Written Answers of 30 November 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Alternative Dispute Resolution
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures he has taken to support alternative dispute resolution.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor has welcomed the growth of private alternative dispute resolution services where the parties do not need the compulsion, finality and certainty that only the courts can provide. My officials have carefully studied reports of ADR experience in this country and abroad. However, before committing public money to ADR the Lord Chancellor is concerned to have much greater certainty that such methods would produce the benefits to the Department which its supporters claim.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There are three top secret and 124 secret files out of a total of 105,535 files in the Lord Chancellor's Department. These figures refer to individual file parts. The proportion of top secret and secret files is 0.002 per cent. and 0.117 per cent respectively.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Christmas Expenditure
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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, his official residence in London and official residences.

  Mr. Howard
  Disaggregated information of this nature is not available, but no public expenditure is envisaged in relation to Christmas festivities.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that all chief constables define crimes accurately when compiling statistics.

  Mr. Maclean
  When recording offences police consult Home Office rules for classification and counting of crimes which are standard for all the police forces in 696
  England and Wales. The classification of crimes is determined by precise statutory definitions. A comprehensive set of counting rules is used by police forces in order to maintain the consistency of recording multiple, continuous and repeated offences. Whilst these detailed rules are issued centrally, many decisions still have to be taken locally about the recording and counting of criminal incidents. When carrying out force inspections, Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary looks carefully at how forces record crime. If it seems that crimes are being wrongly recorded, HMIC will advise forces to adjust their practice.

  Criminal Justice Act
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received on the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and on the Bill which led to it.

  Mr. Maclean
  About 2,000 letters have been received from members of Parliament, most of them covering representations from constituents about the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill or Act or aspects of them. In addition, around 2,500 letters have been received direct from members of the public, together with representations from groups with a particular interest in the criminal justice system.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been charged under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on numbers of people charged is not collected centrally. Information on the number of people cautioned and the number of court proceedings for offences committed under the Criminal Justice Act 1994 will become available from the autumn of 1995.

  Police (Disciplinary Code)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the Police Federation about police officers incurring debt due to the Child Support Act and their disciplinary code; what response he has given to the suggestion to change the disciplinary code; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  None. On 28 June, the president of ACPO wrote to chief constables expressing confidence that the service would be compassionate to officers who experienced financial difficulties as a result of Child Support Agency commitments.

  The Government have already announced that new police disciplinary procedures will be implemented under the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994. These will give police managers greater discretion when dealing with officers in debt, however the debt was incurred.

  Fire Services
  Mr. Chidgey
  : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of fire appliances arrived at emergencies in the London area within (a) three minutes, (b) four minutes, (c) five minutes, (d) six

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  minutes, (e) seven minutes, (f) eight minutes, (g) nine minutes, (h) 10 minutes, (i) 11 minutes and, (j) 12 minutes, in 1992, 1993 and in the current year to date.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The data requested are shown in the table; 1993 is the latest year for which data are available.

  Response times1 to fires in London, 1992 and 1993

  1992

  1993

  Response times (minutes)

  Number of fires

  Cumulative percentage

  Number of fires

  Cumulative percentage

  Within 3

  5,650

  27.3

  5,142

  25.7

  4

  6,319

  57.9

  5,769

  54.5

  5

  5,269

  83.3

  5,015

  79.5

  6

  1,639

  91.3

  1,941

  89.2

  7

  776

  95.0

  1,048

  94.5

  8

  476

  97.3

  529

  97.1

  9

  209

  98.3

  244

  98.3

  10

  129

  99.0

  139

  99.0

  Response times to fires in London, 1992 and 1993

  1992

  1993

  Response time

  Number of fires

  Cumulative Percentage

  Number of fires

  Cumulative Percentage

  Within 5 minutes

  1,970

  51.8

  1,890

  54.8

  6–10 minutes

  1,439

  89.7

  1,263

  91.5

  11–15 minutes

  279

  97.0

  211

  97.6

  16–20 minutes

  49

  98.3

  31

  98.5

  Over 20 minutes

  27

  99.0

  8

  98.7

  Unknown

  38

  100.0

  44

  100.0

  Note:

  1) The interval between the time of the first call taken by the brigade and the time the first appliance arrived at the fireground.

  Source:

  Home Office fire statistics.

  Omasese Lumumba
  Mr. Cohen
  : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now place in the Library the internal prison report into the death of Mr. Omasese Lumumba; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 30 November 1994:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the death of Mr. Omasese Lumumba.
  Subject to considerations of security and to the Coroner's consent, before an inquest, the Prison Service is generally prepared to disclose copies of documents provided to the Coroner to anyone who is a "properly interested person"under the Coroner's rules.
  Reports of follow-up internal investigations, including statements taken by the investigating governor, are not disclosed as the Prison Service needs to be able to conduct its own review of the case in confidence.
  A similar policy applies to the deaths of persons in the custody of the Prison Service detained under the Immigration Act.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average wait for asylum applications; and how many applicants have
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  Response times1 to fires in London, 1992 and 1993

  1992

  1993

  Response time(minutes)

  Number of fires

  Cumulative Percentage

  Number of fires

  Cumulative Percentage

  11

  59

  99.2

  57

  99.3

  12

  29

  99.4

  36

  99.5

  Over 12 minutes or unknown

  129

  100.0

  105

  100.0

  1 The interval between the time of the first call taken by the brigade and the time the first appliance arrived at the fireground.

  Source:

  Home Office fire statistics

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the data he has for the response times for fire appliances in Hampshire in Mr. Nicholas Baker: The data requested are shown in the table:

  waited for (a) six months, (b) one year, (c) two years and (d) over two years.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The estimated average length of time between the receipt of an asylum application and the decision, for cases decided in the period 1 August 1994 to 31 October 1994, on applications received since the introduction of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 on 26 July 1993 was 6.8 months.

  In the period 1 August 1994 to 31 October 1994, there were 6,105 decisions made on applications for asylum. Of these, 1,600 took under six months to decide; 1,525 took between six months and a year; 1,385 took between one and two years; and 1,595 took longer than two years for an initial decision on their application for asylum.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the length of time each detained asylum seeker has been held in custody; what review he undertook of their cases; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  On 18 November 1994, 654 people who had claimed asylum at some stage were detained under powers contained in the Immigration Act 1991. Of this total, 167 had been detained for less than 1 month; 125 between one and two months; 233 between two and six months; and 129 had been in detention for more than six months.

  The initial decision to detain is reviewed within 24 hours by an immigration service inspector. Thereafter, all detention is reviewed locally at least every seven days.

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  After one month the case is reviewed at immigration service headquarters. These reviews continue monthly and at an increasingly senior level. In addition, I receive a monthly report on all cases where detention has been maintained for more than 12 months.

  Private Security Services
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the provisions of training and health and safety practices for people working in the private security service.

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government believe that training is essentially a matter for the private security industry and its customers. We welcome the industry's efforts to develop and raise standards in this area. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 applies to those employed by private security companies as it does to other employees in the workplace.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to introduce regulations to ensure a minimum standard of conduct for private security operators; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  We have no plans to do so.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much money has been spent on hospitality by the Commission for Racial Equality in each of the last five years; if he will indicate(a) the nature and cost and (b) the purpose of each event; how many (i) guests and (ii) commission personnel enjoyed the hospitality at each event; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) under what authority the Commission for Racial Equality may extend hospitality in public houses to the staff of right hon. and hon. Members; what was the purpose of the reception for research assistants planned by the commission for Thursday 24 November in the Red Lion pub, Whitehall; why that reception was subsequently cancelled; if he will ensure that public funds are not used by the commission for such purposes in the future; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to suspend all payments to the Commission for Racial Equality until such time as the House has the opportunity to consider proposed legislation for its abolition.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  No.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what funds have been made available to the Commission for Racial Equality in each of the last five years for which figures are available; for what purpose those funds are intended; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will give a breakdown by (a) ethnic background and (b) salary of the numbers of people currently employed by the Commission for Racial Equality.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information requested is detailed in the Commission for Racial Equality's annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Police Pay
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that police authorities fully compensate police officers for any losses incurred as a result of changes in pay day arrangements.

  Mr. Maclean
  It is for a police authority, within the terms of regulation 46 of the Police Regulations, to fix the pay day for members of the police force. I am confident that if a police authority decided to change existing arrangements it would manage the process so as to ensure that police officers were not disadvantaged.

  Conservative Party Conference, Brighton
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state(a) the number of payments made, (b) the total sum, (c) the highest individual award and (d) the average time taken to make the payment in respect of persons injured in the Brighton bombing at the Conservative party conference.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. member to the answer given to the hon. member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 19 October at column 246.

  Bail Hostels
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average cost per person per month for bail hostel accommodation.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The total average cost per person per month for approved probation/bail hostel accommodation in 1993–94 was £1,451, reflecting occupancy in the system as a whole of only 68 per cent. With improved occupancy, the projected figure for 1994–95 is £1,232.

  Greyhound Racing
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to consult interested parties about the proposals to deregulate the controls on betting on greyhound racing.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  We have today issued a consultation document which gives details of the proposed changes to the law controlling betting on greyhound racing. These will give consumers a wider range of betting opportunities and remove the outdated restrictions governing betting on the sport. At the same time we shall ensure that sufficient safeguards are maintained to protect consumers.

  One of the key benefits is the proposed introduction of a new system of inter-track tote betting. Customers will have the freedom to bet into large linked pools on races at other licensed tracks. There will be provision for local authorities to oversee the operation of inter-track betting.

  The other deregulatory measures, such as removal of the requirement for an accountant to be present whenever totes are operated, represent sensible improvements in the current controls. Such changes will not, in the view of those representatives of local authorities previously consulted, interfere with the proper supervision of tote betting at greyhound tracks.

  Subject to the outcome of the consultation process, we propose to bring forward these changes by means of a draft order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out

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  Act 1984. Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Libraries.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Mr. Howard
  As at 31 December 1993, the Home Office held 707 top secret and 86,049 secret files, representing 0.015 per cent. and 1.8 per cent. respectively of the approximate total—4.8 million—of the Department's files at that time.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Mining Licences
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements are being implemented for existing licenses mine owners to renew their licences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  This is a matter for the Coal Authority. I am asking the Coal Authority to write to the hon. Member.

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are his plans to increase the security of temporary on-site nuclear waste storage facilities at nuclear power stations.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The safety of storage facilities for radioactive waste on nuclear power station sites is a matter on which the operator must satisfy the regulatory authorities.

  Post Office
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money has been raised by(a) capital receipts arising from the reductions in the numbers of Crown post offices in the last 15 years and (b) for savings in revenue expenditure consequent on the reductions.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The reduction in Crown post offices since April 1989, largely due to the conversion programme of Crown post offices to agency status, had by March 1994 yielded £5.0 million in capital receipts and £20.7 million in annually recurring revenue savings.

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress towards the entry into force of the chemical weapons convention; and if it remains his policy that the United Kingdom should become an original signatory of the convention.

  Mr. Heseltine
  It remains the Government's policy 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.

  Life Assurance Companies
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what sanctions are available to his Department to 702
  bring against the directors of life assurance companies which have been found to be in serious breach of regulations governing the financial service industry.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Under the Insurance Companies Act 1982 the Secretary of State's powers are exercisable in relation to insurance companies rather than in relation to individual directors. However, under that Act the Secretary of State shall not authorise a company to carry on insurance business, and may withdraw an existing authorisation, if it appears to him that any director, controller, manager or main agent of the company is not a fit and proper person to hold the position held by him. The powers of intervention set out in sections 38 and 41 to 45 of the Insurance Companies Act 1982 are also exercisable on these grounds.

  Fraud Investigations
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy that findings of DTI inspectors will continue to be made available to police investigating fraud.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Yes. It is and will remain my Department's policy to do so in appropriate cases.

  Waste Paper and Packaging
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to bring stability to the United Kingdom waste paper and packaging collection market; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Stability in the market cannot be guaranteed, since waste paper is an internationally traded commodity, and as such is subject to fluctuating demand and price. I believe, however, that two developments will help bring about greater stability than that experienced in recent months as a result of packaging waste management regulations in other countries.

  The first is the adoption of the proposed EC Directive harmonising member states' regulations in this area, which the Government has supported. I am hopeful that such adoption will occur before the end of 1994. The second is the introduction of industry measures in response to our producer responsibility initiative for packaging. These should lead to co-ordinated recycling activity which is related to demand, and does not trigger the distorting effects of over-collection which have been apparent elsewhere.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  No central record is kept by my Department of files marked "top secret" and "secret". Offices throughout the Department may possess in their registries any number of files bearing protective markings. The information requested is therefore not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Dounreay
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds AEA technology jobs at Dounreay have been privatised.
  703
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  The Government's intention to privatise what is now AEA Technology was announced last February by my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy, 17 February 1994,Official Report, columns 922–24. The announcement outlined the criteria on which decisions on the form of privatisation will be taken. As announced in the Queen's Speech, a Bill to provide for privatisation will be introduced this Session.

  Scottish Hallmarks
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received concerning the continuity of the Scottish hallmark, the lion rampant and Edinburgh castle marks in relation to proposals emanating from the European Commission on hall-marking and assay offices; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I have received no specific representations concerning the Scottish marks. The Government are aware of the depth of feeling in the industry at large, in the assay offices, and amongst consumer organisations, that traditional marks, including town marks, should continue to be allowed under the terms of the proposed directive. The Government will continue to argue for their use.

  Life assurance
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the implications for unit-linked life assurance policies of the High Court judgement in the case of Fuji v. Aetna

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  In July this year the Vice Chancellor the right hon. Sir Donald Nicholls gave judgment in the Chancery Division of the High Court on a preliminary point arising in a dispute between a life insurance company and one of its policyholders—Fuji Finance Inc.v. Aetna Life Insurance Ltd. and Another. The Vice Chancellor decided that a particular contract which purported to be a contract of life insurance was not, as a matter of law, a contract of insurance at all. The feature of the contract which led to this conclusion was that there was no difference, once the contract had run for five years, between the amount payable on the death of the life assured at a given time and the amount that could be obtained by surrendering the policy at the same time.

  An appeal has been launched against this judgment, and the outcome of that appeal may obviously affect the position. But on the basis of the judgment it appears possible that other linked policies which offer no greater return on death than on surrender may similarly not be regarded as contracts of insurance. However, the judgment did not express an opinion about policies which, during the majority of their term, carry on somewhat higher additional level of benefit on death, or include some other guarantee in relation to the benefits payable on death but not on surrender.

  The Department of Trade and Industry does not monitor as a matter of course the terms of individual life insurance policies. However, prior to the Vice Chancellor's judgment, the level of additional benefit on death included in a linked policy was not considered by the Department to be critical in determining whether the policy was a contract of insurance. The Department would have taken into account other features of the contract; and it seems likely that, had the question been raised, policies
  704
  of the kind described in the judgment would have been treated by the Department as life assurance policies. I understand that the Financial Services Act regulators and the Inland Revenue have taken a similar view: as, presumably, have life assurance companies and their policyholders. It is understandable, therefore, that the judgment has created some concern in the insurance industry, particularly as it is not yet clear how far it affects contracts that are similar to, but not on all fours with, the particular policy that was considered in this case.

  Companies which have not already done so will wish to take advice upon the legal implications of this judgment for linked policies issued by them. It may however be helpful to them to explain the Government's attitude to certain statutory provisions which appear relevant.

  Section 16 of the Insurance Companies Act 1982 prohibits insurance companies from carrying on activities other than in connection with or for the purposes of their insurance business; and the Act confers upon the DTI certain powers of intervention if there is a failure to comply with that section. The Department has taken the view that the judgment has created sufficient uncertainty about the status of contracts carrying no additional benefit on death that it would wish to know if companies propose to continue to issue any such policies. As regards other policies, the Department does not propose to take any action while the judgment is under appeal. However, when the outcome of the appeal is known, it will clearly need to review the position with a view to ensuring that the terms of the section are met for the future.

  Companies will also need to bear in mind that their authorisation to carry on investment business under Section 22 of the Financial Services Act 1986 relates only to insurance business and other business that can be conducted in accordance with section 16 of the Insurance Companies Act 1982.

  In considering whether to use its enforcement powers in relation to investment business carried on in contravention of section 3 of the FSA, one of the factors which the Securities and Investments Board will take into account, in relation to business carried on prior to the judgment, is that contracts of the kinds likely to be affected have been consistently treated as contracts of insurance. Investors considering whether to take action under section 5 of the FSA will also need to take account of the same factor.

  My right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury is making a separate statement about the tax implications of the judgment.

  Telecommunications Council
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Telecommunications Council on 17 November.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Council adopted a resolution setting a date of 1 January 1998 for the liberalisation of the provision of telecommunications infrastructure, with a possibility of five years additional transition period for Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Greece and two years for Luxembourg. The United Kingdom, supported by five other countries, called upon the Commission to submit proposals for an earlier liberalisation of the use of alternative infrastructure for those services already liberalised at the Community level.
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  The Council also agreed a common position on a directive on standards for digital television. In addition, the Council agreed, in principle a common position on a decision on guidelines for the development for the integrated services digital networks as a trans-European network. The Council also reached agreement on all the outstanding issues on a decision on interchange of data between Administrations, except funding. The decision was referred back to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for further discussion of the budget. The text of a Council Resolution on access to the space segment and the reform of the international satellite organisations was agreed.

  There was a short debate on the draft directives on mutual recognition of satellite and telecommunications licences. The Commission made presentations on the results of its consultations on the Green Paper on Mobile and Personal Communications and its communication on transport telematics. The Commission also stated that it expected to produce proposals on liberalisation of postal services during the first part of 1995.

  No formal vote was taken at this Council.

  Tile and Sanitary Ware Manufacturing
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultation he has had with the United Kingdom tile and sanitary ware manufacturers concerning the implications of granting aid to encourage inward investment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 29 November 1994]: I have had no consultation with the United Kingdom tile and sanitary ware manufacturers with regard to the implications for granting aid to encourage inward investment. The United Kingdom industry is not consulted about individual applications for assistance. The likely impact on the United Kingdom industry of assistance towards investment projects is always assessed before decisions are made on whether or not grant should be offered.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance he has approved for inward investment in Turkish sanitary ware and ceramic tile manufacturing to Merseyside.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 29 November 1994]: I cannot comment on discussions between companies and the Department which are commercially confidential.

  H. L. Foods Ltd.
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money H. L. Foods, through its cannery at Wisbech, has been paid from assisted area status funding to purchase equipment; how much of this was spent on purchasing equipment from Hobson plc's former cannery at Lowestoft; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: We do not disclose information on individual cases, which is given on a commercial in confidence basis.

  Capcom Financial Services
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has made to appropriate 706
  authorities in the USA concerning the affairs of Capcom Financial Services of London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 29 November 1994]: No representations have been made by me to the appropriate authority in USA concerning the affairs of CAPCOM Financial Services of London.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about Capcom Financial Services of London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 29 November 1994]: It is not the practice of the Department to comment on the affairs of individual companies.

  Oil and Gas Exploration
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what environmental advice he received on blocks 106/24, 106/25 and 106/30A prior to offering them for tender.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: Those environmental Departments and organisations who provided advice following consultation, both generally for the Round and in respect of blocks 106/24, 106/25 and 106/30a are indicated on the following list.

  Countryside Commission1

  Department of the Environment1

  Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland1

  Dyfed Wildlife Trust1

  Friends of Cardigan Bay2

  Friends of the Earth Cymru2

  Greenpeace1

  Joint Countryside Advisory Service1

  Joint Nature Conservation Committee2

  who in turn consult—

  English Nature

  Countryside Council for Wales

  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  Scottish Natural Heritage

  Sea Mammal Research Unit

  North Wales Wildlife Trust2

  The National Trust1

  RSNC Wildlife Trusts Partnership2

  Strangford Lough Management Committee1

  Welsh Office2

  The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust1

  Wildlife and Countryside Link2

  World Wide Fund for Nature2

  1 Those who provided advice on the Round.

  2 Those who have specifically mentioned blocks 106/24, 106/25 and 106/30a in their advice.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who much the chairmen and members of the British Coal Authority are to be paid; and, for each member, what other publicly funded posts they hold.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: Sir David White receives a salary of £18,000 a year as part-time Chairman of the Coal Authority. Mr Neville Washington, its full-time chief executive, receives a salary of £55,000 plus pension and a car allowance. He is also eligible for a non-pensionable performance bonus. The other part-time members receive a salary of £5,500 per annum.
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  The other paid public appointments held by the members of the Coal Authority are:

  Sir David White: Chairman of the Nottingham health authority;

  Mr. Roy Lynk: Industrial tribunal member in Nottingham; and

  Mr. Leslie Rendell: the retiring director of planning and transport of Warwickshire county council.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Fire Certificate
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what applications were made in the last year for the Houses of Parliament to receive a fire certificate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  No application has been made for a fire certificate in the last year. Home Office fire inspectors have recently surveyed the Palace of Westminster and are expected to be in a position to issue a fire certificate in 1995.

  Access Passes
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he will list those organisations, excluding media organisations, whose employees have, to date, been issued by the House authorities with passes giving access to the House; what are the main criteria which are observed in determining eligibility for passes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  [holding answer 29 November 1994]: As the number of organisations whose employees are issued with passes is very large, I will write to the hon. Member.

PRIME MINISTER

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to order a public inquiry into illegal and improper activities by the Welsh Development Agency.

  The Prime Minister
  None. The mistakes of the past are being thoroughly investigated by the new management team. The chief executive of the agency is keeping the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee fully informed.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has stated clearly that the highest standards should be observed in all the Welsh Development Agency's dealings.

  Ministers' Cars
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister what rules apply to the marque of official cars used by Ministers.

  The Prime Minister
  Cabinet Ministers are normally given the choice of a Rover Sterling, Rover 827Si or any other vehicle from the Rover 800 series.

  Other Ministers are normally given the choice of a Rover 416, 2-litre Montego, 2-litre Vauxhall Cavalier, 2-litre Ford Mondeo or diesel equivalents.

  Steroids
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will set up a public inquiry into the use of steroids in hospitals;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the use of steroids;

  (3) what consideration he is giving, with the Secretary of State for Health, to measures to reassure the public regarding the use of steroids;

  (4) if he will inquire into the case of Mrs. Niven of 11 Alvin close, Binley, Coventry.

  The Prime Minister
  Corticosteroids are long-established medicines which are important in the treatment of many serious illnesses, and their overall benefits to patients outweigh their side-effects. The Department of Health has fully investigated the effects of corticosteroids, given by mouth or injection, on the body's immune system. Advice about patients who are susceptible to chickenpox has been issued to all doctors.

  A public inquiry is not appropriate. It is for doctors to decide the appropriate treatment for their patients with the benefit of advice from their professional bodies. The circumstances surrounding Mrs. Niven's death were fully investigated by the Coventry and Warwick hospital and the outcome discussed with her family.

  The Department of Health has issued a press statement regarding the safety of corticosteroids, advising patients using these medicines who are concerned to see their doctor and not to stop their medication suddenly. As with all licensed medicines, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health continues to monitor their safety.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Prime Minister how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  The Prime Minister
  Approximately 1 to 2 per cent. of the files held in my office are top secret, approximately five per cent. are secret.

  Citizens Charter (Mr. Purnell)
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from Mr. David Hernandez Purnell; and what was his response.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: I have received a number of representations. These relate to a specific matter which is the responsibility of the Highways Agency. The agency is giving active consideration to the case.

  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement regarding the letter of 13 November to the Treasury Solicitor from a constituent of the hon. Member for Woolwich, a copy of which was forwarded to him; and what assessment he has made of the conformity of Her Majesty's Government's action with the spirit of the citizens charter.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: I have nothing further to add to the reply that my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service and Science, gave to the hon. Member on 28 November, Official Report, columns 483–84.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EU Committee of the Regions
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many meetings of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union have been held since it was established under the Maastricht treaty; what reports have been received from the Committee to date; what responses have been made to these reports; and what has been the cost of United Kingdom required representation to the Committee.

  Mr. David Davis
  There have been five plenary meetings of the EC's Committee of the Regions. The Council has so far received 20 opinions from the Committee. The Council makes no formal response to opinions, but takes them into account during the decision-making process. No attendance is required at Committee meetings. Members receive travel and subsistence allowances for meetings which they do attend. We do not hold information on expenses paid to individual Committee members.

  Short Stay Visas
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many short stay visas were issued last year; and what were the figures for the 10 main countries of origin.

  Mr. Baldry
  In 1993, 609,297 single entry visit visas, and 12,230 short term multiple entry visas, valid for six months, were issued to people seeking to make visits of six months or less.

  The top countries where these visas were issued—not all were to nationals of the country concerned—were as follows:

  Country

  Number of applications issued

  India

  60,153

  Russia

  58,277

  USA

  39,589

  Pakistan

  36,647

  Turkey

  36,227

  Thailand

  30,606

  Nigeria

  24,470

  Iran

  16,835

  China

  15,687

  The British Trade and Cultural Office in Taipei also processed 51,264 applications during 1993.

  Jonathan Moyle
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of Her Majesty's Government's representation and investigations into the death of Jonathan Moyle.

  Mr. Baldry
  It is for the Chilean authorities to investigate the circumstances of Mr. Moyle's death. We have co-operated with them fully from the outset. On 9 September 1991 a verdict was announced that Mr. Moyle's death was"attributed to third party involvement where the identity of the third party cannot be ascertained".
  710
  The case is being investigated further and a report will be submitted to the Chilean Court of Appeal for consideration. We await the court's findings and in the light of those will consider what further action needs to be taken. An inquest into Mr. Moyle's death is also being conducted by HM coroner for the district of Exeter and East Devon.

  Mutual Defence Agreement
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the hon. Member for Blaenau, Gwent may expect a letter on the extension of article III to the Anglo-American mutual defence agreement on atomic matters promised in his answer of 3 November,Official Report, column 1382; and if the letter will be published in the Official Report.

  Mr. David Davies
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 22 November. The text of the letter was as follows:"I promised to write to you in response to your recent Parliamentary Questions on the 1958 UK/US Mutual Defence Agreement.
  As you know, the 1958 Agreement enables the United Kingdom and the United States to co-operate on the use of atomic energy for mutual defence purposes. While the main part of the Agreement is not time-limited, Article III bis, which relates to the two-way exchange of special nuclear materials and other products, requires periodic amendment to ensure its continuing relevance and validity. The most recent amendment to this article, which was ratified in 1984, expires at the end of this year. We and the United States have agreed that there should be a further amendment to enable these exchanges to continue for another ten years.
  Article VI of the Agreement addresses questions of the security and physical protection of the information and materials exchanged. While both the UK and US operate rigorous and effective materials control and accountancy arrangements, we have decided that it would be prudent to acknowledge explicitly the existence of these arrangements in the text of the Agreement. We have therefore agreed that Article VI should be amended accordingly.
  The text of the amendment to the Agreement was agreed in May this year following discussions between officials of the two Governments. The 1994 amendment was laid before Parliament on 21 October. The Ponsonby Rule requires it to remain there for 21 sitting days before it can be ratified".
  I am arranging for a copy of this letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Algeria
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what attempts have been made to have an integrated European Union approach to the current political situation in Algeria; and what was the outcome.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  On 30 May 1994 the EU ministerial troika visited Algiers. The conclusions of the European Council at Corfu on 24–25 June 1994 included a passage on Algeria. The EU issued a joint statement on Algeria on 26 September 1994.

  Unfortunately the cessation of violence and the dialogue for which the EU has called have not come about.

  Oil Spills, Russia
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what help is being sent by Her Majesty's Government to Russia for oil spills in the north of Russia.
  711
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We stand ready to help, but Russia has made it clear that no international assistance is required for the present.

  Apes
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the World Society for the Protection of Animals about the killing of the great apes of Africa; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have received no representations from the World Society for the Protection of Animals about the killing of the great apes of Africa. It is a matter for the individual countries involved to pass the domestic legislation to prevent the killing of their apes. We are, however, always concerned by reports of cruelty to animals and encourage others to adopt our own high standards of animal welfare.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Mr. Baldry
  FCO departments hold as many current files as is necessary for their operational needs. A proportion of these, consistent with security requirements, are top secret and secret. A breakdown of these could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Government of Indonesia concerning the abuse of human rights; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Our regular discussions with the Indonesians cover a wide range of issues, including human rights. With European Union partners, we have most recently expressed concern about the conviction and sentencing of Mr. Muchtar Pakpahan.

  Science and Technology
  Sir Kenneth Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken to review the work of science and technology sections at British missions overseas to fulfil one of the commitments of the 1993 White Paper, "Realising our Potential: a Strategy for Science, Engineering and Technology".

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I am pleased to be able to inform the House that in the first half of this year an interdepartmental team from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Office of Science and Technology and the British Council carried out a major review of science and technology work in diplomatic missions and British Council offices overseas. I have just endorsed the report of this review. It will be published on 1 December 1994. I have arranged for a copy of the report to be deposited in the Library of the House.

  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 the position of Moroccan workers employed at the British military base who may become redundant in the near future; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  I have been asked to reply.

  During my recent visit to Gibraltar I met the Gibraltar Government Minister for the Environment and Tourism and we discussed the announced reductions in the MOD presence in Gibraltar and the implications for locally entered staff, including Moroccan employees.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Moi University, Kenya
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it was a condition of the British funding of the Margaret Thatcher library at Moi university in Kenya that there should be academic freedom at the university.

  Mr. Baldry
  The library will make an important contribution to learning and the output of graduates, particularly in science and technology, on which Kenya's development depends. While good government is a criteria in the allocation of United Kingdom aid, no specific condition was made relating to academic freedom when the project was approved in 1987.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost to the British funds of the construction of the Margaret Thatcher library at Moi university in Kenya.

  Mr. Baldry
  Construction costs paid for from the British aid programme, including architects' fees, amounted to £4.44 million. The overall project, including the provision of training and books, will be completed within the total agreed allocation of £8.373 million.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which British firms have benefited from the construction of the Margaret Thatcher library at Moi university in Kenya.

  Mr. Baldry
  Ove Arup and Partners were the project engineers. UBM Overseas Ltd. (UK) supplied the materials. In addition, Triad Architects Planners were involved in the design and supervision work.

  Population Control
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on countries in which advertising campaigns are portraying those who do not use artificial contraception or choose to have large families as irresponsible or anti-social; if he will list those countries in which such campaigns are run:, and if he classifies such campaigns as coercive.

  Mr. Baldry
  We do not have comprehensive information on advertising campaigns in this area.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department takes to monitor population policies in countries in which projects connected with population receive funding from his Department.
  713
  Mr. Baldry
  The Overseas Development Administration, or the relevant multilateral organisations to which it contributes, examine national population policies in the course of the design and management of projects which they fund; they will also seek to contribute, where appropriate, to further development of these policies.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department takes to ensure that projects funded by his Department do not assist coercive population control strategies in countries where the projects are based.

  Mr. Baldry
  We do not support any population activities in which there is coercion of individuals to practise family planning, or to accept any particular type of contraception. We scrutinise proposals prior to funding and monitor their implementation to ensure that coercive approaches are avoided.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has regarding countries which tie education, health and development provision to contraceptive use or offer such provision on beneficial terms to contraceptive users; if he will list those countries where he is aware that this occurs; and whether he classifies such practices as coercive.

  Mr. Baldry
  We do not have detailed information. We believe that the use of contraception should be a matter of free individual choice. Governments were discouraged at the international conference on population and development from either the use of incentives or disincentives in promoting contraception use. We strongly supported this recommendation.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on projects funded by the core funds of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the United Nations fund for population activities and what steps his Department takes to monitor these projects.

  Mr. Baldry
  The United Nations Population Fund 1993 inventory of population projects and the International Planned Parenthood Federation 1994 annual report supplement contain details of these organisations' activities. Copies of both these publications are in the Library of the House.

  We regularly assess the policies and programmes of UNFPA and IPPF in relation to our policies.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he classifies as coercive methods taken by countries pursuing population policies, where projects are funded by his Department, to create peer pressure to use artificial contraception.

  Mr. Baldry
  We support activities which help people to be more aware of the choices available to them in family planning. We support the exercise of free individual choice and oppose coercive methods.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the will list all grants for population policies and initiatives, given by his Department to projects, agencies or Governments giving in each case the amount of the grant, the terms of the project and the country in which the project is based.

  Mr. Baldry
  We will place in the Library a list of population and reproductive health projects and programmes supported under the aid programme in calendar year 1993.

  Tanzania
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current bilateral aid programme for Tanzania, set out by sector.

  Mr. Baldry
  In 1993–94, we disbursed £20.7 million to Tanzania through the bilateral aid programme. Of this, £10 million was in the form of conditional balance of payments support. The remainder was used to support projects in the following sectors:

  £ million

  Natural resources

  1.9

  Economic infrastructure

  3.8

  Financial sector

  0.2

  Public administration

  0.7

  Education

  1.3

  Health and population

  1.3

  Miscellaneous

  1.5

  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the agreement he has entered into in respect of the modernisation of the port of Tanga, Tanzania.

  Mr. Baldry
  An exchange of letters formalising this project took place on 14 November. Under this agreement, ODA will support rehabilitation and maintenance work at Tanga Port, and provide training and supervision. The cost to the British aid programme will be £4.69 million. The project is expected to be completed in 1997.

EDUCATION

  Bullying
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment she has made of the extent of bullying of disabled pupils in schools; and what specific guidance she gives to schools and local education authorities on this matter.

  Mr. Forth
  Ofsted's framework for inspection requires inspecting teams to obtain the views of pupils, parents and teachers on the incidence of bullying and the school's response to it. Reports should include an evaluation of the measures taken by the school to prevent and eliminate bullying.

  The Department's anti-bullying pack, "Don't Suffer in Silence", published in September, included practical guidance on strategies that schools can adopt to combat bullying of pupils, including those with special educational needs. In addition, the Department stressed the importance of effective action against bullying in guidance on pupil behaviour and discipline, sent to local education authorities and all maintained schools in May as part of the "Pupils with Problems" series of circulars.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is her estimate of the total cost of making 50 per cent., 75 per cent. and 100 per cent. of(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools fully accessible to disabled people, such accessibility to include the provision of appropriate toilet facilities.
  715
  Mr. Forth
  The best source of cost information is an independent report from Coopers and Lybrand issued in April 1993. These estimates, based on a large sample of schools, indicated that the costs for providing physical access to all primary schools would be about £400 million and to all secondary schools about £1,300 million. The survey estimated that to make 50 per cent. of secondary schools 100 per cent. accessible would be £251 million; it did not include analogous figures for primary schools. It did not provide full figures for 75 per cent. of schools in either sector. These data include the cost of ramps, lifts and disabled toilets. They do not include corner widening, means of escape or specialist furniture.

  Ofsted
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what were the targets for the number of school inspections to be undertaken by Ofsted in(a) 1993–94 and (b) in the current school year; and if she will break the targets down for (i) primary schools, (ii) secondary schools, (iii) special schools and (iv) sixth-form colleges;

  (2) how may (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools, (c) special schools and (d) sixth-form colleges were inspected by Ofsted in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) in the current school year.

  Mr. Forth
  These are matters for her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, who heads the independent Office for Standards in Education. I have asked Mr. Woodhead to write to the hon. Member.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files her Department holds.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Department does not hold any files classified as top secret; 78 of the Department's holding of approximately 265,000 files are classified as secret.

  Student Loans Company
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education which right hon. and hon. members have visited the headquarters of the Student Loans Company since it was set up.

  Mr. Boswell
  This is a matter for the Student Loans Company. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Mr. Dorrell
  My Department currently has in excess of 120,000 files, of which approximately 300 are classified as secret and four top secret.

  Indemnity Undertakings
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many indemnity undertakings were given 716
  by Departments under section 16 of the National Heritage Act 1980 for the six month period ending 30 September 1994; and what is the value of any contingent liabilities in respect such undertakings given at any time which remain outstanding as at 30 September 1994.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information that my hon. Friend requests is as follows:

  In the six-month period ended 30 September 1994, the following undertakings to indemnify were given by the relevant departments for items on loan to national and non-national institutions:

  Department of National Heritage

  503

  Scottish Office Education Department

  108

  Welsh Office Education Department

  39

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland

  19

  The value of contingent liabilities in respect of such undertakings given at any time and outstanding at 30 September 1994 are:

  £

  Department of National Heritage

  1,730,975,529

  Scottish Office Education Department

  394,655,574

  Welsh Office Education Department

  36,265,802

  Department of Education for Northern Ireland

  4,573,154

  National Lottery
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consultations he has had with the Millennium Fund Commission concerning its powers in relation(a) to the choice of schemes for financial support in Wales, (b) to amending any such schemes which are applicants for assistance and (c) to amending the constitutions and personnel of sponsoring bodies of such applications; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The Millennium Commission was consulted on directions issued under section 26(1) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 concerning matters to be taken into account when considering applications and, under section 26(3), for securing the proper management and control of lottery proceeds. Within this framework, it is for each distributing body to establish their own processes for handling applications and, in my capacity as Secretary of State, I have had no specific discussions with the commission on any of these matters. As chairman of the commission, however, I am directly involved in the development of its policies and procedures. The Millennium Commission issued detailed guidance for applicants on November 28 which will explain how applications for funding should be prepared and submitted.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make it his policy to ensure an increase of national lottery sales outlets in Montgomeryshire; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 29 November 1994]: 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

  717
  operation of the lottery, to write to the hon. and learned Gentleman, and to place copies his response in the Libraries of the House.

  Open Government
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 November 1994]: In line with guidance on charging produced by the Office of Public Service and Science, which recognises the diversity of cost and operational structure across the range of bodies implementing the code, my Department has developed the following scheme of charges for information under the code of practice on access to Government information.

  My Department and the two agencies for which I am responsible make no charge for responding to straightforward enquiries. Charges will, however, be made where the cost of responding to the inquiry would exceed a threshold—currently £100. This will normally represent half of one day's work charged at an average cost for staff undertaking the work.

  Above the £100 threshold, charges may be made according to the average daily rates of the staff undertaking the work. Charges are designed to cover, but not exceed, the cost of processing the request for information and are payable whether or not the request for information can be supplied in full. Where it is proposed to make a charge, the Department and its agencies will write to the inquirer and ask them to pay in advance for the material requested.

  Those responding to inquiries will at all stages keep applicants informed of the likely charges to be made by providing an estimated charge, which is normally payable before further work is undertaken.

EMPLOYMENT

  Christmas Expenditure
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Ministers intend to send an estimated 480 cards this year. They would cost(a) £330 to buy and (b) £86 to post. The information at (c) is not available. I intend to place a copy of the official card, which supports the Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund, in the Library in the new year.

  Employment of Children
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has substantially to increase the penalties for employing children or allowing children who are under age to work in factories or businesses.
  718
  Mr. Oppenheim
  Breaches of the Employment of Women, Children and Young Persons Act 1920, which prohibits children from working in factories, already attract a maximum fine of £5,000. Local byelaws which set strict rules on the employment of children provide for a maximum penalty of £1,000.

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases before industrial tribunals in the last year have been heard before a chairman alone.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The Industrial Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 1993 gave effect as from 16 December 1993 to provisions in the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 which empower industrial tribunal chairmen to hear certain cases without lay members. From 16 December 1993 until the end of October 1994, 3,148 cases have been heard before chairmen sitting alone.

  Unemployment
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people between the ages of 16 and 25 years in Lewisham, East(a) are registered unemployed and (b) have been unemployed for 12 months or more; and what are these figures expressed as a percentage in that age group in that area.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  In October 1994 the total number of unemployed claimants aged under 25 years in Lewisham East stood at 1,257 down 6 per cent. on the year, and the number of the latter who were unemployed for over a year stood at 398, down 10 per cent. on the year.

  Claimant unemployment rates by age are only available nationally and are publish in table 2.15 of the Employment Gazette, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people between the ages of 16 and 25 years are registered as unemployed in each of the London boroughs; and what the figures are as a percentage of that age group in each borough and in London as a whole; how many have been unemployed for 12 months; and what this figure is expressed as a percentage in that age group in each borough and in London as a whole.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Claimant unemployment rates by age are only available nationally and are published in table 2.15 of the Employment Gazette. Information on the numbers of claimant unemployed in each London borough, analysed by age and duration of claimant, is available for the months of January, April, July and October and can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Non-EU Employees
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many work permits have been issued in connection with LEAR Seating Corporation in Coventry in the last six months.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  A total of 18 work permits have been issued to Lear Seating (UK) Ltd. within the last six months.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many work permits were issued to
  719
  residents in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico to undertake temporary work in the United kingdom in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The number of work permits issued to nationals of the United States, Canada and Mexico in each of the last three years is shown in the following table:

  Year

  USA

  Canada

  Mexico

  1991

  10,851

  742

  51

  1992

  11,617

  916

  55

  1993

  11,633

  1,004

  75

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning the need to employ temporary labour from outside the European Union from LEAR Seating Corporation in Coventry.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I have received no representations concerning this issue other than applications for work permits.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Employment Department group holds(a) 24 top secret files and (b) 1,033 secret files.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Attorney-General how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  The Attorney-General
  The number of current top secret and secret files held in the Departments for which I am responsible is as follows:

  Top Secret

  Secret

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  29

  326

  Crown Prosecution Service

  2

  14

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  10

  101

  Serious Fraud Office

  —

  —

  Pergau Dam
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General what involvement he had in the Foreign Secretary's defence in the recent Pergau dam court case.

  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.

  Victims Compensation Scheme
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Attorney-General what involvement he had in the Home Secretary's defence in the recent victims compensation scheme court case.
  720
  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.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Contracting Out
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list all those instances where contracting out of a function or service, previously provided in-house, has resulted in an identifiable improvement in the quality of the service provided.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  The following list shows functions contracted out under the competing for quality programme in the period from 1 April 1992 to 31 December 1993 where departments have informed the efficiency unit that an improved quality of service has been specified.

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Document Creation Unit (ADAS)

  Buildings and Estate Management

  Marine Surveillance

  Library

  Recruitment (up to Grade 7)

  Central Office of Information

  Catering

  Office Services—Custody

  Office Services—Cleaning

  Central Statistical Office

  Catering

  HM Customs and Excise

  Staff Restaurant, Queens Dock

  Catering—Custom House, London

  Catering—Dorset House, London

  Catering–Manchester HQ

  Debt Recovery Services

  Vehicle Fleet Management

  Ministry of Defence

  Works Services: Cyprus, Gibraltar, Falklands, Belize

  Harrier Support

  Helicopter Support: Osprey, Heron, Seah

  Tailoring (Northern Ireland)

  Ration Delivery (Northern Ireland)

  Department for Education

  Catering

  Department of Employment

  Travel Services

  Van Service Sheffield-Runcorn

  Estates Maintenance

  ERC Courses for Disabled (Employment Service)

  721
  Department of the Environment

  Planning Inspectorate IT Project Management

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  IT Operational Support

  Receptionist/Telephonist Services

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Purchasing Services

  Department of Health

  Operation and redevelopment of Hospital Episodes Statistics System

  Office and Building Service London

  Office Services, Quarry House

  HMSO

  Typing Services Publications

  Home Office

  Waste Disposal (Forensic Science Service)

  Estate Management (Forensic Science Service)

  Escort Services

  HM Prison Blakenhurst

  Prison Education

  Inland Revenue

  Writing Training Material

  Reprographic

  IT Services

  Intervention Board

  Travel Service

  HM Land Registry

  Legal Services

  Surveys

  Department of National Heritage

  Hampton Court Garden Maintenance

  Department of National Savings

  Catering Services, Durham

  Press Cuttings

  Northern Ireland Civil Service

  Property Certificate Service

  Date Preparation

  Operating Mainframe Computer

  Office of Public Service and Science

  Reprographics (Chessington Computer Centre)

  Press Relations (Civil Service College)

  Catering and Related (Civil Service College)

  Distribution (Civil Service College)

  London Centre Relocation (Civil Service College)

  Building and Grounds Maintenance (Civil Service College)

  Catering (RAS)

  Reprographics (RAS)

  722
  Ordnance Survey

  Hardware Maintenance

  Bulk Enveloping and Dispatch

  Scottish Office

  Catering, Fire School

  Department of Social Security

  Travel Services (Benefits Agency)

  Facilities Management (HQ)

  Audit (ITSA)

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Database Maintenance

  Stationery Supply

  HM Treasury

  Internal Audit

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  Security

ENVIRONMENT

  Retailers (Planning Permission)
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to make it easier for retailers to get planning permission for new sites in or near town centres.

  Mr. Gummer
  As part of their strategy to revitalise their town centres I have encouraged local authorities to assess the capacity of their town centre for further retail development and to promote retail development in or on the edge of town centres through their development plan.

  Home Renovation Grants
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many home renovation grants were made in 1984, 1989 and the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  In 1984 and 1989 local authorities awarded 229,000 and 98,000 home improvement grants respectively. In 1993 90,000 grants were given under the new provisions of part VIII of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

  Town Centres
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the extent to which modern supermarkets in the right place can improve local services and attract new investment to the town centre economy.

  Mr. Gummer
  Retail developments in town centres increase the choice, widen the opportunities available, and add to the attraction of those centres. Supermarkets located in the right place, in or next to town centres, can provide the anchor for other types of retailing, and thus help ensure the viability of town centres.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being undertaken to encourage the revitalisation of town centres.
  723
  Mr. Gummer
  I have taken a number of measures, including:issuing guidance to local planning authorities to focus retail development in or next to town centres through policies and proposals in their development plans;
  advising on good practice for local authorities to help them implement this guidance; and
  encouraging positive promotion of town centres and town centre management.

  I intend to consider this matter further, among other issues, at a symposium on quality in town and country which I am hosting on 12 December.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to issue new guidance on change of use of buildings in town centres.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Current planning policy guidance on the change of use of buildings in town centres is contained in planning policy guidance note No. 6, "Town Centres and Retail Developments", issued in July 1993. There are no current proposals to issue new guidance.

  There are, however, proposals to extend permitted development rights so that the use of space above shops can be changed to a single flat or back again without a planning application, provided there is no material alteration to the outside of the building.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homeless families there are(a) nationally, (b) in Greater London and (c) in Redbridge; how many there were in 1979; and what plans he has to reduce the numbers.

  Mr. Curry
  During the 12 months ending June this year 128,062 households were accepted as statutorily homeless by local authorities in England, 30,920 by the London boroughs and 586 by the London borough of Redbridge. The equivalent figures for 1979 were 55,530, 16,400 and 311. The number of acceptances over the previous 12 months has now fallen for nine successive quarters.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the most recent homelessness figures.

  Mr. Curry
  The most recent figures show that for nine quarters in succession English local authorities have accepted fewer households as statutorily homeless than in the same period 12 months previously. Moreover, the number of households in temporary accommodation fell 13 per cent. and the number in bed-and-breakfast hotels went down 27 per cent., compared with 12 months earlier. I find these figures encouraging.

  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will make a statement about the Government's plans in respect of homelessness legislation.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  As my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Housing, Inner Cities and Construction told the House on 18 July 1994,Official Report, columns 21–23, we intend to introduce legislation when parliamentary time permits.

  Food Retailers
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to encourage genuine competition between different food retailers.

  Mr. Gummer
  My policy is to locate retail development in or near town centres where the proximity of competing businesses facilitates competition from which consumers can benefit.

  The market place remains the main stimulus to competition. Through planning policy guidance notes Nos. 6 and 13, competition is being encouraged to take place in a way that reinforces rather than undermines the vitality and viability of existing town centres.

  Environmental Protection
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in environmental protection in the last year.

  Mr. Atkins
  Significant progress has been made over the last twelve months. This will be extensively reported both in my Department's annual report early next year and in the annual White Paper report on the environment which I will publish in spring.

  Environmentally Friendly Transport
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussion he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport to encourage the use of environmentally friendly transport.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend regularly discusses matters concerning transport and the environment with our right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. Most recently, we discussed the Government's initial response to the report on transport produced by the Royal Commission on environmental pollution.

  Council House Sales
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses have been sold to sitting tenants in England since May 1979.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  More than 1.4 million tenants bought their homes from English local authorities and new towns between April 1979 and June 1994.

  Housing Association Rents
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the current levels of housing association rents.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We have received 230 representations concerning the level of housing association rents since 1 January 1994.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage increase in rents for new housing association assured tenancies between 1989 and 1994; and what has been the changes in retail prices index over the same period.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Average rents for new housing association assured tenancies increased by 84.5 per cent. between 1989 and the first half of 1994. Over the same period, the proportion of the total housing association stock represented by these lettings rose from 10 per cent. to 14 per cent.
  725
  The retail prices index increased by 24.4 per cent. over the same period.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with local authorities on this year's standard spending assessment settlement.

  Mr. Curry
  I have had discussions with the local authority associations in the Consultative Council on Local Government Finance. Ministers have also received delegations from individual local authorities, including one from Coventry city council on 24 November 1994.

  Private Housing Renewal Programmes
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a statement on the outcome of his consultation on the future of private housing renewal programmes.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I am still considering the options for longer-term changes to the house renovation grant system following last year's public consultation. We will make an announcement in due course.

  River Thames
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the River Thames can be put to better use.

  Mr. Gummer
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the member for Wimbledon (Dr. Goodson-Wickes).

  Packaging Waste
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made recently to increase the percentage of packaging waste recycled.

  Mr. Atkins
  We have challenged the packaging industry to devise an industry-led scheme to substantially increase the recovery and recycling of packaging waste by the year 2000. The industry has published its proposals which would lead to a doubling of packaging value recovery levels to nearly 60 per cent. by the year 2000.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the effects on services in Northumberland of the standard spending assessment and capping systems.

  Mr. Curry
  My Department has received a large number of letters on this issue.

  Negative Equity
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the number of people trapped in negative housing equity; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  Estimates of negative equity vary. Based on Department of the Environment house price data, in the third quarter of 1994 an estimated 644,310 households were affected by negative equity. This is a fall of almost 9 per cent. on the second quarter and is 47 per cent. lower than the peak in the fourth quarter of 1992.
  726
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 22 November,Official Report, column 66, if he will provide a regional breakdown of households suffering negative equity and an estimate of the sums involved.

  Mr. Robert B Jones
  An estimate of the number of households affected by negative equity and the value of negative equity by region based on Department of the Environment house price data, is as follows:

  Region

  Number of households (thousands)

  Value (millions)

  South East

  346

  -1713

  Greater London

  80

  -248

  South West

  115

  -376

  East Anglia

  51

  -237

  East Midlands

  11

  -16

  West Midlands

  11

  -14

  Wales

  4

  -3

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  17

  -16

  North West

  7

  -3

  North

  1

  —

  Scotland

  —

  —

  Northern Ireland

  1

  -1

  United Kingdom

  644

  -2,628

  Arts, Museums and Libraries
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had on the effect of local government reorganisation on the funding of arts, museums and libraries by local authorities.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The Local Government Commission consults bodies connected with the arts, museums and library services before making recommendations for the structure of local government. We allow time to receive and consider representations from interested parties on those recommendations before taking decisions on them. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage is consulting representatives of the local authority associations and expert bodies in these fields with a view to issuing guidance, where necessary, to new authorities.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to reduce pollution in rivers.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We have ensured that the National Rivers Authority has the powers and the resources to maintain and improve the quality of our rivers. Around 90 per cent. of rivers in England and Wales are of good or fair quality.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has about the main sources of(a) pesticides and (b) phosphates in the water supply, given in order of importance with the percentage contribution made by each source.

  Mr. Atkins
  The pesticides most frequently detected in supplies are atrazine, simazine, diuron, isoproturon, mecoprop and chlorotoluron. The first three were mainly used for weed control in non-agricultural situations such as roads, railways and on other hard surfaces. However,
  727
  the approvals for the use of atrazine and simazine in these situations were withdrawn in August 1993. The other three pesticides are almost exclusively used for weed control in cereals. While concentrations of individual pesticides in drinking water sometimes exceed the legal requirement of 0.1 ilg/litre, there is no evidence that any of these contraventions was of such a magnitude or duration as to endanger the health of consumers. Investment is in hand to deal with these exceedances.

  Phosphates can be found in water supplies derived from surface water sources; groundwater sources usually contain insignificant levels. Phosphates originate mainly from sewage effluents, industrial effluents or from agricultural run-off from inorganic fertilisers.

  Figures for the percentage contribution for pesticides and phosphates from each source are not available as the respective amounts vary between rural and urban environments and between ground water and surface water sources and at different times of the year.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost in the last three years to water and river authorities of making water supplies drinkable.

  Mr. Atkins
  Water industry capital expenditure on the drinking water compliance programme during the period 1990–91 to 1993–94 was around £2.5 billion at 1993–94 prices.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost of removing(a) pesticides and (b) phosphates from the water supply in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Atkins
  Information is not available in the form requested. However I understand that capital expenditure by water companies in England and Wales on new treatment to remove pesticides from water put into supply was £122 million in 1992–93 and that in 1993–94 and 1994–95 companies were planning to spend £170 million and £207 million respectively. There is not normally a requirement to remove phosphate from water before it is put into supply as drinking water.

  Integrated Pollution Control
  Mr. Brandreth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes are to be made to the scheme of fees and charges for integrated pollution control operated by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  Mr. Atkin
  Minor changes to the HMIP Integrated Pollution Control Fees and Charges Scheme 1994–95 take effect from 1 December 1994. They are consequent upon changes in the governing legislation made by Statutory Instruments Nos. 1271—The Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 1994, and 1329—The Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances etc.) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1994. Copies of the amendment to the scheme are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has made to each recommendation proposed by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux in its document entitled "Taxing 728
  Times, CAB Evidence on the Council Tax", dated September 1994.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration wrote to the chief executive of the national: association on 17 October responding to each recommendation which relates to the policy and legislative framework of the council tax. A copy of his letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to tackle severe air pollution, including winter smog.

  Mr. Atkins
  Many measures are already in place to reduce emissions of pollutants into the air. These include catalytic converters, which have been required on all cars since the end of 1992. As a result, the risk of episodes of high pollution is expected to decrease over the next few years. In March, the Government published a consultation paper, "Improving Air Quality", which initiated wide-ranging and constructive debate. The Government intend to publish then proposals shortly.

  Women's Refuges
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made towards achieving a comprehensive network of women's refuge provision; what was the outcome of the consideration by Ministers of the need for improved co-ordination of refuge provision; what information he has about local authorities without a refuge in their area; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The provision of women's refuge is best decided by local authorities and other agencies taking into account issues such as the local supply of housing available for short-term use in emergency situations. The ministerial group on domestic: violence met on 17 May and discussed, among other issues, the need for a centrally co-ordinated policy on refuge provision. The Group agreed to consider this further at its next meeting.

  The Department does not hold information about the: number of local authorities without a refuge in their area.

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

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Officials have been asked to investigate the feasibility of publishing a range of departmental information through Internet. No firm decision has yet been taken by the Department to use this service.

  Race Bank
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish the Hull university report on the dredging on Race Bank; and if he: will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Atkins
  The report was commissioned by the National Rivers Authority and it is up to them to decide
  729
  whether or not to publish it and whether to place a copy in the House Library.

  Rented Housing
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  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; and what the figure was for 1978–79.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment gave to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfed Morris) on 29 November 1994.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken within his Department to support his sponsorship of the construction industry.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Following a reorganisation of sponsorship activities last year, my Department has undertaken, and is continuing to undertake, an enhanced range of activities to encourage the success and competitiveness of the construction industry both at home and overseas.

  These include:

  Consultation arrangements between the Department and the industry, comprising twice-yearly meetings between the Secretary of State for the Environment and senior industry representatives on strategic issues; regular briefing meetings between the industry representatives and Ministers on specific construction-related topics, thus enabling Ministers to hear industry's views and concerns at first hand; meetings of a consultative group set up to discuss current issues and concerns at official level; a consultative committee on construction industry statistics set up to discuss initiatives on the provision of statistical and market intelligence information; and the publication of "Construction Monitor", a monthly newsletter published with Building magazine, containing European, United Kingdom and statistical information.

  Sponsorship activities, including helping to take forward the implementation of the Latham Report into the construction industry's procurement and contractual arrangements; progressing the practical implementation of the Construction Products Directive; the establishment with the industry of the Construction Procurement Group which aims to help reduce the United Kingdom's excessive trade deficit in construction products; the launch of a Construction Benchmarking Challenge which is providing financial assistance towards the establishment of four benchmarking clubs; carrying out strategic analyses of specific sectors of the industry to identify ways of improving Government support; proposals to promote prompt payment arrangements in Government construction contracts through use of standard contract conditions; provision of an improved range of statistics and other information to help industry decision makers; policy opposition to the use of on-demand bonds; and proposals to reform the Architects' Registration Acts to simplify the current system.

  Research and Innovation initiatives, including the establishment of a whole industry research strategy group
  730
  to develop a joint Government industry strategy for research and innovation; establishment of a construction industry panel under the Government's Technology Foresight programme; increasing the proportion of total research and development spend allocated to collaborative projects funded jointly with industry; the launch of the construction industry European research club with strong DoE encouragement to help the United Kingdom construction industry to increase its participation in European research, and gain increased access to funding; the launch of the LINK/IDAC integration in design and construction programme to encourage improvements in the quality and competitiveness of the United Kingdom construction industry through academic/industry research into the construction process; and support for the Construction Quality Forum which seeks to improve quality in construction through information exchange.

  Export Services, including carrying out six trade missions in 1994, the setting up of a number of building material task forces; the production of a new video to promote the British construction industry around the world; and the organisation of inward visits by overseas clients.

  Ealing Council
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the financial balances of Ealing council in(a) May 1990 and (b) May 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Ealing council reported a deficit in reserves of £12,000 at 1 April 1990 and a surplus in reserves at 1 April 1994 of £40,891,000 (or £43,682,000 including those earmarked for local management of schools).

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many bids under the single regeneration budget have been received by his Department; and what is the amount of money that is to be allocated.

  Mr. Curry
  A total of 469 bids were received by Government offices in the regions for funding from the single regeneration budget. A total of £125 million will be allocated to bidders in respect of successful projects in 1995–96, subject to satisfactory performance.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what payment will be made to support small businesses under the single regeneration budget in 1995–96; and what is the percentage difference from the provision made for this purpose in the current year.

  Mr. Curry
  Support for small businesses is one of the priorities of the single regeneration budget and commitments from constituents programmes, including the business start-up scheme and regional enterprise grant, will continue to be honoured in 1995–96. The overall level of resources given to support small businesses in 1995–96 will depend upon the outcome of the first bidding round.

  Repossessions
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of the number of
  731
  households likely to lose their home through repossession for mortgage arrears in the next 12 months.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The Department does not make forecasts of the number of households likely to lose their home through repossession for mortgage arrears.

  The latest available figures on mortgage possessions were published by the Council for Mortgage Lenders in July. These showed that in the first half of 1994, 25,020 properties were taken into possession by mortgage lenders, representing 0.24 per cent. of all mortgaged properties. This compared with 31,780 in the first half of 1993, and 26,760 in the second half of 1993.

  The figures for the second half of 1994 and 1994 as a whole will be published by the CML on Wednesday 25 January 1995.

  Dog Fouling
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to act upon the recommendations of the advisory group on litter concerning dog fouling; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The period for consultation on the Advisory Group's recommendations ended on 14 October and we have been considering the comments made. The Government's response to the advisory group will be made in due course.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My Department holds 14 top secret and some 1,900 secret files. These represent 0.1 per cent. of all files held.

  Council Rents
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the average levels of council rent in each London borough at constant prices for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I have today placed in the Library a table showing the average weekly local

  Total stock at 1 April 1994

  Empty at 1 April 1994

  Empty as percentage of total stock

  Target for reduction of number of empty properties held at 1 April 19941

  Department of Transport

  3,845

  887

  23

  484

  Home Office

  4,5242

  498

  11

  335

  Ministry of Defence

  68,106

  11,006

  16

  3.5503

  Department of Health

  15,0004

  1,8005

  12

  700

  Scottish Office

  1,6016

  158

  10

  60

  Welsh Office

  239

  437

  18

  37

  Notes:

  1 Includes properties to be sold, leased or reoccupied.

  2 Excludes figures for the provincial police authorities.

  3 Targets relate to stock figures at 1 April 1994. More properties will become empty during the year as others are occupied or disposed of.

  4 Most up-to-date figures available are as at 31 December 1992.

  5 Excludes bed-spaces in hostels.

  6 NHS figures included in the stock are as at 1 April 1993.

  7 Excludes properties awaiting demolition or conversion to non-residential use.

  732
  authority rents for each London borough for the financial years 1988–89 to 1994–95, expressed in constant prices. Information for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Safer Cities
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce the selection o contractors to manage the next wave of safer cities projects.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I am pleased to announce that, following a tender competition, contractors have been selected to manage the 20 new safer cities projects which my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Housing, Inner Cities and Construction announced on 15 July 1994.

  After careful evaluation of the tenders, three organisations have been chosen to run the projects: Crime Concern, the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders and the Society of Voluntary Associates. All three organisations have significant experience in crime prevention, project management, and working with voluntary agencies.

  Crime Concern will manage projects in Bolton, Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea, Portsmouth, Southwark and Westminster.

  NACRO will manage projects in Bournemouth, Brighton, Easington, Great Grimsby, Merseyside, Norwich, Oxford, Sandwell, Scunthorpe, Wansbeck and York.

  SOVA will manage projects in Camden, Lincoln and Newham.

  We expect preliminary work to begin December, and projects will start to come on stream early in the new year.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce targets for the reduction of Government Departments' empty residential property; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  In response to the report of the task force on Government Departments' empty houses, the Government undertook to monitor empty residential property owned by Departments and to set annual targets. Targets for reduction in 1994–95 are set out in the table.
  733
  We will monitor performance and publish achievement against these targets at the end of the financial year.

  My Department will shortly issue revised guidance for Government Departments on how to secure better use of their empty residential property. This will reflect the recommendations made by the task force. The Welsh Office will issue similar guidance separately.

  Notes

  1. Includes properties to be sold, leased or reoccupied.

  2. Excludes figures for the provincial police authorities.

  3. Targets relate to stock figures at 1 April 1994. More properties will become empty during the year as others are occupied or disposed of.

  4. Most up-to-date figures available are as at 31 December 1992.

  5. Excludes bed-spaces in hostels.

  6. NHS figures included in the stock are as at 1 April 1993.

  7. Excludes properties awaiting demolition or conversion to non-residential use.

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those countryside stewardship scheme sites which have been withdrawn from the scheme for allowing additional public access, the grounds on which each decision was taken, the date when payments ceased and whether the Government will seek repayment of moneys already spent for which the contracted services or public access was not satisfactorily delivered.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 23 November 1994]: Information about countryside stewardship agreements with access elements, which have been either terminated or amended through the removal of the access element, is given below. There are various reasons for the termination or amendment of agreements, including the sale of the property, the death or bankruptcy of the scheme participant, or non-compliance with the conditions of the agreement. Payments under the scheme are made annually in arrears and in eight cases payments had not been made before the agreements came to an end or were amended. In other cases, payments were withdrawn. In no case was repayment of grant required. The management of the scheme, including the negotiation of agreements with scheme participants, is a matter for the Countryside Commission.

  Region

  Year of agreement

  Number of agreements terminated or where access element removed

  South West

  1991

  5

  1992

  2

  Eastern

  1991

  2

  1992

  1

  1993

  1

  North West

  1992

  1

  Midland

  1991

  5

  1992

  2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1991

  1

  South East

  1991

  4

  Northern

  1991

  1

SCOTLAND

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the management allowances payments made to general practitioner fund-holding practices and practices preparing to be fundholders(a) by value and (b) in total for each (i) family health services authority and (ii) region.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is given in the table. GP fundholding has delivered many improvements in quality of care for patients. The costs of the management allowance—at about 2 per cent. of budgets set presents excellent value for money. These figures are only available for those years for which audited health board accounts have been completed.

  Health Board

  1990–91 £000

  1991–92 £000

  1992–93 £000

  Argyll and Clyde

  16

  59

  134

  Ayrshire and Arran

  —

  —

  77

  Borders

  —

  —

  26

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  Fife

  —

  27

  36

  Forth Valley

  —

  23

  86

  Grampian

  —

  85

  539

  Greater Glasgow

  —

  35

  90

  Highland

  —

  —

  32

  Lanarkshire

  —

  —

  178

  Lothian

  16

  33

  119

  Ork

  —

  —

  —

  ney

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside

  5

  44

  193

  Western Isle

  —

  —

  —

  Scotland

  37

  306

  1,510

  (1) The expenditure includes both revenue and capital components.

  Highlands and Islands Objective/Status
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress towards the implementation of agricultural measures under Highlands and Islands objective 1 status, following his Department's consultation process which ended on 31 May; if he will indicate the number and range of responses received; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Department received 17 responses earlier this year to its consultation paper on the proposed Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme from local authorities, agricultural and wildlife organisations, and a range of other public and private bodies. Most of the responses broadly welcomed the proposals. The Highlands and Islands agricultural programme, modified in the light of comments received and discussions with the European Commission, was approved for European Community funding on 29 July. The approved programme has three elements: the agricultural business improvement scheme, which is expected to open for applications towards the end of December; the crofting township development scheme, which should start next January; and the marketing scheme, which should come into operation next spring.

  Health Care International
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the rough estimate of the cost of adapting the Health Care International hospital for use as an NHS hospital, referred to in his answer of 31 October,Official Report, column 964.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The very rough estimate given was at least £25 million. The actual figure would of course depend on the specification.

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

  Mr. Lang
  My Department employs two special advisers, although one post is presently vacant.

  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, which starts at £19,503. Appointments are non-pensionable, and the salary spine reflects this.

  Rent Acts
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider extending the amendment of the definition of residential occupier in terms of section 22(5) of the Rent (Scotland) Act 1984, in relation to any premises to a person occupying such premises and willing to make payment of a rental in respect thereof who has been denied security of tenure by his or her landlord for the express object of eviction.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are no plans at present to change the definition of residential occupier.

  Glasgow North Ltd.
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the most recent deficit of Glasgow North Ltd.;

  (2) how many staff are currently employed by Glasgow North Ltd.; and if he will place a list of their grades in the Library;

  (3) what amounts have been given to date in interest free loans to the staff of Glasgow North Ltd.;

  (4) how many senior officials of Glasgow North Ltd. resigned in the last two weeks;

  (5) how many visits (a) to the United States of America and (b) elsewhere abroad representatives of Glasgow North Ltd. made in the past two years; and what was the cost per person and duration of such trips.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  These are matters for Glasgow North Limited. The Secretary of State has no locus in the management of the company.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a list of the urban aid projects for which Glasgow North Ltd. has responsibility and also indicating(a) how many staff have been allocated to each project and (b) the capital and revenue costs for each.

  Lords James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:736

  Urban programme projects currently managed by Glasgow North Ltd.

  Project title

  Number of staff

  Capital costs £

  Annual revenue costs (for four years) £

  Regeneration through reskilling

  9

  12,900

  222,800

  Community economic development project

  3

  4,160

  71,000

  Rosemount business start-up units

  2

  44,500

  43,940

  Information technology bus

  2

  90,000

  71,300

  Jobs from construction

  2

  4,900

  120,400

  Three initiatives (development of local regeneration strategies)

  7

  122,900

  201,1C0

  Access to training opportunities resource

  —

  —

  1106,000

  Child care employment and development projects

  2

  13,500

  127,200

  1 Funding is used to provide job specific training packages to enable individuals to compete more favourably in the labour market.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Scotland what was the budget submitted for the IT Bus project owned by Glasgow North Ltd.; and what was the eventual cost.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The costs submitted for the IT bus project in the 1993–94 urban programme competition were as follows:

  £

  Capital expenditure

  90,000

  Annual revenue expenditure (for four years)

  71,300

  I understand from Glasgow district council, the sponsoring local authority, that the level of urban programme capital funds expended on the project was within budget.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what urban aid projects have been awarded to Glasgow North Ltd. in the years(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94; and if he will give the value of these projects.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information is as follows:

  Project title

  Capital cost £

  Annual revenue cost (for four years)£

  1992–93

  Community economic development project

  4,160

  71,000

  1993–94

  Rosemount business start-up units

  44,500

  43,940

  Information technology bus

  90,000

  71,300

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

  Mr. Lang
  My Department's press releases are already available via Internet. My officials are considering the provision of further selected information.

  Historic Scotland
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reasons Historic Scotland was denied access on payment, to the direct labour force of English Heritage based at Berwick, for work on sites in the Tweed valley.

  National health service patients seen at private hospitals, 1992

  Health board of residence/hospital

  Specialty general surgery

  Orthopaedics

  Cardiothoracic surgery

  Plastic surgery

  Acute mixed

  All specialities

  Argyll and Clyde

  Ross Hall

  —

  70

  19

  —

  —

  89

  Nuffield

  —

  —

  —

  —

  44

  44

  Total

  —

  70

  19

  —

  44

  133

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Ross Hall

  —

  2

  31

  —

  —

  33

  Nuffield

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Total

  —

  2

  31

  —

  2

  35

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Ross Hall

  —

  —

  11

  —

  —

  11

  Total

  —

  —

  11

  —

  11

  Fife

  Ross Hall

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  3

  Total

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  3

  Forth Valley

  Ross Hall

  —

  —

  19

  —

  —

  19

  Total

  —

  —

  19

  —

  —

  19

  Greater Glasgow

  Bon Secours

  —

  —

  —

  1

  5

  6

  Nuffield

  —

  —

  —

  1

  65

  66

  Ross Hall

  —

  —

  70

  —

  1

  71

  Total

  —

  —

  70

  2

  71

  143

  Lanarkshire

  Ross Hall

  —

  —

  19

  —

  1

  20

  Nuffield

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  9

  Total

  —

  —

  19

  —

  10

  29

  Lothian

  Ross Hall

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  4

  Nuffield

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Murrayfield

  8

  —

  —

  —

  1

  9

  Total

  8

  —

  4

  —

  2

  14

  Tayside

  Ross Hall

  —

  —

  54

  —

  —

  54

  Total

  —

  —

  54

  —

  —

  54

  Western Isles

  Ross Hall

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Total

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  738
  Mr. Lang
  Under the National Heritage Act 1983, English Heritage does not have powers to carry out works on sites situated outside England.

  Private Hospitals
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which health boards in Scotland have purchased treatment from private sector hospitals; which private hospitals have had such contracts; which medical specialities and what number of patients have been involved; and what is the value of such contracts.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: Centrally available information on NHS patients treated in Private Hospitals is shown in the tables. The information shown refers to health board of residence and may include treatments purchased by GP fundholders.
  739

  National health service patients seen at private hospitals, 1992

  Health board of residence/hospital

  Specialty general surgery

  Orthopaedics

  Cardiothoracic surgery

  Plastic surgery

  Acute mixed

  All specialities

  Scotland

  Bon Secours

  —

  —

  —

  1

  5

  6

  Nuffield

  —

  —

  —

  1

  121

  122

  Ross Hall

  —

  72

  231

  —

  2

  305

  Murrayfield

  8

  —

  —

  —

  1

  9

  Total

  8

  72

  231

  2

  129

  442

  National health service patients seen at private hospitals, 1993

  Health board of residence/hospital

  Specialty general surgery

  Plastic surgery

  Acute mixed

  All specialities

  Argyll and Clyde

  Bon Secours

  —

  6

  4

  10

  Nuffield

  —

  4

  94

  98

  Ross Hall

  1

  17

  1

  19

  Total

  1

  27

  99

  127

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Bon Secours

  —

  6

  2

  8

  Nuffield

  —

  1

  9

  10

  Ross Hall

  —

  10

  11

  21

  Total

  —

  17

  17

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Bon Secours

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Ross Hall

  —

  4

  —

  4

  Total

  —

  5

  —

  5

  Fife

  Ross Hall

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Total

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Forth Valley

  Bon Secours

  —

  2

  2

  4

  Nuffield

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Ross Hall

  —

  3

  —

  3

  Total

  —

  5

  3

  8

  Grampian

  Ross Hall

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Total

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Greater Glasgow

  Bon Secours

  —

  33

  59

  92

  Nuffield

  —

  7

  27

  34

  Ross Hall

  17

  33

  —

  50

  Total

  17

  73

  86

  176

  Lanarkshire

  Bon Secours

  —

  23

  11

  34

  Nuffield

  —

  8

  26

  34

  Ross Hall

  —

  3

  —

  3

  Total

  —

  34

  37

  71

  Lothian

  Murrayfield

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Total

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Western Isles

  Nuffield

  —

  1

  1

  2

  Total

  —

  1

  1

  2

  740 741

  National health service patients seen at private hospitals, 1993

  Health board of residence/hospital

  Specialty general surgery

  Plastic surgery

  Acute mixed

  All specialities

  Scotland

  Non Secours

  —

  71

  78

  149

  Nuffleld

  —

  21

  158

  179

  Ross Hall

  18

  72

  1

  91

  Murrayfield

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Total

  18

  164

  238

  420

  Newcastle Disease
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of Newcastle disease were identified in each year since 1985.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: There have been no recorded cases of Newcastle disease in Scotland over this period.

  Forests
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and which local authorities have responded to the consultation paper, "Our Forests, the Way Ahead;" and how many and which local authorities have expressed reservations about the proposal to continue with the disposal of woodland and the loss of public access in these woodlands.

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: Four local authorities in Scotland have responded: Highland regional council, Kincardine and Deeside district council, Midlothian district council and Strathclyde regional council. Each of these local authorities has expressed reservations about the proposals for securing public access to woodlands sold by the Forestry Commission, although the sale of woodlands does not, of course, necessarily lead to a loss of public access.

WALES

  Drugs
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the budget for 1992–93 for the education of young people about the effects of substance abuse and drug taking;

  (2) what was the budget for 1993–94 for the education of young people about the effects of substance abuse and drug taking.

  Mr. Richards
  Drug prevention work is undertaken by a number of agencies from both the statutory and voluntary sectors, which receive funds from various sources. In 1992–93 the Welsh Office made available some £200,000 to help fund activities concerned with the prevention of drug misuse. The budget for 1993–94 was nearly £240,000. Funding is also available to local education authorities for health education (including drugs) under the grants for education support and training programme.

  Environmental Protection Agency
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish a separate environmental protection agency for Wales.
  742
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government feel that a joint agency will be most effective in addressing current problems, most of which are common to England and Wales.

  Concessionary Travel
  Mr. Llywd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will assist local authorities to extend the provision of concessionary travel to pensioners; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Local councils in Wales already provide concessionary fares schemes for pensioners. Money from the taxpayer for such schemes is provided through the local government revenue settlement. It is for individual councils to decide on the financial support that they wish to allocate for this purpose.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information is as follows:(a) five (b) 84. These represent 0.008 per cent. of the Department's holding of files.

  Dog Fouling
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he proposes to act upon the recommendations of the advisory group on litter concerning dog fouling; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside.

  Housing Finance
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will consult on his housing revenue account subsidy proposals for 1995–96; and what his proposals will be.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office has issued draft housing revenue account subsidy determinations for 1995–96 today. Local authorities and other consultees have been invited to let us have their views by 22 December 1994. I will be placing copies of the draft determinations together with estimates of guideline rents and management and maintenance allowances in the Library of the House. The proposed average guideline rent for 1995–96 is £33.58 a week. Increases range between £1.82 and £2.82 a week according to the estimated capital values of each authority's stock.

  The proposed average management and maintenance allowance per dwelling would increase by 3.75 per cent to £854, an increase of £31. Across Wales the total estimated

  743
  management and maintenance allowances would increase to nearly £177 million. Thirty-two councils would have a higher allowance than in 1994–95 while no authority will have a lower per dwelling allowance than this year.

  These proposals strike a reasonable balance between the need to contain public expenditure and the need to ensure that housing is provided for council tenants at acceptable cost. The overall percentage increase in guideline rents is lower than in 1994–95.

  Local authorities determine their own expenditure and set their own rents, but I hope that they will follow the Government's lead in adopting a balanced approach.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Christmas Expenditure
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. Hague
  The cost of decorations, Christmas parties and other festive activities is not normally met out of departmental budgets. For details of total expenditure on official hospitality, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 28 October 1994,Official Report, column 857. Disaggregated information of the kind requested is not available.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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.

  Mr. Hague
  Ministers at this Department intend to send 930 official Christmas cards in 1994, at a cost of £384.75, inclusive of value added tax. Postage costs are estimated at a maximum of £176.70. Staff time spent on the process will be minimal.

  Copies of the official Christmas card are on order and so not yet available. Copies will be placed in the Library later.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he will publish tables to show, for each Child Support Agency office,(a) performance in relation to overall clearance targets, (b) the total number of cases outstanding, (c) the number of people who have requested that their assessments be reviewed due to change of circumstances, (d) the number of cases still outstanding and how many of those have been outstanding for longer than (i) six months and (ii) 12 months and (e) how many appeals are outstanding, and for how long.

  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.
  744
  Letter from Ann Chant to Mr. Mark Fisher, dated 29 November 1994:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the performance of the Child Support Agency against overall clearance targets and the number and age of change of circumstances reviews and appeals.
  The Agency does not collect all of the information in the format that your require. The information available relates to each Child Support Agency Centre (CSAC) and is shown in the attached tables.
  Prior to August 1994 the Agency did not count the number of reviews requested following a change of circumstance. Since August, the Agency has identified the age of all such outstanding reviews and has monitored the issue of review forms.
  I hope that this reply is of help.

  Time taken to clear cases - between 1 April 1994 and 30 September 1994

  Per cent.

  40 days or less

  38

  More than 40 days and up to 100 days

  10

  More than 100 days

  52

  B) Total cases outstanding at 30 September 1994

  Number

  Dudley

  64,191

  Hastings

  58,569

  Falkirk

  86,344

  Plymouth

  68,520

  Birkenhead

  89,237

  Belfast

  106,953

  Agency

  473,814

  C) Change of circumstance review forms issued

  CSAC

  August

  September

  Total

  Dudley

  480

  305

  785

  Hastings

  598

  466

  1,064

  Falkirk

  174

  124

  298

  Plymouth

  618

  673

  1,291

  Birkenhead

  249

  493

  742

  Belfast

  187

  128

  315

  Agency

  2,306

  2,189

  4,495

  D) Change of circumstance review requests outstanding—by age at 30 September 1994

  CSAC

  0–3 months

  3–6 months

  > 6 months

  Dudley

  1,757

  1,174

  2,072

  Hastings

  3,199

  475

  104

  Falkirk

  1,166

  139

  6

  Plymouth

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A1

  Birkenhead

  761

  188

  191

  Belfast

  513

  281

  130

  Agency2

  7,396

  2,252

  2,503

  1 Figures not available for Plymouth CSAC in this format. Total number of reviews outstanding at Plymouth CSAC = 4,113.

  2 Does not include total figure for Plymouth CSAC.

  E) Appeals outstanding by age at 30 September

  CSAC

  0–3 months

  3–6 months

  >6 months

  Dudley

  284

  14

  —

  Hastings

  137

  131

  88

  Falkirk

  300

  215

  —

  Plymouth

  499

  165

  6

  Birkenhead

  449

  123

  —

  745

  E) Appeals outstanding by age at 30 September

  CSAC

  0–3 months

  3–6 months

  > 6 months

  Belfast

  204

  143

  51

  Agency

  1,873

  791

  145

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

  Mr. Hague
  This Department employs one special adviser.

  Table a. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for employed people

  Standard Statistical Regions

  May 1989

  May 1990

  Housing Benefit (thousands) May 1991

  May 1992

  May 1993

  Council Tax Benefit (thousands) May 1993

  North (including Cumbria)

  12

  11

  16

  14

  18

  25

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  14

  26

  16

  24

  21

  33

  East Midlands

  11

  13

  14

  17

  17

  25

  East Anglia

  9

  8

  8

  9

  11

  13

  London

  33

  34

  42

  44

  47

  30

  South East (excluding London)

  28

  32

  43

  41

  46

  43

  South West

  18

  21

  22

  22

  24

  28

  West Midlands

  24

  24

  24

  25

  24

  29

  North West (excluding Cumbria)

  30

  21

  29

  29

  35

  54

  Wales

  11

  15

  12

  11

  13

  11

  Scotland

  36

  32

  30

  31

  32

  31

  Great Britain

  226

  236

  255

  268

  288

  321

  Source:

  The Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System annual 1 per cent. sample enquiry taken at the end of May for each year.

  Notes:

  1. For Housing Benefit, comparable figures, including the regional analysis, are not available prior to 1989.

  2. Council Tax Benefit was introduced in April 1993. Figures for Community Charge Benefit are not comparable.

  3. The figures given are those cases without Income Support who have earnings, which may be part-time or full time.

  4. The figures are for benefit units, not individuals. A benefit unit may be a couple or a single person.

  5. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand. Therefore the sum of the regions may not equal the total for Great Britain.

  Table b. Family Cridit

  Family Credit Thousands

  DSS administrative regions

  May 1989

  May 1990

  May 1991

  May 1992

  May 1993

  Northern

  54

  56

  62

  72

  88

  Midlands

  54

  58

  66

  74

  91

  London north

  32

  35

  39

  45

  57

  London south

  27

  28

  31

  38

  48

  Wales and south west

  46

  47

  49

  57

  68

  North western

  53

  53

  59

  65

  79

  Scotland

  37

  38

  42

  47

  57

  Great Britain

  303

  315

  347

  397

  489

  Source:

  Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of awards as at the end of May each year.

  Note:

  1. Family Credit replaced Family Income Supplement in April 1988.

  2. Figures relate to families. A family includes at least one person in employment as an employee or self employed.

  3. In April 1992, the qualifying hours for Family Credit were reduced from 24 to 16.
  746
  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.

  Benefits
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide comparable figures both regionally and nationally on the number of employed people claiming(a) housing benefit, (b) council tax benefit and (c) family credit in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information is set out in the tables.

  4. The figures are shown by DSS administrative region, as a breakdown by standard statistical region is not available.

  5. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand. Therefore the sum of the regions may not equal the total for Great Britain.

  Income Support
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the most recent figures to date, and over the most recently available 12-month period, of those couples who are eligible under the current £15 earnings disregard rule; and, where the claimant has been unemployed for two years or more,(a) how many have declared earnings from part-time employment of less than £15 per week and (b) how many have had their income support payments abated because their earnings from part-time employment have exceeded £15 per week.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available in the form requested. The number of couples who are eligible for the £15 disregard is in the table:
  747

  All cases

  No disability premium in payment

  Disability premium in payment

  All Cases

  31,000

  25,000

  6,000

  Joint Part Time Earnings for: up to £15.00

  11,000

  9,000

  2,000

  Over £15.00

  20,000

  16,000

  4,000

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry - February 1994.

  Habitual Residence Test
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of those refused benefits under the habitual residence test have appealed against the decision.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I am informed by the president of the Independent Tribunal Service, His Honour Judge Bassingthwaigthe, that this information is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is Government policy that all those refused income support under the habitual residence test should also be refused social fund grants, social fund loans and crisis loans regardless of their circumstances.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Social fund applicants must be in receipt of income support to be eligible for a community care grant or budgeting loan. Crisis loans are available to applicants who are not in receipt of benefit and may be paid to those who fail the habitual residence test.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many new claims for attendance allowance have been made to each disability benefit centre in each month since April 1992 which have either(a) resulted in an award or (b) been rejected; and, in each case, whether (i) examining medical practitioner evidence was provided, (ii) general practitioner factual reports were provided or (iii) the claim was decided solely on the statement of evidence provided by the claimant;

  (2) how many new claims for attendance allowance have been refused, broken down by reason for refusal, in each month since April 1992 at each disability benefit centre and for the country as a whole.

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of attendance allowance is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 29 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for information about Attendance Allowance (AA) claims at each Disability Benefit Centre (DBC).
  I apologise for the delay in providing you with this information.
  Information in respect of reasons for refusal of AA claims is not available. However, the information that is available has been enclosed and a copy has been placed in the Library.
  It should be noted that the figures given may not accurately reflect new claims received within each month at each DBC because relevant statistics are compiled at the date a claim is cleared rather than the date it is received.
  I hope you find this reply helpful

  Social Fund
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the annual administrative cost of the social fund; and how many complaints there have been from customers and their representatives in each region in relation to their applications in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration cost of the social fund in 1992–93, the most recent year for which figures are available, was £208 million. This amount includes expenditure on information technology development and capital costs of £17 million, including the investment costs of introducing the improved social fund computer system.

  Information concerning complaints about the social fund is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. An applicant for a discretionary payment who is dissatisfied with the decision has the right to have the application reconsidered by applying for a review. Information on the review process and details of the number of social fund review applications are given in the Secretary of State's annual report on the social fund for 1993–94. A copy for the report is in the Library.

  Widow's Benefit
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) widows and (b) war widows ceased to claim widow's benefit on re-marriage in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  For(a) information for the period 1 April 1989 to 31 September 1992 is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Provisional figures for the period since then are as follows:

  1 October 1992 to 31 March 1993 = 990

  1 April 1993 to 31 March 1994 = 2,050

  1 April 1994 to 30 September 1994 = 1,060

  Information on the number of widows who ceased on re-marriage to claim war widows pension is as follows:

  1990–60

  1991–48

  1992–32

  1993–34

  1994–411

  1January to October 1994 inclusive.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many social fund applications which have been turned down went to appeal in each region in each year since the establishment of the fund; and how many appeals were successful.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information requested, which is for the regulated social fund system, is set out in the
  749
  table below. A comprehensive and independent review system is available for those customers who are

  Social Fund—Sothern Territory

  Year

  Benefit

  Lodged appeals

  Appeals heard and decided

  Appeals heard and decided in appellants favour

  1987–88

  Funeral payments

  104

  55

  16

  Maternity payments

  145

  70

  14

  1988–89

  Funeral payments

  206

  159

  38

  Maternity payments

  178

  148

  35

  1989–90

  Funeral payments

  336

  191

  43

  Maternity payments

  257

  124

  19

  1990–91

  Funeral payments

  400

  232

  39

  Maternity payments

  240

  108

  18

  1991–92

  Funeral Payments

  433

  262

  70

  Maternity Payments

  220

  103

  25

  1992–93

  Funeral payments

  466

  247

  56

  Maternity payments

  168

  79

  29

  1993–94

  Funeral payments

  356

  211

  44

  Maternity payments

  144

  59

  13

  Social Fund Appleals—Wales and Central Territory

  Year

  Benefit

  Lodged appeals

  Appeals heard and decided

  Appeals heard and decided in appellants favour

  1987–88

  Funeral payments

  100

  29

  9

  Maternity payments

  249

  83

  5

  1988–89

  Funeral payments

  203

  164

  28

  Maternity payments

  264

  242

  28

  1989–90

  Funeral payments

  250

  198

  37

  Maternity payments

  232

  110

  14

  1990–91

  Funeral payments

  296

  214

  43

  Maternity payments

  138

  81

  12

  1991–92

  Funeral payments

  312

  195

  42

  Maternity payments

  151

  82

  16

  1992–93

  Funeral payments

  269

  155

  34

  Maternity payments

  173

  84

  15

  1993–94

  Funeral payments

  295

  155

  26

  Maternity payments

  132

  63

  14

  Social Fund Appleals—Scotland and Northern Territory

  Year

  Benefit

  Lodged appeals

  Appeals heard and decided

  Appeals heard and decided in appellants favour

  1987–88

  Funeral payments

  88

  26

  0

  Maternity payments

  176

  37

  6

  1988–89

  Funeral payments

  180

  126

  24

  Maternity payments

  305

  254

  39

  1989–90

  Funeral payments

  192

  154

  21

  Maternity payments

  187

  107

  17

  1990–91

  Funeral payments

  200

  116

  19

  Maternity payments

  141

  59

  12

  1991–92

  Funeral Payments

  245

  131

  23

  Maternity Payments

  149

  70

  6

  1992–93

  Funeral payments

  368

  195

  39

  Maternity payments

  195

  85

  14

  1993–94

  Funeral payment

  337

  162

  39

  Maternitypayments

  137

  53

  12

  Internet
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to provide information via Internet; and if he will make a statement.
  750
  dissatisfied with a decision arising out of applications to the discretionary social fund.

  Mr. Hague
  Department of Social Security press releases issued electronically through the Central Office of Information are already accessible to users of the Internet. CCTA1's Government information service,

  751
  launched last week, will help Departments make information more widely available and the Department is considering how to make best use of this new service to expand the range of information provided electronically.
  Note1: CCTA, now the Government Centre for Information Systems, is part of the Office of Public Service and Science.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current take up rate for child benefit; what is the annual administrative cost for child benefit; and how many complaints there have been from customers in each region over the past year in relation to their application.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Child benefit take-up is estimated to be nearly 100 per cent. The administrative cost for Child Benefit in 1992–93—the latest available—was £136.4 million. Information is not readily available to identify customer complaints by region and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to issue the incapacity benefit rules.

  Uprating Date

  ICA Standard Rate (£)

  Average gross weekly earnings (£)

  ICA as percentage of average earnings

  July 1976

  7.90

  68.38

  11.6

  November 1976

  9.20

  70.18

  13.1

  November 1977

  10.50

  76.19

  13.8

  November 1978

  11.70

  86.34

  13.6

  November 1979

  14.0

  102.82

  13.6

  November 1980

  16.30

  121.86

  13.4

  November 1981

  17.75

  135.87

  13.1

  November 1982

  19.70

  147.23

  13.4

  November 1983

  20.45

  158.05

  12.9

  November 1984

  21.50

  168.14

  12.8

  November 1985

  23.00

  182.51

  12.6

  July 1986

  23.25

  194.05

  12.0

  April 1987

  23.75

  202.16

  11.7

  April 1988

  24.75

  219.34

  11.3

  April 1989

  26.20

  240.55

  10.9

  April 1990

  28.20

  263.10

  10.7

  April 1991

  31.25

  285.65

  10.9

  April 1992

  32.55

  303.37

  10.7

  April 1993

  33.70

  315.45

  10.7

  April 1994

  34.50

  326.46

  10.6

  Notes:

  Average weekly earnings are those for all full-time adults employees.

  The table relates to standard rate ICA only. Information about dependency increases is not included.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what basis and what calculations are used to determine the level of(a) invalid care allowance and (b) carer premium.

  Mr. Hague
  The answers are as follows:

  (a) The standard rate of invalid care allowance is based on 60 per cent. of the standard retirement pension, and is uprated annually.

  (b) A carer premium of £10 a week was introduced in 1990 to provide some additional help in income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit, for carers. This too has been uprated annually.

  752
  Mr. Hague
  Regulations setting out the detailed provisions of incapacity benefit were laid before Parliament on 24 November 1994. Notes on these regulations are due to be placed in the Library on 1 December 1994.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the European Court of Justice to deal with the referral concerning the payment of invalidity benefit to women aged 60 to 65 years in the test case of Mrs. Graham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  A ruling by the European Court of Justice is not expected before July 1995 at the earliest.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of national average earnings invalid care allowance has been in each year since the benefit was introduced.

  Mr. Hague
  Invalid care allowance was never intended to be a wage for carers; some carers may also be in employment and benefit from the earnings limit.

  The information requested is in the table.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Mr. Hague
  The Department of Social Security holds approximately 200 top secret or secret files out of a total of approximately 500,000 files.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current proportion of local authority
  753
  and housing association tenants who receive housing benefit.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The proportions of local authority and housing association tenants who were receiving housing benefit at the end of 1993 were 65 per cent. and 53 per cent. respectively.

  Data Sources:
  The housing benefit management information systems quarterly caseload count at the end of November 1993.
  Housing and construction statistics December 1993, the latest date for which information is available.

  Mr. Coe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he intends to make changes to ensure that rent officers have sole jurisdiction for determining market rents for housing benefit purposes in the de-regulated private rented sector; and what implications this will have for rent assessment committees.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We intend, as soon as practicable, to amend regulations so that decisions by rent assessment committees will no longer bind local authorities when dealing with housing benefit claims. The only determinations to which local authorities will have to have regard for housing benefit purposes—for tenants in the de-regulated private rented sector—will be those made by the rent officer service. The proposed change would not remove existing rights to seek a determination from rent assessment committees on contractual rent levels. We will consult with the local authority associations in the normal way.

TREASURY

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures will be included in the 1995 Finance Bill to take forward the proposed changes to the construction industry tax deduction scheme.

  Sir George Young
  The 1995 Finance Bill will contain legislation providing for changes to the construction industry tax deduction scheme in accordance with the Government's announcement on 10 February 1994,Official Report, column 382.

  Life Assurance
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the taxation of unit-linked life insurance policies in the light of the High Court judgement in the case of Fuji v Aetna.

  Sir George Young
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs has today made a statement about the regulatory implications of this judgment.

  The uncertainty of the judgment has created about the tax position is also of concern to the Government, because of the volume of policyholders' money invested in policies which may be affected. In our view it is clearly in the interests of those policyholders that uncertainty should, so far as possible, be removed. It is also right that the tax treatment of policies already sold should follow the common understanding, at the time of their sale, that they were indeed insurance contracts. This understanding was shared by the insurers, their policyholders, and the Inland Revenue. We shall, if necessary, propose legislation to this effect.
  754
  We shall not be able to decide on the details of the legislation that may be required until the outcome of the appeal is known, but our broad intention would be to provide that where a contract which was not, as a matter of law, a contract of insurance has been entered into by a life insurance company of a friendly society on the basis that it was a contract of life insurance, with the consequence that it formed part of the long-term business of the insurer, then the contract would be treated, for all tax purposes, as though it were a contract of life insurance. We would propose to introduce provisions having analogous effect in relation to the reinsurance of such policies, and in relation to policies written outside the United Kingdom. We shall also consider, in the light of the final decision in the case, whether it is appropriate to propose similar legislation in relation to capital redemption contracts.

  The proposed legislation would apply to policies written at any time in the past, in relation to both past and future direct tax liabilities, except that tax liabilities which have already become final on a different basis will not be disturbed. In addition, where an assessment to income tax or capital gains tax that relates to a particular contract has been made on a taxpayer on the basis that the contract was not one of insurance, and become final, the proposed legislation will not apply to any other assessment to either of those taxes made on the same taxpayer, or on their personal representatives, in relation to the same contract. I should also emphasise that the effect of the legislation would simply be to re-characterise the contracts in question as contracts of life insurance, and would not otherwise affect their status for tax purposes. In general, the proposed legislation would not affect contracts to be written in the future, but we will consider the matter in the light of the final judgement in the Fuji case.

  Inland Revenue Powers
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government intends to publish the report of the independent inquiry by Mr. Philip Ely into the powers of the Board of Inland Revenue to call for the papers of tax accountants; and how the Government intend to proceed on the matter.

  Sir George Young
  I have asked the Inland Revenue to arrange for early publication of Mr. Ely's report, and to consult with the main representative bodies to seek the best way of implementing the report's recommendations with a view to further legislation.

  Unemployment Costs
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the cost of a registered unemployed person to the Exchequer in lost taxes and in unemployment related benefits.

  Mr. Aitken
  Information on the total cost of unemployment related benefits for Great Britain is given by the Department of Social Security in its annual report. In 1993–94 this is estimated to amount to £9,720 million. The average level of unemployment in 1993–94 was 2,750,000. The implied cost of an unemployed person is £3,535.

  Estimates of tax revenues forgone involve estimating the indirect and direct taxes unemployed people would pay in employment. Any attempt to estimate these figures would depend on a large number of assumptions. Such

  755
  assumptions are inevitably arbitrary and any estimate of the cost of lost taxes is subject to a high degree of uncertainty.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total cost to the Exchequer since 1979 to date of(a) lost taxes and (b) unemployment related benefits due to the levels of registered unemployment.

  Mr. Aitken
  The amount of lost taxes as a result of unemployment cannot be estimated reliably. Estimating the indirect and direct taxes an unemployed person would pay in employment depends on a large number of assumptions. Such assumptions are inevitably arbitrary.

  Information on the total cost of unemployment related benefits for Great Britain is given by the Department of Social Security in its annual report. Information for the years since 1978–79 is as follows:

  Year

  Total £million

  1978–79

  1,321

  1979–80

  1,409

  1980–81

  2,387

  1981–82

  3,666

  1982–83

  4,552

  1983–84

  5,671

  1984–85

  6,290

  1985–86

  6,936

  1986–87

  7,134

  1987–88

  6,381

  1988–89

  5,240

  1989–90

  4,310

  1990–91

  5,070

  1991–92

  7,530

  1992–93

  9,110

  1993–94

  9,720

  The figures are in cash terms, unadjusted for inflation.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can provide an estimate of net savings to the Exchequer if there was a one million reduction in the unemployment total.

  Mr. Aitken
  The Department of Social Security estimates that a 100,000 fall in unemployment in 1994–95 would reduce expenditure on unemployment-related benefits by £365 million. The implied savings for a 1 million fall in the unemployment total is £3,650 million.

  Tax Fraud
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the expenditure and return on tax fraud investigations in the financial year 1993–94.

  Sir George Young
  Inland Revenue investigations into possible or actual tax fraud cost £137 million, with a potential return of £1,310 million.

  Royal Household (Audit)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ensure that all the accounts of the royal household funded from the public purse are audited by the National Audit Office.

  Sir George Young
  All public money administered by the royal household are fully and professionally audited. The majority relates to the Department of National Heritage grant-in-aid for property services in the English 756
  occupied royal palaces, which is audited by the National Audit Office. The remainder is civil list expenditure, which is audited by the Treasury under the Civil List Audit Act 1816. The Government have no plans to change these arrangements.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is(a) the annual salary and (b) the cost to public funds of benefits in kind of (i) the head of the home civil service, (ii) the secretary to the Cabinet, (iii) the head of the foreign civil service and (iv) permanent secretaries and deputy secretaries in each department of Government.

  Sir George Young
  The annual salary of the head of the Home Civil Service, who is also Secretary of the Cabinet, is £118,179 with effect from 1 April 1994. The annual salary of the head of the diplomatic service with effect from 1 April 1994 is £110,563.

  Annual salaries for permanent secretaries, now grade 1 or grade 1A, and Deputy Secretaries, now grade 2, are listed in the table and are with effect from 1 April 1994.

  Central records of the cost of non-cash benefits for these staff are not maintained. Information on the entitlement to such benefits is contained in the civil service management code, a copy of which is in the Library.

  £

  Permanent Secretary to the Treasury

  Flat rate

  110,563

  Grade 1

  Flat rate

  95,051

  Grade 1A

  Flat rate

  87,435

  Grade 2

  Range maximum

  79,396

  Range minimum

  65,990

  Privatisation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each company privatised since 1979 with the total share issue in each case.

  Sir George Young
  It is not practical to list all companies that have been privatised as many were subsidiaries of nationalised industries and were sold by the parent body, not the Government; consequently, information is not held centrally for all such sales. The table shows the companies privatised by Government and the major subsidiaries sold by their parent body. For each, the equity proceeds accruing are also given.

  Major privatisations

  Company

  Year of sale1

  Gross equity proceeds2£million

  BP3

  1977

  8,334

  Fairey

  1980

  15

  British Aerospace

  1981

  700

  Cable and Wireless

  1981

  1,432

  Amersham International

  1982

  71

  NFC

  1982

  54

  Britoil

  1982

  998

  Associated British Ports

  1983

  100

  International Aeradio

  1983

  60

  Victaulic

  1983

  8

  Enterprise Oil

  1984

  392

  757

  Major privatisations

  Company

  Year of sale1

  Gross equity proceeds2 £million

  Jaguar

  1984

  297

  Sealink

  1984

  66

  BT

  1984

  14,654

  VSEL

  1986

  60

  British International Helicopters

  1986

  14

  National Bus Company (62 separate subsidiaries)

  1986

  7—

  British Gas

  1986

  5,584

  Leyland Bus

  1987

  4

  Unipart

  1987

  30

  British Airways

  1987

  892

  Royal Ordnance

  1987

  190

  DAB

  1987

  7

  Rolls-Royce

  1987

  1,348

  Istel

  1987

  48

  BAA

  1987

  1,225

  British Transport Advertising

  1987

  40

  National Seed Development Organisation

  1987

  66

  Rover Group3

  1988

  150

  Professional and Executive Recruitment

  1988

  6

  British Steel

  1988

  2,500

  Travellers Fare

  1988

  12

  British Rail Engineering (BREL)

  1989

  14

  General Practice Finance Corporation

  1989

  145

  Harland and Wolff

  1989

  8

  Short Brothers

  1989

  30

  10 water and sewerage companies

  1989

  5,113

  Giroleasing

  1990

  33

  Girobank

  1990

  112

  Scottish Bus Group (10 separate subsidiaries)

  1990

  7—

  12 regional electricity companies

  1990

  45,182

  National Power/PowerGen

  1991

  52,228

  Scottish Power/Scottish Hydro-Electric

  1991

  2,918

  National Transcommunications

  1991

  48

  Insurance Services Group

  1991

  70

  Trust ports

  1992

  8

  BTG

  1992

  628

  Northern Ireland generating companies

  1992

  356

  PSA projects

  1992

  +44

  Northern Ireland Electricity (distribution company)

  1993

  348

  5 PSA building management companies

  1993

  10

  DVOIT

  1993

  5

  Londoon Buses (10 separate sales to date)

  1994

  7—

  Forward

  1994

  5

  DTELs

  1994

  7

  Belfast International Airport

  1994

  33

  1 Year of the first sale. There may have been secondary offers or the first sale may have been one of a suite of sales of subsidiaries.

  2 There may in addition have been proceeds from the redemption of debt.

  3 Technically not a privatisation as the company was already classified to the private sector.

  4 Including the national grid which was owned by the regional electricity companies.

  5 The Government retain about 40 per cent. of each company.

  6 Includes dividends extracted pre-sale.

  7 Proceeds of individual sales initially retained by the parent body.

  8 Proceeds were split between the relevant port authorities and the Government.

  Taxes and Incomes
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average impact on households in 1995–96 of(a) direct and indirect tax measures announced in the Budget and (b) all tax-related measures taking effect between 29 November 1994 and November 1995; and what has been the rise in real household disposable income per head since 1979.

  Sir George Young
  Real household disposable income per head has risen by nearly 50 per cent. since 1979. The impact on households of tax-related measures taking effect over the next year is shown in the table. After taking account of tax and inflation, real personal disposable income is forecast to rise by 1½ per cent. in 1995.

  Impact on households of main tax-related measures in 1995–96.Impact of main direct and indirect tax changes affecting households relative to indexation and net of VAT compensation.

  November 1994 Budget measures (1)

  All measures (2)

  Households:

  Average

  0.30

  -2.80

  Pensioners

  0.50

  -0.50

  £ per week to nearest 5p

  Gain (+)/ loss (-)

  (1) Figures for new Budget measures (column (1)) show the impact of the main tax measures directly affecting households announced in the November 1994 Budget. Figures for all measures (column (2)) show the impact on households of new and pipeline tax-related measures taking effect over the next year, including measures announced in the November 1994, November 1993 and March 1993 Budgets

  (2) Estimates are taken from an analysis of the 1990–92 Family Expenditure Surveys uprated to 1995–96 earnings and price levels.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of staff in post in central Government Departments at 1 October 1994.

  Mr. Aitken
  On 1 October 1994 there were 523,981 permanent staff in post in central Government, the lowest for 55 years. This is a decrease of 9,370 during the last six months and more than 40,000 since April 1992.

  An analysis showing staff in post by Department has been placed in the Library.

  Inheritance Tax Exemptions
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the countryside sites where public access has been granted by the landowner in return for exemption from inheritance tax, the amount of inheritance tax forgone in return for granting this access for each year for the past 10 years, the number of sites involved for that year for the past 10 years, and the steps that have been taken to publicise the access to these sites.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 28 November 1994]: The normal rules of taxpayers confidentiality prevent me from giving details of individual cases where conditional exemption from inheritance tax has been granted.

  The annual average cost of conditions exemption from inheritance tax, or its predecessor capital transfer tax, for

  759
  land and buildings is estimated to have been between £5 million and £10 million over the period 1984–85 to 1993–94.

  There have been 133 designations of land for additional exemption from inheritance tax or capital transfer tax in England. Figures for designations of land on a year by year basis are not available at acceptable cost.

  The owner of land which is conditionally exempt from inheritance tax is required to publicise the agreed public access arrangements. The heritage advisory agencies will discuss with each owner the appropriate level of publicity. Each case is considered individually and all relevant factors, including the existing level of publicity, are taken into account. Although the extent of public access may already be widely known, for example where substantial public access is already given, the owner will generally be required to take specific steps to publicise the public access arrangements, for example by advertising the access arrangements in a local tourist office or town hall. For new designations of scenic land in England, owners are required to display at all points of entry onto their land map boards showing the agreed public access.

TRANSPORT

  Highways Agency
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the arrangements made for the composition of the Highways Agency.

  Mr. Watts
  I consider that the arrangements are working well.

  Yugoslav Airlines
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the restrictions currently preventing Yugoslav Airlines from flying into London Heathrow airport; what action is being taken to allow such flights; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Following the suspension of certain sanctions imposed in the Security Council of the United Nations, which permits passenger services to operate to and from Belgrade for an initial period, JAT Yugoslav Airlines has applied to my Department for permission to fly to Heathrow. The United Kingdom normally expects countries whose airlines fly here to be signatories to the Chicago convention on international civil aviation, which binds airlines to minimum safety standards in respect of maintenance of aircraft and flight operations and their oversight by the state's regulatory authorities. The federal republic of Yugoslavia is not a signatory to the convention, and we are discussing with it how we can be assured that international safety standards are being met before we permit JAT to operate to London.

  M11 Link Road
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory procedure was used for constructing the M11 link road.

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
  760
  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 30 November 1994:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Question about the Al2 Hackney Wick to M11 Link Road since its construction is now an operational matter for the Highways Agency.
  The statutory procedures followed were contained in the Highways Act 1980 and Acquisition of Land Act 1981.

  Trains (Black Boxes)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by British Rail region the percentage of train stock currently fitted with a black box; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Watts
  The information is not available in the form requested. Data recorders are fitted as standard to all new locomotives and electric or diesel multiple passenger units, and to those already in service that are expected to have a long residual life. There are currently 610 locomotives or multiple units fitted with data recorders. This figure includes passenger and freight locomotives and multiple units comprising two, three and four car units.

  Rail Services
  Mr Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each British Rail region since 1 August the number of services that have been affected by low ground adhesion; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Watts
  This information is reported by Railtrack only if a notifiable accident results from low adhesion. The Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate is investigating two such cases.

  Station Safety
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many stations within the Network SouthEast operating region are unstaffed after 6 pm and at weekends; and if he will provide comparable figures for 1979.

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 25 November 1994]: The information requested is not available in the form requested. A comparison with 1979 would in any event not be possible as Network SouthEast was not created until 1986.

  However, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Freeman) on 14 March 1994, Official Report, column 508. The figures in that reply are still current.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many permanently unmanned train stations there were throughout the United Kingdom in each year since 1991.

  Mr. Watts
  Of about 2,500 stations on the Railtrack network, some 1,000 or 40 per cent. are currently permanently unmanned. Since the number of unmanned station varies throughout the year, no definitive figures can be given for any previous year, but the overall number has been of the same order since 1991.

  Rural Communities
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the
  761
  relationship between a petrol price increase and the opportunities for mobility in rural communities.

  Mr. Norris
  Higher fuel prices play an important part in meeting the threat of global warming by encouraging people to reduce their fuel consumption in a variety of ways. One is by purchasing smaller, more fuel—efficient cars and another is by driving less through making shorter or less frequent journeys or switching to other less polluting modes of transport. A further way is by adopting a sensible driving technique and keeping vehicles properly tuned and maintained.

  There is less scope for switching to other modes, which is more likely in rural areas, but we would expect individuals to place more emphasis on the fuel efficiency of their vehicles. Statistics reveal that rural motorists currently achieve fewer miles per gallon than their urban counterparts. This flexibility of response illustrates the benefits of fuel price increases over other mechanisms for reducing fuel use, such as vehicle regulation.

  Cycling, London
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the number of daily cycle journeys in London for each year since 1983; what plans he has for increasing cycle routes in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  The estimated number of daily cycle journeys by Londoners is shown in the table for the years for which data are available:

  1989: 290,000

  1990: 240,000

  1991: 240,000

  1992: 240,000

  1993: 220,000

  The Department is currently considering a co-ordinated did from all 33 London local authorities for funds to implement the London cycle network. A decision on this will be announced shortly.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding has been given during the last 12 months to London councils to encourage cycling; and if he will list the funding to each London council.

  Mr. Norris
  Capital support has been available to assist London local authorities' general transport projects, including safety schemes. For 1995–96, a London cycle network "package" bid has been received on behalf of all 33 authorities. A decision on this will be announced shortly.

  Meldon Quarry
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what income was received from the sale by British Rail of Meldon quarry, Somerset; and what percentage of receipts from privatisation since the passage of the Railway Act 1993 this represents.

  Mr. Watts
  The receipts from the sale by British Rail of Meldon quarry and other sales are the subject of confidentiality undertakings between British Rail and its bidders.

  Choice
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it is his policy that people should be able to 762
  exercise a choice in their means of transport wherever practicable.

  Mr. Norris
  Yes.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the responsibilities of his Department in following up the crash of the Pan Am 103 at Lockerbie.

  Mr. Norris
  My Department deals with the United Kingdom national aviation security programme. Our responsibilities following the disaster have included thoroughly reviewing the programme and making substantial improvements to it in the light of what happened on 21 December 1988.

  My Department also had responsibility through the air accidents investigation branch for conducting the technical investigation into the circumstances of the disaster.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement about aircraft noise; and what proposal he has in relation to noise at small airports;

  (2) when he proposes to implement the recommendations of the review of air noise legislation contained in his latest report;

  (3) what interim proposals he has to deal with aircraft noise;

  (4) what assessment he has made of the local weakness in present planning legislation used by local authorities to deal with aircraft noise.

  Mr. Norris
  Airports can bring substantial economic and social benefits to their surrounding areas, but aircraft noise can also cause annoyance. It is important therefore, that aerodrome and aircraft operators minimise the disturbance to local communities caused by their operations, so far as is practicable and reasonable. All larger aerodromes and many smaller ones already take measures to reduce noise disturbance.

  Aerodromes are also subject to planning legislation in the usual way, and it is for the local planning authority to assess all the relevant factors when considering planning applications. It is possible to exercise a measure of control over aircraft noise by way of conditions attached to planning permissions. Because aerodromes vary greatly in size, types of operation, and in their local circumstances, measure to minimise noise nuisance are best developed and monitored locally.

  In March last year, following extensive consultation, the Government published their conclusions on new measures to control aircraft noise. The Government announced their intention—Official Report, 25 March 1993, column 706–7—to introduce new legislation to give aerodromes powers to prepare and enforce noise amelioration schemes. These arrangements would build on the existing, mainly voluntary system of control. The Government will introduce the new legislation at a suitable parliamentary opportunity. There are no plans to

  763
  introduce interim measures, but consideration is being given to producing national guidance on mitigating aircraft noise.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to introduce restrictions on aircraft engine noise requirements on airports.

  Mr. Norris
  Under existing legislation, all civil jet aircraft operating into all United Kingdom airports must carry a noise certificate demonstrating compliance with standards agreed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Civil propeller-driven aircraft certificated after 6 October 1977 are also required to comply with such standards. These standards are included in The Air Navigation (Noise Certification) Order 1990.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requests he has had from(a) airport authorities and (b) members of the public for noise mitigation schemes.

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to introduce legislation to outlaw old aircraft.

  Mr. Norris
  The Government have no plans to prevent aircraft from flying purely on the grounds of their age. The United Kingdom has, however, implemented directive 92/14/EEC, which requires older, noisier jets, the so called "chapter 2" types, to be phased out between 1995 and 2002. This legislation builds on earlier action to ban non-noise certificated jets and to prevent the addition of chapter 2 types to the United Kingdom register.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Mr. Norris
  The information is as follows:

  (a) 25

  (b) 12,000.

  Traffic Priority Route, London
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the next traffic priority route to be introduced in London.

  Mr. Norris
  Early in the new year.

  London Underground
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken to improve services and usage of the Barking to Gospel Oak line.

  Mr. Watts
  The provision of services on the Barking to Gospel Oak line is a matter for North London Railways, one of British Rail's train operating units.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many general and senior managers were employed by NHS trusts in each year since 1991–2, by region.
  764
  Mr. Moss
  In Northern Ireland, trusts became operational from 1 April 1993. The information is as follows:

  From 1 April 1993 (figures are at September 1993)

  Trust

  General manager/chief executives

  Senior managers

  Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital HSS Trust

  1.00

  27.00

  Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust

  1.00

  22.00

  Greenpark HSS Trust

  1.00

  13.00

  Ambulance Service HSS Trust

  1.00

  4.00

  Ulster, North Down and Ards HSS Trust

  1.00

  1300

  Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust

  1.00

  1100

  From 1 April 1994 (figures are at September 1994)

  Trust

  General manager/ chief executives

  Senior managers

  Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital HSS Trust

  1.00

  39.00

  Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust

  1.00

  22.00

  Greenpark HSS Trust

  1.00

  13.00

  Ambulance Service HSS Trust

  1.00

  5.00

  Ulster, North Down and Ards HSS Trust

  1.00

  14.00

  North Down and Ards Community Trust

  1.00

  30.00

  North and West Belfast Community HSS Trust

  1.00

  30.00

  South and East Belfast Community HSS Trust

  1.00

  31.00

  Down and Lisburn HSS Trust

  1.00

  28.00

  Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust

  1.00

  6.00

  Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust

  1.00

  12.00

  Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust

  1.00

  21.00

  Newry and Mourne HSS Trust

  1.00

  13.00

  All figures expressed are WTE (Whole Time Equivalent). Figures from 1 April 1993 are from PIMS (Personnel Information Management System) and figures from 1 April 1994 are extracted from Corporate Monitoring Returns.

  Roads
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the annual roads service budget for minor works in each of(a) Fermanagh, (b) Dungannon, (c) Omagh, (d) Strabane district council areas and (e) Deny city council area.

  Mr. Moss
  In 1994–95 the estimated minor works expenditure for the district council areas in question is as follows:
  765

  District council area

  Expenditure in £000s

  Derry

  587

  Dungannon

  333

  Fermanagh

  555

  Omagh

  521

  Strabane

  415

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the current major road works schemes being undertaken in the Fermanagh, Dungannon, Omagh and Strabane council areas; and what is their total value

  Mr. Moss
  Work is currently being undertaken on Omagh through-pass stage 2A and over a period 1994 to 1999 it is planned to undertake major road schemes at Anne street/Thomas street, Dungannon, on the A29 at Carland bridge, on the A5 at Burndennett, Leckpatrick, Magheramason and Garvaghy and on the next stage of the Omagh through-pass. The total estimated cost of these schemes is approximately £9.4 million.

  Technical Training Centres
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what factors led to the decision to close the Boucher Road technical training centre in south Belfast and to build a new centre two miles away at Springvale;

  (2) if he will list the number of students attending courses at each of the technical training centres in the Greater Belfast area in each of the past three years;

  (3) if he will list the locations, student capacity and catchment area of technical training centres in the Greater Belfast area;

  (4) what plans he has made to provide technical training for students from south Belfast once the Boucher Road training centre is closed;

  (5) what will be the cost of the construction of the new technical training centre at Springvale in west Belfast; and what are the projected annual running cost;

  (6) what are the annual running costs of Boucher Road technical centre in south Belfast.

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

  Technical training centres and catchment area

  Capacity

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Occupancy 1994–95 to date

  Boucher Road

  Largely west Belfast—small minority from north and south Belfast and

  Lisburn district council areas.

  240

  152

  131

  177

  159

  Dundonald

  East Belfast and Ards, Castlereagh and North Down district council areas.

  One course, contractors plant, draws trainees from all over Northern Ireland due to its specialised nature.

  240

  189

  176

  222

  166

  766
  Letter from J.S. Crozier to Rev. Martin Smyth dated 28 November 1994:
  You have asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland six questions, all of which are concerned with the planned closure of Boucher Road Training Centre in 1996 and the provision of a new facility at Springvale.
  The Secretary of State has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency, which has responsibility for these matters, to reply. I will deal ;with all of your questions under a number of main headings.

  Bouchewr Road
  The decision to close Boucher Road was taken in the light of cost, existing capacity and demand, principally the latter. Boucher Road has a target capacity of 240 and currently has 185 trainees, of whom 80 per cent. come from Catholic West Belfast, and some 2 per cent. from South Belfast.
  There are already sufficient YTP and adult training places in the catchment area of Boucher Road. The continuation of that centre, together with the arrival of a new Springvale facility, would result in considerable over provision in the West Belfast area.
  The total running cost of Boucher Road for the last financial year was £1.25 million for a capacity of 240 places.

  Training Centres in Greater Belfast
  Details of Training Centre provision in the greater Belfast area are in the attached annex.

  South Belfast
  Given the low numbers involved there is ample provision in the other Belfast and Lisburn Training Centre for anyone from South Belfast who does not wish to travel to Springvale. However, if at any time in the future we were experiencing significantly increased demand from that area, we would consider how best to meet that demand.

  Springvale Training
  In 1990 a review of the organisation of training in the Springfield/Lower Falls area of Belfast was carried out by consultants. The main recommendation was that a new training organisation should be established in the area which would embrace both adults and young people, promote complementarity and avoid duplication. In order to develop such a capacity in the heart of that area and to provide a community focus in the re-development of the old Mackies' site at Springfield Road the Agency, along with Making Belfast Work is to provide a new hitech skills training facility.
  Springvale, which will be a private non-profit making company, plans to provide enhanced opportunities for individuals from the area to develop their skills in the manufacturing and engineering industries. This in turn is aimed at attracting inward investment to that area.
  The project is being funded through the Making Belfast Work Initiative and will cost in total some £4.5 million. Estimated annual running costs for the first 3 years fall within the following ranges for a planned capacity of 350 places:

  Year 1: £841,000–£ 917,000

  Year 2: £1,029,000–£1,133,000

  Year 3: £1,136,000–£1,287,000

  I hope that you will find this information helpful.
  767

  Technical training centres and catchment area

  Capacity

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Occupancy 1994–95 to date

  Felden

  North and west Belfast and Newtonabbey and Carrickfergus district council area. Small minority from Antrim and Larne areas. One course, heavy vehicle repair, draws trainees from all over Northern Ireland due to its specialised nature.

  260

  162

  195

  263

  251

  Lisburn

  South Belfast and Lisburn district council area. Small minority from Banbridge and Antrim areas. Lisburn has a number of specialised courses, mainly at technician level, and these draw trainees from all over Northern Ireland.

  150

  117

  131

  128

  108

  Commissioner for the Holding Centres
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide(a) the annual remuneration paid to the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres in Northern Ireland and that of the Staff under his supervision, (b) the total annual cost to the public purse of the office of the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres in Northern Ireland and (c) a list of any meetings, conferences or functions outside of the United Kingdom which the commissioner has attended in his official capacity since taking up office.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is as follows:

  (a)The annual remuneration paid to the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres in Northern Ireland is £30,000; that for his Deputy is £10,000. The support staff comprise two civil servants on secondment who also serve the independent assessor of military complaints procedures from the same office premises. The portion of annual remuneration specific to their support work for the independent commissioner totals £24,000.

  (b)The total annual cost to the public purse of the office of the Commissioner in Northern Ireland is £107,000.

  (c)Since his appointment in December 1992, the independent commissioner has, to date, made three visits in that capacity outside the United Kingdom.

  Health Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of health authorities and trusts as at 30 September.

  Mr. Moss
  As at 30 September 1994 there were four health and social services boards and 13 health and social services trusts in Northern Ireland.

  Council for Voluntary Action
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the nature and scope of the work carried out by Phelim Hamill, during his employment with the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moss
  I understand that Mr. Hamill was an information officer with the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what security or other socially sensitive information Phelim Hamill had access during his 768
  period of employment with the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action; and if he intends to carry out an inquiry.

  Mr. Moss
  None.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the present chairman of Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action was in office during the period when Phelim Hamill was employed; and what other public appointments the NICVA chairman holds in Northern Ireland or within any other jurisdiction.

  Mr. Moss
  No. The present chairman is a non-executive director of the Craigavon and Banbridge health and social services trust.

  Mr. Maginnis
  : To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the role of the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action; and what are the sources and amount of its funding.

  Mr. Moss
  The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action is a leading voluntary organisation in Northern Ireland which provides support and training for other voluntary organisations, and which also represents and articulates the views of the wider voluntary sector on matters of common concern. Full details of income are contained in the annual accounts for 1993–94, which are available from the council.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the average period of time taken to process an appeal in respect of an application for disability living allowance;

  (2) what is the average period of time taken to process an application for disability living allowance;

  (3) how many appeals have been lodged in respect of disability living allowance claims; and, of these, how many are (a) successful, (b) unsuccessful and (c) outstanding.

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for replies to be given.

  Letters from Alec Wylie to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 25 November 1994:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the average period of time taken to process an appeal in respect of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) applications.
  769
  The average number of days taken to process an appeal from the date of receipt of the letter of appeal until the date the case is sent to the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) is 86 days for the period April 1994 to October 1994. Additional staff have been deployed and overtime is being worked to improve the clearance time. The arrangements for hearing appeals is the responsibility of the President of the ITS and I have passed a copy of your question to him.
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the average period of time taken to process an application for Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
  Information on the processing of DLA claims is not available in the "average period" format that you have requested but is available in terms of the percentage of claims cleared within time limits set by the Minister. For the 1994–95 year these time limits/targets are 68 per cent. to be cleared in 30 days and 85 per cent. to be cleared in 53 days.
  For the period April 1994 to October 1994, 55 per cent. of claims were cleared within 30 days and 82 per cent. within 53 days. Performance over the last few months has shown a marked improvement as a result of measures taken earlier in the year to deal with some identified problems and in October, 74 per cent. of claims were being cleared within 30 days and 92 per cent. within 53 days.
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the number and outcome of appeals lodged in respect of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
  Since the introduction of DLA in April 1992 to the end of October 1994 there have been 2321 review decisions appealed. Of these, 601 have been successful and 857 have been unsuccessful. There were 608 appeals awaiting preparation of submissions to the Independent

  Numbers of DLA claims received, allowed, disallowed, withdrawn and outstanding from April 1993 to date.

  Month

  Received

  Allowed

  Disallowed

  Withdrawn

  Outstanding

  April 1993

  3,187

  2,799

  1,769

  21

  5,316

  May

  3,878

  2,643

  1,611

  12

  4,891

  June

  4,349

  2,788

  1,659

  24

  4,744

  July

  3,054

  2,746

  1,852

  13

  3,150

  August

  3,026

  1,925

  1,376

  12

  2,851

  September

  3,663

  1,809

  1,386

  18

  3,292

  October

  3,708

  1,562

  1,660

  15

  3,750

  November

  3,591

  1,566

  1,714

  11

  4,038

  December

  2,256

  1,006

  1,307

  17

  3,959

  January 1994

  2,625

  1,188

  1,422

  35

  3,933

  February

  2,986

  929

  1,333

  17

  4,618

  March

  3,629

  1,578

  1,843

  14

  4,789

  April

  2,883

  990

  1,032

  12

  5,627

  May

  3,038

  1,769

  1,444

  12

  5,422

  June

  3,604

  2,132

  1,843

  25

  5,001

  July

  2,467

  2,043

  1,906

  13

  3,491

  August

  2,955

  1,562

  1,668

  11

  3,179

  September

  3,995

  1,810

  1,690

  23

  3,609

  October

  3,779

  1,629

  1,980

  11

  3,734

  Loans and Grants
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for(a) community care grants, (b) budgeting loans and (c) crisis loans were received by each office of the Social Security Agency in each month since January 1993; and if he will break down the figures for applications which were (i) approved and (ii) refused.

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given, but as the tabular material is exceptionally lengthy I have arranged for it to be placed in the Library.
  770
  Tribunal Service (ITS) and around 250 are with the ITS for hearings to be arranged.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to review the operation of the disability living allowance scheme.

  Mr. Moss
  There are no immediate plans to review policy on the disability living allowance scheme.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for disability living allowance were received in each month since the introduction of this benefit; and if he will give, for each month, details of applications that are(a) approved, (b) refused, (c) withdrawn and (d) outstanding.

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alex Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 28 November 1994:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the numbers and outcome of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) applications received since its introduction.
  I am sorry that data for the period February 1992 to March 1993 is not readily available in the form you requested. Work has started on extracting the data and I will write to you when this becomes available. I can however supply you with the information for the period April 1993 to October 1994 and this is set out in the table below. I hope you will find this helpful.

  Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 28 November 1994:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question requesting information about the number of applications for Community Care Grants, Budgeting and Crisis Loans.
  I am sorry that information is not held in precisely the format you have requested but I have set out the available data in the attached tables. As the Social Fund has been managed on a District basis from April 1991, it is not possible to provide details for each Social Security Office. I am therefore providing information by District but I have also included an annex to show which Social Security Offices make up each District. I should also explain that the number of awards made is the total of all awards made in each month, including those made as a result of a review, and the refusals information is the number of initial decisions to refuse as a percentage of all decisions made in that particular month. While, therefore, there is no direct correlation between the figures in each column in the table,

  771
  the information as set out fairly reflects the general position on social fund applications.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current population of each ward in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Northern Ireland census 1991 summary report, published in January 1992, contains at table 4, pages 4 to 13, the population of each District Council ward. Copies of this report are available in the House of Commons library.

  If, however, the hon. Gentleman is referring to the current electorate of each ward, this information is contained in the 1994 electoral register, copies of which were forwarded to the main political parties in January 1994 by the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland.

  Deprivation
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the indices of deprivation used by his Department; and if he will list the electoral wards of Northern Ireland in order of the degree of deprivation.

  Sir John Wheeler
  A general index of relative multiple deprivation was published in September 1994 by the Department of Finance and Personnel in a report entitled "Relative Deprivation in Northern Ireland", policy planning and research unit occasional paper no. 28, a copy of which is in the Library. The report lists the 26 district councils, 566 wards and 3,729 enumeration districts in Northern Ireland ranked in order of their degree of deprivation. Where appropriate, Departments may use this research to target programmes in accordance with their own needs and priorities.

  Exchequer Spending
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the total Exchequer expenditure voted for Northern Ireland in each of the past five years; and what is the latest estimate of Exchequer spending over the next five years;

  (2) if he will take steps to ensure that there is no reduction in the level of Exchequer expenditure, in real terms, in the incoming financial year;

  (3) what Exchequer savings are expected to result from the recent end to violence; and what steps will be taken to ensure that such savings are invested in Northern Ireland.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The total public expenditure in Northern Ireland in the past five years is given in the table below. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his unified Budget Statement announced the public expenditure totals for Northern Ireland for 1995–96 to 1997–98 and these are also shown. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland will shortly be making a statement on the allocation of those totals to individual programmes within Northern Ireland. Estimates for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are not available.
  772

  £ millions

  1989–90

  5,395

  1990–91

  5,525

  1991–92

  6,018

  1992–93

  6,580

  1993–94

  7,086

  1994–95

  7,492

  1995–96

  7,716

  1996–97

  17,880

  1997–98

  18,020

  1 Rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  The Northern Ireland total is mainly the result of the application of the comparability principle which automatically adjusts the NI total in line with movements in comparable GB programmes in proportion to relative population. Full account has been taken of Northern Ireland's special needs in setting its overall public expenditure total.

  The peace process is still at an early stage and it would not be helpful to speculate on the likely quantum of savings. In setting public expenditure totals for Northern Ireland full account will be taken of Northern Ireland's special needs.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Sir John Wheeler
  Of the number of files held centrally in the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments, 57 are top secret and 4,661 are secret.

  Textile Industry
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has concerning interests of the chairman of the Northern Ireland industrial development board in the textile industry; and what assessment he has made of the objectivity of the consideration given by the board to the application by the Hualon Corporation for a grant of £61 million for new textile facilities in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: All members of the Industrial Development Board are required to register interests which could impinge on their work as Board Members. The chairman has registered interests in two Northern Ireland clothing companies, Cooneen Textiles Ltd. and Regatta Fashions Ltd. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has the fullest confidence in the objectivity of the advice given by the board to officials and Ministers on this and all other cases.

  Industrial Development Board
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been undertaken by his Department to examine the propriety of links between the chairman of the Northern Ireland industrial development board and the Hualon Corporation.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: Neither my right hon. and learned Friend nor the chairman of the Industrial Development Board is aware of any links which should be investigated. Mr. McGuckian has met

  773
  Hualon on three occasions, supported by officials, in his capacity as chairman, which is the full extent of his contacts with the corporation.

  Forum for Peace and Reconciliation
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to oppose the appointment of Mr. John McGuckian to the chairmanship of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: The Forum for Peace and Reconciliation is entirely a matter for the Irish Government. The chairman is Judge Catherine McGuinness.

  Hualon Corporation
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Hualon Corporation has to date honoured all commitments relating to the payment of monies into its Northern Ireland subsidiary in connection with the projects for which the Northern Ireland Industrial Development Board has approved the payment of a £61 million grant; if he will specify what those commitments were and the date by which they should have been and were honoured; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 21 November 1994]: Hualon Corporation's commitments to its Northern Ireland project are contained in the agreement with the Industrial Development Board, the details of which are commercially confidential.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will identify every occasion upon which members of the Northern Ireland Industrial Development Board(a) met, and (b) received hospitality from individuals associated with the Hualon group.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 21 November 1994]: Over the five-year period during which discussions with Hualon have been conducted, the chairman of the Industrial Development Board, has met with executives of the Hualon Corporation on three occasions. On two of these occasions, during visits to a number of locations in Asia, discussions with Hualon executives in Malaysia extended over dinner provided by the company. On the other occasion, in Northern Ireland, IDB hosted a working dinner.

  Tourist Board
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during what period Lord O'Neill served as chairman of the Northern Ireland tourist board; by whom he was appointed; and what were his given reasons for resigning.

  Mr. Ancram
  Lord O'Neill was appointed chairman of the Northern Ireland tourist board on 1 October 1975 by the Department of Commerce. He served until 30 June 1980, when his term of office expired.

DEFENCE

  Canadian Forces Base, Suffield
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom service personnel 774
  were (a) killed and (b) injured at the Canadian forces base, Suffield in each year since 1972; what was the cause of death or injury; and whether a board of inquiry was held in each case.

  Mr. Soames
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. member.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 1972 the safety procedures of the British Army training unit at the Canadian forces base, Suffield have been reviewed; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  All aspects of safety at the British Army training unit, Suffield are kept under constant review. The range safety inspection team conducted a review earlier this year, in keeping with this continuous process. In addition, particular attention is paid to any recommendations for the improvement of safety procedures which may arise from inquiries into specific incidents.

  Latham Report
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he is having, and with whom, on the possible effects of the Latham report on his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  My Department is a major customer of the construction industry, and we are keen to pursue any initiatives which may improve the efficiency of the industry and deliver better value for money. Accordingly, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has agreed with Cabinet colleagues that officials from our Department should participate in both the efficiency scrutiny, which the Prime Minister recently announced, and the follow-up work to the Latham report which is being co-ordinated by the Department of the Environment.

  RAF Scampton
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the joint arms control implementation group, the trade management training school and the Rapier carderisation unit will be moved to if RAF Scampton closes; and what will be the cost of these relocations.

  Mr. Soames
  Details of these moves and the associated costs may be found in the consultative document on the proposed closure of RAF Scampton which was issued on 17 November. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Indonesia
  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
  Neither the Chief of the Defence Staff nor the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff visited Indonesia in 1993. The Chief of the Defence Staff visited in October 1994 and the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff visited in February 1994. During their visits, they discussed defence and security matters of mutual interest. As is usual, details of their discussions are confidential.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he became aware that talks were taking place
  775
  between the Indonesian armed forces commander and the United Kingdom for Scorpion light tanks.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department first became aware of Indonesian interest in Scorpion in about August 1992.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all current military contracts for military equipment, vehicles and weapons to Indonesia, including the number of such items involved and monetary amounts.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Gapes) on 28 November 1994,Official Report, column 501.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training, advice or information have been given to the Indonesian armed forces at any time since 1979.

  Mr. Soames
  The United Kingdom has provided training, including developmental and technical courses, for Indonesian students. Details of training, including the numbers involved, are not normally disclosed as they are regarded as confidential between Governments. Ministers and officials have met representatives of the Government of Indonesia to discuss defence and security matters of mutual interest.

  Aircraft Accidents
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of repair to the aircraft which crashed on landing on the island of Islay on 29 June; what percentage was met from public funds; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The cost of repairs to BAe 146 ZE700 as with all other similar work is commercially confidential. All costs will be met from the Defence budget.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of the repair work undertaken on Chinook ZA717 following its accident in the Falkland Islands in July 1989; on what date the decision was taken not to complete the repair work; and for what purpose the aircraft is currently being used.

  Mr. Soames
  The damage to the Chinook ZA717 was such that the aircraft was judged, on 4 August 1989, to be beyond economic repair. Since no repairs were initiated, no repair costs were incurred. The aircraft is used at present for battle damage repair instruction.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all accidents to Royal Air Force Tornado aircraft in 1994, indicating the damage category in each case; and if he will make a statement on the accident rate in respect of Tornado aircraft in 1994.

  Mr. Soames
  There have been six accidents involving RAF Tornados in 1994, as follows:

  Date

  Damage category

  Tornado F3

  7 June

  Cat 5

  Tornado F3

  8 July

  Cat 5

  Tornado GR1

  19 July

  Cat 5

  Tornado GR1A/GR1

  1 August

  GR1A-Cat 5; GR1-Cat 3

  Tornado GR1A

  1 September

  Cat 5

  Tornado GR1A

  19 September

  Cat 5

  We have had an extremely low loss rate over the Tornado's 19 years of service. The 1994 Tornado accident rate will be published in due course in the 1995 edition
  776
  of United Kingdom Defence statistics along with annual accident rates of other military aircraft.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those aircraft types in Royal Air Force service which are fitted with an accident data recorder.

  Mr. Soames
  RAF aircraft fitted with accident data recorders are:

  Andover

  BAe 146

  Harrier GR7

  Hawk

  Nimrod

  Sentry

  Tornado GR1

  Tornado F3

  Tristar

  Tucano

  VC 10 C1

  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total administrative cost of the Defence Export Services Organisation in 1992–93, 1993–94 and projected for 1994–95, both in full and also net of any offsetting administrative arrangements.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) on 22 November 1994,Official Report, column 139.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who will be the new head of the Defence Export Services Organisation; what is the duration of his contract; and what is his annual salary.

  Mr. Freeman
  Mr. Charles Masefield took up his appointment as Head of Defence Export Services on 1 September 1994. He joined the Ministry of Defence on secondment from British Aerospace for an initial period of three years, following his selection through an open recruitment competition.

  Mr. Masefield's salary in this appointment is £140,000 per annum and be can earn an additional non-pensionable bonus, subject to performance, up to a maximum of £21,674.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff are employed within the Defence Export Services Organisation; what is the breakdown of their posts; and how many staff are employed in London.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Defence Export Services Organisation staff allocation for 1994–95 is 708. A total of 414 of these staff are located in London. The breakdown is as follows:

  Marketing assistance

  137

  Military advice

  119

  Export policy and control

  47

  Disposal Sales Agency

  118

  Project management

  287

  Total

  708

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of staff of the Defence Export Services Organisation are seconded from industry; and what functions they perform.
  777
  Mr. Freeman
  Two members of the Defence Export Services Organisation are seconded from industry, one is the head of the organisation, the other is the offset advisor. In addition, the post of international finance adviser is filled by an individual from the private sector on short-term contract with MOD.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the overseas offices of the Defence Export Services Organisations are situated; when each office was established; how many staff are currently employed; and what is the annual running cost of each.

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is as follows:

  Location

  Staff Numbers

  Estimated cost 1994–95 £000

  Established

  Riyadh

  2

  138

  1984

  Kuwait

  3

  102

  1988

  New Delhi

  6

  86

  1984

  Kuala Lumpur

  5

  197

  1986

  Seoul

  3

  110

  1988

  Canberra

  2

  88

  1989

  Jakarta

  3

  72

  1991

  Bangkok

  3

  101

  1992

  Ankara

  2

  78

  1988

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the functions of the RAF air defence advisory team and the British defence advisory team; and if he will indicate in each case their relationship to the Defence Export Services Organisation, when the team was established and its annual budget in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Freeman
  The RAF air defence advisory team—ADAT—was established in 1983, within the Defence Export Services Organisation, to provide advice and assistance on air defence systems, equipments, operations and training to friendly overseas Governments, British defence attaches and British industry. The British defence advisory team—BDAT—is not separately established. It is usually headed by the ADAT leader, and comes together for short periods to provide overseas Governments with on-site studies into single or multi-service roles.

  The annual budget for ADAT in the last three years is: 1992–93 £0.354 million, 1993–94 £0.346 million. The estimate for the present financial year 1994–95 is £0.411 million. BDAT does not have a separate budget.

  VSEL
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to use his VSEL golden share to ensure that no company wishing to take over the company could accumulate more than 15 per cent. shareholding until its takeover offer became unconditional.

  Mr. Freeman
  Under the articles of association of VSEL plc, it is for the board of the company to ensure compliance with the present 15 per cent. limitation on individual shareholdings. The relevant provisions of the articles of association cannot be amended without the consent of my right hon. and learned Friend as holder of the special share in VSEL. Amendments to these provisions which would be required in order to permit the acquisition of VSEL by either British Aerospace or GEC have been approved at extraordinary general meetings of 778
  VSEL, but have not yet received the consent of the special shareholder. My Department previously confirmed to both British Aerospace and GEC that the special shareholder would give his consent to these amendments if they were approved by VSEL shareholders, subject to the relevant regulatory approvals and his being satisfied that his order rights as special shareholder would continue to be protected.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the crews of the Italian Air Force Tornados involved in a breach of the Hill House riding school avoidance area on 22 July 1993 were from the same unit as those involved in a breach of the same avoidance area on 17 June 1993.

  Mr. Soames
  No.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the minimum authorised altitude for the flight by two German Navy Tornados which infringed the Midland Gliding Club avoidance area on 16 July 1993; and at what height the aircraft were flying at the time of the breach.

  Mr. Soames
  The aircraft were authorised to operate down to 1,000ft minimum separation distance. The RAF police concluded that it was impossible to establish the exact height of the aircraft as they passed over Long Mynd, but estimated the aircraft to be flying at approximately 900ft above ground level in the complaint area.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the crews of helicopters undertaking low flying below 100ft are required to carry 1:50,000 scale maps of the route.

  Mr. Soames
  There is no requirement for military helicopter aircrews to carry 1:50,000 scale maps, although such maps are carried whenever aircrews consider it necessary to do so.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the deployment of two United States F-117A aircraft to RAF Lakenheath from 3 to 21 October; how many sorties were flown by the aircraft in the course of their deployment, and how many of these involved use of the United Kingdom low-flying system; how many weapons were dropped by the aircraft, and at which ranges; and how many of the sorties involved use of the Spadeadam range.

  Mr. Soames
  Between 3 and 21 October 1994, two United States F-117A aircraft deployed to RAF' Lakenheath. On 6 October, one of the two F-117As participated in a static display at Soesterberg air base in the Netherlands as part of an official Royal Netherlands Air Force ceremony. In addition, the two F-117As conducted 19 medium-level familiarisation sorties over the United Kingdom. The F-117As did not carry ordnance during these sorties and they did not use either United Kingdom ranges or the United Kingdom low flying system during their deployment.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the RAF Police investigation of the breach of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust avoidance area at Caerlaverock by three Army helicopters on 8 December 1993 established whether any Army helicopters had booked in to low flying area 16 during the period of the incident.
  779
  Mr. Soames
  The investigation established that Army helicopters were booked into low flying area 16 during the period of the incident; however, the helicopters involved in the breach were not. This was because their crews had not intended to fly at low level; they were forced to do so because of poor weather conditions.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people complained about the seven breaches of the Lockerbie low flying avoidance area during 1993 listed in his Department's evidence to the Defence Select Committee —HC 314 of Session 1993–94 pp. 35–36; and how many other complaints were received during 1993 about low flying within the Lockerbie avoidance area.

  Mr. Soames
  Seven individuals made a total of 12 complaints about the seven breaches during 1993. A further seven complaints were received during 1993 alleging low flying within the avoidance area, but on investigation, these were not substantiated.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requests have been received from foreign Governments since 1990 requesting permission for foreign military aircraft to fly over the United Kingdom at less than 250 feet.

  Mr. Soames
  One request has been received since 1990 from the US Government. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 15 December 1993,Official Report, column 475.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Harriers involved in breaches of the Royal Welsh agricultural show low-flying avoidance area on 19 and 21 July 1993 were flown by pilots from(a) the same squadron and (b) the same station; and what were the findings of the RAF Police investigation in relation to the availability of information on the avoidance at the bases concerned.

  Mr. Soames
  The aircraft in question were from both different units and bases. The RAF police found that notification of the temporary avoidance had been received at both bases. At one of these, however, a flaw occurred in their system for presenting details of the notification to aircrew. This has since been rectified.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the minimum authorised altitude for low-level sorties by German Air Force Tornados during its exchange visit to the United States 494 Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath during August.

  Mr. Soames
  One thousand feet minimum separation distance.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of the foreign aircraft involved in low-flying avoidance breaches on 17 June 1993, 9, 16 and 22 July 1993, 23 August 1993, 21 September 1993 and 14 December 1993 were operating in company with Royal Air Force aircraft at the time of the breaches.

  Mr. Soames
  None. RAF aircraft took part in the sortie on 21 September 1993 but were not in company with the foreign aircraft at the time of the breach.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Royal Air Force Police standing orders governing the conduct of investigations into alleged breaches of low flying regulations require the investigators to interview both members of the air crew 780
  in cases where the aircraft involved in the alleged breach is a two-seat type.

  Mr. Soames
  No.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in investigating the low-level overflight of Hope under Dinmore on 23 February 1993 by a Royal Air Force British Aerospace 146 aircraft, as described in evidence to the Defence Select Committee, HC 314 of Session 1993–94, page 44.

  Mr. Soames
  No investigation was initiated since there was no evidence to suggest that any breach of flying regulations had occurred.

  Subsequent inquiries have confirmed that no military BAe 146 aircraft flew in the vicinity of Hope-under-Dinmore on the day in question.

  Murted Air Base
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of the deployment of RAF Tornados to Murted air base, Turkey, in April 1994; how many aircraft took part; how many low-level sorties were carried out; and what was the minimum permitted altitude for these sorties.

  Mr. Soames
  Eight Tornado GR1 aircraft were deployed to Akinci air base, formerly known as Murted Air Base Turkey, from 8 to 21 April 1994, to participate in the NATO exercise Distant Thunder 94.

  The Tornado crews flew 92 low-level sorties at 500ft descending to a minimum of 250ft when engaged in target approach runs.

  Military Aircraft
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the minimum separation distances between United Kingdom military separation distances between United Kingdom military aircraft(a) in the same formation and (b) not in the same formation, on the landing approach at military airfields.

  Mr. Soames
  The minimum separation distances between United Kingdom military aircraft on landing approach at military airfields vary according to aircraft type classification. Guidance for RAF aircrew on minimum separation approaches are set out in various RAF instructions.

  School Fees
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what ranks serving in the United Kingdom armed forces, are able to claim for school fees for children who are of school age and living within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Soames
  Boarding school allowance is available to all ranks of the armed forces serving in the United Kingdom or overseas providing that they meet the: eligibility criteria.

  Air Incidents
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what inquiry was held into the near-miss incident
  781
  on 19 August between an Icelandair Boeing 737 and two United States Air Force F15 aircraft off the Humberside coast; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  Investigation of the air traffic control radar recordings showed that standard separation always existed between the aircraft in question, and that there had been no possibility of them colliding. In accordance with normal procedures, the reporting pilot was informed of this and asked if he still wished to file an airmiss. He subsequently withdrew his airmiss report.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the investigation into a near-miss incident involving a Spanish airliner and two RAF Tornados near Gibraltar on 29 January 1992.

  Mr. Soames
  Incidents which occur in Spanish airspace are matters for investigation by the Spanish authorities. My Department has not received any report on this occurrence.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the inquiry into the RAF Puma wirestrike incident near Kinlochmoidart on 18 May.

  Mr. Soames
  The incident referred to occurred during a routine troop deployment exercise. The RAF Puma sustained minor damage to the main rotor blades as a result of a wirestrike. Such minor incidents are investigated by a unit inquiry. It is not my Department's practice to place copies of unit inquiries in the Library of the House.

  Flight Authorisations
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if an RAF officer was responsible for checking and authorising the flight from RAF Leuchars by three Danish Air Force F-16s on 14 December 1993.

  Mr. Soames
  No. There was no requirement for RAF officers to check or authorise the flight plans. The Royal Danish Air Force aircrews were, however, provided with comprehensive face-to-face briefing on the United Kingdom low flying system, fighter affiliation and training targets.

  Rwanda
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds British troops have now been withdrawn from Rwanda; and in what circumstances, relating to the security or humanitarian situation, they will return.

  Mr. Soames
  The Government agreed to a request from the United Nations for a contingent of specialist troops to provide support for a three-month period to fill the gap until the arrival of the commercial company contracted by the UN to undertake the logistics role in Rwanda.

  In the course of their deployment the United Kingdom contingent made a very substantial contribution to the UN operation. Their task has now been completed and they are being withdrawn, apart from a small number of
  782
  headquarters staff officers. Forces from several African and other states are now firmly established as part of the UN force.

  The UN have not sought a further deployment in Rwanda. We would consider any further requests for assistance against our current commitments elsewhere in the world, in the usual way.

  Officer Selection
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to introduce the specification requirement of personal integrity for candidates for army officer selection.

  Mr. Soames
  A high level of personal integrity is expected from all Army officers. Assessment of an individual candidate's personal integrity is already undertaken as part of the normal process of Army officer selection and is carried out by various means including reference to the candidate's application form, initial interviews, headmasters' and tutor's reports, school and university liaison officer's reports, referees' reports and further interviews at the regular commission board. There are no plans to introduce further specific measures.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current controls on British arms sales by country and type of weaponry.

  Mr. Freeman
  The current export controls are set out in part III group 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 as amended. These define the equipments requiring an export licence and, where the controls are not of a global application, the countries to which they apply. Each export licence application is assessed on a case-by-case basis taking into account, as appropriate, a range of relevant factors including national security, international obligations and humanitarian concerns.

  Conduct after Capture Courses
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his Department's guidelines with regard to service personnel attending conduct after capture courses; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  Conduct after capture training is made available to those personnel most vulnerable to capture in time of war or other crises.

  Equality
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the report on equality in the Army prepared by his Department's working party in 1977

  Mr. Soames
  Although no working party report on equality in the Army was prepared in 1977, a working party considering future employment in the Women's Royal Army Corps reported in November 1976 and then again in 1978. It is not my Department's practice, however, to release internal planning documents such as the ones produced on these occasions.

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent by his Department on legal representation in the industrial tribunal cases regarding the dismissal of pregnant service women.

  Mr. Soames
  About £1,000,000.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files his Department holds.

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Telephone Bills (Security Service)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his departmental budget includes a contribution for the telephone bills of the Security Service.

  Mr. Soames
  No.

  Study Contracts
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his policy concerning study contracts offered by his Department for risk-reduction work in defence contracts;

  (2) when his Department first introduced the policy of study contracts for risk-reduction work in defence contracts; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department's phased approach to procurement projects has been applied since the 1960s and aims at the progressive reduction of risk. This includes the use of risk reduction study contracts where judged necessary. Risk management has been reinforced by the introduction of an initiative in the late 1980s which ensures that the MOD applies explicit risk management techniques to all equipment projects.

  Procurement
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes there have been in his Department's procurement policy in the past six months.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department's procurement policy is continually being refined to ensure that the needs of the armed forces are met at minimum overall cost to the defence budget. In the past six months, procurement policy and practices were reviewed as part of "Front Line First". The outcome was reported in July in my Department's publication on the Defence costs study.

  Royal Dockyards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on the privatisation of the royal dockyards.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mr. Streeter) on 23 November 1994,Official Report, column 146. Privatisation on the right terms remains the Government's preferred option.

HEALTH

  Commissioning Agencies
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide a list of health commissioning agencies, the health authorities they cover and when they came into being.

  Mr. Malone
  The term "health commissioning agency" has no statutory basis. Details of joint working between district and family health services authorities are determined by local circumstance. By the beginning of October 1994, there were 55 appointments of joint chief executive. There were a further seven sets of joint management arrangements, without a joint chief executive. A list of authorities concerned will be placed in the Library. Information has not been collected centrally about when the arrangements came into being.

  Lysergic Acid Diethymide
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were involved and to what extent lysergic acid diethymide was tested on national health service psychiatric patients; and what long-term monitoring of its effects has been carried out.

  Mr. Bowis
  Lysergic acid diethymide is not currently used in the treatment of national health service psychiatric patients and we have no evidence that it has been used in recent years.

  Benzodiazepines
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths in each of the last three years were attributable to the overuse or abuse of(a) temazepam, (b) zopiclone and (c) all other benzodiazepines.

  Mr. Sackville
  The table shows the number of deaths in 1990–1992 in which there was a mention of abuse of temazepam, other unspecified benzodiazapines, or zopiclone, with or without other drugs.

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Temazepam

  12

  18

  16

  Other Unspecified Benzodiazapines

  10

  17

  17

  Zopiclone

  —

  —

  —

  In 1991 there were, in addition, two drug deaths recorded with mention of both temazepam, diazepam and morphine which are not included in these figures.

  Dental Health (Children)
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action her Department is taking to encourage children to brush their teeth.

  Mr. Malone
  The Department has published an oral health strategy for England which sets a number of objectives relating to the further reduction in caries in children. Carrying forward dental health education is a matter for health authorities. Copies of the strategy are available in the Library.

  The Department has made available £1 million for oral health education for 1994–95. Thirty-six proposals have been approved. A second tranche is currently being considered.

  Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much Maggie Aikman received on her resignation as chief executive of Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust.

  Mr. Malone
  Mrs. Aikman received £135,750 net when her contract with Burnley Health Care National Health Service Trust was terminated on 28 October.

  Asthma
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library the cost per head in each family health services authority based on the figures in her answer of 1 November to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor),Official Report, columns 1076–78 for (a) the net ingredient costs of asthma preparations in 1993, (b) the net costs of corticosteroids in each year since 1984 and (c) the other net ingredient costs in each year since 1989; and if she will also express the figures in table 2 for the number of prescription items for exempt children in 1992 and 1993 as items per head in each family health service authority.

  Mr. Malone
  The available information has been placed in the Library. The data for exempt children by family health services authorities could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance she is giving to London NHS trusts and district health authorities to help them resolve their debt problems.

  Mr. Malone
  All national health service bodies are expected to operate within their income. However the two Thames regions are responsible for monitoring the financial performance of health authorities and NHS trusts in London and can provide short-term financial assistance where justified. The London implementation group also provides transitional support to NHS trusts in inner London.

  The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir William Staveley, chairman of North Thames region, and Mr. William Wells, chairman of South Thames region for further information.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to control the re-employment in the NHS or by NHS trusts staff dismissed by previous NHS or NHS trust employers.

  Mr. Malone
  The responsibility for recruitment and selection of staff is a matter for national health service employers. They are expected to follow good recruitment practices which include interviews, appropriate questioning about previous employment and career gaps, and taking up of references.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what limitations are placed on non-executive directors of NHS trusts obtaining top management posts in the same trust.

  Mr. Malone
  Under Regulation 11(1)(e) of the National Health Service Trusts (Membership and Procedure) Regulations 1990, employees of any health service body are disqualified for appointment as chairman or non-executive director of an NHS trust.
  786
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the figures for debt or surplus for each London NHS trust and district health authority at the end of the last financial year.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on relevant health authorities is shown in the table. The information requested for national health service trusts will be available in December and placed in the Library.

  Surplus/Deficit London District Health Authorities 1993–94

  £000

  Barnet DHA

  756

  Hillingdon DHA

  (185)

  Brent and Harrow DHA

  (560)

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow DHA

  3,653

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster DHA

  (2,331)

  Barking and Havering DHA

  (1,777)

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest DHA

  (535)

  East London and the City DHA

  2,084

  New River DHA

  1,140

  Camden and Islington DHA

  1,479

  Bexley DHA

  5,101

  Greenwich DHA

  (682)

  Bromley DHA

  (10)

  South East London DHA

  15

  Croydon Health CA

  669

  Wandsworth DHA

  2,093

  Merton and Sutton DHA

  (77)

  Kingston and Richmond DHA

  232

  Source:

  Health Authority Annual Accounts.

  Note:

  (i) Figures include Surplus/Deficit of Directly Managed Units and Common Services Agencies.

  (ii) Figures are provisional.

  (iii) Bracketed figures indicate deficits.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the regulations on payments to NHS staff(a) in the case of redundancy (b) in the case of health retirements and (c) for dismissal; and what controls she plans to exercise over the behaviour of NHS trusts in similar circumstances.

  Mr. Malone
  Redundancy payments for national health service staff employed on national terms and conditions of service are governed by section 45 of the General Whitley Council handbook, copies of which are available in the Library. For staff employed on NHS trust terms and conditions of service redundancy payments are covered by their contractual terms.

  Retirement on grounds of ill-health, for staff who are members of the NHS pension scheme, is governed by the NHS (Superannuation) Regulations.

  Any payments for dismissal on grounds other than redundancy would be determined by the courts and industrial tribunals.

  Guidance on the making of termination settlements to general and senior managers on short-term rolling contracts was given to health authorities in HSG(94)18 and to trusts in TEL(94)3, copies of which are available in the Library.

  NHS trusts are free, under the terms of paragraph 16(1)(d) of schedule 2 to the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, to employ staff on such terms as they think fit.

  Prescription Pricing Authority
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current market-testing programme agreed with the Prescription Pricing Authority; and, for each of the elements of the programme, what is the point in the process so far achieved and the target date for completion.

  Mr. Malone
  The current market-testing programme for the Prescription Pricing Authority includes prescription processing; management and maintenance of the authority's estate; mainframe computer support; security, portering, catering and central administrative services; and information division processing support. Market testing of the prescription processing service and information division processing, which together employ 1,500 staff, is well advanced. Contracts will be in place by 1 May 1995. Work on remaining elements of the programme will begin shortly, with completion anticipated by 31 March 1996.

  Cardiac Services
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of people each year in the Waltham Forest area who need(a) pacemakers and (b) cardiac catheterisation; and if she will make funds specifically available for these operations to be carried out at Whipps Cross Hospital.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is the responsibility of Redbridge and Waltham Forest health authority to assess the level of need for cardiac services and to purchase these as appropriate. The hon. Member may wish to contact Miss Delva Patman, chairman of the authority, for details.

  Ambulance Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce legislation to ensure that community health councils are invited to take up observer status on the board of new providers of ambulance services not normally within their competence; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  The Government do not believe that it is necessary to extend the statutory powers of community health councils in this way.

  EL(94)4, copies of which are available in the Library, makes it clear that all trusts should agree arrangements for liaison and access with community health councils. This applies equally to ambulance service trusts. Where community health councils are not invited to board meetings, trusts should offer alternative regular liaison opportunities.

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

  Mr. Sackville
  Use of the Internet as an additional method of disseminating information to the public is under active consideration by the Department in line with the Government's commitment to make more information available to the public and to make innovative use of telecommunications. Officials from the Department and the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys are also working with the Central Statistical Office and other 788
  Government Departments to see what use can be made of the Internet to disseminate Government statistics.

  Breast Cancer
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what comparative studies she has made of survival rates for breast cancer for(a) females and (b) males between the United Kingdom and other developed countries; if she will facilitate the universal use of best practice protocols for the treatment of this condition; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. The Chief Medical Officers' of England and Wales consultation document "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" recommends that all patients should have access to a uniformly high quality of care wherever they live to ensure the maximum possible cure rates and best quality of life. Where professional bodies have produced best practice protocols we support their use in the national health service. Copies of the consultation document are available in the Library.

  Appointments, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people were(a) considered for appointment as chairman of the Doncaster royal infirmary and Montagn Hospital NHS trust and (b) shortlisted; and who selected (i) the shortlist and (ii) the chairman;

  (2) on whose advice she decided not to reappoint Mr. Graham Smith as chairman of Doncaster health authority.

  Mr. Malone
  Recommendations to Ministers for the chairmanships of health authorities and national health service trusts are made by chairmen of regional health authorities. Ministers are responsible for making the final decision. The then Minister of Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney), appointed Mr. Keith Jones as chairman of Doncaster district health authority. I made the decision to appoint Mr. Raymond Tonkinson as chairman of the Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Montagu Hospital NHS trust. Details of unsuccessful candidates are confidential.

  Mrs. Maggie Aikman
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she approved of the pay-off of £250,000 made by the Burnley NHS trust to Mrs. Maggie Aikman.

  Mr. Malone
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is not required to approve severance settlements for trust chief executives.

  Prescription Pricing Authority
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place the Touche Ross report on the Prescription Pricing Authority in the Library.

  Mr. Malone
  No. As part of the market testing process, a number of reports have been prepared for the Prescription Pricing Authority by Touche Ross and others. Those reports contain information which is commercially sensitive.

  Regional Health Authorities
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health is she will order a public inquiry into the maladministration
  789
  of Wessex, West Midlands and Trent regional health authorities.

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  Patients Charter
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current patients' charter standard for waiting for attention on an out-patient visit; and how such waiting time standards are measured.

  Mr. Malone
  The patients charter national standard requires that a patient be given a specific appointment time and be seen within 30 minutes of that time. Monitoring of this standard is done locally using guidance issued by the Department, copies of which will be placed in the Library. The waiting time to be measured is from the time of the appointment to the time the patient is actually seen for the main consultation.

  Hip Replacements
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hip replacement operations have been carried out in each year from 1983 to 1993 in England, Wales and Scotland.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information for England for the years 1983 to 1991–92, the latest available, is shown in the table. Data for the year 1987–88 are not available. Figures for Scotland and Wales are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales.

  Hip replacements and other arthroplasty operations of the hip

  Year

  Thousands

  1983

  36.2

  1984

  36.9

  1985

  36.5

  1986

  41.0

  1988–89

  46.5

  1989–90

  50.8

  1990–91

  50.7

  1991–92

  55.6

  Source:

  Hospital Activity Analysis 1983 to 1986: Health Episode Statistics 1988–89 to date.

  Horizontal Management Course
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what grounds NHS funds were used to support managers attending a three-day course in June 1994 at the Hyde Park Hotel on Horizontal Management; what was the cost; and how many managers attended the course.

  Mr. Malone
  It is a matter for individual national health service trusts and health authorities to determine their training needs. This information is not therefore available centrally.

  Cancer
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the United Kingdom have cancer; what are the projected figures for 2015; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available in the form requested. It has been estimated, using data from the general household survey, that the prevalence of cancer in 790
  the adult population is of the order of 1 per cent. In 1989, latest available figures, there were 190,590 registrations of newly diagnosed cases of cancer in England, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers. Projections for 2015 are not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  NHS Executive
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will instruct the NHS executive to change its purchasing system so that all patients are treated equally according to clinical need by(a) having a separate budget for accident and emergency costs, to ensure that unexpected increases do not have to be absorbed by the district health authority, (b) allocating the cost of more expensive and long-term treatments so that general practitioner fundholders pay an appropriate amount, (c) investigation the merits of bringing all general practitioners into the purchasing system as equal partners with district health authorities and (d) investigating the merits of providing all general practitioners with funds for routine treatments; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  The aim of budget setting in the national health service is to give both health authorities and fundholding general practitioners a fair share of NHS resources to meet their patients' needs. In the case of health authorities, this includes funding to secure accident and emergency services for the whole of their local population. EL(94)79 recently announced a significant expansion of fundholding options to enable all GPs to become directly involved in purchasing and managing funds on their patients' behalf.

  Copies of EL(94)79, "Developing NHS purchasing and GP fundholding", EL(94)84, "General Practice Fundholding: guidance on setting budgets for 1995–96" and FDL (94)68, "Revenue allocations 1995–96" are available in the Library.

  GP Contracts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider making changes to general practitioners' contracts so as to ensure that if a parent chooses to deregister their child for health surveillance with their general practitioner, the money is then transferred to the health authority to provide an alternative community service; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  In purchasing community child health surveillance, district health authorities take account of the needs of all children who are not registered for child health surveillance with general practitioners. No transfer of money is required to ensure this.

  Patient Advocacy Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will set up a working party to examine and report to the House within the next 12 months on the feasibility of introducing a properly funded and independent advocacy service for all national health service complainants; and if she will make a statement;
  791
  (2) if she will ensure (a) that a full range of appropriate independent advocacy services based on existing local interest groups are available to all national health service patients who require such a service with support from joint finance and (b) that it is a statutory duty of regional and district health authorities to have strategies supporting independent advocacy initiatives and financially support advocacy services; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  The Government welcome the initiative of those national health service authorities and trusts which have already set up their own patient advocacy and patient friend schemes to encourage and support patients including those who are not able to represent themselves in pursuing complaints, making suggestions about and seeking NHS services. "Being Heard", copies of which are available in the Library, the report of the Wilson committee on NHS complaints procedures, recognised the importance of providing support to complainants and the role of community health councils in doing so. We are currently considering the responses to the consultation exercise on the report and will make an announcement on our decisions in due course.

  Pharmaceutical Regulations
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department will undertake a review of the national health services (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992 to take account of patients' needs; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  The Department continues to keep under review the operation of the pharmaceutical regulations and the need for any change.

  Vegetarians
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what surveys her Department has commissioned which indicate that vegetarians tend to be more healthy than meat-eaters; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has not commissioned any surveys specifically of the diet, nutritional status and health of vegetarians. A variety of studies have shown that vegetarians as a group tend to be healthier than non-vegetarians, but the many other differences in their diet and in other aspects of their lifestyle may be just as important as the avoidance of meat.

  Redundancies and Early Retirements
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the total costs of redundancy and early retirement payments to(a) midwife teachers, (b) nurse teachers and (c) senior midwife managers for each of the last three years including 1994 to date.

  Mr. Malone
  The information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Rod Simms
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the circumstances leading up to the dismissal of Mr. Rod Simms, facilities manager, Royal Bethlem hospital trust.

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for the Royal Bethlem and Maudsley national health service trust. The hon 792
  Member may wish to contact Bernard Williams, chairman of the trust, for details.

  Computer Centres
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy in respect of marketing testing or selling national health service computer centres; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  A number of regional computer centres serving the national health service have been sold off or contracted out for a number of years. Others, which remain in-house, have been reviewing their options in the light of the planned abolition of the parent regional health authorities in 1996. The aim is to secure best long-term value for money for the NHS and to maximise the use of existing management and financial resources on the core statutory function of improved health care. Options, which are for local determination, include;Closure without replacement
  Market testing to identify a new supplier or suppliers
  Transfer to another owner within the NHS at manageable risk
  Sale by competition to an owner outside the NHS (which might include a bid from a Management buy-out)

  Guidelines to assist health authorities and trusts in their consideration of future arrangements for NHS trading agencies generally will be issued shortly.

  Trent Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish in full the district auditor's report relating to Trent regional health authority.

  Mr. Sackville
  Trent regional health authority received a report from the district auditor at the public meeting of the authority held on 11 July 1994. This related to the transfer of services to the private sector between 1988 arid 1992. Copies of the report are available on request from the RHA.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will amend legislation on general practitioner fundholding to require any savings generated by fundholding practices to be paid to the local district health authority to be used for the development of health care against identified needs within a broad and publicly accountable health strategy; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  NHS Complaints Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will set up an NHS complaints authority on the lines of the Police Complaints Authority.

  Mr. Malone
  The report of the Wilson committee on national health service complaints procedures recommended that the Government should consider a number of options put forward for reviewing complaints in the NHS, including a national complaints commission. We are currently considering the responses to the consultation exercise on the report and will make an announcement of our decisions in due course.

  Trainee Nurses
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trainee nurses there were(a) in 1988 and (b) in 1992; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  In training population—England. Years ended 31 March 1988 and 31 March 1992.

  1988

  1992

  Pre-registration

  58,901

  51,901

  Post-registration

  6,485

  4,049

  Total pre and post registration

  65,386

  55,950

  Source:

  English National Board for nursing, midwifery and health visiting.

  The level of qualified nursing and midwifery staff in post has remained virtually static over this period, thus reducing the overall demand for newly qualified staff.

  "Cashing in on Independence"
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration her Department has given to the research report, commissioned by the British Council of Organisations of Disabled People, entitled "Cashing in on Independence".

  Mr. Bowis
  We have read the report "Cashing in on Independence" with interest.

  Disabled People (Cash Payments)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she now expects direct cash payments by local authorities to disabled people to become legally available; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health made an announcement about direct payments on 24 November and I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave my hon. Friend the Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Howarth) on 24 November,Official Report, columns 332–33.

  Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure full compliance by local authorities with the legal duties imposed by section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if she will make a statement on cases known to her Department of failure to comply with these duties.

  Mr. Bowis
  Local authorities are aware of their duties under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. Most cases of alleged breach of statutory duties are resolved by means of local authority complaints procedures, established for this purpose. The Department, of course, follows up any cases brought to its attention and issues guidance as necessary.

  Secret Files
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) top secret and (b) secret files her Department holds.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health holds approximately 400 top secret or secret files. However, many of these were created several years ago, before the 794
  revised protective markings were introduced earlier this year, and are therefore not in active use. Since October 1992, no top secret, and only 13 secret, files have been created.

  Exeter Protocol
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she hopes to make a decision on the continued operation of the Exeter protocol.

  Mr. Sackville
  We understand that the Royal Devon and Exeter trust ceased elective ventilation following receipt of legal advice. The Department has recently issued guidance—HSG(94)41—copies of which are available in the Library, setting out the legal position on ventilation of potential organ donors. Where clinicians believe there may be some benefit, however slight, to the patient, ventilation remains lawful.

  Camden and Islington Health Authority
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what analysis she has undertaken of the effectiveness of health care in Camden and Islington and the adequacy of the funding of the Camden and Islington health authority.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is the responsibility of the Camden and Islington health authority to obtain effective health care using available resources. The hon. member may wish to contact Roland Everington, chairman of Camden and Islington health authority, for further information.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total budget for mobile telephones in the national health service; and how many are held by(a) medical staff and (b) administrators.

  Mr. Sackville
  Financial responsibility for mobile telephones rests with individual users or their employers. From a limited expenditure survey of users, as part of a national initiative to minimise expenditure on telecommunications, total expenditure is estimated to be of the order of £24 million per year. Estimates of the number of mobile telephones held by various national health service groups are shown in the table.

  Group

  Number

  Clinical Staff

  30,000

  Other Hospital Staff

  19,500

  Ambulance Services

  500

  1 Includes a variety of technical, clinical and non-clinical staff; administrators were not identified separately. The NHS Executive have recently negotiated substantial discounts with a number of suppliers. These offer individual user savings of between 8 per cent. and 19 per cent. and should provide an overall reduction in the NHS bill of 10 per cent. by 1997.

  Respiratory Infections
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital admissions there were for each month in 1991, 1992 and 1993 for(a) acute respiratory complaints and (b) bronchitis; and if she will provide a breakdown by (i) United Kingdom nation and region and (ii) local health authority or trust.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 24 November 1994]: Tables setting out the number of finished consultant

  795
  episodes for respiratory oinfections including acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis—ICD 460–466—and acute bronchitis—ICD 466—by month of admission, in England, for each national health service region, will be placed in the Library. Information for individual health authorities and NHS trusts is not available. Information relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State
  796
  for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

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

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 11 July,Official Report, column 419. The information requested for 1993–94 will become available in December.

  GUATEMALA: POPULATION RESETTLEMENT
  GUATEMALA: POPULATION RESETTLEMENT
  RAOUL WALLENBURG
  RAOUL WALLENBURG
  EUROPEAN LEGISLATION: REPEAL PROGRAMME
  EUROPEAN LEGISLATION: REPEAL PROGRAMME
  EUROPEAN UNION: UK POLICY ON FEDERATION
  EUROPEAN UNION: UK POLICY ON FEDERATION
  ODA OVERSEAS POSTS: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
  ODA OVERSEAS POSTS: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
  CHILD SUPPORT ACT 1991: INFORMATION REQUESTS TO INLAND REVENUE
  CHILD SUPPORT ACT 1991: INFORMATION REQUESTS TO INLAND REVENUE
  AIDS SUFFERS: PENSION COMMUTATION
  AIDS SUFFERS: PENSION COMMUTATION
  VAT REPAYMENTS 1993–94
  VAT REPAYMENTS 1993–94
  VAT REPAYMENTS: CHURCHES AND HISTORIC BUILDINGS
  VAT REPAYMENTS: CHURCHES AND HISTORIC BUILDINGS
  VAT ON CHURCH BUILDING REPAIRS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
  VAT ON CHURCH BUILDING REPAIRS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
  CENTRAL GOVERNMENT STAFF IN POST
  CENTRAL GOVERNMENT STAFF IN POST
  COUNTER PROLIFERATION
  COUNTER PROLIFERATION
  UN RIGHTS OF THE CHILD COMMITTEE
  UN RIGHTS OF THE CHILD COMMITTEE
  PLAGUE VACCINE: INFORMATION SOURCES
  PLAGUE VACCINE: INFORMATION SOURCES
  ABORTIONS
  ABORTIONS
  POLLUTION CONTROL SCHEME: FEE CHANGES
  POLLUTION CONTROL SCHEME: FEE CHANGES
  MINEWATER DISCHARGES
  MINEWATER DISCHARGES
  LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE
  LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE
  NON DOMESTIC RATE POUNDAGE
  NON DOMESTIC RATE POUNDAGE
  GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS' EMPTY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
  GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS' EMPTY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
  WELSH NON DOMESTIC RATE POUNDAGE
  WELSH NON DOMESTIC RATE POUNDAGE
  WELSH NON DOMESTIC RATING: TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
  WELSH NON DOMESTIC RATING: TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
  WELSH LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE
  WELSH LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE