Written Answers of 23 February 1995

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 23 February.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 23 February.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning, I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many letters were received from hon. Members last month;

  (2) how many letters were sent to hon. Members last month.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 February 1995]: I received nearly 180 letters from hon. Members last month. Approximately half received responses.

  Treaty of Rome
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he has under review any revision to article 223 of the treaty of Rome; and what requests he has received from British defence manufacturers to consider such a review.

  The Prime Minister
  In preparation for next year's intergovernmental conference, the Government are considering the operation of the treaty as a whole.

  I am not aware of any request by British defence manufacturers to review article 223 in particular.

ENVIRONMENT

  Domestic Heating Costs
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the percentage of extra fuel which is required to heat identical houses in(a) London, (b) Manchester, (c) Cardiff, (d) Newcastle, (e) Leicester, (f) Norwich, (g) Birmingham, (h) Plymouth, (i) Edinburgh, (j) Aberdeen and (k) Brighton, taking Bristol as the base.
  264
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The percentage of extra fuel required to heat a typical semi-detached house with gas central heating is estimated to be as follows for each of the specified locations:(a) London -1 per cent. (b) Manchester +16 per cent. (c) Cardiff 0 per cent. (d) Newcastle +17 per cent. (e) Leicester +17 per cent. (f) Norwich +10 per cent. (g) Birmingham +13 per cent. (h) Plymouth -13 per cent. (i) Edinburgh +28 per cent. (j) Aberdeen +41 per cent. and (k) Brighton -3 per cent.

  These figures have been calculated using the Building Research Establishment domestic energy model and taking Bristol as the base case.

  Zoos
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those zoos which are owned by local authorities.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  According to our latest information, the following zoos in England, which are licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, are owned by local authorities:

  Abbey Gardens zoo, Bury St. Edmunds

  Animal world, Bolton

  Battersea Park children's zoo, Wandsworth, London

  Birmingham nature centre, Birmingham

  Blackpool municipal zoological gardens, Blackpool

  Aquarium, Bolton

  Butterfly world, Bolton

  Clissold park, Hackney, London

  Crystal Palace park zoo, Crystal Palace, London

  Harewood bird garden, Leeds

  Lotherton Hall bird garden and deer park, Aberford, Leeds

  Newquay zoo, Newquay

  Pudsey park, Leeds

  Roundhay park, Leeds

  Sir George Staunton country park, Leigh park gardens, Havant

  Stewart park, Marton, Middlesborough

  War Memorial park aviaries and pets corner, Coventry.

  Construction Contracting
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding the implementation of the Latham report.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My right hon. Friend announced on 7 February,Official Report, column 131, that he had agreed with the construction industry that a construction industry board should be set up to take forward the proposals of the Latham report for restructuring the construction process. Sir Michael Latham has agreed to be the board's first chairman, and my right hon. Friend has agreed to be its president.

  The board will oversee the working groups established in the wake of the report to look at specific aspects of the report's recommendations. It will also provide a channel for industry and client comment to Government on any legislative proposals—I hope to enter into public consultation on such proposals shortly.

  Radioactive Waste
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish his Department's review of radioactive waste policy.
  265
  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. Betts) on Tuesday 6 December,Official Report, column 132.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many civil servants in the north-west government office were involved in assessing each of the bids submitted under the single regeneration budget; and what was the average time spent reviewing each bid.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In the two-stage process for submission of potential single regeneration budget bids, approximately 40 staff from the government office for the north-west were involved to some degree.

  It is not possible, in hindsight, to give an average time spent on each bid.

  Delegated Pay
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which will(a) follow the pay arrangements of the sponsoring Department and (b) pursue an independent and separate route under the delegated pay option (i) from April 1995 and (ii) from April 1996.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Three of the Department's NDPBs need to change their pay arrangements as a result of civil service pay delegation. English Nature proposes to introduce its own pay system during 1996; the Countryside Commission and Rural Development Commission are still developing their proposals.

  Housing Revenue Account Subsidy
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent on housing revenue account subsidy in each year from 1979–80 to 1994–95; and what the planned spending is in 1995–96, in(a) Greater London, (b) the metropolitan district areas and (c) elsewhere.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  [holding answer 21 February 1995]: Provision for the pre-1981 housing subsidy system was:

  Year

  £ million

  1979–80

  1,128

  1980–81

  1,869

  The amounts of housing subsidy paid in respect of the years 1981–82 to 1989–90 were as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1981–82

  1,216

  1982–83

  887

  1983–84

  324

  1984–85

  357

  1985–86

  484

  1986–87

  475

  1987–88

  451

  1988–89

  542

  1989–90

  644

  266
  The amounts of housing revenue account subsidy paid in respect of the years 1990–91 to 1994–95 were as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1990–91

  3,550

  1991–92

  3,778

  1992–93

  3,983

  1993–94

  4,027

  1994–95

  4,043

  The increase in payments in 1990–91 was largely due to rent rebate costs being met from HRA subsidy instead of by the Department of Social Security. Most subsidy claims in respect of 1993–94 and 1994–95 are still subject to final validation checks.

  Total expenditure on housing revenue account subsidy in 1995–96 is expected to be £4,119 million. Local authorities have still to submit their claims for 1995–96 and it is not yet possible to provide a reliable breakdown by area.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 674, what information his Department will be giving to the European topic centre of the European Environment Agency on air quality; and what plans he has for changes to the monitoring system of air pollution in United Kingdom cities and in measures to reduce pollution.

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 22 February 1995]: The European topic centre of the European Environment Agency on air quality has only recently been established. It is currently developing its work programme which includes preparing questionnaires for collecting relevant air quality information from member states. The Government will be co-operating fully with the topic centre in taking its work programme forward.

  The Government published "Air Quality: Meeting the Challenge" on 19 January. This describes the Government's strategic policies for air quality management, including the Government's plans to expand their urban air quality monitoring programme. A copy is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations his Department have received(a) supporting and (b) opposing the proposed boundary change in his draft order to create a new York local authority from (i) individual members of the public (ii) local authorities (iii) parish councils and (iv) others.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The figures are as follows:

  Representation received from

  Against

  For

  Individual members of the public

  1,066

  30

  Local authorities

  7

  0

  Parish Councils

  26

  0

  Others

  15

  1

  267
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations the Local Government Commission received(a) supporting and (b) opposing its proposals for the boundary for a new local authority for York from (i) individual members of the public, (ii) local authorities, (iii) parish councils and (iv) others.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  This is a matter for the Local Government Commission.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the current electoral wards within the proposed new York local authority boundary, plus the parishes of Shipton, Overton, Upper Helmsley, Gate Helmsley and Warthill; how many residents in each of these wards made representations to(a) him or other Ministers and officials in his Department and (b) the Local Government Commission (i) supporting and (ii) opposing the inclusion of their own ward or parish in a new York local authority.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Representations to the Department have been as follows:

  Ward/Parish name

  Opposing

  Supporting

  Existing City of York

  76

  8

  Parishes:

  Shipton

  32

  1

  Overton

  5

  0

  Upper Helmsley

  2

  0

  Gate Helmsley

  140

  0

  Warthill

  40

  0

  New Wards:

  Bishopthorpe with Copmanthorpe, parish of Acaster Malbis

  172

  1

  Askham Bryan, Askham Richard, Rufforth, Hessay, Nether Poppleton and Upper Poppleton

  27

  0

  Clifton Without

  4

  1

  Skelton, Rawcliffe

  7

  0

  Wigginton

  102

  0

  Haxby

  43

  3

  New Earswick and Huntington

  199

  0

  Strensall, Towthorpe, Earswick, Stockton-on-the-Forest, Holtby and Murton

  136

  1

  Heworth without

  0

  0

  Osbaldwick

  5

  0

  Fulford

  7

  1

  Dunnington and Kexby

  10

  1

  Elvington, Wheldrake. Deighton and Naburn

  3

  2

  The analysis of representation made to the commission is a matter for the commission.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what objections were received before the end of the statutory consultation period on 10 February to the Local Government Commission's proposal to set up separate parish councils for Ulgham and Widdrington Station, Northumberland.

  Mr. Curry
  No representations have been received objecting to this proposal.

  Housing (Negative Equity)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 30 November,Official Report, column 726, if he will now update the table on negative equity.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Estimates of negative equity are sensitive to the house price index used. Based on Department of the Environment house price data, an estimate of the number of households affected by negative equity in the fourth quarter of 1994 and the value of negative equity by region are as follows:

  Region

  No. of households (thousands)

  Value (millions)

  South East

  334.68

  -1576.97

  Greater London

  96.80

  -363.39

  South West

  82.82

  -282.18

  East Anglia

  61.59

  -238.33

  East Midlands

  13.67

  -19.02

  West Midlands

  15.32

  -15.99

  Wales

  17.45

  -45.94

  Yorks & Humberside

  30.54

  -28.67

  North West

  6.47

  -1.46

  North

  8.52

  -10.12

  Scotland

  8.52

  -6.12

  Northern Ireland

  1.06

  -1.15

  United Kingdom

  677.44

  -2589.34

  Black Country Limestone Advisory Panel
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, if he will make a statement on the past work of the Black Country limestone advisory panel; and what is its future role.

  Mr. Curry
  The Black Country limestone advisory panel was appointed by the then Secretary of State in November 1983 to advise him on proposals for monitoring site investigations and remedial works in relation to old limestone mines in the black country which were to be funded by derelict land grant and, particularly, on the development of a practical programme of work and priorities within it.

  The chairman, Sir Edward Parkes, and the five individual members, Professor David Blockley, Professor John Burland, Mr. Owen Gregory, Mr. Donald Reeve and Mr. John Trustram Eve, have served continuously since the panel's establishment until Mr. Reeve's death last year.

  With the assumption by English Partnerships of responsibility for derelict land grant, which is now subsumed within the agency's land reclamation programme, the Secretary of State's need for external advice is less than it was in the past. With the publication of its reports and the advice given over the last 11 years, the advisory panel has effectively completed its remit. The panel will therefore cease operations at the end of this financial year.

  The Government recognise that, although much has been achieved in reducing the impact of old limestone mines in the black country, much remains to be done. The panel's contributions point the way forward to English Partnerships in carrying forward the programme of reclamation, which was identified as a priority in the guidance issued by the Secretary of State in April 1993.
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  It is now for the agency to continue the programme, subject to the availability of resources, to enable the limestone problems to be solved.

  I would like to thank the chairman and all members of the Black Country limestone advisory panel for the work which they have undertaken since 1983, without which the programme of remedial works to the old limestone mines in the west midlands would not have proceeded as smoothly as it has.

  Freshwater Quality
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he intends to make to the 16th report from the Royal Commission on environmental pollution on freshwater quality.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government welcomed the commission's report as an independent and authoritative review of freshwater quality issues. It has made an important contribution to our understanding of the issues surrounding the control of water pollution; those remain essential as we seek to maintain progress in protecting the water environment. I am today publishing the Government's response.

  We have accepted many of the recommendations made by the commission; others accorded with action and initiatives which were already under way. In developing our policies for water quality in the period since the report was published, we have taken careful note of its recommendations.

  We share the concern expressed by the commission about the need to protect our best-quality rivers and to tackle those stretches of river which are currently of the worst quality. In implementing this approach, we have to take a wide view of priorities for improvement both in the water environment and the environment more generally and to make assessments of the associated costs and benefits so that the maximum benefit is obtained from the resources that are available for environmental improvement. The results are encouraging. In respect of England and Wales, the National Rivers Authority, the body that we have established to be the guardian of the water environment, estimates that there has been a net improvement in the quality of more than 15 per cent. of our rivers between 1990 and 1993. In Scotland, between 1985 and 1990, the proportion of class 1 rivers rose from 95 per cent. to 97 per cent. and in Northern Ireland 89 per cent. of river length is classified as of good or fair quality.

  Provision was made in the price limits determination announced last year by the Director General of Water Services for a major investment programme for maintaining and improving freshwater quality, including £522 million of expenditure in the period 1995 to 2000 specifically intended to secure discretionary improvements over and above statutory obligations. In Scotland, the water and sewerage programme currently amounts to some £240 million per annum, about 60 per cent. of which is directed towards sewerage investment programmes and the Government will be considering longer-term needs in the context of the establishment of the new water and sewerage authorities in 1996. In Northern Ireland, the Government are undertaking a major capital works programme of some £80 million over the period 1994–96 aimed at improvements to sewage treatment.
  270
  I recently announced our intention to consult on proposals for a small set of statutory water quality objectives which will allow us to test the operation of the system on a pilot basis. We are also continuing to study whether the is a role for economic instruments in improving river quality. All these issues have, of course, to be seen in the broader context of the development of European legislation on water.

  There is then good reason to believe that for the immediate future, with the work of the current environmental regulators being transferred to the proposed environment agencies for England and Wales and Scotland respectively and corresponding arrangements for Northern Ireland under consideration, the encouraging trends of recent years will be maintained and that the objective of the commission report—to secure an improvement in freshwater quality—will be achieved.

  Buying Agency
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the outcome of his review of the prior options for the future of his Departments's Buying Agency.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Buying Agency acts as a purchasing agent for Government Departments and other public bodies. It has an impressive record of securing favourable terms to the advantage of the Exchequer. Its costs are fully covered by commissions paid by its departmental clients.

  I have conducted a review of its future in order to determine, after its initial period of operation, whether these functions continue to be necessary, whether Government need to be responsible for them and whether they might be better carried out by the private sector. This review, in which I was advised by consultants KPMG Corporate Finance, made an exhaustive study of the costs and benefits of this range of options.

  The review confirmed that the work carried out by the Buying Agency secures significant savings in the costs of public sector procurement. It is important that savings continue, and that they should accrue to the Exchequer. I have decided therefore that to achieve the best value for money the Buying Agency should continue as a next steps agency for a further five years. The agency's chief executive has already implemented a number of efficiency gains identified by the consultants, and I have asked him to continue to examine the scope for further improvements in performance.

  I have also concluded that, subject to parliamentary approval, the Buying Agency should adsorb as soon as practical my Departments's fuel branch, which negotiates contracts for the public purchase of fuels on behalf of a wide range of public sector bodies, and has a successful record of securing advantageous terms for them. These functions are complementary to those of the Buying Agency, and I believe the two bodies will operate more effectively together. My Department is consulting with its trade unions on the staffing consequences of this proposed merger.

  These conclusions and consequent adjustments to the financial controls of the agency will he reflected in the framework document which is to be reviewed and updated for the period ahead.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list each of the past five years, and in total all advisers employed directly by Ministers in his Department and all staff employed in each private office giving the official post held by each person and the salary or fees paid to each member of staff or adviser.

  Mr. Gummer
  The following information covers staff in private offices of my Department on 1 April of each year:

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Civil Servants

  59

  70

  66

  72

  69

  Special Advisers

  4

  4

  6

  3

  4

  The four special advisers are my expert adviser on the environment, Tom Burke; my expert adviser on architecture, Liam O'Connor; my political adviser, Keith Adams; and the Ministers of State's political adviser, James Gray.

  The salaries for permanent civil servants employed in the private offices in the financial year 1993–94 total £1,517,302 and in this financial year, to end December, £1,059,416.

  The salaries for special advisers employed in the private offices in the financial year 1993–94 total £132,394 and in this financial year, to end December, £114, 373.

  Information about previous financial years or on a calendar year basis is not readily available and could be assembled only at disproportionate cost.

EMPLOYMENT

  Departmental Funding
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has to change his Department's cash limits and running costs limits in 1994–95.

  Mr. Portillo
  [pursuant to his reply, 2 February 1995, c. 770]: Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary revised supplementary estimate, the following change will be made:

  (a) the cash limit for class V, vote 1—Department of Employment: programmes and central services—will now be increased by £28,549,000 from £2,302,056,000 to £2,330,605,000. The increase in the cash limit arises from additional Employment Department group restructuring costs.

  The increase will be offset by savings, transfers or charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many full and part-time jobs have been created between 1988 and 1994;

  (2) how many full-time jobs have been lost to the united Kingdom economy since 1988;
  272
  (3) what was the number of employed persons in 1988 and the number employed in 1994; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Information is available only for the net change in jobs. Also, estimates of full and part-time jobs in 1988 are available only for Great Britain. In September 1988 the work force in employment in Great Britain stood at 25,760,000 compared to 24,755,000 in September 1994—a net decrease of 1,005,000, or 3.9 per cent. Full-time jobs fell by 1,776,000, or 9.1 per cent., over this period, while part-time jobs rose by 771,000, or 12.6 per cent.

  A more meaningful comparison can be made by comparing similar points in the economic cycle. Between 1979 and 1990—peak to peak of the cycle—the work force in employment grew by 1.5 million. Over this period, the United Kingdom was also the only major EU country which increased the proportion of its population of working age in employment.

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been placed in work by jobcentres in the northern region in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information requested can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library.

  Modern Apprenticeship Scheme
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which sectors the modern apprenticeship scheme will cover in 1995–96; and what funding he will make available for the scheme.

  Mr. Paice
  Modern apprenticeships will continue to be offered in the sectors covered by the current prototype arrangements. These are:

  Agriculture

  Business Administration

  Chemicals Industry

  Child Care

  Construction

  Electrical Installation Engineering

  Engineering Manufacture

  Engineering Construction

  Information Technology

  Marine Engineering

  Merchant Navy

  Plumbing

  Polymers

  Retailing

  Steel Industry

  Travel Services

  Wool Textiles

  In addition, it is envisaged that modern apprenticeships will also be offered in the following sectors from September 1995:

  Accounting

  Air Transport

  Amenity Horticulture

  Arts and Entertainment

  Aviation

  Master Bakers

  Banking

  273

  Broadcasting, Film and Video Production

  Builders Merchants

  Bus and Coach

  Carpet Industry

  Ceramics

  Cleaning and Support Services

  Clothing

  Electricity

  Engineering Services

  Estate Agency

  Fabric Care

  Fire Service

  Furniture Manufacture

  Glass

  Hairdressing

  Health Care

  Housing

  Hotel and Catering

  Insurance

  Knitting, Lace and Narrow Fabric Industries

  Landscape Gardening

  Manmade Fibres

  Meat Training

  Motor Industry

  Paper and Board Industry

  Printing

  Road Haulage and Distribution

  Sea Fish

  Security

  Sports and Recreation

  Telecommunications

  Timber Trade

  In 1995–96, the Department will make £680 million available for youth training and modern apprenticeships.

  Disabled People (Horticultural Industry)
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures he is taking to encourage the employment of people with disabilities in the horticultural industry.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Department has a wide range of initiatives and services which help enhance employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including those wishing to work in the horticultural industry. We will continue our programme of educating and persuading employers to adopt good employment practices for disabled people. We will also continue to provide effective practical help to both employers and disabled individuals.

  The Government have also introduced a Disability Discrimination Bill which will make it unlawful for an employer to treat a disabled person less favourably because of his or her disability, without justifiable reason.

  South Thames Training and Enterprise Council
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what the arrangements are for paying employers investment in people programme, contractors to South Thames TEC, since the appointment of the receiver; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Paice
  Since his appointment on 21 December 1994. the receiver has been operating South Thames training and enterprise council in accordance with the 274
  company's operating agreement with the Employment Department. The receiver is making payments to providers in respect of employers investment in people activity undertaken since his appointment. He is making related claims upon the Department and the Department is meeting legitimate claims. As is normally the case when a company is in receivership, the receiver has not met claims arising from activities undertaken before his appointment.

  Small Firms Training Initiative
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much in(a) cash and (b) percentage terms he expects to distribute of the skills for small business budget in 1995–96 in Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am providing £1 million to fund the small firms training initiative in Wales during 1995–96. This represents 11 per cent. of the £9 million level of funding set aside for the equivalent programme in England known as skills for small business.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Prosecutions
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General how many representations his office has received in each year since 1990, alleging unfair outcomes of prosecutions in England and Wales.

  The Attorney-General
  The detailed information requested by the hon. Member could be obtained only by scrutiny of all correspondence and other representations received in my office since 1990 and would involve disproportionate expense.

TREASURY

  Redundancies
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice he has sought for his Department from the director general of the BBC on how to manage redundancy.

  Mr. Nelson
  None.

  Government Securities
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of new long-dated government borrowing is from the accumulated funds of(a) insurance linked saving, (b) a personal equity plans and (c) tax-exempt special savings accounts.

  Mr. Nelson
  Information is available only for the net investment in long-dated government stock by insurance companies, unit and investment trusts up to September 1994.
  275

  Table: Net investment in British Government Securities (over 15 years maturity and undated). £ million and as a percentage of long gilt insurance.

  1993–94

  1994 (April-September)

  £ million

  Percentage

  £ million

  Percentage

  Insurance Companies

  7,943

  66.7

  1,951

  85.4

  Unit Trusts

  86

  0.7

  -31

  -1.4

  Investment Trusts

  114

  1.0

  -54

  -2.4

  Source:

  CSO, "Financial Statistics", tables 1.2C, 5.1A, 5.2C and 5.2D.

  No information is available on the proportion of PEP funds specifically invested in long-dated gilts. TESSAs represent a significant proportion of bank and building society retail funds. Although bank and building societies currently own around 9½ per cent. of UK government stock, these holdings are predominantly of short and medium-dated issues. No information is available on their recent transactions in long-dated stock.

  Alcohol (Illegal Imports)
  Sir Timothy Sainsbury
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions have been made against individuals importing and illegally selling duty-free wines, beers and spirits from the EU; and what was the total value of goods seized.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Of the 182 prosecutions brought by customs in the period 1 January 1993 to 31 December 1994 for the illegal importation or sale of alcoholic drinks duty paid in other member states, 54 involved alcohol only and 128 involved mixed loads of alcohol and tobacco. The retail value of the goods seized is not available, the volumes involved were 117,579 litres of beer, 4,556 litres of spirits and 13,314 litres of wine.

  Retail Prices Index
  Sir Timothy Sainsbury
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of whether the retail prices index takes sufficient account of consumers' expenditure patterns varying in response to the availability of sales and special offers.

  Mr. Nelson
  In accordance with the recommendations of the retail prices index advisory committees, the RPI is based on a fixed "basket" of items revised annually in line with changes in consumer spending. The monthly RPI price indicators are based on prices charged; sale and special offers available to all purchasers are included.

  Reinvestment Relief
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to announce whether capital gains tax reinvestment relief for unquoted rule 4.2 companies will he extended to those companies that transfer to the alternative investment market.

  Sir George Young
  I announced on 20 February that reinvestment relief will he available for investment in shares traded on the alternative investment market.

  Departmental Reports
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the 1995 departmental reports to he published.
  276
  Mr. Aitken
  Proposed publication dates for the 1995 departmental reports are as follows:

  Departmental reports

  Dates

  Statistical Supplement to the Financial Statement and Budget Report

  24 February

  Cabinet Office, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's Departments, Privy Council and Parliament

  1 March

  Department of Trade and Industry

  2 March

  Ministry of Defence

  2 March

  Department of Health and Office of Population Censuses and Surveys

  3 March

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Intervention Board

  3 March

  HM Treasury and the Chancellor of the Exchequer's other Small Departments, and Net Payments to EC Institutions

  6 March

  Inland Revenue

  7 March

  HM Customs and Excise

  7 March

  Department of Transport

  7 March

  Department for Education

  7 March

  Lord Chancellor's and Law Officers' Departments

  7 March

  Home Office (including Charity Commission)

  8 March

  Department of the Environment

  8 March

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office (including the Overseas Development Administration)

  8 March

  Department of Social Security

  9 March

  Department of National Heritage

  9 March

  Welsh Office

  9 March

  Scottish Office (including Forestry Commission)

  10 March

  Northern Ireland Office

  10 March

  Department of Employment

  10 March

  Copies will be made available at the Vote Office.

  Women's Earnings
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide the latest available estimates of the number of women who have earnings below(a) the tax threshold and (b) the national insurance threshold, broken down for married women, lone parents and single parents and for each year since 1979.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 15 February 1995]: It is estimated that in 1994–95 about 2.3 million women employees have no income tax liability, and about the same number have earnings below the national insurance lower earnings limit. Some women in this latter category will be taxpayers clue to income from other sources. In each of the categories, approximately 75 per cent. are married women, 10 per cent. are lone parents and 15 per cent. single women. It is ot possible to provide a consistent series of figures for earlier years.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the core purposes of the Bank of England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 21 February 1995]: The Bank of England defines its core purposes as follows.

  As the central bank of the United Kingdom, the Bank of England's overriding objective is to maintain a stable and efficient monetary and financial framework for the effective functioning and development of the economy. In pursuing this goal, it has three core purposes: maintaining the integrity and value of the currency; maintaining the stability of the financial system, both domestic and international; and seeking to ensure the effectiveness of the UK's financial services.

  The three core purposes relate primarily to the UK, but achieving them requires the bank to monitor international developments and co-operate with other monetary authorities and international organisations.

  Betting Duty
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total additional tax yield per annum that would accrue from increasing betting duty to 15 per cent.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 22 February 1995]: Increasing the rate of general betting duty—off course—is estimated to raise an additional revenue of around £500 million.

  Value Added Tax (Domestic Fuel)
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total annual additional tax yield generated to date by the increase in VAT on domestic fuel.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 22 February 1995]: The total yield of VAT on domestic fuel is estimated at £950 million in 1994–95.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iraq
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the United Kingdom named Iraq as being in breach of the 1925 chemical weapons obligation; when his Department first became aware that Iraq had breached its 1925 obligations; what action ensued in respect of Iraq as a result of it being so named; and what assessment his Department made as to the adequacy of these actions.

  Mr. Baldry
  In a written answer to the House on 20 March 1986,Official Report, column 260, the hon. Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton) condemned Iraq's
  "clear breach of the Geneva protocol".

  He referred to a report by a team of specialists which had been released on 14 March 1986 by the UN Secretary-General which confirmed the use of chemical weapons by Iraqi forces in the conflict between Iran and Iraq.

  The Security Council subsequently considered the report, and on 21 March 1986 the president of the council
  278
  made a statement on behalf of all the members of the council, including the United Kingdom. The statement considered the
  "continued use of chemical weapons in clear violation of the General Protocol".

  On 3 December 1986, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution referring to the Geneva protocol, calling for compliance with
  "existing international prohibitions on chemical and biological weapons"
  and condemning actions contravening such obligations. The United Kingdom voted in favour of this resolution.

  United Kingdom controls on the export to Iraq of chemical precursors and dual-use equipment were introduced in 1985.

  Following the Gulf war and the adoption of UN Security Council resolution 687, Iraq was required to accept the destruction of all its chemical and biological weapons and all related subsystems, components and research facilities. Iraq is now subject to long-term monitoring by the UN special commission—UNSCOM.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will bring forward proposals to add to the third paragraph of article 189 of the EC treaty a provision that directives shall have no legal consequences except in so far as they are implemented in national legislation;

  (2) if he will propose for the intergovernmental commission a review of the European Court of Justice with an intention to limit a priori application of directives and to overcome the expression "independently of the legislation of member states" in the judgment Van Gend en Loos—ECJ 1963.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We are considering ways of addressing concerns we have about some ECJ judgments, particularly where they have had unforeseen or disproportionate cost implications. But it is important that any changes to the treaty articles relating to the European Court of Justice should maintain or strengthen the rule of law in the Community, which is in the interests of all member states, including the United Kingdom.

  Agricultural Surpluses (Dumping)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he intends to put forward at the world summit on social development to prevent the dumping of subsidised European Union agricultural products in developing countries.

  Mr. Hogg
  The world summit on social development will deal with issues relevant to all UN members and not focus on specific EU policies. We believe it is important to reduce EU surpluses which damage the agricultural economies and industries of developing countries. The reforms of the common agricultural policy, begun in 1992, have already gone a long way towards reducing surplus agricultural production which led to the subsidising of exports to world markets. The United Kingdom continues to press for further reforms, including continuing reductions in support prices, leading to a more market-oriented CAP.

  Chechnya
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have been held with representatives of the Chechen people since last November; what contact they have been able to have with Her Majesty's ambassador in Moscow; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In January, a meeting was organised under the auspices of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation between an official at our embassy in The Hague and a citizen of the Chechen republic. There have been no meetings in London or Moscow.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy his Department has in respect of self-determination for Chechnya.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We continue to press the Russian Government to pursue a peaceful settlement which allows the Chechen people to express their identity within the framework of the constitution of the Russian Federation.

  China (Child Labour)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of China concerning the use of child labour; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Goodlad
  We regularly raise human rights issues with the Chinese authorities, both bilaterally and with our European partners. China is a signatory to the UN convention on the rights of the child. We have seen reports both of exploitation of child labour and of action taken by the authorities to tackle the problem.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mrs. Ghazalah Yaqoob—Ref: C5009—applied to the United Kingdom post in Islamabad to join her husband in the United Kingdom; when she was interviewed; when a decision is to he taken on her application; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have asked the entry clearance officer in Islamabad to let me have a report on the application from Mrs. Ghazalah Yaqoob. I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as soon as possible.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the letter, dated 9 February, from the migration and visa correspondence unit of his Department to the hon. Member for Bradford, West, how many of the 31 entry applications with solicitors Aurangzeb Iqbal and Co. of Bradford asked the entry clearance manager at Islamabad to review have to date been reviewed; how many decisions have been maintained; how many decisions have been varied; if the solicitors have been informed of all decisions after review; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  I have asked the entry clearance officer in Islamabad to let me have a report. I shall arrange for the hon. Member to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as soon as possible.

  World Trade Organisation
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he is putting forward at the world summit on social development to request the World Trade Organisation to pursue objectives that help the poor in poor countries

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  One of the core issues which the summit will discuss is the alleviation of poverty; the UK has contributed a number of proposals for action in this area. Although we do not think it is for the summit to advise the World Trade Organisation on its work programme, we believe developing countries and their populations should benefit substantially from the effects of implementation of the Uruguay round agreements, which is the World Trade Organisation's main task.

  Social Development Summit
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now announce the leadership and composition of his delegation to the world summit on social development.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A final decision on attendance at the summit will be made shortly.

  Child Labour
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the recent international conference concerning the use of child labour that was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh; and what response he made to the declaration.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There was not an international conference as such.

  Representatives of the International Labour Organisation, UNICEF and the US Government recently had discussions with the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association about child labour in Bangladesh. The member companies of BGMEA have undertaken to try to end child labour in their factories.

  We applaud this, but understand that the immediate effect has been to increase hardship as many thousands of children have been laid off with no provision for their welfare. Many of the children, instead of working in garment factories, are now working elsewhere.

  This reinforces our view that the best approach to the problem of child labour is to try to tackle the poverty which is often its cause. Our aid programme seeks to address poverty, and includes funding for projects to help children in employment. We also encourage other Governments to help children, both through dialogue and by funding activities such as slum improvement schemes in south Asia.

  UN Weaponry Convention
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government plans to ratify the 1981 United Nations weaponry convention, in particular protocol II in relation to the use of land mines.

  Mr. David Davis
  The United Kingdom permanent representative to the UN in New York deposited the United Kingdom's instrument of ratification with the UN Secretary-General on 13 February. We will be bound by
  281
  all three protocols to the convention which cover the use of non-detectable fragments, land mines and booby-traps, and incendiary weapons.

  Former Prisoners of War
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support has been given to the far eastern prisoners of war and civilian internees who are seeking compensation from the Japanese Government.

  Mr. Goodlad
  The Government have the deepest respect for all those who suffered as prisoners of the Japanese during world war two, and the greatest sympathy for their families.

  The question of compensation was legally settled, in the Government's view, by the San Francisco peace treaty of 1951, and we are precluded from raising it formally with the Japanese Government.

  British Ministers have drawn the attention of their Japanese counterparts to the strong feelings which the treatment of the prisoners continues to arouse in this country. When the Prime Minister visited Japan in September 1993, he discussed the matter with the then Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Hosokawa, and Mr. Hosokawa expressed his
  "deep remorse as well as apologies for the fact that Japanese past actions had inflicted deep wounds on many people including former prisoners of war".

  The Prime Minister informed Mr. Hoskawa that we were examining whether non-governmental measures would assist in solving this problem. Mr. Hosokawa agreed this approach was worth examining.

  The British Government then brought together a small group, led by Sir Kit McMahon, to develop one such proposal—for a foundation financed by the private sector which could provide practical help to former prisoners. Last November, however, after Sir Kit had visited Tokyo to sound out the reactions of the Japanese private sector, it became clear that this approach was unlikely to succeed in present circumstances.

  At the end of August, the present Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Murayama, announced a £650 million initiative involving exchange visits and historical research. The United Kingdom is one of the countries included in this scheme.

  We have not given up. The Prime Minister wrote to Mr. Murayama about these matters at the end of the last year. We are continuing regular discussions with the Japanese Government.

  Our embassy helped the FEPOWs who recently visited Japan to meet a representative of the Japanese Government and to pay tribute to their fallen comrades at the commonwealth war graves cemetery.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Correspondence
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will reply to the British Retail Consortium's letter regarding its concern that the 282
  provisions of the Jobseekers Bill may discriminate against unemployed people who take up part-time vocational training.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I wrote to the director general of the British Retail Consortium on Wednesday 15 February, explaining that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment would be responding on behalf of both this and his own Department shortly. I understand that my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Employment sent a full reply on 19 February.

  Child Care Allowance
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, (1) what is his estimate of the projected annual cost of the child care allowance for 1995–96 at current levels of take-up;

  (2) what are the latest figures for take-up of the child care allowance; and what percentage of those eligible for child care allowance he estimates this constitutes.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  It is not possible to be precise about percentage take-up levels or costs so early in the life of the new child care allowance. It will take some time for the new help to take full effect. Existing family credit recipients can claim the child care help only when their 26-week award which was current at the end of September 1994 expires, while many potential beneficiaries need to find work of 16 hours or more and to make appropriate child care arrangements.

  By 31 January 1995, the latest date for which figures are available, 10,500 families had been awarded higher family credit as a result of the new help with child care charges. This figure will increase as claims made but not decided by that date are awarded. No information is yet available about the number of housing benefit and council tax benefit recipients. In the long term, we expect that, in total, around 150,000 families will benefit from the new help at an annual benefit cost of around £60 million.

  Source: Five per cent. sample of family credit awards made between 1 October 1994 and 31 January 1995.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 30 November, to the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Gapes),Official Report, column 747, how many of those refused benefits under the habitual residence test have received crisis loans.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, (1) if he will list by county in Wales(a) how many applications have been made to the social fund for a payment for rent in advance and (b) how many of these applications were successful for each year since the social fund came into operation;

  (2) how many (a) grants and (b) loans have been awarded with respect to applications made to the social fund for a payment for rent in advance in each county in Wales for each year since the social fund came into operation.
  283
  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Michael Richard to Mr. Ron Davies, dated 22 February 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions requesting information on the number of applications made and grants and loans awarded in respect of rent in advance for each county in Wales.Information is not available in the format requested. Statistics are not collated in respect of the number of loan or grant applications made for specific purpose. However, information is available relating to the number of awards which have been made. The Secretary of State's directions do not allow a Community Care Grant to be made for rent in advance and, therefore, the information supplied relates only to Budgeting Loans.The information that is available does not relate to counties. Benefits Agency boundaries do not correspond with county boundaries and I have therefore provided information relating to the Benefits Agency's offices in Wales. Data for the financial years 1988/89 and 1989/90 is not available at local office level. However, I have given information at local office level for 1990/91 at Annex A. With the advent of the Benefits Agency in April 1991, local offices were grouped into Districts and at Annex B the information has been provided from 1991/92 at District level.I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Annex A: Number of awards made for rent in advance by local offices in Wales 1990–91

  Local Office

  Number of awards

  Aberdare

  22

  Aberystwyth

  1

  Ammnanford

  4

  Anglesey

  1

  Bargoed

  13

  Barry

  20

  Blackwood

  8

  Bridgend

  24

  Caernafon

  18

  Caerphilly

  23

  Cardiff Central

  5

  Cardiff West

  3

  Carmarthen

  18

  Colwyn Bay

  8

  Cwbran

  9

  Deeside

  28

  Ebbw Vale

  9

  Haverfordest

  9

  Llanelli

  5

  Merthyr Tydfil

  4

  Morriston

  9

  Neath

  2

  Newport Gwent

  27

  Newtown

  43

  Pembroke Dock

  5

  Pontypridd

  3

  Port Talbot

  19

  Porthmadog

  20

  Rhyl

  1

  Swansea

  28

  Tonypandy

  6

  Wrexham

  29

  284

  Number of awards for rent in advance by Agency District in Wales from 1991–92 to 1993–94

  District

  Number of Awards

  1991–92

  Cynon, Merthyr, Rhymney Valley

  34

  Gwyneddigion

  47

  Mid Wales and Maelor

  116

  North Gwent and Brecon

  33

  North Wales Coast

  49

  Ogwr Afan Nedd

  13

  South Glamorgan

  37

  South Gwent and Islwyn

  87

  Swansea

  107

  Taff Rhondda

  6

  West Wales

  37

  1992–93

  Cynon, Merthyr, Rhymney Valley

  16

  Gwyneddigion

  94

  Mid Wales and Maelor

  115

  North Gwent and Brecon

  67

  North Wales Coast

  65

  Ogwr Afan Nedd

  7

  South Glamorgan

  18

  South Gwent and Islwyn

  102

  Swansea

  156

  Taff Rhondda

  13

  West Wales

  41

  1993–94

  Cynon, Merthyr, Rhymney Valley

  43

  Gwyneddigion

  86

  Mid Wales and Maelor

  105

  North Gwent and Brecon

  86

  North Wales Coast

  97

  Ogwr Afan Nedd

  20

  South Glamorgan

  25

  South Gwent and Islwyn

  55

  Swansea

  200

  Taff Rhondda

  33

  West Wales

  113

  Mesothelioma
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration his Department has given to evidence from the Scottish cancer research scheme on the number of women suffering from mesothelioma who are not recognised by his Department as doing so; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Hague
  I am advised on the list of occupational diseases by the independent Industrial Injuries Advisory Council which keeps developments in the field of all occupational diseases under review. I understand the council is aware of this research into asbestos-related diseases which it intends to review, together with other available new evidence, as part of its work programme for the next year.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the numbers of housing benefit claimants, split into rent rebate and rent allowance categories and the total amounts paid under each heading, (b) the numbers and amounts of housing benefit hack-dated payments, regulation 72(15) and the amount paid as a percentage of each local authority's housing benefit expenditure, (c) the number, amount and

  285
  percentage of amount in relation to total housing benefit expenditure in relation to discretionary payments, regulation 69(8) and (d) the number and amount of housing benefit overpayments and the amount as a percentage of the authority's overall housing benefit expenditure for each district and metropolitan borough council in England and Wales for each available year since 1991–92.

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

  National Insurance Credits
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people annually gain national insurance credits; and what estimate he has made of the cost of these credits if taxpayers contributed the sums which such individuals would have paid into the national insurance scheme from their own employer's contributions if they were on(a) two thirds and (b) average earnings.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [pursuant to his answer, 13 February 1995, c. 541–52]: I regret that the information provided was incorrect. The correct information is set out.

  In 1992–93, the most recent year for which information is available, some 10.5 million people were awarded an average of 37 national insurance contribution credits. If these individuals were receiving earnings and paid employee's national insurance contributions at current rates, those on two thirds of average earnings would have paid £734.08 and those on average earnings would have paid £1,185.48 in contributions.

  Notes:

  (a) Calculations based on weekly male average earnings of £366—new earnings survey, April 1994.

  (b) Calculations assume that contributions were paid at the not contracted out rate of 2 per cent. + 10 per cent.

  Compensation Recovery Unit
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what have been the 10 largest amounts of benefit recovered by the compensation recovery unit in this financial year; and what disease, sickness or disability the person paying benefit suffered from in each case;

  (2) how many people have had to pay back benefits to the compensation recovery unit in this financial year, and what is the distribution by the size of the amounts recovered.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Tony Worthington, dated 22 February 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions concerning the ten largest amounts recovered by the Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU) this financial year; also how many people have paid back benefits to the CRU this financial year and what is the distribution by size of the amounts recovered.I have provided at Annex A a table relating to the ten largest amounts recovered this financial year.In the period 1 April 1994 to 31 January 1995 there have been a total of 32,829 cases in which benefit has been recouped. The range and number of recoveries within each band are provided at Annex B.I hope you find this reply helpful.286

  Annex A

  Disease/injury

  Amount recovered £

  Back/spinal injury

  84,630.01

  Multiple injuries

  79,186.77

  Multiple injuries

  79,014.03

  Multiple injuries

  69,945.16

  Miscellaneous1

  69,835.23

  Miscellaneous1

  68,607.50

  Chest injury

  68,223.99

  Multiple injuries

  67,843.94

  Head/facial injury

  66,726.13

  Multiple injuries

  65,514.13

  1 Non-coded injury/disease—includes lacerations/cuts, bruising or any combination where no specific part of the body is mentioned.

  Annex B

  Range £

  Number of cases

  Percentage of cases

  Up to and including 5,000

  27,982

  85,23

  5,000.01-10,000

  2,075

  6.32

  10,000.01-15,000

  1,192

  3.63

  15,000.01-20,000

  654

  2.00

  20,000.01-25,000

  418

  1,28

  Recovery exceeding 25,000.01

  508

  1.54

TRANSPORT

  Spanish Flagships
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Spanish flagships are not part of the British register.

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is not available.

  Channel Tunnel Freight Trains
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the environmental impact of channel tunnel freight trains in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Watts
  The railway operators and the local authorities concerned have taken the lead in determining the environmental effects and dealing with them. My officials and I have followed this process closely and have visited some of the lines involved with local authority representatives and hon. Members.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many representatives he has received regarding the environmental impact of channel tunnel freight trains in London; and from whom.

  Mr. Watts
  Since January 1994 I have received 113 representations from hon. Members and members of the public, and a petition from residents of west London. We have also maintained close contact with local authorities and railway operators on the subject.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he(a) has taken and (b) plans to take, to reduce the environmental impact of channel tunnel freight trains in London.

  Mr. Watts
  It falls to the railway operators to take measures to mitigate environmental effects. The measures include installing continuously welded rail to reduce the
  287
  noise of wheels on the track; ordering a fleet of new wagons, which are quieter than existing stock; and working with local authorities to provide jointly funded noise barrier schemes for locations which remain noisy. Axle loadings of international freight trains are lower than for domestic, in accordance with internationally agreed standards.

  The Government have assisted these schemes by providing supplementary credit approvals to the authorities. Noise will he further reduced by the introduction later this year of new electric locomotives, which will replace the diesels currently in use.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the volume of channel tunnel freight trains currently running through central London; and what volume of trains are projected for each of the next 10 years.

  Mr. Watts
  There are currently 11 trains a day in each direction. BR expects a gradual increase in frequencies to 27 a day each way by the end of 1996.

  Properties (Discretionary Purchase)
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish his response to the appeal by Colonel Owen and the effect of the judgment on those affected by planning blight created by developments proposed by Government Departments.

  Mr. Watts
  My Department will publish new guidelines for the discretionary purchase of property by the Highways Agency. These guidelines will take full account of the requirements of the judgment. The effect of the judgment on discretionary purchase of property by other highway authorities or by other departments will be for them and their legal advisers to consider.

  Westminster Station
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the improvements now being made to Westminster tube station will provide full access for disabled people.

  Mr. Norris
  Yes.

  Barking-Gospel Oak Railway Line
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reports he has received of the accident on the Barking-Gospel Oak railway line on 18 February; and what information he has of plans for changing the signalling of the line.

  Mr. Watts
  The circumstances of the collision at Wanstead Park between the 12.30 Barking to Gospel Oak passenger train and a Freightliner train standing at a signal are being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate, and by Railtrack and British Rail. It is too early to say what caused the accident and what, if any, remedial action is necessary.

  British Rail (Through Ticketing)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what train stations currently provide through ticketing facilities for services that do not require prior booking within(a) Hampshire and (b) South West Trains.

  Mr. Watts
  I understand from BR that the following stations are equipped with through ticketing automatic 288
  passenger ticket issuing system machines. Those marked with an asterisk also have access to the computerised seat reservation system.

  (a)Hampshire

  Hinton Admiral

  New Milton

  Sway

  Brockenhurst*

  Lymington Town

  Totton

  Romsey

  Southampton Central*

  St. Denys

  Woolston

  Netley

  Swanwick

  Fareham*

  Portchester

  Cosham

  Fratton

  Portsmouth and Southsea*

  Portsmouth Harbour*

  Bedhampton

  Havant*

  Warblington

  Emsworth

  Rowlands Castle

  Petersfield

  Liss

  Liphook

  Hedge End

  Swaythling

  Southampton Airport Parkway*

  Eastleigh

  Winchester*

  Micheldever

  Whitchurch

  Andover*

  Basingstoke*

  Bramley

  Hook

  Winchfield

  Fleet

  Farnborough Main*

  Aldershot*

  Bentley

  Alton

  Ryde Esplanade*

  Shanklin

  (b) South West Trains

  Addlestone

  Andover*

  Basingstoke*

  Bagshot

  Bentley

  Bookham

  Bracknell*

  Brockenhurst*

  Byfleet and New Haw

  Chessington North

  Christchurch

  Claygate

  Cosham

  Dorchester South

  Eastleigh

  Esher

  Farnborough*

  289

  Feltham

  Fratton

  Gillingham

  Guildford*

  Hampton Court

  Haslemere

  Hersham

  Hinton Admiral

  Hook

  Kingston*

  Malden Manor

  Mortlake

  New Malden

  Parkstone

  Pokesdown

  Portsmouth and Southsea*

  Putney

  Salisbury*

  Aldershot*

  Ascot

  Ash Vale

  Barnes

  Berrylands

  Branksome

  Brookwood

  Camberley

  Chessington South

  Clandon

  Cobham and Stoke D'Abernon

  Crewkerne

  Earley

  Effingham Junction

  Ewell West

  Farncombe

  Frimley

  Godalming

  Hampton Wick

  Havant*

  Horsley

  Liphook

  London Road (Guildford)

  Lymington Town

  Martins Heron

  Motspur Park

  New Milton

  Peterfield

  Poole*

  Richmond*

  Southampton Central*

  Alton

  Ash

  Axminster

  Bedhampton

  Bournemouth*

  Chertsey

  Clapham Junction*

  Datchet

  Earlsfield

  Egham

  Fareham*

  Farnham*

  Fleet

  Fullwell

  Hamworthy

  Hedge End

  Hinchely Wood

  Honiton

  Hounslow

  Liss

  290

  Micheldever

  Netley

  Norbiton

  Oxshott

  Portchester

  Portsmouth Harbour*

  Raynes Park

  Rowlands Castle

  Sherborne

  Shepperton

  St. Denys

  St. Margarets

  Southampton Airport (Parkway)*

  Strawberry Hill

  Sway

  Teddington

  Tisbury

  Twickenham

  Vauxhall

  West Byfleet

  Wimbledon*

  Windsor and Eton Riverside

  Winnersh Triangle

  Wool

  Yeovil Junction

  Staines*

  Surbiton*

  Sunbury

  Swaythling

  Templecombe

  Tolworth

  Upper Halliford

  Virginia Water

  Wandsworth Town

  Weybridge

  Whitchurch

  Winchester*

  Woking*

  Woolston

  Witley

  Stoneleigh

  Sunningdale

  Swanwick

  Thames Ditton

  Totton

  Walton on Thames*

  Wareham

  Weymouth

  Whitton

  Winchfield

  Winnersh

  Wokingham

  Worcester Park

  Worplesdon

  Rolling Stock
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new action he is taking to encourage increased renewal of the United Kingdom's rail rolling stock.

  Mr. Watts
  It is for British Rail, including the rolling leasing companies, and other train owners to evaluate the needs for renewal. BR recently invited expressions of interest in the provision of new trains for Kent and discussions are continuing. The recently approved order for Northern line trains demonstrates the Government's commitment to worthwhile renewal programmes through the private finance initiative.

  Driving Test Centres
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list, by region, the number of driving test centres in Scotland;

  (2) if he will list, by region, the number of driving test centres that have closed in the past 15 years in Scotland.

  Mr. Norris
  These are operational matters for theDriving Standards Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from L. M. Manley to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 23 February 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your questions about the number of driving test centres in Scotland and the number that have been closed in the past 15 years.I attach a list of the current 30 permanent centres and 66 outstations for "L" tests and 5 permanent and 11 outstations for LGV/PCV tests in Scotland. This includes those centres where we have had to change accommodation in the same area, for example because the lease expired.With the exception of those centres where the Agency has had had to vacate for the above reasons it has closed centres at Alloa (Central), Arbroath LGV (Tayside), Brechin (Tayside), Cumbrae (Strathclyde), Keith (Grampian), Lochinver (Highland), Rutherglen (Strathclyde), and Turriff (Grampian).
  DRIVING TEST CENTRES IN SCOTLAND BY REGION:

  Borders

  Duns

  Galashiels

  Hawick

  Kelso

  Peebles

  Galashiels LGV

  Central

  Callander

  Falkirk

  Stirling

  Dumfries and Calloway

  Castle Douglas

  Dumfries

  Newton Stewart

  Stranraer

  Locharbriggs LGV

  Fife

  Cupar

  Dunfermline

  Kinross

  Kirkcaldy

  Grampian

  Aberdeen Balgownie Road

  Aberdeen Clunie Place

  Ballater

  Banff

  Buckie

  Elgin

  Fraserburgh

  Huntly

  Inveruric

  Peterhead

  Stonehaven

  Aberdeen LGV

  Elgin LGV

  292

  Highland

  Ballachulish

  Barra

  Bettyhill

  Benbecula

  Skye Broadford

  Dingwall

  Fort Augustus

  Fort William

  Gairloch

  Golspie

  Grantown on Spey

  Harris

  Helmsdale

  Inverness

  Kingussie

  Kyle of Lochalsh

  Lairg

  Lewis

  Mallaig

  North Uist

  Orkney

  Skye Portree

  Shetland

  South Uist

  Strontian

  Tain

  Ullapool

  Wick

  Inverness LGV

  Lewis LGV

  Orkney LGV

  Shetland LGV

  Wick LGV

  Lothian

  Bathgate

  Edinburgh Joppa

  Edinburgh Newington

  Edinburgh Parkhead

  Haddington

  Livingston LGV

  Strathclyde

  Airdrie

  Arran

  Ayr

  Campbeltown

  Cummock

  Dumbarton

  Dunoon

  Girvan

  Glasgow Anniesland

  Glasgow Shawlands

  Glasgow Shettleston

  Glasgow Springburn Park

  Greenock

  Hamilton

  Inverary

  Islay

  Kilmarnock

  Lanark

  Lochgilphead

  Mull

  Oban

  Paisley

  Rothesay

  293

  Saltcoats

  Tiree

  Wishaw

  Bishopbriggs LGV

  Connel LGV

  Kilmarnock LGV

  Machrihanish LGV

  Port Ellen LGV

  Tayside

  Aberfeldy

  Arbroath

  Blairgowrie

  Crieff

  Dundee

  Forfar

  Montrose

  Perth

  Pitlochry

  Perth LGV

EDUCATION

  Feversham College, Bradford
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assistance she will give the governors of Feversham college in Bradford to submit a fresh application for voluntary-aided status; and what financial assistance is available to the college to make such an application.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend has assured the governors that officials will be available to advise them as they prepare a further application for voluntary-aided status. The Department does not make funding available to help promoters draw up proposals for voluntary-aided status.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education on what grounds she rejected an application for voluntary-aided status by Feversham college in Bradford; when the application was submitted; how many meetings have since taken place between her officials and governors and others to discuss the application; on what dates her officials visited the college; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I set out the reasons for the decision in my letter of 16 February to the hon. Member. The school accommodation does not meet the standards required of schools joining the maintained sector. My right hon. Friend was also not persuaded that the school was in a position to deliver the full national curriculum. We have made it clear, however, that we are ready to consider a fresh application from the promoters.

  The promoters published their proposals on 26 March last year and submitted them to the Department on 10 May. Officials have since held one meeting with the governors and others, and visited the school on 23 June.

  Ethnic Minority Funding
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is her Department's estimate of the total number of full-time equivalent teaching posts that are 294
  under threat from a reduction in section 11 funding; and how many, and from which authority, have been given redundancy notices.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Section 11 funding is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary. The number of teaching posts to he provided in 1995–96 will depend on detailed decisions by individual local authorities in the light of the outcome of their bids for single regeneration budget and section 11 support. The Department does not collect information about the particular arrangements made by individual authorities for the management of any changes in the number of these posts.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies (Pay)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will list the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department which will(a) follow the pay arrangements of the sponsoring Department and (b) pursue an independent and separate route under the delegated pay option (i) from April 1995 and (ii) from April 1996.

  Mr. Boswell
  No DFE-sponsored NDPBs will introduce new arrangements from April 1995. All such bodies that currently follow civil service pay arrangements are considering their preferred option from April 1996. None has yet put forward proposals.

  Child Care
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what information is held by her Department on charges levied by private nursery schools; and if she will list the available data by geographical area;

  to ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is her estimate of the total level of expenditure on private day care for children under the age of five years in the United Kingdom; and what this amount constitutes per head for children under the age of five years who are in the care of private day carers;

  (2) what information she has as to the average cost of a child minder to the parent, by local education authority area.

  Mr. Bowis
  Local authority social services departments, which register day care facilities for children aged under eight, have no responsibility under the Children Act 1989 to collect information on payments or charges for private care.

  The precise information requested on national costs is not collected centrally, but relevant information for England of costs in 1990 of the different types of private day care was published in 1994 in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys report "Day care services for children", a copy of which is in the Library—tables 6.4, 7.5, 8.10, 10.10, 11.10 and table 16.2.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Industrial Development Board
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff have been employed in the Industrial Development Board in each of the last three
  295
  financial years; and what plans there are to reduce the number.

  Mr. Ancram
  The number of staff directly employed by the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland for the last three full financial years is as follows:

  At 31 March 1992: 376

  At 31 March 1993: 421

  At 31 March 1994: 412

  IDB will continue to make a contribution to improved efficiency within the Northern Ireland civil service as a whole and staffing levels will be kept under review in that context.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies (Pay)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which will(a) follow the pay arrangements of the sponsoring Department and (b) pursue an independent and separate route under the delegated pay option (i) from April 1995 and (ii) from April 1996.

  Sir John Wheeler
  Annexe A lists those NDPBs which currently follow the pay arrangements of the sponsoring Department and will continue to do so on 1 April 1995—these are, in fact, the pay arrangements for the Northern Ireland civil service.

  Annexe B lists those NDPBs which currently have pay arrangements which are different from the sponsor Department.

  Departments-NDPBs will shortly be required to determine whether the existing pay arrangements are the most appropriate for NDPBs post-1995.

  Annexe A

  NORTHERN IRELAND NDPBs WHICH FOLLOW THE PAY ARRANGEMENTS OF THEIR SPONSORING DEPARTMENT

  Northern Ireland Office

  The Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland

  The Standing Advisory Commission for Human Rights

  The Police Authority for Northern Ireland

  The Independent Commission for Police Complaints

  Department of Agriculture

  Fishery Harbour Authority

  Fisheries Conservancy Board

  Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland

  Foyle Fisheries Commission

  Livestock and Meat Commission (Grade 7 and above only)

  Department of Economic Development

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Fair Employment Commission

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

  Enterprise Ulster

  Labour Relations Agency

  Construction Industry Training Board

  Northern Ireland Commissioner for Rights of Trade Union

  Members

  Northern Ireland Industrial Court

  Industrial Tribunals

  Fair Employment Tribunal

  Scheme for Compensation for Loss of Employment through

  Civil Unrest (Civil Unrest Tribunal)

  NB Tribunals, with the exception of the Civil Unrest Tribunal, contain judicial appointees whose salary is determined by HM Treasury.

  296

  Department of Education

  Arts Council for Northern Ireland

  Northern Ireland Museums Council

  Northern Ireland Higher Education Council

  1Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  1Youth Council for Northern Ireland

  1Ulster Museum

  1Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  1Some grades only

  Department of Environment

  Laganside

  Planning Appeals Commission

  Water Appeals Commission

  Department of Finance and Personnel

  Northern Ireland Economic Council

  Annexe B

  NDPBs WHICH DO NOT FOLLOW THE PAY ARRANGEMENTS OF THE SPONSORING DEPARTMENT

  Northern Ireland Office

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland

  Rathgael and Whiteabby Training Schools Management Board

  Department of Agriculture

  Livestock and Meat Commission (staff other than Grade 7 and above)

  Department of Economic Development

  Ulster Sheltered Employment Ltd.

  Department of Education

  Belfast Education and Library Board

  South Eastern Education and Library Board

  North Eastern Education and Library Board

  Southern Education and Library Board

  Western Education and Library Board

  Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

  NI Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment

  1Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  1Youth Council for Northern Ireland

  1Ulster Museum

  1Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  1Some grades only

  Department of Environment

  Northern Ireland Local Government Officers Superannuation Committee

  Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company

  Local Government Staff Commission

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  Department of Health and Social Services

  Health and Social Services Boards

  - Eastern

  - Northern

  - Southern

  - Western

  Northern Ireland Central Services Agency for Health and Social Services

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland

  Northern Ireland Council for Post Graduate Medical Education

  Northern Ireland Health Promotion Agency

  Northern Ireland Regional Medical Physics Agency

  Health and Social Services Trusts (HSS Trusts are not directly funded by the Department of Health and Social Services)

  Health and Social Services Councils

  Government Policy
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list each policy change which he has announced since the cessation of murder by paramilitaries in the province.

  Sir John Wheeler
  There has been no change in Government policy towards Northern Ireland in this period. However, the reduced level of violence has led to a number of operational changes. These include the lifting of closure orders on border crossings, the cessation of daylight patrolling by the Army within the greater Belfast area and in other towns during daylight hours, from 15 January, and the lifting of all outstanding exclusion orders from Northern Ireland. The broadcasting restrictions were lifted on 16 September, and since December the Government have announced that Ministers will be prepared to meet council delegations including delegates from Sinn Fein, the Ulster Democratic party and the Progressive Unionist party.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Non-departmental Public Bodies (Pay)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which will(a) follow the pay arrangements of the sponsoring Department and (b) pursue an independent and separate route under the delegated pay option (i) from April 1995 and (ii) from April 1996.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  All the research councils sponsored by the Office of Public Service and Science expect to introduce independent pay arrangements:

  1995

  The Natural Environment Research Council

  1996

  The Economic and Social Research Council

  The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

  The Medical Research Council

  The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council

  The Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils1

  Resident Patients as at 31 March 1993

  Duration of Stay

  Age (a)

  DHA and Hospital

  Total

  >1 yr

  >25 yrs

  >16

  16–64

  65+

  Number of beds as at February 1995

  Clwyd:

  North Wales (b)

  224

  71

  2

  0

  155

  61

  236

  East Dyfed:

  St. Davids

  225

  105

  3

  1

  128

  95

  284

  Gwent:

  Pen Y Fal

  277

  184

  1

  1

  84

  180

  130

  St. Cadoc's

  186

  80

  0

  1

  64

  119

  236

  Mid Glamorgan:

  Glanrhyd

  298

  184

  7

  1

  101

  186

  164

  Powys:

  Mid Wales

  172

  104

  10

  0

  61

  104

  156

  298

  The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council introduces an independent pay scheme in 1994.

  1The Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils will come into being on I April 1995.

  Private Sector Lawyers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of(a) the benefits and (b) the disbenefits of commissioning private sector lawyers to draft legislation.

  Mr. David Hunt
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer intends to conduct a pilot scheme in which private sector lawyers would draft part of the 1996 Finance Bill. The Government will assess carefully the results of this pilot to see whether the work of parliamentary counsel can usefully be supplemented in this way.

WALES

  Mental Hospitals
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list in each remaining large mental hospital, by district and region, in Wales, how many in-patients are long stay, with over a year in hospital care and how many were admitted before 1971;

  (2) if he will list the remaining large mental hospitals still open, by region and health district, in Wales, together with the number of patients, their age, the number of available beds and the estimated date of closure in each case;

  (3) if he will list the large mental hospitals open, giving in each case the number of patients, their age, the number of available beds and the estimated date of closure by region and health district in Wales;

  (4) how many in-patients (a) are long stay with over one year in hospital care and (b) where admitted before 1971 in each remaining large mental hospital, giving the figures by district and region.

  Mr. Richards
  Information on the number of resident patients, their length of stay and age, as at 31 March 1993, and the number of beds, as at February 1995, is given in the table.
  299

  Resident Patients as at 31 March 1993

  Duration of Stay

  Age (a)

  DHA and Hospital

  Total

  >1 yr

  >25 yrs

  >16

  16–64

  65+

  Number of beds as at February 1995

  South Glamorgan:

  Whitchurch

  240

  107

  2

  8

  121

  110

  266

  West Glamorgan:

  Cefn Coed

  265

  83

  0

  1

  126

  133

  298

  Source: Psychiatric Census 1993, unpublished information provided by health authorities, 1995.

  (a) Excluding age not known.

  (b) North Wales is due to close in September 1995.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the large mental hospitals which have closed in Wales, by region and district, arid the present use of their sites;

  (2) if he will list any region and district those large mental hospitals which have closed in each of the last five years; and if he will give the present use of their sites.

  Mr. Richards
  Parc hospital, Mid Glamorgan closed in September 1994. The site was sold to the Home Office for use as a grade 2 prison.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, (1) if he will list the remaining large mental hospitals, by region and district, which are still admitting(a) in-patients and (b) acute admissions;

  (2) if he will list the large mental hospitals which are still admitted (a) in-patients and (b) acute admissions by region and district.

  Mr. Richards
  All remaining large mental illness hospitals, listed as follows, are still admitting patients:

  Clwyd—North Wales

  East Dyfed—St. David's

  Gwent—Pen y Fal

  —St. Cadoc's

  Mid Glamorgan—Glanrhyd

  Powys—Mid Wales

  South Glamorgan—Whitechurch

  West Glamorgan—Cefn Coed

  Bryn Alyn Hall School
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the deregistration of Bryn Alyn Hall residential school; on what date these representations began; what investigations his Department undertook into the proper running of the school under the Children Act 1989; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  I have not received specific representations concerning the registration of Bryn Alyn Hall school. The Welsh Office Education Department, through Her Majesty's inspectors of schools, has been monitoring standards at the school and is currently considering the report of HMI's latest inspection. The Welsh Office has not investigated the running of the school under the Children Act, but I understand that the Clwyd social services department has inspected the welfare of children accommodated there in the light of its responsibilities under section 87 of that Act.

  NHS Staff Cars
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list for 1993–94 the expenditure on staff cars for 300
  (a) regional health authorities, (b) district health authorities and (c) hospital trusts in Wales.

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement explaining how he took into account the teachers' pay award when allocating revenue support grant to county councils.

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend's 1995–96 local government settlement decisions took account of Welsh local authorities' need to spend and their ability to make efficiency savings. They also reflected the Government's view that public sector pay increases should be paid for through improved performance. Revenue support grant in support of spending is allocated between local authorities in accordance with distribution formulae agreed annually with the local authority associations. The formulae for county councils take account of pupil numbers and the relative costs of teaching them.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the cost of implementing the teachers' pay award for each local education authority in Wales; and if he will give figures for employers' contribution to(a) national insurance and (b) pensions in addition to the direct wage costs.

  Mr. Richards
  The teachers' pay award will cost local education authorities in Wales about £16 million. This excludes the cost of national insurance and pension contributions which cannot be separately identified. I have not estimated the cost to each LEA.

  School Budgets
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the schools which are holding significant balances in their budgets without plans for how the money should be spent, by local education authority;

  (2) if he will list those schools which had deficit budgets at the end of the 1993–94 financial year for schools, by local education authority.

  Mr. Richards
  Budgetary details of individual LEA-maintained schools are contained in financial outturn statements that LEAs are required to prepare under section 42 of the Education Reform Act 1988. Copies of the statements for the financial year ending 31 March 1994 have been placed in the Library of the House. Comparable figures for grant-maintained schools are given in the following table.
  301

  Grant-maintained school

  £

  Bryn Elian, Clwyd

  77,480

  Derwen, Clwyd

  30,054

  Eirias, Clwyd

  214,357

  Emrys ap Iwan, Clwyd

  111,062

  Maelor, Clwyd

  34,670

  Pen-y-Bryn, Clwyd

  -1,546

  Brynmawr, Gwent

  6,918

  Cwmcarn, Gwent

  -18,510

  Our Lady and St Michaels, Gwent

  272

  St. Albans, Gwent

  35,095

  Caergeiliog, Gwynedd

  36,729

  Llanerfyl, Powys

  30,213

  St. Cyres, South Glamorgan

  100,993

  Stanwell, South Glamorgan

  118,129

  Bishop Vaughan, West Glamorgan

  69,542

  Cardiff Bay
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what further progress there has been on the acquisition of land for the purposes of a bird sanctuary, adjudged to be comparable with the loss of wetland wading birds' feeding grounds at Cardiff bay; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Cardiff Bay development corporation is discussing the statutory processes for acquiring land with the Land Authority for Wales.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales concerning the progress on the bird mitigation measures proposed in consequence of the loss of wader wetlands feeding grounds at Cardiff bay.

  Mr. Redwood
  None.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the dates of instalment payments of urban investment grant paid by the Cardiff Bay development corporation to Grosvenor Waterside plc with respect to the development of accommodation for the relocation of NCM Ltd. from the Crown buildings, Cathays Park.

  Mr. Redwood
  Payment of UIG within the urban development area is an operational matter for the Cardiff Bay development corporation and the chief executive will respond to the hon. Member in writing.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation concerning the payment of urban investment grant to Grosvenor Waterside with respect to the provision of a pre-let office block to accommodate NCM Ltd. on its relocation from Crown buildings, Cathays Park.

  Mr. Redwood
  None.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, further to his press release of 10 February, what provision he will make for the Queen's counsel appointed under section 81 of the Children Act 1989 in respect of child abuse in north Wales to investigate his relevant departmental files.

  Mr. Redwood
  The QC will have full access to all relevant papers held by my Department.

  University Hospital of Wales (Access Road)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of South Glamorgan health authority concerning the funding of the new access road and flyover connecting the Eastern avenue—A48—trunk road and the University hospital of Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  I met with the chairman of South Glamorgan health authority on 8 March 1994 to discuss a wide range of issues.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Aid
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to increase the percentage of aid money spent on children's health, educational and developmental needs.

  Mr. Baldry
  One aid programme priority objective is effective support for the development of education and basic health services. The activities we support will help meet the needs of children and young people.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the United Kingdom aid budget is currently on(a) primary health care, (b) nutrition and malnutrition, (c) education, (d) immunisation programmes, (e) job creation and (f) infrastructure.

  Mr. Baldry
  The information requested is given in the table for 1993–94, the latest year for which information is available.

  Percentage of ODA bilateral aid which is allocable by sector spent on selected sectors, 1993–94.

  Primary Health Care—7.5 per cent.

  Nutrition and Malnutrition—0.04 per cent.1

  Education—17.6 per cent.

  Immunisation Programmes—n/a2

  Job Creation—n/a2

  Infrastructure—n/a2

  Notes

  1Over £270,000 was spent on specific nutrition and malnutrition projects in 1993–94. Many other projects also contained a nutrition and malnutrition element, but are part of wider projects and thus not included in these figures.

  2 The ODA's management information system does not separately identify expenditure on immunisation, job creation and infrastructure. It is therefore not possible to identify expenditure on those sectors except at a disproportionate cost.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of development aid to the education sector is allocated to expanding non-formal education.

  Mr. Baldry
  In 1993–94, the latest year for which information is available, 0.5 per cent. of identifiable expenditure on aid to the education sector was allocated to non-formal education projects. This amounted to £569,000.

  In addition, other significant bilateral project expenditure, for which figures are not centrally held, gave support to the non-formal education sector.

  Overseas Projects
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are taken by his Department to ensure the full participation of vulnerable groups in the design, implementation and evaluation of Overseas Development Administration projects.

  Mr. Baldry
  The Overseas Development Administration gives a high priority to issues of participation and ownership. A range of methods are currently being deployed to ensure that all stakeholders, including vulnerable groups, participate in the design, implementation and evaluation of projects.

  Social Development Summit
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the options under consideration in the current draft declaration of the world summit on social development contained in paragraph 88 and concerning the provision of aid resources for priority human needs the Government are intending to support.

  Mr. Baldry
  We support the aim of increasing resources for basic human development priorities. We welcome the recognition in the social summit draft declaration of the responsibilities of developing countries' Governments to provide services to their people, but we have doubts about the value of assigning specific targets to either donors or recipients of aid, not least because of data measurement and comparability issues. The quality of basic services is as important as their coverage. We shall therefore not be supporting options 1 or 2 of paragraph 88(c) of the draft programme of action.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the British delegation to the United Nations social summit in Copenhagen will support the proposal to reserve 20 per cent. of the aid given to developing countries by donor nations and 20 per cent. of the budgets of poorer nations for social projects such as improved access to education and health care.

  Mr. Baldry
  We support the aim of increasing resources for basic human development priorities. We welcome the recognition in the social summit draft declaration of the responsibilities of developing countries' Governments to provide services to their people, but we do not favour assigning specific targets to either donors or recipients of aid, not least because of data measurement and comparability issues. The quality of basic services is as important as their coverage.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will promote, at the world summit on social development, proposals that require donors to reduce the amount of tied aid in their programme.

  Mr. Baldry
  No. The world summit on social development has a different focus, and would not be a suitable forum for pursuing aid-tying issues.

  Mr. Tony Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will pursue at the world summit on social development the proposal for a limited sale of International Monetary Fund gold stocks to assist those developing countries for whom multilateral debt is a significant problem.
  304
  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of Exchequer proposed limited sale of IMF gold stocks as a part of his initiative on multilateral debt. We shall encourage participants at the summit to support the Chancellor's initiative.

  We hope that further progress will be made when the initiative is discussed at the spring meetings of the IMF and World bank in April.

  Poverty
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts his Department are making to support measures taken by developing countries to eradicate poverty; and how his Department will strengthen the capacity of poor countries to assess the impact of international policies and programmes on the poorest people.

  Mr. Baldry
  The main aim of the aid programme, as stated in ODA's mission statement, is to"help people in countries poorer than our own improve their lives." Accordingly, all the UK's objectives for the aid programme are concerned with poverty reduction.

  ODA assists poor countries to strengthen their capacity to assess the impact of international policies and programmes on the poorest people in a number of ways—for example:

  (a) by participating in World Bank poverty assessments, which have been carried out in a number of countries, ODA aims to improve poor countries' information on poverty and promote increased ownership by countries of policies and programmes;

  (b) by undertaking a three-year collaborative research project with the NGO Action Aid, ODA is developing output indicators for poverty projects from the perspectives of the intended beneficiaries, project managers and aid donors;

  (c) by supporting a three-year research programme by the Institute of Development Studies on the relative impact on the poor of direct poverty reduction projects in comparison with economic reform policies.

  European Bank for Reconstruction Development
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his share of voting power at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

  Mr. Baldry
  The United Kingdom's current share is 8.97 per cent.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what ways the policy of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development differs from that of the World bank or other Government-funded development banks.

  Mr. Baldry
  The EBRD and the World bank work closely in the countries of central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union to foster the transition towards open, market-oriented economies. The EBRD has a specific remit to promote private and entrepreneurial initiative and provides project finance only. It is not involved in policy-based sector or balance of payments lending.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the
  305
  European Bank for Reconstruction and Development invests in projects of human resource development including education and health initiatives.

  Mr. Baldry
  The bank supports regional training institutions relevant to its project investments and provides consultancy support to individual enterprises to develop management capacity. The education and health sectors are not priority areas for the bank.

  Tobacco
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds have been committed to tobacco growing and processing in developing countries in each of the past 10 years by(a) the World bank and (b) the Overseas Development Administration.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding reply 22 February 1995]: We are in touch with the World bank about the information requested and I will write to the hon. Member once we have a response.

  As for the Overseas Development Administration, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for York (Mr. Bayley) on 25 November 1994, Official Report, column 425.

  International Development Association
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent international meeting to discuss the replenishment of the International Development Association.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding reply 22 February 1995]: This was the second in a series of meetings expected to continue throughout 1995. Donors discussed IDA's approach to development effectiveness, and the challenges faced by both donors and recipients in the poorest countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. There was also a preliminary exchange of views on such issues as regional allocations, support for structural adjustment and multilateral debt.

  Aid (Pakistan)
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total amount of United Kingdom aid to Pakistan in the last year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Baldry
  Britain provided £48.2 million of aid in 1993–94. This included £24.4 million of Commonwealth Development Corporation investment, £16.5 million of ODA project aid, £4.2 million of emergency aid and £3 million of debt relief.

  Saharwi Refugees
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid has been given to the Saharwi refugees of Western Sahara in each of the last three years, and what is planned for the forthcoming year.

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 9 February,Official Report, column 349. Future allocations have not been decided.

SCOTLAND

  Paediatricians
  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the total number of consultant paediatricians employed per regional health board; and what are the estimated required levels of staffing.

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

  Consultants in medical and surgical paediatrics as at 30 September 1994 for each health board area, whole-time equivalents (WTE)

  Health Board Area

  Whole-time equivalent

  Argyll and Clyde

  5.0

  Ayrshire and Arran

  4.4

  Borders

  2.0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2.0

  Fife

  4.0

  Forth Valley

  1.0

  Grampian

  10.3

  Greater Glasgow

  25.6

  Highland

  3.0

  Lanarkshire

  4.0

  Lothian

  17.5

  Tayside

  9.5

  Scotland

  88.3

  The figures do not take account of consultants in other specialties with a special interest in treating children.

  In general, consultants are employed by NHS trusts. There is no establishment set; it is for individual trusts to determine local needs.

  Mrs. Margaret Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest estimate of the numbers of paediatricians currently in training; and if he will give a breakdown of the numbers per training establishment.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Provisional figures for 30 September 1994 show that there were 33 registrars and 21 senior registrars in training in paediatrics. Of these, five registrars and one senior registrar were overseas doctors. Information is not held centrally on the numbers employed in individual NHS trusts.

  Taiwanese Inward Investment
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what efforts he has made in the past five years to attract Taiwanese investment; and what results he has had, giving the information by project, location, product and number of jobs created.

  Mr. Kynoch
  Taiwanese inward investment in Europe has generally been very low, and there are currently no manufacturing projects in Scotland which are Taiwanese owned. However, Locate in Scotland continues to be in touch with many Taiwanese companies, principally in the electronics sector. LIS is currently reviewing its operations in relation to Taiwan, taking into account the possibility that projects may he more likely to yield joint venture and licensing arrangements rather than direct inward investment.
  307
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications his Department has received for the first round of objective 1, financial instrument for fisheries guidance funding in the highlands and islands; and if he will list those that have been approved so far.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Sixteen applications were received by my Department for the first tranche of awards under

  Company

  Project costs £

  FIFG £

  Processing and Marketing Sco-Fro Ltd.

  Provision of prawn processing equipment at Fort William

  160,000

  64,040

  Macrae Gairloch Ltd.

  Establishment of a shellfish processing factory at Gairloch

  240,000

  96,000

  Johnston Seafayre Ltd.

  Upgrading of building and provision of processing equipment at Stornoway

  93,700

  37,480

  Westray Processors Ltd.

  Upgrading of existing shellfish processing factory and development of processing facilities at Westray

  480,000

  192,000

  Orkney Fishermen's Society Ltd.

  Construction of a new shellfish processing factory at Stromness

  719,683

  287,873

  Easdale Seafoods Ltd.

  Construction of a replacement processing factory at Seil Island by Oban

  69,500

  27,800

  Ports Facilities

  Hugh Simpson Contractors

  Expansion of ice-making facilities at Scrabster

  915,000

  366,000

  Heart Transplants
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were waiting for heart transplants at the latest available date.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There were 15 people on the waiting list at 16 February 1995 with a further 20 undergoing assessment.

  1989–90 £

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  Local Authorities

  86,580

  101,520

  117,270

  119,440

  119,210

  Scottish Arts Council (SAC)

  SAC—Revenue Funding

  35,200

  38,755

  41,468

  53,541

  53,541

  SAC—Project Funding

  26,976

  5,000

  —

  4,000

  —

  The reference to revenue funding in the foregoing table relates to SAC's contribution to normal running costs; project funding relates to one off initiatives.

  The future funding of the Brunton theatre is for the Scottish Arts Council and the local authorities to determine.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Jazz and Dance
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what is the policy of his Department on the subject of the establishment of a national jazz 308
  the financial instrument for fisheries guidance in the highlands and islands objective 1 area.

  Of these, 13 were eligible under the scheme for processing and marketing of fisheries and aquaculture produce, and three were eligible under the scheme for back-up facilities at fishing ports.

  The following were approved in December 1994:

  Brunton Theatre
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what support was provided from(a) local and (b) national public funds for the Brunton theatre in Musselburgh for the last five years; and if he will make a statement on funding for that theatre in the future.

  Sir Hector Monro
  Funding for the Brunton theatre from local authorities and from the Scottish Arts Council, the main channel for Government support of the arts in Scotland, over the last five years was as follows:

  centre in London and on the advancement, development and support of jazz;

  (2) what is the policy of his Department (a) on the subject of the establishment of a national dance centre in London and (b) on the advancement, development and support of dance.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Under the long-standing "arm's-length" principle for arts funding and development, it is for the Arts Council to formulate strategies for each of the various art forms, including jazz and dance.

  Media Concentration
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action he has taken on the EU Green Paper "Pluralism and Media Concentration" since 12 May 1993.
  309
  Mr. Dorrell
  My Department has consulted widely within the UK media industry about the content of the EU Green Paper on pluralism and media concentration. The views expressed will he taken into account in preparing the Government's response to the Commission's imminent consultation exercise.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what parliamentary proceedings are envisaged in respect of the second round of consultation initiated by the European Union on the Green Paper,"Pluralism and Media Concentration"; and if a second document is expected from the EU on pluralism and media concentration in order to tie in with the second round of consultations now taking place.

  Mr. Dorrell
  A copy of the Government's response to the consultation exercise will he placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Preparation of the response will commence once we have received the further documentation promised by the Commission.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Set-aside Land
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what voluntary schemes now exist to promote public access to set-aside land.

  Mr. Jack
  Last September, we launched a new voluntary countryside access scheme to encourage farmers who have suitable set-aside land to make that land available to the public for walking and other forms of quiet recreation.

  Food Industry (Deregulation)
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken to encourage deregulation in the food industry.

  Mrs. Browning
  We have made significant progress since we published the food law deregulation programme in September 1993.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to enforce animal welfare rules at an EC level.

  Mrs. Browning
  The European Commission has responsibility for overseeing the enforcement by member states of EC rules. We regularly remind the Commission of its responsibilities in this area, and draw its attention promptly to any apparent shortcomings in other member states of which we become aware.

  Rhubarb
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what he is doing to encourage the development of the British rhubarb industry.

  Mr. Jack
  We encourage the development of all horticultural product in the United Kingdom, not least rhubarb, which I know many hon. Members regard with special affection.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the prospects for reform of the common agricultural policy following EU enlargement.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden on 1 January is unlikely to have major implications for the common agricultural policy. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made clear to the House, however, fundamental changes to the CAP will he needed before the eastern European countries can join the European Union.

  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Prime Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for tackling fraud in the CAP.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Fraud against the CAP is a Community problem which must be tackled collectively by Community institutions and member states. Clearly, fraud must not be allowed to pay and the Government will continue to press the Commission for further reforms of the CAP, to reduce the scope for fraud, and for tougher penalties to be applied to those proved to have benefited from aid to which they were not entitled.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his most recent legal advice on the banning of live exports.

  Mrs. Browning
  As I announced on 1 February,Official Report, column 643, the conclusion of the legal advice available to me is that a ban on live exports can not be reconciled with Community law, because it would be disproportionate.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what considerations underlay the issue of permits for the export of sheep and calves to Belgium from Brightlingsea on 10 February; what information was available from Nieuwpoort when the permits were granted as to when the animals would be able to be unloaded; how long the animals remained on the boat; how long the boat spent on the open sea; what assessment he has made as to the fulfilment of the requirement as to the feeding, watering and resting of the animals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 20 February 1995]In accordance with the requirements of the legislation protecting the welfare of animals during transport, our veterinary inspectors needed to be satisfied that the arrangements for safeguarding the calves during the voyage were in place, including suitable facilities for their feeding aboard the vessel. Officials were in close touch with the competent authorities in Belgium regarding this consignment of calves.

  The ship sailed at 2100 hours on 10 February and arrived at Nieuwpoort at 0620 hours. It docked at 0930 hours. I understand that information was received from the customs clearance officer, shortly after docking, that the mayor of Nieuwpoort had served a notice preventing the landing of animals from the ship until Monday 13 February at 0900 hours. Following discussions at the town hall, the customs veterinarian requested the unloading of the calves to prevent unnecessary suffering. This commenced at 0940 hours and was completed at 1010

  311
  hours. The calves were fed abroad the vessel and at the Grotteheme lairage.

  A Ministry veterinary officer accompanied the calves on their journey as far as the Grotteheme lairage and reported that the calves appeared to travel satisfactorily. They were subsequently moved to two premises in Holland where they were inspected by the Dutch veterinary authorities who report that the animals were in healthy condition.

  Sugar
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in negotiations with his EU counterparts on reform of the sugar regime.

  Mr. Jack
  In negotiations so far, my right hon. Friend has called for reductions in sugar prices, argued that if any quota cuts are needed to enable the Community to meet its general agreement on tariffs and trade obligations, these fall on those member states responsible for surplus Community production, and supported measures to maintain the viability of the cane refining sector. Substantive discussion is expected to continue at the Agriculture Council on 27 and 28 March.

  Veal Exports
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on veal exports.

  Mrs. Browning
  Veal production in this country has been estimated by the Meat and Livestock Commission at under 500 tonnes in 1993 and, therefore, exports are very limited. I shall be opening a MAFF seminar tomorrow to look at the prospects for developing the market for veal from welfare-friendly husbandry systems like those in this country, including exports.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy have been confirmed in the United Kingdom for the latest available date.

  Mrs. Browning
  As at 3 February, a cumulative total of 144,437 cases of BSE have been confirmed in the United Kingdom. I am pleased to announce that, in the month to 3 February, the number of new suspected cases is down by 46 per cent. on the same period last year.

  Potatoes
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with representatives of potato growers about recent price rises; what action he expects to take; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what recent representations he has received on the price of potatoes; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) what action he intends to take to prevent the price of potatoes rising above the rate of inflation; and if he will make a statement.
  312
  Mr. Jack
  I have received eight letters from right hon. and hon. Members and one from a member of the public. I have explained that, in a free market, the price of potatoes is a function of supply and demand. A cold wet spring, summer drought and a wet harvest have resulted in a reduced potato crop with attendant quality problems throughout Europe this season. This has led to average retail prices rising by 61 per cent. in the 12 months to mid-January. Prices arc now easing and are expected to continue to do so as supplies of the new crop from the Mediterranean arrive in Europe.

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what amount of potatoes were exported to each country from the United Kingdom in the past 12 months.

  Mr. Jack
  Provisional figures for exports of fresh potatoes during the period 1 January 1994 to 30 September 1994, the latest available information, are as follows:

  Exports

  Weight tonnes

  Value £000

  Total of which

  101,693

  18,842

  to EC

  70,419

  12,980

  to non-EC

  31,274

  5,862

  Irish Republic

  35,730

  7,223

  Portugal

  18,019

  2,679

  Canary Islands

  13,174

  1,816

  Spain

  8,505

  1,514

  Sweden

  3,030

  1,320

  Morocco

  8,343

  1,200

  Netherlands

  3,120

  493

  Germany

  1,774

  394

  Italy

  1,566

  351

  Egypt

  1,405

  299

  Hungary

  1,008

  277

  Slovenia

  873

  212

  Algeria

  1,114

  173

  St. Lucia

  528

  132

  France

  531

  131

  Belgium-Luxembourg

  725

  103

  Other

  2,248

  526

  Note:

  Totals may vary due to rounding.

  Source:

  Customs and Excise.

  Enzootic Bovine Leukosis
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of enzootic bovine leukosis have occurred; how many infected cattle have been identified in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement on the future of the cattle health scheme in respect of enzootic bone leukosis.

  Mrs. Browning
  The number of confirmed cases of enzootic bovine leukosis, and the number of cattle involved, over the past five years is as follows:

  Year

  Cases

  Number of cattle

  1990

  0

  0

  1991

  3

  4

  1992

  1

  4

  1993

  25

  63

  1994

  9

  26

  313
  More cases were identified during 1993 and 1994 because a national testing programme has been under way during this period.

  A management review of the Ministry's animal health and veterinary group considered that the voluntary livestock health schemes, with the exception of the poultry scheme, were not central to MAFF's activities and that the Ministry should withdraw from them, leaving other bodies to take them on if desired. We issued a consultation document on 24 October 1994 indicating that we recognised the force of this argument and were minded to withdraw from or transfer responsibility for some of the schemes.

  A considerable number of responses have been received from industry and professional organisations on the future of all of the schemes and these are currently being considered. An announcement will be made in due course.

  Meat and Livestock Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what were the total earnings arising from the export of(a) calves, (b) veal, (c) live sheep and lambs, (d) lamb and mutton, (e) live cattle over six months of age, (f) beef, (g) other livestock and (h) other meat in each year since 1983;

  (2) if he will list by type and purpose the number of livestock animals exported from Britain in each year since 1983.

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 20 February 1995]: Information on the value of exports and on the number of livestock exported in the detail requested is available from the annual publication "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom". These were issued as DTI "Business Monitor" MA20 until 1988 and as CSO "Business Monitor" MA20 thereafter.

  These publications are available in the Library of the House. The relevant data are currently presented in the parts of tables VI and VII of MA20 relating to SITC division 00 and 01.

  Information on incomes arising from these exports is not separately available.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies (Pay)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food it he will list the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which will(a) follow the pay arrangements of the sponsoring Department and (b) pursue an independent and separate route under the delegated option (i) from 1 April 1995 and (ii) from April 1996.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Of the bodies which MAFF sponsors, some jointly with the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales, departmental pay arrangements currently apply to three—the royal botanic gardens, Kew; Horticulture Research International and Food from Britain. All are in discussions with the Ministry on the timing and nature of the arrangements to apply in future.

  Bobby Calves
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bobby calves were slaughtered in Great Britain each year since 1970.
  314
  Mrs. Browning
  The number of bobby calves that are slaughtered are not separately recorded. However, the information does allow the number of slaughtered calves to be split by weight as shown in the table.

  Slaughter of calves in Great Britain (th.head)

  1Light calves

  2Heavy calves

  Total calves

  19703

  —

  —

  350.0

  19713

  —

  —

  254.5

  19723

  —

  —

  149.4

  19733

  —

  —

  140.4

  1974

  377.3

  36.1

  413.3

  1975

  470.6

  50.4

  521.0

  1976

  261.8

  32.9

  294.7

  1977

  231.3

  32.0

  263.3

  1978

  126.6

  27.6

  154.2

  1979

  122.7

  21.5

  134.9

  1980

  122.6

  21.5

  144.1

  1981

  93.7

  25.2

  118.9

  1982

  68.7

  24.5

  93.3

  1983

  85.9

  31.2

  117.1

  1984

  94.4

  38.0

  132.4

  1985

  69.9

  31.0

  100.8

  1986

  59.1

  19.3

  78.4

  1987

  46.0

  19.7

  65.7

  1988

  23.4

  11.1

  34.4

  1989

  20.9

  6.7

  27.6

  1990

  38.0

  7.3

  45.3

  1991

  40.7

  8.3

  48.9

  1992

  25.5

  6.8

  32.2

  1993

  14.7

  3.8

  18.4

  19944

  18.8

  3.5

  22.3

  1 Less than 64 kg dressed carcase weight.

  2 Between 65 kg and 127 kg dressed carcase weight.

  3 Before 1974, figures were collected for total calves only.

  4 Provisional.

  Advertising
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of. Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total expenditure on all forms of advertising by his Department and its agencies for each year since 1979 in 1994 prices.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 13 February 1995]: Expenditure on all forms of advertising on television, radio and in newspapers and magazines by MAFF for each year since 1979 was as follows:

  £

  1982–83

  3,000

  1983–84

  27,000

  1984–85

  26,000

  1985–86

  29,000

  1986–87

  54,000

  1987–88

  12,000

  1988–89

  380,000

  1989–90

  116,000

  1990–91

  53,000

  1991–92

  262,000

  1992–93

  494,000

  1993–94

  517,000

  1994–95

  1104,000

  1 To date.

  Note: 1. All figures include expenditure on recruitment advertising.

  Figures prior to 1982–93 are not available in this form, since they do not distinguish between expenditure on advertising and other forms of paid publicity.
  315
  Advertising by agencies is a matter for their chief executives. I have asked them to reply direct to the hon. Member.

  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 23 February 1995:
  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about expenditure on all forms of advertising undertaken by the Agency since 1979 at 1994 prices.CVL became an Executive Agency in April 1990 and our expenditure on advertising since that date is set out below:

  £

  1990–91

  24,011.00

  1991–92

  24,593.00

  1992–93

  63,686.00

  1993–94

  7,656.00

  1994–95 (January)

  9,367.00

  Much of this expenditure was on appointment advertisements. The figures for 1991–92 and 1992–93 also include other associated costs of CVL's recruitment campaigns.

  Letter front Guy Stapleton to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 15 February 1995:

  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about expenditure on all forms of advertising undertaken by the Agency since 1979 at 1994 prices.

  The Intervention Board has spent the following sums on recruitment advertising since 1989/90. Papers for earlier years have been disposed of under the Agency's records management policy.

  1989/90: £60,847

  1990/91: £22,711

  1991/92: £15,541

  1992/93: £ 1,727

  1993/94: £ 2,150

  1994/95: £ 4,469

  In addition the Agency has once or twice a year placed notices in the trade press to inform farmers and traders of late changes in European Community deadlines. Figures for this expenditure are not separately identified.

  Letter from A. M. Kerr to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 23 February 1995:

  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the, Pesticides Safety Directorate, to your Question about expenditure on advertising.

  The Directorate was launched as an executive agency on 1 April 1993. The agency spent a total of £480.58 in 1993/94 on local advertisements to fill staff vacancies at junior administrative level. No expenditure on advertising has been directly incurred so far this financial year. Recruitment is more generally handled by the core Department and the advertisement costs associated with that will be included in the reply provided by the Minister.

  Letter from Dr. J. M. Rutter to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 13 February 1995:
  The Minister of State has asked me to reply to your question about expenditure on advertising in the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, as this is an operational matter for which I am responsible as Chief Executive.The Directorate was not established as a Next Steps Agency until 2 April 1990. Since that date, no expenditure has been incurred on paid advertising i.e. TV, cinema and radio commercials, press and outdoor advertisements.316
  Letter front Dr. J. M. Walsh to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 23 February 1995:
  Parliamentary Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food, what was the total expenditure on all forms of advertising by his Department and its agencies for each year since 1979 in 1994 prices.
  I am responding on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food, to your Parliamentary question. The ADAS expenditure on all forms of advertising is as follows:

  Year Ending

  £

  March 1993

  108,967

  March 1994

  103,760

  End Jan 1995

  100,023

  Letter by Dr. P. I. Stanley to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 23 February 1995:

  EXPENDITURE BY MAFF AND ITS AGENCIES ON ALL FORMS OF ADVERTISING
  The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) was launched as an executive agency of the Ministry of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food (MAFF) on 1 April 1992. Expenditure on advertising for each financial year since that date is:

  1992/93: £8,990.60

  1993/94: £566.19

  –1994/95 (up to and including January '95): £12,594.23

  These sums include the costs of staff recruitment advertising, which, in the current financial year, has amounted to £11,176.05 up to the end of January.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Atomic Energy Authority
  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what change has been made to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's external financing limit for 1994–95; and what corresponding change has been made to his Department's cash-limited vote.

  Mr. Page
  The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's external financing limit for 1994–95 has been increased by £22,000,000 from minus £8,800,000 to plus £13,200,000. The revised financing requirement reflects, first, an adjustment of £14,200,000 to cover additional restructuring costs and, secondly, a budgetary adjustment of £7,800,000 resulting from recent changes in trading arrangements between my Department and the UKAEA.

  To accommodate the increase to the UKAEA's external financing limit, my Department's cash limit for class IV, vote 1 has been reduced by £22,000,000 from £1,184,893,000 to £1,162,893,000 following reductions in spending on other DTI programmes. The increase will not therefore add to the planned total of pubic expenditure.

  Internet
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures currently exist for monitoring illegal or threatening material being placed on the Internet from(a) within the United Kingdom and (b) from outside the United Kingdom but being accessed from within.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 20 February 1995]: The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 has updated existing legal controls on obscene and

  317
  pornographic material to take account of advances in computer technology. Although the monitoring of the Internet is an operational matter for the chief constable of each force, the Government have encouraged the National Council for Educational Technology to prepare guidance for teachers and parents on computer pornography. The overall question of monitoring the Internet is one that is being considered by relevant Government Departments.

  Export Licences, Iraq
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if(a) Williams Holdings, (b) Leyland Trucks and (c) RB International have been issued with a communication licence to visit Iraq; and for what purpose.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  It has been the policy of successive administrations not to comment on individual licence applications unless public interest outweighs the need for commercial confidentiality.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many export licences have been given to British firms to export to Iraq since sanctions began;

  (2) how many export licences for export to Iraq have been refused since sanctions began.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The export control organisation within my Department issues licences for exports to Iraq within the procedures laid down by the UN sanctions committee. Licences may be granted for exports of foodstuffs, medicines and other goods deemed to be essential for humanitarian civilian needs.

  As at 21 February 1995, a total of 791 applications for export licences to Iraq have been refused to British firms and a total of 2,370 applications for export licences to Iraq had been granted to British firms since August 1990. This computer-generated figure cannot be confirmed without disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Stephen Crouch
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when Ministers or officials of his Department last met Mr. Stephen Crouch.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Neither Ministers nor officials of this Department have met Mr. Crouch in his capacity as director general of the Iraqi British Interests Group.

  Angus Fire
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what purpose his Department issued Angus Fire with a communication licence to visit Iraq.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  It has been the policy of successive Administrations not to comment on individual licence applications unless public interest outweighs the need for commercial confidentiality.

  Child Labour
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals to exclude the use of child labour he plans to make to the World Trade Organisation.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Government are fully committed to international action, for example through the UN and 318
  the International Labour Organisation, to stop exploitation of children, but do not consider that action through the WTO would be an appropriate means to achieve this.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations were made during the general agreement on tariffs and trade discussions on the use of child labour world wide; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The issue was not on the agenda for the Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations. At the conclusion of the round, certain delegations asked for the issue of the relationship between the trading system and internationally recognised labour standards to be added, among a number of others, to the agenda of the World Trade Organisation. No decision has been made on this suggestion.

  Export Credit Licences
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number and value of export credit licences issued in each year since 1990 in respect of(a) arms-related exports and (b) non-arms-related exports.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Details of the numbers and values of export licences are contained in the annual report of the Export Control Organisation for 1993, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. To provide greater detail than that which is included in the annual report would involve disproportionate cost.

  Office of Electricity Regulation
  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further evidence, particularly on environmental matters, the Office of Electricity Regulation will be seeking before publication of the final results of the review of transmission security standards.

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 22 February 1995]: This is a matter for Offer. I have asked the Director General of Electricity Supply to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. John Greenway
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has for monitoring the compliance by Offer and his departmental officials to fulfil their environmental duties under section 3(3) of the Electricity Act 1989 in connection with the proposed power lines in the vale of York.

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 22 February 1995]: My right hon. Friend will comply with relevant duties under the Electricity Act 1989 when reaching his decisions on the applications before him. His duties under section 3 do not apply in considering the applications by virtue of section 3(6).

  It is the responsibility of the Director General of Electricity Supply to ensure that his officials comply with his duties under the Act.

  United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many people are currently employed by the UKAEA Government division at Dounreay;

  (2) how many people are currently employed by AEA Technology at Dounreay.

  Mr. Page
  The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority currently employs 1,092.5 people at Dounreay, excluding members of the UKAEA constabulary. They are made up as follows:
  319

  Number

  UKAEA Government Division

  663.5

  AEA Technology

  293

  Other

  136

  Total

  1,092.5

  The UKAEA constabulary employs 485 staff in total, but for security reasons we do not disclose their location.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies (Pay)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which will(a) follow the pay arrangements of the sponsoring Department and (b) pursue an independent and separate route under the delegated pay option (i) from April 1995 and (ii) from April 1996.

  Mr. Heseltine
  The question of which of those NDPBs sponsored by my Department having analogous pay arrangements with the civil service will decide to follow the pay arrangements of my Department or pursue an independent grading and pay system is still under consideration.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was his Department's support for the aerospace industry in the last year for which figures are available; and what is his estimate of similar support provided in(a) the United States, (b) France and (c) Germany.

  Mr. Page
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for Industry and Energy to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 20 December 1994,Official Report, columns 1036–37.

  TOPRAC
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has received concerning the proposed award of an investment grant to the Turkish company TOPRAC for the opening of a sanitary ware and tile manufacturing company on Merseyside; what is the value of the proposed grant; whether its award has been approved by the European Union; when it is expected the grant will be paid; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 22 February 1995]: The Department of Trade and Industry has received a number of representations about this matter. An announcement will be made in due course and I will be writing to my hon. Friend.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what specific consultation he undertook with the British sanitary ware and tile manufacturing industry about the implications for existing companies of the proposed award of an investment grant to the Turkish company TOPRAC for the opening of a320
  sanitary ware and tile manufacturing company on Merseyside;

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact on employment for existing companies in the sanitary ware and tile manufacturing industries of the proposed award of an investment grant to the Turkish company TOPRAC for the opening of a sanitary ware and tile manufacturing company on Merseyside.

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 22 February. 1995]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Under-Secretary of State for Industry and Energy to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 30 November 1994, Official Report, column 705.

  Trade (Sanitary Ware and Tiles)
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the net balance of trade in sanitary ware and tiles between the European Union and the rest of the world in the latest year for which figures are available.

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 22 February 1995]: The information for sanitary ware products is published on the Eurostat Comext database which may be accessed via the Library of the House; sanitary ware products arc defined as products 6975, 8122, and 89321 of the standard international trade classification. It is not possible separately to identify trade in tiles.

HEALTH

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average annual cost of caring for a person with learning difficulties in(a) the community and (b) hospital.

  Mr. Bowis
  The total national health service expenditure on hospital services for people with learning disabilities in 1992–93 was £750 million. The average expenditure per in-patient year in NHS directly managed units and trusts was £38,325. Total NHS and local authority expenditure on community services for people with learning disabilities was £945 million. The average cost per person is not available centrally.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will(a) the universities, (b) the hospitals and (c) other major institutions that are conducting research into multiple sclerosis; and if she will list the Government grants that have been (i) sought and (ii) granted in each case in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department of Health is currently funding a project entitled "Walking and mobility in patients with MS—is modification by physiotherapy effective?". The project is being undertaken by Professor Wiles at the university of Wales, Cardiff.

  The main agency through which the Government fund medical research is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon.
  321
  Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The MRC is funding research into multiple sclerosis in:

  (a) Its own establishments which are on university sites:

  MRC cellular immunology unit, Oxford

  MRC environmental epidemiology unit, Southampton— direct support for MRC's own establishment granted in 1993–94.

  (b)Universities:

  Institute of Neurology, university of London—Dr. L. Cuzner,

  Department of Neurochemistry, indirect support granted in 1993–94.

  St. Georges's hospital medical school.

  In addition, very large sums are invested by pharmaceutical companies in medical research, some of which may relate to multiple sclerosis.

  Worcester District General Hospital
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the construction of the new Worcester district general hospital to be resumed.

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for West Midlands regional health authority. My hon. Friend may wish to contact Mr. Bryan Baker, chairman of West Midlands regional health authority, for details.

  Breast Cancer
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the arrangement governing the delivery of breast cancer surgery.

  Mr. Sackville
  No assessment has been made. Arrangements governing the delivery of breast cancer surgery is a matter for local decision.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response she has given to the Macmillan directory of specialist breast cancer services in the United Kingdom, a copy of which has been sent to her.

  Mr. Sackville
  None yet. We are studying the Macmillan directory of specialist breast cancer services in the United Kingdom with interest.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to reduce the United Kingdom mortality rate from breast cancer.

  Mr. Sackville
  We were one of the first countries in the world to establish a national breast screening programme based on a call and recall system for women aged 50 to 64, through which we have promoted the production of guidance on the treatment of breast cancer.

  In "The Health of the Nation—A Strategy for Health in England", the Government have set a target to reduce breast cancer mortality in women screened by 25 per cent. by the year 2000. The Government annually fund research into breast cancer and breast cancer screening; and have also funded health promotion material to increase breast awareness among women generally.

  Additionally, the chief medical officers of England and Wales established an expert advisory group on cancer and commissioned it to review the delivery of cancer services, including breast cancer. Its consultative report "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" published on 18 May 1994, recommends significant
  322
  change in the provision of cancer care and treatment. Copies of the report are available in the Library.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards implementing Macmillan's 10 minimum standards of care for women with breast cancer.

  Mr. Sackville
  We welcome the Macmillan's 10 minimum standards of care for women with breast cancer; its campaign is entirely consistent with our desire to empower the patient and to have more choice in the treatment provided. The consultative document "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services", published last year, recommends that all patients should have access to a uniformly high quality of care to ensure maximum cure rates and improve quality of life. The report, revised in the light of consultation, will he considered by Ministers shortly.

  Spending Statistics
  Mrs.Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list spending per head of population by(a) each health authority and (b) each family health services authority for 1993–94; and if she will give the national averages for that period;

  (2) how much is currently spent per capita on health services for residents in (a) London, (b) Birmingham, (c) Manchester, (d) Liverpool, (e) Leeds, (f) Newcastle, (g) Bristol and (h) England; and what proportion is spent on treatment in (i) hospitals and (ii) by community services excluding the element of cost which is attributable to medical education and research.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Lady to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 12 December 1994,Official Report, column 465.

  In 1993–94, district health authorities spent £370 per capita on health services while family health services authorities spent £153. These figures do not include expenditure by regional health authorities, the Department of Health or other statutory bodies.

  It is not possible to break these figures down further between spend on hospital and community services, nor is it possible to remove the cost element of research and education from the figures.

  Comparisons of these per capita spend figures need to be treated with caution. First, not all the expenditure covered arises from population related activities. Secondly, crude population do not reflect the differences in age structure or relative health care need or in the cost of providing services. These differences feature in the formulae used to inform the main allocations made to DHAs.

  NHS Executive and Policy Boards
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the general practitioners on(a) the NHS executive and (b) the policy board.

  Mr. Malone
  The national health service executive employs a number of professional staff from a general practice background including six currently working in the division responsible for primary care policy. None of the current members of the NHS policy board is a general practitioners.
  323

  General Practice Research Database
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bids were received for the contract to manage the general practice research database.

  Mr. Sackville
  Twenty-six expressions of interest were received from organisations wishing to provide services connected with the regular collection, validation and supply of anonymised patient data for the general practice research database.

  Lindane
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies her Department has carried out into the relationship between the use of lindane and the incidence of breast cancer.

  Mr. Sackville
  None. The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The MRC is an independent body deciding what research to support on its own expert judgment. The Department of Health expert committee on carcinogenicity has been asked to advise on any relationship between organochlorines, including lindane, and breast cancer when it next meets in March 1995, and will consider the latest available research.

  Paediatricians
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if she will list the number of consultant paediatricians employed per regional health authority; and what are the estimated required levels of staffing.

  Mr. Malone
  The information in the table shows the number of paediatricians in each region together with consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists since these are also involved in the treatment of children. Although the Government encourage consultant expansion, it remains for local employing bodies to decide how many

  Junior Doctors in Paediatric Group by Region and Grade Whole-Time Equivalent—30 September 1993

  Region

  Senior Registrar

  Registrar

  Senior house officer/house officer

  Northern

  10

  20

  80

  Yorkshire

  10

  20

  110

  Trent

  20

  30

  150

  East Anglia

  10

  10

  40

  North West Thames

  10

  40

  100

  North East Thames

  20

  20

  100

  South East Thames

  10

  30

  120

  South West Thames

  10

  20

  70

  Wessex

  10

  20

  70

  Oxford

  10

  20

  70

  South Western

  10

  20

  90

  West Midlands

  20

  30

  130

  Mersey

  10

  20

  80

  North Western

  20

  40

  130

  Special Health Authorities

  30

  50

  40

  England Total

  220

  410

  1,380

  Notes:

  1 Paediatric group consists of paediatrics. paediatric neurology and paediatric surgery.

  2 Data rounded to the nearest 10.
  324
  additional consultants are needed and where those extra staff can best be placed. These decisions must he made in the light of local priorities.

  Hospital medical consultants by region whole-time equivalent—30 September 1993

  Region

  Paediatric group

  Child and adolescent psychiatry

  Northern

  60

  20

  Yorkshire

  80

  20

  Trent

  80

  30

  East Anglia

  40

  20

  North West Thames

  50

  30

  North East Thames

  60

  30

  South East Thames

  80

  20

  South West Thames

  50

  20

  Wessex

  50

  20

  Oxford

  50

  20

  South Western

  50

  20

  West Midlands

  90

  30

  Mersey

  50

  20

  North Western

  80

  20

  Special health authorities

  30

  10

  England Total

  910

  320

  Notes:

  1 Paediatric group consists of paediatrics. paediatric neurology and paediatric surgery.

  2 Data rounded to the nearest 10.

  Mr. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her latest estimate of the number of paediatricians currently in training giving a breakdown of the numbers per training establishment.

  Mr. Malone
  The available information relating to doctors in training in the paediatric group is shown in the table.

  Doctors in the speciality of child and adolescent psychiatry also treat children. At 30 September 1993, there were 120 senior registrars, 40 registrars and 10 senior house officers in this speciality in England— whole-time equivalent, rounded to the nearest 10.
  325

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 6 February,Official Report, column 27, if she will itemise the number of accident and emergency departments by region in each year.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Trusts and directly managed units1 with accident and emergency department2 by region in England.

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Northern

  20

  19

  16

  Yorkshire

  18

  17

  17

  Trent

  15

  18

  14

  East Anglian

  10

  9

  10

  North West Thames

  17

  13

  15

  North East Thames

  17

  16

  16

  South East Thames

  17

  15

  16

  South West Thames

  15

  14

  15

  Wessex

  15

  14

  12

  Oxford

  11

  8

  10

  South Western

  15

  12

  15

  West Midlands

  26

  27

  27

  Mersey

  12

  11

  12

  North Western

  26

  29

  20

  SHAs

  4

  4

  3

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

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

  Frozen Embryos
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many frozen embryos are currently in store; how many belong to parents with whom there is no longer any contact; what representations she has received from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority or individual clinics about the storage and future of frozen embryos; and if she will make a statement;

  (2) when she expects to receive the report she has requested from the HFEA on the freezing of embryos; and if she will make a statement;

  (3) if she will place a copy of the final recommendations and report of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority embryo freezing working group in the Library;

  (4) which groups she has consulted on the fate of frozen embryos stored for more than five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of embryos stored by individual licensed centres changes daily. Information collected by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority shows that some centres experience difficulties in maintaining contact with patients for whom they have stored embryos, for a variety of reasons. The authority will look at the practicalities involved and will consider whether further advice to licensed centres will be helpful.

  England and Wales

  Offence Description/Legislation

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Causing or allowing person under 18 to go abroad to perform for profit [Children and Young Persons Act 1933, sections 25 and 26]

  3

  —

  —

  1

  —

  326
  The authority's ethics committee intend to consult patients and licensed centres and will consider what further consultation is required. The committee will report to the full authority, which will let Ministers have its views as soon as the matter has been fully considered. Any action called for by Government will he taken in the light of the authority's report.

  The working group on embryo freezing was an internal committee set up by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in 1993. The working group reported to the full authority in 1994. A report of its activities was included in the authority's annual report for 1994, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy regarding the fate of frozen embryos stored for more than five years.

  Mr. Sackville
  Parliament decided during the passage of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill that the maximum statutory storage period for embryos should be five years. The first statutory five-year period ends next year, on 31 July 1996.

  Regulations may provide for the storage period to he shortened or lengthened in certain circumstances. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is considering this issue.

  Royal Northern Hospital
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with North Thames health authority concerning the future use of the Royal Northern hospital; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Malone
  None. The future of the Royal Northern hospital site is a matter for North Thames regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir William Staveley, chairman of North Thames regional health authority, for details.

  Ambulance Response Times
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the likely completion date of her departmental review into ambulance response targets.

  Mr. Sackville
  I expect the steering group to produce provisional conclusions in June for consultation over the summer. The review will be completed by the end of the year.

  Children (Illegal Employment)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prosecutions have been made in each of the past five years against employers who employ children illegally; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  I understand that the number of defendants prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Education Act 1944 in the last five years was as shown in the table.
  327

  England and Wales

  Offence Description/Legislation

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Offences against the Education Act 1944, [sections 58 to 60] including offences against byelaws as to employment of children [except offences relating to mines, factories or workshops]

  4

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Offences in connection with employment of children and young persons [Children and Young Persons Act 1933, sections 18 to 21 (Section 18 as amended by the Children Act 1972)]

  23

  25

  15

  12

  5

  Causing or allowing children to take part in entertainments without a licence [Children and Young Persons Act 1963, section 40(1)(all)]

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Other

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  Total

  30

  26

  20

  13

  7

  In addition, I understand that the number of informations laid under the Employment of Women, Young People and Children Act 1920, which prohibits the employment of children in industrial undertakings, was as set out in the table.

  England and Wales

  Year of hearing2

  Information laid

  1989–901

  9

  1990–91

  2

  1991–92

  6

  1992–93

  1

  1993–943

  8

  Notes:

  1Data prior to 1990–91 exclude proceedings taken by the quarries inspectorate.

  2Years commencing 1 April

  3Provisional

  Source:

  Health and Safety Executive

  NHS Administration
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total actual expenditure on national health service administration for each year since 1979, in 1994 prices; and if she will provide a breakdown to show annual expenditure on central health and miscellaneous services.

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 6 February 1995]The annual expenditure on national health service administration for each year since 1979–80 at 1993–94 prices and rounded to the nearest £ million, was: £752 million, £785 million, £744 million, £712 million, £706 million, £713 million, £730 million, £764 million, £806 million, £820 million, £899 million, £1,059 million, £907 million, £992 million and £1,136 million, provisional, for 1993–94, the last year for which figures are available. The figures represent the total revenue expenditure on pay and accommodation costs of staff of all disciplines and their support staff employed at headquarters levels in regional health authorities, district health authorities, special health authorities, family health services authorities/family practitioner committees, the Dental Practice Board, and the Prescription Pricing Authority. They exclude administrative support in hospital departments and at other local levels which is regarded as operational expenditure. RHA, DHA and SHA costs are reported in 328
  the accounts as "Authority administration and purchasing expenses". This includes capital charges from 1991–92. FHSA/FPC administration costs are those reported in the annual accounts as revenue administration costs and represent that part of the total expenditure which is not medical, dental, ophthalmic or pharmaceutical. Changes over the years in the roles and responsibilities of FPCs—which became FHSAs in 1990—RHAs and DHAs—which started to transfer provider functions to NHS trusts in 1991–92—together with changes in accounting policies—particularly the inclusion of capital charges in health authorities' administration and purchasing expenditure—mean that the figures are not comparable.

  For information on central health and miscellaneous services expenditure, I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 20 February, Official Report, columns 28–29.

  Capital Projects
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the capital projects in the NHS with a works cost of over £1 million(a) in the primary sector, hospital sector and (b) in total in each financial year since 1990–91; if she will give the cost of each project; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 9 February 1995]: The national health service has invested over £1.265 billion in big building projects. The majority of these projects will be in the hospital sector. The information available does not distinguish between capital projects in the primary or hospital sectors. Information on the spending for each project with a works cost of over £1 million will he placed in the Library.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Restriction Orders
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons resident in the United Kingdom are currently subject to restriction orders requiring them to report to police stations when certain sporting fixtures take place in the United Kingdom or overseas.
  329
  (2) how many persons resident in the United Kingdom, currently subject to restriction orders, travelled to Dublin on the day before or on the day of the recent England v. Ireland match; and what action is being taken against such persons.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Information received from the Restriction Orders Authority, which was established under the Football Spectators Act 1989 and is based in the national criminal intelligence service, indicates that two restriction orders are currently extant. I understand that one of those subject to such an order presented himself to a police station as required under section 19(3)(b) of the Act. The authority is not yet in a position to confirm whether the other person concerned reported to a police station as required. However, it has no immediate reason to believe that the order was not complied with.

  It is a criminal offence to fail to comply with a restriction order and anyone found guilty of this offence is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month or to a fine not exceeding level 3—£1,000—on the standard scale or both. It is an operational matter for the police, and ultimately the courts, to take action in this respect.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the powers available to United Kingdom carriers to refuse to carry those who are subject to restriction orders from the United Kingdom; what representations he has received from the police in this matter; and what representations he has received from United Kingdom carriers.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  It is a matter for United Kingdom carriers to decide the basis on which they might refuse to carry passengers. I have not received representations from the police or the carriers concerning this issue.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the total bids received for section 11 money by London local authorities as of 31 December 1994; what is the total allocated to meet these bids; and when he expects to be able to make a statement.

  (2) what representations he has received on the funding of section 11 posts in London local authorities.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  My right hon. and learned Friend announced on 22 November, column 64 that the level of funding on offer was being doubled to around £30 million in each of the next two financial years, and that the deadline date was being extended to 30 December. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I subsequently gave to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 13 January at columns 250–52, in which I provided information about bids from all authorities.

  We are aware from various representations that we have received of concern in a number of local authority areas in London about continued funding under section 11. We are maintaining our target of announcing the results of the bidding round by the end of February.

  African National Congress (Bombing)
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans the police have to interview Mr. Craig Williamson over his confession of responsibility for bombing the London offices of the African National Congress in March 1982.
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  (2) what plans the police have to interview those publicly named by Mr. Craig Williamson as being responsible for the bombing of the London offices of the African National Congress in March 1982.

  Mr. Howard
  I understand that the police are reviewing the evidence relating to the bombing of the London offices of the African National Congress in March 1982, in the light of the recently reported statements by Mr. Craig Williamson.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will institute extradition proceedings against those responsible for bombing the London offices of the African National Congress in March 1982.

  (2) if he will instigate extradition proceedings against Mr. Craig Williamson in respect of the bombing of the London offices of the African National Congress in March 1982.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Extradition proceedings can be instigated only if the police have carried out an investigation which has resulted in a decision by the Crown Prosecution Service to bring a prosecution. The police are currently reviewing the evidence concerning the bombing of the London offices of the African National Congress in March 1982.

  Electric Shock Equipment
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer on 9 February,Official Report, column 384, if police forces are required to inform any Government Department if they possess, or intend to possess, electric shock equipment.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis would be required to obtain the Secretary of State's approval to possess such equipment, under the Metropolitan Police Act 1829. Otherwise there is no requirement for police forces to inform any Government Department if they possess, or intend to possess, such equipment.

  Wheelclamping
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he now expects to publish his conclusions on the consultation paper on wheelclamping on private land.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  We are considering what action it might be appropriate to take. We will make an announcement as soon as possible.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people from Kenya sought refugee status in the United Kingdom in each year since 1989; and what were the reasons cited for seeking refugee status.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  During 1994, 1,130 applications for asylum were received from Kenyan nationals. Information on asylum applications for the years 1989 to 1993 is given in table 2.1 of the Home Office "Statistical Bulletin" entitled "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1993", issue 17/94 published on 14 July 1994, a copy of which is in the Library.
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  Information on the reasons why applicants lodged claims is not separately identified in the available statistics.

  Trials
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking with ministerial colleagues within the European Union to provide for EU nationals, and those ordinarily resident in an EU state, who are arrested and charged with particular offences, to be tried in their own state.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The Government do not accept that trial in the state of nationality or the state of residence of the defendant is necessarily a desirable end in itself or that a person should he entitled to choose in which country to be tried. In principle, they believe that a person who offends against a country's laws should answer to those laws before the courts of that country and that, where necessary, extradition should be available to secure the presence of the defendant at the trial. In practice, moreover, that is where the evidence and the witnesses are most likely to be found.

  Hong Kong
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Governor of Hong Kong has submitted a further report on the discharge of his functions under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990.

  Mr. Howard
  The Governor of Hong Kong submitted a fourth report to me on 16 January. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Neil Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the considerations underlying his decision no longer to oppose the EC draft data protection directive;

  (2) what estimate he has made of the costs to British businesses of (a) implementing and (b) annually conforming to the provisions of the data protection directive;

  (3) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Colchester, North (Mr. Jenkin) of 14 February, Official Report, columns 585–87, if he will make a statement on the greater flexibility now obtaining in the application of the data protection directive to existing records held in paper filing systems; and what assessment he has made of the effect on the estimated costs of the directive to United Kingdom businesses of the amendments made to allay United Kingdom concerns.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  There is now more scope for member states to determine which categories of paper records are covered by the directive; a new transitional period of 12 years from the date of adoption of the directive within which existing paper records must be brought into compliance with certain provisions of the directive; and clarification that such action is not required for certain paper records even after the transitional period if disproportionate costs would be involved. The implementation costs are now likely to be significantly lower than those of implementing the directive in the form in which it was brought forward by the Commission in 1992.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters were received in the Department from hon. Members last month.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 February 1995]: The records available indicate that the Home Office received approximately 2,230 letters from hon. Members in January 1995, including those sent direct to agency chief executives and the immigration and nationality department board.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters were sent to hon. Members last month by each Minister in the Department.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 22 February 1995]: The information available in the number of letters sent by me and my ministerial colleagues to hon. Members during January 1995 is as follows:

  Home Secretary:—151

  Lady Blatch:—142

  Mr. Maclean:—513

  Mr. Forsyth:—143

  Mr. Baker—762

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Women Ministers
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners, if he will list the current cost of the compensation Measure resulting from the ordination of women ministers; and what is the Commissioners' latest estimate and the final compensation cost.

  Mr. Alison
  As at 31 January 1995, 242 clergy eligible for financial assistance under the Measure had resigned and have so far received £2.7 million in resettlement grants and periodic payments. A further 48 clergy have notified us of their intention to resign. Based on a total of 290 resignations, the estimated total cost of such payments over the next 10 years, including the costs already incurred, is likely to be about £14 million.

DEFENCE

  Farnborough
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications of administrative receivership of the Carroll Aircraft Corporation for the future of business aviation at Farnborough.

  Mr. Freeman
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport indicated to the House, 20 December 1994,Official Report, columns 1091–92, the Government believe that it is important to retain capacity for business aviation at Farnborough. I have, nevertheless, decided that, in the light of the recent receivership of Urban Development Corporation, my Department should give Urban Development Corporation, which holds a lease under which business aviation operates from

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  Farnborough, five years' notice of our intention to end the flying agreement. This decision does not affect the Government's belief that Farnborough is important for the future of business aviation in the south-east of England. Nor does it affect the commitment to make Farnborough available to the Society of British Aerospace Companies for the biennial airshow at least until the year 2000, and I hope beyond.

  Crown Servants
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances Crown servants may leave Ministry of Defence or military service employment and be re-engaged as consultants; and how many such consultants are currently engaged.

  Mr. Freeman
  All Crown servants within my Department, whether military or civilian, are subject to certain rules regarding business appointments following retirement. These regulations stipulate that, for a period of two years following retirement, individuals wishing to take up a position with a private sector employer must seek approval from the Department before accepting such an offer.

  Subject to this restriction, any retired Ministry of Defence employee may set him or herself up as a consultant in their own right or may decide to join a firm of consultants. In either circumstance, it is possible that such individuals will, at some time in the future, be employed by my Department on a consultancy basis.

  The direct employment by this Department of retired individuals on a consultancy basis tends to be restricted to short term, low-value work and, as such, is within the signing powers of individual top-level budget holders without the need for competitive tender action. No central records therefore exist of the employment of this type of consultant and the information required could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ammunition Contracts
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion by value of ammunition purchases subsequent to the cessation of the explosives and propellants and related end products agreement were placed with Royal Ordnance.

  Mr. Freeman
  The EPREP agreement expired on 31 March 1993. Between 1 April 1993 and 31 December 1994, 95 per cent. by value of the Department's ammunition contracts were placed with Royal Ordnance.

  Defence Lands Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current defence lands service budget; to what extent it covers planning and infrastructure costs prior to disposal; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The operating costs budget for the defence lands service was set at £22,800,000 for the present financial year. The allocation of funds for the purpose of preparing surplus land and buildings ready for disposal is made separately, and is £9,400,000 for the same period.

  Defence Estate
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to preserve(a) the integrity and (b) the value of his Department's estate; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  My Department's defence lands service is responsible for ensuring that the integrity of the estate is preserved. The value of the defence estate lies in its ability to meet the legitimate requirements of the armed forces; any property not required to meet this requirement in the most cost-effective way is passed for disposal.

  RAF Finningley
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the operational criteria for the proposed closure of Royal Air Force Finningley; and if he will make a statement;

  Mr. Soames
  The closure of RAF Finningley has been proposed following a thorough review of all flying training in the RAF. That review sought to identify the most cost-effective utilisation of the RAF training estate as a whole. The rationale for the proposed closure of Finningley is set out in paragraphs 11 to 18 of my Department's consultative document, published on 17 November 1994, copies of which were sent to the hon. Member and placed in the Library of the House.

  Budget Holders
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) asset rent and (b) internal charging systems apply to budget holders in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  Under the new management strategy introduced in 1991, budget holders have gained progressively greater authority for and control of resources they require to undertake the tasks set out in their management plan. More recently, one of the benefits of the proposals envisaged from the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his November 1994 Budget is the greater visibility of the investment in capital assets by central Government. Consequently, a number of project teams are developing appropriate mechanisms to assist budget holders to use defence assets more efficiently. Resource accounting and budgeting will provide budget holders with increased awareness of the cost of services provided by one subordinate formation to another so as to inform choices on resource mix and usage. This aligns with one of the objectives of the financial management reforms arising from the defence cost study. In support of this process, the use of charges for defence estate occupation is under consideration.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the operational reasons for having two bases on the island of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  As set out in the 1994 defence White Paper, under military task 1.15, the UK retains two sovereign base areas in Cyprus. British Forces Cyprus provide: strategic communications facilities; an airhead for reinforcement and evacuation if necessary; a forward
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  mounting base for operations in the middle east and north Africa; and training facilities for resident and non-resident forces.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current operational running costs of having two bases on the island of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The cost of British Forces Cyprus in 1993–94 was £190,000,000. In addition, the cost of the civil government of the sovereign base areas was £7,400,000.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discretion the defence estate is given in applying the rule that surplus property should normally be disposed of within three years to ensure that optimal value is achieved for property disposals; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 15 February 1995,Official Report, column 719.

  Convicted Personnel
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many serving members of the Parachute Regiment have been(a) convicted of criminal offences and (b) disciplined for offences involving violence in each of the last five years;

  (2) how many serving members of the Army have been convicted of criminal offences during each of the last five years.

  Mr. Soames
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member and I will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Accommodation
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many senior officers of the armed services are provided with accommodation of the size and scale which takes account of the need to accommodate guests; and how many guests were accommodated, and over what period, at each such residence in the latest available year.

  Mr. Soames
  I will write to the hon. Member and I will arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the link between possession and threat of use of nuclear weapons in the light of Her Majesty's Government's policy on their non-use.

  Mr. Soames
  The United Kingdom's nuclear forces provide a deterrent to aggression against us and contribute to NATO's strategy of war prevention.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of whether the financial reductions announced in respect of the Atomic Weapons Establishment will lead to a reduction in the rate of dismantling of nuclear weapons.
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  Mr. Freeman
  The rationalisation proposals announced by Hunting-BRAE Ltd. on 20 January 1995 in no way affect plans for dismantling nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if all nuclear depth bombs removed from service have now been dismantled.

  Mr. Freeman
  All such weapons have been withdrawn from service and are in the process of being dismantled.

  Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has for a limited extension of the non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Soames
  None. The UK is fully committed to the unconditional and indefinite extension of the non-proliferation treaty at the conference of states parties in April and May 1995.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies (Pay)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will list non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which will(a) follow the pay arrangements of the sponsoring Department and (b) pursue an independent and separate route under the delegated pay option (i) from April 1995 and (ii) from April 1996.

  Mr. Soames
  The rates of pay for staff employed in my Department's executive NDPBs are generally in line with those in the civil service. There are no plans at present to change these arrangements.

  Common European Defence Policy
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what preparations he intends to make for the framing of a comprehensive common European defence policy statement following the declaration of the Council of Ministers of the Western European Union of 14 November 1994; what will be the priorities of the British Government in the preparation of such a policy statement; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The United Kingdom is participating fully in WEU discussions on European security conditions and in work to elaborate the operational role and capability of WEU in a manner fully compatible with the Atlantic alliance.

  Drug Testing
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been dismissed from the forces arising from positive results since the introduction of compulsory drug testing; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  Four personnel have provided positive samples since the Army began compulsory random drug testing in January 1995. We expect all four to be administratively discharged.

  Haymes Garth
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 February,Official Report, column 828, what factors led to the delay of 12 months between giving incorrect information to the hon.
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  Member for South Shields and the admission that this information was incorrect; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The answer given by the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley), to the hon. Member on 9 February 1994,Official Report, columns 362–63, was based on the information available at the time. The corrected figure given to the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Sir J. Spicer) on 4 July 1994, Official Report, column 85, emerged from an audit examination then only very recently completed.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 February,Official Report, column 830, on what precise date his Department was informed of allegations concerning expenditure at the official residence known as Haymes Garth; and from where these allegations originated.

  Mr. Soames
  The matter was first raised in a letter from a member of the public forwarded by an hon. Member on 22 June 1993. No precise location was mentioned, but it emerged that Haymes Garth was intended.

  Dr. David Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 February,Official Report, column 830, what action his Department took in response to allegations made in the summer of 1993 concerning expenditure at the official residence known as Haymes Garth.

  Mr. Soames
  A full report was commissioned from RAF Support Command, in the light of which a decision was taken to set in motion an internal audit investigation.

  Army Regiments
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to reform the Army's regimental system;

  (2) if he will list the options under consideration by his Department for project BA2000;

  (3) which of the options under consideration for project BA2000 involve reducing the current number of regiments.

  Mr. Soames
  BA2000 will be an internal and conceptual MOD document which addresses in general terms the requirements of the Army at the beginning of the next century. It is at an early stage of drafting. There are no plans to reform the Army's regimental system.

  "Front Line First"
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the management consultants 338
  used to advise the Department in the defence costs study process.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 12 December 1994,Official Report, column 458.

  Land Mines
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 February,Official Report, column 465, if finance is a factor in determining whether anti-personnel mines are used, as opposed to other military methods, during armed conflict.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. A decision to use anti-personnel land mines would be made by the operational commander based on military necessity within the limitations of international law, humanitarian considerations and the risk to British and allied forces.

  Eurofighter 2000
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what figure is the maximum the United Kingdom is prepared to spend on a Eurofighter aircraft.

  Mr. Freeman
  The final cost of the Eurofighter 2000—EF2000—project will depend on a number of factors, including the precise number of aircraft ordered, the weapons selected and the logistic support arrangements. On current plans, decisions on entering the production phase of EF2000 are not required until the end of this year. Costs and affordability will be important factors in reaching those decisions.

  Slovakia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations the Government of Slovakia made to him about defence relationships during his recent visit; and what response he made.

  Mr. Soames
  During his visit to Slovakia on 15 February, my right hon. and learned Friend had wide-ranging discussions on defence and other issues with a number of members of the Slovakian Government, including the President, Prime Minister and Defence Minister.

  International Military Services Ltd.
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions on which he has used his powers under section 16 (1)(b) of the Ordnance Factories and Military Services Act 1984; and if he will place in the Library a table showing the aggregate sum outstanding in respect of the exercise of these powers in each year since 1981.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 17 February 1995]: No payments have been made under section 16 of the Ordnance Factories and Military Services Act 1984.

  Schools: LEA Control
  Schools: LEA Control
  Education: Funding
  Education: Funding
  Turkey: Conflict
  Turkey: Conflict
  Khiam Prison
  Khiam Prison
  Karen Refugees
  Karen Refugees
  Uganda
  Uganda
  Sudanese Refugees
  Sudanese Refugees
  IGADD and the Sudan
  IGADD and the Sudan
  Sudan: Orphan Refugees
  Sudan: Orphan Refugees
  China: Covenants
  China: Covenants
  Internally Displaced People
  Internally Displaced People
  Shopping Centres Report: Government Response
  Shopping Centres Report: Government Response
  NHS Administration Costs
  NHS Administration Costs
  Hong Kong
  Hong Kong