Written Answers of 24 March 1995

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Exhibitions
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Zoological Society of London to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 22 May to Friday 26 May 1995.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Association for the Prevention of Addiction to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 24 July to Friday 28 July 1995.

ENVIRONMENT

  Council Housing, London
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the 10 London boroughs with the highest number of empty units of accommodation, and the political control of each. [14437]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The 10 London boroughs reporting the highest number of management vacants—dwellings available for letting immediately or after minor repairs—on 1 April 1994 in their 1994 housing investment progamme HIP1 returns, were.

  Number of management vacants

  Present political control

  Hackney

  2,168

  Labour

  Lambeth

  799

  Noc

  Tower Hamlets

  744

  Labour

  Greenwich

  667

  Labour

  Southwark

  645

  Labour

  Islington

  602

  Labour

  Lewisham

  438

  Labour

  Croydon

  396

  Labour

  Newham

  389

  Labour

  Barking and Dagenham

  364

  Labour

  362
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the 10 London boroughs with the lowest record on collecting council rents, the cost and percentage owed and the political control of each authority. [14435]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Information on local authority rent arrears is collected from authorities on their housing subsidy claim form returns. The 10 London boroughs with the highest cumulative rent arrears—including arrears for former tenants—as a proportion of rent roll on 31 March 1994, the latest date for which figures are available, are as follows:

  Cumulative arrears as a percentage of 1993–94 rent roll

  Total cumulative rent arrears (£000s)

  Present political control

  Hackney

  36.8

  34,684

  Labour

  Haringey

  35.4

  22,482

  Labour

  Lambeth

  23.5

  22,491

  Noc

  Ealing

  22.5

  14,239

  Labour

  Greenwich

  22.3

  16,300

  Labour

  Southwark

  20.6

  26,424

  Labour

  Newham

  17.7

  10,190

  Labour

  Brent

  16.6

  8,280

  Noc

  Camden

  16.0

  12,610

  Labour

  Islington

  15.8

  15,369

  Labour

  Publications
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total expenditure on(a) all forms of publicity and (b) all publications and pamphlets produced for his Department and for all 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 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. [14596]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 17 March 1995]: To supply all the information requested would involve disproportionate expense. The following information is readily available.

  Publicity expenditure by my Department, excluding agencies, expressed in 1994 prices, is as follows:

  Year

  1985–86

  5.4

  1986–87

  6.3

  1987–88

  6.9

  1988–89

  9.3

  1989–90

  139.5

  1990–91

  8.7

  1991–92

  3.0

  1992–93

  214.1

  1993–94

  13.3

  1994–95

  9.7

  1 The figure for 1989–90 includes publicity costs associated with water privatisation.

  2 The figures from 1992 include publicity costs associated with the carbon dioxide reduction campaign, "Helping the Earth", and the introduction of the council tax.

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  The expenditure by my Department and its agencies and public bodies on publications—excluding Property Holdings and its agencies and PSA Services—expressed in 1994 prices, is as follows:

  £ million

  1985–86

  1.3

  1986–87

  1.7

  1987–88

  0.8

  1988–89

  1.0

  1989–90

  1.1

  1990–91

  1.2

  1991–92

  1.5

  1992–93

  1.5

  1993–94

  1.4

  1994–95 (forecast)

  1.7

  Notes:

  It is not possible to identify readily any expenditure related to privatisation within the figures shown.

  Polling and Public Survey Organisations
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the employment of polling or public survey organisations by his Department during the current and previous financial years, on the organisations employed by his Department, 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. [14513]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 20 March 1995]: The Department undertakes a wide range of research activities to assist in meeting its priority aims, as set out in the Department's annual report. In order to achieve this in an efficient and cost-effective manner, the Department employs research organisations on short-term contracts to undertake relevant and necessary public survey work. The main purpose of these surveys is to seek public views on key issues in order to monitor and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of departmental policy. Contracts are awarded on the basis of open competitive tendering, in line with government purchasing procedures.

  In the current and previous financial years—that is, 1994–95 to date and 1993–94—the Department commissioned 39 public surveys from a variety of research bodies, including market research companies, academic bodies and commercial organisations. The total value of these contracts was in the order of £2.2 million. The value of individual contracts is a matter of commercial confidentiality.

  Allotments
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many spare allotment spaces there are currently(a) in the London borough of Tower Hamlets, (b) in the Ancoats area of Manchester, on Teesside and (d) nationally.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Allotments are a matter for the appropriate local authority, and this information is not held centrally. However, my Department is currently funding the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners to conduct a survey of allotment authorities. This aims, within the next two years, to produce statistics on the number of plots, vacancies and waiting lists,364
  whether the site is local authority run or self-managed, and details of the site facilities.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans the Government have to make available information to the unemployed on how to manage allotments and grow their own vegetables. [15260]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department is this year funding the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners with a grant of £35,000, part of which is designed to help promote allotment gardening and increase the take-up of vacant allotment plots, particularly by the unemployed. NSALG has a number of information leaflets available, including a starter pack for new tenants on how to grow vegetables.

  Cabling
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the code of practice being prepared by his Department on cabling will be completed. [15761]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The national joint utilities group in producing guidelines to encourage operators of underground services to adopt practices which minimise damage to trees. They will be published shortly.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if a report or survey will be produced on the damage to tree roots that has resulted from cabling. [15762]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  No. However, the national joint utilities group will shortly publish guidelines to help minimise damage to tree roots by operators of underground services. The guidelines will be reviewed six months after their implementation.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Commonwealth Development Corporation (Indonesia)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the exact date on which it was decided in principle to set up an office of the Commonwealth Development Corporation in Indonesia; on what exact date it was set up; how many staff it has employed in each year since it was set up; what has been its running costs in each year; what account the Commonwealth Development Corporation takes in its funding arrangements on human rights abuses in Indonesia; and if the Commonwealth Development Corporation has supported projects with implications for the development of East Timor. [15473]

  Mr. Goodlad
  The CDC representative office in Indonesia was opened in 1971 following ministerial approval in 1970 for CDC to operate in Indonesia. I understand from the CDC that the office has three executive and 10 support staff. Running costs in 1994 were £413,000. Staffing and costs since 1971 have been similar; details for each year could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  When deciding on its programme in particular countries, the Government expect CDC to take account of any decision to suspend other aid programme activities on human rights grounds. This does not arise in Indonesia,

  365
  where we believe there is a good economic and development case for continuing to provide aid.

  CDC does not have, and has never had, any involvement in East Timor.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial support the Commonwealth Development Corporation has given to projects in Indonesia in each year since 1980; and if he will list the project supported and the cost in each case. [15450]

  Mr. Goodlad
  [holding answer 22 March 1995]: CDC Investments, and projects committed since 1980, are shown in the following tables.

  CDC investments in Indonesia 1980 to 1993–94

  £000s

  1980

  1,635

  1981

  7,535

  1982

  6,055

  1983

  2,843

  1984

  15,473

  1985

  1,869

  1986

  1,435

  1987

  2,829

  1987–88

  4,537

  1988–89

  4,350

  1989–90

  9,707

  1990–91

  5,550

  1991–92

  10,952

  1992–93

  9,041

  1993–94

  10,439

  Source:

  British Aid Statistics.

  Note:

  British Aid Statistics was published by financial year from 1992.

  Total CDC commitment £000

  PT Coklat Ransiki—Cocoa in Irian Jaya

  2,287

  Nusantara Investment Fund—Development Capital Fund and Development Project

  6,527

  PT Semen Andalas—Cement Company

  11,608

  PT Sumatex—Textiles

  2,758

  PT BBL Dharmalaa Finance—Finance Leasing Company

  12,821

  PT Kewalram—Textiles

  4,950

  PT Wiraswasta—Lube Oil Recycling

  11,149

  PT Gunung Raja—Paksi—Steel Rolling Mill

  6,081

  PT Samudera—Shipping

  10,068

  PT Tata Anya—Tea Estates

  2,451

  PT Amerta—Road Materials

  940

  PT Tasik Raja—Oil Palm Estates

  4,000

  Smallholder Rubber Development Project

  15,000

  NES VII—Nuclear Estate and Smallholders (rubber/oil palm)

  19,000

  NES IV—Nuclear Estate and Smallholders (rubber/coconuts)

  15,600

  PT Cirata—Hydro-electricity

  13,000

  PT Tubantia Kudus—Yarn Spinning

  150

  Total

  138,390

  Some of the loans shown have now been repaid or investments realised. At 31 December 1994, CDC investments in Indonesia totalled £71.8 million in 16 projects.

  Madagascar
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is currently being provided by the United Kingdom Government to the Government of Madagascar to promote sustainable development and the conservation of biodiversity in Madagascar.

  Mr. Baldry
  Under our joint funding scheme we are providing £385,000 in support of two World Wide Fund for Nature projects to assist the Government of Madagascar in biodiversity and protected areas management and environmental education. Our bilateral development programme is confined to English language teaching and training awards.

  Mr. Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the use of United Kingdom public funds in the Rio Tinto Zinc project to mine for titanium dioxide in southern Madagascar.

  Mr. Baldry
  No British aid funds are involved in this project.

PRIME MINISTER

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the sources and calculation behind his statement in January on the extra amount that a Scottish Parliament could cost the average Scot. [14917]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no intention of introducing a Scottish Parliament which would undermine the integrity of the Union and make Scotland the highest taxed part of the United Kingdom. As I said in January, a tax-raising Scottish Parliament able to raise income tax by 3p in the pound could cost the average family on Scottish male average earnings £6 per week. I am arranging for the basis for this calculation to be placed in the House library. Moreover, if identifiable public expenditure in Scotland were to be reduced after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament to the same level per head as the United Kingdom average, the shortfall to be made up by Scottish taxpayers would be equivalent to at least an extra 19p in the pound on income tax. The basis for this calculation is also being placed in House Library.

  The proponents of a Scottish Parliament should have calculated the cost to taxpayers in Scotland before they committed themselves to its introduction.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he will ensure that the replacement for the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England in a senior industrialist or trade unionist who understands manufacturing economy and its needs in competitive industry. [16066]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government will ensure that the person appointed to this post will be the one best qualified to fill it.

  Scott Report
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Prime Minister how soon after the publication of the Scott report the minutes of evidence will be available; and if he will make a statement. [16067]

  The Prime Minister
  The transcripts of the public hearings of Sir Richard Scott's inquiry are available in the House Library and Westminster city library. In addition, Sir Richard Scott has made it clear that he will publish as soon as practicable following the publication of his report as much as possible of the documentary evidence submitted to the inquiry, including witness statements and the questionnaires sent by the inquiry to the witnesses.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  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 loss or profit of each company in the five years prior to privatisation and (b) the grants or loans made over the same period. [15352]

  Mr. Heseltine
  This information cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost. Such information as is readily available on the finances of privatised bodies when they were in the public sector can be found in the following published sources:"The Government's Expenditure Plans", for each of the years up to and including 1989;
  The annual "Statistical Supplement to the Autumn Statement", for 1990 to 1992, succeeded for 1993 and 1994 by the "Statistical Supplement to the Financial Statement and Budget Report".

  These were published by HMSO as Command Papers and are available in the Library of the House.

  Microsoft Corporation
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with Mr. Bill Gates of Microsoft Corporation with particular reference to employment issues. [15526]

  Mr. Heseltine
  We had a wide-ranging discussion about a number of matters. I would not be prepared to make a public statement about matters discussed in confidence.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Legg
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much equity capital has been invested in the United Kingdom since 1990 by(a) EU companies and (b) non-EU companies; [15327]

  (2) how much has been invested in the United Kingdom by overseas companies by way of additional loans since 1990. [15324]

  Mr. Eggar
  The latest available information was published by the Central Statistical Office in table 2.10 of Business Monitor MA4, "Overseas Direct Investment", which is available in the Library of the House. Official statistics do not distinguish between share capital and loan capital.

  Coal Imports
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the tonnage of coal imported into the United Kingdom, and the power stations which used it, in each of the last five years. [15841]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: The total quantities of coal imported into the United Kingdom and the quantities imported by the major power producers over the past five years were:

  Year

  Total imports

  (Thousand tonnes) Imports by major power producers

  1990

  14,783

  4,721

  1991

  19,611

  7,261

  1992

  20,339

  7,568

  19931

  18,400

  4,508

  19941

  15,850

  2,889

  1Figures for 1993 and 1994 are provisional and include a small element of estimation.

  Figures for individual companies are confidential.

EDUCATION

  Youth and Community Workers
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what financial provision will be made to training youth and community workers beyond the current financial year; and if she will make a statement. [15542]

  Mr. Boswell
  Local education authorities are free to decide on how much they budget for youth and community work and other educational areas from within their more general education budgets.

  In 1995–96, an allocation of £1.2 million from the Department's budget for the grants for education support and training—GEST—programme will be specifically target training in youth and community work. The GEST programme accounts for less than 2 per cent. of overall LEA expenditure.

  Through the funding councils the Department also funds higher and further education institutions which provide youth and community worker training.

  Youth Service Unit
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what role is projected for her Department's youth service unit beyond 1995. [15541]

  Mr. Boswell
  The youth service unit's principal role will be to assist in discharging the objective for the youth service described in the Department's document "Better Education for All", which is to support statutory and voluntary youth service providers in promoting the personal and social education of young people.

  Prescriptions (Students)
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask (1) the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of students in the last year for which figures are available are eligible for free prescriptions. [15950]
  369
  (2) the Secretary of State for Health at what stage the Prescription Pricing Authority regarded a student loan as income when deciding on a claimant's eligibility for free prescriptions. [15952]

  Mr. Malone
  I have been asked to reply.

  Student loans have been an integral element of the provision made from public funds for student support since September 1990. Since that day they have been taken into account as income when assessing students' entitlement to help through the national health service low-income scheme. In 1993–94, around 308,000 low-income scheme claims were made by students, of which about 60 per cent. resulted in entitlement to free prescriptions.

TRANSPORT

  Rail Services, Carshalton and Wallington
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to franchise rail services serving the constituency of Carshalton and Wallington in the current Parliament; and what guarantees he can give about the safety, frequency and reliability of the services. [15270]

  Mr. Watts
  The Franchising Director proposes to issue invitations to tender for the Network SouthCentral franchise later this year. He aims to let the franchise by April 1996. The passenger service requirement for the franchise will specify, among other things, the frequency of trains to be operated and maximum journey times. The Franchising Director will monitor operators' performance regularly and he will be able to impose penalties if the passenger service requirement is not delivered. The Rail Regulator requires train operators to have a validated safety case before he will issue a licence to operate.

  Road Schemes, North-west
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff currently employed in the Highways Agency are being re-deployed to the roads programme directorate in Birmingham to provide local knowledge of schemes in the north-west. [15664]

  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 Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 24 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, how many staff currently employed in the Highways Agency are being re-deployed to the Roads Programme Directorate in Birmingham to provide local knowledge of schemes in the North West.
  We are keeping the Directorate's Northern Operations Division in Manchester, therefore our oversight of the preparation and design of major improvements to trunk roads in the North West will not change location.
  As part of our total restructuring package we asked staff to indicate their preferences for future location and type of work. Many wished to stay working in the same location and are likely to stay on the same work.
  370
  Supervision of construction is being brought together in Birmingham and 3 staff presently based in Manchester are to be transferred with that work.
  None of our restructuring and reorganisation affects the terms of employment of either firms of consultants or local authorities who are designing the schemes or acting as engineers to the contracts.

  Airport Safety
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if individual airports are permitted to carry out self-assessment on the need for arrestor beds; [15776]

  (2) if the Civil Aviation Authority has reviewed the potential safety hazards beyond current runway and safety areas and determined the need for ground arrestor systems at Plymouth airport in accordance with recommendation 94–15 of the air accidents branch; [15775]

  (3) if he will make a statement regarding the progress being made by the Civil Aviation Authority to implement recommendation 94–15 of the air accident branch report on the accident for Cessna 550 Citation II at Southampton Eastleigh airport on 26 May 1993. [15781]

  Mr. Norris
  These are matters for the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority who, I understand, wrote to the hon. Member on 22 December 1994. As was pointed out in that letter, it is consistent with good safety management practice for individual airport authorities to conduct their own safety risk assessments of any potential hazards beyond the ends of runways and to take any action they consider appropriate to eliminate or mitigate the potential risks posed.

  I expect the Civil Aviation Authority to advise me later this year on progress with the review that it is conducting in response to the air accident investigation branch's recommendation 94–15.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the United Kingdom post in Islamabad asked the Home Office to interview the sponsor in the United Kingdom of Mr. Shahid Iqbal, IMM/89155 and J238169; and when and where the sponsor is to be interviewed. [16147]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The request from the British high commission in Islamabad for an interview from Mr. Shahid Iqbal's sponsor was received by the Home Office on 22 February 1995. The papers are currently at Leeds-Bradford airport, which will contact Mr. Iqbal's sponsor to arrange an interview in due course.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when papers were forwarded to Leeds-Bradford airport in connection with a request to interview the sponsor of Mr. Parvez Akhtar, IMP A518185/2(S) and PO 28871/94; if an interview date has been allocated to the sponsor; and if he will make a staement. [16145]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The papers in connection with the request to interview the sponsor of Mr. Parvez Akhtar were sent to Leeds-Bradford airport on 1 June 1994. Since
  371
  I wrote on 15 February, Leeds-Bradford airport has written to Mr. Akhtar's sponsor to ask whether she would be willing to travel to a port in the north-east other than Leeds-Bradford airport to be interviewed. As a result of the response, the papers have now been transferred to the immigration office at North Shields who will shortly contact Mr. Akhtar's sponsor to offer her an appointment for an interview.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which of Her Majesty's prisons action to control the use of illegal drugs has been intensified within the past six months.

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 16 January 1995]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 24 March 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about which of Her Majesty's Prisons have intensified action to control the use of illegal drugs within the past six months.
  Reducing the level of drug misuses is one of the Prison Service's main strategic priorities for 1994 to 1997 and as part of this all prisons have been asked to take additional action to prevent the misuse of drugs within their establishments. This is being supported by a range of initiatives from Headquarters to control further the use of illicit drugs, including the development of a new and comprehensive strategy for reducing drug misuse which will be issued shortly.
  Examples of measures being adopted to combat drug misuse across the Prison Service include:

  wider use of closed (non-contact) visits for those found guilty of drug-related offences;

  increased use of drug sniffer dogs;

  more extensive use of closed circuit television cameras during visits;

  better use of intelligence to target drug dealers and those inmates and visitors attempting to smuggle drugs into prison;

  improved training for staff in identifying drug substances and in searching techniques.

  the start of mandatory drug testing at eight establishments prior to its extension to all establishments.

  Police Authority Clerks
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance he issues to police authorities on the remuneration scales to be used for the employment of the clerk to the authority; and if such posts have to be advertised for open competition. [15582]

  Mr. Maclean
  No guidance has been issued to police authorities on the remuneration scales to be used for the employment of the clerk to the authority; this is a matter for police authorities to determine. There is no requirement for such posts to be advertised for open competition.

  Victims Helpline
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of the victims helpline to 8 March. [15167]
  372
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 24 March 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the cost of the Victim Helpline up to 8 March.
  The total costs are estimated to be in the region of £19,000. This includes start up costs of £8,400, and running costs of £10,600.

  Live Exports (Policing Costs)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of additional policing costs arising from the transhipment of(a) live animals and (b) veal calves for 1994–95 at (i) Coventry airport, (ii) Shoreham point, (iii) Brightlingsea, (iv) Plymouth and (v) Swansea. [15252]

  Mr. Maclean
  These are matters for individual police authorities. I understand that the latest estimates of the additional policing costs to be incurred in 1994–95 are:

  £

  Coventry Airport

  385,000

  Shoreham

  3.74 million

  Brightlingsea

  1.8 million

  Plymouth

  1100,000

  Swansea

  2,500

  1 Actual expenditure to 17 March.

  It is not possible to apportion costs by type of animal.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Equal Opportunities (Teachers)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if teachers of the Protestant faith can be appointed to schools controlled by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools; and if he will make a statement about fair employment practices in controlled schools. [14844]

  Mr. Ancram
  Teachers of the Protestant faith can be appointed to schools controlled by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools. Fair employment legislation does not, however, apply to teachers in any schools but does apply to non-teaching staff in all schools. Education and library boards have in place an equal opportunities policy statement which is used by controlled schools for their non-teaching staff and are presently preparing a statement to be used by controlled schools for their teaching staff.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fishing vessels are estimated to be involved in the catching of nephrops; and how many of these vessels previously caught white fish. [15124]

  Mr. Ancram
  In the Northern Ireland fleet 184 vessels of over 10 m in length landed nephrops during 1994.
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  While fishing for nephrops, there is an inevitable by-catch of white fish and all these vessels caught white fish.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the 18 projects grant-aided in 1992–93 by the EC Commission in the fishing industry in Northern Ireland as described in "Northern Ireland Expenditure Plans and Priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97", section 5.22. [15428]

  Mr. Ancram
  The 18 projects grant-aided in 1992–93 by the EC Commission in the fishing industry in Northern Ireland are set out in the table.

  Payments made under regulation EEC 4028/86 in 1992–93

  Project number

  Type of project

  Payment made £

  UK/212/89/02

  Vessel modernisation

  7,350

  UK/8/91/01

  Vessel modernisation

  7,490

  UK/9/91/01

  Vessel modernisation

  22,625

  UK/10/91/01

  Vessel modernisation

  5,950

  UK/12/91/01

  Vessel modernisation

  13,510

  UK/13/91/01

  Vessel modernisation

  8,043

  UK/14/91/01

  Vessel modernisation

  14,950

  UK/44/91/01

  Aquaculture unit construction

  4,148

  UK/45/91/01

  Aquaculture unit construction

  10,686

  UK/66/91/02

  Vessel modernisation

  28,131

  UK/67/91/02

  Vessel modernisation

  12,500

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Tuberculosis

  2,493

  3,124

  4,108

  4,601

  6,241

  5,286

  Brucellosis

  34

  23

  122

  27

  3

  20

  Salmonella (poultry flocks)

  47

  26

  65

  25

  11

  20

  Salmonella (other species)

  238

  193

  131

  198

  148

  134

  Sheep scab

  14

  36

  46

  59

  48

  71

  Johne's Disease

  8

  26

  25

  13

  6

  11

  Bovine spongiform encephalopathy

  30

  100

  170

  333

  487

  363

  Enzootic abortions in ewes

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  24

  56

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of epizootic disease in animals have been diagnosed in Northern Ireland each year since 1989; and when he projects the eradication of this disease. [15405]

  Mr. Ancram
  Epizootic disease is the term used to describe any highly infectious disease which affects a large number of animals in a wide area at the same time and spreads with great rapidity.

  Since 1989 the only instances of epizootic disease in Northern Ireland was in 1991 when six cases of Newcastle disease occurred in poultry.

  Action continues to be taken to prevent the introduction of any epizootic disease of animals or poultry into Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of cases of ectoparasitic infestation in sheep for(a) the two years before compulsory dipping was abolished and (b) the two years since compulsory dipping has been abolished. [14567]
  374

  Payments made under regulation EEC 4028/86 in 1992–93

  Project number

  Type of project

  Payment made £

  UK/68/91/02

  Vessel modernisation

  8,760

  (86,800

  UK/74/91/02

  Aquaculture unit construction

  (48,318

  UK/16/92/01

  Vessel modernisation

  23,610

  UK/17/92/01

  Vessel modernisation

  26,204

  UK/19/92/01

  Vessel modernisation

  48,091

  UK/20/92/01

  Vessel modernisation

  18,283

  UK/22/92/01

  Vessel modernisation

  18,425

  Animal Diseases
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of enzootic disease in animals have been diagnosed in Northern Ireland each year since 1989; and what proportion of these cases was introduced from outside Northern Ireland. [15404]

  Mr. Ancram
  Enzootic disease is the term used to describe any animals or poultry disease which exists in a particular area. Listed in the table are the number of cases of the main notifiable enzootic diseases present in Northern Ireland for which statistics are available since 1989. It is not possible to provide the proportion of cases introduced from outside Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: With the exception of sheep scab, the number of ectoparasitic infections in sheep are not recorded in Northern Ireland.

  Compulsory dipping of sheep was abolished in Northern Ireland in 1993. The number of cases in sheep scap in Northern Ireland for the years in question is as follows:

  1991: 46

  1992: 59

  1993: 48

  1994: 71

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list(a) the areas in Northern Ireland that have been designated as environmentally sensitive, (b) the amount of money spent on each of these areas since 1989, (c) the expenditure for each of these areas in 1994–95 and (d) the projected expenditure for each of these areas for 1996–97. [15424]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information requested is as follows.
  375
  There are five environmentally sensitive areas in Northern Ireland:

  Area

  Mourne mountains and Slieve Croob

  Designated as pilot ESA in 1988

  Redesignated May 1993

  Antrim coast, Glens and Rathlin

  Designated as pilot ESA in 1989

  Redesignated and extended May 1993

  West Fermanagh and Erne Lakeland

  Designated in May 1993

  Sperrins

  Designated in June 1994

  Slieve Gullion

  Designated in June 1994

  As ESA payments are not due until 12 months from the date on which a farmer enters into an ESA agreement, the only payments to date have been the original pilot ESAs as follows:

  To date 1994–95

  £ Million

  £ Million

  Mourne mountains and Slieve Croob

  1.6

  0.350

  Glens of Antrim

  0.652

  0.215

  Projected expenditure for all five ESAs in 1996–97 is £5.104 million.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the criteria for an area of land to be designated as environmentally sensitive. [15423]

  Mr. Ancram
  The following criteria were applied to the selection of the existing five environmentally sensitive areas in Northern Ireland:"Each area must be of national environmental significance; must represent a discrete and coherent unit of environmental interest; its conservation must depend on adopting, maintaining or extending particular farming practices; farming practices in the area must have changed, or must be likely to do so, in ways that pose a threat to the environment."

  Agricultural Helpline
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many calls the helpline planned by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland—see "Northern Ireland Expenditure Plans and Priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97", section 5.8—received in its first year; and how much it cost. [15426]

  Mr. Ancram
  In its first year the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland's helpline received 750 calls. The cost of each call was borne by the caller and the estimated cost of handling the calls was £370.

  Industrial Research and Technology Unit
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons there is a planned decrease of £3 million in spending on the industrial research and technology unit in Northern Ireland between 1995–96 and 1996–97, referred to in "Northern Ireland Expenditure Plans and Priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97", table 6.1. [15409]
  376
  Mr. Ancram
  The budget for the industrial research and technology unit will, in addition, receive European regional development fund funding which is included in the ERDF line of the table. Taking account of this, the total funding planned for the unit is:

  1995–96: £13.5 million

  1996–97: £13.3 million

  1997–98: £13.2 million

  Official Travel
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the review of arrangements for ministerial and official travel mentioned in "Northern Ireland Expenditure Plans and Priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97", section 4.49 has taken place; and if he will list how much each Minister and other officials spent on travel(a) in 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95. [15420]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Three reviews have been taken in 1994–95 into the use of(a) executive jets provided by the private sector; (b) agents to provide travel and hotel bookings in Belfast; and (c) the use of the Government car service. As a result of each review, the new contracts have provided improved value for money through reducing costs and higher discounts.

  It is not possible, without disproportionate cost, to identify the separate travel costs for each individual Minister and officials. The total expenditure by the Northern Ireland Office on all travel and subsistence, including police escorts for Ministers, broken down as between (a) Ministers and their personal support staff (b) senior officials and team support staff and (c) all other Northern Ireland Office staff, including the Prison Service and the Compensation Agency was £3,859,514 in 1993–94 and £3,338,609 for 1994–95 to 22 March 1995 as follows:

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 (to 22 March 1995) £

  (a) Minister and support staff:

  (1) Travel and subsistence

  792,601

  779,092

  (2) Car service

  322,922

  272,694

  (3) RUC escort

  509,607

  522,969

  Total

  1,625,130

  1,574,755

  (b) Senior NIO officials and support staff:

  (1) Travel and subsistence

  140,067

  131,706

  (2) Car service

  48,060

  43.040

  Total

  188,127

  174,746

  (c) All other NIO staff (including Prison Service and Compensation Agency

  (1) Travel and subsistence

  2,046,257

  1,589,108

  Grand Total

  3,859,514

  3,338,609

  Watercourse Management
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money has been spent on watercourse management in Northern Ireland since 1989;
  377
  and what is the projected expenditure for watercourse management in 1996–97. [15407]

  Mr. Ancram
  Expenditure for watercourse management division from April 1989 to March 1995 was £110.4 million. Projected expenditure for 1996–97 is £18.8 million.

  Milk Marketing Board
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of converting the Milk Marketing Board for Northern Ireland into a voluntary co-operative. [15406]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland"s expenditure on this matter is estimated at £250,000 over the two years 1993–94 and 1994–95. This is compromised mainly of staff time but includes payments for independent financial advice. The Milk Marketing Board for Northern Ireland has estimated its expenditure at £650,000.

  Agricultural Pollution
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the success of the campaign introduced in 1991 by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland to reduce farm pollution from farms in river catchment areas as described in "Northern Ireland Expenditure Plans and Priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97", section 5.16(i); what were the costs of setting up this campaign; what were the costs of this campaign for 1994–95; and what are the projected costs of this campaign for 1996–97. [15427]

  Mr. Ancram
  More than 30 per cent. of farmers took action to minimise the risk of pollution.

  There were no additional costs in setting up the campaign. It was rather a focusing of existing resources to target high-risk farms on selected river catchments with a known history of pollution from agricultural activities.

  Measures to reduce farm source pollution remain a priority. The Department of Agriculture offers free advice to farmers at a cost of £186,000 in 1994–95.

  Projected costs for 1996–97 are broadly similar to 1994–95.

  Forensic Science Laboratory
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the £4 million planned for the Forensic Science Laboratory in Northern Ireland in 1994–95 was or will be recovered from the Police Authority as charges for services. [15410]

  Sir John Wheeler
  It is estimated that, of the laboratory"s total expenditure of £4.8 million in 1994–95, £4.6 million will be recouped from the Police Authority.

  Civil Defence Services
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list(a) projected spending for the civil defence services for 1996–97 and (b) the areas within this where savings have been identified, as mentioned in "Northern Ireland Expenditure Plans and Priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97", section 4.41. [15412]

  Sir John. Wheeler
  The projected spending for civil defence services for 1996–97, based on the 1994 public expenditure survey exercise, is contained within a budget 378
  of £522,000 for all emergency planning services within the Northern Ireland Office. However, the projected spending is likely to be reduced to £403,000 as a result of the 1995 PES exercise which is not yet complete. The savings identified, as mentioned in "Northern Ireland Expenditure Plans and Priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97", section 4.41 are primarily in respect of the elimination of costs for the rental and maintenance of food stores following the programme of disposal of the food stockpile, in line with United Kingdom policy, and the disposal elements of the former air attack warning system.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Jobseekers Bill
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the estimated numbers of employees in respect of whom employers will qualify for national insurance contribution rebates under clause 23 of the Jobseekers Bill in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; what is the estimated resulting reduction in the number of unemployed people receiving a jobseeker"s allowance; and what are the estimated resulting reductions in contribution revenue and benefit expenditure. [15135]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  It is estimated that in 1996–97 employers will qualify for rebates under clause 23 of the Jobseekers Bill in respect of some 120,000 employees. It is expected that employers will reclaim some £45 million from their national insurance payments. The figures for 1997–98 are expected to be broadly the same.

  It is not possible to estimate the likely effects of the measures at this stage, but unemployment might be cut ultimately by up to 100,000 by all the work incentive measures, including the national insurance contribution rebate, announced by the Chancellor in the November 1994 Budget.

  Private Pensions
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total amount of funds in private pension provision in the United Kingdom; and what is the equivalent figure for the two next largest European Union countries. [15330]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  In 1992, the total amount of funds in private pension provision in the United Kingdom was around £550 billion. This is more than three times the amount in either of the two European Union countries with the next highest level of pension funds—£160 billion for Germany and £140 billion for the Netherlands.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what benefit entitlement applies pending the outcome of the appeal when a recipient of incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance who is found to be capable of work under the all-work test lodges an appeal against the decision and declines to register as unemployed. [16139]

  Mr. Hague
  Incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance cease to be payable when a recipient is found to be capable of work under the all-work test. A claimant
  379
  who has lodged an appeal and has not registered as unemployed may qualify for income support. Where a claimant would normally be entitled to income support only if he were available for work, and he has declined to register as unemployed pending his appeal, income support will be reduced by an amount equal to 20 per cent. of the single person"s personal allowance. This reduction will not be made if the claimant was in receipt of invalidity benefit or severe disablement allowance on 12 April 1995, and the appeal is against a decision based on the first application of the all-work test to him.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if recipients of invalidity benefit, incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance may take up part-time or full-time education or training courses without prejudice to their benefit entitlement; and if the taking up of such a place affects the assessment of their capacity for work. [16138]

  Mr. Hague
  Days on which a person attends a Government-funded course in respect of which he is paid a training allowance are not treated as days of incapacity for work, and benefit would not be payable. People getting invalidity benefit, sever disablement allowance or, from 13 April, incapacity benefit before starting the course will get a training allowance based on the rate of benefit they were receiving, plus £10.

  Attendance on a course of education, either part-time or full-time, or a non-Government funded course, will not generally affect payment of benefit unless the nature of the course raises doubts about a person"s continued incapacity for work.

  Young people aged between 16 and 19 cannot get severe disablement allowance if they are in full-time education which would be suitable for young people of the same age who are not disabled.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many hours of study people in receipt of invalid care allowance will be allowed to undertake

  Employees aged 21 and over sampled in the labour force survey whose earnings were at their usual level

  Number earning per hour

  Number in sample

  Average hourly earnings £

  £2.70 to £2.80

  £2.80 to £2.90

  £2.90 to £3.00

  £3.00 to £3.10

  £3.10 to £3.20

  Autumn 1993 (based on SIC 1980)

  Clothing manufacture

  28

  4.38

  4

  2

  1

  1

  —

  Retail distribution

  499

  4.68

  11

  19

  11

  26

  34

  Restaurants

  41

  4.04

  3

  1

  —

  4

  2

  Public houses

  56

  3.84

  1

  2

  2

  13

  2

  Hotels

  40

  4.46

  1

  1

  2

  8

  3

  Winter 1993 (based on SIC 1992)

  Clothing manufacture

  49

  4.84

  3

  2

  2

  1

  1

  Retail distribution

  505

  4.48

  12

  15

  12

  30

  34

  Restaurants

  54

  3.89

  2

  2

  —

  4

  2

  Public houses

  41

  3.37

  1

  2

  1

  14

  5

  Hotels

  35

  4.72

  1

  —

  —

  2

  1

  Spring 1994 (based on SIC 1992)

  Clothing manufacture

  57

  4.17

  4

  2

  1

  1

  2

  Retail distribution

  710

  4.79

  12

  10

  6

  33

  36

  Restaurants

  62

  3.64

  2

  4

  —

  11

  3

  Public houses

  64

  3.88

  3

  1

  1

  10

  2

  Hotels

  55

  4.66

  1

  1

  —

  7

  1

  380
  without jeopardising benefit entitlement when the jobseeker's allowance is introduced. [16144]

  Mr. Hague
  Those in receipt of invalid care allowance will be allowed to undertake a part-time course at a higher education establishment or up to 16 guided learning hours of study at a college of further education without jeopardising entitlement to jobseeker"s allowance. We have no plans at present to change the invalid care allowance rules, which allow 21 hours study a week. As now, full-time students will be excluded from benefit.

EMPLOYMENT

  Pay Rates
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list(a) the number of employees in employment in every wages council industry whose hourly pay rate was the wages council hourly rate for all quarters from spring 1992 to summer 1993, (b) the number of employees in employment in every former wages council industry whose hourly pay rate was the wages council hourly rate for all quarters from autumn 1993 to the last quarter, in each case expressing the data by individual wages council industry and using micro data from the quarterly labour force survey; [14228]

  (2) if he will list the hourly wage rate for all employees in employment in every former wages council sector whose hourly wage rate was the wages council rate prior to the abolition of the wages councils, expressing the data by individual wages council sector, for all quarters beginning autumn 1993 up to the latest quarter, and using micro-data from the quarterly labour force survey. [14229]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 16 March 1995]: The labour force survey did not ask questions about earnings until winter 1992–93. The information from LFS that could be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs is in the following table:
  381

  Employees aged 21 and over sampled in the labour force survey whose earnings were at their usual level

  Number earning per hour

  Number in sample

  Average hourly earnings £

  £2.70 to £2.80

  £2.80 to £2.90

  £2.90 to £3.00

  £3.00 to £3.10

  £3.10 to £3.20

  Summer 1994 (based on SIC 1992)

  Clothing manufacture

  38

  4.69

  1

  —

  2

  1

  2

  Retail distribution

  537

  5.22

  8

  12

  7

  25

  22

  Restaurants

  42

  4.05

  2

  3

  —

  5

  1

  Public Houses

  42

  3.25

  1

  3

  1

  7

  3

  Hotels

  47

  4.94

  1

  4

  3

  5

  3

  Autumn 1994 (based on SIC 1992)

  Clothing manufacture

  42

  4.16

  2

  1

  2

  —

  4

  Retail distribution

  498

  5.11

  4

  11

  3

  25

  23

  Restaurants

  46

  3.89

  —

  2

  3

  1

  2

  Public Houses

  42

  3.91

  1

  1

  1

  7

  5

  Hotels

  57

  4.32

  3

  2

  1

  9

  1

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in each English region and for Wales and Scotland in(a) full-time work and (b) part-time work earn (i) less than £1.50 an hour, (ii) between £1.50 and £2 an hour, (iii) between £2 and £2.50 an hour, (iv) between £2.50 and £3 an hour, (v) between

  Estimated numbers of employees, rounded to nearest 10,000

  Number earnings

  Less than £1.50

  1.50—£2.00

  £2.00—£2.50

  £2.50—£3.00

  £3.00—£3.50

  £3.50—£4.00

  Full-time

  South East region

  10,000

  10,000

  20,000

  40,000

  90,000

  160,000

  East Anglia region

  —

  —

  —

  10,000

  20,000

  30,000

  South West region

  —

  —

  10,000

  10,000

  40,000

  70,000

  West Midlands region

  —

  —

  10,000

  20,000

  60,000

  90,000

  East Midlands region

  —

  —

  10,000

  20,000

  50,000

  70,000

  Yorkshire and Humberside region

  —

  —

  10,000

  20,000

  60,000

  80,000

  North West region

  —

  —

  10,000

  30,000

  60,000

  90,000

  North region

  —

  —

  10,000

  10,000

  30,000

  50,000

  Wales

  —

  —

  —

  10,000

  30,000

  40,000

  Scotland

  —

  —

  10,000

  20,000

  60,000

  90,000

  Part-time

  South East region

  10,000

  20,000

  20,000

  70,000

  210,000

  240,000

  East Anglia region

  —

  —

  —

  20,000

  40,000

  40,000

  South West region

  10,000

  —

  10,000

  40,000

  120,000

  80,000

  West Midlands region

  10,000

  —

  10,000

  30,000

  110,000

  90,000

  East Midlands region

  10,000

  —

  10,000

  30,000

  90,000

  80,000

  Yorkshire and Humberside region

  10,000

  —

  10,000

  30,000

  100,000

  110,000

  North West region

  —

  —

  20,000

  40,000

  120,000

  110,000

  North region

  —

  —

  10,000

  20,000

  60,000

  60,000

  Wales

  10,000

  —

  10,000

  20,000

  50,000

  50,000

  Scotland

  —

  10,000

  10,000

  20,000

  110,000

  100,000

  Note:—siginifies that the estimate was less than 10,000.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of using narrow based rates in the regional unemployment statistics. [14919]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The wide-based rate is a sensible way to expressing the claimant unemployment rate since its denominator has a more complete coverage of the workforce and it is the only rate which is quoted in the labour market statistics national press notice. Narrow-based rates are published in the Employment Gazette and on NOMIS, the Department's on-line
  382
  £3 and £3.50 an hour and (vi) between £3.50 and £4 an hour. [14227]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 16 March 1995]: Estimates derived from the results of the 1994 new earnings survey are given in the following table:

  database. There are no plans to change these arrangements.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment to whom training and enterprise councils are financially accountable. [15787]

  Mr. Paice
  Training and enterprise councils are independent companies, mostly limited by guarantee, and are run by a board of directors who are also their members. The board has ultimate responsibility for all its TEC"s financial obligations.
  383
  As with other independent private companies, these obligations arise from a TEC's contractual relations with other parties.

  In the event of a TEC being unable to meet its financial obligations, the Companies Acts and Insolvency Act make provision for relevant affected parties to seek redress. These parties can request the courts and/or the Department of Trade and Industry to appoint an administrator, receiver or liquidator, with a view to controlling, disposing and investigating the company"s affairs.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made in awarding TECs three-year licences; and how many have been granted such licenses. [16141]

  Mr. Paice
  Training and enterprise councils have made significant progress in meeting the demanding criteria required to be awarded three-year licences. Twenty-one TECs have already obtained licences to operate from 27 March this year. The other 53 English TECs have until 1997 to meet the criteria.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what significant changes are being made to(a) the TEC operating agreement for 1995–96 and (b) the TEC quality assurance supplier management requirements; and if he will place copies of these in the Library. [16140]

  Mr. Paice
  The training and enterprise council operating agreement for 1995–96 has been significantly redrafted to:

  incorporate the requirements of TEC licensing;

  include new programmes announced in the competitiveness White Paper;

  include the services funded by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade; and

  improve the clarity of the Government"s contract with TECs.

  There have been no changes to the TEC quality assurance supplier management requirements. Copies of all relevant documents have already been placed in the Library.

WALES

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have been removed from doctors" lists in each of the last three years. [14736]

  Mr. Richards
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairmen of the family health services authorities concerning the adequacy of supply of the doctors entering general practice; if he will list which authorities have made representations regarding shortage of latent supply; and if he will make a statement. [16191]

  Mr. Redwood
  I have held no specific consultations with chairmen of FHSAs nor received any representations. Over the past three years there have been approximately 1,400 new entrants to general practice per year in England and Wales. This has been sufficient to ensure a continuing increase in overall numbers of GPs.

  Planning Appeals
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of Sate for Wales how many planning appeals have been decided by his Department in each of the last five years; and how many have been successful. [14871]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The provision of statistical information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the inspectorate"s chief executive, Mr. C. Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.

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

  Planning Appeals: Wales

  Year

  Number decided

  Number allowed

  1989–90

  1,431

  429

  1990–91

  1,442

  488

  1991–92

  1,208

  453

  1992–93

  1,051

  350

  1993–94

  955

  334

  1994–951

  647

  210

  1 From 1 April 1994 to 31 December 1994.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Cynog Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if environmental appraisal will be required for project funding bids for ERDF moneys in all circumstances; [14826]

  (2) at what stage in the bidding process for project funding for ERDF moneys environmental appraisals will be assessed; [14825]

  (3) if he will establish a specialist advisory group to undertake critical evaluation of environmental appraisals relevant to project funding bids for ERDF moneys; [14827]

  (4) when he will issue guidance notes on the significance attached to environmental appraisals in project funding bids for ERDF money. [14828]

  Mr. Redwood
  A statement in respect of the environmental impact of development proposals is required for all ERDF applications; in addition, a full environmental impact assessment is required for all projects with costs above 15 million ecu.

  These statements and assessments are taken into account during the process of project appraisal, and the environmental contribution of a project is one of the key criteria used in selecting projects for ERDF assistance. Given the considerable experience in environmental matters available to assist the secretariat and the wider partnership in appraising projects, it is not considered necessary to establish a specialist advisory group in this field. A comprehensive guidance note intended to assist ERDF applicants has recently been issued to the rural Wales and industrial south Wales partnerships; it includes guidance on environmental appraisals.

  Junior Doctors
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with Welsh health
  385
  authorities and trusts concerning the availability of adequate supplies of junior doctors for hospital appointments, with particular regard to the staffing of accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement. [16189]

  Mr. Redwood
  My officials are undertaking extensive discussions with Welsh health authorities and trusts concerning the present problems of attracting adequate junior staff to accident and emergency departments with a view to establishing a co-ordinated strategy for dealing with any future shortages.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list each hospital or hospital group unit which have either gained or lost accreditation for the training of junior doctors in each of the last three academic years, including parts of years, up to the present. [16194]

  Mr. Redwood
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list which health authorities, family health services authorities and hospital trusts have undertaken overseas recruitment drives during the past 12 months to match supply with the demand for junior doctors and new entrants into general practice; and what information he has received concerning the countries from which overseas doctors have been recruited. [16192]

  Mr. Redwood
  As part of their general recruitment policy, a number of health authorities and hospital trusts have employed doctors from overseas, but precise details are not available centrally.

  Accident and Emergency Units
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those health authorities and trusts where there have been occasions of enforced closure at a hospital casualty unit for significant periods during the past two years; and if he will list each such occasion, the length of time for each such closure and the principal reason given for the closure. [16190]

  Mr. Redwood
  This information is not held centrally, but can be obtained from health authorities.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will conduct an all-Wales review of casualty, accident and emergency and trauma units, in terms of demand, distribution and staffing requirements. [16195]

  Mr. Redwood
  My Department is currently undertaking such a review, and advice to the NHS in Wales will be available later this year.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has had from the Cardiff community health council, the South Glamorgan health authority and the university hospital of Wales—Cardiff Royal Infirmary NHS trust-designate concerning the procedure to be followed pursuant to the vote by the Cardiff community health council against the transfer of accident and emergency services to the university hospital of Wales site at the Heath, Cardiff; and if he will list each step of the statutory procedure. [16196]

  Mr. Redwood
  I have not received any representations on this issue. Guidance on the procedures to be followed in the event of a community health council objecting to a health authority proposal for a major service change is set out in "Substantial changes in the use of health buildings: consultation procedures", which was published by my 386
  Department in June 1991. I will place a copy of the guidance in the Library of the House.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales by what criteria three-year operators" licences are being awarded to training and enterprise councils in Wales; and how many have been awarded. [16143]

  Mr. Richards
  Arrangements for training and enterprise councils to apply for three-year operating licences have not been introduced in Wales.

  Community Services
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he has reached a decision on the future of the voluntary youth services, village halls and community centres programme; and if he will make a statement. [16861]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Further to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 20 January 1995,Official Report, column 716 the consultation period on my proposal has ended. I received eight responses.

  I have concluded that the programme should be wound up and the finance transferred to local authorities with effect from 31 March 1997. This is in line with our policy that decisions on the funding of local facilities should, wherever possible and appropriate, be taken by local authorities. After that date, assistance to local youth, voluntary and community groups to repair existing facilities and to construct new premises will not normally be funded under these regulations.

  This decision does not affect projects which have already been approved under the programme.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Social Development Summit
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement following the completion of the world summit for social development on the issues raised at the summit. [15979]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 20 March 1995,Official Report, column 15.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Marine Pollution
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies his Department carries out of the endocrine effects of pollutants, or industrially discharged chemicals, on marine mammals, shellfish or fish.

  Mr. Jack
  Industrial discharge of chemicals to seas and rivers may only take place in accordance with consents or authorisations issued by the National Rivers Authority and Her Majesty"s inspectorate of pollution. The Ministry
  387
  carries out general pollution monitoring in the marine environment and has undertaken some research on levels of alkylphenolethoxylates and alkylphenols in river and estuarine waters. This research, funded by DOE, was to identify effects on caged male fish in rivers close to discharge points from sewage treatment works. Oestrogenic responses were observed close to discharge points but disappeared rapidly with distance downstream. Work is being carried out by the NRA to determine possible causes of the observed effects in fish. No work has been carried out on marine mammals. However, a further MAFF"funded programme of investigation on marine fish species is currently under consideration.

  Live Exports
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 9 March,Official Report, column 329, what information he has on the number of calves exported from Coventry airport in each of the last two years and the number of times flights have been delayed; and how often during that period officials have used their powers to ensure calves do not go for longer than 15 hours from the start of their journey without being fed and rested. [15166]

  Mrs. Browning
  A total of 20,213 calves were exported from Coventry airport in 1994. The number of calves exported by this route in the current year so far, to 20 March, is 6,873.

  Delays long enough to compromise the 15-hour journey time on flights from Coventry airport occurred on 7 and 8 December because of bad weather—one flight on each date—and on 3 February, when the activities of protesters affected three flights. On each of these occasions calves that had arrived at the airport had to be returned to their premises of origin. In one instance on 3 February, the calves which were delayed at the airport would have exceeded the 15-hour statutory period in returning to their premises of origin. The calves were therefore returned under a notice requiring their feeding immediately on arrival at the home premises. The other journeys of calves returning to their premises of origin could be completed before expiry of the 15 hours, and so notices did not need to be served by officials.

  Farming Incomes
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate in real terms the change in farming incomes in(a) 1993 and (b) 1994; and by how much he estimates farming incomes will change in 1995. [15791]

  Mr. Jack
  Total income from farming rose in real terms by 35.8 per cent. in 1993 and by 4.4 per cent. in 1994.

  Estimates of future changes in income are not made.

HEALTH

  Occupational Therapy
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of referrals to social services is for occupational therapy; and what percentage of 388
  occupational therapists" posts were unfilled in each of the last five years. [15361]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Surgery Costs
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost to the NHS of(a) a hip replacement, (b) coronary artery bypass, (c) a hysterectomy, (d) a tonsillectomy, (e) a cataract extraction, (f) a kidney transplant, (g) a hernia repair and (h) correction of glue ear. [15831]

  Mr. Sackville
  The costing systems in the national health service are currently under review to enable the methodologies used to be standardised in all hospitals.

  Cancer
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has on the length of survival after diagnosis of breast cancer in(a) the South Birmingham district health authority area and (b) the west midlands; what is the comparative figure in respect of the Nottingham prognostic index; what was the number of new cases diagnosed in each of the last five years in (i) South Birmingham and (ii) the west midlands; and what was the number of deaths in each of the last five years for each health authority weighted to take population into account. [15823]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Bryan Stoten, chairman of South Birmingham health authority, and Mr. Bryan Baker, chairman of West Midlands regional health authority, for details.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department monitors the rate of reproductive cancers, with particular reference to testicular cancer, on a continual basis; and if she will make the most recent statistics available. [15956]

  Mr. Sackville
  Data on the number of new cases of cancer registered each year with the 11 cancer registries in England have been published annually by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys on behalf of the Department in "Cancer statistics—registration"—series MB1—reports since 1971. Prior to 1971, these data were published in the Registrar General"s "Statistical Review of England and Wales, Supplements on Cancer".

  In 1989—the latest available figures—there were 4,758 new cases of malignant neoplasm of the ovary and other uterine adnexa—ICD 183—registered in England, compared with 1,178 new cases of malignant neoplasm of the testis—ICD 186.

  Kidney Patients
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision has been made to accommodate expansion of renal services within the new home-based care services. [15663]

  Mr. Malone
  The changes being made in the way in which continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is funded affects only those patients whose treatment is currently funded by general practitioners writing a prescription. This is about half all CAPD patients. From 1 April 1995 all patients will receive their treatment as part of contracts between health authorities and renal units. As far as
  389
  allowing for expansion is concerned, as with other hospital services, it is for purchasers to assess need in their area and allocate resources based on local priorities.

  Mr. Soley
  To aks the Secretary of State for Health if her Department has fully informed general practitioners about the revised arrangements for the provision of home-based continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. [15656]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown) on 23 March Official Report, columns 351–53.

  South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what criteria were used in the selection of the new chair of South Birmingham Mental Health Trust; and which organisations were consulted about the selection; [16169]

  (2) what was the cause of the delay in appointing a new chair of the South Birmingham Mental Health Trust; and if she will make a statement; [16168]

  (3) which body recommended the appointment of the new chair of South Birmingham Mental Health Trust. [16170]

  Mr. Malone
  Following a process of identification and formal assessment, a choice of suitable candidates for the chairmanship of the South Birmingham Mental Health National Health Service Trust was submitted to Ministers by West Midlands regional health authority. The RHA also undertook consultation with local Members of Parliament. Mrs. Anne Hingley was appointed as chairman of the South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust on 1 March 1995 following her previous service as chairman of the Wolverly NHS Trust.

  Hospital Consultants
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital consultants who have let the NHS in each year since 1979 to set up their own independent small business are still providing health care, but outside the NHS. [16065]

  Mr. Malone
  The activities of consultants who leave the national health service are a private matter for the individuals concerned.

  Income from Leased Assets
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total annual income from NHS assets and services which are leased or contracted out to the private sector. [16187]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Weighted Capitation, North West
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent table 6 of her latest departmental annual report understates the amount of money the north-west region of the national health service should receive under the Government"s new weighted capitation formula. [15865]

  Mr. Sackville
  For 1995–96, the allocation for North West regional health authority if based fully on weighted 390
  capitation using the modified national formula, would be £3,217,091,000. The figure of £2,217.1 million for North West regional health authority in table 6, column 2 of the departmental report 1995 is incorrect.

  Copies of the departmental report entitled "The Government"s Expenditure Plans 1995–96 to 1997–98", Cm 2812, which are available in the Library, will be amended accordingly. I am grateful to the hon. Member for bringing this to my attention.

  Inquiries
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all the internal or public inquiries begun since April 1991 after NHS service provision failure and conducted by regional health authorities, health authorities, her Department or an independent assessor; what was the reason for each inquiry; and what was the cost of each and in total. [16165]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  False Memory Syndrome
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what clinical evidence her Department has evaluated which supports the existence of false memory syndrome. [14156]

  Mr. Bowis
  None, but we are currently considering a report by the British Psychological Society.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received about false memory syndrome in the last three years; and if she will make a statement. [14157]

  Mr. Bowis
  We have received a small number of representations from members of the public.

  Abortions
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will give a breakdown, by week of pregnancy, of the number of abortions performed on women in England and Wales(a) under ground A, risk to life of woman, (b) under ground B, to prevent grave permanent injury to physical or mental health of woman, (c) under ground E, there is substantial risk of the child being born seriously handicapped, and (d) under grounds F and G, to save the life of woman and to prevent grave permanent injury to physical or mental health of woman (i) in 1992 and (ii) in 1993. [15960]

  Mr. Sackville
  Data for 1992 will be published in table 13 of "Abortion Statistics 1993", series AB, No. 19 on 30 March 1995, copies of which will be placed in the Library. Data for 1993 are not yet available.

TREASURY

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the most recent
  391
  Council meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers of the European union. [15854]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I represented the United Kingdom at the Economic and Finance Council of the European Union in Brussels on 20 March.

  The Council agreed to recommend granting discharge to the Commission for the 1993 Community budget after a discussion on the Court of Auditors" report and in the light of a progress report from the new Commission on proposed improvements in financial management.

  The Council adopted draft conclusions on a proposed regulation on the protection of the Community"s financial interests and agreed that rapid progress needed to be made on the matter.

  The Council reached political agreement on the draft second VAT simplification directive, agreed on a common position on the trans-European networks financial regulations, and adopted conclusions on the Commission report on the implementation of the money laundering directive, 91/308/EC.

  The Council agreed on criteria for future lending to third countries, gave agreement in principle to a Commission proposal for a guarantee on the Community budget for EIB lending to South Africa of 300 mecu over two years, and agreed in principle to a loan to Belarus.

  The Council asked the Commission to produce a report on the progress being made by the CEEs on preparation for integration into the internal market in time for discussion prior to the joint meeting between ECOFIN Ministers and associated central and eastern European Finance Ministers scheduled for 22 May.

  The Commission presented a communication on the follow-up to the Essen conclusions on employment. The Council decided to discuss the issue further at the informal ECOFIN in early April.

  There was unanimous agreement to the TENs financial regulation. No other formal votes were taken.

  Temporary Contracts
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees in (i) his Department and (ii) all executive agencies supervised by his Department have been employed on temporary contracts of(a) 51 weeks" or (b) less than 51 weeks" duration for this year and each of the past five years, in each case specifying what percentage of the respective total work force these employees constitute.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 15 March 1995]: The information for Her Majesty"s Treasury, the Central Statistical Office, the Royal Mint and the Department for National Savings is as follows:

  Her Majesty"s Treasury

  Less than 51 weeks

  Percentage of total work force

  Over 51 weeks

  Percentage of total work force

  1995

  36

  2.6

  3

  0.2

  1994

  111

  0.7

  119

  1.3

  1993

  116

  1.0

  122

  1.4

  1992

  27

  0.4

  215

  1.0

  392

  Her Majesty"s Treasury

  Less than 51 weeks

  Percentage of total work force

  Over 51 weeks

  Percentage of total work force

  1991

  212

  0.7

  215

  1.0

  1990

  228

  1.7

  28

  0.5

  Notes:

  1 figures exclude those relating to forward.

  2 figures exclude those relating to forward, CCTA and CCC.

  Central Statistical Office

  Less than 51 weeks

  Percentage of total work force

  Over 51 weeks

  Percentage of total work force

  1995

  13

  0.8

  1

  1—

  1994

  150

  10.0

  15

  1.0

  1993

  52

  3.5

  8

  0.5

  1992

  34

  2.2

  8

  0.5

  1991

  16

  1.0

  7

  0.5

  1990

  15

  1.2

  1

  1—

  Notes:

  1 Figures are less than 0.1 per cent.

  Royal Mint

  Less than 51 weeks

  Percentage of total work force

  Over 51 weeks

  Percentage of total work force

  1994

  91

  10

  0

  —

  1993

  60

  6

  0

  —

  1992

  32

  3

  0

  —

  1991

  36

  4

  0

  —

  1990

  94

  9

  0

  —

  Department for National Savings

  Less than 51 weeks

  Percentage of total work force

  Over 51 weeks

  Percentage of total work force

  1995

  111

  2.0

  176

  3.2

  1994

  327

  5.5

  157

  2.3

  1993

  209

  3.4

  31

  0.5

  1992

  180

  2.8

  18

  0.3

  1991

  191

  2.8

  1

  —1

  1990

  353

  4.3

  3

  —1

  Note:

  1 Figures are less than 0.1 per cent.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for this year and each of the past five years, how many employees in (i) his Department and (ii) all executive agencies for which his Department is responsible who have been employed on temporary contracts of(a) 51 weeks' or (b) less than 51 weeks' duration are re-employed in the same or similar position at a later date.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 15 March 1995]: The information for HM Treasury, the Central Statistical Office, the Royal Mint and the Department for National Savings is as follows:

  HM Treasury

  Less than 51 weeks

  Over 51 weeks

  1995

  3

  0

  1994

  3

  0

  1993

  3

  0

  1992

  0

  0

  1991

  0

  0

  1990

  0

  0

  393

  Central Statistical Office

  Less than 51 weeks

  Over 51 weeks

  1995

  4

  0

  1994

  15

  0

  1993

  12

  0

  1992

  5

  0

  1991

  4

  0

  1990

  4

  0

  Royal Mint Figures are not available in the format requested.

  Department for National Savings

  Less than 51 weeks

  Over 51 weeks

  1995

  64

  0

  1994

  75

  0

  1993

  74

  0

  1992

  20

  0

  1991

  12

  0

  1990

  0

  0

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people he expects to employ in (i) his Department and (ii) all executive agencies for which he is responsible on temporary contracts of(a) 51 weeks" or (b) less than 51 weeks" duration in the next three years, in each case specifying the number of employees who had previously been employed in a similar position on the same contract.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 15 March 1995]: This information is not available for all Departments. HM Treasury is currently in the process of a fundamental expenditure review and the likely future requirements for temporary staff cannot be forecast at this stage.

  Central Statistical Office

  Less than 51 weeks

  Over 51 weeks

  Staff previously employed

  1996

  65

  0

  5

  1997

  72

  0

  5

  1998

  70

  0

  4

  For the Royal Mint, figures are not available in the format requested. The current trend is expected to continue which would mean an average of about 90 temporary staff being employed with approximately 50 of these being employed previously in a similar position.

  Department for National Savings

  Less than 51 weeks

  Over 51 weeks

  1995–96

  262

  50

  1996–97

  190

  35

  1997–98

  180

  25

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what guidance has been issued in respect of the recruitment and appointment of non-permanent employees in(a) his Department and (b) all executive agencies supervised by his Department;
  394
  (2) if he will publish the full terms of employment as specified to employees in his Department and all executive agencies for which he is responsible who are employed on a temporary contract of (a) 51 weeks' or (b) less than 51 weeks" duration.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 15 March 1995]: All Departments base their procedures—including terms of appointment—on the guidance in the civil service management code concerning recruitment and the use of casual staff, "Personnel Management", paragraphs 2.1.3 to 2.1.4, and general circular GC/375. Copies of these publications are available in the Members" Library. From 9 November 1994, line managers in Her Majesty"s Treasury have had the flexibility to recruit casual staff, and have received extracts from the central guidance on procedures—most recently circulated in February 1995. A copy has been placed in the Members" Library.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what positions in (i) his Department and (ii) all executive agencies for which his Department is responsible are filled by employees who are employed on temporary contracts of(a) 51 weeks" or (b) less than 51 weeks" duration.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 15 March 1995]: The information for Her Majesty"s Treasury, the Central Statistical Office, the Royal Mint and the Department for National Savings is as follows:

  51 weeks:

  Position

  HM Treasury

  Administrative assistant

  Administrative officer

  Support grade band B

  Student

  Trainee librarian

  Central Statistical Office

  Administrative assistant

  Administrative officer

  Executive officer

  Department for National Savings

  Administrative assistant

  Reprographic officer

  Graphic officer

  Senior assistant statistician

  Design studio manager

  Less than 51 weeks:

  Position

  HM Treasury

  Administrative assistant

  Administrative officer

  Support grade band B

  Student

  Central Statistical Office

  Administrative assistant

  Administrative officer

  Executive officer

  Assistant statistician

  Royal Mint

  Administrative assistant

  Administrative officer

  Industrial posts

  Department for National Savings

  Administrative assistant

  Support grade band II

  Typist

DEFENCE

  Northern Ireland
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the tasking of the two battalions being withdrawn from Northern Ireland. [15356]

  Mr. Soames
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced on 14 March 1995 that 5 Regiment Royal Artillery would be relocated from Drumadd barracks, Armagh, to Catterick. Their role remains the provision of support to the Royal Ulster Constabulary when required, and they will continue to train in this role and to be prepared to move back to the Province at short notice. This relocation has been made possible because of the reduced level of day-to-day support now required by the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and will allow the regiment to rejoin their families and to maintain their artillery skills without detriment to their continuing Northern Ireland role.

  Tornado Aircraft
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft have crashed while on exercise over(a) the land area of the United Kingdom and (b) the sea. [15329]

  Mr. Soames
  Since the aircraft entered service in 1981, 17 Tornado aircraft have crashed over the land area of the United Kingdom and 10 have crashed at sea in UK waters while engaged in training sorties.

  Corrective Training Centre
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many(a) male and (b) female service personnel of those detained in the military corrective training centre in Colchester have been (i) retained in service and (ii) dismissed or discharged from service upon completion of sentence in each of the last 10 years; [16074]

  (2) how many (a) male and (b) female service personnel have been detained in the military corrective training centre in Colchester in each of the last 10 years. [16073]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is as follows:

  Retained in service

  Dismissed from service

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  1984

  447

  —

  388

  —

  1985

  415

  —

  457

  —

  1986

  555

  —

  314

  —

  1987

  738

  —

  288

  —

  1988

  848

  —

  293

  4

  1989

  713

  —

  471

  2

  1990

  582

  4

  384

  7

  1991

  514

  33

  366

  9

  1992

  605

  43

  395

  8

  1993

  575

  71

  426

  7

  19941

  355

  23

  349

  4

  1 Figures for 1994 are not yet complete.

  396
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the proposals currently under consideration by his Department for the contractorisation of the military corrective training centre in Colchester. [16071]

  Mr. Soames
  A feasibility study into all aspects of the military corrective training centre functions has been completed and we are considering the recommendations. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on management consultancy fees in relation to the preparation and development of proposals for the contractorisation of the military corrective training centre in Colchester. [16072]

  Mr. Soames
  Approximately £63,000.

  Long Marston Army Camp
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent construction and repair work has been done to Long Marston army camp; and what was the cost. [16076]

  Mr. Soames
  Since 1 April last year, the construction of a tactical fuel handling facility has been completed and work has commenced on repairs to the water ring main system. Property management work, including repairs to boundary roads, concrete hardstandings and underground cabling has also been undertaken. The total cost of this work has been some £1.2 million.

  Nerve Agents
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of nerve agents his Department possesses; and if he will make a statement. [16080]

  Mr. Soames
  This matter is for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Dr. David Clark, dated 24 March 1995:
  1. Your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Defence asking what stocks of nerve agents his Department possesses and if he will make a statement, has been passed to me to answer as Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.
  2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to ensure that the UK Armed Forces have effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. In order to carry out this work, it is necessary to have available small quantities of materials which may be used as chemical or biological warfare agents by a potential aggressor.
  3. Consequently, small quantities of nerve agent are held at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment in order to enable us to carry out our work to ensure that the protective measures for the UK Armed Forces are effective. It would not be in the national interest to disclose the precise quantities held; however, the UK holdings of nerve agents are within the aggregate amount of Schedule 1 chemical that will be permitted to be held for protective purposes under the terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if his Department is in possession of the nerve agent sarin; and if he will make a statement; [16079]

  (2) if his Department has undertaken research into the effects of the nerve agent sarin. [16081]
  397
  Mr. Soames
  These matters are for the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, CBDE to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Graham Pearson to Dr. David Clark, dated 24 March 1995:
  1. Your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Defence asking if his Department has undertaken research into the effects of the nerve agent Sarin, if his Department is in possession of the nerve agent Sarin; and if he will make a statement, has been passed to me to answer has Chief Executive of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment.
  2. The role of the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment is to ensure that the UK Armed Forces have effective protective measures against the threat that chemical and biological weapons may be used against them. As part of this work, the potential hazard of possible chemical and biological warfare agents is assessed and the effectiveness of British protective measures evaluated.
  3. Research on the nerve agent Sarin (GB) at CBDE Porton Down, has addressed all aspects concerned with the provision of effective protective measures against the threat that Sarin might be used by an aggressor against the UK Armed Forces. This has included hazard assessment, detection and identification, physical protection, contamination monitoring and management and the use of prophylactic and therapeutic medical countermeasures.
  4. In order to carry out this work, it is necessary to have available small quantities of materials such as Sarin which may be used as chemical or biological warfare agents by a potential aggressor. However, the quantities held are within the aggregate amounts of Schedule 1 chemicals permitted to be held for protective purposes under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the potential effectiveness of the chemical weapons convention in restricting the proliferation of chemical weapons to(a) non-signatory states and (b) terrorist organisations; and if he will make a statement. [16082]

  Mr. Soames
  Once fully implemented, the chemical weapons convention will make a significant contribution to international security. The convention includes extensive provisions to control trade in certain key chemicals to non-state parties. It also requires each state party to the convention to pass national legislation making it a criminal offence for persons under its jurisdiction, to undertake the development, production, acquisition, transfer or use of chemical weapons.

  Apprentice Training
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals for the provision of army apprenticeship training at Princess Marina college, Arborfield, are currently being considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement; [16068]

  (2) what is his assessment of the consequences of proposals for the provision of army apprenticeship training at Princess Marina college, Arborfield, with regard to (a) the duration of training, (b) the staff to student ratio, (c) eligibility for Business and Technology Education Council national and City and Guilds qualifications and (d) extra-curricular activities. [16069]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department is considering proposals relating to the future of army apprentice training. Final decisions will, however, be made only after consultation.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the terms of reference for the 398
  inspectorate general of doctrine and training study into technician and craftsmen training; and if he will make a statement. [16070]

  Mr. Soames
  The terms of reference are being considered at present for a study of the current system of Army apprentice recruitment and training. The aim of this would be to determine the most efficient, cost-effective and affordable means of achieving the Army"s continuing requirement for technically training recruits.

  Trigat Programme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on the development of the Trigat programme. [16075]

  Mr. Freeman
  The total amount spent by the Ministry of Defence to 28 February 1995 on the combined Trigat development programmes is £259 million at 1994–95 prices. Of this, £185 million has been spent on the long-range version and £74 million on the medium-range version.

SCOTLAND

  Zoos
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 22 February,Official Report, column 242, if he will name the local authorities which own the zoos listed. [15169]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The zoos are owned by the following authorities:

  Zoos

  Authorities

  Calderglen Country Park Children's Zoo, East Kilbride

  East Kilbride district council

  Camperdown Wildlife Centre, Dundee

  City of Dundee district council

  Palacerigg Country Park, Cumbernauld

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth district council

  Pittencrieff Park Animal Centre, Dunfermline

  Dumferline district council

  The Aviaries, Woodhead Park, Kirkintilloch

  Strathkelvin district council

  Water Authorities
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland from what date(a) the chairmen of the new water authorities in Scotland will be paid and (b) the offices for the new water authorities in Scotland will be available; and if he will make a statement. [15859]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The chairmen will be paid from the date of establishment of the new water authorities. In the meantime, they are being retained on a consultancy basis by the Scottish Office.

  Temporary accommodation will be available to the new authorities within the Scottish Office in Edinburgh. It will be for the authorities, once established, to decide on their permanent locations and also on what use to make of local authority premises transferred to them on 1 April 1996.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money will be made available for expenses,
  399
  incurred on water authority business, to be paid to members of the new Scottish water authorities in its first year of operation; and how much he estimates will actually be paid out. [15990]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Provision for the three new water authorities in Scotland in 1995–96 is shown in their respective grant in aid tables at chapter 4 of the Scottish Office departmental report, Cm 2814. No specific provision has been made for members" expenses, but the following amounts have been allocated for the salaries and expenses of the members and staff of the authorities.

  Authority

  £

  North of Scotland Water Authority

  800,000

  East of Scotland Water Authority

  800,000

  West of Scotland Water Authority

  900,000

  No estimate has been made of the actual expenses likely to be paid to members.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what possible performance bonuses will be made available to the chief executives of each of the new water authorities in Scotland in the first year of operation. [15901]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The terms of chief executive appointments have not been finalised. It is unlikely that the maximum bonus attainable in the first year will exceed 10 per cent. of basic salary.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members he will appoint to(a) the North of Scotland water authority, (b) the East of Scotland water authority and (c) the West of Scotland water authority. [15902]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Schedule 7 to the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 provides that each authority shall comprise between eight and 12 members, including the chairman and chief executive.

  Water and Sewerage Committees
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many councillors, by region and island authority, serve on each of the water and sewerage committees in Scotland's councils. [13904]

  Mr. Kynoch
  This information is not held centrally.

  Local Government Reforms
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to allow the shadow unitary authorities a say in the duration and value of any contracts awarded after 6 April by regional and district councils in Scotland. [15857]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Section 55 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 requires existing authorities from a date or dates to be specified by my right hon. Friend not to dispose of land for a consideration in excess of £250,000 or to enter into certain contracts without the consent of the relevant successor authority. Factors which will be taken into account by my right hon. Friend in determining the appropriate date or dates will be the need to ensure continuity of existing services, the legitimate interest of shadow authorities in matters which will have a possible bearing on future services, and the ability of 400
  the shadow authorities to respond expeditiously to issues described in section 55 on which they might be consulted.

  Local Enterprise Companies
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland under what criteria three-year operators" licences are being awarded to LECs; and how many such licences have been granted. [16142]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Local enterprise companies contract annually with Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Neither body issues three-year operators" licences.

  Speech Therapists
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scottish health boards alleging a shortage of speech therapists. [14538]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 21 March 1995]: None.

  Health Care International
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received the National Audit Office"s report on its investigation into the public funding arrangements for Health Care International at Clydebank; if he will arrange for its publication; and if he will make a statement. [14704]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 21 March 1995]: I understand that the Comptroller and Auditor General, head of the National Audit Office, has not yet finalised his report on this subject. My Department and others will be consulted about the report, and I understand that the accounting officers involved have been invited to give evidence to the Public Accounts Committee at a hearing scheduled for 3 May 1995. Any publication will be a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what circumstances patients can be de-registered by their dentist; what procedure governs this process; and for what reasons a patient would cease to be registered with a dentist. [15530]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: General dental practitioners are independent contractors who are free to choose whether to provide NHS treatment to individual patients. Dentists may decide to de-register patients for a variety of reasons, including debts owed by the patient, when the dentist leaves the practice, or when a dentist chooses to stop offering NHS treatment. Regulations lay down that a dentist who wishes to end a patient"s registration prematurely without the patient"s agreement must give three months" written notice and complete any outstanding treatment before the patient may be de-registered. A dentist may end a registration at less than three months" notice only with the agreement of the health board. A patient"s registration lapses automatically if they do not visit their dentist within a set period of the previous visit—two years for adults and between one and two years for children.

  Prisoners
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were detained in(a) Her Majesty's prison, Greenock, (b) Cornton Vale prison and (c) other prisons in each of the past 10 years.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Average daily prison population 1984–1993

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  21994

  CorntonVale

  172

  189

  183

  168

  144

  133

  138

  155

  167

  173

  Greenock1

  —

  147

  178

  167

  158

  167

  189

  218

  246

  239

  Other prisons

  5,101

  5,252

  5,085

  4,894

  4,684

  4,424

  4,512

  4,884

  5,224

  5,173

  Total

  5,273

  5,588

  5,446

  5,229

  4,986

  4,724

  4,839

  5,257

  5,637

  5,585

  1 Greenock was a female establishment until 1975. From 1976 it was not in use until March 1986 when it reopened as a male establishment.

  2 Provisional.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for reducing suicides and attempted suicides amongst prisoners and those held on remand in prison; and if he will make a statement.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 24 March 1995:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question about reducing suicides and attempted suicides by prisoners.
  The Scottish Prison Service has commissioned Dr. Kevin Power and Dr. Joseph Mcllroy of the Department of Psychology at the University of Stirling to undertake a comprehensive evaluation (currently in progress) of the operation of the SPS suicide prevention strategy. In addition, I have asked Professor John Gunn, Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, to consider the appropriateness of the current strategy against developments in the care of "at risk" people in other jurisdictions. Professor Gunn is an internationally renowned figure in the care of the mentally disturbed offender in prison.
  A new design of supervision cell was introduced at HMP Aberdeen last year and is being progressively introduced throughout
  402
  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 24 March 1995:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question relating to the number of persons detained in HM Prison, Greenock, HM Prison Cornton Vale and other prisons in each of the past ten years.
  Information on the total number of persons received to each of the establishments is not available over this period because information on first receptions (those people with no existing custodial sentence) was collected only from 1991. In addition, those people received on remand and as sentenced prisoners cannot be added together to produce a total number of "persons detained" because of the considerable overlap between these two categories. The table below therefore gives the average daily prison population.
  the prison estate. Additionally, new forms of clothing and bedding for "at risk" prisoners are in use and a rolling programme of training in dealing with such prisoners is underway for prison nursing staff.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what study is made of the findings of fatal accident inquiries into self-inflicted deaths of prisoners and those held on remand in prisons; and if he will make a statement. [15667]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. A. Stewart to Dr. Norman Godman, dated 24 March 1995:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to reply to your Question about what study is made of the findings of fatal accident inquiries into self-inflicted deaths of prisoners and those held on remand in prisons. I am replying in his absence.
  The Executive Steering Group, comprising senior prison management and representatives of psychiatric and psychological services, has responsibility for continuing oversight of the implementation of the Scottish Prison Service suicide prevention strategy. The Group considers all fatal accident findings on suicides in prisons with a view to determining whether any changes to the strategy are required and how best they may be implemented within operational constraints.