Written Answers of 27 October 1994

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list each public opinion survey commissioned by(a) his Department and (b) his agencies since 1 October 1992, showing for each the subject, objectives, total cost, the period in which it was conducted and the organisation from which it was commissioned.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department commissioned a survey of public attitudes to the reform of the ground for divorce and procedures. This survey forms part of the Government's wider consultation on these matters and was conducted by Market and Opinion Research International Ltd. during the first quarter of 1994. A national survey of court users was commissioned from PAS Ltd. In August 1994 to gauge customer satisfaction levels in the court service and to help inform the formulation of standards for future courts charters. The cost of these surveys is regarded as commercially confidential.

  Commonhold Property
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he intends to introduce legislation to provide for commonhold tenure.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Government intend to introduce this legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows.

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

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor is responsible for making:

  14 appointments to executive bodies;

  2,061 appointments to advisory bodies; and

  20 other appointments.

  He is responsible for approving 11 appointments to an advisory body.

  This answer does not cover judicial appointments, the 223 quasi-judicial justices' clerks in the magistrates courts or ecclesiastical appointments. The figure for appointments to advisory bodies include 104 appointments to rule committees, where some of the membership is laid down by statute.

  Senior Salaries Review Body
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how the Government intend to implement recommendation 17 of the 1994 report of the Senior Salaries Review Body.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Recommendation 17 of the 1994 report of the Senior Salaries Review Body is that the Government should seek to achieve the salary levels for the judiciary proposed in the 1992 report of the Top Salaries Review Body, plus regular uprating, by 1 April 1999. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced the findings of the Senior Salaries Review Body on 3 February 1994,Official Report, columns 848-49. The Government have decided that the recommended salary levels should be achieved by spreading the increase evenly over the next five financial years, starting with 1 April 1995 and on 1 April thereafter to 1 April 1999.

DEFENCE

  Army Base Repair Organisation
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on market testing in the Army Base Repair Organisation.

  Mr. Freeman
  A pilot market test of 18 Base Workshops at Bovington was won by the in-house bid team earlier this year. Since then, the Army Base Repair Organisation has completed a study which has concluded that there remains an excess of workshop capacity which needs to be addressed. This overcapacity results from a range of factors including the reorganisation of work load following earlier rationalisation, a reduction in the amount of equipment in the Army, increased reliability of modern equipment and improved repair techniques. The study has recommended that activity at the base workshop at Old Dalby, Leicestershire should cease, and that its work load should be transferred to other facilities. It recommended that the district workshop at Ashford, Kent should also cease operations and that its work load should be transferred either to other ABRO facilities or to industry. The study also recommended that the ABRO's wider market-testing programme should be restructured to take account of the proposed closures and to provide more scope for innovative proposals from industry.

  Our intention is to begin consultation on these proposals with the relevant trade unions as soon as possible with a view to completing the ABRO withdrawal from Ashford by late 1995 and Old Dalby by late 1996. Final decisions will be taken in the light of this consultation.

  If, in the event, withdrawal from the ABRO workshop at Old Dalby is confirmed after consultation, the MOD will first seek to establish whether there is another MOD use for the site and, in the event that there is not, I will seek actively, in co-operation with the local Member of Parliament, local authorities, staff representatives and the relevant local agencies to find an alternative use for the site and its facilities.

  Copies of the consultation document are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Trident
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the projected capital cost of the Trident programme has been(a) spent to date and (b) committed to date.

  Mr. Freeman
  As at the end of June 1994, £7,401 million had been spent and £8,623 million committed on the Trident programme.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's latest estimate of the outstanding capital cost of the Trident programme that will remain to be spent and committed by(a) April 1996 and (b) April 1997.

  Mr. Freeman
  At current prices and exchange rates, estimated outstanding capital spend and commitment on the Trident programme at April 1996 will be £1,416 million and £686 million respectively. It is not our practice to provide detailed forecasts of project costs more than two years in advance. By April 1997, however, we expect outstanding spend to be in the region of £1 billion and commitment to be somewhat in excess of £400 million at today's economic conditions.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's latest estimate of the in-service date for the(a) second, (b) third and (c) fourth Trident submarines.

  Mr. Freeman
  The second Trident submarine is due to enter service towards the end of 1995 or early in 1996, the third in the late 1990s and the fourth around the turn of the century.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total expenditure to date on the purchase of the Trident D5 missiles from the United States.

  Mr. Freeman
  Some £596 million has been spent by the United Kingdom on the purchase of Trident D5 missiles from the United States.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Trident D5 missiles(a) have been purchased to date and (b) remain to be purchased.

  Mr. Freeman
  The United Kingdom has purchased 44 Trident D5 missiles to date. Final decisions have yet to be taken on how many more missiles will be purchased.

  Defence Estimates
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which conventional force elements assigned to fulfil the nuclear aspects of defence role 1, "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1994", apart from the Tornado GR1s, are intended specifically to fulfil the sub-strategic role.

  Mr. Soames
  None.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the specific duties of the 12 regular infantry battalions assigned to the fulfilment of the nuclear role, under defence role 1, "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1994".

  Mr. Soames
  The role of the 12 regular infantry battalions referred to under military task 1.1 is to provide protection to the nuclear deterrent in time of tension, crisis and war.

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on postage,736
  and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Soames
  Expenditure by my Department on postal services during the last five years is as follows:

  £

  1989–90

  12,090,996

  1990–91

  11,208,115

  1991–92

  8,511,910

  1992–93

  8,847,536

  1993–94

  8,537,031

  1994–95

  13,745,595

  1 to 24 October 1994

  The costs are for items sent through the Royal Mail and do not include the cost of providing an internal mail service within my Department.

  The number of items of mail moved by the defence postal service in the last five years, based on average bag-fill factors, is as follows:

  Number

  1990–91

  56,607,788

  1991–92

  56,082,586

  1992–93

  37,567,378

  1993–94

  31,125,393

  1994–95

  128,687,836

  1 estimate for whole year.

  Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the maritime rescue co-ordination centre at RAF Pitreavie to transfer to RAF Leuchars.

  Mr. Soames
  The rescue co-ordination centre at RAF Pitreavie Castle is expected to transfer to RAF Leuchars in the first quarter of 1996.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preparations have been made and at what cost for the transfer of the maritime rescue co-ordination centre from RAF Pitreavie to RAF Leuchars.

  Mr. Soames
  Planning work continues within my Department to determine the optimum accommodation, communications and information systems necessary to support the national military rescue co-ordination centre at RAF Leuchars. To date, no money has been spent on the transfer.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of the maritime rescue co-ordination centre at RAF Pitreavie.

  Mr. Soames
  I have nothing further to add to the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on the defence costs study, "Front Line First", on 14 July,Official Report, column 1172.

  Headquarters Transfer
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to transfer the
  737
  headquarters of the air officer commanding Scotland from RAF Pitreavie to RAF Leuchars.

  Mr. Soames
  We propose to transfer the post of Air Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland from RAF Pitreavie Castle to RAF Leuchars in December 1995.

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

  Mr. Soames
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence approves 14 appointments to MOD executive non-departmental public bodies and 28 appointments to MOD advisory non-departmental public bodies. As for other public appointments not listed in "Public Bodies", I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 4 March,Official Report, column 938.

  Hercules
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will delay any decision on replacement of the Hercules fleet until the result of the full feasibility study of the future large aircraft is available.

  CVWW commercial accommodation financial year 1993–94

  Organisation

  Location

  Usage

  Rental £

  Church Army

  Sennelager

  Canteen/Bookshop

  6,269

  Herford

  Office/Stores

  2,359

  1Minden

  Bookshop

  706

  1Hildesheim

  Bookshop/Flat

  4,016

  Hameln

  Club/Canteen

  13,278

  1Hannover

  Bookshop/Office

  1,451

  Osnabrück

  Bookshop

  22,290

  Osnabrück

  Bookshop/Canteen

  2,988

  Salvation Army

  1Münsterlager

  Bookshop/Canteen

  903

  Herford

  Office/Cellar

  3,012

  Detmold

  Club/Store

  9,000

  Gütersloh

  Club

  1,499

  Iserlohn

  Shop/Canteen

  703

  1Lemgo

  Shop

  330

  1Soest

  Paper stall

  624

  1Soest

  Club

  1,982

  TOC H

  Paderborn

  Accommodation

  12,175

  Paderborn

  Store

  2,188

  Münster

  Club

  1,243

  Münster

  Shop

  649

  Münster

  Club

  6,180

  Herford

  Offices

  1,457

  1Verden

  Bookshop

  9,673

  YMCA

  Herford

  Offices

  5,952

  Bielefeld

  Shop/Office/Store

  4,942

  Dortmund

  Shop/Office/Store

  2,622

  Dortmund

  Bookshop

  2,733

  Celle

  Bookshop

  3,565

  Hohne

  Bookshop/Giftshop/Canteen

  21,495

  1Bergen

  Bookshop

  820

  Nienberg

  Bookshop

  3,475

  1Bunde

  Bookshop

  1,671

  738
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to await the results of the full feasibility study due to be available in the first quarter of 1995 by British companies for the pending order of the RAF Hercules aircraft.

  Mr. Freeman
  It would not be appropriate to delay a timely and cost-effective decision on the pressing operational needs of the Royal Air Force. The FLA is already being taken into account in our assessment.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the date when he will make his decision concerning the replacement or otherwise of the Hercules transporter; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I hope to make an announcement on the way forward for the first tranche of the Hercules rolling replacement programme around the turn of the year.

  Appropriation Accounts
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will detail the accommodation provided to the Council of Voluntary Welfare Work, referred to in the other notes to class I, vote 1 of the Appropriation Accounts 1993–94.

  Mr. Soames
  A list of all accommodation made available to the Council of Voluntary Welfare Workers in British forces Germany during financial year 1993–94 is provided. The following list is divided into commercial and residential accommodation respectively.
  739

  CVWW commercial accommodation financial year 1993–94

  Organisation

  Location

  Usage

  Rental £

  Bunde

  Shops

  2,785

  Osnabrück

  Bookshop/Canteen

  12,601

  Düsseldorf

  Bookshop/Store

  6,501

  Krefeld

  Bookshop/Canteen

  2,862

  Rheindahlen

  Cardshop

  2,286

  Rheindahlen

  Bookshop/Canteen

  26,250

  Fallingbostel

  Bookshop/Canteen/Offices

  19,558

  Herford

  Offices

  2,273

  Herford

  Shop/Office/Store

  8,045

  CVWW

  Herford

  Offices

  1,281

  Services Central Book Depot

  Herford

  Store

  969

  Total

  237,661

  Note:

  1 Property handed back during financial year 1993–94

  CVWW residential accommodation financial year 1993–1994

  Quarter Type

  Annual Rent £

  Number

  Total Cost £

  Type IV

  6,706

  8

  53,648

  Type V

  5,642

  20

  112,840

  D Type

  5,794

  2

  11,588

  C Type

  3,880

  3

  11,640

  B Type

  3,719

  5

  18,595

  A Type

  3,189

  2

  6,378

  40

  214,689

  Total value of waiver during financial year 1993–94: £452,350

  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the(a) contractor and (b) RAF leases which led to the extra-contractual payment referred to in the notes to class I, vote 1 of the Appropriation Accounts 1993–94.

  Mr. Soames
  It is not my Department's practice to identify individual contractors where matters of commercial confidentiality are concerned. There were no leases involved in the case in question.

  Number

  Description

  Value £

  Recipient

  30

  RN Flags

  10·00

  Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust

  3

  Deck Plate, Honours Board Name Board—ex HMS Sirius

  150·00

  Portsmouth Royal Dockyard Historical Society

  50

  Liferaft Plastic Shells

  100·00

  Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust

  1

  Bell—ex HMS Scylla

  200·00

  City of Aberdeen

  1

  Name Plate—ex HMS Osiris

  40·00

  Kent and sharp-Shooters Yeomanry Squadron

  1

  Bell—ex HMS Cleopatra

  250·00

  Fleet Air Arm Museum Yeovilton

  1

  Honours Board—ex HMS Ambuscade

  40·00

  Borough of Crewe and Nantwich

  1

  Name Plate—ex HMS Ambuscade

  40·00

  Sea Cadet Corps TS Amberconwy

  1

  Name Plate—ex HMS Ambuscade

  40·00

  Sea Cadet Corpos TS Ambuscade

  740
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the contractors and (b) the circumstances which led to an extra-contractual payment of £11,750,000, as listed in the notes to class I, vote 3 of the Appropriation Accounts 1993–94.

  Mr. Freeman
  Individual contractors are not normally identified where matters of commercial confidentiality are concerned. The contractor had submitted claims against the Department in respect of alleged failures to meet obligations to supply equipment and information. These claims were disputed. However, following legal advice, the Department agreed to accept a share of responsibility for some of the delays and increased cost. The settlement, £19,000,000 payable over two years, was for approximately half the value of the total claim.

  Mr. Mundie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the gifts under £100,00 value recorded in class I, vote 2 of the Appropriation Accounts 1993–94.

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is as follows:
  741

  Number

  Description

  Value £

  Recipient

  1

  Marine Anchor

  450·00

  The Merchant Seamans War Memorial Society

  1

  Name plate—ex HMS Opossum

  40·00

  St. Edmundsbury Borough Council

  1

  Honours Board—ex HMS Amazon

  50·00

  North Tyneside Council

  1

  Name Plate—ex HMS Arrow

  40·00

  Sunderland Companions Club

  1

  Gun Tampion—ex HMS Arrow

  35·00

  4th Regiment Royal Artillery

  1

  Deck Plate—ex HMS Arrow

  50·00

  Harrow Combined Cadet Force

  1

  Name Plate—ex HMS Arrow

  40·00

  Royal Companion of Archers

  2

  Ships Bell and Honours Board—ex HMS Arrow

  300·00

  City of Sunderland

  1

  Deck Plate—ex HMS Arrow

  50·00

  The Royal Naval Association

  4

  Name Board, deck Plates—ex HMS Alacrity

  180·00

  Sea Cadet Corps TS Alacrity

  1

  Flags—RAF and White Ensign

  30·46

  Gibraltar Museum

  1

  Anchor

  600·00

  Royal Burge of Culross

  1

  AVGAS Bowser

  1,600·00

  Portsmouth Naval Club

  1

  Admiral's Barge

  6,000·00

  Portsmouth Property Trust

  1

  ACR 430 System

  10,000·00

  Albania

  9

  Anchors

  1,000·00

  FIFE Enterprise

  1

  Humber Pig

  1,000·00

  Irish Museum

  1

  25 Pounder Gun

  2,000·00

  Luxembourg National Museum

  1

  Ammunition

  84,092·00

  National Rifle Association Bisley Meeting–1993

  1

  AR Martel Missiles

  30,000·00

  French Air Force

  6

  25 Pounder Guns

  6,000·00

  R A Museum

  1

  Harrier GR3

  1,100·00

  Chilean Air Force Museum

  2

  25 Pounder Guns

  1,500·00

  Military Auster Flight

  1

  Humber Pig

  1,000·00

  RAMC Museum Aldershot

  1

  Saladin

  4,000·00

  RAC Tank Museum

  3

  Combat Support Boats

  4,500·00

  WEU (Romania and Bulgaria)

  1

  Transport for CSBs

  32,000·00

  WFU (Romania and Bulgaria)

  1

  Medical Stores

  1·00

  Latvia

  1

  Harrier GR3

  1,200·00

  Belize Government

  1

  POL Equipment

  1·00

  Secondary School

  2

  Gliders

  5,000·00

  RAFGSA

  1

  1000 Rounds of Ammunition

  375·00

  Zimbabwe National Park

  1

  Grand Projector

  150·00

  RAF Museum

  742 743

  Number

  Description

  Value £

  Recipient

  1

  Jet Provost Fuselage

  150·00

  RAF Museum

  1

  Parachute

  298·00

  Russian Air Forces Museum—Ryaza

  2

  Film Drying Drum and Meteor Fuel Pump

  10·00

  RAF Museum

  147

  £195,722·46

  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give(a) the name of contractor and (b) the circumstances which led to £1,175,000 payments as listed in the notes to class I, vote 3 of the Appropriation Accounts 1993–94; and what disciplinary action was taken.

  Mr. Freeman
  Individual contractors are not normally identified where matters of commercial confidentiality are concerned. Without admission of liability, a payment of £1,175,000, VAT included, was made to a contractor in respect of extra-contractual claims made against the Department. The claims were founded on the allegation that Government-furnished equipment had been provided late and in an unserviceable condition while Government-furnished facilities were not made available as planned. Disciplinary action was not considered to be appropriate in this case.

  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which naval base was involved and what was the gross cost of purchasing the property referred to in the order notices to class I, vote 1 of the Appropriation Accounts 1993–94.

  Mr. Soames
  The property referred to was purchased in connection with works at the Clyde submarine base. Some £203,500 was spent to purchase land to facilitate the construction of new mess and living accommodation at Faslane.

  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will detail the type of goods which led to £1,331,000 being lost as set out in the loss statement in class I, vote 2 of the Appropriation Accounts 1993–94; and what disciplinary action was taken.

  Mr. Soames
  The type of goods referred to form part of the marine engineering spares inventory and are wholly or mainly manufactured of rubber. The introduction of British standard 3574 in 1987 resulted in shorter shelf and working life periods for many rubber goods held at RNSD Eaglescliffe. A review which was carried out to test all rubber components against the new British standard revealed that a number of rubber items should be classified as non-conforming stock. An exhaustive study into this matter concluded that no blame could be attached to an individual or individuals in this case.

  Atomic Weapons Establishments
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now set up a full public inquiry into operations at the atomic weapons establishment.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. The Health and Safety Executive Review of the AWE was comprehensive and detailed. The AWE's response was published as part of the report and actions which accord with the recommendations form part of AWE's current safety development programme. A744
  public inquiry would divert effort from the important safety improvement work now in hand.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects to remove AWE's immunity from the licensing requirements of the Nuclear Installations Acts.

  Mr. Freeman
  Decisions will be taken in the light of discussions with the HSE on the timing and implementation of licensing.

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution about safety at AWE following review by the Health and Safety Executive of AWE; and if he will ask Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution to carry out a similar review of AWE and publish the results.

  Mr. Freeman
  The HMIP, and also the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and, in the case of AWE Cardiff, the Welsh Office, routinely monitor AWE under the provisions of the relevant environmental legislation. They are independent regulators and judge for themselves appropriate timing for reviews and audits.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what response he has made to the recommendation made by the director general of the Health and Safety Executive in his recent report on the safety of atomic weapons establishments in respect of Crown immunity; and when and in what form, he expects to respond to the other recommendations.

  Mr. Freeman
  As I said to the House on 18 October 1994 during the defence debate,Official Report, column 240, we accept in principle the argument for licensing AWE Aldermaston and Burghfield under the provisions of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, subject to discussions about timing the implementation. The report's other recommendations are addressed to the operating contractor, Hunting BRAE, and its response is incorporated into the HSE's report.

  Rosehearty Test Range
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for daily sound monitoring of the night-time sorties at the Rosehearty test range; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  There are no plans for sound monitoring of night-time sorties at the RAF air weapons range at Rosehearty.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to extend night-time flying at the Rosehearty test range to other months of the year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  There are no plans to extend night flying at the RAF air weapons range at Rosehearty beyond the period, from 1 May to 31 August, already proposed.
  745
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what actions will be taken to protect fishing vessels in the vicinity of the Rosehearty test range following the extension to the operating times of the range; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The present regulations governing the use of the air weapons range at Rosehearty allow fishing vessels to operate safely within the range danger area both during the day and at night. No further action is therefore necessary.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for RAF officials to meet the residents of Rosehearty to discuss night-time bombing sorties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  None. Public consultation on this issue is a matter for the local council. Officials from my Department and the local council met at RAF Lossiemouth in August when the RAF requirement for extended operating hours at the air weapons range, Rosehearty, was explained in full. Council officials were given every opportunity to raise any public concerns at that meeting.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what emergency procedures have been adopted in the event of an accident at the Rosehearty test range; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The RAF requires all air weapons ranges to develop their own set of procedures for dealing with accidents in consultation with the appropriate local emergency services. Procedures in place at Rosehearty require the unit, in the event of an accident, to advise civilian emergency services and air traffic control at RAF Lossiemouth, render all possible aid at the scene of the accident and provide co-ordination assistance to the emergency and rescue services.

  Pilot Training
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to the possibility of simulated night-time sorties for training pilots; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  A considerable amount of night-flying training is carried out by aircrew of all three services using flight simulators. As simulator technology improves, more night training will be undertaken using synthetic training devices. However, for safety and operational reasons, the requirement for some live night-flying training will always remain.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outbreak of dysentery at Vitez army camp in Bosnia; whether the source of infection has been identified; and what action has been taken to eradicate it.

  Mr. Soames
  Between July and September 1994, some 250 soldiers in Vitez and the surrounding areas reported sick with diarrhoea. In the majority of cases no causative organism was identified, although some specimens revealed a mix of organisms including salmonella and shigella. No specific source was identified but the in-theatre British military environmental health inspector believed contributing factors to be: damaged sewage systems and inadequately maintained waste disposal 746
  facilities in the surrounding area; faecal contamination of a river running through the camp; hot water; a high incidence of disease-carrying insects; and poor hygiene practices among the troops.

  As a result of his report, structural improvements were made to waste disposal systems, fly proofing was installed, food-handling and storage practices reinforced, water purification processes were checked and a theatre-wide campaign aimed at improving personal hygiene was introduced. The number of cases peaked in August and there have been no cases reported so far this month.

  RAF Finningley
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the level of expenditure by RAF Finningley on supplies and services from the local area.

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

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the(a) total and (b) mean annual salary cost of service personnel located at RAF Finningley.

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

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what developments, improvements, equipment upgrades or other physical works have been undertaken at RAF Finningley in the past five years; and what has been the cost of each of these works projects.

  Mr. Soames
  Details of works expenditure at RAF Finningley for financial years 1990–91 to 1994–95 are as follows:

  £

  Property Management (including maintenance and minor works)

  12,808,000

  Officer Married Quarter refurbishment

  5,200,000

  New Air Navigation School

  4,660,000

  Airman Married Quarter refurbishment

  4,600,000

  Barrack Block refurbishment

  1,242,000

  Supply Hanger

  772,000

  New Motor Transport Facility

  745,000

  100 Squadron Accommodation

  580,000

  Station Heating upgrade

  274,000

  Total

  30,881,000

  These figures include estimated expenditure of £2,423,000 for the current financial year.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of the existing facilities at RAF Finningley could be used for civilian aviation purposes.

  Mr. Soames
  If the proposed closure of RAF Finningley goes ahead, and the site is disposed of, the runway, taxiway, hangarage, parking and handling areas could, subject to planning approval, be used for civilian aviation purposes.

  Fixtures such as radar and air traffic control equipment would be removed by the RAF prior to disposal. If the RAF continued to use Finningley as at present, and capacity for civil use of the airfield was identified, only the runway and taxiway would be available for use by civil aircraft on a regular basis.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what improvement works are required at other bases to which it is proposed that existing RAF Finningley
  747
  activities will transfer in order that the facilities at RAF Finningley are matched; at which RAF stations the works are required; and what is the estimated cost of these improvement works.

  Mr. Soames
  The detail requested will be covered in a consultative document concerning the proposed closure of RAF Finningley. That document will fully explain the rationale behind the proposal, including financial considerations, and will be issued shortly.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each public opinion survey commissioned by(a) his Department and (b) his agencies since 1 October 1992, showing for each, the subject, objectives, total cost, the period in which it was conducted and the organisation from which it was commissioned.

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is as follows:

  Period

  Commissioned by

  Subject

  1992

  November

  Army

  ACIO Research

  December

  Army

  Army Officer Creative Development Research

  1993

  March

  RAF

  Recruitment Advertising Strategy Research

  May

  Army

  Officer Advertising, Creative Development Research

  December

  MoD

  NECL Creative Development Research

  December

  Army

  Soldier Slogan Research

  1994

  February

  RN

  Advertising Strategy Development Research

  March

  MoD

  University Finalists Survey

  March

  MoD

  NELC Research

  May

  Army

  Slogan Confirmation and Creative Development Research

  June

  Army

  Army Recruitment Targeting Research

  June

  RN

  Asians Language and Communication Survey

  August

  MoD

  NECL Tracking—Autumn 94

  September

  Army

  Army Recruiting Advertising Tracking

  The objectives of the research are to monitor the effectiveness of advertising and attitudes of members of the public towards a career in the armed forces. The cost of the studies and the name of the successful contractor is commercially confidential information.

  The commissioning of public opinion surveys by my Department's agencies is a matter for the chief executives of those agencies. I can confirm, however, that none of the chief executives has commissioned such work since 1 October 1992.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to introduce height-recording equipment in all fast jets included in low-level and ultra-low level training flights.

  Mr. Soames
  We have no plans to introduce such equipment.

  Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to date for the decommissioning of each nuclear-powered submarine withdrawn from service; and what information his Department has sought from the Defence Ministries of the United States, France and Russia on their respective experience in such submarine reactor cores and hulls.

  Mr. Freeman
  The approximate costs of undertaking the defuelling, de-equipping and lay-up preparation process for those nuclear-powered submarines which have been taken out of service to date are as follows:

  Submarine

  DDLP costs £ million

  HMS Swiftsure

  11·5

  HMS Warspite

  11·3

  HMS Churchill

  11·2

  HMS Conqueror

  10·6

  HMS Courageous

  10·8

  HMS Revenge (SSBN)

  18·7

  HMS Valiant and HMS Resolution have not started their DDLP process yet.

  Those costs do not include the costs of final disposal, the policy for which is still under consideration. It is also not possible to provide costs on the decommissioning of HMS Dreadnought, which was the first nuclear submarine to be withdrawn from service in 1982 and the information requested, in so far as it may be available, could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.

  A regular exchange of information between the United States and the United Kingdom Governments continues on all nuclear matters under the 1958 mutual defence agreement. No detailed discussions have taken place with France or Russia on these matters.

  Gordon Foxley
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has undertaken a study of the costs to the Government arising from acts of corruption for which Gordon Foxley has been convicted.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department's study of Gordon Foxley's corrupt activities has been unable to establish specific costs to the Government arising from these.

  South Africa
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Government of South Africa regarding allegations of sales of arms by British companies to the former South African Government in breach of the United Nations arms embargo; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  None.

  Ministry of Defence Headquarters
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the costs of constructing the new MOD headquarters at Abbey Wood; and what are the expected running costs.

  Mr. Freeman
  The estimated works cost of the Abbey Wood development, inclusive of site acquisition, construction, fitting out, professional works management fees and VAT is £254·136 million at 1993 prices. The construction programme continues to proceed within
  749
  budget and against the planned time scale, which remains tight. Phased occupation of the accommodation is targeted to commence in autumn 1995, with the aim of completing by autumn 1996.

  We are in the process of inviting bids for facilities management at Abbey Wood. The core facilities management costs are projected to achieve savings in excess of 40 per cent. compared to existing accommodation, with energy costs estimated at one third of those for typical modern buildings.

  Anti-personnel Mines
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what conclusions for United Kingdom policy he has drawn from the recent report commissioned by the United States Department of Defence concerning the military utility of anti-personnel mines to the United States armed forces;

  (2) whether Her Majesty's Government will commission a report on the military utility of anti-personnel mines for the armed forces.

  Mr. Freeman
  We are not aware of any specific United States Government report concerning the military utility of anti-personnel mines for the United States armed forces. The need for, and the role of, land mines for the United Kingdom armed forces is assessed as part of overall military strategy.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of Her Majesty's armed forces have been(a) killed and (b) injured by anti-personnel mines since 1980; in which countries, and with what effects on operations in which British armed forces have been involved.

  Mr. Soames
  Precise data are not available on the individual weapons systems responsible for deaths and injuries of service personnel.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he has conducted into the impact of anti-personnel mines on civilian populations; and what conclusions he reached.

  Mr. Freeman
  No such research has been carried out by the Ministry of Defence. The use of anti-personnel land mines by United Kingdom armed forces is fully in accordance with the laws of war, which prohibit the use of land mines against civilians.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he has conducted on the failure rates of anti-personnel mines with self-destruct or self-neutralising mechanisms; and if he will publish specific details of failure rates and the general conclusions of the research.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith) on 18 April 1994,Official Report, column 416.

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research he has conducted to compare the levels of military utility to the United Kingdom armed forces of anti-personnel mines and anti-tank mines; and with what conclusions.

  Mr. Freeman
  Anti-personnel mines and anti-tank mines have separate roles although they are often laid within the same area. The anti-tank mine is intended to prevent physically the passage of military vehicles with 750
  consequential effect on the enemy's fighting capability. Anti-personnel mines are intended to lower the enemy's general effectiveness. Consequently, the military utility of the two cannot be compared to useful advantage.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

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

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  In respect of his ministerial responsibilities, my right hon. Friend is responsible for making 95 appointments to six executive bodies and 53 appointments on five advisory bodies. Ten further appointments to an advisory body require his approval. All of these are listed in "Public Bodies".

  In respect of his non-ministerial responsibilities for the Duchy of Lancaster, the Chancellor is also responsible for 186 appointments to 21 advisory bodies, and six appointments with a historical connection. These are not listed in "Public Bodies".

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the total number of public appointments made by Ministers, or requiring their approval, including those not listed in "Public Bodies"; and if he will give this figure in terms of(a) appointments to executive bodies, (b) appointments to advisory bodies and (c) other appointments.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  There are 42,606 public appointments listed in "Public Bodies 1993". Of these, 4,116 are appointments to executive bodies, 10,022 are appointments to advisory bodies, and 28,468 are other appointments such as those made to tribunals and NHS bodies. Statistical information is not held centrally about other appointments not listed in "Public Bodies" which include the posts of utility regulators, and non-executive appointments to agency and departmental management boards.

  Official Report
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the price per copy, in(a) real and (b) current prices of a daily copy of the Official Report in 1970, what it is at present; what has been the percentage change in the price since 1970; and what has been the change in the retail prices index over the same period.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  The price of House of Commons daily Hansard in 1970 was 2s 3d, which adjusted by the percentage change in the retail prices index of 787 per cent. is equivalent to 87p today; the price since 1991 has been £7.50. The 1970 price was heavily subsidised by the taxpayer, and this is no longer the case. HMSO announced last year that prices for routine parliamentary publications, including the Official Report, would not be increased during the life of the present Parliament.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to meet the officers of the
  751
  Hansard Society to discuss their report on the decline in the sales of Hansard; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  I have no such plans.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to achieve maximum distribution of the Official Report; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  Market research on the prospects for increasing sales of the Official Report has recently been undertaken by MORI on behalf of HMSO. The findings are currently under consideration.

  Telephone Information Lines
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many telephone information lines have been established under the auspices of the citizens charter; and how many of these are currently in operation.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  Many public service organisations have set up and run their own telephone information lines to ensure that their customers can make easy contact with them. The Office of Public Service and Science does not hold central records of all these lines, but is aware of Government helplines in the following sectors:

  AGRICULTURE

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Helpline: 0645-335577. Local rates. 0900-1700 weekdays.

  CUSTOMS AND EXCISE

  Customs and Excise Helpline: 071-202 4227. Standard rates. 0900-1700 weekdays.

  EDUCATION

  Department for Education Enquiries: 071-925 5555.
  Standard rates. 0900-1700 weekdays.

  EMPLOYMENT

  Dial a Job: 071-287 0100. Standard rates. 0900-1700 weekdays.

  Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Information Centre Helpline: 0742-892345. Standard rates. 0900-1700 weekdays. HSE Autofax: 0742-892333. Standard rates. 24 hours a day.

  Redundancy Payments Service Customer Service Unit Helpline: 0800-848489. Free. 0900-1700 weekdays.

  Work Permits Information Line: 071-273 5337. Standard rates. 0900-1700 weekdays.

  ENERGY EFFICIENCY

  Energy Efficiency: 071-276 6200. Standard rates. 0900-1700 weekdays.

  Energy Action Grants Agency (grants for improving energy efficiency): 0800-181667. Free. 0830-1730 weekdays.

  Building Research Establishment Saving Money on Heating: 0923-664664. Standard rates. 0900-16.30 weekdays.

  ENVIRONMENT

  National Rivers Authority Emergency Hotline for Environmental Incidents: 0800-807060. Free. 24 hours a day.

  Air Quality Information: 0800-556677. Free. 24 hours a day.

  752
  FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

  Foreign Travel Advice Unit: 071-270 4129. Standard rates. 0930-1600 weekdays.

  HEALTH

  Health Information Service (Information about health, local NHS services, waiting times, common diseases, conditions and treatments): 0800-665544. Free. 1000-1700 weekdays.

  AIDS Helpline: 0800-567123. Free. 24 hours a day.

  HOME OFFICE

  General Enquiries: 071-273 4599. Standard rates. 24 hours a day.

  Nationality and Citizenship Enquiries: 051-236 4723. Standard rates. 0900-1600 weekdays.

  Immigration Enquiries: 081-686 0688. Standard rates. 0900-1645 Monday-Thursday. 0900-1630 Friday. 24 hour recorded information for visitors: 081-760 1600.
  Standard rates.

  Students: 081-760 1622. Standard rates.

  Work permit holders: 081-760 1644. Standard rates.
  Au Pairs: 081-760 1666. Standard rates.

  Home Office Publications Unit: 071-273 3072/2302.
  Standard rates. 0915-1700 weekdays.

  INLAND REVENUE

  Taxback Information Line: 0800-660800. Free. 24 hours a day.

  POST OFFICE

  Post Office Counters Helpline: 0345-223344. Local rates. 0815-1800 weekdays. 0830-1300 Saturday.

  SOCIAL SECURITY

  Social Security Freeline:

  English: 0800-666555. Free. 0830-1630 weekdays.

  Urdu: 0800-289188. Free. 0900-289188. Free. 0900-1600 weekdays.

  Chinese: 0800-252451. Free. 0900-1630 weekdays.

  Punjabi: 0800-521360. Free. 0830-1630 weekdays.

  Welsh: 0800-289011. Free. 0900-1630 weekdays.

  Language line: Details available from Benefits Agency local offices.

  Family Credit Helpline: 0253-500050. Standard rates. 0730-1830 weekdays.

  Benefit Enquiry Line for people with Disabilities: 0800-882200. Free. 0830-1830 weekdays. 0900–1300 Saturday.

  Minicom: 0800-243355. Free.

  Disability Living Allowance Customer Care Helpline: 0345-123456. Local rates. 0730–1830 weekdays.

  Child Support Agency Enquiries: 0345-133133. Local rates. 0830-1800. weekdays.

  Social Security Advice Line for Employers: 0800-393539. Free. 0900-1630 Monday-Thursday. 0900-1600 Friday.

  War Pension Agency Helpline: 0253-858858. Standard rates. 0815-1715 Monday-Thursday. 0815-1630 Friday. Minicom: 0253-859999. Standard rates.

  TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  General Enquiries: 071-215 5000. Standard rates. 0830-1730 weekdays. Answerphone at other times.

  Innovation: 0800-442001. Free. 0830-1730 weekdays. Answerphone at other times.

  Business in Europe Hotline: 0272-444888. Standard rates. 24 hours a day.
  753
  DTI Services for Businesses: 0800-500200. Free. 24 hours a day.

  TRANSPORT

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Customer Enquiry Unit (Drivers): 0792-772151. Standard rates.0815-1630 weekdays.

  Customer Enquiry Unit (Vehicles): 0792-772134. Standard rates. 0815-1630 weekdays.

  Cones Hotline: 0345-504030. Local rates. 24 hours a day.

  London Transport Travel Information: 071-222 1234. Standard rates. 24 hours a day.

  The citizens charter unit has itself set up and run a number of telephone information lines:

  (a) 0800 100101 sent out copies of guides to the Citizen's Charter White Paper. Calls to this line were free. The service ran from 22 July 1991 until 16 March 1994.

  (b) 0345 300130 provided information about how to obtain copies of the follow-up charters produced by departments and agencies. Calls to this line were charged at a local rate. The service ran from 25 November 1992 until 16 March 1994.

  (c) Charterline (0345 203040), a telephone information helpline service for local and national public services. was piloted in the East Midlands from 19 May 1993 until 6 May 1994. Calls were charged at a local rate.

  (d) The Citizen's Charter Publication Line on 0345 223242 was set up on 16 March 1994 to send out copies of the Guide to Citizen's Charter White Papers; details of how to obtain the follow-up charters; the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; Charter Mark Award Scheme information; Charter News; and Complaints Task Force information. The service is still running; calls are charged at a local rate.

TREASURY

  Vineyards
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will pay a visit to an English vineyard to discuss what steps he can take to better help the commercial vineyards in the United Kingdom in relation to harmonisation of the tax regime.

  Mr. Nelson
  My right hon. and learned Friend has no immediate plans to visit an English vineyard at present, but he is fully aware of the concerns of the industry.

  Income Levels
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the changes in disparities in income level over the last decade.

  Sir George Young
  Since 1979, real incomes have increased by an average of 36 per cent. Some groups have done even better—real incomes of pensioner couples are up 56 per cent.—but there have been gains for all groups.

  VAT
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to impose value added tax on private medical insurance, university or college fees, school fees, school lunches or other charges levied by the state or private schools.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I cannot anticipate the Budget statement by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received concerning the extension of VAT to public transport.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer receives many representations on a wide range of issues in the run-up to the Budget.

  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further plans he has to end the exemption of goods and services from VAT.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Tax changes are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor in his Budget. However, the range of goods and services which member states exempt from VAT is covered by Community law. Most are mandatory exemptions, but member states have the option to extend certain exemptions to non-profit making bodies, subject to certain conditions.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional income he will gain in a full year from increasing VAT on fuel to 17½ per cent.; and what its effect will be on the weekly household bills of a family of four.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Application of the standard rate of VAT to domestic fuel and power will yield around an additional £1·5 billion in a full year. The impact on fuel bills will depend on fuel prices and on what happens to spending patterns.

  Economic Growth
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the growth of the United Kingdom economy in the first three quarters of calendar year 1994.

  Mr. Aitken
  In the first three quarters of 1994, gross domestic product was 3½ per cent. up on the same period a year earlier. We are now seeing a highly favourable combination of strong growth and low inflation, with underlying inflation at a 27-year low.

  Financial Products
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received about different fiscal treatment of financial products in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe.

  Mr. Nelson
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has received a large number of representations from organisations and individuals on a wide variety of subjects, as is customary in the run-up to the Budget.

  Tax Cuts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the average amount each of the top 1 per cent. earners in the United Kingdom has received in tax cuts since 1979.

  Sir George Young
  A calculation of the tax change for those who are currently in the top 1 per cent. of earners would require extensive information on their income levels and tax reliefs over the period since 1979. Since such information is not centrally available it is not possible to estimate an average figure.

  Demand
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the levels of total demand in the economy.

  Mr. Aitken
  The most recent figures for total domestic demand relate to the second quarter of 1994. By then, demand had risen for nine consecutive quarters, to a level exceeding its previous peak in the second quarter of 1990.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of gross domestic product is taken by public expenditure; and what the figure was in 1979.

  Mr. Aitken
  General Government expenditure excluding privatisation proceeds as a percentage of GDP was 44 in 1979–80 and 44.25 in 1993–94.

  Tax Burdens
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the tax burden of a married couple on average earnings, with a £30,000 mortgage and two children.

  Sir George Young
  Real take-home pay, after tax, for this group has increased by around £83 a week since 1978–79 compared with an increase of less than £2 a week between 1973–74 and 1978–79.

  EU Budget
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effects of fraud and waste in the European Union budget.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Fraud and waste in the Community budget is at an unacceptably high level and brings the Union into disrepute. It is essential that member states and Community institutions alike intensify their efforts to deal with it. The United Kingdom will continue to take the lead in the fight against fraud in the Community.

  In March, my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary announced a joint action proposal, under title VI of the treaty on European Union, to combat serious fraud against the Community budget. The Commission has also recently presented two proposals to the Council designed to reinforce the protection of the Community's financial interests. Those proposals and the United Kingdom's proposal are under consideration in the Council.

  Budget Representations
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received suggesting proposals for his forthcoming Budget.

  Sir George Young
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received a large number of representations from organisations and individuals, as is customary in the run-up to the Budget.

  Central Statistical Office
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new proposals he has to safeguard the jobs at the Central Statistical Office in London and Newport.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Central Statistical Office publishes annually its future staffing estimates in its "Programme Strategies". The most recent relate to the period 1994–95 to 1996–97. These plans are rolled forward each year and are revised in line with changes in expenditure provision and business needs.

  Tax Changes
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the relationship between tax changes and the incidence of poverty in the United Kingdom.

  Sir George Young
  Since 1979, real incomes have increased for all economic groups. The policies of sound finance now being pursued will produce sustained recovery, more jobs and further increases in living standards.

  Postage
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Nelson
  Expenditure by HM Treasury on postage for 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95 to date was £67,612, £73,104 and £28,238 respectively.

  The number of items posted for 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95 to date was 311,010, 355,908 and 155,602.

  The information for earlier years is incomplete and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Tiger Products
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of tiger products and material containing tiger products seized by HM Customs and Excise in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  HM Customs and Excise made the following seizures over the period.

  1989

  Musk and tiger plaster— 2packets.

  Tiger bone tablets—number not known.

  1990

  Tiger skin–1.

  757
  1991

  Tiger skin handbag–1.

  1992

  None.

  1993

  Tiger skin–1 whole, 1 piece and 1 pair of shoes.

  Tincture of tiger bone–2 bottles.

  Tiger bone plaster–43 packets and 30 strips.

  Tiger bone pills–51 boxes and 420 tablets.

  Tiger bone medicine–1 packet and 3 sachets.

  Tiger claws–2.

  1994 (to date)

  Tiger bone plasters–22.

  Lion and tiger claws–13.

  Tincture of tiger bone–20 x 70c1 bottles.

  Tiger bones—number not known.

  Pension Transfers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the cost of compensation to(a) public funds and (b) pension companies for pension transfers based on bad advice; what assessment he has made as to whether compensation from pension funds will be paid in full; and what representations he has received regarding the sources from which it should be paid.

  Mr. Nelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) on 25 October Official Report, columns 507–10.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total amount spent on official hospitality by(a) his Department and (b) his agencies for each year since 1990.

  Mr. Nelson
  Expenditure by HM Treasury on official hospitality for 1990–91 was £E51,424; for 1991–92 £85,873; for 1992–93, £303,523; for 1993–94, £74,007; and spend to date in 1994–95, £27,732.

  The large increase in 1992–93 results from a number of one-off events including the informal meeting of the Economic and Finance Council during the United Kingdom presidency and the International Organisation for Securities Commissions conference.

  Expenditure by the agencies for 1990–91 was £44,832; for 1991–92, £45,955; for 1992–93, £36,593; for 1993–94, £53,051 and for 1994–95 to date £16,600.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the public appointments for which he is responsible(a) in the west midlands region and (b) in Shropshire, indicating in each case the duration of the appointment, the date when a new appointment is due, and the salary.
  758
  Mr. Nelson
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for six public appointments in the west midlands region and one in Shropshire. All appointments are to VAT tribunals. The duration of each appointment is three years. Of the appointments in the west midlands region one new appointment is due on 1 October 1995; three on 1 October 1996 and two on 1 October 1997. A new appointment is due in Shropshire on 1 October 1997. All appointees are paid a daily fee when they sit, which is currently set at £149.

  Tobacco and Alcohol
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the average price of(a) cigarettes, (b) cigars and (c) rolling tobacco in each EU country; and what percentage of that price is excise, VAT or other tax;

  (2) what are the rates of excise duty and VAT on tobacco products in each EU country; and what is the difference in each case from United Kingdom levels.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The most popular price category for cigarettes, cigars and hand-rolling tobacco in each EU country and the excise and VAT elements of those prices are shown in the tables. Average prices of these products in other EU countries are not available.

  MPPC £ per 1000 cigarettes

  Excise Duty as a percentage of MPPC

  VAT as a percentage of MPPC

  Cigarettes

  Belgium

  91·96

  57·76

  17·01

  Denmark

  145·94

  64·56

  20·00

  France

  82·80

  59·16

  16·32

  Germany

  100·49

  58·68

  13·04

  Greece

  60·59

  56·62

  15·25

  Ireland

  122·33

  59·95

  17·36

  Italy

  59·07

  57·00

  15·97

  Luxembourg

  65·32

  57·96

  10·71

  Netherlands

  80·43

  57·00

  14·89

  Portugal

  52·46

  67·17

  13·79

  Spain

  27·27

  55·36

  14·53

  United Kigndom

  127·00

  61·20

  14·89

  Cigars

  Belgium

  935·97

  10·00

  17·01

  Denmark

  5577·10

  10·37

  20·00

  France

  1199·98

  29·26

  16·32

  Germany

  1168·99

  5·00

  13·04

  Greece

  —

  —

  —

  Ireland

  366·88

  22·06

  17·36

  Italy

  —

  —

  —

  Luxembourg

  —

  —

  —

  Netherlands

  2449·;46

  5·00

  14·89

  Portugal

  —

  —

  —

  Spain

  2528·24

  10·00

  14·53

  United Kingdom

  388·00

  19·99

  14·89

  Hnand-rolling

  tobacco

  Belgium

  26·29

  37·55

  17·01

  Denmark

  69·99

  40·96

  20·00

  France

  24·72

  56·38

  16·32

  Germany

  44·09

  46·22

  13·04

  Greece

  45·78

  57·50

  15·25

  Ireland

  101·43

  67·33

  17·36

  Italy

  26·48

  54·28

  15·97

  Luxembourg

  23·50

  31·50

  10·71

  Netherlands

  29·25

  60·47

  14·89

  Portugal

  11·10

  30·00

  13·79

  Spain

  22·31

  30·00

  14·53

  United Kingdom

  142·40

  57·49

  14·89

  759

  Rate of Excise Duty

  Actual Tax Amounts £ per 1,000

  Amount less than United Kingdom levels £ per 1,000

  Ad valorem Per cent.

  Specific per 1,000

  VAT Rate per cent.

  Total exercise

  VAT

  Exercise

  VAT

  Cigarettes

  Belgium

  50·00

  7·11

  20·50

  52·91

  15·58

  35·02

  5·10

  Denmark

  21·22

  63·26

  25·00

  94·22

  29·19

  -18·04

  -12·35

  France

  54·95

  3·49

  19·50

  48·98

  13·51

  39·63

  7·63

  Germany

  24·80

  34·04

  15·00

  58·97

  13·11

  27·37

  8·23

  Greece

  53·39

  1·96

  18·00

  34·31

  9·24

  56·45

  12·56

  Ireland

  16·83

  52·74

  21·00

  73·33

  21·23

  8·61

  -2·20

  Italy

  53·35

  2·16

  19·00

  33·67

  9·43

  58·42

  12·62

  Luxembourg

  54·30

  2·39

  12·00

  37·86

  7·00

  54·00

  15·93

  Netherlands

  21·05

  38·92

  17·50

  45·85

  11·98

  44·00

  9·67

  Portugal

  56·00

  5·86

  1600

  35·23

  7·24

  57·77

  15·73

  Spain

  49·00

  1·74

  17·00

  15·10

  3·96

  82·53

  19·72

  United Kingdom

  20·00

  52·33

  17·50

  77·73

  18·91

  —

  —

  Cigars

  Belgium

  10·00

  0·00

  20·50

  93·60

  159·23

  N/A

  N/A

  Denmark

  10·00

  20·64

  25·00

  578·23

  1115·42

  N/A

  N/A

  France

  29·26

  0·00

  19·50

  351·11

  188·19

  N/A

  N/A

  Germany

  5·00

  0·00

  15·00

  58·45

  152·48

  N/A

  N/A

  Greece

  26·00

  0·00

  18·00

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  Ireland*

  0·00

  80·93

  21·00

  80·93

  63·67

  N/A

  N/A

  Italy

  23·00

  0·00

  19·00

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  Luxembourg

  10·00

  0·00

  12·00

  N/A

  N/A

  NA

  N/A

  Netherlands

  5·00

  0·00

  17·50

  122·47

  364·81

  N/A

  N/A

  Portugal

  26·21

  0·00

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  Spain

  10·00

  0·00

  17·00

  252·82

  329·77

  N/A

  N/A

  United Kingdom*

  0·00

  77·58

  17·50

  77·58

  57·79

  N/A

  N/A

  Hand Rolling Tobacco

  Belgium

  37·55

  0·00

  20·50

  9·87

  4·47

  71·99

  16·74

  Denmark

  0·00

  28·67

  25·00

  28·67

  14·00

  53·19

  7·21

  France

  56·38

  0·00

  19·50

  13·94

  3·88

  67·92

  17·33

  Germany

  18·12

  12·39

  15·00

  20·38

  5·75

  61·48

  15·46

  Greece

  57·50

  0·00

  18·00

  26·32

  6·98

  55·54

  14·23

  Ireland

  0·00

  68·29

  21·00

  68·29

  17·60

  13·57

  3·61

  Italy

  54·28

  0·00

  19·00

  14·37

  4·23

  67·49

  16·98

  Luxembourg

  31·50

  0·00

  12·00

  7·40

  3·07

  74·46

  18·14

  Netherlands

  16·53

  12·85

  17·50

  17·69

  4·36

  64·17

  16·85

  Portugal

  30·00

  0·00

  16·00

  3·33

  1·53

  78·53

  19·68

  Spain

  30·00

  0·00

  17·00

  6·69

  2·91

  75·17

  18·30

  United Kingdom

  0·00

  81·86

  17·50

  81·86

  21·21

  —

  —

  * Duty on cigars in United Kingdom and Ireland is in £ per Kg and therefore comparison of differences in levels of Excise duty and VAT with United Kingdom are not available.

  Life Expectancy
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the life expectancy for(a) men and (b) women in each year since 1979 in each EU country.

  Life expectancy

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  (a) Males

  Belgium

  70·0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  72·4

  72·7

  72·8

  73·1

  Denmark

  71·2

  71·4

  —

  —

  71·6

  71·6

  71·8

  —

  —

  72·0

  72·0

  72·5

  72·6

  France

  70·2

  —

  —

  70·7

  —

  —

  71·5

  72·0

  —

  72·5

  72·7

  72·9

  73·2

  Germany

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  72·0

  72·1

  72·6

  Greece

  72·2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  74·2

  —

  74·5

  74·6

  74·6

  Ireland

  —

  70·1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  71·0

  72·0

  72·2

  72·6

  Italy

  70·6

  —

  —

  71·4

  71·6

  —

  —

  —

  73·2

  —

  73·6

  73·6

  —

  Luxembourg

  —

  70·0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  70·6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  72·0

  71·9

  Netherlands

  72·7

  72·7

  72·7

  —

  72·9

  73·0

  —

  —

  —

  73·7

  73·8

  74·0

  74·3

  Portugal

  67·7

  —

  68·9

  —

  —

  —

  70·2

  70·7

  —

  70·9

  70·3

  70·2

  70·7

  Spain

  72·5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  73·4

  —

  —

  73·3

  73·3

  —

  United Kingdom

  70·6

  70·8

  71·1

  71·4

  71·5

  71·7

  71·9

  72·2

  72·4

  72·7

  72·9

  73·2

  73·6

  (b)Females

  Belgium

  76·8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  79·0

  79·4

  79·5

  79·8

  Denmark

  77·3

  77·4

  —

  —

  77·5

  77·5

  77·6

  —

  —

  77·7

  77·7

  78·0

  77·9

  France

  78·4

  —

  —

  78·8

  —

  —

  79·7

  80·3

  —

  80·7

  81·0

  81·1

  81·5

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested—as far as it is available from publications of the Statistical Office of the European Communities and the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys—is as follows.
  760 761

  Life expectancy

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  Germany

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  78·2

  78·7

  79·1

  Greece

  76·8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  79·3

  —

  79·5

  79·8

  79·8

  Ireland

  —

  75·6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  77·0

  77·5

  77·7

  78·2

  Italy

  77·4

  —

  —

  78·1

  78·1

  —

  —

  —

  79·7

  —

  80·2

  80·3

  —

  Luxembourg

  —

  76·7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  77·9

  —

  —

  —

  —

  79·1

  78·5

  Netherlands

  79·3

  79·3

  79·4

  —

  79·7

  79·6

  —

  —

  —

  79·9

  80·1

  80·1

  80·3

  Portugal

  75·2

  —

  75·8

  —

  —

  —

  77·1

  77·5

  —

  77·9

  77·4

  77·5

  78·1

  Spain

  78·6

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  80·1

  —

  —

  80·3

  80·5

  —

  United Kingdom

  76·6

  76·8

  77·0

  77·2

  77·4

  77·5

  77·6

  77·9

  78·0

  78·0

  78·5

  78·6

  79·0

  In some cases the expectation is given for the two-year period beginning with the year in the table heading and in some cases for the three-year period centred on the year in the heading.

  Clock Adjustment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many man hours were taken up by adjusting the clocks throughout his Department.

  Mr. Nelson
  No record is kept of how long it takes to adjust clocks in the Treasury. Members of staff adjust clocks in their own rooms and would spend no more than a few seconds on this procedure.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list each public opinion survey commissioned by(a) his Department and (b) his agencies since 1 October 1992, showing for each the subject, objectives, total cost, the period in which it was conducted and the organisation from which it was commissioned.

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department has not conducted any public opinion surveys since October 1992.

  Since 1988, the Historic Royal Palaces Agency has undertaken an annual summer visitor survey, to provide valid and reliable research data to inform management decisions regarding the development of visitor facilities. In 1993 the survey was conducted by MEW Research and in 1994 by CC&C Research Ltd. In addition, HRPA has also commissioned research among visitors to monitor performance in relation to its visitors charters. In 1992–93 the research was conducted by Numbers M R Ltd. and from then on by Vital Statistics.

  The Royal Parks Agency has commissioned the centre for leisure and tourism studies at the university of North London to undertake market research on all royal parks over a three-year period starting in January 1994. The survey is designed to obtain a visitor profile and seek visitors' views on services and facilities available in the parks.

  The fees paid for those surveys are a matter of commercial confidentiality and therefore cannot be disclosed.

  Departmental Accommodation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the cost to date to his Department of the leasing of property for his Department's use from the Department of the Environment.
  762
  Mr. Sproat
  The rents paid for Government offices are a commercial-in-confidence matter between the Government and their landlords.

  Since my Department was established in April 1992, we have paid £692,057 to Property Holdings in respect of service charges for all Department of National Heritage properties.

  Postage
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sproat
  Although my Department was established in April 1992, we did not become responsible for our own postage until we moved into our new headquarters in May 1993. Since then, a total of £51,426 has been spent on postage. On average we post about 8,000 items a month.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what has been the total amount spent on official hospitality by(a) his Department and (b) his agencies for each year since 1990.

  Mr. Newton
  Expenditure by the Privy Council Office in respect of official hospitality for the years in question was as follows:

  Financial year

  Expenditure £

  1990–91

  4,450

  1991–92

  7,234

  1992–93

  9,776

  1993–94

  9,892

  1994–95 to date

  2,309

  I am not responsible for any agencies.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each public opinion survey commissioned by(a) his Department and (b) his agencies since 1 October 1992, showing for each the subject, objectives, total cost, the

  763
  period in which it was conducted and the organisation from which it was commissioned.

  Mr. Goodlad
  One opinion survey has been conducted on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since 1 October 1992. This was carried out by Gallup from 26 to 31 January 1994 and the objective was to learn about attitudes in the United Kingdom to Bosnia. The fee paid to Gallup was £1,292.50.

  No surveys have been commissioned by FCO agencies.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure before any contracts are agreed between Her Majesty's Government and Indonesia for the procurement of any military equipment by Indonesia from the United Kingdom that inquiries are made to ascertain whether the International Labour Organisation convention of 1956 concerning the right to associate in free trade unions is being observed in Indonesia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  A country's human rights record is one of the criteria we take into account when considering licence applications for the export of military equipment. There is no ILO convention of 1956 concerning the right to associate in free trade unions.

  Negative Security Assurance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals his Department intends to submit to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty extension conference regarding the strengthening of the United Kingdom's negative security assurance; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  The United Kingdom, in common with other nuclear weapons states, has given a general assurance to all non-nuclear weapons states parties to the non-proliferation treaty that we will not use or threaten to use our nuclear weapons against them except in the case of an attack on the United Kingdom, its dependent territories, armed forces or allies by such a state acting in alliance with a nuclear weapons state. The same assurance applies to states not party to the non-proliferation treaty but which have made similar internationally binding commitments not to manufacture or acquire nuclear weapons.

  In the context of the non-proliferation treaty extension conference in 1995, a number of states parties have asked that the nuclear weapon states give new and enhanced assurances. We are discussing this with the other nuclear weapons states in the hope of agreeing a common approach.

  Year

  FCO

  ODA

  Cost £

  Number of Items

  Cost £

  Number of Items

  1989–90

  153,767

  n/a

  91,867

  202,638

  1990–91

  133,281

  n/a

  116,514

  236,185

  1991–92

  154,785

  n/a

  161,304

  303,886

  1992–93

  169,321

  n/a

  153,374

  282,269

  1993–94

  174,104

  n/a

  124,904

  205,300

  Turkey
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding(a) the imprisonment and trial of eight Kurdish Members of Parliament by the Turkish Government and (b) the six Kurdish Members of Parliament currently in exile in Brussels.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We have made clear to the Turkish Government our strong concern about the action taken against the Members of Parliament of the banned Democracy party. We continue to take every opportunity to remind the Turkish Government of the need for improvement in Turkey's human rights record in general. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised the issue with Mrs. Ciller in Istanbul on 14 October.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he expects will be the outcome of Turkey's application to enter the European customs union; and to what extent it will depend on Turkey's human rights practices regarding the Kurds.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The United Kingdom is contributing positively to the negotiations between Turkey and the EU to achieve customs union. The Turkish Government are aware of the United Kingdom concerns, shared by European partners, about human rights abuses in Turkey, but there is no direct link between the process of moving towards customs union with Turkey and Turkey's human rights record.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what outbreaks of cholera have been reported to the World Health Organisation by Turkey.

  Mr. Goodlad
  No cases of cholera have been reported to the World Health Organisation by Turkey for the last two years.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether future sales of military equipment to Turkey by NATO will be made contingent upon Turkey improving its human rights record with particular reference to Kurdish minorities.

  Mr. Goodlad
  Turkey is a NATO member with genuine external defence requirements. United Kingdom defence sales to Turkey are considered on a case-by-case basis. Arms which are likely to be used for internal repression are not granted licences.

  Postage
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The FCO expenditure on postage during the past five years, with ODA expenditure stated separately, has been:
  765
  The number of items sent by the FCO has not been recorded during the period ending 31 March 1994. Records maintained since that date show that the number of items sent to the end of September was 268,460.

  British Embassies
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. (1) if he will publish the rules governing expenditure which may legitimately be incurred by British embassies on visits made abroad in a private capacity by British citizens;

  (2) what expenditure has been incurred by British embassies in the last five full financial years, and in the current financial year, to date in connection with private visits by British citizens.

  Mr. Baldry
  British embassies incur expenditure in connection with a large range of British private visitors including commercial visitors. It is not possible to identify that proportion of an embassy's overall expenditure which is used for these purposes.

  China
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise allegations of torture in prisons in China, in(a) the European Union and (b) the United Nations; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  At this year's United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the European Union expressed its concern at reports of torture in China and called on China to co-operate with the special rapporteur on torture. It looks to China to fulfil its obligations under the convention against torture. We will continue to raise human rights in China with the Chinese authorities and in international forums at every suitable opportunity.

  Siberian Tiger
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make resources available to the Russian Government to assist their efforts to save the Siberian tiger.

  Mr. Goolad
  We have not received a request from the Russian Government to assist their efforts to save the Siberian tiger.

  We have, however, given TRAFFIC International—Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce—£97,500 to carry out a study of the Asian medicinal trade and its implications for the conservation of tigers. The project aims to:
  —reduce poaching and smuggling of tigers and other endangered species;
  —identify illegal trade routes to consumer nations and help governments halt illegal shipments; and
  —identify ways to alter consumer behaviour and reduce the demand for tiger parts.

  We believe that this contribution will substantially assist international efforts to stamp out the illegal trade in tigers, rhinos and other endangered species and thereby to promote their conservation.

  Princess of Wales
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what were the 766
  costs to the British embassy in the USA arising from the visit of HRH The Princess of Wales in October 1994;

  (2) what was the cost to his Department with particular reference to United Kingdom posts of the recent visit of the Princess of Wales to the USA.

  Mr. Baldry
  The recent private visit of the Princess of Wales to the USA involved costs to the embassy in Washington on entertainment, transport and staff time. The costs were part of the normal functioning of the embassy. The full costs cannot be readily identified.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he was(a) informed of or (b) authorised the expenditure incurred by the British embassy in respect of the recent visit by the Princess of Wales to the USA.

  Mr. Baldry
  This private visit by the Princess of Wales involved costs to the embassy, on entertainment, transport and staff time. These are part of the normal running of an embassy, within the head of mission's discretion.

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

  Mr. Goodlad
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is responsible for making 103 appointments, and 47 require his approval.

  The breakdown requested by the hon. Member is:
  Appointments to Executive Bodies
  58 appointments made, 22 appointments approved
  Appointments to Advisory Bodies
  25 Appointments made, 25 appointments approved
  Appointments to other Bodies
  20 appointments made, none approved.

  Taiwan
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support has been given by Her Majesty's Government to the United States Administration's decision in March to sanction Taiwan under the terms of the Pelly amendment because of that country's failure to enforce a ban on the trade in tiger products; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The United States action followed the March meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which tasked a number of countries, including Taiwan, to take further measures to stamp out illegal trade in endangered species. We expect progress reports to be presented at the ninth conference of the parties to CITES to be held from 7 to 18 November. Once we have studied them, we will consider what, if any, action is necessary, in consultation with our European Union partners.

  In June, at the instigation of the United Kingdom, European Union Environment Ministers expressed concern about pressure on tiger populations, condemned

  767
  the illegal trade in tiger products and undertook to be particularly vigilant in enforcing CITES for that species. We are keeping the situation under close review.

  Rights of Children
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government will be reporting to the United Nations Committee on progress towards implementation of the UN convention on the rights of children.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We submitted our initial report detailing progress made towards the implementation of the UN convention on the rights of the child in March this year. Copies were laid in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 3 and 4 October.

  Mr. Hurd
  I attended the Foreign Affairs Council on 3 to 4 October. The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis), also attended.

  The Council discussed Commission and presidency proposals for the development of relations with the associated countries of central and eastern Europe. Ministers endorsed the principle of regular ministerial meetings with the CEEs and invited the Commission to prepare a White Paper on the approximation of laws.

  Lord Owen briefed Ministers on the deployment of the international conference on the former Yugoslavia monitoring mission. Ministers welcomed this development and discussed how to take forward the peace process, reaffirming the importance of the contact group.

  Over lunch, Italy announced its intention to continue negotiations with Slovenia following the Slovene declaration of its decision to harmonise property purchasing legislation with that of the EU. The Committee of Permanent Representatives was invited to finalise the negotiating mandate.

  Over lunch, Ministers also discussed the EU's aid package for Albania, but were not able to reach agreement on its release.

  The Council asked the Commission to examine a proposal for a further aid package to help the middle east peace process, and invited the Commission to make further funds available for the Palestinian police force. The Council agreed on the importance of concluding negotiations with Morocco, Tunisia and Israel for new agreements by the end of the year.

  Ministers approved a presidency strategy paper on Ukraine and instructed COREPER and the political committee to prepare a draft common position within the common foreign and security policy procedure.

  The Council agreed to resume negotiations with Belarus on a partnership and co-operation agreement and to institute exploratory contacts with Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Ministers requested a report on human rights in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan before any opening of exploratory talks.

  The Presidency gave an oral report of the EU/Association of South-East Asian Nations ministerial meeting in Karlsruhe.
  768
  The Council agreed the text of a draft interim agreement between the European Community and South Africa.

  My Irish colleague and I briefed the Council on developments in Northern Ireland. There was a general welcome for the progress achieved and for the idea of an EU support package for the peace process.

  Ministers agreed the guidelines and annex for the conference on security and co-operation in Europe review conference in Budapest — 10 October to 3 December.

  Ministers agreed arrangements for the production of a report on plutonium smuggling for the Foreign Affairs Council 28 and 29 November.

  The presidency reported to the Council on its discussions with the European Parliament and the Commission to resolve outstanding inter-institutional issues resulting from the implementation of a number of Maastricht provisions. These include temporary committees of inquiries, comitology, keeping the EP informed of business in the second and third pillars and the appointment of the new Commission.

  In the light of the failure to agree a new global regime for outward processing trade, OPT, the Council discussed the idea—which the United Kingdom supported—of separating from the Commission's proposal those provisions allowing for the immediate exemption from the duty of OPT conducted with the CEEs. This idea did not, however, command majority support. The Council therefore invited COREPER to prepare a global regime in time for the November Foreign Affairs Council.

  The Commission reported to the Council on the conclusion of multilateral negotiations on an agreement to curb subsidies to the shipbuilding sector. The Commission will bring forward a proposal for the Community to approve the agreement. A number of member states, including the United Kingdom, welcome the outcome of the negotiations, but France made clear that it had serious difficulties with the agreement as negotiated.

  The Council approved the text of a draft decision to ratify the Uruguay round agreements, and agreed to seek the assent of the European Parliament on the basis of this draft. The Economic and Social Committee will also be consulted. The European Court of Justice hopes to give its opinion on the Community's competence to conclude the Uruguay round agreements by 15 November, and the aim remains to complete their national ratification procedures by the same deadline. The proposal for a code of conduct governing Community participation in the World Trade Organisation will meanwhile be considered further in COREPER: a final decision on the proposal will be taken once the European Court of Justice has ruled.

  The Council also asked the Commission to prepare a report on the compatibility of the US Uruguay round implementing legislation with the World Trade Organisation agreement.

  The Council endorsed the recommendations emerging from the visit of the Development Ministers troika to Rwanda and neighbouring states. These recommendations will form the basis of a common position on policy towards Rwanda.

  The own-resources decision was discussed over lunch. No agreement was reached.

  UN Year of Tolerance
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department will be taking to support the UN year tolerance in 1995; and what specific sums has the Government earmarked for this purpose.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 20 October 1994]: My Department has no plans at present to engage in specific activity to mark the UN year of tolerance in 1995: specific sums have not therefore been earmarked for such a purpose. While we are content that non-governmental organisations should play an active role in the activities of the year, it is not our policy, given heavy demands on public expenditure, to commit scarce resources to the marking of UN years dedicated to specific themes.

PRIME MINISTER

  Visits
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit a state-funded children's nursery.

  The Prime Minister
  I plan to do so on one of my forthcoming visits around the country.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27 October.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 27 October.

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

  Charter Advisory Panel
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will name the members of his advisory panel on the citizens charter and the charter mark assessors.

  The Prime Minister
  The panel of advisers on the citizens charter is made up of people who have been appointed for their expertise in their own particular fields in the private sector. The composition of the panel is currently as follows:

  Sir James Blyth—Chairman.

  Mrs Angela Heylin.

  Neil Johnson Esq.

  Dr. Madsen Pirie.

  Nick Rawlings Esq.

  The right Hon. Baroness Perry.

  Lady Judith Wilcox.

  A number of retired public servants were appointed to assess applications for the charter mark award. Some of these, together with members of the panel of advisers and staff from the citizens charter unit, were involved in visiting some of the short-listed organisations:

  Charter Mark assessors

  Panel Members

  CCU staff

  Alan Grocott

  Sir James Blyth

  Genie Turton

  David Bower

  Nick Rawlings

  David Paul

  John Offord

  Lady Judith Wilcox

  Charles Ramsden

  770

  Jim Brown

  Dr. Madsen Pirie

  Judith Lempriere

  Tom Corrigan

  The right Hon.

  Chris Matthews

  George Georgiades

  Baroness Perry

  Elizabeth Hunter

  Harry Nicol

  Johnston

  David Dewick

  Simon Lawton Smith

  Peter Canovan

  Aleck Thomson

  Vivian Emerson

  David Bromley

  Dave Keating

  Peter Cockram

  Peter Summerscale

  Ernie Dinn

  Peter Selby

  Tony Poole

  Brian Smith

  John MacDonald

  Sybil Brown

  Margaret Chiverton

  Clock Adjustment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Prime Minister how many man hours were taken up by adjusting the clocks throughout his office.

  The Prime Minister
  No precise record is kept of such estimates.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Howard
  The readily available information, relating to headquarters postage expenditure by my Department and its agencies, except the fire service college, is as follows:

  £

  1989–90

  1,959,459

  1990–91

  2,047,841

  1991–92

  2,651,686

  1992–93

  2,519,033

  1993–94

  2,993,258

  The figures for 1989–90 and 1990–91 do not include the forensic science service as that information is not available.

  Information on postal expenditure by regional offices, outstations and individual establishments, and on the numbers of items posted could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

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

  Mr. Howard
  Details of appointments for which I am responsible are given in "Public Bodies 1993", a copy of which is in the Library.
  771
  I would also refer the hon. Member to my answer of 4 March, Official Report column 963, when I gave details of appointments for which I am responsible in addition to those identified in "Public Bodies" including non—executive agency and other departmental management boards.

  Police Files
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to regulate the use of unused material in police files being given to the defence; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 24 October,Official Report, column 465.

  Byelaw Applications
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to speed up the processing of byelaw applications by his Department.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The Home Office endeavours to deal with byelaw applications as quickly as possible. I am aware that in a particular case about which my right hon. Friend made representations recently, there had been some delay; the application is now being given priority.

  Tiger Products
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken by the Metropolitan police in respect of information passed to them in August by the World Wide Fund for Nature about the sale of tiger bone products in London.

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police the Metropolis that an investigation is in progress.

  Citizenship Applications
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if individual applications for United Kingdom citizenship are defined as operational or policy matters.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  They are not categorised in this way.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times since his appointment his advice has been sought regarding individual applications for United Kingdom citizenship.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Our records show that 10 applications for British citizenship have been referred to my right hon. and learned Friend.

  Ali Al Fayed
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he and his predecessors have received in regard to the granting of British citizenship to Mr. Ali Al Fayed; and when and from whom they were received.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  My right hon. and learned Friend and his predecessor have received representations from five people concerning Mr. Ali Al Fayed's application. It is not our practice to disclose details of private communications.

  Firearms
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces have adopted the recommendations of best practice identified in the working group report on firearms licensing.

  Mr. Maclean
  All police forces are fully aware of the recommendations made by a Home Office working group in 1991. The extent to which forces follow the detail of these recommendations is regularly monitored by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary. I am satisfied that they are widely complied with.

  Homicide Statistics
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the annual rate of infant, neonate and childhood homicide in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Maclean
  The readily available information which relates to offences currently recorded as homicide for the years 1982 to 1992, where the age of the victim was under one year, from one to under five years, and from five to under 16 years is published in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1992" (Cm 2410), chapter 4 and table 4.6.

  A copy of this publication is in the Library.

  Provisional figures for 1993 are as follows:

  Offences currently recorded as homicide in England and Wales

  Number

  Victim aged under 1 year

  28

  Victim aged under 1 year and under 5 years

  29

  Victim aged 5 years and under 16 years

  16

  Fountain Pens
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what checks have been made by his Department on the importation into the United Kingdom of fountain pens that conceal a 4 inch blade; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  No checks are made on the importation of these items. They are not among weapons which it is an offence to import.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total expenditure per English and Welsh local authority under section 11 for each year since 1992 and the current year to date; and what proportion of this was borne by his Department and by the local authority concerned.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  [holding answer 26 October 1994]: Readily available information is shown in the table. This lists all authorities in England and Wales with section 11 projects approved for funding since 1 April 1992, including those which, since 1 April 1994, have received such funding from the Department of the Environment's single regeneration budget.

  The figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94 are for grant claimed in relation to authorities' expenditure within those financial years, when grant was normally paid at a set rate of 75 per cent. of authorities' expenditure.
  773
  The figures for 1994–95 show the grant allocation which has been notified to each authority provided that

  Expenditure(grant cost)

  Allocation

  Total minimum expenditure

  Authority

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1994–95

  Avon

  761,771

  818,931

  615,251

  885,098

  Barking and Dagenham

  334,550

  323,379

  230,860

  332,114

  Barnet

  1,443,463

  1,006,318

  748,243

  1,076,420

  Bedfordshire

  3,068,086

  3,206,333

  2,361,022

  3,396,558

  Berkshire

  1,343,514

  1,423,166

  1,053,875

  1,516,101

  Bexley

  92,990

  161,586

  100,138

  144,058

  Birmingham

  7,432,641

  5,802,182

  4,046,501

  5,821,282

  Blackburn

  57,749

  68,107

  49,539

  71,267

  Bolton

  1,089,458

  1,171,230

  880,505

  1,266,691

  Bradford

  5,891,883

  5,717,323

  4,204,150

  6,048,075

  Brent

  2,714,377

  2,496,137

  1,742,385

  2,506,589

  Buckinghamshire

  1,474,520

  1,490,141

  1,095,250

  1,575,623

  Burnley

  18,356

  25,772

  18,774

  27,008

  Bury

  409,210

  486,477

  354,547

  510,050

  Calderdale

  1,072,798

  1,165,370

  853,361

  1,227,642

  Cambridgeshire

  1,359,939

  1,335,704

  976,563

  1,404,880

  Camden

  1,371,927

  1,552,686

  1,111,346

  1,598,778

  Cardiff

  8,834

  10,727

  7,888

  11,348

  Cheshire

  90,747

  99,664

  73,862

  106,258

  Cleveland

  638,348

  657,082

  479,638

  690,006

  Coventry

  2,852,760

  2,836,578

  2,108,375

  3,033,101

  Croydon

  1,203,239

  1,337,072

  949,775

  1,366,343

  Derbyshire

  1,070,613

  1,432,669

  1,046,415

  1,505,369

  Devon

  15,596

  15,816

  11,949

  17,190

  Doncaster

  111,754

  137,275

  100,338

  144,346

  Dudley

  1,247,764

  1,136,839

  877,198

  1,216,934

  Durham

  96,532

  170,774

  119,090

  171,322

  Ealing

  2,750,445

  3,476,557

  2,591,454

  3,728,057

  East Sussex

  178,051

  179,216

  139,412

  200,558

  Enfield

  1,240,331

  1,432,895

  1,058,164

  1,522,271

  Essex

  33,143

  34,685

  25,755

  37,051

  Gateshead

  30,774

  32,918

  22,732

  32,702

  Gloucester

  17,250

  41,082

  28,983

  41,695

  Gloucestershire

  328,631

  362,423

  265,008

  381,240

  Greenwich

  1,573,087

  1,819,983

  1,329,673

  1,912,863

  Gwent

  149,533

  268,583

  192,662

  277,163

  Hackney

  4,357,490

  4,021,298

  3,147,620

  4,528,155

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  866,260

  962,912

  713,289

  1,026,135

  Hampshire

  674,973

  748,448

  558,367

  803,265

  Haringey

  2,183,264

  3,214,058

  2,604,874

  3,747,363

  Harrow

  877,243

  755,341

  556,992

  801,287

  Havering

  51,960

  50,636

  39,169

  56,348

  Hereford and Worcester

  204,564

  238,339

  175,235

  252,092

  Hertfordshire

  2,209,385

  2,051,062

  1,492,311

  2,146,833

  Hillingdon

  439,974

  418,911

  317,055

  456,114

  Hounslow

  1,754,451

  1,899,331

  1,389,502

  1,998,933

  Humberside

  309,419

  392,438

  275,863

  396,856

  Hyndburn

  17,397

  23,426

  17,860

  25,693

  Islington

  1,980,042

  2,032,924

  1,434,673

  2,063,916

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1,140,253

  1,162,052

  899,845

  1,294,514

  Kent

  1,225,489

  1,508,814

  1,095,957

  1,576,640

  Kingston

  119,547

  152,223

  106,742

  153,559

  Kirklees

  3,143,316

  3,288,925

  2,402,511

  3,456,244

  Lambeth

  1,259,627

  1,514,744

  1,109,603

  1,596,271

  Lancashire

  5,787,041

  5,955,560

  4,629,966

  6,660,653

  Leeds

  2,190,816

  2,207,876

  1,725,338

  2,482,065

  Leicester

  122,641

  165,214

  115,597

  166,297

  Leicestershire

  4,310,964

  4,363,683

  3,228,512

  4,644,526

  Lewisham

  2,078,456

  2,178,120

  1,637,467

  2,355,654

  Lincolnshire

  61,564

  76,285

  61,319

  88,213

  Liverpool

  176,355

  216,630

  165,185

  237,635

  London Boroughs Grants Unit

  100,766

  160,067

  123,071

  177,050

  Manchester

  2,746,353

  2,879,000

  2,225,999

  3,202,314

  Merton

  521,304

  706,067

  490,246

  705,266

  Middlesbrough

  6,254

  7,178

  —

  —

  Newcastle

  438,153

  411,262

  303,140

  436,096

  Newham

  2,939,058

  2,906,063

  2,181,976

  3,138,983

  Norfolk

  70,466

  78,002

  68,285

  98,235

  774
  the authority's own expenditure within this financial year is not less than the minimum figure indicated.
  775

  Expenditure (grant cost)

  Allocation

  Total minimum expenditure

  Authority

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1994–95

  North Tyneside

  150,759

  161,692

  115,586

  166,282

  North Yorkshire

  58,154

  65,123

  49,312

  70,940

  Northamptonshire

  1,036,878

  890,134

  663,758

  954,880

  Nottingham

  55,678

  84,003

  61,435

  88,380

  Nottinghamshire

  2,120,817

  2,030,884

  1,519,199

  2,185,514

  Oldham

  2,442,777

  2,549,312

  1,909,961

  2,747,663

  Oxford

  —

  7,649

  3,322

  4,779

  Oxfordshire

  825,094

  871,818

  684,260

  984,374

  Preston

  14,907

  18,157

  12,834

  18,463

  Redbridge

  1,182,178

  1,238,587

  918,005

  1,320,639

  Redditch

  12,591

  17,935

  12,971

  18,660

  Richmond

  62,850

  76,799

  56,225

  80,885

  Rochdale

  1,455,121

  1,581,705

  1,193,213

  1,716,552

  Rotherham

  431,632

  442,280

  327,313

  470,871

  St Albans

  12,327

  23,628

  18,105

  26,046

  St Helens

  10,307

  18,975

  14,043

  20,202

  Salford

  62,118

  64,834

  47,498

  68,330

  Sandwell

  1,512,832

  1,644,471

  1,228,775

  1,767,711

  Scunthorpe

  25,687

  31,615

  16,103

  23,166

  Sheffield

  2,641,874

  2,397,773

  1,697,662

  2,442,251

  Shropshire

  104,866

  114,218

  84,104

  120,992

  South Glamorgan

  458,378

  591,518

  444,978

  640,144

  South Yorkshire FCDA

  15,158

  16,649

  12,751

  18,344

  Southampton

  9,991

  5,930

  11,422

  16,432

  Southwark

  2,339,236

  2,542,825

  1,955,157

  2,812,682

  Staffordshire

  1,108,417

  1,257,176

  924,043

  1,329,325

  Stockport

  100,051

  103,265

  76,079

  109,447

  Suffolk

  297,375

  317,330

  237,235

  341,285

  Sunderland

  110,656

  115,825

  87,284

  125,566

  Surrey

  384,578

  400,899

  291,845

  419,847

  Sutton

  56,121

  62,779

  46,902

  67,473

  Tameside

  808,680

  771,609

  585,940

  842,931

  Tower Hamlets

  8,890,804

  9,181,040

  6,826,782

  9,820,985

  Trafford

  286,589

  329,296

  242,981

  349,552

  Wakefield

  348,232

  404,567

  296,729

  426,873

  Walsall

  2,049,091

  2,147,295

  1,579,939

  2,272,895

  Waltham Forest

  1,893,462

  2,084,056

  1,585,015

  2,280,197

  Wandsworth

  1,851,387

  1,860,091

  1,434,386

  2,063,503

  Warwickshire

  994,864

  1,051,670

  785,021

  1,129,328

  West Midlands FCDA

  85,142

  86,633

  65,241

  93,855

  West Sussex

  304,087

  280,628

  212,623

  305,879

  West Yorkshire FCDA

  119,524

  129,533

  95,651

  137,603

  Westminster

  1,876,395

  1,991,411

  1,498,548

  2,155,806

  Wigan

  56,170

  60,071

  44,078

  63,410

  Wiltshire

  160,950

  163,864

  121,565

  174,883

  Wirral

  64,145

  95,393

  75,839

  109,102

  Wolverhampton

  1,973,768

  2,104,031

  1,575,008

  2,265,801

  Notes

  1. Since currently approved projects came into effect on 1 April 1992, a number of schools which were previously covered by local authority projects but which have since opted for grant maintained status have chosen to set up their own project funded directly under section 11.

  2. Since 1 April 1993, most further education colleges, and a small number of sixth form colleges, which previously benefited from section 11 funding paid to the local education authority have begun receiving grant direct.

  3. Some projects approved with effect from 1 April 1992 were, in the light of their particular circumstances, approved for periods of 2 years or less.

  4. Some projects approved with effect from 1 April 1992 were, in the light of their particular circumstances, made subject to a tapering rate of grant (ie, in the case of a 3-year project, 75 per cent. in year 1,60 per cent. in year 2, and 40 per cent. in year 3).

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sheep Dip
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made in research to find an alternative to organo-phosphorous sheep dips.

  Mrs. Browning
  Alternatives to organo-phosphorous sheep dips are already licensed for use in the United Kingdom. They include flumethrin dips, as well as pour-on and injectable products. The development and marketing of alternative products is a matter for the 776
  commercial judgment of the manufacturers concerned. The veterinary medicines directorate will do all that it can to complete the assessment of any such products as quickly as possible.

  Sheep Quotas
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made in resolving difficulties about allocating sheep quotas to
  777
  those involved or previously involved in farming partnerships.

  Mr. Jack
  Producers involved in partnerships will be able to lease quota within the group, for up to three years, during the second transfer and lease periods for 1993 and 1994. This will enable them to redistribute quota to match their stock holding. The second transfer and lease periods will open when all allocations from the national reserve for the relevant year have been made. For the longer term, following pressure from the United Kingdom, we expect the European Commission shortly to bring forward proposals which would, under certain circumstances, exempt transfers of quota within producer groups or partnerships from the operation of the siphon.

  Bovine Semen
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what has been the cost to the United Kingdom dairy and beef cattle industry of the ban on importation of semen;

  (2) if he will list those countries that prohibit the importation of semen from the United
  Kingdom herd; and from what date in each case the prohibition applied.

  Mrs. Browning
  The following countries prohibit the importation of bovine semen collected in the United Kingdom.

  Country

  Effective date of prohibition or date notified

  Argentina

  13 August 1991

  Australia

  1 December 1988

  Austria

  30 May 1990

  Bulgaria

  September 1994

  China

  4 September 1990

  Costa Rica

  23 March 1992

  Indonesia

  10 March 1993

  Iran

  26 July 1989

  Jamaica

  11 August 1994

  Japan

  July 1990

  Malaysia (Sarawak only)

  February 1991

  Mexico

  23 October 1992

  Russian Federation

  10 April 1990

  Sweden

  21 October 1988

  Taiwan

  21 February 1991

  United Arab Emirates

  30 June 1990

  Uruguay

  9 July 1990

  It is not possible to quantify the cost to the United Kingdom dairy and beef cattle industry of these problems.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has that the BSE agent can be found in the offal of calves under the age of six months.

  Mrs. Browning
  There is no scientific evidence that BSE agent can be detected in offals from naturally infected calves under six months of age.

  However, on 30 June 1994 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education announced preliminary results from a pathogenesis study in cattle. These showed detectable infectivity in the terminal ileum of calves six months after experimental oral challenge at the age of four months with a large dose of brain material from confirmed
  778
  BSE cases. After careful consideration of these results Ministers decided, as a precautionary measure, to extend the specified bovine offals ban to include the thymus and intestine of all calves presented for slaughter for human consumption. Legislation to enact this will come into force on 2 November 1994.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to allow planting of short rotation coppice in environmentally sensitive areas.

  Mr. Jack
  Entry into the environmentally sensitive area scheme is voluntary. In cases where farmers in an environmentally sensitive area do opt to enter into an agreement with the Ministry to manage their land in an environmentally friendly way, the test of whether to allow the planting of short rotation coppice on such land would be whether its proposed extent and location would be compatible with the landscape objectives of the scheme.

  Farmers within the area of a designated ESA who do not enter into such an agreement are free to plant short rotation coppice on their holding.

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Jack
  Departmental, including regional service centres, expenditure on postage in the last five years has been:

  Year

  £

  1989–90

  1,746,325

  1990–91

  1,867,217

  1991–92

  1,984,450

  1992–93

  2,232,975

  1993–94

  2,577,039

  We do not maintain records of the number of items posted. They run to many thousands per week and include individual letters, mail shots and press releases.

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

  Mr. Jack
  Information about ministerial appointments to public bodies sponsored by the Ministry are given in "Public Bodies 1993". Except where otherwise stated in that publication, appointments are made by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food either solely, or jointly with the Ministers of other Departments. On appointments to bodies not listed in "Public Bodies", I have nothing to add to my reply to the honourable Gentleman of 3 March 1994,Official Report, column 811.

  Badger-related TB
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 8 December,Official Report, column 260, what progress has been made in introducing the test for tuberculosis in the live badger announced as part of a package of measures to address the problem of badger-related TB breakdowns in cattle.

  Mr. Browning
  We have undertaken four pilot trials of the new badger control strategy based on the live test and have discussed these with the consultative panel on badgers and bovine tuberculosis. The original proposal envisaged three approaches: no action at all against badgers; the continuation of the existing interim strategy of trapping and killing badgers on the farm or part of the farm where the disease outbreak occurred; and finally the continuation of the interim strategy on the breakdown farm and an extension beyond the farm to apply the live test and to trap and test badgers on neighbouring farms. The trapping and testing would be carried out on a sett-by-sett basis; where a sett is found to contain one or more badgers positive to TB in the test, the positive badgers and any other badgers caught from that sett will be killed. Setts which test negative will not be disturbed.

  On the basis of the views expressed by members of the consultative panel, Ministers have decided that, in cases where the live test is applied on neighbouring farms it would be more appropriate to apply the live test on the breakdown farm instead of the interim strategy. The live test will be used on the same basis as on the neighbouring farms and will result in fewer badgers being killed.

  The other elements of the strategy will remain. In particular no action will be taken where there is no evidence to suggest that the original breakdown in the cattle herd was related to badgers, and the policy of not killing any lactating sows which are trapped because of the resulting impact on the cubs, which are dependent on her, will also remain. The strategy on the revised basis will start to apply from 1 November.

  Milk
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report those articles of treaties of the European Community and consequential regulations and directives that render illegal reintroduction of the arrangements for collection, processing, distribution and sale of liquid fresh milk extract in the United Kingdom in 1972.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 17 October 1994]: The European Court has ruled that national legislation designed to promote and encourage the establishment of a uniform producer price for milk, by agreement or by authority, at the national or regional level is, by its nature, outside the bounds of the powers given to member states and runs contrary to the principle established by Council regulation 804/68, in particular article 3, of attaining a target price for the milk sold by Community producers during the milk year on the Community market and on external markets. EC Council regulations 1421/78 and 1422/78, as an exception to this principle, provided a legal framework for the continued authorisation of the milk marketing schemes in certain defined circumstances and subject to a number of conditions. While in theory the reintroduction of a milk marketing scheme would be
  780
  possible under these regulations, in practice any move in this direction would be likely to be met by a proposal from the Commission to the Council for the revocation of the regulations in question.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the latest figures for the numbers of cattle infected with tuberculosis shown by MAFF administrative area, and the figures for 1979, 1984, and 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs Browning
  [holding answer 25 October 1994]: The total numbers of confirmed cases in each animal health office administrative area in 1989 and for the first six months of 1994 were as follows:

  1989

  1994(First 6 months)

  South West England

  Cornwall

  57

  86

  Devon

  18

  66

  Dorset

  6

  6

  Gloucester/Avon

  27

  37

  Somerset

  3

  6

  Wiltshire

  9

  16

  Elsewhere in England

  Essex/Hertfordshire

  —

  2

  Durham/Tyne and Wear/Cleveland/Northumberland

  3

  1

  Kent/East Sussex

  4

  —

  Lancashire/Greater Manchester/Greater Merseyside

  —

  1

  Leicestershire

  1

  1

  Lincolnshire

  1

  —

  Norfolk

  1

  —

  Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire

  —

  2

  Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire/Berkshire

  4

  1

  Shropshire

  5

  —

  Suffolk

  1

  —

  Surrey/Middlesex/West Sussex

  1

  —

  Warwickshire/West Midlands

  2

  —

  Worcestershire/Herefordshire

  —

  6

  Wales

  Clwyd

  1

  —

  Dyfed

  9

  27

  Glamorgan/Gwent

  2

  8

  Powys

  —

  3

  Scotland

  Aberdeen

  1

  —

  Ayr

  3

  —

  Dumfries

  1

  1

  Elgin

  2

  —

  Galashiels

  1

  —

  Perth

  1

  1

  The total number of confirmed herd cases in England, Scotland and Wales in 1979 was 117 and in 1984 was 114. The numbers for each administrative area for these years are not available.

  Clock Adjustment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many man hours were taken up by adjusting the clocks throughout his Department.

  Mr. Jack
  No individual record is kept of such activities.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Committees
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the functions and objectives of(a) the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Committee, (b) the Advisory Committee for Arbitration Law, (c) the Aviation Committee, (d) the fuel cell advisory panel and (e) the Standing Advisory Committee on Industrial Properly.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Committee is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  The current functions and objectives of the departmental Advisory Committee on Arbitration Law are to examine the operation of the Arbitration Acts 1950 to 1979 in the light of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law model law on international commercial arbitration and to recommend to the Secretary of State any legislative or other steps which the committee considers should be taken to improve the system of arbitration in England and Wales.

  The objective of the Aviation Committee is to advise the Department of Trade and Industry on the needs of the United Kingdom aeronautics industry so that these may be taken into account by Government when developing and implementing policies affecting the industry.

  In particular, the Aviation Committee will advise the Department on:

  (a) the factors influencing competitiveness at home and abroad;

  (b) innovation programmes affecting the industry, including Civil Aircraft Research and Demonstration Programme (CARAD); and

  (c) on the identification and pursuit of strategic market opportunities.

  The terms of reference for the fuel cell advisory panel are:

  (i) to advise the Department of Trade and Industry and its agent, the Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU), in developing and formulating, against programme aims and objectives set by the Department of Trade and Industry, programme plans for the Department's Advanced Fuel Cell R and D programme;

  (ii) in the light of the agreed programme, to advise the Department of Trade and Industry and its agent, ETSU, on the merits of Advanced Fuel R and D proposals and to make recommendations on the funding of individual projects which are submitted to the Panel;

  (iii) to monitor progress on the Advanced Fuel Cell R and D programme against agreed plans and to evaluate its effectiveness in achieving the agreed objectives;

  (iv) to provide a forum for reviewing progress with the research and development of advanced fuel cells, for identifying future requirements and co-ordinating United Kingdom activity in this field.

  The Standing Advisory Committee on Industrial Property advises Government on the whole range of industrial property matters. Membership of the committee is drawn from organisations representing a broad range of industrial. commercial, professional and academic interests.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table showing the number of meetings held, the secretarial and advisory arrangements, the budgeted and actual expenditure and the subjects of any reports and submissions produced by the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Committee in each of the last three years.
  782
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  I have been asked to reply, as responsibility for servicing the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Committee rested with the Science and Engineering Research Council before the committee was disbanded on 31 March 1994.

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Number of meetings held

  8

  6

  1

  Budgeted expenditure

  —

  —

  —

  Actual expenditure

  —

  —

  —

  The AMTC was a joint committee of the Department of Trade and Industry and the SERC. It was jointly serviced by the DTI and SERC, with the DTI in the lead until 31 September 1993, and the SERC thereafter. No report was published by the committee. Its advice was channelled through the internal organisation of the DTI and the SERC.

  Subsidence
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the "Coal Mining Subsidence Damage Guide to Claimant's Rights" leaflets will be revised to take account of the restructuring of the coal industry; and when he intends to appoint a subsidence adviser under the powers of the Coal Industry Act 1994.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  I announced this morning the appointment of Mr. Malcolm Webb FRICS. ACIArb. to be the subsidence adviser. Arrangements for contacting the subsidence adviser's office are included in the revised "Guide to Claimants' rights" leaflet which has been issued today; copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Clock Adjustment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the total annual cost to United Kingdom industry of the non-alignment of United Kingdom time with standard European time.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  My Department has made no such assessment.

  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff in his Department alter their hours of work or work overtime when the United Kingdom falls out of line with European time.

  Mr. Taylor
  My Department's rules on working hours are administered locally and provide for alternative working patterns such as flexible working hours. No central records are kept of changes local management might authorise for individuals' working patterns. The cost of collecting such information would be disproportionate.

  Post Office
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will conduct a survey into the extra implications for vehicular traffic of closure of post offices.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  There are no plans to close post offices. Such a survey would, therefore, be unnecessary.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current salary of the secretary of the Post Office board; what was the salary of Miss Morag Macdonald, former secretary of the Post Office board; and
  783
  in what circumstances, and under what settlement, Miss Morag Macdonald left the Post Office board.

  Mr. Eggar
  Miss Macdonald has chosen to take a career break from the Post Office for further education purposes. As an employee of the Post Office both her salary and that of the new secretary of the board are the responsibility of the Post Office.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of the recent report by the Post Office's corporate planning department on exclusive access by the Royal Mail to Post Office Counters.

  Mr. Eggar
  No.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the implications of European competition law for continued exclusive access by Royal Mail and Parcelforce to Post Office Counters following privatisation.

  Mr. Eggar
  We have considered the implications of European competition law for the access arrangements. Such issues have arisen on many occasions in the past and have been satisfactorily resolved. They will be fully dealt with in any proposals for the future of the three Post Office businesses.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received regarding Bridgegate Engineering and the Post Office in the last two months.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 26 October 1994]: Complaints of a commercial nature by Bridgegate Engineering against the Post Office have been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, and are receiving serious attention. These are operational matters for the Post Office and I am assured that they have been considered at the very highest levels. It is my understanding that detailed discussions are in progress between lawyers acting for Bridgegate Engineering and the Post Office, who hope that a satisfactory outcome for all concerned will soon be achieved.

  Investment Grants
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many companies which received Spanish Government grants as inward investments into Spain in the 1980s have since closed the operation for which those grants were received;

  (2) how many companies which received Irish Government grants as inward investments into Eire in the 1980s have since closed the operations for which those grants were received;

  (3) how many companies which received French Government grants as inward investments into France in the 1980s have since closed the operations for which those grants were received;

  (4) how many companies which received Federal Republic grants as inward investments into West Germany in the 1980s have since closed the operations for which those grants were received;

  (5) how many companies which received Italian Government grants as inward investments into Italy in the 1980s have since closed the operations for which those grants were received.
  784
  Mr. Eggar
  The information requested is either unavailable or could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the total costs of preparation for market testing in his Department in terms of(a) payments to consultants and (b) other costs.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To date the total cost of consultancy fees for the market-testing programme has been £2·7 million with other departmental support costs estimated at £3·1 million.

  Job Creation Grants
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list(a) the grants which have been available from his Department to assist in investment or job creation in each of the past five years, (b) the number of grants given in each category, (c) the value of the grants, (d) the amount of investment created as a result, (e) the number of jobs created on the project assisted, (f) the criteria used in assessing the correctness of making the grants, (h) the procedures used in this monitoring, (i) the number of grants and their value which had been reclaimed for financial and legal impropriety, (j) the number and value reclaimed for failing to achieve the criteria set and (k) the number and value reclaimed for other reasons.

  Mr. Eggar
  Detailed information is published in the annual reports on the Industrial Development Act 1982, which are available in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  My Department's expenditure on postage in its headquarters buildings in each of the last five years is as follows:

  Year

  £

  1990–91

  664,140

  1991–92

  699,303

  1992–93

  782,995

  1993–94

  934,103

  1994 to date

  921,962

  We do not keep information on the number of items posted by the Department.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department organises receptions for those expressing an interest in public appointments for the first time; how often they are held; what is the annual cost; and how many people attend.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 26 October 1994]: In 1992, as part of the Opportunity 2000 initiative, my noble Friend Baroness Denton, then Parliamentry Under-Secretary of State for Consumer Affairs and Small Firms

  785
  in the DTI and co-chairman of the Women's National Commission, hosted two receptions at Lancaster House for experienced professional and business women with the aim of introducing potential women candidates for public appointments to Ministers and officials. A total of 119 people attended the receptions and the cost was included in the annual budget for departmental receptions.

  Replica Firearms
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of replica firearms imported, and from which country, for each year since 1992.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 26 October 1994]: The information requested is not available, as replica firearms are not an identifiable commodity within the standard international trade classification.

  Firearms
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of firearms imported in the past year; and from which country they came.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 26 October 1994]: The information is not available, for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

  Bus Industry
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the number of buses(a) exported from and (b) imported into Great Britain and their value in real terms for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 25 October 1994]: The annual United Kingdom trade in buses since 1979 is given in the table. The value in real terms is not available.

  United Kingdom Trade in Buses

  year

  Exports Numbers

  Value £ Million (current Prices

  Imports Numbers

  Value £ Million (current Prices)

  1979

  1,122

  9·5

  491

  7·8

  1980

  673

  8·3

  417

  6·0

  1981

  1,433

  19·7

  701

  12·9

  1982

  2,446

  8·2

  1,041

  31·0

  1983

  5,973

  17·4

  1,616

  46·2

  1984

  6,654

  12·5

  1,301

  49·4

  1985

  7,912

  17·4

  1,174

  36·8

  1986

  5,475

  14·0

  1,493

  35·4

  1987

  5,518

  13·4

  1,087

  38·3

  1988

  724

  11·0

  1,045

  58·0

  1989

  698

  11·8

  1,056

  65·7

  1990

  2,142

  21·5

  665

  46·2

  1991

  1,462

  26·1

  544

  30·2

  1992

  786

  19·1

  713

  47·2

  19931

  1,222

  23·7

  905

  57·4

  Note:

  1 Provisional.

  Sources:

  SMMT World Automotive Statistics except for 1981 and 1993.

  Department of Trade Overseas Trade Statistics for 1981.

  CSO Business Monitors MM 20 and MQ20 for 1993.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been(a) the value in real terms and (b) the
  786
  numbers of vehicles produced by the British bus-building industry in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 25 October 1994]: The numbers of buses produced by the British bus-building industry, annually in the United Kingdom since 1979, are given in the table. The value in real terms is not available.

  Production of buses in the United Kingdom

  Year

  Number

  1979

  25,531

  1980

  21,572

  1981

  12,444

  1982

  13,107

  19831

  15,616

  1984

  16,499

  1985

  16,027

  1986

  12,340

  1987

  13,995

  19881

  16,500

  1989

  14,858

  1990

  12,987

  1991

  9,837

  1992

  8,517

  1993

  7,639

  1 53 weeks.

  Source

  SMMT

  Lord Archer of Weston-Super-Mare
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the persons from whom he received advice before deciding to take no further action regarding the report into alleged insider dealing involving Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare.

  Mr. Heseltine
  It is not my Department's practice to disclose details of individuals from whom legal advice is obtained. Both the advice and its source is regarded as confidential.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the(a) budgeted and (b) total cost of the inquiry into the allegations of insider trading involving Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The total cost—including inspectors' fees, disbursements and VAT—of the investigation into alleged insider dealing in the shares of Anglia Television Group plc was £213,767. Individual inquiries are not subject to separate budgets.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Performance-related Pay
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give figures based on current performance for the number of health service staff she expects will see earnings(a) fall and (b) rise as a result of the introduction of relating pay to performance.

  Mr. Moss
  The proposals made to staff sides and the professionals who represent the groups covered by national health service review bodies, and included in pay bodies of non-review body groups, would strengthen the links between rewards and performance of the local organisations. Such schemes would be locally determined
  787
  and depend on the achievement of local objectives for the delivery of high-quality services.

  Bill of Rights
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking towards the introduction of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Government have long recognised that the protection of human rights will be considered in the context of talks necessary to create a comprehensive political settlement. It would be wrong to pre-empt the outcome of those talks.

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

  Sir John Wheeler
  My right hon. and learned Friend approves the following public appointments, which are identified in "Public Bodies 1993":Executive Bodies–205.
  Advisory Bodies–79.
  Others–63.
  Executive and advisory–1.

  The public appointments not included in "Public Bodies 1993" that the Secretary of State is personally responsible for approving are as follows:
  Executive Bodies–22.
  Advisory Bodies–5.
  Others–0.

  With regard to the Secretary of State's approval for those appointments not listed in "Public Bodies", I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 8 March, Official Report, column 141. In addition to those bodies, the Northern Ireland Regional Medical Physics Agency came into operation on 1 April 1994. The Secretary of State is responsible for the approval of the membership, comprising the chairman and one non-executive director, who are then appointed by the head of the Department of Health and Social Services.

  De Lorean
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money was paid in total in grants to the De Lorean motor car company; how much of that money has to date been returned; what has been the cost of the legal proceedings to obtain that return; how many workers in Northern Ireland are currently employed by the company; and what specific changes in policy and procedure have now been implemented by his Department to ensure there is no repetition of the De Lorean affair.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 24 October 1994]: De Lorean Motor Cars Ltd. received Government assistance amounting to some £77.3 million, including £17.76 million in preference share capital. The company is now in receivership and liquidation and has no employees. The Department of Economic Development has received in excess of £10 million from the receivership and some £5.9 million from other sources. No costs were incurred by the Government on legal proceedings to obtain these sums.
  788
  The operating arrangements and investment criteria of the Industrial Development Board were carefully worked out following a comprehensive assessment of the De Lorean case to ensure that such a project would not be supported in future. Those arrangements were reviewed following the 25th report of the Public Accounts Committee and are fully compatible with the recommendations in paragraphs 91 to 98 of that report.

  As a separate issue, the Government are pursuing an action for damages against Arthur Anderson and Company in relation to its role as auditors of De Lorean Motor Cars Ltd.

  Tourist Boards
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish an up-to-date list of all the(a) chairs and (b) non-executive directors of each tourist board, indicating the gender and occupation of each individual.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 24 October 1994]: The Northern Ireland tourist board has a nine-member board consisting of a chairman and eight members.

  Name

  Gender

  Occupation

  Hon.Hugh O'Neill(Chairman)

  Male

  Businessman

  Brian Adgey

  Male

  Business Consultant

  Roy Bailie

  Male

  Company Chairman

  Gerry Burns

  Male

  Local Government Chief Executive

  Annie Courtney

  Female

  Health Promotion Co-ordinator

  Tony Hopkins

  Male

  Managing Partner

  Alan Lambert

  Male

  Director

  Willian McGinnis

  Male

  Managing Director

  Dr. Mary Peters

  Female

  Company Director

EDUCATION

  Dearing Report
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she has received Sir Ron Dearing's report on his investigation into awarding procedures in this year's mathematics and science GCSEs; and if she will make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The investigation by the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority is continuing. I have, however, today welcomed interim proposals from Sir Ron Dearing to strengthen and clarify existing arrangements underpinning consistency of grading across GCSE examining groups. These measures include:Ensuring that the rules for determining grades are clear, consistent and robust.
  Improving communications between examining groups.
  Producing national sets of candidates' work to help define grade standards in key subjects.
  Introducing piloting of any major changes to awarding schemes.

  These will start to come into effect for the winter 1994 GCSE examinations and will all be in place for examinations from summer 1995 onwards.

  I have also agreed that the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority should review with the examining groups the scope for a more co-ordinated approach to

  789
  syllabuses, examinations and awarding in the core subjects from 1998 in the interests of securing consistency of grading.

  I am placing in the Library of the House my exchange of correspondence with Sir Ron Dearing.

  Schools (Emergency Cover)
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent discussions she has had with teachers' representatives to enlist their support for the provision of adequate emergency cover in schools for children suffering acute allergic reactions and other life-threatening conditions.

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not discussed this issue specifically with the teacher unions recently, but I met my right hon. Friend and members of the Anaphylaxis Campaign, whose representatives included a head teacher, on 27 September. "Consideration" is being given to further appropriate measures to deal with those concerns.

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much her Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by her Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Forth
  The following figures include the central spend on postage by my Department and our contracted mailing house:

  Financial Year

  Cost £

  1989–90

  870,558

  1990–91

  575,951

  1991–92

  674,372

  1992–93

  796,161

  1993–94

  490,906

  Information is not collected about the occasional dispatches carried out on the Department's behalf by ad hoc mailing contractors. The figures for 1993–94 reflect the fact that the Office for Standards in Education has assumed financial responsibility for its own post bill. Information about the number of items posted is not held centrally.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what medical training her Department advises is necessary for escorts of children with special educational needs being transported to and from school.

  Mr. Forth
  It is for local education authorities to satisfy themselves that appropriate supervision is provided for the transport of children with special educational needs. The Government endorsed a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents report in 1991 which recommended that escorts should have a knowledge and understanding of the particular disabilities of the children they escort and that they should have received adequate first aid training.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what advice her Department has given to local 790
  education authorities on the transport of children with special educational needs to and from school.

  Mr. Forth
  Transport arrangements made by local education authorities must enable pupils to travel in reasonable safety and comfort, without undue stress, strain or difficulty such as would prevent the child benefiting from the education provided at the school. Guidance on the management and safety of school transport was included in a circular letter on a range of school transport issues sent to all chief education officers in England in January 1994.

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

  Mr. Boswell
  The information requested is given below.

  Number of appointments the Secretary of State is responsible for making

  Number of appointments that require approval from the Secretary of State

  Executive bodies

  255

  1

  Advisory bodies

  19

  —

  Other bodies

  871

  1

  1 These figures include eight appointments to the SLC made jointly by the Secretaries of State for Education and for Scotland. Further appointments can be made at the discretion of the Secretaries of State.

  The Secretary of State is also empowered to establish education associations and may appoint as many members as she considers appropriate to each association.

  "Our Children's Education"
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pensioner households received the publication Our "Children's Education".

  Mr. Robin Squire
  "Our Children's Education", the updated parents charter, was delivered to every household in England. This means that all pensioner households should have received a copy. I would expect many of them to be interested in the contents, but as taxpayers, grandparents or both.

  Stratford School
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the qualifications of Mrs. Gould of Combe Hay Partnership to become a governor of Stratford school; and what fees she will receive.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Mrs. Daphne Gould OBE is the former head teacher of an east London school, with particular experience of Stratford school through her previous services as the Secretary of State's additional governor. Mrs. Gould was a founder member of the National Curriculum Council, and is one of only six honorary fellows of the university of London's institute
  791
  of education. Mrs. Gould will not, of course, receive fees for her duties as a governor. However, the Secretary of State has separately asked her to carry out consultancy work at the school for a period not exceeding 10 days this term, for which she will be remunerated at an appropriate rate.

  Clock Adjustment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many man hours were taken up by adjusting the clocks throughout her Department.

  Mr. Forth
  No record is kept of such estimates.

  Higher and Further Education Fees
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidelines she has published on the charging of registration fees to home students by higher and further education colleges.

  Mr. Boswell
  There are no Government guidelines on the charging of registration fees to students.

  Budget Allocations
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of her Department's budget in

  Proportion of expenditure on sectors of education as percentage of total local and central Government education expenditure

  1994–951

  1989–90

  1984–85

  1979–80

  Nursery2

  —

  4·2

  2·6

  2·1

  Primary

  22·1

  19·5

  19·2

  20·3

  Secondary3

  23·3

  27

  29·9

  28·2

  Special schools4

  5

  3·5

  3·3

  3

  Schools capital5

  2·2

  4·1

  2·5

  4·3

  Higher and further education6

  35·9

  28·5

  30·1

  28·7

  Other7

  11·5

  13·2

  12·4

  13·4

  1Central Government element of figures based on planned expenditure. Local Authority recurrent expenditure is taken from local authority Revenue Account budget returns. Schools capital expenditure figures do not allow for Local Authorities' self-financed expenditure. The figures in this column are therefore not directly comparable with those in other columns, which report outturn expenditure.

  2For 1989–90 only figures include rising fives in primary schools. Figures for 1994–95 have been included in figures for primary schools, as the figures available do not fully disaggregate funding on nursery provision from primary provision.

  3Figures include expenditure on assisted places, recurrent expenditure on CTCs and music and ballet schools.

  4Figures have been shown separately for special schools which often have pupils of both primary and secondary age.

  5Figures showing the split of capital expenditure between primary and secondary schools are not available.

  6Figures include expenditure on institutional recurrent and capital funding, mandatory student awards (maintenance grants and tuition fees), discretionary awards, postgraduate awards, student loans, access funds and adult education. Mandatory awards programme also covers Wales. In 1979–80, 1984–85 and 1989–90 the Department was responsible through the University Grants Committee and the Universities Funding Council for recurrent funding to universities in Scotland and Wales. The figures have been adjusted to remove this element of expenditure.

  7Includes expenditure on administration, research programme, youth service, school meals, transport, teachers' centres, child guidance and pupil support.

TRANSPORT

  A38
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends announcing his Department's preferred routes for the A38 trunk road improvement schemes Saltash-Trerulefoot and Liskeard-Bodmin; and if he will make a statement.

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Robert Hicks dated 27 October 1994:
  I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Transport to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the proposed improvement of the A38 trunk road between Saltash and Trerulefoot and between
  792
  the last year for which figures are available was spent on (a) nursery, (b) primary, (c) secondary and (d) higher and further education; and what were the corresponding figures five, 10 and 15 years ago.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  During this period the Department's responsibilities have changed. It has previously had responsibility for science, arts, libraries and sport. Responsibility for funding some sectors of education has passed from local education authorities to the Department. The table accordingly provides figures for expenditure on the activities in question, as a proportion of expenditure on education by the Department and by English local authorities. The percentage of expenditure on each sector reflects in part demographic trends, and also the recent rapid growth in participation in higher education. The figures are for England only, with the exception of those figures for further and higher education which include spending on mandatory student awards in Wales. Other figures for Wales, and those for Scotland and Northern Ireland, are the responsibilities of 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.

  Liskeard and Bodmin. The timing of the preferred route announcements depends upon the progress of the schemes themselves, which is an operational matter for the Highways Agency.
  We expect Ministers to be able to announce the preferred routes for both of these schemes in November.
  The announcement on the Liskeard to Bodmin scheme has had to await detailed consideration of the A38 Action Group's suggestion that the trunk road should be improved along its existing line through the environmentally sensitive Glynn Valley.
  The Saltash to Trerulefoot scheme is also sensitive. Villagers of Landrake have come out in favour of resurrecting the old route, which passes through a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a proposed Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We have wished to find ways of responding to the concerns that have led them to prefer the old route.
  Other aspects of this scheme have also given concern to residents, developers and planners, not least its potential effects on the

  793
  Broadmoor Farm area which the owners and the District Council wish to develop as a business or industrial park. We have wished to ensure that all the concerns that have been expressed as a result of the Public Consultation have been properly understood and taken into account.

  Rail Safety
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake a survey of the safety of single line railway tracks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Watts
  No.

  Non-motorised Transport
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what practical steps he is taking to improve the collection and presentation of data in respect of non-motorised transport modes.

  Mr. Norris
  The national travel survey is the main source of national data on walking and is a major source of national data on cycling. The survey was conducted five times at irregular intervals between 1965 and 1986, but since 1988 the survey has been expanded to collect data on a continuous basis.

  The Department undertakes regular reviews of the need for all types of data but has no plans for further innovations for these modes at present.

  Railway Stations
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provisions are in place or are proposed to require porters at railway stations to assist(a) passengers who have disabilities and (b) those passengers who have children in their charge while at the same time carrying luggage.

  Mr. Watts
  The provision of porters at stations is a matter for British Rail. I understand that British Rail tries to ensure that stations are staffed according to the expected demand.

  The Rail Regulator has a statutory duty to have regard to the interests of persons who are disabled. He requires all station operators to produce and comply with a disabled people's protection policy as a condition of being granted a licence to operate.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to prohibit the charge made at mainline stations for the use of toilet facilities by passengers or to include the cost of toilet facilities in the cost of a train ticket; and what assessment he has made of the arrangements made for charging for toilet facilities by food outlets at stations.

  Mr. Watts
  These are matters for station operators.

  Train Failure
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will inquire into the cause of a double engine failure during a rail journey between Birmingham and London on 26 April and into whether this train was in a safe condition to carry passengers.

  Mr. Watts
  Engine failure is an operational matter for the relevant train operating company, which has a statutory responsibility to operate its services safely. The train operating company would be required to report it only if there were personal injury or if other, specific 794
  circumstances were involved. Engine failure is not a reportable occurrence.

  River Thames
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new proposals he has to increase the use of the Thames for commercial, industrial and leisure transport.

  Mr. Norris
  The River Thames working group has been examining the present transport uses of the Thames, the factors which inhibit the growth of traffic on it, and the potential for developing both freight and passenger traffic. The group will report as soon as possible.

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department in each of the past five years.

  Mr. Norris
  My Department has spent the following sums on postage:

  1991–92

  £13·13 million.

  1992–93

  £12·93 million.

  1993–94

  £13·27 million.

  Separate figures for the Departments for the years 1989–90 and 1990–91 are not available.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Incapacity for Work Appeals
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of appeals concerning incapacity for work during(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97 by claimants of (i) incapacity benefit, ii) severe disablement allowance and (iii) income support.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is not available in the format requested. Current planning assumptions are that the number of appeals which will be lodged on the question of incapacity will be in the region of 140,000 in 1995–96 and 190,000 in 1996–97.

  21-hour Rule
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for changing the 21-hour rule; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The "21-hour rule" is a special provision which enables income support claimants who are unemployed to spend their time usefully in part-time study while continuing their search for work. The rules governing study on benefit are designed to allow people to undertake study, which will increase their employability, while remaining available for, and actively seeking, work. The "Jobseeker's Allowance" White Paper, which was published on 24 October, makes it clear that the Government intend to continue broadly with the same approach in JSA. Details of the JSA scheme are still under consideration.

  Clock Adjustment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many man hours were taken up by adjusting the clocks throughout his Department.

  Mr. Hague
  No records are kept of such activities.

  Inflation
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the effect on pensioner spending power on the occasion when Great Britain last had inflation over 10 per cent.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Government fully recognise the importance of maintaining low inflation in protecting pensioners' spending power.

  Since October 1990, when inflation was last above 10 per cent., it is estimated1 that pensioners'2 average weekly incomes have risen by more than 12 per cent. in real terms.

  Notes:

  1. Source: Family Expenditure Surveys.

  2. Measurement based on pensioner units which include single pensioners and couples where the husband is over state pension age.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his current calculation of the costs of preparation for market testing in his Department in terms of(a) payments to consultants and (b) other costs.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Consultancy costs to date in preparation for market testing are £4,614,579 and other costs are £5,819,468.

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Hague
  The departmental expenditure on postage in each of the last five years was:

  £

  1989–90

  38,515,000

  1990–91

  46,969,000

  1991–92

  59,718,000

  1992–93

  70,198,000

  1993–94

  71,320,000

  The number of items posted is not available for the whole period in question. However, for the financial year 1993–94, the number of items posted via the Royal Mail was 311,043,023.

  Lung Conditions
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many PD12D chronic bronchitis and emphysema cases(a) had been received up to 11 September, (b) had been processed and (c) were rejected on grounds of failure to meet (i) the qualification period, (ii) the FEVI test and (iii) the X-ray diagnosis of simple pneumoconiosis.
  796
  Mr. Hague
  Information as at 11 September 1994 is in the table:

  Number

  Claims received

  43,827

  Claims processed

  40,338

  Disallowed on prescription

  1,821

  Failed FEV1 test

  18,658

  Diagnosed as Category O. pneumoconiosis

  13,995

  Based on a 100 per cent. count and subject to amendment.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social security how many PD12D chronic bronchitis and emphysema appeals had been heard to 11 September by(a) a special medical board and (b) a medical appeals tribunal; and how many were successful at each stage.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is in the table.

  Appeals

  Number

  Processed or Withdrawn

  Appeals Upheld

  Special Medical Boards

  5,913

  4,813

  214

  Medical Appeal Tribunals

  1,543

  237

  32

  NB: Based on a 100 per cent. count and subject to amendment.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many PD12D chronic bronchitis and emphysema appeals to special medical boards up to 11 September have been against(a) X-ray evidence, (b) FEVI test and (c) the qualification period; and how many were successful in each category.

  Mr. Hague
  Information is not available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The available information is in the table.

  Criteria

  Number

  Test satisfied

  Test not satisfied

  Appeals to special medical boards and medical appeal tribunals

  FEV1

  2,146

  97

  1,698

  X-ray

  3,333

  158

  2,534

  Appeals to social security appeal tribunals at 11 September

  20 year rule

  135

  15

  32

  Note

  Figures in both tables based on a 100 per cent. count and subject to amendment.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the PD12D chronic bronchitis and emphysema appellants to the medical appeal tribunal have been referred for fresh X-rays; and of those how many have been successful at appeal.

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

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many successful PD12D chronic bronchitis and emphysema applicants there were up to 11 September who have been awarded benefit; and what is their average age.

  Mr. Hague
  At 11 September 1994, 43,827 claims had been received and 4,469 awards of benefit made.
  797
  Information on the average age of benefit recipients could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  NB: Based on a 100 per cent. count but subject to amendment.

  Means Testing (Limits)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the(a) £1,000 widow's payment, (b) £3,000 and £8,000 capital limits for income support and family credit, (c) £3,000 and £16,000 capital limits for housing benefit, (d) £2 per day earnings limit for unemployment benefit, (e) £12 earnings limit under the normal idle day rule, (f) £5 and £15 earnings disregards for income support, (g) £5, £10 and £25 earnings disregards for housing and council tax benefits, (h) £10 war pension disregard for income-related benefits, (i) £10 disregard of statutory or voluntary payments, (j) £20 disregard of income from a boarder, (k) £200 disregard of a training bonus (l) £15 maintenance disregard for income-related benefits other than income

  Col. 1

  Col. 2 date of introduction

  Col. 3 date from which current rate applicable

  Col. 4 current value if increased in line with prices since date at Col. 3

  Col. 5 current value if increased in line with average earnings since date at Col. 3

  (a) £1,000 window's Payment

  April 1988

  April 1988

  1,387·40

  1,523·60

  (b) £3,000 and £8,000 capital limits for income support and family credit:-

  £3,000

  April 1988

  April 1988

  4,105·90

  4,570·65

  £8,000

  April 1988

  April 1990

  9,940.50

  10,202·60

  (c) £3,000 and £16,000 capital limits, for housing benefits:-

  £3,000

  April 1988

  April 1988

  4,105·90

  4,570·65

  £16,000

  April 1988

  April 1990

  19,881·10

  20,405·15

  (d) £2 per day earnings limit for unemployment benefit

  July 1948

  March 1982

  3·75

  4·80

  (e) £12 earnings limit under the normal idle day rule

  December 1989

  December 1989

  15·75

  16·70

  (f) £5 and £15 earnings disregards for income support:-

  £5·00

  April 1988

  April 1988

  6·85

  7·65

  £15·00

  April 1988

  April 1988

  20·50

  22·90

  (g) £5, £10 and £25 earnings disregards for housing and council tax benefits:-

  £5

  April 1988

  April 1988

  6·85

  7·65

  £10

  April 1988

  April 1988

  13·70

  15·25

  £25

  April 1988

  October 1990

  31·05

  31·90

  (h) £10 war pension disregard for income-related benefits

  April 1998

  April 1990

  12·45

  12·75

  (i) £10 disregard of charitable and voluntary payments

  April 1988

  April 1990

  12·45

  12·75

  (j) £20 disregard of income from a boarder (plus half of charge in excess of £20)

  April 1988

  April 1990

  24·80

  25·45

  (k) £200 disregard of a training bonus

  September 1988

  September 1988

  277·45

  304·80

  (l) £15 maintenance disregard for income-related benefits other than income support

  April 1992

  April 1992

  16·10

  16·20

  (m) £10 disregard of student loans

  September 1990

  September 1990

  12·45

  12·75

  (n) £35 occupational pension limit for unemployment benefit

  April 1981

  April 1981

  72·60

  95·00

  798
  support, (m) £10 disregard of student loans, (n) £35 occupational pension limit for unemployment benefit, (o) £200 savings limit for the lower rate of voluntary unemployment deduction, (p) £27 (£8 if living in a hostel) protected earnings, and the £1 margin over protected earnings, where income support paid after a trade dispute is recoverable, (q) £52·50 rate of statutory sick pay, (r) £100 maternity payment from the social fund, (s) £500 and £1,000 capital limits for maternity and funeral payments from the social fund, (t) £75 limit on additional expenses included in a funeral payment from the social fund, (u) 25 pence age addition to retirement pension, (v) £10 Christmas bonus, (w) £2,500 exempt payments limit for recovery of benefits from compensation payments and (x) £30,000 vaccine damage payment were (i) last uprated and (ii) introduced; and what their present value would be if they had been uprated in each year since then in line with the increases in (A) prices and (B) average earnings.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information requested is set out in the table.
  799

  Col. 1

  Col. 2 date of introduction

  Col. 3 date from which current rate applicable

  Col. 4 current value if increased in line with prices since date at Col. 3

  Col. 5 current value if increased in line with average earnings since date at Col. 3

  (o) £200 savings limit for the lower rate of voluntary employment deduction

  November 1980

  April 1988

  273·75

  304·80

  (p) £27 (£8 if living in a hostel) protected earnings, and the £1 margin over protected earnings, where income support is paid after a trade dispute is recoverable

  April 1988

  April 1988

  36·90

  41·10

  (q) £52.50 rate of statutory sick pay

  April 1990

  April 1990

  63·95

  67·00

  (r) £100 maternity payment from the Social Fund

  April 1987

  April 1990

  124·25

  127·55

  (s) £500 and £1,000 capital limits for maternity and funeral payments from the Social Fund

  £500

  April 1990

  April 1990

  621·30

  637·65

  £1,000

  April 1990

  April 1990

  1,242·60

  1,275·35

  (t) £75 limit on additional expenses (specifically arising from the religious faith of the deceased) included in a funeral payments from the Social Fund

  April 1987

  April 1987

  105·95

  123·15

  (u) 25 pence age addition to retirement pension

  September 1971

  September 1971

  1·55

  2·60

  (v) £10 Christmas bonus

  December 1972

  December 1972

  65·70

  94·75

  (w) £2,500 exempt payments limit for recover of benefits from compensation payments

  September 1990

  September 1990

  3,043·85

  3,188·30

  (x) £30,000 vaccine damage payment

  March 1979

  April 1991

  32,936·70

  34,908·45

  Note:

  1. The figures have been rounded to two decimal places.

  2. In each step of the calculation the amount has been rounded to the nearest five pence.

  3. The Retail Prices Index (all items) and the Retail Prices Index (all items except housing ROSSI) as published by the Central Statistical Office have been used for the prices up-rating -ROSSI in relation to amounts which apply to income-related benefits.

  4. Average Earnings Index (Whole Economy Unadjusted) as published by the Employment Department has been used to calculate the earnings up-rating.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has completed his review of the cold weather payments scheme network of temperature monitoring points; what proposals he has to announce in respect of Garve, Ross-shire, and the monitoring station on Tiree; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This year's review of the cold weather payments scheme is complete. Amending regulations were laid on 11 October and will come into force on 1 November. No changes are to be made in respect of Garve.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much money has been spent in total on housing benefit in Scotland for private sector tenancies in each year since 1985;

  (2) how much has been spent on housing benefit in Scotland in each financial year since 1985.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is set out in the table.800

  £ thousands

  Year

  Total Private Sector Housing Benefit

  Total Housing Benefit

  1985–86

  53,693

  270,098

  1986–87

  69,260

  317,889

  1987–88

  85,903

  367,005

  1988–891

  81,968

  380,405

  1989–901

  103,567

  434,152

  1990–91

  109,257

  489,784

  1991–92

  123,753

  535,526

  1992–93

  154,617

  607,954

  Note

  1 Amounts estimated as the data was not collected in the required format for these two years.

  All Figures have been rounded to the nearest £,000.

  Source

  Final subsidy claims.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money was spent on housing benefit in each district council in Scotland in the last financial year.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information is set out in the table.
  801

  District

  Total Housing Benefit (£,000)

  Berwickshire

  1.422

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  2,144

  Roxburgh

  3,619

  Tweeddale

  1,036

  Clackmannan

  4,823

  Falkirk

  13,492

  Stirling

  7,646

  Annandale and Eskdale

  2,792

  Nithsdale

  4,814

  Stewartry

  1,698

  Wigtown

  4,149

  Dunfermline

  11,761

  Kirkcaldy

  17,800

  North East Fife

  4,462

  Aberdeen

  14,984

  Banff and Buchan

  5,549

  Gordon

  2,935

  Kincardine and Deeside

  1,492

  Moray

  5,505

  Badenoch

  998

  Caithness

  2,203

  Inverness

  5,518

  Lochaber

  1,665

  Nairn

  829

  Ross and Cromarty

  4,754

  Skye and Lochalsh

  1,067

  Sutherland

  1,138

  Edinburgh

  67,641

  East Lothian

  7,688

  Midlothian

  4,341

  West Lothian

  9,242

  Argyll-Bute

  7,290

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  1,207

  Clydebank

  7,666

  Clydesdale

  4,287

  Cumbernauld

  3,381

  Cumnock and Doon

  5,020

  Cunninghame

  14,410

  Dumbarton

  8,844

  East Kilbride

  1,580

  Eastwood

  1,455

  Glasgow

  178,875

  Hamilton

  11,825

  Inverclyde

  12,739

  Kilmarnock

  8,131

  Kyle and Carrick

  10,926

  Monklands

  14,127

  Motherwell

  16,710

  Renfrew

  23,397

  Strathkelvin

  5,245

  Angus

  5,877

  Dundee

  32,078

  Perth and Kinross

  8,837

  Islands

  Orkney

  1,165

  Shetland

  1,275

  Western Isles

  2,399

  All figures rounded to the nearest £,000.

  Source: Final subsidy claims.

  Information relates to 1992–93 year.

  Housing Benefit Subsidy 1992–93 Source: MPF720B (Certified)

  Districts

  Housing Benefit Subsidy

  Berwickshire

  1,422,031

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  2,144,030

  Roxburgh

  3,618,630

  Tweeddale

  1,035,930

  Clackmannan

  4,822,713

  Falkirk

  13,492,425

  802

  Housing Benefit Subsidy 1992–93 Source: MPF720B (Certified)

  Districts

  Housing Benefit Subsidy

  Stirling

  7,646,014

  Annandale and Eskdale

  2,791,643

  Nithsdale

  4,814,403

  Stewartry

  1,697,878

  Wigtown

  4,148,971

  Dunfermline

  11,761,442

  Kirkcaldy

  17,800,067

  North East Fife

  4,462,196

  Aberdeen

  14,984,313

  Banff and Buchan

  5,548,947

  Gordon

  2,934,543

  Kincardine and Deeside

  1,492,313

  Moray

  5,504,803

  Badenoch

  997,785

  Caithness

  2,202,847

  Inverness

  5,518,241

  Lochaber

  1,664,894

  Nairn

  828,642

  Ross and Cromarty

  4,753,973

  Skye and Lochalsh

  1,066,843

  Sutherland

  1,138,487

  Edinburgh

  67,640,909

  East Lothian

  7,688,208

  Midlothian

  4,341,099

  West Lothian

  9,242,218

  Argyll-Bute

  7,289,821

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  1,206,648

  Clydebank

  7,666,228

  Clydesdale

  4,287,072

  Cumbernauld

  3,381,167

  Cumnock and Doon

  5,019,841

  Cunninghame

  14,409,820

  Dumbarton

  8,844,003

  East Kilbride

  1,579,816

  Eastwood

  1,455,284

  Glasgow

  178,875,469

  Hamilton

  11,825,268

  Inverclyde

  12,738,576

  Kilmarnock

  8,131,272

  Kyle and Carrick

  10,926,069

  Monklands

  14,127,309

  Motherwell

  16,709,628

  Renfrew

  23,397,271

  Strathkelvin

  5,245,087

  Angus

  5,877,088

  Dundee

  32,077,629

  Perth and Kinross

  8,837,355

  603,115,159

  Islands

  Orkney

  1,164,576

  Shetland

  1,275,119

  Western Isles

  2,398,951

  4,838,646

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the highest values of rent eligible for housing benefit in(a) the private sector and (b) the public sector, in each financial year since 1985.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information for Scotland is set out in the table. It gives the maximum eligible rent and the 99th percentile eligible rent for the years for which the information could be extracted.
  803

  Enquiry date

  Public sector tenancies Maximum eligible rent £

  Private sector tenancies 99th percentile eligible rent £

  Maximum eligible rent £

  99th percentile eligible rent £

  May 1989

  46·42

  27·02

  87·94

  51·50

  May 1990

  107·97

  32·72

  96·92

  80·77

  May 1991

  124·45

  39·81

  105·00

  81·89

  May 1992

  250·37

  42·64

  115·38

  95·00

  May 1993

  170·2

  43·63

  150·00

  98·08

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System annual one per cent. inquiries.

  Note:

  1 As the figures are from a one per cent. sample of recipients of Housing Benefit, the maximum quoted above may not be the actual maximum eligible rent.

  2 The 99th percentile eligible rent (that is, the eligible rent which represents the boundary between the top one per cent of eligible rents and all other eligible rents) has been quoted as a more reliable indicator of the highest values.

  3 The private sector includes Housing Association tenancies.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many housing benefit claims have been awarded for each district council area in Scotland in each year since 1985.

  Average Housing Benefit Caseload for each District in Scotland 1988–1993

  Average Housing Benefit Caseload

  District

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Aberdeen

  16,758

  17,615

  17,806

  16,584

  16,046

  16,163

  Angus

  6,959

  6,860

  6,739

  6,537

  6,562

  6,736

  Annandale and Eskdale

  3,552

  2,759

  2,356

  2,373

  2,412

  2,515

  Argyll-Bute

  5,064

  4,655

  4,698

  5,094

  5,115

  5,414

  Badenoch

  863

  715

  651

  667

  734

  780

  Banff and Buchan

  5,525

  5,568

  5,499

  5,379

  5,318

  5,468

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  1,047

  1,018

  942

  901

  900

  917

  Berwickshire

  508

  1,350

  1,310

  1,287

  1,298

  1,346

  Caithness

  2,106

  1,936

  1,929

  1,901

  1,940

  2,010

  Clackmannan

  4,846

  7,320

  7,110

  7,019

  6,872

  6,570

  Clydebank

  7,308

  6,948

  6,871

  6,692

  6,625

  6,709

  Clydesdale

  4,534

  4,336

  4,266

  4,278

  4,420

  4,474

  Cumbernauld

  2,260

  2,313

  2,338

  2,494

  2,591

  2,711

  Cumnock and Doon

  5,142

  4,937

  4,871

  4,895

  5,130

  5,358

  Cunninghame

  15,019

  13,266

  12,317

  12,398

  12,904

  13,358

  Dumbarton

  7,256

  7,116

  6,998

  6,879

  6,697

  7,232

  Dundee

  24,289

  23,372

  23,600

  23,108

  22,741

  23,043

  Dunfermline

  10,579

  10,694

  10,363

  10,488

  10,701

  10,936

  East Kilbride

  880

  861

  922

  963

  1,062

  1,151

  East Lothian

  8,018

  7,667

  7,072

  7,005

  6,978

  6,983

  Eastwood

  1,109

  1,079

  1,033

  1,014

  1,119

  1,198

  Edinburgh

  48,640

  45,318

  42,869

  40,000

  39,934

  41,203

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  607

  2,102

  1,984

  1,786

  2,139

  2,231

  Falkirk

  14,899

  14,951

  14,498

  14,273

  14,150

  14,306

  Glasgow

  122,020

  121,430

  124,966

  122,018

  123,314

  122,577

  Gordon

  1,866

  2,655

  2,501

  2,282

  2,578

  2,644

  Hamilton

  11,969

  11,659

  11,278

  11,168

  11,133

  11,297

  Inverclyde

  15,502

  11,978

  11,899

  11,205

  11,018

  11,312

  Inverness

  5,167

  6,099

  6,235

  6,002

  5,248

  4,353

  Kilmarnock

  9,744

  9,380

  9,052

  9,015

  8,746

  8,709

  Kincardine and Deeside

  1,266

  1,405

  1,463

  1,439

  1,490

  1,595

  Kirkcaldy

  13,876

  13,841

  13,833

  13,584

  14,141

  14,500

  Kyle and Carrick

  10,582

  10,146

  9,849

  9,664

  9,443

  9,783

  Lochaber

  2,069

  1,686

  1,442

  1,380

  1,349

  1,572

  Midlothian

  6,176

  5,815

  5,190

  4,928

  5,721

  4,931

  Monklands

  15,804

  14,935

  14,184

  14,240

  12,879

  13,283

  Moray

  5,718

  5,616

  5,413

  5,236

  6,725

  5,401

  Motherwell

  20,336

  18,629

  17,916

  17,782

  15,813

  18,305

  Nairn

  806

  785

  680

  638

  1,058

  748

  Nithsdale

  5,150

  4,269

  3,959

  3,860

  4,120

  4,321

  North East Fife

  4,446

  4,247

  4,091

  3,556

  3,330

  3,747

  Orkney Isles

  1,269

  996

  829

  844

  1,730

  919

  Perth and Kinross

  7,964

  7,850

  7,758

  7,698

  9,346

  7,998

  Renfrew

  21,959

  20,294

  18,553

  19,877

  17,949

  20,945

  804
  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information is set out in the table.
  805

  Average Housing Benefit Caseload for each District in Scotland 1988–1993

  Average Housing Benefit Caseload

  District

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Ross and Cromarty

  3,648

  3,540

  3,396

  3,455

  3,598

  4,039

  Roxburgh

  827

  2,863

  2,742

  2,705

  2,697

  3,113

  Shetland Isles

  1,501

  1,020

  967

  963

  962

  1,043

  Skye and Lochalsh

  1,063

  1,165

  1,388

  678

  822

  753

  Stewartry

  2,174

  1,504

  1,317

  1,343

  1,892

  1,410

  Stirling

  8,240

  7,487

  6,442

  6,334

  5,795

  6,666

  Strathkelvin

  5,383

  4,887

  4,617

  4,363

  4,290

  4,341

  Sutherland

  973

  942

  947

  947

  926

  981

  Tweeddale

  156

  737

  919

  892

  933

  953

  West Lothian

  10,317

  9,802

  9,344

  9,560

  9,368

  9,440

  Western Isles

  4,405

  1,786

  1,143

  1,198

  1,551

  1,568

  Wigtown

  3,930

  3,182

  3,042

  2,899

  3,084

  3,170

  Source

  Housing Benefit Management Information System Notes

  (1) The above figures are benefit units. A benefit unit may be a single person or a couple.

  (2) The average caseload is based on 100 per cent. enquiries taken at the end of February, May, August and November of each year.

  (3) When the Local Authorities have failed to send in a return, figures have been estimated.

  (4) Prior to April 1989 the average caseload includes rate rebate cases.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the total cost and number of recipients of housing benefit in the current year; and what were the equivalent figures for 1982.

  Great Britain

  Housing Benefit only

  Housing Benefit plus an estimate for the number of people on Supplementary Benefit who get help with housing costs

  Spending £ (millions)

  Caseload (thousands)

  Spending £ (millions)

  Caseload (thousands)

  1982–831

  Rent rebate

  929

  3,050

  1,777

  3,580

  Rent allowance

  74

  260

  351

  851

  1994–952

  Rent rebate

  5,659

  3,186

  —

  —

  Rent allowance

  4,320

  1,432

  —

  —

  Note

  1982–83 caseload and expenditure figures include estimates for people whose Supplementary Benefit payments included help with their housing costs.

  1 Information taken from Public Expenditure papers.

  2 "Government's Expenditure Plans 1994–95 to 1996–97". Caseload information extrapolated from figures in same report.

  Personal Injury Claims
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the total value of all benefits recovered from claimants awarded damages for personal injury claims in each year since 1979 expressed in constant 1994 prices.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The compensation recovery scheme came into force on 3 September 1990. No records are held of the amounts of benefit recovered by compensators before that date because the Department was not involved in the process. The amounts recovered since 3 September 1990 in 1994–95 prices are as follows:

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  4·35

  27·96

  54·55

  84·36

  47·50

  Notes

  1. All figures are in £ millions.

  2. Figures exclude recoveries from awards that do not exceed £2,500. Compensators may exercise the right to offset such awards by half the value of benefits payable, but the Department is not involved in the process. Accordingly, no records are held of these recoveries.

  806
  Mr. Roger Evans
  pursuant to his reply, 24 October, Official Report, column 425]: The figures for rent allowance and rent rebate caseload had been transposed.

  The correct information is set out in the table.

  3. Figures for 1994–95 are to 30 September 1994 only.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security who were the members of the group of experts who were asked to advise on the procedures for assessing the effects of mental health problems in relation to incapacity benefit.

  Mr. Hague
  Panel members who agreed to have their names published are listed in the report "The Medical Assessment for Incapacity Benefit", copies of which are in the Library. Ten members of the panel, including some members of the sub-group which advised on the mental health assessment, did not want their names published. We do not have the consent of any panel member to disclose his involvement in a particular part of the work, such as the mental health assessment. The sub-group which advised on the mental health assessment included panel members with experience in psychological medicine, occupational health and general practice.

WALES

  Rough Sleepers Initiative
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to launch a rough sleepers initiative in Wales to alleviate the problems caused by homeless people sleeping overnight in open-air locations in the Principality.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office continues to devote considerable resources to the prevention and alleviation of homelessness. In 1994–95 some £5,000,000 was available to local authorities for capital schemes addressing homelessness or under-occupation; £500,000 revenue funding is also being directed to voluntary bodies.

  Local authority

  Public right of way

  Duration

  Reason for extension given by local authority

  Powys county council

  Bridleways Nos. 6 and 7 in Craig DDU Forest, Penybontfawr

  12 weeks

  Completion of road construction by the forestry Commission

  Footpath No. 1 at Sychpwll, Llandrinio

  1 month

  Rebuilding of a flood bank

  Footpath No. 33 near Carreghofa Hall, Carreghofa Llanymynech

  38 weeks

  To repair an unsafe bridge abutment

  Footpath No. 17 at Nant-Y-Wiber footbridge, Penygarnedd

  42 weeks

  Unsafe footbridge—likely to be replaced

  Footpath No. 53 and bridleway No. 54 at old lead mine, Van, Llanidloes

  33 weeks

  Completion of reclamation works

  Bridleway No. 22 at bridge No. CB 4137 Near Blaen Glyn, Glyn Tarell

  11 weeks

  Public safety owing to weaknesses in the bridge structure

  Bridleway No. 22 at bridge No. CB 4137 near Blaen Glyn, Glyn Tarell

  39 weeks

  Reconstruction of bridge

  Public footpath No. 1 at Festival footbridge near Aberhafesp

  8 weeks

  Essential maintenance works to footbridge

  Public footpath No. 65 at Trederwen outfall near Arddleen

  35 weeks

  Reconstruction of outfall

  Gwent county council

  Public footpath No. 55 at Rogerstone power station

  26 weeks

  Infrastructure works on sides of Ebbw river

  Public footpath No. 10 at Garn-Y-Rerw, Blaenavon

  130 weeks

  Mineral workings

  Public footpath No. 14 at Langstone/Cats Ash

  26 weeks

  Residential development of adjacent land

  Public footpaths Nos. 36, 38, 39, and 40 at Cats Ash—Celtic Manor golf course

  26 weeks

  Public safety during construction of golf course

  Public Footpath No. 247 at Pennar farm Newbridge-Maesycwmmer

  26 weeks

  Construction of bypass route A472

  South Glamorgan county council

  Footpath linking Ewenny close and Dynallt road, Barry

  22weeks

  Public safety during construction work nearby

  Footpath under Eastern avenue at The Nant Pontprennau subway, Cardiff

  78 weeks

  Public safety during construction of nearby link road

  Footpath No. 14 at Barry

  13 weeks

  Public safety during residential development of adjacent land

  Clwyd county council

  Public footpaths Nos. 102 and 108 at Cerrigydrudion

  14 weeks

  To facilitate repairs to dam bridge

  Selective Financial Assistance
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will list the companies which received selective financial assistance in 1992, 1993 and 1994 to 808
  To tackle a specific identified problem of single vulnerable young homeless people, £800,000 is being provided for a three-year pilot project in Cardiff.

  Traffic Regulation Orders
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the temporary traffic regulation orders for which he has authorised an extension under section 15(5) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1994 as amended by the Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Act 1991, stating in each case(a) the name of the authority making the order, (b) the public rights of way stopped up by the order, (c) the duration of the extension and (d) why he granted the extension.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is given in the table:

  the latest date; and what were the total sums paid in selective assistance for each year.

  Mr. Redwood
  Details of companies receiving regional selective assistance offers of £75,000 or more are published quarterly in the Employment Gazette, while

  809
  summarised information relating to regional assistance is published each year in the Industrial Development Act 1982 annual reports. Copies of both publications are available in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total number of people employed in his Department; and under what subject headings they work.

  Mr. Redwood
  The total full-time equivalent number of permanent staff employed by the Welsh Office at the beginning of October 1994 was 2,334. They work in the following broad subject areas:

  Number

  Ministers' offices

  29

  Permanent secretary's office

  2·5

  Deputy secretaries' offices

  5

  Economic development

  82·5

  Industry and training

  176·5

  Agriculture

  445

  Health

  210

  Local government finance, housing and social services

  113

  Transport, planning and environment

  595·5

  Local government reorganisation

  23

  Education

  85·5

  Legal

  66·5

  Accommodation and management services

  199

  Personnel and central services

  91

  Statistics, information and library

  96·5

  Finance

  94

  Total

  2,224·5

  Note

  In addition, there are 109·5 staff on maternity leave, unpaid career breaks, and so on.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the total and proportion of his staff of his Department employed on agricultural duties in each of the past 14 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Redwood
  The total number and proportion of permanent staff in my Department employed on agricultural duties in each of the last 14 years is as follows:

  Year

  Number of staff employed on agricultural duties (full-time equivalents)

  Proportion of Welsh Office staff (per cent.)

  1980 (December)

  623

  26·4

  1981 (December)

  598

  26·2

  1982 (December)

  585

  26·6

  1983 (December)

  564

  25·9

  1984 (December)

  553

  25·0

  19851

  543

  23·8

  1986 (December)

  509

  22·6

  1987 (December)

  480

  21·7

  1988 (November)

  480

  22·0

  1989 (October)

  463

  20·8

  1990 (October)

  477

  20·3

  1991 (July)

  455

  19·0

  1992 (July)

  389

  16·0

  1993 (December)

  416

  15·6

  1994 (October)

  445

  19·0

  1Figure relates to January 1986. Information for 1985 is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Acid Rain
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new proposals he has to reduce the effects of acid rain on Welsh rivers.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In June the Government signed a significant new international agreement within United Nations Economic Commission for Europe aimed at achieving substantial reductions in emissions of sulphur dioxide, one of the main contributors to acid rain. This represents the latest step in the Government's wide-ranging programme of measures to reduce the effects of acid rain in Wales and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, including tighter controls on emissions from industry and vehicles. As part of this, the Welsh Office is sponsoring studies with the National Rivers Authority on the effectiveness of liming of river catchments in Wales.

  Quangos
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new proposals he has to improve the accountability of Welsh quangos.

  Mr. Redwood
  My ministerial colleagues and I hold regular review meetings with each Welsh executive non-departmental public body to consider targets and performance; and NDPBs are to be provided with clear statements of their responsibilities and the roles of the board and its staff and of the Department. I also expect each NDPB to adopt, with such adaptations as are appropriate to its circumstances, the recently published "Code of Best Practice for Board Members of Public Bodies", which requires public bodies and their boards:To observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to their stewardship of public funds.
  To comply with Government policy on openness and to respond to all reasonable requests for information.
  To be accountable to Parliament, users of services, individual citizens and staff for the activities of the bodies concerned, their stewardship of public funds and the extent to which key performance targets have been met.
  To maximise value for money by ensuring that services are delivered in the most efficient and economical way.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the number of appointments made to quango boards by himself and each of his predecessors since 1979.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, I have appointed 46 people to executive non-departmental public bodies since 1 September 1993.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the quangos set up by himself and each of each predecessors since 1979.

  Mr. Redwood
  The following executive non-departmental public bodies have been set up since 1979:

  Year

  Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  1983

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  1987

  Housing for Wales

  1989

  Countryside Council for Wales1

  1991

  Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

  1992

  Further Education Funding Council for Wales

  1992

  Wales Youth Agency

  1992

  811

  Year

  Welsh Language Board2

  1993

  Arts Council for Wales

  1994

  Curriculum and Assessment Authority

  1994

  1 Assumed the function of the Countryside Commission and the Nature Conservation Council in Wales.

  2 Replaced an advisory body.

  Central Statistical Office
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new regional aid proposals he has to safeguard the jobs at the Central Statistical Office in Newport.

  Mr. Redwood
  Policy in relation to the Central Statistical Office is the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Redwood
  Expenditure from my Department's postage budget in each of the last five years was;

  Financial year

  £

  1989–90

  394,750

  1990–91

  440,779

  1991–92

  556,659

  1992–93

  541,539

  1993–94

  486,614

  Figures for the number of items are not available.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what medical training his Department advises is necessary for escorts of children with special educational needs being transported to and from school.

  Mr, Richards
  It is for local education authorities to satisfy themselves that appropriate supervision is made for the conveyance of children with special educational needs. The Government endorsed a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents report in 1991 which recommended that escorts should receive adequate first aid training.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice his Department has given to local education authorities on the transport of children with special educational needs to and from school.

  Mr. Richards
  Local education authorities are obliged to transport pupils in reasonable safety and comfort. Transport should be non-stressful, such as to enable a child to travel to and from school without undue stress, strain or difficulty such as would prevent the child benefiting from the education provided at the school. The advice was included in a draft circular issued for consultation earlier in the year, the final version of which should issue shortly.

  Redundant Churches and Chapels
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress in establishing redundant churches and chapels funds for Wales; and what comparisons he has drawn with arrangements elsewhere.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Responsibility for issues relating to redundant churches and chapels has been delegated to Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E.A.J. Carr to Mrs. Ann Clwyd, dated 26 October 1994:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about progress towards establishing redundant churches and redundant chapels funds in Wales.
  In its response to the Welsh Affairs Committee report, "The Preservation of Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments", the Government indicated that it was prepared to fund 70 per cent. of the costs of mechanisms to care for the best redundant religious buildings for which no other arrangement could be made.
  Cadw is making good progress with the Representative Body of the Church in Wales and the Friends of Friendless Churches in identifying arrangements to care for redundant churches of the Church in Wales. The Friends has a proven track record in caring sympathetically for redundant churches in Wales and already has four in its hands. Most recently, a wider package of financial support has been offered to the Friends, whose founder died last year meaning the organisation has had to regroup, opening the way for its care to be further extended. Our detailed discussions are continuing on how it is to be done.
  The position with redundant chapels is rather different. There is no obvious mechanism which might be grant-aided to care for these and our aim is to stimulate the establishment of a body, in the voluntary sector, on the lines of the Historic Chapels Trust in England. To encourage a wider interest in the issue, Cadw has asked the Wales Council for Voluntary Action to organise a conference which will be held at the Norwegian Church, Cardiff on 29 November. The aim is to discuss the problems that such a mechanism might address and to promote the involvement of interested people.

  "Our Children's Education"
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many pensioner households received the publication "Our Children's Education".

  Mr. Richards
  This publication was distributed in England only and is therefore a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education.

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the capital receipts from the sale of school playing fields for each of the last six years by education authority.

  Mr. Richards
  [holding answer 26 October 1994]: The information requested is not held centrally.

ENVIRONMENT

  Housing Associations
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish for the latest year for which figures are available total annual rent roll and the
  813
  total annual staff salaries bill for the top 100 housing associations.

  Mr. Curry
  The latest available information is for the financial year 1992–93 and is set out below.

  The annual rent roll has been provided for the top 100 associations and includes rents collected from both self-contained accommodation and from shared housing developments such as hostels.

  Information on staff salaries is available only for the top 50 associations, based on a special exercise mounted by the Housing Corporation earlier this year.

  Name of Housing Association

  HA Type

  Rents (£'000s)

  Anchor

  GENF

  79,651

  North British

  GENF

  43,281

  North

  GENF

  37,009

  London & Quadrant HT

  MIXD

  31,877

  Sanctuary

  GENF

  25,392

  Hyde

  MIXD

  24,010

  Peabody Donation Fund

  GENF

  23,257

  Guinness Trust

  MIXD

  23,082

  Sutton HT

  MIXD

  22,250

  Northern Counties

  GENF

  21,100

  English Churches

  MIXD

  20,143

  Notting Hill

  GENF

  19,923

  Merseyside Improved

  GENF

  18,419

  Paddington Churches

  MIXD

  17,837

  Bradford & Northern

  MIXD

  17,535

  Hanover

  GENF

  17,284

  Circle 33

  GENF

  16,316

  Focus

  MIXD

  16,162

  Servite

  MIXD

  14,223

  Network

  GENF

  13,802

  Tonbridge & Malling

  LSVT

  13,413

  Orbit

  GENF

  13,224

  South London Family

  GENF

  12,712

  Ealing Family

  GENF

  12,532

  Stonham

  MIXD

  12,364

  Shaftesbury

  GENF

  12,163

  Bedfordshire Pilgrim

  LSVT

  11,656

  Swale

  LSVT

  11,620

  Metropolitan HT

  GENF

  11,355

  High Weald

  LSVT

  11,193

  West Kent

  LSVT

  10,953

  East London

  MIXD

  10,791

  Sovereign

  LSVT

  10,635

  Family

  MIXD

  10,564

  Knightstone

  GENF

  10,055

  Samuel Lewis Found

  MIXD

  10,012

  Jephson Homes

  GENF

  9,789

  New Islington & Hackney

  MIXD

  9,414

  United Kingdom HT

  MIXD

  9,331

  Liverpool HT

  MIXD

  9,116

  Springboard

  MIXD

  8,848

  Raglan

  GENF

  8,533

  Chiltern Hundreds

  LSVT

  8,085

  Touchstone 2

  MIXD

  7,666

  Richmond Churches

  GENF

  7,527

  Manchester and District

  GENF

  7,379

  Mid Sussex

  LSVT

  7,356

  Devon & Cornwall

  GENF

  6,905

  Warden

  GENF

  6,388

  Salvation Army

  MIXD

  6,386

  Beacon

  LSVT

  6,316

  Liver

  GENF

  6,026

  Downland

  MIXD

  6,017

  Grosvenor

  GENF

  5,951

  Johnnie Johnson HT

  GENF

  5,877

  Wherry

  LSVT

  5,696

  James Butcher

  MIXD

  5,644

  Midland Area

  GENF

  5,548

  814

  Name of Housing Association

  HA Type

  Rents (£'000s)

  Portico

  GENF

  5,533

  Bromford

  GENF

  5,490

  Yorkshire MET

  GENF

  5,470

  Leicester

  GENF

  5,420

  Threshold

  GENF

  5,222

  Medina

  LSVT

  5,210

  Ryedale

  LSVT

  5,176

  Family HA Manchester

  MIXD

  4,867

  YWCA of GB

  MIXD

  4,829

  Shepherds Bush

  MIXD

  4,776

  Irwell Valley

  GENF

  4,669

  Bourneville Village

  GENF

  4,651

  Leeds Federated

  MIXD

  4,580

  Kensington HT

  GENF

  4,422

  Brunel & Family

  GENF

  4,372

  Thames Valley

  GENF

  4,317

  Kelsey

  GENF

  4,289

  East Dorset

  LSVT

  4,287

  St. Pancras

  GENF

  4,278

  Portsmouth

  GENF

  4,257

  Touchstone

  GENF

  4,203

  Collingwood

  GENF

  4,180

  City and Counties

  MIXD

  4,176

  Airways

  GENF

  4,168

  Guardian

  GENF

  4,164

  Milton Keynes

  LSVT

  4,102

  Accord HSG Management

  MIXD

  4,091

  Moat HS

  GENF

  4,061

  Aldwyck

  MIXD

  3,952

  Habinteg

  MIXD

  3,934

  West Country

  MIXD

  3,929

  Swaythling

  GENF

  3,911

  South Yorkshire

  GENF

  3,769

  Muir Group

  GENF

  3,642

  Newlon

  GENF

  3,641

  Western Challenge

  GENF

  3,558

  Community

  MIXD

  3,543

  South Wight

  LSVT

  3,509

  Cheviot

  GENF

  3,496

  Walbrook

  MIXD

  3,476

  West Hampstead

  GENF

  3,457

  Nene HS

  MIXD

  3,432

  Name of Housing Association

  Type HA

  Staff Costs(£'000s)

  Anchor

  GENF

  30,869

  North British

  GENF

  13,813

  English Churches

  MIXD

  9,728

  Peabody Donation Fund

  GENF

  9,217

  Sanctuary

  GENF

  8,411

  North

  GENF

  8,060

  Sutton HT

  MIXD

  7,513

  Guinness Trust

  MIXD

  7,273

  London & Quadrant HT

  MIXD

  7,203

  South London Family

  GENF

  7,064

  Paddington Churches

  MIXD

  6,751

  Bradford & Northern

  MIXD

  6,666

  Northern Counties

  MIXD

  6,666

  Merseyside Improved

  GENF

  6,522

  Notting Hill

  GENF

  6,363

  Focus

  MIXD

  5,794

  Circle 33

  GENF

  4,952

  Orbit

  GENF

  4,693

  Shaftesbury

  GENF

  4,690

  Metropolitan HT

  GENF

  4,661

  Hyde

  MIXD

  4,494

  Network

  GENF

  4,283

  East London

  MIXD

  3,700

  Hexagon

  GENF

  3,431

  Family HA

  MIXD

  3,357

  Knightstone

  GENF

  3,327

  815

  Name of Housing Association

  Type HA

  Staff Costs(£'000s)

  West Berkshire

  LSVT

  3,267

  New Islington & Hackney

  MIXD

  3,231

  Samuel Lewis HT

  MIXD

  3,137

  Ealing Family

  GENF

  3,098

  Leicester

  GENF

  2,784

  Manchester & Dist.

  GENF

  2,713

  Jephson Homes

  GENF

  2,503

  Raglan

  GENF

  2,500

  Threshold

  GENF

  1,857

  East Midlands

  MIXD

  1,824

  Devon & Cornwall

  GENF

  1,636

  Aldwyck

  MIXD

  1,585

  Bromford

  GENF

  1,566

  Moat HS

  GENF

  1,365

  Ujima

  MIXD

  1,272

  Thames Valley

  GENF

  1,254

  Wandle

  GENF

  1,079

  Swaythling

  GENF

  965

  West Country

  MIXD

  687

  Asra Greater London

  GENF

  582

  Metropolitan HO

  SALE

  446

  Islington & Shoreditch

  GENF

  439

  Tower

  SALE

  425

  Notting Hill HO

  SALE

  421

  Rivers
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to the Office of Water Services and the water companies to ensure that river sites of special scientific interest are protected from deterioration due to sewage effluent during the period 1995–2000.

  Mr. Atkins
  In an answer to my hon. Friend on 6 July,Official Report, columns 241-42, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced £522·3 million of spending in the period 1995 to 2000, specifically to improve river quality where such improvements would not otherwise be required. This was taken into account by the Director General of Water Services when he determined the water companies' new price limits, announced on 28 July. The National Rivers Authority will decide in consultation with the water companies how this spending should be prioritised.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for 1992–93 and 1993–94, the amount spent in each London borough, with totals for each training and enterprise council area, under each of the programmes now incorporated into the single regeneration budget, regardless of whether the sums were paid to the borough council, and the amount allocated to be spent in 1994–95 on the same basis.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested has been placed in the Library. The figures cover the support given to projects under the programmes, or parts of programmes, which now form the single regeneration budget. The total expenditure on several of the programmes will be higher, reflecting contributions from local authorities, the private sector and so on.

  Rights of Way
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment has been made of 816
  the number of public rights of way that have been blocked or otherwise obstructed by landowners since 1984.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Countryside Commission carried out a major sample survey of the condition of the network in 1988 and estimated that more than 39,000 km of rights of way were blocked and unusable, about half of which were thought to be the responsibility of landowners. The commission, which gave up responsibility for Wales in 1991, has a further sample survey in hand.

  Opencast Mines
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy that fresh planning applications by the new mining companies for opencast coal mines on sites which the local planning authority has previously rejected will not be entertained and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  No. Each case must be considered on its merits. Where a development plan is material to the proposal, application must be determined in accordance with the plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. However, section 70A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, as inserted by section 17 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991, provides that a local planning authority may decline to determine an application if within the period of two years ending with the date on which the application is received the Secretary of State has refused a similar application referred to him under section 77 of the 1990 Act or has dismissed an appeal against the refusal of a similar application; and there has been no significant change since the decision in the development plan, so far as it is relevant, or in any other material considerations.

  Wildlife and Countryside Act
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of appeals under paragraph 4 of schedule 14 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 determined in 1992 and 1993 for which the time taken from receipt of appeal by his Department to its determination was(a) not more than six months, (b) more than six months but not more than 12 months, (c) more than 12 months but not more than 18 months, (d) more than 18 months but not more than 24 months or (e) more than 24 months.

  Mr. Atkins
  Statistics on appeals under paragraph 4 of schedule 14 are not collected in the form requested. However, the table shows on a regional basis the average time taken for the cases determined in each year.

  Appeals under paragraph 4, schedule 14 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

  1992

  1993

  Regional offices

  Number of cases

  Average time (months)

  Number of cases

  Average time (months)

  Northern

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Western

  3

  16

  11

  20

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  —

  —

  5

  13

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Midlands

  6

  8

  1

  9

  Eastern

  11

  12

  9

  6

  South Eastern

  14

  26

  19

  11

  South Western

  7

  21

  24

  15

  London

  1

  13

  1

  22

  817
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how long he allows surveying authorities to comment on appeals under paragraph 4 of schedule 14 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

  Mr. Atkins
  Surveying authorities are given eight weeks to comment on the appellant's grounds of appeal and to submit a statement of case. If no response is received, a reminder is sent and a further two weeks allowed before the appeal can proceed: extensions of time are granted where appropriate. The authority is then given three weeks to comment on each occasion the appellant or third party makes further representations.

  Renewal Programmes
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on his policy towards urban renewal programmes based upon area schemes;

  (2) how many renewal areas have been designated each year under the provisions of Local Government and Housing Act 1989

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We encourage local authorities to declare renewal areas where the appropriate circumstances exist. The number that have been notified to the Department each year since introduction of the 1989 Act is:

  Number

  1990

  9

  1991

  27

  1992

  18

  1993

  21

  1994

  15

  Total

  80

  1 To date.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when he expects to announce the result of his consultation on private housing renewal programmes;

  (2) What study he has made of the adverse effect on area renewal programmes in urban areas by a shift towards pepper potting of individual properties.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We are considering the responses to the consultation paper, many of which addressed the effect of the demand-led arrangements that we have at the moment on the ability of local authorities to develop renewal strategies for their areas. An announcement on the outcome of this review will be made in due course.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will respond to the letter of 26 September from the hon. Member for Leicester, East.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I replied to the hon. Member's letter yesterday.

  Rented Accommodation
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of private rented accommodation has(a) two rooms or fewer or (b) three
  818
  rooms or more; and what plans he has to produce guidelines concerning suitable accommodation for households in the private rented sector.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Some 15 per cent. of households renting privately in England have two rooms or fewer, and 85 per cent. have three rooms or more. These proportions are from the 1993–94 survey of English housing and are subject to sampling error.

  The Department has issued guidance to local authorities in support of their powers to enforce adequate standards of safety and amenity in houses in multiple occupation. Certain general standards relating to fitness and overcrowding are set out in primary legislation. But otherwise it is for landlords and tenants to agree the suitability of accommodation. We have no plans to issue further guidelines.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what payments have been made by his Department during the last five years to individuals or companies in Yorkshire and Humberside in support of projects which it was assumed would create employment; and how many jobs have been created in each case.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [pursuant to his reply, Wednesday 26 October 1994, column 76]: Until last November my Department awarded city grant to private developers in support of projects designed to create employment. On 10 November 1993, responsibility for city grant was assumed by English Partnerships.

  In the five years to April 1994, £43·75 million of city grant was awarded in Yorkshire and Humberside in support of 41 schemes, which were expected to create 6,318 new jobs.

  Clock Adjustment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many man hours were taken up by adjusting the clocks throughout his Department.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Adjusting clocks forms part of the normal day-to-day maintenance of my Department's buildings. No separate records are kept of the time spent on this.

  Butterfly Conservation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new proposals he has to improve butterfly conservation.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Conservation (Natural Habitats Etc.) Regulations 1994, implementing the EC habitats directive, take effect on 30 October. Of native species, the marsh fritillary—euphydryas aurinia—is included on annexe II of the directive, which lists those species whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation; the large blue butterfly—maculinea anion—is included in annexe IV, for species requiring strict protection.

  English Nature's species recovery programme is enjoying some success with the large blue butterfly. Adult butterflies have emerged on five sites and a sixth site is being prepared for next year.

  The development of targets for species conservation for publication in 1995 was announced in "Biodiversity: The United Kingdom Action Plan". We expect these to include butterflies.

  A34
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has received from the European Commission regarding the application of directive 85/337 to the proposed A34 Newbury bypass.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Secretary of State for the Environment has received no advice from the European Commission regarding the application of directive 85/37 to the proposed A34 Newbury bypass. The European Commission did, however, send informal letters of inquiry about this project, to which we replied, in 1991 and 1993. No further communication has been received.

  Dormice
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made as to whether the provisions of the Conservation (Natural Habitats Etc) Regulations are adequate to comply fully with the United Kingdom Government's obligation to protect the habitats of dormice, under the European habitats directive.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The regulations were drafted to afford the requisite level of protection for all animal species listed on annexe IVa of the EC habitats directive, including the dormouse—muscardinus avellanarius. Regulation 39(1)(d) makes it an offence to damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal, reflecting article 12(1)(d) of the directive. Derogations under licence from these provisions for specified purposes are allowed where the authorities are satisfied that there is no satisfactory alternative and that the action authorised will not be detrimental to the maintenance of the population of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status in their natural range.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new proposals he has to improve knowledge on the effects on the air quality of pollution by(a) PMIOs (b) Aramatis, (c) oletins, (d) formaldehydes and (e) oxides of nitrogen and photochemical smog.

  Mr. Atkins
  As announced on 3 October, £5 million is to be made available to the Institute of Environment and Health to investigate links between air pollution and respiratory disease. This is in addition to annual expenditure of over £9 million by my Department on air quality research and monitoring.

  The expert panel on air quality standards has published recommendations on benzene and ozone, and will be publishing recommendations on carbon monoxide and 1,3-butadiene in the near future. It is at present considering particulates and NO2 and expects to make recommendations in due course. The quality of urban air review group and the photochemical oxidants review group continue to provide advice on wider air quality issues.

  I hope to make an announcement later this year on the Government's response to the consultation paper "Improving Air Quality".

  Bats and Rodents
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new proposals he has to improve the conservation of native British bats and rodents.
  820
  Sir Paul Beresford
  In addition to the protection afforded by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to all native bat species and two species of rodent, the Conservation (Natural Habitats Etc) Regulations 1994, which take effect on 30 October, will further strengthen the conservation of many bat species and one species of rodent.

  English Nature's species recovery programme, which has already enjoyed some success with the common dormouse and the red squirrel, includes a new three-year project to assist the greater horseshoe bat.

  Canals
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new proposals he has to increase the use of canals for commercial, industrial and leisure transport.

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce new proposals regarding increasing the use of canals. However the new chairman of British Waterways, Bernard Henderson CBE, has been asked to consider ways in which the use of canals for which he is responsible may be increased in the national interest, especially for leisure and tourism.

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Sir Paul Bereford
  My Department has spent the following sums on postage:

  1989–90 — £ 0·440 million

  1990–91 — £ 0·687 million

  1991–92 — £ 0·755 million

  1992–93 — £ 0·883 million

  1993–94 — £ 1·121 million

  1994–95 — £ 0·529 million (Year to September)

  Figures on the number of items posted are kept only for mail from the Department's main London headquarters buildings. Figures are available only from 1991–92 and are as follows:

  1991–92 — 937,096 items

  1992–93 — 947,536 items

  1993–94 — 962,940 items

  1994–95 — 457,267 items (Year to September)

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

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Secretary of State is responsible for the following public appointments1

  Numbers

  to executive bodies

  438

  to advisory bodies

  166

  to other bodies

  418

  1 includes appointments made by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the Secretary of State.

  821
  There are no appointments which require his approval but for which he is not responsible.

  Ordnance Survey
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the outcome of the triennial review of Ordnance Survey.

  Mr. Atkins
  Ordnance Survey was established as an executive agency on 1 May 1990. In 1993, an evaluation report concluded that agency status had been a spur to significant improvements in performance. In particular, the acceleration of the conversion of the basic scales mapping archive to a computerised database, the good trading results in a difficult trading period and the attainment of challenging quality-of-service and output targets were important achievements in a highly creditable performance. These improvements and other innovations were recognised in 1993 by a chartermark award.

  In order to supplement a review undertaken by officials, consultants were appointed to look at options for the future status of Ordnance Survey. They assessed that Ordnance Survey would continue to progress well in its current status as an executive agency. They also believed that privatisation of Ordnance Survey offers potential benefits. The consultants found that various obstacles preclude this change of status in the immediate future and were also unable, at present, to quantify the full costs and benefits of privatisation.

  The consultants further concluded that contractorisation was the worst of the options examined. The Government accept these conclusions and recognise that a final decision to privatise is not yet possible. Ordnance Survey will therefore continue as an executive agency for a further four years. A new framework document will be drawn up to cover the period. During this time the obstacles to privatisation will be investigated thoroughly with a view to clarifying and overcoming them so that the costs and benefits can be established. A further announcement and, if necessary, public consultation, will take place following this major review. The consultants also recommended that a move to trading fund status would be beneficial for Ordnance Survey, whether or not privatisation was pursued eventually. This recommendation is accepted and we will be seeking to move Ordnance Survey to a trading fund basis from April 1996. Over the next four years, Ordnance Survey will continue to develop its revenue-generating activities. Ordnance Survey will also continue to improve its efficiency in order to reduce further its costs to the taxpayer through contracting out wherever there is economic benefit, through collaborations with the private sector wherever appropriate and through innovative management. In addition, Ordnance Survey will seek to achieve all this without any diminution of the quality of its products and services which underpin many key activities of Government and commerce in Britain.

  A summary of the consultants' report has been placed in the Library.

  Petrol
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he plans to give to the public on the use of leaded and unleaded petrol; and if he will make a statement.
  822
  Mr. Atkins
  Government advice to motorist remains firm:Those whose cars can run on unleaded petrol and who are not using it should start doing so.
  Those already using unleaded petrol should not switch back to using leaded petrol.

  The Government do not accept criticism of Government policy on unleaded petrol contained in the Transport Select Committee report on transport-related air pollution in London.

  These is no credible evidence of any significant differences in emissions of benzene between non-catalyst cars running on leaded and premium unleaded petrol.

  There is no evidence that use of super-unleaded petrol contributes significantly to total ambient concentrations of benzene. Super-unleaded petrol comprises only 5 per cent. to 6 per cent. of the market, and that share is declining. We are, however, keeping its use under review.

  Benzene levels in the United Kingdom are below the five part per billion level recommended to Government by the expert panel for air quality standards, and are likely to fall as more catalyst-equipped cars enter the national fleet.

  Health advice is that there are much stronger grounds for concern regarding small increases in blood-lead concentrations than regarding small changes in ambient concentrations of benzene. It is hoped that publicity given to the Transport Committee report will not lead to increased emissions of lead from road transport.

HEALTH

  Health Statistics
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will update the information published in appendix G on pages 31-32 of the minutes of evidence taken before the Health Select Committee on "The Responsibilities of the Director of Statistics and the Director of Research and Development", HC 1992–93, 624, by giving the
  corresponding tabulations from the hospital episode system for 1991–92 and 1992–93.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested from 1991–92 will be placed in the Library. The analysis for 1992–93 is not yet available.

  Water
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment she has made on the effect on public health of restricted use of water for general household purposes;

  (2) what discussions she has had with the Medical Officer of Health about the benefits or disbenefits to public health of restricting the use of water for general household purposes.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Renal Replacement Therapy
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the rate of acceptance of new patients for renal
  823
  replacement therapy by district health authorities and regional health authorities in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information will be placed in the Library.

  Breast Screening
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of women between the ages of 50 years and 64 years have been invited for breast screening in each year since 1990, by(a) district health authority, (b) family health services authority and (c) region; and how many women were actually screened in each case.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on breast cancer screening has been collected centrally since financial year 1988–89, but 1991–92 was the first year for which the data were of sufficient quality to allow any analysis. Regionally based information on estimated percentage uptake of screening invitations for 1991–92 and 1992–93 is shown in the table. Information is not available centrally at district or family health services authority level.

  Region

  1991–92 Per cent.

  1992–93 per cent.

  England (Total)

  72

  72

  Northern

  75

  75

  Yorkshire

  74

  72

  Trent

  78

  78

  East Anglia

  81

  79

  North West Thames

  58

  61

  North East Thames

  61

  61

  South East Thames

  71

  70

  South West Thames

  66

  68

  Wessex

  79

  76

  Oxford

  77

  76

  South Western

  75

  77

  West Midlands

  72

  70

  Mersey

  69

  72

  North Western

  73

  76

  Information on the number of women screened by regional health authority is published in breast cancer screening summary information from Form KC62 England. The 1992–3 data are to be distributed shortly and an advance copy will be placed in the Library.

  Learning Disability Hospitals
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with learning disabilities are resident in long-stay hospitals; and if she will list the long-stay learning disability hospitals still operating.

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on residents by type of hospital is not available centrally. The figure for people with a length of stay of one or more years in national health service hospitals under the mental handicap, learning disability specialty, in England, as at 31 March 1993 is 13,500.

  A list will be placed in the Library of NHS trusts and directly managed units that have beds designated as being for long-term learning disability patients.

  Calman Report
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the proposals in the Calman report.
  824
  Mr. Malone
  Substantial progress has been made and a programme to implement the report's recommendations is outlined in EL(94)71, "Implementation of the Report of the Working Group on Specialist Medical Training—Hospital Doctors: Training for the Future". Copies of the national health service executive letter, which was issued on 22 September 1994, are available in the Library.

  Mental Health Budget
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current mental health budget(a) per head of population and (b) in total (i) in each region and (ii) for the London implementation zone.

  Mr. Bowis
  Decisions about spending on hospital and community health services for mentally ill people are taken locally by district health authorities and general practitioner fundholders based on their assessment of the needs of mentally ill people living in the district or on the practice's list. Information on this expenditure is not available centrally. It is not possible to identify separately the element of family health services expenditure which relates to mentally ill people.

  General Practitioner Fundholders
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what conditions are attached to general practitioner fundholder savings used to improve or build surgeries owned by the general practitioners.

  Mr. Malone
  Fundholding general practitioners' savings are to be used for the benefit of patients of the practice. In approving proposals for the use of savings, family health services authorities are expected to consider carefully any plans to extend surgery premises for the benefit of patients.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether general practitioner fundholders can use their savings to employ a general practitioner assistant.

  Mr. Malone
  A medical practitioner may be employed from fundholder savings only to provide approved fundholding procedures and may not be employed to provide general medical services.

  Asthma
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children(a) had asthma and (b) were admitted to hospital with asthma in each of the last 15 years.

  Mr. Sackville
  It is estimated that between 4 and 6 per cent. of children suffer from asthma sufficiently seriously to require medical supervision. Numbers of hospital in-patient cases of children suffering from asthma are available from hospital episode statistics for the years shown in the table. Figures for earlier years are not available.

  Finished Consultant Episodes—England

  Thousands

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  0-14 age group

  61·7

  51·5

  49·1

  50·7

  Source:

  Hospital episode statistics

  Refugee Children
  Mr. Fishburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list those local authorities that provide care and support for 50 or more unaccompanied refugee children under the provisions of the Children Act 1989; and what financial assistance has been given by central Government to those local authorities since 1990.

  Mr. Bowis
  Information about whether children looked after by local authorities have refugee status is not available centrally. Financial assistance totalling £4,197,698 has been given through a Department of the Environment special grant to local authorities caring for unaccompanied refugee children in respect of 1993–94.

  Mr. Fishburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many unaccompanied refugee children were being supported by the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea(a) on 1 April 1991 and (b) at the latest available date; and by how much the children's services block in the standard spending assessment has increased in the same period.

  Mr. Bowis
  Information about whether children looked after by local authorities have refugee status is not available centrally.

  In 1990–91, the children's services sub-block of the personal social services standard spending assessment for Kensington and Chelsea was £11·945 million. In 1994–95, following a comprehensive review of the standard spending assessment formulae, and the first full use of data from the 1991 census, the equivalent figure is £11£926 million.

  Private Patients
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total income generated from private patients in 1993–94, and for each trust.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information will not be available until December 1994.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospital trusts have dedicated private bed units.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 26 May,Official Report, column 303.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the NHS activity figure for private patients by region in 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Sackville
  Figures for 1992–93 will be published shortly in "Hospital Episodes Statistics, Volume 1, England 1992–93", copies of which will be placed in the Library. The 1993–94 figures are not yet available.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what limits there are on the number of private beds as percent private work that NHS trusts can do.

  Mr. Sackville
  None, providing there is no significant interference with the performance of the trust of its obligations under national health service contracts. That statutory requirement prevents NHS patients from being disadvantaged by private practice within the health service.

  Alcohol (Women)
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of women drank more than 14 units of alcohol per week in each year since 1986.
  826
  Mr. Bowis
  The available information, derived from the general household survey, is shown in the table.

  Percentage of women aged 18+ drinking over 14 units of alcohol weekly (England)

  Year

  Percentage

  1986

  10

  1988

  11

  1990

  11

  1992

  12

  Notes:

  1. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole figure.

  2. The General Household Survey collects data on alcohol consumption in alternate years only.

  Community Care
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has that the objectives of the community care policies are being met.

  Mr. Bowis
  We have an extensive monitoring programme in place. This has shown that local authorities have made a good start with the implementation of community care in the first year. This view has also been confirmed by reports from the Audit Commission and the Association of Directors of Social Services.

  Pain
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of medical schools offer tuition in pain control.

  Mr. Malone
  A total of 100 per cent.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will estimate the number of people suffering from chronic pain.

  Mr. Sackville
  The prevalence of chronic pain is not known.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has commissioned on the chief causes of chronic pain; and with what results.

  Mr. Sackville
  The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The MRC is an independent body deciding what research to support on its own expert judgment.

  In 1992–93, the latest year for which figures are available, the MRC spent £237,000 on research into pain.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent pain relief is included in undergraduate medical training.

  Mr. Malone
  Knowledge and understanding of the relief of pain is taught in all university medical schools. They determine the extent of this teaching in the light of recommendations from the education committee of the General Medical Council, which has the statutory authority to determine the extent of the knowledge and skill required for the granting of primary medical qualifications in the United Kingdom.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of district health authorities have pain relief clinics.
  827
  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available centrally. It is for individual health authorities to commission hospital services that meet local needs including services for people with acute or chronic pain.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if pain relief is recognised as a specialty by her Department.

  Mr. Sackville
  No. This is primarily a matter for the medical profession in discussion with the Department.

  Blood Transfusion
  Ms. Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to develop autologous blood transfusion.

  Mr. Sackville
  We are aware of the value of autologous transfusion for those patients where the procedures are applicable. In appropriate cases it can provide a useful supplement to the supply of blood from voluntary donors which the National Blood Service supplies to our hospitals. The medical profession is aware of autologous transfusion and advice is available from medical staff of the National Blood Service and hospital consultant haematologists. Selection of patients for this procedure has to be undertaken with extreme care to avoid any possible clinical risk to that patient.

  Help us to Help You Campaign
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on the help us to help you campaign; and how effective the campaign has been.

  Mr. Malone
  The total cost of the help us to help you initiative has been £91,870. Monitoring to assess the effectiveness of local campaigns is a local responsibility. The national health service executive has found that help us help you messages are now widely featured in national health service information literature.

  Adoption
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to set up an international adoption agency in the United Kingdom.
  Mr. Bowis: Our role is to receive applications from voluntary organisations for approval under section 3 of the Adoption Act 1976. We have not yet received any such application.

  Performance-related Pay
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the annual administrative cost of performance-related pay for consultants;

  (2) what savings on the total consultant staff budget will come from performance-related pay.

  Mr. Malone
  Our proposals are for the introduction of local pay arrangements in the national health service, not performance-related pay. The size of the consultants' pay bill depends on a number of factors including consultant expansion. It is for trusts to determine the cost of local schemes.

  Mental Illness
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people(a) in the London implementation zone and (b) in each region suffer from mental illness.
  828
  Mr. Bowis
  The information is not currently available centrally. A national survey assessing the extent of psychiatric morbidity in Great Britain is being carried out for the Department of Health by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. The results of the first part of the survey, covering the private household population, are due to be published later this year and will provide information both nationally and regionally on the nature and extent of mental illness among adults.

  Hospitality Budgets
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the hospitality budget for her Department, the national health service executive and regional health authorities, district health authorities, family health services authorities and trusts in(a) 1993–94 (b) 1991–92 and (c) 1979–1980.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on hospitality expenditure for regional health authorities, district health authorities, family health services authorities and trusts is not available centrally. Figures for the Department of Health are shown in the table.

  1993–94 £

  1991–92 £

  Department of Health

  218,995

  168,151

  National Health Service Management Executive

  88,846

  35,803

  Notes:

  1 Figures are not available prior to 1990–91.

  2 Figures have not been adjusted for inflation.

  3 Departmental figures include the Management Executive figures.

  4 Management Executive figures are not directly comparable from year to year because of organisational changes.

  Cleveden Services
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contracts her Department, the national health service executive, regional health authorities, district health authorities, family health services authorities or trusts had with Cleveden Services.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have no records of any contracts between the Department of Health or the national health service executive and Cleveden Services.

  Information on contracts held with individual contractors by regional health authorities, district health authorities, family health services authorities or trusts is not available centrally.

  Sandwell General Practitioner Consortium
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to investigate Sandwell family health services authority, the general practitioner consortium and the limited company that ran it.

  Mr. Malone
  West Midlands regional health authority published the results of an investigation into the setting up of the Sandwell general practitioner consortium in May this year. Sandwell family health services authority is currently investigating the decision by general practitioners to leave the consortium.

  Consultants
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for ethnic monitoring of the merit award system for consultants.

  Mr. Malone
  Ethnic monitoring is one of the issues to be addressed in the review of distinction awards.

  Patient Records
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the guidance on confidentiality on patient records is to be published; and when guidance was initially drafted.

  Mr. Sackville
  Draft guidance on the confidentiality, use and disclosure of personal health information was issued for consultation on 10 August 1994, and copies of it are available in the Library. The consultation period ends on 9 December, and a final version will be published when we have considered the comments received. Work on drafting guidance on confidentiality first began in 1989.

  Footwear
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will estimate the number of hospital referrals each year directly related to use of poor footwear.

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no information available on which to base such an estimate.

  EU Doctors
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors from other EU countries have practised in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is shown in the table. Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Comparable information is not available for general practitioners.

  Hospital and community health service medical staff from European Union countries (by countries of birth) other than UK who were practising in England as at 30 September 1989–1993 (whole time equivalents)

  Number

  1989

  1,830

  1990

  1,740

  1991

  1,870

  1992

  1,900

  1993

  2,010

  Figures are rounded to nearest 10.

  Opportunity 2000
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to have the monitoring data for the Opportunity 2000 targets to be achieved by the end of the current year.

  Mr. Sackville
  Monitoring arrangements are in hand. The main findings will be published in 1995.

  Ethnic Minority Health Unit
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the planned closure of the regional ethnic minority health unit.
  830
  Mr. Sackville
  The closure of any regional unit would be the responsibility of the relevant regional health authority. The national health service ethnic health unit was established this year for a three-year period; it is located in Leeds and will cover ethnic health issues across the whole of the NHS in England.

  Passive Smoking
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to limit the dangers of passive smoking.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government will continue to publicise the dangers of passive smoking and to encourage the introduction of smoking policies in public places, public transport and the workplace. Good progress is being made in all those areas.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths were caused by passive smoking in each of the last five years; and what research findings she has on the illnesses caused by passive smoking.

  Mr. Sackville
  On the available data it is not possible to estimate a figure for all deaths attributable to passive smoking.

  The available evidence on the health effects of passive smoking is summarised in paragraph 2·13 of "Smoke Free for Health" which was published in February 1994, copies of which are available in the Library.

  The Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health is reviewing the available research findings on this issue.

  Hospital Patient Statistics
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to collect data on the patient readmission rates of each hospital.

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Ambulance Service, London
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to improve the London ambulance service.

  Mr. Sackville
  Mr right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in December 1993 an additional £14·8 million investment in the London ambulance service for 1994–95, which the LAS is using to purchase new accident and emergency vehicles, to increase ambulance staff, provide additional paramedic training and make other improvements to services. This additional funding was linked to firm targets for improved response times–80 per cent. of emergency calls to be responded to within 14 minutes by September 1994 and 85 per cent. by April 1995 as interim stages to meeting the national standard of responding to 95 per cent. of calls within 14 minutes.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked Mr William Wells, the chairman of South Thames regional health authority, to produce a report into the LAS. The report will look into what changes need to be made in terms of:
  working practices, including staff deployment and rostering systems
  the use of resources
  management/staff relation
  management and staff training
  831
  The report will be made to Ministers before Christmas and will be made public.

  Home Visits
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the opportunities for patients to speak to a doctor prior to a home visit by that doctor.

  Mr. Malone
  In general, there should be no difficulty in speaking to a doctor before a home visit. However, it is for individual general practitioners to decide how to organise their patient contacts.

  Caesarean Sections
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the rate of caesarean sections in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer to the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Eccles (Miss Lestor) on 18 May,Official Report, column 519.

  Figures for 1992–93 are not yet available.

  Junior Doctors
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to discipline consultants who continue to allow their junior doctors to work longer hours than those targets in her new deal for junior doctors.

  Mr. Malone
  None. I expect consultants to work with managers and junior doctors to help achieve the new deal targets.

  Toxoplasmosis
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the incidence of(a) toxoplasmosis and (b) congenital toxoplasmosis in each of the last 10 years.

  Ordinary and day case admissions for England, 1988–89 to 1992–93 Mental illness, rates per head of population

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  London implementation zone

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  0·006

  Northern

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  Yorkshire

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  0·004

  0·005

  Trent

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·005

  East Anglian

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  North West Thames

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  North East Thames

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·005

  0·005

  South East Thames

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  South West Thames

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  Wessex

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  0·006

  0·005

  Oxford

  0·003

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  South Western

  0·006

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  West Midlands

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  0·004

  Mersey

  0·005

  0·006

  0·006

  0·006

  0·006

  North Western

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  0·005

  0·006

  Notes:

  The following DHAs are all part of the London implementation zone: Barnet, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Spelthorne, Ealing, Riverside, Parkside, Barking Havering and Brentwood, Hampstead, City and Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, Enfield, Haringey, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, Bloomsbury and Islington, Bexley, Greenwich, Bromley, West Lambeth, Camberwell, Lewisham and North Southwark, Croydon, Kingston and Esher, Richmond Twickenham and Roehampton, Wandsworth, Merton and Sutton and all SHAs.

  Sources:

  Ordinary and day case admissions for England, Financial Year 1992–93.

  OPCS Monitor PP1 93/3 Mid 1991 and mid-1992 population PP1 94/1 Revised population estimates for 1988 to 1990.
  832
  Mr. Sackville
  The number of laboratory reports of toxoplasmosis in England and Wales during the past 10 years is shown in the table. It should be noted that those reports are not necessarily of new infections; some may be of chronic infection or represent results from repeat test on the same patient.

  Information on the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis each year is not routinely available.

  Laboratory reports to the Public Health Laboratory Service, England and Wales, 1984–1993

  Year

  Laboratory reports

  1984

  759

  1985

  842

  1986

  762

  1987

  849

  1988

  825

  1989

  852

  1990

  704

  1991

  636

  1992

  580

  19931

  454

  19931 data provisional

  Mental Health
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the mental health activity figures for each of the last five years for(a) the London implementation zone and (b) by region, per head of population.

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on in-patient activity is given in the "Ordinary and day case admissions for England, Financial Year 1992–93" copies of which are available in the Library.

  Information available on rates per head of population is shown in the tables. The numbers are based on ordinary admissions and day cases. It should be noted that the figures relate to finished consultant episodes and not individual patients, as an individual may be admitted and discharged more than once.

  Family Planning
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health is she will list the family planning initiatives taken by her Department in the last 10 years which are aimed at men.

  Mr. Sackville
  The "Health of the Nation" strategy includes the clear objective for the national health service to ensure the provision of well-publicised and effective family planning services for those people who want them. That applies equally to men as to women.

  The Department of Health funds a number of voluntary organisations which are working to ensure that the needs of men are addressed along with those of women.

  Resources (Allocation)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what financial year she intends to start allocating resources for NHS hospital and community health services direct to district health authorities; and whether it is her policy for such allocations to reflect district data on(a) housing tenure, (b) the age structure of the population, (c) ethnic origin, (d) standardised mortality ratios, (e) socio-economic status, (f) unemployment or (g) self-reported sickness;

  (2) on what date she received the report commissioned by her Department from York university on "A formula for Distributing NHS Revenues Based on Small Area Use of Hospital Beds"; whether she intends to base the formula for distributing NHS resources to district health authorities on its findings; and when she intends to announce her proposals for the funding formula for district health authorities.

  Mr. Sackville
  We received the results of a study we commissioned from York university in March 1994 and its report in July 1994. A modified formula based on the York analysis is to be used to inform allocations to regional health authorities in 1995–96. It will be for RHAs to decide which formula to use for their district health authorities.

  In 1996–97, subject to legislation, there will be new health authorities embracing the functions of DHAs and family health services authorities. Work is in hand to look at an approach appropriate to those new circumstances.

  The modified formula takes account of district data on age distribution and a wide range of health and socio-economic factors. Those include the categories to which the hon. Member refers with the exception of housing tenure which was included in the York analysis but not found to be statistically significant.

  Variations in Health
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the terms of reference and list the membership, of the sub-group on variations in health established in her Department; when it was established; how often it has met; and when it will complete its work.

  Mr. Sackville
  The terms of reference of the sub-group on variations in health are:-"For the current Health of the Nation Key Areas
  By Spring 1995 to prepare a report for the Chief Medical Officer as to how the Department of Health, and the National Health Service can make best use of existing information in tackling ethnic, geographical, socio-economic and gender variations in health status, with particular reference to the
  834
  strength of observed relationships and evidence about the effectiveness of interventions.
  By the end of 1994 prepare a report for the Departmental Research Directorate on areas in which new epidemiological and research information is needed to inform the targeting of interventions for high risk groups of the population and further understanding of underlying processes relevant to policy on longer term intervention to support the public health information strategy with health variations aspects of its work".

  The members of the sub-group are:-

  Chairman:
  Dr. Jeremy Metters—Deputy Chief Medical Officer

  Members:
  Dr. S. Adam
  Director of Public Health, North Thames Region
  Dr. J. Chambers
  Director of Public Health, North Birmingham Health Authority
  Prof. M. Marmot
  Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College, London
  Prof. M. Pringle
  Department of General Practice, The Medical School, Nottingham
  Dr. J. Fox
  Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys
  Prof. S. Mcintyre
  Medical Research Council Medical Sociology Unit, Glasgow
  Prof. P. Fonagy
  Psychoanalysis Unit, University College London
  Dr. K. Kelleher
  Director of Public Health, Wolverhampton Health Executive
  Mr. D. Benton
  Director of Quality and Human Relations, East London and City Health Authority

  Observers from the Medical Research Council, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Department of Health and Social Security, Northern Ireland, together with Department of Health officials also attend.

  The sub-group was established in October 1993 and met for the first time on 17 May 1994. Since then it has met on two occasions. It expects to report to the timetable established in the terms of reference.

  Clock Adjustment
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many man hours were taken up by adjusting the clocks throughout her Department.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department does not keep records of the time taken to adjust clocks.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what grant she has given to organisations of and for disabled people for their international work in each of the last five years; for what purposes this money has been expended; if the payments made five years ago have retained their value; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department makes grants available to a range of organisations for their work in representing the interests of disabled people within Europe and worldwide.
  835
  Grant aid is given as follows to the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation and the British Council of Organisations of Disabled People to cover affiliation fees to international bodies and to help with the expenses of other international work. Other organisations in receipt of funds from the Department of Health may, of course, spend part of these on international work.

  Grant Year

  Grants Paid £

  At 1990–91 prices £

  1990–91

  25,000

  25,000

  1991–92

  29,000

  26,248

  1992–93

  30,000

  26,301

  1993–94

  31,000

  26,384

  1994–95

  32,000

  26,316

  Financial support is also given to the United Kingdom Helios Forum and to the national co-ordinating centres for work in connection with Helios, the European Union's disability programme as follows:

  Grant year

  Grants paid £

  At 1990–91 prices £

  1990–91

  —

  —

  1991–92

  235,000

  212,699

  1992–93

  298,000

  271,777

  1993–94

  290,000

  246,819

  1994–95

  194,000

  159,546

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by her Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  Expenditure on postage for 1990–91 to 1993–94 is shown in the table. Figures for 1989–90 are not available. Details of how many items have been posted in each of the last five years are not available.

  £

  1990–91

  1,361,389

  1991–92

  1,266,438

  1992–93

  1,347,109

  1993–94

  1,353,998

  Figures have not been adjusted for inflation.

  Figures for the Department include the national health service executive but do not include the Department's agencies.

  Medical Records
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure speedy access to medical records for people making medico-legal claims against health authorities.

  Mr. Malone
  Long-standing guidance advises national health service bodies to deal helpfully with requests for access to health records by patients engaged in legal 836
  proceedings. In addition, patients, or their representatives, have a legal right of access to their records under the Access to Health Records Act 1990. Discussions are currently taking place with the Law Society to see whether the arrangements for handling medico-legal claims in the national health service can be improved.

  Richard Miles
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when she or any of her predecessors were informed of the case of Richard Miles and New Cross hospital, Wolverhampton; and what advice was offered by her Department to the local health authority;

  (2) what costs have been incurred by the Wolverhampton health authority since 1980 in the case of Richard Miles, excluding the value of the compensation awarded to him.

  Mr. Malone
  A local health authority would not be expected to contact the Department of Health in respect of a medical negligence claim of this type until after the claim had been settled. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. R. M. Carver, chairman of Wolverhampton health authority, for details of any costs incurred by the authority.

  Medical Negligence
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will now consider bringing forward plans for a no-fault compensation scheme for victims of medical negligence.

  Mr. Malone
  We have no plans to introduce such a scheme in the national health service.

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

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1993", which details those public appointments that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State or Ministers acting on her behalf are responsible for making. I refer him to the reply I gave him on 7 March,Official Report, columns 80–81 for details of other appointments that are not identified in "Public Bodies".

  Ampleforth School
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what contact she has had with the headmaster of Ampleforth school on the issue of prevention of measles and other diseases.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government's Chief Medical Officer wrote to the headmaster of Ampleforth college on 26 October reminding him of the serious consequences to public health of rubella infection and issued a press release containing the text of his letter.

EMPLOYMENT

  Investors in People Award
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employers in each TEC area in England have been given the investors in people award; how many have made a commitment to meeting the standard; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Paice
  The latest figures, at 11 September 1994, for employers in each training and enterprise council area in England who are either formally committed to or have been recognised as achieving the investors in people standard, are shown in the tables.

  I am pleased that an increasing number of companies are recognising the benefits to their business performance of working towards the investors in people standard. Investors in people is a key initiative to encourage employers of all sizes, and in all sectors, to invest effectively in the skills that their businesses need. It plays a major role in improving Britain's competitiveness.

  Region

  TEC Name

  Commitments

  Recognitions

  East Midlands

  Greater Nottingham TEC

  172

  8

  Leicestershire TEC

  115

  12

  Lincolnshire TEC

  216

  6

  North Derbyshire TEC

  82

  12

  North Nottinghamshire TEC

  124

  15

  Northamptonshire TEC

  257

  14

  Southern Derbyshire TEC

  129

  24

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire TEC

  108

  11

  CAMBSTEC

  44

  11

  Essex TEC

  181

  9

  Gtr Peterborough TEC

  25

  1

  Hertfordshire TEC

  124

  8

  Norfolk and Waveney TEC

  91

  17

  Suffolk TEC

  96

  6

  London

  AZTEC

  111

  7

  CENTEC

  300

  14

  CILNTEC

  83

  4

  London East TEC

  127

  5

  North London TEC

  149

  5

  North West London TEC

  67

  8

  SOLOTEC

  101

  6

  South Thames TEC

  157

  4

  West London TEC

  151

  6

  Merseyside

  CEWTEC

  45

  16

  Mersyside TEC

  192

  30

  QUALITEC (St Helens) Ltd

  53

  4

  North West

  Bolton Bury TEC

  95

  10

  Cumbria TEC

  93

  6

  ELTEC LTD

  171

  23

  LAWTEC

  142

  8

  Manchester TEC

  263

  15

  METROTEC (Wigan) Ltd

  71

  7

  NORMIDTEC (North and Mid Cheshire)

  94

  22

  Oldham TEC

  37

  5

  Rochdale TEC

  26

  3

  S and E Cheshire TEC

  144

  16

  Stockport/High Peak TEC

  95

  7

  Northern

  County Durham TEC

  77

  18

  Northumberland TEC

  59

  8

  Teesside TEC

  107

  16

  838

  Region

  TEC Name

  Commitment

  Recognitions

  Tyneside TEC

  127

  25

  Wearside TEC

  30

  7

  South East

  Hampshire TEC

  240

  29

  Heart of England TEC

  87

  15

  Kent TEC

  338

  10

  Milton Keynes & North Bucks

  48

  4

  Surrey TEC

  94

  15

  Sussex TEC

  361

  14

  Thames Valley Enterprise

  125

  37

  Wight Training and Enterprise

  34

  1

  South West

  Avon TEC

  228

  27

  Devon and Cornwall TEC

  130

  37

  Dorset TEC

  102

  33

  Gloucestershire TEC

  386

  85

  Somerset

  128

  10

  Wiltshire TEC

  114

  16

  West Midlands

  Birmingham TEC

  97

  14

  Central England TEC

  92

  14

  Coventry and Warwickshire TEC

  118

  15

  Dudley TEC

  61

  6

  HAWTEC

  102

  9

  Sandwell TEC

  72

  1

  Shropshire TEC

  116

  7

  Staffordshire TEC

  127

  8

  Walsall TEC

  75

  4

  Wolverhampton TEC

  48

  6

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Barnsley/Doncaster TEC

  92

  16

  Bradford and District TEC

  84

  5

  Calderdale/Kirklees TEC

  79

  4

  Humberside TEC

  239

  26

  Leeds TEC

  119

  12

  North Yorkshire TEC

  102

  16

  Rotherham TEC

  60

  10

  Sheffield TEC

  101

  7

  Wakefield TEC

  47

  3

  Training
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers of(a) fatal, (b) major and (c) minor accidents on youth training and on training for work, shown by region, for the periods July to September 1993, January to March 1994, April to June 1994 and July to September 1994.

  Mr. Paice
  Table A gives the latest accident figures for youth training.

  Table B gives the equivalent figures for training for work.

  Notes:

  (a) Employment Department figures for accidents to trainees have been compiled on a similar basis to those for employees prepared by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). However, these figures include a number of accidents to trainees in educational establishments, and road traffic accidents which would not have been reportable to HSE for employees.

  (b) Major and minor injuries are classified according to the severity criteria laid down in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985.

  (c) North West Region and North West (Greater Manchester) Region were restructured in the quarter ending 30 June 1994 to form part of the Government Offices for the North West and for Merseyside. At the same time, Northern Region became part of the Government Offices for North East.

  (d) Accidents figures requested for the period July to September 1994 are not yet available.

  839

  Table A: Youth Training

  Region

  Fatal

  Major

  Minor

  Accidents for the quarter July to September 1993

  East Midlands

  —

  3

  26

  North East

  —

  6

  36

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1

  12

  71

  North West

  —

  10

  49

  West Midlands

  —

  6

  28

  South West

  —

  4

  39

  South East

  —

  3

  23

  London

  —

  4

  8

  Eastern

  —

  5

  24

  North West (Greater Manchester)

  —

  3

  21

  Regional Totals

  1

  56

  325

  Accidents for the quarter January to March 1994

  East Midlands

  —

  3

  34

  North East

  —

  9

  49

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  —

  9

  85

  North West

  —

  12

  39

  West Midlands

  —

  8

  33

  South West

  —

  4

  23

  South East

  —

  4

  29

  London

  —

  1

  17

  Eastern

  —

  4

  21

  North West (Greater Manchester)

  —

  6

  22

  Regional Totals

  —

  60

  352

  Accidents for the quarter April to June 1994

  East Midlands

  —

  4

  21

  North East

  —

  8

  56

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  —

  5

  50

  North West

  —

  12

  39

  West Midlands

  —

  3

  31

  South West

  —

  5

  20

  South East

  —

  1

  16

  London

  —

  1

  8

  Eastern

  —

  3

  28

  Merseyside

  —

  1

  11

  Regional Totals

  —

  43

  280

  Table B: Training for work

  Region

  Fatal

  Major

  Minor

  Accidents for the quarter July to September 1993

  East Midlands

  —

  3

  15

  North East

  —

  3

  15

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1

  6

  35

  North West

  —

  —

  13

  West Midlands

  —

  —

  11

  South West

  —

  1

  8

  South East

  —

  5

  2

  YT/YTS

  TfW/ET/HTNT

  EAS/BSU

  Jobplan interviews

  Restart

  ESF Support £ million

  per cent.

  ESF support £ million

  per cent.

  ESF support £ million

  per cent.

  ESF support £ million

  per cent.

  ESF support £ million

  per cent.

  1991

  115·81

  2·06

  1156·62

  18·72

  120·85

  18·59

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  114·78

  2·28

  1141·17

  18·47

  112·98

  15·80

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993

  233·04

  4·80

  2163·58

  21·02

  214·55

  18·93

  210·23

  33·80

  22·98

  39·60

  1991: amounts claimed for programmes in Great Britain

  1992: amounts claimed for programmes in England and Wales

  1993: amounts applies for for programmes in England

  Responsibility for claiming ESF support for programmes in Scotland and Wales was transferred to the Scottish and Welsh Offices with effect from 1992 and 1993 respectively.

  1Amounts provided are final ESF claim totals.

  2 Amounts provided are ESF applications totals and may be subject to change at final claims stage
  840

  Table B: Training for work

  Region

  Fatal

  Major

  Minor

  London

  —

  —

  2

  Eastern

  —

  4

  4

  North West (Greater Manchester)

  —

  —

  5

  Regional Totals

  1

  22

  110

  Accidents for the quarter January to March 1994

  East Midlands

  —

  2

  10

  North East

  —

  2

  13

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  —

  5

  20

  North West

  —

  5

  12

  West Midlands

  —

  2

  4

  South West

  —

  3

  10

  South East

  —

  3

  6

  London

  —

  —

  2

  Eastern

  —

  —

  9

  North West (Greater Manchester)

  —

  —

  7

  Regional Totals

  —

  22

  93

  Accidents for the quarter April to June 1994

  East Midlands

  —

  1

  4

  North East

  —

  3

  22

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  —

  3

  24

  North West

  —

  4

  2

  West Midlands

  —

  5

  13

  South West

  —

  —

  6

  South East

  —

  —

  10

  London

  —

  1

  1

  Eastern

  —

  4

  8

  Merseyside

  —

  —

  2

  Regional Totals

  —

  21

  92

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the contribution from the European social fund towards(a) youth training/YTS, (b) training for work/employment training/employment action, and the previous programmes they replaced, (c) the business start-up allowance/enterprise allowance scheme, (d) non-advanced further education, (e) high technology national training, (f) employment rehabilitation centres and (g) jobstart allowances and other employment subsidy schemes, and the proportion of programme expenditure that represented in each year since 1991; what amount of support ESF will be providing to each programme in 1994–95; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Paice
  The information available about European social fund support for eligible Government training programmes between 1991 and 1993 is provided in the table. Plans for ESF support for Government programmes in 1994 have yet to be finalised.

  Minimum Wages
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what analysis he has made of the studies produced since 18 February 1993 which show a positive link between the existence of statutory minimum pay rates and the loss of or failure to create jobs; and of studies which show the reverse effect or no effect at all.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Recent reports by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Monetary Fund support the Government's position that minimum wages cost jobs. This view was also acknowledged in the European Commission's White Paper on competitiveness. Studies by Machin and Manning which suggest otherwise have been criticised on the grounds of their approach.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were in employment(a) at the latest available date, (b) 10 years ago and (c) 20 years ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information is given in the table:

  Workforce in Employment: United Kingdom

  Thousands

  June 1974

  25,280

  June 1984

  24,399

  June 1994

  25,232

  Job Creation Grants
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list(a) the grants which have been available from his Department to assist in investment or job creation in each of the last five years, (b) the number of grants given in each category, (c) the value of the grants, (d) the amount of investment created as a result, (e) the number of jobs created on the project assisted, (f) the criteria used in assessing the correctness of making the grants, (g) the criteria used in monitoring the sources of the grants, (h) the procedures used in this monitoring, (i) the number of grants and their value which had been reclaimed for financial or legal impropriety, (j) the number and value reclaimed for failing to achieve the criteria set and (k) the number and value reclaimed for other reasons.

  Mr. Paice
  No such grant assistance has been available from the Employment Department.

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the Department's expenditure on postage in the last three financial years is shown in the table:

  1991–92 £10.7 million

  1992–93 £11.9 million

  1993–94 £13.0 million

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

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment is responsible for 2,940 appointments listed in "Public Bodies 1993", including some which require his approval; 110 of these are to executive bodies, 782 to advisory bodies and 2,048 to other appointments.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is also responsible for making 19 appointments not listed in "Public Bodies", of which 12 are to advisory bodies and the rest to other bodies.

  Heathrow Tunnel
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what steps he has taken to satisfy himself about the health and safety aspects of the tunnelling techniques being used for the Jubilee line extension near Heathrow airport; if these have previously been used in clay substrata; and if he will make a statement on these matters in relation to risk to lives and adjacent buildings;

  (2) if he will make a statement on the collapse of the Heathrow express tunnels adjacent to Heathrow airport.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what tests were carried out on the suitability of the new Austrian tunnelling method for London ground conditions before approval was given to use this technique on both the Heathrow express and Jubilee line extension projects;

  (2) what steps are being taken to reinforce those sections of the Jubilee line extension and the Heathrow express projects being built using the new Austrian tunnelling method;

  (3) if he will list the transport projects in which the new Austrian tunnelling method is being used in the United Kingdom, identifying the specific areas affected;

  (4) what steps are being taken to prevent the risk of further subsidence at Heathrow central terminal area;

  (5) What evidence he has of ground movement at any of the other sites on Heathrow express and Jubilee line extension projects being built using the new Austrian tunnelling method;

  (6) what checks have been carried out on the Jubilee line extension tunnels being constructed using the new Austrian tunnelling method following the collapse of the Heathrow express tunnel;

  (7) what trial bores using the new Austrian tunnelling method in London clay were undertaken before its adoption for sections of the Heathrow express and Jubilee line extension projects;

  (8) what has been the effect on the Piccadilly line of the collapse of the Heathrow express tunnel;

  (9) what evidence his Department has received on the cause of the collapse in September 1994 of the tunnel in Munich being constructed with the new Austrian tunnelling method;
  843
  (10) when he expects to receive a report on the causes of the tunnel collapse at Heathrow on 21 October; and if he intends to make this report available to the public;

  (11) when he expects the Piccadilly line between Heathrow terminal 1, 2 and 3 and Heathrow terminal 4 to resume normal service;

  (12) what evidence he has on (a) the use of the new Austrian tunnelling method in ground conditions similar to those which exist in London and (b) the number of failures which have occurred;

  (13) if tunnelling work involving the new Austrian tunnelling method has been halted on the sites in the United Kingdom where this method is being employed; and what conditions have been set with regard to the resumption of such tunnelling work.

  (14) what investigations and checks were made by his Department into the safety of the new Austrian tunnelling method following the collapse of the Munich tunnel in September 1994 and prior to the collapse of the central terminal area tunnel at Heathrow.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what will be the impact on the construction times and costs to the Heathrow express link and the Jubilee line extension arising from the Heathrow tunnel collapse.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I have consulted my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport following the partial collapse of tunnels under construction at Heathrow airport.

  In the early hours of Friday 21 October a ground slip led to a partial collapse into tunnels under construction on a section of the Heathrow express rail link at the central area of Heathrow airport. This section of the work involved the use of the new Austrian tunnelling method—NATM—in a complex of tunnels for a new station.

  There were no injuries as a result of the collapse. Site safety procedures included sensors to detect ground movement. These gave early warning of abnormal movement. Emergency procedures were put into effect and workers were safely evacuated. There were two further ground slips over the weekend. They were almost certainly as a consequence of the initial event.

  The contractors and their specialist advisers have set up an engineering task force to deal with the situation. Tunnelling has of course been stopped. The key task now is to stabilise the ground to prevent further subsidence and secure the safety of the remaining tunnels. The British Airports Authority and the contractors are working together to secure the continued safe operation of the airport and minimise inconvenience.

  At the place where the Piccadilly line crosses the Heathrow express rail link tunnels, there has been no ground movement outside of the tolerances predicted before tunnelling began. The monitoring continues. London Underground has, however, suspended the use of the terminal 4 loop as a precaution. The central station serving terminals 1, 2 and 3 continues in service. A temporary bus link is connecting Hatton Cross station and terminal 4.

  NATM has also been adopted for use on the Jubilee line extension project. Contractors on the project suspended the use of the NATM technique as a precautionary measure on the day of the collapse at Heathrow.
  844
  The Health and Safety Executive has asked for tunnelling not to restart at Heathrow, nor on the Jubilee line extension project, until it is clear that this can be done safely. The Health and Safety Executive has also asked London Underground to maintain its voluntary suspension of the railway loop until sufficient information is available to justify its safe restoration. The decision will be made in conjunction with HSE's railway inspectorate. HSE's inspectors are on site and keeping in touch with developments in the major remedial works undertaken by the contractors. The HSE is initiating checks of other significant construction projects currently using NATM.

  NATM is a tunnelling method that has been used worldwide for over 40 years. The two largest projects under construction in the United Kingdom using NATM are Heathrow and the Jubilee line extension. A trial tunnel was driven at Heathrow in 1992 and the information and experience gained was used in developing the project. Further trials were carried out at London Bridge and Jubilee Gardens at the start of the Jubilee line extension project.

  NATM is normally the first stage of a two-stage process involving the construction of a initial lining to provide short-term support followed by the construction of a further lining. There is no evidence that, once the work is finished, there is any significant difference between the safety and integrity of tunnels constructed in this way and those using more conventional techniques.

  There was a failure, also during the construction phase, in Munich earlier this year. However, because the ground conditions were considered sufficiently dissimilar, there were no reasons to justify halting work in London. There have been no recorded instances of ground collapse once the construction phase of the tunnelling using NATM is complete.

  The Health and Safety Commission has asked the Health and Safety Executive to undertake an investigation. The HSE has asked Mr. Stuart Nattrass, HM chief inspector of construction, to lead it. He will be seeking support from independent consultants of international standing. The investigation will initially concentrate on whether the failure at Heathrow is site specific. Once the initial findings are known, the investigation will go on to consider whether there are broader implications for the use of NATM as a construction technique. The evidence will be reviewed with a view to confirming that the safety of tunnels constructed in this way matches the safety of tunnels constructed using more conventional techniques and will take into account any lessons to be learned from the Munich incident.

  Initial lines of inquiry will include whether:

  (a) the design was defective;

  (b) the execution of any construction work was defective;

  (c) adverse ground conditions contributed to the failure.

  The investigation has begun. Its findings will be made public. The HSE will consider whether there may have been breaches of health and safety legislation and, if so, what action to take.

  It is too early to predict time and cost penalties which may result for the Heathrow express and Jubilee line extension as a result of the collapse on the Heathrow project.

SCOTLAND

  Training Schemes
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland who collates the information supplied by managers of Government training schemes on the specific skills acquired by trainees; and where this information is published.

  Mr. Stewart
  Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the local enterprise companies are all involved in the collation of information supplied by managers of Government training schemes. I have asked the chairmen of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he uses to assess the value of Government training schemes; and if that information is publicly available.

  Mr. Stewart
  The information used by my right hon. Friend to assess the value of Government training schemes is the same as that which I set out in the reply that I gave to the hon. Member on 25 February,Official Report, columns 435–37, save that cost figures are now available for 1993–94 as follows:

  Cost

  Youth training £ million

  Adult training training for work £ million

  1993–94

  93·451

  93·733

  Information on Government training schemes is published as follows:
  in "Serving Scotland's Needs", the Government's expenditure plans 1994–95 to 1996–97. Data are shown separately for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, for training for work—number of starts, percentage of leavers going into jobs, further education or training, percentage of leavers gaining recognised qualifications—and for youth training, with number of starts, percentage of participants with employed status, percentage of leavers gaining recognised qualifications;
  in the monthly "Employment Gazette" on training for work, youth training and business start-up—number of people participating number of starts;
  in the monthly news release by the Scottish Office on training statistics for training for work, youth training and business start-up—number of programme participants number of starts on programme; and
  in the annual reports of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the outturn expenditure given to each local enterprise company in Scotland in 1992–93 at 1993–94 prices; and what is the budget for each training and enterprise council in 1993–94 in total and broken down in the same way as given in the written answer of 18 February 1993,Official Report, column 335.

  Mr. Stewart
  The budgets of local enterprise companies are a matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have asked their chairmen to write to the hon. Member. There are no training and enterprise councils in Scotland.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the most recent figures for waiting lists for operations in trust hospitals.

  Mr Lang
  [pursuant to his reply, 26 October 1994, Official Report, column 876]: More people are being treated in NHS hospitals than ever before. In the year to June 1994, the number of out-patients treated rose by 2·6 per cent., the number of in-patients treated rose by 1·6 per cent. and the number of day cases treated rose by no less than 18·4 per cent. I am arranging for all the most recent figures for waiting lists to be sent to the hon. Member and published in the Official Report.

  Table 1—NHSIS—true waiting lists of NHS trusts at 30 June 1994

  Waiting list

  NHS trust hospital

  Total waiting list

  Inpatient

  Day case

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

  5,447

  3,216

  2,231

  Roxburghe House

  1

  1

  —

  Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital

  982

  667

  315

  Trust Summary

  6,430

  3,884

  2,546

  Angus NHS Trust

  Stracathro Hospital

  546

  208

  338

  Trust Summary

  546

  208

  338

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Health Care NHS Trust

  Arrol Park

  2

  2

  —

  Strathlea

  3

  3

  —

  Trust Summary

  5

  5

  —

  Caithness and Sutherland NHS Trust

  Caithness General Hospital

  225

  147

  108

  Lawson Memorial Hospital

  75

  15

  60

  Trust Summary

  330

  162

  168

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS Trust

  Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

  2,139

  1,724

  415

  Garrick Hospital

  118

  59

  59

  Trust Summary

  2,257

  1,783

  474

  Dundee Healthcare NHS Trust

  Ninewells Hospital

  6

  6

  —

  Royal Victoria Hospital

  6

  6

  —

  Trust Summary

  12

  12

  —

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  Dundee Royal Infirmary

  2,588

  1,021

  1,567

  Kings Cross Hospital

  43

  35

  8

  Ninewells Hospital

  2,255

  1,983

  574

  Trust Summary

  5,188

  3,039

  2,149

  847

  Table 1—NHSIS—true waiting lists of NHS trusts at 30 June 1994

  Waiting list

  NHS trust hospital

  Total waiting list

  Inpatient

  Day case

  East and Midlothian NHS Trust

  Eastern General Hospital

  615

  354

  261

  Roodlands General Hospital

  302

  62

  240

  Rosslynlee Hospital

  2

  2

  —

  Trust Summary

  919

  418

  501

  Edinburgh Healthcare NHS Trust

  Gogarburn Hospital Edinburgh

  3

  3

  —

  Royal Edinburgh Hospital

  6

  6

  —

  Trust Summary

  9

  9

  —

  Edinburgh Sick Children's NHS Trust

  RHSC, Edinburgh

  842

  508

  334

  Trust Summary

  842

  508

  334

  Falk and District Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Falkirk and district Royal Infirmary

  1,792

  1,135

  657

  Trust Summary

  1,792

  1,135

  657

  Fife Healthcare NHS Trust

  Adamson Hospital

  128

  39

  89

  Glenrothes Hospital

  2

  2

  —

  Queen Margaret Hospital

  5

  5

  —

  Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital

  33

  30

  3

  St. Andrews Memorial Hospital

  79

  18

  61

  Stratheden Hospital

  3

  3

  —

  Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy

  6

  6

  —

  Trust Summary

  256

  103

  153

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trust

  Canniesburn Hospital

  4,287

  2,125

  2,162

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary

  4,037

  3,377

  660

  Trust Summary

  8,324

  5,502

  2,822

  Grampian Healthcare NHS Trust

  Aberdeen City Hospital

  2

  2

  —

  Arduthie Hospital

  9

  9

  —

  Campbell Hospital

  1

  1

  —

  Chalmers Hospital

  20

  3

  17

  Fraserburgh Hospital

  1

  1

  —

  Glen O'Dee Hospital

  2

  2

  —

  Huntly Jubliee Hospital

  21

  5

  16

  Inverurie Hospital

  3

  3

  —

  Maidencraig House

  4

  4

  —

  Maud Hospital

  2

  2

  —

  Turriff Cottage Hospital

  1

  1

  —

  Ugie Hospital

  1

  1

  —

  848

  Table 1—NHSIS—true waiting lists of NHS trusts at 30 June 1994

  Waiting list

  NHS trust hospital

  Total waiting list

  Inpatient

  Day case

  Woodend General Hospital

  732

  585

  147

  Trust Summary

  799

  619

  180

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Service NHS Trust

  Parkhead Hospital

  23

  23

  —

  Woodilee Hospital

  3

  3

  —

  Trust Summary

  26

  26

  —

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals NHS Trust

  Hairmyres Hospital

  991

  455

  536

  Stonehouse Hospital

  986

  774

  212

  Trust Summary

  1,977

  1,229

  748

  Highland Communities NHS Trust

  Belford Hospital

  105

  44

  61

  Mackinnon Memorial Hospital

  37

  17

  20

  Nairn Town and Country Hospital

  1

  1

  —

  Portree Hospital

  1

  1

  —

  Ross Memorial Hospital

  40

  40

  —

  Trust Summary

  184

  103

  81

  Inverclyde Royal NHS Trust

  Inverclyde Royal Hospital

  1,530

  1,095

  435

  Trust Summary

  1,530

  1,095

  435

  Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy

  2,728

  1,604

  1,124

  Trust Summary

  2,728

  1,604

  1,124

  Law Hospital NHS Trust

  Law Hospital

  2,000

  1,228

  772

  Trust Summary

  2,000

  1,228

  772

  Monklands and Bellshill Hospital NHS Trust

  Monklands District General Hospital

  2,458

  1,616

  842

  Trust Summary

  2,458

  1,616

  842

  Moray Health Services NHS Trust

  Dr. Gray's Hospital

  550

  162

  388

  Seafield Hospital

  7

  7

  —

  Turner Memorial Hospital

  2

  2

  —

  Trust Summary

  559

  171

  388

  849

  Table 1—NHSIS—true waiting lists of NHS trusts at 30 June 1994

  Waiting list

  NHS trust hospital

  Total waiting list

  Inpatient

  Day case

  North Ayrshire and Arran NHS Trust

  Ayrshire Central and Maternity Hospital

  5

  5

  —

  Crosshouse Hospital

  2,375

  1,636

  739

  Trust Summary

  2,380

  1,641

  739

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare NHS Trust

  Aberfeldy Cottage

  Hospital

  1

  1

  Blairgowrie Cottage Hospital

  2

  2

  —

  Hillside Hospital

  8

  8

  —

  Irvine Memorial Hospital

  7

  7

  —

  Meigle Cottage Hospital

  7

  —

  7

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  1,532

  687

  845

  Trust Summary

  1,557

  705

  852

  Queen Margaret Hospital NHS Trust

  Queen Margaret Hospital

  2,184

  1,341

  843

  Trust Summary

  2,184

  1,341

  843

  Raigmore Hospital NHS Trust

  Raigmore Hospital

  2,671

  1,812

  859

  Trust Summary

  2,671

  1,812

  859

  Renfrewshire Healthcare NHS Trust

  Bridge of Weir Hospital

  6

  6

  —

  Dykebar Hospital

  13

  13

  —

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  2

  2

  —

  Trust Summary

  21

  21

  —

  Royal Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  3,499

  2,161

  1,338

  Trust Summary

  3,499

  2,161

  1,338

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust

  Edinburgh City Hospital

  1,757

  1,551

  206

  Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

  3,429

  2,262

  1,167

  Princess Margaret Rose Hospital

  1,165

  1,072

  93

  Trust Summary

  6,351

  4,885

  1,466

  South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  Ballochmyle Hospital

  720

  242

  478

  The Ayr Hospital

  1,721

  1,356

  365

  Trust Summary

  2,441

  1,598

  843

  850

  Table 1—NHSIS—true waiting lists of NHS trusts at 30 June 1994

  Waiting list

  NHS trust hospital

  Total waiting list

  Inpatient

  Day case

  Southern General Hospital NHS Trust

  Southern General Hospital

  2,454

  1,764

  690

  Trust Summary

  2,454

  1,764

  690

  Stirling Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  2,349

  1,336

  1,013

  Trust Summary

  2,349

  1,336

  1,013

  Stobhill NHS Trust

  Stobhill Hospital

  2,464

  1,635

  829

  Trust Summary

  2,464

  1,635

  829

  The Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust

  Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow

  2,303

  2,218

  85

  Trust Summary

  2,303

  2,218

  85

  The Yorkhill NHS Trust RHSC, Glasgow

  1,176

  804

  372

  Trust Summary

  1,176

  804

  372

  West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS Trust

  Beatson Oncology Centre

  162

  162

  —

  Homeopathic Hospital, Glasgow

  46

  46

  —

  Western Infirmary, Glasgow

  3,111

  2,738

  373

  Trust Summary

  3,319

  2,946

  373

  West Lothian NHS Trust

  St. John's Hospital at Howden

  2,668

  1,392

  1,276

  Trust Summary

  2,668

  1,392

  1,276

  Western General Hospital NHS Trust

  Royal Victoria Hospital, Edinburgh

  12

  12

  —

  Western General Hospital, Edinburgh

  2,536

  1,323

  1,213

  Trust Summary

  2,548

  1,335

  1,213

  Source:

  SMR3.

  Ref:Unit2/94348.

  Date: 11 October 1994.

  Table 2—NHSIS—True waiting lists for nationally guaranteed operations at NHS trusts at 30 June 1994

  Replacements

  NHS Trust Hospital

  Cataracts

  Hip

  Knee

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  Aberdeen Royal Infirmary

  116

  —

  —

  Trust summary

  116

  —

  —

  851

  Table 2—NHSIS—true waiting lists for nationally guaranteed operations at NHS trusts at 30 June 1994

  Replacements

  NHS Trust Hospital

  Cataracts

  Hip

  Knee

  Angus NHS Trust

  Stracathro Hospital

  —

  20

  14

  Trust Summary

  —

  20

  14

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals NHS Trust

  Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

  140

  90

  32

  Trust Summary

  140

  90

  32

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  Dundee Royal Infirmary

  —

  30

  20

  Ninewells Hospital

  210

  —

  —

  Trust Summary

  210

  30

  20

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

  —

  29

  15

  Trust Summary

  —

  29

  15

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trust

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary

  64

  42

  42

  Trust Summary

  64

  42

  42

  Grampian Healthcare NHS Trust

  Woodend General Hospital

  —

  108

  42

  Trust Summary

  —

  108

  42

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospital NHS Trust

  Hairmyres Hospital

  —

  7

  1

  Stonehouse Hospital

  403

  14

  8

  Trust Summary

  403

  21

  9

  Inverclyde Royal NHS Trust

  Inverclyde Royal Hospital

  150

  31

  38

  Trust Summary

  150

  31

  38

  Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy

  —

  111

  86

  Trust Summary

  —

  111

  86

  Law Hospital NHS Trust

  Law Hospital

  —

  52

  29

  Trust Summary

  —

  52

  29

  Monklands and Bellshill Hospital NHS Trust

  Monklands District General Hospital

  —

  20

  15

  Trust Summary

  —

  20

  15

  North Ayrshire and Arran NHS Trust

  Crosshouse Hospital

  —

  21

  29

  Trust Summary

  —

  21

  29

  852

  Table 2—NHSIS—true waiting lists for nationally guaranteed operations at NHS trusts at 30 June 1994

  Replacements

  NHS Trust Hospital

  Cataracts

  Hip

  Knee

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare NHS Trust

  Perth Royal Infirmary

  —

  70

  37

  Trust summary

  —

  70

  37

  Queen Margaret Hospital NHS Trust

  Queen Margaret Hospital

  168

  —

  —

  Trust Summary

  168

  —

  —

  Raigmore Hospital NHS Trust

  Raigmore Hospital

  217

  123

  52

  Trust Summary

  217

  123

  52

  Royal Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  221

  24

  13

  Trust Summary

  221

  24

  13

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Trust

  Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

  775

  —

  —

  Princess Margaret Rose Hospital

  —

  205

  144

  Trust Summary

  775

  205

  144

  South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  The Ayr Hospital

  334

  36

  33

  Trust Summary

  334

  36

  33

  Southern General Hospital NHS Trust

  Southern General Hospital

  610

  23

  21

  Trust Summary

  610

  23

  21

  Stirling Royal Infirmary NHS Trust

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  230

  46

  31

  Trust Summary

  230

  46

  31

  Stobhill NHS Trust

  Stobhill Hospital

  363

  21

  28

  Trust Summary

  363

  21

  28

  The Victoria Infirmary NHS Trust

  Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow

  —

  83

  83

  Trust Summary

  —

  83

  83

  West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS Trust

  Western Infirmary, Glasgow

  132

  88

  50

  Trust Summary

  132

  88

  50

  Source:

  SMR3.

  Ref: Unit2/94348.

  Date: 11 October 1994.

  Departmental Post
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department has spent on postage, and how many items have been posted by his Department, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Lang
  The information is set out in the table. The numbers of items posted for years prior to 1992–93 are not available.

  Financial year

  Expenditure £million

  Items posted

  1989–90

  953,800

  N/A

  1990–91

  986,064

  N/A

  1991–92

  1,266,195

  N/A

  1992–93

  1,140,700

  3·5 million (approx.)

  1993–94

  1,316,231

  3·5 million (approx.)

  Subject

  Period conducted

  Contractor commissioned

  Objectives

  Environment

  Survey of Homeless Applications

  June—july 1993

  Public Attitude Surveys Ltd.

  To examine the operation of the Code of Guidance on homelessness.

  Edinburgh Castle Visitors Survey (Historic Scotland)

  May—december 1993

  System Three Scotland

  To provide information on visitors to the Castle, their attitudes to services and facilities and to identify priorities for improving these facilities.

  Awareness of Right to Buy and Rents to Mortgages

  March—april 1994

  System Three Scotland

  To identify tenants' awareness of Right to Buy schemes.

  Public Knowledge and Perception of Local Government

  September 1994

  The MVA Consultancy

  To ascertain current public knowledge and awareness of local government, public perceptions of remoteness/accessibility and their identification with local government units as a base-line for monitoring change.

  Rural Community Development study

  February 1994

  System Three Scotland

  To provide a baseline picture of life four representative rural areas in order to monitor change and the impact of rural policy initiatives.

  Water and Sewerage

  March—august 1994

  Market Research Scotland

  To test the comprehensibility of the design and contents of the information leaflet; to evaluate recall of the contents and purpose of leaflet.

  Sustainable Development

  September 1994

  The MVA Consultancy

  To investigate public awareness and understanding of the concept of sustainable development.

  Home and Health Department

  Car Crime

  November 1992

  Research Resources

  To determine amongst car users the steps taken to prevent car crime; their perception of car crime compared with other crimes; awareness of the "Hyena" campaign.

  Scottish Crime Survey

  December 1992—december 1993

  The MVA Consultancy

  Provide alternative indicator of the level and extent of household and personal victimisation in Scotland; provide information about public perceptions and experiences of crime and the criminal justice system more generally.

  Fire Prevention

  February—march 1993—february 1994

  Research Resources

  To measure awareness and understanding of the television commercial and assess the impact of the commercial in motivating householders to maintain their smoke alarms.

  Information Needs of Victims

  January —august 1994

  The MVA Consultancy

  Collect information on current provision of information to victims; provide overview of experience and needs of victims with reference to information provided by criminal justice agencies and identify gaps between needs and actual provision; identify what information could

  854
  Accurate counts are made of items issuing from main buildings, but estimates have had to be made for other offices throughout Scotland which do not feed into the central mail processing system.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each public opinion survey commissioned by(a) his Department and (b) his agencies since 1 October 1992, showing for each, the subject, objectives, total cost, the period in which it was conducted and the organisation from which it was commissioned.

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is shown in the table. The fee paid to individual contractors is commercially confidential and therefore cannot be detailed. The total cost of the 27 surveys listed was £1·061 million.
  855

  Subject

  Period conducted

  Contractor commissioned

  Objectives

  specifically be provided by the fiscal service and in what form.

  Domestic Violence Media Campaign

  July—december 1994

  System Three Scotland

  Assess the extent of public awareness and comprehension of Scottish Office domestic violence media campaign.

  Survey of NHS staff in Scotland

  July—august 1993

  System Three Scotland

  To measure progress in meeting the goals set out in the Patient's Charter and Framework for Action for NHS staff.

  Survey of users' experiences of the NHS in Scotland

  May—june 1994

  MORI Ltd.

  To measure progress being made in delivering the commitments made in the Patient's Charter about the standards of service people should expect from the NHS in Scotland.

  Maternity Services

  October 1992—october 1993

  Mrs. Yvonne Bostock (Independent Consultant)

  To explore women's view on topics concerned with the provision of maternity care in Scotland; to confirm that CRAG-SCOTMEG Consumer Group's interpretation of the existing research corresponded with women's views and expectations of the services; to provide a sound basis for the Group to form recommendations on women's expectations of services.

  Industry Department

  Evaluation of "Cars Kill" TV Campaign

  June—november 1993

  System Three Scotland

  To evaluate the "Cars Kill" TV campaign through testing children's awareness and attitudes to this campaign, and to other related national road safety campaigns and general road safety issues.

  Hotel Signposting Evaluation

  July—november 1993

  The MVA Consultancy

  To investigate inter alia whether the provision of new accommodation signs improve ease of access for visitors and guests and to monitor whether these signs are associated with an increase in occupancy rates.

  Scottish Drivers' Attitudes to Speeding Survey

  December 1993—june 1994

  Market Research Scotland Ltd

  To detect any changes in the attitudes of Scottish drivers towards speeding since November 1991 and to explore reasons for these changes.

  Setting Forth: Economic Development Study

  March—april 1994

  Oscar Faber TPA

  To understand how transport affects transport-sensitive businesses and how changes in transport provision contribute to maintaining or enhancing economic growth in the Lothian and Fife regions; understand how transport is taken into account by inward investment companies in making investment and location decisions.

  Setting Forth: Stated Preference Survey

  June 1993

  Oscar Faber TPA

  To provide the data necessary to model the impact of toll increases on driver behaviour across the Firth of Forth.

  An Evaluation of Scotland's National Tourist Routes

  June—november 1994

  Colin Buchanan and Partners

  To evaluate the effectiveness of the National Tourist Routes (NTR's) in encouraging a wider spread of tourist traffic, and to measure the availability of STB and ATB promotional material relating to the NTRs.

  Urban Partnership Household Surveys (Wester Hailes, Whitfield, Ferguslie Park)

  March 1993—may 1994

  Social and Community Planning Research

  Repeat of household surveys carried out in 1989–90 in order to evaluate the impact of the Urban Partnership now that initiatives are 5 years old.

  Urban Partnership Household Surveys (Castlemilk)

  March-May 1994

  Public Attitude Surveys

  Education Department

  Further and Higher Education Charter for Scotland

  October-November 1992

  British Market Research Bureau

  To identify issues of importance to current and potential students, their parents, and the general public to help shape the priorities of the Charter.

  School Education

  April—october 1993

  Social Community and Planning Research

  To provide information on the public's attitudes towards, and expectations of, school education at senior stages for an international study under the auspices of

  856 857

  Subject

  Period conducted

  Contractor commissioned

  Objectives

  the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

  Agriculture and Fisheries Department

  Crofting

  January—april 1993

  Independent Norther Consultants

  To obtain information on the aspirations of crofters for the future, and ways in which the Crofters Commission may help to meet these aspirations.

  Central Services

  The Scottish Office Central Enquiry Unit

  July-December 1993

  Research Resources

  To assess the impact of the press advertisement on awareness and on motivating the public to use the Enquiry Unit; determining the public's understanding of the role of The Scottish Office.

  Residential Care Homes
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) residential homes and (b) residents of residential homes there are in each regional council in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 October 1994]: Information on the numbers of local authority and registered private and voluntary residential homes and the number of residents in these homes in each regional or islands council in Scotland are contained in the table. The figures are as at 31 March 1992—the latest complete figures available.

  Region

  Number of residential homes

  Number of residents

  Borders

  41

  546

  Central

  40

  892

  Dumfries and Galloway

  42

  702

  Fife

  47

  983

  Grampian

  100

  2,078

  Highland

  68

  1,113

  Lothian

  187

  3,152

  Strathclyde

  312

  7,434

  Tayside

  133

  2,706

  Orkney

  7

  102

  Shetland

  5

  85

  Western Isles

  20

  217

  Scotland

  1,002

  20,010

  Health Care International
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on ensuring that any plans relating to Health Care International will not involve hospital closures or cuts in beds in Greater Glasgow health board or other neighbouring health boards.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 October 1994]: HCI's business plan is largely based on treating overseas patients and private patients from Britain.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when plans were made for a medical school within Health Care International; and at what stage the plans were abandoned.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 October 1994]: Before the hospital was established, the management of HCI discussed proposals for academic links with Scottish universities, including Glasgow
  858
  university. They also intended to work with the royal colleges.

  I am not aware however of there being any plans for an independent medical school within Health Care International.

  Bankruptcy
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will seek to amend Scottish housing regulations to make it an offence for an English property seller not to disclose bankruptcy to a Scottish buyer.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 24 October 1994]: No. A solicitor acting on behalf of a purchaser should undertake all the necessary searches to protect the client's interest, including, where appropriate, a search of the Land Charges Department with which all bankruptcy orders in England and Wales are registered.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT

  Aid Programme
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements have been established to avoid future entanglement of overseas aid grants with military export agreements.

  Mr. Baldry
  British aid grants are not linked to military export agreements. All bilateral project proposals are subject to economic, financial, technical and environmental appraisal before they are approved, to ensure that they meet the needs and priorities of recipient countries.

  UN Conference on Population and Development
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on the outcome of the United Nations conference on population and development which took place in Cairo in September.

  Mr. Baldry
  This conference was a success. I have placed a copy of the Government's report on the conference in the House Library, with a copy of the programme of action agreed in Cairo.

  THE JUDICIARY: SALARY PROPOSALS
  THE JUDICIARY: SALARY PROPOSALS
  MEDICAL RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS: INFORMED CONSENT
  MEDICAL RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS: INFORMED CONSENT
  ORDNANCE SURVEY
  ORDNANCE SURVEY
  TRADING STANDARDS SERVICE, SCOTLAND
  TRADING STANDARDS SERVICE, SCOTLAND
  DEREGULATION AND CONTRACTING OUT BILL: POWER TO VARY ORDERS
  DEREGULATION AND CONTRACTING OUT BILL: POWER TO VARY ORDERS