Written Answers of 21 June 1995

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Farming Subsidies
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farm holdings receive subsidy payments, excluding environmental and hill livestock compensatory allowances, in excess of(a) £30,000, (b) £40,000 and (c) £50,000 per annum. [28354]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 13 June 1995]: Farm holdings can receive subsidy payments under one or several schemes. Those holdings in England receiving payments under the sheep annual premium, suckler cow premium, beef special premium and arable area payments schemes which either together or separately exceeded the totals stated for the 1994 scheme year are as follows:

  (a) £30,000: 10,857

  (b) £40,000: 7,219

  (c) £50,000: 5,055

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money would be saved if farm subsidy payments, excluding environmental and hill livestock compensatory allowances, were capped at a ceiling of(a)£30,000 per holding, (b)£40,000 per holding and (c)£50,000 per holding per annum. [28355]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 13 June 1995]:Farm holdings can receive subsidy payments under one or several schemes.

  The total sums paid under the sheep annual premium, suckler cow premium, beef special premium and arable area payments schemes, in respect of the 1995 scheme year, would have been reduced by the following amounts if the respective ceilings per holding had been applied:

  Ceiling applied per holding £

  Reduction in total payments £ million

  (a)

  30,000

  350.4

  (b)

  40,000

  261.7

  (c)

  50,000

  201.1

  Brent Spar
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what measure HMS Alderney is taking in respect of(a)monitoring pollution and (b)monitoring the activities of Greenpeace; [29181]

  (2) for what reasons HMS Alderney is following the Shell flotilla towing the Brent Spar; and what task it is undertaking. [29180]
  240
  Mr. Soames
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Royal Navy ship which has been deployed to the area of Brent Spar has been asked to monitor the general situation. It has been taking no measures beyond this specifically to monitor pollution or Greepeace activity.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how may(a)sheriff officers and (b)police officers are present on HMS Alderney on its current voyage following the Shell flotilla towing the Brent Spar. [29182]

  Mr. Soames
  I have been asked to reply.

  The answer is none.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Justices of the Peace
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the political profile of justices of the peace on all benches under his jurisdiction. [29481]

  Mr. David Hunt
  The political breakdown of justices of the peace for benches in the counties of Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside is as follows:

  Political profile of benches in the counties of Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside

  Conservative

  Labour

  Liberal Democrat

  Others uncommitted

  Lancashire

  Blackpool

  68

  31

  14

  30

  Fylde

  29

  7

  7

  9

  Wyre

  38

  13

  10

  7

  Preston

  53

  33

  3

  22

  Lancaster

  30

  19

  14

  20

  Chorley

  40

  12

  6

  15

  South Ribble

  33

  16

  4

  20

  Ormskirk

  46

  19

  7

  11

  Blackburn, Darwen and Ribble Valley

  49

  32

  10

  29

  Hyndburn

  22

  19

  3

  10

  Burnley and Pendle

  67

  40

  17

  36

  Rossendale

  27

  11

  4

  5

  Greater Manchester

  Bolton

  83

  44

  16

  48

  Bury

  62

  26

  20

  33

  Manchester

  122

  104

  59

  74

  Oldham

  62

  49

  32

  50

  Rochdale

  29

  19

  35

  27

  Middleton and Heywood

  26

  23

  11

  19

  Salford

  61

  47

  21

  34

  Stockport

  73

  35

  30

  44

  Tameside

  81

  40

  14

  48

  Trafford

  50

  26

  20

  26

  Wigan

  62

  40

  12

  49

  Leigh

  26

  28

  3

  29

  Merseyside

  Knowsley

  45

  39

  27

  24

  Liverpool

  171

  76

  89

  62

  North Sefton

  45

  2

  19

  45

  South Sefton

  50

  25

  22

  30

  St. Helens

  41

  18

  18

  50

  Wirral

  123

  49

  36

  55

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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 now 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. [28509]

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

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage of parliamentary questions, which would have been answered directly by him or his Ministers prior to the establishment of executive agencies, are now referred to the chief executive of such an agency. [28499]

  Mr. David Hunt
  Ministers are accountable to Parliament for all matters concerning their agencies. Written parliamentary questions concerning matters which have been delegated to the chief executive of an executive agency in its framework document normally receive a reply from the Minister to the effect that he or she has asked the chief executive to reply direct to the Member by letter. The chief executive's letter is published in Hansard after the Minister's reply.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 14 June,Official Report, column 519, what was the total amount of fraudulent legal aid claims made by solicitors in each of the last five years; how much was recovered in each year; and how many cases resulted in criminal prosecutions and conviction. [29707]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It is not possible to quantify the total amount of fraudulent legal aid claims made by solicitors in each of the last five years. This is because there may well be an element within the total amount of the claims under suspicion which may relate to work actually and reasonably done by the solicitor. In addition,

  Table 1: Details of judiciary in post as at 1 June 1995

  Number

  Men

  Women

  Barrister1

  Solicitor

  Black/Asian

  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

  12

  12

  0

  12

  0

  0

  Lords Justices

  32

  31

  1

  32

  0

  0

  Heads of division (excludes Lord Chancellor)

  4

  4

  0

  4

  0

  0

  High court judges

  95

  89

  6

  94

  1

  0

  Circuit judges (include official referees)

  514

  483

  31

  455

  59

  3

  Recorders

  927

  872

  55

  833

  94

  10

  Assistant recorders (excludes assistant recorders in training)

  334

  284

  50

  270

  64

  8

  Stipendiary magistrates

  87

  76

  11

  36

  51

  1

  242
  it is very difficult to identify fraud separately from claims made outside the regulations either through abuse, misuse, ignorance or incompetence. The number of cases involving solicitors and/or their employees prosecuted in the past five years is shown in the table, together with the outcome of those proceedings:

  Financial year

  Cases

  Number of solicitors/employees Prosecuted

  Outcome

  1990–91

  3

  7

  4 convictions

  3 acquittals

  1991–92

  2

  3

  3 convictions

  1992–93

  2

  2

  1 conviction

  1 acquittal

  1993–94

  4

  4

  3 convictions

  1 acquittal

  1994–95

  1

  1

  1 jury failed to agree—acquitted at retrial

  The amounts recovered either by order of the court or by the board's investigation section, in each of the last five years were as follows:

  1990–91: £50,331

  1991–92: £2,853

  1992–93: £20,153

  1993–94: £143,001

  1994–95: £524,276

  Judiciary
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will update the information given in his answer of 7 February 1994,Official Report, column 11, to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North regarding the composition of the judiciary. [28889]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information relating to numbers of men, women, barristers and solicitors in post, correct as at 1 June 1995, is set out in table 1. The figures for black and Asian office holders are believed to be correct, but the formal recording of the ethnic background of applicants for judicial office began only on 1 October 1991, so such information may be incomplete. Aggregated information is not generally kept on the average ages of judges. The information supplied on 7 February 1994 was available as a result of a special exercise, which has not since been repeated, and no new information is readily available. Aggregated information is not generally kept about the educational background of judges, but the results of a recent special exercise in relation to the university background of the more senior levels of the judiciary, as at 26 May 1995, is set out in table 2.
  243

  Table 1: Details of judiciary in post as at 1 June 1995

  Number

  Men

  Women

  Barrister1

  Solicitor

  Black/Asian

  Industrial tribunal chairmen2

  80

  70

  10

  34

  46

  2

  Value added tax chairmen2

  4

  4

  0

  3

  1

  0

  Social security appeal tribunal chairmen2

  42

  31

  11

  13

  29

  1

  1 Or member of the faculty of advocates.

  2 The figures relate to full-time chairmen.

  University backgrounds As at 26 May 1995

  Oxbridge

  Other University

  College

  None

  Total

  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

  8

  4

  0

  0

  12

  Lord Justices

  26

  5

  1

  0

  32

  Heads of division (excludes Lord Chancellor)

  3

  1

  0

  0

  4

  High court judges

  78

  14

  0

  3

  95

  Circuit judges (includes Official Referees)

  264

  180

  38

  36

  158

ENVIRONMENT

  National Rivers Authority
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had over the future of the NRA within the proposed environment agency. [28045]

  Mr. Gummer
  The integrated environment agency has been welcomed in all parts of the House and by the environmental bodies. We are now consulting on the options for the geographical and managerial structure.

  Empty Houses
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest information he has on the number of empty houses in England. [28047]

  Mr. Gummer
  Local authorities estimated in their 1994 housing investment programme returns that there are some 845,000 empty properties in England.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he proposes to assist council leaseholders of former council high-rise dwellings with service charges. [28048]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration announced on Monday the introduction of a package of measures to help local authorities to assist leaseholders, including a good practice guide on service charges, a more flexible form of mortgage indemnity agreement and an exchange sale scheme.

  35. Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses have been bought by their tenants under right-to-buy legislation; and if he will make a statement. [28065]

  Mr. Curry
  In England, almost 1.25 million homes have been sold under the right to buy up to the end of 1994. The figure for Great Britain as a whole is more than 1.6 million.

  House Repossessions
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses were repossessed in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [28050]

  Mr. Curry
  Figures published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders show that the number of properties taken into possession in each year since 1990 is as follows:

  1990: 43,890

  1991: 75,540

  1992: 68,540

  1993: 58,540

  1994: 49,210

  These figures show that the number of properties taken into possession in 1994 was the lowest since 1990 and 35 per cent. lower than the peak in 1991.

  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the number of households likely to lose their home through repossession for mortgage arrears in the next 12 months. [28054]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The Government do not make predictions about future levels of repossessions, but I am pleased to note from the latest figures published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders that the number of properties taken into possession in 1994 was the lowest since 1990 and 25 per cent. lower than the peak in 1991.

  Social Housing
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the likely need for social housing in Britain up to 2001. [28052]

  Mr. Curry
  The analysis released by the Department last month to the Environment Select Committee suggests the additional demand for new social lettings lies within the range 60,000 to 100,000 units a year.

  Planning Policy
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding his review of planning policy. [28053]
  245
  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer the hon. Member to my oral answer to the hon. Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson) earlier today.

  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the implementation of planning policy guidance notes 6 and 13. [28064]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  PPG6 is currently being revised. I hope to issue it for consultation next month. A guide to better practice, to help implement PPG13, will be issued in the early autumn. Research is under way to monitor the implementation of PPG13.

  Mr. Hoon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding his review of planning policy. [28049]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The only review that my right hon. Friend proposes is to revise PPG6, on which he has received a number of representations.

  Water Metering
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had about compulsory water metering of the business premises by North West Water. [28057]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None.

  Regional Government
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the need to introduce regional government in the east of England. [28058]

  Mr. Gummer
  I have received no representations on this issue.

  Energy Conservation
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated amount of energy saved, to date, as a result of his Department's "Wasting Energy Costs the Earth" campaign. [28059]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The "Wasting Energy Costs the Earth" campaign, launched in October last year, aims to raise public awareness and encourages action to save energy in the home, as part of the United Kingdom's climate change programme. A full assessment of the campaign's effectiveness will be made when it is completed.

  Standard Spending Assessment, St. Helens
  Mr. John Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will pay an official visit to St. Helens to discuss standard spending assessments. [28062]

  Mr. Gummer
  I have no plans to visit St Helens. If there are any proposals that St. Helens wishes to make as to how the standard spending assessment methodology could be improved, I suggest that these are passed to the Association of Metropolitan Authorities for discussion at the SSA sub-group.

  Landfill
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the implications for the United Kingdom of the recent changes made in the EU draft directive on landfill of waste by the European Parliament in report A-4 0082/95. [28066]

  Mr. Atkins
  There are no implications for the United Kingdom of the report to the European Parliament by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection. This recommended acceptance of the Council's proposal to amend the legal basis of the draft landfill directive from article 100A of the treaty of Rome to article 130S. The United Kingdom supported this change in Council. The European Parliament has now agreed to the change of legal base.

  Private Rents
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average rent paid by tenants of private landlords; and what the figure was in 1978–79 in actual and real terms. [28055]

  Mr. Curry
  The average weekly rent paid by tenants of private landlords in England is £60. The average weekly rent in 1978–79 was £6.30, equivalent to £17 a week at 1993–94 prices.

  Air Quality
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to reduce levels of air pollution in London. [28056]

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government have put forward amendments to the Environment Bill to implement a new framework for air quality management, and will publish later this year their draft national strategy for improving air quality throughout the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for revising the air quality banding system in order to make it readily understandable by the public. [29489]

  Mr. Atkins
  I shall shortly be publishing a consultation paper proposing revisions to the Department of the Environment's air quality bulletin service.

  Rural Water and Sewerage Services
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce what action the Government intend to take on the recommendations in the review of rural water supply and sewerage in England and Wales following the consultation exercise on the review's findings last year. [30236]

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government accept the review's recommendations affecting existing development. In taking them forward, my right hon. Friend will be introducing today into the Environment Bill amendments to the Water Industry Act 1991. These will put a new requirement on sewerage undertakers to provide public sewers to be used for the drainage for domestic purposes of premises in any locality in its area where there are problems arising from the existing system, and mains connection is the most satisfactory and most effective solution.
  247
  In the event of any dispute, there will be a right to apply to the new Environment Agency to rule on whether there is a case for extending the mains sewerage network. The agency will also have the power to direct a statutory sewerage undertaker to extend the mains sewerage network in a locality by a due date. The costs will be spread across all the customers for the area of that undertaker. It is intended that these powers will relate only to existing properties and will not cover future development. The Government will issue guidance to sewerage undertakers and the agency on how to address these issues.

  From the date the provisions come into force, section 151 of the Water Industry Act 1991, which makes provision for the current grant regime, will be repealed and the Government will no longer pay grant towards first-time mains water supply and sewerage, but provision will be made to allow for existing commitments to be met. The reason for this is that the Government consider that mains water connection has reached its natural limits, and that better provisions are required for first-time sewerage services.

  The Government will be pursuing those recommendations arising from the review which relate to the issue of further guidance about the potential problems from new development served by non-mains sewerage, and how best to prevent those problems.

  In addition, other recommendations arising from the review will also be pursued, including discussing with the Director General of Water Services the operation of inset appointments and encouraging the environment agency to continue the detailed mapping of groundwater vulnerability.

  Privatisation
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those parts of his Department or departmental agencies which were privatised without an in-house bid; if he will indicate the expertise which was absent in his Department or departmental agencies which prevented an in-house bid taking place; which future parts of his Department or departmental agencies he intends to privatise; and which of them do not have the necessary in-house expertise to mount an in-house bid. [29421]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Since April 1992, the Department's agencies, Property Holdings and the Planning Inspectorate, strategically contracted out—that is, without an in-house bid—two areas of work:

  Property Holdings: Professional Property Services

  Planning Inspectorate: IT Project Management

  All the central Department's activities under the "Competing for Quality" initiative so far have involved in-house bids.

  No decisions have been taken on which additional areas of work may be suitable for contracting out without an in-house bid.

  Contracting out without an in-house bid can occur for example when a Department judges that the private sector is clearly better equipped to deliver a specific service, has a better understanding of market needs or has capacity to invest in new technology. A strategic decision to contract
  248
  out could also be taken where an activity has not previously been performed in-house or where an activity may be relatively small and peripheral to a Department's functions.

  Community Charge Registers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the number of times per year addresses were changed on the community charges registers held by London boroughs during the operation of the poll tax; and if he will make a statement. [29768]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  None. The maintenance of community charge registers was a matter for local authorities.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sits of special scientific interest have been(a) wholly and (b) partially affected by residential, industrial or other development in the past 10 years. [29643]

  Mr. Atkins
  The information is not available in the form requested. Between 1 April 1984 and 31 March 1991 statistical information on damage to SSSIs in Great Britain is set out in the annual reports of the former Nature Conservancy Council. Since 1 April 1991 similar detail for England is contained in English Nature's annual reports. Copies of annual reports are in the Library.

  Local Government, Wiltshire
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will implement in full the recommendations for Wiltshire of the Local Government Commission, with particular reference to parish council status to the city of Salisbury. [28233]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We expect to announce shortly our decisions on a number of the commission's recommendations concerning new parishes, including that for Salisbury.

  As to the commission's other recommendations for Wiltshire, the draft Wiltshire (Borough of Thamesdown) (Structural Change) Order, which provides for change to the structure of local government in Thamesdown on 1 April 1997 and other associated matters, was laid before Parliament on 15 June 1995. Subject to approval of that order, my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary intends in due course to lay before Parliament an order giving effect to the commission's recommendation for a combined fire authority. We intend to give effect to the commission's recommendations for ceremonial matters in a statutory instrument to be laid before Parliament later this year. Other recommendations are for the local authorities themselves to take forward.

  Riding Schools (Rates)
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from riding school proprietors about the rates they pay; what subsequent action he is proposing to take; and if he will make a statement. [28548]
  249
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I have received four such representations since the beginning of last year. I have no plans for action in this area.

  Natterjack Toads
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new proposals he has to multiply and improve the habitats of natterjack toads. [29302]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The natterjack toad has been the subject of a three-year English Nature species recovery programme, which is due to end in June 1995. English Nature will continue to participate, in co-operation with the Herpetological Conservation Trust, in conservation and repopulation measures identified in a consequential 10-year management plan.

  Airport Noise Abatement Grants
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list the airports outside London that have received European grants for noise abatement; [24980]
  250
  (2) how much by way of European grants was paid for noise abatement to each airport in respect of (a) London airports and (b) airports outside London. [24981]

  Mr. Norris
  I am answering these questions on behalf of my hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.

  We have no record of European grant being paid for noise abatement to any airport in the UK.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many representations he has received(a) for and (b) against the size of the jackpot in the national lottery. [29105]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 20 June 1995]: I have received many representations about the size of the national lottery jackpots. It is not possible to determine the number for or against the size of the jackpot without incurring disproportionate cost.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the figures for each month since the launch of the Child Support Agency of(a) the amount of child maintenance assessed by the Agency as payable and (b) the amount payable under arrangements carried over from before the launch of the agency; and how much of each amount was paid (i) directly to the parent with care and (ii) via the agency. [27947]

  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 shortly.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 21 June 1995:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about maintenance assessed by the Child Support Agency.
  Monthly information in the form you request is only available for maintenance arising from CSA assessments in cases where the parents are using the Agency collection service. This is set out in the attached table.
  However, these figures do not show the whole picture, as they do not include maintenance paid direct between parents who do not use the Agency's collection service. Although this information is now being collected, figures are not available for 1993/94 or broken down on a monthly basis for 1994/95. We do however, estimate that between April 1994 and March 1995, around £111 million arising from CSA assessments was assessed as payable and actually paid in this way.
  The total maintenance assessed and paid arising from CSA assessments for the 1994/95 year was therefore £615.77 million and £185.24 million respectively.
  Comparable figures are not available for maintenance paid under pre-CSA arrangements, as in these cases it is only necessary for information to be collected on the amount of maintenance paid that offsets benefit spending.
  I hope this is helpful.

  £ per week

  Standard rate of basic retirement pension for people under 80

  Value at April 1995 prices

  Single1

  Married couple2

  Single1

  Married couple2

  November 1979

  23.30

  37.30

  57.62

  92.24

  November 1980

  27.15

  43.45

  58.22

  93.18

  November 1981

  29.60

  47.35

  56.69

  90.69

  November 1982

  32.85

  52.55

  59.21

  94.72

  November 1983

  34.05

  54.50

  58.54

  93.70

  November 1984

  35.80

  57.30

  58.65

  93.87

  November 1985

  38.30

  61.30

  59.50

  95.22

  July 1986

  38.70

  61.95

  59.13

  94.66

  April 1987

  39.50

  63.25

  57.81

  92.58

  April 1988

  41.15

  65.90

  57.95

  92.81

  April 1989

  43.60

  69.80

  56.84

  90.99

  April 1990

  46.90

  75.10

  55.86

  89.45

  April 1991

  52.00

  83.25

  58.21

  93.19

  252

  Annex A: Maintenance arising from CSA assessments

  £ million

  Assessed and scheduled for payment via agency collection service

  Paid via agency collection service

  Total 1993–94

  107.54

  12.57

  April 1994

  27.82

  3.70

  May 1994

  30.43

  4.04

  June 1994

  32.33

  4.66

  July 1994

  43.31

  4.80

  August 1994

  42.64

  5.75

  September 1994

  47.41

  6.10

  October 1994

  44.81

  6.47

  November 1994

  45.95

  7.03

  December 1994

  53.98

  7.09

  January 1995

  43.56

  7.85

  February 1995

  43.48

  7.66

  March 1995

  49.05

  9.09

  Total 1994–95

  504.77

  74.24

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many absent parents are making child support payments by way of deduction of earnings orders. [29521]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 21 June 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the number of absent parents who are making child support payments via Deduction from Earnings Orders (DEO).
  Since launch to the end of March 1995, the Agency has issued over 34,000 DEOs Aggregated information is now available on the number of DEOs that have been honoured since 18 November 1994. Of the 15,600 DEOs issued from that date to the end of March 1995, payments have been received in relation to 5,800. Due to the processes involved in the implementation of a DEO, a number of the DEOs issued towards the end of 1994/95 would not have been implemented by employers before the end of March 1995.
  I hope this is helpful.

  State Retirement Pension
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the value of the state retirement pension in real terms, for each year since 1979. [29550]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is in the table:
  253

  £ per week

  Standard rate of basic retirement pension for people under 80

  Value at April 1995 prices

  Single1

  Married couple2

  Single1

  Married couple2

  April 1992

  54.15

  86.70

  58.13

  93.07

  April 1993

  56.10

  89.80

  59.45

  95.17

  April 1994

  57.60

  92.10

  59.52

  95.17

  April 1995

  58.85

  94.10

  58.85

  94.10

  1 Man or woman on own insurance.

  2 Man plus wife on his insurance.

  Income Support, North Wales
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the amount recovered by claimants by way of arrears of supplementary benefit in the area covered by the Wrexham and North Wales Coast district benefits agency for each of the last 12 months for which figures are available. [29706]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

HEALTH

  Respiratory Illness
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the number of people who died because of asthma and respiratory illness in each of the last five years. [29089]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information for England and Wales is shown in the table.

  Numbers of deaths certified as due to asthma, ICD9 code 493, and diseases of the respiratory system, ICD9 code 460–519 inclusive, in the last five years.

  Year

  Deaths certified as due to diseases of the respiratory system (ICD9 code 460–519)

  Deaths certified as due to Year asthma (ICD9 code 493)

  1993

  90,745

  1,690

  1992

  60,388

  1,790

  1991

  63,237

  1,884

  1990

  61,018

  1,858

  1989

  66,712

  1,957

  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the top 10 districts where expenditure on prescriptions are the highest for(a)asthma treatment and (b)other respiratory conditions. [29088]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is shown in the tables. They list those family health services authorities in which total expenditure is greatest, which could reflect the size of the family health services authorities, and do not show where the expenditure per head of population is greatest.
  254

  The top 10 family health services authorities in terms of net ingredient cost for drugs and appliances used in the treatment of asthma

  England 1994

  Rank

  Family health services authority

  1

  Lancashire

  2

  Hampshire

  3

  Essex

  4

  Kent

  5

  Devon

  6

  Nottinghamshire

  7

  Staffordshire

  8

  Birmingham

  9

  Cheshire

  10

  Derbyshire

  1. Drugs used in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system are contained in the British National Formulary chapter 3. Drugs used in the treatment of asthma are contained in the British National Formulary sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3. Some of the drugs may be used for other conditions.

  2. Data cover all prescriptions dispensed by chemist and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and personal administration.

  The top 10 family health services authorities in terms of net ingredient cost for drugs used in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system excluding those used in treatment of asthma

  England 1994

  Rank

  Family health services authority

  1

  Essex

  2

  Lancashire

  3

  Kent

  4

  Hampshire

  5

  Birmingham

  6

  Humberside

  7

  Hertfordshire

  8

  Surrey

  9

  Leicestershire

  10

  Cheshire

  1. Drugs used in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system are contained in the British National Formulary chapter 3. Drugs used in the treatment of asthma are contained in the British National Formulary sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3. Some of the drugs may be used for other conditions.

  2. Data cover all prescriptions dispensed by chemist and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and personal administration.

  Temazepam
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies her Department has made of the possible negative effects of using temazepam without a prescription, with special reference to the injection of the drug; what assessment she has made of whether other benzodiazepines are more effective in the treatment of anxiety and sleeplessness than temazepam; what information and educational material is currently available to the general public concerning the ill effects of illegal
  255
  use of temazepam; to what degree this information is available; and if she will make a statement. [29247]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department has commissioned research on the impact of prescription drug leakage on the illicit drug market, including on the risk behaviours associated with injecting prescription drugs. It is due to be completed in late 1996.

  It is for doctors treating patients for anxiety and sleeplessness to decide which benzodiazepine, if any, would be the most effective for individual patients. Doctors have access to information about the effects of benzodiazepine prescribing in the British National Formulary, copies of which are in the Library. The Department issues this to all doctors free of charge.

  General information on the ill-effects of the misuse of benzodiazepines, including temazepam, is given in the leaflets "Drugs and Solvent Misuse—A Basic Briefing" and "Drugs and Solvents: Things You Should Know" which is targeted at young people. These are widely available and, together with similar leaflets produced for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, can be ordered free of charge through the national drugs helpline service, telephone 0800 77 66 00. Local health authorities and boards or other agencies may produce their own educational materials.

  The Mental Health Foundation booklet "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Benzodiazepine Dependence", which contains information about the risks of benzodiazepines, drew attention to the potential for misuse of these drugs and for diversion of supplies to illicit markets. The booklet, copies of which are available in the Library, was circulated to all English family health services authorities in March 1994 under cover of a letter which gave Departmental endorsement to the guidelines and recommended their use by general practitioners wishing to help patients who may be dependent on benzodiazepines to shift gradually to non-prescribing interventions.

  The Department is considering what further advice should be issued to FHSAs on the powers they have to examine controlled drug prescribing and to clinicians on the prescribing of benzodiazepine and related drugs.

  Speech Therapists
  Mr. Benton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take action to unfreeze the posts for speech therapists required for special education needs in Bootle. [29321]

  Mr. Malone
  This is a matter for Sefton health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. F. R. Ludlow, chairman of the health authority, for details.

  Residential Care Charges
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about the treatment of occupational pensions by local authorities when the recipient enters residential accommodation leaving a spouse remaining in the community. [30505]

  Mr. Bowis
  We have been looking carefully and sympathetically at this issue. While our guidance to social services departments makes it clear that they can exercise 256
  discretion when applying the charging rules to care home residents with occupational pensions, they are not at present required to disregard a portion of that occupational pension in order to provide for a spouse remaining at home. We have now decided in principle that the local authority charging regulations should be amended so as to disregard half the occupational pension when a husband or wife enters a residential care or nursing home in order to help their spouse remaining at home. The Department will be consulting with the interested parties, including the local authority associations, about the details of implementing this proposal. At the same time, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security will be taking forward a similar proposal in respect of people who were in residential care or nursing homes on 31 March 1993 and who have preserved rights to the higher levels of income support.

  Special Hospitals
  Sir Malcolm Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement about the future management of special hospitals. [30595]

  Mr. Bowis
  We have decided on a number of important changes in the organisation and funding of high security psychiatric services provided by the three special hospitals, Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton. Their purpose is to integrate special hospital services more closely with mainstream mental health services while fully maintaining the protection of the public, staff and patients themselves. They build on the substantial improvements in quality and effectiveness of services that have been achieved by the Special Hospitals Service Authority since it was set up in 1989.

  The changes take account of the recommendations of the expert group, chaired by Dr. John Reed CB, on high security and related psychiatric provision whose report was published in July 1994. I announced then that we were asking officials to examine further the group's recommendations and advise on what changes, if any, should be made in the funding, management and deployment of the services. In doing this, they were to pay particular regard to Ministers' obligations to maintain the security and quality of the services and to achieve value for money. The decisions I am announcing today have been taken in the light of this further advice.

  The key features of the new arrangements that we are introducing are:
  a national high security psychiatric services commissioning board within the NHS executive, which will be responsible for commissioning services provided by the special hospitals. It will advise and be accountable to Ministers through the chief executive of the national health service executive and include representation from NHS purchasers, the Welsh Office, Home Office, Prison Service and the present Special Hospitals Service Authority;
  the establishment of three new special health authorities which will be responsible for managing services provided by the special hospitals;
  the establishment of a co-ordinated structure of commissioning arrangements for secure psychiatric services from the special hospitals to those provided at local level.

  Further details are contained in a paper entitled "High Security Psychiatric Services—Changes in Funding and

  257
  Organisation" which is being published today, copies of which are available in the Library.

  This will bring high-security services much more closely into line with the arrangements for other NHS services through:

  separation of responsibility for commissioning and provision of high security services:
  This will extend to the special hospitals the benefits which have been achieved in the NHS generally through the separation of the purchasing and providing functions. The hospitals will concentrate on improving the quality and effectiveness of service delivery. The new commissioning board will be responsible for assessing national needs for psychiatric care in conditions of high security and contracting for services to meet those needs;

  local management for the three special hospitals:
  will give greater responsibility to the people who work in each hospital so that they are able to develop the organisation in ways that best meet the needs of their patients and respond quickly on day-to-day matters affecting patients and staff;

  better integration of high security services with other parts of the mental health services:
  will help to reduce, both for patients and staff, the isolation of the special hospitals and the impediment this presents to improving the quality and effectiveness of their services. This includes the removal of financial and organisational barriers which have tended to impede the movement of patients through services in accordance with their clinical and security needs. It will also allow freer movement of staff between the hospitals and other NHS employment. It will support the reshaping of existing patterns of services in accordance with assessed patients needs;

  direct involvement of local NHS health purchasers in commissioning high security services:
  will ensure that the needs of patients requiring high security are better understood and strategies to meet their continuing care needs are built into local mental health service development plans. This will help secure the most effective use of available resources to provide high- quality services at the level of security required.

  The new arrangements will take effect on 1 April 1996. At that point, the Special Hospitals Service Authority will cease to be responsible for the management of special hospital services and we intend to take the necessary steps to abolish it. I should like to take this opportunity of paying tribute to the chairman, Mrs. Anne-Marie Nelson, her predecessor Dr. David Edmond, the members of the authority, and all its staff for the invaluable work that they have done in the past six years in improving and modernising the services of the special hospitals.

  The new arrangements will incorporate special provisions for funding, commissioning and regulation to maintain the degree of central oversight which is essential for high security services. The chief executive of the NHS executive is putting in hand the necessary preparatory work to enable the change to be implemented from April 1996.

  I recognise that the period of change will be a challenging one for the staff of the authority and the hospitals. The authority is arranging for there to be full discussion with staff and patients about the implications of the changes for them. I have complete confidence in their commitment and dedication to ensure that the quality of the service they provide is fully maintained as the changes proceed.
  258
  Our task now is to consolidate the authority's past successes and develop a service for the future which can respond to the full range of patients' needs, meet the aspirations and potential of staff and work effectively with other secure psychiatric services, while continuing to ensure the protection the wider public rightly expects. I believe that the changes I have announced today create the framework we need for achieving this.

  Appetite Suppressants
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she has to reduce the availability of appetite suppressant drugs. [29305]

  Mr. Sackville
  Proposals are being considered to limit the availability of appetite suppressants by way of an order under section 62 of the Medicines Act 1968 to situations in which there exists a clear medical need for such products. The Medicines Control Agency is currently consulting those with an interest in this subject on the form that such an order might take.

  Hip Replacements
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average cost in real terms of hip prostheses to the national health service in each of the last 12 years. [29300]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available centrally.

  Multiple Births
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many sets of(a)twins, (b)triplets, (c)quadruplets, (d)quintuplets and (e)sextuplets were born in England in each year from 1990 to 1994; what was the total number of maternities in England in each year; how many multiple births were conceived as a result of (i) in vitro fertilisation, (ii) gamete intra-fallopian transfer and (iii) other forms of assisted conception; and if she will make a statement. [29529]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information on multiple and total maternities is shown in the table.

  England

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Twins

  7,537

  7,739

  7,883

  7,897

  8,014

  Triplets

  190

  201

  192

  225

  249

  Quadruplets

  9

  10

  8

  11

  8

  Quintuplets

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Sextuplets

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Septuplets

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total number of maternities with multiple births

  7,736

  7,951

  8,084

  8,134

  8,271

  All maternities

  662,048

  655,703

  646,266

  631,710

  624,004

  The table excludes those maternities to mothers resident outside England and Wales.

  Figures relating to multiple births following assisted conception are contained in the Human Fertilisation and

  259
  Embryology Authority annual report, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Edgware General Hospital
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to visit Edgware general hospital in the near future; and if she will meet a deputation of local residents and medical staff during her visit. [29752]

  Mr. Malone
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to visit Edgware hospital at present.

  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make it her policy to review the proposed closure in April 1997 of Edgware general hospital accident and emergency unit when her Department receives medical evidence of up-to-date local requirements; [29753]

  (2) if she will list the replacement services for the local community to be undertaken by the relevant health authorities after the closure in April 1997 of the accident and emergency department of Edgware general hospital. [29751]

  Mr. Malone
  No. Barnet health authority has a duty to ensure that residents have a comprehensive health service meeting the full range of their needs effectively and safely. Edgware hospital's accident and emergency department will not close until alternative facilities are available and capable of providing an improved service to patients.

  A new minor accident treatment service is being established on the Edgware site and will provide modern and effective services for local residents. Full-scale accident and emergency services will be provided at the redeveloped Barnet hospital, as well as at Northwick Park and the Royal Free. A primary care investment fund, amounting to £17 million, has been established to improve family doctor and community services in the area.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the annual costs of carrying out competitive tendering processes in the national health service since their introduction. [29705]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  General Practitioner Lists
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients(a) in each region and (b) in England were removed from general practitioners' lists in the latest available year; how many and what proportion of these were de-registered at the request of their GP; and how many patients in England were de-registered at the request of their GP in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [29700]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on the removal of patients is available only for 1992–93, and I refer the hon. Member to the answer that the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis), gave him on 20 July at columns 368–70.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the annual cost of carrying out market-testing processes in the national health service since their introduction. [29704]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Gorton Medical Centre
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her reply of 16 May,Official Report, column 167, with regard to Gorton medical centre, if she will state the latest position both with regard to the judgment of the High Court and with regard to financial assistance to improve the premises of the centre. [29969]

  Mr. Malone
  We are still considering the implications of the judgment of the High Court.

  Officials at Manchester family health services authority have recently received a copy of plans from the doctors at Gorton medical centre regarding the proposed work to improve their practice premises. The authority will now consider what financial assistance can be provided and the right hon. Member may wish to contact Professor Joan Higgins, chairman of Manchester FHSA, about future progress in this connection.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Treasury Counsel Fees
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 22 May,Official Report, column 451, how much each Treasury counsel retained for civil work received in fees from public funds in 1994–95; of the Treasury counsel based at the central criminal court, how many received between (i) £250,000 to £300,000, (ii) £300,000 to £350,000, (iii) £350,000 to £400,000, (iv) £400,000 to £500,000, (v) in excess of £500,000 from the Crown Prosecution Service for financial year 1994–95. [29928]

  The Attorney-General
  The Treasury Solicitor's Department paid each of the two Treasury counsel retained for Government civil work between £200,000 and £250,000 in the financial year 1994–95. However, Treasury counsel will also have received fees from other Government Departments and agencies which have instructed them direct. The total fees paid to Treasury counsel from public funds could be calculated only at disproportionate cost.

  On the information currently available, of the Treasury counsel based at the central criminal court the following numbers received payments from the Crown Prosecution Service during the financial year 1994–95 in the following bands:

  Number

  (i) £250,000 to £300,000

  3

  (ii) £300,000 to £350,000

  1

  (iii) £350,000 to £400,000

  0

  (iv) £400,000 to £500,000

  1

  (v) in excess of £500,000

  1

  All figures are inclusive of value added tax.

TREASURY

  Crown Immunity
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all areas within(a) his Department, (b) agencies under his Department's control and (c) organisations for which he has ministerial responsibility to which Crown immunity applies; what consideration he has given to removing this; and if he will make a statement. [28657]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  [holding answer 15 June 1995]: The reference to the Crown immunity in the question is taken to refer to legislation that does not bind the Crown. Certain legislation is expressly applied to the Crown. In most legislation, however, particularly older legislation, there is no such express provision. In those circumstances, whether legislation applies to the Crown will depend upon the implications to be drawn from the drafting and context of the legislation.

  Lloyd's
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his estimates of the(a) total tax assessed and (b) total tax refunded in respect of profits or losses made by the underwriting members of Lloyd's of London in each of the years since 1977–78. [28673]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 15 June 1995]: The available information is shown in the table, and covers (a) the total tax charged on initial assessments, including estimated assessments, made during each tax year on underwriting profits and gains and (b) the total of income tax and capital gains tax repaid to Lloyd's underwriters by the underwriters unit of Inland Revenue in each tax year, including any repayment supplement attracted by the tax refunded.

  £ million

  Tax year

  (a) Initial assessments

  (b) Repayments

  1977–78

  43.6

  not available

  1978–79

  53.0

  not available

  1979–80

  60.5

  not available

  1980–81

  72.1

  not available

  1981–82

  75.9

  not available

  1982–83

  96.3

  24.3

  1983–84

  146.9

  85.6

  1984–85

  153.5

  87.1

  1985–86

  182.7

  62.0

  1986–87

  204.0

  160.3

  1987–88

  152.5

  155.6

  1988–89

  157.3

  157.7

  1989–90

  308.9

  118.2

  1990–91

  228.2

  91.0

  1991–92

  101.8

  126.7

  1992–93

  10.3

  386.6

  1993–94

  3.7

  479.1

  1994–95

  8.9

  375.4

  BMARC
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the findings of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise will be presented to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury following its investigation into breaches of export control by BMARC. [29352]
  262
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 19 June 1995]: No.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the terms of the reference and subject matter of the HM Customs and Excise inquiry into BMARC. [29484]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Customs and Excise is an independent prosecuting authority of the Crown and conducts investigations to determine whether there is a basis for instituting criminal proceedings in relation to alleged breaches of, inter alia, statutory export and import controls.

  In that capacity, it is for the commissioners to determine the subject matter and extent of any investigation and, in relation to the BMARC allegations, the Department is actively following up information received.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last reviewed the threshold figure for the definition of proportionate cost in relation to parliamentary questions. [29362]

  Mr. Nelson
  The disproportionate cost threshold for answering written parliamentary questions was last reviewed in February 1995. I concluded that costs had not increased sufficiently since the previous review to warrant raising the threshold. The threshold continues to be £450.

  Public Sector
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are his estimates of the(b) public sector's tangible assets, (b) public sector's net financial liabilities and (c) public sector's net worth for each year from 1970–71 to 1997–98 expressed in 1994 prices. [29890]

  Mr Aitken
  Table 12.12 in the Central Statistical Office Blue Book provides the information requested for 1984 up to 1993. Included within the table are the relevant CSO identifiers, providing the data as far back as is readily available, for each of (a),(b) and (c).

  Forecasts of the public sector's tangible assets and thus net worth are not available. However, forecasts of the public sector's net financial liabilities, as measured by "net public sector debt" were published in table 4.3 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1995–96", revised tables. Table 6A.1 of the FSBR contains the necessary deflators to convert the figures into real terms.

  Budget
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to aim to run a balanced Budget over the cycle. [29898]

  Mr. Aitken
  The Government's fiscal objective is to bring the public sector borrowing requirement back towards balance over the medium term.

  Spirits
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumption about the price elasticity of demand for spirits was used by his Department in 1994
  263
  in consideration of altering the levels of domestic duty on spirits in the Budget. [29891]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Chancellor takes into account a wide range of factors when determining possible tax changes. The revenue implications are estimated using a computer model produced by the Institute of Fiscal Studies. That model has a wide range of both own and cross price elasticities for various categories of consumption. The own price elasticity for spirits is -1.07.

  Retail Prices Index
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what change has taken place in the retail prices index between March 1979 and March 1995. [26364]

  Mr. Nelson
  The information requested can be calculated from table 11 of the March 1995 edition of the "Business Monitor MM23 on Retail Prices Index", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Information Technology Contracts
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer on 12 June,Official Report, column 395, regarding contracts with EDS in respect of Government data, what arrangements exist to ensure the smooth, continuous running of the relevant systems in the event of a change of contractor, the appointment of a subcontractor or an unforeseen event or policy decision taken by the contractor; and what back-up arrangements are in place to ensure the continuous running of these systems. [29766]

  Sir George Young
  EDS has outsourcing contracts with the Inland Revenue, the Department of Social Security and the Department of Transport.

  There are provisions within the EDS contracts with those Government Departments, which cover the handover of work and resources at the end of the contract and which will ensure continuity of service. The provisions for handover apply equally to a transfer to another supplier or direct to the Department and they can be invoked even if the contract is terminated prematurely.

  Generating Company Shares
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent he took into account section 164 of the Financial Services Act 1986 in determining whether or not to go ahead with the sale of National Power and PowerGen. [28816]

  Sir George Young
  Section 164 of the Financial Services Act 1986 has never been brought into force, but would in any case have applied only to unlisted securities. The shares of the generating companies were already listed.

  Alcohol Duty
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what forward projections he has made for the income from alcohol duty for each of the next 10 years. [29436]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Forecasts cover the short to medium term; and the last published set was in the revised 1995–96 "Financial Statement and Budget Report". After 264
  1995–96, figures presented combine income from excise duties on fuel, alcohol and tobacco. New estimates will be published by HM Treasury in the summer economic forecast at the end of June.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to meet representatives of the Licensed Victuallers Association to discuss the Government's policy on the harmonisation of alcohol duties across the EC. [29434]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Meetings are held regularly with trade organisations and other representatives of that industry.

  Manufactures (Exports)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of the Government's monetary and exchange rate policies since 1979 on the UK share of exports of manufactures by the main manufacturing countries. [29442]

  Mr. Nelson
  The UK's share of exports of manufactures by the main manufacturing countries depends on a variety of factors, including competitiveness and export profitability. It is not possible to isolate with any confidence the effects stemming from monetary and exchange rate policies. However, the Government's commitment to deliver permanently low inflation will provide a stable climate within which British manufacturing can compete successfully, in both world and domestic markets.

  Alcohol Policy
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the EUROCARE report into alcohol policy across the European Union. [29433]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I await a copy of that report, which will then receive attention.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies his Department has carried out into the potential for using the reform of vehicle excise duty to encourage the sale and purchase of less-polluting vehicles. [29490]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The possibility of using vehicle excise duty to encourage the sale and purchase of less-polluting vehicles is kept under review. The policy of phased increases in fuel duty is, however, thought at present to be the most efficient way of curbing emissions from vehicles.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many notices have been issued to
  265
  carriers under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987 in each quarter since March 1991. [29701]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The total number of notices issued in each quarter since March 1991 is as follows:

  Quarter ending

  Number of notices

  31 March 1991

  2,843

  30 June 1991

  2,759

  30 September 1991

  2,451

  30 December 1991

  2,031

  31 March 1992

  1,954

  30 June 1992

  1,605

  30 September 1992

  2,355

  31 December 1992

  2,197

  31 March 1993

  1,608

  30 June 1993

  1,663

  30 September 1993

  1,815

  31 December 1993

  1,819

  31 March 1994

  1,638

  30 June 1994

  1,605

  30 September 1994

  2,085

  31 December 1994

  2,011

  31 March 1995

  1,864

  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total amount of liability incurred by all carriers under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987; and how much has been paid. [29703]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  A total of £79.770 million had been incurred to 31 May 1995. Of that sum, £45.861 million has been paid and £10.47 million waived following representations by carriers.

  Repatriation (Financial Assistance)
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to extend to British citizens born overseas who wish to return to their countries of origin the programme of financial assistance for repatriation already available to non-British citizens in similar circumstances. [29929]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971 the Government fund a small humanitarian programme that provides for limited assistance to be given to non-British citizens who wish to return to their countries of origin but who lack sufficient means to do so. British citizens born overseas who wish to return to their countries of origin to settle may, in certain circumstances, renounce their British citizenship, and become eligible to receive assistance from the programme.

  Asylum
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications were taken in; how many decision were made; what was the backlog of all work; what was the average cost per case; and what was the average output per staff day in each year since 1990. [29702]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information requested is given in the table.
  266

  Decisions1 on applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, 1990 to 1994

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Asylum applications2

  26,205

  44,840

  24,605

  22,370

  32,830

  Decisions2 3

  4,025

  6,075

  34,900

  23,405

  20,990

  Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum

  920

  505

  1,115

  1,590

  825

  Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave to remain4

  2,400

  2,190

  15,325

  11,125

  3,660

  Total refused

  705

  3,380

  18,465

  10,690

  16,500

  Refused asylum and ELR—after full consideration

  705

  3,380

  2,675

  4,705

  12,655

  Refused under para 3405

  —

  —

  15,195

  5,240

  2,985

  Refused on safe third country grounds6

  —

  —

  595

  745

  865

  Applications outstanding at end of year7

  34,050

  72,070

  19,110

  45,805

  55,255

  Average cost per case8

  —

  —

  —

  £175

  £185

  Average output per staff day9

  —

  —

  —

  0.30

  0.25

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5 with '—' = not available.

  2 Figures exclude information on applications made overseas.

  3 Decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same year.

  4 Usually granted for a year in the first instance, subject then to further review.

  5 For failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period including failure to respond to invitation to interview to establish identity (para. 180F prior to 1 October 1994 and para. 101 prior to 26 July 1993).

  6 Refused on the grounds that the applicant had arrived from a safe third country.

  7 Figures for 1991 and earlier years are maxima which may overstate. They are not directly comparable with figures for later years.

  8 Cost of asylum determination staff per initial asylum decision.

  9 Number of initial asylum decisions by the number of determination staff days worked.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to ensure that all people who request asylum upon arriving on the Eurostar train at Waterloo station are returned immediately. [29628]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  All such asylum applications are referred to the asylum division. In accordance with paragraph 345 of the Immigration Rules, claims may be refused without substantive consideration where there is a safe third country to which the applicant may be sent.

  Taxi Drivers
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will exempt taxi drivers from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. [27954]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 13 June 1995]: We have no plans to do so.

  Firearms Fees
  Mr. Churchill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the increase in firearms fees in each of the past five years in both cash and percentage terms; what is the justification for such levels of
  267
  increase; and if he will use his powers under section 55 of the Firearms Act 1968 to require chief officers of police forces to adopt models of best practice in the management of their firearms departments. [29741]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 20 June 1995]: The Government increased some of the fees that are payable under the firearms acts with effect from 1 January 1995. The cash and percentage increases are set out in the table. The previous change to those fees took effect on 1 June 1990.

  The fee levels are designed to reflect the cost to the police service of operating the firearms licensing system. They take account of the best practice guidelines for administering the system, which the Home Office issued to chief officers in 1991 and of a subsequent costing exercise undertaken by independent consultants.

  In calculating costs, we have assumed that police forces are already well on the way to operating best practice and will continue to make efficiency savings during the five-year period over which costs have been calculated. In the case of shotgun fees, the cost of additional checks made as a result of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 is reflected for the first time. In particular, on first application, the police will normally make a home visit to make sure that the requirement for safekeeping at all times will be satisfied.

  Without those increases, there would be a shortfall in income of some £8 million over the next five years to meet the police costs, a shortfall that would have to be met at the expense of some other police activity.

  My right hon. and learned Friend does not propose to use section 55 of the Firearms Act 1968 to require chief officers of police to adopt the best practice guidelines.

  1990 fee £

  1995 fee £

  Cash increase £

  Percentage increase

  Firearm certificate

  Issue

  46

  56

  10

  22

  Renewal

  46

  46

  —

  —

  Variation

  26

  26

  —

  —

  Replacement

  9

  9

  —

  —

  Shotgun certificate

  Issue

  17

  43

  26

  153

  Renewal

  11

  18

  7

  64

  Coterminous with firearm certificate

  5

  5

  —

  —

  Replacement

  8

  8

  —

  —

  Firearms dealers certificate

  Issue

  94

  118

  24

  26

  Renewal

  50

  50

  —

  —

  Register for game, fair, etc

  12

  12

  Visitors firearm permit

  Individual

  12

  12

  —

  —

  Group

  60

  60

  —

  —

  Home office approval of rifle and pistol clubs

  Issue and renewal

  33

  84

  51

  154

  268

  1990 fee £

  1995 fee £

  Cash increase £

  Percentage increase

  Museum firearms licence

  Issue and renewal

  1200

  1200

  —

  —

  1 Maximum.

  Fire Service
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning making motorists pay for rescue operations completed by the fire service. [29952]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  We have received no such representations.

  Prisoners (HIV and AIDS)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have ceased to apply the policy of viral infectivity restrictions among prisoners with HIV or AIDS; if he will now rescind this policy; and if he will make a statement. [29718]

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

  Retail Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance has been given by his Department to retail staff on reducing risk of assault by customers. [29199]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Retail Action Group, a sub-group of the National Board of Crime Prevention, is working to produce a series of crime prevention booklets for retailers: advice on the prevention of violence to retail staff is currently being prepared and will be published shortly. Booklets on the prevention of burglary and of robbery were launched in January, and advice on the prevention of customer theft, external fraud and staff dishonesty is also planned.

  The Home Department was represented on the Health and Safety Executive committee which in March 1995 published guidance giving practical information on how employers can prevent violence to retail staff in the workplace. The Home Department was also represented on the steering committee of the "Theftstop Initiative", which recently launched a training video on the prevention of shop theft. As research indicates that almost half the incidents of violence to retail staff occur when staff intervene to prevent theft, it is essential that staff are trained in preventive action that will not put them at risk.

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the dangers posed to retail staff by the introduction of the national lottery as a result of the increased amounts of money changing hands; and what representations he has received on the subject. [29200]

  Mr. Maclean
  Prior to the launch of the lottery, Camelot, in consultation with the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers, put together and
  269
  distributed advice to retailers on health and safety issues, including robbery. Lottery-related crime, including crime affecting retailers, is being monitored. My right hon. and learned Friend has received representations on the subject of violence against retailers from 13 Members of Parliament since the lottery was launched.

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many retail staff were(a) killed, (b) seriously injured as a result of attacks from customers and (c) physically assaulted by customers in each of the last five years. [29198]

  Mr. Maclean
  The official information available centrally does not enable a distinction of victims by occupation to be made. However, information on violence against staff in the financial years 1992–93 and 1993–94 is contained in the British Retail Consortium publications "Retail Crime Costs: 1992–93 survey" and "Retail Crime Costs: 1993–94 survey", copies of which are held in the Library.

  Scotland Yard
  Mrs Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is putting in place to prevent further theft from Scotland Yard. [29069]

  Mr. Maclean
  Following the discovery in July 1994 of a serious fraud by a member of the Metropolitan police civilian staff, the receiver for the Metropolitan police district, with our agreement, appointed Mr. Wilfred Hyde, a former senior official in the Home Office, to undertake an independent review of financial procedures relating to confidentially funded police operations.

  The review found no evidence of any further fraud or weaknesses parallel to those in the particular arrangements that led to the fraud. Mr. Hyde made a number of recommendations for improving the systems of financial control for confidentially funded operations, which have been accepted in full and are being implemented.

  We stand ready to consider any recommendations that the Public Accounts Committee may make following its hearing on 14 June of this and related matters.

  Life Sentence Prisoners
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the outcome of his review of the sentences on Abdul Qayyum Raja and Mohammed Riaz. [29193]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Written representations have recently been received on behalf of both those mandatory life sentence prisoners. I expect to receive further representation shortly. Thereafter, the reconsideration of the period to be served for retribution and deterrence in each case—the tariff—will be completed as soon as possible.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present waiting time for cases to be heard by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board; and if he will make a statement. [28983]
  270
  Mr. Maclean
  The board advises that information on the present waiting time for cases to be heard is not available. However, some information about the time taken to reach decisions on cases and the time taken to resolve hearings applications is given at paragraphs 3.12 and 4.14 of the board's 30th annual report, Cm 2849, copies of which are held in the Library.

PRIME MINISTER

  Privatisation
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those parts of his Department or departmental agencies which were privatised without an in-house bid taking place; which future parts of his Department or departmental agencies he intends to privatise; and which of them do not have the necessary in-house expertise to mount an in-house bid. [29413]

  The Prime Minister
  For this purpose, my Department is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service and Science on 20 June,Official Report, column 220.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those parts of his Department or departmental agencies which were privatised without an in-house bid; if he will indicate the expertise which was absent in his Department or departmental agencies which prevented an in-house bid taking place; which future parts of his Department or departmental agencies he intends to privatise; and which of them do not have the necessary in-house expertise to mount an in-house bid. [29422]

  Mr. Horam
  Those parts of the work of the Cabinet Office—OPSS—its agencies, HMSO and COI which have been contracted-out without an in-house bid are as follows:

  Central OPSS

  Consortium Reports

  Publishing and print Procurement Service

  CCTA

  GTN (Long-Distance)

  Chessington

  UNISON (Phase 1)

  CS College

  Prospectus Distribution

  RAS

  Catering Services

  Cleaning Services

  IT Hardware Maintenance

  IT Software Support Services

  HMSO

  Print Order Processing System

  Software Development: Business Supplies

  Software Development: Finance

  COI

  Videotext Unit

  The Cabinet Office, its agencies, HMSO and COI have contracted-out activities without inviting in-house bids where it has been judged that the private sector is clearly better equipped to deliver a specific service, has a better

  271
  understanding of market needs, or the capacity to invest in new technology. Other decisions to contract-out services without inviting in-house bids have been taken where an activity is relatively small and peripheral to the Department's functions.

  There are no current plans to contract-out any activities within the Cabinet Office, its agencies, HMSO and COI without inviting an in-house bid.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers), 12 June,Official Report, column 373, if he will set out the reason for declining to give details of the dates of letters sent from his office to the Scott inquiry. [29158]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government do not propose to disclose details of confidential exchanges with the Scott inquiry.

  Former Prisoners of War
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to approach the Japanese Government to secure new compensation for British prisoners of war held by the Japanese. [29303]

  The Prime Minister
  We are precluded on legal grounds from raising the question of compensation formally with the Japanese Government. I have drawn their attention to the strong feelings which the situation of the former prisoners arouses in the UK. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary most recently discussed the matter with his Japanese counterpart at the G7 summit in Halifax on 16 June.

  Ministerial Speeches
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his estimate of the total annual cost to public funds of publishing every Minister's speeches. [29866]

  The Prime Minister
  It is usual practice for ministerial speeches made on official occasions to be published and distributed to the press by the relevant departmental press office. The cost is not separately identified in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

WALES

  Privatisation
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those parts of his Department or departmental agencies which were privatised without an in-house bid; if he will indicate the expertise that was absent in his Department or departmental agencies which prevented an in-house bid taking place; which future parts of his Department or departmental agencies he intends to privatise; and which of them do not have the necessary in-house expertise to mount an in-house bid. [29430]

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department has strategically contracted out architects and surveyors services, an activity identified as peripheral to its core functions but 272
  one which the private sector specialises in and is well equipped to deliver.

  The Department and its agency, CADW, have not yet identified any other existing activities as appropriate for contracting out without an in-house bid.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made in the "Too Old, Who Says?" campaign in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [29511]

  Mr. Richards
  The campaign is being taken forward by the Employment Department. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 13 June 1995,Official Report, column 443, by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Employment. To compete successfully, employers in Wales must be ready to take full advantage of the skills, reliability, experience and commitment that older people have to offer. It is in employers' best interest to treat people on their merits, regardless of their age.

  Pupil Numbers
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils there were in each local education authority in (a) 1990 and (b) 1994. [29323]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is shown in the following tables:

  Full-time equivalent pupil numbers at January each year in:

  1990

  1994

  LEA maintained schools

  Grant maintained schools

  LEA maintained schools

  Grant maintained schools

  (a) Primary schools

  Clwyd

  37,208

  —

  37,957

  450

  Dyfed

  31,853

  —

  31,567

  —

  Gwent

  41,499

  —

  43,576

  216

  Gwynedd

  19,868

  —

  19,426

  254

  Mid Glamorgan

  54,892

  —

  56,814

  —

  Powys

  10,361

  —

  10,661

  27

  South Glamorgan

  35,599

  —

  39,472

  —

  West Glamorgan

  34,463

  —

  35,242

  —

  Wales

  265,743

  —

  274,715

  947

  (b) Secondary schools

  Clwyd

  26,487

  —

  23,195

  3,558

  Dyfed

  23,182

  —

  24,571

  —

  Gwent

  28,222

  —

  28,517

  1,485

  Gwynedd

  15,849

  —

  15,318

  —

  Mid Glamorgan

  36,161

  —

  38,590

  —

  Powys

  7,814

  —

  7,927

  —

  South Glamorgan

  25,743

  —

  24,867

  2,497

  West Glamorgan

  22,565

  —

  22,909

  967

  Wales

  185,723

  —

  185,894

  8,507

  Source: Schools census.

  A-level Results
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average A-level point score of students embarking on first degrees at Welsh higher education institutions in(a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92, (c) 1992–93 and (d) 1993–94; and if he will make a statement. [29045]

  Mr. Richards
  Information is not readily available for the university of Wales or the Open university. Information on the average A-level point score of students on the first year of the first degree course at Welsh higher education institutions other than the university of Wales is shown in the following table:

  First-year first degree students whose qualification on entry was "A" level at Welsh higher education institutions1

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  21993–94

  Total first year students

  3,535

  4,537

  6,297

  6,506

  Number of students with A-level on entry

  2,222

  2,614

  3,420

  3,245

  Average A-level score3

  10.3

  10.5

  10.4

  11.0

  1 At November, excluding university of Wales and Open university.

  2 Data provisional pending publication.

  3Average score for those with A-level on entry.

  Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is his Department's definition of a small business and a medium-sized business; [29574]

  (2) in which sectors of the economy (a) small businesses and (b) medium-sized businesses are predominantly to be found. [29577]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There is a wide range of definitions of small and medium-sized businesses used in practice, each valid in its own context. For example, the annual small firms merit award for research competition is aimed at businesses with up to 50 employees, whereas eligibility for the small firms loan guarantee scheme is determined by both turnover and employee numbers, the thresholds for which vary from sector to sector. Data on the number of VAT-based enterprises in Wales by industry and turnover sizeband are published in table 3E of Business Monitor PA1003 which is published annually by the Central Statistical Office. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many people were employed by(a) small businesses and (b) medium-sized businesses in each of the last 10 years; and if he will break these figures down by gender; [29576]

  (2) how many (a) small businesses and (b) medium-sized businesses were started up in each of the last 10 years; and if he will break these figures down by gender of the entrepreneur. [29575]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There is no single official definition of a small or medium-sized business. However, data are available for Wales for 1984, 1987, 1989 and 1991 on the number of persons employed in census of employment data units, which roughly correspond to workplaces, broken down by size of employment. While comprehensive information on the number of business start-ups in Wales is not available, a good guide to trends 274
  in business start-ups is given by the number of new registrations for VAT. Data are available on the number of VAT registrations in Wales, for each year 1980 to 1993. The vast majority of VAT registrations are for small firms. All these data can be obtained from the NOMIS database through the Library of the House. Information by gender is not available.

  Women in Business
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what initiatives his Department has to assist and encourage women who want to start their own businesses; and how the success of any initiative is monitored and assessed. [29573]

  Mr. Richards
  The business start-up scheme, operated through the training and enterprise councils, is available to all unemployed people wishing to start their own business. The scheme is monitored by the Welsh Office on a quarterly basis.

  In addition, all TECs have equal opportunities policies supported by specific projects where appropriate. They are monitored by the TECs and through the annual Welsh Office/TEC business planning process.

  Multiple Births
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many sets of(a) twins, (b) triplets, (c) quadruplets, (d) quintuplets and (e) sextuplets were born in Wales in each year from 1990 to 1994; what was the total number of maternities in Wales in each year; and how many multiple births of each type in each year were conceived as a result of (i) in-vitro fertilisation, (ii) gamete intrafallopian transfer and (iii) other forms of assisted conception; and if he will make a statement. [29531]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested on multiple and total maternities registered in England and Wales, for residents of Wales is as follows:

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Twins

  397

  416

  423

  399

  431

  Triplets

  11

  6

  8

  8

  11

  Quadruplets

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Quintuplets

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Sextuplets

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  All maternities

  38,624

  37,824

  37,237

  36,375

  35,122

  Figures relating to multiple births following assisted conception are available only for the United Kingdom as a whole and are contained in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority annual reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Indonesian Police
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 5 May,Official Report, column 337, if he will name the Indonesian police officer trained by his Department who is serving with the Brigade Mobile. [28907]
  275
  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 15 June 1995]: Mr. Medhy Chumaedi.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what scholarships, awards or other forms of training paid for by his Department have been received by Gorrys Mere of the Indonesian national police; and when, for how long and at what cost they were provided. [28905]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 15 June 1995]: We have no record of having paid for any training for Lieutenant Colonel Gorrys Mere.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what formal training the British consultants working in the Indonesian national police under the police management training project have had in human rights law; and to what extent the advice and training provided by the consultants involves specific advice and training in human rights law. [28901]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 15 June 1995]: The consultants have had no formal training in human rights law and they have not provided any specific advice under the project on it.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what scheme scholarship awards for Indonesian police officers are funded; what is the nature of the training provided by the scholarships; who provides the training; and to what extent the training involves formal instruction in human rights law. [28903]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 15 June 1995]: Scholarship awards are funded under the technical co-operation programme and the Chevening scholarship scheme. The training provided includes courses on personnel management, business administration, training management, organisation development, leadership, training for trainers, and attachments to UK police forces. The training has been provided by British universities, RIPA International and Surrey and Gloucestershire constabulary. It does not include formal instruction in human rights law.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs under what scheme study tours for Indonesian police officers are funded; what is the nature of the study involved; and to what extent the study involves the formal instruction in human rights law. [28902]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 15 June 1995]: Study tours for Indonesian police officers are funded from the technical co-operation programme. They develop the trainees' diagnostic skills to analyse management and organisation problems. The study tours do not include formal instruction in human rights law.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the Government agreed to fund the police management training project in Indonesia; and on what date the project commenced. [28904]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 15 June 1995]: We approved the national police management training project on 22 March 1990 and it began on 16 June 1990. Earlier support for the training of police tutors began in 1983.

  Children's Centre, Sri Lanka
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what British financial or other support is provided to the International Childcare Trust training and children's centre at Makandura Gonawila in Sri Lanka. [29243]

  Mr. Baldry
  Since 1993 we have provided £10,000 for the completion of an irrigation well and installation of an irrigation system, and £68,000 towards two shanty development programmes.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Sri Lanka to prevent the eviction of the International Childcare Trust training and children's centre from its property at Makandura, Gonawila, Sri Lanka. [29244]

  Mr. Baldry
  The British high commissioner in Colombo wrote to the additional secretary of the district where Makandura is situated on 2 June 1995 expressing concern about the request to vacate the property. The matter has also been brought to the attention of the President of Sri Lanka and is now in the hands of the permanent secretary to the Ministry of Health, Highways and Social Services.

  Population Control Projects
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library copies of IPPF and UNFPA evaluation and review reports on their projects in China and Tibet sent to his Department. [28951]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 19 June 1995]: The United Nations Population Fund and the International Planned Parenthood Federation undertake reviews and evaluations of their country programmes. These are internal documents which are not made publicly available.

  Georgia
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals hehas to extend the use of the know-how fund in Georgia. [29301]

  Mr. Baldry
  The size of the know-how fund programme for Georgia has recently been doubled. The fund will continue to provide rapid and flexible assistance to the reform process in Georgia. We have also provided emergency humanitarian assistance—£500,000 in 1994–95. This support is very much welcomed by Georgia.

  East Timor
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 June,Official Report, column 58, how many of the lighthouses, lightbeacons and lightbouys supplied under the navigational aids project with Indonesia are operating in East Timor or in its territorial waters. [29456]
  277
  Mr. Baldry
  None of the equipment supplied under the navigational aids project is located in East Timor or its waters.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the ODA spent on research and development in each year since 1987. [29863]

  Mr. Baldry
  Net ODA expenditure on research and development was as follows:

  £ million

  1987–88

  32.5

  1988–89

  34.2

  1989–90

  36.2

  1990–91

  47.1

  1991–92

  56.0

  1992–93

  86.7

  1993–94

  116.0

  1994–95 (estimated outturn)

  91.8

  Slovakia
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new proposals he has to extend the work of the know-how fund in Slovakia. [29298]

  Mr. Baldry
  Know-how fund assistance in Slovakia will continue to focus on financial services and banking; management and educational training; small and medium enterprise development; good governance and public administration.

  An important element of our strategy is to extend the work of the know-how fund beyond Bratislava to the regions. The first phase of a three-year multi-sectoral regional capacity building project will begin in July 1995 and terms of reference for a rural tourism initiative in the Gemer region of eastern Slovakia are being drawn up. We continue to support the development of economic regeneration strategies through the local authorities technical links scheme and through an on-going project aimed at local government reform. Know-how fund assistance will also begin to reflect Slovakia's wish to join the European Union.

  EMPLOYMENT

    Minimum Wage
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 23 May to the hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway),Official Report, column 563, how many people in full-time employment in the United Kingdom earn less than the minimum hourly wage rates in (a) Portugal, (b) Greece and (c) Spain. [26980]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    Of a sample of 102,700 full-time employees in the 1994 new earnings survey, 53 in the sample said that they earned less than £1.30 per hour, Portugal; 184 earned less than £1.70 per hour, Greece; and 233 earned less than £1.80 per hour, Spain.

    Restart Interviews
    Mr. Frank Field
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will list the numbers leaving restart interviews, as an actual number and as a percentage of total leavers, for each year of its operation stipulating those who went into work, those who went into further employment schemes and those who become unemployed, and, of these, if he will list the type and level of qualification each leaver obtained, including those who failed to obtain any qualification at all; [27509]

    (2) if he will list the numbers attending and leaving restart interviews, for each year of their operation. [27519]

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

    Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Frank Field, dated 21 June 1995:
    The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the number of people attending Restart Interviews for each year of operation and the numbers who went into employment schemes.
    I have set out the information you have requested in the attached tables. Restart interviews do not lead directly to qualifications, although they do lead to opportunities such as Training for Work which provide qualifications. Nor do they have "leavers" in the way that our programmes do.
    It may also be helpful if I explain the scope and purpose of the Restart interviews which are offered at regular six monthly intervals as part of a comprehensive advisory and information service aimed at helping people back into work. These interviews provide clients with the opportunity to discuss with an Employment Service (ES) Client Adviser, the steps they are taking to find work, how to access the employment and training opportunities that are available to them, and the course of action which, if followed, will offer the best prospects of returning to work.
    I should emphasise that the figures quoted in the tables represent only the immediate result of Restart interviews. However, the real measure of the effectiveness of these interviews lies in their longer term effects. Many people subsequently take up a job or a place on an employment or training programme as a result of the guidance given to them at their interview. Independent researchers who have studied the Restart Interview programme have concluded that this indirect effect is extremely significant. For example, a study published by the Policy Studies Institute in August 1992, "The Restart Effect", found that the difference made by Restart in influencing the time people took to leave unemployment was about the same as the difference between being qualified or not qualified, fit or in poor health, in a favourable or unfavourable labour market.
    I hope this is helpful.

    1988–89

    Total

    As percentage of total interviews

    Total restart interviews

    2,053,580

    —

    Job placings

    12,367

    0.6

    Programmes starts1

    270,381

    13.1

    1 Jobclub. Enterprise Allowance Scheme.

    Employment Training.

    Job Training Scheme.

    Community Programme.

    Voluntary Project Programme.
    279

    1989–90

    Total

    As percentage of total interviews

    Total restart interviews

    2,032,633

    —

    Job placings

    18,439

    0.9

    Programmes starts1

    261,347

    12.9

    1 Jobclub. Enterprise Allowance Scheme.

    Restart Course.

    Employment Training.

    1990–91

    Total

    As percentage of total interviews

    Total restart interviews

    1,888,378

    —

    Job placings

    19,066

    1.0

    Programmes starts1

    192,763

    10.2

    1 Jobclub. Enterprise Allowance Scheme.

    Restart Course.

    Employment Training.

    1991–92

    Total

    As percentage of total interviews

    Total restart interviews

    2,495,940

    —

    Job placings

    21,185

    0.8

    Programmes starts1

    343,004

    13.7

    1 Jobclub. Enterprise Allowance Scheme.

    Restart Course.

    Employment Training.

    Job Review Workshop.

    Employment Action.

    Job Interview Guarantee.

    1991–92

    Total

    As percentage of total interviews

    Total restart interviews

    2,818,281

    —

    Job placings

    33,272

    1.2

    Programmes starts1

    397,035

    14.1

    1 Jobclub. Enterprise Allowance Scheme.

    Restart Course.

    Employment Training.

    Job Review Workshop.

    Employment Action.

    Job Interview Guarantee.

    Job Search Seminar.

    1993–94

    Total

    As percentage of total interviews

    Total restart interviews

    3,324,141

    —

    Job placings

    35,884

    1.1

    Programmes starts1

    731,840

    22.0

    1 Jobclub. Restart Course.

    Training for Work.

    Learning for Work.

    Jobplan.

    Job Review Workshop.

    Job Search Seminar.

    Community Action.

    Job Interview Guarantee.

    Business Start-Up.
    280

    1994–95

    Total

    As percentage of total interviews

    Total restart interviews

    3,758,593

    —

    Job placings

    49,493

    1.3

    Programmes starts1

    901,832

    24.0

    1 Jobclub. Business Start-Up.

    Restart Course.

    Training for Work.

    Community Action.

    Learning For Work.

    Job Interview Guarantee.

    Work Trial.

    Job Search Seminar.

    Jobplan.

    Job Review Workshop.

    Workwise.

    Travel-to-work Areas
    Sir David Madel
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest position about changes in the boundaries of travel-to-work areas; and if he will make a statement. [28854]

    Mr. Portillo
    [holding answer 15 June 1995]: I do not intend to make changes to the boundaries of travel-to-work areas.

    Occupational Disease
    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the article on diagnosing and managing occupational disease, a copy of which has been sent to him, with special reference to the employment medical advisory service. [29185]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    The Health and Safety Executive is conducting a prior options feasibility study of the employment medical advisory service. Such studies consider how best value for money can be obtained from available resources. The results of the EMAS study, on which the article speculates, have yet to be finalised. The HSE gives high priority to occupational health, and EMAS staff continue to be available to provide advice to family practitioners.

    Health and Safety Executive
    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on how the Government are ensuring that ILO convention No. 81 (1947) is applied consistently in the Health and Safety Executive's market-testing and contracting-out programme. [29227]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    ILO convention No. 81 (1947) concerns the provision of labour inspection in industrial and commercial workplaces. The Government have decided that the Health and Safety Executive's inspection and enforcement functions will not be subjected to market testing or contracting out and therefore the convention is not relevant.
    281
    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much money has been spent to date onundertaking the current review of the Health and Safety Executive's field operations division; and what he expects the final cost will be. [29215]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    To date, the cost of the Health and Safety Executive's field operations division management arrangements feasibility study is estimated at £30,000 plus the time spent on staff consultation, which cannot readily be measured.

    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average frequency of visits by Health and Safety Executive inspectors to(a) high-risk premises and (b) low-risk premises. [29221]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    The Health and Safety Executive does not specifically identify high-risk and low-risk premises, nor does it base its inspection programme on frequency. Although years elapsed since the previous inspection are one consideration in determining inspection priorities, more account is taken of the degree of hazard and risk posed to employees and the public.

    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many premises will be transferred from the Health and Safety Executive's SHIELD computer system to the new FOCUS system. [29213]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    Approximately 445,000 premises' records were transferred from SHIELD to FOCUS. Each record represented one employer working at or from one fixed workplace. In the transfer process, those were split into separate employer and location records. At the start of FOCUS, there were approximately 343,000 employers registered, identified as working at approximately 420,000 locations.

    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much it will cost to equip and train field inspectors, and other staff, at the Health and Safety Executive's Cardiff office to use portable computers; and from what budget these costs are to be met. [29217]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    The hardware and software cost of providing staff in Cardiff with portable computers is £163,000 excluding VAT, met from a central Health and Safety Executive information technology budget. The cost of training those staff to use portable computers is £13,400—there is no VAT on this service—met from a training budget held by the HSE's field operations division.

    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total loss of experience in staffing years to Health and Safety Executive(a) factory inspectors in area offices, (b) agricultural inspectors in area offices, (c) doctors in area offices and (d) nurses in area offices as a result of the recent early retirement scheme. [29208]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    Total loss of experience in staffing years is shown in the table:
    282

    Total loss of experience in HSE Area Offices as a result of <pathe recent Early Retirement Scheme

    Grade

    Total staffing years

    (a) Factory inspectors

    476

    (b) Agricultural inspectors

    55

    (c) Doctors

    119

    (d) Nurses

    41

    Total

    691

    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will place in the Library(a) the Health and Safety Executive's management arrangements feasibility study report and its implementation plan and (b) the Health and Safety Executive's employment medical advisory service feasibility study. [29224]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    No. The documents represent internal management advice to the Health and Safety Executive and commission and will not be placed in the Library.

    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what exceptions exist to the Health and Safety Executive's policy that all workplaces should be visited by an inspector over a period of time; and what policy changes are planned. [29220]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    Since 1977 preventive inspections by the Health and Safety Executive's field operations division have been prioritised on the basis of an inspection rating system. The inspection rating system is currently being refined. The refined system will come into use shortly.

    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many premises were registered on the health and Safety Executive's SHIELD computer system in each area office on(a) April 1992, (b) 1 April 1993 and (c) 1 April 1994. [29212]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    The number of premises registered on SHIELD in each area office on the specified dates is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which industrial or work sectors will not be visited on a preventive inspection basis by a Health and Safety Executive inspector after 1 August. [29216]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    No industrial or work sectors are excluded from preventive inspection. The Health and Safety Executive's field operations division aims to ensure that contact with duty holders is proportionate to the hazard and risk at any organisation, and focuses its inspection effort on higher-risk premises. Low-hazard, low-risk premises are contacted in the main by other non-inspection techniques, but inspectors retain discretion to inspect where necessary, and investigate accidents and complaints in accordance with HSE policy.

    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the percentage reduction in the Health and Safety Executive staffing levels of(a) factory inspectors in area offices, (b) agricultural inspectors in area offices, (c) doctors in area offices, (d) nurses in area offices, and (e) specialist staff in policy divisions as a result of the recent early retirement scheme. [29222]
    283
    Mr. Oppenheim
    The percentage reduction of staffing levels as a result of the recent early retirement scheme is shown in the table:

    Grade

    Reduction in staffing levels as percentage of staff employed in the grade

    (a) Factory inspectors

    4.1

    (b) Agricultural inspectors

    1.9

    (c) Doctors

    22.2

    (d) Nurses

    11.5

    (e) Specialist staff in policy divisions

    6.9

    Workplace Accidents
    Mr. McFall
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the statutory obligations on employers to report accidents and injuries involving their employees to his Department; and what plans he has to change these arrangements. [29074]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1985— RIDDOR—require employers to notify the enforcing authority, for the purposes of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, in the event of an accident at work to any employee resulting in a fatality or major injury forthwith. Accidents at work to employees resulting in an absence of more than three days must be reported within seven days. Separate reporting arrangements currently apply offshore and on the railways.

    Financial year

    With compensation

    No compensation

    Total

    1991–92

    10

    19

    29

    1992–93

    21

    31

    52

    1993_94

    9

    39

    48

    1994–95

    9

    34

    43

    Total

    49

    123

    172

    Mr. Sheerman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of his Department's civil servants are now based in central London. [29648]

    Miss Widdecombe
    Ten per cent. of staff in the Employment Department group are based in central London.

    Employees in food manufacturing in Great Britain (Not seasonally adjusted)

    Thousands

    Region

    September 1991

    September 1993

    September 1994

    March 1995

    Rest of South East

    44

    39

    40

    42

    Greater London

    30

    28

    28

    26

    East Anglia

    31

    32

    33

    31

    South West

    33

    28

    30

    28

    West Midlands

    38

    27

    27

    28

    East Midlands

    46

    46

    46

    46

    Yorkshire and Humberside

    66

    63

    59

    56

    North West

    60

    60

    60

    55

    284
    The Health and Safety Commission published a consultative document last year containing proposals to update the regulations, incorporating all onshore and offshore reporting requirements. New regulations should be laid later this year.

    Civil Servants
    Mr. Milburn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 2 May, Official Report, column 145, if he will provide comparable details on civil service early retirement packages on grounds of inefficiency. [29292]

    Miss Widdecombe
    [holding answer 19 June 1995]: Inefficiency is a ground for dismissal rather than early retirement. In some circumstances, usually where the inefficiency is deemed not to be the fault of the individual, a lump sum payment of up to two years' salary may be made. Where compensation is agreed and the person dismissed is over age 55, that may be forgone in favour of immediate payment of the accrued superannuation benefits that would otherwise be preserved for payment at retiring age.

    Information is readily available for only the last four financial years, during which there have been 172 departures on inefficiency grounds from the Department. Details of the individual payments made could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, but the number of dismissals on inefficiency showing whether or not compensation was paid is given in the table:

    Food Manufacturing
    Mr. Cummings
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the food manufacturing industry in each region in each of the last five years. [29356]

    Mr. Oppenheim
    The available information is shown in the table:
    285

    Employees in food manufacturing in Great Britain (Not seasonally adjusted)

    Thousands

    Region

    September 1991

    September 1993

    September 1994

    March 1995

    North

    23

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    Wales

    20

    n/a

    n/a

    n/a

    Scotland

    46

    46

    44

    42

    Notes:

    1. Figures are not given for the North region or for Wales as sample size is too small for reliable estimates.

    2. Food manufacture is defined by the groups 411–423 of the Standard Industrial Classification 1980 (SIC 80).

    Source:

    September 1991: Census of Employment.

    September 1993, September 1994 and March 1995: Workforce in Employment series.

    Privatisation
    Mr. McNamara
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those parts of his Department or departmental agencies which were privatised without an in-house bid; if he will indicate the expertise which was absent in his Department or departmental agencies which prevented an in-house bid taking place; which future parts of his Department or departmental agencies he intends to privatise; and which of them do not have the necessary in-house expertise to mount an in-house bid. [29429]

    Miss Widdecombe
    Under the Government's "Competing for Quality" programme for 1992–94, the following activities within the Employment Department group were contracted out without an in-house bid:

    Employment department

    The Field System

    Training and Enterprise Council National Providers Unit

    Employment service

    Travel services

    Forms supply/distribution

    Employment rehabilitation courses

    Financial management training

    Field staff training (First aid)

    Building maintenance and new works

    Health and safety executive

    Graphics services

    Estates management

    Distribution of publications

    Field support (Norwich)

    For 1994–95, the following activities are due to be contracted out without an in-house bid:

    Employment department

    Staff development (support services)

    Employment service

    Warehousing

    Health and safety executive

    Scientific management and on-site sampling and analysis

    Analysis of chemical substances

    Accident coding

    Staff training

    Advice helpline

    Dosimetry services

    286
    The decision to contract out without an in-house bid was taken in each case in the light of a range of considerations. Information about the extent to which the availability of in-house expertise was a relevant factor in each case could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

    Jobseeker's Allowance
    Mr. Rooney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if unemployed persons receiving benefit who join non-schedule 2 further education courses not funded by the Further Education Funding Council will be allowed to participate for up to 21 hours per week in such courses without prejudice to benefit entitlement when the jobseeker's allowance is introduced. [29478]

    Miss Widdecombe
    [holding answer 19 June 1995:]: As now, people studying full time will not be able to claim jobseeker's allowance. Those studying part time will, however, be able to claim JSA, provided they remain available for and actively seeking employment. For courses funded by the Further Education Funding Council, where there is no longer a clear distinction between full and part-time courses, the threshold below which courses will be considered to be part time will be 16 guided learning hours per week. The rules for courses that are not funded by the Further Education Funding Council, including non-scheduled 2 courses, will remain unchanged.

    Mr. Simpson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimated reduction of unemployment figures(a) immediately following the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance, (b) six months following the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance and (c) one year following the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance. [29920]

    Miss Widdecombe
    I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman) on 8 December 1994,Official Report, column 342. It is too early to say exactly when any effect of the jobseeker's allowance on the claimant count will become apparent.

    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about his staff implementing aspects of the jobseeker's allowance's procedure in advance of its implementation. [29715]

    Miss Widdecombe
    None. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been asked a number of questions by the hon. Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Rooney) relating to whether various provisions of the jobseeker's allowance might be introduced in advance
    287
    of the date of implementation. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bradford, North on 6 June, Official Report, column 102.

    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the training process for staff in respect of the planned jobseekers allowance; and how long the training will take. [29716]

    Miss Widdecombe
    A variety of modular training courses, based on a detailed analysis of training needs, is being developed for staff who are to deliver jobseeker's allowance, depending on the duties they are to perform. We recently commissioned an external review of the arrangements being made to implement JSA. In the light of the findings of that review, and the decision to defer the implementation of JSA, the timing, length and content of the training proposed are now being reviewed, to ensure that it is adequate, appropriate and effectively targeted. All the training needed to ensure that JSA is delivered effectively will, however, take place before October 1996.

    Mr. Simpson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what estimated reduction he has made of the unemployment figures following the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance(a) nationally and (b) in Nottinghamshire. [29919]

    Miss Widdecombe
    I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman) on 8 December 1994,Official Report, column 342. No estimates have been made below national level.

    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of installing the new computer system for the jobseeker's allowance. [29728]

    Miss Widdecome
    A jobseeker's allowance payments system is being developed to pay jobseeker's allowance, by girocheque or automated credit transfer, at an implementation cost of around £40 million to March 1997. Further releases of software to enhance the system are already planned for 1997–98 at a cost of around £11 million.

    In addition, the delivery of JSA will be supported by a labour market system. The Employment Service has been developing the LMS for some time to replace the existing computer systems in ES jobcentres, which support vacancy filling and advisory work. The implementation cost of the LMS is around £70 million.

    European Commission Expert Group
    Mr. Battle
    To ask the President of the Board of Trade who on behalf of the United Kingdom Government attended the European Commission's expert group on the social aspects of the information society meeting held on Thursday 18 May; and if he will make a statement. [29862]

    Miss Widdecombe
    I have been asked to reply.

    The members of the Commission's "High Level Group of Experts on the Social and Societal Aspects of the Information Society" were selected and appointed by the European Commission itself and are not in any sense representatives of member state Governments.

    Training and Enterprise Councils
    Mr. Milburn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what procedures exist to register conflicts of interest declared by training and enterprise council board directors; and how many such matters have been notified to his Department. [29667]

    Mr. Paice
    [holding answer 20 June 1995]: The Department's contract with training and enterprise councils requires that a register of declared interests of both TEC directors and employees is maintained, detailing the nature and extent of such interest. The register is available for inspection by representatives of the Department at any reasonable time. Formal notification to the Department is not required.

    Inward Investment
    Mr. Rowe
    To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs have been created in the United Kingdom by(a) direct investment from within the EU and (b) direct investment from elsewhere and how many secondary to (a) and (b). [29007]

    Mr. Eggar
    I have been asked to reply.

    Between 1979–80 and 1993–94, the last year for which figures are available, inward investment projects from within the EU, notified to the Invest in Britain Bureau, were expected to create nearly 51,000 new jobs and safeguard over 130,000 existing jobs. Over the same period, projects from outside the EU were expected to create over 229,000 jobs and safeguard nearly 228,000 existing jobs. No estimate has been made of the number of secondary jobs associated with those projects, although benefits to other UK-based companies will occur through the supplier chain. A study published in 1991, based on a sample of inward investors, estimated that those investors had bought over 50 per cent. of their capital equipment within the UK.

    Those figures are based on information provided by companies themselves at the time of the decision to invest and take no account of subsequent developments. Companies are under no obligation to notify investment decisions to the Department and the figures are therefore based only on projects that have come to the attention of the Department's Invest in Britain Bureau.

  DEFENCE

    Scott Inquiry
    Mr. Llew Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has been requested by Lord Justice Scott to provide information on the role played by the Saudi Monetary Agency in funding the export of British military equipment. [28997]

    Mr. Freeman
    Requests for information from Sir Richard Scott's inquiry are a matter for the inquiry and my Department.

    Rapier Missiles
    Mr. Thurnham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to bring forward the follow-on contract for Rapier mark 2 missiles. [28888]
    289
    Mr. Freeman
    None. The follow-on missile buy is based on a detailed analysis of Her Majesty's Government's Rapier missile requirements, which on present analysis will not be required for delivery before 1999. As missiles have a finite shelf life, buying them before they are required significantly reduces their value for money.

    Mr. Thurnham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he expects the contract for Rapier 200 tranche 1A missiles to be placed. [28886]

    Mr. Freeman
    I hope to be able to announce a decision shortly on an order for Rapier field standard C ground and support equipment and spares. The order will not include missiles.

    Brent Spar
    Mr. Harvey
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Government Department has commissioned HMS Alderney to follow the Shell flotilla towing the Brent Spar oil platform. [29183]

    Mr. Soames
    A Royal Navy ship has been deployed to the area of the Brent Spar flotilla by my Department in response to a request from the Department of Trade and Industry, reflecting a Government decision that the Royal Navy should monitor developments with the disposal operation.

    Mr. Harvey
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if a financial contribution is being made by Shell towards the current voyage of HMS Alderney. [29184]

    Mr. Soames
    No.

    Upholder Class Submarines
    Mr. McFall
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Canadian authorities concerning the leasing of Upholder class submarines to Canada in exchange for free British armed forces access to training areas in Canada. [29093]

    Mr. Freeman
    Since the Ministry of Defence's decision in 1993, announced in Cm 2270, to withdraw the four Upholder class submarines from RN service, the Defence Export Services Organisation has offered the submarines for sale or lease to friendly or allied countries. DESO is currently in discussion with the Canadian Government and a number of options regarding price, the methods of payment and means of transfer are being considered, but no decisions have been taken.

    Defence Research Agency
    Mr. Byers
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 9 June,Official Report, column

    Civilian staff as at 1 April 19951

    Respondents to ethnic origin survey2

    Total

    Male

    Female

    Total

    White

    Black

    Asian

    Other ethnic origin

    Total Non-Industrial Staff

    81,041

    51,939

    29,102

    69,965

    68,504

    590

    682

    189

    Retired Officers

    1,883

    1,872

    11

    1,696

    1,692

    <5

    <5

    <5

    1 Figures on headcourt basis, counting part-timers as one

    2 On grounds of personal confidentiality, where the number of staff in any one ethnic minority category is less than five, the actual number is not disclosed.

    290
    337, how many contracts have been awarded to the SEMA Group plc, since July 1991 by the Defence Research Agency; and what is their total estimated value. [29747]

    Mr. Freeman
    Since July 1991 a total of 14 contracts have been placed with SEMA Group. Those fall into three broad categories; nine contracts in support of DRA technical work with a value of £317,000; four contracts in support of developing and maintaining the DRA commercial accounting systems with a value of £4.9 million and one enabling agreement with SEMA, against which eight orders have been placed with an approximate value of £216,000.

    Staff
    Mr. McAllion
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff were employed as non-industrial grades and how may staff were employed as retired officer grades for each year since 1979. [28793]

    Mr. Freeman
    The information is as follows:

    Year

    Non-industrial grades 1 April

    Retired officer grades 1 April

    1979

    114,758.0

    1,922.0

    1980

    112,637.0

    1,923.0

    1981

    107,675.0

    1,923.0

    1982

    102,638.0

    1,871.5

    1983

    100,490.0

    1,846.5

    1984

    98,029.0

    1,819.5

    1985

    94,943.0

    1,793.5

    1986

    93,822.5

    1,769.0

    1987

    93,289.5

    1,687.5

    1988

    88,626.5

    1,693.5

    1989

    88,709.5

    1,685.5

    1990

    89,866.0

    1,677.5

    1991

    90,332.5

    1,718.0

    1992

    90,682.0

    1,768.0

    1993

    87,884.5

    1,784.0

    1994

    82,761.0

    1,839.0

    1995

    79,806.0

    1,882.0

    From 1979 to 1994 part-timers are counted as half. However, from 1995 part-timers have been counted on the basis of the hours that they have worked.

    Mr. McAllion
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the breakdown of(a) non-industrial staff and (b) retired officer staff by gender and by ethnic origin. [28790]

    Mr. Freeman
    The number of non-industrial staff and retired officers employed by my Department and its agencies, broken down by gender and ethnic origin, is shown in the table:
    291
    Mr. McAllion
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff were employed as retired officers in the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and central areas for each of the years since 1985. [28792]

    Number of retired officers by board

    Number: full time equivalent1

    1 April 1992

    1 April 1993

    1 April 1994

    1 April 1995

    Army

    1,146.5

    1,151.5

    1,153.5

    1,185

    Navy

    178.5

    194.5

    202.5

    209

    RAF

    289.0

    284.0

    293.0

    300

    Centre and PE

    154.0

    154.0

    190.0

    189

    Total

    1,768.0

    1,784.0

    1,839.0

    1,882

    1 Full-time equivalents counts part-timers as a half up to 1 April 1994 and as the proportion of conditioned hours worked from 1 April 1995. Figures for 1995 have been rounded independently and therefore the total may not equal the sum of the parts.

  NORTHERN IRELAND

    Private Clegg
    Dr. Spink
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about the continued imprisonment of Private Clegg; and if he will make a statement. [28630]

    Sir John Wheeler
    Since January more than 4,800 letters and eight petitions have been received about Private Clegg's imprisonment. Replies have been sent to most correspondents.

    Illegal Waste Dumping
    Mr. John D. Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received about illegal dumping near the River Enler at Newtownards road, Comber; what areas in this location are designated as(a) areas of outstanding beauty and (b) sites of special scientific interest; and what action he has (i) taken against dumping (ii) proposes to take, if dumping has ceased at this location; what volume of waste material remains on the site; and if he will make a statement. [28613]

    Mr. Moss
    The site is located within the Strangford lough area of outstanding natural beauty and part of it is also situated in the Strangford lough area of special scientific interest. Following representations from residents of the Ballydrain road, the Department of the Environment initiated enforcement action to have illegal dumping stopped and the materials removed from the site. No action was taken on foot of the enforcement notice and summons action has been instigated. The Department's objective is to secure the removal of all the material and to have the site satisfactorily restored. It is not possible to give a precise figure as to the volume of waste remaining on the site.

    Prisoners (HIV and AIDS)
    Rev. Martin Smyth
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many cases of HIV and AIDS have been reported in prisons in Northern Ireland for each year since 1986; [28975]
    292
    Mr. Freeman
    The information requested is available only from April 1992 onwards, and is as follows:

    (2) how many prisoners have been infected with HIV while in prison in Northern Ireland; [28974]

    (3) how many inmates are currently HIV positive or have AIDS in prisons in Northern Ireland. [28976]

    Sir John Wheeler
    Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Northern Ireland Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. Alan Shannon. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

    Letter from B. R. D. White to Rev. Martin Smyth, dated 20 June 1995:
    In the absence of the Chief Executive, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to the three Parliamentary Questions you have tabled relating to the number of reported cases of AIDS and HIV in Northern Ireland Prisons.
    There have been no known cases of prisoners with AIDS reported in Northern Ireland since 1986. In the same period only one prisoner has identified himself as HIV positive. HIV antibody tests are treated in medical confidence and information is not centrally available to determine if there are further HIV positive prisoners in the prison system. Records are kept by the Department of Health and Social Services based on test results notified by test facilities but these are included in statistics for Heath Board Regions and do not specify positive tests among prisoners in individual establishments.
    There is no medical evidence to suggest that any prisoners have been infected with HIV whilst in prison in Northern Ireland.
    There are no known cases of AIDS among the current prison population in Northern Ireland and at present only one prisoner is reported to be HIV positive.
    I hope that this information is helpful.

    Market Testing
    Mr. Spellar
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement regarding market testing of the legal directorate of the Northern Ireland Central Services Agency for Health and Social Services. [29775]

    Mr. Moss
    [holding answer 20 June 1995]: As part of the Government's commitment to this programme, set out in "Competing for Quality", DHSS officials are working closely with officers in the health and personal social services to market test services provided by the legal directorate of the Central Services Agency for Health and Social Services.

    Employment Statistics
    Mr. William Ross
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons in Northern Ireland are employed by(a) United States firms, (b) Great Britain owned-firms, (c) European-owned firms, (d) far eastern-owned firms and (e) Irish Republic-owned firms; and, in each case, what percentage of the total work force this represents. [29040]

    Mr. Ancram
    Employment figures for all externally owned companies operating in Northern Ireland are not readily available. The Central Statistics Office in London will be able to provide disaggregated figures on externally owned companies across all sectors of industry and commerce in Northern Ireland and my noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for the economy will write to the hon. Member shortly about this matter.

    However, the following information on companies in the manufacturing and internationally tradeable services sectors has been drawn from the Industrial Development Board's client company data:

    Number of employees in IDB client companies

    Number

    USA

    9,077

    Great Britain

    18,301

    Europe

    3,715

    Far East

    2,757

    Republic of Ireland

    3,504

    Total

    37,354

    Education Expenditure
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of identifiable Government expenditure on education in Northern Ireland, including mandatory loans and awards to students, is devoted to(a) primary education, (b) secondary education, (c) further education and (d) higher education; and if he will make a statement. [29044]

    Mr. Ancram
    The information for 1993–94 is as follows:

    Per cent.

    Primary education

    24.0

    Secondary education

    31.1

    Further education

    9.0

    Higher education

    17.8

    Small and Medium-sized Businesses
    Ms Primarolo
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in which sectors of the economy(a) small businesses and (b) medium-sized businesses are predominantly to be found. [29581]

    Mr. Ancram
    An analysis of the numbers of Northern Ireland businesses by size of turnover, for all economic sectors is published in the Central Statistical Office Business Monitor publication PA 1003, table 3E, copies of which are available in the Library.
    294
    Ms Primarolo
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were employed in(a) small businesses and (b) medium-sized businesses in each of the last 10 years; and if he will break these figures down by gender. [29580]

    Mr. Ancram
    Details of the numbers employed by employment size band are available for manufacturing industries from the Central Statistical Office Business Monitor PA 1003, table 10, for the years 1985 to 1994 inclusive. Similar figures are not available for other sectors, or by gender.

    Multiple Births
    Mr. Wigley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sets of(a) twins, (b) triplets, (c) quadruplets, (d) quintuplets and ( e) sextuplets were born in Northern Ireland in each year from 1990 to 1994; what was the total number of maternities in Northern Ireland in each year; and how many multiple births of each type in each year were conceived as a result of (1) in-vitro fertilisation, (ii) gamete intra-fallopian transfer and (iii) other forms of assisted conception; and if he will make a statement. [29530]

    Mr. Moss
    The information requested is set out in the table:

    Type

    1990

    1991

    1992

    1993

    11994

    Sets of

    (a) twins

    267

    315

    258

    280

    302

    (b) triplets

    5

    6

    8

    9

    6

    (c) quadruplets

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    (d) quintuplets

    —

    1

    —

    —

    —

    (e) sextuplets

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    Maternities

    26,338

    26,058

    25,425

    24,741

    23,821

    (i) IVF2

    (i) twins

    12

    11

    n/k

    n/k

    n/k

    (ii) triplets

    2

    11

    n/k

    n/k

    n/k

    (ii) GIFT3

    1 Provisional.

    2 These figures are the result of IVF by year of conception.

    3 GIFT was available in Northern Ireland only in 1986 and 1987.

    Dispensing of Medicines
    Mr. Mallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Southern health and social services board received a request from Dr. Mary Allen to be allowed to dispense in her Cullyhanna medical practice. [29607]

    Mr. Moss
    A request was received in November 1994.

    The general principle under the legislation governing dispensing arrangements is that doctors should prescribe and pharmacists dispense. Exceptionally, if a health and social services board is satisfied that patients are experiencing serious difficulty in obtaining their medicines from a pharmacist, it may require the doctor to dispense for those patients. This action is taken only if alternative arrangements cannot be made with pharmacists.

    Mr. Mallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what are the current dispensing arrangements for the Cullyhanna area; and what assessment of the dispensing
    295
    requirements of the residents of the Cullyhanna area has been made by (a) the Southern health and social services board, (b) the Central Services Agency and (c) the Department of Health and Social Services; [29608]

    (2) what steps are being taken to ensure that the dispensing requirements of the residents of Cullyhanna area are being fully satisfied. [29610]

    Mr. Moss
    Patients in the Cullyhanna area are served by pharmacies in Newtownhamilton and Crossmaglen. The Southern health and social services board is currently reviewing the dispensing arrangements and needs in the Cullyhanna area and this will include the possibility of a delivery service being provided by pharmacists. Neither the Central Services Agency nor the Department of Health and Social Services has been involved, as this is primarily a matter for the board.

    Mr. Mallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals have been received, and on what dates, for the provision of dispensing facilities for the residents of the Cullyhanna area, by(a) the Southern health and social services board, (b) the Central Services Agency and (c) the Department of Health and Social Services. [29609]

    Mr. Moss
    Dr. Mary Allen contacted the Southern health and social services board in November 1994 requesting the right to dispense for her patients in Cullyhanna. At the same time, the Cullyhanna community committee wrote to the board indicating that some residents in Cullyhanna were experiencing difficulty in obtaining medication. Neither the Central Services Agency nor the Department of Health and Social Services has received any proposals.

    Mr. Mallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Southern Health and Social Services Board has taken to ensure that a speedy decision is made in relation to the dispensing requirements of the residents of the Cullyhanna area. [29611]

    Mr. Moss
    The Southern health and social services board asked Dr. Allen to provide a list of her patients who were having serious difficulty in obtaining medicines. The board has received that list and will be contacting these patients and considering whether their difficulties can be resolved by the provision of an improved community pharmacy service. If such a service cannot be provided, the board may require Dr. Allen to dispense.

    EU Peace and Reconciliation Funding
    Mr. Mallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures will be introduced under the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation to promote(a) employment, (b) urban and rural regeneration, (c) cross-border developments, (d) social inclusion and (e) industrial development and productive investment. [29612]

    Sir John Wheeler
    The guidelines for the European Union's initiative for peace and reconciliation allow for an extensive range of measures under the five priorities of social inclusion, employment, urban and rural regeneration, cross-border developments and industrial development/productive investment. The programme submitted makes provision for such actions. However, as the details are still the subject of negotiation between the 296
    relevant member states and the European Commission, it is premature to give a definitive list of the measures which will be funded.

    Mr. Mallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what procedures are in place for monitoring the operation of the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation. [29613]

    Sir John Wheeler
    A programme under the European Union's peace and reconciliation initiative has recently been submitted to the European Commission and is presently being negotiated. Monitoring arrangements consistent with stipulations in the guidelines will be put in place following agreement on the programme between the relevant member states and the European Commission.

    Mr. Mallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what body or organisation will be charged with the task of dispensing the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation; how applications will be assessed; and if there will be a right of appeal for unsuccessful applicants. [29614]

    Sir John Wheeler
    The draft programme under the peace and reconciliation initiative which has been submitted to the European Commission envisages that a range of organisations will be used to dispense the available funds. The details of these arrangements are currently being discussed with the Commission and will be publicised when the programme is agreed. Applications for assistance from the initiative will be assessed against criteria to be published in the programme. Decisions on grant applications to EU programmes are normally considered to be final, but unsuccessful applicants will be given an explanation for refusal and may wish to amend and resubmit their proposals accordingly.

    Mr. Mallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the specific funding programmes which will be supported by the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation. [29699]

    Sir John Wheeler
    The guidelines for the European Union's peace and reconciliation initiative stipulate that the following priorities might be funded—employment, social inclusion, cross-border developments, urban and rural regeneration and industrial development/productive investment. The specific funding programmes will reflect these priorities.

    Mr. Mallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when applications will be invited for programmes supported by the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation; how these programmes will be advertised; how long each funding programme will remain open for applications; and what support will be made available to advise and support applicants through the application procedures. [29615]

    Sir John Wheeler
    Applications will be invited for projects under the European Union's peace and reconciliation initiative as soon as the programme is agreed between the member states concerned and the European Commission. Appropriate steps will be taken by the member states, the European Commission and, if necessary, other funding bodies under the programme to
    297
    publicise the measures to be funded. The length of time allowed under individual measures for applications to be received will be a matter for specific funding bodies but may depend, inter alia, on the resources available and the demand for particular measures. The programme envisages that technical assistance will be made available to assist with the implementation of the programme; the exact details are being negotiated between the member states concerned and the European Union.

    Mr. Mallon
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the application process for individuals and organisations wishing to apply to the European Union's fund for peace and reconciliation, including details of application forms, closing dates for individual programmes and addresses of the appropriate department or dispensing body. [29698]

    Sir John Wheeler
    The programme under the European Union's peace and reconciliation initiative is currently being negotiated between the member states concerned and the European Commission. The details of the application process can be settled only when all the management arrangements have been agreed. The application procedure will be fully publicised when the programme is agreed.

    "Accountability through Partnership"
    Mr. Worthington
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library the submissions made in response to his document "Accountability through Partnership". [29976]

    Mr. Ancram
    No responses to the consultative document on educational administration issued in 1993 were submitted in confidence.

    Education and Library Boards
    Mr. Worthington
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will state the populations represented by his proposed education and library boards and, in each case, the number of people represented by each member of each board. [29977]

    Mr. Ancram
    Based on the 1993 mid-year estimates, the population of the four areas proposed would be as follows:

    Population

    North Eastern

    375,500

    Western

    267,600

    Southern

    385,100

    Greater Belfast

    603,600

    The members of education and library boards are appointed to reflect a range of interests in education, not as representatives of particular populations.

    Military Complaints Report
    Mr. Streeter
    To ask the Secretary of State for Contract Location Northern Ireland when he intends to lay before Parliament Mr. David Hewitt's second annual report as independent assessor of military complaints procedures in Northern Ireland [30621]
    298
    Sir Patrick Mayhew
    I have today arranged for the second annual report of the independent assessor of military complaints procedures in Northern Ireland to be laid before each House of Parliament. I welcome this report which clearly demonstrates the thoroughness with which the assessor has approached his task. I note with satisfaction that the General Officer Commanding has been able to accept all five of the report's recommendations. This fully justifies the assessor's comment that"the Army continues to be seriously committed to proper investigation of genuine complaints as part of its overall strategy, which increasingly understands the value of public acceptability and fostering good community relations."

    The Army's presence on the streets of Northern Ireland is, of course, diminishing. But while there still remains a need for the Army to patrol in support of the Royal Ulster Constabulary there will still clearly be a need for the post of independent assessor. I look forward to the day when there will be no further need for it.

    Contracting Out
    Ms Hodge
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for each piece of work subject to a bidding process under the auspices of(a) his Department and (b) agencies for which his office is responsible (i) where work was contracted out, who were the successful bidders and (ii) which contracts were won by in-house bidders in (1) 1993–94, (2) 1994–95 and (3) 1995–95. [25655]

    Sir John Wheeler
    The information is as follows:

    1993–94

    Northern Ireland Office

    Prison Messes Catering Facilities won by Quadrant.

    Hillsborough Castle Grounds Maintenance won by Business Management NI.

    Stormont Castle Courier Service won by Group 4.

    Air Charter won by Eurojet Aviation Ltd. and Magec Aviation Ltd.

    Official Cars won by Government Car Service.

    Department Finance and Personnel

    Valcom Computer System in the Valuation and Land Office (now the Valuation and Lands Agency) won by the in-house team.

    Contract

    Department of Environment

    Roads Service

    Bridge Inspections

    In-house team

    Material Testing Laboratories

    In-house team

    Surface Dressing (part)

    In-house team

    Surface Dressing (part)

    J. McQuillan Contracts Ltd. and R. J. Maxwell and Son Ltd.

    Public Record Office of Northern

    Ireland

    Catering Service

    Quadrant Catering

    Contract

    Location

    Water Executive

    Sewer Maintenance 1

    Lisburn

    Clearway Disposals

    Antrim

    Precision Cleaning

    Armagh

    Clearway Disposals

    299

    Contract

    Location

    Road Reinstatement

    Armagh

    Collen Brothers

    Coleraine

    R. J. Maxwell

    Ards/Bangor

    D. Minnis

    Omagh

    R. J. Maxwell

    Antrim

    R. J. Maxwell

    Craigavon

    Collen Brothers

    Lisburn

    R. J. Maxwell

    Sludge Tankering 4B

    Coleraine

    McKitterick Contractors

    Enniskillen

    Road Safety Contractors

    Londonderry

    Road Safety Contractors

    Lisburn

    McKitterick Contractors

    Sludge Tankering 4A

    Ballymena

    McKitterick Contractors

    Armagh

    Curran Waste

    Septic Tank Contract 1

    Larne

    Road Safety Contractors

    Downpatrick

    McKitterick Contractors

    Lisburn

    McKitterick Contractors

    Londonderry

    Road Safety Contractors

    Enniskillen

    Road Safety Contractors

    Newry

    McKitterick Contractors

    Dungannon

    Road Safety Contractors

    Sewer Maintenance 2

    Lisburn

    T. G. Megarry

    Sewer Maintenance

    Belfast

    In-house team

    Coleraine

    In-house team

    Craigavon

    In-house team

    Londonderry

    In-house team

    Omagh

    In-house team

    Road Reinstatement

    Londonderry

    In-house team

    Sludge Tankering 4B

    Downpatrick

    In-house team

    Lisburn

    In-house team

    Ballymena

    In-house team

    Newry

    In-house team

    Armagh

    In-house team

    Sludge Tankering 4A

    Newry

    In-house team

    Antrim

    In-house team

    Sludge Contract 1

    Antrim

    In-house team

    Ballymena

    In-house team

    Sewer Maintenance 2

    Antrim

    In-house team

    Craigavon

    In-house team

    Coleraine

    In-house team

    Armagh

    In-house team

    Belfast

    In-house team

    Omagh

    In-house team

    Londonderry

    In-house team

    Grounds Maintenance

    Coleraine

    In-house team

    Armagh

    In-house team

    Downpatrick

    In-house team

    Omagh

    In-house team

    Department of Health and Social Service

    ICI Mainframe Computer Services won by GFM Group Ltd.

    Contract

    Child Support Agency

    Facilities Management

    Grafton Support Services

    Typing

    Grafton Support Services

    Telephonists

    Grafton Support Services

    Receptionists

    Grafton Support Services

    Cleaning

    Maybin Cleaning Services

    Security

    Mallusk Security Services

    300

    Contract

    Post-Opening

    Initial Cleaning Services

    Messengerial

    Initial Cleaning Services

    Porterage

    Initial Cleaning Services

    Handyman

    Initial Cleaning Services

    Catering

    Catering Guild

    1994–95

    Department of Economic Development

    Messenger Service contract won by the In-house Team.

    Northern Ireland Office

    Hillsborough Castle Estate Management won by Povall Worthington.

    Hillsborough Castle Facilities Management won by Symonds Facilities Management.

    Key Persons Protection Scheme won by Department of Environment, Works Service.

    Air Charter won by Eurojet Aviation Ltd. and Magee Aviation Ltd.

    Officials Cars won by Government Car Service. Office cleaning won by Office Cleaning Services Ltd.

    Department of Environment

    Roads Services General Road Maintenance activities won by a large number of measured term contractors.

    Child Support Agency

    In addition to the services contracted out in 1993–94 the following services have been contracted out:

    Reprographics won by Grafton Support Services.

    Stationery Store won by Grafton Support Services.

    Off-Site File Store won CFM (NI).

    Compensation Agency

    Prior Options Study won by Capita Management Consultants.

    1995–96

    Northern Ireland Office

    Civilian search arrangements won by Symonds Facilities Management.

    Security Guard Post won by Mallusk Security Services.

    Air Charter won by Eurojet Aviation Ltd. and Magee Aviation Ltd.

    Official cars won by Government Car Service.

    Office cleaning won by Office Cleaning Services Ltd.

    Child Support Agency

    It is proposed that the services contracted out in 1993–94 and 1994–95 will continue to be contracted out in 1995–96.

    Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

    Local office functions won by the In-house Team.

    Rate Collection Agency

    Computer printing and output handling won by CFM Northern Ireland.

  FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

    Indonesia
    Mr. Galbraith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of human rights in Indonesia. [29317]

    Mr. Goodlad
    We follow closely the human rights situation in Indonesia. We discuss it regularly with the Indonesian Government. Depsite a number of recent setbacks, there have been some improvements over recent
    301
    years. But more needs to be done. With our European Union partners we shall continue to press for further progress.

    European Parliament
    Mr. Spearing
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have been proposed to the intergovernmental conference by officials, academics or other bodies into the terms of the current consolidated treaty on European Union concerning the powers and duties of the European Parliament in respect of their functions of appropriation, surveillance and audit of expenditure, examination of public accounts, and discharge of the budget of the European Community. [29339]

    Mr. David Davis
    Several bodies have proposed changes to the powers and duties of the European Parliament. The European Parliament's own proposals have been tabled for scrutiny—EP:A4–0102/95. The European Parliament needs to do more to monitor EC spending, tackle fraud and waste. We have yet to hear a convincing case that the European Parliament needs additional powers which were gained for this purpose. Some new powers which were gained at Maastricht and which could be useful in this connection have yet to be used, for example, temporary committees of inquiry.

    Malaysia
    Miss Lestor
    To ask the Secretary of States for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the Government Ministers who accompanied the then Secretary of State for Defence when he visited Malaysia on 31 March 1989; and if he will list the Ministers who visited Malaysia in the first six months of 1989. [29341]

    Mr. Goodlad
    No Ministers accompanied the then Secretary of State for Defence on his visit to Malaysia.

    In addition to the Secretary of State for Defence, the following Minister visited Malaysia in the first half of 1989:

    Mr. Robert Atkins—Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry.

    Privatisation
    Mr. McNamara
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those parts of his Department or departmental agencies which were privatised without an in-house bid; if he will indicate the expertise which was absent in his Department or departmental agencies which prevented an in-house bid taking place; which future parts of his Department or departmental agencies he intends to privatise; and which of them do not have the necessary in-house expertise to mount an in-house bid. [29415]

    Mr. Goodlad
    Since April 1992, no parts of the FCO diplomatic wing or its agency, Wilton Park, have been privatised without an in-house bid.

    Two contracts have been let by the Overseas Development Administration without an in-house bid: travel unit messagerial service and daytime security guarding of the London premises. In both cases, a
    302
    strategic decision was taken to contract out because outside contractors are better equipped to deliver the services.

    The following services have already been identified as possible candidates for privatisation:

    FCO

    Travel accounts unit

    Pensions

    ODA

    Natural Resources Institute

    A strategic decision has been taken not to include an in-house bid in the privatisation of the FCO's travel accounts unit, based on the relatively small size of the operation. In-house bids have not been ruled out in the other cases.

    Nigeria
    Mr. Keith Hill
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what types of lethal military equipment the United Kingdom has supplied to Nigeria's United Nations contingents, to which contingents, and when. [29845]

    Mr. David Davis
    Although the measures adopted by the EU in December 1993 leave open the possibility of exporting to Nigeria equipment for peacekeeping use, it has been the practice of successive Governments not to reveal details of export licences or applications for licences unless the requirements of confidentiality are outweighed by the public interest.

    Eastern Europe (Investment)
    Ms Quin
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 June,Official Report, column 376, what steps would be necessary to obtain the information sought on investment in eastern Europe. [29476]

    Mr. Douglas Hogg
    It would have been necessary, through our embassies, to approach the authorities in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands and/or the authorities in the six recipient countries.

    Further research here has revealed a recent OECD publication containing some of the figures requested. I can now provide figures on German, French and Italian investment into the six countries, as shown in the tables.

    The publication does not provide figures on UK, Dutch or EU investment into the countries concerned.

    Too much significance should not be read into the figures given the problems of data capture, defining investment and determining national origin.

    A: Figures in national currencies Stock of direct investment end year

    Million FF

    France

    1988

    1989

    1990

    1991

    1992

    Bulgaria

    —

    37

    98

    70

    —

    CSFR

    —

    22

    33

    5

    —

    Hungary

    —

    3

    4

    4

    —

    Poland

    —

    92

    171

    877

    —

    Romania

    —

    40

    65

    64

    —

    303

    Million DM

    Germany

    1988

    1989

    1990

    1991

    1992

    Bulgaria

    —

    —

    —

    —

    —

    CSFR

    —

    —

    —

    537

    1,355

    Hungary

    39

    73

    266

    489

    1,158

    Poland

    16

    10

    26

    86

    286

    Romania

    —

    —

    —

    16

    27

    Billion Lira

    Italy

    1988

    1989

    1990

    1991

    1992

    Bulgaria

    —

    —

    —

    1

    2

    CSFR

    —

    —

    —

    4

    45

    Hungary

    —

    —

    —

    44

    69

    Poland

    —

    —

    —

    6

    31

    Romania

    —

    —

    —

    3

    4

    Source: OECD International Direct Investment Statistics Yearbook 1994.

    B: Exchange rates used to produce table C from table A National currency/$ average exchange rates

    1988

    1989

    1990

    1991

    7992

    France

    0.165044

    0.172771

    0.19497

    0.19305

    0.181604

    Germany

    0.561703

    0.588998

    0.669344

    0.659631

    0.619579

    Italy

    —

    —

    —

    0.000869

    0.000587

    Source: IMF IFS Yearbook 1994.

    C: Figures in US dollars

    Million US$

    France

    1988

    1989

    1990

    1991

    1992

    Bulgaria

    —

    343.6

    388.0

    384.4

    —

    CSFR

    —

    6.4

    19.1

    13.5

    —

    Hungary

    —

    3.8

    6.4

    1.0

    —

    Poland

    —

    0.5

    0.8

    0.8

    —

    Romania

    —

    15.9

    33.3

    169.3

    —

    Million US$

    Germany

    1988

    1989

    1990

    1991

    1992

    Bulgaria

    —

    —

    —

    —

    CSFR

    —

    —

    —

    103.7

    246.1

    Hungary

    6.4

    12.6

    51.9

    94.4

    210.3

    Poland

    2.6

    1.7

    5.1

    16.6

    51.9

    Romania

    —

    —

    —

    3.1

    4.9

    Million US$

    Italy

    1988

    1989

    1990

    1991

    1992

    Bulgaria

    —

    —

    —

    0.9

    1.2

    CSFR

    —

    —

    —

    3.5

    26.4

    Hungary

    —

    —

    —

    38.2

    40.5

    Poland

    —

    —

    —

    5.2

    18.2

    Romania

    —

    —

    —

    2.6

    2.3

    Ms Quin
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 June,Official Report, column 376, what estimates he has made of the costs which would have been incurred in providing a full answer. [29475]

    Mr. Douglas Hogg
    I refer the hon. Member to my earlier reply. The cost in time and resources needed to pursue the inquiries would clearly have been in excess of £450 and no more accurate estimates were made.
    304
    Ms Quin
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts he has had with the embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to discuss levels of German and EU investment into the countries of Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Rumania and Bulgaria. [29363]

    Mr. David Davis
    I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister of State, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg), today. The Department is in close contact with the embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany on a wide variety of matters, but we have not recently discussed German and EU investment levels in the countries mentioned.

    Foreign Affairs Council
    Sir Malcolm Thornton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council on 12 June. [30412]

    Mr. David Davis
    The A points listed in document 775/95, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, were adopted unanimously.

    The Commission was mandated to conclude the negotiations with Israel on a new agreement and report to the Committee of Permanent Representatives, COREPER.

    The Council approved the initialling of a Europe agreement with Slovenia.

    On former Yugoslavia, the Council expressed appreciation for the contribution of Lord Owen and welcomed his successor, Mr. Bildt. Agreement was given to open negotiations with Croatia for a trade and co-operation agreement.

    The presidency concluded that the situation in Chechnya did not yet allow the EU to proceed with signature of the interim agreement with Russia. But the Council agreed to keep the question under review, and to prepare to sign the agreement as soon as possible.

    The presidency outlined subjects for discussion at the European Council at Cannes.

    The Council agreed to the disbursement of the first tranche—200 million ecu—of a balance of payments loan to the Ukraine.

    The Council agreed that negotiations should be opened for partnership and co-operation agreements with the countries of the Transcaucasus, and to open exploratory talks with Uzbekistan.

    There was a further discussion of the European development fund. The subject was referred to COREPER for further work.

    The Commission reported on the state of play in negotiations for agreements with Morocco and Egypt, and announced details of a new Mediterranean financial regulation. There was a brief exchange over lunch on the forthcoming Barcelona Euro-Med conference.

    Negotiating directives for an EU/MERCOSUR framework agreement, plus an accompanying political declaration, were agreed.
    305
    Agreement was reached on negotiating directives for a long-term agreement with South Africa, subject to the solution of one outstanding problem by COREPER.

    There was a discussion of free trade areas, and the subject was remitted to COREPER for further discussion.

    The Council agreed that if Canada dropped its threatened retaliation over compensation for tariff increases resulting from EU enlargement, the Community would introduce tariff reductions on newsprint.

    Sir Leon Brittan reported on subjects on the agenda of the World Trade Organisation. The Council took note without debate, and endorsed the procedural conclusions on trade and social standards agreed previously in COREPER.

    The Council agreed, following a vote, the Commission's proposed negotiating directives for the revision of the protocols on textiles with the central and eastern European countries. Italy, Portugal and Greece opposed, and made minutes statements.

    A copy of the Council's conclusions will be placed in the Library of this House as soon as it is received by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

    Intergovernmental Conference, Luxembourg
    Sir Malcolm Thornton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the meeting of the study group to prepare for the 1996 intergovernmental conference which took place in Luxembourg on 13 and 14 June. [30413]

    Mr. David Davis
    As the Foreign Secretary's representative, I attended the second meeting of the study group in Luxembourg on 13 and 14 June. The meeting concentrated on institutional arrangements in the European Community—the "first pillar". Members of the group agreed that there was no need to change the overall balance between the central EC institutions—the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament.

    In my contribution I stressed the need to arrest centralising tendencies in Europe, and to banish the notion of a European Government in embryo. The European Parliament had acquired important new powers in recent years. The EP needed to demonstrate that it was using its existing powers responsibly, and to the full, for example to secure better value for money from Community programmes and to hold the Commission more closely to account.

    I put the case for closer involvement of national Parliaments in the work of the EU, and suggested that we might examine, in particular, whether national Parliaments could play a more active role in the application of the principle of subsidiarity.

    With respect to the Council, I repeated my opposition to any extension of majority voting, and I put the case for changes in the voting system to increase democratic legitimacy and to reduce the present bias against large member states.

    I argued that with the accession of new member states including perhaps some very small ones there could be a case for re-examining the system of six-monthly rotating presidencies in the EC.
    306
    Turning to the Commission, I commended Mr. Santer's emphasis on the need to do "less but better". The Council should take a closer interest in the Commission's legislative programme to help to achieve this. I suggested that we might examine the possibility of requiring the Commission to withdraw proposals which had not been agreed within, say, three years—a "sunset clause".

    North Atlantic Assembly
    Sir Malcolm Thornton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have been made in the composition of the United Kingdom parliamentary delegation to the North Atlantic Assembly.

    Mr. David Davis
    The hon. Member for Hampshire, East (Mr. Mates) has replaced the hon. Member for Harrogate (Mr. Banks) as a member of the delegation.

  EDUCATION

    Research
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of English higher education departments received a research rating of(a) three or above and (b) five during the recent research assessment exercise; and if she will make a statement. [29041]

    Mr. Boswell
    The higher education funding bodies are responsible for the conduct of the periodic research assessment exercise. Of the 2,127 submissions made by higher education departments in England to the 1992 research assessment exercise, 62 per cent. received a research rating of three or above; 14 per cent. of the departments received the top rating of five. The Government and the High Education Funding Council for England are committed to the principle of selectivity in the allocation of funding for research. The next research assessment exercise is to be undertaken in 1996.

    University Degrees
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the proportion of students obtaining(a) first class and (b) upper second class degrees at (i) the university of Oxford, (i) the university of Cambridge, (iii) the university of London and (iv) higher education institutions in England in (1) 1991–92 and (2) 1992–93; and if she will make a statement. [29046]

    Mr. Boswell
    The proportion of first degree graduates obtaining first class honours is as follows:

    Percentage Achieving

    Academic Year

    1991–92

    1992–93

    University of Cambridge

    24

    24

    University of London

    10

    10

    University of Oxford

    15

    14

    Other former UFC funded institutions

    8

    9

    All former UFC funded institutions

    10

    10

    1 Source:USR Volume 1 "Students and Staff Data on the number of graduates who obtain upper second class degrees are not published in volume 1 and are not readily available

    307
    The proportion of graduates from former PCFC funded institutions in England who achieved a first class degree or upper second class degree is as follows:

    Percentage achieving

    Academic year

    1991–92

    1992–93

    First class honours

    5

    5

    Upper second class honours

    39

    40

    Source: Department for education examinations results and first destination survey.

    Students
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the average mandatory loans and awards expenditure on each student from England and Wales in 1994–95; what proportion of the figure went on(a) student loans, (b) fee expenditure and (c) maintenance expenditure; what were the corresponding figures for those studying at the universities of (i) Oxford and (ii) Cambridge; and if she will make a statement. [29049]

    Mr. Boswell
    In the academic year 1993–94, the latest year for which data are available, the average expenditure per mandatory award holder in England and Wales was £3,790 of which 56 per cent. was on fees and 44 per cent. on maintenance.

    The average loan to students, including those who do not qualify for mandatory awards, in England and Wales in the academic year 1993–94 was £740.

    Separate data in respect of those studying at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge are not collected centrally.

    Grant-maintained Schools
    Mr. Andrew Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to her answer of 20 February,Official Report, column 52, when the chairman of the Funding Agency for Schools will reply to the questions on balances and deficits of grant-maintained schools. [29978]

    Mr. Robin Squire
    I understand that the chief executive of the Funding Agency wrote to the hon. Member on 16 June.

    Funding Agency for Schools
    Mr. Andrew Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education if the remuneration of the chairman and senior staff of the Funding Agency for Schools includes any element of performance-related pay. [29984]

    Mr. Robin Squire
    The chairman receives a fee with no element of performance-related pay. The chief executive's contract entitles him to receive a non-pensionable cash bonus; the basis for the determination of the bonus is his personal responsibility plan, which is agreed each year with the chairman. The remuneration of other senior staff includes an element of performance-related pay, as is the case for most senior staff employed by non-departmental public bodies whose terms and conditions are analogous to those of the civil service. The pay and conditions of senior staff are overseen by the board's remuneration committee.

    Good Shepherd School, Sefton
    Mr. Benton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on the provision of speech therapists at the school of the Good Shepherd, Sefton. [29322]

    Mr. Forth
    Responsibility for the provision of speech and language services rests with the NHS. I understand that the Department of Health will be asking Sefton health authority to look into provision at the school.

    Privatisation
    Mr. McNamara
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list those parts of her Department or departmental agencies which were privatised without an in-house bid; if she will indicate the expertise which was absent in her Department or departmental agencies which prevented an in-house bid taking place; which future parts of her Department or departmental agencies she intends to privatise; and which of them do not have the necessary in-house expertise to mount an in-house bid. [29428]

    Mr. Boswell
    Since the start of the "Competing for Quality" programme in April 1992, my right hon. Friend has not contracted out any parts of the Department or its agencies without an in-house bid.

    My right hon. Friend will be inviting expressions of interest for a contract to administer the teachers' superannuation scheme. We shall let a contract only if it would provide better value for money than keeping the administration of the scheme in the public sector. We shall not invite a bid from the Teachers Pensions Agency, which administers the scheme at present, because we are not conducting a market test. But it would be open to the management or staff of the TPA to seek to buy out the agency. Whether or not the administration is contractorised, the scheme itself will stay in the public sector, on its current statutory basis.

  TRADE AND INDUSTRY

    Insolvency Service
    Mr. Hargreaves
    To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set the Insolvency Service executive agency for 1995–96. [30596]

    Mr. Heseltine
    Against the Insolvency Service's business plan assumption of a further reduction in the number of compulsory insolvencies to 25,000 in 1995–96, I have set it the target of closing 35,000 cases. Taken together with the number closed in 1994–95, this will mean that nearly 90,000 case closures will have been completed by the service in two years. I also expect the service to continue to place increased emphasis on investigative work and hence exceed the number of disqualification proceedings commenced in 1994–95–930—itself an increase of 100 per cent. on 1993–94.

    In addition, I have set the service the following quality of service targets for 1995–96:
    —to report to creditors on assets and liabilities within eight weeks in at least 90 per cent. of all cases; and within 12 weeks in 98 per cent. of all cases;

    309
    —to hold the initial meeting of creditors within 12 weeks in at least 90 per cent. of all cases; and within four months in 98 per cent. of all cases;
    —to submit reports within 10 months in at least 90 per cent. of bankruptcy cases and 80 per cent. of company liquidation cases where there is evidence of criminality;
    —to submit disqualification reports within 15 months in at least 80 per cent. of cases where there is evidence of unfit conduct by directors;
    —to check and action at least 95 per cent. of payment requisitions within five days or by the due date;
    —to reduce by at least 10 per cent. the proportion of open cases that are more than 36 months old, so that there are no more than 1,900 such cases concerned at 31 March 1996.

    The service is also required to reduce its unit cost of administering bankruptcy and compulsory liquidation cases by 3 per cent.

    In addition, I expect the chief executive of the service to continue to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply and to produce audited commercial-style accounts for 1995–96.

    I expect the service to complete its contracting-out exercise by 31 March 1996.

    Teaching Company Schemes
    Mr. Battle
    To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the teaching company schemes between academical institutions and industry and numbers participating sponsored by the research councils. [29859]

    Mr. Ian Taylor
    I am replying as my Department has the lead sponsor role for TCS on behalf of all Government Department and research council sponsors.

    I have placed in the Library of the House a copy of the latest edition of the "TCS Quarterly Statistical Report", dated 31 March 1995, which includes brief details of all 518 TCS programmes current at that date. Pages 10 to 12 of the report list TCS programmes by academic institution, while pages 3 and 4 list the current TCS programmes by sponsor, including research council sponsors.

  BMARC
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether BMARC received export credits support from the Export Credits Guarantee Department between 1984 and 1990. [29723]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Yes.

  ECGD provided short-term insurance support to BMARC for export transactions to a variety of markets following the issue of a policy to the company in 1990.

  In addition, ECGD guaranteed one medium-term transaction for BMARC in May 1988 involving a sale of ammunition valued at just under £1.6 million covered under a line of credit to the Jordan armed forces.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the funds that had been earmarked for the now cancelled research into a wave power 310
  station will be transferred to research into other forms of alternative entry. [28063]

  Mr. Page
  The answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy on 31 March 1994,Official Report, column 1009, to my hon. Friend the member for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier) on the publication of energy paper 62, set out the Government's policy, strategy and forward programme for new and renewable energy, including closure of the wave programme. As set out in EP62, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House, the forward programme is expected to reduce in value over a 10-year time horizon as the technologies move towards the market and the DTI's task force role diminishes. Resources will be concentrated on key technologies with good prospects of commercial application in the coming decades—such as solar, energy from coppice and waste, wind and fuel cells. Expenditure estimates for the new and renewable energy programme, consistent with EP62, are published in the Department's annual report, a copy of which is also available in the Library of the House.

  Irish Imports
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the change in the United Kingdom share of the Irish Republic's market for manufactures following the loss of trade preferences against imports from the EEC Six. [29438]

  Mr. Needham
  The United Kingdom share of Irish imports was 51 per cent. in 1972 and 36 per cent. in 1993, the latest year information on a consistent basis is available.

  Imports of Manufactures
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will provide a further breakdown of the figures contained in the tables in section D of the 1992 annual supplement to the monthly review of external trade statistics, to show for the EEC Six, the other eight EEC countries and the rest of the world the United Kingdom share in each case of their imports of manufactures. [29507]

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is given in the table.

  UK share of imports of manufactures 1993

  Per cent.

  Original EEC Six Members2

  7.4

  Additional EEC Eight Members3

  8.5

  Rest of the World4

  n/a

  Notes:

  1 Standard International Trade Classification 5 to 8.

  2 Comprises Belgium/Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy and Netherlands.

  3 Comprises Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.

  4 Data for the rest of the world are not readily available.

  Source:

  OECD Series C

  Eurostat Intra and Extra EU Trade.
  311
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the United Kingdom percentage share of imports of manufactures by(a) Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa combined, (b) Germany, (c) France and (d) Italy in (i) 1970, (ii) 1979, (iii) 1990 and (iv) 1994. [29437]

  Mr. Needham
  The following is the information:

  UK share of imports of manufactures1

  Per cent.

  1970

  1979

  1990

  1994

  Canada, Australia and New Zealand2

  12.0

  6.4

  3.8

  n/a

  Germany

  5.5

  6.6

  7.1

  7.0

  France

  6.2

  7.0

  7.5

  n/a

  Italy

  6.3

  6.9

  6.7

  7.0

  Note:

  1 Standard International Trade Classification 5 to 8.

  2 Data for South Africa are not readily available.

  n/a = not available.

  Source:

  United Nations World Trade Annual OECD Series C.

  Eurostat Intra and Extra EU Trade.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will provide a further breakdown of the figures contained in the tables in section D of the 1992 annual supplement to the monthly review of external trade statistics to show for the Irish Republic, the original signatories of the EFTA convention and Finland combined and(a) Germany, (b) France and (c) Italy the United Kingdom percentage share of the total imports of manufactures in (i) 1970, (ii) 1979, (iii) 1990 and (iv) 1994. [29508]

  Mr. Needham
  The information requested is given in the table.

  UK share of imports of manufactures

  Per cent.

  1970

  1979

  1990

  1994

  Original EFTA Ireland and Finland2

  15.5

  12.6

  8.7

  n/a

  Germany

  5.5

  6.6

  7.1

  7.0

  France

  6.2

  7.0

  7.5

  n/a

  Italy

  6.3

  6.9

  6.7

  7.0

  Note:

  1 Standard International Trade Classification 5 to 8.

  2 Original EFTA comprises Austria, Iceland, Norway, Portugal,

  n/a = not available.

  Source:

  United Nations World Trade Annual OECD Series C.

  Eurostat Intra and Extra EU Trade.

  No. 1 Victoria Street
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much it has cost to renovate his Department's building at 1 Victoria street, London. [28945]

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 19 June 1995]: The Department of Trade and Industry does not own 1 Victoria street. The building was vacated in 1991 after condition surveys had shown substantial deterioration of mechanical and electrical services. The landlord, Legal
  312
  and General Property, subsequently agreed to commit £59 million—net of VAT—to bring the building up to modern standards, in exchange for a new 25-year lease on commercial terms. DTI will finance the balance of the project costs which are expected to be up to £2.4 million.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effect of the Government's monetary and exchange rate policies since 1979 on the rate of return in manufacturing industry. [29441]

  Mr. Needham
  The net rate of return on capital employed by manufacturing companies rose from 3.3 per cent. in 1979 to 5.8 per cent. in 1993. This reflects an underlying improvement in the performance of manufacturing industry.

  Business Initiatives (Women)
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what initiatives his Department has to assist and encourage women who want to start their own business; and how the success of any initiative is monitored and assessed. [29567]

  Mr. Page
  The Department of Trade and Industry's initiatives for businesses are open to all regardless of gender. All DTI business services are accessible through business links.

  Nuclear Accidents
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the maximum amount of compensation the privatised nuclear utility will be liable for in the event of a nuclear accident; and if the utility will be required to be insured for that amount. [28598]

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Under-Secretary of State for Industry and Energy to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 10 January 1995,Official Report, columns 29–30.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further plans he has for full privatisation of all Patent Office functions. [28075]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The plans are as set in the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Windsor and Maidenhead (Mr. Trend) by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 14 December 1994,Official Report, columns 657–58.

  Telephone Numbers
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will publish or place in the Library a list of towns or areas which are expected to run out of telephone numbers by(a) January 1997, (b) January 1998, (c) January 1999 and (d) January 2000 if further action is not taken by the Office of Telecommunications; [29897]

  (2) if he will hold an inquiry into Oftel's recent addition of "1" to all telephone numbers; [29893]
  313
  (3) what steps he took to secure an undertaking from Oftel that the addition of "1" to all telephone numbers in April would be the last major number change this century; [29895]

  (4) what steps he took to ensure that the addition of "1" to all telephone numbers in April would meet the needs of all current and future telephone users; [29894]

  (5) if he will estimate the cost to business and individuals of the addition of "1" to all telephone numbers in April; [29892]

  (6) if he will ensure that the recommendations of Oftel's consultation into the requirement for new numbers in London, Cardiff, Belfast, Reading, Portsmouth and Southampton are the subject of independent scrutiny. [29896]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  My Department welcomes the evidence of increased use of telephones and the demands for new applications of technology in telephony. The need to create new numbers reflects this.

  Specific numbering issues are the responsibility of an independent regulator, the Director General of Telecommunications, and I have therefore asked him to write to the hon. Member about the matters he has raised.

TRANSPORT

  River Thames
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential of the River Thames for residents and tourists. [28061]

  Mr. Norris
  Both the River Thames working group report and the Thames strategy report, the latter launched by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, recognise the importance of the Thames as a leisure and amenities resource for residents and visitors alike. Both reports make recommendations for maximising transport and recreational use of the river. Work on implementing these recommendations is continuing.

  Bull Bars
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what communication he has received from European Commissioner Kinnock on bull bars; and what is his response. [29304]

  Mr. Norris
  European Commissioner Kinnock wrote to me on 24 May and I replied on 8 June. I have placed a copy of the correspondence in the Library.

  Coastguard
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what time Falmouth received notification of distress signals issued by two British yachtsmen 110 nautical miles off La Corunna, Spain; when validation was confirmed by the coastguard station; when surface-to-air rescue was dispatched; and when it located the crew. [29332]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Coastguard agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
  314
  Letter from C. J. Harris to Ms Joan Walley, dated 21 June 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  At 0954 Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) on 5 June 1995 a `detect only' signal was passed to the UK Mission Control Centre (UKMCC) and the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Falmouth. This initial satellite 'hit' was "detect only"' that is, the data picked up by the satellite was insufficient to provide a position.
  The beacon was registered to the trimaran SEVERALLES CHALLENGE which was known to be participating in the AZAB race (Azores and back race), which departed from Falmouth on 3 June 1995. MRCC attempted to contact the vessel via BT International Radio Station, Portishead while AZAB race control were contacted for the last known position of the vessel.
  At 1053 UTC the UKMCC received positive information which indicated that the SEVERALLES CHALLENGE was positioned approximately 110 nautical miles off La Corunna, Spain. As the vessel was within the Spanish Search and Rescue Region the details were passed to MRCC Madrid.
  A search and rescue helicopter was despatched from the Marine Rescue Sub Centre La Corunna at 1155 UTC and located SEVERALLES CHALLENGE at 1300 UTC.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of(a) the balance of payments gains to the United Kingdom tourist industry and (b) the losses in holidays abroad following the construction of the channel tunnel. [29444]

  Mr. Watts
  None.

  Births at Sea
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many ships masters have reported a birth aboard their vessel to a marine superintendent during the last 10 years. [29593]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Barry Field, dated 21 June 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your question about reports of births on ships.
  During the last ten years masters of ships have reported to Department of Transport marine superintendents that there have been twelve births at sea. All births were on UK registered ships. No reports were received of births of UK citizens on non-UK registered ships.

  Al Steering Group
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times the Al 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. [27583]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 14 June 1995 by the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, the Minister with responsibility for roads in Scotland, my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh,
  315
  West (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton), Official Report, column 589.

  Fatal Accidents
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current cost of a fatal accident used by his Department's Highways Agency in its cost-benefit analysis used for justifying new highway schemes; and how many fatalities involving HGVs there were in 1991–92, 1992–93, and 1993–94. [27874]

  Mr. Watts
  The latest estimate of the cost of a fatal accident is £913,140—in 1994 prices and values.

  The number of fatalities in accidents involving heavy goods vehicles were:

  1991–92: 759 (of which 359 were on trunk roads)

  1992–93: 730 (of which 292 were on trunk roads)

  1993–94: 677 (of which 307 were on trunk roads)

  Estonia Accident
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the purpose of his visit to a roll-on roll-off ferry following the sinking of the Estonia; and what was the link between the exercise he witnessed and the disaster in the Baltic sea. [29299]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  As soon as preliminary investigations linked the cause of the Estonia accident to a failure of the bow door mechanism, I asked the Marine Safety Agency to carry out precautionary checks on the bow doors of all ro-ro ferries operating to and from United Kingdom ports. These inspections involved an examination of the bow door structure and locking system, a hose test to verify the watertight integrity of the doors and checks of surveillance equipment. Operational and reporting procedures were also examined.

  I was informed regularly of the progress of the inspection campaign, and I visited a ro-ro ferry in Dover to witness the comprehensive tests that were being carried out by MSA surveyors.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Speed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the net profit or loss so far of the preparation for and implementation of rail privatisation. [29337]

  Mr. Watts
  The net benefit of privatisation will be assessable only after the privatisation process is complete. We fully expect the benefits to passengers, of introducing private sector management and of freeing the railway from the constraints of public sector ownership, to far exceed the costs of restructuring and privatisation.

SCOTLAND

  Offshore Installations
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to meet the Scottish Fishermen's Federation to discuss the effect of the abandoning of offshore oil and gas installations on the fishing industry. [28988]
  316
  Sir Hector Monro
  I have been asked to reply.

  Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department officials have liaised closely with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation on abandonment policy prior to and since the federation submitted its view to the Government's Abandonment Policy Review Committee. I have no plans to meet the federation to discuss this matter.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring his Department intends to undertake on the effect on the Scottish fishing industry of the abandonment of offshore oil and gas installations. [28986]

  Sir Hector Monro
  I have been asked to reply.

  The possible impact of abandoned offshore oil and gas installations on the marine environment or on the fishing industry is considered fully as part of the Government's assessment of each abandonment plan. That is described in the Government's Abandonment Policy Review Committee's recent "Guidance Notes for Industry". The monitoring requirements of each abandonment will be specified in the abandonment plan, as necessary.

  Dounreay
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will conduct an inquiry into the criticisms of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate made by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment in relation to their failure to conduct a full investigation of the release of particles at Dounreay; and if he will ensure that UKAEA provides COMARE with all the information in their possession, now and in the future, relevant to their investigation of the Dounreay foreshore. [29195]

  Sir Hector Monro
  No. Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate has confirmed that it will make available to COMARE any information in its possession that is relevant to COMARE's inquiries. I understand that a similar assurance has been given by UKAEA.

  College Lecturers
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the total cost of the 1991 Anderson committee of inquiry into training of college lecturers. [28932]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This matter is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. The review of the arrangements for the initial training of further education college lecturers in Scotland was undertaken during the period December 1991 to August 1993. The analysis was undertaken by a review committee, the membership of which was drawn from further and higher education and other interests. Direct costs of the exercise were confined to travelling and subsistence for members of the review committee; and the printing of the report. Total costs in the those respects amounted to approximately £5,500.

  Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will name the consultants who are to conduct the review of private sector involvement in Highland and Islands Airports Ltd.; what is the cost of the exercise; what are their terms of reference; when the consultants are due to report; and if he will undertake to publish the final report. [29315]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Proposals by a number of firms of consultants have been received and are currently being assessed. The successful candidate will be selected by the end of June and will report by mid-October. The study will cost around £60,000. No decision has been taken yet on whether the final report will be published.

  The aim of the study will be to advise my right hon. Friend on how the private sector might be involved in all or part of the business of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd., with the objective of ensuring the most cost-effective delivery of high-quality services to users, both passengers and air transport operators.

  The terms of reference for the study make it clear that the airports are seen as essential for the social and economic well-being of the highlands and islands of Scotland and that it is essential that any arrangements should secure the long-term future of those services. The consultants will be asked to advise on a range of options, including: the sale of all or part of the business; franchising all or part of the business to the private sector; and other options for involving private sector finance and/or management skills.

  Those options will be considered against a base case of no change in the present arrangements. No decision has been taken at this stage to privatise HIAL of any part of it.

  Water Supply
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will meet the chairmen of the water boards to discuss quality and reliability of water supply. [28060]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Secretary of State intends to meet chairmen-designate of the new Scottish water authorities in July to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people from Scotland were studying at a higher education institution in the United Kingdom in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and if he will make a statement. [29042]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of people from Scotland studying at higher education institutions in the United Kingdom, for the latest two years available, is set out in the table:

  Number of people from Scotland in UK Higher Education Institutions

  Number

  1992–931

  97,860

  1993–942

  103,059

  1 Includes full-time university students only for HEIs in Wales and Northern Ireland.

  318

  2 Includes university students only for HEIs in Wales and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of Scottish higher education departments received a research rating of(a) 3 or above and (b) 5 during the recent research assessment exercise; and if he will make a statement. [29047]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Of the total number of units of assessment for which submissions were made by Scottish higher education institutions, 63 per cent. received a rating of 3 or above and 9 per cent. received a rating of 5.

  The 1992 research assessment exercise rated research by units of assessment which do not necessarily coincide with the internal structure of departments in the higher education institutions, and not all departments made submissions of research for assessment.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average loans and awards expenditure on each student from Scotland in 1994–95; what proportion of the figure went on(a) student loans, (b) fee expenditure and (c) maintenance expenditure; what were the corresponding figures for those studying at the universities of (i) Oxford and (ii) Cambridge; and if he will make a statement. [29048]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In the academic year 1994–95 the average awards expenditure per student domiciled in Scotland is estimated to be £1,227 on fees and £1,560 on maintenance. The reduction in average fee payments by comparison with earlier years reflects a shift in the overall funding of tuition costs as between institutional grant in aid and individual tuition fees.

  The average loan to students domiciled in Scotland, including those who do not qualify for an award, in the academic year 1993–94, the latest for which information is available, was £695.

  Separate data in respect of those studying at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge are not available centrally.

  Estate Ownership
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the foreign-owned companies which currently own estates in Scotland; which are(a) wholly owned by foreign state Governments and (b) partly owned by foreign Governments; and if he will make a statement. [29745]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No specific record is maintained for the purpose of identifying foreign companies, owned wholly or partly by foreign state Governments, which own land in Scotland.

  Education (Government Expenditure)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of identifiable Government expenditure on education in Scotland, including mandatory loans and awards to students, is devoted to(a) primary education, (b) secondary education, (c) further education and (d) higher education; and if he will make a statement. [29043]
  319
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Identifiable Government expenditure on education in Scotland in 1993–94 was £3,644 million. That includes expenditure by the Secretary of State directly and by local authorities, and was divided as follows:

  Per cent

  Primary

  30.0

  Secondary

  34.1

  Further

  7.7

  Higher

  22.8

  The following points are relevant to interpretation of these figures:

  1. The percentages do not total to 100 as other items of education expenditure—principally nursery and community education and the careers service—are excluded.

  2. The figure of £3,758 million for identifiable Government expenditure on education in 1993–94 included in table 7.6A of Cm 2821—Public Expenditure: Statistical Supplement to the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1995–96—also includes expenditure on recreation and leisure, sport and Gaelic broadcasting.

  3. Pupils began secondary education in Scotland at age 12.

  4. Further education expenditure includes bursaries paid by local authorities.

  5. Higher education expenditure includes the costs of grants—paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland—and of student loans received by all Scottish domiciled students undertaking higher education courses. It does not include expenditure on awards or loans for students who are domiciled elsewhere in the United Kingdom but are undertaking courses in Scotland.

  6. Some higher education courses are provided at further education colleges; further education courses may also be provided at higher education institutions. The costs of these cannot readily be separately identified and are attributed to the sector of provision.

  Small Businesses
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in which sectors of the economy(a) small businesses and (b) medium-sized businesses are predominantly to be found. [29572]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Although there is no fixed definition of "small" or "medium-sized" businesses, VAT registration data are available by turnover size band and are often used as a basis for analysis. Sectoral data on the number of VAT-registered legal units, by turnover size band, are available for Scotland in table 3E of Business Monitor PA1003 "Size Analysis of UK Businesses" for various years. Copies are available in the Library.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people were employed by(a) small businesses and (b) medium-sized businesses in each of the last 10 years; and if he will break these figures down by gender. [29571]

  Mr. Kynoch
  There is no single official definition of small or medium-sized business. However, data for Scotland on the number of persons employed in census of employment data units, which roughly correspond to workplaces, broken down by employee size band are available for 1984, 1987, 1989 and 1991. Those data can be obtained from the NOMIS database, which can be accessed by the staff of the Library of the House. Information by gender is not available.
  320
  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's definition of a small business and a medium-sized business. [29569]

  Mr. Kynoch
  There is no single "official" definition of what constitutes a small or medium-sized business. A range of definitions is used, each valid in its own context. For example, the SMART competition is aimed at businesses with up to 50 employees with an annual turnover not exceeding 5 million ecu or a balance sheet total not exceeding 2 million ecu, whereas the SPUR scheme if open to businesses with no more than 250 employers and an annual turnover not exceeding 20 million ecu or a balance sheet total not exceeding 10 million ecu.

  Ms Primarolo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) small businesses and (b) medium-sized businesses were started up in each of the last 10 years; and if he will break these figures down by gender of the entrepreneur. [29570]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Although there is no fixed definition of "small" or "medium-sized" businesses the vast majority of new business start-ups will, by any definition, be small. The best guide to trends in the number of start-ups in Scotland is given by registrations for VAT. Copies of "VAT registrations and deregistrations, county and district analyses 1980–91" and "VAT registrations and deregistrations, county and district analyses 1992–93" are in the Library. Information is not available on gender of the entrepreneur.

  Swedish Land
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much land in Sweden is owned by the Scottish Office. [29744]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None.

  Woodland Grants
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the foreign-owned companies which have been paid Government grants to plant trees on estates in Scotland in the past five years; and how much each has been paid in Government grants for this purpose; [29742]

  (2) if he will list the foreign-owned companies in receipt of Government grants for planting trees on estates in Scotland in 1995–96; and how much has been paid out to each company; [29746]

  (3) how much his Department has allocated to pay out to foreign-owned companies to plant trees on estates in Scotland in 1995–96; and how much is allocated to be spent on foreign-owned companies planting trees on Scottish estates in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [29743]

  Sir Hector Monro
  We do not record the nationality of the owners of companies which have received, or will receive, grants under the woodland grant scheme.

  M80
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present position concerning the proposed construction of the M80 motorway between Stepps and Haggs; and if he will make a statement. [29749]
  321
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In response to an earlier question I had indicated that a decision on the proposed route for the M80 would be taken soon. Because of the scale and complexity of this scheme, its 322
  substantial cost and the need to minimise its impact on the environment, further studies have been commissioned. Those are nearing completion.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Foreign Affairs Council
  North Atlantic Assembly: UK Delegation
  North Atlantic Assembly: UK Delegation
  Inter-Governmental Conference: Study Group Meeting, 13/14 June
  Inter-Governmental Conference: Study Group Meeting, 13/14 June
  UN World Conference on Women, Beijing: UK Report
  UN World Conference on Women, Beijing: UK Report
  Osteoporosis: Prevention and Treatment
  Osteoporosis: Prevention and Treatment
  Dental Anaesthesia: Report
  Dental Anaesthesia: Report
  Mental Health Act 1983: Compliance with Code of Practice
  Mental Health Act 1983: Compliance with Code of Practice
  Government Powers during Election Period
  Government Powers during Election Period
  Southend Pier
  Southend Pier
  Rotherhithe Tunnel: Listed Building Consent Application by London Underground
  Rotherhithe Tunnel: Listed Building Consent Application by London Underground
  European Commission: Special Areas of Conservation
  European Commission: Special Areas of Conservation
  Defence R&D, Patenting and Technology Transfer
  Defence R&D, Patenting and Technology Transfer
  Ballistic Missile Defence
  Ballistic Missile Defence
  Spy Satellites
  Spy Satellites
  Domestic Violence and Homicide by Women
  Domestic Violence and Homicide by Women
  Domestic Violence: Offences
  Domestic Violence: Offences
  Imprisonment for Non-Payment of Local Taxes
  Imprisonment for Non-Payment of Local Taxes