Written Answers of 3 May 1995

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Bernard Manning
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Attorney-General whether he will consider instituting proceedings under section 18 of the Public Order Act 1986 against(a) Bernard Manning and (b) the organisers of the Haydock Park police social event on Friday 10 March. [21314]

  The Attorney-General
  The question of prosecution does not arise unless there has first been a criminal investigation. It is the function of the police to investigate alleged criminal offences and the hon. Member should place any evidence which he considers discloses an offence in the hands of the relevant chief officer of police.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will obtain from Granada Television a transcript of the recent address by the comedian Bernard Manning at a social event organised by members of the Greater Manchester police with a view to considering a prosecution for incitement to racial hatred; and if he will make a statement. [21304]

  The Attorney-General
  No. The investigation of any criminal offence which is alleged to have been committed is the function of the police.

  If the hon. Member has reason to believe that an offence has been committed he should report the matter to the police.

  Barings Bank
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Attorney-General what investigation are being undertaken in regard to those executives at Barings responsible for the criminal offence mentioned by the Governor of the Bank of England in his oral evidence to the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee hearing of 5 April. [21133]

  The Attorney-General
  I understand that the hon. Member has in mind a possible contravention of section 38(9) of the Banking Act 1987. Such offences are normally investigated and prosecuted by the Bank of England.

  The wider inquiries by the director of the Serious Fraud Office into the affairs of Barings bank continue. If information comes to light during those inquiries relevant to possible offences contrary to section 38 then that information will be made available to the Bank of England.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects the Director of Public Prosecutions to report on his investigation into Mr. Nick Leeson. [21134]

  The Attorney-General
  It is the director of the Serious Fraud Office rather than the Director of Public Prosecutions who is investigating matters relating to 206
  Barings bank. It is too soon to say when the inquiry will be complete.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department of those people who sought asylum in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available, were refused asylum, and were subsequently refused an appeal, how many were given leave to appeal to the Immigration appeal tribunal; and, of these(a) how many were allowed by the Immigration appeal tribunal and (b) how many were remitted for a further hearing before a special adjudicator. [21283]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In 1994, 355 asylum appellants were granted leave to appeal to the immigration appeal tribunal. Of these,(a) eight appeals were allowed by the immigration appeal tribunal and (b) 192 were remitted for a fresh hearing before a special adjudicator.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department of those people who sought asylum in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available and were refused asylum, how many(a) gave notice of appeal, (b) were certified by the Secretary of State as being manifestly unfounded and (c) had their appeals determined; and, of these, how many applications which were certified by the Secretary of State as being without foundation were allowed by a special adjudicator. [21310]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  (a) In 1994, the immigration appellate authorities received 6,045 asylum appeals; (b) of these, 872 were certified by the Secretary of State to be claims without foundation under the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993; (c) approximately 2,400 cases were determined in 1994. Figures are not available as to how many "without foundation" appeals were successful during that year but will be available for cases dealt with thereafter.

  Immigration
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in the last year for which figures are available, of all immigration—non-asylum—appeals which were refused, how many were given leave to appeal to the immigration appeal tribunal; and of these(a) how many were allowed by the immigration appeal tribunal and (b) how many were remitted for a further hearing before an adjudicator. [21281]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In 1994, 977 applications for leave to appeal were granted; of these 253 appeals were allowed and 418 were remitted for a fresh hearing before an adjudicator.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many substantive immigration appeals were(a) heard and (b) allowed in each of the hearing centres in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available in each of the following categories: (i) spouses, (ii) fiancé(s), (iii) children, (iv) dependant relatives other than children and (v) long-term students. [21282]
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  Mr. John M. Taylor
  (a) The number of substantive appeals heard in each of the hearing centres in 1994 is set out in the following table. The immigration appellate authorities do not hold figures for the categories referred to.

  Hearing centre

  Appeals heard at an oral hearing

  Appeals determined on the papers

  Thanet House, London

  5,700

  3,283

  Hatton Cross, Middlesex, Cardiff and Belfast

  4,428

  2,058

  Birmingham

  2,360

  1,440

  Manchester

  1,782

  619

  Leeds

  1,357

  513

  Glasgow

  391

  89

  (b) In 1994, 3,657 appeals were allowed. The number of appeals allowed was as follows for each of the following categories:

  (i) Husbands

  568

  (ii) Wives/Children/Other Dependant Relatives

  479

  (iii) Fiancés

  86

  (iv) Fiancées

  31

  (v) Long-term students

  Figures not available

  Figures are not available to provide a breakdown of appeals by individual hearing centre.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in the last year for which figures are available, how many listed immigration appeals were adjourned(a) once and (b) more than once; how many adjournments were granted at the request of the applicant; and how many on the notice of the court. [21280]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The immigration appellate authorities do not maintain a separate record of those cases which have been adjourned and the information sought could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, by going through the individual records for all cases heard during the year.

  Court Delays, London
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average delay in waiting for court cases in London(a) in Crown courts and (b) in magistrates courts calculated from the charging by police of an alleged offender. [21896]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In the magistrates courts the average time taken in London in 1994, for indictable-triable either-way offences from charge or summons to first listing was 25 days and the average time taken from first listing to completion was 54 days.

  In relation to the Crown courts, the question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.
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  Letter front M. D. Huebner to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 1 May 1995:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Question about the waiting time for criminal court cases in London.
  I should explain that I cannot provide information on Magistrates' Courts, which are not part of the Court Service; I understand that the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department will respond separately with the information you requested.
  So far as the Crown Court is concerned, waiting times are measured from the date the defendant is first committed from the Magistrates Court to the date the defendant enters a guilty plea to all charges or the jury is sworn in at the trial. For the 3 months ending 31 March 1995, the average waiting time in the London Crown Courts was 15.37 weeks.

  Statute of Westminster
  Mr. Mackinley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to consult other countries under section 2 of the Statute of Westminster 1931 before bringing forward proposals to amend the Regency Act 1937. [22004]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It is the Government's policy to consult as appropriate before introducing legislation.

  Legislative Repeal Bills
  Mr. Mackinley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the criteria by which the Law Commission and the Joint Committee on Consolidation, &c. Bills consider items for inclusion in Statute Law (Repeals) Bills. [22005]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The criteria are set out in section 3(1) of the Law Commissions Act 1965 and in the standing orders of both Houses of Parliament.

  Mr. Mackinley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will refer for consideration to the Law Commission His Majesty's Declaration of Abdication Act 1936 for possible repeal. [22096]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  That is not my intention.

ENVIRONMENT

  Air Pollution
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the effect slow moving heavy duty vehicles have on air pollution. [21671]

  Mr. Atkins
  The table illustrates that slow moving traffic emits more carbon monoxide—CO—and non methane volatile organic compound—NMVOC—than faster moving traffic. However, the latter emit more oxides of nitrogen—NOx.

  Emission factors for road transport (g/km)

  Vehicle type

  Small HGV (<16 litres)

  Large HGV (>16 litres)

  Urban (Average 15–20 mph)

  CO

  6.00

  7.30

  NOx

  12.60

  16.95

  NMVOC

  6.412

  6.78

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  Emission factors for road transport (g/km)

  Vehicle type

  Small HGV (<16 litres)

  Large HGV (>16 litres)

  Rural Dual (Average 40–50 mph)

  CO

  2.90

  3.70

  NOx

  16.05

  20.04

  NMVOC

  3.21

  3.21

  Motorway (Average 60 mph)

  CO

  2.90

  3.10

  NOx

  16.05

  29.04

  NMVOC

  3.21

  3.21

  Source:

  UK emissions of air pollutants—Gillham et al, Warren Spring Laboratory Report Number: LR 961.

  Wildlife Conservation
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many warning letters his Department has issued where offences in apparent contravention of wildlife law have been disclosed in the last five years. [21830]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  It would not be in the interests of bird conservation to publish the detailed information sought by the hon. Member about potential wildlife offences dealt with by my Department. Such information could be of use to those evading or intending to evade the controls. I will write to the hon. Member.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Channon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to announce his proposals for local government tax before the end of July; and if he will make a statement. [21812]

  Mr. Curry
  As usual, proposals for the 1996–97 local government finance settlement will be announced soon after the Chancellor has made his Budget statement. Levels of council tax will depend upon Budget decisions taken by local authorities.

  River Inspections
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how often the National Rivers Authority has taken action to enforce the provisions of abstraction licences granted under the Water Acts of 1963 and 1989; and if he will make a statement. [21987]

  Mr. Atkins
  The information conveniently available shows the following action:

  Year

  Enforcement inspections

  Formal cautions or prosecutions

  1993–94

  18,470

  19

  1994–95

  19,925

  25

  Inspections may also result in advice or informal warning.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how often the National Rivers Authority reviews current abstraction licences granted under the Water Acts of 1963 and 1989; and if he will make a statement. [21988]
  210
  Mr. Atkins
  The information requested is shown on page 102 of the National Rivers Authority's annual report and accounts for 1993–94. A total of 18,470 abstraction licences out of a total 48,189 were inspected in 1993–94. A table showing actual and forecast inspections from 1989–90 to 1997–98 is also given on page 43 in the National Rivers Authority's corporate plan for 1994–95.

  CITES
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made concerning enforcement issues following the ninth conference of the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. [21829]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  For actions taken by the United Kingdom concerning CITES enforcement issues, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 30 March 1995,Official Report, column 736.

  Protected Birds
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) pursuant to his answer of 22 March,Official Report, columns 226–27, what means are employed for checking for previous convictions from applicants; [21877]

  (2) how many potential offences his Department identified and pursued as a result of monitoring national trade journals prior to November 1994, relating to the sale of birds listed in appendix I of CITES and annexe CI of EC regulation 3626–82; [21870]

  (3) what factors led to nine of the 26 potential sales offences being passed to the police; [21871]

  (4) how many specimens of Livingstone's Turaco were advertised for sale during the period that his Department has been monitoring the trade journals; [21872]

  (5) how many times information has been followed up by the Department's wildlife inspectorate, when doubt concerning an application has been raised; [21875]

  (6) how many times premises have been inspected to ensure that any conditions attached to sales exemptions have been met; [21876]

  (7) when the first police officer was designated as an authorised person under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulation 1985. [21883]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 2 March 1995]: It would not be in the interests of bird conservation to publish the detailed information sought by the hon. Member about potential wildlife offences dealt with by my Department. Such information could be of use to those evading or intending to evade the controls. I will write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 22 March,Official Report, column 226, when his Department intends to register the bird species listed in CITES appendix I and annexe CI of EC regulation 3626/82, that are not currently required to be registered and ringed if kept in captivity. [21873]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 2 May 1995]: Following our review of the secondary controls on

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  wildlife, we have invited our scientific advisers, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, to advise on the criteria for listing the species which must be ringed and registered with the Department, by the middle of next year.

  The agreed criteria will be used to carry out the first review of schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The results should be submitted to my Department by December 1997. We shall consider, in the light of this, whether any additions or deletions to the species listed in schedule 4 are necessary.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 22 March,Official Report, column 226, what proposals he has to ensure that individual birds of significant conservation concern advertised for sale can he uniquely identified. [21874]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 2 May 1995]: We shall continue to ensure that sales exemptions are issued only when we are satisfied that there are no significant risks to the conservation of the species concerned. The enforcement working group, which I announced on 20 December in my reply to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson), Official Report, columns 1115–16, will be looking at the current arrangements for the marking of specimens, and considering whether any changes are required.

  British Gas (Sites Redevelopment)
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites owned by British Gas where(a) discussions regarding grant aid have occurred, (b) grant aid has been formally applied for and (c) grant aid has been approved in order to redevelop the sites giving, in each case, the amount of aid involved and including grant aid from his Department, urban development corporations and any other relevant publicly funded bodies. [20410]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department and the regeneration bodies it supports have allocated grant for the redevelopment of sites owned by British Gas in the following instances:

  Project

  Programme

  Amount of grant £ million

  Pleck Gasworks

  Walsall City Challenge

  1.385

  Pride Park (with ABBT and British Rail Property Board)

  Derby Pride Ltd (City Challenge)

  12.8 (paid to Derby City Council)

  Windsor Street Reclamation

  Birmingham Heartlands Development Corporation

  0.2

  Grand Islan

  Central Manchester Development Corporation

  4.4

  Leeds City Office Park

  Leeds Development Corporation

  0.5

  In addition, there have been discussions on possible projects at Foleshill gasworks, Coventry; West Dyke road, Redcar; Redditch gasworks; Greenwich peninsula; Ladbroke grove, north Kensington; and Crawford street, Birmingham.

TRANSPORT

  Road Casualties
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new proposals he has further to reduce road casualties. [22222]

  Mr. Norris
  We are continuing to implement the measures which I described to the hon. Member in my reply of 19 December 1994,Official Report column 873.

  Woolwich Rail Tunnel
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the proposed Woolwich rail tunnel; if he will hold a public consultation; and when he expects to make a decision. [22371]

  Mr. Norris
  I am aware of the hon. Member's support for the Woolwich rail tunnel project and have discussed it in the past both with him and local representatives.

  Railtrack, British Rail, London Transport and the London Docklands development corporation are currently working to define and develop the outline scheme. I understand that they intend to consult publicly on this work at an appropriate stage, and I look forward to seeing the results. The scheme is also likely to be included in the Government office for London's forthcoming consultation on river crossings in east London.

  Woolwich Metro
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the importance of the proposed Woolwich metro to the east Thames gateway strategy. [22372]

  Mr. Norris
  The proposals are at an early stage. But, as indicated in the draft Thames gateway planning framework, the metro concept could assist regeneration by extending potential labour markets.

  East London River Crossing
  Mr. Austin-Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to issue a consultation document on the proposed east London river crossing; what will be the period for consultation; and when he expects to make a decision. [22373]

  Mr. Norris
  I hope to publish shortly a consultation document on a range of options for river crossings on the Thames east of Tower bridge. I envisage a consultation period of three months. The timing of any subsequent decisions will depend on the outcome of the consultation.

  M25
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the full costs of the Rendel, Palmer and Tritton study into the M25, and further studies arising from that. [21580]

  Mr. Watts
  The cost of the Rendel, Palmer and Tritton study, published in 1989, was £321,000, excluding VAT. Following publication in 1990 of the M25 action plan, the Department of Transport's response to public comments on the RPT report, five studies were commissioned. These investigated possible improvements to junctions and
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  options for additional capacity on the M25. The total cost of these studies was £4.682 million, excluding VAT.

  As a result of the studies, the agency has carried forward the design for widening nearly 88 miles or 80 per cent. of the M25 to dual four lanes. Construction works have been completed or are in progress on 13 miles of the M25, with works on a further 12 miles due to start in June of this year. Comments from the public on proposals for widening are currently being considered on another 34 miles of the M25.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on what basis he is assessing projected traffic growth on the M25 beyond 2010; [21582]

  (2) what proposals he has to reassess national traffic forecasts in respect of the M25 in the light of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment; and if he will make a statement. [21576]

  Mr. Watts
  The assessment of traffic growth up to and beyond 2010 will be based on the Department of Transport's national road traffic forecasts, taking into account local traffic forecasts which reflect local growth in population and car ownership.

  The proposals will be assessed to see if the changes in traffic looked at by the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment in its recently published report are likely to be significant. An assessment summarising the technical and economic analysis of the scheme, including traffic projections, will be published at the same time as the environmental statement.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out his timetable for new traffic management arrangements between junctions 12 and 16 on the M25. [21581]

  Mr. Watts
  A traffic management pilot project with the use of variable speed limits and camera enforcement will start on the motorway shortly. It uses automatic sensors to monitor traffic flows and activates signals to reduce speeds at congested times. This builds on to a longer term programme for introducing automatic incident detection systems on the motorway network.

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made within his Department on equal opportunities matters. [21466]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport has been actively pursuing the civil service programmes for action on race, women and disability, and was one of the first Departments to produce a joint action plan covering all three areas.

  Particular emphasis has been given to developing training and complaints procedures and to making it easier for disabled people and for women with family commitments to work in the Department.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he hopes to achieve in his Department over the next three months to push forward the declaration signed in October 1994 at the Vienna conference in preparation for the fourth UN conference on women; and 214
  if he will agree to incorporate a section on equal opportunities in his Department's annual report. [21468]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government are committed to the principles set out in the regional platform for action agreed at the preparatory conference in Vienna for the fourth UN world conference on women. DOT has taken these forward through a wide range of programmes and initiatives and will continue to do so. In accordance with the terms of the Command Paper, "The Civil Service-Taking Forward Continuity and Change", the Department will publish information on equal opportunities in annual reports from 1995–96.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Minister in his Department has responsibility for equal opportunities issues. [21465]

  Mr. Norris
  I have overall responsibility for equal opportunities issues within the Department of Transport.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the gender assessment being prepared by his Department. [21467]

  Mr. Norris
  Department of Transport policy, in line with guidelines issued in 1992 by the ministerial group on women's issues, is that policy proposals should ensure that unlawful or unjustifiable sex or race discrimination does not occur and that similar principles apply to people with disabilities, older people or ex-offenders. This scrutiny is part of a continuous and routine process, as part of policy advice to Ministers.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Cable Television
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to monitor the behaviour of cable television operators by central Government. [20718]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  My officials monitor the behaviour of cable operators through a continuous assessment of statistical evidence, through discussions with operators, and by handling individual complaints. Broadcast entertainment is subject to normal Independent Television Commission licensing and content requirements.

  Cable Communications
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Milton Keynes North-East (Mr. Butler), of 5 April,Official Report, column 1722, and his answer of 27 April, Official Report, column 662, on what date he expects all schools in the area for which the Communications Association has franchises to be connected to the cable network; and if he will make a statement. [22217]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 2 May 1995]: Schools will be progressively linked to cable networks as cable operators install their systems.

  The existing cable franchises networks, covering some two-thirds of the population, are likely to be virtually compete by the end of 2000. The new local delivery operator franchises now being awarded, which permit radio delivery of services, are expected to extend cable type coverage to around 80 to 85 per cent. of the United

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  Kingdom population. The Radiocommunications Agency has announced plans for use of radio spectrum in more rural areas.

  Smoking
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what facilities are provided and arrangements made for the well-being and comfort of staff who(a) smoke and (b) do not wish to be affected by smoking at (i) the work-station and (ii) rest, recreation and refreshment facilities at Ashdown house, 123 Victoria street, London. [21913]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  This Department's policy is to ban smoking in general office areas. Smoking is allowed only in designated smoking rooms and areas. Smoking is not permitted in the staff restaurant at Ashdown house during the luncheon period. Smoking is permitted in a separate area at other times.

  A copy of my Department's current smoking policy is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to privatise the nuclear energy industry. [22036]

  Mr. Page
  The nuclear review is nearing completion. An announcement will be made shortly.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what funds are available for decommissioning and waste disposal in the nuclear industry. [22063]

  Mr. Page
  The Department of Trade and Industry provides to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority the funds required to undertake its programme of work on nuclear decommissioning and the management of radioactive waste arising from government nuclear programmes. The provision of funds in respect of the decommissioning and waste disposal liabilities of other parts of the nuclear industry is a matter for the companies concerned: their annual accounts report on the relevant provisions.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measurements he has made of the security and safety implications of a privatised nuclear energy industry. [22030]

  Mr. Page
  Safety is of paramount importance and will continue to be so irrespective of ownership.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the asset value of the nuclear energy industry in England and Wales. [22029]

  Mr. Page
  I refer the hon. Member to the annual reports and accounts of the relevant companies, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Plant, Taiwan
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what negotiations he has had with the Taiwan Government regarding the joint bid by Nuclear Electric and Westinghouse for the building of a nuclear power plant in that country. [22035]

  Mr. Page
  The United Kingdom Government supported Nuclear Electric's bid for the Lungmen project but does not take part in commercial negotiations regarding any international bid.

  Sizewell B
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what emergency storage facilities exist at the Sizewell B reactor for nuclear fuel rods withdrawn from the reactor core should an accident occur while the interim on site storage ponds are being completed. [22034]

  Mr. Page
  I understand that the fuel storage pond at Sizewell B was commissioned before nuclear fuel was accepted on site. There has therefore been no need for any interim storage facilities, nor is there a need for any additional emergency storage facility. If fuel failures should occur, the failed fuel can be withdrawn from the reactor core using the normal fuel handling equipment and can then be stored safely in the fuel storage pond.

  Metrication
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the additional costs involved, including the disposal of surplus materials for(a) the public service and (b) the United Kingdom economy which will stem from the implementation of the European Community directives which require all references to imperial measures to be stopped, with the exception of the area of exemption set out in the Health and Safety Executive document OM 1995/121 appendix 5. [21997]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: The cost to business of compliance with legislation to implement Council directive 89/617/EEC on harmonisation of units of measurement was considered to be about £35 million spread over a period of six years. This does not take into account the benefits which will accrue from metrication. The costs to the public sector were not considered to be significant.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Identity Cards
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what calculations his Department has made in respect of the cost of issuing an ID card. [21894]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells) on 27 April 1995, column 674.

  Daylight Saving
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce proposals on daylight saving; and if he will make a statement. [22221]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Our policy on future summer time arrangements, including whether to move to central European time, remains under consideration.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to implementing the conclusion of his Department's working group report on electoral registration in respect of the provision to transfer electoral qualification from one address to another when an elector moves. [22381]
  217
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I understand that the working group on electoral registration considered the issue only in the context of rolling registration where it came to no firm conclusion.

  Bogus Marriages
  Dr. Kim Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of those individuals involved in marriages between British citizens and non-British, non-EU citizens which were adjudged to be bogus by his Department were deported in each year since 1989; [21514]

  (2) how many individuals involved in marriages between British citizens and non-British, non-EU citizens which were adjudged to be bogus by his Department were deported in each year since 1989. [21815]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information requested is not available. The deportation statistics do not identify separately cases involving a bogus marriage.

  Citizenship Applications
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his practice to publish his reasons for refusing an applications for United Kingdom citizenship where an applicant wishes this to be done. [21952]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  No.

  Mahogany
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many metres of mahogany or products containing it his Department has bought in the last five years; and if he will list the purposes and the costs. [19836]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Between September 1993 and March 1995, 132m3 of African mahogany was purchased, costing £70,000 for use in prison workshops for the construction of furniture for sale and order. The supplier purchases hardwood from controlled areas in line with Government guidelines to the timber trade.

  Information is not available for the period prior to September 1993.

  Home Office policy on the purchase of wood is, as far as possible, to ensure that wood used in building works and furniture comes from sustainably-managed forests.

EMPLOYMENT

  Earnings, North-West
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many full-time employees in the north-west earn less than £2 an hour. [21546]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  It is estimated from the autumn 1994 labour force survey that approximately 1.7 per cent. of full-time employees in the north-west earn less than £2 per hour. A total of 78.1 per cent. earn more than £4 per hour.

  Building Society Takeover
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs he estimates will be at risk in the United Kingdom if the proposed takeover of the National and Provincial building society takes place. [21931]

  Miss Widdecombe
  No such estimate is available.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs he estimates will be at lost in Yorkshire if the proposed takeover by Abbey National of the National and Provincial building society took place. [21906]

  Miss Widdecombe
  No such estimate is available.

  Pay Rates
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will make it his policy for job centres to establish with employers the minimum rate of pay for jobs they advertise when the rate is negotiable and to refuse to display advertisements for jobs paying £1 an hour or less; [22211]

  (2) what discretion is allowed to jobcentre managers in deciding whether to accept a job advertisement where the wage rate offered is unreasonably low. [22281]

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

  Letter front M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 3 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the policy for servicing vacancies where the wages are negotiable or paying £I an hour or less and what discretion is allowed to Jobcentre managers to refuse an unreasonably low paid job.
  Wage levels are a matter for agreement between employers and employees and the Employment Service has no role in policing them. However, guidance to staff in Jobcentres is that where an employer notifies a vacancy offering low pay, or with wages below the prevailing rates for the district, they should advise the employer of the local rates of pay for the job. Where employers insist on offering low pay, they are advised that their vacancy may be difficult to fill.
  My people in Jobcentres will also encourage employers to state a rate of pay where they indicate that wages are negotiable, so that potential applicants have as much information as possible before attending a job interview.
  In some instances, jobs offering what appears to be a low basic rate of pay may have opportunities to enhance earnings through bonus and commission payments, or offer other benefits such as accommodation. Employers are also encouraged to make these clear in the specification of their vacancy.
  Until 30 August 1993 in certain industries minimum rates of pay were laid down in Wages Council Orders. Since the abolition of Wages Councils, only agricultural wages are covered by Acts of Parliament and guidance has been issued to Jobcentres to refer any enquiries relating to rates of pay for agricultural workers to the Agricultural Wages Board, or the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board.
  Whilst Jobcentres will advise an employer offering low pay the difficulties in filling such a vacancy, there is no legal reason why they could refuse to handle their vacancy. We have to accept that the ultimate decision on the wages offered is left to the employer.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what was the lowest hourly rate of pay for a job advertised at the jobcentres in Nelson and Colne
  219
  for the latest l2 month period for which figures are available. [22203]

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

  Letter front M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 3 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the lowest wage rate advertised for vacancies notified to Nelson and Colne Jobcentres over the last twelve months.
  The information you have requested is not recorded. Supervacs, the computer system used to process notified vacancies, is designed to work as a vacancy recording and circulation system. It does not retain information other than basic data such as Standard Occupational Classification and Standard Industrial Classification. Details such as wage rates, hours of work and job description are not retained by the system once the vacancy is filled or closed.
  I am sorry I cannot be more helpful.

  South Thames TEC
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has replied to an inquiry from Commissioner Padraig Flynn regarding donations to the South Thames training and enterprise council from the European social fund.

  Mr. Paice
  The Department replied to the European Commission on this matter on 2 May 1995.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Livestock Hauliers
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many journey plans were submitted by hauliers of livestock through(a) Shoreham port, (b) Plymouth docks, (c) Dover port, (d) Brightlingsea docks and (e) Coventry airport in each month since such journey plans became compulsory; how many of these plans were not adhered to; and how many have been submitted for future journeys. [20604]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: Journey plans were compulsory for certain journeys from 1 January 1993. The Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1994 made journey plans compulsory in a specified format for any journey likely to take more than 15 hours, with effect from 23 January 1995. Between this latter date and 7 April, 1995 journey plans have been checked by the Ministry. This figure cannot readily be broken down in the way requested. Exporters are advised to give the Ministry 10 days' notice of an intention to export animals, and in practice not all intended journeys take place. Arrangements exist to carry out spot checks on the details declared in the journey plans with co-operation from certain member states, and inquiries are continuing in a number of cases.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 4 April,Official Report, column 1058, how it is possible for calves to be fed a liquid feed while on a lorry. [21088]
  220
  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: I am advised that calves could be fed aboard lorries in circumstances where the lorries were standing part-loaded and there was room for individual feeding. Facilities for the preparation of the liquid feed would also have to be available nearby.

  Contaminated Beef
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will show his assessment of the percentage of beef samples with traces of clenbuterol or other artificial promoters in each of the EC member states; how much of this contaminated beef finds it way into the British market; what concerns he has as to whether existing EC legislation to prevent the use of artificial growth promoters is effective; and if he will make a statement. [21315]

  Mrs. Browning
  Surveillance for concentrations of clenbuterol and other artificial growth promoters in beef is carried out in all member states under the terms of directive 86/469/EEC. I regret, however, that information on residues surveillance, comparable with that made available by the veterinary medicines directorate, is not published by other member states, and I cannot therefore comment on the position in those countries.

  So far as domestic production is concerned, I can confirm that no clenbuterol positives have been identified in any sample collected from slaughterhouses in Great Britain under the national surveillance scheme since testing began in August 1989, nor have any of the samples tested for the banned hormonal growth promoters been found to be positive since 1992. Samples of beef and other meat and meat products are also purchased from retail outlets in the United Kingdom, under a separate surveillance programme which covers both home produced and imported meat products. During the period July 1993 to March 1994 one sample of calf liver imported from a member state was found to contain traces of clenbuterol below the maximum residue limit of 0.5µg/kg and did not present a hazard to human health.

  The use of hormonal growth promoters is banned throughout the European Community, although this ban does not extend to clenbuterol which is an authorised veterinary medicine and available, under prescription, in several member states, including the UK, to treat respiratory ailments in calves and horses and to assist cattle at the time of calving. When used illegally, at high dosages, clenbuterol has similar growth promoting effects to the banned hormones. I am satisfied from the assurances that have been received from member states where a problem with the abuse of these substances is reported to exist, that urgent steps are being taken to stamp out any illegal use, and that consumer safety is not at risk from imported beef.

  Mink Farms
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of licensed mink farms in each year since 1989. [21190]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: The number of licensed mink farms in England is as follows:

  221

  Year

  Number of licensed mink farms on 31 March of each year

  1989

  52

  1990

  45

  1991

  26

  1992

  19

  1993

  20

  1994

  12

  1995

  13

  Animal Health
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farm animals were identified as being unfit to travel in each month since January 1992. [21168]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: The information is given in the following table for the years 1992, 1994 and 1995—to February. No figures are available for 1993.

  Farm animals inspected prior to export and rejected as unfit for transportation

  1992

  1994

  1995

  January

  1,608

  not available

  1,259

  February

  1,116

  not available

  698

  March

  662

  1,534

  —

  April

  425

  1,545

  —

  May

  792

  1,881

  —

  June

  1,262

  618

  —

  July

  2,206

  1,227

  —

  August

  3,694

  4,032

  —

  September

  4,710

  4,534

  —

  October

  5,330

  1,424

  —

  November

  3,126

  1,681

  —

  December

  3,139

  1,195

  —

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which Minister in his Department has responsibility for equal opportunity issues. [21445]

  Mrs. Browning
  My right hon. Friend the Minister, has overall responsibility for all departmental issues. I have particular responsibility for equal opportunity issues.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made within his Department on equal opportunity matters. [21446]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Department continues to implement its strategy for equality of opportunity for women staff. In the past 12 months this has included the introduction of a career break scheme, an assessment of the suitability of posts for flexible working and increased child-care facilities. The departmental strategy for equality of opportunity for staff of ethnic minority origin has been relaunched. A departmental strategy on the employment of staff with disabilities is being formulated using results from a staff survey in which 600 staff reported a disability.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the gender assessment being prepared by his Department. [21447]
  222
  Mrs. Browning
  The Department's policy, in line with guidance issued in 1992 by the ministerial group on women's issues, is that policy proposals should ensure that unlawful or unjustifiable discrimination against specific groups of people, including men and women, does not occur. This scrutiny is part of a continuous and routine process, as part of policy advice to Ministers.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he hopes to achieve in his Department over the next three months to push forward the declaration signed in October 1994 at the Vienna conference in preparation for the fourth UN conference on women; and if he will agree to incorporate a section on equal opportunities in his Department's annual report. [21448]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Department will continue to ensure that unlawful or unjustifiable discrimination against specific groups of people does not occur as a result of its policies.

  The Department's annual report already includes details on equal opportunities with regard to its staff. The Department will continue to include such information in line with central commitments.

  Badgers
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what support his Department has given since December 1993(a) to the continued monitoring of infection in the wild badger population, (b) to research into ways of avoiding transmission of disease from badgers to cattle and (c) to co-operation with university departments on proposed studies about the effects of badger removal operations on the badger population and its impact on the subsequent spread of disease within the badger population. [21716]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 2 May 1995]: In the financial year 1994–95 the Ministry invested £370,000 in on-going work at the central veterinary laboratory and the central science laboratory on an ecological and epidemiological study of a badger population naturally infected with M. bovis in the Gloucestershire study area. A further £138,000 was invested in on-going work to understand the demography and epidemiology of badgers through the production of mathematical models of badger populations to assist in the development of M. bovis control strategies. The Ministry also continues to examine the carcases of wild badgers found by members of the public in the vicinity of farms where there have been cattle herd breakdowns for M. bovis in addition to those killed in Ministry badger removal operations.

  In 1994 the Ministry agreed to fund a project over the next three years, now being carried out by Oxford university in collaboration with the Central Science Laboratory and the Central Veterinary Laboratory, to look at the effects of a badger removal operation by examining the behaviour of surviving badgers, their demography and dynamics, and effects on disease transmission. The Ministry has also just agreed to fund a project over the next three years, to be undertaken by the University of Bristol, to investigate the relationships between badger population density and size of social groups with different habitats, the distribution of M. bovis in badgers in south-west England, and the risks of transmitting disease from badgers to cattle.
  223
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made since December 1993 regarding(a) research into the development of effective vaccines for TB in badgers and (b) research to develop new or improved diagnostic tests for the presence of infection in cattle and badgers. [21717]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 2 May 1995]: In the financial year 1994–95 the Ministry invested £217,000 on the development of a suitable vaccine for the protection of badgers against infection with M. bovis. Work on this project started at the Central Veterinary Laboratory in April 1994. Initially, this work has concentrated on understanding the badger's responses to the infection, in order to determine possible mechanisms of protection, and investigating possible vaccine candidates. A feasibility study has been completed and is due to be published in the Veterinary Record on 6 May. This work is progressing well although it is anticipated that it will take approximately 15 years to complete.

  The Ministry invested £543,000 in financial year 1994–95 in on-going research at the Central Veterinary Laboratory to develop methods for the improved diagnosis of M. bovis in cattle and badgers. This work involves the identification and purification of potential diagnostic antigens, the development of appropriate laboratory-based assays of antibody and cellular immunity in infected cattle and improvement of the current skin test reagent. The preliminary results of this work are encouraging.

  Apples
  Mr. Martin Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the estimated(a) loss of United Kingdom apple orchards, (b) cost of grants in the United Kingdom, (c) cost of grants across the European Union and (d) cost of grants in the Mediterranean European Union nations under the European Union's grubbing-up grant; [21866]

  (2) what estimates he has made of the effect of the European Union grubbing-up grants on the United Kingdom's trade balance in (a) apples and (b) dessert apples. [21857]

  Mr. Jack
  Growers in the EU have applied to grub about 28,000 hectares of apple orchard. In the United Kingdom we have accepted 271 applications into the scheme covering 2,432 hectares. However, it will be some time before we have details of the final outcome of the 1994–95 apple orchard grubbing up grant scheme since acceptance of an application does not necessarily lead to grubbing.

  On trade, "English Apples and Pears" says that the 90 per cent. of English apple growers staying in the industry are delighted that a significant reduction in the surplus of European apples is in prospect. They are confident that with the modern orchards planted in recent years they will, in future, be better placed to produce even higher quality apples in the range of varieties the UK consumer wants.

  Chernobyl
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total compensation paid to farmers for loss of earnings and clean-up of radioactive 224
  contamination arising from the fall out from the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986. [22027]

  Mr. Jack
  The sheep compensation scheme was introduced in July 1986 to compensate farmers whose enterprises had been disrupted as a result of movement and slaughter restrictions associated with the Chernobyl accident. The total paid out under the scheme in the United Kingdom up to the end of March 1995 was £11,567,729. A table follows, showing the breakdown of payments by country.

  Sheep Compensation Scheme 1986—compensation payments up to 31 March 1995

  £

  England

  1,313,912

  Wales

  7,524,272

  Scotland

  2,491,842

  Northern Ireland

  237,703

  Total

  11,567,729

  Agricultural Workers
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total number of(a) farmers and (b) farm workers for each year since 1988, giving the figures as a percentage of the population for England. [21861]

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

  Persons engaged in agricultural work on agricultural holdings in England

  Farmers

  Farm workers

  Number (000's)

  As percentage of population

  Number (000's)

  As percentage of population

  1988

  184

  0.39

  286

  0.60

  1989

  182

  0.38

  275

  0.58

  1990

  182

  0.38

  274

  0.57

  1991

  180

  0.37

  265

  0.55

  1992

  182

  0.38

  259

  0.53

  1993

  184

  0.38

  253

  0.52

  1994

  184

  0.38

  247

  0.51

  Source:

  Agricultural and Horticultural June census.

  Notes:

  1. Includes estimates for minor holdings.

  2. Farmers include principal farmers, and other partners and directors.

  3. Farm workers include hired and family workers, managers, seasonal and casuals, and spouses of farmers, partners and directors.

  4.1993 population figure for England is an estimate.

  5. 1994 population figure for England is a projection based upon mid-1992 data.

  Brucellosis
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of brucellosis have occurred in each year since 1985. [21818]

  Mrs. Browning
  The number of brucellosis cattle herd breakdowns in Great Britain in each year since 1985 from which the organism Brucella abortus was recovered were:

  1985: 69

  1986: 39

  1987: 3

  1988: 1

  225

  1989: 6

  1990: 1

  1991: None

  1992: None

  1993: 1

  1994: None

  Foot and Mouth Disease
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of foot and mouth disease occurred in each year since 1978. [22175]

  Mrs. Browning
  There was one outbreak of foot and mouth disease which occurred in 1981 on the Isle of Wight. There have been no outbreaks since then.

  Pleuro-pneumonia
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of pleuro-pneumonia occurred in each year since 1985. [22170]

  Mrs. Browning
  There have been no confirmed cases of pleuro-pneumonia in England since 1898.

  Annual compensation payment to age 60 (rate pa)

  Superannuation lump sum

  Lump sum compensation payment

  Compensation in lieu of notice (if any)

  1990–91

  Compulsory

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Flexible

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1991–92

  Compulsory

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Flexible

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1992–93

  Compulsory

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Flexible

  3,607.27

  9,702.39

  Nil

  Nil

  1993–94

  Compulsory

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Flexible

  4,444.73

  12,025.30

  Nil

  Nil

  1994–95

  Compulsory

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Flexible

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

TREASURY

  Fraud
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to help to combat fraud in the European Union. [20412]

  Mr. Anthony Coombs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to combat fraud within the European Union with particular reference to the common agricultural policy and the cohesion budget. [20439]

  Hygiene Standards
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions of dairy farmers in Lancashire for failing to comply with necessary hygiene standards(a) have been successfully undertaken and (b) are outstanding since 1990. [22272]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 2 May 1995]: Responsibility for the enforcement of hygiene standards at dairy farms is split between Agricultural Development Advisory Service, an executive agency of the Ministry and the Welsh Office, and local authority environmental health departments. There have been no prosecutions by ADAS in Lancashire since 1990. Information on prosecutions by environmental health departments is not held centrally.

  Civil Service (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the individual value of each(a) compulsory early retirement and (b) flexible early retirement package received by civil servants leaving his department on grounds of limited efficiency in each of the last five years. [22093]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 2 May 1995]: Compensation payments for early retirement on grounds of limited efficiency are age, salary and service related. Details of limited efficiency early retirements for each of the last five financial years are as follows:

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  I refer to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 30 March 1995,Official Report, columns 654–55.

  Hospitality
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on official hospitality by his Department in 1994–95. [21211]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: In 1994–95, spending on official hospitality by Her Majesty's Treasury was £85,888.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost of employing consultants in connection with market testing programmes in which his Department has been engaged since their inception. [21379]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: The Treasury's estimated cost to date of employing consultants in connection with market testing programmes is as follows:

  Support to

  In House Team £

  Department £

  1 April 1992–30 September 1993

  21,018

  37,692

  1 October 1993–30 September 1994

  15,087

  47,878

  1 October 1994–31 March 1995

  nil

  64,625

  Sub totals

  36,105

  150,195

  Conflicts of Interest
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions during the last five years(a) civil servants and (b) special advisers in his Department or its agencies have declared conflicts of interest; and how many instructions have been issued about their retention, disposal or management. [21400]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: The information requested is not held centrally.

  Allowances
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each agency and the central Department for which he is responsible(a) the total amount of removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials who were required to relocate as part of their employment, (b) the amount of each of the highest three claims that were concluded and settled and (c) the average amount of each claim in each of the last three years. [19648]

  Mr. Nelson
  The amounts shown below are in respect of cases which were completed during the past three years. The information is as follows:

  HM Treasury

  Year

  £

  (a)

  1992–93

  No cases concluded and settled.

  1993–94

  244,465.00

  1994–95

  29,981.00

  (b)

  1992–93

  No cases concluded and settled.

  1993–94

  49,609.00

  45,824.00

  44,311.00

  1994–95

  27,897.00

  2,083.00—only two cases during year.

  228

  HM Treasury

  Year

  £

  (c)

  1992–93

  No cases concluded and settled.

  1993–94

  34,924.00

  1994–95

  14,991.00

  Paymaster

  No costs incurred

  Central Statistical Office

  (a) The total amount of removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials who were required to relocate as part of their employment:

  1992–93: £138,000.00

  1993–94: £166,000.00

  1994–95: £180,000.00

  (b) and (c) CSO could provide this information only at disproportionate cost.

  Royal Mint

  Only one employee fell into the category during the last three years with expenses totalling £32,329.16.

  Valuation Office

  £

  (a)

  1992–93

  1,768,000.00

  1993–94

  1,652,000.00

  1994–95

  1,001,000.00

  (b)

  1992–93

  21,129.00

  20,054.00

  19,433.00

  1993–94

  79,413.00

  62,479.00

  32,811.00

  1994–95

  69,244.00

  42,125.00

  25,541.00

  (c) These figures are based on individual claims rather than cases.

  1992–93:£3,189.00

  1993–94:£2,034.00

  1994–95:£1,686.00

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to establish the policies, objectives and measurable targets relating to(a) women's economic opportunities and (b) women's access to productive resources contained in article 26e of the programme for action agreed at the world summit for social development in Copenhagen. [22269]

  Miss Widdecombe
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Kingdom's report for the United Nations fourth world conference on women, produced in October 1994, details key achievements and priorities for action in a range of areas of particular interest to women. A copy is available in the Library.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  RMS St. Helena
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will extend the remit of the consultants reviewing the sailing schedule of RMS St. Helena to include all forms of passenger linkage to the island and their potential. [22012]

  Mr. Baldry
  No. The consultants were required to focus on the specific issue of a rescheduling of RMS St. Helena. This is a priority matter for the St. Helena Government because of the early improvement in access to the island which would result. The consultations draft report is currently under consideration.

  Palestine
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government will provide to the Palestine National Authority during 1995. [20420]

  Mr. Baldry
  We are committed to providing £82 million over three years from 1994–95 to support the Palestinian Authority and the peace process. This includes contributions through the European Union and other multilateral organisations, notably the United Nations relief and works agency. Our bilateral aid includes a £1.25 million project in support of the Palestinian police and a £5 million know-how programme announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in March. Our aid priorities are good government, finance and private enterprise, water, health and education.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Conflicts of Interest
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on how many occasions during the last five years(a) civil servants and (b) special advisers in his Department or its agencies have declared conflicts of interest; and how many instructions have been issued about their retention, disposal or management. [21390]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: For the Department and agencies for which I am responsible, any conflict of interest involving civil servants will have been dealt with in accordance with established guidance.

  My Department has existed for three years. It holds no central records on the number of occasions during that period that career civil servants have declared conflicts of interest.

  In the same period, no special advisers in my Department have declared conflicts of interest.

PRIME MINISTER

  Acts of Union
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all the amendments which have been made to the Acts of Union between England and Scotland; and how many 230
  of these have affected Scottish law and how many English law; and in what way. [21411]

  The Prime Minister
  The information requested can be obtained by an examination of the official revised edition of the "Statutes in Force" published by HMSO. This shows the Union with Scotland Act 1706, which was passed by the English Parliament, and the Union with England Act 1707, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament, revised to 1 February 1978, together with a note of all the repeals and amendments which have been made to those Acts until then. Cumulative supplements to the "Statutes in Force" were published until February 1991 but no amendments are shown to have been made to those Acts. Since then, information as to any further repeals or amendments to those Acts can be obtained by looking at the "Table on the Effect of Legislation" in part IV of each annual volume of the "Public General Acts", published by HMSO. This has recently been published for 1993 and shows a repeal of article XXII of the Union with Scotland Act 1706.

EDUCATION

  Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proposals she has to promote the education of children affected by attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and if she will make a statement. [20550]

  Mr. Forth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 24 January 1995,Official Report, column 166–67.

  GNVQ Courses
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many schools and colleges currently offer intermediate and advanced GNVQ courses in(a) health and social care, (b) leisure and tourism, (c) business, (d) art and design, (e) manufacturing, (f) science, (g) construction and the build environment, (h) hospitality and catering, (i) engineering, (j) information technology, (k) distribution, (l) media, communications and production and (m) management studies in each county in England and Wales; [21801]

  (2) how many schools and colleges currently offer foundation GNVQ courses in (a) health and social care, (b) leisure and tourism, (c) business, (d) art and design, (e) manufacturing, (f) science, (g) construction and the built environment, (h) hospitality and catering, (i) engineering and (j) information technology in each county in England and Wales.

  Mr. Boswell
  It will take some time to gather this information. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Initial Teacher Training Report
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when she expects to publish the report on school centred initial teacher training and if she will place it in the Library immediately. [22190]
  231
  Mr. Robin Squire
  This is a matter for Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools, who heads the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked Mr. Chris Woodhead to write to the hon. Member.

  Teachers
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what mechanisms her Department now uses to forecast the numbers of teachers needed over the next decade. [22191]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department's targets for intakes to initial teacher training courses are based on supply and demand models which take account of a range of data, including the number and age of the existing teacher force, movements into and out of teaching, and demographic trends.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the current figures for unfilled teaching posts. [22192]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The latest figures for unfilled teaching posts in England—January 1994—are given in the table. Figures for teacher vacancies are not yet available for 1995.

  Number of Vacancies1

  Vacancies as a percentage of teachers in post

  Primary/Nursery

  762

  0.4

  Secondary

  624

  0.4

  Total

  1,386

  0.4

  1 Advertised vacancies for full-time permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one term's duration). Includes vacancies being filled on a temporary basis.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what over-capacity there currently is in teacher supply. [22193]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  There are currently some 365,000 qualified teachers under 55 in England who are not serving as full-time teachers in maintained nursery, primary or secondary schools.

  In terms of future supply, the Teacher Training Agency was advised in November 1994 of the Secretary of State's targets for initial teacher training for 1995–96 to 1997–98. These envisage an 11 per cent. increase in secondary targets over this period, but with a similar reduction in primary targets.

  Mature Students
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what measures she is taking to assist mature students on teacher education courses who have difficulties with teaching practice arrangements. [22194]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  It is up to higher education institutions to make suitable arrangements for all their students to attend teaching practice. The Department has, however, recently funded the cost of developing a distance-learning postgraduate certificate of education course, run by the Open university, which should help students who have difficulties. My right hon. Friend has also established the Teacher Training Agency with a remit which includes improving the quality and efficiency of all routes into the teaching profession and promoting 232
  teaching as a career. One of the TTA's own published aims is to devise a strategy for increasing the diversity of routes into teaching in order to meet the varying needs of prospective teachers, by spring 1996.

  Teachers Pensions Agency
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what key performance targets she has set for the Teachers Pensions Agency in 1995–96. [22923]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  For 1995–96, the key performance targets for the Teachers Pensions Agency are:

  a. To achieve an improvement in efficiency of 7.5 per cent. in the use of running cost resources within the agency's control;

  b. To process 97 per cent. of the applications for retirement awards by the payable date, or if later, then within 30 days of receipt of the application;

  c. To meet the agreed accuracy target for pensions-related calculations;

  d. To provide a substantive answer to 95 per cent. of written inquiries within 15 working days of their receipt;

  e. To manage the programme agreed with the agency's clients for the collection and processing of service and salary data relating to teachers and to seek timely submission of that data.

  Private Finance
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what initiatives have been undertaken to secure private finance for her Department's projects. [22319]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department does not have direct responsibility for education sector projects. Its role is to encourage the funding bodies, local education authorities and education institutions to take advantage of the private finance opportunities available.

  The Department published its booklet, "Education means business", copies of which were placed in the Library. This booklet was sent to all maintained schools, colleges and universities as well as banks, accountancy firms, construction companies and other private sector enterprises that had expressed an interest in PFI.

  On 23 March the Department, together with the Higher Education Funding Council for England, hosted a conference at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre about private finance in higher education. This very successful conference—at which my right hon. Friend gave the key note speech—was attended by representatives of higher education institutions and the private sector.

  The Further Education Funding Council is now organising a similar conference for the further education sector in late September. For LEAs, the Department is organising a series of seminars to discuss harriers to private finance and ways by which they might be overcome, and visiting a number of individual authorities. One of the most significant steps that we are taking to secure private finance in the grant-maintained sector is to remove the barrier to commercial borrowing.

  In addition to the action that the Department is undertaking, the HEFCE has published its own booklet entitled, "Private Investment in higher education". Copies will be placed in the Library. The FEFC is to publish a booklet about private finance in the further education sector.
  233
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many staff at her Department are employed(a) full time and (b) part time on projects undertaken to secure private finance for her Department's projects. [22321]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has a dedicated private finance unit employing six staff on a part-time basis. Staff in the individual higher education, further education and schools policy branches also work on a part-time basis to encourage private finance in their specialist areas and the information branch includes the private finance initiative within its portfolio.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what percentage of her Department's budget is allocated to initiatives which have been undertaken to secure private finance for her Department's projects. [22320]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None. The Department does not have direct responsibility for education sector projects. Its role in the private finance initiative is to encourage the funding bodies, LEAs and institutions to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the initiative. The resources required relate mainly to hospitality and travelling and are a tiny percentage of the Department's budget.

  For the 1994–95 financial year, about £101,000 was spent on the preparation and printing of the booklet, "Education means business".

  Medical Students
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education when she next proposes to meet the British Medical Association to discuss the concerns of students in relation to grants for courses in medical training. [22108]

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet the British Medical Association. She is aware of the arguments currently being advanced by the BMA medical students committee, and has corresponded with it about them.

  Information Products
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what has been the total cost of information products produced and distributed by her Department in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1992–93; and what is her proposed budget for 1995–96. [22322]

  Mr. Forth
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mrs. Taylor) on 3 April,Official Report, column 924.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what has been the total cost of information products about grant-maintained status for schools produced and distributed by her Department in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1993–94; and what is the proposed budget for 1995–96. [22337]

  Base

  Purchaser

  Proposed use at date of sale)

  USN Facilities, Holy Loch:

  1. Commissary, Queen Street, Dunoon

  Dumbarton Co-op Society Ltd.

  Supermarket

  2. Dolphin Hall, Queen Street, Dunoon

  Argyll and Bute District Council

  Offices and Library

  3. Ardnadam Complex with Pier, Sandbank

  Metropolis (Argyll) Ltd.

  Sports/leisure complex

  4. Families Service Centre

  Argyll and Bute District Council

  Offices

  5. Medical/Dental Centre

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  Offices

  234
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The total cost of publications, including videos, about grant-maintained status produced and distributed by the Department for Education was some £380,000 in 1994–95 and some £320,000 in 1993–94. Within the Department's publicity budget for 1995–96, some £200,000 has so far been earmarked for GM products and related expenditure. Additional GM information products may be produced during the course of the financial year, resulting in additional expenditure.

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress she hopes to achieve in her Department over the next three months to push forward the declaration signed in October 1994 at the Vienna conference in preparation for the fourth UN Conference on women; and if she will incorporate a section on equal opportunities in her Department's annual report. [21458]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government are committed to the principles set out in the regional platform for action agreed at the preparatory conference in Vienna for the fourth UN world conference on women. We have taken these forward through a wide range of programmes and initiatives and will continue to do so. My right hon. Friend will be considering how best to report the Department's action on equal opportunities.

DEFENCE

  Market Testing
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 25 April,Official Report, column 499, what percentage by value of the total of defence support activities subject to the competing for quality process was (a) market tested and (b) won by in-house bid between (i) 1 October 1993 to 30 September 1994 and (ii) 10 October 1994 to date. [22382]

  Mr. Freeman
  In the period 1 October 1993 to 30 September 1994, the total value of activities exposed to competing for quality was £287 million. Of the £27 million or 9 per cent. that was market tested, £19 million, or 7 per cent., was won by the in-house bid. In the period since October 1994, the value of activities exposed to competing for quality has totalled £198 million. Of the £7 million, or 4 per cent., which has been market tested, none has been won by the in-house bid.

  Base Closures
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the defence bases that have been closed and sold since 1990 together with the purchasers and the current use where known. [21229]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is as follows:
  235

  Base

  Purchaser

  Proposed use at date of sale)

  6. Land at Sandbank

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  New Industrial park

  7. Supply Depot and Pier

  Cowal Leisure Ltd.

  Marine/storage use

  8. Sailing Club

  Holy Loch Sailing Club

  Existing use

  9. Rankin Complex

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  Site redeveloped— industrial development

  10. Gladswood Villa, West Street, Dunoon

  H. Forbes

  Residential

  Inverrary Pier

  I. Turner

  Existing use

  OFD Invergordon

  1. Depot

  The Bannerman Company

  Transport/storage

  2. Tomich Pumphouse

  J. C. W. Horlick

  Agricultural storage

  RNSD Lathalmond

  1. Storage Depot

  Industrial Estates (Scotland) Ltd.

  Industrial Estate

  2. Disused rail sidings

  J. J. Ritchie and Son

  Farmland

  Filton Airfield

  British Aerospace

  Airfield and associated uses

  Primrose Camp, Rosyth, Fife

  The Earl of Elgin

  Not known

  USN Radio Station, West Murkle, Thurso Bay

  G. C. Walker

  Agriculture

  Radio Station, Inverkip, Strathclyde

  H. M. S. Stewart

  Not known

  Winston Barracks, Lanark

  Baxter Bryce Ltd.

  Not known

  Rosneath:

  1. Storage Depot

  D. R. M. Bruce

  Industrial

  2. Dark Wood a)

  The Adventure Sailing Trust

  Caravan base for sailing club

  3. Dark Wood b)

  United British Caravan Parks

  Additional caravan park

  4. Dark Wood c)

  P. Henderson

  Woodland

  Former USN Communications Station, Forss (Lybster)

  Fleet Transport (Aberdeen)

  Possible light industrial

  Met. Office Site, Shanwell, Tayport

  Finlay

  Agriculture

  324 Engineer Park, Livingston

  Fife and Kinross Investments Ltd.

  Vehicle compound/storage

  Former Aerial Site, Hawklaw, Fife

  W. G. S. Innes-Smith

  Farm

  'St. Lukes', Regimental HQ and Museum

  The Gordon Highlanders

  Regimental museum

  SEMO Gillingham, Kent

  Medway (Chatham) Dock Company

  Specific use not known but related to the purchaser's activities

  RAF Chessington, Surrey

  Consortium involving Bryant Homes and Sir Alfred McAlpine

  Residential development

  HMS St. Vincent (Furze House), London

  Monopro Ltd.

  Not known

  Burniston Barracks, Scarborough

  Persimmon Homes

  Mixed development?

  Willems Park, Aldershot

  Tesco plc

  Superstore/retail

  Bramley, Hants

  Wimpey

  Residential

  RNAD Milford Haven:

  1. Depot

  Waterfront Development, Pembroke Ltd.

  Residential development

  2. Land and Building

  Preseli Pembroke District Council

  Existing use

  3. Land

  Gulf Oil Refinery Ltd.

  Existing use

  4. Farmland

  E. Harries

  Farm

  5. Farmland

  L. Philpin

  Farm

  6. Houses

  Various

  Existing use

  RAF Northcoates, Lincolnshire

  Wessex and Cambrain Estates Ltd.

  Business park and airfield

  236

  237

  Base

  Purchaser

  Proposed use at date of sale)

  RAF Ely, Cambridgeshire:

  1. 7.26 acres

  Department of Health (Lifespan Healthcare Trust)

  NHS Hospital

  2. 32 acres

  Wilcon Homes

  Residential development

  RAF Orfordness (Site included an area owned by FCO)

  National Trust

  Certain areas are now open to the public

  RNSM Risley, Cheshire

  Redman Heenan Properties Ltd.

  Not known

  RAF Jurby Head, Isle of Man

  Bishops Court Investments Ltd.

  Finance Company HQ

  RAF Bawdsey Manor

  Mr. Toettcher

  Language school/college

  Ex RN Repair Depot, Fareham

  Truryn Leisure

  Residential

  RN Boom Defence Depot, Swanmore, Southampton

  The Hayward Partnership

  Storage

  Jellalabad Barracks, Taunton

  New Properties Frontiers

  Residential

  Mount Wise West, Plymouth

  Plymouth Development Corporation

  Commercial use

  Royal William Yard, Plymouth

  Plymouth Development Corporation

  Commercial use

  Mountbatten, Plymouth

  Plymouth Development Corporation

  Commercial use

  Old Infirmary, Plymouth

  Plymouth Development Corporation

  Not known

  Connaught Barracks, Woolwich

  MR Pankhania Westcome Home Improvement Ltd.

  Commercial/development site

  Postal and Courier Depot, Whetstone

  Fairview Homes

  Residential development site

  HMS Mercury, Petersfield

  Arundel Estates

  Conversion to flats and housing applied for

  Peninsula Barracks, Winchester

  Arundel Estates

  Residential

  RM Eastney:

  1. Eastney Barracks

  Truryn Leisure

  Residential

  2. RM Club

  Trustees of RM Club

  RM Club

  3. Eastney Fort East

  Hampshire Country Council

  Museum

  4. North Wing Former Officers' Mess

  Hampshire County Council

  Museum

  It is my Department's practice not to record the use of a site once it has been sold, so the proposed use at the time of disposal is shown on the list.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 14 December,Official Report, column 692, if he will list those projects in privatised companies which have received European regional development funding since privatisation indicating (a) the level of funding and (b) the dates when it was received. [20577]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 1 May by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Industry and Energy,Official Report, column 14.

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he hopes to achieve in his 238
  Department over the next three months to push forward the declaration signed in October 1994 at the Vienna conference in preparation for the fourth UN conference on women; and if he will agree to incorporate a section on equal opportunities in his Department's annual report. [21478]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Government are committed to the principles set out in the regional platform for action agreed at the preparatory conference in Vienna for the fourth UN world conference on women. We have taken these forward through a wide range of programmes and initiatives and will continue to do so.

  Progress on equal opportunity matters in relation to staff in the Northern Ireland civil service will continue to be reported in detail in the regular published reports produced by the service's equal opportunities unit.

  Agricultural Workers
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of(a) farmers and (b) farm workers for each year since 1988, giving the

  239
  figures as a percentage of the total population for Northern Ireland. [21860]

  Mr Ancram
  The information is given in the table:

  Farmers

  Other farm workers

  Year

  Persons

  Per Cent. of total population

  Persons

  Per cent. of total population

  1988

  37,417

  2.4

  24,638

  1.6

  1989

  36,709

  2.3

  24,987

  1.6

  1990

  36,302

  2.3

  24,733

  1.6

  1991

  35,991

  2.2

  23,821

  1.5

  1992

  36,224

  2.2

  22,905

  1.4

  1993

  34,408

  2.1

  25,216

  1.5

  1994

  35,377

  2.2

  24,230

  1.5

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many suicides occurred among(a) farmers, (b) farm workers and (c) the general population in each year since 1988. [21908]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The number of deaths registered as suicides in Northern Ireland in each year since 1988 are set out in the table. Deaths are recorded according to date of registration and not by date of occurrence.

  Year

  Farmers

  Farm workers

  General population

  1988

  10

  2

  153

  1989

  1

  1

  116

  1990

  3

  0

  158

  1991

  8

  0

  129

  1992

  2

  1

  107

  1993

  9

  1

  129

  19941

  5

  1

  95

  1 to 30 September 1994

  Government Reform
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 27 March,Official Report, column 482, on what date a copy of the proposed financial arrangements referred to was placed in the Library. [22209]

  Mr. Ancram
  A copy of the financial arrangements was placed in the Library on 27 March.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Equal Opportunities
  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made within his Department on equal opportunities matters. [21507]

  Mr. Burt
  The Department is committed to equality of opportunity for its staff. Recent examples of progress include the continued improvement in the representation of women and ethnic minorities at management grades across the Department and the increased use of flexible working patterns. For example, 15 per cent. of staff now work part-time. Other initiatives to help staff balance home and work commitments include career breaks, alternative working patterns and special leave arrangements. The Department employs over 1,500 registered disabled staff and information gathered from 240
  staff surveys indicates that there are as many non-registered disabled staff. Harassment counselling networks are in place across the Department and equal opportunities awareness training is widely available.

  A range of subsidised child care facilities are provided for staff, including 646 nursery places, 2,560 holiday playscheme places and child care referral services.

  The Department was an early member of Opportunity 2000 and remains committed to the Cabinet Office programmes for action on women and race and the new programme for action on disability.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the gender assessment being prepared by his Department. [21508]

  Mr. Burt
  This Department's policy, in line with guidance issued in 1992 by the ministerial group on women's issues, is that policy proposals should ensure that unlawful or unjustifiable sex or race discrimination does not occur and that similar principles apply to other groups such as people with disabilities and older people. This scrutiny is part of a continuous and routine process, as part of policy advice to Ministers.

  Ms Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which Minister in his Department has responsibility for equal opportunities issues. [21506]

  Mr. Burt
  I have.

  Income Support
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the annual cost of providing income support to spouses of people who are in local authority residential and nursing home care. [22282]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available.

  Widow's Payment
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to uprate the value of the widow's payment. [22224]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 10 January,Official Report, columns 56–57.

HEALTH

  Health Policy
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken by her Department to meet the target set by the World Health Organisation European region in terms of reduction of differences in health status between different groups within countries; and if she will make a statement. [21054]

  Mr. Sackville
  Our "The Health of the Nation" strategy brings together all Government Departments to work to improve health among all groups. Health services in each part of the country are funded according to assessed health need and the national health service reforms mean that health authorities and general practitioners are able to take action locally to address the needs in their area. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 23 March,Official Report, column 353–54.
  241
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on progress towards meeting the target set by the World Health Organisation European region in respect of reducing the differences in health status between different groups within countries. [21055]

  Mr. Sackville
  Our "The Health of the Nation" key targets are the primary measures against which we monitor progress on reducing avoidable illness and death, and risky behaviour affecting health, across the whole population. "The Health of the Nation" identifies different groups at particular risk and efforts are concentrated on those groups. Progress was reported in "One Year On" and there will be a further report later this year.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to include among the "The Health of the Nation" targets, the target set by the World Health Organisation European region in respect of reducing the differences in health status between different groups within countries. [21056]

  Mr. Sackville
  Meeting the targets already set in "The Health of the Nation" by focusing efforts on groups particularly at risk should help to reduce variations in health status between different groups.

  The new national health service enables health authorities and general practitioners to take action locally to address needs in their area and a considerable amount of work is being done to achieve improvements.

  I therefore have no plans to include the World Health Organisation European region target in "The Health of the Nation" targets.

  Press Offices
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the budget of the press office in(a) the Department of Health and (b) the national health service executive in each of the last five years. [21747]

  Mr. Sackville
  The national health service executive does not have a separate press office. The budget for the press office is not separately identifiable from the Department's information division.

  Press Officers
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many press and public relations officers have been employed by(a) the Department of Health, (b) the national health service executive (c) regional health authorities (d) district health authorities and (e) trusts in each of the last five years. [21746]

  Mr. Sackville
  Functions which are commonly associated with press and public relations for the Department of Health are carried out by the Department's information division. The number of staff employed in each of the last five years is:

  1990–91: 37

  1991–92: 36

  1992–93: 39

  1993–94: 39

  1994–95: 37

  Information about the number of press and public relations officers in regional health authorities, district health authorities, family health services authorities and national health service trusts is not available centrally.

  NHS Reforms
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is her assessment of the effect of the introduction of GP fundholding on the need for administration within the NHS; [21750]

  (2) what is her assessment of the effect of the introduction of the internal market on the need for administration within the NHS. [21749]

  Mr. Malone
  The national health service reforms have strengthened the management of the NHS and have led to a rise in activity, a fall in waiting times and a rise in consumer satisfaction.

  GP Prescribing Costs
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money is to be made available to family health service authorities to enable them to make payments to general practitioners' practices which contain their prescribing costs. [21667]

  Mr. Malone
  We made £1.7 million available to health authorities to meet the cost of payments to non-fundholding general practitioner practices in respect of prescribing incentive schemes which operated in 1993–94. These payments, which are directly related to the reduction in prescribing expenditure achieved, are used to improve patient services.

  Community Nursing
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the amount spent per head of the population on community nursing in London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool in each year since 1990. [21917]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  Contracting Out
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial criteria her Department applies in the contracting out of services previously provided in-house. [21925]

  Mr. Sackville
  Financial criteria are applied and evaluated as an integral part of all major procurement, regardless of whether the services were previously provided in-house, in accordance with best professional purchasing practice and existing legislation. The purpose of this procedure is to minimise the risk to the Department of the financial failure of a supplier.

  Nurses
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the latest figures for unemployment among nurses. [22009]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Special Hospitals
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are currently awaiting admission to and discharge from(a) Broadmoor, (b) Rampton and (c) Ashworth hospitals. [21921]
  243
  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the Special Hospitals Service Authority, which is responsible for the management of the special hospitals.

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 24-hour accident and emergency departments there were in London in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1994. [21919]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on 24-hour accident and emergency services was first collected in 1987–88. Until 1991–92, data were collected at hospital level, but for subsequent years they were collected on the basis of national health service trusts and directly managed units, some of which may provide accident and emergency services on more than one site. The information available is shown in the table. Comparable information for earlier years is not available.

  Trusts1 and Directly Managed Units with Accident and Emergency Departments2 London.

  Year

  Number

  1991–92

  41

  1992–93

  37

  1993–94

  34

  1 A trust or a directly managed unit may consist of a number of hospitals providing an A&E service on more than one site.

  2 With medical staff on site and where the intention is to open 168 hours per week.

  Source: KH09.

  Primary Care
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 23 February,Official Report, column 323, how much of the expenditure per head of population on primary care is demand driven and how much allocated by formula; and if she will make a statement. [21927]

  Mr. Sackville
  Primary care consists of all four branches of the family health services—the general medical, dental and ophthalmic services and the pharmaceutical service, together with the community health services. The cost of various elements of these services is met by family health services authorities, the Dental Practice Board and health authorities. The family health services form by far the largest part, and are mostly demand-led apart from the costs associated with the direct reimbursement of certain general practitioner practice expenses and the drugs cost and practice expenses' elements of the budgets managed by GP fundholders. Expenditure on community health services is funded locally by health authorities but is not separately identifiable in data available centrally. It is not possible, therefore, to give a precise apportionment of the overall expenditure on primary care services between the demand-led and cash-limited elements, nor to calculate the proportion allocated by formula, although this would be small.

  Weighted Capitations (Health Authorities)
  Sir Terence Higgins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the five most underfunded health authorities in England and the extent to which they are 244
  currently below capitation and the corresponding data for the previous 10 years. [21807]

  Mr. Sackville
  The weighted capitation positions for the five district health authorities furthest below target in 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 are listed. Corresponding information for previous years is not available centrally.

  Weighted capitation positions for five health authorities furthest below target

  District

  £ million

  Percentage

  1993–94 distance from target

  Worthing

  14.8

  -15.7

  Chichester

  9.0

  -13.5

  Oldham

  8.9

  -9.7

  Canterbury and Thanet

  10.2

  -9.0

  Southport

  4.0

  -8.9

  1994–95 distance from target

  Worthing

  10.1

  -10.2

  Blackpool

  11.4

  -8.7

  Chichester

  5.9

  -8.4

  Wigan

  8.6

  -7.7

  Hereford

  3.9

  -6.3

  1995–96 distance from target

  Worthing1

  15.7

  -13.0

  South Essex

  27.1

  -9.0

  Chichester1

  6.6

  -7.9

  Bedfordshire

  17.9

  -7.5

  East Sussex

  22.1

  -6.4

  1 Figures for 1995–96 were calculated prior to the subsequent merger of Worthing DHA and Chichester DHA with Mid Downs DHA to form West Sussex DHA as of 1 April 1995.

  Notes:

  1. Data are not necessarily comparable year on year or across boundaries within year because of differing regional policies eg. on the integration of capital charges, levels of top slicing and boundary changes.

  2. For 1994–95 and 1995–96 the distance from targets have been calculated on a standardised basis which assumes all RHAs are at their capitation targets. They may therefore vary from locally published figures.

  Medium Secure Units
  Ms Tessa Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were detained in medium secure units run by the NHS for each year since 1991. [21918]

  Mr. Bowis
  The number of places in purpose-built national health service medium secure units has increased from 597 in January 1991 to 792 in April 1995. The completion of our centrally funded building programme, to which we allocated more than £47 million between 1991 and 1995, will take this to over 1,150 places by the end of 1996. Further places are being developed by regions from the mainstream NHS capital programme.

  The numbers of in-patients receiving treatment in these units, not all of whom will necessarily have been detained, were:

  Number

  31 January 1991

  492

  31 January 1992

  532

  31 January 1993

  591

  31 March 1994

  653

  Source:

  Department of Health annual census of NHS medium secure units.
  245
  In addition, a number of patients were receiving treatment in NHS interim secure units, which in many cases are of medium secure standard, and as NHS patients in private sector medium secure units.

  Continuing Care Beds (London)
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many continuing care beds there were in London in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1994. [21920]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information available centrally on numbers of national health service beds does not include the classification "continuing care". Information according to ward classifications has been published for the years since 1988–89 in "Bed availability for England". In earlier years, beds were classified according to consultant specialty and "SH3 National and Regional Summaries" were published. Copies of the publications are available in the Library.

  Psychiatric Units (London)
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to reduce bed occupancy in psychiatric units in inner London; and if she will make a statement. [21924]

  Mr. Bowis
  It is for district health authorities to assess the mental health needs of their local population and to purchase services to meet those needs. In recognition of the pressures on mental health services in inner London we commissioned the mental health task force London project to work with the London health authorities, local authorities and other agencies to identify key problems and to develop action plans to address these. The mental health task force London project follow-up report, published on 19 April, copies of which are available in the Library, shows that health authorities have got off to a good start in implementing their action plans to improve London's mental health services. The regional offices of the national health service executive will continue to monitor progress closely.

  Marriages
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many marriages between British citizens and non-British, non-EU citizens were reported as bogus to the Secretary of State for the Home Department by the Registrar General in each year since 1989. [21817]

  Mr. Sackville
  Details of the total number of marriages suspected to have been arranged for the sole purpose of evading statutory immigration controls, reported by the Registrar General to the Home Department, since 1989 are shown. Details of the reports sent involving a marriage between British citizens and non-British citizens are not kept separately and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The number of marriages reported by the Registrar General to the Home Office were

  1989: Nil

  1990: Nil

  1991: 19

  1992: 94

  1993: 304

  1994: 404

  19951: 90

  1 Relates to the first quarter only.

  Hospital Development Schemes
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital development schemes were started in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1993–94 (c) 1992–93; and how many are planned to be started in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97. [22323]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information is available on all national health service building schemes, most of which are on hospital sites, with a works cost exceeding £1 million as follows:

  Year

  Development started

  1992–93

  85

  1993–94

  79

  1994–95

  94

  To date, 97 schemes have been approved with expenditure programmed in 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  Medical Devices Agency
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the key targets for 1995–96 for the Medical Devices Agency. [27728]

  Mr. Sackville
  I have agreed the agency's key targets for 1995–96, and have placed copies in the Library.

  Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she proposes to assist those suffering from attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and their carers; and if she will make a statement. [20549]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department recently issued a handbook on child and adolescent mental health, copies of which are available in the Library. This gives information about the prevalence of this disorder. Hyperkinetic disorder is among those mainly childhood disorders which authorities responsible for purchasing mental health services should recognise and provide for in their purchasing plans. We also support the work of voluntary organisations concerned with this disorder, including provision of grant aid to the hyperactive children's support group.

  Children's Homes
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the current study into unregisterable children's homes will be completed; and what will be the date of publication. [21940]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 24 January,Official Report, column 175.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the nuclear non-proliferation conference. [20431]
  247
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's policy towards the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. [20443]

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the progress of the non-proliferation treaty conference in New York. [20444]

  Mr. Hurd
  I refer the hon. Members to my answer to the question from the hon. Member for Mid Staffordshire (Mr. Fabricant).

  China
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit China to discuss human rights. [20440]

  Mr. Goodlad
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans at present to visit China. He raised human rights when he met the Chinese Foreign Minister in New York on 18 April.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's record of compliance with European Union directives by reference to those of other European Union member states. [20441]

  Mr. David Davis
  The United Kingdom has a good record on compliance with EU directives. The latest figures show that the UK has implemented 92.3 per cent. of directives in force. This is the third best total among member states. The latest Commission report, containing figures for all member states, has been placed in the House Library.

  India
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to improve co-operation between the United Kingdom and India, with particular reference to science and technology. [20445]

  Mr. Baldry
  Within the context of the highly successful Indo-British partnership initiative, my Department is co-ordinating an initiative designed to further strengthen science and technology co-operation particularly in those areas which have a commercial dimension. These activities will include a science and technology exchange scheme, an industry-funded postgraduate scholarship programme and a technician training exchange. In November my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster plans to visit India accompanied by a delegation to demonstrate British strengths in science, engineering and technology.

  Ms Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the abuse of human rights in Madhya Pradesh, India, in relation to the work of wives and children of bonded labourers; and if he will make a statement. [20450]

  Mr. Baldry
  We have very little information on this subject. The Indian Government's policy is to liberate and rehabilitate all bonded labourers, but progress is slow. We 248
  have asked our high commission to try to establish more details and will report further in due course.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Bosnia. [20446]

  Mr. Hurd
  The Croatian offensive in West Slavonia and the refusal of the parties in Bosnia to extend the cessation of hostilities agreement have seriously increased tensions in the region. We urge all parties to show restraint and co-operate fully with the UN to prevent escalation. These developments underline the urgency of progress in the political process. The contact group is continuing its efforts to promote mutual recognition between the states of the former Yugoslavia and secure a resumption of negotiations on Bosnia on the basis of the contact group plan. Further meetings of contact group officials are being held this week.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet his European Union counterparts in preparation for the 1996 intergovernmental conference. [20448]

  Mr. David Davis
  The first meeting of the study group is on 2 June in Messina.

  Export Promotion
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what priority he attaches to export promotion in setting his Department's overall objectives. [20449]

  Mr. Goodlad
  Promoting trade is recognised by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary as one of the FCO's key long-term objectives.

  Commercial work is our posts' largest single activity, accounting for 30 per cent. of front-line staff. They offer a wide range of commercial services for exporters. But there is no clear dividing line between export promotion and many of our posts' other activities. For instance ambassadors provide British companies with high-quality political and economic advice as well as invaluable door opening.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken to improve the flow of people and traffic between Spain and Gibraltar following the introduction of the Schengen agreement on EU external frontiers. [20426]

  Mr. David Davis
  When I met my Spanish opposite number, Mr. Westendorp, on 19 April, I made clear our concern about the unacceptable delays at the Spain-Gibraltar frontier.

  Our ambassador in Madrid has also formally protested to the Spanish Government. We have left the Spanish Government in no doubt that we will not accept the implementation of the Schengen convention as an excuse for frontier delays.
  249
  It is up to the Schengen countries to provide adequate staff at their frontier posts with other EU countries to prevent any undue delay to EU citizens.

  We have also reminded the Spanish Government that the Schengen external frontier is not equivalent to the EU's external frontier. Gibraltar is an integral part of the European Union and must be treated as such.

  Malta
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current position of Malta's application to join the EC.

  Mr. David Davis
  The 10 April Foreign Affairs Council outlined the circumstances in which accession negotiations will begin six months after conclusion of the intergovernmental conference.

  Poland
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to support the application of Poland to join the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [20932]

  Mr. David Davis
  We strongly support the eastward enlargement of the European Union to those associated countries of central Europe which wish to join, including Poland. To help them prepare for membership, the EU agreed a strategy at the Essen European Council in December 1994 which we welcomed. The United Kingdom is working to ensure the strategy's effective implementation.

  Taslima Nasrin
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Bangladeshi Government and the Bangladeshi high commissioner regarding the case of Taslima Nasrin; and if he will make a statement. [21027]

  Mr. Baldry
  In the last few months, we, and our EU partners, have been in close contact with the Bangladeshi authorities on the case of Taslima Nasrin. In January, I discussed it with their Foreign Minister during my visit to Bangladesh.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations on behalf of Her Majesty's Government he has made to the Government of Pakistan over the murder on 16 April of Iqbal Masih; and if he will make a statement. [22384]

  Mr. Baldry
  I have made no representations to the Government of Pakistan. We deplore the murder of Iqbal Masih and hope the Pakistan authorities will be able swiftly to identify and bring to justice those responsible.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which British post in Pakistan Iqbal Masih applied for a visa to visit the United Kingdom; when his application was received; when it was referred to London; if the application was granted; when Iqbal Masih was informed of the decision; and if he will make a statement. [22386]

  Mr. Baldry
  We do not normally disclose details of an individual's entry clearance application to third parties without the applicant's consent. However, in this case I250
  can say that Mr. Iqbal Masih applied for a United Kingdom visa in Stockholm on 11 November 1994.

  The application was referred to Islamabad in line with normal practice. Before a reply was received from Islamabad, Mr. Masih returned to Pakistan.

  Azad Kashmir
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received as to when the Government of Azad Kashmir will introduce an ordinance whereby those held in prison without trial for more than two years will be eligible for bail. [22385]

  Mr. Baldry
  We have received no recent reports.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries to which Her Majesty's Government refuse to sell arms, in each case giving the criteria for the embargo.

  Mr. David Davis
  We observe mandatory United Nations embargoes on Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Liberia, Former Republic of Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) UNITA (Angola) and Rwanda; European Union embargoes on China, Burma, Zaire and Sudan; an Organisation on Security and Co-operation in Europe embargo on Armenia and Azerbaijan.

  In addition we do not supply military equipment to Argentina or Iran.

  We also observe the EU policy of applying a presumption of denial for new export licence applications for defence equipment for Nigeria, and the UN policy of encouraging a reduction in military expenditure by Cyprus.

  Land-mines
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the United Kingdom's policy on the export of land-mines.

  Mr. David Davis
  On 15 March I extended the scope of our indefinite moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines. It now comprises a total ban on the export of non self-destructing or non-detectable anti-personnel land-mines; plus a ban on the export of all anti-personnel land-mines to countries which have not ratified the weaponry convention.

  On 10 April the Foreign Affairs Council agreed a proposal for joint action on land-mines. The joint action includes an European Union-wide moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines, identical in scope to our own moratorium; joint efforts to strengthen the UN weaponry convention; and support for demining.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the record of(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other members states in complying with EU directives. [20416]

  Mr. David Davis
  The United Kingdom has a good record on compliance with EU directives. The latest figures show that the United Kingdom has implemented
  251
  92.3 per cent. of directives in force. This is the third best total among member states. The latest Commission report, containing figures for all member states, has been placed in the House Library.

  UN Arms Register
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the United Kingdom has(a) completed and (b) submitted its 1994 return to the United Nations register of conventional arms; if he will place a copy of return in the Library; and if he will list the other states that have submitted their returns. [22317]

  Mr. David Davis
  The United Kingdom 1994 entry in the United Nations register of conventional arms was submitted to the United Nations on 1 May 1995. Arrangements have been made for copies of the return to be placed in the Library.

  It is too early to say which other states have submitted returns at this stage.

  Overseas Students
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many scholarships are available to overseas students for higher education and training in the United Kingdom. [22148]

  Mr. Baldry
  We have for many years funded substantial programmes of scholarships and awards to enable overseas students to study and train in the United Kingdom.

  In 1993–94, the latest year for which complete figures are available, we provided some 21,000 scholarships and awards at a total cost of about £150 million.

  Islamabad
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to improve access for disabled persons to the visa interview section at Islamabad. [22340]

  Mr. Goodlad
  I have asked the high commission at Islamabad for details and shall arrange for my hon. Friend to receive a substantive reply as soon as possible.

  British Council
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total expenditure by the British Council for(a) the interchange of people, (b) libraries and the purchasing of books and (c) the supply of specialist training in the fields of engineering, science and education for the years 1992 and 1994. [22146]

  Mr. Baldry
  Expenditure in financial years 1992–93 and 1994–95 was (in £m):

  1992–93

  1994–95

  (a) Interchange of people

  204

  200

  (b) Libraries and the purchasing of books

  49

  59

  (c) Supply of specialist training in the fields of engineering, science and education

  65

  77

SCOTLAND

  School Buses
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce legislation to make safety seat belts compulsory on school buses; and if he will make a statement

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 April 1995]: The Government are presently consulting on draft regulations which will require seat belts to be fitted to all coaches and minibuses whenever they are used specifically for the transport of children. It is proposed that the regulations will come into force 12 months after they are laid before Parliament to allow operators sufficient time to arrange for vehicles to be fitted with seat belts. The regulations will be made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and will extend to Scotland.

  Animal Diseases
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of Teschen disease occurred in each year since 1975. [21097]

  Sir Hector Monro
  No cases of Teschen disease have been recorded in Scotland since 1975.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of African swine fever there has been each year since 1985. [21066]

  Sir Hector Monro
  No cases of African swine fever have been recorded in Scotland since 1985.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of vesicular stomatitis occurred in each year since 1985. [21137]

  Sir Hector Monro
  No cases of vesicular stomatitis have been reported since it was made notifiable on 1 June 1991. Official records are not available for the period before that date.

  Mink Farms
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of licensed mink farms in each year since 1989. [21192]

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: The number of licensed mink farms in each year since 1989 is as follows:

  1989: 8

  1990: 6

  1991: 2

  1992: 2

  1993: 1

  1994: —

  Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  To ask the Secretary for Scotland what plans he has to recruit a chief executive and members for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and what costs may be associated with this exercise. [22729]

  Mr. Lang
  As the Environment Bill has received a Second Reading in the Commons, thereby indicating parliamentary support for the principle of the Bill, advertisements are being placed in the press for a chief
  253
  executive and members of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The successful candidates will not be formally appointed until the Bill has received Royal Assent.

  Parliamentary approval for the new service will be sought in a summer supplementary estimate for the housing and environmental services, Scotland vote, class XIV, vote 5. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £40,000 will be met by a repayable advance from the contingencies fund.

  This expenditure is urgent because of the need to have senior personnel in place as soon as possible after Royal Assent so as to ensure that the agency is full operational from 1 April 1996.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Children's Books
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what was the cost of the children's books in the Family Room of the House; who chose them; and under what budget their purchase was made.

  Mr. Beith
  [holding answer 24 April 1995]: In July 1989, the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee of the Services Committee gave approval to the idea that a small set of bookcases be provided to house children's books in the Members' Families' Room. The Services Committee and the Speaker endorsed this recommendation of the Sub-Committee. The then Librarian, Dr. Menhennet, agreed to find up to £150 from the Library's budget to purchase a modest number of suitable books which would be stamped as Library property. The assistant education officer was asked to advise on the selection of books. Early in 1994, an additional £30 was spent following a suggestion from a Member.

WALES

  NRA Advisory Committee for Wales
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what issues his Advisory Committee for Wales on National Rivers Authority functions has considered during 1994. [22779]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The committee's annual report for 1994 has been published today and I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Divorces
  Mr. Martin Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of divorce have been reported during the last year; and what were the comparable figures for each of the previous four years. [20752]
  254
  Mr. Richards
  The information requested for Wales is in the following table.

  Year

  Divorces1

  19942

  17,941

  1993

  8,517

  1992

  8,633

  1991

  8,542

  1990

  8,159

  Notes:

  1 Divorces according to the date of decree absolute.

  2 The 1994 figure is provisional and is liable to revision to take account of late amendments.

  Source:

  Lord Chancellors Department.

  Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment his Department has made of the prevalence of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in Wales and in each health authority; what measures he proposes to assist sufferers and their carers; and if he will make a statement. [20548]

  Mr. Richards
  The determination of the level of need and the provision of appropriate services is a matter for health authorities.

  CADW
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets he has set for Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments executive agency. [22778]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Cadw has been set the following key targets for 1995–96:

  (i) To complete 90 per cent. of the approved conservation maintenance programme.

  (ii) To complete 60 resurvey lists.

  (iii) To resolve 75 per cent. of ad hoc listing cases within 17 weeks.

  (iv) To complete 110 scheduling actions, of which at least 70 per cent. involve additional protection.

  (v) To resolve 75 per cent. of listed building consent cases within four weeks, and 90 per cent. of cases within six weeks.

  (vi) To resolve 75 per cent. of scheduled monument consent cases within 13 weeks, and 90 per cent. of cases within 17 weeks.

  (vii) To resolve 80 per cent. of Historic Buildings grant applications within 17 weeks.

  (viii) To resolve 80 per cent. of Ancient Monument grant applications within six weeks.

  (ix) To pay 90 per cent. of properly presented claims for Historic Buildings and Ancient Monument grants within four weeks of receipt.

  (x) To achieve a market share of 63 per cent. of the number of visitors to the top 20 heritage sites in Wales.

  (xi) To increase the average income per visitor to 227.

  (xii) To operate within allocated programme and running cost budgets.

  (xiii) To achieve efficiency gains of at least 2 per cent.

  Full details of Cadw's performance against its targets for 1995–96 will be published in the agency's annual report.

  Sutton: Proposed new High School
  Sutton: Proposed new High School
  Parental Responsibility Agreements
  Parental Responsibility Agreements
  Abortion Act: Commission of Inquiry Report
  Abortion Act: Commission of Inquiry Report
  Haslar Service Hospital: Development Costs
  Haslar Service Hospital: Development Costs
  Air Passenger Duty: Revenue
  Air Passenger Duty: Revenue
  Single European Currency
  Single European Currency
  Financial Services Industry, Edinburgh: Employee Numbers
  Financial Services Industry, Edinburgh: Employee Numbers
  Blasphemy: Scots Law
  Blasphemy: Scots Law