Written Answers of 3 July 1995

HEALTH

  Readmission Rates
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what definition of readmission is used when calculating readmission rates. [30421]

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no nationally agreed definition of readmission, nor is there a central mechanism available for collecting information on readmission rates in England. Work is in progress that will in time enable hospital admissions data to be linked to individual patients.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of food poisoning were reported in each of the last 10 years in(a) York, (b) North Yorkshire, (c) Yorkshire and Humberside and (d) England. [31600]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is published annually in series MB2 "Communicable disease statistics". The latest available publication is series MB2 no. 19, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Asthma
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the annual NHS expenditure on the treatment of asthma; and what proportion of the total budget this represents. [31411]

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1994 the net ingredient cost of national health service prescriptions for asthma medication was £381 million, some 11 per cent. of the net ingredient cost of all prescriptions. The net ingredient cost is the basic price of a drug before discounts and the addition of dispensing costs or fees. Estimates have been made for the financial year 1989–90 of the cost of other NHS services, excluding community health services. It is estimated that the cost of services for asthma was £72 million, which was 0.6 per cent. of the total cost of these services.

  Royal Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many consultants were at the hospitals that make up the royal hospitals two years ago; what is the current figure; and what is the projected number after the reorganisation as a number and as a whole-time equivalent; [31355]

  (2) how many orthopaedic beds were under the control of the Royal Hospital trust before and after the reorganisation; on which site they will be located; and what will be the numbers on each site. [31365]
  2
  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally. The right hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Derek Boorman, chairman of the Royal Hospitals NHS trust for details.

  Diabetes
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average cost to her Department of providing a diabetes sufferer with a lifetime of free prescriptions; [31407]

  (2) what is the total annual cost to her Department of providing free prescriptions to sufferers of diabetes; [31405]

  (3) what is the average cost to her Department of prescriptions to diabetics per annum, per patient. [31404]

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Drugs used in the treatment of diabetes, 1994 (provisional)

  England

  Ingredient cost/item

  Net ingredient cost

  £97.3 million

  Prescription items

  9.4 million

  Average net ingredient cost per prescription item

  £10.33

  Notes:

  1. Drugs as defined by the British National Formulary section 6.1

  2. The information was obtained from the Prescription Cost Analysis system which is based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England.

  3. The net ingredient cost refers to the cost of the drug before discounts and does not include any dispensing costs or fees.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many diabetics there are in Britain. [31406]

  Mr. Sackville
  An estimated 1.2 per cent. of the British population have clinically diagnosed diabetes.

  Diptheria
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking for the population of the United Kingdom in respect of the World Health Organisation guidance that the people should receive a booster vaccine against diptheria every 10 years; and if she will make a statement. [31503]

  Mr. Sackville
  We are not aware of any such recommendations by the World Health Organisation. WHO recommends that a primary course of three doses of diphtheria vaccine should be part of the immunisation programme and in the United Kingdom children are offered three doses of diptheria vaccine at two, three and four months of age. A reinforcing booster dose is offered as part of the pre-school booster to four-year-olds and a further low dose booster of tetanus/diphtheria vaccine is offered to teenagers.

  The chief medical officer has issued advice for boosting requirements for travellers to eastern Europe.
  3

  Surgeons (St. Bartholomew's Hospital)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the resignation of three orthopaedic consultants at St Bartholomew's hospital. [31356]

  Mr. Malone
  This is a matter for the Royal Hospitals National Health Service trust. The right hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman, Sir Derek Boorman, for details.

  Ask-a-Nurse Service
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the ask-a-nurse service by Access Health United Kingdom; and what plans she has to finance it. [31350]

  Mr. Malone
  It is for health authorities, in consultation with clinicians and the public, and bearing in mind the national framework set out in the priorities and planning guidance for the national health service, to decide what treatments and services are required in order to meet local needs.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what NHS funds have been paid from the NHS to Access Health United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [31349]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Dysentery
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of dysentery were recorded in(a) York, (b) North Yorkshire, (c) Yorkshire and Humberside and (d) England in each year since 1990. [31601]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on the number of cases of dysentery are published annually in the MB2 series, "communicable disease statistics," copies of which are available in the Library.

  Cosmetic Surgery
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has carried out into an assessment of nasal shape after surgery using Quicktime; what were the findings of that research; and if she will make a statement. [31502]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health has conducted no research into this subject.

  Births
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of births outside marriage were registered by both parents living in the same address in(a) York, (b) North Yorkshire, (c) Yorkshire and Humberside and (d) England in each year since 1979. [31603]

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is shown in the table.
  4

  Percentage of births outside marriage which were jointly registered by parents living at the same address

  York County District

  North Yorkshire

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  England

  1986

  50.0

  51.2

  47.3

  47.1

  1987

  51.6

  53.5

  47.7

  48.2

  1988

  51.5

  55.4

  48.6

  49.9

  1989

  57.2

  56.5

  50.9

  52.0

  1990

  56.0

  58.9

  52.6

  53.5

  1991

  57.3

  60.4

  53.4

  55.0

  1992

  58.3

  59.8

  54.6

  55.9

  1993

  60.0

  62.8

  54.9

  55.3

  Folic Acid
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the details of the campaign to be commenced in the autumn on the importance of folic acid taken before conception and then in early pregnancy. [31331]

  Mr. Sackville
  Plans for a public awareness campaign about folic acid and the prevention of neural tube defects are nearing completion and an announcement will be made shortly.

  Mr. Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to make folic acid available free of charge as a pre-pregnancy supplement. [31333]

  Mr. Sackville
  None. Folic acid is already available on prescription free of charge for women who are pregnant or who are entitled to remission of prescription charges on grounds of low income.

  Trauma Units
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the hospitals which have specialist trauma units. [31504]

  Mr. Sackville
  Trauma patients are normally taken to hospital accident and emergency departments.

  In 1988 a Royal College of Surgeons report suggested that outcomes for patients with life-threatening injury might be better if they were treated in regional trauma centres.

  We set up a pilot trauma centre at the North Staffordshire Hospitals National Health Service trust in 1990. The evaluation of this pilot is now complete and a report is being drafted.

  Private Health Care
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the expenditure by each hospital trust in each of the past four years in purchasing health care or facilities in the private sector; and what was the total expenditure for this purpose in each year. [31839]

  Mr. Sackville
  The financial returns of national health service trusts provide expenditure figures on the purchase of health care from non-NHS bodies, whether in the public or private sectors. The figures for England are £12,204,000 in 1991–92, £45,436,000 in 1992–93, and £50,386,000 in 1993–94. The Government welcome cost-effective co-operation between the NHS and
  5
  independent sector. This increases the range of options available to patients and health service managers and makes optimum use of available resources.

  Meconium Aspiration
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths have occurred as a result of meconium aspiration in each of the past 10 years; and what action she will take to reduce the number of deaths resulting from meconium aspiration. [30890]

  Mr. Sackville
  Figures for stillbirths, neonatal deaths— deaths under 28 days—and postneonatal deaths—deaths between 28 days and under one year—with a cause coded to the international classification of diseases, ICD 9th revision code 770.1, massive aspiration syndrome, will be placed in the Library.

  Fertility Treatment
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate to date of the number of children born as a result of fertility treatment within the national health service. [30891]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Medical Qualifications
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the effect of the European medical directives on United Kingdom registered medical practitioners who are also United Kingdom citizens, and who obtained their primary medical qualification outside the United Kingdom. [31330]

  Mr. Malone
  European legislation deals only with the mutual recognition of medical qualifications issued by member states of the European Economic Area. Each member state may decide for itself whether to recognise medical qualifications gained outside the EEA. The competent authority in each member state must, in considering an application for registration from a person whose qualification has been gained outside the EEA, take account of and give appropriate weight to the fact that an applicant's primary medical qualification has been recognised by another EEA state and the knowledge, experience and qualifications gained by an applicant in an EEA state, subsequent to obtaining his primary medical qualification outside the EEA.

  Young People Leaving Care
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of young people who left care in each of the past five years for which figures are available(a) went into furnished private accommodation, (b) went into furnished local authority accommodation, (c) went in to unfurnished accommodation and (d) went into temporary accommodation; and what percentage is currently homeless. [31616]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.
  6
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of young people leaving care receive a leaving care grant; what is the average value of the grant; and if she will give a regional breakdown of the amounts given. [31613]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  National Blood Authority
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new posts have been designated by the National Blood Authority in preparation for possible re organisation; and if she will state the titles of the posts and the names of those provisionally appointed. [31996]

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for the National Blood Authority.

  Fostering
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to publish her response to the consultation about the delegation of fostering duties to profit-making organisations and the easement of respite care regulations; and if she will make a statement. [32101]

  Mr. Bowis
  We are considering the responses received to the consultation document.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Atmospheric Pollutants
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what action the Commissioners are taking to obtain Government repair grants for damage caused by atmospheric pollutants; and if he will make a statement. [31090]

  Mr. Alison
  None, so far as the Commissioners' own property is concerned.

  Pensions
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners (1) what plans the Commissioners have to establish two pension funds, one for the dignitaries and staff at Church House and No. 1 Millbank and another for the parish clergy; [31992]

  (2) what plans the Commissioners have for a single fund into which they will pay the future contributions of dignitaries while each diocese will be asked to meet the future contributions of the parish clergy. [31993]

  Mr. Alison
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave him on 14 June 1995,Official Report, column 556.

  One of the proposals of the joint report on pensions by the Central Board of Finance, the Church of England Pensions Board and the Church Commissioners which will be considered by the General Synod in July, is that pensions contributions in respect of future service of the parochial clergy should be raised by dioceses—through parishes—and invested in a separate pensions fund. The

  7
  Commissioners would make contributions into the same fund in respect of those dignitaries whose stipends they meet in full.

  The Commissioners will be seeking the power to spend capital to discharge their existing liability for past service pensions. That power could also be used to enable the establishment of a funded scheme for the staff in their employment.

  Temporary Income
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners (1) what was the cost of capital losses incurred to purchase £12.9 million temporary income mentioned in the 1994 annual report;

  (2) what was the total temporary income generated since the Commissioners began the practice of obtaining this income; and what effect this has had on the size of the capital base of the Commissioners' assets.

  Mr. Alison
  Temporary income refers to the accounting policy of recording interest on gilt edged securities on a receipts basis rather than on an accruals basis. The temporary income generated up to the end of 1994 was £56.7 million. As explained in appendix 12 of the Social Security Committee's recent report, in so far as the above amounts would otherwise have been treated as capital and retained, the fact that they have been recorded as income and distributed within the Church has led to capital being reduced by the same amount.

  The Commissioners have repeatedly made it clear that the current level of income distribution as a percentage of their assets remains unsustainably high, despite a reduction to 6 per cent. in 1994. The generation of temporary income is but one element of an investment strategy which is required to produce the level of income needed to meet the Commissioners' current commitments to the financial support of the ministry. The Commissioners are reducing their expenditure and re-balancing their assets at a pace which is feasible for them and manageable for the Church.

EMPLOYMENT

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to review the provision in the proposed jobseeker's allowance that a claimant has to be available for work for 40 hours per week and still accept any job that is offered, in the light of changing trends in the number of jobs which are part-time. [31660]

  Miss Widdecombe
  None. People claiming jobseeker's allowance should ensure that they are open to a wide range of job opportunities. They should therefore be willing to work for a minimum of 40 hours per week, even if they would prefer to work fewer hours. Jobseekers will not, however, be subject to a sanction for refusing a job offered to them if they can show good cause for that refusal.

  Young People Leaving Care
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of young people who left 8
  care in each of the past five years for which figures are available are currently (a) on YTS schemes, (b) employed and (c) unemployed. [31620]

  Mr. Paice
  The information requested is not available. The labour force survey and the youth cohort study both gather information on the employment status of young people, but neither asks whether respondents have been in care.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress the Employment Service has made in meeting the targets outlined in the 1994–95 annual performance agreement; and if he will list the targets and the outcomes achieved. [32596]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Employment Service has performed excellently in 1994–95, exceeding all but one of its targets. It placed 1,876,800 unemployed people into jobs, against an annual target of 1.7 million. This represents 236,900 more placings than 1993–94. Performance against all the targets for 1994–95 is set out in the following table:

  Employment service performance against target April 1994–March 1995

  Annual performance targets

  Target levels

  Performance

  1. To place 1.7 million unemployed people into work at a planned unit cost of £188, assuming 2.4 million vacancies are notified

  1.7 million

  1,876,800

  2. 29.5 per cent. of total unemployed placings achieved to be long-term claimants.

  29.5 per cent.

  29.7 per cent. (556,600)

  3. 26 per cent. of total unemployed placings achieved to be people in inner cities.

  26 per cent.

  28 per cent. (526,300)

  4. 50 per cent. positive outcomes for unemployed claimants invited to a 12 month advisory interview.

  50 per cent.

  53 per cent.

  5. 35 per cent. positive outcomes for unemployed claimants invited to a 24 month advisory interview.

  35 per cent.

  44 per cent.

  6. 92 per cent. of clients due an advisory interview to receive one, assuming 9 million interviews are due.

  92 per cent.

  95 per cent.

  7. 9 per cent. of initial claim enquiries not to be pursued as new claims

  9 per cent.

  10.3 per cent

  8. 135,000 submissions to adjudication where there is an arguable case, with supporting information to show that the claimant is not available for, actively seeking or willing to accept work.

  135,000

  203,500

  9

  Employment service performance against target April 1994–March 1995

  Annual performance targets

  Target levels

  Performance

  9. At a planned unit cost per claimant of £14.80 for all benefit claims:

  —despatch 75 per cent. of first payments of Unemployment Benefit within 10 days of a claim

  75 per cent.

  65 per cent.

  —97 per cent. of Unemployment Benefit payments by value to be correct.

  97 per cent.

  96 per cent.

  10. 3.3 per cent. of total unemployed placings achieved to be people with disabilities

  3.3 per cent.

  3.7 per cent. (70,300)

  11. 70,000 claims to be withdrawn of those suspected of obtaining benefit by deception following fraud investigation.

  70,000

  78,200

  12. To achieve £25.1 million in efficiency savings.

  £25.1 million

  £29.09 million

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  High Commission, Nairobi
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give a breakdown of the cost involved in the building of the new United Kingdom high commission office in Nairobi, Kenya. [31703]

  Mr. Goodlad
  The building cost to date of the new British high commission in Nairobi totals £5,640,000, comprising land cost of £65,000, consultants' fees of £1,230,000 and construction costs of £4,345,000.

  Indigenous Peoples
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the rights of indigenous peoples. [31847]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are concerned that the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people, including indigenous people, should be respected. We believe that indigenous people should participate fully and freely in all aspects of society, in particular in matters of concern to them. We participate in the discussion on indigenous issues within the UN.

  France (Nuclear Testing)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to make representations to the French Government about its intention to resume nuclear testing. [31777]

  Mr. David Davis
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Jones) on 28 June,Official Report, column 636.
  10

  South Pacific
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to sign the treaty of Rarotonga on a South Pacific nuclear-free zone. [31778]

  Mr. David Davis
  The treaty of Rarotonga is not open for signature by the United Kingdom. We have no current plans to become a party to any of the protocols to the treaty of Rarotonga.

  Complaints
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy and procedure exists for dealing with complaints against his Department by members of the public; when the policy was last updated; what time limit and target for dealing with such complaints his Department has; and what follow-up procedure exists where complainants are not satisfied with his Department's response to a complaint. [26220]

  Mr. Goodlad
  The FCO's diplomatic wing policy and procedure for dealing with complaints from members of the public in respect of the legalisation office, consular service and overseas trade services is as follows:LEGALISATION OFFICE
  Complaints dealt with on the spot where possible; target of three workings days where further investigation required.
  Complaints procedure published with names and addresses of individuals to whom complaints should be addressed.
  Complaints procedure reviewed and updated 1 February 1995.
  CONSULAR SERVICE
  —Overseas
  Target of three working days to respond to complaints.
  Each post offering consular services displays procedures for complaints and named individuals to whom complaints should be addressed.
  Procedure has not been updated.
  —At home
  Complaints replied to within seven working days if channelled through an MP; target of twenty working days to reply if complaint made direct.
  OVERSEAS TRADE SERVICES
  Target of five working days for service provider to respond to complaints. Target of fifteen working days for Customer Services Manager to respond if complaint taken to that level.
  Guidelines shortly to be published.
  Guidelines reviewed annually but have not been updated.

  Complaints on all other matters, including complaints relating to the Overseas Development Administration, sent by a Member of Parliament are dealt with within seven working days. Other written complaints are dealt with within the 20 working day deadline for letters to members of the public.

  Guidance on complaints procedures advises members of the public to contact their Member of Parliament or the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration— Parliamentary Ombudsman—if they are not satisfied with the way in which their complaint has been handled.

  Departmental Performance
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what performance indicators and performance targets there are for measuring the
  11
  performance of his Department in (a) answering letters from members of the public and (b) answering telephone calls from members of the public; how performance is monitored; and what are the latest figures for performance measured against the target set. [26236]

  Mr. Goodlad
  The FCO has an office-wide target of 20 working days for replying to letters from members of the public. For the diplomatic wing, performance is monitored within each department and central returns submitted. Between 1 April 1994, when the target was introduced, to 31 December 1994, 23,329 letters were received of which 98 per cent. were replied to within the target. In the Overseas Development Administration, 1,477 requests for information were received within the same period, of which 94 per cent. were replied to within the target.

  The FCO has no set target for answering telephone calls from members of the public.

  UN Conference on Women
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make arrangements for those representing the United Kingdom at the Beijing conference on women to receive a briefing from those non-governmental organisations and other organisations on the human rights position of women in China. [26900]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We already have close contact with human rights organisations dealing with the Peking conference on women.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese authorities regarding the provision made for non-governmental organisations at the United National conference on women to be held in Beijing. [26898]

  Mr. Hogg
  We have been associated with European Union representations to the Chinese authorities about provision for non-governmental organisations at the world conference on women.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he had made to the United Nations regarding the practice of using geographical rotation to choose the venue for the United Nations conference on women irrespective of the human rights record of a country. [26899]

  Mr. Hogg
  None.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings have been held with the Government of Indonesia concerning human rights abuse; and if he will make a statement. [27088]

  Mr. Goodlad
  We continue to take every appropriate opportunity to urge the Indonesian Government to continue to improve their human rights record.

  The issue was raised by my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development during her recent visit to Indonesia.
  12

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers from his Department have visited Bangladesh in each of the last three years. [26992]

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs visited Bangladesh in January 1995. I visited in November 1994.

  Facility Trips (Journalists)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list facility trips abroad which have been granted to British newspaper journalists in the last two years. [25907]

  Mr. Baldry
  The details are as follows:

  Dale of visit

  Destination

  Number in press party (journalists)

  1–4 June 1993

  Romania

  4

  Bulgaria

  Macedonia

  6–8 September 1993

  UAE

  7

  Saudi Arabia

  22–24 October 1993

  Syria

  6

  3–7 January 1994

  Lebanon

  10

  Israel

  Occupied Territories

  Jordan

  Malta

  19–20 January 1994

  Turkey

  2

  4–11 April 1994

  Brazil

  2

  Falklands

  22–24 May 1994

  Russia

  3

  Ukraine

  11–20 September 1994

  Thailand

  2

  Vietnam

  Hong Kong

  Japan

  12–14 October 1994

  Kuwait

  16

  Bahrain

  Saudi Arabia

  Jordan

  Syria

  Turkey

  4 December 1994

  Former Yugoslavia

  11

  3–9 January 1995

  Bangladesh

  1 (4 others—Lahore/ Islamabad leg only)

  India

  Pakistan

  13–14 February 1995

  Sweden

  1

  11–12 April 1995

  Slovakia

  2

  Poland

  In all cases, journalists are charged for air and ground transportation.
  13

  Kashmir
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the burning of the Mosque and village of Charar-e-Sharief in Kashmir on Thursday 11 May. [25447]

  Mr. Baldry
  We deeply regret the burning of the village of Charar-e-Sharief in Kashmir and its historic shrine. We have urged all sides to exercise restraint. We shall continue to try to promote a peaceful solution in Kashmir.

ENVIRONMENT

  Water Disconnections
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households had their water supply disconnected as a result of non-payment of bills in (i) York, (ii) North Yorkshire, (iii) Yorkshire and Humberside and (iv) England in each since 1989. [31583]

  Mr. Atkins
  Information on disconnections is not available in the form requested. The Director General of Water Services publishes data on disconnections twice a year in Ofwat news releases, by water company area. Copies of Ofwat news releases are in the library.

  Chlorinated Paraffins
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to the environmental case for phasing out the production of chlorinated paraffins. [31875]

  Mr. Atkins
  The production and use of short-chain chlorinated paraffins are being examined currently by the Department of the Environment in the context of EC regulation No. 793/93 on the evaluation and control of existing substances to determine the extent to which they pose a risk to the environment. The outcome of this examination will be used to determine whether control measures may be necessary.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each local authority the current single regeneration budget in cash terms and per head of the pollution. [31679]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Single regeneration budget resources are not allocated or recorded by references to local authority districts. Many schemes and initiatives supported by the SRB, including the challenge fund element, relate to a range of geographical and administrative areas, and funding is directed to a range of bodies such as training and enterprise councils and voluntary groups in addition to local authorities.

  Education Standard Spending Assessment
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by cash value the education standard spending assessment for 1995–96 for each of the 38 shire counties for(a) primary and (b) secondary education. [31686]
  14
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mrs. Winteron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by what percentage, and by what cash value, the education standard spending assessment for 1995–96 for Cheshire differs from(a) the average such education standard spending assessment and (b) the highest such education standard spending assessment, for (i) all education authorities, (ii) shire counties, (iii) north-west education authorities and (iv) London boroughs. [31687]

  Mr. Jones
  The 1995–96 education standard spending assessment for Cheshire is £332.027 million. The figures requested are given in the table:

  Amount £ million

  Absolute difference from Cheshire £ million

  Percentage difference from Cheshire Per cent.

  Average English local education authority

  156.184

  175.843

  113

  Average shire county

  264.864

  67.163

  25

  Average North West local education authority

  135.438

  196.589

  145

  Average London borough

  84.888

  247.139

  291

  Highest English local education authority (Kent)

  559.063

  -227.036

  -41

  Highest shire county (Kent)

  559.063

  -227.036

  -41

  Highest North West local education authority (Lancashire)

  483.978

  -151.951

  -31

  Highest London borough (Newham)

  123.810

  208.217

  168

  The following table expresses differences from figures for Cheshire in terms of £ per head of resident population, with Cheshire's figure being £341 per head. It therefore takes account of numbers of people resident within each local education authority's area.

  Amount (£ per resident)

  Absolute difference from Cheshire (£ per resident)

  Percentage difference from Cheshire (Per cent.)

  Average for all English local education authorities

  351

  -10

  -3

  Average for shire counties

  333

  9

  3

  Average for North West

  360

  -18

  -5

  Average for London boroughs

  404

  -63

  -16

  15

  Amount (£ per resident)

  Absolute difference from Cheshire (£ per resident)

  Percentage difference from Cheshire (Per cent.)

  Highest English local education authority (Tower Hamlets)

  710

  -369

  -52

  Highest shire county (Bedfordshire)

  393

  -52

  -13

  Highest North West local education authority (Knowsley)

  449

  -108

  -24

  Highest London borough (Tower Hamlets)

  710

  -369

  -52

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will identify and quantify the factors which were taken into account when establishing Cheshire's education standard spending assessment for 1995–96 [31688]

  Mr. Jones
  Information on the factors which were taken into account when establishing the education standard spending assessment for 1995–96 for every English local education authority is available in the Local Government Finance Report (England) 1995–96 and "Standard Spending Assessments: Guide to Methodology 1995–96" edition, both of which are available in the Library.

  Information on the amounts used in establishing the education standard spending assessment for Cheshire county council for 1995–96 was sent to Cheshire county council on 31 January.

  Area Cost Adjustment
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what value of area cost adjustment is proposed for 1995–6 for(a) Bedfordshire, (b) Hertfordshire, (c) Leicestershire and (d) Cheshire; and if he will specify in each case how that figure was calculated. [31690]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Full details of the value of the area cost adjustment for all English local authorities which benefited from that adjustment are available in the Library. The information covers the years 1991–92 to 1995–96.

  The methodology that is used to calculate the area cost adjustment is set out in the departmental publication, "Standard Spending Assessments: Guide to Methodology 1995–96". A copy of this publication has been placed in the Library.

  Fire Safety
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conclusions he has reached on the study his Department has been making of fire safety in large single storey buildings. [32591]
  16
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  In February last year, a deputation of senior fire officers and representatives of building control and the insurance industry, came to see my predecessor, the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Baldry), about fire safety in single storey buildings with large undivided spaces. They were concerned about the safety of firefighters, as well as people within such buildings should they catch fire, and also about the possible pollution and large financial loss that might result. Buildings of this type are found throughout the country as supermarkets, factories and warehouses.

  Recognising that if these buildings are to fulfil their functions properly they should not have to be divided into small fire compartments, the deputation recommended that the guidance issued on how to comply with building regulations should be changed so that when new buildings of these types exceeding 4000 sq m were being designed and constructed, a sprinkler system should be incorporated.

  Although my Department had reviewed this aspect of the guidance not long before, my predecessor asked that a further study should be made of the fire safety of this type of building taking into account recent fires. This has now been done with the assistance of the Fire Research Station of the Building Research Establishment, the Fire Advisory Panel and the Building Regulations Advisory Committee.

  This work has shown that while there may be a case for accepting the deputation's proposal in some respects, it is finely balanced and more time is needed to acquire better information on certain important factors before consultation can take place on detailed technical proposals. However, the following general conclusions have been reached:

  (i) a case can be made for sprinklers in new retail single storey buildings with compartments exceeding 4000 square metres, in the interests of occupant and firefighter safety; but a similar case has not been made from the available data for large compartment single storey industrial storage buildings;

  (ii) the guidance on measures to restrict fire spread through voids in these sorts of building should be reconsidered, with firefighter safety in mind as well as the occupants. Similarly we should take steps to improve the design and construction of fire barriers;

  (iii) automatic smoke ventilation without sprinklers in buildings with low ceilings does not appear to be beneficial to occupants threatened by very fast-growing fires;

  (iv) a case can be made for there to be a minimum 4 metre ceiling height in new retail single storey buildings over 4000 square metres, as an additional measure to sprinklers;

  (v) the deputation drew attention to fires in which large insulating wall and ceiling panels seem to have been a significant feature. We plan to study the fire implications of the use of these panels in buildings such as cold stores and food factories, with a view to amending guidance or sponsoring a code of practice if appropriate.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary is considering the implications for existing occupied buildings if these proposals were to be adopted in building regulations.

  In the light of the above, I have asked my officials, in liaison with other Departments and taking account of the advice of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, to prepare a consultation document covering issues (i) and (iv) above, if possible to be issued by the end of this year.

  17
  To the extent that it is possible within that time scale the other issues will also be addressed, but items (ii) and (v) in particular are likely to require research and may take considerably more time to resolve. The consultation paper will cover revisions to the whole of the part B approved document, and will therefore incorporate other suggested changes to that part which have arisen since it was last revised in December 1991. Any relevant conclusions from the interdepartmental scrutiny of fire safety legislation and enforcement, on which a separate statement is being made, will also be incorporated.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the(a) monthly and (b) annual change in the numbers of asylum seekers accepted as homeless by local authorities under the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993. [30546]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  [holding answer 26 June 1995]: The data collected from local authorities in England on the numbers of households for which they accept responsibility to secure permanent accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985 have, since the beginning of 1994, included the numbers accepted after being granted asylum. The available data are as follows:

  Acceptance of former asylum seekers

  Percentage change on previous quarter

  Quarter 1 1994

  300

  n/a

  Quarter 2 1994

  260

  -13

  Quarter 3 1994

  210

  -19

  Quarter 4 1994

  250

  +19

  Quarter 1 1995

  250

  0

  Director General of Water Services
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the salary of the water regulator for each year since the post was established; and what is the percentage change in his earnings since the post's establishment in(a) cash terms and (b) real terms. [31539]

  Mr. Atkins]
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: Mr. Ian Byatt was appointed as Director General of Water Services from 1 August 1989 at an initial salary of £59,800 per annum; salary increases since his appointment are listed in the following table:

  Director General of Water Services

  Year

  Salary £

  Percentage change Cash terms

  Real terms

  April 1990

  63,390

  6.00

  -1.9

  January 1991

  64,300

  1.44

  -2.5

  April 1991

  69,120

  7.50

  +5.2

  December 1991

  70.400

  1.85

  -0.1

  April 1992

  73,216

  4.00

  +1.7

  April 1993

  75,328

  2.90

  +1.6

  April 1994

  79,396

  5.40

  +2.8

  April 1995

  81,381

  2.50

  -0.8

  18

  Dounreay
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action his Department has taken to date in respect of the RM Consultants report published in 1991 in relation to the Dounreay reprocessing plant; and if he will make a statement. [31207]

  Sir Hector Monro
  I have been asked to reply.

  RM Consultants were commissioned by the then Scottish Development Department to look at a range of engineering options for the management of radioactive wastes in the Dounreay shaft. Following the publication of that report, HM industrial pollution inspectorate required the UK Atomic Energy Authority to carry out further studies aimed at identifying a clear strategy for the long-term management of that waste. Given the novel nature of the problems that had to be addressed these studies have taken some time and the results are not yet available.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Judicial Appointments
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions judicial appointments have been vetoed by the Prime Minister in each of the last 10 years. [30761]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Senior judicial appointments at the level of the Court of Appeal and above in England and Wales are made by the Queen on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

  Primary Legislation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 June,Official Report, column 606, what assessment he has made of the acceptability of one third of primary legislation readily available to members of the public in its current amended form; and if he will make a statement. [31036]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have not received any representations from members of the public relating to the availability of primary legislation in its current amended form. Work towards the implementation of the statute law database system at the Statutory Publications Office is now well advanced. This system will provide the opportunity to meet the needs of all who require improved access to primary legislation in its current amended form.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 June,Official Report, column 606, if he will set target dates for raising the proportion of primary legislation readily available to hon. Members and the general public in its current amended form above (a) 50 per cent. and (b) 75 per cent. [31035]

  Mr. Taylor
  No. The editorial task of applying the effects of new legislation to the database will be approached in strict chronological sequence. The target date for completion of the exercise is March 1997.
  19

  Small Claims
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if proposals to increase the small claims limit will be subject to a full consultation process; and if he will make a statement. [30948]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Lord Woolf consulted widely in the preparation of his interim report. In view of this, the Lord Chancellor does not intend to undertake further public consultation on whether he should implement Lord Woolf's recommendation that the limit for small claims, other than those for personal injury, should be raised to £3,000. The power to make the necessary amendments rests with the county court rule committee who, as part of its consideration of the matter, consults interested parties.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy that any increase in the small claims court limit will be in line with the rate of inflation since July 1991. [30949]

  Mr. Taylor
  The present limit of £1,000 does not reflect the value of many cases which would be appropriate for disposal in the small claims forum, including straightforward claims relating to home extensions and improvements, family holidays or major car repairs. In order to make this cheaper and less formal procedure available to litigants with this type of claim it would not be sufficient simply to raise the limit in line with inflation.

TREASURY

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much has Government spending changed in 1994–95 as a result of the private finance initiative; what is the estimated effect in 1995–96; how many jobs are to be created by schemes approved to date under the initiative and how many have been lost as a consequence in the public sector; and what is the forecast of transfer of employment from public to private sector over the last five years because of the initiative. [30825]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 28 June 1995]: The presence of private finance and management expertise will often allow projects that would not have gone ahead under conventional procurement either to go ahead, or to go ahead earlier. However, many factors were taken into account in determining priorities for public expenditure in 1994–95 and 1995–96, and it is not possible to measure the impact of the initiative in isolation.

  Records are not kept centrally of the effect of the initiative on patterns of employment, but the number of jobs transferred from public to private sector as a result of the initiative to date is small. As the initiative allows more and better projects to go ahead, it will tend to create jobs, particularly in the private sector.
  20

  Astra plc
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the responsibilities of J. W. Cassey within Her Majesty's Customs and Excise; and in what capacity he visited the headquarters of Astra plc in April 1990. [31435]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: Mr. J. W. Cassey was employed in Customs and Excise between February 1972 and January 1990.

  Any visit made by him to Astra plc in April 1990 would not have been on behalf of Customs and Excise.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list by convenient category the documents removed from Astra plc and its subsidiaries which are retained by his Department. [31436]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: No. It is not Customs' practice to make public details of documents taken up during the course of inquiries, other than those revealed in the course of legal proceedings, lest such details cause unfairness to individuals or prejudice current or future investigations or proceedings.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the dates and periods of service on behalf of Customs and Excise of Mr. V. W. Cassey. [30090]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Customs and Excise has no record of currently or having previously employed a Mr. V. W. Cassey.

  A Mr. J. W. Cassey was employed in Customs and Excise between February 1972 and January 1990.

  CS Gas
  Ms Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what quantities of CS gas equipment are shown by Customs and Excise records to have been exported to Indonesia in each year since 1985. [31760]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: Export trade relating specifically to CS gas—o-Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile—and "CS Gas Equipment", is not identifiable within the trade statistics.

  ECOFIN
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the discussions held at ECOFIN on 19 June. [31609]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave in response to a very similar question from my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) on 29 June Official Report, columns 772–73.

  Inland Revenue Computer Contract
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the original estimate of the cost of the Inland Revenue's computer contract with EDS; what is the current estimate; and if he will make a statement. [31645]

  Sir George Young
  When the Inland Revenue signed a 10-year outsourcing contract with EDS in May 1994, its estimated value based on the work load identified in the invitation to tender was £1 billion, which represented a potential saving of £225 million over the in-house costs.
  21
  The Inland Revenue and EDS have since agreed that the costs attributable to the work and resources transferred in the first phase of the tranche, in July 1994, were greater than those in the ITT. This increase in work load, which is largely due to the transfer of planned expenditure from third party suppliers to EDS, will increase the value of the contract by £250 million over 10 years. As the adjustment is on a broadly pound-for-pound basis, it does not increase the Department's overall expenditure nor decrease the potential savings.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the implications of the current difficulties with the Inland Revenue computer project for the timetable for the introduction of self-assessment; and if he will make a statement. [31644]

  Sir George Young
  Self-assessment will be introduced in 1997 as originally planned. The Inland Revenue and its IT services suppliers, EDS, are fully committed to the successful delivery of self-assessment.

  Departmental Computer Systems
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions there have been between his Department and the Department of Social Security over the possible merger of the Department of Social Security and Inland Revenue computer systems; and if he will make a statement. [31646]

  Sir George Young
  There are no plans to merge the computer services supporting the operations of the Inland Revenue and Department of Social Security and there have been no discussions on such a merger between the two Departments.

  Register of Conditionally Exempted Works of Art
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated total market value of the items on the register of conditionally exempted works of art. [31873]

  Sir George Young
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Treasury Solicitors
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any of the Treasury Solicitors acting or advising in the case against former directors of Astra under the Company Directors Disqualification Act had, in any capacity within legal services of Government, acted or advised in the case of Rv. Henderson, Allen and Abraham. [30786]

  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply. Mr. Leithead and Mr. Howes of the Treasury Solicitor's Department, who are acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in the case referred to, advised in the case of Rv. Henderson, Allen and Abraham.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the previous posts and duties within the Government service of Sir Gerald Hooper, Mr. Leitzead and Mr. Howes of the Treasury Solicitor's Department. [30782]

  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply. The question is understood to refer to Sir Gerald Hosker,
  22
  Mr. Leithead and Mr. Howes. The information is as follows:

  Sir Gerald Hosker KCB QC

  1960–66: Legal assistant: conveyancing duties

  1966–72: Senior legal assistant: legal advice to the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Defence

  1973–87: Successively as assistant Treasury Solicitor, principal assistant Treasury Solicitor and deputy Treasury Solicitor: legal advice to Her Majesty's Treasury and associated Departments.

  1984–87: Duties as deputy Treasury Solicitor

  1987–92: Duties as solicitor to the Department of Trade and Industry

  1992 to date: Duties as HM Procurator General, Treasury Solicitor and Queen's Proctor.

  Mr. Leithead

  1977 to date: Senior legal assistant and from 1982 assistant Treasury Solicitor: legal advice to and civil litigation for the Department of Trade and Industry, the Office of Fair Trading, the Export Credits Guarantee Department, the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and related bodies, and some specialist advice on litigation both civil and criminal.

  Mr. Howes

  1971–77: Legal assistant and from 1976 senior legal assistant: conduct of prosecutions and civil litigation on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Security

  1977–79: Senior legal assistant: advice to the DHSS on employment law and industrial tribunal work

  1979–81: Senior legal assistant: advice on employment law and industrial tribunal work for various Government Departments as a member of the Treasury Solicitor's Department

  1981–83 Senior legal assistant: European Community litigation

  1983–86: Senior legal assistant: Chancery and charity litigation, public inquiries and Lands Tribunal work

  986 to date: Senior legal assistant and from 1989 grade 6: conduct of litigation for the Office of Fair Trading and the Department of Trade and Industry

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Millennium Fund
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (i) how many bids were made for millennium funding; and what percentage of them were successful(a) in England and (b) in London; [31999]

  (2) in which parliamentary constituency each successful millennium bid is situated; and how much each successful project was awarded. [32000]

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage in what respect the university of Ulster— peaceline campus of the new millennium project did not meet the Millennium Commission criteria. [31317]

  Mr. Dorrell
  These are matters for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Members in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my replies in the Libraries of the House.
  23

  Radio Authority
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will issue guidance to the Radio Authority that efficient use of the spectrum will be assessed by reference to the potential audience reach of the services involved. [31946]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Section 123 of the Broadcasting Act 1990 requires that the Radio Authority's frequency planning work must be directed towards securing that the frequencies assigned to the authority are used as efficiently as is reasonably practicable. Potential audience demand is one of the factors taken into account by the Radio Authority in discharging this responsibility.

  Trafalgar Square, London
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals his Department has on filling the empty plinth in Trafalgar square, London; and if he will make a statement. [31498]

  Mr. Sproat
  I am aware that Miss Prudence Leith, OBE, chairman elect of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, is putting proposals together for a statue to go on the empty plinth, which she intends to submit to the Department later this year. We shall carefully consider any proposals received. Under the Public Statute Metropolis Act 1854, the Secretary of State must approve the erection of any statute in London.

  Television Franchise Bids
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received on allowing ITV companies to negotiate their franchise bids earlier than the Broadcasting Act 1990 currently allows to free money for programming; and what response he has made. [31917]

  Mr. Dorrell
  None.

  BBC (Transmission facilities)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to privatise the BBC's transmission facilities. [31908]

  Mr. Dorrell
  We are considering the options for the future of the BBC's transmission service and will announce our decision in due course.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) by how much Government spending has changed in 1994–95 as a result of the private finance initiative; what is the estimated effect in 1995–96; how many jobs are to be created by schemes approved to date under the initiative and how many have been lost as a consequence in the public sector; and what is the forecast of transfer of employment from public to private sector over the last five years because of the initiative; [30839]

  (2) how many schemes and to what value have been approved in 1994–95 under the private finance initiative; what are the estimates for the current financial year; how many schemes are currently being considered and at what value; for how long have they been
  24
  considered and how many have been in the assessment process for over (a) six months and (b) 12 months; and what was the average length of time taken to assess schemes so far approved. [30838]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 28 June J 995]: My Department operates mainly through its many sponsored bodies and agencies and undertakes little expenditure on its own account. Its effort is therefore largely devoted to encouraging those whom it sponsors to exploit to the full in their own capital programmes the opportunities of the private finance initiative. The cost of this effort within the Department is about £65,000 a year.

  One PFI project has so far required to be approved by my Department—the move of the Royal Armouries from the Tower of London to Leeds. The proposal was submitted in May 1992 and approval was given in December 1993. The total cost of the project is £42.5 million. The public sector contribution comprises: £20 million, financed by the Historic Royal Agency from increased receipts at the Tower of London; £5 million from Leeds development corporation; and £3.5 million from Leeds city council. The effect on public sector manpower is neutral, but the project will increase opportunities for private sector employment.

  No projects required departmental approval in 1994–95. A number of projects are at various stages of consideration by my Department's sponsored bodies in the current— 1995–96—financial year. Of these, it is not possible to estimate the number that will require departmental approval.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Arable Area Payments Scheme
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received concerning the need for greater flexibility in the arable area payments scheme; and if he will make a statement. [31940]

  Mr. Jack
  Representations have been received from a wide range of agricultural and environmental bodies concerning proposals issued for consultation on 11 May on exchanges of eligible and ineligible land. These are being considered and details of any arrangements for 1996 will be included in the arable area payments explanatory guide 1995–96 due to be published this summer.

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department is taking to achieve provision for swapping of eligible and ineligible land under the terms of the arable area payments scheme; and whether those changes will be in place for 1996 integrated administration and control system claims. [31939]

  Mr. Jack
  A consultation document was issued on 11 May 1995 outlining in broad terms proposals for the conditions under which exchanges of eligible for ineligible land might be permitted. Representations are now being considered and I would expect shortly to take a decision on any arrangements for 1996 claims. Details of any changes will be included in the arable area payments explanatory guide for 1995–96, due to be published this summer.
  25
  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals the European Commission has so far brought forward to ease the setting up of individual base areas in the context of the arable area payments scheme; and if he will summarise them; and what response he has made. [31937]

  Mr. Jack
  The European Commission has not put forward any proposals on this subject.

  Agriculture Council
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement summarising the decisions taken by the December 1994 meeting of the Agriculture Council in relation to greater flexibility in defining land eligibility under the arable area payments scheme; and what action subsequently has been taken by his Department in relation to those decisions. [31938]

  Mr. Jack
  At the December 1993 Agriculture Council that agreement was reached, subject to terms to be determined, on greater flexibility on land eligibility. In August 1994, EC Commission implementing regulations were brought into force establishing eligibility for land growing certain multi-annual crops on 31 December 1991; providing for the declaration of new land as eligible following compulsory purchase; for exchanges of land under certain circumstances and for structure plans in certain other member states.

  In the light of UK representations, the EC Commission subsequently recognised concerns over conflict between the terms of the Council agreement as laid down in EC Council regulations 1765/92 and the Commission implementing regulations, and indicated that it would consider corrective changes. The Commission determined finally not to take such regulatory action and restricted further amending provisions, which came into force on 22 April 1995, to detailed rules of exchanges of eligible land.

  Details on the application of these changes, including any arrangements resulting from consultation on a UK plan for exchanges of eligible land, will be contained in the arable area payments explanatory guide for 1995–96 due to be published this summer.

  Butter Council (Advertising)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he intends to take to counter the Butter Council's use of European funds to finance advertisements against the margarine industry; and if he will make a statement. [32098]

  Mr. Jack
  A final decision on EC funding for the Butter Council's advertising campaign will be taken by the intervention board when the Council completes its contract later this year. The board will take account of the views which have been expressed by the Advertising Standards Authority on the advertisements. In the meantime, with the Government's support, the EC Commission has decided to prohibit negative comparative advertising in future contracts under the EC scheme for promoting the consumption of milk and milk products.
  26

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Metropolitan Police Committee
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times the Metropolitan police committee has now met; what advice it has proffered to him; and what action has been taken in response to its advice. [32002]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Metropolitan police committee has held five full committee meetings, various meetings of subgroups and a number of meetings with representatives of the Metropolitan police and local bodies. The committee's advice to the Secretary of State is confidential. Since 1 April 1995 the Home Secretary's actions as police authority for the Metropolitan police have been informed by the Metropolitan police committee's advice.

  Elected Police Authority
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has received from serving police officers, including senior officers within the Metropolitan police service, regarding the establishment of an elected police authority for London. [32001]

  Mr. Maclean
  Any advice that Ministers may have received on this topic would be confidential.

  Political Asylum
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time and cost to public funds of processing each application for political asylum. [31852]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  For applications for asylum received since implementation of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 and decided in the last six months the estimated average time to process each application is 7.8 months. The average cost of processing each application in the asylum division was £165.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have sought political asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last three years; and how many applications have been granted. [31856]

  Mr. Baker
  The information requested is published in table 1.1 of Home Office statistical bulletin issue 15/95 "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1994", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the reasons for the time taken to consider a request by the Dart harbour and navigation authority for an amendment to its byelaws. [31855]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State has considered the matter, which my hon. Friend raised in his letter to her of 6 June, and has today written to him.
  27

  Miss A. O. Bamgbose
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report on Miss A. O. Bamgbose was sent by Becket house to the entry clearance officer in Lagos, Nigeria. [32210]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  On 27 March 1995.

  Council Property
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the purpose of the meeting held on 31 October 1994 between his Department's officials from the immigration service, Ms Arnfield, Ms Hutcheson and Mr. McCormack on the one hand and Mr. Bernard Crofton and Mr. K. Ostler of Hackney's tenancy audit team on the other: [32166]

  (2) what was the status of Mr. Bernard Crofton with Hackney council when he met immigration service officials on 31 October 1994; and what information on this status was available to the officials concerned. [32165]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Following the suspension of Mr. Croften from his post of director of housing at Hackney council, Mr. Ostler sought a meeting to establish that the immigration service would continue to co-operate with an investigation by Mr. Ostler's tenancy audit team into the misuse of council property, which had already led to the apprehension of a number of immigration offenders and the return of several properties to the council. The officials confirmed that they would continue to co-operate with the tenancy audit team.

  Emergency Calls
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information his Department holds and at what level of detail, on the number of 999 calls received by central fire control headquarters in each authority in England and Wales. [31659]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of people from(a) Sri Lanka, (b) Pakistan, (c) India and (d) Kenya seeking asylum and being held in detention as of 19 June. [31372]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The available information is that as at 28 June 1995, 22 Sri Lankans, 22 Pakistanis, 91 Indians and six Kenyans who had sought asylum were held in detention. These include people awaiting removal following refusal of the application, as well as those whose applications were under consideration or subject to appeal.

  Prison Searches
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many body and cell searches took place in Holloway prison during the week of 19 June. [31276]
  28
  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 Brian Landers to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 3 July 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about Holloway prison.
  Holloway conducted 103 cell searches during the week of 19 June. They also conducted 449 strip searches, which would have occurred as part of cell searches; on reception and discharge; after visits; or as part of the mandatory drug testing programme. Prisoners would also have been subject to rub down searches routinely as they moved around the establishment.

  Boot Camps
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has received from the United States on the effectiveness of boot camps. [30987]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Copies of the readily available published reports have been placed in the Library. I have also received advice from officials.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what have been the findings of his Department about boot camps. [30985]

  Mr. Forsyth
  My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to be able to make an announcement shortly.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has conducted as to the proportion of inmates in youth detention centres in the early 1980s who had been(a) in care and (b) were illiterate; and what are the implications of these findings for boot camps. [30986]

  Mr. Forsyth
  A report, "Tougher Regimes in Detention Centres", was produced in 1984. This report incorporated findings as to the proportion of inmates found to have been in care or illiterate in six detention centres during the period May 1979 to September 1980. In 1991, the national prison survey found that the proportion of young offender population who had spent time in care was very similar to that shown by the 1984 report.

  A proposal to introduce a new regime for young offenders based on the more positive aspects of American boot camps is under consideration. Any new regime that is introduced will take into account current knowledge about the backgrounds and attainments of young offenders.

  Recidivism
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made as to the extent to which broadening the range and scope of training for offenders reduces recidivism. [30989]

  Mr. Maclean
  There have been a number of studies on reconviction rates associated with different sentences, including "Explaining Reconviction Rates: a critical analysis", HORS No 136, although these studies have not specifically assessed the impact of training upon reconviction rates.
  29
  We will be evaluating the effectiveness of seven new Home Office training projects announced in May. These projects will fund seven training and enterprise councils to help offenders in the community improve their training and their job prospects. The evaluation will include a reconviction study.

  Justice and Home Affairs Council
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the matters discussed and decisions taken at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg; and if he will indicate those matters where votes were taken. [31069]

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Sir M. Shersby) on 22 June, at columns 405–6. The items agreed by the Justice and Home Affairs Council were adopted by unanimity, in accordance with the relevant provisions of title VI of the treaty on European Union.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 May,Official Report, column 121, if he will provide comparable details on civil service early retirement packages on grounds of inefficiency. [29297]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 19 June 1995]: Inefficiency is a ground for dismissal. Accrued superannuation benefits, which vary for individual members of staff, would normally be preserved for payment at retiring age. Departments may, however, make an immediate lump sum payment of up to two years' salary in cases where compensation is thought to be appropriate; in the case of persons aged over 55, this may be forgone in favour of immediate payment of accrued superannuation benefits. We have no record in the Home Office, excluding agencies, of any compensation payments being made, or of the alternative immediate payment of accrued superannuation benefits, in recent years.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been achieved to date in the drive to recruit 30,000 special constables by the end of 1996. [31763]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: Public response to our recruitment campaign has been very encouraging. Over 38,500 members of the public responded to our advertising and have expressed an interest in joining the special constabulary. Many have gone on to make preliminary applications and these have been passed to police forces. We hope that a significant number of these applications are successful.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Internet (Government Information)
  Sir Graham Bright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received 30
  from (a) individuals and (b) organisations who access Government information via the Internet. [30157]

  Mr. Horam
  The majority of representations have been to CCTA, the Government centre for information systems, which manages the worldwide web server on which most Government information on the Internet is made available. There have been 3,000 responses to the comments page of the server, and more than 1,200 contributors to the collaborative open group. Formal submissions and letters have also been received about CCTA's study into the ethical issues relating to information superhighways.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received from organisations requesting more Government information on the Internet. [30159]

  Mr. Horam
  There have been a number of suggestions made to CCTA, the Government centre for information systems, which manages the world wide web server on which most Government information on the Internet is made available. CCTA is discussing with the relevant Departments what further information can be added to the CCTA Government information service, which is expanding every week.

  Science Week 1995
  Mr. Coe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations from broadcasters he has received following Science Week 1995. [30158]

  Mr. David Hunt
  I have already had meetings with John Birt and Alan Yentob, both of whom were delighted with the success of Science Week 1995. They have already promised the 1996 week their full support.

  Citizens Charters
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans the Government have to involve citizens in the formulation of the citizens charter. [30150]

  Mr. Horam
  Consultation with people who use services is a key charter principle. Services should talk to their users to find out what they want before making decisions about standards and priorities. Service providers are actively encouraged to involve users when preparing charters and setting standards and are given guidance and help by Departments and the charters unit.

  Many service providers involve users when revising national and local charters. For example, the Department of Health asked the public what standards they would want in the revised patients charter. The reduction in waiting time targets, and the inclusion of patients' rights when using NHS dentists and standards for children's services were a result of this consultation. The tenants charter published in June 1995 also benefited from user feedback.

  Medical Research
  Dr. Charles Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent studies he has made of the funding of medical research. [30145]
  31
  Mr. David Hunt
  After careful studies I announced earlier this year an increase of 3.2 per cent. in the Medical Research Council budget to £277.8 million. The Department of Health will spend £413 million on research and research-related activity in 1995–96, an increase of 7.3 per cent.

  Climate Change
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what advice he has given to the Economic and Social Research Council concerning the provision of funds for research into the economics of climate change other than those based on cost-benefit analysis. [30376]

  Mr. Horam
  None.

  Public Administration Pay Bill
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mr. Streeter) on 26 June 1995,Official Report, column 462, what information he has on the total cost of the public administration pay bill for the years (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95 corresponding to the departmental staff totals given in the letter placed in the Library; and if he will give the figure for total staff in all departments on 1 April provided in the figures for 1 April 1994 in the documents placed in the Library. [32382]

  Mr. David Hunt
  Information on the total pay bill for(a) 1993–94 and (b) estimated outturn for 1994–95 can be found in table 3.7 of "Public Expenditure Statistical Supplement to the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1995–96", Cm 2821, copies of which are in the Library. Figures for total staff in all home civil service Departments, excluding Northern Ireland civil service Departments, can be found in "Civil Service Staff in Post Summary at 1 April 1994" and "Civil Service Staff in Post Summary at 1 April 1995", copies of which are in the Library. Staff numbers for Northern Ireland civil service Departments for 1993–94 and estimated outturn for 1994–95 can be found in table 12.7 of "Northern Ireland Expenditure Plans and Priorities", Cm 2816, a copy of which is also in the Library. Figures for Northern Ireland civil service Departments at 1 April each year are not available.

  House of Commons Disqualification Act
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many people are covered by the disqualifying reasons in each of the disqualifying categories of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975; [31518]

  (2) how many bodies have been (a) added to and (b) deleted from the list of disqualifying bodies under the House of Commons Disqualification Act schedule since 1979; and if he will list them;

  (3) what is the total number of people currently covered by the disqualification provisions of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975; and what was the equivalent figure in 1979; [31516]

  (4) what considerations as to the time which would have to be taken by other duties or offices underlay the schedule of disqualifying offices under the terms of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975; [31528]
  32
  (5) how many people are currently covered by each of the disqualifying categories of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975. [31517]

  Mr. Horam
  The number of persons disqualified for membership of the House of Commons under the provisions of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 is as follows:

  Category

  Numbers disqualified (rounded)

  Employed in the Civil Service of the Crown

  Home Civil Service

  520,100 (at December 1994)

  Northern Ireland Civil Service

  21,800 (at March 1995)

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  680 (at December 1994)

  Diplomatic Service

  3,930 (at April 1995)

  Forestry Commission

  3,870 (at December 1994)

  Royal Hospital Chelsea

  200 (established)

  Armed Forces of the Crown or the Ulster Defence Regiment

  Armed Forces

  237,000 (at June 1995)

  Royal Irish Regiment1

  5,000 (established)

  Police Forces

  England and Wales

  126,600 (at December 1994)

  Scotland

  14,200 (at April 1994)

  Northern Ireland

  12,200 (at December 1994)

  Members of Non-Commonwealth Legislatures

  not estimated

  Schedule 1 of the Act

  Part I: Holders of Judicial Office

  896 (at June 1993)

  Part II: All members of certain bodies

  3,503 (at June 1993)

  Part III: Other disqualifying offices

  81,439 (at June 1993)

  Part IV: Those covered by limited disqualification

  197 (at June 1993)

  1 The Ulster Defence Regiment was replaced by the Royal Irish Regiment with effect from the 1 July 1992.

  The total number of persons currently disqualified under the terms of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975, excluding members of non-Commonwealth legislatures, is 1,031,615. Figures are updated when orders are made to amend schedule 1 to the Act. No order was made to amend schedule 1 in 1979; but when an order-was made in 1982 the equivalent number of persons disqualified was 1,221,520.

  Information is not held centrally on the number of offices that have been added to, or deleted from, schedule 1 since 1979. Many offices have been added or removed from schedule 1 by means of primary legislation, as well as by Orders in Council. The latest reprint of the House

  33
  of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (No. 14) lists in schedule 1 those offices the holders of which are disqualified for membership.

  There are four basic criteria for disqualification under parts II and III of schedule 1 to the 1975 Act. Ministers have explained these to hon. Members over the years and hon. Members have accepted them in the course of affirmative resolution debates. These are:

  (i) offices of profit in the gift of the Crown or Ministers— subject to a de minimis limit, which is currently £8,000, to prevent trivial disqualification;

  (ii) certain positions of control in companies in receipt of Government grants and funds, to which Ministers usually, though not necessarily, make appointments;

  (iii) offices imposing duties which with regard to time or place would prevent their holders from fulfilling Parliamentary duties satisfactorily; and

  (iv) offices whose holders are required to be, or to be seen to be, politically impartial

  No central record is kept for offices disqualified under parts II and III of schedule 1 as to the disqualifying categories into which they fall.

EDUCATION

  Disclosure of Information
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to review the disclosure of information requirements on non-departmental public bodies with particular reference to the Further Education Funding Council. [30152]

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend endorses the recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life which propose the adoption by executive non-departmental public bodies of the 1994 "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information" together with the committee's own guidelines. The Further Education Funding Council has published for consultation a draft code on access to information which is in accordance with the committee's proposals.

  Young People Leaving Care
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what percentage of young people who left care in each of the past five years for which figures are available is currently in full-time education; [31621]

  (2) what percentage of young people who left care in each of the last 10 years (a) left school with no formal qualifications, (b) gained A-levels or equivalents or (c) gained vocational qualifications. [31614]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list by local education authority for the 34
  latest available year the percentage of four-year-olds participating in pre-school education. [31889]

  Mr. Forth
  The Department does not publish information about four-year-olds alone by local education authority. Information about three and four-year-olds by local education authority in January 1994 was published in statistical bulletin 2/95, a copy of which was placed in the Library.

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statutory provision for all pre-school children to have access to nursery education. [3220]

  Mr. Forth
  The Prime Minister has made a commitment to provide, over time, a pre-school place for every four-year-old whose parents wish to take it up, with the first places becoming available during the lifetime of this Parliament. My right hon. Friend will make an announcement on how she plans to implement that commitment when the details have been finalised.

  Pupil-teacher Ratios
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what information she has concerning the pupil-teacher ratio for(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) Cheshire, (ii) on average nationally and (iii) on average for shire counties. [31689]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Provisional pupil-teacher ratios in maintained primary and secondary schools in England in January 1995 were 22:9 and 16:5 respectively. Figures for Cheshire local education authority and the shire counties will be available in the autumn. Information requested for January 1994, the latest date for which the information requested is available, is shown in the table.

  Pupil-teacher ratios in maintained schools in England

  January 1994

  Primary schools

  Secondary schools

  Cheshire LEA

  23:9

  16:8

  Shire counties

  22:9

  16:6

  England

  22:7

  16:4

  School Meals
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what percentage of primary school children received free school meals in(i) York, (ii) North Yorkshire, (iii) Yorkshire and Humberside and (iv) England in each year since 1979. [31588]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The available information is shown in the table. Comparable information prior to 1989 is not available although results of earlier school meals censuses were published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in, for example, "School Meal Statistics at October 1988" copies of which are available in the Library. Information for York is not available.
  35

  Numbers and percentages1 of day pupils taking free school meals in maintained primary school in North Yorkshire local education authority, Yorkshire and Humberside and England

  Position in January each year

  North Yorkshire LEA

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  England

  Year

  Pupils

  Per cent.

  Pupils

  Per cent.

  Pupils

  Per cent.

  1989

  3,403

  6

  62,179

  15

  511,360

  13

  1990

  3,566

  6

  61,888

  14

  515,277

  13

  1991

  4,033

  7

  65,871

  15

  559,042

  14

  1992

  4,938

  9

  77,015

  18

  676,613

  17

  1993

  5,513

  9

  85,246

  19

  768,784

  18

  1994

  6,073

  10

  89,032

  19

  810,648

  19

  1 The number of day pupils who took a free meal on the census day expressed as a percentage of the number of day pupils on roll.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list by reference to each local authority area the number of assisted places at schools within each area. [31525]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The number taken up through the Government's assisted places scheme in the academic year 1994–95 at participating schools situated within each local education authority area in England is given in the following table. Many of these schools serve wide catchment areas and may offer places to pupils from outside the local authority area in which they are situated.

  Assisted places scheme—academic year 1994–95

  Local education authority area

  Number of assisted places taken up

  Corporation of London

  264

  Camden

  147

  Greenwich

  204

  Hackney

  no APS schools

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  505

  Islington

  no APS schools

  Kensington and Chelsea

  no APS schools

  Lambeth

  164

  Lewisham

  383

  Southwark

  654

  Tower Hamlets

  no APS schools

  Wandsworth

  377

  City of Westminster

  170

  Barking

  no APS schools

  Barnet

  75

  Bexley

  no APS schools

  Brent

  no APS schools

  Bromley

  223

  Croydon

  611

  Ealing

  191

  Enfield

  no APS schools

  Haringey

  41

  Harrow

  203

  Havering

  no APS schools

  Hillingdon

  52

  Hounslow

  no APS schools

  Kingston upon Thames

  198

  Merton

  132

  Newham

  no APS schools

  Redbridge

  222

  Richmond upon Thames

  322

  Sutton

  70

  Waltham Forest

  139

  Birmingham

  422

  Coventry

  281

  Dudley

  no APS schools

  Sandwell

  no APS schools

  Solihull

  466

  Walsall

  no APS schools

  Wolverhampton

  267

  36

  Assisted places scheme—academic year 1994–95

  Local education authority area

  Number of assisted places taken up

  Knowsley

  no APS schools

  Liverpool

  759

  St. Helens

  no APS schools

  Sefton

  691

  Wirral

  362

  Bolton

  493

  Bury

  462

  Manchester

  964

  Oldham

  401

  Rochdale

  no APS schools

  Salford

  no APS schools

  Stockport

  379

  Tameside

  no APS schools

  Trafford

  95

  Wigan

  no APS schools

  Barnsley

  no APS schools

  Doncaster

  no APS schools

  Rotherham

  no APS schools

  Sheffield

  96

  Bradford

  296

  Calderdale

  18

  Kirklees

  270

  Leeds

  380

  Wakefield

  318

  Gateshead

  no APS schools

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  794

  North Tyneside

  26

  South Tyneside

  no APS schools

  Sunderland

  no APS schools

  Avon

  1,584

  Bedfordshire

  505

  Berkshire

  290

  Buckinghamshire

  6

  Cambridgeshire

  648

  Cheshire

  356

  Cleveland

  68

  Cornwall

  211

  Cumbria

  190

  Derbyshire

  285

  Devon

  793

  Dorset

  168

  Durham

  154

  East Sussex

  341

  Essex

  340

  Gloucestershire

  95

  Hampshire

  1,218

  Hereford and Worcester

  895

  Hertfordshire

  893

  Humberside

  307

  Isle of Wight

  17

  Isles of Scilly

  no APS schools

  Kent

  427

  Lancashire

  987

  Leicestershire

  372

  37

  Assisted places scheme—academic year 1994–95

  Local education authority area

  Number of assisted places taken up

  Lincolnshire

  215

  Norfolk

  300

  North Yorkshire

  255

  Northamptonshire

  243

  Northumberland

  no APS schools

  Nottinghamshire

  400

  Oxfordshire

  491

  Shropshire

  123

  Somerset

  586

  Staffordshire

  577

  Suffolk

  488

  Surrey

  820

  Warwickshire

  304

  West Sussex

  118

  Wiltshire

  89

  Grant-maintained Schools, Hampshire
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations her Department has received from local education authority schools in Hampshire regarding the impact of the expansion of, and admissions policy of, grant-maintained schools in Hampshire. [31511]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  During 1995 the Department has received correspondence from seven local education authority schools objecting to published statutory proposals to expand grant-maintained schools, and from one LEA school about the admission policy of a grant-maintained school.
  38

  School Buildings (Safety)
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what requirements are placed on school governors to ensure regular(a) structural surveys on school buildings and (b) fire safety inspections; and if she will make a statement on whether these responsibilities are being fulfilled. [31527]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1981 lay down specific requirements governing load-bearing structure, weather protection, health and safety and fire protection.

  The Education Act 1944 places a statutory duty on local education authorities and the governors of grant-maintained schools to satisfy themselves that their school buildings comply with the standards set out in the regulations.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Cycling
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed as representing the House of Commons Commission (1) what measures the Commission proposes to take to encourage its employees to cycle to work. [30862]

  (2) what proposals the Commission has to introduce interest-free loans for the purchase of bicycles to encourage staff of the House to commute to work by bicycle.

  Mr. Beith
  I shall arrange for the suggestion of loans to be considered, and shall write to the hon. Member. [30861]
  39

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Taxi Licences
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what account is taken in the regulations on taxi licences of the transport needs of the disabled. [31420]

  Mr. Moss
  Belfast public hire taxis first licensed on or after 20 December 1994 must be wheelchair accessible. All other Belfast public hire taxis will have to be wheelchair accessible by 20 December 2000. Arrangements elsewhere in Northern Ireland are currently under consideration.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list schools visited by RUC

  Promotion—Constable to Sergeant 1994

  CB1

  CB2

  CB3

  Sub totals

  Total

  CB2

  F

  Stages

  M

  F

  percentage

  percentage

  Applications

  290

  18

  14

  293

  29

  322

  5.6

  9.0

  Selected

  54

  2

  2

  54

  4

  58

  3.4

  9.6

  All promoted.

  Promotion—Sergeant to Inspector 1994

  CB1

  CB2

  CB3

  Sub totals

  Total

  CB2

  F

  Stages

  M

  F

  percentage

  percentage

  Applications

  153

  11

  7

  161

  10

  171

  6.4

  5.9

  Selected

  39

  4

  1

  42

  2

  44

  9.1

  4.6

  Twenty two waiting for promotion which includes 3 CB2, 1 female.

  Promotion—Inspector to Constable/Sergeant 1994

  CB1

  CB2

  CB3

  Sub totals

  Total

  CB2

  F

  Stages

  M

  F

  percentage

  percentage

  Applications

  219

  21

  6

  234

  12

  246

  8.5

  13.3

  Selected

  38

  7

  0

  39

  6

  45

  15.6

  13.3

  Eleven waiting for promotion which includes 1 CB2, 1 female.

  Promotion—Constable/Inspector to Superintendent 1994

  CB1

  CB2

  CB3

  Sub totals

  Total

  CB2

  F

  Stages

  M

  F

  percentage

  percentage

  Applications

  83

  10

  2

  94

  1

  95

  10.5

  1.1

  Selected

  21

  3

  1

  24

  1

  25

  12.0

  4.0

  Fifteen waiting for promotion which includes 1 CB2.

  Notes:

  CB1—corresponds to Community Background Protestant.

  CB2—corresponds to Community Background Roman Catholic.

  CB3—corresponds to Community Background Other unknown.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers in the RUC involved in traumatic incidents are currently receiving counselling and rehabilitation. [31043]

  Sir John Wheeler
  In 1987 the RUC established a post-incident support system providing on-going support to officers who have been involved in a critical incident.

  The precise information requested is not available, but since the introduction of this service, a total of 2,611
  40
  recruiting officers to encourage female and Catholic applicants since January 1994. [31042]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary is committed to equality of opportunity, and aims to attract applicants from every section of the community.

  All schools are contacted by recruiting officers offering literature, careers talks and other information. The type and extent of further contact is up to each school.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people and what promotions were made within the RUC in 1994; and how many of these were awarded to(a) women and (b) Catholics. [31041]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:

  initial support debriefings have taken place. Since 1 September 1994 there have been 83 referrals.

  NHS (Competitive Tendering Costs)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total competitive tendering costs for NHS support services for each year since 1990 for each health and social services board, defined so as to include market testing process costs, HPSS staff and consultants, monitoring and contract management costs, redundancy
  41
  and early retirement costs, avoidable overhead costs and national insurance costs. [31080]

  Mr. Moss
  The total expenditure on market testing— competitive tendering—for HPSS support services is given in the table, on a financial year basis since 1990–91. The figures include the expenditure on the market testing process—HPSS staff and consultants; monitoring and contract management; and redundancy and early retirement.

  There is no additional expenditure incurred with regard to "avoidable overhead costs". These relate to in-house overheads such as personnel, training, finance, supplies and payroll services which are not included in the direct costs of the in-house service. The estimated costs of these overheads are set against in-house tenders to ensure fair comparison between tenders and calculate the bottom line net savings. They are included only to the extent that they would be saved if a service is contracted out. Outside contractors include such overhead costs in their tenders.

  Similarly, there was no additional expenditure incurred against notional insurance costs. The estimates of the costs of insurance are set against in-house tenders to ensure fair comparisons between tenders and the proper calculation of net savings. Outside contractors must have insurance cover and the costs of this are included in their tenders.

  All national insurance costs are included in the bids submitted by tenderers, either in-house or commercial, and are therefore not appropriate to these costs.

  Total market testing expenditure: HPSS support services—by board area

  Board area

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  Northern

  41,270

  65,000

  134,000

  140,000

  148,000

  Southern1

  330,245

  554,677

  108,878

  117,182

  128,721

  Eastern2

  632,464

  851,531

  496,699

  464,097

  489,232

  Western

  160,000

  678,400

  182,000

  200,000

  220,000

  1 The figures for Southern Board area include those for the HSS Trusts which are based within the area.

  2 The figures for Eastern Board area include those for the HSS Trusts which are based within the area and the Central Services Agency.

  Anti-racketeering Investigations
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were arrested in Northern Ireland in 1994 by the anti-racketeering squad; and how many have been successfully prosecuted. [31045]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Anti-racketeering investigations in 1994 were as follows:

  Number

  Persons Arrested

  41

  Persons Charged

  38

  Persons Convicted (Including summary proceedings)

  28

  Note:

  Figures do not necessarily relate to the same individuals.
  42

  Sheep Scab
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the recorded levels of sheep scab in each of the last five years. [31238]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  Year

  Cases

  1990

  36

  1991

  46

  1992

  59

  1993

  48

  1994

  71

  Private Training Agencies
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much public money has been spent, in the further education sector, on private training agencies in each of the past five years. [31424]

  Mr. Ancram
  This is a matter for the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Julian Crozier. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from J. S. Crozier to Mr. Tony Worthington, dated 30 June 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me, as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency, to reply to your question.
  No public money is given to private sector training agencies to provide training in the further education sector as such.
  However money was paid in the last 5 years to private sector training organisations to provide training under the Youth Training Programme and under the Agency's Job Training Programme which offers training to unemployed adults. Such organisations receive from the Agency a weekly block grant paid in respect of each participant on training. They commonly buy training facilities from Further Education colleges out of the block grant. Details of these payments are not provided to the Agency and I am unable therefore to provide the information in the form requested.
  However the attached table details the total monies paid over the past 5 years to private sector organisations in the delivery of the Agency's training programmes.
  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Youth programmes expenditure

  Youth training Paid1 to private sector £

  Adult training Fees2 paid to training organizations £

  1990–91

  8,881,402

  3,379,403

  1991–92

  10,175,432

  4,500,344

  1992–93

  11,264,446

  6,943,978

  1993–94

  11,742,859

  9,447.598

  1994–95

  12,044,957

  11,107,560

  1 The cost of trainee allowances are included in the expenditure and would be approximately 35 per cent. of the total costs.

  2 The amounts represent the total expenditure on adult provision.

  The Agency does not keep separate details for Private Sector organisations.

  Neil Latimer
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress there has been in the
  43
  review of the conviction of Neil Latimer; and if he will make a statement. [31953]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The judgment about guilt or innocence in a criminal case is entirely a matter for the courts and Ministers cannot substitute their own assessments of the evidence in a case for that of the courts.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has a statutory power to refer a case to the Court of Appeal again. There is, however, a criterion which, consistent with his predecessors, the Secretary of State would normally expect to be fulfilled before he would use this power. It is that there is some new evidence, or other consideration of substance, which has not previously been before the court and which appeared to cast doubt on the safety of the conviction.

  Mr. Latimer's case has already been before the courts on three occasions. The first two were the trial of Mr. Latimer and three other UDR soldiers, Winston Allen, Noel Bell and James Hegan, and the subsequent appeal to which they had an automatic right. The third time was in 1991 when, after very careful consideration of representations made to him, and the production of new evidence, the then Secretary of State referred the cases of the soldiers back to the Court of Appeal.

  In a very fully argued written judgment, delivered on 29 July 1992, the Court of Appeal unanimously quashed the convictions of Winston Allen, Noel Bell and James Hegan on the grounds that they were unsafe and unsatisfactory. The court was, however, unanimously satisfied on separate evidence, including his admitted confession statements, as to Neil Latimer's guilt, and that his convictions were safe and satisfactory.

  The Secretary of State has continued to receive further representations on Mr. Latimer's behalf, all of which he gave the most careful and thorough examination. He concluded, however, that none of them was sufficient to justify him in the exercise of his statutory power to refer the case to the Court of Appeal again.

PRIME MINISTER

  Housing (Young People)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he has received recently expressing concern about the housing conditions of young people. [32099]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a number of letters on this subject.

  Brent Spar
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library copies of the briefings he has received on the options for the final disposal of the Brent Spar platform. [31117]

  The Prime Minister
  It has been the practice of successive Governments not to release ministerial briefing material.
  44

  Information Technology
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Prime Minister what consideration has been given to the implications of merging the Department of Social Security and Inland Revenue data; and if he will make a statement. [31729]

  The Prime Minister
  There are no plans to merge Department of Social Security and Inland Revenue data, but as part of the Government deregulation initiatives both the DSS and the Inland Revenue are required to review their respective information technology strategies.

  Ministerial Posts and Pay
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Prime Minister what have been the changes since 1979 of(a) the number of Ministers, (b) the cost of ministerial salaries and (c) the number of parliamentary private secretaries and other unpaid posts. [31514]

  The Prime Minister
  On the basis of the definition of Ministers within schedule 1 of the Ministerial and other Salaries Act 1975, and including the Lord Chancellor,(a) the number of Ministers on 9 May 1979 was 107 and is currently 108; (b) in cash terms, on 9 May 1979 the cost of ministerial salaries was £1,356, 188 and the current cost is £3,598,084; (c) comparable information for this date is not available.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his statement on 28 June 1995,Official Report, columns 893–909, on the outcome of the Cannes summit if all the reductions in Britain's contribution to the European development fund will be retained in the overseas development budget and used for bilateral aid to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. [32158]

  The Prime Minister
  Our contribution to the eighth European development fund will be spent over some five years from the year 2000. Final years for the aid budget in these years will be determined during the annual public expenditure survey in the light of all relevant factors.

  LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
  Mr. Hinchcliffe
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, on how many occasions the provisions of section 141 of the Mental Health Act 1983 have been used. [32100]

  Mr. Newton
  None.

WALES

  Tenby Sewage Works
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when he decided not to call in the Dwr Cymru application for a sewage treatment plant at Tenby in Pembrokeshire; what were the reasons for his decision; and when he informed those who had requested the calling in of his decision; [31375]

  (2) what representations he received requesting the calling in of the Dwr Cymru application for a sewage treatment plant at Tenby in Pembrokeshire. [31377]
  45
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Some 150 letters requesting call-in were received. Various other representations relating to the Tenby scheme, including a petition, were also submitted.

  It has been the approach of the Secretary of State for Wales not to intervene in applications for discharge consent unless matters of more than local significance are raised or novel or unusual matters which have not been publicly debated in another context are involved: the requests were considered in the context of this policy and the information available, but the view was taken that such matters were not raised in this case. It was therefore decided not to intervene and those who had requested call-in were advised of this in a letter dated 31 May.

  Countryside Council for Wales
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those organisations which received(a) copies of his action plan for the Countryside Council for Wales released on 4 May, (b) copies of the accompanying press release and (c) both plan and press release. [31677]

  Mr. David Hunt
  Both the Council of Welsh Districts and the Assembly of Welsh Counties were sent copies of the action plan and consulted formally on the implications therein for their members. In addition, the Welsh Office sent copies of the plan, on request, to a range of individuals and organisations such as the Farmers Union of Wales, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales and the Country Landowners Association. Copies of the press notice were sent routinely to the media.

  Cadw
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the grants made by Cadw for(a) the maintenance, (b) the upkeep and (c) the restoration of toll houses in Wales in each year since 1990. [31113]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Since 1990, Cadw's only grant in this category was for the restoration of the toll house at Telford's Conwy suspension bridge. A grant of £34,000 was offered in 1993.

  Young People Leaving Care
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of States for Wales 1) what percentage of young people who left care in Wales in each of the past five years for which figures are available went into(a) furnished private accommodation, (b) furnished local authority accommodation, (c) unfurnished accommodation and (d) temporary accommodation; and what percentage is currently homeless; [31619]

  (2) what percentage of young people who left care in Wales in each of the last 10 years (a) left school with no formal qualifications, (b) gained A-levels or equivalents or (c) gained vocational qualifications; [31611]

  (3) what percentage of young people leaving care in Wales receive a leaving care grant; and what is the average value of the grant, for each of the past five years for which figures are available; [31615]

  (4) what percentage of young people who left care in Wales in each of the past five years for which figures are
  46
  available are (a) claiming benefits, (b) on YTS schemes, (c) employed, (d) unemployed and (e) in full-time education [31617]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This information is not available centrally.

  NHS Waiting Lists
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 2 May,Official Report, column 139–40, if he will now give comparable figures for national health service waiting lists at 30 March. [32381]

  Mr. David Hunt
  The information relating to waiting lists at 31 March 1995 is shown in the following table:

  Health Authority area1

  Number waiting more than 6 months for out-patient appointment

  Number waiting more than 18 months for in-patient or day case treatment

  Clwyd

  701

  74

  Dyfed

  1,294

  109

  Gwent

  3,021

  2

  Gwynedd

  585

  22

  Mid Glamorgan

  3,536

  203

  Powys

  206

  —

  South Glamorgan

  3,799

  156

  West Glamorgan

  3,382

  100

  Wales

  16,524

  666

  1 Including patients of GP Fundholders.

  source:

  Welsh Office Core Performance Indicators.

  Price Inflation (NHS)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has of input price inflation in the health service in Wales for each of the last five years. [32379]

  Mr. David Hunt
  Health authorities receive a cash increase each year and are set targets for the generation of efficiency saving through their contracts with service providers. Taken together, these are sufficient to offset pay and price inflation and enable growth in patient services.

  Overall cash increases and efficiency targets for the last five years are as follows:

  Overall per cent. cash increase

  Efficiency target per cent.

  1991–92

  9.8

  1.1

  1992–93

  7.0

  1.1

  1993–94

  2.2

  2.0

  1994–95

  2.8

  2.7

  1995–96

  5.6

  3.0

TRANSPORT

  Rail Privatisation (Consultants)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the total paid to consultants, outside individuals or organisations for services relating to rail privatisation. [30131]
  47
  Mr. Watts
  Total payments made for consultancy services by the Department, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, and the Office of the Rail Regulator between 1991–92 and the end of May 1995 were £51.2 million.

  Integrated Public Transport System
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he intends to take to ensure that the United Kingdom develops an integrated public transport system; and if he will make a statement. [30132]

  Mr. Norris
  The quality and quantity of public transport services in the United Kingdom has improved significantly under this Government, as a direct result of greater private sector involvement, increased competition and deregulation. We have a range of proposals to ensure that this improvement continues.

  Motor Bicycle Riders (Safety)
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representation he has received in respect of the effectiveness of current safety provision for motor bicycle riders. [30133]

  Mr. Norris
  My Department regularly receives correspondence and representations on various motorcycling issues, including road safety.

  ScotRail
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the proposed privatisation of ScotRail. [30135]

  Mr. Watts
  The franchising director has invited and received pre-qualifying applications from potential bidders for the ScotRail franchise and he will issue invitations to tender in due course.

  Thornaby Bypass
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he has given Stockton borough council about the future of the Thornaby bypass. [30136]

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend's decision to withdraw support reflected the lack of progress with the scheme. It is open to the local authority concerned to submit a fresh bid for funding when the scheme is ready to proceed.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the number of road deaths and serious injuries in 1994. [30137]

  Mr. Norris
  Nineteen ninety-four data were published in May. Deaths and serious injuries were respectively 35 per cent. and 38 per cent. below the baseline average for 1981–85, thus meeting the Government's target reduction of one-third by the year 2000 some six years early.

  Ferry Safety
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is promoting to improve ferry safety; and if he will make a statement. [30138]
  48
  Dr. Mawhinney
  In my statement to the House on 5 April, I announced the results of UK research which suggested that the fitting of transverse bulkheads could improve ferry survivability in the event of water invading the vehicle deck. We made this research available to the International Maritime Organisation's panel of experts which was set up following the "Estonia" disaster last September.

  As I made clear in my statement, the Government support the thrust of the panel's recommendations and we will press for agreement to their implementation at the International Maritime Organisation's diplomatic conference in November. If satisfactory agreement cannot be reached we shall seek to introduce the necessary standards by other means as quickly as possible.

  Motorway Building (Costs)
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the cost per mile of building motorways(a) in a rural environment and (b) in an urban environment in the last five years. [30139]

  Mr. Watts
  The average costs of three-lane dual carriageway motorways built in the last five years in a rural environment were £9 million per mile and in an urban environment were £14 million per mile, excluding VAT at 1994 prices.

  Rail Privatisation
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guarantees will be available to rail users on the privatised railway which were not available on the nationalised railway. [30140]

  Mr. Watts
  Rail users on the privatised railway will be able to enjoy, for the first time, contractually guaranteed levels of service, guaranteed ticket retailing facilities and the regulation of key daily fares and season ticket prices. The combination of these guarantees with the flexibility for franchisees to innovate will ensure a better service for passengers.

  Heavy Goods Vehicle Licences
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider changing the law so that parish councils can request notification of all heavy good vehicle operators' licence applications made in their locality. [30141]

  Mr. Norris
  There is no need to change the law.

  Parish councils are already able to find out about applications for operator licences by subscribing to a licensing authority's fortnightly publication "Applications and Decisions". This is published by each traffic area office and gives details of all applications for operator licences made in that area.

  Road Casualties
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new proposals he has to reduce road casualties. [30142]
  49
  Mr. Norris
  The road safety report for 1995 describes measures which have been taken or are being planned to reduce road accident casualties. Copies are in the Library.

  Pollution
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment is made of the reduction in airborne pollution when constructing a rail link. [30143]

  Mr. Norris
  Under standing orders relating to private and hybrid Bills and Transport and Works Act procedures, promoters of new rail links must prepare an environmental statement. This must include an assessment of any likely significant direct or indirect effects on air quality arising from the scheme.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the efficiency of rail freight; and what discussions he has had on the subject with the operators. [30144]

  Mr. Watts
  The key to improving the efficiency of rail freight is liberalisation and privatisation. We have already opened up the rail network to competition. The process of privatising British Rail's freight businesses has begun. My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the British Railways Board and others about the performance of the freight businesses and progress towards privatisation.

  A1
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he now expects the Al to be dualled from Morpeth to the Scottish border. [30134]

  Mr. Watts
  There are three schemes in the road programme which, when complete, would provide continuous dual carriageway from Newcastle to the north of Alnwick. Future progress on schemes between Alnwick and the Scottish border will depend upon the overall availability of resources and the national priorities.

  Rail Freight Companies
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sum he has allocated for grants to rail freight companies to encourage the transfer of freight from road to rail, over the period from 1994 to 1997; and what has been the expenditure to date. [31927]

  Mr. Watts
  The grant provision for the period 1994–95 to 1996–97 is £43.1 million. Expenditure to date is £2.8 million.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the grants made to rail freight companies, providing services to or from Hampshire, to encourage the transfer of freight from road to rail. [31928]

  Mr. Watts
  No such grants have been made to rail freight companies. However two freight facilities grants have been awarded which affect Hampshire.

  A £3.7 million grant to ARC Southern for rail facilities at Whatley Quarry in Somerset has allowed some 10,000
  50
  lorry journeys a year to be removed from roads in the Fareham region of Hampshire since 1988.

  In 1993 a grant of £403,000 was awarded to the Esso Petroleum Company towards the cost of refurbishing a bulk bitumen storage facility in Plymouth. This has enabled the traffic to continue to be carried by rail from Fawley near Southampton, saving an estimated 2,000 annual lorry trips between Southampton and Plymouth.

  Disability Discrimination Bill
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the economic impact of the Disability Discrimination Bill on the provision of rural transport services; [31681]

  (2) if he will list the representations which have been made to him by the transport industry on the Disability Discrimination Bill; [31682]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the impact of the Disability Discrimination Bill on the international competitiveness of the United Kingdom transport industry. [31672]

  Mr. Norris
  It is not our intention to impose any requirements that will jeopardise either manufacturing or operating industries in the UK.

  We recognise that different solutions will be needed, for example, for different types of vehicle, or for the same type of vehicle operating under different conditions as may be the case for some rural services. Similarly, we envisage that different time scales will have to be applied. The flexibility to achieve this in regulations has been built in to the new clause which were moved in Committee in the House of Lords on 27 June.

  Officials have already begun detailed discussions at industry level through the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Confederation of Passenger Transport. In addition, they are visiting a number of individual manufacturers to discuss in detail how we can make accessibility requirements work effectively. Those discussions will be continuing as we work up the detail of the regulations.

  Full compliance cost assessments will be produced before any regulations are made.

  Trans-European Network
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his policy at the recent meeting of the European Council of Ministers of Transport in respect of the European Parliament's proposal, amendment 59, to the Commission's proposal COM (94) 0106 to delete the proposed Birmingham northern relief road from the proposed trans-European transport network. [31746]

  Mr. Watts
  The UK opposed the deletion of the proposed Birmingham northern relief road from the proposed trans-European road network. This road forms part of the Ireland-UK-Benelux priority project.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his policy at the recent meeting of the European Council of Ministers of Transport, in respect of the European Parliament's proposal, amendment 166, to the
  51
  Commission's proposal COM (94) 0106 to ensure that at least 40 per cent. of EU expenditure on priority projects within the proposed trans-European transport network is spent on railways and at most 25 per cent. is spent on roads. [31747]

  Mr. Watts
  The UK opposed the amendment imposing a target of 40 per cent. for Community spending on rail projects and limiting the level of spending on roads to 25 per cent. of the available budget. We need flexibility to ensure Community resources are targeted at the projects which best meet the agreed criteria for TENs funding. Since eight of the 14 priority projects are rail projects, and a further two cover both road and rail, the major part of the TENs budget is, however, likely to be devoted to rail projects.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his policy at the recent meeting of the European Council of Ministers of Transport, in respect of the European Parliament's proposal, amendment 12, to the Commission's proposal COM (94) 0106 for a strategic environmental impact assessment of the proposed trans-European transport network. [31745]

  Mr. Watts
  The UK and other member states rejected this specific amendment proposed by the Parliament but agreed to a new indent in article 5 on environmental implications of the network and a new recital. These changes will help to ensure that the environment is taken fully into account in the development and implementation of the network.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was his policy at the recent meeting of the European Council of Ministers of Transport, in respect of the European Parliament's proposal, amendment 8, to the Commission's proposal COM (94) 0106 for an assessment of the effects of the proposed trans-European transport network on the regions and on jobs. [31744]

  Mr. Watts
  The UK and other member states agreed with the Commission that this proposed European Parliament amendment was unnecessary. The aim of the network is to contribute to strengthening economic and social cohesion. Each project will have to demonstrate it is potentially economically viable taking account of socio-economic costs and benefits.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the recent discussions of the European Council of Ministers of Transport in respect of the proposed trans-European transport network. [31748]

  Mr. Watts
  As reported in an answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) on 27 June,Official Report, column 545–46, at its meeting held on 19–20 June the Council of Ministers discussed the Commission proposal for Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network in the light of the European Parliament's opinion received at the end of May. In addition to the amendments suggested by the European Parliament, a number of proposed amendments put forward by member states were discussed. I was pleased that the Council was able to
  52
  reach a common position on the proposal. This will now return to the European Parliament for further consideration.

  Corporate Logo
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the executive agencies within his Department the cost of the design and production of the corporate logo. [31837]

  Mr. Norris
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  EC Directives
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the draft EC directives currently being discussed by either the European Parliament or Commission relating to transport. [31826]

  Mr. Norris
  The following Commission legislative proposals are currently being discussed by either the European Parliament or the Council of Ministers:

  proposal for a decision on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network;

  proposal for a directive on the reporting of movements of vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods;

  proposal for a directive on statistical returns in respect of the carriage of goods and passengers by sea;

  proposal for a regulation on the implementation of the International Safety Management code for roll-on/roll-off ferries;

  proposal for a regulation on the free provision of services in transport by inland waterway;

  proposal for a directive on the liberalisation of airport ground-handling facilities;

  proposal for a directive on the licensing of railway undertakings;

  proposal for a directive on the allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and the charging of infrastructure fees;

  proposal for a directive on the interoperability of the high-speed rail network;

  proposal for a directive on the transport of dangerous goods by rail;

  proposal for a directive on dangerous-goods safety advisers;

  proposal for a directive on the weight and dimensions of certain motor vehicles;

  proposals for directives on the standards of and fitment of seatbelts in buses and coaches;

  proposal for a multichapter directive on whole type approval for motorcycles;

  proposals for directives on frontal and side-impact standards for cars;

  proposal for a directive on emissions from light commercial vehicles and small diesel engines;

  proposal for a directive on the harmonisation of rules for the use of self-propelled machinery on public highways;

  proposal for a directive on recording equipment in road transport;

  proposal for a directive on the hiring of road-haulage vehicles without drivers; and

  proposal for a directive on passenger-carrying cableways.

  53

  Long-distance Coaches
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints he has received about inadequate toilet facilities on long-distance coaches; and if he will make a statement. [31607]

  Mr. Norris
  There is no record of complaints on this matter. The provision of toilet facilities on coaches is a matter for the operators.

  Mr. Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations there are regarding toilet facilities and the replenishing of same on long-distance coaches travelling between the United Kingdom and other European countries; and if he will make a statement. [31598]

  Mr. Norris
  There are no regulations regarding this matter and I am not aware of plans to introduce any such regulations in the European Union.

  Mr. Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision for long-distance coaches to have their toilet facilities replenished; and if he will make a statement. [31599]

  Mr. Norris
  I have made no such assessment.

  Motorway Signs
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the locations of signs on motorways in England indicating the proximity of a hospital. [31348]

  Mr. Watts
  There is none.

  Departmental Grants
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many voluntary sector organisations his Department has(a) paid grants to or (b) entered into contracts with in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what was the total value of these grants and contracts. [31303]

  Mr. Norris
  The figures requested are as follows:

  Year

  Number of organizations receiving grants

  Number of organizations with whom contracts have been entered into

  1993–94

  17

  3

  1£487,812

  £266,424

  1994–95

  18

  5

  1£540.651

  £138,110

  1 Total value

  Hospitality
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last five years the amount spent by his Department and executive agencies on official hospitality. [31831]

  Mr. Norris
  The centre of the Department of Transport, now known as the central transport group, and 54
  its agencies have respectively spent the following amounts on official entertainment since 1990–91:

  Department of Transport

  1990–91: £204,040

  1991–92: £170,015

  1992–93: £233,762

  1993–94: £234,986

  1994–95: £127,247

  1995–96: £18,661 (Estimate to date)

  Agencies

  1990–91: £24,114

  1991–92: £30,216

  1992–93: £45,454

  1993–94: £59,850

  1994–95: £91,042

  1995–96: £77,462 (Estimate to date)

  National Parks
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the benefits and disbenefits of restricting vehicle access to the national parks. [31871]

  Mr. Norris
  None. Traffic management in the national parks is principally a matter for the relevant local traffic authorities.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the cars(a) owned and (b) operated by his Department including the model and engine size and estimated mileage. [31828]

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is as follows:

  Central Transport Group Average 3,000 miles per vehicle per year

  Make

  Model

  Engine size

  Renault

  Clio

  1,400

  Renault

  19

  1,400

  Rover

  Metro

  1,100

  Rover

  216

  1,500

  Subaru

  Impreza

  1,800

  Toyota

  Carina

  2,000

  Vauxhall

  Cavalier

  1,600

  Ford

  Escort

  1,300

  Ford

  Transit

  2,000

  Ford

  Fiesta

  1,100

  Nissan

  Micra

  1,000

  Nissan

  Sunny

  1,400

  Nissan

  Prairie

  2,000

  Nissan

  Versa Vanette

  1,500

  Peugeot

  405

  1,600

  Plymouth/Chrysler

  Voyager

  3,300

  Dodge/Chrysler

  Voyager

  3,300

  Driving Standards Agency Average 10,000 miles per vehicle per year

  Make

  Model

  Engine size

  Vauxhall

  Astra

  1,400

  Vauxhall

  Astra

  1.700

  55

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Average 15,000 miles per vehicle per year

  Make

  Model

  Engine size

  Ford

  Transit

  2,500

  Ford

  Sierra

  1,800

  Volkswagen

  Passat

  1,900

  Volkswagen

  Golf

  1,900

  Ford

  Mondeo

  1,800

  Highways Agency Average 21,500 miles per vehicle per year

  Make

  Model

  Engine size

  Ford

  Sierra

  1,800(2)

  Ford

  Mondeo

  1,600(2)

  Vauxhall

  Astra

  1,400

  The Coastguard Agency Average 7,000 miles per vehicle per year

  Make

  Model

  Engine size

  Land Rover

  88

  2,300 (5)

  Land Rover

  90

  1,500(87)

  Nissan

  Patrol

  2,800 (15)

  Nissan

  Terrano

  2,400 (11)

  Nissan

  4 x 4

  2,400 (10)

  Nissan

  Sunny

  1,300 (5)

  Lada

  Neva

  1,600 (4)

  Vauxhall

  Astra

  1,700 (31)

  Vauxhall

  Merit

  1,700 (7)

  Vauxhall

  Brava

  2.300 (10)

  Vauxhall

  Brava

  2,500 (45)

  Fiat

  Panda

  1,100

  Fiat

  Citivan

  1,100 (2)

  Peugeot

  309

  1,900 (13)

  Fiat

  Tipo

  1,900

  Renault

  Clio

  1,900 (56)

  Renault

  19

  1,900 (5)

  Citroen

  Xantia

  1,900

  Transport Research Laboratory Average 10,000 miles per vehicle per year

  Make

  Model

  Engine size

  Vauxhall

  Cavalier

  1,600 (3)

  Ford

  Mondeo

  1,800

  Vauxhall

  Carlton

  1,800

  Leyland

  Montego

  1,600

  Ford

  Sierra

  1,800 (11)

  Vauxhall

  Carlton

  2,000 (3)

  Ford

  Escort

  1,600 (13)

  Ford

  Escort

  1,400

  Vauxhall

  Astra

  1,600

  Ford

  P100

  1,800

  Leyland

  Metro

  1,000 (2)

  Toyota

  Corolla

  1,600

  Rover

  216

  1,600

  Renault

  Espace

  1,800

  Opel

  Omega

  2,000

  Rover

  218

  1,800

  Jaguar

  XJ6

  4,200

  BMW

  320

  2,000

  Oldsmobile

  Trans AM

  6,300

  Pontiac

  Trans AM

  6,500

  Ford

  Cortina

  2,000

  Ford

  Fiesta

  1,000

  56

  Vehicle Certification Agency Average 4,000 miles per vehicle per year

  Make

  Model

  Engine size

  Nissan

  Primera

  2,000

  Vehicle Inspectorate Average 17,000 miles per vehicle per year

  Make

  Model

  Engine size

  Skoda

  120LS

  1,100

  Austin

  Montego

  1,600

  Lada

  Samara

  1,300

  Ford

  Escort

  1,100

  Austin

  Maestro

  1,300 (2)

  Ford

  Escort

  1,600

  Austin

  Metro

  1,000

  Rover

  214

  1,400 (3)

  Austin

  Maestro

  2,000 (2)

  Rover

  Montego

  2,000 (11)

  Ford

  Sierra

  1,800 (32)

  Vauxhall

  Cavalier

  1,800 (6)

  Land Rover

  Discovery

  2,500

  Bedford

  Special unit

  2,300 (4)

  Freight Rover

  Sherpa

  2,000 (5)

  The number in brackets denotes the number of vehicles if more than one. The Marine Safety Agency does not own or operate any cars.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each vehicle registration office the amount of vehicle excise duty collected and the number of cases discarded in the latest available year. [31832]

  Mr. Norris
  The amount of vehicle excise duty collected by each vehicle registration office is not available but the total for 1994–95 amounted to some £600 million.

  In the year 1994–95 vehicle registration offices and the London enforcement office received 1.67 million excise offence reports from the police. Of these some 458,000 resulted in the payment of out-of-court settlements or successful prosecutions. Of the rest, only 77,548 were discarded unactioned, the rest receiving some investigation before being dropped. This represents some 4.6 per cent. of receipts. The numbers, office by office, are as follows:

  Office

  Cases discarded

  Manchester

  9,090

  Sheffield

  37

  Liverpool

  0

  Bangor

  0

  Chester

  4,835

  Huddersfield

  0

  Leeds

  0

  Preston

  728

  Hull

  1,254

  Aberdeen

  0

  Inverness

  0

  Dundee

  0

  Middlesbrough

  482

  Newcastle

  10,294

  57

  Office

  Cases discarded

  Carlisle

  0

  Edinburgh

  0

  Glasgow

  3,939

  Luton

  1,666

  Ipswich

  0

  Chelmsford

  13,383

  Norwich

  0

  Haverfordwest

  32

  Swansea

  0

  Taunton

  714

  Truro

  0

  Gloucester

  4,645

  Exeter

  198

  Bristol

  96

  Worcester

  1,078

  Swindon

  1,216

  Reading

  83

  Portsmouth

  0

  Oxford

  0

  Brighton

  1,142

  Maidstone

  14

  Guildford

  456

  Bournemouth

  0

  Stoke

  0

  Leicester

  0

  Lincoln

  293

  Nottingham

  6,077

  Peterborough

  144

  Northampton

  647

  Birmingham

  6,017

  Coventry

  755

  Shrewsbury

  0

  London Enforcement

  8,233

  Total

  77,548

  Chiltern Line Services
  Mr Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the management of the Chiltern line in respect of train services to Northolt park; and if he will make a statement. [30553]

  Mr. Watts
  None. I understand that Chiltern Railways has decided to reinstate the evening peak train service to Northolt park.

  London Docklands
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to make an official visit to London docklands to discuss further developments in respect of the road and rail infrastructure. [31141]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I have no plans to do so at present. My hon. Friend the Minister for Transport in London will chair the next meeting of the docklands transport steering group in October.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further measures he proposes to prevent the use of overloaded heavy goods vehicles. [30121]

  Mr. Norris
  The Vehicle Inspectorate expects to weigh 115,000 heavy goods vehicles in 1995–96 using the 58
  Department's national network of strategically located enforcement weighbridge sites.

  Terminal 5
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessments he has made of the transport and noise implications of a new terminal 5 at Heathrow. [30118]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  As I will be jointly determining the outcome of the inquiry into BAA's proposal I have not made any assessment of its aviation implications. However, I am responsible for promoting improvements to the M25 and M4 access roads. Their noise effects have been assessed and the results are contained in the environmental statement for the schemes.

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans exist to undertake a census of capacity for commuter routes running to and from Newcastle and Cardiff; when such a census was conducted in previous years; if he will publish the results of the last such survey in tabular form; and if he will make a statement as to how OPRAF intends to proceed in consideration of passengers in excess of capacity targets for such routes. [31888]

  Mr. Watts
  British Rail's monitoring systems collect data relating to capacity for all its services as a matter of normal practice. OPRAF intends to apply load factor or seating capacity requirements on certain commuter routes. These will be specified in the passenger service requirements included in franchise agreements. No decisions have yet been made as to the specifications which will apply in respect of commuter services to and from Newcastle and Cardiff.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps OPRAF will take to prevent rail franchise holders who are operating services which were previously part of Network SouthEast from transferring a substantial number of passengers to the services of another operator in order to exceed passenger capacity targets. [31894]

  Mr. Watts
  The draft franchise agreement contains a provision prohibiting franchisees from avoiding their obligations with regard to the provision of adequate capacity on commuter services by taking action which might transfer a material number of passengers to another operator.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what obligations or incentives OPRAF intends to impose or provide to ensure that rail franchise holders will upgrade their rolling stock; if specific target dates will be set for(a) the provision of trains with lavatories and (b) the carriage of cycles. [31896]

  Mr. Watts
  The specification of replacement stock, when this becomes necessary, will be a matter for the commercial judgment of the franchisee.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what circumstances OPRAF may release
  59
  rail franchise holders from minimum standards applying to stations which it operates; to what extent persistent vandalism would constitute a relevant factor; and how the costs and benefits of repairing the effects of such vandalism or of increased security to prevent its recurrence will be measured by OPRAF when considering any relaxation of standards. [31878]

  Mr. Watts
  Rail franchise holders will be required to meet minimum station standards, except where the franchising director considers the cost of compliance would significantly outweigh the benefit to passengers, or where he is persuaded that the standard is impractical.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requirement OPRAF will impose on rail franchise holders operating stations or providing waiting rooms in relation to the proportion of platforms to be provided with this facility and the hours they should be open. [31880]

  Mr. Watts
  In general, operators will be required to provide covered waiting accommodation at each station. Adequate alternative shelter must be provided where waiting accommodation is not available or is temporarily out of use.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if OPRAF will compensate(a) franchisees and (b) passengers in the event of any adjustment in the rate of VAT on passenger rail transport before 31 March 2003; [31882]

  (2) what level of benefits to railcard holders will be guaranteed in franchise agreements; [31886]

  (3) if OPRAF will be permitted to suspend ticket inter-availability requirements only when his judgment is that this will lead to benefits to passengers; how such benefits will be identified; and whether forecast benefits will be published for consultation prior to a final decision. [31885]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer the hon. Member to the passenger rail industry overview, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the weighting employed by OPRAF in designing the tariff baskets of controlled fares for capping purposes will be published; and what audit arrangements will be put in place to ensure that changes to specific fares made by any franchise holder are compatible with fares capping requirements set by OPRAF for the total basket of controlled fares. [31884]

  Mr. Watts
  The franchising director does not propose to publish the weighting employed by OPRAF in designing tariff baskets of controlled fares for capping purposes. Franchise operators must notify the franchising director of any proposals to increase regulated fares. Fares will be monitored periodically by OPRAF to ensure compliance with fares regulation.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if rail franchise holders will be obliged to inform passengers, at each station which they operate, of timetables for all passenger trains stopping at those 60
  stations; whether they will be obliged to do so in the form of a single booklet or leaflet at staffed stations, and a single information display at all stations; and if he will define more precisely the derogation as far as practicable, employed by OPRAF, in specifying this obligation. [31887]

  Mr. Watts
  Franchise holders will be obliged to display at all stations the times of all trains and details of principal connections and, where stations are manned, this information will be available in written form.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what circumstances OPRAF will specify connections as part of the passenger service requirements; what definition OPRAF will employ of the rail franchise holder's own commercial interest when considering whether such a specification should be made; and what written definition or guidance on such circumstances exists in documents produced by OPRAF or in instructions from the Government to OPRAF. [31895]

  Mr. Watts
  Generally, OPRAF will specify a connection where it provides a socially necessary service which would not otherwise be provided for operational reasons or under the operator's general duty within the franchise agreement to provide a reasonable pattern of connections.

  The Government have not given the franchising director any instructions or guidance in relation to the specification of connections. OPRAF has set out its policy approach in information to consultees in relation to passenger service requirements.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what circumstances OPRAF will be permitted to propose changes to passenger services requirements during the lifetime of a franchise; if such proposed changes(a) must be only in the direction of offering an enhanced level of service to passengers or (b) will be subject to consultation with rail users consultative committees and others and (c) can be made only with the agreement of both OPRAF and the franchise holder and how the consequential adjustments to franchise payments will be determined. [31879]

  Mr. Watts
  The franchising director has the right to adjust passenger service requirements during the life of a franchise, but the instructions and guidance given to him by the Secretary of State stipulate that any changes from the existing pattern of services should be made gradually. The franchising director will consult the relevant rail users consultative committees and local authorities before making significant changes to PSRs and will adjust franchise payments so that the franchise operator does not gain or lose as a result.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons he has decided that the historical performance of a train operating company should be of relevance when specifying performance targets for those companies after privatisation. [31879]

  Mr. Watts
  This is a matter for OPRAF. Performance benchmarks will be set in relevant franchise agreements based on actual performance in either 1993–94 or
  61
  1994–95, whichever is the more typical of an average year, or the passengers charters targets if these are higher.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if OPRAF will place any requirement on training operating companies in franchise agreements or elsewhere that trains should carry guards or other on-board staff. [31881]

  Mr. Watts
  OPRAF has no plans to impose any requirements additional to those needed for reasons of safety.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if rail franchise holders operating service groups with London terminuses which were previously part of Network SouthEast will be permitted to increase the number of excess passengers, as measured by the means used in compiling the annual autumn census of capacity, provided that the resulting figures do not exceed the permitted percentage in excess of capacity specified by OPRAF. [31883]

  Mr. Watts
  Yes.

  Slots (Heathrow Airport)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what benefits have been gained by transferring the allocation of slots at Heathrow from London to Brussels; and what has been the consequential cost to public funds. [31853]

  Mr. Norris
  The allocation of slots at Heathrow airport is carried out from Heathrow by Airport Coordination Ltd., an independent company owned by the UK airlines. There has been no transfer of the function to Brussels. ACL and other airport co-ordinators in the European Community operate within the terms of EC regulation 95/93 on common rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the result of the competition to build the channel tunnel rail link; and if he will make a statement. [31151]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Four tenders were submitted on 14 March this year. The Government and their advisers have now completed their evaluation of the bids. In accordance with their recommendation, I have selected two consortia, Eurorail CTRL Ltd. and London and Continental Railways, who will be invited to go forward for further detailed negotiations.

  The Government welcome and applaud the immense effort which all four bidders have put into their tenders. This is another indication of the very real commitment of the private sector to the railway industry of the future. It is already clear that bringing in the private sector is going to add value to both the CTRL project and the European passenger services business. This is another good example of the benefits flowing from the Government's private finance initiative.
  62
  The evaluation of the bids has been conducted strictly in accordance with the criteria which were set out in the competition overview document published last summer. The ranking of bids in the first stage has been based mainly on an evaluation of the level and timing of the Government contribution and the approach taken by the bidders to risk, together with a qualitative assessment of their financial proposals. The evaluation also took account of other transport benefits.

  There are two very strong candidates left in the race. I am confident that at the end of the coming negotiation phase we shall be in a position to strike a deal which is good for the project and its backers, good for passengers and good for the taxpayer. We are on schedule and I hope to announce the winner of the competition before the end of the year.

  Ro-ro Ferries
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will support the Japanese proposal for regional agreements within the International Maritime Organisation on ro-ro ferries; and if he will(a) support a decision on the matter at the November meetings of the IMO and (b) support a modification date for existing ferries of no more than three years from the November meetings. [31612]

  Mr. Norris
  The United Kingdom will pursue the application on a worldwide basis of the high standards recommended by the panel of experts for ro-ro ferries. If it is evident that this will not attract sufficient support at the IMO, the earliest application of that standard to ferries operating to and from United Kingdom ports will be vigorously pursued within a regional concept similar to that put forward by Japan.

  Charter Week
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the main events he is proposing for Charter Week; what is the total cost to public funds; and how many(a) civil servants and (b) other public officials will be playing part. [31980]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: The main transport event linked to Charter Week is the mobility roadshow, a major exhibition of vehicles and mobility equipment for elderly and disabled people which takes place from July 14–16 at the Transport Research Laboratory in Crowthorne, Berkshire.

  This is a biennial event organised by the Department of Transport. There will be no additional costs or staff resources attributable to Charter Week.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has of the contribution that hand-held mobile phones used by motorists have made to road accidents. [31490]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: This information could not be obtained other than at disproportionate cost.
  63

  Flight Delays (Heathrow)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average delay time of scheduled flights to European destinations from Heathrow in March and June. [31854]

  Mr. Norris
  The average delay to scheduled passenger flights between Heathrow and European airports in March 1995 was four minutes.

  Statistics for June 1995 will not be available for approximately eight weeks.

  Marine Safety Exercises
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 23 May,Official Report, column 569, how long was the interval between (a) the general alarm signal and the abandon ship signal, (b) the abandon ship signal and the reception of all passengers aboard lifeboats or liferafts and (c) the reception of all passengers aboard lifeboats or liferafts and the reception ashore, in the ferry exercises Common Aim 3, Claymore, Goodwin, Liverpool Bay, Eddystone, Webex, Seafire, Beauforts Dyke and Sovereign. [31491]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked its chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 3 July 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  The information requested is not recorded by the Department.

  Aircraft Instruments
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are being taken to reduce the danger of interference from passengers' electronic devices with aircraft flight instruments. [31643]

  Mr. Norris
  The Civil Aviation Authority has issued a notice to UK air operators directing them to ensure that the use of personal electronic equipment is prohibited during certain critical phases of flight, including take-off and landing. The notice also bans completely the use of portable telephones in aircraft. These instructions are reflected in the passenger safety briefing given before each flight and are soon to be in incorporated in passenger briefing cards.

  The CAA has commissioned research into the problem of electronic interference and, based on the results of this, will determine whether more specific guidance should be issued to operators.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Advertising Costs
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how he is responding to Britain's advertisers' informal complaints to his Department on the effect of the cost of air time on the competitiveness of British industry. [31916]
  64
  Mr. Eggar
  The cost of air time is a matter for the commercial judgment of the organisations concerned. The subject was one of several issues raised at a recent meeting officials in my Department had with representatives from the advertising sector.

  Military Exports (Singapore)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if exports of(a) cannon mounts, (b) cannon components and (c) cannon kits were licensed between 1984 and 1990 for export to Singapore without (i) being licensed under the military list of (ii) an end user statement or certificate being insisted upon. [29164]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  All the goods listed in the hon. Member's question are military list items and any export licence application in respect of these items would have been considered on that basis. As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade made clear in his statement to the House on 13 June 1995,Official Report, columns 595–97, items on the military list were on occasion exported without full supporting documentation being insisted on. However, in all cases the licence application form includes a formal statement of the end user.

  An answer to this question would require the detailed examination of several hundred licence applications, which would entail seriously disproportionate cost. however, I shall bear the hon. Member's question in mind in the course of any further research into export licences granted for Singapore.

  Insurance Risk Assessment
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the use of post codes by insurance companies to assess risk of exposure to(a) crime and (b) subsidence; and if he will make a statement. [31930]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Postal codes are widely used by insurance companies as a tool in assessing premiums. It is the commercial judgment of insurance companies that the premiums charged for any particular area can be expected to reflect the claims experience for that area.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has made to regulate the use of post codes by insurance companies to assess insurance risk. [31931]

  Mr. Evans
  None. The Secretary of State's powers under the Insurance Companies Act 1982 are primarily concerned with the solvency of insurance companies and, except where such matters are concerned, he does not intervene in their day to day business.

  Military Exports (Nigeria)
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the number and type of export licences issued for military equipment for use by(a) the Nigerian police force and (b) the Nigerian UN peace keeping corps for 1994 and for 1995 to date. [31779]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  It has been the practice of successive Governments not to reveal details of export licences or applications for licences unless the requirements of confidentiality are outweighed by the public interest.
  65

  Insolvency Practitioners
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many insolvency examiners have been dismissed since 1990 for failing to achieve the relevant accountancy qualifications. [32609]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Four examiners have been dismissed as a result of failing to pass the required accountancy examinations during their two-year probationary period.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out the method by which, after a meeting of creditors has failed to appoint a trustee in bankruptcy or a liquidator of a company in liquidation the Secretary of State determines the identity of the insolvency practitioner who is to be appointed as a trustee or a liquidator under(a) section 295 or (b) 137 of the Insolvency Act 1986, with particular reference to whether the insolvency practitioner who is appointed is required to be located within the same region as the bankrupt or the company in question. [32320]

  Mr. Evans
  Each official receiver maintains a rota of insolvency practitioners within the locality of his office who are willing to accept appointments by the Secretary of State. The criteria for entry on to the rota are that the insolvency practitioner should have a permanently staffed office with insolvency personnel in regular attendance within the locality of, or conveniently accessible to, the local court. Generally speaking, where no trustee or liquidator is nominated at a meeting of creditors and if the official receiver considers it desirable that one be appointed, he will seek that appointment by reference to his local rota.

  During 1994 a special unit was set up in Manchester, on a temporary basis, to complete the administration of cases remaining open as a result of the high level of insolvencies of earlier years. In such cases where, some time after the making of the order, there were sufficient assets to enable a distribution to creditors to be made, local practitioners were appointed to carry out that work.

  Bankruptcies and Liquidations
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what future trends he expects in the number of bankruptcy orders and winding up orders over the next five years. [32589]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Insolvency Service does not publish forecasts of insolvencies although for planning and resource allocation purposes as part of the MINIS process it bases its business plan on an expected number of cases in the following financial year. For 1995–96 the service's business plan is based on a total of 25,000 cases comprising 20,000 bankruptcies and 5,000 compulsory liquidations.

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the total annual salary costs of the staff of the Insolvency Service of grades B and above, both in absolute terms, and as a percentage of the total wage bill of the Insolvency Service. [32325]
  66
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Some £3.1 million was incurred in 1994–95 on the salary costs of Insolvency Service staff of grades B and above. This amount represents approximately 8 per cent. of the total pay costs of the Insolvency Service for 1994–95.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many man days were lost in the Insolvency Service due to sick absence for each year since 1986. [32308]

  Mr. Evans
  Details of the number of man-days lost to the Insolvency Service due to sick absence is available only for the years since 1991. The details are as follows:

  Year

  Days

  1991

  17,270

  1992

  18,168

  1993

  23,082

  1994

  21,324

  Prior to March 1990, when the Insolvency Service became an executive agency, details of sick absences were combined with those of the Department.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current policy of the Insolvency Service regarding the circumstances under which staff are required to transfer involuntarily between official receivers'offices. [32311]

  Mr. Evans
  The Insolvency Service endeavours to fill vacancies in its offices by transferring staff on a voluntary basis. If, exceptionally, mobile staff are transferred compulsorily the costs directly associated with such a transfer are paid within agreed limits.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what procedures and provisions are in place to enable staff to relocate voluntarily or involuntarily between official receivers' offices; and what changes are planned to these procedures in the event of the contracting out of some of the functions of the official receiver. [32310]

  Mr. Evans
  The Insolvency Service endeavours to fill vacancies in official receivers' offices on a voluntary basis. Staff may apply for transfer to another office at any time and such requests will be considered on their merits. They will normally be agreed subject to the existence of a suitable vacancy. Where a transfer is a compulsory one or where a voluntary transfer involving relocation is in the service's interest the costs directly associated with the relocation are reimbursed within agreed limits.

  No changes are planned to these procedures.

  Weapons Exports
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the overseas countries in which British weaponry may be sold. [31497]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Anywhere where there is no embargo, in which respect I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 16 January 1995.Official Report, column 283.
  67
  Decisions on export licence applications are, however, taken in light of established criteria to which we are committed, including those agreed by the European Union, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the permanent five members of the United Nations Security Council.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those countries in which an embargo on selling British weaponry has been lifted during the last 12 months. [31496]

  Mr. Taylor
  Haiti and Syria, with a UN call for voluntary restraint—not an arms embargo—on the supply of military equipment to Yemen also lapsing during the year.

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many responses his Department received to the consultation document "Industry and the Chemical Weapons Convention" by the close of the consultation period on 31 March; and what progress has been made in assessing the responses. [31122]

  Mr. Heseltine
  Over 2,500 copies of the discussion document were issued widely to industry, largely through trade organisations. We received 33 responses. Of these, 15 were from trade organisations, who were responding on behalf of their membership. The responses, overall, supported the approach my Department proposes to adopt in implementing the convention. The results of the consultation were included in a speech given to the House on 24 April,Official Report, columns 638–42, by my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Technology.

  Astra plc
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been made by ministers or officials of his Department to the receiver of Astra plc concerning access to and availability of documentary material returned to the company by the Ministry of Defence Police. [31433]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: It is for the administrative receivers of Astra Holdings plc to decide what access they allow to the company's papers. Before my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade appeared before the Trade and Industry Select Committee on 28 June, officials informally raised with the receivers the question of disclosure to the Select Committee and were informed that legal advice had been sought.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list by convenient category the documents removed from Astra plc and its subsidiaries which are restrained by his Department. [31432]
  68
  Mr. Evans
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: The papers of Astra Holdings plc are now held by the administrative receiver. The inspectors appointed to investigate the affairs of the company made and retained copies of documents relevant to their investigation. These principally comprise certain statutory material, financial and accounting records and information, correspondence, internal and external memoranda and reports.

  Export Licence Applications
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his statement of 13 June,Official Report, column 597, what percentage of the rise in export licence applications related to (a) high-tech exports and (b) arms exports. [31434]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: Export licence applications received in the years 1984 and 1987 were broken down as follows:

  1984

  1987

  Per cent. increase

  Military

  14,398

  17,590

  22

  Industrial and nuclear

  34,428

  70,031

  1103

  Other

  9,215

  10,221

  211

  Total

  58,041

  97,842

  68

  1 No breakdown by 'high' and 'low' technology is available.

  2 Primarily metallic scrap and heritage items.

  United Arab Emirates
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of United Kingdom visible and invisible trade with the United Arab Emirates. [31530]

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 29 June 1995]: Information on visible trade is published in Central Statistical Office business monitor MM20, available in the Library of the House. Information on invisible trade with the United Arab Emirates is not available.

  BMARC Ltd.
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library all documents held by his Department in relation to the trading activities of BMARC Ltd. and if he will make a statement. [30232]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 26 June 1995]: No. The hon. Member has asked for a very large number of documents, which could be put together only at disproportionate cost.

  There are particular issues concerning the release of documents obtained by inspectors under compulsory powers. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) by my hon. Friend the Minister for Corporate and Consumer Affairs on 27 June 1995, Official Report, columns 570–71.

  Nevertheless. I recognise the great public interest in the trading activities of BMARC and I welcome the decision of the Trade and Industry Select Committee to inquire into the affairs of BMARC. My Department will be co-operating fully with the Committee's inquiry.
  69

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many civil servants in his Department are working on matters related to the Scott inquiry, if a dedicated unit has been established; and what is the estimated cost to date of civil servants dealing with matters relating to the Scott inquiry. [28861]

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 15 June 1995]: A Scott inquiry unit was established in DTI in December 1992. Currently the unit consists of two posts. The approximate cost of the unit to date, excluding the cost of the provision of papers, is £247,000.

  Arms Export Licences
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff in his Department were responsible for monitoring and approving arms export licences for each year since 1979. [29334]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 19 June 1995]: The table below shows the number of staff within the Department responsible for the processing of arms export licence applications from 1989 to 1995, including, where necessary, monitoring compliance with licence conditions. The figures prior to 1989 could be made available only at disproportionate cost. Technical advice on military licensing matters is available from the DTI's sensitive technologies unit. Applications are also routinely assessed by advisers from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence. Enforcement of export controls—including controls on military goods-is carried out by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

  Year

  Number of Staff

  1989

  15

  1990

  29

  1991

  27

  1992

  29

  1993

  32

  1994

  35

  1995

  39

SCOTLAND

  Privatisation
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those parts of his Department or departmental agencies which were privatised without an in-house bid; if he will indicate the expertise which was absent in his Department or departmental agencies which prevented an in-house bid taking place; which future parts of his Department or departmental agencies he intends to privatise; and which of them do not have the necessary in-house expertise to mount an in-house bid. [29425]

  Mr. Lang
  It is my aim to ensure that the services undertaken by my Department and its agencies are provided and managed so as to give better service to the public in Scotland and optimum value for money to the taxpayer. That is the policy which underpins the decisions 70
  I have taken to contract out strategically certain services provided by my Department and its agencies. The broad reasons for contracting out without an in-house bid are set out in Taking Forward Continuity and Change—Cm 2748. These include, for example, when my Department judges that the private sector is better equipped to deliver a specific service, has a better understanding of market needs or a greater capacity to invest in new technology. A strategic decision to contract out might also be taken where an activity may be relatively small in size and peripheral to a department's core functions.

  No parts of my Department or departmental agencies were privatised without an in-house bid. The following activities within my Department and its agencies have been strategically contracted out without an in-house bid since April 1992.

  Activities Strategically Contracted Out

  Marine Laboratory Estate Management

  Maintenance of New National Health Service Radio Systems

  Superannuation Services

  Audit of NHS Boards

  Animal House, Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  Facilities Management at Victoria Quay1

  Audit of 1st Wave NHS Trusts

  Audit of 2nd Wave NHS Trusts

  Audit of 3rd Wave NHS Trusts

  Data Preparation Services

  Historic Scotland Patrolmen at Edinburgh Castle

  Prison-based education, Scottish Prison Service

  Scottish Office Pensions Agency Pensions Administration System

  Security at Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  Publications distribution and sales

  Additional typing services

  Mainframe Applications Support

  My Department and its agencies have not yet identified any activities for future privatisation or contracting out without an in-house bid.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many ministerial visits by Ministers of his Department were made to Scottish parliamentary constituencies since 1 May 1994.

  Mr. Lang
  Scottish Office Ministers have made 362 visits to Scottish parliamentary constituencies since 1 May 1994.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many ministerial visits have been made by himself and his Ministers to the parliamentary constituencies of(a) Tayside, North, (b) Kincardine and Deeside, (c) Edinburgh, Pentlands, (d) Dumfries, (e) Aberdeen, South, (f) Stirling, (g) Ayr, (h) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale, (i) Perth and Kinross and (j) Eastwood since 1 May 1994. [29588]
  71
  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Constituency

  Number of visits made

  (a) Tayside North

  3

  (b) Kincardine and Deeside

  2

  (c) Edinburgh, Pentlands

  3

  (d) Dumfries

  9

  (e) Aberdeen, South

  6

  (f) Stirling

  13

  (g) Ayr

  7

  (h) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

  15

  (i) Perth and Kinross

  8

  (j Eastwood

  1

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which parliamentary constituency in Scotland received the most ministerial visits by Ministers of his Department since 1 May 1994. [29589]

  Mr. Lang
  Since 1 May last year, Edinburgh, Central has received the largest number of ministerial visits by Scottish Office Ministers.

  Heavy Vehicles (Bans)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the existing powers of local authorities to ban heavy vehicles from minor roads in urban areas; and what pressure he has had for changes to the existing position. [29850]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Powers are available to local traffic authorities under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to make or revoke traffic regulation orders preventing the use of roads by vehicular traffic of a kind or in a manner which is unsuitable having regard to the character of the road. Mandatory restrictions can cover small lengths of road or large area networks and can be based on gross vehicle weight, axle weight, length, height or width or any other readily understood characteristic of the vehicles. A local traffic authority may also include provisions for specifying through routes for heavy goods vehicles. My right hon. Friend has received no representations about changing the existing powers.

  Local Government Finance
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will increase Ettrick and Lauderdale district council's non-housing revenue account consent for 1995–96. [30036]

  Mr. Lang
  All resources currently available for capital investment in housing in 1995–96 have been fully allocated. I will take account of the needs of Ettrick and Lauderdale district council should additional resources become available later in the year.

  Locate in Scotland
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount of inward investment attracted to the city of Glasgow in 1994–95 by Locate in Scotland; how many jobs this created or safeguarded; and if he will make a statement. [30960]
  72
  Mr. Kynoch
  During 1994–95, Locate in Scotland and the Scottish Office Industry Department helped attract to Glasgow eight inward investment projects involving planned investment of nearly £30 million and the expected creation or safeguarding of over 1,300 jobs.

  Sheep Scabs
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the recorded level of sheep scab in each of the last five years. [31245]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The numbers of confirmed cases of sheep scab in Scotland during the period 1990 to June 1992 were as follows:

  Number

  1990

  4

  1991

  5

  1992 (to 30 June)

  17

  Further Euducation
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the Government's financial plans for the further education sector over the next few years. [31318]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on the plans for the provision for further education colleges and agencies is given in the departmental report of March 1995, "Serving Scotland's Needs"—Cm 2814—as follows:

  1995–96: £251 million

  1996–97: £249 million

  1997–98: £243 million

  The figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are provisional and subject to review in the annual public expenditure surveys.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what capping measures have been imposed on certain types of courses in further education colleges; and for what reason. [31319]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Following a period of rapid expansion of higher education level courses in further education colleges, my right hon. Friend decided to consolidate the number of new full-time entrants to higher education courses in 1995–96 at the level achieved in each college during 1994–95. There are a number of specific exceptions and colleges are free to develop new programmes and to decide the number of students to recruit for particular programmes within the consolidated ceiling. No restrictions are applied to part-time higher education students or to students taking non-advanced courses.

  The consolidation is required on grounds of affordability and is broadly consistent with the approach over recent years within the higher education institutions.

  University of Paisley
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the academic contribution made by the university of Paisley to the social, industrial and economic life of Scotland since it
  73
  earned its new status; what plans he has to ensure the security of the university in its preparation for future development; and if he will introduce further measures to develop higher education in the Paisley area. [31390]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The university of Paisley has made a great deal of progress since the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 introduced new arrangements for the constitution and funding of higher education institutions in Scotland.

  The academic achievements and diversity and scale of provision of the university were recognised in the granting of permission to use university title in June 1992, and of powers to award its own degrees in September 1992. I also approved in July 1993 the merger with Craigie college of education, and welcomed then the commitment to develop and strengthen the vocational mission of the new university.

  Evidence of the teaching quality of the university is given in the published reports of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's assessment of teaching quality, and the report of the Higher Education Quality Council in April this year on its audit of the university arrangements for academic quality assurance.

  Allocation of funds for the teaching and research of higher education institutions is now the responsibility of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. Each institution has been required to submit annual strategic plans and financial forecasts, as well as strategies for estates and research, to SHEFC. It is for SHEFC to determine appropriate allocations to individual institutions in the light of the information it receives and its assessment of the needs of the sector as a whole.

  Dounreay
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the recommendations of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee concerning the treatment of waste at Dounreay in accordance with modern standards, and on the history of how waste particles came to be found over a period of years on the Dounreay foreshore; and if he will make it his policy that there will be regular, independent, and public reviews of progress in the decontamination of the area affected in the vicinity of Dounreay. [29796]

  Sir Hector Monro
  As at present, HM industrial pollution inspectorate and HM nuclear installations inspectorate, in co-operation with the UK Atomic Energy Authority, will be working to ensure that all actions related to radioactive waste and its disposal are carried out in accordance with modern standards.

  All the waste metallic particles found near Dounreay were detected as a result of regular beach monitoring carried out by the UK Atomic Energy Authority and a history of the finding of the particles is contained in the joint report by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment and the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee.

  The main recommendations of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee on this matter fall to be considered by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, in co-operation with the regulatory authorities. The Secretary of State will consider the question of how
  74
  progress on decontamination is to be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the on-going discussions between the operators and the regulatory authorities.

  Glasgow City Council Elections
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if anyone is to be prosecuted as a result of the alleged breach of electoral law relating to the submission of nominations in the Bridgeton ward of Glasgow city council for the elections held on 6 April 1995; and if he will make a statement. [32023]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Crown Counsel has instructed the procurator fiscal to take summary proceedings in Glasgow sheriff court in connection with alleged contraventions of section 65 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. One of the alleged contraventions relates to the Bridgeton ward of the city of Glasgow.

  Schoolgirls (Computing Subjects)
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the secretary of State for Scotland how many girls in S5 and S6 studied computing subjects in education authority schools; and what percentage this was of the total number of S5 and S6 pupils in(a) 1989, (b) 1991 and (c) 1993; and if he will make a statement. [30860]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number and percentage of girls studying computing subjects in S5 and S6 in education authority secondary schools in 1989, 1991 and 1993 are as follows:

  Year

  Number in S5/S6

  Percentage of S5/S6

  1989

  4,933

  7.8

  1991

  5,172

  8.0

  1993

  15,157

  7.8

  1 In the figures for 1993 information was not available for two schools.

  The figures do not include pupils studying computing subjects in short courses. In addition, many pupils study computing subjects in S3 and S4. Thus, the actual figure of girls studying computing subjects in education authority schools will be significantly higher than those numbers provided.

  Rural Policy
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the consultation process on rural policy in Scotland; which organisations he is consulting with; and when the White Paper will be published. [31892]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The current consultation on rural policy in Scotland has taken three main forms.

  We sought the advice of the rural focus group—made up of representatives of the Central Scotland Countryside Trust, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Rural Forum, Scottish Agricultural college, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Homes, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Tourist Board, and chaired by the Scottish Office.
  75
  We commissioned Rural Forum Scotland to convene a series of conferences and workshops to examine specific themes of relevance to the White Paper and these were held across Scotland in May and June.

  Almost 900 organisations and individuals were invited to submit ideas and comments and some have conducted their own conferences and surveys. So far, 112 responses have been received and these will be of considerable assistance in the development of the White Paper, which will be published in the autumn.

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the proposed allocation of risks between the national health service and the private sector for the proposed new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh; and what are the public expenditure implications. [31994]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh trust has yet to finalise details of the specification to be issued in September to its shortlisted tenderers. Therefore, details of proposed allocation of risks will not be available until that time. However, the trust will be seeking to transfer risk in the areas such as design, planning, construction, maintenance, equipment obsolescence, residual value of assets and performance in terms of quality support services. Until final details of risk transfer are available, the effect on public expenditure cannot be estimated.

  Director, Information Directorate
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the recruitment of the director of his Department's information directorate; and what was her previous employment before joining the Scottish Office. [31362]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 29 June 1995]: The director of my Department's information directorate, Ms Elizabeth Drummond, was recruited in April 1992 following an open recruitment campaign.

  Ms Drummond's early career was spent with the Government Information Service. Immediately prior to joining the Scottish Office, she was employed by Westminster city council as head of public relations and publicity.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Electro-shock Weapons
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Attorney-General what action his Department has taken to follow up allegations made in January in relation to illegal and unauthorised production, export and arrangement of sale of electro-shock weapons and equipment; what legal action has been and is being undertaken in consequence of such investigations; and if he will make a statement. [32073]

  The Attorney-General
  The police responsible for the conduct of the investigation into possible offences arising out of allegations made January 1995 relating to electro-shock weapons have now submitted a report to the Crown Prosecution Service.
  76
  As to the matters under investigation in Scotland, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 May 1995 by the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland at column 576) to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd). I understand that the position remains unaltered.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 22 May,Official Report, column 452, what progress is being made in the investigations into matters relating to British Aerospace and the export of electro-shock equipment. [32073]

  The Attorney-General
  The police have recently submitted a report to the Crown Prosecution Service which is at present being considered.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Benefit Claim Pack
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what channels are being used for the distribution of the leaflet "New Child Benefit Claim Paper: Can You Help"; and what factors underlay his choice of these channels. [31293]

  Mr. Burt
  The distribution of the child benefit claim pack is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Martyn Jones, dated 30 June 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the channels being used to distribute the Child Benefit claim pack and the factors underlying the choice of these channels.
  Three main outlets are being used for the distribution of the pack. First, they are readily available to the public from local Social Security offices. Secondly, they are distributed directly to new and expectant mothers by inclusion in a complimentary baby products package, known as a Bounty Pack, which reaches 97.5 per cent. of new mothers in the UK per year. Third, they are available on request direct from the Child Benefit Centre, Washington.
  The factors which underlay the choice of these channels were cost effectiveness, accessibility and the ability to contact the correct customer group.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for the year 1994–95 have been made in(a) South Yorkshire, (b) Humberside, (c) North Yorkshire and (d) West Yorkshire for industrial disablement benefit for emphysema and chronic bronchitis; how many have been successful; how many have been refused and what grounds; and what are the comparable figures for the previous year. [31095]

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of industrial injuries disablement benefit is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 June 1995:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about claims made for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit in respect of chronic bronchitis and emphysema in Yorkshire and Humberside in 1994–95.
  77
  Information about the number of claims, their success rate and the number disallowed is not available in the exact format requested. This is because figures for the number of claims made since the end of the initial twelve month take-on period have been collected separately and in a slightly different format. The take-on period lasted from September 1993 to October 1994.

  The available information is shown in the enclosed tables. The information in the first three columns of Table 1 was collected at Area Directorate levels. The information in the last two columns was collected at the Disability Benefit Centre (DBC) in Leeds,

  Table 1: September 1993–October 1994

  Failed (reason)

  Area

  Claims

  Successful

  20 year rule

  Lung test1

  Cat. I pneumoconiosis

  South Yorkshire and Humberside

  6,521

  773

  171

  6,551

  3,957

  North and West Yorkshire

  2,676

  420

  90

  1 These figures were collected by the Disability Benefits Centre (DBC) at Leeds. Leeds DBC also dealt with other areas so the figures do not equate exactly.

  Table 2: October 1994–March 1995

  Failed (reason)

  Area

  Claims

  Successful

  20 year rule

  Lung test

  Cat. 1 pneumoconiosis

  South Yorkshire and Humberside

  214

  33

  9

  127

  95

  North and West Yorkshire

  121

  21

  9

  59

  23

  All tables include claims received but not decided within the period.

  Source: 100 per cent. count, figures are subject to amendment.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of families with children age 18 years or under claimed housing benefit or its equivalent in (i) York, (ii) North Yorkshire,

  Housing Benefit—number of families with dependants aged 18 years or under and as a percentage of all families with dependants aged 18 years or under

  May 1990

  May 1991

  May 1992

  May 1993

  Area

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Number (000s)

  Per cent.

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  76

  —

  80

  —

  110

  —

  96

  —

  England

  747

  13.2

  846

  14.5

  1,035

  17.6

  1,098

  18.7

  Source:

  Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries with and without income support, taken at the end of May for each year.

  Family Expenditure Survey, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993.

  Notes:

  1. The numbers given refer to the number of benefit units, which may be a single person with dependants or a couple with dependants.

  2.The numbers have been rounded to the nearest thousand and the percentages to one decimal place.

  3. Information on total families with dependants under 19 is not available regionally, therefore we are unable to provide percentages for Yorkshire and Humberside.

  4. Information on the number of families with dependants aged under 19 is not available prior to 1990 for housing benefit.

  5. Reliable information is not available for York or North Yorkshire.

  Pensioners' Capital
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the average capital owned by individuals on retirement in the form of(a) home ownership and (b) non-pension savings. [31234]

  Mr Arbuthnot
  The information is not available.
  78
  which covers the Yorkshire and Humberside area of the country. Leeds DBC also dealt with the claims from some customers outside these areas.

  The information shown at Table 2 was collected at Area Directorate level and covers the six month period from October 1994 to March 1995. This table outlines successful claims and all three categories of disallowance; because of the 20 year rule, failure to meet the criteria for lung function loss or category 1 pneumoconiosis.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  (iii) Yorkshire and Humberside and (iv) England in each since 1979. [31582]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Information is not available in the form requested. Available information is set out in the table:

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the expenditure in(a) 2010, (b) 2020 and (c) 2030 on (i) national insurance rebates paid to members of appropriate personal pension schemes and (ii) the additional national insurance rebate paid to members of appropriate

  79
  personal pensions relative to that paid to members of contracted-out money purchase schemes. [31235]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The table shows estimates for the expenditure in 2010, 2020 and 2030 on the national insurance rebate payable to members of appropriate personal pension schemes using assumptions consistent with those used for the report by the Government Actuary on the "Financial Provisions of the Bill on the National Insurance Fund", Cm 2714. The rebate rates quoted in that report are provisional and will be reviewed before age related rebates come into effect in April 1997.

  It is not possible to provide a valid estimate of additional expenditure on the national insurance rebates paid to members of APPS compared to what would have been paid if they had received rebates designed for members of contracted-out money purchase schemes. This is because total numbers of people with APPS would be likely to reduce significantly in those circumstances. The rebates for APPS will be set at a higher level than those for COMPS to reflect higher levels of providers' expenses and the delay in payment by the DSS of a greater part of the rebate. If the rebate for APPS failed to reflect these factors, it would not generally be worthwhile for people to take out or for providers to offer APPS.

  Year

  Expenditure in £ billion (1994–95 prices)

  2010

  2.7

  2020

  2.5

  2030

  2.2

  Young People
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many young people in Wales who left school at 16 years were subsequently in receipt of(a) severe hardship payments under income support provision and (b) other Benefits Agency payments, in each of the past 10 years for which figures are available. [31610]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of young people who left care in each of the past five years for which figures are available are currently claiming benefits. [31618]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is not available.

  Pensioners' Incomes
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the percentage of pensioners who will have an income on retirement in(a) the most recent year, (b) 2010 and (c) 2020 which is (i) less than 25 per cent. of average earnings, (ii) less than 50 per cent. of average earnings, (iii) less than 75 per cent. of average earnings, (iv) equal to average earnings, (v) up to 25 per cent. more than average earnings, (vi) up to 50 per cent. more than average earnings and (vii) up to 75 per cent. more than average earnings. [31236]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The latest available information is for 1992 and is shown in the table. Forecasts of pensioners incomes at retirement for 2010 and 2020 are not available.
  80

  Gross income of recently retired pensioner units as a proportion of average earnings

  Proportion of average earnings

  Percentage

  (i) Less than 25 per cent.

  5

  (ii) Less than 50 per cent.

  43

  (iii) Less than 75 per cent.

  70

  (iv) 100 per cent. (average earnings)

  n/a

  (v) Up to 125 per cent.

  89

  (vi) Up to 150 per cent.

  93

  (vii) Up to 175 per cent.

  95

  n/a = not available.

  source:

  Family Expenditure Survey 1992.

  Employment Gazette, February 1995.

  Notes:

  1. Average earnings are based on full time employees on adult rate in all industries and services for 1992.

  2. Recently retired pensioner units are defined as single pensioner units and married couples where the individual or head of the household is less than five years over state pension age.

  3. The proportion receiving precisely the same level of income as average earnings is not available.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the average pensioner income at retirement in(a) the most recent year, (b) 2010 and (c) 2020, expressed as a percentage of average earnings. [31237]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The latest available information is for 1992. These estimates show that recently retired pensioner units received an average gross income equivalent to 74 per cent. of average earnings. Forecasts of pensioners' incomes at retirement for 2010 and 2020 are not available.

  Source:

  Family Expenditure Survey 1992

  Employment Gazette, February 1995.

  Notes:

  1. Average earnings are based on full time employees on adult rate in all industries and services for 1992.

  2. Recently retired pensioner units are defined as single pensioner units and married couples where the individual or head of the household is less than five years over state pension age.

  Home Responsibilities Protection
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost by the year 2030 of replacing the special arrangement known as home responsibility protection with a credit for class 1 contributions for the same qualifying group; and on what basis he estimates this cost. [31932]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  It is estimated by the Government Actuary's Department that replacing the special arrangements known as home responsibilities protection with a credit for class 1 contributions for the same qualifying group would cost £150 million by the year 2030.

  State Earnings-related Pension
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost by the year 2030 of calculating entitlement to benefits under the state earnings-related pension scheme if a disregard was introduced for the final five years of earnings, but only if this disregard does not diminish the SERPS payment; and on what basis he estimates this cost. [31936]
  81
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The annual cost by the year 2030 of calculating entitlement to SERPS if a disregard was introduced for the final five years of earnings; and the denominator in calculating SERPS is also reduced by 5, is estimated to be about £2 billion in 2030–31.

  Notes:

  1. The cost is in 1994–95 prices and is the estimated increase in Retirement Pension expenditure.

  2. This estimate is consistent with the figures in the Government Actuary's Report on the Pensions Bill 1994 and in the Government Actuary's Quinquennial Review on the National Insurance Fund.

  3. This assumes that the increase in SERPS entitlement would apply equally to contracted-out and not contracted-out individuals.

  4. This assumes SERPS accrues up to the financial year prior to reaching age 60 at an accrual rate of 20/44 per cent. rather than at a rate of 20/49 per cent. up to the year before reaching age 65.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost by the

  Thousands

  Contracted-in only

  Mixed contracted-in/contracted-out

  Reckonable earnings in 1992–93

  Men

  Women

  Men

  Women

  £10,000 per year and over

  1,287

  485

  370

  218

  £20,000 per year and over

  211

  33

  88

  32

  Source:

  1 per cent. sample from National Insurance Recording System.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual costs of phasing in the reduction of the entitlement to the additional pension to a widow or widower over a 10-year period between 5 April 2000 and 6 April 2010 in 5 per cent. annual increments; and on what basis he estimates this cost. [31934]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is in the table:

  Year

  Cost £ million

  2005–08

  350

  2010–11

  400

  2015–16

  300

  2020–21

  200

  1. The cost is in 1994–95 prices and is the estimated total increase in retirement pension expenditure.

  2. The estimate assumes that the increased level of additional pension would apply equally to contracted-in and contracted-out contributions.

  3. This estimate is consistent with the assumptions and projections in the Government Actuary's report on the Pensions Bill 1994 and in the Government Actuary's Quinquennial Review on the National Insurance Fund.

  State Retirement Pension
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual cost by the year 2030 of equalising the number of qualifying years for the category A pension at 39 for both women and men; and on what basis he estimates this cost. [31933]
  82
  year 2050 of calculating entitlement to benefits under the state earnings-related pensions scheme on the best 39 years of earnings; and on what basis he estimates this cost. [31935]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The estimated cost is £5 billion.

  Notes:

  1. The cost is in 1994–95 prices and is the estimated total increase in retirement pension expenditure.

  2. This estimate assumes that the best 39 year rule would apply equally to contracted-in and contracted-out earnings.

  3. This estimate is consistent with the assumptions and projections in the Government Actuary's report on the Pensions Bill 1994.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) men and (b) women are in receipt of state earnings-related pension (i) who earn more than £10,000 per year, and (ii) who earn more than £20,000 per year. [32005]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is in the table.

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The annual cost is estimated to be about £³ billion by 2030.

  Notes:

  1. The cost is in 1994–95 prices and is the estimated total increase in retirement pension expenditure.

  2. This estimate assumes that the change would be made to male pension for awards from 2010 onwards and the female rule would remain as at present for all years.

  3. The estimates are relative to the projected costs of basic pension after allowing for the changes in the Pensions Bill.

  4. This estimate is consistent with the assumptions and projections in the Government Actuary's report on the Pensions Bill 1994 and in the Government Actuary's Quinquennial Review on the National Insurance Fund.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) divorced and (b) widowed pensioners are receiving a full state pension based on their spouse's national insurance contribution record; and of these how many are also in receipt of (i) income support or (ii) other state benefits. [32074]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The figures for widowed and divorced pensioners are not available separately. The total number in March 1993 was 1,783.

  It is not possible to identify how many of these people were receiving income support or other benefits.

  Source:

  Retirement Pension Statistics Biannual enquiry 31 March 1993.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for State for Social Security if he will estimate the annual income to the Exchequer of removing the lower earnings limit on employer contributions to national insurance contributions; and on what basis he estimates this sum. [31997]
  83
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  If employers were to pay contributions on earnings below the lower earnings limit, the additional income would be an estimated £150 million in a full year. This figure was derived using information from the April 1993 new earnings survey, which was then adjusted to take account of the latest earnings estimates for 1995–96. The contribution rate is assumed to be 3 per cent. which is the rate currently payable by employers in respect of earnings just above the lower earnings limit.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Funeral Expenses
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes have been made to the social fund funeral expenses regulations following those published in Cm 2858 in May. [31710]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Amendments Regulations (SI 1995/1229) were laid on 9 May this year and came into force on 5 June.

  The funeral payment scheme covers all the reasonable costs of burial or cremation disbursements arranged by the funeral director and allows up to £500 for his services. Everyone who is entitled to help with arranging a funeral through the social fund will be able to choose either a burial or cremation in all parts of the country. So total costs paid by the taxpayer could, in the case of burials, exceed £1,000.

  A copy of the regulations is available in the Library.

  Married Women's Pensions
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women are in receipt of the married woman's pension of £35.25; and what is the Government's estimate of how this figure will change over the next 10 years. [32075]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The number of women in receipt of the married woman's pension of £35.25 at 31 March 1994 is 1,905,140.

  An estimate of how this figure will change over the next 10 years is not available. However, over the next 10 years the total of category BL and ABL pensioners is likely to remain approximately stable. Within this group the numbers with category ABL will rise and numbers with category BL and ABL pensions will fall.

  In the longer term, due to the effects of home responsibilities protection and the abolition of the married women's reduced rate option, more women will become entitled to a category A pension at over 60 per cent. The numbers with category A pensions will rise and the numbers with category BL and ABL pensions will fall.

  Note:

  Category BL pension is payable to a married woman on her husband's contributions at up to 60 per cent. of the standard category A rate, provided she and her husband have both reached pension age. Category ABL pension is payable to a married woman and is a combination of category A and category BL. Where a married woman's own category A entitlement is less than 60 per cent. of the standard rate, the pension is supplemented up to that level with category BL pension based on her husband's contributions.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social 84
  Security how many people in residential or nursing homes have wives living elsewhere who receive the married woman's pension of £35.25. [32076]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women in receipt of the married woman's pension of £35.25(a) are also in receipt of income support and other state benefits, (b) have incomes above income support levels and other state benefit levels and (c) are entitled to but are not claiming income support and other state benefits. [32077]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women in receipt of the married woman's pension of £35.25 would still be in receipt of income support and other state benefits if the substitution rules were changed to allow women living apart from their husband because the husband has gone into nursing or residential care to claim a full state pension. [32078]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available.

DEFENCE

  Royal Dockyards
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the redundancy and pension provisions for dockyard employees in the event of privatisation or another of the options currently under consideration. [31425]

  Mr. Freeman
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced the Government's policy towards the future management of the royal dockyards at Devonport and Rosyth on 18 October 1993 at columns 39–41. Since then, I, my predecessor and my officials have had numerous meeting with the national officers of trade unions with members employed by the Ministry of Defence and the dockyard companies—Devonport Royal Dockyard plc and Rosyth Royal Dockyard plc—which, I should stress, have been private sector companies since 1987, to discuss the proposed privatisation of the dockyards. I have found these meetings a valuable opportunity to clarify the concerns felt by the dockyard company employees who may be affected by the proposed privatisation. At my most recent such meeting, on 20 June, I undertook to give a full and considered statement, in the light of detailed legal and other advice, of my Department's position on the issues raised with me.

  My officials have also discussed these issues with the tenderers for the dockyards—Devonport Management Ltd. at Devonport and Babcock International Group plc at Rosyth—and, where appropriate, this statement takes account of my understanding of those discussions. Each tenderer, of course, remains fully responsible for any statements that it has made or may make in the future.
  85
  The Government's preferred option for the future of the dockyards is that each should be moved wholly into the private sector as a separate and independent entity, provided the terms are right and meet the needs of the taxpayer and the Royal Navy. The Government believe that this would offer the dockyards the best opportunity to become more competitive in seeking work from my Department and other customers. As elsewhere in industry, maintaining competitiveness is crucial to employment levels; it is essential to a secure long-term future for the dockyards and their employees.

  My Department is now holding detailed discussions with each tenderer with a view to agreeing satisfactory sale terms. No decisions have, however, yet been taken on whether to proceed with the sale of either dockyard. As I made clear in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mr. Streeter) on 23 November 1994 at column 146, I do not rule out other options for the future management of either dockyard; the detailed implications for dockyard company employees are, however, hypothetical in view of the Government's preferred option.

  I appreciate the concerns, as expressed by the trade unions, of the dockyard company employees about the effect that the proposed sale may have on them. I understand the stance of the trade unions, but I believe that their concerns, as they have articulated them, are misplaced. They take less than full account either of the opportunities for the employees and all others concerned that would be opened up by privatisation of the existing protections available under employment law.

  It is important to be clear about what is proposed. Under the proposed arrangements for the sale of each dockyard, the employer of the existing dockyard company employees would remain the same. Terms and conditions of employment for existing employees, including redundancy and pension entitlements and collective bargaining agreements, would continue unless or until specifically changed. Both tenderers are aware that contracts of employment can be varied only by means allowed for under employment law—that is to say, only, in normal circumstances, by the agreement of the parties; unilateral variation may be a breach of contract and the law prescribes remedies in such circumstances. The law does not, however, provide for employees or trade unions to have an absolute veto over changes to terms and conditions of employment.

  Each dockyard company is responsible for the terms and conditions of employment of its employees and for any changes to them, subject of course to the provisions of the term contracts, due to expire no later than April 1996, between my Department and the dockyard contractors—Devonport Management Ltd. and Babcock Rosyth Defence Ltd.—under which each dockyard is currently managed. As the trade unions have frequently referred to provisions of the term contracts, I should stress that neither term contract was intended to impede the conduct of bargaining between employer and employee, nor did either affect the legal position that contracts of employment may be terminated on notice. During the course of the term contracts, changes to terms and conditions have been negotiated between the contractors and the trade unions representing dockyard company employees. The responsibility for the management of the dockyards is now a matter for the contractors and would,
  86
  after any sale, be a matter for the new owners. Although both tenderers have assured my Department that they will in all cases comply with all provisions of statute, statutory instruments, regulations and codes of practice relating in any way to employment, the provision of services or the conduct of collective bargaining, I do not intend to impose any constraints on the right of any new owners to manage the businesses as they see fit in order to secure future success—success which will be in the interest of the employees.

  I understand that discussions have begun between each tenderer, the dockyard company employees and their duly authorised representatives about the tenderers' approach to employment issues which may arise after any sale. I welcome this fact. It is not the Government's intention to intervene in these discussions or to seek to determine their outcome.

  I understand the trade unions to be seeking four principal guarantees:

  (i) that the redundancy entitlements of Dockyard company employees should be protected in all circumstances;

  (ii) that the pensions of Dockyard company employees should be protected, with no change after any sale except by agreement;

  (iii) that there should be no change to terms and conditions of employment of Dockyard company employees except by negotiation and agreement; and

  (iv) that there should be contractual guarantees relating to the future workload at each Dockyard.

  Redundancy liabilities and entitlements

  Although the term "redundancy entitlement" is widely used, it is important to be clear what is meant. The redundancy scheme at each dockyard, which is part of dockyard company employees' terms and conditions of employment, includes rules for calculating the payment that a dockyard company employee would be entitled to receive at any given point in time if made redundant in a redundancy situation as defined in the scheme. A dockyard company employee's terms and conditions therefore entitle him to receive a contingent payment on redundancy which is calculated in accordance with the rules of the scheme. As part of his terms and conditions of employment, those rules may be changed only by means allowed for under employment law or any provisions of the redundancy scheme itself. Any failure to make a redundancy payment in accordance with the redundancy scheme may be a basis for an employee to pursue a legal remedy against the employer.

  Both tenderers have made clear their view that if the long-term future of each dockyard is to be secured, the issue of the redundancy entitlements of the dockyard company employees must be addressed. At the same time, both tenderers recognise the importance to the dockyard company employees of their service up to the time of any sale of the dockyards in the determination of their redundancy payments. Each tenderer has assured my Department that, in the commercial circumstances currently envisaged, which will where appropriate be the subject of negotiation between my Department and each tenderer, it does not intend to seek to impose changes in the redundancy payments due for past service under the existing redundancy scheme.
  87
  Although the Government can give no guarantees on the way in which redundancy payments are calculated, I consider, as indicated in my supplementary answer to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson) on 6 June at column 8, that the redundancy entitlements of the existing dockyard company employees, enshrined as they are in their contracts of employment, are already properly protected in law and that the proposed privatisation would not impair this protection.

  It may be helpful to set out clearly my Department's continuing policy with regard to the future recovery of redundancy costs by the dockyard operators from the Ministry of Defence. Under current arrangements and subject to certain conditions, my Department reimburses the dockyard contractors for the costs of any redundancies properly incurred. These arrangements are co-terminous with the term contracts and will therefore lapse at their expiry within the next nine months. Future provisions for any recovery of redundancy costs from my Department will be a commercial matter for negotiation between it and the tenderers. My Department's position is that the normal arrangements between it and private sector companies for recovering such costs should apply in the case of the dockyards. As it is, and will remain for some years, the major customer for each dockyard, my Department, will, recognising the particular circumstances at the dockyards, consider making a commercialy appropriate contribution to any redundancy costs at the dockyards after any sale, where these are directly attributable to special or unusual factors for which my Department is responsible, either as a direct payment to the company or through inclusion in its overheads. The detailed arrangements for any such reimbursement—not, I stress, the details of the way in which an individual's redundancy payment is calculated—are for negotiation between my Department and each tenderer as part of the overall arrangements for any sale. Any such arrangement would, as now, be a contractual matter between the company concerned and my Department alone.

  In the light of the protection afforded by the law to employees' terms and conditions and of my Department's policy on cost recovery as set out above, I do not think it appropriate to consider making further provision in relation to the payment of redundancy entitlements or liabilities.

  Pensions

  On the subject of pensions, I have already made clear to the House in my supplementary answer to the hon. Member for Devonport on 6 June at column 8 that accrued benefits as at the point of sale will be given protection. Under the arrangements envisaged for the proposed sale, the existing pension scheme at each dockyard would continue after sale, subject to certain amendments being discussed with the tenderers and the trustees, including, in accordance with received good pensions practice, the appointment of an independent trustee. Each tenderer has indicated that it is willing to take on the current scheme, with any agreed amendments, at the point of any sale; both tenderers have indicated that they see scope for making changes to the schemes to improve the competitiveness of the business from which the employees derive their livelihoods, but each has declared that it would seek to make such changes after consultation, negotiation and agreement wherever possible.
  88
  The ways in which pension arrangements may be changed are governed by relevant legislation and the terms of the trust deed and rules applicable to each pension scheme. Looking beyond the proposed sale, the relevant points in relation to each scheme are, in broad outline, as follows:

  (i) The actuary to the scheme would generally determine the overall required contribution rate and any changes to it.

  (ii) changes proposed by the employer to benefits under the scheme would, as now, require the consent of the trustees, who would include member representatives and an independent trustee;

  (iii) the employees' contribution rate would primarily be for the employer to determine but this, and any change, would in the normal course of events be the subject of consultation and negotiation between the employer, the employees and their duly authorised representatives, with a view to reaching agreement wherever possible.

  Any employer may bring about more fundamental changes to a scheme by terminating it and replacing it by alternative arrangements; in that event, accrued benefits relating to service up to the point of termination would be provided in accordance with the trust deed and rules. The law does not normally require the consent of the trustees or the members of the scheme to such action. It may, however, be open in certain circumstances to the members of the scheme to seek legal redress against the employer.

  Although the Government can give no guarantees about the provision of pension benefits of dockyard company employees relating to service after the date of any sale, I believe that the law and the trust deed and rules of each scheme provide satisfactory protection for the pensions of existing dockyard company employees. The Government therefore see no need to make further provision in this respect.

  Other changes to terms and conditions

  With regard to other changes to terms and conditions of employment, both tenderers know that employment law governs the ways in which these may be made and provides protection against unlawful dismissal. Changes must, wherever possible, be achieved after consultation, negotiation and agreement between the employer, the employees concerned and their duly authorised representatives where applicable; only if it proves impracticable to reach agreement may the question of unilateral change arise.

  While each tenderer has made clear that it is reviewing terms and conditions of employment, both have indicated that no decisions have been taken in relation to possible changes to these. Each, moreover, has expressed its determination, where it may wish to seek changes, to continue to do so through established local procedures for dealing with such matters after consultation, negotiation and agreement wherever possible. Although the Government can provide no guarantees about the means by which such changes may be sought, we believe that employment law provides sufficient protection for dockyard company employees, in the same way as for all other comparable groups of employees, and that no further provisions would be appropriate.
  89
  Future work load

  Finally, on the question of future work load, the Government's overall policy of concentrating nuclear refitting at Devonport and providing Rosyth with an allocated programme of surface refitting work was set out to the House on 24 June 1993 at columns 447–450 and there has, as I made clear in answer to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 25 May 1995 at column 658, been no change to that policy. We have indicated that contractual provisions relating to the future work load at each dockyard could be a matter for negotiation with tenderers and this is a subject of discussion with them. Any contractual arrangements will need to take account of the many operational and other factors that lead to regular changes in the refit programme, and the award of individual refit contracts will continue to be subject to negotiations about price on the basis of my Department's requirements.

  Information and consultation

  The Government and both tenderers are aware of their obligations under the law and relevant agreements; each has stated that it intends to honour these. For its part, my Department remains committed to inform and consult, insofar as it has obligations to do so, those who are, or may be, affected by the proposed privatisation of the royal dockyards throughout the process of moving towards any sale transactions. At this stage, and until such time as any firm decision is taken to proceed with any sale, my Department's responsibilities with regard to the provision of information to, and consultation of, dockyard company employees relate only to the following matters:

  (i) matters of general principle relating to the proposed sale;

  (ii) the conduct of the sale process and its associated time scale; and

  (iii) the general arrangements that would apply to the future management and ownership of each dockyard, insofar as only my Department can comment on these: aspects within the remit of the prospective future private sector owner are for that company.

  The provision of information and consultation in relation to redundancy entitlements, pensions and other terms and conditions of employment is for the tenderer or, as appropriate, dockyard company in question.

  My Department is separately obliged to consult its own employees and their representatives in respect of the implications of the proposed sale transactions and connected arrangements for Ministry of Defence staff. This process will be taken forward as and when appropriate.

  In the spirit of my answer to the hon. Member for Dunfermline, West (Ms Squire) on 6 June at column 148, I and my officials are very willing to meet the trade unions as and when appropriate over the next months about matters that are the responsibility of my Department. As I have already made clear to the trade unions, my Department's commitment, within the parameters listed above, to inform and consult at the appropriate time with dockyard company employees does not extend to standing in the way of, or influencing, discussions between each tenderer, the relevant dockyard company, its employees and their duly authorised representatives, about how the tenderers might each wish to approach employment issues after any sale. The emphasis should henceforth shift to those discussions. The tenderers, employees and their trade unions should now
  90
  make use of all appropriate local and other channels for the provision of information and consultation to take the process forward with a view to securing the long-term future of both dockyards and their employees.

  Forces Exhibition, Aldershot
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Nigeria has been invited to send a delegation to the Royal Navy and British Army equipment exhibition taking place in Aldershot in September. [31780]

  Mr. Freeman
  Nigeria has not been invited to send a delegation to the Royal Navy and British Army equipment exhibition taking place in Aldershot in September.

  Attack Helicopter
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money his Department has invested in the development and other costs of each of the three final contenders and their systems in the attack helicopter contest. [30870]

  Mr. Freeman
  The UK is participating with France and Germany in the development of the long range TRIGAT missile system offered with Tiger by BAe/Eurocopter: the UK's share of development costs to 31 May 1995 was £210 million, at 1995–96 prices. The UK also co-operated with France during the 1980s in the development of the RTM 322 engine which is offered as an option for the Westland Helicopters Apache; the UK's share of the development costs was about £21 million. It is likely that some other equipments offered by the attack helicopter bidders may be derived, in whole or in part, from earlier developments to which the Ministry of Defence has contributed; this is, however, unquantifiable.

  Memorandum of Understanding (Britain and Indonesia)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the provisions of the memorandum of understanding signed in November 1991 by the British and Indonesian Governments. [30802]

  Mr. Freeman
  Details of exchanges between Governments are confidential; and it has been the general policy of successive governments not to reveal them.

  Al-Yamamah Programmes
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) internal and (b) external audit functions his Department exercises (i) on its own behalf and (ii) on behalf of others in respect of contracts place under the Al-Yamamah programmes. [31279]

  Mr. Freeman
  All my Department's accounts are subject to the normal audit arrangements, the results of which are reported as appropriate. It is not the Government's practice to comment on detailed matters concerning individual defence export sales.

  International Military Services Ltd.
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) income and (b) offset of costs his Department derives from the administrative expenses of International Military Services Ltd. [31280]
  91
  Mr. Freeman
  None.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the businesses or subsidiaries disposed of by International Military Services Ltd. since July 1991. [31281]

  Mr. Freeman
  I understand that International Military Services Ltd. has not disposed of any businesses or subsidiaries since July 1991.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis he approved the appointment of the new chairman of International Military Services Ltd. in 1993. [31282]

  Mr. Freeman
  The chairman of International Military Services Ltd. is elected by the board of the company but board appointments are subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for Defence as the major shareholder.

  Official Dinners
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the guests, cost and purpose of the dinners his Department or its agencies held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in December 1993; and if he will indicate which Ministers were present. [31284]

  Mr. Soames
  Only one official dinner was held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea during December 1993. This was arranged for the Sultan of Brunei, who was on an official visit, at a total cost of £1,110.19. The following people attended:

  HOSTS

  Mr. Jeremy Hanley

  Minister of State for the Armed Forces

  General Sir Peter Inge

  Chief of the General Staff

  General Sir John Learmont

  Quatermaster General

  Lieutenant General Sir Peter Duffell

  Inspector General Doctrine and Training

  Lieutenant General Michael Rose

  Commander United Kingdom Field Army

  Major General Michael Walker

  Assistant Chief of the General Staff

  GUESTS

  His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam

  His Excellency Dato Haji Mohamad Kassin Bin Haji Mohamad

  Daud

  High Commissioner, Brunei Darussalam High Commission

  Mr. A. J. Sindall

  High Commissioner, Brunei

  Marshall of the Royal Air Force Sir Peter Harding

  Chief of the Defence Staff

  Air Chief Marshall Sir Michael Graydon

  Chief of the Air Staff

  General Sir Brian Kenny

  Governor, Royal Hospital Chelsea

  Lord Weinstock

  92

  Managing Director. General Electric Company

  Sir Dennis Thatcher

  Mr.Thorold Masefield

  Assistant Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Major General Robert Corbett

  General Officer Commanding London District

  Major General Jack Deverell

  Director General Army Manning and Recruiting

  Major General Mike Jackson

  Director General Personal Services (Army)

  Major General (retired) David Pank

  Chief Executive of Newbury Racecourse

  Mr. Christopher Hanbury

  Former Equerry to His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei

  Mr. Max Hastings

  The Editor Daily Telegraph

  Lieutentant Colonel Hamon Massey

  Commanding Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment

  Lieutentant Colonel Hj Brahim bin Jumahat

  Defence Adviser High Commission Brunei

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what agreement has been entered into for the export of livestock by air from the military airbase at Thurley, north of Bedford. [32030]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department has entered into no agreement for the export of livestock from Thurleigh airfield, nor have we been asked to enter into such an agreement.

  Orders
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department continues to consider contract bids from the defence companies Borletti, Gebruder Junghans, and AS Raufoss. [31770]

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: No. The position remains as stated by my predecessor on 26 November 1993 at column 239.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many public interest immunity certificates he has signed in each of the last three years. [31775]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 30 June 1995]: Since the answer to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 10 March 1994, Official Report, column 399, I have signed two public interest immunity certificates— one for each of two potential military witnesses for the prosecution in a criminal case. Both certificates set out the national security and personal safety grounds for screening the witnesses from the public. In the event, the witnesses were not called to give evidence and the certificates were not used.
  93

  Laser Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if it is Government policy to support a protocol to ban laser weapons or blinding as a method of warfare; and if he will make a statement; [31201]

  (2) what measures Her Majesty's Government are taking to persuade other countries to agree to a ban on laser weapons. [31202]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Government would be prepared to support the addition to the UN weaponry convention of a new protocol covering lasers, if it were to meet humanitarian concerns without restricting normal military uses of lasers. We are considering specific proposals.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the study by F. H. Cripps and A. Stimson at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment entitled "The Distribution of Uranium 235 and Plutonium 239 around the United States Airforce base at Greenham Common". [31072]

  Mr. Freeman
  The report is currently being retained under section 3(4) of the Public Records Acts 1958 and 1967. It will be reviewed at regular intervals until release into the custody of the Public Record Office becomes possible.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he has had with his United States counterpart in regard to his announcement on 18 June that the United States wishes to resume nuclear tests. [31123]

  Mr. Freeman
  It is for the United States Government to determine what is necessary to ensure the safe stewardship of their nuclear weapons.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the unclassified version of his departmental report evaluating the effectiveness of the Migrant Echo nuclear weapons accident exercise in April 1994; [31066]

  (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the scenario used by the Migrant Echo nuclear weapons emergency exercise held in Suffolk in April 1994; and if he will make a statement on the exercise. [31068]

  Mr. Howard
  I have been asked to reply.

  Exercise Migrant Echo was an exercise which was held on 14–15 April 1994, prior to Exercise Diver Mist, with the objective of testing the joint UK-US procedures for dealing with a terrorist threat to nuclear materials held on a RAF base in Suffolk.
  94
  A series of classified contingency plans exist for responding to a wide range of terrorist threats, including those which might involve the threatened or actual use of nuclear, chemical and biological materials. In the interests of national security and the protection of the public these are regularly reviewed, tested and updated in the light of changing circumstances.

  Peacekeeping Medals
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many United Kingdom personnel have been awarded UN peacekeeping medals in each year since 1965. [31509]

  Mr. Soames
  Information on the number of UN peacekeeping medals awarded to United Kingdom personnel is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by whom the decision to award a UN peacekeeping medal is taken. [31510]

  Mr. Soames
  Within the United Nations the decision to award a UN peacekeeping medal is established by the Secretary-General. The award of the medal is authorised by the Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations. In the United Kingdom, final approval for the acceptance of the medal by United Kingdom service men and women is granted by her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the chiefs of staff, the Secretary of State for Defence and the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many days service on a UN peacekeeping mission are necessary before qualifying for a United Nations peacekeeping medal(a) for each NATO country and (b) for the United Kingdom. [31506]

  Mr. Soames
  The qualifying period for a United Nations peacekeeping medal for service on a Nations peacekeeping mission for all NATO countries, including the United Kingdom, is 90 days' consecutive service.

  Mail Deliveries
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the efficiency of mail deliveries to and from service men based at Incerlik, Turkey; [30946]

  (2) What is the average time taken by mail each way between the United Kingdom and service men based at Incerlik, Turkey; and if he will take steps to improve the speed of delivery. [30947]

  Mr. Soames
  The average delivery time for mail between the United Kingdom and Incerlik should be seven days. Recently, however, mail has been taking longer than this and a review of mail operations has been conducted. A number of improved procedures and checks have been identified and where possible these will be implemented.

  Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: Security Assurances
  Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: Security Assurances
  Chechnya: Public Relations Initiative
  Chechnya: Public Relations Initiative
  Croatia: Public Relations Initiative
  Croatia: Public Relations Initiative
  Bosnian Moslems: Public Relations Initiative
  Bosnian Moslems: Public Relations Initiative
  Chinese State Orphanages: Alleged Abuses
  Chinese State Orphanages: Alleged Abuses
  The Gambia: Democratic Rule
  The Gambia: Democratic Rule
  Kenya: Human Rights
  Kenya: Human Rights
  Liberia: Peace Initiatives
  Liberia: Peace Initiatives
  Algeria: Political Unrest
  Algeria: Political Unrest
  Visual Arts Year 1996
  Visual Arts Year 1996
  Civil Service Recruitment Policy
  Civil Service Recruitment Policy
  Civil Defence Regulations
  Civil Defence Regulations
  Higher Education: Funding
  Higher Education: Funding
  Courts in London: Resource Allocation
  Courts in London: Resource Allocation
  Cones Hotline: Operating Costs
  Cones Hotline: Operating Costs
  Export Licence Applications
  Export Licence Applications