Written Answers of 3 April 1995

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the waiting time for initial interview in Pakistan of applicants seeking settlement here as spouses. [17767]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The waiting time to first interview for spouses applying for entry clearance for settlement in Islamabad was three months at the end of December 1994. Information is not centrally available on waiting times in Karachi but all applicants are expected to receive a first interview within three weeks.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the waiting time for initial interview in India of applicants seeking settlement here as spouses. [17766]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The waiting time to first interview for spouses in Bombay and New Delhi applying for entry clearance for settlement was three months at the end of December 1994. In Madras, all applicants seeking settlement are placed in the same queue with a waiting time to first interview of three quarters of a month at the end of December 1994. There is no queuing system in operation in Calcutta.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each non-departmental public body and agency for which he has responsibility and, for each, list separate figures for the spending by that body or agency on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising, (d) other promotional materials and activities, (e) the totals in each year of (a) to (d) and (f) the proportion of (e) that was spent on recruitment advertising, for each year since 1979–80 or for each year of its existence if it has been created since then: and what are his latest estimates of (a) to (f) for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17624]

  Mr. Howard
  I am accountable for four executive agencies—HM Prison Service, the Forensic Science Service, the UK Passport Agency and the Fire Service College—and for some 38 non-departmental bodies which are listed in "Public Bodies 1994", which is available in the Library.

  Information on spending on advertising and other promotional materials and activities by each agency and non-departmental public body for which I am responsible is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Maastricht
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the information provided by his Department to Select Committees of the House in respect of developments on the third pillar of Maastricht. [17211]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The following documents with explanatory notes have been made available to the Select Committees on Home Affairs and on European Legislation.

  Documents

  Explanatory Notes

  ASIM 104

  Council resolution on limitations on admission of third country nationals to the member states for employment. (7139/94)

  ASIM 90

  Guidelines for the harmonized application of the definition of refugee status in article 1A of the Geneva convention. (6675/94)

  ASIM 115

  Council resolution relating to limitations on the admission of third country nationals to the territory of the member states for the purpose of pursuing activities as self-employed persons. (7572/94)

  ASIM 122

  Travel facilities for third-country nationals resident in a member state. (7737/94)

  ASIM 124

  Draft Council resolution on burden sharing with regard to the admission and residence of refugees. (7773/94)

  ASIM 127

  Draft Council resolution on the admission of third-country nationals to the territory of the member states of the European Union for study purposes. (7996/94)

  ASIM 130

  Joint action for a further improvement in security at external borders. (8031/94)

  ASIM 152

  Minimum guarantees for asylum applicants. (8713/94)

  ASIM 242

  Proposal for a joint action on harmonizing means of combating illegal employment and improving the relevant means of control. (12336/94)

  ASIM 244

  Proposal for a joint action on the status of third country nationals residing legally in the Union for a long period. (12338/94)

  Unnumbered

  UK proposal for a joint action by the Council of the European Union regarding the protection of the financial interests of the European Communities.

  Unnumbered

  European Information System (EIS)—draft convention text.

  Unnumbered

  European Police Office (Europol)—draft convention text.

  Unnumbered

  Customs Information System (CIS)—draft convention text.

  CK4 98

  Joint action concerning the Europol Drugs Unit. (12321/1/94)

  JUSTPEN 25

  Council Act drawing up the convention on simplified extradition procedure between the member states of the European Union. (5130/95)

  887
  In addition, a number of documents relating to title VI issues have been made available under normal parliamentary scrutiny procedures with explanatory memoranda:

  Documents

  Explanatory Memoranda

  (15080) 11287/93

  Communication covering:

  a. Draft decision based on article K3 of the treaty on European Union, establishing a convention on the crossing of the external frontiers of the member states: and

  b. Draft regulation based on article 100c of the treaty establishing the European Community determining the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the member states.

  5187/94

  Commission communication on immigration and asylum policies.

  8076/94

  Protection of the Community's financial interests.

  8077/94

  Communication from the Commission on a European Union action plan to combat drugs.

  The outcome of each Justice and Home Affairs Council is reported to Parliament by means of an answer to a parliamentary question. Since the Council held on 20 June 1994 we have also submitted to the Select Committees a memorandum previewing the likely discussion at each Council, and subsequently a memorandum of evidence on the main conclusions reached. All texts adopted at a Justice and Home Affairs Council are deposited in the Library.

  The then Home Secretary gave oral evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 21 April 1993 on intergovernmental co-operation in justice and home affairs. A memorandum of evidence of work carried out under title VI was submitted to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 7 December 1993 in advance of oral evidence by officials on 15 December. On 24 January 1994, my officials provided two further papers on police co-operation and answers to a number of supplementary questions which the Committee did not reach at its oral evidence session.

  Most recently I appeared before the Home Affairs Select Committee on 21 January 1995 to give evidence on criminal justice matters, including organised crime and intergovernmental co-operation in the fields of justice and home affairs.

  Everthorpe Prison
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made on the reports of the disorder at Everthorpe prison; and if his conclusions have changed his policy in respect of illegal drugs in prisons. [17351]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 30 March 1995]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  888
  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 3 April 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Everthorpe prison.
  A task force has been established to consider and progress the recommendations of the report on the disorder at Everthorpe prison. One of these recommendations is the introduction of a coordinated drug reduction policy at Everthorpe. This policy will be introduced this year.
  There has been no change to the Prison Service's policy on tackling drug misuse in prisons as a result of the disturbances at Everthorpe. A strategy of controlling supply and providing support and treatment is being pursued, underpinned by mandatory drug testing for prisoners.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Armenian Orthodox Church
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government will take to urge the Turkish authorities to withdraw their requirement that, apart from regularly scheduled worship services, the Armenian orthodox church obtains special written permission for any function or meeting held in church facilities with more than 10 people in attendance. [17773]

  Mr. David Davis
  The Turkish public order decrees which require notification in advance of gatherings over a certain size apply generally and are not directed specifically at the Armenian orthodox church.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government will take to urge the Turkish authorities to allow the Armenian orthodox church in Turkey to hold its representative assembly so that it can elect delegates to participate in the election for the Supreme Patriarch in Armenia. [17772]

  Mr. David Davis
  Our consulate-general in Istanbul discussed this with the Turkish authorities and with representatives of the Armenian orthodox church. The church has now decided not to hold the assembly. The views of the Armenian orthodox church in Turkey will be represented at the elections for the Supreme Patriarch by a number of bishops chosen by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Istanbul.

  Internet
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the Internet electronic mail addresses of(a) his Department and (b) each Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement on his Department's approach to the information super-highway. [17737]

  Mr. Goodlad
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell) on 29 November 1994 at column 250 and 10 January 1995 at column 63.

  The FCO and ODA do not at present use the Internet for e-mail. However, both wings are currently considering how to implement a public inquiry Internet e-mail address, for launch later in the year.

  A project is underway to establish an FCO world-wide web service on the Internet which should come on stream

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  before the summer recess. A further announcement will be made at that time.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the public information telephone inquiry lines operated by his Department, in each case indicating the costs of establishing, operating and publicising these lines and the number of calls made to them up until this point; when they were established; and what assessment his Department has made of their effectiveness. [17457]

  Mr. Baldry
  Consular Department operates a public information telephone service for travel advice. Because of increased demand—staff were handling as many as 600 calls per day—and in order to improve our service to the public a new automated telephone answering system was introduced on 27 February 1995. The service offers travel advice for the 11 countries most in demand and is available on 0374–500900.

  Call costs to the public are at standard or local rate. The new service involved no capital expenditure. Its running costs are £500 per month. The national and local media, the travel industry and other existing customers have received information about the service. No publicity costs have been incurred. It is still too early to assess the effectiveness of the new service.

  Irish Nationals
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the Irish Republic will sign the appropriate convention enabling it to receive Irish nationals serving custodial sentences in prisons in the United Kingdom. [17660]

  Mr. Hurd
  This is a matter for the Irish Government. At the recent plenary meeting of the British-Irish inter-parliamentary body the Irish Foreign Minister, Mr. Spring, confirmed that legislation to ratify the Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons was being prepared by the Irish Department of Justice, and was expected to be introduced in the Dail after the Easter recess.

  Death Penalty
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to stop the execution of a British citizen in the electric chair in the United States of America on 6 April; and what assessment he has made of the applicability of the international covenant on civil and political rights. [17899]

  Mr. Baldry
  None. There are no special grounds for a plea for clemency by us on Mr. Ingram's behalf. The death penalty is permitted in certain circumstances under international human rights law. Mr. Ingram, who is a dual British—US national was convicted of a "most serious crime" as specified in article 6 of the international covenant on civil and political rights. Mr. Ingram received both a fair trial and a lengthy appeals process.

  EU Ottawa Representative
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the name of 890
  the senior representative of the European Union or Community representing its interest in Ottawa; for how long that envoy has held this post; and if he will give their personal and occupational curriculum vitae. [18034]

  Mr. David Davis
  The head of delegation of the Commission of the European Communities in Ottawa is Mr. John R. Beck. Mr. Beck has held this position since April 1993. Mr. Beck has been working for the European Commission since 1973. He had previously worked at the Economist intelligence unit and the London chamber of commerce.

  Fisheries, Canada
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which article of which treaty enables him to prevent, or vote against, any proposal for retaliatory action by the European Union or Community in respect of their dispute with Canada relating to fisheries. [18035]

  Mr. David Davis
  We believe that the best way to resolve the fisheries dispute between the EU and Canada is by negotiation. There is no formal proposal to impose sanctions. A proposal under article 228a of the treaty of Rome to interrupt or reduce, in part of completely, economic relations with Canada would require the adoption of a common position or joint action according to the provisions of the treaty on European Union relating to common foreign and security policy, which would be subject to unanimity.

  Overseas Posts
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many labour attachés and labour reporting offices there are in each embassy or overseas posts; and at what annual cost. [18079]

  Mr. Goodlad
  At FCO posts overseas there are at present eight United Kingdom-based and five locally engaged officers with a formal labour reporting responsibility. Five of the UK-based officers are full-time labour attaches. As the following table shows, the 13 officers expect to devote, each year, a total of 10 man-years to labour reporting, at a total cost of £683,000.

  Post

  UK-based officers

  Man Years Labour reporting

  LE Officers

  Man Years Labour reporting

  Cost £

  Bonn

  1

  1

  2

  1.3

  133,058

  Brussels

  1

  1

  1

  1

  116,624

  Dublin

  1

  0.1

  0

  0

  8,597

  Madrid

  1

  1

  0

  0

  116,102

  Paris

  1

  1

  0

  0

  112,768

  Pretoria

  1

  1

  0

  0

  53,272

  Rome

  2

  0.6

  1

  1

  107,492

  Washington

  0

  0

  1

  1

  35,050

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each non-departmental public body and agency for which he has responsibility and, for each, list separate figures for the spending by that body or agency on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper

  891
  advertising, (d) other promotional materials and activities, (e) the totals in each year of (a) to (d) and (f) the proportion of (e) that was spent on recruitment advertising, for each year since 1979–80 or for each year of its existence if it has been created since then and what are his latest estimates of (a) to (f) for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17628]

  Mr. Goodlad
  The information requested could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list, for 1992–93 and 1993–94, separate figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising, (d) other promotions material and activities (e) the totals in each year of (a) to (d) and (f) the proportion of (e) that was spent on recruitment advertising; and what are his latest estimates for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17627]

  Mr. Goodlad
  The figures requested are as follows:

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 (Estimate) £

  1995–96 (Estimate) £

  (a) Television

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (b) Radio

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (c) Newspaper of which

  370,979

  505,430

  847,000

  885,465

  recruitment

  370,979

  505,430

  847,000

  885,465

  (d) Others

  1,724,228

  1,624,834

  1,570,000

  1,942,000

  of which recruitment

  190,262

  43,739

  —

  200,000

  (e) Total of which

  2,095,207

  2,130,264

  2,417,000

  2,827,465

  recruitment

  561,241

  549,169

  887,000

  1,085,465

  (f) Percentage of total on recruitment

  27

  26

  37

  38

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Law Commission Report
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who are the members of the inter-departmental working party established by the Lord Chancellor to prepare the Government's response to the Law Commission report on mental incapacity; what specific remit the working party has been given; whether the working party will be taking further written or oral evidence; what steps are being taken to ensure that the working party endorses the Government's policy of opposition to euthanasia and if he will make a statement. [17754]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The working group is made up of officials from the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Department of Health, the Home Office, the Department of Social Security, the Welsh Office and the Treasury. The terms of reference of the group are:892

  To co-ordinate the Government response to the Law Commission report on mental incapacity published on 1 March 1995.

  To produce an initial report by 1 September 1995.

  No decisions have yet been taken as to whether the group will take further written or oral evidence.

  The Government consider euthanasia to be unacceptable and the working group has no remit to consider any change to this policy.

PRIME MINISTER

  Malaysia
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received from the Malaysian authorities about trade relations between the United Kingdom and Malaysia. [18579]

  The Prime Minister
  I welcome Dr. Mahathir's positive remarks, during his recent visit to Britain, that Malaysia wants to continue building the strongest possible ties with Britain, and is putting behind her the two countries' recent trade problems. This was a constructive initiative. Britain has close and long-standing links with Malaysia. We look forward to working with Malaysia to develop these to their full potential in the future.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss during his visit to Washington, the United States' experience of deregulation and the lessons learnt by the administration which can be applied to the United Kingdom. [17900]

  The Prime Minister
  I am always interested to hear new ideas to take forward the Government's deregulation initiative.

EMPLOYMENT

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list each non-departmental public body and agency for which he has responsibility and, for each, list separate figures for the spending by that body or agency on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising, (d) other promotional materials and activities, (e) the totals in each year of (a) to (d) and (f) the proportion of (e) that was spent on recruitment advertising for each year since 1979–80 or for each year of its existence if it has been created since then; and what are his latest estimates of (a) to (f) for years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17636]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information about the spending on advertising and promotional activity by non-departmental public bodies and agencies is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The publication entitled "Public Bodies 1994" is held in the Library and lists the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Employment Department.
  893
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list, for 1992–93 and 1993–94, separate figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising, (d) other promotional materials and activities, (e) the totals in each year of (a) to (d) and (f) the proportion of (e) that was spent on recruitment advertising; and what are his latest estimates for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17635]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The expenditure by the Employment Department on advertising and other promotional activities between 1992–93 and 1993–94 is shown in the following table:

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  (a) Television advertising

  Nil

  Nil

  (b) Radio advertising

  1,034

  194,554

  (c) Newspaper advertising

  4,674,390

  7,120,535

  (d) Other promotional materials

  3,209,309

  3,654,466

  Total

  7,884,733

  10,969,555

  None of the above expenditure was on recruitment advertising.

  The expenditure figures to date for 1994–95 are shown in the following table:

  £

  (a) Television advertising

  3,199,260

  (b) Radio advertising

  409,534

  (c) Newspaper advertising

  4,438,393

  (d) Other promotional materials

  2,763,979

  Total

  10,811,166

  The budgeted figure for advertising and publicity for 1995–96 is £10.6 million. Further information broken down by type of publicity is not yet available.

  Internet
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the Internet electronic mail addresses of(a) his Department and (b) each Minister in his Department; and if he will make a statement on his Department's approach to the information superhighway. [17743]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Officials within the Department are currently investigating the possibility of establishing links to the Internet electronic mail service. The Department's approach to the information super-highway is to regard it as a potential vehicle for improving services to the Department's customers and as an additional publication medium for promoting open government.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list(a) the number of new directors each year that have joined the board of directors and (b) the percentage annual turnover of directors in respect of each training and enterprise council in England and Wales since their creation. [17052]
  894
  Mr. Paice
  I am unable to give the information that the hon. Member is asking for as it is not collected in that form. However, the total turnover for board members for training and enterprise councils in England and Wales is shown in the following list:

  March 1992 to February 1993: 20 per cent.

  March 1993 to February 1994: 25 per cent.

  March 1994 to February 1995: 19 per cent.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what amounts are available under objective 4 of European structural funds for the retraining of existing employees in 1994–95; and how much has been applied for and spent in 1994–95. [17342]

  Miss Widdecombe
  A total of 3,377 million ecu is available for spending in Great Britain under objective 3 and 4 of the structural funds between 1994 and 1999. The Government announced their intention last year to concentrate available funding on helping unemployed people under objective 3. Therefore, nothing was applied for or spent under objective 4 in Great Britain in 1994–95.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the public information telephone inquiry lines operated by his
  Department, in each case indicating the costs of establishing, operating and publicising these lines and the number of calls made to them up until this point; when they were established; and what assessment his Department has made of their effectiveness. [17459]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Details about the public information telephone inquiry lines operating throughout the Department are not held centrally.

ENVIRONMENT

  Planning Applications
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if planning approvals granted since January where the application used imperial units of measurement, are valid; and if he will make a statement. [16766]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  All planning permissions granted are valid unless and until declared invalid by a court. As far as this Department is aware, no planning permissions have been declared invalid on the grounds that the application for permission used imperial measurements nor are we aware of any applications to the courts to declare permissions invalid on these grounds.

  Local Government Finance, Leicestershire
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the standard spending assessment for Leicestershire; how much was spent in each of the last five years; and what is the planned standard spending assessment for this year. [17157]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The figures are:
  895

  £ million

  Standard spending assessment

  Net revenue expenditure1

  1990–91

  458.828

  484.585

  1991–92

  539.740

  545.463

  1992–93

  579.013

  581.405

  1993–94

  548.651

  545.528

  1994–95

  560.740

  567.888

  1995–96

  531.173

  —

  Notes:

  1 All figures are at outturn with the exception of 1994–95 which is budget.

  The figures have not been adjusted for changes of responsibility or function. On a comparable basis, the standard spending assessment for 1995–96 is a £3.206 million increase from 1994–95—£527.966 million.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was budgeted by the county council for education in Leicestershire in each of the last five years; and how much is planned for this year. [17156]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Information on the planned budget for 1995–96 has not yet been received. Budgets set for the previous five years were as follows:

  Leicestershire budgeted1 education net current2 expenditure

  £ million

  1990–91

  340

  1991–92

  375

  1992–93

  416

  1993–943

  374

  1994–95

  375

  Note:

  1 Final outturn expenditure figures would be different.

  2 Net current expenditure is defined as employee plus running expenses less sales, fees and charges, and other non-grant income. It is not consistent with the definition of net revenue expenditure to compare with SSA.

  3 Further education colleges were removed from local control on 1 April 1993.

  County Council Reserves
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the most recent information is on the current reserves held by the county councils of(a) Suffolk, (b) Essex, (c) Cambridgeshire and (d) Norfolk; and what the figures were 12 and 24 months previously.

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

  Local Authority Reserves 1 April 1992 to 1 April 1994

  The latest available estimates of the level of reserves as at 1 April 1992 to 1 April 1994 are attached. These are split, where possible, into schools' reserves ('LMS'), and other ('Non-LMS'). Non-LMS reserves include funds, which may be substantial, held for specified purposes which may not be available to the council for general use—for example, funds to finance capital projects to which the authority is committed; and insurance funds where the authority is bearing its own insurance risks.

  These estimates are subject to amendment as authorities finalise their accounts. Compatible data on the use of balances in 1994–95 which would be needed to derive an
  896
  estimate of the level of reserves at 1 April 1995 is not yet available.

  1 April 19921 £000

  1 April 19932 £000

  1 April 19943 £000

  Suffolk

  LMS

  n/a

  13,120

  13,120

  Non-LMS

  n/a

  21,388

  14,982

  Total

  16,051

  34,508

  28,102

  Essex

  LMS

  n/a

  25,039

  25,039

  Non-LMS

  n/a

  20,311

  49,465

  Total

  39,373

  45,350

  74,504

  Cambridgeshire

  LMS

  n/a

  8,469

  7,930

  Non-LMS

  n/a

  45,343

  48,602

  Total

  48,119

  53,812

  56,532

  Norfolk

  LMS

  n/a

  9,059

  9,059

  Non-LMS

  n/a

  21,915

  24,791

  Total

  13,109

  30,974

  33,850

  Sources:

  1 Level of reserves (outturn) at 1/4/92 (RS returns for 1992–93).

  2 Level of reserves (outturn) at 1/4/93 (RS returns for 1993–94).

  3 Level of reserves (outturn) at 1/4/93 +/- appropriations to/withdrawals from reserves 1993–94 (RS returns for 1993–94).

  National Parks
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people both live and work in each of the national parks; and, in each case, what this is as a percentage of the economically active population. [17165]

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department does not maintain statistics specifically relating to those people both living and working in national parks, and it could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what ethical guidelines exist in respect of the development of genetically modified organisms; what structures there are for the control of (i) development and (ii) release of genetically modified organisms; and how many genetically modified organisms have been (1) developed and (2) released in each year since 1989. [17064]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  There are no specific ethical guidelines in respect of the development of genetically modified organisms which may subsequently be released to the environment. The structures for the control of development and release of GMOs include the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the GMO (Contained Use) Regulations 1992; the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the GMO (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 and 1995, and the GMO (Contained Use) Regulations 1993. Records are not kept each year of how many GMOs have been developed. Prior to the regulations requiring a consent for the release of GMOs coming into force on 1 February 1993, there had been about 50 releases of GMOs in the United Kingdom. Since that date, consents to
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  release GMOs to the environment have been issued as follows: 15 in 1993, 24 in 1994, and to date, 15 in 1995.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, for 1992–93 and 1993–94, separate figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising, (d) other promotional materials and activities, (e) the totals in each year of (a) to (d), and (f) the proportion of (e) that was spent on recruitment advertising; and what are his latest estimates for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The figures for central publicity expenditure by my Department in each of the financial years/categories requested is detailed below. These figures exclude recruitment advertising expenditure. Budgets for financial year 1995–96 are still being prepared and are not yet available.

  TV

  Radio

  Press

  Other

  £000 Total

  1992–93

  3,545

  Nil

  3,324

  7,828

  14,697

  1993–94

  2,774

  347

  2,028

  6,959

  12,108

  1994–95

  2,698

  477

  1,295

  4,408

  8,878

  These figures include VAT, agency fees where relevant and all other levies as paid.

  Spent on recruitment advertising during financial year 1994–95 was approximately £38,200. Figures for previous years are not readily available and cannot be provided within the acceptable cost limits.

  Emissions
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he had to monitor PM10 in rural areas. [15717]

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department plans to begin monitoring PM10 at a small number of rural locations this year.

  Minicab Offices
  Mr. John Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue jointly with the Secretary of State for Transport, guidance on the siting of minicab offices and their effect on traffic flow. [15692]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Traffic flow may be a material consideration in determining an application for planning permission for a minicab office. We have no plans to issue guidance on this.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the public information telephone inquiry lines operated by his Department, in each case indicating the costs of establishing, operating, and publicising these lines and the number of calls made to them up until this point; when they were established; and what assessment his Department has made of their effectiveness. [17451]
  898
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department does not keep central records of the information requested on usage of public information telephone lines.

  Water companies
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what agreements were entered into with water companies at the time of privatisation regarding charging bills at a scale which would accumulate money for future use; if he will make it his policy to require use of surplus funds to be devoted to reduction of water bills; and if he will make a statement. [17254]

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 21 March 1995]: No agreements were entered into at the time of privatisation regarding accumulation of funds for future use. Initial price limits were set at a level to ensure water companies were able to finance the proper carrying out of their functions, in accordance with the requirements of legislation. This function is now the responsibility of the Director General of Water Services who, in his recent periodic review of price limits, has set new limits for future increases in charges which assume improved efficiency and lower rates of return by the companies. He has stated that any additional savings should be shared with customers through increased spending on discretionary service improvements or lower charges.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Green Paper on Drugs Misuse
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will comment on submissions made on the Government Green Paper on drugs misuse. [15731]

  Mr. Newton
  Over 400 detailed responses were received from individuals and organisations during the consultation period on the Green Paper "Tackling Drugs Together". The great majority of respondents have very much welcomed the Government's initiative in developing a three-year strategy for tackling drug misuse and supported the main proposals. A number of issues on which clarification has been sought are being addressed in the preparation of a White Paper, which we intend to publish shortly.

  Procedural Reform
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 20 February,Official Report, columns 19–20, what timetable he envisages for reviewing recent reforms in parliamentary procedure and for considering further reforms; and if he will make a statement. [15732]

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes), of 20 February,Official Report, columns 19–20, what timetable he envisages for reviewing recent reforms in parliamentary procedure and for considering further reforms; and if he will make a statement. [15736]

  Mr. Newton
  As I explained in the debate on 19 December,Official Report, columns 1456–65, the reforms which the House has agreed to are in operation as an

  899
  experiment for the remainder of the Session, and will be reviewed towards the end of the Session. If the hon. Member wishes to suggest further reforms, he might like to submit them to the Procedure Committee.

  Divisions
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many votes there have been in the House since January; and what was the equivalent figure for 1994. [15733]

  Mr. Newton
  The number of Divisions in the House for the period from Tuesday 10 January 1995 to Tuesday 21 March 1995 inclusive was 76. This period represented 50 sitting days, with one "constituency Friday" not included in the total. During the first 50 sitting days of 1994, covering the period of Tuesday 11 January 1994 to Monday 21 March 1994 inclusive, there were 116 Divisions.

  Standing Committee Membership
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what recent representations he has received on the proprietary of hon. Members with registered interests serving on Standing Committees discussion issues relating to those interests. [15735]

  Mr. Newton
  In the course of business questions, I have received oral representations from five hon. Members.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Phone Numbers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government current and future policy regarding portability of phone numbers between BT and cable companies. [17126]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Responsibility for number portability falls to the Director General of Telecommunications. He and I agree that the introduction of portability is essential to the development of effective competition. Oftel has made proposals for a regime to govern portability, and I expect progress to be announced shortly.

  Konver Programme
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the projects for which assistance under the Konver programme has been sought but for which no decision has been made; [17757]

  (2) if he will list the projects for which assistance under the Konver programme has been refused; [17755]

  (3) what is his assessment of the success of the projects funded by the Konver programme since it began; [17768]

  (4) if he will list the projects which have been funded by the Konver programme since it began, the total value of each such project, and the value of the contribution made in each case by the Konver programme. [17756]

  Mr. Eggar
  Lists of both the successful and unsuccessful applications for Konver I were placed in theLibraries of both Houses in December 1993. There are no outstanding decisions on the Konver I projects.
  900
  It is too early in the life of the programme to assess how successful the projects are going to be. Many projects still have a year to run. As is usual with all programmes, an independent evaluation will be undertaken.

  For Konver II, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Leeds, Central, (Mr. Fatchett) on 20 March 1995, Official Report, columns 796–97.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much his Department spent on public relations during the financial year 1993–94; how much contracts with the private sector cost; and if he will list the activities covered by these contracts. [16289]

  Mr. Heseltine
  There was no expenditure on public relations under the Department's central publicity budget in 1993–94.

  Carriage Charges
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has had about the increased level of carriage charges imposed by the Royal Mail for the delivery of newspapers to small shop outlets; and if he will make a statement. [17488]

  Mr. Eggar
  None. I understand from the Post Office that the Royal Mail does not currently provide a service for delivery of newspapers to small shop outlets.

  Car Imports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the level of import penetration in the car market in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany, (c) France and (d) Italy; and if he will make a statement. [17125]

  Mr. Page
  The information is in the table.

  Import penetration in the car market 19941

  Car registrations (000 units)

  Import (000 units)

  Import penetration per cent.

  UK

  1,911

  1,090

  57.0

  Germany

  3,209

  1,161

  36.2

  France

  1,973

  766

  38.8

  Italy

  1,647

  886

  53.8

  Source

  1 Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

  Export Values
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the percentage change in United Kingdom export unit values relative to those of the EEC Six for each quarter since the fourth quarter of 1986. [17163]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The information is given in the table:
  901

  Percentage change on previous quarter in UK export values relative to those of the EEC six

  Change on previous quarter

  1987q1

  0.3

  1987q2

  4.9

  1987q3

  1.3

  1987q4

  1.8

  1988q1

  2.6

  1988q2

  2.0

  1988q3

  -0.5

  1988q4

  -1.7

  1989q1

  -1.5

  1989q2

  -2.5

  1989q3

  -0.6

  1989q4

  -4.3

  1990q1

  -3.1

  1990q2

  1.6

  1990q3

  4.5

  1990q4

  -2.2

  1991q1

  2.3

  1991q2

  1.4

  1991q3

  1.4

  1991q4

  -1.4

  1992q1

  0.2

  1992q2

  0.9

  1992q3

  -3.3

  1992q4

  -7.8

  1993q1

  7.4

  1993q2

  3.0

  1993q3

  6.0

  1993q4

  1.6

  1994q1

  -0.2

  1994q2

  -2.4

  Note:

  Unit value indices in $US for EEC(6) are weighted together using total trade weights.

  Limestone
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much United Kingdom quarried limestone was used in the United Kingdom steel industry for each year since 1979. [17229]

  Mr. Page
  The information is in the table.

  UK consumption of limestone in blast furnaces and sinter plants1

  Year

  Tonnes (000)

  1979

  1,206

  1980

  618

  1981

  1,032

  1982

  890

  1983

  1,165

  1984

  1,144

  1985

  1,562

  1986

  1,496

  1987

  1,827

  1988

  1,948

  1989

  2,062

  1990

  1,991

  1991

  2,124

  1992

  2,033

  1993

  2,077

  Source:Iron and Steel Statistics Bureau.

  Note:

  1 Steel industry as defined by the Standard Industrial Classification (1980), Groups 221, 222 and 223.

  Sarin
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his time scale for the banning of the manufacture of Sarin in the United Kingdom. [17166]

  Mr. Heseltine
  Sarin is one of a number of chemicals, the production of which will be permitted under the chemical weapons convention only for research, medical, pharmaceutical or protective purposes. The legislation to implement the CWC in the UK and to enable the UK to ratify it will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits. The CWC will enter into force for participating states 180 days after 65 countries have ratified it. So far, 27 states have done so.

  Chernobyl
  Mr.Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent communications he has received from the Ukrainian Government in regard to technological assistance required at the Chernobyl nuclear plant. [17552]

  Mr. Page
  No such approach has been received.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how long it has been the policy to offer staff recruited to work at the Patent Office in Newport two-year contracts; what benefits the Patent Office has derived from this policy; and if people employed on two-year contracts are afforded the same rights as Patent Office staff not on fixed-term contracts. [17414]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Patent Office does not have a policy of recruiting staff on two-year contracts and currently has no such employees. However, the office does employ staff on renewable six-month contracts and has done so since March 1991 when it became clear that there has been a considerable reduction in demand for trade marks. A number of staff were therefore recruited on short-term contracts in order to retain the flexibility to reduce staff numbers quickly if market pressures so required. Although those pressures remain significant, reductions required to reflect efficiency improvements and changes in demand have so far been accommodated by normal staff turnover.

  Staff on fixed-term contracts do not have all the rights of established civil servants. As well as terms of employment, there are differences between conditions of service, including amounts of sick leave entitlement.

  Copyright Offences
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to introduce regulations to give effect to enforcement procedures under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988. [17687]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Enforcement of copyright offences already falls within the responsibilities of the police. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Acts 1988 contains provisions facilitating both civil and criminal proceedings under that Act. These provisions which re-enacted and improved upon earlier legislation have been in force since 1 August 1989. Section 165 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 additionally makes it a duty of local weights and measures authorities to enforce copyright offences. However, when agreeing to introduce
  903
  that provision, the Government made it clear that it would not be brought into effect until there had been an opportunity to carry out full consultations with local authority associations on the possible resource implications. Those consultations are not yet complete.

  Companies House
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost to date of the report by SRU Ltd. into the future of Companies House; and what estimate he has made of the final cost of all consultancy work on the subject of contracting out Companies House. [17228]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The cost of consultancy advice from SRU Ltd. on the future of Companies House was £283,000, exclusive of VAT.

  At this stage it is not possible to say what the final cost of all consultancy work on contracting out companies House services will be.

  Land Rover
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what Government regulations apply in respect of the licencing for manufacture in other countries of Land Rover vehicles; and to what extent human rights are taken into account in respect of the licencing arrangements. [17787]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  It is a matter for manufacturers' commercial judgment as to whether they wish to have their products manufactured overseas under licence. Vehicles and related equipment specially designed or modified for military use and components therefore specially designed or modified for military use are controlled under schedule 1, part 1, group 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 (category ML 6). Exports of equipment and technology for the production of all goods specified in group 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order are also controlled under category ML18. Any application for a licence to export such vehicles, equipment or technology would be considered against internationally agreed criteria governing the control of exports of military equipment. These criteria include consideration of the human rights record of the country to which the goods would be exported. There are military equipment embargoes imposed by the European Union against Burma and China which were put in place as a result of those countries' record on human rights.

TREASURY

  Civil Service (Privatisation)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil service functions are currently being considered for privatisation; and who the consultants are in each case. [16972]

  Sir George Young
  An activity is identified as a possible candidate for privatisation either in the Department's annual efficiency plan, or as part of a prior options review process under which activities are reviewed to see whether they should be abolished,904
  privatised, strategically contracted-out, market tested or given agency status. Prior options reviews are announced in the monthly "Market Testing Bulletin". Decisions on possible candidates for privatisation are announced by departmental Ministers as and when appropriate.

  Information on the consultants used by departments and agencies in cases currently being considered is not held centrally.

  Income Tax (Welsh Authorities)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which tax offices in Wales are responsible for processing the income tax of the employees of(a) the Welsh local authorities and (b) the Welsh health authorities; how many staff at each office are engaged in this work; what proposals he has to alter these arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [17545]

  Sir George Young
  Details of the tax offices in Wales which are responsible for processing the income tax of the employees of the Welsh local authorities and Welsh health authorities together with the approximate number of staff engaged on this work are as follows:

  Tax office

  Approximate staff deployed on local authority work

  Approximate staff deployed on health authority work

  Aberystwyth

  0.2

  —

  Bangor

  5.5

  1.5

  Brecon

  2.5

  0.8

  Bridgend

  0.4

  —

  Carmarthen

  7.0

  4.25

  Colwyn Bay

  7.4

  —

  Llanelli

  0.25

  —

  Merthyr Tydfil

  1.0

  —

  Neath

  2.3

  —

  Newport 1

  7.5

  3.0

  Newport 2

  0.6

  —

  Pontypridd

  0.8

  3.0

  Wrexham 2

  0.9

  —

  Cardiff 1

  12.5

  —

  Swansea

  12.0

  3.4

  The current reorganisation of local authorities in Wales will necessitate some changes to the organisation of the employee's tax records. Full details of the local authority changes and the resulting impact on each tax office are not yet clear.

  Barings
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the activities of Mr. Christopher Heath in future markets were first drawn to the attention of the Bank of England.

  Mr. Nelson
  Mr. Heath joined the Barings group in June 1984 and left in March 1993. Prior to leaving he was the managing director of Barings Securities Ltd. and a director of Baring Brothers and Co. Ltd. His role in the activities of Baring Securities, particularly in the far east and in the Japanese equity warrant market, were known to the Bank of England. As for his involvement, if any, in futures markets and the Bank of England's knowledge of such activities, as my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor told the House on 27 February, he has asked the Board of Banking Supervision to investigate fully and urgently all aspects of the Barings episode and to report
  905
  back to him. He expects to publish the full report subject only to the need to protect the legitimate confidentiality of innocent third parties and any other legal constraints.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on public relations during the financial year 1993–94; how much contracts with the private sector cost; and if he will list the activities covered by these contracts. [16291]

  Mr. Nelson
  Total expenditure was £1.6 million of which just over £1 million was for contracts with the private sector including the cost of press handling and marketing advice on the BT2 final instalment and BT3 share offer.

  Exchange Rates
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will state the £/Irish Punt exchange rate in(a) 1965, (b) 1975, (c) 1985, and (d) currently; [16711]

  (2) if he will state the £/deutschmark exchange rate in (a) 1965, (b) 1975, (c) 1985 and (d) currently. [16710]

  Mr. Nelson
  The exchange rates requested are:

  DM/£

  Irish £/£

  1965 (average)

  11.17

  1.00

  1975 (average)

  5.45

  1.00

  1985 (average)

  3.78

  1.22

  30 March 1995

  2.25

  1.00

  Manufacturing Output
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by rank order of import penetration for the manufacturing industries listed in table 15.10 of the April 1991 "Monthly Digest of Statistics" the percentage increase in output in the fourth quarter of 1994 compared to(a) 1973 and (b) 1979; and if he will make a statement. [17113]

  Mr. Nelson
  Comparative output data for 1973, 1979 and the fourth quarter of 1994 are not available at the requested level of disaggregation.

  Imports and Exports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in the value and volume of imports and exports of(a) manufactures, (b) North sea oil and gas, (c) food, drink and tobacco, (d) other goods, (e) travel and tourism, (f) financial services and (g) other services between 1990 and 1994. [17188]

  Mr. Nelson
  Information relating to changes in the value and volume of imports and exports between 1990 and 1994 can be derived from data available on the Central Statistical Office database, which can be accessed by the House of Commons Library. The CSO is unable separately to identify North sea oil and gas.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account his Department's definition of export-led growth takes of imports; and if he will list the change in the value and volume of imports and exports of(a) manufactures, (b) North sea oil and gas, (c) food, drink
  906
  and tobacco, (d) other goods, (e) travel and tourism, (f) financial services and (g) other services between 1992 and 1994. [17164]

  Mr. Nelson
  Changes in both gross and net exports are considered when assessing the sources of GDP growth. Figures for export and import value and volumes are available on the Central Statistical Office database, which can be accessed through the Library of the House.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each quarter since the fourth quarter of 1986 the percentage increase or reduction in the rate of exchange between sterling and the ecu currencies other than the deutschmark. [17115]

  Mr. Nelson
  Information on sterling's exchange rate against the ecu currencies other than the deutschmark can be found in table 7.1 of "Financial Statistics" published by the Central Statistical Office.

  Investments
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list United Kingdom earnings from (i) overseas investment and (ii) investments by United Kingdom manufacturers overseas for each quarter since 1989. [17123]

  Mr. Nelson
  The information available is given in the table. Figures are available only on an annual basis. The information is classified according to the activity in which the investment is made rather than the activity of the investor.

  Direct investment by UK companies overseas: net earnings1 (£m)

  Manufacturing industry2

  Total all industries

  1989

  7,477

  16,608

  1990

  7,130

  15,526

  1991

  6,532

  12,688

  1992

  6,368

  13,285

  1993

  6,983

  16,367

  Notes:

  1 Earnings from branches, subsidiaries and associate companies. Earnings are defined as profits net of losses, plus interest receipts net of claims.

  2 Classified by main industrial activity of overseas affiliate.

  Source:

  Central Statistical Office.

  Pig Producers
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to(a) give 100 per cent. first-year allowance to pig producers for any costs associated with the replacement of sow stalls and tethers, (b) change capital allowances to allow buildings with a short life span to be written off for tax over their useful life and (c) allow losses for the pig industry to be carried back for three years for income tax. [17065]

  Sir George Young
  (a) I have no such plans;

  (b) The net cost—less any receipts on disposal—of agricultural buildings can already be written off for tax

  907
  over their actual life, however short, under the capital allowances code as it now stands;

  (c) I have no such plans.

  Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will resume publication in the "Monthly Digest of Statistics" of the four ratios in table 15.10 of the April 1991 issue on an annual or quarterly basis. [17114]

  Mr. Nelson
  Ratios for divisions 17, 18 and 24 of the standard industrial classification 1992 will be published on a quarterly basis in the "Monthly Digest of Statistics". The remaining divisions will be published on an annual basis.

  Manufactures
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the reasons for the state of the balance of trade in manufactured goods in 1994; and what this balance was(a) in 1994 prices and (b) as a percentage of gross domestic product relative to that in (i) 1970, (ii) 1977 and (iii) 1979. [17118]

  Mr. Nelson
  A recent assessment of factors affecting the balance of trade in manufactures was published in the November 1994 "Financial Statement and Budget Report", based on data available at that time. Estimates for the balance of trade in manufactures up to and including 1994, both in 1994 prices and as a percentage of gross domestic product, can be calculated from series on the Central Statistical Office database. This can be accessed through the Library of the House.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the reason for the change in the deficit in the balance of trade with the EC Twelve in manufactured goods between 1992 and 1994; and what was the contribution to that change of monetary and exchange rate policies. [17162]

  Mr. Nelson
  The balance of trade with the EU in manufactures depends on a variety of factors, including competitiveness, domestic demand and mainland European demand. By keeping inflation low, monetary policy has contributed to British industry's ability to compete in both overseas and domestic markets.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by rank order of import penetration for the manufacturing industries listed in table 15.10 of the April 1991 "Monthly Digest of Statistics" the percentage change in the volume of output, exports and imports in (i) 1994 and (ii) the fourth quarter of 1994 since the 12 months ended in 1989 and the implied increase in import penetration. [17116]

  Mr. Nelson
  Comparative data for 1994 and 1989 are not available.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on the balance of trade with the EC Twelve in manufactures between 1992 and 1994 of the increase in United Kingdom export unit values for manufactures relative to 908
  those of the EC Six between the third quarter of 1992 and the first half of 1994. [17124]

  Mr. Nelson
  The balance of trade with the EU in manufactures depends on a variety of factors, including competitiveness, domestic demand, and mainland European demand.

  Council Tax Appeals
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what timetable guidance he has given to local valuation officers in respect of setting council tax appeals. [17681]

  (2) if he will take measures to accelerate the processing and settlement of council tax appeals. [17669]

  Mr. Nelson
  Targets for settling council tax appeals in England were announced by the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration on 31 January 1995,Official Report, column 580.

  Referring to initial appeals, he said that it was hoped that all but a handful would be settled by the summer. By 28 February, the last date for which statistics are available, 88 per cent. had been cleared. When the bulk of initial appeals have been settled it is expected that any further new appeals will generally be settled within 12 months of their being received.

  Local valuation offices are expected to deal with appeals within these targets, having regard to when the appeal was made and giving priority to cases where hardship is identified.

  Given these arrangements, I do not intend to take any further measures to accelerate the processing and settlement of council tax appeals but will continue to keep the matter under review.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many council tax appeals submitted from the borough of Basingstoke and Deane in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95 are outstanding. [17668]

  (2) how many council tax appeals were submitted from the borough of Basingstoke and Deane in (a) 1993–94 (b) 1994–95; and what percentage has been settled. [17682]

  Mr. Nelson
  The number of council tax appeals submitted from the borough of Basingstoke and Deane in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95, and the numbers outstanding and the percentages settled are as follows. The figures for 1994–1995 are for the period from 1 April 1994 to 28 February 1995, the last date for which statistics are available.

  Year

  Appeals submitted

  Appeals outstanding

  Percentage settled

  1993–94

  2,940

  634

  78

  1994–95

  285

  230

  19

  VAT
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from which date the value added tax changes will be introduced which stem from the EC seventh VAT directive and which specifically affect(a) importers of

  909
  works of art, (b) antiques, (c) collectors' pieces and cars and (d) agents. [18578]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The provisions in the Finance Bill introducing many of these changes will take effect following Royal Assent, which is a moveable date. I am aware, however, that businesses would find it of assistance to have a firm date by which they should amend their procedures in order to be able to take account of changes. In view of this, it has been decided that the changes which affect importers of certain works of art, antiques, collectors' pieces and cars, and agents who act in their own names will be introduced with effect from 1 June 1995. I am sure that the affected businesses will welcome this decision.

  Software Licences
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount was paid to Computer Associates for it to transfer software licences to EDS as part of the Inland Revenue's outsourcing programme. [17320]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 30 March 1995]: EDS and Computer Associates have a universal enterprise agreement which allow EDS to use all the Computer Associates products for which the IR had licences. It was not therefore necessary to transfer the IR/Computer Associates software licences to EDS, and nothing was paid to Computer Associates.

EDUCATION

  Teachers
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list for each of the past five years, the number of(a) teachers and (b) auxiliary school staff in England who are employed on a temporary basis, also

  Teachers employed in local education authority maintained1 schools in England in the nursery, primary and secondary sector

  Full-time teachers in regular service2 with:

  Part-time teachers in regular service2 with:

  Fixed term or temporary contracts

  Permanent contracts

  Fixed term/temporary as percentage of total

  Fixed term or temporary contracts

  Permanent contracts

  Fixed term/temporary as percentage of total

  Teachers employed on an occasional3 basis

  January 1992

  19,155

  328,085

  5.5

  27,655

  24,462

  53.1

  11,526

  January 1993

  18,222

  322,824

  5.3

  27,928

  24,220

  53.6

  11,373

  January 19944

  18,909

  299,603

  5.9

  25,198

  24,720

  50.5

  11,377

  1 Information for self-governing (GM) schools is not collected.

  2 Teachers in regular service are those employed at the time of the survey on a contract of a month or more.

  3 Occasional teachers are employed for the whole of the survey date on a contract of less than one month.

  4 Excludes sixth form colleges.

  Non-teaching Staff
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list by local education authority all categories of non-teaching staff employed(a) in schools and (b) outside schools indicating which are considered to be administrative staff; and what is the ratio to teachers. [17654]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table shows, for each local authority in England, the full-time equivalent numbers of selected categories of non-teaching staff employed in LEA maintained schools. This information is taken from the department's 1994 annual schools' census.

  Full-time equivalent of non-teaching staff1 in LEA maintained schools in each LEA in England

  Education support staff

  Administration/Clerical staff

  LEA

  Nursery assistants

  Special needs support staff

  Other

  Sub total

  Secretaries

  Bursars

  Other

  Sub total

  Total

  Corporation of London

  2

  2—

  3

  5

  1

  0

  2—

  1

  6

  Camden

  52

  48

  171

  270

  94

  5

  8

  107

  377

  Greenwich

  126

  26

  232

  385

  124

  11

  33

  168

  553

  Hackney

  102

  25

  191

  318

  101

  6

  9

  116

  434

  Hammersmith

  82

  24

  118

  225

  75

  1

  10

  86

  310

  Islington

  113

  41

  150

  304

  87

  4

  8

  100

  404

  Kensington and Chelsea

  61

  19

  82

  162

  41

  2

  14

  57

  218

  Lambeth

  110

  38

  244

  392

  105

  4

  27

  136

  528

  Lewisham

  94

  47

  227

  368

  110

  6

  22

  139

  506

  Southwark

  128

  66

  211

  406

  111

  4

  21

  136

  542

  Tower Hamlets

  200

  39

  252

  490

  138

  6

  18

  161

  651

  Wandsworth

  165

  27

  305

  497

  88

  10

  12

  109

  606

  Westminster

  61

  18

  152

  231

  63

  10

  38

  111

  342

  Barking

  80

  81

  116

  277

  90

  3

  11

  104

  381

  Barnet

  94

  100

  234

  428

  105

  13

  14

  132

  560

  Bexley

  37

  38

  121

  196

  108

  6

  13

  127

  323

  Brent

  122

  11

  117

  250

  81

  13

  21

  115

  365

  Bromley

  32

  59

  107

  197

  113

  4

  14

  130

  328

  Croydon

  131

  54

  272

  456

  146

  4

  35

  186

  642

  Ealing

  181

  69

  183

  433

  108

  4

  16

  128

  561

  Enfield

  87

  11

  213

  311

  99

  4

  26

  129

  440

  912
  expressing the data as a percentage of the total numbers in each respective staff group. [17761]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table gives information about types of contract for teachers employed in local authority-maintained schools; this was first collected in 1992. Information collected on non-teaching staff in schools does not distinguish between permanent and temporary staff.

  Information about non-teaching staff employed in the local authority education service is collected by the Local Government management board. This information covers all non-teaching staff whether employed in or outside of schools. This source does not distinguish between staff employed in schools and those employed elsewhere, nor does it separate administration from other staff. Further details of the data available together with data for each local authority were provided in my letters dated 21 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton, South (Mr. Devlin), in answer to his question, Official Report, 21 February column 181, and to my hon. Friend the member for Blackpool, North (Mr. Elletson) in answer to his question, Official Report, 28 February column 534. Copies of the letters are available in the Library.
  913

  Full-time equivalent of non-teaching staff1 in LEA maintained schools in each LEA in England

  Education support staff

  Administration/Clerical staff

  LEA

  Nursery assistants

  Special needs support staff

  Other

  Sub total

  Secretaries

  Bursars

  Other

  Sub total

  Total

  Haringey

  209

  33

  207

  448

  107

  4

  9

  121

  569

  Harrow

  52

  116

  170

  338

  83

  6

  32

  121

  459

  Havering

  39

  41

  134

  213

  117

  1

  31

  149

  362

  Hillingdon

  68

  64

  146

  278

  65

  4

  16

  85

  363

  Hounslow

  156

  39

  164

  359

  99

  8

  46

  152

  511

  Kingston upon Thames

  61

  9

  58

  129

  38

  29

  37

  104

  233

  Merton

  77

  57

  82

  216

  15

  55

  73

  143

  360

  Newham

  120

  44

  192

  355

  63

  1

  87

  151

  506

  Redbridge

  48

  25

  192

  265

  131

  10

  48

  190

  455

  Richmond upon Thames

  31

  15

  110

  157

  72

  6

  22

  99

  256

  Sutton

  45

  27

  48

  121

  4

  25

  67

  96

  216

  Waltham Forest

  91

  26

  279

  396

  120

  7

  47

  173

  569

  Birmingham

  937

  141

  732

  1811

  534

  30

  37

  601

  2,411

  Coventry

  295

  26

  220

  541

  178

  16

  56

  250

  791

  Dudley

  193

  20

  114

  328

  134

  2

  13

  149

  477

  Sandwell

  328

  33

  177

  538

  203

  2

  14

  220

  757

  Solihull

  135

  29

  129

  293

  114

  18

  16

  148

  440

  Walsall

  204

  51

  272

  527

  152

  1

  12

  165

  692

  Wolverhampton

  245

  23

  152

  420

  144

  6

  8

  158

  578

  Knowsley

  98

  2

  165

  265

  85

  16

  46

  147

  411

  Liverpool

  179

  56

  420

  654

  279

  14

  36

  329

  983

  St. Helens

  126

  65

  146

  338

  95

  10

  8

  112

  450

  Sefton

  174

  44

  186

  404

  143

  32

  25

  200

  605

  Wirral

  133

  47

  183

  364

  130

  20

  30

  180

  544

  Bolton

  189

  24

  109

  323

  127

  12

  6

  144

  467

  Bury

  113

  53

  80

  246

  81

  2

  2

  85

  331

  Manchester

  475

  29

  406

  910

  257

  16

  25

  299

  1,209

  Oldham

  201

  18

  228

  446

  30

  8

  124

  161

  608

  Rochdale

  146

  14

  95

  255

  114

  19

  15

  148

  403

  Salford

  240

  26

  131

  397

  117

  18

  17

  152

  548

  Stockport

  138

  84

  226

  448

  133

  15

  47

  195

  643

  Tameside

  190

  29

  87

  307

  90

  17

  8

  115

  421

  Trafford

  62

  26

  84

  171

  88

  9

  8

  105

  276

  Wigan

  127

  22

  210

  359

  133

  24

  30

  187

  546

  Barnsley

  95

  197

  146

  439

  88

  14

  31

  133

  572

  Doncaster

  103

  118

  248

  469

  196

  26

  40

  262

  731

  Rotherham

  84

  88

  216

  388

  123

  14

  22

  158

  546

  Sheffield

  296

  50

  344

  689

  208

  28

  76

  312

  1,001

  Bradford

  372

  428

  493

  1,294

  246

  43

  87

  376

  1,669

  Calderdale

  95

  96

  181

  371

  91

  3

  3

  97

  468

  Kirklees

  140

  150

  378

  668

  183

  16

  39

  238

  906

  Leeds

  456

  547

  509

  1,513

  330

  32

  83

  445

  1,958

  Wakefield

  178

  124

  213

  515

  175

  23

  30

  228

  743

  Gateshead

  134

  11

  80

  225

  94

  1

  24

  120

  345

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  194

  8

  195

  398

  154

  2

  7

  163

  560

  North Tyneside

  128

  18

  123

  269

  92

  3

  32

  127

  396

  South Tyneside

  114

  5

  56

  176

  69

  2—

  2

  72

  247

  Sunderland

  235

  45

  187

  467

  154

  0

  9

  163

  630

  Isles of Scilly

  2—

  1

  1

  2

  3

  2—

  2—

  3

  6

  Avon

  614

  168

  653

  1,434

  557

  55

  60

  672

  2,107

  Bedfordshire

  274

  150

  412

  836

  272

  23

  162

  457

  1,294

  Berkshire

  260

  220

  574

  1,054

  258

  162

  108

  528

  1,582

  Buckinghamshire

  191

  196

  638

  1,024

  268

  51

  102

  421

  1,445

  Cambridgeshire

  216

  476

  578

  1,271

  297

  32

  94

  423

  1,694

  Cheshire

  550

  252

  578

  1,380

  419

  73

  150

  642

  2,022

  Cleveland

  292

  74

  398

  765

  286

  3

  76

  364

  1,129

  Cornwall

  115

  452

  414

  981

  196

  12

  102

  310

  1,291

  Cumbria

  196

  246

  191

  633

  192

  6

  37

  234

  868

  Derbyshire

  460

  374

  627

  1,462

  369

  44

  111

  523

  1,985

  Devon

  185

  437

  921

  1,543

  584

  48

  88

  720

  2,264

  Dorset

  85

  116

  447

  647

  230

  41

  93

  364

  1,011

  Durham

  323

  204

  301

  829

  307

  10

  7

  323

  1,152

  East Sussex

  139

  186

  558

  884

  301

  62

  97

  459

  1,343

  Essex

  143

  406

  831

  1,381

  504

  31

  381

  916

  2,297

  Gloucestershire

  186

  130

  219

  534

  211

  24

  34

  269

  804

  Hampshire

  510

  965

  1,370

  2,846

  765

  73

  394

  1,231

  4,077

  914

  915

  Full-time equivalent of non-teaching staff1 in LEA maintained schools in each LEA in England

  Education support staff

  Administration/Clerical staff

  LEA

  Nursery assistants

  Special needs support staff

  Other

  Sub total

  Secretaries

  Bursars

  Other

  Sub total

  Total

  Hereford and Worcester

  101

  130

  410

  641

  343

  20

  68

  431

  1,073

  Hertfordshire

  361

  232

  947

  1,541

  546

  85

  73

  704

  2,245

  Humberside

  407

  290

  670

  1,367

  424

  50

  115

  588

  1,955

  Isle of Wight

  30

  50

  150

  230

  49

  2

  49

  101

  331

  Kent

  371

  590

  1,007

  1,968

  745

  38

  89

  872

  2,840

  Lancashire

  786

  152

  948

  1,886

  632

  110

  161

  902

  2,788

  Leicestershire

  297

  218

  903

  1,418

  394

  136

  179

  709

  2,127

  Lincolnshire

  188

  210

  356

  754

  250

  9

  25

  284

  1,038

  Norfolk

  143

  243

  494

  880

  376

  18

  38

  432

  1,312

  North Yorkshire

  182

  160

  414

  757

  395

  44

  43

  482

  1,238

  Northampton

  190

  166

  486

  842

  272

  87

  93

  452

  1,295

  Northumberland

  159

  70

  119

  348

  180

  10

  10

  200

  548

  Nottinghamshire

  678

  248

  578

  1,505

  612

  15

  39

  666

  2,171

  Oxfordshire

  199

  359

  544

  1,101

  280

  74

  61

  414

  1,515

  Shropshire

  93

  209

  308

  610

  203

  16

  45

  264

  874

  Somerset

  120

  326

  491

  936

  197

  30

  111

  338

  1,274

  Staffordshire

  557

  209

  639

  1,406

  488

  15

  252

  755

  2,161

  Suffolk

  108

  184

  516

  808

  298

  79

  94

  472

  1,279

  Surrey

  172

  341

  551

  1,064

  392

  142

  210

  744

  1,808

  Warwickshire

  178

  120

  425

  722

  284

  18

  30

  332

  1,054

  West Sussex

  130

  198

  694

  1,021

  236

  203

  165

  604

  1,626

  Wiltshire

  18

  308

  455

  782

  196

  38

  134

  368

  1,149

  England

  20,820

  14,152

  35,223

  70,195

  22,277

  2,777

  6,127

  31,181

  101,375

  1 Excludes premises related to staff, kitchen/canteen staff and lunchtime supervisors.

  2 Less than 0.5.

  Correspondence
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she expects to answer the question table by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley for answer on 6 March on the percentage of secondary school children entitled to free school meals. [17753]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member on Friday 31 March.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on the public information telephone inquiry lines operated by her Department, in each case stating the costs of establishing, operating and publicising these lines and the number of calls made to them up until this point; when they were established; and what assessment her Department has made of their effectiveness. [17461]

  Mr. Forth
  A dedicated public inquiry unit was established within the Department's information bureau and library in 1987. With the advent of a new switchboard in 1991 a single number—0171 925 5555—was established to handle public inquiries. In September 1994 a voice processing system with automatic call routing capabilities was added to the telephone line at a cost of £18,477. The unit's annual staffing costs are estimated at £127,000. The telephone number appears on all departmental press releases, in entries in directories and year books and in appropriate departmental publications. No extra costs have been incurred in publicising the number.

  It is estimated that 65 per cent. to 70 per cent. of all inquiries are made by telephone. The total number of inquiries handled by the public inquiry unit as a result of telephone calls, letters and personal callers to the
  916
  Department's inquiry room at its headquarters are as follows:

  1987: 30,633 (April-December only)

  1988: 51,468

  1989: 55,674

  1990: 49,553

  1991: 58,103

  1992: 51,866

  1993: 51,327

  1994: 63,974

  The introduction of the call routing system has increased the effectiveness of the public inquiry unit by enabling telephone callers to be automatically directed to staff able to handle specific queries or to the publication ordering service.

  National Youth Agency
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will withdraw central Government-funded support from the National Youth Agency; and if she will make a statement. [17147]

  Mr. Boswell
  Central Government grants to the National Youth Agency have already been agreed for 1995–96. Funding from the Department for Education for future years will be decided in the light of the outcome of the policy review of the agency currently taking place.

  School Capital Grants
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what capital grants were(a) applied for and (b) granted for 1995–96 for each grant-maintained school. [18078]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  These matters are now the responsibility of the Funding Agency for Schools. I have
  917
  asked the chairman of the funding agency to write to the hon. Member with this information.

  GCSE
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the GCSE average point scores for(a) each twentieth group and (b) for the cumulative twentieth groups of 15-year-old pupils ranked according to their average point scores for (i) 1993 and (ii) 1994, in respect of (1) all pupil, (2) pupils in the grant-maintained

  GCSE average point scores by each twentieth of the 15 year olds 1993–94

  All schools

  Grant maintained

  Independent

  Maintained

  LEA maintained

  Average GCSE Points

  Number 15 years olds

  Average GCSE Points

  Number 15 years olds

  Average GCSE Points

  Number 15 years olds

  Average GCSE Points

  Number 15 years olds

  Average GCSE Points

  Number 15 years olds

  0.0

  26,614

  0.2

  4,303

  0.0

  2,303

  0.0

  24,311

  0.0

  20,008

  0.7

  53,227

  3.5

  8,607

  1.8

  4,605

  0.7

  48,622

  0.5

  40,015

  2.9

  79,841

  7.3

  12,910

  8.9

  6,908

  3.1

  72,933

  2.0

  60,023

  5.4

  106,455

  9.7

  17,214

  16.1

  9,210

  5.8

  97,245

  4.3

  80,031

  8.5

  133,068

  12.5

  21,517

  20.4

  11,513

  8.1

  121,556

  7.4

  100,039

  11.1

  159,682

  15.9

  25,821

  25.9

  13,815

  9.6

  145,867

  8.9

  120,046

  12.8

  186,296

  16.5

  30,124

  27.6

  16,118

  12.5

  170,178

  11.6

  140,054

  14.6

  212,909

  18.7

  34,428

  32.6

  18,420

  14.4

  194,489

  13.4

  160,062

  16.5

  239,523

  20.9

  38,731

  35.3

  20,723

  16.4

  218,800

  15.4

  180,069

  19.8

  266,137

  23.1

  43,035

  34.9

  23,025

  18.4

  243,112

  17.4

  200,077

  20.5

  292,750

  23.8

  47,338

  38.2

  25,328

  19.2

  267,423

  18.1

  220,085

  22.5

  319,364

  26.2

  51,641

  41.2

  27,630

  21.2

  291,734

  20.1

  240,092

  24.5

  345,977

  27.0

  55,945

  41.1

  29,933

  23.2

  316,045

  22.1

  260,100

  25.2

  372,591

  29.3

  60,248

  41.2

  32,235

  24.0

  340,356

  22.8

  280,108

  27.0

  399,205

  30.0

  64,552

  44.7

  34,538

  25.8

  364,667

  24.6

  300,116

  28.7

  425,818

  31.9

  68,855

  45.5

  36,840

  27.4

  388,978

  26.2

  320,123

  30.2

  452,432

  33.5

  73,159

  45.3

  39,143

  28.8

  413,290

  27.6

  340,131

  31.3

  479,046

  34.7

  77,462

  46.9

  41,445

  29.8

  437,601

  29.4

  360,139

  33.0

  505,659

  35.6

  81,766

  48.2

  43,748

  31.8

  461,912

  30.6

  380,146

  34.5

  532,273

  37.0

  86,069

  48.6

  46,050

  33.1

  486,223

  32.3

  400,154

  GCSE average point scores by each twentieth of the 15 year olds 1992–93

  All schools

  Grant maintained

  Independent

  Maintained

  LEA maintained

  Average GCSE Points

  Number 15 years olds

  Average GCSE Points

  Number 15 years olds

  Average GCSE Points

  Number 15 years olds

  Average GCSE Points

  Number 15 years olds

  Average GCSE Points

  Number 15 years olds

  0.0

  26,122

  0.7

  3,540

  0.0

  2,301

  0.0

  23,822

  0.0

  20,282

  0.9

  52,245

  3.5

  7,080

  1.8

  4,601

  0.9

  47,644

  0.6

  40,564

  2.9

  78,367

  6.2

  10,619

  7.9

  6,902

  3.1

  71,465

  2.5

  60,846

  5.4

  104,489

  9.5

  14,159

  14.9

  9,202

  4.9

  95,287

  4.3

  81,128

  7.5

  130,612

  12.4

  17,699

  21.1

  11,503

  7.1

  119,109

  6.4

  101,410

  10.0

  156,734

  14.2

  21,239

  24.3

  13,804

  9.6

  142,931

  8.8

  121,692

  11.6

  182,856

  16.2

  24,779

  28.7

  16,104

  11.3

  166,752

  10.4

  141,974

  14.5

  208,979

  18.4

  28,318

  30.6

  18,405

  13.1

  190,574

  12.2

  162,256

  16.4

  235,101

  19.1

  31,858

  33.0

  20,705

  15.0

  214,396

  14.0

  182,538

  17.0

  261,224

  21.4

  35,398

  35.5

  23,006

  17.0

  238,218

  16.0

  202,820

  19.0

  287,346

  23.7

  38,938

  35.1

  25,307

  17.8

  262,039

  17.9

  223,102

  21.0

  313,468

  24.5

  42,478

  37.9

  27,607

  19.8

  285,861

  18.7

  243,384

  22.9

  339,591

  25.4

  46,017

  40.3

  29,908

  21.7

  309,683

  20.6

  263,666

  23.6

  365,713

  27.6

  49,557

  40.0

  32,208

  22.4

  333,505

  22.5

  283,948

  25.4

  391,835

  28.2

  53,097

  42.8

  34,509

  24.2

  357,326

  24.2

  304,230

  27.0

  417,958

  29.9

  56,637

  43.1

  36,810

  25.8

  381,148

  25.7

  324,512

  28.3

  444,080

  31.4

  60,177

  44.0

  39,110

  27.0

  404,970

  26.9

  344,794

  30.1

  470,202

  33.4

  63,716

  45.5

  41,411

  28.8

  428,792

  27.0

  365,076

  31.4

  496,325

  34.9

  67,256

  47.3

  43,711

  30.4

  452,613

  29.4

  385,358

  33.1

  522,447

  35.6

  70,796

  47.4

  46,012

  31.7

  476,435

  31.1

  405,640

  918
  sector, (3) pupils in the independent sector, (4) pupils in the whole maintained sector and (5) pupils in the local education authority maintained sector giving the numbers of each group of the whole cohort in each case. [18033]

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is shown in the table. The total number of pupils are divided into 20 groups of equal size. The cumulative number of pupils in each of the 20 groups and their cumulative average point score are listed in the table. The numbers and average point score of individual groups can be derived from the listed figures.

  "Education Means Business"
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the cost to his Department of the printing and distributing of the booklet "Education Means Business". [17785]

  Mr. Forth
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Devon (Mr. Harvey) on 28 March,Official Report, column 572.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many copies of "Education Means Business" have been printed; what was the cost of publication excluding distribution; what was the distribution cost; how many copies of "Education Means Business" have been distributed; and if he will identify the nature of recipients. [17841]

  Mr. Forth
  Fifty thousand copies of "Education Means Business" were printed at a total production cost of £101,000. Twenty-nine thousand copies have been distributed to the business community, colleges, universities, schools and local education authorities at a cost of £18,400.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what top-slice percentage was held-back by each local education authority for the administrative services undertaken on behalf of grant-maintained schools for the last year for which figures are available. [17370]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Grant-maintained schools are themselves responsible for their own administration. Local education authorities have certain continuing responsibilities for all pupils, whether at grant-maintained or LEA schools. These include home-to-school transport, the education welfare service, and support for pupils with statements of special educational need. The cost of these services in relation to GM school pupils is not collated centrally. However, in the areas where GM secondary schools' budgets are determined by the common funding formula, the percentage of the schools' standard spending assessment attributed to LEA continuing responsibilities in 1995–96 is set out in the table.

  Per cent.

  Barnet

  16.36

  Brent

  18.12

  Bromley

  16.87

  Calderdale

  13.55

  Cambridgeshire

  16.54

  Croydon

  18.23

  Cumbria

  16.17

  Ealing

  23.03

  Enfield

  18.99

  Essex

  16.97

  Gloucestershire

  20.73

  Hertfordshire

  15.64

  Hillingdon

  17.42

  Kent

  17.10

  Kingston

  18.61

  Lambeth

  25.62

  Lincolnshire

  23.90

  Surrey

  18.30

  Sutton

  17.26

  Walsall

  14.52

  Wandsworth

  23.60

  Wiltshire

  16.10

  920
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will calculate how much extra money per pupil would reach schools in each local education authority if all schools in that local education authority were grant-maintained compared with the position in which none is grant-maintained, in the most recent year for which information is available. [17148]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested cannot readily be calculated. However, the Government remain committed to ensuring that grant-maintained schools receive funding to reflect their additional responsibilities compared with local education authority schools.

  In the case of annual maintenance grant, individual secondary LEA schools in authorities in which the common funding formula operates can obtain from the Funding Agency for Schools detailed information on what their budgets for 1995–96 would have been as grant-maintained schools.

  Other LEA secondary schools, and all LEA primary schools, can calculate very closely what their budgets for 1995–96 would have been as grant-maintained schools by increasing their budget shares resulting from their LEA's local management of schools scheme by the relevant percentage for central costs, and estimating a level of subsidy for the provision of school meals consistent with the LEA's policy.

  Details of this and of the arrangements for special purpose and capital grants to grant-maintained schools are included in the Department's "Grant-Maintained Schools Funding Worksheet," the 1995–96 version of which will be circulated to schools later this month.

  Schools Expenditure
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the unit cost net of institutional expenditure per primary and secondary school pupil for each of local education authority for 1993–94. [17371]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Provisional information on net institutional expenditure per pupil in 1993–94 on LEA-maintained schools is shown in the table. Data for some LEAs are not yet available centrally.

  Cost per pupil net institutional expenditure 1993–94

  Pre-primary and primary education

  Secondary education

  Corporation of London

  3,587

  0

  Camden

  2,047

  2,721

  Greenwich

  2,009

  2,583

  Hackney

  —

  —

  Hammersmith

  2,534

  3,329

  Islington

  —

  —

  Kensington and Chelsea

  —

  —

  Lambeth

  2,666

  3,296

  Lewisham

  2,058

  2,614

  Southwark

  1,806

  2,421

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  —

  Wandsworth

  2,139

  2,795

  Westminster

  2,592

  2,739

  Barking

  1,790

  2,355

  Barnet

  2,006

  2,952

  Bexley

  —

  —

  Brent

  1,633

  1,835

  Bromley

  1,525

  2,280

  Croydon

  1,793

  2,309

  Ealing

  1,915

  2,575

  Enfield

  1,768

  2,531

  Haringey

  2,236

  3,041

  921

  Cost per pupil net institutional expenditure 1993–94

  Pre-primary and primary education

  Secondary education

  Harrow

  —

  —

  Havering

  1,636

  2,290

  Hillingdon

  —

  —

  Hounslow

  1,784

  2,282

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,728

  2,284

  Merton

  1,853

  2,463

  Newham

  1,708

  2,563

  Redbridge

  —

  —

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,794

  2,280

  Sutton

  1,639

  1,978

  Waltham Forest

  —

  —

  Birmingham

  1,678

  2,434

  Coventry

  1,684

  2,469

  Dudley

  1,490

  2,098

  Sandwell

  1,681

  2,349

  Solihull

  —

  —

  Walsall

  1,672

  2,279

  Wolverhampton

  1,357

  2,300

  Knowsley

  1,485

  2,243

  Liverpool

  —

  —

  St. Helens

  —

  —

  Sefton

  —

  —

  Wirral

  1,552

  2,299

  Bolton

  —

  —

  Bury

  —

  —

  Manchester

  1,547

  2,328

  Oldham

  —

  —

  Rochdale

  1,307

  1,974

  Salford

  1,505

  2,215

  Stockport

  1,466

  2,310

  Tameside

  —

  —

  Trafford

  1,428

  2,156

  Wigan

  1,437

  2,141

  Barnsley

  —

  —

  Doncaster

  1,425

  2,022

  Rotherham

  1,723

  2,271

  Sheffield

  1,573

  2,119

  Bradford

  1,654

  1,969

  Calderdale

  1,607

  2,162

  Kirklees

  1,579

  2,207

  Leeds

  1,647

  2,164

  Wakefield

  —

  —

  Gateshead

  1,664

  2,252

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,697

  2,187

  North Tyneside

  1,469

  1,995

  South Tyneside

  —

  —

  Sunderland

  1,509

  2,114

  Isles of Scilly

  2,401

  4,415

  Avon

  1,571

  2,288

  Bedfordshire

  1,639

  2,103

  Berkshire

  1,592

  2,214

  Buckinghamshire

  1,735

  2,286

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  1,604

  2,206

  Cleveland

  1,461

  2,129

  Cornwall

  1,535

  2,160

  Cumbria

  1,667

  2,216

  Derbyshire

  1,600

  2,214

  Devon

  1,503

  2,157

  Dorset

  1,485

  2,065

  Durham

  1,664

  2,114

  East Sussex

  1,643

  2,270

  Essex

  1,724

  2,286

  Gloucestershire

  1,523

  2,084

  Hampshire

  1,583

  2,180

  Hereford and Worcester

  —

  —

  Hertfordshire

  —

  —

  Humberside

  1,621

  2,257

  Isle of Wight

  1,598

  2,027

  Kent

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  1,669

  2,347

  Leicestershire

  1,734

  2,346

  922

  Cost per pupil net institutional expenditure 1993–94

  Pre-primary and primary education

  Secondary education

  Lincolnshire

  1,496

  2,322

  Norfolk

  1,585

  2,309

  North Yorkshire

  1,555

  2,187

  Northamptonshire

  1,522

  2,125

  Northumberland

  1,686

  2,083

  Nottinghamshire

  1,653

  2,381

  Oxfordshire

  1,765

  2,191

  Shropshire

  1,577

  2,354

  Somerset

  1,583

  2,138

  Staffordshire

  1,534

  2,078

  Suffolk

  1,673

  2,190

  Surrey

  1,701

  2,215

  Warwickshire

  1,555

  2,420

  West Sussex

  1,579

  2,467

  Wiltshire

  1,521

  2,379

  — LEA returns are being processed.

  0 Corporation of London has no secondary schools.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Eduction if she will list, for 1992–93 and 1993–94, separate figures for the spending by her Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising, (d) other promotion materials and activities, (e) the totals in each year of (a) to (d) and (f) the proportion of (e) that was spent on recruitment advertising; and what are her latest estimates for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17603]

  Mr. Forth
  The actual costs for the Department's spend on advertising and other publicity—1992–93 and the estimated costs for 1994–95—are given in the table.

  £000

  1992–93

  1993–94

  11994–95

  Television advertising

  0

  0

  0

  Radio advertising

  0

  29.2

  0

  Newspaper advertising

  1,086.4

  1,413.0

  159.3

  Other promotional material and activities

  5,800.1

  8,551.3

  8,360.7

  Total

  6,886.5

  9,993.5

  8,520.0

  1 Estimate.

  The budget for departmental publicity in 1995–96 is estimated at £5,530,000. Decisions on media have yet to be made.

  The costs for advertising do not include recruitment advertising. The Department's spend on recruitment and recruitment advertising is set out in the following table.

  £000

  1992–93

  11993–94

  1994–95

  Recruitment and recruitment advertising

  150.8

  296.5

  218.9

  1 Estimate.

  The Department's budget for recruitment and recruitment advertising in 1995–96 is estimated at some £145,000.

  Special Needs (Research)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what research her Department has funded into the differing levels of children with special educational needs in different areas; and if she will make a statement. [17218]

  Mr. Forth
  No academic research on variations in the incidence of special educational needs has been funded by the Department for Education. The Department has, however, sponsored research into aspects of several types of learning difficulty, although not their incidence.

  The Office for Standards in Education also monitors special educational provision and practice in schools throughout the country.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Northern Ireland Police Authority
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the chairman of the Northern Ireland police authority has communicated directly with individual members of the RUC in respect of his community consultation. [17050]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I understand that the chairman has written to every serving officer in the regular RUC and the RUC reserve, full-time and part-time, to explain the police authority's community consultation process and its view of the future. He has also written to the civilian staff.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what formal invitations to present oral or written evidence to his community consultation the chairman of the Northern Ireland police authority has issued to Northern Ireland's constitutional political parties, the various RUC staff associations, the trade unions, the churches and employers' organisations. [17049]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I understand that the chairman of the authority has written to each Member of Parliament and each local council in Northern Ireland seeking their written views on the future of policing in the Province, by 2 May 1995. Written views have also been sought from the staff associations and organisations referred to, together with a wide range of community groups. In addition, the authority is in the process of holding a series of informal discussion seminars on policing, at venues throughout Northern Ireland, which all locally elected representatives and representatives from local businesses, churches, schools, charities and community groups have been invited to attend.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the requirement by the chairman of the Northern Ireland police authority in terms of full-time and part-time staff engaged in his community consultation exercise; what has been the total number of man days expended; and whether he is eligible for extra remuneration or allowances in respect of the exercise. [17047]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I understand that three members of staff within the authority's existing personnel complement have been deployed directly on the community consultation programme. A number of tasks have been undertaken by other authority personnel as part of their existing overall remit. No additional staff have been 924
  employed by the police authority as a result of the community consultation exercise.

  It is not possible to calculate precisely how many man hours have been expended on the project to date by all staff in the authority; however, the three units of staff directly employed on the project have expended a total of 67 working days up to 17 March 1995.

  The chairman does not receive extra remuneration or allowances in respect of the exercise.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has received from the chairman of the Northern Ireland police authority on how the evidence given during his community consultation is to be verified, collated and assessed; when the exercise is to be completed; and what is the next stage in the process. [17051]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The chairman of the authority has kept my officials fully informed about each stage of the consultation process. I understand that the first stage of the consultation process ends on 2 May 1995, by which date all submissions should be received in writing by the authority.

  The second stage involves the submissions being examined and, where appropriate, organisations or individuals being invited to expand or explain their submissions in further detail, either in writing or in an oral submission. The second stage should be completed by October or November. However, this stage of the process will be dependent, to a large extent, on the total number of submissions received and their content. Submissions are currently being analysed by authority officials and information is being collated. Once all the submissions have been reviewed, the third stage of the process will be implemented; this will involve preparing a written report for the Chief Constable and the Secretary of State. The authority hopes to issue a report by the end of this year or at the beginning of 1996.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the total cost of the various elements in the chairman of the Northern Ireland police authority's community consultation exercise, including all printing, postage, administration and public hearings, up to 17 March. [17048]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The cost of the community consultation process up to 17 March amounts to £72,012.11, excluding VAT. This does not include staff costs, as the authority did not recruit additional personnel for the exercise.

  Anaphylaxis
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients in Northern Ireland, have been diagnosed as suffering from food-induced anaphylaxis, peanut allergy. [17013]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is not available in the form requested. During the year 1993–94, there were 32 admissions to hospital of patients suffering from anaphylactic shock. This figure would include any cases induced by peanut allergy.

  Temporary Contracts
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each of the past five years, the number of(a) teachers and (b) auxiliary school staff in

  925
  Northern Ireland who are employed on a temporary basis, also expressing the data as a percentage of the total numbers in each respective staff group. [17764]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information regarding teachers is as follows:

  Years

  Teachers employed in a temporary capacity

  Percentage of total teachers

  1993–94

  258

  1.3

  1992–93

  205

  1.1

  1991–92

  186

  1.0

  1990–91

  152

  0.8

  1989–90

  154

  0.8

  Figures for auxiliary school staff in controlled and maintained schools are available for 1994–95 only and comprised 1,446 temporary staff—29 per cent. of the total.

  Information for auxiliary staff in voluntary grammar schools is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each of the past five years, the number of NHS staff in Northern Ireland who

  Number of NHS staff in N.I who are employed on a temporary basis

  September 1990

  September 1991

  September 1992

  September 1993

  September 1994

  Staff group

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Nursing and General

  1,165

  5.7

  1,314

  6.6

  1,505

  7.7

  1,733

  9.2

  2,121

  11.2

  Medical and Dental

  394

  18.6

  387

  17.0

  337

  17.0

  334

  13.7

  371

  14.9

  Ambulance

  18

  3.0

  7

  1.2

  4

  0.7

  1

  0.2

  8

  1.4

  Ancillary and General

  2,148

  18.3

  2,041

  18.5

  1,588

  16.0

  1,334

  14.4

  1,586

  17.4

  Managers and Administrative

  919

  12.0

  996

  12.6

  1,034

  11.9

  993

  11.3

  1,110

  12.3

  Prisoners (Irish Nationals)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Irish nationals are serving custodial sentences in Her Majesty's prisons in Northern Ireland; and what obstacles are preventing them from being transferred to prisons in the Irish Republic. [17661]

  Sir John Wheeler
  This information is not readily available as statistics are not kept on Irish nationals. The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what area of Northern Ireland is designated as being environmentally sensitive, how much Government funding is spent annually on environmentally sensitive areas; how this formula is calculated; and if he will make a statement. [17794]

  Mr. Ancram
  There are five ESAs in Northern Ireland covering 220,000 hectares or about 20 per cent. of the agricultural land area. Payments covering agreements with participating farmers will build up over the next three years. The financial provision for 1997–98 is £5.104 million which reflects anticipated
  926
  are employed on a temporary basis, breaking the date down into (a) nursing and midwifery staff, (b) medical and dental staff, (c) ambulance staff, (d) ancillary staff and (e) managers and administrative staff, also expressing the data as a percentage of the total numbers in each respective staff group. [17759]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is set out in the following table.

  Figures for auxiliary school staff in controlled and maintained schools are available for 1994–95 only and comprised 1,446 temporary staff—29 per cent. of the total.

  Information for auxiliary staff in voluntary grammar schools is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each of the past five years, the number of NHS staff in Northern Ireland who are employed on a temporary basis, breaking the date down into(a) nursing and midwifery staff, (b) medical and dental staff, (c) ambulance staff, (d) ancillary staff and (e) managers and administrative staff, also expressing the data as a percentage of the total numbers in each respective staff group. [17759]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is set out in the following table.

  maximum uptake of 65 per cent. of the designated land area. Payment rates reflect income forgone and costs incurred by participating farmers in meeting the requirements of the scheme.

HEALTH

  Day Care Services
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her Department's latest estimate of the total level of public expenditure on day care services by local authority area for children under the age of five; and what this sum is per child. [16130]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on expenditure per child, by authority, is published in "Key Indicators of Local Authority Social Services", copies of which are available in the Library.

  The latest available information on total expenditure by local authorities covering 1992–93 on day care, child minding facilities and playgroups will be placed in the Library. These figures do not give an indication of the true level of services in a particular area as such services have historically developed in different ways in different authorities.
  927

  Table: Gross expenditure on daycare services for children under 51, 1992–93

  Total expenditure £000

  Shire Counties

  Avon

  3,860

  Bedfordshire

  870

  Berkshire

  365

  Buckinghamshire

  800

  Cambridgeshire

  613

  Cheshire

  1,247

  Cleveland

  1,666

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  104

  Cumbria

  517

  Derbyshire

  2,559

  Devon

  186

  Dorset

  48

  Durham

  638

  East Sussex

  141

  Essex

  1,874

  Gloucestershire

  0

  Hampshire

  355

  Hereford and Worcester

  580

  Hertfordshire

  599

  Humberside

  91

  Isle of Wight

  31

  Kent

  109

  Lancashire

  5,942

  Leicestershire

  1,840

  Lincolnshire

  475

  Norfolk

  137

  Northamptonshire

  895

  Northumberland

  199

  North Yorkshire

  23

  Nottinghamshire

  3318

  Oxfordshire

  156

  Shropshire

  406

  Somerset

  718

  Staffordshire

  2,052

  Suffolk

  254

  Surrey

  264

  Warwickshire

  45

  West Sussex

  182

  Wiltshire

  0

  Metropolitan Districts

  Bolton

  956

  Bury

  384

  Manchester

  11,590

  Oldham

  28

  Rochdale

  2,046

  Salford

  1,472

  Stockport

  24

  Tameside

  1,929

  Trafford

  1,369

  Wigan

  1,223

  Knowsley

  224

  Liverpool

  4,188

  St. Helens

  181

  Sefton

  977

  Wirral

  1,790

  Barnsley

  29

  Doncaster

  38

  Rotherham

  111

  Sheffield

  1,722

  Gateshead

  619

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  1,749

  North Tyneside

  1,159

  South Tyneside

  34

  Sunderland

  46

  Birmingham

  10,090

  Coventry

  1,925

  Dudley

  168

  Sandwell

  91

  Solihull

  0

  928

  Table: Gross expenditure on daycare services for children under 51, 1992–93

  Total expenditure £000

  Walsall

  301

  Wolverhampton

  124

  Bradford

  2,010

  Calderdale

  420

  Kirklees

  971

  Leeds

  7,134

  Wakefield

  461

  Inner London

  Camden

  2,917

  Greenwich

  1,833

  Hackney

  8,621

  Hammersmith

  3,273

  Islington

  3,542

  Kensington

  2,970

  Lambeth

  6,463

  Lewisham

  3,790

  Southwark

  5,004

  Tower Hamlets

  2,154

  Wandsworth

  2,599

  Westminster

  4,803

  City of London

  203

  Outer London

  Barking

  899

  Barnet

  1,856

  Bexley

  257

  Brent

  2,985

  Bromley

  549

  Croydon

  1,253

  Ealing

  1,517

  Enfield

  113

  Haringey

  4,227

  Harrow

  463

  Havering

  726

  Hillingdon

  985

  Hounslow

  1,200

  Kingston Upon Thames

  542

  Merton

  609

  Newham

  2,140

  Redbridge

  79

  Richmond Upon Thames

  984

  Sutton

  560

  Waltham Forest

  1,782

  Source:

  Revenue Outturn returns for Personal Social Services (RO3).

  Note:

  1 The figures may include some expenditure on child minding for 5–7 year olds.

  General Practitioner Working Hours
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the number of hours worked on average by general practitioners since 1979. [16422]

  Mr. Malone
  The earliest available information is for 1985–86 and the most recent for 1992–93. Over this period, average general practitioners' working hours increased by 13 per cent., from 34.4 to 38.8 hours a week. Some of this increase is attributable to the reclassification of time spent attending educational courses as general medical services.

  If time spent on-call but not working is included, the average commitment has reduced by 5 per cent., from 61.9 hours a week in 1985–86 to 58.8 hours a week in 1992–93.

  General Medical Council
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how she will inform the House when next she intends to seek nominations for lay members of the General Medical Council. [16223]

  Mr. Malone
  I will consider how best to proceed at the appropriate time.

  General Practitioner Pay
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change in general practitioners' salaries there has been in real terms since 1979. [16423]

  Mr. Malone
  For 1994–95, the average general practitioner will earn £41,890 for the provision of general medical services— a real terms increase of 40 per cent. over 1978–79. The average GP also receives an extra £3,150 for achieving higher target levels of coverage for childhood immunisations and cervical cytology screening.

  NHS Directors of Finance
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health is she will list the health authorities and trusts whose directors of finance do not hold a recognised accountancy qualification. [16243]

  Mr. Malone
  Such information about individuals employed in national health service health authorities and trusts is held only on a management-in-confidence basis. In early 1994, guidance was issued by the then national health service management executive on "The Role of the Director of Finance in the NHS". Among other things, that guidance commended appointment of future directors of finance from those holding qualifications recognised by the Consultative Committee of the Accounting Bodies. Copies of that guidance are available in the Library.

  Cancer Research
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of health service funds are dedicated to cancer research; and what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on appeals by health research charities for funds from the public. [16940]

  Mr. Malone
  Figures are not collected centrally on the proportion of health service funds dedicated to cancer research.

  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 MRC spent a total of £13.5 million on cancer research. These figures would rise by a considerable amount if a proportion of the MRC's spend on basic medical research, that may yield results relevant to cancer, were included.

  The Department of Health spends some £7.7 million annually on research into cancer. This supports a programme of work on radiation protection, work at the National Radiation Protection Board, the small area health statistics unit and the cancer screening evaluation unit.

  The Government support the work of the medical research charities and recognise that charities are
  930
  important funders of health and medical research. The Department is working with the Association of Medical Research Charities to promote a better understanding of the charities' strategies and priorities. In cancer research, the Department is funding research in collaboration with research charities, such as the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and the Cancer Research Campaign.

  Advisory Group on Direct Payments
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the membership of her technical advisory group on direct payments. [17061]

  Mr. Bowis
  This informal group will be a source of practical expertise, to assist the Department in progressing this important issue. The membership may therefore need to vary to reflect the issues being discussed. Its initial membership will include relevant Government Departments, local authorities' associations, social services directors, potential users of direct payments and their representatives.

  Hospital Closures
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many hospitals for the mentally handicapped have closed since 1966; [17189]

  (2) how many hospitals for the mentally handicapped are due to close in the next five years. [17190]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department does not routinely collect information on hospital closures. Information is available centrally on proposals to close, or change the use of, health service facilities which are referred to Ministers for decision following objections from a community health council.

  A recent report of a survey by Inter-Authority Comparisons and Consultancy showed that of 106 mental handicap hospitals with 100 or more beds at December 1960, 62 had been closed or replaced and 44 remained open in March 1994. The report identified a further 11 hospitals with 100 or more beds and four with 75 to 100 beds which had opened during the period. Of the total of 59 hospitals with over 75 beds at March 1994, 42 had plans to close by 2000 as alternative community-based health and social services are developed. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library.

  Local Pay Bargaining
  Mr. Dafydd Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will suspend for 12 months any decision on local pay bargaining in the NHS, to allow further negotiations with representatives of affected parties; and if she will deliver a full 3 per cent. pay increase across the board to all NHS staff who were subject to local pay bargaining proposals for the year 1995–96. [17225]

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  Message Handling Service
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress has been made in the testing of the message handling service being offered by BT Syntegra scheduled to take place between August and December 1994; [17683]
  931
  (2) when she expects the message handling service being provided by BT Syntegra to be fully available to the NHS; and what are the expected cost savings; [17684]

  (3) what is the cost to her Department of the procurement of the message handling service; [17686]

  (4) how the message handling service of the NHS is currently being provided; which company provides this service; and how many users subscribe to this network. [17685]

  Mr. Sackville
  There are currently two message handling services available to the national health service: one provided by Syntegra and the Healthlink service provided by Racal Data Networks Ltd. The cost of procuring the Healthlink service in 1989–90 by single tender negotiations is estimated at £450,000. The cost of the competitive procurement which resulted in the award of a contract to Syntegra in 1994 is estimated to be £517,000.

  As at 1 March 1995, there were about 6,500 subscribers to Healthlink, the majority being general practitioners and dentists. At present, there are about 350 subscribers to Syntegra's MHS.

  The Department has successfully completed technical testing of the main components of Syntegra's MHS. User acceptance testing is currently taking place and is scheduled to be completed by the end of April 1995. This activity will therefore be completed approximately 12 weeks after the agreed target date. A number of technical issues were encountered early in the testing which has caused the original timetable to be extended.

  The various elements of Syntegra MHS are being introduced over the coming months. The basic messaging service is currently undergoing user acceptance trials, and early users of messaging services will be able to connect to it from April 1995 onwards. Use of the service by family health services authorities will be piloted in May and June, installed in early sites in July to September, then become generally available from October 1995 onwards. Electronic data interchange will become progressively available from the summer of 1995. The Syntegra MHS is an advanced system, offering the latest standards in messaging. The Department and Syntegra have insisted on all aspects of the service being thoroughly tested and piloted before being made available for general use. This policy means that a reliable operational service will be made available at the planned dates.

  It is anticipated that cost savings to the NHS from use of Syntegra's MHS, based on the best current projections of service usage and the costs of the two services at August 1994, will be in the range of £70 million to £130 million over seven years compared with the existing Healthlink service.

  Community Care
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on the proposal for a minimum standard of mental health services in the Community Care (Rights to Mental Health Services) Bill. [17361]
  932
  Mr. Bowis
  The introduction of prescriptive legislation for a minimum standard of mental health services is not the right approach as decisions about the provision of appropriate care in the community are best made locally in the light of local needs, priorities and resources rather than dictated centrally.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from the professional bodies to the Community Care (Rights to Mental Health Services) Bill. [17362]

  Mr. Bowis
  We have received representations from the Royal College of Nursing.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the outcome of the consultations between the NHS and local councils on the need for each aspect of community care; and if she will make a statement. [17407]

  Mr. Bowis
  As a precondition for receiving their community care special transitional grant in 1993–94 and 1994–95, local social services authorities have been required to reach agreements with health authorities on a number of community care issues. For 1995–96, the pre-conditions include taking into account the continuing care guidance issued in February 1995.

  Health authorities and social services departments are required to work together to develop services in the community based on individual assessment of need. Many local authorities and health authorities produce joint community care plans.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the number of people taking dental examinations since the abolition of the free dental examination. [17363]

  Mr. Malone
  The information available centrally is the number of courses of treatment for adults that either consist of, or include, dental examinations. This information is shown in the table.

  General dental service: number of national health service dental examinations for adult patients in courses of treatment claimed for in the financial years 1987–88 to 1993–94 in England

  Year ending

  Examinations (thousands)

  1987–88

  19,889

  1988–89

  20,904

  1989–90

  19,402

  1990–91

  18,951

  1991–92

  19,548

  1992–93

  20,000

  1993–94

  19,488

  Source:

  Dental Practice Board.

  Notes:

  1. The Charge for dental examinations was introduced for courses of treatment commencing on or after 1 January 1989. The table relates to courses of treatment claimed for by dentists in the financial year. Because of the time lag between courses of treatment starting and finishing a large number of free examinations will be included in the financial year 1988£89. Some free examinations will be included in later years' figures.

  2. The figures for examinations are the totals of items 1a and 1b in the statement of dental remuneration.

  3. Numbers estimated from a 5 per cent. sample of courses of treatment.
  933
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made on the effect of the introduction of a sessional fees system for dentists on the number of dentists leaving the NHS system. [17364]

  Mr. Malone
  The sessional model was one of the options outlined in the Green Paper "Improving NHS Dentistry". We are considering the responses from the consultation, and hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to include dental policy and practice as part of "The Health of the Nation" planning and documents. [17365]

  Mr. Malone
  Oral health has been considered alongside the strategy for improving health set out in "The Health of the Nation". "An Oral Health Strategy for England", published in July 1994, reviewed the present state of oral health in England, identified problem areas and suggested in broad terms how these might be tackled. Both the contents of this document and decisions taken following the consultation of the Green Paper "Improving NHS Dentistry" will inform policy on how best to achieve future improvements in oral health.

  AIDS
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to her answer of 17 March,Official Report, column 741, if she will place in the Library the correspondence relating to her proposal to reduce Manchester's AIDS support programme. [17580]

  (2) if she will now rescind her proposal to reduce Manchester's AIDS support programme. [17507]

  Mr. Sackville
  Copies of the correspondence will be placed in the Library. Having considered Manchester's request for additional funding, I have decided to make an extra £100,000 available to Manchester city council in excess of the indicative allocation of £75,000 notified earlier this year.

  Internet
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the Internet electronic mail addresses for(a) her Department and (b) each Minister in her Department; and if she will make a statement on her Department's approach to the information super-highway. [17730]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department and Ministers do not have Internet electronic mailboxes. Although officials are using the Internet to retrieve information and to communicate with the research, medical and scientific community, public electronic mail access is still under consideration. The Department is considering how best to exploit the information super-highway to disseminate and retrieve information and to communicate with external organisations and members of the public without risking the security of confidential or personal information and at minimum administrative cost.

  Teenage Pregnancies
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are her policies for ensuring that progress is made in meeting "The Health of the Nation" targets on teenage pregnancies. [17409]
  934
  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 14 February,Official Report, columns 640–41.

  The Government continue to work closely with health authorities and voluntary organisations towards achieving "The Health of the Nation" target to reduce under-16 conceptions by 50 per cent. by 2000.

  Traffic Calming Measures
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will call for a report from the Hillingdon hospital trust on the ease of road access to the hospital from the surrounding areas of West Drayton, Yiewsley, Hillingdon and Uxbridge; and if she will satisfy herself that the construction of road humps in many streets is not leading to the death of patients admitted in emergency cases. [17421]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Transport recently issued a code of practice—Traffic Advisory Leaflet No. 3–94—setting out arrangements for consultation between highway authorities and the emergency services when traffic calming measures are proposed. My hon. Friend may wish to contact Mr. Martin Gorham, chief executive of the London ambulance service to establish what consultation was carried out before the recent introduction of traffic calming measures in the area around Hillingdon hospital.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 13 December 1994,Official Report, columns 615–16, if she will collect information of the savings made since April 1993 by the national health service by transferring the funding of continuing care of elderly people to local authorities. [17508]

  Mr. Bowis
  Local and health authorities are responsible for agreeing their responsibilities for continuing care. They should agree the information which they need locally to identify and monitor respective financial commitments in this area. Health authorities can transfer funds to local authorities under section 28a of the National Health Service Act 1977 but it is not clear how this would result in savings to the NHS.

  Junior Doctors' Hours
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the average and maximum weekly number of hours on duty and on call for junior hospital doctors. [17384]

  Mr. Malone
  Junior hospital doctors contract to work a standard week of 40 hours. The majority of them also contract for a number of additional duty hours, which may vary from contract to contract.

  The maximum weekly hours of duty including additional duty hours are laid down in "The New Deal", copies of which are available in the Library. Since 1 January, these are 56 hours for those on full shifts, 64 hours for those working partial shifts, 72 hours for those in hard-pressed on-call posts and 83 hours for those in non-hard-pressed on-call posts. Maximum average hours of work are, regardless of the contracted working pattern, 56 a week.
  935
  The medical and dental work-force census for England and Wales shows that at 30 September 1993, the average contracted hours of full-time junior doctors and dentists who contract for additional duty hours was 75.2 a week.

  Average hours of work, as opposed to contracted hours, are not held centrally. However, the 23rd report of the Review Body on Doctors and Dentists Remuneration, copies of which are available in the Library, contained the results of an independent survey of junior doctors and dentists in Great Britain which show that average hours of work were, in October 1993, 53.4 a week.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the public information telephone inquiry lines operated by her Department, in each case indicating the costs of establishing, operating, and publicising these lines and the number of calls made to them up until this point; when they were established; and what assessment her Department has made of their effectiveness. [17379]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate costs. There are a number of such lines to help the public with advice on health issues.

  Hospices
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many health authorities met the target for joint funding of hospices in the last three years; and if she will make a statement; [17550]

  (2) what was the total expenditure by health authorities in England on hospices in each of the last three years in (a) cash terms and (b) in constant 1995 prices. [17549]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available in the form requested. Funding allocated centrally for hospices and specialist palliative care services for the three years 1992–93 to 1994–95 is shown in the table. These figures do not include additional funding of specialist palliative care by health authorities from their general allocations. Information on the number of health authorities who have met the target of matched national health service and voluntary funding for hospices is not available centrally.

  Region

  1992–93 cash prices (000s)

  1992–93 constant prices1 (000s)

  1993–94 cash prices (000s)

  1993–94 constant prices1 (000s)

  1994–95 cash prices (000s)

  Yorkshire

  2,892

  3,040

  3,446

  3,515

  3,788

  Northern

  2,329

  2,448

  2,712

  2,766

  3,012

  Trent

  3,443

  3,619

  4,019

  4,099

  4,304

  Mersey

  1,940

  2,039

  2,356

  2,403

  2,489

  Oxford

  1,737

  1,826

  1,966

  2,005

  2,128

  East Anglia

  1,589

  1,670

  1,922

  1,960

  2,129

  Wessex

  2,513

  2,642

  2,861

  2,918

  3,025

  N.E. Thames

  2,807

  2,951

  3,410

  3,478

  3,864

  N.W. Thames

  2,469

  2,595

  2,848

  2,905

  3,240

  S.E. Thames

  3,233

  3,399

  3,664

  3,737

  4,000

  S.W. Thames

  2,473

  2,600

  2,913

  2,971

  3,145

  N. Western

  3,105

  3,264

  3,846

  3,923

  4,099

  S. Western

  2,835

  2,980

  3,408

  3,476

  3,648

  West Midlands

  3,828

  4,024

  4,560

  4,651

  4,858

  Total (million)

  37.2

  39.1

  43.9

  44.8

  47.7

  1 Figures shown at constant 1994–95 prices.

  Electro-convulsive Therapy
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received regarding the banning of the use of electro-convulsive therapy on children under the age of 16 years; what reply she is making; and if she will make a statement. [17471]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley) on 9 March, column 319.

  NHS Staff
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each of the past five years, the number of NHS staff in England who are employed on a temporary basis, breaking the data down into(a) nursing and midwifery staff, (b) medical and dental staff, (c) ambulance staff, (d) ancillary staff and (e) managers and administrative staff, also expressing the data as a percentage of the total numbers in each respective staff group. [17760]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary gave the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) on 31 March, column 815, which gave information on nursing and midwifery bank staff. Information is not available centrally about other staff employed on a temporary basis.

  Sight Tests
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received calling for the reintroduction of free tests for pensioners; what her response has been; and if she will make a statement. [17979]

  Mr. Malone
  We have received and are considering a copy of the Association of Optometrists and British Medical Association's joint document "Free Eye Examinations For the Over-65s", which calls for the re-instatement of national health service eye examinations for that group.

  London Ambulance Service
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 21 March,Official Report, column 131, whether she will make it her policy to continue to place in the Library information about the number and percentage of emergency ambulance calls in London that took (a) 14 minutes and (b) each subsequent minute up to 70 minutes in February and subsequent months as they become available. [17864]

  Mr. Sackville
  The hon. Member should contact Mr. Martin Gorham, chief executive of the London ambulance service, for this information.

  Accident and Emergency Services, Liverpool
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the accident and emergency services in Liverpool hospitals. [17980]

  Mr. Sackville
  Substantial investment is being made reorganising and improving accident and emergency services in Liverpool. In the transition, arrangements are being made to ensure that safe and effective services are maintained. The provision of such services is a local
  937
  matter and the hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. D. H. Tod, chairman of Liverpool health authority, for details.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the objects and property accepted

  Item

  Tax satisfied £

  Conditions as to destination

  Date of MGC recommendation

  Drawing, 'Contraholz Solo' by Paul Klee

  59,048

  Wish

  12.08.93

  Drawings 'Tête de Ferame, 1924' and Tête de Femme, 1937' by Picasso. Vase 'The artist at his easel' by Picasso

  325,952

  Wish

  12.08.93

  Fairfax Archives

  24,500

  Unconditional

  23.08.93

  George I silver kettle and stand

  130,000

  Wish

  21.01.94

  Painting 'The Council of Horses' by Ferneley

  350,000

  Conditional

  01.05.93

  Collection of riding tack

  1,700

  Conditional

  17.02.94

  The Acland Archive

  42,000

  Conditional

  16.08.93

  'Black Painting 1958' by William Scott

  35,000

  Conditional

  06.09.93

  Collection of architectural drawings

  79,093

  Conditional

  13.01.94

  Chattels at Castle Fraser

  107,709

  Conditional

  17.01.94

  Number 2 Willow Road by Erno Goldfinger

  203,111

  Hybrid purchase with National Trust

  n/a

  'Dido and Aeneas' by Jacopo Amigoni

  207,030

  Unconditional

  21.01.93

  Benthall Hall chattels

  25,540

  Wish

  28.03.94

  Busts of Matthew Bolton by John
  Flaxman and James Watt by Sir Francis Chantrey

  122,500

  Wish

  28.03.94

  Fitzherbert papers

  49,000

  Conditional

  25.05.94

  Studio and contents of F E McWilliam

  35,000

  Conditional

  11.08.93

  'Stonehenge' by J M W Turner

  192,000

  Conditional

  28.03.94

  Collection of Islamic books

  3,500

  Conditional

  26.08.94

  Calke Abbey chattels

  143,473

  Conditional

  03.12.93

  Chattels at Nymans

  176,055

  Conditional

  18.04.94

  Musical automation clock by Thomas Weekes

  59,147.26

  Unconditional

  06.09.94

  Florentine terracotta roundel by Foggini

  26,600

  Unconditional

  26.07.94

  Study for a portrait by Francis Bacon

  680,000

  Wish

  01.05.93

  Silver gilt wine-fountain

  770,000

  Conditional

  11.06.93

  Six sculptures by Naum Gabo

  979,616

  Conditional

  28.03.94

  Paintings 'L' Artiste dans son Atelier' by Marc Chagall and 'La Condition Humaine' by René Magritte

  665,000

  Conditional

  26.07.94

  Paintings 'A Village Wedding' by Jan Steen, 'The Castle of Bentheim from below' by Jacob Van Ruisdale and 'The Bird Trap' by Nicholas Berchem

  665,000

  Conditional

  05.12.93

  The total expenditure for the financial year 1994–95 was £6,160,116. This includes an additional payment of £2,041.74 for the painting, "Weeping Woman" by Picasso which was accepted in 1986–87. Five offers costing £3,759,616 were met by calls on the reserve.

  Museums and Galleries
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will publish the attendance figures for the financial year ended 31 March reported by the national museums and galleries for which he is responsible, broken down into the individual institutions, but including their outstations, with figures in each case of the percentage increase or decrease on the attendance figures for the preceding year. [16754]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I list forecasts for the number of visits to the 11 national museums and galleries in England for which I am responsible for the financial year ended 938
  in satisfaction of inheritance tax during the financial year ended 31 March; and if he will specify (a) the amount of tax satisfied in each case, (b) whether any offers carried conditions as to destination, (c) the date in each case of the recommendations received by him from the Museums and Galleries Commission for the acceptance of objects, (d) the total for the financial year of the tax thus satisfied and (e) how much of this total was covered in the public accounts by means of resort to the reserve in accordance with the Government policy announced on 2 July 1985, Official Report, column, 779. [16753]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is as follows:

  31 March 1995 and the actual figures for the financial year 1993–94. More accurate figures for 1994–95 will be available in July.

  Number of visits in 1993–94 (million)

  Forecast number of visits in 1993–94 (million)

  Provisional percentage increase/decrease over the previous year

  British Museum

  6.03

  6.32

  +4.8

  Imperial War Museum

  1.19

  1.23

  +3.4

  National Gallery

  4.02

  4.00

  -0.5

  National Maritime Museum

  0.53

  0.54

  +1.9

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  1.34

  1.38

  +3.0

  National Portrait Gallery

  0.79

  0.85

  +7.6

  939

  Number of visits in 1993–94 (million)

  Forecast number of visits in 1993–94 (million)

  Provisional percentage increase/decrease over the previous year

  Natural History Museum

  1.74

  1.54

  -11.5

  National Museum of Science and Industry

  2.67

  2.48

  -7.1

  Tate Gallery

  2.75

  2.80

  +1.8

  Victoria and Albert Museum

  1.58

  1.60

  +1.3

  Wallace Collection

  0.15

  0.16

  +6.7

  Total

  22.79

  22.9

  +0.5

  It is not possible to identify the number of visits to the Royal Armouries because it at present forms part of the Tower of London.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to review the distribution mechanisms for the proceeds of the national lottery. [17223]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The distribution mechanisms are as set out in the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 and can be changed only by Parliament.

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to instruct Oflot to examine the profits of Camelot. [17222]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I have no such plans.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Pig Research Unit
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what was the cost of market testing his Department's pig unit; [16962]

  (2) which consultants were employed to advise on the market testing of his Department's pig unit; and at what cost;
  [16963]

  (3) how many (a) pig and (b) staff were included in the scope of his Department's market test of the pig unit; [16964]

  (4) how many bids from the private sector were received following the issuing of the invitation to tender for his Department's pig unit work; [16965]

  (5) if the market testing of the Government's pig research unit falls within the remit of his "Competing for Quality" initiative; and if he will make a statement. [16958]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have asked the chief executive of the Central Veterinary Laboratory to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Letter from T.W.A. Little to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 3 April 1995:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your recent questions about the Department's Pig Unit. I am also replying to your question to the Prime Minister concerning the Government Pig Research Unit.
  940
  I should perhaps begin by explaining that there is no single Government Pig Research Unit. However, at CVL the Animal Services Unit is responsible for the procurement, housing and welfare of animals used on site in connection with the work of the Laboratory on animal health and welfare. In 1993 it was decided to market test that part of the operation responsible for the supply of animals of known health status. This involved the supply of pigs as well as other animals. The planned approach was to invite potential tenderers to either run the service on site, using CVL's existing facilities, or to supply from their own facilities off-site.
  The response to advertisements for expressions of interest for the supply of animals was disappointing. Too few organisations replied who had sufficient track record to meet all the Laboratory's needs. Against this background the market test was not pursued in favour of an internal management review which concluded that supplies should continue to be arranged in-house but with occasional use of out-sourced suppliers.
  Turning to your specific questions, I am unable to provide you with a cost for that aspect of the exercise which related to the supply of pigs since these costs were not kept separately. I can confirm no consultants were involved at any stage of the market testing exercise.
  That part of the unit supplying pigs comprised approximately 3 boars, 30 sows and followers. Two members of staff were involved for most of their time with limited supervisory input. As explained above, no bids were invited since the exercise did not reach the stage of inviting tenders.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the setting up of the national meat hygiene service. [17276]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Secondary legislation has been laid before the House which would, among other things, make Ministers, acting through the meat hygiene service responsible for enforcement of meat hygiene and welfare at slaughter legislation. The necessary arrangements have been made to allow the meat hygiene service to carry out its responsibilities with effect from 1 April when these regulations come into force.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the total administrative cost of setting up the national meat hygiene service to date and if he will indicate any further expenditure that will be necessary in establishing this agency. [17272]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Provision was made for a total of £5.2 million in the years 1994–95 and 1995–96 to meet the set up costs of the meat hygiene service. In addition, a small project team was established within the Ministry between 1992 and March 1995 at an estimated total cost of £626,000.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the representations he has received concerning the national meat hygiene service. [17278]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  My ministerial colleagues and I have had frequent meetings with hon. Members and organisations representing the meat industry to discuss the meat hygiene service. We have also received letters from hon. Members and others both supporting and opposing the creation of the MHS.

  I met 11 representative organisations on 27 March; 10 of them confirmed their continuing support for the creation of a single organisation to be responsible for meat hygiene enforcement and inspection.
  941
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the methods by which the national meat hygiene service will be held accountable to the House. [17274]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The meat hygiene service will be an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and its staff will be civil servants. I will be accountable to Parliament for the activities of the agency. Full authority for the day to day operation of the agency rests with the chief executive who will be responsible to me for the agency's overall operation and performance. The MHS will operate in Scotland and Wales on behalf of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State.

  Ministers will usually ask the chief executive to write to hon. Members in response to written Parliamentary questions and letters about matters delegated to him. The chief executive's letters in reply to parliamentary questions will be published in the Official Report.

  The agency's annual report and accounts will be laid in the House.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list(a) the senior officers, (b) the salaries of the senior officers and (c) the salaries of each grade of staff in the national meat hygiene service. [17277]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The meat hygiene service is headed by a chief executive supported by four heads of Department. There are six regional managers. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 14 March 1995 to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill),Official Report, column 500, for details of the chief executive's remuneration. Meat inspectors and other staff transferring from local authorities will do so on terms and conditions broadly equivalent to those of their previous employment. The salaries given for these grades are those which will be offered to new staff on appointment.

  Grade

  Range (£s)

  Heads of Department

  38,000–50,000

  Regional Manager

  37,500–43,000

  Official Veterinary Surgeon

  22,000–35,000

  Headquarters Manager

  16,000–30,000

  Area Resource Manager

  19,000–28,000

  Meat Hygiene Inspector

  11,000–23,000

  Executive Assistant

  7,500–13,000

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the annual total cost to public funds of the national meat hygiene service. [17273]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The estimated net cost of the meat hygiene service in 1995–96 is £15.4 million. This includes provision for the transitional assistance which I announced on 29 March and elements, such as start-up costs and normal delays in payment, which are not relevant to the agency's operational costs. The estimated net cost in 1996–97 is £1.4 million.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provisions he has put in place to assist with maintaining operations in small abattoirs following the setting up of the national meat hygiene service. [17279]
  942
  Mr. Waldegrave
  We have always recognised the importance of local abattoirs to the rural economy and have taken a number of measures to ensure that single market rules are applied sensibly and flexibly. These arrangements will continue. The transitional assistance which I announced on 29 March will be of particular benefit to the smaller operator.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what impact the national meat hygiene service will have for the training requirements of environmental health officers; and if environmental health officers will continue to be required to gain qualifications in meat inspection.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The meat hygiene service will assist in providing training for environmental health officers.

  Environmental health officers authorised to exercise powers under the Food Safety Act 1990 to examine and seize meat must hold one of the qualifications listed in the schedule to the Authorised Officers (Meat Inspection) Regulations 1987.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the necessary qualifications for appointment to each grade of staff in the national meat hygiene service.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Management and support staff are required to have the appropriate skills and experience. The head of operations post requires a veterinarian with substantial professional experience of meat hygiene and regional managers must have substantial practical experience of meat hygiene. Official veterinary surgeons must be members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and be designated by Ministers as official veterinary surgeons having completed the appropriate refresher training in fresh meat or poultry meat hygiene. Meat hygiene inspectors must have the qualifications specified in the regulations governing meat hygiene.

  Fishing Boats
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to verify the size of fishing fleet claims of other member states of the European Union, where such claims have an effect on the size of the fleet the United Kingdom is permitted to run under EU rules; and if he will make a statement. [17091]

  Mr. Jack
  Each member state has agreed binding multi-annual guidance programme targets. Responsibility for compliance with these targets and the enforcement of Community regulations and verification of the data supplied by member states is the responsibility of the Commission.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food if he will discuss with his Spanish counterpart and with the European Fisheries Commissioner the regulations of the common fisheries policy governing declarations of fishing boat engine size; and if he will make a statement. [17092]

  Mr. Jack
  Responsibility for ensuring compliance with Community regulations rests with the Commission. However, my officials are drawing the recent press reports on these matters to the attention of the Commission. Evaluation of effort is sometimes discussed in the Council when all member states can contribute to the proceedings.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the public information telephone inquiry lines operated by his Department, in each case indicating the costs of establishing, operating and publicising these lines and the number of calls made to them up until this point; when they were established; and what assessment his Department has made of their effectiveness. [17454]

  Mr. Jack
  MAFF has set up two public telephone helpline services with local call rate charging facilities. The general MAFF helpline, launched in May 1993, provides a one-stop point of contact for individuals or organisations seeking information about or advice from the Ministry. The more specialist consumer helpline was set up in April 1990 to act as a focal point for enquirers needing information from the food safety directorate. Both units also handle written and faxed public enquiries, and in the case of the MAFF helpline, those received by e-mail. The start-up costs for these services were approximately £21,000, and annual running costs are estimated at £90,000. Since the introduction of both services, over 62,000 calls have been received. The effectiveness of the helpline services are measured by regular annual increases in the volume of calls dealt with, by the high proportion of calls handled directly without onward referral and by their success in meeting citizens charter targets on the way in which they deal with inquirers and the time limits for response.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many environmentally sensitive area agreements were concluded in 1994–95 in the(a) zero to £5,000, (b) £5,001 to £10,000, (c) £10,001 to £15,000, (d) £15,001 to £20,000, (e) 20,001 to £25,000 (f) £25,001 to £50,000, (g) £50,001 to £75,000, (h) £75,001 to £100,000, (i) £100,001 to £150,000, (j) 150,001 to £200,000 and (k) over £200,000 bands; [17674]

  (2) how many environmentally sensitive area agreements were concluded in 1993–94 in the (a) zero to £5,000, (b) £5,001 to £10,000, (c) £10,001 to £15,000, (d) £15,001 to £20,000, (e) 20,001 to £25,000 (f) £25,001 to £50,000, (g) £50,001 to £75,000, (h) £75,001 to £100,000, (i) £100,001 to £150,000, (j) 150,001 to £200,000 and (k) over £200,000 bands; [17673]

  (3) how many environmentally sensitive area agreements he estimates will be concluded in 1995–96 in the (a) zero to £5,000, (b) £5,001 to £10,000, (c) £10,001 to £15,000, (d) £15,001 to £20,000, (e) 20,001 to £25,000 (f) £25,001 to £50,000, (g) £50,001 to £75,000, (h) £75,001 to £100,000, (i) £100,001 to £150,000, (j) 150,001 to £200,000 and (k) over £200,000 bands. [17675]

  Mr. Jack
  Records of the number of agreements concluded in 1993–94 are not kept in the form requested. The total number of agreements on which payments were made in English ESAs in each band is as follows:

  £

  1993–94

  1994–95

  0–5,000

  3,554

  4,206

  5,001–10,000

  543

  653

  10,001–15,000

  146

  185

  15,001–20,000

  52

  65

  20,001–25,000

  28

  42

  944

  £

  1993–94

  1994–95

  25,001–50,000

  56

  75

  50,001–75,000

  10

  10

  75,001–100,000

  3

  5

  100,001–150,000

  2

  0

  150,001–200,000

  0

  0

  Over 200,000

  0

  0

  Entry to the ESA scheme is voluntary and it is not possible to predict the number of new agreements that will be concluded in 1995–96 in the form requested.

  Live Exports
  Sir Terence Higgins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the approximate cost to the Exchequer of subsidies to United Kingdom producers of live animals for export for slaughter in the latest convenient period for which figures can be calculated. [17462]

  Mr. Jack
  For live animals exported for slaughter from the United Kingdom in the period 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1994, nil.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make an assessment of the consequences for farming and the countryside, including the budgetary and trade implications, if the United Kingdom were to withdraw from the common agricultural policy; and if he will make a statement. [17969]

  Mr. Jack
  There can be no question of the United Kingdom withdrawing from the common agricultural policy, participation in which is an integral part of our membership of the European Union.

  Sow Stall Conversions
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what grants are available to pig farmers in Northern Ireland to assist with sow stall conversions. [14798]

  Mr. Ancram
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are currently no grants available in Northern Ireland to assist in sow stall conversion.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Public Order Prosecutions
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Attorney-General how many(a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been under (i) section 18, (ii) section 19 and (iii) section 23 of the Public Order Act 1986 in each year since 1990. [17860]

  The Attorney-General
  Since 1990, 12 prosecutions have been commenced under part III of the Public Order Act 1986. Information on each of the prosecutions is as follows:
  945

  Year

  Offence(s)

  Result

  1.

  1990

  Sections 19 and 23

  Convicted

  2.

  1990

  Section 23

  Convicted

  3.

  1991

  Section 19

  Convicted

  4.

  1991

  Section 18

  Died before trial

  5.

  1991

  Section 23

  Discontinued

  6.

  1992

  Section 23

  Convicted

  7.

  1992

  Section 23

  Convicted

  8.

  1992

  Section 18

  Acquitted

  9.

  1993

  Sections 19 and 23

  Convicted

  10.

  1993

  Section 23

  Convicted

  11.

  1993

  Section 23

  Convicted

  12.

  1994

  Section 23

  Convicted

  Date-rape Cases
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Attorney-General what consultations he has had with the Director of the Crown Prosecution Services concerning the numbers of date-rape cases dropped on Crown Prosecution Service advice after a full police investigation, as a proportion of all date-rape cases arriving at court. [17994]

  The Attorney-General
  I have routine meetings with the DPP to discuss departmental issues, including aspects of prosecutions policy. The particular information sought by the hon. Member is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Parliamentary Data and Video Network
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what financial provision is being made for installing the parliamentary data and video network; when this will be completed; and if the Commission will be providing funds for terminals and computers. [15725]

  Mr. Channon
  By the end of the summer recess 550 Members, including all those with offices in the outbuildings, will have access to the video network. Remaining Members' offices in the Palace will be cabled progressively over the next five years. In accordance with the recommendations of the Information Committee approved by the House last June, terminals and computers will not be funded from the House votes.

  Visitors' Refreshment Facilities
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what plans he has to provide increased refreshment facilities within or adjacent to Westminster Hall for members of the public visiting the House. [15727]

  Mr. Channon
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Cambridge (Mrs. Campbell).

  Members' Accommodation
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of 946
  Commons Commission, what is his latest estimate of the total cost of hon. Members moving office within parliamentary buildings during the current Parliament.

  Mr. Beith
  No figures are available to identify separately the total cost of moving hon. Members between offices but the cost of removal for an individual Member has been estimated at approximately £50 plus VAT, together with any extra costs caused by new furniture, furnishings or redecoration.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Market Testing
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what information he has on the number of staff years which have been used by Departments in order to progress market testing since April 1992. [16971]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what considerations underlie his decision to publish information on service quality following a market testing exercise only when the quality has risen. [16970]

  Mr. Horam
  There has-been no such decision.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the costs of operating the(a) 0800 100101 and (b) 0345 300130 telephone services to the citizens charter unit; what was the total number of calls made to each line during its operation; what were the costs of establishing, publicising and operating each service; and what assessment his Department has made of these services. [17797]

  Mr. Horam
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the costs of operating the citizens charter publication line; what was the number of calls made to it for each month of its operation; what were the costs of establishing, publicising and operating this service; and what assessment his Department has made of this service. [17799]

  Mr. Horam
  The citizens charter publication line on 0345 22 32 42 was set up on 16 March to send out copies of the guide to the citizens 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 remains in operation; calls are charged at a local rate. Initially the service was managed by IBM national call centre. When the contract expired the service was run directly by the charter unit until 17 October 1994, then a new contract was awarded to Inform Communications who have managed the publications line since then.

  The costs of operating the publication line and the number of calls up to 16 March 1995 are:
  947

  Period covered

  Number of calls

  Operating costs (excluding VAT) £

  Set up costs1 £

  Managed by

  16 March 1994–10 July 19942

  5,160

  23,204.59

  1,420.00

  IBM National Call Centre

  11 July 1994–16 August 1994

  405

  absorbed within Charter unit running costs

  Citizen's Charter Unit

  17 August 1994–16 September 1994

  132

  17 September 1994–16 October 1994

  145

  17 October 1994–16 November 1994

  432

  1,654.22

  640.00

  Inform Communications

  7 November 1994–16 December 1994

  250

  1,044.12

  17 December 1994–16 January 1995

  120

  753.55

  17 January 1995–16 February 1995

  451

  1,453.55

  17 February 1995–16 March 1995

  480

  1,394.35

  Note:

  1 One-off costs.

  2 The time period covers the IBM management of the Publication Line.

  The telephone number for the publication line was publicised in the citizens charter second report, 1994 and other internal newsletters and magazines; no specific publicity costs have been incurred.

  The service is kept under continuous review, and decisions about continuation and contractual arrangements are made accordingly.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what were the costs of operating the charterline telephone information service; what was the number of calls made to it for each month of its operation; what were the costs of establishing, publicising and operating this service; and what assessment his Department has made of this service. [17798]

  Mr. Horam
  The cost of operating the charterline information service from 19 May 1993—the setting up of the pilot scheme—to 19 March 1994, the ending of the evaluation of the pilot scheme was £1,130,991.

  During this period, charterline received 5,603 calls. A month-by-month breakdown of this number is not available.

  The breakdown of the costs of the pilot scheme until 19 March 1994 is as follows:

  Developmental costs £

  Ongoing costs £

  Initial research

  67,000

  —

  Set up charges

  749,000

  —

  System Design

  119,918

  —

  Project planning and management

  195,000

  —

  Selection of pilot region

  25,000

  —

  Regional seminars

  21,000

  —

  Data collection

  57,000

  —

  Detailed requirements, acceptance testing and financial modelling

  50,520

  —

  CCTA contractual advice

  47,761

  —

  Advertising

  —

  602,922

  Research during pilot study

  —

  61,239

  IBM operational costs

  —

  403,579

  Charterline language service (set up and operational charges)

  —

  34,951

  CACI use of ACORN data

  —

  28,300

  Totals

  1,332,199

  1,130,991

  This information, together with other data on the charterline pilot is contained in the document "Charterline Evaluation Report", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
  948
  Paragraphs 41–44 of the evaluation report set out the conclusions at the end of the study. The evaluation showed what information people wanted to know about their public services but also that there were problems with doing this through charterline because of the lack of awareness of the service. In the light of these conclusions, it was decided that charterline should not be continued, and the pilot scheme ended on 6 May 1995. Subsequently, the charter unit has worked with Yellow Pages and Thomson Directories to develop the information on public services that they provide in their directories.

  Statutory References
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what statutory references to hon. Members have been made in legislation introduced by his Department, or its predecessors, since 1965. [17038]

  Mr. David Hunt
  Any analysis could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It would be extremely unlikely for reference to be made specifically to an individual hon. Member.

  Charter Marks
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the budget for the 1995 charter mark award scheme. [17110]

  Mr. Horam
  We have provisionally set aside a sum of £1.65 million to cover the cost of the award assessment, the new scheme for public nominations and the wider promotion of the award scheme. But final costs will be heavily dependent on the number of applications received and on the number of public nominations. We will therefore be refining the budget as the year progresses.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much of the budget for the 1995 charter mark award scheme has been spent on (i) publications and (ii) distribution of information. [17109]

  Mr. Horam
  We think it very important this year to involve the public in the operation of the charter mark award scheme. We also wish to involve a larger proportion of public service organisations in this scheme. We have spent £111,900 of the £1.65 million provisionally set aside for the 1995 charter mark award scheme on publications and £58,500 on distributing those publications.

  Cabinet Office
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the Cabinet Office was last inspected by the relevant local authority to ensure that it fully complies with health and safety at work legislation; and what steps have been taken to implement any necessary improvements relating to space standards, toilets, rest rooms, canteens and asbestos removal, for staff employed there. [17312]

  Mr. Horam
  The Cabinet Office and its agencies occupy a number of buildings throughout the country. The buildings concerned are, therefore, subject to different inspection regimes by the respective local council, local fire authority and local environmental health authority. The responsibility for ensuring compliance with the health and safety at work legislation, however, lies with the Health and Safety Executive.

  Listed are the latest recorded inspections, since January 1993, for buildings where the Cabinet Office is the major occupier. Good working relations are maintained with all relevant local authorities and a number of informal inspections also take place. Except as noted, there are no outstanding actions still to be taken following any of the inspections listed.

  Inspections

  Date

  London, 70 Whitehall

  Environmental Health Officer's visit

  November 1994

  Portable electrical appliance testing

  August 1994

  Water quality test

  December 1994

  Hepburn House and 53 Parliament Street

  Portable electrical appliance safety testing

  March 1994

  Fire Safety Inspection

  January 1995

  Belgrave Road

  Home Office Fire Safety Inspection

  September 1994

  Fire Brigade Inspection

  January 1995

  Ascot, Sunningdale Park

  Inspection of kitchens and bedroom accommodation

  January 1995

  Fire Safety Inspection

  November 1994

  Asbestos Inspection

  September 1994

  Portable electrical appliance safety test

  March 1995

  Water quality sampled

  February 1995

  Edinburgh Hill Street

  Electrical circuit safety check

  September 1994

  Water quality check

  March 1995

  Fire safety check

  September 1994

  Basingstoke Alençon Link

  Asbestos check

  February 1995

  Work is ongoing to meet recommendations

  Norwich Rosebury Court

  The CCTA moved to a new building constructed in July 1994 that fully complies with all extant Health and Safety, etc, legislation.

  Chessington Government Buildings, Leatherhead Road

  Kitchen Inspection

  February 1993

  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what considerations led to the continued advertising of posts within the civil service to work in 950
  the Cabinet Office for two hours a week longer than the proposed European Community directive on maximum hours of work. [17311]

  Mr. Horam
  The working time directive is not in force. The United Kingdom's challenge to it has yet to be considered by the European Court of Justice. Working hours in the Cabinet Office are agreed between management and staff in the light of particular circumstances, under the guiding principles set out in the civil service management code.

SCOTLAND

  Taxation
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library the sources and calculations behind his statements in a television interview on 12 February on(a) the extra cost to each Scot in income tax of the Labour party's plans for a Scottish Parliament, (b) the Scottish share of the United Kingdom population and Government expenditure and taxation and (c) the amount raisable by 3p on income tax leviable only in Scotland and (d) the change if Scotland were funded to the same level as the rest of the United Kingdom. [14918]

  Mr. Lang
  I have arranged to place in the House of Commons Library the sources and calculations behind my statements in my interview with Jonathan Dimbleby on ITV on Sunday 12 February.

  Clinical Outcome Indicators
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish on an annual basis health service clinical outcome indicators for individual(a) health boards and (b) NHS trusts, similar to those published in December 1994. [15867]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Decisions about future publication will be taken in the light of continuing development work and full discussion of the indicators already published.

  Public Relations
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on public relations during the financial year 1993–94; how much contracts with the private sector cost; and if he will list the activities covered by these contracts. [16284]

  Mr. Lang
  The running cost of the Scottish Office information directorate in 1993–94 was £1.4 million. No public relations companies were employed by my Department during that period.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines his Department has issued to its agencies and other public bodies under its authority in respect of the employment of public relations companies and the procedures to be adopted in relation to requesting tenders for public relations companies. [16213]

  Mr. Lang
  Guidelines on the employment of public relations companies are contained in the central Government conventions on publicity and advertising which have been recognised by successive Governments.
  951
  Detailed guidance on tendering procedures is regularly issued to agencies and passed to other public bodies on request.

  Prisons
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) the official cell capacity and (b) the inmate prison population in each prison in Scotland on 24 March. [17235]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The subject of this question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. A. Stewart to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 3 April 1995:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to reply to your Question relating to (a) the official cell capacity and (b) the inmate prison population in each prison Scotland on 24 March. I am replying in his absence.
  The table shows the design capacity and number of prisoners in each penal establishment in Scotland on 24 March 1995.

  Establishment

  Design capacity

  Number of prisoners

  Aberdeen

  142

  171

  Barlinnie

  939

  1,185

  Castle Huntly

  144

  70

  Cornton Vale

  213

  167

  Dumfries

  139

  129

  Dungavel

  135

  116

  Edinburgh

  508

  645

  Friarton

  56

  80

  Glenochil

  669

  484

  Greenock

  172

  252

  Inverness

  79

  108

  Longriggend

  177

  191

  Low Moss

  396

  381

  Noranside

  135

  124

  Penninghame

  85

  50

  Perth

  426

  465

  Peterhead

  271

  205

  Polmont

  414

  394

  Shotts

  535

  450

  Scotland

  5,635

  5,667

  In Scotland design capacity is based on single occupancy. The measure of certified normal accommodation used in England and Wales, however, allows, in some instances double occupancy in cells.

  Lomond Healthcare NHS Trust
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the individual members of the Lomond Healthcare NHS trust; and what criteria applied in respect of each appointment. [17415]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 28 March 1995,Official Report, column 582.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 28 March, how many days per week Mr. Stephen J. Newall is expected to work as chairman of Lomond Healthcare NHS trust. [17644]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Trust chairmen are expected to commit two to three days per week to trust work.

  Temporary Teachers
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the past five years, the number of(a) teachers and (b) auxiliary school staff in Scotland who are employed on a temporary basis, also expressing the data as a percentage of the total numbers in each respective staff group. [17763]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested on the number and percentage of teachers employed on a temporary basis in Scottish education authority schools for the years which data are available in the most recent five-year period is as follows:

  Year at September

  Number (full time equivalents)

  Percentage of all teachers

  1990

  1,838

  3.7

  1992

  1,942

  3.9

  These figures include teachers employed in nursery, primary, secondary and special schools. Figures for years subsequent to 1992 are not yet available.

  Information is not held centrally in respect of auxiliary school staff employed on a temporary basis.

  Higher Education Institutions
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those higher education institutions which are discussing private finance for upgrading or developing facilities with private sector firms; and which firms are involved in these discussions. [17474]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Higher education institutions are free to enter into discussions on private finance with the private sector as they consider appropriate. The names of the institutions or the private sector firms involved are matters of commercial confidence to the institutions concerned.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to refuse to approve any capital projects in higher or further education unless private finance options have been explored. [17473]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  We would expect institutions to consider the private finance option. However, projects may proceed to procurement without a private finance option being considered if it is clear that transfer of control and risk is not feasible. It is for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to approve capital projects in higher education using criteria based on guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a list of those invited to attend the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council conference on the private finance initiative; and what specific developments, if any, arise from this conference. [17472]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council was responsible for organising the conference on the private finance initiative. Attendance was not by invitation but by application. I have asked the funding council to write to the hon. Member and provide details of those who attended.

  It is now for higher education institutions and the business community to decide on the feasibility of specific developments.

  Highland Railway Services
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the social and economic assessments which he has made over the impact of proposed rail service changes to the highlands. [17751]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Responsibility for the railways rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. No such assessments have been undertaken by the Scottish Office.

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of all representations, which he has received from Highlands and Islands Enterprise since autumn 1994, in respect of rail connections to the highlands. [17752]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise wrote to me on 22 March about sleeper services to Fort William and Motorail services. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Racial Incidents
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many racial incidents have been recorded in Scotland in each year since 1991. [17858]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The numbers of racial incidents recorded by the police in Scotland in each year since 1991 are as follows:

  1991: 678

  1992: 663

  1993: 756

  1994: 791

  Prisoners (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the(a) male and (b) female prison population in Scotland are from ethnic minority groups. [17859]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The subject of this question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. A. Stewart to Mr. Jimmy Wray, dated 3 April 1995:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to reply to your Question about the percentage of the male and female prison population in Scotland from ethnic minority groups. I am replying in his absence.
  Information on the ethnic origin of persons received into Scottish penal establishments has not been collected. The new Scottish Prison Service Prisoner Records Database which is currently being implemented across the Service, however, will enable us to provide such information after the Summer.

  NHS Staff
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the past five years, the number of NHS staff in Scotland who are employed on a temporary basis, breaking the data down into(a) nursing and midwifery staff, (b) medical and dental staff, (c) ambulance staff, (d) ancillary staff and (e) managers and
  954
  administrative staff, also expressing the data as a percentage of the total numbers in each respective staff group. [17758]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Statistics on the number of NHS staff in Scotland employed on a temporary basis are not maintained centrally.

  Water Authorities and Customers Council
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications he has received for membership of(a) the three new water authorities and (b) the consumer bodies; when he expects to announce the full membership of each of them; and if he will make a statement. [17301]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 30 March 1995]: We have received 759 applications for membership of the new water authorities; 384 for membership of the Customers Council; and 103 for chairmanship of the Customers Council.

  Membership will be announced in the late spring or early summer.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the total number of patients in Scotland registered with a dentist; and what was the number of patients that ceased to be registered with a dentist for each financial year since 1985–86; [15539]

  (2) if he will list for each health board area in Scotland the number of patients registered with a dentist and the number of patients who ceased to be registered with a dentist for each financial year since 1985–86. [15540]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: Registration of patients with a dentist was introduced in October 1990. Patients may cease to be registered with a dentist for a number of reasons, including lapse of registration owing to non-attendance, transfer to another dentist, agreement between patient and dentist to enter private arrangements, or decision by a dentist no longer to provide NHS treatment to a patient. Patients whose registration lapses may subsequently register with the same or another dentist and cannot be separately identified. The information available is shown in the tables.

  Table 1: Dental patients registered at 31 March—by health board in Scotland

  Financial year

  Health board

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Scotland

  1,710,947

  2,502,684

  2,548,095

  2,514,816

  Argyll and Clyde

  146,481

  213,990

  212,219

  207,647

  Ayrshire and Arran

  170,743

  221,072

  200,998

  198,376

  Borders

  38,118

  52,771

  53,897

  53,238

  Dumfries and Galloway

  50,535

  74,290

  71,220

  68,292

  Fife

  116,263

  167,285

  171,475

  170,690

  Forth Valley

  84,505

  129,146

  133,441

  131,571

  Grampian

  175,734

  246,479

  259,362

  260,173

  Greater Glasgow

  296,476

  458,557

  474,592

  464,351

  Highland

  69,124

  102,894

  99,161

  92,670

  Lanarkshire

  150,452

  233,418

  242,743

  240,001

  Lothian

  252,816

  374,659

  389,764

  385,702

  Orkney

  3,535

  5,525

  7,267

  7,961

  Shetland

  4,710

  7,034

  7,004

  7,823

  Tayside

  146,881

  207,270

  216,441

  217,565

  Western Isles

  4,574

  8,294

  8,511

  8,756

  955

  Table 2: Dental patient registrations ended prematurely1—by health board in Scotland

  Financial year

  Health board

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Scotland

  2n/a

  3,027

  11,336

  15,391

  Argyll and Clyde

  n/a

  338

  1,208

  426

  Ayrshire and Arran

  n/a

  236

  1,264

  1,050

  Borders

  n/a

  69

  286

  1,531

  Dumfries and Galloway

  n/a

  92

  3,791

  3,025

  Fife

  n/a

  133

  217

  1,172

  Forth Valley

  n/a

  156

  298

  301

  Grampian

  n/a

  227

  719

  335

  Greater Glasgow

  n/a

  563

  475

  1,500

  Highland

  n/a

  255

  132

  2,393

  Lanarkshire

  n/a

  170

  563

  340

  Lothian

  n/a

  474

  2,216

  3,178

  Orkney

  n/a

  66

  2

  0

  Shetland

  n/a

  16

  0

  5

  Tayside

  n/a

  273

  165

  128

  Western Isles

  n/a

  4

  0

  7

  1 Registrations ended prematurely either by dentist without patient's agreement, or by agreement between dentist and patient. This does not include registrations which lapse because the patient does not re-attend during the registration, or registrations which end automatically when the patient registers with another dentist.

  2 n/a = not available.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Fraud
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what he estimates is the value of extra alternative benefits claimed by recipients of fraud savings and of the extra benefit entitlement in cases where there were no fraud savings. [16164]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information requested is not available.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if statistics kept by his Department on fraud savings include savings arising from non-fraudulent irregularities; what is his estimate of such non-fraudulent savings; and if he will make a statement. [16163]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Statistics kept by the Department on fraud savings do not include savings arising from non-fraudulent irregularities.

  Retirement Pensions Forecasting Unit
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account he has taken in conducting a market test of his Department's retirement pensions forecasting unit of the proposed pensions legislation currently before Parliament. [16983]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The effect of the changes proposed by the Pensions Bill on the work of the Benefits Agency's retirement pensions forecasting unit will be taken fully into account when deciding on the feasibility of a market test.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will instigate an urgent inquiry to advise on the security implications of ensuring that private firms do not have direct or indirect access to the confidential national insurance information handled by the retirement pensions forecasting unit, in connection with the market testing exercise. [16984]
  956
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The study into the feasibility of market testing the work of the retirement pensions forecasting unit will take the security of confidential information fully into account.

  Market Testing
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he has on the number of staff years allocated since 1992 to his Departmental market testing programme. [16978]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This Department has allocated some 306 staff years in support of the market testing programme since 1992.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what delays there have been to the commencement of contracts let to the private sector, following the market testing of accommodation and office services; and if he will make a statement. [16959]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This Department has awarded 23 accommodation and office services contracts to external contractors as part of the "Competing for Quality" initiative. Of the five that were subject to minor delays, three were at the request of the Department.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which firms have requested and received permission to delay the commencement of the provision of contracted-out services to his Department; and what were(a) the reasons for each delay and (b) the financial penalties imposed on each firm. [16960]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Two companies have requested and received permission to delay the provision of some accommodation and office services to the Benefits Agency. Procord and BET both experienced unexpected staffing difficulties and payments have been adjusted accordingly.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what extra costs his Department incurred over the past 12 months as a result of private sector companies that were unable to provide contracted-out services at the scheduled contract start date. [16961]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  None. The prices for five contracts have been adjusted to take account of minor delays.

  Pensions (Overseas Residents)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost of uprating the retirement pensions payable to present or former United Kingdom citizens living in those countries where uprating has not hitherto been payable(a) to restore them to the level at which the pension would have been payable if they had remained resident in the United Kingdom (i) with and (ii) without full backdated payments and (b) as if the only uprating payable to them since leaving the United Kingdom were that coming into payment in the current year; and if he will estimate separate totals in each case for British pensioners resident in (1) Australia, (2) Canada and (3) New Zealand. [17344]
  957
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Such information as is available is in the table:

  £ millions

  Country

  (a) Estimated cost of paying fully indexed pensions

  (b) Estimated cost of paying April 1994 uprating only

  Australia

  110

  7

  Canada

  60

  4

  New Zealand

  20

  2

  Rest of the world

  45

  3

  Total

  235

  16

  Notes:

  1. The estimated costs relate to all state retirement and widow pensioners living abroad whose benefits are not uprated. Separate figures are not available on the cost of uprating benefits only for retirement pensioners or those who are, or were, citizens of the United Kingdom.

  2. An estimate of the cost of backdating payments to make good upratings forgone in the past is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (I) how many(a) men and (b) women opted to remain on invalidity benefit on reaching retirement age in the latest year for which figures are available; [17347]

  (2) how many (a) men and (b) women over the age of retirement are in receipt of invalidity benefit at the latest date for which figures are available. [17346]

  Mr. Hague
  The available information is in the tables.

  Table 1: The number of recipients who reached pension age in the year ending 3 April 1993 who opted to remain on invalidity benefit and were receiving invalidity benefit on 3 April 1993

  Gender

  Number

  Men

  53,000

  Women

  14,000

  Notes:

  1. Based on a 1 per cent. sample of claims rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. The figures exclude people who reached pension age in the year ending 3 April 1993 but whose claim to invalidity benefit terminated before the end of that year.

  Table 2: The number of people over retirement age receiving Invalidity Benefit on 3 April 1993

  Gender

  Number

  Men

  229,000

  Women

  53,000

  Note:

  Based on a 1 per cent. sample of claims rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Child Support
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he intends to meet the chief executive of the Child Support Agency to discuss the release of personal details about Marc Calder of Plymouth; [17094]
  958
  (2) if he will make a statement concerning the release of the personal details of Mr. Marc Calder from Plymouth to a local newspaper by the Child Support Agency in Plymouth; and what action he proposes to take. [17096]

  Mr. Burt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been kept fully appraised of the incident but has no plans to meet the chief executive of the Child Support Agency on the matter.

  I understand that the agency immediately instigated an investigation into the incident and as a result a member of staff at the Plymouth Child Support Agency centre was suspended from duty the same day pending further inquiries. Staff disciplinary action is a confidential matter between management, personnel and the member of staff involved. At this stage of the investigation, I cannot provide the hon. Member with any further details of this case which would not breach that confidentiality.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the public information telephone inquiry lines operated by his Department, in each case indicating the costs of establishing, operating and publicising these lines and the number of calls made to them up until this point; when they were established; and what assessment his Department has made of their effectiveness. [17458]

  Mr. Hague
  The full information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The available information is as follows.

  The public inquiry office is available to members of the public at national call rate. The number of calls taken from January to December 1994 was 86,355. This service is monitored routinely to establish how many incoming calls are presented to the system; the number answered and the average waiting time for answers. This line is not intended to provide a full public enquiry service for the Department, only for members of the public who need to contact the administrative headquarters in London. Other public information lines are available in the Department's agencies, as follows:

  January—December 1994 Calls handled

  Benefits agency

  Freeline

  2,688,000

  Benefit inquiry line

  930,000

  Family credit advice line

  2,173,000

  Disability living allowance line

  2,206,000

  Pensions advice line, introduced June 1994

  60,392

  An assessment of effectiveness is included as part of a national customer service survey undertaken on behalf of the Benefits Agency by Public Attitudes Survey Ltd. It is intended that this will continue annually.

  Contributions agency

  Social security advice line for employers

  240,000

  Independent research has predicted the demand for this service will increase by 30 per cent. during the next two years.
  959

  War pensions agency

  War pensions help line

  Approximately 600,000 calls sincestart up in january1992

  A customer perception survey started six months after set up has been started on a rolling basis to assess customer satisfaction.

  Child support agency

  National inquiry line

  356,569 calls answered since June 1994 when a centralised service was established. This was previously administered from individual agency
  centres.

TRANSPORT

  Sleeper and Motorail Services
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had on the future of sleeper and Motorail services from Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [15705]

  Mr. Watts
  My right hon. Friend and I have had a number of discussions about Anglo-Scottish sleeper and Motorail services with, among others, the franchising director, the chairman of British Railways Board, and the Central Rail Users Consultative Committee.

  Ship Crew Safety
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to modify the legislation and regulations governing the occupational safety of the crews of both United Kingdom registered merchant vessels and fishing vessels. [15706]

  Mr. Norris
  Domestic legislation governing the occupational safety of crews in United Kingdom merchant ships and fishing vessels is under continuous review through the Marine Safety Agency. In addition, further modification to United Kingdom legislation is being undertaken through the implementation of EU directives in consultation with the shipping and fishing industries.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will authorise the fast rail link between(a) the channel tunnel and London, (b) the channel tunnel and Scotland. (c) the channel tunnel and the north of England and (d) the channel tunnel and Wales. [15707]

  Mr. Watts
  The construction of the channel tunnel rail link between the channel tunnel and the London terminus at St. Pancras will be authorised by the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill when it becomes law.

  The rail link will provide access for direct international trains to Wales, Scotland and the north of England and also convenient connections to domestic services to those countries and regions.

  Rail Franchises
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising to discuss the award of franchises; and if he will make a statement. [15709]
  960
  Dr. Mawhinney
  I last met the franchising director to discuss franchising on Wednesday 22 March. I welcome his recent announcement that 37 organisations have applied to pre-qualify for the first group of eight franchises. This is a vote of confidence in railway privatisation.

  Public Transport, London
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans next to meet the chairman of London Transport to discuss improvements to public transport in London. [15711]

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I meet the chairman of London Transport regularly to discuss a variety of issues including improvements to LT's services.

  M1
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to complete the lighting of the M1. [15712]

  Mr. Watts
  Current plans are to light a total of 155 miles of the M1.

  Railway Station Platforms (Accessibility)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway stations in Britain have platforms which need raising to allow access to trains for wheelchair users or others with mobility difficulties. [15713]

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is not available. Facilities for disabled passengers vary from station to station. Government proposals to improve accessibility at stations for disabled passengers are included in the Disability Discrimination Bill, published in January.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future of rail services in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Wales. [15715]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Railway privatisation can be expected to bring benefits to Wales as well as other parts of the United Kingdom by delivering better services more closely attuned to customers' needs.

  Seat Belts
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the cost to local education authorities of introducing seat belts and other safety requirements pertaining to the transportation of children, as stipulated in the draft regulations announced on 15 March. [15716]

  Mr. Norris
  Costs to individual local authorities have been taken into account in the local government settlement for 1995–96.

  Motorway Facilities
  Mr. Brandreth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to improve the standards and frequency of rest and recreation facilities on motorways; and if he will make a statement. [15694]
  961
  Mr. Watts
  In 1992 we deregulated the provision of new motorway service areas with the aim of providing more services more quickly.

  British Rail
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many parts of British Rail have been sold since November 1993. [15714]

  Mr. Watts
  Since November 1993, sales of the following British Rail businesses have been completed:

  Meldon Quarry

  Special Trains Unit.

  In addition, since November 1993 British Rail has offered for sale some 20 other businesses, the sales of which are now under way.

  Traffic, London
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the flow of traffic in London; and if he will make a statement. [15965]

  Mr. Norris
  Traffic conditions in London are a frequent theme of discussions and correspondence with a wide range of interested organisations and individuals on topics such as bus priorities, parking management, facilities for cyclists, pedestrian safety, road improvements and investment in public transport. We are currently funding initiatives, including red routes, the London bus priority network, the London cycle network and other improvements on trunk and local roads, to ease the flow of traffic, reduce pollution and improve safety.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the public information telephone inquiry lines operated by his Department, in each case indicating the costs of establishing, operating, and publicising these lines and the number of calls made to them up until this point; when they were established; and what assessment his Department has made of their effectiveness. [17450]

  Mr. Norris
  My Department set up a public inquiry unit in 1990. It has six staff and annual running costs of £105,000. It has received 487,000 calls since it was set up. Robin Verney and Associates have completed a review of the service and improvements will be made when we move to Great Minster house later this year. My Department does not monitor central inquiry services provided by its executive agencies.

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of all representations which he has received from Highlands and Islands Enterprise since autumn 1994 in respect of rail connections to the highlands. [17750]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 27 March 1995,Official Report, column 511. I have no record of receiving any other representations on rail connections to the highlands from Highlands and Islands Enterprise since autumn 1994.

  Second Severn Crossing
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the comparative cost-benefit analysis of the Portskewett-Severn beach and the Cardiff-Weston alignment for the second Severn crossing. [17995]

  Mr. Watts
  The alignment of the second Severn crossing was fully debated during the passage of the Severn Bridges Bill.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 10 February,Official Report, column 454, if he will place in the Library the text of the Court of Appeal judgment in the case of the Secretary of State for Transport v. Colonel Owen and Barbara Owen. [18077]

  Mr. Watts
  Yes.

  Transport Expenditure
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 21 March,Official Report, column 153, what was the (a) total expenditure and (b) percentage of gross domestic product for (i) buses without coaches, (ii) trains and (iii) all public transport, inclusive of grants, subsidies and receipts for 1993 and 1994. [17856]

  Mr. Norris
  Total expenditure on various transport modes, including grants and subsidies, in financial year 1993–94, is as follows:

  Mode of transport

  Total expenditure £ billion

  Per cent. of GDP

  Buses and coaches1

  3.7

  0.7

  Railways2

  4.7

  0.8

  All public transport3

  9.9

  1.8

  All GDP4

  554.8

  100

  1 For licensing purposes bus operators are not distinguished from coach operators.

  2 Excludes Tyne and Wear Metro.

  3 Buses, coaches, railways and taxis. The estimate for taxis excludes business use.

  4 Gross domestic product for public transport contains expenditure on personal travel rather than business travel.

  A41
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the date on which he received the inspector's report on the proposed A41 Aston Clinton by-pass, following the public inquiry held in November 1994; and when he expects to publish that report and his decision. [18073]

  Mr. Watts
  The inspector's report was received on 6 January and is being considered by the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Transport. They will announce their decision and publish the report as soon as possible.

  Driving Standards Agency
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who was consulted before the decision to transfer the Driving Standards Agency (Scotland) to Newcastle was taken; what was the level of dissent from
  963
  the final position; what further measures were undertaken to ensure this decision was accountable; and if the transfer decision is open to further negotiation. [16941]

  Mr. Norris
  This is a matter for the Driving Standards Agency.

  I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from L. M. Manley to Sir David Steel, dated 3 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your questions about the transfer of the Driving Standards Agency (Scotland) to Newcastle.
  As I explained in my letter to you of 17 February, in reply to correspondence you had received from the Chief Executive of the Ettrick and Lauderdale District Council, the office in Edinburgh currently undertakes the booking of driving tests and the management and deployment of driving examiners at test centres in Scotland. However, following the recent market test of the booking of driving tests, and the success of an in-house team, the booking work for the north of England and for Scotland will be based in a single office at Newcastle. In reaching this conclusion the in house team has to address whether this solution was cost effective and whether service delivery could be maintained.
  The conclusions reached by the bidders about how they might organise the work are their own and it is implicit that the evaluation of their tendered price is dependant upon acceptance of their proposals. My letter of 17 February also explained that there is no requirement under Market Testing guidance to undertake a consultation exercise during the evaluation of the bids.
  In determining where to site the work of management and deployment of driving examiners, the Agency took account of the space and staff remaining available at each of its offices to establish the most cost effective location for the work. Siting the work at the DSA office in Newcastle, where both staff and space was available meant the Agency could relinquish its expensive accommodation in Edinburgh and achieve a saving in property rentals.
  I should add that whilst the location of the booking office will change the Agency will retain it's driving test centres across Scotland.
  Since the result of the Market Test was announced some 27 items of correspondence have been received opposing the decision. These have, in the main, been from MPs on behalf of constituents who are concerned that the level of service will deteriorate with the move. In these cases I have replied advising that the Agency does not expect the closure to have an adverse effect on the published service standards.
  The potential impact on service standards was one of the factors considered by the Agency during the evaluation process. The in house team will be subject to a Service Level Agreement which will specify the service targets they must meet and procedures will be in place to monitor their performance against these standards.
  The Agency, together with the In House team are planning the timetable and the tasks required to implement the result of the market test. Until such time as the implementation is put in train DSA will continue to consider views.

  Signalling Equipment
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the signalling equipment in the rail network is now(a) up to 10 years old, (b) 10 to 20 years old, (c) 20 to 30 years old, (d) 30 to 40 years old, (e) 40 to 50 years old and (f) over 50 years old. [17360]

  Mr. Watts
  Information is not kept by Railtrack in this form and it would involve a disproportionate cost to provide this information.

  A6 Bypass
  Sir Peter Fry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date it is expected that work will 964
  commence on the A6 bypass of Rushden and Higham Ferrers. [17185]

  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 Sir Peter Fry, dated 3 April 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, on what date it is expected that work will commence on the A6 Bypass of Rushden and Higham Ferrers.
  Subject to the satisfactory completion of the remaining statutory procedures the start of construction will be dependent upon the availability of funding.

  Registry of Seamen and Shipping
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on what grounds staff working within the Registry of Seamen and Shipping were asked to volunteer to do maintenance and cleaning work in addition to their normal duties as civil servants; [16968]

  (2) on what grounds managers within the Registry of Seamen and Shipping were allowed to issue an official communication to staff requesting them to bring into work building materials with which to repair their new accommodation; [16967]

  (3) for what reasons he allowed the Registry of Seamen and Shipping, following a market test, to move into a building which had no window frames and was in a very poor state of repair. [16966]

  Mr. Norris
  The request was in fact a notice issued by local management in a misguided attempt to economise on funding provided for alternative accommodation and to promote team spirit through self help. The notice was subsequently withdrawn. The new accommodation for the registry was initially lit by artificial lighting which fully met health and safety standards. However, additional windows were put into the buildings some three months after staff moved in.

  Airmiss
  Mr. Redmond
  To as the Secretary of State for Transport if he will send the hon. Member for Don Valley a copy of the Civil Aviation Authority's report into the airmiss on 22 March involving four Royal Air Force Tornados and an Air UK Fokker 50, 20 miles east of Ottringham, Humberside when it is published; and if he will make a statement. [17132]

  Mr. Norris
  An airmiss has been reported which involved four American F-15s and an Air UK Fokker 50. 20 miles north-east of Ottringham on 21 March. The joint airmiss working group will review this incident at its June meeting. I have asked the Civil Aviation Authority to send a copy of the working group's report on this incident to the hon. Member for Don Valley as soon as it is available.

DEFENCE

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each non-departmental public body
  965
  and agency for which he has responsibility and, for each, list separate figures for the spending by that body or agency on (a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising, (d) other promotional materials and activities, (e) the totals in each year of (a) to (d) and (f) the proportion of (e) that was spent on recruitment advertising for each year since 1979–80 or for each year of its existence if it has been created since then; and what are his latest estimates of (a) to (f) for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17618]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to "Public Bodies 1994" issued by the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service and Science, pages 7 and 8 of which detail MOD non-departmental public bodies and "Next Steps Agencies in Government-Review 1994" (Cmd 2750), which details MOD's agencies.

  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Procurement and Industrial Policy
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the joint inquiry into aspects of United Kingdom defence procurement and industrial policy will be completed; and if this inquiry will look specifically at areas which have been affected by a decline in defence spending; what was the cost of previous inquiries into this area in the last five years; and what is the projected cost of the current inquiry. [17376]

  Mr. Freeman
  I assume the hon. Member is referring to the recent joint inquiry set up by the House of Commons Defence Select Committee and the Trade and Industry Select Committee into aspects of defence procurement and industrial policy. The timing, scope and costs of such inquiries are matters for the Committees.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of investment in defence research and development in each of the last five years; and what proposals he has to increase defence research and development expenditure. [17378]

  Mr. Freeman
  The trend in expenditure on defence research and development is set out in the annual publications "Defence Statistics" and "Forward Look of Government-funded Science, Engineering and Technology". As the 1993 White Paper "Realising Our Potential" noted, direct expenditure on defence research and development is planned to fall somewhat over the remainder of the decade, though this will be offset to a considerable extent by efficiencies arising out of "Front Line First", including through the formation of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency on 1 April.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total amount spent by his Department on research and development in each of the last 10 years at today's prices. [17542]

  Mr. Freeman
  The figures, based on table 1.4 of "Defence Statistics 1994" are as follows:

  Year

  Total amount (£ million)

  1983–84

  3,293.5

  1984–85

  3,452.3

  966

  Year

  Total amount (£ million)

  1985–86

  3,521.6

  1986–87

  3,297.8

  1987–88

  3,088.1

  1988–89

  2,850.1

  1989–90

  2,888.7

  1990–91

  2,715.0

  1991–92

  2,795.0

  1992–931

  2,142.4

  1993–942

  2,317.4

  All figures £ million, VAT inclusive and are at 1994–95 prices.

  1 Figures from 1992–93 onward subject to revision to accord with Frascati definitions. Futher details in Table 1.4 of "Defence Statistics 1994".

  2 Provisional estimate only.

  Dr David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy towards defence research and development collaboration with European partners; and if the percentage of this collaboration will increase over the next 10 years. [17544]

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department participates in a large number of international research collaboration programmes both bilateral and multilateral. The primary objective of IRC is to obtain value for money by sharing the costs of necessary research programmes and facilities with allied nations. The overall strategy is to maintain a balance between our involvement with Europe and the US. While every endeavour will be made to increase the amount of defence research undertaken on a collaborative basis, there is no policy intention to change this balance. We have had considerable experience of collaborative development and in the future expect that the opportunities for collaboration of reducing cost will be further exploited.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of defence research and development was spent on collaboration with(a) the United States of America and (b) European Union members in each of the last 10 years. [17543]

  Mr. Freeman
  The primary objective of international research collaboration is to obtain value for money by sharing the costs of necessary research programmes and facilities with allied nations. The information requested concerning the proportion of defence research that was carried out collaboratively over the last 10 years, is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, for financial year 1991–92 and 1992–93 the figures for collaborative research joint programmes are 5.5 per cent. and 6 per cent. respectively, and I anticipate this ratio continuing to rise in the future.

  No equivalent figures are held relating to development expenditure.

  Military Assistance
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by his Department on military assistance for non-NATO countries in each of the last five years. [17341]

  Mr. Soames
  The primary responsibility for funding military assistance lies with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. On occasion, however, and where the aims serve defence interests, the MOD agrees to waive the costs of training provided to foreign Governments.
  967
  The total of these waivers for non-NATO countries in the last five years for which records are available is as follows:

  Year

  £

  1993–94

  4,900,000

  1992–93

  5,600,000

  1991–92

  4,000,000

  1990–91

  4,200,000

  1989–90

  5,800,000

  In addition, some £70,000 was spent in 1993–94 in support of the United Kingdom's programme of bilateral defence contact with central and eastern Europe.

  Details of the assistance provided are confidential between Governments.

  Attack Aircraft
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the RAF's front-line attack aircraft possess a precision capability; and how many will have this capability by 2000. [17538]

  Mr. Freeman
  All front-line attack aircraft—Tornado GR1, Harrier, Jaguar—are capable of delivering precision weapons. We have in hand a series of programmes which will substantially improve our precision capabilities by the turn of the century. We plan to extend the provision of TIALD—thermal imaging airborne laser designator—pods and a contract has been placed for the supply of a new low level laser-guided bomb. We have issued an invitation to tender for conventially-armed stand-off-missile. This weapon is planned to come into service by the end of the century.

  Armoured Vehicle Programme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to consider joining the Franco-German armoured vehicle programme; and if he will make a statement. [17540]

  Mr. Freeman
  We have made clear our interest in participating in a collaborative programme for armoured utility vehicles as one of the projects in a new European armaments structure. We are pursuing this with France and Germany.

  Property Management
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about his Department's policy for the continuation of construction and property management work on sites proposed for closure under the defence costs study. [17989]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department's policy is that property management work, which may involve construction, on sites proposed for closure will continue as appropriate depending on the needs of the occupants up to the date of closure. Any subsequent maintenance work to make buildings wind and weather proof as appropriate and to satisfy health and safety obligations will be carried out up to the date of disposal.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the financial cost of(a) construction and property management work done and (b) any other expenditure on each site since 1994 owned by his
  968
  Department and proposed for closure under the defence costs study; [17990]

  (2) what is the financial value of contracts for construction work on bases proposed for closure under the defence costs study which have been awarded in each of the months since July 1993. [17991]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Procurement
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average time taken by his Department to assess procurement tenders and decide on contract awards in each of the last five years. [17551]

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what undertakings he is seeking from United States manufacturers for offset work in the United Kingdom, in relation to orders placed with United States manufacturers of defence equipment. [18074]

  Mr. Freeman
  It is our policy to seek offset work in the United Kingdom whenever we make a major procurement—over £10 million—from the United States. Letters of agreement, underpinning the offset commitment, are concluded between ourselves and the contractor and form the basis for monitoring progress in meeting the offset obligations.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards the receiving of commission payments by(a) civil servants, (b) members of the government, (c) hon. Members and (d) relatives of hon. Members involved in the sale of arms to overseas governments; and if he will make a statement. [17548]

  Mr. Freeman
  MOD civil servants are bound by departmental instructions which forbid them to make use of their official position to further their private interests or lay themselves open to suspicion of dishonesty. Furthermore the acceptance of a gift or other consideration by a Crown servant as an inducement or reward can be a criminal offence.

  Members of the Government are hound by "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" which states that no Minister or member of a Minister's family should accept gifts which might place him or her under an obligation.

  I cannot answer for other Members of the House or their relatives.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the public information telephone inquiry lines operated by his Department, in each case indicating the costs of establishing, operating, and publicising these lines and the number of calls made to them up until this point; when they were established; and what assessment his Department has made of their effectiveness. [17455]
  969
  Mr. Soames
  My Department's public inquiry office was established many years ago. Calls are routed to it either via the main switchboard or as a result of inclusion of the contact numbers in various commercial publications. Since 1988, the earliest date for which records are available, an annual average of 41,000 calls have been handled. Although the cost breakdown requested would not be available without disproportionate cost, the staff costs involved are less than £50,000 a year. No recent assessment of the effectiveness of this office has been undertaken.

  RAF Finningley
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what equipment at present at RAF Finningley is required by the RAF; and what equipment is surplus to the RAF's future needs. [17863]

  Mr. Soames
  Following the announcement of the closure of RAF Finningley, the RAF's requirement for the equipment based at the station will be reviewed. At present, no equipment has been declared surplus to the RAF's requirements.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the uses to which RAF Finningley can be put by(a) the Ministry of Defence and (b) other Government Departments. [17862]

  Mr. Soames
  The decision to close RAF Finningley has only recently been taken, and no detailed assessment of alternative uses has yet been made. If no alternative defence use is identified, however, the site will be disposed of in accordance with our normal procedures. These would include detailed discussions with the local planning authority and an assessment of alternative uses. Other Government Departments will have an opportunity to express any interest they may have.

  Government Contracts
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the report by the review board for Government contracts on its 1995 annual review of the profit formula for non-competitive Government contracts. [17547]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government have accepted the overall target rate of return on capital employed as recommended by the review board in its report. The new rate will be 18.5 per cent. compared with the current rate of 18.2 per cent., both on the basis of historic costs. It will be effective from 1 April this year. There are other points arising from this report and from the board's report on the seventh general review in 1993 which officials will be discussing with the CBI as part of our continuing drive to secure maximum value for money from our defence contracts. The report has been printed and copies have been placed in the Library.

  Mine Clearance
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the British companies, which manufacture or have manufactured mines, which have received finance from Her Majesty's Government or the United Nations to clear minefields, together with the number of occasions on 970
  which each company has received such funding. [16822]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have been asked to reply.

  No British mine-manufacturing companies have received finance for mine clearance from us. The UN on one occasion financed Royal Ordnance, a company which has in the past manufactured mines, to undertake a mine clearance project. I understand that Royal Ordnance has not manufactured mines for the past 10 years.

WALES

  Drug Misuse
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what initiatives he will take to assist professionals engaged in combating drug abuse in Wales; [16835]

  (2) what progress is being made concerning drug abuse in Wales. [16833]

  Mr. Richards
  We are preparing a Welsh drug and alcohol strategy which I hope to issue for consultation in April.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average class size(a) in primary schools and (b) in secondary schools in Dyfed in each year from 1979 to the present. [16864]

  Mr. Richards
  Data for 1979 in respect of primary schools are not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. For secondary schools, comparable information is not available before September 1987.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 17 March,Official Report, column 766, if he will give a breakdown according to age of the children in Dyfed who received statements of special educational needs for the first time, for each year since 1987. [16863]

  Mr. Richards
  The number of children by age, for whom statements of special educational needs were made for the first time, for each calendar year since 1991, are shown in the following table. Data were not collected by age before 1991.

  Under 5

  5–16

  Over 16

  Total

  1991

  21

  251

  0

  272

  1992

  21

  374

  2

  397

  1993

  32

  403

  2

  437

  Dental Problems
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many Welsh school children had serious dental problems in each year since 1991; and if he will make a statement. [16778]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is not available centrally. However, two publications
  971
  concerning, in part, child dental health in Wales have recently been issued by Office of Population Censuses and Surveys:

  (i) The National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Children aged one-and -half to four-and-half years. ISBN 0–11–691612–5

  (ii) Children's Dental Health in the United Kingdom 1993. ISBN 0–11–691607–9

  In addition, directors of dental public health produce annual reports which include epidemiological data relating to the dental health of children in their districts. These are available from district health authorities.

  Roads
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the mileage of dual carriageway at present; and what it was in 1985. [17403]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Figures for the length of dual carriageway for years prior to 1987 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Excluding motorways, the length of dual carriageway in Wales was 153 miles at 1 April 1987 and/or 183 miles at 1 April 1994.

  National Museum of Wales
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are employed by the National Museum of Wales. [17396]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The National Museum of Wales employed 507 people at 31 March 1995.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning north and south Wales rail links with the channel tunnel. [17404]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport announced the channel tunnel services between the continent and locations beyond London on 14 October. European Passenger Services Ltd. may refine these services to suit demand.

  Suicides (Farming Community)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many deaths there were through suicide among the farming community for each year since 1988 up to the most recent figure available: and if he will make a statement. [17483]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is given in the following table.

  Suicides in farming community of Wales

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Deaths registered as suicide1:

  Farmers2

  9

  7

  10

  8

  4

  9

  Farm workers

  2

  —

  1

  2

  —

  2

  Total

  11

  7

  11

  10

  4

  11

  1 The figures relate to deaths registered in the years shown. Deaths are recorded according to the date of registration and not the date of occurrence.

  2 Farmers, horticulturists and farm managers.

  Source:

  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys

  Motorways
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is(a) the current mileage of motorway in Wales and (b) what was the mileage in 1985. [17402]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The current length of motorway in Wales is 78 miles and was 74 miles at 1 April 1985.

  Modern Apprenticeships
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he has made in securing more apprenticeships in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [17406]

  Mr. Redwood
  The departmental report—Cmnd 2815—sets out in paragraphs 4.13 and 4.14 my intentions for expanding modern apprenticeships in Wales.

  Negotiations are currently taking place with the training and enterprise councils to agree the numbers and occupational areas in which modern and accelerated modern apprenticeships will be offered.

  Temporary NHS Staff
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each of the past five years, the number of NHS staff in Wales who are employed on a temporary basis, breaking the data down into(a) nursing and midwifery staff, (b) medical and dental staff, (c) ambulance staff, (d) ancillary staff and (e) managers and administrative staff, also expressing the data as a percentage of the total numbers in each respective staff group. [17765]

  Mr. Richards
  Complete and reliable information is not available centrally.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the public information telephone inquiry lines operated by his Department, in each case indicating the cost of establishing, operating and publicising these lines and the number of calls made to them up until this point; when they were established; and what assessment his Department has made of their effectiveness. [17447]

  Mr. Redwood
  A freephone citizens charter inquiry line has been provided since July 1991. Total costs incurred to date are in the region of £1,500. Over 400 calls have been received providing a valuable service to members of the public needing information on charter-related matters in Wales.

  Departmental Report
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will undertake an exercise reconciling in detail appendix I from his departmental report, Cm 2815, with table 127 from "Welsh Economic Trends No 15 1994"; if he will place a copy of the exercise in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [17546]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Table 127 of "Welsh Economic Trends No 15 1994", is taken from figure 1.02 of the Welsh Office departmental report 1994—Cm 2515. The difference between these tables and the equivalent data in the 1995 departmental report are mainly due to revisions to the outturn and estimated outturn for the years up to
  973
  1994–95 together with the changes to expenditure plans for 1995–96 and onwards following the 1994 public expenditure survey. Appendix 1 of Cm 2815 is itself a disaggregation of the programme totals of figure 1.01 of the same document.

  Temporary Teachers
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each of the past five years, the number of(a) teachers and (b) auxiliary school staff in Wales who are employed on a temporary basis, also expressing the data as a percentage of the total numbers in each respective staff group. [17762]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many responses he has received to date to his consultative exercise on the licensing of houses in multiple occupation; how many of these were broadly in favour of a national comprehensive licensing system; what action he now proposes to take in the light of these representation; and what is his timetable for action. [17469]

  Mr. Redwood
  I received 47 replies to my letter of 8 December 1994. Eighty per cent. were broadly in favour of licensing, but there was no clear consensus on the way in which a licensing system should operate. The replies raised a wide range of issues for further consideration and I will make an announcement about the outcome in due course.

  Health and Social Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales; when he expects to make an appointment to the vacant post of the head of research and development for the NHS in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [18075]

  Mr. Redwood
  The new office of research and development for health and social services in Wales is to be established in the University of Wales, college of medicine. I hope that the college will be in a position to advertise the post of director shortly.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what area of Wales is designated as being environmentally sensitive; how much Government funding is spent annually on environmentally sensitive areas; how this formula is calculated; and if he will make a statement. [17792]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In Wales 519,800 hectares, representing around a quarter of the total land area has been designated under the environmentally sensitive areas scheme. Gross expenditure in the financial year 1993–94 was £1.542 million. Financial provision is planned to rise to £6.941 million in 1996–97. Payments are calculated on the basis of income forgone and in recognition of farmers following prescribed management practices.

  The environmentally sensitive areas scheme in Wales positively promotes the co-existence of conservation and efficient farming by offering payments to farmers willing to maintain or introduce environmentally beneficial farming methods.

  New GPs
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 24 March,Official Report, column 385, what was the level of new entrants to general practice in Wales in each of the past three years. [18001]

  Mr. Redwood
  Over the past three years there have been approximately 90 new entrants to general practice per year in Wales.

  Laundry
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations he has had with the chairmen of the South Glamorgan health authority and the Welsh health common services authority concerning the closure of the Lansdowne road central laundry, Cardiff; [18004]

  (2) what consultations he has had with the chairmen of the Welsh health common services authority and the South Glamorgan health authority concerning laundry charges for communal laundering of terry towel nappies; and what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of the increased use of disposable nappies on sewerage treatment expenditure.

  Mr. Redwood
  None. This is an operational matter for the authorities concerned.

  Green Belt Guidance
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish his decision with reference to planning guidance on green belts in Wales. [18029]

  Mr. Redwood
  I will shortly issue for consultation draft planning policy guidance for Wales; this guidance will cover green belts.

  Menai Straits
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to announce his decision on whether the Menai straits should become a designated marine nature reserve. [18031]

  Mr. Redwood
  The matter is presently under consideration. I will announce my decision at the earliest opportunity.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many NHS trusts in Wales hold their monthly board meetings in public. [18002]

  Mr. Redwood
  This information is not held centrally.

  Derelict Land
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what target for the reclamation of derelict land in Wales he has set for 1995–96; and what progress has been made on reclaiming 600 hectares of derelict land in 1994–95 in accordance with "This Common Inheritance: The UK Report 1995". [18030]
  975
  Mr. Redwood
  A target of 850 hectares has been set for 1995–96. Outturn figures are not yet available for 1994–95 but the WDA is forecasting the completion of 550 hectares.

  Ely Community Survey
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the joint survey of all residents in Ely, Cardiff by the authority and the South Glamorgan county council; what estimate he has made of the cost of the health authority's share of the survey; and what assessment he has made of the health related purposes of such a survey. [17997]

  Mr. Redwood
  None.

  A48
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on grant-aiding the private access road to the University Hospital of Wales from the A48 Eastern avenue; when he anticipates making a decision; and if he will make a statement. [17998]

  Mr. Redwood
  My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Wales met councillors and officials from Cardiff city council recently. A decision about funding for the road will be made once a satisfactory business case has been submitted by UHW Healthcare NHS trust and once private finance opportunities have been explored.

  Examination Achievements
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many students gained A-level qualification, or GNV2 equivalent, last year, and what percentage that was of the year group normally sitting for this qualification. [17993]

  Mr. Richards
  The following table shows the number of students gaining at least one pass at A-level in the 1994 summer examinations and the numbers gaining a vocational qualification at level 2 or above. Individual 976
  students may have gained both A-levels and vocational qualifications and so may be counted twice.

  Age of student1 2

  Number gaining at least one pass at A-level3

  Number gaining vocational qualification at level 2 or above

  Percentage of age group in education4 gaining A-level pass or vocational equivalent

  Col 1

  Col 2

  Col 3

  Col 4

  16

  255

  1,767

  8.2

  17

  9,006

  2,097

  51.9

  18

  1,729

  2,066

  41.3

  Notes:

  1 As at 31 August 1993.

  2 Students of other ages gained qualifications also but are not shown in this table.

  3 Includes all students, irrespective of the type of institution, if any, at which they studied.

  4 Full and part time students in school or Further Education colleges.

  Source:

  Welsh Examinations Database.

  There is no information about the number of students taking examinations by year group. The figures in columns 2 and 3 have been expressed in column 4 as a percentage of the number of students of that age in education at school or further education colleges only, in 1993–94.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation he has had with the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation concerning the compulsory purchase order for the proposed Bute avenue and any such advertised in the compulsory purchase order not within the designated area of the corporation; and if he will make a statement. [17749]

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 31 March 1995]: I have had no consultation with the chairman of CBDC over this issue.

  The corporation is empowered to acquire land by agreement, or with my authorisation, compulsorily, outside its designated area under the terms of section 142 of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980.

  Turkey: Proposed Customs Union
  Turkey: Proposed Customs Union
  Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands: Legislative Review
  Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands: Legislative Review
  Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands: Right of Individual Petition
  Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands: Right of Individual Petition
  The European Movement: Grant
  The European Movement: Grant
  Mr. Mordechai Vanunu
  Mr. Mordechai Vanunu
  Civil Service Year Book
  Civil Service Year Book
  Education Staff: Asbestos-related Illness
  Education Staff: Asbestos-related Illness
  Tourism: Tax Revenue
  Tourism: Tax Revenue
  Barings
  Barings
  Chief Charity Commissioner
  Chief Charity Commissioner
  Automatic Train Protection
  Automatic Train Protection
  NHS Expenditure on Private Medical Consultants
  NHS Expenditure on Private Medical Consultants
  Emergency Treatment: Charging Policy
  Emergency Treatment: Charging Policy
  Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
  Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
  Special Areas of Conservation
  Special Areas of Conservation