Written Answers of 12 January 1995

HEALTH

  Primary Care
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence there is that providing better primary care reduces the need for secondary care in the health service.

  Mr. Malone
  Increasingly, services that used to be provided in hospital are being offered in GP surgeries for example physiotherapy, diabetes and asthma clinics and vasectomies. Relieving the burden on secondary care allows treatment of more serious conditions and reduces waiting lists. This represents real improvements for patients. A 1992 study comparing data from 11 industrialised nations including the United Kingdom found that a primary care led health system was associated with lower costs of care, higher satisfaction of the population with its health services, better health levels and lower medication use.

  District Nurses
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what arrangements exist to ensure the health and safety of district nurses;

  (2) what measures she has taken to protect district nurses from verbal and physical abuse at the hands of patients released under the care in the community scheme.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 provides the legislative framework within which local employers and their staff agree arrangements to ensure the health and safety of all staff.

  NHS League Tables
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to include patients' views in NHS league tables.

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Research Units
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about the future of the research units funded by her Department and recently subject to expert peer review.

  Mr. Malone
  Site visits to all the units have been made and, with the agreement of the relevant directors, copies of the reports together with the conclusions of the site visit teams have been placed in the Library. One report is outstanding and will be placed in the Library shortly. The outcome of all visits is favourable and Department of Health funding will continue. The future of the units will be secured by agreeing a172
  long-term programme for each and, at the same time, creating opportunities for all directors to tender competitively for additional research commissions.

  Cook Report
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to be able to issue a substantive reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Don Valley—reference MR/KV—relating to the Cook report.

  Mr. Sackville
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Cumberlege, replied yesterday.

  Secure Units
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many secure unit places for young offenders were created in the last year.

  Mr. Bowis
  Secure accommodation is for all children looked after by local authorities, some of whom may be offenders or alleged offenders.

  We announced on 22 April 1994 a new capital building programme to provide an additional 170 secure places.

  Doctors' Pay
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the amount paid to general practitioners in the London borough of Newham in respect of the Jarman deprivation index based on the 1981 census returns for the year 1993–94 and the sums that would have been payable using the census returns for 1991; and what basis of payments she expects to be adopted for 1995–96.

  Mr. Malone
  The information on payments is not available below family health services authority level.

  The basis of payments for 1995–96 will be decided after the Doctors and Dentists Review Body has made its recommendations for that year.

  Census Returns (1991)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to rectify or supplement the census returns of 1991 to account for under-enumerations; and if she will consider further adjustment for areas where studies have suggested that further supplementation is required.

  Mr. Sackville
  Allowance for under-enumeration in the census has been made in the production of the Registrar Generals' mid-year population estimates. Details of the adjustments were published in Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Monitors PP1 93/1 and PP I 93/2, copies of which are available in the Library.

  For other census outputs, the general practice adopted, as with previous censuses and as in other countries, has been to publish guidance on what is known about the level of undercoverage; users can then take this into account as is appropriate for their particular applications. The relevant information was first published more than two years ago; further details have been published since then but have been only marginal revisions of the overall amount. There was nothing exceptional about the overall coverage of the 1991 census—the published tables relate to 98 per cent. of the population, similar to 1981. This is up to the best international standards.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Authority Rents
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average local authority rent in 1978–79; what it is today; what has been the increase in real terms; and what was the corresponding change in the retail price index.

  Mr. Curry
  The average weekly local authority rent in England in 1978–279 was £5.90 and in 1994–95 it is provisionally estimated to be £35.68. After adjusting for inflation using the gross domestic product deflator, these figures represent an increase of 107 per cent. in real terms. The GDP deflator shows inflation of 192 per cent. over the period and the retail price index an increase of 183 per cent.

  Local Authority Leaseholds
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to introduce measures to assist local authority leaseholders who are encountering difficulty in selling their homes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  I hope, in the spring, to introduce a more flexible form of agreement which local authorities can use to assist in the open market sale of flats by indemnifying mortgage lending to new purchasers. We are looking at a scheme to help local authorities take back certain flats, which are affected by mortgageability problems, in exchange for selling leaseholders another home more suitable for their needs.

  Housing Association Rents
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the percentage increase in rents for new housing association assured tenancies between 1989 and 1994; and what was the change in the retail prices index over the same period.

  Mr. Curry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply the Under-Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, West (Mr. Jones), gave the hon. Member for Lewisham East (Mrs. Prentice) on 30 November 1994,Official Report, columns 724–25.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for a second round of bidding for the single regeneration budget, and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  As I announced in a parliamentary reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. Dicks) on 5 December 1994,Official Report, columns 9–10, a second bidding round of the single regeneration budget will be launched later this year. Some £240 million will initially be available for round two, with £40 million of this available in 1996–97 for early funding of approved bids. As with round one, we shall expect good quality, deliverable bids which effectively address local needs.

  Wildlife and Conservation Seminar
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment that major conservation societies were invited to the wildlife and conservation seminar held by the Crown Estates, English Nature and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation.

  Mr. Atkins
  There has been no such seminar. Copies of the notes of informal discussions among these three bodies have been sent to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and the British Trust for Ornithology.

  Nature Conservation Societies
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if nature conservation societies will be allowed to apply for sporting leases on tidal land.

  Mr. Atkins
  Yes, applications should continue to be made to the Crown Estate.

  Shooting Leases
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has carried out in relation to allocation of shooting leases and areas of particular nature conservation importance.

  Mr. Atkins
  None. Notification of such an area as a site of special scientific interest provides a mechanism for consultation with English Nature over shooting. Where the Crown Estate owns tidal land, the commissioners rely on advice from English Nature prior to granting leases, including sporting rights on the foreshore.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if nature conservation societies will be allowed to participate in drawing up draft procedures for considering the grant of shooting leases.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Crown Estate are about to begin consultations with a wide range of interested bodies over revised draft procedures drawn up with the help of English Nature. Within sites of special scientific interest, owners and occupiers should continue to consult English Nature.

  Water Companies
  Mr. Colin Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish his proposals for measures to replace water company byelaws in 1997.

  Mr. Atkins
  I have today published a consultation paper about the purpose, format, scope, and administration of measures to replace water byelaws. Copies have been placed in the House library.

  For many years, water companies have made byelaws for the prevention of waste, misuse, undue consumption and contamination of water. Current byelaws expire in 1997, but there is no provision now for the companies to make new ones. I am therefore consulting a wide variety of interest groups and individuals on a range of replacement options.

  The paper explores a number of possible options from a non-statutory code of practice to national regulations either as part of the building regulations, as separate water regulations or a combination of these two. It also considers whether water companies should continue to control the replacement provisions or whether the

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  responsibility should be transferred to local authorities, an independent agency or placed under joint control.

  There are some difficult issues to be addressed, but above all the health and safety of consumers must be protected and water companies must be able to carry out their statutory duty to maintain an adequate supply of water which is fit for human consumption.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of state for the Environment whether he will consult on amending the building regulations in England and Wales to help disabled people gain access to and within dwellings; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I am today issuing a consultation paper setting out the Government's proposals for amending the Building Regulations 1991 to make certain requirements in relation to the design and construction of new dwellings which will be of benefit to disabled people. Comments on these proposals are invited by 30 April 1995. It will be important to establish what measures will be of particular benefit to disabled people, and what the implications will be on housebuilding costs. A copy of the consultation paper has been placed in the Library of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Care Disregard
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many inquiries were made to the family credit helpline about the new child care disregard since its introduction in October.

  Mr. Burt
  The information requested is not recorded. The family credit helpline service has 70 incoming lines, which operate a queuing system. The lines are open from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday. During the period in question, from 1 October to 16 December 1994, a total of 880,462 inquiries were received with regard to family credit in general. Helpline operators have direct access to the family credit computer system and answer queries regarding all aspects of the benefit from both current and potential claimants.

  State Pension Scheme
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his estimate of the average loss of benefit to those women who will lose some of their entitlement to state pension following the changes announced to the state pension scheme in the Gracious Speech;

  (2) if he will give his estimate of the number of women who will lose some state pension entitlement following the changes to the state pension scheme announced in the Gracious Speech.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Estimated numbers of women affected by the proposed changes to the state pension scheme range from 100,000 in 2010 to:

  1,900,000 in 2020

  2,100,000 in 2030

  1,600,000 in 2040

  1,800,000 in 2050

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  Based on current rules of entitlement, it is estimated that, for those women reaching 60 in 2020, the average reduction in expected benefit would be around £50 per week—1994–95 rates—for the five years until they reach the new state pension age. This estimate takes account of reductions of expected state pension entitlement and offsetting increases from dependency increases, widow's benefit, incapacity benefit and income-related benefits.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many social fund applications for(a) grants and (b) loans have been turned down in each local office in the Benefits Agency southern territory in each year since 1990–91;

  (2) how many social fund applications for (a) grants and (b) loans were turned down even though the applicant fulfilled qualifying criteria due to local budgeting restriction in each local office in the Benefits Agency southern territory in each year since 1990–91.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  [pursuant to his reply, 13 December 1994 column 675–76]: I am advised that Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency, is writing again to clarify his reply of 13 December 1994. I am arranging for a copy of the letter to be placed in the Library with the additional information.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. John Denham dated 11 January 1995:

  I am writing to clarify the information provided to you in my letter of 13 December 1994 in response to your Parliamentary Question. You asked how many Social Fund grant and loan applications were refused, despite the applicant fulfilling qualifying criteria, due to local budgeting restrictions for each local office in the Benefits Agency Southern Territory in each year since 1990–91.

  As previously explained, the new Social Fund Computer System records reasons for refusal for every item refused in an application, unlike its predecessor. The reason for changing the way in which refusals were recorded was to enable customers to receive a more detailed decision which gave reasons for refusal of individual items requested.

  As a consequence, the figures for 1993–94 in Annex B (which show the number of refusals for individual items on the grounds of insufficient priority) are greater in some cases than those in Annex A (which show the number of applications refused in their entirety). This means that the figures for 1993–94 contained in the two Annexes are not directly comparable.

  Finally, I apologise for the erroneous inclusion of South Cheshire In Annex B.

  I hope this explains the position and I apologise for any confusion.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate(a) the savings from abolishing the national insurance ceiling and (b) the cost of abolishing the national insurance threshold in 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [holding answer 10 January 1995]: The information is in the table.
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  Change in yield (£ million)

  (a)

  (b)

  1994–95

  +2.7

  +3.2

  1995–96

  -1.0

  -1.1

  Notes:

  1. the reply at (a) assumes that the upper earnings limit would remain in place at current levels for the purpose of calculating contracted-out rebates.

  2. the reply at (b) assumes that non contributions are paid by employed earners on the portion of earnings below the lower earnings limit.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Computer Software
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the extend of loss of computer software expertise to the United States of America; what action he plans to minimise it; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  There is no substantial evidence of overall net loss of software expertise from the United Kingdom to the United States of America. Of the 4,700 computing students graduating in the United Kingdom in 1992–93 only 80 entered employment overseas as a first destination. The Government's policy is to encourage improved international competitiveness so that United Kingdom companies can continue to attract the best software expertise available in the world.Source of graduate information: Department of Employment "First Destination Survey"—Figures do not include the Welsh and Scottish polytechnic.

  Stagecoach Bus Company
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what complaints have been made to the Office of Fair Trading as a result of operations by the Stagecoach bus company or any of its subsidiaries; what action has been taken in each case; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Director General of Fair Trading has received a number of complaints about the activities of the Stagecoach bus company. As with all such complaints he receives, these have been carefully considered, and further inquiries made and action taken where appropriate.

  Complaints against Stagecoach or its subsidiaries have led to further action in the cases listed:

  Competition Act 1980

  Southdown Motor Services Ltd: referred to Monopolies and Mergers Commission, behavioural undertakings given after MMC adverse finding, May 1994.

  Fife Scottish Omnibuses Ltd: behavioural undertakings given May 1994.

  Fair Trading Act 1973—monopoly provisions

  Bus services in the north-east of England: referred to MMC November 1994. It will be for the MMC to determine whether a monopoly situation exists in favour of Stagecoach or other operators, and, if so, whether this has operated against the public interest. The MMC's report is due in May 1995.

  Electronic Mail
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to be able to receive and respond to communications via electronic mail.
  178
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The recently published Command Paper "Creating the Superhighways of the Future: Developing Broadband Communications in the UK" made clear the Government's commitment to being more proactive in offering public services using new communications technology. The DTI recognises the significant benefits afforded by electronic mail where these can improve the efficiency and quality of public services. Electronic mail facilities are already available to many with in the DTI, and are being progressively extended throughout the Department. I have an e-mail address on the Internet, which is "taylor@mintech.deman.co.uk", as announced in the House on 15 December 1994,Official Report, columns 1249–50.

  This exchange is also being issued on Internet.

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

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

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

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

  Welsh Consumer Council
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Consumer Council concerning the filling of the vacancy for the post of director; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 10 January 1995]: The appointment of director of the Welsh Consumer Council is a management matter for the Welsh and national consumer councils.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Space Science
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the expenditure of the Science and Engineering Research Council and Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council on space science over the past 10 years, distinguishing between the amount required for European Space Agency expenditure and that required
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  for domestic expenditure and giving the estimated outturn for the current year; and what other departments or research councils have provided additional funding for space science.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  Expenditure by SERC on space science at 1994–95 prices was as follows:

  Total of which ESA subscription

  £ million

  £ million

  1984–85

  21.9

  19.0

  1985–86

  25.7

  22.8

  1986–87

  29.7

  24.3

  1987–88

  33.4

  29.2

  1988–89

  39.2

  33.4

  1989–90

  40.0

  33.9

  1990–91

  36.3

  29.1

  1991–92

  37.0

  27.2

  1992–93

  41.1

  29.9

  1993–94

  40.2

  29.9

  As part of the research council reorganisation at 1 April 1994, responsibility for this expenditure transferred to PPARC.

  In 1994–95 PPARC expect to spend £46.5 million on space science, of which £36.4 million relates to the ESA subscription.

  The Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of the Environment, the Ministry of Defence, the Meteorological Office and the Natural Environment Research Council have also provided funding for space science.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he takes into account political affiliation when making public appointments.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Account has sometimes been taken of party political affiliation when making appointments in my area of responsibility, as when the nominee of the Leader of the Opposition was appointed to the Millennium Commission. However, these and all other appointments are based on the ability of the individual concerned to perform the duties and responsibilities of the post for which he or she is being considered.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Budapest Summit
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional financial, logistical, technical or other support is to be made available by the United Kingdom to the International Atomic Energy Agency in fulfilment of the commitment entered into by Her Majesty's Government's support of section VI, page 23 of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Budapest summit declaration of 6 December.
  180
  Mr. Baldry
  The IAEA has been working since 1993 on a package of measures designed to strengthen and streamline the agency's system of safeguards, in particular with a view to better detect clandestine nuclear weapons programmes. The United Kingdom will take a view on appropriate levels of financial, logistical, technical or other support in the light of the decisions taken by the IAEA board of governors, who are meeting to consider full proposals in March 1995.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government in 1994 to uphold the commitment made under section I of the principles governing non-proliferation at page 22 of the OSCE Budapest summit declaration of 6 December, in regard to the control of missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction and their components and technology.

  Mr. David Davis
  The United Kingdom is an active member of the missile technology control regime which seeks to control exports of missiles, as well as components and technology, capable of delivering nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The United Kingdom continues to work closely with her MTCR partners to limit the proliferation of ballistic and cruise missiles in accordance with her commitments under the regime.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ascertain whether the proposed extension of the 1958 Anglo-American mutual defence agreement on atomic energy matters, Cm. 2686, is compatible with the commitments entered into by Her Majesty's Government as a signatory to the OSCE Budapest summit declaration of 6 December, in regard to section VI, part 1, subsection 3 on the control of the transfer of missiles, their components and technology.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have no doubt that the 1958 United Kingdom United States agreement for co-operation in the uses of atomic energy for mutual defence purposes is consistent with the commitments reaffirmed by the OSCE Budapest summit declaration.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds of policy Her Majesty's Government supported the section under nuclear proliferation, at page 23 of the OSCE Budapest summit declaration of 6 December which calls for the indefinite and unconditional extension of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

  Mr. Baldry
  We support indefinite and unconditional extension of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty because it provides the best possible framework for the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons, for negotiations on nuclear disarmament, and for the promotion of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the United Kingdom's purchase of Trident missiles and their auxiliary technological support from the United States of America falls within the affirmation made by the participating states of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe under the principles governing non-proliferation, page 22 of the Budapest summit declaration of 6 December.

  Mr. Baldry
  The United Kingdom's purchase of the Trident system does not conflict with the affirmation
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  made on page 22 of the Budapest summit declaration. Trident is committed to NATO and forms part of the stable security environment envisaged in the summit declaration.

  Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the special negotiating session for a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty held under the auspices of the United Nations in Geneva in December; what proposals were put by Her Majesty's Government to the special session; and how they were received by other participating states.

  Mr. Baldry
  The ad hoc committee of the conference on disarmament made good progress on the verification regime of a comprehensive test ban treaty, reaching broad agreement on the main components of an international monitoring system and making technical preparations for developing the on-site inspection provisions. The organisational arrangements for administering the treaty were also considered. The United Kingdom delegation played a full and active part in the negotiations.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 12 January.

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

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Exhibitions
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the standing conference on schools' science and technology to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 20 March to Friday 24 March 1995.

  Mr. George
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Defence Police Federation to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 30 January to 3 February 1995.

  Staff Statistics
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee how many people are 182
  accredited to work at the Palace of Westminster, in the categories (a) working for hon. Members (b) servants of the House and (c) others; how many in each category are women; how many in each category are full time; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The latest Pass Office figures show that;

  (a) 1.295 people, of whom 759 are female, work for hon. Members of this House

  (b) There are 1,470 officers and staff of the House, of whom 616 are female.

  (c) A total of 8,482 others are accredited to work at the Palace of Westminster and in the parliamentary outbuildings, of whom 1,787 are female.

  The figures at (c) include Members of both Houses, officers and staff of the House of Lords, the staff of Peers and Lady Peers and any other individuals sponsored by the House of Lords.

  I regret that the Pass Office records do not indicate whether passholders are employed full or part time.

DEFENCE

  Armed Forces Pension Scheme
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ex-service men who were invalided from the services prior to 1973 were beneficiaries of the armed forces pension scheme as at 1 January in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of making pension payments to beneficiaries of the armed forces pension scheme who were invalided from the services prior to 1973 on the same basis as those who were invalided from the services after 1973; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It is a general rule of all public service pension schemes that improvements apply only to those serving from the date they are introduced, as the administrative task involved in arranging back payments would make it impossible to introduce such improvements.

  Harrier Aircraft
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sorties were flown by Royal Air Force Harriers during the Air Warrior exercise in Nevada in August 1994; how many of these involved low-level flying; and where the work-up training of aircrews was conducted prior to deploying to Nevada.

  Mr. Soames
  RAF Harriers flew 199 sorties during Exercise Air Warrior 94; all of these would have included some element of low level flying. No specific work-up training was conducted prior to the exercise.

  RAF Spadeadam
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the amounts paid by each foreign air force
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  for use made of the electronic warfare training facilities at RAF Spadeadam in each financial year since 1989–90.

  Mr. Soames
  It is not my Department's practice to release details of Government-to-Government payments of this kind.

  Slovakia
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has on the status of the offer by the Slovak Government to host Royal Air Force low-flying training in Slovakia since the election of a new Government in that country.

  Mr. Soames
  We have received no indication that the status of the Slovak offer to host Royal Air Force low-flying training in Slovakia has been affected by the change of Government there.

  Executive Search Agencies
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use his Department has made of executive search agencies in filling vacancies within his Department and executive agencies administered by his Department during the last year; and how much these services have cost his Department.

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 20 December 1994]: During the past year, my Department and its executive agencies have used executive search consultants on six occasions. The cost of this work has been some £190,000. Executive search consultants are used to identify and recruit staff to fill key posts in the Department which are

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Number of Nurses (WTE)1

  29,416

  29,478

  29,732

  29,715

  29,536

  In-patient Discharges (000)

  896

  912

  920

  942

  952

  Total Number of Patients all Types2 (000)

  7,669

  7,786

  7,891

  8,059

  8,210

  Average Daily Number of Patients (weighted)3

  48,632

  47,554

  46,010

  44,819

  42,869

  Nurse Patient Ratio4

  0.60

  0.62

  0.65

  0.66

  0.69

  Notes:

  1 The number of nurses are derived from the annual census at 30 September.

  2 Includes in-patient discharges, out-patient and day patient attendances, and day cases.

  3 The average number of patients is derived by weighting the patient counts for the year by average relative costs as derived from the Scottish health service costs publications. The downward trend is mainly a reflection of reduced lengths of stay of in-patients. The intensity of nursing care will, however be increased on average over these shorter stays.

  4 The ratio of nurses to the average daily number of patients.

TREASURY

  Anti-avoidance Rules
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he made when introducing his new anti-avoidance rules affecting financial assets held by associates of banks, of the effect on registered housing associations borrowing from the private finance markets; and what plans he has to amend the Finance Bill to exclude them from these provisions.

  Sir George Young
  The proposal in question affects the tax treatment of certain financing transactions between banking groups and a range of different borrowers including, as it appears, a number of housing associations. It applies to the lender rather than the borrower in these transactions, and does so without reference to the characteristics of the borrower. It will impinge on housing 184
  either suitable for open competition or require skills and experience which are not available within the public service. In addition, some £80,000 was spent on advertising the posts nationally and on the legitimate expenses of candidates called for interview.

SCOTLAND

  Forth Rail Bridge
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his investigations into the rust on the Forth rail bridge.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The inquiries which I discussed with the hon. Member last month are well advanced but not quite complete. I shall write to the hon. Member once I have the conclusions and have had an opportunity to consider them.

  Staffing
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average qualified nurse to patient ratio in each of the last five years by region.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 9 December 1994]: A nurse to patient ratio is shown in the table and incorporates all patient types. It is not an absolute measure but gives an indication of trends. It does not take account of the changes over time of the intensity of nursing activity per patient as hospital stays have shortened.

  associations, like other borrowers, only if they have chosen to indemnify their lenders against the effects of future tax changes. My right hon. and learned Friend sees no basis in these circumstances for excluding lending to housing associations from the scope of his proposal; he will, however, be considering representations that a degree of transitional protection should he extended to lending already made to them.

  Retail Prices Index
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of increases in(a) petrol duty, (b) milk and (c) mortgage interest payments on the retail prices index.

  Mr. Nelson
  The increases in petrol duty will contribute an increase of around 0.16 percentage points in December 1994, and a further increase of around 0.06
  185
  percentage points in January 1995, to the change in the all-items retail prices index.

  The milk index rose by 3.6 per cent. in November, contributing around 0.04 percentage points to the change in the all-items RPI.

  So far, few mortgage lenders have passed the recent 0.5 per cent. increase in base rates on to their borrowers and so the impact on the all items RPI has been negligible.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the effect of each 0.5 per cent. increase in mortgage interest rates on the retail prices index.

  Mr. Nelson
  An increase in mortgage interest rates of 0.5 percentage points would have the effect of adding around 0.31 percentage points to the change in the all-items RPI.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will show in rank order the percentage change in price since August 1992 of each of the non-food sub-group items of the retail prices index.

  Mr. Nelson
  The percentage change in price of each of non-food sub-group items of the retail prices index since August 1992 are shown in rank order in the table.

  RPI Sub-group Items

  Percentage Change

  Tobacco

  15.1

  Catering

  10.6

  Leisure Service

  9.4

  Personal Goods and Services

  7.8

  Fares and Other Travel Costs

  7.7

  Alcoholic Drinks

  6.6

  Motoring Costs

  6.5

  Clothing and Footwear

  6.3

  Fuel and Light

  4.7

  Household Goods

  3.4

  Household Services

  2.2

  Leisure Goods

  0.2

  Housing

  -1.0

  Prices
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the paper on prices read by the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England to the City of London branch of the Institute of Directors on 13 December 1992 represents Government policy.

  Mr. Nelson
  As the Deputy Governor stated in his speech on 13 December 1993, we must regain the attitudes and expectations of a non inflationary climate.

  It is the task of monetary policy to produce such a climate. Since October 1992, the Government have had an explicit inflation objective. The aim is to keep inflation—as measured by the RPI excluding mortgage interest payments—in the range 1 to 4 per cent. and to bring it down to the lower half of the range by the end of the present Parliament. In November, underlying inflation was 2.3 per cent. and it has been lower than 3 per cent. for 14 months, the first time inflation has been this low for this long since 1961.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the effect of the increase of interest rates this year on the rate of profitability of manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.
  186
  Mr. Nelson
  No estimates of the effect of interest rates changes on the rate of profitability of UK manufacturing industry are available. Treasury forecast of profitability of UK industrial and commercial companies, as measured by the real rate of return of capital, are given in chapter 3 of the Treasury's "Financial Statement and Budget Report", 1995–96. The forecast shows a healthy rise in the real rate of return on capital in 1994, followed by some further increase in 1995.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what effect the increase in interest rates on 7 December has had on real interest rates; and if he will publish a table showing the real interest in each year since 1994.

  Mr. Nelson
  Real interest rates can be calculated in several ways, using either short or longer term nominal interest rates, and either past or expected future rates of inflation.

  Data on interest rates and inflation are published in the CSO publications "Financial Statistics", table 7.10, and "Economic Trends", table 3.1. Data on expected future inflation rates are published in the Treasury's monthly review of independent forecasters, and the Bank of England's inflation report.

  Treasury Forecasts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what forecasts the Treasury made in 1989, 1990 and 1991 of the duration and depth of the recession.

  Mr. Nelson
  Treasury forecasts were published in 1989, 1990 and 1991 in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" and Autumn Statement.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what forecasts the Treasury made in 1992 of the extent of the present recovery.

  Mr. Nelson
  Treasury forecasts were published in the March 1992 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" and the November 1992 Autumn Statement report.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to privatisation of the Bank of England; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Government have no plans to privatise the Bank of England.

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the review of trade performance in his Budget speech, if he will show for manufactures, finished manufactures and semi-manufactures, the increase in the volume of imports and exports from(a) the EEC and (b) other countries in (i) the latest three months and (ii) in the year 1993, together with his estimate of the growth of the market for imports in those markets.

  Mr. Nelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 December,Official Report, column 939.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the average percentage increase in the volume of exports and imports of manufactures(a) in 1972 to 79 and (b) 1965 to 72, the relative volume and relative value in (i) 1965, (ii) 1972,

  187
  (iii) 1979 and (iv) 1993, together with the balance of exports against imports in terms of value.

  Mr. Nelson
  Information about exports and imports of manufactures from which percentage increases, relative volumes, relative values and balances may be derived can be found on the Central Statistical Office database which may be accessed through the Library of the House. The information is not available for years prior to 1970.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was(a) the nominal and real exchange rates of the lira against the pound sterling and (b) the balance of payments between the United Kingdom and Italy for each quarter since July 1992.

  Mr. Nelson
  Exchange rate data for the United Kingdom and Italy in both nominal and real terms—adjusted for relative price movements in a number of other competitor countries—can be found in the IMF publication "International Financial Statistics". However, sterling's real bilateral exchange rate against the Italian lira is unavailable.

  Data for bilateral trade in visibles between the United Kingdom and Italy may be found on the Central Statistical Office database, available in the House of Commons Library. Data for bilateral trade in invisibles are also

  Production

  Imports

  Exports

  Implied Consumption

  1963

  £ million

  143.5

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  000s tonnes

  422.2

  —

  —

  —

  1973

  £ million

  270.2

  7.1

  23.6

  253.7

  000s tonnes

  408.7

  13.1

  42.2

  379.7

  1979

  £ million

  797.4

  44.9

  104.1

  738.1

  000s tonnes

  409.7

  25.9

  63.2

  372.4

  1993

  £ million

  1,857.50

  267.4

  297.4

  1.827.5

  000s tonnes

  613.0

  121.4

  129.1

  605.2

  Source:

  CSO

  Production data—Census of Production (1963);

  Quarterly Sales Inquiries (1973 and 1979);

  PRODCOM (1993)

  Imports and Exports—Business Monitor MM20A (1973 and 1979); Business Monitors MM20 and MQ20 (1993)

  The production data values represent the invoiced sales of manufacturers at current prices. The data prior to 1993 only cover those manufacturers with 25 or more employees. Data for 1964 are not available—data from the 1963 census of production have been provided as the nearest equivalent.

  The implied consumption figures are calculated as production plus imports less exports. They represent the total market for chocolate and chocolate confectionary in the United Kingdom. Consumption data based on the prices paid by consumer in the shops, as opposed to those charged by manufacturers, is shown:

  Consumption £ million

  1963

  n/a

  1973

  364.7

  1979

  1,065.0

  1993

  2,938.0

  Source:

  MAFF estimates.
  188
  available on the database, but in annual form only. Further information about these invisibles figures can be found in an article entitled "Geographical analysis of the overseas invisibles account" in the June 1994 edition of "Economic Trends".

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will complete the United Kingdom entry to the October issue of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

  Mr. Nelson
  Responsibility for the publication "Monthly Statistics of Foreign Trade" lies with the OECD. However, the CSO has provided the OECD with the required data and asked for the series to be updated. The Central Statistical Office is also arranging for this data to be supplied to the OECD regularly in the future.

  Chocolate Confectionery
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the(a) production, (b) imports, (c) exports and (d) consumption of chocolate confectionery in (i) 1964, (ii) 1973, (iii) 1979 and (iv) 1993.

  Mr. Nelson
  The available data on the production, imports and exports of chocolate and chocolate confectionery are as follows:

  Money Supply
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is his estimate of the amount by which the money supply would have to increase in terms of MO and M4 to accommodate an increase in the work force in employment to the 1990 level without an increase in the velocity of circulation;

  (2) what was the velocity of circulation of MO and M4 for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nelson
  There is no simple link between money supply and employment. In the long run, increases in money supply result in inflation, which is detrimental to activity and employment. Employment prospects are best increased by the achievement of sustained economic growth. This requires structural policies to improve the long run performance of the economy and a stable macro-economic environment with low inflation.

  Table 6.2 is the Central Statistical Office monthly publication, "Economic Trends", shows the velocity of circulation for MO and M4.

  Exports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will describe the method he has used to back his assertion in the Red Book, paragraph 3.47, that exporter's margins in the third quarter of this year had regained their pre-exchange rate mechanism.

  Mr. Nelson
  The measure of export profit margins used in paragraph 3.47 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" is the ratio of the manufacturing export price average value index to the Treasury's estimates of manufacturers' total unit costs.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the increase stated in his Budget speech for non-oil exports to EEC countries in the three months to August took account of the under-recording of exports to the EEC in 1993; and if he will publish for the most recent three months in each case the increase in the volume of exports to(a) the EEC and (b) non-EEC countries since 1992, together with the increase in United Kingdom manufacturing output.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have no reason to believe that the growth of non-oil exports to other EC countries between the three months to August 1994 and the same three months in 1993 is either under or over-recorded.

  Figures for exports to other EC countries and to non-EC countries and for manufacturing output are available on the Central Statistical Office database, which can be accessed through the House of Commons Library.

  Economic Growth
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average rate of economic growth between(a) 1964 and 1973 and (b)

  Mr. Nelson
  The average annual growth rate of real gross domestic product between 1964 and 1973 was 3.1 per cent. The average growth rate between 1973 and 1993 was 1.6 per cent. Within this period, the average growth rate over the past 10 years has been significantly higher than over the previous 10 years.

  Tourism
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact on the retail prices index of the price of foreign holidays; and if he will give the balance of payments on tourism each year since 1970, together with the change in the terms of trade for manufactures, based on the second half of 1973=100.

  Mr. Nelson
  Foreign package holidays were introduced into the retail prices index in February 1993. In 1994 this component comprised 29 parts per thousand of the all-items "basket" of goods and services. At November 1994, the latest date for which information is available, the 12-month percentage increase in the foreign holidays' index was 2.4 per cent.

  Data on the balance between expenditure by overseas residents visiting the UK and expenditure by UK residents visiting abroad are published in the "Business Monitors", MA6 and MQ6, entitled "Overseas travel and tourism".

  Terms of trade for manufactures can be derived from unit value indices, based on 1990=100, available from the CSO database which can be accessed through the Library of the House.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the amount by which the exchange rate would have to fall to enable the United Kingdom to bring the current account back into balance(a) including and (b) excluding North sea oil at the current level of employment, all other things being equal.

  Mr. Nelson
  The latest figures show that the current account is no longer in deficit. In the third quarter of 1994 there was a current account surplus of £800 million and the current account excluding oil was close to balance at—£200 million.

  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the value of the pound sterling against the deutschmark and the French franc in December of the years 1970, 1980, 1990 and 1994.

  Mr. Nelson
  Monthly data on exchange rates are published by the CSO in table 7.1A of financial statistics. These data are also available on the CSO database which can be accessed through the Members' Library.

  Income Statistics
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the annual rate of increase in consumers' real expenditure and real disposable incomes(a) since 1979 and (b) between 1964 and 1973; and if he will account for the difference.

  Mr. Nelson
  The annual rate of increase between 1979 and 1993 as 2.6 per cent. in consumers' expenditure and 2.7 per cent. in personal disposable income, both measured at constant—1990—prices. Between 1964 and 1973 the rates of growth were 3.0 per cent. and 3.2 per cent. respectively.

  A large number of factors, both domestic and international, influence the growth of consumption and real personal disposable income. There is no simple explanation that can account for developments in these variables over such a long period of economic history.

  The residual difference between personal disposable income and consumers' expenditure constitutes saving. Saving at constant prices is not published, but the principle is the same and the difference between real personal disposable income and real consumers' expenditure may be regarded as "real" saving.

  The proportions of disposable income devoted to expenditure and saving vary constantly.

  Current Account
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the extent to which the improvement in the current account deficit in 1994 forecast in the Red Book is due to(a) an improvement in the balance of visible trade less oil and erratics; and (b) an improvement in the balance of trade in finished manufactures (i) with the EEC and (ii) with other countries.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Treasury does not publish forecasts of the balance of visible trade less oil and erratics or of the balance of finished manufactures. Nor does it publish forecasts separately for trade with other EC countries and
  191
  with non-EC countries. Forecasts of the balances of trade in manufactures, oil and other goods are shown in Table 3.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report". Figures for the first three quarters of 1994 are available on the Central Statistical Office database, which can be accessed through the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the amount by which the exchange rate would have to fall to enable the United Kingdom to bring the current account back into balance in conditions of full employment at the maximum sustainable rate of growth, all other things being equal.

  Mr. Nelson
  Achieving the maximum sustainable rate of growth depends on continuously improving all aspects of performance across the whole economy—on competitiveness in a broad sense.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage share of gross domestic product was accounted for by manufacturing output in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany, (c) France, (d) Italy, (e) Holland and (f) Belgium in (i) 1968, (ii) 1973, (iii) 1979, (iv) 1990 and (v) 1993.

  Mr. Nelson
  Such information as is available is published in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development publication "National Accounts", detailed tables, volume II, which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the rate of growth of exports of United Kingdom finished manufactures to(a) the EEC and (b) the rest of the world for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nelson
  Information about exports of UK manufactures from which rates of growth may be derived can be found on the CSO database which may be accessed through the Library of the House. Volume information is available only from 1988, but information at current prices is available from 1972.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will show the net operating surplus of manufacturing as a percentage of net capital stock in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the USA, (c) Japan and (d) Germany in (i) 1968, (ii) 1973, (iii) 1980, (iv) 1987, (v) 1990 and (vi) 1993; what was the corresponding increase in manufacturing output based on 1968 = 100; and what was the relationship between the two series.

  Mr. Nelson
  Information on United Kingdom net rates of return for manufacturing industrial and commercial companies since 1970 is available from the CSO's shared database and is published in the CSO "First Release", (94)205—"Profitability of UK Companies". Information on manufacturing activities relating to all economic sectors is unavailable. Information on rates of return for OECD countries since 1980 is published in Table 14 of OECD's national accounts, volume II. Rates of return achieved in different countries are not directly comparable because different assumptions are used in their calculation. Both publications are available from the Library of the House.
  192
  Index numbers of manufacturing output are available back to 1974. Using 1980 as a base year they are:

  UK

  USA

  Japan

  West Germany

  1968

  99

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1973

  114

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1974

  113

  84

  81

  90

  1980

  100

  100

  100

  100

  1987

  108

  127

  122

  107

  1990

  121

  139

  149

  124

  1993

  115

  142

  135

  n/a

  Source:

  United Nations Industrial Statistics Yearbook.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the profitability of United Kingdom, United States and German companies in manufacturing each year since 1980.

  Mr. Nelson
  Information on United Kingdom net rates of return for manufacturing industrial and commercial companies is available from the CSO's central shared database and is published in the CSO First Release, (94)205—"Profitability of UK Companies".

  Information on profitability by United States and West German companies is published in table 14 of the OECD's national accounts, volume II. Rates of return achieved in different countries are not directly comparable because of different assumptions used in their calculations. Both publications are available from the Library of the House.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the effect of changes in interest rates and the exchange rate or the rate of return in manufactures; and if he will publish a table setting out the figures for each year since 1979.

  Mr. Nelson
  No estimates are available of the effects of interest rate and exchange rate changes on the real rate of return on capital for manufacturing. The latest figures for the rate of return on capital for manufacturing companies are available in table 1 of CSO "First Release" (94)205, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the fall or rise in the average capital employed in manufacturing in real terms between 1979 and 1993 and the corresponding figure for the average capital employed in other non-North sea industrial and commercial companies.

  Mr. Nelson
  Information on average capital employed at current replacement cost by industrial and commercial companies is published in the CSO "First Release", (94)2025—"Profitability of UK Companies". This is available from the Library of the House. Constant price data are not readily available.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in the volume of exports of finished manufactures to the EEC in the first quarter of 1993 together with his estimate of the effect of any under-recording.

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested and more recent figures are available from the Central Statistical Office database, which can be accessed through the House of Commons Library, and are published in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", also available in the
  193
  House of Commons Library. The figures incorporate adjustments made as a result of the recent quality review of the Intrastat system carried out by Customs and Excise and the Central Statistical Office.

  National Debt
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current ratio of the national debt to gross domestic product; and what was the average figure for the 1970s.

  Mr. Nelson
  At end-March 1994, the national debt was 46½ per cent. of gross domestic product. The average ratio for the 1970's was 52¾ per cent. of GDP.

  Companies (Rates of Return)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the net rate of return in 1993 for manufacturing, financial service, North sea oil and gas, and non-North sea industrial and commercial companies less manufacturing.

  Mr. Nelson
  Information on United Kingdom net rates of return for manufacturing industrial and commercial companies is available from the CSO's central shared database and is published in the CSO "First Release", (94) 205—"Profitability of UK Companies". The net rate of return on capital employed by non-North sea industrial and commercial companies in 1993 was 17 per cent. The net rate of return on capital employed by non-North sea non-manufacturing industrial and commercial companies in 1993 was 9 per cent. Rates of return for the financial services industry are unavailable.

  Profits (City of London)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes the Bank of England should take to reduce the rate of profit made by firms in the City of London to the same level as the import competing and export industries.

  Mr. Nelson
  None. Financial services are themselves import competing and exporting. They made a positive contribution of £15.6 billion to the United Kingdom balance of payments in 1993.

  Data Processing Equipment
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the rate of return the Government apply in the case of data processing equipment; and how much of that is accounted for by depreciation and how much by the cost of borrowing.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Government specify a standard rate of discount, which serves as a cost of capital, to ensure that the use of resources by central government is no less efficient at the margin than resources used by the private sector. The rate of 6 per cent. in real term is applied to the internal costing of all central government activities, including acquisition of data processing equipment.

  The rate of depreciation will depend on the expected life of the equipment, and will vary from case to case.

  In industrial assistance cases, including assistance to manufacturers of data processing equipment, a discount rate of at least 8 per cent. in real term is applied, depending on the commercial rate considered appropriate for the particular investment.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures his Department is taking to encourage the education and training of the long-term unemployed for re-entry into the workplace; and what programmes are available to them.

  Mr. Paice
  Training is one of the options on the menu of opportunities made available to long-term unemployed people to help them back to work.

  Training for long-term unemployed adults is delivered through training for work.

  Additionally, the Employment Service offers a wide range of help to provide the individual advice and support that people need to get back to work as quickly as possible.

  Restart interviews encourage long-term unemployed people to search for jobs actively; jobclub and the job interview scheme help them to find jobs more effectively; jobplan workshops and restart courses provide opportunities for self-assessment, confidence building and action planning; community action provides work experience for people who have been unemployed for more than 12 months. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor's Budget statement on 29 November 1994 set out plans for further help including the extension of workwise and 1-2-1 which offer help to 18 to 24 year-olds who have been unemployed for more than one year.

  Preparatory Maritime Conference
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what contribution Her Majesty's Government have made or intends to make to the preparatory maritime conference of the International Labour Organisation; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The International Labour Organisation replaced the preparatory maritime conference with a tripartite meeting on maritime labour standards. This took place in Geneva from 28 November to 9 December 1994 and was attended by a full United Kingdom delegation.

  Gas (Safety)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the nature of, and give references to, the statutory obligations of(a) British Gas plc to maintain standards of safety of all gas supplies and (b) the obligations on owners of property or householders in respect of safety of all gas equipment on their property; and what steps he expects to take to vary current statutes consequential to his proposed reorganisation of the gas industry.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  British Gas plc must comply with the general duties of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. In addition, it must comply with the following specific legislation: the Gas Act 1986, schedule 5, which imposes duties on the public gas supplier to take immediate remedial action when there is a reported escape of gas; the Gas Quality Regulations 1972 and 1983, which impose duties concerning the pressure, odour and purity of gas supplied to consumers; the Gas Safety (Rights of Entry) Regulations 1983, which allow British Gas plc
  195
  employees to enter premises to prevent danger, in respect of gas escapes and dangerous gas appliances; the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994, which include duties on those who install and maintain gas appliances and fittings; and the Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982, which require gas transmission and distribution pipelines to be notified to the Health and Safety Executive.

  The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 also impose duties on owners of property and householders. This includes a duty on landlords to maintain appliances which they own in a safe condition, and for such appliances to be checked for safety each year. Householders' duties include, for example, not using appliances which are known or suspected to be unsafe, not searching for gas escapes with a naked flame, and reporting leaks or suspected leaks to the public gas supplier.

  The Health and Safety Commission is considering its response to the safety implications of the Government's proposals for liberalisation of the gas market and will respond shortly.

TRANSPORT

  London Underground
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many violent crimes were committed on London Underground during each of the past seven years.

  Mr. Norris
  This information is set out in the table.

  London Underground: incidence of violent crime

  Year

  Number of incidents

  1988

  1,048

  1989

  1,018

  1990

  750

  1991

  685

  1992

  636

  1993

  601

  1994

  613

  Source:

  British Transport police figures supplied to London Underground.

  Note:

  1 Figures include assaults on passengers, staff and police.

  Buses (London)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the changes in the regulations setting down the maximum hours per day or per week which he, or persons whom he has appointed, relating to drivers holding public service vehicle licences for bus services in the area of London Regional Transport, made since 1 January 1985, stating in each case by whom they were made and what consultations preceded changes in those conditions.

  Mr. Norris
  Regular bus services on routes of less than 50 km are subject to national rules on drivers' hours in part VI of the Transport Act 1968, as amended. Regular services on routes exceeding 50 km are subject to European Community regulations on drivers' hours and tachographs which came into force in 1986.
  196
  Since 1985 there have been no changes to either the EC regulations or the national rules which affect the maximum hours per day or per week which an individual may drive. But the introduction of the EC regulations resulted in a number of minor consequent changes to the UK legislation. These changes were all made by statutory instrument and representatives organisations were informed about them. Those which affected bus operations are as follows:
  The Community Drivers' Hours and Recording Equipment (Exemptions and Supplementary Provisions) Regulations 1986-SI 1986/1456.
  The Community Drivers' Hours and Recording Equipment Regulations—SI 1986/1457.
  The Drivers' Hours (Harmonisation with Community Rules) Regulations 1986-SI 1986/1458
  The Community Drivers' Hours and recording Equipment (Exemptions and Supplementary Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 1986-SI 1986/1669.
  The Community Drivers' Hours and recording Equipment (Exemptions and Supplementary Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 1987-SI 1987/805.
  The Community Drivers' Hours and Recording Equipment (Exemptions and Supplementary Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 1988-SI 1988/760.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will publish the text of penalty clauses included in contracts between Trafalgar House and the Government regarding the Birmingham northern relief road;

  (2) what penalty clauses would be brought into force by (a) a decision to withdraw Government support for the Birmingham northern relief road and (b) a decision to oppose the road; and what would be the cost to the Government.

  Mr. Watts
  The concession agreement between the Department and Midland Expressway Ltd. is commercially confidential. Provisions for early termination of the concession by either parties are contained in the agreement.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Government will meet the cost of blight to homes or businesses as a result of the construction of the Birmingham northern relief road.

  Mr. Watts
  Payments for land compensation, including those relating to blight, are made by the Department in the normal way. The concession agreement provides for Midland Expressway Ltd. to reimburse the Department.

  Western Orbital Route
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the projected western orbital route around the west midlands will be a tolled road.

  Mr. Watts
  The trunk roads review, published in March 1994, indicated that the western orbital route would be considered for its suitability to be taken forward under a design, build, finance and operate contract which does not require the payment of tolls by road users.

  Rail Businesses
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 14 December,Official Report, column 694, about the sale of rail

  197
  businesses, what is the target date for the sale of each of the businesses listed; and if he will specify the nature and target date for the sale of each of the businesses described as "various businesses in BR central services".

  Mr. Watts
  It is intended that the rolling stock leasing companies will be offered for sale during 1995. The sale of all of the other businesses listed will be handled by BR's vendor unit.

  These businesses will be marketed as soon as they are ready for sale, as speedily as practicable and, in the case of the various central services businesses, using the most appropriate method of sale. It is intended that the majority of these businesses will be offered for sale during 1995 and 1996.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) of 1 December,Official Report, columns 800–01, if he will make a statement regarding his Department's expenditure on special advisers in each of the last three financial years and for the financial year 1979–80.

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on 19 December,Official Report, column 937.

  Road Noise
  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list his Department's current obligations relating to road noise arising from the construction of new trunk roads.

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Howell, dated 12 January 1995:

  As you know, since the creation of the Highways Agency, it falls to me as Chief Executive to write to MPs who have tabled questions on matters which relate to operational matters of the Agency.

  The Noise Insulation Regulations 1975 require highway authorities to carry out or pay grant towards the cost of insulation of qualifying residential property against traffic noise arising from the use of new or altered roads. Dwellings, or other buildings used for residential purposes, within 300 metres of a new or altered road are eligible for insulation if it is calculated that within 15 years of opening the noise level will increase by 1 dB to a level of at least 68 dB.

  The Regulations also allow highway authorities discretion to carry out or pay grant towards the cost of insulation of residential property against noise arising from the construction of new or altered roads.

  Mr. David Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what decibel readings his departmental officials are receiving from within 300 of the A3 in the region of Ash Grove, Guildford;

  (2) what decibel readings his departmental officials are receiving from within 300 m of the A3 in the region of Weston road, Guildford;

  (3) what decibel readings his departmental officials are receiving from within 300 m of the A3 in the region of Burpham and Abbotswood.

  Mr. Watts
  These are operational matters for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my right hon. Friend.
  198
  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Howell, dated 12 January 1995:

  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what decibel readings we are receiving from within 300 metres of the A3 at several locations within Guildford.

  There is no general monitoring by the Agency of noise levels on the trunk road network and I regret, therefore, that the information you require is not available.

  You know that the section of A3 which passes Ash Grove, Weston Road, and Abbotswood (and Burpham) is a post 1969 road. It forms part of the A3 Burpham to Ladymead scheme which opened to traffic in 1981. In his letter of 23 November, Dr. Mawhinney explained that the obligations placed on the Department of Transport by the Land Compensation Act 1973 and associated regulations, both in terms of the noise mitigation measures and compensation for depreciation in the value of property caused by noise, were fully discharged in respect of that scheme. He also explained in some detail why existing unaltered roads in this category could not be reassessed and retreated for noise mitigation.

  It follows that no purpose would be served in taking noise measurements along this section of the A3.

  Airports
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on proposals for an airport between Abingdon and Wantage.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Pleiade Associates has undertaken work on a proposal for such an airport. It has not been the subject of a planning application. If one were made, it would be subject to normal planning procedures.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the "Runway Capacity to Serve the South East" report.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I expect to be responding shortly to the consultation on the report of the RUCATSE working group.

  Stagecoach Bus Company
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what complaints have been received by the traffic commissioners in respect of the operations of the Stagecoach bus company or any of its subsidiaries; what routes or services have been the subject of such complaints; what action has been taken by the traffic commissioners as a result of such complaints; what has been the outcome of each action taken; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  Traffic commissioners receive a wide variety of complaints about bus operations, including those relating to the Stagecoach bus company and its subsidiaries. Most are of a minor nature. Where the complaints relate to matters within the jurisdiction of the traffic commissioner they are investigated; the companies are notified and steps taken to rectify any deficiencies. Complaints about matters not within the traffic commissioners' jurisdiction are passed on to the appropriate authority to deal with.

  More serious complaints involving potential disciplinary action are normally dealt with at a public inquiry. In July 1993 a public inquiry was held into allegations made by Orion Transport Ltd. of intentional interference into their operations by Fife Scottish Omnibuses, a Stagecoach subsidiary. At the inquiry, Fife Scottish Omnibuses Ltd. was given a warning about its future conduct; Orion Transport Ltd. was banned from operating local services. A further public inquiry has been

  199
  set for February 1995 to look into complaints about the activities of Western Scottish Buses Ltd., a Stagecoach subsidiary.

  Newbury Bypass
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 19 December to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South (Mrs. Currie)Official Report, column 875, whom he saw and who accompanied him when he made his private visit to Newbury.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 10 January 1995]: I met no one on my private visit to Newbury. I was accompanied by my private secretary and the chief executive of the Highways Agency.

  Maritime Conference
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons Her Majesty's Government have withdrawn support for the specialist maritime conference of the International Labour Organisation; what representations he has received from ship-owning or crew representative bodies in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have been asked to reply.

  At the recent meeting of the International Labour Organisation governing body, the Government expressed the view that maritime issues should be dealt within the mainstream of the ILO and on an equal footing with other sectors of work. The majority view was however to retain a separate maritime conference. Representations were received from the National Union of Marine, Aviation and Shipping Transport Officers.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Housing Review
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to issue the consultation paper on the housing review.

  Mr. Moss
  I hope to be in a position to publish the consultative paper in March.

  Fire Station (Comber)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals there are to provide a new fire station in Comber; what site is involved; what is the estimated cost for such a fire station; and what would be the implications for the existing station in Newtownards.

  Mr. Moss
  A review conducted by the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland has indicated that Comber and its surrounding area are not being provided with the appropriate standard of fire cover, and the authority is proposing to develop a new fire station in Comber to remedy the deficiency. A suitable site has been identified at Glen Link, beside the Comber bypass, which is owned by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. Retained personnel are being recruited and trained.
  200
  The estimated cost of the proposed new station is as follows:

  £

  Purchase of site.

  46,500

  Refurbishment of building etc

  176,400

  Diversion of electricity cable

  48,700

  Total

  271,600

  The new station will have no effect on the existing station in Newtownards, except that in normal circumstances Newtownards will no longer respond to fire calls from the Comber area. This will result in a reduction in the number of incidents attended by the Newtownards fire crew, but the retaining fees and drill fees paid to the Newtownards crew will remain unchanged.

  Tower Hill Hospital (Armagh)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pharmacists were advised of the meeting of the pharmacy practices committee of the Southern health and social services board to be held at the board room in Tower Hill hospital, Armagh, on 8 December 1994; how many attended; in which room this meeting was held; whether pharmacists were advised of any alternative arrangements; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moss
  Six pharmacists were advised of the meeting. The local pharmaceutical and medical committees were also advised.

  Two pharmacists attended, together with a representative of the local medical committee.

  The meeting was held in the supplies department conference room, instead of the boardroom in Tower Hill hospital. The original venue was changed because of central heating problems. Everyone who presented at the boardroom was escorted to the new venue for the meeting.

  Sports Council for Northern Ireland
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when funds will be allocated to the Sports Council for Northern Ireland in order that it may make financial contributions towards projects for voluntary sports clubs; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  Owing to expenditure constraints and other priority demands it was not possible to make funding available to the Sports Council in 1994–95 for capital grants to voluntary sports clubs. In reaching decisions on resource allocation for 1995–96, the needs of the voluntary sports clubs will be taken into account. An announcement will be made when final decisions have been taken.

  Nursery Schools
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) maintained and (b) controlled nursery schools there are in each of the 26 district council areas.

  Mr. Ancram
  The information for 1993–94 is as follows:
  201

  District Council

  Maintained

  Controlled

  Total

  Antrim

  1

  1

  2

  Ards

  —

  2

  2

  Armagh

  —

  2

  2

  Ballymena

  —

  2

  2

  Ballymoney

  —

  1

  1

  Banbridge

  —

  2

  2

  Belfast

  14

  17

  31

  Carrickfergus

  —

  1

  1

  Castlereagh

  —

  3

  3

  Coleraine

  —

  2

  2

  Cookstown

  —

  1

  1

  Craigavon

  —

  3

  4

  Derry

  —

  8

  8

  Down

  2

  1

  3

  Dungannon

  —

  2

  2

  Fermanagh

  —

  —

  —

  Larne

  1

  1

  2

  Lisburn

  4

  2

  6

  Limavady

  —

  —

  —

  Magherafelt

  —

  1

  1

  Moyle

  —

  1

  1

  Newry and Mourne

  1

  2

  3

  Newtownabbey

  —

  5

  5

  North Down

  —

  3

  3

  Omagh

  —

  1

  1

  Strabane

  —

  1

  1

  Total

  24

  65

  89

WALES

  Housing Revenue Account
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to make his housing revenue account subsidy determinations for 1995–96.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The determinations have been made by my right hon. Friend today and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  We have decided to confirm the proposal for guidelines rents and management and maintenance allowances, which were set out in my earlier answer on 30 November 1994, Official Report, columns 743–44. I have also decided to confirm the other proposals subject to some changes of detail.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many oral questions the hon. member for Leeds, East has sought to table in the current session; and how many have appeared on the Order Paper.

  Mr. Newton
  Up to and including Tuesday 10 January, the hon. Member had entered 26 questions for oral answer into the shuffle, none of which was successful.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Citizenship
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend nationality 202
  legislation to allow British women to pass on United Kingdom citizenship to their children.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  No. The British Nationality Act 1981 already provides for this.

  Miscarriages of Justice
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the legislation to deal with miscarriages of justice.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  We intend to introduce a Bill this Session to establish an independent review body to investigate alleged miscarriages of justice and to refer appropriate cases to the courts. We shall introduce the Bill as soon as we can.

  Fines (Non-payment)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are in Her Majesty's prison, Armley for non-payment of fines.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  On 14 December, the nearest day to when the question was tabled for which figures are readily available, 11 prisoners were held in Leeds prison for failing to pay their fine.

  Executive Agencies
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on bonus payments for the chief executives of the next steps agencies which report to his Department.

  Mr. Howard
  The Directors General of the Prison Service and of the Forensic Science Service, and the chief executive of the United Kingdom Passport Agency, are eligible for bonus payments on the basis of performance measures agreed between them and the Department. The present chief executive of the Fire Service College is eligible for performance pay increases in the same way as other members of his grade.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the rules and regulations governing Home Office matters which have been withdrawn in the last 12 months; and what has been the consequent reduction to his Department's manpower.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Records of changes to Home Office rules and regulations are not kept in the precise form requested, but the following are the main changes made to Home Office legislation affecting business in the last 12 months:

  the Sunday Trading Act 1994 has reduced and clarified the restrictions on Sunday Trading;

  the Shops Act 1950 has been abolished;

  the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act included amendments to the Licensing Act 1964, the Sunday Observance Act 1780, the Charities Acts 1992 and 1993 and the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963.

  These changes have not significantly affected Home Office manpower since the Home Office was not generally responsible for enforcing the legislation concerned.

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list his initiatives designed to combat drug abuse among young people.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Local drugs prevention teams are working with communities in different areas of the country to help prevent the spread of drugs misuse. Over 1,300 separate local initiatives have been supported, many involving young people themselves.

  Doncaster Prison
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Judge Stephen Tumim last inspected Doncaster prison.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Judge Tumim and his inspection team have not yet inspected Doncaster prison. They are scheduled to inspect it during March 1996.

  Greater Manchester Police
  Mr. Eastham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement regarding the inaccurate press release issued by his Department on 1 December 1995–96 spending allowances for the Greater Manchester police.

  Mr. Maclean
  Under the Government's proposals announced on 1 December 1994 and as stated in Home Office news release 258/94, £324.38 million will be available to the Greater Manchester police in 1995–96.

  Sentences
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received about sentencing tariffs.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I receive numerous representations about maximum penalties from a variety of sources.

  Wales
  Mr. Llwyd
  Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the performance of Home Office functions in Wales.

  Mr. Howard
  Our objective is to ensure that all functions in Wales for which the Home Office has responsibility are delivered effectively and efficiently. This is fully reflected in Home Office funding which provides in Wales—as in England—appropriate resources, consistent with the Government's priorities and the need to control public spending.

  Fire Authorities
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had concerning the funding difficulties faced by fire authorities.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment receive such representations from time to time.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his assessment of the percentage of British prisons in which the use of illegal drugs use is widespread.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 enables the introduction of mandatory drug testing. This will enable an assessment of the extent of drug misuse to be made.

  Right to Silence
  Mr. Knapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect to date of changes in respect of the right to silence introduced in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

  Mr. Maclean
  These provisions have not yet come into force. We intend to implement them in the spring of this year.

  Police, London
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current number of police constables in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  In October 1994, the most recent date for which figures are available, there were 21,183 police constables on the strength of the Metropolitan police and 679 on the strength of the Metropolitan police and 679 on the strength of the City of London police.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are assigned to work on drugs matters in London; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that over 200 police officers are assigned to full-time duties on drugs-related matters; this includes officers designated to specialist drug squads arid other assigned to carry out specific work in individual divisions. Officers performing general duties may of course have to deal with any type of crime, including drug-related offences, in the course of their duties.

  Crime
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives he proposes during 1995 for tackling the fear of crime.

  Mr. Maclean
  Fear of crime can reduce the quality of life for individuals and the public is right to express concern. But, it is important to distinguish between realistic concern and that debilitating anxiety that makes people afraid to participate fully in everyday life. But there are no acceptable levels of crime, and the Home Office will continue to give a high priority to tackling crime and the fear of it during 1995.

  First and foremost is the "Partners Against Crime" initiative which was launched by the Home Secretary in September 1994. The campaign encourages individual members of the public to join the police as partners in the fight against crime. Through neighbourhood watch schemes, the special constabulary, neighbourhood constables, street watch, youth action groups and crime prevention panels individuals can make a difference and

  205
  also gain a sense of empowerment, which in turn helps to reduce the fear of crime.

  We welcome and encourage the use of technology and we will shortly be assessing the bids and announcing the winners of the closed circuit television competition which the Home Secretary announced last October.

  Tackling crime is of course a matter for everyone, and the Home Office will continue to work closely with other organisations and Government Departments—such as the Department of the Environment on the single regeneration budget and the safer cities programme; and the Department of Transport, which has commissioned a national review of transport-related crime and perceptions of safety.

  Publicity material providing practical advice on measures which people can take to help keep themselves, their families and their property safe will be maintained and promulgated.

  Police (Video Cameras)
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the use of video cameras by police forces during affrays.

  Mr. Maclean
  General Home Office guidelines on the use of equipment in police surveillance operations were published in 1984. A copy is in the Library. It is for individual chief constables to decide whether to use video cameras in a particular operation.

  Firearms
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the Metropolitan police have currently adopted his Department's guidance on best practice systems for administering the Firearms Acts; and if he will publish the estimated costs to the Metropolitan police of each type of licence together with the appropriate Home Office best practice cost in each case.

  Mr. Maclean
  The administration of the firearms licensing system is a matter for individual chief officers of police. However, I understand that the Metropolitan police have in nearly all cases implemented the best practice guidelines on the administration of the firearms licensing system which we issued to all chief officers of police in 1991. Where the recommendations have not been implemented, this is principally due to the organisational structure of the Metropolitan police.

  The cost to the Metropolitan police of each type of licence is not available. Costings of best practice are contained in a study undertaken in 1992 by the independent consultants Ernst and Young. A copy of their report is in the Library.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Somatotropin
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's position on the licensing of the use of bovine somatotropin in the EC.

  Mrs. Browning
  The Government have made clear their view that any final decision on the licensing of bovine somatotropin should be based firmly on the 206
  statutory licensing criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. It should be for the marketplace to determine whether BST has a role to play. On the basis of the scientific evidence and advice currently available, the products concerned meet those criteria and pose no hazard to animal health or welfare of public safety. As my right hon. Friend reported to the House on 15 December 1994 therefore, Official Report, columns 793–94, at the December Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting, he voted against a presidency compromise to extend the moratorium on BST until 31 December 1999, as this was without scientific justification. The decision was, however, adopted by qualified majority.

  Dairy Products (New Zealand)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if further steps were taken to facilitate continuing access to the United Kingdom market for New Zealand(a) butter and (b) cheese after renegotiation of the conditions of United Kingdom entry into the EEC; what was (1) United Kingdom output of butter and the tonnage of imports and exports from and to (2) New Zealand, (3) the EEC Six, (4) Denmark, (5) the Irish Republic and (6) other countries and what was (i) the corresponding information for the EEC Six, (ii) the tonnage of EEC cheese dumped on world markets, (iii) the difference between the common agricultural policy price and the New Zealand export price to third markets and (iv) the cost of cheese support of all kinds to the taxpayer or consumer in (w) 1968, (x) 1979, (y) 1989, and (z) 1994 to date.

  Mr. Jack
  The United Kingdom's treaty of accession provided for the import of declining quantities of butter and cheese from New Zealand at reduced rates of import levy for the years 1973 to 1977 with the possibility, for butter but not for cheese, of continuation beyond that date. The arrangements for butter have been prolonged up to the present, by successive unanimous Community decisions relating to quantity and rate of levy. The imports of cheese were terminated at the end of 1977 in accordance with the treaty but new arrangements were made with effect from 1 January 1980 for the import of certain quantities on special terms.

  As a result of the GATT Uruguay round agreement, both arrangements are to be put on a permanent basis from 1 July 1995. The annual quantity of butter from New Zealand will be raised from its present level to 76,667 tonnes at a tariff of 86.88 ecu/100 kg, and the annual quantity of cheese will be maintained at 9,500 tonnes at tariff of 17.06 ecu/100 kg.

  Information concerning United Kingdom production of butter for years 1979 and 1989 is available from "Agriculture in the United Kingdom". Data for 1968 are not available on the same basis and estimates for 1994 are not yet available. Detailed information on imports to the United Kingdom and exports to particular countries for the years requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Trade information is published in the annual statement of trade of the United Kingdom 1968, Customs and Excise; DTI "Business Monitor" "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom" 1979; CSO Business Monitor, "MA20 1989; and CSO Business Monitors", MM20 and MQ20 June 1994.

  Information on the production of butter in EU member states for 1979,1989 and 1992—latest— is published in "The Agricultural Situation in the Community"—

  207
  Commission of the European Communities— and for 1968 can be found in the FAO production yearbook for 1970. Imports and exports of butter by EU member states are published by Eurostat. The publications contain total volumes of cheese exported to third countries. A small quantity of cheese which does not receive an export refund will be included.

  There is no common agricultural policy price for cheese in the EU and information on New Zealand export prices of cheese to third countries is not readily available.

  Cheese is supported under the Community dairy regime through export refunds private storage aid for certain long keeping cheese and, until 1 August 1994, public intervention in Italy for two types of cheese. It is not possible to estimate the costs of cheese support to consumers and taxpayers without making a large number of hypothetical assumptions about alternative policies which would have obtained in the absence of the CAP, and the effects of those policies. However, EU budgetary expenditure under the CAP in respect of cheese is as follows:

  Year

  Mecu

  1968

  n/a

  1979

  17

  1989

  596

  1993

  800

  The applicable conversion rates into sterling are 1979: 0 64924, 1989: 0.65475, 1993: 0.78627.

  Source:

  FEOGA.

  Agricultural Support
  Mr. Austin Michell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the difference between the guaranteed or support price for butter, cheese and lamb under the common agricultural policy and the New Zealand export price to third markets; and what is his estimate of the total cost per year in each case to United Kingdom taxpayers and consumers of the higher prices or support arrangements.

  Mr. Jack
  The current intervention price for butter is 2,718 ecu/tonne. There is no common agricultural policy price for cheese in the EU. The current basic price set for sheepmeat is 3,882.3 ecu/tonne.

  Animals inspected and certified as fit for transportation prior to export from Great Britain

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1. Immediate Slaughter

  Cattle

  150

  187

  1,014

  136

  358

  Sheep

  10,381

  154,017

  182,781

  262,647

  216,886

  Pigs

  —

  —

  —

  —

  24

  Totals

  10,531

  154,204

  183,795

  262,783

  217,268

  2. Further Fattening

  Cattle

  —

  132

  574

  323

  1,712

  Calves

  142,431

  190,683

  365,166

  234,651

  302,223

  Sheep

  11,761

  7,745

  130,775

  184,120

  275,006

  Pigs

  —

  1,321

  —

  —

  —

  Totals

  154,192

  199,881

  496,515

  419,094

  578,941

  208
  New Zealand prices of the products to third markets are not readily available.

  It is not possible to estimate the costs of agricultural support to United Kingdom consumers and taxpayers without making a large number of hypothetical assumptions about alternative policies which might obtain in the absence of the CAP, and the effects of those policies. Public expenditure in the United Kingdom under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies is given in table 9.1 of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom".

  Mr. Austin Michell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the additional cost to the consumer of all forms of agricultural support including the higher prices as a result of tariff and other restrictions on imports from third countries since 1972.

  Mr. Jack
  Any estimate would be dependent upon hypothetical assumptions about the policies which would otherwise have obtained and the effects of those policies.

  Estimates of the costs of support policies have been made in recent years by the Organisation for Economic Co—operation and Development for the EU as a whole using a particular set of assumptions. These estimates are available in OECD's annual publication "Agricultural Policies, Markets and Trade: Monitoring and Outlook Report". It should be noted, however, that the OECD figures represent an over-estimate of the savings which could be made by consumers and taxpayers because, with the abolition of agricultural support, would prices for many commodities would be higher.

  Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hauliers were prosecuted for cruelty to animals they were exporting in each year since 1989; and how many of those prosecutions proved successful in each year.

  Mrs. Browning
  The information is not available in this detail.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will show, by type, the number of animals exported for slaughter in each year since 1985, with the expected figures for 1994.

  Mrs. Browning
  The available information is given in the following tables, excluding 1993 for which no figures were available.
  209

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1994 (to November)

  1. Immediate Slaughter

  Cattle

  175

  154

  115

  6,662

  Sheep

  186,038

  196,870

  326,777

  81,760

  Pigs

  —

  3,297

  691

  7,201

  Goats

  —

  —

  150

  1

  Totals

  186,213

  200,321

  327,733

  95,624

  2. Further Fattening

  Cattle

  284

  187

  40

  —

  Calves

  338,806

  399,599

  420,620

  500,530

  Sheep

  302,871

  576,632

  1,046,880

  966,373

  Pigs

  —

  9,963

  1,911

  11,570

  Goats

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Totals

  641,961

  986,381

  1,469,451

  1,478,475

  Source:

  Annual Reports of the Chief Veterinary Officer; ANIMO figures for 1994 January-November.

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the absenteeism rate for his Department in 1991, 1992, and 1993.

  Mr. Jack
  The information is not currently available, but steps are being taken to ensure that it will be in future.

  Beef
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps were taken after the issue of Cmnd 6003—"Membership of the European Community Report on Renegotiation"—to facilitate continuing access to the United Kingdom market for imports of beef from third countries; and if he will publish (i) United Kingdom output of beef and the tonnage of imports and exports in 1968, 1979, 1989 and the current year to date from and to Argentina, Australia, the EEC Six, the Irish Republic, and other countries, (ii) the corresponding information for the EEC Six, (iii) the tonnage of EEC beef dumped on world markets, (iv) the difference between the common agricultural policy price and the Australian export price to third markets and (v) the cost of beef support of all kinds.

  Mr. Jack
  The European Union operates several concessionary import quotas providing for beef imports at reduced rates of levy or duty, including to the United Kingdom. These include a quota for frozen beef and veal; two quotas for high-quality "Hilton" beef; and a beef and veal quota for certain developing countries under the Lomé convention. The EU has also agreed new market access commitments as part of the GATT Uruguay round. These will see import tariffs generally reduced over the period 1995 to 2000.

  Information concerning United Kingdom production of beef for years 1979 and 1989 are available from agriculture in the United Kingdom. Data for 1968 are not available on the same basis and estimates for 1994 are not yet available. Detailed information on imports to the UK and exports to particular countries for the years requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Trade information is published in the annual statement of trade of the United Kingdom 1968, Customs and Excise; DTI
  210
  "Business Monitor" "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom" 1979, CSO " Business Monitor", MA20 1989; and CSO "Business Monitors," MM20 and MQ20 June 1994.

  Information on the output of beef in EU member states for 1979, 1989 and 1992—latest—is published in "The Agricultural Situation in the Community"—Commission of the European Communities—and for 1968 can be found in the FAO production yearbook for 1970. Imports and exports of beef by EU member states are published by Eurostat. The publications contain total volumes of beef exported to third countries.

  Within the common agricultural policy, an annual intervention price is set for beef. In 1993–94 this was 3,216 ecu/tonne. An average Australian export price for beef to third markets in 1993, as reported to the GATT under the arrangement regarding bovine meat to which Australia is a signatory, was the equivalent of 2,243 ecu/tonne—the average of total beef and veal exports including canned products.

  It is not possible to estimate the costs of beef support to consumers and taxpayers without making a large number of hypothetical assumptions about alternative policies which would have obtained in the absence of the CAP, and the effects of those policies. Community budgetary expenditure under the CAP in respect of beef is estimated to be 3,458 MECU—£2,671 million—in 1994 (a)(b). This compares with expenditure in 1993 of 3,986 MECU—£3,134 million—(c).
  (a) Source: EAGGF guarantee, DG VI G2, early warning report 12/94.
  (b) EAGGF year runs from 16 October to 15 October.
  (c) Source: EAGGF guarantee, DG VI G2, annual financial report.

  Lamb
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the output of and tonnage of imports and exports for lamb for(a) the United Kingdom, (b) New Zealand, (c) Denmark, (d) the Republic of Ireland and (e) the EEC Six; what tonnage of EEC lamb was dumped on world markets; what was the difference between the common agricultural policy price and the New Zealand export price to third markets; and what was the cost of lamb support in (i) 1968, (ii) 1979, (iii) 1989 and (iv) 1994.
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  Mr. Jack
  Information concerning United Kingdom production of lamb for years 1979 and 1989 are available from Agriculture in the United Kingdom. Data for 1968 are not available on the same basis and estimates for 1994 are not yet available. Trade information is published in the annual statement of trade of the United Kingdom 1968, Customs and Excise; DTI "Business Monitor" "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom" 1979; CSO "Business Monitor", MM20 and MQ20 June 1994.

  Information on the output of lamb in the EU member states for 1979, 1989 and 1992—latest—is published in "The Agricultural Situation in the Community"—Commission of the European Communities—and for 1968 can be found in the FAO production yearbook for 1970. Imports and exports of lamb by EU member states are published by Eurostat. The publications contain total volumes of lamb exported to third countries. New Zealand lamb output is published in annual FAO production yearbooks; import and export information is published annually in FAO trade yearbooks.
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  The basic price set for the EU sheepmeat regime is 3,882.3 ecu/tonne. The New Zealand export price to third markets is not readily available.

  It is not possible to estimate the costs of lamb support to consumers and taxpayers without making a large number of hypothetical assumptions about alternative policies which would have obtained in the absence of the CAP, and the effects of those policies. Community budgetary expenditure under the CAP in respect of the sheepmeat regime is given in the following table:

  Year

  Mecu

  1968

  n/a

  1979

  0

  1989

  1,453

  1993

  1,800

  The applicable conversion rates into sterling are 1989: 0.65475; 1993: 0.78627.

  Source:

  FEOGA.

  EUROPEAN COMMISSION: EMPLOYEES
  Lord Pearson of Rannoch
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many (a) civil servants and (b) others are employed by the European Commission and at what annual cost; and what proportion of the former are engaged in promoting new or amending legislation or communications.

  The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)
  The 1994 EC budget made provision for 14,918 Commission employees. Total appropriations in the budget to cover basic salary for Commissioners and Commission staff were 736.396 mecu (£579.611 million). It is not possible to produce any accurate estimate of the proportion of these which is engaged in promoting new or amending legislation or communications.

  HIGHWAYS AGENCY
  Lord Campbell of Croy
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What functions, if any, the Highways Agency has in Scotland.

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)
  The Highways Agency has no functions in Scotland.

  BUILDING REGULATIONS: CONSULTATION PAPER
  Lord Gainford
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will consult on amending the building regulations in England and Wales to help disabled people gain access to and within dwellings.
  WA 30
  The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Viscount Ullswater)
  I am today issuing a consultation paper setting out the Government's proposals for amending the Building Regulations 1991 to make certain requirements in relation to the design and construction of new dwellings which will be of benefit to disabled people. Comments on these proposals are invited by 30th April 1995. It will be important to establish what measures will be of particular benefit to disabled people, and what the implications will be on housebuilding costs. A copy of the consultation paper has been placed in the Library of the House.

  WATER COMPANY BY-LAWS: CONSULTATION PAPER
  Lord Gainford
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  When they will publish their proposals for measures to replace water company by-laws in 1997.

  Viscount Ullswater
  We have today published a consultation paper about the purpose, format, scope, and administration of measures to replace water by-laws. Copies have been placed in the House libraries. For many years, water companies have made by-laws for the prevention of waste, misuse, undue consumption and contamination of water. Current by-laws expire in 1997 but there is no provision now for the companies to make new ones. We are therefore consulting a wide variety of interest groups and individuals on a range of replacement options.

  The paper explores a number of possible options from a non-statutory code of practice to national regulations either as part of the building regulations, as separate water regulations or a combination of these two. It also considers whether water companies should continue to control the replacement provisions or whether the responsibility should be transferred to the local authorities, an independent agency or placed under joint control. There are some difficult issues to be addressed but above all the health and safety of consumers must be protected and water companies must be able to carry out their statutory duty to maintain an adequate supply of water which is fit for human consumption.