Written Answers of 9 June 1995

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of BSE there have been in cattle born after the introduction of the ruminant protein ban in July 1988, by year of birth. [28358]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  As at 9 June, the number of confirmed BSE cases in Great Britain born after 18 July 1988, by year of birth, is:

  Year of birth

  Number of confirmed BSE cases

  1988

  9,983

  1989

  7,858

  1990

  1,589

  1991

  116

  1992

  1

EMPLOYMENT

  New Earnings Survey
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the sample of employers responded to the 1994 new earnings survey in terms of(a) standard industrial classification and (b) region; and what proportion of former wages council industries responded. [27242]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The overall response rate for the 1994 new earnings survey was 94 per cent. Non-respondents cannot be analysed by industrial classification or region.

  Redundancy Payments
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what approaches have been made to the redundancy payments fund by AST group companies or AST plc for assistance with the funding of redundancy payments to(a) training instructors and (b) others; what assessment he has made of the reasons given for the approaches; and if he will make a statement. [27893]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  All such approaches are treated in confidence.

ENVIRONMENT

  Derelict Land Survey
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the results of the 1993 derelict land survey will be published. [28360]
  328
  Mr. Curry
  The 1993 derelict land survey has been published today and copies have been placed in the Library. The report shows that the total amount of derelict land in England was 39,600 hectares on 1 April 1993, an overall reduction on 2 per cent. from 1988. Nearly 10,000 hectares of derelict land were reclaimed between 1988 and 1993 of which some 5,000 hectares were reclaimed with funding from my Department.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Fire Officers
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to his answer of 8 March, column 217, if he will make a statement on the recommendations for regrading in respect of fire officers set out in the fire strategy for the Palace of Westminster and parliamentary outbuildings approved by the relevant Committees of both Houses in 1993.

  Mr. Beith
  [holding answer 7 June 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 30 March 1995, Official Report, columns 743–44. The grading of these posts is the responsibility of the Metropolitan police pay and grading review team. No recommendations for regrading were made in the fire strategy for the Palace of Westminster and parliamentary outbuildings.

TRANSPORT

  Night Flying
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what conclusions he has reached on the consultation on night flying restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted on the implications of the decision of the Court of Appeal to grant leave for a further judicial review; and if he will make a statement. [28327]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  I have today issued a supplement to the March 1995 consultation paper to meet points that have been made in the courts. I want to put my proposals in the clearest possible light. There was absolutely no intention to mislead.

  The supplementary consultation paper is being sent to all those to whom we sent the March 1995 consultation paper, and to all those who responded. A copy has been placed in the Library. Comments are invited by 11 July. The proposals remain unchanged.

  Rail Accident, Cowden
  Mr. Wolfson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will now publish the Health and Safety Executive inspector's report on the collision near Cowden, Kent on 15 October 1994. [26750]

  Mr. Watts
  The inspector's report into the rail accident at Cowden, Kent has been published today. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  The inspector is making his report in two parts. The first part, which is published today, addresses the adequacy of the safety mechanisms and procedures on the line and has been called for in advance of the coroner's

  329
  inquest in order to avoid delaying publication of the conclusions that are not dependent on the outcome of the inquest. The second part will address the question of who was driving the train at the time and will take account of the additional forensic evidence to be given at the inquest. This will be published by HSE after the conclusion of the inquest.

  British Rail and Railtrack will consider all the recommendations carefully.

  Bull Bars
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will examine the safety consequences of altering the design centre of gravity of vehicles resulting from the addition of bull bars. [27585]

  Mr. Norris
  The weight of a bull bar is unlikely to have any significant effect on the stability or braking capabilities of a vehicle.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he gives to members of the public contemplating buying bull bars. [27586]

  Mr. Norris
  Information about the injury risk that bull bars may present is given in the Department's booklet "Choosing Safety". This contains a recommendation that people should think twice before buying a bull bar and should consider removing one already fitted.

  Passenger and Freight Regulations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to expand the responsibility and liability for the carriage of goods and passengers to(a) freight forwarders and (b) similar companies. [27662]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure that goods and passengers are being carried legally on roadworthy vehicles and that drivers' hours regulations are being complied with; and if he will make a statement. [27663]

  Mr. Norris
  Vehicle roadworthiness and compliance with drivers' hours regulations are already regularly enforced by the Vehicle Inspectorate both at the roadside and at operators' premises.

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations led the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to require more information on an application to renew the driving licence of a person with epilepsy than for the original issue of the licence. [27774]

  Mr. Norris
  Provided a full declaration of the condition was made at the first application and there have been no changes since, no additional information is required of the applicant at renewal.

  Road Accidents (Children)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many children were(a) killed and (b) injured in road traffic accidents in each of the last 10 years; and how many were so killed or injured while travelling to school. [27864]
  330
  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Children (aged 0–16) killed and injured in road accidents in Great Britain: 1984–93

  Total casualties

  Of which travelling to or from school

  Accident Year

  Killed

  Injured

  Killed

  Injured

  1984

  710

  64,000

  68

  11,433

  1985

  605

  58,965

  74

  10,467

  1986

  552

  56,201

  81

  10,249

  1987

  552

  54,308

  69

  9,392

  1988

  545

  54,655

  57

  8,948

  1989

  531

  56,769

  49

  9,139

  1990

  511

  56,776

  44

  9,121

  1991

  452

  50,491

  44

  8,020

  1992

  378

  49,880

  42

  8,235

  1993

  345

  47,513

  27

  7,830

SCOTLAND

  Parental Leave
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what maternity and paternity entitlements are available to employees within his Department. [27281]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 8 June 1995]: Entitlements are set out in chapters 3.1 and 5 of the civil service management code and are publicised through the departmental staff handbook. All staff eligible in terms of the code are entitled to three months and one week paid maternity leave as part of a total entitlement to 52 weeks paid and unpaid leave. Permanent staff are entitled to two days paid paternity leave while discretion is exercised for temporary and casual staff according to circumstances. In general, they are given the same benefits as permanent staff.

HEALTH

  Dental Services
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 5 April to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Forman),Official Report, columns 1213–15, (1) which of the reforms outlined will address levels of oral health in areas of social deprivation; [27333]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the findings of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's review of dental remuneration, paragraphs 5.3 and 6.6, on the effect of the remuneration system on dental practitioners serving comparatively poor patients in a comparatively rich region, with particular reference to inner London; [27335]

  (3) what further progress she has made in respect of the findings of the fourth report of the Health Committee of Session 1992–93—HC264—on dental services, in paragraphs 25, 45 and 145, on geographical and social class inequities in oral health; [27334]

  (4) what plans she has to accept the recommendations of the Bloomfield review and fourth report of the Health Committee of Session 1992–93 on dental services on funding and dentistry should be through locally sensitive channels; and whether the amounts given to each locality will be weighted with respect to social deprivation. [27336]
  331
  Mr. Malone
  The package of reforms to dental services I announced on 5 April restate the Government's long-term aim of introducing a pilot system of local purchasing for dentistry when legislative time allows. Under local purchasing, health authorities will be able to assess the needs of the local population and tailor provision of dental care accordingly.

  Pilot schemes will look at appropriate channels for the allocation of funding, and social deprivation will be among the issues to be considered. In the interim, the reforms we intend to make to the capitation system for children will target resources on children with poor oral health. This change will be of particular assistance to dentists practising in areas of social deprivation.

  Blood Transfusion Centres
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations she has received regarding(a) proposals of the London and south-east blood authority administration zone to retain the Brentwood blood transfusion centre and close Cambridge blood transfusion centre and (b) the proposed resignation of the director of the London and south-east blood authority over disagreements with the National Blood Authority chief executive; [27266]

  (2) whether new proposals for the rationalisation of the National Blood Authority, including the merger of the Brentwood and Cambridge blood transfusion centres, will be the subject of national consultation; [27267]

  (3) what representations she has received from the chief executive of the National Blood Authority regarding (a) the sale of the Brentwood blood transfusion centre and (b) the merger of the Brentwood and Cambridge blood transfusion centres. [27265]

  Mr. Sackville
  The revised proposals of the National Blood Authority, following extensive consultation, have yet to be received. These are expected shortly. Matters concerning the internal management of the national blood service are a matter for the authority.

  Blood Stocks
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total level of blood stocks on 24,25,26 and 27 May. [27264]

  Mr. Sackville
  According to figures provided by the National Blood Authority, the total levels of blood stocks held at transfusion centres were:

  24 May: 18,252 units

  25 May: 17,881 units

  26 May: 16,167 units

  30 May: 18,782 units

  Information for 27 May, 28 May and 29 May is not available as data are not collected on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

  Emergency Ambulance Calls
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the reasons for the increase in 999 emergency ambulance calls in recent years. [27388]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has made no formal assessment, but continues to monitor levels of demand.

  NHS Hospital Private Wards
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many dedicated private wards have opened in NHS hospital trusts in the past year; [27420]

  (2) how many dedicated private wards there are in NHS hospital trusts. [27423]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not collected centrally. Some relevant information is published annually in Laing's review of private health care, copies of which are available in the Library.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has in respect of non-executive NHS trust board members who hold a private medical insurance policy; and if she will make a statement. [27419]

  Mr. Malone
  None. Non-executive members of national health service boards are not asked to provide information on their private insurance arrangements.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to reduce the number of community health councils by a process of amalgamation. [27861]

  Mr. Malone
  There are no plans to reduce the number of community health councils.

  Existing regulations state that it is the responsibility of regional health authorities to determine the number of established community health councils. In this respect, the region's priority is to ensure that CHCs are able to reflect the views of the communities they serve. In considering any changes to CHC boundaries, the first consideration must be to ensure that the CHC best serves local interests.

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to her answer of 6 February,Official Report, column 27, if she will provide figures for 1994–95 on the number of accident and emergency departments; [27534]

  (2)pursuant to her answer of 23 February, Official Report, column 325, if she will provide regional information on accident and emergency departments for 1994–95. [27531]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information about accident and emergency services in 1994–95 will be available in the autumn.

  Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Bill
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the dates when consultations took place between her Department and the Royal College of Psychiatrists prior to the publication of the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Bill. [27406]

  Mr. Bowis
  The college gave written and oral evidence to the Department's review of legal powers on the care of mentally ill people in the community. It was one of the bodies invited to comment on the report of the review which was published in August 1993, and responded on 27 October 1993. Officials have had regular meetings with the college since then.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates she has made of the number of people who will be subject to a supervised discharge order
  333
  under the proposals of the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Bill. [27408]

  Mr. Bowls
  A survey commissioned by the Department in 1993 suggested that at any one time there might be about 3,000 patients in England who would be considered suitable for a provision of this kind.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of whether any of the new powers proposed in the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Bill are inconsistent with the European convention on human rights; and if she will make a statement. [27411]

  Mr. Bowis
  The provisions of the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Bill take full account of advice to us on the effect of the European convention on human rights in this area and we are satisfied that they are entirely consistent with the convention.

  Medium Secure Unit Beds
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many regional medium secure unit beds per head of population, nationally and for each regional authority, there were in each year since 1989; [27407]

  (2)how many regional medium secure unit beds per head of population there were in each London district health authority in each year since 1989. [27410]

  NHS expenditure on mental illness for England

  Mental illness expenditure cash prices £ million

  Mental illness expenditure 1993–94 prices £ million

  Mental illness as a proportion of total hospital and community health services expenditure Percentage

  1978–79

  489.8

  1,403.1

  11.12

  1979–80

  592.8

  1,455.1

  11.16

  1980–81

  774.5

  1,606.7

  11.31

  1981–82

  860.0

  1,626.8

  11.34

  1982–83

  916.0

  1,617.5

  11.33

  1983–84

  965.1

  1,628.7

  11.27

  1984–85

  1,028.6

  1,652.8

  11.35

  1985–86

  1,077.3

  1,641.2

  11.31

  1986–87

  1,149.2

  1,699.4

  11.24

  1987–88

  1,302.2

  1,828.4

  11.65

  1988–89

  1,556.5

  2,048.4

  12.50

  1989–90

  1,661.7

  2,044.1

  12.34

  1990–91

  1,785.1

  2,033.1

  12.07

  1991–92

  2,185.3

  2,341.8

  11.58

  1992–93

  2,350.3

  2,422.2

  11.56

  Provisional

  1993–94

  2,321.6

  2,321.6

  10.87

  Since 1991–92, changes in material accounting practices—for example, the introduction of capital charges— mean that later figures are not comparable with the earlier ones. On the new basis, the figures since 1991–92 are shown in the table.

  Notes:

  1. The figures for 1993–94 are provisional and subject to revision. As such, they are not comparable with the earlier, final figures.

  2. The GDP deflator was used to calculate the 1993–94 prices.

  3. The mental illness expenditure is made up of the following:

  (a) in-patient and out-patient expenditure; the consultant specialties of mental illness child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, psychotherapy and old age psychiatry;

  (b) day patient expenditure; in the categories, mental illness—alcoholism, drug abuse, psychogeriatrics and general—child and adolescent psychiatry and forensic psychiatry;

  (c) community nursing expenditure.

  334
  Mr. Bowls
  Information will be placed in the Library showing the number of purpose-built secure places funded from the central capital programme in each region and the ratio to the region's population. Medium secure units are not always used exclusively by patients from the region in which the unit is located. Information is not available for individual districts.

  There are also about 450 places nationally in interim secure psychiatric units, many of which are of medium secure standard, and others which are funded by health authorities in independent sector facilities. Information on these places by region and district over the period since 1989 is not available centrally.

  There were no purpose-built national health service medium secure places in 1979, despite the fact that the Glancy committee had recommended them in its 1974 report.

  Mental Health Expenditure
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much in real terms was spent on NHS mental health services, in total and as a proportion of overall NHS expenditure in each year since 1978. [27409]

  Mr. Bowls
  Information in the form requested is not available. National health service expenditure on mental health services from 1978–79 to 1990–91 is shown in the table.

  Schizophrenics
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people diagnosed as schizophrenic have had access to a community psychiatric nurse in each regional health authority in each of the last five years. [27412]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Nursing Staff
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department issues guidelines for NHS trusts concerning recommended maximum turnover rates of nursing staff. [27413]

  Mr. Sackville
  No. Decisions concerning staffing, including maximum turnover rates, are a matter for local determination.

  Psychiatric Beds
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general psychiatric beds per head of population there have been in London, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne in each year since 1989. [27416]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Dulwich (Ms Jowell) on 28 April,Official Report, column 718.

  Community Psychiatric Nurses
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community psychiatric nurses there were in total and per capita in each regional health authority in each of the last five years. [27417]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information available about nurses working in psychiatric areas in the community who are employed by the national health service will be placed in the Library.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 18 April regarding health workers' pay, reference H6/4593/44. [27438]

  Mr. Malone
  I replied on 8 June.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the total amount spent on NHS staff wages and salaries, per profession, for the last year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [26739]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 7 June 1995]: Provisional information on 1993–94 national health service staff salary costs for health care professions is shown in the table. Final figures will be published in the October 1995 edition of "Health and Personal Social Services Statistics".
  336

  Provisional expenditure on salaries and wages by profession by health authorities and NHS trusts in England 1993–94

  Expenditure £000s

  Medical

  2,166,152

  Dental

  74,969

  Nurses and midwives

  6,134,014

  Professions allied to medicine

  700,936

  Professional and scientific

  242,854

  Professional and technical

  666,225

  Source:

  1. The annual financial returns of district and regional authorities and the special health authorities of the London postgraduate hospitals. The annual financial returns of NHS trusts.

  Notes:

  1. Salaries and wages costs incurred by family health services authorities are excluded as corresponding costs are not identified on the same basis.

  2. Salary costs are the gross pay costs of directly employed staff including employers' national insurance and superannuation contributions.

  3. Project 2000 nurse costs and the costs of employing agency nurses are excluded.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS prescriptions for the treatment of epilepsy were dispensed in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many of those prescriptions were for products that were licensed(a) within the last five years, (b) more than 10 years ago and (c) more than 20 years ago. [22840]

  Mr. Malone
  [pursuant to his reply, 17 May 1995, c.282]: I regret that the information in one of the tables was given in error.

  A corrected copy has now been placed in the Library.

DEFENCE

  Defence Research Agency
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the decision was taken to introduce a new accounting system into to the Defence Research Agency; who took the decision; which company was awarded the contract; and what is its value. [27548]

  Mr. Freeman
  Introducing a commercial accounting system was an integral part of setting up the Defence Research Agency as a next steps agency in April 1991, and is a particular Government requirement for creating a trading fund which the DRA became two years later. The original decision to commission work on the system was taken in 1989 by the Ministry of Defence and the investment appraisal for the system approved in 1990. A number of companies have assisted with the work with the principle systems implementation contract, worth —7 million between 1990 and 1994, being awarded to Coopers and Lybrand.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is the current chief executive of the Defence Research Agency; when he was appointed; and who was his previous employer. [27549]
  337
  Mr. Freeman
  The Defence Research Agency was formally incorporated into the enlarged Defence Evaluation and Research Agency on 1 April 1995. John Chisholm, who was appointed chief executive of the DRA on 15 July 1991, was invited by the Secretary of State for Defence to be chief executive of DERA. Previously, Mr. Chisholm had been United Kingdom managing director of SEMA group plc.

  Bosnia
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates in the last 12 months the rules of engagement for British troops serving in Bosnia have been changed. [27695]

  Mr. Soames
  The rules of engagement for British troops in Bosnia are reviewed as required, to ensure that personnel can take appropriate action in self-defence. For operational reasons, however, it would not be appropriate to go into detail.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify(a) the total number of United Kingdom troops who will be deployed to Bosnia following recent discussions with European allies, (b) the command structure under which they will operate and (c) the numbers and type of military equipment being sent to Bosnia. [27697]

  Mr. Soames
  Some 1,000 additional British troops are currently deploying to Bosnia as part of a reinforcement package. The main elements are 19 Field Regiment, equipped with 105 mm light guns, 31 Armoured Engineer Squadron and elements of 21 Engineer Regiment, with road maintenance, mine clearance and bridge building equipment, and two Lynx helicopters equipped with tube-launched optically steered wire guided—TOW—anti-tank missiles. In addition, 24 Airmobile Brigade, which is over 5,000 strong, has been offered to the UN as part of the rapid reaction force, and discussions are continuing about its deployment. Its equipment includes Lynx, Gazelle, Chinook and Puma helicopters, TOW and Milan anti-tank and Javelin surface-to-air missile systems, together with 8 mm mortars and 105 mm light guns. I do not propose to give details of equipment numbers for operational reasons. British reinforcements will be part of UN forces in Bosnia and will come under UN command.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify the operational tasks and mission goals of the additional British troops being deployed to Bosnia. [27699]

  Mr. Soames
  The British reinforcements will enhance the effectiveness and the protection of the United Nations protection force and will operate under the existing humanitarian and peacekeeping mandate.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what equipment his American counterpart has offered to the rapid reaction force in Bosnia. [27778]

  Mr. Soames
  The US has indicated that it is prepared to offer attack helicopters, radars, communications equipment and night vision devices, together with strategic air lift assets to help with the deployment of allies' heavy equipment.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the proposed rapid reaction force deployment to Bosnia; and who is financially responsible for the deployment. [27696]
  338
  Mr. Soames
  The proposed rapid reaction force consists of three separate tranches, two of which have deployed. The precise duration of the deployment has yet to be decided, but on an annual basis the additional cost would be of the order of £271,000,000. In accordance with established interdepartmental arrangements, the costs of the first two tranches—about £ 26,000, 000—will be met by the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices which will seek reimbursement from the UN. Discussions on who would have financial liability for the proposed third tranche are still continuing.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify the international troop contributions to the rapid reaction force deployments in Bosnia. [27698]

  Mr. Soames
  The French have indicated that they will make 1,500 troops available and have placed another 4,000 on standby. Other offers include a Dutch mortar company and mortar locating group of some 170 personnel; a 70-strong Canadian support weapon unit; a Spanish mortar element of some 35 personnel; and a 20-strong New Zealand group which includes a mortar section, together with medical and logistic support personnel.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if British troops are still operating under conditions of wider peacekeeping in Bosnia. [27700]

  Mr. Soames
  British troops in Bosnia continue to operate under UNPROFOR's humanitarian and peacekeeping mandate.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which military hospitals in Britain United Kingdom soldiers injured in Bosnia will be taken. [27779]

  Mr. Soames
  On arrival in the UK, service casualties from Bosnia will normally be taken initially to the Princess Alexandra RAF hospital, Wroughton, before onward transfer to an appropriate service hospital or specialist NHS unit. However, where the patients' medical conditions dictate, casualties may be taken direct to an NHS specialist unit. The nature of the injury and the location of the family will determine to which other hospital a casualty is transferred for further treatment.

TREASURY

  Maternity and Paternity Leave
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what maternity and paternity entitlements are available to employees within his Department. [27277]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 8 June 1995]: Women, both full and part time, who have been in paid service with the Treasury for at least one year and who are not employed on a casual, standby or short notice appointment, nor employed on a fixed-term appointment of less than two years, are entitled to three months and one week paid maternity leave, including statutory maternity pay, on the proviso that they plan to resume duty. An additional period of up to 39 weeks' unpaid leave is also available, giving a combined total of up to 52 weeks paid and unpaid maternity leave. Staff who qualify for maternity leave as described have a right of return to work.
  339
  Although not an entitlement, staff may also be eligible to take a career break of up to five years in addition to maternity leave.

  Reasonable time off is allowed for antenatal care, which is paid at the normal rate of pay.

  Fathers are entitled to two days' paid paternity leave, which can be made available either at the time of the birth or in the weeks following the birth if this is more convenient to the family.

  Extra-statutory Payments
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 6 June,Official Report, column 91, what form of notification is made and authorisation sought from his Department by spending Departments before extra-statutory payments are made. [27820]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Arrangements for the authorisation of extra-statutory payments and for notification vary between Departments and agencies. In common with other forms of special payment, the Treasury may agree specific delegation levels with Departments for extra-statutory payments. The rules on the notation of special payments in appropriation accounts are set out in paragraph 12.6.18 of "Government Accounting".

  Economic Statistics
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what has been the average annual rate of export growth in real terms for each of the EC and Group of Seven countries over the period 1979 to 1993; [25199]

  (2) what was the average ratio over the period 1979 to 1993 in current prices of investment to gross domestic product for each EC and G7 country; [25201]

  (3) what was the average ratio over the period 1979 to 1993 in current prices of imports to gross domestic product for each EC and G7 country; [25200]

  (4) what has been the average annual rate of growth in real terms of gross domestic product for each of the EC and G7 countries over the period 1979 to 1993. [25202]

  Mr. Nelson
  G7 and EC growth, investment, export and import data can be found in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development publication "National Accounts 1960–1993", volume 1.

  The average annual GDP growth, export growth, investment to GDP ratio and imports to GDP ratio for the G7 and EC countries from 1979 to 1993 are given in the tables. The selective period chosen by the hon. Gentleman extends between different points in economic cycles, particularly in the case of the UK, and therefore renders comparisons less meaningful.

  Annual average export volume growth 1979–1993 (Percentage)

  Average annual GDP growth 1979–1993 (Percentage)

  G7

  US

  5.4

  2.3

  Canada

  5.4

  2.2

  Japan

  5.9

  3.6

  France

  3.7

  1.8

  Italy

  3.6

  2.0

  340

  Annual average export volume growth 1979–1993 (Percentage)

  Average annual GDP growth 1979–1993 (Percentage)

  UK

  2.9

  1.7

  W. Germany

  5.0

  2.0

  Rest of EC

  Austria

  2.1

  4.5

  Belgium

  1.8

  4.0

  Denmark

  1.7

  4.5

  Finland

  1.6

  3.5

  Greece

  1.4

  5.5

  Ireland

  3.7

  8.5

  Luxembourg

  3.0

  3.7

  Netherlands

  1.8

  3.9

  Portugal

  2.6

  5.9

  Spain

  2.4

  5.9

  Sweden

  1.2

  3.4

  Investment to GDP average ratio 1979–93

  Imports to GDP average ratio 1979–1993

  G7

  US

  18.3

  10.8

  Canada

  21.1

  25.9

  Japan

  29.9

  10.4

  France

  20.7

  22.1

  Italy

  20.8

  21.4

  UK

  17.4

  26.3

  W. Germany

  20.9

  26.3

  Rest of EC

  Austria

  24.0

  37.7

  Belgium

  18.0

  69.2

  Denmark

  17.6

  32.2

  Finland

  18.0

  27.7

  Greece

  19.9

  30.8

  Ireland

  20.4

  55.1

  Luxembourg

  22.2

  90.4

  Netherlands

  20.3

  49.9

  Portugal

  28.4

  37.1

  Spain

  21.5

  19.7

  Sweden

  19.0

  30.6

  Works of Art
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many owners hold works of art granted exemption from inheritance tax where viewing of the object is by appointment only. [26724]

  Sir George Young
  Seven hundred and four owners of chattels which have been granted conditional exemption from inheritance tax or capital transfer tax have undertaken to satisfy the public access requirement by entry on the register of conditionally exempt works of art. These owners are required to make the chattels available for viewing by members of the public, by appointment. Works of art and other objects on the register may also, unless this cannot be done without physical risk to the object, be borrowed by curators or directors of public collections.
  341

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fire Brigades
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had from(a) the Fire Brigades Union, (b) local authorities and(c) others in relation to the proposed reduction in the number of fire brigades in Wales. [27892]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The decision to create three brigades in Wales in place of the existing eight was announced in the White Paper "Local Government in Wales: A Charter for the Future" in March 1993. The areas to be included in each brigade were announced in December 1993. Since then my right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of representation from local authority interests and others about the brigade structure in Wales. The Fire Brigades Union has made representations through its membership of the local government review sub-committee of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council.

  Mentally Ill Prisoners
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new proposals he has to improve the care of the mentally ill in prison(a) before sentence and (b) after sentence. [27588]

  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 A. J. Butler to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 9 June 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about what new proposals we have to improve the care of the mentally ill in prison (a) before sentence and (b) after sentence.
  The Prison Service will continue to seek to transfer to psychiatric hospitals those mentally disordered prisoners who meet the criteria laid down in the Mental Health Act 1983. Performance in this respect has greatly improved in recent years but some needs are still not being met.
  The Department of Health will spend over £47 million between 1991 and 1995 to increase the number of medium secure beds from the 1993 figure of 653 to nearly 1200 by 1996. In addition, health authorities are developing further secure psychiatric places.
  The Department of Health and the Prison Service have commissioned a study of the transfer process to identify actions that could make this operate more smoothly. A sub committee of the independent Health Advisory Committee to the Prison Service is also looking into the problems which may occur during the assessment and transfer process. It will then examine the arrangements for mentally disordered prisoners' aftercare. We shall consider very carefully any recommendations arising from these studies.
  The Prison Service is also improving the quality of care and treatment for those mentally disordered offenders who remain in prison custody. The largest group of mentally disordered prisoners, who may not meet the Mental Health Act criteria for transfer to hospital, are those suffering from personality disorder. The principal recommendation of a Task Force, set up to determine the strategy for treating such prisoners, was that a second therapeutic prison, along the lines of Grendon, should be established. We are now giving high priority to the implementation of that recommendation.
  We are also pursuing a range of other initiatives to improve the quality of treatment offered to prisoners suffering from mental disorders. For example, we plan to extend the "contracting in" of psychiatric services beyond the Durham and Bristol clusters of establishments to others. We shall develop and publish a new Healthcare Standard for the provision of forensic psychiatric
  342
  services and for throughcare in mental health. We will also be auditing the implementation of Healthcare Standard 2 (Mental Health Services in local prisons and remand centres) at each establishment.

  Prisoners' (Incentives and Privileges)
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the proposed national framework for incentives and earned privileges for prisoners. [28437]

  Mr. Howard
  A national framework for incentives and earned privileges for prisoners will be introduced across the prison system in England and Wales during 1995. It will ensure that prisoners earn privileges by responsible behaviour and participation in hard work and other constructive activity. More than 30 prisons will be implementing approved incentives and earned privileges schemes from July 1995. Amendments to prison and young offender institution rules will need to be in force from July and will be laid before Parliament later this month.

  The national framework will include the following elements:

  (a) a clear set of national aims for incentives and earned privileges;

  (b) a list of key earnable privileges and instructions on their use, where they are provided at all;

  (c) instructions on the arrangements for the earning and losing of rewards. These will cover defining and measuring behaviour, decision making, appeals and administrative powers to remove privileges where prisoners do not meet the specified criteria for earning them. Governors will continue to have the disciplinary powers of forfeiture of privileges, recently increased from 28 to 42 days for specific offences; and

  (d) a system of effective monitoring and auditing.

  There will be four key earnable privileges which, where provided at all, prisoners will have to earn within national instructions. These benefits, which will form the basis of three broad privilege levels to which prisoners will be allocated, are:

  (a)access to private cash above set minima;

  (b)extra or improved visits;

  (c)eligibility to participate in enhanced earning schemes; and

  (d)earned community visits—previously town visits—but only for category D prisoners and female prisoners and young offenders suitable for outside activities.

  There will also be two key earnable privileges which will normally operate when all prisoners in a particular part of a prison have the same level of privilege. They are:

  (e)own clothes. But women and the unconvicted will continue to have the option of wearing their own clothes; and

  (f)time out of cell for association.

  Changes in policy on private cash will be introduced in parallel to, and as part of, the phased introduction of the earned privileges policy. Prisoners will be able to spend their earnings but will be limited in the amounts they can spend from private cash according to their performance under incentives and earned privileges schemes.

  Convicted prisoners will have their access to private cash capped at the rate of £2.50, £10 or £15 per week for the basic, standard and enhanced privilege levels respectively. Unconvicted prisoners will be able to spend more—£15 on basic and £30 on standard and enhanced levels—reflecting their unconvicted status. Exceptions will be made to meet a range of special circumstances

  343
  such as those arising from legal proceedings; spending on telephone cards for foreign nationals; and clothing in establishments where prisoners wear their own and to meet the needs of mothers and babies. But, overall, the new arrangements will reduce prisoners' general purchasing power where this has been excessive in the past.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which United Kingdom companies are involved in the consortium to be funded by a European Union loan to close the Chernobyl nuclear plant and provide a replacement gas-fired power plant. [27895]

  Mr. Eggar
  No European Union loan has been offered to Ukraine for the construction of a gas-fired power plant to replace Chernobyl. I understand that a consortium led by Asea Brown Boveri, the international electrical engineering company, has made a proposal to the Ukrainian Government to build such a plant. I am not aware that any UK companies are involved in this consortium.

  Disqualified Directors
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of directors disqualified as a result of action taken by the Newcastle upon Tyne official receiver office in each of the last five years. [27542]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The numbers of directors disqualified under section 6 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 as a result of action taken by the official receiver, Newcastle upon Tyne office in each of the last five years were as follows:

  Financial year

  Number of cases

  Number of respondents

  Number of years (total)

  1990–91

  7

  10

  75

  1991–92

  8

  12

  73

  1992–93

  10

  15

  77

  1993–94

  8

  13

  64

  1994–95

  15

  23

  120

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to take a decision on the size and location of the Insolvency Service as a result of the contracting-out process; what is the proposed contracting-out timetable for the functions of the official receiver; and when he expects to publish the draft contract specifications. [27544]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The final decision as to whether contracting out will proceed will be taken following receipt of formal bids in mid-November. Any contracts will be awarded by the end of December and will be fully operational by 1 April 1996. Decisions in relation to the size and location of the Insolvency Service will be made in the light of conclusions on contracting out.

  The draft contract specification will be made available to selected potential bidders on 15 June 1995.
  344
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the views of the official receiver on the draft specifications for the privatisation of the Insolvency Service. [27546]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  There are no plans to publish the views of the official receivers on the draft specification. Their views have been sought and taken into account by the consultants, Shreeveport Management Consulting, in preparing the specification which will be issued to selected potential bidders.

  Official Receiver's Office, Newcastle
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many(a) permanent and (b) casual staff have been employed at the Newcastle upon Tyne office of the official receiver in each of the last five years. [27543]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Staff numbers have varied during the course of the years, but the maximum numbers of staff employed at the official receiver, Newcastle upon Tyne office in each of the last five years were as follows:

  Financial year

  Permanent

  Casual

  1990–91

  35

  1

  1991–92

  32

  2

  1992–93

  33

  6

  1993–94

  33

  15

  1994–95

  34

  11

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to(a) close or (b) relocate the official receiver's office in Newcastle upon Tyne. [27545]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Any plans in relation to the official receiver's office in Newcastle upon Tyne will be made in the light of decisions on contracting out.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the president of the Board of Trade how many(a) bankruptcy orders (b) winding up orders have been dealt with by the Newcastle upon Tyne official receiver's office in each of the last five years. [27547]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The total numbers of bankruptcy orders and winding up orders dealt with by the official receiver, Newcastle upon Tyne office in each of the last five years were as follows:

  Financial year

  Bankruptcy

  Winding up

  1990–91

  309

  126

  1991–92

  441

  157

  1992–93

  572

  153

  1993–94

  528

  131

  1994–95

  395

  104

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the minutes of the meeting which recently took place between him and the Chief Minister of Gibraltar are to be published. [26913]

  Mr. David Davis
  There are no plans to publish any minutes of the meeting.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Salaries
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his current annual salary; and what is the salary of the Lord Chancellor. [27667]

  The Prime Minister
  In relation to my ministerial salary, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Ministerial and Other Salaries Order 1994, SI 1994/3206, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library. In addition, I have a reduced parliamentary salary entitlement of £24,985. The Lord Chancellor's salary entitlement is currently £126,138.

  Inland Revenue Training Centre
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the purpose of his visit to the Inland Revenue training centre, Lincoln on 1 June; what facilities he used; and if he will make a statement. [27587]

  The Prime Minister
  I have never visited the Inland Revenue training centre at Lincoln.

  Wild Mammals (Protection) Bill
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 25 May,Official Report, column 681, to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Chidgey), how many (a) letters and (b) cards he has received regarding parliamentary time for the Wild Mammals (Protection) Bill. [27759]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Eastleigh, on 25 May,Official Report, column 681.

  Honours
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) in each year year since 1990, how many people who were approached said that they would not accept a knighthood or the title Dame if one were offered; [27692]

  (2) in each since 1990, how many people who were approached said that they would not accept a peerage if one were offered. [27693]

  The Prime Minister
  It is not the practice to reveal this information.

  Responses to Policy Changes
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister if, as part of his policy of open government, he will require all Ministers, when requesting observations on proposed changes of policy indicated in consultation or similar papers, to ask those responding whether or not they agree to their responses being made public. [27877]

  The Prime Minister
  It is normal practice for consultation documents to include a statement that responses received may be made public unless respondents request that their comments be treated as confidential.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Grafton Recruitment
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 23 May,Official Report, column 534, if he will give details of the two licences issued to Grafton Recruitment. [26578]

  Mr. Moss
  Under the provisions of the Nursing Homes and Nursing Agencies Act (Northern Ireland) 1971, anyone carrying on a nursing agency on any premises must hold a licence issued by the Department. Two such licences have been issued to Grafton Recruitment. These authorise Dr. Mary Paula Jane King Kilbane and Mr. Kenneth John Thomas Belshaw to carry on a nursing agency at premises in Belfast and Londonderry. The licences are valid up to and including 31 December 1995 and are renewable.

  In issuing or renewing licences, the Department has to be satisfied that the conditions laid down in the Act and the Nursing Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986 are being complied with.

  Staff of the Northern Ireland health and personal social services are required to make a declaration of interests either on starting employment or on acquisition of the interest(s), whichever is appropriate. Dr. Kilbane's interest in Grafton Recruitment had been fully disclosed to her employer, the Eastern health and social services board, before she took up her appointment as chief executive on 1 April 1995.

  Information on the use made of nursing agencies is not held centrally. However, in order to clarify Grafton Recruitment's involvement with the health and personal social services, employers have now been asked to supply details of any contracts placed with that organisation. I shall convey the results of this to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Healthy Eating
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list his Department's projects aimed at promoting healthy eating, indicating the cost of each project to his Department. [26301]

  Mr. Moss
  Projects aimed at promoting healthy eating are carried out by a variety of health and other organisations in Northern Ireland and details of all such projects are not held centrally. Regional projects undertaken by the Northern Ireland Health Promotion Agency and associated costs in 1994–95 are as follows:

  £

  Food and Nutrition Strategy

  7,177

  Handbook on Nutrition

  747

  Healthy Eating Circle

  54,317

  Healthy Eating Campaign

  56,390

  Nutrition Education

  14,837

  National Food Selection Guide

  359

  School Nutrition Action Group

  2,854

  No Sweets at Checkouts

  155

  General Information

  877

  General Research

  2,862

  Total

  140,575

  347

  Local Government Employees
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the public service offices other than local government offices and the number of persons employed in such offices in

  Office

  January 1992

  January 1993

  January 1994

  January 1995

  Department Finance and Personnel

  Northern Bank Chambers, Townhall street, Enniskillen

  12

  12

  12

  11

  County buildings, East Bridge street, Enniskillen

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Department Agriculture

  Riversdale, Ballinamallard

  66

  66

  62

  57

  Inishkeen house, Enniskillen

  76

  74

  79

  75

  Drumbane, Kesh

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Gola road, Lisnaskea

  4

  4

  5

  5

  Enniskillen College of Agriculture

  41

  40

  36

  34

  Lisnaskea Forest

  8

  9

  8

  10

  Castlecaldwell Forest

  7

  7

  8

  11

  Lough Navar Forest

  10

  9

  11

  9

  Florencecourt Forest

  14

  13

  14

  13

  Kesh Forest

  8

  7

  7

  7

  Department Economic Development

  Training and Employment Agency, Enniskillen

  19

  21

  19

  18

  Enniskillen Training Centre

  33

  32

  27

  23

  Trading Standards Branch, Enniskillen

  2

  2

  2

  2

  YTP/JTP Office, Enniskillen

  9

  —

  —

  —

  Department Health and Social Services

  Enniskillen Social Security Office

  101

  94

  94

  92

  Department Environment

  Castle barracks, Enniskillen1

  38

  38

  37

  32

  Castlearchdale Country Park1

  3

  4

  3

  3

  County buildings, Enniskillen1

  70

  66

  63

  26

  Chanterhill road, Enniskillen1

  10

  9

  9

  9

  Silverhill Plant Depot, Enniskillen1

  8

  5

  5

  5

  Killyhevlin Industrial Estate, Enniskillen1

  —

  —

  —

  32

  Environment Service, Castlearchdale Country Park

  7

  6

  6

  5

  Roads Service, Castle barracks, Enniskillen

  119

  105

  98

  85

  Water Executive, Clogher Sub-depot

  10

  8

  8

  8

  Water Executive, Erne house, Enniskillen

  72

  72

  67

  65

  1 Figures apply to non-industrial staff in months of April.

  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the public service offices other than local government offices and the number of persons employed in such offices in Omagh

  Office

  January 1992

  January 1993

  January 1994

  January 1995

  Department Finance and Personnel

  Ulster Bank Chambers, High street, Omagh

  15

  15

  13

  13

  County Hall, Mountjoy road, Omagh

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Department Agriculture

  Watercourse Management, Gortin road, Omagh

  87

  86

  81

  77

  Veterinary Research, Beltany road, Omagh

  13

  17

  17

  17

  Sperrin house, Omagh

  82

  82

  85

  91

  Main street, Trillick

  2

  2

  3

  3

  Gortin Glen Forest

  15

  15

  15

  15

  Lough Bradan Forest

  8

  8

  8

  7

  Seskinore Forest

  13

  13

  13

  13

  Department Economic Development

  Training and Employment Agency, Omagh

  18

  18

  16

  16

  Omagh Training Centre

  43

  36

  36

  31

  Community Projects Office, Omagh

  10

  5

  —

  —

  348
  Fermanagh district council in (a) January 1992, (b) January 1993, (c) January 1994 and (d) January 1995.

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:

  district council in (a) January 1992, (b) January 1993, (c) January 1994 and (d) January 1995. [26416]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:
  349

  Office

  January 1992

  January 1993

  January 1994

  January 1995

  Northern Ireland Office

  Lisanelly Army Camp

  1

  2

  1

  2

  SW Circuit Office, County Courthouse, Omagh

  17

  17

  17

  14

  Department Health and Social Services

  Independent Tribunal Service, Omagh

  10

  14

  17

  18

  Omagh Social Security Office

  85

  84

  80

  78

  Fraud Section—Omagh Region

  17

  17

  17

  17

  Child Support Agency, Area Office, Omagh

  —

  —

  9

  9

  Department Environment

  Arvalee Depot, Omagh1

  34

  37

  38

  44

  County hall, Omagh1

  177

  181

  177

  163

  Gortrush Industrial Estate, Omagh1

  12

  11

  11

  10

  Gortin road, Omagh1

  31

  32

  27

  27

  Irishtown road, Omagh1

  11

  10

  11

  —

  Laurelbank, Hospital road, Omagh1

  10

  10

  10

  10

  High street, Omagh1

  —

  —

  —

  11

  Roads Service, Arvalee Depot, Omagh

  99

  90

  80

  75

  Water Executive, Loughmacrory, Omagh

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Water Executive, Tivenny road, Newtownstewart

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Water Executive, Hunters crescent, Omagh

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Water Executive, Gortin road, Omagh

  47

  46

  44

  45

  Water Executive, Park road, Strabane

  20

  20

  20

  20

  Water Executive, Water Works road, Glenhordial

  2

  2

  2

  1

  Water Executive, Bradan road, Drumquin

  2

  2

  2

  2

  1Figures apply to non-industrial staff in months of April.

  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the public service offices other than local government offices and the number of persons employed in such offices in Cookstown district council in(a) January 1992,

  Office

  January 1992

  January 1993

  January 1994

  January 1995

  Department Finance and Personnel

  57 Molesworth street, Cookstown

  14

  14

  10

  11

  Department Agriculture

  Loughry College of Agriculture and Food Technology, Cookstown

  135

  137

  134

  126

  Fairhill, Cookstown

  4

  4

  5

  5

  Pomeroy Forest

  21

  21

  21

  20

  Department Economic Development

  Training and Employment Agency, Cookstown

  10

  11

  9

  9

  Department Health and Social Services

  Cookstown Social Security Office

  54

  51

  49

  47

  Department Environment

  33 Molesworth street, Cookstown1

  11

  11

  11

  8

  57 Molesworth street, Cookstown1

  14

  —

  —

  —

  Sandholes Road, Cookstown1

  13

  10

  9

  14

  Station yard, Union street, Cookstown1

  2

  2

  2

  1

  James street, Cookstown1

  —

  15

  15

  15

  Old Railway Yard, Molesworth street, Cookstown1

  —

  —

  8

  8

  Roads Service, 33 Molesworth street, Cookstown

  38

  26

  23

  17

  Water Executive, 57 Molesworth street, Cookstown

  29

  29

  27

  27

  1 Figures apply to non-industrial staff in month of April.

  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all the public service offices other than local government offices and the number of persons employed in such offices in Dungannon district council in(a) January 1992,
  350
  (b) January 1993, (c) January 1994 and (d) January 1995. [26415]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:

  (b) January 1993, (c) January 1994 and (d) January 1995. [26413]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is as follows:
  351

  Office

  January 1992

  January 1993

  January 1994

  January 1995

  Department Agriculture

  Crown Buildings, Dungannon

  55

  56

  57

  57

  Main street, Clogher

  5

  4

  —

  —

  Church street, Ballygawley

  —

  —

  6

  6

  Parkanaur Forest

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Mullaghfad Forest

  19

  19

  17

  15

  Department Economic Development

  Training and Employment Agency, Dungannon

  22

  25

  18

  16

  Northern Ireland Office

  Crown Buildings, Dungannon

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Department Health and Social Services

  Dungannon Social Security Office

  88

  93

  86

  83

  Department Environment

  Tullybroom road, Clogher1

  7

  6

  9

  8

  Moygashel Depot, Dungannon1

  14

  12

  19

  18

  Parkside Depot, Derryhubbett road, Dungannon1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Roads Service, Moygashel Depot, Dungannon

  70

  56

  52

  53

  Water Executive, Moygashel lane, Dungannon

  34

  32

  36

  32

  Environment Service, Peatlands Country Park, Dungannon

  6

  6

  5

  4

  1Figures apply to non-industrial staff in months of April

  NHS Numbers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give an undertaking that the new NHS number will be used only with respect to the provision of health-related services; and if he will make a statement. [26442]

  Mr. Moss
  New NHS numbers are not being issued in Northern Ireland as a suitable unique patient and client identifier already exists in the form of a community health index number. This identifier is used only for health and personal social services purposes.

  National Insurance Numbers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answers of 1 February,Official Report, column 697, and of 6 December 1994, Official Report, column 163, if he has approved the use of the national insurance number for personal injuries claim purposes; and if he will make a statement. [26441]

  Mr. Moss
  No approval has been given for the use of the national insurance number for personal injuries claim purposes.

  Year

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  11994–95

  Total number of students

  n/a

  292

  428

  479

  487

  Students domiciled in the Republic of Ireland

  n/a

  6

  130

  157

  182

  1provisional.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many lecturers were enrolled in the hotel and catering colleges in Northern Ireland for the years 1990–91 to 1994–95; [26626]

  Police National Computer
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many accesses were made to each index of the police national computer over the last year; and if he will indicate the number of access requests that involved searching more than one index. [26440]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary accessed the police national computer on some 65,457 occasions during 1994–95. Of these, 41,838 were vehicle related, 12,334 were name checks, and the remaining 11,285 covered inquiries in a range of other areas. It is not possible to identify which accesses involved more than one index.

  Hotel and Catering Colleges
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what was the total number of students enrolled in the hotel and catering colleges in Northern Ireland for the years 1990–91 to 1994–95; [26625]

  (2) how many students born in the Republic of Ireland were enrolled in the hotel and catering colleges in Northern Ireland in each year since 1990–91. [26628]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  (2) how many lecturers, born in the Republic of Ireland, were enrolled in the hotel and catering colleges in Northern Ireland for each year since 1990–91. [26627]
  353
  Mr. Ancram
  The number of full-time lecturers, October in each year were:

  1990–91: 22

  1991–92: 22

  1992–93: 19

  1993–94: 23

  1994–95: 24

  Information on place of birth is not available.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the firms that were allowed to tender for contracts in spite of non-compliance with the rules of enforcement as laid down in the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989.

  Mr. Ancram
  With one exception, all the concerns which have been prosecuted for non-compliance with the fair employment legislation subsequently fulfilled their statutory obligations. It was therefore not necessary to debar them from tendering for contracts. The remaining concern was issued with a disqualification notice on 21 October 1991 which was cancelled on 25 November 1991 following submission to the Fair Employment Commission of a properly completed monitoring return.

  Vehicle Fleet Insurance
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which insurance underwriting firm insures the vehicles of(a) the Police Authority and (b) the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland; which firms of solicitors are instructed to act for these two authorities in insurance claims involving these vehicles; how many persons are employed by each of these legal practices; whether each of these practices operates employment procedures in accordance with the requirements of the Fair Employment legislation; and how many Protestants and Catholics are employed by each of these law practices. [26785]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The underwriting firm for fleet insurance in respect of the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland are Crowe Motor Policies at Lloyd's. A panel of solicitors who represent the underwriters are sourced through the United Kingdom in respect of the Police Authority. Information regarding the Fire Authority is not known. Employment practices and procedures are not known.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what instructions he has given to further education colleges about the number of higher national diploma students they may accept in(a) the current year and (b) future years; and what are the reasons for these instructions. [26635]

  Mr. Ancram
  No instructions were given to further eduction colleges about the number of HND students they may accept in the current academic year.

  In line with the Government's policy to consolidate higher-level provision throughout the UK and control public expenditure on mandatory awards, the Department of Education set an overall maximum figure for higher level, full-time provision in each college for the 1995–96
  354
  academic year. Decisions have not yet been made on the number of full-time places to be permitted in subsequent years.

  International Fund for Ireland
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the action of a United States congressional committee in tying aid to the International Fund for Ireland to implementation of the MacBride principles; and what representations he has made to the United States Government on the subject. [26638]

  Mr. Ancram
  It is for the US authorities to decide whether, and under which conditions, they wish to contribute to the International Fund for Ireland. Members of the Administration and of Congress are aware of our view that the key to eliminating employment imbalances in Northern Ireland is to support the far-reaching fair employment legislation already in place with new job-creating investment. In this context, the conference on trade and investment convened by President Clinton in Washington last month was a very considerable success.

  A5
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for upgrading the quality of the Londonderry to Dublin road. [26639]

  Mr. Moss
  During the next five years the Department proposes to spend approximately £6.3 million on schemes to provide major improvements of seven different locations on the Northern Ireland portion of this road—the A5 Londonderry-border route. At the same time, it is planned to undertake a joint Northern Ireland-Republic of Ireland study to determine a long-term strategy for the future improvement of the road.

  Police
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he set up the committee to review Northern Ireland's policing; and what is its remit, time scale and membership. [26647]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The committee which will oversee the fundamental review of policing needs is an established part of the tripartite relationship for policing. It first met in October 1993, and its membership comprises officials from the Northern Ireland Office and from the Police Authority for Northern Ireland as well as officers from the Royal Ulster Constabulary. The remit of this committee in relation to the review is, on the assumption that the ceasefires continue, to build an assessment of Northern Ireland's policing needs and costs, and initial findings are expected in spring 1996.

  Civil Servants
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing(a) the number of civil service posts, including positions in executive agencies but excluding technical appointments at grades 1 to 6 which have been advertised, together with the number of (b) applicants, (c) interviewees and (d) appointees broken down by (i) civil servants and (ii) non-civil servants for each year from 1 January 1990 to 31 December as a whole in Northern Ireland. [26944]
  355
  Sir John Wheeler
  The numbers of applicants, interviewees and appointees to civil service posts at grades 3 to 6, excluding technical appointments, in the Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland

  Year advertised

  (a) Number of posts advertised1

  (b) Number of applicants Applicants Civil Servants

  Non-Civil Servants

  (c) Number of Interviewees Civil Servants

  Non-Civil Servants

  (d) Number of Appointees Civil Servants

  Non-Civil Servants

  Appointees Total 2

  1990

  8

  34

  117

  21

  46

  5

  3

  8

  1991

  7

  39

  115

  14

  39

  4

  3

  7

  1992

  4

  19

  121

  13

  31

  2

  2

  4

  1993

  2

  4

  59

  2

  9

  1

  0

  1

  1994

  5

  25

  146

  15

  23

  5

  0

  5

  Total

  26

  121

  558

  65

  148

  17

  8

  25

  Notes:

  1 The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for civil service staff in the Northern Ireland Departments and Northern Ireland Office only; consequently the figures exclude appointments to Great Britain civil service Departments with staff in Northern Ireland.

  2 The total of appointments for 1993 does not match the number of posts advertised because an anticipated vacancy was not filled.

  Ambulance Personnel (Early Retirement)
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to introduce an early retirement scheme for ambulance personnel similar to the scheme which operates in England, Wales and Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [27136]

  Mr. Moss
  A premature retirement scheme exists for all groups of staff within the health and personal social services.

  I do not propose to provide funding for a special scheme for ambulance personnel. Funds for such a scheme would have to come out of the resources available for services for patients and clients.

  Income support
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to review the £8,000 eligibility threshold for income support. [271376]

  Mr. Moss
  People with capital in excess of £8,000 are not entitled to income support. The Government keep this capital limit under review, but there are no current plans for change.

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Adult Courses of Treatment

  n/a

  640,088

  706,319

  713,018

  729,749

  Total Gross Expenditure

  £35,026,000

  £44,059,000

  £47,637,000

  £43,905,000

  £46,318,000

  Total Net Expenditure

  £26,295,000

  £34,132,000

  £36,601,000

  £33,526,00

  £35,087,000

  Patients Contributions

  £8,731,00

  £9,927,000

  £11,036,000

  £10,379,000

  £11,231,000

  Health Boards (Staff)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total number of staff employed in each support service in each health board by gender, full-time/part-time and religious background in each year since 1990. [26007]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.
  356
  Office, for each year from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 1994, are set out. No posts at grades 1 and 2 have been advertised.

  Economy
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the surveys undertaken by Mr. Alan Gray in respect of the economy in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [27170]

  Mr. Ancram
  I am aware of Mr. Gray's recent book, which reports the results of his surveys of multinational manufacturing companies and international tour operators. These confirm the Government's view that lasting peace can unlock enormous potential for industrial and tourism growth in Northern Ireland and, indeed, in the island of Ireland.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the(a) number of adult courses of treatment, (b) total national health service gross expenditure, (c) total cost borne by the Exchequer and (d) total cost borne by patients, for the general dental service, for each year between 1990 and 1994. [27195]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is as follows:

WALES

  Welsh Language Schemes
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will approve the draft guidelines on the form and content of Welsh language schemes sent to him by the Welsh Language Board, and if he will lay the draft guidelines before Parliament. [28359]
  357
  Mr. Redwood
  I am today laying before Parliament copies of draft guidelines submitted to me by the board in accordance with section 10 of the Welsh Language Act 1993, and which I have approved without amendment. I am also placing in the Libraries copies of the board's detailed report to me on the consultation it undertook earlier this year on the draft guidelines. I am grateful to the board for the thoroughness and professionalism which it demonstrated in conducting the consultation and producing its report; the way is now open, subject to parliamentary consideration of the guidelines, for the board to take forward the implementation of part II of the Act. In this, I shall be looking to the board to continue to demonstrate the flexible and sensible approach which has already been evident in its work over the last 18 months.

  Autism
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of services to autistic children and their families in Wales. [26735]

  Mr. Richards
  Health and local authorities are responsible for identifying individuals with autism and for the provision of appropriate services.

  As part of a project to promote the development of services to people with autism in Wales, the National Autistic Society is carrying out an audit of autism-focused services. This project is supported by the Welsh Office, through the Welsh mental handicap strategy.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the National Farmers Union Wales about proposals to fly calves from military air bases in the United Kingdom; and what is his policy on such proposals. [26732]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Proposals for the export of live animals are essentially a matter for individual companies or organisations. All proposals will be scrutinised to ensure that welfare requirements are fully met.

  Farms (Fatal Accidents)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of fatal accidents on farms in Wales in each of the last 10 years. [26926]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The available information relates to deaths occurring on farms in Wales and is set out in the following table.

  Deaths caused by:

  Accidents and adverse effects (ICD E800–E949)

  Injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted (ICD E980–E989]

  1983

  4

  0

  1984

  8

  2

  1985

  11

  4

  1986

  7

  2

  1987

  10

  2

  1988

  7

  1

  1989

  16

  1

  1990

  6

  0

  1991

  5

  0

  1992

  7

  3

  ICD=International classification of diseases, injuries and causes of death

  Source:

  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the deputy chairman of the Welsh Development Agency. [28438]

  Mr. Redwood
  Solicitors acting on behalf of Dr. Roy Bichan announced yesterday that Dr. Bichan had been informed that the Serious Fraud Office propose to charge him with offences arising from its investigation concerning Butte Mining plc, of which Dr. Bichan was non-executive chairman from September 1987 until December 1988.

  Dr. Bichan told me that he intends to contest the charges vigorously, but in doing so he would find it impossible properly to carry out his responsibilities as deputy chairman of the agency, a position he has held since January 1993. I have accepted his resignation with immediate effect. None of the allegations reflects on the WDA or on the contribution which Dr. Bichan has made to the work of the agency.