Written Answers of 27 March 1995

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Disability Discrimination Bill
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) which Minister in his Department has responsibility for the Disability Discrimination Bill in respect of the provision of goods and services; [16366]

  (2) what discussions he or his ministerial colleagues have held with Ministers in other Departments in respect of the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16364]

  (3) what is his Department's policy in respect of the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16365]

  (4) what consideration his Department has given to the effects of specific clauses of the Disability Discrimination Bill in respect of (a) small businesses, (b) medium-size businesses and (c) large businesses; [16363]

  (5) if officials in his Department have at any point been involved in discussions concerning any aspect of the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16362]

  (6) what future role he expects his Department to play in respect of the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16361]

  (7) what discussions his Department has held with non-Government bodies in respect of the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16360]

  (8) what role his Department played in the development of the cost compliance assessment for the Disability Discrimination Bill; [16359]

  (9) what assessment his Department has made of the effects of the Disability Discrimination Bill on industry; [16358]

  (10) what discussions his officials have held with other Departments in respect of the Disability Discrimination Bill. [16357]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  My right hon. and noble Friend Earl Ferrers has responsibility for all aspects of consumer affairs. As well as my responsibility for corporate affairs, I have the responsibility, as deregulation Minister, for leading, under the authority of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, the Government's deregulation initiative, ensuring, across all Departments, that any proposals that may impose burdens on business are properly appraised. DTI Ministers and officials play and continue to play a full part in collective and bilateral discussion with their Government colleagues in developing the Government's policies in areas such as disability, consulting as necessary representative bodies, businesses and consumers on the affects such measures may have and their impact on business compliance costs.

  The Government's assessment of the impact of the Disability Discrimination Bill on business is set out in the compliance cost assessment "Ending Discrimination against Disabled People", issued in January 1995 by the
  404
  Department of social Security, which has the policy lead in Government on disability issues. The role of the DTI deregulation unit in relation to CCAs is to monitor their quality, coverage of smaller firms, and ensure a consistent approach across Government. The unit provides guidance and acts as a source of advise to those requiring help with the preparation of CCAs.

  Pembroke Power Station
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans his Department has to hold a public inquiry into National Power's plans to burn orimulsion fuel in Pembroke; and if he will make a statement. [16631]

  Mr. Page
  National Power plc submitted an application on 5 January 1995 under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the President of the Board of Trade's consent to retrofit flue gas desulphurisation plant at the Pembroke power station in order to use emulsified hydrocarbons as the fuel.

  Should a relevant planning authority object to the application, my right hon. Friend would be obliged to hold a public inquiry before reaching his decision on it.

  If there is no objection from a relevant planning authority, my right hon. Friend may still call for a public inquiry to be held at his own discretion.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a list of the measures his Department has taken to encourage greater use of renewable energy following the Government's acceptance of the conclusions and recommendations of the United Nation conference on the environment and development. [15655]

  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures his Department proposes to encourage greater use of renewable energy in pursuance of the Government's support for the declarations and undertakings made at the Rio climate summit in 1992. [15518]

  Mr. Page
  The Government are stimulating the development of new and renewable energy sources and industrial and market infrastructure through a market enablement strategy. The strategy was published as "Energy Paper 62" in March 1994.

  The strategy's principal measure involves stimulating an initial market for electricity-producing technologies close to commercial competitiveness via renewables orders made under the non-fossil fuel obligation. Other measures are aimed at assessing and developing technology options, ensuring that the market is fully informed, removing inappropriate market barriers and encouraging internationally competitive industries to develop.

  The first and the second renewables orders set an obligation of renewables-sourced electricity for approximately 600 MW. The Government announced a third renewables order, for 626.92 MW, in December 1994. They expect this to lead to a further 300 to 400 MW of new capacity.

  The Government intend to work, through the NFFO, towards a figure of 1,500 MW of new renewable electricity generating capacity in the UK by the year 2000,

  405
  thus contributing to the UK's international environmental commitment.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures his Department is taking as a result of the declaration of Madrid "An Action Plan for Renewable Sources in Europe", 16 to 18 March 1994; and if his Department is taking part in the proposed EC discussions on renewable energy. [15966]

  Mr. Page
  A Department of Trade and Industry representative attended the conference on renewable energy in Madrid in March 1994 and my Department is monitoring developments with regard to the establishment of the EU's European Forum on Renewable Energies—EUFORES.

  The Government are stimulating the development of new and renewable energy sources and industrial and market infrastructure through a market enablement strategy. The strategy was published as "Energy Paper 62" in March 1994.

  The strategy's principal measure involves stimulating an initial market for electricity-producing technologies close to commercial competitiveness via renewables orders made under the non-fossil fuel obligation. Other measures are aimed at assessing and developing technology options, ensuring that the market is fully informed, removing inappropriate market barriers and encouraging internationally competitive industries to develop.

  The first and the second renewables orders set an obligation of renewables-sourced electricity for approximately 600MW. The Government announced a third renewables order, for 626.92MW, in December 1994. They expect this to lead to a further 300 to 400MW of new capacity.

  The Government intend to work, through the NFFO, towards a figure of 1,500MW of new renewable electricity generating capacity in the UK by the year 2000, thus contributing to the UK's international environmental commitment.

  Turkey
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions have been held with Turkey about increasing trade and the customs union with the EU; and what links have been made to human rights abuse in Turkey. [16682]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  We have a continuing dialogue with our Turkish partners on a wide range of trade issues; there is no direct linkage between customs union and Turkey's record on human rights. However, the Turks are well aware of the importance that we and our EU partners attach to a raising of standards to western norms.

  Business Links
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the funding of Business Links and the progress they have made. [15184]

  Mr. Heseltine
  Business Links have been designed to increase the effectiveness and improve the quality of local business support services by bringing together their delivery and avoiding overlap and duplication.
  406
  Each Business Link is a private sector company which receives part of its funding from my Department, part from local partner organisations, and part from charging for its services. My Department is providing £38.5 million in 1995–96 towards the start-up costs of Business Links and is committed to providing on-going funding after the three-year start-up phase to contribute towards the cost the services offered by Business Links. In 1995–96 our contribution towards services will amount to around £50 million.

  The Business Link programme continues to make good progress with 75 Business Links now open and over 50 more due to open by the end of April. The programme is well on course to reach its target for a national network of 200 Business Links by the end of 1995.

  Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd.
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on the bids for VSEL by GEC and British Aerospace; and how soon after the receipt of that report he will be in a position to announce the Government's decision. [16160]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has allowed a single extension of time, to 12 April 1995, for the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to report on the bids for VSEL by GEC and British Aerospace. The Department aims to publish MMC merger reports, along with the decision of the President of the Board of Trade on any action which he considers necessary in the event of the MMC finding that a merger is against the public interest, within 20 working days of receipt.

  Rural Post Offices
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment the Post Office has made of the impact of franchising of Crown post offices on the services offered to postal customers with particular reference to rural areas. [16308]

  Mr. Page
  The Post Office believe that the franchising of Crown post offices has a beneficial effect on the services offered to customers in rural areas. When a Crown post office is converted, it is located in the same general vicinity, if not in the same premises, and offers the same range of services. Additional facilities such as longer opening hours are often also provided. The lower costs to the Post Office of providing services through franchise offices assist in maintaining the network of rural post offices.

  Companies (Complaints)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade in how many cases in England in each year in the period 1984 until 1994 the official receiver has been unable to pursue an in-depth investigation into complaints against companies because of expenditure restrictions; and if he will make a statement. [15828]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The information requested is not maintained centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Lindane
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what prohibitions exist for companies that wish to export products containing lindane, gamma HCH, or gamma BHC to(a) Switzerland, (b) Germany and (c) the United States of America; and if he will make a statement. [15513]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Products containing lindane, gamma HCH or gamma BHC require an export licence, under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, only if the exporter knows or suspects that the goods might be used for purposes connected with weapons of mass destruction. If an export licence is required, it will be required for any destination including Switzerland, Germany or the United States of America.

  Parliamentary Space Committee
  Sir Michael Marshall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent discussion his Department has had with the parliamentary space committee; and if he envisages further consultations in the run-up to the European Space Agency ministerial conference. [16686]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I held a meeting with the parliamentary space committee on 16 March, at which we had a fruitful discussion of a range of issues, including Earth observation activities, satellite-based telecommunications and broadcasting, and satellite navigation. At the meeting, I announced additional Government funding of £2.612 million for the European Space Agency GNSS satellite navigation programme, £1.5 million for the ESA ARTES4 telecommunications technology programme and £1 million to cover the cost of delay to the launch of ESA's ERS2 remote sensing satellite. I would be glad to hold further consultation with the committee in the run-up to the ESA ministerial conference.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the effect of the revocation of the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1986/1323 on the supply of fireworks to children under 16 years. [15818]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  After revocation of the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1986 it will remain illegal to supply fireworks to those aged under 16 as such supply would breach section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875, as amended by the Explosives (Age of Purchase) Act 1976. Breaches of this prohibition are triable by a magistrates court and currently may result in a fine of up to £5000. The 1986 regulations are being repealed as they reproduced the provisions of the 1875 Act as amended and also empowered the courts to impose a custodial sentence of up to six months for those convicted of the sale of fireworks to persons under 16. I understand the courts have never imposed a custodial sentence. Bearing in mind the scale of the fines which may now be imposed, the Government believe that it is no longer necessary to provide for a custodial sentence.

  Post Office
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to give the Post Office the commercial freedom it seeks. [16379]
  408
  Mr. Eggar
  The Post Office operates several businesses. We are actively engaged in widening the opportunities for Post Office Counters and are helping to automate its services.

  We will announce any plans to change the present arrangements governing the remainder of the Post Office in due course.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that his ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for his Department includes deregulation objectives(a) for him and (b) for each of the Ministers within his Department. [15567]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  One of the principal aims of the Department is to work to reduce regulatory and administration burdens on business. Each Minister has to pursue this objective in the policy areas for which he or she is responsible. There is also a Minister with particular responsibility for promoting deregulation in the Department.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15551]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Under the deregulation initiative, which is co-ordinated by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, over 1,000 regulations have been targeted by Departments for amendment or repeal to remove unnecessary burdens on business. Other prime targets are:ensuring that new regulations, whether UK or EC, are introduced only if they are needed and have the minimum possible compliance costs;
  making enforcement procedures more business friendly—one aim is to see 100 local business partnerships established by March 1996; and
  promoting a deregulatory approach in the European Union.

  National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much funding his Department is giving to the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux in 1995–96; how much it would have been if the 1994–95 level had been fully increased to reflect the change in the cost of living; and what assessment he has made of the effect of this change in funding in real terms on the number of regional offices sustained by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. [14670]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Funding from my Department for the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux for 1995–96 will be £11,916,000. Core funding for 1994–95 was also £11,916,000. Based on the adjusted gross domestic product deflator given in the Treasury Red Book, annexe A to chapter 6, this figure would have increased to £12,297,312. It is for the association to decide how best to use the resources which are available to it, and it would not be appropriate for the Department to intervene in operational decisions such as the number of regional offices which are sustained by the association.

  Argentina
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the value of(a) exports to and (b) imports from, the Argentine in each of the past five years. [16232]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The information is published by the Central Statistical Office in "Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom", available in the Library of the House.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Lord Present of the Council (1) if he will ensure that his ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for his Department, includes deregulation objectives(a) for him and (b) for each of the Ministers within his Department; [15569]

  (2) what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15561]

  Mr. Newton
  The objectives in question are not applicable to the Privy Council Office, which does not itself generate regulations.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Mr. Mohd Ashfaq
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if leave to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal has been granted to the Home Office in the case of Mr. Mohd Ashfaq, Ref: TH/1740/94;IMM/C2021. [L16629]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The application by the Home Office is currently being considered by the Immigration Appeal Tribunal.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at interdepartmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15620]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's Department does not currently employ any specialist advisers.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992. [15621]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There have been no political advisers appointed to the Lord Chancellor's Department since May 1992.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Political and Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992; [15637]

  (2) what facilities in terms of (a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at interdepartmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15636]

  The Attorney-General
  There are and have been no such political or specialist advisers in any of the Departments for which I have been responsible since May 1992.

HEALTH

  Redundancy Payments
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost of redundancy payments to national health service staff(a) in each of the regional health authorities, and (b) for the national health service as a whole for each of the last 10 years. [15366]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information will be placed in the Library.

  Private Practice
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimates her Department has made as to the cost to public funds of providing private health care within the NHS including the costs of capital investment and training of medical staff. [15767]

  (2) if her Department will commission an independent inquiry to establish the full costs of providing private health care within the NHS; including the costs of capital investment and training of medical staff. [15766]

  Mr. Sackville
  Private practice in the national health service results in further funds being made available to improve services for all patients and reduces the burden on public funds. Private patients are charged at a commercial rate. The availability of private practice in the NHS increases choice for patients. An independent inquiry would divert resources unnecessarily from patient care.

  Nurses
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of all(a) C grade, (b) D grade, (c) E grade, (d) F grade and (e) G grade nursing posts remained vacant as at 1 April on each of the last 10 years for each regional health authority. [15769]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Figures on nursing vacancies collected by the Office of Manpower and Economics are available in the annual report of the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives,

  411
  Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine. Copies of the review body's report are placed in the Library each year.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will instruct family health services to stop the practice of allowing dental contractors to take early retirement other than for genuine medical reasons.[16390]

  Mr. Malone
  Under the limited early retirement scheme agreed with the dental profession, decisions on which applicants to accept are taken centrally on the advice of a selection panel. Full account is taken of the need to maintain the accessibility of general dental services.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will make a statement on the long-term effects on health of exposure to fluoride; [16336]

  (2) if she will indicate the ways she has considered of delivering fluoride to its target population other than through the main water supplies; and if she will make a statement; [16335]

  (3) what has been the incidence of caries in (a) fluoridated areas and (b) unfluoridated areas, for each year since 1990; and if she will make a statement. [16337]

  Mr. Malone
  Information, by year, about the incidence of caries compared between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas is not readily available. However, epidemiological evidence in general continues to support the Government's position on the positive benefits of fluoridation. Studies which have been carried out contrasting comparable fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas have consistently shown that the reduction in dental decay is between one third to one half greater in the fluoridated than in the comparable non-fluoridated area.

  The long-term health effects of fluoride have been a widely considered aspect of this issue over the 50 years since water fluoridation began. No significant long-term ill effects have ever been found to exist as a result of domestic water fluoridation at the optimum level of one part per million.

  There may be a number of alternative ways of delivering fluoride to the target population, and we are considering what these are, but it is generally held that fluoridation of domestic water is the most efficient means of delivery, and offers the best cost benefit.

  The Government remain convinced that fluoridation of drinking water is a safe, effective and cost-effective public health measure and will continue to support the introduction of such schemes, particularly where the dental health of the population is known to be poor. In 1994 the Government agreed to help with the capital funding of seven schemes in the north of England which would bring fluoridation to 1.7 million more people.

  Road Accident Victims
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will order the South Birmingham health trust to cease soliciting payments, under the Road Traffic Acts, from road accident victims. [16247]

  Mr. Sackville
  Health service hospitals are empowered to collect the emergency treatment fee under section 158 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The fee must be covered by 412
  motor vehicle insurance policies and is payable by vehicle users, in respect of each person given immediate treatment or examination arising from a road traffic accident.

  Overseas Health Care Companies
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations her Department has received from health care firms from abroad seeking to expand into the United Kingdom health sector. [16889]

  Mr. Sackville
  Ministers and officials receive representations from health care firms from abroad on a regular basis. As such representations can take the form of visits, telephone calls or letters and can be made at ministerial or official level no figure on the number of representations is kept or can be estimated.

  Lindane
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence or research is available from(a) within the United Kingdom, (b) the USA and (c) other countries in respect of any correlation between aplastic anaemia and bone marrow failure with the use of lindane, gamma HCH or gamma BHC; and if she will make a statement. [15497]

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1992 the Advisory Committee on Pesticides reviewed the substantial number of worldwide reports, published in the open literature as well as unpublished reports, on lindane exposure and aplastic anaemia. The ACP review focused particularly on cases of people in the United Kingdom who had been diagnosed as having aplastic anaemia and who had been exposed to lindane in pesticidal products. The committee concluded that the weight of evidence suggested that lindane does not cause aplastic anaemia in man. On the basis of the information available, the ACP recommended that no regulatory action on this aspect was justified.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has of skin complaints being caused by lindane, gamma HCH or gamma BHC; and if she will make a statement. [15496]

  Mr. Sackville
  In the United Kingdom lindane is used mainly as an agricultural pesticide. Its only other use in the UK is in some products licensed under the Medicines Act 1986 for the treatment of scabies and crablice, and available only from pharmacies. There are no veterinary uses of lindane in the UK.

  The London poisons unit undertook a review of suspected cases of lindane poisoning reported to the unit between 1969 and 1988. The results were submitted to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides for evaluation during its review of lindane in 1991–92. Data were available on 110 cases, in six of which skin irritation was reported. Details of this review were published in December 1992 in the document "Evaluation on Gamma HCH (Lindane 2," copies of which are available in the Library.

  Dermatoses can be caused by an allergic reaction to any chemical, whether naturally occurring or manufactured, and some people may be especially sensitive to ingredients of pesticides or medicines. Apart from these very rare cases, no adverse effects should be expected in the short, medium or long term if the product is used in strict accordance with the recommendations on the label and accompanying literature, which give dose and safety precautions.
  413
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence is available from the World Health Organisation regarding the rates of breast cancer in countries where the use of lindane or gamma hexachlorocyclohexane is banned or restricted. [15502]

  Mr. Sackville
  Lindane is used in many countries. In developed countries, the use of pesticides is regulated by the conditions of approval, and is to that extent restricted. Conditions of approval vary from country to country. Since 1984 lindane, or gamma hexachlorocyclohexane, has been withdrawn from use as a pesticide in Indonesia, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, St. Lucia and two European Union countries, Sweden and Finland.

  There are several known risk factors involved in the development of breast cancer but no convincing evidence that exposure to lindane is one. Breast cancer rates alone, in countries in which lindane is banned, give no indication of whether or not there might be a causal relationship.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect of exposure to lindane gamma HCH or gamma BHC on pregnant women and their foetuses. [15493]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information on humans is very limited. Adverse effects have been reported in spray operators or workers involved in the manufacture of gamma HCH. These include an increased incidence of spontaneous abortions and stillbirths. However, in all cases exposure to other pesticides or chemicals involved in the manufacture of gamma HCH occurred, therefore it is not possible to conclude that these effects are related to exposure to gamma HCH.

  The Advisory Committee on Pesticides has reviewed both published and unpublished data on the effects of lindane on human and animal reproduction and fertility. It did not conclude that, used under the terms of approval, there is a risk from lindane to pregnant women or their foetus.

  Full details were given in the document "Evaluation of Gamma HCH (Lindane 2)", December 1992, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which EU countries lindane, gamma HCH and gamma BHC are banned or restricted; and if she will make a statement [15506]

  Mr. Sackville
  The use of lindane is restricted in the United Kingdom and all other European Union countries. Approval for the use of lindane as a pesticide has been withdrawn in Sweden and Finland.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has that lindane, gamma HCH or gamma BHC causes or contributes to CHARGE syndrome; and if she will make a statement. [15494]

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1994 the subcommittee on pesticides reviewed data from the CHARGE Association family support group, and cases of CHARGE syndrome linked with pesticide exposure which had been reported to the Health and Safety Executive. The SCP agreed that no conclusions could be drawn from the reports available, but that the situation be reviewed on a periodic basis.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which products designed to kill lice on children 414
  contain lindane, gamma HCH or gamma BHC; and if she will make a statement. [15495]

  Mr. Sackville
  Medicines Control Agency records show that quellada application is the only product currently licensed in the United Kingdom containing lindane—alternatively known as gamma HCH or gamma BHC—which is indicated to kill lice on children.

  The Medicines Control Agency ensures that all medicines on the UK market meet acceptable standards of safety, quality and efficacy.

  Organochlorines
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has that organochlorines may be a contributory factor in the cause of breast cancer; and if she will make a statement. [15510]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health's independent expert advisory committee on the carcinogenicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment reviewed the available epidemiology data on breast cancer in women and levels of lindane in serum and breast fat tissue at its meeting on the 16 March 1995. The committee concluded that there was no clear evidence of an association between serum and fat levels of lindane and breast cancer at the present time, and recommended that the matter be kept under review.

  Well Woman Centres
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list each well woman centre and indicate which are currently part-funded by individual health authorities.

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has given to fundholding general practitioners regarding purchasing from well woman centres. [15754]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  It is for national health service purchasers, both fundholding general practitioners and health authorities, to decide whether, and to what extent, they purchase services from well woman centres. Not all services which are provided by well woman centres are included in the fundholding scheme.

  "Handle with Care" Leaflet
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what age of child is dealt with in the "Handle with Care" leaflet, sponsored by her Department. [15752]

  Mr. Bowis
  Babies and toddlers.

  Clinical Negligence
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 6 March,Official Report, columns 41–42, if the figures for clinical negligence include legal costs; and if she will itemise those costs. [15750]

  Mr. Malone
  All the figures include legal costs. The new method of estimating total costs of clinical negligence is not broken down between legal costs and damages paid.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which management consultants have been employed by her Department to assist in the assessment of applications for NHS units for trust status; how much each was paid; and how many assessments they undertook in each wave. [15846]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies the then Minister for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney), gave him on 3 November 1993,Official Report, column 225, and on 12 July 1994, Official Report, column 528. The information for the fifth wave of national health service trusts is as shown.

  Lead management consultants

  Number of assessments

  Cost £

  BDO Consulting

  17

  15,139

  KPMG Peat Marwick

  52,139

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ensure that her ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for her Department, includes deregulation objectives(a) for her and (b) for each of the Ministers within her Department. [15564]

  Mr. Sackville
  The need to avoid unnecessary regulatory burdens on business and on others is identified as an objective in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's statement of aims, goals, priorities and key challenges for the Department of Health for 1994–95, and subsequent years, which was published on 18 April 1994 and placed in the Library. Each Minister has to pursue this objective in the policy areas for which he or she is responsible. There is also a Minister with particular responsibility for promoting deregulation in the Department.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets she has for withdrawing regulations within her Department. [15545]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs today.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at interdepartmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in her Department. [15624]

  Mr. Sackville
  Special advisers are members of the civil service, have the same conditions of service as civil servants and are subject to the same rules of conduct as other civil servants, with certain limited exceptions. They have facilities appropriate to their duties.
  416
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to her Department since May 1992. [15625]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has not appointed a special adviser since May 1992.

  Children's Homes (Lay Assessors)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that appropriate police checks are undertaken in respect of lay assessors who have access to children's homes. [16043]

  Mr. Bowis
  Police checks are generally available for those who have substantial unsupervised access to children in children's homes. Lay assessors do not fall into this category. It is the responsibility of local authorities to satisfy themselves about the suitability of people they engage as lay assessors, for example by checking CVs and taking up references.

  Hepatitis
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many died as a result of infection with the hepatitis C virus in the NHS for(a) 1992, (b) 1993, and (c) 1994. [16583]

  Mr. Sackville
  The current international classification of diseases, 9th revision, does not allow us separately to identify the hepatitis C virus.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people currently have the hepatitis C virus in the United Kingdom. [16585]

  Mr. Sackville
  There have been no large population seroprevalence studies in the United Kingdom which could give precise estimates of the numbers infected.

  Small studies in transfusion centres at the time of introducing HCV testing estimated the prevalence in blood donors to be 0.06 per cent. This would be an underestimate of the numbers in the United Kingdom population as a whole because the group at most risk of infection, those who have injected drugs, are asked to self-defer from blood donation. There is evidence to suggest that perhaps between 50 and 80 per cent. of intravenous drug users have been infected with hepatitis C. Rates vary with geographical area.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with haemophilia died as a result of infection with the hepatitis C virus in the NHS in(a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994. [16630]

  Mr. Sackville
  We understand from the United Kingdom haemophilia directors that, of 119 haemophilia patients known to have died in 1992, 10 showed the cause of death as liver disease of which hepatitis C may have been the cause. In respect of the 1993 figures, I refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton) on 1 December 1994, column 830. I understand that figures for 1994 are not yet available.

  Haemophilia
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department carried out since 1989 on haemophilia; and if she will make a statement. [16582]
  417
  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has not carried out any such research. The main agency that the Government support for biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Breast Cancer
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current mortality rate for women with breast cancer in England, for each health authority. [16580]

  Mr. Sackville
  The latest available data on incidence to mortality ratios are published in table 15 of cancer statistics, registration, 1989, series MB1, No. 22, HMSO, 1994, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women have died from breast cancer in the United Kingdom in each year since 1989. [16581]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Number of women who have died from breast cancer—ICD1 174—in the United Kingdom, 1989–1992.

  1989: 15,667

  1990: 15,179

  1991: 15,403

  1992: 15,221

  1International classification of diseases, 9th revision.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many men were diagnosed with breast cancer in the NHS for(a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994 respectively; and if she will make a statement. [16579]

  Mr. Sackville
  The latest available data on male breast cancer registrations are published in table 2 of cancer statistics, registrations, 1989, series MB1 No. 22, HMSO, 1994, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Asthma
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the NHS of asthma, and asthma-related disorders for(a) 1992, (b) 1993, and (c) 1994. [16584]

  Mr. Sackville
  The net ingredient cost of national health service prescriptions for asthma medication was £305.2 million in 1992, £348.6 million in 1993 and £381 million in 1994. The net ingredient cost is the basic price of a drug before discounts and the addition of dispensing costs or fees. Information on the cost of other NHS services for asthma is not available for the years requested. In 1989–90, excluding community health services, they cost an estimated £72 million.

  Wakefield Health Authority
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role is played by the chair of the Yorkshire and Northern health region in the strategic planning of health care within the area covered by Wakefield health authority. [16350]

  Mr. Sackville
  District health authorities are directly accountable to regional health authorities. The regional health authority provides the strategic framework for regulating the relationship between purchasers and providers and ensures that local services are developed within the context of national guidelines. The authority 418
  also seeks to ensure that the most comprehensive and cost-effective balance of primary and secondary services is secured at a local level.

  Strategic Decisions
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms exist to resolve disagreements on strategic decisions at local level between purchasers and providers and community health councils. [16348]

  Mr. Malone
  Health authorities are expected to consult health care providers about local health strategies and to make every endeavour to resolve differences locally. Disagreement between health authorities and providers can be referred to the regional health authority for arbitration as set out in EL(91)11, "NHS Contracts: Guidance on Resolving Disputes." Health Authorities are required, under regulation 19 of the Community Health Council Regulations, as amended, to consult the community health council on proposals for substantial developments or variations in the provision of health services in the district. Copies of EL(91)11 are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on the extent to which the strategic planning of health provision at local level may be affected by the decisions of private investors of capital. [16351]

  Mr. Sackville
  The strategic planning of health provision is undertaken by the national health service. It is not affected by the decisions of private investors of capital.

  Chorionic Villus Sampling
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information she has on the link between chorionic villus sampling intrauterine tests and subsequent deformities in babies subjected to the test; [16341]

  (2) if she will launch an investigation into the links between chorionic villus sampling and deformities in babies; [16343]

  (3) what follow-up of mothers and babies who have been subjected to chorionic villus sampling tests her Department undertakes; [16342]

  (4) how many cases of deformities in babies subjected to the chorionic villus sampling test her Department knows of. [16344]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson) on 22 March, columns 207–208.

  A further article in The Lancet in 19941 considered the risks associated with chorionic villus sampling undertaken between 56 and 72 days' gestation.

  The follow-up of mothers and babies is a matter for local clinical decision. The continuing surveillance and monitoring of babies' health to detect any deviation from normal health is accepted as good clinical practice in the national health service. The recent report of the Advisory Group on Congential Limb Reduction Defects published in February 1995 drew attention to the need for a hypothesis-driven study of the putative causal link between chorionic villus sampling and limb reduction deformity. The Department is awaiting the results of a major study carried out in the United States before taking

  419
  this forward. It seems most likely that this study will address many of these questions.
  1Firth Boyd, Chamberlain, Mackenzie and Huson, analysis of limb reduction defects in babies exposed to chorionic villus sampling, The Lancet, Vol 343, 30 April 1994.

  Newchurch and Company Database
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost to the NHS executive of setting up the private finance database run by Newchurch and Company. [16522]

  Ms Sackville
  The cost to the Department of Health national health service executive of setting up the private finance database run by Newchurch and Company and operating it to date has been £70,000 plus £12,250 value added tax.

  Internal Market
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what objective assessment of the operation of the internal market in health in any particular locality is undertaken on her behalf. [16352]

  Mr. Sackville
  The main way in which the operation of the internal market is assessed is through the monitoring of the performance of trusts and district health authorities against targets and objectives which are set to ensure the national health service delivers good-quality, responsive services in an efficient manner.

  These include: performance against the patients charter standards which have recently been expanded; position on waiting times; extent of efficiency gains measured through the efficiency index; and progress towards achievement of "The Health of the Nation" targets. These are available at a district level.

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information she has on requests by general practices to hospitals to delay to come in—TCI—dates for non-urgent patients until the commencement of the new financial year for financial reasons; [16680]

  (2) what guidelines she has given to general practices concerning the information to be supplied to patients, whose non-urgent TCI dates have been delayed as the request of their general practice until the commencement of the new financial year for exclusively financial reasons; and if she will make a statement. [16676]

  Mr. Malone
  Fundholding general practitioners, like other national health service purchasers of health care, are required to assess the needs of their population and establish contracts for services accordingly. All emergency cases will be seen immediately and urgent cases are placed on a common waiting list. For non-urgent cases, national or local patients charter standards apply. The patients charter makes it clear that health authorities and general practitioners should give detailed information to patients on local health services, including quality standards and maximum waiting times.

  Pinderfields Hospital
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to ensure that Pinderfields hospital, Wakefield, remains open as a district general hospital maintaining regional specialisms. [16349]

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

  Local Health Provision
  Mr. Hincliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors determine whether she would intervene in the proposals of an individual health authority with regard to future health provision at local level. [16347]

  Mr. Malone
  It is for health authorities to determine health provision for their area taking account of local needs. Normally, Ministers are involved only in cases where, following consultation by the health authority, plans to close or significantly change the use of health service facilities are contested by the community health council.

WALES

  European Union Funding
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a table giving the total amount of European Community money that has been awarded in grants for each financial year from 1986–87 to the present to(a) each local authority in Wales, (b) the Welsh Development Agency and (c) other organisations, giving the total annually of all such EC grants to Wales. [15346]

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 22 March 1995]: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at interdepartmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15602]

  Mr. Redwood
  Special advisers are members of the civil service, have the same conditions of service as civil servants and are subject to the same rules of conduct as other civil servants, with certain limited exceptions. They have facilities appropriate to their duties.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15548]

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs.
  421
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that his ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for his Department, includes deregulation objectives(a) for him and (b) for each of the Ministers within his Department. [15577]

  Mr. Redwood
  One of the most important objectives which I have set for my Department is the encouragement of the growth, efficiency and competitiveness of Welsh industry and agriculture. The removal of unnecessary regulatory and administrative burdens, together with improved practice in enforcement and future legislation, is central to the achievement of this objective, which is naturally supported by my Welsh Office ministerial colleagues. Most regulations are United Kingdom or England and Wales regulations where the Welsh Office is not the lead department.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992. [15603]

  Mr. Redwood
  The answer is:

  Mr. Michael McManus

  Mr. Hywel Williams

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which management consultants have been employed by his Department to assist in the assessment of applications for NHS units for trust status; how much each was paid; and how many assessments they undertook in each wave. [15845]

  Mr. Richards
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 1 November 1993 by the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff North, (Mr. Jones),Official Report, column 51.

  In addition, Secta Consulting Ltd. was appointed to assess five applications for NHS trust status from April 1995 at a cost of £17,625.

  NHS Waiting Times
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he has issued to family health services authorities and fundholding general practices concerning information to be given to their non-urgent patients whose TCI—to come in—dates have been delayed until the commencement of the new financial year for exclusively financial reasons; and if he will make a statement. [16675]

  Mr. Redwood
  I have not issued any guidelines on this subject.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has regarding general practitioners' requests to hospitals to delay the TCI dates for non-urgent patients until the commencement of the new financial year for exclusively financial reasons. [16679]
  422
  Mr. Redwood
  I have no details of any requests from general practitioners to hospitals to delay planned admissions until the new financial year.

  Health Promotion Authority for Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of States for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 22 March Official Report, column 258, how many of the board members of the Health Promotion Authority for Wales whose terms are expiring on 31 March have been informed that they are not being reappointed. [16677]

  Mr. Redwood
  One.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been his Department's expenditure on TECs in 1994–95; and what are the plans for(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97. [16338]

  Mr. Redwood
  Negotiations are continuing with TECs on their contracts for 1995–96. When these negotiations are completed I will write to the hon. Member.

  Final outturn figures for 1994–95 will not be available until the appropriation accounts are approved. When I write to the hon. Member on TEC contracts, I will let him also have the latest provisional outturn figures available at the time.

  Expenditure in 1996–97 will be dependent on TEC contract negotiations which will take place early in 1996.

  Countryside Council for Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date the publication by the Countryside Council for Wales's action plan for 1995–97 period will take place. [16678]

  Mr. Redwood
  I hope to publish the action plan shortly.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Prescribed Disease D4
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 2 February,Official Report, column 825, if he will place in the Library a copy of the paper on prescribed disease D4, mucous membrane, prepared by a senior medical adviser of the Department of Social Security in January 1995. [15824]

  Mr. Hague
  A copy of the paper has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when David Towler of the Sunderland TUC unemployed centre may expect to receive a reply to his letter dated 6 February regarding the case of Mrs. Jackson and the training arrangements for medical boarding doctors addressed to Dr. S. M. Reed of the Benefits Agency medical section. [15825]

  Mr. Hague
  Following several telephone conversations with Mr. Towler, it was assumed that the matter had been dealt with. Dr. Reed wrote to Mr. Towler on 23 March to clarify the position.

  Compensation Recovery Scheme
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to conduct research into the impact of the compensatory recovery unit on the lives of those who are obliged to pay back DSS benefits to the CRU. [15986]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The compensation recovery unit recovers benefits attributable to an injury or disease from the compensator rather than the plaintiff. It performs this function effectively. We have no plans to mount the research to which the hon. Member refers.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the extent of the practice of awarding £2,500 to those seeking compensation as victims of illness, accident or disease so as to avoid claw back of benefit to the compensation recovery unit. [15987]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The level of settlement is a matter for the plaintiff and defendant, so no such assessment has been conducted. I understand, however, that a study of the level of settlement in some 10,000 compensation awards was recently completed on behalf of the Association of British Insurers. This study was conducted in support of evidence recently given by the association on the subject of compensation recovery to the Social Security Select Committee. The study concluded that the incidence of awards of £2,500 was not disproportionate.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he keeps on the impact of the compensation recovery unit upon the lives of those who have to pay DSS benefits to the CRU. [15985]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Department keeps such information as is necessary to discharge its responsibilities.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at inter-departmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15610]

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15553]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Corporate Affairs.

  Income Support
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the level of(a) over-payments and (b) under-payments of income support in each year since its introduction; and what sums have been recovered. [15751]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is set out 424
  in the tables. Information is not collected on underpaid amounts. These are paid to claimants as soon as they are discovered.

  Table 1—Losses due to irrecoverable and unrecovered overpayments of Income Support

  Year

  Amount (£000s)

  1988–89

  41,112

  1989–90

  40,211

  1990–91

  28,608

  1991–92

  32,974

  1992–93

  46,612

  1993–94

  55,820

  Table 2—Recoveries of overpayment via Benefits Agency Districts

  Year

  Amount (£000s)

  1988–89

  15,348

  1989–90

  17,068

  1990–91

  15,483

  1991–92

  15,377

  1992–93

  19,431

  1993–94

  32,830

  Note:

  Information on the totals of recoverable overpayments is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure that his ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for his Department, includes deregulation objectives(a) for him and (b) for each of the Ministers within his Department. [15573]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This Department's deregulation objectives are set out on pages 2, 47 and 48 of the 1995 departmental report, "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1995–96 to 1997–98", published on 9 March 1995. One of our key tasks for the next three years is to reduce the burdens on business wherever possible, particularly by dealing with the differences in national insurance and Inland Revenue procedures.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992. [15611]

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 1 December 1994,Official Report, column 891.

  Child Support
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances child maintenance payments can be obtained from service men posted abroad; what plans he has to review this issue; and if he will make a statement. [15544]

  Mr. Burt
  Child Support rules apply equally to service personnel and civilians. Where service men are posted abroad the Child Support Agency retains jurisdiction where it appears that the absent parent maintains sufficient links with the United Kingdom to be considered
  425
  habitually resident here. This applies in the overwhelming majority of cases. There are no plans to review these arrangements.

  Incapacity for Work Benefits
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the numbers and proportion of claimants of an incapacity benefit who have been assessed as capable of their usual occupation or an alternative who have lodged an appeal against this decision in each of the last four quarters. [16704]

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

  Available information is in the tables.

  Table A—Outcome of claims referred to Benefits Agency Medical Services

  Quarter ending

  Capable of normal occupation

  Capable of alternative work

  September 1993

  6,000

  28,000

  December 1993

  5,000

  25,000

  March 1994

  5,000

  28,000

  June 1994

  4,000

  25,000

  September 1994

  4,000

  27,000

  Notes:

  1. Based on a 100 per cent. count of cases, rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. References are for Sickness Benefit, Invalidity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance, but excludes those references where the National Insurance contribution conditions for Sickness/Invalidity Benefit have not been satisfied and benefit is payable because the person's incapacity is the result of an accident at work or a prescribed industrial disease.

  Disabling condition

  Higher rate

  Lower rate

  Total

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Arthritis

  82,300

  20.1

  179,500

  30.6

  261,900

  26.3

  Frailty

  54,400

  13.3

  95,500

  16.3

  149,900

  15.1

  Heart disease

  18,300

  4.5

  38,800

  6.6

  57,100

  5.7

  Stroke related

  53,000

  13.0

  52,400

  8.9

  105,500

  10.6

  Dementia

  69,800

  17.1

  46,600

  7.9

  116,400

  11.7

  Chest disease

  15,100

  3.7

  26,600

  4.5

  41,700

  4.2

  Blindness

  10,300

  2.5

  32,000

  5.5

  42,300

  4.2

  Parkinson's disease

  17,200

  4.2

  15,100

  2.6

  32,300

  3.2

  Muscle/joint/bone disease

  7,800

  1.9

  13,200

  2.2

  21,000

  2.1

  Other

  81,000

  19.8

  86,900

  14.8

  167,900

  16.9

  Total

  409,200

  100

  586,700

  100

  995,900

  100

  Columns may not add due to rounding.

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division 5 per cent. extract

TREASURY

  Taxation
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the percentage of total income received by(a) the top 1 per cent., (b) the top 5 per cent., (c) the top 10 per cent., (d) the bottom 70 per cent. and
  426
  3. Figures for June and September do not include references to Durham Medical Examination Centre. Figures for September do not include references to Swansea Reference Office.

  Table B—Appeals lodged against decisions on Sickness Benefit, Invalidity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance

  Quarter ending

  Total number of appeals lodged

  September 1993

  8,853

  December 1993

  9,982

  March 1994

  7,957

  June 1994

  8,821

  Notes:

  1. Figures taken from the Quarterly Social Security Appeal Tribunal Statistics and the Quarterly Medical Appeal Tribunal Statistics produced by the Government Statistical Service.

  2. Figures are for all appeals, including those against decisions that the person is capable of work.

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people he estimates will receive the £10 per week supplement to disability working allowance for those working more than 30 hours a week. [16705]

  Mr. Hague
  We estimate that around 2,000 of the current 4,752 disability working allowance recipients will benefit from the new £10 per week additional allowance.

  Source: Disability Working Allowance monitoring statistics for the month ending February 1995.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of States for Social Security what are the numbers of people currently receiving attendance allowance by main disabling condition, broken down by(a) entitlement to the highest rate and (b) entitlement to the lowest rate of the allowance. [16703]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is in the table. This shows separately the disabling conditions that apply to at least 2 per cent. of the total recipients:

  (e) the bottom 10 per cent. of taxpayers in 1994–95; and what are the estimated figures for 1995–96; [15670]

  (2) what was the percentage of the tax take in 1994–95 and the estimated take for 1995–96 from (a) the top 1 per cent., (b) the top 5 per cent., (c) the top 10 per cent., (d) the bottom 70 per cent. and (e) the bottom 10 per cent. Of taxpayers; [15672]
  427
  (3) what was the tax take in the year 1994–95; and what is the estimate for 1995–96 for (a) the top 1 per cent. (b) the top 5 per cent., (c) the top 10 per cent., (d) thebottom 70 per cent., (e) the bottom 10 per cent. of taxpayers and (f) all taxpayers; [15669]

  (4) what was the (a) total income and (b) average income earned in 1994–95 and estimated to be earned in

  Shares of gross income before tax (per cent.) Group of Taxpayers

  Top 1 per cent.

  Top 5 per cent.

  Top 10 per cent.

  Bottom 70 per cent.

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  1994–95

  8

  20

  29

  43

  3

  1995–96

  8

  20

  30

  43

  3

  Amount of gross incomes before tax (£ billion) Group of Taxpayers

  Top 1 per cent.

  Top 5 per cent.

  Top 10 per cent.

  Bottom 70 per cent.

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  All taxpayers

  1994–95

  31.8

  78.3

  117.5

  172.7

  12.3

  398.5

  1995–96

  33.7

  82.7

  124.4

  181.8

  12.8

  420.9

  Average amount of gross income before tax (£per year) Group of Taxpayers

  Top 1 per cent.

  Top 5 per cent.

  Top 10 per cent.

  Bottom 70 per cent.

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  All taxpayers

  1994–95

  123,700

  60,900

  45,700

  9,600

  4,800

  15,500

  1995–96

  128,700

  63,200

  47,500

  9,900

  4,900

  16,100

  1Less than 0.5 per cent.

  Shares of total income tax liability (per cent.) Group of Taxpayers

  Top 1 per cent.

  Top 5 per cent.

  Top 10 per cent.

  Bottom 70 per cent.

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  1994–95

  16

  33

  44

  29

  1—

  1995–96

  15

  32

  44

  29

  1—

  1 Less than 0.5 per cent.

  Amount of total income tax liability (£ billion) Group of Taxpayers

  Top 1 per cent.

  Top 5 per cent.

  Top 10 per cent.

  Bottom 70 per cent.

  Bottom 10 per cent.

  All taxpayers

  1994–95

  10.7

  22.6

  30.4

  19.8

  0.3

  69.0

  1995–96

  11.4

  24.1

  32.7

  21.6

  0.3

  74.7

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest estimated levels of uncollected(a) income tax and (b) tax in general (i) in cash terms, (ii) in current values and (iii) as a percentage for each year since 1978–79. [15668]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: The latest estimated level of uncollected income tax for each year since 1978–79 is as follows:

  Year

  Amount in £ thousands

  As a percentage of total tax collected

  Amount expressed in 1993 terms

  1979

  39,617

  0.48

  102,581

  1980

  45,091

  0.45

  95,912

  1981

  55,020

  0.48

  104,397

  428
  1995–96 of (i) the top 1 per cent., (ii) the top 5 per cent., (iii) the top 10 per cent., (iv) the bottom 70 per cent., (v) the bottom 10 per cent. of taxpayers and (vi) all taxpayers. [15671]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: Provisional estimates are given in the table.

  Year

  Amount in £ thousands

  As a percentage of total tax collected

  Amount expressed in 1993 terms

  1982

  70,143

  0.49

  121,754

  1983

  93,721

  0.59

  156,312

  1984

  126,905

  0.73

  201,386

  1985

  138,468

  0.68

  205,365

  1986

  187,088

  0.77

  269,238

  1987

  228,220

  1.11

  315,203

  1988

  385,025

  1.59

  511,668

  1989

  366,543

  1.33

  450,883

  1990

  364,862

  1.27

  410,069

  1991

  523,817

  1.80

  553,333

  1992

  1,090,223

  4.32

  1,104,361

  1993

  1,107,615

  4.69

  1,107,615

  1994

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  429
  2 The latest estimated level of uncollected tax in general for each year since 1978–79 is as follows:

  Year

  Amount in £ thousands

  As a percentage of total tax collected

  Amount expressed in 1993 terms

  1979

  64,339

  0.24

  166,594

  1980

  90,590

  0.28

  192,692

  1981

  112,648

  0.31

  213,742

  1982

  200,785

  0.47

  348,523

  1983

  288,168

  0.61

  480,622

  1984

  422,896

  0.80

  671,097

  1985

  469,345

  0.81

  696,096

  1986

  479,142

  0.73

  689,533

  1987

  551,369

  0.84

  761,517

  1988

  856,832

  1.16

  1,138,663

  1989

  719,226

  0.90

  884,717

  1990

  789,303

  0.94

  887,098

  1991

  1,437,041

  1.57

  1,518,016

  1992

  2,519,290

  2.84

  2,551,961

  1993

  2,405,865

  2.66

  2,405,865

  1994

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  The figures in this table comprise all duties administered by the Inland Revenue, value added tax and all other duties administered by Customs and Excise.

  The figures for 1994 are not sufficiently complete to allow the necessary comparison to be made and consequently the information is not available in the form requested. Therefore, the figures are expressed in accordance with the 1993 prices.

  Insolvencies, where the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise have very little control over the amount recoverable, account for the vast majority of remissions of tax.

  Tax Planning and Avoidance
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he distinguishes between tax planning and tax avoidance. [15583]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: In broad terms, the Government regard tax planning as the organisation of a taxpayer's affairs to secure the mitigation of tax liabilities in a manner consistent with the intentions of Parliament. Tax avoidance centres around attempts to frustrate the wishes of Parliament, either by way of escaping tax on transactions, or obtaining tax relief, in circumstances other than those intended by Parliament.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at interdepartmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15604]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  Specialist advisers have the same access to facilities as other civil servants in the Treasury.

  Privatisation Advertising
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on the advertising of privatisation sales, for each sale since 1979. [15355]

  Sir George Young
  The table shows the cost to the Government of adverting in each privatisation by floatation or secondary share sale since BT, 1984. Information on the advertising costs of earlier sales is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Advertising costs in privatisations

  Share offer

  Year

  Costs (ex VAT) £ million

  BT (1)

  1985

  9.7

  Britoil

  1985

  3.0

  Cable and Wireless

  1985

  2.2

  British Aerospace

  1985

  1.7

  British Gas

  1986

  21.4

  British Airways

  1987

  2.8

  Rolls-Royce

  1987

  1.6

  BAA

  1987

  4.9

  BP

  1987

  18.3

  British Steel

  1988

  4.9

  Water

  1989

  5.3

  Regional Electricity Companies

  1990

  14.2

  Generating Companies (1)

  1991

  5.6

  Scottish Electricity Companies

  1991

  5.3

  BT (2)

  1991

  14.0

  Northern Ireland Electricity

  1993

  1.1

  BT (3)

  1993

  11.9

  Generating Companies (2)

  1995

  8.1

  Bank Lending
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total lending by(a) United Kingdom banks and (b) banks of Federal Germany to enterprises in Eastern Europe. [14420]

  Mr. Nelson
  According to the Bank for International Settlements, loans by UK banks to eastern Europe as at the end of June 1994, stood at $4,209 million. Of this, the Bank of England estimates that $796 million was lent to the non-bank private sector. Total lending by Germany to eastern Europe as at the end of June 1994 was $42,733 million. Neither the Bank of England nor the Treasury has access to information on the breakdown of this figure.

  Construction Industry Review
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response his Department has made to the Latham review. [14432]

  Mr. Nelson
  The Government's response to the Latham review was contained in the speech of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Construction and Planning to the Latham conference on 25 July 1994. Her Majesty's Treasury has an interest in Sir Michael's recommendations in terms of value for money in public procurement and the efficient contribution of the construction of industry to the economy. The Treasury has therefore been involved in the follow-up work on the review.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much sterling has appreciated or depreciated against all the other currencies of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries since April 1992; and by how much sterling has been devalued in overall terms since that date. [15984]

  Mr. Nelson
  In April 1992 sterling's exchange rate index averaged 100.2 per cent. At close of business on March 23 1995 the ERI was 15 per cent. lower, at 85.2 movements in sterling's rate against other OECD currencies can be found in "International financial Statistics", published by the International Monetary Fund.

  VAT (Camping and Temporary Caravans)
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the rates of VAT charged on payments for sites for camping and temporary caravans in each of the member countries of the European Union. [15869]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The rates of VAT charged on payments for sites for camping and temporary caravans in each member country of the European Union are set out in the table:

  Per cent.

  Austria

  10

  Belgium

  6

  Denmark

  25

  Finland

  22

  France

  5.5

  Germany

  15

  Ireland

  12.5

  Italy

  9

  Luxembourg

  15

  Netherlands

  6

  Portugal

  5

  Spain

  7

  Sweden

  12

  United Kingdom

  17.5

  Press Officers
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many press officers there are in his Department currently; and what the figure was in 1979. [16557]

  Mr. Nelson
  Seven press officers are currently employed in the Treasury. Information for 1979 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Genome Research
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of his budget will be allocated to research into ethical, legal and social issues arising out of genome research. [14217]

  Mr. Horam
  The Medical Research Council expects to spend £15.5 million on the genome initiative in 1995–96. Ethical, social and legal issues will be one aspect of this 432
  research, but it is not possible to provide separate figures. The Economic and Social Research Council sponsors social research on the human genome worth around £200,000.

  Magistrates
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage of magistrates appointed to the bench in the County Palatine in the last 12 months is in full-time employment. [14216]

  Mr. David Hunt
  Seventy-eight per cent.

  Engineering
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he last met the Institute of Structural Engineers to discuss the role of engineering in Britain. [14219]

  Mr. Horam
  Although no formal meetings have taken place with the institute, Ministers have had several meetings with the Royal Academy of Engineering which works for and represents all engineering disciplines.

  Regulatory Authorities
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the standard of service applied by regulatory authorities under the citizens charter procedures; and if he will make a statement. [14220]

  Mr. David Hunt
  I am satisfied that the regulatory authorities act in accordance with charter principles in prescribing standards of service for the organisations they regulate.

  Science (Children)
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals he has to encourage more children to develop an active interest in science; and if he will make a statement. [14221]

  Mr. David Hunt
  During the national week of science, engineering and technology, I announced a new competition to find the best primary and secondary schools in the United Kingdom. Classes have been invited to submit by 31 July video films of up to five minutes duration, or photo-essays, saying why theirs is the best science school in the country. Each of the winning primary and secondary schools will receive £1,000 for new scientific and technological equipment. The winners and two runners-up in each category will receive a day trip to the museum or hands-on centre of their choice, sponsored by the Office of Science and Technology. I shall announce the results during the week of the British Association's science festival in September.

  Select Committees
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what new guidance his Department has issued to civil servants giving evidence to, or appearing before, Select Committees. [15970]

  Mr. Horam
  Updated guidance on "Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees" was issued to Departments in December of last year. As announced by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House,
  433
  14 December 1994, Official Report, column 712, copies were sent to Chairmen of Select Committees. and were also placed in the Library.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many press officers there are in the Central Office of Information. [16553]

  Mr. Horam
  One.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at interdepartmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15641]

  Mr. David Hunt
  Special advisers are members of the civil service, have the same conditions of service as civil servants and are subject to the same rules of conduct as other civil servants, with certain limited exceptions. They have all the facilities listed in the question to the extent necessary for the performance of their duties.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will ensure that his ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for his Department, includes deregulation objectives(a) for him and (b) for each of the Ministers within his Department. [15574]

  Mr. Horam
  My right hon. Friend has no ministerial responsibility for regulation legislation.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15552]

  Mr. Horam
  The Departments for which my right hon. Friend is Minister are not responsible for regulation legislation.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992. [15642]

  Mr. David Hunt
  The answer is:

  Date appointed

  Mr. D. Rutley

  January 1994

  Mr. M. McManus

  July 1994

  I have also been asked to list the political advisers in the Chief Whip's Office as follows:

  Date appointed

  Miss S McEwen

  June 1992

  Inquiry Lines
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which telephone inquiry line services have been set up by the Government Departments as a result of the citizens charter. [16307]

  Mr. Horam
  Many public service organisations have set up their own telephone inquiry lines to ensure that their customers can make easy contact with them. OPSS does not hold central records of all these lines, or whether they result directly from the charter programme, but Government helplines are known to exist in the following areas.

  Agriculture

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Helpline: 0645 335577. Local rates. 0900–1700 weekdays.

  Customs and Excise

  Customs and Excise Helpline: 071–202 4227. Standard rates. 0900–1700 weekdays.

  Education

  Department of Education: Inquiries 071–925 5555. Standard rates. 0900–1700 weekdays.

  Employment

  Dial a Job: 071–287 0100. Standard rates. 0900–1700 weekdays.

  Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

  Information Centre Helpline: 0742–892345. Standard rates. 0900–1700 weekdays.

  HSE Autofax: 0742–892333. Standard rates. 24 hours a day.

  Redundancy Payments Service Customer Service Unit Helpline: 0800–848489. Free. 0900–1700 weekdays.

  Work Permits Information Line: 071–273 5337. Standard rates. 0900–1700 weekdays.

  Energy Efficiency

  Energy Efficiency: 071–276 6200. Standard rates. 0900–1700 weekdays.

  Energy Action Grants Agency (grants for improving energy efficiency): 0800–181667. Free. 0830–1730 weekdays.

  Building Research Establishment Saving Money on Heating: 0923 664664. Standard rates. 0900–1630 weekdays.

  Environment

  National Rivers Authority Emergency Hotline for Environmental Incidents: 0800–807060. Free. 24 hours a day.

  Air Quality Information: 0800–556677. Free. 24 hours a day.

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Foreign Travel Advice Unit: 071–270 4129. Standard rates. 0930–1600 weekdays.

  Health

  Health Information Service (Information about health, local NHS services, waiting times, common diseases, conditions and treatments): 0800–665544. Free. 1000–1700 weekdays.

  Aids Helpline: 0800–567123. Free. 24 hours a day.

  Home Office

  General Inquiries: 071–273 4599. Standard 24 hours a day.

  Nationality and Citizenship Inquiries: 051–236 4723. Standard rates. 0900–1600 weekdays.

  Immigration Inquiries: 081–686 0688. Standard rates, 0900–1645 Mon-Thur. 0900–1630 Fri. 24 hour recorded information for visitors: 081–760 1600, Standard rates.

  435

  Students: 081–760 1622. Standard rates.

  Work permit holders: 081–760 1644. Standard rates.

  Au Pairs: 081–760 1666. Standard rates.

  Home Office Publications Unit: 071–273 3072/2302. Standard rates. 0915–1700 weekdays.

  Inland Revenue

  Taxback Information Line: 0800–660800. Free. 24 hours a day.

  Post Office

  Post Office Counters Helpline: 0345–223344. Local rates. 0815–1800 weekdays. 0830–1300 Saturday.

  Social Security Freeline:

  English: 0800–666555. Free. 0830–1630 weekdays.

  Urdu: 0800–289188. Free. 0900–1600 weekdays.

  Chinese: 0800–252451. Free. 0900–1630 weekdays.

  Punjabi: 0800–521360. Free. 0830–1630 weekdays.

  Welsh: 0800–289011. Free. 0900–1630 weekdays.

  Language line: Details available from Benefits Agency local offices.

  Family Credit Helpline: 0253–500050. Standard rates. 0730–1830 weekdays.

  Benefit Inquiry Line for People with Disabilities: 0800–882200. Free. 0830–1830 weekdays. 0900–1300 Saturday.

  Minicom: 0800–243355. Free.

  Disability Living Allowance Customer Care Helpline: 0345–123456. Local rates. 0730–1830 weekdays.

  Child Support Agency Inquiries: 0345–133133. Local rates. 0830–1800 weekdays.

  Social Security Advice Line for Employers: 0800–393539. Free. 0900–1630 Mon-Thur. 0900–1600 Friday.

  War Pensions Agency Helpline: 0253–858858. Standard rates. 0815–1715 Mon-Thur. 0815–1630 Friday.

  Minicom: 0253–859999. Standard rates.

  Trade and Industry

  General Inquiries: 071–215 5000. Standard rates. 0830–1730 weekdays. Answerphone at other times.

  Innovation: 0800–442001. Free. 0830–1730 weekdays. Answerphone at other times.

  Business in Europe Hotline: 0272–444888. Standard rates. 24 hours a day.

  DTI Services for Businesses: 0800–500200. Free. 24 hours a day.

  Transport

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Customer Inquiry Unit (Drivers): 0792–772151. Standard rates. 0815–1630 weekdays.

  Customer Inquiry Unit (Vehicles): 0792–772134. Standard rates. 0815–1630 weekdays.

  Cones Hotline: 0345–504030. Local rates. 24 hours a day.

  London Transport Travel Information: 071–222 1234. Standard rates. 24 hours a day.

  The citizens charter unit has itself set up and run a number of
  telephone information lines which are directly related to the charter;

  a) 0800 100101 sent out copies of guides to the citizens charter White Paper. Calls to this line were free. The service ran from 22 July 1991 until 16 March 1994.

  436

  b) 0345 300130 provided information about how to obtain copies of the follow-up charters produced by Departments and agencies. Calls to this line were charged at a local rate. The service ran from 25 November 1992 until 16 March 1994.

  c) Charterline (0345 203040), a telephone information helpline service for local and national public services, was piloted in the east midlands from 19 May 1993 until 6 May 1994. Calls were charged at a local rate.

  d) The citizens charter publications line on 0345 223242 was set up on 16 March 1994 to send out copies of the Guide to citizens charter White Papers; details of how to obtain the follow-up charters; the code of practice on access to government information; charter mark award scheme information; charter news; and complaints task force information. The service is still running; calls are charged at a local rate.

  e) Public nomination lines for 1995 charter mark awards were set up on 13 March 1995. These include the following:

  English:—0645 400 444

  Gujerati:—0645 400 440

  Urdu:—0645 400 441

  Hindi:—0645 400 442

  Punjabi:—10645 400 443

  Bengali:—10645 400 445

  Deaftext:—10645 400 447

  These services will run until 31 May 1995. Calls are charged at the local rate.

  f) Charter mark 1995 applicants helpline on 0171 270 6142 was set up on 14 March and will run until 14 July 1995. Calls are charged at normal rate.

EMPLOYMENT

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at interdepartmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15630]

  Miss Widdecombe
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992. [15631]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The answer is:

  Michael McManus: Appointed 28 May 1993

  Alison Broom: Appointed 21 July 1994

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  UK Military Training Scheme
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence from how many countries students received training during 1994 that was wholly or partially paid for from the United Kingdom military training assistance scheme; and if he will name those countries. [16176.]

  Mr. David Davis
  I have been asked to reply.

  In the financial year 1993–94 students from 65 countries received training wholly or partially paid for from the United Kingdom military training scheme. The countries were Albania, Antigua, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Czech Republic, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanaka, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad, Uganda, Ukraine, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 February,Official Report, column 210, regarding the nuclear non-proliferation treaty review and extensions conference, if there are any indications that any participants do not share the UK aim of obtaining an indefinite and unconditional extension of the treaty. [15993]

  Mr. David Davis
  There is not yet a consensus of support for the indefinite and unconditional extension of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty at the review and extension conference beginning in April. We are lobbying hard at ministerial and official levels to convince state parties that the indefinite and unconditional extension of the treaty would best serve their security interests.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries that have not ratified the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. [16532]

  Mr. David Davis
  The following states are not yet members of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty:

  Andorra

  Angola

  Brazil

  Chile

  Comoros

  Cook Islands

  Cuba

  Djibouti

  Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

  India

  Israel

  Micronesia

  Niue

  Oman

  Pakistan

  Palau

  United Arab Emirates

  Vanuatu

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provisions govern the setting up of a European Commission investigation into the Lockerbie bombing. [15217]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The criminal investigation into the Lockerbie bombing is a matter for the Crown Office and Dumfries and Galloway constabulary, with assistance from the law enforcement authorities in other countries. It is not a matter for the European Commission, which has no competence in criminal matters.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations concerning Lockerbie Her Majesty's Government are making to the 103rd session of the council of the Arab League in Cairo in March. [15218]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  None.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will submit to the Security Commission any evidence pertaining to Lockerbie, available to Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States, enabling them to support a case against two accused Libyans, which was withheld from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. [15219]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  No.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that his ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for his Department, includes deregulation objectives(a) for him and (b) for each of the Ministers within his Department. [15559]

  Mr. Goodlad
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 6 February,Official Report, columns 21–22.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15543]

  Mr. Goodlad
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs today.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to Ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at interdepartmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15626]

  Mr. Goodlad
  I refer to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992. [15627]
  439
  Mr. Goodlad
  Mr. Michael Maclay was appointed to this Department as a special adviser on 19 July 1993. Mr. Maurice Fraser, the other special adviser, was reappointed to the Department on 13 April 1992.

  Arms Exports
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will outline the ways in which the international behaviour of a buyer country would act as a deterrent to the export of arms from the United Kingdom, as stated in the common criteria for arms exports of the EC states, adopted by the heads of government of European Community countries in June 1991; [16528]

  (2) if he will state the criteria which are used when deciding not to export arms to countries that abuse human rights, as stated in the common criteria for arms exports of the EC states, adopted by the heads of government of European Community countries in June 1991; [16527]

  (3) if he will state the criteria which are used when deciding not to export arms where they might have a detrimental effect on the internal situation in the country of final destination, as stated in the common criteria for arms exports of the EC states, adopted by the heads of government of European Community countries in June 1991. [16529]

  Mr. David Davis
  Applications for export licences for defence equipment are considered case by case on the basis of agreed criteria which include the internal situation in the country of final destination.

  United Nations Covenants
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries that have not ratified the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights. [16536]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information that the hon. Member for Cynon Valley has requested is contained in United Nations document—reference ST/HR/4/Rev.10. A copy will be placed in the Library. Since the publication of this document the following states, to our knowledge, have become party to the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights:

  Kyrgyzstan

  Namibia

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries that have not ratified the international covenant on civil and political rights. [16535]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The information that the hon. Member for Cynon Valley has requested is contained in a United Nations document—reference ST/HR/4/Rev.10. A copy will be placed in the Library. Since the publication of this document the following states, to our knowledge, have become party to the international covenant on civil and political rights:

  Kyrgyzstan

  Namibia

  UN Weapons Conventions
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries that have not ratified the inhumane weapons convention. [16533]
  440
  Mr. David Davis
  The 48 countries which have ratified the 1981 United Nations weaponry convention are:Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium. Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Laos Republic's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Yugoslavia.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries that have not ratified the chemical weapons convention. [16537]

  Mr. David Davis
  The following 132 countries have signed, but not yet ratified, the 1993 chemical weapons convention:Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Fasso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, E1 Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Moldavia, Monaco, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa (Western), San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, The Holy See, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

  A further 31 countries have neither signed nor ratified the convention:
  Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Egypt, Grenada, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kiribati, Lebanon, Libya, former Yugoslavia, Republic of Macedonia, Mozambique, North Korea, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sudan, Surinam, Syria, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list those countries that have not ratified the biological and toxin weapons convention. [16531]

  Mr. David Davis
  The following 18 countries have signed, but not ratified, the 1972 bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons convention:Burma, Burundi, Central African Republic, Egypt, Gabon, Guyana, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Somalia, Syria, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates.

  A further 37 countries have neither signed nor ratified the convention.
  Algeria, Andorra. Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bermuda, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Georgia, Guinea, The Holy See, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgizstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Moldova, Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sudan Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Western Samoa, Zambia.

  Turkey
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the human rights restrictions in Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [16681]

  Mr. David Davis
  Our concerns about human rights form a major part of our dialogue with Turkey, both bilaterally and with our EU partners. The Turkish Government have undertaken to make a number of reforms in this area. We look forward to seeing these put into effect.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions he has taken to protest at Turkish military actions in Iraq. [16685]

  Mr. David Davis
  We have made it clear to the Turkish authorities in both London and ankara that we look to them to withdraw their troops at the earliest opportunity, and that the principle of territorial integrity should be upheld. We have also registered strongly our concern that non-combatants in the region should not be affected.

  UN Mercenaries Convention
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to ratify the UN convention against the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries. [16526]

  Mr. David Davis
  We have no plans to ratify the UN convention against the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries that have not ratified the international convention against the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries. [16530]

  Mr. David Davis
  We have no plans to ratify the UN convention against the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries. The latest information that we have on countries that have ratified the convention is from 31 December 1993. At that time no states except three, the Maldives, Suriname and Ukraine had ratified the convention.

  UN Register of Conventional Arms
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries that have not filed reports to the United Nations register of conventional arms. [16534]

  Mr. David Davis
  Those countries who have submitted returns to the United Nations register of conventional arms are contained in the Secretary-General's report A/49/352 of 1 September 1994. A list of those countries will be deposited in the Library of the House.

  There is no list of countries who have not yet submitted returns.

  Mr. Nicholas Ingram
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the state of Georgia, United States of America regarding the proposed electrocution of a British citizen, Mr. Nicholas Ingram, and if he will make a statement. [16674]
  442
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Due legal process has not yet been completed and it would not be appropriate for us to intervene at this stage. We continue to watch the case carefully.

  Mr. Zia Rahman Farooqi
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whose name appears on the documentation approving the entry visa for Mr. Zia Rahman Farooqi; [16428]

  (2) who granted an entry visa to Mr. Zia Rahman Farooqi, leader of the Sipah-i-Sahaba, Soldiers of Islam; [16426]

  (3) which Minister was asked to approve the decision to grant an entry visa to Mr. Zia Rahman Farooqi. [16427]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) on 16 March,Official Report, column 657.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Pergau Dam
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by what means parliamentary authority was sought for the expenditure of £2.938 million on the Pergau dam project, listed in table 1 of class II, vote 5 of the estimates for 1992–93 as having been incurred in the years prior to 1992–93. [15524]

  Mr. Goodlad
  Parliamentary authority was sought through the supply procedure for 1991–92. The project became effective in July 1991.

  Namibia
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what concerns there are about the prospect of drought in Namibia; and what international plans there are to counteract this. [15537]

  Mr. Goodlad
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: There has been considerable rainfall recently in the north. This has alleviated the drought situation but has led to some flooding. The Namibian Government have made provision for the purchase of grain to meet foreseeable needs for the next 15 months. The international community, through the Food and Agriculture Organisation and world food programme, continues to monitor the situation closely.

  West Bank
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he has responded to the suggestion of the Foreign Secretary of Israel that Britain should fund one of the industrial parks to be set up on the green line on the west bank. [15528]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister noted the Israeli Government's proposal for the establishment of industrial parks, and expressed willingness to look at the idea. It will require careful consideration by the UK and our EU partners.

  Slovakia
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what way the United Kingdom Government representative intends to vote on the proposed funding by the European bank for reconstruction and development and EURATOM for the completion of the Soviet designed nuclear power plant at Mochovce in Slovakia, at the meeting of the bank's board on 28 March. [16107]

  Mr. Goodlad
  At the request of the Slovak Government, the EBRD board of directors agreed on 22 March to postpone consideration of the Mochovce project.

  ODA Funding
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much Overseas Development Administration funding has been applied through the Swiss firm SGS Silviconsult. [16197]

  Mr. Goodlad
  Contracts to the value of £666,789 have been awarded to SGS Silviconsult Ltd of Mill Street, Oxford, a UK-registered company owned by the SGS Group.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will itemise the manner in which Overseas Development Administration funding applied through SGS Silviconsult has been spent; and if he will make a statement. [16198]

  Mr. Goodlad
  To date, the ODA has paid a total of £252,646 to SGS Silviconsult Ltd. on the following contracts:

  Forestry Revenue Collection Study—Tanzania—March—June 1991–£43,689.

  Cpatu Rainforest Silviculture Research Project—Brazil—October 1993 to date (5 year contract)—£190,945.

  Forestry Economics—Nigeria—March—April 1994—£18,012

  The total value of these contracts is £666,789.

EDUCATION

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will ensure that her ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for her Department, includes deregulation objectives(a) for her and (b) for each of the Ministers within her Department. [15565]

  Mr. Forth
  As designated departmental Minister with responsibility for deregulation, I am keen to keep the burden of regulation down. Indeed, an efficiency scrutiny is currently under way to review and make recommendations on the scope of minimising the administrative burden on schools.

  Insecticide Sprays
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools have been sprayed with lindane, gamma HCH or gamma BHC in the last year; and if she will make a statement. [15491]

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at inter-departmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in her Department. [15632]

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Special advisers are members of the civil service, have the same conditions of service as civil servants and are subject to the same rules of conduct as other civil servants, within certain limited exceptions. They have facilities appropriate to their duties.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to her Department since May 1992. [15633]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has had two political advisers since May 1992: Clifford Grantham, and presently Dr. Elizabeth Cottrell.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what targets she has for withdrawing regulations within her Department. [15546]

  Mr. Forth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs.

  Capital Bids
  Mrs. Peacock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what capital bids in total have been granted for grant-maintained schools for 1995–96; to which schools they were granted; and how much was each grant. [16520]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  These matters are now the responsibility of the Funding Agency for Schools. I have asked the chairman of the agency to write to the hon. Member with this information.

  Liverpool Blue Coat School
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funding has been made available to Liverpool Blue Coat school for the improvement of physical education and changing facilities; when the local education authority was asked to provide information about the project to her Department; when approval was given; and when the work must commence and be completed in order to qualify for funding. [16340]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Liverpool LEA applied on 18 May 1994 for a supplementary credit approval of £150,000 to enable the Blue Coat school to rationalise its PE provision. This followed a letter from the then Secretary of State dated 19 April 1994 to the chairman of governors of the Blue Coat school explaining that if the LEA were unable to meet its liability from within existing resources, it was open to the LEA to apply for an SCA. The LEA was informed on 10 March 1995 that its application had been successful. The SCA may be used in respect of expenditure defrayed or credit arrangements entered into or varied during financial year 1994–95.

  Students with Disabilities
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on the review of further and higher education announced in the White paper "Ending Discrimination Against Disabled People".

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government introduced in 1992 as part of the Further and Higher Education Act comprehensive provisions covering students with disabilities in further and higher education. We shall be considering carefully the points raised in debates on the Disability Discrimination Bill. Additionally, as promised, we will be reviewing the effectiveness of education legislation in meeting the needs of these students.

  This review builds on the achievements of colleges, universities and the funding councils in increasing provision for students with disabilities in further and higher education. It offers us a chance to work with the funding councils, representative bodies for higher education and organisations for the disabled to ensure that the legislative framework meets the needs of students with disabilities, and to consider appropriate proposals for practical action.

  The review will be wide ranging including:
  —in higher education, how the new flexibility in capital spending can be used to improve facilities for students with disabilities.
  —ways in which the arrangements for increasing further education college staff's awareness of the needs of students with disabilities can be improved and whether inspections of the quality of provision for these students can be strengthened.
  —considering whether any further funding incentives could be given to colleges to encourage the enrolment of students with disabilities and if any related guidance could be offered.
  —the administration of the disabled student's allowances to see whether more needs to be done to raise awareness of their purpose and availability.
  —the advice and information service provided by Skill—the National Bureau of Students with Disabilities.
  —considering whether the charters for further and higher education can be improved in respect of availability of information to students with disabilities.

  Copies of the review programme have been placed in the Library.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what action she is taking to implement the findings of the Audit Commission report on special needs pupils. [16592]

  Mr. Forth
  The Audit Commission/HMI report "Getting in on the Act" was published in June 1992 and made several recommendations to enhance clarity and accountability in schools and LEAs to ensure better provision for pupils with special educational needs.

  The recommendations have been the subject of revised legislation in part III of the Education Act 1993; and in guidance within several circulars covering the organisation of special educational provision, pupils with problems, and local management of schools. The Government have also issued a code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs, which came into force on 1 September 1994.

  A subsequent Audit Commission report "The Act Moves On: Progress in Special Educational Needs" acknowledges that the code of practice has been warmly welcomed by almost all those involved in education and indicates that the Government have acted promptly to
  446
  address those deficiencies in the national framework which were suggested by the 1992 report.

  Sex Education
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to monitor the parental right of withdrawal in relation to sex education; and how this right is reflected in the revised version of the framework for the inspection of schools; [16088]

  (2) if guidance for inspection of sex education policy and implementation in schools' programmes will be included in the revised version of the framework for inspection of schools; [16090]

  (3) how many and which organisations have responded to the consultation carried out by Ofsted on the proposed revision of the framework for the inspection of schools; [16089]

  (4) what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure the effectiveness of schools' governing bodies for health education and sex education; and how these are reflected in the revised version of the framework for inspection of schools. [16087]

  Mr. Forth
  The new statutory requirements for sex education, under the Education Act 1993, came into force on 1 September 1994. The Department's circular 5/94 offered guidance on the implementation of the new arrangements, including the role of school governors and the exercise of the parental right of withdrawal. We have no plans at present to monitor specifically the right of withdrawal.

  Questions on the framework of inspection are a matter for Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools, Chris Woodhead. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the numbers of grant-maintained schools in each local education authority area and the political control of the authority when those schools voted to become grant maintained. [15996]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested on political control is not readily available. The following table shows the total number of GM schools in each LEA area and the current political control of that LEA.

  Operating GM schools and political control of LEAs

  LEA area

  Number of GM schools

  Political control

  Avon

  2

  NOC—Largest party Labour

  Barking

  0

  Labour

  Barnet

  12

  NOC—Largest party Conservative

  Barnsley

  0

  Labour

  Bedfordshire

  14

  NOC—Largest party Labour

  Berkshire

  20

  Labour/Liberal

  Democrats/Independent joint administration—Largest party Liberal Democrats

  Bexley

  8

  NOC—Conservative minority administration—Equal largest parties Conservative and Labour

  Birmingham

  23

  Labour

  447

  Operating GM schools and political control of LEAs

  LEA area

  Number of GM schools

  Political control

  Bolton

  4

  Labour

  Bradford

  13

  Labour

  Brent

  14

  Conservative minority administration—Largest party Conservative

  Bromley

  18

  Conservative

  Buckinghamshire

  18

  Conservative

  Bury

  1

  Labour minority administration—Largest party Labour

  Calderdale

  14

  NOC—Largest party Conservative

  Cambridgeshire

  22

  Liberal Democrats/Labour joint administration—Largest party Conservative

  Camden

  2

  Labour

  Cheshire

  7

  Conservative/Liberal

  Democrats—Largest party Labour

  Cleveland

  0

  Labour

  Cornwall

  0

  Liberal Democrats

  Corporation of London

  0

  Independent

  Coventry

  0

  Labour

  Croydon

  12

  Labour

  Cumbria

  37

  Labour minority administration—Largest party Labour

  Derbyshire

  25

  Labour

  Devon

  7

  Liberal Democrats minority administration—Largest party Liberal Democrats

  Doncaster

  0

  Labour

  Dorset

  11

  Liberal Democrats

  Dudley

  7

  Labour

  Durham

  0

  Labour

  Ealing

  9

  Labour

  East Sussex

  0

  Liberal Democrats/Labour joint administration—Largest party Liberal/Democrats

  Enfield

  6

  Labour

  Essex

  143

  Labour/Liberal Democrats joint administration—Largest party Labour

  Gateshead

  0

  Labour

  Gloucestershire

  47

  NOC—Largest party Liberal

  Democrats

  Greenwich

  1

  Labour

  Hackney

  1

  Labour

  Hammersmith

  1

  Labour

  Hampshire

  31

  Liberal Democrats/Labour/Independent joint administration—Largest party Liberal Democrats

  Haringey

  0

  Labour

  Harrow

  1

  NOC—Largest party Liberal Democrats

  Havering

  4

  Labour minority administration—Largest party Labour

  Hereford and Worcester

  5

  Labour/LiberalDemocrats joint administration—Largest party Conservative

  Hertfordshire

  39

  NOC—Largest party Labour

  Hillingdon

  23

  Labour

  Hounslow

  2

  Labour

  Humberside

  3

  Labour

  Isle of Wight

  0

  Liberal Democrats

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  Independent

  Islington

  0

  Labour

  Kensington and Chelsea

  3

  Conservative

  448

  Operating GM schools and political control of LEAs

  LEA area

  Number of GM schools

  Political control

  Kent

  87

  NOC—Largest party Conservative

  Kingston upon Thames

  5

  Liberal Democrats

  Kirklees

  2

  Labour

  Knowsley

  1

  Labour

  Lambeth

  15

  Labour minority administration—Largest party Labour

  Lancashire

  11

  Labour

  Leeds

  2

  Labour

  Leicestershire

  5

  NOC—Largest party Labour

  Lewisham

  1

  Labour

  Lincolnshire

  54

  Labour/Liberal Democrats joint administration—Largest party Conservative

  Liverpool

  4

  Labour minority administration—Largest party Labour

  Manchester

  0

  Labour

  Merton

  1

  Labour

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  0

  Labour

  Newham

  1

  Labour

  Norfolk

  30

  Labour minority administration—Largest party Conservative

  North Tyneside

  1

  Labour

  North Yorkshire

  1

  NOC—Largest party Liberal Democrats

  Northamptonshire

  23

  Labour

  Norhumberland

  1

  Labour

  Nottinghamshire

  3

  Labour

  Oldham

  0

  NOC—Largest party Conservative

  Oxfordshire

  1

  NOC—Largest party Conservative

  Redbridge

  1

  NOC—Largest party Labour

  Richmond upon Thames

  0

  Liberal Democrats

  Rochdale

  8

  Conservative/Liberal Democrats joint administration—Largest party Labour

  Rotherham

  0

  Labour

  Salford

  1

  Labour

  Sandwell

  2

  Labour

  Sefton

  0

  NOC—Largest party Liberal Democrats

  Sheffield

  11

  Labour

  Shropshire

  9

  Labour/Liberal Democrats joint administration—Largest party Conservative

  Solihull

  1

  Conservative/Independent joint administration—Largest party Conservative

  Somerset

  5

  Liberal Democrats

  South Tyneside

  0

  Labour

  Southwark

  10

  Labour

  St. Helens

  0

  Labour

  Staffordshire

  8

  Labour

  Stockport

  0

  NOC—Largest party Liberal Democrats

  Suffok

  0

  Labour/Liberal Democrats joint administration—Largest party Labour

  Sunderland

  0

  Labour

  Surrey

  34

  NOC—Largest party Conservative

  Sutton

  11

  Liberal Democrats

  Tameside

  3

  Labour

  Tower Hamlets

  1

  Labour

  449

  Operating GM schools and political control of LEAs

  LEA area

  Number of GM schools

  Political control

  Trafford

  4

  Conservative

  Wakefield

  0

  Labour

  Walsall

  9

  NOC—Largest party Labour

  Waltham Forest

  3

  NOC—Largest party Labour

  Wandsworth

  8

  Conservative

  Warwickshire

  8

  Labour minority administration—Largest party Labour

  West Sussex

  1

  Liberal Democrats minority administration—Largest party Liberal Democrats

  Westminster

  0

  Conservative

  Wigan

  0

  Labour

  Wiltshire

  32

  NOC—Largest party Liberal

  Democrats

  Wirral

  2

  NOC—Largest party Labour

  Wolverhampton

  3

  Labour

  Note:

  Political control of LEAs is correct as at 21 February 1994.

  Key:

  NOC—No overall control.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many grant-maintained schools she has been notified will be unable to meet the requirements of the national curriculum because they have been refused the necessary capital by the Funding Agency for Schools. [15525]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  A number of schools have expressed serious disappointment that, as a result of constraints on the total available for capital grants next year, they will not be able to develop their curriculum in the way they had hoped. However, my right hon. Friend has not received notification that any school will be unable to meet the minimum requirements of the national curriculum for this reason. Decisions on capital grants for individual schools are a matter for the Funding Agency for Schools.

  Teachers
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Eduction how many full-time teachers there were in secondary schools with(a) arts, (b) social science and (c) science qualifications in 1979, 1984 and 1994. [15062]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is available only for 1988 and 1992. In those years, the number of full-time teachers in maintained secondary schools in England with qualifications in the different subject areas was as follows:

  Thousands

  1988

  1992

  Arts

  97.5

  84.7

  Social Sciences

  92.4

  91.2

  Sciences

  96.0

  91.2

  Where teachers have qualifications in more than one category, they are included in all relevant categories. The total number of full-time teachers in 1988 and 1992 was 191,300 and 175,800 respectively.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Channel
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what statutory obligations there are upon cable companies relating to the provision of the Parliamentary Channel. [15403]

  Mr. Newton
  There is no statutory obligation on cable companies to carry the Parliamentary Channel.

  The Parliamentary Channel is provided by United Artists. United Artists is a shareholder in PARBUL, the company which is responsible for providing all television coverage from the Chamber of the House of Commons, the Chamber of the House of Lords and Committees of both Houses. United Artists provides a service to cable companies which is available to almost all those homes connected to broadband cable as part of the basic package of services provided by the local cable operator. The service is free to schools which are connected to broadband cable.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 16 March,Official Report, column 1033, what is the result of his reflection on law officers making statements at Lockerbie.

  Mr. Newton
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate cannot disclose details of evidence in the Lockerbie case any more than he can in any other pending criminal case.

PRIME MINISTER

  Civil List
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Prime Minister what has been the total payment at 1994 prices under the civil list since 1965. [16516]

  The Prime Minister
  The total payment for the period 1965–94 adjusted to 1993–94 prices, is £188 million.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with Chancellor Kohl the validity of the position of the Government of Malta in relation to Lockerbie. [15220]

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister of Malta about Lockerbie. [15221]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Libya (Sanctions)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with Chancellor Kohl the legitimacy of UN sanctions against Libya. [15222]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so.

  Iraq (Turkish Military Activity)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister when he was informed of the Turkish military activities in Iraq; and what actions he took. [16683]
  451
  The Prime Minister
  We were informed of the Turkish military activities in northern Iraq on 20 March, after they began. We made clear to the Turks that we expected them to withdraw their troops at the earliest opportunity. We have also registered strongly our concern that non-combatants in the region should not be affected.

  Mr. Graham Kirkham
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister what incentives were offered by him to Mr. Graham Kirkham following the Prime Minister's recent visit to Doncaster. [16251]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (Israel)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he raised the prospects of Israel joining the nuclear non-proliferation treaty with his Israeli counterpart or with other members of the Israeli Government during his recent visit to Israel. [15990]

  The Prime Minister
  I discussed a broad range of subjects. The nuclear non-proliferation treaty was briefly discussed with Foreign Minister Peres.

  Security Service
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the publication of "A Perfect English Spy" by Tom Bower, with reference to the implications for the Official Secrets Act 1989 and his answer of 22 July 1993,Official Report, column 321, regarding an officially authorised biography of the late Sir Dick White. [16060]

  The Prime Minister
  This book has only just been published. The Government will study the contents and consider what, if any, action needs to be taken.

  Universities (Business Links)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to improve the relationship between business and higher education. [16383]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Further and Higher Education on Monday 19 December 1994,Official Report, column 919.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at inter-departmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15614]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster today.

SCOTLAND

  Registers of Scotland
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the financial 452
  performance of the Registers of Scotland executive agency for each year since 1990; what profits have been generated; how much of such profits has been paid to the Treasury; and if it is his policy that the agency should continue to generate profits in this way. [15527]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Registers of Scotland agency. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. A.W. Ramage, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Alan W. Ramage to Mr. John Home Robertson, dated 27 March 1995:
  I refer to your question about the financial performance of Registers of Scotland Executive Agency in each year since 1990.
  The Agency is required by statute to cover all expenditure by fee income. Income in excess of expenditure, in terms of cash-based Vote accounting, is surrendered to Treasury at the end of each financial year. The information relating to the financial years from 1990–91 to 1993–94 is shown below.

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Surplus/Deficit (£000s)

  (276)

  1,346

  5,291

  5,819

  It may be helpful if I explain that the comparatively large surpluses in 1992–93 and 1993–94 arose from the processing and elimination of backlogs of work which had built up as a result of the very high level of activity in the Scottish property market during the preceding five years. Accounts prepared on an accruals basis reflect more accurately the Agency's trading position and show, for 1992–93 and 1993–94, trading surpluses of £2.823m and £0.149m respectively.
  Projections of future property market activity allied to more flexible working systems indicate that it will be possible to match income more closely to expenditure in the years to 1997–98. The Agency's forecasts for 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 are that income will exceed expenditure by approximately £100,000 (or less than 0.5% of expenditure) in each of these years.

  Quangos
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 25 November 1994,Official Report, column 338–39, if he will list quangos which have been abolished since April 1993. [15801]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: Between 1 April 1993 and 1 April 1994, the latest date for which figures are available, one non-departmental public body was abolished. This was the Scottish Health Service Advisory Council, which ceased to exist in June 1993.

  Abortions
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give a breakdown by week of pregnancy of the number of abortions performed upon women in Scotland in(a) 1992 and (b) 1993 under the grounds of (i) risk to life of woman, (ii) to prevent grave permanent injury to physical or mental health of woman, (iii) substantial risk of child being born seriously handicapped, (iv) to save the life of woman and (v) to prevent grave permanent injury to physical or mental health of woman. [15961]
  453
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 24 March 1995]: The information is set out in the following tables:

  1992

  Period of gestation (weeks)

  Ground (i)

  Ground (ii)

  Ground (iii)

  Ground (iv)

  Ground (v)

  05

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  06

  0

  11

  3

  0

  0

  07

  0

  30

  3

  0

  0

  08

  3

  57

  7

  0

  0

  09

  3

  24

  3

  0

  0

  10

  1

  43

  7

  0

  0

  11

  1

  12

  3

  0

  0

  12

  0

  9

  5

  0

  0

  13

  0

  2

  6

  0

  0

  14

  1

  8

  6

  0

  0

  15

  0

  1

  5

  0

  0

  16

  0

  3

  10

  0

  0

  17

  0

  0

  12

  0

  0

  18

  0

  1

  15

  0

  0

  19

  0

  0

  23

  0

  0

  20

  0

  0

  20

  0

  0

  21

  0

  2

  6

  0

  0

  22

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  23

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  24

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  25

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  26

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  27

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Total

  11

  204

  144

  0

  0

  1993

  Period of Gestation (weeks)

  Ground (i)

  Ground (ii)

  Ground (iii)

  Ground (iv)

  Ground (v)

  06

  0

  3

  3

  0

  0

  07

  1

  12

  2

  0

  0

  08

  1

  40

  3

  0

  0

  09

  1

  7

  2

  0

  0

  10

  1

  22

  1

  0

  0

  11

  1

  7

  5

  0

  0

  12

  0

  1

  8

  0

  0

  13

  0

  5

  4

  0

  0

  14

  1

  2

  4

  0

  0

  15

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  16

  3

  1

  9

  0

  0

  17

  0

  0

  12

  0

  0

  18

  0

  1

  22

  0

  1

  19

  0

  1

  15

  0

  0

  20

  0

  0

  11

  0

  0

  21

  0

  0

  6

  0

  0

  22

  0

  0

  8

  0

  0

  23

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  24

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  25

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  26

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  27

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  28

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Total

  9

  102

  123

  0

  1

  Management Consultants
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which management consultants have been employed by his Department to assist in the assessment of application for NHS units for trust status; how much each was paid; and how many assessments they undertook in each wave. [15844]
  454
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 19 July 1994,Official Report, column 123–24.

  In addition, KPMG Management Consulting was appointed to assist in the assessment of all eight applicants in the fourth wave of NHS trusts at a cost of £28,690, including VAT.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992. [15613]

  Mr. Lang
  Since May 1992, my Department has appointed three persons as political advisers—Mr. Alan Young, Mr. Gregor Mackay and Mr. Mark Izatt. Only two have been in post at any one time. Mr. Young resigned in November 1994 and was replaced by Mr. Izatt.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Crown Office has sought to interview David Lovejoy about his advice to the Iranian chargé d'affaires in Beirut, Hussein Niknam, concerning the arrival of Charles McKee and Matthew Garnam in Beirut to obtain information on the locations of hostages. [16149]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate has made clear in relation to the Lockerbie case, as in any other case, it is not appropriate for the investigating or prosecuting authorities to give details of investigative steps which have been taken.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) the number of (i) male and (ii) female employees, (b) the number of officials employed at each of the principal grades and the numbers and percentages of women employed at these grades and (c) the numbers of staff employed of administrative grades and the number of these staff that are women in his Department for each year since 1985. [16327]

  Mr. Lang
  The available information is shown in the following tables.

  Staff in post in the Scottish Office and its executive agencies All permanent staff

  1985

  1986

  Department

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  SO core and agencies (other than SPS)

  4,389.0

  2,642.0

  4,242.5

  2,551.0

  SPS

  2,653.0

  227.5

  2,794.0

  230.0

  Total

  7,042.0

  2,869.5

  7,036.5

  2,781.0

  Note:

  1. Data as at 1 April.

  1 Includes Industrials.
  455

  1987

  1988

  Department

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  SO core and agencies (other than SPS)

  4,100.5

  2,583.0

  3,944.0

  2,501.0

  SPS

  2,901.0

  247.5

  3,135.5

  256.5

  Total

  7,001.5

  2,830.5

  7,079.5

  2,757.5

  1989

  1990

  Department

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  SO core and agencies (other than SPS)

  3,833.5

  2,439.5

  3,795.5

  2,479.5

  SPS

  3,527.0

  276.5

  3,711.0

  288.5

  Total

  7,360.5

  2,716.0

  7,506.5

  2,768.0

  Staff in post in the Scottish Office and its executive agencies selected groups of staff

  1992

  SO core and agencies (other than SPS)

  SPS

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  Unified G1

  1.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Unified G2

  7.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Unified G3

  22.0

  2.5

  10.2

  —

  —

  —

  Unified G4

  14.0

  1.0

  6.7

  —

  —

  —

  Unified G5

  104.5

  16.0

  13.3

  3.0

  —

  —

  Unified G6

  73.0

  9.5

  11.5

  9.5

  —

  —

  Unified G7

  324.5

  52.5

  13.9

  —

  —

  —

  Sub total

  546.0

  81.5

  13.0

  12.5

  0.0

  0.0

  1993

  SO core and agencies (other than SPS)

  SPS

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  Unified G1

  1.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Unified G2

  7.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Unified G3

  20.0

  2.5

  11.1

  1.0

  —

  —

  Unified G4

  12.0

  3.0

  20.0

  1.0

  —

  —

  Unified G5

  111.5

  13.5

  10.8

  4.0

  —

  —

  Unified G6

  71.5

  10.5

  12.8

  12.0

  —

  —

  Unified G7

  339.0

  65.0

  16.1

  12.0

  2.0

  14.3

  Sub total

  562.0

  94.5

  14.4

  30.0

  2.0

  6.3

  1994

  SO core and agencies (other than SPS)

  SPS

  Grade

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  Unified G1

  1.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Unified G2

  7.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Unified G3

  22.0

  2.5

  10.2

  1.0

  —

  —

  Unified G4

  12.0

  3.0

  20.0

  1.0

  —

  —

  Unified G5

  106.5

  15.0

  12.3

  5.0

  —

  —

  Unified G6

  71.5

  11.5

  13.9

  2.0

  —

  —

  Unified G7

  336.0

  72.0

  17.6

  14.0

  4.0

  22.2

  Sub total

  556.0

  104.0

  15.8

  23.0

  4.0

  14.8

  1992

  SO Core and agencies (other than SPS)

  SPS

  Admin. staff

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  SEO

  144.0

  18.0

  11.1

  —

  —

  —

  HEO

  375.0

  188.0

  33.4

  —

  —

  —

  EO

  276.0

  343.0

  55.4

  —

  —

  —

  AO

  312.5

  557.5

  64.1

  —

  —

  —

  AA

  223.0

  396.0

  64.0

  —

  —

  —

  Sub Total

  1,330.5

  1,502.5

  53.0

  —

  —

  —

  456

  1991

  1992

  Department

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  SO core and agencies (other than SPS)

  3,779.5

  2,502.5

  3,691.0

  2,441.0

  SPS

  3,729.0

  275.0

  3,940.5

  288.0

  Total

  7,508.5

  2,777.5

  7,631.5

  2,729.0

  1993

  1994

  Department

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  SO Core and Agencies (other than SPS)

  3,635.5

  2,462.5

  3,597.0

  2,438.0

  SPS

  4,197.0

  428.0

  4,096.5

  438.0

  Total

  7,832.5

  2,890.5

  7,693.5

  2,876.0

  457

  1993

  SO Core and Agencies (other than SPS)

  SPS

  Admin. staff

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  SEO

  149.0

  23.5

  13.6

  5.0

  2.0

  28.6

  HEO

  387.5

  191.5

  33.1

  18.0

  5.0

  21.7

  EO

  257.0

  341.5

  57.1

  13.0

  7.0

  35.0

  AO

  312.0

  521.0

  62.5

  16.0

  2.0

  11.1

  AA

  248.0

  425.5

  63.2

  16.0

  10.0

  38.5

  Sub Total

  1,353.5

  1.503.0

  52.6

  68.0

  26.0

  27.7

  1994

  SO Core and Agencies (other than SPS)

  SPS

  Admin. staff

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  Male

  Female

  Per cent. Female

  SEO

  150.5

  28.0

  15.7

  5.0

  2.0

  28.6

  HEO

  386.0

  192.0

  33.2

  17.0

  8.0

  32.0

  EO

  289.0

  348.0

  54.6

  14.0

  11.0

  44.0

  AO

  299.0

  508.5

  63.0

  20.0

  22.0

  52.4

  AA

  227.5

  426.5

  65.2

  11.0

  4.0

  26.7

  Sub Total

  1,352.0

  1,503.0

  52.6

  67.0

  47.0

  41.2

  Note:

  1. Data as at 1 April.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the Scottish population is covered by private medical insurance. [16330]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment his Department has made of increases in the cost of private medical insurance in the last five years. [16331]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Department has not made any such assessment.

  Dr. David Fieldhouse
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Scottish Office received a recorded letter DY/9586/1114/7GB, posted by Dr. David Fieldhouse in Bradford on 18 March, pertaining to oral question 2 to the Secretary of State for Scotland on 22 March; and when it was brought to his attention.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A letter dated 18 March to 1995 to the Secretary of State for Scotland from Dr. David Fieldhouse was received at St. Andrew's house in Edinburgh on 20 March 1995. This letter was brought to the attention of the Secretary of State on 21 March 1995.

  Allowances
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the car mileage allowance payable to(a) civil servants, (b) members of quangos, agencies and trusts appointed by him, (c) employees of quangos, agencies and trusts which he funds, (d) employees of local authorities and (e) elected members of local authorities, giving details of each class of motor vehicle.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 7 March 1995]: Information held centrally on car mileage allowances is as follows:
  458

  Organisation

  Car mileage allowance

  Scottish Office

  32p per mile

  Local authority members

  Maximum rates are as follows:

  500–999 cc—30.7p per mile

  1000–1199 cc—35.0p per mile

  Over 1199 cc—42.1p per mile

  Scottish New Town Development Corporations

  Scottish Council for Local Authorities Services rates

  Members and Staff of Non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs)

  The majority of NDPBs apply the same rates as The Scottish Office. Those that do not use a wide variety of ranges ranging from a public Transport Rate of 12.3p per mile to a full of 61.1p per mile.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the overnight allowance payable to(a) civil servants, (b) members of quangos, agencies and trusts appointed by him, (c) employees of quangos, agencies and trusts which he funds, (d) employees of local authorities and (e) elected members of local authorities, giving details of each category of claim, including (i) London, (ii) overseas or foreign trips and (iii) United Kingdom visits excluding London.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 7 March 1995]: Information held centrally on overnight allowances is as follows:

  Organisation

  Overnight allowance

  Scottish Office

  £65.15 per night (London) £62.40 per night (elsewhere)

  Staying with Friends

  £25.00 per night

  Overnight by train or boat

  £21.00 per night (taxable)

  Residential course allowance

  £5.15 per night

  Lodging allowance

  £32.45 per night (London) £31.00 per night (elsewhere)

  Overseas

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office Worldwide subsistence rates

  459

  Organisation

  Overnight allowance

  Local Authority Members

  £79.60 (London or Approved Conference) £69.80 (elsewhere)

  Scottish New Town Development Corporations

  Scottish Council for Local Authorities services rates

  Members and staff of Non Departmental Public Bodies(NDPBs)

  The majority of NDPBs apply the same rates as the Scottish Office. The rates of those that do not vary from £98.70 (London) to £48.85 (elsewhere)

  Career Breaks
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) men and (b) women applied for career breaks in his Department or its agencies; and how many have had their employment terminated in the last five years.

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 15 March 1995]: This information could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.

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

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 17 March 1995]: Publicity campaigns and publications for my Department are

  Campaign

  Nature

  Total cost £

  Purpose

  1993–94

  Children's Panels

  Press

  84,000

  To recruit from all sections of the community, members to the Children's Panels.

  Fire Prevention

  Press/TV

  169,000

  To promote the installation of smoke alarms.

  Open Door

  Press

  123,000

  To publicise The Scottish Office Central Enquiry Unit, the service it provides and to encourage the public to use it.

  Organ Donor

  TV/Press/Print

  116,000

  To promote the carrying of donor cards and to advise card holders to let their next of kin know of their wishes.

  Road Safety

  TV/Metrobus

  308,000

  To promote road safety among school-age children.

  Further and Higher Education Charter

  Press/TV/Adshels/Radio/Print

  136,000

  To promote awareness of the new Charter to parents and students.

  Right to Buy

  Print/Press/TV

  306,000

  A campaign targeted at public sector tenants to make them aware of the Right to Buy and Rent to Mortgage Schemes.

  460
  commissioned through the Scottish Office information directorate. Expenditure by it on all forms of advertising for the period requested is:

  £

  1994–95

  2,225,000

  1993–94

  1,874,000

  1992–93

  1,648,000

  1991–92

  2,104,000

  1990–91

  1,911,000

  1989–90

  2,713,000

  1988–89

  1,470,000

  1987–88

  1,507,000

  1986–87

  1,228,000

  1985–86

  1,001,000

  1984–85

  1,102,000

  1983–84

  592,000

  1982–83

  664,000

  1981–82

  724,000

  1980–81

  744,00

  1979–80

  629,000

  Expenditure on information publications through the information directorate is:

  £

  1988–89

  630,000

  1989–90

  920,000

  1990–91

  591,000

  1991–92

  824,000

  1992–93

  1,107,000

  1993–94

  816,000

  1994–95

  776,000

  All figures expressed in 1994 prices.

  Figures not available for information publications before 1988–89.

  In addition to information publications, my Department has produced many hundreds of specialised publications each of interest to particular target groups. Information on these could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

  Details of publicity campaigns for the period from 1 April 1993 to 1 March 1995 are shown in the following table.
  461

  Campaign

  Nature

  Total cost £

  Purpose

  1994–95

  Drugs and Solvents

  Press/TV/Radio/Print

  250,000

  To make parents aware of drug and misuse solvent amongst children and offering booklets containing advice. Campaign ran in conjunction with Department of Health.

  Domestic Violence

  Press/TV/Print/Posters

  482,000

  Targeted at males who assault their partners, the campaign attempts to change attitudes while stating that domestic violence is a criminal offence.

  Children's Panels

  Press

  86,000

  Repeat of 1993–94 campaign.

  Electoral Registration

  Press/TV

  99,000

  A two part campaign: (i) to encourage householders to complete their electoral registration forms and (ii) to urge new voters, in particular, to check the draft electoral registers.

  Organ Donors

  Press/Print

  145,000

  A campaign requesting donor card holders to enrol in the national register.

  Fire Prevention

  TV

  231,000

  To promote the maintenance of household smoke alarms.

  Road Safety

  TV

  232,000

  Repeat of 1993–94 campaign.

  Right to Buy

  Print/Press/TV

  220,000

  Repeat of 1993–94 campaign.

  Drugs and Solvents Misuse

  TV/Radio

  90,000

  Repeat of 1993–94 campaign.

  Water and Sewerage

  Print

  108,000

  Producing a leaflet for distribution to every Scottish household to make householders aware of the annual costs of these services.

  Local Government Reform

  Print

  139,000

  Producing a leaflet for distribution to every Scottish household advising of the changes to the forthcoming restructuring of local government.

  The planned publicity budget for my Department for 1995–96 is £2.5 million.

  No records are held centrally regarding publicity campaigns and publications for agencies and public bodies. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Ombudsmen
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will require the local government ombudsman to report annually on the nature of the cases referred to him or her in which he or she has decided to exercise discretion and conduct on investigation notwithstanding the existence of a remedy which could be pursued through the courts. [15066]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  No; it is to the local authority associations that the local government ombudsmen report annually, and the content of their reports is a matter for them.

  Corruption
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local councilors have been found guilty in each year since 1979; and what were their political affiliations. [15333]
  462
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  This information is not held centrally.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received to date concerning possible unitary status for Blackpool and Blackburn. [15651]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We have received a small number of representations commenting on our decision, announced on 2 March, to direct the commission to look again at the case for giving the districts of Blackpool and Blackburn unitary status. Some have welcomed the decision; others have opposed it.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to obtain for his Department's library a copy of the recent DRI/McGraw-Hill report on carbon dioxide emissions across Europe. [15896]

  Mr. Atkins
  None.

  Cats
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has formed of the impact to bird life from predation by domestic cats. [14900]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Joint Nature Conservation Committee has advised that although hunting by domestic
  463
  cats may have a detrimental effect on some local bird populations, there is no evidence that this is significantly affecting the conservation status of birds at the national level.

  Lindane
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what inquiries the Government's Building Research Establishment has made into the use of lindane, gamma BHC or gamma HCH; and what were the results. [15498]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Building Research Establishment has for a number of years conducted research into many aspects of the behaviour, fate and efficacy of lindane when used as a wood preservative. The results of much of this research have been published, either in professional journals or in the research establishment's publications. Some information on the non-agricultural uses of lindane appeared in the review which was published in December 1992—"Evaluation on Gamma HCH (Lindane II; Evaluation No. 64)", a copy of which is lodged in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the extent of pollution of the North sea by lindane, gamma HCH, gamma BHC or comparable pesticide products; and if he will make a statement. [15512]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Information on the North sea distribution of organochlorines such as lindane—gamma HCH—is given in the 1993 "Quality Status Report on the North Sea", with more detailed information in six sub-regional reports produced by the UK. Copies of these reports are in the Library of the House. The highest concentrations of lindane in North sea waters were found in the southern North sea and German bight. Monitoring by UK fisheries departments, reflected in the quality status report, has found little indication of serious organochlorine contamination of fish tissue in our North sea estuaries. Similarly, concentrations of organochlorines in marine mammals stranded on the UK North sea coast are generally low.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the similarities between DDT and lindane or gamma hexachlorocyclohexane. [15511]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Both lindane and DDT are organochlorine insecticides. However, lindane is less persistent than other organochlorine pesticides and, as it is excreted rapidly from mammals, has less potential to accumulate in man or wild animals.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the(a) household, (b) garden, greenhouse or park and (c) pet care products in which lindane or gamma hexachlorocyclohexane are used. [15508]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This information is already in the public domain for all products containing lindane registered by the Health and Safety Executive or the pesticides safety directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and all these products must indicate that they contain lindane. For products registered up to October 1994, this information is listed in "Pesticides 1995, Reference Book 500"—the Blue Book—a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Any products containing lindane registered since then are listed in the monthly "Pesticides Register" which is produced by the Health and Safety Executive and 464
  pesticides safety directorate and published by HMSO. I understand that there are no pet care products containing lindane licensed in the UK at present.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to ban the use of lindane, gamma HCH, and gamma BHC in wood preservatives. [15509]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985, Ministers established an independent committee, the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, to provide them with advice on the approval of pesticides. Current policy on the approval of lindane is based on the advice of this committee. In 1992, the Advisory Committee on Pesticides considered a substantial body of evidence on the toxicology and behaviour of lindane when it reviewed its use as a non-agricultural pesticide, including as a wood preservative. The advisory committee recommended that approvals should continue as there was no evidence of an unacceptable risk to human health from use of lindane as a wood preservative. The Ministers of the pesticide approving Departments accepted these recommendations.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice is issued by the Building Research Establishment in respect of the number of hours people should stay out of enclosed areas sprayed with lindane, gamma BHC or gamma HCH; what information he has to the comparable advice given to customers by the producers of this product; and if he will make a statement. [15503].

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Guidance on re-entry periods for occupants of buildings treated with wood preservatives appears on product labels. As such it is a statutory condition for the approval of use of a product, recommended by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and agreed by Ministers. In the case of lindane, unprotected persons and animals should not re-enter treated buildings for a minimum period of 48 hours and only then if the timber is dry.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he is giving to local authorities who use lindane fumers with insecticide smoke to clear houses of insects and other pests. [15504]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Adequate requirements and advice are already in place. Work with lindane is covered by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994—COSHH. COSHH requires employers to inform, instruct and train their employees about: the nature of the substances they work with; the risks created by exposure to those substances and the precautions to be taken. Under the provisions of the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986, conditions of approval and instructions for use appear on lindane pesticide products.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the implications of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the use of lindane in lofts inhabited by bats. [15505]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Bats are protected animals under schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. All wood preservatives containing lindane carry the statement that: before treating any structure used by bats, English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage or the Country Council for Wales should be consulted. The conservation bodies have lists of products which are acceptable for use in
  465
  roosts; products containing lindane are not recommended for this purpose.

  DDT
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if DDT is soluble in body fat and tissue of(a) animals and (b) humans. [15514]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  DDT is soluble in the fatty tissue of man and other animals.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what considerations underlie the banning of DDT. [15507]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In the United Kingdom, concern over the environmental effects of DDT led to reductions in use from the 1960s culminating in a complete ban by 1986. Because of its properties and widespread use, DDT accumulated in the environment, exposing animals higher up the food chain to concentrations which produced various toxic effects. DDT was implicated in the decline in populations of a number of these animals, most notably birds of prey through egg-shell thinning.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15563]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs earlier today.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that his ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for his Department, includes deregulation objectives(a) for him and (b) for each of the Ministers within his Department. [15570]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The aims and objectives for the Department of the Environment are set through its management information system for Ministers—MINIS. The Department's commitment to the deregulation initiative is reflected in the aims and objectives for the relevant policy areas.

  Empty Homes
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each local authority area(a) the number of empty homes and (b) the proportion of empty homes in (i) the private sector, (ii) the local authority sector and (iii) the housing association sector. [15686]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Local authorities in England report the numbers of their own dwellings that are vacant at 1 April on their annual housing investment programme—HIP1—return. The latest figures for individual local authorities can be found in section A of the "1994 HIP1 All Items Print", a copy of which is in the Library; figures are given separately for vacant dwellings inside and outside the authority's area.

  Housing associations report the numbers of their own dwellings vacant at 31 March on their annual HAR10/1 return. I have today placed in the Library a table giving the reported numbers of vacant housing association dwellings in each local authority area. The listed figures
  466
  are incomplete as there are an estimated 700 vacant dwellings in England—3 per cent. of vacant dwellings—for which an analysis by district is not available.

  In addition to providing information on those of their own dwellings that are vacant, local authorities are also asked to provide estimates of the number of private sector and other public sector vacant dwellings in their area on their annual HIP1 returns. The reported information for each local authority can also be found in section A of the "1994 HIP1 All Items Print".

  There are doubts about the quality of some of the estimates of these vacants provided by authorities. Information from the 1991 English house condition survey suggests that the England total for the private sector may be an over-estimate, and data from central Government Departments on their own vacant dwellings, for which no geographical breakdown is readily available, indicate that there is under-reporting of public sector vacant dwellings.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at inter-departmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15628]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right. hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster earlier today.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers in his Department since May 1992. [15629]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested is as follows:

  Name

  Period

  Mr. Patrick Rock

  Joined on 1 May 1992, left on 27 May 1993.

  Mr. James Gray

  Joined on 3 June 1992. Still with the Department.

  Mr. Keith Adams

  Joined on 28 May 1993. Still with the Department.

  Housing
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of newly built housing tenancies required to meet demand annually; and how this figure is calculated. [15919]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Timms) on 1 February,Official Report, columns 685–86.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to fund housing associations in accordance with the 1992 autumn statement. [15920]
  467
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The Housing Corporation funds housing associations under its approved development programme. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Housing announced the ADP allocations for 1995–96 on 15 December 1994. Details were placed in the Library of the House. These allocations supersede those made following the 1992 autumn statement.

  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the housing and non-housing debt for the London boroughs of Lambeth, Hackney, Islington, Southwark, Newham, Haringey, Camden, Waltham Forest, Lewisham, Tower Hamlets and Greenwich; and if he will make a statement; [16346]

  (2) what is the housing and non-housing debt for Birmingham, Leeds Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Bradford and Sheffield; and if he will make a statement. [16345]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 2 March 1995 to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, North-East, (Mr. Congdon)Official Report, column 692.

  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the value of the housing and non-housing assets of Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Bradford and Sheffield; and if he will make a statement; [16356]

  (2) what is the value of the housing and non-housing assets of the London Boroughs of Lambeth, Hackney, Islington, Southwark, Newham, Haringey, Camden, Waltham Forest, Lewisham, Tower Hamlets and Greenwich; and if he will make a statement. [16355]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  This information is not collected by the Department.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how much is owed in(a) domestic rates, (b) community charge and (c) council tax to the London boroughs of Hackney, Islington, Southwark, Newham, Haringey, Camden, Waltham Forest, Lewisham, Tower Hamlets and Greenwich; and if he will make a statement; [16354]

  (2) how much is owed in (a) domestic rates, (b) community charge and (c) council tax for Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Bradford and Sheffield; and if he will make a statement. [16353]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Information on uncollected domestic rates and community charge for each local authority is not available centrally. However, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy regularly publishes estimates for individual authorities: figures for 31 March 1994 are available in its "Revenue Collection Statistics 1993/94" publication, and are given in the table:

  Arrears outstanding at 31 March 1994 for:

  £(000)

  Domestic rates

  Community charge

  Council tax

  Birmingham

  9,615

  1n/a

  18,406

  Leeds

  4,061

  1n/a

  8,386

  Liverpool

  22,696

  68,402

  10,703

  468

  Arrears outstanding at 31 March 1994 for:

  £(000)

  Domestic rates

  Community charge

  Council tax

  Manchester

  2n/a

  2n/a

  37,061

  Newcastle

  2n/a

  1n/a

  34,116

  Bradford

  2n/a

  1n/a

  34,378

  Sheffield

  4,095

  24,907

  7,995

  Hackney

  16,689

  13,325

  12,824

  Islington

  2n/a

  2n/a

  310,270

  Southwark

  3,853

  26,215

  7,693

  Newham

  5,314

  26,183

  7,703

  Haringey

  5,559

  35,426

  10,917

  Camden

  55,616

  21,301

  8,742

  Waltham Forest

  9,683

  20,352

  7,043

  Lewisham

  2n/a

  2n/a

  35,617

  Tower Hamlets

  8,657

  7,190

  2,639

  Greenwich

  3,953

  13,735

  5,055

  1 No information was published by CIPFA for these authorities at 31 March 1994. But CIPFA did publish estimates of their Community Charge arrears at 31 March 1993 and they were as in the following table.

  2 No information was published by CIPFA for these authorities and these figures are not available centrally.

  3 No information was published by CIPFA for these authorities: the figures shown are the Department's estimates on information provided in May 1994.

  Community charge arrears

  £(000)

  Birmingham

  92,993

  Leeds

  37,966

  Newcastle

  24,005

  Bradford

  21,000

  Housing Association Tenancies
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what number of housing association tenancies were built in each year since 1988. [15918]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The available figures are shown in the publication "Housing and Construction Statistics". Figures for housebuilding by housing associations in England between 1988 and 1993 are in table 6.1(a) of the annual edition for 1983–93; table 7.1 shows corresponding figures for dwellings renovated. Figures for housebuilding in 1993 and 1994 were shown in table 1.2(a) of the December 1994 edition of part 1 of this publication. The figures for renovations during the first part of 1994 are shown in table 2.15 of the September 1994 edition of part 2 of this publication.

  Copies of theses publications are in the Library.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for implementing Council directive 91/689/EEC on hazardous waste. [16872]

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department has today issued for public consultation draft special waste regulations and accompanying guidance, together with an assessment of compliance costs and a paper on charging proposals. Copies have been placed in the Library.
  469
  The existing regulations date from 1980, and set out additional controls over the most dangerous wastes designed to ensure that they are monitored and safely managed from "cradle to grave". The new proposals implement the 1991 hazardous waste directive, and the EC list of hazardous wastes adopted by the Council of Ministers in December. They also introduce other desirable changes. The key details are:
  —A new definition of special waste which embraces both the EC List of hazardous waste and any other waste which is special under the current regulations. New technical guidance will be the subject of a separate consultation exercise later in the spring.
  —Pre-notification to waste regulation authorities of waste movements will be simplified. Wasteholders will be able to prenotify a series of repetitive movements, and carriers will be able to prenotify collection rounds. Where movements cross authority boundaries, wasteholders need no longer notify both authorities. A redesigned consignment note should help wasteholders provide descriptions of their waste and its associated hazards so as to assist sound management.
  —Fees will be payable when movements are pre-notified, as part of the policy of charging for local authority services, and in line with the "polluter pays" principle. The fees should recover authorities' supervisory costs.
  —Restrictions are introduced on mixing by carriers and consignees, of different special wastes and of special with non-special wastes.

  Subject to the outcome of public consultation, our aim is to introduce the new regulations and associated guidance this summer. The Government believe that the proposals will introduce a useful measure of deregulation, with no diminution of the controls which help to minimise the risk these wastes can pose to human health and the environment.

  Neighbour Noise
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans are there to deal with neighbour noise. [16871]

  Mr. Atkins
  Inconsiderate noisy neighbours can cause extreme distress and suffering to many. My concern about the steeply rising complaints about domestic noise and the effectiveness of the current legislation to deal with these problems resulted in the formation last October of a working party to review the situation.

  I am today placing in the Library of the House and publishing a consultation paper which sets out the conclusions and recommendations of the working party. The key recommendations are:
  —Good practice guidance should be made available to local authorities on the management of noise services.
  —Local authorities should be encouraged to provide information to residents about their authority's noise complaints service and to increase public awareness of neighbour noise issues. Government should consider supporting publicity initiatives to increase awareness of what constitutes unacceptable noise.
  —Consideration should be given to issuing general guidance on the sorts of noise problems which might constitute a statutory nuisance.
  —Local authorities should be encouraged to provide services which respond to complaints outside working hours wherever such services are required.
  —Local authorities should be encouraged to establish streamlined local arrangements for obtaining warrants to enter domestic premises to temporarily confiscate noise-making equipment or silence intruder alarms.
  470
  —A code of good practice should be issued jointly by the professional representative bodies to police forces and local authorities to encourage effective local arrangements for dealing with noise complaints.
  —A specific power of temporary confiscation of noise-making equipment—to provide a stronger legal base for existing practice—should be introduced, with the power for local authorities to levy an administration charge for its return.
  —Local authorities should be encouraged to seek, where appropriate, deprivation orders for the permanent confiscation of noise-making equipment following prosecution.
  —Consideration should be given to the creation of a criminal offence, separate to the statutory nuisance regime, to apply to night time neighbour noise disturbance.

  The paper invites comments in particular on the options for creating a new criminal offence, including a direct noise offence based on the World Health Organisation guidelines of 35dB(A) for acceptable indoor night noise levels. Such an offence has the potential to provide a swifter remedy than the current statutory nuisance regime for some of the most disturbing neighbour noise problems.

  Copies of the consultation paper are being sent to all district, borough and island councils in England, Wales and Scotland, representative bodies for local authorities and the police, voluntary noise groups and a wide variety of other organisations. The consultation period lasts until 30 June.

  Wherever possible, attempts should be made to resolve problems informally. However, it is vital that effective legislation is in place to deal with situations where a formal remedy is the correct course. I am grateful to the working party for producing what I believe is a worthwhile package of proposals which, if implemented, will strengthen current neighbour noise controls, improve the management of local authority noise services and improve liaison between local authorities and the police.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at interdepartmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15622]

  Mr. Howard
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster today.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15558]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  A reply by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs, in response to a similar question today from my hon. Friend, sets out the targets across the Government. In the Home Office our targets for deregulation include the following:

  Liquor licensing

  Abolish the compulsory afternoon break in licensing hours on Sundays, Christmas day and Good Friday for both on-licensed and off-licensed premises and for registered clubs, and permit

  471
  of-licensed sales from 10 am on these days, through the Licensing (Sunday Hours) Bill;

  abolition of "the long-pull offence" by the repeal of section 165 of the Licensing Act 1964;

  amend the rules for special hours certificates so that discotheques and other places where public dancing takes place do not effectively have to close an hour early when the clock goes forward to British summer time in the spring.

  Gambling

  Issue a consultation paper on removing restrictions applying to casinos and bingo clubs;

  extend the duration to three years, from one, and provide for simplified renewal procedure for bookmakers permits and betting office licences, contained in the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963;

  relax existing controls over greyhound racing contained in the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963;

  removal of certain restrictions on betting offices facilities under the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963 concerning the supply of refreshments, displays of information and television screens;

  increase the number of jackpot machines allowed in casinos, licensed bingo clubs and registered members clubs under section 31 of the Gaming Act 1968;

  allow all-cash amusement-with-prizes machines in adult premises, including betting shops.

  Charities

  Following up proposals made by the charities and voluntary organisations task force.

  Others

  Abolition of the licence to kill game contained in the Game Act 1831 and 1860;

  abolition of pedlars certificates by the repeal of the Pedlars Acts 1871 and 1881.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992. [15623]

  Mr. Howard
  The information requested is as follows:

  Mr. P. Rock

  Mr. D. Cameron

  Miss R. Whetstone

  Violent Offenders
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who are serving sentences for violent crime are former members of the armed services, with particular reference to those who were previously involved with active combative duties; and if these figures are equal in proportion with the percentage of the United kingdom non-prison population who are members of the armed services. [15764]

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 27 March 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking, how many prisoners who are serving sentences for violent crime are former members of the armed services, with particular reference to those who were previously involved with active combative duties; and if these figures are equal in proportion with the percentage of the United kingdom non-prison population who are members of the armed services.
  I regret that the information requested is not available centrally.

  Prison Escapees
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from Morton Hall open prison in(a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large; [15460]

  (2) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from Leyhill open prison in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large; [15461]

  (3) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from Kirkham open prison in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large; [15462]

  (4) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from Askham Grange prison in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large; [15463]

  (5) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from Drake Hall prison in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large; [15464]

  (6) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from Spring Hill prison in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large; [15465]

  (7) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from Ford open prison in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large; [15466]

  (8) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from High Point open prison in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large; [15467]

  (9) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from North Sea Camp in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large; [15468]

  (10) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from Rudgate open prison in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large; [15469]

  (11) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from Standford Hill open prison in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large; [15471]

  (12) if he will collect information on how many prisoners escaped from Sudbury open prison in (a) 1992, (b) 1993 and (c) 1994; how many have been

  473
  returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these are still at large. [15472]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Responsibility for these matters 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. Alan Williams, dated 27 March 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions asking how many prisoners absconded from Askham Grange, Rudgate, Kirkham, Spring Hill, Standford Hill, High Point, Sudbury, Drake hall, Leyhill, Ford, Morton Hall and North Sea Camp prisons in each of the last three years; how many have been returned to prison; how many absconders were convicted of drug offences; and how many of these were still at large.
  Information on the number of absconds and those convicted of drugs offences is shown in the attached tables, a copy of which will be placed in the Library at the House. I regret that information on the number of absconds who have been returned to prison or are still at large is not recorded centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Establishment

  Number of absconders

  Number of absconders convicted of drug offences

  1992

  Askham Grange

  39

  3

  Drake Hall

  121

  4

  Ford

  59

  2

  High Point

  16

  0

  Kirkham

  281

  10

  Leyhill

  14

  0

  Morton Hall

  72

  0

  North Sea Camp

  62

  0

  Rudgate

  91

  2

  Spring Hill

  38

  2

  Standford Hill

  66

  4

  Sudbury

  106

  2

  1993

  Askham Grange

  23

  3

  Drake Hall

  55

  3

  Ford

  39

  2

  High Point

  N/A

  N/A

  Kirkham

  349

  13

  Leyhill

  25

  0

  Morton Hall

  78

  0

  North Sea Camp

  49

  1

  Rudgate

  135

  2

  Spring Hill

  61

  1

  Standford Hill

  69

  4

  Sudbury

  74

  2

  1994

  Askham Grange

  36

  5

  Drake Hall

  135

  11

  Ford

  38

  1

  High Point

  N/A

  N/A

  Kirkham

  274

  13

  Leyhill

  20

  0

  Morton Hall

  51

  0

  North Sea Camp

  56

  2

  Rudgate

  125

  0

  Spring Hill

  38

  4

  Standford Hill

  85

  7

  Sudbury

  55

  2

  There are no figures for Highpoint open prison for 1993 and 1994 because it closed on 18 November 1992.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for asylum were outstanding at the date the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 came into force; [15145]

  (2) how many of the asylum applications outstanding at the date of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 came into force were determined during the period 1 August 1993 to 31 December 1994; and of these how many were granted refugee status, how many were granted exceptional leave to remain, and how many were refused. [15146]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  At the date the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 came into force—26 July 1993—there were an estimated 42,500 applications for asylum outstanding.

  During the period 1 August 1993 to 31 December 1994, 25,740 decisions were made on applications for asylum. Of these, 5,485 decisions were made on applications which were outstanding at the date the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 came into force. Some 345 were grants of refugee status, 1,275 were grants of exceptional leave to remain and 3,865 were refusals of asylum and exceptional leave to remain.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter of 23 February from the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill concerning Mr. Levin Larkin and Mrs Marie Petit; and if he will make a statement. [16339]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State replied to the hon. Member on 24 March.

  Prisoners Transfer
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to relocate prisoners convicted to terrorist offences from prisons in Great Britain to Prisons in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [16635]

  Mr. Howard
  The Criminal Justice Act 1961 contains provision for prisoners sentenced to imprisonment in one United Kingdom jurisdiction to request transfer to another United Kingdom jurisdiction. Requests are considered on their individual merits against criteria announced to Parliament on 23 November 1992. There are no plans to change these provisions.

  It is not possible for prisoners to transfer between United Kingdom jurisdictions and the Republic of Ireland. The Republic has not joined the United Kingdom in ratifying the Council of Europe convention for the transfer of sentenced persons or otherwise sought an international agreement with the United Kingdom to provide for such transfers.

  Whitemoor Prison
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the outcome of Sir David Yardley's disciplinary investigation following the escape of prisoners from Whitemoor prison on 9 December 1994. [17025]
  475
  Mr. Howard
  Sir David Yardley has submitted the report of the investigation he conducted under the Prison Service code of conduct and discipline to the permanent under-secretary of state for the Home Office. He has recommended that no disciplinary charges should be laid against any individual member of staff. These recommendations have been accepted by those responsible for taking disciplinary decisions under the code. However, Sir David Yardley's report also identifies serious performance shortcomings on the part of a number of individuals in respect of whom appropriate management action will be taken. Final decisions on that action will be taken after those concerned have been given the opportunity to make representations. This action will be in addition to the extensive management action relating to staff, recommended in Sir John Woodcock's report, which is already in progress.

  Refugees
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the concessionary policy which he operated until January 1994 applied to relatives other than spouses and minor children of Somali nationals with refugee status in the United Kingdom. [17026]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The terms in this concession were spelt out in a Home Office letter to interested parties dated 17 May 1990, and the relevant provisions remained unaltered throughout its lifetime. Our normal policy on family reunification for those recognised as refugees in the United Kingdom is to allow immediate reunion with spouse and minor children. When we announced the concession for Somali nationals we said that we would be willing to consider admitting others on a similar basis if they could show that they had been a dependent member of the refugee's immediate family unit before the refugee came to the United Kingdom and that there were exceptional circumstances. The concession was withdrawn in January 1994.

  Prison Security
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what terms of reference or guidelines he has given to General Sir John Learmont for the inquiry he is conducting into prison security. [16571]

  Mr. Howard
  On 19 December 1994,Official Report, columns 957–58, I announced to the House that I was appointing General Sir John Learmont to review security throughout the Prison Service. The terms of reference for the review are:
  In the light of the report of the inquiry into the attempted escape from HM prison Whitemoor on 9 September 1994, to review physical security and security procedures in the Prison Service in England and Wales, and to make recommendations.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press officers there are in his Department currently; and what the figure was in 1979. [16575]

  Mr. Howard
  The Home Department's records do not contain a breakdown between press officers and paid publicity staff before 1983. There are currently 15 press officers, including the director and deputy director of information.

  Mentally Ill Prisoners
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration his Department has given to establishing special prisons for seriously mentally ill prisoners, staffed by personnel who are trained to deal with them. [15763]

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 27 March 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about what consideration has been given to establishing special prisons for seriously mentally ill prisoners, staffed by personnel who are trained to deal with them.
  It is Government policy that mentally disordered offenders needing care and treatment should, wherever possible, receive it from the appropriate health and social services, rather than through the criminal justice system. Any prisoner suffering from a serious mental illness would be likely to fulfil the criteria for transfer to hospital set down in the Mental Health Act 1983.
  Section 47 of that Act confers on the Secretary of State power to issue a warrant directing the transfer to hospital of any sentenced prisoner, if he is satisfied, by reports from two doctors, that the prisoner is suffering from mental illness, psychopathic disorder, mental impairment or severe mental impairment of a nature or degree which makes it appropriate for him/her to be detained in a hospital for medical treatment. In a case of psychopathic disorder or mental impairment, such treatment must be likely to alleviate or prevent a deterioration of the condition concerned.
  Section 48 of the 1983 Act makes similar provision in respect of unsentenced and certain other categories of prisoners who are suffering from mental illness or severe mental impairment and in urgent need of treatment.
  Such transfers are often to one of the three special hospitals or to NHS medium secure units.
  It would be inappropriate for people in this group to be treated in prison, except on a voluntary basis pending imminent transfer. There has been a marked increase in the number of transfers from prison to hospital under sections 47 and 48 in recent years from 115 in 1983, through 206 in 1988, to 776 in 1993. At present the provisional total for 1994 is 746.

  Mr. Roger Levitt
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours of community service Roger Levitt has served; and what tasks he has undertaken. [155601]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Mr. Levitt's 180-hour community service order was completed in September 1994. In his case, the unpaid work included carpentry, building work and site clearance.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Educational Broadcasts
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on his future plans for broadcasts of educational value. [14195]

  Mr. Dorrell
  In our White Paper on the future of the BBC we said that the BBC should continue to broadcast educational programmes of all kinds. The Broadcasting Act 1990 includes a number of provisions to ensure that the other terrestrial broadcasters provide educational
  477
  programmes, for schools, adult education and general consumption.

  Football Stadiums
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has for further legislation to improve safety facilities in football stadiums which are already all-seater. [14196]

  Mr. Sproat
  None.

  Cross-media Ownership
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to change the law on cross-media ownership. [14197]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The ownership rules are currently under review. I will make an announcement about the outcome once the Government have determined the way ahead.

  Public Libraries
  Mr. Enright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he last met the Library Association to discuss the funding of public libraries. [14198]

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend met the Library Association on 3 October last year. Discussions were wide ranging, around an agenda of topics provided by the Library Association itself. I met members of the association on 10 October, at the launch of London Libraries Week.

  National Lottery
  Dr. Sprink
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations he has received about the consultation on priorities for distribution of funds from the national lottery. [14200]

  Mr. Dorrell
  My Department consulted on the arrangements for the distribution of national lottery proceeds to the arts, sport, the heritage and millennial projects in spring last year, when a number of representations were received from interested bodies. The National Lottery Charities Board is consulting on its funding strategy. Representations on the NLCB's consultation are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which organisations his Department has consulted since the commencement of the national lottery to discuss the impact of the lottery on charity donations and other existing fund raising schemes. [14201]

  Mr. Dorrell
  My Department has carried out no such consultation since the commencement of the national lottery. The views of a number of charitable organisations were taken into account in the preparation of the national lottery legislation.

  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage to what extent he now calculates income from the national lottery in the first year of operation will exceed his first estimate. [14206]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Camelot's application for the section 5 licence to run the national lottery forecast that in the first full year of operation, to March 1996, around £750 million would be raised for the good causes. No formal forecast of the income to the national lottery distribution fund has subsequently been made, but it is widely 478
  accepted that the launch of the national lottery has been highly successful and that the proceeds to good causes have exceeded expectations. I am confident that the forecast of £750 million for good causes in the first full year of operation will be met.

  British Hotels
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what encouragement he is giving to improve standards in the British hotel sector. [14202]

  Mr. Sproat
  On 1 March my Department published "Tourism—Competing with the Best" which sets out a number of measures aimed at revitalising the accommodation sector. The English tourist board has begun work to strengthen the Crown classification and grading scheme and my Department is working on a benchmarking initiative which will complement the work being done by the CBI.

  Holidays
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to encourage more United Kingdom residents to take their holidays in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [14203]

  Mr. Sproat
  On 1 March my Department published "Tourism—Competing with the Best" which identifies short breaks and additional holidays in the UK as markets with particular potential for growth. The document sets out a work programme including action to improve the ease with which holidays in the UK can be booked and measures to help improve quality and value for money in the accommodation sector, which will be of benefit to all parts of the domestic market.

  Hall i'th' Wood Museum
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will visit the Hall i'th' Wood museum when he next visits Bolton. [14204]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I shall bear in mind the invitation to visit Hall i'th' Wood museum for when I am next in the area.

  Millennium Fund
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what he expects his major proposals for the use of the millennium fund to be; and if he will make a statement. [14205]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Decisions on the distribution of national lottery proceeds to projects which mark the year 2000 and the beginning of the new millennium will be made by the Millennium Commission on the basis of the merits of individual applications received. The commission expects to be able to make announcements about the first successful applicants in July this year.

  Regional Offices
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many regional offices English Heritage has; what is the current total complement of staff employed; and if he will make a statement. [14190]

  Mr. Dorrell
  English Heritage has six main regional offices with a total 144 of staff and 13 sub-offices, which are bases for 34 regional technical and curatorial staff. In
  479
  addition, English Heritage has 15 staff based in four regional offices administering historic properties restoration works operations. These figures exclude directly employed craftsmen and staff employed at English Heritage's historic properties.

  Regional Orchestras
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what initiatives he will take to assist regional orchestras. [14199]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Arts Council and the BBC are responsible for formulating policy on regional orchestras. The council has set up a new challenge fund of £450,000 for 1995–96. The fund will help secure the financial position of the regional orchestras and enhance musical provision around the country.

  Battersea Power Station
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent discussions he has had, and with whom, about the future of Battersea power station; and if he will make a statement. [14188]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Discussions continue between Wandsworth council, English Heritage and the owners, Parkview International, on a master plan for the whole of the Battersea power station site. The Government are not party to the discussions, but hope that the future of this important historic building will be satisfactorily resolved with a minimum of further delay.

  Chess
  Mrs Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what administrative procedures are involved in the transfer of the responsibility for chess from the Department for Education to his Department;

  (2) when he expects responsibility for chess to be transferred from the Department for Education to his Department.

  Mr. Sproat
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Further and Higher Education on 15 March 1995,Official Report, column 620, on the current nature and extent of the Department for Education's interest in chess. I am currently considering whether it would be appropriate and practicable for my Department to take an interest in sponsoring chess.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Government Reform
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary for Northern Ireland if he will list all proposals for reform of the government of Northern Ireland which have been publicly announced by the Government since 1979; and if he will place in the Library a summary of how each of these schemes of devolved government would have been financed. [14802]

  Mr. Ancram
  Since 1979, the Government have made the following proposals for reform of the government of Northern Ireland 480

  The 1982 White Paper: Northern Ireland: A Framework for Devolution (Cmnd 8541 April 1982)

  The Northern Ireland Act 1982

  The "Frameworks for the Future" Document

  A copy of the proposed financial arrangements have been placed in the Library as requested.

  Publicity and Publications
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total expenditure on(a) all forms of publicity and (b) all publications and pamphlets produced for his Department and for all the agencies and public bodies for which his Department is responsible, for each year since 1979, including the budgeted figure for 1995–96, (i) including and (ii) excluding privatisation—related expenditures and expressed in 1994 prices; and if he will supply information for the period from 1 April 1993 to 1 March 1995 showing (1) the nature and (2) the purpose of each publicity campaign and of each publication involving the expenditure of more than £50,000. [14607]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 17 March 1995]The detailed information requested for expenditure on all forms of publicity, publications and pamphlets within the NI Departments, the Northern Ireland Office, agencies and public bodies is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, details of publicity costs by public expenditure programme for the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments are given in table 12.8 of the Northern Ireland departmental report, Cm 2816, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  The information on publicity campaigns and publications costing more than £50,000 is listed in the following table.

  Publicity campaign

  Nature

  Purpose

  Drink Driving Speeding Seat Belts

  Television, Radio, Newspapers and Promotional Material

  Road Accident reduction through public awareness of dangers.

  Help the Earth Week

  Television, Radio, Newspapers and Promotional Material

  Promote Energy Efficiency and impact on Environment.

  Overseas Awareness Raising Programme

  Promotional Material

  Promote NI as investment location. IDB contact with investors.

  Confidential Telephone

  Television, Radio and Newspapers

  Publicise the existence of the confidential telephone and to encourage usage of the system to combat terrorism.

  Crime Prevention Awareness

  Television and Promotional Material

  Public awareness of methods to combat crime.

  NIE Share Offer

  Television, Newspapers and Posters

  Increase Public Awareness/Interest in Share Offer.

  Fire Service

  Television Advertising

  Fire Awareness and Prevention.

  481

  Publicity campaign

  Nature

  Purpose

  Keep Warm, Keep Well Campaign

  Television, Radio, Posters and other Promotional Material

  To remind older people and carers of the need to keep warm in winter.

  Agriculture in NI

  (Monthly Journal)

  Provide information about policy priorities and services.

  Polling and Public Survey Organisations
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, 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. [14507]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 20 March 1995]: A list of surveys carried out for the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments by polling or public survey organisations during 1993–94 and 1994–95 has been placed in the Library.

  Quality Management Initiatives
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will(a) list in detail the total quality management initiatives implemented by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland and (b) supply evidence of the success of these initiatives since their implementation. [15425]

  Mr. Ancram
  Initiatives introduced by the Department of Agriculture are based upon the citizens charter, including chartermark. There are early signs that these initiatives are beginning to achieve the desired results.

  The Department of Agriculture, in association with local industry bodies, has been instrumental in implementing a range of quality assurance schemes. These, along with success criteria, as determined by the number of businesses and level of production covered by each, are as follows:

  Initiative

  Launch Date

  Businesses Approved

  Quality assured Output as percentage of Total Output

  Farm QA Scheme

  April 1991

  (Beef)

  6,143

  50

  Farm QA Scheme

  April 1992

  (Lamb)

  2,000

  27

  Pig QA Scheme

  October 1993

  232

  55

  Schools
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by school(a) the amount in grants awarded, (b) the number of pupils attending each school and (c) the number of teachers employed at each school covered in table 4.21 of Northern Ireland expenditure plans and priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97. [15413]
  482
  Mr. Ancram
  For information on pupil numbers and funding, I refer the hon. Member to the LMS budget statements for controlled and maintained schools published by the five education and library boards and to the financial statements for grant-maintained integrated and voluntary grammar schools published by the Department of Education. Copies of these are available in the Library.

  Information on the number of teachers employed at each school is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Agriculture Courses
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students are currently attending courses for each agricultural college(a) on a full-time basis and (b) on a part-time basis; and how many are employed at each of the colleges. [15430]

  Mr. Ancram
  The number of students currently attending courses at the three colleges operated by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, on a full-time and on a part-time basis, is as follows:

  Enniskillen

  Greenmount

  Loughry

  Total

  a) Full-time

  51

  315

  295

  661

  b) Part-time

  86

  237

  167

  490

  In addition, the colleges expect to deliver approximately 11,000 trainee days to people working in the Province's agri-food industry during the present academic year via short courses covering management and technical topics.

  As well as providing education and training, the colleges are responsible for the Department's technology services and certain other aspects of agri-food industry development. The total number of staff engaged in providing all services are:

  Enniskillen

  Greenmount

  Loughry

  Total

  31

  146

  125

  302

  These figures include support staff such as farm workers, cleaners, administration staff, in addition to the teaching staff and technologists.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students are currently pursuing courses at the faculty of agriculture and food science at Queen's university, Belfast at degree level and at postgraduate level; and how many of them have opted for modules within the courses which cover environmental issues. [15431]

  Mr. Ancram
  The number of students currently pursuing courses at the faculty of agriculture and food science, Belfast is 231 at degree level and 168 at postgraduate level.

  All undergraduate students cover a range of environmental issues as integral parts of core modules within each of the degree courses. In addition, 21 undergraduate students and 30 postgraduate students are taking optional modules which specifically cover environmental issues.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons there is a planned increase of £14 million in ERDF-Trade, Industry, Employment from 1995–96 to 1996–97 in Northern Ireland referred to in Northern Ireland expenditure plans and priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97, table 6.1. [15408]

  Mr. Ancram
  The 1996–97 forecast represents the anticipated level of ERDF receipts based on the expenditure proposals submitted by Government to the European Commission in November 1993, in connection with the 1994 to 1999 round of European structural funds assistance. These figures have already been revised in our 1995 public expenditure plans to reflect the contents of the Northern Ireland single programme document, which was agreed with the European Commission on 29 July 1994.

  Agriculture and Fishing
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will describe the two schemes which provide grants for investments within agriculture and the fishing industry, as mentioned in Northern Ireland expenditure plans and priorities 1994–95 to 1996–97, section 5.21; and if he will give a breakdown of the 15 agricultural projects within which received aid from these schemes in 1993 and of the 11 projects within the fishing sector which received aid from these schemes. [15429]

  Mr. Ancram
  Grants for processing and marketing of agricultural products are made under European Commission Regulation No. 866/90, which is designed to improve the agricultural processing and marketing infrastructure in member states. Aid is given towards the cost of capital investments—new and refurbished buildings and new equipment. In Northern Ireland, the scheme provides grants at the rate of 35 per cent. of eligible expenditure, up to a limit of £1 million. The minimum eligible project size is £70,000 eligible costs.

  The 15 projects awarded grants in 1993 are in the following list.

  Beneficiary

  Project description

  £ Amount of award

  Etherson Meats Ballymoney

  Extensions and alterations to existing factory premises

  104,505

  Castlewood Farm Products Belfast

  Refurbishment of new premises

  286,171

  Fred C. Robinson Ballyclare

  Construction of chill, curing and processing facilities and purchasing of additional plant

  470,882

  Wm Sprott Ltd. Portadown

  Rationalisation and upgrading of processing capabilities

  460,243

  Unipork Holdings Cookstown

  Rationalisation of group killing and chilling facilities

  900,000

  Townsend Meats Cullybackey

  Construction of new meat processing plant designed to conform to latest EC requirements

  169,837

  484

  Beneficiary

  Project description

  £ Amount of award

  Lean and Easy Limavady

  Processing and marketing of boneless lamb products

  26,477

  S and M Meats Castlewellan

  Establishment of EC—approved meat processing plant

  148,533

  Fermanagh Creameries Lisnaskea

  To increase competitiveness and expand production of speciality cheeses

  379,400

  Robert Clarke Ltd. Keady

  Installation of egg grader and factory refurbishment

  297,277

  G. Bell and Sons Crossgar

  Integrated cutting premises for poultry meat

  112,174

  North Down Grain Ltd. Ballywalter

  Extension of cereal, oilseed and pulses drying, processing and storage facilities

  86,792

  J. J. Quinn Dungannon

  Construction of new cold storage facilities

  102,988

  Pippin Foods Ltd. Portadown

  Expansion of existing facilities; new plant and equipment

  251,306

  Kelly Flowers Ltd. Lisburn

  Construction of a temperature-controlled flower and plant packaging and presentation unit

  49,622

  Grants to improve the processing and marketing of fisheries and aquaculture products are made under European Council Regulation No. 4042/89. Like the agricultural scheme, aid is given toward the cost of capital investments—new and refurbished buildings and new equipment. In Northern Ireland, the scheme provides grants at the rate of up to 35 per cent. of eligible expenditure up to a limit of £900,000. Total project costs must not be less than £25,000 and not more than £6 million.

  The 11 fisheries projects awarded grant in 1993 are in the following list.

  Beneficiary

  Project description

  £ Amount of award

  Quibros Exports

  Provision of facilities for processing and packaging of fresh and frozen fish at Cookstown, Co Tyrone

  59,649

  Newport Fish Co Ltd.

  Expansion of existing processing facilities at Cookstown, Co Tyrone

  38,354

  Goldfish Ltd.

  Improvements to processing facilities at Belfast

  30,940

  485

  Beneficiary

  Project description

  £ Amount of award

  C and O Milligan

  The modernisation and extension of fish processing facilities at Ardglass, Co Down

  201,254

  Byrne Fish

  The construction of a new fish processing factory designed to conform to the latest EC regulations at Ballyhornan, Co Down

  72,456

  Middleton Seafoods

  Modernisation of factory of increase efficiency and marketing opportunities and improve hygiene standards at Portavogie, Co Down

  69,338

  T H Nicholson

  The construction of a new fish processing factory designed to conform to EC standards at Kilkeel, Co Down68, 733

  J W Cochrane

  Modernisation, refurbishment and extension of fish processing factory to bring about compliance with forthcoming EC legislation at Ardglass Co Down

  148,511

  Kilkeep Kippering

  The modernisation, upgrading and refurbishment of fish processing facilities to conform to the latest EC standards at Kilkeel, Co Down

  79,946

  George Milligan

  Upgrading of processing facilities at Ardglass, Co Down

  194,250

  Kenneth Kennedy

  New fish processing factory at Ardglass, Co Down

  279,088

  Farming Community (Suicides)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many suicides there have been in the Northern Irish farming community in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [14259]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 23 March 1995]: Deaths in the farming community caused by suicide are a cause for concern.

  The number of deaths registered as suicides in relation to farmers and farm labourers in Northern Ireland in the five year period to 1993 are set out in the table. Deaths are recorded according to date of registration and not by date of occurrence.

  1989: 2

  1990: 3

  1991: 8

  486

  1992: 3

  1993: 10

  1994: 6 (to September)

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at inter-departmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15616]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that his ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for his Department, includes deregulation objectives(a) for him and (b) for each of the Ministers within his Department. [15616]

  Mr. Ancram
  Yes. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland ensures that Northern Ireland Ministers seek to further the aims and objectives of the deregulation initiative in the areas for which they are responsible.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992.

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I appointed Mr. Jonathan Caine as my special adviser in June 1992.

  Irish Language
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what new plans he has to increase the numbers of parents who can choose Irish language tuition as a second language at all Irish schools. [16634]

  Mr. Ancram
  None. At present, any school may offer a course in the language, and pupils may choose Irish to fulfil their modern language requirements as part of the compulsory curriculum at post-primary level.

  Most of the schools which currently offer Irish as part of their language studies provision have a tradition of doing so. However, as with any other course, schools planning to provide Irish will take into account factors such as demand for it from parents and pupils, the availability of qualified teachers and space for it within the timetable.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if all inspectors responsible for reporting in all Irish schools are fluent Irish speakers; and if he will make a statement. [16633]

  Mr. Ancram
  Generally, members of inspection teams who report on Irish medium schools are fluent in, or have a good working knowledge of, Irish.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made recently of the adequacy of the resources available for second language
  487
  teaching of Irish in all schools and for teaching Irish in all Irish schools. [16636]

  Mr. Ancram
  It is a matter for individual schools within their delegated budgets to decide what resources they should devote to any aspect of the curriculum—including Irish. In addition to mainstream budgets, the Department of Education also makes available a grant of some £40,000 per annum to assist the Irish medium schools with production of curricular materials. The teaching of Irish in schools is assessed by the inspectorate on the same basis as any other subject.

  Mr. Gerry Adams
  Mr. Jessel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if Mr. Gerry Adams is or has been in receipt of income support or any other social security benefit. [16367]

  Mr. Moss
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Toby Jessel, dated 23 March 1995:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent question about Mr. Gerry Adams.
  I should first explain that information on a person's entitlement to social security benefits, including whether or not they are claiming or getting benefit, is confidential. I am therefore unable to comment on individual cases. However, I can assure you that all claims to benefit are assessed and regularly reviewed by independent adjudication officers, strictly in accordance with social security law and payment is made only where there is a valid entitlement.
  I hope this letter sets out the position for you.

  Temporary Contracts
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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.

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 15 March 1995]: The information has been placed in the Library.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Sugar Beet
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in rank order the acreage under sugar beet in(a) each county and (b) each region. [15501]

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested has been compiled from the June 1994 agricultural census of England and Wales and is as follows:

  June 1994 Agricultural Census Sugar Beet Coverage

  Area

  County

  Hectares

  Acres

  Norfolk

  57,012.2

  140,877.1

  Lincolnshire

  33,600.0

  83,025.6

  Suffolk

  22,974.3

  56,769.5

  488

  June 1994 Agricultural Census Sugar Beet Coverage

  Area

  County

  Hectares

  Acres

  Cambridgeshire

  22,878.4

  56,532.5

  Shropshire

  10,103.8

  24,966.5

  Humberside

  9,439.2

  23,324.3

  Nottinghamshire

  8,281.1

  20,462.6

  North Yorkshire (Northallerton)

  7,918.1

  19,565.6

  North Yorkshire (Beverley)

  4,538.6

  11,214.9

  Hereford and Worcester

  4,486.3

  11,085.6

  Essex

  4,219.9

  10,427.4

  Staffordshire

  2,335.6

  5,771.3

  South Yorkshire

  1,770.1

  4,373.9

  Leicestershire

  920.0

  2,273.3

  Bedfordshire

  482.3

  1,191.8

  Northamptonshire

  417.7

  1,032.1

  Somerset

  411.5

  1,016.8

  West Yorkshire

  405.2

  1,001.2

  Lancashire

  337.5

  834.0

  Derbyshire

  304.2

  751.7

  Merseyside

  223.6

  552.5

  West Midlands

  170.7

  421.8

  Hertfordshire

  168.1

  415.4

  Cheshire

  160.5

  396.6

  Gloucestershire

  149.0

  368.2

  Warwickshire

  148.1

  366.0

  Cornwall

  142.4

  351.9

  Oxfordshire

  120.1

  296.8

  Wiltshire

  117.1

  289.4

  Clwyd

  66.3

  163.8

  Dorset

  63.2

  156.2

  Devon

  52.5

  129.7

  Greater Manchester

  41.0

  101.3

  Powys

  17.4

  43.0

  Buckinghamshire

  10.0

  24.7

  Dyfed

  8.1

  20.0

  Gwynedd

  5.3

  13.1

  South Glamorgan

  3.3

  8.2

  Hampshire

  1.0

  2.5

  Kent

  0.4

  1.0

  Avon

  0.0

  0.0

  Berkshire

  0.0

  0.0

  Cleveland

  0.0

  0.0

  Cumbria

  0.0

  0.0

  Durham

  0.0

  0.0

  East Sussex

  0.0

  0.0

  Greater London (E)

  0.0

  0.0

  Greater London (SE)

  0.0

  0.0

  Gwent

  0.0

  0.0

  Isle of Wight

  0.0

  0.0

  Isles of Scilly

  0.0

  0.0

  Mid Glamorgan

  0.0

  0.0

  Northumberland

  0.0

  0.0

  Surrey

  0.0

  0.0

  Tyne and Wear

  0.0

  0.0

  West Glamorgan

  0.0

  0.0

  West Sussex

  0.0

  0.0

  England

  194,403.7

  480,371.5

  Wales

  100.4

  248.1

  England and Wales

  194,504.1

  480.619.6

  June 1994 Agricultural Census Sugar Coverage (by Region)

  Counties within Regions

  Area Hectares

  Acres

  Cambridgeshire

  22,878.4

  56,532.5

  Norfolk

  57,012.2

  140,877.1

  Suffolk

  22,974.3

  56,769.5

  East Anglia Region

  102,864.9

  254,179.2

  Derbyshire

  304.2

  751.7

  489

  June 1994 Agricultural Census Sugar Beet Coverage (by region)

  Counties within Regions

  Area Hectares

  Acres

  Leicestershire

  920.0

  2,273.3

  Lincolnshire

  33,600.0

  83,025.6

  Northamptonshire

  417.7

  1032.1

  Nottinghamshire

  8,281.1

  20,462.6

  East Midlands Region

  43,523

  107,545.3

  Humberside

  9,439.2

  23,324.3

  North Yorkshire (Beverley)

  4,538.6

  11,214.9

  North Yorkshire (N'allerton)

  7,918.1

  19,565.6

  South Yorkshire

  1,770.1

  4,373.9

  West Yorkshire

  405.2

  1,001.2

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  24,071.2

  59,479.9

  Hereford and Worcester

  4,486.3

  11,085.6

  Shropshire

  10,103.8

  24,966.5

  Staffordshire

  2,335.6

  5,771.3

  Warwickshire

  148.1

  366.0

  West Midlands

  170.7

  421.8

  West Midlands Region

  17,244.5

  42,611.2

  Bedfordshire

  482.3

  1,191.8

  Berkshire

  0.0

  0.0

  Buckinghamshire

  10.0

  24.7

  East Sussex

  0.0

  0.0

  Essex

  4,219.9

  10,427.4

  Greater London (E)

  0.0

  0.0

  Greater London (SE)

  0.0

  0.0

  Hampshire

  1.0

  2.5

  Hertfordshire

  168.1

  415.4

  Isle of Wight

  0.0

  0.0

  Kent

  0.4

  1.0

  Oxfordshire

  120.1

  296.8

  Surrey

  0.0

  0.0

  West Sussex

  0.0

  0.0

  South East Region

  5,001.8

  12,359.4

  Avon

  0.0

  0.0

  Cornwall

  142.4

  351.9

  Devon

  52.5

  129.7

  Dorset

  63.2

  156.2

  Gloucestershire

  149.0

  368.2

  Isles of Scilly

  0.0

  0.0

  Somerset

  411.5

  1,016.8

  Wiltshire

  117.1

  289.4

  South West Region

  935.7

  2,312.1

  Cheshire

  160.5

  396.6

  Lancashire

  337.5

  834.0

  Merseyside

  223.6

  552.5

  Greater Manchester

  41.0

  101.3

  North West Region

  762.6

  1,884.4

  Clwyd

  66.3

  163.8

  Dyfed

  8.1

  20.0

  Gwent

  0.0

  0.0

  Gwynedd

  5.3

  13.1

  Mid Glamorgan

  0.0

  0.0

  Powys

  17.4

  43.0

  South Glamorgan

  3.3

  8.2

  West Glamorgan

  0.0

  0.0

  Wales

  100.4

  248.1

  Cleveland

  0.0

  0.0

  Cumbria

  0.0

  0.0

  Durham

  0.0

  0.0

  490

  June 1994 Agricultural Census Sugar Beet Coverage (by Region)

  Counties within Regions

  Area Hectares

  Acres

  Northumberland

  0.0

  0.0

  Tyne and Wear

  0.0

  0.0

  North Region

  0.0

  0.0

  Notes:

  1. County totals in acres may not add up to regional totals, this is due to rounding to 1 decimal place.

  2. This data relates to main holdings only—minor holdings excluded.

  Lindane
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if lindane or gamma hexachlorocyclohexane is used in agricultural production, with particular reference to crop spraying, and if he will
  make a statement. [15500]

  Mrs. Browning
  Lindane is approved for use on a number of crops. The independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides is currently reviewing the agricultural uses of lindane. I expect the committee to report its conclusions later this year.

  Farm and Food Prices
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much(a) farm prices and (b) food prices have increased in the United Kingdom since September 1993. [15822]

  Mr. Jack
  The index of producer prices of agricultural products increased by 8.6 per cent. between September 1993 and January 1995. Over the same period, the retail prices index for food increased by 2.4 per cent.

  Common Agricultural Policies
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total budget of the common agricultural policy in each year since 1973; what proportion of the EC's total budget this accounts for; and what proportion of the common agricultural policy was allocated to the United Kingdom. [15790]

  Mr. Jack
  For the years 1973 to 1992, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 9 March 1994,Official Report; column 275. The information in respect of 1993 and 1994 is as follows:

  Total CAP expenditure (EAGGF Guarantee) (mecu)

  As percentage of total EC expenditure

  Total UK receipts as percentage of total EC CAP expenditure

  1993

  35,088

  55

  8.2

  1994

  32,924

  50

  8.5

  Sources:

  1993 annual financial report of the guarantee section of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund and Commission working doc. VI/72/94–15.12.94

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest figure for(a) the total value of moneys illegally abstracted from

  491
  the common agricultural policy's export refund and price support schemes and (b) how much the common agricultural policy has lost through the evasion of customs duties and farm levies; and if he will estimate the proportion of defrauded funds that are recouped. [15794]

  Mr. Jack
  The information is in table 2, page 40, of the Commission report titled "Protection of the Community's Financial Interests: The Fight Against Fraud—1993 Annual Report", which was published on 23 March 1994. A copy was placed in the library.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the proportion of common agricultural policy spending that does not go to farmers but is(a) paid to middlemen who store unwanted surplus food and (b) is used to subsidise this surplus for export onto world markets. [15795]

  Mr. Jack
  Information on EC expenditure up to 1993 on intervention storage and on export refunds in contained in annexe 9 and annexe 5, respectively, of the annual financial reports of the guarantee section of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund. These have been deposited in the Library of the House of Commons. For 1994, intervention storage accounted for 3.4 per cent. of total expenditure, and export refunds for 24.8 per cent. The corresponding figures for 1995, based on the draft supplementary and amending budget, are 3.5 per cent. and 19.6 per cent. respectively.

  Cereal Farmers
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cereal farmers in the United Kingdom last year received cash benefits in excess of £40,000 from the common agricultural policy; and what proportion received these benefits without growing anything. [15793]

  Mr. Jack
  Statistics on the distribution of payments under the arable area payments scheme are not yet available as the final oilseed payments are still being made. I will write to the hon. Member when the figures that he has requested are available.

  EC Fresh Meat Legislation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each member of the European Community the domestic legislation equivalent to the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1992. [15640]

  Mrs. Browning
  I am placing the information in the Library.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at interdepartmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15638]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15554]

  Mr. Jack
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that his ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for his Department, includes deregulation objectives(a) for him and (b) for each of the Ministers within his Department. [15572]

  Mr. Jack
  One of the principal aims of the Department is to work to reduce regulatory and administrative burdens on business. Each Minister has to pursue this objective in the policy areas for which they are responsible. My noble Friend the Earl Howe has particular responsibility for promoting deregulation in the Department.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992. [15639]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Since May 1992, the following political advisers have been appointed to my Department:

  Dates

  Mr. Keith Adams

  April 1992 to May 1993

  Dr. Elizabeth Cotterell

  May 1993 to July 1994

  Mr. David Rutley

  July 1994 to date

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of BSE cases in cattle born in each year since 1979. [15907]

  Mrs. Browning
  The following is a table which gives the contribution of BSE cases by year of birth. The data includes only cases with known dates of birth, cases with estimated dates of birth are therefore excluded.

  Year

  Number of cases

  1980

  102

  1981

  256

  1982

  1,381

  1983

  4,446

  1984

  7,994

  1985

  10,856

  1986

  19,122

  1987

  34,640

  1988

  19,494

  1989

  6,859

  1990

  1,070

  1991

  22

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the proportion of cattle and BSE has changed by age, and if this follows his Department's projections. [15908]

  Mrs. Browning
  The table shows the age specific incidence of confirmed cases of BSE in herds with
  493
  homebred cases. The figures are in line with the Government's projections, and clearly show the impact of the action taken to prevent recycling of infection through

  Age specific incidences of confirmed cases of BSE herds with homebred cases

  BSE affected herds: cases with a clinical onset in 1990

  BSE affected herds: cases with a clinical onset in 1991

  Age years

  Numbers of animals at risk

  Number of cases of BSE

  Incidence (per cent.)

  Numbers of Animals at risk

  Number of cases of BSE

  Incidence (per cent.)

  Range of dates of birth

  1

  0

  0

  0.00

  0

  0

  0.00

  Born after 18 July 1988

  2

  35,137

  24

  0.07

  48,575

  11

  0.02

  3

  65,317

  863

  1.32

  90,284

  1,687

  1.87

  4

  57,444

  2,265

  3.94

  79,769

  4,601

  5.77

  5

  48,888

  1,696

  3.47

  67,138

  2,641

  3.93

  22 January 1988–30 December 1989

  6

  39,497

  785

  1.99

  53,589

  1,065

  1.99

  2 January 1987–30 December 1988

  7

  29,681

  207

  0.70

  40,406

  362

  0.90

  Born before 18 July 1988

  8

  21,004

  40

  0.19

  28,565

  99

  0.35

  9

  13,516

  11

  0.08

  18,917

  27

  0.14

  11

  4,337

  2

  0.05

  6,157

  2

  0.03

  12

  3,247

  2

  0.06

  4,602

  2

  0.04

  BSE affected herds: cases with a clinical onset in 1992

  BSE affected herds: cases with a clinical onset in 1993

  Age years

  Numbers of animals at risk

  Number of cases of BSE

  Incidence (per cent.)

  Numbers of Animals at risk

  Number of cases of BSE

  Incidence (per cent.)

  Range of dates of birth

  1

  0

  0

  0.00

  0

  0

  0.00

  Born after 18 July 1988

  2

  56,705

  12

  0.02

  53,051

  8

  0.02

  3

  104,919

  686

  0.65

  97,325

  436

  0.45

  4

  92,327

  6,178

  6.69

  84,494

  2,781

  3.29

  5

  77,656

  5,095

  6.56

  70,730

  5,762

  8.15

  22 January 1988–30 December 1989

  6

  61,481

  1,719

  2.80

  55,862

  2,806

  5.02

  2 January 1987-30 December 1988

  7

  45,971

  474

  1.03

  41,530

  694

  1.67

  Born before 18 July 1988

  8

  32,340

  195

  0.60

  29,132

  211

  0.72

  9

  21,137

  60

  0.28

  18,986

  80

  0.42

  10

  12,489

  10

  0.08

  11,212

  39

  0.35

  11

  6,733

  4

  0.06

  6,273

  10

  0.16

  12

  5,582

  5

  0.09

  4.992

  3

  0.06

  BSE affected herds: cases with a clinical onset in 19941

  Age years

  Number of Animals at risk

  Number of cases of BSE

  Incidence per cent.

  Range of dates of birth

  1

  0

  0

  0.00

  Born after 18 July 1988

  2

  36,825

  1

  0.00

  3

  68,093

  125

  0.18

  4

  58,425

  1,271

  2.18

  5

  48,184

  1,996

  4.14

  22 January 1988-30 December 1989

  6

  37,933

  2,177

  5.74

  2 January 1987-30 December 1988

  7

  27,646

  719

  2.60

  Born before 18 July 1988

  8

  19,561

  199

  1.02

  9

  13,076

  61

  0.47

  10

  7,707

  37

  0.48

  11

  4,265

  11

  0.26

  12

  3,464

  4

  0.12

  1 Herbs with cases accumulateed by 5 January 1995.

  2 Partly influenced by feed ban.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the peak age of BSE detection in cattle born after the feed ban. [15909]

  Mrs. Browning
  The peak age of onset of BSE in cattle born after the ban is four years of age.
  494
  feed. The increasing incidence in animals six years of age and older is as expected as these were predominantly born before July 1988.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has to show the likelihood of a herd with a BSE case in one year developing another case the year after compared with herds unaffected by BSE. [15910]
  495
  Mrs. Browning
  In 1993 17,201 herds had one or more cases of BSE confirmed of which 8,102 of these herds also had one or more cases confirmed in 1994. The likelihood of a herd with a BSE case one year developing another case the year after was therefore less than 50 per cent.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of(a) reported and (b) confirmed BSE cases by age group for 1994. [15911]

  Mrs. Browning
  The distribution of cases restricted and subsequently confirmed, by age at clinical onset is:

  Age

  Reported

  Confirmed

  0–1

  3

  0

  1–2

  43

  0

  2–3

  274

  12

  3–4

  984

  429

  4–5

  4,256

  3,502

  5–6

  7,093

  6,150

  6–7

  9,922

  8,418

  7–8

  3,946

  3,030

  8–9

  1,188

  799

  9–10

  485

  274

  10–11

  238

  126

  11–12

  105

  44

  12–13

  52

  11

  13–14

  27

  6

  14–15

  15

  2

  15–16

  1

  0

  16–17

  3

  1

  17–18

  0

  0

  18–19

  1

  0

  The data include only cases with known dates of birth, cases with estimated dates are therefore excluded.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of British cattle, by age group, were tested for BSE in 1994; and what proportion of each herd were tested in 1994 for BSE. [15912]

  Mrs. Browning
  No cattle were tested for BSE in 1994. No test is yet available to identify BSE in the live animal.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of reported cases of BSE, the number of reported cases tested and the number of cases confirmed for each month from June 1988. [15913]

  Mrs. Browning
  It is not possible without incurring disproportionate costs to detail the number of reported cases of BSE and the number of confirmed cases of BSE for each month from June 1988. Information on the number of suspect cases reported and placed under restriction each week since the disease was made notifiable until 28 September 1994 is, however, contained in table 2 of the Government's latest BSE progress report.

  No reported cases were tested during this period as no test is yet available to detect BSE in the live animal.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the level of compensation per bovine reported with BSE for each year since 1988. [15923]

  Mrs. Browning
  BSE compensation is not paid in respect of bovines reported with BSE. Compensation is paid in respect of animals suspected of being infected with 496
  BSE and which are compulsorily slaughtered under the Animal Health Act 1981 which requires the Government to compensate farmers for animals slaughtered at their behest.

  It is not possible, without incurring disproportionate costs, to provide the level of compensation for each BSE suspect compulsorily slaughtered. However, the total amount of compensation paid in respect of BSE suspects slaughtered since 1988 is:

  1988: £527,142

  1989: £2,826,788

  1990: £9,030,752

  1991: £15,741,463

  1992: £28,205,613

  1993: £36,290,273

  1994: £22,546,902

  When a BSE suspect is compulsorily slaughtered the amount payable is an amount equal to the lower of either the market value of the animal or the appropriate monthly indicative market price.

  The figures given do not include ex-gratia payments.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of herds, in each year since 1988, had reported cases of BSE in cattle aged(a) one, (b) two, (c) three, (d) four and (e) five years. [15925]

  Mrs. Browning
  It is not possible without incurring disproportionate costs to detail the percentage of herds in each year since 1988 which had reported cases of BSE in cattle aged one to five.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evaluation he has made of the incidence of BSE in siblings of infected cattle compared with siblings of uninfected cattle. [15915]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Mr. Burden) on 19 July 1994,Official Report, column 142.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has to identify BSE occurrence in cattle exported from the United Kingdom to Portugal. [15915]

  Mrs. Browning
  Portugal has reported six cases of BSE in cattle imported from the United Kingdom. Most of the Portuguese cases were born in that country.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of BSE cases in(a) 1992, (b) 1993, and (c) 1994; and what were his Department's projections for this period. [15916]

  Mrs. Browning
  Of the cases reported and placed under restriction in the calendar years 1992 and 1993, 36,680 and 34,371 cases respectively were confirmed. So far for 1994, 23,661 cases of BSE have been confirmed; there are, however, still some cases outstanding.

  We do not make projections on the likely number of confirmed BSE cases. Projections are, however, made, for financial purposes only, on the number of BSE suspects that are likely to be slaughtered. The projections made for the financial years in question are:
  497

  Financial year

  Estimated slaughterings

  Actually placed under restriction

  Of which slaughtered

  Of which confirmed

  1992–93

  37,889

  45,569

  43,814

  37,115

  1993–94

  40,000

  40,501

  38,589

  32,050

  1994–95

  33,475

  125,119

  124,024

  117,586

  1 As at 23 March 1995. There will be further cases in all categories.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what comparisons his Department has made between the tissue distribution of spongiform encephalopathy in cattle and spongiform encephalopathy in sheep. [15922]

  Mrs. Browning
  The comparative distribution of infectivity in the tissues of cattle with BSE and sheep with scrapie is covered in detail in chapter 5, and specifically in table 5.2, of the spongiform encephalopathy advisory committee's September 1994 report "Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies—A Summary of Present Knowledge and Research", HMSO London, ISBN 011 242 9874. A copy of this report has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his projection for the number of cattle detected with BSE at age five years in 1997. [15924]

  Mrs. Browning
  Estimates of the future number of cases are made for submission to the public expenditure survey to secure the necessary budget for compensation payments and the incineration of carcases. It is not possible to predict the occurrence of cases in birth cohorts which have not yet been affected, or to produce precise estimates of the details of future cases born in years such as 1991 for which there have been only a small number of cases. However, because BSE has already been confirmed in some animals born in 1991, it is likely that more 1991 born animals will succumb at five years of age during 1997.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the in-herd BSE rate and the national rate; and if he will make a statement. [15926]

  Mrs. Browning
  The national rate of BSE compared with the in-herd rate since 1988 is:

  Year

  National Percentage

  Within herd Percentage

  1988

  0.08

  1.78

  1989

  0.18

  1.91

  1990

  0.35

  2.16

  1991

  0.63

  2.44

  1992

  0.92

  2.72

  1993

  0.86

  2.43

  1994

  0.59

  2.05

  Figures are not available for years prior to 1988.

  The decline in incidence since 1993 reflects the effect the ruminant feed ban is having on the BSE epidemic. The absence of a rise in the in-herd incidence is a further indicator that horizontal transmission is not playing a significant role in the epidemic.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what comparison he has made of the incidence of(a) scrapie information in sheep and (b) BSE in cattle between 1979 and 1994. [15928]
  498
  Mrs. Browning
  None. There is no direct link between scrapie infection in sheep and BSE in cattle.

  BSE and scrapie were made notifiable in 1988 and 1993 respectively. Prior to this date, data on the incidences of these diseases were either not available or incomplete and cannot therefore be compared. By the time scrapie was made notifiable in 1993, the incidence of BSE was declining in response to the ruminant food ban which also applies to sheep. Any comparison of the subsequent incidences of the disease is, therefore, meaningless.

  Epidemiological investigations into BSE did take into account the presence or absence of sheep on the farm, and indeed whether scrapie was present in any sheep flocks with which cattle came into contact either directly or indirectly. There was no evidence of a direct association between scrapie in sheep and BSE in cattle on the same farm.

  Ruminant Protein Feed Ban
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has to quantify the amount of food banned to cattle which was previously fed to sheep. [15927]

  Mrs. Browning
  The ruminant protein feed ban prohibited the use of both bovine and ovine protein in feeds intended for bovines, ovines and other ruminants at the same time. The Government have no data on the amount of ant protein fed to sheep prior to the introduction of the ban. However, the industry has estimated that the amount of concentrated feed containing ruminant protein which was fed to sheep prior to the ban was in the region of 410,000 tonnes per annum. Meat and bone meal was included far less frequently in sheep rations than in feed intended for cattle.

  MV Caroline
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what time the MV Caroline arrived at Brightlingsea port on 3 March; what time it docked and what time it was due to dock; what happened to the livestock whilst they were waiting for the MV Caroline to dock; if the animals were unloaded from the lorries, fed watered and rested in this period; if the 15-hour journey rule was adhered to; and if he will make a statement. [16002]

  Mrs. Browning
  On 3 March, the Caroline berthed at Brighlingsea at 23.10 hours. The animals—four truckloads of sheep and one of calves—had been conveyed to the port earlier because the police had been informed, incorrectly as it turned out, that the vessel would arrive on the previous tide.

  The animals could not be returned to lairage, as the police could not guarantee safe passage through the crowd of protesters. Feeding of the lorryload of calves was successfully accomplished on the lorry. The attempt was made to unload the four truckloads of sheep, truck by truck, into a bunker area where they could be offered hay and water. However, this attempt had to be abandoned after reloading of the first lorry—completed at 19.30—because of the severe stress being caused to the sheep by their proximity to the noisy crowd of protesters who had broken through the outer gate.

  The sheep were loaded into pens on board the Caroline, where hay and water was immediately available to them,

  499
  between 23.45 and 01.20 hours. The 15-hour period since they had previously been fed and watered expired at 22.00 hours.

DEFENCE

  Disposal Sales Agency
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) of 20 December 1994,Official Report, column 1197, if he will make a statement on the progress of the Disposal Sales Agency towards the meeting of its targets. [15810]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Disposal Sales Agency is progressing well in meeting its targets. The agency's achievements will be published in its 1994–95 annual report, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the publications produced by his Department or the Disposal Sales Agency to assist in the sale of surplus equipment; and if he will place a copy of these in the Library. [15785]

  Mr. Freeman
  Brochures for specific items, usually describing a particular ship, produced by the Disposal Sales Agency are classified and cannot, therefore, be placed in the Library. General brochures, which publicise the availability of various commodities coming up for sale in the near future, are unclassified; I will be arranging for copies of these to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give the number and location of staff serving the Disposal Sales Agency; if he will give the staff budget for the current financial year; and if he will express the staff costs as a percentage of the operating costs. [15807]

  Mr. Freeman
  At the end of financial year 1994–95, the number of staff serving in the Disposal Sales Agency will be 65 in the UK and 30 in Germany. The sales function in Germany has recently been contractorised, and staff numbers will reduce to 12 by 30 September 1995.

  The staff budget for the current financial year is £2.94 million; staff costs amount to 50 per cent. of the operating costs.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were(a) the costs expended and (b) the receipts accrued by the Disposal Sales Agency from the start of the 1994 financial year to the last month for which figures are available. [15783]

  Mr. Freeman
  The answers are:Costs expended 1 April 1994 to 28 March 1995: £3.3 million
  Receipts accrued 1 April 1998 to 28 February 1995: £63.5 million

  Surplus Equipment Sales
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the procedures for the sale of surplus Ministry of Defence equipment through auctioneers, term contractors and joint venture partners; and if he will give a statement. [15809]
  500
  Mr. Freeman
  I refer the hon. Member to the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, report 557—"Disposal by Sale of Defence Surplus Equipment and Stores", and to the minutes of evidence taken before the Committee of Public Accounts on 26 January 1994.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list, by volume and type, the surplus(a) furniture or household items, (b) clothing, (c) plant, machinery or tools, (d) electrical goods, (e) electronic goods, (f) computer equipment, (g) ships, (h) aircraft, (i) tanks and (j) vehicles sold to preservation groups in the last year for which information is available; if he will identify the groups involved; and if he will give the total receipts for each category of item; [15805]

  (2) if he will list, by volume and type, the surplus (a) furniture or household items, (b) clothing, (c) plant, machinery or tools, (d) electrical goods, (e) electronic goods, (f) computer equipment, (g) ships, (h) aircraft, (i) tanks, (j) vehicles and (k) other items sold to commercial companies in the last year for which information is available; if he will identify the companies involved; and if he will give the total receipts for each category of item; [15804]

  (3) if he will list, by volume and type, the surplus (a) furniture or household items, (b) clothing, (c) plant, machinery or tools, (d) electrical goods, (e) electronic goods, (f) computer equipment, (g) ships, (h) aircraft, (i) tanks, (j) vehicles and (k) other items sold to private individuals in the last year for which information is available; if he will identify the companies involved; and if he will give the total receipts for each category of item. [15806]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Disposal Sales Agency currently has around 4,000 interested parties on its trades lists, covering 51 main commodity ranges further segmented into commodity types. In addition, several thousand customers attend auction sales throughout the country where approximately 40,000 lots are sold annually.

  To break this information down by volume and type, to identify the purchasers and to give total receipts for each category of item would incur disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the auctioneers, term contractors and joint venture partners currently involved in the sale of surplus Ministry of Defence equipment. [15808]

  Mr. Freeman
  The list is as follows:

  Miscellaneous Auctioneers

  Midland Marts

  Harrison and Hetherington Ltd.

  Russell Baldwin and Bright

  Fuller Peiser Ltd. (from 1 April 1995)

  Edward Symonds and Partners (from 1 April 1995)

  John Law

  Phillips

  Sothebys

  Savills Walker Walton Hanson (from 1 April 1995)

  Vehicle Auctioneers

  ADT Ltd.

  Central Motor Auctions

  Hartfield Auctions

  Term Contractors

  William Tracey

  M. Hanratty

  J. Graham

  501

  Birds Commercial Metal

  J. Wells and Son

  Wisbech Metal

  Stone Bros.

  N. Spurr

  Bridge Supply

  J. Hurst and Sons

  J. W. Ransome

  A. V. Smith

  Southern Industrial

  Thomas Muir

  Mountelm

  Fordpad

  G and P Batteries

  Reliance Scrap

  James Rollason

  M. R. J. Phillips

  Hanningfield Metals

  Barnstable Metals

  Kirton Motor Spares

  G and I Dargie

  F. Watson and Sons

  Skipbridge Processors

  S. Calvert and Sons

  Robert Gibbs

  Pounds Marine

  Geo Johnson

  Henderson Kerr

  Clonteen Ltd.

  L. C. Hughes

  Sheppard Group

  J. K. Miller

  James W. Cory

  Silver Lining Industries Ltd.

  Silvo Chem Ltd.

  D. Charlett

  Tenrich Tyres

  Mr. Cook

  Woods Tyres

  Tyre Depot (Sandy)

  D. McFarlane and Sons

  Dundee Tyres

  Western Tyres

  Creigiau Tyres

  Associated Fuels Ltd.

  Hunting Secon Ltd.

  Waste Oil Ltd.

  Ailsa Industrial Svcs Ltd.

  Norver Paints Ltd.

  Boots (Northern Ireland)

  Avesta Sheffield

  Joint Venture Partners

  Leafield Logistics and Technical Services

  Military Aircraft Spares

  Royal Ordnance plc

  Hall and Watts

  MSI Defence Systems Ltd.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by type and number, the items of surplus Ministry of Defence equipment held for(a) two years, (b) five years and (c) 10 years awaiting sale. [15784]

  Mr. Freeman
  The answer is as follows.

  Items held for two years

  1 Destroyer

  2 Frigates

  76 120mm Wombats

  502

  32 105mm Howitzers

  46 Phantom Spey Engines

  Items held for five years

  Nil

  Items held for 10 years

  Nil

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage share of the world market for surplus military equipment enjoyed by the United Kingdom; and if he will publish a table showing, in order, the top 10 nations that export surplus military equipment. [15812]

  Mr. Freeman
  The United Kingdom enjoyed a 4 per cent. share of the world market for surplus military equipment over the five years 1990–94.

  Top ten exports of surplus military equipment

  1990–94

  Percentage

  United States

  61

  Germany

  12

  United Kingdom

  4

  Netherlands

  4

  Iran

  2

  Bulgaria

  2

  Moldavia

  1

  Romania

  1

  North Korea

  1

  Qatar

  1

  Others

  11

  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Wallsend(Mr. Byers) of 25 January,Official Report, columns 285–86, if he will list the location of overseas staff employed by the Defence Export Services Organisation; if he will list the number employed in each country; what is the total annual cost of keeping staff overseas; and if he will make a statement. [15786]

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is as follows:

  Location

  Staff numbers

  Estimated cost 1994–95 £'000

  Riyadh

  2

  138

  Kuwait

  3

  102

  New Delhi

  6

  86

  Kuala Lumpur

  5

  197

  Seoul

  3

  110

  Canberra

  2

  88

  Jakarta

  3

  167

  Bangkok

  3

  101

  Ankara

  2

  78

  In addition, there are 54 Disposal Sales Agency staff based in Germany, whose costs are not separately identified from UK-based DSA staff, and 83 project management staff whose costs are paid by the overseas customer on whose behalf the project management work is undertaken.

  Army Base Repair Organisation Ashford
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make an announcement on
  503
  the future of ABRO, Ashford; and if he will make a statement. [15756]

  Mr. Freeman
  The decision on the future of support from ABRO facilities has been delayed due to the complex nature of the issue it raises and to allow for a very full consultation process. I hope to announce a decision shortly.

  Specialist Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d) access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at inter-departmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15634]

  Mr. Soames
  Special advisers are members of the civil service, have the same conditions of service as civil servants and are subject to the same rules and conduct as other civil servants, with certain limited exceptions. They have facilities appropriate to their duties.

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992. [15635]

  Mr. Soames
  The information is given below:

  Perry Miller (already in post May 1992)

  Crispin Blunt (appointed February 1993)

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15562]

  Mr. Freeman
  The MOD does not have any targets for withdrawing regulations because it is not a regulator of business or responsible for any primary or secondary legislation under which regulations are made with a significant impact on business.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that his ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for his Department includes deregulation objectives(a) for him and (b) for each of the Ministers within his Department. [15568]

  Mr. Freeman
  The MOD is not a regulatory department but is playing a full part in the Government's deregulation initiative, principally by simplifying its dealing with industry wherever possible. The MOD's departmental report contains a standing objective to meet Government requirements, such as deregulation.

  Official Service Residences
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the findings of Sir Peter Cazalet's investigation into official service residences. [15962]

  Mr. Soames
  Sir Peter's Cazalet's report on "Representational Entertainment in the Forces" is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Defence shortly after Easter. I shall make a further statement when 504
  it has been received and my Department has had an opportunity to consider it.

  Service Personnel (Suicide)
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 March,Official Report, column 522 to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark), what consideration he gave to including in his answer a reference to Sergeant Robin Feddon, as raised in his statement on 26 July 1993, Official Report, column 976–80; and if he will reconsider his Answer in respect of other claimed cases of suicide of Gulf war veterans serving in Germany. [14933]

  Mr. Soames
  My answer of 14 March about the number of Gulf war veterans who have committed suicide was unfortunately incorrect since it did not take account of the suicide of Sergeant Feddon. Our records are being checked and my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) as soon as possible to set the record straight.

  Turkey
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom forces or logistical back-up have been made available to Turkey to support(a) internal and (b) external military operations; and if he will make a statement. [16684]

  Mr. Soames
  Turkey is a NATO ally. Along with other allies, the UK gives support in a number of ways, including through NATO collective funds which support a range of military facilities in all NATO nations to meet NATO operational requirements.

  Ballistic Missile Defence
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the pre-feasibility study on ballistic missile defence; and when he expects to receive a copy of the report. [16539]

  Mr. Freeman
  Work progresses on the pre-feasibility study for ballistic missile defence. A report will be made available to Ministers in the autumn of 1996 and will include the results of the pre-feasibility and associated studies.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procurement plans he has for ballistic missile defence; and if he will make a statement. [16538]

  Mr. Freeman
  It is too early to make a statement on procurement plans for BMD. However, the results of the BMD pre-feasibility study programme will inform UK BMD policy and thus UK procurement plans. Announcements will be made as data become available and the options for BMD become clearer.

TRANSPORT

  British Rail
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total sum refunded by British Rail following claims under the citizens charter.
  505
  Mr. Watts
  The latest BR figures show that, up to 12 November 1994, £8.6 million has been paid to passengers claiming compensation under BR's passengers charter.

  M25
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what explanation he has received from the Highways Agency for its delay in submitting a scheme for motorway link roads between the Chertsey and Wisley junctions on the M25. [14901]

  Mr. Watts
  The Highways Agency is looking at a range of options for providing additional capacity between junctions 10 and 12 of the M25 motorway. It will submit its recommendations on the scheme following completion of this work.

  Rail Modernisation
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will hold discussions with Railtrack about the time remaining before modernisation; and how the Government can help in the process. [15683]

  Mr. Watts
  I meet Railtrack regularly to discuss west coast main line modernisation and other important projects. On 21 March 1995 I announced approval for the letting of a contract for the development of the signalling system for the WCML project.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the cost of Railtrack's feasibility study team analysis of whether to modernise the rail network; when the work began; what studies have been completed in this time; and what factors governed the time scale of the inquiry. [15682]

  Mr. Watts
  The feasibility study for the modernisation of the west coast main line was started on 24 March 1994. This study was completed, on time, in December 1994. The time scale for the study was driven by the scale of the task involved. The cost of the study is a commercial issue for Railtrack.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what factors led to the granting to Railtrack of permission to study the west coast main line; what consideration was given to asking an independent body to undertake the study; to what supervision Railtrack is subjected in the course of the study; and what independent study will be carried out before the franchising director adopts Railtrack's recommendation; [15685]

  (2) what has been the involvement of (a) the franchising director and (b) the Secretary of State in Railtrack's recent study of rail modernisation. [15684]

  Mr. Watts
  The project was awarded to a consortium of private sector organisations following a competition. Ministers and the franchising director have been kept closely in touch with progress on the study. The franchising director is currently discussing its conclusions with prospective franchisees.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what facilities in terms of(a) access to telephones, (b) use of equipment, (c) use of offices, (d)
  506
  access to ministerial meetings, (e) sight of correspondence, (f) attendance at interdepartmental meetings and (g) access to civil servants are available to specialist advisers in his Department. [15606]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Special advisers are members of the civil service, have the same conditions of service as civil servants and are subject to the same rules of conduct as other civil servants, with certain limited exceptions. They have facilities appropriate to their duties.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that his ministerial management information system for establishing objectives for his Department, includes deregulation objectives(a) for him and (b) for each of the Ministers within his Department. [15576]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  One of the aims of this Department is to work to reduce the burden of unnecessary regulation. Each Minister has to pursue this objective in the policy areas for which he is responsible. There is also a Minister with particular responsibility for promoting deregulation in the Department.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets he has for withdrawing regulations within his Department. [15549]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Corporate Affairs.

  Road Tunnels
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the location, length in metres and cost of all road tunnels(a) constructed by his Department in each of the past 10 years and (b) proposed for construction in future with estimated cost. [15681]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Robert Key, dated 27 March 1995:
  As you know, Mr. John Watts, the Minister for Railways and Roads has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will list the location, length in metres and cost of all road tunnels (a) constructed by his Department in each of the past 10 years and (b) proposed for construction in future with estimated cost. This is attached.
  You will understand that any simple cost comparisons, based on tunnel length, could be very misleading given the many differing factors which will apply in each case—tunnel location (urban/rural region), geological and groundwater conditions, total lane width and construction method (bored NATM or cut and cover etc).

  Schemes with Tunnels

  Location

  Length (in metres)

  Actual cost (£m)

  Date opened

  [1] Tunnels opened since 1985

  Hatfield tunnel (A1(M) Hertfordshire

  1,150

  23.6

  12/86

  Round Hill tunnel (A20 Kent)

  390

  13.2

  11/93

  [2] Tunnel schemes under construction

  Green Man Hackney—M11 (East London)

  174

  7.04

  —

  George Green Hackney—M11 (East London)

  300

  8.43

  —

  507

  Schemes with Tunnels

  Location

  Length (in metres)

  Actual cost (£m)

  Date opened

  Southwick (A27 Sussex)

  490

  14.9

  —

  [3] Tunnel schemes about to start construction

  Fore Street tunnel (A406 North London)

  310

  17.0

  —

  Meir tunnel (A50 Staffordshire

  284

  6.01

  —

  [4] Tunnel schemes in planning

  —

  1—

  —

  Western Circus tunnel (A40 West London)

  187

  8.0

  —

  Regents Park Road tunnel (A406 North London)

  830

  30.5

  —

  Ealing Common tunnel (A406 West London)

  520

  21.7

  —

  Wilmer Way tunnel (A406 North London)

  298

  12.7

  —

  Bounds Green—Green Lanes tunnel (A406 North London)

  198

  7.6

  —

  Hindhead tunnel (A3 Surrey)

  1,720

  35.0

  —

  Worthing Bypass tunnels (A27 Sussex)

  580

  25.0

  —

  River Rother tunnel (A259 Sussex)

  300

  19.0

  —

  Saltaire Relief Road tunnel (A650 Yorkshire)

  2,500

  135.0

  —

  Wychbury tunnel (A456 Worcestershire)

  330

  9.74

  —

  1Estimated cost (£m) RCPI 95

  Political Advisers
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the names of those persons appointed as political advisers to his Department since May 1992. [15607]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  Mrs. E. F. Laing was appointed as political adviser from 13 April 1992 to 20 July 1994. Mr. M. G. E. Simmonds has been appointed as political adviser since 24 October 1994.

  Delayed Rail Journeys
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions during each of the last four years rail journeys have been delayed as a result of either poor weather or criminal activity affecting overhead electrical power supply. [15749]

  Mr. Watts
  The information is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  A303
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set up a round table conference to consider improvements to the A303 at Stonehenge; and if he will make a statement. [15929]

  Mr. Watts
  I hope to do so and will announce the arrangements later in the year.

  Ship Loading Hours
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many hours a day it is(a) possible and (b) permissible for a ship the size of the MV Caroline to be
  508
  loaded with goods brought in by heavy lorries at Brightlingsea docks. [16001]

  Mr.Norris
  The statutory powers of the Brightlingsea harbour commission do not specify hours within which vessels have to be loaded with goods.

  Bilateral Aviation Agreements
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he had made a UK/USA bilateral aviation agreements; and if he will make a statement. [16673]

  Mr. Norris
  Formal UK/USA aviation talks took place in London from 22 to 24 March. Various proposals designed to increase competition in air services between the two countries were discussed. The talks are due to continue in Washington on 10 April.

  British Transport Police
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the Home Office on extending the powers and jurisdiction of the British Transport police; and if he will make a statement. [16301]

  Mr. Watts
  None

  Scottish Rail Services
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of representations which he has received from Highlands and Islands Enterprise in respect of the highlands to London sleeper and Motorail services; if he will place in the Library a copy of the economic assessment which he has made of the impact of the withdrawal of such services; and if he will make a statement. [15142]

  Mr. Watts
  My right hon. Friend has recently received a letter from the chairman of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. A copy of that letter has been placed in the Library.

  The withdrawal of the London-Fort William sleeper and Motorail service with effect from 28 May is a commercial decision by the British Railways Board. The franchising director will take account of any representations on the economic impact of the withdrawal of this service within the context of his consultation with the Scottish regional councils and the rail users consultative council on the draft passenger service requirement for ScotRail later this year.

  Roads (Co-ordination)
  Mr. Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who is responsible for co-ordinating road openings by local authorities, utilities and the Highways Agency. [15510]

  Mr. Watts
  The duty of co-ordination, under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, falls on the relevant street authority—the Highways Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of State, for motorways and trunk roads, the local highway authority for all other roads maintainable at public expense, and the street managers for private streets. The duty extends to co-ordination with other street authorities when the works affect roads for which those authorities are responsible.

  Southend Lane, London
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department will approve the funding for the bridge works at Southend lane, London SE26, and when he expects the road improvement scheme to commence and finish. [16175]

  Mr. Norris
  A scheme including the reconstruction of the bridge was not successful in Lewisham's transport policies and programme bid for 1995–96. The Government office for London is discussing with Lewisham how the proposals might be modified for consideration in next year's submission. Nothing definite can be said at present about the funding or timing of the scheme.

  Trans-European Road Network
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if United Kingdom roads designated trans-European road network roads may benefit from EU funding. [15977]

  Mr. Watts
  Schemes to upgrade existing UK roads or construct missing links designated part of the trans-European road network may benefit from EU funding under the trans-European networks budget line, when the draft financial regulation currently under discussionis adopted. The draft regulation provides for support up to a maximum of 10 per cent. of total investment costs.

  Roads (Recycled Materials)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what use is made in new road building of recycled material from old roads. [15890]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 27 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 the Environment, what use is made in new road building of recycled material from old roads.
  It is government policy to encourage conservation and facilitate the use of reclaimed materials to reduce pressure on sources of primary aggregates and obtain environmental benefits. Wherever practical the Highways Agency provides the opportunity in trunk road contracts for including recycled materials from old roads in new road construction. Our requirements for materials are set out in the Specification for Highway Works published by HMSO. material from old roads can be used in a variety of ways. it can be incorporated within road foundations as a fill material, be used as an aggregate within either bituminous or cement bound layers, or as in the case of bituminous planings be mixed with new bitumen and aggregate for use in road construction or maintenance.
  Since 1992 up to 10% of new surfacing can be drawn from reclaimed bituminous material such as planings from old roads. Following the results of further research, this summer we are raising the percentage allowable to 30% for certain bituminous materials,. We also permit a wide range of options for reuse and recycling of old concrete roads, indeed crushed concrete is highly valued as an aggregate by the construction industry. The Highways Agency is shortly to publish new advice on the conservation and use of reclaimed materials in road construction and maintenance which highlights the scope for reuse and recycling and is aimed at encouraging a greater awareness of the opportunities available.
  No central records are kept of actual quantities of old road material used in new roads. However, the DOE's Mineral Planning Guidance MPG6, published in April 1994, indicated that 80% of
  510
  road planings, for example,were recycled in some form. Not all of this will be in roads as planings are in great demand for use on parking areas, footpaths and farm accesses. Estimates suggest that there are around 7–8 million tonnes of bituminous road planings produced each year.

  Marchioness
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set up a public inquiry into the sinking of the Marchioness in order to resolve issues of public importance which have not been settled either by criminal or civil proceedings or by inquest procedures. [15906]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 24 March 1995]: We do not believe that it would be appropriate or necessary to set up a public inquiry into the loss of the Marchioness. The marine accident investigation branch has carried out a full and thorough investigation into the disaster and its report has been published. The inquest into the deaths of those who died in the disaster has not yet been concluded.

  Speed Limiters
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to act upon excessive speeds of commercial vehicles reported under section 11 of his "Road Traffic Statistics Great Britain 1994". [16250]

  Mr. Norris
  Speed limiters will be fitted to coaches and new heavy goods vehicles by 1 January 1996.

  Insurance Policy Discs
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will require all vehicles to display a current insurance policy disc on the windscreen in addition to tax discs. [16270]

  Mr. Norris
  As explained in answers given by my predecessor on 23 June 1993,Official Report, columns 171–72, and 1 February 1994, Official Report, column 628, there would be practical problems associated with a windscreen insurance disc system. However, we continue to take the problem of uninsured driving very seriously and are discussing with the industry various possible measures, including windscreen discs which might reduce the level of evasion of insurance requirements.

  Stansted Airport
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if people living near Stansted airport can continue to rely on the assurances given in the 1985 White Paper that a second main runway would not be constructed. [16381]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  The 1985 White Paper stated that, on demand forecasts at the time, it was not possible to justify such a runway in the foreseeable future. On current demand forecasts, I do not see a second runway as a realistic prospect and that is why my response to the runway capacity in the south-east group made no reference to it.

  Press Officers
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many press officers there are in his Department currently; and what the figure was in 1979. [16548]
  511
  Mr. Norris
  The number of press officers in the Department is currently 11. This compares with 10 in 1984. Before that date the information division was a common service of the Department of Transport,512
  Department of Environment and Property Services Agency. Figures prior to 1984 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Inhumane Weapons Convention
  Inhumane Weapons Convention
  Protection of National Minorities Convention
  Protection of National Minorities Convention
  Turkey: Measures to Enhance Democratic Freedom
  Turkey: Measures to Enhance Democratic Freedom
  Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
  Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
  Pit Bull Terrier Control Schemes
  Pit Bull Terrier Control Schemes
  Car Crime: Control Initiatives
  Car Crime: Control Initiatives
  Hazardous Waste: Special Waste Regulations
  Hazardous Waste: Special Waste Regulations