Written Answers of 14 June 1995

TREASURY

  Retail Prices
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the largest percentage increase in price of any one item included in the retail prices index since May 1994. [27581]

  Mr. Nelson
  Average price information is available only at item level and only for selected homogeneous products. Of these average prices, the largest percentage increase was for old loose white potatoes which rose by 55 per cent. between May 1994 and April 1995.

  At the section level of aggregation, which is published for the whole RPI, the largest percentage increase in any index between May 1994 and April 1995 was 41 per cent. for unprocessed potatoes.

  The largest percentage increase for a non-seasonal item was 42 per cent. for filter coffee.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in the cost of mortgage interest since May 1994; and what effect this has had on the retail prices index. [27582]

  Mr. Nelson
  The percentage increase in the mortgage interest payments index between May 1994 and April 1995 contributed +0.79 percentage points to the 2.9 per cent. increase in all items RPI. During this period the average mortgage interest rate used in the calculation of this index rose from 7.70 per cent. to 8.36 per cent.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the new date will be for the payment of capital gains tax under self-assessment; how the bringing forward of its date will affect the period allowed for reinvestment relief; and in what respects he will adjust the effects of this change of date for capital gains and taxpayers in respect of periods of relief. [27933]

  Sir George Young
  Under self-assessment, capital gains tax will normally become due and payable on 31 January following the year of assessment to which it relates. This is later than the present date of 1 December. Reinvestment relief is available where qualifying shares are acquired within one year before, or three years after, the disposal of an asset. The change in the due and payable date for capital gains tax under self-assessment does not affect this period.

  VAT (Home Care)
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to zero rate home care services for VAT purposes where the home care is provided by non-medically qualified personnel in the private sector. [28218]
  516
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  None. Any extension of existing zero rates would be contrary to the EC sixth VAT directive.

  Additional Personal Allowance
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many married men with a totally incapacitated wife were entitled to the additional personal allowance for the year 1994–95. [28345]

  Sir George Young
  About 10,000.

  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual costs of extending the additional personal allowance to married women with a totally incapacitated husband. [28343]

  Sir George Young
  I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Inland Revenue and Contributions Agency
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor or the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the administrative savings to be made from amalgamating the Inland Revenue and the Contributions Agency. [28334]

  Sir George Young
  The relationship between the Contributions Agency and the Inland Revenue was examined last year. It was concluded that the overlap between the Revenue and the agency did not warrant an amalgamation of the two businesses. In addition, any efficiency gains would be outweighed by transitional costs and disruption to both departments.

  Work is in hand, as part of their respective deregulatory plans, to achieve closer working between the two organisations which should offer worthwhile savings to business.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the annual cost to the Exchequer of reducing the tax rate applicable to the lower rate income tax band from 20 per cent. to 10 per cent. [28140]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The direct revenue cost would be about £5.2 billion in a full year at 1995–96 income levels.

  Earnings (Female)
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of women who have earnings below(a) the tax threshold and (b) the national insurance threshold at the latest date. [27951]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 13 June 1995]: It is estimated that in 1995–96 about 2.2 million women employees have no income tax liability, and about 2.3 million have earnings below the national insurance lower earnings limit. Some women in this latter category will be taxpayers due to income from other sources.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what dates he or other Ministers or former Ministers in his Department received extracts for comment from Sir Richard Scott's draft report; on what date comments were submitted to Sir Richard; and what requests have been made for an extension of the period within which comments should have been made. [27555]
  517
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The Government do not disclose details of correspondence between the inquiry and individual witnesses. In the case of draft extracts in particular, the inquiry has asked that these be treated in the strictest confidence.

  Economic Statement
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the economy. [29179]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Achieving low inflation is a key feature of the Government's economic policy to deliver prosperity and secure jobs. The Government's current aim for underlying inflation is to keep within the range 1 to 4 per cent., and to get down to the lower half of the range—that is 2½ per cent. or less—by the end of the present Parliament. I am fully committed to achieving that aim and do not propose to change it.

  Beyond this Parliament, I propose that our aim will be to continue to achieve underlying inflation—measured by the RPI excluding mortgage interest payments—of 2½ per cent. or less. Monetary policy will be set consistently to achieve this target. This should ensure that inflation will remain in the range 1 to 4 per cent.

  Achieving this target would put us on course to achieve the best performance on inflation this country has seen for over half a century and one of the best performances in Europe.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Churchill Papers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consideration he gave to arranging for the Sir Winston Churchill wartime documents to be circulated to museums and county archives throughout the United Kingdom, instead of being housed permanently at Churchill college, Cambridge; and if he will make a statement. [27935]

  Mr. Dorrell
  In making a grant to the Sir Winston Churchill archive trust, access to the archives and the conservation and presentation of the papers to scholars and the general public were always key priorities for the trustees of the national heritage memorial Fund. Churchill college, Cambridge will be mounting an exhibition of selected papers from the Churchill archive at the Jock Colville hall, from 29 June to 4 July. There are also plans to show selected papers at the British museum, at the national museums of Scotland and Wales and at other institutions in the near future.

  English Heritage (Advice)
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the occasions when advice by English Heritage in relation to urban development corporations has been overruled by a Secretary of State; and what was in each case the reason for the decision to overrule advice by English Heritage. [27785]
  518
  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: My Department has no record of any cases in which English Heritage's advice on scheduled monument consent applications by urban development corporations has been overruled.

  Royal William Yard, Plymouth
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations have been received by his Department regarding the type of slate to be used on the roof of listed buildings at Royal William yard in Plymouth, and if he is prepared to accept further representations. [27787]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: My Department has received representations from Camborne Natural Slate Ltd. As with all applications for scheduled monument consent, I will consider all relevant representations up to the time of my decision.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to make recommendations to the Plymouth development corporation regarding the type of slate which should be used to cover the roof area of listed buildings within the Royal William yard; and if he will make a statement. [27791]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: I have no such plans. My Department has received six applications for scheduled monument consent from the Plymouth development corporation to refurbish individual buildings in the Royal William yard, Plymouth, which would include the replacement of roof slates. My Department is currently considering advice received from English Heritage, which has had discussions with the development corporation about the choice of historically appropriate slates. I will issue decisions in due course.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the total cost difference between using Camborne slate and Welsh slate to cover the roofs of listed buildings at Royal William yard in Plymouth. [27784]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: Precise figures cannot be released for reasons of commercial confidentiality but I understand that Welsh slates are expected to be 50 per cent. more expensive than Camborne slates.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what scientific evidence has been presented to his Department by English Heritage in respect of its decision to recommend the use of Welsh slate on the roof of listed buildings at Royal William yard in Plymouth. [27786]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: I am advised by English Heritage that Rennie's original specification for roofing material in Royal William yard merely required best sized Queen Rag slates. The actual source of the slates was not specified, and has not been identified by historical research. In practice, the choice would have been between Welsh and Cornish slates. The latter are no longer available in the quantity required, and Welsh slates remain the likely nearest equivalent historically, and the best match in terms of tones and textures.
  519
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the original slate specification in the application for monument consent by Plymouth development corporation regarding the roof area of listed buildings at Royal William yard; how many times the slate specification has since been changed; and what is the current slate specification. [27788]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: None of the six applications for scheduled monument consent contained a specification for a particular source of slate when first submitted by the Plymouth development corporation. Camborne natural slates were subsequently proposed by the Plymouth development corporation for four of the applications, but all the applications have now been changed by the corporation to specify slates of Welsh origin.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid Fraud
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many firms of solicitors are currently being investigated for alleged legal aid fraud by the Legal Aid Board; and what were the figures in each of the last five years. [28318]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The number of detailed investigations currently being undertaken by the Legal Aid Board against solicitors' firms for alleged legal aid fraud is 87. These are all cases which have been carried forward from 1994–95. To date, no new cases have been undertaken this financial year.

  The number of detailed investigations in each of the last five years is as follows:

  Financial year

  Cases brought forward from previous year

  New cases started

  Total cases during year

  1990–91

  31

  28

  59

  1991–92

  53

  25

  78

  1992–93

  60

  38

  98

  1993–94

  74

  32

  106

  1994–95

  89

  28

  117

  EDUCATION Chinley School
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations she has received in relation to the proposal for grant-maintained status at Chinley school, Derbyshire; and if she will give a breakdown of the nature of those representations and their origin. [28467]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None. Nursery Vouchers

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to her answer of 6 June,Official Report, column 9, which of the bodies listed in the reply to the hon. Member for the City of Durham (Mr. Steinberg) of 7 February, Official Report, column 145, supported the introduction of vouchers for nursery education. [28275]
  520
  Mr. Forth
  Most of the responses to consultation were received before voucher funding for pre-school education became an issue for debate.

  Nevertheless, written responses from the following organisations support a voucher scheme;
  Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools
  National Private Day Nurseries Association
  Playgroup Network
  The GM Initiative.

  Technology Centres
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is her Department's involvement in the network of regional technology centres being set up by the Gatsby charitable foundation; and if she will make a statement. [28280]

  Mr. Forth
  The Department for Education and the Office for Standards in Education are represented on the working group for this initiative. We welcome the support that the Gatsby charitable foundation is giving to technology education.

  School Meals
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the percentage and number of children receiving(a) free school meals and (b) parentally paid for school meals for the last 10 years in England. [28439]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Information on school meal arrangements in maintained schools in England since 1989 is shown in the table. Information prior to 1989 is not available on a comparable basis although results of earlier school meals censuses were published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in, for example, "School Meal Statistics at October 1988" copies of which are available in the Library.

  Number and percentages1 of day-pupils taking paid and free school meals in maintained schools2 in England 1989–94 Position in January each year

  Paid

  Free

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  1994

  1,980,295

  27

  1,217,126

  17

  1993

  1,956,106

  27

  1,137,895

  16

  1992

  2,001,644

  28

  998,872

  14

  1991

  2,130,350

  31

  819,058

  12

  1990

  2,203,226

  32

  762,486

  11

  1989

  2,205,181

  32

  776,900

  11

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

  2 Excludes sixth form colleges which ceased to be classified as schools in April 1993.

  Bull Bars
  Mr. Keith Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many vehicles owned or hired by her Department are fitted with bull bars; for what reasons; and what plans she has to remove them. [28251]

  Mr. Boswell
  None of the vehicles owned by the Department are fitted with bull bars.

  Teachers' Salaries
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list for each education authority not in receipt of area cost adjustment the average teacher's salary for the last year for which figures are available; if she will list for each education authority in receipt of area cost adjustment the average teacher's salary for the last year for which figures are available' and whether average salaries include (i) London weighting allowances and (ii) special responsibility allowances. [28362]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Sheffield Brightside, (Mr. Blunkett) on 12 June,Official Report, column 417. The average salaries quoted in the table do include London weighting allowances and incentive allowances for additional responsibilities where applicable.

  Pre-school Provision
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the number and percentage of four-year-olds in(a) maintained nursery schools and nursery classes, (b) reception classes in primary schools, (c) private or voluntary sector provision and (d) pre-school provision overall, at the latest available date. [28079]

  Mr. Forth
  The table shows the breakdown between schools for four-year-olds born between 1 January 1989 and 31 August 1989. This is based on information collected in the Department's schools' census in January 1994. It excludes both those children who were three years old on 31 August 1993 but who were four years old on 1 January 1994, and those who were four years old on 31 August 1993 but who were five years old on 1 January 1994—the rising fives.

  A separate estimate of all children who were four years old on 1 January 1994 suggests that at that time 498,000 four-year-olds—77 per cent. of all children aged four—were attending maintained schools. We estimate that approximately 120,000 more—19 per cent. of all children aged four—were in some form of private or voluntary provision.

  Pupils aged 4 years of age in schools in England: January 1994

  School type

  Pupils

  Percentage of population

  Maintained nursery schools and infant classes

  48,176

  11

  Infant classes in primary schools

  326,634

  75

  Independent schools2

  18,511

  4

  All schools3

  395,384

  91

  1 Full-time and part-time pupils aged 4 years of age at 31 August 1993 excluding pupils of compulsory school age in January 1994 (the rising 5s), expressed as a percentage of the relevant portion of the population aged 4 at 31 August 1993

  2 Includes pupils in direct grant nursery schools.

  3 Includes pupils in maintained nursery, primary and special schools, non-maintained special schools and independent schools.

  Student Grants
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the number and percentage of students in higher education qualifying for full maintenance grants. [20011]
  522
  Mr. Boswell
  Information is collected centrally only on the effect of means testing on some grants paid to students in higher education. Provisional figures for 1993–94 show that 325,000 mandatory award holders domiciled in England and Wales received grants which were not reduced on account of their or their parents' or spouses' resources. This represents 45 per cent. of all mandatory award holders.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Firearms
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is being taken to ensure that deactivated firearms are not brought back into use. [27908]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The standards to which firearms are deactivated have been comprehensively reviewed. Revised, more stringent specifications will be introduced shortly.

  Live Performances (Minors)
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to local authorities about the admission of minors to live performances in local authority venues of material classified as adult viewing when available on videotape. [27968]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  None. The Theatres Act 1968 does not provide for age restrictions to be included in the licensing conditions imposed by local authorities.

  Equalities Associates
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) to what extent the contract for race and community relations training which was put out to tender in 1994 was similar to the previous contract awarded to Equalities Associates in 1989; and if he will list the differences; [28134]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 16 May, Official Report, column 152, if the contract awarded to Equalities Associates in 1994 was the same as was tendered for by Equalities Associates and others in 1994; and if he will place copies of the contracts, for (a) 1989 and (b) 1994, in the Library. [28135]

  Mr. Maclean
  Details of contracts are subject to commercial confidentiality. On each occasion, bidders were invited to submit their plans for the provision of specialist support in community and race relations training for the police service. Equalities Associates provided the best combination of quality and value in competition with other bidders, and the contract with it was finalised by negotiation.

  Race and Community Relations
  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the central planning and training unit and the police staff college will be employing civilians and lay contributors to provide training in race and community relations in accordance with the recommendations by Lord Scarman. [28133]
  523
  Mr. Maclean
  Both the central planning and training unit and the police staff college already employ civilian trainers who assist in providing community and race relations training. Both establishments work closely with the specialist support unit, Turvey, which provides training for the training staff, and with the Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality who provide contributions for some courses.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will provide a breakdown by ethnic origin for all staff at the police staff college, Bramshill and the central planning and training unit, Harrogate; which are civilians and which are serving police officers; if he will list the dates on which they joined the units, their grades or ranks; if he will list those who would be used as trainers for the race and community relations courses at the police staff college and the central police training unit; and if these persons would be trained to deliver race and community relations training. [28131]

  Mr. Maclean
  Of 108 staff at the central planning and training unit, Harrogate, 104 are white and four are of ethnic minority origin, 67 are police officers and 41 are civilians.

  The most recent survey at the police staff college, Bramshill, showed that of 100 civilian staff, 91 were white, three were of ethnic minority origin, and six were not classified. The survey did not cover police officers, of whom there are currently 20.

  Staff who deliver training in community and race relations at either the police staff college or at the central planning and training unit undergo appropriate training at the Home Office specialist support unit, Turvey.

  The other information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, column 192, if he will place in the Library a copy of the HMI (Schools) and the independent assessor's report on the specialist support unit. [28129]

  Mr. Maclean
  These reports will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, columns 192–93, if he will place in the Library copies of the relevant minutes regarding funding of the Home Office specialist support unit's management board meetings. [28137]

  Mr. Maclean
  No. The board is not an executive body, and decisions on funding remain with the Home Office.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the expertise of the central planning and training unit and the police staff college to provide the training in race and community relations to the level that is currently being provided by the Home Office specialist support unit; and if he will make a statement. [28132]

  Mr. Maclean
  The present contract of the specialist support unit—requires it to provide advice and support to the central planning and training unit—EPTU—so that the latter should be capable of providing community and race relations training to police service trainers by the end of the current contract period in June 1997. The SSU provides advice to both the CPTU and Bramshill in the planning of community and race relations elements in 524
  training courses. It is for the management of the colleges to ensure training provision is effective.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, column 193, how many police officers, at the level of superintendent and above, have attended the Holly Royde seminars in the last five years. [28128]

  Mr. Maclean
  A total of 222 officers have attended as members of the seminar over the last five years, of which 99 were at superintendent rank or above. In addition a number of senior officers, including chief constables, have contributed to the seminar programme.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, column 192, if he will list the amount paid by the Home Office to the Home Office specialist support unit for race and community relations training in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95, and the amounts paid by HMI of constabulary to the Home Office specialist support unit in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95. [28136]

  Mr. Maclean
  Home Office funding for the unit was as follows, including provision of approximately £60,000 in each year for seconded police liaison officers:

  1993–94: £598,000

  1994–95: £543,000

  No funding was provided to the unit by HM inspectorate of constabulary.

  Mr. Bernie Grant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, column 191, who is responsible for assessing the police trainers in their competence to deliver race and community relations training; who trained the assessors; when they were trained; and what assessment he has made of their competence to judge race and community relations training. [28130]

  Mr. Maclean
  Training is provided in various ways in the police service at the central planning and training unit; the police staff college at Bramshill; local police training centres; and by forces. Assessment of trainers is a matter for line managers at each venue. Specialist training for trainers and force training managers is provided at the specialist support unit, which also provides consultancy to the colleges and training centres on the planning and assessment of community and race relations inputs.

  Central records are not maintained of the number of trainers, but 15 out of the 17 directors of study at CPTU, who are responsible for assessment of trainers, have received specialist training at the SSU over the last two years. In addition, a new competency-based trainers' course is being introduced there in consultation with SSU staff.

  Animal Experiments (Tobacco)
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of animals used in experiments in the United Kingdom to investigate the effects of tobacco products in each year between 1987 and 1993; and if he will identify separately the numbers used to investigate the effects of environmental tobacco smoke. [28115]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I refer the hon. member to the reply given to questions from the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 30 March,Official Report, column 807
  525
  Statistics for the numbers of animals used to investigate the effects of environmental tobacco smoke are not separately recorded.

  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under which category in Home Office statistics experiments on animals for the effects of environmental tobacco smoke are listed. [28114]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Where the primary purpose of the procedure is to study the effects of environmental tobacco smoke on body systems, it would be included in the appropriate column of the "body systems studies" section of tables 2A and 2B, and in the corresponding section of table 25. Where the primary purpose is to evaluate the general hazards posed by environmental tobacco smoke, it would be included within the safety column of the "applied studies or purposes" section of tables 2A and 2B; and also in the corresponding sections of table 25, and in the "tobacco" columns of tables 3 and 26. All references are to the "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Liming Animals, Great Britain 1993".

  The revised system for the collection of statistics, being introduced this year, will ensure that all work relating to tobacco will in future be clearly distinguished.

  Child Witnesses
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department intends to take in response to the findings of Leicester university research into the effectiveness of the special provisions for child witnesses contained in the Criminal Justice Act 1991. [27925]

  Mr. Maclean
  We are considering the findings of this report, and in particular whether the memorandum of good practice should be revised to take account of them.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to revise the memorandum of good practice in child abuse cases to clarify and refine the recommendations governing the decision to interview. [27926]

  Mr. Maclean
  We are considering whether to revise the memorandum of good practice to take account of this and other points raised by research and experience to date.

  Aids (Prisoners)
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates in prisons in England and Wales are currently HIV positive or have AIDS. [28006]

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Neil Gerrard, dated 14 June 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of inmates in prisons in England and Wales who are currently HIV positive or have AIDS.
  At present, 51 male and 3 female inmates are reported by prison medical officers as being HIV positive. There is no one currently in the prison system in England and Wales who is reported to have AIDS.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been infected with HIV while in prison in England and Wales. [28004]
  526
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Neil Gerrard, dated 14 June 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about AIDS/HIV in prison.
  There is only one documented case of a prisoner who clearly became infected with HIV while within the prison system in England and Wales. This infection occurred in 1993.

  Prison Cells
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cells holding one prisoner in 1992–93 currently hold more than one prisoner. [28109]

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Mike O'Brien, dated 14 June 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of cells holding one prisoner in 1992–93 which currently hold more than one prisoner.
  The information requested is not available centrally.
  However, in 1992–93 the average total prison population in England and Wales was 43,903. The average number of prisoners sharing a cell designed for one was 7,727, 17.6% of the total population. On 26 May 1995, the total prison population in England and Wales was 50,802. The number of prisoners sharing a cell designed for one was 8,362, 16.5% of the total population.

  Mr. Marc Rich
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the charges relating to tax fraud faced by Mr. Marc Rich from US authorities. [28073]

  Mr. Maclean
  As far as I can ascertain, no representations on this subject have been received recently. This is an operational matter which falls entirely within the responsibility of the chief constable.

  Disabled Police Officers
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers became disabled in each year since 1992–93; how many of those were found employment within the police service; and what arrangements were made for those not found such employment. [27996]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The information is not available. However, information is available for 1992 and 1993 on the numbers of medical retirement, and is shown in the table.

  Police service medical retirements

  Forces

  1992

  1993

  Avon and Somerset

  54.00

  68.00

  Bedfordshire

  7.00

  9.00

  Cambridgeshire

  9.00

  19.00

  Cheshire

  34.00

  31.00

  City of London

  10.00

  11.00

  Cleveland

  52.00

  40.00

  Cumbria

  20.00

  26.00

  Derbyshire

  55.00

  54.00

  527

  Police service medical retirements

  Forces

  1992

  1993

  Devon and Cornwall

  40.00

  49.00

  Dorset

  12.00

  26.00

  Durham

  21.00

  39.00

  Dyfed-Powys

  22.00

  22.00

  Essex

  27.00

  25.00

  Gloucestershire

  15.00

  13.00

  Greater Manchester

  149.00

  162.00

  Gwent

  23.00

  18.00

  Hampshire

  32.00

  40.00

  Hertfordshire

  12.00

  19.00

  Humberside

  26.00

  40.00

  Kent

  57.00

  80.00

  Lancashire

  52.00

  86.00

  Leicestershire

  46.00

  60.00

  Lincolnshire

  24.00

  24.00

  Merseyside

  99.00

  132.00

  Norfolk

  15.00

  17.00

  North Wales

  35.00

  39.00

  North Yorkshire

  30.00

  78.00

  Northamptonshire

  26.00

  15.00

  Northumbria

  89.00

  97.00

  Nottinghamshire

  56.00

  59.00

  South Wales

  29.00

  31.00

  South Yorkshire

  64.00

  82.00

  Staffordshire

  67.00

  74.00

  Suffolk

  19.00

  20.00

  Surrey

  19.00

  16.00

  Sussex

  38.00

  36.00

  Thames Valley

  38.00

  30.00

  Warwickshire

  10.00

  19.00

  West Mercia

  28.00

  23.00

  West Midlands

  67.00

  71.00

  West Yorkshire

  228.00

  150.00

  Wiltshire

  8.00

  10.00

  Provincial Total

  1,764.00

  1,960.00

  Metropolitan Police

  310.00

  344.00

  England and Wales Total

  2,074.00

  2,304.00

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Scott Report
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Attorney-General which Ministers, former Ministers or civil servants, in his Department have sought independent legal advice in assisting their response to draft extracts from Sir Richard Scott's report; in each case from whom the advice has been sought; and what limit has been placed on payment for such advice from public funds. [28387]

  The Attorney-General
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister today.

  Private Prosecutions
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General on how many occasions in the last five years the Director of Public Prosecutions has taken over a private prosecution and then dropped it; and if he will list the details. [21738]

  The Attorney-General
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: Crown Prosecution Service headquarters has asked senior staff who might reasonably be expected to recall private prosecutions which have been taken over by the Crown Prosecution Service and terminated to provide details of
  528
  such cases. The table sets out the number of such cases in relation to each CPS area and CPS headquarters casework division.

  The numbers cited cannot be taken as definitive because the information given is based on staff memory. It relates to the period since April 1993 when the present CPS areas came into being.

  Private prosecutions: prosecutions taken over and discontinued by the CPS since April 1993

  Area

  Number of cases

  Reason for discontinuance

  Anglia

  0

  —

  East Midlands

  1

  Public interest

  Humber

  0

  —

  London

  3

  1. Public interest

  2. Public interest

  3. Public interest

  Mersey/Lancashire

  0

  —

  Midlands

  1

  1. Evidence

  North

  2

  2. Evidence

  2. Public interest

  North West

  0

  —

  Severn/Thames

  1

  Public interest

  South East

  2

  1. Evidence

  2. Evidence

  South West

  1

  Public interest

  Wales

  0

  —

  Yorkshire

  0

  —

  Headquarters Casework

  2

  1. Evidence

  2. Evidence

  Total

  13

PRIME MINISTER

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Prime Minister how many written parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by his Department in each of the past five years; how many of these were not answered because the information(a) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, (b) was not held centrally and (c) was not normally disclosed; how many of these could now be answered due to computerisation, more effective and efficient operational systems or more open government; and if he will list each question along with the name and constituency of the right hon. or hon. Member who originally tabled it. [28522]

  The Prime Minister
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the appointments which he is specifically required and/or able to make by virtue of his office; and if he will list those appointments which arise during the next 12 months; and if he will list the name, age, expected time commitment, place of residence, current or previous occupation and salary, honorarium, allowance or payment for each post; and if he will make a statement. [28536]

  The Prime Minister
  A list of the appointments to public bodies which I am able to make as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury is available in the Library
  529
  of the House. It is not possible to know all those appointments which will arise in the next 12 months. The details requested for each post are not available.

  Director General of Gas Supply
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Prime Minister what action he intends to take to resist excessive pay demands from those who serve the public; and if he will make a statement on the recent pay claim from the Director General of Ofgas. [27322]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) on 13 June,Official Report, columns 451–52.

  Government Property
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Prime Minister how many houses and flats are owned by Government departments; and how many of these are currently empty. [27796]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 June 1995]: Up-to-date information is being calculated and will be
  530
  published by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment in due course.

  Scott Report
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Prime Minister which Ministers, former Ministers or civil servants have sought independent legal advice in assisting their response to draft extracts from Sir Richard Scott's report; in each case from whom the advice has been sought; and what limit has been placed on payment for such advice from public funds. [28386]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 June 1995]: Sir Richard Scott has requested that all those in receipt of extracts from his draft report should hold this material in confidence. The Government are not aware of the identity of all the recipients and, in accordance with the vice-chancellor's request, would not consider it right to disclose the identity of those recipients of whom it is aware.

  Apart from legal advice from departmental lawyers, legal services have been provided to witnesses to the inquiry by the Treasury Solicitor's department and by external lawyers. In each case their costs are subject to the approval of the legal advisers to the Departments who are responsible for payment.

TRANSPORT

  Railway Restructuring
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what provision he is making for the additional costs being incurred by the English passenger transport authorities and their executives as a result of the restructuring of the railways. [29266]

  Mr. Watts
  A special grant report has been laid before the house today for the payment of metropolitan railway grant in 1995–96 to English passenger transport authorities. The broad aim of MRG is to provide support to those PTAs for the additional costs failing to be met by the PTAs in the financial year 1995–96 for the railway passenger services provided by British Rail to those authorities' passenger transport executives, arising from the restructuring of railways in Great Britain in accordance with the Railways Act 1995.

  Airline Pilots
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list his Department's individual replies to the specific objections in respect of the Civil Aviation Authority proposals made by the British Airline Pilots Association on(a) flight and duty times, (b) split duty, (c)time zone crossing, (d) rest requirement, (e) augment crew and (f) standby. [27330]

  Mr. Norris
  The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for flight and duty time limitation schemes, including technical assessment of the joint aviation authorities' proposals. The Department has not responded in detail to the British Airline Pilots Association's specific objections as these are a matter for the authority. However, the authority has assured my noble Friend the Minister for Aviation that the JAA proposals, if introduced, would provide an equivalent level of protection against the onset of fatigue to the current United Kingdom requirements.

  Road Registration Act 1984
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the orders made under section 20 of the Road Regulation Act 1984 or its predecessor sections since 1965. [28220]

  Mr. Norris
  No such orders have been made.

  Railways (Staffing)
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many stations within(a) the Tilbury and Southend region, (b) the south-eastern operating region, (c) the Gatwick express region, (d) the Network South Central region, (e) the south west train operating region, (f) the Thameslink operating region, (g) the Anglia operating region, (h) the Great Eastern operating region,(i) the West Anglia and Great Northern operating region and (j) the North London Railways operating region are unstaffed after 6 pm and at weekends; and if he will provide equivalent figures for 1979; [28011]

  (2) how many stations within the Thames train operating region unstaffed after 6 pm and at weekends; and if he will provide equivalent figures for 1979. [28016]
  532
  Mr. Watts
  The information requested is a matter for British Rail. I understand that it does not hold this information centrally. It is therefore not readily available.

  Yachtsmen
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department has commissioned in the last three years into the effect on the behaviour of yachtsmen of(a) seasickness remedies,(b) alcohol, (c) wave motion. [27536]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Intoxicated Helmsmen
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest estimate of the total number of(a) registered and (b) unregistered boats and small craft in the United Kingdom; and what percentage of them have been found to be under the command of an intoxicated helmsman in each of the last three years. [27535]

  Mr. Norris
  There are approximately 75,000 yachts and small craft on the United Kingdom shipping register; statistics are not held on the number of unregistered vessels. No records are kept on the percentage of these vessels that have been found under the command of intoxicated helmsmen.

  Flight Data Recorders
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation as a matter of urgency to ensure that all aircraft equipped to carry fare paying passengers are fitted with flight data recorders irrespective of the number of fare-paying passengers; and if he will make a statement. [27401]

  Mr. Norris
  The joint aviation authorities are responsible for setting the criteria for the fitting of flight data recorders. The joint aviation requirement on commercial air transportation adopted on 1 April specifies that all new aircraft with more than nine passenger seats be equipped with flight data recorders. This is in line with existing United Kingdom legislation.

  The Civil Aviation Authority does not believe that the fitting of flight data recorders to smaller aircraft would increase aviation safety in the UK.

  Waste, Ports
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the waste reception facilities available at each United Kingdom port and the amount of waste collected by each port for the last five years. [26111]

  Mr. Norris
  The Marine Safety Agency has recently conducted a questionnaire survey of the provision of waste reception facilities. Copies have been placed in the House Library. Information on the amount of waste collected by ports for the last five years is not available.

DEFENCE

  Joint Headquarters, Northwood
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the(a) role, (b) establishment and (c) cost of set-up of the new joint military operations headquarters at Northwood; and if he will make a statement. [27394]
  533
  Mr. Soames
  The establishment of the new permanent joint headquarters will significantly enhance the United Kingdom's ability to plan and conduct joint operations. Its role will be to draw together contingency planning, co-ordinate joint operational activities, joint training and exercises, and act as a focus for joint doctrine. In so doing, it will eradicate the disadvantages inherent in the current system of creating an ad hoc JHQ. Detailed work on the establishment continues, but it is expected to be around 330 permanent staff, including watchkeepers to allow the HQ to function on a 24-hour basis. The initial costs of setting up the JHQ are estimated at some £12,000,000, and the running costs, including manpower, at some £15,000,000 per annum. Annual running costs are expected to be offset by compensating reductions in manpower and other costs elsewhere in the Department.

  Military Base Inspections
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many inspections of military bases in the United Kingdom were made under the terms of the intermediate nuclear forces treaty in(a) 1994 and (b) 1995 to-date; and what was the result of each inspection. [28271]

  Mr. Soames
  None.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many inspections of overseas United Kingdom forces' military bases under the terms of the intermediate nuclear forces treaty were made in(a) 1994 and (b) 1995 to date; and what was the result of each inspection. [28270]

  Mr. Soames
  None. The United Kingdom is not a state party to the intermediate range nuclear forces treaty and therefore our military bases are not subject to inspection under the treaty.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information Her Majesty's Government possess on the number of nuclear weapons currently deployed in non-nuclear weapons states by each of the five countries defined as nuclear weapons powers by the non-proliferation treaty. [27650]

  Mr. Soames
  Under NATO nuclear burden sharing arrangements, US and United Kingdom nuclear weapons may be deployed in some other alliance countries. We do not comment on the details of current weapon deployments within the alliance. Russia still has nuclear weapons on the territories of Ukraine and Belarus.

  Nimrod
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when and where the last major servicing of the recently crashed Nimrod was carried out; and if this was the responsibility of a civilian contractor. [27909]

  Mr. Soames
  The Nimrod which ditched into the Moray firth on 16 May was on a routine test flight having just completed a major servicing at RAF Kinloss. As I made clear in my answer of 25 May to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark),Official Report, column 659, the servicing was carried out by RAF personnel.

  Defence Animal Centre
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Animal Centre in 1995–96. [29065]

  Mr. Soames
  The key targets for the Defence Animal Centre in 1995–96 are as follows.

  1. Review and where necessary establish service level agreements (SLA), or the appropriate equivalent, with customers.

  2. Meet at least 95 per cent. of SLA targets.

  3. Implement an interim output costing system.

  4. Reduce the net full cost, as shown in the accruals account, by 2.5 per cent.

  6. Through the MOD competing for quality programme, identify and realise the full value for money potential in the DAC.

  Defence Postal and Courier Agency
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the key targets for the Defence Postal and Courier Agency for 1995–96. [29265]

  Mr. Soames
  The chief executive of the Defence Postal and Courier Services Agency has been set the following key targets for 1995–96:

  1. Achieve BS EN 9002 for BFPO London.

  2. Increase efficiency by 0.5 per cent. against the 1994–95 target by input or output means.

  3. Both postal and courier Services to maintain present levels of service whilst implementing Defence Costs Study No 10 recommendations.

  Queen Victoria School
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Queen Victoria school in 1995–96. [29241]

  Mr. Soames
  The key targets for the Queen Victoria school in 1995–96 are as follows:Academic Curriculum
  To achieve at least three standard grade passes at credit and general levels for 90 per cent. of S4 pupils. To achieve at least five standard grades—1 to 3—for 60 per cent. of S4 pupils. To achieve three higher passes at A to C grades for 60 per cent. of S5/S6 leavers. To achieve 90 per cent. successful completion of SCOTVEC modules started on or before 9 January 1996. To continue with the phased implementation of 5 to 14 national programme, in line with SOED recommendations; initially in English language, maths and environmental studies. Included in this will be the corresponding recording, reporting and assessment procedures in these areas. In addition, to trial team teaching of science in P7 using senior and junior school staff. To review and where appropriate update curricular guidance for S4/S5 as detailed by the Scottish Consultative Council on Curriculum January 1990.
  Pastoral
  To continue to monitor the effectiveness of the school pastoral policy and organisation document and, specifically, to produce a school policy on anti-bullying by 31 March 1996. To introduce improved career guidance provision.
  535
  Parents' Charter
  To improve communication with parents and their involvement in the school by examining the requirement, in consultation with parents, for a parents' association.

  Extra-Curricular Provision
  To maintain and enrich the extensive extra-curricular activities, physical, cultural, social and academic.

  Staffing
  To continue with teacher appraisal and development by completing an agreed person job description with all teaching staff by 31 March 1996.

  Marketing
  To maintain the improved marketing procedures adopted in 1994–95. To review and improve the prospectus, especially with a view to girls' entry.

  Admission of Girls
  To continue with the planning and work services programme, appropriate to the admission of girls for both sessions 1996–97 and 1997–98.

  Management
  To review and improve joining instructions to the school both primary and secondary. To follow the SOED's guidelines for school development plans—Scotland 19 January 1994—and, having linked in with the central region phase 2 schools, have a school development plan ready for January 1996. To carry out a study of the current accounting systems and reduce the number of accounting procedures necessary.

  Finance
  To maintain standards within the budget allocated. To generate non-public income to the school of 1 per cent. of the school cash budget.

  Equal Opportunities
  To ensure that the School conforms to the Adjutant General's equal opportunities action plan.

  Attack Helicopters
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that, in his consideration of bids for the procurement of attack helicopters for the British Army, he will take into account the capacity to fly operationally from the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers and assault ships. [28356]

  Mr. Freeman
  The capability for contenders in the attack helicopter competition to operate in support of amphibious operations from Her Majesty's ships was a feature of the invitation to tender. The resulting bid data are being considered as part of the overall technical assessment.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military threats the attack helicopter is being procured to combat. [28332]

  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Jopling) on 31 January,Official Report, column 560.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Ministers, former Ministers or civil servants in his Department have sought independent legal advice in assisting their response to draft extracts from Sir Richard Scott's report; in each case from whom the advice has 536
  been sought; and what limit has been placed on payment for such advice from public funds. [28388]

  Mr. Freeman
  [holding answer 13 June 1995]: Sir Richard Scott has requested that all those in receipt of extracts from his draft report should hold this material in confidence. The Government are not aware of the identity of all the recipients and, in accordance with the vice-chancellor's request, would not consider it right to disclose the identity of those recipients of whom it is aware.

  Apart from legal advice from departmental lawyers, legal services have been provided to witnesses to the inquiry by the Treasury Solicitor's Department and by external lawyers. In each case their costs are subject to the approval of the legal advisers to the Departments who are responsible for payment.

  Naval Support Command
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for the restructuring of the Naval Support Command and the location of its headquarters. [29264]

  Mr. Soames
  To enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our support for the fleet, we are proposing to restructure the Naval Support Command with effect from 1 October 1995. The current responsibilities for the upkeep of ships and their systems would be brought together under one director general, DG Ships, when the two separate posts of Director General Fleet Support (Ships) and (Equipment and Systems) would lapse. Secondly, all NSC naval base and logistic support matters would progressively become the responsibility of a single director general, Director General Naval Bases and Supply (DGNBS); the post of Director General Supplies and Transport (Naval) would lapse. No major changes are planned to the other elements of the Naval Support Command Headquarters.

  I am pleased to be able to announce proposals for the location of the NSC headquarters. The NSC HQ, apart from DG Ships, but including DGNBS, is planned to concentrate progressively at the Ensleigh site in Bath. The new DG Ships organisation would be collocated with the Procurement Executive at Abbey Wood over the next few years, with the aim of transferring some 1,700 posts to Abbey Wood by the end of 1998, and a total of 2,100 by the end of 2000. At Abbey Wood, space in the buildings already being constructed would be used, augmented by the construction of an additional office building.

  These proposals provide the NSC HQ, apart from DG Ships, with suitable accommodation at Ensleigh, Bath; enable DG Ships to be collocated in modern, flexible office accommodation, alongside the PE with significant and important business benefits to both organisations; make effective use of available space at Abbey Wood; minimize the requirements for up-front capital investment; and enable the NSC to vacate a range of sites.

  As a result of these proposals, significant numbers of MOD staff would remain in Bath; in addition to the 1,200 NSC staff planned for Ensleigh, there are about 1,000 other MOD staff based in Bath who are not affected by this proposal or the PE's move to Abbey Wood.

  I fully appreciate the impact that the closure of Defence sites can have on the local community, and we would investigate any possible alternative MOD use for Foxhill, and other MOD sites being given up. If none is found, we would work closely with the local authorities concerned

  537
  and the regional government offices to establish how the sites could best be redeveloped, within the guidelines under which MOD is required to dispose of surplus property, taking account of local social, economic and employment considerations.

  These proposals would remove the uncertainty for NSC staff who are expecting to collocate in the Bath/Bristol area and who are currently situated at Eaglescliffe, Portsmouth, Gosport, Weymouth, Portland and London and on several sites in the Bath area. I am nevertheless aware that their implementation would cause disruption for many staff. The moves would, however, take place over a period of some years. We would of course make every effort to minimise disruption by careful planning and by giving as much notice and advance information to staff as possible.

  These proposals are subject to detailed consultation in the usual way. A consultation document is being issued today.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was paid in compensation for livestock-related losses to farmers in Wales caused by low-flying military aircraft during 1994. [27672]

  Mr. Soames
  The total compensation paid, as a result of military aircraft activity, in respect of livestock losses in Wales during 1994, amounts to £72,964.51.

  Departmental Land
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95, the occasions on which his Department has sought prior approval for the sale of assets in accordance with the Treasury guidelines on the disposal of surplus Government land; and if he will make a statement. [28393]

  Mr. Soames
  In the years in question prior Treasury approval for the sale of surplus land belonging to my Department in the United Kingdom was sought in relation to the following sites: 1992–93 land at Dean Row road, Wilmslow; 1993–94—central vehicle depot, Hilton and Ordnance Survey depot, Ruddington; 1994–95—the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Greenwich.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what clause in the sale contract allowing his Department to obtain a share of any future development gain were included in the sale of(a) RAF base Chessington, Surrey to a consortium involving Bryant Homes and Sir Alfred McAlpine, (b) Willems Park, Aldershot to Tesco plc, (c) Bramley, Hampshire, to Wimpey and (d) RNAD Milford Haven to Waterfront Development, Pembroke. [28395]

  Mr. Soames
  The contract for the sale of Royal Naval armament depot, Milford Haven does not include a clawback arrangement. Each of the other contracts referred to required the purchaser to pay a lump sum for the property at the time of purchase together with one or more further payments in the event that planning permission was secured which would increase the value of the site. The specific details in each case are commercial in confidence between my Department and the purchaser.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many written parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by his Department in each of the past five years; how many of these were not answered because the information(a) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, (b) was not held centrally and (c) was not normally disclosed; how many of these could now be answered due to computerisation, more effective and efficient operational systems or more open government; and if he will list each question along with the name and constituency of the right hon. or hon. Member who originally tabled it. [28510]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Poverty
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he proposes to issue a precise definition, measurement, criteria and indicators of absolute poverty, as required by the agreement contained in article 26d at the world summit for social development in Copenhagen in March. [26759]

  Mr. Burt
  The agreement reached at the UN world summit for social development recognises that indicators of poverty and vulnerability should be developed in the light of national circumstances. However, the characteristics of absolute poverty outlined in paragraph 19 of the programme of action are not typical of individuals in a well developed industrialised country such as the United Kingdom. I do not therefore propose to take action in pursuit of paragraph 26d, beyond the coverage of existing regular statistics and surveys.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the expenditure on cash benefits for the long term sick and disabled for each year from 1969–70 to 1979–80. [28209]

  Mr. Hague
  Such information as is available is given in the table. Comparable information is not available for earlier years.

  Expenditure on long term sick and disabled

  £ million

  1973–74

  569

  1974–75

  713

  1975–76

  982

  1976–77

  1,251

  1977–78

  1,509

  1978–79

  1,771

  1979–80

  2,081

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is(a) the number of prisoners approached by the Child Support Agency with a view to assessing them for maintenance and (b) the number of prisoners

  539
  assessed by the Child Support Agency for maintenance since the launch of the Child Support Agency; and if he will provide the figures in both categories broken down on a month by month basis. [27999]

  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 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 prisoners contacted and assessed by the Child Support Agency for child maintenance.
  The information you require is not available as the Agency does not collate separate information on absent parents (AP) while they are in prison.
  The Agency uses the same process for establishing a maintenance liability for APs who are in prison as for any other AP. Should an AP be committed to prison during the assessment process, or after the maintenance liability has been established, the Agency will take into account the change in circumstances in the normal way.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for an appeals process in respect of companies denied training accreditation by TECs. [26839]

  Mr. Paice
  We have no such plans.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what measures his Department is taking to encourage more disabled people to pursue careers in engineering-based and technology-based industries. [26816]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The careers service provides advice and guidance for young people on careers in all sectors of the economy including engineering and technology-based industries. People with disabilities have access to careers service advice until they are settled in their career intention.

  The Department also has a wide range of services and employment and training programmes, which are accessed through the Employment Service, to assist disabled people to obtain and retain employment and to pursue their chosen career. This includes careers in engineering and technology-based industries.

  The Government have also introduced a Disability Discrimination Bill which will make it unlawful for an employer to treat a disabled person less favourably because of his or her disability, without justifiable reason.

  Industrial Accidents
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many accidents involving fatality or resulting in injury were recorded in the first three months of 1995; and what is the rate of injury recorded in relationship to shifts or hours worked. [27910]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The data for the first three months of 1995 are not yet available. Provisional figures for the year 1994–95 will be published in the annual report of the Health and Safety Commission in the autumn.

ENVIRONMENT

  Planning Applications, Westminster
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue an article 14 direction to prevent Westminster city council from issuing any planning consents for the buildings at 20A–32 Baker street, London, W1, until the police have had time to consider conducting an investigation into material submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service by Councillor Peter Bradley. [27775]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Secretary of State has issued an article 14 direction to enable him to consider whether or not he should direct under section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 that the outstanding planning applications should be referred to him for his determination.

  Thorne and Hatfield Moors
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what area in hectares of Thorne and Hatfield moors sites of special scientific interest is(a) currently notified as being a site of special scientific interest, (b) subject to planning permission for the extraction of peat and (c) currently being proposed by the Government for inclusion in the special area of conservation under the EU habitats and species directive. [28127]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The areas involved are(a) 3,319.3 hectares; (b) 2,437.5 hectares; and (c) an area of Thorne moor of 1,019 hectares about which the Government have consulted.

  National Parks
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much each council receives in England in standard spending assessment for national parks; and which councils have national parks in their areas. [28078]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Local authorities' contributions to expenditure on national parks are included within a large group of local authority services known as "all other services", for which the national total standard spending assessment is £7,426.1 million in 1995–96. The SSAs do not distinguish portion which can be attributed to national parks. The portion of the "approved expenditure" of national parks in 1995–96 which is expected to be contributed by local authorities is some £5.5 million.

  The following authorities have national parks within their areas:

  Authorities

  National parks

  Devon county council

  Dartmoor

  Exmoor

  Somerset county council

  Exmoor

  Cumbria county council

  Lake District

  Yorkshire Dales

  Northumberland county council

  Northumberland

  North Yorkshire county council

  North York Moors

  Yorkshire Dales

  Cleveland county council

  North York Moors

  541

  Authorities

  National parks

  Derbyshire county council

  Peak District

  Staffordshire county council

  Cheshire country council

  Oldham metropolitan borough council

  Barnsley metropolitan borough council

  Sheffield city council

  Kirklees metropolitan borough council

  Old Denaby Wetland Site
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision in respect of Doncaster metropolitan borough council's application for a compulsory purchase order to preserve the wetland site at Old Denaby; and if he will make a statement. [28266]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Doncaster metropolitan borough council has not yet made a compulsory purchase order for the preservation of this wetland site. If it does make an order, it will be submitted to the Secretary of State for confirmation and, if opposed, may then be the subject of a public local inquiry.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how a many written parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by his Department in each of the past five years; how many of these were not answered because the information(a) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, (b) was not held centrally and (c) was not normally disclosed; how many of these could now be answered due to computerisation, more effective and efficient operational systems or more open government; and if he will list each question along with the name and constituency of the right hon. or hon. Member who originally tabled it. [28513]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Surplus Land
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list, for 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95, the occasions on which his Department has sought prior approval for the sale of assets in accordance with the Treasury guidelines on the disposal of surplus Government land; and if he will make a statement. [28392]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Under the rules governing the disposal of land and buildings, Treasury approval is required where:

  (a) A Department wishes to dispose of property for less than the best price which can be obtained in the market.

  (b) Because there are or are likely to be unusual delays in resolving uncertainties about the planning position a Department proposes to dispose of property considered to have development potential before planning consent has been obtained.

  (c) A Department wishes to dispose of a property to a selected purchaser by private treaty in circumstances where the professional advice is that this method of sale might not have an advantage over the sale by tender or auction.

  (d) Where the disposal falls outside the limits delegated by the Treasury.

  None of the disposals effected by my Department over the period 1992 to 1995 fell into these categories. There
  542
  were, however, five cases where, although formal planning decisions had been obtained or the planning position thoroughly researched, it was considered that the purchaser might be able to resell at some future date for a higher figure; hence, to be absolutely sure that the Exchequer interest was protected, clawback clauses were imposed.

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what performance targets he has set the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre executive agency for 1995–96. [29267]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The agency's principal target for 1995–96 is to achieve a net surplus of £3,000. Following several years of progressive reduction in the centre's operating deficit, it is possible this year for the first time to target a surplus. This is exclusive of rent of £6.4 million.

  The agency's other key targets are:

  (a) to increase total revenue from £5.5 million to £5.8 million;

  (b) to reduce debt outstanding from clients for over 60 days to no more than £154,000.

  A market test is currently in progress to determine whether there is any advantage to be obtained in contracting out the managing of the centre to a private sector company.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of households living in temporary accommodation. [27963]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  [holding answer 13 June 1995]: Information on the numbers of households which have applied for permanent rehousing under the homelessness legislation and were in temporary accommodation is given in the quarterly information bulletin "Households found accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985, England".

  The figures cover both households which have been accepted and are waiting for permanent accommodation, and those where inquiries into eligibility are still being carried out.

  Copies of the bulletins, the latest of which relates to the fourth quarter of 1994, are in the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Local Authority Social Services
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list, for each available year since 1970, the number of cases of assistance by local authority social service departments, showing separately for each year(a) the number of telephone installations, (b) telephone adaptations, (c) telephone rentals paid, (d) installations of other communications equipment, (e) television installations, (f) payment of television licences or rentals, (g) the number of radio sets provided, (h) the number of personal aids provided, (i) the number of adaptations to property and (j) the number of holidays provided. [28200]
  543
  Mr. Moss
  In Northern Ireland, social services are provided by the four health and social service boards. The information requested is not available before 1979.

  The number of cases of assistance to persons by the social services departments

  Board of residence: northern

  Types of assistance provided

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  Telephone

  Installations

  446

  174

  137

  148

  158

  155

  208

  Attachments installed

  7

  10

  12

  15

  14

  25

  23

  Rentals

  513

  847

  846

  749

  678

  577

  508

  Other communication equipment installed

  0

  1

  4

  3

  6

  7

  2

  Television

  Installations

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Licence fees or rentals

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Radio sets supplied

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  10

  Other personal aids

  2,405

  2,649

  2,729

  3,006

  3,097

  3,854

  4,051

  Adaptations to private property1

  337

  321

  391

  681

  826

  893

  832

  Holidays

  n/a

  n/a

  664

  259

  281

  340

  346

  1 Does not include adaptations carried out by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

  The number of cases of assistance to persons by the social services department

  Board of residence: northern

  Types of assistance provided

  1986

  1987

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Telephone

  Installations

  151

  147

  199

  140

  89

  109

  245

  212

  Attachments installed

  26

  19

  19

  18

  13

  32

  1

  2

  Rentals

  137

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other communication equipment installed

  5

  15

  14

  45

  40

  137

  9

  35

  Television

  Installations

  0

  0

  1

  0

  13

  36

  25

  0

  Licence fees or rentals

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Radio sets supplied

  0

  0

  11

  0

  0

  0

  26

  30

  Other personal aids

  3,789

  4,300

  14,628

  24,374

  34,636

  3,565

  4,854

  3,745

  Adaptations to private property4

  710

  959

  11,220

  2943

  1,236

  1,350

  1,435

  817

  Holidays

  350

  153

  124

  114

  72

  63

  64

  17

  1 1987 data used for Coleraine, Ballymoney and Moyle unit of management.

  2 Estimated data used for Coleraine, Ballymoney and Moyle unit of management.

  31987 data used for Causeway unit of management.

  4 Does not include adaptations carried out by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

  The number of cases of assistance to persons by the social services departments

  Board of residence: southern

  Types of assistance provided

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  Telephone

  Installations

  60

  27

  54

  47

  45

  33

  41

  Attachments installed

  1

  0

  13

  12

  3

  3

  4

  Rentals

  100

  114

  193

  238

  256

  267

  272

  Other communication equipment installed

  15

  17

  18

  30

  47

  37

  32

  Television

  Installations

  1

  3

  1

  2

  0

  1

  0

  Licence fees or rentals

  0

  2

  7

  5

  6

  5

  4

  Radio sets supplied

  16

  12

  0

  14

  7

  10

  7

  Other personal aids

  913

  1,016

  1,135

  1539

  1,991

  1,851

  1,759

  Adaptations to private property2

  95

  119

  167

  213

  300

  407

  426

  Holidays

  n/a

  n/a

  209

  3102

  203

  230

  211

  1 Incomplete return received from Newry and Mourne unit management.

  2 Does not include adaptations carried out by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

  3 Information not available for Newry and Mourne unit of management.

  544
  Available information for each health and social services board is as follows:

  545

  The number of cases of assistance to persons by the social services department

  Board of residence: southern

  Types of assistance provided

  1986

  1987

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–941

  Telephone

  Installations

  32

  39

  47

  59

  51

  64

  92

  79

  Attachments installed

  10

  7

  4

  26

  30

  35

  39

  60

  Rentals

  286

  309

  306

  277

  306

  310

  255

  314

  Other communication equipment

  installed

  51

  57

  115

  115

  95

  168

  308

  434

  Television

  Installations

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Licence fees or rentals

  2

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Radio sets supplied

  9

  13

  7

  6

  9

  11

  17

  0

  Other personal aids

  2,381

  2,369

  2,525

  1,512

  1,554

  1,830

  3,041

  1,845

  Adaptations to private property2

  582

  723

  764

  1,370

  957

  946

  823

  934

  Holidays

  208

  213

  136

  132

  140

  197

  21

  12

  1 Provisional data.

  2 Does not include adaptations carried out by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

  The number of cases of assistance to persons by the social services departments

  Board of residence: eastern

  Types of assistance provided

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  Telephone

  Installations

  537

  583

  362

  258

  480

  344

  153

  Attachments installed

  28

  6

  10

  6

  4

  3

  3

  Rentals

  540

  1,221

  1,759

  2,029

  2,375

  2,644

  2,153

  Other communication equipment installed

  92

  57

  59

  38

  57

  50

  82

  Television

  Installations

  5

  51

  7

  4

  2

  2

  0

  Licence fees or rentals

  5

  43

  118

  102

  101

  81

  60

  Radio sets supplied

  168

  240

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Other personal aids

  3,781

  4,317

  5,072

  5,247

  7,066

  5,072

  15,392

  Adaptations to private property2

  244

  291

  699

  1,075

  1,821

  1,587

  1,920

  Holidays

  n/a

  n/a

  884

  932

  1,546

  1,881

  1,282

  1 Data not available for North Down and Ards unit of management.

  2 Does not include adaptations carried out by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

  The number of cases of assistance to persons by the social services department

  Board of residence: Eastern

  Types of assistance provided

  1986

  1987

  11988–89

  21989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  31993–94

  Telephone

  Installations

  111

  76

  85

  48

  80

  46

  79

  82

  Attachments installed

  2

  1

  2

  3

  0

  55

  74

  94

  Rentals

  360

  0

  0

  78

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Other communication equipment

  Installed

  56

  22

  72

  5

  177

  216

  15

  287

  Television

  Installations

  0

  0

  0

  0

  35

  30

  0

  0

  Licence fees or rentals

  52

  20

  1

  0

  7

  31

  320

  321

  Radio sets supplied

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  88

  140

  116

  Other personal aids

  5,236

  6,891

  46,891

  58,826

  11,765

  5,221

  6,926

  6,982

  Adaptations to private property6

  2,038

  71,814

  1,664

  1,532

  82,820

  2,340

  1,713

  1,513

  Holidays

  1,094

  1,059

  457

  9232

  10262

  105

  106

  112

  1 Includes 1987 data for South Belfast unit of management.

  2 Data not available for South Belfast unit of management.

  3 Provisional data.

  4 1987 data used for all units of management.

  5 Estimated (1987) data used for East Belfast and castlereagh unit of management.

  6 Does not include adaptations carried out by the Norther Ireland Housing Executive.

  7 Includes 1986 data for East Belfast and Castlereagh unit of management.

  8 1989–90 data used for all units of management.

  9 Data not available for Down and Lisburn unit of management.

  10 Data not available for South and East Belfast and Down and Lisburn units of management.

  546

  547

  The number of cases of assistance to persons by the social services departments

  Board of residence: Western

  Types of assistance provided

  1979

  1980

  1981

  1982

  1983

  1984

  1985

  Telephone

  Installations

  128

  147

  109

  132

  186

  249

  127

  Attachments installed

  1

  1

  5

  3

  2

  7

  11

  Rentals

  225

  344

  620

  718

  795

  914

  890

  Other communication equipment installed

  11

  2

  19

  7

  8

  16

  29

  Television

  Installations

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Licence fees or rentals

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Radio sets supplied

  32

  6

  8

  6

  7

  17

  28

  Other personal aids

  434

  237

  248

  308

  433

  575

  462

  Adaptations to private property1

  24

  23

  19

  34

  25

  33

  68

  Holidays

  n/a

  n/a

  291

  357

  342

  389

  305

  1 Does not include adaptations carried out by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

  The number of cases of assistance to persons by the social services department

  Board of residence: Western

  Types of assistance provided

  1986

  1987

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  11993–94

  Telephone

  Installations

  40

  59

  70

  83

  93

  82

  68

  140

  Attachments installed

  6

  4

  34

  69

  3

  3

  2

  1

  Rentals

  787

  668

  557

  429

  613

  572

  514

  441

  Other communication equipment

  installed

  13

  51

  56

  3

  0

  0

  15

  14

  Television

  Installations

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Licence fees or rentals

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Radio sets supplied

  44

  67

  151

  0

  57

  0

  0

  0

  Other personal aids

  487

  447

  873

  864

  2772

  860

  1,165

  1,317

  Adaptations to private property3

  92

  115

  135

  153

  274

  277

  333

  220

  Holidays

  103

  75

  93

  76

  300

  350

  400

  460

  1 Provisional data.

  2 Does not include adaptations carried out by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

  3 Foyle unit of management data incomplete.

  Long-term Sick and Disabled People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the expenditure on cash benefits for the long-term sick and disabled for each year from 1969–70 to 1979–80. [28201]

  Mr. Moss
  Social security expenditure on the long-term sick and disabled in the years 1973–74 to 1979–80 is given. This information is not available for earlier years.

  Year

  £ million

  1973–74

  23.4

  1974–75

  32.6

  1975–76

  43.0

  1976–77

  52.9

  1977–78

  63.9

  1978–79

  74.9

  1979–80

  89.0

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the expenditure on personal social services for disabled people in each year since 1970. [28202]

  Mr. Moss
  In 1992–93 the format of the accounts of the health and social services boards was changed to accommodate health service reforms. The information requested is available from an analysis of these accounts, and the estimated personal social services expenditure on 548
  physically and sensorily disabled people was £9.2 million in 1992–93, and £11.3 million in 1993–94. Information on expenditure on the equivalent services prior to 1992–93 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Performance
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance indicators and performance targets there are for measuring the performance of his Department in(a) answering letters from members of the public and (b) answering telephone calls from members of the public; how performance is monitored; and what are the latest figures for performance measured against the target set. [26233]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Details of targets and performance regarding correspondence with Ministers is set out in the Official Report, 18 April 1995, columns 21–24. In addition, under the code of practice on open government, the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments endeavour to respond to requests for information within 20 working days. Details of departmental performance for such requests is detailed in the "Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information 1994 Report", a copy of which has been placed in the Library. The Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments, usually at local management level, are responsible for setting their own targets for handling other correspondence and answering

  549
  telephone queries. The information regarding targets and related performance which is available within Departments is detailed. Where specific targets have not been set, managers have a responsibility to ensure that all public inquiries are dealt with as quickly as possible and telephone calls are dealt with promptly.

  Department Economic Development (DED)

  Officials endeavour to reply to letters within 15 working days of receipt. Although quantitative measures of DED's performance would incur disproportionate costs, there is no evidence to suggest that this standard is not regularly met.

  Two of the targets in the Training and Employment Agency customers charter detail that:
  Customers' letters will be responded to within five working days; where an acknowledgement is issued a full reply should be sent within 10 working days.
  Telephones will be answered within 20 seconds, if the person the customer wants is unavailable the call will be returned within one working day.
  The latest figures for performance against target indicate that: 90 per cent. of letters responded to within five working days; of those not responded to within five working days, 85 per cent. were responded to within 10 working days.
  97 per cent. of telephone calls answered within 20 seconds; where a member of staff was not available 90 per cent. of calls were returned within one day.

  Department Environment (DOE)

  DOE does not have uniform performance targets for handling correspondence and telephone calls. Divisions, services and agencies are encouraged to set their own targets and to publish them in charter statements, as appropriate. Individual targets set for answering correspondence range from five to 15 working days, while telephone queries are normally dealt with on the same day.

  Performance monitoring and measurement is carried out by local management and information is not held centrally.

  Northern Ireland Office (NIO)

  The NIO has no specific targets however, letters from the public are generally answered within a 28-day deadline.

  The Compensation Agency aims to reply to at least 95 per cent. of letters within 14 days of receipt, and respond to telephone inquiries on the same day or at most within 24 hours. Performance against these targets is monitored by random sampling and the statistics for 1994–95 indicate that the targets are being achieved.

  Department Finance and Personnel (DFP)

  DFP does not have uniform performance targets for handling correspondence. Divisions and agencies are encouraged to set their own targets as appropriate. For example, the Civil Service Commission undertakes to respond to all requests for application forms within two working days and to acknowledge receipt of all completed forms within the same timescale.

  The Valuation and Lands Agency undertakes to reply to 90 per cent. of enquiries, other than net annual valuations, within 10 days. Current performance is measured at 93 per cent.
  550
  With regards to telephone calls the target for switchboard operators to answer calls is 12 seconds. Current performance over the last 12 months is measured at nine seconds.

  Department Agriculture (DANI)

  Targets for measuring performance of DANI for answering letters and telephone calls are set out in its charter statement "Our Service Standards" published in February 1995, a copy of which will be placed in the Library. Systems are being put in place to monitor performance.

  Targets are also set out in the codes of practice governing the legislation enforcement activities of the agri-food development service, the fisheries inspectorate and the veterinary service.

  Latest performance figures for these three areas are measured at 96.68 per cent., 100 per cent. and not yet available respectively.

  Department Health and Social Services (DHSS)

  This Department does not set performance targets for handling correspondence or telephone calls as members of the public do not normally communicate directly with the Department.

  In its customer charter, the Social Security Agency aims to respond to all letters of complaint from the public within seven days. There are no specific targets for responding to general letters or telephone calls.

  In the NI Child Support Agency's charter the target for answering letters from members of the public is 10 working days and 80 per cent. of telephone calls within 20 seconds. For the year ended March 1995, 42 per cent. of letters checked on a random sample basis received a reply within 10 days and 98 per cent. of telephone calls were answered within 20 seconds.

  Department Education (DENT)

  DENT has no performance indicators or targets for answering letters and telephone calls from members of the public.

  Complaints
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what policy and procedure exist for dealing with complaints against his Department by members of the public; when his Department last updated its policy; what time limit and target for dealing with such complaints his Department has; and what follow-up procedure exists where complainants are not satisfied with his Department's response to a complaint. [26217]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:

  Department Economic Development (DED)

  The detailed procedures governing the handling of complaints varies between the constituent parts of DED, but these are handled promptly at a senior level within each of the organisation. Depending upon the nature of the complaint, it may go to the head of the organisation.

  Department Environment (DOE)

  DOE does not have a uniform departmental policy and procedure for dealing with complaints from the public. Each division and agency may establish its own policy

  551
  and procedure, review it as necessary and set appropriate time limits and targets. Complaints are normally handled by the appropriate level of management with a final right to complain to the head of division, service or agency.

  Department Agriculture (DANI)

  DANI's policy and procedures for dealing with complaints from the public are set out in its charter statement "Our Service Standards" and the appropriate code of practice governing the legislation enforcement activities of the agri-food development service, the fisheries inspectorate and the veterinary service. The Charter Statement was published in February 1995 and the three enforcement codes of practice were published in February 1994. Copies of all of the documents are available in the Library.

  Department Finance and Personnel (DFP)

  If a member of the public has a complaint the matter will, in the first instance, be dealt with by the appropriate officer. If the complainant is still not satisfied he or she should write to the Permanent Secretary of the Department who will appoint an independent official in DFP to investigate the complaints and respond to the complainant as expeditiously as possible. In their charter statements the Valuation and Land Agency and the Government purchasing service for Northern Ireland have specified that complaints will be answered within 10 days and 20 days respectively.

  DFP last updated its policy in April 1994.

  Department Education (DENI)

  DENI does not have a formal complaints policy or formal procedures for dealing with complaints against it from members of the public. Time limits and targets have not been set.

  Department Health and Social Services (DHSS)

  DHSS does not have a corporate policy and procedures for dealing with complaints as members of the public do not normally communicate directly with the Department.

  The policy and procedures of the Social Security Agency for dealing with complaints are set out in its customer charter, published July 1992. Copies of the charter are available in the Library.

  The agency has recently reviewed its complaints procedures in line with the principles and checklist established for complaints systems by the citizen's charter (Northern Ireland) complaints review group. A programme of initiatives to strengthen the current procedures will be undertaken during 1995–96.

  The Northern Ireland Child Support Agency's policy and procedures for dealing with complaints have been in place since the Agency began operating in April 1993. These are well publicised in the agency's charter and business plan both of which are available in the Library. The complaints policy and procedures are currently under review.

  The health and personal social services' charter for patients and clients published March 1992 sets out the procedures for dealing with complaints.
  552
  Northern Ireland Office

  The Northern Ireland Office has no procedures in place for handling complaints from members of the public.

  The Northern Ireland Prison Service have a comprehensive complaints and grievance policy for staff and prisoners. Any complaints raised by members of the public are dealt with as they arise by agency management with responsibility for the area of concern. If a complaint is registered by a member of the public in a prison establishment, the governor will respond where the object of complaint is within his area of responsibility or refer to Prison Service headquarters where it is outside his remit.

  Complaints to the Compensation Agency may be about the outcome of the applicant's claim or the delivery of service. Any applicant who is dissatisfied with a decision not to pay compensation or with the amount of compensation offered has a statutory right of appeal to the courts. Anyone wishing to make a complaint about the delivery of service may write to the chief executive. The target, which is reviewed annually, is to reply to letters to the chief executive within seven days, or in exceptional circumstances when an interim reply is necessary, within 10 days. The agency undertakes in its charter standard statement to put things right as quickly as possible if there has been a lapse in the standard of service and to give an explanation and an apology to the complainant.

  For all NI Departments and the Northern Ireland Office.

  Any member of the public who is dissatisfied with the way in which a complaint has been dealt with by the Northern Ireland Departments or the Northern Ireland Office may ask a Member of Parliament to submit their complaint to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration for investigation and review.

  Rates
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dwellings in each council district in Northern Ireland have a net annual valuation of under £60; and, of these, how many are occupied by(a) tenants, (b) owners and how many are vacant. [28196]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Rate Collection Agency under its chief executive, Mr. D. W. Gallagher. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. W. Gallagher to Mr. William Ross, dated 12 June 1995:
  You asked the Secretary of State how many dwellings in each council district in Northern Ireland have a net annual valuation of under £60 and, of these, how many are occupied by (a) tenants, (b) owners and (c) are vacant.
  The information is as set out in the attached table. Since details of tenure are not held for all properties it is impossible to identify how many properties are occupied by tenants. The table relates to the position in February 1995. More up-to-date figures are not available.
  If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

  A: The information is as set out in the table. Since details of tenure are not held for all properties it is impossible to identify how many properties are occupied by tenants. The table relates to the position in February 1995. More up-to-date figures are not available.
  553

  Properties by district with an NAV under £60

  District

  Total number properties

  Number vacant properties

  Antrim

  219

  211

  Ards

  407

  266

  Armagh

  803

  771

  Ballymena

  387

  386

  Ballymoney

  216

  198

  Banbridge

  440

  429

  Belfast

  2,849

  1,927

  Carrickfergus

  143

  140

  Castlereagh

  66

  45

  Coleraine

  418

  414

  Cookstown

  580

  562

  Craigavon

  591

  576

  Down

  543

  531

  Dungannon

  890

  879

  Fermanagh

  1,587

  1,499

  Larne

  316

  295

  Limavady

  409

  399

  Lisburn

  384

  371

  Derry

  491

  434

  Magherafelt

  633

  622

  Moyle

  266

  260

  Newry and Mourne

  998

  979

  Newtownabbey

  183

  169

  North Down

  178

  164

  Omagh

  606

  580

  Strabane

  421

  414

  Totals

  15,024

  13,621

  Rented Housing
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many dwellings in each council district in Northern Ireland have their rent determined in accordance with regulations 10 and 11(1) of the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1987. [28197]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is as follows:

  District council

  Number of dwellings

  Antrim

  109

  Ards

  91

  Armagh

  8

  Ballymena

  17

  Ballymoney

  11

  Banbridge

  8

  Belfast

  596

  Carrickfergus

  16

  Castlereagh

  20

  Coleraine

  13

  Cookstown

  3

  Craigavon

  142

  Derry

  9

  Down

  12

  Dungannon

  14

  Fermanagh

  39

  Larne

  34

  Limavady

  1

  Lisburn

  38

  Magherafelt

  19

  Moyle

  1

  Newry and Mourne

  12

  Newtonabbey

  86

  North Down

  52

  Omagh

  14

  Strabane

  9

  Total

  1,374

  554
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list for each council his estimate of the number of occupied dwellings which are subject to the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. [28198]

  Mr. Moss
  It is estimated that between 9,000 and 12,500 properties are subject to the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 of which 8,339 rents are registered by the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland). Although figures for the actual number of such properties which are occupied are not available, the number of rents registered, by district council area, are:

  District council

  Total

  Antrim

  56

  Ards

  411

  Armagh

  39

  Ballymena

  63

  Ballymoney

  35

  Banbridge

  30

  Belfast

  4,593

  Carrickfergus

  132

  Castlereagh

  193

  Coleraine

  100

  Cookstown

  51

  Craigavon

  556

  Down

  58

  Dungannon

  58

  Fermanagh

  47

  Larne

  167

  Limavady

  17

  Lisburn

  339

  Derry

  75

  Magherafelt

  42

  Moyle

  16

  Newry and Mourne

  115

  Newtownabbey

  778

  North Down

  305

  Omagh

  33

  Strabane

  30

  Total

  8,339

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  EU Treaty Report
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what parliamentary procedure will apply to the report of the Council of Foreign Ministers on the functioning of the treaty on European Union, adopted on 10 April 1995 (Cm 2866) and if it will be undertaken before 1 July. [27761]

  Mr. David Davis
  The report has been deposited for parliamentary scrutiny with an explanatory memorandum.

  Council of Ministers (Vetoes)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the statement by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis) in European Standing Committee on 24 May,Official Report, column 13, if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on not giving up the United Kingdom's veto; and which vetoes in the Council of Ministers are regarded as not negotiable at the forthcoming intergovernmental conference. [27492]
  555
  Mr. David Davis
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minster has made it clear that he will oppose further extension of qualified majority voting.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the preparatory ministerial meeting on the intergovernmental conference to review the Maastricht treaty held in Messina on 2 and 3 June; and if he will place in the Library the submissions made by the United Kingdom to the meeting. [27648]

  Mr. David Davis
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Howarth) on 8 June,Official Report, columns 28–788.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts are being made by Her Majesty's Government and its partners in UNPROFOR to bring about the demilitarisation of the safe havens in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement. [28370]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The matter of the safe areas, including their future demilitarisation, is being addressed by the Security Council in its consideration of the latest report on UNPROFOR from the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Ministers, former Ministers or civil servants in his Department have sought independent legal advice in assisting their response to draft extracts from Sir Richard Scott's report; in each case from whom the advice has been sought; and what limit has been placed on payment for such advice from public funds. [28389]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  [holding answer 13 June 1995]: Sir Richard Scott has requested that all those in receipt of extracts from his draft report should hold this material in confidence. We are not aware of the identity of all the recipients and, in accordance with the vice-chancellor's request, would not consider it right to disclose the identity of those recipients of whom it is aware.

  Apart from legal advice from departmental lawyers, legal services have been provided to witnesses to the inquiry by the Treasury Solicitor's department and by external lawyers. In each case their costs are subject to the approval of the legal advisers to the Departments who are responsible for payment.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Financial Losses
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what representations the Church Commissioners have received about the need for a full investigation of the losses incurred by their companies and subsidiaries. [27843]
  556
  Mr. Alison
  The Social Security Select Committee, in its Second Report, Session 1994–95, comments that the growth of the Commissioners' subsidiary companies needs further investigation and we have received a small number of other representations about the use of subsidiary companies. These representations appear to be based on the misconception that subsidiaries were created in order to conceal losses from readers of the Commissioners' unconsolidated accounts. That is quite untrue.

  The Commissioners' accounts—whether unconsolidated or, as now, consolidated—have always reflected profits and losses on all their investments, including those held by subsidiaries. I am glad of the opportunity to make that clear and I am arranging for a copy of a detailed letter to the chairman of the Social Security Select Committee clarifying the role of the Commissioners' subsidiaries to be sent to the hon. Member and to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Reports and Accounts
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners if the Church Commissioners will publish the reports and accounts of their companies and subsidiaries. [27842]

  Mr. Alison
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 5 December 1994,Official Report, column 41. The accounts of all the Commissioners' subsidiary undertakings are incorporated in the Commissioners' consolidated accounts, published with the annual report and accounts.

  The accounts of the UK subsidiary companies are filed at Companies House, where they are available for inspection by members of the public. The Social Security Select Committee has been supplied with a full set of subsidiaries' accounts for the years 1984–1993. I am arranging for a similar set, together with the 1994 accounts, to be placed in the House of Commons Library. Copies are also available for inspection by prior appointment at the Commissioners' offices.

  Pensions
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners (1) if the Commissioners are planning to transfer responsibility to dioceses of all the pension commitments currently met by the Commissioners for(a) bishops, (b) dignitaries, (c) clergy (d) lay workers, (e) staff at Church house and No. 1 Millbank and (f) others. [27436]

  (2) on what grounds the Commissioners have decided that future pension liabilities should be transferred to dioceses.

  Mr. Alison
  Jointly with the Pensions Board and the Central Board of Finance, the Church Commissioners will be submitting a report to the General Synod which proposes that dioceses through funds raised from parishes, raise pension contributions for the future service of parochial clergy and licensed layworkers. The financial impact on parishes will be cushioned through transitional provisions funded by the Commissioners.

  This proposal reflects actuarial advice that unless the cost of clergy pensions is shared, the Commissioners' investment income will ultimately be absorbed by the cost

  557
  of pensions, leaving nothing for their other responsibilities and trusts such as the support of needier parishes and dioceses.

  The Commissioners will be responsible for the past service liability of clergy and licensed layworkers, including pensions currently in payment, and for the past and future service liability of dignitaries whose stipends are wholly funded by the Commissioners and of staff employed by the Commissioners.

HEALTH

  Extra-statutory Payments
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) of 22 May,Official Report, column 409, what provision she has made for notification of the Comptroller and Auditor General of the £165 million of extra-statutory payments. [26596]

  Mr. Malone
  The payments will be identified in the individual accounts of family health services authorities for 1994–95 and a note will be included in the national summarised accounts for 1993–94. These accounts are audited by the National Audit Office.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) of 22 May,Official Report, column 409, what was the level of extra-statutory payments relevant to each financial year from 1990–91 to 1994–95; on what date the legal advice was received; what is the date of the most recent guidance note from the NHS executive placed in the Library; and if she make a statement. [265951]

  Mr. Malone
  The level of expenditure by general practitioner fundholders on management allowances between 1990–91 to 1993–94 was:

  1990–91: £6 million

  1991–92: £14.1 million

  1992–93: £29.5 million

  1993–94: £49.5 million

  Expenditure figures for 1994–95 have not yet been finalised, but the total sum allocated to family health services authorities amounted to £66 million.

  Queries were first raised about the basis of management allowances in the course of routine departmental business in 1991 and 1992, but the implication of the extra-statutory nature of the payments appears not to have been fully recognised until the NHS executive's fundamental review of the fund holding scheme during 1994. The review concluded in December 1994 and health service guideline (94)56, dated 30 December 1994, set out how management allowances would be calculated during 1995–96.

  East London and City health authority and City and east London family health services authority—London initiative zone

  Revenue

  Allocation Capital

  Total

  Revenue

  Actual spend Capital

  Total

  1993–94

  District

  631,029

  792,241

  1,423,270

  642,690

  805,780

  1,448,470

  City and Hackney

  1,018,987

  260,700

  1,279,687

  1,060,570

  260,692

  1,321,262

  Newham

  1,557,000

  258,480

  1,815,480

  1,489,105

  248,820

  1,737,925

  Tower Hamlets

  539,126

  297,542

  836,668

  537,551

  296,792

  834,343

  Total

  3,746,142

  1,608,963

  5,355,105

  3,729,916

  1,612,084

  5,342,000

  558
  Regulations were made in March 1995 to provide statutory authority for payments from 1 April 1995.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the percentage of people aged 10 to 18 years with permanent teeth which are actively decayed, filled or missing due to decay. [271991]

  Mr. Malone
  The table shows the percentage of children in England aged from 10 to 15 years with permanent teeth which are actively decayed, filled or missing due to decay. Figures for 10 to 18-year-olds are not available. The age group covered by the adult dental health survey is 16 to 24. The results of the 1993 child dental health survey, however, shows substantial improvements, since previous studies in 1983 and 1973, in the number of children who are caries free. For further explanation, I refer the hon. Member to the following Office of Population Censuses and Surveys publications—"Adult Dental Survey", 1988, and "Children's Dental Health in the United Kingdom", 1993. These publications are available in the Library.

  Percentage of children aged 10 to 15 years with permanent teeth which are actively decayed, filled or missing due to decay
  in 1983 and 1993

  England

  Age

  Tooth condition

  10

  11

  12

  13

  14

  15

  Actively decayed

  1983

  25

  28

  30

  31

  37

  40

  1993

  14

  19

  22

  25

  27

  27

  Filled (otherwise sound)

  1983

  45

  56

  68

  71

  79

  85

  1993

  16

  23

  37

  40

  46

  48

  Missing due to decay

  1983

  5

  8

  12

  14

  16

  21

  1993

  3

  5

  6

  5

  4

  5

  Any decay experience

  1983

  61

  69

  79

  81

  87

  92

  1993

  28

  38

  50

  53

  58

  60

  Source:

  Children's Dental Health 1993 OPCS.

  London Initiative Zone
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much London initiative zone funding has been(a) allocated and (b) spent in (i) City and east London, (ii) City and Hackney, (iii) Tower Hamlets and (iv) in total in each year since 1993–94. [278681]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is shown in the table. Under accounting procedures, the final spend position for 1994–95 will not be available until July 1995.
  559

  East London and City health authority and City and east London family health services authority—London initiative zone

  Revenue

  Allocation Capital

  Total

  Revenue

  Actual spend Capital

  Total

  1993–94

  District

  2,277,350

  444,500

  2,721,850

  1,999,240

  334,364

  2,333,604

  City and Hackney

  830,300

  1,180,707

  2,011,007

  978,463

  914,725

  1,893,188

  Newham

  1,091,000

  1,340,000

  2,431,000

  992,152

  1,336,542

  2,328,694

  Tower Hamlets

  1,197,250

  902,000

  2,099,250

  1,011,200

  453,927

  1,465,127

  Total

  5,395,900

  3,867,207

  9,263,107

  4,981,055

  3,039,558

  8,020,613

  The figures for actual payments for 1994–95 are provisional

  1995–96

  District

  2,291,250

  390,500

  2,681,750

  —

  —

  —

  City and Hackney

  937,150

  1,140,000

  2,077,150

  —

  —

  —

  Newham

  1,263,100

  3,023,000

  4,286,100

  —

  —

  —

  Tower Hamlets

  1,394,250

  985,000

  2,379,250

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  5,885,750

  5,538,500

  11,424,250

  —

  —

  —

  Cancer
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what counselling services are provided under the NHS for patients with cancer; and what is the cost to her Department of those services. [28010]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the annual cost to her Department of specialist cancer services for teenage patients; [28008]

  (2) how many health authorities in the United Kingdom provide specialist facilities for teenage cancer patients; [28013]

  (3) how many health authorities in the United Kingdom provide specialist counselling for teenage cancer patients. [28012]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. However, the document "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" recommends that health authorities should look for opportunities for developing the treatment of adolescents with cancer, who present special medical and psychological problems and require specialised care in the cancer centre.

  We have also agreed section 64 funding for 1995–96 to support the work of the teenage Cancer Trust a charity

  Project

  Completion date

  Outturn cost £ million

  Estimated cost at current prices £million

  Mayday District General Hospital—Main scheme including Maternity

  December 1982

  16.5

  23.6

  Mayday District General Hospital—Ante—natal and Post Graduate Medical Centre

  April 1985

  1.3

  1.7

  Mayday District General Hospital—Geriatric and Rehabilitation Unit

  May 1986

  1.6

  2.0

  Geoffrey Harris House—People with Learning Disabilities Day Centre

  January 1992

  1.5

  1.7

  Purley Clinic redevelopment

  April 1994

  2.4

  2.6

  Mayday District General Hospital—Accident and Emergency Outpatient redevelopment

  1December 1995

  13.9

  —

  Waddon Clinic redevelopment2

  2March 1988

  21.1

  —

  1Expected

  2Provisional.

  Surplus Land
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95, the occasions on which her Department has sought 560
  committed to raising funds to establish teenage cancer units for the treatment of adolescents suffering from cancer.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients with cancer treated under the NHS are teenagers. [28009]

  Mr. Sackville
  For hospital in-patients in the national health service in 1993–94 in England, teenage cases—13 to 19-year-olds—were 1.7 per cent. of all finished consultant episodes with a main diagnosis of cancer. Information on NHS out-patient clinic cases is not available.Source: "Hospital Episode Statistics", 25 per cent. sample, diagnostic codes 140-239.

  Hospital Building Projects
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the major hospital building projects in the London borough of Croydon completed since 1978–79 or now under construction or planned giving in each case the completion date and the amount of public money spent, expressed both in cash terms and in terms of today's prices. [28003]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on National Health Service building projects costing over £1 million in the London borough of Croydon is shown in the table.

  prior Treasury approval for the sale of assets in accordance with the Treasury guidelines on the disposal of surplus Government land; and if she will make a statement. [28391]
  561
  Mr. Sackville
  Records indicate that prior Treasury approval for the sale of assets has only once been sought between April 1992 and March 1995, which was in connection with the sale of Tadworth court to the Children's Trust.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 6 June,Official Report, column 35, if she will list the procedures adopted by her Department to ensure that in appropriate circumstances a clawback provision is inserted in a rules contract allowing a health authority to obtain a share of any increase in development use; and if she will make a statement. [28461]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department circulates procedures regarding land and property transactions through the estatecode series, copies of which are available in the Library. Responsibility for properly managing property transactions rests with individual health authorities.

  Edgware General Hospital
  Sir John Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her oral statement of 10 May,Official Report, column 785, how many meetings she has had with the Department of Transport to discuss how transport can be improved between Edgware general hospital and other hospitals; and what are the results of those meetings; [28396]

  Mr. Sackville
  A meeting between officials took place on 23 May and discussions continue.

  Occupational Health Staff
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical and nursing staff worked in occupational health within the national health service for the last three years for which figures are available; and what were the grades of these employees. [28460]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is shown in the tables.

  Table A: Hospital medical staff in occupational health by grade England—30 September 1991, 1992 and 1993
  (whole time equivalent)

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Consultant

  29

  32

  34

  Staff Grade

  2

  3

  3

  Associate Specialist

  —

  —

  —

  Senior Registrar

  8

  8

  9

  Registrar

  4

  5

  3

  Senior House Officer

  —

  —

  —

  House officer

  —

  —

  —

  Other1

  26

  25

  26

  Total

  69

  74

  75

  1Includes hospital practitioners, clinical assistants and other grades.

  1. Figures rounded to the nearest whole number.

  2. The figures in the table may not sum to the total because of rounding.

  Table B: NHS hospital and community health nursing staff (excluding agency) by grade in England at 30 September 1991,1992 and 1993

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Pre-registration Student

  20

  1—

  1—

  Unqualified

  Grade A

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Grade B

  1—

  1—

  1—

  562

  Table B: NHS hospital and community health nursing staff (excluding agency) by grade in England at 30 September 1991,1992 and 1993

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Qualified

  Grade C

  1—

  10

  10

  Grade D

  20

  30

  30

  Grade E

  40

  50

  50

  Grade F

  80

  80

  90

  Grade G

  240

  230

  220

  Grade H

  100

  100

  90

  Grade I

  100

  100

  80

  Senior Grade 6

  1—

  2—

  2—

  Others

  1—

  10

  10

  Total

  620

  600

  570

  1—Denotes 5 or less.

  2—Denotes zero value.

  1. Figures rounded to the nearest 10.

  2. The figures in the table may not sum to the total because of rounding.

  3. Senior managers and senior grades 1–5 are not included.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many written parliamentary questions were tabled for answer by her Department in each of the past five years; how many of these were not answered because the information(a) could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, (b) was not held centrally and (c) was not normally disclosed; how many of these could now be answered due to computerisation, more effective and efficient operational systems or more open government; and if she will list each question along with the name and constituency of the right hon. or hon. Member who originally tabled it. [28523]

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

  Local Authority Social Services
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list, for each available year since 1970, the number of cases of assistance by local authority social services departments, showing separately for each year(a) the number of telephone installations, (b) telephone adaptations, (c) telephone rentals paid, (d) installations of other communications equipment, (e) television installations, (f) payment of television licences or rentals, (g) the number of radio sets provided, (h) the number of personal aids provided, (i) the number of adaptations to property and (j) the number of holidays provided. [28208]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information requested is available for the years 1973 to 1987 and was published in "Health and Personal Social Services Statistics for England", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the expenditure on personal social services for disabled people in each year since 1970. [28210]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information identified as relating to disabled persons is shown in the table. In addition, other areas of social services spending not specifically identified as being for disabled persons will benefit them as well as other client groups.
  563

  Gross expenditure1 on disabled people 1972–73 to 1993–94, England

  £000s

  Residential homes for younger physically disabled

  Day andoccupational centres

  Adaptions to homes

  Disability equipment

  Total

  1972–73

  3,652

  n/a

  1,095

  890

  n/a

  1973–74

  5,065

  n/a

  1,982

  1,190

  n/a

  1974–75

  8,909

  n/a

  2,767

  1,829

  n/a

  1975–76

  12,094

  n/a

  3,475

  2,253

  n/a

  1976–77

  14,611

  n/a

  3,207

  2,752

  n/a

  1977–78

  17,977

  n/a

  3,287

  3,358

  n/a

  1978–79

  20,881

  n/a

  4,070

  4,449

  n/a

  1979–80

  25,300

  n/a

  3,975

  4,594

  n/a

  1980–81

  32,085

  n/a

  4,339

  5,172

  n/a

  1981–82

  36,751

  n/a

  4,817

  6,159

  n/a

  1982–83

  42,299

  n/a

  5,441

  7,802

  n/a

  1983–84

  47,437

  n/a

  6,494

  9,326

  63,257

  1984–85

  50,709

  n/a

  6,895

  11,531

  69,134

  1985–86

  45,697

  n/a

  7,903

  12,653

  66,252

  1986–87

  37,384

  n/a

  10,085

  15,421

  62,891

  1987–88

  39,941

  40,662

  13,387

  16,328

  110,319

  1988–89

  46,918

  43,902

  13,341

  17,329

  121,490

  1989–90

  51,794

  50,068

  14,397

  20,401

  136,660

  1990–91

  60,952

  54,917

  17,929

  21,395

  155,193

  1991–92

  63,416

  59,979

  12,356

  24,936

  160,687

  1992–93

  66,012

  65,166

  12,709

  26,501

  170,388

  1993–94

  73,114

  66,259

  18,366

  34,431

  192,170

  1Excluding overhead costs eg for administration and training which cannot be apportioned for the years given.

  1. Data for years marked "n/a" are not available.

  Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide an estimate of the number of people who have been assisted under the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970(a) in the latest available year and (b) since its enactment. [28207]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department of Health does not have the information on which to base such an estimate.

  Fluoridation
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department will research the practicality of introducing a fluoride sensitivity test; and if she will make a statement. [28466]

  Mr. Malone
  Validated methods already exist for the investigation of suspected hypersensitivity. Fluoride is a normal component of food, and there is no evidence of allergy of intolerance to fluoride as used in the fluoridation of community water supplies.

  NHS Staff Wages
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the average wage increase and what perks have been provided to(a) unit executives and (b) general and senior managers in the health service in each of the last four years. [26284]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 25 May 1995]: Information on the movements in average earnings of these groups of health service staff is not available centrally. For those staff employed on the national terms and conditions for general and senior managers, basic salaries were increased by 6 per cent. in 1991, 3.9 per cent. in 1992, 1.5 per cent. in 1993 and 2.2 per cent. in 1994, with increases effective from 1 September in those years. National health service trusts are free to engage staff on such terms and conditions as they see fit.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Coastal Erosion
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he proposes to review and deal with problems of coastal erosion; and if he will make a statement. [28786]

  Mr. Jack
  In 1993 the Ministry, in conjunction with the Welsh Office, published the Government's strategy for flood and coastal defence in England and Wales. The strategy sets out a comprehensive policy framework for the Ministry, the Welsh Office and flood and coastal defence authorities to work within while carrying out their responsibilities for flood and coastal defence. To assist authorities, the Ministry and Welsh Office have also produced guidance booklets on project appraisal, environmental best practice and the preparation of shoreline management plans. Copies of all these publications have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The Ministry and the Welsh Office have encouraged the formation of coastal groups to consider coastal defence in a strategic manner. Those groups are carrying forward the preparation of shoreline management plans.

  In 1994 the Ministry published a comprehensive survey of the state of coast protection work in England. The survey results were sent to the local coast protection authorities in England for them to consider the condition of existing defences and the potential need for defences in their area for unprotected lengths of coastline that are eroding significantly.

  The Ministry continues to grant aid capital works proposed by coast protection authorities provided that they are technically sound, economically worthwhile and environmentally acceptable.

  Whaling
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the statistics on which calculations in support of whaling were based; and if he will oppose both scientific whaling and whaling carried out on the grounds that the present levels of population justify this activity. [27911]

  Mr. Jack
  As the Government have frequently stated, the United Kingdom will not even contemplate voting to lift the current moratorium on commercial whaling until stocks are shown to be at healthy levels, fully effective procedures for managing whale stocks are in place which include ways of ensuring that the rules are observed, and methods used to take whales are humane. Management procedures would also need to include rules for conducting surveys and for verifying abundance estimates to ensure that estimates of whale numbers were reliable. As indicated in the reply to the hon. Member for Erewash (Mrs. Knight) on 6 June,Official Report, columns 4-6, this is not always the case with existing estimates. The reply in question also made clear the United Kingdom's opposition to scientific whaling.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will establish an investigation within his Department in regard to the leak of part of the draft of Lord Justice Scott's report which was sent to him. [27652]

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

  Infant Nutrition
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated expenditure for 1995 for producing information on infant and young child feeding(a) for families and (b) for those involved in the field of infant and young child nutrition. [27927]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave him on 7 June 1995,Official Report, columns 211–12, which indicates that my Department is currently developing a healthy eating booklet in the "Foodsense" series aimed at the mothers of toddlers. My Department is not currently planning further material specifically on infant and young child feeding.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the application of article 9.1 of EC directive 91/321/EEC on material produced by manufacturers and distributors of infant formula; [27985]

  (2) if the word "objective" in article 9.1 of EC directive 91/321/EEC excludes material produced by those with a financial interest in infant feeding. [27924]

  Mr. Sackville
  I have been asked to reply.

  EC directive 91/321/EEC has been implemented in the United Kingdom by the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations 1995. A working group set up by the Department of Health is formulating guidance covering the content, planning and design of material
  566
  described in article 9.1 to help make sure that, regardless of its source, such material contains objective and consistent information.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to label(a) genetically modified food, (b) meat treated with hormones and (c) the country of origin for meat and meat products and if he will make a statement. [26660]

  Mrs. Browning
  A draft regulation on novel foods and novel food ingredients, currently before the Council of Ministers in Brussels, would, if adopted, require the labelling of genetically modified food in certain circumstances.

  The Government have accepted the advice of the Food Advisory Committee that there should be no additional labelling requirements for meat derived from animals treated with hormones.

  Under EC labelling rules, the place of origin or provenance of a food must be given on food labels in cases where failure to give such particulars might mislead the consumer to a material degree. Furthermore, there is no legal impediment to giving this information voluntarily, provided it is true and non-misleading. I know of no proposals in the EU to alter this situation.

  Farmers (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if EU proposals for early retirement schemes for farmers apply to pig farmers; and if he will make a statement. [25743]

  Mr. Jack
  Council regulation No. 2079/92 provides for early retirement schemes for farmers but does not differentiate between types of farming. The regulation does not require member states to set up early retirement schemes and because the terms are not appropriate to the conditions of agriculture in the Untied Kingdom we have not done so.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Desertification
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list current programmes which assist in combating desertification and the spending on these programmes in each of the last three years. [28015]

  Mr. Baldry
  We do not have this information readily available partly because of the difficulty of clearly defining such programmes. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

  Jakarta
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 10 January,Official Report, column 14, to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes), what was the date of the fire at the central radio studios in Jakarta; and what radio stations broadcast from those studios. [28329]

  Mr. Baldry
  The fire at the central radio studios in Jakarta occurred in July 1985.
  567
  The state radio network, Radio Republic Indonesia, broadcasts from the studios re-equipped under the aid and trade provision project. A typical day's programmes consists of national news broadcasts, educational and cultural programmes and local events. These programmes are broadcast nationally on short and medium wave, and on FM in the Jakarta area.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Indonesian electricity authority has now awarded the equipment supply contract for the Samarinda power station and the contract for the associated transmission line referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke) of 7 February 1994,Official Report, column 68; what are the names of the British and Indonesian companies involved; what will be the generating capacity of the power station; what will be the geographical area within east Kalissantan to be served by the power station; and what proportion of the power generated will be for domestic consumption and what proportion will be for commercial consumption. [27913]

  Mr. Baldry
  A contract was awarded by the Indonesian Electricity Authority in March 1995 to Parsons Turbine Generators Ltd. for the supply of power station equipment. In May 1995 PLN awarded a contract for the associated transmission line to a consortium comprising of PT Pauwels Arya Sada Contracting and Clough Smith Ltd.

  When fully operational the generating capacity of the plant will be approximately 60 mW. Power will be supplied to the Samarinda and Balikpapan districts. The March 1989 feasibility study forecast that 14 per cent. of the energy generated would be for residential consumption, with the remainder going to commerial users.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 704, to the hon. Member for Eccles (Miss Lestor), regarding the Indonesian tropical forest management project: sub 1, what are the locations of the main lowland Dipterocarp forests affected by the project; if he will name the senior policy makers advised under the project; what are their positions within the Ministry of Forestry or provincial forestry services; and who the Government engaged to provide advice under the project. [27831]

  Mr. Baldry
  The main lowland Dipterocarp forests affected are in Kalimantan and Sumatera. The senior policy makers involved with the project in the Ministry of Forestry are: the Minister of Forestry (lr Djamaludin Soeryohadikosumo); the Minister's Policy Advisers (lr Triyono, lr Roedjai, lr Ari Soedarsono, lr Armana Darsidi, Dr. Soekardjo); the Director-General of Forest Utilisation (lr Titus Sarijanto); and the Secretary-General (1r Oetomos). We have engaged LTS International Ltd. to provide advice.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 704, to the hon. Member for Eccles (Miss Lestor) regarding the Indonesian tropical forest management project: sub 3, who is being engaged by the Government to carry out the project. [28732]
  568
  Mr. Baldry
  The Ministry of Forestry is implementing the project. We have engaged LTS International Ltd. to provide advice.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 704, to the hon. Member for Eccles (Miss Lestor) regarding the Indonesian tropical management project: sub 5, who the Government engaged to carry out the project. [27834]

  Mr. Baldry
  The project is being implemented by the directorate general of forest protection and nature conservation. We have engaged LTS International Ltd. with the Asian Wetland Bureau to provide advice.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 704, to the hon. Member for Eccles (Miss Lestor) regarding the implementation of conservation programme-Irian Jaya, joint funding scheme, if he will name the British non-government organisations involved in the programme. [27835]

  Mr. Baldry
  The NGO was the World Wide Fund for Nature.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 704, to the hon. Member for Eccles, (Miss Lestor) regarding the Indonesian tropical forest management project: sub 2, what provinces in Indonesia are covered by the project; and who is being engaged by the Indonesian Government to carry out the project. [27836]

  Mr. Baldry
  Central Kalimantan, Jambi and Riau provinces are covered by sub-project 2 (provincial management).

  The project is being implemented by the Provincial Forest Services, guided by the Ministry of Forestry regional offices in each province. We have engaged LTS International Ltd. to provide advice.

  Mrs Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 February,Official Report, column 704, to the hon. Member for Eccles, (Miss Lestor) regarding the radio communications system for the Ministry of Forestry in Indonesia, if he will list the nine provinces in which integrated radio communications networks and associated facilities are being installed. [27837]

  Mr. Baldry
  The integrated radio communications network and associated facilities were installed at the Ministry of Forestry's headquarters in Jakarta and in the following provinces:

  The four Kalimantan provinces known as Selatan, Tangah, Barat and Timur, and:

  North Sumatera

  South Sumatera

  Riau, Sumatera

  North Sulawesi

  South Sulawesi

  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

  569
  offshore supply vessels project; and by whom the appraisals were undertaken. [28191]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The Department of Trade and Industry's appraisal document was completed in May 1984 and that for 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 and from staff of the British Council on the training aspects.

WALES

  Housing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dwellings were built by Welsh local authorities in each of the last five years. [28447]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on the number of local authority dwellings completed from 1990 up to 1993 has been published in table 2.3 of "Welsh Housing Statistics", No. 14 1994, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. In 1994, the number of new dwellings completed by local authorities in Wales was 227.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many Welsh households are classified as homeless. [28445]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The latest figure available is 2,131—for the quarter ending December 1994—and this represents a decrease of 13 per cent. on the same quarter in 1993.Source: local authority returns

  Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the members of the Welsh Industrial Advisory Development Board, giving the date their appointment commenced and their length of tenure. [28244]

  Mr. Redwood
  Information on all appointments made by me is available in the Library of the House.

  Population
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the Welsh population is(a) under the age of 16 years and (b) 65 years of age or more. [28441]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The 1993 mid-year estimate for Wales shows that the percentages of the population aged(a) under 16 years was 20.7 per cent., and (b) 65 years or more was 17.3 per cent.

  Coastal Erosion
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes to review and deal with problems of coastal erosion in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [26787]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1993, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in conjunction with the Welsh Office, published the Government's strategy for flood and coastal defence in England and Wales. The 570
  strategy set out a comprehensive policy framework for the Ministry, the Welsh Office and coastal defence authorities to work within while carrying out their responsibilities for flood and costal defence. To assist authorities, the Ministry and Welsh Office have also produced guidance booklets on project appraisal, environmental best practice and the preparation of shoreline management plans. Copies of all these publications have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The Welsh Office and the Ministry have encouraged the formation of coastal groups to consider coastal defence in a strategic manner. Those groups are carrying forward the preparation of shoreline management plans. In conjunction with the preparation of these plans, the Welsh Office is updating its 1982 survey of coast protection in Wales, which will provide a comprehensive view of the state of the coastline, the condition of existing defences and the potential need for defences in areas where there is a coastal erosion.

  The Welsh Office continues to grant aid capital works proposed by coast protection authorities provided they are technically sound, economically worthwhile and environmentally acceptable.

  Foreign Languages
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 22 March,Official Report, column 255, if he will provide a list of languages other than English (a) which he understands and (b) in which he signs letters. [27912]

  Mr. Redwood
  Spanish and French.

  Asthma
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the expenditure on general practitioner prescribed anti-asthma medication and preparations in each family health services authority area in Wales, for the last three years for which figures are available; and what was the expenditure per head. [27838]

  Mr. Redwood
  The information is as follows:

  Expenditure per head£

  Family health services authority

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Total expenditure £ million

  Clwyd

  6.66

  7.84

  8.90

  2.763

  Gwynedd

  7.14

  8.43

  9.76

  1.710

  Powys

  7.00

  6.34

  8.72

  0.834

  Dyfed

  8.15

  9.27

  10.50

  2.860

  West Glamorgan

  8.19

  9.57

  10.51

  3.039

  South Glamorgan

  7.65

  8.60

  8.56

  3.138

  Mid Glamorgan

  8.68

  9.89

  11.36

  4.711

  Gwent

  6.80

  7.88

  8.88

  3.058

  The figures show expenditure on bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, cromoglycate and related therapy. Some of these preparations are prescribed for indications other than asthma.

  Information concerning total expenditure for 1993 and 1994 was given in my reply to the hon. Member of 7 June, Official Report, column 257.

  Local Authority Social Services
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, for each available year since 1970, the number of cases of assistance by local authority social
  571
  services departments, showing separately for each year (a) the number of telephone installations, (b) telephone adaptions, (c) telephone rentals paid, (d) installations of other communications equipment, (e) television installations, (f) payment of television licenses or rentals,

  Assistance provided by local authority social services departments in Wales1

  Year ending 31 March

  Telephone installations

  Telephone adaptions

  Telephone rentals paid

  Installations of other communications equipment

  Television installations

  Payment of television licences or rentals

  Radio sets provided

  Other personal aids provided

  Adaptions to property

  Holidays provided

  Households receiving assistance

  1975

  1,274

  41

  2,258

  35

  242

  561

  216

  9,405

  2,238

  1,757

  1976

  837

  46

  4,802

  132

  87

  2,036

  235

  10,974

  2,560

  1,796

  1977

  368

  15

  5,321

  164

  1

  1,967

  223

  9,903

  2,533

  1,615

  1978

  827

  23

  5,195

  120

  22

  1,779

  165

  12,709

  2,751

  l,,406

  1979

  1,284

  46

  5,350

  204

  23

  1,517

  184

  15,276

  3,231

  1,592

  Cases of assistance:

  1980

  1,438

  71

  6,893

  220

  24

  1,304

  103

  12,772

  1,872

  3,721

  1981

  847

  20

  4,026

  174

  10

  246

  115

  15,656

  944

  3,255

  1982

  999

  64

  3,933

  123

  4

  231

  178

  16,232

  1,781

  3,175

  1983

  911

  281

  5,511

  139

  9

  281

  105

  18,031

  2,639

  3,383

  1984

  1,532

  292

  6,921

  113

  6

  158

  130

  25,495

  3,585

  3,427

  1985

  1,335

  280

  7,780

  132

  3

  126

  143

  22,250

  3,741

  3,433

  1986

  1,559

  308

  8,719

  291

  4

  141

  131

  23,280

  4,521

  3,469

  1987

  1.603

  405

  9,688

  502

  39

  149

  133

  23,755

  4,733

  3,503

  1988

  1,138

  257

  9,897

  503

  1

  87

  114

  23,942

  5,967

  3,379

  1989

  1,527

  442

  10,386

  529

  1

  117

  126

  25,790

  5,547

  3,265

  1990

  1,390

  680

  10,299

  706

  —

  142

  112

  24,475

  6,719

  3,279

  1991

  1,247

  760

  10,490

  696

  2

  112

  161

  25,635

  7,241

  3,124

  1992

  1,360

  880

  10,483

  564

  —

  105

  197

  27,272

  8,361

  3,211

  1993

  1,234

  756

  10,569

  880

  1

  95

  200

  26,973

  9,943

  3,376

  1994

  1,165

  23,549

  10,396

  1,277

  2

  92

  159

  34,111

  8,918

  2,581

  1 Data for the period 1975 to 1979 relates to the number of households receiving assistance. Data for the period 1980 to 1994 relate to the number of cases of assistance.

  The figures are therefore not comparable.

  2Includes installation of connections to community alarm systems.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the expenditure on personal social services for disabled people in each year since 1970. [28206]

  Mr. Richards
  The available information is given in the following table. Information was not collected on the same basis prior to 1987–88.

  Gross local authority expenditure on personal social services for physically and/or sensorily disabled adults1

  £000s

  1987–88

  5,257

  1988–89

  5,301

  1989–90

  6,286

  1990–91

  7,087

  1991–92

  6,276

  1992–93

  6,574

  1993–94

  10,381

  Note:

  1Includes expenditure on homes, including those for the blind and deaf, day and occupational centres, adaptations to homes and disability equipment. Excludes expenditure on the elderly. Gross expenditure equals expenditure on employees, running expenses and joint arrangements less local income other than sales, fees and charges.

  Source:

  Local authority returns.

  572
  (g) the number of radio sets provided, (h) the number of other personal aids provided, (i) the number of adaptions to property and (j) the number of holidays provided. [28205]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is available from 1975 and is given in the following table.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  China
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the president of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his recent trade mission to the People's Republic of China; and if he will list the increase in United Kingdom export orders arising from the mission. [26820]

  Mr. Heseltine
  The mission to China was an outstanding commercial success. It was the latest trade mission to leave the United Kingdom. The 130 companies which participated had a combined turnover well in excess of £75 billion.

  My discussions with senior Chinese leaders confirmed the enormous potential for British business in China.

  Companies signed over £1 billion of business in the lead up to and during the mission. I have arranged for a detailed list to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with Post Office Counters Ltd. about safeguards to protect those Post Office employees who object on religious grounds to selling national lottery tickets or scratch cards; and if he will make a statement. [26827]

  Mr. Page
  The relationship between the Post Office and its employees is a matter for the board.

  Domestic Gas Supplies
  Mr Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what requirements he will place on the supplies of gas to domestic premises under the terms of the Gas Bill to ensure the maintenance of service standards formerly established by British Gas. [26828]

  Mr. Eggar
  The Gas Bill provides the legislative framework for the introduction of competition to the supply of gas to domestic consumers. In a competitive market, standards of services will be a matter for competition between suppliers. Customers will be able to choose the supplier who offers the service they require.

  However, all gas suppliers will be required to provide special services to older and disabled customers. These will be the same as, and in some areas extend, the current requirements placed on British Gas. Suppliers will also be required to follow procedures to help customers who have genuine difficulties paying their bills. The proposed provisions are set out in the draft "Standard Conditions of the Gas Suppliers' Licence", published on 20 March, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The level and extent of British Gas's current 39 regulated service standards, which are linked to the price formula, will be considered when that formula is reviewed by Ofgas, with effect from 1997.

  Electricity Generation
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he intends taking to develop further competition in electricity generation. [26830]

  Mr. Eggar
  This is primarily a matter for the independent regulator—the Director General of Electricity Supply—who is responsible for overseeing the operation of the electricity market.

  Lloyd's
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the chief executive of Lloyd's about future prospects for Lloyd's; and if he will make a statement. [26831]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I have regular meetings with the chairman of Lloyd's to discuss developments in the Lloyd's market. I am aware of Lloyd's proposals for restructuring the market. My Department will examine the regulatory issues arising from the proposals, including the authorisation of the proposed Equitas company, over the coming months. Subject to the regulatory requirements being satisfied, I believe that the plan provides the prospect of a comprehensive solution to many of the problems faced by Lloyd's in the interests of both policyholders and members of Lloyd's.

  Regional Assistance
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the regional aids and subsidies his Department is able to award without the permission of the Commission of the European Union. [26832]

  Mr. Eggar
  The only regional aid for which DTI is wholly responsible is regional selective assistance. The terms and operation of this have been approved by the Commission, leaving the Department to use its discretion to ensure that support is targeted at the selected areas and 574
  to the maximum advantage to the United Kingdom. Only cases in certain sensitive sectors, such as motor vehicles or synthetic fibres, require individual approval.

  Industrial Performance
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average rate of return produced by British industry. [26833]

  Mr. Eggar
  In 1993, the last year for which figures are available, the net rate of return on capital employed by industrial and commercial companies was 8.4 per cent. higher than at the comparable point in the two previous recoveries.

  Science and Technology
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster about the recommendations of the second report of the Select Committee on Science and Technology of Session 1994–95, "Forward Look Science and Technology"; and if he will make a statement. [26834]

  Mr. Heseltine
  The Government published a full response to the recommendations of the Science and Technology Select Committee on the "Forward Look", in March 1995. In preparing the Government response, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster had discussions with other Departments, including DTI, concerning the recommendations in their relevant areas of responsibility.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the importance of the aerospace industry to the United Kingdom manufacturing sector. [26835]

  Mr. Heseltine
  The aerospace industry accounted for 4 per cent. of United Kingdom manufacturing turnover in 1992. My Department has commissioned two studies on the diffusion of aerospace technology and skills to other sectors. Copies of these reports will be placed in the Libraries of the House. In addition officials are studying the profitability of the United Kingdom aerospace industry.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he next expects to meet the President of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss manufacturing industry. [26836]

  Mr. Heseltine
  I am meeting the President of the Confederation of British Industry on 21 June to discuss a range of issues. In 1995 the CBI expects manufacturing output to grow by more than 4 per cent. and manufacturing investment to grow by more than 10.5 per cent. Recent CBI surveys show export orders growing faster than ever before and export optimism at its highest level for a generation.

  Inward Investment
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of current levels of inward investment. [26837]
  575
  Mr. Eggar
  Balance of payments data show that between 1986 and 1993, the last year for which figures are available, inward direct investment into the United Kingdom rose from £52 billion to nearly £131 billion. We now have about a third of the stock of direct inward investment in the EU. Our share of the stock of US investment in the EU was nearly 43 per cent. in 1993 and our share of the cumulative flows of Japanese investment into the EU was nearly 41 per cent.

  The UK is now the preferred location in Europe for inward investment and I am determined that it should remain so.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on inward investment and on the consultation which he undertakes with industry prior to taking decisions to award investment grants. [26884]

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government continue to attach great importance to the attraction of inward investment. Investment grants are available for projects in the assisted areas under the regional selective assistance scheme. No decision is taken to offer RSA grant without fully considering the potential impact of the project on existing businesses in the sector concerned.

  Rural Economy
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what contributions his Department are making to the proposals in the forthcoming White Paper on the rural economy. [26838]

  Mr. Heseltine
  Officials in my Department are in close contact with the White Paper team and have been working with them to ensure that the interests of businesses in rural areas are fully represented.

  North American Free Trade Area
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to expand bilateral trade with members of the north American free trade area; and if he will make a statement. [26840]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The United Kingdom Government maintain a vigorous trade promotion programme with respect to members of NAFTA. With the European Commission and the US Administration and others we are looking at various ways of further liberalising trade both across the north Atlantic and more generally to act as pathfinders within the World Trade Organisation.

  Overseas Trade (Commission)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what rules his Department require should govern commissions on trade overseas. [26841]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  None. Commissions are a matter for the companies concerned within the appropriate legal system.

  Utility Customer Service Committees
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure that utility customer service committees represent the views of local consumers. [26842]
  576
  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Responsibility for the effective representation of consumers of the electricity and water industries rests with the Director General of Electricity Supply and the Director General of Water Services through appointments to the electricity consumers' committees and the water customer services committees.

  Space Industry
  Mr. Brandeth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the results of the recent study into the United Kingdom space industry. [29066]

  Mr. Taylor
  The major findings of the study undertaken on behalf of the British National Space Centre showed that in 1993–94 total industry turnover was estimated at £710 million. This compared to £530 million in 1991–92. United Kingdom space-related employment stood at 6,360 compared to 6,140 in 1991–92. Over the last five years the UK space industry has shown growth in sales of 9 per cent. per year. A number of sub-sectors have shown annual growth rates over 10 per cent. and the emerging earth observation data value-added sub-sector has shown growth rates of 34 per cent. of turnover and 37 per cent. in work force.

  Investment
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals his Department has to curb short-termism as regards industrial investment. [26829]

  Mr. Heseltine
  A stable macroeconomic environment based on low inflation and improved relations between providers of finance and industry are the best ways to promote long-term investment.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade at what rate funding for renewables under the non-fossil fuel obligation will continue when the nuclear industry is privatised. [27002]

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future availability of the non-fossil fuel levy to support renewable energy technology. [27134]

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) on 8 June 1995,Official Report, columns 268–69.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the costs of the decommissioning of nuclear power stations. [27133]

  Mr. Eggar
  The costs of decommissioning nuclear power stations are a matter for their operators.

  Overseas Relocations
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new proposals he has to reduce the numbers of British firms relocating overseas. [26821]

  Mr. Eggar
  None. Decisions on where to invest are a commercial matter for the companies concerned. The United Kingdom remains an attractive location for investment, for both British and foreign firms.

  Human and Animal Tissue Protocol
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Government will take action to implement the recommendations of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics report on human tissue regarding the adoption of a protocol to the European patent convention to set out the criteria to be used by national courts when applying the immorality exclusion to patents in the area of human and animal tissue. [28457]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The suggestion in the Nuffield Council on Bioethics report for a protocol to the European patent convention on the interpretation of the morality exclusion is interesting. However, as the report recognises, reaching agreement among all member states on such a protocol could be very time consuming. The European Commission is reflecting on how to deal with the rejection of the proposed EC directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions by the European Parliament and it is expected that they will come forward with a new proposal in the near future. In the light of this, a separate initiative among contracting states of the convention would not be appropriate at the present time.

  Genetic Material
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many patents have been issued in the United Kingdom by the Patent Office and how many by the European Patent Office valid in the United Kingdom incorporating genetic material of plant origin or derivation. [28456]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  A search of electronic databases using classification terms shows that some 250 patent applications published by the European Patent Office and the United Kingdom Patent Office relate to genetic material of plant origin or derivation. Each application would have to be checked individually to ascertain whether it has resulted in a patent valid in the United Kingdom, which would involve disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many patents have been issued in the United Kingdom by the Patent Office and how many by the European Patent Office valid in the United Kingdom incorporating genetic material of human origin or derivation. [28455]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  A search of electronic databases using classification terms and key words show that some 1,540 patent applications published by the European Patent Office and the United Kingdom Patent Office relate to genetic material of human origin or derivation. Each application would have to be checked individually to ascertain whether it has resulted in a patent valid in the United Kingdom, which would involve disproportionate cost.

  Newspapers
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to instruct the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to commence an inquiry into the principle of carriage charges for newspapers. [28169]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  This is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading who, under the competition legislation, is responsible for keeping markets under review, and has independent powers to make a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what detailed criteria and what organisation will be used in bench marking activities when comparing sections in the Patent Office for contractorisation. [28068]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  In areas identified as candidates for contractorisation, bids for managing contracted-out services will he evaluated against benchmarks for the forecast cost and quality of service from in-house provision. Detailed criteria will depend on the activity under consideration and will be decided upon when specifications are drawn up.

  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the activities under consideration for contracting out in the Patent Office would require an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. [28072]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Current expectations are that the activities which will be considered for contracting out would not require an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act.

  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who will be responsible for preparing management or staff bids, for the Patent Office contractorisation; and what will be done to train and prepare staff for this role. [28070]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Under contracting out, staff are free at their own initiative to mount a bid alongside the private sector, but if successful would cease to be civil servants. Preparation and organisation of such bids would be a matter for the staff themselves. The Patent Office would make reasonable time available within working hours but would not lend more active support. All bids will be compared against a benchmark of the service remaining in the civil service which incorporates identified future efficiency savings and quality of service indicators. Only if the bidders demonstrate better value for money to the taxpayer will the work be moved outside the public sector.

  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the sections under consideration in the Patent Office for contractorisation, and the number of staff involved. [28069]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Patent Office is being encouraged to contract out activities wherever this is compatible with its statutory role and good value for money. Whether any particular activity is considered as a candidate for contractorisation will depend on operational requirements, which are being assessed.

  In the case of marketing and the London Front Office, which might in principle be contractorised subject to value for money criteria, current activities are carried out by some 35 staff.

  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to ensure that jobs affected by contractorisation of the Patent Office will remain in south Wales. [28074]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The location of jobs relating to contracted out services will be a matter for the contractor.

  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the time-scale involved for contractorisation of Patent Office functions. [28071]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The time-scale for contractorisation of Patent Office functions will depend on operational requirements which are currently being assessed by officials.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the results of the inter-departmental review of fire safety legislation will be published. [27959]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 13 June 1995]:I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 24 May 1995, Official Report, column 643.

  AST Group
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set up an inquiry into the collapse of the AST Group and its acquisition of the assets of the ASTRA Training Company plc in October 1993, and the transfer of those assets into Firlands Training Ltd in March 1995. [28309]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 13 June 1995]:I understand that none f the companies mentioned is subject to a winding-up order. Until a company is in compulsory liquidation the Official Receiver cannot exercise his statutory powers of investigation into its affairs.

  Under section 7 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act, 1986 the voluntary liquidator has a duty to report any matters of conduct on the part of the directors which he considers makes them unfit to take part in the management of limited companies. In these cases the liquidator has not yet reported, which he is required to do within six months of the liquidation. I can give an assurance that those reports, together with other relevant information will be carefully considered to see whether proceedings should be brought against any individuals concerned in the liquidation of companies within the AST Group.

  In addition the Secretary of State has discretionary powers of investigation into a company where there are grounds to suspect fraud, misfeasance or serious misconduct. Officials within the investigation division of my Department will consider whether the information provided constitutes the "good reason" required before I can exercise my discretionary powers to authorise an investigation.

  CS Gas
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 30 March,Official Report, columns 776–77, if no licences have been granted for the export to Indonesia of CS gas cartridges, CS gas grenades or other crowd control technologies since 1 January 1985. [27792]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 17 June 1995]: I have nothing further to add to the statement of 30 March 1995.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date he or other Ministers or former Ministers in his Department received extracts for comment from Sir Richard Scott's draft report; on what date comments were submitted to Sir Richard; and what requests have been made for an extension of the period within which comments should have been made. [27552]

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The Government do not disclose details of correspondence between the inquiry and individual witnesses. In the case
  580
  of draft extracts in particular, the inquiry has asked that these be treated in strictest confidence.

SCOTLAND

  Sandeels
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what account he took, in arranging the initiative to manage the Shetland sandeel fishery, of the announcement on 16 May by the Environment Secretary that measures be taken to control the wider North sea industrial fishery as a priority for the North sea ministerial conference. [27122]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The decision to re-open the Shetland sandeel fishery predated the announcement on 16 May by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. The Government had already taken the view that there was no relevant correlation between the large-scale Danish fishery in the North sea, which accounts for between 1 million and 2 million tonnes of sandeel per annum, and the very much smaller UK fishery at Shetland which will probably account for less than 3,000 tonnes of sandeel this year.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the annual cost of public funds has been in terms of research, monitoring and supervision, for the management of the Shetland sandeel fishery. [27120]

  Sir Hector Monro
  Between 1990–91 and 1995–96, the average annual cost to public funds for research, monitoring and supervision connected with the sandeel fisheries has been £117,000. This covers the sampling of landings, research vessel surveys, and stock assessment work, but excludes academic research contracts jointly funded with other bodies. A breakdown for the Shetland sandeel fishery in particular is not available. However, a reasonable estimate is about 80 per cent. of the total, or £93,000 per annum.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what consideration the Government gave when allowing sandeel fishing in Mousa Sound, Shetland, to its inclusion in the list of proposed special areas of conservation because of its importance for common seals; [27110]

  (2) within what distance of special protection areas for sea birds in Shetland sandeel fishing is permitted; [27111]

  (3) what action the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department has taken to establish areas closed to sandeel fishing around Shetland's internationally important seabird colonies. [27123]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Government gave due consideration to their obligations under the European Community directives on the conservation of wild birds and on the conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna before deciding to re-open the Shetland sandeel fishery. In terms of these directives, member states must take appropriate steps to ensure that there is no deterioration of the habitat types or significant disturbance to the species for which areas are designated as European sites. We were satisfied, on the evidence received, that the limited fishery would not have any of these impacts, whether on sea birds or on the common seal at Mousa Sound. No closed areas have therefore been introduced.
  581
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department takes to ensure that the management of fisheries does not conflict with the Government's international commitments to the conservation of flora and fauna; [27114]

  (2) what action the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department will take if monitoring Shetland's seabird population demonstrates low survival of chicks or shortages of food. [27116]

  Sir Hector Monro
  As set out in the United Kingdom's sustainable development strategy, the Government are committed to promoting fisheries policies which take proper account of the environmental impact of fishing. We therefore take due account of relevant international commitments, and retain statutory powers to act where appropriate, as under the Inshore Fishing (Scotland) Act 1984 and the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967. These Acts provide the power, if necessary, to close or otherwise regulate the Shetland sandeel fishery. Any such statutory arrangements would then be enforced in the normal manner through the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) where fishing for sandeels has been taking place around Shetland since the fishery was re-opened; [27117]

  (2) how many boats have been licensed to fish for sandeels (a) around Shetland and (b) on the west coast of Scotland in 1995. [27118]

  Sir Hector Monro
  Eight vessels have been licensed to fish at Shetland, and four on the west coast of Scotland. The former have concentrated their fishing around the north and north-west of the island of Mousa.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the role of the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department in negotiating an integrated package of management instruments for the Shetland sandeel fishery; and what considerations underlie the extent to which the management option of closed areas is delegated to voluntary agreement between Scottish Natural Heritage on the one hand and the Shetland Fishermen's Association on the other; [27115]

  (2) what evidence he has that the recently re-opened Shetland sandeel fishery is sustainable; [27109]

  (3) what advice Scottish Natural Heritage has given him on the closure of areas to sandeel fishing around seabird colonies in Shetland. [27112]

  Sir Hector Monro
  Following public consultation, the Government have established a framework of rigorous management controls to ensure that the Shetland sandeel fishery operates in a sustainable manner. We have set a total allowable catch of 3,000 tonnes. This represents less than 10 per cent. of the spawning stock biomass, is well within the safe biological limits for such species, and is less than the loss by natural predation. In addition, we have restricted access to small, licensed boats, have limited the season, and have stipulated a single landing point in Lerwick to aid enforcement. In view of this tight framework, we concluded that there was no need for statutory closed areas and have therefore provided for these as an optional management regime. As the Secretary of State's statutory adviser on nature conservation matters, Scottish Natural Heritage is an appropriate focal point for such voluntary liaison with local interests, in this instance the Shetland Fishermen's Association. Although 582
  it would have preferred formal closed areas, SNH welcomed our precautionary approach and expressed themselves willing to work closely with those concerned.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions sample trawls were taken to assess the state of the 1995 Shetland sandeel stock. [27113]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Shetland sandeel stock assessment for the 1995 season was undertaken in August 1994 and involved a total of 48 sample trawls.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the value of the Shetland sandeel fishery in 1995. [27119]

  Sir Hector Monro
  At current market prices, the total allowable sandeel catch of 3,000 tonnes would fetch about £138,000. This excludes the added value derived from the associated processing and marketing. These benefits will accrue mainly to the local economy in Shetland itself.

  Accident Statistics
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the accident statistics for each stretch of the A76 on comparable basis with the A77, A74 and A96 over the past four years. [27376]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The information requested is as follows:

  Route: A76

  Section: Dumfries to Marchburn

  Length Kms.: 53.03

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  2

  17

  35

  54

  0.47

  1992

  2

  7

  19

  28

  0.25

  1993

  4

  14

  27

  45

  0.39

  1994

  2

  14

  20

  36

  0.32

  Route: A76

  Section: Marchburn to Kilmarnock

  Length Kms.: 36.86

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  1

  11

  27

  39

  0.50

  1992

  3

  9

  22

  34

  0.43

  1993

  2

  5

  12

  19

  0.24

  1994

  2

  3

  18

  23

  0.29

  Route: A76

  Section: Dumfries to Kilmarnock (whole trunk road)

  Length Kms.: 89.89

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  3

  28

  62

  93

  0.48

  1992

  5

  16

  41

  62

  0.32

  1993

  6

  19

  39

  64

  0.33

  1994

  4

  17

  38

  59

  0.31

  583

  Route: A77

  Section: Stranraer to Ayr

  Length Kms.: 83.18

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  3

  19

  33

  55

  0.37

  1992

  6

  24

  47

  77

  0.51

  1993

  3

  18

  39

  60

  0.40

  1994

  0

  26

  48

  74

  0.49

  Route: A77

  Section: Ayr to Glasgow city boundary

  Length Kms.: 46.70

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  8

  29

  75

  112

  0.29

  1992

  5

  31

  72

  108

  0.28

  1993

  3

  18

  64

  85

  0.22

  1994

  3

  22

  57

  82

  0.21

  Route: A771

  Section: Stranraer to Glasgow city boundary (whole trunk road)

  Length Kms.: 129.88

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  11

  48

  108

  167

  0.31

  1992

  11

  55

  119

  185

  0.35

  1993

  6

  36

  103

  145

  0.27

  1994

  3

  48

  105

  156

  0.29

  1 The accident rates in this table reflect corrections to traffic flow data used in the answer given to the hon. Member on 23 February [OR volume 225, number 63, column 601–603].

  Route: A77

  Section: Within Glasgow city boundary

  Length Kms.: 6.00

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  1

  28

  65

  94

  1.67

  1992

  0

  21

  57

  78

  1.38

  1993

  0

  14

  50

  64

  1.13

  1994

  0

  20

  42

  62

  1.10

  Route: A74

  Section: National boundary to Millbank1

  Length Kms.: 92 16.00

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  4

  31

  76

  111

  0.15

  1992

  8

  26

  55

  89

  0.12

  1993

  7

  24

  50

  81

  0.11

  1994

  1

  21

  37

  59

  0.08

  1 The construction worked related to the upgrading of the A74 to motorway has been underway during the reporting period making separation of individual dual and motorway sections impractical for this report.

  584

  Route: M74

  Section: Millbank to Maryville

  Length Kms.: 35.83

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  4

  9

  23

  36

  0.09

  1992

  0

  11

  26

  36

  0.09

  1993

  1

  8

  20

  29

  0.07

  1994

  1

  9

  43

  53

  0.13

  Route: A74/M74

  Section: National boundary to Maryville(whole trunk road)

  Length Kms.: 127 99

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  8

  40

  99

  147

  0.13

  1992

  8

  37

  81

  126

  0.11

  1993

  8

  32

  70

  110

  0.09

  1994

  2

  30

  80

  112

  0.10

  Route: M74

  Section: Within Glasgow city boundary

  Length Kms.: 5 50

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  1

  17

  51

  69

  1.73

  1992

  1

  13

  42

  56

  1.40

  1993

  3

  15

  26

  44

  1.10

  1994

  0

  13

  27

  40

  1.00

  Route: A96

  Section: Aberdeen to Fochabers

  Length Kms.: 85.63

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  3

  26

  58

  87

  0.33

  1992

  3

  28

  71

  102

  0.39

  1993

  2

  19

  65

  86

  0.32

  1994

  5

  16

  52

  73

  0.28

  Route: A96

  Section: Fochabers to Inverness

  Length Kms.: 73.01

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  3

  22

  52

  77

  0.26

  1992

  6

  13

  56

  75

  0.25

  1993

  4

  13

  47

  64

  0.21

  1994

  2

  12

  42

  56

  0.19

  585

  Route: A96

  Section: Aberdeen to Inverness (whole trunk road)

  Length Kms.: 158.63

  Personal injury accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  Section accident rate

  1991

  6

  48

  110

  164

  0.29

  1992

  9

  41

  127

  177

  0.31

  1993

  6

  32

  112

  150

  0.27

  1994

  7

  28

  94

  129

  0.23

  The accident rates shown in all the tables are expressed in numbers of personal injury accidents per million vehicle kilometres travelled. The traffic flows are estimated from sample counts taken at specific sites and updated annually using national growth factors.

  Table 1: Total numbers of cancers registered and numbers registered from death certificates only by site of cancer, geographical area of residence at time of diagnosis and sex, Argyll and Clyde health board, 1984–89

  (A) All malignant neoplasms (ICD-9 140–2081)

  Total numbers of registrations

  Numbers of registrations made from death certificates only

  Area of residence at diagnosis

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Area 1 G52, G53, G60, G78, G82, G83, G84

  1,156

  1,163

  75

  81

  Area 2 PA1-PA9

  2,085

  2,063

  216

  178

  Area 3 PA10-PA19

  1,474

  1,410

  61

  54

  Area 4 PA20-PA29

  514

  578

  17

  44

  Area 5 PA30-PA39

  291

  296

  12

  17

  Area 6 PA40-PA49

  36

  43

  3

  0

  Area 7 PA60-PA69

  11

  14

  0

  0

  Area 8 PA70-PA79

  38

  36

  4

  1

  Argyll and Clyde health board

  5,605

  5,603

  388

  375

  1 Excludes registrations of non-melanoma skin cancer (ICD-9 173).

  (B) Cancer of the large bowel (ICD-9 153+154)

  Total numbers of registrations

  Numbers of registrations made from death certificates only

  Area of residence at diagnosis

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Area 1 G52, G53, G60, G78, G82, G83, G84

  137

  165

  3

  16

  Area 2 PA1-PA9

  203

  271

  16

  25

  Area 3 PA10-PA19

  150

  171

  7

  8

  Area 4 PA20-PA29

  76

  81

  3

  9

  Area 5 PA30-PA39

  47

  49

  5

  1

  Area 6 PA40-PA49

  4

  2

  0

  0

  Area 7 PA60-PA69

  3

  4

  0

  0

  Area 8 PA70-PA79

  7

  9

  0

  0

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board

  627

  752

  34

  59

  (c) Cancer of the prostate (ICD-9 1985) and female breast (ICD-9 174)

  Total numbers of registrations

  Numbers of registrations made from death certificates only

  Area of residence at diagnosis

  Males: prostate

  Females: breast

  Males: prostate

  Females: breast

  Area 1 G52, G53, G60, G78, G82, G83, G84

  87

  303

  7

  16

  Area 2 PA1-PA9

  177

  422

  9

  29

  Area 3 PA10-PA19

  136

  325

  9

  9

  Area 4 PA20-PA29

  52

  123

  2

  15

  Area 5 PA3O-PA39

  39

  75

  1

  1

  Area 6 PA40-PA49

  4

  18

  0

  0

  Area 7 PA60-PA69

  1

  3

  0

  0

  Area 8 PA70-PA79

  5

  5

  2

  0

  Argyll and Clyde health board

  501

  1,274

  30

  70

  586

  Cancer
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each geographical unit within Argyll and Clyde health board the number and percentage of (a) all cancers, for male and female, (b) breast cancer, female (c) colo-rectal cancer, male and female and (d) prostate cancer, male, registered within the period 1984 to 1989 inclusive and surviving for at least five years; and how many individuals in each category were registered only on death. [27577]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The information requested is set out in the tables.
  587

  Table 2: Total numbers of persons registered with cancer and eligible for inclusion in survival analysis2, numbers and percentage alive at five years following diagnosis by site of cancer, geographical area of residence at diagnosis and sex, Argyll and Clyde Health Board, 1984–89

  (A) All malignant neoplasms (ICD-9 140–2081)

  Males

  Five years after diagnosis

  Females

  Five years after diagnosis

  Area of residence at diagnosis

  Number of cases2

  Numbers alive

  Percentage alive

  Number of cases2

  Numbers alive

  Percentage alive

  Area 1 G52, G53, G60, G78,

  G82, G83, G84

  998

  220

  22.0

  1,009

  378

  37.5

  Area 2 PA1-PA9

  1,768

  324

  18.3

  1,778

  546

  30.7

  Area 3 PA10-PA19

  1,316

  265

  20.1

  1,284

  395

  30.8

  Area 4 PA2O-PA29

  461

  87

  18.8

  490

  158

  32.3

  Area 5 PA3O-PA39

  263

  72

  27.5

  269

  95

  35.4

  Area 6 PA40-PA49

  30

  8

  26.5

  41

  12

  29.3

  Area 7 PA60-PA69

  9

  3

  33.3

  13

  2

  15.4

  Area 8 PA70-PA79

  32

  14

  43.8

  35

  15

  42.9

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board

  4,877

  990

  20.3

  4,919

  1,604

  32.6

  1 Excludes registrations of non-melanoma skin cancer (ICD-9 173).

  2 Excludes

  (i) second and subsequent primary tumours in any patient.

  (ii) registrations made from death certificate only.

  (iii) registrations where the vital status of the patient is unknown.

  (B) Cancer of the large bowel (ICD-9 153+154)

  Males

  Five years after diagnosis

  Females

  Five years after diagnosis

  Area of residence at diagnosis

  Number of cases2

  Numbers alive

  Percentage alive

  Number of cases2

  Numbers alive

  Percentage alive

  Area 1 G52, G53, G60, G78,

  G82, G83, G84

  117

  36

  30.7

  144

  48

  33.6

  Area 2 PA1-PA9

  176

  38

  21.8

  226

  59

  26.3

  Area 3 PA10-PA19

  133

  40

  30.4

  159

  60

  37.6

  Area 4 PA20-PA29

  65

  17

  25.6

  63

  24

  37.8

  Area 5 PA3O-PA39

  40

  14

  34.2

  48

  16

  32.5

  Area 6 PA40-PA49

  4

  1

  25.0

  2

  0

  0.0

  Area 7 PA60-PA69

  3

  2

  66.7

  4

  0

  0.0

  Area 8 PA7O-PA79

  6

  2

  33.3

  9

  2

  22.2

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board

  544

  150

  27.6

  655

  209

  31.9

  1 Excludes

  (i) second and subsequent primary tumours in any patient.

  (ii) registrations made from death certificate only.

  (iii) registrations where the vital status of the patient is unknown.

  (B) Cancer of the prostate (ICD-9 185) and female breast (ICD-9 174)

  Males

  Five years after diagnosis

  Females

  Five years after diagnosis

  Area of residence at diagnosis

  Number of cases2

  Numbers alive

  Percentage alive

  Number of cases2

  Numbers alive

  Percentage alive

  Area 1 G52, G53, G60, G78,

  G82, G83, G84

  71

  23

  32.0

  267

  154

  57.8

  Area 2 PA1-PA9

  155

  45

  29.2

  375

  214

  57.0

  Area 3 PA10-PA19

  121

  30

  24.8

  295

  151

  51.3

  Area 4 PA20-PA29

  45

  7

  14.8

  98

  47

  47.6

  Area 5 PA3O-PA39

  38

  14

  35.6

  69

  38

  54.5

  Area 6 PA40-PA49

  3

  2

  66.7

  18

  5

  27.8

  Area 7 PA60-PA69

  0

  —

  —

  3

  1

  33.3

  Area 8 PA7O-PA79

  2

  1

  50.0

  5

  4

  80.0

  Argyll and Clyde Health Board

  435

  121

  27.9

  1,130

  614

  54.3

  1 Excludes

  (i) second and subsequent primary tumours in any patient.

  (ii) registrations made from death certificate only.

  (iii) registrations where the vital status of the patient is unknown.
  588

  Disabled Living Centres
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all disabled living centres in Scotland; and how much his Department contributes to each of their budgets. [27767]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are six disabled living centres in Scotland, situated in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Grangemouth, Inverness, Paisley and St. Andrews. As DLCs are locally based, they are eligible to seek financial support from local statutory agencies. I understand that all six DLCs are funded by either local authorities or health boards.

  Prisoners (Suicide)
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the numbers of prisoners in Scotland committing acts of suicide and self-harm in each year since 1988. [27675]

  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 Mr. Michael Connarty, dated 14 June 1995:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question relating to the number of prisoners in Scotland committing acts of suicide and self-harm in each year since 1988.

  Year

  Number

  1988

  7

  1989

  6

  1990

  3

  1991

  4

  1992

  9

  1993

  5

  1994

  15

  A further death in custody in 1994 is subject to the findings of a Fatal Accident Inquiry, which is due to be held later this month.

  A1 Steering Group
  Mr. John Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times the A1 steering group has met during the last two years; what were the dates of the meetings; what were the principal items on the agenda; and if he will make a statement on the future of the Al steering group and his Department's representation on it. [27584]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The A1 steering group has met formally twice in the last two years on 22 February 1994 and 9 March 1995. The agenda covered road safety, traffic growth, progress with the promotion of road improvements, accident investigation and prevention measures and route management. The Government consider that the Al steering group provides a useful forum and propose to continue to sponsor annual meetings.

  Meat Hygiene Inspectors
  Mrs. Liddell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meat hygiene inspectors were employed by Scottish local authorities prior to the establishment of the Meat Hygiene Service. [28293]

  Sir Hector Monro
  A total of 125 meat hygiene inspectors were employed by Scottish local authorities prior to 1 April 1995 when the Meat Hygiene Service came into being.

  Mrs. Liddell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many inspectors are employed in Scotland following the establishment of the Meat Hygiene Service. [28292]

  Sir Hector Monro
  Currently 112 meat hygiene inspectors are employed in Scotland by the Meat Hygiene Service.

  School Meals
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the percentage and number of children receiving(a) free school meals and (b) parentally paid for school meals for the last 10 years. [28440]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested for education authority schools is as follows:

  Free meals

  Paid meals

  Year

  Number of pupils taking meals

  Percentage of all pupils present

  Number of pupils taking meals

  Percentage of all pupils present

  1985

  136,669

  18.2

  182,255

  24.2

  1986

  136,627

  18.6

  179,868

  24.5

  1987

  143,194

  19.6

  186,191

  25.5

  1988

  145,219

  19.9

  184,780

  25.3

  1989

  105,232

  14.8

  223,456

  31.3

  1990

  99,303

  14.1

  230,410

  32.7

  1991

  101,915

  14.6

  230,378

  33.0

  1992

  107,186

  15.4

  227,740

  32.8

  1993

  107,709

  15.7

  238,493

  34.7

  1994

  121,479

  16.7

  230,314

  31.7

  Source:

  Annual school meals census in January of each year.

  Local Authority Social Services
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will, list for each available year since 1970, the number of cases of assistance by local authority social services departments, showing separately for each year(a) the number of telephone installations, (b) telephone adaptions, (c) telephone rentals paid, (d) installations of other communications equipment, (e) television installations, (f) payment of television licences or rentals, (g) the number of radio sets provided, (h) the number of other personal aids provided, (i) the number of adaptions to property and (j) the number of holidays provided.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The table gives the number of cases of assistance between 1979 and 1993. Complete data prior to 1979 are not available. The categories match as closely as possible to those requested.
  591

  Material provision by Scottish Social Work Departments

  Number of cases, by year

  Year Ended

  Telephone installations

  Telephone attachments installed

  Telephone rentals paid

  Alarm systems installed (with and without speech)

  Television installations

  Payment of television licences or rentals

  Radio sets provided

  Aids to daily living

  Adaptations to property

  Holidays provided

  1979

  864

  n/a

  1,975

  n/a

  119

  2,796

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1980

  817

  n/a

  2,179

  n/a

  112

  3,316

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1981

  674

  n/a

  2,993

  n/a

  154

  3,874

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1982

  490

  n/a

  2,682

  n/a

  1301

  3,885

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1983

  526

  n/a

  2,016

  n/a

  156

  3,378

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1984

  674

  n/a

  2,032

  n/a

  0

  870

  n/a

  24,110

  219,387

  2,000

  1985

  751

  n/a

  2,140

  n/a

  129

  51

  n/a

  247,326

  21,276

  2,733

  19863

  733

  123

  2,233

  44,215

  35

  235

  117

  246,602

  19,510

  3,406

  19875

  833

  163

  4,486

  64,186

  27

  1,810

  89

  748,127

  19,328

  2,741

  19885

  913

  192

  2,013

  62,261

  33

  9,365

  89

  755,810

  21,418

  3,121

  19895

  372

  106

  1,294

  85,762

  4

  9,945

  47

  926,064

  11,022

  1,088

  199010

  508

  158

  1,249

  7,263

  2

  10,248

  13

  1128,894

  1112,556

  111,285

  199112

  350

  308

  1,116

  144,280

  3

  11,637

  81

  1337,832

  1312,550

  1,392

  199215

  394

  123

  276

  5,950

  6

  5,036

  104

  55,614

  31,304

  1,300

  199316

  346

  226

  288

  6,718

  1

  4,976

  81

  45,692

  28,910

  1,116

  1 Includes radio.

  2 Lothian figures for 1983.

  3 Strathclyde figures use 1985 figures for Glasgow.

  4 Excludes Strathclyde and Tayside.

  5 Strathclyde figures are for 1986.

  6 Excludes Strathclyde.

  7 Lothian figure estimated.

  8 Excludes Shetland.

  9 Lothian figures are for clients rather than cases.

  10 Excludes Strathclyde, and Central and Orkney figures for 1989.

  11 Lothian figures are for 1989, and adaptions and holidays figures are for West Lothian only.

  12 Excludes Strathclyde, and Borders figures for 1990.

  13 Lothian figures are for 1989 and the adaptations figure is for West Lothian only.

  14 Lothian figures are for 1990.

  15 Excludes Strathclyde and uses 1990 figures for Borders and 1991 figures for Fife.

  16 Excludes Strathclyde and Borders, and uses 1992 figures for Lothian.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the expenditure on personal social services for disabled people in each year since 1970. [28204]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information from 1980 to 1993 is available and is listed in the table. Figures are at cash value.

  Identifiable Gross Expenditure by local authorities on personal social services for disabled people: 1980–1993

  £000

  1992–93

  51,778

  1991–92

  43,059

  1990–91

  36,971

  1989–90

  33,011

  1988–89

  15,363

  1987–88

  14,090

  1986–87

  13,232

  1985–86

  13,036

  1984–85

  12,209

  1983–84

  10,085

  1982–83

  4,988

  1981–82

  4,436

  1980–81

  4,408

  1979–80

  3,203

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the payment of management allowances to general practitioner fundholders. [29147]
  592
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Payments of management allowances are made to fundholding practices to reimburse the additional costs incurred in directly managing National Health Service resources on behalf of their patients. Sections 87A to 87C of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 enable fundholders to receive an allotted sum determined in such manner and by reference to such factors as the Secretary of State may direct. Payments to fundholders for the sole purpose of management expenses should have been specified within the fundholding regulations. Amending regulations will be laid before Parliament shortly. Extra-statutory management allowance payments made in the period 1990–91 to 1994–95, estimated at around £9 million, and any subsequent payments made from 1 April 1995 until the statutory position is regularised have now been authorised.

  Railway Restructuring, Strathclyde
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision he is making for the additional costs being incurred by Strathclyde regional council and Strathclyde passenger transport executive as a result of the restructuring of the railways. [29148]

  Mr. Lang
  A special grant report has been laid before the House today for the payment of grant in 1995–96 to Strathclyde regional council. The purpose of the grant is to provide support to SRC for the additional costs falling to be met by it in the financial year 1995–96 for the railway passenger services provided by British Rail to Strathclyde passenger transport executive arising from the restructuring of railways in Great Britain in accordance with the Railways Act 1993.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Upper Limb Disorders
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants have taken legal action against each Department and agency as a result of work-related upper limb disorders for each year since 1990. [28117]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not held centrally.

  Charters (Compensation)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much the state has paid each year in compensation under the terms of each charter since their inception; how many claims for compensation have been made; and how many have resulted in a payment being made. [27560]

  Mr. Horam
  Information concerning compensation paid under the terms of each charter is not held centrally. However, Departments have provided the following figures:

  Table 1: Passenger's Charter

  £000

  Year

  Season ticket discounts

  Compensation

  Total

  1992–93

  85

  1,850

  1,900

  1993–94

  2,400

  2,300

  4,700

  1994–95

  200

  3,300

  3,500

  No figure is available for the number of claims.

  Season ticket discounts are made where train operating units have failed to meet its punctuality and reliability targets over a given period of time. Compensation is given as a result of claims concerning single journeys.

  Table 2: London Underground Customer's Charter

  Year

  Claims made

  Compensation paid £000

  August 1992 to March 1993

  23,763

  56

  1993–94

  142,071

  329

  1994–95

  252,692

  553

  Table 3: Taxpayer's Charter

  Year

  Claims

  Amount paid £

  1991–92

  286

  339

  1992–93

  743

  389

  1993–94

  800

  418

  1994–95

  1,107

  407

  594
  Inland Revenue does not centrally collect statistics on the total number of claims made; the figures given are for claims which resulted in payment. The Inland Revenue also gives other forms of financial redress for its mistakes or delays in handling taxpayers' affairs, by, for example deciding not to collect tax or interest which would otherwise be properly due under tax law.

  Table 4: Northern Ireland Rail Passenger's Charter

  Year

  Number of claims

  Amount paid £000

  1 January 1993-31 December 1993

  291

  1.5

  1 January 1994-31 December 1994

  728

  2.0

  1 January 1995-31 March 1995

  418

  1.4

  Totals

  1,437

  4.8

  Table 5: Northern Ireland Bus Passenger's Charter

  Year of charter

  Number of incidents

  Amount £000

  Complimentary ticket value £000

  1 April 1992-31 March 1993

  320

  0.3

  0.3

  1 April 1993-31 March 1994

  340

  0.5

  0.4

  1 April 1994-1 March 1995

  432

  0.6

  0.5

  1 April 1995-9 June 1995

  77

  0.3

  0.3

  Totals

  1,169

  1.7

  1.5

  Table 6: The Traveller's Charter

  Year

  Number of cases

  Compensation paid £000

  January 1992-March 1992

  37

  2.7

  April 1992-March 1993

  86

  6.4

  April 1993-March 1994

  96

  11.4

  April 1994-March 1995

  91

  5.1

  April 1995-May 1995

  15

  1.0

  In addition, Departments have a number of arrangements for paying compensation which are not directly linked to charters. These include the Department of Social Security's special payments arrangements set up in 1977. Figures are not yet available for 1994–95. However, in 1993–94, the Benefits Agency paid £3,143,491 in 7,631 compensation cases under these arrangements; the Contributions Agency paid out a total of £5,644 for seven cases.

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  Agriculture Council, 29 and 30 May
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  VJ Day Anniversary March Past
  VJ Day Anniversary March Past
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  Tobacco Tax Yield