Written Answers of 5 May 1995

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Defamation
  Mr. Waller
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to introduce legislation to assist parties seeking speedy and economic results in defamation proceedings. [22341]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Government announced in November 1994 that there would be a new summary procedure which would help parties to defamation proceedings to clarify the real issues much earlier, and provide an inexpensive fast track for the disposal of straightforward claims. We are making good progress in preparing the draft statutory framework and will introduce legislation as soon as there is a suitable opportunity.

  Fraud
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of self-regulation by solicitors in respect of the treatment of fraud; and what assessment he has made of the impact of self-regulation on(a) the number of firms operating and (b) the number of claims against law firms. [22147]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I do not consider that the self-regulation by the Law Society in respect of the treatment of fraud is inadequate. The solicitors' profession functions independently of Government and it is the responsibility of the Law Society to maintain standards of conduct within the profession. The Law Society's statutory powers to deal with complaints about solicitors, including the investigation of fraud, have been delegated to the Solicitors Complaints Bureau. The SCB has responded to the apparent increase in fraud by increased fraud investigation work, including an increased number of inspections of solicitors' firms. The Law Society co-operates fully with other regulatory and Government bodies involved in combating fraud. It keeps under review the effectiveness of its response to the problem of fraud.

PRIME MINISTER

  Kashmir Elections
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Indian Government as to the holding of elections during the current year in the Indian-occupied area of Kashmir; and if he will make a statement on the criteria the British Government will expect to see followed to have confidence that such elections were free and fair. [22380]
  322
  The Prime Minister
  I have had no recent discussions with the Indian Government, but my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed elections in Kashmir during his visit to India in January. We shall be considering with our European partners how best to assess the forthcoming elections in Kashmir.

  Atlantic Trade
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his discussions with President Clinton concerning a merger between the North American Free Trade Area and the European Union. [23039]

  The Prime Minister
  The UK Government, the European Commission and the US Administration are each looking at various specific ways of liberalising trade both across the north Atlantic and more generally. We believe Europe and north America must work together for free and open trade across the Atlantic.

EMPLOYMENT

  Wages Council
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has happened to the pay of employees working in sectors formerly covered by wage councils, since their abolition in 1993. [18426]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The labour force survey shows that average earnings of workers in the industrial sectors in which wages councils mainly operated increased by 6.3 per cent. over the 12 months to autumn 1994.

HEALTH

  Local Pay
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the total administrative cost to NHS trusts of negotiating local pay schemes. [21677]

  Mr. Malone
  Information is not available centrally about local arrangements but it is expected that any additional costs for individual trusts would be more than offset by savings from increased flexibility in the use of staff. When trusts were established, infrastructure for human resources, which includes the ability to support local pay arrangements was an essential part of our investment in strengthening the finance, information technology and personnel functions throughout the national health service.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many chief executives of trusts had not set up local pay machinery by February; and of those that succeeded what was the average change in personnel staff and cost to trust hospitals. [21745]

  Mr. Malone
  Information is not available about the local arrangements established following the letter of 6 June 1994 from the chief executive of the national health service executive asking trusts to establish local pay machinery by February 1995. When trusts were established, infrastructure for human resources, which includes the ability to support local pay arrangements was
  323
  an essential part of our investment in strengthening the finance, information technology and personnel functions throughout the national health service.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 24 April,Official Report, column 321, if she will list each of the trusts that have made local pay offers giving (a) the total percentage offered to staff, (b) what conditions are attached to the offer and (c) whether the offer has been accepted. [22813]

  Mr. Malone
  Comprehensive details of local negotiations are not available centrally. But it is understood that, by 2 May, at least 195 trusts in England had made their offers known, of which 147 are of around 3 per cent. We also understand that staff side representatives are generally unwilling to engage in negotiations.

  NHS Trusts
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the establishment costs including expenditure on conveyancing for trusts by former regional health authority areas in each of the five waves of trusts; and if she will list the number of trusts established by region in each wave. [21754]

  Mr. Malone
  This information will be placed in the Library.

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has that larger accident and emergency departments produce better clinical outcomes. [23173]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  There is a considerable body of scientific evidence showing that patients who have suffered a major injury receive more effective care in large, properly staffed, accident and emergency departments. I have today placed in the Library a review of the literature on the relationship between the size of accident and emergency departments and clinical outcomes prepared by my Department.

  Medical (Professional Performance) Bill
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what undertakings have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the General Medical Council in respect of the Medical (Professional Performance) Bill, other than an intention to obtain Royal Assent to that Bill during the current Session of Parliament. [23012]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  General Medical Council
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the ministerial statements made in Standing Committee A, considering the Medical (Professional Performance) Bill on 2 May, if she will list the numbers, category and date of Parliamentary Assent by Resolution, or other procedures, of(a) regulations and (b) rules of the General Council now in force. [23011]

  Mr. Malone
  The General Medical Council has advised me that the following statutory instruments are currently in force.
  324

  SI Number

  Category

  Laid before Parliament

  1977/827

  Order

  19 May 1977

  1979/29

  Rules

  19 January 1979

  1979/112

  Order

  14 February 1979

  1979/844

  Regulations

  1—

  1979/1358

  Rules

  5 November 1979

  1980/860

  Rules

  1 July 1980

  1980/941

  Rules

  10 July 1980

  1982/1076

  Order

  9 August 1982

  1986/23

  Order

  15 January 1986

  1986/149

  Regulations

  1—

  1986/1390

  Rules

  11 August 1986

  1987/1120

  Rules

  6 July 1987

  1987/2166

  Regulations

  1—

  1987/2174

  Rules

  17 December 1987

  1988/2255

  Rules

  22 December 1988

  1989/496

  Order

  23 March 1989

  1989/1837

  Rules

  10 October 1989

  1990/1587

  Rules

  9 August 1990

  1991/53

  Regulation

  1—

  1994/2022

  Rules

  1 August 1994

  1994/3171

  Rules

  13 December 1994

  1994/3298

  Rules

  29 December 1994

  1 Regulations made under section 32 of the Medical Act 1983 do not need to be laid before Parliament but come into effect when approved by order of the Privy Council.

  NHS (Private Practice)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many private patients were treated in NHS facilities by region and in total in 1993–94. [22812]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is due to be published in volume 1 of "Hospital Episode Statics, England; Financial Year 1993–94", shortly. Copies will he available in the Library.

  Medical Negligence
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cases of alleged medical negligence by the NHS were awaiting settlement or court hearing at 30 April in each of the last five years; [22814]

  (2) what is the average time taken for an alleged medical negligence case to be settled; and if she will make a statement on how the average time has changed over the past five years; [22815]

  (3) if she will list all current alleged medical negligence cases against the NHS by (a) type of allegation and (b) length of time waiting for settlement. [22816]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

TREASURY

  Financial Services Act 1986
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to alter the scope of the Financial Services Act 1986. [23138]

  Mr. Nelson
  It has been suggested that non-financial spread betting should no longer he regulated under the Financial Services Act. However, in the light of a number of representations from right hon. and hon. Members and others, I have concluded that such a change would not be
  325
  justified, in the absence of alternative regulatory arrangements offering equivalent protection. I do not therefore propose to make any change at the present time.

  GPs' and Consultants' Earnings
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effects of income tax at the rates of 1978 and 1995 on the average general practitioner's and on the average NHS consultant's earnings. [21741]

  Sir George Young
  Based on expected levels of average net incomes for general practitioners providing general medical services in 1994–95, a single GP will pay over £65 a week less income tax in 1995–96 than under a 1978–79 indexed tax regime. In addition, a GP could also earn income from non-GMS sources. For the purposes of the calculation, it has been assumed that the GP has no tax allowances or reliefs except for the basic personal allowance.

  It is not possible to produce a comparable estimate for consultants because the latest available data relate to 1991–92 levels of earnings.

  Retail Prices Indexes
  Mrs. Jane Kennedy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the retail prices index is comprised of water rates; and how the weighting of water rates within the retail prices index has changed over the last five years. [22544]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: The information requested is available in table A3 of the publication "Retail Prices Index February 1995"; CSO "Business Monitor" MM23, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement outlining the differences in the procedures of the EU nations in formulating their cost of living indexes; and what endeavours there are to harmonise the methods of calculation. [22550]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: Measures of consumer prices indices vary widely across the EU in terms of concepts, methods and practices. The most notable differences are in the treatment of owner-occupied housing, and health and educational services. The Statistical Office of the European Communities—EUROSTAT—has prepared a draft Council regulation, which, with the co-operation of national statistical offices, establishes a harmonisation programme with the aim of achieving comparability across member states.

  Minicab Drivers
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how frequently and by what methods the Inland Revenue makes audits of drivers working at the unlicensed private hire or minicab firms within Greater London; and if he will make a statement. [21172]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: Audits of employers' records are normally carried out by the Inland Revenue where there is reason to believe that the tax has not been correctly deducted from employees' pay under the PAYE system. Tax office staff also investigate self-employed people where there is reason to believe that they may not have properly declared income
  326
  for tax purposes. Specific figures relating to private hire and minicab firms in London are not compiled.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Broadcasting Complaints
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many complaints were made to the Broadcasting Standards Councils in 1994; on how many it made a judgment; how many related to the BBC; and how many relating to the BBC or others were(a) upheld, (b) partly upheld and (c) not upheld. [21030]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: The Broadcasting Standards Council records figures for complaints received by financial year, not calender year. I understand that the council received a total of 2,829 complaints in the financial year 1994–95. More detailed figures are not available at present but will be published in July in the council's annual report for 1994–95.

  Churchill Papers
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will set up an independent committee to examine the history of the ownership of the papers which the Churchill family have sold to the national heritage memorial fund; and if the family has a right to charge for their reproduction. [22528]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I will not be setting up an independent committee to examine the history of ownership of the papers which have been acquired for Churchill college, Cambridge through lottery funds distributed by the national heritage memorial fund.

  Subject to the fair dealing and any other available exceptions in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, it is for the copyright owners to license reproductions of copyright material and to charge for such reproductions if they think it appropriate. The owners of the copyright in the non-state papers sold to Churchill college retain this right in those papers but have granted a licence to enable the papers to be copied without payment of a royalty in the circumstances referred to in sections 37 to 43 of the 1988 Act—copying by libraries and archives. The Crown has retained similar rights in respect of the state papers and has also granted a similar licence.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will publish the names of those people who advised the national heritage memorial fund on the valuation of the Churchill papers; [22117]

  (2) if he will publish both the identities of the valuers and their valuation advice for all future purchases financed by the national heritage memorial fund; [22118]

  (3) if he will publish all the valuation advice received by the national heritage memorial fund. [22119]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 2 May 1995]: This is a matter for the national heritage memorial fund, which is an independent body. I understand, however, that the chairman has written to the hon. Member. I have asked him to place copies of his letter in the Library of the House.
  327
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who will grant requests to reproduce documents purchased from the Churchill family by the national heritage memorial fund; and what steps will be taken to ensure that the family do not charge for the reproduction of any document at any time covered by the Official Secrets Acts. [22623]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Permission to reproduce the documents from the Churchill archive for commercial purposes will have to be sought from the copyright owners. Copyright in the non-state papers is vested in the Churchill family, copyright in the state paper is vested in the Crown.

  Any person who wishes to reproduce for commercial purposes a work in which copyright subsists must ensure that he or she has the appropriate permission.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Haitian Refugees
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the number of refugees from Haiti currently on the Turks and Caicos Islands; what action is being taken to capture and contain them; what further action he proposes to deal with their return; and if he will make a statement. [22428]

  Mr. Baldry
  There are no accurate figures for the number of Haitian migrants in the Turks and Caicos Islands—TCI. The total Haitian population in the territory is estimated to be around 8,000, of whom 1,500 hold work permits.

  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees recommended a registration project, to be carried out by a non-governmental organisation. The project is designed to register all Haitian migrants in the TCI and to establish whether those migrants without a work or resident permit have a case for remaining in the territory. That decision would be taken by the TCI authorities.

  We have received a draft project proposal from the International Catholic Migration Commission, an experienced NGO based in Geneva, and are currently discussing it with the TCI Government.

  The TCI Government have negotiated a draft agreement with the Haitian Government on the orderly repatriation of Haitians identified as economic migrants by the registration project.

  Meanwhile, the surge in illegal Haitian immigration into the TCI over Easter has forced the TCI Government to conduct regular immigration sweeps to identify, screen and repatriate recent arrivals in advance of any registration project.

  In parallel, the TCI authorities are seeking to prevent further undetected arrivals of illegal immigrants with the temporary support of the West Indies guardship and units of the US coast guard.

  Spiro Family (USA)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with representatives of the United States Government on the circumstances surrounding the death of members of the Spiro family in the United States of America. [22535]
  328
  Mr. Baldry
  There have been a number of exchanges. Most recently our consul-general in Los Angeles pressed the San Diego authorities on 8 February 1994 for information from the medical examiner's records for the United Kingdom coroner. The San Diego county sheriff has said he will release the medical examiner's report as soon as his investigation is concluded. The consul-general is keeping in touch with the San Diego authorities.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will request representatives of the Government of the United States of America to ask United States law enforcement officers to interview Mr. Alain and Mr. Arthur Ivy on the question of what knowledge they may have as to the circumstances surrounding the death of the Spiro family. [22536]

  Mr. Baldry
  The Spiro family died in the United States of America and it is for the authorities of that country to pursue investigations into the incident.

  Cuban Refugees
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to deal with the Cuban refugees currently remaining on the Cayman Islands; what discussions he has with the Governments of the United States and Cuba to try to prevent further exodus of Cubans to the Cayman Islands; and if he will make a statement. [22426]

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement issued on 2 May by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The decision to repatriate any future Cuban migrants who fail the refugee screening process in the Cayman Islands was taken with the full agreement of the Cuban Government. The United States Government have now announced a similar policy.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the cost of the United Kingdom police sent to the Cayman Islands to help deal with the Cuban refugees; how this is to he met; and if he will make a statement. [22427]

  Mr. Baldry
  The cost of deploying United Kingdom police to the Cayman Islands, including transport, is estimated to be £375,000. It will be met in full by the Cayman Islands Government.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the total cost of the Cuban refugees on the Cayman Islands including any repatriation and the costs of keeping those who are housed at Guantanamo; how he plans such costs should be met; what discussions he has had with the Government of the United States about their responsibilities for the costs involved; and if he will make a statement. [22425]

  Mr. Baldry
  The total cost to date is approximately £2.7 million, the majority of which has been met by the Cayman Islands Government. We have spent £175,000 in providing material and technical assistance. We are also pursuing the possibility of EU funding for the continuing cost to the Cayman Islands Government.

  The US Government agreed in December 1994 to offer up to 900 places in their safe haven at Guantanamo bay for Cuban migrants who volunteer to transfer from the Caymans. A total of 723 have so far done so. The Cayman Islands Government agreed to meet the cost of

  329
  transferring and supporting these migrants in Guantanamo bay. Subsistence costs in Guantanamo are US$10 per person per day, but no invoice has yet been raised by the Americans. The Guantanamo costs are therefore not included in the above total.

  Turkey
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about Government policy in respect of the recent debate and vote at the Council of Europe meeting on the future membership of Turkey of the Council of Europe Assembly. [22406]

  Mr. David Davis
  The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly debated and carried on 26 April a motion for a recommendation on"Turkey's military intervention in northern Iraq and on Turkey's respect of commitments concerning constitutional and legislative reforms."

  The recommendation will be discussed shortly in the Committee of Ministers. We are considering our position in advance of any discussion. We share the Assembly's concern about Turkey's human rights record. But we see continued dialogue through the Council of Europe as an important aspect of our relationship with Turkey, including as a means of conveying to the Turkish Government our concerns on human rights.

  Enrolment figures for each school in the Derry City, council area 1984–85 to 1994–95

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Nursery schools

  Belmont

  72

  70

  66

  70

  65

  68

  72

  75

  75

  75

  74

  Bligh's Lane

  73

  74

  66

  72

  70

  73

  68

  75

  75

  76

  75

  Carnhill

  65

  65

  62

  55

  59

  58

  69

  71

  52

  76

  75

  Galliagh

  72

  68

  67

  71

  69

  65

  66

  74

  75

  78

  77

  Lisnagelvin

  72

  64

  72

  68

  73

  70

  73

  75

  75

  77

  75

  Londonderry

  70

  72

  70

  68

  67

  67

  68

  72

  74

  74

  75

  Strathfoyle

  51

  49

  49

  50

  54

  54

  51

  56

  50

  50

  52

  Trench Road

  48

  50

  63

  50

  49

  50

  50

  74

  50

  73

  69

  Primary schools

  1. Balloughry

  27

  29

  24

  27

  39

  42

  46

  44

  38

  39

  45

  Broadbridge

  163

  160

  166

  168

  171

  188

  189

  188

  184

  190

  195

  Bunscoil Cholmcille

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  182

  193

  Carlisle Road

  66

  65

  65

  67

  62

  62

  58

  39

  37

  38

  27

  Carnhill

  693

  645

  601

  542

  537

  521

  507

  512

  488

  477

  439

  Chapel Road

  208

  195

  195

  188

  178

  196

  195

  192

  191

  191

  163

  Claudy

  317

  324

  325

  322

  326

  311

  289

  293

  281

  256

  249

  Craigbrack

  76

  88

  84

  77

  83

  84

  90

  86

  96

  94

  102

  Culmore

  66

  72

  69

  60

  52

  35

  34

  29

  29

  23

  29

  2. Cumber Claudy

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  154

  Cumber Upper

  24

  21

  27

  30

  28

  28

  30

  25

  24

  20

  —

  Drumahoe

  225

  228

  232

  234

  232

  228

  213

  214

  223

  221

  202

  Dungiven Road

  392

  436

  458

  456

  469

  505

  493

  483

  490

  473

  463

  Ebrington

  598

  609

  612

  597

  605

  613

  604

  596

  587

  594

  578

  Eglinton

  202

  211

  213

  219

  225

  199

  211

  210

  198

  219

  218

  First Derry

  56

  64

  63

  56

  52

  50

  43

  51

  53

  60

  72

  Fort James

  259

  235

  226

  232

  226

  217

  207

  211

  206

  188

  189

  3. Foyle and Londonderry Prep

  —

  —

  61

  57

  58

  60

  61

  66

  59

  53

  47

  Glendermott

  163

  164

  168

  166

  167

  161

  174

  182

  150

  148

  150

  Greenhaw

  264

  279

  285

  292

  290

  290

  295

  291

  280

  294

  297

  Groarty

  57

  56

  56

  47

  41

  34

  27

  28

  27

  30

  35

  Hollybush

  159

  164

  171

  186

  184

  200

  201

  211

  231

  246

  247

  Holy Child

  421

  447

  494

  472

  476

  477

  474

  472

  450

  410

  383

  4. Holy Family

  —

  —

  —

  458

  656

  867

  1,040

  1,107

  1,182

  1,195

  1,161

  Killaloo Cumber

  119

  1ll

  115

  99

  97

  97

  97

  80

  69

  70

  —

  Lenamore

  361

  416

  451

  462

  478

  473

  499

  490

  494

  478

  472

  Lisnagelvin

  528

  530

  530

  545

  566

  566

  574

  577

  577

  590

  569

  Iqbal Masih
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the application of Iqbal Masih of Pakistan for a visa to visit the United Kingdom was refused; and if he will make a statement. [22580]

  Mr. Baldry
  As I said in my reply of 3 May columns 249–50 to the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden) Mr Iqbal Masih's visa application was not refused.

  Social Development Fund
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom will take part in the social development fund of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement. [22750]

  Mr. David Davis
  There are no plans for United Kingdom participation in the social development fund of the Council of Europe.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Schools, Derry
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the enrolment figures for each school in the Deny city council area for each year since 1984, according to educational sector. [21785]

  Mr. Ancram
  The enrolment figures are as follows:
  331 332

  Enrolment figures for each school in the Derry City council area 1984–85 to 1994–95

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Listress

  47

  49

  47

  47

  38

  43

  36

  39

  38

  38

  35

  Londonderry Model

  283

  325

  352

  352

  361

  360

  371

  378

  383

  396

  391

  5. Longtower

  —

  —

  —

  —

  559

  573

  566

  564

  579

  551

  556

  Maydown

  104

  107

  101

  95

  96

  102

  106

  134

  93

  84

  84

  Mullabuoy

  204

  180

  175

  165

  164

  153

  141

  136

  134

  120

  121

  Nazareth House

  393

  413

  431

  406

  413

  402

  405

  401

  408

  383

  377

  Newbuildings

  333

  325

  316

  316

  319

  327

  344

  333

  346

  338

  334

  6. Oakgrove Integrated

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  96

  173

  219

  262

  Rosemount

  458

  459

  477

  447

  441

  428

  410

  443

  406

  396

  381

  Slievemore

  764

  764

  797

  723

  722

  720

  671

  664

  649

  610

  590

  St. Anne's

  746

  770

  765

  743

  743

  750

  750

  751

  748

  752

  741

  St. Columba's

  133

  123

  107

  99

  102

  97

  93

  103

  116

  122

  134

  St. Columba's Boys'

  229

  248

  255

  234

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  St. Columba's Girls'

  272

  292

  294

  280

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  8. St. Columb's Convent

  32

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  St. Eugene's

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  556

  542

  534

  524

  493

  9. St. Eugene's Boys'

  294

  351

  332

  359

  332

  351

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  St. Eugene's Girls'

  260

  262

  253

  234

  226

  235

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  St. John's

  659

  667

  667

  665

  674

  665

  668

  671

  697

  709

  721

  St. Mary's Claudy

  120

  110

  115

  118

  120

  121

  124

  124

  132

  133

  137

  St. Oliver Plunkett

  222

  229

  222

  216

  206

  215

  225

  236

  242

  235

  256

  7. St. Patrick's Boys

  314

  313

  326

  338

  319

  328

  280

  268

  287

  287

  —

  St. Patrick's Girls

  299

  303

  315

  310

  307

  282

  272

  274

  237

  239

  —

  St. Patrick's Infants

  509

  527

  516

  417

  416

  398

  413

  373

  390

  404

  —

  St. Patrick's Pennyburn

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  919

  Steelstown

  712

  682

  695

  689

  705

  727

  738

  749

  791

  632

  667

  Straidarran

  66

  72

  78

  72

  67

  67

  64

  63

  69

  67

  —

  Strathfoyle

  90

  86

  78

  67

  70

  59

  53

  53

  89

  37

  40

  The Cathedral

  33

  35

  32

  37

  25

  27

  11

  7

  11

  12

  10

  Trench Road

  419

  402

  396

  404

  403

  403

  403

  396

  416

  424

  429

  Secondary schools

  Clondermot

  571

  560

  565

  567

  585

  583

  586

  590

  562

  558

  524

  Faughan Valley

  549

  528

  525

  519

  495

  477

  493

  528

  541

  558

  586

  10. Oakgrove

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  79

  180

  280

  St. Brecan's

  671

  573

  527

  471

  454

  402

  385

  378

  372

  371

  369

  St. Brigid's

  1,052

  1,050

  1,052

  1,011

  1,033

  1,011

  1,055

  1,059

  1,036

  1,002

  979

  St. Cecilia's

  634

  59

  702

  748

  774

  794

  832

  855

  902

  925

  944

  St. Joseph's

  747

  745

  750

  769

  781

  785

  798

  836

  846

  841

  850

  St. Mary's

  751

  766

  768

  778

  788

  787

  810

  840

  879

  915

  928

  St. Patrick's and St. Brigid's

  540

  549

  505

  485

  482

  500

  485

  493

  482

  483

  468

  St. Peter's

  545

  498

  462

  416

  384

  359

  362

  390

  391

  416

  408

  Templemore

  389

  405

  402

  397

  407

  410

  412

  410

  415

  395

  401

  Grammar schools

  11. Foyle and Londonderry

  850

  816

  768

  771

  785

  785

  827

  847

  880

  907

  923

  Thornhill

  1,359

  1,319

  1,273

  1,256

  1,306

  1,266

  1,302

  1,405

  1,459

  1,476

  1,474

  St. Columb's

  1,526

  1,526

  1,562

  1,560

  1,533

  1,519

  1,561

  1,583

  1,613

  1,684

  1,696

  12. Special schools

  Belmont House

  n/a

  n/a

  159

  169

  161

  159

  157

  147

  158

  168

  180

  Foyleview

  n/a

  n/a

  83

  90

  95

  95

  89

  95

  100

  97

  92

  Notes:

  Primary schools

  1. Bunscoil Cholmcille opened 1 September 1993.

  2. Cumber Claudy opened 1 September 1994 replacing Cumber Upper, Straidarran and Killaloo Cumber.

  3. Figures for Foyle and Londonderry Prep for 1984–85 and 1985–86 are included in the grammar school enrolments and cannot be separated.

  4. Holy Family, Ballymagroarty, opened 1 September 1987.

  5. Longtower opened 1 September 1988 and was an amalgamation of St. Columba boys' and St. Columba girls' which both closed 1 September 1988.

  6. Oakgrove integrated opened 2 September 1991.

  7. St. Patrick's boys', girls and infants all closed 1 September 1994 and were replaced by St. Patrick's Pennyburn.

  8. St. Columb's convent closed 1 September 1985.

  9. St. Eugene's boys and girls amalgamated to form St. Eugene's primary 1 September 1990. Secondary schools

  10. Oakgrove college opened 1 September 1992. Grammar Schools

  11. Figures for Foyle and Londonderry for 1984–85 and 1985–86 include preparatory department pupils.

  Special schools

  12. Figures for 1984–85 and 1985–86 for special schools are not available.
  333
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of children enrolled in each sector of primary education for each year

  Number of children enrolled in each sector of primary education (1984–85 to 1994–95)

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Controlled

  DCC

  3,221

  3,275

  3,287

  3,254

  3,286

  3,236

  3,246

  3,241

  3,164

  3,190

  3,165

  NI

  91,670

  90,695

  90,351

  89,791

  90,329

  90,764

  90,741

  90,452

  91,826

  91,230

  91,549

  Voluntary

  DCC

  n/a

  n/a

  61

  57

  58

  60

  61

  66

  59

  53

  47

  NI

  3,692

  3,585

  3,548

  3,569

  3,293

  3,326

  3,197

  3,119

  3,118

  3,151

  3,109

  RC maintained

  DCC

  10,218

  10,368

  10,485

  10,581

  10,782

  11,041

  10,902

  10,950

  11,091

  10,899

  10,774

  NI

  89,936

  90,762

  91,846

  92,954

  94,369

  95,436

  93,596

  93,492

  93,524

  92,826

  91,830

  Other maintained

  DCC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  142

  122

  125

  130

  109

  NI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,360

  1,192

  1,104

  1,129

  1,158

  Controlled

  DCC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  NI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  123

  393

  365

  373

  GM integrated

  DCC

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  96

  173

  219

  262

  NI

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  654

  1,103

  1,419

  1,802

  2,219

  Total

  DCC

  13,439

  13,643

  13,833

  13,892

  14,126

  14,337

  14,351

  14,475

  14,612

  14,491

  14,357

  NI

  185,298

  185,042

  185,745

  186,314

  187,991

  189,526

  189,548

  189,481

  190,384

  190,503

  190,238

  1. Other maintained, controlled integrated and grant mainained integrated were new school management types introduced in 1990–91.

  2. Some schools in the maintained sector became "Other Maintained" when the new category was introduced in 1990–91.

  3. District council information assumes the current boundaries for all previous years.

  4. Primary education covers all pupils in primary schools and preparatory departments of grammar schools.

  Community Relations
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current level of public funding of community relations by(a) central Government and (b) local government. [22102]

  Mr. Ancram
  The resources available for community relations are directed at consolidating a range of major initiatives which are designed to increase cross-community contact and encourage greater mutual understanding and respect of different cultures and traditions.

  The current level of central Government funding for community relations work is £8.74 million. This includes grant of 75 per cent.—£1.87 million—to district councils for their own community relations programmes. The balance of funding is provided by local government. In addition, other local government programmes may involve projects relevant to community relations, notably community services and cultural facilities.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made on the current review of the fair employment legislation in Northern Ireland, and if he will make a statement. [22111]

  Mr. Ancram
  In November 1994, my right hon. and learned Friend asked the Standing Advisory Commission for Human Rights to carry forward a review of employment equality after five years experience of the
  334
  since 1984 in (a) the Deny city council areas and (b) Northern Ireland. [21786]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989. The commission is taking steps to do so, and a review report should be available in 1996.

  Education Administration
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the numbers of staff and the administrative costs of statutory bodies responsible for aspects of the administration of the education system in Northern Ireland in the year ended 31 March; and what are the projected costs for 1995–96. [21792]

  Mr. Ancram
  The numbers of staff and the administrative costs for those statutory bodies engaged in the administration of the education system in Northern Ireland for the year ended 31 March 1995 and projected costs for the 1995–96 year are as follows:

  Staff numbers

  Annual costs (£000s)

  1994–95

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

  137

  964

  857

  DENI Inspectorate (including inspectorate support branch)

  65

  3,061

  3,236

  DENI—other staff

  518

  11,960

  12,389

  Education and Library Boards Belfast

  330

  5,087

  4,935

  North Eastern

  349

  5,957

  6,051

  335

  Staff numbers

  Annual costs (£000s)

  1994–95

  1994–95

  1995–96

  South Eastern

  304

  5,209

  5,036

  Southern

  343

  5,744

  5,558

  Western

  291

  5,603

  4,859

  NI Council for the Curriculum and Assessment

  2168

  4,500

  4,645

  3250

  Youth Council for NI

  417

  340

  360

  Notes:

  1 Includes one temp.

  2 Full-time.

  3 Temporary.

  4 Includes two part-time.

  Social Fund
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those projects in privatised companies which have received European social fund support since privatisation indicating(a) the level of funding and (b) the dates when it was received. [21293]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: There are no privatised companies in Northern Ireland in direct receipt of support from the European social fund since their privatisation.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those public projects which received European social fund support and were subsequently privatised over the last 10 years indicating(a) the level of funding and (b) the dates when it was received. [21292]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: Over the last 10 years, three public sector organisations, Northern Ireland Electricity, Harland and Wolff and Short Brothers received support from the European social fund as follows:

  ESF Paid(£)

  NIE

  H and W

  Shorts

  1985

  733,564

  475,591

  815,349

  1986

  873,671

  170,547

  790,429

  1987

  856,619

  384,623

  324,563

  1988

  760,997

  93,531

  160,120

  1989

  605,442

  —

  —

  1990

  1,005,805

  —

  —

  1991

  1,037,414

  —

  —

  1992

  670,344

  —

  —

  1993

  176,390

  —

  —

  Total

  6,720,246

  1,124,292

  2,090,461

  Funding was awarded to NIE to run EC-approved engineering apprenticeship training courses at a purpose-built training centre. H and W and Short Brothers did not make any further applications for ESF after 1988.

  Animal Diseases
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of brucellosis have occurred in each year since 1985. [21819]
  336
  Mr. Ancram
  The number of herds in which brucellosis has been confirmed in Northern Ireland since 1985 is as follows:

  1985: Nil

  1986: Nil

  1987: Nil

  1988: Nil

  1989: 3

  1990: 1

  1991: 4

  1992: 3

  1993: Nil

  1994: Nil

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of pleuro-pneumonia occurred in each year since 1985. [22169]

  Mr. Ancram
  None

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of paramyxovirus occurred in each year since 1985. [221731]

  Mr. Ancram
  Six outbreaks of paramyxovirus occurred in 1991.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of foot and mouth disease occurred in each year since 1978. [22177]

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of epizootic lymphangitis occurred in each year since 1985. [22181]

  Mr. Ancram
  None.

  Prevention of Terrorism Legislation
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have been(a) arrested and (b) convicted under (i) section 9, (ii) section 10, (iii) section 11, (iv) section 12, (v) section 13, (vi) section 17 and (vii) section 18A of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 since 1989. [22446]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Arrests for offences under sections 9, 10 and 11 are made under section 14 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989. Data on arrests specifically for offences under 9, 10 and 11 are not available.

  There are no powers of arrest under sections 12 and 13.

  From the beginning of 1990, there were no arrests made under sections 17 or 18 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1983.

  (b) Since the enactment of the Provision of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989, up to the end of 1994, there have been 41 convictions under sections 9 to 11 and 16 convictions under section 18.

  No convictions under section 17 have been recorded.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Indonesian Police
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 March,Official Report, columns 727–28, how many current or former Indonesian police officers who received any form of training paid for by his Department served with the Brigade Mobile—BRIMOB—of the Indonesian police force (a) before such training (b) during such training and (c) after such training. [22284]

  Mr. Baldry
  The Indonesian national police force inform us that one officer who has received training under our project has served with the Brigade Mobile. This officer is serving there at present.

EDUCATION

  Reflexions Market Research Ltd.
  Mr. David Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many in-depth interviews her Department has commissioned Reflexions Market Research Ltd. to undertake; how many(a) parents, (b) teachers and (c) governors will be interviewed; how long the interviews will last; and what level of remuneration the interviewees will be given; [22463]

  (2) how many focus groups her Department has commissioned Reflexions Market Research Ltd. to undertake to evaluate publicity material on grant-maintained schools; how many (a) parents, (b) teachers and (c) governors will be involved; and what level of remuneration the participants will be given; [22462]

  (3) to how many schools her Department has written, and in what areas, to introduce a representative of Reflexions Market Research Ltd.; [22461]

  (4) how much it is costing her Department to employ the services of Reflexions Market Research Ltd. to research the effectiveness of the Department's grant maintained schools publicity material;

  (5) how many (a) video tapes and (b) pamphlets her Department has commissioned through Reflexions Market Research Ltd. [22459]

  Mr. Forth
  Reflexions Market Research Ltd. has been commissioned to undertake qualitative research to assist the Department to evaluate its publicity material on grant-maintained schools. Research of this type is common to all of our major information campaigns.

  Eighteen in-depth interviews are being carried out: six with teachers, 12 with governors and none with parents. The interviews average 45 minutes. There are nine focus groups which comprise 21 parents, 35 teachers and seven governors.

  In line with industry practice, each interviewee receives a nominal sum to cover travel and any child care costs.

  A range of schools were written to in Northamptonshire, London, Sheffield, Sutton, Surrey and Warrington to obtain interviewees. These areas were chosen to provide a representative sample.

  The cost of the research is commercial-in-confidence. No video tapes or pamphlets were commissioned from Reflexions.

  Stratford Grant-maintained School
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps she is taking in relation to Stratford grant-maintained school. [23586]

  Mr. Forth
  Stratford grant-maintained school was inspected in November 1993 and found to be failing to provide an acceptable standard of education. Since then, it has been subject to regular termly monitoring by Ofsted. The most recent report from Ofsted shows that standards of teaching and learning remain poor, that management is inadequate, and that the school has shown no signs of improvement since it was first found to be failing 18 months ago.

  This persistent failure to provide an acceptable standard of education cannot be tolerated. My right hon. Friend is, therefore, exercising her power to remodel the governing body. The chairman of the governing body, Mr. Mark Prisk, has resigned and my right hon. Friend is arranging for the appointment of four new governors: Dr. Peter Osbourne, Mrs. Pat Collarbone, Mrs. Joan Greenfield and Mr. Paul Lewis.

  As a matter of urgency, this remodelled governing body will need to devise a strategy to revitalise the school. I look to the school's head teacher and her staff to give their whole-hearted support to raising standards at the school.

  Student Loans Company
  Mr. Barry Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to allow medical students and those on above average length degree courses to borrow more money from the Student Loans Company. [22698]

  Mr. Boswell
  None.

  Medical Students
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many medical students failed to complete their courses due to financial difficulties in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Boswell
  This information is not currently available centrally.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps she is taking to ensure that students undertaking medical science degrees are adequately financially supported during their courses. [22699]

  Mr. Boswell
  The total support available to all students in 1994–95 through the main rates of grant and loan is 4 per cent. higher than in 1993–94, thus maintaining its value in real terms. The extra weeks' allowances payable to students as part of the mandatory award who attend their courses for longer in the academic year than normal have also been increased by 4 per cent. Medical students, may benefit from these. The Government have also made £21 million in access funds available to universities and colleges in England for the 1994–95 academic year so that they can assist students, including medical students, in particular financial difficulty.

  Student Expenditure
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what element of the maintenance grant for students is allotted for expenditure on books and
  339
  equipment for (a) arts students, (b) social science students, (c) medical students and (d) engineering students. [22697]

  Mr. Boswell
  It is for students to decide how to spend the total resources available to them from both maintenance grants and loans according to their particular needs. Disabled students may be eligible for additional means-tested allowances to cover the cost of special equipment and materials. Local education authorities can also, in certain circumstances, make discretionary awards to pay for books and equipment to students who are not eligible for mandatory awards.

  Educational and Youth Exchanges
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on educational and youth exchanges between the United Kingdom and Pakistan. [22377]

  Mr. Boswell
  In 1993–94, the Government-funded scholarships and awards for 568 Pakistani students here in the United Kingdom at a cost of around £5.1 million. In that same year the British Council administered 330 exchange visits to the UK from Pakistan, and the League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers, funded by the UK Departments of Education, arranged 21 teacher exchanges. Through Government funding provided to the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council, 23 young Pakistanis came to the UK in 1992–93, with 20 of our young people going to Pakistan in 1993–94.

SCOTLAND

  Education Administration
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the numbers of staff and the administrative costs of each education authority in Scotland and the number of school pupils for which each education authority was responsible in the year ended 31 March. [21789]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information on administrative costs and pupil numbers is given in the following table for 1993–94, the latest available year. Details of numbers of staff employed by each education authority are not held centrally. However the "Joint Staffing Watch" records that, at September 1993. Scottish education authorities employed a total of 53,212, full-time equivalent, teachers and lecturers and 25,651, full-time equivalent, other staff, including non-teaching staff in schools and administrative staff.

  Net administrative expenditure of Education Departments £000

  Pupils Numbers (FTE) in local authority nursery, primary, secondary and special schools

  Borders

  3,031

  15,164

  Central

  6,553

  42,417

  Dumfries and Galloway

  3,811

  22,799

  Fife

  8,434

  56,341

  Grampian

  10,587

  79,371

  Highland

  4,191

  34,727

  Lothian

  20,245

  101,555

  340

  Net administrative expenditure of Education Departments £000

  Pupils Numbers (FTE) in local authority nursery, primary, secondary and special schools

  Strathclyde

  40,427

  359,344

  Tayside

  7,952

  58,275

  Orkney

  806

  3,349

  Shetland

  2,620

  4,116

  Western Isles

  2,755

  4,885

  Scottish Nuclear
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to contact Sir Donald Miller regarding the assurances the latter received from the right hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) when he was Secretary of State for Scotland regarding the independence of Scottish Nuclear. [22065]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to do so.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussion he has had with the chairman of Scottish Nuclear regarding the future of that company. [22038]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend has met Mr. Hann on several occasions in recent weeks to discuss a range of issues concerning Scottish Nuclear Ltd.

  Education Expenditure
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average cost in 1993–94, per pupil, of(a) education at a local authority school, (b) meals, (c) travel and (d) any other incidental expense; and what were the all-Scotland totals in each of these categories. [21864]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Net current expenditure per pupil in local authority nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in Scotland is normally provided, for technical reasons, exclusive of the costs of school meals, home to school transport, central administration and loans charges. The figure on this basis for 1993–94 was £2,379 per pupil and £1.861 billion in total.

  The equivalent figures for pupils consuming schools meals were £174 and £61.186 million respectively and for pupils benefiting from free home-to-school transport were £343 and £53.442 million respectively.

  These figures have been derived from local authority financial returns which do not include a heading for other incidental expenditure.

  Nuclear Industry
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the asset value of the nuclear energy industry in Scotland. [22037]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Such estimates are a matter for the companies concerned; information on asset values is contained in their annual reports and accounts.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measurement he has made regarding the security and safety implications of a privatised nuclear energy industry. [22039]
  341
  Mr. Kynoch
  Safety in the nuclear industry, whether in the public or private sectors, is the responsibility of the companies concerned. Civil installations are subject to a licensing regime which is transparent, rigorous and robust. HM nuclear installations inspectorate will continue to administer this regime under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and the relevant statutory provisions. Security of nuclear installations is also a matter for the organisations concerned, in consultation with the appropriate authorities.

  Animal Diseases
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of brucellosis have occurred in each year since 1985. [21821]

  Sir Hector Monro
  There has been only one confirmed brucellosis herd breakdown case in Scotland since 1985. This case occurred in 1989.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of pleuro-pneumonia occurred in each year since 1985. [22167]

  Sir Hector Monro
  There have been no cases of pleuro-pneumonia recorded in Scotland since 1985.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of epizootic lymphangitis occurred in each year since 1985. [22179]

  Sir Hector Monro
  There have been no cases of epizootic lymphangitis recorded in Scotland since 1985.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of paramyxovirus occurred in each year since 1985. [22172]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The number of confirmed cases of paramyxovirus in Scotland for the years in question is as follows:

  1985: 10

  1986: 8

  1987: 67

  1988: 10

  1989: 44

  1990: 61

  1991:6

  1992:31

  1993: 22

  1994: 7

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of foot and mouth disease occurred in each year since 1978. [22176]

  Sir Hector Monro
  There have been no confirmed cases of foot and mouth disease since 1978.
  342
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the link between rabbits and Johne's disease. [22347]

  Sir Hector Monro
  Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, the causative agent in Johne's disease, has been isolated from wild rabbits in the Perth-Angus area. It is not known whether this is the same strain of bacteria which causes disease in cattle and sheep and further research is being carried out.

  Spottiswoode
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what consideration led to the Forestry Commission being allowed to dispose of the wood at Spottiswoode near Westruther in Berwickshire with no provision for protection for future access by the public; [21437]

  (2) if he will pay an official visit to Spottiswoode to discuss the extent of use of the wood by the local community; [21438]

  (3) what attempts he will now make to secure public assess when the wood at Spottiswoode is offered for sale; and if he will make a statement. [21441]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Forestry Commission follows guidelines laid down by Ministers before selecting properties for sale. These guidelines take account of all relevant factors, including the existing levels of public access and recreation. The commission considered that the level of public access to Spottiswoode was low and that the wood could be sold. My right hon. Friend does not, therefore, consider it necessary to pay an official visit to Spottiswoode.

  The Forestry Commission has already offered to enter into an access agreement with Borders regional council, which would have secured public access in the future, but the council declined the offer.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many school pupils visiting Pyatshaw outdoor centre used the wood at Spottiswoode for educational or recreational purposes over the past five years. [21439]

  Sir Hector Monro
  Pupils visiting the Pyatshaw outdoor centre may make occasional informal use of the wood for recreational purposes, but there is no record of this.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the disposal of Spottiswoode and its implications for public access. [21440]

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend and I have received representations from the British Horse Society and two individuals about the sale of Spottiswoode and its implications for public access.

  Tourism: Receipts
  Tourism: Receipts
  Lloyd's Tax Revenue and Repayments
  Lloyd's Tax Revenue and Repayments