Written Answers of 13 June 1995

HEALTH

  GP Fundholding, Warwickshire
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of fundholding practices have exceeded their allocated budget in each of the last three years in the county of Warwickshire and have had to seek new resources from the health authority. [27302]

  Mr. Malone
  The numbers of fundholders in Warwickshire who have exceeded their allocated budgets over the last three years are shown in the table.

  Total number of fundholding practices

  Number of fundholding practices exceeding their budgets

  Number of fundholding practices exceeding their budgets by over 5 per cent.

  1992–93

  9

  1

  0

  1993–94

  21

  4

  2

  1994–951

  26

  213

  5

  Notes:

  1 Provisional information.

  2 Eight have an overspend of less than 1 per cent, and the highest overspend is around 7.4 per cent. A number of practices have made savings of over 10 per cent.

  Source:

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority.

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has to ensure that people aged over 60 years with epilepsy receive treatment from specialists in neurology rather than from geriatricians; [27766]

  (2) if she will provide details of her Department's planned expenditure on the provision of epilepsy services in the current financial year, in cash terms and as (a) a percentage of its total budget and (b) equivalent figures for each of the last five years, adjusted for inflation; [27762]

  (3) what plans she has to include epilepsy as a condition for special attention in "The Health of the Nation"; [27572]

  (4) how many specialist centres and clinics for epilepsy are currently operating in the United Kingdom; and what plans she has to increase the number; [27691]

  (5) if she will instruct NHS providers to introduce a maximum waiting time for consultants to see people diagnosed as having epilepsy by a general practitioner. [27763]

  Mr. Bowis
  The treatment of epilepsy is a matter for clinicians, who decide on specific treatment for each individual patient based on that patient's medical history.

  Information on expenditure on the provision of epilepsy services is not available centrally.
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  Currently, there are no plans to include epilepsy as a condition for special attention in "The Health of the Nation". The Chief Medical Officer's working group on "The Health of the Nation", however, regularly reviews and considers various conditions for such attention.

  Information on the numbers of specialist centres and clinics for specific conditions is not available centrally. There are no central plans to increase the number of these for epilepsy, as this a matter for local determination.

  The revised patients charter has introduced standard waiting times to first-patient out-patient consultation. This standard applies to all specialties and requires that all patients should be seen within 26 weeks of being referred to a consultant by their general practitioner, and that nine out of 10 patients should be seen within 13 weeks.

  These are maximum waiting times and we would expect that patients whose clinical need was urgent should be seen much more quickly.

  Disabled Living Centres
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all disabled living centres in England and Wales; and how much her Department contributes to each of their budgets. [27768]

  Mr. Bowis
  A list of all the disabled living centres is not available centrally. The Government support the work of the disabled living centres by providing funding to their representative national organisation, the Disabled Living Centres Council—£108,000 in the current financial year.

  National Blood Authority
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the findings of the National Blood Authority consequent to its consultations on proposals it has made for changes in the organisation of its service. [27876]

  Mr. Sackville
  The National Blood Authority will make its final recommendations shortly. A copy of the authority's proposals will be placed in the Library when published.

  Emergency Admissions
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been(a) the total number of admissions, (b) the number of emergency and urgent admissions and (c) (b) as a percentage of (a) for each year since 1988–89. [27537]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table:

  Emergency admissions as a total of waiting list, booked, planned and emergency admissions

  Finished consultant episodes

  Thousands

  (a) Total episodes

  (b) Episodes, emergency admission

  (b) as percentage of (a)

  1988–89

  6,830

  3,302

  48

  1989–90

  7,085

  3,423

  47

  1990–91

  7,082

  3,452

  49

  1991–92

  7,504

  3,457

  46

  1992–93

  7,873

  3,641

  46

  1993–94

  8,287

  3,833

  46

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics.

  Phenobarbitone
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many reports of adverse reactions have been referred to the Committee on Safety of Medicines in respect of products containing phenobarbitone in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [27573]

  Mr. Sackville
  The tables shows the number of reports of adverse reactions received by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in respect of products containing phenobarbitone for each of the last five years. A report of a suspected adverse reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the drug. Other factors, including the underlying disease of the patient or other drugs taken by the patient, may be contributing.

  Year

  Number of reports

  1990

  4

  1991

  0

  1992

  2

  1993

  1

  1994

  2

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many prescriptions for products containing phenobarbitone have been written for people with epilepsy in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [27574]

  Mr. Malone
  Information about the use of phenobarbitone products is contained in the table. It is not possible, however, from central data to identify the clinical conditions for which the drug has been prescribed.

  Prescription items dispensed containing phenobarbitone, England, 1990 to 1994

  Thousands

  Chemical entity

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Phenobarbitone

  547.8

  543.9

  513.0

  480.5

  453.0

  Phenobarbitone and Phenytoin

  0.2

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Phenobarbitone Sodium

  0.6

  2.6

  2.1

  0.5

  1.2

  Total

  548.6

  546.5

  515.1

  481.0

  454.2

  Notes:

  1. The data are from the prescription costs analysis system.

  2. The data for 1990 are not consistent with data from 1991 onwards. Figures for 1990 are based on fees and on a sample of one in 200 prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors only. Figures from 1991 are based on items and cover all prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists, appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered.

  3. Prescriptions dispensed in hospitals and private prescriptions are not included.

  DNA Analysis
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the results of the DNA analysis undertaken by the Forensic Science Service of tissue samples allegedly taken from a patient who died in Manchester allegedly of AIDS in 1959, which were provided to it by Central Manchester Healthcare Trust and Professor David Ho of New York. [27816]

  Mr. Sackville
  Tests are under way on the tissue samples at the Home Office laboratory at Wetherby. It is hoped that the results will be available shortly. The hon.
  426
  Member may wish to contact Professor S. A. Moore, chairman of the trust, for more information.

  Intensive Care Units, Yorkshire
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds there are in intensive care units in Leeds infirmary, St. James' hospital, Leeds, Pinderfields hospital, Wakefield. [27819]

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for the Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. John Greetham, chairman of Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority, for details.

  Infant Feeding
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated expenditure for 1995 for producing information on infant and young child feeding(a) for families and (b) those involved in the field of infant and young nutrition. [27928]

  Mr. Sackville
  As a wide range of organisations may produce such materials, I am unable to estimate expenditure.

  The Department of Health spent £53,000 in producing materials in support of this year's National Breastfeeding Awareness Week held last month. We contributed £50,000 towards the costs of the "Invest in Breast" training programme produced jointly by the Royal College of Midwives and Health Visitors Association which was launched on 25 May. We provided some £55,000 in 1994–95, under the section 64 grant aid programme, to the three voluntary groups concerned with informing and supporting mothers about breastfeeding.

  The Health Education Authority expended £475,000 in 1994–95 on materials—leaflets and such popular books as "Birth to Five" and "The Pregnancy Book"—which provide information on breastfeeding and other aspects of infant and young child feeding.

  Bounty Packs
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what regulations are in place covering the distribution of bounty packs to nursing mothers in hospital. [27929]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 5 April at columns 1211–12. National health service units decide locally whether they wish to permit the distribution of bounty packs and similar packs to new mothers in their care. The packs and their contents must comply with the relevant provisions on advertising and promotion of baby milks in the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations 1995.

  Homeless Mentally Ill Initiative
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to publish the evaluation of the homeless mentally ill initiative's clinical teams. [28848]

  Mr. Bowis
  The report, "The Homeless Mentally Ill Initiative—An Evaluation of Four Clinical Teams", is being published today and copies are available in the Library. I am grateful to Professor Craig and his colleagues for their work.
  427
  The homeless mentally ill initiative, organised by the Department of Health in collaboration with the Mental Health Foundation, was launched in 1990. It provides multidisciplinary community mental health teams to identify homeless mentally ill people in London who are not already in touch with statutory services. The teams assess clients' needs, provide medical and social support, and refer them to appropriate statutory services. The initiative also provides specialist hostels with a high level of care which meets immediate housing needs and offers rehabilitation before clients move on to more permanent accommodation. There is also provision of supported move-on accommodation with capital funding from the Housing Corporation.

  The Government have invested over £20 million in this initiative. The five outreach teams, the eight hostels with two more to come and the move-on supported accommodation that is beginning to come on stream have begun to transform lives. It is estimated that between October 1994 and March 1995 about 115 people were rehoused, either into the specialist high care hostels or into permanent accommodation.

  The report acknowledges the need for multidisciplinary outreach teams and comments favourably on the high level of direct client interaction that they have been able to attain. It also comments on the positive view taken of the teams by the majority of agencies with which they work.

  Professor Craig's report contains a number of recommendations. We shall be studying these in detail and considering what action can be taken to build on the successes that he has identified.

  Hyperactive Disorder
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the amount of grant aid given by her Department to(a) the hyperactive children's support group and (b) other voluntary organisations concerned with the treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [26581]

  Mr. Bowis
  The hyperactive children's support group received grant aid from the Department of £7,000 each

  Finished consultant episodes (ordinary admissions and day cases combined) 1988–89 to 1993–94 Mental Disorders

  RHAs

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  England

  294,327

  306,077

  302,042

  302,378

  313,186

  315,378

  Northern

  22,841

  22,228

  22,852

  22,017

  22,814

  22,877

  Yorkshire

  21,628

  22,152

  24,095

  20,391

  24,342

  24,985

  Trent

  28,415

  28,369

  31,183

  32,032

  32,268

  31,602

  East Anglian

  11,454

  11,936

  11,890

  10,452

  12,471

  11,525

  North West Thames

  19,484

  24,206

  17,461

  17,568

  18,482

  19,373

  North East Thames

  21,294

  20,451

  20,581

  20,807

  21,792

  22,436

  South East Thames

  21,033

  19,447

  19,540

  18,501

  19,394

  19,463

  South West Thames

  20,063

  19,858

  20,218

  20,929

  20,680

  21,313

  Wessex

  18,445

  18,788

  19,607

  21,829

  18,348

  19,324

  Oxford

  10,860

  11,122

  11,718

  11,156

  12,711

  12,383

  South Western

  24,871

  25,627

  24,182

  23,306

  25,548

  26,340

  West Midlands

  30,800

  34,801

  31,562

  36,539

  35,824

  35,447

  Mersey

  15,768

  17,795

  17,935

  17,770

  18,369

  17,541

  North Western

  25,474

  27,204

  26,391

  26,136

  26,608

  27,171

  SHAs

  1,897

  2,093

  2,827

  2,945

  3,535

  3,598

  428
  year from 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1995. The grant has been renewed at an amount totalling £19,000 over three years beginning on 1 April 1995. We make no other grants to organisations dealing exclusively with the treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

  GP Fundholding, Cumbria
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many fundholders there are in the county of Cumbria. [27797]

  Mr. Malone
  From April 1995, there have been 16 fundholding practices in Cumbria.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the cost in cash to health authorities in Cumbria with particular reference to the budget of the West Cumbria Health Trust arising out of individual general practices acquiring fundholding status. [27798]

  Mr. Malone
  Fundholding general practitioners, like health authority purchasers, are allocated their patients' fair share of national health service resources based on need. It is for NHS trusts to respond to the requirements of purchasers so that services for patients are improved.

  Hospital League Tables
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much is being spent promoting the current year's hospital league tables to the editors of regional newspapers. [28000]

  Mr. Sackville
  Money is not being spent on promoting the league tables. Regional editors are being given the option of receiving the material in hard copy or disk format. They have also been invited to a briefing on the arrangements for publishing the tables.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were discharged from mental hospitals in each region in each of the last 10 years. [27966]

  Mr. Bowis
  The number of finished consultant episodes—ordinary admissions and day cases combined—from national health service hospitals in England by main diagnosis of mental disorder and by region of treatment is shown in the table. Data prior to April 1988 are not on a comparable basis.

  Special Transitional Grants
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which district auditors have yet to submit audited returns of expenditure by local authorities of the 1993–94 special transitional grant. [27967]

  Mr. Bowis
  None. All the audited returns detailing community care spending in 1993–94 have now been received.

  Home Care Services
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on home care services by each authority in each of the last 10 years, expressed in 1995 prices. [28026]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information, expressed in 1994–95 prices, will be placed in the Library. These figures should be treated with caution as local authorities differ from year to year in their treatment of administrative and other overhead costs. Year-on-year variations may also reflect changes in types of home care service and changes of contract. New guidelines for future social services accounting have been drawn up by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and the local authorities, which should result in greater consistency of reporting. Estimates have had to be made for some years for Greenwich, Hackney, Lambeth, Newham, Berkshire, Ealing, Harringey, Sheffield, Manchester and Wakefield.

  Kirklees Metropolitan Council
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been made available to Kirklees metropolitan council for alteration and adaptations for 1995–96 to residents' homes to allow them to stay longer in their own homes rather than in residential care; and what were the figures in each of the last 10 years. [27856]

  Mr. Bowis
  Expenditure by Kirklees metropolitan council up to 1993–94, the latest year available, is shown in the table.

  Personal social services gross expenditure on adaptations to homes—Kirklees metropolitan council

  Year

  £000s

  1986–87

  100

  1987–88

  107

  1988–89

  100

  1989–90

  150

  1990–91

  393

  1991–92

  210

  1992–93

  82

  1993–94

  502

  Information from annual revenue outturn forms (R03) completed by the local authority.

  Contract Sanctions
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sanctions can be applied against a contractor for failing to comply fully with the specifications of a contract awarded to it by an NHS trust hospital following the market testing process. [28383]

  Mr. Sackville
  This depends on the terms of the contract, and on the nature of the failure to meet specified requirements. Minor or occasional failures would normally be resolved in discussion. In more serious and continuing cases sanctions might include premature 430
  termination of contract, withholding of payments pending satisfactory meeting of work requirements, or legal action for breach of contract.

  Royal Liverpool University Hospital
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 applied to the contracting out and sub-contracting out of the estates department by the Royal Liverpool University hospital; and what stipulation the contract awarded made in respect of the provision of a pension scheme for those employees transferred. [28385]

  Mr. Sackville
  I understand that the award of the contract was on the basis that staff would transfer to the new contractor under the provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981. Pension scheme benefits for old age, invalidity and widowhood are explicitly excluded from the transfer arrangements, but the two parties to the contract have ensured accrued pension rights are fully protected and that the new employer's pension arrangements are based on the same employers contribution as the previous national health service scheme. The Royal Liverpool University hospital took legal advice that the transfer accorded fully with all statutory responsibilities under United Kingdom and European law.

  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received concerning the guidelines and procedures followed by the Royal Liverpool University hospital NHS trust in contracting out its estates department to Mowlem and the subsequent sub-contracting out of the department of Lorne Stewart. [28382]

  Mr. Sackville
  I have received representations from two hon. Members on behalf of individual constituents whose employment transferred as a result of the award of contract in this case. I am satisfied that the parties concerned have made every effort to meet all liabilities arising under United Kingdom and European law.

  NHS Staff, Southwark
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) men and (b) women have been employed within the national health service in the London borough of Southwark as part of the South East London health authority in each of the last five years. [28352]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is not available centrally in the form requested.

  NHS Trust, London
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will state the defined interest or repayment terms on the interest bearing debt and public dividend capital of(a) Newham Healthcare NHS Trust and (b) the Royal Hospitals of St. Bartholomew's, Royal London, and London Chest Hospital Trust together with their respective payments for the years 1975–76 in respect of (i) 6 per cent. of their origination capital debt, (ii) interest and repayment of their interest-bearing debt and (iii) public dividend capital, stating the purpose of each type of payment. [28380]

  Mr. Sackville
  The two national health service trusts in question were established as at 1 April 1994. Information is therefore only available for 1994–95.
  431
  An NHS trust's originating capital debt is divided between a loan—on which interest shall be paid—and public dividend capital. The debt is divided on a 50:50 basis and the interest-bearing element is repayable in equal instalments over 25 years at a fixed rate of interest. The interest rate applicable to NHS trusts established on 1 April 1994 is 8.125 per cent. The actual value of the originating debt of the trusts in question is given in Statutory Instrument 1995 No. 407, dated 20 February 1995.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may determine the dividend which is to be payable at any time on the public dividend capital element of the trust's originating debt.

  The NHS executive's records show that the following payments were made in 1994–95.

  Newham £

  Royal London hospitals £

  Principal

  377,773

  1,649,000

  Interest

  1,469,530

  6,409,556

  Dividend

  720,472

  2,842,485

  These figures are provisional and subject to audit.

  Contract income received by a trust will include a 6 per cent. return on its relevant net assets from which the trust remunerates its debt. The actual return achieved by trusts in 1994–95 will be reported in their annual accounts which will be available following audit no later than 30 September.

  Veterinary Medicines
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the use of Baytril in farm animals and the incidence of bacterial resistance in humans; and if she will make a statement on the subject. [26783]

  Mrs. Browning
  I have been asked to reply.

  No specific research has been commissioned into the use of Baytril in farm animals. The Veterinary Products Committee keeps the development of antibiotic resistance in humans and animals under close review. It has recently confirmed, in the light of the latest information, that no change in current licensing policy is required: new antibiotics should not necessarily be precluded from therapeutic use in animals, but their prophylactic use should be discouraged. The committee will continue to consider each case on its merits.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to train sufficient scientists in methods relating to the identification of species to enable the United Kingdom to fulfil obligations under the biodiversity convention; and what assessment has been made of the shortage of taxonomists. [26328]

  Mr. Horam
  In line with the convention, the Darwin initiative is funding about 30 projects relating to 432
  taxonomy costing over £3 million. Those projects involve the training of over 400 developing country scientists.

  Responsibility for assessing and meeting the UK's needs more generally rests primarily with the scientific community in universities, institutions such as the natural history museum, and the research councils. The Natural Environment Research Council launched an initiative in 1992 to revitalise taxonomic research and training relevant to the environmental sciences, and currently supports students, fellows, and projects in the field. I understand that Edinburgh university and the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh have introduced an MSc "Biodiversity and Taxonomy in Plants" which has proved successful in attracting students from home and abroad as well as research council support. The UK Systematics Forum, funded by the Office of Science and Technology, now brings together members from across the country to investigate, among other things, ways of increasing the opportunities for training systematists.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures Her Majesty's Government have taken to implement the recommendations of Lord Dainton's report on biological taxonomy. [26331]

  Mr. Horam
  The Government's response Cm 2243 to the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee report on systematic biology research was published in June 1993. Since then, the Office of Science and Technology has set up the UK Systematics Forum and commissioned an independent review of the UK's microbial culture collections.

  The Natural Environment Research Council, through its initiative in taxonomy research and training, is currently funding six research fellowships over a five-year period at a total cost of just over £1 million. These fellowships are eligible for associated research grants, for which a further £665,000 has been committed over the same period.

  Oral Scientific Histories
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his letter DH/94/M/1078 to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 7 December 1994, what is the outcome of his investigation into the desirability of oral scientific histories. [26327]

  Mr. David Hunt
  I agree that the history of science can be enriched by oral scientific histories.

  Investigations have established that a number of bodies are engaged in making such histories, including the Royal College of Physicians, the British Library, the Physiological Society and the Biochemical Society. BBC television has some recorded interviews with Nobel Laureates and other scientists who have made a significant contribution across many fields. I have asked the Office of Science and Technology to pursue the issue of oral scientific histories further with the national sound archive of the British Library.

TREASURY

  Summer Economic Forecast
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the expected publication date for the Treasury's summer economic forecast. [24495]
  433
  Mr. Aitken
  [pursuant to his answer, 18 May 1995, c. 307]: The Treasury's summer economic forecast will be published on 28 June 1995. Copies will be available from the Vote Office at 11 am on that day.

  Public Sector Investment
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made as to how much public sector investment will change over the next three years, as measured by public sector asset creation; and if he will estimate by how much public sector investment has changed in real terms since 1989–90. [27882]

  Mr. Aitken
  The latest available public sector investment figures are published in table 1.7 of the statistical supplement to the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1995–96". These cover outturn and plans from 1989–90 to 1997–98 in real and cash terms. In addition, the private finance initiative will harness private sector resources leading to more and better infrastructure projects and improved services.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new income tax payers recorded in the past two years were previously non-income tax payers of pension age. [27589]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 9 June 1995]: There are about 200,000 fewer taxpayers aged over 65 in 1995–96 than there would have been if the 1993–94 tax regime had been indexed.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the categories of goods and services which currently bear value added tax at the rate of 17.5 per cent. together with the annual revenue yield from each of the listed categories. [28142]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: VAT legislation does not identify separate categories of goods and services on which VAT is chargeable at 17.5 per cent. but specifies that it should be charged on any supply of goods or services in the United Kingdom made by a taxable person in the course or furtherance of a business, except for supplies of fuel and power for domestic or charity use which are chargeable at 8 per cent., and the zero rates and exemptions listed in schedules 8 and 9 to the Value Added Tax Act 1994.

  It is not possible to provide figures for the revenue yield from each individual category of expenditure.

  Incapacitated Spouses
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the operation of the additional personal allowance for married men with an incapacitated wife. [28344]

  Sir George Young
  All personal allowances will be kept under review in the run-up to the Budget. In general, the Government believe that it is better to help both men and women with incapacitated spouses through the social security systems rather than through tax reliefs.

  Wild Flowers
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Customs and Excise, in examining dried flowers entering Britain, differentiate those specimens collected from the wild and those originating from proven sustainable sources. [26337]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There are no restrictions on the importation of the dried flowers currently traded, whether wild taken or not, and customs does not, therefore, seek to make such a differentiation.

  Take-home Pay
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the level of take-home pay in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other EC countries; and if he will list the evidence on which such figures are based. [26487]

  Sir George Young
  Taking into account the cost of living, estimated average take-home pay for an unmarried UK production worker, under Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development definitions, is higher than in all other EU countries, except Luxembourg. Average take-home pay plus child benefit—or the equivalent in other countries—for a married couple with two children is also higher in the UK than in other EU countries except Luxembourg, Belgium and the former West Germany. These comparisons are based on figures published in "The Tax/Benefit Position of Production Workers Annual Report 1990–1993", OECD 1994, adjusted using purchasing power parity exchange rates, also published by OECD.

PRIME MINISTER

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will undertake an investigation into the leaking of sections of the Scott inquiry report; and if he will publish the terms of reference of the investigation; how it will be conducted; and by whom. [28379]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 12 June,Official Report, column 374.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 June. [26744]

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 13 June 1995. [26745]

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

DEFENCE

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records exist of the mortality levels and cancer incidence in British nuclear test participants present at Grapple Y. [26663]
  435
  Mr. Soames
  Personnel present during the test codenamed Grapple Y were among more than 20,000 British nuclear test veterans for whom mortality statistics were collated by the National Radiological Protection Board. The NRPB studies found no overall excess of mortality or incidence of cancer among test participants.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the National Radiological Protection Board has undertaken a study into the incidence of cancer in the children of nuclear test participants in the 1950s and 1960s. [26667]

  Mr. Soames
  No such study has been undertaken. Studies by the National Radiological Protection Board have shown no overall excess of death or cancer among British test participants. There is therefore no reason to expect an excess of death or cancer among their children.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if personnel involved in the decontamination of HMS Tracker were included in the National Radiological Protection Board studies into British nuclear test participants. [26749]

  Mr. Soames
  Our records indicate that some decontamination work was carried out by the crew of HMS Tracker before the ship had returned to the UK. The ship's crew were included in the National Radiological Protection Board studies. We have been unable to trace any records of decontamination work that may have been carried out following the ship's return to the UK.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the National Radiological Protection Board study into the effects of nuclear tests upon service personnel took into account potential variations arising from(a) whether tests were of fission or fusion, (b) detonation yields, (c) location of tests, (d) duration of service in test areas and (e) the number of tests witnessed by each individual. [26665]

  Mr. Soames
  The studies undertaken by the National Radiological Protection Board looked at cancer among test participants for each of the operations that comprised the atmospheric test programme. This examined tests of different types, yields and locations. For no operation was there a statistically significant excess of cancer deaths. Analyses were performed of those groups with the potential for radiation exposure and of those with recorded external doses, as well as the duties undertaken by participants who subsequently developed leukaemia or multiple myeloma.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mortality statistics are held by the National Radiological Protection Board for personnel serving on HMS Tracker during British nuclear tests. [26661]

  Mr. Soames
  Personnel serving on HMS Tracker during the nuclear tests for which that ship was deployed in a support role were among more than 20,000 British nuclear test veterans for whom mortality statistics were collated by the National Radiological Protection Board. The NRPB studies found no overall excess of mortality among test veterans.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why Mr. Andrew Dickson of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, a British nuclear test participant, received two body scans from the National Radiological Protection Board. [26668]

  Mr. Soames
  That is a matter between Mr. Dickson and the National Radiological Protection Board.
  436
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how British nuclear test participants, not issued with film badges, have been monitored for potential radioactivity. [26690]

  Mr. Soames
  Film badges were issued only to those personnel who were considered likely to receive a measurable dose of radiation during the tests. It was considered unnecessary to monitor those who were not issued with film badges, as they would not have been exposed to significant levels of radiation.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investigations have been conducted into the incidence of cataracts in service personnel attending British nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s. [26666]

  Mr. Soames
  As more radiation exposure would be required to produce an excess of cataracts in the population than to produce an excess of cancer, and as the National Radiological Protection Board studies have shown no excess of cancer among British nuclear test veterans, no specific study of cataract incidence has been undertaken for my Department. I understand, however, that the NRPB is itself conducting a small study in this area.

  Anthrax
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent information he has received on the discovery of anthrax-contaminated seed stocks in the Irish sea. [26700]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department is unaware of any anthrax-contaminated seed stocks being discovered in the Irish sea.

  HMS Royal Arthur
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the cost to date in(a) rent loss, (b) security patrols, (c) boarding up, (d) depreciation and (e) vandalism in respect of empty accommodation for families and single persons at HMS Royal Arthur. [26848]

  Mr. Soames
  HMS Royal Arthur was previously used as a training establishment for naval petty officers and the only permanent accommodation was in the wardroom. There was no family accommodation on the site. The site is at present being sold subject to contract. To date, there has been no loss of rent, and no additional costs arising from security patrols; the site has not been boarded up; no assessment has been made of depreciation; and only minimal costs have been incurred as a result of damage by vandals.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 20 April,Official Report, column 856, when the investigation into the low flying incident over Barnoldswick and Earby in January are likely to be completed. [26958]

  Mr. Soames
  The RAF police have now completed their investigation. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State wrote to the hon. Member on 7 June 1995 setting out their conclusions. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

  RAF Washington Flights
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost by year for the last three years for the RAF's twice-weekly VCIO service between Brize Norton and Washington, USA. [27395]

  Mr. Soames
  The approximate costs of operating the VCIO service between Brize Norton and Washington, Dulles airport, for the last three financial years are as follows:

  Financial year

  Cost £

  1994–95

  6,200,000

  1993–94

  5,900,000

  1992–93

  5,500,000

  Note:

  These figures reflect the cost of an average flight extrapolated over the year.

  Naval Exercises
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all naval exercises in United Kingdom waters in each of the last five years; which of these were in the Clyde or off the coast of south-west Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [27384]

  Mr. Soames
  Details of naval exercises in United Kingdom waters are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, during the last 12 months there have been 23 exercises in the Clyde and off the coast of south-west Scotland involving a combination of ships, submarines and aircraft taking part in continuation sea training.

  Minefield Practice, Scotland
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent proposals have been considered for the use of areas in the firth of Clyde and upper Loch Fyne for minefield practice; what discussions are planned with fishing organisations on these proposals; and if he will make a statement. [27383]

  Mr. Soames
  Mine countermeasures actively in the Clyde area is planned to increase later this year following the move from Rosyth to Faslane of the third mine countermeasures squadron and the small ships operational training staff. A series of constructive discussions with fishing organisations on the location of this activity has been held, and further talks are due to take place later this month.

  Tri-service Exercises
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all tri-service exercises in the United Kingdom mainland in each of the last five years; and which of these were located in part in south-west Scotland. [27835]

  Mr. Soames
  The MOD plans to conduct one major tri-service exercise each year under a series title of "Purple". The exercise may or may not be conducted wholly in the United Kingdom. Exercises follow a four-year cycle of three command post exercises or CPXs followed by a full live exercise in the fourth year. The live exercise in the period, exercise Purple Monarch,438
  1992, was reduced to a command post exercise following the Gulf war and was conducted in southern England and Gibraltar.

  On a small scale, but also planned and conducted on a tri-service basis for specialist units, is a series of exercises termed Minibus. This series again follows a four-year cycle. The live exercise in the period was held in 1994 and the geographic area used included parts of south-west Scotland. Also planned and executed in 1994 was a bi-service amphibious exercise Royal Dawn—which included a landing phase by Royal Marines on the Isle of Lewis.

  The annual tri-service Purple exercises for the five-year period were:

  Year

  Exercise

  Description

  1991

  Purple Victory

  CPX

  1992

  Purple Monarch

  Live exercise planned but CPX conducted

  1993

  Purpose Horizon

  CPX

  1994

  Purple Nova

  CPX

  1995

  Purple Zodiac

  CPX

  Vehicle Movements
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the journeys that vehicle registration number 16 AY 51 has made in the last 12 months, with dates; from what location the journey started; what was the location of its destination; and what cargo it was carrying. [28246]

  Mr. Soames
  It is not our policy to disclose details of particular military movements.

  Service Accommodation
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many units of accommodation have been sold by his Department since April 1993. [27559]

  Mr. Soames
  Between 1 April 1993 and 31 March 1995 my Department sold 2,925 dwellings.

  Territorial Army Barracks, Cardiff
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost of reconstructing the Park street territorial army barracks, Cardiff and the date on which construction(a) commenced and (b) was completed. [28310]

  Mr. Soames
  The Park street territorial army barracks in Cardiff was reconstructed between March 1993 and July 1994 at a total cost of £2,041,000.

  Dartmouth Royal Regatta
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 June,Official Report, column 193, if he will consider substituting a Royal Naval Reserve vessel as the guard ship at the Dartmouth royal regatta in place of a ship from the Royal Navy. [28458]

  Mr. Soames
  Following a major review of the RNR nearly two years ago, we concluded that the River class minesweepers then operated by them were no longer required, given the changed operational circumstances following the end of the cold war, and advances in mine warfare and technology. Accordingly, these vessels were withdrawn and RNR personnel now go to sea in all types
  439
  of RN ships where they are employed alongside regular personnel in appropriate duties. The RNR no longer has any vessels of its own; therefore, it will not be possible for one to be sent to the Dartmouth royal regatta.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Services Ombudsman
  Mr. Coe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the legal services ombudsman intends to publish his fourth annual report. [28621]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The legal services ombudsman will tomorrow publish his fourth annual report, and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

  State Papers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions since 1970 the Crown has claimed ownership of state papers held privately. [26969]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Crown made a claim of ownership of such papers in legal proceedings in relation to the Churchill papers. Information is not collated or available centrally where more informal action has been taken.

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to allow Queen's counsel a choice between uttering an oath or making a declaration to match the procedure followed by hon. Members. [27204]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Only in Northern Ireland are newly-appointed Queen's counsel required to take an oath of allegiance. The matter is therefore one for the Supreme court authorities, in consultation with the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland, on whose advice my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland acts in these matters.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department who has discretion to modify the requirements of the oath and declaration required of Queen's counsel. [27206]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  When in November 1972 the form of the declaration made by Queen's counsel in England and Wales was last modified, Her Majesty approved the Lord Chancellor's recommendation made with the agreement of the treasures of the four inns of court and the chairman of the General Council of the Bar.

  The form of the declaration made upon admission to the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland is governed by the faculty regulations. Any amendment would require the approval of the Lord President of the Court of Session.

  Any modification to the oath and declaration for Queen's counsel of Northern Ireland would be made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in the exercise of the royal prerogative. He would be advised on the matter by the Supreme Court authorities after consultation with the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland.
  440
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the oath and declaration required of Queen's counsel are identical throughout the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. [27205]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In England and Wales a declaration is made by newly appointed Queen's counsel in the following terms:"I [A.B.] do sincerely promise and declare that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second and all whom I may lawfully be called upon to serve in the office of one of Her Majesty's Counsel learned in the Law according to the best of my skill and understanding".

  In Scotland, advocates make a declaration of allegiance when they are admitted to the faculty of advocates. The declaration, commonly known as the oath of allegiance, is made in the following terms:
  "I [A.B.] do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I shall bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors according to law".

  When an advocate is granted the status of Queen's counsel in Scotland, he or she is not required to make any further declaration. The arrangements for appointment as a Queen's counsel are made through correspondence and there is no ceremony associated with appointment to this rank.

  In Northern Ireland, Queen's counsel take both an oath of allegiance and make a declaration., The oath of allegiance is in the following terms:
  "I, [A.B.] do swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her Heirs and Successors, according to law".

  The declaration made is as follows:
  "I, [A.B.] do declare that well and truly I will serve the Queen as one of Her Counsel learned in the Law and truly counsel the Queen in Her matters, when I shall be called upon so to do, and duly and truly minister the Queen's matters and sue the Queen's process after the course of the Law, and after my cunning. I will duly in convenient time speed such matters as I may lawfully do which any person shall have to do in the Law against the Queen. And in all other respects I will be attendant to the Queen's matters when I be called thereto".

  Different procedures for the recommendation and appointment of Queen's counsel subsist throughout the Commonwealth.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what is the amount of legal aid awarded to Kasim Mohamed Bacchus; and if he will make a statement about this award of legal aid; [26982]

  (2) what plans he has to investigate the award of legal aid to Kasim Mohamed Bacchus. [26931]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  A legal aid certificate was issued in favour of Mr. Bacchus on 13 April 1995 to cover contested matrimonial proceedings. The granting of legal aid in this case is now under investigation by the Legal Aid Board. No payments have been made from the legal aid fund to date.

  If it is found that an assisted person has failed to disclose his true financial position, the legal aid certificate may be revoked. In those circumstances, the Legal Aid Board would be entitled to recover its costs in full. With regard to this particular case, I have received a full report from the chief executive of the Legal Aid Board. Because of the confidentiality provisions of the Legal Aid Act

  441
  1988, I cannot disclose further details of the information. I am, however, satisfied that the matters which were of concern to the trial judge have been fully investigated and that appropriate action will be taken.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what were the costs of legal aid paid to each defendant in the case of the Crown v. Abraham, Allen and Henderson; and how much was contributed by or recovered from each defendant. [27173]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Details of the legal aid payments made to lawyers acting on behalf of the three defendants, and the amounts recovered from each defendant, are as follows:

  Defendant

  Legal aid costs excluding VAT £

  Amount recovered £

  Abraham

  124,541

  546

  Allen

  122,112

  52

  Henderson

  232,375

  5,000

  Search Warrants
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what powers he has to monitor the issuing of search warrants by magistrates; and how many representations he has received from the public in the last year concerning the issuing of search warrants; [27168]

  (2) what percentage of police applications for search warrants is refused by magistrates; and what instructions and guidance are given to magistrates on how they should exercise their powers and responsibilities when requested for search warrants. [27167]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Statistics on the number of search warrants issued or refused are not recorded centrally. Individual cases are for magistrates to decide, and it is not for the Government to seek to advise them on the exercise of their judicial discretion. Home Office circular 88/1985 contained guidance on the statutory provisions for search warrants under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and was copied to the magistrates courts. I am not aware of any representations from the public about the issue of such warrants.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the statutory instrument which passed into law during 1994 which both implement EC measures and impose fines or other penalties together with the reference number of the EC measures concerned.

  Mr. Newton
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Churchill Papers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 24 May,Official Report, column 647, on the value of the Churchill archive (1) if he will disclose the identity of the dealer in the field of antiquarian books who provided an independent valuation. [26977]

  (2) if he will place in the Library the valuation report on the Churchill archive; [26960]

  (3) what consideration the national heritage memorial fund gave to taking second and third opinions of the monetary value of the papers. [26959]

  Mr. Dorrell
  These are matters for the national heritage memorial fund, which is an independent body. I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member and to place copies of his letter in the Library of the House.

  Ealing Film Studios
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what local and other employment opportunities he expects to be consequent upon the £2 million expenditure to save the Ealing film studios; and if he will make a statement. [27992]

  Mr. Dorrell
  It is too early to say precisely what employment opportunities will become available because the new owner of Ealing film studios, the National Film and Television School, is still in the process of considering how best to use the complex in future.

EMPLOYMENT

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the work force in the east midlands is engaged in temporary work; and how that compares with the record of other EU countries. [26517]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The latest results from the labour force survey indicate that 6 per cent. of workers in the east midlands are engaged in temporary work. The share of temporary employment in Britain is among the lowest in the EC.

  Job Opportunities (Former Mining Areas)
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assistance his Department is giving to encourage job opportunities in areas run down by mine closures; and if he will make a statement. [26718]

  Mr. Paice
  The Government's sound economic policies are the best way to create jobs. But, in addition, the Government have provided a £200 million special measures package for areas affected by pit closures.

  Strikes
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current strike record in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Germany; and what were the figures in 1979. [26719]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  In 1979, the UK lost 29.5 million days, over 50 times Germany's total 0.5 million. In 1993, the United Kingdom and Germany each lost 600,000 days to labour disputes.

  Social Chapter
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what recent representations he has received from the hotel industry about the social chapter. [26720]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government's rejection of the social chapter is strongly supported by all sections of British industry, because of the damage it would have done to the UK economy and to jobs.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the relationship between(a) educational and training qualifications and (b) unemployment. [26722]

  Mr. Paice
  Unemployment rates are lower among people who have qualifications.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what, at the latest possible date, are the total figures for the unemployed in the United Kingdom; and what the figures were in June 1979. [26485]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  On the consistent, seasonally adjusted basis there were 2,327,900 people claiming unemployment-related benefits in April 1995 compared with 1,067,400 in June 1979.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the effects of the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance in Nottinghamshire. [26723]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Jobseeker's allowance will help focus the efforts of unemployed people to find jobs and will provide incentives for them to get back to work.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what monitoring he is doing of age discrimination in employment. [26724]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Age discrimination in the work place is well documented, as are the benefits of recruiting and retaining older workers—I refer the hon. Member, for example, to the Employment Gazette, April 1995, a copy of which is available in the Library. The campaign for older workers continues through voluntary means to persuade employers not to restrict jobs to a particular age group. I propose, through the advisory group on older workers, to evaluate the success of the campaign in due course.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has assessed the success of the "Too Old, Who Says?" campaign; and if he will make a statement. [26479]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The success of the campaign for older workers is continually being assessed. There are encouraging signs that an increasing number of employers are reviewing age restrictions, and consequently providing greater numbers of job opportunities open to older workers.

  Works Councils
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on works councils. [26478]
  444
  Mr. Oppenheim
  Works councils are one of the many forms of voluntary employee involvement practices used by employers in the UK.

  The Government are firmly committed to the principle of employers informing and, where appropriate, consulting their employees about matters which affect them. But we believe that, to be successful, employee involvement must always be voluntary.

  Inactivity Rates
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on inactivity rates. [26480]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Inactivity rates in the UK are low, and activity rates are high, compared to other EU countries. Our activity rate is higher than any of the other main EU countries, and higher than most of the rest, the exceptions being Denmark, Finland and Sweden.

  Labour Costs
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the effect of high non-wage labour costs on employment prospects. [26481]

  Mr. Paice
  Non-wage labour costs are lower in the United Kingdom than in most countries of the European Union. They contribute substantially to unit costs and therefore to the ability of a business to remain competitive and employ people.

  Earnings Surveys, Isle of Wight
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has received from his officials in respect of the earnings surveys on the Isle of Wight. [26482]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The published information from the regular earnings surveys is limited by the small size of the Isle of Wight population. The results of the new earnings surveys show that average weekly earnings in April 1994 were: £291 for full-time men; £237 for full-time women and £86 for part-time women.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have been placed into work by the Employment Service in the past 12 years; and if he will make a statement. [26483]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Over the 12 years to December 1994 there were 20.9 million job placements in Great Britain by the Employment Service, and its predecessor the Manpower Services Commission. In 1995–96, I am asking the ES to place a record 1.9 million people into work.

  South Thames Training and Enterprise Council
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met the receivers of South Thames TEC. [26484]

  Mr. Paice
  Employment Department officials meet regularly with the receiver.

  Youth Unemployment
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what initiatives are being pursued to combat the problem of youth unemployment; and if he will make a statement. [26486]

  Mr. Paice
  The Government guarantee a training place to all 16 and 17-year-olds not in education or employment. Modern apprenticeships, which aim to increase the number of young people training to higher levels, will add to the comprehensive range of education and training initiatives already available.

  Employment Rights
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to discuss statutory employment rights with trade unions. [24952]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I met the general secretary of the MSF last November. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Minister of State and I have each met the general secretary of the TUC on separate occasions this year. I will shortly be meeting the hon. Member and a group of Rolls-Royce convenors.

  Further Education
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the numbers leaving the work-related further education programme as an actual number and as a percentage of total leavers for each year of its operation, including those who left before completion of the scheme; if he will indicate those who went into work, those who went into further employment schemes and those who became unemployed; and, of these, if he will list the type and level of qualification each leaver obtained, including those who failed to obtain any qualification at all. [27528]

  Mr. Paice
  None. The work-related further education programme funded developments in further education institutions to improve responsiveness to the needs of employers and individuals. There was no element of direct support for individuals.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people attended and left the work-related further education scheme in each year of its operation, including those who left before the completion of the scheme. [27454]

  Mr. Paice
  None. The work-related further education programme funded developments in further education institutions to improve responsiveness to the needs of employers and individuals. There was no element of direct support for individuals.

  TVEI
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people attended and left the technical and vocational education initiative in each year of its operation, including those who left before the completion of the scheme. [27453]

  Mr. Paice
  The technical and vocational education initiative is a national programme through which local education authorities introduce a range of measures in schools and colleges to help prepare young people aged 14 to 19 for working life. It is institutions, rather than individuals, which take part in the initiative; students do not "attend" or "leave" the programme. However, it is 446
  possible to estimate the number of students directly affected by TVEI funding.

  Figures are shown in the following table:

  Academic year

  Number of students (thousands)

  1983–84

  4

  1984–85

  19

  1985–86

  38

  1986–87

  62

  1987–88

  117

  1988–89

  335

  1989–90

  592

  1990–91

  895

  1991–92

  1,053

  1992–93

  1,278

  1993–94

  1,281

  1994–95

  1,007

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the numbers leaving the technical and vocational education initiative as an actual number and as a percentage of total leavers for each year of its operation, including those who left before completion of the scheme; if he will indicate those who went into work, those who went into further employment schemes and those who became unemployed; and, of these, if he will list the type and level of qualification each leaver obtained, including those who failed to obtain any qualification at all. [27527]

  Mr. Paice
  The technical and vocational education initiative is a national programme through which local education authorities introduce a range of measures in schools and colleges to help prepare young people aged 14 to 19 for working life. It is institutions, rather than individuals, which take part in the initiative, therefore information is not available in the form requested.

  Wages Councils
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table using data from the 1994 new earnings survey relating to former wages council industries in the format of tables 30 to 53 of the 1933 new earnings survey, part B. [27243]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 9 June 1995]: As information on whether employees would have been covered by a wages board or council was not recorded by the 1994 new earnings survey, it is not possible to provide the requested tables.

  Unemployed Persons (Warnings) Decisions
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) decisions, (b) disallowances and (c) warning letters, were issued in each region and Great Britain as a whole in each quarter since April 1990 in respect of those actively seeking employment. [28118]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 13 June 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of decisions and disallowances in respect of actively seeking employment and the number of warning letters issued since April 1990.

  447
  The statistics you asked for on adjudication officers' decisions on actively seeking employment for each region, and for Great Britain as a whole, are contained in the quarterly summary entitled "Analysis of Adjudication Officers' Decisions". Copies are held in the Library of the House. The latest available information relates to the quarter ended March 1995.

  Actively Seeking Employment—warning letters issued by region and nationally for each quarter from April 1990 to September 1992

  April to June 1990

  July to December 1990

  October to December 1990

  January to March 1991

  April to June 1991

  July to September 1991

  October to December 1991

  January to March 1992

  April to June 1992

  July to September 1992

  Northern

  789

  731

  695

  394

  365

  697

  438

  403

  300

  290

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  714

  746

  637

  398

  403

  394

  359

  312

  282

  292

  East Midlands and Eastern

  463

  447

  453

  338

  337

  272

  225

  242

  203

  202

  London and South Eastern

  3,024

  2,941

  2,339

  1,895

  1,484

  1,830

  1,653

  1,839

  2,126

  2,250

  South Western

  530

  716

  533

  400

  371

  276

  273

  354

  406

  388

  Wales

  688

  464

  386

  311

  309

  185

  232

  206

  233

  183

  West Midlands

  1,354

  1,015

  853

  634

  561

  707

  606

  567

  619

  486

  North Western

  1,435

  1,521

  1,247

  1,032

  1,123

  1,061

  1,382

  1,671

  1,678

  2,006

  Scotland

  2,234

  2,149

  1,623

  1,001

  1,022

  1,134

  794

  1,010

  887

  612

  Total Great Britain

  11,231

  10,730

  8,766

  6,403

  5,975

  6,556

  5,962

  6,604

  6,734

  6,709

  Actively Seeking Employment—warning letters issued by region and nationally for each quarter from October 1992 to March 1995

  October to December 1992

  January to March 1993

  April to June 1993

  July to September 1993

  October to December 1993

  January to March 1994

  April to June 1994

  July to September 1994

  October to December 1994

  January to March 1995

  Northern

  163

  185

  124

  142

  164

  251

  89

  149

  225

  49

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  166

  163

  140

  107

  82

  83

  19

  100

  15

  17

  East Midlands and Eastern

  78

  98

  160

  139

  121

  35

  4

  10

  8

  9

  London and South Eastern

  1,758

  1,515

  1,007

  935

  682

  692

  499

  389

  1,041

  321

  South Western

  271

  349

  228

  369

  390

  555

  232

  172

  346

  537

  Wales

  71

  72

  41

  31

  38

  69

  26

  57

  52

  20

  West Midlands

  235

  190

  153

  144

  170

  261

  92

  161

  193

  127

  North Western

  1,510

  1,057

  601

  344

  206

  208

  129

  291

  276

  248

  Scotland

  337

  363

  217

  98

  44

  76

  67

  76

  27

  74

  Total Great Britain

  4,589

  3,992

  2,671

  2,309

  1,897

  2,230

  1,157

  1,405

  2,183

  1,402

  Temporary Contracts
  Sir Dudley Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for setting a time limit on open-ended temporary contracts for employees. [28296]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  None. Contractual agreements are a matter for the parties concerned.

  Personal Protection Equipment
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received concerning the Personal Protection Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 and their effect on the Sikh community; and if he will make a statement. [26617]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  We have received a number of representations on this issue, to which we have responded individually. The Personal Protective Equipment at Work 448
  I enclose a table showing by region, and for Great Britain, the number of warning letters issued to clients whose jobsearch activity was not considered to be adequate. This information is available for the period up to March 1995.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Regulations 1992 implement the use of personal protective equipment directive.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much is currently being spent on training schemes for 16 to 18-year-olds; how many are covered by the schemes; what changes to the schemes he is planning; and if he will make a statement. [26746]

  Mr. Paice
  The planned expenditure on youth training and modern apprenticeships for 1995–96 is £680 million, which will cover 150,000 first-time entrants; 243,000 will be in training during that year.

  A wide range of initiatives is already available for young people aged 16 to 18 to improve their employment prospects and achievement of vocational qualifications. We are currently working with employers to develop modern apprenticeships and accelerated modern

  449
  apprenticeships, to increase the number of young people training and to increase the number achieving qualifications at supervisory and technician levels.

  Since September 1994, 1,440 young people have commenced training in modern apprenticeship prototypes. It is expected that about 50 frameworks will be available for introduction across England from September 1995.

  Employees in the construction industry by standard region: December 1988—December 1994

  thousands

  Region

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Greater London

  138

  131

  128

  115

  103

  92

  101

  Rest of South East

  184

  187

  185

  157

  148

  139

  144

  East Anglia

  34

  37

  36

  33

  34

  29

  26

  South West

  74

  76

  74

  64

  61

  56

  54

  West Midlands

  93

  91

  89

  87

  85

  86

  88

  East Midlands

  65

  68

  67

  63

  56

  55

  62

  Yorks and Humbs

  92

  100

  97

  92

  88

  95

  81

  North West

  110

  114

  112

  100

  90

  88

  93

  North

  67

  70

  68

  67

  66

  63

  62

  Wales

  43

  47

  46

  44

  41

  46

  40

  England and Wales

  900

  921

  902

  822

  770

  749

  751

  Note:

  December of each year (not seasonally adjusted).

  Source:

  Workforce in Employment series.

  Graduate Unemployment
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 6 June,Official Report, column 98, if he will provide comparable information on graduate unemployment for each of the last five years. [28088]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: Regional information on graduate unemployment, on the International Labour Organisation definition, is given in the following table:

  ILO unemployed graduates of working age by region in Great Britain (spring each year, thousands, not seasonally adjusted)

  Region

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Great Britain

  63

  98

  135

  170

  149

  North

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  n/a

  n/a

  11

  11

  11

  East Midlands

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  11

  East Anglia

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  South East

  30

  43

  61

  79

  63

  Greater London

  19

  25

  31

  45

  36

  Rest of South East

  11

  19

  30

  33

  27

  South West

  n/a

  10

  11

  12

  10

  West Midlands

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  13

  n/a

  North West

  n/a

  10

  12

  17

  16

  Wales

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Scotland

  n/a

  n/a

  12

  10

  14

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey.

  n/a = not available; estiamte below 10,000.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the estimated number of people employed in the construction industry within each region for England and Wales for each year since 1988. [28121]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Sewage Disposal
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 6 June,Official Report, column 104, if he will list by area the visits undertaken by the health and safety executive inspectors to sewage disposal sites last year. [28381]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Area

  Provisional number of visits to sewage disposal sites

  South West

  1

  South

  5

  South East

  1

  London North

  0

  London South

  2

  East Anglia

  0

  Northern Home Counties

  5

  East Midlands

  2

  West Midlands

  0

  Wales

  1

  Marches

  5

  North Midlands

  7

  South Yorks and Humberside

  9

  West North Yorkshire

  3

  Greater Manchester

  2

  Merseyside

  1

  North West

  4

  North East

  0

  Scotland East

  20

  Scotland West

  36

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 6 June,Official Report, column 105, how many of the Health and Safety

  451
  Executive inspectors' visits to sewage disposal activities in 1994–95 were related to the maintenance of the existing sewer network. [28172]

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

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 6 June,Official Report, column 104, when he expects to have finalised the guidance package on occupational health risks from sewage. [28171]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The guidance package on occupational health risks from sewage is expected to be finalised towards the end of July 1995.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 6 June,Official Report, column 105, how many of the 104 visits to sewage disposal activities in 1994–95 resulted in (a) satisfactory or (b) critical reports. [28173]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Police Discipline Records (Disclosure)
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will place in the Library a copy of the(a) advice issued in August 1992 to chief officers of police by the Director of Public Prosecutions concerning the disclosure of police discipline records, pursuant to the case of R v. Edwards, and (b) practical instructions introduced in January 1993 concerning the same matter; and which advice and practical instructions were referred to in the Crown Prosecution Service's annual report for 1992–93 at paragraph 5.1. [27439]

  The Attorney-General
  The guidance concerning the disclosure of police discipline records and the case of Rv. Edwards was issued on 5 October 1992 and is referred to in paragraph 5.3 of the Crown Prosecution Service's annual report for 1992–93 rather than paragraph 5.1 of the report which refers to the director's advice on disclosure matters generally. Its purpose was to ensure a consistent approach to the disclosure of potentially sensitive information about police officer's disciplinary records.

  Advice given by the Director of Public Prosecutions to the police is usually treated as confidential. However, because of the interest and importance of this subject, the advice on these issues was circulated to professional bodies and others in the criminal justice system and I have placed a copy in the Library.

  The practical instructions to CPS staff referred to at paragraph 5.1 of the report supplement the separate advice on disclosure matters generally. They are confidential.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Director General of Gas Supply
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in discussions with the Director General of Gas Supply about her remuneration. [27562]
  452
  Mr. Heseltine
  In September 1993, Ms Spottiswoode was appointed Director General of Gas Supply with effect from 1 November 1993 at the advertised salary of £70,000. This has risen to £73,725 through annual increases of 2.75 per cent. in April 1994 and 2.5 per cent. in April 1995. She was allowed to hold up to two non-executive directorships, subject to my approval and so long as any appointment did not involve a greater call on her official time than I judged appropriate. Her pension arrangements were to be broadly equivalent to the civil service pension scheme arrangements.

  Subsequently, in December 1993, in response to the MMC report on gas supply, I announced my decision, subject to passage of the necessary legislation, to require the separation of British Gas trading and gas transport activities, and to accelerate to 1996–98 the introduction of competition into the domestic market. In November 1994, the Government announced that they would bring forward the necessary gas legislation in the current parliamentary Session.

  The Gas Bill would substantively increase the director general's responsibilities and work load. Apart from the licensing of new domestic gas suppliers, shippers and gas transporters, she is being given new powers under the Competition and Service (Utilities) Act 1992 in respect of the industrial and commercial gas market. She is also taking over the DTI's responsibility for regulation of gas meters and gas quality.

  Against this background, and following discussions with the director general, her salary is to be increased to £90,000 backdated to November 1994 when the decision on legislation was taken. It has also been agreed that she will be able to hold only one non-executive directorship, which will involve an annual commitment of not more than 12 to 20 days; and I shall need to be satisfied that the appointment will not prejudice the performance of her functions as director general.

  There have been separate discussions on pension arrangements. The director general has opted to make her own independent pension arrangements to which Ofgas will contribute a sum equivalent to 19.5 per cent. of salary. This is broadly the cost of the comparable pension provision under civil service arrangements.

  The remuneration of each utility regulator is a matter for individual negotiation. Information on the current salaries of the regulators of the main utilities is being placed in the Library of the House by the respective sponsoring Departments. I believe that overall the proposed changes in Ms Spottiswoode's remuneration are reasonable and fair in terms of both the changes to her own job and the remuneration of other regulators.

  Compliance Cost Assessments
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those compliance cost assessments published during the latest six-month period available. [28845]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Since April 1993 the Government have required Departments to prepare and publish compliance cost assessments with all proposed legislation presented to Parliament to assess their impact on business costs. This includes a special test of the impact on small businesses. CCAs are central to the Government's deregulation initiative and are a vital part
  453
  of the decision-making process. They are used to help parliamentary consideration of regulatory proposals and to give business the opportunity to respond to such proposals.

  A command paper listing 104 CCAs published between 1 July 1994 to 31 December 1994 has been presented to Parliament today by the President of the Board of Trade. Copies of the CCAs listed are available in the Libraries of the House. This is the second such Command Paper; the first listing CCA published between November 1993 and June 1994 was published on 15 December 1994 Cm 2719. Further command papers listing CCAs published in the preceding six-month period will be published at six-monthly intervals.

  Balance of Trade
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each country the United Kingdom's crude trade balance in the latest year for which figures are available. [27770]

  Mr. Needham
  Information is published by the Central Statistical Office in Business Monitors MM20 and MM20A, "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom", which are available in the Library of the House.

  Import Penetration
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the import penetration ratios in(a) computer equipment (b) refrigerators, (c) fridge freezers, (d) washing machines, (e) microwave ovens, (f) colour television sets, (g) video recorders and video disc players, (h) electric kettles, (i) dry irons, (j) steam irons and (k) facsimile transmission equipment, in the latest year for which figures are available [27769]

  Mr. Needham
  Available figures showing import penetration ratios in these products are published in UK markets annual reports Nos. 60, 61 and 68 for 1993, which are available in the Library of the House.

  Disused Mine Shafts
  Dr. Berry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the Coal Authority's records of disused mine shafts in the Kingwood-Bristol area. [27703]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: This is a matter for the Coal Authority.

  Intellectual Property Rights
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what help the United Kingdom gives to developing countries in legal expertise in drawing up legal instruments for intellectual property rights. [26340]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Most of the assistance in drawing up intellectual property legislation given to developing countries is provided through the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the United Kingdom makes substantial contributions to the work of this organisation. Officials from developing countries responsible for the introduction of new legislation often make study visits to the UK Patent Office to discuss issues with my officials. My officials have also taken part in missions to developing countries and have frequently corresponded with their opposite numbers for the same purpose.

  Crown Post Offices
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many Crown post offices there were in(a) Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole in 1992; and how many there are currently. [27312]

  Mr. Heseltine
  I understand from the Post Office that the information requested is as follows:

  Number of Crown post offices

  March 1992

  March 1995

  Inverclyde

  2

  2

  Strathclyde

  44

  32

  Scotland

  92

  60

  Consultation about the conversion of the two Crown post offices in Inverclyde to agency status is currently in progress. The number of post offices in Scotland offering the full range of services increased from 194 in March 1992 to 202 in March 1995.

  Executives' Pay
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on executive pay. [26470]

  Mr. Hall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to control the remuneration of senior executives. [26721]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Executive salary levels and remuneration packages are matters for individual companies and their shareholders. It is not for Government to determine salaries in the private sector or to limit companies' ability to pay competitive salaries. The Government look forward to seeing the recommendations of the Greenbury committee on best practice in determining and disclosing executive remuneration.

  Manufacturing Exports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the United Kingdom share of exports of manufactures by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries in 1994; what was the corresponding percentage in 1979; and in which years since then the percentage has been lower than in 1994. [27432]

  Mr. Needham
  Information on the UK share of exports of manufactures by the OECD countries for 1994 is not yet available. In 1979, the UK share of exports of manufactures by the OECD countries was 8.9 per cent.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the United Kingdom percentage share of exports of manufactures by the main manufacturing countries in the latest year and latest quarter and in the third quarter of 1977. [27433]

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is published in table D1 of the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics" and is available from the Central Statistical Office's central shared database, which can be accessed from the Library of the House.

  Overseas Commercial Posts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade pursuant to his answer of 24 May,Official Report, column 644,concerning the effectiveness of commercial posts overseas in increasing exports,

  455
  from what date United Kingdom exports to India have increased by 50 per cent.; what were the equivalent increases or decreases in exports to India by Germany, Japan, the USA, France and Italy; and if he will publish the percentage change in Indian imports since that date from the six countries to the latest annual quarter, and the corresponding change in exports from the six to India. [27495]

  Mr. Needham
  The following table sets out figures for UK-India bilateral trade in the period 1992–94 and the comparable figures for our main competitors.

  G6 exports to India 1992, 1994 and percentage change

  1992 £ million

  1994 £ million

  Percentage change

  Germany

  1,034

  1,351

  30.6

  Japan

  847

  1,338

  57.8

  USA

  1.091

  1,500

  37.5

  France

  384

  533

  38.9

  Italy

  276

  462

  67.5

  UK

  944

  1,311

  38.9

  G6 imports from India 1992, 1994 and percentage change

  1992 £ million

  1994 £ million

  Percentage Change

  Germany

  982

  1,367

  39.3

  Japan

  1,161

  1,731

  49.0

  USA

  2,155

  3,462

  60.6

  France

  410

  586

  43.1

  Italy

  437

  659

  50.7

  UK

  860

  1,288

  49.7

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 24 May,Official Report, column 644, concerning the effectiveness of commercial posts overseas in increasing exports, if the increase in exports made possible by Action Japan or the Indo-British Partnership is likely to exceed (a) their foreign exchange cost, (b) the total cost to Government and (c) the benefit of a 1 per cent. fall in the real value of sterling relative to those of the United Kingdom's competitors in the relevant markets. [27504]

  Mr. Needham
  The information is not available.

  Manufacturing Trade
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the terms of trade for manufacturers in the three months to(a) February 1995, (b) February 1990 and (c) February 1976; and if he will include for each date the figure for (i) import penetration
  456
  and (ii) the UK share of exports of manufactures by the main manufacturing countries. [27496]

  Mr. Needham
  The terms of trade for manufactures in the periods requested were(a) 100.3, (b) 99.3 and (c) 85.5 compared with a value of 100 for the base year, 1990. The remaining information is not available for the months specified. However, information on the UK share of exports by the main manufacturing companies and, up to mid-1989, on import penetration for manufactures, is available on a quarterly basis: both series can be obtained from the central shared database, access to which is available in the Library of the House.

  World Trade Share
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the trend in volume terms of Britain's share of world trade over the last 30 years for(a) invisibles, (b) visibles and (c) invisibles and visibles combined. [27501]

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. For information on value share, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 22 May 1995,Official Report, column 424.

  Franchised Post Office Outlets
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many supermarkets currently designated for closure by their owners contain franchised Post Office Counters outlets. [27259]

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 6 June 1995]: The Post Office is not aware of any such cases.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those Post Office Counters outlets which have been relocated from Crown post offices to franchised outlets and which have subsequently been transferred to other premises, with a statement of the reason in each case. [27258]

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 6 June 1995]: I understand from the Post Office that there have been two such cases involving franchised post offices in Sutton in Ashfield and in Cinderford. At Sutton in Ashfield, the host store closed down but, in accordance with the terms of the franchise contract with Post Office Counters Ltd., the post office remained open until a suitable alternative partner and site were found. At Cinderford, the original franchisee took on the outlet on the same site as the previous Crown office with a view to changing premises later. In the event, the franchisee was unable to do this and, after a brief period of being run by Post Office Counters staff, the office was franchised to another agent at a different site.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Health Boards
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the total cost, including staff time, incurred in carrying out the competitive tendering process for support services for each contract tendered by the four health boards since 1990. [25999]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is not available in the form requested, as not all elements of the costs can be attributed to individual contracts. However, the total cost, including staff time dedicated to market testing, incurred in carrying out the process in the four health and social services board areas is as follows:

  Annual cost of carrying out the market testing process by board area

  Board area

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  Northern

  9,720

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Southern1

  31,085

  0

  450

  10,495

  60,577

  Eastern2

  407,158

  286,441

  96,169

  34,246

  40,432

  Western

  32,000

  17,000

  0

  0

  36,000

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

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

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the annual value of contracts let to private contractors for each support service by each health board since 1990. [26001]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is as follows:

  Annual value of contracts let to private contractors by service Domestic services:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  0

  781,711

  1,007,937

  0

  1991–92

  0

  1,797,822

  1,089,403

  596,000

  1992–93

  0

  1,941,071

  1,236,736

  943,000

  1993–94

  0

  1,969,762

  1,316,141

  974,000

  1994–95

  0

  1,974,404

  1,262,924

  807,000

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

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

  Catering services:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  0

  370,267

  0

  3,136,000

  1991–92

  0

  1,252,818

  863,570

  3,230,000

  1992–93

  0

  1,449,072

  983,570

  3,327,000

  1993–94

  0

  1,528,169

  947,570

  3,427,000

  1994–95

  0

  1,415,045

  831,570

  2,788,000

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

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

  458

  Annual value of contracts let to private contractors by service Laundry and Linen services:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1991–92

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1992–93

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1993–94

  0

  0

  22,996

  0

  1994–95

  0

  0

  162,978

  0

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

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

  Other support services:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1991–92

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1992–93

  774,000

  469,000

  515,000

  482,000

  1993–94

  980,000

  469,000

  537,000

  482,000

  1994–95

  980,000

  469,000

  578,000

  482,000

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

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

  n/a = This information was not collected before 1992–93.

  Annual value of contracts let to private contractors by service Multi-service contracts:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1991–92

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1992–93

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1993–94

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1994–95

  0

  0

  3414,000

  4637,000

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

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

  3 This contract includes Domestic, Catering, Portering, Security and Telephonist Services.

  4 this contract includes Domestic and Catering Services.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the full costs of redundancy and early retirement payments related to the tendering process made for each support service contract by each health board in the period since 1990. [26005]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is given in the table and has been extracted from the tender evaluation reports on which the award of contracts was based.
  459

  Cost of redundancy and early retirement payments since 1990 related to market testing by service and health board area

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  Domestic

  0

  556,663

  269,293

  608,400

  Catering

  0

  133,000

  132,293

  0

  Laundry

  0

  0

  4,520

  0

  Other

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Notes:

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

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

  Source:

  Tender evaluation reports on which the Award of Contracts were based.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the annual sum of net savings from competitive tendering contract awards of NHS support services for each year since 1990 for each of the four health and social services boards. [26009]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested, which is net of market-testing process costs, HPSS staff and consultants; monitoring and contract management costs; redundancy and early retirement costs; avoidable overhead costs; and national insurance costs, is given in the table. The information relates to all market-testing contract awards both in-house and commercial.

  Annual sum of net savings from market testing contract awards HPSS support services by board area and financial year

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  178,500

  642,529

  810,355

  993,000

  1991–92

  474,000

  1,414,839

  2,614,283

  1,681,000

  1992–93

  624,000

  1,307,736

  3,734,249

  2,085,000

  1993–94

  703,000

  1,459,265

  4,028,479

  2,135,000

  1994–95

  705,000

  1,743,771

  4,587,776

  2,412,000

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

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

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what have been the client side costs, including monitoring of the contract and contract management costs for each support service contract awarded since 1990 for each health board.

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is not available in the form requested as not all the elements of these costs can be allocated to individual contracts. However, the information in terms of the total costs of the monitoring and contract management of all contracts, both in-house and commercial, for the support services by board area and financial year is given in the following tables.
  460

  Annual cost of contract monitoring and management by service and board area Domestic services:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  16,000

  19,251

  70,460

  0

  1991–92

  29,250

  41,742

  156,280

  74,000

  1992–93

  60,300

  42,028

  192,551

  70,000

  1993–94

  63,000

  55,104

  186,998

  77,000

  1994–95

  66,600

  23,735

  185,389

  56,000

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

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

  Catering services:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  16,000

  31,367

  37,540

  111,000

  1991–92

  29,000

  55,574

  105,566

  64,000

  1992–93

  60,300

  55,202

  172,717

  64,000

  1993–94

  63,000

  74,000

  199,309

  74,000

  1994–95

  66,600

  38,368

  203,684

  45,000

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

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

  Annual cost of contract monitoring and management by service and board area Laundry and linen service

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  0

  5,542

  0

  17,000

  1991–92

  6,500

  10,698

  18,548

  14,000

  1992–93

  13,400

  11,198

  30,742

  15,000

  1993–94

  14,000

  16,000

  43,544

  16,000

  1994–95

  14,800

  6,041

  50,217

  16,000

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

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

  Other support services

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1991–92

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1992–93

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1993–94

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1994–95

  0

  0

  0

  0

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

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

  n/a = This information was not collected before 1992–93.
  461

  Annual value of contracts let to private contractors by service Multi-service contracts:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1991–92

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1992–93

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1993–94

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1994–95

  0

  0

  9.5103

  34.0004

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

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

  3 This contract includes Domestic, Catering, Portering, Security and Telephonist Services.

  4 This contract includes Domestic and Catering Services.

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total annual expenditure on management or technical consultants engaged in the competitive tendering process by each of the health boards for each year since 1990. [26008]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is as follows:

  Annual expenditure on management/technical consultants by board area

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  9,270

  0

  11,500

  0

  1991–92

  0

  0

  67,978

  0

  1992–93

  0

  17,987

  36,586

  0

  1993–94

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1994–95

  0

  14,100

  3,000

  0

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

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

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what have been the net savings achieved for each support service put out to tender each year since 1990 for each health board. [26010]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is as follows:

  Annual net savings for HPSS market testing by service and board area Domestic services:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  3(2,000)

  193,160

  615,182

  —

  1991–92

  193,160

  764,153

  1,467,605

  525,000

  1992–93

  196,000

  724,894

  1,798,276

  846,000

  1993–94

  232,000

  803,751

  1,857,050

  863,000

  1994–95

  296,000

  865,692

  1,874,103

  910,000

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

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

  3 The figures in brackets represent in-house costs in excess of the agreed contract costs.

  462

  Catering services:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  12,000

  429,859

  173,991

  955,000

  1991–92

  73,000

  632,240

  959,795

  1,097,000

  1992–93

  191,000

  553,681

  1,713,157

  1,179,000

  1993–94

  192,000

  569,700

  1,893,564

  1,210,000

  1994–95

  124,000

  805,980

  1,869,396

  1,368,000

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

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

  Annual net savings for HPSS market testing by service and board area Domestic services:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  168,500

  19,510

  20,882

  38,000

  1991–92

  208,000

  18,446

  186,583

  59,000

  1992–93

  211,000

  3(31,839)

  197,516

  60,000

  1993–94

  253,000

  85,819

  252,565

  62,000

  1994–95

  259,000

  72,162

  557,977

  64,000

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

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

  3 The figures in brackets represent in-house costs in excess of the agreed contract costs.

  Other support services:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1991–92

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1992–93

  26,000

  61,000

  25,300

  —

  1993–94

  26,000

  61,000

  25,300

  —

  1994–95

  26,000

  61,000

  25,300

  —

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

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

  n/a = This information was not collected before 1992–93.

  Annual net savings for HPSS market testing by service and board area Multi-service contracts:

  Board area

  Northern £

  Southern1£

  Eastern2£

  Western £

  1990–91

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1991–92

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1992–93

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993–94

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1994–95

  —

  —

  3261,000

  470,000

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

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

  3 This contract includes Domestic, Catering, Portering, Security and Telephonist Services.

  4 This contract includes Domestic and Catering Services.

  Farm Improvement Grants
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when applications in respect of SPARD—farm improvement grants—will be approved and payments issued to farmers. [25940]

  Mr. Ancram
  Applications received up to and including 22 March 1995 will be processed and related claims paid according to the targets in "Our Service Standards". Applications received after 22 March 1995 will be acknowledged as soon as practicable, but related claims will be paid only according to the financial resources available and after the Department has discharged its obligations to those who submitted their applications up to that date.

  Rural Cottage Holidays Ltd.
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of the directors of Rural Cottage Holidays Ltd.; how much grant has been made available to this organisation from the Government or European Union sources over the past two years; how many developments have been assisted by Rural Cottage Holidays Ltd.; what measures have been undertaken by the Northern Ireland tourist board to market or promote directly or indirectly the activities of Rural Cottage Holidays Ltd.; who are the owners of the establishments leased to Rural Cottage Holidays Ltd.; and what monitoring he has undertaken to ensure that this body, and those establishments supported by it, have not received any more preferential support in the marketing and promotion of their activities than is given to other self-catering developments in Northern Ireland. [26630]

  Mr. Ancram
  The names of the directors of Rural Cottage Holidays Ltd. are:

  Mr. J. Armstrong

  Mr. I. Henderson

  Dr. D. MacNeice

  Mr. G. McWhinney

  Mr. D. Myles

  Lord Rathcavan

  Ms M. Ritchie

  Mr. T. Sturgess

  Over the past two years, £375,000 has been made available to the organisation from Government and European Union sources.

  To date, four cottages have received assistance.

  Rural Cottage Holidays Ltd. undertakes its own marketing. NITB will offer advice and support to the company on its marketing and promotional activities as it does with any tourism organisation or individual accommodation provider.

  Leases have been signed with the following:

  Mr. M. Jameson: Ballycastle

  Mr. H. McDonnell: Glenarm

  Mr. G. McKeown: Broughshane (2 cottages)

  The activities of Rural Cottage Holidays Ltd. will be monitored by the Northern Ireland tourist board. The tourist board is represented on the board of the company and will ensure that the company and its properties do not receive preferential support towards marketing and promotion activities.

  Grafton Recruitment
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he became aware that the chief executive of a health and social services board was the majority shareholder in a nursing recruitment agency; and what inquiries he has made into health service contracts placed with that recruitment agency. [26967]

  Mr. Moss
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 9 June,Official Report, column 346.

  Northern Ireland Electricity
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the 16th report of the Committee of Public Accounts on the privatisation of Northern Ireland Electricity HC24 of Session 1994–95; and if he will make a statement. [27135]

  Mr. Ancram
  A response will be represented to Parliament in due course in the Department of Finance and Personnel memorandum of reply to the Public Accounts Committee report.

  Early Years Services
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he will adopt to increase the level of grant aid to the four health and social services boards in respect of early years services. [27140]

  Mr. Moss
  The Department of Health and Social Services allocates resources to the health and social services boards on a capitation basis. It is for the boards to determine priorities for the use of these resources within broad guidelines laid down by the Department. They do not receive grant aid, and funds are not earmarked for particular services.

  In September 1994, the Government published a policy statement for the development of day care nursery education for young children in Northern Ireland. The statement announced the creation of an early years development fund, which will channel over £1 million extra over the three years ended April 1997 to early years projects in the voluntary and community sector.

  This is in addition to the board's regular spending on early years services, and to recurrent grant aid of over £279,000 annually from the Department towards the regional activities of voluntary organisations in this field.

  Tooth Decay
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the percentage of people aged five to 18 years with permanent teeth which are actively decayed, filled or missing due to decay. [27202]

  Mr. Moss
  The information for people aged five to 15 years is given in the table. Figures for ages 16, 17 and 18 are not available.

  Percentage of Northern Ireland children with tooth decay

  Age

  Tooth condition

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  14

  15

  Actively decayed

  1

  6

  16

  19

  23

  29

  36

  40

  37

  38

  44

  Filled (otherwise sound)

  1—

  1

  10

  13

  23

  36

  53

  60

  68

  78

  73

  Missing due to decay

  1—

  1

  1

  2—

  5

  7

  11

  14

  11

  29

  21

  465

  Percentage of Northern Ireland children with tooth decay

  Age

  Tooth condition

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  14

  15

  Any decay experience

  1

  7

  24

  27

  40

  53

  69

  76

  75

  87

  85

  1 Nil count.

  2 Less than 1 per cent.

  Environmental Protection Agency
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the establishment of an environmental protection agency in Northern Ireland. [27169]

  Mr. Moss
  A prior options study completed earlier this year concluded that a next steps agency should be set up, within the Department, from 1 April 1996, responsible for the implementation of environmental policies in Northern Ireland. It rejected the concept of an independent environmental protection agency. Work is now on schedule to set up the new agency.

  Heart Disease
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) cases of heart disease and (b) deaths due to heart disease were recorded for each year since 1990. [27211]

  Mr. Moss
  Information on the number of cases of heart disease in Northern Ireland is not collected centrally. The number of finished consultant episodes for hospital inpatients suffering from heart disease is as follows:

  Number

  1990–91

  17,584

  1991–92

  18,398

  1992–93

  n/a

  1993–94

  22,422

  n/a - Not available.

  The number of deaths due to heart disease is as follows:

  Number

  1990

  5,047

  1991

  4,924

  1992

  5,039

  1993

  4,997

  1994

  14,853

  1 Provisional.

  Further Education
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what has been the capital expenditure on further education in Northern Ireland in each of the past 10 years in real and constant price terms; [27424]

  (2) what has been the capital expenditure on the buildings of the Belfast Institute of Further Education in each of the past 10 years in real and constant price terms. [27425]

  Mr. Ancram
  Capital expenditure on further education in Norther Ireland and on the further education colleges in the Belfast education and library board area for each financial year from 1984–85 to 1992–93 is in the statements and summary of the education and library boards' accounts—Cmnds 9820, 255, 388, 690, 1105,466
  1531, 1977, 2249 and 2603—copies of which are available in the Library. The figures for 1993–94 will be published in July 1995. Accounts for 1994–95 have not yet been finalised by the boards.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the planned capital building programme for the further education sector for the next five years. [27427]

  Mr. Ancram
  There is no specific allocation of resources to a capital building programme for the further education sector for the next five years. Further education projects compete annually for allocations from the capital new starts programme.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reports he has received from inspectors of education about physical conditions in Northern Ireland's institute of further and higher education; and if he will make those reports available. [27428]

  Mr. Ancram
  Since January 1989, there have been 17 published inspection reports within the further education sector in Northern Ireland. Each of these reports includes comments on the physical conditions of the institution(s) concerned and copies may be obtained from inspectorate support branch, Department of Education (NI), Rathgael house, Balloo road, Bangor, BT19 7RP.

  Ormeau Buildings
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the official assessment of the conditions of the Ormeau buildings of the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education; if they meet basic health and safety requirements; and what he proposes to do about them. [27426]

  Mr. Ancram
  The general fabric and structure of the original building at Ormeau has deteriorated extensively and part of it has been closed for reasons of safety; the general fabric and construction of the Orlit building and the later extension is in reasonable condition, with the exception of the flat roofing. Measures have been taken by the Belfast education and library board to address the essential health and safety problems.

  An economic appraisal to examine the institute's most pressing accommodation needs will be commenced shortly by the board. The target date for the completion of the appraisal is October 1995.

  Police (Body Armour)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 25 May,Official Report, column 756, if the body armour provided by the RUC is (a) bullet-proof and (b) knife-proof. [27826]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The body armour provided is classified as bullet-proof, but, although providing some protection, is not classified as knife-proof.

  Education Administration
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what action he proposes to take to ensure that incorporated colleges and schools act co-operatively to provide an integrated service for their communities; [28470]

  (2) what plans he has for a Northern Ireland further education funding council or similar body when colleges are incorporated; [28474]
  467
  (3) what action he will take to ensure that incorporated colleges make sufficient provision for those with problems of literacy and numeracy; [28469]

  (4) what proposals he has for students to be on the managing bodies of incorporated colleges; [28473]

  (5) what proposals he has for non-industrialists from the community to be on the managing bodies of incorporated colleges; [28471]

  (6) if he will require incorporated colleges to reach set standards in provision for those with special needs; [28468]

  (7) what proposals he has for college staff to be on the managing bodies of incorporated bodies. [28472]

  Mr. Ancram
  The consultation period on the Government's proposals for the restructuring of educational administration in Northern Ireland ended on 9 June. Before making any final decision, I will consider very carefully all the responses which we have received.

  Belfast City Council
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  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 Belfast city council in(a) January 1992, (b) January 1993, (c) January 1994 and (d) January 1995. [26966]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The available information has been placed in the Library.

SCOTLAND

  Hunting
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether all hunts which hunt on Forestry Commission land are required to hold a licence to do so; what monitoring procedures are in place to ensure that the terms and conditions of a licence are adhered to; and for what reasons licences are issued to hunts to hunt on Forestry Commission land. [27124]

  Sir Hector Monro
  All hunts require permission to enter Forestry Commission land. This permission may be in the form of a licence, or there may be a general permission where there is a long and established tradition of hunting over the land. Forestry Commission staff carry out random checks on hunt days to ensure that licence conditions are being observed. The commission allows hunting over land where it has traditionally been practised or where the right to hunt has been reserved in the commission's title.

  Theatres (Funding)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the theatres in Scotland which receive public funding, showing the amount of revenue funding provided by(a) the Scottish Arts Council and (b) local authorities to each theatre in each of the last five years. [27316]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The theatres in Scotland which have received public funding from both the Scottish 468
  Arts Council and local authorities between 1989 and 1994 are shown in the table. Final figures for 1994–95 are not yet available. Information on theatres supported by local authorities but not by SAC is not held centrally.

  1989–90 £

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  Borderline theatre

  SAC

  126,500

  139,276

  149,025

  156,476

  156,500

  Local authority

  35,580

  54,799

  36,840

  68,647

  48,050

  Brunton theatre

  SAC

  35,200

  38,755

  41,468

  53,541

  53,541

  Local authority

  86,580

  101,520

  117,270

  119,440

  119,210

  Byre theatre

  SAC

  71,400

  78,611

  84,114

  103,320

  115,430

  Local authority

  37,950

  42,000

  46,120

  64,574

  63,000

  Citizens' theatre

  SAC

  398,000

  438,198

  490,272

  514,786

  535,377

  Local authority

  457,310

  486,365

  508,666

  550,730

  564,575

  Communicado theater

  SAC

  —

  118,000

  126,260

  152,573

  155,624

  Local authority

  —

  22,500

  59,700

  27,560

  28,111

  Dundee Repertory theatre

  SAC

  174,000

  191,574

  215,684

  236,486

  277,216

  Local Authority

  178,870

  185,000

  215,662

  274,313

  300,348

  Perth theatre

  SAC

  182,500

  200,933

  214,988

  255,737

  260,852

  Local authority

  222,762

  221,500

  251,000

  246,300

  299,771

  Pitlochry festival theatre

  SAC

  167,500

  184,418

  197,327

  227,193

  231,737

  Local authority

  59,175

  63,909

  70,300

  205,800

  76,768

  Royal lyceum

  SAC

  399,850

  440,235

  471,051

  509,604

  534,296

  Local authority

  328,732

  359,000

  467,000

  456,480

  461,509

  TAG theatre

  SAC

  76,500

  84,226

  97,778

  132,667

  136,647

  Local authority

  201,530

  93,467

  82,940

  97,408

  73,700

  Traverse theatre

  SAC

  227,000

  249,927

  267,422

  280,793

  292,024

  Local authority

  43,000

  46,500

  55,500

  65,374

  51,979

  Tron theatre

  SAC

  125,500

  138,175

  147,847

  190,239

  201,653

  Local authority

  104,000

  250,425

  123,570

  177,325

  143,256

  Wildcat stage productions

  SAC

  142,300

  156,672

  167,639

  184,021

  193,222

  Local authority

  40,000

  105,000

  44,000

  46,000

  48,500

  469

  1989–90 £

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  7:84 Theatre Company

  SAC

  138,000

  151,938

  162,573

  170,702

  174,116

  Local authority

  30,400

  28,000

  41,400

  29,450

  38,670

  The Scottish Arts Council funding figures relate only to revenue but local authority figures relate both to revenue and project funding as a breakdown is not available.

  Community Hospital, Ayrshire
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision he has made in his NHS capital programme for the community hospital in south-east Ayrshire. [27381]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A provisional sum of £4.0 million has been identified within the overall capital programme for Scotland in 1995–96 for the south-east Ayrshire community hospital, with a further £9 million provision in subsequent years. The availability of these monies is dependent on the outcome of Ayrshire and Arran health board's consultation on the siting of the service, submission and approval of a business case for the scheme and full exploration of private finance, which, if successful, will release identified public funds for other uses.

  Qualified nurses1 directly employed by the NHS in Scotland; hospital and community; by type of contract; at 30 September

  Whole-time

  Part-time

  Total numbers

  Whole-time equivalent

  1993

  1994

  1993

  1994

  1993

  1994

  1993

  1994

  Total2 3 4

  25,075

  24,849

  16,048

  16,358

  41,123

  41,207

  34,853.9

  34,949.3

  Trusts5

  8,729

  21,935

  5,622

  14,098

  14,351

  36,033

  12,051.1

  30,639.8

  1 Comprises senior nurse managers and qualified nurses working in hospital and community. Some senior nurse managers have been transferred on to new A and C senior manager scales and are not included in these figures.

  2 Excludes the following groups of nurses; working for the state hospital, Carstairs, the Common Services Agency or health boards; nurses in training, nurse teachers, agency and bank nurses.

  3 Includes DMUs.

  4 Health boards may purchase health care from the private sector. Nurses employed in the private sector to fulfil such contracts are not included in the data.

  5 There were 17 NHS trusts at 30 September 1993 and 39 at 30 September 1994.

  Police Complaints Procedure
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of officially investigated complaints against the police in each Scottish region for each of the last five years; what percentage were found to be justified in each case; and how many resulted in(a) disciplinary action and (b) dismissal in each case. [27378]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The information requested is published at table 10 of each annual report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland. The relevant reports—Cm 1993, Cm 2198, Cm 2587 and Cm 2856—are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received over the past year regarding the need for an independent police complaints procedure in Scotland; what consideration he has given to the introduction of such procedure; and if he will make a statement. [27379]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Following a review of the existing complaints procedures by Her Majesty's
  470
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has approved the decision by Ayrshire and Arran health board in respect of which bodies will be allowed to put forward tenders, bids or offers to operate the community hospital in south-east Ayrshire. [27382]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The decision to restrict tenders to operate the new community hospital to NHS providers is entirely a matter for Ayrshire and Arran health board.

  Nurses
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total full-time equivalent number of nurses in Scottish hospitals or community posts at the most recent date of which information is available; how many of these are(a) employed full time on permanent contracts by NHS trusts, (b) employed part time on permanent contracts by NHS trusts, (c) employed on short-term contracts by NHS trusts and (d) provided to trusts through contracts with private or other non-NHS employers; and what were all these figures one year previously. [27380]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information available centrally is shown in the following table. Permanent and short-term contracts cannot be distinguished. Information is not collected about nurses who may be employed through contracts between trusts and private or other non-NHS employers.

  inspectorate of constabulary, published on 11 February 1993, my right hon. Friend concluded that a police complaints authority should not be established in Scotland. He has decided, however, that Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary should make a greater input to the complaints procedure. New arrangements to this end will be introduced as soon as possible under the provisions of the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994.

  Very few representations on this matter have been received following the publication of the report of the review.

  New Farmers
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make provision for compensation to newly established farmers in respect of interest incurred on bank loans as a result of delays in allocating and payment sheep annual premium and suckler cow premium quotas to newly established farmers. [27780]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 9 June 1995]: There is no provision in the EC legislation governing the respective

  471
  schemes which would allow compensation to be paid in such cases.

  Accidents at Work
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fatal accident inquiries have been held into fatalities in the workplace in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [27310]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Crown Office does not hold records centrally of the number of fatalities in the workplace which were subsequently the subject of a fatal accident inquiry. An inquiry must be held in the case of a death which appears to have resulted from an accident while the person who has died, being an employee, was in the course of his employment or, being an employer or self-employed person, was engaged in his occupation as such, unless criminal proceedings have been concluded against any person in respect of the death or any accident from which the death resulted and the Lord Advocate is satisfied that the circumstances of the death have been sufficiently established in the course of such proceedings. In the past 10 years the Health and Safety Executive has received notification of 298 deaths in the workplace in Scotland.

  Prison Accommodation
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) male prisoners and (b) female prisoners are currently held (i) three to a one-person cell and (ii) two to a one-person cell; and what the figures were for each of the past seven years. [27309]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 13 June 1995:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your question about the extent of double and triple occupancy of cells designed for one person.
  Occupancy of single cells by more than one prisoner can arise due to factors other than high prisoner numbers, for example to allow refurbishment to improve prisoner accommodation (including the installation of in-cell toilets and electrical power). In some cases single cells are in double occupancy at the request of prisoners themselves, who for their own reasons prefer to share.
  Historical records of instances of double or triple occupancy are not maintained, but the current position - as at lock-up on the night of Wednesday 7 June - is set out in the attached table.

  Establishment

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Aberdeen

  56

  0

  0

  0

  Barlinnie

  806

  0

  0

  0

  Castle Huntly

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Cornton Vale

  0

  18

  0

  6

  Dumfries

  12

  0

  0

  0

  Dungavel

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Edinburgh

  260

  0

  87

  0

  Friarton

  50

  0

  0

  0

  Glenochil

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Greenock

  176

  0

  9

  0

  Inverness

  66

  0

  0

  0

  Longriggend

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Low Moss

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Noranside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Penninghame

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Perth

  118

  0

  0

  0

  Peterhead

  0

  0

  0

  0

  472

  Establishment

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Peterhead Unit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Polmont

  96

  0

  0

  0

  Shotts

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shotts Special Unit

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shotts National Induction Centre

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Totals

  1,640

  18

  96

  6

  Police Protective Clothing
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to make funds available to chief constables to ensure that all police officers have ready access to bullet-proof vests and/or knife-proof vests; and if he will make a statement. [27308]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is for police authorities to fund provision of equipment for their forces. The Scottish Office would pay police grant in the usual way at 51 per cent. of expenditure on such provision.

  Woodlands
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by(a) parliamentary constituency and (b) county or Scottish region all woodlands currently owned by the Forestry Commission, giving their name, location, hectarage and indicating whether they are leasehold or freehold and their market value. [27332]

  Sir Hector Monro
  Lists of all Forestry Commission woodlands, both by parliamentary constituency and by county or Scottish region, were placed in the Library of the House in 1994. A list of woodlands sold by the commission in 1994 is also held in the Library. These lists give the name, location and size of each woodland.

  It is not possible to include the legal status of individual woodlands on the lists because the woodlands often consist of land acquired under several titles, which may be both freehold and leasehold. The commission does not estimate market values for individual woodlands unless they are to be sold.

  Radioactivity, Dounreay
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has received from the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment and the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee about radioactive particles on the beaches near Dounreay nuclear establishment. [26782]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A joint statement by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment and the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee, "Potential Health Effects and Possible Sources of Radioactive Particles Found in the Vicinity of Dounreay Nuclear Establishment", has been published today. A copy of that statement, which is published by HMSO, has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The Government are grateful to both committees for their work and look to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority to respond positively to the recommendations made in the statement.

TRANSPORT

  Vehicle Styling Bars
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the benefits in terms of the reduction of serious injuries of polyurethane deformable front styling bars for cars; and if he will make a statement. [26580]

  Mr. Norris
  The digest of the Transport Research Laboratory project report 19 of 1993 indicates that approximately 60 per cent. of pedestrian casualties are struck by the fronts of cars. Softer car fronts could lead to a 7 per cent. reduction in the number of fatally injured pedestrians and could reduce injury severity for 21 per cent. of the seriously injured pedestrians.

  Polyurethane deformable bumpers were found to be one method of achieving savings. The Department has not carried out any tests on polyurethane styling bars.

  Forth Rail Bridge
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking on the latest reports to him from the Health and Safety Commission on the state of the Forth rail bridge. [26618]

  Mr. Watts
  The Health and Safety Executive has made no reports recently on the condition of the Forth rail bridge. However, the Health and Safety Executive is currently undertaking an assessment of the structural condition of the bridge and hopes to publish its findings later this year.

  Taxis
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation he has held with police authority representatives over plans to change the nature of number plates exhibited by taxis and private hire car vehicles. [27952]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he will ensure that radio circuit operators monitor insurance records for taxis and private hire vehicles. [27953]

  Mr. Norris
  This is one of the matters that will be considered before legislation is introduced in Parliament.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will promote a system of regular driver assessment for taxis and private hire vehicles. [27955]

  Mr. Norris
  No.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if licensing authorities will have access to all relevant documentation required for the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles. [27956]

  Mr. Norris
  Yes, if it can be legally shown to them.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to publish the operation by local authorities of a licensing life scheme, requiring the replacement of taxis after a specified number of years, following his response to the Transport Select Committee's recommendations on taxis and private hire vehicles in the fourth report of Session 1993–94. [27957]

  Mr. Norris
  None. The criterion should not be the age of the vehicle, but whether it is fit for its intended use.

  Rail Fare Reductions
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his estimate of the annual revenue loss which would result from a 1 per cent. general reduction in United Kingdom rail fares assuming constant ticket demand; and what estimate he has made of the price elasticity of demand for United Kingdom rail travel. [28315]

  Mr. Watts
  In 1993–94, passenger receipts were £2,165.8 million. In that year, a 1 per cent. reduction in rail fares at a constant level of demand would therefore cost £21.7 million. The Department does not prepare estimates of price elasticity of demand for rail travel.

  Newbury Bypass
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the final report on the A34 Newbury bypass from the Highways Agency. [28459]

  Mr. Watts
  The Highways Agency has been asked to report to the Secretary of State as soon as possible.

  Cycle Helmets
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to introduce legislation to make the wearing of helmets compulsory for pedal cyclists. [28242]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government actively promote the benefits of cycle helmet wearing, but we have no plans to make them compulsory.

  Road Rage
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State if he will initiate a study into the condition known as road rage. [28337]

  Mr. Norris
  I have no plans to do so at present.

  A14
  Sir Anthony Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will examine the dangers of the A14, formerly the A604, road in Cambridgeshire and make plans to improve its safety; and if he will make a statement. [28294]

  Mr. Watts
  In response to local concerns about the A14 the Highways Agency is appointing consultants to recommend appropriate interim remedial measures that will improve safety until the completion of the major scheme on the A14 between the M11 and the A1.

  Drivers' Hours
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend powers to the Vehicle Inspectorate and the police to prohibit domestic registered vehicles from proceeding where it is clear that excess hours are found; and if he will make a statement. [27668]

  Mr. Norris
  None. The driver of a domestic registered vehicle who is found to have driven excess hours, or taken inadequate rest, is liable to prosecution. In such circumstances, the driver would be advised to take the required rest or face the prospect that refusal to do so would be reported to the court in any subsequent prosecution and further charges might be brought. There is no evidence to suggest that this procedure is an
  475
  inadequate means for preventing drivers from continuing their journey.

  Helicopter Sites, Central London
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what study he has commissioned or supported concerning the location of additional helicopter sites to serve central London; what conclusions it has reached; and what consultations relating to them he has initiated with the relevant local authorities. [27875]

  Mr. Norris
  The London heliport study working group was set up in February 1992. Its report was published on 21 March 1995 and copies were placed in the Library of the House.

  Any firm planning application for a new heliport, whether in respect of one of the study sites or elsewhere, would first have to be submitted to the appropriate local authority in accordance with the statutory planning procedures.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the consultations he has held with industry on the changes in vehicle excise duty. [26496]

  Mr. Norris
  Vehicle excise duty is for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It is not normal practice to consult on taxation rates.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  International Labour Organisation
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have withdrawn from the International Labour Organisation in the last 30 years; and when. [27809]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In the last 30 years the following countries have withdrawn from the International Labour Organisation:

  South Africa (1966): rejoined 1994

  Lesotho (1971): rejoined 1980

  Vietnam (1976 and again in 1985): rejoined 1980 and 1992

  United States of America (1977): rejoined 1980

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what notice is necessary before a country withdraws from the International Labour Organisation. [27808]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Under the terms of the constitution of the International Labour Organisation, two years' notice is necessary before a country can formally withdraw from the International Labour Organisation.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the International Labour Organisation programme to eradicate child labour. [27806]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We support the ILO's international programme on the elimination of child labour. The programme helps countries assess and tackle the practical problems they face through advice and direct technical assistance.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs what is his assessment of the work of the International Labour Organisation together with the International Maritime Organisation and 476
  the United Kingdom Government in the prevention of maritime accidents leading to loss of life and environmental pollution. [27814]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Maritime safety is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport.

  Although the International Maritime Organisation is the United Nations agency in the lead on maritime safety matters, the International Labour Organisation has developed a substantial body of conventions and resolutions addressing various aspects of the employment of seafarers. It has encouraged the international adoption of standards relating, for example, to the accommodation, fitness, catering and other health and safety aspects of working at sea.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he or his colleagues have held with Senator Jesse Helms, chair of the United States Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, about membership of the International Labour Organisation or the other United Nations agencies. [27804]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received from the Confederation of British Industry about United Kingdom participation in the International Labour Organisation. [27812]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the International Labour Organisation's work in building social safety nets in eastern Europe since 1989. [27807]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The International Labour Organisation is one of a number of multilateral and bilateral donors which have been operating in central and eastern Europe since 1989 to help support the transition to democracy and a market economy. It has helped member states to develop new labour market institutions such as employment and training services; to revise and modernise their labour legislation and social security systems and to help the development of independent employers' organisations and trade unions.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the annual costs of sending employer representatives to participate in International Labour Organisation meetings. [27811]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The cost is estimated to be about £18,000.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what follow-up there has been to the paragraphs in the declaration signed by Her Majesty's Government at the United Nations world summit for social development urging ratification and implementation of International Labour Organisation conventions relating to employment rights of minors, women, youth, the disabled and indigenous persons. [27813]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The declaration is a political statement and not a set of minimum standards to be applied universally.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has
  477
  made as to how many United Kingdom nationals would lose their jobs as a result of Britain withdrawing from the International Labour Organisation. [27817]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have made no such estimate.

  Bosnia-Herzegovina
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the recognition of the Yugoslav province of Bosnia-Herzegovina as a national state by Her Majesty's Government followed in all respects international law and custom; on whose initiative it was so recognised; what was the date of recognition by each of the principle powers; and what regard was had to the views of its religious and racial minorities. [27434]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We and our EC partners recognised Bosnia-Herzegovina on 7 April 1992 following acceptance of the report of the arbitration commission attached to the EC conference on former Yugoslavia. The US Government recognised Bosnia-Herzegovina on the same day and the Russian Government did the same on 28 April 1992. A key factor in the EC's decision was the Bosnian Government's guarantee to respect the rights of minorities.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the population of Sarajevo was Serb before Bosnia-Herzegoina was recognised as a separate state; and how many of them still remain there. [27497]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  According to an official census conducted in April 1991, 27.8 per cent. of the population of Sarajevo was Serb. There are no reliable figures for the current Serb population.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the proportion of humanitarian supplies to Bosnia-Herzegovina which have(a) been stolen by the Bosnian Muslim Government to supply its forces and (b) reached criminals operating in the black market. [27578]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There are no reliable figures relating to this issue. We condemn all such acts perpetrated by any side against the UN and other humanitarian relief agencies operating in Bosnia.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the population of the former Yugoslav province of Bosnia-Herzegovina is effectively represented by the Foreign Minister appointed by the Bosnian Muslim Government. [27498]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We consider Mr. Sacirbey, the new Bosnian Foreign Minister, to represent the legitimate and internationally recognised Government of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

  Western Slavonia
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when western Slavonia was detached from the rest of Slavonia; and for what reasons it was recognised as part of Croatia. [27579]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The term "Western Slavonia" was given to that part of the region of Slavonia situated within the internationally recognised borders of Croatia which 478
  remained in Serb hands at the time of the creation of the United Nations protected areas in November 1991.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mandate the European Union and NATO have to intervene in the military situation in the former Yugoslavia except in so far as they are requested to do so by the United Nations. [27575]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  NATO's mandate is to act in support of the UN in former Yugoslavia. The EU has no military role in the conflict in former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the United Kingdom's contribution to(a) the tribunal and (b) the office of special prosecutor established by the United Nations in relation to war crimes, etcetera in the former Yugoslavia with particular reference to (i) finance, including voluntary funds, (ii) staff, including secondments from the United Kingdom, (iii) equipment, (iv) forensic assistance, and (v) witness protection. [26919]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In 1994 we contributed £20,000 worth of computer and camera equipment and seconded a military lawyer to the prosecutor's office. In May 1995, we seconded four police officers to work for the prosecutor's office as investigators and analysts and will be contributing £200,000 toward these costs. In addition, we have helped the tribunal identify other British citizens to work for the prosecutor's office.

  We are currently discussing the question of witness protection with the tribunal.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to assist the tribunal established by the United Nations in relation to the former Yugoslavia in the event that prison sentences are passed by the tribunal. [27921]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We are currently considering the tribunal's request to offer prison space to those convicted by the tribunal.

  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes in United Kingdom law he expects as a consequence of the establishment of the United Nations special tribunal in relation to the former Yugoslavia; and when he expects such changes to be made. [27920]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Provision is needed to enable the UK to give effect to orders of the tribunal for the transfer of persons and other assistance. The necessary provisions are being drafted and it is hoped that they will be ready in the near future. In the meantime, we are co-operating informally with the prosecutor's office.

  Croatia
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the(a) legal and (b) other grounds on which Her Majesty's Government recognises a territory as a national state; and to what extent these criteria had been met when Her Majesty's Government recognised Croatia as a national state. [27503]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In recognising a national state, we take into account that a country should have a clearly defined territory with a population, a Government with a
  479
  prospect of retaining control and independence in its foreign relations. These criteria are always subject to interpretation in the light of circumstances on the ground. In January 1992 we and our EC partners recognised Croatia on the basis of advice from the arbitration commission that Croatia largely fulfilled the guidelines on recognition adopted in December 1991. These were that the state to be recognised should respect the United Nations charter, guarantee the rights of minorities, respect the inviolability of frontiers except by peaceful agreement, accept commitments on disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, security and regional stability and promise to settle by agreement questions of state succession and regional disputes.

  Overseas Domestic Workers
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of applications made by foreign visitors to bring their overseas domestic workers with them on visits to the United Kingdom since 9 December 1994 have been turned down at British consulates abroad on the ground that they fail to comply with the new arrangements for the admission of overseas domestic workers announced on that date. [28019]

  Mr. Baldry
  Comprehensive figures for the number of overseas domestic workers granted entry clearance are not kept. Such figures as are kept cover six-month periods. I will let the hon. Member have the figures for the period 1 January to 30 June 1995 as soon as these are available.

  Japan (Former Prisoners of War)
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have recently been made, formally or informally, to the Government of Japan on compensation payments for British ex-prisoners of war; what representations he expects to make in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement. [28076]

  Mr. Goodlad
  We are precluded on legal grounds from raising the question of compensation formally with the Japanese Government, but Ministers have drawn their attention to the strong feelings which the situation of the former prisoners arouses in the UK. Most recently, I discussed the matter with the Japanese Government during my visit to Japan from 26 to 29 May. We intend to continue these discussions.

  Protection of Minorities
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Calder Valley (Sir D. Thompson) of 25 May,Official Report, columns 667–68, if he will detail the technical points that are holding up ratification by the United Kingdom of the Council of Europe's framework convention for the protection of national minorities. [28363]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The timing of the ratification of an international legal instrument is a matter of political judgment. The framework convention was opened for signature very recently, on 1 February 1995. So far, the convention has been signed by 27 member states of the Council of Europe and ratified by one.

  The technical points to which I referred in my answer of 25 May remain under consideration.

  Ukrainian Prisoners, Bosnia
  Mr. Robert N. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ukrainian soldiers serving with UNPROFOR in Gorazde were taken captive by Bosnian Government forces on 28 May; and what action her Majesty's Government and their North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies are taking to secure their release. [28371]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mr. Gapes) on 12 June 1995,Official Report, columns 372–73.

  Tibet
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about his current policy towards Tibet. [28312]

  Mr. Goodlad
  We regard Tibet as autonomous while recognising the special position of the Chinese authorities there. We are deeply concerned about abuses of human rights and the threat to the cultural and ethnic identity of the Tibetans. We regularly raise these matters with the Chinese authorities.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  First Offenders
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted offenders in west Yorkshire were sent to prison for a first offence in each year since 1985. [27707]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is not held centrally.

  Juvenile Offenders
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many juveniles aged 10 to 16 years were cautioned on more than one occasion during each year since 1985; [27708]

  (2) how many juveniles aged 10 to 16 years were (a) convicted and (b) cautioned in west Yorkshire for each year since 1985. [27709]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is not collected routinely. The table shows results from special studies of those cautioned for indictable offences in one week in each of the years 1985, 1988, 1991 and 1994 in England and Wales.

  Juveniles aged 10–16 cautioned in study week, 1985, 1988, 1991, and 1994

  England and Wales

  Percentages

  Number of previous cautions1

  1985

  1988

  1991

  1994

  None

  85

  81

  70

  83

  One

  12

  14

  18

  12

  Two or more

  3

  5

  12

  5

  1 Not necessarily in the study year.

  "Tomorrow's Job"
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 6 June,Official Report, column 136, if he will place a copy of the publication "Tomorrow's Job" in the Library. [27905]
  481
  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: I understand that the Crown Prosecution Service is considering whether distribution of this publication may constitute an offence under section 19 of the Public Order Act 1986. I am not prepared at this stage to increase its general circulation by placing a copy in the Library.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement the proposed Fire Precautions (Places of Work) Regulations 1994, in order to comply with the requirements of EC directives 89/391 and 89/654. [27958]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 25 May,Official Report, column 707.

  Private Security Industry
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to take urgent steps to introduce a statutory scheme of regulation for the private security industry. [27945]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: I am currently looking again at the policies in this area. The Home Affairs Select Committee report on the industry is a timely contribution to the debate on regulation and has some very helpful recommendations. We will respond as soon as possible.

  DNA Testing
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the DNA analysis undertaken by the Forensic Science Service of tissue samples allegedly taken from a patient who died in Manchester allegedly of AIDS in 1959 indicates that all sets of tissues come from more than one patient; [27818]

  (2) what were the results of the DNA analysis undertaken by the Forensic Science Service of tissue samples allegedly taken from a patient who died in Manchester allegedly of AIDS in 1959, which were provided to it by Central Manchester Healthcare NHS trust and Professor David Ho of New York. [27815]

  Mr. Maclean
  Responsibility for these matters have been delegated to the Director General of the Forensic Science Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Dr. Janet Thompson to Mr. Denis MacShane, dated 13 June 1995:
  You recently tabled two Parliamentary Questions about a commission by the Central Manchester Healthcare Trust to conduct DNA tests on tissue samples. As you know, the arrangement now is that the Chief Executive of an Executive Agency, with the agreement of the Minister, replies to Members of Parliament on operational matters. I am therefore replying on behalf of the Forensic Science Service.
  I can confirm that the FSS has been commissioned by the Central Manchester Healthcare Trust to undertake DNA tests on tissue samples allegedly taken from a patient who died in Manchester allegedly of AIDS in 1959. This is however a private commission and I am unable therefore to provide any information about the results. You may wish to contact Central Manchester Healthcare Trust direct about this matter.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what schemes are available for local authorities to apply for funds to contribute to the establishment of closed circuit television for a town or city centre. [27848]

  Mr. Maclean
  Local authorities can bid for funds under the single regeneration budget for various purposes, including the establishment of CCTV schemes. The recent CCTV challenge competition has injected £5 million into local CCTV schemes, generating up to £13.8 million in other funding. The possibility of further competitions in the future has not been ruled out, but it is too early to give a firm commitment.

  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which towns and cities have received grants for the establishment of closed circuit television systems in town or city centres in the last five years; and what was the total amount given for each year and to each project. [27847]

  Mr. Maclean
  The only direct grants made by this department for this purpose were the recent awards to the winners of the CCTV challenge competition, which included many town and city centre schemes. The results of the competition were announced on 27 March. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) on 31 March,Official Report, columns 854–56. Other funding has been made available for such schemes in the past via safer cities projects, through the single regeneration budget, or by police forces or local authorities. Information on the funding of CCTV schemes from these sources is not collected centrally.

  Video Shop Retailers (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been under the terms of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 of video shop retailers who have hired out or sold material to under-age children; and if he will make a statement. [27772]

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) on 21 March,Official Report, column 137.

  Mr. David Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources are made available to trading standards offices to prevent the dissemination of unclassified videos and to ensure the prosecution of shopkeepers who hire out or sell such videos to under-age children. [27773]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I have been asked to reply.

  Resources are made available to local authority trading standards offices, as well as various other local authority services, through the other services block standard spending assessment. As the Government do not allocate these resources to specific services, the amount spent by local authorities on trading standards is a matter for individual authorities.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total amount given by each Government Department to voluntary organisations in the latest year for which figures are available. [27844]
  483
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  For 1992–93 I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Sir J. Spicer) on 13 April 1994,Official Report, columns 178–79. The data for 1993–94 are currently being collated; details will be published as soon as this has been completed.

EDUCATION

  Student Finance
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education on what basis student grants and loans are treated as income. [27940]

  Mr. Boswell
  Student grants and loans are not treated as income for the purposes of the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to consider the economic contribution that a student would provide after leaving education when fixing the level of student grants. [27944]

  Mr. Boswell
  The total resources in grant and loan available to students are a contribution to their living expenses while studying. It is for individual students to consider the likely benefits to them of investing in their own higher education, particularly by utilising the student loan facility.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has for alternative methods for former students to repay their student loans; and what alternatives have been considered by her Department. [27937]

  Mr. Boswell
  A number of methods of repayment were considered when the loans scheme was being established. The Government continue to keep all aspects of the scheme under review but have no current plans to alter the method of repayment.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what account she takes in the determination of the level of student grants of the level of income support and attached benefits; and what further plans she has in this regard. [27941]

  Mr. Boswell
  The benefit system, which exists to help those in involuntary difficulty, is not an appropriate means of support for most students. The total resources available to students through grants and loans has been uprated annually since 1990 in line with forecast inflation. The Government monitor student income and expenditure through regular surveys. The next survey will take place in 1995–96.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proposals she has to increase financial support for students with families. [27938]

  Mr. Boswell
  Students with dependants are eligible for additional allowances as part of the means-tested mandatory award. The value of these allowances has again been uprated for 1995–96, in line with forecast price increases. Students who are lone parents remain eligible for social security benefits. The access funds can offer additional assistance to students in particular need.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the present system of student grants in encouraging people into education. [27942]
  484
  Mr. Boswell
  The present system of student grants and loans introduced in 1990 has been accompanied by increased participation. The number of home full-time undergraduates in Britain increased by over 50 per cent. in the five years between 1987–88 and 1992–93. Some 30 per cent. of young people now enter higher education, compared with only 15 per cent. in 1987. The number of mature home entrants to full-time undergraduates courses also rose by some 125 per cent. between 1987–88 and 1992–93.

  Education Vouchers
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to pilot a voucher scheme for pre-school provision. [28018]

  Mr. Forth
  A voucher system is one option under consideration for funding the Prime Minister's commitment to provide, over time, a pre-school place for every four-year-old whose parents wish to take it up. An announcement on the new policy will be made when it has been finalised.

  University Staff
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps she is taking to encourage university staff to spend time in British industry on secondment. [28007]

  Mr. Boswell
  We support all opportunities that enable academic staff to gain industrial experience. Similarly, we look to industrial personnel to reciprocate wherever possible. Responsibility for developing links with business, of all kinds, rests with individual institutions. Many are conscious of the need to do so, and participate in the range of programmes promoted by the Departments for Employment and of Trade and Industry and the Office for Science and Technology.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what is the average cost of sending a special needs child to(a) a mainstream primary school and (b) secondary school in Lancashire including the cost of escort; [27439]

  (2) what is the average cost of sending a special needs child to a special school in Lancashire. [27538]

  Mr. Forth
  Lancashire local education authority estimates that for the financial year 1994–95 the average cost of a school place is as follows:

  £7,541 at a special school;

  £4,830 at a mainstream primary school for a child with a statement of special educational needs;

  £4,990 at a mainstream secondary school for a child with a statement of special educational needs.

  The cost of transport, including escorts, could not be readily disaggregated since transport and escorts may be shared between pupils attending primary, secondary and special schools and pupils with and without statements of special educational needs.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education in what circumstances a child with epilepsy, but with no other circumstance giving rise to concern, may receive a statement of special educational needs under the provisions of the Education Act 1993. [27690]

  Mr. Forth
  The responsibility for making provision for school children with special educational needs rests with
  485
  schools and LEAs. The code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs gives guidance on the exercise of this responsibility.

  The majority of children with epilepsy will continue to be educated in ordinary schools and will not need special provision requiring a formal assessment and statement of special educational needs. However, a few children with epilepsy will be subject to a formal assessment and statement because of the severity of their condition.

ENVIRONMENT

  Shire County Council Employees
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of people excluding teachers employed by each shire county council per thousand population. [27303]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The available information is as follows. The levels of employment in individual authorities are not directly comparable because of variations in, for example, population structure and social characteristics, the extent of the use of private firms and contractors and the level of work undertaken for other authorities and public bodies on an agency basis.

  Number of people employed per thousand population in shire counties (excluding teachers) at June 1994 General services (excluding Law and Order)

  Authority

  Staff per thousand population

  Avon

  9.4

  Bedfordshire

  n/a

  Berkshire

  n/a

  Buckinghamshire

  13.1

  Cambridgeshire

  n/a

  Cheshire

  9.0

  Cleveland

  11.4

  Cornwall and Scilly

  9.1

  Cumbria

  8.5

  Derbyshire

  10.1

  Devon

  9.6

  Dorset

  8.9

  Durham

  10.3

  East Sussex

  7.9

  Essex

  6.4

  Gloucestershire

  7.7

  Hampshire

  8.8

  Hereford and Worcester

  n/a

  Hertfordshire

  9.4

  Humberside

  n/a

  Isle of Wight

  8.9

  Kent

  8.0

  Lancashire

  n/a

  Leicestershire

  10.2

  Lincolnshire

  7.4

  Norfolk

  9.5

  North Yorkshire

  n/a

  Northamptonshire

  n/a

  Northumberland

  10.7

  Nottinghamshire

  n/a

  Oxfordshire

  8.7

  Shropshire

  9.3

  Somerset

  11.7

  Staffordshire

  10.9

  Suffolk

  11.0

  Surrey

  7.3

  Warwickshire

  11.0

  486

  Number of people employed per thousand population in shire counties (excluding teachers) at June 1994 General services (excluding Law and Order)

  Authority

  Staff per thousand population

  West Sussex

  9.6

  Wiltshire

  7.6

  n/a = Data not available.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment following the decision of the High Court on 23 May to grant leave to the royal county of Berkshire to review his decision announced on 21 March to abolish the county council, if the time allowed for responses to the draft order issued by his Department on 22 May will be delayed until the ultimate outcome of the judicial review is known. [27850]

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 9 June 1995]: I see no need at present.

  Public Events
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the correspondence he has received complaining about the 14-day rule which allows public events to be held on agricultural land for a maximum of 14 days in a year; and what proposals he has to reform the rule. [28170]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  During the period 1 January 1995 to 31 May 1995, we received eight letters from hon. Members; two from local authorities, one from a police consultative committee, one from a parish council federation and one from a residents' association. The General Permitted Development Order grants a general planning permission for a temporary change of use on land for up to 28 days a year for most activities, but for only 14 days in respect of car boot sales and motor sports. More frequent use requires a planning application. These controls strike a balance between the freedom to use land for any lawful, occasional purpose while protecting amenity. We have no plans to amend them.

  Darwin Initiative
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans Her Majesty's Government have to increase the funding of grants for the Darwin initiative and related funds for training ecologists in developing countries. [26330]

  Mr. Atkins
  Since the inception of the Darwin initiative, funds have been increased from £1 million in 1993–94 to £3 million in the current financial year. So far, £9 million has been allocated for 86 projects in over 50 developing countries, involving around 60 UK institutions and almost a 1,000 developing country participants. Present public expenditure plans allow a continuing rolling programme of £3 million per year.

  Biodiversity Convention
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment who is to represent the United Kingdom at the Scientific Advisory Body of Biodiversity convention in Paris in September. [26338]

  Mr. Atkins
  The UK delegation for the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on scientific, technical and
  487
  technological advice of the biodiversity convention will be led by my Department with appropriate scientific support. I will write to the hon. Gentleman when the composition of the delegation has been decided.

  Rented Housing
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his projection of housing new build for rent, in rental units, over the next 10 years. [27960]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  There are no Government projections for housing new build for rent over the next 10 years.

  Unifit Housing
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest assessment of homes which require demolition because of disrepair. [27961]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The 1991 English house condition survey found 584,000 dwellings that were unfit due to disrepair. The extent of this disrepair varies considerably and decision as to whether demolition is the most satisfactory course of action is for the local authority concerned in each case.

  Household Statistics
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of households currently living in accommodation shared with another household, who require rehousing. [27962]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The 1993–94 an estimated 400,000 households lived in accommodation that was not self-contained. Of these, 200,000 had a strong preference for separate accommodation, 140 would prefer it but not strongly, and 60,000 preferred to share.

  The estimates are from the survey of English housing 1993–94 and, like all estimates from household surveys, they are subject to sampling error.

  Home Ownership
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the proportion of dwellings in owner occupation for each year since 1990. [27964]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The available figures are shown in table 2.23 of the December 1994 quarterly edition of part 2 of the publication "Housing and Construction Statistics". A copy of this publication is in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many persons aged 25 years or under became home owners in each year since 1970. [27965]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The available information is set out in the table. It is based on a sample survey of mortgage completions and covers those first-time purchasers aged 25 or under who bought with a building society or Abbey National plc mortgage in the UK in the years 1975 to 1994.

  Number of first-time buyers where main borrower is aged 25 or under 1975–1994, UK

  Number

  1975

  130,900

  1976

  142,300

  1977

  139,800

  1978

  145,200

  1979

  138,100

  488

  Number of first-time buyers where main borrower is aged or under 1975–1994, UK

  Number

  1980

  136,400

  1981

  149,900

  1982

  176,200

  1983

  181,600

  1984

  217,700

  1985

  234,400

  1986

  242,000

  1987

  195,700

  1988

  224,900

  1989

  173,700

  1990

  177,700

  1991

  143,500

  1992

  104,500

  1993

  102,800

  1994

  103,700

  Source:

  Building Societies Mortgage Survey, a 5 per cent. sample survey of mortgage completions.

  Planning Policy
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research his Department has conducted to support the statement in paragraph 1.6 of planning policy guidance note 7 on protecting and improving the countryside through maintaining a healthy rural economy. [28231]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department expects to publish research on the implementation of planning policies for diversifying the rural economy later this year.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the statement in paragraph 1.6 of planning policy guidance note 7 on protecting and improving the countryside through maintaining a healthy rural economy is intended to refer to protecting and improving(a) the built environment in rural areas and (b) agricultural land and natural habitats. [28232]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Paragraph 1.6 refers to the aims of the Government's countryside policies generally. Many factors contribute to a healthy rural economy, including an attractive built environment, an adequate supply of agricultural land and natural habitats. Under the planning system, the guiding principle in the wider countryside is that development should benefit the rural economy and maintain or enhance the environment.

  Southwark Council
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many(a) men and (b) women were employed by Southwark council in each of the last five years. [28350]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The information is not available centrally.

  Species 2000
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans the United Kingdom Government have to participate in Species 2000 and the formulation of a new species list. [26339]

  Mr. Atkins
  The UK expects to consider initiatives such as species 2000 at the first scientific advisory meeting of the parties to the biodiversity convention in Paris in September, in the context of the provision of scientific technical assessments of the status of biodiversity under article 25 of the convention.

  Local Government Residuary Body
  Mr. Hawksley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what decision he has reached about the appointment of a chairman for the Local Government Residuary Body (England). [28846]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I am happy to announce that Mr. Roy Swanston, currently president of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, has accepted the offer of appointment as first chairman of the Local Government Residuary Body (England). The appointment will be made as soon as possible, once the other founder members of the residuary body have been selected.

  Thames Gateway
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish the final version of the Thames gateway planning framework. [28847]

  Mr. Curry
  The planning framework for Thames gateway, RPG9a, which sets out planning guidance for the major regional growth area extending from Newham and Greenwich in London to Thurrock in Essex and Swale in Kent, is being published this week. Copies will be placed in the library at 10.30 am tomorrow.

WALES

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much local government reorganisation has cost so far; and to what extent that cost has been borne by(a) local and (b) central government. [27541]

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 9 June 1995]: There are no figures available centrally for expenditure by local authorities on local government reorganisation. It is up to local government to take advantage of the scope for savings available by bringing and planning, finance and other central administrative services under one control.

  I have issued the following funding, which is additional to the local government revenue and capital settlements:

  £

  1994–95

  Supplementary credit approvals: IT

  790,786

  1995–96

  Supplementary credit approvals: IT

  19,209,189

  Special grant

  14,563,252

  1 To 9 June 1995. A total of up to £19.5 million is to be issued under the Special Grant Report (Wales) 1995; of this £17.55 million will be issued in 1995–96.

  The expenditure on IT should produce savings in administration and management, if local authorities spend wisely. There will also be capital receipts from sale of assets that are surplus to requirements.

  House Condition Survey
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 22 March,Official Report, column 254, if he will set out the year or years in which the houses were assessed for the Welsh house condition survey, published in 1993. [28138]
  490
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The physical surveys on which the Welsh house condition survey was based were conducted in 1993. The related opinion surveys were carried out in 1992.

  Car Ownership
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of Welsh households own two or more automobiles. [28446]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  According to the 1993 family expenditure survey, 23 per cent. of Welsh households own two or more cars or vans.

  Hyperactive Children
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the amount of grant aid given by his Department to(a) the Hyperactive Children's Support Group and (b) other voluntary organisations concerned with the treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder for each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [26579]

  Mr. Richards
  The Welsh Office has not received any applications for grant from the Hyperactive Children's Support Group, nor from any voluntary organisations specifically concerned with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to locate a local landfill site for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste from nuclear sites in the Ynys Môn constituency. [27371]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None.

  Planning Guidance
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to publish a strategic guidance for Wales indicating to the newly elected unitary councils strategic guidance on(a) nature conservation, (b) transport, (c) planning and the historic environment, (d) planning and pollution control, (e) planning and noise and (f) aggregate provision and strategic planning; and if he will make a statement. [28195]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  My right hon. Friend will be issuing draft planning policy guidance shortly and minerals policy guidance in due course.

  Welsh Health Common Services Authority
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all the non-executive directors of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority; and on what date they were appointed. [28303]

  Mr. Redwood
  The non-executive members are as follows:

  Mr. K. C. White, appointed 1 August 1985; recently reappointed until 31 July 1997.

  Mrs. E. Elias, appointed 22 May 1995 until 31 March 1997.

  Mr. M. Wallace, appointed 1 June 1995 until 31 March 1997.

  EstateCare Group
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place a copy in the Library of the Touche Ross report into the EstateCare Group of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority. [28311]
  491
  Mr. Redwood
  No. The report is one of a number of working documents which will contribute to my consideration of the future of WHCSA.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements for compulsory competitive tendering will apply to county and county borough councils; and if he will make a statement. [28620]

  Mr. Redwood
  I have been giving very careful consideration to the timetable for reintroducing and extending compulsory competitive tendering after local government reorganisation. The Under-Secretary of State—my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Jones)—and I have received a number of representations from local authorities and others, in particular about the timetable for reintroducing CCT which was announced in December 1993.

  I have concluded that the new councils should be given some more time. Generally, the revised timetable will be as follows:
  Reintroduction of CCT under the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980: 1 April 1997
  Reintroduction of CCT under the Local Government Act 1988: 1 October 1997

  CCT will apply to new joint committees which are established by the new councils from 1 October 1997. Where work covered by the 1988 Act will not be greatly affected by the reorganisation, I propose that it should be subject to CCT from 1 April 1997. This will apply to:
  Joint committees continued in existence by section 59 of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994.
  The defined activity of catering for purposes of schools and welfare in the case of Powys county council.

  The defined activity of collection of refuse in the case of the following councils:

  Anglesey county council

  Blaenau Gwent county borough council

  Bridgend county borough council

  Cardiff county council

  Cardiganshire county council

  Merthyr Tydfil county borough council

  Monmouthshire county council

  Newport county borough council

  Torfaen county borough council

  The Vale of Glamorgan county borough council

  Wrexham county borough council

  I have also been considering the responses to recent consultation exercises on the extension of CCT to personnel, finance and information technology services. I have concluded that I should make no further change to the implementation date for finance of 1 October 1998 and for IT of 1 October 1999. I have decided however that it would be appropriate to take account of the pressures which personnel departments will face as a result of local government reorganisation and the introduction and extension of CCT, and that CCT should apply to personnel services from 1 October 1999.

  Finally, I have decided not to make any major changes to the specified minimum and maximum lengths of contract periods which apply in Wales under the 1988 Act. For county and county borough councils the contract periods will be:
  492

  Years

  Other cleaning

  3–7

  Refuse collection

  5–7

  Sports and leisure management

  4–6

  All other defined activities

  3–5

  In the case of building cleaning and ground maintenance, the contract period will be three to four years where the contract includes a significant element of work at a school.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 22 May,Official Report, column 432, to the hon. Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Timms), how the figure for benefit savings achieved by the Child Support Agency was arrived at; and if he will give a detailed breakdown. [27998]

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 13 June 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the benefit savings achieved by the Child Support Agency during the year 1994/1995.
  The Agency achieved benefit savings totalling £479.05 million during 1994/95. The table at Annex A shows how the benefit savings for 1994/95 were comprised.

  Annex A

  Category of benefit savings

  Amount £ million

  Resulting from pre-CSA assessments:

  Paid direct by Absent Parent to Parent With Care

  119.52

  Paid through Agency collection service to Secretary of State

  7.00

  Resulting from CSA assessments:

  Paid direct by Absent Parent to Parent With Care

  13.76

  Paid through Agency collection service to Secretary of State

  47.94

  Deductions from income support payments made to Absent parents.

  2.38

  Income Support claim cessation:

  Income support exceeded rate of benefit

  23.83

  Income support claim withdrawn within 4 weeks of CSA action

  199.53

  Reductions in Family Credit or Disability Working Allowance resulting from CSA assessments

  12.84

  Housing benefit/Council Tax reductions resulting from CSA assessments

  52.25

  Total

  479.05

  Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to pay industrial injuries benefit direct into the bank of the recipients; and for what reasons this arrangement is not currently available. [27950]
  493
  Mr. Hague
  The administration of industrial injury disablement benefit 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. Anthony Steen, dated 12 June 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the payment of Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit (IIDB) by Automated Credit Transfer (ACT).
  Payment into a bank account by ACT is made on computer produced magnetic tapes. For practical reasons, payment by ACT has been restricted to those benefits which are paid by computer. As IIDB is a clerically administered benefit, an exercise is currently underway to transfer all IIDB payments onto a computer system enabling payments to be made by ACT. This facility is expected to be available by the end of this year.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Poverty
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how he proposes to involve people living in poverty in the design, implementation, monitoring and assessment of national strategies and programmes for poverty eradication, as required in article 28a of the action programme agreed at the world summit for social development in Copenhagen in March. [26758]

  Mr. Burt
  The Department already consults widely with representative non-governmental organisations and other groups on proposed initiatives and policy changes. In addition, Ministers regularly meet with organisations representing vulnerable groups.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to issue a national poverty eradication plan in compliance with article 26b of the action programme agreed at the world summit for social development in Copenhagen in March. [26757]

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave her on 10 May,Official Report, column 496.

  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to issue a report on collaboration with European and other Governments on the evaluation of policies to combat poverty in accordance with article 29 of the action programme agreed at the world summit for social development. [26756]

  Mr. Burt
  There is no requirement in paragraph 29 of the programme of action to issue such a formal report and we have no plans to do so.

  There is regular discussion and evaluation of social policies in a variety of international forums in which the UK participates.

  Social Security Expenditure
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the basis for his estimate of a £4 billion reduction in the forecast for social security expenditure by 2001 which will occur in addition to the £4 billion reduction due to policy changes he has initiated. [27223]

  Mr. Hague
  All projections for 2000–01 were made on the same basis as the projection published in "The Growth of Social Security" 1993.

  The total reduction in forecast expenditure projected for 2000–01 is £7.8 billion. Of this, £4 billion is due to policy changes. Approximately £2.1 billion of the difference is
  494
  due to the use of a lower unemployment assumption than that used in "The Growth of Social Security" reflecting the reduction in unemployment which has already occurred.

  The remaining £1.7 billion is the net effect of a wide range of forecasting changes due partly to the use of more up-to-date information on trends in benefit case loads and expenditure and the use of improved forecasting techniques.

  Note:
  All figures are in 1994–95 prices.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estiamte what it will cost each working person per day to finance social security expenditure by 2000–01. [27219]

  Mr. Hague
  Total social security benefit expenditure in 2000–01 is estimated at £98.1 billion in 1994–95 prices, including administrative costs at 1994–95 levels. This is approximately equivalent to £16 per working day on the basis of the current working population.

  Back to Work Bonus
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to include a back to work bonus in his reforms of the unemployment benefits. [27571]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We intend to introduce a back to work bonus scheme in October 1996 in jobseeker's allowance and income support as part of our plans to improve work incentives for unemployed people. Claimants who undertake small amounts of work while on benefit will be able to build up a lump sum bonus of up to £1,000 which they can claim when they leave benefit to take up work.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the additional annual revenue which would have been raised in 1995–96 if the upper earnings limit for employee national insurance contributions have been indexed to wages rather than prices. [28194]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The upper earnings limit for national insurance contributions is statutorily linked to the rate of the basic retirement pension and has been set at £440 for 1995–96. If the increase in the upper earnings limit for 1995–96 over 1994–95 has been based on the general increase in earnings instead of prices in the year ending September 1994, the limit is likely to have been rounded to £445. The additional revenue which would have been raised by such an increase is estimated as £48 million in the first year.Source: Government Actuary's Department.
  Note: The reply assumes that the lower earnings limit continue to be based on the increase in prices, thus broadening the contributions base.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the(a) likely cost and (b) maximum cost of exempting employers for a period of one year from paying national insurance contributions for employees directly employed after having been unemployed for one year or more. [28316]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The estimated cost could be as much as £200 million per annum. Allowing for less than full take-up of the exemption, the cost is likely to be in the region of £150 million.
  495
  These estimates do not allow for any possible changes in behaviour.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the employment effect of reducing employers' national insurance contributions by(a) 1 per cent., (b) 2 per cent. and (c) 3 per cent. [28314]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Any reduction in employers' national insurance contributions would cut employers' non-wage costs and could be expected to provide an increase in employment opportunities. However, it is not possible to assess the differential effect of a range of contribution reductions.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Southern Africa
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the value by category of channel of British humanitarian and emergency relief through both bilateral and multilateral channels to each of the member states of the Southern

  Table A: Net official development assistance from the EC to SADC countries in cash prices (£ million), 1979–93

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Angola

  0.3

  0.4

  1.6

  0.9

  1.6

  6.5

  5.6

  6.7

  5.1

  12.0

  12.0

  30.3

  32.2

  34.6

  30.4

  Botswana

  2.3

  2.5

  3.4

  1.0

  1.4

  5.1

  2.2

  4.9

  3.1

  4.9

  5.6

  4.7

  4.1

  2.7

  12.7

  Lesotho

  1.2

  2.0

  3.4

  3.8

  3.6

  5.6

  5.8

  4.2

  4.5

  7.8

  7.4

  8.0

  5.7

  11.3

  11.7

  Malawi

  6.0

  8.9

  6.9

  6.2

  3.8

  10.9

  8.4

  11.7

  16.7

  21.6

  26.4

  25.4

  24.6

  31.9

  30.0

  Mozambique

  2.5

  3.0

  5.2

  2.3

  9.8

  16.0

  19.6

  22.7

  15.7

  37.5

  54.7

  45.8

  58.4

  51.0

  55.2

  Namibia

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  2.2

  39.3

  42.4

  15.6

  7.9

  Swaziland

  4.9

  3.3

  1.3

  1.1

  3.0

  4.6

  1.5

  1.6

  2.9

  2.8

  4.9

  4.8

  4.4

  4.7

  3.2

  Tanzania

  13.8

  10.8

  20.0

  17.1

  17.9

  23.9

  23.1

  25.5

  20.1

  19.5

  31.4

  23.6

  23.1

  63.5

  46.3

  Zambia

  4.9

  8.7

  13.6

  17.2

  5.5

  17.9

  22.4

  11.1

  12.1

  19.4

  20.7

  14.6

  17.7

  54.1

  95.7

  Zimbabwe

  —

  4.2

  1.7

  5.8

  6.9

  19.4

  3.0

  2.7

  4.2

  8.9

  11.9

  6.9

  6.5

  12.8

  34.0

  SADC

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Total

  35.9

  43.8

  57.1

  55.5

  53.6

  109.9

  91.6

  91.1

  84.3

  134.4

  177.2

  203.4

  219.1

  282.3

  372.0

  Source:

  OECD DAC Publications.

  Table B: Net official development assistance from the EC to SADC countries in constant 1993 prices (£ million), 1979–93

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Angola

  0.7

  0.8

  3.0

  1.6

  2.6

  10.3

  8.4

  9.7

  7.0

  15.6

  14.6

  34.1

  33.9

  34.9

  30.4

  Botswana

  5.7

  5.2

  6.4

  1.7

  2.3

  8.1

  3.3

  7.1

  4.3

  6.4

  6.8

  5.3

  4.3

  2.7

  12.7

  Lesotho

  3.0

  4.2

  6.4

  6.6

  6.0

  8.9

  8.7

  6.1

  6.2

  10.1

  9.0

  9.0

  6.0

  11.4

  11.7

  Malawi

  15.0

  18.6

  12.9

  10.8

  6.3

  17.2

  12.6

  16.9

  23.0

  28.1

  32.0

  28.6

  25.9

  32.2

  30.0

  Mozambique

  6.2

  6.3

  9.7

  4.0

  16.2

  25.3

  29.3

  32.9

  21.7

  48.8

  66.4

  51.6

  61.5

  51.5

  55.2

  Namibia

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  2.7

  44.3

  44.7

  15.7

  7.9

  Swaziland

  12.2

  6.9

  2.4

  1.9

  5.0

  7.3

  2.2

  2.3

  4.0

  3.6

  5.9

  5.4

  4.6

  4.7

  3.2

  Tanzania

  34.4

  22.5

  37.4

  29.8

  29.6

  37.8

  34.5

  36.9

  27.7

  25.4

  38.1

  26.6

  24.3

  64.1

  46.3

  Zambia

  12.2

  18.2

  25.5

  29.9

  9.1

  28.3

  33.5

  16.1

  16.7

  25.2

  25.1

  16.4

  18.6

  54.6

  95.7

  Zimbabwe

  —

  8.8

  3.2

  10.1

  11.4

  30.7

  4.5

  3.9

  5.8

  11.6

  14.4

  7.8

  6.8

  12.9

  34.0

  SADC

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Total

  89.4

  91.5

  106.9

  96.4

  88.5

  173.9

  137.0

  131.9

  116.4

  174.8

  215.0

  229.1

  230.6

  284.7

  327.1

  Source:

  OECD DAC Publications.
  496
  African Development Community for each year since 1979 in both cash and constant prices. [26950]

  Mr. Baldry
  The information requested is available only for the years 1986–87 to 1993–94. Tables have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total European Union aid(a) to the institution of the Southern African Development Community and its predecessor the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference and (b) to individual member states of the Southern African Development Community for each year since 1979 in both cash and constant prices; what are the projections for future years; and what has been the United Kingdom's contribution. [26949]

  Mr. Baldry
  EC net official development assistance to individual members of the Southern African Development Community from 1979 to 1993, the last year for which figures are available, is set out in tables A and B. South Africa joined the SADC in 1994. Information on EC aid to institutions of the SADC is not available.

  Projections of future levels of aid are not available.

  The primary source of EC aid to SADC states has been successive European development funds. The UK contribution to each EDF is set out in table C.
  497

  Table C: European development funds: United Kingdom shares

  Dates over which committed

  UK share Per cent.

  IV

  1975–80

  18.7

  V

  1981–85

  18.0

  VI

  1986–90

  16.58

  VII

  1991–95

  16.37

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the Government bilateral related aid(a) to the institution of the Southern African Development Community and its predecessor the Southern African Development

  Total bilateral aid to SADC countries at current prices 1979–87

  £000

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Angola

  43

  12

  93

  55

  71

  146

  164

  317

  261

  Botswana

  7,404

  11,546

  10,199

  7,570

  13,289

  15,975

  8,744

  12,301

  12,190

  Lesotho

  6,569

  4,607

  6,364

  4,251

  4,695

  5,233

  2,382

  3,784

  3,942

  Malawi

  23,314

  16,543

  15,999

  16,984

  14,620

  12,959

  22,173

  15,346

  24,865

  Mozambique

  6,369

  4,629

  5,379

  1,924

  1,805

  4,182

  8,366

  7,424

  23,836

  Namibia

  161

  168

  163

  220

  279

  313

  605

  733

  969

  South Africa

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  691

  772

  1,577

  Swaziland

  8,351

  6,472

  4,144

  6,366

  5,665

  5,626

  3,469

  6,402

  3,514

  Tanzania

  23,559

  32,119

  30,040

  27,328

  30,384

  33,033

  17,967

  12,715

  28,789

  Zambia

  29,159

  20,696

  24,119

  14,237

  15,485

  32,901

  25,552

  35,378

  25,349

  Zimbabwe

  5,070

  36,405

  50,048

  21,464

  19,453

  15,062

  23,636

  12,503

  12,498

  SADC1

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Total

  109,999

  133,197

  146,548

  100,399

  105,746

  125,430

  113,749

  107,675

  137,790

  1 Figures for SADC are only available from 1988–89.

  Total bilateral aid to SADC countries at current prices 1987–88 to 1993–94

  £000

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Angola

  471

  1,140

  731

  1,530

  2,484

  1,874

  13,586

  Botswana

  7,978

  7,606

  8,247

  7,487

  11,605

  7,457

  8,413

  Lesotho

  3,937

  5,348

  5,505

  5,856

  6,453

  27,194

  6,070

  Malawi

  36,514

  41,157

  48,197

  43,280

  26,153

  27,328

  26,256

  Mozambique

  20,747

  34,834

  20,839

  26,171

  18,337

  34,141

  34,704

  Namibia

  1,421

  1,633

  2,058

  1,711

  2,359

  4,493

  3,894

  South Africa

  3,159

  4,991

  6,010

  8,094

  9,324

  11,709

  14,291

  Swaziland

  3,123

  6,689

  4,266

  5,255

  3,499

  4,189

  8,196

  Tanzania

  33,617

  31,956

  20,146

  41,578

  32,454

  62,370

  31,491

  Zambia

  17,807

  15,285

  18,279

  49,790

  34,425

  47,974

  47,623

  Zimbabwe

  16,090

  23,375

  21,956

  33,608

  47,688

  44,267

  39,824

  SADC1

  n/a

  3,420

  4,256

  7,525

  9,101

  6,001

  4,420

  Total

  144,864

  177,434

  160,490

  231,885

  203,882

  278,997

  238,768

  1 Figures for SADC are only available from 1998–89.

  Total bilateral aid to SADC countries at constant1 prices 1979–87

  £000

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Angola

  107

  25

  174

  96

  117

  231

  245

  459

  360

  Botswana

  18,460

  24,088

  19,095

  13,172

  21,972

  25,253

  13,077

  17,814

  16,819

  Lesotho

  16,378

  9,611

  11,915

  7,397

  7,763

  8,272

  3,562

  5,480

  5,439

  Malawi

  58,128

  34,513

  29,955

  29,553

  24,173

  20,485

  33,161

  22,224

  34,307

  Mozambique

  15,880

  9,657

  10,071

  3,348

  2,984

  6,611

  12,512

  10,751

  32,887

  Namibia

  401

  350

  305

  383

  461

  495

  905

  1,062

  1,337

  South Africa

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1,033

  1,004

  2,176

  498
  Co-ordination Conference and (b) to the individual member states of the Southern African Development Co-ordination for each year form 1979 to 1994 in cash and constant prices; and what is the projection for future years. [26948]

  Mr. Baldry
  Following is a table which indicates levels of bilateral aid given both to SADC as an institution and to the member states of SADC between 1979 and 1993–94. South Africa has also been included even though that country only became a member of SADC very recently.

  Projections of future levels of aid are not available. However, the FCO departmental report for 1995, Cm 2802, page 61, contains a table which outlines the expected levels of bilateral aid expenditure on a regional basis.
  499

  Total bilateral aid to SADC countries at constant1 prices 1979–87

  £000

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  1986

  1987

  Swaziland

  20,821

  13,502

  7,759

  11,077

  9,367

  8,893

  5,188

  9,271

  4,848

  Tanzania

  58,739

  67,008

  56,243

  47,552

  50,237

  52,217

  26,871

  18,414

  39,721

  Zambia

  72,701

  43,177

  45,157

  24,773

  25,603

  52,008

  38,214

  51,234

  34,975

  Zimbabwe

  12,641

  75,950

  93,704

  37,348

  32,164

  23,809

  35,349

  18,107

  17,244

  SADC2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Total

  274,256

  277,881

  274,378

  174,699

  174,841

  198,274

  170,117

  155,820

  190,113

  Notes:

  1 Calendar years in 1993 prices. Financial years in 1993–94 prices.

  2 Figures for SADC are only available from 1988–89.

  Source:

  British Aid Statistics—published by financial year from 1992.

  Total bilateral aid to SADC countries at constant1 prices 1987–88 to 1993–94

  £000

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Angola

  661

  1,500

  899

  1,743

  2,662

  1,931

  13,586

  Botswana

  11,203

  10,011

  10,146

  8,528

  12,436

  7,685

  8,413

  Lesotho

  5,528

  7,039

  6,772

  6,670

  6,915

  28,026

  6,070

  Malawi

  51,274

  54,170

  59,294

  49,295

  28,027

  28,164

  26,256

  Mozambique

  29,134

  45,847

  25,637

  29,808

  19,651

  35,186

  34,704

  Namibia

  1,995

  2,149

  2,532

  1,949

  2,528

  4,630

  3,894

  South Africa

  4,436

  6,569

  7,394

  9,219

  9,992

  12,067

  14,291

  Swaziland

  4,385

  8,804

  5,248

  5,985

  3,750

  4,317

  8,196

  Tanzania

  47,206

  42,060

  24,784

  47,356

  34,779

  64,278

  31,491

  Zambia

  25,005

  20,118

  22,488

  56,710

  36,891

  49,442

  47,623

  Zimbabwe

  22,594

  30,765

  27,011

  38,279

  51,104

  45,622

  39,824

  SADC2

  n/a

  4,501

  5,236

  8,571

  9,753

  6,185

  4,420

  Total

  203,421

  233,560

  197,801

  264,113

  218,488

  287,533

  238,768

  Notes:

  1 Calendar years in 1993 prices. Financial years in 1993–94 prices.

  2 Figures for SADC are only available from 1988–89.

  Source:

  British Aid Statistics—published by financial year from 1992.

  ACP States
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total European Union aid to the African, Caribbean and Pacific states for each year since 1979 in cash and constant prices; what projected aid is planned; and what has been the United Kingdom's contributions. [26953]

  Mr. Baldry
  EC net official development assistance to African, Caribbean and Pacific states from 1979 to 1993, the last year for which figures are available, is set out in table A.

  Projections of future levels of aid are not available.

  The primary source of EC aid to ACP states has been successive European development funds. The UK contribution to each EDF is set out in table B.

  Table A: Net official development assistance from the EC to ACP states, 1979–93

  £ million

  Current prices

  Constant 1993 prices

  1979

  335.9

  837.6

  1980

  311.1

  649.0

  1981

  447.1

  837.2

  1982

  398.2

  692.9

  1983

  467.5

  773.0

  500

  Table A: Net official development assistance from the EC to ACP states, 1979–93

  £ million

  Current prices

  Constant 1993 prices

  1984

  588.8

  930.7

  1985

  726.4

  1,086.3

  1986

  733.8

  1,062.6

  1987

  746.8

  1,030.3

  1988

  1,001.6

  1,303.2

  1989

  1,074.2

  1,303.8

  1990

  1,001.9

  1,128.1

  1991

  1,195.7

  1,259.2

  1992

  1,536.2

  1,550.8

  1993

  1,442.6

  1,442.6

  Source:

  OECD DAC Publications.

  Table B: European development funds: UK shares

  Dates over which committed

  UK share Per cent.

  IV

  1975–80

  18.7

  V

  1981–85

  18.0

  VI

  1986–90

  16.58

  VII

  1991–95

  16.37

  501
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the United Kingdom Government total bilateral aid to the African, Caribbean and Pacific states for each year since 1979 in both cash and constant prices; and what future projected aid is planned. [26951]

  Mr. Baldry
  Total United Kingdom Government bilateral aid for the period 1979 to 1993–94 is set out. Projections of future level of aid are not available.

  Total UK bilateral Gross Public Expenditure1 to ACP states, 1979 to 1993–942

  £ million

  Current prices

  Constant 1993–941 prices

  1979

  278.1

  693.4

  1980

  317.1

  661.5

  1981

  366.4

  686.0

  1982

  311.2

  541.5

  1983

  292.9

  484.3

  1984

  328.5

  519.3

  1985

  371.2

  555.1

  1986

  339.6

  491.8

  1987

  374.3

  516.4

  1987–88

  422.1

  592.7

  1988–89

  485.0

  638.3

  1989–90

  582.4

  716.5

  1990–91

  636.7

  725.2

  1991–92

  525.0

  562.6

  1992–93

  618.6

  637.5

  1993–94

  531.1

  531.1

  Source:

  British Aid Statistics 1994 Edition.

  Notes:

  1 Gross Public Expenditure on aid is expenditure by all official UK sources i.e. Government Departments and public bodies such as the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

  2 For years up to 1987 information is available on a calendar year basis only. For subsequent years information is available only on a financial year basis.

  3 Calendar year figures are in 1993 prices while financial year figures are in 1993–94 prices.

  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total British humanitarian and emergency relief through both bilateral and multilateral channels in cash and constant prices to the African, Caribbean and Pacific states for each year since 1979; and what humanitarian aid is planned for future years. [26952]

  Mr. Baldry
  British bilateral emergency aid includes that part of emergency aid channelled through multilateral agencies for which the British Government can identify the specific recipient country in advance. The allocation of other multilateral emergency aid to individual countries is not available.

  The following table gives total British bilateral emergency aid to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries for the years 1987–88 to 1993–94. This is the only period for which it is possible to provide this information for these countries on a consistent basis. It is not our practice to publish estimates of expenditures on emergency relief which, by its very nature, is unpredictable.
  502

  British bilateral emergency aid to African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries 1987–88 to 1993–94

  £ million

  British bilateral emergency aid

  Bilateral emergency aid at 1993–94 prices

  1987–88

  36.1

  50.7

  1988–89

  45.5

  59.9

  1989–90

  31.5

  38.8

  1990–91

  44.7

  50.9

  1991–92

  58.8

  63.0

  1992–93

  83.8

  86.4

  1993–94

  86.1

  86.1

  Multilateral Aid (Export Benefits)
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what value in export benefit to British manufacturers arises from each pound contributed in multilateral aid in each year since 1979. [26868]

  Mr. Baldry
  Data on sources of procurement by the multilateral agencies are subject to various qualifications. The quality and coverage varies from agency to agency; there are considerable fluctuations from year to year in procurement from single countries and the data made available to donors are often late. 1982 is the earliest year for which the comprehensive data are available.

  There is no direct link between donor contributions and procurement, but we estimate that over the 10 years between 1982 and 1991 the agencies procured about £1.20 of UK goods and services for every £1 contributed by the UK to the agencies. Estimates for individual years are unreliable.

  We are currently compiling estimates from the data provided for 1992 and 1993 and will provide data shortly.

  Social Development Summit
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons Her Majesty's Government did not support the Copenhagen social summit proposal tabled by the UN Development Programme in respect of a levy on international currency transfers; and if he will make a statement. [27392]

  Mr. Baldry
  We support the summit's conclusion that this type of taxation should not be promoted as a way of assisting developing countries. There are huge practical difficulties in the application of such a tax and it would distort international financial transactions.

  The best way to help poorer countries develop is to allow them to participate fully in international commerce. This is why my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development made it clear in her address to the summit that full implementation of the general agreement on tariffs and trade is more likely to generate increased jobs worldwide than any other single international development.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what grounds Her Majesty's Government did not support the Copenhagen social summit proposal tabled by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and the United Nations Development Programme in respect of the 20:20 initiative; and if he will make a statement. [27400]
  503
  Mr. Baldry
  We worked with our international partners to agree an acceptable formula for the world summit for social development declaration. We support the Copenhagen declaration and programme of action including the section which refers to the 20:20 initiative.

  China (Family Planning)
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will place in the Library the information provided by the International Planned Parenthood Federation to his Department on the activities of the Chinese Family Planning Association; [27296]

  (2) what information he has on the amounts donated to China from the core funds of the United Nations Population Fund—UNFPA—and the International Planned Parenthood Federation for each of the last 16 available years; [27238]

  (3) what facilities or arrangements exist for Parliament to monitor the expenditure of funds by the International Planned Parenthood Federation and—UNFPA granted by Her Majesty's Government to the core funds of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the UNFPA; [27295]

  (4) if he will list the results of his policy of funding the Chinese population control programme via the core funds of the UNFPA and the International Planned Parenthood Federation; and if he will make a statement; [27241]

  (5) what is his estimate of the number of ultra-sound machines now operating in China; what assistance has been given by the UNFPA, IPPF and the Chinese Family Planning Association in respect of supplying, operating or training operators of such machines; and what information he has on the purposes to which such machines are being put. [27233]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answers 8 June 1995]: My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will write to the hon. Member and copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what information he has on the situation in the villages of Feng Jia Zhuang and Long Tian Gou in Hebei province, following the Chinese Government's push to enforce population control laws there; and what representations Her Majesty's ambassador to China has made regarding the situation in these villages; [27227]

  (2) what information he has on the situation of Chinese Roman Catholics who conscientiously object to Chinese population control policies; and what assurance he has received from the Chinese Government that conscientious objection will be respected; [27228]

  (3) if his Department has obtained a copy of the law of the People's Republic of China on maternal and infant health care adopted in October 1994; and if he will raise the law at the United Nations as liable to breach the United Nations guaranteed human rights to found a family freely and decide the number and spacing of children; [27229]

  (4) what information he has on eugenic practices in China's population control policy; and if he will make a statement; [27230]
  504
  (5) what information he has on the Chinese Government's announcement in February 1995 of tougher goals for population growth rates and the measures to be taken to achieve such goals; and if he will make a statement; [27231]

  (6) what information he has on Chinese Government proposals to offer incentives to those complying with population control legislation and to reward local officials who successfully lower regional birth rates; and if he will make a statement; [27232]

  (7) what information he has on the reasons for the disproportionate proportion of boys born in China compared with the world's natural birth ratio; and if he will make a statement; [27234]

  (8) if he will make a statement on the special report in the April edition of the "Catholic World Report" on the new eugenics law and population control programme in China, a copy of which has been sent to him. [27237]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answers 8 June 1995]: My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development will write to the hon. Member, and copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Desertification
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's schedule for ratification of the desertification convention; and what additional resources will be committed to it. [28014]

  Mr. Baldry
  We have no specific schedule. We intend to ratify concurrently with other EU and OECD countries. The level of resources committed will depend significantly on the priority given by our developing country partners to projects to combat desertification, in relation to their other proposals for funding from our aid programme.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 June,Official Report, column 58, what satellite remote sensing technology has now been, or will be, supplied to the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry under (a) the bilateral aid programme and (b) commercial arrangements; what is the precise nature of the technology; and which British companies are involved. [28186]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: Under the tropical forestry management programme we have supplied the Ministry of Forestry with a local application of remote sensing techniques—LARST—system to receive and process up-to-the-minute information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite and Meteosat which are used to monitor the incidence of forest fires in Kalimantan. The project has also supplied NASA satellite imagery for forest and land use mapping purposes.

  LARST is a personal computer—based system developed by the Natural Resources Institute at Chatham, in co-operation with the universities of Bradford, Reading and Cranfield, and the Meteorological Office, under an ODA research grant.
  505
  LARST is low cost, simple and robust, and has many applications: drought and famine early warning, vegetation and pest monitoring, animal tracking, weather forecasting and aquatic resource management.

  As to the precise nature of the technology provided under the aid and trade provision, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 6 June 1995, Official Report, column 58. The seminar was arranged by Technology Applied Systems Ltd.—using a team which included representatives from the British National Space Centre, Farnborough, the universities of Dundee, Nottingham and North Wales, the Natural Resources Institute, Technology Applied Systems Ltd., Hunting Technical Services and Gems of Cambridge.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 584, if he will give the exact date on which full and formal appraisal documents were submitted by the Overseas Development Administration and the Department of Trade and Industry in respect of the aid and trade provision support for the AIS submarine cable project; and by whom the appraisals were undertaken. [28189]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The Department of Trade and Industry's appraisal document was completed in March 1984 and that of the Overseas Development Administration in June 1984. Each appraisal was conducted by officials of the relevant department. The ODA obtained additional advice from technical staff of the Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 June,Official Report, columns 56–57, what specific equipment was supplied under the Bali and Medan airport security project; and who the Government engaged to carry out the associated training programme. [28183]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The equipment supplied under the Bali and Medan airport security systems project was as follows:

  External Items

  CCTV Cameras

  Lifting Boom type gates

  Hand-held radios

  Mobile X-Ray units

  Portable X-Ray units

  Microphonic fence detection systems

  Microwave transceivers

  Internal Items

  CCTV Cameras

  Hand baggage X-Ray units

  Hold baggage X-Ray units

  Hand-held metal detectors

  Hand-held explosives vapour detectors

  Archway metal detectors (Passenger gateways)

  Passive infra-red detectors

  Access control system

  Guard tour points

  Associated Items

  Cables—mains power, coaxial video, fibre optic, data

  Video recorders

  Central control console

  Camera control system

  506

  Alarm monitor computer

  Tools and test equipment

  Uninterrupted power supplies

  Spares

  Training was carried out at the college of the UK supplier.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 584, if he will give the exact date on which full and formal appraisal documents were submitted by the Overseas Development Administration and the Department of Trade and Industry in respect of the aid and trade provision support for the Bukit Asam rail bridges project; and by whom the appraisals were undertaken. [28187]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The Department of Trade and Industry's appraisal was completed in August 1984 and that of the Overseas Development Administration during October 1984. The appraisals were undertaken by officials of the departments, with assistance from technical staff of the Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 584, if he will give the exact date on which full and formal appraisal documents were submitted by the Overseas Development Administration and the Department of Trade and Industry in respect of the aid and trade provision support for the isolated diesels project; and by whom the appraisals were undertaken. [28188]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The appraisal documents for this project were submitted by both Departments in August 1982. The appraisals were conducted by the relevant officials in each Department.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 584, if he will give the exact date on which full and formal appraisal documents were submitted by the Overseas Development Administration and the Department of Trade and Industry in respect of the aid and trade provision support for the Mrica hydro project; and by whom the appraisals were undertaken. [28190]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The Department of Trade and Industry's appraisal document was completed in September 1981 and that of the Overseas Development Administration in January 1982. Each appraisal was conducted by officials of the relevant department.

  Coconut Shells (Fuel)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid he gives to schemes designed to substitute empty shells of coconut and other palm, fast-growing trees and other materials for mangrove, as fuel in coastal areas of developing countries. [26332]

  Mr. Baldry
  Research carried out by the Natural Resources Institute into the use of coconut shells as fuel, based on carbonisation with waste heat recovery, helped to develop technologies which are being used commercially in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. In addition, the
  507
  Overseas Development Administration continues to fund research into fast-growing tree species, to provide fuel and other products, through its forestry research programme managed by the Oxford Forestry Institute.

  We have helped several developing countries in Asia and central America to carry out tree inventories of coastal zones, including mangrove forests. Most recently, the ODA has offered United Kingdom expertise to South Africa to help prepare strategies for managing its coast line and hopes to agree a coastal zone project shortly in Ghana.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what help is being given to St. Helena to restore unique and rare ecology. [26333]

  Mr. Baldry
  In 1993 the ODA funded a visit to St. Helena by a consultancy team led by the royal botanic gardens, Kew, which prepared a report containing proposals for a sustainable environment and development strategy on the island. Following their consideration of the report, the St. Helena Government made a number of further requests for assistance from the United Kingdom. As a result three consultancies, each dealing with discrete areas of environmental or conservation concern, have taken place. One report, on the rehabilitation of Crown

  Multilateral contributions in cash terms 1979 to 1997–98

  £ million

  EC budget (CEE/FSU share in brackets)

  EDF

  WB/IMF

  Other MDBs (EBRD share in brackets)

  UN

  Other multilateral

  Total

  1979

  45

  73

  44

  14

  69

  12

  257

  1980

  58

  62

  73

  14

  48

  8

  264

  1981

  102

  56

  116

  15

  49

  10

  346

  1982

  103

  71

  154

  14

  58

  12

  411

  1983

  114

  75

  205

  15

  57

  14

  481

  1984

  150

  76

  197

  29

  66

  14

  531

  1985

  164

  70

  128

  34

  84

  14

  494

  1986

  144

  79

  154

  36

  81

  16

  510

  1987

  128

  94

  157

  30

  100

  13

  523

  1987–88

  128

  100

  159

  33

  88

  17

  525

  1988–89

  154

  131

  201

  30

  78

  16

  613

  1989–90

  163

  142

  201

  30

  80

  18

  633

  1990–91

  188(5)

  146

  160

  32

  102

  18

  646

  1991–92

  255(30)

  200

  230

  69(35)

  120

  18

  892

  1992–93

  285(59)

  192

  260

  92(54)

  132

  20

  981

  1993–94

  350(93)

  172

  246

  76(46)

  136

  18

  997

  1994–951

  333(91)

  238

  315

  90(40)

  67

  27

  1,070

  1995–962

  480(195)

  247

  248

  97(40)

  55

  19

  1,146

  1996–972

  560(240)

  267

  232

  107(40)

  62

  17

  1,245

  1997–982

  629(264)

  300

  209

  113(40)

  59

  16

  1,326

  Notes:

  1 Estimate.

  2 Figures taken from 1995 Departmental Report (Cm 2862).

  Outturn data are from British Aid Statistics, which has been published on a financial year basis from 1992.

  For the constant price series, calendar year figures are in 1993 prices; financial year figures are in 1993–94 prices.

  EDF = European Development Fund.

  WB/IMF = World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund.

  Other MDBs = Regional development banks (African, Asian, Inter-American and Caribbean) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

  Other multilateral = Commonwealth programmes plus international research organisations.

  CEE/FSU = Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union.
  508
  wastelands, has been forwarded to the St. Helena Government for comment. Two further reports, dealing with an endemic plants rescue programme and organic waste composting technology, are awaited.

  The ODA also supports the agriculture and forestry department of the St. Helena Government as the body responsible for environmental conservation on St. Helena, through provision of three technical co-operation staff and substantial grant-in-aid contributions to facilitate the Department's on-going habitat restoration work.

  Multilateral Aid
  Mr. Robert Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the value of the United Kingdom's contribution, in cash and constant prices, to multilateral aid programmes for each year since 1979 by category of institution; what are the projections for future years; and if he will provide a breakdown of the United Kingdom's contribution to specific programmes of international institutions. [26947]

  Mr. Baldry
  The information requested, by major categories of multilateral spending, is contained in the tables. Detailed information on UK contributions to individual institutions is published in "British Aid Statistics", copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.
  509

  Multilateral contributions 1979 to 1993–94 in constant prices

  £ million

  EC budget (CEE/FSU share in brackets)

  EDF

  WB/IMF

  Other MDBs (EBRD Share in brackets)

  UN

  Other multilateral

  Total

  1979

  112

  182

  110

  35

  172

  30

  641

  1980

  121

  129

  152

  29

  100

  17

  548

  1981

  191

  105

  217

  28

  92

  19

  652

  1982

  179

  124

  268

  24

  101

  21

  717

  1983

  188

  124

  339

  25

  94

  23

  793

  1984

  237

  120

  311

  46

  104

  22

  840

  1985

  245

  105

  191

  51

  126

  21

  739

  1986

  209

  114

  223

  52

  117

  23

  738

  1987

  177

  130

  217

  41

  138

  18

  721

  1987–88

  180

  140

  223

  46

  124

  24

  737

  1988–89

  203

  172

  265

  39

  103

  21

  803

  1989–90

  201

  175

  247

  37

  98

  22

  780

  1990–91

  214(6)

  166

  182

  36

  116

  21

  735

  1991–92

  273(32)

  214

  246

  74(38)

  129

  19

  955

  1992–93

  294(61)

  198

  268

  95(56)

  136

  21

  1,012

  1993–94

  350(93)

  172

  246

  76(46)

  136

  18

  998

  Notes:

  Outturn data are from British Aid Statistics, which has been published on a financial year basis from 1992.

  For the constant price series, calendar year figures are in 1993 prices; financial year figures are in 1993–94 prices.

  EDF = European Development Fund.

  WB/IMF = World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund.

  Other MDBs = Regional development banks (African, Asian, Inter-American and Caribbean) and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

  Other multilateral = Commonwealth programmes plus international research organisations.

  CEE/FSU = Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union.

  Cameroon
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what help he gives to schemes for eco-tourism in Cameroon. [26334]

  Mr. Baldry
  We are not directly assisting eco-tourism in Cameroon. However, ODA-supported forestry/biodiversity projects at Mount Cameroon and the Korup national park are attracting small numbers of eco-tourists.

  Madagascar
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what help he gives to promoting the needs of biodiversity in Madagascar. [26336]

  Mr. Baldry
  Under our joint funding scheme we are providing £402,000 in support of two World Wide Fund for Nature projects to assist the Government of Madagascar in biodiversity and protected areas management, and environmental education.

  As soon as Madagascar ratifies the convention on biological diversity, it will become eligible to receive funding under the global environment facility.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Baytril
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the use of the drug Baytril in farm animals; [26779]

  (2) when the drug Baytril was approved for use in farm animals in the United Kingdom; and how much has been administered per month since approval; [26781]
  510
  (3) what estimates he had made on the future levels of Baytril which will be administered to United Kingdom farm animals. [26782]

  Mrs. Browning
  Baytril contains enrofloxacin, a synthetic broad spectrum antimicrobials, bactericidal in action and effective against a wide range of gram positive and gram negative bacteria, as well as mycoplasmas. It is presented as an oral solution, or injection for farm animals, and licensed for use in pigs, cattle and poultry. Full details are given in the 1994–95 "Compendium of Data Sheets for Veterinary Products," published by the National Office of Animal Health. The major use is in poultry for which licences were issued on 11 November 1993.

  Baytril is available on veterinary prescription only and indicated for use only where clinical experience, supported where possible by sensitivity testing of the casual organism, indicates enrofloxacin as the drug of choice. Its use is therefore at the discretion of individual veterinary surgeons, in exercising their professional judgment over the treatment considered necessary on clinical grounds. For this reason, no information is available on the amounts administered per month, nor can forecasts be made on future levels of administration.

  Non-human Primates
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information is available to quantify the numbers of non-human primates in transit through or via the United Kingdom for which the United Kingdom is not the final destination. [26671]

  Mrs. Browning
  Official records are available for all non-human primates entering the United Kingdom which have to be licensed under the Rabies (Importation of Cats, Dogs and other Mammals) Order 1974, as amended. These include animals moved immediately to another port
  511
  or airport for re-export. Non-human primates which arrive and depart from the same port or airport without entering the United Kingdom are not licensed. Details of such movements will be available from the animal holding facilities at the port or airport.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review importation controls for live primates entering the United Kingdom following the ebola outbreak in Zaire. [26679]

  Mrs. Browning
  The importation of live non-human primates originating in or coming from Zaire into the European Union is currently prohibited under Commission decision 95/171/EC following the ebola outbreak in that country. My officials are also considering whether any longer-term changes to the import controls for live non-human primates may be necessary.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what European Community restrictions apply in respect to member states independently legislating for(a) food labelling and (b) food safety. [26659]

  Mrs. Browning
  Food labelling is a harmonised area of legislation in the European Community and as a result member states can make new national rules only if they have been notified to the Commission and other member states and if there have been no objections.

  Similar arrangements also apply in most cases of food safety legislation. However, member states have greater scope for independent action to deal with emergencies or threats to the safety of their food supplies, in accordance with article 36 of the treaty of Rome.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many foods produced using genetic modified organisms have been(a) licensed for sale and (b) labelled as from genetically modified organisms. [27212]

  Mrs. Browning
  Ministers have accepted the advice of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes and cleared, on food safety grounds, nine foods produced using genetically modified organisms. The food advisory committee has recommended that GMOs containing ethically sensitive copy genes must be labelled. None of the foods cleared so far requires such labelling, although applicants are encouraged to give informative labelling on a voluntary basis in response to public interest.

  Mr Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce labelling of country of origin for(a) meat, (b) meat products, (c) eggs and (d) dairy products. [27198]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave him on 8 June 1995 to a similar question covering meat and meat products. The situation as regards dairy products is the same.

  Eggs are covered by separate EC egg marketing regulations, which already contain an option for the use of country or locality of origin descriptions. For eggs imported from third countries, the country of origin must be declared.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the projects being undertaken by his Department's deregulation unit. [26941]
  512
  Mr. Jack
  The departmental deregulation unit co-ordinates the Ministry's deregulation programme which covers key measures such as the deregulation of the milk market, the potato market and, more recently, the agricultural tenancy rules. The unit is currently involved in the completion of a comprehensive review of the Department's legislation, with a view to repeal or simplification wherever possible;
  the repeal of unnecessary primary legislation using the new deregulation order-making powers contained in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994;
  use of the new deregulation enforcement powers contained at section 5 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 following a comprehensive review of enforcement provisions;
  the preparation of compliance cost assessments for all new regulatory proposals which have the potential to impose burdens on business;
  the improvement of regulatory practice through, for example, the promotion of risk assessment and better guidance to enforcement bodies;
  action on priorities for deregulation identified by the deregulation task force;
  action to repeal or simplify national food composition regulations, and to simplify national food labelling regulations and food additives regulations.

  Slaughterhouses
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many slaughterhouses in the United Kingdom have failed to reach the required standards of hygiene and animal welfare in the years 1994–95. [26956]

  Mrs. Browning
  Where hygiene falls below the required standards, action depends on the circumstances of the case and will range from discussions—confirmed in writing—with slaughterhouse operators explaining the specific deficiencies and suggesting improvements in working practices and equipment, to the refusal or revocation of licences. In the 1994–95 financial year in the UK we acted to refuse or revoke 19 licences on hygiene grounds, of which 11 were subsequently relicensed.

  The state veterinary service made 1,982 visits to licensed red meat and poultry slaughterhouses in Great Britain last year and 206 visits to unlicensed poultry premises in England and Wales at which welfare was monitored. Figures for visits to unlicensed premises in Scotland are not available. In 17 cases—three licensed and 14 unlicensed premises—conditions were found which warranted welfare advice to be given. Where necessary, follow-up visits are made to ensure that the advice is acted upon.

  In Northern Ireland departmental veterinary staff on permanent duty at meat plants regard animal welfare as a priority. Advice is provided when necessary and on no occasions were conditions found to be unacceptable.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what circumstances sheep may be exported for outdoor religious slaughter, and in what circumstances such slaughter conforms with EU slaughter and hygiene regulations. [27106]
  513
  Mrs. Browning
  Directive 91/628/EEC on the protection of animals during transport contains measures subject to which the transport of animals between member states is permitted. The provisions of this directive are implemented in our national law by the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1994, as amended.

  As for slaughter, this is covered by directive 93/119/EC on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing which recognises the particular requirements of certain religious rites. The directive also requires that all animals, including sheep slaughtered by a religious method outdoors, are spared any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering during their movement, lairaging, restraint or slaughter. However, outdoor religious slaughter is carried out for the owner of the animal and the meat derived from the animal is returned to the owner for his own use. As no sale is involved, such slaughter is not required to comply with EU hygiene rules, which apply only to the slaughter of animals whose flesh is intended to be placed on the market and require such slaughter to take place in approved premises.

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated number of sheep and lambs that die, each year, in transit from the United Kingdom. [26957]

  Mrs. Browning
  No such estimates are made.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what grounds he has decided not to implement article 36 of the treaty of Rome in respect of imposing export restrictions on grounds of public morality, public policy or the health of animals; and if he will make a statement. [27338]

  Mrs. Browning
  My right hon. Friend has set out in some detail the legal reasons why article 36 of the treaty of Rome is not available to justify imposing restrictions on the export of live animals. I refer the hon. Member to the reply he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Thanet, North (Mr. Gale) and the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 2 February 1995,Official Report, columns 846–47.

  Food Science Laboratory, Torry
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost of the most recent refurbishment of the food science laboratory at Torry, Aberdeen; and if he will make a statement on the proposal to close the laboratory. [27372]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 9 June 1995]: The most recent refurbishment of the food science laboratory at Torry took place between 1991 and 1994 at a cost of £1,997,000. It was completed before Tony became part of the enlarged central science laboratory. As to the proposal to close the Tony laboratory, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Erewash (Mrs. Knight) on 6 June 1995, Official Report, columns 1–2.

  Fishing Vessels
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart in respect of avoiding acts of aggression towards United Kingdom fishing vessels; what measures are in place to ensure the safety of fishing 514
  vessels; what steps have been taken in anticipation of the opening of the tuna fisheries; and if he will make a statement. [27404]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 9 June 1995]: We keep in close contact at ministerial, diplomatic and technical level with the Spanish authorities both directly and through EU channels. The Royal Navy has the dual role of enforcing fisheries regulations and protecting UK fishing vessels. In the case of this year's tuna fishery in the north-east Atlantic, the Government have been closely in touch with the fisheries organisations. Among other things, a procedure has been agreed for measuring and recording the length of their nets before departure to the fishing grounds and for regular checks at sea.

  Wine Industry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what amount of financial support has been given by the European Community to the wine industry in each member state for the past five years; and what is the forecast of funding for each of the next three years. [28155]

  Mr. Jack
  Details of expenditure on the wine regime by the EU, broken down by member state, are contained in annexe 2 of the annual financial reports on the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund, guarantee section, copies of which have been deposited in the Library. The latest report available relates to 1993. Figures for the main wine-producing member states for 1994, taken from the draft annual financial report, are set out in the table.

  Country

  £ million

  Germany

  6.1

  Greece

  29.2

  Spain

  290.6

  France

  176.5

  Italy

  365.5

  Holland

  2.5

  Portugal

  29.4

  United Kingdom

  0.8

  EU Total

  901.3

  The common agricultural policy budget is drawn up one year in advance, and is set in relation to forecast expenditure throughout the EU, and not on the basis of allocations to individual member states. The current budget for 1995 is £843 million and for 1996, £913 million.

  Sheep Dips
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what veterinary products are now approved by his Department to prevent sheep scab and flystrike which avoid the need to use organophosphorous sheep dips; and if he will make a statement. [28353]

  Mrs. Browning
  A number of non-organophosphorus products are licensed for the treatment of these conditions. Details are contained in the booklet "Veterinary Medicinal Products (Dips, injectables, pour ons and sprays) available in the United Kingdom for use as Ectoparasiticides in Sheep" published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Copies are being placed in the Library of the House.

  EU Council: Forthcoming Business
  EU Council: Forthcoming Business
  Messina Conference
  Messina Conference
  Foreign Affairs Council, 29 May
  Foreign Affairs Council, 29 May
  SOE Archives: Release
  SOE Archives: Release
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  Legal Services Ombudsman: Annual Report
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