Written Answers of 6 February 1995

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Civil Service
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will reassess the performance criteria of permanent, deputy and under secretaries within the civil service.

  Mr. David Hunt
  No. My Department completed work to identify the core criteria for grades 1 to 3 in March 1994. A new annual performance review system for grades 2 and 3 was introduced from 1 January 1995 which included assessment against these criteria. The arrangements proposed for determining permanent secretaries' pay will also involve a system of formal annual appraisal.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will consider introducing policy target agreements and individual fixed term contracts for permanent, deputy and under secretaries within the civil service.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Senior managers in executive agencies work within the framework of the key targets set out in the organisation's framework document, while in core departments, senior managers work within the framework of policy objectives set out in each Department's published annual report.

  In the Command Paper, "The Civil Service: Taking Forward Continuity and Change" (CM 2748), the Government stated that they would proceed with the introduction of written contracts of employment for members of the new senior civil service. The Government do not favour using fixed term contracts generally for senior civil servants, a view which is shared by the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee in its report, "Role of the Civil Service".

  Performance Criteria
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps are being taken to clarify performance criteria and establish a clear division of responsibility between Ministers and their officials.

  Mr. David Hunt
  Framework documents for executive agencies and organisations working on next steps lines describe the division of responsibilities between Ministers and officials. Taken together with an agency's corporate and business plans they also set out the indicators and targets used to assess performance. Sixty-two per cent. of the home civil service work in agencies and the executive structures of the two Revenue departments. Another 17 per cent. are in functions identified as definite or possible agency candidates.

  In core departments, published annual reports already set out departmental aims, objectives and achievements against previous plans or targets. "The Civil Service:
  2
  Taking Forward Continuity and Change" (Cm 2748) builds on the arrangements already in place in sets out the Government's view that there should be an increasing emphasis on extending, throughout the civil service, many of the principles of next steps, including maximum clarity about objectives and targets.

  Ministry of Justice
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the grounds for rejecting proposals for a Ministry of Justice.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Government consider that existing arrangements continue to be effective.

  A variety of proposals for a Ministry of Justice have been made, but the Government are not convinced that any of them have made a case for the significant and complex constitutional change which would be involved.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many non-departmental public bodies are currently in existence; and when the annual list of such bodies will be published.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  On 1 April 1994 there were 1,345 non-departmental public bodies—a fall of 44 since 1993. Since 1979, the number of non-departmental public bodies has been reduced by 38 per cent. from 2,167. Details can be found in "Public Bodies 1994" published today. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Committee on Standards in Public Life
  Sir Giles Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library a copy of the evidence he has submitted to the Committee on Standards in Public Life; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. David Hunt
  A copy of my evidence has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The Government are committed to the principle that selection for public appointments should be made on merit by the well-informed choice of individuals who through their qualifications, experience and qualities match the needs of the public body and the post in question. The arrangements in place and the reforms already introduced by a range of Departments are all designed to emphasise, against a background of many different kinds of appointments, this overriding principle. It was, however, a concern that central guidance to Departments should be clearer and firmer on these issues that led the Prime Minister last May to request a review of the guidance on these matters.

  That review has now been completed by the Cabinet Office public appointments unit and I have submitted a copy of its report to the committee. The "Review of Guidance on Public Appointments" explains the varied nature of public appointments, the majority of them unpaid; describes a number of the initiatives which are being taken by Departments to improve procedures; and recommends ways in which best practice can be extended. The main focus of improvements is on greater openness about, for example, who holds posts and how people can apply for them, including the greater use of advertising. It also concentrates on arrangements to demonstrate probity; on sustained measures to promote equal

  3
  opportunities; and on reflecting citizens charter principles for accountability and responsiveness.

  The Government have accepted the recommendations of the review and I have asked that work be set in hand straight away to implement the review as we revise the central guidance. I have asked the committee for its views on the review and the new central guidance will be issued as soon as the Government have been able to consider its comments.

  Although I did not wish to anticipate or pre-judge the committee's deliberations on issues of conduct and propriety, I have provided in my evidence an overview of Government public service reforms as they apply to public bodies; and emphasised the high standards of impartiality, objectivity and financial integrity, including through codes of conduct for board members in public bodies and the national health service.

  The committee has written separately to the Cabinet Secretary about gifts and hospitality for Ministers and the rules which govern the employment of officials when they leave the civil service, and he has replied. I have also placed a copy of this correspondence in the Library of the House.

  I am making my evidence and the committee's correspondence with Sir Robin Butler generally available to interested parties.

  Research Councils
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the amount of Government assistance granted to research councils for each year since 1986; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  Government grant-in-aid to the research councils from the science budget since 1986–87 was as follows:

  £ million

  AFRC

  ESRC

  MRC

  NERC

  SERC

  1986–87

  57.1

  23.8

  128.3

  70.3

  316.2

  1987–88

  54.9

  24.8

  139.8

  73.3

  357.5

  1988–89

  61.1

  27.0

  149.6

  91.9

  367.6

  1989–90

  74.3

  31.5

  176.3

  115.0

  406.2

  1990–91

  88.4

  36.6

  185.7

  135.2

  440.8

  1991–92

  96.6

  35.6

  202.9

  122.6

  456.4

  1992–93

  105.4

  45.9

  227.6

  129.7

  523.0

  1993–94

  109.4

  53.2

  262.7

  140.3

  583.5

  Estimated outturn in 1994–95 is as follows:

  £ million

  BBSRC

  146.9

  EPSRC

  367.9

  ESRC

  58.9

  MRC

  269.3

  NERC

  153.5

  PPARC

  180.1

  Swindon Research Councils Pensions Scheme

  30.1

  The allocations of the science budget for 1995–96 will be announced on 2 February.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the rules and regulations in his 4
  Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which his Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on his Department's manpower.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Departments for which I have ministerial responsibility are not responsible for any regulation legislation and have, therefore, not withdrawn any such legislation in the last 12 months.

  Citizens Charters
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the sections of all citizens charters in operation which cover the public services used by elderly people.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  Public services should be accessible to all those who need them, including elderly people. The 40 charters issued by public services are intended to help raise the standards and responsiveness of those services to all their customers, which include elderly people.

  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make it his policy to establish a charter for the retired covering all services used by retired people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  There are no plans to introduce such a charter. Public services should be accessible to all those who need them, including retired people. In drawing up or revising a charter, a service provider should consult its customers and, as far as possible reflect their particular needs in the service standards and commitments which that charter sets.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Electric Shock Equipment
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences have been granted for the export of electric shock equipment since 1988, for which countries and for how many devices.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether export licences have been granted for the transfer of electric shock equipment to Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  It would be possible to establish whether any export licences had been sought for such exports only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what stocks of shock batons were supplied directly of indirectly to Saudi Arabia(a) under the Al Yamamah programme and (b) in any other transaction in the period (i) three years before and (ii) six years after the signing of the Al Yamamah deal (1) by the British Government, (2) by British companies or (3) by arrangement with any company with offices in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 26 January 1995]: Both British Aerospace and the Ministry of Defence have denied that any electric batons were supplied under the Al Yamamah programme. It would be possible to establish whether any export licences had been sought for such

  5
  exports only at disproportionate cost. Deals not involving export from the UK require no licence.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions his Department has had with ICL Technical Plastics about the sale or export of electro-shock equipment; and what support his Department has provided.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 26 January 1995]: There is no record of support to ICL Technical Plastics for this purpose. My officials have spoken to representatives of the company who have denied the allegations in the Channel 4 television programme "Dispatches" on 11 January 1995.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the export of electric shock batons and other equipment; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I am aware of the allegations made in the channel 4 television programme "Dispatches" on 11 January 1995. The companies concerned have made public denials of the allegations.

  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions his Department has had with BAe Royal Ordnance about the sale of electric shock batons to(a) Saudi Arabia and (b) other countries.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  My officials contacted British Aerospace following the screening of the Channel 4 television programme "Dispatches" on 11 January 1995. The company has denied the allegations made in the programme.

  Anti-personnel Mines
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are his criteria for judging whether an anti-personnel mine reaches sufficiently high standards to be judged self-destructing of self-neutralising so as to be allowed to be exported.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Decisions on whether or not to grant a licence for the export of such mines would involve a number of considerations, only one of which would be an assessment of failure rates. The munitions lists in part III group 1 of schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 are modelled on the former COCOM munitions list headings and contain no standards for land mines; all mines are controlled.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications he received in 1994 for export licences for self-destructing or self-neutralising anti-personnel mines; by whom they were manufactured; which applications were approved; and for which countries the mines were destined.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  None.

  Unsolicited Mail
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from Birmingham city council about unsolicited direct mail offering business opportunities, profitable gambling or football pool plans and other money-making schemes, purporting to offer substantial profit from very little effort or expenditure; and whether he will seek to amend the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971 and its amendment of 1975 to prohibit the distribution of such unsolicited literature.
  6
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I have received no such representations. I have no plans to amend the Unsolicited Goods and Services Acts to prohibit the distribution of unsolicited literature.

  Lloyd's
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what timetable he envisages for the 1995 solvency test for Lloyd's of London

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  In previous years the statement and certificates demonstrating Lloyd's solvency, which are required by part IV of the Insurance Companies Act 1982, have normally been received towards the end of August. I have no reason to expect the timetable to be different this year.

  Ferries, Isle of Wight
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to revisit the inquiry into ferry fares and services to and from the Isle of Wight.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Director General of Fair Trading is due to review the market for the supply cross-Solent ferry services this year, as requested by the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in 1992 following publication of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report.

  Arbitration Bill
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received during the consultation period that followed the publishing of the White Paper on the draft Arbitration Bill of February 1994; and what conclusions he has drawn as a result of these representations.

  Mr. Heseltine
  Some 158 often extremely detailed submissions were received during the consultation period that followed the publication in February 1994 of the consultation document on the draft Arbitration Bill. These are currently being considered. A Bill taking account of the responses will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the rules and regulations in his Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which his Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on his Department's manpower.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  A list of those rules and regulations withdrawn in the past 12 months follows. The Department is continuing to identify rules and regulations for withdrawal. Those for withdrawal in the next 12 months will be announced as and when consultations are completed. The implications for the Department's overall manpower will not be significant, and will be taken into account in the Department's MINIS round, the results of which are published annually.

  Rules and Regulations withdrawn in the last twelve months

  The Insolvent Partnerships Order 1986 (SI 1986/2142)

  The Insolvency Regulations 1986 (SI 1986/1994 amended by SI 1987/1959, SI 1988/1739, SI 1991/380)

  7

  The Insurance Companies (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/445)

  The Insurance Companies (Cancellation No. 2) Regulations 1993 (SI 1993/1092)

  The Insurance Companies Regulations 1981 (SI 1981/1654)

  The Insurance Companies (Amendment) Regulations 1982 (SI 1982/675)

  The Insurance Companies (Advertisements) Amendments (No. 2) Regulations 1983 (SI 1983/396)

  The Insurance Companies (Amendment) Regulations 1985 (SI 1985/1419)

  The Insurance Companies (Amendment) Regulations 1988 (SI 1988/673)

  The Insurance Companies (Legal Expenses Insurance) (Applications for Authorisation) Regulations 1990 (SI 1990/1160)

  The Insurance Companies (Credit Insurance) Regulations 1990 (SI 1990/1181)

  The Insurance Companies Regulations 1981 (Amendment) Regulations 1991 SI (1991/1999)

  The Insurance Companies (Linked Contracts) (Amendment) Regulations 1991 (SI 1991/2511)

  The Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 1985

  The Dangerous Substances and Preparations (Safety) Regulations 1980

  The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987

  The Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1989

  The Coal Industry Nationalisation Act 1946 Section 36(2)

  Weights and Measure Act 1963 (Dentifrices) Order 1974

  The Benzene in Toys (Safety) Regulations 1987

  The Novelties (Safety) Regulations 1980

  Ian Greer Associates
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions departmental officials met representatives of Ian Greer Associates(a) formally and (b) informally on 26 January to discuss matters relating to its clients' interests.

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 31 January 1995]: In so far as we have been able to establish there were no meetings between departmental officials and representatives of Ian Greer Associates on 26 January.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Donhoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much his Department spent during 1994 on recruiting staff to his Department and its executive agencies; and how many staff were recruited.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 27 January 1995]: The Department of Trade and Industry, and its executive agencies, spent £554,959 recruiting 108 staff during 1994.

  Business Link
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set up an independent evaluation of the progress to date on the business link network.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 2 February 1995]: The Department of Trade and Industry is currently commissioning an independent evaluation of the business link network. The evaluation will begin in March and is due to be completed in autumn 1995.
  8

  East Timor
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 8 December 1994,Official Report, column 299, if the United Kingdom company that is licensed to explore for oil and gas in the East Timor gap has been granted an export licence under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1981.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 10 January 1995]: It has been the practice of successive Governments not to reveal details of export licences or applications for licences unless the requirements of confidentiality are outweighed by the public interest.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 8 December,Official Report, column 299, if the United Kingdom company that is licensed to explore for oil and gas in the East Timor gap requires an export licence under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1981.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 10 January 1995]: A licence is required under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended, to export from the United Kingdom goods identified in the schedules to that order, unless the goods are specified in article 3(b) to (e) of the order.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Ellesmere Port Magistrates Court
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what plans he has to replace the Ellesmere Port magistrates court;

  (2) what representations he has received regarding the suitability of the Ellesmere Port magistrates courts.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The provision of magistrates courthouse accommodation is a matter for the magistrates courts committee concerned in conjunction with the local paying authority; there is no requirement of notification or representation to the Lord Chancellor. A local authority that is aggrieved by a decision of the magistrates courts committee to close a courthouse has the right of appeal to the Lord Chancellor. In the absence of such an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to allow private sector funding for the development of magistrates courts.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Accommodation for magistrates courts is the responsibility of local authorities albeit substantially funded by central Government grants. The decision whether to use private sector funding is therefore primarily a matter for individual local authorities. My Department is, however, keen to support the private finance initiative, and for PH solutions to be followed where practicable.

  Justices of the Peace
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for each of the area
  9
  advisory committees on justices of the peace in the Greater London area, how many applications were received to become a JP in each of the last three years for which statistics are available; how many of these applications were from ethnic minority applicants; how

  Area Advisory Committee

  Number of applications received

  Number of appointments

  Number of ethnic minority applicants appointed

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Inner London

  140

  173

  149

  75

  88

  72

  9

  21

  11

  City of London

  23

  23

  12

  10

  10

  6

  2

  0

  1

  South west London

  93

  84

  73

  24

  32

  35

  4

  3

  1

  South east London

  96

  71

  83

  33

  19

  23

  3

  2

  3

  North east London

  166

  132

  111

  37

  48

  42

  8

  9

  8

  Middlesex

  262

  103

  162

  97

  29

  56

  4

  11

  16

  No figures are available to show how many of the total applications were from ethnic minority applicants.

  Community Charge Payers
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recourse to compensation exist for those community charge payers wrongly committed to prison; and what action is to be taken against the magistrates who committed them.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Legal proceedings may be taken against a magistrate only if he has acted outside his jurisdiction and if it is proved that he has acted in bad faith. The Lord Chancellor does not intervene in judicial matters and there are no grounds for him to take action.

  Posthumous Pardon
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) if he will list the main principles governing the release of documents held in the Public Record Office relating to the trials and executions for murder in British gaols on application by next of kin or their legal representatives for the purpose of pursuing a case for posthumous pardon;

  (2) what is his Department's policy in relation to the application of the 75-year-rule, and requests made for reducing it with regard to papers held in the Public Record Office relating to the trial and execution for murder in British gaols, by the next of kin for the purpose of pursuing the case for a posthumous pardon; what policy his Department has on charging for photocopying of such records for such purposes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  All assize records over 30 years old and closed for 75 years are being re-reviewed in line with the provisions of the White Paper on open government, chapter 9. Dependent on the nature of the inquiry from the next of kin, documents are either made available to them, or they are invited to visit my Department to read the file. Public Record Office charges for photocopies from files and my Department follows the same course of action. After review, and where sensitivity has passed, files are being released into the public domain.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when his Department received the application to supply copies of the papers relating to the trial for the murder of Lily Vo1pert, and execution in Cardiff gaol in 1952 of Mahmood Hussein Mattan: on what date the records were located at the Cardif Public
  10
  many of the total applications were accepted; how many of these were from ethnic minority applicants.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The figures for each of the advisory committees on justices of the peace in the Greater London area for the last three years are as follows:

  Record Office; and on what date the Mattan family and their solicitor were informed of their existence.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  A letter dated 2 September 1994 was received by the Court of Appeal on 6 September 1994, and passed to my Department's record section for action. They requisitioned Mattan's case file from the Public Record Office at Kew on 8 September 1994, and supplied copies of documents from the file to the solicitors under cover of a letter dated 16 September 1994.

  Legal Aid Fund (Barristers' Fees)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will name those barristers paid more than £200,000 from the legal aid fund in 1992–93 and 1993–94 and the amount each individual was paid in each year.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) what steps he takes to avoid a statutory instrument(a) being made or (b) coming into force before the making of any separate statutory instrument without which it would be ultra vires;

  (2) what steps he takes to avoid a statutory instrument being approved before the approval of any separate statutory instrument without which it would be ultra vires.

  Mr. Newton
  [holding answer 3 February 1995]: The guidance in "Statutory Instrument Practice" reminds Departments of the need to ensure that provisions in subordinate legislation are intra vires.

ENVIRONMENT

  Objective 1 Funding
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place a copy of the final agreement
  11
  programme for objective 1 for Merseyside in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have placed a copy of the objective 1 single programming document for Merseyside in the Library today.

  The programming which the single programme's document sets out provides an important opportunity for Merseyside. It includes a broad range of measures which will improve the competitiveness of local industry, increase the skills and employment opportunities for local people and enhance the quality of life. These measures give effect to a strategy agreed with the European Commission and prepared in partnership between the Government and others active locally: the local authorities, the training and enterprise councils, statutory agencies such as English Partnerships and the Merseyside development corporation and participants from institutions, further and higher education and the voluntary sector. I welcome the constructive and pragmatic spirit in which all concerned in the local partnership have driven forward planning for the Merseyside objective 1 programme, which will continue to have the Government's full support.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies have been carried out by his Department into the long-term storage of radioactive waste.

  Mr. Atkins
  Since 1981 my Department has carried out the following studies into the long-term storage of radioactive waste. These are available through the Library of the House:

  A Design Study of Long Term Storage and Underground Disposal System for Highly Active Waste.

  W. R. Burton and J. R. Griffin

  Pre-disposal Storage, Transport and Handling of Vitrified High-Level Waste.

  T. F. Kempe and A. Martin

  Surface Storage of Vitrified High-Level Radioactive Waste in Reinforced Concrete Casks.

  H. Beale, M. W. George and T. Robertson

  Implications of Long-term Surface or Near-Surface Storage of Intermediate and Low Level Waste in the United Kingdom.

  N. Murray, D. Vande Putte and R. J. Wade.

  Long-term Storage of Radioactive Solid Waste Within Disposal Facilities.

  M. Wakerley and J. Edmunds

  Assessment of Best Practicable Environment Options (BPEOs) for Management of Low and Intermediate-Level Solid Wastes.

  In addition, over the same period, there have been a number of studies into short-term storage.

  Local Referendums
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of giving powers to local authorities to hold local referendums.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My right hon. Friend has made no such assessment.

  Coastal Protection
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funds are available through his 12
  Department in the current financial year for coastal protection and repair.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My Department has no specific funds in respect of work on coastal protection and repair.

  Where the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food expect to issue credit approvals for capital expenditure in respect of such work these credit approvals will be taken into account in calculating standard spending assessments. Consequently local authorities will receive a contribution through the revenue support grant towards the borrowing costs associated with the balance of capital costs of approved schemes net of other grants.

  Local authorities also receive contributions through their revenue support grant entitlements in respect of revenue expenditure which they undertake for coastal protection and repair.

  Disabled Persons
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has regarding legislation or other action to ensure that the needs of the disabled are provided for in decisions on planning applications.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Guidance on access issues is contained in my Department's planning policy guidance note 1 "General Policy and Principles" and in planning policy guidance note 3, "Housing". This guidance encourages developers and local authorities to consider access issues at an early stage in the design process. In general, however, the needs of disabled people to have access to buildings are secured through the Building Regulations. Part M of these regulations now define the access requirements to all storeys of non-domestic buildings and to most extensions. On 12 January, my Department issued a consultation paper proposing that the scope of the regulations should be extended to cover access for disabled people to all new dwellings.

  Education Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the figures for the education standard spending assessment for Hertfordshire for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96 and the percentage change between the two years.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The figures are:

  £ million

  1994–95 Unadjusted

  1994–95 Adjusted1

  1995–96

  Change (b/c) per cent.

  a.

  b.

  c.

  d.

  351.155

  361.089

  371.417

  +2.9

  1 The adjusted figure takes account of net income from recoupment in 1994–95, so as to make it broadly comparable with the SSA for 1995–96.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what recent consultations he has undertaken on proposals to reform homelessness legislation; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what further consultations he plans in advance of legislation on homelessness; and if he will undertake to consult all the responders to the Green Paper "Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies".
  13
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We consulted extensively during the early part of last year, and our conclusions were announced to the House on 18 July 1994 by my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Housing, Inner Cities and Construction. Since then my Department has sought views on certain matters of detail from a number of key organisations interested in this subject. The policy remains as announced last July, and we have no plans for any further general consultation.

  Regional Offices
  Mr. McAllison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific tasks and objectives each senior regional director and staff member of Government offices for the regions have been and will be set for the years ending 31 March 1995 to 31 March 1996.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Government have given the Government offices for the regions the role of working in partnership with local people to maximise the competitiveness, prosperity and quality of life of each region. The central objectives of the offices are to:

  Meet the operational requirements of Departments and Ministers

  Contribute local views and experience to the formation and communication of Government policy

  Promote a coherent approach to competitiveness, sustainable economic development and regeneration using public and private resources and through the exercise of its statutory responsibilities.

  Develop the skills of staff and methods of working to achieve these objectives and to demonstrate their success in doing so

  Develop partnerships with and between all the local interests to promote and secure these objectives

  Provide a single point of contact for local people and deliver high quality services on citizens charter principles.

  Detailed objectives for the offices for 1995–96 will be set out in GO-MINIS management planning documents which will be published in the spring.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the rules and regulations in his Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which his Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on his Department's manpower.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The following list shows the 27 statutory instruments revoked by this Department during 1994.

  The Department is continuing to identify rules and regulations for withdrawal. Those for withdrawal in the next 12 months will be announced as and when consultations are completed. The manpower implications will be taken into account in the Department's central manpower plans which will be published in the Department's annual report in March.

  DOE Regulations revoked during 1994

  The Billing Authorities (Alteration of Requisite Calculations) (England) Regulations 1992 SI 1992/2429

  The Housing Renovation etc., Grants (Reduction of Grant) Regulations 1990 SI 1990/1189

  The Housing Renovation etc., Grants (Reduction of Grant) (Amendment) Regulations 1991 SI 1991/897

  14

  The Housing Renovation etc., Grants (Reduction of Grant) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 SI 1992/705

  The Housing Renovation etc., Grants (Reduction of Grant) (Amendment) Regulations 1993 SI 1993/551

  The East Anglian Water (Capital Powers) Order 1972 SI 1972/2050

  The East Anglian Water (Capital Powers) Order 1977 SI 1977/295

  The East Anglian Water (Capital Powers) Order 1985 SI 1985/240

  The Transfrontier Shipment of Hazardous Waste Regulations 1988 SI 1988/1562

  The Control of Pollution (Special Waste) Amendment Regulations 1988 SI 1988/1790

  The West Hampshire Water Order 1919 1919c.cix

  The Building (Prescribed Fees etc.) Regulations 1985 SI 1985/1576

  The Building (Amendment of Prescribed Fees) Regulations 1986 SI 1986/2287

  The Building (Amendment of Prescribed Fees) Regulations 1988 SI 1988/871

  The Building (Amendment of Prescribed Fees) Regulations 1989 SI 1989/1118

  The Building (Amendment of Prescribed Fees) Regulations 1990 SI 1990/2600

  The Building (Prescribed Fees etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 SI 1992/741

  The Building (Amendment of Prescribed Fees) Regulations 1992 SI 1992/2879

  The Compulsory Purchase of Land Regulations 1990 SI 1990/613

  The Oil Fuel (Sulphur Content of Gas Oil) Regulations 1990 SI 1990/1096

  The Local Government (Publication of Manpower Information) (England) Regulations 1983 SI 1983/8

  The Valuation for Rating (Plant and Machinery) Regulations 1989 SI 1898/441

  The Central Rating Lists (Regulations 1989 SI 1989/2263

  The Central Rating Lists (Amendment) Regulations 1990 SI 1990/502

  The Central Rating Lists (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1990 SI 1990/1566

  The Central Rating Lists (Amendment) Regulations 1993 SI 1993/166

  The Opencast (Compulsory Rights and Rights of Way) (Forms) Regulations 1987 SI 1987/1915

  Community Charge
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities that have illegally prosecuted people unable to pay the community charge; and what action his Department will take to compensate those concerned.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The Community Charge (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1989 include provision for an authority to apply for a warrant of commitment against a debtor where other enforcement measures have been unsuccessful. It is for the magistrates court to consider any such application. The court may issue a warrant only after it has inquired of the person's means, and is satisfied that the failure to pay is the result of wilful refusal or culpable neglect. It has discretion to remit all or part of the outstanding amount.

  Gipsy Sites
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total amount provided by his
  15
  Department for the construction of gipsy sites in Devon in each year since 1993; and how much will be provided in (a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My Department has neither made nor will make any payment of gipsy site grant for sites in Devon in the financial years 1993–94 to 1996–97, because no local authority application for grant for sites in that area has received or is awaiting approval to proceed to tender.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will allow Devon county council to use the grant from his Department, originally designated for a gipsy site at Tamerton Foliot, for an alternative gipsy site; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The application from Devon county council for gipsy site grant for a site at Tamerton Foliot was rejected by my Department on the ground of excessive cost. No grant has therefore been allocated for that site. Section 80 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which came into force on 3 November 1994, repealed the Secretary of State's power to approve grant other than for applications received before commencement date.

  Regional Operations
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff his Department employs on a regional basis in each standard English region; what is the cost of running these regional operations; what was the total budget for each region in the latest available year; and what are the main purposes for which the budget is used.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department currently employs the following number of staff in each of the Government offices for the regions:

  Countryside commission regions and counties

  Number of countryside Stewardship agreements, and period of agreements (1994 figures provisional)

  1 October 1991–30

  1 October 1992–30

  1 October 1993–30

  1 October 1994–30

  September 2001

  September 2002

  September 2003

  September 2004

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire

  9

  20

  15

  11

  Cambridgeshire

  22

  37

  22

  18

  Lincolnshire

  17

  29

  46

  21

  Norfolk

  43

  44

  48

  19

  Suffolk

  37

  36

  31

  25

  Midlands

  Derbyshire (part also in North West region)

  35

  49

  29

  22

  Hereford and Worcester

  11

  43

  23

  28

  Leicestershire

  9

  26

  11

  22

  Northamptonshire

  9

  41

  23

  15

  Nottinghamshire

  5

  8

  10

  12

  Shropshire

  15

  12

  20

  23

  Staffordshire

  6

  15

  15

  11

  Warwickshire

  6

  5

  6

  11

  West Midlands

  2

  4

  5

  3

  Northern

  Cleveland

  3

  2

  4

  10

  Cumbria

  41

  33

  21

  39

  Durham

  8

  18

  9

  16

  Northumberland

  33

  51

  47

  30

  Tyne and Wear

  2

  0

  5

  5

  16

  Number

  Government Office for the North East

  99

  Government Office for the North West

  164

  Government Office for Yorkshire and Humberside

  134

  Government Office for Merseyside

  65

  Government Office for the West Midlands

  120

  Government Office for the East Midlands

  104

  Government Office for the Eastern Region

  71

  Government Office for the South West

  77

  Government Office for the South East

  90

  Government Office for London

  131

  These figures exclude regionally based Property Holdings, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and rent assessment panel staff.

  Information about the cost to my Department of running each office, the activities carried out by the offices and the programme budgets of each office was given in my replies to the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham), Official Report, 25 January 1995, columns 210–12.

  Countryside Stewardship Sites
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by county for countryside stewardship sites, the date when each site was designated and the date when each site's designation is due to be terminated.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 30 January 1995]: The countryside stewardship scheme is operated by the Countryside Commission. Agreements under the scheme begin on 1 October of the relevant year, and normally run for ten years. Information supplied by the Countryside Commission on the sites currently under agreement in each of their administrative areas, together with the date of the commencement and termination of each agreement, is given in the table. Information on agreements entering the scheme in 1994 is provisional.
  17

  Countryside commission regions and counties

  Number of countryside Stewardship agreements, and period of agreements (1994 figures provisional)

  1 October 1991–30

  1 October 1992–30

  1 October 1993–30

  1 October 1994–30

  September 2001

  September 2002

  September 2003

  September 2004

  North West

  Cheshire

  14

  19

  19

  30

  Greater Manchester

  6

  7

  6

  10

  Lancashire

  26

  39

  46

  72

  Merseyside

  4

  1

  3

  5

  South East

  Berkshire

  7

  8

  9

  11

  Buckinghamshire

  18

  18

  10

  15

  East Sussex

  16

  18

  9

  10

  Essex

  23

  18

  8

  16

  Greater London

  4

  10

  8

  9

  Hampshire

  30

  18

  27

  24

  Hertfordshire

  13

  16

  4

  11

  Isle of Wight

  15

  13

  8

  12

  Kent

  21

  36

  33

  46

  Oxfordshire

  10

  17

  8

  21

  Surrey

  11

  15

  8

  13

  West Sussex

  22

  13

  5

  4

  South West

  Avon

  8

  24

  15

  6

  Cornwall

  46

  73

  35

  9

  Devonshire

  35

  100

  52

  55

  Dorset

  38

  30

  10

  1

  Gloucestershire

  26

  33

  20

  6

  Somerset

  27

  25

  20

  8

  Wiltshire

  43

  32

  18

  4

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Humberside

  20

  20

  23

  15

  North Yorkshire

  76

  102

  50

  10

  South Yorkshire

  1

  14

  10

  1

  West Yorkshire

  2

  10

  15

  3

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crime Victims
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Attorney-General to what extent victims are taken into account when a decision to prosecute is taken by the Crown Prosecution Service.

  The Solicitor-General
  When taking a decision to prosecute, the interests of the victim are an important factor in determining the balance of the public interest.

  Appeals
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the procedure of ensuring equity to people who appeal against a decision of an earlier court.

  The Solicitor-General
  The procedures are well established and effective in ensuring justice.

  Combat 18
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General what action he is taking in respect of members of Combat 18.

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service has not yet received a report from the Metropolitan police, whose investigation into Combat 18 continues.
  18

  Asil Nadir
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about the handling by the Serious Fraud Office of the Asil Nadir case.

  The Solicitor-General
  A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Asil Nadir. The Crown is ready to proceed when he returns or is returned to the jurisdiction.

  Departmental Review
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make it his policy to instigate an independent review of the administration of his Department to facilitate decision making and accountability.

  The Attorney-General: I have no plans to commission such a review.

  Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to review the operation of the Serious Fraud Office.

  The Attorney-General
  On 1 February 1995, I received the report of the consideration of merger group on the merits and feasibility of merging all or part of the fraud divisions of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office. I shall take my decision after consulting colleagues.
  19

  Electro-shock Equipment
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) if he will seek to prosecute ICL Technical Plastics for breaches of section 5(1) (b) of the Firearms Act 1968 for selling electro-shock equipment;

  (2) if he will seek to prosecute ICL Technical Plastics for breaches of section 5(1) (b) of the Firearms Act 1968 for manufacturing electro-shock equipment without his authority;

  (3) if he will seek to prosecute ICL Technical Plastics for breaches of section 5(1) (b) of the Firearms Act 1968 for the possession of electro-shock equipment.

  The Attorney-General
  Decisions about prosecution can be taken only on the basis of evidence gathered during the course of a criminal investigation. It is for the relevant chief officer of police to decide in relation to the alleged offences whether such investigation is warranted. I understand that the Strathclyde police are investigating certain matters arising from a recent television documentary programme about ICL Technical Plastics Limited, which is a Glasgow-based company. Any evidence which may justify the institution of criminal proceedings will be considered by the independent prosecuting authorities.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Bosnia-Herzegovina
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the numbers, role and cost of European Union monitors in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

  Mr. Goodlad
  There are 60 EU monitors in Bosnia, of whom five are British. Their primary role is to monitor political opinion, military capabilities, humanitarian aid supplies, human rights and the economic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

  In 1994 the total budget for the EU monitoring mission in former Yugoslavia was D28 million or £11.6 million.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the objectives, time scale, staff and budget of the EU administration of the city of Mostar; and what plans there are for similar initiatives elsewhere in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The European Union was asked by the Bosnian-Croat and Muslim communities to administer the city of Mostar for two years, beginning July 1994. The EU's objective is to foster reconciliation and reunite the divided city. The EU administrator is Mr Hans Koschnik—German—who has a multi-national staff of experts to assist him, including several British nationals. This year's budget is 32 million ecu or £25 million. Next year's budget is still to be finalised.

  Land Mines
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what opinion of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in respect of land mines has been conveyed to him; and if he will make a statement.
  20
  Mr. Goodlad
  The Secretary-General of the United Nations has called for a complete ban on the use, production and transfer of anti-personnel land mines in his proposals for an agenda for development and an agency for peace which were published recently.

  No detailed discussions of the Secretary-General's proposals have yet taken place at the United Nations.

  Inhumane Weapons Convention
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if United Kingdom policy at the review of the United Nations inhumane weapons convention supports the mapping and marking of minefields in all circumstances.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We support a prohibition on the emplacement of anti-personnel land mines without a self-destructing capability outside perimeter-marked areas monitored by military personnel. We also support proposals for the location of all minefields and mined areas to be recorded.

  Sexual Offences (Children)
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have been prosecuted for sexual offences involving children outside the United Kingdom for each year since records have been kept.

  Mr. Baldry
  There have been 135 reported cases of British citizens prosecuted outside the United Kingdom for sexual offences since 1974. Our records do not show which of those cases involved children.

  Year

  Number of cases

  1974

  1

  1981

  1

  1982

  1

  1983

  2

  1986

  2

  1987

  15

  1988

  24

  1989

  17

  1990

  15

  1991

  17

  1992

  16

  1993

  15

  1994

  9

  Anti-personnel Mines
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list of countries which have announced their support for an international ban on the production, stockpiling, sale and use of anti-personnel mines.

  Mr. Baldry
  The following countries have announced their support for an international ban on the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel land mines: Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Columbia, Ireland, Mexico and Sweden.

  The 49th session of the General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution supporting further international efforts to seek solutions to the problems caused by

  21
  anti-personnel land mines, with a view to their eventual elimination.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the International Committee of the Red Cross in respect of United Kingdom proposals to control the international use of anti-personnel mines; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  No such representations have been received.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Jovan Zametica is covered by the travel curbs imposed by the United Nations on the Bosnian-Serb leadership; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The list of those Bosnian Serbs whose movements would be restricted under Security Council resolution 942 remains under consideration in the UN Sanctions Committee. We cannot comment on which individuals might be included until the Committee's consideration is completed.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those persons included in the travel curbs imposed by the United Nations on Bosnian-Serb leaders and others residing in Pale; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The list of those Bosnian Serbs whose movements would be restricted under SCR 942 remains under consideration by the UN Sanctions Committee.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those persons who have been permitted to represent in the United Kingdom the interests of the Bosnian Serbs led by Dr. Radovan Karadzic over the past four years; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Bosnian Serbs have no official representation in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how often, and on what basis, Jovan Zametica has communicated with General Sir Michael Rose during the past eight weeks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  UNPROFOR is in regular contact with all parties, including the Bosnian Serbs. Mr. Zametica, as a spokesman for the Bosnian Serbs, is a regular interlocutor.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the rules and regulations in his Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which his Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on his Department's manpower.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issues very few rules and regulations. Secondary legislation is made by Order in Council. In 1994 at least 27 orders were revoked. The majority of these related to the lifting of the United Nations arms embargo on South 22
  Africa. There were no implications for the Department's manpower. The Department is continuing to identify rules and regulations for withdrawal. Those for withdrawal in the next 12 months will be announced as and when consultations are completed.

  Humanitarian Medical Treatment
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 1 February, Official Report, column 1069, what arrangements have been made to assist Llandugh hospital with suitable security arrangements for the duration of the treatment of defected Iraqi army Major Safa Al-Battat for thallium poisoning.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We wrote to Llandugh hospital on 31 January following an inquiry from it about arrangements for press interviews for Major Al-Battat, the victim of thallium poisoning by the Iraqi regime. We discussed access for the press with the hospital administration, and recognised that it was for the hospital to judge whether the media should be allowed access to the patient.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 1 February, Official Report, column 1069, if he will list the general principles governing Her Majesty's Government's approach to requests for urgent humanitarian medical treatment for those injured in civil wars or uprisings against(a) the Iraqi regime and (b) other conflicts.

  Mr. Goodlad
  All cases are considered on their individual merits.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 1 February, Official Report, column, 1069, if he will provide details of the arrangements for the acceptance on urgent medical humanitarian grounds of entry clearance of defected Iraqi army Major Safa Al-Battat for anti-poisoning treatment at Llandugh hospital, South Glamorgan.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We condemn the Iraqi regime's efforts to poison Major Al-Battat. This is another example of the continuing brutality in Iraq, and yet more evidence that the regime is still involved in terrorist activities. We are therefore glad to have been able to help the Iraqi National Congress arrange Major Al-Battat's treatment here, and to ensure that his visa application was given prompt consideration in accordance with normal immigration rules.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 1 February, Official Report, column 1069, what representations he has received concerning that arrangements for the treatment at Llandugh hospital, South Glamorgan of defected Iraqi army Major Safa Al-Battat for thallium, poisoning.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We discussed the arrangements for media access to Major Al-Battat with the hospital administrators and officials in the Welsh Office.
  23

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Aid
  Mrs
  Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the level of overseas aid.

  Mr. Baldry
  The aid budget for the current year is some £2.2 billion.

  Know-how Funds
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the contributions of British know-how funds relative to other aid given to the former Soviet Union and central and eastern Europe.

  Mr. Baldry
  The know-how fund is an important contributor to the transition process in the former Soviet Union and eastern Europe. The fund has a deservedly enviable reputation in the region.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work is being undertaken by the know-how fund in Albania.

  Mr. Baldry
  The know-how fund is supporting a range of activities in Albania. At present the main emphasis of the programme is health care and local government reform. Projects are also under way in many other fields, including agriculture, small business and the environment.

  World Bank
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the work of the World bank inspection panel.

  Mr. Baldry
  The World bank's independent inspection panel became operational last August. To date, it has received one request for an inspection. We hope the panel will prove a useful addition to the existing systems of control provided by the board of directors and by bank management.

  Reproductive Health Care
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work the Overseas Development Administration is doing to improve reproductive health care.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Overseas Development Administration's strategy to improve reproductive health is expressed in its children by choice, not chance policy. It focuses on improving access to good quality contraception; helping to prevent and treat sexually

  Round table conference for Rwanda UNDP summary of funds pledged (US millions of dollars)

  Donor

  Sub-Programme 1

  Sub-Programme 2

  Sub-Programme 3

  Outside round table document1

  Total

  Bilateral

  Austria

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  1.7

  Belgium

  12.4

  2.7

  20.5

  —

  35.6

  Canada

  7.7

  —

  9.5

  —

  17.2

  France

  —

  —

  —

  —

  determined

  Germany

  —

  14.0

  66.0

  —

  80.0

  Ireland

  0.6

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  1.6

  24
  transmitted infection, including HIV; and making pregnancy and childbirth safer. The ODA expects to have committed at least £100 million over 1994 and 1995 to reproductive health programmes.

  Indonesia
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial support he is giving to the democratic trade union movement in Indonesia.

  Mr. Baldry
  Our aid programme to Indonesia does not include any financial support to the trade union movement.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the present amount of aid funding being given to Sri Lanka.

  Mr. Baldry
  On present plans we expect to spend some £8.94 million on bilateral aid projects for Sri Lanka in 1994–95.

  Baltic States
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to widen the scope of aid to the Baltic states.

  Mr. Baldry
  The know how fund will continue to provide rapid and flexible assistance to the reform process in the Baltic states. The countries concerned very much welcome our support.

  Rwanda
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the United Nations development programme-sponsored conference on Rwanda in Geneva that has just concluded; how much was pledged by each of the participants; and for what purposes.

  Mr. Baldry
  Participants at the UNDP round table welcomed the priorities set out in the Government of Rwanda's programme of national reconciliation and socio-economic rehabilitation and recovery. They pledged almost $583 million in support of the programme and related activities. Individual pledges are set out in the table. The United Kingdom has also pledged a further £4 million to the United Nations consolidated inter-agency appeal for Rwanda, to meet emergency needs within Rwanda and in the region. Since April 1994, Britain has committed £66 million in emergency and rehabilitation assistance bilaterally and through the EU to help Rwandans affected by the crisis.
  25

  Round table conference for Rwanda UNDP summary of funds pledged (US millions of dollars)

  Donor

  Sub-Programme 1

  Sub-Programme 2

  Sub-Programme 3

  Outside round table document1

  Total

  Italy

  —

  —

  —

  —

  to be announced

  Japan

  —

  22.5

  —

  —

  22.5

  Netherlands

  19.5

  —

  13.5

  —

  33.0

  New Zealand

  —

  —

  —

  —

  to be announced

  Russia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  to be announced

  Spain

  n/a

  —

  4.5

  —

  9.5

  Sweden

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  3.0

  Switzerland

  0.8

  —

  12.0

  —

  12.8

  United Kingdom

  1.5

  —

  1.5

  —

  3.0

  USA

  6.5

  —

  35.0

  18.3

  59.8

  Sub-total

  49

  39.2

  162.5

  18.3

  279.7

  Multilateral

  African Development Bank

  20.0

  —

  30.0

  —

  50.0

  European Union Commission

  49.2

  —

  68.4

  9.6

  127.2

  International Fund Agricultural Development

  —

  —

  15.0

  —

  15.0

  International Monetary Fund

  13.0

  —

  —

  —

  13.0

  Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries

  —

  —

  —

  12.9

  12.9

  United Nations Agencies

  —

  —

  10.0

  —

  10.0

  World Bank

  45.0

  —

  30.0

  —

  75.0

  Sub-total

  127.2

  —

  153.4

  22.5

  303.1

  Total-funds pledges

  176.2

  39.2

  315.9

  40.8

  582.8

  Funds requested

  189.6

  273.7

  300.9

  —

  764.1

  Notes

  1 Government of Rwanda's programme of national reconciliation and socio-economic rehabilitation and recovery.

  Sub-programme 1: financial support.

  Sub-programme 2: reintegration of refugees and displaced-some duplication with consolidated inter-agency appeal.

  Sub-programme 3: rehabilitation/development.

  Pledges by Austria, Ireland, Spain and Sweden remain to be allocated into specific sub-programmes.

  Thus the total of funds allocated to sub-programmes do not add up to the total.

  Dams (Ecological Effect)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what study his Department is making of the ecological effect of dams.

  Mr. Baldry
  The only study which the ODA has in progress concerns the prediction of reservoir sedimentation rates. Guidance on how to take account of the ecological effect of dams is covered in the ODA's "Manual of Environmental Appraisal", a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

HEALTH

  Gynaecological Departments
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses there are in gynaecological out-patient and in-patient departments in the Northumberland health authority and Cheviot and Wansbeck hospital.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information available centrally is shown in the table. For more information the hon. Member may wish to contact the vice-chairman of Northumberland health authority, Mr. David Wright, and the chairman of Cheviot and Wansbeck NHS trust, Mr. Roger Baker.
  26

  Nursing and midwifery staff (excluding agency) in the gynaecology area of work as at 30 September 1992
  Whole-Time Equivalents
  Cheviot and Wansbeck Hospital∗
  Northumberland District Health Authority 10
  Source:
  PD(Stats)B non-medical workforce census.
  Notes:
  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 whole-time equivalents.
  ∗denotes values of 5 and under.

  Cosmetic Surgery
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she last met the Royal College of Surgeons to discuss the regulating of cosmetic surgery.

  Mr. Sackville
  We have had no such meeting.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many physical assaults on staff and patients, including self-inflicted injuries, occurred on psychiatric wards in London in the last year that figures are available.

  Mr. Bowis
  National health service trusts and other providers of in-patient psychiatric services will collect information on assaults and self-inflicted injuries by patients to help them monitor the quality of service they provide. Health authorities and other purchasers can
  27
  obtain details through the contracting process. We do not require information to be submitted to the Department.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the bed occupancy rate for psychiatric wards in national health service hospitals and trusts in(a) London, (b) Birmingham and (c) Manchester; and what is the method by which the bed occupancy rate is measured.

  Mr. Bowis
  Health authorities and providers of acute psychiatric services are familiar with the concept of bed occupancy and the Department has not sought to specify the method they should use to calculate occupancy rates. Average bed occupancy rates can be agreed as part of the contracting process and will relate to local circumstances. We do not require information about bed occupancy rates to be submitted to the Department.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what mechanism her Department monitors the effectiveness of mental health care services in London, Birmingham and Manchester; how often data are collected; what measurements are used; and how long after any data are collected they are published.

  Mr. Bowis
  The North Thames and South Thames, West Midlands and North West regional offices of the National Health Service Executive monitor the effectiveness of mental health services in London, Birmingham and Manchester respectively by working closely with district health authorities which are responsible for assessing the health needs of their local population and securing an appropriate range of services to meet those needs.

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Mr. Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many accident and emergency departments there are in the United Kingdom at present; and what was the corresponding figure in each year since 1986.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals have had accident and emergency facilities in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information available is shown in the table. Since 1991–92 information has been collected on the basis of national health service trusts and directly managed units with accident and emergency facilities. Before that, information was collected on an individual hospital basis. Comparable information for earlier years is not therefore available.

  Trusts1 and directly managed units with Accident and Emergency departments2 England

  Year

  Number

  1991–92

  238

  1992–93

  226

  1993–94

  218

  1 A trust or a directly managed unit may consist of a number of hospitals each with its own A and E department.

  2 With medical staff on site and where the intention is to open 168 hours per week.

  The provision of information about accident and emergency services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
  28

  Regional Health Authorities
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the functions currently carried out by regional health authorities; and who will be responsible for each function after the implementation of the Health Authorities Bill.

  Mr. Malone
  The transfer of functions currently carried out by regional health authorities has already been determined in all but two significant areas, in which detailed discussions are still under way.

  National Health Service Executive headquarters, with advice from regional offices, will set the strategic framework, make revenue allocations to the new health authorities and make appointments to health authorities and NHS trusts. NHS Executive regional offices will be responsible for performance management of health authorities and NHS trusts and for admissions to the general practitioner fundholder scheme and allocations to GP fundholders. Regional offices will also be responsible through postgraduate deans for commissioning postgraduate medical education and training, for medical work force planning and for GP vocational training.

  Consortia of health authorities and NHS trusts will take on responsibility for commissioning non-medical education and training and for non-medical work force planning. They will be supported, especially initially, by the regional offices and by a national strategy set by headquarters. Health authorities will take on purchasing of most specialised services and most public health functions, often on a lead purchaser basis or in consortia. Health authorities will also take on supervision of midwifery practice and responsibility for current RHA functions under the Mental Health Act 1983.

  The contracts of junior doctors are under discussion with the profession. Future arrangements for handling complaints will be announced shortly in the light of the Government's response to the report of the Wilson committee.

  Full details are contained in the Government document "Managing the New NHS—Functions and Responsibilities in the new NHS" published in July 1994.

  NHS Treatment (Non-UK Citizens)
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the cost to the NHS of providing NHS treatment to non-UK citizens who are not entitled to receive it.

  Mr. Sackville
  Guidance issued to health authorities and national health service trusts sets out the procedures to be followed in obtaining payment where patients are not exempt from charges for NHS hospital treatment under the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989 (as amended). Those who believe they have evidence of such fraudulent behaviour should contact the chief executive of the NHS unit concerned.

  Private Sector Contracts
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts have been awarded by(a) health authorities and (b) local authority social services departments to the private sector in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend
  29
  the Secretary of State for the Environment for information on local authority social services department contracts with the private sector.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she gives to local health authorities for the treatment of rnyalgic encephalomyelitis; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The production of guidance on the treatment of what is increasingly being referred to as chronic-fatigue syndrome is a matter for the health care professions and not for the Department. The Department may however commend to purchasers guidelines which have been accepted by all the professional bodies.

  The national task force on CFS/PVFS—post-viral fatigue syndrome—ME which is autonomous of the Department of Health, has produced a report. With a view to securing progress and promoting the development of a professional consensus, the chief medical officer has invited the conference of colleges to consider the report. A response from the conference is not expected until spring.

  Maternity Wards
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many maternity wards have been provided in hospitals in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information about the number of maternity wards is not available centrally. However, data on the number of available beds in maternity units are contained in the publication "Bed Availability for England—Financial Year 1993–94", copies of which are available in the Library.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner fundholders have overrun their budgets; and by what level.

  Mr. Malone
  In 1992–93, the latest year for which audited information is available, 147 general practitioner fundholders overspent their budgets. The overspend was £9.8 million or 1.2 per cent. of total fundholder budgets.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of general practitioner fundholding practices and the total number of general practitioners who are fundholders.

  Mr. Malone
  There are currently 2,040 general practitioner fundholding practices and 8,760 general practitioner fundholders in England.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average budget for fundholders in 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94 and the comparable budget held by district health authorities for non-fundholders in those years.

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply the then Minister for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney), gave the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Ms Primarolo) on 20 June 1994, columns 26–27.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the average waiting times for fundholders and 30
  non-fundholding general practitioners' patients; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  It is not possible to calculate separate average waiting times for patients from general practitioners fundholders and non-fundholding GPs from centrally held data.

  Ambulance Response Times
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average time taken for the London ambulance service to arrive at the scene following an emergency 999 call.

  Mr. Sackville
  London ambulance service figures show that following an emergency call the average time taken for an ambulance to arrive at the scene is 14.5 minutes.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the rules and regulations in her Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which her Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on her Department's manpower.

  Mr. Sackville
  We withdrew three sets of regulations in 1994 relating to medicines control. A good deal of deregulatory activity consists of amending or replacement regulation, or new and better guidance, rather than withdrawal. For example, we have amended regulations to allow more medicines to be sold over the counter without the need for a prescription; issued new guidance on welfare inspections of independent boarding schools and on regulation of day care for young children, reduced the number of boarding schools required to register as children's homes; and widened choice of venue for people getting married. The Department is continuing to consider rules and regulations for possible withdrawal or simplification. Details will be announced as and when consultations are completed.

  There are no manpower effects for the Department, but we are committed to reducing staffing in the central Department by 21 per cent. by April 1997.

  NHS Trusts (Borrowing)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list those trusts that have received either(a) a loan from her Department or (b) an overdraft guarantee in each year since their inception, indicating (i) the amount concerned and (ii) the reason for its allocation.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on loans and guarantees will be placed in the Library. No information is available on the reasons why loans are drawn. Trusts borrow principally to support their capital investment activities, but may also borrow to cover working capital requirements. All the borrowing detailed was within agreed limits. Trusts use overdrafts to cover very short-term working capital requirements. The purpose of overdraft guarantees is to reduce the cost of this borrowing from the trusts' bankers.

  Health Care, East Anglia
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what savings she expects to result from the
  31
  abolition of the Anglia and Oxford regional health authority; and how many of those savings will be put into health care in East Anglia.

  Mr. Malone
  By 1997–98, total annual savings from the abolition of regional health authorities are expected to be around £100 million. These substantial savings will be retained by the national health service and thus will be available to be reinvested in patient care.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the regulations concerning the provision by the NHS of out-of-hours dental cover for (a) patients registered with an NHS dentist and (b) patients not registered with an NHS dentist; and if she will make a statement on the content of those regulations.

  Mr. Malone
  The regulations concerning the provision of out-of-hours emergency dental cover, for both registered and unregistered patients, are contained in the National Health Service (General Dental Services) Regulations 1992.

  The terms of service for general dental practitioners contained in these regulations require dentists to make reasonable arrangements to ensure that patients registered with them for capitation or continuing care can get treatment in an emergency.

  Regulation 14 of these regulations enables family health services authorities to make arrangements for treatment in urgent cases of patients who have difficulty obtaining treatment. FHSAs organise emergency sessions at health centres at weekends and bank holidays, mainly for unregistered patients.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by family health services authority the arrangements which exist for emergency dental cover out of hours; and what procedures are in place to monitor the extent and quality of these arrangements.

  Mr. Malone
  Emergency dental services for registered patients are the responsibility of their dentists. For non-registered patients, information about emergency dental services is obtained in an annual survey of family health services authorities in England and Wales. The results for 1993–94 are available in the Library. It is for each FHSA to manage the general dental service locally, and this will include monitoring the extent and quality of such emergency arrangements.

  Cervical Smears
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the percentage of United Kingdom women being offered cervical smears three-yearly or less.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally for England. Information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is issued to hospitals in respect of charging for cervical smears if done more frequently than every five years; and what is the recommended charge.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. It is for individual health authorities to negotiate contracts with hospitals to provide 32
  a cervical screening service for their resident population, in accordance with national guidelines.

  Computerisation
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the expenditure on computerisation in primary care in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  Reimbursement of the costs for computerisation in general practice are shown in the table. The amount reimbursed in 1990–91, when the scheme was introduced, includes claims for the years 1989–90 and 1990–91.

  Year

  £ million

  1990–91

  17.5

  1991–92

  34

  1992–93

  40.2

  1993–94

  38.4

  Drug Dispensing (Qualifications)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what qualifications are required for staff dispensing drugs in a general practitioner's dispensing practice.

  Mr. Malone
  The responsibility for ensuring the competence of staff dispensing drugs in general practitioners' practices lies with the doctor who is subject to the enforcement provisions of the Medicines Act 1968.

  General Practitioners (Administrative Costs)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the administrative costs of all general practice per general practitioner.

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Waiting Times
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has on the maximum waiting time for repair of an aortic aneurysm.

  Mr. Malone
  It is not appropriate to have a maximum waiting time for repair of an aortic aneurism. Each case is different and it must be for the clinician to decide whether surgical treatment is appropriate and when surgery should be performed. Patients are placed on a waiting list only if, in the opinion of a clinician at the time of assessment, their condition is judged to be stable.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total of days patients have waited in each of the last five years for treatment in NHS hospitals.

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested cannot be derived from waiting time data available centrally.

  Resuscitation Facilities
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the availability of resuscitation facilities at (a) King's College hospital and (b) other hospitals while invasive cardiac investigations and treatments are being undertaken.

  Mr. Sackville
  Full resuscitation facilities are available at King's College hospital, Denmark Hill, in all areas
  33
  where invasive cardiac investigations are undertaken. Full resuscitation facilities are also available on the King's College hospital, Dulwich, site although no invasive cardiac procedures are carried out there. Resuscitation facilities are generally available in other specialist hospital departments where risk of cardiac arrest is high.

  Infectious Material (Postal Services)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health(I) what evidence she has that human tissue and infectious material sent through the post has posed a health hazard; how many cases arose in the last year; and what the hazardous material was;

  (2) what guidance she has on the packaging of human tissue samples and infectious material when sent through the post; and what status this guidance has.

  Mr. Sackville
  No such cases were reported last year. There is a range of measures to safeguard against infection as a result of the postal transport of pathology specimens. There is no evidence that these measures are inadequate. The Post Office guide sets out the requirements under the Post Office Telecommunications Act, 1969–revised 1981–for sending specimens through the post, and carriage by rail or road is covered by new Health and Safety Executive regulations on the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous goods for carriage by road and rail, 1994. The transportation of certain pathogens listed in the Health and Safety (Dangerous Pathogens) Regulations 1981, all the provisions of which have been subsumed into the new Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994, requires prior notification to the Health and Safety Executive which will notify the appropriate Health Minister. The Health and Safety Commission's health service advisory committee guidance on safe working and the prevention of infection in clinical laboratories 1991 refers to the procedures which laboratories should observe in dispatching material. In all work situations, the potential for exposure to infection from material either in transit or under examination has to be assessed under COSHH and the appropriate safe working procedures adopted.

  Prescribing Costs
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the prescribing costs of (a) a dispensing general practitioner and (b) non-dispensing general practitioner.

  Mr. Malone
  Information is contained in the annual report of the Prescription Pricing Authority for the period 1 April 1993 to 31 March 1994, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Accumulated Assets
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total amount of accumulated assets of trust hospitals and directly managed units in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Sackville
  District health authorities did not account for fixed assets, and there were no trusts, prior to 1991–92. Information for 1991–92 to 1993–94 is shown in the table.
  34

  Accumulated assets

  DMUs1

  NHS trusts

  £

  £

  1991–92

  15,028,465,000

  2,651,111,000

  1992–93

  12,268,968,000

  6,465,354,000

  1993–94

  Note 1 refers

  12,464,800,000

  Source:NHS Summarised accounts.

  1Directly Managed Units.

  Notes:

  1. In 1993–94 district health authorities were not required to provide a separate figure for DMUs.

  2. The 1993–94 figures are provisional.

  3. The figures represent the total assets employed by DMUs and NHS trusts—fixed assets plus net current assets.

  Care in the Community
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what distinction she makes between (a) community care and (b) care in the community; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  Community care, as used in the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, refers to the provision of services and support which people who are affected by problems of aging, illness or disability need to be able to live as independently as possible in their own homes, or in residential care. Care in the community is a term used specifically to refer to policies for mentally ill people and people with learning disabilities which enable them to live as full, independent and normal lives in or as near to the community as possible.

  Bereaved Relatives
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is available for the treatment of relatives of patients who die within (a) King's College hospital arid (b) other hospitals; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  Guidance, which applies to all hospitals, is contained in HSG(92)8, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff her Department employs on a regional basis in each standard English region; what is the cost of running these regional operations; what was the total budget for each region in the latest available year; and what are the main purposes for which the budget is used.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested on staff employed in each of the standard English regions is shown in the table. Information about departmental running costs by region is not available. Details of the Departments' gross running costs are provided in the Department's annual report for 1994–95, Cm 2512.

  Region

  Scotland

  —

  Northern

  14

  Yorks and Humberside

  896

  North West

  679

  East Midlands

  55

  West Midlands

  120

  Wales

  —

  East Anglia

  —

  35

  Region

  South East

  2,894

  South West

  19

  Northern Ireland

  —

  Overseas

  —

  Source: MANDATE returns to Treasury from Chessington Computer Centre.

  Notes:

  1. Figures include inward loans and secondments, fixed term appointments and staff in Agencies.

  2. Figures exclude casual and industrial staff and outward loans and secondments.

  Closures
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list the hospitals or trusts in respect of which she has been formally consulted about partial or complete closure in the last three years;

  (2) pursuant to her answer of 19 December, Official Report, column 983, what information is held regarding the number of accident and emergency departments currently threatened with closure or that have closed since April 1991;

  (3) what information is provided to her Department by district health authorities, trusts, regional health authorities and NHS Executive on (a) hospital closures, (b) ward closures, (c) accident and emergency department closures, (d) reducing NHS beds and (e) increasing private beds and bed units;

  (4) pursuant to her answer of 19 December, Official Report, column 983, how many hospital closures in England since April 1991 are known to her Department following objection to a proposed closure from a community health council;

  (5) pursuant to her answer of 19 December, Official Report, column 983, what information her Department does not collected which is collected by the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland offices on the number of hospitals closed since April 1991 or the number of accident and emergency departments currently threatened with closure.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 13 January 1995]The Department does not routinely collect information on hospital, ward or accident and emergency department closures. Information is available centrally on proposals to close, or change the use of, health service facilities which are referred to Ministers for decision following objections from a community health council. A list of such proposed closures referred to Ministers in the period 1992–94 is available in the Library.

  The Department collects information on the number of national health service beds which is published annually in the booklet "Bed Availability for England", copies of which are available in the Library. Information on private beds in NHS hospitals is not collected centrally. However, information on the number of private non-NHS beds is collected and published annually in "Private Hospitals, Homes and Clinics Registered Under Section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1994", copies of which are also available in the Library.

  Information collected by the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland offices on hospital closures and accident and emergency departments threatened with closure is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State
  36
  for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

DEFENCE

  Operation Granby
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what indications there were that (a) chemical and (b) biological weapons were used by the Iraqi forces, or anyone under their command, during Operation Granby.

  Mr. Soames
  This is a matter for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down, under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, dated 6 February 1995:
  1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking him what indictions there were that (a) chemical and (b) biological weapons were used by the Iraqi forces, or anyone under their command, during Operation GRANBY has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.
  2. There are no indications or evidence to suggest that the Iraqi forces or anyone under their command used chemical or biological weapons against the British Armed Forces during Operation GRANBY.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to reply to the letter of 7 December 1994, from the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North, concerning the death of Fusilier G. Riley; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  My noble friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will reply shortly.

  Land, Scotland
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many acres of land are currently occupied by(a) the Army, (b) the Royal Air Force and (c) the Royal Navy in Scotland; what proposals he has to acquire more land, in Scotland; for any of the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  At 31 March 1994, the latest date for which records are available, the land occupied by the Armed Forces in Scotland was(a) the Army—20,883 acres (b) the Royal Air Forces—9,482 acres and (c) the Royal Navy—16,116 acres. There are no proposals to acquire more land in Scotland at this time.

  HMS Andromeda
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for HMS Andromeda; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is planned to sell HMS Andromeda and initial negotiations, by the Disposal Sales Agency with a friendly overseas navy, are in train. It is not our practice to discuss details of such negotiations in the interests of customer confidentiality.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last refit of HMS Andromeda took place; and what was its cots.
  37
  Mr. Freeman
  The last refit of HMS Andromeda was undertaken between August 1990 and December 1991 at a total cost of some £27 million.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent valuations have been placed on HMS Andromeda.

  Mr. Freeman
  Valuations of HMS Andromeda form part of the negotiations being considered on her sale. It is not our practice to discuss details of such negotiations in the interests of customer confidentiality.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the rules and regulations in his Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which his Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on his Department's manpower.

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department is playing a full part in the deregulation initiative. As a non-regulatory Department, the Ministry of Defence has focused its efforts on relieving unnecessary administrative burdens on its suppliers; streamlining contracts procedures; and improving communications with industry.

  Whitehall Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total annual expenditure on Whitehall organisations included in the Defence budget,

  Strength of the Army Regular Reserves (Male and Female)

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  Thousands 1986

  Regular Reserves

  126.9

  133.1

  137.4

  140.1

  138.2

  143.2

  150.2

  153.9

  Territorial Army1

  59.4

  63.3

  69.6

  69.1

  72.8

  71.4

  73.7

  77.7

  Ulster Defence Regiment2

  7.6

  7.4

  7.4

  7.2

  7.1

  6.7

  6.4

  6.5

  Home Service Force3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.3

  0.3

  0.9

  3.0

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Thousands 1994

  Regular Reserves

  160.4

  167.7

  175.3

  183.5

  187.7

  188.6

  190.1

  192.5

  Territorial Army1

  78.5

  74.7

  72.5

  72.5

  73.3

  71.3

  68.5

  65.0

  Ulster Defence Regiment2

  6.6

  6.3

  6.3

  6.2

  6.1

  6.0

  —

  —

  Home Service Force3

  3.3

  3.1

  3.0

  3.2

  3.3

  2.9

  0.2

  —

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the annual level of defence expenditure relating to the protection of the Falkland islands for each year since 1983; and what is his estimate of the current annual level of defence expenditure per household for(a) the Falkland islands and (b) the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Soames
  The annual cost of defence expenditure relating to the protection of the Falkland islands is as follows:

  £ million

  1983–84

  637

  1984–85

  644

  38
  for each year since 1979, expressed in 1994 prices and broken down by organisation.

  Mr. Soames
  The information is not available in the form requested and could not be compiled without disproportionate cost.

  Trident
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the potential savings which would be made by reducing the number of warheads developed, purchased and maintained for the Trident nuclear weapons programme, to the average of the number of Polaris-based nuclear warheads deployed between 1984 and 1990.

  Mr. Freeman
  None. Our plans are based on sustaining through the life of Trident, the minimum deterrent capability required for the security of the United kingdom.

  Army Reserve
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the(a) total manpower and (b) the cost of supporting the United Kingdom Army Reserve for each year since 1979 in 1994 prices.

  Mr. Soames
  The total manpower of the United Kingdom Army Reserve for each year since 1979 is as follows.

  The costs of supporting the United Kingdom Army Reserve are spread out among a wide variety of budgets and cannot therefore be identified in the form requested.

  £ million

  1985–86

  572

  1986–87

  402

  1987–88

  229

  1988–89

  102

  1989–90

  68

  1990–91

  66

  1991–92

  72

  1992–93

  58

  1993–94

  67

  The cost to each United Kingdom household of defence expenditure in the Falkland islands was approximately 637 £2.90 in 1993–94, the latest year for which figures are available.
  39
  The total defence cash limit for the United Kingdom in 1994–95, is £22,735,585,000 representing a cost to each United Kingdom household of approximately £981 this financial year.

  No statistics are held by the Ministry of Defence that would enable the calculation of Defence Expenditure per household in the Falkland islands.

  Telephone Line Rentals
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money was paid in advance to BT for telephone line rentals in each of the last five years; if his Department included in its calculations the interest lost in this process; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  As reported in paragraph 63 of the report, entitled "Ministry of Defence: Management of Telephones" (HC 637), some £30,000,000 a year was paid in advance to BT for telephone line rentals in the period prior to financial year 1993–94. This practice of paying yearly in advance was discontinued in 1993–94, and such bills are now paid quarterly in advance, representing a substantial saving to the Exchequer in additional cost of borrowing that would otherwise have been required.

  Inhumane Weapons Convention
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral answer of 31 January,Official Report, column 842, what proposals for additions to the inhumane weapons convention have been made; by which other countries; and what is Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of each of these proposals.

  Mr. Soames
  Sweden and the International Committee of the Red Cross have proposed that the revised UN weaponry convention include a new protocol on blinding weapons. Sweden has also proposed a new protocol on naval mines; and Switzerland has proposed a new protocol on small calibre munitions. Our main aim remains the strengthening of the restrictions on the use of anti-personnel landmines, and we would not wish to see discussion of proposed new protocols detract from that objective. However, the United Kingdom is studying each of these proposals closely, and will make a final decision on them in good time for the review conference later this year.
  40

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 30 January,Official Report, column 548, if he will give details of the experiments carried out under (a) mild, (b) moderate, (c) substantial and (d) unclassified project licences currently in effect at his Department's establishments; if he will identify the animals involved; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The types of studies carried out under the project licences currently in effect at the Department's establishments by categories are as follows:

  (a) mild: These include studies of the influence of stress on the toxicity of potential CW agents, the effectiveness of skin protectants and decontaminants, the use of transdermal techniques to administer medical countermeasures and the acceleration of healing in chemical warfare agent induced injury.

  (b)moderate: These include studies of the mechanism of action, pharmacology and treatment of chemical and biological warfare agent poisoning and infection, detection and identification of biological agents, the control of infection in wounds, improved techniques for military surgery and trauma studies and exposure to different pressures of air or oxygen for varying durations.

  (c)substantial: These include studies of the mechanism of action and treatment of chemical and biological warfare agents.

  (d)unclassified: These include studies of the attenuation of impact loads.

  It would involve a disproportionate amount of effort to identify the animals involved.

  Otterburn Training Area
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which civil servants or military personnel have met representatives from the campaign against the national park regarding the Otterburn training area in the Northumberland national park.

  Mr. Soames
  Although civil servants and military personnel from my Department come into contact with members of the campaign against the national park, no official meetings have been held with the organisation.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial or other support has been given by his Department or the Army to the campaign against the national park regarding the Otterburn training area in the Northumberland national park.

  Mr. Soames
  None.
  41
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken or will take to ensure that all interested local authorities as well as individuals and groups fully understand the proposed developments regarding possible new military training at the Otterburn training area in the Northumberland national park.

  Mr. Soames
  While formal consultation about the proposals which are eventually to be submitted by my Department will be a matter for the local planning authority, our environmental consultants have already sought the views of statutory bodies as well as a large number of voluntary sector groups and local people. In addition, my officials have provided general briefings to all local parish councils as well as Tynedale and Alnwick district councils.

  Conducted tours of the ranges have also been provided to, amongst others, the Council for National Parks, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, the Northumberland and Newcastle Society, the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Friends of the Northumberland National Park and the Northumberland National Park Committee. The national park officer has also been briefed on my Department's AS90 and multi-launch rocket system proposals for Otterburn training area.

  Finally, arrangements are in hand to provide a static exhibition which explains fully our proposals. The exhibition, which we expect to be available in the spring, will be placed in a number of key locations in the local area.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by how many the number of civilian posts at the Otterburn training area is expected to rise or fall(a) if the proposed development regarding the AS90 and multi-launch rocket system proceeds and (b) if the proposed development does not take place.

  Mr. Soames
  We do not expect there to be any change in the number of staff employed at Otterburn training area if my Department's current proposals regarding the AS90 and multi-launch rocket system do not proceed. Up to 15 additional staff may be required, however, if the training area is developed as proposed.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are involving the cessation of military training at the Otterburn training area.

  Mr. Soames
  Otterburn training area provides essential training facilities which could not be dispensed with or easily replicated elsewhere. Consequently, we have no plans to reduce or phase out military training at the Otterburn training area.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions he has met representatives of the campaign against the national park regarding the Otterburn training area in Northumberland national park; whether he has been invited to any meeting on the issue; and when representations regarding this organisation and its aims were made to him and by whom.

  Mr. Soames
  No official meetings have taken place with members or representatives of the campaign against the national park and no invitations have been received from the organisation. My officials received a request from the CANP last year for a briefing on AS90 and the multi-launch rocket system, in relation to the proposed developments at Otterburn.
  42
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department or the Army have been consulted by the campaign against the national park regarding the Otterburn training area in the Northumberland national park.

  Mr. Soames
  The campaign against the national park is one of a number of organisations which have made representations to my Department expressing their views about our proposals for the Otterburn training area.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what benefits have been offered by his Department or the Army to their tenant farmers at the Otterburn training area on the basis of the proposed developments involving the AS90 and multi-launch rocket system proceeding.

  Mr. Soames
  None.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many full-time and part-time civilian posts exist at the Otterburn training area in Northumberland.

  Mr. Soames
  One hundred and ten full-time and 10 part-time civilian personnel are employed by my Department at Otterburn training area, together with 14 contractor's full-time personnel.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to reduce or phase out military training at the Otterburn training area should the proposed development concerning the AS90 and multi-launch rocket system not take place.

  Mr. Soames
  Otterburn training area provides essential training facilities which could not be dispensed with or easily replicated elsewhere. Consequently, we have no plans to reduce or phase out military training at the Otterburn training area if the proposed development does not take place.

  Service Doctors
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of doctors serving in the armed forces in the rank of wing commander or equivalent and in each of the ranks higher than wing commander or equivalent.

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is provided in the following table:

  Doctors in the Armed Forces medical services

  Royal Navy

  Army

  RAF

  Surgical Commander/Lt. Colonel/Wing Commander

  80

  118

  99

  Surgical Captain/Colonel/ Group Captain

  231

  35

  21

  Surgical Commodore/Brigadier/Air Commodore

  —

  11

  11

  SRA/Major General/ Air Vice Marshall

  1

  2

  2

  SVA/Lt. General/Air Marshall

  1

  —

  —

  Total

  105

  166

  133

  1 The Royal Navy rank of Surgical Commodore is an appointment only—all are counted as Surgical Captain.

  Notes:

  1. Figures as at 1 February 1995.

  2. Figures include all doctors i.e., in clinical appointments (primary and secondary care), specialist staff, training and administrative/ HQ functions.
  43

  Medical Consultants
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the projected number of medical consultants in surgery and anaesthesia to be employed by his Department in(a) two years' time, (b) five years' time and (c) 10 years' time.

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 30 January 1995]: The reorganisation of Defence secondary care recommended by "Front Line First" is due to be completed by April 1996. From that time, there will be a total of 74 posts for consultant surgeons, that is, burns and plastic surgery, ENT/ORL surgery, ophthalmology, oral surgery, general surgery, orthopaedic surgery and urology, and 36 for consultant anaesthetists. No further changes to the number of consultant posts are planned.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many medical consultants in surgery and anaesthesia have been newly appointed to the services in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 30 January 1995]: The information requested is provided in the table.

  Anaesthetists

  Surgeons

  ASCAB1

  Royal Navy

  Army

  RAF

  Royal Navy

  Army

  RAF

  1994

  —

  4

  2

  1

  4

  2

  1993

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1992

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1991

  —

  —

  1

  1

  4

  3

  1990

  1

  4

  —

  3

  3

  1

  1989

  1

  3

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1988

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  —

  1987

  1

  3

  —

  —

  4

  —

  1986

  —

  3

  —

  2

  3

  —

  1985

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1 Armed Services Consultant Advisory Board

  Notes:

  1. Surgery includes the following specialisations: burns and plastic surgery, ENT/ORL surgery, ophthalmology, oral surgery, general surgery, orthopaedic surgery and urology.

  2. Information relating to numbers of consultant surgeons and anaesthetists is not held centrally but has been extracted manually from single Service sources. Figures relating to earlier years may not be precise.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many medical consultants in surgery and anaesthesia have left the services in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 30 January 1995]: The information requested is provided in the table:

  Anaesthetists

  Surgeons

  Year

  Royal Navy

  Army

  RAF

  Royal Navy

  Army

  RAF

  1994

  3

  3

  —

  4

  1

  4

  1993

  2

  2

  3

  2

  5

  1

  1992

  2

  3

  2

  1

  1

  2

  1991

  2

  6

  2

  6

  3

  1

  1990

  —

  3

  —

  2

  —

  4

  1989

  1

  —

  1

  2

  2

  2

  1988

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  44

  Anaesthetists

  Surgeons

  Year

  Royal Navy

  Army

  RAF

  Royal Navy

  Army

  RAF

  1987

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  1

  1986

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1985

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Notes:

  1. Surgery includes the following specialisations: burns and plastic surgery, ENT/ORL surgery, opthalmology, oral surgery, general surgery, orthopaedic surgery and urology.

  2. Information relating to numbers of consultant surgeons and anaesthetists is not held centrally but has been extracted manually from single Service sources. Figures relating to earlier years may not be precise.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many medical consultants in surgery and anaesthesia have applied for employment to his Department in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 30 January 1995]: One only, an anaesthetist who applied to the RAF in both 1992 and 1993—he was selected but did not take up his commission.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many medical consultants in surgery and anaesthesia have been employed by his Department in each of the last 10 years.

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 30 January 1995]: The information requested is provided in the table:

  Anaesthetists

  Surgeons

  Year

  Royal Navy

  Army

  RAF

  Royal Navy

  Army

  RAF

  1994

  8

  18

  8

  18

  29

  21

  1993

  8

  17

  11

  19

  26

  20

  1992

  8

  18

  11

  21

  31

  21

  1991

  8

  18

  12

  24

  31

  21

  1990

  10

  25

  11

  23

  30

  21

  1989

  9

  23

  9

  24

  27

  22

  1988

  8

  20

  9

  22

  28

  22

  1987

  8

  13

  6

  20

  26

  22

  1986

  8

  9

  6

  21

  22

  22

  1985

  8

  7

  7

  19

  19

  22

  Notes:

  1. Surgery includes the following specialisations: burns and plastic surgery, ENT/ORL surgery, ophthalmology, oral surgery, general surgery, orthopaedic surgery and urology.

  2. Information relating to numbers of consultant surgeons and anaesthetists is not held centrally but has been extracted manually from single Service sources. Figures relating to earlier years may not be precise.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many people sit on non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland;

  (2) what is the current number of non-departmental public bodies operating in Northern Ireland; and what is their combined annual budget;

  (3) how many people sit on two or more non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland.
  45
  Sir John Wheeler
  There are currently 2,329 people sitting on 104 non-departmental public bodies operating in Northern Ireland.

  The total gross expenditure of non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland for 1993–94 was £2,300.4 million while the total budget funded by Government for 1993–94 was £1,856.2 million.

  Some 180 people sit on two or more non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland.

  Agricultural Census
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the rate of response in each of the past five years to the June agricultural census in Northern Ireland; and when was the last prosecution for failure to return the June census forms.

  Mr. Ancram
  The rate of response in each of the past five years to the June agricultural census was:

  Year

  Response rate (Per cent.)

  1990

  78

  1991

  78

  1992

  79

  1993

  77

  1994

  78

  No prosecutions for failure to return the June census form have been brought during the past 25 years. Nor am I aware of any prosecutions before this but to check the relevant records would entail disproportionate cost.

  Industrial Development Board
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs have been provided in the district councils areas of(a) Down and (b) Newry and Mourne in each of the past five years as a result of assistance from the Industrial Development Board; and when the Industrial Development Board last arranged a visit to each of these council areas by a potential inward investor.

  Mr. Ancram
  Information on jobs promoted with assistance from the Industrial Development Board in the Down district council and the Newry and Mourne district council areas is set out in the table. The last visit by potential inward investors, arranged by the IDB, was on 8 December 1994 in the case of Down district council and on 18 November 1994 to Newry and Mourne district council area.

  Jobs promoted with IDB assistance

  Down

  Newry and Mourne

  1990–91

  —

  79

  1991–92

  —

  —

  1992–93

  —

  75

  1993–94

  50

  364

  1994–95 (to 31 December)

  —

  18

  Total

  50

  536

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the rules and regulations in his
  46
  Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which his Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on his Department's manpower.

  Mr. Ancram
  A list of the statutory rules and regulations revoked in the 12-month period ending December 1994 has been placed in the Library.

  Work is continuing to identify rules and regulations for withdrawal. Those for withdrawal in the next 12 months will be announced as and when consultations are completed.

  The manpower implications are taken into account in the central manpower plans which will be published in the Northern Ireland expenditure plans and priorities in March.

  Irish Language Schools
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what plans he has to establish schools that will teach through the medium of the Irish language or to support such schools set up by other bodies;

  (2) what plans he has to set up bilingual schools in English and Irish in Northern Ireland or to support similar institutions set up by other bodies.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Government have no power 10 establish directly any type of school. However, they are prepared to consider soundly based proposals from other bodies for either Irish language or bilingual schools. As is the case with any new school, that consideration will, however, have to be in the context of ensuring effective and efficient use of resources.

  Three Irish-medium primary schools are presently in receipt of 100 per cent. recurrent and capital grants.

  Private Clegg
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration was given to charging Private Clegg with manslaughter; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply.

  Careful consideration was given by the prosecuting authority to the appropriate charges in this case. It was concluded that in relation to the death of Karen Reilly the proper charge on the available evidence was murder.

EDUCATION

  Education Assets Board
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the decisions taken by his Department following recommendations from the Education Assets Board relating to the educational establishments listed in his answer of 18 January,Official Report, columns 513–14; and when those decisions were made.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Since 18 January 1994, my right hon. Friend has issued final directions in respect of the
  47
  following cases that were referred by the Education Assets Board:

  Grant-Maintained Schools

  Wymondham College, Norfolk

  Direction: that a debit balance in the authority's books of account did not transfer to the governing body of the school.

  Date: 22 February 1994

  Epsom and Ewell High School, Surrey

  Direction: that the liability for a leasing agreement did not transfer to the governing body of the school.

  Date: 20 December 1994

  Higher Education Institutions

  University of West of England/Bath College of HE

  Direction: no provision in the loan agreement to be concluded between the Avon Authority and the EAB in respect of the institutions concerned for the loans to be secured. No amendment relating to the repayment period and the terms on which the loans are repaid.

  Date: 25 February 1994

  In addition, my right hon. Friend has issued "minded to" directions in respect of the following cases:

  Grant-Maintained Schools

  Great Barr School, Birmingham—26 September 1994

  Dartford Grammar School for Girls, Kent—11 November 1994

  Abbotswood School, Hampshire—25 November 1994

  Pate's Grammar School, Gloucestershire—23 January 1995

  Further Education Institutions

  Lincolnshire College of Agriculture and Horticulture—September 1994

  A further referral from the Education Assets Board involving a dispute between Thamesview school and Kent county council was withdrawn as a result of the parties involved reaching agreement.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the membership of the Education Assets Board and indicate whether its deliberations and reports are made public.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The membership of the Education Assets Board is as follows:

  Mr. R. Suddards CBE, DL (Chairman)

  Mr. B. Arthur CBE

  Mr. K. Bridge

  Ms K. Buckley

  Mr. H. Couch

  Mr. M. Edwards CBE, QC

  Miss A. Lees

  Mr. P. Lewis

  Mrs. M. Ryding

  Mr. A. Soames

  Mr. A Salomons

  Mr. S. Hoare (Chief Executive and ex-officio member)

  The board's deliberations are not made public. Its decisions are reported to the parties directly concerned. There is nothing to prevent them from making the board's decisions public.

  Bath University
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what representations she has received about her Department's decision to withdraw funding from the postgraduate translation and interpretation course 48
  at Bath University; and how many of these included offers of funding from commerce and industry;

  (2) what considerations underlay the withdrawal of funds from the postgraduate translation and interpretation clause at Bath university; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend has received three letters about the withdrawal of bursary support for students undertaking the postgraduate diploma in language studies—interpreting and translating—course at Bath university. No offers of funding from commerce or industry have been received.

  The decision to withdraw funding was taken as part of the review of public expenditure for 1995–96 in which my right hon. Friend takes account of demands and priorities for spending.

  Staffordshire Local Education Authority
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what has been the annual increase in central Government payments to Staffordshire local education authority in each of the past 10 years; what would have been the increase required to remove the effect of inflation; and what approximate savings he expects to have arrived as a result of the transfer of schools to local management.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The system of local government finance before 1990–91 was different in structure and coverage to the present system of standard spending assessments on which central Government payments to Staffordshire county council are mainly based. The table sets out the annual underlying change in each of the years since 1990–91 in Staffordshire's education standard spending assessment, after allowing for local authority changes of function and inflation. Savings which schools and local education authorities may have made specifically as a result of the introduction of local management of schools are not readily quantifiable by the Department.

  Year

  1990–91 to 1991–92

  increase of 9.3 per cent.

  1991–92 to 1992–93

  increase of 2.6 per cent.

  1992–93 to 1993–94

  decrease of 0.5 per cent.

  1993–94 to 1994–95

  increase of 0.6 per cent.

  1994–95 to 1995–96

  decrease of 2.0 per cent.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the rules and regulations in her Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which her Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on her Department's manpower.

  Mr. Boswell
  The Department has not withdrawn any rules and regulations in the last 12 months, other than through the legal process of revocation and replacement. We have, however, reduced the amount of detailed prescription in the revised national curriculum to be introduced from August 1995 and have amended the assessment arrangements to reduce the amount of time required of teachers for this purpose.
  49
  The Department is continuing to identify rules and regulations for withdrawal. Those for withdrawal in the next 12 months will be announced as and when consultations are completed.

  The manpower implications are taken into account in the Department's manpower plans which will be published in the Department's annual report in March.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is her estimate of the annual cost of extending nursery provision to all three and four-year-old children in the United Kingdom based on the current average cost of such provision; and what provision there is within her Department's budget for such an extension of nursery education for each of the years(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99.

  Mr. Forth
  Costs would depend on the type of provision and the balance between full-time and part-time provision. Funding will be determined as part of the development of detailed proposals on how to achieve the target for expansion of pre-school provision set by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

  The Department's expenditure plans for 1995–96 do not include provision for the extension of nursery education. Provision for future years will be considered during the 1995 public expenditure survey.

  Student Loans Company
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans the Student Loans Company has to purchase a new computer facility; what companies have been invited to tender; what advantages the new system will have over the existing system; what is the estimated cost of the new system; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Boswell
  This is a matter for the Student Loans Company. I have asked the acting chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Regional Operations
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many staff her Department employs on a regional basis in each standard English region; what is the cost of running these regional operations; what was the total budget for each region in the latest available year; and what are the main purposes for which the budget is used.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department as currently constituted does not operate on a regional basis; its headquarters functions are carried out in offices in London and Darlington. The Department's only executive agency, the Teachers Pensions Agency, which is responsible for administration of the teachers' superannuation scheme, also operates from the Darlington site.

  In 1993–94, the latest year for which firm figures are available, the Department's overall staff number—including the TPA—was 2,101 of which 1,214 were based in London and 887 in Darlington.

  In 1993–94, the total net provision for running costs was £94.3 million, with final outturn of £88.4 million. Of this expenditure, approximately £59 million was attributed to London and £29.4 million to Darlington.
  50

  Ofsted
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what costs have been incurred in furniture and fittings at Ofsted's new offices in London; and what were the removal costs from its old offices.

  Mr. Forth
  This is a matter for Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools, who heads the independent Office for Standards in Education. I have asked Mr. Chris Woodhead to write to the hon. Member.

TRANSPORT

  European Union
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will next meet his counterparts in the European Union; and what is on the agenda for the meeting.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I expect to meet my European colleagues at the Transport Council in Brussels on 13 and 14 March. The Council will cover a range of transport issues, primarily in the rail, road and maritime sectors.

  Buses
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding standardisation of buses within the European Union and the implications for passengers.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  My Department has received a number of representations, mainly from manufacturers and operators, about the implications for the United Kingdom bus industry and its customers of an EC proposal for a draft directive on bus construction.

  Red Routes
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he has made with red routes in London.

  Mr. Norris
  The red route pilot scheme in north and east London has been running since 1991. The traffic director is progressively implementing the rest of the 315-mile red route network with the objective of having it operational by the year 2000.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the cost of red routes.

  Mr. Norris
  The total cost of design, development and implementation of red route measures is estimated to be around £130 million at 1995–96 prices. This is in addition to the expenditure of some £5 million at outturn prices on the pilot red route.

  A34
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his plans for the provision of a bypass for Newbury on the A34.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The scheme for an A34 bypass of Newbury remains in the road programme. However, against the background of continuing public concern I wish to be quite sure that the present proposal is the right one. I have therefore put the scheme on hold and asked the
  51
  Highways Agency to look again at the plans for relieving congestion at Newbury and to report back as soon as possible.

  Relief Road, Birmingham
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the implications of the standing advisory committee on trunk road assessments report on the Birmingham northern relief road project.

  Mr. Watts
  After considering the Government's response to the SACTRA report on generated traffic and the Department's formal guidance, the BNRR public inquiry has been provided with a statement identifying how the Department views the impacts of SACTRA's findings. It is now for the inspector to consider that statement and the results of the on-going work which it identifies.

  I am satisfied that the inquiry is the proper forum to consider any implications.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the impact rail privatisation will have on the Network SouthEast, south central division.

  Mr. Watts
  Privatisation is designed to halt and reverse the decline in railway use. For the first time there will be a contractual commitment to specified levels of service. Details of passenger service requirements for Network SouthCentral will be released later this year.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that bids by private sector organisations to operate train services are considered with efficiency and speed by his Department, the Rail Regulator and the Franchising Director.

  Mr. Watts
  The consideration of proposals from private sector organisations to operate train services is primarily the responsibility of the Rail Regulator and, for franchised services, of the Franchising Director. Both are aware of the need to deal efficiently and quickly with proposals, subject to taking the steps necessary to fulfil their statutory functions and duties.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to meet the directors of Scotrail to discuss the proposed privatisation plans; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Watts
  My right hon. Friend met directors of British Rail's 25 train operating units, including Scotrail, on 27 January. He has no immediate plans for further meetings with Scotrail.

  Cross-border Rail Services
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with British Rail regarding cross-border services between Scotland and England.

  Mr. Watts
  Anglo-Scottish rail services is one of a number of subjects which have been discussed at regular meetings with British Rail.
  52

  A41
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the A41 Aston Clinton bypass.

  Mr. Watts
  Recently we have received the inspector's report following a small public inquiry at the end of November 1994. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Transport and for the Environment are considering the inspector's recommendations and will announce their joint decision in due course.

  Northern Line
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Northern line will be provided with renewed signalling and electrical apparatus.

  Mr. Norris
  The timing of individual schemes within their overall investment programme is a matter for London Underground. I understand that both these items are in the future programme, and that detailed design work for a new signalling system is under way.

  Railway Development, Stratford
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last visited Stratford in east London to discuss railway developments.

  Mr. Watts
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the Stratford promoter group on 2 February. It is my intention to visit Stratford in response to the hon. Member's invitation.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what review he has undertaken of the relative contributions to road safety from(a) wire-rope and (b) solid motorway central barriers.

  Mr. Norris
  The wire rope safety fence and the solid motorway central barrier—that is, the vertical concrete safety barrier—have performed satisfactorily, both in trial testing and in-service, contributing to the overall safety of road users.

  No specific comparative review of the two systems has been carried out as the two designs are not equivalent alternatives in total performance terms. The deployment of any type of vehicle restraint system is dependent on the requirements and constraints of the particular site, and this may also include consideration of prevailing weather and environmental conditions. The Highways Agency, however, has a continuing commitment to keep their performance under review.

  London Underground
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the final route for the new Chelsea to Hackney underground line.

  Mr. Norris
  I understand that London Underground Limited plans to consult on alternative options for the line. Following consultations, it may then apply to the Secretary of State to amend the route as currently safeguarded.
  53

  Heathrow
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had on the implications of a proposed terminal 5 at Heathrow airport for the inhabitants of south west London.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Highways Agency has consulted local authorities, residents and other interested organisations on trunk road improvements which it considers necessary if the proposed Heathrow terminal 5 goes ahead. I have had no other consultations on implications of the proposed terminal.

  Forth Rail Bridge
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what responsibilities he has in relation to the Forth rail bridge.

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack assumed responsibility for the Forth rail bridge when it was established as a Government-owned company.

  Nuclear Waste Shipments
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an assessment of the relevance for the future shipment of vitrified high level radioactive waste to Japan of the report, a copy of which has been sent to him.

  Mr. Norris
  The report is being considered.

  Interlogic Control Engineering
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates there have been meetings, correspondence or telephone conversations between British Rail officials and civil servants in his Department about(a) the privatisation of Interlogic Control Engineering and (b) the closure of Interlogic's York office.

  Mr. Watts
  Department of Transport officials are in touch with counterparts at the British Railways Board from time to time to discuss a range of issues, including businesses such as Interlogic Control Engineering.

  British Rail Redundancies
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) compulsory and (b) voluntary redundancies have been made by BR in each of the last five years; and how many it expects to make in 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Mr. Watts
  The number of redundancies made in each of the last five years was as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1989–90

  1,505

  1990–91

  792

  1991–92

  670

  1992–93

  7,951

  1993–94

  7,273

  All the redundancies were voluntary. Around a further 5,000 voluntary redundancies are expected by the end of 1994–95. There are no figures available for 1995–96.

  Agricultural Vehicles
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the regulations currently in force 54
  to prevent of agricultural vehicles from leaving large amounts of mud on public roads.

  Mr. Norris
  Sections 148 and 161(1), of the Highways Act 1980 make it an offence to deposit any thing, including mud and manure, on roads. Section 149 of the Highways Act 1980 enables highway authorities to take action against anyone who deposits anything on the highway that constitutes a nuisance or danger. Section 6 of the Road Traffic Act 1991 makes it an offence to cause anything to be left on the road if it would be obvious to a reasonable person that to do so would be dangerous.

  Coaches
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 31 January,Official Report, column 588, what will be the baseline for the comparative casualty data.

  Mr. Steven Norris
  Detailed data relating to accidents on motorways for at least the last 10 years are kept in the national accident database. The precise baseline is likely to include the years 1994 and 1995 but a longer time series is available, if needed.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 31 January,Official Report, column 588, if he will estimate the fatal and serious injuries relating to the risks of lane changes, and of the incidence of harsh braking for crashes in the outside lane of two lane, three lane and four lane carriageways.

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is available only at disproportionate cost. A detailed examination will be made in due course as part of the assessment of the outside lane ban.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 31 January, column No.588, if the Wootton Jeffrey report has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Norris
  Yes.

  Airports
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ease pressure on Heathrow and Gatwick by(a) extending existing airports or developing new ones in the south-east and (b) transferring traffic to existing regional airports.

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 2 February at column 861–62.

  Vehicle Excise Prosecutions
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the changes to the procedures for VED prosecutions over the last six months; and if he will list the vehicle registration office areas to which these changes apply.

  Mr. Norris
  There have been no changes to procedures for VED prosecutions over the last six months.

  Health and Safety
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 1994,Official Report, column 881, how many employees of his Department (a) have applied for facility time to attend health and safety courses, and (b) have applied for facility

  55
  time to act as health and safety representatives in the financial years (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94 and (iii) 1994–95 to date.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department does not keep a central record of health and safety representatives and those who have attended training courses. Duly appointed safety representatives are permitted time off with pay to attend basic training facilities approved by the TUC or further training similarly approved where such training is necessary to meet changes in relevant legislation.

  The Department also permits duly appointed safety representatives to take such time off with pay during working hours as is necessary for performing their functions under section 2(4) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Safety Representation and Safety Committee Regulations 1977, as amended.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 1994,Official Report, column 881, if he will (a) list and (b) place in the Library all documents which refer to the reduction of stress levels and sick absences amongst his staff.

  Mr. Norris
  The complete information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I will, however arrange for the following departmental documents to be placed in the Library:

  —"What everyone should know about stress"

  —"Coping with stress—a guide for line managers"

  —"Coping with change"

  —"Coping with a major personal crisis"

  —"Stress: recognising and coping with stress"

  —Departmental Notices 19/92 and 19/94—Managing Sickness Absence

  Mrs. Dunwoody:
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 1994,Official Report, column 881, if he will list the programmes listed under DVLA which apply to the vehicle registration offices.

  Mr. Norris
  The following health initiatives are available to staff working in the agency's vehicle registration offices:

  health screening

  smoking cessation help

  interest free loans for the purchase of bicycles for home to office travel.

  1993

  1994

  Vehicle Registration Office

  October

  November

  December

  October

  November

  December

  Manchester

  512

  525

  442

  498

  701

  413

  Sheffield

  363

  254

  161

  251

  187

  86

  Liverpool

  275

  233

  299

  275

  211

  114

  Bangor

  395

  243

  176

  191

  418

  252

  Chester

  259

  250

  254

  278

  147

  153

  Huddersfield

  156

  85

  132

  82

  87

  25

  Leeds

  484

  683

  383

  392

  509

  346

  Preston

  421

  686

  519

  309

  405

  282

  Hull

  151

  212

  114

  172

  170

  128

  Aberdeen

  45

  42

  29

  33

  50

  48

  Inverness

  40

  46

  41

  12

  45

  16

  Dundee

  62

  131

  133

  143

  117

  187

  Middlesbrough

  385

  302

  263

  372

  349

  267

  Newcastle

  491

  553

  393

  499

  546

  377

  Carlisle

  97

  77

  73

  89

  138

  76

  56
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 1994, Official Report, column 881, if he will list for the financial years(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94 the funds his Department spent on the "Look After Your Heart" programme; and if he will list the amounts he has allocated for this programme in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1996–97.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport's spending on the "Look After Your Heart" programme was £6,645 in 1992–93 and £2,317 in 1993–94.

  A total of £6,500 was allocated in 199–95 and £5,500 provisionally allocated in each of 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  In addition, between 1992 and 1995 the Department spent £80,527 on health screen programmes.

  Train Stations
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the results of the risk assessment study conducted by Her Majesty's railway inspectorate relating to the large stepping distances between the platform and train at certain stations with some vehicles will be published.

  Mr. Watts
  This work is expected to be completed by mid-1995. The results of the research will then be assessed to indicate what further action should be taken.

  Vehicle Registration Office
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the process by which casual staff are recruited in the vehicle registration office network.

  Mr. Norris
  Once a need has been identified, casual staff are recruited through the local job centre which supplies suitable candidates for interview by vehicle registration office managerial staff.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by vehicle registration office, the number of VED offences submitted for prosecution for each week from 1 October 1994 to 31 December 1994, and for the corresponding period in 1993.

  Mr. Norris
  Records are kept only on a monthly basis. The following tables show the figures for the last quarter of 1993 and 1994. They include a number of cases returned unheard by the courts and unsuccessful prosecutions which together represent less than 7 per cent. of the overall total.
  57

  1993

  1994

  Vehicle Registration Office

  October

  November

  December

  October

  November

  December

  Edinburgh

  317

  322

  226

  245

  179

  434

  Glasgow

  654

  537

  560

  301

  281

  238

  Luton

  413

  332

  401

  457

  624

  493

  Ipswich

  240

  327

  241

  268

  252

  201

  Chelmsford

  1,041

  1,040

  910

  1,164

  982

  836

  Norwich

  240

  267

  209

  256

  367

  246

  Haverfordwest

  49

  73

  43

  72

  57

  73

  Cardiff

  641

  954

  597

  634

  934

  631

  Swansea

  148

  279

  277

  383

  349

  373

  Taunton

  124

  131

  81

  82

  117

  72

  Truro

  98

  131

  98

  67

  66

  72

  Gloucester

  223

  250

  169

  254

  185

  260

  Exter

  446

  301

  289

  306

  483

  364

  Bristol

  474

  379

  514

  299

  465

  391

  Worcester

  208

  166

  180

  202

  157

  91

  Swindon

  333

  404

  395

  243

  244

  189

  Reading

  184

  301

  219

  247

  238

  147

  Portsmouth

  476

  589

  530

  541

  495

  393

  Oxford

  220

  161

  163

  153

  139

  150

  Brighton

  467

  415

  289

  399

  508

  447

  Maidstone

  285

  471

  359

  371

  538

  365

  Guildford

  286

  241

  249

  370

  191

  281

  Bournemouth

  165

  192

  138

  196

  146

  130

  Stoke

  441

  416

  405

  343

  585

  369

  Leicester

  373

  434

  226

  439

  442

  115

  Lincoln

  477

  229

  281

  532

  394

  357

  Nottingham

  500

  356

  318

  670

  487

  501

  Peterborough

  302

  341

  239

  259

  343

  207

  Northampton

  297

  303

  346

  271

  317

  304

  Birmingham

  716

  864

  1,622

  1,299

  1,159

  1,080

  Coventry

  278

  266

  314

  275

  214

  165

  Dudley

  95

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shrewsbury

  140

  159

  168

  224

  96

  72

  London Enforcement Office (LEO)

  3,631

  3,587

  2,786

  3,797

  3,870

  2,943

  Disabled Staff
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the initiatives his Department is to undertake for disabled staff.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport has a programme of initiatives for staff with disabilities. For 1995 the programme will include:

  —the continued provision of a budget for the purchasing of aids and equipment for staff;

  —publicity to ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities under the OPSS "Programme for Action to Achieve Equality of Opportunity in the Civil Service for Disabled People";

  —the maintenance of a register detailing the access arrangements and facilities available for staff in buildings used by the department;

  —the use of the Department's Disability Information Package in 1995 training events;

  —the facility to offer written information in braille or on audio cassette.

  Transport Research Laboratory
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to move or to alter the library of the Transport Research Laboratory.

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend will be considering the future of the library at the Transport Research Laboratory with his financial and other advisers in preparing the transfer of the laboratory to the private sector.
  58

  Railway Stations (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway stations in the United Kingdom are inaccessible to wheelchair users.

  Mr. Watts
  The facilities available for disabled passengers vary from place to place. The leaflet "British Rail and Disabled Travellers" is designed to help disabled passengers plan their rail journeys and gives contact details for British Rail managers who will provide passengers with information about their nearest suitably designed and equipped station. A copy of this leaflet is available in the House Library.

  "London Direct"
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many copies of "London Direct" published by London Transport with the Evening Standard of 23 January, have been purchased by his Department.

  Mr. Norris
  None, apart from those included with copies of the Evening Standard purchased by the Department's library and press office.

  Coventry Airport
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 24 January,Official Report, column 98, what considerations underlie the decision to allow the resumption of flights containing calves from Coventry airport before the completion of the inquiry into breaches of the Air Navigation Order of

  59
  flights containing calves from that airport in November and December 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  In view of concern about the safety of flights carrying calves from Coventry airport as a result of the Air Algerie crash on 21 December 1994, the Department' has taken additional steps to monitor the safety of any aircraft wishing to perform similar flights. Before considering any application, the Department has requested the Civil Aviation Authority to carry out an inspection of the aircraft in order that a check can be made to ensure that the aircraft can operate safely into Coventry airport and that the aircraft will be operated in accordance with international safety standards.

  Two applications for the carriage of calves have been received since the crash of the Air Algerie aircraft. Neither of these applications involved airlines which are the subject of the current inquiry being conducted by the Department into possible breaches in November and December of article 88 of the Air Navigation Order 1989. Before the Department considered these applications, the CAA was asked to inspect the aircraft to be used for the flights. In the first case, involving a Nigerian Boeing 707 aircraft owned by ADC Airlines, my Department decided

  Financial year 1994–95

  Regional Government Offices (Transport programmes)

  Staff numbers1

  Running costs budget (£k)

  Programme budget (£k)

  Government Office for the Eastern Region

  10

  302.5

  405.0

  Government Office for the East Midlands

  9

  243.9

  197.0

  Government Office for Merseyside

  3

  77.1

  55.0

  Government Office for London

  58

  2,460.0

  550.0

  Government Office for the North East

  21

  518.8

  56.0

  Government Office for the North West

  7

  243.1

  135.0

  Government Office for the South East

  13

  472.5

  82.5

  Government Office for the South West

  9

  288.1

  13.0

  Government Office for the West Midlands

  9

  299.4

  105.0

  Government Office for Yorkshire & Humberside

  8

  274.1

  45.0

  Programme Budget held centrally in reserve

  —

  —

  106.5

  Totals

  147

  5,179.5

  1,750.0

  1 According to personnel records.

  Travel Pass
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects an agreement to be reached between the London boroughs on details for a new travel pass for London's pensioners and disabled people; what details of it he can disclose; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 17 January,Official Report, column 416.

  Dartford M25 Crossing
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when and by what means his Department ascertained the expected additional traffic movements of cars and lorries using the Dartford M25 crossing following the opening of the international station planned for Ebbsfleet in Kent.

  (2) what is the estimated number of additional car and lorry movements which are expected to use the Dartford M25 crossing in each of the first five years following the opening of the international station planned for Ebbsfleet, Kent.
  60
  not to grant any further applications by ADC Airlines until it had discussed the CAA's findings with the Nigerian authorities. In the second case, involving AN26 aircraft operated by a Russian airline Atlant Soyuz, a permit was granted only after some modifications had been made to the aircraft and the Department had been satisfied that the airline had met all the Department's normal requirements for cargo charter flights.

  Regional Operations
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff his Department employs on a regional basis in each standard English region; what is the cost of running these regional operations; what was the total budget for each region in the latest available year; and what are the main purposes for which the budget is used.

  Mr. Norris
  The numerical and financial information requested is contained in the following table.

  The regional programme budget is used for statutory advertising associated with orders under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (£430k); provision of venues for public inquiries into orders under TCPA 1990 (£20k); and consultancies and studies (£300k).

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 2 February 1995]Expected additional traffic flows on the Dartford-Thurrock river crossing on the M25 resulting from the opening of an intermediate station at Ebbsfleet were set out on Ove Arup and Partners' final report on Ebbsfleet traffic impacts, which was published in January 1994 at the same time as Union Railways' report to the Government on the channel tunnel rail link. I regret that the report does not provide the information in the form requested but the following figures show the number of traffic movements, additional to expected levels of traffic, generated by a station at Ebbsfleet:

  AM peak

  PMpeak

  2001:

  To Crossing

  77 (+1.4 per cent.)

  154 (+3.3 per cent.)

  From Crossing

  135 (+3.7 per cent.)

  173 (+3.8 per cent.)

  2011:

  To Crossing

  103 (+1.6 per cent.)

  205 (+3.8 per cent.)

  From Crossing

  180 (44.1 per cent.)

  231 (+4.3 per cent.)

  The expectation is that these movements will be almost entirely from non-lorry traffic.
  61

  Channel Tunnel Security
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who are the inspectors in his Department whom he referred to in his oral statement of 30 January on channel tunnel security,Official Report, columns 685–90; what are their terms or reference; under what powers they are appointed; and what are their statutory powers and responsibilities.

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 3 February 1995]My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has, under the terms of the Channel Tunnel (Security) Order 1994, authorised officials from the transport security division of this Department to inspect the security arrangements in place to ensure that the required standards are, and continue to be, met. The responsibilities and powers of the inspectors are set out in article 28 of the order.

  InterCity
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many InterCity trains currently run daily each way Monday to Friday between(a) Paddington and Cardiff and (b) Paddington and Swansea; and how many will be guaranteed under the passenger service requirement for Great Western.

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 3 February 1995]: The frequencies are set out in the table:

  Current timetable

  Draft PSR

  Paddington-Cardiff weekday services

  Westbound

  20

  at least 17

  Eastbound

  20

  at least 17

  Paddington-Swansea weekday services

  Westbound

  17

  at least 14

  Eastbound

  18

  at least 14

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many InterCity trains will run(a) to Carmarthen and (b) to Fishguard daily under the passenger service requirements for Great Western; and how many currently run to those stations.

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 3 February 1995]: The future level of InterCity services to Carmarthen and Fishguard will be determined by the Great Western franchisee.

  The current number of InterCity trains to Carmarthen and Fishguard daily are set out in the tables:

  Current timetable

  Number

  Paddington-Carmarthen

  Weekdays:

  Westbound

  1

  Eastbound

  1

  Saturdays:

  Westbound

  1

  Eastbound

  1

  Sundays:

  Westbound

  0

  Eastbound

  1

  62
  In addition on summer Saturdays Carmarthen will be served by westbound and eastbound trains to Pembroke Dock.

  The Franchising Director will include regular services between Swansea and Carmarthen in the PSR for Regional Railways South Wales and West. These trains will provide good connections at Swansea with InterCity services to London.

  Current timetable

  Number

  Paddington-Fishguard:

  Winter Sunday-Monday (October to late May):

  Westbound

  Note 1

  Eastbound

  1

  Summer weekdays:

  Westbound

  11

  Eastbound

  12

  Summer Sundays:

  Westbound

  1

  Eastbound

  2

  Note 1: Through service operated on 12 days in the Christmas/New Year period.

  1Between mid July and early September

  22 between mid July and early September

  Accompanied Baggage
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what accompanied baggage restrictions will be placed on passengers travelling from Paddington to Fishguard following privatisation.

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 3 February 1995]: Regulations relating to the carriage of passengers' baggage on trains are set out in the conditions of carriage. These conditions are currently being revised to maintain and improve passengers' rights on rail services provided by private sector operators.

  Trans-European Network
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Fishguard to Paddington railway line forms part of the Trans-European route network.

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 3 February 1995]: Yes.

  Bicycles
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many bicycles may be carried on behalf of passengers on trains running between Paddington and Fishguard.

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 3 February 1995]: British Rail currently allows the carriage of three bicycles per Great Western high speed trains serving Fishguard and one bicycle per train on other trains serving Fishguard.

  BR Networker
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the principal subcontractors adversely affected by the cancellation of British Rail Networker order for 1995.

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 3 February 1995]: There has been no cancellation.
  63

  Inland Waterways
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what tonnage of freight was carried on the inland waterways of the United Kingdom(a) in 1984 and (b) in 1994.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 3 February 1995]: Non-seagoing freight carried on inland waterways in the United Kingdom was 7 million tonnes in 1984 and 6.4 million tonnes in 1993, the latest year for which figures are available.

  A40(M)
  Mr. Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what noise abatement measures have been taken to protect the residents of Ickenham from noise pollution at the point where the A40 (M) Western avenue passes between the junction of Long lane, Hillingdon, and Uxbridge circus; and what further measures are planned.

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Michael Shersby, dated 6 February 1995:
  The Minister for Transport in London, Steven Norris, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport what noise abatement measures have been taken to protect the residents of Ickenham from noise pollution at the point where the A40(M) Western Avenue passes between the junction of Long Lane, Hillingdon, and Uxbridge Circus; and what further measures are planned.
  There were a number of measures taken to reduce the level of traffic noise from the improved A40 trunk road near Hillingdon Circus. These were included in the design and were:-

  i) putting the new trunk road in deep cutting;

  ii) erecting a noise barrier between residential properties and the trunk road carriageway north of the new road;

  iii) providing noise insulation where properties qualify under the Noise Insulation Regulations; and

  iv) surfacing the new road in tarmac rather than concrete.

  Planting to soften the environmental effect of the new trunk road on its surroundings will be carried out this spring.
  Residents who consider that their property has depreciated in value as a result of increased traffic noise from the use of the new road, may be able to claim compensation under Part 1 of the Land Compensation Act 1973. The claim period starts in May this year when notices will appear in the local press.

TREASURY

  European Monetary Institute
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total capital and revenue cost of establishing and running the European Monetary Institute at the latest date for which figures are available; and how much of that cost has been incurred by Her Majesty's Government.

  Mr. Nelson
  Article 16 of the protocol on the statute of the European Monetary Institute—EMI—annexed to the Maastricht treaty, provides for member states' central banks to make contributions towards the capital resources of the EMI. The resources will be used to generate an income necessary to cover the expenditure of the EMI. The share of the EMI's resources paid by each central 64
  bank is calculated according to each member state's population and GDP.—as set out in article 29 of the protocol on the statute of the European system of central banks.

  In accordance with article 16 of the EMI protocol, the Council of the EMI has determined that the total capital requirement needed to generate income sufficient to cover the EMI's budgeted expenditure is 615.6 million ecu. The Bank of England's share is 15.35 per cent. The Bank has accordingly contributed 94.5 million ecu—£72.7 million at the end-December 1994 exchange rate. Prior to the capital requirement being established by the council of the EMI the Bank contributed 3.0 million ecu—£2.4 million at the end-December exchange rate—towards the EMI's set-up and running costs during 1994.

  The Bank of England made its contribution to the EMI out of its own resources. The central banks of Germany, France and Italy have made larger contributions than the Bank of England.

  The budget for the EMI will be published in its annual report in April 1995.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations the Government have undertaken with the European Monetary Institute as provided for in article 109f(6) of the treaty on European Union.

  Mr. Nelson
  In accordance with article 109f(6) of the EC treaty the Government have notified the European Monetary Institute of a number of amendments to the Building Societies Act 1986, which are to be made by an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the European Commission and the European Monetary Institute to report to the European Council as required by article 109j(1) of the treaty on European Union; and what discussions Her Majesty's Government have had with the Commission and the EMI on the preparation of the report in respect of the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nelson
  No date has been set for the reports from the Commission and EMI required by article 109j(1) of the treaty. But for the Council to make the decisions set out in article 109j(3) by 31 December 1996, reports will need to be prepared earlier that year. Her Majesty's Government have had no discussions with the Commission or the EMI about the reports they will prepare.

  Own Resources
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and which EEC members have ratified the own resources decision according to their respective constitutional timetables; and what information he has about the likely ratification dates of the remainder.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Cash) on Thursday 19 January,Official Report, column 606. Since then, I understand that Greece adopted the own resources decision on 29 December 1994 and the Republic of Ireland on 20 January 1995, in accordance with their constitutional requirements.
  65

  Monetary Union
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number and grade of staff in his Department who are currently working on single currency issues.

  Mr. Nelson
  The number of officials involved in European monetary issues varies from day to day. No officials work exclusively on these issues.

  Private Finance Panel
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the members and main interests of the private finance panel; what expenses or other remuneration are offered to its members; and what is the frequency of meetings.

  Sir George Young
  The members and main interests of the private finance panel are:

  Mr. Malcolm R.Bates
  Deputy Managing Director, GEC; Non-executive Director, Enterprise Oil.

  Sir Christopher Bland
  Chairman, NFC plc, Life Sciences International plc and Hammersmith Hospitals trust

  Mr. Howard J.Davies
  Director General, CBI; Director, GKN plc; Member, NatWest International Advisory Board; Director, BOTB and Business In The Community.

  Mr. Allan Gormly CBE
  Chairman, Royal Insurance Holdings plc; Joint Deputy Chairman, Trafalgar House plc; Director, National Grid Co. plc, BPB Industries plc, Brixton Estate plc, Eurorail Ltd.

  Mr. Hugh R. Jenkins
  Chief Executive, Prudential Portfolio Managers; Director, Prudential Corporation; Member, DoE Property Advisory Group.

  Mr. Pen Kent
  Executive Director, Bank of England.

  Ms Sheila V. Masters
  Partner, KPMG Peat Marwick; Non-executive Director, Bank of England; Non-executive Member, Inland Revenue Management Board and NHS Policy Board.

  Sir Alastair Morton
  Co-chairman, Eurotunnel; Chairman, Kent TEC, National Youth Orchestra, and East Kent Initiative; Non-executive Director, National Power and Lucas Industries.

  Sir Brian Pearse
  Chairman, The Housing Corporation, Lucas Industries, British Invisibles and Young Enterprise; Director, Smith and Nephew plc, Financial Reporting Council, BOTB, London First Centre.

  Mr. Neville Simms
  Group Chief Executive, Tarmac plc; Non-executive Director, Courtaulds plc.

  Mr. Bob Dobbie
  Head of Industrial Competitiveness Division, Department of Trade and Industry.

  Mr. Colin Reeves
  Director of Finance, NHS Executive.
  66
  Mr. Peter Mackay
  Secretary, Scottish Office Industry Department.

  Mr. Steve Robson
  Director (Finance, Regulations and Industry), HM Treasury.

  Mr. David Rowlands
  Principal Finance Officer, Department of Transport.

  Mr. Philip Fletcher
  Deputy Secretary (Housing and Urban), Department of the Environment.

  No expenses or other remuneration have been offered to panel members for their duties in connection with the panel.

  There is no set frequency for meetings of the panel, but there have been three meetings in the last six months.

  Revenue Adjudicator
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases have been referred to the revenue adjudicator as complaints arising out of the taxpayers charter; in how many cases the revenue adjudicator has upheld the complaint; what has been the total compensation awarded by the revenue adjudicator following complaints; and what actions have been taken by the adjudicator to monitor and improve the performance of the office in which complaints have been upheld.

  Sir George Young
  The adjudicator has received 3,794 complaints since her office opened on 1 May 1993. She has taken up 717 of these for full investigation. Of the 359 cases she has settled, she has found wholly or partly in favour of the complainant in 195 cases. She has recommended that the Inland Revenue pay compensation in 90 of these. The total compensation recommended was £37,181. The Inland Revenue has accepted all these recommendations. The adjudicator meets senior Inland Revenue managers on a regular basis to discuss her recommendations and views.

  It is for Inland Revenue managers to decide what actions need to be taken to improve performance in any particular area in the light of adjudicator's recommendations and views. The Revenue has assured me that it does attach great importance to improving performance where they have been at fault.

  The 3,077 cases which the adjudicator did not take up for full investigation were mainly ones where the complainant had not first tried to sort out the complaint through the Inland Revenue's own complaints system. In these cases, the adjudicator put the complainant in touch with the right person in the Inland Revenue, and where necessary helped the complainant clarify the terms of the complaint.

  Scotch Whisky
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the total receipts which have accrued to the Exchequer in each of the last five years from sales of Scotch whisky(a) abroad and (b) in the domestic market.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Firm data on duty receipts are available only for total spirits. Estimates can be made for all home-produced whisky and these are as follows:
  67

  Estimated duty and consequential VAT on whisky/whiskey

  £ million

  1989–90

  748

  1990–91

  835

  1991–92

  856

  1992–93

  814

  1993–94

  847

  Duty and VAT are not charged on sales of Scotch whisky abroad.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of expected receipts to the Exchequer from sales of Scotch whisky(a) abroad and (b) in the domestic market for the financial year 1994–95.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Firm data on duty receipts are available only for total spirits. The current spirits forecast for the financial year 1994–95 is £1.7 billion, this cannot be broken down to Scotch whisky.

  The Exchequer receives no income from sales of Scotch whisky abroad.

  Credit Unions
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to modify the legislation and regulations governing(a) the management of credit unions, (b) their accountability to members and (c) the amounts of money loaned to members; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Government announced two proposals on credit unions in January 1994. One extends categories of membership; the other increases the limit on the size of individual shareholdings and loans. A consultation document will be issued on these and other related measures. Subject to the response, the intention is to implement them through an order under section 1 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994.

  Power Generators (Share Sales)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the costs incurred so far on the proposed sale of Her Majesty's Government shares in National Power and PowerGen; and if he will estimate future costs associated with this sale.

  Sir George Young
  The costs of the National Power and PowerGen share offer will be reported to Parliament after the sale has been completed. Sales proceeds will be appropriated-in-aid of the expenses of the sale. Because a large proportion of the costs are dependent upon the strike prices obtained for the shares in the international offers, it would be potentially misleading to the House for me to estimate the total costs for this sale at this point.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the solicitors, banks, brokers, advertising agencies and public relations companies appointed to advise on the sale of Her Majesty's Government shares in National Power and PowerGen, with a statement of fees incurred so far in each case.

  Sir George Young
  The table shows, in the order of their appointment, the appointments of solicitors, banks, brokers, advertising agencies and PR companies made by HM Government for the National Power and PowerGen share offer. Fees paid to firms as part of the privatisation programme are treated as commercially confidential.
  68
  The National Audit Office expects to examine the sale in due course. If it does so and a report is published by the Comptroller and Auditor General, the total fees paid to advisers will be quantified.

  National Power and PowerCen share offer—solicitors, banks, brokers, advertising agencies and public relations companies appointed

  Month of appointment

  Company

  Role(s)

  March 1994

  Barclays de Zoete Wedd1

  Financial Adviser

  Kleinwort Benson1

  Global co-ordinator Global lead manager

  March 1994

  Slaughter and May2

  Legal advisers

  April 1994

  Dewe Rogerson

  PR/Marketing adviser

  May 1994

  Davis, Polk and Wardwell2

  US legal advisers

  July 1994

  WCRS3

  Advertising agency

  July 1994

  Lloyds Bank

  Lead receiving bank

  July 1994

  Royal Bank of Scotland

  Receiving bank

  November 1994

  Lloyds Bank

  Interim registrar (National Power)

  November 1994

  Royal Bank of Scotland

  Interim registrar (PowerGen)

  December 1994

  Tsunematsu Yanase and Sakine2

  Japanese legal advisers

  December 1994

  Stikeman, Elliott2

  Canadian legal advisers

  December 1994

  Barclays de Zoete Wedd

  International manager

  December 1994

  Kleinwort Benson

  International manager

  December 1994

  Cazenove

  International manager

  December 1994

  Paribas

  International manager

  December 1994

  UBS

  International manager

  December 1994

  SG Warburg

  International manager

  December 1994

  Goldman Sachs

  North American manager

  December 1994

  Merrill Lynch

  North American manager

  December 1994

  JP Morgan

  North American manager

  December 1994

  NatWest Markets

  North American manager

  December 1994

  RBC Dominion

  North American manager

  December 1994

  Argentaria

  Rest of World manager

  December 1994

  Robert Fleming

  Rest of World manager

  December 1994

  Lehman Brothers

  Rest of World manager

  December 1994

  Mediobanca

  Rest of World manager

  December 1994

  Nikko

  Rest of World manager

  December 1994

  West LB

  Rest of World manager

  January 1995

  Bank of New York

  Interim depositary

  Notes1:

  Firms act jointly

  2Appointed by the Treasury Solicitor

  3Appointed by the Central Office of Information

  International Terminal, Ebbsfleet
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he, other Ministers or former Ministers or officials in his Department discussed matters relating to the international terminal at Ebbsfleet with representatives of Decision Makers at any function at No. 11 Downing street in June or July 1993.
  69
  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 23 January 1995]: There is no record of any function at No 11 Downing street in June or July 1993 at which representatives of Decision Makers were present.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Ministers in his Department formally or informally met Mr. Mark Pennington and discussed Ebbsfleet.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 23 January 1995]: According to Treasury records, no Treasury Ministers have met Mr. Mark Pennington and discussed Ebbsfleet.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the severance payments made to special advisers in each of the last five years indicating(a) the amount and (b) the date.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 1 February 1995]: The severance payments for which special advisers are eligible are related to their salaries. The salaries of advisers are negotiated individually in relation to their previous earnings and are confidential. The total severance payments made to special advisers in each of the last five years year are summarised in the table.

  Year

  £

  1990

  105,771

  1991

  28,078

  1992

  188,803

  1993

  34,446

  1994

  56,131

  Tax Loopholes
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the loss of revenue to the Exchequer resulting from exploitation of the capital gains tax loophole identified in clause 43 of the Finance Bill 1995; and; how much revenue annually he estimates would accrue following its closure.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 3 February 1995]: The known level of avoidance up to the closure of the loophole identified in clause 43 of the Finance Bill 1995 was low and the revenue loss is estimated to be negligible. However if not closed, this loophole would result in the loss of a significant amount of tax as the level of avoidance is expected to escalate once the loophole becomes well known. This loss could amount to many tens of millions of pounds.

SCOTLAND

  Council Housing
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are on waiting lists for council houses in(a) Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole; and what steps he is taking to provide public housing for such persons.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Reliable information on waiting list applicants is not held centrally. Substantial 70
  resources have been made available to local authorities to enable them to meet housing needs in their areas. In addition, Scottish Homes, through its development programme, supports the provision of new and improved houses by housing associations, housing co-operatives and private sector developers across Scotland.

  Psychiatric Beds
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acute psychiatric beds are needed in(a) Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole to achieve an average bed occupancy of 85 per cent.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is for health boards to determine levels of bed provision for their population based on consideration of local assessments of need.

  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  NHSiS—Psychiatric beds1; by area; year ending 30 September 1994

  Actual

  Estimated

  Average available staffed beds

  Percentage occupancy

  Average available staffed beds required for 85 per cent, occupancy4

  Scotdand

  14,399

  88.8

  15,043

  Strathclyde2

  6,228

  90.3

  6,613

  Inverclyde3

  268

  87.9

  277

  1Comprises mental illness, psychogeriatrics, child psychiatry, adolescent psychiatry, mental handicap.

  2 Comprises hospitals in Argyll and Clyde, Ayrshire and Arran, Greater Glasgow, Lanarkshire health board areas.

  3 Comprises Inverclyde royal hospital and Ravenscraig hospital.

  4 Assuming the number of patients on average is the same as in the year ending 30 September 1994.

  Source:

  Information Services Division

  Private Patients
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the income generated by the treatment and care of private patients in each trust hospital in 1993–94.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is provided in the following table:

  NHS Trust

  £000

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals

  504

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Healthcare

  0

  Caithness and Sutherland

  1

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals

  45

  Grampian Healthcare

  37

  Monklands and Bellshill Hospitals

  0

  Moray Health Services

  26

  North Ayrshire and Arran

  46

  Raigmore Hospital

  114

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  2

  Royal Scottish National Hospital and Community

  0

  South Ayrshire Hospitals

  69

  Southern General Hospital

  417

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  33

  Victoria Infirmary

  17

  West Lothian

  29

  Yorkhill

  49

  71

  NHS Trusts
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what surplus or loss has been accumulated by each NHS trust.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The surplus or loss accumulated by each trust to December 1994 is detailed in the table:

  Accumulated surplus/loss of each NHS trust to December 1994

  Name of NHS Trust

  £000

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals

  211

  Angus

  798

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Healthcare

  1,903

  Caithness and Sutherland

  560

  Central Scotland Healthcare

  104

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals

  1,520

  Dundee Healthcare

  908

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals

  3,403

  East and Midlothian

  1,304

  Edinburgh Healthcare

  2,156

  Edinburgh Sick Children's

  -43

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

  1,645

  Fife Healthcare

  2,294

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary University

  3,419

  Grampian Healthcare

  7,499

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Services

  835

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse

  879

  Highland Communities

  669

  Inverclyde Royal Hospital

  1,785

  Kirkcaldy Acute

  447

  Law Hospital

  756

  Monklands and Bellshill

  1,994

  Moray Health Services

  441

  North Ayrshire and Arran

  4,634

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare

  1,574

  Queen Margaret Hospital

  1,270

  Raigmore Hospital

  3,001

  Renfrewshire Healthcare

  2,903

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  1,674

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  2,840

  South Ayshire Hospitals

  426

  Southern General Hospital

  3,351

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  1,455

  Stobhill

  2,481

  Victoria Infirmary

  -4,021

  West Lothian

  3,658

  Western General Hospitals, Edinburgh

  864

  West Glasgow Hospitals University

  1,602

  Yorkhill

  1,159

  Total

  64,358

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total amount of accumulated assets of NHS trusts.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The net assets of each NHS trust as at 31 December 1994 are detailed in the table:

  Net assets ofNHS trusts as at December 1994

  Name ofNHS trust

  £000

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals

  136,383

  Angus

  45,595

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Healthcare

  55,902

  Caithness and Sutherland

  17,059

  Central Scotland Healthcare

  97,682

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity Hospitals

  29,600

  Dundee Healthcare

  56,971

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals

  127,995

  72

  Net assets of NHS trusts as at December 1994

  Name of NHS trust

  £000

  East and Midlothian

  62,688

  Edinburgh Healthcare

  116,675

  Edinburgh Sick Children's

  13,949

  Falkirk and District Royal University

  41,232

  Fife Healthcare

  69,557

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary University

  141,467

  Grampian Healthcare

  189,569

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Services

  138,752

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse

  50,813

  Highland Communities

  64,378

  Inverclyde Royal Hospital

  33,729

  Kirkcaldy Acute

  37,428

  Law Hospital

  34,118

  Monklands and Bellshill

  44,213

  Moray Health Services

  35,506

  North Ayrshire and Arran

  85,196

  Perth and Kinross Healthcare

  76,949

  Queen Margaret Hospital

  69,867

  Raigmore Hospital

  55,353

  Renfrewshire Healthcare

  72,021

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  63,127

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  152,852

  South Ayrshire Hospitals

  50,789

  Southern General Hospital

  65,893

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  46,165

  Stobhill

  66,434

  Victoria Infirmary

  43,869

  West Lothian

  95,528

  Western General Hospital, Edinburgh

  82,660

  West Glasgow Hospitals University

  101,757

  Yorkhill

  47,134

  Total

  2,816,885

  It should be noted that some of these figures are subject to final agreement of opening balances with health boards.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will state, in respect of the appointments of NHS trusts in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole the salaries awarded, the terms of office and the number of hours such appointees are expected to work each working week;

  (2) what time commitment is expected of (a) NHS trust chairman and (b) NHS trust non-executive directors.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Non-executives of NHS trust boards throughout Scotland are appointed for terms of up to four years. Chairmen are remunerated at one of three different rates—£15,125, £17,145 and £19,285 per annum—according to the size of the trust's budget. Non-executive directors other than chairmen receive £5,000 per annum. Trust chairmen are expected to commit two to three days per week to trust work and non-executive directors about three days per month, but many exceed those levels.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what hospital and related trusts have negotiated their own terms and conditions of employment, including pay, in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No hospital or trust in Scotland has yet introduced its own pay and terms and conditions of service for all its staff.

  Almost half of the 39 trusts in Scotland have departed to varying extents from the centrally negotiated terms and conditions of service for some groups of their staff.
  73
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to require NHS trusts(a) to hold meetings in public and (b) to publish minutes of all such meetings; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  NHS trusts are already required to hold one public meeting each year at which their audited accounts and annual. report are presented. It is a matter for trust boards to decide whether to hold more meetings in public.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the level of co-operation among hospital and related trusts in the provision of services in(a) Strathclyde and (b) the rest of Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None. The provision of services is a matter between the health boards and the NHS trusts. Providers will contract with the health board to deliver the best quality of care for the patients in the most effective, efficient and economical arrangement appropriate.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many NHS trusts have confidentiality clauses in their contracts.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Details of a contract of employment are matters for the employer and the member of staff concerned.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the NHS trusts in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole which have entered into formal agreements with Norwich Union Healthcare; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None of the NHS trusts in Scotland have entered into formal agreements with Norwich Union Healthcare.

  Any advertising material which claims such agreements is inaccurate.

  Long-stay Mental Hospitals
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many long-stay mental hospitals have been granted trust in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  With the exception of the State hospital, all long-stay mental hospitals in mainland Scotland enjoy the benefits of NHS trust status.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the number of people with(a) private dental insurance and (b) private medical insurance in (i) Strathcylde and (ii) Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No information is available on private health insurance.

  Life Sentences
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) men and (b) women currently serving a life prison sentence have been informed they will never be released from prison; and if he will make a statement.
  74
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has not informed any life prisoner that he or she will never be released from prison. A mandatory life prisoner may be released only on the recommendation of the Parole Board and after consultation with the judiciary. My right hon. Friend takes into account both risk to the public and criminal justice factors in deciding whether and when to refer any case to the Parole Board for its recommendation. Any recommendation made by the sentencing judge in open court as to the minimum period the prisoner should serve, including a natural life recommendation, would be a significant but not binding factor.

  Violent Assaults
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many violent assaults were inflicted upon(a) nurses, (b) doctors and (c) other members of hospital and medical centre staff in (i) Strathclyde and (ii) Scotland in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not held centrally.

  Private Nursing Homes
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) private nursing homes for the elderly and (b) residential homes for the elderly have been closed down and for what reasons in (i) Strathcylde and (ii) Scotland as a whole in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  With regard to nursing homes, this information is not held centrally. This is a matter for individual health boards as registering authorities, which have the power under section 2 of the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938, as amended, to cancel registration at any time if they consider that standards are not being maintained.

  The information on the number of residential care homes is as follows:

  Local Authority

  Registered Private and Voluntary

  Total

  1 April 1991 to 31 March 1992

  Strathclyde

  0

  4

  4

  Scotland

  4

  18

  22

  1 April 1992 to 31 March 1993

  Strathclyde

  2

  3

  5

  Scotland

  4

  6

  10

  1 April 1993 to 31 March 1994

  Strathclyde

  9

  2

  11

  Scotland

  17

  7

  24

  Information on the reasons for these closures is not held centrally. The data are not necessarily indicative of the quality of care provided. Most residential homes in Scotland maintain high standards of service provision.
  75

  Credit Unions
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many credit unions are located in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole; and what is (i) the average membership and (ii) the total membership.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  While the Scottish Office provides financial support through the urban programme for some of the credit unions operating in Scotland, the Secretary of State has no overall responsibility for credit unions. I understand however, from the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd., that in June 1994 there were 79 credit unions in Scotland, of which 65 were in Strathclyde. There was a total estimated

  Number of pupils receiving school meals

  Number of pupils receiving free school meals

  Education Authority

  Nursery

  Primary1

  Secondary2

  Special

  Nursery

  Primary1

  Secondary2

  Special

  Borders

  —

  3,432

  1,535

  57

  —

  578

  130

  13

  Central

  122

  11,134

  7,857

  420

  44

  4,155

  1,312

  420

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  7,540

  5,443

  17

  —

  1,539

  546

  17

  Fife

  220

  16,767

  10,198

  459

  133

  5,642

  1,951

  339

  Grampian

  275

  21,810

  9,405

  604

  57

  4,174

  1,295

  111

  Highland

  —

  8,275

  5,843

  242

  —

  2,979

  1,107

  111

  Lothian

  802

  27,791

  13,339

  1,013

  337

  10,951

  3,200

  702

  Strathclyde

  1,305

  102,791

  57,141

  3,246

  686

  49,664

  19,058

  2,573

  Tayside

  435

  15,204

  8,885

  408

  146

  4,786

  1,392

  408

  Orkney

  —

  1,279

  938

  15

  —

  158

  47

  15

  Shetland

  —

  1,807

  1,074

  15

  —

  174

  47

  15

  Western Isles

  —

  1,519

  1,119

  12

  —

  352

  201

  12

  Scotland Total

  3,159

  219,349

  122,777

  6,508

  1,403

  84,970

  30,286

  4,820

  1 Includes 21 nursery and 16 special departments where data has been included in primary school figures.

  2 Includes 7 special departments where data has been included in secondary school figures.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the rules and regulations in his Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which his Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on his Department's manpower.

  Mr. Lang
  Between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994, the Scottish Office has repealed the following regulations:

  The Rabies Virus Order 1979 (No. 135).

  The Control of Pollution (Licensing of WasteDisposal)(Scotland) Regulations 1977 and the Control of Pollution (Licensing of Waste Disposal) (Scotland)(Amendment) Regulations both superseded on 1 May 1994 by the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994.

  The Milk Marketing Schemes (Certification of Revocation)(Scotland) Order 1994.

  The Agricultural Marketing Act 1958 Part 1 (Certification of Cessation of Effect in Relation to Milk) Order 1994.

  The Poultry Meat (Hygiene)(Scotland) Regulations 1976, as amended.

  The Welfare and Livestock (Intensive Units) Regulations 1978. The Welfare of Battery Hens Regulations 1987.

  The Welfare of Calves Regulations 1987.

  The Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1990.

  The Welfare of Pigs Regulations 1991.

  The Welfare of Animals During Transport Order 1992.

  As part of the deregulation initiative, the Scottish Office operates a continuing programme of review of the regulations, forms and rules for which it has responsibility, with a view to identifying areas where
  76
  Scottish membership of some 51,000 at that date. No separate figure for Strathclyde is available.

  School Meals
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils aged(a) under seven years of age (b) between seven and 11 years of age and (c) over 11 years of age, in each local authority area in Scotland, receive school meals; and what is the total number who receive free school meals.

  Mr. Lang
  Information on the number of pupils receiving school meals is not available for the age breakdown requested, but in respect of each school sector. Information, in respect of school meals census day in January 1994, is detailed in the following table:

  there is scope for repeal or simplification. Any proposals which arise from this process over the next 12 months will be announced as appropriate when relevant consultations are completed.

  Manpower implications for the Scottish Office are taken into account in the Department's central manpower plans which are published in the annual departmental report.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each independent school in Scotland covered by the assisted places scheme in descending order the amounts which each school received for the financial year 1994–95, the number of pupils on the school's roll, the number of pupils covered by the assisted places scheme, the proportion of the school roll covered by the assisted places scheme and the fees charged by each of the schools for assisted places pupils.

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  [pursuant to his reply, 26 January 1995, column 351–52]: The information requested is detailed in the following table. The assisted places scheme is administered and statistical information collected in respect of each school session and not by reference to financial years. The information provided relates to fee remission grant allocations for the 1994–95 school session and to pupil numbers in the schools in the autumn term of that school session:

  77

  Fee Remission Grant

  Total Numbers of pupils on school roll (i.e., Autumn 1994–95 term)

  Number of Assisted Pupils

  Proportion of Assisted Place pupils of Total School Roll

  Fees charged for Assisted Place Pupils

  School

  Allocation 1994–95 (£)

  Percentage

  (£ per annum)

  Daniel Stewart's and Melville College and the Mary Erskine School

  899,000

  2,550

  276

  11

  2,849–3,912

  George Watson's College

  747,000

  2,044

  249

  12

  2,802–3,876

  George Heriots School

  684,000

  1,491

  250

  17

  2,706–3,624

  High School of Dundee

  580,000

  1,143

  195

  17

  2,532–3,607.50

  Hutcheson's Grammar School

  452,000

  1,821

  146

  8

  3,389

  St. Aloysius College

  419,000

  1,082

  159

  15

  2,978

  Morrison's Academy

  405,000

  584

  140

  24

  3,162–3,351

  Merchiston Castle School

  330,000

  385

  65

  17

  5,391–6,480

  Glasgow Academy

  324,000

  1,010

  89

  9

  3,738–4,014

  Strathallan School

  299,000

  Autumn claim not yet received

  6,165–7,485

  Kelvinside Academy

  294,000

  546

  82

  15

  3,314–4,135

  St. Margaret's School (Edinburgh)

  260,000

  73

  670

  11

  2,939.41–3,894.69

  Glenalmond College

  258,000

  248

  41

  17

  5,687–7,575

  The Park School

  235,000

  284

  68

  24

  3,330–3,708

  Keil School

  234,000

  214

  66

  31

  3,795–,479

  Edinburgh Academy

  233,000

  902

  54

  6

  4,935

  Fettes College

  220,000

  475

  36

  8

  4,584–7,305

  Laurel Bank School

  217,000

  354

  63

  18

  3,825–4,014

  Dollar Academy

  211,000

  1,108

  69

  6

  3,251.04–3,719.04

  Loretto School

  205,000

  374

  33

  9

  5,560–7,235

  Wellington School

  197,000

  354

  51

  14

  3,951–4,290

  Kilgraston School

  192,000

  271

  54

  20

  3,726–4,161

  Robert Gordon's College

  190,000

  Autumn claim not yet received

  3,548

  Lomond School

  188,000

  493

  52

  11

  4,014–4,119

  Rudolf Steiner School

  186,000

  257

  56

  22

  2,715–3,549

  Rannoch School

  173,000

  250

  37

  15

  5,490

  Gordonstoun School

  171,000

  453

  31

  7

  6,690

  St. Leonard's School

  164,000

  329

  37

  11

  4,706–5,682

  High School of Glasgow

  139,000

  992

  47

  5

  3,060–3,987

  Craigholme School

  130,000

  498

  44

  9

  3,120–3,330

  St. Denis and Cranley School

  120,000

  174

  31

  18

  4,203

  St. Columba's School

  117,000

  571

  33

  6

  3,420–3,690

  St. George's School

  112,000

  886

  29

  3

  3,729.30–4,097.43

  Fernhill School

  79,000

  326

  29

  6

  1,773–2,768

  Belmont House School

  73,000

  382

  24

  6

  3,121–3,522

  Albyn School

  66,000

  415

  19

  5

  3,432–3,536

  St. Margaret's School, Aberdeen

  55,000

  405

  20

  5

  3,049.56–3,353.10

  Kilquhanity School

  46,000

  25

  12

  48

  2,430

  Beaconhurst School

  45,000

  238

  9

  4

  3,990–4,095

  Aberlour School

  37,000

  110

  9

  8

  4,875

  Crawfordton House School

  27,000

  45

  6

  13

  4,542

  Clifton Hall School

  27,000

  120

  6

  5

  4,827

  Lachallan School

  27,000

  120

  6

  5

  4,662

  Craigclowan Preparatory School

  25,000

  230

  10

  4

  3,495

  Hamilton College

  25,000

  742

  14

  2

  1,968.69–2,272.79

  Butterstone School

  23,000

  58

  5

  9

  4,930

  Cargilfield School

  23,000

  192

  4

  3

  5,695

  Croftinloan Preparatory School

  22,000

  81

  4

  5

  5,475

  Ardvreck School

  22,000

  147

  5

  3

  4,588

  New Park School

  19,000

  124

  4

  3

  3,951

  St. Mary's School

  17,000

  95

  4

  4

  4,536

  Belhaven Hill School

  10,000

  78

  2

  3

  5,039

  Drumley House School

  7,000

  106

  2

  2

  4,415

  Park Lodge School

  3,000

  No assisted place pupils as yet for 1994–95 school session

  2,694

  Enterprise Networks
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what annual budgets of each of the local enterprise companies were within the Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Island Enterprise networks in each of the years since these bodies were established.
  78
  Mr. Stewart
  [holding answer 2 February 1995]: The allocation of annual budgets to local enterprise companies is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise for their respective networks. I have asked the chairmen of these bodies to write to the hon. Member.
  79

PRIME MINISTER

  Honours
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minister how many persons were recommended for consideration for an MBE, OBE or CBE in 1994; how many were proposed by members of the public via the new procedure; and how many awards in each category were made in 1994.

  The Prime Minister
  Some 3,000 recommendations were considered for the new year and birthday honours lists 1994, of which around 500 were supported by members of the public. It is not possible to break down the recommendations into categories, but the number of awards made were: CBE 201 awards; OBE 493; and MBE 1,202.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Prime Minister which Ministers and former Ministers have given evidence to the Scott inquiry.

  Mr. David Hunt
  [pursuant to the reply, 24 January, column 188]: I have been asked to reply.

  I wish to add the names of the following as Ministers who have given written evidence only to Sir Richard Scott's inquiry:

  The Baroness Denton of Wakefield CBE

  The right hon. Richard Needham

  Next Steps Agencies
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 26 January to the hon. Member for Dover (Mr. Shaw),Official Report, column 300, what were the total costs of operating the Government Departments and next steps agencies in the economic planning regions; what is the total budget at their disposal; and to which regions they are attached.

  The Prime Minister
  The running costs of civil departments in the United Kingdom totalled £14.6 billion in 1993–94.

  Information is not held by economic planning region and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  British Association of Sheep Exporters
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Prime Minister when(a) he last met and (b) he was last contacted by the chairman of the British Association of Sheep Exporters.

  The Prime Minister
  I have not met representatives of the British Association of Sheep Exporters and as far as I am aware they have not asked to meet me.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Ex-carers
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Government's measures to help the long-term unemployed back into work apply to ex-carers who have been claiming invalid care allowance and who may have been out of the job market for longer than two years.
  80
  Mr. Hague
  An ex-carer returning to work could be eligible for:

  Family Credit with the extra £10 premium if returning to work of 30 hours or more a week;

  the Back to Work Bonus if they had part-time earnings while on Income Support;

  the new benefit for couples and single people without children if they were within the pilot areas.

  The four-week extension of housing benefit, and the one-year national insurance holiday for employers, are aimed at people who have been continuously unemployed, or a lone parent, for the appropriate qualifying periods—six months for the housing benefit extension and two years for the national insurance holiday. Present plans are that periods in which income support was received while an ex-carer was exempt from the requirement to be available for work would not count towards those qualifying periods. I am considering this particular issue and will write to the hon. Member in due course.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the Child Support Agency computer system was, or is planned to be upgraded, as mentioned in his answer of 21 July 1994,Official Report, column 617; what is the total number of client accounts; how many of these client accounts are in arrears; and how many arrears agreements are in force.

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Adam Ingram, dated 6 February 1995:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of client accounts and arrears of child maintenance.
  The Child Support Computer System is being continually enhanced to reflect policy and operational changes and additional management requirements. Some of the information that you require is now available.
  As at the end of November the Agency was dealing with a total of 165,000 accounts that had been set up following the completion of a maintenance assessment for the collection of maintenance through the Agency collection service.
  In 26,000 cases the absent parent (AP) was up to date with their payments. In 58,300 they had not met their liability in full and in 70,700 no payments had been made.
  There are a further 134,000 cases where an assessment has been completed and the AP agreed to pay maintenance direct to the parent with care.
  In some cases, where maintenance has not been paid in full, an agreement with the AP has been reached that arrears of maintenance be rescheduled for payment at a future date. Information on the number of accounts in which there has been an agreement to re-schedule arrears is not currently available. Enhancements to the agency's information systems should provide for this information to be available by the end of the financial year.

  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he is taking to tackle the problems that the Child Support Agency is having in assessing and enforcing child support maintenance from absent parents who are self-employed.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Miss Ann Chant, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.
  81
  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Adam Ingram, dated 6 February 1995:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about measures taken by the Child Support Agency to improve the assessment and enforcement of child maintenance from absent parents who are self-employed.
  The White Paper published by the Government on 23 January ("Improving Child Support"—cm 2745) includes proposals to create a new interim assessment for the self employed, together with other measures to address problems that have arisen when dealing with these cases.
  The Agency is also considering separately other options available to improve enforcement of maintenance assessments made against self employed absent parents.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many parents with care have currently been waiting(a) one month, (b) two months, (c) three months, (d) six months and (e) one year to receive their first maintenance payment through the Child Support Agency from the date of first application; and what percentage of applications each group represents;

  (2) how many parents with care have waited (a) one month, (b) two months, (c) three months, (d) six months and (e) one year from the date of first application since the Child Support Act 1991 came into force to receive their first maintenance payment through the Child Support Agency; and what percentage of applications each group represents.

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Clive Betts, dated 3 February 1995:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the time taken for parents with care to receive their first maintenance payment through the Child Support Agency.
  The precise information that you require does not need to be collected in the form that you mention, however, information that you may find helpful will soon be collected; I will write to you again once it is available.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the extra workload created by his recent proposals for changes to the operation of the Child Support Act 1991; what effect it will have on work backlog within the agency; and if he has any plans to recruit extra staff as a result.

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Clive Betts, dated 2 February 1995:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the impact of the recently announced legislative and operational changes to child support on the Child Support Agency.
  We do not expect any effect on staffing or an increase in the overall workload or backlog of maintenance assessments following the operational improvements due for implementation in April 1995, over the year as a whole. The benefits arising from these changes are expected to balance out the extra work needed to implement them during this period. In the longer term they will have a beneficial effect on our operations.
  Details of the costs arising from the proposed primary legislation will be supplied in the financial memorandum to the Bill.
  82
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the number of deduction from earnings orders that have been issued for each six-month period since the setting up of the Child Support Agency; what consultations he has had with business organisations concerning the extra work involved for employers; and what are his proposals to compensate businesses, with particular reference to particularly small businesses, for the additional burden involved in compulsory employer processings of deduction from earnings orders.

  Mr. Burt
  The Child Support Agency issued 2,600 deduction from earnings orders in 1993–94. This figure cannot be broken down into six-month periods. Between 1 April and 30 September 1994 11,463 DEOs were issued.

  Discussions about DEOs were held with employers through the DSS employers' panel. The legislation relating to the operation of DEOs includes a provision for an employer to deduct up to £1 in respect of his administrative costs from the person's earnings each time a deduction in accordance with the DEO is made.

  Maxwell Pensioners
  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what contingency plans he has to assist Maxwell pensioners who have deferred pensions when the Cuckney fund runs out in 1996; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We have taken a number of exceptional steps to help the Maxwell pensioners, including the setting up of the Maxwell pensioners trust, now chaired by Mrs. Jane Newell. The trust is supporting pension payments while asset recovery work continues. We hope that parties to pensions disputes will now settle them quickly, which would extend the life of the trust and safeguard the position of many deferred pensioners. However, the Government cannot assume responsibilities which properly belong to others.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the rules and regulations in his Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which his Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on his Department's manpower.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Two items of legislation for which this Department is responsible and which place an obligation on business or the general public have been withdrawn—as opposed to amended or replaced—during the past 12 months:From 10 October 1994, regulations 37, 38, 41 and 42 of the Industrial Injuries (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations 1985 were repealed. These required periodic medical examinations of people engaged in certain occupations involving a risk of pneumoconiosis. The savings to the Department was approximately £100.000 per annum in medical and X-ray costs.

  83
  The Occupational Pension Schemes (Friendly Societies) Regulations 1976 (SI 1976 No 598) have been revoked with effect from 7 February 1995. These were redundant following introduction of the Friendly Societies Act 1992 which allowed incorporated and registered friendly societies to carry out group insurance without approval.
  Neither had an impact on this Department's manpower.

  The Department is continuing to identify rules and regulations for withdrawal. Those for withdrawal in the next 12 months will be announced as and when consultations are completed.

  Departmental Administration Costs
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the total departmental administration costs for each year since 1979, in 1994 prices.

  Mr. Hague
  The information is in the table:

  Expenditure since 1979–80 uplifted by current GDP deflators to 1994–95 prices

  Year

  £ million

  1979–80

  2,096

  1980–81

  2,271

  1981–82

  2,457

  1982–83

  2,488

  1983–84

  2,665

  1984–85

  2,751

  1985–86

  2,695

  1986–87

  2,835

  1987288

  3,398

  1988–89

  3,380

  1989–90

  3,471

  1990–91

  3,562

  1991–92

  3,793

  1992–93

  4,084

  1993–942

  4,350

  1994–952

  4,177

  Notes:

  1 Expenditure on total Departmental administration costs is included in table 1 of the Social Security Departmental Report.

  2 These figures will shortly be updated on publication of the Departmental Report in March.

  3The figures quoted in the table include the grants to Local Authorities for Housing Benefit and Community Charge administration and payment to Department for Employment for the administration of the Unemployment Benefit Office network. These payments were £629 million in 1986–87 and are anticipated to be in the region of £944 million in 1994–95.

  Benefits
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department spent or expects to spend in Scotland on(a) income support for mortgage interest and (b) housing benefit in each year between 1991–92 and 1995–96.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information is set out in the table. Information on expected expenditure for income support mortgage interest in 1995–96 will not be available until after the consultation exercise on the proposals announced in the Budget.
  84

  Estimated expenditure on income support mortgage interest and housing benefit in Scotland

  Year

  Estimated expenditure on income support mortgage interest £ million

  Estimated expenditure on housing benefit £ million

  1991–92

  33.1

  590

  1992–93

  32.4

  650

  1993–94

  32.6

  730

  1994–95

  32.6

  820

  1995–96

  n/a

  930

  Notes:

  Income Support Mortgage Interest figures:

  1. Source: Income Support Annual Statistical Enquiries, May 1991–1993 and Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, February 1994.

  2. rounded to nearest hundred thousand.

  3. based on estimates on weekly amounts and number of recipients at time of survey.

  Housing Benefit figures:

  4. the figures underlie those that appear in the 1994 Social Security Departmental Report.

  5. figures are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the severance payments made to special advisers in each of the last five years indicating(a) the amount and (b) the date.

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer 1 February 19951: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fishing (Aid)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 27 January,Official Report, column 452, on aid to the fishing industry in other EEC countries, if he will obtain from the commission and publish the full list of aid it has approved, along with a list of unauthorised payments it has checked or objected to.

  Mr. Jack
  A full list of aids to the fishing industry is compiled annually by the Commission, but not published because it contains information supplied by member states on a confidential basis. The UK has pressed for this restriction to be lifted. Some summary information is available in the Commission's periodic surveys of state aids in the European Community. The latest of these covers 1986 to 1990 and is available in the Library of the House.

  The Commission does publish details of aids in the Official Journal of the European Communities following their approval. This also contains details of unauthorised aids which the Commission is examining under the procedure set out in article 93(2) of the treaty of Rome, and the subsequent conclusions of such examinations.
  85

  Fishing (Conservation)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 27 January,Official Report, column 452, on the application of conservation measures, if he will now request the Commission to progress new technical conservation measures to ban industrial fishing in British waters round the south-west and on the Dogger bank.

  Mr. Jack
  At the December 1994 Fisheries Council, the Commission agreed to bring forward by 30 June 1995 proposals to improve the technical conservation rules for western waters. The Commission has also been asked by the Council to review the technical conservation measures applying in the North sea. At my instigation, Community scientists are currently examining the effects of fishing and particularly industrial fishing, on the marine ecosystem.

  EU Fisheries Ministers will consider the outcome of this work, and appropriate action, at future meetings. I shall consider the UK position in relation to these matters in liaison with the industry.

  Coastal Protection
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what funds are available through his Department in the current financial year for coastal protection and repair.

  Mr. Jack
  This Department offers grant aid to coast protection authorities for new or improved defences designed to protect land from erosion or encroachment by the sea. The supply provision in 1994–95 currently stands at £26 million.

  Intervention Stocks
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the value of food and drink stocks held by the Government and by European Community bodies as a consequence of agriculture price intervention; and what are the annual costs involved in holding such stocks, including the costs of depreciation.

  Mr. Jack
  Details for the Community as a whole are contained in annexes 9 and 10 of the annual financial reports of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund guarantee section. Details of intervention stocks within the United Kingdom are contained in table 13 of the 1994 Department report by the Ministery of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Intervention Board, Cm 2053. These publications have been deposited in the Library of the House.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total actual annual expenditure for his Department in each year since 1979 in 1994 prices; and if he will provide a breakdown of each figure to show expenditures on(a) price support measures and (b) set-aside schemes.

  Mr. Jack
  Information on this subject is contained in the annual appropriation accounts for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Intervention Board executive agency. Information is also available in, "Agriculture in the United Kingdom", which has been 86
  produced since 1988 and, prior to then, in the annual review of agriculture White Papers. The data can be expressed in 1994 prices using the published retail prices index information. Copies of the above publications are available in the Library of the House.

  Veal Rearing Systems
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the representatives and the countries they represented that were present at the recent Agriculture Ministers meeting which agreed to bring forward the review of veal rearing systems from 1997.

  Mr. Jack
  The meeting in question was the January Agriculture Council and all EC member states were, as is usual, represented by their Agriculture Ministers, with the exception of Finland, which was represented by the Secretary General of its Agriculture Ministry. The European Commission was represented by Mr. Franz Fischler.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make available in full the legal advice he has received as regards the use of article 36 of the treaty of Rome, to stop the export of calves to be reared in the crate system.

  Mrs. Browning
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food set out the conclusion which emerges from the legal advice, and the reasons for it, in his letter of 1 February to all right hon. and hon. Members.

  Regional Operations
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff his Department employs on a regional basis in each standard English region; what is the cost of running these regional operations; what was the total budget for each region in the latest available year; and what are the main purposes for which the budget is used.

  Mr. Jack
  The Department's regional administrative organisation, consisting of nine regional service centres, employed a total of 1,610 staff as at 1 January 1995 with a budget provision for 1994–95 of £35.4 million, as published in the Supply estimates.

  The regional service centres handle the administration of grant and subsidy schemes, licensing and various other services provided mainly to farmers and growers. The present organisation into nine regions was adopted in 1992 and was designed to match the distribution of the fanning industry rather than the standard regions used by other Departments.

  Apart from the primary regional organisation, there are separate regional structures within the Department for the state veterinary service and various inspectorates, for which information in the form requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The executive agency, ADAS, also has its own regional structure.
  87

WALES

  Dental Services
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps are being taken by his Department to improve the situation relating to provision of dental services in Gwynedd and in particular Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and the constituency of Caernarfon.

  Mr. Richards
  Following the Secretary of State's announcement of an extra £2.5 million for dental services in Wales, Gwynedd health authority, along with all other Welsh health authorities, has been invited to bring forward proposals to improve the quality and availability of dental services in its area. Already in this financial year, the Welsh Office has provided an additional £50,000 for the authority to purchase extra treatment sessions from the community dental service.

  Gwynedd family health services authority has permission to employ salaried dentists. The Welsh Office is funding all the costs associated with this salaried dental service including the recruitment campaign; the salaries of all staff employed; all other practice expenses; and the costs of converting and equipping dental suites at Caernarfon, Pwllheli and Llanfairfechan.

  Location incentive grants are also available from the Welsh Office to attract new general dental practitioners into Gwynedd.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when was his Department's last review of the provision of community dentistry in Wales; what were its fundings; how matters have proceeded since 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Richards
  The subject of community dentistry may be discussed with each of the district health authorities as part of the normal annual review process by the Welsh Office, which assesses their performance jointly with family health services authorities. The district health authorities are responsible for commissioning community dental services in light of local needs and locally determined priorities. They are also responsible for monitoring services.

  General Practitioner Fundholders
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to ensure that in the periods of the three final months of the financial year, the patients of non-fundholders are not disadvantaged in respect of patients of fundholders in waiting periods for operations.

  Mr. Richards
  Hospital treatment for patients of non-fundholding GPs is purchased by district health authorities. The additional waiting times initiative funding of £4 million which my right hon. Friend announced last November should ensure that both the district health authorities and GP fundholders in Wales are able to meet the waiting times targets which they identified in their health plans for 1994–95.
  88

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many opted-out schools there are in Wales.

  Mr. Richards
  Sixteen.

  Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Visit)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he visited the constituency of Meirionnydd Nant Conwy; what was the duration of the visit; and what was its purpose.

  Mr. Redwood
  I visited Meirionnydd Nant Conwy on 19 September to see the Ffestiniog railway, the A5 through Pont Padog and the set of the "White Knights" film.

  Patients Charter
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost to public funds of the production, printing, distribution and advertising of the patients charter when launched(a) in 1991 and (b) in 1994; and how many copies were printed in each case.

  Mr. Richards
  The budget for the patients charter in 1991 was £250,000 and £45,000 for the 1994 edition. In 1991, 1,250,000 copies were printed, compared with 301,000 in 1994.

  Liquidations
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many businesses in Wales went into liquidation in(a) 1993 and (b)

  Mr. Richards
  Official estimates of liquidations are compiled for Wales and England combined and are not separately available for Wales.

  Estimates of total liquidations for England and Wales for 1992–93 and 1993–94 are 27,829 and 22,058 respectively.

  New Businesses
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many new businesses were set up in 1993 and 1994.

  Mr. Richards
  Comprehensive information on the number of new business start-ups in Wales is not available. However, partial information is available from VAT data, though this excludes smaller new business start-ups. This shows that during 1993, the latest year for which data is available, there were some 7,200 registrations for VAT in Wales.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy towards signing Welsh language letters from his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend's policy is not to sign letters in languages he cannot understand. he replies to correspondence written to him in Welsh by sending a Welsh translation of his reply together with the signed English version.
  89

  Conversion Grants
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the categories of grant available to convert existing shop premises to residential dwellings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  District councils may make available discretionary home renovation grants to convert empty buildings, including shop premises, into dwellings. Since 1991–92 I have made £19 million available which has created an additional 1,200 dwellings. A further £1.5 million is available next year.

  Shopkeeper Grants
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the categories of grant available to shopkeepers in Wales to improve and modernise their premises; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Welsh Office funding of local authority regeneration projects and strategies, through the strategic development scheme, includes in some cases support for grant aid towards the renovation of shops and other properties. They are normally in designated commercial improvement or renewal areas. The Welsh Development Agency's town improvement grant may support external improvement of buildings, including shops, in urban areas. The Welsh Office-through Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments—may also offer grants on the advice of the Historic Buildings Council for Wales towards the costs of repairs in buildings of outstanding historic or architectural interest.

  Grant may also be provided towards external repairs which would make a significant contribution to the enhancement of the preservation of the character of buildings within a conservation area, or form part of a designated town scheme, administered by the local planning authority.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hectares of set-aside land there are in each of the Welsh counties.

  Mr. Redwood
  The following table shows the area of set-aside land by Welsh Counties as recorded in the agricultural census return of June 1994:

  Hectares

  Clwyd

  610

  Dyfed

  2,094

  Mid Glamorgan

  219

  South Glamorgan

  430

  West Glamorgan

  238

  Gwent

  838

  Gwynedd

  781

  Powys

  945

  Wales

  6,155

  Opencast Coal
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the sites for which opencast coal 90
  extraction planning permission has been applied for; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  This information is not held centrally.

  Council Tax Appeals
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales with reference to council tax appeals, if he will state how many appeals under council tax legislation in Ynys Môn(a) have been dealt with and (b) are outstanding; and what are the target dates for completion of those currently outstanding.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  As at 31 January 1995 1,214 appeals had been settled and 636 appeals were outstanding. For Wales as a whole 41,630–77.2 per cent.—of initial council tax appeals were settled by 31 December 1994 against a target of 38,000–70 per cent. Around 90 per cent. of initial appeals will be cleared by 31 March 1995. Targets for the clearance of outstanding and subsequent appeals are under consideration.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the rules and regulations in his Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which his Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on his Department's manpower.

  Mr. Redwood
  The local Government (Publication of Manpower Information) (Wales) (Revocation) Regulations 1994 was withdrawn. The Department is continuing to review its rules and regulations and any which are to be withdrawn in the next 12 months will be announced as and when consultations are complete. The manpower implications are taken into account in the Department's central manpower plans which will be published in the Welsh Office departmental report in March. Most regulations are England and Wales or United Kingdom wide and do not fall to the Welsh Office to repeal. The Welsh Office has cut the number of forms sent to the health service by a third over the last year.

  Civil Service Jobs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the centralisation of civil service jobs in Wales on unemployment statistics.

  Mr. Redwood
  Changes in civil service job numbers are just one of many factors which influence unemployment statistics.

  A449
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the Abergavenney turn-off on the northbound section of the A449 between Newport and Raglan will be reopened following reconstruction.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Raglan junction on the A449 trunk road is now open.
  91

  Health Service Forms
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 31 January,Official Report, column 642, how long each of the forms scrapped has

  Forms to the NHS discontinued in 1994–95

  Form

  Description

  Information collected in present format since

  Number of times collected each year

  Financial returns—costing:

  HFR7/TFR8

  Catering, laundry and linen

  1987–88

  1

  HFR16/TFR6

  Ambulance services

  1987–88

  1

  HFR19

  Purchase of health care from non NHS bodies and grants to voluntary bodies

  1991–92

  1

  HFR20

  Joint Finance and Care in the Community

  1987–88

  1

  HFR24

  Care group analysis of health services purchased

  1991–92

  1

  HFR26/TFR7

  Analysis of stock

  1991–92

  1

  HFR27/TFR5

  Fixed assets

  1991–92

  1

  HFR28

  Artificial limb and Wheelchair Services

  1987–88

  1

  FFRO6

  FHSA revenue and capital income

  1987–88

  1

  FFR07

  FHSA administration

  1987–88

  1

  FFR08

  FHSA administration expenditure-capital

  1987–88

  1

  Financial returns—other:

  FIS(HA)4

  Superannuation forecast

  1993–94

  4

  FIS(FHS)5b

  Cash limited GMS; practice staff costs

  1989–90

  12

  FIS(FHS)6

  Suspense items

  1985–86

  12

  FIS(FHS)7

  Superannuation/PAYE/NI

  1977

  12

  —

  Incentive Bonus Scheme for ancillary staff

  1978

  1

  —

  Memo Trading accounts standards

  1992

  1

  Statistical returns:

  KA32

  Summary of Patients Journeys

  1987–88

  1

  KE85

  Estate Finance/Budgets

  1991–92

  1

  KH05

  Summary of Ward attenders

  1988–89

  1

  KH08

  NHs Operating theatres: availability and use

  1988–89

  4

  KH10a

  Inventory and Intended availability of radiotherapy equipment

  1988–89

  1

  KH10b

  Actual availability of radiotherapy equipment

  1988–89

  1

  KH10c

  Summary of radiotherapy machine activity

  1989–90

  1

  KH11a

  Diagnostic departments: pathology—unit values

  1988–89

  1

  KH11b

  Diagnostic departments: pathology—location of departments and equipment

  1988–90

  1

  KH13

  Diagnostic departments: Physiological measurement

  1988–89

  1

  SBH112(w)(MI)

  Return of mental illness facilities

  1970s

  1

  SBH112(w)(MH)

  Return of mental handicap facilities

  1970s

  1

  KO39

  Hospital Eye Service

  1988–89

  1

  SH9

  Patients receiving treatment under contractual arrangements

  Early 1980s

  1

  KC54

  Maternity services

  1990–91

  1

  LHS27/1

  Births

  Early 1970s

  1

  KM45

  Manpower joiners summary

  1987

  1

  KM46

  Manpower leavers summary

  1987

  1

  Recycling Collection Points
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many recycling collection points there were in Wales for (i) glass, (ii) save-a-can, (iii) aluminium cans, (iv) newspapers and magazines, (v) plastic bottles, (vi) plastic carrier bags, (vii) textiles and (viii) vending cups in(a) 1990 and (b)

  Mr. Redwood
  In 1990, there were 212 glass banks and 19 save-a-can sites. Figures for the other commodities are not available.
  92
  been in use; and how many times per annum completion was required by his Department.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information available is given in the following table. In many cases, when these forms were introduced they superseded existing returns of similar information.

  District Councils currently provide collection points for the public as follows:

  Waste type

  Collection points

  Glass

  449

  Cans (all types)

  253

  Paper and Magazines

  318

  Textiles

  252

  Information is not available in respect of plastic bottles, plastic carrier bags or vending cups.
  93

  Old Building Waste
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what amount of, and percentage of, old building waste was used as hard core or aggregate in Wales in(a) 1985, (b) 1990 and (c)

  Mr. Redwood
  Accurate information is not available.

  Broadleaf Trees
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many upland sessile oakwoods have been planted in Wales in each of the last 10 years; and what plans he has to make available funds to encourage further planting of this broadleaf.

  Mr. Redwood
  The areas of upland sessile oakwoods planted each year are not recorded separately and the information requested is therefore not available. The Government provide grants for the establishment of broadleaved woodlands, including sessile oakwoods, under the woodland grant scheme.

  Education Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the education component of standard spending assessments per pupil, net of specific grants, in sub blocks five to 10 and 11 to 15 in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96 (i) in each Welsh local education authority and (ii) on average.

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend does not set an education component within Welsh local authorities' standard spending assessments. It is for each authority to determine how much of its total available resources to direct to each of its services, including education, taking account of its statutory responsibilities and its perception of local needs and priorities.

  Recycling
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of all household waste is currently being recycled in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Accurate information is not available. The Government's target is to recycle 25 per cent. of the United Kingdom's household waste by the year 2000. Most district councils have now prepared recycling plans and the Welsh Office will be monitoring the progress they make toward achieving the target.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the number and monetary value of supplementary credit approvals promised to Welsh local authorities to develop recycling projects since the launch of "This Common Inheritance".

  Mr. Redwood
  In Wales, resources, which include those for developing recycling projects, are unhypothecated and distributed on a formula basis. This allows individual authorities to determine their own priorities for capital expenditure. This arrangement has the support of the local authority associations. The most recent capital settlement for local authorities for 1995–96 show a good increase in permitted expenditure overall.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of households in each of the Welsh counties are covered by kerbside collection recycling schemes.
  94
  Mr. Redwood
  The information requested is not available. However, I know that several district councils have been actively considering such schemes in the context of their recycling plans.

  Overgrazing
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many sites of special scientific interest in Wales have been damaged by overgrazing in each year since 1985; what was the hectarage of each site; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  Responsibility for the designation and monitoring of sites of special scientific interest rests with the Countryside Council for Wales. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member and will arrange for a copy of his reply to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many kilometres of hedgerows have been lost in Wales in each year since 1984.

  Mr. Redwood
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, two sample surveys covering the periods from 1984 to 1990 and from 1990 to 1993 indicated net losses of hedgerows in Wales of 18,000 km and 5,500 km respectively at an average annual net loss of 2,570 km for the first period and 1,830 km for the second period.

  Bird Populations
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the population of(a) corn bunting, (b) grey partridge, (c) skylark, (d) curlew, (e) redshank and (f) snipe have been observed in Wales in each year since 1980.

  Mr. Redwood
  There are no annual data of sufficient quality for Wales.

  Data gathered by the British Trust for Ornithology between 1988 and 1991, however, shows the number of 10 km squares in Wales occupied by each species as follows:

  Corn Bunting: 5

  Grey partridge: 54

  Skylark: 203

  Curlew: 176

  Redshank: 60

  Snipe: 105

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list for each year since 1984(a) annually and (b) quarterly the number of people in Great Britain surveyed by the labour force survey who, although they are without a job, have looked for a job within the four weeks prior to their labour force survey interview or are waiting to start a job within the two weeks following their labour force survey interview, and the number of

  95
  people who are neither in employment nor unemployed on the International Labour Organisation measure but who said they would like a job.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information available from the labour force survey is shown in the following table, classified to the categories economically inactive and International Labour Organisation unemployed as defined by the international guidelines set out by the ILO.

  Up-to-date figures for the groups tabulated are published quarterly, in greater detail, in both the LFS "Quarterly Bulletin" and in the LFS helpline section of the Employment Gazette; these data show that the majority of people within the economically inactive group who say they want work but are not actively seeking it are students; looking after a family or home; or long-term sick or disabled. Although such detailed information about the economically inactive group was not collected prior to 1984, the available figures for spring 1979 show that 23 per cent. of the population of working age were economically inactive, compared with 21 per cent. in autumn 1994, the latest available figure.

  ILO unemployed and economically inactive people who would like a job

  Great Britain not seasonally adjusted

  Thousands

  ILO Unemployed1

  Economically Inactive2

  Quarter

  Wants job3 but not seeking work in past 4 weeks

  Wants job3 and seeking work but not available to start in next 2 weeks

  Spring 1984

  3,094

  2,198

  216

  Spring 1985

  2,968

  2,039

  227

  Spring 1986

  2,969

  2,106

  210

  Spring 1987

  2,879

  1,971

  209

  Spring 1988

  2,376

  1,985

  199

  Spring 1989

  1,978

  2,090

  224

  Spring 1990

  1,869

  2,011

  187

  Spring 1991

  2,302

  2,025

  220

  Spring 1992

  2,649

  1,906

  313

  Summer 1992

  2,797

  1,913

  277

  Autumn 1992

  2,801

  1,897

  231

  Winter 1992–93

  2,920

  1,945

  232

  Spring 1993

  2,804

  1,885

  310

  Summer 1993

  2,894

  2,003

  245

  Autumn 1993

  2,792

  2,036

  190

  Winter 1993–94

  2,737

  2,168

  206

  Spring 1994

  2,615

  2,059

  264

  Summer 1994

  2,679

  2,036

  225

  Autumn 1994

  2,470

  4—

  4—

  Source:Labour Force Survey

  1 The ILO definition counts as unemployed those people without a paid job who were available to start work within the next two weeks and had either looked for work in the four weeks prior to interview or were waiting to start a job they had already obtained.

  2 People who are neither in employment nor ILO unemployed according to the international guidelines of the ILO.

  3 According to responses to the LFS question.

  4 Not yet available.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many disabled persons registered with the Employment Service in the Durham district are actively seeking employment; and how many registered 96
  disabled persons in the current financial year, have (i) enrolled at job clubs in the Durham district and (ii) completed a course at a job club in the Durham district.

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

  Letter from M.E.G. Fogden to Mr. Gerry Steinberg, dated 6 February 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of disabled persons registered with the Employment Service and actively seeking work and disabled person attendance at Jobclub in the Durham District.
  I am unable to tell you how many people with disabilities are registered with the Employment Service in the Durham North District and are actively seeking work because we do not gather this information. However we do record the number of clients with health/disability problems who are placed in jobs by Jobcentres. I am pleased to be able to tell you that within the Durham North Employment Service District (covering the Durham City, Consett Stanley, Chester-le-Street and Spennymoor areas), 302 clients with health/disability problems have been placed into jobs during the period April-December 1994. This represents 4% of the total job placings for the ES Durham North District.
  Placing unemployed people with disabilities is a key activity of the Employment Service and is not the sole responsibility of our specialist staff such as Disability Employment Advisors (DEAs) or our Placing Assessment and Counselling Teams (PACTs). Not all ES clients with health and disability problems actually register as disabled persons under the Disabled Persons and Employment Acts 1944 and 1958.
  Some people are reluctant to disclose that they are disabled and many disabilities are not visible. Our services and help are available to any client with long term health or disability problems which affect the kind of work they can do, irrespective of whether they are actually registered as a disabled person. The ES Access to Work (ATW) scheme offers practical help and advice in a flexible way, tailored to suit individual need in individual jobs. ATW is only one of many programmes and special help provision available to clients with health problems.
  There are 7 Jobclubs within the ES Durham North District. During the period April-December 1994 there has been a throughput of 1060 clients including 79 people who though not necessarily registered disabled under the Acts, indicated that they have a long term health problem or disability which affects the kind of work they are able to do. Of these 1060 clients, 468 found a job but I am unable to say how many of these clients had previously had a health problem.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the rules and regulations in his Department which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months, or which his Department plans to withdraw in the next 12 months; and what impact this will have on his Department's manpower.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Since 1 January 1994 the Department has revoked seven sets of workplace health and safety regulations and three sets of employment regulations. These are shown in the following list.

  The Department is continuing to identify rules and regulations for withdrawal. Those for withdrawal in the next 12 months will be announced when consultations are completed.
  97
  The staffing implications are taken into account in the preparation of the annual departmental report which will be published in March.

  The Construction (Notices of Operations and Works) Order 1965 No. 221. (Revoked by SI 994 No. 3140.)

  The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging) Regulations 1993 No. 1746. (Revoked by SI 1994 No. 3247.)

  The Health and Safety (Dangerous Pathogens) Regulations 1981 No. 1011. (Revoked by SI 1994 No. 3246)

  The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 No. 1657. (Revoked by SI No. 3246)

  The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (Amendment) Regulations 1991 No. 2431. (Revoked by SI 1994 No. 3246)

  The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (Amendment) Regulations 1992 No. 2382. (Revoked by SI 1994 No. 3246.)

  The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1984 No. 824. (Revoked by SI 1994 No. 1886.)

  Section 59(1) (b) of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1973

  The licensing requirements of the Employment Agencies Act 1973.

  The remaining employment provisions of the Shops Act 1950.

  Jobseekers
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether jobseekers allowance will be paid to an individual who is taking steps to carry out a reasonable direction for the purposes of seeking entitlement to jobseekers allowance.

  Miss Widdecombe
  A benefit sanction will be imposed only if it is determined that a jobseeker has refused or failed to carry out a direction without good cause and that the direction was reasonable, having regard to his circumstances.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what rights of appeal jobseekers allowance claimants will have to an adjudicating officer if they feel they are being required to agree to something they consider to be unreasonable.

  Miss Widdecombe
  All labour market decisions will be made by independent adjudication officers. Clause 7(8) and 7(9) of the Jobseekers Bill provide for jobseekers to be able to refer the terms and conditions by a proposed jobseeker's agreement to an independent adjudication officer if they believe they are unreasonable. They will also have the right for the adjudication officer's determination to be reviewed by a second adjudication officer, and the right of appeal to a social security appeals tribunal.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what safeguards will be taken to ensure that, where directions are applied to a person seeking entitlement to the jobseekers allowance and which require a subjective opinion of a claimant's life style, appearance, or general physical, mental or emotional make up, the 98
  opinion held by the Employment Service officer issuing the directions will not in any way discriminate against the claimant concerned;

  (2) how the nature of discretion exercised by Employment Service officers will be held to be free from prejudice or ignorance in directing the claimant for purposes of entitlement to the jobseekers allowance.

  Miss Widdecombe
  A jobseeker's direction must be reasonable having regard to the circumstances of the jobseeker. If the jobseeker refuses or fails to carry out a direction, an independent adjudication officer will determine whether the direction was reasonable and whether the jobseeker had good cause for failing to act.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what special provision will be made available for people who have transferred to jobseekers allowance from incapacity benefit.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Jobseekers will be able to restrict their availability to the type of hours of work they are prepared to take because of their physical or mental condition.

  Significant extra resources will be provided over the next three years to fund additional back-to-work help for those leaving incapacity benefit. The Benefits Agency and the Employment Service are working closely to ensure a smooth transition from incapacity to unemployment benefits for those who will be affected.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) who will be empowered in the Employment Service to judge that a direction issued to a claimant seeking jobseekers allowance is considered to be reasonable; and who is empowered to disqualify a claimant from benefit;

  (2) who will be responsible for deciding whether the amount of time provided for claimants to carry out directions issued by Employment Service officers for the purposes of seeking entitlement to jobseekers allowance is fair and reasonable;

  (3) who will determine that the advice given by Employment Service staff to direct claimants seeking entitlement for purposes of jobseekers allowance will be in the best interests of the individual and that this advice has been optimally matched to improve the claimant's chances of finding work.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Jobseekers Bill provides that a jobseekers's direction must be reasonable in the claimant's circumstances, and given with a view of assisting him to find or retain employment or improving his prospects of being employed. If the jobseeker refuses or fails to carry it out, an independent adjudication officer will take all the facts of the case into account in deciding whether to impose a sanction, including whether the claimant had good cause for his action.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what safeguards will be built into the jobseeker's allowance appeals process to ensure that claimants are not coerced into signing the agreement against their will.

  Miss Widdecombe
  If a jobseeker does not agree with the terms and conditions of a proposed jobseeker's agreement, he can refer it to an independent adjudication officer for a determination. He will also have the right to have that determination reviewed by a second adjudication officer, and the right of appeal to a social security appeals tribunal.
  99
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what instances discretion will be held to apply in directing the claimant for purposes of entitlement to the jobseeker's allowance to take steps as provided in section 6(3) (a) of the Jobseekers Bill.

  Miss Widdecombe
  There is no provision under this clause to give direction to jobseekers. Jobseekers will be required to demonstrate that they are actively seeking employment. The steps which will constitute meeting this requirement will be set out in regulations.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment who will judge if the assessment for the purposes of entering into the jobseeker's agreement is accurate and a genuine reflection of an individual's skills, qualification and experience.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The employment officer and the jobseeker will seek to draw up a jobseeker's agreement. If they cannot agree on the terms an conditions of the proposed agreement, it will be referred to an independent adjudication officer.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what advice and guidance will be given to Employment Service staff of the interpretation and execution of directions under section 6(3) (a) of the Jobseekers Bill; and what specific circumstances will be prescribed to fall within the jurisdiction of the definition of directions.

  Miss Widdecombe
  There is no provision under this clause to give directions to jobseekers. Jobseekers will be required to demonstrate that they are actively seeking employment. The steps which will constitute meeting this requirement will be set out in regulations.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the composition of the jobseekers allowance project team; how often it has met; and to whom it reports.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The jobseeker's allowance is jointly the responsibility of my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Employment and for Social Security. An official group, chaired by the Employment Department, is accountable to them for implementation of the allowance. A project director is accountable for the implementation project to the implementation group and is assisted in the day-to-day management of the project by a project manager. The latter is assisted by a project management board, comprising himself, key managers within the project, and representatives of the ED, the Department of Social Security and their agencies. The board has met 12 times.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how the term "direction" is to be defined in relation to the jobseeker's allowance.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Jobseekers Bill defines in clause 15 the term "jobseeker's direction" as "a direction given in writing by an employment officer—with a view to achieving one or more of the following:

  (i) assisting the claimant to find employment;

  (ii) assisting the claimant to retain employment;

  (iii) improving the claimant's prospects of being employed.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether interpreters will be readily available for people seeking entitlement to jobseekers allowance whose first language is not English.

  Miss Widdecombe
  For those jobseekers whose first language is not English, and who need help with 100
  translation, as now, an appointment will be booked with an adviser with the appropriate language skills, where they are available. Alternatively, another member of staff with appropriate language skills will act as a interpreter. If neither of these is possible the jobseeker will be encouraged to bring a friend or relative to the interview to act as an interpreter. Jobcentres are also able to make use of local services offering interpreting facilities where there is a need.

  Mr.McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which members of staff in the Employment Service will be empowered to issue directions to claimants seeking entitlement to jobseekers allowance.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Jobseeker's directions will be given by staff who have appropriate training to do so.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what timescale will apply to claimants seeking entitlement to jobseekers allowance for carrying out directions as issued by Employment Service staff;

  (2) how long claimants seeking entitlement to jobseekers allowance will be given, in order that they may take steps to carry out a reasonable direction.

  Miss Widdecombe
  A jobseeker's direction will specify the action required of the claimant, and the time by which it is to be carried out. The Jobseekers Bill provides that a direction must be reasonable in the claimant's circumstances, and the independent adjudication officer will therefore take the required timescale into account in deciding whether to impose a sanction for the claimant's failure to carry out a direction.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how long in practice the assessment process will take for the purposes of entering into the jobseekers agreement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The process of entering into the jobseekers agreement will be handled as part of the new claim interview. Work is currently in progress to assess the impact of all new features of the jobseekers allowance, including the jobseeker's agreement, on the structure and nature of the new claim interview.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment has been made of future premises needs for the Employment Service after the introduction of the jobseekers allowance.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Work is underway as part of the implementation of jobseeker's allowance to assess the implications of JSA on the network of Employment Service jobcentres. This taking place alongside other development work with which it is linked, including in particular the detailed business processes through which the allowance will be delivered.

  "Connect"
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many issues there have been of the newsletter "Connect"; what is the circulation; and what has been the total cost of production.

  Miss Widdecombe
  At 3 February 1995 there have been three issues of the newsletter "Connect". The current circulation is 61,500 per issue, to staff in the Benefits Agency, the Employment Service, the Department of Social Security and the Employment Department. The total cost of production of the three issues has been £31,324.
  101

  Minister's Working Hours
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average number of hours worked in a week by(a) a Secretary of State, (b) a Minister of State and (c) a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in his Department.

  Mr. Portillo
  Ministers in the Employment Department work the hours necessary to complete all the ministerial and departmental tasks for which they are responsible. Ministers do not keep detailed logs of the hours per week which they work.

  MSc Courses
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list(a) those MSc courses that are currently funded with money from the European social fund, (b) the criteria for the distribution of ESF money for MSc courses and (c) those MSc courses that have ceased to receive ESF money this academic year; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  MSc courses may receive support from the European social fund towards the costs of training eligible unemployed people. All such courses must lead to a recognised higher or degree level vocational qualifications.

  ESF funds are allocated on a calendar year basis, following a competitive selection process. The following list shows the courses which received approval for an element of ESF funding for 1994. Applications for 1995 funds are currently being processed.

  Information on courses that have ceased to receive funding during the last year could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Higher Education—European Social Fund Unit 1994 Recommended Masters Courses

  Institution Name

  Project Name

  Anglia Polytechnic University

  European Business MNGMT and IT Systems

  Canterbury Christ Church Collge of H.E

  Transnational MSC in IT

  University of Luton

  SEM D and M

  Nene College

  MBA (Europe)

  Nene College

  Office Systems and Data Communications

  Nene College

  Office Systems and Data Communications 025

  Huddersfield University

  Analytical Chemistry

  Huddersfield University

  Analytical Chemistry

  Huddersfield University

  Engineering

  Huddersfield University

  Software Development

  Huddersfield University

  Textile Technology for Textile Designers

  Huddersfield University

  Textile Technology for Textile Designers

  Manchester Metropolitan University

  Clothing Design and Technology

  Manchester Metropolitan University

  Food Manufacture

  Manchester Metropolitan University

  Management in Manufacturing Industry

  Manchester Metropolitan University

  Quality Assured Applied Chem Analysis

  Manchester Metropolitan University

  Science and Engineering

  Middlesex University

  Applied Informatics (Trans)

  Middlesex University

  Computing for Manufacturing Industry

  102

  Higher Education—European Social Fund Unit 1994 Recommended Masters Courses

  Institution Name

  Project Name

  Middlesex University

  ELEC Product Innovation and MNGMT

  Middlesex University

  Environmental Technology

  Middlesex University

  Microelectronic Tech and Application

  Middlesex University

  VT in Business Info Systems

  Middlesex University

  VT in Knowledge Engineering

  North London University

  Computing for Women

  Nottingham Trent University

  Integrated Environmental Control

  Nottingham Trent University

  Manufacturing Systems

  Nottingham Trent University

  PG Conversion in IT

  Portsmouth University

  ADV Manufacturing Technology

  Portsmouth University

  Advanced Manufacturing Technology

  Portsmouth University

  Advanced Manufacturing Technology

  Portsmouth University

  Design and Product Cultural Interact Dbases

  Portsmouth University

  Microwave Design Training

  Plymouth University

  Applied Marine Studies

  Plymouth University

  Applied Marine Studies

  Plymouth University

  Hydrographic Surveying

  Plymouth University

  Hydrographic Surveying

  Plymouth University

  MSC Applied Fish Technology

  University of Sunderland

  Applied Business Programme

  University of Sunderland

  Applied Computing Programme

  University of Sunderland

  Applied Environmental Programme

  University of Sunderland

  Applied Technology Programme

  University of Sunderland

  Combined Environmental Technologies

  University of Sunderland

  Combined Industrial Computing

  Wolverhampton University

  Applied Microbiology and Biotech

  Wolverhampton University

  Computing for Women Returners

  Wolverhampton University

  ENV. Sciences for U/E Grads

  Wolverhampton University

  PG MGT for Women Returners

  Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art

  Electronic Imaging

  Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art

  European Urban Conservation

  Edinburgh College of Art

  Urban Design

  Glasgow Caledonian University

  IT and Management Conservation

  Napier University

  Advanced Electronic Design ENG

  Napier University

  Business Info Management

  Napier University

  Control Engineering

  Napier University

  Electronic Engineer (Digital Systems)

  Napier University

  Electronic Engineer (Manufacture)

  Napier University

  Engineering Design Analyst

  Napier University

  Environmental Technology

  Napier University

  Info Systems Analyst

  Napier University

  Large Software Systems Development

  Napier University

  Manufacturing Systems Engineering

  Napier University

  Materials Analysis

  Napier University

  Quality Systems Management

  Napier University

  Software Analyst and Designer

  Napier University

  Software Engineer

  Napier University

  Systems Integration Engineering

  Napier University

  Water Resource Managements

  North of Scotland College of Agriculture

  Agricultural Biotechnology

  North of Scotland College of Agriculture

  Agricultural Technology

  103

  Higher Education—European Social Fund Unit 1994 Recommended Masters Courses

  Institution Name

  Project Name

  North of Scotland College of Agriculture

  Agro Food Technologies

  North of Scotland College of Agriculture

  Organic Farming Technologies

  Robert Gordon University

  Advanced Technologies

  Robert Gordon University

  Environmental Technology and ECO Design

  Aberdeen University

  Agro Industrial Technology

  Aberdeen University

  Applied Artificial Intelligence

  Aberdeen University

  Applied Artificial Intelligence

  Aberdeen University

  Applied Artificial Intelligence

  Aberdeen University

  Chemical Analysis

  Aberdeen University

  Engineering and Environmental Technology

  Aberdeen University

  Environmental Technology

  Aberdeen University

  Information Technology

  Aberdeen University

  Marine and Fisheries Techonology

  Aberdeen University

  Materials Tech/Industrial CHEM Analysis

  Aberdeen University

  Training in Biotechnology

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  Agriculture Genetics

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  Biotechnology Training (Physiology)

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  Biotechnology TRNG (Electronmicroscopy)

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  High Level Vocational Training IT

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  High Level Vocational Training IT

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  High Level Vocational Training IT

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  High Level VT Environmental Technology

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  High Level VT in Environmental Technology

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  High Level VT TRNG Young People Biotech

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  Information and Library Studies

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  Information Technology

  Aberystwyth Univ. College of Wales

  VT Environmental Technology

  Bangor Univ. College of North Wales

  Advanced Chemical Lab Techniques

  Bangor Univ. College of North Wales

  Animal Health and Production

  Bangor Univ. College of North Wales

  APP Forestry and Wood Technology

  Bangor Univ. College of North Wales

  APP Physics and GEOTECH Marine Technology

  Bangor Univ. College of North Wales

  Applied Biological Sciences

  Bangor Univ. College of North Wales

  Applied Marine Aquacultural and ENV TECH

  Bangor Univ. College of North Wales

  Applied Plant Biotechnology

  Bangor Univ. College of North Wales

  Electronic Engineering Technology

  Bangor Univ. College of North Wales

  Rural and Water Resource Management

  Birmingham University

  Applied Genetics Conserv Genetic Resource

  Birmingham University

  Applied Meteorology and Climatology

  Birmingham University

  Applied Radiation Physics

  Birmingham University

  Biochemical Engineering

  Birmingham University

  Cognitive Science

  Birmingham University

  Computer Science

  Birmingham University

  Construction Management

  104

  Higher Education—European Social Fund Unit 1994 Recommended Masters Courses

  Institution Name

  Project Name

  Birmingham University

  Electronics and IT

  Birmingham University

  Hydrogeology

  Birmingham University

  Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering

  Birmingham University

  Toxicology

  Birmingham University

  Water Resources Technology and MNGMT

  Bradford University

  ADV VT Environmental Technologists

  Bradford University

  VT Computer Systems Analysts and PROGRMRS

  Bristol University

  Crop Protection Training

  Bristol University

  Graduate Associate Programme (GAP)

  Bristol University

  PROF Updating CERT Women Returners

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Artificial Intelligence and ENG Application

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Civil Engineering

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Cognitive Science

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Computing (with Statistics)

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Data Process APPS Predictive Demography

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Electrical and Electromagnetic ENG

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Geotechnical Engineering

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Maritime Studies

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Structural Engineering

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  Systems Engineering

  Dundee University

  Biotechnology for Young People

  Dundee University

  Biotechnology for Young People

  Dundee University

  Computer TECH for Young People

  Dundee University

  ENG and Material TECH for Young People

  Dundee University

  Environmental Monitoring 18–24 YR

  Dundee University

  Training in TECH for LTU

  Durham University

  Advanced Environmental Technology

  Durham University

  Advanced Geological Sciences

  Durham University

  Advanced Geological Sciences

  Durham University

  Advanced Geosciences Training

  East Anglia University

  Biocolloids

  East Anglia University

  Biotechnologists

  East Anglia University

  Chemical Instrument Technologists

  East Anglia University

  Hydrogeologists

  Edinburgh University, UnivED Technologies Ltd

  ADV Techniques in Animal Husbandry

  Edinburgh University, UnivED Technologies Ltd

  ADV Techniques of Environmental MANGMT

  Edinburgh University, UnivED Technologies Ltd

  Animal Breeding

  Edinburgh University, UnivED Technologies Ltd

  Spatial Data Handling

  Essex University

  Computer Applications in Business

  105

  Higher Education—European Social Fund Unit 1994 Recommended Masters Courses

  Institution Name

  Project Name

  Essex University

  Computer Applications in MNGMT

  Essex University

  Computer Science and Natural Lang Process

  Essex University

  Mathematics with Engineering

  Essex University

  Physical Sciences

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  ADV Mechanical ENG

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Advanced Chemical Engineering

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  APP. ENG. and PHYS. Science to Medicine

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Communications and Signal Processing

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Computer Science

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  CONV. Training in Composite Materials

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  CONV. Training Young UNEMP in TRANSP ENG

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Conversion Course in Control Systems

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Conversion for EMPLOY Semi-Conductor

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Conversion in Petroleum Engineering

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Environmental Analysis Assessment

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Foundations in Advanced IT

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Higher Level CONV. Training Civil ENG

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Mineral Exploration

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Petroleum Geology

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  Training Unemployed in Hydrology ETC

  Imperial College of Science Technology

  VT in Geological Engineering

  Keele University

  COMP. for GEOG and Business INFO Systems

  Keele University

  Computing in Earth Sciences

  Keele University

  Machine Perception and Neurocomputing

  University of Kent at Canterbury

  ADV TECH Training Skill Shortages

  University of Kent at Canterbury

  ADV Technology for LTU

  University of Kent at Canterbury

  Computer Sciences for GRADS

  Lampeter (Saint David's) University College

  VT in Multi-Media Management

  Leicester University

  Biotechnology

  Leicester University

  Cognitive Sciences and Manmade Machines

  Leicester University

  CONS and Interpret. ARCH. Sites Spain

  Leicester University

  CONS and Interpret, of ARCH Sites (Italy)

  Leicester University

  CONSV and History of Urban Environment

  Leicester University

  Geograph INFO Systems and COMP Cartography

  Leicester University

  High TECH Training for Unemployed

  Leicester University

  High Level Training for LTU

  Leicester University

  High TECH Training for Unemployed

  Leicester University

  High TECH Training for Unemployed

  106

  Higher Education—European Social Fund Unit 1994 Recommended Masters Courses

  Institution Name

  Project Name

  Leicester University

  High TECH Training for Unemployed

  Leicester University

  Techniques ADV Biotechnol.

  Leicester University

  TRANS Training CONS Cultural Heritage

  Liverpool University

  Advanced Scientific Computation

  Liverpool University

  High Level Training Engineering/Science

  Liverpool University

  Materials and Chemical Sciences

  Liverpool University

  New TECH APPLIC to Management and Admin

  Liverpool University

  New TECH APPLIC to Planning MGT

  Liverpool University

  Psychology

  Liverpool University

  VT Computer Sciences

  London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

  Training in Medical Statistics

  Loughborough University of Technology

  Advanced Industrial Ergonomics

  Loughborough University of Technology

  Advanced Industrial Materials

  Loughborough University of Technology

  Advanced Plastics and Rubbers

  Loughborough University of Technology

  Computer Integrated Manufacturing

  Loughborough University of Technology

  Construction MGT Training

  Loughborough University of Technology

  CONTEMP. European Studies for Women

  Loughborough University of Technology

  European Construction ENG Training

  Loughborough University of Technology

  Industrial Mathematical Modelling

  Loughborough University of Technology

  INFO Technology Conversion

  Manchester University

  APPLIC of Physical and Computing Science

  Manchester University

  Biocomputing and Biomathematics

  Manchester University

  Engineering Conversion Course

  Manchester University

  VOC Train for LTU High Level QUALIF

  Newcastle Upon Tyne University

  Computing Science Conversion

  Newcastle Upon Tyne University

  European Property Development

  Salford University

  Advanced Engineering

  Salford University

  Advanced Manufacturing

  Salford University

  Computational Applications

  Salford University

  Environmental Management

  Salford University

  IT in Construction

  Salford University

  Radiation and Analytical Chemistry

  Southampton University

  Micropalaeontology for the Oil Industry

  Southampton University

  Operational Research

  Southampton University

  Training in Biochem Pharmocology

  Southampton University

  VT in Social Statistics

  St. Andrews University

  Information Technology

  St. Andrews University

  Information Technology

  Swansea (University College)

  European Training Development

  Swansea (University College)

  Management Training for Women

  Swansea (University College)

  VT in Design Engineering and IT

  Swansea (University College)

  VT in Electrical Engineering

  Swansea (University College)

  VT in IT

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Biotechnology and Bioreactor Systems

  107

  Higher Education—European Social Fund Unit 1994 Recommended Masters Courses

  Institution Name

  Project Name

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Chemical Technology

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Chemistry of Advanced Materials

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Computation

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Corrosion Science and ENG

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Information Systems Engineering

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Instrumentation and Analytical Science

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Machine Translation

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Manufacturing Technology

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Metallic and Ceramic Materials

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  MSC Textile Design Technology

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Paper Technology

  UMIST, Bursars Dept.

  Polymer Science and Technology

  UMIST, Bursars Dept

  VSLI Systems Engineering

  University College London

  Applications of Geographic INFO Systems

  University College London

  Biotechnology Training Scheme

  Warwick University

  Analytical Methods

  Warwick University

  Parallel Computers and Computation

  Institute of Occupational Medicine

  Occupational Hygiene Education

  Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the weekly cost of keeping a prison inmate in prison in England and Wales as at 8 January.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, Dated 6 February 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the weekly cost of keeping an inmate in prison in England and Wales.
  The most recent published figures are for the financial year 1993–94 when the average cost per prisoner place per week was £437.

  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual cost at current prices of keeping a man in a high security prison.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter for Derek Lewis to Mr. David Nicholson, dated 6 February 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the annual cost of keeping a prisoner in a high security prison.
  The annual average net operating cost per prisoner place in dispersal prisons in 1993–94 was £26,671.

  Temporary Release (Prisoners)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward measures to ensure that prisoners will be considered for temporary 108
  release or home leave only if they have been declared as drug free.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Lady Olga Maitland, dated 6 February 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about whether measures will be brought forward to ensure that prisoners will be considered for temporary release or home leave only if they have been declared as drug free.
  Instructions to Governors on the operation of temporary release and home leave require an in-depth risk assessment to be carried out before a prisoner is granted any form of release on temporary licence. The assessment requires full account to be taken of specific areas of concern such as drug abuse where these would increase the risk of re-offending or danger to the public.
  Mandatory drug testing is being introduced as part of the Service's initiative against misuse of drugs in prison. The results of the tests will be used for risk assessment purposes in the grant of temporary release and home leave. No prisoner found to be using drugs, who presents a risk to public safety or who is likely to re-offend, will be released from prison temporarily. Where a prisoner has tested positively and is not considered a risk to public safety, there will equally be a clear presumption to refuse temporary release or home leave, save in exceptional circumstances.

  Prisons
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison establishments have achieved 12 hours unlocking; what activities have been provided for the prisoners; and what are the implications for staff and inmate safety.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. George Howarth, dated 6 February 1995:
  Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisons which are unlocking prisoners for more than 12 hours on weekdays, the types of activities provided for inmates and the implications for staff and inmate safety.
  On 31 December 1994, 60 prisoners were unlocking prisoners for at least 12 hours on weekdays. In December 1994, prisoners were spending on average 26.5 hours per week engaged in purposeful activities broken down as follows:

  Activity

  Percentage time spent

  Work

  domestic

  19

  workshops

  14

  kitchens

  9

  farms and gardens

  4

  other work

  4

  Education and Training

  20

  Other

  PE

  9

  induction

  3

  chaplaincy

  2

  other structured activities

  16

  Prison Governors are required to ensure that prisoners are engaged in active and demanding regimes which are relevant to their needs and to the reasons they are in prison. Such regimes have an important part to play in maintaining a stable prison system.
  109

  Prisoners
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were declassified from A to B and B to C during the last 12 months.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. George Howarth, dated 6 February 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners who have been declassified from A to B and B to C during the last 12 months.
  During the period from January to December 1994, 25 prisoners were recategorised from category A to B.
  Recategorisations from category B to C are the responsibility of Governors of prisons and no central records are kept. I regret, therefore, that the information requested about this group of prisoners is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ministerial Statements
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he took to ensure that his statements to the House on 10 January columns 31–34 and the Home Affairs Select Committee on 25 January met the requirements of paragraph 27 of "Questions of Procedure for Ministers".

  Mr. Howard
  I am satisfied that my recent statements to the House and to the Home Affairs Select Committee are consistent with "Questions of Procedure for Ministers".

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest available figure for the number of disturbances at Blakenhurst prison.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. George Howarth, dated 6 February 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the latest available figures for the number of disturbances at Blakenhurst prison.
  There has only been one significant disturbance at Blakenhurst, which took place in February 1994, involving 150 prisoners and resulting in property damage of about £30,000, which was paid for by the contractors. There were no injuries to staff or prisoners and the security of the prison was not threatened.
  On 5 September 1994 there was an incident involving a small cell fire, and during which a Prison Custody Officer was assaulted.
  There have been nine other incidents of passive or minor concerted indiscipline in the twenty months since the prison opened.

  Overseas Domestic Workers
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 January,Official Report, columns 512–13, how his Department will monitor the new arrangement that a domestic worker must be provided with a separate bedroom.
  110
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Inquiries will be made as to the accommodation of domestic workers when they apply for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

  Visitors
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what basis and under what conditions Dr. Svdja Trifkovic visits or resides in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) on what basis and on what dates Jovan Zametica was allowed admission into the United Kingdom during the past eight weeks; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  It would be contrary to our normal practice to disclose information to third parties on a person's immigration status.

  Prisons (Damage)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the cost of refurbishing prisons and relocating prisoners as a result of damage caused by prisoners acting unlawfully in prisons in Greater London in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Services, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 6 February 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question concerning the cost of refurbishing prisons and re-locating prisoners as a result of damage caused by prisoners acting unlawfully in prisons in Greater London in each year since 1979.
  Detailed information prior to June 1988 is not available.
  Greater London establishments, represented by Belmarsh prison, Wormwood Scrubs prison, Brixton prison, Wandsworth prison, Pentonville prison, Feltham Young Offenders Institution, and Holloway prison, reported 9 incidents between 7 August 1988 and 31 December 1994, in which there was damage to prison property, as follows:

  Date

  Establishment

  Reported Damage

  8th April 1990

  HMP Brixton

  Minor

  8th April 1990

  HMP Pentonville

  Minor

  5th November 1991

  HMYOI Feltham

  Minor

  2nd July 1992

  HMP Belmarsh

  Minor

  2nd July 1992

  HMP Belmarsh

  Minor

  29th August 1992

  HMP Belmarsh

  Minor

  27th July 1993

  HMP Belmarsh

  Minor

  2nd October 1994

  HMP Belmarsh

  Minor

  10th December 1994

  HMP Belmarsh

  Extensive

  Where the damage was reported as minor, the costs were met locally within the prison. In most cases, where details are available, the damage was caused to furnishings rather than fabric. In the Belmarsh incident of 10 December 1994, where the damage was reported as extensive the cost of repair was approximately £10,000.

  Details of prisoners who were re-located are not recorded centrally, unless re-location occurs in serious situations at the time of the incident. None of the reports on these incidents indicated that any prisoners were re-located to other prisons at the time, though, some may have been at a later date. Some were re-located within the establishment where the incident occurred.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of refurbishing prisons as a result of damage caused by prisoners acting unlawfully in each of the years 1979 to 1985.
  111
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 6 February" 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 cost of damage to Prison Service establishments between the years 1979 to 1985.
  I am afraid that this information is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Prison Riot
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's definition of a prison riot.

  Mr. Michael Forstyh
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 6 February 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking for a definition of a prison riot.
  A riot is defined in section 1 of the Public Order Act 1986, a copy of which will be found in the Library of the House. Riot can take place in a public or private place, including a prison.
  There is also an offence of prison mutiny which is defined in section 1(2) of the Prison Security Act 1992, a copy of which can also be found in the Library.
  In addition, the Prison Service maintain statistics on the number of acts of concerted indiscipline which take place. Concerted indiscipline takes place when two or more prisoners refuse to conform to the rules and regulations of a prison. Such incidents include both passive disobedience and active indiscipline.

  Director General of the Prison Service
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam of 25 January,Official Report, column 230, if he will list candidates assessed as of an acceptable standard for the post of Director General of the Prison Service; and in what order of suitability those candidates were placed.

  Mr. Howard
  No. Candidates put themselves forward for posts in the civil service on the understanding that their applications are treated in confidence. It is not the practice to make public details of candidates who are not appointed.

  Prison Escapes
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 January,Official Report, column 534, which prison the prisoners at large had escaped from; what their offence was; and for how long they have been on the run.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  112
  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 6 February 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about prisoners unlawfully at large.
  The total number of prisoners who have escaped since 20 June 1988 and are still unlawfully at large at 13 January 1995 is 123.
  The attached table lists the prison or escorting contractor from whose custody each prisoner escaped, their offence and the length of time unlawfully at large. A copy of this table has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits were made by inspectors under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to(a) the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Salisbury, (b) the Defence Research Agency, Alverstoke and (c) The Centre for Human Sciences in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The number of visits made by inspectors was:

  (a) Chemical and Biological Defence Establishments

  1990: 5

  1991: 9

  1992: 8

  1993: 7

  1994: 6

  (b) Defence Research Agency, Alverstoke

  1990: 4

  1991: 4

  1992: 2

  1993: 3

  1994: 2

  (c) Centre for Human Sciences (Previously the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine)

  1990: 4

  1991: 4

  1992: 6

  1993: 4

  1994: 9

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list and give details of project licences involving animal experiments granted to Ministry of Defence establishments for each of the last two years for which information is available;

  (2) how many project and personal licenses issued to Ministry of Defence establishments under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have been withdrawn; and what were the reasons in each case.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Information held in connection with the issue of licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 will have been given in confidence: the disclosure of such information is prohibited by virtue of section 24 (1) of the Act.

  Twelve project licences were granted to Ministry of Defence establishments in 1993, and 20 in 1994. In 1993, 10 project licences expired at the end of the five years permitted by the 1986 Act, and three were surrendered when the relevant project work was completed; in 1994 three expired and seven were surrendered.
  113
  In 1993, nine personal licences were revoked on completion of the work on which the licence holders were engaged; in 1994 the figure was 24.

  Information on the numbers of project and personal licences issued to particular establishments prior to 1993 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Bosnian Refugees
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the reception centre for Bosnian refugees at Cheylesmore lodge, North Berwick, and other reception centres; and if he will give an estimate of the numbers of refugees from Bosnia who will come to Britain during the next 12 months.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Due to the declining number of evacuees from the former Yugoslavia in recent months, it has been decided, following discussions between the Home Office, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the voluntary agencies running the centres, that two of the present nine centres should close at the end of March 1995, and a further five, including Cheylesmore lodge, by the end of April. Of the two remaining centres, one will close at the end of June, and we will review in April the timing of the closure of the last centre against the background of developments in Bosnia.

  There are approximately 370 people who have been accepted under the temporary protection programme but who have yet to arrive. The majority are still in Bosnia. UNHCR is reassessing these cases but, because of the uncertain situation within Bosnia, cannot say when, or if, they will be able to travel.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to require victims who have received payment from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority under the tariff scheme to repay sums received if their payment is reassessed following the tariff scheme being withdrawn or altered as a result of court proceedings.

  Mr. Maclean
  If the tariff scheme had to be withdrawn all payments made under its terms would have to be reassessed. Where the tariff award exceeded the reassessed award the beneficiary would, in principle, be liable to refund the difference. We have decided that it would not be right to seek to recover that difference.

  Illegal Immigrant Suspect Index
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Home Office first embarked on the computerisation of the illegal immigrant suspect index; how much has been spent on the project to date; and when he expects the system to be fully operational.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  A project team was resourced in late 1989 to develop the suspect index system, and commenced work in January 1990. Following approval of the business case, and a competitive procurement including technical design studies, a supply contract was let to ICL Ltd in December 1992. Development of the system began in January 1993. Capital costs in the order of £13.7 million will have been spent by the end of phase 1 of the project. The system commenced live running at Stansted airport and the Immigration Service intelligence 114
  and investigation unit near Heathrow airport on 23 January 1995. The first phase, which includes major ports of entry and enforcement offices, is planned to be completed in April 1995.

  Further phases of the project are proposed to encompass remaining ports of entry, enforcement offices and other IND locations where system access is required by 1998.

  False Identities
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to prevent individuals illegally acquiring false identities for passport, DSS and other purposes by using official documentation obtained by posing as a deceased person.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The United Kingdom Passport Agency takes great care to prevent the issue of passports in false identities. The passport issuing system incorporates a variety of safeguards to prevent fraud. Special fraud detection teams in each office liaise closely with the police, immigration service and other agencies such as the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys to counter the submission of applications in false identities.

  The Department of Social Security's Benefits Agency has developed a security strategy to combat benefit fraud of all kinds. The strategy involves investment in a variety of measures, including improvements to information technology and increased verification of information presented in claims to benefit. It is anticipated that the substantial investment envisaged will achieve a dramatic reduction in benefit fraud, shifting the emphasis away from detection and investigation towards prevention and deterrence.

  Charity Commission
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the efficiency of the Charity Commission.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I do not think that a further review is necessary. The efficiency of the Charity Commission is regularly reviewed by Home Office Ministers, notably as part of the public expenditure process. The Charity Commission is making significant improvements in efficiency, particularly through the introduction of new computerised methods of working, and is carrying through a development programme to enable it to carry out its new responsibilities under the Charities Act 1993. An independent review of the Commission's senior structure and staffing has just been completed which will bring further gains. The Commission has also achieved gains through a recent market test of its managerial and paper-keeping services.

  Charities
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many registered charities are working in(a) animal welfare, (b) child welfare, (c) youth services, (d) adult health, (e) child health, (f) education, (g) the Church of England and (h) other religions.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The classification on the Charity Commission's present computerised register does not match the categories in my hon. Friend's question precisely. The information available is as follows:
  115

  Field

  Number of registered charities

  (a) animal welfare

  886

  (b) child welfare and (c) youth services

  112,866

  (d) adult health and (e) child health

  2218,834

  (f) education

  35,347

  (g) the Church of England

  5,791

  (h) other religions

  4,514

  1 Note The Charity Commission's classification system is not as broad as the areas listed in the question. It is difficult to distinguish between child welfare and youth services as many charities operate for the benefit of both children and young people.

  2 Note The Charity Commission's classification systems does not distinguish between adult and child health: most of the charities in this field make no distinction as to the age of their beneficiaries.

  An improved computerised register which will give a more detailed analysis is planned for next year.

  Prison Service
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost of public funds of running the Prison Service in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 6 February 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 costs to public funds of running the Prison Service in each year since 1979.
  The costs for the Prison Service in England and Wales are set out below. They are expressed in cash terms, but include notional depreciation and superannuation.

  £000s

  1979–80

  344,326

  1980–81

  437,884

  1981–82

  498,424

  1982–83

  572,597

  1983–84

  637,118

  1984–85

  656,445

  1985–86

  743,229

  1986–87

  786,450

  1987–88

  882,341

  1988–89

  1,013,898

  1989–90

  1,205,763

  1990–91

  1,464,227

  1991–92

  1,630,956

  1992–93

  1,660,200

  1993–94

  1,638,200

  Note:

  Information on prisons in Scotland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress the Prison Service has made in devising a key performance indicator on recidivism.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 12 December 1994]: I have asked the Prison Service to give this matter further consideration, and expect their advice shortly.
  116

  Prisons (Running Costs)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to public funds of running each prison in Britain in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 6 February 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 cost to public funds of running each prison in Britain.
  The attached table shows the costs expressed in cash terms but including notional depreciation and superannuation of each prison in England and Wales in the last 10 years. The figures for earlier years are published in the relevant annual reports on the work of the Prison Service, copies of which are in the House of Commons Library.
  Information on prisons in Scotland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service.

  Prisons (Suicides)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of suicides in prisons in each year since 1979; and if he will give in each case the prison in which the suicide occurred and the age of the prisoner.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Butler to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 6 February 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking what has been the number of suicides in prisons in each year since 1979 giving in each case the prison and the age of the prisoner.
  Table A gives the number of self-inflicted deaths in prison establishments in England and Wales from 1988 in each case showing the name of the establishment and age of the prisoner. The Coroner's verdict is also shown as not all self-inflicted deaths result in a "suicide" verdict.
  Table B gives the number of self-inflicted deaths in prison establishments in England and Wales for 1979 to 1987 and the total number of suicide verdicts.
  A copy of these tables have been placed in the Library of the House.
  Detailed records were not stored centrally before 1988 and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Ian Greer Associates
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions departmental officials met representatives of Ian Greer Associates(a) formally and (b) informally on 26 January to discuss matters relating to their client's interests.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 31 January 1995]: None.
  117

  Prison Locks
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have had their locks changed because of key compromises in the last three years; and what was the average cost for each such prison.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  118
  Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Margaret Hodge, dated 30 January 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisons where locks have been changed because of key compromises in the last three years.
  Since January 1992 there have been 28 key compromises resulting in a change of locks. This includes the recent compromise at Parkhurst prison.
  The cost of replacing the locks varies according to the size of the prison and the class of locks. Typical costs are in the range of between £40,000 and £64,000.

  Myanmar: Attacks on the Karen People
  Myanmar: Attacks on the Karen People
  European Parliament: Costs of Triple Location
  European Parliament: Costs of Triple Location
  Turkey: Prison Conditions
  Turkey: Prison Conditions
  Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Greek Trade Embargo
  Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Greek Trade Embargo
  Turkey: Trial of Mr. Yasar Kemal
  Turkey: Trial of Mr. Yasar Kemal
  South Lebanon: Legality of Israeli Weapons
  South Lebanon: Legality of Israeli Weapons
  Southern Iraq: Exclusion Zone
  Southern Iraq: Exclusion Zone
  Iraq: UN Security Council Resolution 949
  Iraq: UN Security Council Resolution 949
  Goma, Rwanda: Expected Volcanic Eruption
  Goma, Rwanda: Expected Volcanic Eruption
  Hospitals for Mentally Handicapped: Opposed Closure
  Hospitals for Mentally Handicapped: Opposed Closure
  Professions Supplementary to Medicine: Self-Regulation
  Professions Supplementary to Medicine: Self-Regulation
  National Lottery Jackpot
  National Lottery Jackpot
  Pedal Cyclists: Identification
  Pedal Cyclists: Identification
  Roadworks in London: TV Cable Installation
  Roadworks in London: TV Cable Installation
  Child Support Maintenance: Income Support Disregard Costs
  Child Support Maintenance: Income Support Disregard Costs
  Asylum Seekers: Income Support Costs
  Asylum Seekers: Income Support Costs
  Armed Services Careers Information Offices
  Armed Services Careers Information Offices
  Community Charge Arrears
  Community Charge Arrears