Written Answers of 15 May 1995

TRANSPORT

  Newbury Bypass
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he received the report of the Highways Agency reviewing the options for the Newbury bypass. [23867]

  Mr. Watts
  The Highways Agency has yet to report the final outcome of its review of the Newbury bypass to my right hon. Friend.

  Bull Bars
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to introduce new measures to reduce fatal and serious accidents caused by bull bars, including lower speed limits. [23794]

  Mr. Norris
  We are taking steps to quantify the effects of bull bars in terms of actual accidents on the road. We have no plans to reduce the speed limit of vehicles fitted with bull bars.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23952]

  Mr. Norris
  For(a), (b), (c) and points covering citizens charters and performance indicators, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright) on 25 April 1995, Official Report, column 505.

  For tribunal and advisory bodies within my responsibility not covered by that reply, the answers are, for (a) none and for (b) and (c) none; all are encouraged to follow citizens charter principles: none are subject to performance indicators.

  For (d), the answer is that none has a monitoring officer such as that designated by a local authority, but advisory bodies and the traffic commissioners are subject indirectly to scrutiny by the Comptroller and Auditor General as their expenditure arises in my Department. My Department has a monitoring role for bodies that are subject to quinquennial reviews.

  No body has members who are liable to surcharge.

  Travelcard
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it the policy of his Department fully to support and develop London Transport's travelcard; and if he will make a statement. [24148]

  Mr. Norris
  Yes. The Government already recognise the importance and value of the London travelcard and have taken steps to ensure its continued availability.

  Interdepartmental Group
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the membership of the interdepartmental group of officers chaired by the Minister for Transport in London. [21585]

  Mr. Norris
  The membership of the group has not yet been finalised. A further statement will be made shortly.

  Goods Service Operators
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money has been paid to goods service operators since 5 November 1993 under provisions of section 137 of the Railways Act 1993. [21658]

  Mr. Watts
  None as yet. Eleven applications are under consideration.

  Motorways
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the issues other than environmental issues that his Department takes into consideration when considering the routes of new motorways. [21672]

  Mr. Watts
  The objectives of the road building programme are to assist economic growth, conserve and improve the environment, enhance road safety and make better use of the existing road network. We are no longer making larger-scale additions to the network. The current programme is carefully targeted to focus on improvements to existing road corridors and building bypasses for towns and villages.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which four lane stretches of motorway in the United Kingdom do not have lighting. [23857]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 15 May 1995:
  The Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about lighting on four lane motorways.
  Road lighting has been installed on all four lane motorways except for a short length on the southbound M6 motorway between junctions 3 and 4 in Warwickshire.

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many, and what proportion of, vacancies advertised by his Department, and by each of his Department's agencies, in the last three years have listed the attainment of NVQs as an acceptable entry requirement; and, of those, how many have required (i) level 1 NVQs, (ii) level 2 NVQs, (iii) level 3 NVQs and (iv) other level NVQs. [22982]
  3
  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport and its agencies accept NVQ qualifications at the following recruitment levels:

  Administrative Assistant: Level 1 in Business Administration.

  Administrative Officer: Level 2 in Business Administration.

  Personal Secretary: Level 2 in Business Administration.

  Executive Officer: Level 3 in Business Management and Levels 4 and 5 in Management.

  A wide range of academic and vocational qualifications are accepted as meeting initial entry requirements. NVQs are not normally specifically listed in recruitment advertising but reference is made to acceptable alternative qualifications. In five campaigns in the past three years for eight personal secretary posts, NVQs were specifically mentioned as a suitable qualification.

  Road Works (London)
  Mr. Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of current arrangements for co-ordinating road works and other road openings in London; and what plans he has to review the situation. [23951]

  Mr. Norris
  Under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 co-ordination on publicly maintained local roads is the responsibility of the local highway authority, while for trunk roads the responsibility rests with the Highways Agency. A code of practice issued under the Act gives practical guidance on the co-ordination of street works and works for road purposes and related matters; we are currently reviewing this and the other codes of practice and regulations governing street works in the light of responses received following a public consultation.

  Road Pricing
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is his policy on road pricing; [23859]

  (2) when he intends to introduce motorway tolls. [23858]

  Mr. Watts
  As far as policy on road pricing in urban areas is concerned, the Government are considering the report that the Transport Select Committee issued on the subject in April and will respond in due course.

  Policy on tolling the motorway network remains as set out by the then Secretary of State for Transport on 2 December 1993, Official Report, column 646–49. Its introduction is subject to the availability of suitable technology, which we are assessing, and Parliament's approval of the necessary legislation.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Appeal Listings
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what notice is normally given by his Department-to prisoners of the listing of their appeal. [22509]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In the Crown court, a minimum of 10 days' notice is usually given to prisoners; in the Criminal Appeal Office, the notice given is normally 10 days but can, on occasions, be less.

  Immigration Appeals
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the total number of appeals awaiting processing by the immigration appeals office. [22514]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  As at 31 March 1995, there were approximately 13,500 appeals waiting to be heard. In about 25 per cent. of these cases, the immigration appellate authorities were awaiting an indication from the parties that they were ready to proceed before being able to list them.

  Judicial System (Modernisation)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review court practices and procedures with a view of the modernisation of the judicial system. [22515]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  There is a continuing programme to review court practices and procedures. The Royal Commission on criminal justice reported in July 1993 and many of its recommendations are being taken forward. In addition, Lord Justice Woolf is undertaking a comprehensive review of the civil justice system.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement as to the operation of the legal aid system in civil cases. [22516]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The civil legal aid scheme is administered by the Legal Aid Board. The Lord Chancellor will shortly issue a Green Paper making proposals for reforms to the legal aid scheme.

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people would have been likely to qualify for legal aid if they had a case in the courts in(a) 1979, (b) 1985, (c) 1993 and (d) 1995. [22517]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  It is not possible to say. Legal aid is available subject to the applicant's financial circumstances and the merits of the case. There is no upper limit for financial eligibility for criminal legal aid.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the workings of the legal aid system. [22510]

  Mr. John M. Taylor: The Lord Chancellor will shortly issue a Green Paper making proposals for reforms to the legal aid scheme.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23953]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible for two executive non-departmental public bodies: the Legal Aid Board and the Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board. However, the latter has been inactive since March 1992
  5
  when the Lord Chancellor announced his decision to postpone implementation of the authorised practitioners scheme.

  The Legal Aid Board is not subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission or other monitoring officers and members are not liable to surcharge. It is subject to scrutiny by the Parliamentary Commissioner and the National Audit Office. It is covered by provisions under the citizens charter and performance indicators apply.

  The immigration appeal tribunal and adjudicators, the lands tribunal, the pensions appeal tribunal, the value added tax tribunal and the transport tribunal are subject to the scrutiny of the ombudsman and the National Audit Office, to the extent that the courts are. Tribunals have performance indicators.

  The Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct is subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office. For other advisory committees, and the tribunals, the expenditure which is incurred forms part of the Department's total expenditure. The Department's accounts are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office.

PRIME MINISTER

  Government Announcements
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the Cabinet Committee on policy co-ordination and presentation in supervising Government announcements, irrespective of department; and how a distinction is made between the objective presentation and timing of these announcements and their use for party political benefits. [24325]

  The Prime Minister
  I published the terms of reference of the ministerial committee on the co-ordination and presentation of Government policy on 21 March 1995 Official Report, column 112. The committee's terms of reference make it clear that the committee's role is to consider the co-ordination and presentation of Government, as distinct from party, policy. It is therefore subject to the published conventions relating to Government publicity.

  No. 10 Downing Street
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he takes to ensure that the address No. 10 Downing street is not used in connection with private business activities. [22899]

  The Prime Minister
  I know of no reason to believe that the No. 10 Downing street address has been improperly used.

  Churchill Papers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the state papers donated to Churchill college, Cambridge, in each case giving the date the item was donated. [24074]

  The Prime Minister
  The Churchill archive comprises many thousand documents. It would be disproportionately costly to list the state papers in the archive individually.
  6
  The papers relating to Sir Winston Churchill's ministerial and prime ministerial appointments, claimed by the Crown as state papers, were transferred to Churchill college on the same day as the agreement to purchase the non-state papers was concluded. The effective date of transfer was 26 April 1995.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister when he last met the current President of the European Commission. [24149]

  The Prime Minister
  I last saw Mr. Santer in Paris on 8 May, and will see him for substantive talks about when he comes to London on 17 May.

  Official Gifts
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister who is responsible for maintaining the official inventory of gifts given to the office of the Prime Minister and kept at No. 10; and what additions have been made to the list since 1979. [23782]

  The Prime Minister
  The inventory is maintained by staff within No. 10 in accordance with the rules in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers" and is subject to the normal audit procedures. The details of gifts received are not made public.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what official gifts have been received by officials travelling with him abroad during the last 12 months. [23786]

  The Prime Minister
  Gifts received by officials are dealt with in accordance with the official rules. The details are not made public.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister how much has been donated to charity arising from the sale of official gifts given to Prime Ministers since 1979. [23788]

  The Prime Minister
  I have made it a practice to donate to charity all the proceeds from sales of gifts which I have retained under the guidelines set out in "Questions of Procedure for Ministers".

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what has been the total value of gifts to Prime Ministers since 1979 sold from the official inventory. [23787]

  The Prime Minister
  Sales from the inventory have been carried out in accordance with "Questions of Procedure for Ministers". It is not the practice to publish details.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Prime Minister what record is kept official gifts given to business representatives travelling with him on official visits abroad. [23789]

  The Prime Minister
  No gifts are given by the British Government. Gifts by foreign Governments are a matter for them.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will acquire for the video library of No. 10 Downing street the video of Alan Francovitch's film. "The Maltese Double Cross". [23721]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reason Her Majesty's Government declined to allow Chief Superintendent Gilchrist of Dumfries and Galloway police to interview Mr. O'Neill and Mr. Tuzcu, baggage handlers
  7
  at the Rhein-Main airport in Frankfurt, when they were brought to the United Kingdom in connection with the destruction of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie. [24009]

  The Prime Minister: Her Majesty's Government did not and would not interfere in decisions regarding the conduct of the Lockerbie investigation.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister on what occasions Gibraltar's status within the European Union has been raised formally in the Heads of Government Council of Ministers since he became Prime Minister. [24470]

  The Prime Minister
  I do not recall any such occasion.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister on what occasions Gibraltar's status(a) within the European Union and (b) with Spain has been raised by him since he became Prime Minister at his meetings with the Prime Minister of Spain. [24471]

  The Prime Minister
  I last discussed Gibraltar in detail with the Prime Minister of Spain in May 1991.I have met him since on a number of occasions, but have not discussed the points mentioned by the hon. Member.

  Royal British Legion
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Prime Minister when he last met representatives of the Royal British Legion to discuss the establishment of a ministry of veterans affairs; and if he will make a statement. [24073]

  The Prime Minister
  I have not personally met representatives of the Royal British Legion to discuss a ministry of veterans affairs but my noble Friends Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish and Lord Henley did so on my behalf on 23 November 1994. My view remains that such a Ministry would add an extra layer of bureaucracy without necessarily resulting in a better service for ex-service men and women. The Government's continuing commitment is to improve standards for every citizen.

  Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the application of the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to Scotland, by comparison to how they apply in England; and if he will make a statement. [24079]

  The Prime Minister
  The provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 apply equally to all parts of the United Kingdom.

  Departmental Seminars
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Prime Minister whether departmental seminars have been organised under the auspices of the Cabinet Office with the aim of taking the presentational initiative away from the Government's critics. [24324]

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  No. 10 Policy Unit
  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Prime Minister whether the No. 10 policy unit and its head, Norman Blackwell, have any party political responsibilities; and what rules exist on the subject. [24451]
  8
  The Prime Minister
  The members of the policy unit are either career civil servants or employed as special advisers, and are subject to the general rules applicable to those groups. They have no party political responsibilities at national level. The rules on political activities for special advisers are set out in the model appointment letter for special advisers, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. I refer the hon. Member to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 24 April 1995,Official Report, column 373.

  Mr. Mandelson
  To ask the Prime Minister what functional relationship exists between the Cabinet committee on policy co-ordination and presentation and the No. 10 policy unit; and how this is discharged. [24323]

  The Prime Minister
  The Prime Minister's policy unit contributes to the work of the Cabinet committee on policy co-ordination and presentation as appropriate. The head of the policy unit attends meetings of this and other Cabinet committees as required.

  World War Two
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his statement on 25 April,Official Report, column 667, if he will list the 18 hon. Members who saw active service in world war two; and if he will also list those who served in the Merchant Navy during the war. [23010]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 5 May]: The figure to which I referred on 25 April derived from information provided by the House of Commons authorities. I understand that they now believe that a least 20 hon. Members saw active service in world war two, including those who served in the Merchant Navy. It is a matter for hon. Members whether they wish to make their war record known.

EDUCATION

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the applications she has received to establish(a) groups and (b) clusters of grant-maintained schools. [23723]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Although we have not yet received any formal applications to establish clusters of grant-maintained schools under the group or joint scheme arrangement, there has been a steady interest in the initiative since it was launched last year.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of her Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23963]

  Mr. Boswell
  The information requested is shown, for the Department's executive non-departmental public bodies, in the table.
  9

  Name of body

  Parliamentary Commissioner

  National Audit Office

  Audit Commission

  Other monitoring officers1

  Citizen's charter

  Performance indicators

  Members' liability to surcharge

  Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (CILT)

  no

  yes

  no

  yes

  yes

  yes

  no

  Education Assets Board (EAB)

  yes

  yes

  no

  yes

  yes

  yes

  no

  Funding Agency for Schools (FAS)

  no

  yes

  no

  yes

  yes

  yes

  no

  Further Education Funding Council (FEFC)

  no

  yes

  no

  yes

  yes

  yes

  no

  Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)

  no

  yes

  no

  yes

  yes

  yes

  no

  National Council for Educational Technology (NCET)

  no

  yes

  no

  yes

  yes

  yes

  no

  National Youth Agency (NYA)

  no

  yes

  no

  yes

  yes

  yes

  no

  School Curriculum Assessment Authority (SCAA)

  no

  yes

  no

  yes

  yes

  yes

  no

  Teacher Training Agency (TTA)

  no

  yes

  no

  yes

  yes

  yes

  no

  1 Monitoring by the sponsor Department.

  Publicity
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list the expenditure on publicity by her Department for each year since 1979 broken down into spending on(a) television, (b) radio, (c) newspaper and (d) other. [24389]

  Mr. Forth
  The expenditure figures for advertising and other promotional material by this Department for the financial years 1979–80 to 1994–95 are given in the table. Final decisions on media in the current financial year have not been taken.

  Year

  TV £000

  Radio £000

  Newspaper £000

  Other £000

  1979–80

  —

  —

  91.6

  12.2

  1980–81

  —

  —

  8.9

  58.3

  1981–82

  —

  —

  86.9

  49.9

  1982–83

  —

  —

  6.0

  33.7

  1983–84

  —

  —

  9.6

  74.9

  1984–85

  —

  —

  18.5

  150.6

  1985–86

  —

  —

  14.8

  184.1

  1986–87

  —

  —

  532.0

  533.0

  1987–88

  —

  —

  280.0

  1,459.0

  1988–89

  —

  40.0

  475.0

  1,156.0

  1989–90

  —

  11.8

  238.0

  1,150.0

  1990–91

  1,100

  97.0

  1,470.0

  1,916.0

  1991–92

  800.0

  —

  2,237.9

  5,842.7

  1992–93

  —

  —

  1,086.4

  5,800.1

  1993–94

  —

  29.2

  1,413.0

  8,551.3

  1994–95

  —

  —

  159.3

  117,929.0

  1 Estimated.

  Public Opinion Surveys
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list each public opinion survey commissioned by(a) her Department and (b) her agencies for each year since 1992, showing for each the subject, the cost and the organisation from which it was commissioned. [23689]

  Mr. Forth
  The Department has carried out the following public opinion surveys since 1992:

  Subject: National Curriculum leaflet for parents

  Date: March and December 1992

  Company: British Market Research Bureau

  Subject: School Performance Tables

  Date: December 1992 and January 1994

  Company: Taylor Nelson

  10

  Subject: Grant-Maintained Schools

  Date: July 1992, May 1993, October, 1993, February 1994 and February 1995

  Company: Audience Selection

  Subject: National Curriculum testing of 7, 11 and 14 year olds

  Date: April 1993

  Company: British Market Research Bureau

  Subject: National Curriculum testing of 7, 11 and 14 year olds

  Date: May 1993

  Company: Bulmershe Research

  Subject: Publicity campaign for parents on National Curriculum testing of 7, 11 and 14 year olds

  Date: January 1994, July 1994

  Company: British Market Research Bureau

  Subject: DFE Exhibitions—DFE Touring Roadshow

  Date: October 1992, July 1993, July 1994

  Company: 1992, 1993 Martin Hamblin; 1994 Alpha Research

  Subject: Further and Higher Education Charters

  Date: September 1993, November 1993

  Company: Martin Hamblin

  Subject: Educational Provision for Under 5's

  Date: April 1994

  Company: Bulmershe Research

  Subject: Updated Parent's Charter

  Date: June 1994, August 1994

  Company: Research Society for Great Britain

  Subject: School Performance Tables

  Date: November 1994, February 1995

  Company: Audience Selection

  Subject: Publicity campaign for parents on National Curriculum testing of 7, 11 and 14 year olds.

  Date: February 1995, April 1995

  Company: British Market Research Bureau

  Subject: Parent's Information Needs

  Date: March 1995

  Company: Research Surveys of Great Britain

  11
  Information about the Department's agencies and other related bodies is not held centally. One item of research of which the Department is aware was commissioned by the School Curriculum Assessment Authority and is as follows:

  Subject: Public perception of the National Curriculum and the relative priorities of National Curriculum subjects

  Date: June 1994

  Company: Gallup

  To give the cost of the research surveys carried out by the DFE and its agencies would compromise confidential tendering procedures.

  Year

  Net institutional expenditure per pupil Cash terms £

  Net institutional expenditure per pupil 1995 prices £

  Net institutional expenditure per pupil excluding staffing costs Cash terms £

  Net institutional expenditure per pupil excluding staffing costs 1995 prices £

  Nursery primary

  1979–80

  429

  1,074

  108

  272

  1980–81

  546

  1,157

  133

  281

  1981–82

  621

  1,198

  151

  291

  1982–83

  682

  1,229

  168

  303

  1983–84

  732

  1,260

  184

  317

  1984–85

  767

  1,257

  190

  312

  1985–86

  817

  1,270

  201

  312

  1986–87

  905

  1,366

  218

  329

  1987–88

  1,006

  1,441

  239

  342

  1988–89

  1,101

  1,479

  254

  340

  1989–90

  1,210

  1,519

  294

  369

  1990–91

  1,339

  1,555

  347

  403

  1991–92

  1,469

  1,606

  364

  398

  1992–93

  1,583

  1,664

  364

  383

  1993–94

  1,637

  1,670

  385

  393

  Secondary

  1979–80

  607

  1,520

  162

  405

  1980–81

  765

  1,618

  191

  405

  1981–82

  865

  1,668

  213

  411

  1982–83

  942

  1,696

  235

  424

  1983–84

  1,014

  1,745

  255

  439

  1984–85

  1,086

  1,780

  273

  447

  1985–86

  1,177

  1,829

  291

  452

  1986–87

  1,340

  2,021

  334

  503

  1987–88

  1,517

  2,172

  376

  538

  1988–89

  1,692

  2,272

  410

  550

  1989–90

  1,858

  2,332

  472

  593

  1990–91

  2,019

  2,346

  541

  629

  1991–92

  2,145

  2,345

  520

  569

  1992–93

  2,256

  2,372

  503

  528

  1993–94

  2,252

  2,297

  517

  527

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what was the average unit cost per pupil for 1994–94 in(a) each local education authority and (b) nationally for (i) provision in nursery schools and nursery classes, (ii) provision in reception classes in primary schools and (iii) all under-fives provision; [23639]

  (2) what was the average unit cost per pupil for 1993–94 of educating four-year-olds in (a) each local education authority and (b) nationally, (i) in nursery schools and nursery classes, (ii) in reception classes in primary schools and (ii) overall. [23638]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The average unit cost per full-time equivalent pupil in 1993–94 for those categories of

  Pupil Expenditure
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what has been the expenditure per(a) primary school and (b) secondary school pupil in real and constant price terms in every year since 1979; and what are the corresponding figures excluding staffing costs. [23395]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table shows net institutional expenditure per pupil including and excluding staffing costs, in cash terms and in 1994–95 prices, on LEA-maintained nursery and primary and secondary schools in England from 1979–80 to 1993–94, the latest year for which provisional outturn figures are available. The primary figures include expenditure on nursery provision which cannot be differentiated.

  under-fives provision for which estimates are available nationally are given below:

  1993–94 estimates (provisional)

  £

  Nursery schools

  3,250

  Nursery classes in primary schools

  2,660

  Primary classes including under 5s

  1,590

  Average

  2,040

  Figures for each local authority are not separately available; nor are figures for four-year-olds only.

  Stratford School
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what payment the newly appointed governors at Stratford grant-maintained school will receive for their work; and what brief they will be working to. [23855]

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend announced on 5 May four new appointments to the governing body of Stratford school. Governors of publicly maintained schools do not receive payments for their services, although they may be refunded travel and subsistence expenses.

  My right hon. Friend expects the newly constituted governing body as a whole to begin work immediately on a range of strategies to improve the standard of education on offer.

  Autistic Children
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  to ask the Secretary of State for Education which authorities provide specialist facilities for the education of austic children; and if she will make a statement. [23680]

  Mr. Forth
  This information is not available centrally. However, information provided by the National Autistic Society suggests that a third of LEAs in England and Wales maintain specialist units for autistic children. In addition, LEAs may place autistic pupils at independent schools, including those run by the NAS. The majority of autistic children receive provision in accordance with statements of specialist educational need in other special or mainstream schools.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to revise the enrolment targets for further education colleges. [23538]

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend does not set college targets for enrolment in the further education sector. The Government's planning assumptions continue to imply a significant increase in student numbers between 1993–94 and 1997–98.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the Government's assessment of the effect of increased enrolments on teaching loads at further education colleges in terms of teaching standards and levels of stress among lecturers. [23541]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government have not conducted a formal assessment of the effect of increased enrolment in the further education sector. The issue of teaching standards in the sector is the responsibility of the Further Education Funding Council.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps she is taking to monitor teaching standards at further education colleges. [23539]

  Mr. Boswell
  The responsibility for ensuring quality in FE sector colleges in England rests with the Further Education Funding Council (England). I have asked Sir William Stubbs, its chief executive, to write to the hon. Member.

  Pupil-teacher Ratios
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to her answer of 25 April,Official Report, column 487, what assessment she has made of the reasons why the average size of single-teacher classes is
  14
  increasing, while the pupil-teacher ratio is decreasing; and if she will make a statement. [23408]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Pupil-teacher ratios are calculated by dividing full-time equivalent pupil numbers by the total number of full-time equivalent qualified teaching staff. Many teachers are not engaged full-time in classroom teaching; these include head teachers and others with management and planning responsibilities, as well as teachers allocated "non-contact" time during the school day for work to support their own teaching. Average class sizes therefore reflect decisions taken at school level about how to allocate available staff time.

  PTRs in January 1994 were slightly below those in 1979, while average class sizes were slightly higher. This is because the proportion of teachers' time allocated to activities other than teaching has increased over the period.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the pupil-teacher ratio in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in each year since 1979. [23624]

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

  Pupil: Teacher Ratios in maintained schools in England 1979–1994 position in January each year

  Primary

  Secondary

  1979

  23.1

  16.8

  1980

  22.7

  16.7

  1981

  22.6

  16.7

  1982

  22.5

  16.7

  1983

  22.3

  16.6

  1984

  22.1

  16.4

  1985

  22.2

  16.3

  1986

  22.1

  16.1

  1987

  21.9

  15.8

  1988

  22.0

  15.5

  1989

  22.0

  15.4

  1990

  22.0

  15.4

  1991

  22.2

  15.7

  1992

  22.2

  15.9

  1993

  22.4

  16.2

  1994

  22.7

  16.4

  Schools, Ealing
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to her answer of 4 May,Official Report, column 288, what is the total amount spent per pupil in (a) primary and (b) secondary locally managed schools in Ealing other than that allocated to schools. [23618]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The figures are £517.33 for primary and £923.45 for secondary schools. These are derived from the Budget statement for 1995–96 published by the local education authority under section 42 of the Education Reform Act, and relate to all planned expenditure on mandatory and discretionary "excepted items".

  Further Education
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the Government's assessment of the trend in the percentage of pupils staying on to continue education and training. [23540]
  15
  Mr. Boswell
  The trend in the proportion of 16-year-old pupils who stay on in full-time or part-time education, including those who attend college while undergoing training, is as follows:

  Percentage of 16-year-olds

  Academic year

  Full time education

  Part time education

  Total

  1983–84

  47.8

  16.5

  64.3

  1984–85

  46.7

  17.8

  64.6

  1985–86

  47.3

  17.7

  65.0

  1986–87

  46.8

  17.9

  64.7

  1987–88

  48.5

  17.2

  65.7

  1988–89

  51.5

  18.4

  69.9

  1989–90

  55.0

  15.9

  70.8

  1990–91

  59.3

  13.3

  72.6

  1991–92

  66.6

  9.7

  76.3

  1992–93

  69.9

  7.9

  77.8

  1993–94

  72.5

  7.5

  80.0

  School Leavers
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of school leavers has attained no academic qualifications in each year since 1979. [23389]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The proportion of school leavers, excluding special schools, in England who attained no academic qualifications in each year since 1979 is as follows:

  Per cent.

  1978–79

  12.8

  1979–80

  12.2

  1980–81

  11.4

  1981–82

  10.6

  1982–83

  9.6

  1983–84

  9.5

  1984–85

  9.4

  1985–86

  9.6

  1986–87

  9.4

  1987–88

  9.5

  1988–89

  7.9

  1989–90

  7.6

  1990–91

  7.0

  Data on school leavers was collected on a reduced sample in 1991–92 and not collected at all after 1992. However, data from the school performance tables for 1992, 1993 and 1994 show that the percentage of 15-year-old pupils attaining no academic qualification was 8.4 per cent. in 1991–92, 7 per cent. in 1992–93 and 7.7 per cent. in 1993–94.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will estimate the number of hours which staff in her Department spend on issues relating to(a) higher and (b) further education in (i) whole-time equivalents and (ii) cost terms. [23636]

  Mr. Boswell
  The number of hours spent on higher education issues is estimated to be just over 4,000 and on further education issues just under 4,000 per working week. The estimated salary costs are £2.47 million on higher education and £2.33 million on further education in the financial year 1995–96.

  Review Groups (National Curriculum)
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment she has made of the merits of establishing long-term review groups in each of the national curriculum core subjects of mathematics, English and science; and what plans she has to introduce such groups. [23156]

  Mr. Forth
  The School Curriculum and Assessment Authority is responsible for advising the Secretary of State on the national curriculum. To that end, it will be monitoring the new curriculum, which will be introduced from September 1995. Precisely how it does so is a matter for the authority itself, and I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Dr. Ishan Barbouti
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the status in the United Kingdom of the late Dr. Ishan Barbouti. [22664]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Records relating to individual overseas nationals are held in confidence by the immigration and nationality department and it is not our normal practice to divulge them to third parties.

  Rape in Marriage
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for reviewing the law in respect of rape in marriage. [22507]

  Mr. Maclean
  Under the law as it stands at present, a man may be convicted of raping his wife. The Government have no plans to review the law on this subject.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23961]

  Mr. Howard
  In respect of the executive non-departmental bodies sponsored by the Home Office I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright) on 1 May, at column 100. NDPB members are not subject to surcharge but the Alcohol Education and Research Council and the Community Development Foundation are charities and as such the trustees have potential financial liabilities under the Charities Acts 1992 and 1993. The information requested in relation to the 154 non-executive NDPBs sponsored by the Home Office, including 130 boards of visitors, is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will acquire for the video library of the Home Office the video of Alan Francovitch's film, "The Maltese Double Cross." [23720]

  Mr. Howard
  No.

  Political Refugees, Visitors and Students
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applicants, including dependants from Bosnia, have been granted entry into the United Kingdom since 1992 as(a) political refugees, (b) visitors and (c) students; and how many have subsequently returned to that country; [23419]

  (2) how many applicants, including dependants from Somalia, have been granted entry into the United Kingdom since 1992 as (a) political refugees, (b) visitors and (c) students; and how many have subsequently returned to that country; [23418]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  [holding answer 10 May 1995]: Information on nationals of the former Yugoslavia and Somalia given leave to enter as visitors, students and "refugees, exceptional leave cases and their dependants" in 1992–93 are given in table 3.1 of "Control of Immigration: Statistics, United Kingdom, 1992", Cm. 2368, and the corresponding publication for 1993, Cm. 2637, copies of which are in the Library. Data for 1994 are given in the table. The data exclude persons granted temporary admission before the resolution of their case. The data available for the new countries of the former Yugoslavia are incomplete because many passengers still have Yugoslav passports. It is not known how many nationals of the former Yugoslavia and Somalia subsequently returned to their home country.

  Persons given leave to enter the United Kingdom in 19941

  Number of admissions

  Nationality

  Visitors

  Students

  Refugees, exceptional leave cases and their dependants2

  Former Yugoslavia

  38,800

  5,370

  1,270

  Somalia

  1,780

  20

  980

  1 Data are provisional.

  2 Persons who applied for asylum at a port and were subsequently granted refugee status or exceptional leave to enter the United Kingdom—and their dependants.

  Prisons
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the figures for the number of prison governors by grade and ethnic origin. [23085]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 15 May 1995:
  The Home Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prison governors by grade and by ethnic origin.
  18
  On 1 May 1995 there were 1,020 staff employed in governor grades; 46 at Governor 1 level, 75 at Governor 2 level, 126 at Governor 3 level, 309 at Governor 4 level and 464 at Governor 5 level. Our database of staff ethnic backgrounds, covering 97 per cent of non-industrial staff in the Prison Service, indicates that four members of staff in the governor grades registered that they were members of ethnic minorities. To protect those individuals' privacy, and as the numbers are so small I have not broken down the figures by grade or by ethnic origin.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy on the recruitment of ethnic minority prison officers; and what action he is taking to further this policy. [23091]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 15 May 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the recruitment of prison officers from the ethnic minorities.
  The Prison Service is an equal opportunities employer and equality of opportunity is one of the values set out in the Statement of Purpose, Vision, Goals and Values.
  Individual prison establishments assumed responsibility for recruiting prison officers in April 1993, (before this there was a centralised system with continuous recruitment). All appointments to the Prison Service are (and must be) made on the basis of merit and fair and open competition. When recruitment was devolved, comprehensive guidance on recruitment procedures was issued to each establishment.
  The guidance included specific guidance on recruitment of members of the ethnic minorities. It pointed out that positive discrimination in favour of women or members of the ethnic minorities is unlawful, but the Sex Discrimination Act and Race Relations Act do permit positive action to encourage under represented groups to apply for jobs. Governors, therefore, are expected to take positive action to redress the current under representation of people from the ethnic minorities in the prison officer grades. The guidance suggested various means—such as presentations to local religious and community groups, encouraging ethnic minority groups to attend prison events, development of links with local Race Equality Councils and the Race Relations Employment Advisory Service—by which governors could raise awareness of the work of the Prison Service and encourage members of the ethnic minorities to apply for jobs.
  All recruitment is continuously monitored and further advice is issued to Governors in response to any problems or difficulties highlighted by that monitoring process.

  Visitor Passports
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many 12-month visitor passports were issued in 1992, 1993, 1994 and this year to date. [23676]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  A total of 212,552 British visitor's passports have been issued up to 22 March this year—the latest date for which confirmed figures are available. For the numbers issued in 1992, 1993 and 1994 I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ravensbourne (Sir J. Hunt) on 2 February, at column 807.

  159 Grove Green, Leytonstone
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who was present at the meeting on 1 December 1994 at which the operational decision was taken to take physical possession of 159 Grove Green road, Leytonstone; and whom they represented. [23545]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand that the county court made an order for the possession of this property on 11 July 1994 and that the Metropolitan police were requested to be present on 1 December 1994 when the bailiffs executed the order, to prevent a breach of the peace.

  This was an operational matter for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

  Police Operational Duties and Training
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many hours per day, on average, a police constable(a) performs operational duties, (b) receives training and (c) works on other matters in the latest year for which statistics are available, by police forces. [23599]

  Mr. Maclean
  The only information available relates to the average number of days spent in training by police constables, including probationers, during 1992–93.

  Forces

  Training days

  Average number of days per PC

  Avon and Somerset

  37,194

  16

  Bedfordshire

  16,717

  18

  Cambridgeshire

  14,056

  15

  Cheshire

  20,773

  14

  City of London

  6,688

  12

  Cleveland

  14,149

  13

  Cumbria

  17,674

  20

  Derbyshire

  30,721

  22

  Devon and Cornwall

  44,487

  20

  Dorset

  15,987

  16

  Durham

  10,614

  10

  Dyfed Powys

  10,241

  14

  Essex

  45,804

  20

  Gloucestershire

  11,930

  13

  Greater Manchester

  65,586

  13

  Gwent

  n/a

  n/a

  Hampshire

  n/a

  n/a

  Hertfordshire

  18,222

  14

  Humberside

  n/a

  n/a

  Kent

  50,259

  21

  Lancashire

  35,215

  15

  Leicestershire

  25,175

  18

  Lincolnshire

  14,391

  16

  Merseyside

  53,859

  15

  Metropolitan

  230,627

  11

  Norfolk

  15,987

  14

  North Wales

  10,829

  11

  North Yorkshire

  20,257

  19

  Northamptonshire

  22,062

  25

  Northumbria

  48,274

  17

  Nottinghamshire

  34,977

  20

  South Wales

  33,019

  14

  South Yorkshire

  36,666

  16

  Staffordshire

  23,603

  14

  Suffolk

  11,940

  13

  Surrey

  n/a

  n/a

  Sussex

  n/a

  n/a

  Thames Valley

  47,442

  16

  Warwickshire

  8,599

  11

  20

  Forces

  Training days

  Average number of days per PC

  West Mercia

  26,279

  17

  West Midlands

  105,198

  20

  West Yorkshire

  40,936

  10

  Wiltshire

  19,139

  22

  Campsfield House
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home department what is the average weekly cost of detaining a person at Campsfield house. [23358]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The average weekly cost is currently estimated at £413, excluding immigration service and escorting costs.

  Historical Documents
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what special training is given to persons who have responsibility for assessing the historical significance of documents held by his Department. [23285]

  Mr. Howard
  The staff involved receive desk training, carried out under the guidance of the Keeper of Public Records, and are provided with written guidance prepared within the Department and by the Public Records Office. Staff also attend conferences and seminars arranged by the Public Records Office, and are encouraged to attend Civil Service College and Public Records Office courses.

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many, and what proportion of, vacancies advertised by his Department, and by each of his Department's agencies in the last three years have listed the attainment of NVQ's as an acceptable entry requirement; and, of those, how many have required (i) level 1 NVQs, (ii) level 2 NVQs, (iii) level 3 NVQs and (iv) other level NVQs. [22974]

  Mr. Howard
  Information is not readily available about vacancies advertised by Prison Service establishments. In the remainder of the Home Office no vacancy advertised in the last three years has specifically listed the attainment of NVQs as an acceptable entry requirement. In both areas, however, NVQs are accepted as a recognised equivalent to the entry qualifications of certain grades.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Registered Medical Practitioners
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many appeals from decisions of the General Medical Council(a) heard, (b) which were successful against removal from the list of registered medical practitioners consequent to proceedings in its professional conduct committee, and how many other appeals were (c) heard and (d) successful since the coming into force of the Medical Act 1983.
  21
  Mr. Newton
  Since 26 October 1983, when the Medical Act 1983 came into force, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has heard 33 appeals, of which three were successful, from decisions of the professional conduct committee of the General Medical Council directing the erasure or suspension of a doctor's name from the register. Over the same period, the committee has heard seven appeals against decisions of the health committee of the General Medical Council of which none was successful.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Military Exports
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, between December 1984 and August 1990, exporters were required to obtain end user certificates for the export of goods, licensed under the military list, to(a) Thailand, (b) Singapore, (c) Pakistan, (d) Portugal, (e) Cyprus and (f) Hong Kong. [19402]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Where goods were to be exported to a Government Department of the countries listed no end-user certificate was required by the DTI export licensing unit, although a copy of the contract or purchase order was requested. For military list exports to companies and other private consignees, exporters were required to submit sufficient information to enable the ELU to assess the export licence application. The guidance note on filling out an export licence application form said that exporters should supply an end-user certificate, or an end-use statement or an international import certificate, but this was not insisted upon in all cases.

  Richard Budge
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what account was taken of the role of Richard Budge as a director of AF Budge (Mining) when awarding the franchise to mine coal in the three English coal regions; [22706]

  (2) if the Government were aware of the concerns raised by Coopers and Lybrand, officers in the insolvency unit of his Department and the official receiver about the actions of Richard Budge as a director of AF Budge (a) when the shortlist of companies to be considered for the coal franchise was agreed and (b) when RJB (Mining) was awarded franchises; [22707]

  (3) what consideration Ministers gave to monitoring the concerns being expressed by Coopers and Lybrand, officers in the insolvency unit of his Department and the Official Receiver over the actions of Richard Budge as a director of AF Budge when making statements to the House about the shortlist of firms to be considered for coal franchises and the awarding of franchises to RJB (Mining); [22708]

  (4) what stage had investigations into the actions of Richard Budge reached (a) when RJB (Mining) was shortlisted as a franchisee and (b) when it was given the coal franchises. [22709]
  22
  (5) what consideration was given to the questions still surrounding Richard Budge as a director of AF Budge when deciding not to choose a second, back-up, franchisee for the coal franchises awarded to RJB (Mining). [22712]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: The Department and its advisers undertook a careful assessment of each of the bids for the regional coal companies and care and maintenance collieries when tenders were submitted in September 1994. Bids were assessed on their merits, including the prospects for the long-term viability of the industry and value for money for the taxpayer.

  The preferred bidders for the regional coal companies and care and maintenance collieries were announced on 12 October. As envisaged when bids were invited, a single preferred bidder was identified for each regional coal company, with whom detailed negotiations were to take place. It was made clear to the preferred bidders that their identification as preferred bidders did not commit the Government to a sale if the detailed negotiations did not reach a satisfactory conclusion. The position of each of the preferred bidders was kept under close review throughout the course of the negotiations.

  Decisions in relation to disqualification were taken on 21 November 1994. The decision not to take proceedings against Mr. Richard Budge and some other former directors of AF Budge Ltd. and related companies was made after careful consideration of the circumstances of the failure and in the light of legal advice.

  In the light of consideration of the conduct of Mr. Richard Budge in the context of the failure of the AF Budge companies, as well as the decision on proceedings, the Department reviewed RJB (Mining) plc's status as preferred bidder for the English coal companies, having regard to Mr. Budge's position as chief executive of RJB (Mining) plc. The Department concluded that RJB (Mining) plc should properly continue as preferred bidder.

  The contract for the sale of the English Regional Coal Company was signed on 9 December and the sale was completed on 30 December 1994.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what investigations are pending or being considered into loans made to Richard Budge as a director RJB (Mining). [22710]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: It is not our practice to comment on the affairs of individual companies.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what involvement and knowledge he and his Department had about the agreement reached between Sheffield development corporation and Budge which divided responsibility for providing the infrastructure for an airport at Tinsley, Sheffield, and the authority for opencasting the site. [22714]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: The agreement between Sheffield Development Corporation and AF Budge (Mining) Ltd. is a matter for the Department of the Environment and I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government on 9 May 1995, Official Report, column 421.
  23
  The agreement was disclosed to the official receiver in relation to the subsequent failure of AF Budge Ltd. and related companies.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the role of Ministers in deciding not to disqualify Richard Budge as a director following his actions as a director of AF Budge. [22715]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Decisions in relation to the disqualification of directors of failed companies are taken on behalf of the Secretary of State by the Insolvency Service which has operational responsibility. Those decisions are based on statutory provisions, on criteria agreed by Ministers, informed by developing case law, and legal advice where necessary; and the likelihood of a court making a disqualification order. Ministers were advised of the Insolvency Service's decisions on disqualification proceedings relating to the failed AF Budge companies and endorsed them.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date his Department received the Coopers and Lybrand report into the collapse of AF Budge; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [22582]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: The insolvency service received the report on AF Budge Ltd. on 28 September 1993. Such reports are confidential between the Secretary of State and insolvency practitioners.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who took the decision, and on what date, to bring disqualification proceedings against former directors of AF Budge; what criteria were used in selecting the directors; and if he will identify those former directors against whom disqualification proceedings have not been taken. [22584]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: Decisions in relation to the disqualification of directors of failed companies are taken on behalf of the Secretary of State by the Insolvency Service which has the operational responsibility. Those decisions are based on statutory provision, criteria agreed by Ministers, informed by developing case law, and legal advice where necessary; and the likelihood of a court making a disqualification order. Ministers were advised of the Insolvency Service's decisions on disqualification proceedings relating to the failed AF Budge Group and endorsed them. In this case decisions were made on 21 November 1994.

  Given the number of companies comprised in the AF Budge Group and the large number of directors, it is not practical to list all former directors from the incorporation of the earliest company in 1967. The following were returned as directors in the three years prior to the first appointments of administrative receivers to AF Budge companies in December 1992, and against whom proceedings have not been taken in relation to the relevant companies:

  Name

  Ceased to act (if applicable)

  J. R. Bower

  28 February 1992

  R. J. Budge

  22 February 1992

  G. W. Jarrett

  20 February 1992

  G. Muir

  7 January 1993

  D. T. Threadkell

  7 January 1993

  S. S. Clarke

  15 December 1992

  A. A. Mackintosh

  13 January 1993

  M. A. Connolly

  —

  24

  Name

  Ceased to act (if applicable)

  R. V. Sallis

  18 December 1992

  J. E. Greenhalgh

  11 December 1992

  D. T. Trewick

  —

  M. Wainwright

  18 January 1993

  C. A. Walton

  22 February 1992

  K. Jarrett

  22 February 1992

  M. Chick

  —

  D. Cowlinshaw

  1 October 1990

  G. B. Cowlinshaw

  1 October 1990

  P. M. Annington

  —

  R. S. Allan

  —

  E. Bruce

  —

  C. H. Coward

  —

  M. R. Hampton

  —

  M. Shield

  —

  S. G. Mort

  8 January 1993

  J. A. Buck

  18 December 1992

  N. J. Teal

  16 December 1992

  M. F. Vasey

  31 March 1993

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what dates in 1994 his Department's insolvency service interviewed Mr. Richard Budge; and on what date the Service reported on the conduct of the former directors of AF Budge. [22585]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: The official receiver reported initially on the affairs of AF Budge Ltd. and related companies on 25 July 1994. Following further investigations into those affairs Mr. R. J. Budge and two other directors of the AF Budge Group were interviewed by him on 11, 14 and 15 November respectively and he reported the outcome of those interviews on 15 November 1994. The official receiver's report to the court under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 was made on 7 December 1994.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make available to the National Audit Office investigators into the privatisation of the coal industry the Coopers and Lybrand report into the collapse of AF Budge and the report from the insolvency service into the conduct of Mr. Richard Budge as a director of AF Budge. [22583]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: The insolvency service will co-operate fully with the National Audit Office.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Ministers in his Department in the last five years have been a member of a group considering the energy industry policy which had Mr. Richard Budge as one of its members. [23018]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: As far as I am aware, no Minister in this Department, or in the former Department of Energy, in the last five years has been a member of a group considering energy industry policy which had Mr. Richard Budge as one of its members.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what dates in 1992, 1993 and until 12 October 1994, Ministers in his Department met Mr. Richard Budge to discuss the privatisation of the coal industry. [23016]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: I have been asked to reply.

  My right, hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy discussed coal privatisation with a number of industry figures in this period. At meetings with

  25
  Mr. Richard Budge on 17 June 1992, 29 June 1992, 1 March 1993, 26 March 1993, 15 April 1993, 15 June 1993 and 7 July 1994 a range of issues were discussed. Mr. Budge met the Minister for Industry and Energy both in his capacity as chairman of the trade association Coalpro, and as chief executive of RJB (Mining).

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any Ministers in his Department since April 1992 have been on trips overseas in which Mr. Richard Budge was in the party. [23017]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: No DTI Minister has been on an overseas visit with Mr. Richard Budge during this period.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions between 1989 and 1992 advance payments for ordinary soil extraction were made to AF Budge; and what was their total value. [22818]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation.

  Cottonware Ltd.
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take against the directors of Cottonware Ltd. for not filing their company accounts within the legal deadline. [23970]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  There is no company registered with that name on the public record held at Companies House.

  Oil and Gas Pipelines
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what proposals he has to modify the Petroleum Act 1987 in relation to the dismantling and removal of redundant offshore oil and gas structures and submarine pipeline networks; and if he will make a statement; [24032]

  (2) if he will list (a) the redundant offshore oil and gas installations which have been dismantled and removed from their sites and (b) the redundant submarine pipeline networks which have been dismantled and removed from their sites in accordance with the relevant provisions contained in the Petroleum Act 1987; and if he will make a statement; [23033]

  (3) how many programmes of (a) abandonment of redundant offshore oil and gas structures, (b) abandonment of submarine pipeline networks, (c) dismantlement and removal of redundant offshore oil and gas structures and (d) dismantlement and removal of submarine pipeline networks he has approved in each of the past seven years; and if he will make a statement; [24034]

  (4) if he will list (a) the number and location of redundant offshore oil and gas installations which operators have been allowed to abandon and (b) the redundant submarine pipeline networks which operators have been allowed to abandon in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Petroleum Act 1987; if he will detail what measures have been taken, in relation to such programmes of abandonment, to protect the safety and commercial interests of other parties engaged in maritime industries; and if he will make a statement; [23036]

  (5) what advice is given to commercial fishermen who fish nearby fishing grounds and other users of the local marine environment in relation to the dismantlement and removal of redundant offshore oil and gas structures and redundant submarine pipeline networks; [23037]
  26
  (6) if he will list the regulations governing the maintenance and inspection of abandoned offshore oil and gas structures and redundant submarine pipeline networks; and if he will make a statement; [23038]

  (7) when Shell UK Exploration, Shell Expro, was given approval under part I of the Petroleum Act 1987 for its abandonment proposal for the Brent Spar, which at present is located in the Brent field; and if he will make a statement; [23377]

  (8) what discussions have taken place with Shell UK Exploration and Production, Shell Expro, concerning the removal and disposal of the decommissioned Brent Spar under part I of the Petroleum Act 1987 which at present is located in the Brent field; and if he will make a statement; [23378]

  (9) if it is his policy in relation to the Petroleum Act 1987 to allow offshore oil and gas operators to dispose of redundant oil and gas structures and pipeline networks by way of deep-water sinkings; and if he will make a statement; [23379]

  (10) how many redundant, or decommissioned, offshore oil and gas structures and pipeline networks have been disposed of under the Petroleum Act 1987 by way of (a) onshore scrapping, (b) deep-water sinking or (c) left in situ in each of the past seven years; and if he will make a statement; [23380]

  (11) if he name those persons and companies against whom he has initiated court proceedings in each of the past seven years in relation to offences they were alleged to have committed under sections 2, 5, 9 or 10 of the Petroleum Act 1987, of those so proceeded against how many were found guilty; what were the penalties imposed upon them by the law courts; and if he will make a statement. [24210]

  Mr. Eggar
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and his predecessor the Secretary of State for Energy have approved the following abandonment programmes for offshore installations and pipelines:

  Year

  Facilities

  1988

  Piper Alpha

  1991

  Crawford1

  1992

  Argyll, Duncan and Innes Blair1

  1993

  Angus

  Forbes

  Part of Staffa—Ninian pipe-line

  1994

  Fulmar single anchor leg mooring (SALM) buoy Brent Spar oil storage and tanker loading facility

  1 Includes pipe-lines.

  In each case, except Piper Alpha, two Blair pipelines, a redundant part of the Staffa—Ninian pipeline, and the Argyll Base Manifold, the abandonment programme provided for the complete removal of the facilities. The Crawford, Argyll, Duncan and Innes, and Angus floating production facilities have been re-used elsewhere. The Forbes topsides have been sold for re-use and the jacket has been sold for possible re-use or scrapping onshore. The Fulmar SALM buoy has been removed from the field and the disposal options are under consideration.

  In accordance with section 4 of the Petroleum Act 1987 the President of the Board of Trade approved the Brent Spar abandonment programme on 20 December 1994.

  27
  That programme provides for disposal of the Spar in the deep waters of the north-east Atlantic. That decision was taken following a comparative assessment of the options including an analysis of the best practicable environmental option. My Department had extensive discussions with Shell UK Exploration and Production during the consideration of the abandonment programme and consulted others in Government with an interest in protection of the marine environment and fisheries. Apart from environmental considerations and possible interference with navigation and fisheries, the comparative assessment also examined risk, technical feasibility and cost. Our decision fully meets our international obligations and has been communicated to other countries under the procedural requirements of the Oslo convention.

  No regulations have been made in respect of the abandonment provisions of the Petroleum Act 1987. Inspection and maintenance requirements are decided on a case-by-case basis in the light of the circumstances of each abandonment proposal and after consultation with other Government Departments.

  In each case, the President of the Board of Trade has required consultations to be carried out with interested parties, including representatives of fishermen's organisations, and that the results of the consultations be reported in the abandonment programme.

  Abandonment programmes are considered on a case-by-case basis and their approval must be consistent with our international obligations including the International Maritime Organisations's guidelines and standards for the removal of offshore installations and the London and Oslo conventions.

  While decommissioning operations are being undertaken, mariners are advised by notice to avoid the area. An installation which is only partly removed will not be allowed to endanger navigation. The Government are currently considering whether further measures need to be taken to ensure that mariners, including fishermen, are aware of any remains of installations.

  Guidance notes for the abandonment of offshore installations and pipelines were issued for consultation on 4 May 1995. A copy of the guidance notes is available in the Library of the House.

  I have no proposals at present to modify the Petroleum Act.

  I have not initiated any court proceedings in respect of offences under sections 2, 5, 9 or 10 of the Petroleum Act.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions in each of the past seven years he has used his powers, contained in section 4 of the Petroleum Act 1987, to reject an abandonment programme submitted by offshore oil and gas operators; in how many such cases the programmes were replaced by an abandonment programme prepared by himself; and if he will make a statement. [24204]

  Mr. Eggar
  No abandonment programmes have been rejected under section 4 of the Petroleum Act 1987.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he plans to issue the authorisation anent the laying of the gas pipeline to Premier Transco Ltd. between Scotland and Northern Ireland; when he expects the work to(a) commence and (b) be completed; and if he will make a statement. [24181]
  28
  Mr. Eggar
  The authorisation under the Pipe-lines Act 1962 for the onshore section of the pipeline was issued on 27 February this year. It is expected that the authorisation for the offshore section required under the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975 will be issued shortly. Work has already commenced on the onshore section and work on the whole pipeline is expected to be completed by October 1996.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the responsibilities of(a) the fire service and (b) the trading standards officer for enforcing the law relating to the purchase of fireworks by children under the apparent age of 16 years in Metropolitan areas; and what changes have been made since March. [22819]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Prior to the revocation of the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1986, trading standards authorities had responsibility for enforcing those regulations relating to the supply of fireworks to children apparently under the age of 16. The fire service had no such responsibility. Since the coming into force of the Fireworks (Safety) (Revocation) Regulations 1995, section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875, as amended, prohibits the sale of fireworks to those apparently under 16 years of age and the police remain the appropriate enforcement authority.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what body will be responsible for enforcing section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875, on the sale of firearms to children under 16 years after the coming into force of the Fireworks (Safety) Revocation Regulations 1995. [23009]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 5 May 1995]: Following the coming into force of the Fireworks (Safety) (Revocation) Regulations 1995, the police remain the appropriate authority to enforce section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875, as amended, which prohibits the sale of fireworks to children apparently under 16 years of age.

  MGM Cinemas
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what reassurances he has sought from the Office of Fair Trading to ensure that the position of the independent cinema owners is protected in the sale of MGM cinemas by Credit Lyonnais; [24430]

  (2) what steps he has taken to ensure that competition in high street cinemas is not reduced as a result of a takeover of MGM cinemas by the Rank Organisation; [24432]

  (3) what guarantees he has sought from (a) Credit Lyonnais and (b) the various bidders for the MGM cinema chain being sold by Credit Lyonnais that they will endeavour where possible to keep open the maximum number of high street and multiple cinemas; [24431]

  (4) what steps he has taken to ensure that competition in multiplex cinemas is not reduced as a result of a takeover of MGM cinemas by Time Warner. [24433]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  If the sale of MGM cinemas results in a qualifying merger under the Fair Trading Act 1973 it will be for the Director General of Fair Trading to advise my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade whether to refer the merger to the Monopolies
  29
  and Mergers Commission. In giving his advice, the DGFT will take account of all relevant factors including the impact on competition in the cinema industry and the views of third parties. If appropriate, the DGFT will also advise about possible undertakings which might be given to remedy any adverse effects resulting from the merger.

  Trade Statistics
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the latest trade balance of(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany, (c) France and (d) Korea with (i) Poland, (ii) Hungary, (iii) the Czech Republic and (iv) Russia. [23708]

  Mr. Needham
  Information on the topic is regularly published in the "IMF Direction of Trade Statistics", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the replies received from the Official Receiver as part of the consultation process for the privatisation of the insolvency service; and if he will consult the official receiver on the detailed specifications for the contracting out of the insolvency service. [24154]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  A digest of official receivers' responses to the consultation process was published and laid in the Libraries of the House and the Vote Office on 3 May 1995. The views of the official receivers have been sought on the draft technical specification and their comments are being considered.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the potential change in public expenditure arising from the proposed privatisation of the insolvency service. [24375]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  It is too early to form any assessment of the effect on public expenditure of the possible contracting out of official receivers' functions. This information will not be available until final bids have been received from the private sector and compared to the benchmark costs of the service. The evaluation of tenders is due to be completed by early December 1995.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the 30
  potential effect of the privatisation of the insolvency service on fraudulent bankruptcy. [24377]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Stoy Hayward reported that the contracting out of official receivers' case administration functions upon the making of an insolvency order would enable them to concentrate on their investigatory role.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the proposed privatisation of the insolvency service. [24376]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Both my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I have received substantial correspondence concerned with contracting out certain of the official receiver's functions; originating from official receivers staff, members of the public, and members of professional bodies. The official receivers, as statutory office holders, have been formally consulted on proposals for contracting out.

  Convention on Nuclear Safety
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the United Kingdom to deposit the United Kingdom's instrument on ratification for the convention on nuclear safety which was signed on 20 September 1994 with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. [24292]

  Mr. Page
  Deposit of the United Kingdom's instrument of ratification for the convention on nuclear safety is expected to take place before the end of 1995.

  Overseas Projects Board
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will instruct(a) the overseas project board and (b) the regional industrial development board to issue an annual report before Parliament. [24190]

  Mr. Needham
  I shall ensure that any annual report published by the overseas projects board is made available in the Library of the House.

  There are seven regional industrial boards covering the 10 English regions. They are non-statutory boards but by tradition each board contributes an annual commentary for inclusion in the annual reports of the Industrial Development Act 1982, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Fish Hatcheries
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when permission was granted for the operation of a hatchery at Killylough lough, Maghera, County Londonderry; what is the consent discharge number or reference number for this project; and what public notification or consultation took place prior to authorisation for the Killylough lough hatchery, Maghera, County Londonberry, being given. [23306]

  Mr. Ancram
  There is no fish hatchery of this name and neither has permission been granted for the operation of one at this location. A small unauthorised hatchery was detected and closed in January 1989. In anticipation of an authorised fish hatchery development a consent, No. 89/90, to the discharge of effluent was issued by the Department of the Environment under the terms of the Water Act (Northern Ireland) 1972. The application was not pursued and, as no authorisation was issued for the operation of a hatchery, public notification and consultation procedures were not instigated.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if employees of the Fisheries Conservancy Board are required to register an interest when a close relative operates a hatchery or fish farm within or outside the jurisdiction of the Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland. [23305]

  Mr. Ancram
  No.

  Stevens Report
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 2 May,Official Report, column 160, if Mr. John Stevens succeeded in identifying those responsible for the killings which were the subject of the shoot to kill inquiry. [23122]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Mr. Stevens conducted no such inquiry. He conducted an inquiry into allegations of collusion and submitted a report on that inquiry. He conducted further inquiries into the purported activities of Brian Nelson and certain members of the Army. As stated in my reply of 2 May,Official Report, column 160, a direction of no prosecutions was issued on 17 February 1995.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 2 May,Official Report, column 160, on what grounds the direction of no prosecution was issued on 19 February following the report by Mr. John Stevens; and if he will make a statement. [23121]

  Sir John Wheeler
  In respect of the supplementary reports which were forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (Northern Ireland) on 25 April 1994, 18 October 1994 and 24 January 1995, the director concluded that there was insufficient evidence to warrant prosecution of any persons. A direction of no prosecution was issued on 17 February 1995.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 2 May,Official Report, column 160, if he will place in the Library a survey of the
  32
  supplementary reports by Mr. John Stevens to his shoot to kill inquiry on 25 April and 18 October 1994 and on 24 January 1995. [23123]

  Sir John Wheeler
  No. Police reports remain confidential.

  Reservoirs
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on public access to ownership of water reservoirs in Northern Ireland, with particular reference to the Annalong reservoir. [23153]

  Mr. Moss
  Ownership of reservoirs used for public water supply purposes is vested in the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. Access is granted for specific recreational purposes such as angling, or for general recreation dependent upon consideration of safety, water quality and the nature of the environment. There is no Annalong reservoir. The nearest reservoir is at the Silent valley and the public enjoy full access there. There are no plans to alter these arrangements.

  Local Management of Schools
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research he has conducted into the effectiveness and fairness of the local management of schools formula for the delegation of school budgets; and what proposals he has to change it. [23390]

  Mr. Ancram
  The effects of the local management of schools formula have been closely monitored by the five education and library boards and by the Department of Education. The Department has also commissioned the University of Ulster to undertake a survey of the impact of LMS on school. I have no proposal for changes at this time.

  Industrial Development Board
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what cash settlement was paid to the former chief executive of the Industrial Development Board to terminate his contract; and if he will make a statement. [23078]

  Mr. Ancram
  The former chief executive of the Industrial Development Board expressed a wish to return to his private sector business and the Department agreed that he could be released from his contract from 31 March 1995. As his departure was by mutual agreement, no cash settlement was paid.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total number of Industrial Development Board sponsored potential investor visits in each of the past five years; and for each year if he will give details of the number of visits to(a) Armagh city, (b) Newry town, (c) Armagh district council area, (d) Newry and Mourne district council area, (e) Craigavon district, (f) Belfast, (g) Derry city and (h) Antrim borough. [23722]

  Mr. Ancram
  The number of potential investor visits for the years in question together with the breakdown by district council area are as follows. Information relating to Armagh city and Newry town is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  33

  Total inward visits to Northern Ireland

  Total

  1990–91

  231

  1991–92

  240

  1992–93

  216

  1993–94

  229

  1994–95

  254

  Total visits by potential investors in the following district councils areas

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Armagh

  3

  2

  3

  —

  2

  Newry and Mourne

  4

  4

  10

  9

  19

  Craigavon

  14

  12

  15

  6

  24

  Belfast

  188

  213

  141

  125

  138

  Derry

  23

  28

  23

  30

  31

  Antrim

  61

  81

  38

  55

  40

  Historical Documents
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what special training is given to persons who have responsibility for assessing the historical significance of documents held by his Department. [23281]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Assessments of the historical significance of departmental records held in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland. I have asked its chief executive, Dr. Malcomson, to arrange for a reply to be given about the training of his staff.

  Assessment of the historical significance of departmental records held in London is done in consultation with the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. The staff responsible for this work attend courses, conferences and seminars arranged by the Public Record Office, Kew.

  Letter from A. P. W. Malcomson to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 5 May 1995:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question Number 797 enquiring about the training given to persons who have responsibility for assessing the historical significance of documents held by the Department of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
  Documents of historical significance originating in the Northern Ireland Departments are transferred to the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) when they have ceased to have recurrent administrative value—usually at twenty years. By this stage, the

  Department

  Number of mobile phones

  1987–88 £

  1988–89 £

  1989–90 £

  1990–91 £

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  Education

  4

  154

  335

  468

  361

  450

  1,214

  2,346

  2,807

  Agriculture

  69

  nil

  110,000

  110,000

  111,000

  111,500

  13,600

  16,000

  22,400

  Finance and Personnel

  38

  nil

  nil

  nil

  1,670

  8,095

  9,490

  17,303

  16,972

  Environment

  235

  2Approximately £50,000 pa operating cost excluding call charges

  Economic Development

  59

  nil

  500

  2,781

  4,077

  5,935

  12,611

  17,552

  19,909

  Health and Social Services

  34

  This information is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Northern Ireland Office

  19

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15,893

  13,761

  11,434

  1 Estimated expenditure.

  2 Annual breakdown and call charges not available.

  3 Records do not show when mobile phones were first introduced—last three years given only.

  34
  assessment of their historical significance will have been carried out by curatorial staff of PRONI, who are all graduates (often in history) and are given a two-year training period before being allowed to make independent, but still supervised, decisions.
  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Police Complaints
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to give powers to the Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland to allow it to supervise inquiries of its own volition. [23600]

  Sir John Wheeler
  There are at present no plans to allow the commission to instigate the supervision of the investigation of a matter which is not the subject of a complaint. However, my right hon. and learned Friend announced on 29 March,Official Report, columns 659–61, that the commission will have the power to draw a non-complaint matter to his attention: he will then have the responsibility to refer appropriate cases to the commission for supervision. Draft legislation to give effect to this new power, the Police (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order, was published for consultation on 25 April 1995.

  Telephones
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many mobile telephones being utilised by his Department have been cloned during the last 12 months. [23435]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Three.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what use his Department makes of hand-held and car-based mobile telephones; what were the costs for each financial year of these services since mobile telephones were first introduced to his Department; and how many mobile telephones are currently in use. [23441]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Within the Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office, hand-held and car-based mobile telephones are used by senior management, private office staff, security personnel, press officers, car pool/official drivers and other staff whose duties require them to be frequently absent from their base and who are required to maintain contact.

  The cost of these phones and the number currently in use are as follows:
  35
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what costs his Department has incurred during the last 12 months as a result of cloning of mobile telephones being utilised by his Department, with particular reference to the making of unauthorised calls. [23481]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: None. Unauthorised calls on cloned phones are not paid for by the Department.

  School Leavers
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of school leavers has attained no academic qualifications in every year since 1979. [23393]

  Mr. Ancram
  The proportion of school leavers attaining no academic qualifications from 1979–80 is as follows:

  Per cent.

  1979–80

  27.0

  1980–81

  No survey

  1981–82

  24.3

  1982–83

  No survey

  1983–84

  21.1

  1984–85

  No survey

  1985–86

  19.5

  1986–87

  17.7

  1987–88

  16.4

  1988–89

  12.7

  1989–90

  10.0

  1990–91

  8.6

  1991–92

  7.4

  1992–93

  4.9

  Consultants
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what contracts have been awarded to Capita Management Consultants Ltd. for consultancy work in the Northern Ireland civil service since January 1990; and if he will list the cost of each consultancy to date. [23661]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Northern Ireland Departments maintain records of consultancy expenditure on a financial year basis. The provision of information from 1 January 1990 to 31 March 1990 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. During the period 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1995, payments totalling £546,738, excluding VAT, were made by Northern Ireland Departments in respect of consultancy work undertaken by Capita Management Consultants Ltd. Details of the value of individual contracts cannot, however, be released as this would breach commercial confidentiality.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23959]
  36
  Sir John Wheeler
  In Northern Ireland, the Commissioner for Complaints investigates complaints of alleged injustice in consequence of maladministration by local and public bodies. The current list of non-departmental public bodies within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner for Complaints is as follows:

  Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland

  Arts Council of Northern Ireland

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

  Education and Library Boards

  Enterprise Ulster

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

  Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland

  Industrial Training Boards

  Labour Relations Agency

  Laganside Corporation

  Livestock and Meat Marketing Commission for Northern Ireland

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for

  Northern Ireland

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  Northern Ireland Local Government Officers Superannuation Committee

  Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment

  Northern Ireland Sports Council

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  Office of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members

  Trustees of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  Trustees of the Ulster Museum

  Youth Council for Northern Ireland

  There are no non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland which are subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission.

  The following non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office:

  Police Authority for Northern Ireland

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland

  Independent Commissioner for Police Complaints

  Training Schools Management Board Rathgael and Whiteabbey

  The responsibility of the National Audit Office does not extend to the six Northern Ireland Departments, which have their own similarly appointed body—the Northern Ireland Audit Office. The following non-departmental public bodies are subject to scrutiny by the NIAO:

  Belfast Education and Library Board

  Northern Education and Libary Board

  South Eastern Education and Library Board

  Southern Education and Library Board

  Western Education and Library Board

  Enterprise Ulster

  Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland

  Executive of the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland

  Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

  General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

  Health and Safety Agency for Northern Ireland

  Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland

  Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessments

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  37

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  Staff Commission for Education and Library Boards

  Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  Ulster Museum

  Youth Council for Northern Ireland

  The following non-departmental public bodies are subject to scrutiny by the Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland:

  Public authorities for the purposes of sections 27 and 42 of the Fair Employment Act of 1989

  Any agency established under article 4(1) of the Health and Personal Services (Special Agencies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 before the coming into operation of this order

  Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland

  Arts Council for Northern Ireland

  Belfast Harbour Commissioners

  British Broadcasting Corporation

  Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary

  Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland

  Citybus Ltd.

  Coleraine Harbour Commissioners

  Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

  Any district council

  Any education and library board established under article 3 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986

  Enterprise Ulster

  Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland

  Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland

  Fire Authority for Northern Ireland

  Fisheries Conservancy Board for Northern Ireland Flexibus Ltd.

  Foyle Fisheries Commission

  General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

  Any health and social services board established under article 16(1) of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972

  Any health and social services trust established under article 10(1) of the Health and Personal Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 before the coming into operation of this order.

  Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland

  Any industrial training board established under article 14(1) of the Industrial Training (Northern Ireland) Order 1984

  Labour Relations Agency

  Laganside Corporation

  Livestock and Meat Commission

  Local Enterprise Development Unit

  Local Government Staff Commission for Northern Ireland

  Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners

  Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland

  Milk Marketing Board for Northern Ireland

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Northern Ireland

  Northern Ireland Central Services Agency for the Health and Social Services

  Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints

  Northern Ireland Community Relations Council

  Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment

  Northern Ireland Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education

  Northern Ireland Economic Development Office

  Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive

  Northern Ireland Local Government Officers Superannuation Committee

  38

  Northern Ireland Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration

  Northern Ireland Railways Company Ltd.

  Northern Ireland Tourist Board

  Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company

  Pigs Marketing Board (Northern Ireland)

  Police Authority for Northern Ireland

  Post Office

  Probation Board for Northern Ireland

  Rathgael and Whiteabbey Schools Management Board

  Sports Council for Northern Ireland

  Sports Commission for Education and Library Boards

  The board of governors of Stranmillis college of education, Belfast

  Trustees of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

  Trustees of the Ulster Museum

  Ulster Sheltered Employment Ltd.

  Ulsterbus Ltd.

  Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

  Youth Council for Northern Ireland

  The Fire Authority for Northern Ireland is subject to scrutiny by the Home Office fire service inspectorate.

  All non-departmental public bodies are subject to internal departmental scrutiny. All executive non-departmental public bodies listed in the publication "Public Bodies 1994" are subject to performance indicators. Information on advisory non-departmental public bodies is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The following non-departmental public bodies in Northern Ireland have published charters:

  Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants charter

  Northern Ireland railway passengers charter

  Ulsterbus/Citybus passengers charter

  The following non-departmental public bodies have published charter standard statements.

  Eastern health and social services board

  Northern health and social services board

  Southern health and social services board

  Western health and social services board

  Each document sets out the rights and standards of service people can expect.

  As part of the charter, Northern Ireland Railways operates a compensation scheme whereby passengers receive discount vouchers or refunds if services are delayed.

  In respect of members being liable to surcharge, the education and library boards attract the provisions of sections 31 to 33 of the Local Government Act Northern Ireland 1972 which relate to fraudulent activity.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Agricultural Wages Board
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the wage-setting role of the Agricultural Wages Board. [23710]

  Mr. Jack
  Under the provisions of the Agricultural Wages Act 1948, as amended, the Agricultural Wages Board has the power to make orders:

  (a) fixing minimum rates of wages;

  (b) directing holidays to be allowed;

  (c) fixing any other terms and conditions of employment;

  for workers employed in agriculture.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the net annual financial saving, or cost, of his Department's submission for the proposed White Paper on the rural economy. [24334]

  Mr. Jack
  Proposals for the rural White Paper remain subject to continuing collective consideration and discussion. The costs of measures contained in the White Paper will be taken into account in the public expenditure survey.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to make it a statutory requirement for(a) the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, (b) the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes, (c) the Food Advisory Committee and (d) the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee to lay an annual report before Parliament. [24178]

  Mr. Jack
  The answer to (a), (b), (c) is no. These non-departmental public bodies already produce annual reports, copies of which are placed in the Library of the House.

  The answer to (d) is no. This NDPB produces periodic rather than annual reports and these are placed in the Library of the House.

  Intervention Stores
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when(a) butter and (b) cheese was last distributed on a (i) national and (ii) local basis from intervention stores. [24289]

  Mr. Jack
  Butter released from intervention stores was last distributed during the period September 1992 to March 1993, as part of the 1992 surplus food scheme arrangements. The scheme applied throughout the UK and distribution was undertaken by 1,367 designated organisations. Cheese has never been distributed in the UK from EC intervention stocks.

  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when and where there have been any distribution of Intervention Board(a) butter, (b) cheese and (c) wine in the UK in the last 12 months. [24288]

  Mr. Jack
  There has been no distribution by the Intervention Board of butter, cheese or wine in the last 12 months.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Investments
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what new proposals he has to improve the return of the investments of the Church Commissioners. [22496]

  Mr. Alison
  DTZ Debenham Thorpe advised on our property investment strategy in March 1994 and is in the course of updating this advice. The commissioners have embarked upon a strategic programme of property sales 40
  to rebalance their investment portfolio in the light of that advice.

  Our consulting actuaries have advised on our asset allocation strategy. This advice was recently considered at length by the assets committee and has influenced the committee's aim to combine the maximisation of investment return with an acceptable level of risk and diversification in those investments.

  Staff (Dismissals)
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners when a member of the commissioners' staff was last dismissed. [22498]

  Mr. Alison
  The most recent dismissal of a member of the commissioners' staff took place last April, and before that in August 1992.

  Pensions
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby as representing the Church Commissioners what discussions the commissioners have had concerning the recent second report of the Social Security Committee on the Church Commissioners and Church of England pensions; and if he will make a statement. [22499]

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners if he will make a statement on the recommendations contained in the second report of the Social Security Committee of Session 1994–95, HC 354, on the operation of Church of England pensions. [22501]

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners what action has been taken to carry out the recommendations of the second report of the Social Security Committee, HC 354, in respect of the past use of Church Commissioners' pension fund money. [22502]

  Mr. Alison
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier to day to the hon. Members for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes), and Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Clifton-Brown).

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Selby, as representing the Church Commissioners how many wives have been divorced from their clergy husbands for each of the last 30 years; and if he will make a statement on the impact of these numbers on pension provision. [22500]

  Mr. Alison
  Neither the Church Commissioners nor the pensions board holds this information. It is possible that Broken Rites, which, as the hon. Member knows, is an independent association of divorced and separated wives of clergy, may be able to provide certain information.

  A survivorship pension is payable to a legal widow—the wife to whom the clergyman was married at the time of his death. No such pension is payable in respect of the ex-wife of a divorced clergyman unless he remarries. In that event, and if he is survived by the second wife, she would receive a pension.

  The pensions board makes discretionary grants to a former wife, after the death of her ex-husband, if her total income from all sources is below a certain figure.

ENVIRONMENT

  G7 Meeting, Hamilton
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals were put forward by the United Kingdom and what decisions taken at the meeting of G7 Environment Ministers in Hamilton from 29 April to 1 May; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the communiqué from the meeting. [22927]

  Mr. Gummer
  The meeting of G7 Environment Ministers was concerned to prepare the response of the most prosperous world economies to the major environmental challenges we face.

  We stressed the need to maximise our efforts to implement the biodiversity and climate change conventions. On climate change, we emphasised the importance not only of meeting our targets for the year 2000 but of taking forward the mandate negotiated at the Berlin conference of the parties to consider the position beyond 2000. The UK was able to take the lead in these discussions, and our firm proposition of the need to cut developed country greenhouse gas emissions by the between 5 and 10 per cent. from 1990 levels by the year 2010 is becoming an increasingly important signal as to the direction of the climate change debate.

  We discussed the role of international environment institutions, on which we broadly endorsed the conclusions reached at the informal meeting of Environment Ministers, which I hosted at Brocket hall in February. We looked forward to the governing council of the United Nations environment programme in Nairobi next month as an opportunity to confirm the mandate of UNEP as the world's environment voice.

  These and other results of the meeting were reported in the form of chairman's highlights, a copy of which I have placed in the Library. I will be reporting the outcome of the meeting to the Prime Minister, as will my G7 colleagues to their Heads of Government. The results will thus feed into the discussions by Heads of Government at the Halifax summit in July.

  Telephones
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what cost his Department has incurred during the last 12 months as a result of cloning of mobile telephones being utilised by his Department, with particular reference to the making of unauthorised calls; [23484]

  (2) what use his Department makes of hand-held and car-based mobile telephones, what were the costs for each financial year of these services since mobile telephones were first introduced to his Department; and how many mobile telephones are currently in use;

  (3) how many mobile telephones being utilised by his Department have been cloned during the last 12 months; [23432]

  (4) what steps his Department has taken to prevent the cloning of telephones being utilised by his Department; and if his Department has discussed this matter with any official agencies; [23461]

  (5) what representations his Department has made to the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the need for the legislation to prevent the cloning of mobile telephones. [23473]
  42
  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Mobile telephones are used by Ministers and officials who, by virtue of their work, need to speak to colleagues when not in the office. The Department does not keep central financial records for mobile telephones but there are currently 230 mobile telephones in use in my Department, of which 16 are car based, at an estimated cost of £74,000 for the rental per annum.

  The information that we have suggests that 11 mobile telephones have been cloned in the last 12 months. Service providers have identified incidents of cloning and the Department has not been charged for the calls.

  It is difficult to prevent the cloning of analogue mobile telephones but the Department will be discussing this issue with the mobile phone industry and will consider the further use of digital mobile telephones which are not easily cloned.

  No Government Departments or official agencies have made representations to the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the need for legislation to prevent the cloning of mobile phones.

  Opencast Mining
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment wht consultations with local communities have taken place in regard to opencast mining in south Yorkshire. [23532]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  There has been no consultation with local communities by my Department regarding opencast mining in south Yorkshire, but local planning authorities and site operators would have been consulted as part of the planning application process.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many compulsory land purchase orders have been exercised by opencast mining operators under the Coal Industry Act 1994; and in what locations. [23536]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  No compulsory land purchase orders have been confirmed under the 1994 legislation.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the response of south Yorkshire local authorities to his Department's MPG3 guidance note on opencast mining. [23534]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department has not received any correspondence from south Yorkshire local authorities on the MPG3 guidance note, which was published in July 1994.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will introduce an environmental test for opencast mining planning applications. [23535]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Procedures for environmental assessment of new development already exist in compliance with a European directive which came into force in July 1988. Mineral extraction qualifies under the legislation as a schedule 2 project, with respect to which the requirement for environmental assessment depends on a prior assessment of whether the project in question is likely to give rise to significant environmental effects.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the sites where permission for opencast mining has been given in the Rotherham metropolitan borough council area. [23544]
  43
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The following opencast coal sites have been given permission in the Rotherham MBC area:

  Round wood Phase 1, Rotherham (site now in restoration stage)

  Roundwood Phase 2, Rotherham

  Cortonwood, Wentworth (site now restored)

  Pithouse West, Rother Valley Park (restoration under way)

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate has been made of increased heavy lorry traffic in Rotherham as a result of proposed opencast mining. [23533]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  No estimate of increased heavy lorry traffic in Rotherham has been made by my Department. However, this matter is one that should have been considered by the local planning authority in its determination of applications for opencast mining permissions.

  Year

  Total number of complaints

  Number of authorities receiving notices

  Total number of notices

  Number of authorities given directions

  Total number of directions

  1990–91

  59

  6

  6

  3

  3

  1991–92

  41

  6

  7

  2

  2

  1992–93

  70

  8

  9

  5

  6

  1993–94

  110

  12

  13

  6

  6

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many complaints his Department received alleging anti-competitive behaviour by local authorities in England under the terms of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 for the financial years 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94; and how many local authorities were subsequently issued with a section 19A notice or 19B direction as a result. [23339]

  Year

  Number of complaints

  Number of authorities receiving notices

  Total number of notices

  Number of authorities given directions

  Total number of directions

  1990–91

  21

  —

  0

  —

  0

  1991–92

  15

  3

  3

  0

  0

  1992–93

  36

  2

  3

  3

  3

  1993–94

  40

  5

  6

  6

  8

  City Pride Initiative
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend the city pride initiative; and if he will make a statement. [23422]

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 11 May 1995]: Three cities, Birmingham, London and Manchester, are currently taking part in the city pride initiative, and have all made excellent progress in drawing up a prospectus setting out their vision for the future. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in the House on 4 November 1993, Official Report, column 516, these are the pilot areas on which city pride is currently concentrated. We will wish to assess progress with the city pride initiative in these areas before any extension.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action his Department has taken

  Complaints
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many complaints his Department received alleging anti-competitive behaviour by local authorities in England under the terms of the Local Government Act 1988 for the financial years 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94; and how many local authorities were subsequently issued with a section 19A notice or 19B direction as a result. [23340]

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 11 May 1995]: The table gives, for the years in question, the number of complaints received by the Department of the Environment alleging anti-competitive behaviour by local authorities under the Local Government Act 1988. It also indicates the number of authorities on which notices were served under section 13 and to which directions were given under section 14, and the total numbers of notices and directions.

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 11 May 1995]: The table gives, for the years in question, the number of complaints received by the Department of the Environment alleging anti-competitive behaviour by local authorities under the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. It also indicates the number of authorities on which notices were served under section 19A and to which directions were given under section 19B, and the total numbers of notices and directions.

  to improve public information on air pollution following the survey on air quality and smog awareness commissioned by his Department last July. [23670]

  Mr. Atkins
  I shall shortly publish a consultation paper, proposing changes to our public information system. I will also announce a major upgrade to the free telephone service which provides the public with continuous access to information about pollution levels and health advice.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which non-departmental public bodies with in the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23968]
  45
  Sir Paul Beresford
  Details of non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my department are listed in the Cabinet Office publication, "Public Bodies 1994". A copy is available in the House of Commons Library. In respect of executive NDPBs, I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright) on Tuesday 25 April,Official Report, column 474–75.

  In respect of the advisory and tribunal NDPBs, the Local Government Commission is subject to scrutiny by the Parliamentary Commissioner. It is also intended to introduce an Order under the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1994 to extend the commissioner's jurisdiction to the Department's tribunals.

  The Local Government Commission and departmental expenditure in respect of advisory bodies and tribunals are subject to inspection by the National Audit Office.

  The Local Government Commission, the valuation tribunals and the rent assessment panels are expected to abide by the provisions of the citizens charter. Key performance measures and targets are set for the Local Government Commission, while the tribunals have key objectives or benchmarks.

  No members of any NDPBs are liable to surcharge.

  Air Pollution (Bexley)
  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to visit the London borough of Bexley to discuss the problems of air pollution in the area. [23729]

  Mr. Atkins
  I have no plans at present to visit Bexley to discuss matters related to air pollution in the area.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for improving air quality and reducing air pollution in the London borough of Bexley. [23730]

  Mr. Atkins
  I intend shortly to table amendments to the Environment Bill to implement the proposals on air quality management announced in January.

  Mr. Evennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received about air pollution in the London borough of Bexley. [23731]

  Mr. Atkins
  My officials are in regular contact with local government officers in Bexley in connection with the operation of air quality monitoring facilities in the borough.

  Annual Reports
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to make it a statutory requirement for(a) the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, (b) the Radioactive Waste Management Committee and (c) the Royal Commission on environmental pollution to lay an annual report before Parliament. [24174]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I see no need to introduce such legislation. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee already produce annual reports which are placed in the House of Commons Library and the Royal Commission on environmental pollution presents all its reports to Parliament.
  46
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will instruct the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council to lay an annual report before Parliament. [24185]

  Mr. Atkins
  The Transport Act 1968 established the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council to advise the British Waterways Board and the Secretary of State on the amenity and recreation aspects of the board's network. Apart from the part-time chairman's salary, which is paid by DOE, IWAAC's expenses are met by the British Waterways Board and recorded in the board's annual report and accounts, copies of which are placed in the Library of the House. Additionally IWAAC carries out regular reviews of its activities, reports of which are made freely available to interested parties.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the planned spending on(a) task forces, (b) compacts, (c) teacher placements, (d) education business partnerships, (e) TEC challenge, (f) section 11, (g) ethnic minorities grant, (h) safer cities and (i) GEST 19 under the single regeneration budget for 1995–96 and 1996–97. [24388]

  Mr. Curry
  Provisional allocations for these programmes are as follows:

  £ million

  1995–96

  1996–97

  (a) Task Forces

  13.0

  9.6

  (b) Compacts

  4.3

  1.1

  (c) Teacher Placement scheme

  2.0

  2.0

  (d) Education Business Partnerships

  <0.1

  0

  (e) TEC Challenge

  0

  0

  (f) Section 11 (part)

  37.3

  27.4

  (g) Ethnic Minorities Grant

  2.3

  0

  (h) Safer Cities

  5.4

  6.1

  (i) GEST 19

  0.4

  0

  These allocations reflect on-going commitments on programmes that now form part of the single regeneration budget. They do not take into account approvals for new schemes under the SRB challenge fund.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the net annual financial saving, or cost, of his Department's submission for the proposed White Paper on the rural economy. [24335]

  Mr. Atkins
  Proposals for the rural White Paper remain subject to continuing collective consideration and discussion. The cost of measures contained in the White Paper will be taken into account in the public expenditure survey.

  Cable Communications Installers
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment if he will make it his policy to require cable
  47
  communication installers to restore all pavements and roads to their former standard and to replace trees which die within five years of the installation work. [22730]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I have been asked to reply.

  Cable operators' streetworks are already subject to the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, and its associated regulations. The Act requires that reinstatement following street works must be carried out to a specified standard, and any defects remedied at the operator's expense. Failure to reinstate is an offence under the Act, as is failure to comply with the prescribed reinstatement standards.

  Cable operators are committed to ensuring that the potential for any tree damage is minimised by following best practice when trenching in the vicinity of trees. The cable industry supports the guidelines, published last month by the national joint utilities group, which promote the use of trenchless technology or else hand digging around trees.

DEFENCE

  Base Purchasers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 3 May,Official Report, columns 234–38, if any of the purchasers listed have as directors or employ as consultants, present or former hon. Members. [23523]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is not held by my Department.

  Northern Ireland Expenditure
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated gross cost of British defence policy in Northern Ireland for 1994–95; and what percentage this constitutes of the total defence budget. [23398]

  Mr. Soames
  The current estimate of costs incurred by the General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland in 1994–95 on personnel, stores, services, lands and works is some £510,000,000. This amounts to about 2 per cent. of the total estimated expenditure on the defence budget.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated additional cost of the Army's work in Northern Ireland compared with its standard deployment elsewhere; and what percentage this additional cost forms of the total defence budget. [23399]

  Mr. Soames
  The cost of deploying the Army varies according to its location around the world and the task it is undertaking; there is, therefore, no standard deployment to form the basis of such a comparison.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23964]
  48
  Mr. Soames
  Although none of my Department's executive non-departmental public bodies is subject to scrutiny by the ombudsmen or the Audit Commission, they are subject to citizens charter and performance indicators. All MOD NDPBs are liable to scrutiny by the National Audit Office and my Department also maintains a monitoring role under which NDPBs are subject to a comprehensive review every five years. None of the MOD's NDPB board members is liable to surcharge.

  Trident
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the statement on the defence estimates, page 38,(a) if HMS Vanguard is deployed with significantly fewer than 96 warheads, (b) under what circumstances Trident submarines may deploy with significantly fewer than 96 warheads and (c) if his Department will seek to publicly announce any future decision to deploy significantly fewer than 96 warheads per submarine. [23994]

  Mr. Soames
  We will deploy on Trident submarines only the minimum nuclear capability, within our declared ceiling of 96 warheads, which we judge necessary to provide an effective deterrent. It is not our practice to release details of the number of warheads actually carried.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Castle Point (Dr. Spink), on 2 May,Official Report, column 164, (a) when his Department first revealed that the Trident warhead has a lower yield than that of Polaris (b) to what extent the yield of the Trident warhead is smaller than the Polaris warhead and (c) if the yield of the Chevaline warhead is smaller than that of the Polaris warhead. [23993]

  Mr. Soames
  The first explicit comparison of the yield of Trident and Polaris or Chevaline warheads was made in the answer to which the hon. Member refers. The yield of the Chevaline warhead is much the same as that of the Polaris warhead. It is not our practice to comment in more detail on the yield of nuclear warheads.

  Tornado Aircraft
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft based at RAF Coningsby were grounded last year for checks after sand was found in the fuel bowsers; what was the cause of this damage; who was responsible for this damage; which company has the contract to maintain the Tornado aircraft at RAF Coningsby; and if he will make a statement. [23946]

  Mr. Soames
  Twenty-eight Tornado aircraft were grounded as a precaution when a routine check discovered that fuel in a bowser had been contaminated with grit. The contamination was due to residue remaining after a grit blasting technique had been used to remove the lining from part of a bulk fuel installation. The investigation into the responsibility for this contamination is still under way. The majority of the maintenance of Tornado aircraft at RAF Coningsby is carried out by service personnel; very occasionally, some tasks are undertaken by contractors.

  Training
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the distance from (i) RAC Bovington,
  49
  (ii) RAF Netheravon and (iii) RAF Swanton Morley to the nearest facilities suitable for armoured reconnaissance vehicles for (a) live firing, (b) off-road rough training, (c) off-road paved track training, (d) major overhaul of vehicles, (e) training with heavy armour, (f) training with infantry, (g) training on vehicle maintenance, (h) training for drivers, (i) port facilities designed to support loading armoured vehicles, (j) training with signals and (k) training with helicopters. [24468]

  Mr. Soames
  For RAF Bovington, Netheravon and RAF Swanton Morley, the information requested is as follows:

  (a) Each armoured unit is obliged to fire at Castlemartin in Wales. Distances are 250 miles from Bovington, 200 miles from Netheravon and 340 miles from Swanton Morley. Movement will usually be by rail.

  (b) Training will be at Salisbury Plain for units from Bovington, 60 miles and Netheravon, three miles; training will be at Stanford for units from Swanton Morley, 20 miles.

  (c) There is a good but heavily used facility at Bovington. There is no access to a facility at Netheravon, Swanton Morley has exclusive use of the on-site airfield perimeter track.

  (d) Repairs will be carried out on site. Major overhaul for CVR(T) vehicles from all three sites, which would take place about every eight years, would be at Donnington in Staffordshire.

  (e and f) There is no mandatory requirement for such training,

  (g) this is provided before joining units, and then continuation training is conducted within the regiment, wherever based,

  (h) Basic training is provided before joining the unit. Continuation training is carried out on local roads and nearby training areas,

  (i) Armoured recce vehicles do not require specialised loading facilities. Nearest port facilities are Marchwood for Bovington, 50 miles, and Netheravon, 40 miles, and Felixtowe for Swanton Morley, 80 miles. Vehicles can also be transported through the channel tunnel.

  (j) This is provided before joining units, and then continuation training is conducted within the regiment, wherever based.

  (k) There is no mandatory requirement, but training can be carried out on most training areas—see answer to (b). In addition, Swanton Morley is close to Wattisham where two Army Air Corps Regiments are based.

  Stanley Barracks, Bovington
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if a study has concluded that there is space at Bovington to locate the Third Armoured reconnaissance regiment; and what is the current area occupied by(a) Stanley barracks and (b) the area owned by his Department that abuts the barracks. [24467]

  Mr. Soames
  Studies show that the Stanley barracks site at Bovington does not have the capacity to accommodate all the regiment, and that it would therefore be necessary to split the regiment between two sites, Stanley barracks and the gunnery school, Lulworth, which would have to accommodate garaging, workshops, and stores as well as living accommodation for one squadron.

  The current area taken up by Stanley barracks, mess accommodation, married quarters and other buildings is 329 acres. Adjacent training land, which is very heavily utilised, occupies 2,150 acres.

  RAF Swanton Morley
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings have been estimated in running 50
  costs by closing (a) RAF Swanton Morley and (b) RAF Northavon; and what was the estimate of the capital value of these sites. [24469]

  Mr. Soames
  The annual running cost savings resulting from the closure of RAF Swanton Morley are £6,729,000. There are no plans to close Netheravon camp—there is no RAF Northavon—but savings from ceasing Army Air Corps flying activity at the site are expected to be £1,404,000.

  As it may be possible to sell Swanton Morley, it is not appropriate to disclose the estimate of likely capital value. Such estimates have, however, been taken into account in the cost appraisal for the options for the future location of the third reconnaissance regiment.

  Sound of Jura Mines
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the mines have not been recovered from the medium mine field in the sound of Jura; what arrangements have been made to pay compensation to fishing vessel owners and crews in the event of gear being fouled and damaged by such mines; and if he will make a statement. [24180]

  Mr. Soames
  The practice mines which were laid in the sound of Jura, all of which are inert, could not be recovered as planned because the special clearance vessel which was to have carried out the task had to be diverted to look for the wreckage of a crashed Tornado. This had to be recovered as soon as possible to assist a board of inquiry. The mine clearance operation has, however, now been undertaken.

  In the event of gear being fouled and damaged by practice mines, any claims should be submitted to my Department in the usual way through the local Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency fisheries officer.

  Nuclear Committees
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce legislation for make it a statutory requirement that(a) the nuclear powered warships committee and (b) the nuclear weapons safety committee lay an annual report before Parliament. [24186]

  Mr. Soames
  I have no plans to do so.

  Dartmoor Steering Group
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration led to the decision not to release externally the annual report of the Dartmoor steering group and working party. [24188]

  Mr. Soames
  None, as no such decision has been taken. A copy of the 13th annual report of the Dartmoor steering group, December 1994, has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Detention Facilities
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what considerations led to the decision not to release externally the annual report of the independent board of visitors for the military corrective training centre and royal naval detention quarters. [24187]

  Mr. Soames
  The reports rendered by the independent board of visitors for the military corrective training centre and the royal naval detention quarters comprise accounts
  51
  of their visits to the service detention facilities and are employed as an internal management tool to preserve an impartial overview of the running of the facility. There has previously been no indication of any interest in these reports outside my Department, but consideration will now be given to a formal, wider distribution of them.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the net annual financial saving, or cost, of his Department's submission for the proposed White Paper on the rural economy. [24327]

  Mr. Soames
  Proposals for the rural White Paper remain subject to continuing collective consideration and discussion. The cost of measures contained in the White

  Main management areas

  Outcome for staff win posts proposed for reduction

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  I

  J

  Royal Navy

  1,017

  236

  41

  0

  476

  11

  19

  241

  1

  0

  Army

  1,891

  529

  14

  11

  157

  14

  875

  285

  1

  5

  Royal Air Force

  942

  120

  83

  19

  691

  12

  9

  12

  1

  15

  2nd Permanent Under Secretary of State

  948

  860

  50

  0

  36

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

  307

  7

  2

  0

  121

  0

  2

  175

  0

  0

  Chief of Defence Procurement

  7,920

  869

  8,500

  0

  14

  0

  28

  509

  0

  0

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

  1,529

  792

  0

  0

  0

  587

  43

  107

  0

  0

  Meteorological Office

  146

  120

  0

  0

  15

  4

  0

  0

  18

  0

  Total

  14,700

  3,533

  6,670

  30

  1,512

  630

  976

  1,329

  21

  20

  Notes:

  A. Number of posts in activity before testing.

  B. Number of posts in activity after testing.

  C. Transfer to new employer under TUPE.

  D. Transfer to new employer not under TUPE.

  E. Redeployed within the Department.

  F. Voluntary early retirement/redundancy.

  G. Compulsory redundancy.

  H. Outcome not yet decided.

  I. Other (Aga/Medical retirement, End of fixed term and casual service).

  J. Outcome not known.

  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 April,Official Report, column 226, on the Defence Exports Services Organisation, how many applications to engage in work for the private sector have been made in the last 10 years; how many were refused; and if he will make a statement. [23996]

  Mr. Freeman
  The records available show that in the last 10 years one such application was received and approved from an individual seconded to DESO.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 April,Official Report, column 227, if the current offset adviser and international finance adviser of the Defence Export Services Organisation have made applications to engage in work for outside companies. [23998]

  Mr. Freeman
  The international finance adviser, who is employed on a part-time short-term contract has been granted permission to work for a company in the civil sector when not employed by the MOD. The offset adviser, who is seconded full-time to DESO, has made no application of this kind.
  52
  Paper will be taken into account in the public expenditure survey.

  Job Losses
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 9 May,Official Report, column 403, if he will give a breakdown of the 11,167 posts proposed for reduction. [23992]

  Mr. Soames
  As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement made clear in his answer of 9 May,Official Report, column 403, details of the categories of those posts proposed for reduction, by ranks and grades, are not held centrally. A breakdown of the total number proposed for reduction, by main management areas, and showing the likely outcome for the postholders involved, is as follows:

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 April,Official Report, column 226, on the Defence Exports Services Organisation, if he will list the applications made in the last five years to work for or offer consultancy services to companies int he private sector. [23997]

  Mr. Freeman
  The records available show that, within the last five years, the only secondee granted permission to work in the private sector was the former head of Defence Export Services who accepted a non-executive directorship in a civil sector company in 1994.

  Private Detective Agencies
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the activities for which Brays Detective Agency has been retained in each of the last three years for which information is available; and if he will give the cost for each year. [23995]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to the hon. Member for Southampton,
  53
  Itchen (Mr. Denham) on 23 March 1995, Official Report, column 309.

  Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the subjects currently studied by those on the Sandhurst standard military course; and if he will provide an estimate of the time spent on each subject as a proportion of the whole. [23999]

  Mr. Soames
  The commissioning course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst is made up of three 14-week terms with one week of adventurous training in each of the two recesses. The subjects studied and the percentage time spent on each of them, based on the number of periods allocated, are as follows:

  Subject

  Percentage

  Practical exercises

  22.5

  Leadership

  4.1

  Organisation and concepts

  1.2

  Tactics

  8.3

  Training a platoon

  1.0

  Skill at arms/craft/range management

  8.4

  Map reading

  2.4

  Signals

  3.4

  First aid

  1.1

  Nuclear biological chemical

  1.3

  Physical training

  5.6

  Administration

  2.3

  Drill

  6.3

  Communication studies

  2.4

  Contemporary affairs

  1.4

  War studies

  1.4

  Adventurous training instr

  0.2

  Adventurous training

  4.4

  Battlefield technology

  0.6

  Military law

  0.1

  Combined arms training

  0.5

  Information systems

  0.4

  Course administration

  7.5

  Female (separate) training

  0.6

  At college disposal (lectures/discussions etc).

  4.5

  Sport

  8.1

  Land Mines
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 May,Official Report, column 202, how many projector area defence land mines were produced for his Department by Royal Ordnance factories in 1986; when the research was undertaken that revealed that a command detonated point defence weapon such as a projector area defence weapon fell within the standard NATO definition of a land mine; and if he will list the numbers of (a) anti-tank, (b) anti-personnel, (c) area denial and (d) any other type of land mine stockpiled by any organisation or body responsible to his Department. [23120]

  Mr. Freeman
  The research which revealed that the projector area defence weapon falls within the NATO standard definition of a land mine was undertaken as part of the preparation for my reply to the question asked by the hon. Member, answered on 2 May 1995,Official Report, column 202.

  It is our established policy for security reasons not to reveal quantities of munitions held.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Aid Programmes
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the bilateral aid programme budget was allocated to the aid and trade programme for 1994–95. [23182]

  Mr. Baldry
  The original 1994–95 allocation for ATP was set at £100 million, or 9.6 per cent. of the bilateral aid programme. However, as my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced on 13 December 1994, the cost of four ATP projects—two soft loans and two mixed credits—in 1994–95 and 1995–96 will be met from outside the 1980 Overseas Development and Cooperation Act. As a result, the ATP allocation for 1994–95 was revised to £67,984 million, or 6.1 per cent. of the bilateral aid programme.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries eligible for support under the aid and trade programme. [23181]

  Mr. Baldry
  The list of low income countries eligible for ATP based on GNP per capita of $700, at 1989 prices, is:

  1. Low income countries where export credit cover is available Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, India, Lesotho, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Zimbabwe

  2. Other low income countries

  Afghanistan, Angola, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Eq. Guinea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zaire and Zambia.

  Aid Donors (Kenya)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the next meeting will take place of Kenya's major aid donors, including Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a statement. [23609]

  Mr. Baldry
  The World bank has invited the Government of Kenya, Her Majesty's Government and other donors to a meeting to discuss Kenya in Paris on 24 July. We welcome this and will attend.

  Goldenberg Affair
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Kenya about the Goldenberg affair; and to what extent the treatment of that issue by the Kenyan Government has strengthened its eligibility for aid under the good governance criteria. [23610]

  Mr. Baldry
  We have expressed our concerns about the Goldenberg affair to the highest levels of the Kenyan Government. We welcome their recent public commitment to expedite police investigations. Action by the Government of Kenya on corruption is an important factor in determining the level of British aid to Kenya.

  Aid (Kenya)
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about British bilateral and multilateral aid to Kenya. [23356]

  Mr. Baldry
  British bilateral aid to Kenya amounted to £31.3 million in 1993–94, We also make substantial contributions to several multilateral organisations which provide aid to Kenya.

TREASURY

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what requirements there are for officials in his Department to introduce a compliance cost assessment for all rules and regulations coming before him and his Ministers; and how many compliance cost assessments have been issued in his Department in the first three months of this year. [19356]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 18 April 1995]: The Chancellor's departments issued 10 compliance cost assessments in the first three months of 1995. Officials will introduce a compliance cost assessment in all the circumstances set out by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in his answer of 19 April at column 190.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many rules and regulations he repealed in the first three months of 1995; and how many new rules and regulations were introduced in that period by way of statutory instruments, motions or orders. [19372]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 18 April 1995]: Thirteen rules and regulations were repealed in the first three months of 1995. In the same period, 31 rules and regulations were introduced, not including commencement orders, Orders in Council and instruments not subject to parliamentary procedure. However, most of the new regulations were deregulatory in nature: for example, two orders widened the range of activities exempt from the Financial Services Act 1986. Only one introduced new requirements with any costs for business, and even these costs are small.

  Of the 31 regulations:

  —10 replaced existing regulations;

  —15 amended existing regulations;

  —6 were new regulations.

  Mortgage Interest Tax Relief
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost of mortgage interest tax relief for the financial year 1995–96. [22275]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 2 May 1995]: In 1995–96, the estimated total cost of mortgage interest relief is about £2.8 billion.

  This figure is based on the assumption, by convention, of no change from the current estimated average building society interest rate of 8.1 per cent. The rate of relief is 15 per cent.

  Married Couple's Allowance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost of the married couple's allowance tax relief for the financial year 1995–96. [22274]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 2 May 1995]: The estimated full-year cost in 1995–96 is £3.1 billion. This includes the cost of allowances related to the married couple's allowance—the additional personal allowance and the widow's bereavement allowance.

  European Monetary Institute
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the work being undertaken by the EMI; and what part the United Kingdom plays in determining its policy. [22549]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: The objectives and the tasks of the European monetary institute are set out in articles 109f and 109j, paragraph 1, of the treaty establishing the European Community and the protocol on the statute of the European monetary institute annexed to the treaty. The EMI annual report 1994, published in April 1995, which reports on the activities of the EMI up to 31 December 1994, is available from the House of Commons Library.

  The Governor of the Bank of England is a member of the EMI council. Like the central banks of all the other member states, the Bank of England is participating in the EMI's work.

  Uniforms
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees who have to wear a uniform at their place of work as part of their contract of employment are currently paying tax because their uniform is counted as a benefit in kind. [23315]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: None, if the clothing is agreed to be a uniform that must be worn as part of the duties of the employment.

  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Inland Revenue has to tax, as receiving a benefit in kind, those employees who have to wear uniforms at their place of work as part of their contract of employment; and if he will make a statement.

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: None. Although a tax charge can arise where employees are provided with clothing, the Inland Revenue accepts that no tax is due if the clothing is a uniform and the wearing of that uniform is a necessary part of the duties of the employment.

  Telephones
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has made to the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the need for legislation to prevent the cloning of mobile telephones. [23466]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: The Treasury has made no representations to the Department of Trade and Industry.
  57
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what costs his Department incurred during the last 12 months as a result of cloning of mobile telephones being utilised by his Department, with particular reference to the making of unauthorised calls; [23490]

  (2) how many mobile telephones being utilised by his Department have been cloned during the last 12 months. [23426]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Two of the Treasury's mobile telephones have been cloned during the past 12 months. No costs were incurred in consequence, all unauthorised calls having been removed from the bill by the mobile telephone's airtime supplier.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what use his Department makes of hand-held and car-based mobile telephones; what were the costs for each financial year of these services since mobile telephones were first introduced to his Department; and how many mobile telephones are currently in use. [23450]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Mobile telephones are used by Treasury Ministers, senior officials and other staff whose duties regularly take them out of their offices but who still need to be contactable. Information relating to rental and call costs is available only for 1993–94 and 1994–95 and amounted to £13,100 and £14,400 respectively, excluding VAT. There are 32 mobile telephones currently in use in the Treasury.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department has taken to prevent the cloning of telephones being utilised by his Department; and if his Department has discussed this matter with any official agencies. [23457]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: The Treasury is moving away from the use of analogue to the use of digital mobile telephones due to the greater protection against eavesdropping offered by the latter. Digital mobile telephones are thought to be immune to cloning; the matter has not been discussed with any official agency.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what dates the Chief Secretary to the Treasury submitted written evidence to the Scott inquiry; and what areas were covered in his evidence. [24156]

  Mr. Aitken
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 9 May.

  Hand-rolling tobacco

  (b) Cigars

  (c) Other smoking tobacco

  (i) Excise Duty

  (ii) VAT

  (i) Excise Duty

  (ii) VAT

  (i) Excise Duty

  (ii) VAT

  Austria

  47 per cent. of RRP

  20.00 per cent.

  13 percent. of RRP

  20.00 per cent.

  34 per cent. of RRP

  20.00 per cent.

  Belgium

  37.55 per cent. of RRP

  20.50 per cent.

  10 per cent. of RRP

  20.50 per cent.

  37.55 per cent. of RRP

  20.50 per cent.

  Denmark

  £31.78 per kg

  25.00 per cent.

  £22.88 per 1000 + 10 per cent. of RRP

  25.00 per cent.

  £40.44 per kg

  25.00 per cent.

  Finland

  48 per cent. of RRP

  22.00 per cent.

  20 per cent. of RRP

  22.00 per cent.

  48 per cent. of RRP

  22.00 per cent.

  France

  56.38 per cent. of RRP

  19.50 per cent.

  29.26 per cent. of RRP

  19.50 per cent.

  47.14 per cent. of RRP

  19.50 per cent.

  Germany

  £13.80 + 18.12 per cent.

  15.00 per cent.

  5 per cent. of RRP

  15.00 per cent.

  £2.51 per kg + 22 per cent. of RRP15.00 per cent.

  Greece

  57.50 per cent. of RRP

  18.00 per cent.

  26 per cent, of RRP

  18.00 per cent.

  57.5 per cent. of RRP

  18.00 per cent.

  Ireland

  £70.82

  21.00 percent.

  £83.93 per kg

  21.00 per cent.

  £58.22 per kg

  21.00 per cent.

  Smoking
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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 the Treasury, Parliament street, London. [24176]

  Mr. Nelson
  The policy on smoking in the Parliament street building has recently been revised to provide a better balance between smokers and non-smokers. Smoking is prohibited in all common areas, including the staff restaurant and recreation rooms. Smoking at work stations is allowed only with the consent of all the occupants of the room. Designated smoking rooms have been set aside for the use of smokers including an area within the coffee lounge in the staff restaurant. The smoking rooms include smoke extraction and air filtering designed to protect non-smokers working in close proximity.

  International Derivative Trading
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the supervision exercised by the Bank of England and its agencies over international trading in derivatives. [21140]

  Mr. Nelson
  The Bank of England has made clear, on a number of occasions, the risks involved in derivatives and in trading activities more generally. Banks are expected to hold sufficient capital against these risks and to maintain appropriate systems and controls. The supervision of banks is conducted by the Bank of England, where appropriate in collaboration with other regulators in the UK or overseas.

  Tobacco Duty
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of sterling equivalent and/or percentage rate levied on(a) hand-rolling tobacco, (b) cigars, (c) other smoking or chewing tobacco in (i) excise duty and (ii) VAT or other sales tax in each country in (1) the European Union and (2) the Group of 7. [22966]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The information for European Union member states is given in the table. The information, requested is not readily available for the G7 countries in the form required.
  59

  Hand-rolling tobacco

  (b) Cigars

  (c) Other smoking tibacco

  (i) Excise Duty

  (ii) VAT

  (i) Excise Duty

  (ii) VAT

  (i) Excise Duty

  (ii) VAT

  Italy

  54.28 per cent. of RRP

  19.00 per cent.

  23 per cent. of RRP

  19.00 per cent.

  54 per cent. of RRP

  19.00 per cent.

  Luxembourg

  31.50 per cent. of RRP

  12.00 per cent.

  10 per cent. of RRP

  12.00 per cent.

  £14.54 per kg + 31.5 per Cent. of RRP12.00 per cent.

  Netherlands

  £14.34+16.53 per cent. of RRP

  17.50 percent.

  5 per cent. of RRP

  17.50 per cent.

  16.1 per cent. of RRP

  17.50 percent.

  Portugal

  30 per cent. of RRP

  16.00 per cent.

  26.21 per cent. of RRP

  16.00 per cent.

  30 per cent. of RRP

  16.00 per cent.

  Spain

  30 per cent. of RRP

  17.00 per cent.

  10 per cent. of RRP

  17.00 per cent.

  20 per cent. of RRP

  17.00 per cent.

  Sweden

  £32.56 25.00 per cent.

  £29.68 per 1000

  25.00 per cent.

  £6.36 per kg

  25.00 per cent.

  UK

  £85.94 per cent.

  17.50 per cent.

  £85.61 per kg

  17.50 per cent.

  £37.64 per kg

  17.50 percent.

  RRP—Recommended Retail Price.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current proportion of the purchase price paid in taxation for an average(a) packet of 20 cigarettes, (b) 250g of hand-rolling tobacco, (c) packet of five cigars and (d) 250g of pipe tobacco; and what it has been in each year since 1965. [22964]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Information based on actual purchase prices for average cigarettes or other tobacco products is not readily available. Information in the form requested is given in the table based on manufacturers' recommended retail prices during the period 1965–95 for the current leading brands of tobacco products. I regret that the figures for hand-rolling tobacco, cigars and pipe tobacco between 1965 and 1976 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Total tax (Excise and VAT) as a percentage of retail price

  Cigarettes

  HRT

  Cigars

  Pipe

  1965

  77

  —

  —

  —

  1966

  77

  —

  —

  —

  1967

  69

  —

  —

  —

  1968

  70

  —

  —

  —

  1969

  71

  —

  —

  —

  1970

  71

  —

  —

  —

  1971

  67

  —

  —

  —

  1972

  66

  —

  —

  —

  1973

  64

  —

  —

  —

  1974

  70

  —

  —

  —

  1975

  69

  —

  —

  —

  1976

  70

  —

  —

  —

  1977

  77

  27

  18

  21

  1978

  70

  72

  44

  68

  1979

  70

  70

  43

  66

  1980

  71

  69

  44

  65

  1981

  74

  69

  46

  65

  1982

  75

  72

  51

  68

  1983

  74

  71

  51

  67

  1984

  75

  70

  50

  65

  1985

  75

  71

  52

  63

  1986

  75

  71

  50

  61

  1987

  74

  72

  49

  59

  1988

  75

  71

  49

  58

  1989

  74

  71

  45

  57

  1990

  74

  69

  44

  55

  1991

  76

  69

  44

  53

  1992

  76

  71

  47

  55

  1993

  76

  71

  48

  54

  1994

  76

  69

  47

  53

  1995

  77

  73

  51

  57

  Using price at 1 Janury

  Tax (Retail Prices)
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current total tax as a proportion of retail price on(a) cigarettes, (b) beer, (c) whisky, (d) wine, (e) leaded petrol and (f) DERV; and what it has been in each year since 1965. [22968]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The information requested is given in the table. I regret that the figures for wine, leaded petrol and DERV between 1965 and 1978 could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

  Total tax (Excise and VAT) as a percentage of retail price

  Cigarettes per 20

  Beer (per pint)

  Spirits (per 70cl bottle)

  Wine (per 75cl bottle)

  Leaded petrol (per litre)

  DERV (per litre)

  1965

  77

  42.1

  72.4

  —

  —

  —

  1966

  77

  44.3

  72.7

  —

  —

  —

  1967

  69

  44.3

  77.2

  —

  —

  —

  1968

  70

  47.0

  80.1

  —

  —

  —

  1969

  71

  43.5

  82.9

  —

  —

  —

  1970

  71

  40.2

  83.2

  —

  —

  —

  1971

  67

  39.2

  81.2

  —

  —

  —

  1972

  66

  36.2

  81.5

  —

  —

  —

  1973

  64

  31.2

  78.4

  —

  —

  —

  1974

  70

  32.6

  81.9

  —

  —

  —

  1975

  69

  35.5

  81.1

  —

  —

  —

  1976

  70

  33.6

  80.0

  —

  —

  —

  1977

  77

  32.4

  80.0

  —

  —

  —

  1978

  70

  30.5

  78.5

  —

  —

  —

  1979

  70

  33.9

  81.9

  49.3

  50.76

  54.85

  1980

  71

  33.7

  79.3

  49.1

  43.74

  46.14

  1981

  74

  37.7

  77.9

  50.6

  47.47

  45.62

  1982

  75

  38.1

  74.8

  51.7

  52.51

  47.18

  1983

  74

  37.8

  74.2

  52.8

  55.39

  48.5

  1984

  75

  36.4

  73.4

  46.4

  53.44

  50.62

  1985

  75

  36.2

  73.3

  49.1

  54.35

  48.72

  1986

  75

  35.1

  71.9

  48.3

  56.14

  49.88

  1987

  74

  34.1

  70.7

  47.1

  63.49

  59.87

  1988

  75

  33.8

  68.7

  47.9

  65.72

  61.33

  1989

  74

  32.5

  66.2

  47.0

  68.08

  63.64

  1990

  74

  31.9

  65.9

  46.6

  62.99

  57.14

  1991

  76

  33.0

  64.8

  47.7

  62.86

  65.96

  1992

  76

  32.6

  65.5

  48.1

  69.98

  65.53

  1993

  76

  32.5

  64.3

  49.1

  69.10

  63.46

  1994

  76

  31.1

  64.8

  49.7

  74.61

  68.45

  1995

  77

  31.0

  66.5

  51.1

  75.65

  72.63

  Taxation (Leaded Petrol)
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the taxation of leaded petrol. [22969]
  61
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Over recent years Government policy has been to charge duty on road fuels at rates which will not only raise sufficient revenue but take account of the need to conserve finite stocks of fossil fuels and protect the general environment. In 1993 we announced that we would raise road fuel duties on average by at least 5 per cent. in real terms in future Budgets. This commitment forms an important part of the Government's strategy to reduce UK greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels in the year 2000.

  A duty differential in favour of unleaded petrol was introduced in 1987 to discourage the use of leaded petrol. Unleaded petrol became liable to a rebated rate of excise duty while leaded petrol remains liable to the full rate of light oil excise duty. The rebate now stands at 4.82 per litre.

  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each 5p between 5p and £1 his estimate of the effect on the retail prices index of an increase in excise duty on an average(a) packet of 20 cigarettes, (b) 250g of hand-rolling tobacco, (c) packet of five cigars and (d) 250g of pipe tobacco, if such increases were to be fully reflected in price. [22957]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The information is as follows:

  Pence

  Cigarettes 20 king size Per cent.

  Cigars 5 small cigars Per cent.

  Hand rolling 250 grammes Per cent.

  Pipe tobacco 250 grammes Per cent.

  5

  0.091

  0.003

  0.000

  0.000

  10

  0.182

  0.007

  0.000

  0.000

  15

  0.273

  0.010

  0.000

  0.001

  20

  0.364

  0.014

  0.001

  0.001

  25

  0.455

  0.017

  0.001

  0.001

  30

  0.546

  0.021

  0.001

  0.001

  35

  0.637

  0.024

  0.001

  0.001

  40

  0.728

  0.028

  0.001

  0.002

  45

  0.819

  0.031

  0.001

  0.002

  50

  0.910

  0.035

  0.002

  0.002

  55

  1.000

  0.038

  0.002

  0.002

  60

  1.091

  0.041

  0.002

  0.002

  65

  1.182

  0.045

  0.002

  0.003

  70

  1.273

  0.048

  0.002

  0.003

  75

  1.364

  0.052

  0.002

  0.003

  80

  1.455

  0.055

  0.002

  0.003

  85

  1.546

  0.059

  0.003

  0.003

  90

  1.637

  0.062

  0.003

  0.004

  95

  1.728

  0.066

  0.003

  0.004

  100

  1.819

  0.069

  0.003

  0.004

  Monetary Policy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the statements made by the Governor of the Bank of England in respect of tightening monetary policy on the willingness of British manufacturers in the import-competing and export industries to invest in increased capacity. [23675]

  Mr. Nelson
  The Government can best encourage investment in all sectors by consistently following stable macroeconomic policies, including ensuring that inflation remains permanently low. Over the last year manufacturing investment rose by more than 8 per cent. and investment by machinery and equipment industries was up almost 18 per cent.
  62

  Temazepam
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers HM Customs and Excise have to monitor and control the import and export of the drug temazepam; what is his latest estimate, expressed in kilogrammes, of the quantities imported and exported in the most recent five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [24161]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Temazepam is not subject to importation or exportation controls under the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971; therefore, HM Customs and Excise currently has no powers to monitor or control its import or export.

  The integrated tariff of the United Kingdom does not separately identify temazepam under a specific heading and commercial importations therefore cannot be identified. Exportation procedures also do not allow the quantity of consignments to be determined.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Mathew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the recent spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World bank.

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I attended the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World bank on 26 and 27 April.

  In the interim committee of the IMF, I spoke mainly about the quality of surveillance by the IMF, its finances and the need for further action on developing country debt.

  Consideration of the IMF's surveillance of its members' economies was timely given recent events in Mexico. I welcome the IMF's intention to learn lessons from this experience. I made four proposals: first, for a greater frankness by the IMF in its assessment of members' economies; secondly, a better flow of information from countries both to the IMF and financial markets; thirdly, greater selectivity by the IMF in which economies to subject to close and continual monitoring; and, fourthly, the establishment of an independent evaluation unit at the IMF. The first three of these points were reflected in the committee's communiqué.

  On IMF finances, I said that the IMF should have sufficient resources to use its existing facilities at agreed access limits. Resources should not be provided in advance for exceptional circumstances such as Mexico, but where necessary the IMF's first recourse should be activation of the established credit line of the general arrangements to borrow. I did not rule out an increase in IMF quotas if and when justified.

  I welcomed the agreement of the Paris Club to offer "Naples Terms" to the poorest countries on bilateral official debt along the lines set out by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in 1990. I noted that implementation was now the key issue. I also followed up the initiative I launched last autumn on debt owed to multilateral institutions. The committee agreed to a further study of the IMF's enhanced structural adjustment facility. I will press for greater certainty and increased concessionality of lending for the poorest most indebted countries financed by sale and investment of the proceeds of a small amount of the IMF's gold stocks.
  63
  I also took part in the interim committee's discussion of the world economy and looked forward to the review of international institutions at the forthcoming G7 summit in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

  In the development committee of the IMF and World bank, in addition to elaborating on my proposals on debt owed to the World bank, I noted the potential that exists for increasing the proportion of infrastructure in developing countries financed by the private sector, drawing on the UK's experience of privatisation and the private finance initiative.

  As is customary, there was a meeting of G7 Finance Ministers and central bank governors prior to the spring meetings. Copies of the G7's communiqué and of the interim and development committee's, as well as my speeches to the committees, have been placed in the Library of the House.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent discussions he has had with Oflot regarding the distribution of national lottery proceeds. [22476]

  Mr. Dorrell
  None. The Office of the National Lottery has no responsibility for the distribution of national lottery proceeds.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his most recent estimate of the extent of fraud in the national lottery procedures. [22482]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Fraud relating to the handling and sale of national lottery tickets is a matter for Camelot and the relevant authorities. I understand that a few instances of apparent fraud have come to light and that these are being dealt with.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the use of national lottery funds to purchase the Churchill papers. [22487]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, the national heritage memorial fund is responsible for distributing 20 per cent. of the net proceeds from the national lottery for expenditure on or connected with the national heritage. Individual funding decisions are taken entirely independently of Government.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National heritage what plans he has to review the expenditure plans of the national lottery. [22481]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice).

  Film Industry
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he is taking to encourage the United Kingdom film industry. [22479]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The National Heritage Select Committee published its report on the British film industry on 4 April. I shall set out the Government's approach to the industry in my response to the Committee's findings.

  European Football Championships
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for National heritage what meetings he has had with local authorities with a view to exploiting the cultural potential of Euro '96, the European football Championships. [22480]

  Mr. Sproat
  My officials have had several meetings with local authority representatives to discuss a supporting programme of cultural events.

  Mrs. Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assistance he is providing to local authorities with their preparations for the Euro '96 football championships. [22488]

  Mr. Sproat
  My officials have met local authority representatives several times, and arranged a meeting of local authorities and interested parties to encourage the development of supporting cultural events of match venues.

  National Collection of Fine Art
  Mr. Carrington
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to expand the national collection of fine art heritage objects. [22483]

  Mr. Sproat
  It is for the trustees of individual museums to decide on acquisitions. The Government have a number of measures which help to develop the national collections. These include the funding of the national heritage memorial fund, the Waverley system of export controls and important tax concessions. The national collections may also benefit from the net proceeds of the national lottery.

  Tourism
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures his Department is taking to help tourism; and if he will make a statement. [22484]

  Mr. Dorrell
  On 1 March, my Department published "Tourism: Competing with the Best" which set out an action programme for Government and the tourist boards aimed at revitalising the accommodation sector and improving marketing effectiveness. We are making good progress and I intend to make announcements at key stages on all of the initiatives we are pursuing.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the United Kingdom's VAT rate on tourism. [22491]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I am not aware of any conclusive evidence that the UK's VAT rate places the tourism industry at a competitive disadvantage. The report on VAT published by the British Tourist Authority on 1 May does not take account of all the different costs to tourism business in other EU member states.

  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures he is proposing to encourage domestic and inbound tourism; and if he will make a statement. [22492]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien).

  Sporting Provision
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to encourage local authorities' sporting provision. [22486]

  Mr. Sproat
  It is for local authorities to determine their level of expenditure on sporting provision, in the light of their own priorities. The Department recognises the important role that local authorities play in this area and the Sports Council will continue to work closely with them, as appropriate, in pursuing its objectives.

  Millennium Commission
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment he has made of the most suitable national proposal arising from the consultation on the distribution of the Millennium Commission. [22489]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I understand that the closing date for the first round of applications to the Millennium Commission was Monday 1 May. Around 550 applications have been received, details of which will be published later this month. Successful applicants will be announced in July this year.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the applications received to date by the Millennium Commission; and if he will place the list in the Library on a monthly basis. [22944]

  Mr. Sproat
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I understand that information on proposals and applications received by the Millennium Commission will be made available by the end of May, and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House. The Millennium Commission will run a series of time-limited application rounds, and similar information will be made available at the end of each round.

  Churchill Papers
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will state the latest position over the Churchill papers. [22490]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The non-state papers have been purchased through lottery proceeds awarded by the national heritage memorial fund and are now held at Churchill college, Cambridge. The state papers have been transferred to Churchill college by the Government to ensure the archive remains intact. The entire archive is therefore secure for the future.

  Team Games
  Mr Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussion he has had with the Department for Education and with the Treasury with regard to improving the provision of team games in schools; and if he will make a statement. [22850]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department is working closely with the Department for Education on a major policy paper on sport, including sport in schools, which will be published in early summer. Other Government Departments with an interest, including Her Majesty's Treasury, are in touch with progress.

  Public Libraries
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many public library authorities there are in England; how many of these have subscribed to the ProdCom statistics; and what assessment he has made of why the other authorities have not subscribed. [22533]

  Mr. Sproat
  There are 108 public library authorities in England. Information about which statistical publications each authority subscribes to is not held centrally by my Department.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on his policy for ensuring the availability of statistics through public and other libraries. [22534]

  Mr. Sproat
  The responsibility for providing public library services, and for choosing their stock including sources of statistical information, rests with local library authorities.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Historical Documents
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Attorney-General what special training is given to persons who have responsibility for assessing the historical significance of documents held by his Department. [23242]

  The Attorney-General
  Training is provided under the guidance of the Keeper of Public Records. It includes desk training, regular meetings between departmental reviewers and officials at the Public Record Office and attendance at conferences and seminars and on courses arranged by the Public Record Office.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Payment Card
  Mr. Dewar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what savings he expects will arise from the introduction of benefit payment cards; and if he will set out the basis on which this calculation is made, together with the multiplier used. [23007]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Annual savings will comprise both administrative savings and programme savings.

  The administrative savings comprise costs associated with certain aspects of the order book and girocheque payment systems which would no longer be incurred, or would be significantly reduced, once card payment replaces them. These include administrative procedures associated with the loss of theft of instruments of payment and the actual production of order books and girocheques. The feasibility study estimated savings to be £60 million per annum.

  The programme savings are those resulting from a reduction in fraudulent encashments of instruments of payment. Our estimate of the level of this type of fraud is not by use of a multiplier but rather from sampling of encashed order book foils and girocheque reconciliation. Once fully implemented the new payment system is expected to eliminate fraudulent encashment estimated in the feasibility study at £140 million per annum.

  National Insurance Computer Contract
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to ensure that the bidding process for the national insurance computer contract was fair, allowing no one bidder an undue advantage. [23634]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The contract for the national insurance computer replacement system was awarded following a procurement through a competitive tendering exercise, undertaken in accordance with EC regulations governing the award of public service contracts (Public Service Contracts Legislation 1993). Due to the novel nature of the arrangement through the private finance initiative, DSS independent audit carried out surveys at various checkpoints to ensure that suppliers were content with the process and its fairness. None of the three suppliers made any criticism of the Department's efforts to create an unbiased and fair procurement process.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of the companies that bid for the national insurance computer contract had previously been involved in drawing up the business case for outsourcing the contract. [23633]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The business case for outsourcing was produced soley by civil servants of the Contributions Agency and the Information and Technology Services Agency with legal and financial guidance from external advisers who had no links with any of the companies involved in the bidding process.

  Mortgage Interest
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has, after October, to protect mortgagors who become eligible for income support, but who because of their health status have been refused insurance to cover their mortgage repayments, during those months when, under the new arrangements, such mortgagors will be ineligible for mortgage interest payments from the Benefits Agency. [23360]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The social security advisory committee has consulted widely on the proposals for changes to assistance with mortgage interest payments, and I expect to receive its report shortly. The effects of those who are refused insurance cover because of their health status will depend on the details of the scheme, which will not be concluded until I have studied the report.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost of extending access to free school meals to children whose parents are in receipt of family credit. [23622]

  Weelky income for various family types at different hours of work

  Hours of work

  Gross earnings

  Tax and national insurance contributions

  Take Home pay

  Unemployment benefit

  Income support

  Family credit

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Housing benefit

  Council tax

  Council tax benefit

  Total tax income

  Net income after rent and council tax

  Single person—aged 25 or over

  8

  28.00

  0.00

  28.00

  38.71

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  21.02

  6.60

  3.56

  91.29

  53.78

  16

  56.000

  0.00

  56.00

  30.97

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  7.85

  6.60

  0.00

  94.82

  57.31

  24

  84.00

  7.00

  77.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  14.34

  6.60

  1.50

  92.84

  55.33

  68
  Mr. Roger Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 16 March,Official Report, column 698. The figure relate to 1993 and are the most up to date available.

  Retirement Pensions
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the total number of people in receipt of(a) state retirement pension as single persons, (b) state retirement pension as married couples and (c) adult dependant's pension. [23690]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is not available in the form requested. The table gives the number of persons receiving each category of state retirement pension. Details of marital status are available only where shown.

  Category of state retirement pension

  Number of recipients

  Category A Men1

  3,576,660

  Category A Women1

  2,565,280

  Category BL Wives (married)

  1,397,960

  Category ABL Wives (married)

  720,120

  Category B Widows (single)

  1,862,290

  Category B Widowers (Single)

  840

  Graduated retirement benefit only Men1

  3,450

  Graduated retirement benefit only Women1

  126,960

  Additional pension only category A Men1

  1,330

  Additional pension only category A Women1

  11,690

  Additional pension only category B Widows (single)

  2,570

  Adult dependent's pension1

  91,800

  Note: 1 Marital status not known.

  Source:

  Retirement Pension biannual enquiry—September 1994.

  Social Fund Commissioner
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether he has appointed a new social fund commissioner to succeed Mrs. Rosalind Mackworth who retires on 31 May. [24567]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I am pleased to announce that Mr. John Scampion has agreed to serve as social fund commissioner for a period of three years from 1 June. Mr. Scampion is currently town clerk and chief executive officer of Solihull metropolitan borough council.

  Weekly Incomes
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 4 April,Official Report, column 1074, on weekly incomes, if he will update the table to show the position in 1995–96. [23796]

  Mr. Burt
  Pursuant to the reply by my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Social Security of 4 April,Official Report, columns 1074–76, the table reflects changes to tax, national insurance and social security benefits from last April. Rent and council tax are for 1994–95, the latest year for which information is available.
  69

  Weekly income for family types at different hours of work

  Hours of work

  Gross earnings

  Tax and national insurance contributions

  Take home pay

  Unemployment benefit

  Income support

  Family credit

  Child benefit

  Rent

  Housing benefit

  Counci tax

  Council tax benefit

  Total net income

  Net income after rent and council tax

  Married couple— non earning partner

  8

  28.00

  0.00

  28.00

  62.58

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  25.98

  8.60

  7.08

  123.64

  84.13

  16

  56.00

  0.00

  56.00

  50.07

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  15.91

  8.60

  3.99

  125.97

  86.46

  24

  84.00

  3.76

  80.24

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  30.91

  8.60

  8.60

  119.75

  80.24

  Married couple—non earning partner with two children aged 4 and 6 years

  8

  28.00

  0.00

  28.00

  62.58

  10.72

  0.00

  18.85

  36.42

  36.42

  11.00

  11.00

  167.57

  120.15

  16

  56.00

  0.00

  56.00

  0.00

  0.00

  67.90

  18.85

  36.42

  24.98

  11.00

  7.48

  175.21

  127.79

  24

  84.00

  3.76

  80.24

  0.00

  0.00

  62.83

  18.85

  36.42

  12.52

  11.00

  3.65

  178.09

  130.67

  Notes:

  1. Earnings for 8 hours assumed to represent one days employment. Earnings for 16 hours assumed to represent two days employment.

  2. All the examples shown assume take-up of full entitlement to the income-related and contributory benefits that would be most advantageous.

  3. All the family types shown are assumed to live in local authority accommodation and be liable for average council tax and local authority rent.

  4. Earnings are assumed to be £3.50 per hour.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23957]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested, in respect of those bodies listed in "Public Bodies 1994", is as follows:

  (a) The administrative function of the Independent Tribunal Service and Central Adjudication Services is subject to such scrutiny.

  Arrangements to bring the Occupational Pensions Board within the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration are well advanced.

  (b) All bodies are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office.

  (c) None.

  (d) All bodies are subject to the financial and resource controls set by the Accounting Officer for the Department.

  The Occupational Pensions Board is committed to the principles of the citizen's charter, and has published its own charter standard statement and code of practice.
  The Independent Tribunal Service and Central Adjudication Services have set performance indicators.
  No member of any body is liable to surcharge.

  Residential Care and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to give a higher level of support to elderly people in residential homes who need nursing care as well as residential care. [24362]

  Running costs on mobile telephones and pagers

  £

  Year

  Benefits agency

  Information technology services agency

  Contributions agency

  Child support agency

  War pensions agency

  Resettlement agency

  1992–93

  339,891.87

  2283,000.00

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993–94

  625,738.94

  3278,000.00

  194,183.18

  —

  2,350.00

  —

  1994–95

  11,098,227.88

  4218,000.00

  210,050.00

  —

  2,375.00

  —

  Notes:

  1Provisional.

  2Includes Child Support Agency, Contributions Agency and DSS HQ.

  3Includes Child Support Agency and DSS HQ.

  4Includes DSS HQ.

  70
  Mr. Roger Evans
  Higher levels of income support are available to people with preserved rights who are resident in residential care and nursing homes. These amounts are linked to the category of care a home is registered to provide and are higher for nursing homes in order to reflect the increased costs of personal care provided.

  These higher levels of income support increased last April. This uprating targeted extra help on high dependency cases in both residential care homes and nursing homes. The income support limits will be reviewed later this year as part of the annual uprating exercise.

  Telephones
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what use his Department makes of hand-held and car-based mobile telephones; what were the costs for each financial year of these services since mobile telephones were first introduced to his Department; and how many mobile telephones are currently in use. [23439]

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Mobile telephones are widely used across the Department. They help to reduce delays for peripatetic staff, and assist with safety where staff may be placed in potentially difficult situations.

  All procurement of mobile telephones must be through the departmental information technology authority procurement services, and procurement guidance and processes have been developed to help managers make informed decisions as to the correct equipment to procure.

  Available figures are in the tables.
  71

  Number of mobile phones

  Benefits agency

  Information technology services agency

  Contributions agency

  Child support agency

  War pensions agency

  Resettlement agency

  DSSHQ

  1994–95

  1 n/a

  413

  1 n/a

  1 n/a

  95

  3

  94

  Notes:

  1 Budgets for mobile phones and pagers are delegated to individual agency district managers. Details could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  n/a = not available.

  Vaccine Damage
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications have been made under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979; and how many of the cases have(a) have been successful or (b) still under review since 31 May 1991. [21419]

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of the vaccine damage payment scheme is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Barry Field, dated 15 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about claims made under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme since 31 May 1991.
  Since that date a total of 216 claims have been received, 13 of which have been successful. There are a further 21 cases under consideration and awaiting a decision on entitlement.
  In addition, since 31 May 1991 there have been 19 awards made relating to applications made prior to that date.
  32 cases are awaiting a review by the independent Vaccine Damage Tribunal and there are 10 requests for a review which are currently being processed for submission to the Tribunal.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

EMPLOYMENT

  Refractory Ceramic Fibre
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he is making to DGXI, Brussels with regard to its proposals to label a refractory ceramic fibre with a skull and crossbones; if he will ensure that the European commission working party meeting at Ispra on 20 and 21 April considers whether the dangerous substance directive represents a suitable forum for the classification of fibres; and if a fiche d'impact has been completed on the cost to business in each EEC country so affected. [20014]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  At the meeting on 20 to 21 April, the refractory ceramic fibre industry was given an ample opportunity to present its case. There was sympathy for the UK suggestion that RCFs be uncoupled from other fibres under consideration, to enable their hazard classification, and its implications, to be considered at more length.

  The UK will be continuing to explore with the European Commission ways of ensuring that no unintended consequences arise for the RCF industry, and will ask the Commission to complete a fiche d'impact in the event that it presses ahead with a classification proposal.

  Brewing Industry
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were employed in the brewing industry in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1994. [23272]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Information on employment in the brewing industry is available from the periodic censuses of employment and is as follows:

  Number of employees in employment in the brewing industry1 in Great Britain, September of each year

  Year

  Number of employees

  1981

  62,100

  1984

  49,600

  1987

  43,200

  1989

  40,800

  1991

  44,500

  1 Group 427 of the standard industrial classification 1980.

  Asbestos
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will ask the Health and Safety Executive to conduct an inquiry into school teachers or caretakers exposed to asbestos. [23362]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  No. Recently completed research indicates that school teachers and caretakers are not in occupations with a raised risk of contracting asbestos-related diseases. However, caretakers in all industry sectors, including schools, would be well advised to take the precautions recommended by the Health and Safety Executive when carrying out routine building maintenance and repair work that may involve asbestos materials.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many asbestos removal licences have been removed from companies operating in this industry in each year since 1983. [23364]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The number of asbestos removal licences removed from companies operating in the industry in each year since 1983 are shown in the following table:

  Year

  Licences revoked

  1983

  0

  1984

  0

  1985

  1

  1986

  2

  1987

  2

  1988

  1

  1989

  4

  1990

  0

  1991

  0

  73

  Year

  Licences revoked

  1992

  0

  1993

  0

  1994

  3

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many asbestos removal companies were inspected by the Health and Safety Executive in each year since 1983. [23370]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Information is not available on the number of asbestos removal companies inspected by Health and Safety Executive inspectors since 1983. The following table shows the total number of visits for each year since 1985 to companies or contractors licensed at that time under the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983. Information is not available for visits made in 1983 or 1984 as the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 did not come into force until August 1984.

  Number of visits

  1985

  2,709

  1986

  1,654

  1987

  941

  1988

  533

  1989

  677

  1990

  401

  1991

  385

  1992

  373

  1993

  399

  1994

  805

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many licensed asbestos removal companies are currently operating in the United Kingdom. [23381]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  There are currently 768 asbestos removal companies licensed to operate in Great Britain. The Health and Safety Executive does not record comparable information for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many asbestos removal companies have been prosecuted in each year since 1983; what was the average fine; what was the lowest and highest fine; and what offences were committed. [23365]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Statistics relating to the prosecution of licensed asbestos removal contractors are laid out in the following table. The figures relate only to offences by licensed asbestos removal contractors under the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 and the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 and the Asbestos Regulations 1969 which CAWR replaced. No information is readily available on the specific offences. There were no prosecutions in 1983; the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 did not come into force until 1 August 1984.

  Year

  Number

  Highest fine(£)

  Lowest fine (£)

  Average fine (£)

  1984

  3

  1,500

  200

  733

  1985

  31

  4,500

  150

  843

  1986

  13

  3,750

  100

  800

  1987

  8

  2,000

  100

  810

  1988

  6

  1,500

  100

  583

  74

  Year

  Number

  Highest fine(£)

  Lowest fine (£)

  Average fine (£)

  1989

  8

  9,000

  250

  3,237

  1990

  3

  2,000

  650

  1,117

  1991

  6

  3,000

  250

  1,348

  1992

  1

  150

  150

  150

  1993

  4

  3,000

  530

  1,570

  1994

  2

  8,000

  150

  4,075

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many(a) improvement and (b) prohibition notices have been served on asbestos removal companies each year since 1983. [23369]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The following table gives the available information on the number of improvement and prohibition notices issued to licensed asbestos removal companies under the Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 and the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 and the Asbestos Regulations 1969, which CAWR replaced.

  Year

  Number of improvement notices

  Number of prohibition notices

  1983

  Not available

  Not available

  1984

  Not available

  Not available

  1985

  9

  71

  1986

  5

  40

  1987

  1

  15

  1988

  1

  11

  1989

  3

  14

  1990

  2

  12

  1991

  Nil

  6

  1992

  1

  13

  1993

  Not yet available

  Not yet available

  1994

  Not yet available

  Not yet available

  Note:

  Figures for 1983 and 1984 are not available because these years precede the collection of data on prohibition and improvement notices.

  Manslaughter
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many cases the Health and Safety Executive has referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for potential manslaughter charges in each of the last five years; and how many were accepted. [23366]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Since April 1992, 26 cases which the Health and Safety Executive has investigated have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration of possible manslaughter charges, as follows:

  Year

  Number of cases referred to CPS

  Prosecutions for manslaughter started by CPS

  Cases still under consideration by CPS

  1992–92

  12

  2

  —

  1993–94

  5

  1

  —

  1994–95

  9

  2

  3

  Information for previous years is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Health and Safety Executive Inspections
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered workplaces the Health
  75
  and Safety Executive has been responsible for, for each of the past five years; and what proportion each year has received an inspection-type visit from a Health and Safety Executive inspector in (a) the past year and (b) the past five years. [23368]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  It is estimated that some 650,000 premises are registered with the Health and Safety Executive. The HSE's systems are designed to record all

  Number of planned inspections completed or planned by HSE operational divisions

  1989–90 Outturn

  1990–91 Outturn

  1991–92 Outturn

  1992–93 Outturn

  1993–94 Outturn

  1994–95 Planned

  Field Operations Division planned inspections

  164,122

  165,198

  168,865

  157,426

  152,014

  157,000

  Mines Inspectorate planned inspections

  6,290

  3,064

  2,462

  2,190

  1,707

  1,290

  Offshore Safety Division planned inspections (1)

  —

  —

  359

  405

  467

  370

  Railway Inspectorate planned inspections (2)

  —

  —

  2,306

  1,452

  1,482

  2,080

  Technology and Health Sciences Division planned inspections

  348

  243

  285

  459

  563

  480

  Notes:

  1. HSE assumed responsibility for offshore safety on 1 April 1991.

  2. The Railway Inspectorate transferred from the Department of Transport on 3 December 1990.

  Safety Regulations
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many improvement and prohibition notices have been served under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations 1977 for each year since 1978; [23372]

  (2) how many prosecutions there have been under the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations 1977 for each year since 1978. [23371]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  According to available information, the Health and Safety Executive's field inspectorates issued one improvement notice under these regulations, in 1984. They did not issue a prohibition notice or initiate a prosecution during the period. Details of enforcement action by other inspectorates and by local authorities are not readily available on a regulation-by-regulation basis, and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Workplace Accidental Deaths
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment for how many workplace accidental deaths in each of the past five years there were Health and Safety Executive or environmental health officer prosecutions. [23367]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Except for the Health and Safety Executive offshore safety division, the information requested is either not available or available only at disproportionate cost:

  Year

  (OSD) Prosecutions arising from workplace fatalities

  1989–90

  0

  1990–91

  3

  1991–92

  2

  1992–93

  2

  1993–94

  3

  Total

  10

  76
  those premises in which it has an active interest. It does not readily provide historical data, which could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The average numbers of planned inspections completed by each of the HSE's operational divisions, for each of the financial years 1989–90 to 1993–94, are set out in the following table. The table also indicates the numbers of planned inspections that divisions expected to achieve in 1994–95.

  Family and Working Lines Survey
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the value and duration of the contract awarded to Research Services Ltd. Harrow, Middlesex to undertake the family and working lives survey. [23643]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 10 May 1995]: The cost of the working lives survey is £1,231,928, including VAT.

  The contract for the project started on 14 October 1993 and is scheduled for completion at the end of September 1996.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what arrangements there are to sub-contract any of the interview work being carried out by Research Services Ltd. as part of the family and working lives survey to other organisations and colleges; and what are the minimal levels of qualifications required of the sub-contractors to undertake direct market research. [23645]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 10 May 1995]: Research Services Ltd. has not sub-contracted any of the interviewing for the family and working lives survey.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment by what method Research Services Ltd. was awarded by the contract to undertake the family and working lives survey; and how the contract was advertised. [23647]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 10 May 1995]: The contract for the family and working lives survey was awarded by competitive tender. Tenders were invited from four leading social research organisations.

  The research was advertised in the Department's "Annual Report on Research" in 1992.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the sample size of the family and working lives survey being carried out by Research Services Ltd.; and how many people are being interviewed in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland. [23644]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 10 May 1995]: The survey aimed to interview 12,000 respondents and their

  77
  partners where appropriate. Fieldwork is sill in progress. To date 9,248 have been interviewed in England, 533 in Wales and 976 in Scotland.

  The survey does not cover Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the sampling techniques, including the form of sampling and the sampling frame, being used by Research Services Ltd. in conducting the family and working lives survey. [26346]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 10 May 1955]: The sampling technique used for the survey was stratified random sampling of census enumeration districts selected with probability proportional to size. All EDs in mainland Britain were included. Islands, such as Jersey and the Scottish islands, were not included and neither was Northern Ireland. Addresses were drawn from the postcode address file with equal probability in the selected EDs. At each address, one adult was selected at random from all those eligible. If this person had a partner living in the same household, a shorter interview was conducted with the partner.

  International Labour Conference
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the delegation representing the United Kingdom at the forthcoming international labour conference. [23711]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The UK will, as in previous years be sending a tripartite delegation. Members of the delegation are as follows:

  INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE
  (82nd Session, Geneva, 6 to 23 June 1995)

  MEMBERS OF UK DELEGATION

  MINISTER ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE

  Miss Ann WIDDECOMBE, MP
  Minister of State for Employment
  She will be accompanied by her Private Secretary, Mr. Simon WOOD, and Mr. Clive TUCKER, Head of International Division, Employment Department.

  GOVERNMENT DELEGATES
  Mr. Mark WESTON, Head of International Relations Branch, Employment Department.
  Ms Shan MORGAN, Grade 7, Employment Department

  Advisers and Substitute Delegates
  Mr. Edward G. M. CHAPLIN OBE, Deputy Permanent Representative, United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva
  Mr. Keith ANDREWS, Senior Executive Officer, Employment Department

  Advisers
  Mr. Nigel WILLIAMS CMG, Permanent Representative, United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva
  Mr. Geoff GREEN, HM Principal Inspector of Mines, Health and Safety Executive
  Mr. Alistair KENNARD, Grade 7, Employment Department
  Mr. Philip SCOTT, Field Operations Division, Health and Safety Executive
  Mr. Tim SIMMONS, First Secretary, United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva
  78
  Miss Sarah BOARDMAN, Third Secretary, United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva
  Mr. Herbert LYSK, Head of Industrial Relations Division, Department of Economic Development (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. Johnathan CLAGUE, Higher Executive Officer, Department of Industry, Isle of Man
  Mr. Stephen IP, Commissioner for Labour, Labour Department Hong Kong
  Ms Angella BLAGGROVE, Executive Officer, Employment Department

  EMPLOYERS' DELEGATE
  Miss Anne MACKIE OBE, CBI Consultant on International Employment Affairs; Member, Governing Body of the International Labour Office

  Adviser and Substitute Delegate
  Miss Deborah A. FRANCE, Head, International Social Affairs, Confederation of British Industry

  Advisers
  Mr. Alan WILD, Employee Relations Director, Guinness Brewing Worldwide
  Mr. Rod STACE, Mining Engineer, Operations Department, British Coal Corporation
  Mr. David EVANS, Confederation of British Industry
  Ms Petunia OGUNLEYE, Employee Relations Adviser, Shell UK Exploration and Production
  Mr. Sai-chu HO, Employers' Representative, Labour Advisory Board, Hong Kong

  WORKERS' DELEGATE
  Mr. Bill BRETT, Vice-President, Governing Body of the International Labour Office, General Secretary of the Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists

  Adviser and Substitute Delegate
  Mr. Simon STEYNE, International Officer, International Department, Trades Union Congress

  Advisers
  Mr. Chris GIFFORD, Mine Health and Safety Consultant, National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers/NUM
  Mr. William MORGAN, Member of the Executive Council of Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union; Member of the TUC General Council
  Mr. Gus BOATENG, Unit Representative and Unit Equal Opportunities Representative, Communication Workers' Union; Member of the TUC General Council
  Ms Ina LOVE, Member of the National Executive Committee of UNISON; Member of the TUC General Council
  Mr. Ken THOMAS, Former General Secretary to the Civil and Public Services Association; Former Member of the TUC General Council
  Mr. Ming CHU, Employees' Representative, Labour Advisory Board, Hong Kong

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what instructions his Department gives to jobcentres on the circumstances in which they can advertise job vacancies that exist at employment agencies. [23682]

  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.
  79
  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 15 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about what instructions people in Jobcentres follow when handling vacancies on behalf of employment agencies.
  You may be aware of the long standing agreement we have with the Federation of Recruitment and Employment Services (FRES). This enables my Jobcentres to accept individual vacancies for display from an employment agency or business recruiting people to be sub-contracted to companies.
  Following a review last year of our vacancy handling policy with agencies, we reached a new agreement with FRES on co-operation between Jobcentres and private employment agencies. Under the new arrangements, agencies may use Jobcentres to advertise vacancies which they have been contracted to fill.
  We are keen to introduce jobseekers to all the options available to help them in their search for work and we believe that the new arrangements give unemployed people access to wider range of opportunities.
  Further information is included in our publication, Helping People into Jobs, The Guide to Job Broking, copies of which are available in the Library.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Fourth World Conference on Women
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what public consultations are planned with(a) women's bodies and (b) other interested representative bodies prior to deciding United Kingdom policy in regard to the UN's fourth world conference on women in Beijing. [23699]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Throughout the preparatory process for the fourth UN world conference on women, the Government have been in continuous dialogue with women's non-governmental organisations and other interested groups. We consulted widely on the UK national report for the world conference which was released last September, and have invited comments on the draft global platform for action. Members of the delegation to the recent preparatory meeting of the commission on the status of women are meeting NGOs this week to discuss the outcome of that meeting.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which non-governmental organisations have been in contact with the Government in respect of the UN's fourth world conference on women in Beijing this year. [23696]

  Miss Widdecombe
  A wide range of non-governmental organisations have contacted the Government regarding the fourth UN world conference on women.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the estimate of the amount that will have been spent on 1994–95 under objective 3 of the European structural funds; what amount has been applied for in 1995–96; and on what date the application was made. [24155]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The European Commission works on a calendar year cycle for its financial commitments. In 1994, 478 mecu, about £368 million, has been committed to European social fund objective 3 projects in Great Britain. The actual expenditure will not be known until later this year, when our final claims for 1994 are submitted.
  80
  In 1995, 497 mecu is available. This is drawn down from the Commission in a series of tranches. The first 50 per cent., 248.5 mecu, was requested on 21 April 1995.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's response to the report of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy on the conference on the extension of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, adopted by the European Parliament on 5 April. [22350]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will make a statement about the nuclear non-proliferation treaty after the review and extension conference has taken place.

  Mr. Nick Leeson
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits have been made to Mr. Nick Leeson in Frankfurt by United Kingdom consular staff. [23709]

  Mr. David Davis
  Our vice-consul saw Mr. Leeson immediately after he was stopped at Frankfurt airport on 2 March. The vice-consul visited him in Hoechst prison, Frankfurt, on 10 March. He will be visited again within the next three weeks. Mr. Leeson is free to contact our consulate at any time.

  Fourth World Conference on Women
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances have been obtained from the Chinese Government in respect of participation by non-governmental organisations in the UN's fourth world conference on women in Beijing this year. [23695]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In accordance with standard UN practice, non-governmental organisations will be admitted as observers at the fourth world conference on women in Peking. Under the terms of the host country agreement, China has agreed to issue visas to all non-governmental organisations properly accredited by the United Nations.

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guarantees the United Kingdom has obtained from China to the effect that all British-based journalists seeking to cover the UN fourth world conference on Women in Beijing will be granted accreditation. [23698]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Press accreditation for the fourth world conference on women will be arranged by the United Nations. The Chinese have confirmed that they will issue visas to all those so accredited.

  Mr. Macshane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the UN fourth world conference on women in Beijing. [23700]
  81
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Employment on 16 March,Official Report, column 648.

  Argentine Postage Stamps
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration Her Majesty's Government have given to making representations to the Universal Postal Union in respect of postage stamps issued by the Argentine postal authorities bearing the words "Islas Malvinas"; and if he will make a statement. [23714]

  Mr. David Davis
  We have not made representations to the Universal Postal Union about the stamps in question. However, we have protested to the Argentine Government about the issue, reiterating our sovereignty over the Falklands Islands, and informing the Argentines that they have no right to issue such stamps.

  British Diplomatic Staff
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries where the British ambassador, high commissioner or charge is female; and in how many countries there is British diplomatic presence. [23785]

  Mr. Goodlad
  The countries where the head of post is female are:

  Irish Republic

  Lebanon

  Costa Rica

  Ivory Coast

  Uzbekistan

  Zaire

  Diplomatic or consular relations are maintained with 183 countries, although in some cases the accredited diplomatic staff reside in a third country.

  Cannes European Council
  Mr. Richard Shepherd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government expect to publish their specific proposals for reform of the European Community for intergovernmental conference; and if they will be in the form of a White Paper. [23719]

  Subject to:

  Investigation by Parliamentary Commissioner (a)

  Scrutiny by NAO (b)

  Scrutiny by Audit Commission (c)

  Other Monitoring Officers (d)1

  Citizen's Charter

  Performance Indicators

  Members Liable to Surcharge

  Diplomatic Service Appeals Board

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Wilton Park Academic Council

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Wilton Park International Advisory Council

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  No

  Yes

  Yes

  No

  Advisory Committee on Overseas Economic and Social Research

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  82
  Mr. David Davis
  We do not expect the Cannes European Council to consider proposals for the IGC, which will not meet until next year. My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have set out the Government's approach to the IGC on a number of occasions, including in the Opposition day debated on Europe on 1 March,Official Report, columns 1060—74 and 1138–15.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates he approved the use by the Indonesian Government of British-supplied defence equipment against(a) the GAM: Aceh, (b) the OPM: West Papua/Irian Jaya; and (c) FRETLIN: East Timor. [23865]

  Mr. Goodlad
  We would not approve the export of defence equipment likely to be used for internal repression in Indonesia or East Timor.

  Mrs. Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates he protested to the Government of Indonesia about the use of British-supplied defence equipment against(a) the GAM: Aceh, (b) the OPM: West Papua/Irian Jaya and (c) FRETLIN: East Timor. [23866]

  Mr. Goodlad
  We have no evidence that British-supplied defence equipment has been so used.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23967]

  Mr. Goodlad
  For executive non-departmental public bodies I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 25 April to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright),Official Report, column 428, on such bodies sponsored by the FCO (Diplomatic Wing and Overseas Development Administration). Only members of the boards of the British Council and the Britain-Russia Centre are liable to surcharge. For advisory non-departmental public bodies the information requested is shown in the following table.
  83

  Subject to:

  Investigation by Parliamentary Commissioner (a)

  Scrutiny by NAO (b)

  Scrutiny by Audit Commission (c)

  Other Monitoring Officers (d)1

  Citizen's Charter

  Performance Indicators

  Members Liable to Surcharge

  Indian Family Pension Funds Body of Commissioners

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Overseas Service Pensions Scheme Advisory Board

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  Know-How Fund Advisory Board

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  No

  1 All non-departmental public bodies are subject to regular review by the sponsoring FCO department.

  Mercenaries
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government intend to sign and ratify the United Nations international convention against the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries. [24293]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) on 27 March,Official Report, column 443.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions Gibraltar's status(a) within the European Union and (b) with Spain has been raised by him at his meetings with the Foreign Minister of Spain over the past two years. [24473]

  Mr. David Davis
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs meets the Spanish Foreign Minister regularly. Detailed discussions on Gibraltar are held under the auspices of the Brussels process. The last such meeting was on 20 December 1994 in London.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions British citizens using the border between Gibraltar and Spain have been subject to delays initiated by the Spanish authorities during the past 14 days; and if he will make a statement. [24474]

  Mr. David Davis
  British citizens have been subject to some delays on each of the past 14 days. As we have repeatedly made clear, we consider the delays caused by the Spanish controls at the Spain-Gibraltar frontier excessive and unjustified. We have protested vigorously to the Spanish authorities.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions Gibraltar's status within the European Union has been raised formally in any of the Council of Ministers other than the Heads of Governments Council, over the past two years; and if he will make a statement. [24472]

  Mr. David Davis
  Gibraltar is within the European Union as part of the United Kingdom by virtue of article 227(4) of the EC treaty, although Gibraltar remains outside certain areas of Community policy. These issues have not been formally raised in EU Council of Ministers' meetings over the past two years.

  Gun Running (Rwanda)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to Zaire about gun running in Rwanda and other central African countries. [23615]

  Mr. Baldry
  We have no evidence on which to base formal representations to the Government of Zaire about the illegal supply of arms to Rwanda or other central African countries.

SCOTLAND

  A1 Dual Carriageway
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on proposals by the Miller Amey consortium to depart from certain aspects of the confirmed plan for the A1 dual carriageway between Tranent and Haddington, and if he will require the contractor to design and construct this section of road in accordance with the confirmed plan. [21813]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The contract awarded to Miller/Amey joint venture was on a "design and build" basis. This form of contract encourages the contractor to optimise the design, thus bringing benefits in which both the taxpayer and the industry can share. The amended proposals are subject to completion of their statutory procedures, including consultation, in the normal way. It is too early to say at this stage what the final outcome will be.

  The Scottish Office has found that alternative proposals by contractors can often deliver improved value for money. This, of course, means that the funds voted by Parliament for trunk roads in Scotland will be able to purchase more new construction than would otherwise be possible using traditional tendering methods.

  Gemini Housing Association
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what records are kept at the Glasgow office of Scottish Homes of the numbers of hours staff spend with Gemini Housing Association Ltd; and if he will make them available for public inspection; [23111]

  (2) which officer in Scottish Homes is empowered to give leave of absence to those employees of Scottish Homes who wish to participate in the activities of Gemini Ltd; [23112]
  85
  (3) on what terms the Gemini Housing Association is allowed to use office equipment and stationery belonging to Scottish Homes at its Glasgow offices; and what charge is made; [23113]

  (4) what method is used to fill vacancies which occur on the steering committee of Gemini Housing; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the constitution of the Gemini Housing Association; [23114]

  (5) if he will list the members of Gemini Housing Association and those who have resigned since it was formed; [23115]

  (6) what is the monthly rent and rates that Gemini Housing Association pays to Scottish Homes for use of their Glasgow offices; [23116]

  (7) if the officers of Scottish Homes who attended the Gemini meeting at Campsie street on 28 April were paid from Scottish Homes' budget; [23117]

  (8) to what extent resources given by the chief executive of Scottish Homes to Gemini Ltd exceed the normal start up grants given to newly formed housing associations; and when approval was given by the Scottish Homes Board. [23118]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is a matter for Scottish Homes. I have asked its chairman, Sir James Mellon, to write to the hon. Member.

  Historical Documents
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what special training is given to persons who have responsibility for assessing the historical significance of documents held by his Department. [23279]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Scottish Office documents of historical significance are transmitted to the Keeper of the Records of Scotland, whose staff are responsible for selection on historical grounds. These members of staff—curatorial officers of the Scottish Record Office—are qualified archivists, trained by the SRO itself and, increasingly nowadays in possession also of a diploma in archive administration. In addition, they are supervised in the early stages of their work on these records by senior colleagues to ensure that they

  Scotland

  England

  Number of places

  Places per 1,000 population aged 75+

  Number of places

  Places per 1,000 population aged 75+

  Local authority

  8,356

  26.0

  67,401

  19.9

  Private

  4,693

  14.6

  163,202

  48.3

  Voluntary

  4,139

  12.9

  39,359

  11.6

  Total

  17,188

  53.5

  269,962

  79.9

  Long-stay NHS Patients
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the numbers of beds available in each region for long-stay NHS patients in 1995; what is his estimate of the number in 2000; and if he will make a statement. [23160]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 May 1995]: The latest available information is as follows:
  86
  follow consistently general guidelines laid down over the 25 years or so that the present system has been in operation.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of people likely to be living in Scotland aged (i) 65, (ii) 75 and (iii) over 85 years in(a) 1996, (b) 2000 and (c) 2005. [23157]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Projected population figures are given in the table.

  Year

  Age

  1996

  2000

  2005

  65

  50,600

  49,000

  49,800

  75

  38,600

  36,100

  37,300

  85 and over

  82,600

  92,100

  96,400

  Residential Care
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of private sector long-term residential places for elderly people in Scotland in 1995 and in 2000; and if he will make a statement. [23159]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: The number of private sector residential care home places which will be required for elderly people in the year 2000 cannot be estimated as it will depend on a number of factors. These include not only the numbers of elderly people at that time and their state of health but the extent to which this form of care is available in other sectors. Cost and quality of residential care will influence the distribution between sectors. At present, the cost of care in homes run by local authorities is substantially more than in homes in the private and voluntary sectors. However, there is no indication that the quality of local authority care is higher. The numbers of residential care home places for elderly people in each sector in Scotland and England at 31 March 1994 are set out in the table below.

  Average available beds by Health Board area of treatment; quarter ending 31 December 1994 1 2

  Geriatric long-stay beds

  Young chronic sick beds

  Psychiatric speciality total beds

  Mental handicap total beds

  Scotland3

  7,393

  290

  10,964

  3,398

  Argyll and Clyde

  614

  38

  1,094

  226

  Ayrshire and Arran

  460

  —

  651

  132

  Borders

  141

  3

  239

  5

  87

  Average available beds by Health Board area of treatment; quarter ending 31 December 1994 1 2

  Geriatric long-stay beds

  Young chronic sick beds

  Psychiatric speciality total beds

  Mental handicap total beds

  Dumfries and Galloway

  256

  —

  367

  86

  Fife

  432

  12

  685

  302

  Forth Valley

  506

  —

  612

  523

  Grampian

  742

  24

  1,041

  296

  Greater Glasgow

  1,392

  131

  2,117

  660

  Highland

  308

  7

  399

  106

  Lanarkshire

  699

  19

  990

  440

  Lothian4

  1,080

  33

  1,658

  435

  Orkney

  49

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  81

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside

  587

  22

  1,059

  186

  Western Isles

  44

  —

  51

  —

  Notes:

  1 Provisional.

  2 Includes Joint User and Contractual hospitals.

  3 Health Board totals may not tally with Scotland totals due to the effects of rounding.

  4 Average available staffed beds. Includes all beds whether classified as long-stay or otherwise.

  Source:

  Information and Statistics Division.

  There are no centrally imposed targets for long-stay bed provision in the NHS for the year 2000. The pace of change in the number of long-stay NHS beds is directed by patient needs and by the rate at which alternative provision becomes available in the community. The organisation of long-stay care and care services in the community are determined by continuous joint assessment of local needs involving health boards and local authorities. The aim is to secure the most effective package of services, both in hospital and the community, that meet the specific needs of patients and carers.

  University Entrance
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the appropriate age group has attained university entrance standards in each year since 1979. [23386]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The previous general entry requirement of the Scottish Universities Council on entrance was of three or more SCE higher grades at A-C lapsed in 1993. Minimum entry requirements for all ages of applicants are now at the discretion of individual institutions.

  The percentage of Scottish school leavers gaining three or more higher grades at A-C is given in the table. Information is not available on the same basis for years earlier than 1981–82.

  Scottish school leavers by highest SCE qualification

  Academic year

  Number of leavers

  Percentage with three or more higher grades (A-C)

  1981–82

  88,607

  21

  1982–83

  90,988

  21

  1983–84

  89,737

  21

  1984–85

  85,819

  21

  1985–86

  83,076

  21

  1986–87

  80,356

  21

  88

  Scottish school leavers by highest SCE qualification

  Academic year

  Number of leavers

  Percentage with three or more higher grades (A-C)

  1987–88

  76,059

  23

  1988–89

  72,695

  24

  1989–90

  67,900

  26

  1990–91

  62,072

  27

  1991–92

  60,596

  28

  1992–93

  57,796

  29

  1993–94

  58,194

  30

  Irvine Housing Association
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement indicating the latest position in respect of the bid by Irvine Housing Association to take over some of the housing stock of Irvine development corporation in advance of the general disposal of the corporation housing stock. [23493]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: I understand that Irvine Housing Association has yet to finalise its funding from the private sector. I have asked the development corporation to advise the hon. Member with the transaction has been concluded.

  Pupil-teacher Ratios
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the pupil-teacher ratio in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in Scotland in each year since 1979. [23603]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested, for education authority primary and secondary schools, is given in the table.

  The figures for the years 1985 and 1986 are estimates due to industrial action by teachers during those years. The figures for 1994 are provisional.

  Pupil-teacher ratios at September

  Year

  EA Primary

  EA Secondary

  1979

  20.3

  14.4

  1980

  20.3

  14.4

  1981

  20.3

  14.4

  1982

  20.4

  14.3

  1983

  20.3

  14.0

  1984

  20.4

  13.7

  1985

  20.4

  13.5

  1986

  20.4

  13.2

  1987

  20.4

  13.0

  1988

  20.3

  12.7

  1989

  19.7

  12.4

  1990

  19.5

  12.2

  1991

  19.5

  12.4

  1992

  19.3

  12.6

  1993

  19.5

  12.8

  1994

  19.3

  12.9

  School Leavers
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of school leavers has attained no academic qualifications in each year since 1979. [23387]

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  The proportion of school leavers who have attained no academic qualifications has dropped from 28 per sent. in 1981–82 to 9 per cent. in 1993–94. The table below covers the
  89
  period from 1981–94. Information prior to 1981–82 is not available on a comparable basis. The percentages listed do not include school leavers with English GCSEs or A-levels, nor do they include pupils who have attained SCOTVEC modules while at school.

  Scottish school leavers with no SCE qualifications

  Academic year

  Number of leavers

  Percentage with no SCE qualifications or none found

  1981–82

  88,607

  28

  1982–83

  90,988

  26

  1983–84

  89,737

  26

  1984–85

  85,819

  25

  1985–86

  83,076

  24

  1986–87

  80,356

  19

  1987–88

  76,059

  15

  1988–89

  72,695

  12

  1989–90

  67,900

  11

  1990–91

  62,072

  10

  1991–92

  60,596

  10

  1992–93

  57,796

  10

  1993–94

  58,194

  9

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths were attributed to epilepsy in Scotland in each year since 1990 in each health board area for which information is available. [22842]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 May 1995]: The information is given in the table.

  Epilepsy1 recorded as underlying cause of death

  Health board area

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  21994

  Argyll and Clyde

  8

  8

  7

  8

  11

  Ayrshire and Arran

  3

  7

  3

  11

  10

  Borders

  1

  1

  2

  0

  1

  Dumfries and Galloway

  4

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Fife

  3

  6

  5

  2

  6

  Forth Valley

  7

  5

  3

  4

  5

  Grampian

  13

  12

  9

  12

  13

  Greater Glasgow

  26

  27

  20

  13

  18

  Highland

  4

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Lanarkshire

  15

  10

  9

  6

  7

  Lothian

  15

  16

  14

  11

  7

  Orkney

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Shetland

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Tayside

  12

  7

  15

  9

  7

  Western Isles

  2

  2

  1

  0

  0

  Scotland

  114

  101

  88

  77

  89

  1 International Classification of Diseases (9th Revision) Codes 345.0–345.9.

  2 1994 figures are provisional.

  Epilepsy1 mentioned on death certificate but not as underlying Cause of death

  Health board area

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  21994

  Argyll and Clyde

  19

  21

  15

  19

  22

  Ayrshire and Arran

  13

  11

  11

  18

  18

  Borders

  4

  5

  1

  0

  5

  Dumfries and Galloway

  8

  4

  2

  5

  3

  Fife

  11

  10

  10

  7

  8

  Forth Valley

  11

  10

  8

  7

  6

  Grampian

  10

  16

  9

  13

  17

  Greater Glasgow

  29

  30

  31

  43

  40

  Highland

  6

  8

  8

  4

  7

  Lanarkshire

  14

  12

  26

  25

  27

  90

  Epilepsy1 mentioned on death certificate but not as underlying cause of death

  Health board area

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  21994

  Lothian

  28

  23

  29

  20

  37

  Orkney

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  Shetland

  3

  2

  1

  1

  0

  Tayside

  17

  18

  19

  16

  10

  Western Isles

  0

  0

  1

  0

  4

  Scotland

  174

  171

  173

  178

  204

  1 International Classification of Diseases (9th Revision) Codes 345.0–345.9.

  2 1994 figures are provisional.

  Cultybraggan Civil Defence Facility
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of(a) Ministers (b) civil servants who are entitled to use the civil defence facility underneath Cultybraggan training camp, near Comrie, in the event of it having to be used as an emergency centre of Government in time of war; and if he will make a statement. [23188]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 May 1995]: Arrangements for designating individuals to be deployed to regional Government headquarters have been discontinued and lists of such individuals are no longer maintained.

  It is anticipated that formal arrangements for the deployment of designated staff to regional Government headquarters would be reintroduced only in the event of a return to a threat situation such as that which existed during the cold war.

  Fatal Accident Inquiries
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fatal accident inquiries are to be held in the current year in relation to the deaths of hospital patients in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole; and if he will make a statement. [23374]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 May 1995]: It is for the Lord Advocate to determine in the light of the circumstances in individual cases whether a fatal accident inquiry is appropriate. It is not possible to estimate how many fatal accident inquiries will be held in any particular year.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fatal accident inquiries are to be held in the current year in relation to the deaths of hospital patients in(a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland as a whole in each of the past 10 years; how many of these cases led to disciplinary action being taken against medical practitioners and other parties; and if he will make a statement. [23375]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 11 May 1995]: The Crown Office does not hold records centrally of the number of hospital patients whose deaths were subsequently the subject of a fatal accident inquiry. The costs of obtaining this information manually from the records of the 49 procurator fiscal offices in Scotland would be prohibitive. Decisions about disciplinary action following fatal accident inquiries would be for the relevant NHS employer.

  Prosecution of Parents
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the number of parents prosecuted under section 43 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, (b) the number of respondents who pleaded guilty, (c) the number of respondents found (i) guilty and (ii) not guilty after trial and (d) the average penalty, and the scope of penalty from minimum to maximum, imposed on those pleading guilty or found guilty in each full year for which statistic are available. [23190]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not separately identifiable in the Scottish Office Home and Health Department's classification of crimes and offences.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23958]

  Mr. Lang
  As regards executive NDPBs, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright) on 1 May,Official Report, column 10–11. No advisory NDPBs are subject to the scrutiny of the Parliamentary Commissioner per se, although the administrative actions of administrative staff of the Scottish Office acting on behalf of the body would fall within his remit, as would those of the Horse Race Betting Levy Appeal Tribunal for Scotland and the Rent Assessment Panel for Scotland. The actions of members of the children's panel advisory commitees, which are administered by the local authorities, are subject to the scrutiny of the Local Authority Commissioner, as are the administrative actions of the administrative staff of children's panels, who are local authority employees. The expenditure of advisory NDPBs, the Horse Race Betting Levy Appeal Tribunal for Scotland and the Rent Assessment Panel for Scotland forms part of the total expenditure of the Scottish Office, whose accounts are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The financial affairs of children's panels, which form part of official authority expenditure, are scrutinised by the Accounts Commission for Scotland. There are no other statutory monitoring officers which scrutinise the work of NDPBs, although all such bodies sponsored by my Department are answerable through me to Parliament. In accordance with the recommendations of a joint report by the Treasury and the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service in 1988, all NDPBs sponsored by my Department are subject to a comprehensive review at least every five years.

  The only NDPBs sponsored by my department whose members are subject to surcharge are the seven river purification boards.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people since the 1993 deadline 92
  have been refused entry to postgraduate teacher training on the grounds of non-conversion to degree equivalents of non-degree qualifications; and if he will make a statement. [23728]

  Mr. Lang
  All-graduate entry to the teaching profession in Scotland has long been an objective of both Government and teachers. In 1987 the Government announced that only those with degree qualifications would be eligible for entry to postgraduate teacher training after academic session 1989–90. Candidates who had begun a non-degree or degree equivalent course before 31 January 1987 were, however, eligible for entry in the seven years up to and including academic session 1993–94 in recognition of the fact that, prior to 1987, degree equivalent qualifications had been treated on the same basis as degrees.

  My Department is aware of 18 cases in which the 1993 deadline for holders of non-degree qualifications was missed. Clearly, it must be disappointing for the individuals involved to have missed this deadline despite the very substantial transitional period which had been allowed. It may be possible for holders of non-degree qualifications to upgrade them to a degree by means of the credit accumulation and transfer scheme operated by higher education institutions.

  Charter Mark
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which public bodies, arm's-length organisations, executive agencies and quangos under the operational control of the Scottish Office are now in receipt of the charter mark; and which ones are not. [24062]

  Mr. Lang
  The following seven organisations within the area of responsibility of The Scottish Office (and no others) listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies 1994", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library have received charter marks:

  1992
  HM Prison, Dungavel, now part of the Scottish Prison Service executive agency

  1993
  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  1994
  Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network
  Edinburgh NHS Trust department of chiropody and podiatry
  South Ayrshire Hospitals NHS Trust
  Law Hospital NHS Trust: William Smellie maternity unit
  State hospital, Carstairs

HEALTH

  Severance Payments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications were received by the NHS management executive for authority to pay severance payments in excess of those laid down by the standard NHS regulations in each year since 1990; how many were approved; and what was the total sum involved each year in each health authority. [20681]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  93

  Applications received by the NHS Executive for authority to pay severance payments in excess of those laid down by standard NHS Regulations

  Authority

  Received

  Approved

  Amount

  1993–94

  Salisbury HA

  1

  1

  8,000

  1994–95

  Mid-Downs HA

  1

  1

  7,000

  Anglia and Oxford

  1

  1

  20,322

  South Thames RHA

  3

  12

  38,391

  North Thames RHA

  1

  1

  116,000

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth HA

  1

  1

  14,000

  Camden and Islington

  1

  2—

  —

  NHS Supplies Authority

  2

  1

  72,881

  1 One still under consideration.

  2 Under consideration.

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population is covered by general practitioners who are fundholders in(a) the north-east region of England and (b) each family health service authority in the north-east region of England. [21307]

  Mr. Malone
  The percentage of the population covered by a general practitioner fundholder in family health services authorities in the north-east region of England is shown in the table.

  FHSA

  Coverage per cent.

  Cleveland

  30

  Durham

  43

  Northumberland

  45

  Gateshead

  42

  Newcastle

  27

  North Tyneside

  16

  South Tyneside

  34

  Sunderland

  10

  North East England

  32

  "The Health of the Nation"
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce social, economic and environmental targets into "The Health of the Nation" programme; and if she will make a statement. [22671]

  Mr. Sackville
  None. "The Health of the Nation" is a Government-wide strategy to improve the health of the population. Many Departments have a role to play within their own policy areas. The immediate priority is to ensure that good progress is made towards achieving the targets already identified, although we keep the range of targets under review.

  Central Register of Suspended Doctors
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce a central register of doctors suspended by hospitals and require all hospitals to refer to that register before employing a doctor. [22738]

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  Folic Acid
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration she has given to making folic acid 0.4mg available on prescription for pregnant women; and if she will make a statement. [23542]

  Mr. Sackville
  Folic acid 0.4mg is already available on prescription for women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

  Cancelled Operations
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations were cancelled in total, in each region and in each district in the fourth quarter of 1994–95. [23621]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many wards at Chelsea and Westminster hospital are(a) for the use of private patients, (b) in use for NHS patients and (c) not in use; and how many beds there are in the wards in each category. [23619]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. The right hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Keith Bright, chairman of Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS trust, for further information.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has funded into how best to improve the standard of care, quality of life and outcome for children in care; and if she will make a statement. [23412]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department of Health funds an extensive programme of research on child care. The work funded between April 1991 and March 1994 is summarised in "The Centrally Commissioned Research Programme", copies of which are available in the Library. Two research reports which focus specifically on the development of improved methods to assess and monitor outcomes of children in care are the linked HMSO publications—"Looking After Children: Assessing Outcomes in Child Care" and "Looking After Children: Research into Practice". These are also available in the Library.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what funding will be available to local authorities to develop detailed records of assessed needs of children in care; [23411]

  (2) what funds she has allocated for the monitoring and assessment system being piloted by 39 local authorities as a follow up to, "Looking After Children: Research into Practice"; and if she will list the authorities involved. [23413]

  Mr. Bowis
  About £400,000 has been made available in the financial year 1995–96 to support the "Looking After Children: Good Parenting Good Outcomes" project. The 39 authorities listed will receive free forms, training materials, training courses, access to consultants and a helpline. The Department is currently considering whether the same development package of support can be made
  95
  available to other authorities, if and when they commit themselves to using this system.

  Bedfordshire

  Bexley

  Bradford

  Bromley

  Buckinghamshire

  Camden

  Cumbria

  Derbyshire

  Dudley

  Durham

  Gateshead

  Gloucestershire

  Hackney

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  Hampshire

  Hereford and Worcestershire

  Hertfordshire

  Islington

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Kingston

  Kirklees

  Lambeth

  Leicestershire

  Lewisham

  Merton

  Norfolk

  Northants

  North Yorkshire

  Richmond

  Salford

  Somerset

  St. Helens

  Stockport

  Suffolk

  Sunderland

  Sutton

  Tower Hamlets

  Wigan

  Wolverhampton

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost of answering questions from the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) since November 1994. [24214]

  Mr. Sackville
  Between November 1994 and 11 May 1995, the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) has tabled 501 parliamentary questions. The cost of producing the replies cannot be separately identified. However, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the then Financial Secretary to the Treasury gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, West (Mr. Jones) on 30 November 1993, at column 391, which stated that the average cost of preparing an answer to a written parliamentary question was £97.

  Acute Services, Southport and Ormskirk
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when she plans to meet the chairmen of the South Lancashire health authority and the Ormskirk hospital trust to discuss the health service review in Southport, Formby and West Lancashire; [23973]

  (2) what assessment she has made as to whether the health service review in Southport, Formby and West
  96
  Lancashire, conducted by Sir Duncan Nichol, has been objective; [23972]

  (3) when she plans to meet the chairman of the North West regional health authority to discuss the health service review in Southport and Formby and West Lancashire; [23971]

  (4) what steps she will take to ensure that the Ormskirk hospital is not closed down by the health service review in Southport, Formby and West Lancashire; [24444]

  (5) what considerations led the health service review in Southport, Formby and West Lancashire to come to its decision; and what weight was given to the evidence (a) in support and (b) against the decision making; [24442]

  (6) for what reasons the health service review in Southport, Formby and West Lancashire's conclusions are based on current service and not on the proposed service. [24443]

  Mr. Malone
  The Sefton and South Lancashire health authorities commissioned a review of health services in the Southport and Ormskirk areas. When the health authorities concerned have considered the report and Sir Duncan Nichol's observations on it, their proposals will be the subject of public consultation. As these proposals may be referred eventually to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for decision, it would not be appropriate for Ministers to comment at this stage.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of her Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23962]

  Mr. Sackville
  The following non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department of Health are:

  Subject to scrutiny by the Ombudsmen:
  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work.
  Standing Committee on Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education.
  Public Health Laboratory Service Board.

  Subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office:
  Public Health Laboratory Service Board.
  National Biological Standards Board.
  National Radiological Protection Board.
  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work.
  United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.
  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.
  Standing Committee on Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education.

  Subject to scrutiny by the Audit Commission:
  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.

  Subject to scrutiny by other monitoring officers
  The Department of Health's internal auditors have access to all the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department of Health (as listed in Public Bodies, 1994).
  97
  The following non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department of Health are covered by citizens charters:
  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
  Standing Committee on Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education.

  Performance indicators apply in the following non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department of Health:

  Public Health Laboratory Service Board.

  National Biological Standards Board.

  National Radiological Protection Board.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

  Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work.

  English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.

  None of the members of non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department of Health are subject to surcharge.

  Child Care
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will place in the Library a copy of her report to the European Commission on child care services and facilities; [23725]

  (2) if her report for the European Commission on child care services and facilities will have separately identifiable sections on Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the regions of England. [23727]

  Mr. Bowis
  At the end of March 1995, the European Commission asked member states to complete a questionnaire on the European Council's recommendation on child care, 92/241/EEC. This requests a response from the United Kingdom as a whole rather than from its constituent parts. This is currently being considered within relevant departments.

  Cross Infection (Prevention)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the guidelines to hospitals to ensure prevention of cross infection; what steps exist to ensure other hospitals are made aware of problems that may arise; and if she will make a statement. [23949]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health recognised the need for revised advice on the control of infection in hospitals and issued guidance prepared by a joint Department of Health and Public Health Laboratory Service working group, under cover of HSG(95)10, copies of which are available in the Library. The guidance includes advice on communications with other relevant hospitals.

  London Ambulance Service
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will state, subsequent to the demise of the South Thames regional health authority, which body or person other than the national health service executive or herself is responsible for the policy of the London ambulance service. [23870]

  Mr. Sackville
  This will depend on the outcome on any application for trust status for the London ambulance service.

  Burnley General Hospital Ophthalmology Department
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will call for a report on the recent incident in Burnley General hospital ophthalmology department in which three people lost an eye; and if she will make a statement. [23948]

  Mr. Sackville
  We are satisfied that Burnley Health Care National Health Service trust took all the necessary measures to deal with this regrettable incident promptly and effectively. An investigation by the Medical Devices Agency is currently taking place.

  Research Work Force Capacity
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress her Department is making with its initiative on research work force capacity; when it plans to publish reports of the work it has commissioned; and if she will place copies of relevant reports in the Library when they are completed. [24140]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department of Health, through the research and development division, has commissioned a number of small-scale projects to provide a systematic description to current problems in ensuring that there is an appropriate research work force to take forward R and D initiatives in the field of health and social care. The information collected is now being used to inform the preparation of a co-ordinated strategy on research work force capacity.

  The reports of these complementary projects were produced as working documents for discussion at a workshop with the researchers involved. Following the workshop, further work drawing on the reports and the subsequent discussion was undertaken on one particular study. This report by SCPR—social and community policy research—is now being prepared for publication and will be available shortly. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  Edgware and Barnet Hospitals
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the joint transport working party dealing with transport links between Edgware and Barnet hospitals first met. [24475]

  Mr. Sackville
  A meeting of officials from the Departments of Health and Transport is being arranged.

  GPs (Out-of-hours Work)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health from what source the proposed offer to GPs for out-of-hours work will be funded. [24141]

  Mr. Malone
  Our proposals will be funded from moneys voted by Parliament.

  Research
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the research programmes funded by her Department which were in progress on 1 January, with(a) the title of the programme, (b) the location of the research team, (c) the name of the director, (d) the start and end dates of the contract for the programme, (e) the actual or planned amount of funding each year and (f) whether the question of renewal of the contract is being

  99
  or has been considered and, if so, the outcome of any decision made or whether negotiations are still under way. [24143]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department of Health has arrangements with 13 universities for long-term research programmes: these are listed in annexe C of the report "Centrally Commissioned Research Programme", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Peer review by site visit to all units was completed last year. The outcome of all the visits was favourable and directors have been informed that departmental funding will continue for a further five years after the expiry of their current contracts.

  In addition to its long-term funding, the Department currently has in the region of 230 contracts for individual research projects.

  Annual Reports
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will instruct(a) the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, (b) the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment and (c) the Clinical Standards Advisory Group to lay an annual report before Parliament. [24177]

  Mr. Sackville
  There are no plans to introduce legislation to make any of these statutory bodies lay an annual report before Parliament.

  The recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation are subject to ministerial acceptance and are published biennially in the memorandum, "Immunisation against infectious disease". The memorandum is published by HMSO and provided to all doctors throughout the United Kingdom; copies are placed in the Library. Advice produced by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment is always made available to the public and is available in the Library. The results of studies undertaken by the Clinical Standards Advisory Group are published by HMSO and are available in the Library.

  Hospital Building Costs
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the estimated costs of building a new maternity unit at(a) Ormskirk hospital and (b) Southport hospital. [24445]

  Mr. Sackville
  The cost will depend on proposals for the future pattern of services, as determined by the health service review in South Lancashire and Sefton, which will be the subject of full public consultation.

  NHS Failures
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from Sir Donald Acheson calling for a royal commission to investigate failures in the NHS; and if she will make a statement. [24220]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Waiting Times
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to set a maximum time that a patient should wait on a trolley. [24142]
  100
  Mr. Sackville
  The patients charter for England sets a new national standard for patients waiting to be admitted to a hospital bed from an accident and emergency department. From 1 April 1995, once a doctor has decided that a patient should be admitted, the patient can expect to be given a bed as soon as possible and certainly within three to four hours. The standard will be improved to two hours from April 1996.

  Hospital Closures
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average time it has taken in the last year for her to make a decision on the closure of a hospital after the final plans and proposals have been submitted by the regional health authority. [19801]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 21 April 1995]: Decisions on closure of a hospital have been referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on three occasions in the last year. Plans in Sunderland for the closure of Havelock hospital, the royal infirmary and the Ryhope general hospital and for the transfer of their services to the Sunderland district general hospital and the Sunderland eye infirmary were received from the Northern regional health authority on 15 December 1994 and the decision was announced on 22 February 1995. Plans to close the Brook hospital, change the use of the Greenwich district hospital and develop new services at the Queen Elizabeth military hospital were submitted by South Thames regional health authority on 16 March 1995 and announced on 4 April. Plans to bring together the general and specialist services managed by the Royal Hospitals National Health Service trust on the Royal London Whitechapel site and to close over time the London chest hospital and most of the St. Bartholomew's hospital site were submitted to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 23 March and the decision was announced on 4 April.

WALES

  Telephones
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what representations his Department has made to the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the need for legislation to prevent the cloning of mobile telephones; [23474]

  (2) what costs his Department has incurred during the last 12 months as a result of cloning of mobile telephones being utilised by his Department, with particular reference to the making of unauthorised calls. [23483]

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: None.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of Sate for Wales what steps his Department has taken to prevent the cloning of telephones being utilised by his Department; and if his Department has discussed this matter with any official agencies. [23460]

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: We are considering the possibility of making greater use of digital phones which are not susceptible to cloning and are discussing this issue with official agencies.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many mobile telephones being utilised by
  101
  his Department have been cloned during the last 12 months. [23433]

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: One.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what use his Department makes of hand-held car-based mobile telephones; what were the costs for each financial year of these services since mobile telephones were first introduced to his Department; and how many mobile telephones are currently in use. [23443]

  Mr. Redwood
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Mobile phones are issued to Ministers and key personnel for urgent business communications. For safety reasons mobile phones are also available to travelling officers.

  Total costs for the last three financial years are:

  1992–93: £22,289.98

  1993–94: £50,353.32

  1994–95: £48,664.90

  One hundred and forty-eight mobile phones are currently in use.

  Surplus Accommodation
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the Welsh Office accommodation which is surplus to its needs, identifying for rented properties the remaining length of the lease and the annual rental for each. [23724]

  Mr. Redwood
  Welsh Office accommodation is part of the common user estate, which is the responsibility of Property Holdings. There may be spare space available within individual buildings but the Welsh Office has no accommodation surplus to its needs. It is my policy to concentrate all of the central Welsh Office staff in Cathays Park. As this happens, other accommodation will be disposed of.

  Child Care
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the information relevant to Wales prepared for the European Commission on child care services and facilities in the United Kingdom. [23726]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23954]

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright) on 25 April,Official Report, column 514. None of the members of these bodies is liable to surcharge.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all other non-departmental public bodies set up with effect from the same time as the Countryside Council for Wales; and if he will list which of them have had financial management and policy reviews(a) commenced and (b) completed. [24386]
  102
  Mr. Redwood
  No other executive non-departmental public bodies were established at the same time as the Countryside Council for Wales.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions action plans relating to non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have been published during the course of a bank holiday weekend; and if he will list those NDPBs involved and the dates concerned during the past four years. [24382]

  Mr. Redwood
  The action plan for the Countryside Council for Wales was published on Saturday 6 May 1995. Action plans are published at the earliest possible opportunity. No other publication date within the past four years has coincided with a public bank holiday.

  Countryside Council for Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the grade of the civil servant who carried out financial management and policy review of the Countryside Council for Wales and the department or section to which he is attached, when not carrying out FMPRs. [24383]

  Mr. Redwood
  Grade 7. The officer was employed on various duties before undertaking the review. Other senior managers were consulted on the review and a wide range of views was canvassed.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a copy of the financial management policy review of the Countryside Council for Wales carried out by his Department. [24385]

  Mr. Redwood
  The financial management policy review of the Countryside Council for Wales was overtaken by the review of the council's functions which I announced in response to the question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Conwy (Sir Wyn Roberts) on 3 November,Official Report, column 1329. The action plan resulting from that review has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the financial management policy review of the Countryside Council for Wales was commended; how long the review took to complete; and what was the total cost to public funds of the review. [24384]

  Mr. Redwood
  The financial management policy review of the Countryside Council for Wales was overtaken by the review of the council's functions which I announced in response to the question by my right hon. Friend the Member for Conwy (Sir Wyn Roberts) on 3 November 1994,Official Report, column 1329. The review started on 5 April 1994 and consultations on the action plan are continuing. The cost of staff allocated full-time to the work was about £23,000. They would have been performing other duties within the Welsh Office if they had not been doing this task.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with local authorities prior to the publishing of his Department's action plans on the Countryside Council for Wales. [24381]

  Mr. Redwood
  The action plan was drawn up in consultation with the Countryside Council for Wales. I am currently consulting local authority associations in Wales seeking their views on the proposals in the plan which could affect their members.

  South and East Wales Ambulance Trust
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the South and East Wales ambulance trust concerning the dismissal of the board director responsible for personnel; and if he will make a statement. [24281]

  Mr. Redwood
  None. This is a matter for the trust.

  NHS Trust Annual Accounts
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what guidelines he has issued to NHS trusts with regard to the availability to the public of the last published set of annual accounts at convenient places; and what proposals he has to issue further guidelines. [24387]

  Mr. Redwood
  NHS trusts are required to prepare an annual report under schedule 2(7) of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990. Either the full or an abridged version of the annual accounts must be included within the body of the report. The report must be made available to the public free of charge, be published prior to the annual general meeting, the advertisements for which must state how copies can be obtained and be placed in the Library of the House.

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest available figures for the numbers of people in Blaenau Gwent constituency who are in(a) part-time and (b) full-time employment. [24291]

  Mr. Redwood
  According to the 1991 census of employment, there were 4,800 part-time and 14,800 full-time employees in Blaenau Gwent constituency in September 1991.

  Trust Appointments
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce the non-executive members of the boards of the NHS trusts in Wales which became operational on 1 April; what assessment he has made of the impact on the operations of those trusts which have been without boards since 1 April; and if he will make a statement. [24283]

  Mr. Redwood
  I hope to make an announcement shortly.
  104
  I have received no reports of operational difficulties in trusts established on 1 April 1995.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many NHS trusts had the appointment of their non-executive board members announced(a) before 1 April, (b) before 15 April, (c) before 30 April and (d) later in each year in which trusts have became operational in Wales. [24279]

  Mr. Redwood
  Prior to 1 April 1995, appointments of non-executive board members were announced for 23 of the 24 established NHS trusts before their operational date on 1 April. Board non-executive members were appointed to the remaining trust later in the year.

  Car Leasing
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he has issued to NHS trusts concerning the purchase or leasing of cars for executive board members; what proposals he has for the issuing of further guidelines; and what representations he has received concerning the controls on car leasing contracts for board members. [24282]

  Mr. Redwood
  I have not issued guidance to NHS trusts concerning the purchase or leasing of cars for executive board members. However, as set out in the code of conduct and accountability, proper stewardship of public moneys requires all NHS boards to achieve value for money. No representations have been received recently.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many executive board members of NHS trusts in Wales have been(a) disciplined formally and (b) dismissed for breaches of the code of conduct in relation to executive car leasing arrangements. [24280]

  Mr. Redwood
  The information is not available centrally. This is a matter for individual NHS trusts.

  Pay Rates
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about rates of pay in(a) the Blaenau Gwent constituency, (b) the rest of Wales and (c) the United Kingdom. [24313]

  Mr. Redwood
  Rates of pay vary widely, depending on the type of work, the level of skill involved and what the employer can afford. Outside the south-east in the UK, there is little evidence to suggest that, for the same job, they vary greatly from area to area.

  NATO Enlargement
  NATO Enlargement
  NATO and Counter-Proliferation
  NATO and Counter-Proliferation
  NATO: US Participation
  NATO: US Participation
  US Arms Sales to European States Initiative
  US Arms Sales to European States Initiative
  NATO: Member States' Agreement to Military Deployments
  NATO: Member States' Agreement to Military Deployments
  NATO and OSCE
  NATO and OSCE
  OSCE: Role
  OSCE: Role
  Chernobyl: Closure
  Chernobyl: Closure
  VAT: Seventh Directive
  VAT: Seventh Directive
  Private Finance Panel
  Private Finance Panel
  National Insurance Holiday Scheme
  National Insurance Holiday Scheme
  Lloyd's: Powers of Secretary of State
  Lloyd's: Powers of Secretary of State
  Internet Publication of Environmental Information
  Internet Publication of Environmental Information