Written Answers of 22 March 1995

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Summary Financial Statements
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to seek views on the proposed changes to the regulations governing summary financial statements. [16083]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  My Department has today published a consultative document seeking views on a number of recommendations for changes to the regulations governing summary financial statements. The document recommends changes to the procedures for consulting shareholders, the content of the SFS and the drafting of the regulations. The proposals have been developed with the help of business and the accountancy profession. They aim to make the SFS regime simpler and a more attractive option for companies and encourage their more widespread use.

  The Department believes that greater use of SFS would benefit both business and shareholders. For business, they offer opportunities for cost savings and improved shareholder communications. Shareholders—in particular, private investors—benefit by receiving company information in a form which is easier to understand and more relevant to their needs, while still retaining the right to receive full reports if they choose.

  The Department is also seeking views on changes to the content of SFS issued by insurance companies, which are necessary to align with new EU rules.

  Copies of the consultative document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Comments should reach my Department by 19 May 1995.

  Regional Development Organisations
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet considered the business plans of the English regional development organisations; and what level of financial support he proposes to offer for 1995–96. [16084]

  Mr. Eggar
  I am pleased to announce a 53 per cent. increase in funding next year to attract inward investment to the English regions.

  Grants for the eight regional development organisations will be £8.551 million in 1995–96, compared with £5.605 million for the previous year. The increase reflects the real importance that the Government attach to maintaining and developing Britains place as the preferred location for investment in the EU. It is apparent from their performance that they continue to play an important and successful role in attracting inward investment to Britain.
  194
  I am also pleased to welcome the setting up of a new regional development organisation for the west of England which is planned to begin operation in the autumn.

  RDOs have been working closely with my Departments Invest in Britain Bureau. The increase in funding will allow them to continue and step up their activity to attract further investment over the next year, in the face of European and global competition. I have allocated the grant aid as follows:

  RDO

  1995–96 grant £000

  Percentage share of total grant

  Northern Development Company (NDC)

  1,650

  19.3

  INWARD Ltd. (in the North West)

  1,378

  16

  Yorkshire and Humberside Development Association (YHDA)

  1,400

  16.4

  West Midlands Development Agency (WMDA)

  1,118.2

  13.1

  Devon and Cornwall Development International (DCDI)

  895

  10.5

  East Midlands

  800

  9.4

  London First Centre

  1,000

  11.7

  West of England Development Agency

  310

  3.6

  Regional Supply Network
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about progress on the establishment of a regional supply network. [16085]

  Mr. Heseltine
  I am pleased to report that the regional supply network, which forms part of my Departments Business Links services, will become operational in April 1995. The network has, with funding from my Department, been established in fulfilment of a commitment in last years competitiveness White Paper, Cm 2563. It will consist of 10 regional supply offices covering England and will complement similar existing operations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  The network will:
  help purchasers to find the most competitive sources of supply; provide new business opportunities for competitive suppliers; encourage the spread of best practice, supplier development and local chains;
  highlight current deficiencies in local supplier capabilities, signpost firms to Business Links and other relevant business support organisations which will help to rectify such deficiencies.

  Further information is contained in a leaflet on the regional supply network. I am placing copies in Library of the House.

  Philippines
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the value to British companies of contracts signed following the visit of the Philippines President. [14419]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  During President Ramoss visit, agreements to the value of approximately £700 million were signed with United Kingdom companies, including
  195
  British Gas, Balfour Beatty, GKN, Stramit and GEC Alsthom. UK companies are pursuing a number of other projects in the Philippines and I am confident that following the Presidents successful visit, UK commercial interests in the Philippines will develop further.

  Privatisation
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list in respect of each privatisation since 1979, including industries previously located at the Department of Energy,(a) the net equity proceeds to Government as a result of privatisation, (b) the market value at the end of the first day of trading and (c) the current market value. [15349]

  Mr. Heseltine
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Grocott) on 31 October 1994,Official Report, columns 989–90. Information on market values at the end of the first day of trading is not held centrally by my Department. In a number of cases, information on market capitalisation at flotation and movement in share values at the end of the first days trading is contained in the National Audit Office report on the relevant sale, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Consultants
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list(a) the consultants, (b) the tasks for which they were employed and (c) the payments made to them from the budget of his Department in (i) 1992–93 and (ii) 1993–94.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The detailed information cannot be provided except at disproportionate costs. However, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 10 February 1995,Official Report, column 429.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 15 March,Official Report, column 567, if he will set out the targets for the different size bands of projects applying for assisted area grants. [14937]

  Mr. Eggar
  Target times for processing applications for regional selective assistance are as follows:

  Application size band

  Per cent.

  Up to £25,000

  80 within 35 working days

  £25,000 to £100,000

  75 within 45 working days

  £100,000 to £1 million

  75 within 60 working days

  £1 million or more

  65 within 100 working days

  These targets are currently under review.

  Channel 5 Television
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the progress made to date in obtaining international clearances for the revised Channel 5 frequency plan; which frequencies have now achieved clearances from which foreign jurisdictions; which are outstanding; and if he expects any impediments to final clearances being achieved by October. [15394]
  196
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I am pleased to report that most of the revised Channel 5 transmitter plan has been cleared. The coverage of the service is now around 67 per cent. of the population compared with the base figure of around 50 per cent. which had been cleared as part of the original Channel 5 plan.

  The Radiocommunications Agency has cleared internationally 20 out of 26 proposals put forward by the Independent Television Commission, including major transmitters such as Winter Hill, which will ensure that a major part of the north-west of England, including Manchester and Liverpool, will be able to receive the service. Achievement of the outstanding clearances will increase coverage of Channel 5 to around 70 per cent. of the population.

  The following transmitters which have been fully cleared by all foreign Administrations:

  Location

  Winter Hill

  Channel 48/Horizontal Polarisation

  Croydon

  Channel 37/Horizontal Polarisation

  Sutton Coldfield

  Channel 37/Horizontal Polarisation

  Black Hill

  Channel 37/Horizontal Polarisation

  Burnhope

  Channel 68/Horizontal Polarisation

  Belmont

  Channel 56/Horizontal Polarisation

  Fawley

  Channel 34/Horizontal Polarisation

  Fenham

  Channel 56/Vertical Polarisation

  Tacolneston

  Channel 52/Horizontal Polarisation

  Durris

  Channel 67/Horizontal Polarisation

  Chelmsford

  Channel 63/Horizontal Polarisation

  Perth

  Channel 55/Vertical Polarisation

  Tay Bridge

  Channel 34/Vertical Polarisation

  Plympton

  Channel 30/Vertical Polarisation

  Huntshaw Cross

  Channel 67/Horizontal Polarisation

  Craigkelly

  Channel 48/Horizonal Polarisation

  Mounteagle

  Channel 67/Horizontal Polarisation

  Selkirk

  Channel 52/Horizontal Polarisation

  Cambret Hill

  Channel 37/Horizontal Polarisation

  Oxford

  Channel 49/Horizontal Polarisation

  The following are still under discussion between the Radiocommunications Agency and neighbouring administrations: the transmitters at Black mountain, Londonderry, Presely and Blaen Plwyf are under consideration by the Irish Administration; the Radiocommunications Agency is currently examining a response from the French Administration concerning the proposals for the Mendip and Redruth transmitters.

  It is not possible to predict the outcomes or timing of the outstanding negotiations, although the discussions are taking place in a positive and constructive way.

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the period of time by the European Union institutions to pay bills to British companies, with particular reference to small and medium enterprises. [15144]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The United Kingdom Government have not undertaken any assessment of payments by European Commission institutions to British businesses. However, I understand that the European Commission has established a maximum payment period of 60 days and has taken steps to improve compliance with this.
  197
  In addition, the Commission has said that it undertakes regular checks on the payment periods applied by its own departments.

  Electricity Prices
  Sir Donald Thompson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has that Northern Electricity plc misled the Director-General of Electricity Supply as to its true financial position during discussions last year about the appropriate level of electricity pricing; and what consideration is being given to appropriate action by his Department or other authorities to investigate the matters. [15164]

  Mr. Eggar
  This is a matter for the Director General of Electricity Supply.

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of money spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14620]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Details of my Departments running costs and administrative spending for the years 1989–90 to 1997–98 are contained in the tables on pages 94 and 97 of my Departments annual report, Cm 2804, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Iraq (Sanctions)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what activities or discussion were forbidden under UN sanctions to the Iraqi-British Interests Group on its recent visit to Iraq.

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Any prohibitions under UN sanctions apply to anyone from the United Kingdom visiting Iraq for trade purposes.

PRIME MINISTER

  Objectives
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Prime Minister how many of their objectives of April 1992 the Government have now achieved; and how many remain. [15354]

  The Prime Minister
  Since April 1992, the Governments policies have laid the foundations for sustained economic growth. Underlying inflation is down to its lowest for a generation, interest rates are among the lowest in the EC, unemployment is down by over 600,000 since its peak, exports are at record levels, and we are attracting more investment from Japan and America than Germany and France combined.

  We have also pressed ahead with our reforms to raise standards in our schools, fight crime, improve the quality of care in the national health service and, with the citizens charter, make the public services more accountable to the taxpayers they serve. Our commitment to continuing improvement in standards in education has been achieved by the national curriculum, extension of objective testing of pupils, inspection of primary as well as secondary schools, continuation of publication of school results, and launch of the Teacher Training Agency. Parental choice
  198
  has been enhanced by the further expansion of the grant-maintained schools and specialist colleges. The national health service is now treating 1 million more patients a year than since before our reforms began; our determination to ensure it is properly funded is borne out by the fact that, for every £1 spent on the service in 1979, over £5 will be spent in 1995–96. Against the backdrop of the largest fall in recorded crime for 40 years, we have introduced a range of measures designed to tilt the balance back in favour of the victims of crime, and ensure that crime does not pay, but criminals do.

  The Government have made significant progress towards achieving a lasting peace in Northern Ireland. The ceasefire has now lasted for almost seven months, giving a new basis on which we can take the peace process forward. There has also been considerable success in winning the argument in Europe—especially in our attempts to make the community more open, outward-looking and decentralised.

  The Governments objectives for the future remain as stated in the Gracious Speech on 16 November 1994, Official Report, columns 4–6.

  Publications
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minster what was the total expenditure on(a) all forms of publicity and (b) all publications and pamphlets produced for his Department and for all the agencies and public bodies for which his Department is responsible for each year since 1979, including the budgeted figure for 1995–96, (i) including and (ii) excluding privatisation-related expenditures and expressed in 1994 prices; and if he will supply information for the period from 1 April 1993 to 1 March 1995 showing (1) the nature and (2) the purpose of each publicity campaign and of each publication involving the expenditure of more than £50,000.

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 17 March 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service and Science on 21 March.

  Press and Public Relations
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total annual expenditure by the Prime Ministers Office on press and public relations for each year since 1987–88, including the estimated expenditure for 1994–95 and the budgeted expenditure for 1995–96. [14588]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 17 March 1995]: Expenditure on the No. 10 press office for each year since 1987 is as follows. There is no separate expenditure on public relations.

  £000

  Year

  Total excluding superannuation

  2Superannuation

  Total including superannuation

  1987–88

  378

  n/a

  n/a

  1988–89

  419

  n/a

  n/a

  1989–90

  428

  n/a

  n/a

  1990–91

  514

  39

  553

  1991–92

  571

  36

  607

  199

  £000

  Year

  Total excluding superannuation

  2Superannuation

  Total including superannuation

  1992–93

  622

  46

  668

  1993–94

  604

  39

  643

  1994–95

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1995–96

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1Outturn figure not yet available.2 Notional superannuation costs were charged from 1990–91.

  n/a=Not applicable.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Administration and Policy Formation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14250]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Details of the Home Offices running costs and central services spending for the years 1989–90 to 1997–298 are contained, respectively, in the tables in annexe 3 and annexe 1 of the Home Office Annual Report, Cm 2808, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Nottingham Probation Service
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Sherwood may expect a reply to his letter dated 22 December 1994 about the Nottingham probation service. [14705]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  A reply was sent on 17 March.

  Football Hooliganism
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the main conclusions of the joint inquiry by the football associations of England and Ireland into the violence at the England v. Ireland football match in Dublin on 15 February; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [15436]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand that a report has been prepared by the Football Association and that the Football Association of Ireland will be producing a separate report. It is for the FA to decide whether to make its findings public.

  Sex Offenders
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that a national database is maintained in regard to those who commit sexual offences against children and young people.

  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the introduction of a permanent register of convicted paedophiles and sex offenders; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 27 February 1995]: A comprehensive database, known as Phoenix, which will cover all reportable offences including paedophile and other sex offences, is currently being developed by the Government on behalf of the police service. It will come into service for new offences in the late spring of this
  200
  year, and the transfer of existing records to the new database will be complete by mid-1996. Phoenix is a development of exceptional importance to the police service, and I believe that it will meet many of the concerns which have led to suggestions for a separate register of certain convicted sex offenders.

  Access to Police Records
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to grant Government Departments and agencies direct access to criminal records held on the police national computer for security vetting purposes. [16058]

  Mr. Maclean
  I have agreed with the Association of Chief Police Officers that limited direct access to the criminal record information held on the police national computer will be allowed to six Departments and agencies. The checks performed under this arrangement will be carried out strictly in accordance with the existing statement of security vetting policy announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 15 December,Official Report, columns 764–66. The Departments and agencies, which will be taking up the new service at differing times, are the Ministry of Defence, the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority—acting also on behalf of BNFL plc, URENCO, URENCO (Capenhurst) Ltd. and the UK NIREX—the Home Office, and the Department of Trade and Industry.

  The new arrangements will allow these bodies to improve the efficiency of their procedures through direct preliminary checks which would establish whether or not a subject has a criminal record, but would not give them access to the record itself. In the minority of cases where the preliminary search indicates that the subject has a criminal record, the Departments or agencies would continue to ask the national identification service—formerly the national identification bureau—to supply the record itself.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Clive Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy in relation to Ethiopians seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom. [15331]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  All asylum applications from Ethiopian nationals are considered individually in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 February, to the hon. Member for Davyhulme (Mr. Churchill),Official Report, columns 755–56, how many of those port asylum applicants, refused both asylum and exceptional leave to remain in each year since 1992 but who have not yet departed voluntarily or been removed (a) are currently detained pending the outcome of an appeal or awaiting removal, (b) have been placed on restriction orders or granted temporary admission and (c) are known to have absconded. [14799]
  201
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information available is given in the table:

  Number of applicants

  Position at 16 March 1995

  Year of refusal

  Detained pending outcome of an appeal or awaiting removal

  Granted temporary admission

  Absconded

  1992

  0

  65

  10

  1993

  13

  815

  290

  1994

  78

  3,950

  280

  Total

  91

  4,830

  580

  M11 Link Road Protests
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of arrests made to date in connection with protests against the M11 link road; how many were made under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; what were the reasons for the arrests; and what have been the outcomes of these cases. [15336]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Wildlife Sales Offences
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces monitor relevant trade journals to identify potential wildlife sales offences. [15048]

  Mr. Maclean
  This is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police and is not recorded centrally.

  Road Death Inquests
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many inquests into road deaths have been held in the presence of a jury, in each year from 1978 to 1994; [14856]

  (2) what statistical records his office holds for the length of time elapsing between death on the road and an inquest taking place for each year from 1984 to 1994; [14858]

  (3) how many inquests into road deaths have been held after summary charges, in each year, by county, from 1978 to 1994; [14857]

  (4) how many inquests have been reconvened after a guilty plea in respect of road deaths in the Crown court for each year from 1984 to 1994. [14859]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The available information collected on deaths reported to coroners is published in an annual Home Office Statistical Bulletin. The latest bulletin, Statistics of Death reported by Coroners: England and Wales, 1993, issue 7/94, was published on 21 April 1994 and is available in the Library. Specific information on road deaths is not collected separately.

  Fear of Crime
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent representations he has received from womens organisations on the subject of crime and the fear of crime; [14860]

  (2) if he will give details of meetings he has had with representatives of womens organisations to discuss crime and the fear of crime. [14863]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is as follows.

  On 11 March 1994, the Womens National Commission, an advisory committee to the Government, forwarded a copy of its 1991 recommendations on women in prison, the operation of the criminal justice system and the management of prisons as they affect women in particular, to find out how far current practice reflected what was recommended.

  On 15 March 1994, the Conservative Womens National Committee forwarded recommendations on law and order issues. Matters raised included juvenile crime, media portrayal of crime, drug abuse, police-community partnerships and sentencing and prisons.

  On 14 November 1994, Mothers against Teenage Criminal Hooligans—MATCH—forwarded for comments a survey of the views of some 500 people about youth crime.

  A number of representations have also been received from individuals and organisations working, or experiencing, the problems associated with domestic violence.

  On 15 November 1994 the Minister of State met Mothers Against Murder and Aggression—MAMAA—which was formed in the wake of the Jamie Bulger murder to address issues of abuse and violence against and by children and young people.

  On 7 December 1994 the Home Secretary addressed a plenary meeting of the Womens National Commission. His speech covered juvenile crime, domestic violence and victims and witnesses of crime.

  Police Service Employees
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will give details of the number of(a) women and (b) men employed at each grade within the police service, for each police authority for every year since 1989 with details of their responsibilities. [14862]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the duties to which officers are assigned could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Tables giving the information requested on police ranks have been placed in the Library.

  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of Asian and Afro-Caribbean officers, both male and female in each police authority, in each year since 1989; and what are the figures as a percentage of officers employed in each area. [14398]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information for 1992 and 1993 is provided in the table. Figures for earlier years are not held centrally.
  203

  1992

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Total number of police officers

  Number of black officers

  Black officers percentage

  Number of Asian officers

  Asian officers percentage

  Force

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  Avon and Somerset

  2,745.00

  316.00

  10.00

  5.00

  0.33

  0.16

  2.00

  0.00

  0.07

  0.00

  Bedfordshire

  955.00

  166.00

  13.00

  8.00

  1.16

  0.71

  9.00

  3.00

  0.80

  0.27

  Cambridgeshire

  1,087.00

  150.00

  11.00

  5.00

  0.89

  0.40

  6.00

  0.00

  0.49

  0.00

  Cheshire

  1,670.00

  231.00

  1.00

  1.00

  0.05

  0.50

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  City of London

  685.00

  93.00

  6.00

  2.00

  0.77

  0.26

  1.00

  0.00

  0.13

  0.00

  Cleveland

  1,317.00

  184.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.13

  0.00

  9.00

  2.00

  0.60

  0.13

  Cumbria

  1,048.00

  148.00

  1.00

  0.00

  0.08

  0.00

  1.00

  0.00

  0.08

  0.00

  Derbyshire

  1,604.00

  206.00

  8.00

  2.00

  0.44

  0.11

  16.00

  3.00

  0.88

  0.17

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,578.00

  337.00

  3.00

  0.00

  0.10

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Dorset

  1,154.00

  164.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.15

  0.00

  Durham

  1,245.00

  131.00

  3.00

  1.00

  0.22

  0.07

  1.00

  0.00

  0.07

  0.00

  Dyfed-Powys

  848.00

  109.00

  1.00

  1.00

  0.10

  0.10

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Essex

  2,552.00

  365.00

  9.00

  1.00

  0.31

  0.03

  9.00

  0.00

  0.31

  0.00

  Gloucestershire

  1,021.00

  127.00

  5.00

  1.00

  0.44

  0.09

  3.00

  0.00

  0.26

  0.00

  Greater Manchester

  6,122.00

  933.00

  106.00

  21.00

  1.50

  0.30

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Gwent

  894.00

  106.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.20

  0.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.20

  0.00

  Hampshire

  2,883.00

  402.00

  6.00

  2.00

  0.18

  0.06

  7.00

  1.00

  0.21

  0.03

  Hertfordshire

  1,430.00

  258.00

  6.00

  1.00

  0.36

  0.06

  3.00

  2.00

  0.18

  0.12

  Humberside

  1,839.00

  194.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.10

  0.00

  3.00

  0.00

  0.15

  0.00

  Kent

  2,666.00

  440.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.06

  0.00

  7.00

  2.00

  0.23

  0.06

  Lancashire

  2,813.00

  392.00

  3.00

  3.00

  0.09

  0.09

  14.00

  2.00

  0.44

  0.06

  Leicestershire

  1,601.00

  229.00

  18.00

  2.00

  0.98

  0.11

  19.00

  2.00

  1.04

  0.11

  Lincolnshire

  1,064.00

  127.00

  1.00

  0.00

  0.08

  0.00

  2.00

  1.00

  0.17

  0.08

  Merseyshire

  4,039.00

  614.00

  25.00

  6.00

  0.54

  0.13

  18.00

  1.00

  0.39

  0.02

  Norfolk

  1,290.00

  136.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  North Wales

  1,203.00

  153.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  North Yorkshire

  1,258.00

  150.00

  1.00

  0.00

  0.07

  0.00

  4.00

  0.00

  0.28

  0.00

  Northamptonshire

  1,067.,00

  136.00

  10.00

  2.00

  0.83

  0.17

  6.00

  0.00

  0.50

  0.00

  Northumbria

  3,196.00

  387.00

  3.00

  1.00

  0.08

  0.03

  7.00

  2.00

  0.20

  0.06

  Nottinghamshire

  2,075.00

  246.00

  22.00

  7.00

  0.95

  0.30

  16.00

  2.00

  0.69

  0.09

  South Wales

  2,873.00

  288.00

  18.00

  1.00

  0.57

  0.03

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  South Yorkshire

  2,651.00

  349.00

  18.00

  2.00

  0.60

  0.07

  10.00

  1.00

  0.33

  0.03

  Staffordshire

  1,867.00

  302.00

  18.00

  6.00

  0.,83

  0.28

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Suffolk

  1,091.00

  145.00

  3.00

  2.00

  0.24

  0.16

  0.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.16

  Surrey

  1,435.00

  222.00

  10.00

  1.00

  0.60

  0.06

  4.00

  1.00

  0.24

  0.06

  Sussex

  2,653.00

  326.00

  7.00

  3.00

  0.23

  0.10

  2.00

  1.00

  0.07

  0.034

  Thames Valley

  3,222.00

  541.00

  21.00

  8.00

  0.56

  0.21

  24.00

  4.00

  0.64

  0.11

  Warwickshire

  857.00

  123.00

  0.00

  1.00

  0.00

  0.10

  7.00

  2.00

  0.71

  0.20

  West Mercia

  1,804.00

  256.00

  8.00

  2.00

  0.39

  0.10

  3.00

  1.00

  0.15

  0.05

  West Midlands

  5,908.00

  1,052.00

  154.00

  49.00

  2.21

  0.70

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  West Yorkshire

  4,438.00

  629.00

  24.00

  10.00

  0.147

  0.20

  43.00

  5.00

  0.85

  0.10

  Wiltshire

  1,010.00

  157.00

  0.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.17

  7.00

  0.00

  0.60

  0.00

  Provincial total

  85,758.00

  12,020.00

  561.00

  159.00

  0.57

  0.16

  267.00

  40.00

  0.27

  0.04

  Metropolitan Police

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  England and Wales total2

  85,758.00

  12,020.00

  561.00

  159.00

  0.44

  0.13

  267.00

  40.00

  0.21

  0.03

  1 Figures not available centrally.

  2 Excluding the Metropolitan Police.

  1993

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Total number of police officers

  Number of black officers

  Black officers percentage

  Number of Asian officers

  Asian officers percentage

  Force

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  Avon and Somerset

  2,688.00

  336.00

  13.00

  5.00

  0.43

  0.17

  3.00

  0.00

  0.10

  0.00

  Bedfordshire

  994.00

  173.00

  11.00

  6.00

  0.94

  0.51

  7.00

  4.00

  0.60

  0.34

  Cambridgeshire

  1,073.00

  152.00

  8.00

  6.00

  0.65

  0.49

  6.00

  1.00

  0.49

  0.08

  Cheshire

  1,647.00

  226.00

  1.00

  1.00

  0.05

  0.05

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  City of London

  677.00

  115.00

  7.00

  2.00

  0.88

  0.25

  1.00

  0.00

  0.13

  0.00

  Cleveland

  1,248.00

  166.20

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  12.00

  2.00

  0.85

  0.14

  Cumbria

  1,030.00

  154.00

  1.00

  0.00

  0.08

  0.00

  1.00

  1.00

  0.08

  0.08

  Derbyshire

  1,581.00

  209.00

  6.00

  1.00

  0.34

  0.06

  15.00

  3.00

  0.84

  0.17

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,552.00

  353.00

  4.00

  0.00

  0.14

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Dorset

  1,132.00

  160.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.15

  0.00

  Durham

  1,233.00

  154.00

  3.00

  1.00

  0.22

  0.07

  3.00

  0.00

  0.22

  0.00

  Dyfed-Powys

  815.00

  151.00

  1.00

  1.00

  0.10

  0.10

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Essex

  2,548.00

  399.00

  11.00

  2.00

  0.37

  0.07

  10.00

  0.00

  0.34

  0.00

  204 205

  1993

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  Total number of police officers

  Number of black officers

  Black officers percentage

  Number of Asian officers

  Asian officers percentage

  Force

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  Gloucestershire

  1,004.00

  136.00

  5.00

  2.00

  0.44

  0.18

  3.00

  1.00

  0.26

  0.09

  Greater Manchester

  6,058.00

  987.00

  107.00

  22.00

  1.52

  0.31

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Gwent

  877.00

  112.00

  4.00

  0.00

  0.40

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Hampshire

  2,844.00

  426.00

  7.00

  2.00

  0.21

  0.06

  9.00

  1.00

  0.28

  0.03

  Hertfordshire

  1,418.00

  261.00

  4.00

  3.00

  0.24

  0.18

  5.00

  2.00

  0.30

  0.12

  Humberside

  1,817.00

  216.00

  3.00

  0.00

  0.15

  0.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.10

  0.00

  Kent

  2,691.00

  462.00

  3.00

  0.00

  0.10

  0.00

  8.00

  1.00

  0.25

  0.03

  Lancashire

  2,735.00

  402.00

  4.00

  3.00

  0.13

  0.10

  14.00

  2.00

  0.45

  0.06

  Leicestershire

  1,589.00

  248.00

  19.00

  2.00

  1.03

  0.11

  25.00

  2.00

  1.36

  0.11

  Lincolnshire

  1,064.00

  140.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.17

  0.00

  2.00

  2.00

  0.17

  0.17

  Merseyside

  4,006.00

  656.00

  27.00

  8.00

  0.58

  0.17

  20.00

  1.00

  0.43

  0.02

  Norfolk

  1,283.00

  151.10

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  North Wales

  1,184.00

  157.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  North Yorkshire

  1,182.00

  152.00

  1.00

  0.00

  0.07

  0.00

  4.00

  1.00

  0.30

  0.07

  Northamptonshire

  1,044.00

  137.00

  9.00

  2.00

  0.76

  0.17

  7.00

  0.00

  0.59

  0.00

  Northumbria

  3,179.00

  412.00

  1.00

  1.00

  0.03

  0.03

  0.00

  1.00

  0.00

  0.03

  Nottinghamshire

  2,058.00

  280.50

  21.00

  6.00

  0.90

  0.26

  14.00

  2.00

  0.60

  0.09

  South Wales

  2,854.00

  288.00

  22.00

  1.00

  0.70

  0.03

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  South Yorkshire

  2,630.00

  385.00

  24.00

  7.00

  0.80

  0.23

  9.00

  0.00

  0.30

  0.00

  Staffordshire

  1,871.00

  328.00

  13.00

  4.00

  0.59

  0.18

  7.00

  3.00

  0.32

  0.14

  Suffolk

  1,061.00

  154.00

  4.00

  3.00

  0.33

  0.25

  1.00

  1.00

  0.08

  0.08

  Surrey

  1,422.00

  228.00

  11.00

  1.00

  0.67

  0.06

  6.00

  1.00

  0.36

  0.06

  Sussex

  2,628.00

  349.00

  2.00

  5.00

  0.07

  0.17

  3.00

  1.00

  0.10

  0.03

  Thames Valley

  3,256.00

  567.00

  24.00

  6.00

  0.63

  0.16

  20.00

  5.00

  0.52

  0.13

  Warwickshire

  862.00

  141.00

  1.00

  1.00

  0.10

  0.10

  9.00

  3.00

  0.90

  0.30

  West Mercia

  1,790.00

  266.00

  15.00

  4.00

  0.73

  0.19

  1.00

  0.00

  0.05

  0.00

  West Midlands

  5,833.00

  1,110.95

  81.00

  32.00

  1.17

  0.46

  70.00

  18.00

  1.01

  0.26

  West Yorkshire

  4,344.00

  642.00

  23.00

  10.00

  0.46

  0.20

  42.00

  6.00

  0.84

  0.12

  Wiltshire

  1,018.00

  158.00

  0.00

  2.00

  0.00

  0.17

  7.00

  0.00

  0.60

  0.00

  Provincial total

  84,820.15

  12,700.75

  503.00

  152.00

  0.52

  0.16

  348.00

  65.00

  0.36

  0.07

  Metropolitan Police

  23,445,30

  3,697.15

  215.00

  79.00

  0.79

  0.29

  142.00

  36.00

  0.52

  0.13

  England and Wales total

  108,265.5

  16.397.90

  718.00

  231.00

  0.58

  0.19

  490.00

  101.00

  0.39

  0.08

  Visas
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those countries from which visitors to the United Kingdom do not require a visa. [14911]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Those other than the following countries or territorial entities:

  Afghanistan

  Albania

  Algeria

  Angola

  Armenia

  Azerbaijan

  Bangladesh

  Belarus

  Benin

  Bhutan

  Bosnia-Herzegovina

  Bulgaria

  Burkina

  Burma

  Burundi

  Cambodia

  Cameroon

  Cape Verde

  Central African Republic

  Chad

  China

  Comoros

  Congo

  206

  Cuba

  Djibouti

  Egypt

  Equatorial Guinea

  Eritrea

  Ethiopia

  Gabon

  Georgia

  Ghana

  Guinea

  Guinea-Bissau

  Haiti

  India

  Indonesia

  Iran

  Iraq

  Jordan

  Kazakhstan

  Kirgizstan

  Korea (North)

  Laos

  Lebanon

  Liberia

  Libya

  Macedonia

  Madagascar

  Mali

  Mauritania

  Moldova

  Mongolia

  Morocco

  207

  Mozambique

  Nepal

  Nigeria

  Oman

  Pakistan

  Philippines

  Romania

  Russia

  Rwanda

  Sao Tome e Principe

  Saudi Arabia

  Senegal

  Sierra Leone

  Somalia

  Sri Lanka

  Sudan

  Syria

  Taiwan

  Tajikistan

  Thailand

  Togo

  Tunisia

  Turkey

  Turkmenistan

  Uganda

  Ukraine

  Uzbekistan

  Vietnam

  Yemen

  Zaire

  The territories formerly comprising the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia, excluding Croatia and Slovenia

LORD CHANCELLORS DEPARTMENT

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellors Department how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14239]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Details of my Departments running costs and administrative spending for the years 1989–90 to 1997–98 are contained in table 4 of my Departments annual report, Cm 2809, copies of which are available in the Members Library.

HEALTH

  Birth Defects
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what studies her Department has made of the side-effects of chorion villus sampling for Downs syndrome; and if she will take steps to ensure that all prospective parents are provided with information on the possibility of abnormalities resulting from the tests; [14455]

  (2) how many CVS tests were provided under the NHS in each of the past five years and at what cost; and if she will list the manufacturers of these tests. [14457]
  208
  Mr. Sackville
  The results of a major Government-funded Medical Research Council clinical trial conducted in a number of international centres and examining the use of chorion villus sampling were published in 1991 and the findings published in The Lancet1, copies of which are available in the Library. This also highlighted the possibility of a risk of limb reduction deformities associated with the procedure. Health professionals involved in conducting CVS would be aware of these findings and therefore in a position to advise parents of the potential risks involved, including that of miscarriage.

  Information is not available centrally about the number or cost of the tests. The procedure involves tests undertaken usually in national health service laboratories, on placental tissue taken from the woman by CVS. There are therefore no manufacturers of these tests.

  1 Medical Research Council European Trial of Chorion Villus Sampling, The Lancet, vol 337: 1491–1499, 22 June 1991.

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children with Downs syndrome were born in each of the past 10 years. [14456]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is shown in the table.

  Notification of babies born with Downs Syndrome in England and Wales, 1984–1993

  Year

  Numbers

  1984

  505

  1985

  442

  1986

  445

  1987

  459

  1988

  428

  1989

  487

  1990

  415

  1991

  440

  1992

  394

  1993

  311

  Data were obtained from the national congenital malformation notification scheme. For the years given, the data were collected for live and stillbirths where the malformation was identified at or within 10 days of birth.

  Independent Living
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government will continue to identify an element for support of independent living within the revenue support grant for local authorities from 1996–97; and if she will make a statement. [15053]

  Mr. Bowis
  Currently, an element of the special transitional grant for community care is identified as relating to the former independent living fund. It is not separately ring-fenced and local authorities are free to use it for any community care service. Whether former independent living fund resources will continue to be separately identified after the special transitional grant ends has not yet been determined.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will encourage and fund research into the therapeutic use of cannabis with double blind trials designed to established the efficacy or otherwise of this form of treatment. [15069]
  209
  Mr. Bowis
  The main agency through which the Government support medical and related biological research is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. It is always willing to consider scientifically sound proposals. As for any other unlicensed product, a sponsor seeking a product licence for cannabis would need to present supporting data to the Medicines Control Agency, which would evaluate any application made to it in the normal way.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the adequacy of the provision of nursing homes for poor elderly people; and what information she has on the equivalent provision in each of the other European Union states. [14914]

  Mr. Bowis
  Matters of quality and quantity of local nursing homes, irrespective of the income levels of residents, are for local commissioning authorities. We do not hold information on nursing homes in other European countries centrally.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for granting prescription charge exemptions to people with splenectomies who require prophylactic doses of penicillin. [15372]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  General Practitioner Trainees
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applicants there were per GP trainee post(a) nationally, (b) regionally and (c) broken down by each FHSA in the current year and for each of the last 10 years. [15364]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Smoking
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action her Department is taking to reduce levels of cigarette smoking among people on low incomes. [15380]

  Mr. Sackville
  The White Paper The Health of the Nation sets a target of 20 per cent. for adults smoking by the year 2000. In view of their higher smoking rates, it is clearly essential to reach people on low incomes if this is to be achieved.

  This will be done through the comprehensive programme set out in the White Paper and the action plan Smoke Free for Health including health education, action on price, advice from general practitioners and other health professionals and proper controls on advertising and promotion.

  Copies of both documents are available in the Library.

  Consultation on Changes to Health Services
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to reduce the requirement on health boards for formal consultation when major changes to health services are planned. [15362]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Sight Tests
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects consultations with representatives of the Association of Optometrists on the GOS sight test fee for 1995–96 to begin. [15873]

  Mr. Malone
  Consultations on the 1995–96 national health service sight test fee will begin shortly with the Optometric Fees Review Committee, which represents the optometric profession.

  Births, Marriages and Deaths
  Mr. John Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response she intends to make to the representations to her from the London borough of Lambeth in relation to the reform of the system for registering births, marriages and deaths. [15137]

  Mr. Sackville
  The London borough of Lambeth has been advised that the Government intend to introduce legislation to implement the proposals in the White Paper entitled Registration: proposals for change, Cm 939, when parliamentary time allows.

  Emergency Services, Carshalton and Wallington
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the provision of accident and emergency services at hospitals serving the constituency of Carshalton and Wallington. [15268]

  Mr. Sackville
  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority is responsible for purchasing accident and emergency services for Carshalton and Wallington residents. My hon. Friend may wish to contact Mr. Harry Cowd, chairman of the health authority, for details.

  Complaints Procedures
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to publish her response of the Wilson report on patients complaints. [15829]

  Mr. Malone
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health published today the Department of Healths response to the report of the review committee on the national health service complaints procedures, chaired by Professor Wilson, vice-chancellor of Leeds university, in a document Acting on Complaints. Copies of this document will be placed in the Library.

  Measles Rubella Immunisation Campaign
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of immunisation coverage has been achieved by the measles rubella campaign; and what impact this has had on the number of cases of measles. [15853]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Very high immunisation coverage has been achieved by the campaign so far, and efforts are still being made to reach those children who have not yet been immunised. Coverage in England is 92
  211
  per cent. overall; 77 per cent. of districts have immunised at least 90 per cent. of children, with 22 per cent. achieving coverage of 95 per cent. or more; 94 per cent. of school children in Northern Ireland have been immunised and 88 per cent. in Scotland and Wales.

  The campaign has led to a fall in measles notifications and in confirmed measles cases. There were 1,774 measles notifications in England and Wales in January and February 1995 compared with 2,476 in the previous two months. In Scotland, where the campaign is not yet complete, there were 283 cases in January and February compared with 437 in the previous two months. About half of the suspected measles cases in England and Wales have been investigated with laboratory tests. There were only nine confirmed measles cases in January and one in February; one further case, a contact of the February case, is being investigated and may be confirmed. This compares with 101 confirmed cases in the previous two months. There have been no confirmed cases in Northern Ireland this year.

  Psychiatric Services
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the yearly cost of a psychiatric bed in the national health service for each of the last five years. [14820]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information is as follows:

  Average yearly cost per patient for Psychiatric specialities

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  Directly managed units and national health service trusts—England

  37,755.60

  41,960.40

  43,924.10

  Source:

  Annual financial returns of regional, district and special health authorities for the London postgraduate hospitals and NHS trusts.

  Notes:

  1. Figures for 1993–94 are provisional.

  2. Figures prior to 1991–92 are not comparable with later years because there were changes in accounting practice and included only direct costs whereas figures from 1991–92 include overheads and capital charges.

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Non-attenders

  5,068,256

  5,105,459

  5,188,838

  Total appointments

  42,009,254

  42,632,497

  43,421,464

  Proportion of patients who did not attend

  12.1 per cent.

  12.0 per cent.

  11.9 per cent.

  Notes:

  1. Includes patients referred by a general practitioner or another consultant.

  2. Excludes patients who gave advance warning of their non-attendance.

  Source:

  Outpatient and Ward Attenders, England, published annually.

  Hostels
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State of Health (1) what account has been taken in drawing up her proposals for amending regulations concerning hostels accommodating people aged 16 to 25 years of the conclusions of investigations into where young people leaving care have been subject to abuse. [14789]

  Care Homes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role is currently played by the social services inspectorate in terms of establishing whether there are in any particular area reasons for the continued direct provision of local authority part III accommodation. [14707]

  Mr. Bowis
  None.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of people employed in care homes provided under the National Assistance Act 1948 in each year since 1979. [14706]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information available centrally relates to whole-time equivalent numbers of staff directly employed by local authority social services departments in residential care homes. Figures for 1979 to 1993 are published in the 1992 and 1993 editions of the Local Authority Social Services Statistics: Staff of Local Authority Social Services Departments, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions during each year since 1984 it has been necessary to place residents in local authority part III accommodation as a direct result of the closure for whatever reason of a private voluntary care home. [14775]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Out-Patient Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients failed to attend out-patient appointments in England in each year since 1992; and if she will make a statement. [15110]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is given in the table. Guidance on reducing non-attendance has already been issued to the national health service. This will be supported by further guidance on reducing waiting times. We expect the introduction of the new patients charter standard for out-patient appointments will further encourage purchasers and providers to tackle the problem of non-attenders.

  (2) what mechanisms will exist under the amended regulations governing hostels for people aged 16 to 24 years for (a) checking the suitability of those running hostels and (b) checking the suitability of the premises. [14790]

  Mr. Bowis
  The proposals, currently being consulted on, take account of other provisions of the Children Act
  213
  and regulations which will adequately safeguard the welfare of the young people.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give a breakdown by member of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority of the sums identified in its account for 1993–94 as(a) £55,546 for remuneration of authority members and fees paid to members including the chairman and (b) £30,385 paid to members in travel and subsistence. [15438]

  Mr. Sackville
  Payments made to members of the authority in 1993–94 are as shown in the table:

  Fees £

  Prof. Sir C. Campbell (Chairman)

  8,214.00

  Lady Diana Brittan (Deputy Chairman)

  5,304.00

  Prof. R. J. Berry

  3,682.00

  Prof. I. Cooke

  1,268.00

  Prof. A. Cox

  3,036.00

  Jane Denton

  4,828,00

  Liz Forgan

  509.00

  Mrs. Joan Harbison

  2,939.00

  Prof. S. Hillier

  5,578.00

  R. Holloway

  1,393.00

  Penelope Keith

  1,250.00

  Mrs. Angela Mays

  4,029.00

  Dr. Anne McLaren

  1,137.00

  Dr. Jeannette Naish

  1,515.00

  Rabbi Julia Neuberger

  2,792.00

  Prof. R. Shaw

  1,003.00

  David Shilson

  1,905.00

  Prof. R. Snowden

  1,503.00

  Lady Julia Tugendhat

  1,408.00

  Christine Walby

  250.00

  Prof. D. Whittingham

  2,003.00

  Total members fees

  55,546.00

  Note:

  1. Expenses for travelling cost, on average were £1,446.90 per member per year.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the consistency of the impartiality of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority with her Departments target that in the current financial year 70 per cent. of its income should be derived from licence fees. [15440]

  Mr. Sackville
  Parliament decided that a proportion of the cost of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authoritys licensing function should be recovered by charging fees to licensed centres. The principle under which the costs of regulation are met by bodies such as the authority is well established. Unlike other similar organisations, the authority does not recover all of its costs through fees; the taxpayer currently meets 30 per cent. of its costs. The licence fees charged are determined by the authority with the approval of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Treasury.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the background to the circumstances identified in the foreword to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority account for 1993–94 and which led to(a) the proposal not to renew the licence of one centre and (b) revoke the licence of a linked centre; what was the outcome of those proposals; and what was the legal cost. [15437]
  214
  Mr. Sackville
  Licensing decisions under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act are matters for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. The authority decided in June 1994 not to renew the licence of one centre and to revoke the licence of a linked centre. The circumstances of this case cannot be disclosed because the authoritys decisions are at present the subject of an appeal. The legal costs of this case are on-going.

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give a breakdown of the different professional fees which gave rise to the total expenditure of £89,763 on such fees identified in the annual account 1993–94 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [15439]

  Mr. Sackville
  Professional and administrative fees set out in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authoritys accounts for 1993–94 comprise:

  £

  Legal costs re licensing problems

  72,663.50

  Payroll costs

  913.18

  Accountants

  6,979.93

  Miscellaneous (computer consultants, surveyors fees for rates appeal, legal fees for new lease, personnel consultants, refund on audit fees)

  9,206.63

  89,763.24

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Departmental Staff (Job Offers)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Attorney General how many job offers were reported by staff in his Department under the requirements of the rules on the acceptance of outside appointments in each of the last 10 years by(a) staff of grade 3 and above, (b) staff below grade 3, (c) staff in sections concerned with procurement or contract work, under section 15 of the rules of 1st February 1993 and (d) staff in other sections, under section 14; and how many of these reports were followed by an application to join the company concerned.

  The Attorney-General
  Owing to a clerical error in my answer of 14 June 1994,Official Report, column 368, an incorrect date was given for the reported approach at the Serious Fraud Office at grade 6 level under section 14 of the rules. The date should have been 1992 not 1993.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what was the amount of money spent on central administration and policy formulations by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14621]

  Mr. Newton
  Details of my Departments running costs and administrative spending for the years in question are contained in the relevant report of expenditure plans,
  215
  Cm. 2820, page 102 a copy of which is available in the Members Library.

DEFENCE

  Weapons Establishments Sites
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the licensing of atomic weapons establishments sites; and if he will make a statement. [15649]

  Mr. Freeman
  Agreement has been reached between the Government, the Health and Safety Executives nuclear installations inspectorate and Hunting-BRAE Ltd., the operating contractor of AWE, that the AWE sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield should be licensed during 1997 under the provisions of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965. Work has already started on achieving this.

  Pilot Training
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many multi-engine pilots are trained each year by the RAF to operational conversion unit input standards; for what reason a contract for training six such pilots is being placed within the commercial sector, as set out in Future Purchase LC1/0012; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Soames
  The current RAF requirement is to train 61 multi-engine pilots to operational conversion unit input standards each year.

  The defence costs study identified a number of ways in which flying training could be carried out more cost-effectively; for example, by the increased use of civilian instructors and contractors. The study concluded that multi-engine pilot training was an area where commonality of syllabus existed between the military and civil sector, and proposed that consideration should be given to transferring this part of RAF flying training to a civilian flying training school. My Department therefore intends to place a contract to train six RAF multi-engine pilots with the civil sector to assess the viability of this strategy.

  Fraud
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Departments police fraud squad has examined the placing of shipping contracts in the period 1980 to 1990; and if he will make a statement. [14409]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Ministry of Defence police fraud squad investigated between 1988 and 1990 allegations relating to the placement of Ministry of Defence shipping contracts. The investigation was inconclusive, however; no criminal charges were brought, and the case is now closed.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Departments police fraud squad is currently taking in investigating claims of fraud during the chartering of shipping in the Gulf War; and what actions are being taken.

  Mr. Freeman
  The Ministry of Defence police fraud squad is investigating a number of matters arising from the chartering of shipping during the Gulf war. As my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces 216
  said in his written answers on 9 March, Official Report, column 349, some of these remain the subject of civil or criminal action.

  Gordon Foxley
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the total value of procurement orders which were not given to British defence manufacturers as a result of the activities of Gordon Foxley. [14411]

  Mr. Freeman
  It is not possible to say with any certainty what impact Foxleys corrupt activities in the field of fuse manufacture had on British defence manufacturing industry.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department is still investigating the extent of the fraud carried out by Gordon Foxley; and if he will make a statement. [14410]

  Mr. Freeman
  Investigations into Gordon Foxleys activities are continuing. Part 5 of the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General into the risk of fraud in defence procurement—HC 258 Session 1994–95—published on 10 March 1995, contains a full account of my Departments investigations to date.

  Biological Weapons
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the continued existence of biological weapons in the sea surrounding the British Isles following the end of the second world war; how many biological weapons remain deposited in the sea; what types of weapons are involved; in what locations they are; when the weapons deposited were last inspected; what evidence there is of leakage; and what steps he is taking to ascertain the circumstances of their disposal. [14406]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department has no knowledge of any biological weapons being dumped in the sea surrounding the British Isles.

  Troop Exchange Programme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his Australian counterpart concerning the troop exchange programme between the United Kingdom and Australia; and if he will make a statement. [14405]

  Mr. Soames
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has had no such discussions.

  Housing Stock (Privatisation)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the role of NatWest Markets in the development of proposals for the privatisation of his Departments housing stock; [15486]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 16 March, Official Report, columns 721–23, regarding his Departments housing stock, whether he will state the possibilities under consideration by his Department for transferring the married quarters estate to the private sector; and if he will make a statement; [15487]

  (3) pursuant to his answer of 16 March, Official Report, columns 721–23, regarding his Departments housing

  217
  stock, what proposals he has considered for the duration of leasehold to be held by his Department following the privatisation of his Departments housing stock; [15474]

  (4) pursuant to his answer of 16 March, Official Report, columns 721–23, regarding his Departments housing stock, what provision he has made for the protection of (a) the welfare and (b) the rights of tenancy of service men and women in developing proposals for the privatisation of his Departments housing stock; [15477]

  (5) if all moneys accrued from the privatisation of his Departments housing stock will remain within the Departments budget; [15478]

  (6) pursuant to his answer of 16 March, Official Report, columns 721–23, regarding his Departments housing stock, what is his estimate for consultancy and legal fees for the completion of proposals for the privatisation of his Departments housing stock; [15480]

  (7) when he expects to announce proposals for the privatisation of his Departments housing stock; [15481]

  (8) pursuant to his answer of 16 March, Official Report, columns 721–23, regarding his Departments housing stock, if proposals for the privatisation of his Departments housing stock will be open to consultation by members of the armed services and other interested parties; [15482]

  (9) pursuant to his answer of 16 March, Official Report, columns 721–23, regarding his Departments housing stock, what assessment he has made of potential security risks in considering proposals for the privatisation of his Departments housing stock. [15483]

  Mr. Soames
  As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Milton Keynes, North-East (Mr. Butler) on 8 December 1994,Official Report, column 303, we intend to develop proposals for the possible transfer of the married quarters estate to the private sector, on the basis of initial work undertaken for us last autumn by NatWest Markets. We are close to completing the competitive selection of financial advisers to assist us in this process. Our consideration of the possibilities for such a transfer is still at an early stage, and a good deal of further development and evaluation is needed. It would therefore be premature at this stage to speculate as to what proposals may emerge from this work, what their details might be, what further independent professional advice might be required to assist the development of these proposals, and what the financial and other implications of such proposals may prove to be. We envisage that we will be in a position to make a further statement on these issues in the second half of the year, and any proposals which we may bring forward in due course will be the subject of appropriate consultation. In the course of our on-going consideration of the possibilities, we shall continue to pay particular attention to the operational and security requirements of the services, and to the welfare and interests of service personnel and their families.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the cost of urgent and unavoidable repairs to be made to his Departments housing stock; and how much has been spent on urgent and unavoidable repairs in each of the last 10 years. [15475]

  Mr. Soames
  No central record is kept of this information, but the defence housing executive will take on responsibility for the management and maintenance of the married quarters estate from 1 April, and the cost of 218
  urgent and unavoidable repairs will be met from within its overall budget. We expect that the improved housing management for which the executive is being established will in due course reduce the incidence of requirements for such repairs.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 16 March,Official Report, columns 721–23, regarding his Departments housing stock, what estimate he has made of the financial value of his Departments housing stock; and if he will make a statement. [15476]

  Mr. Soames
  The value which might be realised in any transfer of the married quarters estate to the private sector will depend on a range of factors, which we will be able to determine only as detailed proposals are developed.

  David Hart
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the role of Mr. David Hart in the development and execution of proposals for the privatisation of his Departments housing stock. [15485]

  Mr. Soames
  Mr. David Hart is one of several independent advisers who have contributed to the development of proposals for the married quarters estate. His involvement has been, and continues to he, very valuable.

  Budget Reductions
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of future reductions in his Departments budget. [15479]

  Mr. Soames
  The latest plans for the defence budget ensure that British forces will continue to be able to fulfil their wide range of tasks with improved capability. In addition they provide sufficient resources to meet the costs defence will face in moving to the new smaller and more efficient support structures arising from the defence costs study.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 1 March,Official Report, column 609, in which cities the memoranda of understanding with Indonesia were signed, of September 1983, March 1984, April 1986 and November 1991, and in each case who were the signatories.

  Mr. Freeman
  All of the memoranda of understanding referred to were signed in Jakarta by representatives of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and Her Majestys Government.

  Gulf War
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will obtain and evaluate the report to the Chairman of the Committee on Veterans Affairs of the United States Senate by the United States General Accounting Office on outstanding questions on possible exposure to reproductive toxicants of the allied forces during the Gulf war, in the report coded GAO/PTMD 93.30, dated August 1994. [14582]

  Mr. Soames
  A copy of this report was obtained shortly after its publication in the United States and was reviewed by scientific and medical specialists within my
  219
  Department, as is all material relating to the alleged Gulf war syndrome.

  Pensions
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what he estimates would be the cost to the Exchequer if the widow of a service man, whom she married after he had left the service, was paid a pension relating to his years of service for marriages before 1978. [14395]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department has no record of the number of marriages which were contracted before 1978 by former service men after their retirement, and it is not possible, therefore, to provide an estimate of the cost of awarding pensions to their widows in such cases.

  Female Crews
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many sea-going vessels of the Royal Navy have undergone internal refitting to accommodate female crew members; and how many berths were provided and at what total cost in the last five years. [14910]

  (2) how many sea-going vessels of the Royal Navy have had internal alterations made to remove accommodation designed for female members of crews; and what is the number of berths removed and at what total cost in the last five years. [14908]

  Mr. Soames
  Over the last five years, 36 Royal Navy ships and five Royal Fleet Auxiliaries have been converted to accommodate female personnel. This has resulted in 1,313 berths becoming available for female personnel. All conversion work has been carried out as part of major refit programmes and costs of this specific work are not separately identified. In the same period, none has undergone any reversion work.

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14247]

  Mr. Soames
  Details of defence operating costs for the years 1989–90 to 1997–98 are contained in table 4 of my Departments annual report, Cm 2801, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of(a) service personnel and (b) civilians employed at each Ministry of Defence establishment in Cornwall for the last year for which figures are available. [15031]

  Mr. Soames
  While it is not my Departments policy to give the number of employees at individual establishments, at 1 July last year there were 3,904 service and 611.5 full-time equivalent civilian personnel employed in the county of Cornwall.

  Service Housing, Cornwall, South-East
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the number of Ministry of Defence housing 220
  units of accommodation for each location in the Cornwall, South-East parliamentary constituency; and how many are currently unoccupied, giving the reasons for their non-occupation. [15032]

  Mr. Soames
  As at 31 December last year, my Department owned 199 houses in the Cornwall, south-east constituency, of which 10 were vacant. Of the vacant properties, six were allocated to service families who were due to move in shortly and four were undergoing works. All are located at Torpoint.

  Naval Training
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the detailed arrangements for the transfer of Royal Navy sea training from Portland to Plymouth in September. [15033]

  Mr. Soames
  Operational sea training will end at Portland on 19 July 1995. Flag officer sea training will then move his organisation to Plymouth, where his headquarters will be located in HMS Drake. Full operations should start on 11 September 1995.

TRANSPORT

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14251]

  Mr. Norris
  Details of my Departments expenditure on central administration for the years 1989–90 to 1997–298 are contained in figure 2 of my Departments annual report, column 2806, copies of which are available in the Members Library. We cannot separately identify the costs of policy formulation.

  Mobile Telephones
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received urging the inclusion in the driving test of a test of the ability to use a mobile telephone safely while the vehicle is moving as a condition of being allowed to do this; and if he will make a statement. [15345]

  Mr. Norris
  We have received no such representations.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in how many road accidents in the past year the driver of a vehicle involved was using a mobile telephone at the time of the accident. [15344]

  Mr. Norris
  This information could not be obtained other than at disproportionate cost.

  Olympic Airways
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his reply of 30 January,Official Report, column 484, regarding Olympic Airways flight DA265 of 7 January, if it is intended to prosecute or penalise Olympic Airways and the pilot. [15209]

  Mr. Norris
  Regulatory responsibility for Olympic Airways rests with the Greek Civil Aviation Authority, to which the UK Civil Aviation Authority passed an
  221
  information copy of the UK air traffic control occurrence report.

  Highlands and Islands Airports
  Sir Russel Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many take-offs and landings there have

  1992

  1993

  19941

  Arrival

  Departure

  Arrival

  Departure

  Arrival

  Departure

  Benbecula

  1,671

  1,669

  1,639

  1,638

  1,956

  1,952

  Inverness

  13,910

  13,792

  13,600

  13,596

  11,964

  11,958

  Islay

  1,165

  1,186

  1,037

  1,039

  1,154

  1,155

  Kirkwall

  7,018

  7,011

  6,415

  6,413

  5,910

  5,915

  Stornoway

  3,680

  3,675

  3,427

  3,427

  3,535

  3,531

  Sumburgh

  14,121

  14,106

  13,773

  13,760

  13,984

  13,982

  Tiree

  480

  485

  453

  453

  608

  609

  Wick

  3,175

  3,181

  3,267

  3,262

  3,004

  3,003

  1Provisional figures

  Private Security Guards
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the total cost to date and what is the current cost per month, of his Departments and the Highways Agencys use of private security guards; and if he will give a breakdown of those costs per road scheme or project.

  Mr. Watts
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 22 March 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, what has been the total cost to date, and what is the current cost per month, of his Departments and the Highways Agencys use of private security guards; and if he will give a breakdown of those costs per road scheme or project.
  The following table gives the information; the figures have been rounded. The ongoing spend is, of course, dependent on the level of future protest action.

  £

  Road scheme

  Estimated expenditure to date

  Estimated ongoing monthly spend

  A12 Hackney Wick to M11 Link Road

  10,000,000

  300,000

  A4/A6

  2,000,000

  50,000

  Batheaston-Swainswick

  Bypass

  A30 Honiton-Exeter

  175,000

  25,000

  M3 Bar

  4,000,000

  Scheme completed

  End-Compton

  M65 Blackburn

  2,000,000

  200,000

  Southern Bypass

  Total of all above

  18,175,000

  575,000

  I hope this is helpful.

  Royal Train
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average cost of a journey on the royal train in 1993–94. [14727]
  222
  been at Highlands and Islands airports in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

  Mr. Norris
  The figures for annual aircraft transport movements at the Highlands and Islands airports for the past three years are as follows:

  Mr. Watts
  In 1993–94 the royal train was used on 95 days. On this basis, the average cost per journey was £19,101. In addition, related British Transport police security costs totalled £634,988.

  Ro-ro Ferries
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list full details of all inspections undertaken by the Marine Safety Agency of roll-on roll-off ferries using United Kingdom ports in the last 12 months, including the date of inspection, name of the ship, details of defects and remedial action. [15117]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency.

  I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member. Copies of the tables referred to will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Ms Joan Walley, dated 22 March 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your question about the inspections undertaken on roll-on roll-off (ro-ro) ferries.
  A list showing the name of the ship and the date and place of inspection of foreign flagged ro-ro cargo ships and ro-ro passenger ferries inspected by the Marine Safety Agency in the last twelve months is attached (Table 1). A separate list containing the same information on Red Ensign ro-ro passenger ships is also provided (Table 2). The Marine Safety Agency conducted an inspection campaign on ro-ro ships calling at UK ports following the sinking of the Estonia and the details of the inspections are shown in Table 3 and Table 4 attached.
  Provision of the details of defects found during these inspections would, we estimate, result in a document of 400–500 pages, and could not be provided other than at disproportionate cost. A list of any deficiencies found during an inspection is left on board the ship and it is the responsibility of the Master to ensure that appropriate remedial action is taken. Serious deficiencies resulting in the detention of a ro-ro passenger ferry were found in only one case in the past twelve months. Details of any ro-ro cargo ships detained can be found in the lists of ships under detention in UK ports which have been published each month by the Marine Safety Agency since June 1994.

  A253
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when it is now intended that construction of(a) the dual carriageway of the A253 from the end of the Thanet Way-Monkton roundabout—to the Prospect roundabout and (b) the dual carriageway of the A253 between the Prospect roundabout and the Lord of the Manor roundabouts will commence. [14864]

  Mr. Norris
  These projects are part of the Kent county councils Thanet Way improvement scheme designed to improve access to and through north Kent, with particular benefits for Thanet. My Department is supporting the Thanet Way scheme, which will cost well over £100 million, through transport supplementary grant. I understand that Kent expects to begin work on the first of the sections referred to early next financial year. The second of the sections referred to is less far advanced: the county council expects to be promoting the scheme at the Thanet local plan inquiry during this year.

  Aircraft Safety
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the recent circumstances in which an airliner approaching Heathrow suffered a malfunctioning of its computer system which gives guidance of the flight path, route of approach, correct speed and angle of descent; and if he will make a statement. [15123]

  Mr. Norris
  The circumstances surrounding this incident are set out in the air accident investigation branchs bulletin No. 3/95, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library. The AAIB bulletin makes a safety recommendation relating to the Airbus A340 flight management guidance system and the fuel management system. While the safety recommendation is addressed initially to the joint aviation authorities, it is also being considered by the Civil Aviation Authority.

  Rail Investment
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by how much publicly financed investment in the railways has increased since 1987; and what effect this has had on the quantity of new rolling stock, track and signalling. [15269]

  Mr. Watts
  In 1987–88, publicly financed rail investment totalled £693 million, equivalent to £993 million in 1994–95 prices. In 1994–95, publicly financed rail investment is expected to total around £900 million. In addition we expect some £100 million of privately financed investment to be undertaken this year.

  The table compares the level of investment in 1987–88 with the level in each subsequent year.

  Investment £ million 1994–95 prices

  Per cent. change on 1987–88

  1987–88

  993

  —

  1988–89

  977

  -1.6

  1989–90

  1,119

  +12.7

  1990–91

  1,216

  +22.5

  1991–92

  1,442

  +45.2

  224

  Investment £ million 1994–95 prices

  Per cent. change on 1987–88

  1992–93

  1,552

  +56.3

  1993–94

  1,188

  +19.6

  1994–95

  c 1,000

  +0.7

  Over this period, at todays prices, £2,765 million has been invested in new rolling stock. Since the mid-1980s nearly 4,000 coaches, locomotives and other passenger vehicles have been delivered—over a quarter of the whole fleet. Some £1,448 million has been invested in track renewals and £1,401 million in signalling and related track projects.

  Privatisation
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in respect of each privatisation since 1979(a) the net equity proceeds to Government as a result of privatisation, (b) the market value at the end of the first day of trading and (c) the current market value. [15350]

  Mr. Norris
  For those privatisations where the Department acted as vendor, the proceeds to Government were as follows:

  Company

  Net equity proceeds to Government (£ million)

  Associated British Ports

  96.4

  British Airways

  853.0

  British Airports Authority

  1,181.6

  DVOIT (the former IT arm of DVLA)

  3.7

  National Freight Consortium

  5.0

  Information on the current and past values of private companies is not held by this Department.

  Crime (International Air Space and Waters)
  Mr. George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of national and international law dealing with crimes on board aircraft flying through international air space; [15061]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of national and international law dealing with crimes on board ships in international waters. [15060]

  Mr. Maclean
  I have been asked to reply.

  Concern has recently been expressed that in some circumstances aircrew and passengers may be left without effective legal protection where offences are committed on board foreign-registered aircraft outside United Kingdom air space which subsequently land in this country. We are currently considering whether the problems which have been identified can be overcome, and we expect to discuss the matter shortly with the Board of Airline Representatives of the UK.

  Similar concern has not, however, been raised in relation to offences committed on board ships in international waters, and the Government have not been given reason to believe that the law in this area is inadequate. UK courts have jurisdiction over offences committed on board all British ships in international

  225
  waters, and also over offences committed by British passengers on foreign ships.

ENVIRONMENT

  Council Tax
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the percentage increase in council tax bills for each band of property under each authority for 1995.

  Mr. Curry
  The average council tax for band C, two adult dwellings in England in 1995–96 is £543. This is before any reductions for council tax benefit and transitional relief, and represents an increase of 5.3 per cent. on 1994–95 levels.

  Shire areas are showing the lowest increases, with an average 4.5 per cent. rise on last year.

  In London, the average council tax for band C is £512, an increase of 7.8 per cent. on last year. Metropolitan areas have set band C council taxes at £605, 5.8 per cent. higher than in 1994–95.

  I have today placed in the Library of the House a table showing the band C council tax for each authority in England for 1995–96, and the percentage increase from 1994–95.

  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the band D council tax for 1995–96 for each local authority in England. [14612]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  [holding answer 17 March 1995]: I have arranged for this information to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Bed-and-breakfast Accommodation
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many families were placed in bed and breakfast accommodation, in each year since 1992 in(a) England and (b) each English housing authority. [14712]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Estimates of the average number of households that had been placed temporarily in bed-and-breakfast accommodation by local authorities in England through administering the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985 are given below:

  1992: 10,430

  1993: 6,550

  1994: 4,740

  The number of households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation had fallen to 4,330 households at 31 December 1994, some 12 per cent. fewer than a year earlier and 68 per cent. below the peak level at the end of September 1991. This confirms that local authorities are heeding the Governments advice to use other forms of temporary accommodation wherever possible.

  I have today placed in the Library a table giving the information as reported by each local authority in England for each year from 1992 to 1994.

  Protected Birds
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) pursuant to his answer of 3 March,Official Report, columns 757–58, which national journals are checked by his Department for any potential offences
  226
  relating to the sale of birds listed in (a) appendix I of CITES and (b) annexe CI of EC regulation 3626/82; [15052]

  (2) how many potential offences his Department has identified in the national trade journals in each of the last three years involving birds listed in appendix I of CITES and (b) annexe CI of EC regulation 3626/82; and how many of these have been passed to the police to investigate; [15038]

  (3) in respect of the sale of Livingstones Turacos, how many specimens of this have been advertised for sale in the trade journals his Department monitors during the last four years; and how many cases were passed to the police to investigate. [15038]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department monitors four trade journals for potential offences relating to the sale of birds. These are two weekly titles—Cage and Aviary Birds and Exchange and Mart—and two monthly journals—Bird Keeper and the magazine of the Parrot Society.

  Prior to November 1994, my Department kept no detailed records of cases resulting from monitoring journals. However, a substantial number of potential offences were identified and pursued, and eight cases were passed to the police between January 1992 and October 1994. Since November 1994, 26 potential sales offences have been identified and nine cases have been passed to the police to investigate, including one relating to the sale of a Livingstones Turaco.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) pursuant to his answer of 3 March,Official Report, columns 757–58, how his Department ensures that an exemption issued to sell a bird listed in appendix I of CITES or annexe C1 of EC regulation 3626/82 relates to the individual specimen in question; and what proportion of bird species listed in appendix I of CITES or annexe C1 of EC regulation 3626/82 his Department requires to be statutorily ringed or marked in order to be sold; [15050]

  (2) what steps his Department takes to verify the origin and date of acquisition of the specimens and if the birds have been captive bred when considering applications for individual sales exemptions to sell birds listed in appendix I of CITES or annexe C1 of EC regulation 3626/82; [15051]

  (3) how his Department establishes whether a vendor has any convictions under wildlife legislation when considering an application for an individual sales exemption to sell birds listed in appendix I of CITES or annexe C1 of EC regulation 3626/82. [15049]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Statutory provisions to register with the Department and ring birds kept in captivity apply to some 5 per cent. of the species listed in appendix I of CITES or annexe C1 of EC regulation 3626/82.

  While there is no statutory requirement to ring appendix I or annexe C1 species specifically for the purpose of sale, any sales exemption for a species subject to the registration and ringing requirements would normally require the bird to be ringed in accordance with the statutory provisions. Individual sales exemptions for species not subject to the ringing requirements also contain information that enables the specimen to be identified, including any ring number.
  227
  When submitting applications for sales exemptions, applicants must provide full details of the specimen, including origin and details of acquisition. Where appropriate, they have to supply details of any convictions under wildlife legislation. They are also required to sign a declaration that the information provided is correct and complete to the best of their knowledge and belief.

  Any areas of doubt about the information provided would be followed up by the Department. The Departments wildlife inspectorate also has powers to inspect premises to ensure that conditions attached to sales exemptions have been met.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which statutory agencies have authorised persons as defined by the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulation 1985. [15040]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1985, the Secretary of State for the Environment has authorised all members of my Departments wildlife inspectorate and certain named police officers. In addition, Her Majestys Customs and Excise has the power, under paragraph 2 of the regulations, to authorise persons.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning appeals have been heard in each of the last five years by his Department; and how many have succeeded. [14870]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The provision of information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. Shepley to Mr. Alan Williams, dated 21 March 1995:
  Parliamentary Question Number 1730/94/95
  The Secretary of State for the Environment has asked me to reply to your question about the number of planning appeals that have been dealt with in England in each of the last five years; and how many have succeeded.
  The information requested is set out in the table below:

  Planning appeals: England

  Year

  Number decided

  Number allowed

  1989/90

  26,481

  8,852

  1990/91

  26,393

  8,871

  1991/92

  22,553

  7,590

  1992/93

  17,832

  5,979

  1993/94

  14,113

  4,975

  1994/951

  8,733

  2,962

  1 From 1 April 1994 to 31 December 1994.

  Zoos
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 23 February,Official Report, column 264, if he will name the local authorities which own the zoos listed. [15171]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  According to our latest information, the zoos and the local authorities that own them are as follows:

  Abbey Gardens Zoo—Borough of St. Edmundsbury;

  Animal World, Bolton—Bolton MBC;

  Battersea Park Childrens Zoo—London Borough of Wandsworth;

  228

  Birmingham Nature Centre—Birmingham City Council;

  Blackpool Municipal Zoological Gardens—Blackpool BC;

  Aquarium, Bolton—Bolton MBC;

  Butterfly World, Bolton—Bolton MBC;

  Clissold Park—London Borough of Hackney;

  Crystal Palace Park Zoo—London Borough of Bromley;

  Harewood Bird Garden—Leeds City Council;

  Lotherton Hall Bird Garden and Deer Park—Leeds City Council;

  Newquay Zoo—Restormel BC;

  Pudsey Park—Leeds City Council;

  Roundhay Park—Leeds City Council;

  Sir George Staunton Country Park—Borough of Havant;

  Stewart Park—Middlesborough BC;

  War Memorial Park Aviaries and Pets Corner—City of Coventry.

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14249]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Details of my Departments running costs and administrative spending for the years 1989–90 to 1997–98 are contained in table 7 of my Departments annual report for 1995, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Short-term Prisoners (Housing)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what guidance he is issuing to local authorities following cuts in housing benefit for short-term prisoners; [14823]

  (2) what financial provision is being made to local authorities to provide for funding homes for released short-term prisoners and their children following housing benefit reductions. [14824]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Where a person released from prison is homeless and in priority need a local authority has a duty, under part III of the Housing Act 1985, to ensure that accommodation is available for his occupation. My Department is discussing with the Department of Social Security the possible financial effects of the changes in housing benefit for prisoners serving longer than 13 weeks.

  Income Support
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Social Security since his proposals to reduce income support for mortgage interest about the policy of insurance companies with respect to the payment of mortgage interest in respect of unemployment due to illness caused by exposure to radiation; [14822]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the nuclear industry regarding the policy of insurance companies with respect to the payment of mortgage interest if a person is unemployed because of illness due to radioactivity. [14821]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  None.

  Local Government Commission
  Sir Patrick Cormack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his response to the Local Government Commissions final recommendations for Staffordshire. [14555]

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in a statement to Parliament on Tuesday 21 March,Official Report, column 145, that we have accepted the Local Government Commissions recommendation of a unitary authority for Stoke-on-Trent with the two-tier system of local government remaining in the rest of Staffordshire.

  Research Projects
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all the tender documents issued by the Government Office for London for research projects, the contractors to whom research work has been awarded, the budget for each research project and the anticipated completion and publication date of each research project. [15034]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Government office for London does not have its own research budget but draws upon the resources available to the research programmes of the Departments of Environment and Transport. To date, the following contracts have been let on behalf of GOL. In most cases, decisions about publication will be made when the projects are complete.

  1. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT

  London Scenarios Tests: Economic Evaluation of Transport and Land use

  Name of contractor: Marcial Echenique and Partners

  Budget for research project: £16,000 from DoT

  Estimated completion date: April 1995.

  2. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT

  Role of London in the United Kingdom Economy: A Planning Perspective

  Name of contractor: Arup Economics and Planning

  Budget for research project: £89,000 from DoE

  Estimated completion date: June 1995

  3. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT

  Londons Urban Environment

  Name of contractor: Building Design Partnership

  Budget for research project: £65,095 from DoE

  Estimated completion date: June 1995

  4. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT

  London Statistical Digest

  Name of contractor: Business Strategies Limited and Rangecroft North Publishing

  Budget for research project: £83,200 from DOE

  Estimated completion date: June 1995

  5. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT

  Trip Generation: Relationship between trip making and land use

  Name of contractor: Transport Research Laboratory

  Budget for research project: £360,000 from DoT

  Estimated completion date: April 1996

  6. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT

  Analysis of London Area Transport Survey

  Name of contractor: Transport Research Laboratory

  Budget for research project: £75,000 from DoT

  Estimated completion date: September 1995

  7. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT

  Docklands Impact Study: Transport infrastructure

  Name of contractor: Transport Research Laboratory

  Budget for research project: £35,000 from DoT

  Estimated completion date: April 1995

  230
  8. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT

  Forecasting Employment in London and the South East (Stage 2)

  Name of contractor: Cambridge Econometrics/Oxford Economic Forecasting/Centre for Economic and Business Research

  Budget for research project: £5,300 from DoT

  Estimated completion date: Completed February 1995

  9. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT

  Evaluation of the London Docklands Development Corporation and the Isle of Dogs Enterprise Zone

  Name of contractor: ECOTEC Ltd

  Budget for research project: £340,000

  Estimated completion date: December 1998

  10. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT

  Non-Work Peak Trips in London

  Name of contractor: Transport Research Laboratory

  Budget for research project: £75,000 from DoT

  Estimated completion date: March 1995

  11. TITLE OF RESEARCH PROJECT

  Comparative Study: Comparison of London with its major international competitors

  Name of Contractor: Contract yet to be awarded

  Estimated completion date: October 1995

  Councillors Declarations
  Sir John Gorst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the application of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to local authority resolutions to require councillors to declare memberships of clubs, unions and societies as well as directorships and shareholdings in companies. [15193]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  [holding answer 21 March 1995]: Regulation 3 and the schedule to the Local Authority (Members Interests) Regulations 1992, made under section 19 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, detail the prescribed direct or indirect pecuniary interests which each elected member is required to declare. DOE circular 9/92 provides further advice on the information which members are required to give, and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fisheries Protection Staff
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fisheries protection staff speak more than one of the officially recognised European Union languages.

  Mr. Jack
  Twenty-eight fisheries inspectors employed by the UK fisheries department have a working knowledge of more than one European Union language and a further 20 have basic communication skills. Similar information in relation to British sea-fishery officers of the Royal Navys fishery protection squadron is not readily available. All UK fishery protection vessels engaged in inspecting foreign vessels carry language cards for boarding purposes.

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14255]

  Mr. Jack
  Details of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods running costs for the years 1989–90 to 1997–98 are contained in the table at annexe 5 of the Ministry-intervention board departmental report, CM 2803, copies of which are available in the House.

  Organic Fluorides
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the herbicides, insecticides and fungicides approved by his Department which are organic fluorides, together with their contents of chloride. [14557]

  Mrs. Browning
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Ministers approve the marketing or use of a pesticide only if thorough evaluation establishes that it is effective, humane and poses no unacceptable risk to human beings, non-target species or the wider environment.

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993 provisional

  Jan-Sept 1994 provisional

  Total:

  Imports

  12,298

  12,262

  13,406

  13,841

  10,868

  Exports

  6,352

  6,827

  7,521

  8,053

  6,435

  Crude trade gap

  5,946

  5,435

  5,886

  5,789

  4,433

  EU:

  Imports

  8,030

  8,019

  8,862

  8,381

  6,510

  Exports

  3,632

  4,293

  4,736

  4,730

  3,885

  Crude trade gap

  4,398

  3,726

  4,127

  3,651

  2,625

  Source:

  Central Statistical Office.

  Note:

  Because of differences in valuation principles, the crude trade gap overstates the contribution of food, feed and drink to the deficit on visible trade in the balance of payment statistics by about 15 per cent.

EDUCATION

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by her Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if she will make a statement. [14246]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Details of the Departments running costs and administrative spending for the years 1989–90 to 1997–98 are contained in table 1, annexe A and table 22, chapter 8 of the Departments annual report, Cm 2810, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Education, Bedfordshire
  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much was spent in total on education in Bedfordshire in each of the last 10 years at constant prices. [14893]

  Wareing Bros.
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what factors he will take into account in assessing the current application for an increased milk quota by Wareing Bros., the Breck, Barrow hill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire. [14559]

  Mr. Jack
  The Ministry has no record of an application by Wareing Bros, for an increased milk quota.

  Agricultural Tenancies
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to develop the monitoring of agricultural tenancies by area and ownership. [14922]

  Mr. Jack
  My Department regularly reviews its requirements for statistics, and is considering how best to monitor the new farm business tenancies which will be available from 1 September this year.

  Food and Drink Statistics
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the United Kingdom food and drink deficit or surplus(a) in total and (b) with the other countries of the EU for each year from 1990 to 1994. [14929]

  Mr. Jack
  Imports and exports of food and drink, as recorded in the overseas trade statistics in the years 1990 to 1994, are shown in the table.

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table shows total expenditure by Bedfordshire local education authority from 1974–75 to 1993–94, the latest year for which provisional outturn figures are available. These figures have not be adjusted for any changes of function.

  Bedfordshire County Council

  Gross expenditure (1994–95 prices) £ million

  1974–75

  251.2

  1975–76

  259.7

  1976–77

  269.2

  1977–78

  n/a

  1978–79

  258.8

  1979–80

  254.0

  1980–81

  255.5

  1981–82

  257.9

  1982–83

  242.1

  233

  Bedfordshire County Council

  Gross expenditure (1994–95 prices) £ million

  1983–84

  243.0

  1984–85

  241.5

  1985–86

  240.1

  1986–87

  246.4

  1987–88

  263.1

  1988–89

  267.1

  1989–90

  261.4

  1990–91

  255.1

  1991–92

  277.9

  1992–93

  292.9

  1993–941

  242.8

  1 Provisional. n/a=Not applicable.

  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the pupil-teacher ratio in Bedfordshire(a) in lower schools, (b) in middle schools and (c) in upper schools in each of the last 20 years. [14894]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Pupil: teacher ratios within maintained primary, middle and secondary schools in Bedfordshire LEA position in January each year

  Year

  Primary (excluding middle)

  Middle

  Secondary1 (excluding middle)

  1975

  22.2

  17.9

  16.9

  1976

  21.5

  17.8

  16.1

  1977

  21.7

  18.0

  15.9

  1978

  21.9

  19.0

  16.0

  1979

  21.6

  19.9

  15.9

  1980

  21.7

  19.8

  15.9

  1981

  22.3

  20.1

  15.8

  1982

  21.8

  20.0

  15.6

  1983

  22.9

  20.8

  16.4

  1984

  23.3

  20.7

  16.2

  1985

  23.1

  20.3

  16.2

  1986

  22.5

  20.6

  16.2

  1987

  22.0

  20.0

  16.1

  1988

  22.0

  20.2

  15.6

  1989

  21.5

  20.3

  15.3

  1990

  21.5

  20.4

  15.5

  1991

  21.6

  19.8

  15.6

  1992

  21.6

  19.5

  15.9

  1993

  21.7

  19.6

  16.0

  1994

  22.0

  19.5

  16.1

  1 Excludes Sixth Form Colleages which ceased to be classified as schools 1 April 1993.

  Pupil Rolls
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make it her policy to apply the same educational standards to schools with fewer than five children as apply to those with higher numbers. [14986]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The educational standards required by the national curriculum and the statutory national curriculum assessment and testing arrangements apply to all five to 16-year-olds in every maintained school,234
  regardless of the numbers of pupils on roll. The national curriculum and testing are already raising standards in these schools.

  Independent schools, and independent establishments catering for fewer than five children aged five to 16 are not required to follow the national curriculum, although many independent schools choose to do so. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to alter the existing statutory requirements.

  Education Standard Spending Assessment
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what account is taken of the needs of schools as assessed by Her Majestys inspectorate prior to decisions on the education standard spending assessment being taken; and what account was taken on the results of Her Majestys inspectorates work in determining standard spending assessment limits for Coventry; [15045]

  (2) what assessment she has made of (a) the unpaid efforts of teachers and parents and (b) the financial contribution of parents, on the level of education standard spending assessment awards. [15041]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Government take account of a wide range of factors affecting local authorities and schools when deciding the appropriate level of education standard spending. My right hon. Friend welcomes the commitment which teachers and parents bring to the education service.

  University Students
  Mr. Sherman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many university students dropped out of courses before completion in each of the last 10 years. [14837]

  Mr. Boswell
  The wastage rates of full-time and sandwich students from first degree courses in former University Funding Council funded United Kingdom universities and former English and Welsh polytechnics are shown below:

  Academic year:

  1983–84: 14 per cent.

  1984–85: 15 per cent.

  1985–86: 14 per cent.

  1986–87: 16 per cent.

  1987–88: 17 per cent.

  1988–89: 14 per cent.

  1989–90: 16 per cent.

  1990–91: 15 per cent.

  1991–92: 17 per cent.

  1992–93: 17 per cent.

  Drop-out covers all those leaving degree courses because of exam failure, ill health, personal and other reasons. It includes those switching to a lower level course but it excludes students transferring between degree courses or subjects. The rate for each academic year reflects the progression of students through the whole length of the course. The calculation for the polytechnic drop-out rate is necessarily approximate because of significant limitations in the underlying data.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Portaferry-Strangford Bridge
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what plans he has to commission a viability report into a bridge linking the villages of Portaferry and Strangford. [14836]

  Mr. Moss
  None.

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14245]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Details of the Departments running costs and administrative spending for the years 1989–90 to 1997–98 are contained in table 11.1 of the Departments annual report, Cm 2816, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Out-patients
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients failed to attend out-patient appointments in Northern Ireland in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [15112]

  Mr. Moss
  The number of patients who did not attend out-patient appointments and failed to give advance warning to the hospital is as follows:

  1991–92: 246,924

  1992–93: 243,181

  1993–94: 228,092

  The number of non-attenders in 1993–94 represents 14 per cent. approximately of those who had appointments in that year. The Department of Health and Social Services is taking steps to ensure that the number of non-attenders is reduced considerably in future. Health and social services boards have been asked to review critically all aspects of out-patients waiting list management and later this year the Department will be launching a major publicity campaign aimed specifically at reducing non-attendances.

  Braidside Integrated Primary School
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on what basis the post of a religious education teacher for Braidside integrated primary school was advertised to include the ability to teach Roman Catholic religious education; and if he will make a statement. [14939]

  Mr. Ancram
  The advertisement is entirely a matter for the school authorities and reflects the schools aim of providing equitably for both religious traditions among its enrolment.

  Chief Electoral Officer
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the report of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland for 1993–94. [16057]
  236
  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The Chief Electoral Officers report has been laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to implement the Latham report on the construction industry. [14433]

  Mr. Moss
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is taking the lead in the implementation of the Latham report, which contained a number of recommendations aimed at improving contractual relationships within the construction industry and between the industry and its clients. He has established the Construction Industry Board which oversees and co-ordinates the various working groups and will carry forward the implementation process, including the provision of advice on any legislation which might be necessary.

  My officials maintain close contact with colleagues in the Department of the Environment on all aspects of implementation. Any consultations on proposals for legislation will include interested parties in Northern Ireland. Should legislation be proposed for Great Britain, I will give consideration to how such proposals could be given effect to in Northern Ireland.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of civil servants employed by(a) his Department, (b) the agencies under his Departments responsibility and (c) public and other bodies under his Departments responsibility, for each year since 1979, divided into (1) full-time equivalents, (2) overtime, (3) casuals and (4) other; and whether he will also provide for each year his estimates of (A) civil service job reductions due to privatisations, (B) civil service job reductions due to contracting out, (C) civil service job reductions resulting from other transfer of responsibilities, (D) the total of all other staff undertaking work for the Department or its agencies without being categorised as civil servants, including external consultants, researchers, agency secretarial staff and staff substitution and (E) total manpower expenditures, in 1994 prices. [15093]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 20 March 1995]: The civil service covers the permanent staff of central Government Departments and next steps agencies. The staff of other bodies are outside the civil service.

  Details of staff numbers within the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments from 1989–90 onwards, divided into full-time equivalents, overtime and casuals are given in table 12.7 of the Northern Ireland departmental report, Cm 2816. Table 11.1 gives details of the running costs of the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments from 1989–1990 onwards.

  Public Bodies, published annually since 1982, contains staffing information for those bodies not covered by the Northern Ireland departmental report.

  Copies of both of these publications are available in the Library.

  The remaining information sought could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  UNESCO
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from organisations and individuals regarding rejoining the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. [15163]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has received 38 letters from Members of Parliament, organisations and members of the public in the last six months about the United Kingdom rejoining UNESCO. In addition, there have been 11 parliamentary questions in the same period.

  We are continuing to keep this issue under review, but no decision has been taken.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the decision on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and rejoin this organisation. [15162]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The prospects for a United Kingdom return to UNESCO remain under review, but no decisions have been taken. In considering the question, we have to take into account existing financial pressures and other priority demands for resources as well as progress UNESCO has made on reform.

  Spain
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current position of the United Kingdoms relationship with Spain. [15357]

  Mr. David Davis
  The United Kingdom and Spain are allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and fellow members of the European Union and the Western European Union. We have frequent and close contacts on a wide range of issues. Our relations are generally very good.

  Turkey
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Turkey about the arrest of members of the Turkish Parliament and defence lawyers. [15340]

  Mr. David Davis
  We take every opportunity, at ministerial and official level, bilaterally and with our EU partners, to express our concerns to the Turkish Government about their overall human rights record. We did so most recently during the European Unions Association Council with Turkey on 6 March. Our representations have included specific references to the trial and sentencing of deputies from the Democracy party. Our views on this were reflected in an EU statement of 9 December 1994 expressing concern and seeking an explanation from the Turkish Government. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs subsequently raised the issue with the Turkish Foreign Minister on 19 December 1994 and on 2 February.

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14253]

  Mr. Goodlad
  Details of the FCOs running costs and administrative expenditure for the years 1989–90 to 1997–98 are contained in tables 1 and 2 of the FCOs 1995 departmental report, a copy of which is placed in the Library of the House.

  High Commissions and Embassies
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total cost of maintaining UK high commissions in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 199596; and if he will make a statement. [14252]

  Mr. Goodlad
  Details of the actual and projected costs of maintaining UK high commissions are provided in the following table:

  £ million

  Year

  Cost

  1993–94

  81.3

  1994–95

  83.8

  1995–96

  86.7

  The figures include the costs of deputy high commissions. Further information can be found in the FCOs 1995 departmental report, a copy of which is placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what was the total cost of maintaining United Kingdom embassies in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14683]

  Mr. Goodlad
  Details of the actual and projected costs of maintaining United Kingdom embassies are provided in the following table:

  £ million

  Year

  Cost

  1993–94

  264.7

  1994–95

  272.7

  1995–96

  282.2

  Further information can be found in the FCOs departmental report, a copy of which is placed in the Library of the House.

  Armament Sales
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list those countries to which the United Kingdom Government refuse to sanction the sale of armaments on humanitarian grounds. [15441]

  Mr. David Davis
  We do not issue licences for the export to any country of equipment likely to be used for internal repression. In addition, we observe arms
  239
  embargos on China and Burma which were imposed because of repressive internal policies.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what troops, other than those of the Sierra Leone Government, are present in Sierra Leone; and what role they are playing. [14848]

  Mr. Baldry
  We understand that units of the armed forces of Guinea, Nigeria and Ghana are present in Sierra Leone by agreement between the Governments concerned. We also understand that the Government of Sierra Leone have themselves contracted some former Ghurkas to assist in training the Sierra Leone armed forces.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role has been played by the Commonwealth Secretariat in attempting to ameliorate the situation in Sierra Leone: and what reports he has received from the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth about the need for international preventative diplomacy or other action in Sierra Leone; and how he is going to respond. [14851.]

  Mr. Baldry
  Staff of the Commonwealth Secretariat have visited the region and sought to establish contact with the various parties to the dispute. We have given our strong support to international efforts to bring about a peaceful solution.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the estimates of the number of people in Sierra Leone who have been killed since the war started in 1991. [14853.]

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer to my written reply of 16 February to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman), column 731.

TREASURY

  Government Expenditure
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a detailed breakdown of the expenditure described as non-identified in table 7.7 of Command Paper 2821; and if he will make a statement. [14623]

  Mr. Aitken
  Non-identifiable general Government expenditure is that which cannot be recognised as having been incurred for the benefit of the population of a specific country. It also includes all other general Government expenditure which individual Departments are unable to identify by country from their records. A breakdown is given in the table.

  Breakdown of 1993–94 non-identifiable expenditure

  £ billion

  Defence

  22.9

  Overseas Services

  3.5

  Current transfers abroad (excluding above)

  1.8

  Nationalised Industries EFLs

  4.4

  Law, order and protective service

  1.0

  Other unidentifiable expenditure

  11.2

  of which:

  Agriculture market regulation and production support

  1.1

  Scientific and technological assistance

  0.4

  240

  Breakdown of 1993–94 non-identifiable expenditure

  £ billion

  Functioning of the labour market

  0.2

  Arts

  0.2

  Higher and further education

  0.3

  Non-contributory pension benefits

  0.7

  Unemployment, incapacity and other benefits

  0.7

  Contributory family benefits

  0.4

  Parliamentary and Privy Council

  0.3

  Economic and financial administration

  3.3

  Central Management of Civil Service

  1.3

  44.8

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his forecast for money gross domestic product in the financial year 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14682]

  Mr. Aitken
  Last Novembers Financial Statement and Budget Report forecast growth in money GDP of 6 ¼ per cent. in 1995–96.

  Customs and Excise Computer Centre
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff employed in the private contractors operation at the Customs and Excise computer centre at Southend have criminal records. [15319]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  None of the staff working for private contractors is known to have a criminal record.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what security arrangements appertain to the private contractors operation of the Customs and Excise computer centre at Southend; what inquiries are made to ascertain whether any staff employed have criminal records; and if he will make a statement. [15318]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The vetting procedures for private contract staff working at the Customs and Excise computer centre are identical to those for Customs and Excise staff working there. These procedures are in accordance with the statement made to the House by the Prime Minister on 15 December 1994,Official Report, columns 764–66, and further amplified by the press notice which accompanied it.

  Value Added Tax
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration is being given to offering relief on VAT on fuel for advice centres. [14907]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  None.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on which products other than fuel VAT is charged both on the product and the standing charges. [14981]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Any product which is the subject of a two-part tariff is liable to VAT at the rate applying to the product. A payment as such does not have a VAT liability. A standing charge is the consideration for a past or future supply of the product.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of removing VAT on fuel in respect of standing charges. [14983]
  241
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  None. Standing charges are part payment for the one service—the supply of domestic gas and electricity—and as such are liable to VAT at the reduced rate of 8 per cent.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received against the imposition of VAT on both supply and standing charges. [14982]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I have received a number of such representations from both Members and direct from the public.

  Lloyds Underwriters
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Inland Revenues estimate of tax repaid to Lloyds underwriters during the fiscal year 1994–95. [14431]

  Sir George Young
  A provisional estimate, based on data to the first week in March, is that £347 million of income tax and capital gains tax will be repaid to Lloyds underwriters by the underwriters unit of Inland Revenue in the financial year 1994–95. This cover refunds of tax paid over a range of earlier years, and includes any repayment supplement attracted by the tax refunded.

  Fraud
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the full annual report summarising frauds committed against Government Departments. [15056]

  Sir George Young
  The report is a restricted document and it would not be appropriate to place it in the Library as this could prejudice current fraud investigations. However, the report is made available to the National Audit Office.

  Profit-related Pay Schemes
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many participants in profit-related pay schemes were taxed at marginal rates of(a) 20 per cent., (b) 25 per cent. and (c) 40 per cent. in each year since 1988–89;

  (2) what information he has on the distribution of salaries among participants in profit-related pay schemes in each year since 1988–89;

  (3) what information he has on the distribution of payments among the participants in profit-related pay schemes in each year since 1988–89; how many of the participants failed to obtain a payment under the scheme; how many of the participants received a maximum payment under the scheme; and how many of the participants obtained a payment yielding the maximum tax relief under the scheme.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 2 March 1995]: I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has of the effect of profit-related pay schemes on(a) the companies concerned and (b) the economy.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 2 March 1995]: Studies on profit-sharing schemes generally suggest that they are associated with increased employee involvement and increases in productivity.

  EU Finances
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 10 February,Official Report, columns 459–62, regarding sums paid and received by each member state of the EU, if he will publish a table to indicate the net sums received, or paid, by each state in each year since 1984. [14576]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 21 March 1995]: This information can readily he derived from the tables in my earlier reply. However, as the Court of Auditors report does not attribute all budget expenditure to individual member states, the difference between payments made to member states and actual own resources paid by member states should not be regarded as indicating definitive net contributions for each member state.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking under article 109(i) of the Maastricht treaty to bring forward proposals to make the Bank of England independent; and if he will make a statement. [14525]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 20 March 1995]: None.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 20 February to the hon. Member for Warley, West (Mr. Spellar),Official Report, column 9, if he will give details of the 29 projects relating to the private finance initiative. [15414]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 21 March 1995]: The 29 projects were as follows:

  PROJECT TITLE, BY DEPARTMENT

  Environment

  1. Docklands light railway Lewisham extension

  2. Royal docks energy company initiative

  3. Royal docks exhibition centre and car park, London

  Health

  4. Bishop Auckland hospital

  5. Carlisle district general hospital/Cumberland infirmary

  6. Durham district general hospital

  7. Royal Brompton hospital

  8. St. Jamess University NHS trust: medi-park development

  9. Swindon and Marlborough NHS trust extension to district general hospital

  10. Gloucestershire Royal NHS trust development

  Home Office

  11. Bridgend prison

  12. Immigration and nationality department information technology

  13. Merseyside prison

  14. Police national telecommunications network

  Scottish Office

  15. Highland regional council: Fort William sewage plant

  16. Highland regional council: Inverness main drainage

  17. Royal infirmary of Edinburgh

  18. Strathclyde regional council: Dalmuir sewage treatment works

  19. Western general hospital molecular medicines centre

  243
  Social Security

  20. Benefits Agency / Post Office Counters Ltd. integrated benefit automation system

  21. National insurance recording system

  22. Newcastle site redevelopment—of government property

  Transport

  23. Channel tunnel rail link

  24. Croydon tramlink

  25. Design build finance operate—DBFO—contracts for road operation and improvement

  26. Midland Metro line one

  27. Northern line: leasing of trains

  28. Scottish enroute air traffic control centre

  Welsh Office

  29. University hospital of Wales Cardiff: multi-storey car park

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Llywd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14241]

  Mr. Horman
  Details of running costs and administrative spending by the Cabinet Office, including the Prime Ministers Office, and the Office of Public Service and Science for the years 1989–90 through to 1997–98 are contained in tables 7.5 and 7.6 of my Departments annual report, Cm 2820, copies of which are available at the Members Library.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress Staffordshire and Somerset training and enterprise councils and Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire chamber of commerce training and enterprise are making in meeting the criteria for the award of a three-year licence. [15855]

  Mr. Paice
  I am pleased to announce that Staffordshire and Somerset training and enterprise councils and Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire chamber of commerce training and enterprise have now completed the process of meeting the rigorous standard we set for the award of the new three-year licences. Their licences will be effective from April 1995.

  Temporary Contracts
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many employees in the United Kingdom are currently employed on temporary contracts of(a) under three months, (b) under six months, (c) under one year and (d) over one year in duration. [15064]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information requested can be obtained from the labour force survey for spring 1994 and is shown in the following table:
  244

  Employees with a fixed term contract1 by length of contract United Kingdom: Spring 1994

  Number

  Less than 1 year

  492,000

  of which:

  less than 3 months

  135,000

  less than 6 months

  270,000

  More than 1 year

  308,000

  Total

  800,000

  1 Excludes those temporary employees for whom the length of employment had not yet been fixed.

  Jobcentres (Signing Times)
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what circumstances(a) the Employment Service can vary a claimants signing on time to enable that person to attend a training and education course, and (b) a claimant who has been participating in a part-time education or training course can continue in that course and have it included in a training for work action plan; and if he will make a statement. [15249]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The allocation of signing days and times is the responsibility of Employment Service office managers who are best placed to take account of local circumstances which affect clients access to jobcentres. Local office managers are encouraged to vary signing times and/or days to facilitate clients undertaking a course of study or training, provided they are satisfied attendance does not prevent an individual from fulfilling the conditions for receipt of benefit.

  With regard to the training for work programme, clients are assessed in order to establish the most appropriate mix of training and work experience to meet their needs and to formulate a TFW action plan. This may include continuation of a course they are already following.

  Training (Appeals)
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what formal and informal rights of appeal exist for a participant in a Government training scheme if he or she has a grievance or feels that he or she has not received the quality of service promised; and if he will make a statement. [15173]

  Mr. Paice
  Formal arrangements for individuals dissatisfied with their programme of training are written into the contract the Department has with training and enterprise councils which are responsible for the delivery of Government-funded training programmes. These arrangements require TECs to offer alternative training to those persons who have reasonable grounds for dissatisfaction with their training programme.

  Training for Work
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training and enterprise councils and local enterprise companies are involved in delivering training for work through adult training credits; what plans he has to encourage further development of such credits; and if he will make a statement. [15177]
  245
  Mr. Paice
  The following training and enterprise councils and local enterprise companies are understood to be using a form of adult training credit within their training for work provision:

  South and East Cheshire TEC;

  Hertfordshire TEC;

  Bedfordshire TEC;

  Bradford TEC;

  Barnsley/Doncaster TEC;

  North East Wales TEC;

  Grampian Enterprise;

  Orkney Enterprise.

  Responsibility for development projects in Scotland and Wales rests with the appropriate Secretary of State. There are currently no plans for the Employment Department to support further development in this area as TECs have the freedom to deliver TFW through a credit mechanism if they wish.

  Training (EU Nationals)
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if European Community nationals are allowed to count any period of unemployment in which they were in receipt of benefit in another EC country towards the qualifying period of unemployment for eligibility for(a) training for work, (b) community action and (c) other Employment Service programmes; and if he will make a statement. [15180]

  Miss Widdecombe
  At present, people who qualify for training for work on the grounds of unemployment need to have been unemployed for six months in the United Kingdom to be eligible, regardless of nationality. Periods of unemployment in other European Union—European economic area countries count towards eligibility for community action and all other Employment Service programmes. We are currently in the process of reviewing all eligibility criteria for Employment Department programmes to ensure they are consistent, simple and clear.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what circumstances citizens from other European Community countries can participate in youth training, training for work or community action, or in other employment schemes financed by the Employment Department; once having entered a programme, if they are entitled to complete it; and if he will make a statement. [15181]

  Mr. Paice
  Citizens of other European Community countries can participate in training and other schemes financed by the Employment Department, provided they otherwise satisfy the eligibility conditions for the individual scheme concerned. Eligible people entering a particular scheme are entitled to complete it provided they continue to satisfy the conditions of the scheme concerned.

  Part-time Education and Training
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what circumstances participation in a part-time education or training course count as one of the job-seeking steps necessary to satisfy the actively seeking work condition; and if participation in a part-time education or training course is regarded as a positive outcome from a restart interview. [15247]
  246
  Miss Widdecombe
  The steps an individual is required to take in any week are those which are reasonable in his or her case and which offer him or her the best prospects of receiving offers of employment. Participation in a part-time education or training course cannot count as a step towards satisfying the actively seeking employment condition, because it does not lead directly to offers of employment. However, it is recognised that people undertaking part-time courses will not have as much time to seek work as other clients and this is taken into account in considering the steps taken by a client in any week.

  Part-time education can enhance some clients prospects of finding work in the longer term and so Employment Service advisers will give advice and guidance on part-time education opportunities available and the implications as far as benefits are concerned. However, clients who start part-time education following a restart interview are not counted towards our positive outcome targets unless they also leave the unemployment register.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what circumstances an unemployed person participating in a part-time education or training course will not be required to attend a compulsory restart or workwise course or jobplan workshop; and what arrangements are made to ensure that those who are required to attend the course or workshop do not have their part-time study disrupted. [15248]

  Miss Widdecombe
  It has been a long-standing principle of the social security system that unemployment benefits are not paid unconditionally but involve reciprocal obligations on the part of the claimant. These include fulfilling the requirements of both being available for and actively seeking work for the days on which benefit is claimed. This requirement applies to all unemployed people, including people who may be studying on a part-time basis.

  Equally, the requirement to attend jobplan, 1–2–l/workwise—worklink in Scotland—or restart courses includes those who are undertaking part-time study. However, wherever possible arrangements will be made for attendance to fall at a time outside normal study hours or exam times.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment in what circumstances people can participate on a part-time basis in training for work and community action; to what participation allowance they would be entitled; and if he will make a statement. [15172]

  Mr. Paice
  Under the arrangements that will apply to training for work in 1995–96, non-employed trainees can participate part time as long as their planned training averages at least 15 hours in a seven day period. There are no minimum hours for employed status trainees. Non-employed trainees receive an allowance based on their benefit entitlement when they joined the programme, plus a supplement of £10 per week.

  Community action is a part-time programme. Participation lasts for a minimum of 21 hours a week. People participating in this programme receive an allowance equivalent to their normal benefit rate plus £10 per week.

  Jobseekers Allowance
  Ms Short
  to ask the Secretary of State for Employment what adjudication decisions will be taken by front-line Employment Service officers when the jobseekers allowance is introduced; what training they will receive to enable them to discharge their new responsibilities; and if he will make a statement. [15265]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The introduction of the new jobseekers allowance to replace unemployment benefit and income support, and its joint delivery by the Employment Service and the Benefits Agency will mean a number of changes to adjudication work in both agencies. We are currently considering the impact of those changes, and looking at ways of improving the speed and effectiveness of adjudication. If locating some labour market adjudication decisions closer to the front line in jobcentres would speed up the process of decision making and give claimants better service, it is right that such ideas should be considered and piloted if appropriate.

  A full programme of training for ES officers is being developed to equip them to deliver JSA effectively. This will include training on the entitlement conditions for JSA and the adjudication process.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the current 21-hour rule enabling unemployed people to participate in independent European social fund courses will be subject to reduction to 16 guided learning hours when the jobseekers allowance is introduced; and if he will make a statement. [15258]

  Miss Widdecombe
  People undertaking part-time courses part-funded by the European social fund while claiming jobseekers allowance will be subject to the rules of JSA. These will include an upper limit of 16 guided learning hours per week for people undertaking Further Education Funding Council-funded courses and a requirement to be available for and actively seeking employment.

  Where ESF part-funds Government programmes, such as training for work, trainees will be subject to the rules of those programmes.

  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if the current 21-hour rule enabling unemployed people to study while receiving benefit will be reduced to 16 guided learning hours when the jobseekers allowance is introduced in Northern Ireland; what difference there will be in the treatment of unemployed people who take up places in either further or higher education courses; and if he will make a statement. [15159]

  Miss Widdecombe
  People claiming jobseekers allowance will be able to undertake part-time courses provided that they remain available for, and actively seeking, employment. We have decided to update the rules to reflect changes in the way certain courses are organised. These changes will ensure that the rules can be applied fairly and consistently and allow the same number of unemployed people to study part time while receiving benefits. In the case of courses funded by the Further Education Funding Council in England, unemployed people will be able to study for up to 16 guided learning hours per week. We intend to introduce similar arrangements in Northern Ireland. The rules will be based on definitions used in further education in Northern 248
  Ireland, where the concept of guided learning hours is not used. There will be no change in higher education where a part-time definition still exists.

  Child Care Costs
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what help he provides for parents and other people with caring responsibilities who want to take up places in training for work and other Employment Department programmes; and if he will make a statement. [15175]

  Mr. Paice
  Training and enterprise councils are able to support parents entering training with the cost of child care. In particular, TECs are required to provide child care support for those in the youth training guarantee group. Support with child care most often takes the form of an allowance paid to a childminder, but it is for TECs to determine how the support is given. Career development loans, which help individuals pay for their own vocational training, can be used to pay for part-time and distance learning courses and child care costs.

  Gateways to Learning Initiative
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training and enterprise councils and local enterprise companies are involved in the gateways to learning initiative; what achievements have been made under the programme; how many TECs and LECs will receive gateways funding in 1995–96; what are his future plans for the initiative; and if he will make a statement. [15179]

  Mr. Paice
  In 1994–95, 43 training and enterprise councils have had contracts from the Employment Department under the gateways to learning initiative. The majority of these TECs will continue to receive funding in 1995–96. By the time the initiative has ended, a total of 58 TECs will have participated. No loca enterprise companies have been involved. The initiative has contributed to the development of quality assured adult careers guidance and information networks in England. Over 70,000 people will have been helped to produce personal action plans relating to their education, training and career opportunities. There are no plans to continue the initiative once current contracts have ended.

  Open Learning Credits
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training and enterprise councils and local enterprise companies are involved in the open learning credits initiative; what achievements have been made under the programme; how participation in open learning credits affects an unemployed persons eligibility for other Employment Department programmes; how many TECs and LECs will receive open learning credit funding in 1995–96; what are his future plans for the initiative; and if he will make a statement. [15178]

  Mr. Paice
  The open learning credits pilots were run in 1993–94 to trial the use of open learning for unemployed people. There were 14 pilots involving 17 training and enterprise councils and two local enterprise companies. The pilots were fully evaluated and a copy of the evaluation report has been place in the Library. The findings showed that open learning has a number of potential benefits to offer. Information from the pilots will
  249
  be disseminated to TECs and LECs to help them decide on what use they want to make of open learning as a training method within their training provision. There are no plans to fund open learning credits as a separate initiative, so the question of participants eligibility for other Government programmes will not arise.

  Skill Choice
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many training and enterprise councils and local enterprise companies are involved in the skill choice initiative; what achievements have been made under the programme; how many TECs and LECs will receive skill choice funding in 1995–96; what are his future plans for the initiative and if he will make a statement. [15176]

  Mr. Paice
  Thirteen English training and enterprise councils and four local enterprise companies are involved in the two-year skill choice initiative.

  Skill choice will complete its two-year programme on 31 March 1995, but existing TECs and LECs will receive funding in 1995–96 to cover residual commitments from 1994–95.

  Since 1 April 1993, 170,000 individuals have been helped to obtain careers information, vocational guidance and assessment services which can lead to recognised vocational qualifications.

  There are no plans to continue the initiative once current contracts have ended.

  Gardening Training
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans the Government have to encourage training in gardening so that those who are unemployed can learn the skills to manage allotments and grow their own vegetables. [15263]

  Mr. Paice
  Training for work offers training to help unemployed people get back to work. If training in gardening skills is likely to help individuals find jobs, training and enterprise councils may support it. In 1995–96, we aim to help some 104,000 people into jobs through TFW.

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14254]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Details of the Departments running costs and administrative spending for the years 1989–90 to 1997–98 are contained in annexe A, table iv of the Departments annual report, Cm 2805, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Health and Safety Executive
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many senior inspectors and medical advisers retired from the Health and Safety Executive on 17 March; and for how many years in total they had worked for the executive. [15210]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Fifty-eight senior inspectors and nine medical advisers retired from the Health and Safety 250
  Executive on 17 March 1995 under the voluntary early retirement scheme. In total, they had 1,180 years service with HSE.

  VERS is part of a long-term restructuring exercise designed to ensure that HSE has the talent and experience it needs for challenges now and in the future. No inspectors have been made redundant. A campaign to recruit 60 front-line inspectors is under way.

  There will be no diminution of enforcement activity.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimate of the likely number of deaths due to asbestos which will occur in 10, 20 and 30 years time; and what changes those estimates represent relative to those made 10 years ago. [14367]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [0holding answer 20 March 1995]: The estimated number of males dying from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma in 10 years time could range between 1,300 and 2,100; in 20 years time between 1,300 and 3,000 and in 30 years time between 1,000 and 3,200. Projected figures for females are not available.

  Currently, there are estimated to be one or two deaths from asbestos-related lung cancer for each death from mesothelioma. The falling prevalence of smoking is likely to reduce this ratio in the future.

  No comparative estimates were produced 10 years ago. This is the first time that projections have been estimated using the Health and Safety Executives mesothelioma register.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to reduce the caseload of the Belfast Child Support Agency centre as a consequence of that centres performance against targets.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is the responsibility of the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. James Pawsey, dated 22 March 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security concerning the caseload of the Child Support Agency Centres at Belfast.

  The caseload, performance and targets of all six Child Support Agency Centre (CSACs) are regularly reviewed by senior operations managers. There are currently no plans to adjust the caseload holdings of Belfast or any other CSAC.

  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of the Child Support Agencys staff was recruited from(a) the civil service and (b) outside the civil service.

  Mr. Burt
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is the responsibility of the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. James Pawsey, dated 22 March 1995:

  251
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the recruitment of staff by the Child Support Agency.
  The precise information that you request is not collated by the Agency for statistical purposes. Full information on the background of staff who formed the Agency at its launch in April 1993 is not readily available, but I expect to be able to provide it within two weeks, and shall write to your further.
  Information on recruitment is, however, available for the 12 month period ending 30 September 1994. During that period the Agency recruited a total of 1,847 people. Of these, 323 (17 per cent.) came from the within the Civil Service and 1,524 (83 per cent.) were recruited from outside the Civil Service.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received from nursing and residential home associations regarding proposed social security benefits rates. [14840]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We have received a few representations recently from the representative bodies, including the Yorkshire branch of the Registered Nursing Homes Association and the Hereford and Worcester branch of the Residential Care Homes Association, about the income support limits for people in residential care and nursing homes.

  Mortgage Interest Payments
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what proposals he has to protect those people on Government training schemes in respect of cuts in income support for mortgage interest payments; [14776]

  (2) if he will take into account in his final plans for reduction in income support for mortgage interest the position of women who are unemployed due to pregnancy; [14782]

  (3) what proposals he has to protect those people on Government training schemes in respect of cuts in income support for mortgage interest payments. [14882]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We are considering the position of all groups during the consultation period and officials are discussing with the Association of British Insurers how best to ensure that the interaction between state and private provision works well.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what advice he has given to insurance firms in respect of mortgage protection in respect of unemployment due to pregnancy. [14778]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  None, but officials are talking to the Association of British Insurers to ensure that the interaction between state and private provisions work well.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assurances he has received from the Association of British Insurers in respect of the availability of mortgage protection policies following cuts in income support. [14777]
  252
  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Association of British Insurers has said that very few people who are accepted for a mortgage will not also satisfy the conditions for insurance and that even where insurance may not currently be available it expects cover to develop quite quickly.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to examine the Social Security Advisory Committee report of 1993 in regard to the extent of coverage by insurance companies of the whole range of workers for mortgage interest. [14779]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I have read the 1993 report by the Social Security Advisory Committee on the regulations introducing an upper limit on the amount of help with income support mortgage interest and responded to it. I also read the committees 1994 report on state benefit and private provision, which accepted that there was scope for the expansion of private mortgage protection insurance, at the time of publication. The Governments proposals for change in relation to income support mortgage interest payments announced in the last Budget have also been referred to the committee, which is consulting widely on them. I will study in detail the report that it produces on these proposals.

  Housing Benefit (Prisoners)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what representations he has received regarding his plans for reductions in housing benefit for short-sentence prisoners; [14780]

  (2) what safeguards he plans to impose to prevent released short-term prisoners from becoming homeless. [14781]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This Department has consulted the Social Security Advisory Committee and the local authority associations about proposals for restricting the payment of housing benefit to convicted prisoners to 13 weeks. We have also received a number of representations from other organisations, including the Probation Services, the Scottish Council for Single Mothers, Shelter, citizens advice bureaux, Bury Accommodation Forum and the North West Landlords Association and from some members of the public. The amendment regulations were laid before Parliament on 10 March and come into effect from 1 April 1995.

  Housing benefit will be available to prisoners serving up to 13 weeks, after allowance for any remission, and to all ex-prisoners following their release from prison who have a liability to pay rent. Where a partner remains in the home, housing benefit will continue to be available during the period of absence without restriction.

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the amount of money spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14622]

  Mr. Hague
  Details of this Departments administrative spending for the years 1989–90 to 1997–98 are contained in table 1 of the Departments annual report, Cm 2813, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many people are currently receiving invalidity benefit in each of the benefit districts in Wales; and what percentage these figures represent, by district, of the total population of working age. [14892]

  Mr. Hague
  The available information is in the table.

  People in receipt of invalidity benefit in the Benefits Agency districts covering Wales on the last working day of February 1995, and as a percentage of working population

  District

  Number of invalidity benefit recipients1

  Percentage of the working population2

  North Gwent and Brecon

  17,291

  —

  North Wales Coast

  13,766

  —

  South Glamorgan

  16,336

  7

  Gwynedd

  10,900

  7

  South Gwent and Islwyn

  14,008

  —

  Mid Wales and Maelor

  10,818

  —

  Ogwar Afan Nedd

  22,939

  —

  Cynon, Merthyr and Rhymney Valley

  24,171

  18

  Swansea

  17,876

  —

  Taff Rhondda

  18,235

  —

  West Wales

  20,127

  —

  Notes:

  1 Figures obtained from a 100 per cent. clerical count of cases in the Benefits Agency offices. The figure will include some people who have claimed but are not actually receiving invalidity benefit because they are in receipt of a higher overlapping benefit.

  2 The working population has been taken to be 16 to 64 for men and 16 to 59 for women. Estimated mid-year in 1993 population figures supplied by the population estimates unit, Office of Population Censuses and Survey. Figures have been given only where the Benefits Agency district has the same boundaries as the Welsh county districts.

WALES

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has taken to ensure clean bathing beaches and pollution-free rivers; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1994, 76 per cent. of the Welsh bathing waters identified under the European bathing waters directive met its mandatory bacteriological standards. The most recent survey for inland waters is for 1991–93 and shows that 86.2 per cent. of river and canal lengths in the National Rivers Authoritys Welsh region are of good quality, with 11 per cent. as fair quality, 2.5 per cent. poor quality and 0.3 per cent. bad quality.

  Dwr Cymru Welsh Waters investment programme for 1995–2000 involving expenditure of nearly £1 billion includes provision for further significant improvements to inland and coastal discharges. The National Rivers authority is also acting to bring about improvements to many industrial and agricultural pollution sources.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment has been made of the current level of industrial pollution in Welsh rivers and waterways;
  254
  (2) if he will list the 10 most polluted rivers in Wales in rank order, indicating the main pollutants contaminating the water and riverbank.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The National Rivers Authority monitors the quality of watercourses in Wales and sources of pollution. It has published The Quality of Rivers, Canals and Estuaries in England and Wales—Report of the 1990 Survey and The Quality of Rivers and Canals in England and Wales (1990–92) copies of which are in the Library of the House. Last December, the authority published interim results for 1991–93 which showed that, in its Welsh Region, 86. 2 per cent. of river and canal lengths were classed as good quality, 11 per cent. were fair quality, 2.5 per cent were poor quality and 0.3 per cent. were bad quality.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the reason for the planned reduction in expenditure between the 1994–95 allocation of £6.9 million on environmentally sensitive areas and the 1995–96 plans to spend £5.5 million on environmentally sensitive areas, as set out at figure 2.01 on page 8 of Cm 2815.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Planned domestic expenditure on environmentally sensitive areas is £5.5 million which together with planned EC expenditure of £1.4 million, gives a total of £6.9 million, the same as planned for 1994–95. the EC expenditure on this scheme is included under Other in the section headed Commodity Support Measures in figure 2.01—footnote 3 to the table refers.

  Toxic Waste Imports
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what factors underlay the omission from the section on waste in his Environmental Agenda for Wales of any discussion or guidance on his policy on the import of toxic waste into Wales for treatment or incineration.

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Environmental Agenda for Wales sets out my right hon. Friends main objectives and priorities for the Welsh environment. It promotes practical greenery, such as energy efficiency and recycling at home and in the workplace, using reclaimed land for development, and other measures aimed at protecting the environment without stifling essential economic development. The import of waste is an international issue, which is fully covered in other Government statements, for example, a draft UK plan on imports and exports of waste was issued for consultation on 3 February.

  Housing Renovation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made in regard to the benefit that would accrue to poorer communities in Wales from an increase in the upper grant limit available to households for house renovation. [14581]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh house condition survey 1993 estimated that 96 per cent. of unfit homes could be made fit at a cost of £15,000 or less. The upper grant limit is £24,000 and the present arrangements ensure that grants are targeted to poorer households, Local authorities and also make discretionary awards.
  255
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had from local authorities in Wales regarding the implications for house renovation of the present cap on the total resources available for improving the housing stock. [14580]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Generally there has been a welcome for the £1 billion which the Government have allocated for renovation since the start of the present grant system, while some councils have indicated that they have substantial inquiries about grants.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the posts to which he has made appointments in Wales in the last three years that have been(a) advertised and (b) not advertised. [14404]

  Mr. Redwood
  All the appointments I make are listed in Appointments by the Secretary of State for Wales, which is updated quarterly and is available in the Library of the House. Of these, in the last three years, the following posts have been advertised in the national press.

  Post

  Chair:

  Welsh Development Agency

  Independent Complaints Administrator:

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  Chairman and members:

  Cardiff Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  Glan Y Mor NHS Trust

  University Dental Hospital NHS Trust

  University Hospital of Wales Healthcare

  NHS Trust

  West Wales Ambulance NHS Trust

  Chairman:

  Gwent Health Authority

  Mid and West Wales Health Authority

  North Wales Health Authority

  South Glamorgan Health Authority

  West Glamorgan Health Authority

  Also, in July 1993, the Welsh Office ran a general newspaper advertising campaign inviting people to join the Departments register of candidates for public appointment, from which the majority of appointees are selected.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To aks the Secretary of State for Wales how many women are members of the boards of Welsh quangos; and what percentage this is of all members. [14731]

  Mr. Redwood
  The most recent information about appointments that I make is set out in Appointments by the Secretary of State for Wales, 1 March 1995, which is available in the Library of the House; 230 or 26.9 per cent. of these appointments were held by women. Of 189 appointments to executive non-departmental public bodies, 41 or 21.7 per cent. were held by women.

  Local Authority House Building
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many council houses have been built in Wales in each year since 1979. [14873]
  256
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on the number of local authority dwellings completed from 1979 up to 1993 has been published in table 2.3 of Welsh Housing Statistics No. 14 1994, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  In 1994, the number of new dwellings completed by local authorities in Wales was 227.

  Local Authority Zoos
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales pursuant to his answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 125, if he will name the local authorities which own the zoos listed. [15170]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Swansea city council owns Plantasia zoo.

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his forecast for Welsh GDP in 1995; and if he will make a statement. [14243]

  Mr. Redwood
  There are no official forecasts of Welsh GDP. The Budget forecasts a 3.25 per cent. growth in the United Kingdom GDP, and private sector forecasts expect Wales to outperform the UK.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the Welsh GDP in 1994; and if he will make a statement. [14244]

  Mr. Redwood
  The Central Statistical Office estimates that Welsh GDP at factor cost and current prices was £22,761 million in 1993. Estimates for 1994 are not yet available.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the Welsh percentage of the United Kingdoms forecast money GDP in 1995; and if he will make a statement. [14248]

  Mr. Redwood
  There are no official forecasts of Welsh GDP.

  Fish-eating Birds
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what advice he has received from the Countryside Commission for Wales and the National Rivers Authority about the impact of fish stocks in Wales of piscivorous birds; [14553]

  (2) how many licences to take piscivorous birds he has issued in each of the last two years; how many birds, by species, were taken under each of those licences; what criteria he used in determining whether to grant such licences; what conditions he attached to such licences; and what arrangements he made to monitor them. [14554]

  Mr. Redwood
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to sign letters prepared by his Department in Welsh to constituents and other organisations in Wales which write to him in Welsh. [14889]
  257
  Mr. Redwood
  All correspondents who write to me in Welsh receive a reply in Welsh as well as English. My policy is only to sign letters in a language that I understand.

  Out-patient Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients failed to attend out-patient appointments in Wales in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [15113]

  Mr. Redwood
  Some hospitals are unable to provide information on patients failing to attend out-patient appointments. The available data are in the following table.

  Health Authority area unit trust

  Patients failing to attend out-patient appointments

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Clwyd

  Clwydian Community Care NHS Trust

  6,249

  7,175

  Glan Clwyd Hospital NHS Trust

  11,158

  16,147

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital NHS Trust

  19,565

  18,619

  East Dyfed

  Carmarthen and District NHS Trust

  10,522

  11,169

  Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust

  6,434

  8,953

  Llanelli Dinefwr NHS Trust

  11,192

  13,961

  Mental Health Unit

  1,784

  1,333

  Gwent

  Glan Hafren NHS Trust

  34,951

  50,469

  North Gwent Unit

  9,203

  10,333

  Gwent Community NHS Trust

  5,435

  7,304

  Gwynedd

  Acute Unit

  22,481

  28,705

  Community Unit

  4,139

  6,097

  Mid Glamorgan

  Bridgend and District NHS Trust

  15,983

  20,180

  Hensol Unit

  —

  1

  Merthyr Cynon Unit

  31,547

  41,612

  Rhondda Unit

  9,277

  10,479

  Rhymney Valley Unit

  4,554

  9,799

  Taff Ely Unit

  13,151

  14,475

  Pembrokeshire NHS Trust

  8,266

  10,744

  Powys Health Care NHS Trust

  4,739

  5,884

  South Glamorgan

  Cardiff Royal Infirmary Unit

  n/a

  4,695

  Llandough Hospital NHS Trust

  n/a

  9,310

  University Hospital of Wales Unit

  n/a

  n/a

  Whitchurch Hospital Unit

  n/a

  n/a

  Dental Unit

  n/a

  n/a

  West Glamorgan

  District Unit

  2,121

  8,382

  East Unit

  17,534

  17,330

  North Unit

  4,907

  1,341

  Swansea NHS Trust

  22,978

  23,563

  Note:

  NHS trusts are listed under the name they had in 1993–94 although some did not have trust status in 1992–93.

  Usk Barrage Inquiry
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he received the Inspectors report on the Usk barrage inquiry; and when he expects to announce his decision. [15274]

  Mr. Redwood
  The inspector's report was received by my Department on 1 March 1995 and is being considered 258
  by officials. The decision will be announced as soon as practicable.

  Health Promotion Authority for Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give a full list of the members of the board of the Health Promotion Authority for Wales; what is the term of service of each membership; and what is the standard notification given to each board member whose term is coming to a close concerning his re-appointment or termination as a member. [15484]

  Mr. Redwood
  The board of the Health Promotion Authority for Wales consists of a chairman and seven non-executive members appointed by the Secretary of State, and two executive members, namely the chief officer and the financial officer of the authority.

  Names and terms of membership are as follows:

  Appointed until

  Chairman

  Mr. J. I. Davies

  31 March 1996

  Non-executive members

  Mr. R. Cutherbertson

  31 March 1995

  Mr. H. D. Griffiths

  31 March 1995

  Dr. B. N. C. Littlepage

  31 March 1995

  Mr. J. Thomas

  31 March 1995

  Mrs. C. E. Lewis

  31 March 1997

  Mr. R. C. May-Hill

  31 March 1997

  Miss A. Thomas

  31 March 1997

  Executive members

  Chief officer—Vacancy

  Ex officio

  Financial officer—Mr. M. D. Golding

  Ex officio

  It is my intention that, wherever possible, members should know in good time whether they will be offered re-appointment.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will name each of the members of the board of the Health Promotion Authority for Wales since its inception; and how many terms each board member, past and present has served. [15490]

  Mr. Redwood
  The names of each member who has served on the board of the Health Promotion Authority for Wales, their position and the number of terms served are as follows:

  Position

  Terms Served

  Mrs. M. Bond

  Non-executive member

  1

  Professor J. C. Catford

  Executive member

  1

  Miss C. Charlesworth

  Non-executive member

  1

  Mr. A. Crabbe

  Non-executive member

  2

  Mr. R. Cuthbertson

  Non-executive member

  1

  Mr. G. Davies

  Non-executive member

  1

  Mr. J. I. Davies

  Chairman

  1

  Dr. J. Evans

  Non-executive member

  1

  Dr. D. Frances

  Non-executive member

  2

  Mr. M. Golding

  Executive member

  1

  Mr. H. Griffiths

  Non-executive member

  1

  Mr. J. D. Griffiths

  Non-executive member

  1

  Professor R. Hodgson

  Non-executive member

  1

  Mrs. C. James

  Non-executive member

  1

  Councillor T. Jones

  Non-executive member

  1

  Dr. M. Keen

  Non-executive member

  1

  Mrs. C. E. Lewis

  Non-executive member

  2

  Mr. T. Lewis

  Non-executive member

  1

  259

  Position

  Terms Served

  Dr. B. Littlepage

  Non-executive member

  3

  Mr. R. C. May-Hill

  Non-executive member

  2

  Miss E. Muir

  Non-executive member

  1

  Mr. S. Roberts

  Non-executive member

  1

  Miss E. Rossiter

  Non-executive member

  1

  Miss S. Sandham

  Non-executive member

  1

  Dr. S. A. Smail

  Chairman

  2

  Miss V. Sugar

  Non-executive member

  1

  Miss A. Thomas

  Non-executive member

  2

  Mr. J. Thomas

  Non-executive member

  2

  Mrs. I. Train

  Non-executive member

  2

  Public Bodies (Expenditure)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place a copy in the Library of his guidance to non-departmental public bodies on making reductions in their expenditure on consultants fees. [15489]

  Mr. Redwood
  I have issued no general guidance to non-departmental public bodies.

  My strategic guidance letters to the Welsh Development Agency and to the Development Board for Rural Wales set targets for reductions in spending on consultants and my letter to the Cardiff Bay development corporation asked it to reduce its reliance on consultants. Copies of those letters are in the Library of the House.

  All public bodies must obtain value for money from consultants and ensure that they are the most cost-effective means of achieving results.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency concerning the consultancy fees paid to Mr. Meirion Thomas of the Cardiff business school and Mr. Stewart Rubin of KLR Consulting and if he will make a statement. [15488]

  Mr. Redwood
  None.

  Environmental Agenda for Wales
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation he undertook with national government officers and local authorities before his launch of his Environmental Agenda for Wales. [15452]

  Mr. Redwood
  I circulated the text of my Environmental Agenda for Wales to ministerial colleagues prior to its publication; and subsequently copies were also sent to the Welsh local authority associations and to all the county and district councils in Wales.

  Countryside Council for Wales
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what advice he has sought about the effects which financial and staff reductions will have on the Countryside Council for Wales ability to implement recovery programmes or action plans for endangered specifies in Wales; and what was the result of such advice; [15453]

  (2) if he will list the representations he has received from the board of the Countryside Council for Wales expressing concern at the level of funding available for
  260
  the monitoring of endangered species and statutory designated sites in Wales in 1995–96. [15454]

  Mr. Redwood
  In meetings held on 10 January 1995 with the chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales and on 24 January 1995 with the full council, discussions took place on a variety of issues, such as how the Countryside Council for Wales can continue effectively to carry out its range of duties, including those in respect of the EC habitats and special directive, other designated sites and endangered species in Wales, in the light of its settlement for 1995–96. These discussions and all other advice received have formed the basis of the action plan that I intend to publish shortly, setting out the issues on which I want the council to concentrate in the next two years.

  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, if he will list those posts within the Countryside Council for Wales which will become vacant following the budgetary cuts for 1995–96; and which will be re-filled and which made redundant. [15455]

  Mr. Redwood
  Decisions on staffing are the responsibility of the Countryside Council for Wales. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member with the information requested. I will arrange for copies of that letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14240]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Details of my Departments running costs spending for the years 1989–90 to 1996–97 are contained in table 9.4 of my Departments annual report 1995, Cm 2811, copies of which are available in the Members Library.

  Publications
  Mr. Boyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list all White Papers, Green Papers and pamphlets issued in 1994 by his Department or agencies for which it is responsible, giving in each case the total cost to the Exchequer of their production, publications and distribution; and what was the total equivalent cost in 1993.

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 2 March 1995]: The information that the hon. Member requires is listed in the table. The total equivalent cost in 1993 is given where appropriate.

  Title

  Cost 1993 £

  Cost 1994 £

  Department of National Heritage

  DNH Annual Report

  not available

  15,887.34

  Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future

  —

  8,037.90

  261

  Title

  Cost 1993 £

  Cost 1994 £

  Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future (reprint)

  —

  2,310.00

  Proposed new Library and Information Commission—A Consultation Paper

  —

  80.48

  Report by the Secretary of State for National Heritage on Library and Information Matters during 1993

  —

  1,514.54

  Public Lending Right Annual Report 1993–94

  1,165.05

  1,200.77

  Export Licensing Unit Code of Practice

  —

  1,360.38

  The Future of the BBC, Serving the Nation Competing world-wide (White Paper)

  —

  5,662.86

  BBC White Paper summary sheet

  —

  223.25

  The National Lottery leaflet

  —

  2,087.32

  The Ecclesiastical Exemption—What it is and How it Works

  —

  1,028.00

  The Ecclesiastical Exemption—What it is and How it Works (reprint)

  —

  926.00

  Library Information Series No. 21: School Library Services and Financial Delegation to Schools

  —

  807.33

  'Newsbrief newsletters

  —

  561.08

  Annual Report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of

  Works of Art

  6,122.18

  6,352.15

  A Guide to the Department and its Sponsored Bodies (two issues in 1993 and one in 1994)

  3,357.18

  2,149.33

  What Listing Means

  —

  2,779.08

  What Listing Means (reprint)

  —

  2,332.33

  Review of Grading in Museums

  —

  68.15

  Guidelines for Alterations to Historic Prisons in Scotland

  —

  1,884.65

  How to Appeal against Listing

  —

  103.40

  Treasure Trove Annual Report

  104.58

  64.63

  Response to the Select Committee on the British Library

  —

  270.00

  Royal Parks Agency

  Royal Parks Agency Annual Report 1994

  —

  34,205.05

  Royal Parks of London by Richard Church1

  4,000.00

  nil

  Royal Parks guide books1

  32,000.00

  nil

  Agency Framework Document

  21,160.00

  1,115.00

  Agency Corporate Plan

  23,780.00

  300.00

  Royal Parks Agency Visitor's Charter

  —

  560.00

  Entertainments Programme

  5,670.00

  9,000.00

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency (HRPA)

  HM Tower of London Palace Guide3

  112,800.00

  122,500.00

  HM Tower of London Jewel House Guide3

  —

  138,000.00

  Hampton Court Palace Guide3

  71,840.00

  66,151.00

  Hampton Court Palace Functions Brochure

  —

  7,616.00

  Hampton Court Palace leaflets

  10,448.00

  9,969.00

  Kensington Palace Guide

  —

  11,500.00

  Banqueting House Guide

  —

  7,380.00

  Banqueting House Brochure Pack

  —

  11,000.00

  Banqueting House leaflet

  —

  1,150.00

  Kew Palace Guide

  —

  5,215.00

  HRPA Annual Report and Accounts

  25,275.00

  22,852.00

  262

  Title

  Cost 1993 £

  Cost 1994 £

  HRPA Marketing leaflets

  not available

  58,865.00

  Travel Trade Fanfare Magazine

  5,992.50

  4,143.00

  1 The cost of these publications is recovered through sales revenue.

  2 These costs are attributable to DNH, since they were incurred before 1 April 1993 when the Agency came into existence.

  3 The cost of these items is recovered through sales revenue.

  In respect of those White Papers, Green Papers and other publications published by HMSO, costs are borne by HMSO, which aims to recover these from sales revenue.

SCOTLAND

  Water Services
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to meet representatives of COSLA to discuss water services in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [13462]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend and I will be meeting representatives of COSLA on 12 June as part of the normal consultation on local government finance matters. It is too early to say if water services will be discussed at that meeting.

  Joint Programmes
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the joint programmes between the Scottish and Northern Ireland Offices. [13643]

  Mr. Lang
  There are no joint programmes as such between the Scottish Office and the Northern Ireland Office, but there are various cases of close working relationships between the two Departments.

  Independent Review Commission
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for introducing an independent review commission to examine alleged miscarriages of justice along the lines of that being introduced for England, Wales and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [13644]

  Mr. Lang
  I have no plans at present to introduce an independent review commission to examine alleged miscarriage of justice along the lines of that being introduced for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  I have appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Sir Stewart Sutherland, principal of Edinburgh university, to consider options for change to the procedure in Scotland. I shall decide what action to take on these matters once I have the committees report.

  Road Bridge, Kelso
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further discussions he has had with Borders regional council on the proposal to build a new road bridge at Kelso. [13645]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There have been no recent discussions with Borders regional council about the proposed new bridge at Kelso. The bridge would form
  263
  part of a local road and is thus a matter for the regional council as local roads authority to consider.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the contract of Scottish Homes chairman expires. [13646]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The current appointment of the chairman of Scottish Homes expires on 31 March 1996.

  Scottish Nuclear
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will determine the section 36 planning consent for Scottish Nuclear dry fuel stores; and if he will make a statement. [13647]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend expects to reach a decision shortly about section 36 planning consent for Scottish Nuclear dry fuel stores.

  Voluntary Sector (Funding)
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to meet representatives of the voluntary sector to discuss their on-going funding needs. [13648]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no immediate plans to meet with representatives of the voluntary sector. Officials from the Scottish office meet regularly with representatives of the voluntary sector in the Scottish Office voluntary sector forum. The next formal meeting of the forum will take place on Wednesday 24 May.

  Woodlands Hospital, Aberdeen
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had on the future of Woodlands hospital, Aberdeen; and if he will make a statement. [13649]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations about Grampian health boards proposals for the Woodlands hospital, Aberdeen.

  My noble and learned Friend the Minister of State for Health has recently had separate meetings with relatives of some of the Woodlands residents and with Grampian Members of Parliament to discuss the future of the hospital and the health boards plans.

  In reaching a decision we shall take very careful account of all the views which have been put forward.

  Strathclyde Regional Council
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if Strathclyde regional council will be allowed to transfer capital expenditure into revenue expenditure as a means of reaching his financial targets. [13650]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend announced his provisional capping principles on 29 November. He will assess all Scottish local authorities budgets against these principles once they have been received and in the light of any representations made to him.
  264

  Youth Employment
  Mrs. Liddell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the prospects for youth employment in Scotland. [13651]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Governments economic policies are designed to create a climate in which employers can both maintain existing jobs and create new ones. The skillseekers programme in Scotland, backed up by our youth training guarantee, gives young people the opportunity to receive high quality training, often while in employment, in the occupational area of their choice, with the prospect of a qualification and thus improved employment prospects.

  Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received in his consultation on the boundary of the new Strathclyde passenger transport authority; and how many of those favoured the existing boundary of Strathclyde region. [13652]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has received 147 representations on his consultative exercise on the boundary and constitution of the proposed Strathclyde passenger transport authority. We will announce the outcome of the consultation after detailed and thorough consideration of the responses received.

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last led the United Kingdom delegation to the European Union Council of Ministers; and what matters were discussed. [13653]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The last occasion when a Scottish Minister led for the United Kingdom at the European Council of Ministers was on 3 June 1994. My hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Stewart), then Minister for Industry in Scotland, led the UK delegation to the informal meeting of Ministers responsible for regional policy and spatial planning, when matters relating to the European structural funds were discussed.

  Mink
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of mink on Scottish wildlife. [13654]

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend has received advice from Scottish Natural Heritage on the impact of mink on Scottish wildlife. The species is an active predator and established itself in the wild after escaping from mink farms as long ago as 1929. Research results indicate that the mink has generally not had the serious effect on our wildlife that was first expected. However, there is concern about its possible effect on some colonies of ground-nesting sea birds.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for how many public appointments he is now responsible for in Scotland; and how many people are on his list of possible candidates for such appointments. [13655]
  265
  Mr. Lang
  There were 3,656 appointments nominally within the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Scotland at 1 September 1994, including 1,895 members of childrens panels, who are recruited through the local authorities. There are currently about 4,000 names on the Scottish Office public appointments list.

  Scottish Sleeper Services
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further discussions he has had in respect of the sleeper services to Fort William and Carlisle and the Scottish sleeper services; and if he will make a statement. [13656]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Responsibility for railways throughout Great Britain rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. My right hon. Friend and I have been keeping in touch with developments.

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what plans he has to seek a judicial review of the decision taken by the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising in respect of the Fort William and Carlisle to London sleeper services and the Scotland to London motorail services; and if he will make a statement. [15130]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the latest estimates of additional numbers of junior doctors required to allow the agreed reductions in junior doctors hours in Scottish hospitals. [13657]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No such estimates have been made. NHS employers are expected to meet the targets for junior doctors hours by measures other than recruiting additional junior doctors.

  Housing Development, Niddrie
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what considerations led him to reject the recommendation of a Scottish Office inquiry into the housing development in the village of Niddrie; and if he will make a statement. [13658]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend does not consider that a convincing case has yet been made to justify the loss of green belt land for housing purposes in the village of Niddrie.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the trend on inward investment into(a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the European Community. [13659]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The year 1994–95 is well on course to being another record year for inward investment in Scotland.

  Scotland is currently attracting inward investment projects at the rate of almost two per week.

  In 1993–94, Locate in Scotland and the Scottish Office Industry Department helped attract to Scotland 95 inward investment projects involving planned investment of £587 million and the expected creation or safeguarding of over
  266
  11,000 jobs. All these figures represent a significant increase over the corresponding figures for 1992–93.

  At no time since LIS was set up in 1981 has Scotland secured a higher number of inward investment projects.

  Scottish Arts Council
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next intends to meet the chairman of the Scottish Arts Council to discuss its role in the development of the audio-visual industry in Scotland. [13660]

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend meets the chairman of the Scottish Arts Council from time to time but has no plans to discuss the development of the audio-visual industry. The Scottish Office-funded body with the greater interest in the development of the audio-visual industry is the Scottish Film Council. Its future role is currently the subject of a review.

  Scottish Enterprise Tayside
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the establishment of Scottish Enterprise Tayside and tourism-related projects. [13661]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The only representations that my right hon. Friend has received on these matters in recent months have been those submitted by the hon. Gentleman.

  Local Government
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what change he expects in the overall numbers of staff employed by local authorities in Scotland following the introduction of single-tier local government. [13662]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The numbers of staff employed will depend on decisions yet to be made by the new authorities, but overall it is estimated that local government reorganisation could lead to a reduction of between 200 and 1,800 in the present work force of around 300,000. In addition, approximately 7,000 staff will transfer from local authorities to the new water and sewerage authorities and the Scottish Childrens Reporter Administration. Further transfers may arise as a result of proposals still under consideration for the maintenance of trunk roads.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what allocation of funds he has made to Scottish Homes for 1995–96; and what proposals he has to review the way in which that sum is allocated between regions in Scotland. [13663]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have approved a development funding programme for Scottish Homes which maintains investment in 1995–96 at the 1994–95 level of over £320 million. The allocation of that programme to Scottish Homess districts is a matter for Scottish Homes.

  European Union Expenditure
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the value of EU expenditure in Scotland
  267
  expressed as a proportion of total tax revenue raised in Scotland; and what is the comparative figure for the rest of Great Britain. [13664]

  Mr. Kynoch
  European Community expenditure cannot be geographically identified on a comprehensive basis. However, in 1992–93, EC expenditure in Scotland in respect of my right hon. Friends programmes, together with agricultural intervention expenditure and that financed by receipts from the European social fund, is estimated to have been of the order of £370 million. In that year, revenues raised in Scotland from the four main sources—income tax, national insurance contributions, VAT and local government revenues—amounted to some £12.8 billion. For the UK as a whole, total public sector receipts from EC institutions in 1992–93 were some £2.8 billion and the revenues from the four main sources were some £153.7 billion.

  Campbeltown to Ballycastle Ferry
  Mr Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about proposals for the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry. [13640]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I understand that Argyll and the Islands Enterprise and Moyle district council, the sponsors of the project, are at an advanced stage in consideration of the harbour works that would be required to allow this service to operate and have initiated discussions with interested shipping operators.

  Bishopbriggs (Private Prison)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if Bishopbriggs is being considered as a site for a new private prison; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The site of the existing resettlement unit at Bishopbriggs is one of a number of sites currently being considered as a possible location for a new privately financed prison. No final decisions about the site or about the specification of a new prison have yet been made. Such decisions would require ministerial approval and would be the subject of an application for outline planning permission.

  Repair and Improvement Grants
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many homes in each district and islands area of Scotland are ineligible for grant aid towards the cost of repairs and improvements because of the application of the rateable value threshold for that area; and what proportion of the private housing stock that represents for each area.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Rateable value limits were introduced in 1974 with the intention of excluding from grant assistance some 20 per cent. of homes in each housing authority district. The actual numbers excluded may have varied over time. The limits are not an absolute bar on entitlement to grant. They are waived where local authorities take action on houses in the worst condition or where lead plumbing is to be replaced or levels of radon gas reduced. Neither are they applied for works to adapt a house for a disabled person.

  Empty Commercial Property
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will reconsider the decision to implement 268
  the proposals to levy 50 per cent. rates on empty commercial property.

  Mr. Lang
  No. With effect from 1 April 1995, a national non-domestic rate will apply in Scotland at the same level as the unified business rate in England. The valuation methods used at the 1995 revaluation will also now be harmonised across the border and certain express harmonisation measures, for example the rating of plant and machinery, will also take effect on 1 April 1995. The new provisions on the rating of unoccupied property in Scotland are just one of those measures and bring the position into line with that which has existed in England and Wales since 1990.

  The Government believe that the net effect of the harmonisation of the Scottish rating system with that in England and Wales will be of great benefit to Scottish business.

  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effect of the imposition of 50 per cent. rates on empty commercial property on the competitiveness of the firms affected.

  Mr. Lang
  We have no evidence that the competitiveness of companies will be affected by this measure. Parallel provisions already exist in England and Wales and this is part of the overall process of harmonisation to put Scottish businesses in a similar situation to their competitors south of the border.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prescriptions were issued in the Grampian health board area for each of the last five years; and how many were exempt from payment.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The table shows the total number of prescriptions presented for dispensing and the number for which no charge was made. The number of prescriptions issued to patients but not presented for dispensing is unknown.

  The number of prescriptions for which no charge was made at the point of dispensing includes items dispensed on presentation of pre-payment certificates.

  Financial year

  Total number of prescriptions dispensed

  Number of prescriptions for which no charge made at point of dispensing

  1989–90

  3,813,054

  3,020,258

  1990–91

  3,898,337

  3,111,925

  1991–92

  4,007,418

  3,211,843

  1992–93

  4,137,204

  3,328,756

  1993–94

  4,288,124

  3,497,826

  Government Expenditure and Revenue
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish an updated version of the 1992 document, Government Expenditure and Revenues in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  I shall keep this possibility under review.

  Direct Labour Organisations
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many employees of local authority direct
  269
  labour organisations will be affected by his decision to exclude DLOs from tendering for the management and maintenance contracts for the primary route network due to go to tender in September of this year: and how many of them will lose their jobs as a result of this exclusion.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Local authorities are not excluded from tendering for contracts for the future management and maintenance of any part of the trunk road network and, therefore, there are no implications for staff employed by local authority DLOs arising from any exclusion.

  Lomond Health Trust
  Mr. John McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce the name of the chairman of the Lomond Health trust and detail his or her qualifications for the post. [15129]

  Mr. James Douglas-Hamilton
  A press release announcing Mr. Stephen P. Newall from Rhu, Dunbartonshire as chairman of the Lomond Healthcare NHS trust was issued on 7 March 1995. He was appointed to the post because of his distinguished track record of leadership in the public and private sectors.

  Jobseekers Allowance
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the current 21-hour rule enabling unemployed people to study while receiving benefit will be reduced to 16 guided learning hours when the jobseekers allowance is introduced in Scotland; what difference there will be in the treatment of unemployed people who take up places in either further or higher education courses, and if he will make a statement. [15160]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  People claiming jobseekers Allowance will be able to take part-time courses provided they remain available for and are actively seeking employment. In the case of further education courses, it has been decided that for those funded by the Further Education Funding Council for England, part-time courses will be defined as courses of up to 16 guided learning hours a week. Because the concept of guided learning hours does not apply to Scottish, further education consideration is being given to what similar arrangements will apply in Scotland. They will be designed to ensure that broadly the same number of people benefit from this concession as at present.

  For higher education courses, it is expected that the definition of a part-time course will remain essentially unchanged.

  Farming Community (Suicides)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many suicides there have been in the Scottish farming community in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [14214]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The General Register Office, Scotland, compiles figures for suicide where the occupation of the deceased was classified as farmer, farmers wife or farm worker. This information for the most recent five years available is as follows:

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Number

  19

  16

  18

  19

  17

  270
  The Scottish Office is working with other agencies to raise the general awareness of conditions associated with suicidal behaviour.

  Forestry
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hectares the Forestry Commission has planted in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [15030]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The information is as follows:

  Year ended 31 March

  Area planted (hectares)

  1985

  11,021

  1986

  11,630

  1987

  13,380

  1988

  13,129

  1989

  12,580

  1990

  11,946

  1991

  11,137

  1992

  11,259

  1993

  10,830

  1994

  9,289

  Out-patient Appointments
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients failed to attend out-patient appointments in Scotland on each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [15111]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on the number of new out-patient appointments where the patient failed to attend is shown in the table. Corresponding information is not available centrally for return out-patients.

  New out-patient referrals—patients who did not attend

  Date

  Number

  1992

  120,054

  1993

  132,498

  1994

  134,207

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a reply from the chief executive of the West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS trust to his letter of 9 February concerning the expenditure of the trusts start-up grant; [15195]

  (2) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a substantive reply from the chief executive of the East and Midlothian NHS trust to his letter of 9 February concerning the expenditure of the trusts start-up grant; [15198]

  (3) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a reply from the chief executive of the Fife Healthcare NHS trust to his letter of 9 February concerning the expenditure of the trusts start-up grant; [15199]

  (4) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a reply from the chief executive of the Edinburgh

  271
  Sick Childrens NHS trust to his letter of 9 February concerning the expenditure of the trusts start-up grant; [15200]

  (5) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a reply from the chief executive of the Renfrewshire Healthcare NHS trust to his letter of 9 February concerning the expenditure of the trusts start-up grant; [15201]

  (6) when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a reply from the chief executive of the Stobhill General Hospitals NHS trust to his letter of 9 February concerning the expenditure of the trusts start-up grant. [15202]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I understand that the chief executives of the West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS trust, the Edinburgh Sick Childrens NHS trust and the Renfrewshire Healthcare NHS trust have not responded to the hon. Member. The chief executive of the East and Midlothian NHS trust, the Fife Healthcare NHS trust and Stobhill NHS trust have indicated that they will reply before the end of March.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the chair, chief executive and correspondence addresses of each of Scotlands NHS trusts; [15206]

  (2) if he will list the executive and non-executive directors of each of Scotlands NHS trusts. [15207]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As the information requested in respect of the 39 NHS trusts is rather lengthy, I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines have been issued to NHS trusts about replying to correspondence from hon. Members with particular reference to the time scale for response. [15208]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No specific guidelines have been issued to NHS trusts concerning replies to correspondence from hon. Members.

  Quangos
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department has carried out into the employment background of members of quangos operating in Scotland. [15196]

  Mr. Lang
  None. I am aware of the background of persons whom I am appointing to non-departmental public bodies and NHS bodies at the time when I make the appointments.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what procedures are adopted by his Department in recruiting individuals to the membership of quangos. [15197]

  Mr. Lang
  The relevant procedures are set out in the Cabinet Office publication Guide on Public Appointment Procedures, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The recent Review of Guidance on Public Appointments, published on 6 February and also available in the Library, has recommended a number of changes to make these procedures more effective. The Government have accepted these recommendations and have instructed Departments to implement them, subject to any other changes which may be necessary in the light 272
  of the recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many quangos operate within Scotland; and what is the total annual expenditure of these bodies in each year since 1978–79. [15203]

  Mr. Lang
  A full list of non-departmental public bodies, nationalised industries and NHS bodies sponsored by my Department at 1 April 1994 is published in the Cabinet Office publication, Public Bodies 1994, which is available in the Library of the House. A full list of non-departmental public bodies in existence for each year since 1979 is available in the following publications: Report on Non-Departmental Public Bodies—Pliatzky report, Cm 7797, January 1980; Non-Departmental Public Bodies: Facts and Figures 1980; Non-Departmental Public Bodies: Facts and Figures 1981; and Public Bodies, published annually since 1982. This publication shows the gross expenditure of each body and the amount of that expenditure funded by central government. Copies of these publications are available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the quangos currently in operation in Scotland. [15204]

  Mr. Lang
  A list of the non-departmental public bodies, nationalised industries and NHS bodies sponsored by my Department at 1 April 1994 is shown in the Cabinet Office publication, Public Bodies 1994, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the quangos which have been established in Scotland in each financial year since 1978–79. [15205]

  Mr. Lang
  Lists have been prepared centrally for each year from 1986 to 1993 of non-departmental public bodies which have been created and abolished. Copies are available in the Library of the House. Such summary data for the years 1979 to 1985 were not prepared and could be reconstructed only at disproportionate cost. Between 1 April 1993 and 1 April 1994, the following bodies were added to the list of Scottish Office-sponsored non-departmental public bodies: Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Further Education Unit, Post Qualification Board for Health Service Pharmacists in Scotland.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the grounds for refusal of an application by a tenant under the right to buy legislation. [14542]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 21 March 1995]: There are certain safeguards within the right to buy provisions to permit local authorities to retain a stock of houses which are required for specific purposes.

  Under section 61(4) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 the right to buy does not apply to groups of houses provided with facilities—including a call system and a warden service—specially designed or adapted for the needs of elderly or disabled people. These are generally known as sheltered housing.

  Section 69 of the Act gives public sector landlords discretion to apply to the Secretary of State for permission to refuse to sell houses with features suitable for

  273
  occupation by persons of pensionable age. Such houses must have facilities which make them substantially different from those of an ordinary house.

  An application to purchase may also be refused under schedule 2 to the 1987 Act where the tenant is required to live in the house as a consequence of his employment for the better performance of his duties; or where the house forms part of a building, or comes within the boundaries of another building, which is held by the authority mainly for purposes other than housing.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment the Scottish Office has made of the average profit which is made by an owner-occupier when the owner sells a former council property purchased under the right to buy legislation. [14530]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 21 March 1995]: The Scottish Office does not collect information on the resale price of former council property. When a former council house is sold, the difference between the right to buy discounted price and the price obtained in a sale on the open market will depend on various factors; including the original level of discount, the marketability of the property, and the state of the housing market at the time.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate for each local authority in Scotland(a) the number of dwellings they currently own, (b) the number of properties sold under the right to buy legislation and (c) the number of properties sold as a percentage of their total housing stock listed in descending order. [14531]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 21 March 1995]: Information on the number of dwellings owned by local authorities is published in the statistical bulletin HSG/1994/9 Housing Trends in Scotland—Quarter ended 30 June 1994. Information on the number of local authority dwellings sold to sitting tenants by each local authority, including those sold under the right to buy legislation, is published each quarter in the same statistical bulletin series. The series is available in the House Library.

  Local Authority Housing Construction
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new dwellings have been constructed by local authorities for each financial year in Scotland since 1979–80. [14532]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 21 March 1995]: The information requested is set out in the table.

  Year

  Number of new dwellings built

  1979–80

  4,818

  1980–81

  5,199

  1981–82

  3,141

  1982–83

  2,222

  1983–84

  2,470

  1984–85

  2,024

  1985–86

  1,880

  1986–87

  1,678

  1987–88

  2,021

  274

  Year

  Number of new dwellings built

  1988–89

  1,818

  1989–90

  1,243

  1990–91

  987

  1991–92

  1,030

  1992–93

  580

  1993–94

  494

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much revenue the Scottish Office has made available for new house building in each financial year since 1979–80 for each local authority in Scotland. [14533]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 21 March 1995]: Capital allocations of over £5.9 billion have been issued to local authorities since 1979–80 for investment to meet local housing needs as shown in the table. It is for local authorities themselves to determine how to allocate the resources made available to them between the improvement of their stock and new house building.

  The annual publication, Scottish Local Government Financial Statistics, which is held in the Library of the House, provides information on capital expenditure by local authorities on new house building.

  Administration and Policy Formulation
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money was spent on central administration and policy formulation by his Department in 1993–94; what are the projections for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [14256]

  Mr. Lang
  Details of my Departments running costs and administrative spending for the years 1989–90 to 1997–98 are contained in table 7.1 of the Scottish Office departmental report, Cm 2814, a copy of which is available in the Members Library.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money has been spent of preparatory costs for GP fundholders for each health board area in Scotland for each year since the introduction of GP fundholding. [14496]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 20 March 1995]: The information requested is not available centrally. Health board returns on the money disbursed to support the operational costs of GP fundholders in their area do not differentiate between GP practices who are operational fundholders and those in their preparatory period.

  A preparatory fundholding practice is entitled to claim an allowance up to a maximum level—£17,500 in 1994–95. A practice may also claim reimbursement for the installation and other associated costs of computer equipment, which is agreed by the health board as being essential to their participation in fundholding. Finance for this reimbursement expenditure comes from the health boards cash-limited GMS allocation for computer expenditure. It is the responsibility of health boards to monitor the cost-effectiveness of each preparatory fundholding practices use of such preparatory costs, as

  275
  part of the health boards statutory role in monitoring the overall performance of GP fundholders.

  Polling and Public Survey Organisations
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the employment of polling or public survey organisations by his Department during the current and previous financial

  Subject

  Period conducted

  Contractor commissioned

  Objectives

  Environment Department

  Survey of Homeless Applicants

  June-July 1993

  Public Attitude Surveys Ltd

  To examine the operation of the code of guidance on homelessness.

  Edinburgh Castle Visitors Survey (Historic Scotland)

  May-December 1993

  System Three Scotland

  To provide information on visitors to The Castle, their attitudes to services and facilities and to identify priorities for improving these facilities.

  Baseline study of good practice in housing management

  1994

  Public Attitude Surveys Ltd

  To provide a description of housing management practice in Scotland as a baseline against which to measure implementation of the tenants charter.

  Awareness of Right to Buy and Rents to Mortgages

  March-April 1994

  System Three Scotland

  To identify tenants' awareness of right to buy schemes.

  Public Knowledge and Perception of Local Government

  September 1994

  The MVA Consultancy

  To ascertain current public knowledge and awareness of local government, public perceptions of remoteness accessibility and their identification with local government units as a baseline for monitoring change.

  Rural Community Development Study

  February 1994

  System Three Scotland

  To provide a baseline picture of life in four representative rural areas in order to monitor change and the impact of rural policy initiatives.

  Water and Sewerage

  March/August 1994

  Market Research Scotland

  To test the comprehensibility of the design and contents of the information leaflet; to evaluate recall of the contents and purpose of leaflet.

  Sustainable Development

  September 1994

  The MVA Consultancy

  To investigate public awareness and understanding of the concept of sustainable development.

  Evaluation of GRO-Grants

  November 1994—March 1995

  Centre for Housing Research and Urban Studies, Glasgow University

  To assess the extent to which GRO-grants have met their objectives.

  Awareness of Right to Buy and Rents to Mortgages Schemes

  February 1995

  System Three Scotland

  To determine the level of awareness among tenants of the RTB and RTM schemes.

  Rural Transport Study

  March-April 1995

  The TAS Partnership

  To establish the type and range of rural transport options and consider how they could be pursued more effectively in rural Scotland.

  Home and Health Department

  Survey of users' experiences of the NHS in Scotland

  November-December 1992

  MORI Ltd

  To measure how well the commitments in the patients charter were being delivered and whether the standards of service met expectations of the users.

  276
  years, on the organisations employed by his Departments, on the values of individual contracts for these services, on the total amounts of money spent and on the purposes of the research undertaken by these organisations. [14512]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 20 March 1995]: The information requested is shown in the table. The fee paid to individual contractors is commercially confidential and therefore cannot be detailed. The total cost of the 40 surveys listed was £1.153 million.
  277

  Subject

  Period conducted

  Contractor commissioned

  Objectives

  Car Crime

  November 1992

  Research Resources

  To determine amongst car users the steps taken to prevent car crime; their perception of car crime compared with other crimes; awareness and effectiveness of the "Hyena" campaign.

  Scottish Crime Survey

  December 1992—December 1993

  The MVA Consultancy

  Provide alternative indicator of the level and extent of household and personal victimisation in Scotland; provide information about public perceptions and experiences of crime and the criminal justice system more generally.

  Fire Prevention

  February/March 1993—February 1994

  Research Resources

  To measure awareness and understanding of the television commercial and assess the impact of the commercial in motivating householders to maintain their smoke alarms.

  Information Needs of Victims

  January-August 1994

  The MVA Consultancy

  Collect information on current provision of information to victims; provide overview of experience and needs of victims with reference to information provided by criminal justice agencies and identify gaps between needs and actual provision; identify what information could specifically be provided by the fiscal service and in what form.

  Domestic Violence Media Campaign

  July-December 1994

  System Three Scotland

  Assess the extent of public awareness and comprehension of Scottish Office domestic violence media campaign.

  Survey of users' experiences of the NHS in Scotland

  May-June 1994

  MORI Ltd

  To measure progress being made in delivering the commitments made in the Patient's Charter about the standards of service people should expect from the NHS in Scotland.

  European Drug Prevention Week 1994

  October 1994

  System Three Scotland

  Awareness of EDPW among eight to 21-year-olds.

  Fire Safety Week 1994

  Ongoing

  Progressive Research

  Processing of research on smoke alarms undertaken by fire brigades during Fire Safety Week.

  Maternity Services

  October 1992—October 1993

  Mrs. Yvonne Bostock (Independent Consultant)

  To explore women's views on topics concerned with the provision of maternity care in Scotland; to confirm that CRAG-SCOTMEG Consumer Group's Interpretation of the existing research corresponded with women's views and expectations of the services; to provide a sound basis for the group to form recommendations on women's expectations of services.

  Civil Court Users

  June-July 1992

  The MVA Consultancy

  To establish public perception of non-judicial aspects of civil business in the sheriff court.

  Industry Department

  Evaluation of "Cars Kill" TV Campaign

  June-November 1993

  System Three Scotland

  To evaluate the "Cars Kill" TV campaign through testing children's awareness and attitudes to this campaign, and to other related national road safety campaigns and general road safety issues.

  278 279

  Subject

  Period conducted

  Contractor commissioned

  Objectives

  Hotel Signposting Evaluation

  July-November 1993

  The MVA Consultancy

  To investigate inter alia whether the provision of new accommodation signs improve ease of access for visitors and guests and to monitor whether these signs are associated with an increase in occupancy rates.

  Scottish Drivers' Attitudes to Speeding Survey

  December 1993-June 1994

  Market Research Scotland Ltd

  To detect any changes in the attitudes of Scottish drivers towards speeding since November 1991 and to explore reasons for these changes.

  Evaluation of Year of the Elderly Road Safety Campaign

  January 1994 (Part 1) February-April 1994 (Part 2)

  System Three Scotland The MVA Consultancy

  To evaluate the effectiveness of the Scottish Road Safety Campaign's initiatives in support of European Year of the Elderly.

  Setting Forth: Stated Preference Survey

  June 1993

  Oscar Faber TPA

  To provide the data necessary to model the impact of toll increases on driver behaviour across the Firth of Forth.

  An Evaluation of Scotland's National Tourist Routes

  June-November 1994

  Colin Buchanan and Partners

  To evaluate the effectiveness of the national tourist routes in encouraging a wider spread of tourist traffic, and to measure the availability of STB and ATB promotional material relating to the NTRs.

  Urban Partnership Household Surveys (Wester Hailes, Whitfield, Ferguslie Park)

  March 1993-May 1994

  Social and Community Planning Research

  Repeat of household surveys carried out in 1989–90 in order to evaluate the impact of the urban partnerships now that initiatives are five years old.

  Urban Partnership Household Surveys (Castlemilk)

  March-May 1994

  Public Attitude Surveys

  —

  Evaluation of Theatre Tours

  July 1994-March 1995

  The Scottish Council for Research in Education

  To evaluate the effectiveness of theatre tours as a medium for road safety education.

  Evaluation of "Cars Kill" Cinema

  October-December 1994

  Market Research Scotland

  To evaluate the Scottish Road Safety Campaign's "Cars Kill" advertising in the cinema.

  Drivers' Attitude to the new Variable Message System on trial around the Forth Estuary

  February/March 1995

  Oscar Faber TPA

  To establish the relevancy and effectiveness of the message content shown on the VMS which is currently being trialled around the Forth estuary.

  Year of the Young Driver 1995

  January-February 1995

  System Three Scotland

  Testing creative development of advertising scripts.

  Education Department

  Further and Higher Education Charter for Scotland

  October-November 1992

  British Market Research Bureau

  To identify issues of importance to current and potential students, their parents, and the general public to help shape the priorities of the charter.

  School Education

  April-October 1993

  Social Community and Planning Research

  To provide information on the public's attitudes towards, and expectations of, school education at senior stages for an international study under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

  280 281

  Subject

  Period conducted

  Contractor commissioned

  Objectives

  Agriculture and Fisheries Department

  Crofting

  January-April 1993

  Independent Northern Consultants

  To obtain information on the aspirations of crofters for the future, and ways in which the Crofters Commission may help to meet these aspirations.

  Marketing and processing of agricultural products and related services in the Highlands and Islands

  June 1994

  Euro Access

  To identify whether the successor to the rural enterprise programme should include support for marketing of agricultural products. The study involved surveys of farmers and applicants under previous schemes.

  An evaluation of the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grants Scheme

  March-July 1995

  St. Andrew's Economic Consultants

  To examine the extent to which CCAGS is achieving the objectives of the Scheme and to provide information which would help assess possible policy options for the future.

  Central Services

  The Scottish Office Central Enquiry Unit

  July-December 1993

  Research Resources

  To assess the impact of the press advertisement on awareness and on motivating the public to use the enquiry unit; determining the public's understanding of the role of the Scottish Office.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  World Summit for Social Development
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy to support the proposal put forward by the United Nations Development Programme to the world summit for social development, requiring donor states to devote a minimum of 20 per cent. of their development assistance to meeting basic human needs. [14916]

  Mr. Baldry
  The world summit for social development declaration called for greater efforts to be made, by donors and developing countries, to help meet basic social needs. We welcome this: the whole of the United Kingdom aid programme is about helping people in poorer countries to improve their lives.

  Common definitions and measures of basic social needs have yet to be established in the international development context—we stand ready to support further work in this area.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the estimates about the number of people in Sierra Leone who have been displaced and the number who have become refugees. [14852]

  Mr. Baldry
  According to the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs, there are currently 500,000 to 700,000 internally displaced persons in Sierra Leone; in addition it is estimated that, as at the beginning of March 282
  1995, there were over 200,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Guinea and a further 120,000 refugees in Liberia.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which British aid organisations are still active in Sierra Leone; and which have withdrawn because of the security situation. [14846]

  Mr. Baldry
  British NGOs still active in Sierra Leone are Action Aid, CARE (UK), Concern Universal, the British Red Cross and the Methodist Church Overseas Division. Christian Aid, CAFOD and Village Aid are providing help through local organisations.

  Voluntary Service Overseas and Water Aid have recently withdrawn for security reasons.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests for international assistance have been made by the Government of Sierra Leone. [14849]

  Mr. Baldry
  There has been no official appeal for international assistance by the Government of Sierra Leone.

  UNHCR
  Mr. Gary Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he is giving to the general programmes budget of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in 1995.

  Mr. Baldry
  My noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development has approved a grant of £6 million for UNHCRs general programmes budget for 1995. The UK is one of the foremost national donors of UNHCR; last year our contributions, both in direct payments and assistance in kind, exceeded £60 million in value, the highest level of contribution ever.

  Law of Trusts: Delegation by Individual Trustees
  Law of Trusts: Delegation by Individual Trustees
  Structured Settlements and Interim and Provincial Damages
  Structured Settlements and Interim and Provincial Damages
  Caring for the Suicidal in Custody: Wandsworth Prison
  Caring for the Suicidal in Custody: Wandsworth Prison
  Vaccine 10H03A
  Vaccine 10H03A
  Local Government Finance
  Local Government Finance
  UNHCR: UK Assistance
  UNHCR: UK Assistance
  Non-Proliferation Treaty: Civil Use of Nuclear Energy
  Non-Proliferation Treaty: Civil Use of Nuclear Energy
  Non-Proliferation Treaty: Security Assurances
  Non-Proliferation Treaty: Security Assurances
  European Union: UK Membership
  European Union: UK Membership
  General Olusegun Obasanjo
  General Olusegun Obasanjo
  Northern Ireland: Young Offenders Awaiting Trial
  Northern Ireland: Young Offenders Awaiting Trial
  Scottish Shellfish Depuration Plants: Charging Schemes
  Scottish Shellfish Depuration Plants: Charging Schemes