  56,000

  open competition, direct entrant

  Royal Parks

  David Welch

  5

  46,073

  open competition, direct entrant

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  Dr. Robert Hay

  5

  42,806

  open competition, direct entrant

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  Andrew MacLeod

  5

  41,296

  internal

  Scottish Office Pensions Agency

  Norman Macleod

  6

  40,375

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Scottish Prison Service

  Edward Frizzell

  3

  54,700

  internal

  Scottish Record Office

  Patrick Cadell

  5

  43,294

  open competition, direct entrant

  672 673

  Agency

  Present Chief Executive

  Grade

  1Remuneration in 1993–94

  Method of appointment

  Security Facilities Executive

  John King

  5

  47,203

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Service Children's Schools (NWE)

  Ian Mitchelson

  4

  50,808

  open competition, direct entrant

  Social Security Agency (NI)

  Alec Wylie

  3

  55,878

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Social Security Benefits Agency

  Michael Bichard

  2

  83,012

  open competition, direct entrant

  Social Security Child Support Agency

  Miss Ann Chant

  3

  551,362

  internal

  Social Security Contributions Agency

  George Bertram

  3

  555,659

  internal

  Social Security IT Services Agency

  Ian Magee

  3

  57,919

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Social Security Resettlement Agency

  Paul Winstanley

  6

  546,000

  internal

  Social Security War Pensions Agency

  Peter Mathison

  5

  349,490

  open competition, direct entrant

  Student Awards Agency for Scotland

  Ken MacRae

  6

  344,287

  internal

  Teachers' Pensions Agency

  Mrs. Denyse Metcalfe

  5

  50,470

  open competition, direct entrant

  The Buying Agency

  Stephen Sage

  5

  243,067

  internal

  Training and Employment Agency (NI)

  Julian Crozier

  3

  60,590

  internal

  Transport Research Laboratory

  John Wootton

  3

  72,400

  open competition, direct entrant

  UK Passport Agency

  David Gatenby

  5

  553,269

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Valuation and Lands Office

  David Bell

  3

  55,555

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Valuation Office

  John Langford

  2

  577,152

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  Derek Harvey

  5

  45,915

  internal

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  Ron Oliver

  4

  53,854

  open competition, serving civil servant

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  Dr. Mike Rutter

  4

  53,411

  open competition, direct entrant

  Wilton Park Conference Centre

  Richard Langhorne

  5

  244,000

  open competition, direct entrant

  1 The Chief Executive's actual remuneration, including bonuses, and taxable benefits, in 1993–94 as shown in the Annual Report and Accounts of the agency.

  2 A new Chief Executive was appointed part way through 1993–94 and the current annual salary, excluding any bonus or other taxable benefits, for the present Chief Executive is provided.

  3 The Agency was launched in 1994 and has therefore yet to produce its first annual Report and Accounts. The current annual salary, excluding any bonus or other taxable benefits, is provided.

  4 The Agency was launched part way through 1993–94 and the current annual salary, excluding any bonus or other taxable benefits, is provided.

  5 A new Chief Executive has been appointed and the figure provided relates to the Chief Executive in post during 1993–94.

EDUCATION

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary for Education what steps he will take to avoid the creation of budgeting difficulties in colleges of further and higher education as a consequence of changes in the allocation of support from the single regeneration budget in 1995–96.

  Mr. Boswell
  The budgets of further and higher education colleges are matters for the institutions themselves and for the funding councils. If the hon. Member is aware of any particular difficulty, he should raise it with them in the first instance.

  School Books
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of schools in(a) the primary and (b) the secondary sector spent (i) more than £1,000 and (ii) less than £500 on books in the years 199293 and 1993–94 and what are the projections for the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Figures for expenditure on books by individual schools are not collected centrally.

  Youth Service
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education from which lines of the local authority revenue outturn and revenue accounts returns the estimate of £220 million was made for local authority expenditure on the youth service which can be found in table 3 of the Department for Education and Office for Standards in Education departmental report.

  Mr. Boswell
  The estimate of £220 million for local authority spending on the youth service in 1993–94 was calculated by apportioning total local authority expenditure on education, as recorded on local authority revenue account returns for 1993–94, pro rata to the breakdown of spending in 1993–94 produced by the local authority associations as part of their 1993 report into education spending needs. The expenditure figures used in the calculation were taken from lines 1–11 and 77 of the RA returns. Income in respect of technical and vocational education initiative, WRFE, Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council/Universities Funding Council payments, EC grants and other grants recorded on the same forms were then netted off.

  Final outturn data for 199–94 will not become available until next year This is likely to be different from

  675
  the estimate shown above. The latest outturn data available is for 1992–93. Local authority Revenue Outturn forms show that net recurrent spending on the youth service in that year was £274 million. The provisional 1992–93 figure shown in the 1994 DFE/Ofsted departmental report was £232 million.

  Audit
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether she will include higher and further education establishments and teacher training colleges in her audit next year of accessibility of schools.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be asking the Further Education Funding Council to consider whether further information on accessibility to further education sector institutions is required in the light of its statutory responsibilities for students with disabilities. The remit letter sent to the

  1£ million

  Outturn

  Estimated outturn

  spending plans

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Cash Terms

  9,810

  10,530

  10,960

  11,230

  11,240

  Real Terms (1993–94 prices)

  9,810

  10,320

  10,400

  10,400

  10,180

  1 Figures rounded as in the Financial Statement and Budget Report.

  In a demanding public expenditure survey, the Government have had to look for greater efficiency and economy in the delivery of education, but they have maintained priority for this service within their spending plans. In particular, the Government have allowed for growth in the number of students in further education, have extended the scope of the specialist schools programme and have increased the level of support for capital expenditure on schools. Provision is made for continuing growth in the grant-maintained schools programme. As announced last year, participation in higher education has been stabilised at a level where almost one in three young people will be entering higher education. I am announcing measures to promote the private finance initiative in further and higher education; both sectors will be able, in collaboration with the private sector, to increase the planned level of capital work over the next few years.

  The plans announced today do not cover the expansion which the Government intend to make in provision for children under five. There will be a further statement about that in due course.

  Schools

  Specialist Schools Programme

  The Government's technology colleges programme has been an outstanding success. It is widening choice for parents, and helping to raise standards in the key subjects of technology, science and maths. Already 50 grant-maintained and voluntary aided schools have received matching funding under the programme from the Government and from private sponsors. As envisaged in the White Paper, "Choice and Diversity", I am now extending the initiative to foreign languages. I also intend to open the programme to county and other maintained secondary schools. Our plans include £15 million, £20 million and £25 million in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 respectively to allow for the extension of the programme.
  676
  Higher Education Funding Council for England on its establishment asked it to consider how access for students with special needs could be facilitated. It is for the Funding Council to decide what information it needs to collect in order to enable it to fulfil that remit and its other functions.

  Expenditure Plans
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement about her Department's expenditure plans for the financial years 1995–96 to 1997–98.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in a statement today, the Department for Education and Ofsted's spending programme in 1995–96 will total £10,958 million. That total is £427 million or 4.1 per cent. higher than equivalent expenditure in 1994–95.

  Capital Expenditure on Schools

  Total central Government provision for capital expenditure on county, voluntary and grant-maintained schools is £621 million, £672 million and £661 million in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 respectively. In the first two years, this is an increase of £14 million and £27 million respectively over the figures announced at the time of the last Budget. I also expect the private finance initiative to make an increasing contribution in the schools sector. I shall shortly announce further details of the allocations of grant to voluntary aided schools, and annual capital guidelines to local education authorities. The Funding Agency for Schools will in due course announce the allocations to grant maintained schools.

  GM Schools

  More than 1,000 schools are now grant-maintained. The Government's expenditure plans provide for further expansion. The GM sector's rate of growth will continue to be determined by parents' decisions in ballots at individual schools; the Government will ensure that every school which becomes grant-maintained receives the necessary funding.

  The great bulk of recurrent funding for GM schools is found within the totals for local authority expenditure. Central Government's recurrent expenditure on GM schools is planned to be £83 million in 1995–96. This will be increased in 1996–97 and 1997–98 in line with the increase in GM school numbers.

  Further Education

  The Government continue to give a high priority to further education, as the key to enhancing the competitiveness and prospects for growth of the economy. Our plans will deliver the national targets for education and training, taking the United Kingdom to the top of the international league for participation in education and training among 16–19 year olds. We have been encouraged by the success of the new FE sector in increasing its student numbers, and intend to extend its

  677
  period of growth: with continued efficiency gains from colleges, that will continue up to and including 1997–98.

  The total grant for the Further Education Funding Council is planned at £3,029 million, £3,133 million and £3,128 million in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 respectively.

  The contribution towards capital expenditure within those totals is planned to be some £480 million over the next three years. In addition to maintaining planned funding levels, we are introducing new flexibility in capital and recurrent funding so as to enable colleges to make the most effective use of their resources, and to borrow against the security of Exchequer-funded as well as other assets. This should promote effective estate management and encourage the use of private sector finance, so making possible a significant acceleration in colleges' capital programmes.

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement of 14 September 1994 set out the Government's approach to public sector pay in the year now beginning. I shall set as a condition of my grant to the FEFC that it requires institutions in the further education sector to take account of the principles set out in the Chancellor's statement. Any failure by institutions to observe these principles may be expected to have an adverse effect on the level of grant made available to the Council in 1996–97. I shall also withhold £50 million of grant against certification by institutions in the sector that they are continuing to make flexible contracts with lecturers.

  Vocational Qualifications

  High quality vocational qualifications are central to our future economic development. We introduced general national vocational qualifications to meet the needs of hundreds of thousands of young people who seek a first class alternative to academic examinations or work focused national vocational qualifications. GNVQs are a great success. We must now consolidate early progress and ensure that concerns about retaining standards are addressed. We therefore plan to allocate £23 million to this area over the next three years. These additional resources will be used to ensure that all GNVQs meet the same high standards as we continue to expect of traditional academic qualifications, and to develop the part I GNVQ, a new vocational qualification of high quality designed for 14–16 year olds of all abilities, which we shall be piloting in schools from 1995.

  Higher Education

  Student Numbers

  The forecast number of students in higher education has been revised to take account of final enrolment figures for 1993–94. The plans also allow for additional EC students arising from the enlargement of the EC with effect from 1 January 1995. The net effect of these changes is that planned total student numbers are reduced by 2,000 and 7,000 in 1995–96 and 1996–97 compared with the figures underlying last year's Budget; numbers in 1995–96 will still be 2 per cent. higher than in the previous year. Within the planned totals, it should be possible for universities and colleges to expand further the number of part-time students and to keep the participation rate for young people at over 30 per cent. through to 1997–98.

  The Teacher Training Agency will be responsible for initial teacher training courses from the academic year 1995–96 onwards. I have asked the Higher Education Funding Council and the TTA to work together to
  678
  continue to control the number of students in higher education over the next three years.

  Tuition Fees

  The maximum tuition fees reimbursed through mandatory awards in 1995–96 will be the same as for 1994–95:

  £

  Classroom-based courses

  750

  Laboratory and workshop-based courses

  1,600

  Clinical elements of medical, dental and veterinary courses

  2,800

  Grant to the funding Council and the Teacher Training Agency

  The total grant for the HEFCE for recurrent and capital expenditure is planned at £3,613 million, £3,596 million and £3,561 million in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 respectively. The total grant for the TTA for recurrent and capital expenditure is planned at £126 million, £174 million and £170 million in these three years; this includes funding for all the functions of the Agency, including the promotion of teaching as a career, as well as grant support for courses of initial teacher training.

  The HEFCE and TTA will now have more flexibility in their planned total grant to manage their recurrent and capital allocations. As with the parallel change for the FEFC, this is intended to promote effective estate management by universities and colleges and to promote increased opportunities to borrow from the private sector to fund capital projects, in line with the Government's private finance initiative. The allowance for capital expenditure within the HEFCE grant is £350 million in 1995–96, £393 million in 1996–97 and £388 million in 1997–98. When taken together with the increased flexibility, this should enable higher education institutions to increase their capital investment as compared with previous plans. The TTA grant includes provision for estates formula and equipment funding related to the provision of courses of initial teacher training. All higher education institutions are eligible to apply to the HEFCE for capital funds for major projects.

  I have set as a condition of my grant to the HEFCE and TTA that they require institutions in the higher education sector to take account of the principles set out in the Chancellor's statement on public sector pay of 14 September 1994. Any failure by institutions to observe these principles may be expected to have an adverse effect on the level of grant made available in 1996–97.

  Student support

  The plans allow for the level of student support through the main rates for grants and loans to be increased over the next three years in line with inflation. In 1995–96, loan and grant together will increase by 2.5 per cent. in line with the forecast change in the retail price index, exclusive of mortgage interest payments. Planned expenditure in the financial year 1995–96 is £644 million on loans and £1,102 million on maintenance grants. Access funds are being increased to some £28 million a year.

  The main allowances, including dependants' allowances, will also be increased by 2.5 per cent. in 1995–96. However, I have decided to phase out the means-tested allowance payable as part of the maintenance grant to students over 26 who had previously

  679
  been in employment. I have also decided to introduce a new rate of loan. This will apply to students who are studying in London and living away from the parental home but who could conveniently live with their parents while studying. There are already special arrangements for grant for such students.

  The Government decided last year to accelerate the shift from grant to loan so that by 1996–97 the main rates of grant and loan will be broadly equal. The new plans provide for the main grant rate to be reduced by about 8 per cent. in 1995–96 with a corresponding increase in the loan rates. The parental contribution scales under the awards regulations will be adjusted so that, for parents who residual income has risen at the same rate or slower than the rise in national average earnings, the assessed contribution will continue to fall in real terms.

  Ofsted

  Expenditure provision for the Office for Standards in Education is planned at £98 million, £116 million and £121 million in 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 respectively. This will enable Ofsted, the non-ministerial Government Department which monitors standards in schools in England, to complete the implementation of the new school inspection arrangements, which started in September 1993 for secondary schools and in September 1994 for primary and special schools.

  Truancy
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what is the total cost of the grants from her Department to install electronic equipment in schools to combat truancy;

  (2) if she will name the schools and/or local education authorities which have benefited from grants from her Department to install electronic equipment to combat truancy.

  Mr. Forth
  The truancy and disaffected pupils programme of the grants for education support and training—GEST—scheme includes experimentation with different methods of registration, including the appropriate use of information technology, as one of a number of activities which may be funded through grant. In the 1994–95 programme, 35 local education authorities included an IT element in their approved GEST proposals. It is not possible to identify the cost of this element separately. The 35 LEAS were:

  Barking and Dagenham

  Barnsley

  Birmingham

  Bradford

  Buckinghamshire

  Camden

  Cheshire

  Coventry

  Croydon

  Derbyshire

  East Sussex

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  Hampshire

  Haringey

  Hounslow

  Islington

  Kensington and Chelsea

  680

  Knowsley

  Leeds

  Lincolnshire

  Liverpool

  Newham

  Salford

  Sandwell

  Sheffield

  Solihull

  Staffordshire

  Stockport

  Tameside

  Wakefield

  Wandsworth

  Westminster

  West Sussex

  Wigan

  Wolverhampton

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will name the schools which are fully operating the electronic equipment in schools to combat truancy.

  Mr. Forth
  It is for individual schools and governing bodies to determine whether or not to install electronic equipment to combat truancy. Details of those which have done so are not collected centrally.

  Grant-maintained Schools Foundation
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what are the annual running costs of the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation offices in London, Bolton, Kirklees and Willenhall;

  (2) how much rent per annum the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation pays for its head office and its regional offices in Bolton, Kirklees and Willenhall;

  (3) how many staff are employed by the Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation in its offices in London, Bolton, Kirklees and Willenhall.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Grant-Maintained Schools Foundation's budget estimates for 1994–95 included £56,000 for rent and £401,000 for other running costs, including staffing, for its London office; and £8,000 for rent and £148,000 for other running costs, including staffing, for its local offices in Bolton, Kirklees and Walsall.

  There are currently 7.7 full-time equivalent staff employed at the London office and four full-time staff at the three local offices.

  Case Study Booklets
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many voluntary schools have ordered copies of the case study booklet on former voluntary schools; and how much her Department spent on the production of the booklet;

  (2) how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have ordered copies of the case study booklet on the experiences of grant-maintained primary schools; and how much her Department spent on the production of the booklet.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The three "Experiences" booklets about primary, secondary and former voluntary grant-maintained schools each provide factual information
  681
  on grant-maintained status through case studies of seven schools. It is not possible to disaggregate the production costs of these booklets: the combined total cost of all three booklets was £112,500. To the end of October, some 11,100 copies of the primary booklet, 11,700 copies of the secondary booklet and 10,200 copies of the former voluntary booklet had been distributed. The Department does not keep records of the number of schools ordering these booklets.

  GM Conferences
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many "Going GM" conferences her Department has organised in each year since 1989–90; at what cost; and how many schools attended each conference.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The numbers of "Going GM" conferences organised by the Department are as follows:

  1989–90 Nil

  1990–91 Nil

  1991–92 Nil

  1992–93 11

  1993–94 18

  1994–95 8 (to date).

  The total cost of these 37 conferences is estimated to be £583,000. The number of schools represented at each conference has varied from 22 to 139, with an average of 78. Most schools send more than one delegate to these conferences.

  Doncaster College for the Deaf
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement in respect of ,the Further Education Funding Council's decision not' to accept Doncaster college for the deaf as a recognised college of further education for the deaf.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Further Education Funding Council has confirmed that it will continue to fund places for students with learning difficulties and disabilities at Doncaster college for the deaf in cases which meet the council's published criteria for such placements.

  Internet
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to provide information via Internet; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Forth
  The Department is enthusiastic about the potential for using the Internet to facilitate the exchange of information. There are many opportunities and challenges arising from the new communications technology that need to be addressed in all areas of education.

  The Department is undertaking pilot projects on the type of material best suited to this style of display. Press notices, including those containing statistical tables, could be made available electronically in this way. Electronic versions of departmental circulars and administrative memoranda might also provide a helpful reference service for educational bodies, as would current awareness lists of publications available from my Department and related bodies. The dissemination of information could be speeded up by providing electronic order forms.
  682
  In due course, advantage will be taken of the information pages of the Internet to hold reference material and departmental advice on a range of topics.

  The Department will be participating in the follow up to the consultative meeting on information superhighways organised by the Government centre for information systems on 21 November, which has led to the formation of a number of collaborative open groups to look into various aspects of future superhighway development.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on the application of the Trustee Investments Act 1961 to colleges of further education.

  Mr. Boswell
  An authoritative legal interpretation is a matter for the courts. My right hon. Friend is aware of differing external advice on the application of the Act to further education corporations. In the absence of an authoritative interpretation of the Act, it would be prudent for further education corporations to act on the basis that the Act applies to them. The Further Education Funding Council for England has issued guidance on the Act in its publication "Guide for College Governors" and in its circular 93/13.

  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on the application of the Trustee Act 1925 to the governors of further education colleges; and what external advice she has received on the question.

  Mr. Boswell
  An authoritative legal interpretation is a matter for the courts. My right hon. Friend is aware of differing external advice on the application of the Act to further education corporations. In the absence of an authoritative interpretation of the Act, it would be prudent for further education corporations to act on the basis that the Act applies to them, For the purpose of whether members of corporations may receive any remuneration for their services as a member, my right hon. Friend considers that the lawfulness of any such payment will also depend on whether she has approved the payment in writing.

SCOTLAND

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has to suggest that BSE is either horizontally or maternally transmitted; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  There is no unequivocal evidence from field or experimental studies that the disease can be passed from cow to cow—horizontal transmission—or from a cow to its calf—vertical or maternal transmission.

  Christmas Expenditure
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much public money will be spent on entertaining, Christmas decorations and other festive activities this Christmas season by his Department and Government agencies answerable to his Department; and of this sum
  683
  how much will be spent in Ministers' private offices and official residences.

  Mr. Lang
  Disaggregated information of this nature is not available. As regards amounts spent on official hospitality, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 25 October,Official Report, column 594 to the question by the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor).

  Students (Exam Results)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students in each of the last three years in Scotland were dissatisfied with the higher grades allocated to them and asked for for their papers to be remarked; and in how many cases original marks were(a) upgraded, (b) downgraded and (c) unchanged.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The conditions for the award of the Scottish certificate of education do not include specific provisions for the remarking of candidates' scripts after the issue of results. Presenting centres are however able to appeal on behalf of candidates for reconsideration of an award at higher grade at band "C" or above on the basis of attainment other than that produced in the Scottish Examination Board's set examination. The table sets out information in relation to

  Estimated annual cost per student

  Course

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  PGCE Primary (one year postgraduate course)

  7,110

  7,220

  Not available

  7,200

  PGCE Secondary (one year postgraduate course)

  7,690

  7,290

  Not available

  7,200

  BEd Primary (4 year course)

  6,680

  6,570

  Not available

  6,760

  BEd Secondary (4 year course)

  7,850

  6,620

  Not available

  7,450

  Education (Complaints)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to improve the complaints procedures for parents in Scotland this year; and in which education authorities.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is important that education authorities have good complaints procedures so that parents can secure proper redress if things go wrong in schools. While such complaints procedures are primarily a matter for education authorities, the Scottish Office Education Department recently provided funding of £6,000 to the Scottish Consumer Council toward research in this field. The results of the research are contained in a report by the council on complaints and redress in Scottish schools, published in August 1994, entitled "Could Do Better". I welcome the report as a valuable contribution to the improvement of complaints procedures.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what grants will be available from the local authorities to support the work of educational, social and cultural organisations after the present regional councils cease to exist.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It will be for the new councils to determine the nature and level of support to educational, social and cultural organisations in the light of their statutory and other responsibilities. They will do 684
  higher grade appeals submitted in each of the last three years.

  1992

  1993

  1994

  No. of appeals submitted

  16,488

  16,731

  18,761

  No. of successful appeals

  6,902

  7,467

  7,764

  No. of unsuccessful appeals

  9,586

  9,264

  10,997

  Source:

  Scottish Examination Board.

  Teachers
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of expenditure incurred in training(a) a teacher with a postgraduate certificate and (b) a teacher with a bachelor of education in Scotland for the years 1990–91 to 1993–94 inclusive; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Comprehensive information for the years 1990–91 to 1993–94 is not available. The information set out in the table is based upon returns from teacher education institutions detailing course costs for the years 1990–91 and 1991–92 and funding allocated to institutions by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council for teacher education in 1993–94. The figures include also an estimate of student support costs, assuming entitlement to full maintenance grant and loan at the "home" rates.

  so by taking into account both the information provided by their predecessors on funding of voluntary organisations and expenditure priorities for the resources available to them.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent reports his Department has received from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority on radiological safety and contamination at the Dounreay nuclear facility.

  Sir Hector Monro
  My Department receives regular reports from Dounreay, the most recent was an interim report on radioactive metallic particle finds on the Dounreay foreshore and was received by HM industrial pollution inspectorate on 27 October.

  Loganair
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department has as yet imposed financial penalties on Loganair in respect of the number of cancelled passenger flights between Glasgow and Barra; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The level of financial support paid to Loganair for the operation of the Glasgow-Tiree-Barra air service in the current financial year has been abated to take account of the number of cancellations on the route.
  685
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what feasibility studies he carried out on the passenger air link service between Glasgow and Barra before awarding it to Loganair.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The award of the contract to Loganair was made on the basis of a full evaluation of the bids received.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the terms and conditions arranged between his Department and Loganair for supplying a passenger air service between Glasgow and Barra.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The terms and conditions of contract between Loganair and the Scottish Office require the operator to provide a specified service between Glasgow and Tiree and Barra in return for the provision of financial support, up to a specified limit, based on the deficit incurred in operating the service. In general terms the operator is required to operate in accordance with the CAA regulatory regime, to advise the Scottish Office of any failure to operate the specified service, and to provide detailed financial information on the performance of the service. The contract can be terminated by either party with six months' notice and the consent of the Secretary of State is required for every change in the capacity, frequency, nature or any other attribute of the service.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current cost of the public subsidy paid to Loganair for operating a passenger air service between Glasgow and Barra.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The financial support provided by the Scottish Office is for the operation of the air service between Glasgow and Tiree and Barra. The service operates as a combined service for part of the year and the Glasgow to Barra route is not identified separately. Financial support of up to £115,000 is payable for the operation of the service for each year of the contract between Loganair and the Scottish Office.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints to date his Department had received in respect of the Loganair-Shorts 360 passenger air link service between Glasgow and Barra; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office has received 15 letters about the reliability of the air service between Glasgow and Tiree and Barra since the introduction of the Shorts 360 aircraft in March 1994. In addition, a petition containing 147 names was received requesting the replacement of the Shorts 360 aircraft on the Barra leg of the air service. In responding to the correspondence it was emphasised that the operation of the service was being monitored closely and that discussions were underway with the operator on ways in which improvements in reliability could be achieved quickly.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what reason Loganair gave his Department for suspending the De Haviland Twin Otter air link between Glasgow and Barra and replacing it with the Short 360; and what negotiations it had with his Department before implementing the change.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Loganair's decision to dispose of its Twin Otter on the Glasgow-Tiree-Barra air service was made on the ground of the aircraft's age. The Shorts 360 aircraft was introduced with the intention 686
  of upgrading the service to improve passenger comfort, and increasing passenger and freight capacity. The Scottish Office, as the contractor, was consulted about the proposed change.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times the Loganair-Shorts 360 aircraft passenger service between(a) Glasgow and Barra and (b) Barra and Glasgow has been cancelled since the service first became operational; and what percentage of total services this represents.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In the period 28 March 1994 to 24 November 1994 inclusive, there were 210 scheduled rotations by the Shorts 360 on the Glasgow-Barra-Glasgow element of the GlasgowTiree-Barra air service. During this period 42 rotations, or 20 per cent. of the total, were cancelled. It is estimated that 22 rotational cancellations were linked to the operational limitations of the Shorts 360 aircraft.

  Business Rates
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on business rates for 1995–96.

  Mr. Lang
  The estimated outcome of the 1995 revaluation will allow the average non-domestic rate poundage in Scotland to be reduced from its present level. I therefore propose to prescribe for 1995–96 a single rate poundage applying throughout the country of 43.2p and, at the same time, to abolish industrial derating entirely.

  The introduction of a unified business rate poundage of 43.2p for Scotland, at the same level as in England, represents the successful culmination of the progress that has been made in recent years towards harmonising poundages. In the years after 1995–96 we will maintain a unified business rate in Scotland and it will continue to be pegged at the same level as in England to ensure a level playing field for Scottish business. This harmonisation will continue through future revaluations, and maintaining it will not be a burden on the Scottish Office expenditure programmes.

  Taking together the effects of the forthcoming revaluation with this decision on the level of the rate poundage, I estimate that there will be significant local and sectoral shifts in rate burdens. My Department's consultation paper, published last month, outlined proposals for transitional arrangements to phase in the effect of these shifts on rate bills. In the light of responses to that paper, and the package of support announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer today, I now propose that no business will face year-on-year increases of more than 10 per cent., after allowing for inflation. For property with a new rateable value of less than £10,000, the maximum real increase will be 7.5 per cent., while for part-residential subjects with a rateable value of less than £10,000 the corresponding limit will be 5 per cent.

  The Exchequer contribution, amounting to £72 million in 1995–96, will cover part of the cost of the scheme. The remaining element will be met by limiting real reductions in rates bills, in line with one of the options presented in the consultation paper. For 1995–96, the limits will be 10 per cent. for properties with a new rateable value below £10,000 and 5 per cent. for larger ones.

  Other details of the transitional arrangements will be based on the proposals in the consultation paper. My officials intend to hold further detailed discussions with

  687
  the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Assessors' Association in the light of responses to the paper. Once these consultative discussions are concluded, regulations giving effect to these proposals will be laid before Parliament.

  Common Services Agency
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the sale of the building division of the Common Services Agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  Following an invitation to tender, 41 companies including a joint in-house management team and company expressed interest. This resulted in seven bids and following further clarification of these and negotiations with the parties I am pleased to announce that the Common Services Agency has with my consent accepted the offer from W.S. Atkins. The result is a receipt of £250,000 plus VAT to be re-invested in health care in Scotland and the continuity of employment for around 100 staff who will transfer with their existing workload to their new employers on 1 December 1994. The transfer is subject to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and will be a clean break for the agency with no continuing liabilities and warranties to be underwritten by it.

  I regard the outcome as in the best interests of the taxpayer, of the staff and for the NHS in Scotland.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce details of the 1995–96 Scottish local government finance settlement.

  Mr. Lang

  Government Support Expenditure

  I propose that Government supported expenditure—GSE—for 1995–96 should be set at £6,116.9 million. Inclusive of additional provision for care in the community, this is an increase of 1.72 per cent. on the current year's figure.

  Grant Aided Expenditure

  I estimate that local authorities will incur £798.7 million on loan and leasing charges in 1995–96. This amount is top-sliced from GSE, leaving a residual amount for grant aided expenditure—GAE—of £5,318.2 million. This figure is 1.11 per cent. higher than that for the current year. I shall announce GAE figures for individual local authorities as soon as possible.

  Aggregate External Finance

  I further propose that Government-determined support for local authority current expenditure—that is, aggregate external finance (AEF)—for 1995–96 should be set at £5,306 million. This is an increase of 0.64 per cent. on the current year's figure. Proposals for the distribution of AEF to individual local authorities are again likely to be issued before Christmas.

  Provisional Capping Principles

  To assist local authorities in their budgeting process, I have again decided to announce provisional capping principles for the year ahead. I have the power to cap a Scottish local authority either where I consider that its planned expenditure is excessive or where there is an excessive increase in its planned expenditure as compared
  688
  with the previous year. My provisional capping principles for 1995–96 are:

  (a) for regional and islands councils

  any increase in budget between 1994–95 and 1995–96 of more than 0.7 per cent. will be an excessive increase if the resulting budget is above the local authority's grant aided expenditure (GAE) assessment for 1995–96;

  (b) for district councils

  any increase in budget between 1994–95 and 1995–96 of more than 0.5 per cent. will be an excessive increase if the resulting budget is above the local authority's GAE assessment for 1995–96; and

  (c) for all local authorities

  any budget for 1995–96 more than 12.5 per cent. above the local authority's GAE assessment will be excessive save that:

  (a) if that budget is 30 per cent. or less above the authority's GAE assessment for 1995–96 and that budget is no greater than the budget set by that authority for 1994–95, the authority will not be capped;

  (b) if that budget is 60 per cent. or less above the authority's GAE assessment for 1995–96 and that budget is at least 5 per cent. below the budget set by that authority for 1994–95, the authority will not be capped;

  (c) if that budget is at least 10 per cent. below the budget set by the authority for 1994–95, the authority will not be capped.

  Council Tax Transitional Relief Scheme

  As we are now approaching the third year of the council tax and tax payers have had an opportunity to adjust to the new system, I have decided not to continue in 1995–96 the transitional relief scheme which has operated for the past two years.

  In determining the level of this settlement, I have assumed—in line with the Government's general approach to public sector pay—that any pay increases for Scottish local authority employees will be fully funded by efficiency savings. The settlement includes provision for a number of additional burdens being placed on local authorities next year including improvements to school and social work transport, the continued introduction of devolved school management, child care developments and the costs of the elections of the shadow councils.

  This is a tight settlement but, having regard to the low level of inflation and the Government's approach to public sector pay, a realistic one. The onus is now on local authorities to act sensibly in setting their budgets and council tax levels for next year. I shall not hesitate to use my capping powers to prevent excessive expenditure.

  Nurses
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of qualified nursing staff by specialty for each region in each of the last five years.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  As information requested is rather lengthy I am arranging for a copy of the reply to be sent to the hon. Member and will place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many overseas visits he and each of his Ministers made between 1 January and 30 June; during how many
  689
  he or each of his Ministers participated in fund-raising activities for the Conservative party; and if he will list the Ministers and the countries in which these activities took place.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 21 November 1994]: Between 1 January and 30 June 1994, Ministers in my Department made 11 overseas visits in their official capacity. Fund-raising activities for the Conservative party are not part of our official duties.

  Exports
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was Scotland's share of United Kingdom exports in each year since 1974; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: As shown in the table, Scottish exports continue to rise. The Scottish Council Development and Industry's survey of Scottish manufactured exports revealed that, in 1993, exports reached a new high of almost £11.5 billion. The growth rate of 19.2 per cent. from the previous year indicates that the opportunities presented by a competitive currency and lower interest rates over the past two years have been grasped by Scottish industry.

  Scottish manufactured exports have grown faster in the last two years than in the previous six

  Scotland's share of United Kingdom exports 1994–95

  Year

  Per cent. Share

  Year

  Per cent. Share

  1974

  10.4

  1984

  9.6

  1975

  11.2

  1985

  9.6

  1976

  12.3

  1986

  8.9

  1977

  11.5

  1987

  9.6

  1978

  9.5

  1988

  10.0

  1979

  9.1

  1989

  9.4

  1980

  9.0

  1990

  9.5

  1981

  9.8

  1991

  9.6

  1982

  9.3

  1992

  10.1

  1983

  9.6

  1993

  10.3

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the value of Scottish exports to the Scottish economy in(a) absolute terms and (b) as a percentage of gross domestic product in each year since 1979.

  Mr Lang
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: As Scottish gross domestic product is not calculated on an expenditure measure, it is not possible to make direct comparisons with this data.

  Value of Scottish Exports 1979–93

  Year

  Value Current Prices £ million

  1979

  3,410

  1980

  3,762

  1981

  4,024

  1982

  4,065

  1983

  4,532

  1984

  4,953

  1985

  5,522

  1986

  5,300

  1987

  6,393

  1988

  7,166

  1989

  7,664

  1990

  8,574

  1991

  8,833

  690

  Value of Scottish Exports 1979–93

  Year

  Value Current Prices £ million

  1992

  9,682

  1993

  11,540

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the value to Scotland's economy of exports from the(a) food and drink, (b) chemicals, (c) oil and gas, (d) engineering, (e) electronics, (f) financial services and (g) tourism sectors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: Strong growth recorded in all Scotland's major exporting industries over the period.

  Sectoral performances in 1993 reveal food and drink exports were worth some £2.5 billion, of which £2.1 billion is whisky; chemicals worth £1.3 billion; engineering, including mechanical, transport equipment and motor vehicle parts £1.4 billion; electronics, including computers, £4.9 billion; tourism £670 million provisional figure—financial services worth £285 million, rising to around £393.7 million if legal and accountancy figures are included.

  Oil and gas sector exports in the period were estimated to be worth some £850 million. This figure relates to exports generated by service sector and supply companies in the world marketplace. Such Scottish companies export around 20 per cent. of their annual turnover.

  North Lanarkshire Council
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he makes of the cost to his Department of setting up the new North Lanarkshire council; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The cost to my Department of setting up the new Lanarkshire council has not been quantified but is likely to be minimal.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to regional and islands councils on the gritting of roads leading to schools which are not designated bus routes; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: No specific advice has been given to regional and islands councils on the gritting of roads leading to schools which are not designated bus routes. Regional and islands councils determine their own priorities for gritting roads for which they are responsible.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to education authorities on school bussing in adverse weather conditions and where access to a school requires school buses to travel on roads other than designated bus routes; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: None. Under sections 50 and 51 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, responsibilities for the

  691
  provision of school transport are placed on individual education authorities.

  M80 Motorway
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects construction to commence on the proposed M80 motorway between Stepps and Haggs; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: After widespread consultation, a decision will be taken shortly on the proposed route for the M80, followed in due course by initiation of the appropriate statutory procedures. The construction

  Standard occupational classification group

  SVQ Level 1

  SVQ Level 2

  SVQ Level 3

  SVQ Level 4

  SVQ Level 5

  Constructing

  —

  44

  6

  —

  —

  Engineering

  42

  —

  44

  —

  —

  Manufacturing

  —

  91

  —

  —

  —

  Providing health, social care and protective services

  248

  225

  1

  —

  —

  Providing business services

  589

  684

  43

  10

  8

  Other

  648

  879

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  1,527

  1,923

  94

  10

  8

  Source:

  Data files supplied by SCOTVEC.

  Refugees (College Fees)
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the current practice whereby colleges charge asylum seekers and political refugees the home student rates of fees for part-time study; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The Scottish Office Education Department is currently consulting further higher education institutions about the possibility of allowing them to charge part-time students from overseas a different rate of fees from home students. It is not our intention to change how individuals granted refugee status are treated. Institutions have specifically been asked as part of the consultation if they are likely to offer concessions to students who have applied for refugee status. Their responses will be taken into account in taking any proposals forward.

  Community Care
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what considerations led him to favour the private sector for the development of a mixed economy of community care; what consideration he gave to the use of the voluntary sector or direct local provision; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: Prior to 1 April 1993 local authorities purchased no community care services from the private sector. Since then the Government have transferred considerable resources to local authorities which under previous arrangements would have been used to purchase residential and nursing homes care from the private and voluntary sectors. The new arrangements are based on local authorities undertaking an enabling role. They should commission services offering quality and value for
  692
  timetable will be dependent on completion of the statutory procedures and the availability of finance.

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full national vocational qualifications have been awarded in the current year and in each year since 1992; at which levels these awards were made; and how many, at each level, were awarded in construction, engineering, manufacturing, health and social care, business administration, accounting and financial services and management, respectively.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The available information on Scottish vocational qualifications is set out in the table.

  money. That involves not only arranging care in their own provider units but purchasing care from providers in the private and voluntary sectors.

  While many authorities have taken on this role on an even-handed, basis some appear to wish to use the additional resources to favour their own provider units even when these do not offer best value for money. The Secretary of State has encouraged authorities to make best use of the resources available to meet the care needs of the people in their areas.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what priority he gives to(a) quality and standards, (b) accessibility and affordability for all and (c) cost-efficiency in the development of a mixed economy of community care.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The Government, in their guidance to local statutory and independent sector agencies, have pointed to the importance of all these factors. Local authorities are responsible for evaluating the relative importance of each of these factors as they relate to individuals' needs. In doing so they must also take full account of individuals' choice.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce an inspection and registration procedure for domiciliary care in the community.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: My right hon. Friend has no such plans at present.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the evidence he has that the development of the mixed economy of community care has been unsatisfactory.
  693
  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The Scottish Office publishes a range of annual indicators on community care, including the development of the mixed economy.

  Forests
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date Her Majesty's Treasury was invited to comment on the Forest Enterprise framework document.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: HM Treasury is assisting with the preparation of the framework document and a draft was discussed with it on 21 October.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to present the Forest Enterprise framework document to Parliament and to publish it for public consultation.
  694
  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The finalised framework document will be published and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the areas of land identified by the Forestry Commission or Forest Enterprise for sale since 1981 but which have not been sold, with the size of those areas, the county or, if in Scotland, region in which they are situated and the year in which they were identified for sale.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The Forestry Commission keeps records of all the land it has sold and of land it currently has on the market. It does not, however, retain records on cases where land was put on the market and then later withdrawn, for whatever reason. The information requested is therefore not available.

  ENTRY CLEARANCE APPLICATIONS: LIST OF DESIGNATED POSTS
  ENTRY CLEARANCE APPLICATIONS: LIST OF DESIGNATED POSTS
  ABM TREATY: DISCUSSIONS
  ABM TREATY: DISCUSSIONS
  BILATERAL STRATEGIC STABILITY TALKS
  BILATERAL STRATEGIC STABILITY TALKS
  ROAD PRICING IN LONDON: STUDY
  ROAD PRICING IN LONDON: STUDY
  MARINE POLLUTION: RESPONSE TO REPORT
  MARINE POLLUTION: RESPONSE TO REPORT
  HANSARD ON CD-ROM
  HANSARD ON CD-ROM
  FISHERIES COUNCIL, 23RD NOVEMBER 1994
  FISHERIES COUNCIL, 23RD NOVEMBER 1994
  EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE REFERENCE
  EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE REFERENCE