Written Answers of 10 February 1995

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Sexual Intercourse (Age of Consent)
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the age of consent for lawful sexual intercourse in each of the countries in the European Community.

  Mr. Maclean
  The following table sets out what I understand to be the ages at which, provided that there is mutual consent and no special provisions apply—see footnotes—persons may legally engage in heterosexual and homosexual sexual acts in each EC country.

  Male/Female

  Male/Male

  Female/Female

  Austria

  14

  See1

  14

  Belgium

  14

  14

  14

  Denmark

  215

  215

  215

  Finland

  16

  18

  318

  France

  15

  15

  15

  Germany

  214

  18

  214

  Greece

  15

  17

  17

  Ireland

  17

  17

  15

  Italy

  214

  214

  214

  Luxembourg

  16

  16

  16

  Netherlands

  216

  216

  216

  Portugal

  14

  16

  16

  Sweden

  215

  215

  215

  Spain

  216

  216

  216

  United Kingdom

  416

  18

  416

  1 Homosexual activities between males aged 14 and over are legal unless one partner is aged 14 to 18 and the other is over 18.

  2 A higher age may apply where the older person is in a position of authority, influence or trust.

  3 The Finnish parliament is giving consideration to lowering the common age of consent to 15.

  417 in Northern Ireland.

  Group 4
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what vetting procedures are in place on the staff of Group 4 who will be involved in the transportation of prisoners to Birkenhead Crown court; and if Group 4 will be responsible for the transportation of prisoners irrespective of their offence.

  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. Frank Field, dated 10 February 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the vetting procedures and responsibilities of Group 4 staff at Birkenhead Crown Court.
  426
  All Prisoner Custody Officers (PCOs) at contracted out prisons and those working in the contracted court escort and custody service are certified by the Home Secretary. This is in accordance with Section 89 of, and Schedule 10 to, the Criminal Justice Act 1991. Before issuing such a certificate, routine enquiries are made. These investigations are similar to those made in relation to applications for Prison Service employment and include checks made by the police against criminal records held in the National Identification Bureau. Candidates applying for employment as PCOs are exempt for the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and conviction which ordinarily are regarded as "spent" are therefore taken into account.

  Group 4 will be responsible for the escort of all prisoners to and from court and for their custody at court, with the exception of category A prisoners, who will continue to be escorted by the Police and Prison Service.

  Coroner Service, Greater Manchester
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Horne Department when he will announce his decision concerning restructuring of the coroner service for Greater Manchester.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Following local consultation, my right hon. and learned Friend has decided not to proceed with a proposal to make an order under section 4(1) of the Coroners Act 1988 to restructure the coroners district in Greater Manchester. The present four coroners districts will therefore continue unaltered.

  Forensic Science Laboratory
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be able to announce his decision on the future of the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  On the basis of a review initiated by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the Home Office, I have concluded that the Metropolitan police forensic science laboratory should merge with the forensic science service to form a national organisation serving all police forces in England and Wales through seven regional operational laboratories; that direct charging for forensic science services should be extended to include services currently provided by MPFSL; and that the Metropolitan police and the City of London police should be untied from their reliance on the MPFSL as sole provider of these services. There will of course continue to be a Metropolitan laboratory.

  These changes will ensure that arrangements for providing forensic science support to the criminal justice system will be the same throughout England and Wales. The merger will ensure that strong forensic science support continues to be made available to the Metropolitan police and the City of London police. Both FSS and MPFSL have traditions of excellence in the provision of forensic science support to the criminal justice system. Within an enlarged agency they will maintain and build upon already high standards of forensic science support to crime investigation in London while ensuring the continued development of effective and efficient forensic science provision throughout

  427
  England and Wales; characterised by its high quality, clear impartiality and availability equally to police, prosecution and defence.

  The worldwide reputations which the MPFSL and FSS have established will be enhanced by bringing them together. International standing is especially important at a time when developments in forensic science are increasingly being brokered across national boundaries and overseas markets are opening up.

  I intend that the MPFSL and FSS should merge with effect from 1 April 1996. Merger will be preceded by a transitional period, beginning on 1 April 1995, during which the director general of the FSS will manage MPFSL on behalf of the commissioner, and prepare, with MPFSL and FSS staff, and with the concurrence of the commissioner and the Home Office, detailed plans for the changes.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been diagnosed as mentally ill in each year since 1979; and how many of these have been transferred to NHS facilities.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 8 January 1995]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Jack Straw, dated 10 February 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners diagnosed as mentally ill in each year since 1979 and how many of them were transferred to NHS facilities.
  The information sought in the first part of your Question is not available in the form requested. Since December 1991 Prison Service establishments have, however, been carrying out regular medical monitoring exercises. To monitor the assessed needs of mentally disordered prisoners information is collected and collated by the Directorate of Health Care on a periodical basis. On a given day prisoners who are considered by prison doctors to need some form of mental health care are categorised as follows:

  (a) prisoners requiring removal or transfer to a psychiatric hospital under Mental Health Act provisions and who are awaiting such transfer. This figure includes remand prisoners awaiting disposal by the court.

  (b) prisoners who are sufficiently ill to be occupying in-patient beds in prison health care centres; and

  (c) prisoners requiring some form of mental health care but not removal/transfer to psychiatric hospital or in-patient treatment in a prison health care centre.

  Tables 1 to 3 enclosed show the numbers of mentally disordered prisoners recorded in each of the above categories over the period from December 1991 to September 1994.We do not yet know the precise reason for the fall from 802 to 331 in the number of mentally ill prisoners occupying in-patient beds in February and September 1994 but it is more than offset by the increase, from 1766 to 2598, in the number of such prisoners being cared for elsewhere within establishments.Table 4 enclosed gives the number of transfers to hospital from 1979 onwards under sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983, or their equivalents under the preceding legislation, sections
  428
  72 and 73 of the Mental Health Act 1959. This shows that there has been a marked increase in the number of transfers over the last 15 years, with more than double the number of transfers in 1994 when compared with 1990.

  Table 1

  The number of prisoners awaiting removal or transfer to a psychiatric hospital under Mental Health Act provisions, including remand prisoners awaiting disposal by the court.

  December 1991

  128

  February 1992

  92

  April 1992

  112

  June 1992

  101

  August 1992

  85

  October 1992

  107

  December 1992

  101

  February 1993

  123

  May 1993

  161

  September 1993

  104

  February 1994

  136

  June 1994

  174

  September 1994

  102

  Table 2

  The number of prisoners considered by prison doctors to be sufficiently mentally ill to occupy an in-patient bed in a prison health care centre.

  December 1991

  845

  February 1992

  671

  April 1992

  696

  June 1992

  557

  August 1992

  553

  October 1992

  563

  December 1992

  428

  February 1993

  415

  May 1993

  571

  September 1993

  663

  February 1994

  802

  June 1994

  684

  September 1994

  331

  Table 3

  The number of prisoners considered by prison doctors to require some form of mental health care but not removal/transfer to psychiatric hospital or in-patient treatment in a prison health care centre

  December 1991

  1,048

  February 1992

  1,515

  April 1992

  1,432

  June 1992

  1,696

  August 1992

  2,132

  October 1992

  1,963

  December 1992

  2,093

  February 1993

  2,343

  May 1993

  1,775

  September 1993

  1,664

  February 1994

  1,766

  June 1994

  1,921

  September 1994

  2,598

  429

  Table 4

  Transfers of prisoners to hospital by direction of the Home Secretary under Sections 72 and 73 of the Mental Health Act 1959 and Sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983

  After sentence S72/S47

  Before sentence S73/S48

  Total

  1979

  70

  16

  86

  1980

  87

  19

  106

  1981

  86

  22

  108

  1982

  85

  18

  103

  1983

  91

  24

  115

  1984

  108

  47

  155

  1985

  100

  41

  141

  1986

  107

  53

  160

  1987

  127

  77

  204

  1988

  121

  85

  206

  1989

  131

  100

  231

  1990

  156

  181

  337

  1991

  193

  264

  457

  1992

  230

  380

  610

  1993

  290

  486

  776

  19941

  234

  512

  746

  1 Provisional figures.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Consultants
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are his latest estimates of the expenditure on all external consultants, including management consultants, for each year since 1987, in 1994 prices, for his Department and its agencies; and what are the quantified annual cost savings which such expenditure has resulted in.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]: Disaggregated information on the basis requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for Industry and Consumer Affairs on 13 March 1990, Official Report, column 173, which showed the fees paid by the Department of Trade and Industry for general consultancies in the years 1984 to 1989, and to the answer given by my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for Consumer Affairs on 1 May 1991, Official Report, columns 219–20,which gave the corresponding figures for 1989–90 and 1990–91. Since 1986–87, programme-related consultancy work has been funded from within programme budgets. The fees for general consultancy work for the years 1990–91 to 1993–94 are given in the following table:

  Year

  £000

  1990–91

  3,139

  1991–92

  3,490

  1992–93

  3,171

  1993–94

  4,774

  430

  High-level Waste
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much high-level waste is currently stored at Sellafield; and how much of this has been vitrified.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]: This is an operational matter for British Nuclear Fuels plc.

  Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what unforeseen technical problems have been experienced by BNFL in the commissioning of THORP; and what are their safety implications.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]: This is a management matter for BNFL. The commissioning programme for THORP is being implemented subject to the appropriate regulatory requirements.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his Department's response to the cancellation of two German reprocessing contracts for THORP; how the cancellation of these contracts will affect the projected profits from the plant; and if he will ensure that the Touche Ross report commissioned by BNFL is made public to allow verification of the projected profits from THORP.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]: These are commercial matters for the company. The two German reprocessing contracts which were cancelled related to business for the second 10 years of THORP's operation. I understand from BNFL that they do not affect the baseload operations of THORP arid hence its profitability during itS first 10 years of operation. The projected profits from THORP were set out in the document published by the company entitled, "The economic and commercial justification for THORP'', copies of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current operational status of THORP.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]: This is an operational matter for BNFL.

  Nirex Research Projects
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research projects have been commissioned by Nirex on geology since 1990; and if he will state their cost, research departments and staff and their publication dates.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]: This is a matter for the management of UK Nirex Ltd. Nirex has published a wide variety of reports on its activities.

  Electricity Regulator
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to extend the powers of the electricity regulator to include the examination of directors' and chairmen's pay rises, pension contributions and share options.

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 6 February 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 7 February 1995, Official Report, column 139.
  431

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Construction Contracts
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress the Government are making in their review of procurement procedures following the Latham report on the construction industry's contractual arrangements.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  The multi-departmental scrutiny of Government construction procurement began on 28 November 1994, as announced in the news release of that date. Completion of the scrutiny is expected by early spring 1995. It is normal practice for efficiency scrutiny reports to be published.

WALES

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Patten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those public bodies for which he retains departmental responsibility; which of these bodies have been identified as suitable for placing in the private sector; and by when it is expected each of these bodies will enter the private sector.

  Mr. Redwood
  Information on most of the public bodies for which I am responsible is given in "Public Bodies 1994", HMSO, which is available in the Library of the House.

  In addition to those listed, I retain departmental responsibility for the following:

  Community health councils

  Mental Health Act Commission

  National Rivers Authority regional flood defence committee

  None of these bodies has been identified as being suitable for privatisation. Substantial property holdings of the Welsh Development Agency are being sold, and south Wales councils are currently selling Cardiff Wales airport.

  Insulation
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for introducing major programmes of insulation in Wales; and what assessment he has made of the impact of insulation on atmospheric pollution.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The home energy efficiency scheme runs on a United Kingdom basis and is a major programme for home insulation for those in receipt of a state retirement pension and low incomes.

  I have made no assessment of the impact of insulation on atmospheric pollution. This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  Cardiff Bay
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 30 January,Official Report, column 538, if his consent was sought for the development agreement between Associated British Ports and the Cardiff Bay development
  432
  corporation in March 1991; what assessment he has made of the contributions Associated British Ports would have made to the infrastructure costs of Cardiff Bay developmentcorporation if the previous arrangement of 11 May 1989 had remained in place; and whether the measurement of the appropriate level of development to be undertaken by Associated British Ports related exclusively to the level of private sector development attracted.

  Mr. Redwood
  These questions relate to operational matters to which the chief executive will respond, as indicated in my answer of 7 February 1995,Official Report, column 151.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation about its contract with N. M. Rothschilds and Son Ltd.; between which dates Rothschilds was retained as financial consultants to Cardiff Bay development corporation; and if he will list its principal duties during this period.

  Mr. Redwood
  I understand the contract ceased in 1990. The issues raised are operational and the chief executive will write to the hon. Member. I have had no discussions with the chairman about Rothschilds.

  Urban Regeneration, Barry
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date the Welsh Development Agency signed the joint venture agreement with Associated British Ports, South Glamorgan county council and the Vale of Glamorgan district council for the urban regeneration project of Number One Dock, Barry.

  Mr. Redwood
  The redevelopment of land at Number One Dock, Barry is the subject of an agreement between Associated British Ports and the Welsh Development Agency signed on 31 March 1994.

  Cyclist-pedestrian Crashes
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many accidents occurred between cyclists and pedestrians in Wales; and how many prosecutions took place for cycling on the footway, in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Redwood
  The number of accidents between cyclists and pedestrians and the number of prosecutions for cycling on the footway in Wales are given in the following table:

  1Number of accidents between cyclists and pedestrians

  Number of persons prosecuted for riding on a footpath

  1989

  14

  26

  1990

  10

  28

  1991

  6

  8

  1992

  5

  3

  1993

  8

  4

  Note:

  1An offence under Highway Act 1835 Section 72 and Byelaws.

  Source:

  Home Office.
  433

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of United Kingdom state pension expenditure is formed by state expenditure on old-age pensions for pensioners resident in Wales in(a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is in the table.

  Percentage of UK retirement pension expenditure for pensioners residing in Wales

  Year

  Per cent.

  1992–93

  5.27

  1993–94

  5.26

  Notes:

  1. Sources: DSS pension scheme computer system data and expenditure information.

  2. For the purposes of this reply "Retirement Pension expenditure" includes payable additional pension, graduated retirement benefit, increments, age addition and increases for dependants.

  3. Information for 1993–94 is provisional.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many self-employed people(a) failed to qualify for a retirement pension and (b) qualified for only a reduced pension, due to an inadequate insurance record for each of the last 30 years.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of Stale for Social Security what are the current contribution conditions for(a) unemployment benefit, (b) sickness benefit and (c) the retirement pension; and if he will list how these conditions have changed in the last 30 years.

  Mr. Arbuthnot:

  (a) Unemployment Benefit

  Prior to 1975 the contribution conditions for unemployment benefit were that

  (1) not less than 26 class 1 contributions had been paid by the claimant in respect of the period between his entry into insurance and the day for which benefit is claimed; and

  (2) not less than 50 class 1 contributions had been paid by or credited to him in respect of the last complete contribution year before the beginning of the benefit year which includes the day for which benefit is claimed.

  In 1975, with the changeover from flat rate to earnings-related national insurance contributions, the contribution conditions were amended to:

  (1) in respect of any one tax year, the earnings factor derived from the person's payment of Class 1 contributions was at least 25 times the lower earnings limit for payment of National Insurance contributions in that year; and

  (2) in the relevant past tax year which governs the claim, the earnings factor derived from class I contributions paid by or credited to the person was not less than 50 times the lower earnings limit for payment of national insurance contributions in that year.

  434
  The contribution conditions which have applied since 1988 are that—

  (1) in respect of one of the two tax years relevant to the claim, the earnings factor derived from the person's payment of class 1 contributions is at least 25 times the lower earnings limit for payment of national insurance contributions in that year;

  (2) in respect of both the tax years relevant to the claim, the earnings factor derived from class 1 contributions paid by or credited to the person is at least 50 times the lower earnings limit for payment of national insurance contributions in that year.

  (b) Sickness Benefit

  Prior to 1988 the contribution conditions for sickness benefit were the same as those applying to unemployment benefit except at class 2—self-employed—contributions counted for benefit purposes.

  The contribution conditions which have applied since 1988 are that:

  (1) in respect of any tax year, the earnings factor derived from payment of class 1 or 2 contributions is at least 25 times the lower earnings limit for payment of national insurance contributions in that year, and these contributions must be paid before the start of the claim: and

  (2) in respect of both the tax years relevant to the claim, the earnings factor derived from class 1 contributions paid or credited or class 2 contributions paid is at least 50 times the lower earnings limit for payment of national insurance contributions in that year.

  With the abolition of industrial injury benefit from April 1983, the contribution conditions are deemed to be satisfied if the person's incapacity for work was due to an accident at work when an employed earner, or a prescribed industrial disease due to the nature of their work as an employed earner.

  Payment of benefit at reduced rates—Sickness and Unemployment Benefit

  Prior to 1975 where a person did not fully satisfy the second contribution conditions, reduced rate benefit was payable if not less than 26 contributions of the appropriate class had been paid or credited in the relevant contribution year.

  From 1975 where the earnings factor was 50 to 75 per cent. of the amount needed for the payment of standard rate benefit, half rate benefit was paid. Where the earnings factor was more than 75 per cent. but less than the full amount needed for the payment of standard rate benefit, three-quarter rate benefit was paid. Reduced rates of benefit ceased to apply in October 1986 but transitional provisions allowed payment of reduced rates to continue to October 1987 in certain cases.

  (c) Retirement Pension

  Prior to April 1975 the contribution conditions for standard rate retirement pension were that—

  (1) not less than 156 flat rate contributions had been actually paid by the relevant person in respect of the period between that person's entry to insurance and the date on which he or she reached pensionable age, and

  (2) the yearly average of flat rate contribution paid by or credited to that person was not less than 50. Where the yearly average was less than 50 but not less than 13 retirement pension was payable at a reduced rate.

  The yearly average was calculated over the period from the beginning of the contribution year in which school leaving age was reached to the end of the last complete contribution year before that in which pensionable age was reached. This period was modified where the person concerned reached age 16 before 5 July 1948.
  435
  Since 1975 the contribution conditions for standard rate category A basic retirement pension have been—

  (1) achievement of one qualifying year since 6 April 1975 derived from the actual payment of class 1, 2, or 3 national insurance contributions or payment of 50 flat rate contributions at any time before 6 April 1975

  (2) achievement of qualifying years for approximately 90 per cent. of the years in the person's working life. A reduced rate of pension is payable where the number of qualifying years is less than but at least a quarter of the number required for standard rate pension.

  A qualifying year is a tax year in which the earnings factor derived from national insurance contributions paid or credited is at least 52 times the lower earnings limit for that year. Between 6 April 1975 and 5 April 1978, the earnings factor needed for the year to be a qualifying year was 50 times the lower earnings limit for that year. Any national insurance contributions paid or credited before 6 April 1975 are converted into qualifying years by dividing the total number of contributions by 50 and rounding any fraction up to the next whole number.

  A person's working life runs from the start of the tax year in which age 16 is reached until the tax year before the one in which pensionable age is reached. The working life can be modified where a person had reached age 16 before 5 July 1948.

  Note:
  The earnings factor is the amount of earnings on which class 1 national insurance contributions have been paid: class 2 and 3 national insurance contributions and class 1 and 3 contribution credits are treated as earnings at the weekly lower earnings limit for the relevant year.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the current contribution conditions of the state earnings-related scheme; and if he will list the changes in these conditions since the inception of the scheme.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Entitlement to state earnings-related
  pension arises where the earnings factor' derived from national insurance contributions paid in respect of 1978–79 or any later tax year exceeds 52 times the lower earnings limit for payment of national insurance contributions in the final relevant year2
  Note 1—the earnings factor is the amount of earnings on which class 1 national insurance contributions have been paid in a given tax year. Class 2 and 3 national insurance contributions are treated as earnings at the weekly lower earnings limit. Where the year in question is earlier than the final relevant year, the earnings factor is revalued in line with subsequent growth in national average earnings.
  Note 2—the final relevant year is the last complete tax year before that in which state pension age is reached or, if earlier, death occurs.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many divorced or separated women received(a) a full and (b) a partial retirement pension on the record of their previous partners for each of the last 30 years.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what have been the savings in public expenditure resulting from changes to the state earnings-related pension scheme since 1979.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  None.

  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social
  Security (1) if he will publish figures similar to those in table 2 of Cm 2714 on the Pensions Bill showing the 436
  estimated financial effect on the national insurance fund assuming a common retirement age of 63 years;

  (2) if he will publish figures similar to those in table 1 of Cm 2714 on the Pensions Bill 1994 giving an estimate of the costs of national insurance benefits assuming a common retirement age of 63 years.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The tables published in the Government Actuary's report, Cm 2714, have been produced to support the financial effects of the proposals in the Pensions Bill. Several options for the equalisation of state pension age have been examined and estimates of their financial effects published in the consultation documents, "Options for Equality in State Pension Age", Cm 1723, and the White Paper, "Equality in State Pension Age", Cm 2420, copies of which are held in the Library. These are the most recent figures available.

  Employers Panel
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the members of the DSS employers panel and the organisations they represent, indicating which members of the panel are representatives of small businesses.

  Mr. Hague
  The current members of the Department of Social Security's employers panel are:

  Name

  Organisation

  Sandy Anson

  Institute of Directors

  Howard Birkbeck

  British Coal

  Ruth Common

  National Council for Voluntary Organisations

  Melanie Ellis

  Hoare Govett Ltd

  Nick Goulding

  ∗The Forum of Private Business

  Claude Greaves

  ∗Greaves and Associates Ltd

  Ken Gurr

  Payrool Alliance

  Ian Handford

  Federation of Small Businesses∗

  Stephanie James

  Association of British Chambers of Commerce

  Dominic Johnson

  Confederation of British Industry

  Trevor Lakin

  Institute of British Payroll management

  Michael Ridge

  Independent member previously Cyborg systems Ltd

  Jack Scougall

  United Distillers

  David Silver

  Date Management services∗

  Indiri Soni

  Masons

  George Swallow

  J.Sainsbury PLC

  Roddy Symes

  Metal Colours Ltd

  Debbie Williams

  William Haley Engineering Ltd∗

  Members marked with a star are from small businesses or small business representative organisations.

  Habitual Residence Appeals
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many successful appeals have been made regarding habitual residence.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people by standard English region, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are currently in
  437
  receipt of housing benefit as a consequence of being in receipt of income support.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information for Great Britain is set out in the table. I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for figures covering Northern Ireland.

  Standard statistical region

  Housing benefit recipients with income support as at August 1994

  North (including Cumbria)

  200,100

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  275,500

  East Midlands

  178,300

  East Anglia

  83,700

  South East

  394,300

  London

  544,000

  South West

  198,800

  West Midlands

  280,300

  North West

  396,100

  Wales

  154,000

  Scotland

  337,800

  Great Britain

  3,042,900

  Source:

  The housing benefit management information system quarterly caseload count at the end of August 1994.

EDUCATION

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children were statemented in each year from 1992 to the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Forth
  In England, the number of pupils reported as receiving statements of special educational need for the first time in calendar years 1992 and 1993 was 34,037 and 38,292, respectively. Information for the calendar year 1994 is not yet available.

  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children were statemented in England as requiring special educational treatment in each year from 1965 to 1976 inclusive.

  Mr. Forth
  The number of pupils in England and Wales newly assessed during the calendar years 1965 to 1976 inclusive as needing special educational treatment was as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1965

  19,886

  1966

  20,981

  1967

  21,417

  1968

  20,833

  1969

  21,844

  1970

  21,771

  1971

  24,118

  1972

  24,254

  1973

  22,771

  1974

  21,624

  1975

  21,393

  1976

  22,985

  438
  It is not possible to disaggregate the data for England.

  Pupils
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the expected increase in the school population in September 1995(a) nationally and (b) by individual local education authority.

  Mr. Forth
  Projections of the school population related to January of the academic year. The total school population in England is projected to increase by 116,000 full-time equivalents between January 1995 and January 1996. Projections at local education authority level are not available.

  Mathematics
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what she is doing to improve the teaching of mathematics in primary schools.

  Mr. Forth
  The Government are committed to higher standards and higher quality teaching in mathematics. The most important force for improvement is the national curriculum, which has established demanding expectations for both teachers and pupils. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools has confirmed that the national curriculum is rapidly helping to improve the standard of mathematics teaching in primary schools. The revised' national curriculum for mathematics has increased emphasis on arithmetic skills, particularly in the primary years. For the first time, pupils' progress in relation to the national standards is being rigorously monitored through national assessments and tests. The schools inspectorate confirms that these assessments and tests are contributing to higher standards.

  The Government have also been instrumental in establishing a number of 20-day training courses designed to improve primary school teachers' mathematical knowledge. The cost of sending teachers on these courses is supported by the Government with specific grant.

  School Closures
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for
  Education which local education authorities have school reorganisation or closure proposals under consideration by her Department; and how many places will be removed by each authority as a result of their proposals.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following table shows the local education authorities which have school reorganisation proposals published under sections 12 and 13 of the Education Act 1980 currently with the Department. Not all such proposals involve the removal of school places. Where they do, the aggregate number of places that would be removed if the proposals were approved is shown in the table. Where there are no statutory objections, and the proposals are not called in by the Secretary of State, proposals in respect of county schools fall to be decided by the local education authority.

  LEA

  Number of places to be removed

  Avon

  1,300

  Barnet

  0

  Bedfordshire

  426

  Berkshire

  0

  439

  LEA

  Number of places to be removed

  Birmingham

  0

  Bradford

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  97

  Bury

  130

  Cambridgeshire

  180

  Camden

  0

  Cheshire

  331

  Cleveland

  0

  Croydon

  0

  Cumbria

  0

  Devon

  0

  Doncaster

  3,804

  Durham

  0

  Ealing

  0

  East Sussex

  0

  Essex

  217

  Gateshead

  1,076

  Greenwich

  30

  Hackney

  0

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  846

  Hampshire

  150

  Haringey

  0

  Harrow

  0

  Hertfordshire

  0

  Hillingdon

  0

  Humberside

  0

  Islington

  0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0

  Kent

  0

  Kingston upon Thames

  0

  Knowsley

  0

  Lambeth

  0

  Lancashire

  0

  Leeds

  1,028

  Leicestershire

  30

  Lewisham

  0

  Lincolnshire

  0

  Liverpool

  0

  Manchester

  27

  Norfolk

  152

  Northamptonshire

  0

  North Tyneside

  95

  North Yorkshire

  0

  Northumberland

  361

  Nottinghamshire

  2,832

  Oldham

  0

  Oxfordshire

  0

  Richmond upon Thames

  0

  Sandwell

  120

  Sefton

  0

  Shropshire

  99

  Somerset

  9

  St. Helens

  0

  Stockport

  0

  Suffolk

  0

  Sunderland

  0

  Sutton

  0

  Tameside

  0

  Tower Hamlets

  0

  Trafford

  0

  Wakefield

  0

  Walsall

  0

  Waltham Forest

  0

  Warwickshire

  5,658

  West Sussex

  0

  Wiltshire

  207

  Wirral

  141

  Wolverhampton

  0

  440

PRIME MINISTER

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister hat response he is giving to the report on famine in Iraq sent to him by Mr. Riad-el-Taher about his recent visit to Baghdad.

  The Prime Minister
  The recent communication has been noted by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy that an ad hoc tribunal should be set up by the United Nations Security Council to try those accused of the Lockerbie bombing; and what representations he has had in this regard.

  The Prime Minister
  No. It is clear from resolution 883 that the United Nations Security Council envisages trial only before the appropriate United Kingdom or United States court.

HEALTH

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she was informed of the West Midlands regional health authority's wish to divest itself of its management services division; what reasons were given; what was her response; what time scales for the privatisation were discussed or agreed between the authority and herself for the privatisation of the management services division; and what safeguards for staff affected by the privatisation of the management services division were discussed with her.

  Mr. Sackville
  The decision to proceed with the management buyout of the management services division, the time scale and the detailed provisions for the buy-out were matters for the West Midlands regional health authority. The proposal was in line with Government policy for streamlining regional structures as set out in the White Paper, "Working for Patients" and later reinforced by executive letter EL(MB)(89)59 issued in March 1989.

  Antibiotics
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the measures being taken to reduce or control prescription of antibiotics by general practitioners.

  Mr. Malone
  General practitioners are encouraged to prescribe effectively including the most appropriate use of antibiotics. Doctors regularly receive information on prescribing matters through a wide range of medical publications funded by the Department and are further supported in rational prescribing by professional prescribing advisers.

  Princess Margaret Hospital, Swindon
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current position of the private finance initiative proposal submitted by the Princess Margaret hospital in Swindon; and when a decision on this matter is expected.

  Mr. Sackville
  In November 1994, six shortlisted companies were issued with an information
  441
  memorandum. Initial responses were received on 23 January 1995 from five companies and are currently being evaluated. Detailed proposals will be developed in the spring. A decision is expected in July 1995.

  Asthma and Bronchial Complaints
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has undertaken into the connection between car exhaust fumes and the incidence of asthma among(a) adults and (b) children in the last three years.

  Mr. Malone
  Relevant research studies undertaken on correlations between atmospheric pollution and the incidence of asthma and respiratory illnesses, with funding through the Department of Health centrally commissioned programme, are:Health Effects of the Nitrogen Dioxide Episode in London, December 1991—St. George's Hospital Medical School;
  Modified National Study of Health and Growth, which includes the prevalence of asthma in children—United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St. Thomas's;
  Middlesbrough Childhood Asthma study—University of Teeside.

  Two further studies are now being commissioned:
  Impact of Air Pollution and Temperature on GP Consultations—University College Medical School;
  Personal Exposure to Air Pollutants and Severity of Hay Fever
  Symptoms in London Traffic Wardens—Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine.

  The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council which receives its grant-in-aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. In 1993–94, the latest year for which figures are available, the MRC spent £919,000 on research into asthma and a further £1,000,000 on research which may be relevant to the condition.

  The Departments of Health and of the Environment are collaborating with the MRC to commission by competitive tender a programme of interrelated research projects covering 10 key areas identified in the Institute for Environment and Health report "Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease: UK Research Priorities". The IEH reviewed the knowledge gaps and priority research issues in the area of air pollution and respiratory disease with a special emphasis on asthma. A total of £5 million has been made available for research in this area from the three funders.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated for(a) asthma and (b) bronchial complaints in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  From "Morbidity Statistics from General Practice" it is estimated that during the year 1991–92 there were 2,049,000 patients treated for asthma, and 3,905,000 treated for bronchitis1. Figures are not available for the other years requested. For in-patients the number of finished consultant episodes, ordinary admissions and day cases, are shown in the table:
  442

  Asthma

  Bronchitis1

  1992–93

  96,659

  33,131

  1991–92

  99,717

  37,209

  1990–91

  93,277

  30,334

  1989–90

  100,188

  33,847

  1988–89

  113,928

  34,364

  Source:

  Hospital Episodes Statistics.

  Notes:

  1Diagnostic codes ICD9 466, 490 and 491.

  Information on numbers of out-patients treated for asthma and bronchitis is not available centrally.

  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.

  Children's Homes
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to publish the results of her inquiry into small children's homes; and if she will consider extending the provisions of the Children Act 1989 to such homes.

  Mr. Bowis
  I expect the report of the social services. inspectorate study of small children's homes to be submitted to me within the next few months.

  Provisions in the Children Act 1989, and in regulations made under that Act, already apply to such homes.

  Radioactive Polonium 210
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in each family health services authority area were suffering from higher than expected levels of radioactive polonium 210 in their teeth in the latest available year; and what were the figures for(a) five years and (b) 10 years ago.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available. However, preliminary findings from a recent study funded by the Department reported elevated levels of polonium-210—a naturally occurring radionuclide—in the teeth of children living within 10 km of some motorways in the United Kingdom as reported in The Lancet on 4 February 1995. The study did not provide evidence that these levels are in any way sufficient to imply a risk to health. The Government are currently considering the options for further research in this area.

  Complaints
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for health how many complaints were(a) made and (b) sustained against (i) fundholding general practitioners and (ii) other general practitioners by family health services authority for each year since 1991.

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is published annually in "Health and Personal Social Services Statistics", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Pharmacists
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances non-qualified pharmacists are
  443
  permitted to dispense prescriptions in (a) chemists' shops and (b) general practitioner practices.

  Mr. Malone
  The Medicines Act 1968 allows prescription-only medicines and medicines not on the general sales list—pharmacy only—dispensed in retail pharmacies to be supplied only by or under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist. General practitioner practice staff may dispense prescriptions where

  (a) the practice is authorised to provide pharmaceutical services; and

  (b) the doctor is satisfied that they are competent to do so.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner practices had(a) a dispensing pharmacy in each of the last five years and (b) a dispensing pharmacy on site.

  Mr. Malone
  The number of general practitioner practices authorised to provide pharmaceutical services in England in each of the last five years is:

  Number

  1990

  Not available

  1991

  1,192

  1992

  1,197

  1993

  1,202

  19941

  1,215

  1 Provisional.

  No information is available centrally about whether pharmacies are sited within the practice premises or elsewhere.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner fundholding practices had a dispensing pharmacy on site in each of the last four years.

  Mr. Malone
  At April 1994, 352 general practitioner fundholding practices were authorised to provide pharmaceutical services. Information is not available centrally on whether the dispensing facilities are sited on practice premises or elsewhere.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to answer the question from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield of 26 January, relating to the West Midlands regional health authority.

  Mr. Sackville
  I have replied to the hon. Member today.

ENVIRONMENT

  Council Houses, Bolton
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council homes in the Bolton district council area are currently empty and available to meet housing needs; and what percentage this is of total stock.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The latest information held by my Department relates to dwellings vacant on 1 April 1994 when Bolton metropolitan district council reported a total of 120 council dwellings which were either vacant and available for letting immediately or after minor 444
  repairs; this represents 0.52 per cent. of its total stock. The data comes from its 1994 housing investment programme—HIP1—return, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Abandoned Mines
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to monitor(a) mine water pollution and (b) methane emissions from abandoned mine workings in County Durham; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The National Rivers Authority monitors the quality of water discharged both from pumping stations operated by the Coal Authority at recently abandoned mines, and from mines in parts of the; Durham coalfield where mining ceased many years ago I am not aware of any monitoring of methane emissions from abandoned mines.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all test bore holes sunk in(a) County Durham and (b) Northumberland fur each year from 1990 to monitor mine water flows.

  Mr. Atkins
  Details of boreholes constructed by the National Rivers Authority in County Durharn are listed in the table. No boreholes have been drilled in Northumberland.

  Date constructed

  Borehole Name

  1993

  Burnigill Jubilee Bridge Ox Close Brancepeth Hill Top Houghall

  1994

  Burningill deepened Washington Birtley Broom Park Red Barns Wellspring Farm Warden Law Plawsworth

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost of sinking the test bore hole at Warden Law, County Durham.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Warden Law borehole, drilled by the National Rivers Authority, cost £28,358.62.

  Parks and Gardens
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost of revenue support grant which is allowed for the upkeep of parks and gardens in the standard spending assessment.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Standard spending assessments are the Government's view of what local authorities need to spend to provide a standard level of service and form the basis of paying revenue support grant. Revenue support grant is not earmarked for any specific purpose. It is for local authorities themselves to chose how much of their resources to spend on the upkeep of parks and gardens.

  Consultants
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer on 2 February,Official Report, column 762–63, how much was paid to each of the firms of consultants listed for work done for his Department in (a) 1992–93 and (b) 1993–94; and if

  445
  he will specify the nature of the work undertaken for each payment.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The total amount paid to the consultants listed is shown in the table. To separate the amounts paid to each, including separation into financial years, would reveal the cost of some individual contracts and thus breach commercial confidentiality.

  The nature of the work undertaken by each of the consultants employed in 1992–94 specifically in connection with the Department's market testing programme is as follows:

  Consultant

  Work undertaken

  Amtec Consulting

  Financial adviser

  Andersen Consulting

  Internal feasibility study

  Capital Management Consultancy Ltd.

  Project management support

  Castle Management Consultants

  Financial adviser

  Civil Service College

  Provision of intelligent customer advice

  Coopers and Lybrand

  Tender evaluation training: contract management seminar; in-house bid support

  CSL Group

  In-house bid support

  Dun and Bradstreet

  Financial advice reports

  Mr. P. Dworkin

  Specialist adviser

  Hoskyns Group plc

  Project management training

  PA Consulting Group

  Project management support

  Prime Strategy Consultants

  Preparation of project plans; project management support

  Ray Tilly Associates

  Intelligent customer support

  Shreeveport Ltd.

  In-house bid support

  Smith and Williamson

  In-house bid support

  SPT (Simon Thorpe)

  Preparation of specifications

  Symonds Facilities Management plc

  Project management support

  Mr. J. Wormald

  Consultancy support to internal review

  Total payments: 1992–94 (as at end-December 1994)

  £1.2 million

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much has been spent by each urban development corporation on acquiring land and buildings since their inception; how much has been received by each for the sale of land and buildings; and what is the latest valuation of their land holdings.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 8 February 1995]: Expenditure and receipts in respect of the acquisition and sale of land and buildings for each urban development corporation from inception until 31 March 1994, are given in the table. The value of development assets, which comprise both land and buildings at the lower of cost or net realisable value, are given as at 31 March 1994. The expenditure figures include purchase of land for use on infrastructure projects, for open space and for environmental improvements. Such expenditure is part of the regeneration remit of UDSs, but is unlikely of itself to produce receipts. It is therefore misleading to make a comparison between expenditure and receipts.
  446

  £ million

  Expenditure

  Receipts

  Development assets

  Bristol1

  43.900

  18.779

  18.894

  Black Country2

  92.358

  6.606

  50.452

  Birmingham Heartlands

  11.076

  0

  4.937

  Central Manchester

  19.095

  1.043

  7.465

  Leeds

  25.628

  10.997

  3.880

  London Docklands

  174.070

  335.000

  37.402

  Merseyside

  41.716

  11.756

  27.681

  Plymouth

  4.836

  0

  3.212

  Sheffield

  35.873

  2.348

  14.336

  Teesside

  65.844

  42.273

  25.195

  Trafford Park

  54.854

  12.955

  15.556

  Tyne and Wear

  41.934

  10.041

  36.737

  1 Includes £10.7 million expenditure for the Bristol Spine Road.

  2 Includes £26.69 million expenditure on highway schemes.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Heavy Fuel Oil Duty
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to compensate for the extra cost of electricity generation arising from increased heavy fuel oil excise duty.

  Mr. Ancram
  The most effective ways of keeping energy costs down is through the promotion of competition and the pursuit of efficiency in the production, transmission and use of electricity. The Government will continue to encourage both efficiency and competition.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his assessment of the effect on future: electricity prices in Northern Ireland of a 50 per cent. increase in heavy fuel oil duty.

  Mr. Ancram
  I am informed by Northern Ireland Electricity plc that a 50 per cent. increase in excise duty on heavy fuel oil would increase electricity prices in Northern Ireland by about 1 per cent.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make representations to have the extra heavy fuel oil excise duty set aside or if he will make available some additional transitional relief until such time as over dependence on heavy fuel oil is replaced by natural gas.

  Mr. Ancram
  No. The decision to increase the level of excise duty on heavy fuel oil which was announced in the Chancellor's Budget statement in November is in line with the Government's commitment to deliver healthy public finances as quickly as possible and to keep electricity prices in check through the encouragement of competition and the pursuit of efficiency.

  Non-fossil Fuel Obligation
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider increasing transitional relief to compensate for compliance with United Kingdom and EU policy on power station emissions and additional costs
  447
  incurred through meeting alternative energy targets contained within the non-fossil fuel obligation.

  Mr. Ancram
  No. The transitional relief scheme was introduced to give industry time to adjust to the application of cost-reflective pricing following privatisation and it will have served that purpose by the time it ends on 31 March 1996.

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the importance to the Northern Ireland economy of keeping electricity prices in Northern Ireland at levels attractive to incoming industry and commerce and competitive for existing industry with electricity prices in Great Britain.

  Mr. Ancram
  The price of electricity is one of a number of factors which is taken into account by incoming industry when considering Northern Ireland as a potential investment location. There is no evidence that potential inward investors choose between Northern Ireland and Great Britain solely on the basis of comparative electricity prices.

  Contagious Epididymitis
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the cases of contagious epididymitis in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Ancram
  There have been no cases of contagious epididymitis in Northern Ireland.

  Earnings Statistics
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people currently earn(a) less than £1.50 an hour, (b) between £1.50 and £2.00 an hour, (c) between £2.00 and £2.50 an hour, (d) between £2.50 and £3.00 an hour, (e) between £3.00 and £3.50 an hour and (f) between £3.50 and £4.00 an hour.

  Mr. Ancram
  Information on hourly earnings in Northern Ireland is available only from the new earning survey and relates to the proportion of employees within each earnings band. The latest available figures are for April 1994 and are as follows:

  Percentage of employees earning:

  Percentage

  Less than £1.50 per hour

  0.1

  £1.50—£2.00 per hour

  0.2

  £2.00—£2.50 per hour

  1.1

  £2.50—£3.00 per hour

  2.8

  £3.00—£3.50 per hour

  5.9

  £3.50—£4.00 per hour

  7.5

  Note:
  The information provided relates to gross average hourly earnings, including overtime of full-time employees on adult rates. It may be unreliable for some earnings bands due to the small number of respondents.
  448

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Commissioners
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of European Commissioners and the cost of their cabinets in(a) 1971, (b) 1981 and (c) 1991; and what is the estimated cost for 1995.

  Mr. David Davis
  There were nine members of the European Commission in 1971, 14 in 1981 and 17 in 1991. When Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the Union on 1 January this year, the number of Commissioners became 20. On the question of cost, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave him on 13 January,Official Report, column 213.

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what was the absenteeism rate for the Natural Resources Institute in each year since 1991.

  Mr. Baldry
  [pursuant to his reply 24 January. 1995, c.103]: The chief executive of the Natural Resources Institute, Mr. Anthony Beattie, has now written providing details of staff sick leave.

  Letter from Anthony Beattie to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 10 February 1995:
  Further to my letter of 24 January about absenteeism rates in the Natural Resources Institute, the figures you have asked for arc as follows:

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Days absence per staff year

  6.49

  6.56

  6.28

  6.20

  The figures include all sickness absences whether certificated or uncertificated. There is no separate definition of absenteeism for which records are maintained. A year is taken to be 365 days and sickness absences spanning weekends and public holidays are included in the calculation.
  I should also explain that a different set of data exists which is collated by the Civil Service Occupational Health Service but which is available only for the calendar years 1992 and 1993. These data exclude weekends and public holidays from the reckoning and are calculated on the basis of a year consisting of 225 working days. On this basis, NRI's record was:

  1992

  1993

  Working days absence per 225 working days

  5.45

  4.82

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he is giving to the report on famine in Iraq sent to him by Mr. Riad-el-Taher about his recent visit to Baghdad.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's reply to his identical question today.
  449

SCOTLAND

  Cochlear Implants
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) at which hospitals in Scotland cochlear implants are available for young children;

  (2) what restrictions apply to Crosshouse hospital carrying out further cochlear implants in the rest of the current financial year;

  (3) when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie of 20 December relating to operations for cochlear implants;

  (4) how many staff in Crosshouse hospital are skilled in conducting cochlear implants;

  (5) if he will make a statement about the consequences for young deaf children of delaying cochlear implant operations;

  (6) if he will make more funds available for cochlear implants in Scotland during the current financial year;

  (7) how many children are on the waiting list for cochlear implants in Scotland;

  (8) how many children have had cochlear implant operations postponed because of financial restrictions at Crosshouse hospital this year;

  (9) how many cochlear implant operations have been carried out at Crosshouse hospital in each month of the current financial year; and how many operations are projected for the remaining months of this financial year;

  (10) what proposals he has to increase the budget for cochlear implants at Crosshouse hospital in the next financial year; and what assessment he has made of the correlation between increases in funding and the number of operations performed.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Paediatric cochlear implantation is at present centrally funded as a national specialist service and is provided at Crosshouse hospital, Kilmarnock which is part of the North Ayrshire and Arran NHS trust. Funding in 1994–95 has enabled five paediatric operations to be carried out. The service is provided by a multi-disciplinary team led by a consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon.

  There are currently five children on the waiting list for cochlear implantation. No child on the waiting list has been given a date for operation in the current financial year which has subsequently been postponed. The waiting list is prioritised according to who needs treatment most urgently. A recent Medical Research Council evaluation study has indicated that, in general terms, cochlear implantation has favourable outcomes up to the age of seven years.

  Provision of cochlear implantation services in Scotland is currently under review and future funding requirements will be identified following consideration of the MRC evaluation of cochlear implantation and the paediatric cochlear implantation needs assessment. Both are to be published shortly.

  The following operations have been carried out in the current financial year. No further operations are expected to take place in the remainder of the year.
  450

  Adult

  Child

  April

  1

  1

  May

  —

  1

  June

  2

  —

  July

  1

  1

  August

  1

  —

  September

  —

  —

  October

  1

  1

  November

  —

  —

  December

  —

  1

  January

  11

  —

  Total

  7

  5

  1 One operation has been charged to the "Help to Hear" Fund

  A reply to the hon. Member's letter of 20 December was issued on 26 January.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the expenditure proposed for 1994–95 and 1995–96 by Scottish Homes in the categories(a) headquarters administration in Edinburgh, (b) publicity and publications, (c) regional office costs, (d) seed corn funding for housing associations set up to purchase Scottish Homes housing stock, (e) other funds for housing. associations set up to purchase Scottish Homes housing stock and (f) other expenditure not directly for the interest and repayment of loans for house building or the maintenance of housing stock.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is a matter for Scottish Homes. I have asked its chairman, Sir James Mellon, to write to the hon. Member.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. Lang
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Treasury on 6 February 1995,Official Report, column 69.

  Smoking
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money has been spent on the adult and parental health education programme in relation to cigarette smoking over each of the past two years; and how much money will be spent in 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]: Health education on smoking at national level in Scotland is undertaken by the Health Education Board for Scotland. Of total expenditure by the board of £1.47 million on anti-smoking activity in 1993–94,–969,000 was spent on action focusing on parents and other adults. The corresponding figures for 1994–95 will amount to some–770,000 and–520,000 respectively. The board's operational plan for the years 1995–96 and 1996–97 will shortly be finalised and will maintain a continuing focus on smoking among adults. Smoking issues are also addressed in other work undertaken by the board, for example in relation to coronary heart disease.
  451

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Child Witnesses
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures are being taken to expedite cases involving child witnesses; and if he will outline any initiatives to ensure that delay is minimised.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In relation to criminal proceedings, section 53 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 allows for cases of a serious violent or sexual nature, where a child might be called as a witness, to be transferred directly to the Crown court, thereby minimising the delays in waiting for a case to come to trial. The replacement of all committal proceedings with transfer procedures, which is due to take place later this year, will ensure that this applies to all cases. Furthermore, the introduction of a national scheme of plea and directions hearings, which should be completed by the end of this year, will provide for closer judicial case management. Child liaison officers, whose responsibilities include ensuring, as far as possible, that delays in cases involving child witnesses are kept to a minimum, are now in place in all Crown court centres. In addition, fast tracking schemes, which set local time limits for each stage of the prosecution process, have now been established in a number of Crown court centres.

  In relation to family proceedings, Dame Margaret Booth DBE had been commissioned by this Department to identify the causes of delay, and to suggest improvements to procedures to eradicate avoidable delay.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures are being taken to ensure members of the judiciary are trained in conduct towards child witnesses in cases of alleged abuse.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Judicial Studies Board is responsible for training the judiciary. The evidence of child witnesses is covered in courses for both Crown court judges and those who hear cases under the Children Act.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what powers he has in respect of restricting the legal aid in respect of an individual case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Neither the Lord Chancellor nor
  I may intervene in individual cases. Under the provisions of the Legal Aid Act 1988, responsibility for the grant of civil legal aid in individual cases, rests with the Legal Aid Board. Responsibility for the grant of criminal legal aid in individual cases rests with the relevant court.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what is the current total cost of legal aid support to the Maxwell brothers; and how much he estimates the total bill is likely to be at the conclusion of the court consideration of the case;

  (2) if he will list all those who have received payment from legal aid funds for their activity in respect of the Maxwell brothers' case; how much in total each of them has been paid to date; if he will list their hourly fee, where appropriate; if he will summarise the nature of the activity they have undertaken; and if he will estimate what their likely total bill will be at the conclusion of the court case.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The total amount of criminal legal aid paid to date to lawyers acting for all six 452
  defendants in R. v. Kevin Maxwell and Others is £4,028,008 inclusive of VAT. This amount includes final costs in the magistrates courts of—£829,377—as well as payments on account, as of 9 November 1994, in the Crown court of £3,198,631. All payments include VAT and disbursements, such as expert witness and accountancy fees, and other expenses necessarily incurred. I do not consider it would be appropriate while the case is continuing to give a further breakdown of those figures, nor do I consider it appropriate to speculate as to what the final costs might be.

TRANSPORT

  Train Operating Companies
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he has received on whether train operating companies should have the status of public benefit bodies for the purposes of European legislation; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Watts
  The term "public benefit body" is not recognised.

  Through Ticketing
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which train stations currently provide through-ticketing facilities within(a) Hampshire and (b) South West Trains.

  Mr. Watts
  Only those stations linked to the computer seat reservation system and equipped with APTIS machines have the capability of issuing a full range of through tickets. these stations are as follows:

  (a) Hampshire

  Brockenhurst

  Southampton Central

  Fareham

  Portsmouth and Southsea

  Portsmouth Harbour

  Havant

  Southampton Airport Parkway

  Winchester

  Andover

  Basingstoke

  Farnborough Main

  Aldershot

  Ryde Esplanade

  (b) South West Stations

  Andover

  Basingstoke

  Bracknell

  Brockenurst

  Farnborough

  Guildford

  453

  Kingston

  Portsmouth and Southsea

  Salisbury

  Aldershot

  Havant

  Poole

  Richmond

  Southampton Central

  Bournemouth

  Clapham Junction

  Fareham

  Farnham

  Portsmouth Harbour

  Southampton Airport (Parkway)

  Wimbledon

  Staines

  Surbiton

  Winchester

  Woking

  Walton-on-Thames

  Weymouth

  Network SouthEast
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Franchising Director will publish proposals for passenger service requirements for the franchise of the south central division of Network SouthEast; and what will be the consultation procedures.

  Mr. Watts
  It is currently the Franchising Director's intention to publish his proposals for the passenger service requirement for network south central this summer. He will be undertaking a formal consultation on his proposals with affected local authorities at both county and district level and also with the relevant rail users consultative committee in accordance with paragraph 9 of the objectives instructions and guidance issued to the Franchising Director by the Secretary of State for Transport on 22 March 1994.

  Traffic Congestion, London
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to investigate the proportion of traffic congestion in London which could be reduced by(a) improved co-ordination of road works, and (b) better supervision of construction sites, (c) more effective traffic signal operation and maintenance, (d) faster reaction to breakdowns and (e) other measures.

  Mr. Norris
  In 1993, the Transport Research Laboratory investigated the causes of traffic hold-ups in London using the "congestion file" maintained by the Metropolitan police. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of its report, "The frequency and importance of incidents which cause congestion in urban areas", TRL contractor report 342.

  Licences
  Mr.Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) heavy goods vehicles, (b) HGV trailers and (c) buses and coaches were licensed to operate on public roads in each year since 1991–92.

  Mr. Norris
  The following information is based on the number of vehicles licensed in United Kingdom in each class, as of the 30 September each year:454

  Year

  Number

  Heavy goods vehicles

  1994

  410,623

  (over 3,500 kgs gross weight)

  1993

  403,215

  1992

  407,150

  1991

  416,673

  Trailer HGVs

  1994

  6,623

  (HGVs pulling a drawbar trailer where a trailer supplement is payable)

  1993

  6,316

  1992

  6,188

  1991

  6,110

  Buses and Coaches (more than 16 seats)

  1994

  67,181

  1993

  65,349

  1992

  65,252

  1991

  63,783

  Heathrow Airport (Security)
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes in security standards and procedures have been made at Heathrow Airport; and what factors led to them.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department keeps under review all of its security requirements, including standards and procedures, but has not made any recent changes specific to Heathrow airport. A number of changes to improve the standard of aviation security have been introduced over the last year, affecting the majority of airports and airlines subject to the United Kingdom national aviation security programme, including Heathrow. These changes include the introduction of an air cargo security regime, accounting and authorising international hold baggage for carriage, and the continuing introduction of international hold baggage screening. These are examples of the Government's continuing commitment to aviation security and the ICAO eight-point plan.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his oral statement of 16 January,Official Report, column 550, on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill, if he will give the date, the parties and a summary of the judgment in the Court of Appeal decision referred to.

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]: The Court of Appeal judgment to which I referred was given on 30 June 1994 in the case of the Secretary of State for Transport v. Colonel Owen and Barbara Owen. The judgment required the Secretary of State to redetermine the discretionary purchase application made by Colonel Owen, whose property lies near the proposed Cirencester bypass. In the light of the judgment, the Department is required to take into account loss in value of properly attributable to a proposed scheme when assessing whether the applicant's enjoyment of the property is seriously affected within the meaning of the statutory provision and therefore whether it falls to be considered for discretionary purchase.

  Transec
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what have been the cost of the Transec teams and related organisations over the past 10 years.
  455
  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]The transport security division in my Department has existed in its current form since October 1991. Its running costs expenditure in 1992–93 was £2,114,000 and in 1993–94 was £3,736,000. Its expected outturn in 1994–95 is £4,116,000. All figures are expressed in cash terms. Comparable figures for earlier years could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the specific functions of those officers of Transec whose jobs will be cut following the reduction in costs announced by the Minister for Aviation and Shipping.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]More than half of the posts identified in the efficiency savings exercise are support or managerial. The remainder are inspectorial or investigatory.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total saving of the reduction in Transec expenditure announced by the Minister of Aviation and Shipping.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]The agreed running cost budget for the transport security division for 1995–96 represents a reduction of £655,000 compared with the outturn in 1993–94, the base year for the efficiency savings exercise in my Department. It also represents a saving of £961,000 on the forecast outturn for 1994–95. All figures are expressed in 1994–95 terms.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation there has been with(a) the BAA, (b) other airport operators, (c) port owners and occupiers, (d) airlines and (e) port users about the implications for them of the decision to reduce the expenditure on Transec; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]My right hon. Friend has responsibility within Government for transport security. My Department lays down relevant security requirements for each mode of transport after careful consideration and consultation with the industries and other parties as appropriate. It is the responsibility of the industries to implement the requirements, which include the provision of all security installations and staff. It would not be appropriate to consult those industries about changes in the way my Department discharges its responsibilities.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what ports or airports he(a) visited and (b) inspected in 1994.

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]Since becoming Secretary of State for Transport in July 1994, my right hon. Friend has passed through several ports and airports as a passenger. In the course of his official duties he has visited Heathrow, London city airport, Manchester airport and the ports of Harwich, Felixstowe and Dover. He did not inspect any of them in the sense of monitoring their performance of legal requirements placed upon them.

  Airport and Port Security
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the United Kingdom's treaty obligations on airport and port security 456
  and of the desirability of a revision of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990.

  Mr. Norris:
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]: The United Kingdom's international obligations and legislation relating to transport security are kept under review as a matter of course. I am satisfied with the current position.

  Motorail and Sleeper Services
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will instruct the Director of Rail Franchising to consult with rail users consultative committees prior to withdrawal of subsidy in respects of Motorail services;

  (2) if he will instruct the Director of Rail Franchising to consult the rail users consultative committees prior to withdrawal of subsidy in respect of London-Fort William and cross-country sleeper services.

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answers 7 February 1995]Paragraph 9 of the objectives instructions and guidance issued to the Franchising Director by the Secretary of State on 22 March 1994 requires him to liaise with the central rail users consultative committee and the rail users consultative committees and to take into account their views on the pattern and quality of services to be provided through franchising. I understand that Opraf will consult with rail users consultative committees about the content of the ScotRail passenger service requirement prior to issuing an invitation to tender for the franchise.

  For the present, timetable changes remain a matter for the British Railways Board, which I understand notifies the relevant rail users consultative committees of proposed changes so as to give them an opportunity to make representations.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Channel 5
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what provision he is making to allow Channel 5 bids from those who, if successful, would breach the current cross-media ownership rules; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Independent Television Commission invitation to apply for the Channel 5 licence made it clear that, when considering applications, it would apply the regulations in force at the time.

  Cross-media Ownership
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he expects to announce the results of his Department's review of cross-media ownership.

  Mr. Dorrell
  I will announce the Government's conclusions once we have completed our examination of the issue.

  Departmental Funding
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hexham (Mr. Atkinson) of 2 February,Official Report, columns 779–80, if he will give further

  457
  details of the £283,000 cost incurred by his Department for the transfer of functions of the conservation unit to his Department.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The £283,000 transferred to my Department for the conservation unit is broken down as follows:

  £000

  Salaries

  99

  Non-pay running costs

  90

  Accommodation

  91

  Other

  3

  Total

  283

  National Lottery
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who appointed the head of the Arts Council lottery committee.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Appointments to the Arts Council of England are made by the Secretary of State for National Heritage. In appointing Mr. Peter Gummer, my predecessor asked him to take special responsibility for the Arts Council's activities as a national lottery distributor.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether any of the funds raised for good causes by the national lottery are being invested in gilt-edged securities prior to disbursement by the lottery distribution bodies.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 2 February 1995]The proceeds of the national lottery held in the national lottery distribution fund are being invested in a range of investments which include gilt-edged securities. At 1 February, the investment portfolio for the fund was as follows:

  £ million

  Percentage

  Treasury Bills

  65

  41

  Local Authority Stocks and loans

  62

  39

  Gilts

  22

  14

  Ways and Means

  9

  6

  Total

  158

  Consultants
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are his latest estimates of the expenditure on all external consultants, including management consultants, for each year since 1987, in 1994 prices, for his Department and its agencies; and what are the quantified annual cost savings which such expenditure has resulted in.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]My Department was established in April 1992 and took on responsibility for funding its own consultancies in August 1992. For the two financial years for which figures are available, my Department's expenditure is as follows.
  458

  Year

  Expenditure £

  In 1994 prices £

  1992–93

  2,850,277

  2,995,884

  1993–94

  6,003,555

  6,123,666

  My Department uses consultants for a wide variety of tasks, only a small proportion of which are aimed at achieving cost savings. No central record is held on overall savings and it would not be possible to isolate those consultancies and quantify the cost savings without incurring disproportionate cost.

TREASURY

  VAT (Building Work)
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the annual cost to the Exchequer if the United Kingdom were to adopt an 8 per cent. rate of VAT on the repair, maintenance and improvement of listed buildings.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Alterations to listed buildings are currently zero rated. An 8 per cent. rate of VAT would bring in an estimated £30 million. Repairs and maintenance of listed buildings are currently standard rated. Information on expenditure on repairs and maintenance of listed buildings are not readily available. Moving repairs and maintenance to 8 per cent. would involve some loss of revenue.

  Alcohol
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals have been prosecuted for selling on alcohol bought on the continent for personal consumption since the lifting of restrictions governing the payment of duty.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  From the start of the single market on 1 January 1993 to 31 December 1994, 135 people have been prosecuted by Customs for single market offences involving either alcohol alone or in combination with other excise goods.

  Excise Duties
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made on the EU's biennial review of excise duties.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The date for the first review was set for 31 December 1994 at the latest. However, no proposal has yet been delivered by the Commission.

  Fundamental Expenditure Review
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instruction he gave to ensure the fundamental expenditure review has no detrimental effect on activities surrounding anti-drug smuggling.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The terms of reference I agreed for the fundamental expenditure review included the need to determine the scope for improved effectiveness and efficiency of all work areas, including anti-drug smuggling. The outcome is that by putting greater emphasis on quality results in terms of seizures and concentrating even more on drug-trafficking organisations, Customs and Excise is confident that its
  459
  success rate will be enhanced, and it has set targets to reflect this.

  EU Finances
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the total sums paid to each EU member state from EU sources, (b) the total sums paid to the EC by each member state, (c) the gross national

  Table 1: Payments made to the Member States of the European Community (million european currency units)

  B

  DK

  D

  GR

  E

  F

  IRL

  I

  L

  NL

  P

  UK

  Misc.

  EC12

  1984

  840.1

  1,020.1

  4,019.3

  1,364.0

  —

  4,342.5

  1,210.4

  4,962.4

  11.2

  2,122.6

  —

  4,092.5

  13.1

  23,998.2

  1985

  1,070.0

  912.5

  4,185.0

  1,702.8

  —

  5,416.4

  1,548.7

  4,480.3

  8.5

  2,231.9

  —

  3,107.4

  39.9

  24,703.4

  1986

  1,164.2

  1,211.8

  4,988.4

  1,905.1

  2,415.5

  6,323.6

  1,573.9

  4,523.3

  6.5

  2,449.5

  497.8

  3,386.8

  43.2

  30,812.0

  1987

  985.4

  1,144.2

  4,541.8

  1,876.9

  1,984.8

  6,744.3

  1,438.0

  5,256.2

  12.0

  2,890.2

  731.4

  3,121.5

  85.3

  30,812.0

  1988

  838.5

  1,286.2

  5,427.7

  1,921.5

  4,012.3

  7,314.6

  1,487.5

  5,551.0

  14.2

  3,945.6

  914.8

  3,253.9

  161.3

  36,129.1

  1989

  683.3

  1,045.3

  4,579.8

  2,564.5

  3,544.4

  5,676.5

  1,711.7

  6,177.1

  8.2

  3,829.9

  945.5

  3,214.3

  72.4

  35,659.7

  1990

  989.8

  1,197.6

  4,807.1

  3,033.8

  5,382.7

  6,284.6

  2,260.7

  5,681.0

  14.5

  2,983.6

  1,103.2

  3,147.4

  391.4

  37,277.5

  1991

  2,634.0

  1,379.8

  6,597.4

  3,688.5

  6,874.8

  8,152.5

  2,809.7

  7,311.2

  268.5

  2,999.8

  2,228.2

  4,069.5

  4,782.7

  53,796.6

  1992

  2,404.6

  1,311.4

  7,299.9

  4,332.6

  7,567.6

  9,049.8

  2,602.4

  7,775.6

  287.5

  2,705.0

  2,978.0

  4,314.6

  5,944.4

  58,573.2

  1993

  2,454.5

  1,583.4

  7,246.1

  5,147.9

  8,263.0

  10,525.9

  2,939.3

  8,739.6

  356.6

  2,704.0

  3,418.0

  4,500.8

  6,328.6

  64,207.6

  Source:

  Court of Auditors Reports.

  Notes:

  1. Miscellaneous expenditure by the European Commission covers payments not made to the Member States; the principal item being expenditure on aid to third countries.

  2. With effect from 1988 payments to the Member States no longer included 10 per cent. collection costs in respect of Member States contributions of sugar and agricultural levies and customs duties. As from 1988 Member States retained 10 pc r cent. of their levies and duties contributions before making these contributions available to the community. After 1987, therefore, collection costs ceased to be accounted as payments to the community and were deducted, at source, from Member States resource payments.

  3. Totals may not add up to the sum of the columns due to rounding.

  Table 2: Actual own resources by Member State 1984–93 (million european currency units)

  B

  DK

  D

  GR

  E

  F

  IRL

  I

  L

  NL

  P

  UK

  EC12

  1984

  1,283.3

  532.9

  7,052.4

  355.8

  —

  4,802.3

  286.3

  3,443.4

  51.3

  1,687.8

  —

  5,429.5

  24,880.0

  1985

  1,292.6

  620.4

  7,504.3

  388.0

  —

  5,319.2

  296.4

  3,629.5

  50.7

  1,889.4

  —

  5,090.3

  26,080.8

  1986

  1,448.1

  790.7

  8,730.2

  632.4

  2,320.6

  6,885.1

  343.8

  4,718.2

  65.8

  2,232.0

  278.6

  4,825.2

  33,270.7

  1987

  1,702.6

  844.7

  9,384.6

  340.4

  1,708.7

  7,330.0

  337.5

  5,191.6

  73.5

  2,366.2

  341.8

  5,727.5

  35,349.1

  1988

  1,833.5

  955.6

  11,534.9

  429.9

  2,678.1

  9,095.5

  328.2

  5,426.8

  81.6

  2,795.6

  399.9

  5,323.9

  40,883.3

  1989

  1,807.2

  871.1

  11,110.4

  566.3

  3,575.1

  8,622.8

  370.9

  7,605.9

  72.8

  2,700.5

  458.3

  6,568.1

  44,329.3

  1990

  1,763.7

  775.1

  10,357.5

  563.6

  3,671.4

  8,089.5

  368.2

  6,097.7

  74.5

  2,615.2

  502.4

  6,534.3

  41,413.1

  1991

  2,217.4

  1,033.5

  15,394.2

  762.1

  4,580.2

  10,602.0

  452.4

  8,699.8

  108.8

  3,537.7

  712.0

  4,736.4

  52,836.5

  1992

  2,239.1

  1,034.8

  16,997.5

  728.6

  4,828.0

  10,493.4

  462.3

  8,279.9

  123.5

  3,534.0

  838.1

  6,702.4

  56,261.7

  1993

  2,394.9

  1,206.5

  19,076.4

  1,011.2

  5,172.6

  11,545.5

  567.4

  10,265.0

  167.0

  4,030.6

  909.6

  7,626.6

  63,973.3

  Source:

  Court of Auditors Reports.

  Notes:

  1. Figures for own resources are after account is taken of the UK's abatement and the bringing to account of surpluses and deficits in respect of Member States contributions in earlier years.

  2. With effect from 1988, inclusive, Member States contributions exclude 10 per cent. collection costs in respect of their contributions of sugar and agricultural levies and customs duties—which they deduct from their contributions for levies and duties before making their contributions available to the community. Prior to 1988 Member States' made their sugar and agricultural levies and customs duties contributions available in full to the community. The 10 per cent. collection costs were paid from the expenditure side of the budget to Member States and thus scored as receipts from the community.

  3. The revenue available to the community also includes relatively small amounts of miscellaneous revenue derived from such sources as the sale of publications, disposal of property etc.

  4. Totals may not add up to the sum of the columns due to rounding.

  Table 3: Gross national product of the Member States of the European Community (million european currency units)

  B

  DK

  D1

  GR

  E

  F

  IRL

  I

  L

  NL

  P

  UK

  1984

  96.319

  66.461

  787.852

  51.607

  198.49

  631.349

  20.548

  521.960

  5.950

  160.898

  26.125

  552.578

  1985

  103.965

  73.440

  824.006

  51.908

  215.772

  687.925

  22.350

  556.083

  6.709

  169.255

  29.235

  606.258

  1986

  112.657

  80.523

  909.740

  47.457

  233.002

  743.069

  24.100

  610.859

  7.395

  182.016

  33.084

  572.721

  1987

  119.948

  85.278

  966.890

  47.586

  252.052

  768.449

  24.454

  653.693

  7.574

  188.067

  35.399

  597.804

  1988

  126.975

  88.577

  1,016.200

  53.692

  288.065

  813.402

  25.778

  705.305

  8.164

  194.450

  39.887

  703.563

  1989

  138.263

  91.484

  1,086.440

  59.979

  342.47

  875.544

  28.527

  783.177

  9.205

  207.257

  46.382

  758.885

  460
  product of each state and (d) the percentage of gross national product of each state derived from sums paid to it from EU funds in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 26 January 1995]The information in respect of items(a) to (c) for the years 1984 to 1993 is set out in tables 1 to 3. Table 4 sets out the annual amount of Community payments member states received as a percentage of their gross national product.
  461

  Table 3: Gross national product of the Member States of the European Community (million european currency units)

  B

  DK

  D1

  GR

  E

  F

  IRL

  I

  L

  NL

  P

  UK

  1990

  149.818

  97.349

  1,193.210

  63.946

  384.279

  936.382

  31.209

  851.785

  10.396

  223.737

  52.449

  759.778

  1991

  159.084

  100.219

  1,405.330

  69.891

  423.034

  964.52

  32.9820

  919.158

  11.190

  234.222

  62.552

  807.505

  1992

  169.757

  105.061

  1,531.000

  73.374

  439.91

  1,012.900

  35.088

  926.856

  11.896

  246.543

  73.888

  804.914

  1993

  180.827

  111.583

  1,630.670

  76.945

  404.057

  1,060.510

  35.706

  833.394

  12.486

  263.809

  72.238

  803.813

  Source:

  Eurostat.

  Note:

  1Includes East Germany from 1991 onwards.

  Table 4: Payments made to Member States as a percentage of GNP

  B

  DK

  D1

  GR

  E

  F

  IRL

  I

  L

  NL

  P

  UK

  1984

  0.87

  0.53

  0.51

  2.64

  0.00

  0.69

  5.89

  0.95

  0.19

  1.32

  0.00

  0.74

  1985

  1.03

  1.24

  0.51

  3.28

  0.00

  0.79

  6.93

  0.81

  0.13

  1.32

  0.00

  0.51

  1986

  1.03

  1.50

  0.55

  4.01

  1.04

  0.85

  6.53

  0.74

  0.09

  1.35

  1.50

  0.59

  1987

  0.82

  1.34

  0.47

  3.94

  0 79

  0.88

  5.88

  0.80

  0.16

  0.54

  2.07

  0.52

  1988

  0.66

  1.45

  0.53

  3.58

  1.39

  0.90

  5.77

  0.79

  0.17

  2.03

  2.29

  0.46

  1989

  0.49

  1.14

  0.42

  4.28

  1.03

  0.65

  6.00

  0.79

  0.09

  0.85

  2.04

  0.42

  1990

  0.66

  1.23

  0.40

  4.74

  1.40

  0.67

  7.24

  0.67

  0.14

  1.33

  2.10

  0.41

  1991

  1.66

  1.38

  0.47

  5.28

  1.63

  0.85

  8.52

  0.80

  2.40

  1.28

  3.56

  0.50

  1992

  1.42

  1.25

  0.48

  5.90

  1.72

  0.89

  7.42

  0.84

  2.42

  1.10

  4.03

  0.54

  1993

  1.36

  1.42

  0.44

  6.69

  2.05

  0.99

  8.23

  1.05

  2.86

  1.02

  4.73

  0.56

  Note:

  1Includes East Germany from 1991 onwards.

DEFENCE

  WE177 Free-fall Nuclear Bomb
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost of the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb.

  Mr. Soames
  The annual operating cost of the WE 177 free-fall nuclear bomb is estimated to be £20 million.

  Nuclear Forces
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the defence budget was spent on maintaining and operating all British nuclear forces in the last financial year.

  Mr. Soames
  Some 7.2 per cent. of the 1993–94 defence budget was spent on maintaining and operating British nuclear forces.

  RAF Hospital, Wroughton
  Mr. Insley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Treasury rules prohibit the lease of the RAF hospital, Wroughton.

  Mr. Soames
  Treasury guidelines require that once land or property has been identified as surplus to defence requirements, it should be disposed of within three years. These guidelines further state that sale rather than lease should be the rule unless there are strong reasons to the contrary. Where outright sale is impractical, however, it would be our normal practice to consider a lease, among other options, pending a longer-term solution to the problem.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how long he intends to lease the RAF hospital, Wroughton, to the Princess Margaret hospital, Swindon, after April 1996.
  462
  Mr. Soames
  We are aware of the interest expressed by the Princess Margaret hospital Swindon—Swindon and Marlborough NHS trust—and have held preliminary discussions with it regarding its wish to make use of the Princess Alexandra RAF hospital, Wroughton, when it closes in March 1996. Formal negotiations have not yet begun, however, and it is too early to say what the outcome might be.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the possible future use of the land and buildings at the RAF hospital, Wroughton after April 1996.

  Mr. Soames
  Discussions are taking place with Swindon and Marlborough NHS trust regarding the continued use of Wroughton hospital for medical purposes. My Department is well aware of the sensitive nature of the site, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is too early to consider alternative uses, but should that become necessary we would liaise closely with the local authority, in accordance with our normal practice.

  Mr.Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) national health service patients were treated at RAF hospital, Wroughton, during the last five years and (b) beds were required at the RAF hospital, Wroughton by the Princess Margaret hospital, Swindon, during each of the last five years.

  Mr. Soames
  The total numbers of NHS in-patient, and day-patient attendances at the Princess Alexandra's Royal Air Force hospital, Wroughton, in the years in question are as follows:

  1989–90: 22,213

  1990–91: 17,703

  1991–92: 19,505

  1992–93: 17,794

  1993–94: 21,577

  463
  Figures for the number of beds at Wroughton required by the Princess Margaret hospital, Swindon, are not available for the entire period. In 1994 and 1995, however, some beds at the Princess Alexandra's hospital have been made available to the Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust for a period of seven and a half and 12 weeks respectively.

  Drag Hunting
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken to provide drag hunting by military personnel.

  Mr. Soames
  A small number of personnel participate in drag hunting, as one of a number of recognised sporting activities, during periods set aside for this purpose.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the eight Royal Air Force Tornados flying at 500 ft above Barnoldswick and Earby at 6.15 pm on Monday 30 January came from.

  Mr. Soames
  Two formations of four Tornados from RAF Bruggen were authorised to fly in the general area in which the towns are located on 30 January at around the time in question. An investigation is under way to establish whether these aircraft flew over the towns at the height alleged. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member when the investigation is complete.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he takes to inform hon. Members of exercises by low-flying military aircraft.

  Mr. Soames
  When it is practical to do so, advance warning of major exercises is given to hon. Members whose constituents are likely to be affected. It would be impractical to provide prior notice of all low-level sorties since they are often determined at short notice to take account of variable factors such as weather conditions.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the minimum height for low flying by military aircraft in the United Kingdom and Germany.

  Mr. Soames
  The normal minimum height for low flying by military fixed wing aircraft in the United Kingdom is 250 ft minimum separation distance, but a small amount of operational low flying down to 100 ft MSD is permitted in three specially designated tactical training areas located in the borders, northern Scotland and central Wales. Germany applies a general limit of 100 ft but allows some military flying below this height.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on low-flying military aircraft over urban areas.

  Mr. Soames
  Military aircrew are instructed to avoid flying low over major towns and conurbations, and to avoid all other populated areas wherever possible, whether they are listed for avoidance or not.

  Falklands and Gulf Wars
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) of 19 January,Official Report, column 688, how the cash contributions from Governments were apportioned within his Department,
  464
  and between his Department and other Government agencies and departments.

  Mr. Soames
  Apart from a £25,000,000 contribution by Japan, taken as an appropriation in aid of the defence budget in 1990–91, cash contributions were accounted for as consolidated fund extra receipts in the defence appropriation accounts, and thus offset the Government's increased expenditure arising from the conflict. Details of the Government's additional costs are listed in the minutes of evidence, pages 2 and 3, of the 55th report of the Committee of Public Accounts.

  Contingent Liabilities
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the agencies or projects triggering contingent liabilities under the Ordnance Factories and Military Services Act 1984 and shown in the Consolidated Fund accounts for the years 1984–85 to 1989–90.

  Mr. Soames
  The figures shown in section 4 of the supplementary statements to the consolidated fund and national loans fund accounts as the contingent liabilities under the Ordnance Factories and Military Services Act 1984 for the period 1985–86 to 1989–90 are estimates of the corporate risk incurred by International Military Services Ltd. for the years in question. The detailed make-up of these estimates is commercially confidential.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Patten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those public bodies for which he retains departmental responsibility; which of these bodies have been identified as suitable for placing in the private sector; and by when it is expected each of these bodies will enter the private sector.

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to "Public Bodies 1993" issued by the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service and Science, pages 7 and 8 of which detail Ministry of Defence non-departmental public bodies. There are no plans at present to change the status of any of these bodies.

  Trident
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current annual cost of maintaining the Trident system; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  We currently estimate that the average annual operating cost of Trident over its life will be about £200 million.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of self-destruct mines as used by the British forces do not self destruct as specified by their manufacturers.

  Mr. Freeman
  None of the land mines currently in service with United Kingdom forces have self-destruct mechanisms.

  However, the Army is due to be equipped later in the year with the multiple launch rocket system phase II, which will deploy anti-tank land mines; these will have self-destruct mechanisms. My Department is undertaking trials to ensure that the stringent specification is met.
  465
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much it would cost to fit self-destructing and self-neutralising mechanisms retroactively on current United Kingdom anti-personnel mine stocks.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government's policy is not to export these mines from MOD stocks. If required for use in war, they would be used only in accordance with the UN weaponry convention.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training a United Kingdom military field commander receives to enable him to judge accurately the short and long-term military and humanitarian costs and benefits of anti-personnel mine laying; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  Training within the armed forces is a continuous process and the military and humanitarian costs and benefits of using military equipment, which includes anti-personnel mines, is included in the syllabus of a number of courses, which are attended by those appointed as field commanders. I will write to the hon. Member with fuller details of the nature of these courses.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what level of authority must be sought within the UK armed forces to permit mine laying by UK soldiers.

  Mr. Soames
  If required during an operation, the authority to lay mines will be sought, through the chain of command, from the operational commander.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much more a self-destructing or self-neutralising anti-personnel mine will cost than its dumb equivalent; and if he will give figures.

  Mr. Freeman
  Details of the purchase cost of self-destructing and self-neutralising mines are not held by my Department and therefore a cost comparison is not possible.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of state foe Defence what would be the financial cost to the Department of a total ban on the production, stockpiling, sale and use of anti-personnel mines.

  Mr. Freeman
  Since there is no such ban, we have made no assessment of what the financial consequences might be.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the precise principles and criteria which UK military commanders must use when complying with article 3, paragraph 3 of protocol II of the UN's inhumane weapons convention which prohibits the indiscriminate use of mines.

  Mr. Soames
  The UK would not use land mines indiscriminately. Minefields have to have a specific military purpose, and must be clearly marked using the correct NATO marking system. The location of mines is recorded to facilitate subsequent de-mining operations. The set rules and procedures that have to be followed are taught as part of the courses for Royal Engineers and any other soldiers who are responsible for mine laying and mine clearance.

  Service Accommodation
  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has the results of the audit work on official service residences; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  In his written answer of 4 July 1994, Official Report, column 85, my predecessor, my right hon.
  466
  Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley), described the audit work that we had set in hand on official service residences following the discovery of significant overspends on the refurbishment of Haymes Garth, currently the residence of the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command. He undertook to make a full report at the conclusion of this work.

  The external investigation of circumstances surrounding Haymes Garth was carried out by Ms Sheila Masters of KPMG Peat Marwick, building on earlier work by the Ministry's internal auditors. Her report establishes the sequence of events, identifies the failures of control which occurred, and makes recommendations for the future. The latest estimate of expenditure on Haymes Garth is £380,000. It is our intention to dispose of the property as soon as practicable, subject to the availability of suitable alternative accommodation for the AOCinC.

  Internal auditors have, as my right hon. Friend indicated, also been conducting a wider examination of expenditure on official service residences, covering a selection of properties in each of the three services.

  The general conclusion is that management of a majority of residences was generally satisfactory, but there were significant failures of control in some cases, including Haymes Garth. The Ministry's established procedures for the devolution of budgetary powers and responsibilities did not always operate as intended. The reports make it clear that this was partly due to lack of agreed standards for official service residences, which meant that too much was left to subjective judgements. There was also evidence that some staff have an incomplete understanding of the relevant procedures. Obligations to consult were sometimes ignored. This is not acceptable.

  There are no findings of illegality or culpable impropriety, but failures of control imply individual failures in management and responsibility. The reports we now have, call into question the judgment of a number of individuals to a degree which may require action by the appropriate authorities. This is in hand.

  Meanwhile, budget holders have been reminded that normal budgetary disciplines apply to expenditure of this kind, and that financial oversight at senior level should be maintained at all times. Steps to remedy the system defects which have come to light are being vigorously pursued. The effect will be to define most closely the standards of provision for residences and their furnishings and to ensure improved reporting of actual expenditure. Residences are provided to enable the occupant to do his job; provision should be limited to what is necessary for this purpose.

  Beyond this, as I reported to the House on 18 October 1994, Official Report, columns 159–60, it was felt appropriate that the wider question of representational entertainment in the armed forces should be examined, and Sir Peter Cazalet agreed to carry out the investigation. As well as examining the requirement for senior officers to entertain, he is considering whether there are most cost-effective ways of doing so than the use of official residences and similar quarters, and in the light of that whether any properties can be sold. Future policy on the use of official service residences including Haymes Garth will be formed in the light of his recommendations.
  467
  I am placing a paper concerning the financial management of official service residences in the Library of the House.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training Scheme Leavers
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the number and proportion of trainees who six months after leaving were(a) in a full-time job with their work experience employer, (b) in a full-time job with another employer, (c) employed in their own business, (d) in a part-time job, (e) in voluntary work, (f) on another Government training programme, (g) on a full-time education or training course, (h) unemployed and claiming benefit, (i) unemployed and not claiming benefit, (j) in a job club and (k) doing something else, as shown in the results of the youth training leavers survey for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, for the period April 1993 to March 1994, for all leavers and separately for male and female, for each ethnic group, and for those with a disability or health problem;

  (2) what are the results of the training for work leavers survey for each region and for Great Britain as a whole, for the period between April 1993 and March 1994, for all leavers and separately for male and female, for each ethnic group, and for those with a disability or health problem, broken down to show the number and proportion of training for work leavers who (a) have been entered for a vocational qualification, (b) had obtained a vocational qualification, (c) had failed to obtain a vocational qualification and (d) were awaiting their results; what was the number and proportion of training for work leavers who six months after leaving were (i) in a full-time job with their work experience employer, (ii) in a full-time job with another employer, (iii) employed in their own business, (iv) in a part-time job, (v) in voluntary work (vi) on another Government training programme, (vii) on a full-time education or training course, (viii) unemployed and claiming benefit, (ix) unemployed and not claiming benefit, (x) in a job club and (xi) doing something else; and what is the number and proportion of training for work leavers who had completed the training agreed in their initial action plan.

  Mr. Paice
  As this information is contained in a large number of tables, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what are the results from the training for work leavers survey for the period December 1992 to January 1994 for each training and enterprise council area in England and Wales and each local enterprise company area in Scotland broken down to show the number and proportion of leavers who(a) had been entered for a vocational qualification, (b) had obtained a vocational qualification, (c) had failed to obtain a vocational qualification and (d) were awaiting their results; what was the number and proportion of training for work leavers who six months after leaving were (i) in a full-time job with their work experience employer, (ii) in a full-time job with another employer, (iii) employed in their own business, iv) in a part-time job, (v) in voluntary work, (vi) on another Government training programme, (vii) on a
  468
  full-time education or training course, (viii) unemployed and claiming benefit, (ix) unemployed and not claiming benefit, (x) in a job club and (xi) doing something else; and what was the number and proportion of training for work leavers who had completed the training agreed in their initial action plan;

  (2) what are the results of the youth training leavers survey for the period December 1992 to January 1994 for each training and enterprise council area in England and Wales and each local enterprise company area in Scotland broken down to show the number and proportion of youth training leavers who were (a) in full-time work with the same employer, (b) in full-time work with a different employer, (c) in part-time work, (d) on a full-time course at a college or training centre, (e) on another youth training scheme, (f) doing something else, (g) unemployed and (h) had obtained a vocation qualification; and what was (i) the number of questionnaires issued, (ii) the usable percentage response and (iii) the percentage of respondents who were early leavers.

  Mr. Paice
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I placed in the Library on 13 January in answer to questions tabled by the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman).

  Employment Service
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the internal working group was set up in Scotland to develop Employment Service services for Employment Service clients living in rural areas.

  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 A. G. Johnson to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 10 February 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence on business of the Chief Executive, to reply to your question about when the internal working group was set up in Scotland.
  The working group was established to address issues concerning the provision of Employment Service programmes and services in rural areas and to look at ways in which improvements could be made to assist our clients in these areas. The first meeting was held on 25 November 1994.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will list by region those areas which have access to Employment Service freephone services in Scotland;

  (2) if he will list by region the number of mobile jobcentres operating in Scotland;

  (3) if he will list by region which press and radio are used to publicise Employment Service services in Scotland.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions 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 A. G. Johnson to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 10 February 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence on business of the Chief Executive, to reply to your questions about Scotland concerning the areas which have access to Employment Service (ES)

  469
  freephone services, the number of mobile Jobcentres, and press and radio used to publicise ES services.
  The information you require is listed, by Regional and Island Council Authorities, in the following tables.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Table 1: Freephone services for clients in Scotland

  Regional authority

  Jobcentre

  Area served

  Strathclyde

  Campbeltown

  Kintyre

  Islay

  Jura

  Gigha

  Oban

  Lochgilphead

  Inverary

  Tarbet

  Coll

  Colonsay

  Iona

  Mull

  Tiree

  Kilmarnock A

  Irvine Valley Stewarton

  Kilmamock B

  Kilmaurs

  Kilwinning

  Dalry

  Borders

  Eyemouth

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  Hawick

  Kelos

  Galashiels

  Ettrick

  Lauderdale

  Peeblesshire

  Shetland Islands Council

  Lerwick

  Shetland Isles

  Lothian

  Portobello

  Craigmillar

  Highland

  Inverness

  Inverness

  Ullapool

  Drumnadrochit

  Gairloch

  Aviemore

  Grantown on Spey

  Black Isle

  Table 2: Mobile jobcentre for clients in Scotland

  Regional authority

  Jobcentre

  Area served

  Fife

  Cupar

  Auchtermuchty

  Newburgh

  Leven

  Anstruther

  Kirkcaldy

  Burntisland

  Dunfermline

  Dalgety Bay

  Valleyfield

  Rosyth

  Kincardine

  Cowdenbeath

  Cardenden

  Kinross

  Lochore

  470

  Table 3: Press and radio publicity in Scotland

  Regional authority

  Press/Radio

  Strathclyde

  Gryffe Weekly News

  Paisley Gazette

  Paisley Express

  Lanark Gazette

  Wishaw Press

  Motherwell Times

  Lanarkshire People

  Lanarkshire World

  Clyde Weekly News

  Daily Record

  Glasgow Herald

  Glasgow Evening Times

  Drumchapel News

  County Reporter

  Oban Times

  The Star

  Lennox Herald

  Irvine Times

  Irvine Herald

  Cumnock Chronicle

  Ayr Advertiser

  Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald

  Troon Times

  Carrick Herald

  Kilmarnock Standard

  Ayrshire Leader

  Ayrshire Post

  Arran Banner

  Largs and Millport Weekly

  Garnock Herald

  Greenock Telegraph

  Clyde Post

  The Buteman

  Dunoon Observer

  Glaswegian

  East End Independent

  Hamilton Advertiser

  Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser

  East Kilbride News

  Wishaw Press

  Rutherglen Reformer

  Lanarkshire World

  Southside Extra

  Castlemilk Free Press

  Scottish Jobs

  East End Independent

  Cumbemauld News

  Kirkintilloch Advertiser

  Radio Clyde

  Q96

  West Sound Radio

  Borders

  Southern Reporter

  Pebblesshire News

  Borders Telegraph

  Hawick News

  Berwickshire News

  Tayside

  Courier and Advertiser (Dundee)

  Evening Telegraph (Dundee)

  Perthshire Advertiser

  Blairgowrie Advertiser

  Arbroath Herald

  Montrose Review

  Tayside Business News

  Radio Tay

  Fife

  Fife Free Press

  Courier and Advertiser (Fife)

  East Fife Mail

  Fife Leader

  Dunfermline Press

  471

  Table 3: Press and radio publicity in Scotland

  Regional authority

  Press/Radio

  Dunfermline Extra

  Central Fife Times

  Dunfermline Herald and Post

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Dumfries and Galloway Standard

  Galloway Gazette

  Wigtown Free Press

  Dumfries Courier

  Annandale Herald

  Annandale Observer

  Central

  Stirling Observer

  Falkirk Herald

  Alloa Advertiser

  Lothian

  Edinburgh Evening News

  Wester Hailes Sentinel

  Portobello Advertiser

  East Lothian Toun Crier

  Craigmillar Festival Society News

  Midlothian Advertiser

  Lothian Times

  Lothian News

  Lothian Courier

  Herald and Post

  Musselburgh News

  Radio Forth

  Hailes FM (Wester Hailes)

  Highland

  Press and Journal

  Northern Scot

  Highland News

  Ross-shire Journal

  Lochaber Life

  John O'Groats Journal

  Fort William Star

  Moray Firth Radio

  BBC Highland

  Moray Firth Radio

  Nevis Radio

  Grampian

  Press and Journal

  Evening Express

  Fraserburgh Herald

  Buchan Observer

  Shetland Islands Council

  Shetland

  Shetland Radio

  Western Isles Island

  Stornoway Gazette

  Radio FM

  Orkney Islands Council

  The Orcadian

  BBC Radio Orkney

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the timetable for linking(a) libraries, (b) community centres and (c) other focal points in rural communities to the Employment Service

  computer network;

  (2) what system is in place to ensure that vacancy displays in post offices, libraries, community centres and
  472
  other focal points in rural communities are regularly updated.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions 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 A. G. Johnson to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 10 February 1995.
  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence on business of the Chief Executive, to reply to your questions about the systems used to update vacancy displays in rural locations and the timetable for linking such locations to the Employment Service (ES) computer network.
  The currency of vacancies in Jobcentres is one of the standards of performance outlined in the ES Jobseeker's Charter. Our aim is that when clients look at our job vacancy boards, they will find the vacancies up to date and available.
  Where vacancies are displayed at locations other than Jobcentres such as libraries or community centres, this aim may be achieved by way of local agreements with the relevant organisations who, on our instruction, remove old vacancies and replace them with new ones. Alternatively, one of my officers will travel to visit the location to update the displays. In some cases, depending on the distances between the Jobcentre and the vacancy display, both activities will take place.
  There are no plans to link these outside locations to our present computerised vacancy handling system, "Supervacs".

  Jobsearch Plan
  Ms. Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will withdraw question 18 on page 10 from the draft jobsearch plan.

  Miss Widdecombe
  No. The draft jobsearch plan has been designed to enable jobseekers to set out information to help them prepare for the discussions with an employment adviser about their jobseeker's agreement. The jobsearch plan form will ask for details of availability for work, the sort of work being sought and how the jobseeker intends to find it. Questions relating to the level of pay being sought are relevant to these matters.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, in response to question 18 on page 10 of the draft jobsearch plan which requires the jobseeker to state the lowest wage that he or she is willing to work for, he would expect a person from an ethnic minority to state a lower wage rate than a white person.

  Miss Widdecombe: No.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if, in response to question 18 on page 10 of the draft jobsearch plan which requires the jobseeker to state the lowest wage that he or she is willing to work for, he would expect women to state a lower wage rate than men.

  Miss Widdecombe
  No.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the status of the jobsearch plan under the Jobseekers Bill; and what sanctions can be imposed upon claimants if they refuse to sign the jobsearch plan.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The jobsearch plan has no status under the Jobseekers Bill. It will be used to gather information to help draw up the jobseeker's agreement. No sanctions will be imposed for not signing the plan.

  Mr. Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to introduce a minimum level for the lowest wage a person needs to

  473
  declare under the draft jobsearch plan under the Jobseekers Bill.

  Miss Widdecombe
  None.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment at what interval the jobsearch plan will he renewed by an individual claimant under the Jobseekers Bill.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The jobsearch plan will be used to gather information to help the employment officer and jobseeker to draw up an initial jobseeker's agreement. A new jobsearch plan might in some cases be appropriate to help the employment officer and the jobseeker vary a jobseeker's agreement during a claim.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which questions contained within the jobsearch plan are at present contained in a signed document; and what is the sanction for failing to declare or making a false declaration.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Nearly all of the information which it is proposed should be gathered by the new jobsearch plan form is at present collected on forms which are signed by the claimant. The order and phrasing of some of the questions has been altered in the current draft of the plan. The section on efforts to find work, in particular, has been re-designed to help the jobseeker set out his jobsearch plans in more detail.

  There will be no sanctions for failing to fill in a new jobsearch plan form. It is, however, an offence for a jobseeker to make a statement or representation he knows to be false and we propose to continue this under the jobseeker' s allowance.

  Regulated Economies
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to her oral answer of 10 January, Official Report, column 7, if she will list the international evidence that more regulated economies are less successful in creating jobs.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  There is a growing body of work—much of it through international comparisons—on the

  Estimated numbers of full and part-time employees (in thousands rounded to the nearest 10,000).

  Estimated number with gross hourly earnings:

  Region

  Less than 1.50

  £1.50—£2.00

  £2.00—£2.50

  £2.50—£3.00

  £3.00—£3.50

  £3.50—£4.00

  South East region

  20

  30

  40

  110

  300

  400

  East Anglia region

  —

  —

  10

  30

  60

  70

  South West region

  10

  10

  10

  50

  160

  150

  West Midlands region

  10

  10

  20

  50

  170

  180

  East Midlands region

  10

  10

  20

  50

  140

  150

  Yorkshire and Humberside region

  10

  10

  20

  50

  160

  180

  North West region

  —

  10

  30

  60

  180

  200

  North region

  —

  —

  20

  30

  100

  110

  Wales

  10

  —

  10

  30

  80

  100

  Scotland

  10

  10

  20

  40

  160

  190

  Note:

  —denotes estimates less than 5,000.

  Source:

  1994 New Earning Survey and Employees in Employment for june 1994.
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  effect of regulation on labour markets. This work was recently summarised in the OECD jobs study, "Evidence and Explanations Part II: The Adjustment Potential of the Labour Market", Chapter 6, pages 63–100. Among its conclusions are
  "the employment/population ratio … tends to be lower in countries with high levels of job security"

  measured by the strictness of statutory employment security provisions. The OECD jobs study drew heavily on recent work including:

  D. Grubb and W. Wells, "Employment Regulation and Patterns of Work in EC Countries", OECD Economic Studies No 21, winter 1993;

  W. Wells, "Does the Structure of Employment Legislation Affect the Structure of Employment and Unemployment?", paper at United Kingdom EC Presidency Labour Market Conference, Glasgow, November 1992;

  Other studies of the effects of labour market regulation include: S. Bentolila and G. Bertola, "Firing Costs and Labour Demand: How Bad is Eurosclerosis?" Review of Economic Studies, 1990;

  S. Bentolila and G. Saint-Paul, "The Macroeconomic Impact of Flexible Labour Contracts, with an Application to Spain", European Economic Review, 1990;

  G. Bertola, "Job Security, Employment and Wages", European Economic Review, 1990;

  M. Emerson, "Regulation or Deregulation of the Labour Market: Policy Regimes for the Recruitment and Dismissal of Employees in the Industrialised Countries", European Economic Review, 1988;

  E. Lazear, "Job Security Provisions and Employment", Quarterly Journal of Economics, 1990;

  OECD Employment Outlook, 1993, chapter 3, section D;

  OECD Employment Outlook, 1994, chapter 4, section D.

  Wages
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in each English region and for Wales and Scotland earn(a) less than £1.50 an hour, (b) between £1.50 and £2.00 an hour, (c) between £2.00 and £2.50 an hour, (d) between £2.50 and £3.00 an hour, (e) between £3.00 and £3.50 an hour and (f) between £3.50 and £4.00 an hour.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Estimated numbers of both full and part-time employees are given in the following table: