Written Answers of 21 April 1995

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Landlord and Tenant Rights
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the result of his period of consultation on the landlord and tenant rights and duties paper concerning reform of the law of privity of contract; if he is now in a position to support an amended Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Bill containing the agreement made between the British Retail Consortium and the British Property Federation; and if he will make a statement. [20212]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Following a substantial response to the consultation in favour of the package, the Government will support such a Bill, provided that the principal change concerning controls over assignment of leases will not apply to purely residential tenancies or to farm business tenancies.

EMPLOYMENT

  Youth Training
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were on(a) YT/youth credits and (b) modern apprenticeships (i) on average in 1994 and (ii) at the last date for which figures are available. [19938]

  Mr. Paice
  On average in 1994, there were 280,400 people on youth training, including youth credits, in Great Britain. In January 1995, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 287,100 people on YT, including youth credits, in Great Britain.

  As modern apprenticeship prototypes did not begin until September 1994, it is not possible to give an average figure for 1994. As at 7 April 1995, the latest date for which figures are available, according to training and enterprise council estimates 1,393 young people had started modern apprenticeships in the 17 prototype TECs in England.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number and percentage of YT trainees who currently have employed status. [19940]

  Mr. Paice
  In the period April to December 1994, 38 per cent. of those leaving youth training in England and Wales had employed status at the time they left. As this figure is estimated from incomplete information, it is possible to give only the percentage of employed status leavers, not the actual number.

  National Council of Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what the National Council for Vocational Qualifications has cost to run in each year of its existence. [19944]

  Mr. Paice
  The National Council of Vocational Qualifications is funded through its co-sponsoring Departments of Employment, Education, Wales and Northern Ireland and from other sources—primarily national vocational qualification fees payable by awarding bodies and subscriptions to the national database of vocational qualifications. Grant in aid funding, which has contributed towards NCVQ's operating costs has been provided since it was established in 1986 is shown in the following table:

  Year

  £

  1986–87

  520,000

  1987–88

  3,708,698

  1988–89

  3,750,000

  1989–90

  3,000,000

  1990–91

  2,621,000

  1991–92

  3,700,000

  1992–93

  3,900,000

  1993–94

  3,826,000

  1994–95

  1,928,000

  Other funding has been provided to NCVQ by the Employment Department and the Department for Education for specific activities to support Government activities. Details of NCVQ's other income are set out in the council's annual reports and accounts, copies of which are available in the Libraries.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what requirements there are for officials in his Department to introduce a compliance cost assessment for all rules and regulations coming before him and his Ministers; and how many compliance cost assessments have been issued in his Department in the first three months of this year. [19345]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 18 April 1995]: For a statement of Government policy on the preparation and publication of compliance cost assessments, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs on 19 April 1995, Official Report, columns 189–90.

  Proposals from the Health and Safety Executive are accompanied by cost-benefit analyses rather than CCAs. CBAs compare the costs of compliance, both to the employer and to the economy, with the expected benefits of the measures proposed and include all the information required in a CCA. All CCAs and CBAs accompanying draft legislation are published. In the first three months of 1995, the Department has contributed to a CCA published by the Department of Social Security and two CBAs have been released into the public domain.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many rules and regulations he repealed in the first three months of 1995; and how many new rules and regulations were introduced in that period by way of statutory instruments, motions or orders. [19359]
  285
  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 18 April 1995]: Only two of the statutory instruments made by the Employment Department in the first three months of 1995 introduced new regulations. These revoked seven previous sets of regulations as well as specified provisions contained in one statute and nine other sets of regulations.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Exhibitions
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to overseas trade services to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee,

  Registrations by rent officers 1988–1994 Percentage change on previous rent, unfurnished re-registrations

  Private

  Housing association

  London per cent.

  Rest of England per cent.

  Year

  London per cent.

  Rest of England per cent.

  18

  18

  1988

  18

  15

  18

  19

  1989

  19

  16

  20

  23

  1990

  21

  20

  22

  26

  1991

  23

  22

  23

  26

  1992

  23

  22

  23

  22

  1993

  21

  20

  22

  19

  11994

  19

  15

  Rents are registered for a period of two years. The percentage on previous rent refer to this period.

  1 1994 figures are based on data for January—September.

  United Kingdom retail prices index all items January 1987= 100

  United Kingdom mix-adjusted house price index 1990= 100

  Year

  Index

  Annual percentage change

  Index

  Annual percentage change

  1988

  106.9

  4.9

  83.8

  25.6

  1989

  115.2

  7.8

  101.3

  20.9

  1990

  126.1

  9.5

  100.0

  -1.3

  1991

  133.5

  5.9

  98.6

  -1.4

  1992

  138.5

  3.7

  94.9

  -3.8

  1993

  140.7

  1.6

  92.5

  -2.5

  1994

  144.1

  2.4

  93.9

  1.5

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many rent officer registrations have been referred(a) by the landlord and (b) by the tenant or another party to the rent assessment committee (i) in London and (ii) in the rest of England in each of the years from 1988 to 1994; and what proportion of these led to the fair rent being confirmed, increased or reduced by comparison with the rent officer's decision. [18715]

  Mr. Curry
  Information collected on referrals to rent assessment committees does not identify the applicant. Statistics on RAC decisions, including the proportion of cases where rents were reduced, confirmed or increased compared with the rent officer's determination, have been published quarterly in "Rent Officer Statistics" since 1990. Prior to this information was published half yearly 286
  arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 24 April to Friday 28 April 1995.

ENVIRONMENT

  Rents
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average percentage increase in rent levels registered by rent officers(a) in London and (b) in the rest of England together with the comparable increases and decreases in (i) the retail price index and (ii) average house prices in each of the years from 1988 to 1994. [18780]

  Mr. Curry
  The available information is given in the tables:

  in "Statistical Notes for Rent Officers". Both these series are available in the Library.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce his conclusions on the recommendations of the Latham report. [19316]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Gapes) on 5 April,Official Report, columns 1283–84. Further to that answer, a consultation document on proposals for legislation on liability and latent defects insurance was published on 12 April; we hope to publish a second consultation paper shortly on legislation to underpin Sir Michael's recommendations on fair construction contracts.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy on the Latham report's proposal of standard contract documents for the construction industry. [19310]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We shall be consulting shortly on proposals for legislation to underpin Sir Michael Latham's recommendations on fair construction contracts.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the interest receipts element in the all other services block of standard spending assessments
  287
  for each district, borough and metropolitan council, including London, for the years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96. [19829]

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 18 April 1995]: A table containing the information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what interest receipts were earned by each district, borough and metropolitan council, including London, for 1993–94, separating the capital financing element from other receipts; and what are the budgeted estimates for interest receipts of these councils for 1994–95 and for 1995–96 where available. [19830]

  Government office

  Successful bids

  Amount bid for (£)

  Total bids

  Total bid for (£)

  South East

  18

  3,213,000

  94

  19,886,503

  South West

  18

  2,079,000

  93

  11,796,000

  West Midlands

  21

  3,086,800

  56

  10,212,000

  Eastern

  19

  2,138,836

  64

  13,439,212

  East Midlands

  19

  1,926,000

  61

  6,560,693

  London

  45

  9,679,784

  158

  43,966,656

  Yorkshire and Humbershire

  21

  2,712,000

  37

  5,233,251

  Merseyside

  5

  762,000

  22

  3,396,461

  North East

  19

  1,601,575

  42

  6,693,029

  North West

  35

  2,801,000

  127

  14,954,000

  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications were received in total by his Department for the housing partnership fund for 1995–96 for(a) energy efficiency projects, (b) the re-use of empty property and (c) flats over shops schemes; and what was the total amount bid in each case. [19889]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  There were(a) 41 successful bids for energy efficiency schemes totalling £4,657,000, (b) 134 successful bids for re-use of empty property totalling £19,738,000 and (c) 39 successful bids for flats over shops schemes totalling £3,929,000. There is, of course, some overlap between these categories.

  Information on the numbers of applications for different types of schemes is not held centrally.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to raise at the forthcoming meeting of the Commission for Sustainable Development the rate of progress of Canada in meeting its target for carbon dioxide emissions in 2000. [19808]

  Mr. Atkins
  None. The question of carbon dioxide emissions and climate change is not on the agenda for discussion at the CSD meeting.

  Community Charge
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of uncollected community charge(a) nationally and (b) for each district council in Nottinghamshire. [19884]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The outstanding arrears of community charge in England as at 31 March 1994 were estimated to be £1,700 million, of which £217 million had been collected by December 1994. No data are yet available centrally on the amount of community charge written off between April and December 1994.
  288
  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 18 April 1995]: I have placed the available information in the Library of the House.

  Housing Partnership Fund
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications were received in total by his Department for the housing partnership fund for 1995–96 in each region of England; and what was the total amount bid for(a) by successful bids and (b) by all bidders in each region. [19888]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The information is provided in the table.

  Estimates of uncollected community charge for each local authority, including the district councils in Nottinghamshire, are published regularly by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy: figures for 31 March 1994 are available in its revenue collection statistics 1993–94 publication, a copy of which can be found in the Library of the House.

  Ordnance Survey
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what performance targets have been set for the Ordnance Survey executive agency in the year 1995–96. [20350]

  Mr. Atkins
  The following performance targets have been set for Ordnance Survey in 1995–96.

  1. To recover at least 80 per cent. of the total costs incurred by the agency.

  2. To offer customers national coverage of Superplan by 31 December 1995.

  3. To increase progressively the percentage of major detail which is surveyed and available to customers in the national topographic database so that, by the year 2000, 99 per cent. is available at any one time. The target for 1995–96 is 95 per cent.

  4. In order to provide a quality supply service to customers, to dispatch products in response to valid orders as follows:

  95 per cent. of Land-Line digital map units within six working days.

  90 per cent. of small-scale maps within five working days.

  5. To increase by 6 per cent. the annual revenue earned per member of staff employed.

  These targets require further improvements on good performance by Ordnance Survey in previous years and recognise the importance of customers to the success of the agency.

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to appoint the chief executive of the proposed Environment Agency. [20810]

  Mr. Atkins
  Now that the Environment Bill has received a Second Reading in the Commons, thereby indicating parliamentary support for the principle of the Bill, I have informed the environment agency advisory committee that it may start the recruitment of the chief executive of the proposed Environment Agency. The successful candidate will not be formally appointed chief executive until the Bill has received Royal Assent.

  Parliamentary approval to this expenditure will be sought in a summer supplementary estimate for the Department of the Environment's environmental protection and water vote—class VII, vote 3. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £55,000 will be met by repayable advances for the Contingencies Fund.

  This expenditure is required to meet the cost of recruiting the chief executive. Its urgency arises from the need to have the chief executive in place as soon as possible after Royal Assent to ensure that public funds are properly protected and to enable rapid progress with the establishment of the agency.

  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to issue a draft of the guidance to be provided to the Environment Agency on its objectives, including the contribution it is to make towards the achievement of sustainable development. [21032]

  Mr. Gummer
  Together with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Wales, I am today issuing this draft guidance to inform debate on the Environment Bill. It expands on the draft outline scoping guidance issued by my right hon. Friend Lord Ullswater on 17 January 1995.

EDUCATION

  Special Needs
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations she has received on the new special educational needs code of practice; and if she intends to keep to the August 1995 deadline for the code of practice. [19883]

  Mr. Forth
  The code of practice came into effect in September 1994. It has been widely welcomed as reflecting existing best practice, although there are naturally concerns in some schools about the process of implementation. Schools are required to publish their special educational needs policy by 1 August 1995. There are no plans to extend this deadline.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to her answers of 30 March,Official Report, column 718, on public bodies, when she intends to write to the hon. Member for Bath with the information requested. [19976]

  Mr. Boswell
  A response to the question relating to the running costs of non-departmental public bodies sponsored by this Department was given to the hon.290
  Member on 18 April 1995, Official Report, columns 50–52. Additional information is being obtained. I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested very shortly.

PRIME MINISTER

  Dr. Martin Gilbert
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Prime Minister under whose auspices and at whose cost Dr. Martin Gilbert has been travelling on the Prime Minister's official visit to America. [18977]

  The Prime Minister
  The cost of Dr. Gilbert's journey was met by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Annual Reports
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much staff time, and at what estimated cost, was put into compiling the departmental annual report; and what were the figures for each year for which figures are available since 1990. [20181]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not held centrally and could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures the Department takes to assess the cost and staff implications of compiling material for the departmental annual report. [20182]

  Mr. Horam
  The compilation of material for the Cabinet Office departmental report involves, in many cases only briefly, a large number of staff throughout the Department, its agencies, HMSO and the Central Office of Information.

  No record is kept of the amount of time spent.

  Mahogany
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many metres of mahogany or products containing it his Department has bought in the last five years; and if he will list the purposes and the costs. [19848]

  Mr. David Hunt
  This information is not available.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many Government agencies there are at present. [20063]

  Mr. Horam
  There are currently 108 executive agencies established under the next steps programme.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library copies of each standard letter of guidance or set of instructions on issues of conflicts of interest arising from market-testing or contractorisation on the Government-owned, contractor-operated and Government-owned, Government-operated models. [20306]
  291
  Mr. Horam
  Guidance is set out in paragraphs 6.10 to 6.12 and paragraph 6.16 of the Government's "Guide to Market Testing", which is available in the Library.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  AEA Technology
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made to appoint advisers in connection with the privatisation of AEA Technology. [20813]

  Mr. Page
  I am currently considering bids from financial and legal advisers in connection with the privatisation of AEA Technology. Appointments will be made shortly.

  Parliamentary approval to this new service is being sought in the main supply estimates 1995–96 for the Department of Trade and Industry vote; programmes and administration—class IV, vote 1. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £750,000 will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

  Industry Council
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the meeting of the EC Industry Council held in Luxembourg on 7 April. [20973]

  Mr. Eggar
  I represented the United Kingdom at this meeting. The Council adopted three sets of conclusions: on industrial competitiveness, industrial co-operation with central and eastern Europe and high-technology industries. The meeting heard oral reports from the Commission on the implementation of competition policy in 1994 and on the monitoring of the six article 95 steel state aid decisions approved in December 1993. On the latter, I underline the importance of the conditions imposed by the Council being fulfilled and that we would want to look closely at the Commission's written report when it appears. The Commission gave a short oral report on the outcome of the G7 ministerial conference on the information society held in Brussels in February. Finally, there was a Commission presentation of its plans to establish common industry/research task forces within the Commission. No votes were taken on any of the issues on the agenda.

  Companies House
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance note dated 24 March 1995 from senior management to all staff at Companies House on conflicts of interest in the contractorisation process of Companies House. [20305]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of the guidance on conduct which has been drawn to the attention of Companies House staff.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Official Entertainment
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the amount spent on entertaining by each Minister in the Northern Ireland Office in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [18967]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is listed and includes costs for VIP visits, official dinners and lunches and tea and coffee for visitors:

  £

  Sir Patrick Mayhew

  24,217

  Mr. Michael Ancram

  10,561

  Sir J. Wheeler

  8,528

  Baroness Denton

  9,942

  Mr. M. Moss

  4,645

  Mr. T. Smith

  2,367

  United States Money
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy that any money given to Northern Ireland by the United States will count as extra resources and that the Government will not give less money to Northern Ireland as a result. [19874]

  Sir John Wheeler
  That is Government policy. Money from the United States does not affect public expenditure levels in Northern Ireland.

  Animal Diseases
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of swine vesicular disease were reported each year since 1985. [19726]

  Mr. Ancram
  None. There has never been a case of swine vesicular disease in Northern Ireland.

  Government Loans Fund
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the outstanding amounts from the Government Loans Fund for each of the Northern Ireland district councils; and what is the cost per head of population. [19733]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 18 April 1995]: The Government Loans Fund was abolished by articles 7 to 15 of the Financial Provisions (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and its functions were transferred to the Consolidated Fund for Northern Ireland. The amounts owed to the Consolidated Fund at the year ended 31 March 1994 in respect of Government loans by each of the district councils are set out in the table:

  £

  Antrim borough council

  4,408,035

  Ards borough council

  3,958,589

  Armagh district council

  4,853,541

  Ballymena borough council

  1,526,375

  Ballymoney borough council

  1,856,548

  Banbridge district council

  3,862,164

  Belfast city council

  15,449,088

  Carrickfergus borough council

  525,735

  Castlereagh borough council

  8,753,533

  293

  £

  Coleraine borough council

  3,369,164

  Cookstown district council

  293,187

  Craigavon borough council

  2,652,632

  Derry city council

  13,359,039

  Down district council

  5,452,358

  Dungannon district council

  1,348,878

  Fermanagh district council

  1,268,524

  Larne borough council

  3,403,134

  Limavady district council

  1,798,610

  Lisburn borough council

  3,086,063

  Magherafelt district council

  955,183

  Moyle district council

  2,039,776

  Newry and Mourne district council

  12,673,242

  Newtownabbey borough council

  10,110,947

  North Down borough council

  10,711,612

  Omagh district council

  4,862,266

  Strabane district council

  3,716.344

  This equates to approximately £79 per head of population of Northern Ireland.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many rules and regulations he repealed in the first three months of 1995; how many new rules and regulations were introduced in that period by way of statutory instruments, motions or orders. [19365]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 18 April 1995]: Forty-six rules and regulations were repealed by my right hon. and learned Friend in the first three months of 1995.

  One hundred and thirty-eight new rules and regulations were introduced during the same period including:

  14 which repealed earlier instruments or substituted a more favourable regime for business

  The Scottish Office

  Scottish Prison Service

  Scottish Record Office for Scotland

  General Register Office for Scotland

  £

  hrs

  £

  hrs

  £

  hrs

  £

  hrs

  1994–95

  3,227,331

  504,735

  288,728

  42,379

  36,480

  6,021

  32,736

  4,264

  1993–94

  3,172,452

  513,598

  295,683

  43,608

  25,459

  4,413

  34,877

  4,769

  1992–93

  3,296,869

  547,691

  272,469

  41,661

  67,896

  11,931

  43,951

  6.021

  The Scottish Office figures include all its agencies except the Scottish Prison Service. Individual information on these agencies cannot be provided without disproportionate costs in staff time.

  The total number of days lost through sickness in 1992 and 1993, figures for 1994 are not yet available, is as follows:

  The Scottish Office

  Scottish Prison Service

  Scottish Record Office for Scotland

  General Register Office for Scotland

  1993

  64,890

  68,850

  1,303

  2,976

  1992

  54,734

  55,446

  913

  3,544

  Again, the Scottish Office figures include all its agencies, except the Scottish Prison Service. Individual information on these agencies cannot be provided without disproportionate costs in staff time. Because of the variables involved in this calculation, it is not possible to give the monetary equivalent of days lost to sickness.
  294

  24 which implemented EU obligations

  Five which facilitated privatisations and competition

  40 which updated fees and charges or related to local legislation

  49 which, while not fitting any of the above categories, had no adverse impact on business.

  Mahogany
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meters of mahogany or products containing it his Department has bought in the last five years; and if he will list the purposes and the costs. [19847]

  Mr. Moss
  [holding answer 19 April 1995]: The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has bought 43.98 cu m of mahogany in the last five years, at a cost of £11,500, for use in the manufacture and repair of furniture. In line with existing policy, the use of mahogany is being reduced and it is now primarily purchased for repairs.

SCOTLAND

  Overtime
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each agency and the central Department for which he is responsible(a) the total hours of overtime worked for which payment has been made, (b) the total amount paid in overtime and (c) the total time in days and its monetary equivalent lost through sickness in each of the last three years.

  Mr. Lang
  Information on the total number of hours overtime worked and the total amount paid in overtime is as follows:

  Allowances
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total amount paid by his central Department and each agency for which he is responsible in subsistence allowances for travel(a) within the United Kingdom and (b) outside the United Kingdom, in each of the last three years. [19652]

  Mr. Lang
  Information is not held separately for domestic and overseas travel or for individual agencies in the Scottish Office.

  The total subsistence allowance paid by the Scottish Office and its agencies in each of the last three years was as follows:

  Year

  £

  1992–93

  2,184,177

  1993–94

  3,675,067

  1994–95

  2,895,091

  295
  This information excludes the costs and expenses appropriate to the Scottish Office Prison Service, which is unable to provide the information in respect of prison officer grades without disproportionate costs in staff time.

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each agency and the central Department for which he is responsible(a) the total amount of removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials who were required to relocate as part of their employment, (b) the amount of each of the highest three claims that were concluded and settled and (c) the average amount of each claim in each of the last three years. [19562]

  Mr. Lang
  Information on individual agencies and(b) and (c) cannot be provided without disproportionate costs in staff time.

  The total amount of removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials in the Scottish Office and its agencies—excluding prison officer grades in the Scottish Prison Service, where it could not be provided without disproportionate costs in staff time—who were required to relocate as part of their employment in each of the last three years was as follows:

  1992–93: £627,124

  1993–94: £610,558

  1994–95: £473,047

  Glaucoma
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated number of people aged over 17 years with glaucoma in Scotland. [19730]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on the prevalence of glaucoma is not held centrally.

TREASURY

  Membership of the European Union
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what quantified evidence he has on whether the United Kingdom would prosper outside the European Union. [19542]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Membership of the EU involves a balance of benefits and obligations, which cannot be quantified precisely. The benefits to the UK include increased bargaining power in world trade negotiations and the benefits from influencing the outcome of decisions taken at a Community level on a wide range of matters affecting our prosperity, including the single market and state aids.

  Life Insurance
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the taxation of the life insurance business of friendly societies. [20814]

  Sir George Young
  Regulations will be laid before the House shortly which will, among other things, clarify the treatment of expenses in arriving at the taxable profits of a friendly society writing life insurance business.

  Tax is charged on the investment income and gains referrable to such business, less the management expenses incurred by the society in the course of that business; but friendly societies enjoy an exemption from tax on the investment return from smaller policies.
  296
  This distinction between taxable and tax-exempt business was introduced in 1966. Before then, societies had been able to offer only small-scale tax exempt policies. At that time, it seemed self-evident, both to the Inland Revenue and to the friendly society movement represented by the Friendly Societies Liaison Committee, that to calculate the profits of the taxable business one should take the investment return and expenses related specifically to that new category of business.

  This approach was incorporated into guidance issued to societies by the liaison committee and was universally followed in practice for more than 25 years, but recently it has been challenged. It is argued that there is no bar in law to a society setting against the income of its taxable life insurance business expenses incurred not only in that strand of its business but in the pursuit of all of its other activities.

  Such an interpretation is clearly contrary to the intention of the 1966 legislation. It would overturn a basis of taxation that has applied across the board for a quarter of a century with universal acceptance and would produce unfair results as between one society and another.

  Litigation on this point has recently been initiated and it may be some long time before we have a final judgment. It is not satisfactory to leave so fundamental a point uncertain and the regulations to be laid will put the long accepted basis of taxation beyond question. The regulations will also cover other deductions such as capital allowances on assets used only partly for the purposes of taxable life insurance business.

  Because expenses in excess of income and gains can be carried forward without limit of time, the regulations will have to have retrospective effect, but the retrospection will not in practice result in the recalculation of any figures which have already been agreed. Where a society has embarked on litigation, and a hearing by the tax commissioners has begun before today, the amount of the losses available to carry forward will be determined by the courts and not by the regulations.

  Mahogany
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many metres of mahogany or products containing it his Department has bought in the last five years; and if he will list the purposes and the costs. [19837]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 19 April 1995]: I regret that information prior to the financial year 1992–93 is not available.

  In the year 1992–93, the Treasury purchased some small tables with a mahogany veneer to a total value of less than £1,400. I am not aware of any such goods being purchased since. On 21 April 1993, the Treasury announced its environmental policy. This states that
  "wherever possible the department will avoid the purchase of goods which are manufactured or obtained in such a manner that the resource used to produce those goods is put under threat."

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Specialist Support Unit
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reductions are being made in the Home
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  Office specialist support unit for training police officers in race and community relations matters; and if he will make a statement. [19512]

  Mr. Maclean
  The specialist support unit is contracted out to an independent training consultancy, Equalities Associates. I understand that the company is considering a reduction of two training staff in the forthcoming contract year, commencing in July 1995.

  Prison Escapes
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the performance of the Prison Service on escapes in 1994–95, including privately managed court escort services and prisons. [20812]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  In 1994–95, the total number of escapes from prison and escorts outside prison, as a proportion of the average prison population, was 32 per cent. lower than 1993–94 and 49 per cent. lower than 1992–93, the last year before the Prison Service became an agency. The total of 202 escapes from prison and escorts in 1994–95 includes 15 from the privately managed court escort and custody service—compared with 26 in 1993–94 and one from the four contracted-out establishments.

  The rate of escapes continued to decline during 1994–95, and in the second half of the year—October 1994 to March 1995—the rate of escapes was 67 per cent. lower than the same period in 1992–93. In the period October 1994 to March 1995, there were only three escapes from the privately managed court escort and custody service—less than 10 per cent. of the number under the previous arrangements provided by the police and the Prison Service. In this period, there were no escapes from contracted-out prisons.

  Republican Prisoners
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the removal of basic privileges from 38 republican prisoners in prison in Britain; what representations he has received about such prisoners and visitors being stopped from talking in Irish; what instructions he or his officials have issued concerning these matters since 1 September 1994; and if he will make a statement. [17667]

  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 21 April 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what representations have been received about the removal of basic privileges from 38 republican prisoners; what representations have been received about such prisoners and visitors being stopped from talking in Irish; what instructions have been issued concerning these matters since September 1994.
  Representations have been received from a number of organisations and individuals about the treatment of some Irish republican prisoners. Some of these representations have been about enabling a particular prisoner in Full Sutton prison to speak Irish during visits by his family. This he is permitted to do.
  Governors of the prisons concerned are required to treat prisoners in accordance with Prison Rules, Standing Orders and any relevant instructions. No instructions have been issued to the Governors of the prisons concerned about the treatment of Irish republican prisoners. The regime under which the five Irish prisoners who
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  escaped from the Special Secure Unit at Whitemoor in September 1994 are held in Belmarsh was approved by Prison Service headquarters.

TRANSPORT

  Railways (Surplus Land)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Radyr bridge depot and yard was listed in the schedule of previously operational land transferred as surplus to railway requirements to Railtrack Property to be disposed of. [20307]

  Mr. Watts
  Radyr bridge depot and yard is owned by Railtrack PLC and is managed by Railtrack Property. The majority of the site is now surplus to operational requirements and Railtrack has recently decided to dispose of it, subject to access over the adjoining railway lines.

  Motorway Lane Discipline
  Mr. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to issue further guidance to motorists on motorway lane discipline; and if he will make a statement. [19943]

  Mr. Norris
  Advice on good lane discipline is already contained in the "Highway Code" and the Driving Standards Agency's "Driving" manual. We take every opportunity to emphasise the need for good lane discipline. A controlled motorway experiment will start on the M25 next month with the use of variable speed limits and camera enforcement. We believe that this will have beneficial effect on lane discipline as the traffic flow will be smoothed with well-disciplined speeds and a consequent reduction in the number of lane changes. We shall be monitoring the effectiveness of the new measures.

  Allowances
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the total amount paid by his central Department and each agency for which he is responsible in subsistence allowances for travel(a) within the United Kingdom and (b) outside the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [19565]

  Mr. Norris
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  M25
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he hopes to be able to hold local exhibitions and meetings to explain the details of his new proposals for the M25 between junctions 12 and 16. [19241]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Wilshire, dated 21 April 1995:
  The Minister of State for Railways and Roads has asked me to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Question about the M25 widening between Junctions 12 and 16.
  Following the Secretary of State's announcement on April 3, the Highways Agency have embarked on design work and an

  299
  environmental assessment of the widening proposals. We shall do this as quickly as possible, but it will necessarily take some time. We hope to publish details of the scheme between Junctions 12 and 15 early next year, and will hold a series of local public exhibitions to provide an opportunity for people to see the proposals and discuss them with Agency staff.
  A copy of the Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Statement will be sent to all those who objected to or commented on the original link road proposals, together with details of the exhibitions.
  Preparation of the scheme between Junctions 15 and 16 will take longer and the detailed proposals will follow at a later date.

  BR Civil Engineering Design Offices
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people are employed at each of the British Rail civil engineering design offices in(a) Birmingham, (b) Croydon, (c) Glasgow, (d) Swindon and (e) York; how many bids in respect of each of these offices have been received by the BR vendor unit from organisations which wish to purchase them; and when he expects a decision on the bids will be made. [19751]

  Mr. Watts
  The number of staff currently employed at each of the civil engineering design offices is as follows:

  Number

  a) Birmingham

  119

  b) Croydon

  180

  c) Glasgow

  63

  d) Swindon

  140

  e) York

  160

  The number of bids received for the design offices is commercially confidential.

  A decision on the bids will be made when negotiations are completed.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of for Transport how many rules and regulations he repealed in the first three months of 1995; and how many new rules and regulations were introduced in that period by way of statutory instruments, motions or orders. [19370]

  Mr. Watts
  Two rules and regulations were repealed in the first three months of 1995. In the same period, 17 rules and regulations were introduced—not including commencement orders, Orders in Council and instruments not subject to parliamentary procedure—of which:two revoked earlier instruments or substituted a more favourable regime for business;
  five implemented EU and other international obligations including measures to facilitate intermember state trade;
  none facilitated privatisation and competition;
  eight updated fees and charges or related to local legislation;
  the remaining two are minor miscellaneous provisions which amend existing legislation and have no adverse impact on business.

  Only two introduced new regulatory requirements which increased cost to business: the Merchant Shipping (Hours of Work) Regulations 1995 and the Road Vehicle (Construction & Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1995. Compliance cost assessments for both regulations have been placed in the House Library.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requirements there are for officials in his 300
  Department to introduce a compliance cost assessment for all rules and regulations coming before him and his Ministers; and how many compliance cost assessments have been issued in his Department in the first three months of this year. [19355]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 18 April 1995]: In accordance with the guidance provided in the DTI publication "Checking the Cost to Business", my Department has agreed to produce compliance cost assessments for all rules and regulations which may have an impact on business. We have issued five CCAs in the first three months of this year, copies of which are in the Library.

  The reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 19 April, Official Report, columns 189–90, sets out the circumstances in which CCAs are required.

WALES

  Local Authorities
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which local authorities in Wales have been identified by the Audit Commission as having a prima facie case against them of either corruption or maladministration; and if he will make a statement. [18877]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what powers he has for the overruling of a valuation tribunal in setting a council tax band for a domestic property. [18969]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those health authorities or family health services authority, or health commissions in Wales where the level of community dental provision is being reduced and the level of salaried dental provision is being increased in 1995–96. [20311]

  Mr. Redwood
  It is a matter for each health authority to determine, in the light of local circumstances, the appropriate level of community dental service provision for its area and information about this is not held centrally.
  Family health services authorities can apply for permission to employ salaried dentists where and when they deem it necessary in accordance with local needs and circumstances. There are presently three salaried dentists in post in Wales. In addition, Dyfed family health services authority has recently been given permission to employ a second salaried dentist; Gwent family health services authority has approval in principle to appoint one; Gwynedd family health services authority has three vacant posts, and an application from Clwyd family health services authority is currently under consideration.

  On 5 April, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health announced the Government's plans for the reform of NHS

  301
  dentistry following the consultation on the Green Paper "Improving NHS Dentistry". That announcement restated the Government's commitment to strengthen the safety net 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.

  I have made available an extra £2.5 million to improve dental services in the community. Proposals from health authorities are currently under consideration by the Welsh Office.

  Disabled Drivers Assessment Centre
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Wales disabled drivers assessment centre concerning the provision of a new integrated disabled drivers testing centre and test track; and if he will make a statement. [20310]

  Mr. Redwood
  Welsh Office officials have discussed with the Wales disabled drivers assessment centre—in connection with Welsh Office grant support—its wish to relocate. These discussions are continuing.

  Cancer Care Services
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to improve the provision of cancer care services. [20811]

  Mr. Redwood
  I have received the final report from the chief medical officers of England and Wales expert advisory groups on cancer "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services", which sets out a strategic framework for cancer services.

  I have accepted the recommendations in that report and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  It is essential that all patients with cancer have access to high-quality, safe and effective care, and that health authorities in Wales should work together, and across their boundaries, to provide such care and support to patients, their carers and professionals involved in delivering that care.

  I am delighted that Professor Ian Cameron, provost of the University of Wales, college of medicine has agreed to lead an expert group to co-ordinate and support local action to implement the expert advisory group on cancer recommendations in Wales. I expect them to consult those affected and take local opinion into account.

DEFENCE

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the burial sites on land for chemical weapon munitions recovered during the First World War which are known to his Department; and what remedial action is taking place as planned to decontaminate these sites. [19333]

  Mr. Soames
  Bramley training area—formerly Bramley central ammunition depot—is the only MOD site where first world war chemical warfare munitions are known to have been buried. Following the discovery in 1987 of CW munitions buried there, munition recovery and clearance work was carried out. Work on further 302
  searches is currently being undertaken at other locations within the site. Any CW munitions located will be removed, rendered safe and transported to the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down for destruction.

  Nuclear Warheads
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral answer of 28 March,Official Report, columns 817–18, whether the figures he cites on future deployment of United Kingdom nuclear warheads include all existing categories of British land, sea and air-launched nuclear weapons presently deployed by the Untied Kingdom or allocated to NATO. [19335]

  Mr. Soames
  The figures cited are for the total number of Untied Kingdom nuclear weapons, excluding only any awaiting final dismantlement.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to his oral answer of 28 March,Official Report, columns 817–18, if he will specify on which year in the 1970s his figures for nuclear warhead capacity are based. [19334]

  Mr. Soames
  The figures are based on the point in the mid-1970s when United Kingdom nuclear force plans authorised in the 1960s were fully implemented.

  Sub-strategic Nuclear Role
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Trident is expected to take up a sub-strategic nuclear role; and if he will make a statement. [19330]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for the City of Chester (Mr. Brandreth) on 4 April,Official Report, column 1097.

  Hunting Licences
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which hunts currently have a licence to hunt on Ministry of Defence land; and to which areas of land those licences apply. [18966]

  Mr. Soames
  The following hunts have been issued with licences by my Department for the 1994–95 hunting season in the areas shown:

  Hunt

  Area

  The North Shropshire Hunt

  Nesscliffe training area

  The West Shropshire Hunt

  Nesscliffe training area

  The Tanatside Hunt

  Nesscliffe training area

  The Border Hunt

  Otterburn training area

  The West Percy Hunt

  Otterburn training area

  The Newcastle and District Beagles

  Otterburn training area

  The Tynedale Hunt

  Albemarle barracks

  The Bedale Hunt

  Dry training area, Catterick

  The West of Yore Hunt

  Dry training area, Catterick

  The Wensleydale Hunt

  Bellerby, Catterick training area

  The Zetland Hunt

  Feldom training area

  The Catterick Beagles

  All parts of Catterick training area

  The Blankey Hunt

  Fulbeck and Beckingham training area

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  Hunt

  Area

  The Staff College and Royal Military Academy Drag Hunt

  North East Hampshire and North West Surrey training area

  The Windsor Forest Hunt

  Aldershot Military lands and Surrey Commons training area

  The Surrey Union Hunt

  Aldershot Military lands and Surrey Commons training area

  The Brecon Farmer's Hunt

  Sennybridge Army Field training area

  The Sennybridge Farmer's Hunt

  Sennybridge Army Field training area

  The Irfon and Towey Hunt

  Sennybridge Army Field training area

  The Glyn Celyn Beagles

  Sennybridge Army Field training area

  The Avon Vale Hunt

  Salisbury Plain training area (West)

  The Royal Artillery Hunt

  Salisbury Plain training area (West)

  The South and West Wiltshire Hunt

  Salisbury Plain training area (West)

  Job Losses
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many naval(a) engineers, (b) nursing officers, (c) aircraft controllers, (d) accountants, (e) metallurgists, (f) architects and (g) clerical staff have lost their jobs in the last five years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [19160]

  Mr. Soames
  Although information is not available in the precise form requested, the number of Royal Naval and Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service personnel who were made redundant between 1 April 1990 and 31 December 1994 is as follows:Engineer officers and ratings in the engineering branch of the Royal Navy (including metallurgists)—2,621
  Supply and secretariat officers and ratings in the writer branch (which will include accountants and clerical staff) in the Royal Navy—236
  Nursing officers and rating aircraft controllers in the QARNNS and Royal Navy—0

  Redundant Naval Personnel
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision is made for re-training those Navy personnel who have lost their jobs; and if he will make a statement. [19158]

  Mr. Soames
  Naval personnel who leave the service on redundancy are eligible for resettlement training and advice to help them prepare for, and find suitable employment in, civilian life. Typically, this includes: an interview to assess experience and qualifications, and consider future employment and training options; up to four week's pre-release training or individual resettlement preparation either at a tri-service resettlement centre or civilian college or university, or an attachment with a prospective employer; and a wide range of career and personal counselling. The individual may also register with the services' employment network which provides a computer-based job-matching service.

  We believe that resettlement services for members of the Royal Navy are comprehensive and effective and note that the independent review by Mr. Bett has made some
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  recommendations in this area which will be studied carefully.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of those naval personnel who have lost their jobs in the last five years have subsequently gained employment outside the service; what steps his Department takes to monitor the extent to which staff are re-employed elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [19161]

  Mr. Soames
  Although information is not held in the form requested, tri-service surveys show that 80 per cent. of ex-service personnel are either in employment or retraining within three months of discharge.

  Surveys are conducted to evaluate the success of tri-service resettlement provision. These surveys include questions about employment gained. In addition, the Royal Navy has conducted its own study into attitudes and experiences of those who have recently left the service. More detailed and longer-term monitoring of leavers in all three service is being introduced.

  Indonesian Students
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many students from Indonesia have visited the United Kingdom to receive training at United Kingdom military establishments in each year since 1990. [19745]

  Mr. Soames
  Although the UK has provided training for Indonesian students since 1990, details—including the numbers involved—are not normally disclosed as they are regarded as confidential between Governments.

  NATO Officers
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest assessment of the number of serving officers holding(a) five star, (b) four star, (c) three star, (d) two star and (e) one star rank for each of the NATO countries, together with his estimate of the total current serving personnel. [20273]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is not held in my Department.

  Mr. Jonathan Moyle
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons a thesis on Soviet conventional air attack on the United Kingdom, written by Jonathan Moyle while studying at the department of international politics, university of Aberystwyth, remains classified information; whether a shortened version of this thesis is declassified; if he will specify the past involvement between his Department and Mr. Moyle; what information his Department has received concerning the events surrounding Mr. Moyle's death in 1990; and if he will make a statement. [19980]

  Mr. Soames
  There is only one version of the thesis and it is not classified. While conducting research for this thesis, Mr. Moyle had access to largely historical MOD material appropriate to the subject of his research. Mr. Moyle served in the RAF as a commissioned officer from August 1980 to April 1988, after which his connection with this Department ceased. it is for the Chilean authorities to investigate the circumstances of Mr. Moyle's death. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has co-operated with them fully from the outset.

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussion his Department has had with its American counterparts concerning experiments conducted by the Pentagon and toxicology experts at the Duke university medical centre in America concerning the results of experiments carried out into alleged Gulf war syndrome. [19978]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department is aware of media reports of research undertaken by the Pentagon and Duke university, North Carolina, and has requested further information from the American authorities.

  HMS Vigilant
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors have led to the decision to delay the entry into service of HMS Vigilant until 1997. [19327]

  Mr. Freeman
  The planned in service date of Vigilant has for some years been 1998. She remains on course to achieve that date.

  AS90 Howitzers
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects AS90 howitzers to be refitted with a 52 calibre gun barrel; what difficulties have been encountered in trials with existing L17 practice rounds; what plans he has for procuring extended range ordnance for rebarrelled AS90 howitzers; and if he will make a statement. [18793]

  Mr. Freeman
  We expect to issue shortly an invitation to tender to Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd. for the development and production of a 52 calibre ordnance for AS90. On current plans, this will lead to the first howitzers being covered to extended range ordnance before the end of the decade. Trials with a prototype 52 calibre barrel firing inert L17 rounds have resulted in some cases of "engraving" of the projectile when it has been fired at the maximum range. This is being addressed as part of the risk reduction work already in hand by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and industry.

  Surplus Equipment
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 March,Official Report, column 504, if he will give (a) the original cost of items listed as held for two years, (b) the date when they were commissioned and (c) an estimate of their current value. [19283]

  Mr. Freeman
  Further to my answer to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central, of 27 March 1995,Official Report, column 504, HMS Kent, a County class destroyer, was commissioned on 15 August 1963 and was last refitted more than 10 years ago prior to the Dockyard privatisation. The original cost was £16 million.

  HMS Jupiter and HMS Hermione, Leander class frigates, were commissioned on 9 August and 11 July 1969 respectively and were last refitted during 1986–87. Their original cost was £7 million each.

  The 120 mm Wombat anti-tank guns came into service in 1962. The 105 mm pack howitzers entered service in 1961–62. Records of the original cost of these two weapons, which are no longer in service, are not available.
  306
  The Spey engine entered service with the RAF in June 1965 in the Phantom aircraft. The original cost of the engines were part of the all-up price for the aircraft and are not separately identifiable.

  Most, if not all, of the equipment listed, will shortly appear on the commercial market. It would not be appropriate to reveal likely expectations of sales prices.

  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 30 November 1994 to the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson),Official Report, columns 777–78, how many hours per week Mr. Charles Masefield is contracted to work for the Defence Export Services Organisation. [19434]

  Mr. Freeman
  Mr. Charles Masefield's conditioned hours of work are 41 hours per week, for a five-day week, in accordance with the general conditions laid down for non-industrial civil servants. However, in order for Mr. Masefield to fulfil his role as Head of Defence Export Services he has, in practice, to work far in excess of these hours.

  Land Mines
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ranger anti-personnel mines his Department possesses; when they were purchased; who they were purchased from; what was the total cost of the order; when they will need to be replaced; and if he will make a statement. [19983]

  Mr. Freeman
  The stocks my Department possesses were purchased from Thorn EMI Electronics Ltd., between 1970 and 1983, but we no longer retain a record of their cost. The quantity of Ranger anti-personnel mines, held by my Department is classified. No decisions have been taken on replacements.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will establish(a) an engineering study and (b) a cost analysis study of the feasibility of fitting self-destruct mechanisms to his Department's anti-personnel mines. [19984]

  Mr. Freeman
  An engineering and costs analysis study of fitting self-destruct mechanisms to existing mines will take place when my Department next considers its future requirements and the most cost-effective way of meeting those requirements.

  Departmental Travel
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the privatisation of his Department's travel business; and if he will make a statement. [20061]

  Mr. Freeman
  The majority of MOD travel business is currently booked through the joint service travel centre which arranges flight bookings for MOD service and civilian personnel, their dependants and MOD contractors. Additionally, it arranges travel bookings by rail, ferry and through the channel tunnel.

  The JSTC has been subject to review on a number of occasions by independent consultancies which have compared the service it provides with those available in the commercial market place. It is currently being examined as a part of the wider defence costs study. This

  307
  review is being undertaken by a firm of independent consultants and their remit, which is wide ranging, and encompasses not only air travel but the provision of support services such as car hire, hotel bookings and the procurement of visas and passports. Until the study has been completed, and its findings analysed it would be premature of me to speculate on the suitability of further privatisation measures in the future.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made to his Department's travel business in the last five years. [20062]

  Mr. Freeman
  The increased commitment by HMG to UN and out-of-area operations, such as the former republics of Yugoslavia and more recently Angola have placed heavy and persistent tasking levels on the RAF's fleet of transport aircraft. This pressure has resulted in my Department using commercial airlines for non operational airlift. This change of emphasis over recent years has resulted in the development of a sophisticated and cost-effective management approach in the commercial sector.

  The Ministry of Defence has sought to reduce the cost of travel by taking advantage of commercial services for routine trooping purposes and have recently concluded negotiations with commercial airlines on a variety of routes; including the far east, northern Europe and the north Atlantic. An example is the trooping requirement between the UK and Germany where because of the distances involved and the frequency of service small to medium-size civil airliners provide the most cost-effective solution, thereby releasing the larger ATF aircraft—Tristars and VC10s—to meet long-range or operational tasks.

  Use of commercial assets is also made for the movement of freight by road. This is achieved through the use of an enabling contract with a major freight carrier which also includes a requirement to support surges in movements arising from operational activity.

  A further change has arisen through the placing of contracts with self drive car hire companies, the use of which is funded by individual budget holders within the department. The use of this service continues to increase as budget holders seek the most cost-effective means of meeting their travel requirements.

  Arms Sales (Taiwan)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy concerning the export of arms to Taiwan; and what changes there have been in arms export policy to Taiwan in the last five years. [19981]

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad), on 4 April 1995,Official Report, column 981.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the implications for regional security tensions if Britain exported arms to Taiwan. [19982]

  Mr. Freeman
  Pursuant to the answer given on 4 April 1995 by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad),Official Report, column
  308
  981, the implications for regional security tensions of the supply of defence-related equipment and technology to Taiwan are considered case by case.

  Upholder Submarines
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Upholder submarines his Department has provided to Canada on extended loan; which submarines are on loan; what are the conditions of the loan; how much his Department is receiving from the Canadian Government; when the submarines first come into operational use with the Royal Navy; what was the total cost of each submarine; and for how long the submarines will be on loan. [19979]

  Mr. Freeman
  Since the MOD's decision in 1992–93, announced in Command 2270, to withdraw the four Upholder class submarines from RN service we have offered them for sale or lease to friendly or allied countries. We are in discussion with the Canadian Department of National Defence but no decisions have been taken.

  The submarines of the Upholder class entered operational RN service as follows:

  Submarine

  Commissioning date

  HMS Upholder

  December 1990

  HMS Unseen

  July 1991

  HMS Ursula

  June 1992

  HMS Unicorn

  July 1993

  The cost of the Upholder programme at 1993 prices is assessed at approximately £900 million.

  Royal Dockyards
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total amount spent to date for management consultants working on his Department's privatisation plans for the royal dockyards at(a) Rosyth and (b) Devonport; when he expects to make an announcement concerning the privatisation of the dockyards; what consideration he has given to the future pension provisions of the workers currently employed at the two sites; and if he will make a statement. [19977]

  Mr. Freeman
  During the period between 18 October 1993, when my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced our policy towards the future management of the royal dockyards,Official Report, 18 October 1993, columns 39–41, and 28 March 1995, payments made or outstanding specifically for management consultancy advice given in relation to the proposed privatisation of the dockyards totalled some £3.1 million. Costs attributable to one dockyard or the other cannot be separately identified. Further announcements on the future management of the royal dockyards will be made as and when appropriate, but it is likely to be some months before any final decisions are taken. Full account will be taken of all relevant personnel issues, including those relating to the management and operation of the established dockyard company pension schemes, and consultation will take place as appropriate.

  Phoenix Project
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is currently taking to test Israeli unmanned surveillance aircraft as an alternative to the Phoenix project. [20060]

  Mr. Freeman
  [Pursuant to his reply, 5 April 1995, Official Report, c. 1142]:, the Ministry of Defence has now agreed with GEC-Marconi Avionics an additional programme of work on Phoenix to resolve the remaining technical difficulties and to demonstrate satisfactory system performance. This work is expected to last about one year and, while it is in progress, we will examine potential alternative systems, in case it does not prove practicable to bring Phoenix up to an acceptable standard. Our examination of alternatives has already begun and will cover all systems, including Israeli ones, which are likely to provide a capability that comes reasonably close to the Army's requirement.

HEALTH

  Temazepam
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her latest estimate of the number of units of temazepam which are sold in the United Kingdom each year from known manufacturers and suppliers; what is her latest estimate of the number of units of temazepam required for prescription under the national health service during the same period; and if she will make a statement. [19006]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on the total quantity of temazepam manufactured, held in stock, imported and exported in the United Kingdom is shown in table A. Information on total quantities dispensed in family health services authorities in England is shown in table B.

  Table A: Summary of the 1993 annual returns for temazepam from Schedule 4 Authority holders under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985 in the UK (kilograms)

  Quantity manufactured

  Manufacturers' stocks at 31 December

  Imports total

  Exports total

  970.200

  923.039

  4,505.314

  1,815.770

  Table B: Temazepam dispensing in the family health services authorities in England 1993 (thousands).

  Prescription items

  Milligrams

  Tablets

  2,765.3

  1,307,399.5

  Capsules

  3,765.9

  2,066,427.8

  Oral preparations

  119.8

  60,665.5

  Total

  6,650.9

  3,434,493.7

  Total dispensing in the English FHSAs was therefore 3,434.5 Kilograms.

  Research and Treatment Ratings
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what rating London has for treatment and research in each of the last five years, relative to comparable centres in other countries. [19703]
  310
  Mr. Malone
  Ratings of treatment and research are not undertaken annually in London or in other towns and cities elsewhere in the country. The most recent research review in London, 1993, confined itself to the work of the former postgraduate special health authorities. No formal ratings were issued as a result of that exercise but the report referred to the international quality of much of the research undertaken by these SHAs. A copy of the report is in the Library.

  Cancer Services
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to improve the provision of cancer care services. [10671]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have received the final report from the chief medical officers' of England and Wales expert advisory group on cancer "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" which sets out a strategic framework for cancer services. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  I have accepted the recommendations in that report.

  They will provide the catalyst for change. They will, over time, build upon the excellent services already provided in many areas to ensure the delivery of a uniformly high level of cancer care based on a network of expertise covering primary care and secondary care, including the establishment of designated specialist cancer units and cancer centres.

  I look to the national health service to make determined progress in this direction, and welcome the fact that many health authorities are already beginning to plan their cancer services around these recommendations.

  Sir John Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for changes in the cancer treatment services in London; with whom she has consulted on this subject; what proposals exist(a) for alterations to the present functioning of the Royal Marsden hospital and (b) its closure; and which matters relating to cancer treatment in the London region are to be the subject of public consultation. [19942]

  Mr. Malone
  Proposals for any major changes in the pattern of cancer services in London and for the necessary public consultation are drawn up by local health authorities in discussion with provider units. There are no proposals for changes, or for closures, at the Royal Marsden hospital.

  Waiting Times
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 28 March,Official Report, column 569, how many patients were waiting for treatment under one year in 1987 and at December 1994. [19810]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is shown in the table.

  Patients waiting for inpatient or day case treatment

  Number waiting under a year

  Total number awaiting admission

  Proportion waiting under a year Per cent.

  At 31 December 1987

  662,469

  873,130

  75.9

  At 31 December 1994

  1,017,335

  1,071,638

  94.9

  311
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average waiting time for an ear, nose and throat appointment in each of the last five years. [19792]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Foetuses
  Mr. Patten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been commissioned into whether foetuses feel pain while being aborted. [19746]

  Mr. Sackville
  A report on the subject of sensory development in the human fetus was prepared for the Department in 1988 by Dr. Maria Fitzgerald. A copy was placed in the Library.

  NHS Number
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give the Data Protection Registrar an undertaking that the NHS number will not be used for purposes not associated with health care; and if she will make a statement. [20041]

  Mr. Sackville
  Such an undertaking has been given by the Department to the Office of the Data Protection Registrar.

  General and Acute Beds
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general and acute beds there were in each region in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95: [19811]

  Mr. Sackville
  Regional tables showing the average daily number of available beds in the general and acute sector for 1993–94 are published in "Bed availability for England, Financial Year 1993/94", copies of which are available in the Library. Comparative information for 1994–95 is not yet available.

  Hearing Aids
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the(a) in-ear and (b) other hearing aids available on the NHS. [19789]

  Mr. Bowis
  A list of hearing aids available from central contract on the national health service in England via NHS Supplies will be placed in the Library. Hearing aid centres are also free to purchase and supply any other type of hearing aid if considered clinically necessary. Details are not kept centrally.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average waiting time for a hearing aid clinic in each of the last five years. [19791]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not held centrally, but, from April 1995, one of the new standards introduced under the patient's charter is nine out of 10 people can be expected to be seen within 13 weeks when they are referred by their GP to a hospital consultant; everyone is expected to be seen by 26 weeks.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hearing aid clinics there were in the NHS in each of the last five years. [19790]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Infertility Treatment
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list the health authorities which are not 312
  purchasing IVF and GIFT infertility treatments plus the percentage of health authorities not purchasing this service; [19793]

  (2) what guidance she has issued on the maximum age a woman should receive infertility treatment on the NHS; and if she will make a statement on health authorities which will not purchase IVF/GIFT treatment for women over the age of 35 years; [19794]

  (3) if she will list the NHS centres providing IVF and GIFT in England; [19795]

  (4) how many IVF/GIFT process treatments were given on the NHS in each of the last five years. [19746]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on those health authorities providing IVF and GIFT treatments, the centres in which such treatment is provided, and the number of treatments provided on the national health service in each of the last five years, is not available centrally.

  Advice on sub-fertility treatment provision is available to health authorities and clinicians in:
  The Effective Health Care Bulletin on "The Management of Subfertility" (August 1992), published for the NHS management executive by a consortium of Leeds and York universities and the research unit of the Royal College of Physicians.

  The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has also published advice in:
  "Infertility—Guidelines for Practice" (RCOG Press 1992)

  Copies of both publications are available in the Library.

  Local health authorities are responsible for the provision of local health services, including the provision of infertility services. Decisions about the resources to be made available for these services must be left to individual health authorities as they are in the best position to determine priorities in the light of local needs and circumstances.

  Prescriptions
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she gives for NHS general practitioners treating NHS patients wanting to give a prescription on a private prescription basis because it will be cheaper for the patient. [19798]

  Mr. Malone
  Current guidance was issued on 4 May 1994 under FHSL (94) 26, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Primary Care Budgets
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the primary care budget for City and East London family health service authority for(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95, (c) 1995–96 and (d) 1997–98; and what is the general medical services budget for those years. [19799]

  Mr. Malone
  The level of primary care expenditure in any family health services authority is predominantly demand-led and will depend on the calls placed on services.

  Visits
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the dates of her visits to(a) St. Bartholomew's, (b) Queen Elizabeth Children's hospital, (c) Hackney, (d) the Royal London hospital and (e) the London Chest hospital in each year since 1989. [19880]
  313
  Mr. Sackville
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has visited numerous hospitals on various occasions both as Secretary of State and as Minister for Health.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all the private finance initiatives in the NHS in the last three years greater than £1 million and all those currently proposed for the next three years. [19802]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Dulwich (Ms Jowell) on 27 February, at column 420.

  One further project with a capital value greater than £1 million has been approved:
  South Thames Region
  St. Peter's Hospital NHS trust (Chertsey)—Staff housing redevelopment and management—£5.2 million

  The other information requested is not available centrally.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Discrimination Bill
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the outcome of ministerial discussions with the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux on the role of citizens advice

  Average earnings

  Supplementary Benefit/Income Support scale rates

  Couple

  Single parent

  Rate as a percentage of average earnings for:

  Rate as a percentage of average earnings for:

  Men £ per week

  Women £ per week

  Applicable amount £ per week

  Men percentage

  Women percentage

  Long term rate applicable Amount £ per week

  Men percentage

  Women percentage

  November 1970

  31.50

  17.40

  12.10

  38.4

  69.5

  7.50

  28.8

  43.1

  September 1971

  34.10

  19.00

  13.45

  39.4

  70.8

  8.30

  24.3

  43.7

  September 1972

  39.90

  22.10

  15.15

  38.0

  68.6

  9.30

  23.3

  42.1

  October 1973

  45.10

  25.20

  16.55

  36.7

  65.7

  10.60

  23.5

  42.1

  July 1974

  51.60

  30.00

  19.45

  37.7

  64.8

  13.30

  25.8

  44.3

  April 1975

  60.80

  37.40

  22.25

  36.6

  59.5

  15.30

  25.2

  40.9

  November 1975

  68.10

  43.20

  25.25

  37.1

  58.4

  17.45

  25.6

  40.4

  November 1976

  76.30

  49.30

  29.35

  38.5

  59.5

  20.05

  26.3

  40.7

  November 1977

  83.30

  53.40

  33.45

  40.2

  62.6

  22.85

  27.4

  42.8

  November 1978

  95.50

  59.80

  35.85

  37.5

  59.9

  25.20

  26.4

  42.1

  November 1979

  114.48

  71.90

  42.20

  36.9

  58.7

  29.95

  26.2

  41.7

  November 1980

  136.30

  88.10

  49.20

  36.1

  55.8

  34.45

  25.3

  39.1

  November 1981

  150.50

  96.80

  53.55

  35.6

  55.3

  37.50

  24.9

  38.7

  November 1982

  162.00

  104.60

  59.20

  36.5

  56.6

  41.45

  25.6

  39.6

  November 1983

  176.40

  115.40

  61.80

  35.0

  53.6

  43.25

  24.5

  37.5

  (4)

  175.80

  115.50

  35.2

  53.5

  24.6

  37.4

  November 1984

  187.70

  123.20

  64.75

  34.5

  52.6

  45.30

  24.1

  36.8

  November 1985

  200.90

  132.50

  68.05

  33.9

  51.4

  47.60

  23.7

  35.9

  July 1986

  212.60

  140.60

  68.80

  32.4

  48.9

  48.10

  22.6

  34.2

  April 1987

  224.00

  148.10

  70.15

  31.3

  47.4

  49.05

  21.9

  33.1

  April 1988

  245.80

  164.20

  79.10

  32.2

  48.2

  54.00

  22.0

  32.9

  (2)

  April 1989

  269.50

  182.30

  84.80

  31.5

  46.5

  57.05

  21.2

  31.3

  April 1990

  295.60

  201.50

  89.65

  30.3

  44.5

  60.50

  20.5

  30.0

  April 1991

  318.90

  222.40

  96.90

  30.4

  43.6

  65.40

  20.5

  29.4

  October 1991

  328.30

  230.70

  98.15

  29.9

  42.5

  66.40

  20.2

  28.8

  April 1992

  340.10

  241.10

  105.00

  30.9

  43.6

  71.05

  20.9

  29.5

  314
  bureaux in the enforcement of the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Bill. [19116]

  Mr. Hague
  NACAB is unable to provide the specialist advice service that we propose. However, citizens advice bureaux will still have a role to play as the likely first port of call for many disabled people seeking advice. The Government are considering how best to provide more specialised advice and support, over and above the provision of basic information, to help disabled people secure their right of access to goods and services.

  Income Support
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make it his policy to publish on a monthly basis the numbers of people refused income support because of the habitual residence requirement broken down into(a) Benefits Agency districts and (b) numbers of British nationals, EEA nationals and others affected. [17879]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information requested will be placed in the Library, on a monthly basis, for the year 1995–96, starting in May.

  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the supplementary benefit or income support for(a) a couple with two children aged six and eight years and (b) a lone parent with one child aged six years as a proportion of average earnings for men and women in each year since 1970. [19937]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information requested is in the table.
  315

  Average earnings

  Supplementary Benefit/Income Support scale rates

  Couple

  Single parent

  Rate as a percentage of average earnings for:

  Rate as a percentage of average earnings for:

  Men £ per week

  Women £ per week

  Applicable amount £ per week

  Men percentage

  Women percentage

  Long term rate applicable Amount £ per week

  Men percentage

  Women percentage

  April 1993

  353.50

  252.60

  108.75

  30.8

  43.1

  73.60

  20.8

  29.1

  April 1994

  362.10

  261.50

  113.05

  31.2

  43.2

  76.50

  21.1

  29.3

  April 1995

  115.15

  77.90

  Notes:

  1. For supplementary benefit it has been assumed for the couple that the ordinary scale rate for a married couple is in payment and for the lone parent that the long-term rate for a single householder is in payment. Appropriate child additions have been included for each family type but no additional requirements have been allowed for.

  2. Income support replaced supplementary benefit in 1988. Entitlement for each family type includes appropriate personal and child allowances plus premiums. However, income support personal allowances and supplementary benefit scale rates are not entirely comparable. For example, income support includes an element for water charges whereas under supplementary benefit these could be met in full via the rate rebate scheme. No account has been taken of this.

  3. Average earnings are for all occupations for full-time rates of pay and are taken from the new earnings survey.

  4. Up to 1983 the earnings data relate to full-time workers aged 21 and over whose earnings are unaffected by absence. From 1983 the data are in respect of all full time workers on adult rates whose earnings are unaffected by absence.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those authorities in which there have been inquiries into fraudulent claims for housing benefit in the last four years; and if he will make a statement. [19089]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This information is not available. However, since April 1993, 447–96 per cent.—of local authorities achieved benefit savings as a result of their anti-fraud activities. Information for earlier years is not available.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the number of tenants in(a) the private rented sector, (b) council housing and (c) housing association properties receiving housing benefit in Blackpool in the last four years; and what has been the total expenditure in each category for the last four years. [19090]

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

  Housing Benefit caseload in Blackpool

  Council tenants

  Private tenants

  Housing association tenants

  November 1991

  4,780

  5,7901

  —

  November 1992

  4,940

  6,850

  220

  November 1993

  4,870

  7,610

  360

  November 1994

  4,890

  8,330

  450

  Source:

  Housing benefit management information system.

  1 Includes housing association tenants—separate figures were not collected until 1992.

  Housing Benefit expenditure in Blackpool £ thousands

  Council Tenants

  Private Tenants

  1990–91

  5,549

  9,720

  1991–92

  6,106

  13,122

  316

  Housing Benefit expenditure in Blackpool £ thousands

  Council Tenants

  Private Tenants

  1992–93

  6,443

  17,891

  1993–94

  7,251

  23,604

  Sources:

  Final audited claims supplied to the Department of Social Security and the Department of the Environment.

  Note:

  Housing association tenant expenditure is not separately identified.

  Allowances
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the total amount paid by his central Department and each agency for which he is responsible in subsistence allowances for travel(a) within the United Kingdom and (b) outside the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [19563]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested regarding the subsistence for travel within the United Kingdom for the last three complete years—1991–92 to 1993–94–—is set out in table 1.

  The information available in respect of travel outside the United Kingdom does not separately identify subsistence allowances. The figures which are set out in table 2 combine both subsistence and travel expenditure.

  Table 1: Total amounts paid in subsistence allowances for travel within the United Kingdom 1991–92 to 1993–94

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  DSS Headquarters

  1,343,851

  1,280,262

  533,543

  Resettlement Agency

  45,389

  44,223

  36,733

  Information Technology Services Agency

  1,620,666

  1,916,164

  1,850,215

  Benefits Agency

  7,847,215

  8,293,722

  9,571,991

  Contributions Agency

  1,185,412

  1,195,050

  1,299,541

  Child Support Agency

  n/a

  986,291

  1,359,355

  War Pensions Agency

  n/a

  n/a

  174,935

  317

  Table 2: Total amounts paid in respect of travel and subsistence expenses for travel outside the United Kingdom 1991–92 to 1993–94

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  DSS Headquarters

  205,482

  202,253

  158,661

  Resettlement Agency

  —

  —

  —

  Information Technology

  Services Agency

  121,084

  174,274

  53,119

  Benefits Agency

  102,447

  62,517

  57,346

  Contributions Agency

  —

  12,960

  31,838

  Child Support Agency

  —

  8,988

  —

  War Pensions Agency

  —

  —

  47,198

  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each agency and the central Department for which he is responsible(a) the total hours of overtime worked for which payment has been made, (b) the total amount paid in overtime and (c) the total time in days and its monetary equivalent lost through sickness in each of the last three years. [19676]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is shown in the table.

  (a) The total hours of overtime worked for which payment has been made

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Benefits Agency

  3,864,600

  6,948,566

  7,931,265

  Contributions Agency

  727,700

  1,157,841

  1,377,158

  Information Technology

  684,000

  865,469

  872,575

  Services Agency

  Resettlement Agency

  182,400

  127,680

  69,331

  Child Support Agency

  —

  219,849

  581,248

  War Pensions Agency

  —

  —

  165,908

  DSS Headquarters (including Independent Statutory Bodies)

  96,900

  147,915

  211,679

  Note:

  Information the for 1994–95 financial year is not yet available.

  (b) The total amount paid in overtime

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  Benefits Agency

  38,580,280

  68,698,887

  78,813,332

  Contributions Agency

  6,447,459

  10,932,640

  13,218,419

  Information Technology

  Services Agency

  7,676,364

  10,450,258

  11,757,973

  Resettlement Agency

  1,926,467

  1,499,389

  1,201,128

  Child Support Agency

  —

  2,435,672

  6,109,314

  War Pensions Agency

  —

  —

  1,539,214

  DSS Headquarters (inc. Independent Statutory Bodies)

  1,011,602

  1,554,420

  2,044,600

  Note:

  Information for the 1994–95 financial year is not yet available.

  (c) The total time in days lost through sickness in 1992 and 1993 calendar years

  1992

  1993

  Benefits Agency

  610,476

  887,948

  Contributions Agency Information

  76,727

  108,361

  Technology Services Agency

  28,602

  39,348

  Resettlement Agency

  3,844

  4,657

  318

  (c) The total time in days lost through sickness in 1992 and 1993 calendar years

  1992

  1993

  Child Support Agency

  —

  35,554

  DSS Headquarters

  40,746

  29,212

  Notes:

  1.Information is not available to calculate with accuracy the monetary equivalent.

  2.Information for 1994 is not yet available

  Advisers
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many advisers his Department employs broken down to show(a) political advisers and (b) economic advisers; at what grade and salary they are employed; and what are their minimum working hours in each case. [19416]

  Mr. Hague
  The Department has one political adviser who is employed in the salary range of £19,503 to £67,609. Salaries are negotiated in relation to previous earnings and details of amounts paid to particular individuals are confidential.

  Economic advice is given by career civil servants and the information requested is as follows:

  Grade

  Number

  Salary range £

  7

  9

  25,837–40,012

  6

  1

  29,482–48,879

  5

  2

  38,341–56,953

  Note:

  Minimum working hours in all cases are 41 per week including lunch breaks.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the real value of benefits for children for a standard rate tax-paying family in each year since 1970. [19941]

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is in the table.

  From 1970 to 1976, provision for children was in the form of child tax allowances and family allowance. Family allowance was not payable for the first child and the tax allowances were age-related. Between 1977 and 1978, child tax allowances were phased out as child benefit, which replaced family allowance was phased in. From 1979 the figures in the table represent child benefit only.

  Value (£s per week) of Child Benefit/Family Allowance/Child Tax Allowances for a Standard Rate Tax Payer in line with April 1995 Benefit Rates1

  Tax year from 6 April

  2Eldest child

  32nd child

  1970

  10.32

  13.23

  1971

  11.01

  13.90

  1972

  10.36

  13.08

  1973

  9.49

  11.86

  1974

  10.44

  12.48

  1975

  9.10

  13.30

  1976

  9.16

  12.69

  1977

  8.59

  9.01

  1978

  April—November

  9.84

  6.76

  November—March

  11.43

  8.47

  1979

  November—March

  10.68

  10.68

  319

  Value (£s per week) of Child Benefit/Family Allowance/Child Tax Allowances for a Standard Rate Tax Payer in line with April 1995 Benefit Rates1

  Tax year from 6 April

  2Eldest child

  32nd child

  1980

  April—November

  8.77

  8.77

  November—March

  9.91

  9.91

  1981

  April—November

  9.30

  9.30

  November—March

  9.79

  9.79

  1982

  April—November

  9.39

  9.39

  November—March

  10.26

  10.26

  1983

  April—November

  10.06

  10.06

  November—March

  10.87

  10.87

  1984

  April—November

  10.63

  10.63

  November—March

  10.92

  10.92

  1985

  April—November

  10.48

  10.48

  November—March

  10.58

  10.58

  1986

  April—July

  10.39

  10.39

  July—March

  10.56

  10.56

  1987

  10.33

  10.33

  1988

  9.94

  9.94

  1989

  9.20

  9.20

  1990

  8.40

  8.40

  1991

  April—October

  8.99

  7.90

  October—March

  9.93

  8.05

  1992

  10.08

  8.15

  1993

  10.31

  8.35

  1994

  10.26

  8.30

  1995

  10.40

  8.45

  320
  1Using the RPI (All items) Index as at September 1994.

  2 Assumes that child is over 16 for tax purposes.

  3Assumes that child is aged 11–15 for tax purposes.

  Note:

  Figures assume that full advantage is taken of the child tax allowance.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of absent parents deemed by the Child Support Agency to be paying child support maintenance for the first time live in the same household as the child for whom child support maintenance has been arranged. [18822]

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 20 April 1995:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of absent parents who live in the same household as the qualifying child.
  There is no liability for child maintenance where parents live in the same household, but we estimate that 6 per cent of absent parents who have had a maintenance assessment arranged by the Agency have the same postal address as the parent with care.
  I hope this is of help.