Written Answers of 5 April 1995

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Water and Sewerage
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 15 March,Official Report, column 630, if he will give such information on water and sewerage charges paid by his Department, as can be provided without disproportionate costs. [15935]

  Mr. Jack
  As my reply on 15 March said, there is currently no centrally held record of payments made on water and sewerage charges paid by the Department. Under decentralised budgets, responsibility of these matters rests with well over 100 accommodation managers throughout the estate, who are dealing with a diverse range of property occupation. There would be disproportionate costs involved in attempting to collect this information now.

  The Department is working on establishing a central database for water, and other types of charges, but this will not be fully effective until after 1994–95.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 14 March,Official Report, column 499, regarding calves loaded at Brightlingsea on 3 March, what steps he has taken to assure himself that all calves were individually fed in the period stated while they were still in the vehicles. [17127]

  Mrs. Browning
  There was only one lorry carrying calves for that sailing. It was not loaded to its full capacity, and so the calves could be fed while on board the vehicle. The calves were individually bucket fed while the lorry was waiting at the port, and this was carried out satisfactorily, according to the report of the veterinary office who was present.

  I should make clear, with apologies, that the answer I gave on 14 March about livestock exported from Brightlingsea on 3 March was unfortunately corrupted in transmission and should have read:
  "I understand that the journey of the 194 calves began at 05.30 hours from premises in Kent. The lorry carrying calves arrived at a lairage near Harwich shortly after 10.00 hours where it waited until convoyed to the port, arriving at about 14.00 hours. The calves were fed abroad the lorry between 18.00 hours and 19.50 hours. The vessel berthed at 23.10 hours an the calves were loaded from 23.30 hours fed immediately. All were aboard by 23.45 hours. Sheep were loaded between 23.45 and 01.20 hours."

  The two final paragraphs which were mistakenly added to the above-mentioned reply ought to have been included instead in my reply of 14 March to the hon. Member about livestock exported from Shoreham port on 6 March—column 499. This latter reply should have read:
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  "A veterinary officer was at the port awaiting the arrival of six trucks containing calves. In the event, a demonstration prevented two livestock lorries already on their way to Shoreham from reaching the port. I understand that these lorries returned with the calves to the premises of origin in Oxfordshire. Officials were satisfied that all the animals could be returned to the home premises within the 15-hour limit by which time the animals would have had to be fed and rested.
  The other four livestock lorries were at local lairages ready to load calves already resting there. In the circumstances, loading of those animals for Shoreham did not even begin.
  Journey plans had been scrutinised by officials before the proposed export journeys started and were satisfactory."

  Rabies
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many dogs have developed rabies in quarantine during a 20–year period; how many of these had valid certificates of vaccination against rabies; and which countries they came from. [17200]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: Two dogs have developed rabies in quarantine in the last 20 years—an Irish wolfhound imported from the USA in 1983 and a Welsh terrier cross imported from Zambia in 1990. The Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and other Mammals) Order 1974 requires all dogs to be vaccinated against rabies on entry into quarantine to prevent infection from being contracted within the premises if another animal should develop rabies. There is no requirement for animals to have been vaccinated prior to entry into quarantine and therefore no information is held on whether they hold valid certificates of vaccination.

  Baby Milk
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what policy considerations underlay his decision to amend the draft version of the United Kingdom regulations on advertising of baby milk in relation to the dissemination of information and controls on the advertising of brand name baby milk; and what representations he has received for and against his amendments. [17484]

  Mrs. Browning
  In deciding the final form of the regulations, Ministers gave heed to the Government's deregulation policy of implementing the minimum requirements of EC legislation, unless there are very good reasons for going beyond them.

  Since the regulations were made and laid before the House, Ministers have received a large number of representations objecting, in particular, to the advertising controls on infant formulae. Not unexpectedly, only a few representations have been received from those content with the regulations.

  Meat Imports
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers the United Kingdom has to sustain its ban on the import of meat products from animals reared using growth hormones if this is ruled to be illegal under GATT. [17475]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: The ban to which the hon. Member refers results from a European regulation. The UK voted against its adoption on the grounds that it was not justified scientifically. The legality of the ban has not so far been tested in the GATT. Were there to be a successful challenge we should, in

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  conjunction with our EU partners, need to respond appropriately under the rules of the World Trade Organisation on the settlement of disputes.

  Holderness Coast
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultation he has held with English Nature, the Countryside Commission, the National Rivers Authority and Holderness borough council over proposals to draw up a coastal protection scheme for the Holderness coast. [17844]

  Mrs. Browning
  Under the provisions of the Coast Protection Act 1949, coast protection authorities, such as Holderness borough council, must obtain the Ministry's approval for capital works intended to protect the coast against erosion. The Ministry is in regular contact with such authorities and requires them to consult other relevant bodies, including the National Rivers Authority, English Nature and the Countryside Commission, on proposed works. My right hon. Friend the Minister met a delegation from the council, led by the hon. Member for Bridlington (Mr. Townend), to discuss Holderness coastal defence issues on 7 February.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the proposed trial of a submerged tyre bank off Dimlington coast, Holdersness on sites of special scientific interest at Dimlington cliff and Spurn point; and if a licence will be granted for a trial; [17843]

  (2) If Sir William Halcrow and Partners have published the results of its environmental study into the consequences of a trial of a submerged tyre bank off the Dimlington coast, Holderness. [17842]

  Mr. Jack
  An application has been received under part 11 of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 from Humberside county council for a licence to deposit rubber rocks made from tyres in a trial offshore reef to test the effectiveness of such structures in contributing to the protection of the Humberside coast. The council has been told that a full environmental assessment will be required in support of the application and we understand this is currently being prepared by Halcrow and Partners. Publication of the study is a matter for the council.

  The Ministry will wish to study this assessment and consult other interested parties before deciding whether or not to issue a licence.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make an assessment of the consequences, both for the British fishing industry and other interests, if the United Kingdom withdraw from the common fisheries policy; and if he will make a statement. [17970]

  Mr. Jack
  The Government's views on the idea that the UK might withdraw from the common fisheries policy have been made clear to the House on a number of occasions. These include already this year, for example, the fisheries debate on 18 January, oral answers on 23 March, and three private notice questions, on 10 January and 13 and 28 March.

  Aujeszky's Disease
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of Aujeszky's disease were reported in each year since 1985. [17820]

  Mrs. Browning
  The number of confirmed outbreaks of Aujeszky's disease in England for the period in question is as follows:

  Year

  Number of outbreaks

  1985

  12

  1986

  5

  1987

  6

  1988

  5

  1989

  5

  1990–1995

  Nil

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the change in the occurrence of food poisoning which can be attributed to the slaughter and handling of meat at abattoirs since the introduction of the EC meat hygiene regulations in 1992.
  [17953]

  Mrs. Browning
  A number of organisms, such as escherichia coli 0157:H7, some salmonella serotypes and listeria monocytogenes have been implicated in food poisoning incidents associated with the consumption of meat and meat products. In most cases of this kind, it is not possible to trace the meat back to the abattoir of origin.

  Thorough cooking will destroy most, if not all, pathogenic micro-organisms, but steps must be taken at every stage of production to limit the risk of contamination of the unprocessed product because of the hazards associated with cross-infection and light cooking. The most appropriate point to address the problem of contamination with pathogenic organisms is in the slaughter hall, a critical control point in the chain of production where a number of conditions of animal and public health significance can be detected.

  The Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1992 have improved hygiene standards generally in slaughterhouses and other licensed fresh meat premises but it is not possible to assess whether the occurrence of food poisoning has changed as a result of their introduction.

  Fish Species
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the fish species in United Kingdom waters and in the North Atlantic that(a) have been fished out and (b) are in danger of being fished out. [17854]

  Mr. Jack
  I am not aware that there are any fish species in waters around the United Kingdom or in the north Atlantic which are biologically extinguished or likely to be so. However, on the basis of 1994 scientific assessments, 37 per cent. of commercial fish stocks around the United Kingdom are at or below minimum
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  biologically acceptable levels, that is, recruitment of young fish is insufficient to maintain the size of the stock at current levels. These stocks are:

  North Sea—cod, saithe, plaice, mackerel;

  Eastern Channel—cod, whiting, plaice;

  Western Channel—sole;

  Bristol Channel—cod, sole, plaice;

  Western waters—hake, mackerel;

  Irish Sea—cod, whiting, sole;

  West of Scotland—cod, haddock, saithe, whiting, Clyde herring

  In the north Atlantic, the following stocks are insufficiently prevalent to permit a viable commercial fishery:

  East and West Greenland—offshore cod;

  Faroes—bank cod;

  A fishing moratorium applies within the regulatory area of the North-west Atlantic Fisheries Organisation to the following:
  American plaice, yellowtail flounder, witch, capelin; cod, in NAFO division 3N0.

  Blue Tongue
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of Blue Tongue were reported in each year since 1980. [17817]

  Mrs. Browning
  No case of Blue Tongue has ever been reported in England.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fishers and Food what alternatives were considered to the Meat Hygiene Service during its development. [18408]

  Mrs. Browning
  A review of the options for meat hygiene enforcement by a MAFF-Department of Health study team in 1991 considered:enhancement of local authority enforcement,
  central enforcement by the State Veterinary Service,
  transferring enforcement to a separate body, and contracting out.
  The possibilities of privatisation or of contracting out were further considered as part of the process of establishing the Meat Hygiene Service as an agency of this Department.

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fishers and Food if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister in consultations on the Environment Bill. [18650]

  Mr. Jack
  My right hon. Friend the Minister is the nominated green Minister for MAFF. This reflects the importance we attach to the consideration of environmental implications across the whole range of MAFF policies. Progress on MAFF's environmental performance is reported annually in departmental reports—Cm 2803—and in the United Kingdom's annual report "This Common Inheritance"—CM 2822. Copies of both are in the Library of the House.

  Arable Area Payments
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hectares of land were set aside under the arable area payments scheme in each region of England in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what is the estimate of the number of hectares of land that will be set aside in each region in 1995–96. [18659]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The area of land set-aside under the arable area payments scheme in each region in England in 1993–94 is shown in the table below. Equivalent figures for 1994–95 are not yet available and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as they are. It is still too early to estimate the number of hectares that have been set aside in 1995–96 as farmers do not have to submit their integrated administration and control system claims until 15 May.

  Areas set-aside in 1993–94 (hectares)

  Number

  Wessex

  32,323

  Anglia

  131,930

  Northern

  16,674

  North Mercia

  21,385

  South West

  10,092

  North East

  75,643

  East Midlands

  96,168

  South East

  73,183

  South Mercia

  35,467

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the total cost of payments for(a) set-aside and (b) in total under the arable area payments scheme in each region of England in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what is estimate of the total cost of payments in each region of England in 1995–96. [18635]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The total of payments claimed for set-aside and arable area payments for regions of England for 1993–94 is shown below. The total amount paid will have been slightly lower because of reductions made for various reasons. However, since such reductions have to be calculated on the basis of the total claim, which may include land in more than one region, it is not possible to give the total amounts paid on a regional basis. The equivalent figures for 1994–95 are not yet available and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as they are. It is not yet possible to estimate the cost of payments in each region for 1995–96 as integrated administration and control system claims do not have to be submitted by farmers until 15 May.

  Cost of set-aside and arable payments in
  1993–94

  Set-aside £

  Total AAPS £

  Wessex

  8,625,448

  41,258,638

  Anglia

  35,205,471

  175,758,954

  Northern

  4,450,178

  22,587,760

  North Mercia

  5,706,655

  275,179,904

  South West

  2,693,018

  12,115,126

  North East

  20,185,548

  101,011,554

  East Midlands

  25,662,373

  136,205,244

  South East

  19,528,730

  104,344,814

  South Mercia

  9,464,455

  49,928,317

  1113
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many claims were made for in England (1) for set-aside and (2) in total under the arable area payments scheme in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95 of(a) between £0 and £5,000, (b) between £5,001 and £10,000, (c) between £10,001 and £15,000, (d) between £15,001 and £20,000, (e) between £20,001 and £25,000, (f) between £25,001 and £50,000, (g) between £50,001 and £75,000, (h) between £75,001 and £100,000, (i) between £100,001 and £150,000, (j) between £50,001 and £200,000, (k) between £200,001 and £1,000,000 and (l) over £1,000,000; and what is his latest estimate of the number of claims that will be made in 1995–96 in each value band. [18634]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The number of claims made in England for set-aside and in total under the arable area payments scheme in England in 1993–94 were £26,283 and 45,774 respectively and in 1994–95 were 29,261 and 46,920.

  The distribution of payments for 1993–94 is only available in the form set out below. Similar figures for 1994–95 are not yet available as the final oilseed payments for the year are still being made. It is too early to estimate the value of claims for 1995–96 as IACS claims do not have to be submitted by farmers until May 15.

  Total payments in England banded by size of payment

  Size band

  Number of payments

  Up to £4,999

  21,345

  From £5,000 to £9,999

  6,577

  From £ 10,000 to £24,999

  9,712

  From £25,000 to £49,999

  5,164

  From £50,000 to £99,999

  2,325

  From £100,000 to £249,999

  599

  From £250,000 to £ 499,999

  45

  From £500,000 upward

  17

  Total

  45,774

  1 It is not possible to identify separately the number of payments above £1,000,000 for reasons of confidentiality.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18593]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Ministry, including its agencies, takes its responsibilities in the area of equal opportunities seriously and aims to respond as far as reasonably possible to the needs of disabled members of the public and staff.

  In the area of access, the Ministry has for several years been reviewing its estate and improving the accessibility of the buildings it occupies. A survey of all staff in 1993 showed where they thought additional measures were necessary. Funds have now been set aside for a further three-year programme, starting with a full survey of the estate to indicate where further improvements can be made.

  Badger Setts (Paignton Zoo)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many badger setts there are known to be in the boundaries of Paignton zoo; how many of these have been interfered with; how many have received a licence to be interfered with; for what reasons the licences were issued; and if he will make a statement. [18636]

  Mrs. Browning
  I will write to the hon. Member once ADAS, the Ministry's wildlife adviser, has completed a site visit.

  Central Veterinary Laboratory
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets have been set for the Central Veterinary Laboratory in 1995–96. [19214]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I have set the Central Veterinary Laboratory the following strategic performance targets for 1995–96:

  Financial Performance—full cost recovery for all Central Veterinary Laboratory services
  Efficiency: an overall efficiency gain of 2.5 per cent.
  Service Delivery: 85 per cent. of ROAME R and D milestones achieved
  Service quality: achievement of a satisfactory report from a Visiting Group
  Achievement of laboratory accreditation for Radiochemistry Unit

  Details of performance in 1994–295 will be set out in the agency's annual report and accounts to be published during July 1995.

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has completed the review of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate; and if he will make a statement. [19210]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The review of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate has now been completed. This has concluded that the VMD should continue to operate as an executive agency.

  An independent evaluation of the VMD was carried out by external management consultants. As well as assessing the VMD's performance this also considered the effects of agency status on both the VMD and core Department. Overall, the study concluded that the VMD had made significant progress since its launch as an agency in 1990. There were, of course, some areas for improvement and lessons to be learnt for both the agency and the Department. I have placed a summary of the evaluation's main recommendations, and the management response, together with a copy of the VMD's revised framework document in the Libraries of both Houses.

EMPLOYMENT

  Service Sector Pay
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what comparisons he has made on the basis of purchasing power parity between the living standard of
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  the average service industry worker in the United Kingdom and that of his EU counterparts. [15930]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  For service sectors where information is available, gross pay in the UK is higher than in Western Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands—once the cost of living has been taken into account.

  Manual Worker's Pay
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the increase in real take-home pay for manual workers between(a) 1973–74 and 1978–79 and (b) 1978–79 and 1993–94. [18425]

  Mr. Oppenehim
  Real take-home pay for a single man at the lowest 10 per cent. of the earnings distribution fell by 1 per cent. between 1973–74 and 1978–79 and increased by 23 per cent. between 1978–79 and 1993–94.

  Job Losses
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs were lost in each region, broken down by gender, over the last 12 months for the occupational categories(a) managerial and administrative, (b) professional, (c) associate professional and technical, (d) clerical and secretarial, (e) craft and related, (f) personal and protective service, (g) sales (h) plant and machine operatives and (i) other. [18421]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: Information is available only for the net change in jobs. This can be obtained from the labour force survey Quantime service available in the Library.

  Remploy
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for all standard employment regions the total number of Remploy units and the number of people employed in them for the last three favourable years. [16758]

  Miss Widddecombe
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the total number of Remploy units and the number of people employed in for the last three years.
  The information in the following list gives Remploy's estimates, by Employment Service Region, of the numbers of severely disabled people employed in their factories as at end March for the last three years. It does not include those on the Interwork programme.

  Region

  Year

  Number of severely disabled people

  Number of units

  East Midlands

  1992

  456

  7

  1993

  420

  8

  1994

  400

  8

  North East

  1992

  862

  8

  1993

  796

  8

  1994

  770

  8

  1116

  Region

  Year

  Number of severely disabled people

  Number of units

  North West

  1992

  1,552

  18

  1993

  1,465

  18

  1994

  1,473

  19

  Scotland

  1992

  915

  10

  1993

  854

  10

  1994

  850

  10

  South East

  1992

  789

  10

  1993

  748

  10

  1994

  752

  10

  South West

  1992

  583

  9

  1993

  551

  9

  1994

  569

  9

  Wales

  1992

  1,288

  14

  1993

  1,200

  14

  1994

  1,176

  15

  West Midlands

  1992

  607

  5

  1993

  579

  6

  1994

  568

  6

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1992

  940

  14

  1993

  907

  14

  1994

  903

  14

  I hope this is helpful.

  Special Contracts and Priority Suppliers Scheme
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received regarding the workings of the special contracts arrangements and priority suppliers scheme; and if he will make a statement. [16759]

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have received representations from a range of people and organisations, including correspondence from hon. Members.

  Occupational Health
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will indicate the measures that his Department undertakes to address occupational health; and if he will make a statement. [18255]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Much of the Health and Safety Executive's everyday activity, such as modernising the framework of health and safety law, inspection of workplaces, provision of advice and formal enforcement action, addresses occupational health issues and the reduction of levels of occupational ill health. Details are contained in the Health and Safety Commission's plans of work and annual reports. The plan of work for 1995–96 will be published on 21 April and a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Additionally, the HSE is giving priority in 1995 to implementing a programme of action based on the conclusions of its recent strategic review of the 10 main occupational health risks: toxic substances, biohazards, noise, vibration, ionising and non-ionising radiation, manual handling, upper limb disorders, sick building syndrome and stress. Action includes obtaining better information on the scale and pattern of ill health; commissioning further research, for example on

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  prevention techniques; provision of practical guidance and publicity and inspection campaigns.

  In May 1995, the HSE will be launching a major new three to four-year campaign, "Good Health is Good Business", to help to improve employers' management of health risks. The first year will focus in particular on noise, respiratory sensitisers and musculoskeletal risks.

  Minimum Wage (Women)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will meet the Equal Opportunities Commission to consider its research findings on the effect of women of the introduction of a minimum wage. [18773]

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have no plans to do so.

  Transfers and Redundancies
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to amend the legislation concerning consultation with employees' representatives about collective redundancies and transfers of undertakings; and if he will make a statement. [18972]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The Employment Department is seeking views from a range of organisations on a proposal to amend the legislation concerning an employer's duty to provide information to, and to consult, representatives of employees about proposed redundancies and business transfers. A copy of the proposal has been placed in the Library.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Palestinian National Authority
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new proposals were made by the Prime Minister during his recent visit to extend material and technical aid to the Palestinian national authority. [15535]

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) on 14 March,Official Report, column 476.

  Gaza Airport and Port
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what statements were made by the recent British delegation to Gaza about the willingness of Britain to be involved in building Gaza airport and port. [15536]

  Mr. Baldry
  No statements on this issue were made by representatives of Her Majesty's Government. I understand that a number of British firms expressed interest in these projects.

  International Development Association
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he plans to ensure that contributions to IDA-11 will reduce poverty. [15584]

  Mr. Baldry
  We have already made clear in the on-going IDA-11 negotiations that we look to the World bank to strengthen the effectiveness of its programmes,1118
  including implementation of its poverty reduction strategy. I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave him on 7 and 13 March, Official Report, columns 130–31, and 366–67.

  Somaliland
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals exist at British or international level for the reintroduction of mine clearing operations in Somaliland. [17824]

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 13 February 1995, columns 488–89. The situation is unchanged.

  South African Elections
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria were used to decide the delegation sent to monitor the 1994 South African elections; and if he will make a statement. [18139]

  Mr. Baldry
  Britain provided a total of 70 election observers under the auspices of the United Nations and European Union observer missions. The main criteria for the selection of individuals was that they should have experience and professional skills relevant to the running of elections.

  Aid for Trade Projects
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the projects funded, and the sums allocated, by the £34.5 million returned to the aid budget in 1994–95 in recompense for the illegal use of the money to fund the Pergau dam and three other aid for trade provision projects. [18211]

  Mr. Baldry
  Spending on these four projects for 1994–95 was estimated to be £32.016 million. This was allocated as part of a wider reallocation of resources at the time of the spring supplementary estimate. The availability of these funds effectively allowed:

  i. further spending on country programmes (£13.825 million)—principally for additional programme aid for Malawi, mine clearance in Cambodia and a range of know how fund projects in eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union;

  ii. additional spending on emergency and refugee relief (£12.191 million)—principally of work in Bosnia, Rwanda and Chechyna; and

  iii. additional funding (£6 million)—principally for research and primary health care work in developing countries through the WHO and other international health organisations.

  Natural Resources Institute
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the restructuring of the Natural Resources Institute;

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the restructuring of the Natural Resources Institute.

  Mr. Baldry
  Against the background of changes in the nature and level of demand for the NRI's services, we have put in hand a restructuring programme. The result will be a smaller institute which focuses on the NRI's interdisciplinary strengths in adaptive research and related development services. The NRI management envisage an
  1119
  organisation of around 360 professional and administrative staff, which will mean a reduction of present staffing level by 140. We aim to achieve the reduction in staffing by voluntary means.

  The restructured institute will continue to play a major role in Britain's programme of aid for the natural resources sector in developing countries. It will do so as a supplier of services in its own right and as a manager of resources from the available science base. The NRI's expertise is increasingly sought by outside clients in the development aid community. The institute will be strongly encouraged to expand this aspect of its activities.

WALES

  "D" Plates
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to amend the law relating to the display of "D" plates by learner drivers in Wales. [19243]

  Mr. Richards
  The Government are considering amending the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1987 to permit learner drivers in Wales to display "D" plates in preference to "L" plates if they wish. A consultation document seeking the views of the public and organisations with an interest in this matter is being issued today and a copy has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  School Pupils
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to publish the full programme of action to raise the achievement of pupils in schools in Wales promised in "People and Prosperity: An Agenda for Action in Wales". [19244]

  Mr. Redwood
  I intend to publish this document on Thursday 6 April. The text is entitled "A Bright Future: Getting the Best for Every Pupil at School in Wales". Among other things, it follows-up material in "People and Prosperity: An Agenda for Action in Wales". Taken as a whole, this initiative will be directly relevant to primary and secondary schools. It includes a consultation on a specific target for attainment in the core subjects of the national curriculum. The proposal is that, by 2000, at least half of all individual 15–year-olds should get an A to C grade in each of GCSE mathematics, science, English or Welsh, first language. Responses are sought by the end of June and the final target will be published in the autumn.

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Clwyd

  377

  187

  213

  264

  318

  251

  251

  472

  Dyfed

  160

  104

  121

  193

  225

  272

  397

  437

  Gwent

  272

  235

  463

  338

  402

  480

  497

  395

  Gwynedd

  80

  70

  99

  133

  130

  205

  178

  201

  Mid Glamorgan

  537

  575

  643

  543

  490

  545

  583

  542

  Powys

  17

  16

  30

  78

  120

  134

  55

  77

  South Glamorgan

  217

  201

  174

  243

  184

  215

  274

  321

  West Glamorgan

  274

  234

  304

  307

  358

  354

  415

  436

  Wales

  1,934

  1,622

  2,047

  2,099

  2,227

  2,456

  2,650

  2,881

  1120
  I have made arrangements for copies of the text to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Lydia Owens
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has received a copy of the report of the inquiry team which investigated the abduction of Lydia Owens from Glan Clwyd hospital and if he will make a statement. [19245]

  Mr. Richards
  The inquiry team set up by Glan Clwyd NHS trust has completed its report and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. I am satisfied that the circumstances have been thoroughly investigated and the board of the trust has accepted the recommendations, which are being implemented. All hospitals are reviewing their security arrangements and the chairman of the Glan Clwyd NHS trust has discussed the recommendations with the chairmen of other NHS trusts in Wales so that they can implement them where appropriate.

  Smoking
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what initiatives the Welsh Office is taking to encourage people to stop smoking; and if he will make a statement; [16799]

  (2) what is the budget allocated for publicity to educate the public about the effects of smoking in the current year; and if he will make a statement. [16774]

  Mr. Richards
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children have received statements for special educational needs in each of the counties in Wales in each year from 1980 to the present time. [16837]

  Mr. Richards
  Estimates of the number of children in each county in Wales for whom statements of special educational needs were made for the first time, for each year since 1987, are shown in the following table. Data for earlier years are not available on the same basis. Totals for Wales shown in the table reflect the county estimates and in respect of 1987 and 1988 should be substituted for those I gave the hon. Member in my reply of 17 March,Official Report, column 766.

  Errors in the return to the Welsh Office from one county have been identified in the meantime.

  Carbon Fibre Pollution
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the sources of carbon fibre pollution in Wales. [17511]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Carbon fibre is an inorganic material used in the manufacture of a wide range of products including aircraft, high-performance cars and sports equipment. It is normally used, in small quantities, as a strengthening material. The World Health Organisation has indicated that the potential health risk from carbon fibre pollution in the general environment is very low.

  County Council Smallholdings
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many county council farm tenancies there are in each of the counties of Wales(a) at present and (b) in 1979; and if he will make a statement. [17395]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number of Tenancies (position as at 31 March)

  1979

  1994

  Clwyd

  186

  154

  Dyfed

  144

  163

  Gwent

  120

  89

  Gwynedd

  184

  175

  Mid Glamorgan

  29

  4

  Powys

  261

  219

  South Glamorgan

  72

  35

  West Glamorgan

  7

  2

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the estimated number of acres of council farm tenancies in the proposed new local authorities based on the former Clwyd county council; and if he will make a statement. [17398]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  As at 31 March 1994, Clwyd county council let 3,640 hectares of land as smallholdings. It is not possible to estimate the number of hectares of council farm tenancies falling within each individual new local authority. It is the Government's intention that the smallholdings should be transferred to the new authorities.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number and percentage of general practitioner practices in(a) Merthyr Tydfil, (b) Rhymney and (c) Mid Glamorgan which have established patient participation groups. [17387]

  Mr. Richards
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many general practitioner trainees there are currently in(a) Merthyr Tydfil, (b) Rhymney and (c) Mid Glamorgan. [17389]

  Mr. Richards
  The numbers of GP trainees currently engaged in the general practice component of their training are as follows:

  Number

  Rhymney

  1

  Merthyr

  0

  Ogwr

  13

  Rhondda/Taff

  8

  Total in Mid Glamorgan

  22

  1122
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of general practitioner practices in(a) Merthyr Tydfil, (b) Rhymney and (c) Mid Glamorgan that have established the programmes and standards listed in section 6.2 of the Mid Glamorgan family health services authority's business plan 1995–96. [17391]

  Mr. Richards
  This information is not held centrally.

  This is a local management issue for the Mid Glamorgan family health services authority.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has of the number and percentage of general practitioner practices in(a) Merthyr Tydfil, (b) Rhymney and (c) in Mid Glamorgan which have employed nurses. [17386]

  Mr. Richards
  This information is not held centrally.

  The number of practice nurses employed in Mid Glamorgan at 1 April 1994 was 169—whole-time equivalent 121.5.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number and percentage of United Kingdom-trained general practitioners in(a) Merthyr Tydfil, (b) Rhymney and (c) Mid Glamorgan. [17388]

  Mr. Richards
  This information is not readily available.

  The number of unrestricted principals at 1 April 1994 in Mid Glamorgan was 303.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of whether family health services authorities' procedures are adequate in assisting and advising families who believe that a general practitioner has been negligent in his care of a patient belonging to that family; and if he will make a statement. [18099]

  Mr. Richards
  Negligence is a matter for the courts; it is not something on which FHSAs would offer advice.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of general practitioner practices in(a) Alyn and Deeside and (b) Clwyd that have established patient participation groups; and if he will make a statement. [18101]

  Mr. Richards
  This information is not held centrally.

  NHS Pay
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received concerning(a) nurses' pay (b) ambulance staff pay and (c) radiographers' pay; and if he will make a statement. [17397]

  Mr. Richards
  I have received 31 representations, including a petition, on nurses' pay and two representations specifically about radiographers' pay. I have not received any regarding the pay of ambulance staff.

  Respite Care
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he will take to deliver more respite care in each of the counties of Wales; and if he will make a statement. [17401]
  1123
  Mr. Richards
  It is for local authorities, health authorities and GP fundholders to determine and meet the need for respite care in their areas.

  Local authorities in Wales will receive £124.4 million in 1995–96 for community care, including respite care. It is for those authorities to decide how best to use this money to meet the needs of their local populations.

  The recent Welsh Office guidance on NHS responsibilities for meeting continuing health care needs—WHC(95)7, WOC16/95—has reiterated that health authorities and GP fundholders have important responsibilities too, in arranging and funding respite health care. Working with local authorities, health authorities have been asked to set out by April 1996 the arrangements they will make for this.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales who advises him on sustainable development policy issues pertaining to Wales; and if he will make a statement. [17482]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Advice on sustainable development matters is available to my right hon. Friend from a range of sources. These include in particular the Welsh Office, the Government panel on sustainable development, and the UK round table.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to establish a Welsh advisory group on sustainable development along the lines of that set up by the Secretary of State for Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [17497]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies) by my right hon. Friend on 17 March 1995,Official Report, column 770.

  Registered Playgroups
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of children in(a) playgroups and (b) toddler groups in each of the counties of Wales; and if he will make a statement. [17400]

  Mr. Richards
  Information on the numbers of children in playgroups and toddler groups is not held centrally. The available information relates to the number of places in registered playgroups for children aged from two years and six months and is given in the following table:

  Number of places available in registered playgroups as at 31 March 1994

  Local Authority

  Places

  Clwyd

  5,131

  Dyfed

  3,089

  Gwent

  3,063

  Gwynedd

  3,348

  Mid Glamorgan

  3,928

  Powys

  1,513

  South Glamorgan

  4,093

  West Glamorgan

  1,318

  Total

  25,483

  Rheumatology Services
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if a consultant has yet been found for the proposed rheumatology service for Gwent; and if he will make a statement. [17420]

  Mr. Richards
  It is the responsibility of health authorities and trusts to identify health needs and corresponding staff requirements; therefore, this information is not held centrally.

  Mid Glamorgan Family Health Services Authority
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he proposes to meet the underfunding identified in Mid Glamorgan family health services authority's business plan 1995–96. [17390]

  Mr. Richards
  None. For 1995–96, the Mid Glamorgan FHSA has received its weighted capitation share of administration funding and cash increase of 7.9 per cent. for its cash-limited general medical services. The average increase for FHSAs in Wales was 6 per cent.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations have been received by his Department from the Celtic League regarding the dangers posed by toxic pollution fall-out arising from crashes of RAF aircraft on low flying exercises in Wales. [17520]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None; although I understand the Celtic League has written to the Ministry of Defence about this.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18530]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department in each year since 1979–80 requesting a priority written answer or answer on a named day, were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further five, 10, 15, 20 days or longer. [18548]

  (3) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has written to an hon. or right hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question; [18550]

  (4) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report; [18549]

  (5) how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by his Department in each year since 1979–80; and how many such questions received a substantive answer written 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18547]

  (6) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior officials of a non-departmental

  1125
  public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each years since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18529]

  Mr. Redwood
  The information requested is a matter of public record, but it could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  NHS Complaints
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review the procedures of medical complaints and assess whether they are carried out speedily enough; and if he will make a statement. [18100]

  Mr. Richards
  All NHS complaints procedures were reviewed by the committee chaired by Professor Alan Wilson, whose report "Being Heard" was published in May 1994. The Government's response was announced on 21 March and included targets of two working days and four weeks for initial and full responses to complaints made at stage 1 of the new system. Deadlines for complaints made at stage 2 will be worked out in discussion with interested parties.

  Dental Services
  Mr Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many dental practices taking new NHS patients there were in 1992 in Gwynedd; and if he will make a statement; [18225]

  (2) how many dental practices there are in Dyfed taking new NHS patients; and if he will make a statement; [18223]

  (3) how many dental practices taking new NHS patients there were in 1992 in Clwyd; and if he will make a statement; [18226]

  (4) how many dental practices there were taking new NHS patients in Powys in 1993; and if he will make a statement; [18230]

  (5) how many dental practices there are in the county of West Glamorgan currently taking new NHS patients; and if he will make a statement. [18224]

  Mr. Richards
  The information is not available centrally in the form requested.

  Family health services authorities are best placed to provide information on local availability of NHS general dental services, and to provide advice and assistance to any unregistered patient who experiences difficulty in finding a dentist willing to accept them under NHS arrangements.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dental practitioners with fewer than two years' post-qualification experience there are in the county of Clwyd; and if he will make a statement [18229]

  Mr. Richards
  According to information supplied by the family health services authority, there are six de.tists in Clwyd who have less than two years' post-qualification experience.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dental practices there are in(a) the county of Dyfed and (b) Clwyd. [18228]

  Mr. Richards
  Information on the number of dental practices is not available centrally. However, at 31 December 1994, there were 104 and 119 general dental 1126
  practitioners practising in Dyfed FHSA and Clwyd FHSA respectively. Dentists who work in more than one FHSA have been counted in the FHSA where they perform most work.

  Teaching Posts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the number of teachers in Wales who cannot find permanent posts. [18105]

  Mr. Richards
  Information about teachers seeking permanent posts is not available. The appointment of teachers is entirely a matter for local education authorities and schools. The overwhelming majority of full-time teachers have permanent contracts.

  Remploy
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the total number of Remploy units and number working in them for each county and for Wales as a whole during the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [16757]

  Mr. Redwood
  Responsibility for Remploy has been delegated, by the Employment Department, to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has asked the chief executive to provide information on the number of Remploy units and employees in these units. This information is not available at county level in Wales and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Out-patients
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost to the NHS in Wales of the non-attenders to out-patient appointments in 1993–94. [17712]

  Mr. Redwood
  No calculation is made centrally of the cost of failures to attend out-patient appointments in hospitals in Wales.

  Countryside Council for Wales
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many letters he has received from individual members of the board of the Countryside Council for Wales during the current year which have been critical of his proposals for the funding of the Countryside Council for Wales. [18638]

  Mr. Redwood
  One.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many letters he has received from the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales from 1 January to date concerning the funding of the Countryside Council for Wales; and on what dates he received such correspondence. [18737]

  Mr. Redwood
  I have received two such letters dated 27 February and 9 March.

  Arable Area Payments
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hectares of land were set aside under the arable area payments scheme in Wales in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95 and what is his estimate of the number of hectares of land that will be set aside in 1995–96. [18660]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Some 3,114 hectares of land were set aside under the arable area payments scheme in 1993–94 and 4,181 hectares in 1994–95.

  It is too early to estimate the hectarage for 1995–96 as farmers do not have to submit their integrated administration and control system applications until 15 May.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many claims were made in Wales (1) for set-aside and (2) in total under the arable area payments scheme in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95 of(a) between zero and £5,000, (b) between £5,001 and £10,000, (c) between £10,001 and £15,000, (d) between 15,001 and £20,000, (e) between £20,001 and £25,000, (f) 25,001 and £50,000, (g) between £50,001 and £75,000, (h) between £75,001 and £100,000, (i) between £100,001 and £150,000, (j) between £150,000 and £200,000, (k) between £200,001 and £1 million and (l) over £1 million; and what is his latest estimate of the number of claims that will be made in 1995–96 in each value band. [18630]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The figures requested are as follows:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Set aside

  Total

  Set aside

  Total

  £0–£5,000

  285

  2,282

  331

  2,177

  £5,001–£10,000

  13

  134

  32

  148

  £10,001–£15,000

  1

  50

  6

  79

  £15,001–£20,000

  1

  21

  3

  46

  £20,001–£25,000

  —

  8

  —

  21

  £25,001–£50,000

  —

  12

  —

  25

  £50,001–£75,000

  —

  —

  —

  11

  £75,001–£100,000

  —

  —

  —

  1

  There were no claims above £100,000.

  It is too early to estimate number of claims in 1995–96 as farmers do not have to submit their IACS applications until 15 May.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost of payments under the arable area payments scheme(a) for set-aside and (b) in total in Wales in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) in 1994–95 and what is his estimate of the cost of payments in 1995–96. [18631]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Total payments under the arable area payments scheme for(a) set-aside amounted to £617,380 in 1993–94 and £1,104,525 in 1994–95 and (b) in total amounted to £5,526,389 in 1993–94 and £7,923,953 in 1994–95. It is too early to estimate payments for 1995–96 as farmers do not have to submit their IACS applications until 15 May.

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18651]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is the "Green Minister" for the Welsh Office, having special responsibility for its environmental policies and programmes. Details of these can be found in the latest Welsh Office departmental report, Cm 2815, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The proceedings of Cabinet and Cabinet committees, and communications between Ministers, are confidential. However, the latest position on the Government's overall strategy on the environment is set out in "This Common Inheritance—UK Annual Report 1995", Cm 2822, a copy of which is also available in the Library of the House.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18585]

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department has a disabled persons officer to identify needs of disabled people and to ensure that a range of specialist facilities and services are provided in meeting those needs wherever it is safe and practicable to do so. At office buildings, these include reserved car parking, adaptations to entrances and building layouts, toilets, modifications to lifts and service installations, vehicles, furniture, telephones, computers and other office equipment. The Cadw agency also makes special arrangements for easy access to monuments which the disabled people can visit in safety; full details are published in a Cadw information sheet for people with disabilities.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will produce further guidance notes to footnote (7) to appendix 1 in his departmental report published on 9 March, when he has reached agreement with the local authorities and the other bodies eligible for funding for infrastructure projects from the European regional development fund on the split between allocation to local authorities and the other eligible bodies for the year 1995–96 to 1997–98, and if he will make a statement. [14762]

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 17 March 1995]: At no point does the Department agree with the various sponsors of ERDF projects any split between the allocations to local authorities and other eligible bodies. The distribution of the resources under the objective 2 and 5b programmes is made by the technical working groups of the monitoring committees on a project-by-project basis. Decisions are taken throughout the life of these programmes on the basis of agreed selection criteria.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by his Department in each year since 1979–80; and how many such questions received a substantive answer within 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18455]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department requesting a priority written answer or answer on a named day, were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further five, 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18456]

  (3) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report; [18457]

  (4) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has written to an hon. or right hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question. [18458]

  Mr. Newton
  The information requested is a matter of public record but it could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) how many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18459]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report, in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18460]

  Mr. Newton
  None. I am not responsible for any non-departmental public bodies or agencies.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Pension Fund
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Lord President of the Council when he received the report by the Government Actuary on the valuation of the parliamentary contribution pension fund as at 1 April; when the report was laid on the Table; and when copies of it were placed in the Vote Office of the House. [18768]

  Mr. Newton
  I received the report on 28 March; copies were sent to the right hon. Member and other trustees of the parliamentary contributory pension fund on 29 March; it was laid on the Table on 30 March and copies were placed in the Vote Office on 4 April.

  Secretarial Allowance and Pensions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what progress he has made on taking forward recommendations made by the Senior Salaries Review Body on the temporary secretarial allowance and secretarial pensions; and if he will make a statement. [17509]

  Mr. Newton
  A number of modifications are proposed to take account of practical problems identified in the report and representations from a number of hon. Members, including the hon. Lady herself. These have been approved by Madam Speaker. The Accountant is writing to all hon. Members with details of the modifications, which are being implemented with effect from 1 April 1995.

  Parliamentary Channel
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what representation he has received about the cost to subscribers to Videotron's Option 1 of receiving the Parliamentary channel. [16626]

  Mr. Newton
  No such representations have been received.

  Lord Advocate
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his letter, on what aspects of the Lockerbie case the Lord Advocate can volunteer a statement to the Scottish Grand Committee. [18095]

  Mr. Newton
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate cannot properly volunteer a statement on aspects of a particular criminal case. Although the Lord Advocate can make a statement to the Scottish Grand Committee under Standing Order No. 94D(2)(a) to facilitate his questioning by members of the Committee about a matter relating to his officials' responsibilities, to the extent that they fall within the order of reference of the Scottish Affairs Committee established under Standing Order No. 130, the consideration of individual cases is excluded under that standing order. In this regard, the Lockerbie case is no different from any other current criminal case.

  In addition, provision is made under Standing Order No. 94D(2)(b) for a Law Officer to announce the policy of the Government on a matter relating to Scotland or the response of the Government to an event relating to Scotland. However, having regard to the interests of justice, it would be improper for the Lord Advocate to make any announcement giving details of the evidence or any investigative steps in relation to any criminal case while proceedings are pending. Once again, in this regard the Lockerbie case is no different from any other criminal case.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his letter, in what circumstances the Lord Advocate can attend the Scottish Grand Committee. [18094]

  Mr. Newton
  The Lord Advocate, who is not a member of the Scottish Grand Committee, may attend the Committee by virtue of Standing Order No. 94D. Under paragraph (1) of that standing order, the Chairman of the Committee may permit a Scottish Law Officer, whether or not a member of the Committee, to make a statement, of which prior notice has been given to him, and to answer
  1131
  questions thereon put by members of the Committee. Paragraph (4) provides that a Law Officer who is not a member of the Committee may not make a statement from the body of the Committee, and shall not vote, make any motion or be counted in the quorum.

  Press Gallery
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will arrange improvements to the comfort of the seating in the Press Gallery.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  No improvements are presently planned. If the hon. Member has specific proposals, he should write to the Director of Parliamentary Works.

  Parliamentary Data and Video Network
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee when GroupWise was promised for the PDVN; when it was delivered for DOS and Windows users; when it will be working for Apple Macintosh users; and how much Novell will have to pay for late delivery.

  Mr. Waller
  GroupWise is version 4 of the software package formerly known as WordPerfect Office which constitutes the main user software for the Parliamentary Data and Video Network. A useable version of GroupWise version 4.1 for Windows was delivered on 15 November 1994. A version for DOS was received by instalments soon afterwards and is still being evaluated. The final sections of the UK version for Apple will be provided in early May 1995.

  The agreement with WordPerfect which was due to expire at the end of February 1995 was renegotiated with Novell, which has now taken over the WordPerfect corporation, for an additional year, compensating the House for the fact that it was not possible to upgrade from WordPerfect Office version 3 to GroupWise version 4 during 1993–1994.

  Fire Officers
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many fire officers are employed full and part time in the Palace of Westminster; who pays for them; what is the cost to public funds and what has been the cost to public funds, with particular reference to the Palace and its estate, of implementing fire regulations.

  Mr. Beith
  The agreed complement of the Palace of Westminster fire section is one principal fire officer, four senior fire officers and 24 fire officers. Members of the fire section are civilian employees of the Metropolitan police. The cost of the service to the House of Commons was £570,000 in the last financial year. During the period 1993 to 1999, an average expenditure of approximately £1 million per annum has been planned towards meeting fire safety requirements throughout the parliamentary estate.

  Family Mediation Exhibition
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to family mediation services to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
  1132
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Tuesday 6 June to Friday 9 June 1995.

  Energy Efficiency
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what measures were taken in 1994 to improve energy efficiency in the Palace of Westminster and increase recycling facilities in the Palace of Westminster; and what is the percentage of(a) stationery used within the Palace of Westminster which is made of recycled material and (b) paper, tin, plastic and glass waste produced in the Palace of Westminster which is recycled.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  A report by the Director of Works entitled "Energy Conservation on the Parliamentary Estate" dated 20 June 1994 describes the measures being taken and is available in the Library. During the financial year 1993–94, approximately 30 per cent. of stationery provided for Members' use from the Serjeant at Arms's store was made of recycled material. All non-confidential waste paper, glass, plastic and recycled metal is recycled.

TRANSPORT

  Railways (Safety Plan)
  Mr. Budgen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received the railway group safety plan for 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [19305]

  Mr. Watts
  The Railtrack board has now submitted a 1995 safety plan for Britain's national railway network. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  The plan sets out strategic safety objectives for 1995–96, reports safety performance by British Rail and Railtrack in 1994–95 and gives details of the arrangements for managing safety on the railway. The objectives are designed to maintain safety and to set strategic objectives to improve it wherever practicable. Railtrack and operators have developed programmes and action plans designed to achieve their individual and shared objectives. The plan is also an important companion to railway safety cases, and will ensure that full and proper attention is paid to safety during the privatisation process.

  RAF Northolt
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans the Government have to assist business aviation at RAF Northolt; and if he will make a statement. [19247]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government carried out a consultation exercise last year with business users on the possibility of creating a civil enclave at RAF Northolt to make better use of the existing capacity. Responses showed that the high capital costs and physical constraints would make this financially unviable. The Government do not intend to pursue this proposal.

  However, it is clear that the business aviation industry would welcome increased activity at Northolt through extending shared use of the facilities. The Government

  1133
  will consult further with the industry, and take into account the views of the local communities and other interested parties, to identify detailed working arrangements at Northolt which could improve the service offered to users and to business in the south-east more generally.

  Driving Licences (Fitness to Drive)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total number of motorists who, since the implementation of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have notified the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of(a) any disability or condition that affects their fitness to drive or which might do so in the future and (b) the proportion of this total that have glaucoma. [17870]

  Mr. Norris
  Between January 1989 and December 1994, the DVLA received 2,016,601 notification of medical conditions—some drivers would have submitted more than one notification in that period. The number of notifications of glaucoma from January 1992 to December 1994 was 11,211. Figures prior to 1992 are not available.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what publicity measures his Department have taken to inform drivers of their requirement under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of any disability or condition that affects their fitness to drive or which might do so in the future. [17871]

  Mr. Norris
  Every driving licence carries a note reminding the holder of his obligation to notify the DVLA of the worsening of an existing medical condition or the onset of a new condition. Leaflet INS 57 which is issued with every driving licence carries a similar message.

  Leaflet D100 "What you need to know about driving licences", available from most post offices, carries more detailed information.

  Between February 1994 and January 1995, a leaflet aimed at older drivers which reinforced the medical requirements was issued with all vehicle excise licence reminders.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18600]

  Mr. Norris
  Advice about space planning and risk assessment for people with disabilities has been issued to my Department's property managers. They have been asked to improve access to and within buildings.

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96 (est)

  DVLA

  a) TV

  Nil

  33,000

  121,000

  101,000

  551,000

  n/a

  b) Radio

  74,000

  87,000

  137,000

  88,000

  79,000

  n/a

  c) Press (including recruitment)

  67,213

  55,329

  106,077

  99,000

  25,000

  n/a

  d) Other

  363,000

  178,000

  304,000

  422,000

  87,000

  n/a

  e) Total

  504,213

  353,329

  668,077

  710,000

  742,000

  n/a

  Internet
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [17734]

  Mr. Norris
  Neither the Department centrally, nor Ministers, have Internet addresses. The Transport Research Laboratory and several hundred staff in the Department have Internet mail addresses used for specific aspects of their work. The Department is currently reviewing the scope for wider use of the Internet in planning new internal and external electronic mail facilities for installation in 1996.

  Railways (Passenger Service Requirements)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the basis for the passenger service requirements; and how long his Department has been researching passenger service requirements as a way of improving the rail system. [17369]

  Mr. Watts
  The guidance issued to the franchising director by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport requires him to ensure that passenger service requirements for the first franchises are based upon the timetable being operated by BR immediately prior to franchising. A copy of an explanatory note setting out the franchising director's approach to, and criteria for, setting these passenger service requirements has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The White Paper "New Opportunities for the Railways:the Privatisation of British Rail"—July 1992, CM 2012—set out proposals for specifying service levels in franchise agreements as an important element in our plans for improving passenger services.

  Public Bodies
  Mrs. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [17640]

  Mr. Norris
  The information on non-departmental public bodies and agencies is not held centrally, nor are figures readily available elsewhere. Such data as could be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs are in the following table.
  1135

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96 (est)

  f) Recruitment (percentage of total)

  0.44

  0.09

  0.31

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Traffic Director for London1

  f) Recruitment

  —

  Nil

  11,647

  9,812

  29,306

  30,000

  London Regional Passengers Committee (LRPC)1

  f) (Recruitment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,410

  n/a

  Northern Lighthouse Board1

  f) (Recruitment

  5,097

  17,335

  5,291

  6,227

  5,731

  5,000

  Trinity House Lighthouse Service1

  f) (Recruitment

  5,000

  14,000

  10,000

  16,000

  11,000

  15,000

  Traffic Commissioners1

  f) (Recruitment

  —

  —

  13,919

  —

  —

  13,000

  VI1

  f) Recruitment

  43,503

  29,566

  11,635

  5,562

  904

  Nil

  Highways Agency1

  f) Recruitment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  36,541

  n/a

  VCA1

  f) Recruitment

  —

  200

  —

  626

  1,547

  1,500

  TRL1

  f) Recruitment

  —

  —

  n/a

  40,000

  50,000

  70,000

  DSA1

  f) Recruitment

  49,000

  800,000

  Nil

  10,000

  34,000

  12,000

  Marine Safety Agency1

  f) Recruitment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  12,181

  15,000

  The Coastguard Agency1

  f) Recruitment

  —

  —

  —

  —

  23,458

  21,000

  1 No above the line advertising (a to d).

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18646]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I am the green Minister for the Department of Transport but all my ministerial colleagues share a common objective of promoting transport policies compatible with sustainable development.

  My aims for transport, as set out in "This Common Inheritance 1995" are to develop appropriate national and local strategies and measures for reducing the need to travel and to encourage more sustainable and environmentally acceptable patterns of transport.

  I have been fully involved in consultations on the Environment Bill.

  Private Detective Agencies
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the total cost to date, and what is the current cost per month, of his Department's and the Highways Agency's use of(a) Brays private detective agency, and (b) other private detective agencies and if he
  1136
  will give a breakdown of those costs per road scheme or project.

  Mr. Watts
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency.

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

  Letter from Laurie Haynes to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 5 April 1995:
  Mr. John Watts has asked me to write in reply to your Parliamentary Question about the use by the Department of Transport and the Highways Agency of Brays and other private detective agencies in connection with road schemes.
  Detective agencies have been employed by solicitors, on behalf of the Department on the following schemes. The information you requested is below. All but £200 of the payments, marked *, were to Brays Detective Agency.

  Road scheme

  Paid to date £

  Estimated ongoing monthly cost £

  A12 Hackney Wick to M11 Link Road

  294,000

  25,000

  A4/A6 Batheaston/Swainswick Bypass

  150,000

  Nil

  M3 Bar End-Compton

  259,000

  Nil

  M65 Blackburn Southern

  1,500

  Bypass

  *200

  Nil

  1137

  Road scheme

  Paid to date £

  Estimated ongoing monthly cost £

  A34 Newbury Bypass

  300

  Nil

  A11 Besthorpe-Wymondham

  450

  Nil

  Total of all above

  705,450

  25,000

  The figures have been rounded. I hope this is sufficient for your purposes.

  Disabled People (Transec)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the facilities for staff with disability provided in the new accommodation occupied by the transport security division; and if he will give full financial and technical details regarding lifts and arrangements for the evacuation of disabled staff in the case of an emergency. [17904]

  Mr. Norris
  Transec's accommodation provides facilities for visitors and staff with disabilities. These include parking spaces, access ramps suitable for wheelchairs and a special toilet. The landlord is responsible for ensuring that the lifts comply with all legal requirements and for meeting any costs. A copy of Transec's incident control procedures, which include emergency arrangements for the evacuation of all staff, will be placed in the Library.

  Railway Passenger Services Funding
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State (1) what amount and type of funding will be made available to the South Yorkshire passenger transport executive to support local railway services after the expiry of metropolitan railways grant; [18021]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to announce replacement funding for metropolitan railways grant before May; and if he will notify passenger transport executives of the arrangements in sufficient time to allow them to support services under a seven-year franchise. [18022]

  Mr. Watts
  My right hon. Friend proposes to replace the current temporary arrangements, whereby revenue support for railway passenger services funded by English passenger transport executives is divided between revenue support grant and metropolitan railway grant, with an enhanced RSG with effect from 1996–97. The proposed arrangements for allocating the enhanced RSG to PTEs have been set out in a consultation paper, which has been circulated to the PTEs with an invitation to comment by the middle of April. We intend to announce a final decision on future funding for PTE supported railway passenger services shortly after that date.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by his Department in each year since 1979–80; and how many such questions received a substantive answer within 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18505]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department in each year since 1979–80 requesting a
  1138
  priority written answer or answer on a named day, were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further five, 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18506]

  (3) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18510]

  (4) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has written to a right hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question; [18508]

  (5) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report; [18507]

  (6) how many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18509]

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is a matter of public record, but could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Coach Parking, London
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy for providing coach parks in central London, with particular reference to coaches bringing tourists to visit the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey; and if he will make a statement. [18096]

  Mr. Norris
  It is for the London boroughs to provide coach parking facilities. With this Department's encouragement, discussions between the boroughs, the coach and tourist industries and others have recently brought significant improvements, including the provision of 150 new coach spaces in central London.

  Pedestrian Rights
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the implementation of the European charter of pedestrian rights. [18235]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government endorse the intentions of the charter to promote the principle of pedestrians as road users, but we do not believe that it would be practicable to adopt all of its detailed requirements.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Under-Secretary of State for Transport will reply to the letters from Mr. Brian Bostock, dated 20 February and 8 March. [18264]

  Mr. Norris
  I replied to Mr. Bostock's letter of 8 March on 28 March. My Department has no trace of his letter of 20 February.

  Railway Noise Barriers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost per metre of(a) reflective and (b) absorbent railway noise barriers of a common height. [18397]

  Mr. Watts
  Railway noise barriers vary in height, but the most commonly used are 2m high. The comparative costs per linear metre at this height are £210 for a reflective barrier and £340 for an absorptive barrier. The costs quoted are for barriers alongside a new railway line and include installation.

  Defective Public Service Vehicles
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what circumstances a public service passenger vehicle may remain in service with a defective speedometer or tachograph. [18263]

  Mr. Norris
  It is an offence to use, cause or permit to be used any vehicle on a road which does not comply with the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 which include provisions relating to speedometers and recording equipment.

  In addition, under European legislation, in the event of a breakdown or faulty operation of a tachograph, the employer must have it repaired by an approved fitter or workshop as soon as circumstances permit or, if the vehicle is unable to return to the premises within one week, en route.

  Pedestrian Zones
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has undertaken into the extent to which restrictions on vehicles entering pedestrian-only zones are flouted. [18234]

  Mr. Norris
  None. Local authorities are solely responsible for the day-to-day administration of their pedestrian zones.

DEFENCE

  Phoenix
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a decision will be taken on the future of the Phoenix remotely piloted vehicle programme; and if he will make a statement. [18774]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Ministry of Defence has reviewed the Phoenix programme to determine how best to proceed in the light of delays to the programme and remaining technical problems.

  Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of an agreement with the prime contractor, GEC-Marconi Avionics, we have decided that an additional programme of work on Phoenix should be undertaken to resolve the remaining technical difficulties and to demonstrate satisfactory system performance over a series of rigorous flight trials. This programme of work, which will last about one year, will be undertaken at the contractor's expense. The MOD will make no further payments to the company for the supply of Phoenix until the successful completion of the programme.
  1140
  We believe that, provided the remaining technical problems can be overcome within an acceptable time scale, the Phoenix system will provide a cost-effective means of meeting the Army's need for an unmanned airborne surveillance system. Should GMAv fail at any stage to demonstrate satisfactory progress during the programme of work, the Ministry of Defence will, however, be prepared to cancel the project. While the work is in progress we will, therefore, examine potential alternative systems, in case it does not prove practicable to bring Phoenix up to an acceptable standard.

  The prime contractor's undertaking to carry out the necessary work at its own cost and risk will require the company to apply considerable additional resources. We welcome this substantial commitment on its part, which reflects the confidence expressed at the most senior levels of the company in its ability to produce an effective system. In the meantime, the position of the Ministry of Defence and the interests of the taxpayer have been fully protected.

  Defence Accounts Agency
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the first three-year review of the Defence Accounts Agency have now been completed; and if he will make a statement. [18775]

  Mr. Freeman
  The review of the first three years of operation of the Defence Accounts Agency has now been completed and I have placed a consultative document, summarising its findings; the options for the future; and the proposed way ahead in the Library of the House.

  The Ministry of Defence has also now considered the future of the proposed Defence Accounts Agency mainframe rationalisation project. We have decided in the light of the conclusions of the review, that it would not now be appropriate to proceed with this project.

  Service Career and Manpower Structures
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his policy towards performance-related pay for the Armed Forces; [18297]

  (2) what consideration he is giving to a reduction in the number of ranks in (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Air Force and (c) the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement; [18299]

  (3) when he expects to make a statement concerning the Bett report. [18298]

  Mr. Rifkind
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: My right hon. Friend, the then Minister for the Armed Forces, announced on 9 February 1994, Official Report, column 361, the intention, in the light of changes in military commitments and deployment patterns, to set in hand a major independent review of service career and manpower structures and terms and conditions of service, to ensure that we will have personnel and management arrangements appropriate to the early part of the 21st century. The review was to be wide-ranging in accordance with the terms of reference set out on 30 March 1994, Official Report, columns 748–49. It was also to take into account the implications of the front line first exercise. In that context, the Government have made it clear that, following the decisions that have been taken on the size, capabilities and roles of the armed forces for the post-cold war world, the armed forces are now set on a steady

  1141
  course for the future. Mr. Michael Bett was appointed to lead the review.

  Mr. Bett and his team have completed their review; I received their report, "Managing People in Tomorrow's Armed Forces", on 30 March. Mr. Bett has consulted extensively within the armed forces and within my Department. He has made some 150 recommendations which cover the whole field of rank and career structures, pay and allowance structures and pensions, housing and accommodation policies and wider conditions of service. As Mr. Bett says, his intention has been to ensure that the armed forces continue to hold their own against civilian competitors, in recruiting and retaining high quality people. We are most grateful to Mr. Bett and his team for all their work.

  Mr. Bett has undertaken an independent review; we now need to consider his recommendations. Our initial examination is likely to take several weeks, and will include a consideration of the amount of further study and development required to validate Mr. Bett's proposals. I shall make a further statement about our general approach at the end of that period. Thereafter, there will need to be a further, more lengthy development period before a final definitive response to the report can be made.

  Throughout this process, I intend that, as for front line first, the armed forces themselves should be fully involved. Service personnel will be encouraged to submit their comments, which we shall consider carefully. In the meantime, to assist in the consultation process, Mr. Bett's report is being published today. A copy of the report is being distributed to every unit of the armed forces, together with an explanatory leaflet for every service man and woman. Copies of the report and leaflet are being placed in the Library of the House.

  Internet
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [17739]

  Mr. Freeman
  For security reasons, the MOD does not use Internet electronic mail widely for communication within this Department. This function is served by the Department's own secure electronic mail facility within its corporate headquarters office technology system.

  Departmental Internet electronic mail addresses are not centrally co-ordinated within MOD and no list is available. However, there are estimated to be several hundred personal addresses rising to more than a thousand if the Defence Research Agency is included. There are no personal Internet electronic mail addressees for MOD Ministers.

  The Department's approach to the information super-highway is that it may be used where appropriate. For example, the Department's press releases are issued electronically through the Central Office of Information and are accessible to users of Internet via Data-Star dialog (Europe) or Mead/Lexis/Nexis.

  RAF Strategic Deterrent Force
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what review process was adopted in regard to the official history commissioned from Humphrey Wynn on 1142
  the RAF strategic nuclear deterrent forces, published by HMSO. [17519]

  Mr. Soames
  Humphrey Wynn's official history on the RAF strategic nuclear deterrent forces was reviewed in accordance with the initiatives set out in paragraph 9.28 of the White Paper on Open Government, Cmd 2290, and released under the provisions of section 5(1) of the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967.

  Aircraft Crashes
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what post-crash investigations into the possibility of toxic contamination are conducted by or on behalf of his Department in the event of accidents involving RAF or Royal Naval aircraft. [17517]

  Mr. Soames
  An RAF environmental health officer is held at immediate readiness at all times to attend aircraft crash sites to identify hazards. The EHO's role is to provide occupational hygiene advice and monitoring for other personnel attending the crash site and environmental monitoring of the site to advise on soil and water contamination.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will establish an investigation into the recent allegations published in Newfoundland that an RAF Canberra aircraft carrying radioactive samples crashed at Goose bay, Newfoundland in 1957. [17518]

  Mr. Soames
  I am unaware of these allegations. I can confirm that an RAF Canberra crashed in the vicinity of Goose bay, Labrador, on 16 May 1957. An investigation into the incident was conducted at the time, and I know of no reason to reopen it.

  Airport Use
  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for transport in respect of the possibility of using BAe-owned airports for civilian use in areas where current civilian airports are overcrowded. [17377]

  Mr. Freeman
  None.

  Disabled Former Service Personnel
  Mr. Jim Cunnigham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he is making to ensure that those disabled former members of the armed forces are assisted in finding insurance to meet mortgage interest payments. [17374]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department makes no specific arrangements to assist disabled former members of the armed forces in finding insurance to meet mortgage interest payments. All service personnel discharged on medical grounds are advised by a resettlement advice officer on how best to prepare for entry to civilian life, and this advice covers a number of aspects such as employment, housing and financial matters.

  Major Projects (Late Running)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to remedy the late running of major defence projects; and what was the total amount of cost overruns in the current financial year. [17375]
  1143
  Mr. Freeman
  My Department has instituted several initiatives in recent years to improve the timeliness of delivery of major projects. These initiatives include tauter contracting; improved risk management; better training and guidance for project managers; and procedures for better estimation of in-service dates. Information on Defence equipment cost control performance was published in March 1995 in the MOD's departmental report, Cm 2801, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Nigeria (Visits)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the exact dates of visits by officials in his Department to Nigeria since June 1993 and the reason for the visit in each case. [17777]

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department does not hold a central record of visits by officials overseas nor could one be provided except at disproportionate cost. No official visits to Nigeria since June 1993 have been identified.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the exact dates of ministerial visits to Nigeria since June 1993 listing the Ministers and the reasons for the visit in each case. [17782]

  Mr. Freeman
  There have been no visits to Nigeria by Ministers in my Department since June 1993.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures his Department will be implementing to ensure that all future transfers of military, security and police equipment, including dual-use technologies, will comply with the European Parliament resolution, passed on 19th January. [17781]

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. colleague the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Technology to him.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the effect on the marine environment of any leakage of the contents of the ships scuttled in the Irish Sea in the mid-1950s; [17849]

  (2) on how many occasions since 1965 ordnance, nerve gases and other noxious agents have been dumped at sea. [17851]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 27 January,Official Report, column 448, 3 February, Official Report, column 890, and 31 March, Official Report, columns 875–76, to the hon. Members for South Shields (Dr. Clark) and for Western Isles (Mr. Macdonald).

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy for getting rid of surplus ordnance and chemical and biological weapons. [17850]

  Mr. Soames
  Surplus conventional munitions are disposed of by demolition, open burning or breakdown. The UK no longer holds stocks of chemical weapon munitions, and any old chemical weapons munitions found in the UK are transferred to the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down, where rounds are individually analysed and the chemical agent 1144
  "fill" disposed of by incineration. Biological weapons were abandoned by the UK in the 1950s: there has been no recent requirement to dispose of any such weapons.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that nerve gases, bombs and other noxious agents dumped in the North sea in the mid-1950s do not pose a threat to coastal areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland and to the marine environment. [17852]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department has no knowledge of dumping of any chemical munitions or their agents in the North sea in the 1950s.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the reason for the low-level pass over Bessacarr, Doncaster, by an RAF jet at 19.28 on 23 March. [17833]

  Mr. Soames
  Two formations of two United States Air Force F-15 aircraft were authorised to fly in the general area around this time, and an investigation is underway to establish whether these aircraft flew at low level over Bessacarr. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State will write to the hon. Member when this is complete.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of the training exercise which brought eight Tornado aircraft from RAF Bruggen to Barnoldswick on 30 January. [17853]

  Mr. Soames
  The cost of the training sortie was £117,000. As the hon. Member is aware from my answer of 10 February,Official Report, column 463, an investigation is under way to establish whether the aircraft flew over Barnoldswick.

  Tornado Crashes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 March,Official Report, column 397, how many RAF personnel or civilians were killed or injured as a result of the Tornado crashes. [17806]

  Mr. Soames
  A total of 17 RAF personnel and two civilians were killed in the Tornado crashes referred to.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 March,Official Report, column 397, what reasons have been established for each of the Tornado crashes. [17804]

  Mr. Soames
  Summaries of the RAF boards of inquiry into all but four of the crashes referred to in the question can be found in the Library of the House. Boards of inquiry into the remaining four are still under way and copies of the summary of their findings will be placed in the Library in due course.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 March,Offical Report, column 397, what was the replacement cost of the 27 Tornado aircraft lost since 1981. [17805]

  Mr. Soames
  Of the 27 Tornado aircraft which crashed over the UK land area or at sea in UK waters, four have been repaired. No replacement costs arise for the remaining 23 aircraft since there is an attrition reserve
  1145
  from which aircraft are taken to replace those lost. Records are not maintained centrally of other costs which may arise from an accident, such as aircraft salvage or third party claims.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 March,Offical Report, column 397, if any of the 17 Tornados which crashed on land did so in built up-area. [17807]

  Mr. Soames
  No.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF Tornado aircraft have crashed since 1983 outside United Kingdom land and United Kingdom-controlled sea(a) in military operations, (b) as a result of pilot error and (c) due to mechanical or similar failure. [17848]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) six Tornados crashed during combat sorties during the Gulf conflict.

  Completed RAF boards of inquiry concluded that:

  (b) six Tornados have crashed as a result of aircrew error;

  (c) three Tornados have crashed as a result of mechanical or similar failure.

  Sarin
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the chemical agent Sarin was stored at RAF Llandwrog. [17893]

  Mr. Soames
  No Sarin was stored at RAF Llandwrog.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18454]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department in each year since 1979–80 requesting a priority written answer or answer on a named day were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further five, 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18450]

  (3) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has written to a right hon. or hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question; [18452]

  (4) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report; [18451]

  (5) how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by his Department in each year since 1979–80; and how many such questions received a substantive answer within 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18449]

  (6) how many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18453]
  1146
  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is a matter of public record but it could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [17617]

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

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost of aid in each of the last five financial years from his Department to states of the former Soviet Union; and from which subheads of which votes this expenditure has been taken. [18126]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Ministry of Defence's programme of promoting bilateral defence cooperation and contacts with central and eastern Europe—including the states of the former Soviet Union—began in 1993–94 and involved expenditure of £70,000 under vote 1E1, in that same year. The budget for 1994–95 was increased to £200,000. In addition, the MOD has on occasion agreed to waive costs of training provided to central and eastern European countries where the aims serve defence interests. The total of these waivers was £77,000 in 1993–94 and £456,000 in 1994–95.

  The Ministry of Defence is also assisting Russia in the removal of nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles to destruction sites. The total costs of this fall to vote 3B4 and are:

  1992–93: £2.2 million

  1993–94: £13.4 million

  1994–95: £16.6 million

  Trident
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the total cost of procurement for the Trident system in(a) the current financial year and (b) the financial year 1995–96; and from which subheads of which votes this expenditure is taken; [18130]

  (2) what is the total cost of running the strategic weapons system in (a) the current financial year and (b) the financial year 1995–96; and from which subheads of which votes this expenditure is taken; [18128]

  (3) what is the total cost of construction in support of the Trident programme at Faslane and Coulport in (a) the current financial year and (b) the financial year 1995–96; and from which subheads of which votes this expenditure is taken. [18131]

  Mr. Freeman
  Estimated expenditure in 1994–95 and 1995–96, where available, is as follows:
  1147

  1994–95 £ million

  1995–96 £ million

  Subhead vote

  Trident System1

  696.0

  456.0

  2n/a

  Strategic Weapon System Running Costs (Polaris and Trident missiles)

  386.5

  4n/a

  2A1, 2A2, 3C2, 3D2

  Trident Construction Programme (Faslane and Coulport)

  42.0

  6.2

  3D1

  Notes:

  1 As well as all costs associated with the submarine and its weapons and other systems, the figures include the shore construction costs which are also shown separately in the table.

  2 Details of the vote subheads of all acquisition costs attributable to the Trident system are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  3 This figure includes the cost of repairs, spares and technical, storage and engineering services provided by contractors and MOD at various locations in support of the UK's Polaris and Trident missiles.

  4 Estimated costs for 1995–96 are not yet available.

  Mutual Defence Co-operation Agreement
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost to his Department of the administrative expenses of the mutual defence co-operation agreement with the United States of America. [18124]

  Mr. Freeman
  Administrative tasks associated with business conducted under the aegis of the 1958 UK/US mutual defence agreement are mostly handled by the atomic control office, London and the atomic co-ordinating offices at Aldermaston and Washington. The costs of these tasks are not calculated separately.

  Nuclear Submarine Decommissioning Costs
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost of provision for nuclear submarine decommissioning costs in(a) the current financial year and (b) the financial year 1995–96; and from which subheads of which votes this expenditure is taken. [18132]

  Mr. Freeman
  The estimated cost of decommissioning nuclear submarines in 1994–95 was £4.3 million and the provision for 1995–96 is £9.2 million. These costs are attributed to class I vote 2, subhead 2A21.

  Departmental Budget
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the variation in expenditure from Class I, Vote 1, Subhead B4 of his Department's budget for the last three years. [18125]

  Mr. Soames
  There is no such subhead. There is, however, a subhead B4 in class I vote 3.

  The year-on-year variations against this subhead reflect the progress of this programme, which peaked in 1994–95 and is now nearing completion.

  Nuclear Equipment Exports
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the timetable for delivery of nuclear warhead containers and transport equipment to Russia. [18127]

  Mr. Freeman
  To date, 155 super-containers have been delivered. The remaining 95 will be delivered in two shipments which will be made in April and June of this year.

  Production of the transport equipment has been completed. Delivery of the truck cargo heavy duty (Russia) (TCHD(R))s has slipped from the original schedule, due to difficulties of siting support staff in Russia. These have now been resolved and deliveries are expected to commence in the middle of this year, completion being by early March 1996.

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has an on-going requirement for carrying out nuclear tests in relation to the safety and reliability of the nuclear stockpile. [18121]

  Mr. Freeman
  We have a responsibility to ensure the safety and reliability of our nuclear weapons and we are currently studying how best to meet this requirement.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy in relation to hydro-nuclear experiments and the proposed comprehensive test ban treaty. [18147]

  Mr. Freeman
  We are negotiating in good faith a comprehensive test ban treaty with an effective verification regime. We are studying how best to meet our responsibility to ensure the safety and reliability of our nuclear weapons under such a treaty.

  Atomic Weapons Establishment
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost of running the Atomic Weapons Establishment in(a) the current financial year and (b) the financial year 1995–96; and from which subheads of which votes this expenditure is taken. [18129]

  Mr. Freeman
  The costs of the defence nuclear programme have been regarded by successive Governments as inappropriate for public disclosure. With contractorisation, AWE operating costs have also become commercially sensitive.

  Police National Computer
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who, within his Department, is to be authorised to have direct access to the police national computer; and what procedures are being established for ensuring that information gained from this source is handled correctly. [18133]

  Mr. Soames
  As a fully constituted and recognised police force, the Ministry of Defence police have for some time had direct access to the police national computer. The procedures in place to ensure that information is handled correctly are those issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

  Direct access to the specific transaction for security vetting has also been approved for the Department's security vetting organisations. The service, which has not yet been implemented, will be subject to a memorandum of agreement with the Home Office which will set out

  1149
  the operating procedures and the purposes for which the information will be used.

  British Meat
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what percentage by value of meat purchasing contracts placed by his Department is the origin of the meat specified; what percentage is specified as British meat; what percentage is specified only as imported meat; and what percentage is specified as British or imported meat. [18347]

  Mr. Freeman
  Since 1 October 1994, the supply of food to the armed forces has been the responsibility of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute. My Department does not specify the source from which meat should be obtained.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent by his Department in the last year for which figures are available on British meat; and how much was spent on imported meat. [18346]

  Mr. Freeman
  Contract specifications for the supply of meat to the armed forces are concerned with quality and price and do not stipulate the source from which meat should be obtained. The information requested is therefore not available.

  Transport (Royal Family)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the costs for the last two years and what are the estimated costs for the current year and the next two years of(a) the royal yacht, (b) the Queen's flight, (c) royal flights in civil aircraft and (d) equerries. [18049]

  Mr. Soames
  Actual and estimated expenditure in support of the royal family borne by my Department on class I votes is as follows:

  £ thousands

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–951

  1995–962

  Royal yacht

  8,361

  8,397

  11,090

  8,411

  Queen's Flight3

  7,590

  9,105

  8,893

  n/a

  Royal flights in civil aircraft

  9

  140

  160

  480

  Equerries

  170

  316

  319

  292

  Notes:

  1 Current forecast of outturn.

  2 Amount included within the Class I 1995–96 Supply Estimates presented to the House on 23 March 1995.

  3 Total operating cost. The Queen's Flight has not been used exclusively by the Royal Family, and it would not therefore be possible to allocate expenditure to users without disproportionate cost. On 1 April the Queen's Flight was merged with 32 Squadron to become No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron. A disaggregated element of the cost of royal flying is being established.

  We do not publish detailed future plans, as approval to commit expenditure is subject to formal endorsement through Ministers and the parliamentary supply system. Figures for 1996–97 are therefore not yet available.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he 1150
  will make a statement. [18597]

  Mr. Freeman
  Because my Department does not deal with the public direct, the main thrust of our initiatives aimed at providing access and facilities for disabled people relates to our role as an employer of civilian staff. These initiatives form part of my Department's programme for action on disability called "Ability not Disability", which aims to achieve equality of opportunity for disabled people in recruitment, training and career development. One specific action within the programme is a survey of all buildings housing 100 or more staff to identify what needs to be done to make them accessible to disabled people, and to fund the necessary modifications by 1999.

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will name the green minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18656]

  Mr. Freeman
  My noble friend Lord Henley, the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, is the Department's green Minister. He chairs the ministerial steering group which provides policy direction and determines appropriate environmental and energy efficiency strategies to ensure compliance with relevant United Kingdom legislation, EC directives and wider Government policy. The ministerial steering group has initiated a programme of environmental reviews of defence activities which have the potential to harm the environment. These include reviews of land contamination and the defence estate; pollution prevention procedures; the use of particularly hazardous substances and my Department's aqueous discharge and water abstraction arrangements.

  Army Vehicles
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the trial for a replacement of the Army's Land Rover 1 tonne and three-quarter tonne ambulances. [18792]

  Mr. Freeman
  The competitive evaluation trial has been completed, and the technical reports are now in preparation. It is anticipated that a final decision on the outcome of the competition will be made in late summer with contract placement expected by early October this year.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the jobs that have been lost to agencies in his Department in the past two years that have(a) been taken over by contractors and (b) disappeared. [18321]

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: I have asked the chief executives of the agencies to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Jim Drew to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:
  I have been asked to reply, as Chief Executive of the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO), to your recent Parliamentary Question

  1151
  asking the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the jobs that have been lost to agencies in his Department in the past two years that have a) been taken over by contractors and b) disappeared.
  Since ABRO was launched as a Defence Agency on 1 April 1993, no jobs have been lost as a result of being taken over by contractors. The number of staff in the Organisation has however reduced from 3800 to 3379. A significant proportion of the reduction has been in military posts—the result of a combination of efficiency savings and a policy of transferring military posts to units providing first and second line support to Army field units. The remaining reduction is attributable to efficiency measures undertaken at the Agency's workshops.

  I hope that you find this information useful.

  Letter from Peter Trevelyan to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 3 April 1995:
  Minister (DP) has asked me to write to you on behalf of the Defence Accounts Agency in reply to your Parliamentary Question, number 7171G, in which you asked for a list of the jobs that have been lost to Agencies in the Ministry of Defence in the past two years that have (a) been taken over by contractors and (b) disappeared.
  The Defence Accounts Agency was formed four years ago with a staff of about 2,000. Since its formation no further jobs have been transferred to it by the Ministry of Defence. The Defence Accounts Agency has neither been taken over by a contractor nor disappeared.
  I hope that this reply is satisfactory.

  Letter from Paul Altobell to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:

  PQ NO 717IG
  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me to reply to your question about jobs lost to agencies in the past two years.
  Taking the individual parts of your question, the Defence Analytical Services Agency has:

  a. had no jobs taken over by contractors

  b. disestablished 29 posts as part of the Department wide PROSPECT initiative.

  Letter from Andrew Roache to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question No 7171G, where you ask to list the jobs that have been lost to agencies in his Department in the past two years that have a) been taken over by contractors and b) disappeared.
  I have interpreted your question to mean jobs lost from the agency during this period. Since the Defence Animal Centre (DAC) was launched as a Defence Agency in June 1993, no jobs have been lost as a result of being taken over by contractors.
  As a result of the MOD-wide Options for Change initiative and Defence Costs Study measures 46 military posts have been lost with effect I April 1995.

  I hope you find this information useful.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:
  1. In today's written answer the Minister for State for Defence Procurement informed you that I would be replying to your question concerning job losses in the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). DERA was formed on 1 April 1995 to bring together most of the MOD's non-nuclear science and technology resources and it includes three former MOD agencies, the Defence Research Agency (DRA), the Defence Operational Analysis Centre (DOAC), and the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE).
  2. As Chief Executive of DERA I now have responsibility for all these areas. All three agencies have undergone some structural changes as a result of their incorporation into DERA and there may be some reduction in numbers resulting from the formation of the new agency. Specific figures are not yet available.
  3. Between April 1993 and March 1995 there were 62 job losses at DOAC and 17 job losses at CBDE, none of which were contractorised; the savings have been achieved through efficiencies.
  4. The reduction in posts in the Defence Research Agency between April 1993 and March 1995 amount to 1600 of which 390
  1152
  were redeployed, the majority within DRA. These reductions have arisen from a combination of a reduction in demand for services as the disciplines of hard charging for services have led to more critical scrutiny of real need by customers, and, efficiency improvements achieved through rationalisation and streamlined processes aimed at reduced cost and improved quality. These reductions have been primarily in the support services area and comprise around 1595 full time posts whose functions have been discontinued and 5 posts which have been transferred to contractors.
  5. I hope you will find this information useful.

  Letter from Richard Kirby to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 4 April 1995:
  I have been asked by the Minister for Defence Procurement to reply to your Parliamentary Question about Defence Agency job losses. As the Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency (DCTA) I can brief you on the aspects affecting this area of business.
  I am pleased to say that the formation of the DCTA, on 22 November 1994, has not generated any job losses, either internally or in the private sector. Planned future re-structuring of the Agency, collocating to a single site in early 1996, together with the requirements of Defence Cost Study exercises will however undoubtedly lead to a streamlining of the business structure which in time will lead to a number of posts being lost within the organisation. We would expect these changes to be achieved through natural processes, without redundancy.

  Letter from Tweedie M. Brown to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me to reply to your question about jobs transferred to agencies in the past 2 years.
  As of 1 March 1995, the Defence Postal and Courier Services Defence Agency had 487 military and civilian personnel in post. This is a reduction, in the past 2 years, of 33 of which 23 were taken over by contractors.

  Letter from Keith Ellender to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: AGENCIES AND JOB IOSSES
  I have been asked to reply to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence as to the number of jobs that have been lost to agencies in his Department in the past two years that have (a) been taken over by contractors and (b) disappeared, as it affects my Agency.
  There has been a reduction of nine posts–5 UK based Civilians and 4 locally engaged employees in the Disposal Sales Agency as a result of contractorisation of the sales disposal function in Germany.

  Letter from G. H. Wilson to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 3 April 1995:
  I have been asked to reply to your PQ 7171G.
  In response to your request to list the jobs that have been lost to agencies in the Ministry of Defence in the past two years, the Duke of York's Royal Military School has lost the following:

  (a) 0.5 (Steward). Taken over by contractor.

  (b) 1.5 (Housemaids). Disappeared.

  (c) 1.0 (Instructor Officer). Disappeared.

  Letter from S. Parnell to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION—PQ 7171G
  You recently asked The Secretary of State for Defence to list the jobs that have been lost to agencies in his Department in the past two years that have (a) been taken over by contractors and (b) disappeared.
  During the period 1 April 1993 to 31 March 1995 the number of staff directly employed by the Hydrographic Office Defence Agency has reduced by 29. No jobs were lost to contractors. All reductions are ascribed to efficiency improvements.

  Letter from Alan Pollard to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION—AGENCIES AND JOB LOSSES

  1153
  The Logistic Information System Agency was formed on 21 November 1994. No jobs were lost or transferred to a contractor upon formation.
  In accordance with the Government's Competing for Quality programme we are considering how best to carry out our "non-core" activities. Current proposals envisage the transfer of these activities to a civilian partner. If this is followed through we see about 150 posts being transferred. The final numbers are not yet firm. Following transfer all transferred staff will continue to work on our sites under a "Government Owned Contractor Operated" (GOCO) arrangement, although the GOCO status will be reviewed at an appropriate time. We have no plans to cut the remaining staff in the Agency.

  Letter from Martyn Bittleston to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:
  On behalf of the Chief Executive, who is out of the country at the moment, I have been asked to amplify the Minister's response to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning contractorisation.
  In the Meteorological Office

  a. No jobs have been taken over by contractors in the past 2 years.

  b. The total number of jobs has fallen from 2526 to 2299 in the 2 years to 31 March 1995. A net loss of 227.

  Letter from Brigadier A. J. Hoon to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 3 April 1994:
  I understand that you have asked the Secretary of State for Defence to list the jobs that have been lost to agencies in his Department in the past two years. Acting on behalf of the Chief Executive of Military Survey I have been asked to reply with regard to this Agency.
  As a Defence Agency, remaining in the defence chain of command, I can identify no job losses to Military Survey in the past two years.

  Letter from W. S. Graham to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 4 April 1995:
  1. The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning jobs that have been lost to Agencies in his Department for the past 2 years.
  2. My response to your 2 part question is as follows:

  a. There are no jobs in the NARO Defence Agency that have been taken over by contractors.

  b. The size of workforce of this Agency is task related and is therefore subject to minor fluctuations, but has however increased overall in the past 3 years.

  Letter from Brian Raine to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 4 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question No. 7171G about Agencies and Job Losses.
  At Queen Victoria School no jobs have been taken over by contractors or lost in the past 2 years.
  I hope this answers your question satisfactorily but if there is anything on which you would like me to elaborate please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Letter from Air Vice-Marshall R. H. Kyle to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:
  You asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he would list the jobs that have been lost to agencies in his Department in the past two years that have (a) been taken over by contractors and (b) disappeared.
  The Maintenance Group Defence Agency manpower figures have reduced progressively for several years. The average figures for each year are reported in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts. Figures taken from the last three reports, together with the latest available figures, are:
  1154

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1 February 1995

  Service

  7,500

  6,800

  6,634

  4,760

  Civilian

  6,100

  6,000

  5,679

  4,575

  Total

  13,600

  12,800

  12,313

  9,335

  A major reorganisation within the Ministry of Defence took place on 1 April 1994. As part of this process, 1,978 Service and 947 civilian posts were transferred from the Maintenance Group Defence Agency to another area.

  There have been no jobs within the Agency that have been lost to contractors in the past 2 years. The other reductions in jobs that have occurred have been as a result of efficiency savings and the effects of the ending of the Cold War.

  Letter from David Rennison to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 4 April 1995:
  I write on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment (RAFSEE) in response to your Parliamentary Question No. 7171G to the Secretary of State for Defence.
  Since becoming a Defence Agency on 22 November 1994 no jobs have disappeared or been taken over by contractors.

  Letter from I. S. Mitchelson to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:
  1. I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the jobs that have been lost from Agencies in the past two years—in this instance with particular regard to Children's Schools (North West Europe) Defence Agency.
  2. This Agency has:—

  (a) had no jobs taken over by Contractors; and

  (b) lost 492 teaching posts (inclusive of UK based/locally enrolled, full time equivalent) in the last two years as a result of the Drawdown of British Forces in Germany and the subsequent closure of schools and falling rolls at those remaining. Additionally there has been a loss of 311 locally employed non-teaching staff. These figures reflect the last two years, beginning 1 April 1993.

  Letter from Air Vice-Marshal J. A. G. May to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 5 April 1995:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No. PQ7171G

  —TRAINING GROUP DEFENCE AGENCY REPLY
  The Minister of State for Defence Procurement has asked me to reply to the question you asked of him in respect of Defence Agencies and Job Losses.
  I am able to tell you that no Training Group jobs have been transferred to contractors since the launch of Training Group Defence Agency on 1 April 1994. I am able to tell you, too, that no Training Group jobs have "disappeared" since the same date.
  I am copying this letter to the Agency's owner, the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Personnel & Training Command.

  Defence Equipment
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of each type of(a) ships, (b) ammunition, (c) artillery, (d) missiles, (e) helicopters, (f) torpedoes and (g) aircraft surplus to his Department's requirement have been or are to be sold in the 1994–95 financial year. [15803]

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 27 March 1995]: Quantities of surplus United Kingdom defence equipment

  1155
  sold or expected to be sold in the financial year 1994–95 are as follows:

  Amount

  Ships

  Type 22 frigates

  4

  Leander class frigates

  3

  River class minesweepers

  7

  Oberon submarines

  1

  Fleet tenders

  11

  Motor fishing vessels

  3

  Fleet tankers

  1

  Landing craft

  3

  Mooring and salvage vessels

  1

  Target vessels

  3

  Floating cranes

  1

  Armament lighters

  3

  Sullage lighters

  2

  Diving vessels

  1

  Barges

  2

  46

  Ammunition

  Rounds naval

  24,000

  Artillery

  55,000

  Small arms

  5,000

  84,000

  Artillery

  M109s

  32

  Missiles

  Skyflash

  40

  Helicopters

  Lynx HAS3

  3

  Aircraft

  Andovers

  4

  Beagles

  1

  Beavers

  1

  Buccanners

  10

  Canberras

  6

  Chipmunks

  12

  Devons

  2

  Gnats

  2

  HS125s

  5

  Hunters

  19

  Jaguars

  1

  Javelins

  1

  Jet Provosts

  56

  Jet Provost ground runners

  3

  Lightenings

  1

  Spitfires

  1

  Varsities

  1

  Victors

  1

  127

  Overseas Contracts
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 22 March,Official Report, column 218, if he will name the representatives of the Government of Indonesia and the representatives of Her Majesty's Government who signed memoranda of understanding on behalf of their respective Governments in September 1983, March 1984, April 1986 and November 1991; and in each case what positions they occupied as officials or Ministers within those governments. [17053]
  1156
  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 30 March 1995]: Details of exchanges between Governments are confidential; and it has been the general policy of successive Governments not to reveal details concerning such arrangements without the prior approval of the other Government.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 2 February,Official Report, column 609, if he will list the exact date of, and the signatories to, each memorandum of understanding signed with the Government of Nigeria since 4 May 1979.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 22 March 1995]: The answer given in March Official Report, column 609, referred to defence exports-related MOUs. No central record of MOUs is kept by my Department and a comprehensive list could be compiled only at disproportionate cost. MOUs not related to defence exports were signed with the Government of Nigeria on 24 November 1980 and 14 July 1992. It has been the general policy of successive Governments not to reveal details without the prior approval of the other Government.

TREASURY

  Financial Services
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he is doing to improve the performance of the British financial services industry in terms of long-term investment in Britain. [16443]

  Mr. Nelson
  Last year, the Treasury conducted an inquiry into provision of finance for industry entitled "The Industrial Finance Initiative". A summary of our conclusions was submitted to the Trade and Industry Select Committee, and I gave evidence to the Committee on 8 February. I refer the hon. Member to that submission—a copy of which is available in the Library—and in particular to the catalogue of measures since implemented to improve the terms and availability of finance for industry.

  Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the costs for the last two years and what are the estimated costs for the current year and the next two years of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood. [18050]

  Mr. Nelson
  The figures requested are set out in the table:

  £000

  1992–93 (Outturn)

  1993–94 (Outturn)

  1994–95 (Forecast outturn)

  1995–96 (Estimate)

  1996–97 (Estimate)

  605

  477

  564

  669

  677

  Insignia re-stocking occurs irregularly, according to need.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many parliamentary questions to his Department in each year since 1979–80 requesting a
  1157
  priority written answer or answer on a named day were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further five, 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18488]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by his Department in each year since 1979–80; and how many such questions received a substantive answer within 10, 15, 20 days or longer. [18487]

  Mr. Nelson
  The table gives the numbers of ordinary written and named day, or priority as appropriate, written questions tabled to Treasury Ministers since 1988–89, and the number of holding answers given to named day and priority questions for each of these Sessions.

  Information relating to earlier years and the analysis sought of substantive replies are not readily retrievable and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

  Parliamentary Questions tabled to the Treasury

  Session

  Ordinary written

  Named day/priority written

  Holding answers

  1988–89

  1,007

  924

  530

  1989–90

  1,162

  827

  413

  1990–91

  851

  796

  298

  1991–92

  481

  485

  180

  1992–93

  1,811

  1,373

  473

  1993–94

  1,316

  731

  245

  1994–951

  733

  470

  271

  1 To 5 April.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18942]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18491]

  Mr. Nelson
  Since October 1992, when arrangements were introduced for printing in the Official Report letters sent to hon. Members by agency chief executives in response to parliamentary questions, chief executives responsible to Treasury Ministers have replied directly to four questions:

  1992–93: 3

  1993–94: —

  1994–95: 1

  In each case, the answers were printed in the Official Report.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has written to a right hon. or hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question; [18490]

  (2) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being
  1158
  placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report. [18489]

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested is a matter of public record, but it could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost to the Exchequer in 1995–96 of extending the 20p band to the point at which it would become the highest marginal rate of tax(a) for half of all income tax payers and (b) for three quarters of all income tax payers. [16820]

  Sir George Young
  The full year cost at 1995–96 income levels would be about £4.3 billion for half of income taxpayers and about £7.5 billion for three quarters. These estimates do not allow for any behavioural changes which might result from the introduction of the new regime.

  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of income tax revenue was paid by those with the top 10 per cent. of incomes in each year from 1978–79 to 1995–96. [18974]

  Sir George Young
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Shares of total tax liability paid by top 10 per cent.1

  Percentage

  1978–79

  35

  1979–80

  34

  1980–81

  35

  1981–82

  35

  1982–83

  36

  1983–84

  36

  1984–85

  38

  1985–86

  38

  1986–87

  39

  1987–88

  41

  1988–89

  42

  1989–90

  42

  1990–91

  42

  1991–92

  43

  1992–93

  44

  1993–942

  44

  1994–952

  44

  1995–962

  44

  1 For years up to and including 1989–90 married couples are counted as one taxpayer and their incomes are combined. Following the introduction of independent taxation in 1990–91 husbands and wives are counted separately.

  2 Provisional.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the information provided to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. Betts) on 5 May 1994,Official Report, columns 588–92 for (a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96, (c) 1996–97 and (d) 1997–98; and if he will revise the figures for 1992–93 and 1993–94. [17429]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 31 March 1995]: Available information on income tax payers is given in the table. The increases in taxpayer numbers is largely due to economic growth. In addition, the number of people in work is increasing—United Kingdom work force in employment up 174,000 between December 1993 and December 1994.
  1159

  Taxpayers by marginal rate: Numbers in thousands

  Marginal rate

  1992–93

  11993–94

  11994–95

  11995–96

  20

  4,240

  5,200

  5,000

  5,400

  25

  19,430

  18,400

  18,400

  18,400

  40

  1,720

  1,900

  2,300

  2,400

  Total

  25,390

  25,500

  25,700

  26,200

  1Provisional estimates projected from the 1992–93 survey of personal incomes.

  Taxpayers by marginal rate: Percentages

  Marginal rate

  1992–93

  11993–94

  11994–95

  11995–96

  20

  17

  20

  19

  21

  25

  76

  72

  72

  70

  40

  7

  8

  9

  9

  Total

  100

  100

  100

  100

  1Provisional estimates projected from the 1992–93 survey of personal incomes.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will be publishing consultation documents on industrial and provident society, credit union and friendly society measures contained in the illustrative list attached to the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. [19126]

  Mr. Nelson
  I am pleased to announce that consultation documents proposing amendments to regulations governing the constitutions and activities of these institutions were published today. Copies are being placed in the Library. The effect of the changes will be to ease the administrative burden on societies and unions without removing any necessary protection for their members. Subject to the response, the Government hope to implement the proposals later this year through an order under section 1 of the Act.

  Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of whether Her Majesty's Government are required, under the provisions of the Maastricht treaty, to seek to aim at any specified levels of inflation or of the public sector borrowing requirement; and if he will make a statement. [18152]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: Article 103 of the treaty on European Union requires all member states to regard their economic policy as a matter of common concern, but the broad guidelines on economic policy adopted by the Council of Economic and Finance Ministers under article 103(2) are only recommendations. The same applies to the outcome of the excessive deficits procedure set out in article 104c.

  The latest broad guidelines on economic policy, adopted by ECOFIN on 11 July 1994, recognised the need to achieve low inflation on a permanent basis and sound public finances. Such aims are consistent with Government's existing economic policy, as were the recommendations under the excessive deficit procedure, adopted on 7 November 1994.

  Mortgage Interest Relief
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of individuals whose after-tax income will be reduced by the forthcoming restriction of tax relief on mortgage interest at source from 20 to 15 per cent. [17180]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 30 March 1995]: About 10.1 million single people or married couples will benefit from mortgage interest relief in 1995–96, all of whom will be affected by the change in the rate of relief.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual value of mortgage interest relief at source to(a) the average standard rate taxpayer and (b) the average higher rate taxpayer, with (i) a £30,000 mortgage, (ii) in a £60,000 mortgage and (iii) a £100,000 mortgage (1) in 1979–80, (2) in 1993–94, (3) as projected for 1994–95 and (4) as estimated for 1995–96 expressed in 1994 prices. [16812]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 29 March 1995]: Information is given in the following table.

  Much of the reduction in the value of the relief is due to lower interest rates.

  Annual value of mortgage interest relief (£)

  11979–80

  21993–94

  31994–95

  41995–96 (in 1994–95) prices)

  Basic rate taxpayer with:

  £30,00 mortgage

  970

  590

  470

  350

  £60,000 mortgage

  970

  590

  470

  350

  £100,000 mortgage

  970

  590

  470

  350

  Higher rate taxpayer with:

  £30,000 mortgage

  1,450

  590

  470

  350

  £60,000 mortgage

  1,450

  590

  470

  350

  £100,000 mortgage

  1,450

  590

  470

  350

  1 Average higher rate taxpayer assumed to obtain relief at 45 per cent. Average building society interest rate was 12.9 per cent.

  2 Average building society interest rate was 7.9 per cent.

  3 Interest rate of 7.8 per cent. used. This is based on the average building society interest rates from April 1994 to January 1995, and then assuming, by convention, no changes from the current interest rate of 8.1 per cent. Relief at 20 per cent.

  4 Assumes, by convention, no changes from current interest rate of 8.1 per cent. Relief at 15 per cent.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review the regulations under the Legal Aid Act 1988 which require that where a person granted legal aid succeeds in recovering a preserved property the legal aid is repayable, with particular concern for those on income support. [17212]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  None.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he
  1161
  has to review the interest charged on legal aid assistance. [17213]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  When a legally aided person recovers or preserves money or property as a result of the proceedings for which he or she is legally aided, the Legal Aid Board recovers the legal aid costs from that money or property. This is known as the statutory charge. In certain circumstances, enforcement of the charge is postponed. In those cases, simple interest is charged for the length of the postponement at a rate which is currently 8 per cent. per annum. This rate is reviewed from time to time when it seems appropriate to do so in the light of movements in interest rates generally. There are no current plans to change the rates.

  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much money has been paid in legal aid for persons whose cases are being considered by(a) the European Court of Justice and (b) the European Court of Human Rights; and if he will list the number of (1) cases and (2) people involved.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have reflected carefully on this inquiry to which my hon. Friend returns, but regret that I must refer him to the answer I gave him on 28 March,Official Report, column 525.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action he now plans to take in respect of the provision of legal aid to the nation's richest citizens. [17845]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor is now considering the responses he received to the consultation paper, "Legal Aid for the Apparently Wealthy." He will announce shortly the proposals which he intends to take forward.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the cost of civil legal aid for divorce cases for each of the last five years and the estimated cost for the current financial year; and what is the projected cost for the next financial year. [17098]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It is not possible to provide the net cost of divorce cases alone. Net expenditure in respect of all civil matrimonial legal aid for each of the five years is as follows:

  1989–90: £87.5 million

  1990–91: £108.6 million

  1991–92: £150.5 million

  1992–93: £207.2 million

  1993–94: £266.7 million

  The net cost of all civil legal aid in 1994–95 is estimated to be £611.1 million and is projected to be £677.8 million in 1995–96.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to restrict the availability of legal aid for divorcing couples and their children; what mechanisms he intends to introduce to allow those adults and children requiring professional legal assistance, rather than the assistance of mediators, for the protection of their interests to get that assistance; and who will be taking decisions about whether people get the assistance of a mediator or lawyer in publicly funded matrimonial cases. [17104]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor will be issuing his Green Paper on legal aid later in the spring. Proposals relating to legal aid in family cases will be covered in that document.
  1162
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the cost to public funds of legal aid granted to persons who were not British citizens or resident in the United Kingdom during the most recent 12–month period for which figures are available.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Information as to an applicant's nationality is not collected and is therefore not available. The Legal Aid Board does maintain a record of applications received from applicants resident outside the United Kingdom, but information on the cost to legal aid of those cases could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Privity of Contract
  Sir Timothy Sainsbury
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he proposes to introduce legislation relating to the law of privity of contract; and if he will make a statement. [17240]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It remains the intention of the Government to proceed with legislation in this area as soon as there is a suitable legislative opportunity.

  Age Limits (Courts)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the(a) legal lower age limit and (b) customary lower age limit on visitors to criminal or civil courts. [17230]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There is no legal age limit for any visitor to a criminal or civil court. People of all ages visit these courts.

  Internet
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [17728]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Neither my Department, the Lord Chancellor nor I have an Internet electronic mail address. My Department has no current plans to use the Internet but will keep under review the facilities available and their potential use.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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 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. [17629]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Expenditure on all forms of advertising and publicity, and separate figures for recruitment advertising, are given in the table. The recruitment advertising figures are only for recruitment carried out centrally. Recruitment is also carried out locally but costs are not separately identifiable. It is not possible to identify separate figures for the different types
  1163
  of advertising. The figures include costs for the Court Service, which became an agency on 3 April 1995.

  Year

  Total advertising and publicity1

  Recruitment advertising

  Recruitment as percentage of total

  1992–93

  51,901

  36,209

  70

  1993–94

  126,195

  47,744

  38

  1994–95 (provisional)

  152,412

  45,341

  30

  1995–96 (plan)

  191,650

  52,650

  27

  1 Including recruitment.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's 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. [17630]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  A list of the non-departmental public bodies and agencies is set out below. In relation to the non-departmental public bodies for which the Lord Chancellor has responsibility, the following information is available:

  Legal Aid Board (created in 1989
  Publicity budget for publicising the legal aid scheme:

  1989–90: £103,000

  1990–91: £150,000

  1991–92: £132,000

  1992–93: £234,000

  1993–94: £140,000

  1994–95: £185,000

  The planned expenditure for 1995–96 is £243,750. No figure has yet been planned for 1996–97. Publicity in this area is carried out, almost exclusively, by way of leaflets and posters for the general public.

  Information on recruitment advertisements is available only from 1992–93:

  1992–93: £215.731

  1993–94: £135,259

  1994–95: £252,359 (estimate)

  Law Commission Apart from 1992–93, expenditure was all on recruitment

  Newspapers £

  Other (D) £

  Total £

  1986–87

  11,500

  NIL

  1,500

  1987–88

  11,700

  NIL

  1,700

  1988–89

  12,100

  NIL

  2,100

  1989–90

  12,400

  1500

  2,900

  1990–91

  13,000

  11,000

  4,000

  1991–92

  13,500

  11,250

  4,750

  1992–93

  3,783.50

  25,408.25

  29,191.75

  1164

  Law Commission Apart from 1992–93, expenditure was all on recruitment

  Newspapers £

  Other (D) £

  Total £

  1993–94

  3,838.73

  2,067.33

  5,906.06

  1994–95

  4,816.18

  2,145.87

  6,962,05

  1995–963

  4,500

  2,000

  6,500

  1 Best estimate: figures prior to 1986–87 are not available and until 1992 were not distinguished from miscellaneous expenditure.

  2 Includes a Law Commission brochure.

  3 Estimate.

  Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct (created in 1991)
  The only expenditure has been on newspaper advertising for the recruitment of staff. The figures are:

  1991–92: £4,917.19

  1992–93: £7,013.36

  1993–94: £11,195.98

  1994–95: £11,200 (estimate)

  The other NDPBs either do not incur such expenditure or the cost is included in departmental figures.

  The Lord Chancellor is responsible for four agencies: the Court Service, Her Majesty's Land Registry, the Public Record Office and the Public Trust Office. The Court Service, which came into operation as an agency on 3 April 1995, is covered in the answer to the question about this Department. As the question concerns specific operational matters on which the chief executives of the other three agencies are best placed to provide answers, I have accordingly asked the chief executives to reply direct.

  NON-DEPARTMENTAL PUBLIC BODIES

  Executive Bodies

  Legal Aid Board

  Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board (now inactive)

  Advisory Bodies

  Insolvency Rules Committee

  County Court Rule Committee

  Supreme Court Rule Committee

  Land Registration Rule Committee

  Family Proceedings Rule Committee

  Crown Court Rule Committee

  Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax

  Advisory Committee on JPs in England (excluding the Duchy of Lancaster) and Wales

  Judicial Studies Board

  Advisory Council on Public Records

  Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct

  Council on Tribunals

  Law Commission

  Northern Ireland Court Service—

  Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax (NI)

  Advisory Committees on JPs in Northern Ireland

  Advisory Committees on Juvenile Court Lay Panel

  Legal Aid Advisory Committee (NI)

  TRIBUNALS

  Immigration Appeal Tribunal and Adjudicators

  Lands Tribunal

  Pensions Appeal Tribunal

  Valued Added Tax Tribunal

  Transport Tribunal

  General Commissioners of Income Tax

  AGENCIES

  Court Service

  1165

  Her Majesty's Land Registry

  The Public Record Office

  The Public Trust Office

  Letter from S. Hutcheson to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 4 April 1995:
  The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to you as part of the Lord Chancellor's Department's response to your Parliamentary question, listed on 28 March 1995, regarding the cost of advertising and promotional activities.
  The Public Trust Office has not spent any money on
  (a) television or (b) radio advertising since 1979.
  Expenditure on (c) newspapers advertising has been limited to the advertising of senior management posts which cost a total of £19,891.58 in 1994–95. Prior to 1994 recruitment was undertaken centrally by the Lord Chancellor's Department and no separate figures are available for the Public Trust Office.
  The cost of (d), other promotional materials and activities, including the design and printing the Framework Document, Corporate and Business Plans in 1994 prior to the launch of the Public Trust Office as an Executive Agency, was £10,980. The cost of producing and publishing pamphlets in 1994 (including Charter Statements, explanatory booklets and leaflets sent to our customers) was £37,500. There have been no other promotional activities. Figures for each year since 1979 will have been subsumed within other budgets and the information required can only be provided at a disproportionate cost.
  The figures for 1994–95 are those quoted in the paragraph above. The cost of producing Corporate and Business Plans in 1995–96 is currently being researched but is not expected to exceed £5,000. The production and design of Charter Statements, explanatory booklets and leaflets for 1995–96 has yet to be tendered and the cost cannot, therefore, be quantified at present.

  Letter from Sarah Tyacke to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 5 April 1995:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: EXPENDITURE ON ADVERTISING
  I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply to your question relating to advertising by the Public Record Office.
  (a)/(b) The Public Record Office has not advertised on television or radio.

  The following table shows:

  (c) the amounts spent on newspaper advertising;

  (d) the approximate amounts spent on other promotional materials and activities;

  (e) the totals of (c) and (d);

  (f) the proportions of (e) spent on recruitment and advertising.

  Year

  (c) Newspaper advertising £

  (d) Promotional activities £

  (e) Total £

  (f) Recruitment proportion Per cent.

  1986–87

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1987–88

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1988–89

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1990–91

  28

  Nil

  28

  100

  1991–92

  20,666

  1,500

  22,166

  93

  1992–93

  10,326

  1,500

  11,826

  87

  1993–94

  77,392

  1,500

  78,892

  98

  Information for earlier years is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Our latest estimates for 1994–95 and 1995–96 are:

  1994–95

  1995–96

  a) television

  nil

  nil

  b) radio

  nil

  nil

  1166

  1994–95

  1995–96

  c) newspaper

  £70,000

  £44,500

  d) other promotional

  £1,500

  £1,500

  e) totals

  £71,500

  £46,000

  f) recruitment proportion

  98 per cent.

  98 per cent.

  Letter from John Manthorpe to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 5 April 1995:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: EXPENDITURE ON ADVERTISING IN HM LAND REGISTRY
  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question concerning total expenditure by HM Land Registry on all forms of advertising for each year since 1979. I can provide the following information:

  a) television advertising—nil;

  b) radio advertising—nil;

  The following table answers your questions c), d), e) and f):

  Year

  Total advertising costs £

  Recruitment per cent.

  1979–80

  23,696

  48

  1980–81

  5,789

  37

  1981–82

  7,425

  46

  1982–83

  5,160

  49

  1983–84

  3,365

  36

  1984–85

  4,143

  43

  1985–86

  7,470

  43

  1986–87

  12,669

  90

  1987–88

  32,828

  99

  1988–89

  70,226

  99

  1989–90

  36,434

  95

  1990–91

  20,940

  96

  1991–92

  6,342

  66

  1992–93

  15,002

  1

  1993–94

  16,233

  0

  1994–95 (forecast)

  30,000

  0

  1995–96 (budget)

  35,000

  0

  The Registry's major expenditure on advertising has been for staff recruitment, particularly to meet the property boom of the late 1980's; for advertising in connection with the registration of high value transactions (until 1980); and to give effect to a continuing statutory requirement concerning the replacement of Land and Charge Certificates.

  The advertising costs shown in the table all relate to newspaper advertising apart from the years 1992–93 onwards where costs for staging exhibitions and displays are also included. These costs are subsumed within the total budget and cannot be separated.

  I do hope that this answers the points raised with the Parliamentary Secretary but please contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

  Jury Service
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what legal grounds a person called for jury service may be excused from jury service; and if he will list the different categories of people who are automatically exempt from jury service. [17097]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Section 9 (1) of the Juries Act 1974 gives a person the right to be excused from jury service if they are among the persons listed in part III of schedule 1 to the Act. The schedule is a lengthy one and a copy will therefore be sent to the hon. Member. The jury summoning officer may also use discretion and excuse a person from jury service if, pursuant to section 9 (2) of
  1167
  the Act, they are able to show good cause as to why they should be excused.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people were called for jury service in each of the last 10 years at(a) the Central Criminal court, (b) Inner London Crown court, (c) Middlesex Crown court and (d) Harrow Crown court; and what percentage of these people were excused from jury service on each of the legal grounds available. [17101]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information cannot be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Number of Dissolutions

  150,477

  152,927

  158,301

  159,967

  164,556

  Adultery (per cent.)

  29.26

  28.80

  28.26

  27.59

  27.02

  Behaviour (per cent.)

  44.34

  45.37

  46.28

  46.20

  45.32

  Desertion (per cent.)

  0.74

  0.67

  0.68

  0.64

  0.68

  2 Year Separation with consent (per cent.)

  19.14

  18.77

  18.58

  19.38

  20.75

  5 Year Separation (per cent.)

  6.00

  5.86

  5.70

  5.74

  5.81

  Combination of Facts (per cent.)

  0.28

  0.27

  0.24

  0.22

  0.21

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what costings his Department has done on the introduction of a national mediation service; what savings he expects to make by funding mediation services for divorcing couples and their children rather than legal aid; and when he intends to publish these costings. [17102]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor has no plans to establish a national mediation service. The Lord Chancellor is still examining possible arrangements for the funding of local mediation services in the context of his proposed Green Paper on publicly funded legal services, to be issued later in the spring.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) trained mediators and (b) mediation centres he estimates will be needed to provide the necessary assistance for divorcing couples and their children. [17103]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The decisions which are made about how best to encourage a wider use of family mediation during the divorce process will determine what assessments are made of the numbers of mediators and mediation centres required to meet any additional demand.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18596]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In relation to the headquarters of the Lord Chancellor's Department and associated offices access and facilities for disabled people are continuously reviewed, and every effort is made to improve them as necessary. We will continue to build on this approach.

  Divorce
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many decrees absolute were granted in each of the last five years, and what percentage of them were made on each of the five legal grounds for divorce. [17099]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The table gives the numbers of divorces in each year from 1989 to 1993, the latest year for which figures are available. It also gives the percentages of these divorces that were based on each of the five facts by which irretrievable breakdown of marriage can be demonstrated. A small proportion of petitions are based on a combination of facts, and this proportion is also shown.

  The Lord Chancellor has responsibility for the Court Service, the Public Trust Office, Her Majesty's Land Registry and the Public Record Office as executive agencies. As this question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executives are best placed to provide the answer, I have asked them to reply direct.

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 5 April 1995:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your question about facilities for the disabled.
  Newly built Crown, county and combined court centres comply with the requirements of Part M of the Building Regulations 1991, which lay down specific levels of access for disabled court users. The policy is that the design of buildings should enable disabled people to gain independent access into and within the building so that they can fulfil their role in the function of that building; this policy covers all building users—visiting public, jury, professionals and all staff engaged in the building.
  New court building schemes have a revised Crown Court layout which provides better access to and within a courtroom. A sound enhancement system for the hard of hearing is required as standard in one courtroom in every new building. This is generally provided as an infra-red system which preserves security.
  Appropriate facilities are provided for wheelchair users, the hard of hearing and people with impaired sight. These include parking facilities close to entrances, level or ramped approaches close to entrances, good acoustic environments, signage and infra-red hearing aid installations, good quality lighting, the avoidance of hazards along routes, clear layouts and back-up aural information.
  It will be necessary to review our estate in the light of the requirements of the Disabled Bill currently before Parliament and the Regulations to be made under it. There will also have to be discussions with disabled people and the organisations that represent them, to ensure that their views are taken into account and that they are informed of any problems there may be with particular buildings.
  The Department has some 450 buildings; about a third of these are listed or older buildings and it will not always be easy or even possible to arrange the kind of access that is required. Our managing agents have been instructed to review our Estate and to identify what

  1169
  needs to be done to improve access. On the basis of that information and as part of the ongoing refurbishment programme, every effort will be made, subject to resource and building constraints, to bring our buildings up to the required standard.

  Letter from John Manthorpe to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 5 April 1995:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: ACCESS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE IN HM LAND REGISTRY
  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question concerning the measures taken to facilitate access for disabled people in HM Land Registry. I can provide the following information:
  The Land Registry carried out a comprehensive review of all facilities offered for disabled people in 1988. A wide range of improvements, including better means of access, were subsequently carried out. These included the provision of dedicated car parking spaces, the building of ramps, and the installation of electronic doors. Where it was not possible to provide unaided wheelchair access, "service call" facilities were installed.
  A further review of facilities has recently been carried out as part of the Registry's response to the "Programme for Action to Achieve Equality of Opportunity in the Civil Service for Disabled People". While the great majority of Registry sites already meet the requirements indicated in the Access Checklist published in the Programme, an action plan is currently being prepared to enhance facilities where required.
  I do hope that this answers the points raised with the Parliamentary Secretary but please contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

  Letter from S. Hutcheson to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 4 April 1995:
  The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to you as part of the Lord Chancellor's Departments' response to your Parliamentary question concerning access for disabled people.
  Appropriate facilities are provided for wheelchair users which include ramps, handrails, parking facilities near to the entrance and toilets which are accessible to wheelchair users. We also have evacuation chairs for wheelchair users for emergencies such as a fire.
  The Public Trust Office is situated in an older building and as parts of it are refurbished we are increasing the numbers of toilets with disabled access.

  Letter from Duncan Simpson to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 4 April 1995:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED
  In the absence of the Chief Executive, who is away on official business, I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply to your question relating to facilities for the disabled at the Public Record Office.
  The Kew building, which opened in 1977, incorporated several design features for the disabled. These are:

  a) a lift for disabled users;

  b) toilets for disabled users;

  c) a wheelchair access ramp leading to the public entrance;

  d) 5 parking bays for the disabled located at the point nearest to the public entrance;

  e) a visual alarm for the fire alarm system.

  An extension to the existing building, due for completion in 1995–96, will include the same facilities.
  The nineteenth-century Chancery Lane building has been adapted in recent years to improve facilities for disabled users and includes:

  a) two wheelchair lifts to allow access from street level to the ground floor;

  1170

  b) ramped access to the microform reading room;

  c) toilets for disabled users;

  d) parking for the disabled by prior arrangement

  In addition, there are special arrangements to make documents available to wheelchair users in the reading room which allows easiest access for them.
  Evacuation chairs are available on both sites for use in an emergency.
  The Public Record Office has appointed a Disabled Persons Officer, part of whose job is to ensure that action point in the Office's Equal Opportunities Policy relating to disabled facilities are followed. This includes ensuring that special equipment needs for staff are met.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) how many parliamentary questions to his Department in each year since 1979–80 requesting a priority written answer or answer on a named day, were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further five, 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18438]

  (2) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has written to a right hon. or hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question; [18440]

  (3) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report; [18439]

  (4) how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by his Department in each year since 1979–80; and how many such questions received a substantive answer within 10, 15, 20 days or longer.

  (5) how many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18441]

  (6) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18442]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information requested is a matter of public record but it could be extracted only in the form requested at disproportionate cost.

  New Technology
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department to what extent new technology is being deployed to speed up court work. [18416]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the
  1171
  Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked him to reply direct.

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 5 April 1995:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION: TECHNOLOGY USED TO SPEED UP COURT WORK
  You will know that it is the practice for Chief Executives of Agencies to reply direct to Members of Parliament who have tabled written Parliamentary Questions. As The Court Service became an Executive Agency on 3 April the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has therefore asked me to reply to your question about new technology in the courts.
  Several computer systems have been, or are being, introduced into the county courts to speed up court work. For example, the Summons Production Centre (SPC) and the County Court Bulk Centre (CCBC) deal with large quantities of summonses and post-issue process for major plaintiffs, such as the water industry and finance companies. The SPC issued 1.6 million default summonses for fixed amounts, in 1994 and is operated by only six staff. Both the SPC and CCBC are highly automated. As a result, we can guarantee that summonses will be issued and dispatched within 24–48 hours at the SPC and that judgments will be entered and warrants of execution issued within 48 hours at the CCBC.
  Electronic links between the CCBC and the 100 largest courts have recently been established. This allows warrant information to be transferred overnight from the CCBC to the local courts so that the warrant can be in the hands of the bailiff the next day.
  County Courts also have 'stand alone' computer systems to help with accounting functions for handling suitors' cash payments and for monitoring the progress of warrants. In addition, a new computer system, called CaseMan, is under development and is currently being installed at 6 pilot sites. CaseMan is a database system that will allow court records to be stored and documents to be produced electronically. In due course, CaseMan will be developed to support a wide range of functions including those carried ut by the stand alone systems mentioned earlier.
  Finally, in the Crown Court a strategic system was developed in 1989 and has progressively been installed in all Crown Court centres. All centres now have comprehensive support through the Crown Court Support System (CREST) for case progression, listing, accounting and payment of costs.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many public appointments, excluding judicial appointments, his Department has made in the last five years; what are the names and positions of the appointees; how many of the positions were advertised; how many of the appointees were on the list held by the Cabinet Office's public appointments unit; and how many of the appointments were made in consultation with(a) the Prime Minister and (b) the Government Chief Whip.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  A complete answer could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Lord Chancellor makes over 1,800 non-judicial appointments to bodies for which he has ministerial responsibility. Of those appointments, over 900 were made in the last five years. The great majority of these were made to the advisory committees on justices of the peace where the appointments field largely consists of those who are already JPs, appointments for which are advertised. The table shows the non-judicial public bodies listed under this Department in the Office of Public Service and Science publication "Public Bodies". Of the appointments made in the last five years, 21 were 1172
  advertised. In addition, two vacancies for barristers on the Legal Aid Board were advertised in Bar News, a publication distributed to all subscribing members of the Bar. While we have no record of how many appointees were on the list held by PAU, six appointments were of people suggested by the PAU; four were made in consultation with the Prime Minister; and one in consultation with the Government Chief Whip.

  Entries in Public Bodies

  Members

  Executive Bodies

  Legal Aid Board

  14

  Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board (although it is now inactive)

  —

  Advisory Bodies

  Insolvency Rules Committee

  7

  County Court Rule Committee

  11

  Supreme Court Rule Committee

  12

  Land Registration Rule Committee

  5

  Family Proceedings Rule Committee

  11

  Crown Court Rule Committee

  11

  Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax

  621

  Advisory Committees on JPs in England (excluding the Duchy of Lancaster) and Wales

  1,037

  Judicial Studies Board

  55

  Advisory Council on Public Records

  15

  Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct

  17

  Legal Aid Advisory Committee (since wound-up)

  10

  Council on Tribunals

  21

  Law Commission

  5

  Northern Ireland Court Service—Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax (NI)

  15

  Advisory Committees on JPs in Northern Ireland

  56

  Advisory Committees on Juvenile Court Lay Panel

  11

  Legal Aid Advisory Committee (NI)

  10

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of the functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18642]

  Mr. John. M. Taylor
  I am the green Minister for the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  The initiatives taken by my Department relate mainly to its environmental impact as a consumer. The Department is continuing and intensifying its efforts to improve energy efficiency. It has an on-going programme to maintain and, where appropriate, upgrade the historic buildings on our estate. It has ensured that the design of new court buildings takes full account of environmental concerns and, in the procurement of goods and services, it takes all reasonable steps to maximise the use of recycled and renewable resources.

  I have regular discussions with other green Ministers on the ways of achieving the Government objectives in this area.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Royal Residences
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what were the costs for the last two years and what are the estimated costs for the current year and the next two years of(a) expenditure on palaces in occupation of Her Majesty and residences occupied by members of the royal family and (b) gentlemen at arms and yeomen of the guard. [18048]

  Mr. Sproat
  The total expenditure on the occupied royal palaces since 1992–93 has been:

  1992–93: £23.1 million

  1993–94: £19.8 million

  1994–95: £20.5 million

  Estimated expenditure for the next two years is as follows:

  1995–96: £20.7 million

  1996–97: £20.9 million

  Of these totals, expenditure on the gentleman at arms and yeomen of the guard has been or will be:

  1992–93: £39,000

  1993–94: £55,000

  1994–95: £68,000

  1995–96: £54,000

  1996–97: £55,000

  Arts Council
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will list all persons who have served on advisory panels to the Arts Council in each year for the last 10 years giving the bodies, institutions and/or organisations to which they were professionally attached;

  (2) if he will itemise all funds distributed by the Arts Council either by grant or as expenses which have gone to a member of any advisory panel, whether directly or to bodies, institutions or organisations with which they are associated, in each year during the last 10 years.

  Mr. Sproat
  Full lists of the membership of all the Arts Council's advisory panels and of the grants made are published each year in the council's annual report and accounts, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Historic information to allow cross referencing between the interests of panel members and grants to individual organisations is only available at disproportionate cost.

  The Arts Council has, throughout its history, operated an advisory structure which allows peer group review of the artistic output of the recipients of grants from the council. The arts funding system relies heavily on the advice, experience and expertise of those appointed to these advisory panels. Nominations for membership of panels are sought from a wide range of relevant professional and trade organisations, and the membership of all panels changes regularly. Panel members are not paid, and receive expenses only on a reimbursement basis. It is inevitable that in order to involve people with the requisite knowledge and experience, some panel members will be employed by, or work on a freelance basis for, organisations that receive funding from the Arts Council; the council's procedural and ethical code states:
  "Members of the Council, Boards, Panels and Committees and staff with any interest in, or whose partners have an interest in, an organisation subsidised by, or seeking subsidy from, the Council, should declare this interest whenever that organisation
  1174
  is the subject of discussion and ask the Chairman at what point it would be appropriate for them to leave the meeting".

  I understand that the code is rigorously applied. In line with the Government's code of practice for board members of executive non-departmental bodies, the Arts Council is revising its own code of practice from 1 April 1995. The new code contains a full statement of the responsibilities of members and provides for a register of members' interests.

  Conservation Areas
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what study he is making of the links between conservation area status and listed building status. [16542]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I announced in my speech to the Architects' Journal centenary dinner on 8 March that the heritage Green Paper I intend to publish later this year will consider the interaction between listing and other statutory controls, including those relating to conservation areas.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what study he is making of a more open listed buildings system; what sources of information are available to his Department; and what proposals he has to initiate information-gathering about listed buildings other than from English Heritage. [16544]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I recently announced that I was introducing public consultation on listing proposals for post-war buildings and those arising from other thematic studies carried out by English Heritage. The possibility of extending consultation to other types of listing will be discussed in a heritage Green Paper which I will publish later this year.

  Documentary information on buildings proposed for listing is available from a number of published sources including the national monuments record, and from inspections made by English Heritage. In deciding whether to list a building I take into account any information, from whatever source, which is relevant to the assessment of the building's architectural or historic interest. I hope that the new arrangements for public consultation will enable owners and members of the public to contribute to the process of appraisal.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what criteria he has for the commercial disposal of listed buildings; and what obligations apply in respect to the need to obtain the highest price. [16541]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The terms of disposal of listed buildings are ultimately a matter for the individual vendor. However, so far as the disposal of Government historic buildings is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 8 March Official Report, columns 174–75, in which I announced the publication of a new guidance note for Departments. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to introduce more flexibility into listings of grade II listed buildings. [16540]
  1175
  Mr. Dorrell
  I propose to publish a Green Paper later in the year which will invite public discussion of the need of greater flexibility. Among the possibilities which may be worth considering is a more selective approach to the listing of buildings already protected by conservation area designations; and a new power to list only the exteriors of certain buildings.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he hopes to legislate to require Departments to obtain consent from the local planning authority for the demolition or alteration of listed buildings, and for the demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas along the lines he announced at the centenary dinner of the Architects' Journal.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Legislation will be introduced at the earliest opportunity.

  Forth Rail Bridge
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are his Department's responsibilities in relation to the Forth rail bridge. [16543]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Questions relating to the Forth rail bridge's importance as a historic structure are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Canoeing and Angling
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate he has made of the grant available from the Sports Council and other public bodies in support for canoeing in the year 1993–94, expressed in terms per capita of those participating in this sport; and what are the corresponding figures for the sport of angling. [16859]

  Mr. Sproat
  In 1993–94, canoeing governing bodies received grants of £542,266 from the Sports Council, a sum of £5.42 on a per capita basis for the 100,000 people who take part in the sport. A further £16,875 was also provided in awards from Sportsmatch, a business sponsorship incentive scheme for sport launched by the Government in 1992 to increase the amount of business sponsorship going into grass roots sport and physical recreation. In 1993–94, Sports Council grants to the governing bodies of angling was £74,415, a sum of 2.8p on a per capita basis for the 2.7 million adults actively participating in the sport. In addition to this, £4,211.10 was provided in Sportswatch awards.

  Lottery Scratch Cards
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how he plans to compensate those charitable organisations which have lost funding previously raised through lottery or scratch card schemes as a result of competition from the national lottery. [18871]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Charitable, voluntary and benevolent organisations will be able to apply for funds from the National Lottery Charities Board, which will receive 20 per cent. of the national lottery's contribution to good causes. This could amount to more than £300 million a year when the lottery reaches it peak. In addition, many of the applicants for funds from the other lottery distribution bodies are themselves charities. I therefore expect that a high proportion of the money distributed from the lottery will go to the benefit of the charitable sector.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. [17619]

  Mr. Dorrell:
  My Department's spend in the period 1992–95 for (a) to (c) was nil. Publicity expenditure for 1993–94 was £25,000 and £57,000 in 1994–95; the 1992–93 figure is not available. Publicity plans for 1995–96 have not been finalised.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18594]

  Mr. Dorrell
  My Department wishes to promote access for all people, including disabled people, to the whole range of the activities for which it is responsible. The Department has an equal opportunities policy which covers all staff including disabled people, and its buildings are accessible to wheelchair users and people with other disabilities.

  My Department's agencies have both taken positive action to help disabled people. The Historic Royal Palaces Agency has provided wheelchair access to the crown jewels, and additional lifts to all floors in Hampton court palace, where a wheelchair loan service is also available. The Royal Parks Agency is implementing long and short-term projects for improving access to its parks. These include the wheelchair loan service in Greenwich park and the special needs centre in Richmond park.

  The Department and its agencies will continue to build on this kind of approach.

  The Disability Discrimination Bill, which will apply to all Government Departments, contains new rights for disabled people in employment and creates rights of access to goods, facilities and services. It also establishes the National Disability Council to advise the Government on eliminating discrimination against disabled people.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the jobs that have been lost to agencies in his Department in the past two years that have(a) been taken over by contractors and (b) disappeared. [18330]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: In the past two years no jobs in my Department have been taken over by contractors and/or disappeared.

  Publicity
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the total expenditure on(a) all forms of publicity and (b) all publications and pamphlets produced for his Department and for all the

  1177
  agencies and public bodies for which his Department is responsible for each year since 1979, including the budgeted figure for 1995–96, (i) including and (ii) excluding privatisation-related expenditures and expressed in 1994 prices; and if he will supply information for the period from 1 April 1993 to 1 March 1995 showing (1) the nature and (2) the purpose of each publicity campaign and of each publication involving the expenditure of more than £50,000. [14594]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 17 March 1995]: Expenditure by the Department of National Heritage on publicity during 1993–94 was £25,000 and for 1994–95 was £57,000. Corresponding expenditure for these years by the Royal Parks Agency was £61,400 and £45,000, and by the Historic Palaces Agency £226,300 and £451,300.

  No privatisation-related expenditure has been incurred. The Historic Royal Palaces Agency produced one publicity campaign costing over £50,000, in respect of the launch and promotion of the new jewel house at the Tower of London in 1994.

  Budgets for 1995–96 are still being finalised. The other information requested could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on what dates he has met(a) the Library Association, (b) the Museums and Galleries Commission, (c) Equity, (d) the Musicians Union, (e) the Association of British Orchestras, (f) the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, (g) the Association of District Councils and (h) the Association of County Councils to discuss the work of his Department. [18149]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: Since my appointment I have held meetings with:

  i) the Library Association on 3 October 1994;

  ii) the Association of Metropolitan Authorities on 30 November 1994, 24 January 1995 and 8th March 1995;

  iii) the Association of County Councils on 28 September 1994.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on what dates he has met(a) the Art Council, (b) English Heritage, (c) the Crafts Council, (d) the Design Council, (e) the National Campaign for the Arts, (f) the Royal Institute of British Architects, (g) the Royal Society of Arts and (h) the regional arts boards to discuss the work of his Department. [18148]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: Since my appointment I have held meetings with representatives of:

  i) The Arts Council and individual Regional Arts Board (frequently);

  ii) English Heritage (frequently);

  iii) the Royal Institute of British Architects on 25 October 1994;

  iv) the National Campaign for the Arts on 3 October 1994;

  v) the Royal Society of Arts on 23 February 1995.

  Royal Residences
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the cost to his Department of maintenance and running costs of(a) Buckingham palace, (b) Windsor castle, (c) Kensington palace, (d) St. James's palace, (e) Balmoral and (f) Sandringham in each of the last five years including periods when they were
  1178
  unoccupied; and what proportion of these sums is represented by employees' salaries. [16920]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 28 March 1995]: The cost to my Department of maintenance and running costs of Buckingham palace, Windsor castle, Kensington palace, St. Jame's palace, Balmoral and Sandringham has been as follows:

  £ million

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Buckingham palace

  7.53

  6.56

  5.47

  6.62

  Windsor castle

  11.05

  12.18

  9.75

  7.94

  Kensington palace

  0.84

  0.64

  1.11

  1.36

  St. James's palace

  3.23

  2.42

  2.04

  3.15

  Balmoral

  0.06

  0.05

  0.07

  0.06

  Sandringham

  0.07

  0.05

  0.07

  0.06

  Costs that are not attributable by location

  1.16

  1.26

  1.29

  1.35

  Total

  23.94

  23.16

  19.80

  20.54

  The expenditure for Sandringham and Balmoral comprised costs incurred when Her Majesty the Queen was in residence on official duties; these two properties are not maintained by my Department.

  Expenditure records are not available to my Department for the periods before 1991–92.

  Not all salary costs are attributable by individual location. The total salary costs across the whole estate expressed as a percentage of the total grant in aid were as follows:

  Per cent.

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  7.7

  12.2

  16.2

  16.3

  The increase in salary costs between 1991–92 and 1992–93 reflects the transfer of staff from PSA to the new property section. The increase between 1992–93 and 1993–94 principally reflects the setting up of the fire, health and safety branch following the Windsor castle fire.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15550]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 27 March 1995]: A reply by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs in response to a similar question from my hon. Friend on 27 March, Official Report, column 473 sets out the targets across government. In my Department, our targets for deregulation include:
  to complete a review by 1995 of the Tourism (Sleeping Accommodation Price Display) Order 1977 and Hotel Proprietors' Act 1956;
  to complete a review by 1995, with a view to the abolition by 1996, of the requirements for television dealers both to register as such with the BBC and to hold a valid dealer demonstration licence;
  to bring forward proposals on media ownership rules;
  to commence reviews on sports ground safety legislation and the legal deposit arrangements for books published in the UK; and
  to continue to press its concerns on a number of regulations affecting the tourism industry.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at inter-departmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15618]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 27 March 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 27 March, Official Report, column 435.

  VE-day Commemorations
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if veterans from Caribbean countries have been invited to take part in VE-day celebrations. [18142]

  Mr. Soames
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government very much hope that those heads of state of Government from the Caribbean who have been invited to London for the VE-day commemorations, will be accompanied by second world war veterans from their countries. We have also contacted associations representing Caribbean veterans resident in the UK, and invited nominations to attend the various commemorative events. In addition, we envisage that veterans from the Caribbean will play a significant role in the commemorations to mark the 50th anniversary of VJ-day in August.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Arms Embargo
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will refer the conduct of the former directors of the British Manufacture and Research Company to the Director of Public Prosecutions for her to consider an investigation into possible breaches of arms embargo with Iran. [18611]

  The Attorney-General
  Investigation of possible breaches of export controls on arms is a matter for the commissioners of Customs and Excise to whom any information on alleged breaches should be passed.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18586]

  The Attorney-General
  The equal opportunities policies of the Departments for which I am responsible support the provision of facilities for disabled members of staff and visitors. Wherever practicable, premises are made accessible to disabled people and their needs and comfort are taken into account. Measures taken and facilities offered include the provision of disabled toilet facilities and ramps to provide access to buildings. Where possible, car parking spaces have been designated. The 1180
  Department's policies will be reflected in the design specifications for new buildings.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Mining Subsidence
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met the Coal Authority to discuss coal mining subsidence. [16454]

  Mr. Page
  My Department is in frequent contact with the Coal Authority about the range of issues within its responsibilities.

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to bring forward legislation for the early ratification of the chemical weapons convention; and if he will make a statement. [16457]

  Mr. Taylor
  The legislation needed to enable the United Kingdom to ratify the chemical weapons convention will be introduced as soon as practicable. In judging when that may be, we shall, of course, take account of the offer of full co-operation made by the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor) in business questions last week.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will initiate a league table for all Government Departments to show the number of rules or regulations which have been replaced on a monthly basis. [16458]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  No. I do not think that this would be a helpful way of assessing progress, particularly given that the deregulation initiative goes wider than simple repeals.

  Cadbury Committee
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to encourage the implementation of the Cadbury committee proposals. [16459]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  My Department has consistently made clear its support for the Cadbury code to those responsible for its implementation.

  Business Links
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many business links have been established to date. [16460]

  Mr. Heseltine
  There are currently 75 business links operational and approval has been given for a further 146.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the network of business links to be completed. [16463]

  Mr. Heseltine
  There are currently 75 business links open, a further 146 have been approved and there remain only 17 areas to come forward to the national assessment panel.
  1181
  Progress has been good with over two thirds of the network now approved. By the end of 1995, there will be around 200 outlets operational and every firm in England should have access to a business link.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next expects to meet the President of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss manufacturing industry. [16461]

  Mr. Heseltine
  I, and other DTI Ministers, regularly meet the Confederation of British Industry. The latest figures show manufacturing output up 4.3 per cent., productivity up 4.6 per cent. and exports up 14 per cent., on a year earlier.

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has for manufacturing growth in the east midlands. [16462]

  Mr. Page
  While my Department does not commission or produce such estimates, recent surveys by the CBI and other economic analysts show sustained growth in the region in 1994 and good prospects for 1995. For example, the latest economic survey by east midlands chambers of commerce and industry shows that in the last quarter of 1994, 51 per cent. of businesses experienced improved home orders, 42 per cent. showed improved export orders, 42 per cent. planned investment in new plant and machinery and 68 per cent. were confident of improved turnover in 1995.

  Telecommunications Companies
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with representatives of the United States Government about opportunities for British telecommunications companies to compete in the American market. [16465]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Government strongly support the efforts of United Kingdom telecommunications companies to enter the United States and other markets, and we take every opportunity to press for their interests.

  My officials have regular contacts with United States regulatory authorities to pursue policy issues of interest to UK companies. Most recently, I spoke to the US Secretary of Commerce in the margins of the G7 conference in Brussels on 25 to 26 February to get across the need for the US to support worldwide liberalisation and removal of restrictions on foreign ownership of US telecommunications operators. I am pleased to say that, at that conference, Vice-President Gore confirmed that they would be pursuing both objectives.

  Pit Closures
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent meetings he has had with R. J. Budge, chairman of RJB Mining, to discuss the closure of pits. [16466]

  Mr. Eggar
  My colleagues and I have had no meeting with Mr. Budge to discuss colliery closures.

  Manufacturing Investment
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of gross domestic product was 1182
  invested in United Kingdom manufacturing industry in 1993. [16467]

  Mr. Page
  Manufacturing investment was 2.3 per cent. of gross domestic product in 1993 and 10.2 per cent. of manufacturing output, when measured at 1990 prices.

  Industrial Ownership
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to retain the ownership of the British car, aerospace and telecommunications industries in United Kingdom hands. [16469]

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department's objective is to increase the competitiveness of businesses in Britain, regardless of their ownership. We welcome overseas investment in these as in other industries. Any acquisitions in these sectors from UK or foreign companies are treated in exactly the same way under the merger provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973.

  Orimulsion
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the growth in imports of orimulsion and what assessment he has made of its consequences. [16470]

  Mr. Page
  Imports of orimulsion began in December 1990. There was strong growth in 1992, but imports have remained fairly stable since then. In 1994, imports were 1.2 million tonnes. Figures for use of orimulsion are published in "Energy Trends", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  The future use of orimulsion is a commercial matter for the companies concerned, which will have to comply with requirements of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution.

  Late Payment
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received from trade associations about the problem of late payment of invoices. [16468]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I am not aware of any recent representations from trade associations on the problems of late payment of invoices.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about his plans to deal with the problem of late payment. [16471]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Following consultation with the business community, the Government announced a package of new measures to address late payment in the May 1994 White Paper on competitiveness. Work on these continues.

  The Government also announced that they would re-examine the case for a statutory right to interest on overdue debts in two years if there has been no significant improvement.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to deal with the problem of late payments for businesses. [16433]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Following consultation with the business community, the Government announced a package of new measures to address late payment in the May 1994 in the White Paper on competitiveness. The measures include:
  1183
  Government Departments and their agencies to comply with the CBI prompt payers code, to state whether they have done so and publish their payment policies in their annual reports and to publicise their arrangements for handling complaints of late payment.

  streamlining of court procedures for debt recovery and a review of the limit for the informal small claims procedure;

  implementation of proposals to require public companies to state their payment policies in their director's reports;

  development of proposals for a British standard for prompt payment;

  work with trade associations, business links and others to improve credit management and debt collection skills in small firms.

  The Government also announced that they would re-examine the case for a statutory right to interest on overdue debts in two years if there has been no significant improvement.

  Export Promotion
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in the MOD concerning the promotion of British exports. [16472]

  Mr. Needham
  There is frequent contact at both ministerial and official level between my Department and the Defence Export Services Organisation, who work together closely on defence export issues.

  Industrial Development, Merseyside
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to encourage the development of industry in Merseyside. [16473]

  Mr. Page
  We are continuing actively to encourage industrial development on Merseyside by working with local partners to attract new industry and to foster the growth and improve the competitiveness of indigenous enterprise.

  Firework-related Injuries
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many firework-related injuries were referred to hospitals in the period around 5 November 1994.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Accident and emergency units in hospitals in England, Wales and Scotland treated 1,574 people for injuries caused by fireworks. That is an increase over the total reported for 1993. An analysis of the figures for 1994 and for the previous four years will be placed today in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

  It is of concern that firework injuries should have increased, that there were two accidental deaths, and that almost 500 of the injuries appear to have been due to illegal misuse.

  My Department is in touch with representatives of the fireworks industry and of enforcement authorities to discuss ways in which fireworks injuries can be reduced.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the latest statistics on firework incidents and injuries. [18975]

  Mr. Heseltine
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Hawkins).

  Insolvency
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he intends to announce proposals for a revised company voluntary arrangements procedure following the consultation on the document "Company Voluntary Arrangements and Administration Orders" issued by the Insolvency Service in October 1993. [19212]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I have today issued a further consultative document outlining proposals for a new company voluntary arrangement procedure which has been developed in the light of the first consultation exercise. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Our earlier consultation revealed a broad consensus that there should be a short moratorium to allow financially troubled companies a breathing space during which to put together a rescue plan. That view, however, was qualified by concerns about how to safeguard assets during that period.

  The scheme set out in this consultative document would allow companies a 28–day moratorium with the minimum of formality. This would give companies in financial difficulty temporary protection from their creditors during which they could put together a rescue plan for agreement by creditors. The scheme also proposes various safeguards to protect lenders and other creditors and to discourage abuse. Comments are sought by 31 July 1995.

  I am also arranging for a summary of the responses to the first consultative document to be published and copies will shortly be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  The Government are still considering issues relating to the proposal for a debt equity mechanism and whether any other measures should be taken to facilitate administrations.

  Telecommunications Report
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet received a report by the Director General of Telecommunications for the year 1994, as required under section 55 of the Telecommunications Act 1984. [19213]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Yes. The 11th report by the Director General of Telecommunications is being published today. It covers the period 1 January to 31 December 1994. Copies of the report have been laid before each House of Parliament.

  Internet
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [17733]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Some 2,000 of the Department's staff can currently be contacted via Internet/X400 service email. For this reason, it is not practicable to list all the addresses. This number will rise to 5,000 over the next 18 months as our office automation programme—OSPREY—is fully implemented. All Ministers will be added to OSPREY during this summer's recess. In the meantime, my own Internet account is taylor@mintech.demon.co.uk.
  1185
  I have instigated a programme to consider and develop the Department's usage from a strategic perspective, which will consider the potential for full Internet access from OSPREY workstations, along with the creation of a data server dedicated to supply departmental information to the Internet community.

  The Department's approach to the information super-highway has been set out in evidence to the Select Committee on Trade and Industry and in debates in the House, as well as in the Command Paper, dated November 1994 which is on the Internet at
  http://www.open.gov.uk/dti/broadband-comms/anx-9.htm.

  Raytheon Plant, Broughton
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures he has taken to persuade the president of Raytheon to reconsider his decision to close the Raytheon plant in Broughton. [17836]

  Mr. Heseltine
  Ministers at the DTI and the Welsh Office have met the president of Raytheon and have written to the company. The UK work force at Raytheon and local interests at Broughton have been kept in touch.

  Privatised Utilities (Pay Increases)
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on pay increases for executives in privatised utilities since privatisation. [16448]

  Mr. Eggar
  Pay increases for executives in the privatised utilities are a matter for the companies and their shareholders and not for the Government.

  Coal Gasification
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what support his Department is giving to research into the development of coal gasification for the purposes of power generation. [16858]

  Mr. Page
  My Department views the development of coal gasification for the purpose of power generation as a major element of its clean coal technology R and D programme, which was detailed in energy paper 63 last October. My Department encouraged the formation of an industry-led consortium known as the clean coal power generation group to take forward, with Government assistance, further activities in coal gasification. This consortium consist of GEC Alsthom subsidiaries European Gas Turbines, Stein Industrie and EVT together with PowerGen, Babcock Energy and British Coal's coal technology development division. The initial objective of this consortium is to take forward a power generation technology known as the air blown gasification cycle to a point where its individual components are fully developed. This technology is fully described in a brochure entitled "Towards Cleaner Coal Power Generation" which, along with energy paper 63, can be found in the Libraries of the House. There are currently in excess of 40 projects under way within this and related coal gasification initiatives to a total project value of over £74 million. The DTI contribution to this work is approximately £14 million.

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18655]

  Mr. Page
  My right hon. Friend President of the Board of Trade has designated me as the Department's green Minister. The latest outline of the Department's environmental initiatives appear in the expenditure plans report for 1995, Cm 2804. There are close and frequent consultations between Departments on matters of common interest. Representations made by my Department on environmental matters, including the Environment Bill, are consistent with the Department's objectives of stimulating an effective business response to environmental developments and ensuring that the Government's overall environmental policy takes proper account of the impact on business.

  Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the expected role of the trading standards inspectors, with regard to enforcing the European Union EMC directive 89/336/EEC; and, in particular, what measures will be taken to ensure that the directive will not be enforced differently in different EU nations. [17417]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Local authority trading standards officers are the principal enforcement agents in the United Kingdom for the electromagnetic compatibility directive, 89/336/EEC. It is expected that they will follow a predominantly complaints-driven enforcement policy and that they will combine market surveillance under this directive with enforcement of other existing, related legislation, such as the low voltage directive, 73/23/EEC.

  Administrative co-operation between national enforcement agencies is being developed to facilitate consistency of application throughout the EU. My Department's single market compliance unit will advise and assist, where possible, UK businesses facing barriers to trade within the Union.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if a positive pre-compliance test would comply with the European Union EMC directive 89/336/EEC.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  It is for manufacturers to decided how best to comply with the electromagnetic compatibility regulations which implement the EMC directive. Pre-compliance, diagnostic, testing can give a manufacturer a degree of confidence that his product will not breach agreed levels of electromagnetic radiation but the manufacturer cannot be sure of complying with the law if he chooses not to test an example of the finished product. Harmonised European standards provide the clearest route by which a manufacturer can self-certify his products as complying with the essential protection requirements.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the expected total cost of implementing and subsequently enforcing European Union directive EMC 89/336/EEC(a) to Her Majesty's

  1187
  Government and (b) to United Kingdom industry and distribution; and what assistance United Kingdom industry and distribution can expect to help them to implement the new directive. [17418]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The cost to central and local government of implementing and enforcing the EMC regulations is expected to be low since enforcement will be undertaken by local authority trading standards officers, as part of their existing role concerning electrical safety.

  For manufacturers, it has been estimated that between 2 and 5 per cent. could be added to design costs, although the cost should decline as the proportion of designs taking account of EMC requirements from the outset increases. Technical assistance has been made available to industry via an extensive EMC awareness campaign, including oral advice; guidance publications; articles in technical and trade press; and the formation of 15 regional EMC clubs to help companies understand the legal, technical and business aspects of the directive.

  House Collapse, Kidsgrove
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will request the Coal Authority to investigate the causes of the house collapse on 28 March in Kidsgrove, Stoke on Trent; and if he will make a statement. [17787]

  Mr. Page
  The Coal Authority is currently investigating the cause of this occurrence.

  Privatised Utility Companies
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those privatised utilities which, according to the estimates of his Department, have been able to reduce bills to United Kingdom consumers as a result of overseas investment. [16234]

  Mr. Eggar
  Companies' revenues from any overseas activities are outside the regulated businesses. The money to develop foreign businesses comes from shareholders' funds, not those of UK customers; this means that overseas activities have no effect on UK prices and bills.

  Paper (Price)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has on changes in the price of paper over the past 12 months; and what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that these are justified. [18560]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The price of paper is a matter for the commercial judgment of those concerned. I understand that the Director General of Fair Trading has recently considered price increases in the paper products market but has found no evidence to suggest that these were the result of anti-competitive practices. Any evidence of such practices should be brought to the attention of the DGFT.

  Nigeria (Visits)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the exact dates of ministerial visits to Nigeria since June 1993 listing the Ministers and the reasons for the visit in each case; [17778]

  (2) if he will list the exact dates of visits by officials in his Department to Nigeria since June 1993 and the reason for the visit in each case. [17784]
  1188
  Mr. Needham
  In accordance with EU measures announced in 1993, there have been no visits by any Ministers from the Department of Trade and Industry during the period specified. Officials from the Department's overseas trade services division have, however, visited Nigeria since June 1993 and the specific dates where available are listed in the table. In each case, the visit was entirely for trade promotion purposes.

  Official

  Number of visits

  Period

  Export Promoter

  5

  25 January–4 February 1994

  14 February–18 February 1994

  9 May–13 May 1994

  27 November–7 December 1994

  19 February–25 February 1995

  Grade 7

  2

  October 1993

  February 1994

  HEO

  8

  September 1993

  November 1993

  April 1994

  June 1994

  September 1994

  25 November–3 December 1994

  26 January–3 February 1995 (with successor)

  EO

  1

  26 January–9 February 1995

  Precious Metals (Marking)
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if has changed his policy in respect of resistance to moves to permit manufacturers' self-certification under the EU draft directive on the marking of precious metal articles. [17439]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 31 March 1995]: There has been no change of policy. The Government believe that manufacturers' self-certification offers a lower form of guarantee to consumers than independent marking of precious metal articles, as practised by the United Kingdom assay offices. This was made clear in the Council of Ministers' meeting on March 30, when the current draft directive was not accepted.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what procedures Her Majesty's Government will be implementing to ensure that all future transfers of military, security and police equipment, including dual-use technologies, will comply with the resolution passed by the European Parliament on 19 January in respect of bringing all such transfers within the scope of European export controls and making all such transfers apparent; and if he will make a statement. [17140]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 30 March 1995]: European Parliament resolutions are not binding on either individual member states or on the Council, although its views are noted. Decisions on arms exports remain a national responsibility.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what procedures his Department will be implementing to
  1189
  ensure that all future transfers of military, security and police equipment, including dual-use technologies, will comply with the European Parliament resolution passed on 19 January. [17786]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollok, (Mr. Dunnachie).

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the values of loan guarantees of British arms exports in each of the last 10 years. [17525]

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 31 March 1995]: ECGD support for defence business over the last 10 years is as follows:

  Financial year

  Value of defence business (£ million)

  1985–86

  208

  1986–87

  446

  1987–88

  197

  1988–89

  707

  1989–90

  378

  1990–91

  640

  1991–92

  276

  1992–93

  1,591

  1993–94

  1,973

  1994–95

  623

  The figures for 1994–95 are provisional pending the publication of ECGD's 1994–95 trading accounts.

PRIME MINISTER

  Parliamentary Delegations
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the "Information Bulletin" on the activities of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of Western European Union for the period July 1994 to February 1995, which has been sent to him. [19215]

  The Prime Minister
  I have done so today.

  Mr. Nicholas Ingram
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has made to the US state of Georgia regarding the proposed electrocution of a British subject, Nicky Ingram; and if he will make a statement. [17774]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 31 March 1995]: My sympathy is with any family who find themselves in this difficult position. My own views on capital punishment are well known. However, after careful consideration, I am advised that there are no proper grounds for the British Government to intervene. I have therefore not made any representations on Mr. Ingram's behalf.

  Ministers (Car Hire)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the rules concerning the use by members of the Government in their official capacity of 1190
  cars hired from the private sector; and if he will make a statement. [17702]

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government car service may provide private car hire facilities for members of the Government where a Government car service car and driver are not available.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister, what has been the cost of cars hired from the private sector for the transport of members of the Government for each year from 1987 to date. [17702]

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information as requested is not available.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will hold discussions with the British relatives of Lockerbie victims before taking action on any decision of the United Nations to implement wider oil sanctions against Libya and other actions as a result of the meeting of the American Lockerbie relatives with White House officials. [17857]

  Mr. Newton
  I have been asked to reply.

  We shall keep representatives of the British relatives of the Lockerbie victims informed of developments at the United Nations concerning sanctions against Libya and continue to take their views into account in considering how to ensure that those responsible for the bombing are brought to justice.

EDUCATION

  Microscopes
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what response she is sending to the Royal Microscopical Society in respect of its proposal that there should be a microscope in every school. [16375]

  Mr. Forth
  Officials replied to the Royal Microscopical Society's proposal on 2 March 1995. The reply welcomed the society's initiative and wished it well, while making it clear that it is for schools and local authorities to decide what equipment they need to meet the requirements of the national curriculum. A copy of the reply has been placed in the Library.

  Medical Schools
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what specific financial arrangements are in place to assist medical students; and if she will make a statement. [17709]

  Mr. Boswell
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton) on 4 April.

  Pupils
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils there were in(a) local education authorities and (b) grant-maintained schools in each local authority area at January. [18345]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested for 1994, the latest date for which information is available, is shown in the table.
  1191

  Numbers of pupils1 in maintained schools in each local education authority area in England (January 1994)

  LEA maintained schools

  Grant-maintained schools

  Corporation of London

  214

  0

  Camden

  19,610

  2,381

  Greenwich

  36,441

  0

  Hackney

  25,049

  0

  Hammersmith

  14,573

  1,237

  Islington

  23,517

  0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  8,967

  944

  Lambeth

  21,864

  4,593

  Lewisham

  32,007

  421

  Southwark

  28,775

  4,133

  Tower Hamlets

  33,954

  891

  Wandsworth

  20,241

  7,181

  Westminster

  17,033

  0

  Barking

  26,030

  0

  Barnet

  33,906

  9,769

  Bexley

  31,055

  3,287

  Brent

  26,718

  8,997

  Bromley

  28,160

  11,803

  Croydon

  38,213

  4,680

  Ealing

  32,664

  7,408

  Enfield

  36,327

  5,791

  Haringey

  29,608

  0

  Harrow

  27,374

  528

  Havering

  31,341

  3,877

  Hillingdon

  20,043

  15,171

  Hounslow

  32,403

  2,123

  Kingston upon Thames

  15,863

  3,149

  Merton

  23,232

  0

  Newham

  40,255

  582

  Redbridge

  34,393

  1,125

  Richmond upon Thames

  19,038

  0

  Sutton

  17,750

  7,572

  Waltham Forest

  30,642

  2,099

  Birmingham

  163,079

  14,802

  Coventry

  49,913

  0

  Dudley

  43,366

  5,054

  Sandwell

  51,108

  653

  Solihull

  33,368

  559

  Walsall

  43,020

  6,366

  Wolverhampton

  40,552

  2,404

  Knowsley

  27,992

  731

  Liverpool

  81,934

  2,366

  St. Helens

  29,946

  0

  Sefton

  47,168

  0

  Wirral

  51,857

  2,107

  Bolton

  42,429

  3,261

  Bury

  27,814

  232

  Manchester

  70,796

  0

  Oldham

  41,653

  0

  Rochdale

  34,020

  2,010

  Salford

  35,883

  430

  Stockport

  42,970

  0

  Tameside

  35,107

  2,371

  Trafford

  29,833

  3,083

  Wigan

  50,621

  0

  Barnsley

  34,578

  0

  Doncaster

  52,032

  0

  Rotherham

  44,190

  0

  Sheffield

  70,775

  2,505

  Bradford

  83,406

  5,565

  Calderdale

  28,728

  4,709

  Kirklees

  62,567

  1,267

  Leeds

  113,062

  1,184

  Wakefield

  51,922

  0

  Gateshead

  30,558

  0

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  40,749

  0

  North Tyneside

  31,660

  0

  1192

  Numbers of pupils1 in maintained schools in each local education authority area in England (January 1994)

  LEA maintained schools

  Grant-maintained schools

  South Tyneside

  26,397

  0

  Sunderland

  51,321

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  291

  0

  Avon

  137,357

  1,710

  Bedfordshire

  81,360

  9,567

  Berkshire

  103,502

  9,833

  Buckinghamshire

  90,109

  11,653

  Cambridgeshire

  84,515

  17,274

  Cheshire

  153,008

  2,927

  Cleveland

  103,146

  0

  Cornwall

  69,977

  0

  Cumbria

  65,372

  9,773

  Derbyshire

  128,591

  17,272

  Devon

  136,651

  4,983

  Dorset

  78,626

  9,591

  Durham

  97,711

  0

  East Sussex

  88,025

  0

  Essex

  146,390

  76,532

  Gloucestershire

  56,666

  21,714

  Hampshire

  201,345

  19,180

  Hereford and Worcester

  94,445

  3,643

  Hertfordshire

  137,829

  19,099

  Humberside

  143,600

  341

  Isle of Wight

  17,955

  0

  Kent

  183,670

  51,103

  Lancashire

  214,486

  7,103

  Leicestershire

  138,347

  3,270

  Lincolnshire

  66,722

  22,410

  Norfolk

  93,702

  11,347

  North Yorkshire

  104,727

  0

  Northamptonshire

  85,417

  12,466

  Northumberland

  51,019

  650

  Nottinghamshire

  156,816

  1,837

  Oxfordshire

  78,400

  81

  Shropshire

  57,984

  3,989

  Somerset

  64,487

  631

  Staffordshire

  163,143

  4,470

  Suffolk

  93,282

  0

  Surrey

  107,933

  13,139

  Warwickshire

  68,726

  4,783

  West Sussex

  94,854

  0

  Wiltshire

  70,552

  12,927

  England

  6,764,552

  556,699

  1 Head count of pupils of all ages.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many three and four-year-olds in each local education authority were(a) in maintained nursery classes and (b) in maintained primary schools in each year since 1990; what percentage of the relevant population each figure represents; and what was the percentage change on the previous year in each case. [18625]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the changes to the funding of each post-16 college between 1994–95 and 1995–96; and what changes are forecast for each college in future years. [18348]

  Mr. Boswell
  Details of the allocation of funding to colleges are matters for the Further Education Funding Council. I am therefore asking the council's chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Funding Councils
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what was the cost of abolishing the Universities Funding Council; [18604]

  (2) what was the cost of abolishing the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council; [18603]

  (3) what was the cost of establishing the Higher Education Funding Council. [18606]

  Mr. Boswell
  There were no direct costs in abolishing the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council and the Universities Funding Council. The two councils occupied the same building in Bristol and were already operating as a joint executive before they were dissolved on 31 March 1993 and re-formed on 1 April 1993 as the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The only direct costs of establishing the Higher Education Funding Council were the £500,000 running costs grant paid in 1992–93 to run the new council alongside those it was to replace.

  Office for Standards in Education
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the costs of establishing Ofsted. [18608]

  Mr. Boswell
  The establishment of Ofsted was contained within the existing departmental provision for running costs, and was not separately identified. In 1992–93, DFE transferred £8.225 million to the vote of the newly created Ofsted. This covered setting up and running costs from formation on 1 September 1992 until the end of the financial year 1992–93.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in her Department and agencies for which she is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans she has to improve access; and if she will make a statement. [18592]

  Mr. Forth
  The Department has staff in London and Darlington. The Teachers Pensions Agency occupies specific areas on the Mowden hall site in Darlington, its accommodation being provided by the Department.

  Sanctuary buildings in London was designed to be fully accessible to the disabled. The entrance allows for easy access by wheelchair and there are a limited number of parking spaces in the basement for disabled staff. There are lifts to all floors of the building including the basement for use of the car park. There are male and female toilets for the disabled on every floor. The staff training centre at Park gate in Tothill street is housed on a single floor of an older building. A ramp is available to allow for wheelchair access.

  The main Darlington office is at Mowden hall. There is level access to the building. Access for disabled people has been improved over the years to provide:
  parking spaces specifically for disabled people;
  ramps both portable and static where necessary on site;
  a reception desk which has been lowered to make it more user friendly;
  1194
  lifts which are available from the reception area to all floors of the main building;
  toilets for the disabled which are fitted with emergency alarms;
  and emergency flashing lights are provided for staff with hearing difficulties.

  The staff training centre at Enterprise house in Darlington offers access by a stairmatic chair. There are plans to relocate the staff training centre to the main Mowden hall site by the end of 1995 making it more accessible.

  Evacu-chairs are provided on all sites to assist with the evacuation of disabled staff in emergencies.

  The Department will he considering what further action could be taken to improve physical access and facilities for disabled staff, as part of its action plan to achieve equality of opportunity for staff with disabilities.

  School Curriculum and Assessment Authority
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the cost of establishing the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority. [18602]

  Mr. Forth
  The estimated total cost of establishing the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority, including the cost of winding up the National Curriculum Council and the School Examinations and Assessment Council, is £4.2 million. These costs will be more than offset by recurrent savings on running costs as a result of replacing two bodies with one. Running costs are estimated at £9.4 million in 1994–95 for SCAA, the first full year of its operation, as against £11.3 million for NCC and SEAC in 1992–93, the last full year of their operation.

  National Youth Agency
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what was the cost of abolishing the National Youth Bureau; [18610]

  (2) what was the cost of establishing the National Youth Agency. [18609]

  Mr. Boswell
  No specific cost resulted from the abolition of the National Youth Bureau, as its staff and functions were taken over by the National Youth Agency on its establishment in April 1991. The grant previously paid to the five national youth service bodies including the National Youth Bureau was channelled through the NYA.

  In 1990–91, DFE grant to the national youth service bodies was £1.067 million. In 1991–92, DFE grant to the agency was £1.345 million, which comprised a core grant of £1.165 million and additional grant of £0.180 million. The additional grant included funding for initial start-up costs of the agency.

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will name the green Minister for her Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18643]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I am the Department's Minister with responsibility for green matters.
  1195
  The Department works closely with other partners in the education system on environmental matters within school education, teacher training, further and higher education and the management of premises. The revised national curriculum, which will come into force for most pupils in September 1995, requires extensive coverage of environmental matters, particularly through scientific and geographical aspects. Recently the Department, jointly with the Department of the Environment, organised a conference on education about the environment which focused on the effective teaching of the environmental aspects of the national curriculum. In the last six months, the Department has issued guidance for schools on solar energy and on energy-saving measures, while guidance on the schools environmental assessment method is in preparation.

  In 1993, the Department drew to the attention of further and higher education institutions the report of the committee set up with the Welsh Office to review the state of environmental education in further and higher education in England and Wales. Implementation of the report's recommendations is largely for the institutions themselves, but the Department is currently considering the proposal for monitoring progress nationally.

  "Education Means Business—Private Finance in England"
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the costs of(a) publication and (b) distribution of her Department's 1994 publication "Education Means Business—Private Finance in England" were; and how many copies were issued and to whom. [18601]

  Mr. Forth
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 3 April,Official Report, column 921.

  Further Education Funding Council
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the cost of establishing the Further Education Funding Council. [18605]

  Mr. Boswell
  The running cost expenditure of the council for 1992–93, the period in which it was established, was £24.4 million, most of which expenditure was devoted to preparing colleges for incorporation. The council's running cost for 1993–94, which related principally to the administration of the new sector, was £18.8 million. In both periods, the process of establishing the council was assisted by the work of officials within my Department. Figures disaggregating the cost of their contributions to the establishment of the council are not available.

  Teacher Training Agency
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the cost of establishing the Teacher Training Agency. [18607]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department for Eduction spent £67,849 on establishing the Teacher Training Agency. This figure does not include the time spent by officials working on what is now the Education Act 1994. In addition, the Department made available £1,472,151 to the agency in the 1994–95 financial year, which covered 1196
  further setting up costs as well as the agency's administration.

  Education and Youth Ministers Councils
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what were the outcomes of the Councils of Education Ministers and of Youth Ministers held on 31 March 1995. [19121]

  Mr. Boswell
  On 31 March, the Council of Education Ministers adopted a resolution on improving and diversifying language learning and teaching within the education systems on the European Union, and reached political agreement to the Council's common position on the Commission proposal to make 1996 the European Year of Lifelong Education and Training.

  The Council of Youth Ministers, held on the same day, adopted a resolution on co-operation in the field of youth information and studies concerning youth.

  School Finances
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many school governing bodies have set deficit budgets in the current year. [18400]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department does not collect this information.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list by education authority the total unspent balances in schools at the conclusions of each of the last three financial years. [18554]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  For the financial year 1993–94, the information requested may be found in the answer given on 1 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South (Mrs. Currie),Official Report, columns 614–16. The requisite information for 1992–93 is at present being collated by the Department from the local management of schools outturn statements published by local education authorities for that year, and I will write to my hon. Friend when this work is complete. For 1994–95, the information is not yet available.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many parliamentary questions to her Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which she has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18540]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to her Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which she has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18539]

  Mr. Boswell
  The information requested is a matter of public record, but it could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by her Department in each year since 1979–80; and how
  1197
  many such questions received a substantive answer within 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18535]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to her Department requesting a priority written answer or answer on a named day, were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further five, 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18536]

  (3) how many times in each year since 1979–80 her Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report; [18537]

  (4) how many times in each year since 1979–80 her Department has written to a right hon. or hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question. [18538]

  Mr. Boswell
  Neither the Department nor the House of Commons POLIS unit collects information in the form requested.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list by education authority the cash balances held at the conclusion of each of the last three financial years. [18553]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information will take a few days to gather. I will write to my hon. Friend shortly.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if she will list by education authority in descending order the cash sum per pupil represented by the top slice percentage of the common funding formula. [18069]

  (2) if she will list by education authority in descending order the common funding formula top slice percentages. [18068]

  (3) if she will list by education authority the amounts agreed by her Department as expenses to be deducted from each local education budget before calculating amounts due to grant-maintained schools under the headings (a) corporate management, (b) service strategy and regulation, (c) premature retirement compensation costs of local education authorities' school staff, (d) other, and (e) the total for (i) 1994–95 and (ii) 1995–96. [18070]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list each non-departmental body and agency for which she 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 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 for each year since 1979–80 or for each year of its existence if it has been created since 1979–80; and what are her latest estimates of (a) to (f) for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17604]

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend has responsibility for the following non-departmental public bodies:

  Centre for Information on Language, Teaching and Research;

  1198

  Education Assets Board:

  Funding Agency for Schools;

  Further Education Funding Council;

  Further Education Unit—to 31 March 1995;

  Higher Education Funding Council for England;

  National Council for Educational Technology;

  National Youth Agency;

  School Curriculum and Assessment Authority;

  Special Educational Needs Tribunal;

  Teacher Training Agency.

  The Department has one next steps agency, the Teachers Pensions Agency.

  Operational and managerial matters are the responsibility of the individual body concerned. I have therefore asked the chairman or chief executive of each body to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.

  Letter from Geoffrey Parker to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 5 April 1995:
  I am writing at the request of Tim Boswell, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Further and Higher Education, with information you requested in your recent Parliamentary Question about NDPB expenditure.
  The Teacher Training Agency was established last September so the figures below represent the estimated outturn for the period from September 1994 to March 1995. We do not have firm estimates for these items for 1995–96.

  Expenditure 1994–95

  £000s

  (a) Television advertising

  Nil

  (b) Radio advertising

  Nil

  (c) Newspaper advertising

  44

  (d) Other promotion materials and activities

  39

  (e) Total (a to d)

  83

  (f) Proportion of (e) spent on recruitment advertising

  53 per cent.

  I hope this information is helpful.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Computer Pornography
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 18 January,Official Report, column 488, when he expects to receive the report from CCTA on pornography on the Internet; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [17897]

  Mr. Horam
  I expect to receive a report from CCTA examining all the ethical issues of the Internet, which includes, but also ranges more widely than, pornography, in July. I will place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18466]

  Mr. David Hunt
  Since my Department was formed in May 1992, there have been no such instances.
  1199
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18465]

  Mr. David Hunt
  Since my Department was formed in May 1992, a total of six questions have been transferred for answer to the chief executives of the agencies of which I am responsible. The figure can be broken down as follows:

  1992–93: 2

  1993–94: 0

  1994–95: 4

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has written to a right hon. or hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question; [18464]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department in each year since 1979–80 requesting a priority written answer or answer on a named day, were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further five, 10, 15, 20 days or longer. [18462]

  (3) how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by his Department in each year since 1979–80; and how many such questions received a substantive answer within 10, 15, 20 days or longer. [18461]

  (4) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report. [18463]

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information requested is a matter of public record, but it could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18591]

  Mr. Horam
  The Cabinet Office, the Central Office of Information and Her Majesty's Stationery Office have all appointed departmental disabled persons' officers, DDPOs. The DDPOs each work closely with their respective accommodation services to ensure that they are aware of the needs of disabled staff and visitors.

  The London estate of the Cabinet Office consists, largely, of historic listed buildings which were not designed with the needs of disabled people in mind. In the light of this the Cabinet Office has commissioned an "access survey" for its London buildings to determine how they can he made more accessible within the constraints imposed by listed building regulations

  For each of my Department's buildings, for which we are the major occupier, a number of measures have been taken to improve access and facilities for the disabled
  1200
  within the rolling programmes of building works and refurbishment. These include: provision of designated car parking spaces where car parks exist; introduction of braille buttons in lifts; provision of toilets for the disabled wherever possible within constraints of building lay-out and lease provisions; access ramps to entrances where practical, and availability of escorts within buildings to help visitors who are visually impaired.

  We will continue to build on this approach.

  Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans the Medical Research Council has to initiate research into hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; and if he will make a statement. [17705]

  Mr. Horam
  The Medical Research Council supports an extensive portfolio of basic and applied research in cardiovascular disease, much of which has direct relevance to the problem of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, none of this is specifically addressing the disease as such.

  Although there are currently no plans to initiate research specifically into hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the MRC is happy to consider applications in this field.

  Coronary Diseases
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the coronary diseases researched by the Medical Research Council and the amount spent on each, for the last year for which figures are available. [17706]

  Mr. Horam
  Following is a list of the cardiovascular diseases researched by the Medical Research Council:

  Arrhythmia

  Atherosclerosis

  Atheroma

  Cardiomyopathy

  Heart failure

  Hypercholesterolaemia

  Hyperlipidaemia

  Hypertension

  Ischaemia

  Thrombosis

  Owing to the significant overlap of funding covering these diseases, and to the interrelation between the above categories, it is impossible to provide specific figures covering each of the diseases. However, in the last financial year for which figures are available, 1993–94, the MRC spent over £6 million directly on cardiovascular research, and over £16 million on research which may have some relevance to the condition.

  Executive Agencies
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for this year and each of the past five years, how many employees in (i) his Department and (ii) all executive agencies for which his Department is responsible who have been employed on temporary contracts of(a) 51 weeks; or (b) less than 51 weeks duration are re-employed in the same or similar position at a later date.

  Mr. Horam
  [pursuant to his reply, 15 March 1995 c. 620–21]: The figure for the number of people employed

  1201
  by the COI on contracts of less than 51 weeks is 17–3.4 per cent.—and not zero as originally stated.

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18653]

  Mr. Horam
  I am the green Minister for the Cabinet Office, including the Office of Public Service and Science, its executive agencies, and HMSO and the Central Office of Information. My Department has an environmental strategy and has updated its supporting action plan for 1995; my Department's non-departmental public bodies have also been invited to support energy savings policies. Details of specific actions taken in support of the Department's strategy are given in the Government expenditure plans for the Cabinet Office, Cm 2820, published on 1 March 1995. My Department is involved in discussions on a number of other environmental issues.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Test Ban Treaty
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's position in negotiations for a comprehensive test ban treaty in relation to nuclear tests carried out for safety and reliability purposes. [18112]

  Mr. David Davis
  We are committed to negotiating a comprehensive test ban treaty with an effective verification system and which commands universal adherence. We are studying how best to meet the continuing need to assure the safety and reliability of our deterrent.

  Inhumane Weapons Convention
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent proposals he has received from other states with regard to the review conference of the inhumane weapons convention. [18114]

  Mr. David Davis
  There is a wide measure of agreement among our NATO allies, EU partners and others on proposals for strengthening protocol II of the convention concerning anti-personnel landmines. These include the extension of the scope of the protocol to non-international armed conflict; new provisions on self-destructing mechanisms, detectable mines and the marking and mapping of minefields, as well as the protection of humanitarian workers in mined areas; and the inclusion of restrictions on transfers in the protocol.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those states that have ratified the 1981 inhumane weapons convention. [18113]

  Mr. David Davis
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs.1202
  Clwyd) on 27 March, Official Report, column 442. The United States of America has now also ratified the convention.

  Royal Visits (Costs)
  Mr. Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the costs for the last two years and what are the estimated costs for the current year and the next two years of(a) the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps and (b) royal overseas visits at the request of Government Departments. [18051]

  Mr. Baldry
  The costs borne by my Department are:(a) Marshall of the Diplomatic Corps

  1992–93: £67,552

  1993–94: £67,806

  1994–95: £63,101 Estimate

  1995–96: £68,848 Estimate

  1996–97: £71,742 Estimate

  (b) Royal visits overseas at the request of Government Departments

  1992–93: £455,695

  1993–94: £491,845

  1994–95: £560,000 Estimate

  1995–96: £477,000 Estimate

  1996–97: £489,000 Estimate

  Libya
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the King of Morocco on Libya sanctions. [18092]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs nor I have had recent discussions about Libya with the King of Morocco.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with President Nelson Mandela and other South African leaders about a rapprochement between Libya and the west. [18091]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs had discussions with a number of South African leaders during Her Majesty the Queen's recent state visit to South Africa. The South African Government share our concern that Libya should comply with the United Nations Security Council resolutions without further delay.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with President Mitterand the implications of the agreement for large-scale oil exploration rights between the Government of Libya and the French Company Totale for the imposition of United Nations sanctions against Libya. [18199]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 9, if he will enter into discussions with Djibouti and Morocco on their abstention over sanctions against Libya. [18201]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 8, following the emergence of new information about the Lockerbie crime, if he will pursue the Lockerbie investigation further with the Government of Finland. [18205]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 9, if he will specify what the unwarranted criticisms were to which he referred, with regard to the German authorities and the Scottish police in relation to Lockerbie. [18203]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  It was reported in the press and media, wrongly, that the German authorities had released Abdul Fatah Ghadanfar before the Scottish police were given an opportunity to interview him and that the Scottish police had not made any efforts to interview him, or his associate Haj Hafez Dalkamouni, in connection with the Lockerbie bombing.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 9, if the concerns of Her Majesty's Government about Abdul Ghadanfar were known to the German police before his release from arrest. [18191]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave the hon. Member on 6 March.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 6, regarding the possible involvement of officials of countries other than Libya in the Lockerbie bombing, if he will name the countries, the possible involvement of whose nationals have been very closely investigated. [18193]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 6, regarding the possible involvement of officials of countries other than Libya in the Lockerbie bombing if he will make available all available evidence which supports charges to the Government of Germany. [18195]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Nations Security Council has endorsed our demand that Libya make the two accused available for trial in Scotland or the United States. It would not be appropriate to disclose the contents of confidential communications with the prosecuting or judicial authorities of other countries.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 5, if he will specify what were the differences in detail to which he referred, between the story in relation to which Air Malta brought the action and those contained in the warrants for the arrest of the two accused Libyans. [18197]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave the hon. Member on 6 March.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has conveyed to the German authorities details of the suitcase of white powder, handled by Mr. Wilson, farmer of Tundergarth Farm near Lockerbie in December 1988, about which 1204
  information was conveyed to him in a letter of 9 February from the Rev. John Mosey. [18183]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No significant quantities of drugs were recovered in the course of the Lockerbie investigation, although some small "user" amounts of cannabis were found. Allegations that a quantity of white powder drugs were found in a suitcase recovered at Tundergarth Mains farm were investigated some years ago in the early stages of the investigation. There was no substance to the allegations and nothing to be conveyed to the German authorities.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 6, what action he has taken to offer Volke Rath, state prosecutor at Frankfurt, additional evidence against two accused Libyans, to enable him to bring proceedings in Germany. [18184]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The United Nations Security Council has endorsed our demand that Libya make the two accused available for trial in Scotland or the United States. It would not be appropriate to disclose the contents of confidential communications with the prosecuting or judicial authorities of other countries.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 7, whether the Scottish police asked or suggested to the Bundeskriminalamt or Verfassungschutz that they could directly question Mr. Ghadanfar and Mr. Dalkamouni. [18185]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave the hon. Member on 6 March.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 9, if he will enter into discussions with Egypt and Sudan about Lockerbie and their opposition to sanctions against Libya. [18202]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have regular contacts with the Governments of both countries on a wide range of issues.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 6, on the consideration of evidence of the involvement of officials of countries other than Libya in the Lockerbie bombing, what new information has been considered since 6 March. [18192]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have nothing to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 6 March.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will meet Esmat Abdul Meguid and the Arab League on the issue of Libya's position in relation to Lockerbie in the next three months. [18194]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I hope to meet Dr. Meguid in London today.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 6, when he estimates that the issue of the United States decision that the Montreal convention, requiring attempts at conciliation and arbitration, should not be applied in relation to Pan Am 103 and Lockerbie will be heard before the International Court of Justice; and if he will outline the position of Her Majesty's Government. [18196]
  1205
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The timing of any hearing is a matter for the International Court of Justice. The United Kingdom does not accept that Libya enjoys rights under the Montreal convention in relation to the sabotage of Pan Am 103.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation have been made to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by Professor Dr. John Buontempo, former Maltese ambassador to Arab countries, in connection with the Lockerbie bombing. [18198]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Professor Buontempo has explained to Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials his personal view that the trial of the two Libyans accused of the Lockerbie bombing should be held in Malta.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's ambassador in Cairo last had discussions with Dr. Meguid, Secretary General of the Arab League, on Lockerbie; and what was the result. [18200]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Her Majesty's ambassador at Cairo has had a number of discussions on Lockerbie with the Secretary General of the Arab League. Dr. Meguid shares our concern that the issue should be resolved urgently, in accordance with the Security Council resolutions.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 8, if he will support the proposal by the hon. Member for Eastwood, (Mr. Stewart) to allow the Scottish courts to operate outside Scotland. [18204]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply.

  There is no need for Scottish courts to operate outside Scotland. There are arrangements which allow the evidence of witnesses who are abroad to be taken before a local judge or relayed by direct television link to the courts in Scotland. We have no reason to believe that the Libyans will surrender the two accused for trial before a Scottish court sitting aboard. The Scottish lawyer representing the two accused has most recently suggested trial by a panel of judges headed by a Scottish judge. This is simply the latest in a long line of inappropriate and often contradictory proposals, none of which satisfies the requirement of the Security Council that the accused be produced for trial in Scotland or the United States.

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18654]

  Mr. Baldry
  I am the FCO green Minister for both the diplomatic and development wings.

  I have set up an environmental management committee to produce a departmental action plan on green issues affecting the domestic arrangements of the FCO.

  Through officials, I have been concerned with reaching an acceptable procedure with the Department of Trade
  1206
  and Industry and Department of Environment for trying to ensure that timber and timber products are purchased from sustainably managed sources.

  I have also, through officials, been actively involved in the consultation process with other Government Departments about the Environment Bill.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18598]

  Mr. Goodlad
  This Department ensures that all new refurbishment projects build in access and facilities for disabled people, apart from areas which are protected on heritage grounds. Disabled staff and visitors have access to all floors of the FCO's main building. There is a wheelchair access to the FCO's only public office in London. Car parking for disabled people is also available.

  When planning new building work overseas, the FCO complies with UK and EU building regulations which require disabled access to non-domestic buildings. Where the local standard is higher, the FCO meets local requirements.

  The Overseas Development Administration's sites in London and East Kilbride provide disabled access to the buildings, including lifts to all floors. The ODA is considering the installations of stairlifts to two areas of the London office currently inaccessible to wheelchair users.

  The Natural Resources Institute's accommodation was checked and approved by the Department of Employment's disablement advisory service in the late 1980s.

  Nigeria (Visits)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the exact dates of ministerial visits to Nigeria since June 1993, listing the Ministers and the reason for the visit in each case. [17779]

  Mr. Baldry
  There has been no ministerial visit to Nigeria since my right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker of Wallasey last visited in January 1993.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the exact dates of visits by officials in his Department to Nigeria since June 1993 and the reason for the visit in each case. [17783]

  Mr. Baldry
  Details of such visits are not held centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

  Burundi
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current security situation in Burundi. [17825]

  Mr. Baldry
  The security situation in Burundi remains volatile. We are deeply concerned about developments and will continue to monitor events closely. We are working with the international community—and with the Secretary General's special representative, Mr. Ould
  1207
  Abdallah, in particular—to support the moderates from all sides in the Government who have agreed to work towards restoring public confidence and consolidate national reconciliation and democracy.

  Ethiopia
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made to whether the Government in Ethiopia is breaching human rights; and if he will make a statement. [15332]

  Mr. Baldry
  We are concerned about the human rights situation in Ethiopia and take every opportunity to stress to the transitional Government the importance of making real progress in this area.

HEALTH

  NHS Executive Publications
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pamphlets the national health service executive has published since April 1991; if she will list for each publication the number published, the title, the recipients and the cost; and what was the total cost. [16167]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the right hon. Member to the replies I gave the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 25 February 1993, columns 668–71, and on 21 October 1993, columns 311–14, and to the reply that my right hon. Friend the then Minister of Health gave the hon. Member for Brightside on 28 March 1994, columns 595–96, for information about pamphlets, leaflets and brochures issued by the national health service executive between April 1991 and March 1994. In 1993–94, seven further publications were issued. These were:

  Title

  Grassroots Issues 1–6

  cost £3,814

  Issued to Mental Health Carers and Professionals

  Creating Compatible Careers

  cost £2,350

  Issued to reference/nursing libraries, female health professionals on management programmes.

  A list of pamphlets and brochures issued in 1994–95 will be placed in the Library shortly.

  As a major employer, with responsibility for running a service used by the public, it is important that the NHS should give better information about the range of services it provides.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list each non-departmental public body and agency for which she 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
  1208
  advertising for each year sine 1979–80 or for each year of its existence if it has been created since 1979–80; and what are her latest estimates of (a) to (f) for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17634]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested for the Department's non-departmental public bodies could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The chief executives of the Department's four agencies have been asked to reply to the hon. Member on those parts which fall within their areas of responsibility.

  Letter from K. Jones To Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 31 March 1995:

  EXPENDITURE ON ADVERTISING
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, about expenditure on advertising, as part of it falls within my area of responsibility.
  The Medicines Control Agency has not carried out any advertising using television, radio and newspapers. Nor has it produced any promotional materials beyond those relating to the Agency's statutory functions. The Medicines Control Agency was established in June 1991 and figures relating to the expenditure on recruitment advertising are available from 1992.
  The sums involved are:

  1992/93: £14,800

  1993/94: £27,701

  1994/95: £36,326

  1995/96: £45,000 (forecast)

  Letter from Alan Kent to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Health has asked me to reply for the Medical Devices Agency (MDA) to your recent Parliamentary Question about expenditure on advertising and promotional materials and activities.
  The MDA was launched on 27 September 1994. Prior to that publicity services were paid for as part of the Department's overall expenditure. Since then MDA has spent £40k on newspaper advertising, to recruit 9 staff. There was no expenditure in this period on television or radio advertising for any purpose.
  Spending on promotional materials and activities was £105k in the same period, including publicity material connected with the launch; none was for recruitment purposes.
  We are in discussion with the Department about transferring a publicity budget to the Agency for 1995–96, based on last year's spend.

  Letter from John Locke to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, as part of it falls within my area of responsibility.
  NHS Estates was launched as an executive Agency of the Department of Health in April 1991. In response to your question:

  a) and b) No expenditure has been incurred in television advertising or radio advertising.

  c) Newspaper advertising spending to date from April 1991 totals £24,500. Totals spent in each year are as follows:

  1991/92: not available

  1992/93: not available

  1993/94: not available

  1994/95: £24,5000

  1995/96: £12,000 (budgeted)

  d) Spending on promotional materials and activities to date totals £693,978.14. Totals spent in each year are as follows:

  1991/92: £275,000

  1992/93: £164,000

  1993/94: £114,450

  1994/95: £140,528.24

  1995/96: £52,000 (budgeted)

  All newspaper expenditure relates to recruitment advertising. Annual recruitment advertising information is only available from

  1209
  April 1994. Prior to this services were provided by the Department of Health. None of the spending on promotional material and activities relate to recruitment.

  Letter from A. F. Cowan to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Health has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as part of it falls within my area of responsibility.
  The only publicity undertaken by the Agency relates to the NHS Pension Scheme and is directed to NHS staff and employers. We do not advertise on television, radio or in newspapers. Promotional activities undertaken during 1994–95 and 1995–96 were:
  representation at 5 NHS Conferences at a total cost of £10,044.00;
  the insertion of information about the NHS Pension Scheme in the National Association of Health Authorities & Trusts (NAHAT's) diary at a total cost of £1,327.75;
  seminars held in England and Wales and booklets printed for all NHS employees about changes to the NHS Pension Scheme Regulations at a total cost of £75,234.32.
  We did not engage in recruitment advertising.

  NHS Accountability
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she will take to improve democratic accountability in the national health service; and if she will make a statement. [177881]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Windsor and Maidenhead (Mr. Trend) on 17 January, columns 440–42.

  Baby Milk Manufacturers
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what regulations exist in the NHS on sponsorship by(a) manufacturers of infant formula milk, (b) distributors of infant formula milk and (c) Bounty Services Ltd.; and to what extent these regulations vary between trust and non-trust hospitals; [18399]

  (2) if she will list the occurrences in the past 10 years of sponsorship in the NHS by (a) manufacturers of infant formula milk, (b) distributors of infant formula milk and (c) Bounty Services Ltd. [18398]

  Mr. Sackville
  Advice on commercial sponsorship in the national health service does not distinguish between that provided by the baby milk industry and that provided by other commercial sponsors. No information is available centrally on the sponsorship provided by the baby milk industry to health authorities and trusts.

  General advice is contained in "Income Generation: A Guide to Local Initiative", issued under cover of HN(89)9. Advice on commercial sponsorship of posts and of attendance by staff at relevant conferences, courses and other events is contained in HSG(93)5, "Standards of business conduct for NHS staff'. Copies of both documents are available in the Library.

  Section 64 Grants
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the grants given under section 64 for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96. [18409]

  Mr. Bowis
  Grants totaling£ 19.663 million were awarded to 369 voluntary organisations in England under the section 64 general scheme during 1994–95. Details have been placed in the Library. Information on grants 1210
  given during 1995–96 will be made available at the end of that financial year in the usual way.

  Solvent Abuse
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the National Drugs Advisory Committee working party report on solvent abuse is to be published. [18208]

  Mr. Bowis
  Shortly.

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what authority the salaries of practice managers in general practitioner fundholding are paid. [18914]

  Mr. Malone
  General practitioners are independent self-employed contractors to the national health service and, as employers, are responsible for the salaries of their staff, including practice managers.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of fundholding practices whose patients are currently not being admitted to hospital for elective surgery because the practices have reached their financial limits; and if she will make a statement. [18257]

  Mr. Malone
  All national health service purchasers—district health authorities and fundholding general practitioners—are responsible for managing resources, to best meet the health needs of patients. Within this, all emergency cases are seen immediately, urgent cases are placed on a common waiting list and for non-urgent cases, national or local patients charter standards apply.

  Listeriosis
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of listeriosis were recorded in each of the past five years; and what were the main causes. [18918]

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of cases of systemic listeriosis reported to the public health laboratory service in England and Wales in the last five years is as follows:

  1990: 115

  1991: 127

  1992: 106

  1993: 102

  1994: 115

  The main cause of infection in these cases is unknown.

  The report of the World Health Organisation informal working group on foodborne listeriosis, concluded that the primary means of transmission of listeria monocytogenes to humans is through contamination of foodstuffs. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library.

  Social Services
  Mr. David Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much is made available via the Liverpool standard spending assessment per child at risk; and what are the figures for(a) Birmingham, (b) Manchester, (c) Wandsworth, (d) Westminster and (e) the English average. [18949]

  Mr. Bowis
  The figures for the children's social services standard spending assessment per child at risk for 1995–96 are as follows:

  England: £15,548

  Liverpool: £13,622

  Birmingham: £17,285

  1211

  Manchester: £15,828

  Wandsworth: £27,369

  Westminster: £31,293

  The variation in the figure mainly reflects the variation in the proportion of residents under 18 years in non-white ethnic groups in each of the authorities.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the work that she has commissioned into the children's social services standard spending assessments to be completed; if it will be ready for incorporation into the 1996–97 provisional standard spending assessments settlement; how many people are working on the study; if its findings will be retrospective; and what particular consideration is being given to the Liverpool children's social services standard spending assessments. [18933]

  Mr. Bowis
  Some exploratory work has been commissioned and shall be completed in May. The timing of any further research depends on the findings of the exploratory work but it is not expected that the research will affect standard spending assessments for 1996–97. One person is currently working part-time on the research. Any findings will not be applied retrospectively. No particular consideration is being given to any single local authority's children's social services standard spending assessment.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account she takes of the economic index in determining Liverpool's social services standard spending assessment; what significance she attaches to ethnicity in determining the unit cost in relation to social services care; and what weight is given to economic factors in comparison to ethnicity in deciding the social services standard spending assessment. [18948]

  Mr. Bowis
  Neither the economic index nor any general economic factors are used in the calculation of social services standard spending assessments. An ethnicity factor is included as it has been shown to be related to the unit cost of children's services.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to announce the Government's plans for the future of the general dental service following the consultation of the Green Paper "Improving NHS Dentistry." [19125]

  Mr. Malone
  I am today writing to all dentists in England setting out the Government's proposals for the future of national health service dentistry. Ministers in the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Offices are writing in similar terms to the dentists in their countries.

  I am outlining a package of reform that will ensure access to high quality oral health care for the patient, stability for the dental profession and value for money for the taxpayer. These reforms will ensure that the oral health of the nation's children continues to improve. All treatment which is clinically essential will continue to be available in the national health service, as it is now.

  As set out in "Improving NHS Dentistry", all present exemptions and remissions from patient dental charges are to remain unchanged. This announcement does not include any changes to the structure or level of dental charges.
  1212
  "Improving NHS Dentistry" drew on Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's review of dental remuneration and the Health Select Committee's report on dental services. It set out two options for short-term reform of the current system of paying dentists. The first was a system of sessional fees which would reward dentists for the time spent treating NHS patients. This system will not be pursued as a short-term option.

  The other option was to reform the current fee-based system of paying dentists and I am today announcing a package of reforms which will achieve this. The package has five components:

  (1) The Government's highest priority is to sustain and develop the improvements in child oral health. We therefore intend to improve the capitation system currently in place for the care of children by relating payments to dentists to disease levels in children most in need. Details will be discussed with the profession.

  (2) In adult care, we will introduce more rigorous prior approval procedures for monitoring treatment to ensure that the general dental service provides only those treatments which are clinically essential and for which there is no clinically acceptable, less costly, alternative.

  (3) We also wish to reform the system of continuing care payments which dentists receive for adults on their lists to ensure better value for taxpayers' money. The continuing care relationship between dentists and patients will remain. We will discuss changes with the profession. If reform proves not to be possible, the Government will reconsider the future of these payments.

  (4) We intend to develop the role of the community dental service to meet the needs of patients in areas of the country where there is difficulty obtaining NHS treatment under the general dental service. This will include, subject to Parliamentary approval and the passage in due course of any necessary legislation, allowing the community dental service to levy charges. All charge exemption and remission arrangements that apply in the general dental service will apply equally in the community dental service.

  (5) The Government also intend to discuss with the profession the issue of past overpayments under the previous remuneration system and how we can together ensure financial stability in the general dental service. Providing satisfactory progress is made in the fundamental review of dental remuneration, the Government will not rule out waivers of past overpayments.

  I reaffirm the Government's aim of introducing a system of local contracts between health authorities and dental practices similar to that which operates elsewhere in the health service. "Improving NHS Dentistry", our Green Paper published last year, noted that such a system would need careful piloting and evaluation before any decision were taken on nationwide introduction. Primary legislation is required to set up pilots. Over one third of local dental committees said that they were prepared to take part in pilot schemes. The Government therefore intend to seek an appropriate opportunity, in due course, for the necessary legislation. Meanwhile, we are keen to work with the profession and other interested groups to develop the proposals further. The system of paying dentists through sessional payments, set out as an option in the Green Paper, can be tested as a part of this pilot scheme.

  The Government remain committed to an accessible, high quality NHS dental service and believe that the measures now proposed will provide stability and security for NHS dentistry. They will ensure the correct balance between the prevention and treatment of disease, deliver increased quality of care for patients and promote better use of resources by targeting areas of greatest need.
  1213
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were deregistered by family health services authority area for the periods (i) 2 July 1992 to 31 March 1993, (ii) 1 April 1993 to 31 March 1994 and (iii) since 1 April 1994. [18575]

  Mr. Malone
  This information will he placed in the Library.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in each family health service authority area, and in total, requested help in finding a dentist (i) between 2 July 1992 and 31 March 1993, (ii) between 1 April 1993 and 31 March 1994 and (iii) since 1 April 1994. [18576]

  Mr. Malone
  This information will be placed in the Library. Family health services authorities consistently report that they can help patients to find national health service dentists.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to include mental illness in the list of medical conditions which confer exemption from prescription charges; and if she will make a statement. [17714]

  Mr. Malone
  None. The list of exempt conditions was, and still is, limited to those which"need continuous medication for"
  life
  "long periods and which admit no discretion"
  by doctors
  "as to identification of individuals".

  The list has been reviewed a number of times since 1968.

  No changes have been made.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total(a) amount raised from prescription charges (b) the expenditure on the system of NHS prescriptions for medication within the NHS and (c) the difference between (a) and (b) for each financial year since 1979–80. [18252]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is shown in the table.

  Total (a) annual income from prescription charges collected by community pharmacists, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors and from the sale of prepayment certificates by family health service authorities; (b) annual expenditure on the family health services drugs bill and dispensing fees; and (c) the difference between (a) and (b) in England 1979–80 to 1993–94

  £ million

  Year

  (a) Income from prescription charges and prepayment certificates

  (b) Expenditure on FHS drugs bill and dispensing fees1

  (c) Difference between (a) and (b)

  1979–80

  39

  790

  751

  1980–81

  71

  974

  903

  1981–82

  87

  1,125

  1,038

  1982–83

  103

  1,290

  1,187

  1983–84

  110

  1,431

  1,321

  1984–85

  121

  1,551

  1,430

  1985–86

  128

  1,657

  1,529

  1986–87

  148

  1,787

  1,639

  1987–88

  158

  1,972

  1,814

  1988–89

  177

  2,236

  2,059

  1989–90

  189

  2,461

  2,272

  1990–91

  206

  2,640

  2,434

  1214

  Total (a) annual income from prescription charges collected by community pharmacists, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors and from the sale of prepayment certificates by family health service authorities; (b) annual expenditure on the family health services drugs bill and dispensing fees; and (c) the difference between (a) and (b) in England 1979–80 to 1993–94

  £ million

  Year

  (a) Income from prescription charges and prepayment certificates

  (b) Expenditure on FHS drugs bill and dispensing fees1

  (c) Difference between (a)
  and (b)

  1991–92

  215

  2,920

  2,705

  1992–93

  242

  3,299

  3,057

  1993–94

  265

  3,628

  3,363

  Note:

  1 Includes the cost of prescriptions written by general medical practitioners and general dental practitioners and the remuneration paid to community pharmacists, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors for dispensing them. Excludes the cost of prescriptions written by hospitals for out-patients and dispensed by community pharmacists.

  NHS Executive Business Plan, 1995–96
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is available about the role of the NHS executive and its main objectives and tasks in the coming year. [19336]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The national health service executive has produced a business plan for 1995–96 which describes the executive's role, its principal objectives and tasks and the context in which these objectives will be carried out. Copies of the plan will be placed in the Library.

  Caller Line Identification
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which ambulance services have access to caller line identification; which have plans for its introduction; which have requested caller line identification but have been denied access; and if she will make a statement. [17707]

  Mr. Sackville
  Caller line identification is not yet available to ambulance services.

  NHS Pension Scheme
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to change the regulations concerning women doctors and the NHS pension scheme; and if she will make a statement. [17710]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Out-Patient Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the NHS in England of the non-attenders to out-patient appointments in 1993–94. [17711]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available.

  Glaucoma
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated number of people over 17 years of age with glaucoma in the United Kingdom. [17872]
  1215
  Mr. Sackville
  It is estimated that in England for all ages there were 101,000 patients suffering from glaucoma who consulted a general practitioner during 1991–92. Less than 0.5 per cent. of these were under 24 years of age. Source: Morbidity Statistics from General Practice, Fourth national Study.

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

  Sight Tests
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has had from the British Medical Association and the Association of Optometrists on the effect of eye examination charges on those aged over 65 years. [18258]

  Mr. Malone
  The Association of Optometrists and the British Medical Association have written to me with a copy of their joint document, "Free Eye Examinations for the over 65s", which we are studying.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to assess the effect on the elderly of charges for eye examinations; and if she will make a statement. [18170]

  Mr. Malone
  None. Elderly people who are in receipt of income support, family credit or disability working allowance are entitled to a free national health service sight test, and those in receipt of a low income who have difficulty in paying for their optical costs, can claim help under the NHS low-income scheme.

  Occupational Health
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will indicate the measures her Department undertakes to address occupational health; and if she will make a statement. [18256]

  Mr. Sackville
  "The Health of the Nation" White Paper, Cm 1986, identified the workplace as an important setting for the promotion of good health. The Department has set up a multi-disciplinary steering group to devise a practical means of encouraging employers to undertake voluntary health promotion activities. In addition, the health at work in the national health service programme has been running successfully now for nearly three years.

  Guidance on "Occupational Health Services for NHS Staff' HSG(94)51 was issued to NHS employers on 6 December 1994, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research into myalgic encephalomyelitis has been conducted in each of the last five years; and at what cost. [18573]

  Mr. Sackville
  The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The MRC has been funding a study at the Institute of Psychiatry, the estimated cost of which is £91,000, to investigate chronic fatigue in general 1216
  practitioners' attenders. The researchers at the institute are attempting to find ways to help people with chronic fatigue cope with their disease and regain their health. The MRC is always willing to receive and consider soundly based research proposals in competition with other applications.

  Additionally, there is much basic science which is relevant to identifying and understanding possible mechanisms of chronic fatigue syndrome, such as neurotransmitters, immunology, which is taking place but which is not necessarily directly identified as related to CFS. The Department of Health also keeps in touch with research being funded by bodies such as the Linbury Trust.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the incidence and causes of, and departmental policy towards, myalgic encephalomyelitis. [18574]

  Mr. Sackville
  We recognise what is increasingly being referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome as a potentially debilitating and distressing complex. Unfortunately, the causes of CFS are not understood, nor is there a generally agreed method of treatment. While a number of definitions, disease descriptions or diagnostic criteria have been proposed, there is still no general consensus amongst the medical professions or among patient groups as to which should be used. This hampers research, and studies on the prevalence of the condition. There is no diagnostic test for CFS and diagnosis depends upon the patients symptoms/signs falling into one of these disease descriptions. Until these matters are resolved, there is no possibility of establishing the true incidence of CFS.

  The national task force on CFS, PVFS—post viral fatigue syndrome—and ME has produced a report; the task force is autonomous of the Department. With a view to securing progress and promoting the development of a professional consensus, the chief medical officer has invited the Conference of Colleges to consider the report. The views of the Conference of Colleges will be of much assistance to the Department in helping to determine the best way forward.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in her Department and agencies for which she is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans she has to improve access; and if she will make a statement. [18587]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health is clearly committed to improving access for disabled people to all departmental buildings. For example, we are currently considering the recommendations of an independent access audit report which we commissioned on Richmond house. We are also mindful of the need to consider wider access issues, including the availability of information and publicity material.

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will name the green Minister for her Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the

  1217
  representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18641]

  Mr. Sackville
  The green Minister for my Department is the Baroness Cumberledge, the Under-Secretary of State.

  My Department is committed to sound environmental stewardship and its significant achievements over the past year are listed in paragraph 5.92 of the departmental report 1995, Cm 2812, copies of which are available in the Library.

  My Department has contributed to the digest on green housekeeping in Government Departments which is being prepared for publication by the Department of the Environment.

  The Government have recently published an account of its achievements in "This Common Inheritance 1995" Cm 2822.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits Agency Medical Service
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many qualified doctors were employed three years ago and currently by the Benefits Agency medical service; and how many more he expects to employ to cope with the introduction of incapacity benefit. [17721]

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about doctors employed by the Benefits Agency Medical Services.
  All the doctors employed by Medical Services are fully qualified registered medical practitioners who have several years experience. Three years ago (1992) the Department of Social Security employed 211 Medical Officers. As at January 1995 the Benefits Agency employed 182 Medical Advisers (previously known as Medical Officers).
  The Benefits Agency Medical Services has already recruited 91 additional doctors for Incapacity Benefit and is expecting to recruit a further 60 from a second recruitment exercise which has just been completed, making a total of 151. The additional 151 doctors have been recruited initially on two year fixed term appointments.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of the Benefits Agency medical service(a) three years ago and (b) currently; and what estimates have been made of costs over the next three years. [17720]

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of the Benefits Agency medical service is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the cost of the Benefits Agency Medical Services.
  1218
  The internal record of Medical Services show costs in the year 1991/92 were £60m.
  It should be noted that three years ago the costs of Medical Services were included in Benefits Agency central budgets. Not all the costs of the Medical Services were separated from the costs of other Benefits Agency Directorates. For example, this figure does not include accommodation costs, administrative staff costs, bulk purchased supplies, support services etc. It does however include costs of medical evidence obtained in connection with Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and War Pensions which have since been re-allocated to the appropriate directorate or Agency.
  The cost of the Benefits Agency Medical Services for the current year is £38m. The drop in the costs is as a result of the devolution of costs of medical evidence in connection with Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and War Pensions to the appropriate directorate or Agency.
  The estimated cost for the year 1995/96 is £60m. This figure includes the re-allocation of administrative support costs into Medical Services from elsewhere in the Benefits Agency; the costs of the additional volume of claims being reviewed for the new Incapacity Benefit; and the additional volume of claims expected for disability benefits.
  It is projected that the costs of the Benefits Agency Medical Services over the following two years will be £70m per year. The projected rise takes into account the increased volumes of claims being reviewed for Incapacity Benefit.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a regional and national breakdown of the sums of money recovered by the compensation recovery unit accompanied by a breakdown of the distribution of amounts of money recovered. [17812]

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Tony Worthington, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for a breakdown of the sums of money recovered and distributed by the Compensation Recovery Unit.
  Information relating to regions could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
  I have provided, at Annex A, a national breakdown by benefit of the monies recovered and allocated in respect of the various benefits during the 1994/95 financial year.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Benefit

  Amount recovered and reallocated £000s

  Percentage of total amount

  Invalidity Benefit (IVB)

  51,912

  47.1

  Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

  17,270

  15.7

  Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)

  12,511

  11.4

  Income Support (IS)

  7,999

  7.2

  Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

  6,601

  5.9

  Reduced Earnings Allowance (REA)

  5,237

  4.7

  Sickness Benefit (SB)

  4,391

  3.9

  Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)

  1,520

  1.4

  Mobility Allowance (MobA)

  1,039

  0.9

  Attendance Allowance (AA)

  876

  0.8

  1219

  Benifit

  Amount recovered and reallocated £000s

  Percentage of total amount

  Unemployment Benefit (UB)

  355

  0.3

  Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA)

  245

  0.2

  Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance (ESDA)

  62

  0.05

  Disablement Working Allowance (DWA)

  54

  0.04

  Retirement Allowance (RA)

  5

  0.004

  Family Credit (FAMC)

  0.6

  0.0005

  Total

  110,081

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library a copy of all statistics collected on the work of the compensation recovery unit. [17813]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Statistics for the 1994–95 year will be placed in the Library today. Thereafter, statistics collated on a quarterly basis will be placed in the Library regularly.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Mr. Barry Natton of Nab Wood, Noctorum road, Birkenhead, will receive a reply from the disability living allowance centre in Blackpool to a letter he wrote on 10 March 1994 and on which he sent reminder letters on 6 September 1994 and 5 January 1995. [18577]

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Frank Field, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding correspondence from Mr Barry Natton to the Disability Benefits Unit.
  Unfortunately we have not been able to find any trace of the specific correspondence referred to within the Parliamentary Question despite extensive searches.
  I am concerned that there is an outstanding issue still to be resolved with the Benefits Agency. I have therefore arranged for a member of staff to visit Mr. Natton at his home to afford him opportunity to discuss any aspect of the case.
  I am sorry that my reply cannot be more helpful.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women aged 60 years or more residing in the Clyde coast and Cowal area have had their invalidity benefit payments suspended while Commissioner Skinner's decision has been pronounced upon by the English law courts and the European Court of Justice. [16699]

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of invalidity benefit is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
  1220
  Letter from Michael Bichard to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 4 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about suspensions of Invalidity Benefit (IVB) payments in the Clyde Coast and Cowal area.
  Information has been provided relating to those customers resident in the area administered by the offices of the Benefits Agency's Clyde Coast and Cowal District, which does not necessarily correspond with county or borough boundaries.
  The latest information available is based on the number of cases identified at 31 March 1994. At that date 480 IVB cases had payment suspended in whole or in part.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of Social Security how many women aged 60 years or more residing in(a) the Clyde coast and Cowal area of Scotland and (b) the rest of Scotland, England and Wales have had the suspension of invalidity benefit set aside on the grounds of hardship. [16700]

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of invalidity benefit is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 4 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about suspensions of Invalidity Benefit payments in the Clyde Coast and Cowal and other areas of Scotland; in England, and in Wales.
  Information has been provided relating to those customers resident in the area administered by the offices of the Benefits Agency's Clyde Coast and Cowal District, which does not necessarily correspond with county or borough boundaries.
  The numbers of customers who have had suspensions of IVB lifted in the areas in question are as follows:

  Area

  Number

  Clyde Coast and Cowal Area

  15

  Rest of Scotland

  249

  Wales

  26

  England

  704

  The figures were obtained from a clerical count of affected cases maintained by BA offices within each area. The information provided is the latest available and is based on the position at 31 March 1994.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were in receipt of invalidity benefit in each of the area directorates of the Benefits Agency and in each Benefits Agency district in each area, at the latest date for which figures are available. [17719]

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of invalidity benefit is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 4 April 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about Invalidity Benefit (IVB) recipients.
  The information requested is provided in the tables attached at Appendices 1–4, copies of which have been placed in the Library.
  The statistics relating to numbers of recipients were obtained from a 100% clerical count of cases within the offices of each BA District at 28 February 1995, and represent the latest information available.

  1221
  The figures include a very small number of customers who are entitled to IVB but are not actually receiving the benefit; for example, because they are receiving an overlapping benefit payable at a higher rate.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Income Support
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures showing, for each year since 1987(a) the total amount of cash losses due to irrecovable payments of pensions, etc., income support and family benefits recorded during the year, (b) the total amount of errors in benefit payments recorded and (c) the total savings for the year from anti-fraud initiatives.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  [pursuant to his reply 16 December 1994, Official Report, col 933–36]. I am advised that Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, is writing again to clarify his reply. I am arranging for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library together with any additional information.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Donald Dewar, dated 4 April 1995:
  I am writing to clarify the information provided to you in my letter of 16 December 1994 in response to your Parliamentary Question of 8 December in which you asked for information about benefits cash losses, errors, and savings from anti-fraud initiatives.
  Unfortunately, erroneous information was included in the table attached to my reply as Appendix A. The discrepancies relate to the details given on losses due to irrecoverable payments of supplementary benefit/income support for the years 1992/93 and 1993/94. I have attached a revised table giving the corrected figures.
  I am sorry that my reply contained erroneous information and for the fact that it has taken so long to identify this. I apologise for any confusion this may have caused.

  Appendix A—corrected Losses due to irrecoverable and unrecovered overpayments of income support and family benefits

  Year

  Supplementary benefit/income support £000s

  Family benefits £000s

  1986–87

  31,987

  3,234

  1987–88

  32,024

  2,718

  1988–89

  41,112

  3,333

  1989–90

  40,211

  3,901

  1990–91

  28,608

  3,417

  1991–92

  32,974

  3,908

  1992–93

  46,612

  4,073

  1993–94

  55,821

  3,730

  Total

  309,349

  28,314

  Source:

  1986–1991: vote 2 Supplementary benefits/income support.

  1986–1991: vote 3 Family benefits. 1991–1994: vote 1 Amalgamated pension benefits/income support/family benefits.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will consider issuing new guidelines to benefit offices for use when they process an application

  Table 1 Estimated cost of National Insurance benefits

  (£ billion at 1994–95) prices)

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  2040–41

  2050–51

  EXISTING SCHEME

  Retirement pensions:

  Basic pension

  29.8

  33.7

  39.8

  46.9

  48.2

  46.6

  Earnings-related pension

  4.2

  9.2

  14.5

  18.7

  19.5

  19.3

  1222
  from a 16 or 17–year-old claiming estrangement from his or her parents; [16878]

  (2) what is his Department's policy of ensuring that steps are taken to contact parents if a 16 or 17-year-old claims income support claiming estrangement from his or her parents; [16880]

  (3) if it is his Department's practice to require benefit offices to inform parents of the reasons given by a 16 or 17-year-old child when claiming estrangement in pursuit of a claim for income support. [16879]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We will be issuing an amendment to the guidelines on claims for income support under the severe hardship provision. Claims to income support are confidential, but benefit offices should ask young people to provide evidence in support of their claim where they say they are estranged. Offices should make careful inquiry into the circumstances and seek to contact the parents direct if such action would be appropriate. If the young person declines to co-operate, the office should consider whether it has enough evidence on which to make a judgment as to the existence or otherwise of severe hardship.

  Pensions Bill
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes the amendments made to the Pensions Bill[Lords] in another place have made to the figures in tables 1, "Estimated Cost of National Insurance Benefit", and table 2, "Estimated Financial Effect on the National Insurance Fund" of the proposed changes which appear in the Government Actuary's Report on the Pensions Bill [Lords] (Cm 2714); and if he will publish amended tables. [17723]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The main effects on the national insurance fund of the Pensions Bill[Lords] and amendments to it in another place were set out in the explanatory and financial memorandum to the Bill published on 21 March 1995.

  The estimated expenditure effects of the amendments to paragraph 5 of schedule 4 assume that "the best 44 years" rule in the calculation of SERPS is intended to operate in the same way as the original "best 20 years" rule. This amendment would have no effect on the national insurance fund before 2022. Thereafter, costs would rise to reach around £1 billion in 2030, £1.9 billion in 2040 and £2.5 billion in 2050. Versions of tables 1 and 2 from the Govnerment Actuary's report on the Bill allowing for this amendment are given in the table.

  As drafted, the actual effect of the clauses providing for the treatment of pension rights on divorce would depend on how they are interpreted by the courts. The estimate of £25 million in 2010–11 given in the financial memorandum to the Bill represents the maximum possible increase in the cost of NI benefits resulting from these amendments. Given this uncertainty, the figure is not included in the table.
  1223

  Table 1 Estimated cost of National Insurance benefits

  (£ billion at 1994–95 prices)

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  2040–41

  2050–51

  Widows' benefits:

  Flat-rate

  0.7

  0.6

  0.6

  0.5

  0.5

  0.5

  Earnings-related

  0.2

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  Incapacity benefits:

  Flat-rate

  5.1

  6.2

  6.6

  6.3

  5.9

  6.0

  Earnings-related

  0.6

  0.1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Other benefits

  1.7

  1.7

  1.8

  1.8

  1.8

  1.8

  Total

  42.2

  51.7

  63.4

  74.2

  76.0

  74.2

  AFTER PROPOSED CHANGES

  Retirement pensions:

  Basic Pension

  29.8

  33.6

  35.2

  41.9

  44.5

  42.3

  Earnings-related pension

  4.2

  8.4

  10.9

  13.0

  12.1

  12.4

  Widows' benefits:

  Flat-rate

  0.7

  0.6

  1.2

  1.1

  0.9

  1.0

  Earnings-related

  0.2

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  Incapacity benefits:

  Flat-rate

  5.1

  6.2

  7.2

  6.9

  6.4

  6.5

  Earnings-related

  0.6

  0.1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Other benefits

  1.7

  1.7

  1.8

  1.8

  1.8

  1.8

  Total

  42.2

  50.8

  56.4

  64.8

  65.8

  64.2

  Note:

  Individual components may not sum to totals due to rounding.

  Table 2 Estimated financial effect on the National Insurance Fund of the proposed changes

  (£ billion at 1994–95) prices

  2000–01

  2010–11

  2020–21

  2030–31

  2040–41

  2050–51

  Benefit changes

  Changes to state pension age:

  Basic retirement pension

  —

  -0.2

  -4.7

  -5.0

  -3.9

  -4.3

  SERPS

  —

  -0.03

  -1.7

  -1.9

  -1.8

  -2.6

  Widow's pension

  —

  +0.02

  +0.6

  +0.6

  +0.5

  +0.5

  Incapacity benefit

  —

  +0.03

  +0.6

  +0.6

  +0.5

  +0.6

  Other NI benefits

  —

  0.0

  +0.1

  +0.1

  +0.1

  +0.1

  Changes to graduated retirement benefit increments and dependency conditions

  —

  0.0

  +0.1

  +0.1

  +0.1

  +0.1

  Inclusion of family credit and disability working allowance in earnings factors

  0.0

  0.0

  +0.01

  +0.06

  +0.1

  +0.1

  Changes to SERPS calculation

  0.0

  -0.6

  -1.3

  -1.5

  -1.0

  -0.2

  Changes to contracting out SERPS expenditure

  0.0

  -0.1

  -0.7

  -2.4

  -4.7

  -4.2

  NI contribution changes

  SPA change

  —

  0.0

  -0.1

  -0.1

  -0.1

  -0.1

  Changes to contracting out:

  assuming 4.6 per cent. rebate

  +0.4

  +0.6

  -0.1

  -0.8

  -1.1

  -1.1

  assuming 4.95 per cent. rebate

  +0.9

  +1.1

  +0.4

  -0.3

  -0.6

  -0.6

  Notes:

  1. The above figures break down the total change in benefit expenditure shown in Table 1 into the effect of each separate proposal in the Bill. The sum of these changes may not agree with the total change in Table 1 due to rounding.

  2. Positive figures denote higher expenditure or lower contribution income. Negative figures denote lower expenditure or higher income. The estimates therefore show the effect on the financial position of the National Insurance Fund.

  3. All figures for future years should be read in conjunction with paragraphs 32 to 33 of the Government Actuary's Report regarding uncertainty.
  1224

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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 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 his latest estimates for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17611]

  Mr. Hague
  The available information for expenditure by this Department, other than that incurred by the Department's agencies and other non-departmental public bodies, is as follows:

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  (a) TV Advertising

  1,355,000

  2,486,000

  (b) Radio Advertising

  322,000

  Nil

  (c) Press Advertising

  2,194,168

  2,510,139

  (d) Other Promotional Activities

  9,204,000

  7,723,000

  (e)

  13,075,168

  12,719,139

  (f)

  0.5 per cent.

  0.2 per cent.

  1994–95 estimates

  1995–96 estimates

  All advertising including recruitment advertising

  7,924,752

  7,815,000

  Proportion for recruitment

  1 per cent.

  Estimate not available

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of people who will cease to receive incapacity benefit because they have reached state pension age during the first year of operation of invalidity benefit. [18072]

  Mr. Hague
  In the first year of operation, it is estimated that around 100,000 people will cease to receive incapacity benefit on reaching state pension age.

  Unemployment Benefit
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, (1) pursuant to his answer of 28 March,Official Report, column 559, relating to unemployment benefit, for what reasons a local councillor is regarded as being unavailable for paid work within social security regulations; [17956]

  (2) on what grounds (a) convicted criminals who are subject to community service orders are deemed to be available for work and (b) elected local councillors who are registered as unemployed are deemed unavailable for work for the purposes of receiving unemployment benefit. [18283]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  There are no deeming provisions which relate specifically to convicted criminals who are subject to community service orders or to elected local councillors.

  Questions of doubt regarding a claimant's availability are referred to an adjudication officer.

  Guidance on the determination of these questions is contained in the "Adjudication Officers Guide" volume 10, paragraphs 86030 et seq, a copy of which is in the Library. Specific reference is made to councillors and convicted criminals at paragraphs 86083 and 86087.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to prevent the avoidance of national insurance by payment of salaries in the form of antiques and works of art. [17830]

  Mr. Lilley
  I shall act whenever necessary where there is evidence of devious practice whose main objective is to avoid national insurance contributions.

  I have today laid regulations—SI 1995/1003—which, by using existing powers, adds to schedule 1A of the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 1979 payments by way of assets including vouchers for which trading arrangements exist and vouchers for those assets. The regulations also provide for the valuing of these items. These changes come into effect from 6 April.

  In this way I am removing from the list of exclusions from NI contributions a range of schemes by which employers may have attempted to avoid payment. I have asked the Contributions Agency to continue to monitor closely any further efforts to develop practices whose main aim is to avoid NI contributions.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has written to a right hon. or hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question; [18514]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18516]

  (3) how many parliamentary questions to his Department in each year since 1979–80 requesting a priority written answer or answer on a named day, were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further five, 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18512]

  (4) How many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred to answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18515]

  (5) how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by his Department in each year since 1979–80; and how many such questions received a substantive answer within 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18511]

  (6) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report. [18513]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is a matter of public record but could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost. The available information for the years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95 is as follows:
  1227

  Pursuant letter sent to Member to correct an answer to a parliamentary question

  Session

  Number sent

  1992–93

  19

  1993–94

  21

  1994–95 (up to Tuesday 4 April)

  7

  Holding replies sent

  Session

  Number sent

  1992–93

  44

  1993–94

  37

  1994–95 (up to Tuesday 4 April)

  35

  Parliamentary questions answered

  Session

  Named day (or priority)

  Ordinary

  1992–93

  1,574

  1,731

  1993–94

  933

  1,432

  1994–95 (up to Tuesday 4 April)

  620

  710

  "I will write" answers to questions placed in the Library rather than in the Official Report—that is, when it is too late for answers to be provided before the summer recess or prorogation:

  Session

  Number

  1992–93:

  22

  1993–94:

  17

  1994–95:

  NIL

  A small proportion of questions have also been placed in the Library in each parliamentary Session because the answer was too long to be printed in the Official Report.

  Written questions referred to Next Steps Agencies

  Session

  Number

  1992–93:

  3591

  1993–94:

  3331

  1994–95:

  1501

  Note

  1 These figures have been provided using the POLIS database. It is not possible to guarantee that this is a truly comprehensive answer.

  Fraud
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of fraudulent claims for one-parent benefit were discovered for each year since one-parent benefit was introduced. [18266]

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is not available.

  Occupational Pension Schemes
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average time taken for the winding up of an occupational pension scheme to be completed. [18552]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information requested is not available, but it is not uncommon for the process to take at least two years and it can exceptionally take up to 10 years.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many occupational pension schemes are currently involved in a winding up process. [18551]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Information is available only in respect of Inland Revenue tax approved occupational pension schemes with at least two members. As at 3 April 1228
  1995, approximately 4,760 occupational pension schemes were in the process of winding up.

  Source: Pension Schemes Registry.

  "Living Together" Rule
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria are applied when assessing benefit entitlement to define whether a man and woman are living together as husband and wife with regard to(a) definition of a stable relationship, (b) financial support, (c) sexual relationship, (d) presence of children and (e) public acknowledgement of their relationship. [18267]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Decisions about benefit entitlement are made by adjudication officers. Where necessary, this incudes decisions about whether a man and a woman are living together as an unmarried couple. Guidance on the factors to be taken into account is issued by the chief adjudication officer. The adjudication officer will normally consider whether the alleged couple share normal household tasks, how long the couple have been together, whether they share bills and other household expenses, if other people regard them as a couple, and whether there are children of their union or they share responsibility for child care. Information about a sexual relationship is not requested, but, if volunteered, will also be taken into consideration.

  Decisions are made on the facts of the individual case. The criteria do not represent a rigid formula, and the presence or absence of any single factor will not by itself determine the decision.

  Social Fund
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has received the Social Security Advisory Committee's report on his proposals for changes to the social fund funeral payments scheme; and if he will make a statement. [19209]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We are now considering the Social Security Advisory Committee's report. On the basis of the recommendations in it, we propose to introduce a social fund funeral payments scheme which specifies necessary disbursements and covers their reasonable costs. We are also proposing a ceiling on the amount payable for funeral directors' charges. The precise specification of the eligible funeral directors' charges is currently under discussion with interested outside organisations. We will lay the SSAC report before the House along with our detailed response and the necessary amending regulations in due course. In the meantime, the current social fund provision for help with a simple dignified funeral for people in receipt of a qualifying benefit will remain in force.

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18649]

  Mr. Burt
  My appointment as the Minister with responsibility for green issues within the Department took place in the autumn of 1994.
  1229
  I have recently instructed the Benefits Agency to set up a pilot environment management scheme to promote good practice throughout the Department.

  I attended a meeting of Green Ministers in December 1994 and discussed issues which included; sustainable development, the Rural White Paper, transport and green housekeeping.

  I have not provided a direct input to consultations on the Environment Bill.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18590]

  Mr. Hague
  The Department has an on-going programme to ensure that disabled customers and staff have access to our buildings and services. A wide range of measures have already been taken to improve access, including surveys, building adaptations and the provision of equipment and services. The Department is also committed to providing access to information in a format which suits the customer, for example, in braille, tape or video. We will continue to build on this approach.

  The Disability Discrimination Bill, which will apply to all Government Departments, contains new rights for disabled people in employment and creates a right of access to goods, facilities and services. It also establishes the National Disability Council to advise the Government on eliminating discrimination against disabled people.

  Disability Discrimination Bill
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 20 March to the hon. Member for Ealing, North, (Mr. Greenway)Official Report, column 66, if he will list those organisations of and for the disabled and any other organisations which have made representations on the questions of disability legislation, and the number of letters received from the public and hon. Members on the subject; and what is the proportion in each category which supports the Disability Discrimination Bill. [18626]

  Mr. Hague
  I have received a wide range of representations on the question of disability legislation expressing a range of views, including support for and opposition to the Government's proposals. A detailed analysis of the correspondence could be carried out only at disproportionate cost.

  An analysis of the content of those letters which were specifically responses to the Government's consultation document "Disability on the Agenda" is available in the Library.

  War Widows
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the annual cost of paying war widows a pension for life regardless of their marital status and other income or savings. [18155]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  It is estimated that the additional gross cost would be about £220 million in a full year. That 1230
  estimate does not take into account savings in other benefits which would normally be offset against the war widow's pension.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fire Officers
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fire officers are employed full and part time in the Home Office; who pays for them; what is the cost to public funds; what has been the cost to public funds, with particular reference to the palace and its estate, of the work of these fire officers in the Palace of Westminster; and how many officers are deputed to oversee the Palace of Westminster. [18087]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Twenty-six staff, all of them former or serving members of the United Kingdom fire service, are currently employed in the Crown premises inspection group of Her Majesty's fire service inspectorate. They are all employed full time. Their duties are to inspect all Crown-owned or Crown-occupied premises in England and Wales which may need to be certified under the requirements of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and to issue fire certificates where appropriate. They are paid by the Home Office. Their total salary cost is £693,000 at 1994–95 prices. The fire service inspector who is head of the group is responsible for the necessary certification of the Palace of Westminster, but he has been assisted with this work by other members of the group.

  Certification however deals only with those specific fire safety matters which are within the scope of the Fire Precaution Act 1971. Other fire safety matters generally are overseen by the fire safety manager appointed by the palace.

  The Crown premises inspection group has been involved with work connected to the certification of the Palace of Westminster over a number of years and I regret that it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the total cost of the work.

  Libya
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to establish extradition relations with Libya. [18429]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The Government have no plans at present to establish extradition arrangements with Libya.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18584].

  Mr. Howard
  The Department has a continuing commitment to meet the needs of its disabled staff, customers and visitors. In doing so, it takes into account the programme for action to achieve equality of opportunity in the civil service for disabled people; many of the measures taken to improve access for staff also benefit disabled customers and visitors.
  1231
  Measures over recent years have included the installation of a ramp in a listed building with steps to the main entrance and a survey to identify further areas where accessibility could be improved; wherever feasible action was taken. An audit of facilities for disabled people in central London buildings has also been carried out. The majority of buildings in the Home Office estate have toilets accessible to wheelchair users and car parking spaces reserved for disabled drivers. Access for disabled people is taken into account in the design stage of new buildings and renovations.

  Induction loops are available for use in the public enquiry office in the immigration and nationality department, in all United Kingdom passport offices, and a further two induction loops are currently being purchased for use in conference rooms in the central London estate. Accommodation staff in IND have participated in accessibility training at the centre for accessible environments. An information pack on disability has been made widely available to staff in the Department.

  Disability awareness seminars have been run for staff, covering such matters as access, equipment, disability etiquette, management of disabled staff and awareness of the social context of disability.

  Continuing consideration is being given to producing information in accessible formats. Arrangements are in place across the Department to translate material into braille and large print. The UK Passport Agency has staff trained to use sign language in all its regional offices, and the use of minicoms with the "Typetalk" service is also available.

  The needs of disabled staff and visitors are kept under regular review through departmental action groups. Future plans include the provision of leaflets listing facilities for disabled people in the main London buildings.

  Green Policies
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18640]

  Mr. Howard
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Baroness Blatch succeeded my right hon. Friend the Member for Fareham (Sir P. Lloyd) as Home Office green Minister in June 1994.

  The Home Office green Minister sponsors the Home Office green housekeeping strategy which sets out the Department's policy on conserving natural resources and reducing environmental pollution. The strategy is supported by action plans incorporating recycling and energy efficiency schemes and a range of other green housekeeping initiatives.

  The Home Office green Minister has corresponded with the Secretary of State for the Environment on matters relevant to this remit.

  Home Office input to the Environment Bill is confined to criminal policy issues and will be made by the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean).

  Mr. Raghbir Singh
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will place in the Library and make available to the hon. Member for Walsall, North the full documentary reasons for deportation proceedings against Mr. Singh; [18712]

  (2) if he will set out the reasons that deportation proceedings are being taken against Mr. Raghbir Singh Johal; [18696]

  (3) what account was taken as to whether anything in the journal edited by Mr. Raghbir Singh Johal could be constructed as incitement to criminality in the United Kingdom when the decision was taken to deport him. [18697]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Mr. Raghbir Singh was detained on 29 March following a decision to deport him for reasons of national security and other reasons of a political nature, namely the fight against international terrorism. It would not be appropriate to comment further on the grounds for deportation.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made to him over the deportation proceedings against Mr. Raghbir Singh Johal. [18717]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Three representations have been received on Mr. Raghbir Singh's behalf.

  Horserace Totalisator Board
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the duties, hours of work and salary of each member of the Horserace Totalisator Board; [18771]

  (2) if he will review the salary, terms and conditions of the chairman of the Horserace Totalisator Board. [18772]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Board members of the Horserace Totaliser Board are part-time public appointments for which the renumeration is £8,085. The post of chairman of the Tote is full time; the current salary for this post is £97,735 a year. The duties of board members include attending regular board meetings and Tote functions, advising on and participating in the board's policy and commercial decision-making process.

  My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 28 February, Official Report, column 547, that Lord Wyatt would be reappointed, on the same conditions, for a further two-year term. At the same time, a review will be conducted of the Tote's future status.

  Mr. Tarsend Singh Purewal
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been held and questioned by the authorities over the murder of Mr. Tarsend Singh Purewal. [18698]

  Mr. Maclean
  Seven suspects were arrested on 29 and 30 March. Following questioning, six of these have been released on police bail and a seventh has been served with a deportation order. Two other suspects were arrested on 24 January and released shortly afterwards.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those held and questioned by the authorities over the murder of Mr. Tarsend Singh Purewal were(a) United Kingdom citizens and (b) Indian citizens lawfully resident in the United

  1233
  Kingdom; and how many of those are now subject to deportation. [18716]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Four were British citizens and three were Indian nationals, against one of whom deportation action is being taken.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects charges to be brought in the case of the murder of Mr. Tarsend Singh Purewal; and if he will make a statement. [18711]

  Mr. Maclean
  A major police investigation into the murder of Mr. Tarsend Singh Purewal is continuing. The bringing of charges is a matter for the police in the light of that investigation.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department into which parliamentary constituency each of the successful bids under the CCTV challenge scheme falls. [18710]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is contained in the table.

  List of winning bids by constituency

  Constituency

  Bid

  Tynemouth

  Whitley Bay town centre

  Tyne Bridge

  Team Valley Industrial Estate, Gateshead

  Tyne Bridge

  Gateshead town centre

  Durham North

  Chester-le-Street town centre

  Bishop Auckland

  Bishop Auckland town centre

  Redcar

  Skippers Lane Industrial Estate, Cleveland

  Stockton North

  Mill Lane Primary School and Community Centre, Stockton

  Blackpool North; and Blackpool South;

  Blackpool town centre

  Penrith and the Border

  Penrith town centre

  Stalybridge and Hyde

  Hyde town centre, Tameside

  Rochdale

  Rochdale town centre

  Denton and Reddish

  Tameside Business Development Centre

  City of Chester

  Chester city centre extension

  Wigan

  Wigan town centre

  Carlisle

  Carlisle town centre

  Ribble Valley

  Clitheroe town centre, Lancashire

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  Neston town centre, Cheshire

  Bury North

  Bury town centre

  Lancaster

  Lancaster city centre

  Morecambe and Lunesdale

  Morecambe town centre

  Harrogate

  Harrogate town centre

  Wakefield

  Outwood Grange School, Wakefield

  Don Valley

  Balby Street School, Doncaster

  Don Valley

  Lower Don Valley Industrial Estates, Sheffield

  Bridlington

  Driffield town centre, Humberside

  Keighley

  Keighley town centre, Yorkshire

  Scarborough

  Scarborough town centre, car parks and beach

  Kingston upon Hull East

  Sutton Fields Industrial Estate, Hull

  York

  York city centre

  Doncaster Central

  Scawsby Community Centre and Playing Field, Doncaster

  Skipton and Ripon

  Boroughbridge town centre, North Yorkshire

  Brigg and Cleethorpes

  Brigg town centre, Humberside

  Harrow East; and Harrow West

  Harrow town centre

  Havant

  Havant town centre

  Wycombe

  High Wycombe town centre

  Rugby and Kenilworth

  Rugby town centre

  1234

  List of winning bids by constituency

  Constituency

  Bid

  Hereford

  Hereford city centre

  Solihull

  Solihull town centre and car parks

  Mid-Staffordshire

  Lichfield town centre and car parks

  Leominster

  Ledbury High Street, Worcestershire

  Worcester

  Worcester city centre

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  Shrewsbury town centre

  Staffordshire South East

  Tamworth town centre

  Stratford on Avon

  Stratford upon Avon town centre

  Chelmsford

  Chelmsford town centre

  Cambridgeshire North East

  Ely town centre

  Peterborough

  Peterborough town centre

  Stevenage

  Stevenage town centre and car parks

  Kettering

  Kettering town centre

  Hertfordshire North

  Hitchin town centre and Letchworth business area

  Harlow

  Harlow town centre

  Norfolk South West

  Thetford town centre

  Suffolk South

  Hadleigh and Sudbury town centres

  Holland with Boston

  Boston town centre

  Holland with Boston

  Kirton town centre, near Boston

  Erewash

  Ilkeston town centre, Derbyshire

  Leicestershire North West

  Moira town centre, North-West Leicestershire

  Holland with Boston

  Donington town centre, Lincolnshire

  Loughborough

  Loughborough town centre

  Uxbridge

  Hillingdon shopping area

  Spelthorne

  Sunbury Cross Shopping Centre and car park, Spelthorne

  Islington North; and Islington South and Finsbury

  Islington car parks and entrance to Underground

  Brentford and Isleworth

  Hounslow town centre

  Erith and Crayford

  Erith town centre, Kent

  Walthamstow

  North Walthamstow Industrial Estates

  Richmond and Barnes

  Richmond town centre, Surrey

  Knowsley North

  Kirkby Railway Station, Merseyside

  Lewes

  Newhaven town centre, East Sussex

  Surrey North West

  Egham town centre, Surrey

  Eastbourne

  Eastbourne town centre, Sussex

  Thanet South

  Sandwich town centre, Kent

  Medway

  Rochester Industrial Business Estate, Kent

  Dartford

  Dartford town centre, Kent

  Tonbridge and Mailing

  Tonbridge and Mailing town centres, Kent

  Chertsey and Walton

  Addlestone town centre

  Banbury

  Banbury railway station, arts centre and sports centre

  Wokingham

  Wokingham town centre

  Basingstoke

  Basingstoke town centre

  Chesham and Amersham

  Chesham town centre

  Portsmouth South

  Fawcett Road Shopping Area, Portsmouth

  Ashford

  Ashford town centre, Kent

  Dover

  Dover town centre

  Folkestone and Hythe

  Folkestone town centre and residential areas

  Maidstone

  Maidstone town centre

  Mansfield

  Mansfield shopping centre

  Harborough

  Market Harborough town centre

  Gainsborough and Horncastle

  Gainsborough industrial estates

  Cornwall North

  Bodmin town centre

  Cirencester and Tewkesbury

  Cirencester market place, car parks and bus station

  Falmouth and Camborne

  Falmouth town centre

  Cornwall North

  Newquay tourism areas

  Truro and St. Austell

  Truro town centre

  Salisbury

  Salisbury town centre

  1235

  List of winning bids by constituency

  Constituency

  Bid

  Torbay

  Torquay town centre

  Westbury

  West Wiltshire mobile CCTV system

  Gloucester

  Gloucester city centre

  Tiverton

  Tiverton Business Park

  Tiverton

  Tiverton town centre

  Woodspring

  Crown Glass Shopping Centre, Nailsea, Bristol

  Bournemouth East

  Boscombe shopping area, Bournemouth

  Bristol West

  Clifton car parks and shopping centre, Bristol

  Clwyd North West

  Colwyn Bay town centre

  Torfaen

  Cwmbran town centre

  Swansea East: Neath; Aberavon; Gower; and Swansea West

  West Glamorgan mobile CCTV system

  Rhondda

  Ystrad residential area, Rhondda

  Pembroke

  Haverfordwest town centre

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation for the statutory regulation of closed circuit television systems; and if he will make a statement. [18140]

  Mr. Maclean
  We have no plans to do so.

  Criminal Justice Units
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects every police division in London to have a criminal justice unit. [18709]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that he expects criminal justice units to be in place for every police division within this financial year.

  Police Stations (Access)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many London police stations are wheelchair accessible; and what proportion this is of the total. [18707]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that 79 police stations within the Metropolitan police district are accessible by wheelchair, 43 per cent. of the total.

  Senior Police Officers
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if police officers holding the ranks of assistant chief constable and chief constable on 1 April will be entitled to transfer to fixed-term appointments on or after that date if they wish to. [18978]

  Mr. Howard
  The Police (Amendment) Regulations 1995 provide for the conditions of service of officers in this position to be varied by agreement between the officer concerned and his or her police authority. I hope that police authorities will be ready to agree to a variation in all cases where such an officer seeks to transfer to a fixed-term appointment.

  Immigration (Complaints Audit Committee)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the first annual 1236
  report by the complaints audit committee of the immigration and nationality department; and if he will make a statement. [19123]

  Mr. Howard
  A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. It is a helpful document and I welcome the committee's findings and conclusions. All 14 recommendations will be carefully considered. Some have already been implemented.

  Interception of Communications Tribunal
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the appointment of the President of the Interception of Communications Tribunal. [19124]

  Mr. Howard
  Her Majesty has been pleased to reappoint the hon. Mr. Justice Macpherson of Cluny as president of the tribunal established under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 for a period of five years.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18498]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department in each year since 1979–80 requesting a priority written answer or answer on a named day, were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further 5, 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18494]

  (3) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has written to a right hon. or hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question; [18496]

  (4) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report; [18495]

  (5) how many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18497]

  Mr. Howard
  The information requested is a matter of public record, but it could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by his Department in each year since 1979–80; and how many such questions received a substantive answer within 10, 15, 20 days or longer. [18493]

  Mr. Howard
  The number of parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer received by this Department in each year since 1979–80 are given.
  1237

  Parliamentary year

  Number of questions

  1979–80

  2,039

  1980–81

  1,092

  1981–82

  1,098

  1982–83

  855

  1983–84

  1,817

  1984–85

  1,584

  1985–86

  1,430

  1986–87

  812

  1987–88

  1,730

  1988–89

  1,525

  1989–90

  1,455

  1990–91

  1,273

  1991–92

  700

  1992–93

  2,526

  1993–94

  2,255

  1994–4 April 1995

  1,113

  The further information requested is a matter of public record, but could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Women Prisoners
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors underlie the recent rise in the number of women prisoners; and what types of crimes these women have committed. [18215]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Both the male and female prison populations have risen since 1993 and the same broad factors have contributed to the increased numbers of both men and women in prison. These factors are a rise in the numbers sentenced to custody by the Crown court; a rise in the numbers sentenced to custody by magistrates courts; and a rise in the remand population. In part, the increase in the numbers of offenders sentenced to custody can be attributed to the implementation of the provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 1993 in August 1993 which amended the sentencing framework established by the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

  The table sets out details of the sentenced female prison population by broad category of offence for 30 June 1993 and 28 February 1995:

  Type of offence

  30 June 1993

  28 February 1995

  Violence against the person

  216

  270

  Sexual

  15

  10

  Burglary

  39

  50

  Robbery

  77

  90

  Theft and handling

  207

  250

  Fraud and forgery

  64

  90

  Drugs

  308

  330

  Other

  125

  130

  Offence not recorded

  74

  160

  Total

  1,125

  1,380

  In addition, on 28 February there were 10 females in prison for fine default, 26 in prison for non-criminal offences and 511 on remand. This compares with 24 fine defaulters, 29 non-criminal prisoners and 402 remand prisoners on 30 June 1993.

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to gauge opinion on the introduction of a national identity card scheme. [18427]
  1238
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  We intend publishing, later in the spring, a Green Paper on identity cards which will canvass views on possible options for a national identity card scheme and will serve as a way of assessing the level of public support for the introduction of identity cards.

  Croydon Magistrates Court
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many cases of common assault Mrs. Jean Pearch, JP, has heard at Croydon magistrates court(a) in the last 12 months and (b) since she was appointed to the court; and how many have resulted in an imprisonment sentence for a first-time offender; [18213]

  (2) how many cases of common assault have been heard by Croydon magistrates court in the last 12 months; and how many have resulted in imprisonment sentences for first time offenders. [18210]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information is not collected centrally, by this Department, on the number of cases heard by individual magistrates.

  According to information held centrally by this Department, of the 122 defendants proceeded against for the offence of common assault at Croydon magistrates court in 1993—latest available—82 were convicted, of which one received a custodial sentence.

  The 1994 data will not be available until the autumn 1995.

  Transfer Grant
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what evidence he based his decision to withdraw the right of same-gender partnerships to permanent transfer grant as outlined in the Home Office staff handbook; and if he will place copies of this evidence in the Library. [18144]

  Mr. Howard
  The transfer manual made no such change. There never was such a right.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department of the asylum applications determined during the year 1994 how many were applications made(a) before and (b) after the coming into force of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993; and for each of these categories, how many applications were (a) granted refugee status, (b) granted exceptional leave to remain and (c) refused. [18233]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information requested is provided in the table.

  Decisions in 1994, excluding dependants, on applications for asylum(1) made before and after the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 (26 July 1993)

  Number of principal applicants

  Pre-Act applications

  Post-Act applications

  Total

  Total decision2

  43,560

  4 14,445

  20,990

  Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum

  275

  550

  825

  Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave to remain(3)

  1,165

  2,495

  3,660

  Total refusals

  (4)2,120

  (4)11,400

  16,505

  1239

  Decisions in 1994, excluding dependants, on applications for
  asylum(1) made before and after the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 (26 July 1993)

  Number of principal applicants

  Pre-Act applications

  Post-Act applications

  Total

  Refused asylum and ELR after full consideration

  2,120

  10,535

  12,655

  Refused on safe third country grounds

  —

  865

  865

  Refused under para. 180F of the immigration rules(4)

  —

  —

  2,985

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5.

  2 Figures exclude information on applications made overseas.

  3 Usually granted for a year in the first instance, subject then to further review.

  4 Figures for refusals under para 180F—failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim—are not available split between pre and post-Act cases.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what preventive measures he is proposing to reduce(a) the number of people entering prisons and (b) the number of prisoners re-entering the prison system. [18214]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Within the legislative framework provided by Parliament, it is for the courts to decide which individuals should be remanded into custody and which should be given custodial sentences. The Government do not believe that the courts should be prevented from sending to prison those who in their view ought to be there.

  Two of the six gaols in the Prison Service three-year corporate plan relate to rehabilitation. These are to provide positive regimes which help prisoners address their offending behaviour and allow them as full and responsible a life as possible; and to help prisoners prepare for their return to the community. In working to achieve these goals, the Prison Service provides inmate development and pre-release training; sex offender treatment programmes; a more general programme addressing offending behaviour; jobsearch preparation courses and prison jobclubs; training for a wide range of national vocational qualifications; other constructive activities in prison workshops; and opportunities for work experience through the pre-release employment scheme.

  Detainees
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) males and (b) females whose identity is in doubt are currently being detained at Campsfield house; and what is the longest current period of detention. [18071]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  There are currently detained at Campsfield house(a) one male and (b) one female whose identities are in doubt. The longest current period of detention of such a person is six months and two weeks.

  Boot Camps
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of the visit sponsored by his Department to the United States in May 1240
  1994 to look at boot camps; when he intends to publish the findings and conclusions; and what response he has made. [17985]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The total cost of the visit by prison officials and a social services inspector was £16,443. The findings and conclusions were presented to Ministers as advice and it is not proposed to publish them. I have asked the Prison Service to bring forward proposals for a pilot regime to be set up in a young offender institution in this country, based on the more positive aspects of boot camps and on approaches that are known to be successful with young offenders. When my right hon. and learned Friend and I have received and considered them and agreed the way forward, an announcement will be made.

  Internet
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [17727]

  Mr. Howard
  We appreciate the potential benefits of electronic mail and the information super-highway, and we are investigating how the Home Office's business activities might be enhanced by exploiting these technologies. Home Office Ministers do not yet have Internet addresses, and only a few members of staff in the scientific specialisms currently use Internet e-mail in their work. However, testing is in hand to widen access to Internet facilities, and some Home Office statistical information has already been made available to the entire Internet community via the CCTA government information service—www.open.gov.uk. The publication of Home Office e-mail addresses on the Internet is dependent on the outcome of current development work.

  Repatriation Assistance
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have made inquiries to the international social service about applying for financial assistance to return to their country of origin, in each year since inception; if he will break down these figures by age, gender and intended country of destination; what proportion of actual applications were accepted by the ISS; and how much on average was paid to each applicant, in each year since inception. [17715]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The international social service of the United Kingdom operates, on behalf of the Home Office, the voluntary repatriation scheme established under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971. Grants are not paid to applicants. Assistance is given in the form of payment of fares and incidental expenses including the transport of a small amount of personal effects.

  The following table shows the number of inquiries to ISS about assistance to return to country of origin, in each year since its inception to the end of March 1995, with the proportion of applications accepted and the average amount of financial assistance in relation to each successful applicant:
  1241

  Number of inquires, successful application and amount of financial assistance pre applicant: 1972 to 1995

  Year

  Enquiries

  Proportion of accepted applications Per cent.

  Average financial assistance £

  1972–73

  57

  14

  1,535

  1973–74

  271

  28

  1,666

  1974–75

  245

  32

  1,386

  1975–76

  274

  42

  1,441

  1976–77

  520

  24

  1,138

  1977–78

  493

  29

  1,542

  1978–79

  435

  32

  1,910

  1979–80

  273

  48

  1,535

  1980–81

  266

  40

  1,678

  1981–82

  901

  20

  1,848

  1982–83

  575

  27

  1,379

  1983–84

  420

  44

  1,422

  1984–85

  430

  23

  1,350

  1985–86

  407

  29

  1,176

  1986–87

  306

  29

  1,316

  1987–88

  250

  43

  1,364

  1988–89

  174

  49

  1,034

  1989–90

  153

  61

  1,126

  1990–91

  137

  61

  1,029

  1991–92

  140

  68

  1,390

  1992–93

  159

  57

  1,370

  1993–94

  278

  37

  1,850

  1994–95

  226

  68

  1,711

  The information requested on age, gender and the intended country of destination of people making enquiries to ISS is not routinely recorded and such data that survives could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

  However, the following table provides a breakdown of the country of destination of those receiving assistance under the scheme:

  Number and country of destination of those given assistance: 1972 to 1995

  Country

  Number

  Algeria

  5

  Antigua

  2

  Argentina

  7

  Aruba

  1

  Australia

  32

  Bangaladesh

  34

  Barbados

  79

  Belize

  2

  Bolivia

  1

  Canada

  15

  Chile

  8

  China

  3

  Dominica

  43

  Egypt

  6

  Fiji

  12

  Gambia

  5

  Ghana

  50

  Grenada

  43

  Guyana

  51

  India

  83

  Iran

  1

  Jamaica

  1,356

  Kenya

  17

  Malaysia

  10

  Malawi

  3

  Mauritius

  42

  Morocco

  5

  New Zealand

  4

  Nigeria

  148

  1242

  Numbers and country of destination of those given assistance: 1972 to 1995

  Country

  Number

  Oman

  2

  Pakistan

  37

  St. Kitts

  2

  St. Lucia

  29

  St. Vincent

  25

  Seychelles

  20

  Sierra Leone

  7

  Somalia

  7

  South Africa

  26

  Sri Lanka

  12

  Sudan

  1

  Tanzania

  3

  Trinidad

  64

  Turkey

  1

  Uganda

  132

  USA

  9

  West Samoa

  6

  Yemen

  2

  Zanzibar

  3

  Zimbabwe

  89

  Police Funding
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what allowance is contained in the police funding formula for the abnormal costs in Gloucestershire as a result of the Frederick West investigation and the cost of policing royal households. [17646]

  Mr. Maclean
  The formula was never intended to take account of specific, large-scale criminal investigations in individual police force areas. If the impact of a particular operation looks likely to threaten the efficiency of a force, consideration can be given to special grant. Protection commitments are taken account of in the formula both by the element for existing police establishments which is included, and by an additional allocation for certain security-related commitments.

  Community Sentences
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his definition of a soft option; and, based on his definition, what percentage of community sentences are based on this option. [17503]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  A community sentence is a soft option if it does not provide sufficient punishment for the offence committed. The 1995 national standards published on 9 March should ensure that no community sentences provide soft options.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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 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. [17623]

  Mr. Howard
  Spending by the Home Office on advertising has been as follows:
  1243

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  (a) Television advertising

  4,156,322

  7,347,834

  (b) Radio advertising

  210,420

  261,878

  (c) Newspaper advertising

  1,122,620

  602,966

  (d) Other promotions including outdoor and cinema advertising

  1,855,273

  1,132,518

  (e) Totals

  7,344,635

  9,345,196

  (f) Of these totals, the amount spent each year on recruitment advertising was:

  1992–93–1,386,787

  1993–94–1,590,980

  1994–95–2,904,999

  The latest estimates for 1994–95 and 1995–96 are as follows:

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  (a) Television advertising

  6,237,727

  5,000,000

  (b) Radio advertising

  303,998

  200,000

  (c) Newspaper advertising

  3,094,264

  2,000,000

  (d) Other promotions including outdoor and cinema advertising

  576,140

  Nil

  (e) Totals

  10,212,129

  7,200,000

  (f) The proportion of the total estimated for 1995–96 spent on recruitment is £2,000,000.

  Terrorism, India
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals, have been(a) arrested, (b) charged, (c) convicted and (d) acquitted over offences relating to the funding of terrorism in India in each year since 1992. [17304]

  Mr. Howard
  Information is not held centrally in the form requested, but I am not aware of any cases in these categories.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the investigations carried out on behalf of the charity commissioners, in each of the past three years, into complaints of the irregular expenditure of funds by organisations registered by the Sikh community living in the United Kingdom, in respect of which the charity commissioners have concluded that the irregular expenditure was directed to the funding of terrorism in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) India. [17241]

  Mr. Howard
  In the past three years, no investigation carried out by the Charity Commission or anyone acting on its behalf has resulted in this conclusion.

  Miss Phillipa Drew
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons Ms Phillipa Drew, director of custody, will leave her post later this year; and to what extent her departure relates to the transfer of Mr. Marriott, former governor of Parkhurst prison. [17214]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  1244
  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Janet Anderson, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Miss Phillipa Drew's transfer within the Home Office.
  In line with plans developed last year this is a routine career development move for Miss Drew, who by the Summer will have spent three and a half years int he Prison Service. The move is entirely unrelated to any decision in respect of Mr. Marriott.

  Havelock Road, Southall Gurdwara
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what findings the charity commissioners have made in respect of irregular expenditure of funds held by the Havelock road, Southall Gurdwara; over what period; and in respect of which individuals. [17244]

  Mr. Howard
  Havelock road, Southall Gurdwara is the property of a registered charity called Sri Guru Singh Sabha. The commission has no evidence to substantiate any allegations of irregular expenditure.

  Prison Officers' Shopping Visits
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of shopping visits made by prison officers on behalf of prison inmates during the week of 19 March. [17231]

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about shopping trips by prison officers for prison inmates.
  The situation has not changed since my recent reply to your Question of 23 January (col. 48). The practice of prison officers undertaking private shopping trips at the behest of prisoners was stopped last year. I have no evidence of any such shopping trips taking place in the week beginning 19 March.

  Hospitality
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total expenditure of his Department on hospitality since his appointment; and what were the figures for each of the previous five years. [16763]

  Mr. Howard
  The provisional figure for expenditure on hospitality by my Department, including its executive agencies, from 1 April 1993 until 28 February 1995, which includes the period since my appointment to this office on 27 May 1993, is £88,044. Expenditure on hospitality in each of the previous five years was as follows:

  1992–93: £55,651

  1991–92: £28,094

  1990–91: £30,080

  1989–90: £28,630

  1988–89: £26,192

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each year since 1985 the number of Metropolitan police officers who were charged with disciplinary offences following a successful civil action against the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for a wrongful act by an officer; and, in respect of each charge, whether the offence was proved and what punishment was imposed.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 9 March 1995]: From 1988 to 1994 the numbers of disciplinary charges following successful civil actions where the damages or settlement sum was in excess of £10,000 were as follows:

  Year of successful civil action

  Number of cases

  1988

  0

  1989

  1

  1990

  2

  1991

  0

  1992

  3

  1993

  1

  1994

  1

  Total

  8

  The breakdown of cases is as follows:

  Number of officers

  Substantiated/Not substantiated

  Outcome

  Case 1 (Includes one case from 1989 and one associated case from 1990) Eight officers involved in action, five had criminal proceedings brought against them

  Three officers

  Substantiated

  Dismissed

  Two officers

  Ancillary matter Substantiated

  Dismissed

  Three officers

  Not Substantiated

  Case 2 1990

  One officer

  Ancillary matter Substantiated

  Reprimanded

  Case 3 1992

  One officer

  Substantiated by PCA Tribunal

  Reprimanded

  Case 4 (Involves one case from 1992 and an associated case from 1994)

  Seven officers

  Substantiated

  Dismissed

  Case 5 1992 (three officers involved, one subject to formal disciplinary action)

  Cost to establish £

  Cost to operate £

  Cost to publicise £

  Calls received

  Date began

  Queen Ann's Gate

  2,000

  103,000 per annum

  Nil

  No record is kept

  1976

  Prison Service:

  (i) victim helpline

  8,400

  1,000 per annum

  Nil

  27 per month

  5 December 1994

  (ii) prisoner location service

  n/a

  5,700 per month

  Nil

  5,000 per months

  pre 1970

  Passport Agency offices (6)

  200,000

  1,000,000 per annum

  25,000 per annum

  2,100,000 per annum

  pre 1970

  Immigration and Nationality Department (3)

  93,500

  543,000

  Nil

  3,800,000 (since points established)

  since 1988

  Notes:

  1. The costs for establishing the enquiry points relate to current equipment.

  2. The figure of operating costs for the Prison Service's victim helpline reflects estimated monthly expenditure from mid-April onwards. [The scope for publicising the service is under consideration.]

  The Department considers these inquiry points to be essential for the provision of information to the public. The scope for improving the service provided is kept under review.
  1246

  The breakdown of cases is as follows:

  Number of officers

  Substantiated/Not substantiated

  Outcome

  One officer

  Substantiated

  Dismissed

  Case 6 1993

  One officer

  Substantiated

  Fined

  One officer

  Substantiated

  Cautioned

  Information prior to 1988 or where the settlement sum was less than £10,000 is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Custodial Sentences
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to reduce the number of refusals by courts to impose prison sentences because of the danger of exposure to illegal drugs in prison by convicted criminals. [18158]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: Sentencing is a matter for the courts in each case. The statutory criteria for passing a custodial sentence do not require the courts to form a judgment on reports of conditions in particular prisons. Decisions on where a prisoner should serve his sentence are taken by the Prison Service, and take account so far as possible of the circumstances of the prisoner and his or her offence. Reducing drug misuse is one of the Prison Service's key priorities. A new Prison Service drugs strategy will shortly be issued to all establishments.

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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 had made of their effectiveness. [17453]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 3 April 1995]: There are 12 public inquiry points within the Home Office, including two in the Prison Service and six in the UK Passport Agency. The information available from existing records is as follows:

  Belmarsh Prison
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners at Her Majesty's
  1247
  prison, Belmarsh have been denied recreation facilities and association rights; and how many prisoners are protesting at their conditions. [17665]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 3 April 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.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Max Madden, dated 5 April 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how many prisoners at Belmarsh prison have been denied recreation facilities and association rights; and how many prisoners are protesting at the conditions.
  No prisoners have been denied recreation facilities or association rights, other than those subject to disciplinary sanctions on Rule 43 and two prisoners who escaped from Whitemoor.
  Prisoners who have escaped or attempted to escape are required to wear prison clothing that has yellow patches on the jacket and yellow stripes on the trousers, to make them more readily identifiable. Two of the Whitemoor escapees are refusing to wear this clothing when out of their cells, at which time they will only wear a blanket. While they insist on taking this action they cannot be given access to normal recreation facilities or association.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the jobs that have been lost to agencies in his Department in the past two years that have(a) been taken over by contractors and (b) disappeared. [18327]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: Some 545 posts in the Prison Service have been, or are in the process of being, contracted out. These are mainly involved in court escort work. No posts in the other executive agencies have been contracted out in this period.

  The number of staff in the Prison Service and the Forensic Science Service has increased over the last two years. The number of staff in the Fire Service college has fallen from 202.5 in March 1993 to 188.5 in March 1995. In the case of the UK Passport Agency, the number of full-time permanent staff has decreased from 1,292 to 1,263 but permanent part-year appointments have increased from 120 to 190.

  Fingerprints
  Mr. Hoon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police authorities have decided to withdraw the automatic fingerprint recognition system; how many of these authorities no longer keep paper records and now have no way of checking fingerprints; and if he will make a statement on the implications for public safety. [18150]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: The AFR consortium, which represents 36 police forces in England and Wales, has decided to terminate its existing contract for the provision of automated fingerprint recognition facilities and to make new arrangements. All the police forces concerned retain paper records. My Department is monitoring the implications of these developments for the effectiveness of the police service in consultation with the AFR consortium.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take regarding the future organisation and level of criminal injuries compensation.

  Mr. Howard
  [pursuant to his reply, 9 March 1995, c. 443]: The Judicial Committee of the House of Lords delivered its judgment today.

  We are naturally disappointed at the judgment, which we are studying carefully. However, we will, of course, act in accordance with the law as determined by their Lordships.

  The judgment relates to the method of introduction of the tariff scheme, not its merits. The Government remain firmly committed to the tariff approach. They believe a tariff scheme is the only sure way to bring the costs of the scheme under control and to provide a better service to the blameless victims of violent crime.

  We therefore intend to introduce as soon as practicable a Bill inviting Parliament to give statutory force to a new tariff scheme as quickly a possible.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made by the Church Commissioners to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans the Commissioners have to improve access; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Alison
  The commissioners recognise the need to facilitate access for the disabled and we have made a number of improvements to our main office premises, namely No. 1 Millbank, SW1—built in 1906 and listed Grade II*. These include the provision of an invalid WC suitable for wheelchair use, ramps within the building where a change of level occurs and handrails where necessary. All internal doors can accommodate wheelchairs. The entrance to our office is staffed at all times and the needs of disabled visitors can be attended to immediately.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Cross-border Co-operation
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland, (ii) cross-border, and (iii) a north-south basis through (1) the Department of Environment and (2) any of its agencies. [17056]

  Mr. Moss
  A copy of a list of north-south economic co-operation projects involving the Department of the Environment and its agencies is available in the Library.

  The Department and its agencies also liaise informally and co-operate with various bodies in the Republic of Ireland on a wide variety of issues of mutual interest.
  1249
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland, (ii) cross-border, and (iii) a north-south basis through (1) the Department of Health and Social Services and (2) any of its agencies. [17054]

  Mr. Moss
  The Department and the Social Security Agency maintain regular contact with officials in the Departments of Health and of Social Welfare in the Republic of Ireland on a range of issues of mutual interests. Also, cross-border co-operation is on-going between health boards in the border areas. Regular bilateral meetings take place on a north-south basis between Health Ministers in both jurisdictions and from time to time social security matters will also be the subject of discussion at ministerial level.

  A list of north-south economic co-operation contacts and projects involving the Department of Health and Social Services and its agencies has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland, (ii) cross-border, and (iii) a north-south basis through (1) the Department of Economic Development and (2) any of its agencies. [17055]

  Mr. Ancram
  A list of cross-border projects involving the Department of Economic Development and its agencies is available in the Library.

  In addition, officials of the Department and its agencies liaise informally with a number of bodies in the Republic of Ireland on a range of matters of mutual interest.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland, (ii) cross-border, and (iii) a north-south basis through (1) the Department of Agriculture and (2) any of its agencies. [17057]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland formally co-operates with the Republic of Ireland in the administration of the Foyle Fisheries Commission, in the operation and maintenance of the Shannon-Erne waterway, and is formally represented on the Advisory Board of the International Fund for Ireland, the Interreg Monitoring Committee, and liaises on rural development matters.

  There are regular, on-going contacts between the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland and corresponding Irish Departments on matters of mutual interest. In addition, a list of north-south economic co-operation projects involving the Department is available in the Library.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland basis, (ii) cross border and (iii) a north-south basis through (1) the Department of Finance and Personnel and (2) any of its agencies. [17058]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Department of Finance and Personnel jointly administers the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland Interreg programme with the Department of Finance, Dublin. Occasional contacts are also made between the two Departments on civil service personnel management issues. A list of cross-border 1250
  projects involving the Department and its agencies is available in the Library.

  In addition, the International Fund for Ireland was established jointly by the British and Irish Governments in 1986 as an independent international organisation with the objective of promoting economic and social advance and encouraging dialogue between unionists and nationalists throughout Ireland. The fund has a variety of programmes which it operates and administers on a cross-border basis.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland, (ii) cross-border; and (iii) a north-south basis through (1) the Department of Education; and (2) any of its agencies. [17059]

  Mr. Ancram
  A curriculum development project—the European studies project—was set up in 1986 by the Departments of Education in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England. The project, which embraces over 300 schools in 14 European jurisdictions, is now funded jointly by the Departments of Education in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland. Regular liaison takes place between the two Departments on all aspects of the project.

  A list of cross-border projects involving the Department of Education and its agencies is available in the Library.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) relationships, (b) joint bodies and (c) contacts presently exist on (i) an all-Ireland, (ii) cross-border; and (iii) a north-south basis through (1) the Northern Ireland Office and (2) any of its agencies. [17060]

  Mr. Ancram
  Article 2 (a) of the Anglo-Irish agreement established an intergovernmental conference, which is supported by a joint secretariat and which deals, among other matters, with the promotion of cross-border co-operation. A range of contacts on matters of mutual interest take place, at the appropriate level and as the need arises, between Ministers and officials of the NIO and of the Irish Government.

  Other contacts with Irish Government officials may be established at various levels as the need arises: the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Laboratory, when investigating cases with a cross-border element, and the emergency planning branch, on issues relating to disasters and civil emergencies, have such contacts from time to time.

  Drugs
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 16 March,Official Report, column 665, on drugs, if he will list the number of occasions and dates when meetings took place between (a) Northern Ireland Housing Executive senior executive and appropriate RUC level, (b) Northern Ireland Housing Executive regional level and appropriate RUC level and (c) Northern Ireland Housing Executive district level and appropriate RUC level on this matter; and what was the outcome of these discussions. [17642]

  Sir John Wheeler
  There is regular and effective liaison between the RUC and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive at all appropriate levels; this is not restricted to drug investigations.
  1251
  Local liaison is in response to all relevant issues and problems as they arise and the arrangements are not structured as asked. There is no central record of the contacts. The sub-divisional commanders in the respective operational areas are the primary point of contact.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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 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 his latest estimates for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17605]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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 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 for each year since 1979–80 or for each year of its existence if it has been created since 1979–80; and what are his latest estimates of (a) to (f) for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17606]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested on non-departmental public bodies is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

  The administration of the next steps agencies is a matter for the chief executive of each agency. The Social Security Agency cannot identify separate SSA costs from the Department of Health and Social Services total. I have asked the remaining chief executives to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from D. A. Stanley to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 30 March 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply, on behalf of the Compensation Agency, to your recent Question regarding the advertising.
  The Compensation Agency has not incurred expenditure on advertising or other promotional materials and activities in any year since its creation on 1 April 1992. It is not anticipated that any expenditure will be incurred in the years 1994–95 or 1995–96.

  Letter from P. Devlin to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 31 March 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your question about spending by NDPBs and Agencies on advertising and other promotion materials and activities.
  Since its inception in April 1993 the NI Child Support Agency has spent a total of £10,294.27 on advertising and other promotion materials and activities. The information requested in relation to the specific categories is as follows:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Television Advertising

  Nil

  Nil

  Radio Advertising

  Nil

  Nil

  Newspaper Advertising

  £2,974.85

  £1,391.80

  Other Promotion

  Nil

  Nil

  Materials and Activities

  £5,927.62

  Nil

  Total

  £8,902.47

  £1,391.80

  1252

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Proportion of total spent on Recruitment Advertising

  33 per cent.

  100 per cent.

  The Agency has at present no plans to spend monies on advertising or other promotional activities in 1995–96.

  I hope you find this information useful.

  Letter from J. B. Watson to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 30 March 1995:
  I am responding to your recent parliamentary question in which you asked for spending on various forms of advertising and other promotion materials and activities.
  The Agency has not advertised on television or radio. The table below shows actual and estimated expenditure on other activities since the Agency was established in April 1992.

  (Figures in £000)

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95 (estimate)

  1995–96 (estimate)

  Newspaper Advertising

  10

  3

  7

  10

  Other promotional material and activities

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Total

  10

  3

  8

  12

  Costs for recruitment advertising are not met by the Agency.

  Letter from Brendan Magee to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 31 March 1995:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary question about advertising and promotional materials costs incurred by this Agency, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland.
  The Agency was established on 2 August 1993. Since then the only advertising costs incurred have been:

  £

  1993/94

  Newspaper Advertising

  325.20

  Total for 1993/94

  325.20

  1994/95

  Newspaper Advertising

  1,071.21

  Campaign against Vehicle Excise Duty Evasion

  15,000.0

  Publicity for DVLNI Information Line

  15,000.0

  Total for 1994–95

  16,071.21

  No recruitment advertising costs were incurred during the period and we have no plans for any advertising expenditure for 1995/96.

  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Letter from D. W. Gallagher to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 31 March 1995:

  ADVERTISING AND PUBLICITY (WRITTEN PQ No. 509): THE RATE COLLECTION AGENCY
  Further to your recent Parliamentary Question, I have been asked to provide relevant information relating to the Northern Ireland Rate Collection Agency. For ease of reference I have outlined the details on the attached schedule and have commented briefly below.
  The Rate Collection Agency was established in April 1991 as a Next Steps Agency within the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. The Agency is responsible for the collection of rates in Northern Ireland, and the administration of the Housing

  1253
  Benefit scheme for owner-occupiers. Expenditure on advertising and publicity in both 1990/91 and 1991/92 related to promotional materials designed to mark the launch of the Agency and increase awareness of the activities of the new body among both Agency staff and the general public. The expenditure in subsequent years was associated with the RCA contribution towards a publicity campaign to promote public awareness and uptake of Housing Benefit. No expenditure on advertising and publicity was incurred during 1994/95. However, extensive newspaper advertising will be required during 1995/96 to advise the public of the reorganisation of the local office structure of the Rate Collection Agency.

  I hope that you will find this information helpful.

  Expenditure on advertising and publicity—RCA

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Promotion materials and activities

  7,100

  2,800

  1,600

  —

  —

  Radio and television advertising

  —

  —

  3,000

  4,000

  —

  Letter from J. F. Codd to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 30 March 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked the Chief Executive to reply to your Question about spending by Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland on advertising since 1979/80. In the absence of the Chief Executive I am replying on his behalf.
  Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland was launched as a Next Steps Agency on 1 April 1992 and we have no financial information for the years prior to that date. The figures for spending in the years

  Year

  Television advertising

  Radio advertising

  Newspaper advertising

  Promotional material and activities

  Total

  1990–91

  183,780

  —

  210,055

  226,539

  620,374

  1991–92

  48,815

  —

  115,781

  178,282

  342,878

  1992–93

  120,480

  15,000

  240,500

  292,076

  668,056

  1993–94

  43,175

  16,218

  142,234

  292,164

  493,791

  1994–95 (actual)

  181,254

  13,919

  137,816

  282,477

  615,466

  1995–96 (estimate)

  182,365

  13,978

  138,652

  284,222

  619,217

  Recruitment advertising is a matter for the Civil Service Commission and is not delegated to the Agency.

  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18534]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18533]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is a matter of public record but it could be extracted in the form requested at only disproportionate cost.
  1254
  1992/93 and 1993/94 and the estimated figures for 1994/95 and 1995/96 are as follows:

  1992/93

  1993/94

  1994/95

  1995/96

  a.

  None

  None

  None

  None

  b.

  None

  None

  None

  None

  c.

  None

  None

  None

  None

  d.

  £1,100

  £2,500

  £3,250

  £3,500

  e.

  £1,100

  £2,500

  £3,250

  £3,500

  f.

  None

  None

  None

  None

  Letter from D. J. Bell to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 31 March 1995:

  REFERENCE: RECENTLY TABLED PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FOR ANSWER ON 5 APRIL 1995
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question relating to expenditure by the Valuation and Lands Agency on television, radio or newspaper advertising or other promotional materials since 1979–80.
  The Valuation and Lands Agency and its predecessors the Valuation and Lands Office and the Valuation Office have not incurred any expenditure within the period since 1979–80 on advertising or promotional materials.
  I trust this information is sufficient for your purposes however if I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Letter from Ian Walters to Mrs. Ann Taylor, dated 4 April 1995:
  Your recent parliamentary question to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding expenditure on advertising has been passed to me for reply on behalf of the Training and Employment Agency.
  The breakdown of figures you requested is as follows:

  Abortion
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the abortion rate for residents of(a) Greater Belfast and (b) Northern Ireland during each of the years 1990 to 1994; and were the comparable figures for England, Wales and Scotland. [18617]

  Mr David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many abortions(a) paid for and (b) not paid for by the NHS were carried out on residents of Northern Ireland in premises in England and Wales in each year since 1990. [18866]

  Mr. Moss
  I shall write to the right hon. and hon. Members as soon as possible.

  Industrial Development, South Devon
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what progress has been made on the identification of sites for industrial development in South
  1255
  Down by the Industrial Development Board and the Department of the Environment and Planning Service. [18555]

  Mr. Ancram
  Ten sites have been identified as having potential suitability for industrial development in Downpatrick. Two are being surveyed to determine their suitability as Industrial Development Board industrial estates. The reports are expected at the end of May.

  Roads
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial allocations have been made from EC structural funds, 1994–99 towards new roads infrastructure in the Downpatrick and Craigavon divisions; and if he will make a statement. [18556]

  Mr. Moss
  No financial allocations have been made from EC structural funds 1994–99 in respect of roads infrastructure in the Downpatrick division. In the Craigavon division, grant of £1,845,000 from the EC structural funds 1994–99 has, to date, been paid in respect of work on the Newry by-pass stage II.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the projects in the major road works programme with the appropriate costings for the 1995–98 period which was recently approved; and if he will make a statement. [18558]

  Mr Moss
  The major works programme for roads is reviewed annually and the latest programme, covering the period April 1995 to March 2000, is as follows:

  Total estimated cost £ million

  New starts in 1995–96

  Purdysburn Road, Belfast: stages 1B and 2

  2.1

  Ballymaconaghy Road, Belfast: stage 2

  0.6

  A5 Maheramason

  0.9

  Omagh Through-pass: stage 2B

  2.3

  Motorway Emergency Telephone System

  5.3

  A5 Burndennett

  1.3

  Church Street/Scotch Street, Downpatrick

  1.7

  New starts in 1996–97

  Anne Street/Thomas Street, Dungannon

  0.8

  Balmoral Avenue/Malone Road, Belfast

  0.4

  Northern Distributor, Ballymena

  2.2

  A29 Carland Bridge, Dungannon

  2.2

  A26 Antrim/Ballymena Dualling: stage 2

  2.7

  A5 Leckpatrick

  0.8

  Balloo Road, Bangor

  0.5

  New starts in 1997–98

  Comber By-pass: stage 2

  2.9

  Belfast Inner Ring Road (Southern Section)

  2.5

  A5 Garvaghy

  0.4

  Strand Road, Londonderry: stage 2

  1.8

  A2 Limavady By-pass: stage 1 (Earthworks)

  2.5

  A8 Belfast-Larne Road Dualling: stage 1

  2.5

  A2 Shore Road, University of Ulster/Ravenhill

  3.8

  No schemes are programmed to start during 1998–1999

  New starts in 1999–2000

  A6 Toome By-pass

  1.4

  Belfast Inner Ring Road (South/West Section)

  4.0

  Limavady By-pass: stage 2 (Bridgeworks)

  2.2

  A26 Windyhall Dualling Coleraine

  0.6

  Northway, Portadown

  0.8

  1256

  Total estimated cost £ million

  A1 Fourmile/Buskshill Dualling, Newry

  3.3

  Comber Road/Portaferry Road; Newtownards

  0.6

  A5 Bready

  0.4

  A5 Ballyfatton

  0.2

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions have taken place with representatives of the EC task force and the European Commissioner responsible for the peace and reconciliation fund about the allocation of funding towards roads infrastructure in Craigavon and Downpatrick roads division; and if he will make a statement. [18559]

  Mr. Moss
  None. There will be an opportunity to consider specific projects when the programme has been agreed with Brussels.

  Carlingford Lough Ferry Project
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards funding the Carlingford lough ferry project; and if he will make a statement. [18557]

  Mr. Moss
  The east border region committee, which is sponsoring the scheme, has been advised to apply for assistance from the EC under the Interreg initiative.

  The Commission has just recently approved the joint Interreg programme for 1994–99. Application forms for assistance should be issued soon.

  Cattle Plague
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of cattle plague were reported in each year since 1985. [18612]

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Young Offenders Centre, Millisle
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost of the clothes provided for the inmates at the young offenders centre in Millisle for each of the last five years. [18618]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The cost per year to provide clothing for the young people at Lisnevin was as follows:

  Financial year

  Amount £

  1989–90

  6,843

  1990–91

  5,995

  1991–92

  10,464

  1992–93

  10,029

  1993–94

  9,614

  Total

  42,945

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will break down the repair costs for the young offenders centre at Millisle in each of the last five years. [18620]
  1257
  Sir John Wheeler
  The costs of repairs on-going maintenance at Lisnevin training school over the period 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1994 are as follows:

  Financial year

  Cost of repairs/maintenance £

  1989–90

  5,706

  1990–91

  1,781

  1991–92

  114,167

  1992–93

  5,167

  1993–94

  217,421

  Grand total

  44,242

  1 Includes the cost of removing two temporary building.2 Includes the cost of laying flags around dormitories and installing fans in common rooms.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of the repairs required to the young offenders centre in Millisle after the latest disturbance at the centre. [18621]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The latest disturbance at Lisnevin occurred on 23 November 1994. The following schedule sets out the cost of repairing damage following that disturbance:

  £

  Building

  962

  Plumbing

  2,207

  Electrical

  113

  Carpet

  2,157

  Furniture

  1,175

  Fire Alarm System

  308

  Painting

  450

  Total

  7,372

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to build a swimming pool at the young offenders centre in Millisle; and what is the estimated cost. [18621]

  Sir John Wheeler
  There are no plans at present to construct a swimming pool at Lisnevin training school.

  Out-patient Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost to the NHS in Northern Ireland of the non-attenders to out-patient appointments in 1993–94. [17713]

  Mr. Moss
  Information is not available in the form requested. It is normal practice to allow for non-attendance in the number of appointments made, and consequently the costs incurred in providing clinics are fully utilised. Any remaining issues concerning continuing treatment of non-attenders are addressed by the consultant responsible.

  Green Policy
  Ms. Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of the functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the
  1258
  input by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18648]

  Mr. Moss
  I am green Minister for the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments, but all my ministerial colleagues share our common objective of promoting sustainable development in all areas of national life.

  "Sustainable Development: the UK Strategy", CM 2426, presented to Parliament by the Prime Minister in January 1994, set out our overall approach and targets. Progress on these has been reported on more recently in "This Common Inheritance 1995", CM 2822, report which was published last month. Commitments 554 to 613 relate specifically to Northern Ireland and are listed towards the end of the report, which outlines progress and further action for 1995 and beyond.

  The whole Government are committed to the objective of sustainable development, and I am in regular contact with all ministerial colleagues in the NIO, as well as other green Ministers.

  While I am taking a keen interest in the Environment Bill, its provisions do not relate to Northern Ireland.

  Arable Area Payments
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many claims were made in Northern Ireland (1) for set-aside and (2) in total under the arable area payments scheme in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) in 1994–95 of(a) between £0 and £5,000, (b) between £5,001 and £10,000, (c) between £10,001 and £15,000, (d) between £15,001 and £20,000, (e) between £20,001 and £25,000, (f) between £25,001 and £50,000, (g) between £50,001 and £75,000, (h) between £75,001 and £100,000, (i) between £100,001 and £150,000, (j) between £150,001 and £200,000, (k) between £200,001 and £1 million and (l) over £1 million; and what is his latest estimate of the number of claims that will be made in 1995–96 in each value band. [18629]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  Set-aside scheme—Northern Ireland

  Set-aside

  Arable area payments

  £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 (Est.) £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  11995–96 (Est.) £

  0–5,000

  112

  194

  200

  2,971

  2,767

  2,800

  5,001–10,000

  7

  16

  15

  57

  96

  100

  10,001–15,000

  —

  —

  —

  23

  47

  50

  15,001–20,000

  —

  —

  —

  5

  10

  10

  20,001–25,000

  —

  —

  —

  2

  6

  10

  25,001–50,000

  —

  —

  —

  9

  8

  10

  50,001 upwards

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Final figures will not be available until after 15 May 1995.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hectares of land were set aside under the arable area payments scheme in Northern Ireland in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what is his estimate of the number of hectares of land that will be set aside in 1995–96. [18627]

  Mr. Ancram
  Some 1,231.02 hectares were set aside in 1993–94 and 2,062 hectares in 1994–95.

  It is not possible to estimate the number of hectares of land that will be set aside in 1995–96 until after 15 May, which is the closing date for the integrated administration

  1259
  and control system applications on which farmers make their claims for arable area payments.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of payments under the arable area payments scheme in each Northern Ireland area in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; what is his estimate of the cost of payments in 1995–96; and how much in each year represent payments for set aside. [18628]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  County

  1993–94 payments £

  of which set aside £

  1994–95 payments £

  of which set aside £

  Antrim

  673,272

  14,744

  912,248

  42,835

  Armagh

  313,822

  17,933

  397,127

  31,407

  Down

  1,756,480

  137,475

  2,552,338

  275,465

  Fermanagh

  1,136

  —

  1,565

  —

  Londonderry

  924,525

  57,244

  1,329,571

  136,736

  Tyrone

  342,716

  10,256

  414,999

  23,294

  4,011,951

  237,652

  5,607,848

  509,737

  It is not possible to estimate cost of payments in 1995–96 until after 15 May, which is the closing date for integrated administration and control system applications on which farmers make their claims for arable area payments.

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18589]

  Mr. Moss
  The Northern Ireland civil service and its agencies are aware of the problems associated with access for disabled people. To that end, all new Northern Ireland civil service general office premises are constructed in conformity with the requirements of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) which govern the provision of access, wheelchair space and toilet facilities for disabled persons. In leased properties, such facilities are provided so far as the physical constraints of the premises permit.

  Additionally, over the last three years, work has been undertaken to have similar facilities installed, again so far as physical constraints permit, in existing buildings whether owned or leased. Most major existing premises have now been modified.

  Funding is also provided to Disability Action, a local voluntary organisation to enable it to employ four access officers specifically recruited to work to improve access for disabled people.

  Door-to-door transport schemes are provided for disabled people in Belfast and Londonderry.

  The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has provided direct entrance facilities suitable for wheelchair users and unassisted entry through the installation of ramps and wider doors where possible. Where this has not been possible, all security and reception staff have been trained to assist people who have a disability.
  1260
  The Housing Executive has also made special provision for the access and employment of people with disabilities. It continues to review these services and consults Disability Action as appropriate.

  Harland and Wolff
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans exist to restructure loan stock introduced by Government in 1989 as part of the privatisation arrangements of Harland and Wolff Holdings plc. [19248]

  Mr. Ancram
  Arrangements have been made to replace the Government's existing £60 million unsecured interest-free loan stock repayable by 2019 in the company with a commercially based, interest-bearing and partly secured stock of £6.6 million repayable half-yearly over 10 years. This amount represents the discounted value of £60 million. The arrangements have been concluded following lengthy and detailed negotiation with the company after an approach from the directors, who sought a restructuring of the existing stock on the grounds that this was unduly constraining the commercial, operational and financial freedom of the company in the private sector. Adequate legal safeguards continue to be retained by the Government within the revised convenants and other material conditions of the new stock in relation to the company's continuing commitment to shipbuilding and the provision of employment opportunities in Northern Ireland.

  Agencies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the jobs that have been lost to agencies in his Department in the past two years that have(a) been taken over by contractors and (b) disappeared. [18331]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: None of the jobs in the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments that have been transferred to agencies in the past two years have been taken over by contractors; 349 have however disappeared. The breakdown is as follows:

  Agency

  Jobs disappeared

  Training and Employment Agency

  302

  Valuation and Lands Agency

  28

  Ordnance Survey for NI

  19

  Public Information Telephone Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [17748]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 3 April 1995]: I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

SCOTLAND

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the average and maximum weekly number of hours on duty and on call for junior hospital doctors. [17385]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The standard working week for junior hospital doctors is 40 hours. The majority of them also contract for a number of additional duty hours, which vary according to their contract of employment.

  The maximum weekly hours of duty for junior hospital doctors including additional duty hours, are laid down in the "New Deal". From 1 January, these are 56 hours and 64 hours for those contracted to work full and partial shifts respectively, 72 hours for those contracted for on-call rotas in hard-pressed posts and 83 for those on on-call rotas in non hard-pressed posts. From 1 January, no junior doctor should actually work more than 56 hours a week regardless of their contracted hours.

  The census in Scotland on juniors' hours as at 31 December 1994 shows that the average contracted hours of full-time juniors who contract for additional duty hours was 71 hours a week. The maximum contracted hours was 108. The maximum contracted hours shown was 108, but this figure relates to posts in remote areas where the actual working hours are less than 56 hours per 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, a copy of which is in the Library, contained the results of an independent survey of junior doctors and dentists in Britain which indicates that average hours of work were, in October 1993, 53.4 a week.

  Internet
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [17736]

  Mr. Lang
  External electronic mail can be sent to and from the Scottish Office using the international X.400

  Disabled facilities

  Independent access to

  Sheriff Courts

  Public offices

  Toilets

  At least one courtroom

  Restaurant

  Sound enhancement

  Induction loops

  Aberdeen

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Airdrie

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Alloa

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Arbroath

  *

  *

  Ayr

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Banff

  *

  Campbeltown

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Cupar

  *

  Dingwall

  Dornoch

  Dumbarton

  *

  *

  *

  Dumfries

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Dundee

  *

  Dunfermline

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  1262
  service, to which there are many subscribers in the United Kingdom. All ministerial private offices have access to this service. My Department is investigating linking its existing internal electronic mail system to the Internet to allow Internet electronic mail access. It already uses the Internet to disseminate information about educational research in Scotland, and is investigating making available a wider range of information using CCTA's world wide web server. In addition, a number of officials in my Department access the Internet to obtain information on a variety of subjects in support of their business. My Department is co-operating with other Departments and agencies to investigate the use of broadband interactive communications for the delivery of more effective and efficient public services in Scotland, and to help ensure that businesses in Scotland are aware of the commercial opportunities arising from the use of these services.

  Disabled People
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what proposals he has to improve the adaptability of existing district and sheriff courts in relation to the needs of people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement; [18042]

  (2) if he will list the sheriff courts which provide independent access for disabled citizens both in terms of access and egress and freedom of movement within such buildings; and if he will make a statement; [18040]

  (3) if he will list the sheriff courts which have (a) sound enhancement systems for those citizens with impaired hearing, (b) lavatories for disabled people and (c) accessible refreshment facilities for disabled people; and if he will make a statement; [18043]

  (4) if he will list the sheriff courts which do not comply with those building regulations which determine access and freedom of movement criteria for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement. [18041]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The detailed information requested is shown in the table. District courts are the responsibility of the district and island councils.

  All new sheriff court houses are designed to ensure that disabled people have access to all public areas. A long-term programme of building improvements is being implemented, a major purpose of which is to improve access and facilities for the disabled at existing court houses.
  1263

  Disabled facilities

  Independent access to

  Sheriff Courts

  Public offices

  Toilets

  At least one courtroom

  Restaurant

  Sound enhancement

  Induction loops

  Dunoon

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Duns

  Edinburgh

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Elgin

  *

  *

  *

  Falkirk

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Forfar

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Fort William

  Glasgow

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Greenock

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Haddington

  Hamilton

  *

  *

  Inverness

  Jedburgh

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Kilmarnock

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Kirkcaldy

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Kirkcudbright

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Kirkwall

  Lanark

  *

  *

  Lerwick

  *

  *

  Linlithgow

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Lochmaddy

  Oban

  *

  Paisley

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Peebles

  Perth

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Peterhead

  *

  *

  *

  Portree

  Rothesay

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Selkirk

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Stirling

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Stonehaven

  *

  *

  Stornoway

  Stranraer

  *

  *

  Tain

  Wick

  *

  * Independent access.

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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 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 his latest estimates for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [17607]

  Mr. Lang
  Details on expenditure on information publicity are set out below:

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  Television

  831,000

  934,000

  Radio

  120,000

  80,000

  Press

  415,000

  511,000

  Other promotional activities

  1,072,000

  755,000

  Total

  2,438,000

  2,280,000

  The estimated outturn for expenditure on information publicity for 1994–95 is £2,254,000 and the estimate for 1995–96, £3,171,000.

  Recruitment advertising is done through the press and expenditure for 1992–93 and 1993–94 was £318,000 and
  1264
  £253,000 respectively. The estimated outturn for recruitment expenditure in 1994–95 is £135,000 and the forecast for 1995–96 is £126,000.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by his Department in each year since 1979–80, and how many such questions received a substantive answer within 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18473]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department requesting a priority written answer or answer on a named day, were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further five, 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18474]

  (3) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report; [18475]

  (4) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has written to a right hon. or hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question. [18476]
  1265
  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is a matter of public record but it could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18478]

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is a matter of public record but it could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18477]

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is a matter of public record but it could be extracted in the form requested only at disproportionate cost. However, I understand that figures are available from POLIS for next step agencies by parliamentary Session from 1992–93 onwards.

  NHS Staff (Tayside)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to meet representative of the health board and health trusts in Tayside to discuss morale among NHS staff in that area. [18143]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Secretary of State for Scotland has no plans at present to meet representatives of the health board and health trusts in Tayside. There are, however, regular meetings between Scottish Office officials and representatives of health boards and NHS trusts, including Tayside.

  Microscopes in Schools
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he is sending to the Royal Microscopical Society in respect of its proposal that there should be a microscope in every school. [16376]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Secretary of State has not received any representation from the Royal Microscopical Society about the provision of microscopes in schools.

  The value of microscopes is recognised in the national guidelines for environmental studies 5–14. These include microscopes in the range of equipment which schools should have available to provide for the reasonable needs of pupils and teachers in their investigative activities. However, the choice of equipment for schools is a matter for education authorities.

  Gourock Ropeworks
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had, and with whom concerning the present condition and future of the Gourock Ropeworks of Port Glasgow; and if he will make a statement. [17303]
  1266
  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend has had no recent discussions on this matter. However, as the question relates to matters undertaken by Historic Scotland, I have asked the agency's director and chief executive, Mr Graeme Munro, to write to the hon. Member.

  The reply will appear in the Official Report and a copy deposited in the Library of the House.

  Letter from Graeme Munro to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 5 April 1995:
  You tabled a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for written answer on 5 April asking what recent discussions he has had about the Gourock Ropework building. The question relates to operational matters undertaken by Historic Scotland and I have been asked to reply. The terms of this letter will be reproduced in the Official Report and a copy of it will also be deposited in the Library of the House.
  Historic Scotland has recently had contacts both with Scottish Homes and Bellway Homes about the Ropeworks building. As you will be aware, a feasibility study prepared by the company last year concluded that both building and site were ideal for a scheme of conversion and re-development for residential accommodation. Given such positive conclusions it was right and proper that this avenue for putting together a scheme for the re-use of this listed building should be explored carefully and extensively. It is now clear, however, from discussions which I have had with Scottish Homes that a package of assistance to make the scheme viable cannot be put together.
  Government policy with regard to listed buildings is that no worthwhile building should be demolished unless it is demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that every effort has been exerted by all concerned to find practical ways of keeping it. I am now satisfied that the concerted efforts to find a practical use for the building, encouraged by Historic Scotland, have fulfilled this policy commitment.
  The position concerning demolition is clear. In order to demolish a listed building such as the Gourock Ropeworks, listed building consent is needed. To date no application for such listed building consent has been received by Historic Scotland.

  European Social Fund
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many students have benefited from the European Union's social fund provision, enabling them to undertake courses in(a) universities and (b) colleges of further education. [17260]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The estimated numbers of beneficiaries based on application by universities and further education college for European social fund in 1994 in Scotland are as follows:

  (a) Universities

  (b) FE Colleges

  Objective 1

  77

  932

  Objective 2

  386

  5,180

  Objectives 3

  1,365

  1,631

  Objective 5b

  0

  1,102

  All objectives

  1,828

  8,845

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidlines he has given to universities and other colleges concerning the training allowances given to mature students by way of the European Union's social fund. [17262]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The guidelines issued annually to all potential applicants for European social fund including universities and colleges set out the items of expenditure
  1267
  which are eligible for assistance. The guidelines cover how the allowances to students and other trainees are to be treated.

  Well-woman Centres
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has offered to fundholding general practitioners about the purchasing of treatment and care from well-woman centres; and if he will make a statement. [17261]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No specific guidance has been issued to GP fundholding practices on this subject.

  Unitary Authorities
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on indicative grants for the new unitary authorities. [17263]

  Mr. Kynoch
  To assist the shadow councils with their financial planning for 1996–97, it is proposed to prepare illustrative 1995–96 grant aided expenditure assessments and, in terms of section 24 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, and subject to the approval of the House, notional 1995–96 budgets for each of the councils. We also plan to issue to them provisional non-housing capital allocations.

  Wildlife Offences
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what central records he maintains concerning criminal offences and activity in relation to(a) wild birds and (b) other wildlife; and if he will make a statement. [17264]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office holds statistical information, provided by Scottish police forces, on the following offences in relation to wild birds and other wildlife.(a) Categories of crimes and offences including offences in relation to wild birds:
  Offences involving birds
  (b) Categories of crimes and offences including offences in relation to other wildlife:
  Cruelty to animals (excluding dogs, birds)
  Offences involving animals (excluding dogs or birds or elsewhere classified)
  Salmon and freshwater fisheries offences
  Sea fisheries offences
  Possession of salmon or trout unlawfully obtained
  Poaching and game laws
  Offences under Deer (Scotland) Act 1959 and Deer (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 1982.

  Housebuilding
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of people employed in the housebuilding industry; and what were the figures in(a) 1981 and (b) 1989. [17265]
  1268
  Mr. Kynoch
  Information is available only for the construction industry as a whole. In December 1994, the number of employees in employment in the construction industry in Scotland was 119,200. The corresponding figure for December 1981 was 133,600, and for December 1989 was 132,800.

  Drug Abuse
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of the change in local government upon the work of those employed in anti-drug abuse programmes; and if he will make a statement. [17266]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The important and continuing role of local authorities in tackling drug misuse was reflected in the report of the drugs task force, led by my noble and learned Friend the Minister of State. They will be represented on the local drug action teams, which are now being set up throughout Scotland, with responsibility for developing a strategic plan addressing all aspects of the drug misuse problem in their areas. In recent guidance, we have emphasised the importance of drawing the new shadow local authorities into the activities of the drug action teams to facilitate the strategic planning process and to ensure that local government continues to play its full and vital part in the response to drug misuse at local level.

  Out-patient Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the secretary of State for Scotland how many non-attenders to out-patient appointments there were in 1994; and what was the cost to the NHS. [17704]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The provisional figure for new out-patient appointments where the patient failed to attend in 1994 is 134,207. Corresponding information for return out-patients, and information on the resultant cost to the NHS of non-attenders is not centrally available.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions the Crown Office has had with Mr. Ron Smith of Scottish Woodlands Ltd., Castle Douglas, about a red and orange tarpaulin found at Lockerbie, before Christmas 1988.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate has made clear in relation to the Lockerbie case, as in any other case, it is not appropriate for the investigating or prosecuting authority to give details of investigative steps which have been taken.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a response to his letter of 26 January to the general manager of Lothian health board concerning general practitioner fundholding. [18206]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This is a matter for the acting general manager of Lothian health board. However I understand that the information requested by the hon. Member will be supplied shortly.
  1269
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a response to his letter of 24 February to the chief executive of the Caithness and Sutherland NHS trust concerning performance-related pay; [18174]

  (2) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a response to his letter of 24 February to the chief executive of the Raigmore hospital NHS trust concerning performance-related pay; [18175]

  (3) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a response to his letter of 24 February to the chief executive of the Royal Alexandra hospital NHS trust concerning performance-related pay; [18176]

  (4) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a response to his letter of 24 February to the chief executive of the Southern General hospitals NHS trust concerning performance-related pay; [18177]

  (5) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a response to his letter of 24 February to the chief executive of the West Lothian NHS trust concerning performance-related pay; [18178]

  (6) when the hon. Member of Cunninghame, South can expect a response to his letter of 24 February to the chief executive of the Stobhill NHS trust concerning performance-related pay; [18187]

  (7) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a response to his letter of 24 February to the chief executive of the Yorkhill NHS trust concerning performance-related pay; [18179]

  (8) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a response to his letter of 24 February to the chief executive of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS trust concerning performance-related pay. [18186]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This is a matter which should be pursued with the chief executive of the individual trust concerned.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will write to the chief executives of Scotland's NHS trusts and the general managers of Scotland's health boards reminding them of their duties to respond to correspondence from hon. Members timeously. [18190]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My noble Friend the Minister of State has asked the NHS management executive to remind chief executives of NHS trusts and the general managers of health boards of their duties in relation to correspondence from hon. Members.

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18652]

  Sir Hector Monro
  I am the green Minister at the Scottish Office. All significant environmental initiatives taken by the Scottish Office are reported in the annual series of White Papers "This Common Inheritance"—the most recent, Cm 2822, was published on Wednesday 29 March. Many are also highlighted in the annual departmental reports.
  1270
  I am also fully involved in consideration of the Environment Bill, in particular the provisions setting up the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

  Arable Area Payments
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of payments(a) for set-aside and (b) in total under the arable area payments scheme in Scotland in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what is his estimate of the cost of payments in 1995–96. [18633]

  Sir Hector Monro
  Payments which have been made to farmers in Scotland under the arable area payments scheme in the scheme years 1993 and 1994 are as follows:

  (a) Set-aside £

  (b) Total AAPS payments £

  1993

  16,195,029.92

  93,287,405.44

  1994

  22,792,098.25

  115,593,078.84

  The cost of payments in the 1995 scheme year will depend on the amount of valid claims made and on the green pound-ecu exchange rate at 1 July 1995.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hectares of land were set aside under the arable area payments scheme in Scotland in(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95; and what is his estimate of the number of hectares of land that will be set-aside in 1995–96. [16661]

  Sir Hector Monro
  Payments were made in respect of 80,661.09 hectares and 77,252.12 hectares of land set aside in the scheme years 1993 and 1994 respectively. Figures are not yet available for the 1995 scheme year.

  Flooding (Strathclyde)
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the measures he has taken to assist local authorities and other institutions in the aftermath of the floods within Strathclyde earlier this year. [17600]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 30 March 1995]: The measures taken under my responsibility in response to the Strathclyde flooding include:
  £100,000 supplementary capital allocation to Renfrew District Council in 1994–95, to provide temporary accommodation for those made homeless;
  £150,000 supplementary housing capital allocation to Strathkelvin District Council in 1994–95 to undertake flood abatement works at Lennoxtown;
  £200,000 supplementary capital allocation to Glasgow District Council in 1994–95 to undertake urgent housing repairs;
  £1.365 million supplementary capital allocations to Strathclyde Regional Council in 1994–95 for urgent repair work on non-housing services;
  authorising Renfrew District Council to carry forward unutilised capital consent of up to a maximum of £1.85 million from 1994–95 for expenditure in 1995–96;
  authorising Strathkelvin District Council to carry forward unutilised capital consent of up to a maximum of £0.53 million from 1994–95 for expenditure in 1995–96;
  £2.5 million additional capital allocations in 1995–96 for remedial work on housing to Renfrew District Council and Strathkelvin District Council;
  £10,000 contribution to Clyde River Purification Board study on the cause and extent of the recent flooding; and

  1271
  an increase of £180,000 in the 1995–96 non-housing capital consent allocation to Renfrew District Council to meet the cost of repairs to the Linwood Sports Centre.

  In addition, the Government scheme of special financial assistance, known as the Bellwin scheme, has been activated.

  A draft national planning policy guideline on planning and flooding has recently been issued for consultation.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his answer of 21 March,Official Report, column 174, (i) how many pre-payment certificates were issued and (ii) how many prescriptions were dispensed on presentation of a pre-payment certificates, in each financial year since 1979–80 and for each health board in Scotland. [18254]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not available. The number of pre-payment certificates issued is not held centrally. Prescriptions dispensed on presentation of pre-payment certificates are not separately identified.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, further to his answer of 21 March, Official Report, column 174, how many prescriptions for which no charge was made were issued excluding items issued on prescription on presentation of a pre-payment certificate, in each financial year since 1979–80 and for each health board in Scotland. [18253]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not available. Prescriptions dispensed on presentation of pre-payment certificates are not separately identified.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been(a) the amount raised from prescription charges within the NHS in Scotland and (b) the expenditure on the system of NHS prescriptions for medication within the NHS in Scotland; and if he will give the difference between (a) and (b) in each year since 1979–80. [18261]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information for the financial years 1979–80 to 1993–94 is set out in the table. The information shows(a) the annual income from NHS prescription charges paid by patients in respect of drugs and appliances dispensed by community

  Health board

  1979–80 £

  1980–81 £

  1981–82 £

  1982–83 £

  1983–84 £

  1984–85 £

  1985–86 £

  Argyll and Clyde

  361,984

  654,993

  839,544

  978,013

  1,050,524

  1,139,261

  1,244,913

  Ayrshire and Arran

  344,877

  543,678

  805,826

  863,823

  916,197

  983,569

  1,097,596

  Borders

  77,866

  143,945

  180,320

  215,894

  234,704

  261,627

  305,637

  Dumfries and Galloway

  115,805

  184,775

  260,017

  309,078

  340,806

  364,014

  411,166

  Fife

  281,440

  450,802

  638,069

  741,875

  811,065

  874,511

  977,389

  Forth Valley

  221,844

  398,973

  517,782

  604,889

  664,162

  713,950

  789,965

  Grampian

  379,213

  696,876

  907,565

  1,112,691

  1,216,002

  1,381,119

  1,599,033

  Greater Glasgow

  789,443

  1,398,192

  1,743,182

  1,960,743

  2,102,009

  2,220,729

  2,344,749

  Highland

  142,481

  261,926

  337,880

  394,090

  433,661

  462,513

  516,948

  Lanarkshire

  480,368

  861,032

  1,103,182

  1,261,896

  1,362,351

  1,471,735

  1,601,002

  Lothian

  562,167

  909,458

  1,283,843

  1,500,822

  1,633,670

  1,774,271

  1,999,526

  Orkney

  12,892

  23,175

  30,774

  37,365

  38,331

  43,098

  70,018

  Shetland

  21,622

  42,291

  45,832

  46,375

  44,717

  50,399

  59,086

  Tayside

  301,176

  544,606

  678,014

  817,992

  873,748

  966,408

  1,091,185

  Western Isles

  17,812

  30,756

  45,661

  48,592

  52,460

  57,889

  63,731

  Total

  4,110,990

  7,145,478

  9,417,491

  10,894,138

  11,774,407

  12,765,093

  14,171,944

  1272
  pharmacists, dispensing doctors and appliance suppliers and the sums collected in respect of the sale of prepayment certificates; (b) the net ingredient cost of the drugs and appliances and the remuneration paid to community pharmacists, dispensing doctors and appliance suppliers for dispensing these drugs and appliances; and (c) the difference between (a) and (b).

  £ million

  Year

  (a) Annual income

  (b) Annual expenditure

  (c) Difference between (a) and (b)

  1979–80

  4.38

  99.94

  95.56

  1980–81

  7.87

  120.63

  112.76

  1981–82

  10.27

  137.57

  127.30

  1982–83

  11.89

  155.86

  143.97

  1983–84

  12.87

  172.02

  159.15

  1984–85

  14.03

  183.56

  169.53

  1985–86

  15.62

  195.30

  179.68

  1986–87

  19.00

  211.91

  192.91

  1987–88

  18.25

  235.98

  217.73

  1988–89

  19.82

  262.59

  242.77

  1989–90

  21.69

  292.82

  271.13

  1990–91

  23.03

  320.89

  297.86

  1991–92

  25.51

  359.55

  334.04

  1992–93

  27.87

  402.78

  374.91

  1993–94

  30.51

  435.97

  405.46

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was raised through the levying of prescriptions charges by each health board in Scotland in each financial year since 1979–80. [18188]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information for each health board for the financial years 1979–80 to 1993–94 is set out in the tables. The amounts of revenue shown include NHS prescription charges paid by patients in respect of drugs and appliances dispensed by community pharmacists, dispensing doctors and appliance suppliers. NHS prescription charges recovered from patients under health board post-dispensing checking arrangements are also included.

  The amounts shown do not include the sums collected in respect of the sales of pre-payment certificates which are not deemed to be the payment of a charge under the NHS (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Regulations 1989, as amended.
  1273

  Health Board

  1986–87 £

  1987–88 £

  1988–89 £

  1989–90 £

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  Argyll and Clyde

  1,541,503

  1,401,971

  1,619,931

  1,664,327

  1,739,909

  1,909,549

  2,034,494

  2,165,136

  Ayrshire and Arran

  1,258,265

  1,343,944

  1,363,265

  1,493,341

  1,599,391

  1,720,195

  1,825,740

  1,992,347

  Borders

  357,926

  361,707

  418,690

  432,012

  460,828

  507,546

  566,992

  639,116

  Dumfries and Galloway

  529,758

  506,040

  591,008

  616,088

  650,903

  731,447

  790,551

  889,771

  Fife

  1,290,751

  1,127,660

  1,224,895

  1,367,947

  1,451,579

  1,634,243

  1,752,818

  1,799,866

  Forth Valley

  998,607

  920,575

  1,059,355

  1,088,334

  1,165,445

  1,300,438

  1,401,513

  1,596,432

  Grampian

  1,841,974

  2,043,973

  2,006,440

  2,205,824

  2,399,868

  2,694,810

  3,039,443

  3,331,274

  Greater Glasgow

  2,840,176

  2,525,368

  2,694,145

  2,847,550

  2,945,034

  3,142,277

  3,307,852

  3,500,011

  Highland

  639,028

  570,729

  715,553

  765,988

  847,790

  959,670

  1,042,665

  1,119,967

  Lanarkshire

  1,935,899

  1,769,306

  1,918,087

  2,115,452

  2,115,476

  2,359,297

  2,520,036

  2,742,741

  Lothian

  2,539,710

  2,352,445

  2,550,357

  3,037,177

  3,031,138

  3,337,516

  3,626,777

  4,053,025

  Orkney

  80,435

  75,240

  85,649

  87,711

  105,903

  119,597

  240,408

  164,042

  Shetland

  73,169

  73,797

  79,223

  83,269

  105,137

  103,192

  113,651

  130,688

  Tayside

  1,369,588

  1,289,796

  1,399,856

  1,536,510

  1,658,357

  1,830,338

  2,011,229

  2,206,634

  Western Isles

  69,369

  79,929

  71,498

  77,870

  86,351

  87,519

  99,184

  114,418

  Total

  17,366,158

  16,442,480

  17,797,952

  19,419,400

  20,403,109

  22,437,634

  24,373,353

  26,445,468

  A9
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what objections have been made to the proposed design of the Logie Easter-Garrick bridge stretch of the A9; and what response has he given. [18563]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Draft statutory orders were published in October 1993 and five objections were received, one of which has been resolved. The remaining four objections relate to the provision of facilities for cyclists. The Scottish Office continues to seek resolution of these objections.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current estimated completion date for the Logie Easter-Garrick bridge stretch of the A9. [18564]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In his statement on 24 May 1994, my right hon. Friend announced that he expected that work would start on the improvement of the A9 between Logie Easter and Garrick bridge before March 1997 subject, among other things, to completion of the statutory procedures. Because of outstanding objections, these procedures remain incomplete and a programme for construction has not been determined.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he first proposed a route action plan for the A9 north of Dornoch bridge. [18565]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A route action plan approach to the A9 north of Dornoch was initially raised at a meeting with a delegation from Highland regional council in January 1991.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Highland regional council following the proposal for a route action plan for the A9 north of the Dornoch bridge; and what reply he gave. [18566]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office has received no representations from Highland regional 1274
  council. However, since the question of a route action plan was first raised, my officials have been in regular contact with officials from the regional council.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he issued the terms of reference for the route action plan north of the Dornoch bridge. [18567]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Following the submission of draft proposals for the action plan in January 1992 and after a series of discussions with Highland regional council, a brief for the route action plan was issued to the regional council in January 1994.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive proposals to implement a route action plan; and if he will make a statement. [18568]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Highland regional council is to submit an interim report on the route action plan by December 1995. This will describe the extent of congestion on the existing road, the nature of the existing constraints to free flow of traffic and the options which will be examined for testing. The interim report will be analysed to produce a programme of works to be included in the route action plan.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to obtain a European regional development fund grant under objective 1 funding for the improvement of the A9 between Helmsdale and the Ord of Caithness; and if he will make a statement. [18569]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  An application for ERDF objective 1 funding would be premature at this time. Consideration will be given to lodging an application in due course.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is currently giving to the improvement of the A9 at Berriedale; and if he will make a statement. [18570]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The case for improvements at Berriedale Braes will be examined as part of the A9 route action plan.
  1275
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Highland regional council about upgrading the A9 at Berriedale. [18571]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office has not received recently any representations from Highland regional council about the upgrading of the A9 at Berriedale. However, Berriedale lies within the scope of the A9 north of Dornoch route action plan study currently being carried out by Highland region and as such my officials have been in regular contact with officials from the regional council.

  Temporary Contracts
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people he expects to employ in (i) his Department and (ii) all executive agencies for which he is responsible on temporary contracts of(a) 51 weeks or (b) less than 51 weeks duration in the next three years, in each case specifying the number of employees who had previously been employed in a similar position on the same contract.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 15 March 1995]: During the next three years, I intend to continue our normal policy of employing some staff on a casual basis to fill temporary vacancies which arise seasonally, or to meet a temporary increase in demand. It is not possible to predict how many will be employed on this basis, although we would not expect it to differ signifcantly from previous years.

  Historic Scotland
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To aks the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the key performance targets he has set for Historic Scotland for 1995–96. [19122]

  Mr. Lang
  I have set Historic Scotland the following key performance targets for 1995–96:

  Table 1 Courses of dental treatment—by health board in Scotland

  Health board

  Year ending December 19871

  Financial year 19881

  19891

  19901

  1991–922

  1992–932

  1993–942

  Scotland

  2,989,148

  3,054,905

  3,144,689

  3,373,802

  2,484,539

  2,569,298

  2,647,088

  Argyll and Clyde

  258,537

  263,704

  271,769

  292,528

  206,277

  211,504

  212,294

  Ayrshire and Arran

  250,239

  250,350

  254,617

  321,693

  187,757

  190,798

  185,868

  Borders

  72,514

  74,807

  78,839

  85,142

  65,622

  66,926

  67,664

  Dumfries and Galloway

  88,106

  92,049

  94,113

  100,253

  71,512

  69,524

  64,684

  Fife

  208,259

  213,290

  220,942

  234,936

  160,124

  163,676

  173,970

  Forth Valley

  150,978

  157,174

  160,965

  170,660

  130,389

  137,191

  144,446

  Grampian

  292,001

  292,106

  303,233

  306,831

  267,042

  277,380

  287,776

  Greater Glasgow

  513,945

  527,965

  537,454

  576,003

  441,154

  459,004

  470,973

  Highland

  101,489

  104,525

  111,009

  126,897

  94,050

  96,023

  94,009

  Lanarkshire

  300,227

  306,231

  309,381

  316,006

  219,558

  226,420

  236,699

  Lothian

  458,153

  471,551

  490,115

  510,014

  396,777

  414,624

  436,028

  Orkney

  8,147

  8,231

  8,598

  8,979

  7,438

  7,604

  7,486

  Shetland

  5,551

  6,445

  7,604

  8,722

  6,589

  6,470

  7,505

  Tayside

  268,986

  275,142

  284,822

  304,920

  222,697

  233,545

  250,004

  Western Isles

  10,029

  9,347

  9,239

  8,228

  7,553

  8,609

  7,864

  1 1987 to 1990 information is for all courses of treatment for adults and children.

  2 1991–92 onwards information is for all courses of treatment for adults and for courses of treatment for children where an item-of-service fee was paid. Since October 1990 most treatment for children has been provided under capitation arrangements and is not counted as individual courses of treatment.

  1276

  Target

  Protecting Scotland's Built Heritage

  Number of monuments scheduled

  360

  Weighted number of listed building resurvey units

  170

  Percentage of scheduled monument consent cases resolved within 12 weeks

  80 per cent.

  Percentage of listed building consent cases resolved within 28 days

  97 per cent

  Number of historic building repair projects newly assisted by grant

  145

  Total value of grant-assisted repairs in progress

  £31 million

  Backlog of conservation of monuments in care

  1reduce

  Promoting and presenting the Building Heritage

  Number of visitors to monuments in care

  2.4 million

  HS market share compared to other paid visitor attractions in Scotland

  20.5 per cent.

  Percentage of satisfied visitors (based on surveys)

  90 per cent.

  Average retail spend per visitor

  £0.94

  Agency Management

  Percentage efficiency gains/savings on all non-grant expenditure

  1.5 per cent.

  Total agency income

  £9.1 million

  Note:

  1 A measure to show the percentage reduction in the conservation backlog will be developed for 1997–98, following the quinquennial survey of the estate in care in 1996.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each health board area in Scotland(a) the number of patients treated by dentists and (b) the number of patients treated by a dentist who did not make any payment for their treatment for each financial year since 1985–86. [15531]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamiliton
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: The information is in the tables. Information for earlier years is not available.
  1277

  Table 2 Courses of dental treatment where no patient charge was paid—by health board in Scotland

  Financial year Health board

  1988–891

  1989–901

  1990–911

  1991–922

  1992–932

  1993–942

  Scotland

  1,529,429

  1,581,655

  1,196,154

  777,773

  854,629

  933,652

  Argyll and Clyde

  140,761

  146,968

  109,311

  72,294

  80,985

  89,228

  Ayrshire and Arran

  141,165

  143,430

  108,525

  65,558

  71,480

  77,712

  Borders

  28,210

  29,861

  22,210

  14,255

  15,563

  16,616

  Dumfries and Galloway

  44,191

  45,672

  31,226

  17,371

  17,293

  18,868

  Fife

  108,594

  112,357

  80,831

  44,147

  47,183

  52,124

  Forth Valley

  79,549

  81,128

  61,271

  39,882

  43,424

  47,026

  Grampian

  111,280

  113,543

  85,181

  61,382

  64,677

  70,219

  Greater Glasgow

  299,536

  131,121

  255,779

  185,849

  208,212

  220,979

  Highland

  50,653

  52,342

  41,419

  26,324

  27,126

  29,584

  Lanarkshire

  173,641

  175,227

  126,792

  79,394

  86,461

  94,743

  Lothian

  207,967

  219,537

  163,853

  104,530

  117,025

  131,791

  Orkney

  2,810

  2,875

  1,844

  1,318

  1,225

  1,234

  Shetland

  1,080

  1,357

  1,370

  1,188

  1,267

  1,656

  Tayside

  136,157

  140,172

  103,695

  69,109

  69,951

  79,150

  Western Isles

  3,835

  4,065

  2,849

  2,172

  2,757

  2,722

  1 1988–89 to 1990–91 information relates to all courses of treatment for adults and children.

  2 1991–92 onwards information relates to all courses of treatment for adults and to courses of treatment for children where an item-of-service fee was paid. Since October 1990 most treatment for children has been provided under capitation arrangements and is not counted as individual courses of treatment.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each health board area in Scotland the average amount paid in charges by a patient receiving dental treatment for each financial year since 1985–86. [15538]

  Average amount paid in charges by dental patients1—Scotland

  Health board

  1988–892 £

  1989–902 £

  1990–912 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  Scotland

  16.90

  22.00

  23.60

  24.34

  23.59

  23.37

  Argyll and Clyde

  17.00

  22.50

  25.00

  25.06

  24.69

  24.52

  Ayrshire and Arran

  17.00

  22.00

  23.30

  24.04

  22.40

  22.51

  Borders

  12.30

  16.20

  17.30

  17.55

  18.36

  18.38

  Dumfries and Galloway

  15.90

  21.00

  21.50

  22.49

  21.40

  21.82

  Fife

  15.50

  20.50

  22.30

  22.99

  22.47

  22.26

  Forth Valley

  17.70

  23.00

  24.50

  24.96

  24.05

  23.44

  Grampian

  15.90

  20.50

  21.50

  22.22

  21.82

  21.30

  Greater Glasgow

  19.10

  24.90

  26.90

  27.80

  27.03

  26.90

  Highland

  19.50

  24.60

  26.60

  26.87

  25.21

  23.95

  Larnarkshire

  17.70

  23.20

  25.50

  26.83

  25.56

  24.86

  Lothian

  16.60

  21.70

  23.10

  23.68

  23.03

  22.88

  Orkney

  11.20

  15.10

  15.00

  16.42

  17.47

  18.41

  Shetland

  15.70

  19.20

  19.10

  19.66

  22.42

  27.09

  Tayside

  15.70

  21.10

  22.50

  22.98

  22.34

  22.64

  Western Isles

  14.00

  19.60

  21.50

  27.51

  26.75

  24.56

  1 Total amount paid by patients divided by the total number of courses of treatment for patients who paid a charge.

  2 Figures for 1988–89 to 1990–91 are rounded to nearest 10p.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his answer on 21 March,Official Report, column 174, what was the number of (a) deregistrations from NHS dentists to enter private contract by agreement, (b) deregistrations attributable to a dentist leaving a practice and (c) NHS registered dental patients, in respect of each health board area in Scotland and in respect of each year since 1991–92. [16369]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 28 March 1995]: The information requested about deregistrations is not available centrally. Information about the numbers of NHS registered dental patients in each health board area since 1991–92 is contained in the table.
  1278
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: The information is in the table. Information for earlier years is not available in this form.

  Dental patients registered at 31 March by health board in Scotland

  Financial Year

  Health Board

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Argyll and Clyde

  213,990

  212,219

  207,647

  Ayrshire and Arran

  221,072

  200,998

  198,376

  Borders

  52,771

  53,897

  53,238

  Dumfries and Galloway

  74,290

  71,220

  68,292

  Fife

  167,285

  171,475

  170,690

  Forth Valley

  129,146

  133,441

  131,571

  Grampian

  246,479

  259,362

  260,173

  Greater Glasgow

  458,557

  474,592

  464,351

  1279

  Dental patients registered at 31 March by health board in Scotland

  Financial Year

  Health Board

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Highland

  102,894

  99,161

  92,670

  Lanarkshire

  233,418

  242,743

  240,001

  Lothian

  374,659

  389,764

  385,702

  Orkney

  5,525

  7,267

  7,961

  Shetland

  7,034

  7,004

  7,823

  Tayside

  207,270

  216,441

  217,565

  Western Isles

  8,294

  8,511

  8,756

  Scotland

  2,502,684

  2,548,095

  2,514,816

  Council Housing
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many council houses have been sold to sitting tenants, and subsequently repossessed, by local authority area, in each of the last five years. [16000]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 March 1995]: Information on the number of repossessions of dwellings bought under the right-to-buy scheme is not available. However, I understand from figures provided by the Council of Mortgage Lenders that 1,791 properties in total were repossessed in Scotland in 1994, which represents 0.22 per cent. of the total number of properties with mortgages outstanding. This is around half the proportion for the United Kingdom as a whole.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at inter-departmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15612]

  Mr. Ian Lang
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 27 March, Official Report, column 435.

  Ferry Services
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the timetable to be followed in advertising, explaining the appeal procedure, setting a deadline for receipts of objections and, where appropriate, holding a public inquiry into the proposed withdrawal of any ferry service, under the terms of the Railways Act 1993; and if he will make a statement; [16716]

  (2) what is the remit of the rail users consultative committee, in respect of the right to call public inquiries into the proposed withdrawal of any Scottish ferry service, under the terms of the Railways Act 1993; and if he will make a statement. [16720]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 March 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Railways and Roads on 28 March, Official Report, column 534.

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he had given to the rail users 1280
  consultative committee over its power, under the Railway Act 1993, to call public inquires into the proposed withdrawal of any ferry services; what subsequent representation he has received for the RUCC; what plans he has to hold further discussion with the RUCC over the matter; and if he will make a statement. [16717]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 March 1995]: The Scottish Office wrote to Mr. Lawrence Kemp, the acting chairman of the rail users consultative committee for Scotland, on 17 February about the statutory provisions in connection with its functions in relation to ferry services and drew attention to the need for the committee to seek its own legal advice. I understand that my hon. Friend the Minister for Railways and Roads will be writing shortly to Mr. Kemp with a full statement of the Government's understanding of the position. I have received no further representations and have no plans to hold further discussions given my hon. Friend's intention to write.

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment he has made of the contractual and financial implications that would arise, in respect of the toll-funded Skye bridge project, from the continuation of a parallel ferry service in competition with the road bridge beyond the date of the bridge's opening to traffic, and if he will make a statement; [16718]

  (2) what discussions he has had with Highland regional council over the contractual and operational implications which would arise, in respect of the toll-funded Skye bridge project, from the continuation of a parallel ferry service in competition with the road bridge beyond the date of the bridge's opening to traffic; and if he will make a statement. [16719]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 28 March 1995]: My right hon. Friend decided to proceed with the planning and construction of the bridge to Skye on the understanding that the ferry service would be withdrawn once a bridge was provided. This was fully discussed with, and accepted by, Highland regional council. Since there is no intention that the ferry service would continue, no discussions have taken place with Highland regional council on the contractual, financial or operational implications associated with the continuation of a ferry service and no assessment has been made of these matters.

  Employment Costs
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average annual cost of employing(a) a hospital consultant, (b) a senior registrar, (c) a registrar (career), (d) a registrar (SHO3), (e) a senior house officer, (f) a house officer, (g) a qualified nurse and (h) an ambulance paramedic. [16696]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 30 March 1995]: In Scotland, the average cost of employing (a) a hospital consultant was £63,862, (b) a senior registrar was £42,671, (c) a registrar (career) was £36,038, (e) a senior house officer was £30,052, (f) a house officer was £21,046, (g) a qualified nurse was £20,555.

  The information has been calculated over a 12-month period based on the nine months from 1 April to 31 December 1994. It cannot be broken down to show the average cost of a registrar (SHO3) or an ambulance paramedic.

ENVIRONMENT

  Advertising
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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. [17616]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  A list of my Department's non-departmental public bodies can be found in "Public Bodies 1994", published by HMSO and available in the Library of the House. Information back to 1979 is not available.

  There was no expenditure by executive NDPBs or agencies in 1994–95 on either (a) television or (b) radio advertising and there are no plans for such expenditure during 1995–96.

  The Department is responsible for promotional and advertising expenditure by advisory NDPBs and tribunals.

  Information is not kept in the format requested to answer (c), (d) or (f) and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities which have set a budget which would exceed the cap set for those authorities if the Government were to confirm its pro-capping criteria. [18061]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) by the Secretary of State for the Environment on 4 April.

  Latham Report
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many representations he has received(a) in favour and (b) against the recommendations of the Latham report; and from which organisations; [18059]

  (2) how many representations he has received (a) in favour and (b) against the recommendations of the Latham Report; and from which organisations. [18056]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We have received some 150 letters from all sections of the construction industry—particularly from specialist contractors. They have been uniformly supportive of the recommendations of the Latham Report.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which recommendations of the Latham report he plans to implement. [18057]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We have already made my Department the lead Department for progressing the recommendations in the report. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has established a scrutiny of Government's own procurement designed to ensure that 1282
  Government can be a best practice client. We have established and received the report of the review implementation forum and, on its advice, my right hon. Friend has established a construction industry board, chaired by Sir Michael Latham, which brings together all parts of the industry, its clients and relevant government departments. Also on the advice of RIF that there was majority support for the legislative proposals in Sir Michael's report, my right hon. Friend has announced that he intends to publish detailed consultation documents on these matters. The majority of the Latham report recommendations are, however, directed at others and we have been active in urging all parts of the industry to address those recommendations.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to bring forward legislation on construction standards. [18055]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Amendments to part L and part F of the building regulations will come into effect on 1 July 1995.

  Consultations on possible amendments to part M are currently under way.

  My right hon. Friend hopes to issue consultation papers shortly on the legislative proposals in Sir Michael Latham's report "Constructing the Team" HMSO: July 1994.

  Telecommunications Development Planning Guidance
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what planning guidance he issues regarding(a) increasing the number of and (b) the positioning of electricity, radio and telephone (i) tower construction and (ii) overhead pylons in the open countryside; and if he will make a statement. [17895]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Planning advice on telecommunications development is given in planning policy guidance note 8, "Telecommunications", December 1992, which was supplemented in 1994 by a circular letter to local planning authorities on the prior approval procedure for the appearance and siting of radio masts of up to 15m in height. Copies of these documents have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  On electricity pylons, all proposed overhead lines in England and Wales, apart from those to supply individual properties and a few other minor developments, require the consent of the President of the Board of Trade under the Electricity Act 1989. Department of the Environment circular 14/90 explains the procedure which electricity supply companies have to follow before putting up an overhead line.

  Environmental Reporting and Disclosure
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his Department was represented at the meeting on guidelines for environmental reporting and disclosure by multinational companies sponsored by the United Nations conference on trade and development, held in Geneva on 13 to 17 March; and if he will obtain a copy of the report of the meeting and place it in the Library. [17884]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department of Trade and Industry arranges representation at UNCTAD' s intergovernmental working group of experts on international standards of accounting and reporting. The
  1283
  UK delegate to the sessions on environmental reporting at ISAR's meeting on 13 to 17 March was Professor Keith Maunders of the university of Hull. I will arrange for a copy of the report of the meeting, when it is available, to be placed in the Library.

  Electrical Contracting Industry
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on Government policy towards the electrical contracting industry. [18058]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  It is our policy to help the electrical contracting industry succeed in its domestic and overseas markets.

  Bristol Development Corporation
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reasons Argent Estates gave for withdrawal from the Bristol development corporation's Quay point development; and if he will make a statement. [18066]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Bristol development corporation informed my Department that Argent Group had decided to withdraw its interest in the development of Quay point.

  The reasons for this withdrawal are a matter for the company.

  Climate Change Programme
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the environment if he has revised the carbon savings target he set for "The Energy Savings Trust in Climate Change—the UK Programme". [17971]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on 28 March,Official Report, column 605. The trust is currently reviewing its plans. It estimates that the programme of activities already established and financed will save about 0.3 million tonnes of carbon in the year 2000. Further schemes will make additional contributions, but they are not yet established. The Government are updating the carbon dioxide chapter of their climate change programme, and this will include an assessment of the likely contribution of energy efficiency. The Government will continue to reflect the key role of the trust, and the targets it sets itself, in the programme; but they will not set targets for the trust.

  Earth Tremors, Stoke-on-Trent
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate the extent and causes of recent earth tremors in Stoke-on-Trent. [17898]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The extent of earth tremors in Great Britain is monitored by the British Geological Survey. Eleven separate small events were recorded at Stoke-on-Trent and one at Newcastle-under-Lyme between the 20 and 28 February, 1995. None of the existing monitoring instruments is located sufficiently close to the centre of the activity to determine the cause. It is not proposed to install additional monitoring equipment since, while this might identify the origin of subsequent tremors, if any occur, it would not identify unambiguously the cause of those which have taken place already.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers(a) he has and (b) other
  1284
  authorities have to investigate the causes of a house collapse at Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent; and if he will make a statement. [17888]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Secretary of State for the Environment has no responsibility to investigate the causes of a house collapse. While the local authority has powers to take action to secure public safety, in the event of an emergency, under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Building Act 1984, these powers do not extend to investigation of the causes of a house collapse. The secure and safe occupancy of a site is a matter for the landowner under the Occupiers' Liability Acts 1957 and 1984. The Coal Authority has responsibility, under the Coal Industry Act 1994, to have regard to securing the safety of members of the public in respect of hazards arising from the physical legacy of coal mining for which it has responsibility. This is in addition to the more specific responsibilities it has in the area of coal mining subsidence.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish an inquiry into possible links between earth tremors, former mining operations, and a house collapse in Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent. [17889]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  It would not be appropriate to establish an inquiry, since the Coal Authority is currently investigating this incident to determine whether there is any relationship to the physical legacy of coal mining.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many parliamentary questions requesting an ordinary written answer were received by his Department in each year since 1979–80; and how many such questions received a substantiative answer within 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18523]

  (2) how many parliamentary questions to his Department in each year since 1979–80 requesting a priority written answer or answer on a named day, were answered within three days; how many received a holding reply; and how many of those which received a holding reply then received a substantive answer within a further five, 10, 15, 20 days or longer; [18524]

  (3) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has given a reply to a parliamentary question which has resulted in the information requested being placed in the Library and not printed in the Official Report; [18525]

  (4) how many times in each year since 1979–80 his Department has written to a right hon. or hon. Member correcting an answer to a parliamentary question; [18526]

  (5) how many parliamentary questions to his Department were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence; [18527]

  (6) how many parliamentary questions to his Department that were transferred for answer to the chief executive or other senior official of a non-departmental public body or agency for which he has responsibility received an answer which was not printed in the Official Report in each year since 1979–80 or for each year that the body or agency has been in existence. [18528]
  1285
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested is a matter of public record but it could be extracted only in the form requested at disproportionate cost.

  Lambeth Council
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when his Department became aware of Lambeth council's failure to finalise accounts for each relevant financial year between 1979 and financial year ended 1993; and on what date his Department took action in each case; [18402]

  (2) what information his Department received as to the failure of Lambeth council to finalise accounts for any financial year between 1979 and financial year ended 1993; and what action his Department took in each case. [18405]

  Mr. Curry
  Local authorities are required, under regulation 6 of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 1983, SI 1761, to make up and balance accounts for each financial year by no later than six months after the end of that financial year; and, under regulation 15, to publish a statement of accounts no later than nine months after the end of the financial year. Failure to meet these deadlines is a matter for the local authority concerned and the district auditor. My Department is not involved.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) when his Department first became aware of each audit report in the public interest that has been issued since 1979 with reference to Lambeth council; and what action his Department has taken in each case; [18407]

  (2) what discussions his Department has had with the district audit service of the Audit Commission with respect to each audit report issued in the public interest on the subject of Lambeth council; and what action his Department has taken on each of them. [18404]

  Mr. Curry
  Since 1979, 10 public interest reports have been issued by the district auditor at Lambeth. The Department became aware of them as public documents. It is the responsibility of the audited body to respond to public interest reports, and to take any necessary action. The Department has no direct role in the process.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when his Department first became aware of the contents of each management letter sent to Lambeth council since 1979; and what action his Department took in each case. [18403]

  Mr. Curry
  The management letter is not a public document, unless an authority chooses to make it so, and any consequent action is between the audited body and its appointed auditor. The auditor is prevented by law from disclosing to the Government or anyone else information obtained in the course of his or her duties.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the dates and nature of notices served on Lambeth council with reference to the management and accounts of the council direct labour organisation; and what was the response in each case. [18406]

  Mr. Curry
  On 22 March 1993, five notices were served on the authority for accounting deficiencies and failure to provide accounts. Overall, these notices covered building maintenance work, highway and sewer maintenance work, refuse collection, street cleaning,1286
  ground maintenance work, building cleaning and vehicle maintenance. Subsequently, four directions were issued to the authority on 23 July 1993. Their details are as follows:
  Building maintenance; to re-tender all the work by 1 April 1994 and seek the consent from the Secretary of State before assigning any of the work to its direct labour organisation; a prohibition on carrying out housing maintenance work being undertaken by the private sector; a prohibition on carrying out work on non-educational public buildings; and a complete prohibition from carrying out the work from 1 July 1994 unless outstanding accounts were provided by 31 December 1993. The work was re-tendered in 63 contracts, the authority obtained consent to assign 12 contracts to its direct labour organisation in March 1994 and the accounts were supplied.
  Highway and sewer maintenance—a prohibition on carrying out the work from 1 April 1994 except for winter emergency work.
  Refuse collection and street cleaning—a complete prohibition on carrying out the work from 1 July 1994 unless outstanding accounts were provided by 31 December 1993. The accounts were provided and the direct service organisation continues to undertake the work.
  Ground maintenance, building cleaning and vehicle maintenance—a complete prohibition on carrying out the work from 1 July 1994 unless outstanding accounts were provided by 31 December 1993. The accounts were provided and the direct service organisation continues to undertake the work.
  On 28 February this year, two further notices were served on the authority for financial failure in respect of ground maintenance work and building cleaning in the year 1993–94. We have received the authority's responses and are considering whether to proceed to directions.

  Water Industry
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of the proportion of profits obtained by the privatised water industry which have been(a) retained for investment in its core business, (b) distributed to shareholders and (c) invested in businesses other than the provision of water and sewerage services. [18561]

  Mr. Atkins
  This information is published in the annual reports and accounts of the individual water companies.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of whether the Regulator of the Water Industry has adequately protected the consumer interest; and if he will make a statement. [18562]

  Mr. Atkins
  The Director General of Water Services, Mr. Ian Byatt, has a statutory duty to ensure that the functions of water and sewerage companies are properly carried out and that they are able to finance these functions. He must also protect customers' interests, promote economy and efficiency and facilitate competition where appropriate. Mr. Byatt has carried out these duties successfully and effectively.

  Unitary Development Plans
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) to what extent draft unitary development plans should be taken account of in determining planning decisions and appeals; [18341]

  (2) what guidance he gives to (a) local authorities and (b) inspectors with delegated powers, where planning applications or appeals run counter to draft unitary development plans but are to be determined before the development plan process is finalised; [18342]
  1287
  (3) what action is open to local authorities where it appears that planning applications contrary to a draft unitary development plan are being submitted in an attempt to determine issues in advance of the UMP inquiry where this would have the effect of prejudging the inquiry. [18343]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department's policy is set out in paragraphs 32–34 of PPG1.

  As far as possible, decisions should be taken in the light of current policies. However, it may be justifiable for a local planning authority to refuse planning permission when a development proposal raises matters that should be settled in the development plan context. The weight to be attached to a draft plan will increase as successive stages in the development plan process are reached, having regard to any conflicts with existing plans, and whether there are objections.

  Prematurity cases call for careful judgment about the scale of the impact of the proposed development, and its significance in relation to the emerging development plan. The objective of our policy is to safeguard the development plan processes, while at the same time ensuring that development is not delayed without good cause.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what criteria he uses for deciding which planning appeals to delegate to inspectors; [18340]

  (2) for what reasons he delegated to an inspector responsibility for the recent planning appeal at Oxclose farm, Sheffield. [18344]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 transfers responsibility for determining appeals to planning inspectors unless the Secretary of State

  Title

  Objectives

  Fieldwork start date

  Researchers

  Evaluation of 'Right to Buy' Publicity Campaign

  To evaluate publicity campaign

  April 1993

  MORI

  'Right to Buy' Campaign Evaluation—follow-up stage

  Follow-up to above survey

  May 1993

  MORI

  Helping the Earth Campaign Evaluation Research 1993–94—Waves 4 and 5

  To evaluate the 'Helping the Earth' campaign

  July 1993

  BMRB

  Landlords Research

  To inform policy making

  July 1993

  SCPR

  Public Attitudes to the Environment

  To inform policy

  July 1993

  NOP

  Customer Survey: Study of Appellants' and Local Authorities' Experience of the Hearings System

  To assess customer satisfaction with the hearings of appeals procedures

  September 1993

  W. S. Atkins Planning Consultants

  Helping the Earth—Literature Evaluation

  To evaluate literature campaign

  September 1993

  MAI

  Ventilation in Homes

  To evaluate the effectiveness of Building Regulations

  October 1993

  PAS

  Helping the Earth Radio Campaign

  To assess the effectiveness of campaign

  October 1993

  RSGB

  Rent Policies of LAs in England

  To monitor and inform policy

  November 1993

  Inlogov

  The Nature of Demand for Housing in Rural Areas

  To investigate people's housing experiences in rural areas

  December 1993

  Birmingham University

  Flat Service Charges and Right to Buy

  To monitor and inform policy

  December 1993

  MORI

  Monitoring the Actions of Failed Grant Applicants

  To monitor and inform policy

  January 1994

  PAS

  Rent to Mortgage Leaflet follow-up

  To establish tenants opinion and action taken towards buying their home

  February 1994

  NOP

  Public Attitudes to Planning (and Development)

  To inform policy and promote the planning system

  February 1994

  Prism Research

  Helping the Earth Campaign, Pre and Post Monitor

  To assess campaign effectiveness

  February 1994

  COI

  Study of Lodgers Scheme

  To inform policy making on Lodgers scheme

  March 1994

  The London Research Centre

  Recreational Cycling Market Research

  To assess customer satisfaction

  April 1994

  COI

  1288
  decides to intervene and recover jurisdiction. The criteria for recovering jurisdiction are set out in the Government's response to the fifth report from the Environment Committee, Session 1985–86, "Planning: Appeals, Call-In and Major Public Inquiries", Command 43. The proposal at Oxclose farm did not meet any of these recovery criteria. The appeal therefore remained to be determined by an inspector.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what assessment he has made of whether the inspector's decision on the planning appeal at Oxclose farm, Sheffield, conforms to guidance notes PPG6 and PPG13; [18338]

  (2) what assessment he has made of whether the introduction of guidance notes PPG6 and PPG13 in their current form made a difference to the outcome of the recent planning appeal at Oxclose farm, Sheffield.
  [18339]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  All inspectors are expected to take account of guidance notes PPG6 and PPG13 where they are relevant. It is established practice that I do not comment on individual cases.

  Polling Organisations
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 24 March,Official Report, column 365, if he will list those polling organisations which have been employed by his Department and give in detail the research undertaken by those organisations. [18259]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information available is provided in the table below. The table lists all surveys of the public which were conducted in the two financial years 1993–94 and 1994–95 by external organisations employed by the Department of the Environment, and which included questions seeking public opinion.
  1289

  Title

  Objectives

  Fieldwork start date

  Researchers

  Ventilation in Homes

  To evaluate the effectiveness of Building Regulations

  April 1994

  Public Attitudes Surveys Ltd.

  The Environmental Effects of Dust from Surface Mineral Workings—pilot survey

  To define reasonable dust levels

  May 1994

  Over Arup and Partners

  Vacant Dwellings in the Private Sector

  To determine the scope for bringing vacant dwellings back into use

  May 1994

  University of Wales and MORI

  Home Improvement Agency Client Survey

  To review the work of Home Improvement Agencies

  June 1994

  SCPR

  Research into the Role and Operation of Homes

  To evaluate policy

  August 1994

  MORI

  'Wasting Energy Costs the Earth' Campaign Evaluation

  To establish attitudes to and action on energy use in the home

  September 1994

  NOP

  The Environmental Effects of Production Blasting from Surface Mineral Workings (Pilot Survey)

  To define reasonable working levels for production blasting

  September 1994

  Vibrock Ltd.

  Customer Survey: Study of Customer's experience of the inquiry procedure

  To assess customer satisfaction

  October 1994

  W.S.Atkins Planning Consultants

  Review of Council's Tenants Charter

  To assess customer awareness, views on contents and usefulness of the Councils Tenant's Charter

  October 1994

  MORI

  Houses in Multiple Occupation: Establishing Effective Local Authority Strategies

  To asses customer satisfaction

  November 1994

  Public Attitudes Surveys Ltd.

  Testing the Planetary Caretaker Pack

  To explore children's reactions to Environmental Information Packs

  March 1995

  NOP

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline the measures taken, facilities offered and adjustments made in his Department and agencies for which he is responsible to facilitate access for disabled people; what plans he has to improve access; and if he will make a statement. [18588]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department is committed to providing and improving access into and around its buildings for staff and visitors with disabilities. Where the physical characteristics of existing buildings allow, accommodation officers make arrangements to meet the specific needs of people with disabilities on advice from the departmental disabled persons officer.

  Facilities already provided include wheelchair ramps, lifts with tactile buttons, car parking facilities and assistance where necessary. Induction loops are available for people with hearing difficulties and arrangements can also be made for sign language interpretation at meetings or interviews.

  Green Policy
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which Minister attended when the green Ministers last met; which items were discussed; when they will next meet; and what items are on the agenda for that meeting. [18657]

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and I attended the last meeting in December 1994.

  The items discussed were:
  the UK annual report 1995: "This Common Inheritance" (now published, Cm 2822), the town and country quality initiative, the Royal Commission on environmental pollution report on transport and the environment and the proposed rural White Paper. The UK round table on sustainable development and departmental green housekeeping strategies were also discussed.

  A further meeting will be held shortly and the agenda is presently being considered.
  1290
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will name the green Minister for his Department and list(a) the green initiatives taken by that Minister in respect of the Department's functions, (b) the representations made by the Minister in respect of functions carried out by other Departments and (c) the input made by the Minister into consultations on the Environment Bill. [18639]

  Mr. Gummer
  I am the principal green Minister for the Department of the Environment, but all my ministerial colleagues share our common objective of promoting sustainable development in all areas of national life.

  "Sustainable Development: the UK Strategy", Cm 2426, presented to Parliament by the Prime Minister in January 1994, set out our overall approach to these issues, and lists large numbers of individual initiatives, objectives and targets. Progress on these has been reported more recently in "This Common Inheritance 1995", Cm 2822, published last month. Paragraphs 1.9 to 1.12 of that report list the following nine areas to which we are giving high priority this year together with the following priority aims for each one:
  Climate Change: to review the objectives and measures in the UK's climate change programme, and to consider how it should be extended beyond 2000 so as to make an appropriate UK contribution to the global effort.
  Air Quality: to implement an effective strategy for improving general levels of local air quality and for managing episodes of poor air quality on the basis of the strategic policies set out in "Air Quality: Meeting the Challenge".
  Freshwater and the Sea: to maintain and where appropriate improve the quality of UK drinking water, rivers and bathing and coastal waters; and to participate constructively in European negotiations on the further improvement of drinking water (including on the issue of lead) and surface waters, and the protection of groundwater; while taking carefully into account what water consumers and others can reasonably afford.
  Biodiversity: to develop the UK's biodiversity action plan into an effective programme for the protection of habitats and species, with specific costed targets for key habitats and species.

  1291
  Fish stocks: to examine options for improving the EC common fisheries policy taking account of the advice of the Government's panel on sustainable development, and to reflect on its recommendation for the establishment of an intergovernmental panel on the oceans;
  Waste: to carry forward public consultations on a new waste management strategy which would encourage everyone firstly to reduce waste and then to reuse or recycle, or recover energy in preference to disposing of waste, and to seek Parliament's approval for statute-based producer responsibility schemes for the reuse, recovery or recycling of products and materials.
  Rural Development: in preparing rural White Papers for England and Scotland to take a fresh look at economic, social and environmental policies which impact on rural areas.
  The Built Environment: to improve the quality of the built environment, to raise awareness that good design matters and is affordable and to help ease development pressure in particular by taking forward ideas prompted by the quality in town and country initiative.
  Transport: recognising that unconstrained traffic growth would have unacceptable consequences in terms of pollution, carbon dioxide production, noise and disturbance, to develop appropriate national and local strategies and measures for reducing the need to travel and to encourage more sustainable and environmentally acceptable patterns of transport—focusing particularly on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution.

  The whole Government are committed to the objective of sustainable development and I am in regular contact with all my colleagues on the implications of this, including in particular the Chancellor of the Exchequer; the Foreign Secretary; the Home Secretary; the Secretary of State for Transport; the President of the Board of Trade; the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and the Secretaries of State for Wales and Scotland.

  I have taken the lead inside and outside Government in the preparations for the Environment Bill, and look forward to introducing it to the House of Commons shortly after Easter.

  Social Index
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the net gain or loss in Liverpool arising from its position on the social index; and what were the corresponding figures for Westminster and Wandsworth. [18943]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The contributions of the combined economic and social indices to the 1995–96 standard spending assessments are:

  Liverpool: £12.411 million;

  Westminster: £20.290 million;

  Wandsworth: £10.305 million;

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment where Liverpool ranks on the social index; and what rankings are given to(a) Westminster, (b) Wandsworth, (c) Bath, (d) Brighton and (e) Norwich. [18942]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The ranking for the combined economic an social indices in 1995–96 are:Liverpool 17

  a) Westminster 12

  b) Wandsworth 16

  c) Bath 86

  d) Brighton 29

  e) Norwich 47

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how economic disadvantage is taken into account in the economic and social services standard spending assessment; what ranking Liverpool receives on 1292
  the social index; what ranking it receives on the index of local conditions; which of these is used to determine standard spending assessments; and what consideration he is giving to referring to both indexes in making the calculation. [18936]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The SSAs for personal social services includes an other social services index; the all other services district level SSA includes an economic index and social index. These two indices should be considered together. The constituents of these indexes are set out in the Local Government Finance Report, England, 1995–96.

  In the social index alone, Liverpool has a ranking of 81. Liverpool has a ranking of 17th for the combined economic and social indices, and second for the authorities outside London. Liverpool ranks sixth in the index of local conditions. The economic and social indices are not comparable with the index of local conditions which is designed for a different purpose.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to remove the capping criteria on local government spending. [18237]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  None. Capping ensures that all authorities play their part in the restraint of public expenditure, and protects taxpayers from high council taxes. We have taken powers to reduce excessive budgets and excessive increases in budget and have made it clear that we will not hesitate to use them should it prove necessary to do so.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the average standard spending assessment in England over the last two years; what is the figure in Liverpool; what is the Liverpool standard spending assessment as an average per head of population; what is the corresponding figure for inner London boroughs; and what is the average standard spending assessment per head of population in Tower Hamlets and Hackney. [18941]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The figures requested are shown below:

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Standard spending assessment for England (£ per head)

  £782

  £798

  Standard spending assessment for Liverpool

  £419m

  £423m

  Standard spending assessment for Liverpool (£ per head)

  £875

  £887

  Average standard spending assessment for inner London boroughs (£ per head)

  £1,090

  £1,141

  Standard spending assessment for Tower Hamlets (£ per head)

  £1,481

  £1,535

  Standard spending assessment for Hackney (£ per head)

  £1,305

  £1,295

  Notes

  The figures have not been adjusted for changes in function. The £ per head figures for England are not comparable with those for Liverpool or London authorities primarily because of the inclusion in the former of SSA elements for police and fire.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what consultation takes place with local government before the annual standard spending assessment formula is determined; and if he will make it his policy to publish information requested by local
  1293
  government about next year's standard spending assessment before the consultation period has been completed; [18937]

  (2) how many local authorities came to see Ministers this year about the standard spending assessment; and what changes to the standard spending assessment methodology have been proposed as a result of the meeting with those authorities. [18938]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  There are annual discussions with the local authority associations in the local government finance settlement working group. In particular, a technical sub-group of officials from the associations and relevant Government Departments meets approximately 10 to 12 times between March and September each year to consider possible changes in methodology. An annual report of this sub-group's work is published and discussed at the consultative council on local government finance, which is chaired by my right hon. Friend. In December, provisional standard spending assessments are published and sent to all local authorities together with an explanation of any proposed changes in methodology and the underlying data which has been used. There is a formal period of consultation during which local authorities may make representations. In the light of this consultation, final standard spending assessments are calculated and sent to local authorities.

  The information which is provided to local government at all the key stages in the annual cycle is discussed with the local authority associations. Wherever practicable, we seek to meet local authority requests for information.

  Department of the Environment Ministers met 90 delegations from local authorities during consultation on the provisional local government finance settlement. In addition, nine police authorities had meetings with Home Office Ministers. As a result of representations made during consultation, there was only one methodology change, concerning the application of the area cost

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Craven

  19,071

  20,643

  20,938

  25,222

  32,583

  45,488

  41,135

  39,633

  39,775

  Hambleton

  19,151

  21,794

  23,624

  29,956

  39,790

  46,972

  45,747

  45,474

  n/a

  Harrogate

  17,709

  20,420

  20,830

  24,659

  34,086

  42,210

  43,361

  41,910

  41,715

  Richmondshire

  19,245

  20,593

  21,957

  26,104

  30,503

  37,288

  41,856

  40,079

  38,204

  Ryedale

  19,810

  21,878

  22,658

  27,928

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Scarborough

  19,557

  19,877

  20,137

  24,173

  32,310

  38,028

  39,939

  43,448

  41,042

  Selby

  19,600

  20,600

  21,800

  23,997

  31,212

  31,940

  38,625

  41,165

  41,075

  York

  19,418

  20,802

  22,537

  27,161

  39,035

  43,627

  43,809

  42,522

  40,938

  Average right-to-buy prices represent the values of dwellings that have been sold and may not be representative of the stock still in council ownership. They represent a measure of vacant possession value rather than tenanted market value. Some values in the table are not available because data is no longer collected following the authority's transfer of dwellings to a housing association.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further consideration he is giving to the appointment of a trouble shooter to spearhead the objective 1 programmes on Merseyside. [18935]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many cities in Great Britain are in 1294
  adjustment within the police formula, but a number of the issues raised will be examined in the next settlement and have been included in the programme of the technical sub-group mentioned above.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the ratio between the change in the level of resources provided through the area cost adjustment over the last year and(a) the level of inflation and (b) overall changes in the standard spending. [18947]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The total contribution of the area cost adjustment to standard spending assessments rose by 7.9 per cent. between 1994–95 and 1995–96. In 1994–95, however, the SSA for the receiver for the Metropolitan police was based on his budget. This included those extra costs which, from 1995–96, are reflected in the area cost adjustment. Excluding these, the increase in the total area cost adjustment contribution was 1.3 per cent. This compares with an overall increase in SSAs between 1994–95 and 1995–96 of 2.4 per cent. The projected increase in the GDP deflator for 1995–96 is 3.25 per cent.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reserves were held by each county council at 31 March 1994 under the headings(a) the reserves for local management of schools, (b) earmarked reserves, (c) free balances and (d) total reserves.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ludlow (Mr. Gill) on Monday 13 March,Official Report, column 421. No further breakdown into earmarked reserves and free balances is available.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the values at the end of each financial year since 1985 for each of the North Yorkshire district councils. [18814]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  For districts in North Yorkshire, average right-to-buy values are given below, in £s for each financial year, before any discount:

  receipt of objective 1 funding; and what account is taken of this designation in determining standard spending assessments. [18940]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Within Great Britain the only city eligible for funding from the European Commission under objective 1 is Liverpool.

  The receipt of EC assistance is not taken into account in assessing the standard spending assessments of local authorities.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he is giving to the effect of the standard spending assessment on Liverpool's ability to identify funds to match against proposed objective 1 scheme; and what impact this is having on the city's ability to gain access to the objective 1 grants available. [18934]
  1295
  Sir Paul Beresford
  Standard spending assessments are the Government's assessment of what revenue local authorities need to spend in order to provide a common level of service. There is no direct relationship between SSAs and the ability of an area to match EC grants which are predominantly grants towards capital expenditure.

  Matching funding for such grants is available from a variety of sources including domestic public expenditure programmes, UDCs, TECs, and the private and voluntary sectors as well as from local authorities' own resources.

  Wildlife Controls
  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he is taking to increase the use of DNA testing in the enforcement of wildlife controls. [18835]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In my announcement of 20 December,Official Report, columns 1115–16 I promised to keep the House advised of the developments in the use of DNA tests.

  The results of research commissioned by the Department and recent successful prosecutions based on DNA evidence have demonstrated the effectiveness of DNA testing as an aid to the enforcement of wildlife controls. We are therefore taking a number of steps to promote and extend its use as part of our commitment to improving the protection of threatened species.

  We have today written to all police chief constables in Great Britain giving information about DNA testing, outlining the ways in which it can assist in the investigation of possible offences, and providing advice on its practical application. A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library of the House. My Department is commissioning a study to establish what further guidance and other practical assistance we should provide on testing standards and procedures in this field.

  We have allocated £40,000 to finance selective DNA tests to be commissioned by the Department's wildlife inspectorate. The results will provide a means of verifying the information held on the existing bird registration database.

  On 20 July, I announced in my reply to the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Gamier), Official Report, column 319, that my Department had funded research on the use of DNA testing to identify the parentage of birds. The results of this research are set out in Nottingham university's report "Genetic Variation in Birds of Prey—Phase IV", copies of which were placed in the Library of the House in December last year. As part of this project, the university has developed a number of genetic probes—"single locus probes"—which can be used to analyse blood samples, and greatly simplify the process of DNA fingerprinting. I hope that other laboratories will soon be in a position to use these probes to undertake DNA tests on wildlife to assist in the investigation of possible offences.

  The Department also proposes to commission research into the scope for simplifying tests, and using genetic material such as feathers rather than blood.

  The Department's working group to review the enforcement of wildlife controls—which I announced on 20 December in my reply to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson), Official Report, column 1115–16—is examining the use of DNA tests and the application of
  1296
  other forensic methods. The group will submit its recommendations to me by the end of July.

  Substandard Properties, Liverpool
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many properties in(a) the council sector and (b) the private sector in Liverpool are classified as substandard dwellings. [18946]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Local authorities are requested to provide information on dwellings in their area which are unfit—that is, fail to meet all the fitness criteria in section 83 of schedule 9 of the 1989 Local Government and Housing Act—in their annual housing investment programme returns.

  The latest available data relate to 1 April 1994, at which time Liverpool reported 3,393 unfit local authority dwellings in its area—8 per cent. of total stock—and 18,000 unfit private sector dwellings—excluding housing association dwellings; 15 per cent. of total stock. The private sector figure is based on a sample survey carried out in 1992.

  Housing Co-operatives
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what plans he has to meet the representative bodies for the housing co-operative movement to discuss funding and strategy for the housing co-operative sector; [18839]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the views of tenants in housing co-operatives are adequately represented to Government. [18840]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  While there are no current plans to meet the representative bodies for the housing co-operative movement, I will be accepting the invitation from the all-party group on housing co-operatives, on behalf of the Minister for Housing, for a meeting to discuss funding and strategy. Tenants of housing co-operatives can of course feed their views into that group, as well as passing them on directly to the Housing Corporation or to Government.

  Council Housing
  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses were held by each of the district authorities in North Yorkshire at the end of each financial year since 1979. [18815]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Local authorities report the numbers of dwellings they own in their annual housing investment programme returns. The figures for 1979 to 1994 for each district in North Yorkshire can be found in the "HIP1 All Items Print" for those years, copies of which are in the Library.

  The references of the relevant columns in prints for 1979 to 1993 are as follows:

  1979: B11

  1980 to 1990: A11

  1991 to 1993: A11 and A16

  For 1994 the figures can be found in section A of the "1994 HIP1 All Items Print".
  1297
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the values of disposals of council-owned property by each of the North Yorkshire district authorities for each financial year since 1990. [18817]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The information requested, as reported by each of the district authorities in North Yorkshire, is as follows. The figures for council house purchase are based on the values of dwellings without subtracting the value of mortgage lending by local authorities.

  Capital receipts from the sale of council dwelling in North Yorkshire (execluding lending for council house purchase)

  £ thousand

  Local authority

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Craven

  517

  263

  379

  612

  Hambleton

  1,087

  1,288

  1,348

  31,422

  Harrogate

  1,367

  1,480

  888

  1,487

  Richmondshire

  812

  1,035

  833

  1,100

  Ryedale

  27,319

  0

  0

  0

  Scarborough

  2,228

  1,565

  1,306

  1,645

  Selby

  1,721

  1,281

  1,133

  1,575

  York

  1,973

  2,001

  2,183

  3,009

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to require Cherwell district council to consult further with its tenants before he considers any further proposals for the transfer of any of its housing to another landlord. [18777]

  Mr. Curry
  Whether the council should be required to carry out further consultation with its tenants is a matter which would need to be considered only when the council submitted an application for the Secretary of State's consent to transfer housing to a new landlord. No application from the council is before the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of all tenants of Cherwell district council voted(a) in favour and (b) against the proposed transfer of their homes to another landlord when they were consulted on this option. [18776]

  Mr. Curry
  In March 1994, separate ballots were held in the Banbury area and the rest of the district, and in each area the tenants were asked two questions. On the question whether they were in favour of the council transferring all its homes in their area to a new housing association, 31.4 per cent. of the tenants, taking the district as a whole, voted for transfer and 47.5 per cent. voted against. On the question whether they were in favour of their own homes transferring to a new housing association even if a majority of the tenants in their area decided to stay with the council, 27.6 per cent. of the tenants, taking the district as a whole, voted for transfer and 49.2 per cent. voted against.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has of the impact of the delay of the proposed transfer of housing from Cherwell district council to the Cherwell Valley housing association on the housing revenue account in Cherwell district in 1995–96. [18778]

  Mr. Curry
  I understand that Cherwell district council has decided to increase the rents of its remaining houses by an average of £1.62 a week in 1995–96, which is below 1298
  the Department's HRA subsidy rent guideline of £1.82 a week.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses have been sold in each financial year since 1982 by each of the district authorities in North Yorkshire. [18816]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Tables showing the available information on the volume of total council house sales for each English local authority for every financial year since 1980 and a cumulative total to March 1994 are in the Library.

  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the total allocation to housing co-operatives by the Housing Corporation in 1995–96 reflects the proportion of the total Housing Corporation allocation that housing co-operatives were targeted to achieve in the Housing Corporation's Co-operatives strategy published in 1993; what steps he is taking to increase the funding to housing co-operatives; and if he will make a statement. [18838]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The total allocation for development made by the Housing Corporation to housing co-operatives in 1995–96 will be some £9.5 million. The corporation's co-operatives strategy made it clear that target investment levels were subject to co-operatives gaining funding on the same criteria as other housing associations. All housing associations including co-operatives bid for allocations from the Housing Corporation's approved development programme on a competitive basis. The successful bids are those which meet the priority needs identified by local authorities in their housing strategies, on the most cost-effective basis.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action his Department has taken to(a) reduce the use of agriculture pesticides and (b) set national pesticide reduction standards. [18875]

  Mr. Atkins
  It is the Government's policy to minimise the use of pesticides through the rigorous approval and review of products, through guidance to users and through research and development. Targets for reducing emissions of certain pesticides to the marine environment have been agreed by the international conferences on the protection of the North sea.

  Anti-social Behaviour (Council Estates)
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to help local authorities to tackle anti-social behaviour on council estates; and whether he will make a statement. [18837]

  Mr. Curry
  My Department has issued today a consultation paper on proposals to introduce a system of probationary tenancies for new tenants on council estates. Copies have been placed in the Library and the Vote Office.

  Under these proposals, local authorities will be able, if they wish, to put new tenants on probation for a year. Authorities exercising this discretion will have to give probationary tenancies to all their new tenants. If tenants complete their probation satisfactorily, their tenancies will be converted into secure tenancies. If, however, tenants do not behave responsibly their authority will be able to

  1299
  terminate their tenancy at any time during the probationary period by serving a notice to quit.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is consulting separately on these proposals.

  Pollution Report
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to publish the findings of the advisory committee for Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. [18836]

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department is publishing the committee's interim report today. I am grateful to members of the committee for producing a useful and timely report. They have suggested a challenging set of recommendations for the inspectorate to improve further its capabilities as an efficient and effective organisation in the run-up to the creation of the Environment Agency. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has responded positively to the committee's views. I am today placing a copy of both the report and Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution substantive response to the recommendations in the Library of the House.

  Local Plan Process
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he intends to respond to the consultation paper entitled "Improving the Local Plan Process", published in March 1994. [18976]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The local plan process needs to operate more responsively and efficiently. There must be sound, up-to-date plans in place, capable of speedy review, if the plan-led system is to work well. The Government's aim is:

  (i) in the short term, to give more impetus to current plan preparation, in order to achieve the maximum practicable area wide local plan coverage by the end of 1996; and

  (ii) in the longer term, to speed up the entire process, so that local authorities are not discouraged from reviewing and updating existing plans because it is too time consuming and costly.

  The consultation paper prompted over 300 responses, which we have carefully considered.

  We are already implementing the straightforward proposals, such as those concerned with the better management of the process, in liaison with the local authorities associations and the Planning Inspectorate agency. The inspectorate is taking forward a number of initiatives, such as shorter inspectors' reports, the use of assistant inspectors and the development of advisory services.

  In addition, we propose to introduce shortly:

  (i) revised planning policy guidance, providing for local planning authorities to carry out more effective consultation on their plans at the pre-deposit stage: and

  (ii) substantial revision of the Department's published code of practice on local plan inquiries, with the aim of helping planning authorities to manage the entire plan-making process more effectively and economically.

  External Finance Limits
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes were made to the external financing limits for the urban development corporations, Urban Regeneration Agency, housing action trusts and docklands light railway in 1994–95. [19337]
  1300
  Mr. Curry
  External finance limits were increased by £1,250,000 from £90,715,000 to £91,965,000 for the housing action trusts, by £500,000 from £7,000,000 to £7,500,000 for Birmingham Heartlands development corporation and by £1,500,000 from £116,806,000 to £118,306,000 for the Urban Regeneration Agency. The external finance limit of the docklands light railway was reduced by £500,000 from £38,900,000 to £38,400,000. The remaining increases were met from identified savings on the urban programme.

  Agencies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the jobs that have been lost to agencies in his Department in the past two years that have(a) been taken over by contractors and (b) disappeared. [18324]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 4 April 1995]: The Department of the Environment contains five agencies—the Planning Inspectorate, the Building Research Establishment, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, the Buying Agency and the Securities Facilities Executive. The Planning Inspectorate's work is demand led and the agency has reduced its staffing level in line with falling appeals. No jobs have been contracted out or functions ceased. The Building Research Establishment has entered into a partnership agreement with a private firm to undertake its publications business. Four staff transferred to the new company and three others left the BRE. A number of staff transferred within BRE as part of a consequential reorganisation. The total number of staff employed by the BRE is dependant on the income it is able to generate. Staff numbers in the other three agencies have increased in the past two years to meet operational needs.

  The Secretary of State is also responsible for the Ordnance Survey, where staff numbers have been reduced by 278 in the past two years. Only two posts were taken over by contractors. The other lost posts are the net effect of changes in operational activities and efficiency gains.

  Local Inquiries
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the decision to hold the BNP bookshop inquiry at Crayford town hall; and if he will make a statement. [17796]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 3 April 1995]: The provision of information on public local inquiries is the responsibility of the planning inspectorate. I have asked the inspectorate's chief executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Shepley to Mr. David Evennett, dated 31 March 1995:

  PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION No. 117796/95/96
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the representations he has received about the decision to hold the BNP bookshop inquiry at the Crayford Town Hall.
  In all, six representations have been received. Three were addressed to the Secretary of State, and all were referred to the Planning Inspectorate for reply.

  Natural Resources Institute
  Natural Resources Institute
  Armenian People of Turkey: 1915 Genocide
  Armenian People of Turkey: 1915 Genocide
  Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands: Right of Individual Petition
  Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands: Right of Individual Petition
  UN Human Rights Committee: Report on Dependent Territories
  UN Human Rights Committee: Report on Dependent Territories
  Diego Garcia: US Equipment Afloat Ships
  Diego Garcia: US Equipment Afloat Ships
  Burundi
  Burundi
  Turkish Attacks on Kurds in Northern Iraq
  Turkish Attacks on Kurds in Northern Iraq
  Biological Warfare: Japanese Wartime Experiments
  Biological Warfare: Japanese Wartime Experiments
  Royal Naval College Greenwich
  Royal Naval College Greenwich
  Armed Forces Review: Bett Report
  Armed Forces Review: Bett Report
  Sub-strategic Nuclear Capability
  Sub-strategic Nuclear Capability
  Civil Service and Armed Forces: Relaxation of Entry Requirements
  Civil Service and Armed Forces: Relaxation of Entry Requirements
  Guernsey: Rejection of Proposed Law
  Guernsey: Rejection of Proposed Law
  Jersey: Deportation Power
  Jersey: Deportation Power
  Professional Footballers: Bribery Allegations
  Professional Footballers: Bribery Allegations
  Barristers: Legal Aid Fees
  Barristers: Legal Aid Fees
  The Local Plan Process
  The Local Plan Process
  Fire Safety Legislation: Evaluation of Proposed Changes
  Fire Safety Legislation: Evaluation of Proposed Changes
  Water Charges after 2000
  Water Charges after 2000
  Town Centres and Retailing: Revised Planning Guidance
  Town Centres and Retailing: Revised Planning Guidance
  Radioactive Waste Management
  Radioactive Waste Management
  Pepper v. Hart Judgment: Changes to Ministerial Practices
  Pepper v. Hart Judgment: Changes to Ministerial Practices
  OP Sheep Dips: Epidemiological Research
  OP Sheep Dips: Epidemiological Research
  Tokyo Nerve Gas Attack: Study of Health Implications
  Tokyo Nerve Gas Attack: Study of Health Implications
  Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
  Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
  Orimulsion: Application for Use at Pembroke Power Station
  Orimulsion: Application for Use at Pembroke Power Station
  EU/US Bilateral Air Service Agreements
  EU/US Bilateral Air Service Agreements
  Shipping: Proposed European Community Register
  Shipping: Proposed European Community Register
  Unleaded Super Premium Petrol
  Unleaded Super Premium Petrol
  Transport of Dangerous Substances: Proposed Directive
  Transport of Dangerous Substances: Proposed Directive
  RAF Northolt: Business Aviation
  RAF Northolt: Business Aviation
  Habitual Residence Test
  Habitual Residence Test