Written Answers of 19 January 1995

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Judges
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the number of judges whose age exceeded(a) 65 years, (b) 70 years and (c) 75 years on 31 December 1994.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Information about judges aged 65 and over as at 31 December 1994 is set out in the table:

  Total number

  Age 65–69

  Age 70–74

  Age 75 and over

  Lord Chancellor

  1

  1

  1—

  1—

  Lords of appeal in ordinary

  10

  4

  1

  —

  Heads of division

  4

  1—

  1

  —

  Lords justices of appeal

  29

  7

  2

  —

  High Court judges

  95

  11

  2

  —

  Circuit judges

  512

  82

  16

  —

  District judges1

  322

  17

  3

  —.

  Stipendiary magistrates

  85

  11

  —

  —

  Masters2

  30

  8

  —

  —

  1 including district judges of the principal registry of the family division.

  2 including bankruptcy registrars.

  Mr. Ernest Saunders
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord chancellor's Department if Mr. Ernest Saunders is receiving legal aid in his appeal in the Guiness case.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Mr. Saunders has not applied for legal aid for his appeal. If he does so, the application will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the legal aid regulations.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the division of responsibilities and relationship between the Ministers and agencies in the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor is currently responsible for three executive agencies—the Land Registry, the Public Record Office and the Public Trust Office—and is accountable to Parliament for them. The relationship and division of responsibilities between him and his agencies is fully set out in the individual agencies' published framework documents. The Lord Chancellor is responsible for appointing the agency chief executives; for setting and reviewing agency targets and monitoring performance against them; for approving the corporate and business plans; for securing the provision of financial 588
  resources; for making rules and orders; and for decisions on policy issues. The Land Registry and the Public Record Office are separate departments. The Public Trust Office is part of the Lord Chancellor's Department. The agency chief executives are responsible for the day-to-day management of the agencies and are accountable to the Lord Chancellor for their effective and efficient management. As accounting officers, or in the case of the Public Trust Office agency accounting officer, the chief executives are also responsible for the proper and economical expenditure of money.

  Pension Appeal Tribunals
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to inform individuals awaiting pension appeal tribunal dates of the likely length of waiting time for each centre at the time of application.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There are no plans at present to introduce such a scheme, which would be of limited value. In practice, the vast majority of appellants choose to have their hearing at the centre closest to where they live, even when they are aware that waiting times might be shorter elsewhere. The minority who are prepared to travel can obtain information about waiting times at other centres on request.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Television
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans his Department has to require the Independent Television Commission to produce detailed, public, measurable assessments of how the ITV companies are meeting their franchise obligations.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Independent Television Commission is required to publish in its annual report where Channel 3 licensed have failed to comply with licence conditions relating to certain statutory requirements.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the progress made on the provision of subtitling and signing on television programmes; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Dorrell
  Subtitling is provided on Channel 3 and Channel 4 as well as on BBC television services. The Independent Television Commission is responsible for monitoring the requirements on subtitling in the Channel 3 and Channel 4 licences. The commission published its assessment in its first annual performance review in May 1994.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the allocations made to public institutions in the United Kingdom during the half-year ended 31 December 1994 of individual works of art and museum objects pre-eminent for national, scientific, historic or artistic interests which have been accepted in satisfaction of inheritance tax, together with information, where applicable, as to conditions or wishes expressed by
  589
  testators or executors in the matter of allocation; and if he will list the works of art and museum objects which are still awaiting allocation, with the dates of their acceptance in satisfaction of inheritance tax.

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information requested is as follows:

  Item

  To whom allocated

  Condition/wishes

  Painting by Ferneley

  National Trust

  Conditional

  Riding tack

  National Trust

  Conditional

  Acland archive

  National Trust

  Conditional

  Painting by Scott

  Tate Gallery

  Conditional

  Architectural drawings

  National Trust

  Conditional

  Chattels at Benthall hall

  National Trust

  Wish

  Fitzherbert papers

  Derbyshire Record Office

  Conditional

  House at No 2 Willow road, London NW3

  National Trust

  Conditional

  Studio belonging to the artist McWilliam

  Banbridge District Council

  Conditional

  Chattels at Castle Fraser

  National Trust for Scotland

  Conditional

  Unallocated items

  Date accepted

  Busts by Flaxman and Chantrey

  12 October 1994

  —

  Painting by Amigoni

  12 August 1994

  —

  Fairfax archive

  12 August 1994

  —

  George I silver kettle and stand

  24 May 1994

  —

  Three works by Picasso and one work by Klee

  27 April 1994

  Library furniture by Gomm

  17 February 1994

  —

  Miniature portrait by Hilliard

  15 December 1993

  —

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many of the individuals appointed by his Department to public positions in the last year were first identified by the public appointments unit.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 17 January 1995]: My Department has appointed 10 individuals to public positions in the last year who were first identified by the public appointments unit.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Executive Agencies
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what evaluation he has made of value for money in the next steps agencies.

  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  As described in the White Paper, "The Civil Service, Continuity and Change" Cm 2627, each next steps agency is reviewed at five-yearly intervals. The process includes an evaluation of the agency's performance by the responsible Minister which also covers value for money issues.

  The record of agencies in improving effectiveness and efficiency in government is summarised in the Next Steps
  590
  Review 1994, Cm 2750. It shows that, in total, agencies met 80 per cent. of their targets in 1993–94. This represents a trend of improvement over last year's figure of 77 per cent. and the previous year's 76 per cent.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Attorney-General what is the division of responsibilities and relationship between his departmental ministers and agencies.

  The Attorney-General
  The division of responsibilities and relationship between myself, the Treasury Solicitor and the Government Property Lawyers agency are defined in the published framework document a copy of which is in the Library.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General when he intends to reply to a letter dated 19 December from Lindis Percy of Bradford, which she copied to the hon. Member for Bradford West; if he will place a copy of the letter from Ms Percy and his reply in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

  The Attorney-General
  An official from my Chambers replied to Ms Percy on 16 January 1995. I have placed a copy of Ms Percy's letter and my official's response in the Library.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Disabled People
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 1994, Official Report, column 910, if he will list his Department's responsibilities for providing opportunities for disabled people, beyond those responsibilities which it has for its own staff; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Although the policy responsibility for providing opportunities for disabled people lies with other Departments, DTI is involved in a number of areas which help provide opportunities for disabled people. For example, the Department, together with the Department of Health, helps to ensure that United Kingdom companies are well placed to take advantage of the funding provided, by the European Commission, for the development of new technologies which will benefit disabled people. We are also currently engaged, together with the Foreign Office, the Department of Health and the Department of Transport, in producing promotional video which will showcase UK products for disabled people.

  Together with other departments, DTI is represented on the Inter-Departmental Group on Disability which coordinates activities in this area across Government, and through which we can keep a watching brief on initiatives which might be of interest to those in this department.

  The department of Trade and Industry is an equal opportunity employer and currently employs 379 staff with disabilities—there are around 10,500 staff in DTI

  591
  and its executive agencies—of whom around 10 per cent. are at grade 7 (principal) level or above.

  Nuclear Power Stations (Defects)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cracks have been discovered in nuclear power stations; how many of them arise as a result of the use of Inconel 600; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  As a result of routine inspection programmes to support the operational safety cases, cracks have been identified in some of the steam header welds at the Dungeness B and Heysham 1 nuclear power stations. The precise number of these cracks is difficult to establish. Both stations remain closed while the operator, Nuclear Electric, undertakes appropriate remedial work and prepares safety cases for the return of the plants to operation. The two stations will only be brought back into operation once the Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate is satisfied that it is safe for them to do so.

  Inconel 600 is not used in the welds where the cracks have occurred.

  Timeshare
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take measures to reduce or simplify the notices of cancellation which are demanded under the Timeshare Act 1992.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I intend to review these notices in the context of consultation on the measures required for implementation of the EC timeshare directive.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list by pit the coal stocks included in the sale documents for British Coal.

  Mr. Eggar
  Detailed information about the volume of coal stocks held by the regional coal companies is commercially confidential. British Coal's total stocks of some 11 million tonnes of coal were included in the sale of the regional coal companies, with the majority going to RJB.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what considerations underlay his decision to allow RJB Mining to pay £100 million below its tender price for British Coal.

  Mr. Eggar
  As outlined in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Mr. Ainsworth) on 2 December 1994, Official Report, columns 939–40, adjustments to the price bid by RJB Mining, in common with the bids of other preferred bidders, reflect developments since tenders were submitted in September 1994 or information which was not available to bidders at the time. the bulk of these adjustments relate to specific changes in expected levels of coal stock and liabilities disclosed after bids were submitted. Even after the adjustments, the price paid by RJB is substantially higher than other tenders.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the land and property in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituency which was included in the sale of British Coal assets to Mining (Scotland) Ltd.
  592
  Mr. Eggar
  In the time available, I am unable to confirm which of the assets transferred from British Coal to the Scottish Coal Company Ltd. fall within the hon. Member's constituency. The sites within Strathclyde region which have transferred are:

  Location

  Opencast disposal points

  Dalquhandy

  6 km south of Lesmahagow

  Damside

  12 km east of Motherwell

  Killoch

  7 km west of Cumnock

  Knockshinnoch

  9 km south south east of Cumnock

  Operating opencast sites

  Airdsgreen

  19 km east north east of Cumnock, Cumnock and Doon Valley district, Strathclyde region

  Chalmerston

  2 km north of Dalmellington, Cumnock and Doon Valley district, Strathclyde region

  Dalquhandy

  6 km south of Lesmahagow, Clydesdale district, Strathclyde region

  Damside

  12 km east of Motherwell, Motherwell district, Strathclyde region

  Piperhill

  9 km south west of Cumnock, Cumnock and Doon Valley district, Strathclyde region

  Prospective opencast sites

  Broken Cross and Broken Cross Extension

  7 km south south west of Lanark, Clydesdale district, Strathclyde region

  Chalmerston North

  5 km north north east of Dalmellington, Cumnock and Doon Valley district, Strathclyde region

  Drumshangie

  3.2 km north east of Airdrie, Monklands district, Strathclyde region

  House of Water

  8 km south south west of Cumnock, Cumnock and Doon Valley district, Strathclyde region

  Ladylands

  9 km east north east of Motherwell, Motherwell district, Strathclyde region

  Leadloch

  16 km east of Motherwell, Motherwell district, Strathclyde region

  Powharnal

  9 km north east of Cumnock, Cumnock and Doon Valley district Strathclyde region

  Spireslack Revised

  20 km east north east of Cumnock, Cumnock and Doon Valley district, Strathclyde region

  Gasswater

  6 km north east of Cumnock, Strathclyde region

  Glentaggart

  18 km south west of Lanark, Strathclyde region

  Grievehill

  8 km south east of Cumnock, Strathclyde region

  593

  Location

  Pennyvenie

  2 km north east of Dalmellington, Strathclyde region

  Watsonhead

  12 km north north west of Lanark, Strathclyde region

  Wilsontown

  13 km north east of Lanark, Strathclyde region

  I will write with the constituency information in due course.

  Waste Incineration (Electricity Generation)
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current contribution to electricity generation made by domestic waste incineration; and what estimate he has made for the future contribution to electricity generation from this source.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  Electricity generating capacity fuelled by municipal or industrial waste amounts to about 106 MW from seven power stations in the United Kingdom. The third non-fossil fuel obligation order for renewables, which I made on 20 December 1994, required the regional electricity companies to contract for a further 241.87 MW of generating capacity from 20 projects. Energy from waste projects would recover value from about four million tonnes of waste per year and provide access to over 200,000 tonnes per year of ferrous material for recycling if all NFFO 3 projects were to go forward. Two of the existing projects have secured a beneficial use for the reject heat through combined heat and power operation, and developers of six of the NFFO 3 projects have declared their intention to do likewise.

  Nuclear Power Industry (Subsidy)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total Government subsidy to the nuclear power industry in the United Kingdom for each year from 1979 to 1994; and what is planned for each year up to 1998, expressed in 1993 prices.

  Mr. Eggar
  No Government subsidies have been paid to Nuclear Electric plc or British Nuclear Fuels plc and none is at present planned. There is no record of the Central Electricity Generating Board having received nuclear specific subsidies from Government covering the period from 1979 when they were responsible for nuclear power generation. Both NE and BNFL are recipients of the fossil fuel levy paid by electricity suppliers in England and Wales. The Government have, however, been the customer for research and development and other programmes undertaken by the Atomic Energy Authority. It funds those programmes and the consequences of those programmes.

  Ministerial responsibility for Scottish Nuclear Limited rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Nuclear Review
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he intends to place in the Library copies of the reports commissioned from consultants in connection with the nuclear review when they are completed.
  594
  Mr. Eggar
  As was made clear in announcing the terms of reference for the review, the reports themselves will not be placed in the Library of the House. However, the announcement of the conclusions of the review will be supported by the facts and analysis of the facts relevant to our decisions.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the costs of consultants commissioned in connection with the nuclear review.

  Mr. Eggar
  This information is commercially confidential.

  Child Labour
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will study the report sent to him by the hon. Member for Thurrock detailing the exploitation of child factory workers by the Medonna Company of Tirapur in Tamil Nadu whose products are imported into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement as to what powers he has to(a) prevent this exploitation and (b) prevent such imports.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has received no such report.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what powers he has to prevent the importation of garments from third-world countries which have been produced wholly or in part by workers being paid low wages or by child labour; and if he will make a statement;

  (2) if he will raise with European Union Ministers the need to halt imports of products into the European Union that have been produced by the extensive use of child labour in third-world countries; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Government work consistently to promote ratification and observance of international agreements to curb the use of child labour. However, the practice primarily reflects poverty. It is more likely to be ended by maintaining open international trade so as to strengthen the economies of the countries concerned rather than by imposing import bans which would anyway face severe legal and practical difficulties. As to wage levels, these vary around the world and give poorer countries a competitive advantage in international markets. It is hard to see how they would be helped by import bans which would deny them this benefit.

  Mercury Communications (Promotional Offer)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what complaints his office has received about unfair trading practices from the competitors of Mercury Communications about its One-2-One promotional offer to new subscribers of free telephone calls on Christmas day; if he will refer this to the Office of Fair Trading; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I have received no complaints from competitors of Mercury One-2-One about its Christmas day offer. Representations regarding unfair trading practices would be a matter for the Director General of Telecommunications.

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade in which member states of the EC the prices of electricity
  595
  used by the engineering steel industry are lower than that paid in the United Kingdom; and what is his estimate of the difference between the price paid by this industry in the United Kingdom and the average in other EC states.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: Information on the price of electricity used by individual industries such as engineering steel are not collected centrally by the Department of Trade and Industry, nor by the Statistical Office of the European Communities. The latest data published by the EC, which refer to prices at 1 July 1994, shows that for the majority of industrial customers, United Kingdom prices are amongst the lowest in Europe.

  Prices data are taken from the latest Eurostat publication, "Rapid Reports—Energy and Industry 1994/33". Copies of these reports are held in the Library of the House. Data refer to 1 July 1994 and cover electricity prices for a number of levels of consumption. Generally United Kingdom electricity prices including all taxes and duties except VAT are among the lowest in Europe. For example:

  for consumers of 30,000 kWh a year, nine of the other 11 member states had higher prices than the UK;

  for consumers of 2 GWh a year, eight of the other 11 member states had higher prices than the UK; and

  for consumers of 50 GWh a year, nine of the other 11 member states had higher prices than the UK.

  Arms Exhibitions
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the overseas arms exhibitions with which Her Majesty's Government have assisted in the past year.

  Mr. Freeman
  I have been asked to reply. In the past year the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade and Industry have participated in the following overseas defence exhibitions in support of the UK defence industry's sales and marketing activities:

  Asian Aerospace 94, Singapore—February 1994

  Association of United States Army, Florida—February and October 1994

  Defence Services Asia, Kuala Lumpur—April 1994

  Indepo, Dubai—May 1994

  Eurosatory 94, Paris—June 1994

  1st International Remote Sensing Conference (Open Skies), Strasbourg—September 1994

  Defendory, Athens—October 1994

  Euronaval, Paris—October 1994

  European Funds (Payments)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total amount of money from(a) the European regional development fund and (b) the European social fund which has been paid in each financial year between 1988–89 and 1993–94 to all local authorities within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Charles Wardle
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: Following is the information:
  596

  £ million

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  ERDF

  278

  319

  329

  507

  768

  679

  ESF

  34

  93

  111

  134

  154

  188

  Total

  312

  412

  440

  641

  922

  867

TREASURY

  Central Statistical Office
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy towards the further development of the CSO.

  Mr. Nelson
  The Central Statistical Office publishes annually its future work plans in its "Programme Strategies". The most recent relates to the period 1994—95 to 1996—97. These plans are rolled forward each year and are revised in line with changes in expenditure provision and business needs.

  I announced in a written answer to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks), 18 November 1994, Official Report, column 12, that a review of the basis on which the Central Statistical Office has been operating as an agency would be conducted. This review is now underway and, if it recommends that the Central Statistical Office should continue as an agency, then a framework document will be drawn up.

  I refer also to the answer that the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for Southport earlier today in which he announced that he has commissioned work to assess the benefits that would arise from merging the Central Statistical Office with the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. The results of this assessment would be taken into account in any new framework document.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the real increase in expenditure on central Government annual debt interest between 1991–92 and 1996–97; and to what this amount would equate approximately in terms of additional pence on the basic rate of income tax.

  Mr. Aitken
  Central Government debt interest payments are projected to increase from £16.2 billion in 1991—92 to £26.0 billion in 1996—97, in cash terms. In 1993—94 prices this represents an increase of £6.7 billion.

  At 1996—97 income levels the yield in a full year from an increase of one penny in the basic rate of income tax is expected to be about £2 billion.

  Government Statistics
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take to improve the co-ordination and dissemination of Government statistics.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke:
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and I have agreed that the London-based staff of the Central Statistical Office and the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys should be
  597
  located together at Drummond Gate, Pimlico, subject to the satisfactory completion of negotiations on the lease of the buildings in question. We expect them to move there during the latter part of 1995.

  The purpose of these moves, which involve the two main statistics collecting arms of the Government Statistical Service, is to improve the efficiency and quality of Government statistics. Because of the concentration and range of skills at the new location, it will become easier to make further progress in bringing together the massive amount of statistical data currently existing in government, relating them in a meaningful way, and making them more readily available both within government and to the community generally in accordance with the thrust of open government. The co-ordination of government statistics will be improved as it will be easier to develop common standards, classifications and definitions, for use not only by CSO and OPCS but by the rest of the GSS.

  CSO and OPCS will remain separate organisations accountable to myself and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health respectively. However, as well as collaborating closely on statistical issues, they will increase efficiency by sharing services wherever possible.

  My right hon. Friend and I have commissioned further work to establish what additional benefits would arise from merging the two organisations, and to assess whether these, coupled with other GSS developments, would justify a merger. The intention is that, if a merger were agreed, it should take effect from 1 April 1996.

  The arrangements for any merger would fully protect the interests of both organisations' customers, and of those who supply information to them.

  OPCS's public search room will remain in St Catherine's house. It will need to move to alternative accommodation in central London before the current lease on St Catherine's house expires in 1999.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the individuals appointed by his Department to public positions in the last year were first identified by the public appointments unit.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 17 January 1995]: Twelve.

  Manufacturing Exports
  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.
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OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  East Tibet
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the European Union development project in east Tibet in respect of its impact on(a) Tibetan culture, (b) groundwater pollution and (c) birth deformities; if he will object to the continuation of aid for this project; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had a number of representations about the Pa Nam integrated rural development project in Tibet. Before these representations were received, officials had asked the European Commission to strengthen the conditions for EU funding, to ensure it benefited local Tibetans and incorporated an environmental impact assessment.

  The project includes an irrigation scheme, funded by the Chinese Government, on which work has already begun. Suspending EU support would not stop the scheme, but would delay implementation of social components designed to ameliorate its impact on local Tibetans.

  Official Travel
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what categories of spouses and children of Overseas Development Administration officials travel(a) economy, (b) business or club class and (c) first class when their air travel is paid for by the ODA.

  Mr. Goodlad
  [holding answer 20 December 1994]: When a spouse and dependant children accompany an officer at public expense, air travel for leave purposes is normally economy class, holiday visit passages for children who remain at school in the United Kingdom are normally APEX class, and travel at the start and end of tours is normally business class.

  African Development Bank
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what annual contribution was made, in each year since 1990, by Her Majesty's Government to the funds of the African development bank; how much any of these funds have been used to finance the RTZ mining project in Madagascar; what assessment he has made of the compatibility of this project with the development policies of Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 17 January 1995]: Annual United Kingdom payments to the African Development bank and fund since 1990–91 were as follows:

  £000

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  AfDB

  1,507

  1,426

  1,490

  1,771

  AfDF

  10,758

  11,617

  15,382

  18,055

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  We have been assured that the African development bank group has no involvement whatever in the Madagascar project referred to.

  Mine-clearing Operations
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to increase co-operation with the UN for the immediate expansion of mine-clearing operations.

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: Most of the £7.1 million we have allocated to mine clearance work over the last three years has been in support of United Nations or UN co-ordinated programmes. We therefore stand ready to provide appropriate support to the new mines action unit of the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs in its mission to accelerate the process of land mine clearance.

  Eritrea Refugees
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made by the UN in repatriating Eritrean refugees in Sudan; and what impact the recent breakdown of diplomatic relations between Eritrea and Sudan has had upon this.

  Mr. Baldry
  Since November 1994, the UNHCR has repatriated about 8,700 Eritrean refugees from Sudan. About 16,000 remain to be returned as part of the first phase of the repatriation programme. The recent break in diplomatic relations has not had a major impact on the programme, although it has led to increased security measures in the border area.

  Real fare indices (1984–85=100)

  Financial year

  London Buses

  London Underground

  London Transport

  Network South East

  British Rail

  1984–85

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  1985–86

  102.5

  101.3

  101.7

  101.2

  100.9

  1986–87

  105.2

  103.8

  104.1

  104.9

  105.1

  1987–88

  106.1

  106.1

  105.9

  106.1

  106.5

  1988–89

  111.0

  110.5

  110.1

  107.1

  107.7

  1989–90

  113.6

  113.8

  113.2

  107.7

  107.9

  1990–91

  114.2

  115.4

  114.4

  108.2

  108.4

  1991–92

  119.5

  121.1

  119.8

  113.1

  113.0

  1992–93

  124.9

  126.5

  125.2

  118.1

  117.2

  1993–94

  132.6

  133.9

  132.7

  125.1

  122.0

  1994–95

  1n/a

  1n/a

  1n/a

  1n/a

  1n/a

  Actual fares indices (1984–85=100)

  Financial year

  London Buses

  London Underground

  London Transport

  Network South East

  British Rail

  1984–85

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  100.0

  1985–86

  108.6

  107.2

  107.7

  107.2

  106.9

  1986–87

  115.0

  113.4

  113.7

  114.7

  114.9

  1987–88

  120.6

  120.6

  120.3

  120.6

  121.1

  1988–89

  133.7

  133.1

  132.7

  129.0

  129.8

  1989–90

  147.5

  147.8

  147.1

  140.0

  140.1

  1990–91

  162.6

  164.4

  163

  154.1

  154.4

  600

TRANSPORT

  Public Transport Fares (London)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list(a) the annual percentage change and (b) the increase in child fares on London Transport in each year since 1985–86, taking 1984–85 as the base and showing the increase in both actual and real terms.

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is shown in the table, for child ordinary fares only. The information is not available for child season tickets, travel cards and passes.

  Child ordinary fares on London Transport

  Annual percentage

  Fares index (1984–85=100)

  change

  Actual

  Real terms

  1984–85

  100.0

  100.0

  1985–86

  18.2

  118.2

  111.6

  1986–87

  0.8

  119.1

  109.0

  1987–88

  8.0

  128.6

  113.1

  1988–89

  19.5

  153.7

  127.6

  1989–90

  18.7

  182.5

  140.5

  1990–91

  9.2

  199.3

  139.9

  1991–92

  16.4

  231.9

  155.4

  1992–93

  9.8

  254.7

  165.4

  1993–94

  3.8

  264.4

  168.8

  1994–95

  2.3

  270.4

  n/a

  n/a not yet available.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list(a) the annual percentage change and (b) the increase in fares on (i) London's buses, (ii) London Underground, (iii) all London Transport, (iv) Network South East and (v) British Rail in each year since 1984–85, taking 1984–85 as the base and showing the increase in both actual and real terms; and what was the annual rate of inflation for each of those years.

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is shown in the tables:
  601

  Actual fares indices (1984–85=100)

  Financial year

  London Buses

  London Underground

  London Transport

  Network South East

  British Rail

  1991–92

  178.2

  180.7

  178.8

  168.8

  168.7

  1992–93

  192.2

  194.7

  192.7

  181.8

  180.4

  1993–94

  207.6

  209.6

  207.7

  195.8

  191.0

  1994–95

  219.6

  221.8

  219.8

  1n/a

  1n/a

  Annual percentage increases in fares (actual prices)

  Financial year

  London Buses

  London Underground

  London Transport

  Network South East

  British Rail

  Rate of inflation

  1985–86

  8.6

  7.2

  7.7

  7.2

  6.9

  5.9

  1986–87

  5.9

  5.7

  5.6

  7.0

  7.5

  3.2

  1987–88

  4.9

  6.4

  5.8

  5.2

  5.4

  4.0

  1988–89

  10.8

  10.3

  10.3

  7.0

  7.1

  6.0

  1989–90

  10.3

  11.1

  10.8

  8.5

  8.0

  7.8

  1990–91

  10.3

  11.2

  10.8

  10.1

  10.2

  9.7

  1991–92

  9.6

  9.9

  9.7

  9.5

  9.2

  4.7

  1992–93

  7.9

  7.8

  7.8

  7.7

  6.9

  3.2

  1993–94

  8.0

  7.6

  7.8

  7.7

  5.9

  1.7

  1994–95

  5.8

  5.8

  5.8

  1n/a

  1n/a

  1n/a

  1 not yet available

  Road Works (Footway Provision)
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is his Department's policy and how it is conveyed in contracts regarding action to be taken in the absence of compliance with contract requirements regarding maintaining a safe, clear and well directed footway system through or around all road works; and how this is different from the requirements of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991;

  (2) what is his policy, and how it is conveyed in contracts, in requiring a safe, clear and well directed footway system to be maintained through or around all road works.

  Mr. Norris
  These are operational matters for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Laurie Haynes to Mr Andrew Rowe, dated 19 January 1995:
  You have asked two questions of the Secretary of State for Transport about his Department's policy and how it is conveyed in contracts. The first concerns the contractual requirements for a safe clear and well directed footway system to be maintained through or around all road works and the second asks what action would be taken if these are not complied with and how they differ from those the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. As these are operational matters for the Highways Agency, I have been asked to reply.
  The Specification for Highways Works sets out the detailed requirements to be included in a contract for the provision of pedestrian facilities during construction. These are contained within Clauses 117: Traffic Safety and Management and Clause 118: Temporary Diversions for Traffic. Additionally detailed provisions for a particular contract are given in numbered appendices 1/17, 1/18 and on the scheme drawings.
  Under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, the Secretary of State has issued the Code of Practice, Safety at Street Works and Roadwork which sets out the requirements regarding the policy for maintaining a safe, clear and well directed footway system through roadworks. This Code clearly sets out the necessary action that a contractor has to take to ensure that the footway is defined. While this Code applies to undertakers' works carried out by or on behalf of the highway authority, the Department recommends that all those concerned with such works follow its advice.
  There is no significant difference between the requirements laid down by the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 and those
  602
  required of the contractor as he is obliged to comply with the contract requirements and all relevant statutes. His activities are monitored by the Engineer, appointed by the Agency. to administer the contract, and his Resident Engineer. They have wide powers to draw the contractor's attention to any failure to comply with requirements and to issue instructions and directions to put matters right.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the total Government expenditure on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for each year since 1979 in 1993 prices.

  Mr. Norris
  Gross voted expenditure by DVLA—formerly DVLD—revalued to 1993–94 prices was:

  £ millions

  1979–80

  122

  1980–81

  139

  1981–82

  140

  1982–83

  135

  1983–84

  169

  1984–85

  163

  1985–86

  165

  1986–87

  170

  1987–88

  179

  1988–89

  173

  1989–90

  179

  1990–91

  188

  1991–92

  187

  1992–93

  188

  1993–94

  188

  During this period DVLA's range of responsibilities increased significantly.
  603

  Private Finance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reductions there have been in his departmental budget, for any element of his departmental budget, or each of the years(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96, (c) 1996–97, (d) 1997–98 or (e) 1998–99 as a consequence of assumptions about attracting private finance through (i) the private finance initiative and (ii) elsewhere; and what is the monetary detail underlying any such adjustments.

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The Department's budget is not subject to any specific adjustment to reflect private sector funding.

  Inland Waterways
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action is being taken to ensure that the use of commercial waterways for freight purposes is not prejudiced by recreational activity; and what steps are being taken to maintain high standards of safety on such waterways.

  Mr. Norris
  The Marine Safety Agency is responsible for the oversight of safety of navigation on inland waters for recreational purposes, through the district marine safety committee. British Waterways, which continues to promote both commercial and recreational use of the canal network, works closely with the district marine safety committees to ensure that safety is given the highest priority.

  Concessionary Travel
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 17 January Official Report, column 416, what assessment he has made of the scheme agreed between the London boroughs and London Transport for the provision of travel concessions for elderly and disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Vehicle Excise Duty Exemptions
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will define electrically propelled vehicles, road construction vehicles, road rollers, snow clearing vehicles, gritting vehicles, street lighting vehicles and vehicles used for short journeys between different parts of a person's land within the meaning of his proposals to receive vehicle excise duty exemption; and if he will estimate the expected revenue from each of these categories in each of the first five years of implementation.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have been asked to reply.

  The changes to the system of exemptions and concessions to VED contained in my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor's Budget aim to bring the archaic system of exemptions and concessions up to date, to target special treatment where it is most merited, to simplify the complex current system, and to close opportunities for tax evasion. In line with these principles, the Finance Bill contains provisions such that:

  (a) electrically propelled vehicles, snow clearing vehicles and gritting vehicles will be licensed in the special concessionary class, paying VED of £35 next year;

  604

  (b) road rollers will be licensed in the special vehicles class, paying £135 or £150 depending on weight; and

  (c) road construction vehicles and vehicles currently claiming exemption because they do less than six road miles a week will license in the general tax class appropriate for the particular type of vehicle. Most vehicles doing less than six road miles a week will, in fact, move into the special concessionary class and pay £35.

  It is not possible to make precise estimates of the revenue which will be raised each year for all these classes. Estimates to the nearest £0.5 million arc as follows:

  £ million

  Electric vehicles

  1.0

  Road construction

  1.5

  Road rollers

  3.5

  Snow ploughs

  negligible

  Ice gritters

  negligible

  Street lighting

  0.5

  Short journeys

  4.0

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Angola
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has recently made to, or received from, the UNITA movement in Angola.

  Mr. Baldry
  Our missions in Lusaka and Luanda are in regular touch with representatives of UNITA. The UNITA representative in London was received at official level at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 17 January. We have taken every opportunity to urge UNITA to implement speedily the Lusaka protocol.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Angola, urging that the protocol recently signed in Lusaka is immediately and fully implemented.

  Mr. Baldry
  We have taken every suitable opportunity to urge the Angolan Government to implement fully the Lusaka protocol, and will continue to do so.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has recently made to, or received from, the Government of Angola in respect of the peace process.

  Mr. Baldry
  My noble Friend Lord Inglewood met President Dos Santos in Lusaka on 20 November in the margins of the signing ceremony of the Lusaka protocol. We subscribed to a demarche by the European Union to the Government of Angola on 10 November and to a message from the President of the Security Council to President Dos Santos on 18 November. Most recently the United Kingdom Permanent Representative to the United Nations met the Angolan Foreign Minister on 7 December.

  Rapid Reaction Force
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on
  605
  the desirability of establishing a rapid reaction force under the control of the United Nations.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have noted the UN Secretary-General's proposals in his Supplement to an Agenda for Peace, and believe that they will need to be studies closely, taking account of all the financial and operational implications.

  We believe that the key to a faster response by the UN lies in reducing the delay in member states deploying troops, especially through tackling logistic shortcomings.

  UN Peacekeeping Forces
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to improve the response times in the establishment and deployment of UN peacekeeping forces.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We support the United Nations Secretary-General's standby force planning initiative, and have provided details of British resources which could be made available to the UN on a case by case basis. We believe it is important that member states should maintain a dialogue with the UN's standby force planning team, and a British delegation will be visiting New York in the next few weeks to take this forward.

  In addition, we believe that some member states could deploy more swiftly on peacekeeping operations if they had the requisite logistic support, and support the Secretary-General's proposals in his Supplement to an Agenda for Peace for close co-operation between member states in this area.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for improving the logistical support of UN peacekeeping forces in their initial stages.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have made a series of proposals to the United Nations with a view to improving the logistic support for peacekeeping operations. In particular, it is essential that the operational and administrative staffs at the UN Secretariat coordinate fully, that requirements for the provision of logistic support are factored in to the planning at an early stage, and that arrangements for letting contracts are taken forward as soon as a decision has been taken by the Security Council to launch or expand a mission. In addition, it is essential that there should be an appropriate combination of military and commercial logistic back-up, and that decisions on expenditure should be delegated to field level whenever possible.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what lessons he has learnt from the establishing of UN peacekeeping operations in Somalia, Bosnia and Rwanda; and what steps he is taking to remedy any inadequacies or errors.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The UN operations in Somalia, Bosnia and Rwanda have been undertaken in widely differing political circumstances, and with varying degrees of security in theatre.

  Nevertheless, all these operations have demonstrated the importance of ensuring that the mandates for such missions are clear and precise; that peacekeeping operations must remain impartial and operate with the consent of the parties; that it is essential to maintain unity of command; and that the success of operations depends
  606
  on member states making available the necessary resources in terms of both personnel and funding.

  Iran
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Iran Government's reaction to the UN resolution alleging human rights violations in Iran.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Iranian Government have yet to respond substantively to the Resolution passed on 23 December 1994 by the United Nations General Assembly. We urge the Iranian Government to respond positively by improving its behaviour and reducing cause for international concern with its record. If, as they have previously stated, the Iranians contest the accuracy of the information presented by the special representative they should let him visit Iran to investigate the situation for himself.

  Israel
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Israeli Government on the effect on the peace process of expansion of Israeli settlements in areas that are the subject of negotiation with the Palestinian national authority.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We consider that all settlements in the occupied territories, including east Jerusalem, are illegal and an obstacle to peace. With our EU partners, we are in frequent contact with the Israeli Government, whom we regularly remind of their obligations under the fourth Geneva convention. The EU issued a statement on 5 January which called for the total cessation of work on settlements.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made in releasing Palestinian prisoners held by the Israelis.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  When Peres and Arafat met in Gaza on 9 January, they agreed to establish a joint committee and an Israeli ministerial panel to consider further prisoner releases. We have repeatedly called on the Israelis to speed up prisoner releases as a confidence-building measure.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs whether, under the terms of the Oslo agreement, the election of a Palestinian self-governing authority depends upon the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Article XIII of the declaration of principles on redeployment of Israeli forces states:

  1. After the entry into force of the Declaration of Principles, and not later than the eve of elections for the Council (Palestinian Interim Self-Government authority), a redeployment of Israeli military forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip will take place, in addition to the withdrawal of Israeli forces (from the Gaza Strip and Jericho Area).

  2. In redeploying its military forces, Israel will be guided by the principle that its military forces should be redeployed outside populated areas.

  607

  3. Further redeployments to specified locations will be gradually implemented commensurate with the assumption of responsibility for public order and internal security by the Palestinian police force pursuant to Article VIII above (on Public Order and Security).

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government about the desirability of holding early elections.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We have continually urged on both the Israelis and the Palestinians the importance of maintaining momentum in their negotiations over elections and the related question of redeployment in the west bank. Early elections would contribute to genuine peace in the region.

  Kenya
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from the high commission in Nairobi on the extent of ethnic clashes in the Rift valley in Kenya just before Christmas; and what the role of the Kenyan Government was in this activity.

  Mr. Baldry
  There were no clashes between different ethnic communities in the areas at that time.

  Somalia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the causes of current unrest in north-west Somalia and the impact on British organisations working in the area.

  Mr. Baldry
  It is still not clear whether the unrest was caused by outsiders trying to destabilise the Egal administration or whether there has simply been a contest of local clan interests.

  Under the state of emergency declared by the administration, all international agencies have been banned from Hargeisa until further notice. British organisations are now focussing their efforts on the humanitarian needs of the 150,000 Somalis displaced by the dispute. Operations outside Hargeisa have been largely unaffected by the unrest.

  Eritrean Refugees
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made by the UN in repatriating Eritrean refugees in Sudan; and what impact the recent breakdown of diplomatic relationships between Eritrea and Sudan has had upon this.

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  A total of 8,706 Eritrean refugees have so far been repatriated from Sudan since the beginning of the project organised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in November 1994.

  UNHCR reports that the breakdown of diplomatic relations between Sudan and Eritrea has had very little effect on the programme. It expects to repatriate a total of 25,000 refugees by the end of April this year.
  608

  EC Own Resources
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects that the 31 October 1994 Council decision on the system of the European Communities own resources will have been ratified in all member states.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have been asked to reply.

  This is a matter for the member states concerned, since under article 201 of the treaty of European Union it depends on the completion of their respective constitutional requirements. I understand that the necessary procedures are under way in most, if not all, member states and that a number are likely to complete these procedures shortly.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which member states have so far adopted the Council decision on the system of the European Communities own resources in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements as laid down under article 201 of the treaty on European Union; and on what dates.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have been asked to reply.

  I understand that three member states have so far adopted the own resources decision, in accordance with their constitutional requirements.

  Denmark: 16 December 1994;

  France: 20 December 1994; and

  United Kingdom: Royal Assent received on 16 January 1995.

  Iraqi Assets
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total current value of Iraqi assets held by the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Nelson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Kingdom does not hold any Iraqi assets. However, the Bank of England advises that the value of Iraqi assets frozen in the United Kingdom was $784,000,000 as at 30 June 1994. This figure includes private as well as Iraqi Government deposits.

PRIME MINISTER

  Worcester (Visit)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to Worcester.

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 19 January.

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I shall be having further meetings later today.
  609

  Drug Education
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to co-ordinate the Department of Trade and Industry with the Departments of Health and Education in respect of drug education and solvent abuse.

  The Prime Minister
  The Government recognise the threat of solvent abuse and, principally through our health promotion, prevention and education initiatives, are working to tackle the problem. The Department of Health has the main policy responsibility and works as necessary alongside other Departments, including as appropriate the Departments for Education, Trade and Industry, and the Home Office.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Policy Objectives
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the objectives of Her Majesty's Government's policy for Northern Ireland for 1995.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  We will continue to build on the progress already made towards securing permanent peace, economic prosperity and a widely acceptable comprehensive political settlement founded on the principles of democracy and consent.

  Criminal Justice System
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to bring the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland into line with that in the rest of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government are preparing a number of measures to improve the operation of the criminal justice system. Many of these are based upon examples and experiences from other parts of the UK while taking into account the particular needs of Northern Ireland.

  Fair Employment
  Ms Church
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reform the Fair Employment Act 1989.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will review the case for additional power to be given to the Fair Employment Commission.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I await the outcome of the review of employment equality in Northern Ireland now being undertaken by the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights.

  Radio Transmissions (Health and Safety)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reports he has received on the health and safety implications of radio transmissions in Crossmaglen.

  Sir John Wheeler
  A report has been received, produced by Coghill Research Laboratories and entitled,610
  "Electro Magnetic Fields and Radiation and Health in Crossmaglen".

  Illegal Weapons
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegal weapons have been recovered or surrendered since the beginning of the ceasefire.

  Sir John Wheeler
  In the period from 1 September to 31 December 1994, 31 firearms and one mortar launcher were recovered.

  Trade Union Talks
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will next meet trade union representatives to discuss the future prospects for new jobs and economic development in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he next plans to meet the Irish Congress of Trade Union to discuss the peace process.

  Mr. Ancram
  My right hon. and learned Friend expects to meet representatives of the Northern Ireland committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions soon to discuss issues raised in its recently published document, "Investing in Peace—an Interim Programme for Reconstruction".

  Fuel Prices
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the trend on fuel prices in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram:
  Statistical information on changes in fuel prices is collected on a United Kingdom-wide basis. Information on regional variations is not available.

  Post-ceasefire Talks
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions have taken place with groups representing victims of sectarian violence regarding their role in the post-ceasefire talks.

  Sir John Wheeler
  None; nor am I aware of a desire on the part of groups representing victims of violence to play such a role.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many unsuccessful(a) invalidity benefit and (b) disability living allowance applications have been appealed in the last six months.

  Mr. Moss
  In the period June 1994 to November 1994 a total of 583 invalidity benefit and 1,001 disability living allowance appeals have been received in the Social Security Agency.

  Budget Estimates
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what adjustments have been made to the Northern Ireland Office budget estimates as a consequence of the cessation of violence.

  Sir John Wheeler
  As my right hon. and learned Friend announced on 6 December, the outcome for Northern Ireland of the 1994 public expenditure survey
  611
  reflects a reallocation of some £180 million from the law and order protective and miscellaneous services vote made in the light of the terrorist ceasefires. This figure represents a major reduction in the anticipated resource requirement for criminal damage compensation payments across the survey period, and reduced expenditure on RUC overtime and is a welcome boost which will benefit important economic and social programmes.

  Any resumption of terrorist violence will, of course, require a restoration of this reallocated provision.

  Economic Development
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Northern Ireland economy.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Northern Ireland economy has performed well over the last year. Employees in employment in Northern Ireland rose by 1.2 per cent. in the year ending September 1994. Unemployment, seasonally adjusted, fell by 7.7 per cent. in the year ending November 1994. In addition, the output of Northern Ireland manufacturing industry expanded by 4.4 per cent. between the second quarter of 1993 and the second quarter of 1994.

  Irish Language
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what new proposals he has to increase the use of the Irish language.

  Mr. Ancram
  The Government seek to encourage respect for, and appreciation of, cultural diversity in Northern Ireland and to respond positively, where practical, to soundly based requests for assistance for Irish language projects. On 6 December 1994 a draft order was laid before Parliament which includes a power to enable district councils to erect street names in a second language, other than English. In practice, the second language is most likely to be Irish.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to enable students wishing to study at a non-denominational institution to train to be teachers in Irish-medium schools; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many non-denominational educational establishments currently offer courses in Irish as a main or subsidiary subject in primary phase initial teacher training; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  One.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Department of Education for Northern Ireland intends to take to improve the design and content of the BEd course in Celtic at St. Mary's College; which interest groups are being consulted; when changes are likely to be implemented; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  My Department is examining proposals from the college for a re-designed course which takes into account the views expressed by various interest groups. Changes are unlikely to be in place before September 1996.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the research projects undertaken 612
  during the past five years at St. Mary's college, Belfast into the teaching of Irish in Irish-medium schools; what public funding was provided for them; what research obligations are imposed on teacher training college lecturers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  No empirical research projects have been undertaken. There are no research obligations imposed on college lecturers.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the BEd course in Celtic at St. Mary's college, Belfast has been retained specifically for the purpose of training students to teach in Irish-medium primary schools; what percentage of this course is taught and assessed through the medium of Irish; what percentage of the teaching material is in the Irish language; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ancram
  The decision to retain the course took account of the then growing needs of the Irish-medium primary schools. All of the course is taught and assessed through the medium of Irish and approximately 80 per cent. of the teaching material is in the Irish language.

  Water Industry
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the water industry in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Moss
  The Government are committed to the privatisation of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland. However, as already announced, this will not be possible in the lifetime of the present Parliament. In the interim, as announced on 29 June 1994,Official Report, columns 550–51, it is intended to establish the Department of the Environment's Water Executive as a next steps agency not later than 1 April 1996.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is reviewing the duties and deployment of the RUC.

  Sir John Wheeler
  Operational policing is a matter for the Chief Constable, but there are no current plans to change the authorised establishment or structure of the RUC.

  Framework Document
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the publication of the framework document.

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Derbyshire North-East (Mr. Barnes) earlier today.

  Primary School Pupils
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of pupils enrolled at each controlled primary school in the constituencies of Belfast, West and Belfast, North in each of the past five years.
  613
  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is as follows:

  Enrolments

  Schools

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Belfast, West

  Blackmountain

  137

  144

  148

  135

  138

  Blythefield

  232

  252

  267

  264

  274

  Donegall Road

  258

  265

  274

  280

  280

  Fernhill

  293

  292

  267

  270

  269

  Forth River

  181

  191

  188

  195

  200

  Glencairn

  131

  134

  136

  140

  118

  Springfield

  129

  136

  151

  157

  164

  Springhill

  393

  393

  388

  404

  402

  Suffolk

  213

  177

  179

  164

  169

  Vere Foster

  315

  319

  312

  321

  305

  Belfast, North

  Ballygolan

  141

  144

  145

  151

  157

  Ballysillan

  150

  155

  168

  176

  173

  Carr's Glen

  458

  477

  472

  489

  497

  Cavehill

  370

  377

  382

  379

  372

  Cliftonville

  250

  262

  272

  269

  285

  Currie

  156

  144

  137

  141

  158

  Edenbrook

  285

  315

  345

  335

  345

  Glenwood

  551

  579

  578

  583

  582

  Grove

  309

  307

  298

  308

  273

  Ligoniel

  105

  93

  83

  82

  80

  Lowood

  321

  330

  316

  313

  302

  Seaview

  409

  429

  436

  429

  439

  Straidhavern

  40

  51

  49

  61

  73

  Wheatfield

  322

  312

  317

  318

  318

  Pensioners
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in rank order the percentage of the population of pension age and above in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The latest information is taken from the Northern Ireland 1991 census of population and is as follows:

  Parliamentary Constituency

  Percentage

  Belfast, East

  22.70

  Belfast, South

  20.56

  Belfast, North

  18.90

  North Down

  17.77

  Strangford

  16.50

  East Antrim

  16.33

  North Antrim

  15.38

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  14.79

  Belfast, West

  14.60

  South Down

  14.46

  East Londonderry

  13.56

  Upper Bann

  13.50

  Mid Ulster

  13.23

  Newry and Mourne

  13.20

  Lagan Valley

  12.62

  South Antrim

  12.01

  Foyle

  10.88

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the secretary of state for Northern Ireland if he will list in rank order the total number of people of pension age and above in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland.
  614
  Sir John Wheeler
  The latest information is taken from the Northern Ireland 1991 census of population and is as follows:

  Parliamentary constituency

  Total number

  North Down

  16,139

  South Down

  15,871

  Belfast, East

  15,616

  Strangford

  15,255

  East Londonderry

  14,919

  North Antrim

  14,712

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  14,708

  Belfast, South

  14,194

  Belfast, North

  13,920

  East Antrim

  13,811

  Mid Ulster

  13,491

  Lagan Valley

  13,157

  Newry and Mourne

  12,874

  Upper Bann

  12,675

  Foyle

  12,394

  South Antrim

  11,549

  Belfast, West

  11,262

  Housing
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by Housing Executive region the total numbers on housing waiting lists and the number of Al applicants.

  Mr. Moss
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. I am advised by its chief executive that the total numbers on the housing waiting list and the number of applicants with A1 status at 31 December 1994, by Housing Executive region, were as follows:

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive Region

  Waiting list

  A1 applicants

  Belfast

  7,297

  704

  South East

  4,257

  278

  South

  2,531

  120

  North East

  4,137

  225

  West

  4,518

  483

  Total

  22,740

  1,810

  Stormont (Fire)
  Mr. A. Cecil Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which companies have recently been carrying out refurbishment work at Parliament buildings, Stormont.

  Mr. Moss
  The main contractor for the current refurbishment scheme is McCombe Brothers (Antrim) Ltd. The nominated sub-contractors are Weir and McQuiston Ltd. for electrical services, Stothers (Mechanical and electrical) Ltd. for mechanical services and Express Lift Co for lift services.

  Downpatrick Area Plan
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to upgrade
  615
  and revise the Downpatrick area plan; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Moss
  The Department has a programme of area plan work and I regret that it will be several years before a review of the Down area plan can begin. However, the housing needs and development pressures of Downpatrick are monitored on a continuous basis and, if necessary, proposals can be considered as amendments to the existing plan.

  Ulster Museum
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the attendance figures for 1994 reported by the Ulster museum, including its outstations, with the percentage change from 1993.

  Mr. Ancram
  In 1994 a total of 269,046 people visited the Ulster museum and the Armagh county museum–an increase of 0.28 per cent. on the attendance figure for 1993.

  Driving Licences
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information will appear on the new plastic card type driving licence when it is introduced; what will be the dimensions of the card; and what plans he has to make the new style licence common throughout(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the European Community countries.

  Mr. Moss
  There has been a plastic card to accompany the NI driving licence since 1985. I will be launching a new style credit card size plastic card later this month. The information which will appear on the new style card is as follows:—surname, main forename, date and town of birth, date of expiry, driver number, sample signature and photograph of holder. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea plans to introduce a plastic card in the UK from 1 July 1996. It is up to each individual member state to decide how best to meet EU requirements on driving licences.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the original time scale for the introduction of a plastic card type driving licence in Northern Ireland; and when he now expects it to be introduced.

  Mr. Moss
  There has been a plastic photographic counterpart to accompany the Northern Ireland driving licence since 1985. A new style credit card size plastic card is being launched in Northern Ireland later this

  TEC Budgets 1991–92 1994–95

  1991–92 £ million

  1992–93 £ million

  1993–94 £ million

  1994–95 £ million

  Hampshire

  32.00

  34.13

  37.18

  35.51

  Heart of England

  10.5.0

  12.18

  12.89

  13.33

  Isle of Wight

  4.30

  4.26

  4.79

  4.55

  Kent

  31.60

  35.13

  41.17

  37.30

  Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire

  7.10

  8.04

  10.74

  10.54

  Surrey

  13.30

  13.83

  15.18

  14.72

  Sussex

  24.20

  27.16

  28.52

  28.40

  Thames Valley Enterprise

  19.60

  21.21

  29.22

  31.90

  Aztec

  11.10

  11.73

  15.76

  13.93

  Centec

  12.70

  24.24

  31.30

  28.36

  Cilntec

  9.10

  22.62

  29.24

  24.78

  London East

  28.70

  35.9

  47.73

  42.70

  616
  month. Further changes may be required to meet the requirements of the second EC directive on driver licensing which will come into effect on 1 July 1996. The final format of the licence is still under discussion.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the paper part of the Northern Ireland driving licence was increased in size when the European Communities model was introduced, and not designed so that it could be folded down to the dimensions of the former licence.

  Mr. Moss
  The size of the paper part of the NI driving licence is subject to the requirements of the first EC directive on driver licensing. It was increased in size from January 1991 to meet those requirements and to accommodate the inclusion of lorry and bus entitlements. The paper part of the NI driving licence is the same size as the GB licence. The design of the paper part so that it could fold to the dimensions of the former licence was constrained by the fact that it had to comply with the 1 st EC directive.

EMPLOYMENT

  Northern Region
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will rank, in order of the reductions of unemployment achieved, the initiatives taken by his Department in the Northern region.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government are reducing unemployment throughout the United Kingdom by following sound economic policies based on permanently low inflation, removing unnecessary regulations which obstruct job creation, and by active measures to help unemployed people. These policies have already helped reduce unemployment by more than 550,000 in the United Kingdom as a whole and by nearly 16,000 in the Northern region.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the annual budgets for each TEC for each year since their creation.

  Mr. Paice
  Funding made available to each training and enterprise council in England, for each year since their creation, for activities funded by the Employment Department, is shown in the following table:
  617

  TEC Budgets 1991–92 1994–95

  1991–92 £ million

  1992–93 £ million

  1993–94 £ million

  1994–95 £ million

  North London

  10.40

  18.92

  23.95

  22.54

  North West London

  5.80

  10.03

  14.82

  13.55

  Solotec

  18.90

  20.12

  24.12

  20.72

  South Thames

  22.10

  32.92

  47.26

  41.8

  West London

  9.80

  17.27

  21.71

  20.39

  Bedfordshire

  12.60

  11.72

  14.37

  14.89

  Cambstec

  6.60

  6.37

  8.66

  10.23

  Essex

  28.50

  35.49

  37.65

  36.14

  Greater Peterborough

  8.40

  9.30

  12.01

  12.65

  Hertfordshire

  19.20

  24.81

  27.98

  27.60

  Norfolk and Waveney

  23.90

  22.57

  27.48

  27.01

  Suffolk

  14.70

  15.54

  18.15

  20.13

  Avon

  28.60

  28.84

  34.26

  32.84

  Devon and Cornwall

  52.50

  52.47

  63.14

  52.27

  Dorset

  15.20

  16.53

  20.71

  17.87

  Gloucestershire

  12.80

  13.92

  16.49

  14.64

  Somerset

  12.50

  13.75

  15.36

  14.52

  Wiltshire

  12.30

  14.66

  17.22

  14.75

  Birmingham

  46.70

  49.77

  51.89

  41.56

  Central England

  10.90

  11.71

  12.90

  12.35

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  26.20

  25.38

  32.88

  29.88

  Dudley

  11.20

  11.72

  13.97

  12.12

  Hawtec

  10.30

  11.81

  14.66

  13.61

  Sandwell

  11.40

  11.99

  14.52

  14.04

  Shropshire

  13.40

  14.68

  16.04

  13.83

  Staffordshire

  34.00

  35.60

  40.04

  33.07

  Walsall

  10.60

  9.99

  11.49

  9.37

  Wolverhampton

  11.50

  12.12

  13.59

  11.68

  Greater Nottingham

  20.90

  20.98

  25.64

  22.42

  Leicester

  25.40

  26.21

  28.84

  25.27

  Lincolnshire

  19.20

  20.70

  28.46

  25.76

  North Derbyshire

  11.20

  10.58

  12.92

  11.91

  North Nottinghamshire

  17.50

  17.12

  18.74

  18.00

  Northamptonshire

  12.80

  13.76

  15.54

  14.45

  Southern Derbyshire

  17.80

  18.33

  20.50

  18.68

  Barnsley and Doncaster

  27.30

  25.08

  33.01

  27.58

  Bradford and District

  19.20

  20.75

  23.77

  19.21

  Calderdale and Kirkless

  21.40

  21.39

  30.75

  23.31

  Humberside

  37.60

  37.77

  42.40

  37.28

  Leeds

  22.50

  21.34

  27.48

  22.41

  North Yorkshire

  17.40

  17.56

  20.21

  17.96

  Rotherham

  12.50

  12.54

  15.11

  12.37

  Sheffield

  27.50

  23.38

  30.90

  25.35

  Wakefield

  12.60

  12.54

  15.39

  12.72

  Bolton and Bury

  13.50

  14.38

  16.90

  15.31

  Cumbria

  18.60

  17.68

  20.33

  19.13

  Eltec (East Lancashire)

  18.00

  18.80

  23.18

  20.94

  Lawtec (Lancashire West)

  26.80

  28.35

  33.69

  30.76

  Manchester

  39.10

  39.31

  46.00

  41.37

  Metrotec Ltd (Wigan)

  12.00

  11.29

  13.01

  12.41

  Normidtec

  11.82

  14.57

  17.63

  15.91

  Oldham

  9.10

  9.19

  10.60

  9.62

  Rochdale

  7.80

  8.87

  11.09

  10.34

  South and East Cheshire

  11.10

  12.83

  16.12

  14.86

  Stockport/High Peak

  9.90

  10.47

  12.82

  11.52

  Cewtec

  22.30

  20.96

  26.45

  22.85

  Merseyside

  40.10

  51.00

  68.49

  53.29

  Qualitec

  9.60

  9.83

  12.71

  9.38

  County Durham

  34.70

  30.09

  36.03

  29.22

  Northumberland

  15.30

  15.28

  18.08

  15.13

  Sunderland City

  21.40

  18.47

  24.23

  20.02

  Teesside

  35.50

  33.48

  41.00

  34.5

  Tyneside

  45.80

  40.45

  52.46

  45.19

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the latest available information on entrants who have entered(a) community action and (b) training for work by (i) whether male or female, (ii) duration of employment, (iii) ethnic origin and (iv)
  618
  whether they have a disability, for each region and for Great Britain as a whole.

  Miss Widdecombe
  As the information is contained in a number of tables, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library.
  619

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the percentage of(a) men and (b) women who are currently unemployed for each year between the ages of 40 and 50 years.

  Miss Widdecombe
  The latest information is given in the following tables:

  ILO Unemployment Rates: By Age and Sex, Great Britain Summer 1994

  Percentages

  Age

  Males

  Females

  40

  7.9

  3.6

  41

  7.0

  4.6

  42

  7.9

  4.4

  43

  7.9

  5.2

  44

  8.0

  4.6

  45

  6.0

  4.2

  46

  7.9

  6.3

  47

  6.4

  4.8

  48

  7.3

  4.3

  49

  7.2

  4.4

  50

  8.4

  3.3

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey.

  Claimant Unemployment Rates: By Age and Sex, United Kingdom 1994

  Percentages

  Age

  Males

  Females

  40–49

  8.8

  3.1

  Source:

  Employment Gazette.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many individuals unemployed in the years 1979, 1985 and 1994 were previously self-employed.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Latest estimates from the summer 1994 Labour Force Survey for Great Britain show that there were 235,000 people who were ILO unemployed and who reported their employment status in their last job as being self-employed. Comparable figures for 1979 and 1985 are not available.

  Unemployed Persons (Mortgages)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many individuals who became unemployed in each year from 1979 to 1994 were previously self-employed with mortgages outstanding on their homes.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The available information from the summer 1994 Labour Force Survey for Great Britain shows that there were 92,000 ILO unemployed people, resident in households buying their accommodation with a mortgage or loan, who reported their employment status in their last job as self-employed. Equivalent figures for summer 1993 and summer 1992 are 121,000 and 114,000 respectively. No comparable figures are available prior to 1992.
  620

  Objective 3 Funding
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he will publish local authorities' allocations of funds from the European social fund objective 3; and if he will make a statement.

  Miss Widdecombe
  Allocation of funds for objective 3 of the European social fund for 1995, on the basis earlier agreed by the objective 3 monitoring committee, were notified to sector managers and members of the monitoring committee, which includes local authority representatives, earlier this month.

  South Thames Training and Enterprise Council
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will list the unsecured and secured creditors being dealt with by the receiver for the South Thames training and enterprise council;

  (2) if he will list the names of individuals and organisations who are creditors of South Thames TEC in (a) the parliamentary constituency of Lewisham, Deptford and (b) the London borough of Lewisham.

  Mr. Paice
  The only secured creditor for South Thames training and enterprise council is the Employment Department. Other creditors are a matter for the receiver and I understand that he is assembling a list.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were undergoing training on programmes contracted for by South Thames TEC on 1 December 1994 and 1 January 1995 in the constituency of Lewisham, Deptford, in the London borough of Lewisham, and in total.

  Mr. Paice
  This information is available only for the South Thames area as a whole. It is not broken down by constituency or borough. Figures for the South Thames area are shown in the following table:

  South Thames training and enterprise council—Estimated trainees for the boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich

  Date

  Number

  Youth training and training credits

  4 December 1994

  2,750

  1 January 1995

  2,693

  Training for work

  4 December 1994

  3,359

  1 January 1995

  3,316

  Total

  4 December 1994

  6,109

  1 January 1995

  6,009

  The figures are subject to final submission and verification of all accounting period 9 and 10 claims.
  621
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed by the South Thames TEC on 1 September 1994, 1 December 1994 and 1 January 1995.

  Mr. Paice
  I understand that South Thames training and enterprise council had 162 employees on 1 September 1994, 162 employees on 1 December 1994 and 128 employees on 1 January 1995.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the number of people employed by training providers and business support programmes which were party to South Thames TEC contracts as of 1 December 1994 in(a) the parliamentary constituency of Lewisham, Deptford and (b) the London borough of Lewisham.

  Mr. Paice
  This information is not collected either by South Thames training and enterprise council or by the Employment Department.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 16 January to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison),Official Report, column 331, if he will list the providers of training and business support programmes within the area covered by the South Thames TEC to whom letters of comfort have been issued, and those to whom no such letters have been sent.

  Mr. Paice
  As the information is contained in a large list, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library.

  Employment Regulations
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what representation he has made to the EEC about the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981; and when he expects a response;

  (2) what are the implications for the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 of the revision of the definition of undertakings, with particular reference to compulsory competitive tendering;

  (3) what proposals he has to recognise those contractual liabilities arising from redundancy liabilities under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 which may be incapable of being passed to incoming contractors if the regulations are changed.

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Various representations have been made to the European Commission about the 1977 acquired rights directive, to which the regulations give effect, including concerns about its application to the contracting out of activities and the damaging effect it may have on the rescue of insolvent businesses. In September the Commission produced a proposal to amend the 1977 directive which aimed, inter alia, to distinguish between the transfer of only an activity of an undertaking and the genuine transfer of an undertaking; and to provide for greater flexibility in insolvency situations.

  The proposal is still under discussion. It is too early to say when agreement will be reached or what changes to the regulations, or transitional arrangements, may be required.
  622

SOCIAL SECURITY

  War Pensions
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what resources he has allocated to the War Pensions Agency to ensure that welfare officers have advised all disabled war pensioners of their statutory rights concerning disregard on local authority charges.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Joan Walley, dated 18 January 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about resources allocated to ensure that the War Pensions Agency Welfare Officers advise all disabled war pensioners of their statutory rights concerning disregards on local authority charges.
  It is incumbent upon welfare officers to provide a professional and effective advice service to all disabled war pensioners with whom they come into contact. As part of that service, welfare officers would normally cover advice regarding statutory rights concerning disregards on local authority charges. In addition, information on the statutory rights to disregard of local authority charges is contained in leaflets issued to all successful claimants to War Pension, under standard procedures.
  The exact information you request on the resources allocated to this specific activity is not available, as resources are not allocated on an individual advice item basis. I can however tell you that the total resources allocated to the welfare service during the current year, which include this area of advice, is £5.6 million.
  I hope you find my reply helpful.

  Mortgage Internet Payments
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the annual cost of mortgage interest payments to people in receipt of income support.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The estimated annual amount of mortgage interest included in the assessment for people in receipt of income support is £1,082 million—source: income support statistical inquiry February 1994.

  Doncaster and Mexborough Benefit Offices
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list for the Doncaster and Mexborough benefit offices how many claims for assistance from the social fund have been made during each of the last 12 months; and what the figure was for each year since 1990;

  (2) what is the current average length of time taken to decide on an application for assistance from the social fund (a) nationally and (b) at each of the Benefits Agency offices in the Doncaster and Mexborough area.

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

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 18 January 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking for details of the number of claims made to the Social Fund (SF) and the current average clearance times for these applications both nationally and in the Benefits Agency's Doncaster and Mexborough offices.

  623
  Although information is available relating to Doncaster, information relating specifically to Mexborough is not available in the exact format requested. Prior to the formation of the Benefits Agency in April 1991 Mexborough formed part of Rotherham South. Figures have therefore been provided at Annex A for the total number of applications to the SF in 1990/91 for both Doncaster and Rotherham South. From april 1991 Mexborough became one of four offices making up the Rother and Dearne District and information has been provided at Annex B for the total number of claims to the SF from 1991/92 to 1993/94 at Doncaster and Rother and Dearne Districts.
  At Annex C I have provided figures for the number of claims to the SF at the Doncaster and Rother and Dearne Districts in each of the last twelve months.
  It is not possible to provide the current average length of time taken to decide an application for assistance from the SF because statistics are not collated in this way. However, I have provided at Annex D figures showing the percentage of claims cleared within two varying timescales; these are provided at a national level and for the Doncaster and Rother and Dearne Districts.
  Copies of all the Annexes have been place in the Library.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what number and proportion of all pensioners had no income from any source other than from state benefits for each year since 1990.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is in the table.

  Proportion of pensioners with net income below half the contemporary average for the whole population

  1979

  1981

  1987

  1988–89

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Single pensioners

  BHC

  (16)

  (9)

  (23)

  (31)

  (34)

  (29)

  AHC

  (12)

  (8)

  (22)

  (42)

  (44)

  (40)

  Pensioner couples

  BHC

  (16)

  (11)

  (20)

  32

  33

  29

  AHC

  (21)

  (16)

  26

  33

  31

  28

  Notes:

  1. Analysis is based on equivalised household income from the households below average income series. Estimates in brackets () are particularly sensitive to the choice of equivalence scale used. The results for single pensioners, for any one period of time, are highly sensitive to the assumptions employed in adjusting income for household size. For example, the BHC figure for single pensioners in 1979 of 16 per cent. could, on alternative assumptions, be anywhere between 3 per cent. and 53 per cent. The picture of changes over time is not so sensitive to the choice of assumptions. For more information on this see appendix 4 of "Households Below Average Income: a statistical analysis 1979–1991/92", a copy of which is in the Library.

  2. BHC means before housing costs; AHC means after housing costs.

  3. 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92 refers to data from the combined calendar years eg. 1988–89 means 1988 and 1989 combined.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much the state pension for(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples would have been in April 1995 had the pension been uprated in line with the higher of the retail price index or earnings since 1980.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  It is estimated that the weekly rate of category A basic retirement pension would be £79.45 from April 1995 and the combined rate of category A and category B basic retirement pension payable to a couple would be £127.15 if the rates had been increased in line with the higher of earnings or prices since 1980.1 Expenditure on retirement pension would, as a result, be increased by an estimated £9.7 billion in the 1995–96 financial year.2
  624

  All pensioner units with no income from any source other than State benefits

  Year

  Number million

  Proportion per cent

  1990

  1.1

  16

  1990–91

  1

  15

  1992

  1.1

  15

  Notes:

  1. Estimates taken from the family expenditure surveys 1990, 1990–91 and 1992.

  2. Figures for 1990 and 1991 were combined due to sample size problems.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioner households has been dependent on state benefits for at least 50 per cent of their income for each year since 1990.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The percentage of pensioner units dependant on state benefits for at least 50 per cent of their income was 71 per cent in 1990 70 per cent in 1990–91 and 70 per cent in 1992.

  Note:

  1.Estimates taken from the family expernditure surveys 1990,1990–and 1992.

  2.Figures for 1990 and 1991 were combined due to sample size problems.

  3.Pensioner units are defined as single people over state pension age and couples in which the husband is over state pension age.

  Mr.Bowden
  To ask the secretary of state for social security what proportion of(a) singal pensioners and (b) pensioner couples had income below one half of average household income in each year since 1979.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Consistent estimates are available for the years shown in the table.

  Notes:

  1 Estimates provided by Department of Social Security, analytical services division—in each step of the calculation the benefits have been rounded to the nearest 5p;

  the retail price index (all items) as published by the Central Statistical Office has been used for prices uprating;

  earnings upratings have been calculated on the basis of the Employment Department's average earnings index (whole economy unadjusted) as amalgamated in the abstract of statistics published by the Department of Social Security, analytical services division.

  2Estimate provided by the Government Actuary's department based on benefit rates calculated as per note 1.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioner households has been dependent on state benefits for at least 75 per cent. of their income for each year since 1990.
  625
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The percentage of pensioner units dependant on state benefits for at least 75 per cent. of their income was 50 per cent. in each of the years 1990, 1990–91 and 1992.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates taken from the family expenditure surveys 1990,1990–1 and 1992.

  2. Figures for 1990 and 1991 were combined due to sample size problems.

  3. Pensioner units are defined as single people over state pension age and couples in which the husband is over state pension age.

  Mr. Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what proportion of all pensioners, single pensioners and pensioner couples have total incomes of(a) £1, (b) £2, (c) £3, (d) £4 and (e) £5 above income support levels.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is in the tables.

  Table 1: The number of pensioner benefit units with incomes in ranges up to £5 above income support (IS) threshold

  000s

  Range

  Single pensioners

  Pensioner couples

  All pensioners

  £0—£1

  40

  20

  55

  £1—£2

  50

  30

  85

  £2—£3

  65

  25

  90

  £3—£4

  55

  25

  80

  £4—£5

  45

  25

  75

  Table 2: Proportion of pension ranges up to £5 above income support (IS) thresholds

  Percentage

  Range

  Proportion of all single pensioners

  Proportion of all pensioner couples

  Proportion of all pensioners

  £0—£1

  1

  1

  1

  £1—£2

  1

  1

  1

  £2—£3

  1

  1

  1

  £3—£4

  1

  1

  1

  £4—£5

  1

  1

  1

  Notes:

  1. Caseloads figures have been rounded to the nearest 5,000, and the percentages have been rounded to the nearest percentage point.

  2. The figures may not sum due to rounding.

  3. A pensioner benefit unit is based on the pensions definition of a pensioner which is:

  (i) Single pensioner—a single male aged 65 or over or a single female aged 60 or over

  (ii) Pensioner couple—a couple where the husband is over state pension age.

  4. Estimates are modelled results using data drawn from the 1990, 1991,1992 family expenditure survey, uprated to 1994–95 prices and benefit levels.

  5. The definitions of income used in the tables is income taken into account for IS purposes and excludes certain types of income, such as, attendance allowance, housing benefit and the portion of war pensions covered by IS disregards.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many social fund funeral payments were(a) claimed and (b) awarded in Blyth Valley in each year since 1989.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief 626
  executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Ronnie Campbell, dated 18 January 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of funeral payments claimed and awarded in Blyth Valley.
  Information is not available for 1989–90 and has therefore been provided at Annex A from 1990–91. With the formation of the Benefits Agency in April 1991 Blyth office became one of four offices making up the Northumberland District. Although information has been provided relating specifically to Blyth for 1990–91, from 1991–92 such information is not available and has therefore been provided for the Northumberland District.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Annex A

  Applications and awards for funeral payments at Blyth Local Office

  Local office

  Year

  Application type

  Number of application

  Number of awards

  Blyth

  1990–91

  Funeral payment

  88

  59

  Applications and awards for funeral payments at Northumberland district

  District

  Year

  Application type

  Number of Applications

  Number of Awards

  Northumberland

  1991–92

  Funeral payment

  270

  196

  1992–93

  Funeral payment

  312

  228

  1993–94

  Funeral payment

  376

  292

  Pensioners' Savings
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what weekly income pensioners with more than £3,000 savings are deemed to be receiving therefrom; and what assumptions as to interest rates lie behind this calculation.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  For income support claims, a deduction from benefit of £1 a week is made for each £250, or part of £250, held above £3,000 up to the upper capital limit of £8,000. Similar rules apply in housing benefit and council tax benefit, but the effect of the tapers which apply to those benefits means that housing benefit is only reduced by 65p and council tax benefit by 20p for each £1 above a set level. Additionally, a higher upper capital limit of £16,000 applies in housing benefit and council tax benefit. The formula for taking account of capital above £3,000 does not imply any particular return on investments. It ensures that help is targeted on those with the least resources, while not entirely denying help to those with moderate capital.

  Child Support
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will respond to the report of the Fifth report of the Social Security Committee, Session 1993–94, HC 470, on the operation of the Child Support Act 1991; and if he will make a statement.
  627
  Mr. Burt
  We have considered carefully the recent report of the Social Security Select Committee and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will make an announcement shortly.

  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to receive the report of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration on the operations of the Child Support Agency; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Burt
  I have received the report today, and I am considering it carefully. While I am disappointed that the agency has not met the standards of efficiency and administration it would have wished, I note that the ombudsman recognises that steps have been taken in all cases he investigated to avoid a repetition of errors. Measures to improve quality, accuracy and customer service will be an important component of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's response to the Social Security Select Committee.

  HIV/AIDS (Discrimination)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list organisations representing people with HIV/AIDS who responded to his Department's consultation on Government measures to tackle discrimination against disabled people.

  Mr. Hague
  Over 1,100 responses to the consultation document were received, including those from the following organisations: the Terrence Higgins Trust; United Kingdom Forum on HIV and Human Rights; National Network of Body Positive Groups; the Scottish AIDS Monitor; AIDS and Housing Project; Blackliners; Positively Women and the Cambridge AIDS Helpline.

  Housing Benefit
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how housing benefit transitional payments will be treated from April.

  Mr. Roger Evans
  With fewer than 4,000 people expected to remain eligible for housing benefit transitional payments from April 1995, we have decided to convert future potential payments to lump sums. These payments will be made as soon as possible after 5 April. The transitional payments unit in Glasgow will then close.

  Disabled People (Discrimination)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish an analysis of the responses to the Governments' recent consultation document on discrimination against disabled people.

  Mr. Hague
  I have today placed in the Library a copy of the document "A Government Consultation on Measures to Tackle Discrimination against Disabled People: An Analysis of the Responses."

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Veal Crates
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has made in the 628
  Council of Ministers to ban veal crates in the European Union.

  Mrs. Browning
  In negotiations leading to the adoption of Council directive 91/629/EEC on the welfare of calves, the United Kingdom pressed hard for a text which would rule out the veal crate as a production system. A text falling short of this objective was adopted by majority vote with the United Kingdom voting against. It has remained our objective since then to get this matter re-considered.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons he has not relied upon article 3b of the treaty of Rome to impose a ban on the export of calves for veal production.

  Mrs. Browning
  Legal advice is that recourse to article 36 would not be possible for this purpose. There is Community legislation occupying the field and a ban on the export of calves for veal production would not be justifiable as proportionate in relation to animal welfare objectives.

  Fishing
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will define the word "loosely" as used in the December fisheries agreement in respect of the basing of control of fishing effort in western waters on member state quota entitlements.

  Mr. Jack
  I cannot identify the reference to which the hon. Member refers. The agreement reached at the December Fisheries Council provides for effort levels to allow each member state, for each fishery, to take up fully its fishing possibilities for species subject to TACs. whether allocated or not, as well as species not subject to TACs.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he assures United Kingdom fishermen, in his letter after the December Fisheries Council, that no new measures to control effort will need to be imposed on the United Kingdom industry; and whether his assurance is given in the light of the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1992 being brought into force or dropped.

  Mr. Jack
  The agreement reached at December Fisheries Council states that effort levels will be set to allow member states to take up fully their fishing possibilities for TAC and non-TAC species and that an acceptable way for a member state to regulate fishing effort will be for it to monitor the activity of its fleet and to take appropriate action if, on this basis, the effort reaches—or is about to reach—the permitted effort level. So long as present effort levels do not increase, it should not be necessary to impose new measures to control effort.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many French, Spanish and Dutch fisherman have been prosecuted in the last year by the Commission in relation to fishing offences; what were the offences; and what penalties were imposed.

  Mr. Jack
  None. Responsibility for enforcement of the common fisheries policy, including action to prosecute fishermen for fishing offences, rests with member states.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff in his Department
  629
  have reported an offer of employment from an outside employer since February 1993 as required under the civil service management code; and how many of these reports were followed by an application to join the company concerned.

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: The number of staff within MAFF who have reported an offer of employment from an outside employer, as required under the civil service management code, since February 1993 and who made and application to join the company is one in both cases.

  State Veterinary Service
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the British Veterinary Association to discuss the future of the State Veterinary Service.

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: Neither my right hon. Friend, nor I have yet had the pleasure of meeting the British Veterinary Association; however, I have a meeting arranged in February. The BVA met the previous Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South-West (Mrs. Shephard) on 5 May 1994 when a number of matters were discussed but not, I believe, the future of the State Veterinary Service.

WALES

  Hip Replacements
  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many hip replacement operations have been carried out in each year from 1983 to 1993.

  Mr. Richards
  Estimates of the number of complete and partial hip replacement operations carried out as a principal or subsidiary procedure are given in the following table:

  Year

  Number

  1983–84

  1,849

  1984–85

  1,880

  1985–86

  1,894

  1986–87

  1,985

  1987–88

  1,697

  1988–89

  2,167

  1989–90

  2,297

  1990–91

  1,944

  1991–92

  2,699

  1992–93

  2,897

  Source:

  Hospital Activity Analysis 1983–84 to 1990–91. Patient Episode Database for Wales 1991–92 onwards. Complete data for 1993–94 are not available.

  Organ Donors Register
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have responded to advertisements by his Department for the organ donors register since September 1994; how many have received application forms; when he expects to have responded to all inquiries; and if he will make a statement on the delays to date.
  630
  Mr. Richards
  The Welsh Office has to date received 1,174 inquiries in response to the advertisement for the new NHS organ donor card; all have been acknowledged. The Central Office of Information is in the process of producing a bilingual version of the new organ donor card and these will be dispatched as soon as possible.

  Community Care
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the value and number of properties purchased and owned by health authorities and departments of social services for the purposes of community care specific to the need to close institutions that previously housed those individuals now living in such properties; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Overhead Power Lines
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of research into the effects of overhead power lines on the health of individuals in close proximity.

  Mr. Richards
  The Government obtain advice on radiation risk from the National Radiological Protection Board, which has concluded that there is no persuasive biological evidence of a cancer risk to people living near sources of electrical supply.

  The United Kingdom national case control study of childhood cancer is a long-term study which is currently examining the possible influence of a number of agents, including exposure to electromagnetic radiation, on the incidence of childhood cancer. The findings of the study will be published in about three years' time.

  Internet
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if all higher education institutions in Wales are connected to the Janet computer system and Internet.

  Mr. Richards
  Yes.

  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if(a) the Welsh Development Agency, (b) the Development Board for Rural Wales and (c) the Welsh tourist board are connected to the Internet system.

  Mr. Redwood
  The Development Board for Rural Wales has recently been connected to the Internet system. The Welsh Development Agency and the Wales Tourist Board are making plans to do so.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the public bodies in Wales that have been given notice by the Welsh Language Board to propose a scheme in accordance with section 5 of the Welsh Language Act 1993.

  Mr. Richards
  No public bodies will be given notice to prepare a Welsh language scheme until guidelines as to the form and content of such schemes, issued under section 9 of the Act, have been approved by my right hon. Friend and by Parliament. The Welsh Language Board is currently consulting on draft guidelines.
  631

  Animal Diseases
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current number of cattle aged 30 months or under with enzootic bovine leukosis; what was the figure 12 months ago; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There are currently no clinical cases of enzootic bovine leukosis in cattle in Wales and there were none 12 months ago.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of Dourine were reported in each year since 1985.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  No cases of Dourine have occurred in Wales since 1985.

  Tir Cymen
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what effect the reduction in grant aid to the Countryside Council for Wales is going to have on the budget available for Tir Cymen schemes in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend is anxious to ensure that the reduction in the Countryside Council for Wales' grant-in-aid should not affect the Tir Cymen scheme. He has therefore agreed the provision of an additional £500,000 in the council's grant-in-aid for 1995–96, which will enable a further 200 or so farmers to participate in the scheme next year.

  Local Authorities (Local Purchasing)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimates he has received from training and enterprise councils in Wales of the additional employment secured by ensuring a policy of local purchasing where possible by local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Richards
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in respect of(a) each county council, (b) each district council and (c) each of the proposed unitary councils and for Wales as a whole the estimated amount of money which his office will provide to fund the cost of local government reorganisation.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend has announced total funding of £43 million for 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  The sum of £20 million is being provided for information technology changes in the form of supplementary credit approvals. An SCA of £38,955 was issued to each county and district council on 31 October–a total of £1.753 million. The remaining £18.247 million will be distributed to the unitary authorities according to a formula, consultation on which does not finish until 3 February. The allocations set out in the following table are therefore provisional. £3.5 million will be provided to district and county councils in 1995–96 for compensation costs, again in the form of SCAs. The Welsh Office will be discussing the distribution arrangements with the local authority associations in due course. My right hon. Friend informed the House on 14 December that, if some authorities decided to make major administrative savings
  632
  at the point of reorganisation, he would make more money available to facilitate this.

  Finally, £19.5 million will be provided to the unitary authorities in 1995–96 for their running costs. The distribution is set out in the following table. I am pleased to be able to announce that this funding will, subject to the approval of the House, take the form of special grant. I expect the necessary report to be laid shortly and to be debated at the same time as the other local government finance reports for 1995–96.

  Funding for local government reorganisation during 1995–96. Figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000

  Unitary authority

  Running costs 1£000

  Information technology 2£000

  Anglesey

  797

  715

  Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire

  942

  858

  Aberconwy and Colwyn

  937

  952

  Denbighshire

  869

  836

  Flintshire

  903

  881

  Wrexham

  890

  863

  Powys

  916

  962

  Cardiganshire

  795

  612

  Pembrokeshire

  883

  854

  Carmarthenshire

  979

  1,107

  Swansea

  963

  959

  Neath and Port Talbot

  958

  979

  Bridgend

  837

  667

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  830

  658

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  1,024

  965

  Merthyr Tydfil

  790

  606

  Caerphilly

  979

  1,007

  Blaenau Gwent

  799

  718

  Torfaen

  812

  734

  Monmouthshire

  804

  724

  Newport

  842

  774

  Cardiff

  952

  817

  Wales

  19,500

  18,247

  Notes:

  1 Subject to approval of the House, to be paid as special grant.

  2 Supplementary credit approvals. Provisional allocations only.

  National Museum of Wales
  Mr. Faulds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the attendance figures for 1994 reported by the National Museum of Wales, including its outstations, with the percentage change from 1993.

  Mr. Richards
  A total of 872,936 people visited the National Museum of Wales during 1994, a decrease of 8.3 per cent. over the attendance reported for 1993.

  Private Patients
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many private in-patients and out-patients were treated in NHS hospitals; and what was the total income earned from private patients in each of the last five years, and by health authority.

  Mr. Richards
  [holding answer 13 January 1995]: Information on the number of private in-patient cases, out-patient attendances and day case attendances is given in the table. Individual patients may appear more than once in the table.
  633

  Health authority area1

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–942

  In-patient cases3

  Clwyd

  388

  419

  394

  365

  370

  East Dyfed

  637

  348

  195

  154

  106

  Gwent

  48

  106

  109

  99

  140

  Gwynedd

  229

  244

  272

  171

  110

  Mid Glamorgan

  297

  173

  230

  146

  144

  Pembrokeshire

  135

  159

  79

  44

  64

  Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  111

  118

  118

  119

  97

  West Glamorgan

  149

  193

  161

  159

  173

  Wales

  1,994

  1,760

  1,558

  1,257

  1,204

  Out-patient attendances3

  Clwyd

  2,267

  3,167

  2,511

  2,343

  2,187

  East Dyfed

  2,441

  1,839

  1,779

  1,809

  1,254

  Gwent

  70

  78

  65

  90

  130

  Gwynedd

  290

  367

  235

  289

  266

  Mid Glamorgan

  672

  692

  881

  491

  239

  Pembrokeshire

  1,534

  1,489

  1,673

  1,225

  1,259

  Powys

  —

  —

  —

  5

  —

  South Glamorgan

  1,058

  1,163

  1,008

  733

  752

  West Glamorgan

  624

  917

  863

  963

  1,029

  Wales

  8,956

  9,712

  9,015

  7,948

  7,116

  Day case attendances3

  Clwyd

  513

  129

  103

  103

  145

  East Dyfed

  452

  151

  92

  114

  135

  Gwent

  47

  105

  116

  126

  106

  Gwynedd

  182

  117

  258

  126

  132

  Mid Glamorgan

  139

  126

  168

  151

  174

  Pembrokeshire

  149

  85

  60

  46

  81

  Powys

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  5

  8

  4

  1

  2

  West Glamorgan

  364

  504

  346

  357

  251

  Wales

  1,851

  1,225

  1,147

  1,024

  1,026

  Income (£ thousands)4

  Clwyd

  433

  543

  605

  651

  775

  East Dyfed

  355

  259

  250

  215

  242

  Gwent

  77

  141

  167

  220

  374

  Gwynedd

  238

  260

  270

  181

  155

  Mid Glamorgan

  99

  147

  231

  282

  339

  Pembrokeshire

  129

  130

  133

  155

  96

  Powys

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  South Glamorgan

  136

  152

  253

  246

  450

  West Glamorgan

  171

  222

  264

  302

  478

  Wales

  1,638

  1,854

  2,173

  2,254

  2,910

  1 Figures for NHS trusts have been allocated to the health authority area in which they are situated.

  2 Provisional.

  3 The number of patients refer to those treated privately i.e. accommodation and treatment were paid for by the patient.

  4 Income figures include all fees from privately treated patients as well as money received from NHS patients paying for accommodation in single rooms or small wards.

  Hospital Admissions
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 24 November 1994,Official

  Immediate admissions as a percentage of all hospitals admissions

  Area of treatment

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  Clwyd

  43.8

  43.3

  52.7

  41.2

  38.8

  East Dyfed

  46.3

  45.6

  46.8

  42.8

  42.0

  Gwent

  47.7

  46.3

  45.9

  46.0

  42.2

  Gwynedd

  52.4

  44.7

  44.2

  43.9

  44.1

  Mid Glamorgan

  42.2

  43.8

  43.0

  42.2

  41.1

  Pembrokeshire

  60.9

  62.6

  64.6

  43.7

  40.6

  Powys

  50.1

  53.2

  52.9

  46.7

  42.7

  South Glamorgan

  37.8

  40.8

  43.7

  42.5

  39.5

  West Glamorgan

  44.0

  44.8

  44.5

  41.5

  41.2

  Wales

  44.5

  44.6

  46.3

  42.8

  40.9

  634
  Report, column 372, what percentage of total admissions was represented by emergency hospital admissions.

  Mr. Richards
  [holding answer 17 January 1995]: The information is given in the following table:
  635

HEALTH

  Home Care
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) home helps and (b) district nurses per 1,000 people over the age of 65 years there were in England for each of the years 1989 to 1993; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Bowis
  For England, figures are available only for home helps employed by social services departments. They do not take account of home helps in the independent sector, including those working in services that have been contracted out. For home helps directly employed by SSDs only, the figures for 1989 to 1993 are 7.5, 7.4, 7.2, 7.1 and 6.6 respectively.

  The figures for district nurses are shown in the table.

  Number per 1,000 people aged 65 and over

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  District nurses

  1.3

  1.4

  1.3

  1.3

  1.2

  Sources:

  The home help figures are derived from the annual Department of Health census of local authority social services staff.

  The district nurses figures are derived from the Department's non-medical work force census.

  The population data used are the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys mid-year figures for England.

  Northumberland Ambulance Service
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff have been employed by the Northumberland ambulance service for each year since 1987.

  Mr. Sackville
  Figures for 1987 to 1992 are not available centrally. As at 30 September 1993, there were 680 whole-time equivalents employed by Northumbria Ambulance Service national health service trust.

  Health Centres
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many health centres in each of the 636
  English regional health authority areas have been sold to general practitioners in each year since 1987;

  (2) what assessment she has made of the benefits and disbenefits of selling health centres to general practitioners.

  Mr. Sackville
  Regional health authorities and national health service trusts should regularly review their property portfolios in the context of how patient services should best be provided. Decisions about sales are for regional health authorities or individual NHS trusts to make. There are no figures available centrally showing how many sales of health centres to general practitioners have been completed since 1987.

  Community Care
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department is undertaking into use by local authorities of the independent sector in their provision of community care services.

  Mr. Bowis
  Local authority use of the independent sector is continuously monitored through regular statistics collected by the Department on residential accommodation and day and domiciliary services, which separately identify services provided by the independent sector.

  The Department has also commissioned research on the mixed economy of care, which will look at local authority provision in all sectors.

  Accident and Emergency Units
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients admitted to accident and emergency units were aged 75 years or over in each year since 1991.

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Ordinary admissions and day cases: accident and emergency

  All ages

  75 and over

  75 and over (per cent.)

  1990–91

  82,015

  12,875

  15.7

  1991–92

  83,173

  13,077

  15.7

  1992–93

  83,281

  12,632

  15.2

  637

  Cold Weather Deaths
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of deaths for each of the years 1980 to 1994 linked to cold weather; and what percentage of those people were aged over 60 years.

  Mr. Bowis
  No estimate of deaths linked to cold weather can be made.

  Cot Deaths
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration has been given by her Department to the funding of a television advertising campaign advising parents of the steps that can be taken significantly to reduce the risk of cot deaths; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Sackville
  The use of television and press advertising was an essential element of the "Back to Sleep" campaign launched in 1991, when the advice being promoted about a baby's sleeping position represented a significant departure from most parents' practice at the time. The success of this approach is evident both from the dramatic fall in the number of cot deaths that has since occurred—from 1,008 in 1991 to 442 in 1993, England and Wales—and from recent evidence about changes that have taken place in infant care practice. Now that the message about sleeping position has become widely accepted, the Government consider that the current initiatives designed to provide comprehensive advice represent a practicable means of helping parents.

  Advice on reducing the risks is widely available. First, good practice advice on baby care is available to pregnant women and new parents through direct contact with midwives, health visitors, general practitioners, obstetricians, and paediatricians in the course of routine care. Secondly, advice is included in the Health Education Authority's publications, the Pregnancy Book given free to first-time pregnant women, and Birth to Five, given free to first-time parents. Thirdly, the Department of Health leaflet, Reducing the Risk of Cot Death, continues to be available and almost 5 million have been distributed to date.

  The recently announced national anti-smoking campaign managed by the Health Education Authority further supports initiatives on cot death. The campaign, which is intended to reduce smoking among adults, and especially parents, is particularly relevant to cot death as smoking is known to be a major risk factor.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what amount of correspondence she has received on the issue of cot deaths over(a) the last 12 months and (b) since 17 November 1994.

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on the amount of correspondence received in the Department as at 17 January in which this subject was the primary topic, is contained in the table.

  Date

  Numbers

  18 January 1994 to 17 January 1995

  Correspondence answered by Ministers

  172

  Correspondence answered by officials

  235

  17 November 1994 to 17 January 1995

  Correspondence answered by Ministers

  152

  Correspondence answered by officials

  188

  638

  "Purchasing in Practice"
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many copies of the first issue of the NHS Executive's publication "Purchasing in Practice" were published; how much they cost to design, print and distribute; and how frequently the NHS Executive intends to produce this publication in future.

  Mr. Sackville
  A total of 20,000 copies of the first issue of the National Health Service Executive's bi-monthly newsletter, "Purchasing in Practice", were issued in December 1994 at a unit cost of 65 pence for design, printing and distribution. We regard this publication as a vital part of keeping all interested parties, particularly health authorities and general practitioner fundholders, informed about new developments to ensure health care purchasing is developed for the benefit of all patients.

  Illegal Employment (Children)
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will commission a study of the extent of the illegal employment of children.

  Mr. Bowis
  No. No significant evidence has been submitted to us to suggest that this is a problem in England.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the extent of the illegal employment of children as defined by the Employment of Children Act 1973.

  Mr. Bowis
  The framework of protection in England for children who work is contained in the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Detailed controls are in local authority byelaws. We are aware of no significant evidence that the illegal employment of children is a widespread problem. The situation in Scotland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will review the reporting by proper authorities of suspected illegal employment of children.

  Mr. Bowis
  It is for local authorities to take what action they think necessary to control the employment of children.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration her Department has given to evidence gained in the United States of America or in any other country in regard to the value of the drug beta interferon in the treatment of multiple sclerosis; and whether she concludes from the evidence that the drug is of sufficient value to justify an early decision to license it for use within the national health service.

  Mr. Sackville
  Several companies are developing interferons for use in multiple sclerosis. These will be handled through the new European centralised licensing procedure-regulation 2309/93. Expert advice will be taken through the European procedure on all the evidence supplied, regardless of source country, to determine whether the product should receive an authorisation for use in countries within the European Union.

  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients will be involved in trials of new drugs
  639
  designed to assist those suffering from multiple sclerosis; and when it is expected that these trials will be completed.

  Mr. Sackville
  At least seven new drugs are currently undergoing clinical trials in patients with multiple sclerosis. Since many of the trials are on-going, it is not possible to give the numbers of patients involved nor to give information on the completion dates of the trials.

  Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 145, if she will consult with the relevant professional bodies in regard to the need to use suitable X-ray film for the detection of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department would need more information before it could have a meaningful discussion with the relevant professional bodies. If the hon. member would care to write giving full details consideration will be given to opening discussions with the profession.

  National Blood Authority
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total cost of writing to all blood donors about the reorganisation of the National Blood Authority.

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply that I gave her on 9 December 1994 at column 400.

  Patients' Complaints
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 12 December, Official Report, column 323, on patient complaints, if she will now publish the information for 1993–94.

  Mr. Malone
  Information on patient complaints for 1993–94 will be published as soon as possible.

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 9 December 1994, Official Report, column 401, on NHS expenditure, how much has been spent on private psychiatric care in each year since 1991–92.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Table 1: Nursing and Midwifery staff by qualification (excluding agency staff and Projected 2000 students) England as at 30 September each year

  whole-time equivalents

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Total nurses and midwives

  388,010

  394,040

  394,680

  393,740

  397,030

  397,240

  397,910

  Qualified

  212,100

  219,300

  223,310

  227,740

  234,130

  236,770

  239,360

  Unqualified

  95,410

  94,190

  92,510

  90,160

  91,640

  92,250

  93,980

  Learners

  80,510

  80,560

  78,860

  75,850

  71,160

  68,220

  64,560

  Unknown

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  whole-time equivalents

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Total nurses and midwives

  397,650

  398,050

  395,360

  392,200

  378,790

  361,460

  Qualified

  241,780

  244,220

  242,340

  243,250

  246,570

  241,850

  640

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter on private health insurance of 1 December 1994 to the Minister for Health.

  Mr. Malone
  I replied on 17 January 1995.

  Secure Beds
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric beds and medium secure beds there were nationally and in each region in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Bowis
  [holding answer 13 January 1995]: The information requested will be placed in the Library.

  Eye Tests
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the savings to the national health service budget since the abolition of the free eye test; and what would be the cost of restoring the free eye test (i) to all, (ii) to those over 60 years and (iii) those aged 65 years and over.

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 13 January 1995]: Assuming the trend in sight tests apparent before the announcement of changes in November 1987, it is estimated that £70 million was saved in 1989–90 by restricting entitlement to national health service sight tests.

  On the basis that this trend continues, and with the sight test fees remaining at the 1994–95 level, the cost of restoring free sight tests is estimated to be in the order of:

  a) all people: £110 million

  b) those aged 60 and over: £30 million

  c) those aged 65 and over: £20 million

  Nurses
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give for each year since 1981, on the same basis as tables A and C of "Statistical Bulletin 1944/11", the total numbers of whole time equivalent qualified and unqualified nurses and midwives, the total numbers of learners and the total numbers of other nurses and midwives employed in(a) the hospital and community health services, (b) the family health services and (c) private hospitals, nursing homes and clinics, and also the total numbers of Project 2000 students in each year.

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 16 January 1995]: The information is shown in the tables.
  641

  whole-time equivalents

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Unqualified

  92,930

  91,730

  90,450

  90,550

  90,850

  91,950

  Learners

  62,940

  62,100

  58,840

  47,340

  34,740

  21,040

  Unknown

  —

  —

  3,730

  11,050

  6,630

  6,620

  Source:

  PD(STATS) B Non-Medical Workforce Census

  Table Ia: Project 2000 students England as at 30 September each year

  whole-time equivalents

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Project 2000 students

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  whole-time equivalents

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Project 2000 students

  —

  —

  3,000

  10,500

  18,300

  28,000

  Source:

  PD(STATS) B Non-Medical Workforce Census

  Table II: Nursing and midwifery staff in the NHS and private sector hospitals, homes and clinics (excluding agency staff) England as at 30 September each year

  whole-time equivalents

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Total NHS and private sector

  308,750

  337,560

  343,150

  349,250

  364,070

  376,470

  336,110

  Total qualified staff

  213,340

  232,960

  238,720

  245,110

  254,690

  260,950

  242,130

  NHS:

  HCHS qualified staff

  212,100

  219,300

  223,310

  227,740

  234,130

  236,770

  239,360

  HCHS unqualified staff

  95,410

  94,180

  92,510

  90,160

  91,640

  92,250

  93,980

  FHS practice nurses

  1,240

  1,450

  1,660

  1,920

  2,210

  2,500

  2,770

  Private hospitals, homes, clinics:

  qualified staff

  n/a

  12,210

  13,750

  15,450

  18,350

  21,680

  n/a

  unqualified staff

  n/a

  10,420

  11,920

  13,990

  17,730

  23,270

  n/a

  whole-time equivalents

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Total NHS and Private Sector

  394,640

  408,140

  419,010

  435,160

  451,820

  464,200

  Total Qualified Staff

  271,100

  277,920

  282,470

  289,340

  297,050

  297,980

  NHS:

  HCHS qualified staff

  241,780

  244,220

  242,340

  243,250

  246,570

  241,850

  HCHS unqualified staff

  92,930

  91,730

  90,450

  90,550

  90,850

  91,950

  FHS practice nurses

  3,480

  4,630

  7,700

  8,780

  9,120

  9,600

  Private hospitals, homes, clinics:

  qualified staff

  25,840

  29,070

  32,430

  37,310

  41,360

  46,530

  unqualified staff

  30,610

  38,490

  46,100

  55,270

  63,920

  74,270

  Source:

  Nursing and Midwifery: PD(STATS)B Non—Medical Workforce Census.

  FHS Practice Nurses: General Medical Practitioners Census.

  Private Sector Nursing: Annual K036 returns.

  Notes:

  1. All figures are rounded to the nearest ten whole—time equivalents.

  2. Totals may not equal sum of their component parts due to rounding.

  3. Table II excludes learners and 'other' nursing and midwifery staff.

  4. All nursing and midwifery figures exclude agency staff.

  5. (—) denotes a zero value.

  6. (n/a) denotes the figure is unavailable.

  7. In Table II the figures for 'Total qualified staff, 1988 and 1993, differ from those published in the Statistical Bulletin 1994/11 due to practice nurses being incorrectly excluded from the total in Table 'C' of the Statistical Bulletin. The 'HCHS qualified staff' and 'HCHS unqualified staff' figures for 1988 in Table II have also been amended in this parliamentary question.
  642 643

EDUCATION

  Tribunal Decisions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list by college and by individual case the number of industrial tribunal and fair employment tribunal applications lodged against further education colleges in England for each year since 1990; how many cases have been upheld against the further education colleges; how many cases have resulted in a settlement which has involved payments being made by an education and library board; and if she will make a statement.

  Mr. Boswell
  Information concerning industrial tribunal matters is not held by this Department. Industrial tribunals are the responsibility of the Employment Department. Education and library boards are not a matter for this Department.

  School Finances
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list by local education authority the total amount of balances held by schools in England.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  For the financial year ending on 31 March 1994, the following table provides the information requested in respect of all LEAs from whom the Department has received outturn statements prepared for that year under section 42 of the Education Reform Act 1988.

  Total balances in schools—Year ending 31 March 1994

  LEA

  Balance £K

  Avon

  19,624

  Barking/Dagenham

  1,707

  Barnet

  4,279

  Barnsley

  3,046

  Bedfordshire

  8,297

  Berkshire

  7,985

  Bexley

  2,013

  Birmingham

  16,696

  Bolton

  2,291

  Bradford

  5,632

  Brent

  4,545

  Bromley

  3,134

  Buckinghamshire

  5,254

  Bury

  2,225

  Calderdale

  2,330

  Cambridgeshire

  6,585

  Camden

  N/A

  Cheshire

  16,196

  City of London

  38

  Cleveland

  8,169

  Cornwall

  7,241

  Coventry

  4,802

  Croydon

  N/A

  Cumbria

  2,844

  Derbyshire

  12,475

  Devon

  10,340

  Doncaster

  4,735

  Dorset

  12,301

  Dudley

  1,317

  Durham

  7,799

  Ealing

  2,971

  East Sussex

  5,990

  Enfield

  4,778

  Essex

  23,612

  Gateshead

  1,577

  Gloucestershire

  6,240

  Greenwich

  N/A

  644

  Total balances in schools—Year ending 31 March 1994

  LEA

  Balance £K

  Hackney

  2,171

  Hammersmith/Fulham

  2,366

  Hampshire

  25,542

  Haringey

  3,352

  Harrow

  1,640

  Havering

  3,544

  Hereford/Worcestershire

  13,855

  Hertfordshire

  20,397

  Hillingdon

  2,231

  Hounslow

  4,969

  Humberside

  7,764

  Isle of Wight

  1,487

  Isles of Scilly

  N/A

  Islington

  N/A

  Kensington/Chelsea

  1,386

  Kent

  11,675

  Kingston

  774

  Kirklees

  3,868

  Knowsley

  2,078

  Lambeth

  5,325

  Lancashire

  32,976

  Leeds

  4,587

  Leicestershire

  15,750

  Lewisham

  4,270

  Lincolnshire

  6,891

  Liverpool

  WA

  Manchester

  3,146

  Merton

  2,996

  Newcastle

  4,271

  Newham

  4,694

  Norfolk

  9,199

  North Tyneside

  372

  North Yorkshire

  11,470

  Northamptonshire

  10,067

  Northumberland

  3,667

  Nottinghamshire

  15,275

  Oldham

  322

  Oxfordshire

  11,951

  Redbridge

  3,247

  Richmond

  2,440

  Rochdale

  211

  Rotherham

  930

  Salford

  2,456

  Sandwell

  5,742

  Sefton

  5,584

  Sheffield

  5,116

  Shropshire

  N/A

  Solihull

  4,504

  Somerset

  6,665

  South Tyneside

  1,861

  Soulhwark

  3,513

  St. Helens

  3,941

  Staffordshire

  9,160

  Stockport

  2,741

  Suffolk

  13,500

  Sunderland

  1,897

  Surrey

  4,986

  Sutton

  1,303

  Tameside

  1,303

  Tower Hamlets

  8,189

  Trafford

  1,055

  Wakefield

  3,643

  Walsall

  3,594

  Waltham Forest

  N/A

  Wandsworth

  3,228

  Warwickshire

  N/A

  West Sussex

  4,499

  645

  Total balances in schools—Year ending 31 March 1994

  LEA

  Balance £K

  Westminster

  3,195

  Wigan

  4,144

  Wiltshire

  7,341

  Wirral

  3,249

  Wolverhampton

  4,155

  Notes to table:

  1. The figures, derived from outturn statements prepared by LEAs for 1993–94 cover all county and voluntary schools, and special schools in the case of the eight LEAs whose LMS schemes covered them in 1993–94. They also include the final balances shown in respect of schools which became grant-maintained during the course of the financial year.

  2. All figures represent surplusses net of deficits.

  3. "N/A" denotes that the LEA's outturn statement has not yet been made available to the Department.

  Higher Education Students
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the estimate of the total number of full-time students in higher education not living in their family or parental home in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Boswell
  Data on the numbers of full-time students in higher education not living in their parental or family home are not collected centrally. However, local education authorities in England and Wales provide data on the various rates of grant paid by them in mandatory awards made to students domiciled in their areas. Award holders living with their parents while attending their courses normally receive a parental home rate of grant. Students who live away from the parental home while studying normally receive a different rate, as do those who are treated for awards purposes as independent of their parents and who live in their own homes while attending their courses. The numbers of award holders not in receipt of the parental home rate in the academic years 1988–89 to 1992–93—the latest year for which data are available—are shown in the table.

  Number of mandatory award holders not in receipt of the parental home rate of grant1

  England and Wales 1988–89 to 1992–93

  Academic year

  Number

  1988–89

  288,200

  1989–90

  302,500

  1990–91

  443,900

  1991–92

  496,700

  1993–93

  583,800

  1 The table includes students who receive partial or nil maintenance grants because of high parental or other income.

  Student Housing
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what study has been undertaken of the need for, and provision for, student housing in England and Wales.

  Mr. Boswell
  We are not aware of any studies of student residential accommodation needs and provision in England and Wales. These are matters for universities and colleges which, as independent, autonomous bodies, are responsible for making their own decisions about any student accommodation requirements for their students.
  646
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many new units of accommodation for students in higher education have been provided in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Boswell
  The information is not collected centrally.

  National Curriculum
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if she will set the proficiency standards in safety skills and survival required by key stage 2 in respect of school swimming; how she intends to ensure these standards are met; and what resources are made available;

  (2) in respect of each local education authority, what assessment she has made of the achievement in respect of safety and skills and survival in respect of key stage 2 of the national curriculum; and which authorities and schools have failed to meet these standards.

  Mr. Forth
  The revised national curriculum for physical education requires that, by the age of 11, all pupils should be taught to swim unaided, competently and safely, for at least 25 m. They should also be taught the principles and skills of water safety and survival. These requirements begin to come into effect on 1 August 1996.

  Detailed advice on safe practice in the teaching of swimming is included in the handbook "Safe Practice in Physical Education", which was first published in 1985 by the British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education. A revised edition of the handbook was published in 1990 with the approval and recommendation of the, then, Department of Education and Science. The handbook includes advice about recommended teacher-tutor qualifications, supervision, pupils behaviour, pool safety and equipment. The handbook is currently subject to further revision and will be republished later this year.

  The proficiency of individual pupils in reaching the standards prescribed in the national curriculum for physical education will be assessed by their teachers under arrangements which will be given statutory force in due course. The regular cycle of four-yearly inspections by the Office for Standards in Education will look, among other things, at each school's effectiveness in implementing the national curriculum, including the national curriculum for physical education. My right hon. Friend expects to begin to receive information about the standards achieved in relation to the national curriculum requirements, including safety skills, from the 1996–97 school year when these requirements come into force.

  The Government have already supported with specific grant £900 million of local authority expenditure on the implementation of the national curriculum since 1989. It is up to schools and local education authorities to decide how to deploy their total resources in the light of local priorities and needs.

  Sixth Forms
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the Government's policy on the minimum number of students required for a viable sixth form.

  Mr. Boswell
  The number of students required for a sixth form to be viable will vary according to the circumstances of individual schools.
  647
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list for each local authority area in England and Wales the minimum, maximum and average numbers of students in sixth forms for each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Size of sixth forms in maintained secondary schools in each LEA in England 1992–1994 Position in January each year

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Smallest

  Largest

  Average

  Smallest

  Largest

  Average

  Smallest

  Largest

  Average

  Corporation of London

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Camden

  70

  277

  165

  48

  284

  177

  31

  298

  170

  Greenwich

  36

  392

  119

  37

  380

  130

  20

  319

  129

  Hackney

  40

  125

  72

  105

  127

  117

  116

  123

  120

  Hammersmith

  26

  315

  86

  12

  331

  73

  14

  309

  63

  Islington

  80

  213

  142

  60

  137

  89

  71

  151

  94

  Kensington and Chelsea

  155

  341

  248

  157

  336

  247

  144

  297

  221

  Lambeth

  4

  76

  35

  14

  104

  45

  15

  32

  22

  Lewisham

  37

  208

  84

  20

  207

  93

  48

  200

  103

  Southwark

  39

  64

  52

  9

  51

  30

  8

  52

  30

  Tower Hamlets

  11

  297

  100

  27

  325

  128

  16

  307

  126

  Wandsworth

  23

  294

  133

  27

  318

  156

  28

  326

  154

  Westminster

  87

  275

  162

  96

  292

  164

  92

  314

  163

  Barking

  61

  199

  116

  71

  194

  122

  50

  204

  119

  Barnet

  80

  225

  157

  83

  223

  160

  100

  227

  158

  Bexley

  86

  109

  99

  91

  118

  105

  89

  194

  129

  Brent

  45

  302

  131

  4

  333

  149

  46

  315

  153

  Bromley

  81

  224

  149

  88

  242

  148

  83

  239

  148

  Croydon

  139

  191

  171

  158

  196

  176

  127

  190

  161

  Ealing

  39

  316

  145

  11

  264

  120

  108

  219

  180

  Enfield

  78

  235

  137

  76

  238

  147

  51

  277

  143

  Haringey

  49

  223

  107

  51

  217

  120

  43

  211

  109

  Harrow

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Havering

  50

  295

  163

  68

  278

  163

  59

  286

  163

  Hillingdon

  12

  227

  106

  15

  271

  123

  19

  292

  126

  Hounslow

  93

  249

  135

  82

  265

  143

  78

  258

  143

  Kingston upon Thames

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Merton

  152

  201

  183

  182

  235

  212

  185

  224

  204

  Newham

  2

  150

  74

  13

  176

  84

  49

  175

  118

  Redbridge

  95

  302

  176

  102

  331

  194

  132

  311

  197

  Richmond upon Thames

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Sutton

  144

  197

  161

  147

  191

  166

  78

  184

  127

  Waltham Forest

  123

  123

  123

  127

  127

  127

  99

  120

  110

  Birmingham

  38

  258

  124

  26

  262

  136

  33

  238

  128

  Coventry

  13

  220

  119

  24

  214

  124

  37

  247

  118

  Dudley

  96

  165

  131

  121

  173

  147

  123

  165

  144

  Sandwell

  68

  182

  111

  50

  174

  109

  64

  164

  113

  Solihull

  123

  191

  168

  148

  214

  186

  146

  211

  176

  Walsall

  51

  204

  98

  40

  229

  111

  14

  223

  107

  Wolverhampton

  9

  224

  96

  42

  221

  103

  48

  226

  103

  Knowsley

  48

  185

  104

  45

  201

  108

  31

  172

  91

  Liverpool

  15

  222

  106

  25

  226

  110

  13

  247

  109

  St. Helens

  2

  310

  146

  67

  271

  170

  92

  283

  166

  Sefton

  9

  272

  139

  85

  262

  152

  82

  281

  156

  Wirral

  82

  168

  134

  89

  206

  147

  76

  209

  144

  Bolton

  42

  284

  191

  48

  352

  208

  51

  329

  214

  Bury

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Manchester

  41

  233

  121

  33

  204

  106

  13

  213

  81

  Oldham

  25

  181

  76

  11

  168

  74

  87

  176

  135

  Rochdale

  131

  315

  219

  141

  395

  243

  132

  397

  243

  Salford

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Stockport

  276

  276

  276

  112

  451

  234

  16

  635

  184

  Tameside

  48

  48

  48

  55

  55

  55

  60

  60

  60

  Trafford

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Wigan

  198

  276

  237

  204

  232

  218

  220

  226

  223

  Barnsley

  163

  163

  163

  171

  171

  171

  161

  161

  161

  Doncaster

  62

  409

  171

  69

  494

  181

  65

  464

  173

  Rotherham

  130

  260

  190

  129

  273

  185

  135

  270

  187

  Sheffield

  84

  350

  199

  31

  355

  188

  100

  334

  206

  Bradford

  67

  281

  165

  74

  308

  179

  52

  310

  180

  Calderdale

  75

  173

  117

  98

  181

  129

  94

  187

  130

  Kirklees

  91

  326

  172

  103

  330

  172

  97

  300

  160

  Leeds

  16

  281

  115

  15

  276

  121

  6

  307

  119

  Wakefield

  95

  245

  174

  93

  245

  175

  82

  255

  176

  648
  Mr. Boswell
  Information on the size of sixth forms in maintained secondary schools in each local education authority in England is shown in the table. Information on schools in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
  649

  Size of sixth forms in maintained secondary schools in each LEA in England 1992—1994 Position in January each year

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Smallest

  Largest

  Average

  Smallest

  Largest

  Average

  Smallest

  Largest

  Average

  Gateshead

  37

  228

  117

  51

  257

  143

  37

  236

  135

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  39

  283

  131

  41

  284

  131

  25

  257

  124

  North Tyneside

  82

  266

  141

  64

  271

  139

  58

  295

  139

  South Tyneside

  163

  163

  163

  179

  179

  179

  196

  196

  196

  Sunderland

  156

  244

  211

  192

  276

  238

  178

  301

  235

  Isles of Scilly

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Avon

  36

  388

  137

  32

  439

  129

  37

  434

  140

  Bedfordshire

  63

  359

  198

  54

  397

  201

  43

  412

  204

  Berkshire

  29

  597

  151

  29

  647

  153

  29

  645

  150

  Buckinghamshire

  134

  334

  209

  107

  343

  207

  10

  342

  168

  Cambridgeshire

  55

  290

  172

  50

  336

  183

  34

  345

  176

  Cheshire

  52

  331

  140

  49

  366

  144

  42

  329

  139

  Cleveland

  159

  191

  178

  145

  194

  174

  155

  205

  183

  Cornwall

  72

  486

  186

  70

  549

  195

  64

  273

  166

  Cumbria

  28

  294

  121

  31

  323

  122

  21

  327

  119

  Derbyshire

  40

  384

  193

  84

  363

  202

  82

  340

  194

  Devon

  52

  371

  162

  96

  435

  179

  105

  441

  179

  Dorset

  68

  451

  212

  68

  439

  231

  62

  432

  235

  Durham

  56

  437

  133

  51

  532

  141

  31

  577

  135

  East Sussex

  97

  312

  159

  105

  305

  161

  111

  299

  162

  Essex

  35

  259

  144

  7

  295

  145

  50

  274

  154

  Gloucestershire

  31

  412

  153

  29

  451

  163

  24

  450

  162

  Hampshire

  86

  253

  155

  93

  252

  158

  86

  230

  143

  Hereford and Worcester

  25

  261

  131

  21

  248

  139

  21

  260

  140

  Hertfordshire

  22

  248

  122

  37

  259

  126

  42

  266

  127

  Humberside

  45

  254

  128

  39

  286

  135

  42

  323

  135

  Isle of Wight

  166

  279

  220

  145

  285

  220

  148

  265

  219

  Kent

  56

  288

  165

  37

  286

  160

  53

  261

  143

  Lancashire

  59

  281

  161

  52

  256

  161

  15

  255

  163

  Leicestershire

  61

  614

  254

  56

  501

  250

  48

  557

  251

  Lincolnshire

  51

  278

  157

  48

  301

  169

  56

  261

  153

  Norfolk

  79

  601

  224

  37

  660

  223

  76

  748

  212

  North Yorkshire

  51

  400

  172

  51

  378

  174

  59

  390

  167

  Northamptonshire

  47

  244

  124

  17

  269

  132

  38

  280

  137

  Northumberland

  77

  340

  189

  92

  337

  199

  103

  330

  198

  Nottinghamshire

  13

  225

  106

  32

  251

  111

  42

  246

  113

  Oxfordshire

  56

  304

  147

  58

  352

  150

  41

  366

  154

  Shropshire

  61

  178

  124

  72

  186

  132

  67

  200

  130

  Somerset

  118

  259

  187

  94

  330

  192

  114

  315

  185

  Staffordshire

  37

  247

  111

  46

  244

  119

  40

  263

  114

  Suffolk

  94

  486

  206

  95

  472

  204

  86

  581

  213

  Surrey

  75

  350

  177

  76

  345

  177

  54

  351

  174

  Warwickshire

  77

  266

  153

  85

  271

  161

  79

  296

  149

  West Sussex

  72

  314

  186

  67

  320

  193

  57

  307

  190

  Wiltshire

  96

  264

  155

  80

  246

  161

  79

  263

  164

  England

  2

  614

  144

  4

  660

  150

  6

  748

  150

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list for each local authority area in England and Wales the number of sixth forms in local education authorities and grant-maintained schools which had(a) under 100 students, (b) between 100 and 150 students, (c) between 151 and 200 students and (d) over 201 students for each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Number of maintained secondary schools with sixth forms by size position in January each year

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Number of pupils in sixth form

  Number of pupils in sixth form

  Number of pupils in sixth form

  Less than 100

  100 to 150

  151 to 200

  Over 200

  Less than 100

  100 to 150

  151 to 200

  Over 200

  Less than 100

  100 to 150

  151 to 200

  Over 200

  Corporation of London

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Camden

  2

  3

  2

  4

  1

  3

  3

  4

  1

  3

  2

  5

  Greenwich

  8

  4

  2

  1

  6

  3

  1

  2

  5

  3

  2

  2

  Hackney

  9

  1

  0

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  650
  Mr. Boswell
  Information on the number of maintained secondary schools in each local education authority in England, with sixth forms in the size bands requested for the years requested is shown in table. Information on schools in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
  651

  Number of maintained secondary schools with sixth forms by size position in January each year

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Number of pupils in sixth form

  Number of pupils in sixth form

  Number of pupils in sixth form

  Less than 100

  100 to 150

  151 to 200

  Over200

  Less than 100

  100 to 150

  151 to 200

  Over 200

  Less than 100

  100 to 150

  151 to 200

  Over 200

  Hammersmith

  7

  0

  0

  1

  7

  0

  0

  1

  7

  0

  0

  1

  Islington

  2

  4

  2

  1

  3

  1

  0

  0

  3

  0

  1

  0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Lambeth

  5

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Lewisham

  9

  4

  0

  1

  8

  2

  0

  1

  6

  2

  2

  0

  Southwark

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Tower Hamlets

  5

  1

  0

  1

  4

  1

  1

  1

  2

  3

  1

  1

  Wandsworth

  3

  2

  2

  1

  2

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  1

  2

  Westminster

  1

  3

  2

  1

  1

  2

  3

  1

  1

  3

  2

  1

  Barking

  4

  2

  2

  0

  4

  1

  3

  0

  4

  1

  2

  1

  Barnet

  1

  6

  6

  3

  3

  4

  5

  4

  0

  7

  7

  2

  Bexley

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  0

  Brent

  7

  1

  4

  2

  6

  2

  1

  5

  5

  2

  1

  5

  Bromley

  2

  6

  6

  1

  3

  6

  4

  2

  2

  8

  3

  2

  Croydon

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  Ealing

  4

  3

  4

  2

  6

  1

  3

  2

  0

  2

  2

  3

  Enfield

  4

  6

  4

  1

  2

  4

  7

  2

  3

  7

  4

  1

  Haringey

  5

  2

  1

  1

  3

  5

  0

  1

  3

  4

  1

  1

  Harrow

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Havering

  1

  1

  2

  1

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  2

  Hillingdon

  9

  2

  5

  1

  5

  4

  5

  1

  7

  1

  5

  2

  Hounslow

  2

  8

  3

  1

  1

  8

  4

  1

  2

  8

  3

  1

  Kingston upon Thames

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Merton

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1

  2

  Newham

  9

  4

  0

  0

  3

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Redbridge

  1

  3

  6

  2

  0

  2

  4

  6

  0

  3

  3

  6

  Richmond upon Thames

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Sutton

  0

  2

  2

  0

  0

  1

  3

  0

  2

  3

  2

  0

  Waltham Forest

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Birmingham

  11

  9

  8

  1

  7

  11

  8

  4

  10

  8

  10

  3

  Coventry

  5

  10

  3

  1

  6

  7

  4

  2

  9

  5

  2

  3

  Dudley

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  Sandwell

  4

  3

  1

  0

  4

  1

  3

  0

  4

  1

  3

  0

  Solihull

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Walsall

  11

  7

  0

  1

  9

  6

  3

  1

  10

  6

  2

  1

  Wolverhampton

  11

  1

  3

  1

  10

  3

  1

  2

  11

  3

  1

  2

  Knowsley

  3

  0

  2

  0

  3

  1

  0

  1

  3

  1

  1

  0

  Liverpool

  14

  13

  7

  1

  13

  14

  7

  1

  16

  12

  6

  1

  St. Helens

  2

  2

  2

  1

  1

  2

  0

  3

  1

  2

  1

  2

  Sefton

  4

  3

  4

  2

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Wirral

  1

  3

  3

  0

  1

  2

  3

  1

  1

  3

  2

  1

  Bolton

  1

  1

  0

  3

  1

  1

  0

  3

  1

  1

  0

  3

  Bury

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Manchester

  2

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1

  3

  0

  0

  1

  Oldham

  12

  2

  1

  0

  7

  1

  2

  0

  1

  2

  2

  0

  Rochdale

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Salford

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Stockport

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  1

  3

  0

  0

  1

  Tameside

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Trafford

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Wigan

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Barnsley

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Doncaster

  2

  4

  3

  5

  2

  3

  5

  4

  3

  5

  2

  4

  Rotherham

  0

  2

  3

  3

  0

  2

  4

  2

  0

  2

  4

  2

  Sheffield

  1

  3

  1

  3

  2

  2

  0

  4

  0

  3

  1

  3

  Bradford

  4

  6

  7

  7

  4

  4

  5

  11

  3

  7

  5

  9

  Calderdale

  3

  6

  1

  0

  2

  5

  3

  0

  2

  6

  2

  0

  Kirklees

  1

  3

  3

  2

  0

  4

  3

  2

  2

  2

  3

  2

  Leeds

  17

  10

  8

  6

  15

  9

  10

  5

  18

  8

  9

  5

  Wakefield

  1

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Gateshead

  6

  1

  2

  1

  3

  2

  1

  3

  2

  3

  3

  1

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  5

  2

  5

  1

  6

  2

  4

  1

  5

  3

  3

  2

  North Tyneside

  3

  2

  2

  1

  2

  4

  1

  1

  2

  3

  1

  1

  South Tyneside

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Sunderland

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1

  2

  652 653

  Number of maintained secondary schools with sixth forms by size position in January each year

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Number of pupils in sixth form

  Number of pupils in sixth form

  Number of pupils in sixth form

  Less than 100

  100 to 150

  151 to 200

  Over 200

  Less than 100

  100 to 150

  151 to 200

  Over 200

  Less than 100

  100 to 150

  151 to 200

  Over 200

  Isles of Scilly

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Avon

  17

  10

  9

  7

  21

  12

  8

  8

  15

  14

  10

  6

  Bedfordshire

  2

  2

  7

  8

  1

  3

  7

  8

  1

  3

  7

  8

  Berkshire

  10

  11

  8

  6

  8

  13

  6

  8

  10

  10

  8

  7

  Buckinghamshire

  0

  3

  1

  4

  0

  2

  2

  5

  4

  3

  1

  5

  Cambridgeshire

  3

  1

  11

  5

  2

  1

  11

  6

  2

  3

  11

  5

  Cheshire

  13

  19

  7

  8

  11

  22

  7

  7

  16

  18

  4

  9

  Cleveland

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  Cornwall

  1

  4

  6

  3

  2

  2

  5

  5

  2

  2

  6

  3

  Cumbria

  11

  9

  5

  2

  11

  10

  4

  2

  12

  8

  5

  2

  Derbyshire

  2

  5

  9

  9

  1

  7

  8

  9

  1

  9

  4

  11

  Devon

  7

  6

  8

  7

  1

  13

  6

  8

  0

  13

  8

  7

  Dorset

  1

  4

  4

  6

  1

  4

  2

  8

  1

  3

  3

  7

  Durham

  9

  6

  2

  3

  8

  7

  2

  3

  8

  7

  2

  3

  East Sussex

  1

  8

  4

  3

  0

  9

  4

  3

  0

  9

  4

  3

  Essex

  9

  18

  9

  8

  11

  13

  10

  10

  8

  12

  10

  10

  Gloucestershire

  7

  3

  4

  5

  4

  6

  4

  5

  4

  7

  2

  6

  Hampshire

  1

  4

  1

  2

  1

  4

  0

  3

  2

  3

  1

  2

  Hereford and Worcester

  6

  13

  6

  3

  6

  10

  8

  3

  7

  12

  4

  5

  Hertfordshire

  30

  25

  19

  5

  29

  27

  16

  7

  32

  19

  18

  10

  Humberside

  8

  9

  6

  3

  5

  11

  8

  2

  6

  11

  7

  2

  Isle of Wight

  0

  0

  2

  3

  0

  1

  1

  3

  0

  1

  1

  3

  Kent

  3

  6

  5

  5

  3

  3

  8

  4

  8

  3

  7

  4

  Lancashire

  2

  6

  2

  6

  1

  7

  2

  6

  3

  6

  2

  6

  Leicestershire

  3

  3

  4

  14

  2

  4

  6

  12

  3

  4

  4

  13

  Lincolnshire

  2

  4

  1

  3

  1

  6

  0

  3

  2

  3

  4

  2

  Norfolk

  1

  3

  4

  11

  2

  3

  3

  12

  3

  5

  5

  9

  North Yorkshire

  3

  9

  6

  5

  2

  10

  3

  8

  5

  8

  3

  6

  Northamptonshire

  16

  12

  6

  5

  13

  12

  8

  6

  14

  11

  6

  7

  Northumberland

  1

  5

  4

  6

  1

  4

  4

  7

  0

  6

  4

  6

  Nottinghamshire

  22

  27

  2

  3

  21

  24

  7

  2

  21

  23

  8

  1

  Oxfordshire

  4

  15

  2

  6

  4

  14

  5

  4

  7

  11

  3

  6

  Shropshire

  2

  6

  1

  0

  2

  4

  3

  0

  2

  5

  2

  0

  Somerset

  0

  1

  5

  2

  1

  1

  4

  2

  0

  2

  3

  3

  Staffordshire

  27

  9

  8

  5

  23

  14

  7

  5

  23

  15

  8

  3

  Suffolk

  1

  6

  8

  10

  1

  7

  6

  11

  1

  7

  5

  12

  Surrey

  3

  9

  6

  9

  5

  7

  7

  8

  6

  6

  7

  8

  Warwickshire

  4

  4

  0

  4

  4

  2

  2

  4

  3

  4

  2

  2

  West Sussex

  3

  4

  6

  8

  2

  5

  5

  9

  3

  3

  4

  11

  Wiltshire

  3

  6

  4

  4

  1

  7

  4

  5

  1

  8

  4

  4

  England

  467

  464

  342

  283

  391

  468

  339

  325

  415

  463

  322

  318

  Pupil Numbers
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils aged(a) seven, (b) eight, (c) nine and (d) 10 years attend schools in each of the local authority area in England and Wales.

  Mr. Forth
  The number of pupils in each local education authority area in England in January 1994 who were aged seven, eight, nine and 10 years at the beginning of the school years are shown in the table. Information on pupils by age in schools in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Pupils aged 7–10 years of age1 in schools in each local education authority in England

  January 1994

  Pupils by age

  Local education authority

  7 years

  8 years

  9 years

  10 years

  Corporation of London

  71

  76

  75

  91

  Camden

  1,907

  1,921

  1,850

  1,836

  Greenwich

  2,880

  2,859

  2,728

  2,742

  654

  Pupils aged 7–10 years of age1 in schools in each local education authority in England

  January 1994

  Pupils by age

  Local education authority

  7 years

  8 years

  9 years

  10 years

  Hackney

  2,427

  2,468

  2,365

  2,283

  Hammersmith

  1,350

  1,336

  1,294

  1,260

  Islington

  2,078

  1,995

  1,966

  1,803

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1,815

  1,652

  1,574

  1,466

  Lambeth

  2,694

  2,720

  2,492

  2,419

  Lewisham

  2,877

  2,848

  2,577

  2,668

  Southwark

  3,131

  2,970

  2,764

  2,842

  Tower Hamlets

  2,836

  2,815

  2,727

  2,564

  Wandsworth

  2,548

  2,510

  2,269

  2,232

  Westminster

  1,584

  1,545

  1,457

  1,488

  Barking

  1,947

  1,988

  1,921

  1,928

  Barnet

  3,442

  3,432

  3,256

  3,299

  Bexley

  2,793

  2,824

  2,557

  2,572

  Brent

  3,155

  3,024

  2,961

  2,865

  Bromley

  3,520

  3,409

  3,226

  3,321

  Croydon

  4,041

  4,002

  3,766

  3,887

  655

  Pupils aged 7–10 years of age1 in schools in each local education authority in England

  January 1994

  Pupils by age

  Local education authority

  7 years

  8 years

  9 years

  10 years

  Ealing

  3,573

  3,507

  3,481

  3,486

  Enfield

  3,234

  3,275

  3,091

  3,064

  Haringey

  2,677

  2,588

  2,468

  2,411

  Harrow

  2,542

  2,535

  2,483

  2,438

  Havering

  2,815

  2,886

  2,729

  2,704

  Hillingdon

  3,023

  3,034

  2,798

  2,841

  Hounslow

  2,503

  2,542

  2,317

  2,302

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,663

  1,608

  1,531

  1,551

  Merton

  1,990

  1,928

  1,922

  1,914

  Newham

  3,458

  3,460

  3,401

  3,237

  Redbridge

  2,971

  2,990

  3,055

  2,906

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,943

  1,953

  1,754

  1,816

  Sutton

  1,939

  2,029

  1,855

  1,876

  Waltham Forest

  2,784

  2,711

  2,656

  2,569

  Birmingham

  14,808

  14,791

  14,195

  14,254

  Coventry

  4,191

  4,123

  3,953

  3,812

  Dudley

  4,005

  3,893

  3,651

  3,708

  Sandwell

  4,040

  4,007

  3,777

  3,330

  Solihull

  2,761

  2,766

  2,572

  2,609

  Walsall

  3,636

  3,717

  3,440

  3,578

  Wolverhampton

  3,328

  3,286

  3,158

  3,184

  Knowsley

  2,355

  2,385

  2,197

  2,305

  Liverpool

  6,835

  6,892

  6,515

  6,379

  St. Helens

  2,435

  2,328

  2,250

  2,332

  Sefton

  3,792

  3,797

  3,723

  3,794

  Wirral

  4,499

  4,611

  4,253

  4,435

  Bolton

  3,721

  3,726

  3,569

  3,603

  Bury

  2,343

  2,386

  2,240

  2,190

  Manchester

  6,397

  6,186

  5,946

  5,814

  Oldham

  3,359

  3,304

  3,204

  3,138

  Rochdale

  2,975

  2,977

  2,822

  2,908

  Salford

  3,132

  3,107

  2,941

  2,940

  Stockport

  3,821

  3,831

  3,717

  3,723

  Tameside

  3,038

  3,029

  2,868

  2,848

  Trafford

  2,891

  2,858

  2,767

  2,775

  Wigan

  4,069

  4,091

  3,897

  3,918

  Barnsley

  2,819

  2,745

  2,749

  2,694

  Doncaster

  4,123

  4,041

  3,871

  3,923

  Rotherham

  3,390

  3,401

  3,166

  3,343

  Sheffield

  6,228

  5,875

  5,812

  5,585

  Bradford

  7,096

  7,150

  7,016

  6,924

  Calderdale

  2,556

  2,676

  2,527

  2,451

  Kirklees

  5,061

  5,059

  5,028

  4,879

  Leeds

  9,254

  8,778

  8,542

  8,646

  Wakefield

  4,296

  4,241

  4,021

  4,016

  Gateshead

  2,529

  2,477

  2,445

  2,346

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,483

  3,393

  3,241

  3,329

  North Tyneside

  2,452

  2,536

  2,342

  2,406

  South Tyneside

  2,218

  2,110

  1,893

  1,865

  Sunderland

  4,091

  4,159

  3,898

  4,055

  Isles of Scilly

  31

  23

  18

  33

  Avon

  11,730

  11,592

  11,224

  11,062

  Bedfordshire

  7,584

  7,449

  7,137

  7,227

  Berkshire

  10,034

  9,785

  9,581

  9,499

  Buckinghamshire

  8,503

  8,754

  8,230

  8,303

  Cambridgeshire

  8,482

  8,647

  8,170

  8,303

  Cheshire

  12,797

  12,788

  12,265

  12,330

  Cleveland

  8,187

  8,303

  8,120

  7,889

  Cornwall

  5,647

  5,814

  5,566

  5,613

  Cumbria

  5,861

  5,979

  5,895

  5,889

  Derbyshire

  11,699

  11,698

  11,259

  11,388

  Devon

  12,435

  11,923

  11,958

  11,936

  Dorset

  7,315

  7,467

  7,065

  7,046

  Durham

  7,570

  7,724

  7,405

  7,468

  East Sussex

  7,640

  7,968

  7,577

  7,780

  Essex

  19,421

  19,012

  18,714

  18,400

  Gloucestershire

  6,630

  6,698

  6,439

  6,447

  Hampshire

  19,864

  19,950

  18,852

  19,299

  Hereford and Worcester

  8,520

  8,446

  8,421

  8,623

  656

  Pupils aged 7–10 years of age1 in schools in each local education authority in England

  January 1994

  Pupils by age

  Local education authority

  7 years

  8 years

  9 years

  10 years

  Hertfordshire

  12,865

  12,391

  12,318

  12,326

  Humberside

  11,767

  11,725

  11,260

  11.039

  Isle of Wight

  1,432

  1,441

  1,495

  1,430

  Kent

  19,605

  19,334

  18,839

  18.775

  Lancashire

  18,717

  18,537

  18,226

  18,014

  Leicestershire

  11,833

  11,848

  11,575

  11,488

  Lincolnshire

  7,166

  7,287

  7,119

  7,175

  Norfolk

  8,742

  8,567

  8,396

  8,411

  North Yorkshire

  8.327

  8,544

  8.313

  8,423

  Northamptonshire

  8,009

  7.956

  7,713

  7,637

  Northumberland

  3,847

  3,942

  3,723

  3,803

  Nottinghamshire

  13,036

  12,895

  12,288

  12,509

  Oxfordshire

  7,026

  6,884

  6,728

  6,847

  Shropshire

  5,393

  5,480

  5,251

  5,403

  Somerset

  5,743

  5,726

  5,671

  5,729

  Staffordshire

  13,367

  13,518

  13,063

  13,401

  Suffolk

  7,668

  7,775

  7,622

  7,482

  Surrey

  12,074

  12,135

  11,657

  11,688

  Warwickshire

  6,211

  6,129

  5,966

  5,991

  West Sussex

  8,238

  8,001

  8,101

  8,184

  Wiltshire

  7,469

  7,421

  7,048

  7,087

  England

  614,723

  611,778

  589,840

  590,597

  1 Ages as at 31 August 1993.

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what was the absenteeism rate for her Department in each year since 1991;

  (2) what was the absenteeism rate for the Teachers Pensions Agency in each year since 1991.

  Mr. Forth
  The staff of the Teachers Pensions Agency are employed by the Department of Education and TPA absence rates are not collected separately.

  The average number of working days lost due to sickness by DFE staff over the last three years is as follows:

  1991

  1992

  1993

  8.9

  10

  9.8

  (days per staff year)

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children under the age of five years were attending on a(a) full-time basis and (b) part-time basis (i) nursery classes, (ii) nursery schools or (iii) reception classes in primary schools on the latest date for which information is available

  Mr. Forth
  The number of full-time pupils under five being taught in maintained nursery and primary schools in England in January 1994 is shown in table.

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Nursery Schools

  8,930

  43,332

  Primary Schools

  Nursery Classes

  27,292

  267,039

  Infant Classes

  299,155

  28,848

  657

  Student Loans Company Ltd.
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when she expects to receive the report of Coopers and Lybrand into alleged corruption within the Student Loans Company Ltd.; and if she will place a copy in the Library.

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend has received the provisional conclusions of Coopers and Lybrand's investigation into allegations of impropriety at the Student Loans Company. The investigation is nearing completion. Its full conclusions will be reported to the Committee of Public Accounts in the normal way.

  Grant-Maintained Schools (Condition Survey)
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education which company won the contract for undertaking the forthcoming condition survey of grant-maintained schools; what is the price of the contract; and what criteria for standards of work on the survey were employed in assessing the tenders.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  These matters are now the responsibility of the Funding Agency for Schools. I have asked the chairman of the funding agency to write to the hon. Member.

ENVIRONMENT

  Dioxins and Furans
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the contribution of municipal waste incineration to the presence of dioxins and furans in the environment; and if he will make a statement.

  Non-domestic rate yield England

  Number of hereditaments at

  Non-domestic rate yield per hereditament

  £ million

  £ million 1993–94 prices

  start of year1 millions

  £

  £ 1993–94 prices

  1979–80

  3,354

  8,235

  3.52

  953

  2,339

  1983–84

  6,042

  10,198

  3.57

  1,692

  2,857

  1987–88

  8,188

  11,498

  3.65

  2,243

  3,150

  1992–932

  11,479

  11,830

  1.64

  6,999

  7,213

  1994–952

  10,664

  10,455

  1.64

  6,502

  6,375

  Notes:

  1There were a number of changes to the definition of a non-dimestic on 1 April 1990, when the uniform business rate was introduced in particular, domestic garages outside the curtilage of the dwelling ceased to be treated as non-domestic properties. Figures for years prior to April 1990 are not therefore comparable with later years.

  2Figure for yield are based on the estimated gross contribution to the non-domestic rates pool for 1992–93 and 1994–95 i.e before the allowance for the cost of collection and the City of London offset are netted off. They include an allowance for adjustments to the yield in respect of prior years, as a results of successful appeals decided in the year, and other changes in rateable values The estimates do not include amounts contributed by central Government to compensate the non-domestic rates pool for loss of income resulting from changes to the transitional arrangements, as announced in recent budgets.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of projects approved under the single regeneration budget and the last five years' operation of the urban programme were for(a) economic, (b) social and (c) community projects.
  658
  Mr. Atkins
  So long as municipal waste incineration used older technologies and standards, it was a significant source of dioxins and furans. The Royal Commission on environmental pollution, in its 17th report "Incineration of Waste", Cm 2181, concurred with pollution paper 27, "Dioxins in the Environment", in estimating that in the 1970s and 1980s domestic waste incineration may have been contributing one fifth of the man made releases of dioxins and furans to the United Kingdom environment. In 1991, we introduced far stricter emission standards on incineration. This led the royal commission to conclude that the proportion of the dioxin and furan load attributable to municipal waste incineration would undergo substantial percentage reductions. The royal commission has recently confirmed its view that incinerators which meet present-day emission standards are environmentally acceptable. Further work is being done to assess the origins, scale and impacts of dioxin emissions; but the royal commission's conclusion should remain unaffected.

  National Waste Strategy
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce details of the national waste strategy.

  Mr. Atkins
  We are aiming to issue a draft waste strategy for England and Wales for consultation later this month and to publish the final version of the strategy in the summer.

  Business Rates
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what the average business ratepayer paid in 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992 and in the latest available year in(a) actual and (b) real terms.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Average business rates per ratepayer prior to April 1990 cannot be compared with figures for later years. The following table gives the available information:

  Mr. Curry
  Partnership bids approved under the first single regeneration budget bidding round, address a wide range of local needs and priorities, reflecting the objectives set out in paragraph 10 of the published bidding guidance, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Information is not held in the form requested; but I sent details of all the successful bids to the hon. Member on 5 December.
  659
  For the urban programme,the proportion of projects of projects by category is as follows:

  Year

  Economic Per cent.

  Environmental Per cent.

  Social Per cent.

  Housing Per cent.

  1990–91

  29

  17

  46

  8

  1991–92

  33

  23

  44

  —

  1992–93

  26

  24

  50

  —

  1993–94

  33

  27

  40

  —

  1994–95 (provisional)

  34

  22

  44

  —

  Notes:

  "Housing" ceased to be a separate category in 1990–91; from 1991–92 most "housing" activity was recorded under "environmental". Most "community" projects would have been classified as "social" and could be disaggregated only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what extra resources are available in the single regeneration budget following the ending of targeted programmes.

  Mr. Curry
  Targeted programmes have not ended. All existing commitments under the 20 programmes which now form part of the single regeneration budget continue to be honoured.

  Following the first bidding round, £125 million is available for new SRB projects in 1995–96 and £225 million in both 1996–97 and 1997–98. A second bidding round, to be launched later this year, will build up to expenditure of £200 million in 1997–98, with £40 million available in 1996–97 for early funding of approved projects.

  Total SRB expenditure over the next three years on current plans will be almost £4 billion, of which over £800 million will be available for new projects. The balance of resources—over £1 billion a year—will fund the commitments on existing programmes.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received suggesting that planning legislation should be amended to enable local authorities to require planning permission for houses in multiple occupation shared by six or fewer adults not of the same family; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Few representations have been made for greater planning controls in this area. The present arrangements reflect that, in land use terms, the amenity of a neighbourhood is not much altered whether a house is occupied by a large family or by six unrelated adults living as a single household.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the amount of Government grant to each of the county councils in the seven-county south-west region, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Kent, per head of population, for each of the financial years 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95; and what is his estimate for 1995–96.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The available information is shown in the tables below. Figures for revenue support grant per head of population are not comparable between years, because RSG is paid to compensate authorities for the difference between their standard spending assessment and the sum of redistributed non-domestic rates and 660
  council tax for standard spending. Note that for the community charge years—1991–92 and 1992–93—there are no figures for RSG to the counties because RSG was paid into the collection fund of the districts under the community charge system.

  RSG per head of population

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £ Settlement1

  Avon

  217

  239

  217

  Cornwall

  235

  266

  258

  Devon

  214

  241

  234

  Dorset

  172

  196

  189

  Gloucestershire

  206

  225

  215

  Somerset

  207

  233

  212

  Wiltshire

  202

  224

  201

  Oxfordshire

  181

  212

  195

  Hampshire

  212

  239

  214

  Kent

  268

  302

  282

  Notes:

  11995–96 provisional settlement figures

  Special and Specific Grants in AEF per head of population1

  1991–92 £ Outturn

  1992–93 £ Outturn

  1993–94 £ Outturn

  1994–94 £ Outturn

  Avon

  54

  60

  74

  76

  Cornwall

  53

  58

  75

  75

  Devon

  56

  63

  81

  79

  Dorset

  54

  58

  70

  77

  Gloucestershire

  59

  64

  77

  81

  Somerset

  58

  64

  80

  83

  Wiltshire

  59

  61

  73

  77

  Oxfordshire

  54

  59

  67

  74

  Hampshire

  51

  57

  67

  71

  Kent

  56

  61

  75

  78

  Note:

  1 Special and specific grants information for 1995–96 is not yet available.

  Mr. Barry Porter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on his proposed notional amounts and adjustments to the capping criteria in 1995–96; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Curry
  We have received a large number of representations from authorities, including new information and revised data, which we are considering carefully. However, we have now reached preliminary views on all these representations, and we are informing authorities of our current proposals reflecting these preliminary conclusions. I am arranging for tables
  661
  showing our current proposals to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Heppel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by how much the levels of(a) local government expenditure and (b) total public expenditure have changed over the last five years in (i) actual and (ii) real terms.

  Mr. Aitken
  I have been asked to reply

  The information requested is given in the table.

  Changes between 1988–89 and 1993–94 per cent.

  Actual

  Real

  General Government expenditure excluding privatisation proceeds:

  +51

  +15

  of which local authorities:

  +47

  +12

  There were some major changes in responsibility between 1988–89 and 1993–94. The main ones are the transfer of responsibility for sixth form colleges-higher education colleges from local authorities to central Government and the transfer of responsibility for community care from central Government to local authorities. If the local authority figures are adjusted to take account of these, the actual change would be 54 per cent. and the real change would be 17 per cent. for local authorities. Grant-maintained schools have been included as part of local authority spending.

  Council Houses
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses were completed by northern councils in each year since 1988; and what are the estimated totals for the next five years.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Estimates of the total numbers of housebuilding completions for each local authority area in the northern region of England are shown in the publication "Local Housing Statistics". Figures are shown for the years indicated in table I of the following issues:

  Year

  Issue number

  Table numbers

  1988–90

  103

  1(d), 1(e)and 1(f)

  1991

  105

  1(b)

  1992

  109

  1(b)

  1993–941

  110

  1(b) and 1(a)1

  1 first quarter of 1994 only.

  Estimates for the region as a whole are shown in the publication "Housing and Construction Statistics". Figures for 1988 to 1993 are in table 6.4(b) of the latest annual edition. Figures for the first nine months of 1994 are in table 1.3 of the quarterly edition, part 1, for the September quarter 1994. Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  The Department does not forecast the number of new dwellings to be built by local authorities.

  Waste Incinerators
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will remove the disparity of environmental standards imposing on clinical waste 662
  incinerators of differing sizes via his guidance notes PG5/1 and regulations IPR5/2.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The different standards were set because of the different size and pollution potential of the incinerators coming under these two guidance notes. PG5/1 is currently under review and consideration is being given to raising the standards having regard to those in IPR5/2 concerning air pollution control. Most, if not all, clinical waste incinerators are likely to be subject to the EC hazardous waste incineration directive which was adopted last month.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue directives enforcing agencies to ensure that the deadline of 1 October set out in his guidance notes PG5/1 relating to clinical waste incinerators is enforced in a rigorous and timely manner.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Local authorities are required by section 7(11) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to have regard to the guidance issued by the Secretary of State, which specifies a compliance deadline of 1 October 1995. There is no reason to believe that this guidance will not be followed. Failure to comply with an authorisation condition which requires higher air pollution standards after this date would be an offence and would render an incinerator operator liable to fines of up to £20,000 on summary conviction, and an unlimited fine and up to two years' imprisonment on conviction on indictment.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to local authorities on the role to be played by domestic waste incineration in waste disposal strategies.

  Mr. Atkins
  The Department is currently preparing a waste strategy for England and Wales. This will aim to provide a coherent framework for waste management policies throughout the country and will consider the use of domestic waste incineration and the role of local authorities in waste management. We are aiming to issue a draft for consultation later this month and to publish the final version of the strategy in the summer.

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the absenteeism rate for Ordnance Survey in each year since 1991.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to Ordnance Survey under its chief executive, Professor Rhind. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from David Rhind to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 16 January 1995:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment has asked me to reply to your Question about rates of absenteeism in Ordnance Survey.
  The information you requested is contained in the table below. It has been supplied by the Occupational Health Service who have confirmed that similar information for 1994 is not yet available.

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Average number of working days sick absence per head of staff

  8.6

  8.9

  9.0

  Percentage of working days lost due to sick absence

  3.8

  3.9

  4.0

  Please let me know if you require any additional information or clarification.
  663

  Orimulsion
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to require the introduction of gasification processes in any power plant licensed to burn orimulsion; what studies his Department has made of the environmental impact of the use of orimulsion to generate power; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  In line with their statutory obligations under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution will include in the authorisation for any individual plant such conditions as are needed to meet the objective of ensuring that the operator will use the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost for that plant to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce to a minimum and to render harmless releases of prescribed substances, having regard to the best practicable environmental option for the environment as a whole.

  Various studies on orimulsion have been conducted for the Department and for Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution. These have addressed such issues as: SO, emissions from orimulsion compared with heavy fuel oil or UK coal; emissions of particulates, vanadium and nickel and the production of acid smuts from the combustion of orimulsion; and the effects of spillage of orimulsion.

  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many inspectors were employed by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution on 31 March of each year since 1990; and how many were engaged in work concerned with(a) waste disposal and (b) disposal of radioactive substances.

  Mr. Atkins
  The information is as follows:

  Number of inspectors in post as at:

  31 March 1990

  105

  31 March 1991

  115

  31 March 1992

  148

  31 March 1993

  170

  31 March 1994

  188

  Under HMIP's integrated structure, work on waste disposal and disposal of radioactive substances is undertaken by staff working in multi-disciplinary teams where individuals address all aspects of the inspectorate's responsibilities for pollution regulation and control.

  Radioactive Waste
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action has been taken in respect of the owner of the field at Poplar farm, Chelveston, Northamptonshire, in which drums of uranium 238 filings were found in mid-January.

  Mr. Atkins
  The legislation under which radioactive waste is controlled is the Radioactive Substance Act. 1993. The question of possible enforcement action under this Act is a matter for the chief inspector of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution. At this time, the matters are 664
  under investigation and any actions taken will depend on the outcome of these investigations.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received a report from Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution on the source of the drums of uranium 238 filings found recently at Poplar farm, Chelveston, Northamptonshire; if the carrier who took the drums from the point of production has been identified; whether the carrier was a registered carrier; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The scrap metal containing uranium found on land at Poplar farm, Caldecott, Northamptonshire is of unknown origin. Investigations are continuing to try and trace the source of the material and those involved in its movement.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the nature of the uranium recently discovered in Northampton; what action has been taken to protect the interests of local people; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  The scrap metal containing uranium found on land at Poplar farm, Caldecott, Northamptonshire consists of metal turnings commonly called swarf. It is believed to contain depleted uranium.

  When this was discovered, HMIP informed the local police force and other relevant bodies. The local standing emergency plan was put into force. HMIP arranged for the scrap metal to be removed from the site; any remaining contamination will be removed shortly. Operations were managed so that the risk to the public was minimal. A 24-hour police presence was arranged to restrict access to the site by unauthorised persons. The United States air force authorities were consulted about the accommodation they use opposite the site.

  A local health telephone help line was put in place so that residents or other members of the public could seek advice or monitoring.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations control the disposal of uranium by civil bodies; what consideration has been given to bringing these into line with regulations concerning disposal of uranium from military sources; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Atkins
  Disposal of radioactive waste is subject to regulation under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. Premises occupied by armed forces are exempt from the terms of the Act, although under arrangements agreed with the Ministry of Defence, Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution and Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate control disposal from military sites as if the Act applied to those premises. The arrangements are kept under review.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what volume of(a) low-level, (b) medium-level and (c) high-level radioactive waste was produced in England and Wales in each year since 1990;

  (2) what volume of (a) low-level, (b) medium-level and (c) high-level radioactive waste is expected to be produced in England and Wales in each year from 1995 to 2000.
  665
  Mr. Atkins
  Information about radioactive waste produced in the UK can be found in the "The United Kingdom Radioactive Waste Inventory 1991", a copy of which is held in the Library of the House. A 1994 edition of the inventory is currently in preparation.

  Sustainable Development
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the first meeting of the United Kingdom round table on sustainable development is to be held; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The inaugural meeting of the round table will be held on Monday 23 January. Professor Sir Richard Southwood and I will be co-chairmen.

  This is a major new body with a vital role in driving forward environmentally sustainable development. It will have the following objectives:

  to help identify the agenda and priorities for sustainable development;

  to develop new areas of consensus on difficult issues of sustainable development and where this is not possible, to clarify and reduce difference;

  >to provide advice and recommendations on actions to achieve sustainable development;

  to help evaluate progress towards objectives; and

  to inform and involve others, building wider support for emerging consensus.

  A copy of my letter of invitation to members has been placed in the House Library. A list of members will be placed in the Library shortly.

  Site Rebate Scheme
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the cost of the site rebate scheme in 1966 and the cost of the council tax rebate in the current year.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Local authorities in England and Wales were paid £22,350,000 in rating relief in 1966–67. The cost of council tax benefit is currently estimated to be £2,011 million for 1994–95.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the division of responsibilities and relationship between his departmental Ministers and agencies.

  Mr. Lang
  Information about the respective roles and responsibilities of the Secretary of State and the agency chief executive is set out in the framework document for each individual executive agency. Copies of framework documents for all eight of my executive agencies were placed in the Library of the House when each agency was launched or following a triennial review of the agency, where this has taken place.

  Asylum Seekers
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 29 November 1994 to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Pollok (Mr. Dunnachie)Official Report, columns 691–92, if his intention not to
  666
  change how refugees are treated with regard to charges for further education extends to those seeking asylum.

  Mr. Lang
  As I explained in my answer to the right hon. Member on 9 December 1994,Official Report, column 350, the position of those seeking asylum is currently part of the consultations to which I referred in that answer.

  Flooding
  Mr. Graham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what extra finance he is making available to the local authorities who have been affected by the recent floodings in Scotland.

  Mr. Stewart
  The extra financial assistance from the Government to the local authorities affected by last month's severe flooding in Strathclyde takes a variety of forms.

  First, the Bellwin scheme of emergency financial assistance to local authorities has been activated as regards the whole of Strathclyde region. It is therefore open to all authorities within Strathclyde to submit claims for grant under the scheme. No formal claims have yet been received, as again the local authorities are still assessing their costs. Authorities have until 31 May 1995 to submit their claims. It is therefore too early to estimate what the final amounts of any Bellwin grant payable as a result of the flooding might be.

  Secondly, a supplementary housing capital allocation of £100,000 was made to Renfrew district council in respect of the cost of re-housing persons made homeless by the flooding and carrying out repairs to council housing stock. I also announced that a further £150,000 was being made available to meet further capital housing requirements in the current financial year for any of the district councils in the affected area: as yet no request has been received for any part of these additional resources.

  Thirdly, supplementary non-housing capital allocations totalling £1.365 million was made to Strathclyde regional council for 1994–95. These related to a variety of services, primarily roads and transport and water and sewerage, and met in full the request for additional capital resources made by the regional council. We have advised the district councils affected that we will consider sympathetically, so far as available resources allow, any requests from them for additional non-housing capital allocations for the current financial year. So far no such requests have been received.

  Finally, we have made it clear to the local authorities concerned that we will take into account when setting both housing and non-housing capital allocations for 1995–96 any reasonable requests from them for additional resources arising from the flooding. Again no such requests have yet been received, as I understand that the authorities concerned are still assessing the costs to them of the flooding.

  We continue to be in close touch with the local authorities and will respond to any requests from them as quickly as possible.

  Shipbuilding
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the size of the shipbuilding industry in Scotland in 1979; and what its size is now.
  667
  Mr. Stewart
  In 1979, the shipbuilding industry in Scotland employed about 18,800 people in 12 shipyards, excluding ship repair and boat building yards. In 1994, the industry employed 5,200 people in five shipyards, again excluding ship repair and boat building.

  Training in Scotland
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the allocation of the budgets for Training in Scotland from 1994–95 and 1995–96.

  £ millions

  1994–95

  1995–96 (plans)

  Scottish Enterprise

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  Scottish Enterprise

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  Youth training

  87.0

  6.451

  91.386

  6.731

  Adult training/training for work

  88.431

  5.302

  79.328

  4.925

  Enterprise training/training and education support

  21.183

  1.696

  27.740

  2.103

  Councillors' Allowances
  Mr. Kynoch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the outcome of the recent consultation exercise on councillors' allowances; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Stewart
  A total of around 50 responses were received to the consultation paper. In the light of these comments, my right hon. Friend has decided to bring forward amending regulations which will apply to the shadow and islands councils from April 1995 onwards. The new system will recognise the workload that councillors will have to undertake after reorganisation and will allow local authorities greater flexibility. The draft regulations will:provide a Scottish quantum of around £7 million for the payment of basic allowance to all councillors; this may include a discretionary attendance allowance scheme of up to 25 per cent. of each council's share of the quantum;
  require the Scottish quantum to be distributed on the basis of population within each of the new council areas in three bandwidths. Details of the three bandwidths and the amount each authority will use to calculate its share of the quantum for basic/attendance allowance are given below. The sum available for each council is calculated by multiplying the figures given by the number of councillors.
  leave decisions on the payment of special responsibility allowance at the discretion of councils themselves, who will have to balance their priorities and needs in determining payments. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has indicated its willingness to issue guidance on the level of special responsibility allowances which might be paid;
  require that where special responsibility allowance is paid councils will, as at present, pay the allowance to at least one member of an opposition group.
  require councils to publish details of their allowances scheme and to publish an annual report of payments made to individual councillors.

  My right hon. Friend will consult local authority interests on the draft regulations with the intention that the new system will be in place for the shadow and islands councils in April 1995. The present arrangements for the payment of councillors' allowances will remain in place for the existing mainland councils until the new councils take over in April 1996.
  668
  Mr. Stewart
  In 1994–95, a total of £210.063 million was allocated to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to fund their respective training programmes. The planning figure for 1995–96, which includes provision for the package of training measures announced last year in the White Paper on Competitiveness, is £212.213 million: this figure is subject to parliamentary approval of the estimates. A breakdown of the allocations is as follows:

  Basic/attendance allowance

  Population over 150,000

  City of Aberdeen

  6,000

  Aberdeenshire

  6,000

  City of Dundee

  6,000

  City of Edinburgh

  6,000

  Fife

  6,000

  City of Glasgow

  6,000

  Highland

  6,000

  North Lanarkshire

  6,000

  South Lanarkshire

  6,000

  Renfrewshire

  6,000

  Population 100,000–150,000

  Angus

  5,500

  East Ayrshire

  5,500

  North Ayrshire

  5,500

  South Ayrshire

  5,500

  The Borders

  5,500

  Dumfries and Galloway

  5,500

  East Dunbartonshire

  5,500

  Falkirk

  5,500

  West Lothian

  5,500

  Perth and Kinross

  5,500

  Population up to 100,000

  Argyll and Bute

  5,000

  Clackmannan

  5,000

  Dumbarton and Clydebank

  5,000

  Inverclyde

  5,000

  East Lothian

  5,000

  Midlothian

  5,000

  Moray

  5,000

  Orkney Islands Council

  5,000

  East Renfrewshire

  5,000

  Shetland Islands Council

  5,000

  Stirling

  5,000

  Western Isles Islands Council

  5,000

  The Secretary of State also proposes to align where practicable the rates of travel and subsistence payable to elected members of local authorities with those paid to local authority officials. A circular to local authorities giving details of the new rates which will be effective from 1 April 1994 will be issued in due course.
  669

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been received in management allowances by each general practitioner fundholding practice for each financial year since its establishment.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: The information requested is not available centrally. The monitoring of individual fundholder's management allowances is the responsibility of individual health boards as part of their role in monitoring the overall performance of fundholders in management of their fund. The allowance has a maximum level—£35,000 for 1994–95 which no practice can exceed.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures are being taken in each health board area in Scotland to promote general practitioner fundholding; how many general practitioner fundholding practices are currently operating within each health board area; and how much it has cost for each health board to promote this policy.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: The information requested on current numbers of operational GP fundholding practices is as set out in the table. Each health board is responsible for the promotion of GP fundholding in its area and decides its own measures to promote the scheme. The expenditure incurred is largely indirect costs which are not separately identifiable within overall health board expenditure.

  Number of GP fundholders currently operational

  Argyll and Clyde

  5

  Ayrshire and Arran

  4

  Borders

  2

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1

  Fife

  4

  Forth Valley

  4

  Grampian

  31

  Greater Glasgow

  11

  Highland

  3

  Lanarkshire

  15

  Lothian

  18

  Orkney

  —

  Shetland

  —

  Tayside

  9

  Western Isles

  —

  Scotland

  107

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the general practitioner fundholders currently operating in Scotland, for each health board area, and the dates when these practices were established.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: According to the latest information provided by health boards there are currently 107 operational fundholders in Scotland. As listing all with dates of establishment would be rather lengthy I shall arrange for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money has been spent on 670
  management allowances for general practitioner fundholders for each health board area during the financial year 1993–94; and how much the Scottish Office estimates will be spent on general practitioner fundholder allowances during the financial year 1994–95.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: The information requested is given in the table. GP fundholding has delivered many improvements in quality of care for patients. The costs of the management allowance—at about 2 per cent. of budgets set represents excellent value for money.

  The estimated expenditure for 1994–95 is based on health board forecasts. GP practices can be approved for entry to the fundholding scheme at any point during the year and therefore the estimate of expenditure for 1994–95 may underestimate actual expenditure.

  Health board

  1993–94 £000

  1994–95 £000 (estimated)

  Argyll and Clyde

  169

  175

  Ayrshire and Arran

  131

  140

  Borders

  54

  80

  Dumfries and Galloway

  32

  95

  Fife

  84

  153

  Forth Valley

  135

  169

  Grampian

  1,006

  1,190

  Greater Glasgow

  275

  509

  Highland

  100

  105

  Lanarkshire

  418

  543

  Lothian

  428

  717

  Orkney

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  Tayside

  282

  322

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  3,114

  4,198

  1. The expenditure includes both revenue and capital components.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment the Scottish Office has made of the impact of general practitioner fundholding on patient care.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: The Scottish Office has provided funding for an independent evaluation of the impact of GP fundholding on patient care.

  This evaluation is currently being carried out by a team led by Professor John Howie from the department of general practice at Edinburgh university. The final report is due for publication during 1995.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what target has been set by the Scottish Office for the number of general practitioner fundholding practices for each health board area in Scotland.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office has not specifically set a target number of general practitioner fundholding practices for each health board area in Scotland. However, all health boards other than Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles have agreed with the NHS Management Executive an objective of achieving at least 30 per cent. coverage of the population by 1995–96.
  671

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff in his Department have reported an offer of employment from an outside employer since February 1993 as required under the civil service management code; and how many of these reports were followed by an application to join the company concerned.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: Five members of staff have reported an offer of employment from an outside employer since February 1993.

  All these reports were followed by an application to join the company concerned.

  Private Patients
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many in-patient and out-patient private patients were treated in NHS hospitals; and what was

  Table 1

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Health board

  In-patients

  Out-patients

  In-patients

  Out-patients

  In-patients

  Out-patients

  Argyll and Clyde

  259

  625

  52

  704

  104

  541

  Ayr and Arran

  1,217

  318

  410

  215

  406

  194

  Borders

  182

  60

  214

  119

  142

  84

  Dumfries and Galloway

  0

  320

  0

  249

  0

  271

  Fife

  20

  0

  5

  8

  10

  9

  Forth Valley

  195

  174

  142

  210

  163

  363

  Grampian

  1,674

  1,644

  214

  368

  169

  330

  Greater Glasgow

  77

  29

  114

  39

  85

  389

  Highland

  282

  209

  230

  146

  412

  196

  Lanarkshire

  0

  24

  0

  1

  0

  3

  Lothian

  749

  395

  845

  48S

  61

  428

  Orkney

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shetland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tayside

  724

  848

  733

  950

  233

  471

  Western Isles

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  5,379

  4,646

  2,959

  3,494

  1,785

  3,279

  Table 2

  £000

  Health board

  1989—90

  1990—91

  1991—92

  1992—93

  1993—94

  Argyll and Clyde

  69

  57

  49

  43

  36

  Ayr and Arran

  144

  174

  234

  142

  115

  Borders

  22

  32

  42

  52

  32

  Dumfries and Galloway

  3

  5

  6

  6

  8

  Fife

  1

  1

  4

  0

  1

  Forth Valley

  82

  22

  37

  33

  55

  Grampian

  304

  328

  473

  563

  567

  Greater Glasgow

  34

  43

  12

  19

  485

  Highland

  28

  37

  54

  60

  117

  Lanarkshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Lothian

  212

  255

  548

  608

  802

  Orkney

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shetland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tayside

  130

  162

  184

  193

  244

  Western Isles

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  1,029

  1,116

  1,643

  1,719

  2,463

  672
  the total income earned from private patients in each of the last five years, and by health board area.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 13 January 1995]: The figures in the tables have been taken from health board annual accounts and from 1992–93 a combination of health board and NHS trust annual accounts. The figures for 1993–94 are provisional.

  The number of in-patient and out-patient private patients treated in NHS hospitals for the years 1991–92 to 1993–94 is set out in table 1. The figures for 1989–90 and 1990–91 are not available centrally.

  The income earned from private patients in each of the last five years by health board area is set out in table 2. The figure for Greater Glasgow in 1993–94 includes overseas patients, and can therefore not be compared directly with those for earlier years.
  673

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Armley Prison
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners at HM prison, Armley have been on suicide watch for each month since January 1991;

  (2) how many complaints have been received at HM prison, Armley from solicitors and probation officers in each year since 1990; and if he will list the nature of them;

  (3) what is the number of prison officers at HM prison, Armley as a percentage of the officially assessed establishment figure;

  (4) how many prisoners at HM prison, Armley have been (a) held in Armley for each year to date since 1989,(b) held on remand for each year to date since 1989, (c) detained for non payment of fines for each year to date since 1989 and (d) transferred from HM prison, Everthorpe subsequent to the recent disturbances there; how many prisoners there are detained three to a cell; when all the new wings will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement;

  (5) how many staff were employed at HM prison, Armley (a) in administration, (b) as prison officers and (c) educational staff for each year to date from 1989;

  (6) how many prisoners in HM prison, Armley have unsupervised access to a telephone;

  (7) for how many hours per (a) day and (b) week prisoners at HM prison, Armley are detained in their cells.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for these matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Philippa Drew to Mr. John Battle, dated 19 January 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions about Leeds prison.
  The decision to keep a prisoner on special watch because of the risk of suicide or self harm is noted on the individual prisoner medical records and the computerised local inmate database system, which is updated daily. No central statistical records are kept.
  The governor of Leeds and the area manager receive a number of enquiries from solicitors and probation staff on a wide variety of matters. Common subjects include sentence calculation, court production and personal injury claims. Copies of such correspondence are kept with the prisoners' individual records, and again no central records are maintained.
  The budgeted number of prison officer grades for Leeds is 360. Staffing levels are being reviewed at Leeds to determine the required staffing level for the work being undertaken. There are 361 officer grades employed in discipline duties at Leeds.
  The average daily population at Leeds prison in the years 1989 to date was as follows:

  All prisoners

  Remand prisoners

  Fine defaulters

  1989

  1,244

  626

  16

  1990

  1,064

  487

  14

  1991

  929

  457

  17

  1992

  881

  390

  20

  1993

  927

  445

  20

  19941

  1,073

  458

  18

  1 1994 figures are for January—November.

  674
  Forty eight prisoners were transferred to Leeds from Everthorpe prison after the recent disturbance.
  The new accommodation at Leeds (E and F wings) is fully operational. "A" wing has been closed for refurbishment. No prisoners are held three to a cell designed for one prisoner.
  The information on staff employed at the prison is as follows:

  Administration grades

  Officer grades (including specialists)

  Education staff (full-time)

  1989

  48

  321

  7

  1990

  48

  318

  7

  1991

  50.5

  332

  7.5

  1992

  50.5

  363

  6.5

  1993

  58

  428

  16

  1994

  58.5

  434

  16

  1 Full-time staff contracted from Manchester College since August 1993.

  The figures for education staff do not include teaching staff employed on a sessional basis, whose number varies throughout the academic year. The present contract allows for the services of up to 14 part-time teachers to be used.
  On average prisoners in Leeds spend 17 hours per day (119 hours per week) in their cells. The minimum time out of cell for any prisoner is three hours, the maximum twelve hours. The governor aims to increase the amount of time prisoners can spend out of their cells by restructuring shift working practices. In the longer term, a new education block and workshops are planned to provide more activity places.
  No prisoners at Leeds have unsupervised access to a cardphone. All calls are recorded and may be remotely monitored by staff.

  Policing, Shoreham
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the cost of policing at Shoreham harbour in West Sussex.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Sussex as to the cost of policing the demonstrations against the export of live calves at Shoreham harbour; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Howard
  I understand that the latest estimate of the costs of policing the demonstrations against animal shipments at Shoreham is £1.9 million. Fifty-one per cent. of all expenditure incurred by Sussex police in 1994–95 will be met by Home Office grant.

  The force should look first to its county councils for any extra cash needed. The force budget for the current financial year is some £4 million below its standard spending assessment. Making up that shortfall would attract a further £4 million in Home Office grant, and would give the force increased resources of £8 million in all. This would more than cover the reported costs of the Shoreham demonstrations.

  The Government have played its part in ensuring that the Sussex police force is adequately funded. Our current proposals will enable Sussex to spend next year up to £18 million, or 14 per cent., more than it planned to spend in 1994–95.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his current estimate of the total overtime payments made to police officers involved in policing the protests at Shoreham;

  (2) what has been the total cost to date of the police presence at Shoreham in connection with calf exports.
  675
  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have given today to a question from the hon. Member for Shoreham (Mr. Stephen).

  Overtime payments made to police officers involved in policing the demonstrations could be identified only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the division of responsibilities and relationship between his departmental Ministers and agencies.

  Mr. Howard
  The relative responsibilities of Ministers and chief executives of Home Office executive agencies are set out in the framework documents of those agencies, copies of them are available in the Library.

  Prison Catering
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for(a) Doncaster, (b) Lindholme, (c) Wolds, (d) Wakefield, (e) Durham women's wing and (f) New Hall, Wakefield prisons the organisations providing catering; and what are the per capita costs of catering for each establishment.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Philippa Drew to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 18 January 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the

  Activity hours per prisoner per week

  July

  August

  September

  October

  November

  December

  Durham

  20.2

  18.1

  23.8

  25.5

  25.0

  25.2

  Lindholme

  30.8

  30.3

  29.3

  28.2

  28.4

  27.0

  New Hall

  27.8

  28.2

  26.8

  27.9

  32.3

  31.8

  Wakefield

  21.8

  19.6

  21.5

  20.5

  20.7

  18.9

  Wolds

  21.4

  23.3

  21.2

  22.2

  23.3

  22.5

  Doncaster

  n/a

  n/a

  18.8

  19.2

  19.0

  21.3

  Algeria
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to prevent funds being collected in Britain to fund terrorist movements in Algeria.

  Mr. Howard
  I take very seriously any suggestion that foreign terrorist groups are receiving support from within this country and accordingly I ensure that the police and the Security Service have the resources and powers that they need to counter effectively any attempts to raise money here to fund terrorist attacks abroad. Any relevant information which comes to the attention of these services is thoroughly investigated, with a view to action under the criminal law, including the prevention of terrorism legislation, or under the Immigration Act 1971.
  676
  cost of providing catering services to Doncaster, Lindholme, Wolds, Wakefield, Durham and New Hall prisons.

  For Wolds and Doncaster, I would refer you to Tony Butler's reply to your earlier Question about the cost of food at privately managed prisons (Hansard 17 February 1994, column 797).

  At Lindholme, Wakefield, Durham and New Hall, the catering is provided by Prison Service staff. The costs per inmate day for each establishment are:

  Staff Costs £

  Food Costs £

  Lindholme

  1.05

  1.36

  Wakefield

  1.10

  1.36

  Durham

  1.08

  1.36

  New Hall

  1.20

  1.38

  Prisoners
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for(a) Doncaster, (b) Lindholme, (c) Wolds, (d) Wakefield, (e) Durham women's wing and (f) New Hall, Wakefield prisons, the average number of hours per week which prisoners spend in structured activities for each of the last six months.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Philippa Drew to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 19 January 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the average number of hours per week which prisoners have spent in structured activities during the last six months at Doncaster, Lindholme, Wolds, Wakefield, Durham women's wing and New Hall prisons.
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each of his Department's executive agencies, the names of those people whose appointments he has approved that have served in(a) the Army, (b) the Royal Air Force and (c) the Royal Navy; and what service rank they last held.

  Mr. Howard
  None.

  Prison Staff, Pentonville
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will be pursuing disciplinary proceedings against the prison staff involved in restraining Omasase Lumumba in Pentonville prison.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison
  677
  Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 19 January 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about disciplinary action against the prison staff involved in restraining Mr Omasase Lumumba in Pentonville prison.
  A full internal Prison Service investigation into the death of Mr Lumumba concluded that there was no evidence to justify disciplinary action against any individual officer. That remains the position.

  Doncaster Prison
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths occurred in Doncaster prison in 1994; and how many were suicides.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 19 January 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Doncaster prison.
  Since it opened on 20 June 1994, two prisoners have died in the prison. Of these one death (that of Ian Buck) has been officially recorded as a suicide. The other (that of Shaun Webster) has still to be determined by an inquest jury.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of each suicide at Doncaster prison in 1994, what was(a) the time the suicide occurred, (b) the prison wing, (c) the number of prisoners on that wing and (d) the number of staff on that wing.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 19 January 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Doncaster prison.
  The only official verdict of suicide at Doncaster has been that of Ian Buck. He was discovered in his cell at 8.02am on 16 September on Unit B of houseblock 2. The number of prisoners unlocked on the unit that morning was 44 and there were 11 staff on duty.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the numbers of staff and number of inmates at Doncaster prison, including those on home leave, on 1 January 1995; how many deaths of inmates held in the prison have taken place since 20 June 1994; and how many prisoners have required immediate hospital admission since 20 June 1994.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 10 January 1995]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. John Gunnell, dated 19 January 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Doncaster prison.
  There were 410 full time and 34 part time staff employed at Doncaster on I January 1995. The total inmate population at
  678
  midnight on 1 January was 723. There were no prisoners on home leave at that time.
  Two inmates have died within the prison and one has died in St James' hospital, Leeds. Since 20 January 1994, twelve prisoners have required immediate hospital admission needing an overnight stay. The reasons for admission include acts of deliberate self-harm, drug-related incidents and assaults by other prisoners, as well as sudden illness.

  Carl Bridgewater Case
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Merseyside police commenced their inquiry into the Carl Bridgewater case; and on what date it was completed.

  Mr. Maclean
  Merseyside police began the current inquiry in February 1994. I understand that they are making every effort to complete it as quickly as possible.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which of the requests for disclosure received by the Home Secretary from representatives of the four men convicted of killing Carl Bridgewater, following the High Court judgment of 28 November, he has yet to respond; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  The expert reports and records of interviews with police witnesses, which the divisional court said specifically should be disclosed, have been made available to the representatives of the convicted men. We are considering what further disclosure is now required in this case in accordance with the court's judgment.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many asylum applicants have been removed to(a) Italy, (b) the Netherlands, (c) Belgium, (d) Germany and (e) France, following refusal of their application on safe third country grounds, since the implementation of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act on 26 July 1993; and how many of those so removed have been returned to the United Kingdom by the authorities of the country concerned;

  (2) how many asylum applicants, excluding dependants were removed from the United Kingdom following refusal of their application on safe third country grounds in 1993; and if he will provide a breakdown of those so removed, by nationality grounds and by country to which they were removed.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Information on the number of removals of asylum seekers whose applications were refused on safe third country grounds, by nationality, for 1993 is given in the table.

  Information on the destination of persons removed after having their application for asylum refused on safe third country grounds and the number of those who were returned by the country removed to could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Number of asylum seekers whose applications were refused on safe third, country grounds and who were removed, excluding dependants, by nationality, 1993

  Country

  Number

  Afghanistan

  7

  Albania

  1

  Algeria

  14

  Angola

  21

  679

  Number of asylum seekers whose applications were refused on safe third country grounds and who were removed, excluding dependants, by nationality, 1993

  Country

  Number

  Bangladesh

  1

  Brazil

  3

  Bulgaria

  4

  China

  4

  Colombia

  6

  Ethiopia

  10

  Former Soviet Union

  6

  Former Yugoslavia

  12

  Ghana

  27

  Hungary

  3

  India

  12

  Iran

  2

  Iraq

  6

  Ivory Coast

  7

  Jordan

  1

  Kuwait

  2

  Lebanon

  16

  Liberia

  6

  Libya

  2

  Morocco

  2

  Niger

  2

  Nigeria

  11

  Pakistan

  12

  Palestine

  4

  Poland

  18

  Romania

  34

  Saudi Arabia

  1

  Sierra Leone

  10

  Somalia

  33

  Sri Lanka

  64

  Sudan

  6

  Togo

  1

  Tunisia

  1

  Turkey

  59

  Uganda

  4

  United States of America

  1

  Zaire

  25

  Nationality doubtful

  6

  Total

  467

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum in the United Kingdom were refused on safe third country grounds in 1994.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  In 1994, 865 applications for asylum were refused on safe third country grounds.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will provide a breakdown of current costs to his Department associated with removing from the United Kingdom persons refused asylum on safe third country grounds;

  (2) what was the total cost to his Department in the financial year 1993–94 of removing from the United Kingdom persons refused asylum on safe third country grounds.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Staff costs relating to removing people refused asylum on safe third country grounds are not recorded separately, and details of escort, detention and removal costs relating to such cases are not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the available information suggests that in the majority of cases in which people were removed to safe third countries in the financial year 1993–94, the directions for removal would have been given to the 680
  inward carrier, who would have been responsible for the costs of escort and detention and for the removal itself.

  Police Budget, Merseyside
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the chief constable of Merseyside on the police budget.

  Mr. Maclean
  The budget for the Merseyside police is a matter for the Merseyside police authority.

  My right hon. and learned Friend received a letter on 29 September from the chief constable of Merseyside, Mr. Sharples, on the subject of the new police funding formula for 1995–96. Mr. Sharples was a member of the delegation from Merseyside which met my right hon. and learned Friend on 14 December 1994 to discuss the proposals, announced on 1 December 1994, for the funding to be available for policing on Merseyside in 1995–96.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amounts have been requested by way of section 11 spending in 1995–96 by each local education authority; and what has been the total amount requested in England.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Most existing projects which will still be running in 1995–96 relate to education. It is hoped to notify local authorities shortly of their grant allocations for 1995–96 expenditure in relation to those projects. In addition, the authorities listed in the table have requested for 1995–96 the amounts of grant shown in respect of new education projects.

  England

  Authority

  Amount requested £

  Avon

  536,190

  Barking and Dagenham

  265,750

  Barnet

  160,000

  Bedfordshire

  87,500

  Berkshire

  19,500

  Bexley

  20,644

  Birmingham

  319,143

  Bolton

  79,500

  Bradford

  3,692,728

  Brent

  370,000

  Bromley

  28,800

  Buckinghamshire

  1,138,021

  Bury

  18,700

  Cambridgeshire

  118,000

  Camden

  1,403,561

  Cleveland

  92,464

  Coventry

  165,355

  Croydon

  427,174

  Derbyshire

  227,940

  Devon

  83,000

  Doncaster

  12,088

  Dorset

  45,700

  Dudley

  770,000

  Ealing

  1,149,762

  East Sussex

  67,000

  Enfield

  456,597

  Essex

  64,511

  Gateshead

  27,000

  Gloucestershire

  17,071

  Greenwich

  1,011,000

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  413,1300

  Hampshire

  66,750

  681

  England

  Authority

  Amount requested £

  Haringey

  250,000

  Harrow

  26,989

  Havering

  35,484

  Hereford and Worcester

  175,500

  Hertfordshire

  29,000

  Hillingdon

  126,828

  Hounslow

  412,000

  Islington

  1,201,5000

  Kent

  90,000

  Kingston upon Thames

  53,064

  Kirklees

  2,000,000

  Lambeth

  1,587,940

  Lancashire

  909,079

  Leeds

  369,924

  Leicestershire

  49,000

  Lewisham

  1,459,424

  Lincolnshire

  18,437

  Liverpool

  154,871

  Manchester

  101,500

  Merton

  79,120

  Newham

  140,320

  Norfolk

  217,051

  North Tyneside

  28,493

  Northamptonshire

  211,277

  Nottinghamshire

  404,467

  Oldham

  121,000

  Oxfordshire

  119,500

  Redbridge

  149,000

  Richmond

  25,200

  Rochdale

  97,000

  Rotherham

  333,767

  Salford

  99,110

  Sandwell

  316,753

  Sefton

  24,165

  Sheffield

  313,500

  Shropshire

  89,072

  Somerset

  34,273

  South Tyneside

  160,073

  Southwark

  839,528

  St. Helens

  20,064

  Staffordshire

  310,744

  Suffolk

  27,500

  Sunderland

  52,920

  Surrey

  47,985

  Sutton

  108,425

  Tameside

  26,900

  Tower Hamlets

  949,484

  Trafford

  48,645

  Wakefield

  222,500

  Walsall

  1,320,500

  Waltham Forest

  143,757

  Wandsworth

  158,931

  Warwickshire

  863,500

  Westminster

  136,250

  Wigan

  80,000

  Wiltshire

  54,300

  Wolverhampton

  1,323,600

  Total

  32,103,663

  Wales

  Authority

  Amount requested £

  Clwyd

  139,968

  Gwent

  184,000

  South Glamorgan

  24,000

  West Glamorgan

  245,884

  Total

  593,852

  682

  Illegal Immigrants
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many illegal immigrants have been apprehended during the past year; and how many have been sent back to their home country;

  (2) how many known illegal immigrants there are in the United Kingdom; and what measures he is taking to apprehend them.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  When a person is known to be here unlawfully, firm action is taken by the immigration service in cooperation with the police and other agencies. It is not possible to give the total number of immigrants who are here unlawfully. The available information relates to those who have been detected and served with a notice of illegal entry or a notice of intention to deport.

  In 1994, 7,240 illegal entrants were detected. In the same period, 3,670 were removed, or departed voluntarily, from the United Kingdom. In addition, 4,750 persons were issued with a notice of intention to deport because of a breach of conditions of leave to enter or remain, and 1,080 such persons were removed, or departed voluntarily, from the United Kingdom in 1994.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been granted asylum during the past year from(a) non-Commonwealth and (b) Commonwealth countries.

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The provisional information is that in 1994, 825 asylum applicants were recognised as refugees and granted asylum. Of this figure, 45 were from Commonwealth countries.

  Parkhurst Prison
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) at what date in October 1994 he received a copy of the letter from the Chief Inspector of Prisons to the Director General of the Prison Service concerning security at Her Majesty's prison, Parkhurst; and if he will place a copy of the letter in the Library;

  (2) what action he took following receipt of the copy of the Chief Inspector of Prisons' letter to the Director General of the Prison Service concerning security of Her Majesty's prison, Parkhurst; on how many occasions he wrote to the director general concerning security at Her Majesty's prison Parkhurst and on what dates; and what steps he instructed the director general to take.

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 10 January 1995]: Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, Judge Stephen Tumim, wrote to the Director General of the Prison Service, Derek Lewis, on 7 October 1994. His letter set out some concerns about security at Parkhurst expressed by an inspection team. As I announced in my statement of 10 January 1995, Official Report, columns 31–46, I have placed a copy of this letter in the Library of the House.

  A copy of the letter was received in my office on Friday 7 October 1994. I spoke to the director general on the same day and again that weekend and asked for a full report. I received that report on 11 October 1994. On the basis of advice from the governor of Parkhurst, the director general advised me that all Judge Tumim's recommendations had been implemented.

  My office wrote to the director general on 14 October 1994 to ask for further details on the use of the X-ray machine in the prison's gatelodge and on plans to search

  683
  all staff coming on duty. The director general replied to my office on 21 October 1994, again informing me that procedures had been changed to address Judge Tumim's criticism.

  Prisons (Satellite Television)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Department if he will list all prisons that have satellite Spring Hill television installed in(a) cells and (b) communal areas.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 18 January 1995]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 19 January 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about satellite television in Prison Service establishments.
  Two establishments in England and Wales have the capacity for prisoners to watch satellite television in cells and 105 establishments have the capacity for prisoners to watch satellite television in communal areas.
  Television viewing equipment—including satellite television—is not paid for by taxpayers' money but from an establishment's general purpose fund which is largely derived from prisoners' own contributions.
  A list of these establishments which use satellite television in cells or communal areas is attached. A copy of this list has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Establishments which use satellite television in cells or communal areas

  Area

  In communal area

  In cell

  Central

  Ashwell

  Brinsford

  Featherstone

  Glen Parva

  Leicester

  Long Lartin

  Stafford

  The Chilterns

  Coldingley

  Finnamore Wood

  Onley

  Reading

  East Anglia

  Hollesley Bay

  Norwich

  Wayland

  Highpoint

  East Midlands

  Doncaster

  Stocken

  Lincoln

  Lindholme

  Moorland

  Morton Hall

  North Sea Camp

  Nottingham

  Ranby

  Whatton

  Kent

  Aldington

  Blantyre House

  Canterbury

  Cookham Wood

  Dover

  Maidstone

  Rochester

  Stanford Hill

  Swaleside

  684

  Establishments which use satellite television in cells or communal areas

  Area

  In communal area

  In cell

  London North

  Bedford

  Grendon

  Littlehey

  Pentonville

  Spring Hill

  Wellingborough

  Whitemoor

  Woodhill

  Wormwood Scrubs

  London South

  Albany

  Belmarsh

  Brixton

  Camp Hill

  Parkhurst

  Wandsworth

  Feltham

  Mercia

  Brockhill

  Foston Hall

  Hewell Grange

  Stoke Heath

  Sudbury

  Swinfen Hall

  Werrington

  North east

  Acklington

  Castington

  Frankland

  Full Sutton

  Holme House

  Kirklevington

  Low Newton

  North west

  Haverigg

  Garth

  Hindley

  Kirkham

  Lancaster Castle

  Lancaster Farms

  Preston

  Thorn Cross

  South coast

  Downview

  Ford

  Haslar

  Highdown

  Kingston

  Lewes

  Send

  Trans pennine

  Leeds

  Liverpool

  New Hall

  Risley

  Wales and west

  Bristol

  Cardiff

  Erlestoke

  Gloucester

  Leyhill

  Pucklechurch

  Swansea

  Usk

  Wessex

  Channings Wood

  Dartmoor

  Dorchester

  Exeter

  Portland

  Shepton Mallet

  685

  Establishments which use satellite television in cells or communal areas

  Area

  In communal area

  In cell

  Yorkshire

  Askham Grange

  Deerbolt

  Everthorpe

  Hatfield

  Hull

  North allerton

  Rudgate

  Thorp Arch

  Wetherby

  The Wolds

DEFENCE

  Defence Procurement Agency
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many public service jobs have been created by the establishment of the Defence Procurement Agency to be located in Bristol

  Mr. Freeman
  On present plans, the Procurement Executive will relocate to north Bristol between autumn 1995 and autumn 1996. We expect between 500 and 600 local public service jobs to be created over this period.

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the division of responsibilities and relationship between his departmental Ministers and agencies.

  Mr. Freeman
  For each agency, the position is as set out in the framework document for that agency, a copy of which is placed in the Library of the House at the time of launch.

  Used Reactor Cores
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the location of each of the used reactor cores from his Department's nuclear-powered submarines.

  Mr. Freeman
  Used reactor cores that have been removed from my Department's nuclear-powered submarines are held at the following locations:

  Site

  Current holding of used reactor cores

  BNFL Sellafield

  38.5

  Devonport Royal Dockyard

  3.0

  Rosyth Royal Dockyard

  2.5

  Naval Reactor Test Establishment, Dounreay

  1.0

  Procurement and Maintenance Contracts
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what files his Department currently holds regarding (i) brokerage fees, (ii) agency fees and (iii) commissions with regard to procurement and maintenance contracts.

  Mr. Freeman
  Individual branches within the Department maintain files appropriate to their business 686
  needs. The information requested is not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Naval Procurement
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the naval procurement programme for 1995 to 1997.

  Mr. Freeman
  The naval procurement programme includes the continuation of the Trident programmes, a helicopter carrier, EH101 Merlin ASW helicopters, further type 23 frigates, Sandown class single role minehunters, and Sea Harrier F/A2s, the upgrading of Lynx mark 3 helicopters to mark 8 standard and the purchase of Spearfish torpedoes. We also remain fully involved in the common new generation frigate programme, Project Horizon. In addition, we have issued invitations to tender for replacement LPDs, batch 2 Trafalgar class submarines, an oceanographic survey vessel and another batch of type 23 frigates.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy towards ensuring competition in naval procurement.

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon Member for Ayr (Mr. Gallie) on 22 November 1994,Official Report column 134.

  Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Vessels
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost to the Exchequer including subsidy and post-acceptance refit costs, of(a) AOR1 and (b) AOR2.

  Mr. Freeman
  The total cost to the end of December 1994 to my Department, including post-acceptance rectification work, is £131.130 million and £159.460 million (actual prices) for AOR 01 and AOR 02 respectively. Final costs for both vessels have still to be agreed. An independent assessment of Harland and Wolff s bid for AOR 01 concluded that the bid contained no element of subsidy. Neither was there any element of subsidy in Swan Hunter's bid for AOR 02. The Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development made payments of £53 million to Harland and Wolff as part of the yard's privatisation. These payments were tied to progress in completing AOR 01.

  Military Equipment
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what military needs three rough terrain wheeled tractors are required as set out in the future purchase No. EM and D1A/152; what consideration has been given to leasing the equipment; what information he has as to the availability of such equipment on the civil market; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The three rough terrain wheeled tractors in future purchase No. EM and D1A/152 will be deployed in the Falkland Islands and used for the handling and movement of International Standards Organisation containers on semi-trailers. Vehicles that meet the military specification for this requirement are not currently available for leasing or immediate purchase on the civil market.

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what military needs it was decided that 13 rough terrain container handlers were required; what
  687
  consideration was given to leasing the equipment; what information he has as to the availability of such equipment on the civil market; why the tender has been cancelled; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  Rough terrain container handlers are used to handle International Standards Organisation containers on operations and during major exercises in the field. Vehicles that meet the military specification of this requirement are not currently available for leasing or immediate purchase on the civil market. The tender has been delayed to modify the specification and broaden the scope of potential bidders; it will be reissued.

  Service Accommodation
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average rent per week in service married quarters; and what was the average rent in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 17 January 1995]: The average rents for Service married quarters owned by my Department are given below. These figures are based on furnished accommodation in England and represent the most commonly occupied quarters.

  Service married quarters

  MOD civilian houses

  Former married quarters in the process of sale

  Former civilian houses in the process of sale

  Total

  Clwyd

  292

  0

  0

  0

  292

  Dyfed

  451

  25

  26

  1

  503

  Gwent

  175

  0

  15

  0

  190

  Gwynedd

  391

  0

  0

  0

  391

  Mid Glamorgan

  6

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Powys

  205

  0

  0

  0

  205

  South Glamorgan

  965

  0

  0

  0

  965

  West Glamorgan

  16

  0

  1

  0

  17

  Total

  2,501

  25

  42

  1

  2,569

  The married quarter returns are reported by service unit based on the unit's location, and some of the properties may therefore be located in a neighbouring county. The information requested on valuations is not available.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's houses remain vacant in each of the districts and boroughs of Wales; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  Although we maintain no record by district and borough, as at 30 September, my Department owned the following vacant housing properties in each county in Wales:

  Service married quarters

  MOD civilian houses

  Former married quarters in the process of sale

  Total

  Clwyd

  81

  0

  0

  81

  Dyfed

  56

  8

  26

  90

  Gwent

  107

  0

  15

  122

  Gwynedd

  16

  0

  0

  16

  688

  Married quarters charge for last five years

  1990—91 £

  1991—92 £

  1992—93 £

  1993—94 £

  1994—95 £

  Officers

  32.65

  37.17

  40.67

  41.30

  43,12

  Other ranks

  20.91

  23.87

  26.04

  26.46

  27.74

  Additionally, most personnel pay a contribution in lieu of council tax.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many lone parents there are living in accommodation owned by his Ministry.

  Mr. Soames
  As at 16 January 1995 there were 647 lone parents in married quarter accommodation owned by my Department. Lone parents are defined as widows or widowers, divorced, separated or unmarried personnel who have parental responsibility for a child or children within the terms of the Children Act 1989.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of his Department's houses and their estimated total value in each of the districts and boroughs of Wales and in Wales as a whole.

  Mr. Soames
  Although we maintain no record by district and borough, as at 30 September, my Department owned the following housing properties in each county in Wales:

  Service married quarters

  MOD civilian houses

  Former married quarters in the process of sale

  Total

  Mid Glamorgan

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Powys

  20

  0

  0

  20

  South Glamorgan

  33

  0

  0

  33

  West Glamorgan

  4

  0

  1

  5

  Total

  317

  8

  42

  367

  The married quarter returns are reported by service unit based on the unit's location, and some of the properties may therefore be located in a neighbouring county.

  A large number of the vacant service married quarters were undergoing or awaiting major maintenance, held for future deployments or formed part of the management margin needed to ensure that accommodation is available for entitled service families.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the improvement and development of his Department's houses in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
  689
  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 17 November 1994,Official Report, column 1, to my hon. Friend the Member for Dover (Mr. Shaw). My Department's plans for improving the quality and management of our married quarter estates include our properties in Wales.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds his Department has not pursued its plans to establish a housing trust for the sale of the married quarters estate.

  Mr. Soames
  The problems surrounding the Housing Trust, as originally conceived, related to its classification as a private sector body. As my right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence, announced on 17 November 1994,Official Report, column 1, we are proceeding instead with the creation of a Defence Housing Executive, thus building on the efforts and resources invested in the trust proposal.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost to date for management consultants and merchant bankers who have advised on his Department's plans for the future of the married quarters estate.

  Mr. Soames
  The total value of invoices presented to date by management and other consultants and merchant banks assisting in developing the Department's plans for the future of the married quarters estate is some £3,300,000 exclusive of VAT. The work undertaken in developing the Housing Trust proposals will form the basis for the creation of the Defence Housing Executive as announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 17 November 1994,Official Report, column 1.

  Mr. Paul Martin
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Mr. Paul Martin has yet return to his post since he was suspended from work for the Department; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  No. Mr. Martin has tendered his resignation from the Ministry of Defence.

  Military Museums
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those military museums that currently have fewer than 15,000 visitors a year; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  A list of the military museums which have fewer than 15,000 visitors per year, based on the most recent figures available, is as follows.

  Museum:

  Royal Artillery Regimental Museum, Woolwich

  Royal Signals Museum, Blandford

  Royal Logistics Corps Museum, Deepcut

  Royal Army Medical Corps Museum, Mytchett

  Royal Army Dental Corps Museum, Aidershot

  690

  Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps Museum, Aldershot

  Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Museum, Arborfield

  Corps of Royal Military Police Museum, Chichester

  Intelligence corps Museum, Ashford

  Household Cavalry Museum, Windsor

  The Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, Glasgow

  The Black Watch Museum, Perth

  The Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen

  The Royal Anglian Regimental Museum (Suffolk Regiment), Bury St. Edmunds

  The Staffordshire Regiment, Lichfield

  Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Lancashire Fusiliers) Museum, Bury

  The Regiments of Gloucestershire Museum, Gloucester

  The Duke of Edinburgh Royal Regiment Museum, Salisbury

  The South Wales Borderers and Monmouthshire Regimental Museum of the Royal Regiment of Wales (24th/21st Foot), Brecon

  The Devon and Dorset Regiment Museum, Dorchester

  The Green Howards Museum, Richmond

  The list comprise those museums in receipt of public funding, but does not include military museums which are privately funded or run by regimental associations.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total financial cost of the United Kingdom's commitment to the Falkland Islands since 1979.

  Mr. Soames
  The cost of the Falklands commitment to Defence Votes between 1982–83 and 1993–94 was some £3.7 billion at outturn prices, equivalent to £6.0 billion at 1993–94 prices. This covers the estimated costs of maintaining the Falkland Islands garrison as well as campaign costs and the replacement, where appropriate, of equipment and stores lost or consumed during the campaign. Costs other than defence costs, and costs prior to 1982–83, are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

  Gulf War
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the most recently revised estimate of the financial cost to the United Kingdom of the Gulf war.

  Mr. Soames
  The current estimate of the additional military cost of the Gulf conflict is £2,489,000,000, spread over several years. As part of its normal insurance business, the Export Credits Guarantee Department has paid £658,000,000 of claims arising from the situation in the Gulf in 1990–91 and which have yet to be recovered. Other Departments incurred minor costs in respect of the conflict.

  The bulk of these costs have been offset by the generous cash contributions from the other Governments totalling £2,049,000,000.

  Aircraft Statistics
  Mr. Trotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the present number of(a) helicopters and (b) fixed-wing aircraft in each of the services.
  691
  Mr. Soames
  The details requested are as follows:

  Service

  Aircraft

  Number

  Helicopter

  155

  Royal Navy

  fixed wing

  48

  Helicopter

  302

  Army

  fixed wing

  28

  Helicopter

  173

  Royal Air Force

  fixed wing

  939

  1 Including those Chinook undergoing mid-life update.

  Property Management Costs
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the £400,000 property management costs mentioned in the C31 consultation document of the defence costs study.

  Mr. Soames
  The property management costs of option A referred to in the consultation document are estimated to be £534,000 per annum in the longer term. Some £400,000 of this relates to the costs associated with the workforce that is contracted to undertake planned and routine maintenance tasks at Pitreavie. In addition, the estimate includes an amount—approximately £100,000—for average annual expenditure on unplanned maintenance tasks at Pitreavie which is derived from historical data. The remainder represents property management expenditure at Faslane.

  Ministerial Visit (Liverpool)
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Minister of State for Defence Procurement's visit to Liverpool at the Defence Accounts Agency on Monday 16 January.

  Mr. Freeman
  I took the opportunity to acknowledge the efficiency measures already implemented by the in-house team in preparation for the aware of a three-year service level agreement covering the work of the Directorate of Accounts (Bills) on behalf of the MOD.

  National Service
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will propose the striking of a medal or other certification to recognise the contribution made by men and women who undertook national service.

  Mr. Soames
  We have no plans to institute a medal or certificate specifically for those who served a period of national service in the armed forces. National service men were, however, eligible for the range of official awards approved by the sovereign at the time.

  Inhumane Weapons
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the inhumane weapons convention to be ratified.

  Mr. Soames
  We expect to ratify the UN weaponry convention by the end of February 1995, and in time to participate as a full state party in the forthcoming review conference.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to support an amendment to 692
  the inhumane weapons convention to prohibit the military use of lasers to blind combatants on the battlefield.

  Mr. Soames
  The United Kingdom is looking positively at proposals to add to the UN weaponry convention a new protocol covering the use of lasers to blind.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy in respect of the inhumane weapons review conference in September; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The United Kingdom is working positively towards strengthening the UN weaponry convention at the forthcoming review conference.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the British armed forces possess lasers designed to blind combatants; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Freeman
  The United Kingdom armed forces do not possess and currently have no plans to develop or procure any laser weapon designed permanently to blind enemy troops or to disrupt their eyesight temporarily. We are, however, researching the technology associated with laser weapons in order to develop effective defences against such weapons should they be deployed against our armed forces.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Britain has(a) considered and (b) tested lasers designed to blind combatants.

  Mr. Freeman
  The United Kingdom maintains an interest in all developments in laser technologies, including those related to laser weapons. A major objective of the Department's laser research programme is to understand the nature of the threat which might be posed by the deployment and use of laser weapons against UK forces and, if necessary, to develop appropriate protective countermeasures. The UK has no plans to develop or test a laser weapon designed permanently to blind human targets. The feasibility of making use of temporary dazzle effects was investigated in 1983 and tests on one system were conducted which were subsequently discontinued.

  Golf Courses
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many golf courses are sited on land owned by his Department;

  (2) what has been the total cost in each of the past five years of the upkeep of golf courses sited on land owned by his Department.

  Mr. Soames
  My noble friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

  Weapons Sales
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the policy of his Department on the sale of weapons that can be used for torture to countries with poor human rights records.

  Mr. Freeman
  It is my Department's policy to ensure that all relevant human rights considerations are taken into account when applications are made to promote and supply licensable defence equipment overseas. It is Her Majesty's Government's policy to avoid the transfer of such equipment which would be likely to be used to
  693
  violate human rights. Advice on this matter is normally provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Army Finance and Audit Office
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the Army finance and audit office.

  Mr. Soames
  As part of Front Line First, proposals to devolve the functions of the army finance and audit office, currently based at Ashton under Lyne, down to unit level were detailed in a consultation document issued on 21 July 1994.

  During the consultation period, understandable local concerns were expressed both about the loss of jobs in Ashton under Lyne and the weakening of Greater Manchester's long and proud links with the army. Points were also raised about the detailed costings used, and the effectiveness of the proposed alternative auditing arrangements but no new significant defence-related arguments have emerged. Having given careful consideration to these points, I am satisfied that the proposal to close AFAO is sound on both management and financial grounds, and I have decided that it will close on 31 March 1996, whereupon the audit task will be devolved to unit level. We will, of course, continue to consult the trade unions about the detailed implementation of these measures.

  Army Storage Facilities
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to rationalise army storage facilities following the defence costs study; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  As part of Front Line First, proposals to rationalise army storage facilities were detailed in a consultation document issued on 19 August 1994. A total of 35 responses have been received from trade unions, local authorities and other interested parties; all have been subject to the most careful and detailed consideration. Understandable local concerns were expressed on the effect on employment and the local community. No significant new defence-related arguments have however emerged, nor have any new suggestions been made which 694
  might cause us to alter our original proposals, which flow from a reduction in the army's storage requirements.

  I therefore have to announce that we shall now move to implement our plans to supply the army from a smaller number of larger, more efficiently utilised sites, supported by a new distribution network utilised sites, supported by a new distribution network utilising best practice from industry. I am confident these changes can be introduced without detriment to operational capability.

  Our proposals will mean the closure of 13 army static logistic support and engineer support units. The ordnance support unit Liphook will close by 31 March 1995, and the following by 31 March 1996:

  Regional depot Hereford

  Regional depot Stirling

  Ordnance support unit Ashford

  Ordnance support unit Bicester

  Ordnance support unit Burscough

  Ordnance support unit Feltham

  Ordnance support unit Thetford

  Ordnance support unit Weyhill

  Supply depot Colchester

  320 engineer park Thetford

  322 engineer park Hessay York

  324 engineer park Stirling

  Army storage will in future, with some staff enhancements, be concentrated at the following depots:

  Base ordnance depot Donnington

  Base ordnance depot Bicester, including the Bicester sub-depot at Thatcham

  Ordnance stores depot, which forms part of the Longtown ammunition depot

  Training material park Warminster

  Training material park Sennybridge

  In support, a number of units will be reduced and reorganised to become distribution outlets, by 31 March 1996. These are:

  Regional depot Catterick, including stores sub-depot Hessay

  Ordnance support unit Colchester

  Ordnance support unit Old Dalby

  Supply depot Aldershot

  Supply depot Bulford

  In addition, 321 engineer park at Longmoor will re-role and become a detachment to central engineer park Long Marston.

  We shall continue to consult staff and trade unions about the detailed implementation of these measures.

  WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
  Lord Judd
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Which professional, public voluntary, private and business organisations are being consulted in the preparations of the United Kingdom's position for participation in the World Summit for Social Development, which is to take place in Copenhagen in March 1995.

  The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)
  Information about the summit has been disseminated to over 200 contacts from a wide range of organisations in the UK. Of those who wish to contribute, some are in direct contact with the Government; others are in touch with a central contact point in UNED-UK (the UK branch of the United Nations Environment and Development NGO) which the Foreign Office is funding specifically to disseminate information about the summit and to ensure that any NGO with an interest in the summit's issues can make its voice heard. We welcome their interest and involvement and will remain in close touch with UK NGOs during the preparatory process and at Copenhagen itself.

  Lord Judd
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Which Ministries and which government departments are involved in preparing for the United Kingdom's participation in the World Summit for Social Development, which is to take place in Copenhagen in March 1995.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  Those government departments most directly involved in preparing for the United Kingdom's participation in the World Summit for Social Development are the Foreign Office (which is co-ordinating preparations), the Overseas Development Administration, the Department of Employment and the Department of Social Security. The Department of Trade and Industry, HM Treasury, the Department for Education, the Department of Health, the Central Statistical Office and the Lord Chancellor's Department have also participated as appropriate.

  Lord Judd
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What are their principal priorities for the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development which is to take place in Copenhagen in March 1995.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  Our principal priorities are to raise the level and improve the focus of the international debate around the issues of development.

  Lord Judd
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Who will be their representatives at the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in March 1995 and whether arrangements have been made for the Prime Minister to attend.
  WA 50
  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  A final decision on attendance at the summit will be made nearer the date.

  Lord Judd
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What evaluations they are making of the social and economic costs of armed conflict throughout the world and the need for new approaches to conflict resolution and pre-emptive diplomacy in their preparations for participation in the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in March 1995.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  We fully recognise the high social and economic costs of armed conflicts. We are, for example, taking a leading role in the major OECD/DAC evaluation of the international emergency response to the Rwanda crisis.

  We are also fully aware of the importance of preventive diplomacy and of its potential benefits. At the 48th General Assembly in 1993, we introduced, jointly with France, an initiative which, inter alia, led to us handing over to the Secretary-General a representative list of British statesmen and experts prepared to undertake preventive diplomacy measures. We are also engaged in discussion with various NGOs on the subject of preventive diplomacy.

  PROTECTION OF NATIONAL MINORITIES: FRAMEWORK CONVENTION
  Lord Finsberg
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they intend to sign the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities on 1st February 1995, the date on which it opens for signature.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  This matter is currently under consideration.

  INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT, CAIRO
  Lord Braine of Wheatley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What discussions they had with Mr. John Smeaton and other members of the delegation from the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, and on what subjects.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  A number of individuals and organisations, including the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, lobbied delegates outside the meeting rooms at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, distributing leaflets and expressing their concerns. Members of the United Kingdom delegation had no formal meetings with the individual named or with members of his group.

  Lord Braine of Wheatley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What discussions they had with Congressman Chris Smith and Miss Maggie Wynne at the

  WA 51
  International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, and on what subjects.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  The UK delegation held a number of meetings with members of the US delegation, where we discussed a range of issues. We do not have a record of the individuals named being present at those meetings.

  FAMILY PLANNING IN CHINA: PETITION
  Lord Braine of Wheatley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the observations of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the petition from residents of Topsham, Exeter against the grant of public funds to the UN Population Fund and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, what specific efforts these two organisations are making to bring about change in China's family planning programmes, and what success they have had so far.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) report that the China Family Planning Association (CFPA) is working to curb excesses and bring abuses of reproductive rights to the attention of the authorities at township and provincial levels. CFPA's recommendations for reform of provincial family planning regulations in nine provinces, to give more emphasis to individual voluntary choice, have been adopted by the Chinese State Family Planning Commission.

  The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has also held high-level discussions with the Chinese Government on provincial family planning regulations and has specifically requested that they bring all regulations into conformity with international human rights standards. In addition, UNFPA has developed projects that aim specifically at promoting informed consent and reproductive rights. Its Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director will visit China in February further to discuss these issues with senior Chinese officials.

  Lord Braine of Wheatley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the observations by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on the petition from residents of Topsham, Exeter against the grant of public funds to the UN Population Fund and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, whether they will place in the Library of the House statements made by these two organisations opposing coercion in the implementation of the Chinese family planning programmes.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) are both advocates of the principle of voluntary choice in family planning. Both organisations oppose coercion in the implementation of family planning programmes in all countries. A sample of statements opposing coercion will be deposited in the Libraries of the House.

  BOTSWANA: AID FOR FLIGHT INFORMATION PROJECT
  Lord Redesdale
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What the £2.9 million grant for a Botswana flight information project in 1988 amounted to as a percentage of total United Kingdom bilaterial aid to Botswana in that year.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  Although approved in 1988, almost all expenditure against the grant took place during 1991/92/1993/94: it represented about 10 per cent. of total gross public expenditure to Botswanan in that period.

  COUNCIL OF EUROPE: REPRESENTATIONS TO COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
  Lord Avebury
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether, in referring any matter to the Committee of Ministers in accordance with the Declaration on Compliance with Commitments accepted by member states of the Council of Europe adopted by the Council of Ministers on 10th November 1994, the Secretary-General will entertain and forward appropriate representations from non-governmental organisations.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  Under the declaration to which the question refers, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe may examine matters of concern relating to the implementation of commitments concerning democracy, human rights and the rule of law in any member state. These may be brought to its attention by, amongst others, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe.

  The Secretary-General is free to form his views based on information from whatever source he believes appropriate.

  OSCE CODE OF CONDUCT: RUSSIAN ACTIONS IN CHECHNYA
  Lord Avebury
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will request clarification, under Article 38 of the OSCE Budapest Declaration, regarding implementation of the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security by the Russian Federation, and in particular, whether Russia has acted in conformity with Article 36 of the Declaration in Chechnya; and what "appropriate CSCE bodies, mechanisms and procedures will be used to assess…the implementation of the Code" as it applies to the military action in Chechnya.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  Our representative raised the issue of Russia's actions in relation to the Code of Conduct at a meeting of the Permanent Council of the OSCE in Vienna on 12 January. We will continue to remind Russia of the need to comply with all OSCE principles and commitments.

  ATBARA, SUDAN: ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE
  Lord Avebury
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What information they have about the reported arrest, detention and torture of successful candidates, their agents and known supporters in the local elections held in Atbara, Sudan, in the week beginning 12th December 1994, and the arrest for political reasons of others in Juba in the first week of December 1994; and whether, in view of the Sudan government's refusal to allow the United Nations Rapporteur, Dr Gaspar Biro, to enter the country, they will suggest that an investigation of these reports be conducted by a non-governmental organisation acceptable to Khartoum.

  Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
  Her Majesty's Embassy in Khartoum have received reports of unrest last October in Atbara and the arrest of civil servants in Juba. The human rights situation in Sudan, and Dr Biro's mandate, will be raised at the 51st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights which begins on 30 January.

  DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT: LEGAL ADVISERS' QUALIFICATIONS
  Earl Russell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many lawyers qualified in (a) English law, (b) Scots law, (c) European law are employed by the Department of Employment and at what grades.

  Lord Inglewood
  The staff of the Employment Department's Legal Adviser's Office are members of the Treasury Solicitor's Department. The office has 14 lawyers (1 at Grade 3, 4 at Grade 5, 5 at Grade 6 and 4 at Grade 7). They are all qualified in England and Wales as barristers or solicitors; they do not have formal qualifications in Scots or European law. The department also has a solicitor in Scotland, who is a partner in a firm of Scottish solicitors.

  CAR TRANSPORT BY MOTORAIL: FUEL SAVING
  Lord Monkswell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is their estimate of the amount of fuel that would have been used by cars transported by Motorail in 1994 if journeys had been made by road rather than rail.

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)
  The total number of cars carried by Motorail in 1994 was in the region of 17,500. A number of factors would need to be taken into account in assessing the amount of fuel the cars might have used if they had travelled by road. These include length of journeys, route used, type of fuel, size of engine, and speed of travel. Information on those factors is not available.

  MOTORAIL SERVICES: FUEL COSTS
  Lord Monkswell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What amount of fuel was used to haul Motorail services in 1994.

  Viscount Goschen
  Motorail services, many of which share locomotives with sleeper services, are hauled by a mixture of electric and diesel locomotives during the course of their journeys. Consequently it is not possible to identify separate fuel costs for Motorail services.

  FORMER GLC AREA: JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES
  Lord Monkswell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is their estimate of the total number of staff employed at the headquarters of non-departmental public bodies and joint boards with responsibilities for the former Greater London Council area; and whether they will list their employing authority or authorities.

  The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Viscount Ullswater)

  1. Certain Non-Departmental Public Bodies inherited roles from the Greater London Council. These were the London Residuary Body (LRB) and the London Pensions Fund Authority (LPFA). The LRB, which has been running down for some time, has no employees currently. The LPFA currently employs 79 staff. Both the LRB and LPFA are sponsored by the Department of the Environment.

  2. There are also a number of local authority-run joint boards and committees undertaking roles which were previously the remit of the GLC. The bodies with a pan-London responsibility include the following:-

  London Fire and Civil Defence Authority

  London Waste Regulation Authority

  London Planning Advisory Committee

  London Boroughs Grants Unit

  London Research Centre

  London Boroughs Transport Committee/ Lorry Ban (voluntary committee)

  London Committee on Accessible Transport

  Some other bodies and committees undertake ex-GLC roles in part of the Greater London area, including:-

  London Housing Unit

  Docklands Consultative Committee

  London River Authority

  Croydon, Bexley, Bromley Panel of Guardians

  Havering, Barking, Dagenham Panel of Guardians

  Sutton, Kingston, Merton, Richmond Panel of Guardians

  South London Lorry Ban Committee
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  East, North, West London and Western Riverside Waste Authorities

  3. The local authority joint boards and committees are not responsible to central government and the Government have no records of their staff numbers.

  AIR QUALITY
  Lord Brougham and Vaux
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What steps they propose to take to promote further improvement in air quality.

  Viscount Ullswater
  My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will be publishing a wide-ranging statement of the Government's strategic policies for improving air quality at 9.00 am tomorrow, when copies will be placed in the Printed Paper Office and the Libraries of the House.

  ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL, 15–16 DECEMBER
  Lord Brougham and Vaux
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What was the outcome of the Environmental Council on 15 and 16 December 1994.

  Viscount Ullswater
  My right honourable friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minster for the Environment and Countryside attended the Environment Council in Brussels on 15 and 16 December. The Council reached a Common Position on the directive PCBs in a form acceptable to the UK. The Council decided by a qualified majority on a list of hazardous waste as required by Directive 91/689. The UK and Italy voted against because the list contains wastes which, under certain circumstances, are not hazardous, and is thereby contrary to the directive.

  Council conclusions were agreed on a Community Strategy to reduce CO2 emissions which, inter alia, reflected the view reached at the European summit at Essen on the possibility of an optional carbon/energy tax. Council conclusions were also agreed on the preparation of an EU position for the first Conference of the Parties to the framework Convention on Climate Change.

  During the discussion of the Commission's annual report on the implementation of Community law, my right honourable friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside emphasised the need to consider the effectiveness of existing Community legislation in the real world and suggested that there should be an assessment of each piece of environmental legislation to see how successful it had been in meeting its objectives.

  There were helpful discussions to prepare the EU position for the next meeting of the Commission for Sustainable Development and on the draft biocides directive. Council Conclusions were also agreed on Transport and the Environment following a useful debate during which my right honourable friend
  WA 56
  highlighted the very positive measures which the UK Government has already taken in this area.

  CHILD SEXUAL ABUSERS: CORRECTIVE TREATMENT
  Baroness Faithfull
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  In the light of successful treatment of sexual offenders, when the Home Secretary will give a considered reply to his verbal agreement of 4 May 1994 to consider the treatment of family men convicted of sexually abusing children to prevent further offences.

  The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch)
  We have the application for grant support from the Faithfull Foundation, together with a number of other applications, under careful consideration. We will, of course, make decisions on all the applications at the earliest opportunity, but this is not likely to be for some weeks yet.

  CONVICTIONS: CORRELATION WITH TRUANCY AND SCHOOL EXCLUSION:
  Baroness Faithfull
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many school children in England and Wales aged 12 to 14 years convicted of an offence in 1994 were those who had been excluded from school or who were not school attenders.

  Baroness Blatch
  This information is not collected centrally.

  MR KANI YILMAZ
  Lord Avebury
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the Prison Department followed the algorithm described in A User's Guide to Categorisation and Allocation, Annex E to Circular Instruction 7/1988, in the case of Mr Kani Yilmaz; whether any of the boxes in Sections A to D of the form were ticked, and if so, which ones; and if none of the boxes was ticked, what reply was made by the OCA unit officer to the instruction of paragraph 2c of Step 3, "Give a brief assessment with reasons for recommending the override of the algorithm; draw attention to any unusual features in borderline cases or potential for recategorisation."

  Baroness Blatch
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter to Lord Avebury from the Director General of the Prison Service, Mr. Derek Lewis, dated 19 January 1995:
  Lady Blatch has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the security categorisation of Mr. Kani Yilmaz.
  Mr. Yilmaz is an unconvicted prisoner who was reported to Prison Service Headquarters as a potential category A inmate. After

  WA 57
  consideration it was decided that he should be provisionally placed in category A.
  The guidance in Annex E to Circular Instruction 7/1988 deals with the categorisation and allocation of sentenced adult male prisoners in categories B, C and D, other than those for whom the responsibility lies with Prison Service Headquarters. It does not apply to category A prisoners and is not therefore applicable to Mr. Yilmaz's case

  ASYLUM APPLICATIONS
  Lord Avebury
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will give the number of applications for asylum in the United Kingdom received in each of the years 1990 to 1994 respectively, from citizens of Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, and Turkey respectively.

  Baroness Blatch
  The information is given in the table.

  Applications1,2 received for asylum in the United Kingdom from nationals of Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, and Turkey, excluding dependants, 1990 to 1994

  number of principal applicants

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Afghanistan

  205

  200

  260

  280

  325

  Indonesia

  —

  —

  *

  *

  *

  Iran

  455

  530

  405

  365

  520

  Kenya

  50

  70

  95

  630

  1,130

  Nigeria

  135

  335

  615

  1,665

  4,340

  Sudan

  340

  1,150

  560

  300

  330

  Turkey

  1,590

  2,110

  1,865

  1,480

  2,045

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2

  2 Figures exclude information on applications made overseas.

  HOME OFFICE: LEGAL ADVISERS' QUALIFICATIONS
  Earl Russell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many lawyers qualified in (a) English law, (b) Scots law, (c) European law, are employed by the Home Office and at what grades.

  Baroness Blatch
  The Legal Adviser's Branch comprises 17 lawyers (1 at Grade 2, 2 at Grade 3, 5 at Grade 5, 5 at Grade 6, 3 at Grade 7 and 1 Legal Officer). All of them are either barristers or solicitors qualified in England and Wales. They advise on questions of English law and European law. They consult others, as

  Live born premature babies by estimated gestation in Scotland, 1989–1993

  Gestation (weeks)

  23

  24

  25

  26

  27

  28

  Total livebirths

  Year

  1989

  15

  28

  41

  56

  55

  83

  63,480

  1990

  10

  30

  39

  58

  55

  78

  65,973

  1991

  5

  33

  43

  70

  81

  71

  67,024

  1992

  14

  25

  54

  57

  71

  76

  65,789

  1993*

  12

  30

  36

  54

  51

  72

  63,337

  * Provisional gestation figures.

  Source: Information and Statistics Division National Health Service in Scotland
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  the need arises, on questions of Scots law. The branch also employs a consultant, who undertakes certain drafting work. He too is qualified in England and Wales.

  ANNE-MARIE BATE v CHIEF ADJUDICATION OFFICER
  Earl Russell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the case of Bate v Chief Adjudication Officer (Court of Appeal, 3rd November 1993) remains sub judice.

  The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)
  The case of Anne-Marie Bate v Chief Adjudication Officer was heard by the Court of Appeal on 27–28 October and 4 November 1994. The court gave its decision orally on 30 November 1994 and written judgment on 5 December. The Chief Adjudication Officer and the Secretary of State for Social Security have jointly petitioned this House seeking leave to appeal.

  PREMATURE BABIES: GESTATION
  Lord Braine of Wheatley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What information they have concerning the number of premature babies born in each of the last five years for which figures are available which have survived at

  (a) 23 weeks' gestation;

  (b) 24 weeks' gestation;

  (c) 25 weeks' gestation;

  (d) 26 weeks' gestation;

  (e) 27 weeks' gestation; and

  (f) 28 weeks' gestation.

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)
  Information on gestation is not collected at live birth registration in the United Kingdom. In England, information on gestational age is collected as part of the Maternity Hospital Episodes Statistics system. Due to incomplete coverage and inconsistencies in coding, no reliable estimates of numbers are yet available. The table shows Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales live birth information by gestation for the latest five years for which figures are available.
  WA 59

  Live born premature babies by estimated gestation in Northern Ireland, 1991–93

  Gestation (weeks)

  23

  24

  25

  26

  27

  28

  Total livebirths

  Year

  1991

  6

  10

  20

  18

  24

  40

  26,265

  1992

  7

  9

  14

  16

  30

  24

  25,572

  1993

  10

  21

  14

  12

  24

  34

  24,909

  Complete figures are unavailable for the years prior to 1991.

  Source: Department of Health & Social Services (Northern Ireland).

  Live born premature babies by estimated gestation in Wales, 1989–1993

  Gestation (weeks)

  23

  24

  25

  26

  27

  28

  Total livebirths

  Year

  1989

  9

  20

  14

  37

  30

  54

  38,019

  1990

  11

  13

  16

  38

  32

  41

  38,866

  1991

  10

  23

  21

  28

  27

  56

  38,079

  1992

  14

  24

  20

  31

  25

  66

  37,523

  1993

  4

  16

  19

  39

  32

  52

  36,578

  Source: Welsh Health Common Services Authority.

  CIVIL SERVANT NUMBERS
  Lord Monkswell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will list the number of civil servants and ancillary staff employed by each government department, together with the numbers of those whose duties relate wholly or mainly to the London area (defined by the boundaries of the former Greater London Council).

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Henley)
  The number of civil servants employed by each government department at 1 April 1994 and 1 October 1994 is contained in the Civil Service staff in post summary tables, copies of which are in the Library. The number of civil servants employed in the London area by Principal departments at 1 April 1994 is contained in the Civil Service Statistics 1994 Edition (Table 3) a copy of which is also in the Library.

  The number of civil servants employed on duties relating wholly or mainly to the London area is not held centrally.

  CHURCHES AND HISTORIC BUILDINGS: VAT ON REPAIRS
  The Lord Bishop of Norwich
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What was the total amount of VAT paid in 1993 in respect of (a) repairs to parish churches in England and (b) repairs to historic buildings in England, other than parish churches.
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  Lord Henley
  This information is not available.

  Repairs to all buildings have been liable to the standard rate of VAT since 1973. The VAT paid on repairs is charged by registered builders, who periodically declare to Customs the total VAT charged by them to all their customers without further analysis.

  PARLIAMENTARY COSTS: COMPARISONS
  Lord Finsberg
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What are the costs of maintaining the European Parliament, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, including:

  (a) salaries, pensions travelling allowances, secretarial expenses and other expenses for Members;

  (b) salaries, allowances and pensions, etc. of support staff:

  (c) accommodation, including rent, operating costs and security; and

  (d) all other administrative costs such as stationery, office equipment, publications, payments to parliamentary bodies and any other relevant outgoings.

  and whether they will indicate the per capita cost per Member as well as the average number of sitting days for each institution over the past five years.

  Lord Henley
  Precise comparisons between the costs of the European Parliament and the Houses of Parliament are difficult. The information my noble friend has requested, however, is as follows:
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  Total costs

  £ million

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–951

  House of Lords

  29·4

  31·2

  32·2

  36·3

  41·8

  House of Commons

  124·8

  142·3

  154·2

  165·3

  181·7

  European Parliament2

  306·9

  342·1

  425·8

  486·3

  516·6

  Per capita cost per member

  £'000

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–951

  House of Lords3

  31

  32

  31

  35

  41

  House of Commons4

  192

  219

  237

  254

  279

  European Parliament2 5

  592

  660

  822

  939

  911

  Number of sitting days

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–951

  House of Lords

  149

  144

  121

  142

  150

  House of Commons

  170

  142

  155

  162

  163

  European Parliaments6

  60

  60

  60

  60

  60

  Notes:

  1 Estimates.

  2 Based on average £/ecu exchange rates for the relevant year.

  3 Per capita costs based on number of peers eligible to sit in the House of Lords each year.

  4 The number of Parliamentary seats increased from 650 to 651 in 1992–93.

  5 The number of European Parliament seats increased from 518 to 567 on 9 June 1994.

  6 It is not possible to give an exact figure for the number of European Parliament sittings. The European Parliament generally holds a five-day plenary session every month but there have been occasions when those plenaries have been held over a longer period.
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