Written Answers of 27 April 1995

PRIME MINISTER

  Turkey
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit Turkey to discuss the situation of Kurdish people. [19645]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans at present to visit Turkey.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will identify the evidence in Social Trends for his figures on the ratio of local education authority administrators to teachers in schools. [21570]

  The Prime Minister
  The source is more appropriate and relevant for this issue than Social Trends. The figures are published by the Local Government Management Board, revealing that there are more than two non-teaching staff for every three teachers.

  The figures show that in June 1994 local education authorities in England employed 376,665 full-time equivalent teachers and lecturers and 316,244 full-time equivalent other manual and non-manual staff involved in education.

  This makes a ratio of 2.5 non-teaching staff to three teachers.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow from the Lord President of the Council, 3 April 1995,Official Report, column 1388, whether it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to eschew further inquiry into the Lockerbie crime. [21402]

  The Prime Minister
  No. The criminal investigation into the Lockerbie bombing remains open.

  Regency Act 1937
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the parliamentary timetable for consideration of the proposal of the Law Commission to amend section 2(2) of the Regency Act 1937; what consultations have been held with the governments of other countries of which Her Majesty the Queen is head of state; and if he will make a statement. [20837]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 April 1995]: The Statute Law (Repeals) Bill received its Second Reading in the House of Lords on 20 April and has been referred to the Joint Committee on Consolidation Bills in accordance with the usual procedure for consolidation Bills.
  614
  No consultations have been held with the Governments of other countries of which Her Majesty the Queen is head of state.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the implications of amending the Regency Act 1937 in relation to the provisions of the Statute of Westminster Act 1931. [20854]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 April 1995]: The proposed repeal of the words "and to the Government of India" in section 2(2) of the Regency Act 1937 has no implications in relation to the Statue of Westminster 1931. The reference to the Government of India in section 2(2) of the 1937 Act is there because India did not fall within the term "dominions" as defined by section 1 of the Statute of Westminster 1931.

TRANSPORT

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department are under a statutory requirement to(a) publish their advice to the Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and if he will list those bodies with a statutory base. [21155]

  Mr. Norris
  The information is as follows:

  (a) None.

  (b) The Disabled Persons' Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC).

  (c) DPTAC.

  DPTAC has a statutory base.

  Marine Safety Report
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider making available the final report of the National Marine Safety Steering Committee. [21575]

  Mr. Norris
  Copies of the report are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses and are also available from the Marine Safety Agency, Marine Information Centre, Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton, SO15 1EG, Tel: 01703 329297.

  Ferry Inspections
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will place in the Library copies of the inspection reports of the roll-on roll-off ferries inspected at the port of Folkestone over the last six months; [19386]

  (2) if he will place in the Library copies of the inspection reports of roll-on roll-off ferries inspected at the port of Dover over the last six months. [19385]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government believe that there is no benefit to the travelling public to be gained from the release of the results of routine inspections. The technical content of the report would not be easily comprehensible and could be open to misinterpretation. Moreover, to release information only on inspections carried out in an individual port could unfairly disadvantage operators to that port.
  615
  In cases where an inspection of a foreign registered roll-on roll-off ferry reveals serious deficiencies which lead to its detention, the details would be included in the list of ships detained in UK ports, which is published monthly by the Marine Safety Agency.

EMPLOYMENT

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department are under a statutory requirement to(a) publish their advice to the Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and if he will list those bodies with a statutory base. [21164]

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the then Minister of State for Employment to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Kilfoyle) on 27 June 1994,Official Report, column 452.

ENVIRONMENT

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish the recommendations from each Government office on bids to the single regeneration budget challenge fund in 1995–96; [20395]

  (2) which bids for single regeneration budget monies in 1994–95 were recommended for acceptance by the relevant Government office but were rejected by the government. [20401]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In line with established practice in relation to documents which are the subject of Cabinet Committee proceedings, there are no plans to publish the internal advice to Ministers from the directors of the Government offices for the regions on bids for support from the single regeneration budget challenge fund in 1995–96.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the latest criteria for judging bids to the single regeneration budget challenge fund have been influenced by the experiences of the 1995–96 bidding round. [20396]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Following the success of the first round of the single regeneration budget challenge fund there have only been a few detailed, positive changes to the bidding guidance. Copies have been placed in Library of the House.

  Residential Institutions (Change of Use)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received to change the C2 class of the 1987 Use Classes Order to allow local authorities control of change of use of residential institutions; and if he will make a statement. [20468]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Since 1 January 1995, we have received two representations to change class C2—residential institutions—of the Town and Country 616
  Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. Present arrangements reflect the assessment that a change from one kind of residential institution to another does not fundamentally affect the nature of the use of the site.

  Leigh Mill, Wigan
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he hopes to announce the results of the public inquiry held in November in respect of Leigh Mill, Wigan; and if he will make a statement. [20726]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State issued on 8 February his decision to refuse listed building consent for the removal of a mill engine from Leigh Mill.

  Butterflies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he taking about the decline in numbers of the(a) swallowtail, (b) large blue, (c) pearl-boarded fritillary, (d) high brown fritillary and (e) marsh fritillary butterflies; and if he will make a statement. [20896]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 27 October 1994,Official Report, column 816, in which I advised on the development of targets for species conservation, announced in "Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan."

  English Nature is already part-funding a three-year project by Butterfly Conservation, preparing conservation plans for the scarcer butterfly species, including the five about which the hon. Member is concerned.

  The Biodiversity Steering Group is also considering a number of scarce butterfly and other species as candidates for action plans to improve their conservation status. The group will report later this year.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department are under a statutory requirement to(a) publish their advice to the Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and if he will list those bodies with a statutory base. [21163]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department sponsors the following advisory non-departmental public bodies which have a statutory base:

  Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council,

  Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances,

  Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment,

  Buildings Regulations Advisory Committee,

  Local Government Commission for England, and

  Local Government Staff Commission

  The following advisory bodies have a statutory requirement to publish their advice to Government on certain matters: the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council and the Local Government Commission for England. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment has a statutory requirement to maintain a public register containing specific information.

  None of the advisory bodies has a statutory requirement to publish an annual report or lay it before Parliament.

  Ordnance Survey
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish a new framework document for the Ordnance Survey Executive Agency. [21783]

  Mr. Atkins
  The framework document for Ordnance Survey has been published today and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Broadcasting
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 9 March,Official Report, columns 283–84, when the parliamentary channel stopped being available to electors with a moveable satellite dish; when United Artists digitalised the parliamentary channel signal in order to share the transponder with wire TV; and if he will request that the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit Ltd. consider selling decoders to electors to enable then to have access to the televised proceedings of Parliament. [19115]

  Mr. Newton
  Until June 1994, the parliamentary channel was distributed to cable-head ends via the Intelsat transponder, from which it was possible for viewers with large rotatable satellite dishes to pick up the signal directly rather than via a local cable service. From that date, the parliamentary channel switched its delivery mechanism to a different transponder and at the same time digitalised and compressed the signal. Although it was not the intention behind the change in the delivery system, one consequence was that those viewers with moveable satellite dishes who had previously been able to receive the signal were no longer able to do so.

  At a meeting on 27 June 1994, the Select Committed on Broadcasting considered a number of complaints from viewers who were no longer able to receive the channel. While regretting the understandable disappointment of those affected, the Committee noted that the parliamentary channel was established as a cable service. Even though, quite fortuitously some people had been able, prior to the change to digitalisation, to eavesdrop on the signal via the distribution satellite, this did not seem to the Committee grounds for questioning United Artists' fulfilment of its original undertaking regarding the availability of the signal.

  As a result of the savings achieved by digitalisation, the parliamentary channel is extending its service to include coverage of Committees at weekends from 7 May 1995.

  Decoders which enable the digitalised signal to be unscrambled are available only to cable-head ends for cable distribution. They are manufactured specifically for that market and are not otherwise sold.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what directions he has issued under section 26(1) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993; if he 618
  will make a statement on their content; and if he will place copies in the Library. [20983]

  Mr. Dorrell
  My predecessor issued directions under section 26(1) and (2) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 on 20 June last year. Copies were placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to the answer given by the Director-General of Oflot on 28 March in his letter to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury, what proportion of the £3 million cost of Oflot is recovered from(a) the national lottery distribution fund and (b) licencing fees. [20992]

  Mr. Dorrell
  In the 1994–95 financial year, £2,910,000 or 97 per cent. of the expenditure of the Office of the National Lottery will have been recovered from the national lottery distribution fund and £90,000 or 3 per cent. will have been from the payment of licence fees.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on what grounds the draft guidelines issued by the National Lottery Charities Board allowed for the exclusion of charities concerned with environmental matters. [20984]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I have been asked to reply.

  The issue of these guidelines is a matter for the board. I understand, however, that their purpose is to indicate only those areas to which the board intends to give priority. It must consider all applications from all eligible bodies, including charities concerned with environmental matters, on their merits and can not wholly exclude any. Decisions in individual cases are a matter for the board.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the National Heritage what is the legal basis for the issuing of draft guidelines for the disbursement of funds by the National Lottery Charities Board. [20982]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I have been asked to reply.

  Section 26(1) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 provides that the National Lottery Charities Board, inter alia, shall comply with any directions given to it by the Secretary of State as to the matters to be taken into account in determining the persons to whom, the purposes for which and the conditions subject to which it distributes any money. The board is currently being consulted on the proposed directions as required by section 26(5) of that Act. The issue by the board of guidelines to applicants on how, in the light of the directions, it intends to set about the disbursement of the funds available to it, is a matter for the board.

  Rugby Football
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consultation he has had with the chairman of the Sports Council concerning discrimination by the rugby league authorities against the Australian rugby league in international matches; and if he will make a statement in relation to the principle of discrimination within rugby league and between rugby union and rugby league. [21327]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have had no such consultation. I have, of course, read the National Heritage Select Committee's report on relations between rugby union and rugby league and will be responding to the issues raised, including discrimination, in due course.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [20661]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 25 April 1995]: My Department's executive non-departmental public bodies are listed in "Public Bodies 1994". The functions and responsibilities of each body are specified in its founding legislation or charter. The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Bodies subject to the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration are listed in schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 as amended. This includes:

  Arts Council of Great Britain

  British Film Institute

  British Library Board

  Crafts Council

  English Tourist Board

  Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission (English Heritage) Museums and Galleries Commission

  Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund

  Register of Public Lending Right

  Sports Council

  (b) None.

  (c) All of my Department's executive NDPBs are subject to scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General with the exception of the national film development fund.

  (d) There are no statutory provisions on open government which apply to executive NDPBs, although all NDPBs subject to the jurisdiction of the PCA will be covered by the non-statutory code of practice on access to Government information.

  (e) Performance indicators for my Department's executive NDPBs can be found in their annual reports.

  (f) The principles of the citizens charter apply to all the Department's executive NDPBs.

HEALTH

  Dental Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what funds were provided to Derbyshire family health services authority for reallocation to the other family health service authorities in Trent for dental peer group review in each year since 1991; [20674]

  (2) what amounts were reallocated by each family health service authority within Trent regional health authority by Derbyshire family health services authority of the funds provided for dental peer group review in each year since 1991. [20675]

  Mr. Malone
  Since the start of the peer review scheme in August 1991, the Department has reimbursed Derbyshire family health services authority the amounts as shown, for payment to dentists who participated in peer review. Derbyshire family health services authority has 620
  been nominated to make all peer review payments to dentists in the Trent region and no reallocation of funds by it to other family health services authorities is required.

  1997–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  Total £

  3,965

  44,736

  127,176

  223,096

  398,973

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action she intends to take to improve value for money in the community dental service; [20704]

  (2) what out of hours emergency service she intends to require the community dental service to provide to cover shortfalls in the general dental service. [20679]

  Mr. Malone
  The community dental service is the responsibility of health authorities and national health service trusts. It is for these authorities to ensure that the service is run efficiently and meets the needs of people in the locality, who cannot get treatment in the general dental service. The Government have recently announced their intention to strengthen the "safety net" role of the CDS. Health authorities and trusts will be considering all aspects of this, including the provision of emergency service.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recommendations in the Bloomfield dental report(a) have been implemented and (b) are planned for implementation. [20691]

  Mr. Malone
  Sir Kenneth Bloomfield was not asked to make recommendations but rather to identify the options for change. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Forman) on 5 April at cols.1213–15, on the package of reforms which was consistent with Sir Kenneth's report.

  Manchester Family Health Services Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to remove the chairman and non-executive directors of Manchester family health services authority following their unlawful use of funds when promoting fundholding general practitioners. [20682]

  Mr. Malone
  None. The chairman and chief executive of Manchester family health services authority who were in post during the events which led to the judicial review left the authority in 1992.

  Information for Patients
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will require all NHS trusts to display prominently at the accident and emergency reception and at the main reception the name and telephone number of the duty manager. [20700]

  Mr. Malone
  The patients charter sets out the right for patients to be given information on local health services. It is for trusts to decide locally how to make this information available.

  Foundation Trust, Stafford
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to set up a Department of Health inquiry
  621
  into the dismissal of Mr. Michael Murray from his post as chief executive of the Foundation Trust, Stafford; and when the findings will be made public. [20673]

  Mr. Malone
  I have no plans to do so.

  Neuroleptic Drugs (Deaths)
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what decision has been taken, following discussions with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, to begin research into the deaths of psychiatric patients associated with neuroleptic drugs. [20730]

  Mr. Bowis
  It has been agreed in principle that the remit of the confidential inquiry into homicide and suicides by mentally ill people should be extended to cover the deaths of patients associated with neuroleptic drugs. Further discussions will be held about the arrangements for examining these deaths.

  Mental Health Spending
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the budget of each local authority's social services department is currently spent on mental health services. [20826]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information is not yet available for the current year. The information for 1994–95 is shown in the table.

  Personal social services: percentage of total budgeted expenditure on mental health services 1994–95

  Per cent.

  City of London

  19.5

  Camden

  8.3

  Greenwich

  5.1

  Hackney

  6.9

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  11.5

  Islington

  3.6

  Kensington and Chelsea

  8.2

  Lambeth

  5.7

  Lewisham

  6.5

  Southwark

  4.8

  Tower Hamlets

  12.0

  Wandsworth

  6.8

  Westminster

  8.6

  Barking and Dagenham

  4.3

  Barnet

  6.3

  Bexley

  3.2

  Brent

  6.1

  Bromley

  4.3

  Croydon

  6.4

  Ealing

  6.3

  Enfield

  6.8

  Haringey

  7.1

  Harrow

  7.5

  Havering

  3.0

  Hillingdon

  5.1

  Hounslow

  6.6

  Kingston upon Thames

  5.1

  Merton

  5.5

  Newham

  6.6

  Redbridge

  3.0

  Richmond upon Thames

  7.0

  Sutton

  2.4

  Waltham Forest

  7.7

  622

  Personal social services: percentage of total budgeted expenditure on mental health services 1994–95

  Per cent.

  Bolton

  5.7

  Bury

  5.2

  Manchester

  8.7

  Oldham

  6.0

  Rochdale

  5.9

  Salford

  2.4

  Stockport

  3.3

  Tameside

  2.7

  Trafford

  5.4

  Wigan

  1.6

  Knowsley

  7.5

  Liverpool

  7.8

  St. Helens

  4.9

  Sefton

  4.8

  Wirral

  4.5

  Barnsley

  4.0

  Doncaster

  3.4

  Rotherham

  4.0

  Sheffield

  4.5

  Gateshead

  11.8

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  6.2

  North Tyneside

  4.6

  South Tyneside

  4.5

  Sunderland

  4.5

  Birmingham

  4.9

  Coventry

  2.5

  Dudley

  5.1

  Sandwell

  8.9

  Solihull

  4.7

  Walsall

  3.1

  Wolverhampton

  5.3

  Bradford

  3.9

  Calderdale

  2.6

  Kirklees

  5.9

  Leeds

  2.4

  Wakefield

  2.8

  Isles of Scilly

  0.5

  Avon

  4.4

  Bedfordshire

  3.1

  Berkshire

  5.8

  Buckinghamshire

  5.8

  Cambridgeshire

  2.0

  Cheshire

  5.0

  Cleveland

  3.5

  Cornwall

  3.5

  Cumbria

  1.1

  Derbyshire

  4.0

  Devon

  4.9

  Dorset

  3.3

  Durham

  3.4

  East Sussex

  4.8

  Essex

  1.1

  Gloucestershire

  2.6

  Hampshire

  5.9

  Hereford and Worcester

  6.2

  Hertfordshire

  3.5

  Humberside

  4.1

  Isle of Wight

  6.4

  Kent

  3.5

  Lancashire

  4.3

  Leicestershire

  6.5

  Lincolnshire

  3.7

  Norfolk

  4.2

  Northamptonshire

  6.9

  Northumberland

  2.6

  North Yorkshire

  4.5

  Nottinghamshire

  3.9

  Oxfordshire

  4.9

  Shropshire

  5.9

  Somerset

  6.7

  Staffordshire

  0.9

  Suffolk

  5.2

  623

  Personal social services: percentage of total budgeted expenditure on mental health services 1994–95

  Per cent.

  Surrey

  8.0

  Warwickshire

  6.1

  West Sussex

  5.0

  Wiltshire

  4.4

  Based on budget returns provided by local authorities on form RA95.

  Out-patient Travelling Expenses
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will issue guidance reminding NHS trusts of the rights of out-patients to travelling expenses and requiring them to draw patients' attention to such rights in their in their out-patient appointment documentation; [20693]

  (2) if she will take immediate steps to ensure out-patients are not deprived of their rights to travelling expenses. [20697]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department has already issued guidance to the national health service setting out the arrangements for payment of travel costs to all those hospital patients entitled to it. This guidance advises hospitals to send details of these arrangements with appointment or admissions letters.

  Voluntary Staff
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance her Department offers to health authorities and trusts concerning the appointment of voluntary staff to clerical and administrative posts. [21053]

  Mr. Malone
  HSG(92)15 issued to national health service trusts, health authorities and community health councils on 17 March 1992 provided guidance on voluntary work in hospitals. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  Bradford Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the standard of treatment of and research into scar tissue as a result of burns; and what evaluation she has made of the effect on the treatment and research relating to scar tissue which will result as a consequence of the closure of the Bradford unit. [19945]

  Mr. Bowis
  Treatment of and research into scar tissue as a result of burns is carried out in several plastic surgery units in this country. The standard of both treatment and research is excellent. I understand that the Bradford plastic surgery and burns unit, a charity, makes a helpful contribution in this field. I hope that the Bradford unit will succeed in its bid for further charitable funding so that it can continue to complement the work done by the other units.

  District General Hospitals
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the approximate population to be served by a district general hospital. [21070]

  Mr. Malone
  There is no fixed population to be served by a district general hospital as such hospitals do not just serve the needs of the local population. It is the 624
  responsibility of district health authorities, as the main purchasers of health care for their populations, to ensure that local health care needs are met through the placing of contracts with hospitals both inside their boundaries and, where appropriate, outside.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she gives on the percentage of a district general hospital area that should be within a 30-minute blue light travel time from a district general hospital. [21071]

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no central guidance on this matter. It is for the district health authority to take relevant issues into account when placing contracts for services.

  GP Fundholders (Hospital Referrals)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has on trends in hospital referrals by general practitioner fundholders. [21072]

  Mr. Malone
  A report by Professor Angela Coulter in the British Medical Journal of February 1993, based on the first two years of fundholding, showed no evidence of any changes in general practitioner fundholder referral patterns. Other studies have shown that fundholders have improved services for patients, including the reduction of waiting times.

  Royal Marsden Hospital
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what meetings she has had in the last six months about the future of the Royal Marsden hospital; [21086]

  (2) what plans she has to close the Royal Marsden hospital. [21087]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Polio
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the position in respect of eradication of the wild polio virus from the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [21320]

  Mr. Sackville
  The World Health Organisation considers the United Kingdom as being one of those countries which have eliminated polio due to wild virus. This is due to the great success of our childhood immunisation programme which has resulted in the incidence of childhood diseases being at their lowest ever levels. Today, 95 per cent. of all children have been unimmunised against polio by two years of age. However, despite this achievement, nobody should remain immunised against polio, whatever age they are. Unimmunised people can be at some risk of catching polio from recently immunised babies if standard hygiene procedures are not carefully followed; travellers to areas of the world where polio is still endemic should ensure that they are appropriately protected.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what medical research her Department is aware of suggesting that a return to the inactivated polio vaccine would reduce the remote risk of vaccine damage to children; and whether this position is being reviewed. [21326]
  625
  Mr. Bowis
  Oral polio vaccine and inactivated polio vaccine are both efficacious vaccines. However, whereas both vaccines provide protection against poliomyelitis for the individual immunised, only OPV produces "herd immunity' whereby susceptible contacts are protected as well. OPV is the vaccine used in the United Kingdom.

  On average there are between one and two vaccine-associated cases of poliomyelitis reported in England and Wales each year. During 1994–95 over 7 million doses of OPV were issued to the national health service. The National Institute of Biological Standards and Controls undertakes research on the neurovirulence of oral polio vaccine. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation keeps matters such as vaccine-associated poliomyelitis under careful review and believes that OPV is the most appropriate product for United Kingdom circumstances. OPV is the vaccine recommended by World Health Organisation for global polio eradication.

  Measles and Rubella Vaccination
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the results of the study into the 17 cases of severe adverse reaction from the 1994 mass measles and rubella vaccination. [21325]

  Mr. Bowis
  The 17 cases referred to were spontaneous reports of suspected adverse reactions to measles and rubella vaccine which predominantly affected the nervous system. Doctors who reported these cases have been contacted to obtain further details of the reaction and the progress of these patients. Thirteen are known to have recovered from their reaction, two have not yet recovered and further information is not yet available in two cases. These figures are out of nearly 6.5 million children who were immunised during the campaign.

  Whooping Cough Vaccine
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been made and what records are available from the Committee on Safety of Medicines concerning adverse reactions to whooping cough vaccine. [21322]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Committee on Safety of Medicines keeps records of suspected reactions to whooping cough vaccine. Receipt of a report does not indicate that the vaccine caused the reaction, merely that the reporter suspected that this may have been the case. Whooping cough vaccine is usually given in a combined preparation with diphtheria and tetanus vaccine and at the same time as vaccines for haemophilus influenzae type B and poliomyelitis. This makes it difficult to identify the cause of an adverse reaction.

  General Medical Services Budgets
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the general medical services cash-limited budget in each family health services authority area in each year since 1990–91; and what is the planned budget for the next three years.

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 21 April 1995]: The information requested is not available centrally. Allocations to family health services authorities are made
  626
  by regional health authorities. The allocations to RHAs for cash-limited general medical services are shown in the tables. Allocations are made for one financial year ahead only.

  GMS cash limited allocations

  £ million

  RHA

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Northern

  26.8

  32.1

  36.4

  36.7

  East Anglian

  24.4

  31.8

  34.4

  35.1

  Mersey

  21.6

  26.9

  30.2

  30.0

  West Midlands

  41.5

  52.2

  59.1

  60.1

  South Western

  39.2

  48.0

  52.9

  53.2

  Oxford

  25.3

  33.2

  36.6

  36.7

  Wessex

  29.3

  37.7

  41.6

  41.8

  SW Thames

  28.6

  35.7

  39.9

  40.7

  SE Thames

  37.4

  46.1

  51.1

  52.3

  NE Thames

  34.7

  43.5

  48.7

  50.1

  NW Thames

  33.9

  43.3

  48.7

  49.3

  Trent

  41.8

  53.5

  59.2

  59.4

  Yorkshire

  39.2

  42.6

  47.2

  47.2

  North Western

  33.7

  38.0

  42.7

  43.7

  Total allocation

  457.40

  564.60

  628.70

  636.30

  GMS cash limited allocations

  £ million

  RHA

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Northern and Yorkshire

  88.8

  94.5

  Trent

  63.1

  67.1

  Anglia and Oxford

  81.9

  85.0

  North Thames

  98.0

  101.7

  South Thames

  99.0

  102.8

  South and West

  98.9

  102.6

  West Midlands

  64.5

  70.2

  North West

  80.1

  86.4

  Total Allocation

  674.30

  710.30

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [20652]

  Mr. Horam
  [pursuant to his answer, 25 April 1995, c. 412]: I regret that the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council was omitted from the list of executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Office of Public Service and Science.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Agency Job Losses
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the number and location of Government Property Lawyers offices closed and the number of jobs lost or transferred as a result of agency work transferring from Scotland to the rest of the United Kingdom over the past 628
  five years and if he will list the number and location of offices opened and jobs gained in Scotland as the result of agency work transferring to Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom over the same period. [19970]

  The Attorney-General
  I have responsibility for the Government Property Lawyers, which is an agency of the Treasury Solicitor's Department, whose remit extends only to England and Wales. It follows that no work of that agency has been or would be transferred either to or from Scotland.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Personal Injury Claims
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has in respect of personal injury claims through the small claims court; and if he will make a statement. [21149]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Procedures affecting small personal injury claims, among others, are within the scope of Lord Woolf' s comprehensive review of civil justice. The Lord Chancellor is awaiting the first report of this review, and any decisions will be taken in that context.

  Freemasonry
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) how many(a) Lords of Appeal, (b) Lord Justices of Appeal, (c) High Court judges, (d) chairmen of tribunals for which his Department is responsible and (e) members of non-judicial bodies for which his Department is responsible, are former members of the Freemasons, according to his departmental files; [21256]

  (2) how many (a) Lords of Appeal, (b) Lord Justices of Appeal, (c) High Court judges, (d) chairmen of tribunals for which his Department is responsible and (e) members of non-judicial bodies for which his Department is responsible, are currently members of the Freemasons, according to his departmental files. [21255]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Such information is not collected either on candidates for appointment or on serving judges or office-holders, so the information requested is not available from my Department's files.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what were the total costs to the legal aid fund in the case of Alistair Green v. Ministry of Defence; and what costs were incurred by the legal aid fund after the Ministry had paid £32,000 into court. [19903]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  No final bill has been received in this matter and, therefore, the total cost to the legal aid fund is not yet known. However, £80,000 has been paid to date on account to lawyers representing Mr. Green. It is not possible to identify separately costs incurred after the Ministry of Defence had paid moneys into court.

  Public Trustee
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the actions of the public trustee in relation to legal proceedings brought by Miss Phoebe Winch. [19998]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I am unable to comment on individual cases where legal proceedings have been brought against the public trustee, who is also chief executive of the Public Trust Office. Whilst she is accountable for her actions as public trustee, she is also an 630
  independent statutory office holder and the decisions she takes in exercise of her statutory functions are those of her office and are not taken on behalf of the Government.

  As the question concerns a specific case, I have asked the chief executive to reply direct.

  Letter from Julia Lomas to Mr. Alex Carlisle, dated 25 April 1995:
  The Lord Chancellor has asked me to reply to your Question about the actions of my Office in relation to legal proceedings brought by Miss Phoebe Winch.
  I think you may be mistaken in your reference to Miss Phoebe Winch and mean Miss Mary Agnes Winch who has brought proceedings against the Public Trustee and I am replying to your Question on the basis that it meant to refer to Miss Mary Agnes Winch and not Miss Phoebe Winch.
  In 1982 Miss Mary Agnes Winch brought proceedings against the Public Trustee in relation to the administration of the estate of her mother the late Mrs Violet Winch. These proceedings were defended.
  The case was very complicated and the hearing was anticipated to be lengthy and expensive. I therefore authorised in 1994 the payment of £15000 into Court to settle the matter. Miss Winch accepted this settlement which was made with no admission of liability on the part of the Public Trustee.
  The Public Trustee have always been confident that had the case been fought the Public Trustee would have won, albeit at a disproportionate cost to public funds. The payment into Court was, and remains, regarded by me as a payment to save public funds, rather than any admission as to the merits of Miss Winch's claim.

  Agency Job Losses
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the number and location of HM Land Registry, Public Record and Public Trust offices closed and the number of jobs lost or transferred as a result of agency work transferring from Scotland to the rest of the United Kingdom over the past five years; and if he will list the number and location of offices opened and jobs gained in Scotland as the result of agency work transferring to Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom over the same period. [19969]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Neither Her Majesty's Land Registry nor the Public Record and Public Trust Offices have ever had offices or jobs in Scotland and neither have these agencies transferred any offices or jobs to Scotland to date. Accordingly, the situations referred to in the question have not arisen.

  Agency Performance Targets
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the key performance targets for Her Majesty's Land Registry, the Public Record Office and the Public Trust Office executive agencies for 1995–96. [21854]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The following tables set out the key performance targets that the Lord Chancellor has set for Her Majesty's Land Registry, the Public Records Office and the Public Trust Office for 1995–96.
  631

  Her Majesty's Land Registry Executive Agency Key Performance Targets 1995–96

  Indicator

  Target

  1.Financial

  return on average capital employed1:

  6 per cent.

  External Financing Limit:

  £0

  2. Efficiency

  Cost per unit in real terms2:

  £28.70 (2.9 per cent. reduction over the 1994–95 target of £29.56)

  Cost per unit in cash terms:

  £31.15

  3. Productivity

  Unit output per post (per day):

  3.202 units (9.1 per cent. increase over the 1994–95 target of 2.935 units)

  4. Speed of Service

  Percentage of pre-completion applications handled within 2 working days at every district land registry:

  Not less than 96 per cent.

  Average processing time for post-completion applications at every district land registry:

  Where no requisitions arise, no more than 19 working days

  5. Quality of Service

  Percentage of pre-completion applications handled free of error at every district land registry:

  No less than 99.75 per cent.

  Percentage of post-completion applications handled free of error at every district land registry:

  No less than 98.30 per cent.

  6. Development of Land Registration

  Number of computerised registers:

  To increase the number of registered titles in computerised format to 12.50 million.

  1 A revised target for return on average capital employed will be agreed for 1995–96 following the conclusion of discussions with HM Treasury. The purpose of the discussions is to enable an element of surpluses arising up to 31 March 1995 to be carried over to 1995–96 and future years. This will allow the registry to reduce or contain future fee levels.

  2 The real term unit cost in the base year of 1992–93 was £31.30.

  Note:

  Fuller details of the registry's performance targets are given in its business plan, which is available from Her Majesty's Land Registry.

  Public Record Office Key Performance Targets 1995–96

  Indicator

  Target

  1. Efficiency

  Unit cost of selecting and accessioning records (per unit):

  Targets: (a) standard accessions £25.69 and (b) Open Government accessions £94.71

  Unit cost of providing storage space per linear metre:

  Target: £5.19

  Unit cost of documents produced to readers, per document:

  Target: £16.84

  Unit cost of census reader service, per reader visit:

  Target: £4.93

  632

  Public Record Office Key Performance Targets 1995–96

  Indicator

  Target

  Unit cost of other reader services, per reader visit:

  Target: £31.65

  Backlog of records reported by departments as being over 30 years old and awaiting review:

  To reduce the current known backlog of such records (2,700 linear metres) by 675 metres

  Provision of acceptable storage conditions:

  81 per cent. of records to be stored to the preservation and environmental standard recommended by BS5454: 1989 Recommendations for storage and exhibition of archival documents (BSI 1989)

  The timely destruction of records not worthy of preservation:

  Departments to have in place specified key features of records management as described in the PRO Manual of Records Administration

  Management efficiency in running support services and projects:

  To reduce the running costs of corporate services in relation to the total running costs of the Office from 9.83 per cent. to 9.74 per cent.

  2. Quality of service

  Readers' views on services provided, as discovered through biannual satisfaction surveys:

  82 per cent. of reader satisfaction survey forms returned to have an overall assessment of "good" or better

  Response times for answering correspondence:

  To send replies to letters requiring a stock letter within one week

  To send replies to other letters (including those requiring estimates for copies) within three weeks

  Documents production times:

  To make documents available to readers within the following maximum times: Kew: 35 minutes Chancery Lane: 40 minutes

  The speed of the reprographic service and quality of copies (subject to the preservation needs of the documents):

  (a) Electrostatic copies (except A2 size), up to 15 copies: same day counter service for readers

  (b) Electrostatic copies (A2 size), up to 10 copies: same day counter service for readers

  (c) Electrostatic copies, up to 75 copies: 5 working days

  (d) Electrostatic copies, over 75 copies: 20 working days

  (e) Prints from existing microfilm, up to 75 copies: 5 working days

  (f) Prints from existing microfilm, over 75 copies: 20 working days

  (g) Prints from new microfilm: 3 weeks

  (h) Microfilm from existing negatives, up to 1000m: 4 weeks

  (i) Microfilm where there is no existing negative, up to 350m: 22 weeks

  (j) Bromide prints: 3 weeks

  633

  Public Record Office Key Performance Targets 1995–96

  Indicator

  Target

  (k) Self service copying from microfilm: a service will be available in the microfilm reading rooms during opening times

  Quality of copying:

  No more than 4 per cent. to be required to be re-taken

  The quality and usefulness of finding aids to the records:

  To continue work on bringing the current guide up to date:

  —to produce a new edition in hard copy;

  —to write or expand 10 new sections or sub-sections

  Notes:

  1. Some of these targets will be subject to suspension or modification on occasion due to the major disruption to the Office's services and activities which will be caused in 1995–96 by the closure of the Chancery Lane building, the removal of records to Kew and the refurbishment of the existing Kew building. Where appropriate, supplemental targets have been set in order to mitigate the effect on users.

  2. Fuller details of the office's performance targets and of anticipated disruptions to services and activities are given in its business plan, which is available from the Public Record Office.

  Public Trust Office Executive Agency Key Performance Targets 1995–96

  Indicator

  Target

  1. To carry out accounting transactions within target times.

  To bring to account at least 97 per cent. of receipts and payments transactions within turnaround targets by volume weighted performance against those targets.

  2. To achieve investment targets.

  To pay annually not less than the rate provided by the average of a model set of comparators for special rate and basic rate at 75 per cent. of special rate; on an annual basis to ensure that 85 per cent. of all measured funds perform in line or better than their model based on stock market indices.

  3. To achieve Charter standards.

  To achieve 98 per cent. of Charter Standards.

  4. To achieve unit costs in activity areas.

  To reduce unit costs so that the weighted mean percentage reduction of the PTO's activities, taken with achievement in 1994–95, will be at least 4 per cent. against the baseline year of 1993–94.

  5. Percentage of full costs recovered.

  To ensure that 100 per cent. of full costs are recovered.

  Note:

  Fuller details of the office's performance targets are given in its business plan, which is available from the Public Trust Office.

  Marriage Guidance and Research Organisations
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Government have for the future responsibility for the funding of marriage guidance and research organisations from the Home Office to the Lord Chancellor's Department. [21853]
  634
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  With the approval of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, responsibility for the funding of marriage guidance and research organisations has been transferred from the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the Lord Chancellor.

  Divorce
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Government has to bring forward reforms to the law of divorce in England and Wales following the publication of the consultation paper in December 1993; and if he will make a statement. [21855]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor has today laid before Parliament a White Paper, "Looking to the future. Mediation and the ground for divorce'. This paper sets out the Government's proposals in relation to the introduction of family mediation, reform of the ground for divorce and related matters.

  Appointments (Consultation)
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he or his private office is consulted by the Lord Chancellor or his private office, either formally or informally, about(a) candidates for appointment as magistrates, tribunal members and senior full-time judges, (b) candidates for non-judicial public appointments and (c) candidates for appointments of chief executives of executive agencies and non-departmental bodies for which his Department is responsible. [21412]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It is not the practice to disclose internal consultation between Ministers.

WALES

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each financial year since 1991–92 the hospital and community health services gross current expenditure by sector and by age; and if he will separately distinguish the expenditure on the hospital and community health service for each age group, expressed as a cost per head of population. [19897]

  Mr. Richards
  The gross current expenditure on hospital and community health services for the years 1991–92 to 1993–94 is as follows. Information on expenditure by sector and age is not held centrally.

  £

  1991–92

  1,200,616,000

  1992–93

  1,296,607,000

  1993–94

  11,296,629,000

  Source:

  Health authority and NHS trust annual accounts.

  Note:

  1 Provisional.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales: (1) how much staff time, and at what estimated
  635
  cost, was put into compiling the departmental annual report; and what were the figures for each year for which figures are available since 1990. [20169]

  (2) what measures the Department takes to assess the cost and staff implications of compiling material for the departmental annual report. [29170]

  Mr. Redwood
  Costs are not separately attributable to the departmental report of much of the information there presented, which is collected for other purposes. At a rough estimate, staff costs of the editing, design and translation of the 1995 Report, Cm 2815, were £37,000, and for previous years would be broadly comparable in real terms.

  The Department operates a system of divisional and group plans which ensures that both programme and running cost provision are identified for key objectives and targets.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many farmers in Wales received environmentally sensitive area payments greater than(a) £100,000, (b) £50,000, (c) £10,000, (d) £5,000 or (e) £1,000 in the last year for which figures are available. [20001]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The total number of farmers in Wales in 1994–95 who received environmentally sensitive area payments in each band is as follows:

  Number

  (a)

  0

  (b)

  2

  (c)

  29

  (d)

  30

  (e)

  190

  In addition, 501 scheme participants received payments of less than £1,000.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what amount of environmentally sensitive area grant budget for 1994–95 is still uncommitted(a) in cash and (b) as a percentage of the budget: and if he will make a statement on underspending in the environmentally sensitive areas budget for 1993–94 and 1994–95. [20000]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Expenditure in 1994–95 was £1,533,000 or 22 per cent. of the total budget of £6,863,000.

  Five new areas were launched in Wales during 1994, bringing the total number of designations in Wales to eight. I expect expenditure in Wales to increase as more farmers enter the new schemes.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the standard and enforcement of fire safety regulations in houses in multiple occupation in Wales. [20783]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Government have consulted widely on both fire safety and houses in multiple occupation; decisions will be announced in due course.

  Housing Association Rents
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the average rent charged by each Welsh housing association for(a) one-bedroom, (b) two-bedroom and (c) three-bedroom properties in each year since Tai Cymru was established. [21084]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not available in the form requested. Information for 1994–95 is, however, held by Housing for Wales and I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  A44
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to carry out road improvements during the next three years on the A44 trunk road between Ponterwyd, Cardiganshire and Llangurig Montgomeryshire. [21104]

  Mr. Redwood
  There are no plans for any major improvements to this section of road. However, a small scheme to provide a footway near Ponterwyd is under consideration and some localised side support works are planned at Gelli Bends and Bont Rhydgaled.

  Health Service Survey
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the survey on the future needs and aims of the Welsh health service. [21319]

  Mr. Redwood
  The survey will help my Department and the NHS in Wales identify priority areas for improving both the health of the population and the responsiveness of the service to the needs and expectations of patients.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will name the company administering the Welsh health service random sample questionnaire survey and the principle components of the work specified in that company contracts; and if the company was chosen after competitive tender. [21318]

  Mr. Redwood
  The contract for the Welsh health survey was awarded to the South East Institute of Public Health. The main components of the contract are: testing the questionnaire and the survey method; drawing the sample; printing and posting the letters, questionnaires, and reminders; entering the answers from the completed questionnaires into a computer database; analysis of the data and production of a report.

  The contract was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities and awarded by competitive tender.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answers of 24 April,Official Report, columns 371–72, if he will make a statement on the guidelines he issued on financial viability of trusts as a consideration in contract setting by NHS providers and on what date he issued them (a) in draft and (b) in final form; and what representations he has received concerning their content from (i) purchasers and (ii) providers. [21414]

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 25 April,Official Report, column 515.

  Higher Education Funding Council
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce the new membership of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and if he will make a statement. [21981]

  Mr. Redwood
  The following have accepted invitations to be members of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

  Sir Idris Pearce, Chairman

  Dr. Eleri Edwards

  Professor Richard Griffiths

  Sir Philip Jones CB

  Mr. Alfred Morris

  Dr. Brynley Roberts

  Dr. Ann Robinson

  Professor Roger Williams

  Dr. Edwards and Professor Williams have been appointed for three years from 6 May 1995, and the other members reappointed for two years from the same date.

  Dr. R. H. Jones continues as a member until 30 June 1995 and Professor Andrews as chief executive and member until 5 May 1997.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have(a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20876]

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 26 April 1995]: Only the Residuary Body for Wales, as a levying body, is bound by a statutory requirement, under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, to open its board meetings to the public. No NDPB has a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Turkey
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial aid is now being given to Turkey from organisations in which the United Kingdom has a vote; and if he will list the organisations. [20741]

  Mr. Baldry
  A detailed breakdown of financial aid by international agencies to Turkey is not available. According to OECD Development Assistance Committee statistics, in 1993, the latest year for which figures are available, total multilateral aid to that country was $3 million in loans and $25.8 million in grants. Taking into account receipts, net multilateral assistance was minus $8.7 million.

  The following agencies in which the UK has a vote currently have programmes in Turkey:

  The World Bank

  United Nations Development Programme

  Food and Agriculture Organisation

  International Atomic Energy Agency

  United Nations Population Fund

  United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

  World Food Programme

  638

  United Nations Industrial Development Organisation

  World Health Organisation

  United Nations Childrens Fund

  United Nations Department of Development

  Support and Management Services

  World Intellectual Property Organisation

  World Meteorological Organisation

  International Civil Aviation Organisation

  International Maritime Organisation

  International Labour Organisation

  European Community assistance provided to Turkey in the form of grants and loans under the first three EC/Turkey financial protocols and the special programme of assistance agreed in 1981 has now been fully disbursed. A fourth financial protocol which should have come into force in 1981 remains suspended for political reasons. Turkey is eligible for support under a number of other EC budget lines, including horizontal cooperation in the Mediterranean and support for Turkish NGOs providing aid for Kurdish refugees.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British non-governmental organisations have, over the last five years, been working in Pakistan and elsewhere in support of refugees and displaced persons from Afghanistan; what funding each has received in each year; and what funding each is to receive over the next two years. [21150]

  Mr. Baldry
  We have provided assistance to the British non-governmental organisations as detailed in the table over the last five years for their work with Afghan refugees and displaced persons. We are unable to predict how much funding may be made available to any organisation for emergency aid over the next two years.

  £000s

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Afghanaid1

  800

  700

  1,307

  599

  787

  CAFOD

  0

  20

  29

  19

  18

  Ockenden

  Venture

  0

  50

  0

  0

  0

  SGAA

  14

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Save the Children

  50

  110

  0

  0

  0

  1 Includes rehabilitation work.

  In addition the following three British non-governmental organisations received grants for immediate disaster response work. Figures are available for 1993 and 1994 only.

  £000s

  1993

  1994

  CARE

  0

  828

  Ockenden Venture

  0

  47

  Oxfam

  110

  323

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to Her Majesty's Government directly and indirectly through international organisations to invest in infrastructure development in Afghanistan; what is the total amount agreed by Her Majesty's Government to be spent in such development projects over the next three
  639
  years; and what assessment has been made of the need for development investment in Afghanistan to facilitate the return of refugees to that country. [21151]

  Mr. Baldry
  Frequent discussions on the needs of Afghanistan are held with international development agencies, the Government of Pakistan and UK non-governmental organisations.

  We take the view that long-term infrastructure and development programmes are only possible when the political and security situation is stable. At present, the main focus of our assistance for Afghanistan will remain emergency aid and refugee relief and resettlement programmes. We give funding through international agencies and UK NGOs, some of which operate small rehabilitation projects in the more peaceful parts of the country.

  We understand that the United Nations development programme have plans for a meeting to discuss with the international community the prospects for a transition from humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan to longer term rehabilitation.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding financial inducements to Afghan refugees and displaced persons in Pakistan and elsewhere to assist their return to Afghanistan; and what contribution Her Majesty's Government have agreed to make to such programmes over the next two years. [21152]

  Mr. Baldry
  UNHCR provides repatriation grants to assist the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran. We support UNHCR's work with Afghan refugees, both politically and financially. Whilst we do not earmark funds given to UNHCR specifically for repatriation grants, such use is not excluded. We are unable to make advance commitments about the use of emergency aid funds.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made by the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees on the likely implications of closing schools located in Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [21167]

  Mr. Baldry
  UNHCR have no plans to cease primary education for all Afghan refugee children in Pakistan.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Statistics
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will list the average length of time a claimant who was(a) retired (b) sick or disabled, (c) a single parent and (d) unemployed remained on benefit 30 years ago; and if he will give what those averages are at the latest available date. [20389]

  Mr. Hague
  Information is not available for 30 years ago.

  Current available information is as follows:

  (1) The average length of time for retirement pensioners to remain on benefit until death is 16.5 years.

  640

  (2) The average length of time a claimant is sick or disabled and on benefit is as follows: sickness benefit—114 days; invalidity benefit—3.4 years; severe disablement allowance—6.1 years.

  (3) At 10 May 1994 the average length of time a claimant registered as unemployed was 410 days.

  This information does not include recipients who receive only income support.

  Information for lone parents is not available.

  War Pensions
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number of war pension appeals in(a) 1979 and (b) 1993 and the average length of time which elapsed between the lodging of an appeal and the appeal being heard. [20734]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  During 1979, 1,816 war pension appeals were lodged against decisions on entitlement and 1,872 appeals on the assessment of the degree of disablement. During 1993, 11,079 entitlement and 9,147 assessment appeals were lodged. The average length of time in 1993 between the lodging of an entitlement appeal and the appeal being heard was 349 days. The time scale in 1993 for an assessment appeal was 288 days. Comparable information for 1979 is not available.

  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make a statement on claims for war disablement pensions in respect of bilateral noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss. [20731]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the restriction on claims for war disablement pensions due to bilateral noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss arising from (a) the absence of any award where the assessment of disability is less than 20 per cent. and (b) the non-inclusion of the condition of tinnitus where assessed disablement is less than 20 per cent. [20732]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The war pensions scheme provides compensation for disablement arising from injury or disease which is due to service in the armed forces.

  Where the degree of disablement in respect of bilateral noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss is assessed at 20 per cent. or more, a war pension may be paid. Below this level, no award is made in respect of such hearing loss or any condition or symptom, such as tinnitus, which is attributable to the same basic injurious process.

  I remain satisfied that bilateral noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss of less than 20 per cent. is not the sort of disablement which should be compensated under a war pensions scheme.

  The provisions on this type of hearing loss, which came into effect on 7 January 1993, brought war pensions rules more into line with the rules covering occupational deafness under the industrial injuries scheme. They formed part of a package which increased considerably, from April 1993, the war pensions of the most severely disabled.

  Child Support
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to make payments to those recipients of family credit and disability working allowance who lose income for the balance of the period of their existing claim to benefit as a result of the child support regulation changes to be introduced on 18 April, and if he will make a statement. [21900]
  641
  Mr. Burt
  The Department intends to make such payments as soon as it is administratively possible to do so once the loss to the individual has been identified and calculated. This compensation will equal half of the difference between the previous maintenance assessment and the new maintenance assessment for the outstanding period in that claim to family credit or disability working allowance. Although awards of these benefits are not normally changed for variations in income once made, the Government have recognised that it is unreasonable not to offer compensation to working parents with care who are modestly paid, particularly as the structure of income support offers automatic adjustment for the incomes of those parents with care not at work and dependent on income support.

  It would also be wrong to wait until the Child Support Bill received Royal Assent, before considering compensation, as this would result in a delay of several months which could cause hardship. Accordingly, payments will be made in advance of Royal Assent. Parliamentary approval for this service will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Social Security's central government administered Social Security benefits and other payments vote, class XIII, vote 1. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £1,000,000 will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

  Income Support (Deductions)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what agreements his Department and the Benefits Agency have with the utility industries regarding deductions from income support. [21901]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Department of Social Security and the Benefits Agency have negotiated a joint statement of intent with the fuel and water industries, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Its purpose is to ensure the continuity of an essential supply to claimants and to prevent disconnection of that supply. It outlines procedures for direct payment for fuel and water bills from income support by reflecting regulations and providing guidance on how the direct payment system should operate in practice. The JSI is not a contract between the parties but works as a "best practice" guide.

  Mortgage Interest
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has so far made of the number of individuals annually who change from a fixed rate to a variable rate mortgage; if such individuals would be considered under his current proposals to have obtained a new mortgage and be ineligible for the existing range of social security assistance with mortgage interest; and if he will make a statement. [21106]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  No such estimate has been made. Under our proposals for changes to the rules on income support help with mortgage interest payments, a borrower with existing housing costs who changes from a fixed rate to a variable rate mortgage after 1 October this year will only be subject to the rules affecting new housing costs if they have entered into a new mortgage agreement while doing so. The full details of the new rules will not be completed until we have given full consideration to the report of the Social Security Advisory Committee. We are currently awaiting this report which will be based on 642
  representations that were made to the committee during its consultation period.

  War Widows Pension
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent discussions he has had with ex-service and other organisations about war widows' pensions. [213328]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Minister with special responsibility for war pensions meets regularly with members of the war pension committees and twice-yearly (in June and December) with members of the Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions. At these meetings, matters of concern to both war disablement pensioners and war widows are discussed. He also met on 25 April with Major General Sir Laurence New CB CBE, to discuss the campaign by the Officers' Pensions Society, the War Widows Association of Great Britain, the RAF Widows Association and Help the Aged, for improvements to the pension provision for war and service widows. During that meeting our decision announced on 24 April to restore the war widow's pension to those former war widows who had become widowed for a second time, divorced or legally separated was discussed.

  State Retirement Pensions
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what information he has on the projected level of the state retirement pension for each of the following five years for each of the European Union member states; and what percentage change this represents relative to the projection for the previous year; [21258]

  (2) what is the current level of state retirement pension paid in each European Union member state; and what percentage increase or decrease this represents relative to the previous year. [21257]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is not available in the form requested, as most European Union member states operate wholly earnings-related state retirement pension schemes, unlike the United Kingdom.

  Information on retirement pensions in the EU, and their annual adjustments, is contained in the "MISSOC" tables, "Social Protection in the Member States of the Community', published by the European Commission. Information about retirement pensions in the three new member states, Austria, Finland, and Sweden, may be found in "Comparative tables of social security schemes in Council of Europe member states, published by the Council of Europe. Copies of both publications are in the Library."

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department are under statutory requirement to(a) publish their advice to the Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and if he will list those bodies with a statutory base. [21156]

  Mr. Hague
  The advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by this Department are listed in "Public Bodies 1994".
  643
  All of the bodies have a statutory basis, but none is under statutory requirement to publish advice or reports, although most such reports are published.

  Vaccine Damage Payments
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what compensation is available for those who are severely or partially damaged by(a) polio vaccination and (b) measles and rubella vaccination; [21324]

  (2) whether the Government will seek to amend the Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979 to provide adequate compensation for the children and families affected by all degrees of vaccine damage. [21321]

  Mr. Hague
  The Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979 provides for a single, tax-free payment of £30,000 for people who, on the balance of probability, have suffered severe mental and/or physical disablement of 80 per cent. or more as a result of vaccination against one, or a group, of the specified diseases. The specified diseases include poliomyelitis, measles and rubella.

  The payment is not compensation, but is designed to ease the present and future burdens of those suffering from vaccine damage and their families.

  The Government are satisfied that the scheme operates fairly and effectively in its present form.

SCOTLAND

  Pensions Agency
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what key performance targets he has set the Scottish Office Pensions Agency for 1995–96. [21804]

  Mr. Lang
  I have set the Scottish Office Pensions Agency the following key targets for 1995–96, which cover important areas of service delivery and steps to improve efficiency and effectiveness.1. To ensure that awards and transfer payments are accurate to within 1 per cent. of their value in 99 per cent. of cases, as compared with the 1994–95 target of 1 per cent. in 98 per cent. of cases.

  2. To pay on time 99 per cent. of all pensions and lump sums where the target date for receipt of claims is met.

  3. To make transfer payments within four weeks of members' final instructions to transfer pension rights.

  4. To carry out a survey to measure customer satisfaction with administration of the teachers' superannuation scheme, taking account of experience gained from the 1994–95 NHS survey.

  5. To keep the development and supply of a new pension administration IT system on course for completion by June 1996, by reaching the last key 1995–96 milestone in the implementation plan.

  6. To optimise use of budgetary provision while keeping within direct running cost limits.

  7. To provide policy advice which is consistent with public service pension policy and takes account of operational objectives of Scottish Office departments, within the required time scales.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Mathew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [20179]

  Mr. Lang
  Much of the information collected for publication in the Scottish Office departmental report is also used for other purposes. Therefore the total staff time commitment to the report is not readily estimated. The editor of the 1995 report spent approximately four months in its compilation at an estimated cost of £15,000. Costs for previous years were broadly comparable.

  Mr. Mathew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures the Department takes to assess the cost and staff implications of compiling material for the departmental annual report. [20180]

  Mr. Lang
  Estimates are made annually, in the light of previous years' experience, of the time commitment which will be required of the departmental report editor and of the costs of pre-production design work and of purchase and distribution of copies of the report.

  Illiteracy
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current reported rate of illiteracy; and what was the rate in each of the previous four years. [20701]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on the rate of illiteracy is not held centrally by the Scottish Office. In 1990 the Scottish Community Education Council was funded by the Scottish Office to undertake a small study of literacy and numeracy. This indicated that 9 per cent. of a sample of adults had difficulties with either reading, writing or numeracy.

  The Scottish Office will continue to support initiatives addressing problems of adult literacy and numeracy. We will also continue to tackle the problem in schools by encouraging appropriate support for pupils with special needs.

  Electricity Privatisation
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the actual cost incurred to date by his Department meeting the obligation to provide pension incentives to eligible applicants under the pensioner priority offer for shares on the flotation of ScottishPower and Scottish Hydro-Electric; [20597]

  (2) what estimate he originally made of the likely cost to his Department of the offer announced by him on 12 March 1991 making available to pensioners of ScottishPower and Scottish Hydro-Electric preferential arrangements and pension incentives on the public flotation of these companies; [20598]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the savings to his Department as a result of the non-completion of the pensioner incentive section of the pensioner priority offer application form submitted by eligible pensioners of ScottishPower and Scottish Hydro-Electric; [20595]

  (4) how many pensioners of ScottishPower and Scottish Hydro-Electric purchased shares in these companies by completing the pensioner priority offer application form;

  645
  and how many eligible applicants omitted to apply for the pensioner incentives. [20599]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 26 April 1995]: As part of the arrangements for the flotation of ScottishPower and Scottish Hydro-Electric, all employees and pensioners of the two Scottish electricity boards who applied for shares were given priority access to up to £15,350 worth of shares when the allocation of shares to applicants was made. Quite separately, all applicants were able to elect to receive bonus shares if they held the shares they had purchased for a specified period and met certain other criteria; 1,170,000 applicants did so. Apart from the initial priority allocation arrangement, therefore, there were no special incentives offered to electricity board pensioners.

TREASURY

  Mortgage Protection Policies
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the possible effect of taxation on those benefits paid under insurance policies purchased to provide protection to mortgage holders following his proposed changes to income support for mortgage interest; what specific proposals he has for the tax treatment of such benefits with particular reference to any period for which they would be untaxed; and if he will make a statement. [21107]

  Sir George Young
  Under the Secretary of State for Social Security's proposals, there will be no entitlement to income support in respect of mortgage interest payments for a period of nine months for new borrowers. Benefits paid under mortgage protection insurance policies that provide cover for this period are not liable to tax, provided the maximum period during which benefits can be paid does not exceed one year.

  European Community Finances
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the statement on the 1995 Community budget; and what information it will contain. [21856]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have today laid before Parliament the statement on the 1995 Community budget, entitled "European Community Finances'. This White Paper is the 15th in the series. As in the past, it covers annual budgetary matters. It also describes the Budget for 1995 as adopted by the European Parliament and the United Kingdom's gross and net contribution to the Community budget over the years 1992 to 1995.

  This year, the annual statement includes for the first time details of recent developments in EC financial management and in countering fraud against the Community budget. This reflects an undertaking that I gave in December 1994 during the passage of the European Communities (Finance) Bill.

  Copies of the White Paper are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Monetary Policy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect on the nominal exchange rate it 646
  was Her Majesty's Government's policy to engender in the decisions to increase the interest rates on (a) 12 September 1994, (b) 7 December 1994 and (c) 2 February; and if he will publish his estimate of the effect on real interest rates together with the export unit value of United Kingdom manufacturers as a percentage of the fourth quarter 1986 figure in dollar terms. [21413]

  Mr. Nelson
  Interest rates are set in order to meet the Government's objective of permanently low inflation. Movements in the exchange rate are considered part of the general assessment of monetary conditions in setling monetary policy. The basis of all decisions on interest rates are fully set out in the published minutes of my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's meetings with the Governor of the Bank of England. Copies of the minutes are in the House of Commons Library. It is impossible to quantify effects of interest rate changes on real interest rates and export unit values.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the evidence of overheating on which be based his decision in(a) September 1994, (b) December 1994 and (c) February 1995 to raise interest rates. [21403]

  Mr. Nelson
  The basis of all the interest rate decisions on my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is set out fully in the published minutes of his meetings with the Governor and in the Treasury's monthly monetary report, published on the same day as the meetings. Copies of these publications are in the House Library.

  Privatisation
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will produce a table showing the gross proceeds of all privatisations since 1979 and the net proceeds after taking account of(a) underwriting fees and sales commissions, (b) accounting, banking, legal and consultancy fees, (c) marketing and advertising costs, (d) the actual or estimated cost of employee and small shareholder incentives, (e) any other expenses associated with the sale, (f) any small shareholder incentives, (g) any tax or debt write-offs agreed ahead of the sale and (h) interest income or other offsetting receipts, itemising each of these costs separately, and expressing total costs as a percentage of total gross proceeds. [19894]

  Sir George Young
  It is not practical to list all companies that have been privatised as many were subsidiaries of nationalised industries and were sold by the parent body, not the Government; consequently, information is not held centrally for all such sales. The table shows the companies privatised by the Government since 1979. Non-sale costs are shown where this information is held centrally; in some cases, costs are initial estimates rather than outturns. The administrative costs incurred by the vendor department are not included. To the extent that the costs shown in the table include non-cash costs—debt written off and the cost of bonus shares—they would not normally be set against the net proceeds which are measured in cash terms. Receipts from privatisation have amounted to £60 billion over the past 15 years.
  647

  Privatisation Costs (£million)

  gross proceeds of sale

  Privatisation

  Year of sale

  equity

  debt

  total

  1Sale Costs

  Cash injection

  3Debt written off

  Employee incentives

  Loyalty incentives

  Intereston application monies

  Total costs

  As per cent. of total gross proceeds

  Net proceeds

  British

  Aerospace2

  1981

  149

  —

  149

  6

  100

  60

  —

  —

  —

  166

  111.4

  -17

  Cable and Wireless2

  1981

  224

  —

  224

  9

  35

  —

  —

  —

  —

  44

  19.6

  180

  Amersham International

  1982

  63

  —

  63

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  0

  0

  63

  NFC

  1982

  54

  —

  54

  0

  49

  100

  —

  —

  —

  149

  278.5

  -96

  Britoil

  1982

  549

  —

  549

  13

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  13

  2.3

  536

  Associated British Ports2

  1983

  48

  25

  73

  3

  —

  81

  1

  —

  —

  85

  116.1

  -12

  Enterprise Oil

  1984

  392

  —

  392

  11

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  10

  2.5

  382

  BT2

  1984

  3,916

  3,500

  7,416

  185

  —

  2,790

  56

  82

  4

  3,109

  41.9

  4,307

  British Gas2

  1986

  5,434

  2,500

  7,934

  187

  —

  —

  37

  185

  7

  402

  5.1

  7,532

  British Airways

  1987

  892

  —

  892

  35

  —

  160

  15

  8

  4

  213

  23.9

  679

  Royal Ordance

  1987

  190

  —

  190

  4

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  5

  2.7

  185

  Rolls-Royce

  1987

  1,348

  —

  1,348

  34

  283

  —

  14

  —

  5

  326

  24.2

  1,022

  BAA

  1987

  1,225

  —

  1,225

  46

  —

  44

  3

  17

  2

  108

  8.8

  1,117

  National Seed Development Organisation

  1987

  66

  —

  66

  1

  37

  —

  —

  —

  —

  38

  58.3

  28

  Professional and Executive Recruitment

  1988

  6

  —

  6

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  15.0

  5

  British Steel

  1988

  2,500

  —

  2,500

  58

  —

  4,489

  18

  —

  2

  4,564

  182.5

  -2,064

  General Practice Finance Corporation

  1989

  145

  —

  145

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  0.4

  145

  Harland and Wolff

  1989

  8

  —

  8

  1

  205

  422

  —

  —

  —

  629

  8,275

  -621

  Short Brothers

  1989

  30

  —

  30

  2

  366

  390

  —

  —

  759

  2,529

  2,529

  -729

  Regional Electicity Companies

  1990

  5,182

  2,815

  7,997

  5202

  —

  —

  51

  64

  34

  6—

  6—

  6—

  Generating Companies2

  1991

  2,228

  768

  2,996

  585

  —

  —

  24

  41

  6

  6—

  6—

  6—

  Scottish Electricity Companies

  1991

  2,918

  626

  3,544

  114

  —

  1,044

  11

  53

  1

  1,219

  34.4

  2,325

  NTL

  1991

  48

  22

  70

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  3.1

  68

  Insurance Services Group

  1991

  470

  —

  470

  7

  50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  57

  81.0

  13

  BTG

  1992

  28

  —

  28

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  10.5

  25

  Northern Ireland Electricity

  1992–93

  704

  70

  774

  29

  —

  —

  2

  15

  —

  47

  6.0

  727

  DVOIT

  1993

  5

  —

  5

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  50.0

  2

  Forward

  1994

  5

  —

  5

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  10.9

  4

  DTELS

  1994

  7

  —

  7

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  27.3

  5

  Belfast International Airport

  1994

  33

  15

  48

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  7.4

  44

  British Coal

  1994

  963

  —

  963

  35

  —

  1,633

  —

  —

  —

  1,669

  173.3

  -706

  Notes:

  1 Costs to Government (often some costs will fall to the company).

  2 Excludes costs and proceeds of secondary sales(s).

  3 Since 1979.

  4 Includes up to £5 million to be paid in 1996.

  5 Costs to 31 December 1991 excluding VAT and stamp duty.

  6 Lack of information on VAT and stamp duty costs means this is not available on a consistent basis.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which directorate and commissioner are responsible for taking forward the proposals contained in European Commission document COM (94) 584 on the subject of the establishment of a common system of value added tax. [20981]
  648
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Directorate General XXI of the European Commission has responsibility for "Customs and Indirect Taxation' and for matters relating to VAT. The commissioner responsible for DGXXI is Mr. Monti. Document COM (94) 584 is essentially a report produced by the European Commission on the operation of the VAT system in the Community, with particular reference to the rates of tax applicable in member states. The only specific proposal which is made in the context
  649
  of this document relates to an option for member states to apply a reduced rate of VAT to certain non-food agricultural products, such as cut flowers.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he has yet had chance to consider European Commission Document COM (94) 584 on the subject of the establishment of a common system of value added tax, what response he has made to those parts of that document which propose the abolition of zero rating for new houses; and if he will make a statement; [20977]

  (2) whether it is his policy to endorse the recommendations of the European Commission Document COM (94) 584 on the subject of the establishment of a common system of value added tax in respect of (a) the scheduled establishment in January 1997 of a definitive value added tax regime and (b) the inclusion within that regime of the ending zero rating of all outstanding items including housing. [20978]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Document COM (94) 584 is a routine report produced by the European Commission in accordance with the requirements of the sixth VAT directive. It is largely concerned with the operation of the VAT system within the Community, with particular reference to the rates of tax applicable in member states. I have noted its contents, and, in particular, its principal conclusion that the current VAT rates and structures applicable in the Community do not present any serious problems for the satisfactory operation of the single market.

  The report makes no specific proposals in respect of zero rates, although it makes reference to them in the context of the proposed move to a definitive system for VAT. Separate proposals from the Commission in respect of a definitive system are expected later this year. The Government have already made it clear that a condition of any move to a definitive system would be that such a system made provision for the UK to continue to apply any zero rates which are in force at the time any new system is introduced.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the possible impact on the United Kingdom housing market of the implementation of the proposals of European Commission Document COM (94) 584 on the subject of the establishment of a common system of value added tax; and if he will make a statement. [20980]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Document COM (94) 584 does not contain any specific proposals in relation to the VAT treatment of housing. To the extent that the document addresses the status of zero rates, it does so in the context of the proposed move to a definitive system. Substantive discussions on any such definitive system have yet to begin, but the UK has consistently made it clear that one condition of a move to any such system would be that it made provision for the UK to continue to apply any zero rates which are in force at the time any new system is introduced.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all those items which are currently zero rated for value added tax purposes and which would be affected by the recommendations for the ending of such zero rating included within the provisions of European Commission document COM (94) 584 on the subject of the establishment of a common system of value added tax. [20979]
  650
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Document COM (94) 584 makes no specific proposals for the ending of UK zero rates. It addresses only the status of zero rates in the context of the proposed move to a definitive system. The Government have consistently made it clear that, as a condition of any move to a definitive system for VAT, such a system must make provision for the UK to continue to apply any zero rates which are in force at the time any new system is introduced.

  Building Societies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take action to compel directors of building societies to declare publicly in full the benefits they will gain personally when takeovers, amalgamations and conversions into banks are promoted and recommended. [20683]

  Mr. Nelson
  Regulations made under the Building Societies Act 1986 require the disclosure of information about the interests of the directors of a society in any transfer of business, the compensation or other consideration proposed to be paid to directors or other officers of the society attributable to the transfer and the manner in which the salary and other benefits of officers of the society will be affected by appointment to any position by the successor company. This information must be contained in the transfer statement, which is sent to all members eligible to vote.

  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce changes to the Building Societies Act 1986 so that when the Building Societies ombudsman confirms that maladministration is proven against the interest of a category of saver, all such savers shall be recompensed, and not only those who have registered a complaint. [20975]

  Mr. Nelson
  The purpose of the building societies ombudsmen scheme is to provide an alternative to legal action for settling individual disputes between societies and their customers. Each case must be decided by the ombudsman on its merits and the details of any two complaints are seldom identical, so it would not be appropriate for the decision of the ombudsman in one particular case to be applied automatically to a number of other cases which had not been submitted to him.

  Government Borrowing
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current level of Government borrowing; what was the level in April 1992; what he estimates the level will be in April next year; and at what level of borrowing he thinks it would be prudent to contemplate tax cuts. [21075]

  Mr. Nelson
  The public sector borrowing requirement in 1991–92 was £13.9 billion. In 1994–95, the PSBR was £35.6 billion. The PSBR is expected to fall to £21½ billion in 1995–96 and is projected to be in surplus by the end of the decade.

  Tax cuts will be made only when it is in the best interests of the economy.

  Manufacturers
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the relative competitiveness on price of United Kingdom exports of
  651
  manufactures at the current rates of exchange and at those in the fourth quarter of 1986. [21303]

  Mr. Nelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 13 March,Official Report, column 360.

  Mortgage Statistics
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list by region the current average amount where a home owner's mortgage debt exceeds or falls short of the value of their property; what the national average is; and what were the equivalent figures for each of the four previous years; [20721]

  (2) if he will list by region the number of home owners whose current property value is at a negative equity figure; and what were the figures for each of the previous four years. [20729]

  Mr. Nelson
  Estimates of the number of households with, and the average value per household of, negative equity by region in the years 1990–1994 are shown in the tables. Figures for households with positive equity are not available.

  Estimates of negative equity are sensitive to assumptions made about average house prices. These estimates are based on Department of the Environment house price data.

  On this basis, the number of UK households with negative equity in the fourth quarter of 1994 had fallen by 45 per cent. since its peak in the fourth quarter of 1992. The total value of negative equity fell by 64 per cent. over the same period.

  Table 1: The number of households with negative equity, by region, 1990–94

  Thousands

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  South East

  129

  230

  425

  447

  361

  Greater London

  20

  61

  141

  148

  107

  South West

  41

  75

  126

  143

  111

  East Anglia

  26

  39

  60

  69

  58

  East Midlands

  16

  28

  42

  50

  22

  West Midlands

  11

  9

  32

  33

  14

  Wales

  5

  11

  12

  14

  11

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  4

  5

  23

  10

  21

  North West

  6

  4

  4

  27

  9

  North

  1

  4

  6

  4

  6

  Scotland

  6

  4

  1

  4

  5

  Northern Ireland

  5

  4

  2

  2

  3

  United Kingdom

  270

  475

  875

  952

  729

  Table 2: The average value of negative equity per household, by region, 1990–1994

  £

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  South East

  3,540

  4,332

  6,306

  6,449

  5,101

  Greater London

  2,455

  3,004

  6,091

  5,648

  3,792

  South West

  3,555

  3,476

  4,314

  4,770

  3,745

  East Anglia

  4,900

  4,795

  5,246

  5,026

  4,603

  East Midlands

  1,080

  1,319

  1,486

  1,813

  1,658

  West Midlands

  1,411

  955

  1,550

  1,496

  1,280

  Wales

  1,178

  2,570

  1,872

  1,692

  1,428

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  488

  602

  1,165

  1,447

  835

  North West

  588

  958

  388

  1,003

  516

  North

  1,004

  1,635

  1,264

  1,414

  730

  652

  Table 2: The average value of negative equity per household, by region, 1990–1994

  £

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Scotland

  649

  721

  168

  634

  463

  Northern Ireland

  809

  1,145

  1,902

  1,365

  1,480

  UK

  3,160

  3,685

  5,295

  5,269

  4,207

  Council Tax Bands
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the charter standards for the speed with which the Inland Revenue notifies local authorities of amendments to a property's council tax band. [20690]

  Mr. Nelson
  Listing officers of the Valuation Office Agency are responsible for maintaining council tax bandings.

  There is no charter standard for the speed with which listing officers notify local authorities of amendments to a property's council tax band but they would aim to do this within three months of becoming aware of the need for an amendment.

  Medicash
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fee was paid by Medicash to the Paymaster General's office for sending private health care mailshots to NHS pensioners; and how many were sent out. [20678]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The information requested falls within the operational responsibility of the chief executive of PAYMASTER, whom I have asked to reply.

  Letter from Keith Sullens to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 26 April 1995:
  I am replying to your written parliamentary question of 21 April, that you asked The Chancellor of the Exchequer. I have been asked to reply because it falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Office of HM Paymaster General, known as the Agency PAYMASTER.
  On behalf of Medicash we forwarded informative material to 152,000 pensioners. Medicash were charged £21,379 including VAT.

  British Manufacture and Research Company
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will refer the conduct of the former directors of the British Manufacture and Research Company to the Customs and Excise for it to consider an investigation into possible breaches of the arms embargo with Iran. [20487]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 24 April 1995]: Decisions on whether to investigate possible breaches of UK export controls are for the Commissioners of Customs and Excise in exercise of their law enforcement responsibilities. They will consider all relevant information available to them in deciding whether an investigation is appropriate and would welcome any information which the hon. Member or others may provide.

  Cable Companies
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the uniform business rate is calculated for franchised
  653
  cable companies; and what is the rate set for 1994–95 and for 1995–96. [19111]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 25 April 1995]: Valuations of the franchised cable companies for uniform business rate purposes, in the absence of reliable rental evidence, have been based on the cost of installing the systems.

  In 1994–95 the rateable value for England for franchised cable companies is estimated to be £5.5 million. For 1995–96 the equivalent figure is estimated to be £22.5 million.

  Public Sector Occupational Pension Schemes
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information is available regarding the expenditure of public sector occupational pension schemes on pensions, lump sums on death and lump sums on retirement,

  £ million

  1991–92 Pensions Members and dependents

  1992–93 Lump sums

  Pensions

  Lump sums Members and dependents

  Death

  Retirement

  Death

  Retirement

  Local Government

  1,760

  34

  478

  1,951

  31

  533

  Teaching

  1,892

  14

  433

  2,092

  16

  526

  NHS

  1,340

  17

  283

  1,497

  18

  317

  Civil Service

  1,670

  32

  271

  1,773

  32

  318

  Armed Forces

  1.109

  190

  1,195

  286

EDUCATION

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department are under a statutory requirement to(a) publish their advice to the Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and if she will list those bodies with a statutory base. [21165]

  Mr. Boswell
  There are no advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by this Department.

  Drugs
  Mr. Hawksley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what changes there have been in circulars giving guidance to schools concerning the reporting to police of pupils caught with soft drugs. [21279]

  Mr. Forth
  The Department issued for consultation last November a draft circular on drug prevention and schools. That made it clear that my right hon. Friend expects schools to notify the police when illegal drugs are found on a pupil or on school premises. That remains our view. Any instances of possession, use or supply of illegal drugs on school premises should be regarded with the utmost seriousness. The final circular will be published next month.
  654
  comparable to that given for self-administered private sector schemes in table 4.4 of the Government Actuary's report, "Occupational Pension Schemes 1991"; and what was the total expenditure of public sector schemes under each of these heads in 1991 and in the financial year 1992–93. [19990]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 25 April 1995]: Information in the form requested is held centrally only for the public service pension schemes covering local government, teaching, the NHS, the civil service and the armed forces. It is given in the following table. Similar information for other public sector occupational pension schemes may be available from employing authorities or the managers of those schemes.

  The Central Statistical Office publishes information obtained on a different sampling basis from that used by the Government Actuary—its survey of income and expenditure of funded private and public sector schemes in table 4.3 of "Business Monitor MQ5".

  University Science Parks
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many university science parks are now in operation; and how many acres of land they occupy. [21061]

  Mr. Boswell
  There are currently 49 science parks in the UK with UK Science Park Association membership. We understand that there are also a small number of independent science parks. Figures on acreage of land occupied are not available centrally. The total amount of science park property floor space occupied by UKSPA members in 1994 was 675,000 sq. m.

  School Meals
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list, in ranking order, the amount of subsidy per pupil for school meals for each local education authority in England and Wales, giving in the form of a table the income, expenditure and the subsidy, both in absolute amounts and per pupil, and relate the absolute subsidy to the cost of teachers' pay award in each authority. [20720]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table shows, in ranking order of cost per pupil, the expenditure and income in cash terms for local education authority school catering services in 1992–93, the latest year for which final figures are available. The table also shows the notional cost of the increase in teacher salaries in 1995–96 in England only; this information is not collected centrally in Wales. The figures in the table take no account of changes in
  655
  teacher numbers or other factors that affect the teachers' pay bill.

  School catering services

  1992–93 expenditure £000

  1992–93 income £000

  1992–93 difference £000

  1992–93 cost per pupil £

  1995–96 estimated increase teachers' salary £000

  Corporation of London

  108

  18

  90

  433

  12

  Walsall

  11,025

  1,808

  9,217

  206

  1,634

  Lambeth

  5,421

  876

  4,545

  183

  1,271

  Kensington and Chelsea

  2,204

  446

  1,758

  182

  450

  Islington

  10,265

  6,332

  3,933

  176

  1,138

  Tower Hamlets

  6,229

  808

  5,421

  172

  1,614

  Hackney

  4,688

  633

  4,055

  168

  1,189

  Manchester

  13,163

  2,349

  10,814

  151

  2,769

  Hammersmith

  2,737

  606

  2,131

  150

  709

  Southwark

  5,304

  1,022

  4,282

  145

  1,214

  Camden

  3,536

  562

  2,974

  140

  1,037

  Derbyshire

  28,192

  9,873

  18,319

  136

  5,273

  Wandsworth

  4,079

  991

  3,088

  135

  1,170

  Greenwich

  5,388

  1,034

  4,354

  125

  1,620

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  6,554

  1,838

  4,716

  119

  1,531

  Haringey

  4,286

  1,118

  3,168

  115

  1,303

  Lewisham

  4,471

  1,063

  3,408

  111

  1,237

  North Tyneside

  5,071

  1,673

  3,398

  110

  1,226

  Knowsley

  3,549

  607

  2,942

  110

  986

  Gwynedd

  5,814

  2,021

  3,793

  108

  Humberside

  21,208

  6,743

  14,465

  103

  5,209

  Dyfed

  8,420

  2,599

  5,821

  103

  Newham

  4,873

  1,063

  3,810

  102

  1,555

  Waltham Forest

  4,388

  1,240

  3,148

  102

  1,388

  Cleveland

  14,836

  4,530

  10,306

  101

  3,839

  Bradford

  12,781

  4,355

  8,426

  101

  3,212

  Mid Glamorgan

  14,688

  5,097

  9,591

  101

  Durham

  15,029

  5,615

  9,414

  101

  3,449

  Brent

  4,370

  1,147

  3,223

  100

  1,371

  Wakefield

  8,500

  3,689

  4,811

  98

  1,837

  South Tyneside

  3,887

  1,457

  2,430

  98

  896

  Barnsley

  5,014

  1,829

  3,185

  98

  1,131

  Wolverhampton

  5,017

  1,422

  3,595

  94

  1,490

  Birmingham

  22,908

  7,046

  15,862

  93

  6,401

  Kirklees

  9,161

  3,588

  5,573

  93

  2,341

  Westminster

  2,045

  536

  1,509

  92

  820

  Rochdale

  4,935

  1,836

  3,099

  91

  1,249

  Salford

  4,931

  1,757

  3,174

  86

  1,459

  Isles of Scilly

  43

  19

  24

  86

  17

  Sandwell

  6,015

  1,929

  4,086

  84

  1,893

  Ealing

  4,261

  1,391

  2,870

  83

  1,370

  Avon

  17,438

  6,477

  10,961

  82

  5,068

  Liverpool

  8,782

  2,456

  6,326

  81

  2,993

  Sheffield

  8,824

  3,383

  5,441

  79

  2,681

  Bolton

  6,075

  2,672

  3,403

  78

  1,656

  Powys

  1,476

  58

  1,418

  77

  Nottinghamshire

  19,059

  7,560

  11,499

  77

  5,759

  Coventry

  4,716

  1,062

  3,654

  76

  1,924

  Doncaster

  7,620

  3,894

  3,726

  75

  1,722

  Gateshead

  3,331

  1,124

  2,207

  75

  1,168

  Gwent

  9,532

  4,074

  5,458

  75

  Suffolk

  7,115

  526

  6,589

  74

  3,556

  Enfield

  4,740

  1,812

  2,928

  74

  1,613

  Tameside

  5,265

  2,685

  2,580

  72

  1,299

  Northumberland

  7,386

  3,854

  3,532

  71

  1,768

  South Glamorgan

  7,185

  2,533

  4,652

  71

  Bury

  3,782

  1,890

  1,892

  69

  953

  Barking

  2,572

  898

  1,674

  69

  963

  East Sussex

  10,152

  4,322

  5,830

  68

  3,252

  Hounslow

  3,328

  1,120

  2,208

  68

  1,374

  Sefton

  4,799

  1,692

  3,107

  68

  1,655

  St. Helens

  3,271

  1,274

  1,997

  67

  1,146

  Leeds

  12,622

  5,602

  7,020

  66

  4,081

  Lancashire

  24,451

  10,704

  13,747

  65

  8,188

  656 657

  School catering services

  1992–93 expenditure £000

  1992–93 income £000

  1992–93 difference £000

  1992–93 cost per pupil £

  1995–96 estimated increase teachers' salary £000

  Bedfordshire

  11,733

  6,293

  5,440

  64

  3,292

  Sutton

  2,037

  764

  1,273

  64

  735

  Norfolk

  11,020

  4,801

  6,219

  64

  3,664

  Barnet

  4,669

  2,200

  2,469

  63

  1,741

  Trafford

  3,432

  1,531

  1,901

  62

  1,115

  Calderdale

  3,527

  1,645

  1,882

  62

  1,141

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,492

  440

  1,052

  61

  732

  Stockport

  4,003

  1,342

  2,661

  61

  1,639

  Dudley

  3,623

  968

  2,655

  59

  1,732

  Hertfordshire

  18,214

  9,785

  8,429

  59

  5,523

  Clywd

  7,108

  3,267

  3,841

  59

  West Glamorgan

  4,983

  1,575

  3,408

  59

  Wirral

  5,520

  2,441

  3,079

  59

  2,017

  Wigan

  5,414

  2,485

  2,929

  58

  2,038

  Isle of Wight

  1,017

  24

  993

  56

  684

  Croydon

  4,510

  2,345

  2,165

  52

  1,590

  Warwickshire

  6,916

  3,393

  3,523

  51

  2,563

  Surrey

  13,850

  8,155

  5,695

  50

  4,286

  Shropshire

  7,134

  4,063

  3,071

  50

  2,469

  Cambridgeshire

  9,338

  4,631

  4,707

  49

  3,420

  Cornwall

  5,394

  2,088

  3,306

  49

  2,446

  Hampshire

  20,463

  10,198

  10,265

  48

  7,944

  Leicestershire

  10,912

  4,205

  6,707

  48

  5,415

  Devon

  9,541

  3,075

  6,466

  48

  5,053

  Rotherham

  4,869

  2,853

  2,016

  48

  1,677

  Sunderland

  4,485

  2,251

  2,234

  46

  1,814

  Oxfordshire

  4,949

  1,712

  3,237

  44

  2,882

  Bromley

  1,180

  0

  1,180

  43

  1,045

  Solihull

  3,353

  2,013

  1,340

  41

  1,259

  Cumbria

  5,405

  2,608

  2,797

  40

  2,673

  Oldham

  3,981

  2,377

  1,604

  40

  1,625

  Staffordshire

  15,433

  8,944

  6,489

  40

  5,690

  Havering

  1,527

  130

  1,397

  40

  1,402

  Cheshire

  11,863

  6,169

  5,694

  37

  5,453

  Wiltshire

  2,844

  -18

  2,862

  36

  2,967

  Redbridge

  1,198

  0

  1,198

  36

  1,359

  West Sussex

  4,528

  1,173

  3,355

  36

  3,614

  Essex

  12,270

  5,665

  6,605

  33

  7,887

  North Yorkshire

  6,815

  3,677

  3,138

  31

  3,890

  Gloucestershire

  2,075

  203

  1,872

  28

  2,470

  Somerset

  1,763

  56

  1,707

  27

  2,365

  Kent

  5,323

  0

  5,323

  26

  7,259

  Dorset

  2,102

  107

  1,995

  25

  2,814

  Kingston upon Thames

  496

  89

  407

  24

  752

  Hillingdon

  596

  24

  572

  24

  926

  Northamptonshire

  2,151

  219

  1,932

  22

  3,318

  Buckinghamshire

  2,111

  131

  1,980

  21

  3,289

  Harrow

  653

  135

  518

  19

  1,083

  Berkshire

  1,940

  61

  1,879

  19

  3,776

  Hereford and Worcester

  2,157

  580

  1,577

  16

  3,763

  Merton

  1,037

  694

  343

  16

  970

  Lincolnshire

  1,282

  365

  917

  12

  2,676

  Bexley

  1,748

  1,683

  65

  2

  1,219

  Total

  782,880

  294,230

  488,650

  68

  265,910

  North Yorkshire County Council
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the budget for the employment of staff in the education department of North Yorkshire county council for each of the last 10 years. [20830]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table shows North Yorkshire county council expenditure on staff involved in service strategy and regulation, management and administration,658
  inspection and advisory service in cash and real terms from 1984–85 to 1993–94, the latest year for which provisional outturn figures are available. These figures have not been adjusted for any changes of function.

  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the budget for the employment of staff in the education department of North Yorkshire county council for each of the last 10 years. [20830]
  659
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table shows North Yorkshire county council expenditure on staff involved in service strategy and regulation, management and administration, inspection and advisory service in cash and real terms from 1984–85 to 1993–94, the latest year for which provisional outturn figures are available. These figures have not been adjusted for any changes of function.

  North Yorkshire

  Administration and inspection expenditure

  Total (cash terms) £000

  Total (1994–95 prices) £000

  1984–85

  2,850

  4,672

  1985–86

  2,893

  4,496

  1986–87

  3,024

  4,563

  1987–88

  3,340

  4,785

  1988–89

  3,412

  4,581

  1989–90

  4,093

  5,136

  1990–91

  3,931

  4,567

  1991–92

  4,179

  4,568

  1992–93

  3,652

  3,839

  1993–941

  3,980

  4,060

  1 Provisional.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is her estimate of the cost of adopting a policy which ensures that no class sizes in state schools exceed 30 pupils. [20463]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The financial implications of any policy setting arbitrary limits on class size would depend on the resulting decisions taken at school level about the deployment of teachers and pupils.

  Education Expenditure, Leicestershire
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much is budgeted to be paid directly to schools in Leicestershire in the current financial year; how much will be spent elsewhere by the LEA on central administration or for other purposes; and what were the figures for each of the four previous years. [19934]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The figures in the table are derived from the budget and outturn statements published by the Leicestershire local education authority under section 42 of the Education Reform Act 1988 in respect of schools covered by its scheme for the local management of schools. The general schools budget represents total expenditure, or planned expenditure, on the authority"s county, voluntary and—from 1 April 1994—special schools; the aggregated schools budget is that portion of the GSB which is allocated to the schools themselves. The difference represents funding retained by the authority for central administration and other purposes relating to the schools covered by the local management of schools scheme.

  Financial year

  GSB (£k)

  ASB (£000)

  1995–96 (budget)

  318,103

  237,430

  1994–95 (budget)

  319,137

  232,660

  1993–94 (outturn)

  295,008

  220,634

  1992–93 (outturn)

  310,190

  224,483

  1991–92 (outturn)

  296,805

  204,956

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Equalisation Reserves
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he will be issuing a consultation document on the subject of equalisation reserves. [22006]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  In his speech on Second Reading of the Insurance Companies (Reserves) Bill, my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, North (Mr. Heald) indicated that the Government proposed to issue a consultation document in the spring to invite comments on proposals for regulations introducing a requirement for equalisation reserves for some types of non-life business. I am pleased to be able to tell the House that the DTI and Inland Revenue are today jointly issuing the consultation document to which he referred. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  The insurance industry has argued for some years that it is at a disadvantage compared to its overseas competitors because some countries allow tax relief on transfers made into equalisation reserves for non-life business. These representations have been made in the light of the emerging single European market in insurance, and in particular the EC third non-life directive, which came into force on 1 July 1994 and which enables insurers to operate anywhere throughout the Community under a single authorisation and regulation by their home state. In some EC member states insurers are able to build up equalisation reserves free of tax to assist them in responding to exceptional claims and many UK companies believe this gives such companies a competitive advantage both in European and world insurance markets.

  Claims equalisation reserves are used to set aside funds in good years to assist the meeting of losses in bad ones, resulting in a smoothing of insurers' underwriting results over time. Much insurance business that can suffer catastrophe or exceptional claims is written as one year contracts and taxed on the results for a single year. It is in the nature of such business, however, that its true profitability emerges only over a longer period. It is therefore argued that tax should be able to be deferred in respect of prudential sums set aside to reserves in good years since such sums are not really profit at all but will be needed to pay claims in bad years.

  The supervisory proposals in the consultation document could be the basis of regulations if the provisions of the Insurance Companies (Reserves) Bill become law. The consultation document suggests that it would be appropriate for companies writing certain types of business to set aside a certain proportion of net written premium each year up to a maximum limit based on the amount of premium written over five years. Withdrawals would be triggered when a company's claims ratio for a financial year exceeded a set amount. The types of business which it is proposed be covered are: property, consequential loss, mortgage indemnity, marine, nuclear, proportional reinsurance of that business and all non-proportional reinsurance.

  I am grateful to the industry, and in particular to the Association of British Insurers, for the work done to assist the development of these proposals. We hope that all interested parties will consider the proposals carefully and indicate whether they are content to proceed on that basis.

  661
  Representations should be sent by 7 July 1995 either to the DTI or the Inland Revenue.

  Radio Spectrum Review
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Government's response to stage 3 Radio spectrum review report will be published. [22007]

  Mr. Heseltine
  I am pleased to announce that, in agreement with the Secretaries of State for Defence, for the Home Department, for Scotland and for National Heritage, the Government's response to the recommendations made in the report of the radio spectrum review committee, "Stage 3: 28–470 MHz', will be published today. The review committee was chaired by Sir Colin Fielding and its report presented to Ministers on 19 January 1994.

  Today's response and the progress which will be made in implementing the recommendations is a further example of the steps we are taking to improve the efficiency of spectrum management and usage in the UK to promote competition and choice for the benefit of all users of the radio spectrum.

  The review committee made 28 recommendations, 24 of which have been accepted by the Government without reservation; the remaining four are accepted in principle. The recommendations cover both defence and civil use of the review spectrum and a number of them have already been acted upon. Part of an existing defence frequency band has already been released for a new digital radio broadcasting service for the UK. Further defence spectrum has been released in co-operation with NATO to provide the emergency services with an opportunity to develop a new radio system. This in turn will also assist with the resolution of the long-standing continental radio interference problems in the UHF frequency bands in England and Wales.

  Some of the review committee's recommendations addressed spectrum management issues which were also the subject of the consultative document on the future management of the radio spectrum. Therefore it was decided to delay the completion of the Government's response to the stage three review until after consideration of the submissions to the consultative document.

  Cable Television Operators
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment has been made of the damage to trees in the borough of Havering by the work undertaken by Encom; and what steps have been taken to prevent further damage. [20719]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Havering borough council, in conjunction with Encom, has carried out a survey of 14,000 trees in the borough to assess damage to trees by cabling activity. The company have agreed that any tree damaged as a result of their contractors' activity will be replaced by two new specimens. A code of practice has been agreed with the borough council to minimise the potential for further damage. The code commits Encom's contractors to hand digging in the vicinity of trees.

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what powers local authorities have to control the activities of cable television operators within their area; and what residual powers Her Majesty's Government have in this area. [20717]
  662
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The street works activities of cable TV operators, in common with other statutory undertakers, are governed by the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, and its associated regulations. Local authorities may bring prosecutions under the Act for offences which include failure to reinstate, failure to comply with requirements on reinstatement materials and workmanship standards, failure to sign, guard and light the works as required and failure to co-operate with the street authority. The Telecommunications Act 1984, under which cable TV operators are licensed to install and run their systems, empowers the Secretary of State to modify the system installation conditions of cable operators' licences should he consider it expedient to do so.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what monitoring his Department carries out to ensure that cable television companies do not abuse their franchise by causing serious, unnecessary and unacceptable disruption to other local services and local residents; what recourse is available where this happens; and if he will make a statement. [19003]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Cable TV operators are licensed under the Telecommunications Act 1984 to install their systems in the maintainable highway and, with appropriate consent, on private land. Their licences include conditions designed to ensure that they operate in a responsible manner and adhere to all relevant street works legislation. Street works in the maintainable highway are subject to the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, and its associated regulations, which is enforced by local highway authorities. The Act imposes a duty on the cable operator to co-operate with the local highway authority in the interests of safety, to minimise the inconvenience to persons using the street and to protect the structure of the street and the integrity of apparatus in it. The DTI monitors the performance of individual cable operators using a variety of statistical and empirical measures. The Department, in conjunction with local authorities, take action to ensure street works do not cause unnecessary disruption.

  Cable Communications (Schools)
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Milton Keynes, North-East (Mrs. Butler) of 5 April,Official Report, column 1722, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Cable Communications Association undertaking to ensure that all schools in the areas for which it has franchises will be connected. [21023]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I welcome the decision by the Cable Communications Association to offer a free connecting to every school passed by cable TV networks. More than 350 schools are already benefiting from this policy, which was agreed by the association's board on 16 February. A copy of the policy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Shipbuilding
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's policy on support for the shipbuilding industry from 1 January 1996. [20733]

  Mr. Eggar
  With the exception of the shipbuilding intervention fund and the home credit guarantee scheme, no changes are planned to the Department's policies on the shipbuilding industry after 1 January 1996.
  663
  The shipbuilding intervention fund scheme will be abolished from that date. The United Kingdom will abide by the terms of the OECD's agreement respecting competitive conditions in the commercial shipbuilding and repair industry, signed in December 1994, which abolishes all direct subsidies to these industries on a multilateral basis. However, payments made under commitments entered into before 1 January 1996 may be continued until 31 December 1998.

  The future of the home credit guarantee scheme is being reviewed in the light of the OECD agreement.

  Land Sales (British Coal)
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will identify all the parcels of land currently being offered by sale by British Coal. [20829]

  Mr. Page
  This is a matter for British Coal. I understand that the corporation is considering the composition of the property packages which it is to offer for sale.

  Crown Post Offices
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidance his Department gives to the Post Office regarding consultation procedures for proposed changes to Crown post offices. [20890]

  Mr. Page
  The implementation of any changes to Crown post offices is a matter for Post Office Counters Ltd.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many Crown post offices he expects there to be in each of the next five years. [20891]

  Mr. Page
  The ownership of its outlets is a matter for Post Office Counters Ltd.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations he has received from members of the public regarding converting Crown post offices to agency status; how many of those have been in favour of such a change; and how many against. [20893]

  Mr. Page
  Since the Post Office started its Crown conversion programme in 1989 my Department has received a wide range of correspondence commenting on the programme, most commonly on proposals for individual offices. However, summary records of the numbers of letters received and the views expressed in them are not maintained.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidance he issues on the categories of shops and businesses in which it is(a) appropriate and (b) inappropriate to situate post offices. [20894]

  Mr. Page
  The location and ownership of its outlets is a matter for Post Office Counters Ltd.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many Crown post offices there were in(a) 1979, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) the last year for which figures are available. [20895]

  Mr. Page
  I understand from the Post Office that the information requested is as follows:

  Date

  Number of Crown Post Offices

  31 March 1979

  1,580

  3 April 1985

  1,553

  28 March 1990

  1,339

  28 February 1995

  735

  664
  The total number of post offices offering the full range of Post Office services is currently 1,506.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that Post Office guidelines about suitable outlets for agency post offices are published in the Official Report and placed in the Library. [21026]

  Mr. Page
  The location and ownership of its outlets is a matter for Post Office Counters Ltd.

  Trade Visit (South Africa)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcomes of the recent visit by the trade Minister to South Africa and on future plans for trade development with South Africa. [19913]

  Mr. Needham
  During my visit to South Africa in March, 80 business men were involved in technical seminars on the royal yacht, on-shore business-to-business meetings and meetings with key figures in the South African Government of National Unity.

  Nearly 50 of the business party travelled to Johannesburg during the middle of the week to discuss issues with the financial community and to talk to their opposite numbers in the electricity utility, Eskom, brewing conglomerate, South African Breweries, and urban regeneration planners and engineers at the Johannesburg Transitional metropolitan council.

  British companies announced a series of major deals during the week which are expected to lead millions of pounds of additional business.

  An Anglo-South African partnership initiative is to be established, comprising some of the most important business men in both countries, which will promote trade between the two countries. This is expected to be formally inaugurated in September, when we will be staging a major "British Week" in Johannesburg. This will feature sporting and cultural events as well as a major all-British trade exhibition under the title "Britain means Business'.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration Service and Police Raids
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the named offender procedure with regard to immigration service and police raids. [20889]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  There are no plans to change the present policy that in all cases every reasonable effort should be made to establish the names of people whom it is suspected will be found and to check them against immigration records. Visits to private addresses will continue to be authorised only where there is good reason to suspect that an identified person is there in breach of the immigration laws. However, in relation to places of work, my right hon. and learned Friend and I have decided that in future, where there is reason to believe that efforts to enlist the co-operation of the employer would undermine the effectiveness of a planned operation, visits will be authorised where there is apparently reliable information that immigration offenders will be found.
  665
  Particular account will be taken of whether there is a history of the premises being used by offenders.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the closed circuit television bids which were considered to be of good or very good quality. [21024]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information, by police authority area, is as follows:

  Avon and Somerset

  Easton and St. Agnes, Bristol

  Spike Island, Bristol

  Clifton, Bristol

  Bath

  Bridgewater bus station, Somerset

  Bridgewater railway station, Somerset

  Nailsea, Bristol

  Bedfordshire

  Bedford

  Cranfield University

  Sandy

  Cambridgeshire

  Ely

  Huntingdon, Ramsey, St. Ives and St. Neots

  March

  Peterborough

  Cambridge

  Wisbech

  Cheshire

  Chester

  Congleton

  Macclesfield

  Neston

  Northwich

  Cleveland

  Easterside library and Redcar library

  Billingham

  Thornaby

  Redcar further education centre

  Skippers Lane industrial estate, Langbaurgh

  Mill Lane primary school, Stockton

  Teesside retail park, Thornaby

  Cumbria

  Carlisle

  Penrith

  West Cumberland hospital

  Derbyshire

  Chesterfield

  Derby

  Dronfield and Killamarsh sports centers

  Ilkeston

  Buxton, Glossop, Chapel en le Frith, New Mills and Whaley

  Bridge

  Long Eaton

  Devon and Cornwall

  Barnstaple

  Bodmin

  Exeter

  Falmouth

  South Hams hospital, Kingsbridge

  Newquary

  Truro, Devon

  Westland upper school, Torquay

  Torquay town centre

  Tiverton town centre

  Tiverton business centre

  666
  St. Austell town center

  Dorset

  Boscombe town centre

  Durham

  Darlington centre

  Durham city centre

  Chester le Street town centre

  Bishop Auckland town centre

  Dyfed

  Haverfordwest town centre

  Carmarthen town centre

  Essex

  Laindon shopping centre

  Harlow town centre

  The Blackshots centre, Thurrock

  Chelmsford town centre

  Shenfield and Brentwood centre

  Gloucestershire

  Stroud town centre

  Gloucester city centre

  Dursley town centre

  Cirencester town centre

  Cheltenham town centre

  Rowanfield infants and junior schools, Cheltenham

  Beaufort Community School, Gloucester

  Greater Manchester

  Richmond Park estate, Ashton under Lyne

  Bolton town centre

  Mancroft avenue housing estate, Bolton

  Bury town centre

  Middleton town centre

  Rochdale town centre

  Stepping Hill general hospital, Stockport

  Droylsden town centre

  Denton town centre

  Ashton-under-Lyne town centre

  Stalybridge town centre

  Tameside business development centre

  Hyde town centre

  Saymour Park primary school, Old Trafford

  Westhoughton town centre

  Wigan town centre

  Marsh green, Wigan

  Howe Bridge sports centre car park, Wigan

  Wythenshawe hospital

  Wythenshawe park

  Wythenshawe town centre

  Gwent

  Cwmbran

  Gwent-Bettsw school

  Cwmbran-Croesyceilog school

  Ebbw Vale-Rassau industrial estate

  Hampshire

  Basingstoke

  Eastleigh

  Gosport

  Southsea-Fawcett Road shopping centre

  Havant

  Portsmouth-Kingston road

  Portsmouth-NHS trust hospital

  Portsmouth-The Mountbatten centre

  Portsmouth-Commercial road

  Southampton

  Southsea

  Hertfordshire

  North Herts-Hitchen and Letchworth business park

  Stevenage

  Welwyn Garden city

  667
  Humberside

  Brigg

  Cleethorpes

  Driffield

  Goole

  Grimsby-Yarborough estate -Grimsby general hospital

  Hull-Sutlon Fields industrial estate

  Kent

  Ashford

  Dartford

  Dover and Deal

  Folkestone

  Gillingham

  Maidstone

  Ramsgate

  Rochester

  Sandwich

  Swale

  Tonbridge and West Mailing

  Lancashire

  Blackpool

  Burnley

  Chorley

  Clitheroe

  Lancaster

  Morecambe

  Leicestershire

  Ashby de la Zouch

  Loughborough

  Market Harborough

  Melton Mowbray

  Moira village

  Lincolnshire

  Boston-Kirton

  Boston

  Donington

  Gainsborough

  Merseyside

  Bootle leisure centre and North park

  Huyton sports centre car park

  Kirkby railway station

  Liverpool

  Picton sports centre, Liverpool

  Five Schools in Sefton

  St. Helens

  Southport and Formby maternity unit

  Metropolitan

  Prince of Wales drive, Battersea

  Brent

  Bromley, Beckenham and Orpington

  Deptford, Lewisham and Catford

  Earl's Court road

  Edgware general hospital and Barnet general hospital

  Edmonton green

  Elephant and Castle

  Erith

  Greenwich

  Harrow

  Hillingdon-mobile system

  Hounslow

  Archway mall, Islington

  Patrick Conan house, Islington

  Calshot neighbourhood, Islington

  Market estate and St. Luke's estate, Islington

  King's College hospital, Denmark Hill

  Morden

  Henniker point, Newham

  668

  Rathbone estate, Newham

  Plaistow

  Woodside Park synagogue, North Finchley

  Richmond

  South Westminster

  Sunbury cross, Spelthorne

  Northern wards of London borough of Sutton

  Mayday University hospital, Thornton Heath

  Chrisp street, Tower Hamlets

  Plough lane, Wimbledon

  Wood Green

  North Walthamstow industrial estates

  Potters lane subway, Wandsworth

  Norfolk

  Dereham, Swaffham, Walton, Thetford and Attleborough

  Hardwick industrial estate, King's Lynn

  North Lynn youth and community centre

  Northamptonshire

  Daventry

  Kettering

  Wellingborough road, Northampton

  Northumbria

  Coronation street car park, South Shields

  Saville street and Winchester street car parks. South Shields

  Fielding court, South Shields

  Multi-storey car park. South Shields

  Alnwick and Amble

  Berwick upon Tweed

  Blaydon

  Team Valley trading estate, Gateshead

  Gateshead

  Hebburn, south Tyneside

  Jarrow, including community centre, South Shields

  Jarrow town centre tower blocks, South Shields

  Hexham, Northumberland

  Royal Victoria infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne

  New Bridge Street car park, Newcastle upon Tyne

  Silksworth sports complex, Sunderland

  Monkwearmouth/Roker seafront, Sunderland

  Whitley Bay, North Tyneside

  North Wales

  Caernarfon, Gwynedd

  Seven schools in Clwyd

  Colwyn bay

  Rhyl

  Wrexham, Clwyd

  North Yorkshire

  Boroughbridge

  Harrogate

  Rydale—Malton Pickering

  Scarborough

  York

  Nottinghamshire

  Mansfield

  Nottingham—Mobile CCTV unit

  South Wales

  Merthyr Tydfill

  Neath

  Swansea—enterprise park

  Taff Ely—railway line

  West Glamorgan—mobile CCTV unit

  Rhondda—Ystrad

  South Yorkshire

  Doncaster—Brodsworth, community centre and playing field

  Doncaster—Balby Street school

  Doncaster

  Hillsborough

  669

  Rotherham

  Sheffield

  Sheffield—industrial estates

  Staffordshire

  Burton Upon Trent

  Lichfield

  South Staffordshire—five schools

  Tamworth

  Suffolk

  Forest Heath—Newmarket

  Mildenhall

  Brandon

  Ipswich

  Surrey

  Addlestone

  Chertsey

  Egham

  Guildford

  Kingston

  Sussex

  Eastbourne

  Hailsham

  Hastings

  Horsham

  Newhaven

  Worthing

  Thames Valley

  Banbury, Oxfordshire

  Bicester, Oxfordshire

  Kildington, Oxfordshire

  Chesham, Buckinghamshire

  Newbury, Berkshire

  Oxford

  Windsor, Maidenhead and Eton

  Wokingham, Berkshire

  High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

  Warwickshire

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  Stratford on Avon

  West Mercia

  Bridgnorth endowed school, Shropshire

  Bridgnorth, Shropshire

  Hereford

  Ledbury, Herefordshire

  Shrewsbury

  Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire

  Whitchurch, Shropshire

  Worcester

  West Midlands

  Villa road and Lozells road, Birmingham

  Cannon Hill park, Birmingham

  Coventry

  Rugby

  Solihull

  Stockingford middle school, Nuneaton, Warwickshire

  Broad street car park, Wolverhampton

  Yew Tree Estate, Walsall

  West Bromwich

  Cape hill, Sandwell

  Gallon village community centre, Sandwell

  West Yorkshire

  Bingley

  Canterbury estate, Bradford

  Keighley, Bradford

  Elland

  Halifax

  Kettlethorpe high school, Wakefield

  Outwood Grange school, Wakefield

  670
  Wiltshire

  Salisbury

  West Wiltshire—mobile system

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 31 March,Official Report, column 854, what criteria were used by Ministers to decide which of the bids for closed circuit TV funding assessed by the panel as being of good or very good quality would receive funding. [21025]

  Mr. Maclean
  The criteria used to assess all of the bids for funding for CCTV in the recent challenge competition were those published in the bidding guidance document issued on 9 November 1994.

  Private Security Companies
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has sought the opinion of the Merseyside police authority on the Protect-U-Rite private security company based in Liverpool; and if he will make a statement. [21145]

  Mr. Maclean
  No.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of any link between the setting up of a private security company on Merseyside and the reduction in the Merseyside police budget and if he will make a statement. [21147]

  Mr. Maclean
  There is no link between the setting up of private security companies in a particular area and the budget of the local police force. Merseyside police authority has taken advantage of the additional funds made available for 1995–96 and has set this year's force budget at £218.56 million. That is an increase of £5.33 million, or 2.5 per cent., over the base budget for 1994–95.

  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the process used by private security companies to check on possible criminal records of their employees; and if he will make a statement. [21148]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is for private security companies themselves to decide what checks to carry out in assessing the suitability of prospective employees. They do not at present have access to criminal records, but we are looking at the case for such access as part of our wider review of the arrangements for disclosure of criminal records.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department are under a statutory requirement to(a) publish their advice to the Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and if he will list those bodies with a statutory base. [21160]

  Mr. Howard
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Advisory NDPBs required by statute to publish their advice

  Firearms Consultative Committee

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales

  (b) Advisory NDPBs required by statute to publish an annual report

  The Animal Procedures Committee

  Firearms Consultative Committee

  The Parole Board

  671
  (c) Advisory NDPBs required by statute to lay an annual report before Parliament

  The Animal Procedures Committee

  Firearms Consultative Committee

  The Parole Board

  (d) Advisory NDPBs with a statutory basis

  Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

  Animal Procedures Committee

  Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council

  Firearms Consultative Committee

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England

  Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales

  Parole Board

  Poisons Board

  Police Negotiating Board

  Computer Pornography
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been trained to deal with computer pornography on the Internet; and how many of these are outside the specialist obscene publication branches in London and Manchester. [21187]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is for chief officers to decide, in the light of their operational requirements, what training should be given on detecting computer pornography. Records of the number of officers so trained are not held centrally.

  Extradition (Singapore)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the grounds for extraditing a British citizen to Singapore from the United Kingdom. [21128]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The United Kingdom's extradition arrangements with Singapore are governed by part III of the Extradition Act 1989. This permits extradition for offences committed within Singapore's legal jurisdiction, provided that a prima facie case can be shown, that the alleged offence carries a sentence of one year or more on conviction and that the alleged offence would also be an offence in this country.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to report to Parliament the initial findings of his officials' monitoring exercise on the impact of the national lottery on charities and charity lotteries. [20987]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  My right hon. and learned Friend will wish to report on the level of charitable income following the introduction of the national lottery once he has sufficient relevant data and after it has been analysed. The Government are now looking into the practicalities of the necessary data collection and my right hon. and learned Friend will decide on the timing of his report in the light of that consideration.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of his officials are engaged in the exercise to monitor the impact of the national lottery on charities and charity lotteries. [21002]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Consideration is still being given to how best to measure any changes in charitable income 672
  following the introduction of the national lottery and to the staffing implications of the exercise.

  Mr. Nicholas Hill
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Nicholas Anthony Hill, convicted in 1990 at Birmingham Crown court, will be considered for(a) parole and (b) weekend leave; and what is his estimated date of release. [20646]

  Mr. Maclean
  The third review of Mr. Hill's eligibility for parole is currently under way, his previous two applications having been unsuccessful. Under the new system of release on temporary licence, which came into effect on 25 April, Mr. Hill is eligible at the same time to be considered for resettlement licence although he has no automatic entitlement to it. If he is not granted parole, Mr. Hill will be released from prison on 20 April 1998.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been received by the Metropolitan police for police recruitment in each of the last 12 months. [20650]

  Mr. Maclean
  The following is the information requested:

  Month

  Male

  Female

  April 1994

  16

  8

  May 1994

  19

  7

  June 1994

  2,015

  557

  July 1994

  1,323

  322

  August 1994

  59

  12

  September 1994

  846

  249

  October 1994

  759

  233

  November 1994

  378

  183

  December 1994

  1,060

  276

  January 1995

  37

  8

  February 1995

  493

  138

  March 1995

  1,178

  373

  These figures exclude applications to join the special constabulary.

  Illegal Passengers
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many immigration surveillance units, equipped with trained dogs, are currently monitoring the entry through the port of Dover of heavy goods vehicles; [20749]

  (2) how many immigration surveillance units, equipped with trained dogs, are currently monitoring the entry of heavy goods vehicles through east coast ports between the Thames ports in London and North End and Newcastle; [20751]

  (3) how many immigration surveillance units, equipped with trained dogs, are currently monitoring the transportation of heavy goods vehicles through the channel tunnel; and where those units are based; [20747]
  673
  (4) how many immigration surveillance units, equipped with trained dogs, are currently monitoring the entry of heavy goods vehicles through the channel ports, from Ramsgate to Plymouth. [20748]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  There is one unit, based at Dover, equipped with dogs specially trained for the purpose of detecting people hidden in vehicles. The use of dogs in this way forms part of the operational measures to combat illegal entry. In addition to the ports in the south-east district, the dogs have been deployed at Felixstowe, Harwich, Newhaven, Southampton, Portsmouth and Poole.

  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what equipment is being used in and around the channel tunnel to detect the possible presence of illegal passengers in the freight containers of heavy goods vehicles using the tunnel. [20760]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  No special equipment is used by the immigration service in and around the channel tunnel in order to detect the presence of illegal entrants. However, there is scope for using specially trained dogs at Cheriton for this purpose.

  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many immigration officers currently employed on permanent contracts to monitor the movement of illegal passengers are based permanently at(a) Ramsgate, (b) Dover, (c) Newhaven, (d) Portsmouth, (e) Southampton, (f) Poole and (g) Plymouth; [20750]

  (2) how many United Kingdom immigration officers are currently employed on permanent contracts to monitor the movement of illegal passengers in and around the channel tunnel and where those officers are based. [20746]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The detection of passengers attempting to enter illegally forms part of the duties of all immigration officers. The number of immigration officers in post on 31 March 1995 at the ports cited was as follows:(a) Ramsgate: 12, (b) Dover: 188.5, (c) Newhaven: 18.5, (d) Portsmouth: 30, (e) Southampton: 11, (f) Poole: 3, and (g) Plymouth: 8. There were a further 62 immigration officers based at Waterloo international terminal and 22.5 at Cheriton. Immigration officers based at Dover and Cheriton staff the channel tunnel control at Coquelles in France.

  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been apprehended during 1994–95 by the United Kingdom authorities(a) at a port of entry in the act of attempting to obtain illegal entry to the United Kingdom by hiding in the freight containers of heavy goods vehicles and (b) at inland locations, the vehicles having passed through the port of entry. [20761]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  A total of 1,742 illegal entrants who arrived by clandestine means were detected in the year ended 31 December 1994, the latest period for which statistics—currently provisional—are available. A breakdown of this figure by method of clandestine entry and by port of detection is not available.

  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking in co-operation with Europol/Interpol and with his counterparts in other EU member states to combat the activities of criminals in Italy and France engaged in smuggling illegal immigrants into the United Kingdom. [20759]
  674
  Mr. Maclean
  At their meeting on 9 and 10 March 1995, European Union Interior and Justice Ministers agreed to extend the remit of the Europol drugs unit to include the exchange and analysis of intelligence on crimes involving illegal immigration networks and the criminal organisations involved. Through the national criminal intelligence service UK police and immigration officers are actively involved in planning the work of the EDU in this field. There are already good bilateral links between the UK, France and Italy.

  Identity Cards
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the relevance of the expertise of United Kingdom Passport Agency staff to work involved in any national identity card scheme which he is considering announcing. [20767]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I am well aware of the valuable expertise which the Passport Agency has available in considering applications for and issuing identity documents in the form of British passports. Consequently, my officials have kept closely in touch with the Passport Agency in preparing the forthcoming Green Paper on identity cards.

  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the estimated costs of introducing comprehensive identity card schemes for the United Kingdom utilising(a) a smart card capable of being processed by electronic equipment and (b) a standard paper document. [20770]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To establish a separate comprehensive identity card scheme covering all the adult population has been estimated to cost in the region of £600 million or possibly more depending on the type of scheme. These costs could be substantially lower if the card were associated with an existing form of official documentation. The precise cost would depend on the detailed arrangements, including the type of card—a "smart" card incorporating an electronic chip could cost up to £5 to produce compared with up to £1 for an ordinary plastic photocard—and the nature of the scheme.

  My right hon. and learned Friend will be publishing a consultation document on identity cards shortly which will contain some estimates of costs of different kinds of schemes.

  Firearms
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licensed gun dealers are located within the Metropolitan police area. [20787]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is published in the annual Home Office statistical bulletin "Firearm certificate statistics, England and Wales 1993", issue 22/94, table 5, copies of which can be found in the Library.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) firearm and (b) shotgun licences were issued in the Metropolitan police area during the last year for which figures are available. [20785]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is published in the annual Home Office statistical bulletin "Firearm certificate statistics, England and Wales 1993", issue 22/94, tables 2 and 4, copies of which can be found in the Library.
  675

  Table 2: Firearm certificates: applications for grant, renewal and variation, granted and refused; revocations; certificates on issue at 31 December by police force area

  England and Wales 1993

  Numbers

  Grant of new certificate

  Applications Renewal of certificate

  Variation of certificate

  Police force area

  Granted

  Refused

  Granted

  Refused

  Granted

  Refused

  Revocations

  Firearm certificates on issues at 31 December

  Avon and Somerset

  267

  3

  1,508

  11

  143

  8

  6

  5,306

  Bedfordshire

  121

  3

  386

  2

  44

  2

  4

  1,374

  Cambridgeshire

  196

  2

  796

  5

  88

  2

  6

  2,951

  Cheshire

  200

  4

  700

  —

  —

  —

  3

  2,642

  Cleveland

  68

  —

  196

  —

  45

  —

  —

  855

  Cumbria

  190

  —

  957

  —

  151

  2

  2

  3,324

  Derbyshire

  255

  —

  612

  —

  70

  —

  3

  2,323

  Devon and Cornwall

  606

  5

  2,307

  3

  201

  4

  9

  8,595

  Dorset

  204

  2

  740

  2

  78

  —

  —

  2,511

  Durham

  146

  —

  591

  —

  53

  —

  1

  2,114

  Essex

  323

  4

  1,181

  8

  381

  —

  8

  4,125

  Gloucestershire

  170

  1

  710

  —

  168

  —

  2

  2,443

  Greater Manchester

  256

  1

  653

  —

  52

  —

  3

  2,674

  Hampshire

  437

  19

  1,333

  37

  558

  2

  9

  5,360

  Hertfordshire

  139

  —

  523

  —

  487

  —

  4

  1,873

  Humberside

  208

  2

  860

  —

  154

  1

  2

  2,878

  Kent

  299

  9

  1,707

  6

  100

  1

  4

  4,366

  Lancashire

  200

  4

  822

  8

  80

  1

  1

  2,896

  Leicestershire

  136

  —

  473

  3

  49

  1

  3

  1,918

  Lincolnshire

  230

  —

  909

  —

  80

  —

  2

  3,470

  London, City of

  2

  —

  7

  —

  6

  —

  —

  39

  Merseyside

  128

  2

  387

  —

  34

  —

  6

  1,722

  Metropolitan Police District

  827

  20

  2,458

  24

  276

  —

  9

  9,248

  Norfolk

  320

  5

  967

  4

  453

  2

  5

  3,535

  Northamptonshire

  144

  —

  544

  —

  165

  —

  3

  2,244

  Northumbria

  311

  3

  267

  4

  152

  —

  4

  3,610

  North Yorkshire

  299

  1

  1,536

  1

  183

  3

  —

  5,500

  Nottinghamshire

  182

  —

  494

  —

  —

  —

  4

  1,979

  South Yorkshire

  184

  —

  385

  —

  54

  —

  1

  1,597

  Staffordshire

  232

  1

  719

  —

  276

  —

  2

  3,042

  Suffolk

  284

  —

  746

  2

  87

  2

  2

  3,567

  Surrey

  269

  —

  696

  3

  70

  —

  2

  2,622

  Sussex

  402

  —

  1,597

  —

  166

  —

  —

  5,524

  Thames Valley

  591

  10

  1,648

  17

  579

  4

  18

  6,425

  Warwickshire

  127

  2

  511

  —

  34

  —

  —

  1,663

  West Mercia

  492

  9

  1,707

  12

  257

  21

  5

  5,081

  West Midlands

  214

  —

  673

  1

  646

  —

  2

  2,448

  West Yorkshire

  295

  8

  914

  11

  5911

  31

  7

  3,212

  Wiltshire

  220

  —

  656

  —

  242

  —

  —

  2,589

  Dyfed-Powys

  252

  —

  951

  1

  152

  —

  1

  3,319

  Gwent

  71

  1

  229

  1

  1571

  11

  1

  822

  North Wales

  196

  1

  617

  1

  149

  —

  1

  2,353

  South Wales

  201

  2

  614

  —

  46

  —

  2

  2,280

  All forces

  10,894

  124

  37,287

  167

  8,0402

  602

  147

  138,419

  1 Total number of variations only available from these forces—see note 3.

  2 Includes estimates made centrally for two forces.

  Table 4: Shotgun certificates: applications for grant and renewal, granted and refused; revocations; certificates on issue at 31 December by police force area

  England and Wales 1993

  Numbers

  Applications

  Grant of new certificate

  Renewal of certificate

  Police force area

  Granted

  Refused

  Granted

  Refused

  Revocations

  Shotgun certificates on issue at 31 December

  Avon and Somerset

  812

  16

  7,965

  10

  26

  24,329

  Bedfordshire

  278

  9

  2,172

  —

  12

  7,305

  Cambridgeshire

  862

  18

  5,716

  13

  21

  16,674

  676 677

  Table 4: Shotgun certificates: applications for grant and renewal, granted and refused; revocations; certificates on issue at 31 December by police force area

  England and Wales 1993

  Numbers

  Applications

  Grant of new certificate

  Renewal of certificate

  Police force area

  Granted

  Refused

  Granted

  Refused

  Revocations

  Shotgun certificates on issue at 31 December

  Cheshire

  526

  6

  4,103

  4

  17

  14,193

  Cleveland

  109

  3

  788

  —

  2

  2,935

  Cumbria

  401

  9

  3,590

  —

  11

  11,864

  Derbyshire

  892

  3

  4,182

  2

  16

  13,380

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,169

  17

  12,733

  8

  34

  39,591

  Dorset

  443

  4

  3,749

  —

  13

  12,711

  Durham

  278

  5

  2,154

  —

  4

  7,076

  Essex

  1,241

  18

  7,152

  10

  30

  22,577

  Gloucestershire

  550

  5

  3,957

  1

  5

  12,891

  Greater Manchester

  450

  3

  3,065

  —

  7

  10,990

  Hampshire

  1,207

  19

  6,700

  17

  17

  23,532

  Hertfordshire

  782

  14

  2,881

  —

  10

  10,277

  Humberside

  363

  11

  3,433

  3

  12

  11,094

  Kent

  1,019

  32

  11,487

  5

  23

  23,870

  Lancashire

  660

  14

  4,454

  6

  22

  13,819

  Leicestershire

  474

  —

  3,686

  6

  3

  12,173

  Lincolnshire

  578

  4

  4,924

  2

  15

  17,382

  London, City of

  1

  —

  5

  —

  —

  35

  Merseyside

  243

  6

  1,595

  2

  8

  4,989

  Metropolitan Police District

  2,206

  34

  9,554

  15

  26

  35,621

  Norfolk

  1,096

  19

  7,586

  10

  37

  22,865

  Northamptonshire

  375

  1

  2,809

  —

  16

  10,125

  Northumbria

  608

  16

  953

  4

  11

  9,886

  North Yorkshire

  644

  —

  6,287

  —

  7

  20,159

  Nottinghamshire

  552

  9

  2,866

  2

  12

  12,306

  South Yorkshire

  527

  7

  2,603

  —

  13

  9,174

  Staffordshire

  721

  5

  6,348

  2

  8

  19,601

  Suffolk

  928

  1

  5,101

  2

  11

  19,166

  Surrey

  548

  4

  3,653

  2

  12

  12,459

  Sussex

  1,259

  2

  6,927

  —

  5

  23,924

  Thames Valley

  1,983

  29

  9,481

  25

  62

  32,576

  Warwickshire

  358

  4

  3,257

  —

  2

  10,127

  West Mercia

  1,514

  22

  1,595

  —

  72

  33,794

  West Midlands

  574

  17

  3,514

  —

  19

  12,548

  West Yorkshire

  741

  23

  3,935

  13

  18

  13,064

  Wiltshire

  458

  6

  3,324

  1

  3

  12,352

  Dyfed—Powys

  1,372

  1

  5,434

  —

  6

  22,450

  Gwent

  330

  4

  2,149

  6

  10

  6,985

  North Wales

  495

  21

  4,216

  5

  19

  14,969

  South Wales

  448

  10

  3,731

  6

  10

  13,228

  Total

  31,075

  451

  195,796

  189

  687

  681,066

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further steps he proposes to take to exercise control over the sale and purchase of firearms in(a) the Metropolitan police area and (b) nationally. [20788]

  Mr. Maclean
  None. There are already extensive restrictions on the purchase and sale of firearms.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many gun and shotgun licences were issued in the Metropolitan Police area during the last 678
  available year to persons with previous criminal convictions of any kind. [20786]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available.

  Cheshire Police
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make inquiries into the present status of the case referred to in oral answers from the then Home Secretary, 13 May 1993,Official Report, column

  679
  924, insofar as it affects allegations of corrupt activities by officers in the Cheshire force. [20779]

  Mr. Maclean
  The report of the investigation has been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions who will decide whether any criminal charges should be brought. Once a decision has been made, the chief constable of Cheshire and the Police Complaints Authority will consider whether disciplinary action should be taken against any officer.

  Deported Kenyan Citizens
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of citizens of Kenya who have been deported from the United Kingdom in each of the past five years. [20742]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Citizens of Kenya removed from the United Kingdom under the deportation process1

  Number

  1990

  15

  1991

  12

  1992

  10

  1993

  16

  1994

  219

  1 Including persons who departed voluntarily, but excluding illegal entrants removed—15 in 1994—and persons refused leave to enter at ports and removed.

  2 Provisional.

  Animal Rights Protestors
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the funding, the establishment and the location of the headquarters and other subsidiary offices of the special police unit that has been set up in respect of animal rights protestors; and if he will make a statement. [20712]

  Mr. Maclean
  No special national police unit has been established in respect of animal rights protestors. The animal rights national index, which was established in 1986 and is based at New Scotland Yard, continues to support police forces throughout the United Kingdom by gathering, assessing and disseminating intelligence about animal rights extremist activity. In addition, the Association of Chief Police Officers recently decided that the commander of the Metropolitan police anti-terrorist branch should have a co-ordinating role in respect of certain operations against animal rights extremists suspected of involvement in serious crime extending beyond individual force boundaries. This change does not involve the creation of additional posts.

  Child Prostitution
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many cases of child prostitution have been reported in Wales during the last year; and what are the figures for each of the previous four years; [20753]

  (2) how many cases of child prostitution have been reported during the last year; and what were the figures for each of the previous four years. [20728]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Paul Malone
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to discipline named police officers following the Police Complaints Authority report which he has received in respect of Mr. Paul Malone. [20780]

  Mr. Maclean
  The decision to institute disciplinary proceedings against any police officer is a matter for the chief officer concerned and the Police Complaints Authority. A decision will be taken in respect of those officers who were the subject of allegations made by Mr. Malone after the Director of Public Prosecutions has announced whether any officers are to face criminal proceedings.

  Complaints against Police
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what length of time should elapse after a chief constable has received a report from the Police Complaints Authority before action is taken. [20778]

  Mr. Maclean
  Under Part IX of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, the investigation of complaints is the responsibility of the chief officer of police, who is required to submit a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions where an investigation indicates that a criminal offence may have been committed. After the director has reached a decision on criminal proceedings or if the chief officer is satisfied that no criminal offence has been committed, the chief officer must submit a memorandum to the Police Complaints Authority stating whether he has or intends to prefer disciplinary charges in respect of matter investigated.

  The joint statement of intent by the Police Complaints Authority, Crown Prosecution Service and Association of Chief Police Officers sets a target of 28 days of receipt of the investigation report in which the Crown Prosecution Service will deal with all but the more complex cases. The Police Complaints Authority's target is to complete consideration of the disciplinary aspects of the case within 28 days of the receipt of the chief officer's memorandum.

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what monitoring takes place and by whom of immigration detainees held in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [20354]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The welfare of immigration detainees held in prisons is monitored by the Prison Service, which reports any matter of concern to the immigration service.

  The immigration service regularly reviews the detention of all immigration detainees. The initial decision to detain is taken by an officer of at least chief immigration officer level and is reviewed within 24 hours by an immigration service inspector. Thereafter, detention is reviewed locally at least every seven days. After one month, the case is reviewed at headquarters, and thereafter on a monthly basis at an increasingly senior level, in consultation with the asylum division where there is an outstanding application for asylum.

  Immigration (EU Decisions)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all entitled resolutions,
  681
  conclusions, recommendations or other decisions relating to immigration and/or asylum matters which have been adopted by the European Council of the European Union either under the auspices of the intergovernmental process or on the formalisation of procedures under title VI of the treaty on European Union; and by what means members of the public may gain access to these matters. [20360]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The following measures relating to immigration and asylum have been adopted by the Council in accordance with the procedures established by the intergovernmental chapter—title VI—of the treaty on European Union:Resolution on limitations on admission of third-country nationals to the member states for employment;
  Resolution on the admission of third-country nationals to the territory of member states for study purposes;
  Resolution on limitations on admission of third country nationals to the territory of member states for the purpose of self-employment;
  Joint action on travel facilities for third country nationals—school pupils;
  Conclusions on the organisation and development of the Centre for Information, Discussion and Exchange on the Crossing of Frontiers and Immigration;
  Recommendation concerning a specimen draft bilateral readmission agreement between a member state of the European Union and a third country;
  Recommendation concerning a standard travel document for the removal of third country nationals.

  Proposals under title VI are made available for parliamentary scrutiny where they fall within the criteria for deposit in accordance with the Government's proposed scrutiny arrangements for title VI matters. Once they have been agreed by the Council, texts are made available to the House and can be provided to members of the public on request.

  Additionally, the following decisions were taken by Immigration Ministers under the ad hoc arrangements which existed before the structures created under title VI:

  Creation of a European forgery bulletin;

  Convention determining the state responsible for examining applications for asylum lodged in one of the member states of the EC, the "Dublin convention';

  Decision setting up CIREA, the centre for information, discussion and exchange on asylum;

  Conclusions concerning countries where there is generally no serious risk of persecution;

  Resolution on a harmonised approach to questions concerning host third countries;

  Resolution on manifestly unfounded applications for asylum;

  Recommendation concerning member states' practices regarding removal;

  Recommendation concerning transit for the purposes of expulsion;

  Act setting up CIREFI, the centre for information, research and exchange on the crossing of boarders and immigration;

  Recommendation concerning checks on and expulsion of third country nationals residing or working without authorisation;

  Conclusions concerning greater flexibility in application of the provisions on transit for the purposes of expulsion; and

  Resolution on harmonisation of national policies on family reunification.

  These documents were normally placed in the Library after their adoption by Immigration Ministers.

  Schengen Agreement
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in what circumstances he would 682
  recommend to Parliament that the United Kingdom becomes a party to the Schengen agreement of 14 June 1985; [20361]

  (2) whether the United Kingdom will join the Schengen agreement; and to what extent joining will be dependent on matters of immigration and asylum being taken out of the European Union. [20359]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  We have no intention of becoming a party to the Schengen agreement, which would be inconsistent with the maintenance of our system of frontier controls.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of prisoners disciplined for drugs possession or use during each of the last five years. [20387]

  Mr. Maclean
  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 B. Landers to Mr. Mike 0" Brien, dated 27 April 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners disciplined for drugs possession or use during each of the last five years.
  The numbers in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales are as follows:

  Possession of controlled drugs: Offences proved at adjudication hearings, England and Wales, 1990–1994

  Year

  Number

  1990

  2,650

  1991

  2,798

  1992

  2,041

  1993

  1,797

  1994

  12,414

  1 Provisional.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) 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; [20188]

  (2) what measures the Department takes to asses the cost and staff implications of compiling material for the departmental annual report. [20189]

  Mr. Howard
  Contributions to the annual report are provided by Home Office staff as part of their normal duties. The time and cost associated with this work are not separately recorded.

  Prisons (Suicides)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is the policy of his Department to ensure that proper records are kept at all prisons in England and Wales on serious attempts to commit suicide; and if he will make a statement. [19950]
  683
  Mr. Maclean
  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 Dr. Rosemary Wool to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 27 April 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about our policy towards the keeping of proper records at prisons on serious attempts to commit suicide.
  In April 1994 the Prison Service introduced a revised strategy designed to enable a high quality of care to be given to prisoners who are identified as being at possible risk of self harm or suicide. Among the new procedures introduced then was a system for identifying those at risk of self harm by the use of a new Self Harm at Risk Form. The instruction issued to Prison Service establishments when the revised strategy was introduced states that such a form is to be raised following any incident of self harm or attempted suicide. It is made clear on the form that the details of any incident of actual self harm must be recorded in the section headed "daily supervision and support record'.
  There is no absolute rule about the length of time a Self Harm at Risk Form should remain open. Some crises pass very quickly, whereas other prisoners may require special monitoring and support over a long period. Once raised, a Self Harm at Risk Form may only be closed, by the unit manager after a case review, once the prisoner concerned appears to be coping satisfactorily. Closed forms are then filed in prisoners' personal records.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [19377]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 18 April 1995]: In the first three months of 1995, one statutory instrument was partially revoked by Order. A total of 51 other statutory instruments were introduced but the majority of these were to carry forward amendments to existing instruments rather than to add to regulation or impose new burdens. For example, some 16 statutory instruments concerned voluntary schemes and rates of grant aid to farmers, notably orders amending rates of payment in designated environmentally sensitive areas. Six replaced earlier instruments or substituted more favourable regimes for industry. Five statutory instruments extended plant breeders' rights to cover additional plant varieties. Of the remaining measures, 13 implemented EU obligations; three updated frees and charges; and the remaining eight included measures to protect public health and animal welfare, to establish the Milk Development Council, and to make certain technical and procedural changes to existing legislation.

  EU Fisheries Legislation
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will propose that EU fisheries legislation will provide for the possession of illegal mesh size nets to be illegal; and if he will make a statement. [19258]
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  Mr. Jack
  EU regulations provide for various minimum mesh sizes to be used in different circumstances. In practice, a fishing vessel will carry nets of all the mesh sizes likely to be needed for any trip. For example, in the English channel cod and sole must be targeted with trawl mesh sizes of not less than 80 mm, but it would be reasonable in season to take sprat on the same fishing trip and for this a net of not less than 16 mm is permitted. Enforcement activity focuses on the mesh sizes and the nets employed in relation to the catch retained on board.

  Within the EU, consideration has been given in the past to imposing a "single net rule' so that only one mesh size can be carried on a fishing vessel. However, so far it has been concluded that this would be too restrictive to be practical for general application.

  Overtime
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each agency and the central Department for which he is responsible(a) the total hours overtime worked for which payment has been made, (b) the total amount paid in overtime, (c) the total time in days and its monetary equivalent lost through sickness in each of the last three years. [19669]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Summary information on overtime from 1989–90 onwards for the agencies and the core Department is to be found at annex 6 of the Department's annual report, Cm 2803, a copy of which is to be found in the Library of the House.

  On sick absence, civil service occupational health service data show the total number of sick leave days taken to be:

  1992 (a) 57,693 days

  1993 (b) 66,268 days

  (a) core Department only (7,194 staff)

  (b) core Department and PSD, VMD and CSL agencies (7,889 staff)

  Figures for 1994 are not yet available.

  Responsibility for such matters within ADAS, the Central Science Laboratory, the Central Veterinary Laboratory and the Pesticides Safety and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate have been delegated to the agency chief executives and I have asked them to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Letter from Dr. J. M. Rutter, Chief Executive, Veterinary Medicines Directorate to Mr. David Shaw dated 20 April 1995:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about the amount and cost of paid overtime worked, and the amount and monetary value of days lost through sickness in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for each of the last three years, as this is an operational matter for which I am responsible.
  For overtime, information on the number of hours worked is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The amount paid however is as follows:

  1992/93: £858

  1993/94: £1,729

  1994/95: £2,430

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  For sickness absences, the total number of days lost was:

  Total available days

  Number of days lost through sickness

  Percentage lost of total

  1992–93

  22,597.5

  585

  2.59

  1993–94

  24,065

  865

  3.59

  1994–95

  24,801.4

  768.3

  3.10

  I regret that the monetary equivalent of these figures is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. David Shaw, dated 27 April 1995:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about overtime and days lost through sickness.
  Information on overtime in the form requested is not readily available but summary information can be found at Annex 6 of MAFF's Departmental Report 1995 (cm 2803) which has been placed in the Members' Library.
  On sickness, the total time in days lost at CVL in 1992/93 was 4,307 and in 1993/94 5,868 days. Figures for 1994/95 are not yet available. I am unable to give a monetary equivalent for the days lost as our records do not readily show this information. It could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Letter from Dr. P. I. Stanley to Mr. David Shaw, dated 27 April 1995:
  The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) became a Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) executive agency in April 1992. However I am unable to provide overtime statistics for the Agency in respect of 1992/93 as, throughout that financial year, figures were not recorded separately but formed part of the Departmental total.
  I am able to provide statistics for 1993/94 and 1994/95; however I should point out that in April 1994 the number of staff employed by the Agency increased from 450 to some 700 as a result of the merger of CSL with the MAFF Food Science Laboratories at Norwich and Aberdeen. This accounts for last year's rise in overtime above the previous year. Details are as follows:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Total hours:

  14,082

  18,248

  Sum paid:

  £101.98K

  £134.49K

  Finally you asked for details of the total time lost through sickness and its cost over the same three year period. I regret that I am unable to give this information because the figures for CSL form part of the Department's statistics and are not separately identified. An attempt to separate the figures would incur disproportionate costs.

  Letter from G. K. Bruce to Mr. David Shaw, dated 27 April 1995:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), to your question about overtime and sickness over the last three years.
  Such information is maintained by the core-Department but I understand that it is not readily available in the form requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The figures which are available have been provided in the answer given by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I am, however, able to provide information on the total amount paid in overtime since PSD was launched as an agency on 1 April 1993. This totalled £59,165 in 1993/94 and £46,021 in 1994/95. Figures prior to this date are not available.

  Letter from J. M. Walsh to Mr. David Shaw, dated 19 April 1995:
  The Minister of Agriculture has asked me to reply, on behalf of ADAS, in answer to your Parliamentary Question Number 1059. In this you sought information about:
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  (a) the total hours of overtime worked for which payment has been made,

  b) the total paid in overtime,

  c) the total time in days and its monetary equivalent lost through sickness in each of the last three years.

  ADAS is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods and the Welsh Office which was formed in June 1992.

  My reply is as follows:

  a) Total hours of overtime. Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  b) As above.

  c) On sick absence details are:

  1992: 13,097 days

  1993: 15,115 days

  Figures for 1994 are not yet available.

  Letter from Guy Stapleton to Mr. David Shaw, dated 27 April 1995:
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your Question about overtime and sickness in the Intervention Board as this matter is within my operational responsibility.
  The total hours of paid overtime and the total amount paid for overtime working in the Agency in each of the last three financial years, calculated on the basis of pay-roll data, were as follows:

  Paid overtime hours

  Overtime Payments £

  1992/93

  56,973

  337,401

  1993/94

  46,621

  261,291

  1994/951

  39,655

  251,477

  1 Excludes March payments.

  Sick absence rates are monitored in the Agency on a financial year basis to correspond with key performance measures and targets which are published in our Annual Report. The figures shown below, which have been calculated using our pay-roll data, represent the number of working days lost due to sickness and the associated salary costs. Figures for the last quarter of 1994–95 are not yet available.

  Sick absence (working days)

  Salary cost £

  1992–93

  8,507

  571,600

  1993–94

  9,816

  720,000

  1994–951

  6,917

  520,000

  1 April to December.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how much staff time, and at what estimated cost, was put into compiling the departmental annual report; and what the figures were for each year for which figures are available since 1990; [20204]

  (2) what measures the Department takes to assess the cost and staff implications of compiling material for the departmental annual report. [20205]

  Mr. Jack
  Staff costs accounted for just over half of the estimated £100,000 cost of producing the 1995 departmental report. This was equivalent to about 400 staff days. Equivalent figures are not available for earlier years.
  687
  Costs are estimated as and when necessary but must in any case be contained within the Department's overall running cost provision.

  EC Tobacco Regime
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 19 April,Official Report, column 162, what information he has received about the Commission's internal investigation into the suicide of an Italian official in the tobacco department; and what assessment he has made of this matter. [20460]

  Mr. Jack
  The official, a former head of the Commission's tobacco sector, was removed from his post in June 1990 and was subject to internal investigation by the Commission. These investigations ceased on his death in March 1993 and the Commission did not publish a report of its internal investigations. During the investigations, the official was not involved in any market management activities in the tobacco sector.

  In 1993, the European Court of Auditors produced a special report of its detailed examination of the operation of the tobacco regime in the period between 1987, when the last such report was produced, and 1992 that is the period prior to the December 1992 reform of the sector. Its report highlighted several areas where procedures needed to be improved. In 1992, the Council of Ministers agreed a number of substantial reforms especially designed to prevent fraud, such as elimination of intervention and export refunds, areas traditionally susceptible to fraud. The changes made met the major concerns identified in the European Court of Auditors report. Furthermore, the Commission is investigating cases of irregularities mentioned in that report and will take action in the form of disallowance of expenditure where controls have not been effective. In this respect, disallowance has already been applied to Greece and Italy to the value of £11 million and £5 million for the EAGGF accounts in 1990 and £23 million and £16 million for the 1991 EAGGF accounts.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the increases in fees levied by the Meat Hygiene Service [20818]

  Mrs. Browning
  We have received representations about the Meat Hygiene Service's charges from a number of organisations and individuals. The meat Hygiene Service is now consulting plant operators on proposed revised charges following the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Atkinson) on 29 March,Official Report, columns 653–54, about the transitional relief we are minded to make available.

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment he has made of the reasons why the imposition of new meat hygiene regulations over the past two years has not brought about a reduction in cases of salmonella typhimurium DT 104C and what has been the increase in that period; [20822]
  688
  (2) what assessment he has made of the effect of expenditure on the new Meat Hygiene Service on trends on the number of food poisoning cases over the course of the year. [20821]

  Mrs. Browning
  The number of food poisoning cases has continued to rise over recent years but the number of cases of salmonella typhimurium DT 104C has fallen from 25 in 1993 to nine in 1994. The incidence of salmonella typhimurium DT 104 has risen in humans over the same period from 808 to 2,873 and I believe it is this to which my hon. Friend refers. Salmonella typhimurium DT 104 has been implicated in some food poisoning incidents associated with the consumption of meat and meat products but there is no strong evidence of a direct link.

  Thorough cooking will destroy most, if not all, pathogenic micro-organisms, but steps must be taken to limit the risk of cross-contamination, particularly from raw meat to other foods which may not be cooked before consumption.

  The slaughterhouse is an important area where steps can be taken to address the problem of cross-contamination between carcases, in order to reduce the incidence of pathogenic micro-organisms entering the distribution chain.

  The Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1992 have improved hygiene standards generally in slaughterhouses and other licensed fresh meat premises and the Meat Hygiene Service will build on this success. It is difficult, however, to make a direct quantitative link between the enforcement of these regulations and the level of occurrence of any food poisoning, including by salmonella typhimurium DT 104.

  Animal Diseases
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of Teschen disease occurred in each year since 1975. [21099]

  Mrs. Browning
  No case of Teschen disease has ever been reported in England.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of African swine fever there has been each year since 1985. [21067]

  Mrs. Browning
  No case of African swine fever has ever been reported in England.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of vesicular stomatitis occurred in each year since 1985. [21136]

  Mrs. Browning
  No case of vesicular stomatitis has ever been reported in England.

DEFENCE

  Army Base Repair Organisation
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the key targets set for the chief executive of the Army Base Repair Organisation agency for the financial year 1995–96. [21903]

  Mr. Soames
  The chief executive of the Army Base Repair Organisation agency has been set the following key targets for 1995–96.
  689

  1. To deliver a responsive repair service to match the needs of the customer in peace and for operations to the agreed timeliness, quantity and quality criteria and within the allocated resources.

  2. To operate an automated full cost, accruals accounting system by 31 March 1996.

  3. To develop a comprehensive output based system to measure customer satisfaction.

  4. To reduce by 4 per cent. the 1995–96 ratio of labour costs to hours of production by 31 March 1996.

  5. To complete the transfer of light armoured fighting vehicle repair activities from ABRO Old Dalby to ABRO Bovington by 31 March 1996.

  6. To invite tenders for the Land Command Support Market Test by 31 December 1995.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the unused floor space within the ABRO facilities at Bovington; and what plans he has to increase the work load for ABRO or to utilise the floorspace in another way. [21260]

  Mr. Freeman
  The extent of unused floor space at ABRO Bovington, which varies from period to period because of the fluctuating nature of the business, is not readily available. Spare workshop capacity exists throughout the Army Base Repair Organisation and plans to rationalise workshop capacity, through the closure of the ABRO Old Dalby workshop and the transfer of its work either to other ABRO or MOD facilities or to industry, are being implemented.

  Preparations are under way for the transfer of a major armoured vehicle repair programme from Old Dalby to Bovington. In addition, a newly identified heavy "B" vehicle repair programme is about to be placed with the workshop, starting in the next few weeks.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel are currently employed by his Department in the ABRO, Bovington and Lulworth facilities, breaking the figures down to indicate the type of personnel and whether the people live(a) on and (b) off the base. [21285]

  Mr. Freeman
  There are currently 422 personnel employed at ABRO Bovington; of these, 29 are based at the Lulworth detachment and hence 393 are located at Bovington. None of the staff lives on the base itself. I will send the hon. Member a detailed breakdown and will arrange for a copy of this to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Engineer Resources
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the Army's engineer resources. [21902]

  Mr. Soames
  The engineer resources, employing some 275 civilian staff is currently located at Long Marston, Warwickshire. Following an examination of the business structure of the engineer resources and investment appraisal, it has been concluded that significant savings could be made from collocating with the military work force at Chilwell.

  I have therefore decided to accept, as the basis for consultation with the trade unions and other interested parties, the recommendation that staff at Long Marston be collocated with the military work force on a single site at Chilwell. Final decisions will be taken only in the light of representations made during the consultation period.
  690
  A copy of the consultative document is being placed in the Library of the House.

  Service Accommodation
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current valuation of the official service residence in Norfolk, Virginia, United States of America. [21904]

  Mr. Soames
  The paper on official service residences referred to in my reply to the hon. Member for Fareham (Sir Peter Lloyd) on 10 February, Official Report, columns 465–67, erroneously stated the value to the US$5 million. The figure should, however, have read US$500,000. A more recent valuation by an independent firm in Norfolk, Virginia has valued the property at US$650,000.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the major items of repair to Haymes Garth and the estimated and actual costs of each item.

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer Thursday 20 April 1995]: Since January 1993, the total cost of essential external repairs to Haymes Garth has been £80,000. Items of repair undertaken include repairs to the roof, repairs and replacement of doors and windows and essential repairs to the driveway.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what measures the Department takes to assess the cost and staff implications of compiling material for the departmental annual report; [20201]

  (2) how much staff time, and at what estimated cost, was put into compiling the departmental annual report; and what the figures were for each year for which figures are available since 1990. [20200]

  Mr. Soames
  Most of the information in the departmental report is gathered and compiled by staff, as part of their normal duties, for use not only in the report but in other Government publications and internal management plans. It is therefore not possible to separate the marginal staff effort and costs relating solely to the departmental report.

  Defence Attachés
  Mr. Jopling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent reviews of the effectiveness of United Kingdom defence attaches have been undertaken; and when the results will be published. [19957]

  Mr. Soames
  The most recent review of attaches was the Goddard study, which considered the tasks of the corps, its long-term role and deployment and its management and operation, and reported in July 1993.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's assessment of whether the United Kingdom deploys fewer nuclear warheads than any of the other four acknowledged nuclear weapon sates. [20568]

  Mr. Soames
  The United Kingdom deploys the minimum nuclear deterrent necessary for our security. The size of our nuclear stockpile is not determined by
  691
  comparison with the number of nuclear warheads held by the other nuclear weapon states.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to deploy only nuclear weapons on the three Trident submarines in the operational cycle. [20570]

  Mr. Soames
  In addition to the Trident missile system, each submarine has a tactical weapon system, including Spearfish torpedoes, for self-defence.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the United Kingdom already has sufficient fissile material suitable for weapons purposes to meet any future contingencies which might require the deployment of additional nuclear warheads. [20565]

  Mr. Soames
  We have sufficient fissile material for explosive purposes to meet our foreseeable operational needs.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Her Majesty's Government's policy to cease the production of fissile material for explosive purposes will prevent the recycling of fissile material arising from the dismantling of decommissioned nuclear weapons for use in Trident warheads. [20564]

  Mr. Freeman
  No. Recycling allows us to keep our stockpile of fissile material at the minimum necessary to meet our operational requirements.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the production of Trident warheads has been completed. [20566]

  Mr. Freeman
  No.

  Nuclear Emergency Unit
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current establishment and current funding of the nuclear emergency unit based at his Department's main building, Whitehall; and what were the figures for the previous four years. [20722]

  Mr. Soames
  The costs for the eight full-time staff currently in the MOD headquarters nuclear accident response organisation are expected to be £300,000 for financial year 1995–96. In the previous four years there were seven full-time staff; costs for 1991–92 are not available but in the intervening years they were as follows:

  1992–93: £230,000

  1993–94: £247,000

  1994–95: £262,000

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current aims and objectives of the nuclear emergency unit. [20723]

  Mr. Soames
  The aims and objectives of the MOD nuclear accident response organisation are to ensure that, in conjunction with the appropriate civil agencies, there would be an effective response to safeguard the general public and MOD personnel in the unlikely event of an accident or other emergency involving defence nuclear material.

  Regimental Vehicles
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities are available to the 1st and 2nd Armoured Reconnaissance Regiments for repair and storage of the regiments' vehicles; if he will list the 692
  vehicles that are attached to the regiments and estimate the floor area taken up in covered accommodation for these vehicles; and what estimate he has made of the relative size of the 3rd Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment. [21261]

  Mr. Soames
  The facilities available for the repair and storage of the 1st and 2nd Regiments' vehicles are as follows:

  Windsor: 2,970m2

  Hohne: 2,240m2

  The vehicles attached to each regiment are:

  Tracked

  5 Samaritan

  16 Striker

  48 Scimitar

  16 Sultan

  30 Spartan

  5 Samson

  Wheeled

  1 Reconnaissance vehicle

  2 TUM GS

  14 Track 8 ton

  1 Staff car

  20 TUM FFR

  18 Truck 4 ton

  1 Van 1 ton

  1 Car utility

  Plant

  2 JCB

  The current floor area taken up in covered accommodation for these vehicles is:

  Windsor: 3,700m2

  Hohne: 6,720m2

  The estimated size of the 3rd Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment is 527 personnel and the same number of vehicles as given above.

  Naval Gunfire Training
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safety precautions are planned to be taken by his Department during naval gunnery support training when this is undertaken off Dodman Point in Cornwall. [21265]

  Mr. Soames
  Safety is the paramount consideration in conducting naval gunfire support training. Safety procedures involve a number of distinct and independent checks which must all be completed before the commanding officer can give approval to fire. Moreover, the area will be monitored visually by military observers, and by a range safety craft. These measures are designed to ensure the safety of all marine users in the area. It is a feature of NGS training that the Royal Navy vessel works around all other marine activity, and that there is no question of any exclusion areas, whether for vessels or for people.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Army personnel and civilian work force are involved in naval gunnery support exercises at Lulworth ranges; where these personnel are normally based; and what the job implications are for removing these exercises from Lulworth. [21264]

  Mr. Soames
  There are not civilian personnel at Lulworth currently in support of naval gunfire support
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  training. Three shore-based Army observers support NGS training at Lulworth and are drawn from 148 Battery Royal Artillery, based at Poole. This battery will continue to support NGS training when it moves to the area off Dodman Point. There are therefore no job implications for personnel at Lulworth.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of the Lulworth ranges for naval gunnery support training; if the gunfire has always been directed into the sea; and what incidents have been recorded of the projectiles landing onshore when they were aimed at the sea. [21266]

  Mr. Soames
  Naval gunfire support training has been carried out at Lulworth without incident for more than 20 years. The firing position is in Weymouth bay, firing parallel with the coast at a target sited two miles out to sea from St. Albans head.

  Regimental Staff
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff there are in the 1st and 2nd Armoured Reconnaissance Regiments; how many are(a) MOD and (b) civilian staff; where they are currently located; and how many staff live (i) on and (ii) off the bases. [21262]

  Mr. Soames
  The information is as follows:

  Military

  MOD civilian

  Civilian contractors

  Household Cavalry Regiment based at Windsor:

  527

  14

  46

  Light Dragoons based in Hohne, Germany:

  527

  1

  37

  At Windsor, 224 staff live on the base, 363 live off and at Hohne 246 staff live on the base, 319 live off.

  Procurement Executive
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the floor area to be occupied by each employee at the Abbey Wood procurement executive headquarters; what is the equivalent figure currently available to staff working in South Dorset; and what was the original area per employee that had been planned for Abbey Wood at the outset of the project. [21242]

  Mr. Freeman
  Within the Abbey Wood headquarters office buildings, which is mainly open plan, the average floor area to be occupied by each employee will be 9.64 sq m, which includes an allowance for storage, IT equipment and local meeting space. For the largely cellular office accommodation occupied by MOD staff in Portland, south Dorset, the average floor area occupied by each employee is some 13.25 sq m. The original average floor area planned at the outset of the Abbey Wood project was 10.52 sq m per employee. More taut accommodation standards are now being implemented.

  Royal Armoured Corps
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the facilities and accommodation currently vacant or under-used at the Royal Armoured 694
  Corps centre at Bovington and Lulworth; and what facilities and accommodation will become vacant if the RAC training becomes civilianised. [21259]

  Mr. Soames
  None of the facilities at the Royal Armoured Corps centre are under-utilised, although there are at present two soldiers' accommodation blocks vacant and 47 married quarters unoccupied. No facilities will become vacant if the RAC training becomes civilianised. A maximum of three accommodation blocks will remain under-utilised.

  Naval Gunfire Support
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safety arrangements are made at Lulworth ranges when naval gunnery support exercises are being carried out; if the public are allowed to be present on the ranges; if boats, ships and swimmers are excluded from the maritime restriction zone; and if safety boats are in attendance. [21263]

  Mr. Soames
  Safety is the paramount consideration in conducting naval gunfire support training. Safety procedures involve a number of distinct and independent checks which must all be completed before the commanding officer can give approval to fire. The area is also monitored visually by military observers, and by a range safety craft. These measures are designed to ensure the safety of all marine users in the area. It is a feature of NGS training that the Royal Navy vessel works around all other marine activity, and thus there is no question of any exclusion zones, whether for vessels or for people. Similarly, NGS training at Lulworth does not affect public access to the landward coastline and environs of Lulworth at all. Only when the range is active for Army tank firings is access on land or to sea controlled.

  Third Reconnaissance Battalion
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has had from hon. Members as to the location of the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion in a location other than Bovington; if he will name those hon. Members who have contacted his Department; and if he will publish the correspondence. [21267]

  Mr. Soames
  I have had a number of representations from hon. Members on this subject but it is not my Department's practice to publish details of such correspondence.

  Defence Postings (Weymouth and Portland)
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the number of defence posts which have already been lost in Weymouth and Portland over the past three years and the number of posts he expects to be lost rather than transferred up until the year 2000. [21243]

  Mr. Soames
  The number of service and civilian posts in my Department and its agencies in the Weymouth and Portland area has reduced by over 400 in the last three years. Between now and the year 2000 the transfer of functions to new locations means that some 3,000 further posts will move from the area. The majority of these will transfer to the new locations but it is not possible to estimate accurately how many will be saved by efficiency measures.

  Portland Naval Base
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies have made a bid to purchase the Portland naval base. [21238]

  Mr. Soames
  It is not my Department's policy to divulge details of bidders for redundant military sites.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has accepted the highest bid for the Portland naval base. [21239]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department has accepted the bid which offers the best long-term solution for the area and reuse of the naval base.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department are under a statutory requirement to(a) publish their advice to the Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and if he will list those bodies with a statutory base; [21166]

  Mr. Soames
  The Dartmoor steering group and working party was established on a statutory basis under Command 6837.

  The Independent Board of Visitors was established in accordance with the Naval Detention Quarters Rules 1973 for RN detention quarters, and the Imprisonment and Detention Rules Army 1979 for military corrective training centres.

  There is no formal requirement for any of MOD's advisory non-departmental public bodies to publish their advice to Government, publish an annual report or lay their annual reports before Parliament.

  The annual reports of the Dartmoor steering group and working party and the Review Board for Government Contracts have, however, been placed in the Library of the House on previous occasions.

  Alistair Green v. Ministry of Defence
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the total costs to public funds incurred in the case of Alistair Green v. Ministry of Defence; and what costs were incurred after the Ministry paid £32,000 into court. [19899]

  Mr. Freeman
  In this case the legal costs to my Department notified to date are in excess of £200,000, mostly incurred after a payment had been made into court. Our practice is to settle compensation claims by agreement whenever this can appropriately be done, but it is necessary to resist those claims which are regarded as unfounded.

  Army Vehicles
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 April,Official Report, column 1153, which companies are participating in the evaluation trial for replacement of the Army's Land Rover 1 tonne and three-quarter tonne ambulances. [20207]

  Mr. Freeman
  Three companies—Land Rover Ltd., Iveco Ford Truck Ltd. and Steyr Daimler Puch—are currently being evaluated in this competition.

  Fraud
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made by his Department in reclaiming moneys from the companies Borletti, Junghans and Raufass; and what is the up to date position regarding civil proceedings against Gordon Foxley, members of his family circle and the companies involved in the payment of secret commissions. [19954]

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Lady to the Comptroller and Auditor General's recently published report, "The Risk of Fraud in Defence Procurement', HC 258 Session 1994–95, 10 March 1995. Chapter 5 contains an extensive description of my Department's response to the Foxley case, including civil proceedings.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current state of the construction industry in Northern Ireland. [19615]

  Mr. Moss
  The construction industry in Northern Ireland has in terms of its growth in the value of output since 1990 increased by 7.5 percentage points.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to commence reorganisation of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [19617]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government published their proposals for changes in policing structure in 1994. Following the ceasefires, the RUC and the Police Authority are now carrying out consultations into the future of policing in Northern Ireland.

  Peace Support Programme
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what meetings he has had with European commissioners to discuss the distribution of resources under the special support programme for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. [19622]

  Sir John Wheeler
  My right hon. and learned Friend has discussed the special support programme for peace and reconciliation with the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jacques Santer, and the Commissioner of Regional Policy, Mrs. Monika Wolf-Mathies, during their recent visits to Northern Ireland. Officials have also given views on the funding priorities of the programme.

  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what meetings he has had with local community organisations in Northern Ireland to discuss the distribution of resources under the European special support programme for peace and reconciliation. [19632]

  Sir John Wheeler
  My right hon. and learned Friend has discussed the special programme with representatives of the voluntary sector. In addition, in drawing up proposals for an operational programme, officials are currently involved in an extensive consultation process with interested bodies, including local community
  697
  organisations. These discussions covered a wide range of issues, including the distribution of resources.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which Department organised the conference in Newcastle on 29 March about the European Union fund for Peace and Reconciliation; and how many persons were invited in their capacity as elected members of the district councils. [19935]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The conference in Newcastle on 29 March 1995 on the European Union initiative for peace and reconciliation was organised by the Department of Finance and Personnel. A total of 248 invitations were issued, 52 of which were sent to the district councils. It was a matter for individual councils to decide whether elected members or officials would attend.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of staff of the Labour Relations Agency have been given(a) paid time off work and (b) unpaid time off work to attend the forum for peace and reconciliation in Dublin. [19904]

  Mr. Ancram
  One Labour Relations Agency staff member has been given both paid and unpaid time off work, in accordance with the rules governing political activities in the agency's staff handbook, to attend the forum for peace and reconciliation.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will consult the Government of the Republic of Ireland about(a) the investment of that part of the EU funding for peace and reconciliation for cross-border projects and (b) the investment of the remaining part of this funding for projects entirely within Northern Ireland. [19906]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The special support programme for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland will, as laid down in the European Commission's guidelines, be jointly submitted by both member states. This will require consultation and liaison, particularly in respect of the cross-border elements of the programme. The programme will also reflect the outcome of extensive public consultations in Northern Ireland and in the eligible area of the Republic of Ireland.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to tackle pockets of extremely high unemployment in Northern Ireland. [19625]

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Member to our increasingly successful efforts to attract inward investment, grow tourism, encourage exports and explore innovation by our current companies as well as the training programmes and other job creation measures which are available.

  In addition, we are piloting 1,000 places under the community work programme for long-term unemployed in three of the highest areas of unemployment.

  Framework Document
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he had received following the publication of the framework document. [19626]
  698
  Mr. Ancram
  The Northern Ireland Office has received 238 letters of varied content from members of the public and from Members of Parliament. My right hon. and learned Friend and I have met a delegation from the grand orange lodge, and answered questions from audiences at a number of speaking engagements in Northern Ireland.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what rules and regulations he plans to repeal in the next four weeks. [19627]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Within the NI Departments and the Northern Ireland Office a total of 11 rules and regulations will be repealed during the next four weeks.

  Trade Unions
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what value his Department places on the work of trade unions in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [19628]

  Mr. Ancram
  Trade unions in Northern Ireland make, and have made, a valuable contribution to Northern Ireland's excellent industrial relations record, in combating sectarianism in the work place and in promoting peace and reconciliation. I also commend the work undertaken by the trade unions in encouraging and supporting equality of employment opportunities.

  Sinn Fein
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to open face to face discussions with Sinn Fein. [19629]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) earlier today.

  Irish-medium Schools
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what improvement he plans in the inspection of Irish-medium schools. [19630]

  Mr. Ancram
  Inspection of schools of all types in Northern Ireland follows the principles and procedures set out in two booklets published by the Department of Education, "The Inspection Process in Schools" and "Evaluating Schools'. Copies of these are available in the Library. The effectiveness of inspection is evaluated annually and adjusted as necessary.

  Private Lee Clegg
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations he has received on behalf of Private Lee Clegg. [19631]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Private Clegg's case has generated considerable interest, including over 4,000 letters and a number of petitions.

  Community and Youth Organisations
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to increase funding for community and youth organisations in Northern Ireland. [19633]
  699
  Mr. Ancram
  In 1995–96, the Department of Education for Northern Ireland will increase its funding to the Youth Council for Northern Ireland by 3.2 per cent. to £2.05 million. It will be a matter for each education and library board to determine the funds to be allocated to youth services from within their block grant allocations. The Department of Health and Social Services will increase the grant to District councils for their support to independent advice centres by 45 per cent. to £377,000 and make an additional £275,000 per annum available for the development of volunteer bureaux. The Department of the Environment has made an additional £5 million available for the Community regeneration and improvement special programme for the three years to 1997–98, while the Making Belfast Work initiative will provide £50 million over the next two years. Community groups will also benefit from funding available between 1994 and 1999 under various sub-programmes in the single programming document.

  Rented Housing
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new houses for rent at low cost were built in Northern Ireland in the years 1993–94 and 1994–95; and if he will make a statement. [19634]

  Mr. Moss
  The numbers of new public and voluntary sector houses which were completed in Northern Ireland during 1993–94 and 1994–95 were as follows:

  Northern Ireland housing executive (Public sector)

  Registered housing associations (Voluntary sector)

  Total

  1993–94

  888

  781

  1,669

  1994–95

  878

  1,026

  1,904

  Family Carers
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his Department's policy towards family carers. [19635]

  Mr. Moss
  The policy for family carers is set out in "People First' which was published by the Department of Health and Social Services in 1990. It is that family carers should be encouraged and assisted to continue to provide care through the timely provision of support tailored to their needs.

  Coronary Heart Disease
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards the eradication of premature deaths caused by coronary heart disease in Northern Ireland; and what was the death rate for people aged under 65 years in(a) 1985 and (b) 1992. [19636]

  Mr. Moss
  There has been a marked reduction in premature deaths due to coronary heart disease in recent years. The rates are as follows:
  700

  Year

  Number (under age 65)

  Crude death rate per 100,000 estimated population aged under 65 years

  1985

  1,056

  77

  1992

  770

  55

  Irish Government (Talks)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last held discussions with his counterparts in the Irish Government on the peace process. [19614]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I discussed elements of the peace process with Mr. Bruton on 12 April.

  Water Industry
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of the water industry in Northern Ireland. [19621]

  Mr. Moss
  As my hon. Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Smith) announced on 29 June 1994,Official Report, columns 550–51, the Government intend to establish the Department of the Environment's Water Executive as a next steps agency by April 1996.

  Harbours
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the harbours at Church bay and Ballycastle. [19623]

  Mr. Moss
  On 1 March I announced funding of £4.5 million over three years for improvements to the harbours at Church Bay, Rathlin Island and Ballycastle. This will allow the introduction of a new roll-on roll-off ferry service and demonstrates the Government's commitment to the people of Rathlin.

  Arms and Explosives
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current situation relating to the decommissioning of arms and explosives by all terrorist groups. [19624]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer that I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath (Mr. Townsend).

  Fisheries
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further swaps the Government are considering with Norway to benefit the Irish sea. [19925]

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures the Government are adopting to protect the United Kingdom's fishing fleet, following the disappearance of the Irish box from 1 January 1996. [19923]

  Mr. Ancram
  Under the new arrangements for western waters, our industry's ability to take their quotas is fully protected. We secured a key enforcement role for coastal states under the new arrangements agreed in December 1994. We will be taking full advantage of this key enforcement role to monitor fishing activity in our waters,
  701
  including those by vessels from other member states, to ensure the new rules are properly policed. The Government have already announced that it will provide the necessary resources to do so.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures the Government is proposing to compensate those areas of the United Kingdom that are discriminated against by the Hague preference. [19924]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Government have made a commitment to seek to reduce through quota swaps any disadvantage to Northern Ireland and Wales resulting from the application of the Hague preference in the Irish sea. In honouring this commitment, quota swaps have already been agreed this year with the Republic of Ireland and with the Netherlands for additional quotas of Irish sea cod and whiting which are affected by the Hague preference arrangements and which are two of the most important stocks to Northern Ireland fishermen.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what indications Her Majesty's Government have received from the Republic of Ireland that it is willing to allocate some of the fish quotas that it does not catch to Northern Ireland fishermen. [19926]

  Mr. Ancram
  A quota swap has already been agreed with the Republic of Ireland for additional quotas of Irish sea cod and whiting which are important stocks for Northern Ireland fishermen.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [20183]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Within Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office, information on costs is not readily collectable, as much of the material obtained for the report is also required for other purposes, such as strategic planning. However, the estimated cost borne by the Department of Finance and Personnel, in editing and composing the 1995 Northern Ireland departmental report, from material submitted by other Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office was some £25,000. This covers some 13 man months of staff time by the editor and his team, along with some 3.5 weeks of staff time by typists in composing the report. Estimated editing and composing costs for previous years are broadly comparable in real terms.

  EU Structural Funds
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what(a) management committee and (b) other bodies have been formed in drawing up a strategy to manage the structural funds allocated in Northern Ireland from the Economic Union; who are the members of the committee; who appointed them; and which members have sea fisheries experience. [19921]

  Sir John Wheeler
  A single programme monitoring committee has been established to oversee the implementation of the single programme under which around £956 million of European structural funds assistance will be available to Northern Ireland for the period 1994–99. Ten informal working committees have 702
  also been established to support and advise the SPMC in its role. In addition to Government and European Commission representation on the Committees, there are also a number of outside members who are drawn from relevant key sectors.

  In accordance with the structural funds regulations, outside members have been appointed by the member state. This was done following consultation with Departments and on the basis of their background and wide experience. Mr. Ledwidge, a member of the Sea Fish Industry Authority, NI Seafood Ltd. and former chairman of the NI Fishery Harbour Authority has been appointed to the fisheries sub-programme working committee.

  As required by the Structural Funds Regulations, a separate monitoring committee will be established for each of the nine community initiative programmes benefiting Northern Ireland. To date five of these programmes have been approved by the European Commission. A monitoring committee has been formally established for one of them, the employment community initiative programme, which was the first one agreed.

  The monitoring arrangements for the special initiative for peace and reconciliation will be agreed with the European Commission as part of the negotiation of the programme.

  A list of the outside membership for the committees which have been established to date is as follows:

  Northern Ireland single programme monitoring committee

  Mr. S. Curran (Industry sector)

  Professor R. W. Ewan (Training sector)

  Ms A. Kilmurray (Voluntary sector)

  Mr. D. Mitchell (District Councils)

  Mr. N. Shaw (Agriculture sector)

  Economic development sub-programme

  Mr. B. Johnston—First Trust Bank

  Professor I. Allen—NI Neuropathology Service, Royal Victoria Hospital

  Mr. P. Gorecki—NI Economic Council

  Mr. J. McKinney—Society of Local Authority Chief Executives

  Tourism sub-programme

  Mr. D. Fallows—Society of Local Authority Chief Executives

  Mr. D. Broderick—Tourism and Hospitality Training Council (NI)

  Ms P. Morris—Glenavon House Hotel

  Mr. A. Goan—Belleek Pottery Ltd

  Mr. I. McQuiston—National Trust

  Physical and social environment sub-programme

  Dr. D. Stephens—Irish Council of Churches

  Mrs. A. McGinley—Fermanagh District Council

  Ms M. McWilliams—University of Ulster

  Mr. S. McAleavey—NI Council for Voluntary Action

  Mr. J. Redpath—Community Leader

  Investment in the development of people sub-programme

  Ms S. McKee—Cantrell and Cochrane Ltd

  Ms A. Kilmurray—NI Voluntary Trust

  Mr. L. Hasson—Austin and Co Ltd, Londonderry

  Mr. N. McBride—Job Link Training Scheme, Coleraine

  Transportation sub-programme

  Mrs. M. Bell—NI General Consumer Council

  Mr. J. Irvine—NI Transport Holding Company

  Energy sub-programme

  Mr. W. Napier—Tyrone Brick Ltd

  Mr. M. Smyth—University of Ulster

  Ms M. McCloskey—Neighbourhood Energy Action

  703
  Agriculture and rural development sub-programme

  i Agriculture

  A representative—Ulster Farmers' Union

  A representative—NI Agricultural Producers Association

  ii Rural Development

  Mr. J. Armstrong—Rural Development Council

  Professor F. Gordon—Agricultural Research Institute for NI

  Fisheries sub-programme

  Mr. F. Ledwidge—NI Seafoods Ltd.

  Environmental Services and Protection Sub-programme

  Professor A. Long—Queen's University, Belfast

  Dr. C. Carter—University of Ulster

  Employment Community Initiative Programme

  Mrs. J. Smyth—Equal Opportunities Commission

  Ms M. Wilson—Disability Action

  Ms S. McKee—Cantrell and Cockrane Ltd

  Ms A. Kilmurray—NI Voluntary Trust

  Mr. L. Hasson—Austin and Co Ltd, Londonderry

  Mr. N. McBride—Job Link Training Scheme, Coleraine

  Modern Apprenticeships
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress on modern apprenticeships in Northern Ireland. [20206]

  Mr. Ancram
  Consultation between the Training and Employment Agency, industry and relevant training organisations has shown widespread support for the introduction in Northern Ireland of arrangements similar to modern apprenticeships. Accordingly, the agency has been working with the industry representatives to agree Northern Ireland modern apprenticeship frameworks for introduction from September 1995, the same implementation date as for modern apprenticeships in Great Britain. It is planned to have agreed frameworks for 20 skill areas by that time, and subsequently to expand the approach progressively to other sectors. The Northern Ireland arrangements have been designed to meet Northern Ireland circumstances. Funding support for Northern Ireland modern apprenticeship training will be provided under the recently introduced jobskills programme.

  Game Shooting
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements exist for game shooting at Seskinore forest, Omagh; what proposals he has for future arrangements for game shooting at this forest; if he will make a statement. [19905]

  Mr. Ancram
  Pheasant shooting will take place at Seskinore forest on 11 days during the 1995–96 season. Shooting will be let by tender. Following closure of the Department's game farm at Seskinore, which will take place during 1995, no further shooting will be available at Seskinore after 31 January 1996. Future management of the forest has yet to be finally decided and will be subject to the conclusions drawn from the prior options study of all Forest Service activities which is currently under way.

  Agency Job Losses
  Mr. MacDonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number and location 704
  of Compensation Agency, Driver and Vehicle Licensing, Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency, Northern Ireland Child Support Agency, Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, Rate Collection Agency, Social Security Agency, Training and Employment Agency and Valuation and Lands Agency offices closed and the number of jobs lost or transferred as a result of agency work transferring from Scotland to the rest of the United Kingdom over the past five years; and if he will list the number and location of offices opened and jobs gained in Scotland as the result of agency work transferring to Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom over the same period. [19967]

  Sir John Wheeler
  None.

  National Insurance Numbers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the Data Protection Registrar an undertaking that the national insurance number will not be used for purposes unconnected with the tax and benefits system; and if he will make a statement. [20039]

  Mr. Moss
  The Data Protection Registrar has been advised that it is departmental policy to restrict use of the national insurance number to national insurance, tax and social security benefit related purposes.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures the Department takes to assess the cost and staff implications of compiling material for the departmental annual report. [20184]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Where possible, the cost and staff implications of compiling material for the report are assessed on the basis of the previous year's experience. However, as much of the material collected is also required for other purposes, assessments of costs relating to the report alone is often not possible.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients have been on hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland for more than 12 months. [19963]

  Mr. Moss
  The table shows the number of patients waiting for admission to Northern Ireland health service hospitals for more than 12 months at the end of December 1994:

  Number waiting for ordinary admission: 2,402

  Number waiting for day case treatment: 925

  Blood Transfusion Agency
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 18 April 1995,Official Report, column 19, on what dates the contract for the Blood Transfusion Agency new building at the Belfast City hospital was signed; and how many weeks were allowed for the completion of the building in accordance with the terms of the original contract document. [20168]

  Mr. Moss
  The contract for the construction of the headquarters of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Agency at the Belfast City hospital site was signed on 18 October 1994. Article 5, paragraph 5.1, page 8, of the contract states:
  705
  "The Employer and Contractor shall be deemed to have entered into this agreement on 7th March 1993".

  The time allowed in the original contract document for the completion of the works was 91.5 weeks.

  Race Relations Legislation
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he proposes to introduce race relations legislation to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [20320]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Following an earlier process of public consultation, I have concluded that legislation on the general lines of the Race Relations Act 1976 should be introduced in Northern Ireland. It is my intention to bring this legislation forward by means of an Order in Council as soon as possible.

  Skilled Workers
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his Department's latest estimate of the need for and availability of skilled workers in Northern Ireland. [19961]

  Mr. Ancram
  The demand for skilled labour in Northern Ireland is increasing and in general there is a sufficient supply of suitable workers. However, the situation differs in different sectors and localities. Demand is particularly noticeable, for example, in the tourism sector. Action is being taken through the Training and Employment Agency, working with sector representative.bodies, to identify needs and to ensure that they can be met.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has plans to publish details of the targets of the Child Support Agency; and if he will make a statement. [21803]

  Mr. Moss
  The Child Support Agency will publish its 1995–96 business plan today. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  The targets that I have set for the Child Support Agency for 1995–96 are as follows:
  —£6.15 million of maintenance to be collected, or arranged for direct payment from absent parents to parents with care in 1995–96.
  —90 per cent. of payments made to parents with care to be made in 10 working days of receipt from an absent parent.
  —To achieve a steady improvement in accuracy, so that in at least 75 per cent. of cases checked during March 1996 the cash value will be for the correct amount.
  —Where a client is dissatisfied with a Child Support Officer's decision and requests a review, 50 per cent. to be cleared within 13 weeks; 80 per cent. to be cleared within 26 weeks; and no more than 15 per cent. to be older than six months as at 31 March 1996.
  —60 per cent. of new maintenance applications to be cleared within 26 weeks and as at 31 March 1996 no maintenance applications received by the agency to be over 12 months old.
  —To manage the agency's resources so as to deliver its business plan within the gross budget allocation.

  As a new and evolving agency the 1994–95 targets did not cover the whole range of the agency's business and in the light of experience did not prove to be appropriate drivers of the business. The new targets take account of this and cover a wider range of activities. They will require the agency to improve performance in a number
  706
  of areas. In particular, this year's targets include measures of accuracy and of the time taken to provide services. This underlines the agency's focus on quality and client service in 1995–96.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Arms Control
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent responses have been made by those nations opposing indefinite unconditional extension of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty to the proposals he set out on behalf of Her Majesty's Government at the non-proliferation treaty conference in New York on 18 April. [20808]

  Mr. David Davis
  The steps that we have taken to address the concerns of the non-aligned movement have helped to develop growing support for the indefinite extension of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. There have been statements of support for the treaty's indefinite extension by South Africa, Singapore, the Philippines, Bolivia, Uzbekistan and many others.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the implications of his announcement that the United Kingdom is to cease production of fissile materials for explosive purposes at the Chapelcross and Calder Hall reactors; and if he will make a statement. [21014]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 26 April 1995]: The conference on disarmament in Geneva has agreed the mandate for the ad hoc committee which will negotiate a treaty banning the production of fissile material for explosive purposes. In order to show our commitment to that process my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs announced that the UK has ceased production of fissile material. We anticipate that negotiations will begin in June.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what decision has been reached by Her Majesty's Government with respect to whether Hong Kong citizens holding a Hong Kong special administrative region passport after 1997 will need a visa to visit the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [21146]

  Mr. Goodlad
  We have not yet taken any decision on visa requirements for Hong Kong special administrative region passport holders wishing to visit the United Kingdom after 1 July 1997. In taking such a decision, we will consider a number of factors, including eligibility for the passport and arrangements for its issue and security. We continue through the Joint Liaison Group to press the Chinese for early progress on these questions, but until details have been finalised and we have evidence that satisfactory procedures are in place we shall not be able to take a decision on visa requirements for HKSAR passport holders.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria Her Majesty's Government will apply to elections in Kashmir in respect of their being free and fair; and if he will make a statement. [21153]

  Mr. Baldry
  We shall be considering with our European partners how best to assess the forthcoming elections in Kashmir.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to United Nations resolutions concerning Kashmir; and if he will make a statement. [21154]

  Mr. Baldry
  Britain supported, and both India and Pakistan agreed, the United Nations resolutions of 1948 and 1949 which provided the basis for a possible solution to the Kashmir dispute, but neither side fully implemented those resolutions, which have to some extent been overtaken by events. The 1972 Simla agreement represents the most recent formal agreement between India and Pakistan on the handling of the dispute. It envisages settlement through bilateral negotiations or other peaceful means mutually agreed between them. We believe this to be the best way forward.

  Public Bodies
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department are under a statutory requirement to(a) publish their advice to the Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and if he will list those bodies with a statutory base. [21162]
  708
  Mr. Goodlad
  There is no statutory requirement for the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the FCO, including the Overseas Development Administration, to(a) publish their advice to the Government, (b) publish an annual report or (c) lay an annual report before Parliament.

  The following bodies have a statutory base:

  The Indian Family Pension Funds Body of Commissioners

  The Overseas Service Pensions Scheme Advisory Board.

  US (Visas)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reasons have been given by the United States Government for not applying reciprocity in respect of visa requirements on British citizens travelling to the United States of America; what recent discussions there have been with the US authorities on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [21241]

  Mr. Baldry
  There has for some years been reciprocity for visitors, in that neither country requires visas of the other's citizens who wish to make short-term visits. Similarly, both countries require visas of people wishing to work or settle in the other.

  Lockerbie
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he has taken to negotiate with the Libyan Government in respect of the Lockerbie disaster. [21059]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have had a number of meetings with Libyan officials. The Libyan Government are fully aware of the requirements which have been placed on Libya by the United Nations Security Council.

  Iraq: Hostages
  Iraq: Hostages
  Mr. Martin Blaiklock
  Mr. Martin Blaiklock
  Chernobyl
  Chernobyl
  IAEA: Budget
  IAEA: Budget
  Marine Safety: Steering Committee Report
  Marine Safety: Steering Committee Report
  European Legislative Proposals
  European Legislative Proposals
  Press Passes to Palace of Westminster
  Press Passes to Palace of Westminster
  Ordnance Survey Executive Agency Framework Document
  Ordnance Survey Executive Agency Framework Document
  Footpaths
  Footpaths
  Defence R & D
  Defence R & D
  Divorce Laws Reform Proposals
  Divorce Laws Reform Proposals
  Marriage Guidance and Research Organisations: Funding
  Marriage Guidance and Research Organisations: Funding
  Land Registry, Public Record Office and Public Trust Office Targets
  Land Registry, Public Record Office and Public Trust Office Targets