Written Answers of 17 May 1995

DEFENCE

  Nuclear-powered Submarines
  Mr. Hicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the availability of docking facilities for nuclear-powered submarines. [25183]

  Mr. Freeman
  We are currently assessing the availability of the facilities for docking RN nuclear-powered submarines, taking into account nuclear safety requirements and latest estimates of the time the submarines will need to spend in dry dock. The assessment is concerned only with existing facilities and does not involve consideration of future refitting facilities needed for Vanguard class submarines.

  Two factors have led to the need for this work. First, an on-going survey of existing docking facilities at both Rosyth and Devonport, taking into account increasingly stringent nuclear safety practices, has identified a requirement for improvements to be made to some facilities. Secondly, in addition to delays arising from this work, the time which some nuclear-powered submarines need to spend in dock during refit has increased, typically by about three months.

  We are therefore considering ways of limiting the resulting disruption to the docking programme for nuclear-powered submarines, including the possibility of deferring the ending of nuclear work at Rosyth which was previously planned for 1997. The assessment will include discussions with both the nuclear regulatory authorities and the dockyard companies. No decisions have yet been taken.

  Defence Agency
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will be renewing investment decisions on(a) the replacement or enhancement of all three services' individual computer systems and (b) the establishment of a new Army personnel centre in Glasgow following the Bett study report. [23701]

  Mr. Soames
  Harmonisation of all defence administrative computer systems is a departmental aim arising from the "Front Line First" studies. In the case of personnel administration and pay systems, Mr. Bett has recommended that the harmonisation process should be undertaken by a defence agency, which should be set up within three years. He envisaged that it might then take about five years to develop a fully integrated personnel administration and pay system to operate across the services. We shall be examining this recommendation carefully in consultation with the services. In the meantime, our plans for the creation of the Army personnel centre in Glasgow are not inconsistent with the 230
  ultimate creation of a defence agency and we are proceeding with them.

  Investment decisions on replacement or enhancement of the services' existing systems will take fully into account the need for harmonisation.

  Dartmouth Royal Regatta
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the guardships which have attended the port of Dartmouth royal regatta in each of the last 15 years; and which ship will be on guard at the August 1995 regatta. [24737]

  Mr. Soames
  The following ships have attended the port of Dartmouth royal regatta during the last 15 years:

  1980: Diomede and Alfriston

  1981: Alfriston

  1982: Alfriston

  1983: Achilles

  1984: Euryalus

  1985: Diomede

  1986: Hermione

  1987: Plymouth

  1988: Avenger

  1989: Cardiff

  1990: Active

  1991: Battleaxe

  1992: Sirius

  1993: Battleaxe

  1994: Battleaxe

  Regrettably, there will not be a ship available to attend the 1995 Dartmouth royal regatta due to other operational commitments, and the number required for additional official duties during August, principally as a result of the VJ day commemorations.

  Service Bases
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all Navy, Royal Air Force and Army bases which have been sold in the last two financial years and the buyers. [24549]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 3 May,Official Report, columns 234–37, to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice).

  Tornados
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many RAF Tornado sorties have flown to the United Kingdom on exercise from their base at RAF Bruggen in the latest 12-month period for which figures are available. [23860]

  (2) how many Tornados have participated in training sorties flown from their base in RAF Bruggen to the United Kingdom in the latest 12-month period for which figures are available. [23861]

  Mr. Soames
  RAF Bruggen Tornados flew 2,718 sorties to the United Kingdom between 1 May 1994 and 30 April 1995. Records are not maintained in such a way as to identify the purpose of each flight.

  Old Sarum Airfield
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many bids he received for the freehold of Old Sarum airfield; and when he will announce his decision. [24546]
  231
  Mr. Soames
  In all, four tenders were received. One of them has been accepted and the successful party was notified in writing on 10 May.

  Early Retirement Packages
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the

  £

  Annual compensation payment to age 60(rate pa)

  Superannuation lump sum

  Lump sum compensation payment

  Compensation in lieu of notice (if any)

  1990–91

  Compulsory

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Flexible

  20,738.68

  56,618.79

  —

  —

  1991–92

  Compulsory

  4,071.45

  11,383.07

  6,935.42

  —

  Flexible

  10,428.50

  29,935.88

  —

  —

  1992–93

  Compulsory

  8,809.23

  26,238.43

  1,447.29

  —

  Flexible

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993–94

  Compulsory

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Flexible

  35,879.38

  102,324.52

  —

  —

  1994–95

  Compulsory

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Flexible

  30,703.19

  84,945.71

  —

  —

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to publish his Green Paper proposing reforms to the legal aid system in England and Wales. [25187]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor has today published a Green Paper, "Legal Aid—Targeting Need, The Future of Publicly Funded Help in Solving Legal Problems and Disputes in England and Wales". I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Ponsonby Rule
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many objections have been registered by right hon. and hon. Members under the Ponsonby rule procedures, for instruments of ratification laid before Parliament in a Command Paper in the miscellaneous series in each year since 1979; and if he will indicate the resolution of the objection in each case. [24398]

  Mr. Baldry
  I know of none.

  Subsidiarity
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit Spain and Germany to assess the value of devolved government and subsidiarity; and if he will make a statement. [24060]
  232
  individual value of each (a) compulsory early retirement and (b) flexible early retirement package received by civil servants leaving his Department on the ground of limited efficiency in each of the last five years. [22082]

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

  Mr. David Davis
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary hopes to discuss subsidiarity—the relationship between member states and the European Union—when he has talks with the German Foreign Minister on 26 May, and when he visits Spain under the Spanish presidency of the European Union. Devolution is an entirely separate issue, as all EU Heads of State or Government recognised at the 1992 Birmingham European Council:
  "it is for each Member State to decide how its powers should be exercised domestically".
  Germany and Spain may, however, be interested in the arrangements in Scotland, for example, which has far greater educational and judicial autonomy than any German land or Spanish autonomous community.

  Czech Republic
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the contribution of the growth of independent environmental non-governmental organisations in the Czech Republic to democracy there. [24716]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Independent environment non-governmental organisations in the Czech Republic have helped raise public consciousness both before and after the end of the communist regime in 1989, notably in north Bohemia and Prague, the areas worst affected by environmental damage. Together with other independent groups, they have made a positive contribution to the growth of democracy.
  233

  Spain
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much subsidy has been given to Spain in each of the last three years from the European Community for infrastructure; and what is the forecast of funding to Spain for each of the next three years. [24685]

  Mr. David Davis
  It is not possible to give a global figure for Spanish receipts from the European Community for infrastructure, but I will write to the hon. Member with a breakdown of the figures he requests.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  British Gas (Streetworks)
  Mr. Thurnham: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assurances he has received from the chairman of British Gas regarding the impact of the company's streetworks on small business. [25131]
  Mr. Eggar
  I have received a letter from Richard V. Giordano, KBE, chairman of British Gas plc, the text of which says:
  "Thank you for your letter of 28 April regarding possible disruption caused by British Gas in undertaking streetworks. British Gas takes a great deal of care to ensure that disruption caused by streetworks is kept to a minimum and has a liability under the 1986 Gas Act to compensate for physical damage caused directly by those works. Following our recent discussions and the Standing Committee debate, we have been giving further careful consideration to the question of economic loss caused to small businesses in exceptional circumstances of prolonged streetworks disruption.In order to minimise the risk of such disruption, TransCo is revising its existing Code of Practice in respect of communication and co-operation with owners of commercial premises. In particular, TransCo will identify the nature of the work, explain why it is necessary, the anticipated start date and the likely duration. TransCo will subsequently discuss, with individual business owners, issues including vehicular access, customer access, special notices and any special requirements.In those exceptional cases where small businesses suffer severe and clearly established loss of business over a prolonged period as a direct result of streetworks carried out by British Gas or its agents, British Gas will give sympathetic consideration to claims in respect of financial loss, on an ex-gratia basis. However, such payments would clearly be inappropriate in respect of escape-related or other emergency works.For indicative purposes British Gas would regard a business with a turnover of less than £500,000 per annum (in constant 1995 price terms) as a "small business" and streetworks over a period exceeding four weeks as a "prolonged period".Payment of ex-gratia compensation would be subject to the Director General of Gas Supply providing British Gas with reasonable assurance that such payments will be taken into account in any review of applicable price controls.I am also concerned that gas should not be unduly disadvantaged vis-a-vis competing fuels and would ask you to take this into account when considering the position of other relevant networks.I believe that this undertaking, together with TransCo's revised Code of Practice, demonstrates our continued commitment to high levels of performance in relation to streetworks and a responsive approach to the concerns of the small business community"234
  This undertaking from British Gas, to which the Government expect it to adhere, in the spirit as well as the letter, will address the concerns raised by my hon. Friend in a practical and appropriate way.

  Berkshire
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the implications for the business community of the proposed division of Berkshire into six unitary authorities. [24537]

  Mr. Eggar
  The potential benefits of unitary authorities include cost-effective service delivery, reduced bureaucracy and clear accountability. These benefits will accrue to the business community, among others.

  Nuclear Electric
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what provisions Nuclear Electric has made for decommissioning of Magnex power stations in each year since 1990; and what estimate his Department has made of the provisons that will be outstanding if Magnox stations are transferred to a separate public sector company in 1996. [24574]

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the annual reports and accounts of Nuclear Electric, available in the Library of the House. The estimated provisions outstanding, if Magnox stations are transferred to a separate public sector company in 1996, will be published in the accounts of that company.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is the current value of investments made by Nuclear Electric to cover decommissioning costs; and what value his Department estimates such investments will have at the end of 1996; [24571]

  (2) what cash balance Nuclear Electric has accumulated in the national loans fund at the end of each financial year form 1990–91 to 1994–95; and what balance his Department expects by the end of 1996. [24573]

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the annual reports and accounts of Nuclear Electric, available in the Library of the House. Information for future years will be published in the accounts of the various companies for those years.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [24331]

  Mr. Page
  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.

  British Coal Land
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will advise British Coal to refrain from seeking to dispose of land for development and to seek the removal of land from the green belt where the planning authority and the local community wish that classification to be maintained. [24199]
  235
  Mr. Page
  The disposal of British Coal property is a matter for the corporation, which is currently considering the detailed options for the transfer of its land holdings, including those with development potential, out of its ownership.

  The designation of any land for green belt purposes is not a matter for British Coal.

  National Lottery
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the chairman of the Post Office about its policy of paying for the television advertising of national lottery instant scratch cards; what steps he has taken to ensure that Camelot contributes towards the cost of this advertising; and if he will make a statement. [24117]

  Mr. Page
  Commercial arrangements between the Post Office and its clients are a matter for the board.

  Companies House
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the total(a) set-up and (b) recurrent annual costs of the Companies House Cardiff contracting out team; how many civil servants are allocated to it and on what grade they are established; when it was set-up; and for how long he estimates the work of this team will continue; [23980]

  (2) if he will list the total (a) set-up and (b) recurrent annual costs of the Companies House London contracting directorate; how many civil servants are allocated to it and on what grade they are established; when it was set-up; arid for how long he estimates the work of this directorate will continue. [23979]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answers 15 May 1995]: Companies House contracting directorate was set up following my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade's announcement on 20 December 1994, Official Report, column 1046, to implement the contracting out of the London Edinburgh and English satellite offices. At present the directorate comprises of:
  1 part time grade 5, 2 grade 7, 1 higher executive officer (D), 1 executive officer, 1 personal secretary and 1 administrative assistant.

  It is also planned to recruit another HEO.

  The Cardiff-based contracting team presently comprises: one G7, one EO and one AA. The team was set up at the beginning of April. It is envisaged that both teams will remain in place until the completion of the contracting out programme.

  The target is to have contractors in place by the end of March 1996. The estimated staff costs for the contracting directorate are £45,000 in financial year 1994–95 and £273,000 in financial year 1995–96. The staff costs for the Cardiff team fall in 1995–96 and are likely to be in the region of £70,000. There will be further costs of contract monitoring and management but it is not possible to specify these at this stage.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) who commissioned the report "Deregulation Now" published by his Department on 21 March; [24000]
  236
  (2) how the membership of the Anglo-German working party on deregulation was determined; who appointed its members; and what are the political affiliations of each of the British members; [24001]

  (3) how often the Anglo-German working party on deregulation met; and what resources were available to it to undertake research; [24002]

  (4) what parts of the report of the Anglo-German working party on deregulation have not been accepted as his policy; [24003]

  (5) what was the cost of setting up, running and publishing the report of the Anglo-German working party on deregulation; how much of these costs were met from public funds; to what extent the Health and Safety Commission was consulted over the health and safety section of the report; and if he will place a copy of its response in the Library; [24004]

  (6) which British organisations (a) submitted evidence to the Anglo-German working party on deregulation, (b) were consulted on it and (c) provided staff on research facilities for it; [24005]

  (7) what is the constitutional position of a policy document when its contents are not all Government policy, with particular reference to the report of the Anglo-German working party on deregulation from a Government Department submitted to the European Union; [24006]

  (8) what relative weight his Department gives to the differing conclusions on health and safety regulation of the Anglo-German working party on deregulation and his own authorised review of UK health and safety regulations; [24008]

  (9) how much public money was paid in disbursements or remuneration to members of the Anglo-German working party on deregulation; and if he will place in the Library an itemised list detailing to whom such money were paid. [24010]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The report of the independent group of Anglo-German business men was commissioned by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and Chancellor Kohl at the Anglo-German summit in April 1994. Members of the group were appointed by their respective Governments, with United Kingdom members being drawn from the deregulation task force. Apart from the right hon. Francis Maude, I am not aware of the political affiliations of any other UK member of the group.

  The group met twice and had access to a small team of UK and German officials who provided secretariat support. Assistance and research facilities were drawn from members' own organisations. Group members conducted independent consultations, collected evidence from sectoral representative bodies and their own organisations.

  The report has the status of independent advice from senior business men to Government, and is not a policy document from either the UK or German Governments. I am currently consulting other Whitehall Departments, and the Health and Safety Commission, on their specific recommendations. The UK's share of publication, distribution and related costs totalled £25,240. Members of the group received no remuneration from public funds.

  237
  Travel and subsistence expenses totalling £2,930 were met for the five UK members of the group who are listed in the groups's report "Deregulation Now", which is available in the Library of the House.

  Nigeria (Military Equipment)
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 10 May,Official Report, columns 517–18, if he will list the goods that fall under each category in the military list of the Export of Goods (Control) Order. [24663]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Export of Goods (Control) Orders contain the details of each of the categories of goods which are controlled. The orders are placed in the Library of the House on the date that they are published. Recent orders' dates of publication are as follows:EGCO 1989—14 February 1990; EGCO 1991—31 December 1990; EGCO 1992—31 December 1992; EGCO 1994—25 May 1994.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Official Report
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what conclusions the House of Commons Commission has reached about the future pricing of the Official Report following the adjournment debate on 3 April.

  Mr. Beith
  I am pleased to advise the hon. Member that agreement has been reached with HMSO for a reduction in the price of the Weekly Hansard from its present level of £22 to £12. This will enable purchasers to obtain Hansard at a price equivalent to £2.40 per sitting day, while for public libraries, which can take advantage of the Government discount scheme provided for in class XVIII, vote 5 of the supply estimates, the price will be equivalent to £1.20 per sitting day. Following advice from the Administration Committee, this price reduction has been endorsed by the House of Commons Commission and will take effect when the House returns after the late spring adjournment. It has been made possible by the computerisation of production in the Department of the Official Report, and will be achieved at no additional cost to the House.

  Discussions are continuing on a new, long-term agreement with HMSO for the printing and publication of the different categories of House documents. The results of these discussions are expected to be submitted to the Commission later this year. In the meantime, there will be no change in the price of the daily Hansard.

TREASURY

  Central Statistical Office
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what key targets have been set for the Central Statistical Office for 1995–96. [25038]
  238
  Mr. Nelson
  The Central Statistical Office's key targets for 1995–96 are set out in "CSO Programme Strategies 1995–98", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. As before, these targets cover the timeliness of published statistics, the size of revisions, the coherence of key economic statistics, the response rates for statistical inquiries, action to minimise the load on respondents, response times to public requests for information and the CSO's running costs, efficiency improvements and receipts. A number of the targets have been tightened for 1995–96 in recognition of the continuing improvements in the CSO's performance.

  European Monetary Institute
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Bank of England has now invested in the EMI in Frankfurt. [22448]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: I refer to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Llanelli (Mr. Davies) on 6 February, Official Report, column 63. The position is unchanged since that reply was given.

  Tax Bands
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish estimates for the revenue cost in 1995–96, 1996–97 and for a full year of extending the 20 per cent, tax band by(a) £1,000, (b) £2,500, (c) £5,000, (d) £7,500, (e) £10,000, (f) £12,500, (g) £15,000, (h) £17,500 and (i) £20,000. [23352]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]Available estimates are as follows:

  Increasing the lower rate band by: £

  Full year revenue cost at 1995–96 levels1 £ billion

  1,000

  1.0

  2,500

  2.3

  5,000

  4.2

  7,500

  5.6

  10,000

  6.8

  12,500

  7.6

  15,000

  8.3

  17,500

  8.7

  20,000

  9.1

  1 The figures include consequential effects on the yield of capital gains tax.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will(a) list the rates of income tax below 25 per cent., and the brands of income in (i) local currency terms and (ii) sterling equivalents, to which they apply, for each OECD country and (b) provide estimates for the number of different tax bands applying in the income tax system of each OECD country; [24368]

  (2) if he will update the answer to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) of 28 October 1993, Official Report, column 749, and list the rates of income tax over 25 per cent., and the bands of income, in (a) local currency terms and (b) sterling equivalents, to which they apply, for each OECD country. [24369]
  239
  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 16 May 1995]: The information requested in the two questions, giving all rates of tax and income bands for each OECD country, has been placed in the Library of the House.

EMPLOYMENT

  Take-home Pay
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the change in real take-home pay for single wage earners in the bottom 10 per cent. of earnings in the north-east region of England between(a) 1974 and 1979 and (b) 1979 and 1995. [21316]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The real take-home pay for an unmarried man at the bottom 10 per cent. of the full-time male wage distribution in the Northern region increased by 1.2 per cent. or £1.50—in 1993–94 prices—between 1973–74 and 1978–79, and by 17.7 per cent. or £20.50 between 1978–79 and 1993–94.

  Spain
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much subsidy has been given to Spain in each of the last three years from the European Community for employment; and what is the forecast of funding to Spain for each of the next three years. [24682]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not available in the form requested. Amounts committed to Spain from the European social fund to part finance a variety of measures in the field of vocational training and employment in recent years are as follows:

  Period

  Source

  Amount (Mecu)

  1989–1993

  Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5b

  4,151.00

  1991–1993

  Community Initiatives

  152.19

  1994–1996

  Objective 2

  259.90

  1994–1999

  Objective 1, 3, 4

  7,890.00

  A commitment of 664 mecu has also been made to Spain for objective 5b across all the structural funds, but information on the proportion that will be committed to ESF activities is not held. Information on community initiatives over the period from 1994 is not yet available.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Africa
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government intend to provide to Africa through(a) bilateral channels and (b) multilateral channels over the next three years. [23795]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 15 May 1995]: Over the next three years, we plan to provide over £900 million of development assistance to Africa, including the middle east, through our bilateral programme. In addition to this, certain low-income, credit-worthy countries in Africa are eligible for assistance under the aid and trade provision.
  240
  We will continue to provide emergency assistance in Africa, as needs arise.

  It is not possible to provide planning figures for our contribution to Africa through multilateral institutions. We estimate our share will be around £2 billion based on past experience.

EDUCATION

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many chief education officers are currently employed in Berkshire; and how many she expects will be employed when the proposed reorganisation of local government has been completed. [24532]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Under section 88 of the Education Act 1994, each local education authority has to have a chief education officer. Berkshire has one. Following reorganisation, each new LEA in the Berkshire area will have one.

  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on the expected provision, quality and accountability of education services in the Reading urban area when that area is governed by three education authorities under the proposed reorganisation of local government in Berkshire. [24534]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Government's aim in reorganising local government is to improve cost-effectiveness and the quality and co-ordination of local services. The role of local education authorities will not change specifically as a result of the reorganisation of local government. It will be for the new LEAs to play their part in ensuring that the education service is run at least as effectively as now.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education for how many schools and pupils each of the proposed unitary authorities in England will have responsibility. [24583]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is not yet available.

  University Lecturers
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the difference in levels of pay for lecturers in the old and new universities in 1988–89; and what is the difference currently. [24379]

  Mr. Boswell
  Lecturers in the old universities were paid on average £37.10 per week more in April 1989 and £48.80 per week more in April 1994 than those in former local authority further and higher education. It is not possible to give a separate figure for new universities from the "New Earnings Survey".

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is her estimate of the net annual saving, or cost, of her Department's submission for the proposed White Paper on the rural economy. [24330]
  241
  Mr. Forth
  Proposals for the 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.

  Professors
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many professors there were in the(a) old and (b) new universities for 1988–89; and how many there are currently. [24380]

  Mr. Boswell
  In the academic year 1988–89 there were 3,442 full-time staff at professorial grade in English former University Funding Council-funded universities. The comparable figure for 1992–93 was 4,391.

  In the former PCFC-funded English polytechnics granted university status, there were 3,614 wholly institution financed full-time academic staff at principal lecturer grade, and some 925 full-time academic staff graded above principal lecturer in the academic year 1992–93. Data for 1988–89 were not collected centrally.

  University Promoted Posts
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many promoted posts there were in the(a) old and (b) new universities for 1988–89; and how many there are currently. [24378]

  Mr. Boswell
  Data on promoted posts are not available centrally.

  Student Dependency Grant
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many students in receipt of dependency grant last year were(a) women and (b) men; [24591]

  (2) how many students in receipt of dependency grant last year were married; [24592]

  (3) how many students last year received dependency grant; and at what cost to the Exchequer. [24590]

  Mr. Boswell
  Provisional figures for the academic year 1993–94 show that 27,000 mandatory award holders resident in England and Wales received dependants' allowances. The gross value of these allowances was £55 million. Since these allowances are means-tested, the cost to the Exchequer will have been less that this amount.

  Information on the marital status or gender of students in receipt of dependants' allowances is not collected centrally.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will bring forward regulations to ensure that women students with dependent children do not lose their entitlement to dependency grant when they marry. [24589]

  Mr. Boswell
  Under the Education (Mandatory Awards) Regulations, the additional allowance to the student's grant which can be made for children who are 242
  wholly or mainly financially dependent on him or her will continue after marriage if the children remain his or her dependants.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Complaints
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what policy and procedure exists for dealing with complaints against central Government Departments by members of the public; when each Department last updated its policy; what time limit and target for dealing with complaints by members of the public exists for each central Government Department; and what follow-up procedure exists where complainants against each central Government Department are not satisfied with the Department's response to a complaint. [23715]

  Mr. Horam
  Each central Government Department is responsible for its own policy and procedure for handling complaints. The information requested is not held centrally.

  Any member of the public who is dissatisfied with how a Department has dealt with his complaint may ask a Member of Parliament to submit his complaint to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration for investigation and review.

  Departmental Performance
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what performance indicators there are for measuring the performance of central Government Departments in answering letters from members of the public; what is each Government Department's target for answering letters; how performance is monitored by each Government Department; and what is the performance against the target set by each Government Department. [23717]

  Mr. Horam
  Government Departments are responsible for ensuring that their handling of letters from members of the public is effective, and for setting their own targets. Departments and agencies are encouraged to publish such targets in their charter statements as appropriate.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what performance indicators there are for measuring the performance of central Government Departments in answering telephone calls from members of the public; what is each Government Department's target for answering calls; how performance is monitored by each Government Department; and what has been the performance against the target set by each Government Department. [23716]

  Mr. Horam
  It is for individual Departments to decide whether performance standards for answering telephone calls from members of the public should be set, and at what level. Standards may cover all or part of the Department. The monitoring of calls to see whether standards are met, and any resulting management action, is the responsibility of individual Departments. Information on the performance of Government Departments in answering telephone calls is not held centrally and could not be collected without incurring disproportionate cost.
  243

  "People and their Governments in the Information Age"
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on CCTA's participation in the electronic on-line meetings "People and their Governments", organised by the US Administration. [24598]

  Mr. Horam
  "People and Their Governments in the Information Age" was a two-week electronic on-line conference, held on 1 to 14 May, organised by the US Administration using the world-wide web and the Internet. The purpose of the conference was to garner public opinion on the use of information technology by federal, state and local governments.

  I am delighted to report that CCTA, the Government centre for information systems, was the only non-American organisation specifically invited to participate. It did so by establishing an Internet mailbox to facilitate United Kingdom contributions, to be consolidated into a single response.

  In the UK we have had collaborative open groups established on the Internet for the past six months, allowing users to contribute to discussions on a wide range of topics relating to the Government's use of information superhighways. We are exploring ways in which the participation in these debates can be widened.

PRIME MINISTER

  Special Advisers
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the name, former occupation and supervising Minister of each special adviser currently employed from any Government funding source; and if he will list the salary range of such advisers as of 5 May; and if he will make a statement. [24211]

  The Prime Minister
  There are 36 special advisers currently employed by Government Departments; details of their names, former occupations, and Ministers are as follows. For information on the salary range of special advisers I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 28 February 1995,Official Report, columns 484–85.

  The following is the information:

  Name

  Former occupation

  Minister

  K. Adams

  Personal Assistant to the Right Hon. John Gummer

  Secretary of State for the Environment

  P. Barnes

  Management Consultant, Boston Consulting Group

  Secretary of State for Social Security

  J. Bercow

  Director, Rowland Sallingbury Casey

  Chief Secretary

  N. Blackwell

  Partner, McKinsey and Co. Consultants

  Prime Minister

  C. Blunt

  Public Affairs Consultant, PI Political

  Secretary of State for Defence

  Miss A. Broom

  Freelance Political Consultant

  Secretary of State for Employment

  T. Burke*

  Director, Green Alliance

  Secretary of State for Environment

  J. Caine

  Desk Officer, Conservative Research Department

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  T. Collins

  Communications Director, Conservative Central Office

  Prime Minister

  Dr. E. Cottrell

  Assistant Director, Conservative Research Department

  Secretary of State for Education

  244

  Name

  Former occupation

  Minister

  Dr. W. Eltis*

  Director General, National and Economic Development Office

  President of the Board of Trade

  Miss C. Fairbairn

  Strategy Consultant, McKinsey and Co. Consultants

  Prime Minister

  M. Fraser

  Assistant Director, Conservative Research Department

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  A. Hockley

  Economic Adviser, Air Transport Users Council, and Freelance Adviser

  Secretary of State for Health

  Miss S. Hole

  Secretary to Lord Rothschild

  Chief Whip

  M. Izatt

  Research Assistant to Mr. Raymond Robertson MP

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  A. Kemp*

  Owner of ODP Nexus Ltd.

  President of the Board of Trade

  G. Maclay

  Economic Researcher, Pieda plc

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  M. Maclay

  Associate Editor, "The European"

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  R. Marsh

  Writer and Researcher on Environment and Local Government, Conservative Central Office

  Secretary of State for Health

  Ms S. McEwean

  Account Executive Namara Cowan Ltd.

  Lord Privy Seal

  M. McManus

  Desk Officer for Wales, Conservative Central Office

  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

  P. Moman

  Self Employed Consultant and Writer

  Lord President

  L. O'Connor*

  Self Employed Architect

  Secretary of State for the Environment

  Mrs. K. Ramsay

  Desk Officer, Conservative Central Office Research Department

  Prime Minister

  P. Rock

  Assistant Director Conservative Central Office

  Home Secretary

  D. Ruffley

  Solicitor, Clifford Chance

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  D. Rutley

  Business Development Director, Pepsi Cola

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  M. Simmonds

  Researcher, BBC Political Research Unit

  Secretary of State for Transport

  D. Soskin

  Chief Executive of Asquith Courts Schools Ltd

  Prime Minister

  Lady Strathnaver

  Adviser to Right Hon. Michael Heseltine MP

  President of the Board of Trade

  N. True

  Director, Public Policy Unit

  Prime Minister

  Miss A. Warburton

  Private Secretary

  Prime Minister

  Miss R. Whetstone

  Head of Political Section, Conservative Central Office

  Home Secretary

  H. Williams

  Governing Body of Rugby School, also Freelance Journalist and Writer

  Secretary of State for Wales

  S. Williams

  Company Secretary, Williams Lea Group

  Prime Minister

  Note:

  Special advisers fall into two categories, political and those with specialised expertise relevant to their appropriate Secretary of State. The latter are indicated by an asterisk.

TRANSPORT

  Eastleigh Rail Maintenance Ltd.
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the cost of(a) terminating and (b) terminating in perpetuity the contractual commitments relating to intellectual property rights of contractors to Eastleigh Rail Maintenance Ltd. for rolling stock maintenance in order to complete the privatisation contract of Eastleigh Rail Maintenance Ltd.; [24045]
  245
  (2) what action the British Rail Board has taken in respect of the contractual commitments relating to intellectual property rights of contractors to Eastleigh Rail Maintenance Ltd. in order to complete the privatisation contract of Eastleigh Rail Maintenance Ltd.; [24044]

  (3) what plans the British Rail Board has to enter into contractual commitments relating to intellectual property rights as a consequence of the privatisation process of Eastleigh Rail Maintenance Ltd.; [24043]

  (4) what is the cost to the British Rail Board entering into contractual commitments relating to intellectual property rights as a consequence of the privatisation process of Eastleigh Rail Maintenance Ltd. [24042]

  Mr. Watts
  The British Railways Board is taking steps to ensure that the BR Maintenance Ltd. depots, including Eastleigh, are transferred to the private sector with adequate access to intellectual property rights. The terms of sale and purchase contracts, both in relation to such rights and generally, are a matter of commercial confidence between the BR Board and purchasers.

  London-Tilbury-Southend Line
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions over the past 12 months services have been interrupted on the London-Tilbury-Southend line due to broken rail track; and if he will make a statement. [24496]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack informs me that services on the London-Tilbury-Southend line have been affected by broken rails on seven occasions during the past 12 months.

  A303
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 27 March,Official Report, column 510, when he will announce the date for the start of the round-table conference on improvements to the A303 at Stonehenge; and who will be its chairman. [24687]

  Mr. Watts
  I will announce the arrangements for a conference including the name of the chairman later in the year.

  M65 (Protestors)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which contractor was awarded the contract to clear the protestors involved with the M65 extension; what was the cost of the work undertaken; and whether the contract was subject to competitive tendering. [24403]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Joan Walley, dated 17 May 1995:
  Mr. John Watts has asked me to write in reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, which contractor was awarded the contract to clear the protestors involved with the M65 extension; what was the cost of the work undertaken; and whether the contract was subject to competitive tendering.
  I assume your question refers to the eviction of protestors from Stanworth Woods on the line of the M65 which took place between 1 and 5 May. This action was entirely the responsibility of the Under-Sheriff of Lancashire. He was accompanied by teams of bailiffs and specialist climbers. The Under-Sheriff directly recruited these teams and there was no involvement by the Highways Agency.
  246
  The Under-Sheriff will in due course submit a bill to the Treasury Solicitor for the costs he has incurred. The Treasury Solicitor will arrange payment on behalf of the Agency.
  The main contractor for the scheme is the Alfred McAlpine-AMEC joint venture. They employ Group 4 Total Security as a security sub-contractor. In accordance with the Agency's current requirements Group 4 were appointed after quotations were obtained from three security firms. During the eviction process Group 4 guards were present, but took no part in the actual evictions. Their job was merely to keep the site secure after the protestors had been evicted. The cost to the Agency of security and other contractor expenses for the week (but excluding the Under-Sheriff's costs) is estimated at some £100,000.

  Driving Standards Agency
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the full cost of his Department, the Driving Standards Agency and the Treasury of the recent market test of the Driving Standards Agency booking service and list the costs according to consultancies, implementation costs, the establishment of residual functions, accommodation and staffing costs including the costs of redundancies and recruitment; [24426]

  (2) what is his estimate of the short and long-term savings which will be made as a result of the market test of the Driving Standards Agency booking service; [24427]

  (3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the successful bid for the Driving Standards Agency booking service. [24425]

  Mr. Norris
  These are operational matters for the Driving Standards Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from B. L. Herdan to Ms Joan Walley, dated 17 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to the following questions concerning the recent Market Test of the Agency's regional booking service.
  The costs of the market test exercise up to the announcement of the result were: consultancies £76,647 and staff time and effort £148,000. The implementation exercise has commenced but it is too early to assess the actual costs of redundancies, recruitment and the reorganisation of the residual functions.
  The In-House Bid proposals will provide a saving of £1.3 million over the three years of the contract. The anticipated savings over 10 years of implementing the In-House Bid are £5.2 million.
  No. The submission made by the successful bidder contains information which is commercial in confidence.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are employed in the Scottish booking office of the Driving Standards Agency; how many of them will transfer to Newcastle if the office is relocated there; and what will be the cost to the Exchequer of these transfer and of any voluntary redundancy or early retirement packages taken up because of the relocation decision. [24277]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Driving Standards Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from B. L. Herdan to Mr. John McAllion, dated 17 May 1995.
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the staff in the Scottish Booking Office.
  At present 17 staff are employed in the Booking Office in Edinburgh. None of these staff are expected to transfer with the work to the Newcastle office. Local transfers to other Government Department sin the Edinburgh area have already been agreed for 4 staff and similar transfers are being sought for those remaining.

  247
  Two members of staff have sought voluntary early retirement at a total cost of £18,000 compensation. Full estimates of these costs for any remaining staff cannot be given until discussions with other Departments on transfers are complete.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many driving tests were booked through the Scottish booking office of the Driving Standards Agency in each of the past three years; [24275]

  (2) what is the annual cost of running the (a) the Scottish booking office and (b) the Newcastle office of the Driving Standards Agency; and how many driving tests are booked through each office annually; [24278]

  (3) whom he consulted on his proposal to relocate the Scottish booking office of the Driving Standards Agency to Newcastle; how many responses he received as a result; and how many of them supported the relocation. [24276]

  Mr. Norris
  These are operational matters for the Driving Standards Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from B. L. Herdan to Mr. John McAllion, dated 17 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning the relocation of the driving tests booking responsibility in Scotland from Edinburgh to Newcastle.
  The number of applications dealt with by the Agency's Booking Office in Scotland in each of the past three years was, 1992/93 156,594, 1993/94 153,625 and 1994/95 157,004.
  The cost of running the office in Haymarket House, Edinburgh during 1995/96 is £119,008 or £268.58 per m2. This takes account of a rent free first quarter agreed when the Agency moved into the accommodation last year. For 1996/97 this would rise to £134,090 or £302.62 per m2. The cost for Westgate House, Newcastle is £212,182 or £226.93 per m2. These do not include staffing costs.
  The number of driving tests booked through each office varies from year to year. During the period 1 April 1994–31 March 1995 the office in Edinburgh dealt with 157,004 applications, whilst Newcastle dealt with 234,190 applications.
  There is no requirement under the Market Testing guidance to undertake a consultation exercise on proposals in bids. Since the result of the Market Test was announced some 33 items of correspondence have been received opposing the decision; no correspondence has been received supporting the decision.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish his response to the judgment of the Colonel Owen case on compensation for those affected by public works with special reference to motorways; and if he will make a statement. [24364]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave my right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Sir J. Stanley) on 23 March,Official Report, column 317.

  M42
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the date for the conclusion of the public inquiry on the proposed widening of the M42; and if he will make a statement; [24363]

  Mr. Watts
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to reply.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Iain Mills, dated 17 May 1995.
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking
  248
  the Secretary of State for Transport, when he will announce the date for the conclusion of the public inquiry on the proposed widening of the M42; and if he will make a statement.
  The Highways Agency have yet to put forward their recommendations to the Secretary of State on the options for widening following last year's public exhibitions. We are still considering carefully all the issues raised.
  The question of a public inquiry would not arise until the Secretary of State had announced his preferred option and the Agency had published draft Orders for the widening to which statutory objections have been received.

  Roads Programme Director
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of whether all rules relating to outside business appointments have been met following the appointment of the former roads programme director to the company Ove-Arup and Partners; if advice has been sought from the Cabinet Office; and if he will make a statement. [24429]

  Mr. Norris
  The rules relating to outside business appointments were fully complied with prior to the appointment of the former roads programme director to the company Ove-Arup and Partners. The appointment was referred to the Cabinet Office and the relevant trade associations were also content.

  Ferries
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange a trial of the dryshod evacuation of(a) 500, (b) 1,000 and (c) 2,000 passengers from roll on/roll off ferries. [24484]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding reply 16 May 1995]: This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 17 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  HM Coastguard carries out regular ferry exercises. These exercises normally involve the evacuation of large numbers of passengers and crew and their succour ashore.
  Nine such exercises have taken place in the last two years. Further exercises are planned this year, but none of them involve more than 500 "passengers".
  I am considering whether the plans for exercises in future years could include one involving larger numbers of passengers.

  Motorways
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made on the affect on accident levels of(a) motorway lane closures and (b) motorway lighting. [24486]
  249
  Mr. John Watts
  [holding reply for 16 May]: This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from L. Haynes to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 17 May 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made on the affect on accident levels of (a) motorway lane closures and (b) motorway lighting.
  Recent studies have shown that the accident rate at motorway lane closures due to road works is higher than the rate on unrestricted carriageways, although the increased rate is less than on any other category of road. Studies have also shown that lighting can reduce the after dark accident rate on trunk roads and motorways by an average of 30%.
  The Highways Agency seeks to minimise accidents on motorways by applying, amongst other techniques, mandatory 50mph speed limits at roadworks enforced by speed detection cameras, and by providing lighting where appropriate and environmentally acceptable. These measures have met with success, but research and innovation are continuing with a view to improve safety further.

ENVIRONMENT

  Open Spaces
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to ensure the provision of more open spaces in built-up areas; and if he will make a statement. [23207]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We fully recognise the importance of open space for amenity and recreation and our planning policy guidance encourages its provision.

  Council House Sales
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council houses have been sold to sitting tenants in England since May 1979. [23210]

  Mr. Curry
  Over 1.42 million tenants bought their homes from English local authorities and new towns between April 1979 and December 1994.

  Homelessness, Leicester
  Mr. Janner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the number of homeless people in the city of Leicester. [23211]

  Mr. Curry
  A total of 1,305 households were accepted as statutorily homeless by Leicester city council during 1994.

  Construction Industry
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the prospects for the construction industry. [23212]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Construction output increased by 3 per cent. last year. British firms are doing well abroad and industry forecasts point to continuing modest growth this year and in the future.

  Defence Jobs, Dorset
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans his Department has to increase 250
  resources to local government in Dorset to help it to cope with the economic effects of defence job losses. [23213]

  Mr. Curry
  Standard spending assessments use the most up-to-date information available to take account of changes in economic conditions.

  In addition, South Dorset is getting £2.7 million over five years from the single regeneration budget in connection with the closure of the Portland naval base. It is also eligible for KONVER funding.

  Eco-labelling
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about eco-labelling. [23214]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I am pleased to report that since my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment intervened at the October Environment Council over the continuing delays with this European Community scheme, considerable progress has been made. In all, there are eight product groups for which criteria have been established; including soil improvers, tissue paper, kitchen rolls, household detergents, paints, varnishes and lightbulbs, which significantly improves the prospects for a range of eco-labelled goods being available in the shops later this year. Further speedy progress is anticipated.

  Office for London
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he proposes to make the Government Office for London open to public scrutiny. [23215]

  Mr. Gummer
  The Government Office for London is responsible to Ministers, who are answerable to Parliament, in the same way as other parts of the civil service.

  Urban Regeneration, Hackney
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to visit Hackney to discuss urban regeneration with the new council leadership. [23216]

  Mr. Curry
  I visited Hackney 6 March 1995.

  New Houses
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on new housing starts in the latest quarter for which figures are available. [23217]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  There were 30,200 private enterprise housing starts in England in the first quarter of this year.

  City Pride
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend the City Pride initiative. [23218]

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend the City Pride initiative. [23223]
  251
  Mr. Gummer
  Birmingham, London and Manchester have made tremendous progress in pursuing City Pride. We will look at what they have achieved before extending the initiative.

  SSSIs, East Anglia
  Mr. Garrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites of special scientific interest in Norfolk and in Suffolk have been damaged in each of the past five years. [23220]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information requested for years 1989–90 to 1991–92 is as follows:

  Year

  Norfolk

  Suffolk

  1989–90

  2

  7

  1990–91

  2

  4

  1991–92

  7

  3

  These figures do not reflect the on-going and cumulative damage.

  Change were made in 1992 to the method of recording of damage to reflect continuing and cumulative effects. The information for years 1992–93 and 1993–94 reflect this as follows:

  Year

  Norfolk

  Suffolk

  1992–93

  21

  3

  1993–94

  21

  4

  Urban Regeneration
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the total Government spending on regenerating inner cities. [23221]

  Mr. Curry
  Economic, social and physical regeneration is supported through main programme expenditure by several Government Departments. This is supplemented by targeted programmes which have been brought together into the single regeneration budget. The SRB will fund more than £1.3 billion of regeneration work in 1995–96 in inner city and other areas.

  The SRB challenge fund reflects the Government's commitment to encourage local councils, the private sector and community groups to work together in partnership to develop comprehensive strategies which address all of an areas's fundamental problems and opportunities.

  Housing Costs (Young People)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research information he has on the number of young people living with their parents who are unable to find affordable alternative accommodation. [23222]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My Department commissioned research in this area in 1990. A copy of the research report, "Shared accommodation in England 1990", is in the House of Commons Library.
  252

  Thames Gateway
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the relationship between the Thames Gateway scheme and local government reorganisation in Essex. [23224]

  Mr. Curry
  An integrated approach to regeneration will be required to secure the objectives for the Thames Gateway. We wish to consider whether unitary authorities offer advantages, for this purpose, over the two-tier system. This is one of the reasons why we are referring some authorities in the Thames Gateway area, including Thurrock in Essex, to the Local Government Commission for fresh reviews.

  Nuclear Power
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list his Department's responsibilities in the operation of the nuclear power industry. [23225]

  Mr. Atkins
  Under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, my Department—together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food—is responsible for authorising the disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear licensed sites.

  Council Housing
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local authority houses have been built in England and Wales in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [23226]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Local authorities in England and Wales completed about 1,000 dwellings in the 12 months from April 1994 to March 1995.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what funding is available in this financial year for the improvement of council housing estates. [23229]

  Mr. Curry
  Under the housing investment programme and other programmes, over £1.2 billion has been allocated to local authorities for 1995–96; a number of the programmes lever in additional resources from the private sector.

  Local authorities also fund capital expenditure on housing from usable capital receipts and revenue contributions to capital.

  It is up to each local authority to decide how to use its allocation on the basis of local needs.

  Council Tax
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received about the principle of council tax capping. [23227]

  Mr. Gummer
  I have received a number of representations about the principle of council tax capping.

  Beaches
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in achieving cleaner beaches; and if he will make a statement. [23228]
  253
  Mr. Atkins
  Considerable progress has been made. Compliance with the relevant coliform bacteria standards of the EC directive has risen from 56 per cent. in 1987 to 82 per cent, in 1994. I expect further improvements as the remaining schemes in the clean-up programme are completed.

  Air Quality
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to improve air quality. [23230]

  Mr. Atkins
  I intend shortly to bring forward amendments to the Environment Bill implementing the proposals set out earlier this year in "Air Quality: Meeting the Challenge".

  Water Pollution
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the capital expenditure of the water industry in providing equipment designed to remove nitrates and pesticides; and if he will make a statement. [23208]

  Mr. Atkins
  Information published by the Director General of Water Services estimates that £128 million has been spent on removing nitrates up to 1993–94. Similar information was not collected for the removal of pesticides. I estimate that around £430 million has been spent on this up to 1993–94.

  Birds Directive
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sites the UK has designated under the EC birds directive. [23219]

  Mr. Atkins
  A total of 105 special protection areas have been designated in the United Kingdom. Further designations are expected shortly.

  Green Belt
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on green belt expansion, with special reference to Sheffield. [24361]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  National planning policy for green belts is set out in "Planning Policy Guidance Note 2". This states that existing green belt boundaries should be altered only in exceptional circumstances. The Sheffield unitary development fund, which is currently being considered at a local public inquiry, proposes a net addition to the green belt of 53 hectares—0.6 per cent. of the total area. It is for the inspector conducting the UDP inquiry to consider the appropriateness of the proposed changes to the green belt and make his recommendations to the city council, who will then be responsible for deciding whether to accept them and reflect them in the final version of the UDP.

  Water Rates
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what protection consumers have if a water authority refuses to change business water rates to domestic water rates, in cases where a business property has been changed to a home. [24037]
  254
  Mr. Atkins
  It is for each water company to decide the basis of charging for water in its area. If the occupant considers that the latest rateable value is no longer appropriate, the occupant has the option of switching to a measured basis of charge. Alternatively, the water company may agree to charge on the basis of a domestic rateable value if such a value is available.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what extent water authorities are required to take account of changes since the last valuation of a property in calculating water rates; and what proposal he has to improve the situation. [24035]

  Mr. Atkins
  Where water charges are based on rateable values, the latest available valuations are used by the water companies. Where the occupant considers the subsequent changes to the property render the latest valuation inappropriate, the occupant has the option of switching to a measured basis of charge.

  Units of Measurement Directive
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice his Department has given to local planning authorities and applicants for planning permission on the impact since 1 January of the units of measurement directive. [24202]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The interpretation of the directive is ultimately for the courts. However, our advice in response to inquiries is that any risk of successful legal challenge is avoided if a metric conversion is substituted for any imperial measurements in a planning application. The imperial measurements may also be retained as a supplementary indication.

  Construction Contracts
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to make a statement on his Department's policy on a construction contracts Bill. [24019]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  My Department is currently consulting on proposals for possible legislative provisions arising out of the recommendations in Sir Michael Latham's report, "Construction the Team". The results of the consultation process will be announced in due course.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made in implementing the recommendations in Sir Michael Latham's report, "Construction the Team", on legislation for construction contracts. [24809]

  Mr. Gummer
  I have today published a consultation document entitled, "Fair Construction Contracts" containing proposals for taking forward the recommendations in "Constructing the Team". These proposals are designed to help reduce the number of disputes in the industry and improve its performance.

  Our paper contains proposals for rapid resolution of disputes, limitation of the right of set-off of debts, encouragement of prompt payment and protection against insolvency. It will be widely distributed and we expect both factual comment and informed views from all sectors of the construction industry.

  Copies of the document have been placed in the Library of the House.
  255

  Home Loss Payments
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to raising the ceiling for compensation levels for those tenants who are required to leave their property; what representations he has received concerning concerns about the present compensation ceiling; what formula was used to set it; what power local authorities have to set compensation limits to suit local conditions; and if he will consider allowing more discretion for local authorities to decide their own compensation ceiling. [24029]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The current level of home loss payment for permanently displaced tenants is £1,500. This level was set during the passage of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. There are no immediate plans to change it.

  The new provisions apply to anyone displaced on or after 16 November 1990. Since they came into force, we have received occasional representations, but there has been no widespread pressure to have this level increased.

  Prior to the 1991 Act, the amount of home loss payment was calculated as 10 times the rateable value of the dwelling concerned, subject to a minimum payment of £1,200 and a maximum of £1,500. The minimum period of residence prior to displacement in order to qualify for a payment was five years. The 1991 Act fixed the amount payable to tenants at £1,500 and reduced the minimum period of residence to one year.

  The amount of the home loss payment for displaced tenants is fixed at £1,500 and there is no provision for local authorities to vary it.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has issued to local authorities as to the levels of compensation a council should provide to tenants who are obliged to move because of redevelopment; and what specific guidelines he provides in respect of compensation for long-term tenants. [24028]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Circular 15/91 on land compensation and compulsory purchase, issued jointly by my Department and the Welsh Office, describes the new provisions for home losses payments included in the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. At paragraph 23, it sets out the level of compensation payable to displaced tenants. These provisions apply to tenants who have been in residence for at least one year before displacement. All such tenants receive a home loss payment of £1,500. In addition, my Department issues a series of booklets called "Land Compensation—Your Rights Explained". Booklet number 1 in the series, "Your Home and Compulsory Purchase", provides further information about home loss payments. It is available free of charge to the public as well as to local authorities.

  Housing
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many houses have been built in co-operation with the Housing Corporation in each of the last three years: and if he will make a statement. [24358]

  Mr. Curry
  The table shows the number of houses built through the Housing Corporation's approved development programme and local authority funding of housing associations supported by housing association grant LA HAG in 1992–93 to 1994–95. The table also 256
  shows the number of other lettings provided through the ADP and local authority funding of housing associations, through rehabilitation, shared ownership and sale schemes.

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–951

  New build

  ADP

  36,240

  35,604

  37,925

  LA HAG

  4,480

  5,894

  8,487

  Total

  40,720

  41,498

  46,412

  Other lettings provided

  ADF

  25,897

  20,896

  21,039

  LA HAG

  1,858

  2,465

  4,073

  Total

  27,755

  23,361

  25,112

  Total lettings provided

  68,475

  64,859

  71,524

  1 Figures for 1994–95 are estimates.

  Water Meters
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many water meters have been installed to date in each region and nationally. [24038]

  Mr. Atkins
  In 1994–95 the number of metered properties in each region of England and Wales covered by Ofwat's customer service committees was:

  Thousands

  Domestic

  Non-domestic

  Eastern

  195

  147

  Northumbria

  15

  45

  North West

  89

  169

  Central

  206

  210

  Southern

  149

  102

  South West

  39

  83

  Thames

  207

  257

  Wales

  37

  77

  Wessex

  62

  68

  Yorkshire

  93

  124

  Total

  1,092

  1,282

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what circumstances a water authority can oblige customers to accept water meters. [24036]

  Mr. Atkins
  It is for water companies to decide on the most appropriate method of charging for water in their area. Since 1990, most companies have had a policy of metering new or substantially converted domestic properties on a compulsory basis. Most companies also have a policy of metering commercial premises on a compulsory basis. Where companies are extending metering to existing domestic properties they may give customers the option of continuing to pay an unmeasured charge.

  Home Energy Efficiency
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many households have been insulated under programmes initiated by the energy efficiency office in each of the last two years in(a) Sheffield and (b) the Sheffield, Hallam constituency; and how many are expected to be insulated in the next year. [24360]
  257
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The home energy efficiency scheme pays grants towards the cost of basic insulation measures in the homes of people who are over 60, receive disability living allowance or an income-related benefit. The information requested, based on financial years, is as follows:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96 (estimated)

  Sheffield

  3,709

  6,139

  7,500

  Sheffield, Hallam

  640

  1,059

  1,300

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect of an 8 per cent, cut in electricity prices on CO2 emissions. [24218]

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Industry.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new measures to cut CO2 emissions as a result of the nuclear review. [24216]

  Mr. Atkins
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for the Environment, gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, North-East (Mr. Congdon) on 11 May 1995,Official Report, column 564–65.

  Spain
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much subsidy has been given to Spain in each of the last three years from the European Community, for the environment; and what is the forecast of funding to Spain for each of the next three years. [24683]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The main sources of Community funding for the environment are the structural and cohesion funds, various research programmes and the LIFE grant fund. The information the department has available is as follows. More detailed information will be available from the European Commission.a) The Structural Funds: allocations for environmental protection and improvement projects—
  Objective 1—1730m ecu for 1994–99 (£1437m)
  Objective 2—39.5m ecu for 1994–96 (£32.8m)
  Objective 5(b)—Spain has been allocated 664m ecu in total at 1994 prices (£551.5m) for 1994–99. Some of this may be allocated to environmental projects, but we do not have details.

  b) The Cohesion Fund

  Millions

  Total (ecu)

  Environment (ecu)1

  1993

  858.45 (£713.0)

  252.08 (£209.37

  1994

  962.5 (£799.4)

  385 (£319.8)

  1995

  1100 (£913.6)

  440 (£365,4)

  1996

  1,237.5 (£1,027.8)

  495 (£411.1)

  1997

  1,375 (£1,142.0)

  550 (£456.8)

  1998

  1,402.5 (£1,164.9)

  561 (£456.9)

  1 There are no guidelines for the breakdown of the Fund between environment and transport projects. Estimates for 1994 onwards are based on the commission's division of 40 per cent. transport and 60 per cent. environment.

  258

  (c) LIFE (Financial Instrument for the Environment)—grants awarded to Spanish projects

  1991–93

  26 million ecu (£21.6 million)

  1994

  16 million ecu (£13.3 million)

  expected range 12–15 million ecu each year

  1995–97

  (£10–12.5 million)

  Note:

  Conversion rate used: £1 = 1.204 ecu.

  Air Pollution, London
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what additional measures he has taken to monitor air pollution in London; and if he will make a statement. [23304]

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government propose to bring forward by a year completion of their current programme of enhanced urban network sites. Suitable locations for a further nine stations will be installed by the end of 1996, two of which will be in London. Additionally, the Government will seek to integrate three further centrally-funded sites and around 35 local authority sites by the end of 1997. My officials are in contact with the Association of London Government and the South East Institute of public health, which co-ordinate the London air quality monitoring network.

  Local Government, Berkshire
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has consulted the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the administrative costs of his proposals for local government reorganisation in Berkshire. [24529]

  Mr. Curry
  Government decisions are collective.

  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the additional administrative staff required by the six proposed unitary authorities in Berkshire. [24530]

  Mr. Curry
  Staffing structures will be a matter for the newly elected councils.

  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his proposals for the allocation of standard spending assessments to the proposed new unitary authorities in Berkshire. [24531]

  Mr. Curry
  The standard spending assessments for the new unitary authorities in Berkshire will be calculated on the basis of the services which these authorities provide, using the formulae which are applied to all relevant authorities.

  Details of the formulae for 1995–96 are set out in the publication "Standard Spending Assessment handbook, 1995–96" which is available from the Library. Following the review work which we undertake each year with the local authority associations, we will publish our proposals for 1996–97 in the usual way in December.

  Local Government, Reading
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is considering alterations to the boundary of Reading in connection with his proposal that Reading borough council should become a unitary authority. [24528]
  259
  Mr. Curry
  I have accepted the Local Government Commission's final recommendation that Reading should be a unitary authority on existing borough boundaries.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has considered the future of the Birmingham Heartlands and Trafford Park development corporations; and if he will make a statement. [24918]

  Mr. Curry
  Following representations made by each urban development corporation, I have decided to extend their lifetimes for an additional year to 31 March 1998.

  In this extra year, they aim between them to secure some 11,000 additional jobs, build 250 homes and attract about £100 million of private sector investment. They will not be given any additional grant in aid, but will be financed from receipts and by European funding.

  For Birmingham Heartlands, the extra year will allow the corporation to oversee the complete redevelopment of the "Star Site" near the M6, as well as the adjacent "String of Pearls" sites.

  In Trafford Park, the corporation has already assembled and prepared many sites and attracted over 700 companies

  Table 1: Government Estate: Energy Efficiency Performance

  Civil Departments, Including Agencies

  Energy Expenditure

  Own investment in Energy Efficiency

  Percentage Reduction Relative to 1990–91

  Energy Cost ("£/sq m")

  Carbon Dioxide ("CO2/sqm")

  Total CO2

  Adjusted for estate changes and weather correction

  Adjusted for weather correction

  1993–94 £ million

  1993–94 £ million

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  MAFF

  2.5

  0.631

  0

  3

  -5

  3

  8

  2

  4

  4

  5

  MAFF—Laboratories

  1.5

  —

  -12

  -19

  -24

  -5

  -9

  -14

  -12

  -22

  -28

  MAFF—Depots

  0.1

  —

  0

  20

  12

  3

  24

  19

  3

  23

  34

  Cabinet Office

  0.5

  0.074

  -14

  0

  5

  -6

  5

  16

  -19

  -9

  4

  Customs and Excise

  3.8

  0.819

  2

  14

  10

  1

  17

  16

  -53

  -34

  -41

  Education

  0.5

  0.028

  -20

  -82

  -95

  -15

  -58

  -67

  -33

  -7

  -14

  Employment

  11.0

  0.607

  -1

  -4

  -2

  0

  0

  4

  -3

  -4

  1

  Environment

  1.6

  0.165

  3

  5

  9

  5

  9

  22

  3

  13

  22

  Environment—QEII CC

  0.5

  —

  -17

  -16

  -14

  -14

  -11

  -8

  -14

  -11

  -8

  FCO

  0.6

  0.045

  -3

  7

  -9

  0

  12

  0

  -2

  6

  38

  Health

  1.3

  —

  -13

  0

  -98

  -9

  4

  -70

  -48

  0

  -76

  Home Office

  2.5

  —

  -8

  -8

  -8

  -6

  -3

  -2

  -6

  -3

  -2

  Home Office—Prisons

  26.1

  1.500

  2

  -4

  -3

  4

  3

  7

  -4

  -6

  -6

  Inland Revenue

  13.5

  1.146

  1

  3

  7

  3

  8

  13

  0

  6

  15

  Lord Chancellors' Department

  6.4

  —

  3

  6

  11

  4

  11

  17

  -10

  -4

  -1

  ODA

  0.7

  0.017

  n/a

  -4

  0

  n/a

  0

  5

  n/a

  -1

  4

  National Heritage

  0.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  National Savings

  1.2

  0.027

  3

  9

  12

  6

  12

  16

  6

  13

  17

  Northern Ireland Office

  9.3

  0.802

  7

  6

  8

  8

  9

  10

  4

  3

  6

  Scottish Office

  1.6

  0.231

  n/a

  -4

  -7

  n/a

  -1

  -1

  n/a

  1

  3

  Scottish Courts

  1.1

  0.080

  n/a

  4

  9

  n/a

  7

  13

  n/a

  -5

  -1

  Scottish Prisons

  3.2

  0.238

  0

  1

  5

  2

  4

  10

  0

  1

  6

  Social Security

  16.1

  0.657

  -6

  0

  -2

  -3

  6

  7

  -3

  -9

  -8

  Trade and Industry

  5.4

  —

  5

  5

  0

  10

  12

  9

  11

  20

  19

  Transport

  3.5

  0.359

  7

  8

  12

  10

  13

  19

  10

  13

  22

  Treasury

  0.3

  0.003

  8

  4

  -9

  12

  10

  1

  14

  33

  32

  Welsh Office

  0.5

  0.104

  1

  2

  2

  2

  7

  9

  3

  18

  26

  Total

  115.4

  7.533

  0.6

  0.4

  0.3

  3

  6

  8

  -2

  -1

  1

  Notes:

  1. Progress against each performance indicator (PI) is expressed as a percentage relative to the base year (1990–91) value of the PI in question. The standard indicator is weather—corrected consumption, adjusted for estate changes, and converted to costs at fixed prices (Energy Cost). For the civil estate, estate changes are allowed for by dividing by floor area. For the defence estate, a different procedure is used (see notes to table 2 below). The target is to achieve a 15 per cent. improvement against this indicator by March 1996. Positive figures represent progress, negative figures represent regress.

  2. The Energy Cost (£/m2) figure is obtained by weather correcting the energy consumption per unit floor area, and converting to costs using "standard" fuel prices (6p/kWh for electricity and 1.25p/kWh for all fossil fuels). This conversion to money was done to reflect the relative costs of electricity and fossil fuels,
  260
  into the area; it will now be able to increase yet further the level of inward investment and jobs through marketing all the remaining development opportunities.

  The UDC programme will end as planned in March 1998 when all corporations will have been wound up.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made by Government Departments towards the target of improving energy efficiency by 15 per cent, in the five years ending in March 1996. [25184]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The progress of the Departments during 1993–94 is shown in the tables and footnotes. Overall, a 6 per cent. improvement has been achieved which, in the light of increasing demands for energy, represents good progress. I am pleased to note that the performance of my Department shows a 9 per cent. improvement against the standard indicator, with far greater improvements on reducing CO2 emissions.

  Energy management in individual Government Departments is a matter for Ministers responsible for those Departments. The Energy Efficiency Office of my Department provides information on good practice and monitors progress towards the target.
  261
  and also their relative environmental impact. Fixed prices eliminate the effects of tariff changes, which distort the comparison of annual bills. Normalising by floor area helps overcome problems of changing estate size.

  3. The average performance figure for the civil estate cannot be obtained simply by adding together the individual Departmental progress figures and dividing by the number of Departments. This does not allow for the large variations in total consumption. The correct figure can be obtained by calculating the value of the PI for the civil estate as a whole (eg total CO2 divided by total area), then calculating the reduction relative to the base year value.

  4. Some Departments have revised earlier years' figures, which explains some differences from previously published results. Equally, some of this year's figures may be subject to revision.

  5. Investment Figures relate only to clearly identifiable energy efficiency measures undertaken by Departments. Energy efficiency is also an integral part of all major construction projects, including building refurbishment and plant replacement carried out by Departments. However, separating out the energy efficiency component is not always meaningful; for example, a well designed energy efficient new building may actually cost the same or less than a conventional one.

  6. Electricity generated on site, eg Combined Heat and Power, is not included under "electricity": but the input fuel to the generator is, of course, included. This therefore accords appropriate credit for CHP. Heating from the Whitehall District Heating Scheme is included.

  7. All departments have greatly increased their use of Information Technology, but have not been allowed to offset the increased use of electricity as a result.

  8. Expenditure on energy and investment figures are included for information only and do not form part of the Government estate target.

  9. MAFF: Main Estate—Energy consumption has risen, as a result of a large increase in the use of Information Technology and business led demands of Agencies.

  10. MAFF: Laboratories—Energy consumption has increased as a result of business led demand, and recent legislation which has required a number of old buildings to be replaced with air-conditioned buildings. Own investment in energy efficiency is included with MAFF Main Estate.

  11. Customs and Excise: Progress figures partly reflect a widening of the basis for measurement as the Department overcomes problems with the collation of data. Operational changes have allowed greater use of buildings where Customs and Excise control the energy use instead of paying an energy-inclusive charge; this process is continuing and may affect future figures.

  12. Education: Consumption is dominated by its headquarters building. This changed from a largely naturally ventilated building in the base year to a completely air-conditioned one, with a much smaller floor area, in 1991–92. This is the explanation for the large increase against the PI since 1992–93.

  13. Environment: QEII Conference Centre is reported separately because of its business led demands.

  14. Health: Consumption is dominated by its headquarters building. Since the base year this has changed from a largely naturally ventilated building to a fully air-conditioned one, explaining the large increase against the PI.

  15. Home Office Prisons: Improved accommodation standards for prisoners are leading to increases in energy consumption.

  16. ODA: Base year is 1991–92.

  17. National Heritage: Newly formed in 1992 and moved to its own accommodation in 1993. Full year figures are not therefore available.

  18. Scottish Office: Base year is 1991–92.

  19. Scottish Courts: Base year is 1991–92.

  20. Scottish Prisons: Improved accommodation standards for prisoners are leading to increases in energy consumption.

  21. Social Security: DSS workload is increasing, affecting occupancy and offices are occupied for longer hours, increasing the use of energy. Electricity consumption has increased as a result of greater demands on the use of Information Technology, expansion in the use of air-conditioning and the upgrading of lighting levels. For example, electricity consumption has increased by 8 per cent. in the Benefits Agency, by 2 per cent. in ITS A, and by 125 per cent. in the CSA: CSA shows an exceptional increase because of the phased occupancy of buildings between 1992 and 1993 prior to full operation in 1993–94.

  Table 2: Government Estate: Energy Efficiency Performance

  Percentage Reduction for 1993–94 Relative to 1990–91

  Ministry of Defence

  Column 1 Energy Consumption

  Column 2 Energy Cost

  Column 3 Carbon Dioxide

  Column 4 Total CO2

  Adjusted for Estate Changes and Weather Correction

  Adjusted for Weather Correction

  Civil

  11

  7

  12

  0

  Navy

  11

  14

  17

  5

  Army

  8

  8

  12

  12

  RAF

  10

  6

  11

  19

  Procurement Executive

  27

  18

  25

  25

  Defence Research Agency

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Total

  10

  9

  13

  13

  Notes:

  1. The MOD estate is different in nature from the rest of the Government estate, and has been undergoing more radical changes. It is therefore treated in a slightly different way. In common with other Departments, the MOD has greatly increased its reliance on Information Technology, but in many areas, no allowance has been made for the resulting increases in electricity usage. Full data for years between 1990–91 and 1993–94 are not available, so the table shows a comparison between these two years. Positive figures denote progress, negative ones regress.

  2. Floor area data cannot be calculated for the majority of the MOD estate. However, to allow comparisons with data from other Departments adjusted for changes in floor area, a proxy has been used. The figures in columns 1 to 3 have been adjusted by estimating changes in consumption resulting from buildings being added to, or leaving, the estate and making an appropriate adjustment to the gross data for years following the change.

  3. Column 1 shows changes, after estate adjustments (see above) and weather correction, in energy consumption. This has been the primary measure used by MOD in its efforts to increase energy efficiency.

  4. Column 2 shows changes, after estate adjustments and weather correction, in energy cost at "standard" fuel prices calculated in the same way as the civil estate.

  5. Column 3 shows changes, after estate adjustments and weather correction, in carbon dioxide emissions.

  6. Column 4 shows changes in total carbon dioxide emissions, after weather correction.
  262

  Table 3: Government estate: energy efficiency performance

  Entire government estate

  Per cent. reduction for 1993–94 relative to 1990–91

  Energy cost

  Carbon dioxide

  Adjusted for estate changes and weather correction

  Total CO2Adjusted for weather correction

  Civil departments, including agencies

  0.3

  8

  1

  Ministry of defence

  9

  13

  13

  Total

  6

  11

  9

  Notes:

  1. This shows combined results for the whole of the Government estate based on the data in tables 1 and 2. It is not a simple average of the two, but reflects the proportion of total consumption represented by each part of the estate (see third note to table 1). The Ministry of Defence is the major user of energy on the Government estate, using some 70 per cent. of the energy consumed.

SCOTLAND

  Forestry
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hectares of Forestry Commission woodlands will be disposed of between now and 2000 in(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland; and what is the anticipated income from these sales. [23403]

  Sir Hector Monro
  As announced in the Government's expenditure plans 1995–96 to 1997–98, the Forestry Commission plans to sell 15,000 hectares of forest land
  263
  in Britain in each of the next three years, and to receive some £60 million from the sale of forests and surplus properties. The proportion that will be sold in each of the three countries will depend on the state of the market, but the Commission estimates that around 70 per cent. will be sold in Scotland and 15 per cent. each in England and Wales. As yet, no firm plans have been made for sales in subsequent years.

  Unemployment
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of(a) men and (b) women aged 40 years and over who are out of work. [23376]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 15 May 1995]: In Scotland, in January 1995, there were 55,166 males and 15,717 females aged 40 or over who were unemployed.

  Sheltered Housing
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will commission a study to assess the need for sheltered housing to allow people who have grown elderly in peripheral housing schemes and rural areas to remain within their own communities; and if he will make a statement. [24101]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The assessment of demand for sheltered housing is a matter for local housing authorities, working in partnership, as appropriate, with Scottish Homes, housing associations and other housing agencies. This assessment should take into account whether elderly people wish to remain within their communities, and what type of provision is appropriate in local circumstances.

  Judiciary
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the requirements and qualifications for appointment to the judiciary in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [24097]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The minimum qualifications for appointment to the judiciary in Scotland are set down in a number of statutes, most particularly the Act of Union 1707, the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971, the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990, and the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the percentage of pupils entitled to free school meals in each year since 1975 until the latest year for which figures are available in each Scottish region; and if he will make a statement. [24063]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on entitlement to free school meals has been collected in the annual January census of school meals since 1989. The available information is given in the table:264

  Percentage of pupils on the registers of education authority schools entitled to free meals, at January

  Education authority

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  11993

  1994

  Borders

  4.1

  4.1

  5.0

  5.6

  5.6

  5.6

  Central

  15.7

  15.6

  15.7

  18.4

  17.7

  18.6

  Dumfries and Galloway

  9.6

  9.9

  9.3

  9.7

  10.5

  10.5

  Fife

  14.2

  14.0

  14.1

  15.7

  16.5

  17.2

  Grampian

  6.3

  5.8

  6.3

  6.7

  7.4

  7.5

  Highland

  12.3

  10.7

  10.8

  11.5

  12.2

  14.1

  Lothian

  14.7

  17.7

  18.5

  19.0

  20.8

  20.7

  Strathclyde

  22.1

  22.0

  22.3

  23.7

  25.4

  25.6

  Tayside

  14.1

  13.7

  13.5

  13.3

  13.2

  13.8

  Orkney

  8.1

  6.1

  6.6

  7.5

  7.0

  7.8

  Shetland

  4.1

  3.8

  4.3

  5.6

  6.2

  6.2

  Western Isles

  17.5

  14.3

  14.1

  13.7

  14.0

  12.3

  Scotland

  16.8

  16.9

  17.2

  18.2

  19.3

  19.7

  Industrial Development Advisory Board
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the Scottish Industrial Development advisory board to lay annual reports before Parliament. [24191]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 15 May 1995]: Sections 11 and 15 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 require an annual report to be laid before Parliament on the exercise of powers under the Act during the year: this is presented jointly by the Secretaries of State for Trade and Industry, for Scotland and for Wales. The report contains commentaries by the Industrial Development advisory boards, including one from the chairman of the Scottish Industrial development advisory board.

  Close Circuit Television
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now support and contribute towards the introduction of closed circuit television in Paisley: and if he will make a statement. [24070]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Government remain firmly of the view that funding for the installation of CCTV in Scotland should continue to be provided by joint ventures involving local businesses, local authorities and other groups who derive a direct benefit from the resource. I am glad to hear that a tender has been accepted to provide a CCTV system in Paisley, with substantial public-sector funding.

  Emergency Planning
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he has taken to ensure that emergency planning teams will be adequately financed and staffed in future years; and if he will make a statement. [24264]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Civil defence grant will continue to be paid to local authorities, police forces and fire brigades, in support of planning which is aimed at developing an effective response to a wide range of emergencies, irrespective of their cause.
  265
  The grant is seen as a contribution towards emergency planning and its current total level is expected to be maintained.

  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he has had with the emergency planning teams to discuss the effects of local government reorganisation. [24265]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office wrote to chief executives, offering to discuss emergency planning arrangements in a revised local government structure, in April 1994. This offer was not accepted at the time due to the position of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities with regard to the then Local Government etc. (Scotland) Bill.

  Since the convention's position was relaxed, officials have discussed the matter with regional emergency planning officers in December and will again do so in early June. They have also met representatives of chief executives in February and numerous discussions have taken place at local level during emergency co-ordinating group meetings and various seminars.

  New unitary authorities—appointments of head of paid service

  Head of paid

  New council

  service

  Current position

  Aberdeen, City of

  Not yet appointed

  —

  Aberdeenshire

  Alan Campbell

  Chief Executive, Grampian Regional Council

  Angus

  Sandy Watson

  Chief Executive, Tayside Regional Council

  Argyll and Bute

  James McLellan

  Director of Administration, Argyll and Bute District Council

  Borders, The

  Alistair Croall

  Depute Chief Executive, Borders Regional Council

  Clackmannan

  Robert Allan

  Chief Executive, Clackmannan District Council

  Dumbarton and Clydebank

  Not yet appointed

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Ian Smith

  Chief Executive, Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council

  Dundee, City of

  Alex Stephen

  Chief Executive, City of Dundee District Council

  East Ayrshire

  Not yet appointed

  —

  East Dumbartonshire

  Cornelius Mallon

  Chief Executive, Strathkelvin District Council

  East Lothian

  John Lindsay

  Depute Chief Executive and Director of Finance, East Lothian District Council

  East Renfrewshire

  Peter Daniels

  Chief Executive, Clydesdale District Council

  Edinburgh, City of

  Tom Aitchison

  Chief Executive, Lothian Regional Council

  Falkirk

  Walter Weir

  Chief Executive, Falkirk District Council

  Fife

  Dr. John Markland

  Chief Executive, Fife Regional Council

  Glasgow, City of

  John Anderson

  Depute Chief Executive, Strathclyde Regional Council

  Highland

  Arthur McCourt

  Assistant Chief Executive, Tayside Regional Council

  Inverclyde

  Graeme Bettison

  Senior Depute Director of Administration, Grampian Regional Council

  Midlothian

  Trevor Muir

  Chief Executive, Midlothian District Council

  Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Administration, Grampian Regional

  Moray

  Anthony Connell

  Council

  North Ayrshire

  Bernard Devine

  Chief Executive, Cunninghame District Council

  North Lanarkshire

  Andrew Cowe

  Managing Director, Renfrew District Council

  Perthshire and Kinross

  Harry Robertson

  Chief Executive, Perth and Kinross District Council

  Renfrewshire

  Not yet appointed

  —

  South Ayrshire

  George Thorley Alastair J. H.

  Assistant Chief Executive, Strathclyde Regional Council

  South Lanarkshire

  MacNish

  Depute Director of Social Work, Strathclyde Regional Council

  Stirling

  Keith Yates

  Assistant Chief Executive, Central Regional Council

  West Lothian

  Alex Linkston

  Chief Executive and Director of Finance, West Lothian District Council

  Source: Local Government Staff Commission.
  266
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he has taken to ensure that emergency planning is maintained after the completion of local government reorganisation. [24263]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Each of the new authorities will be responsible for civil defence and civil emergency planning arrangements. It is up to each to decide how its responsibilities will be delivered, and there are various powers under local government legislation, including section 58 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, which provide scope for joint arrangements or other options to be considered. Grant to local authorities, police forces and fire brigades will continue.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names of those persons selected to be the chief executives of the new unitary councils giving their academic and technical qualifications where appropriate and their current employment and employers; and if he will make a statement. [23035]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 16 May 1995]: The appointment of chief executives—strictly speaking heads of paid service—is entirely a matter for the new councils. Information on appointments made to date is given in the table.
  267

  Suicides
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the most recent available percentage suicide rate for employed 18 to 65-year-olds in Scotland. [24554]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not available. When a death is registered the registrar obtains information on the last known occupation of the deceased but not on whether he or she was employed at the time of death.

  Planning Inquiries
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions in the last 10 years for which information is available part-time reporters from outside Scotland have been appointed to conduct planning inquiries. [24542]

  Mr. Kynoch
  None. In April of this year, however, as a temporary measure, five recently retired planning inspectors from the Department of Environment were added to the list of part-time reporters on whom the Secretary of State could call to determine planning appeals submitted under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972. The small number of appeals which have been allocated to the planning inspectors have all been for determination under the written submissions procedure. No public local inquiry appeals have been allocated to these additional reporters.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the remuneration of, and what are the rates of expenses paid to, part-time reporters when they conduct planning inquiries. [24544]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The information requested is set out in table:

  £

  Daily Fee

  130.00

  Hourly Rate

  17.96

  24 Hour Subsistence

  62.40

  Day Subsistence

  Over 5 hours

  4.25

  Over 10 hours

  9.30

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he gives to proficiency in Scots law when appointing part-time reporters in planning inquiries. [24539]

  Mr. Kynoch
  When making new appointments to the list of part-time reporters, careful consideration is given to the suitability of the candidate. A working knowledge of Scottish planning law, and in particular, development control procedures, is one of the main pre-requisites for appointment. Newly appointed reporters receive induction training and supporting documents, and advice is available on points of law.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of planning inquiries conducted by part-time reporters in the last 10 years for which information is available. [24540]

  Mr. Kynoch
  This information is not recorded.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names and qualifications of all part-time reporters who have conducted planning 268
  inquiries in the last 10 years for which information is available. [24541]

  Mr. Kynoch
  This information is not recorded.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a list of part-time reporters from which appointments are made to conduct planning inquiries. [24543]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The information requested is as follows:

  A.G. Bell CB BL

  D. Connelly

  Miss. E. B. Haran MA BD MRTPI

  J. H. Fullerton ARIAS DipTP

  G. Pease DipArch DipTP RIBA MRTPI ARIAS

  J. M. Webster FRICS MBIM

  D. R. Penman ARIAS FRTPI

  J. F. Rankin MA LLB

  G. Kirkbride Eur Ing FICE FBIM Ceng FIHE ASIArb

  M. O'Carroll DipPhil MRTPI

  D. C. Price BArch MCD RIBA MRTPI ARIAS

  Foxes
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many fox destruction clubs or societies are registered in Wales; what is the level of assistance they currently receive; what guidelines he issues on how these clubs and societies destroy foxes; what guidelines he issues on the numbers of foxes to be destroyed; how the fox population is assessed; and if he will make a statement. [24127]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There is no requirement for fox destruction clubs or societies to be registered with the Welsh Office and no financial assistance is provided to such organisations. Responsibility for the control of foxes rests with individual owners and occupiers to whom advice is provided through ADAS on request.

  Female Employment
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of women employed in Alyn and Deeside, Clwyd, and Wales (a) full-time and (b) part-time; and what measures he proposes to get the long-term unemployed back to work. [24194]

  Mr. Redwood
  The latest available information on the number of female employees in Alyn and Deeside is from the 1991 census of employment. This, together with the comparable data for Clwyd and Wales, is given in the following table:

  Female employees in employments—September 1991

  Thousands Full-time

  Part-time

  Alyn and Deeside district

  6.5

  4.5

  Clwyd

  34.5

  31.3

  Wales

  250.2

  220.1

  269
  The Government's policies are aimed at creating the right economic conditions for success—low inflation, sound public finances, markets that work properly, and a minimal regulatory and tax burden on business. That recipe is promoting sustained economic growth.

  The training and enterprise councils and the Employment Service provide a wide range of measures to help the long-term unemployed back into work. They include the training for work programme, restart, the job interview guarantee scheme, Workstart and community action.

  Employment (Young People)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what special measures he will adopt to give employment to young people. [24196]

  Mr. Redwood
  Our policies aim to create the right economic conditions for success; low inflation, sound public finances; markets that work properly; and a minimal regulatory and tax burden on business. That recipe is promoting sustained economic growth and higher living standards, from which all age groups will benefit.

  Good education and training and sound careers advice are fundamental to a young person's employment prospects. My plan to raise achievement, strengthen standards and widen choice and opportunity is set out in "People and Prosperity: an Agenda for Action", which was published on 20 March 1995.

  Minority Languages
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 7 March to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd),Official Report, column 152, when Government Departments with an interest in the Council of Europe charter for regional or minority languages will have completed their consideration of its implications; and if he will make a statement. [24754]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The decision whether to sign the charter raises a number of different issues, each of which we must consider fully.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Housing Executive
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations have taken place about the amalgamation of the two Housing Executive offices in Newry and the reduced opening hours for the Kilkeel office; and if he will make a statement. [24041]

  Mr. Moss
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but the chief executive has advised me that consultations have taken place with staff and their representatives, the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance, on the proposed amalgamation of Newry 1 and Newry 2 district offices. In addition, Housing executive officials will consult with Newry and Mourne district council on 7 June 1995.

  The Housing Executive's regional director has discussed with local councillors the reduced opening
  270
  hours for the Kilkeel office. A new sub-office will be opening in nearby Annalong in the late summer to coincide with the reduced working hours in the Kilkeel office.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Churchill Papers
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he had made to take action to preserve the Churchill papers intact for the nation before the National Heritage Memorial Fund decided to make national lottery funds available for this purpose.[23693]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Government had commenced proceedings in the High Court with the object of preserving the papers intact for the nation.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage who assessed the historical significance of each of the items in the Churchill papers. [23178]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Following its normal procedures, the NHMF took advice on the content of the archive from the British Library and the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts as statutory heritage agencies. Individual historians and other relevant institutions were also consulted.

  Cinemas
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which listed buildings in England are used as cinemas. [23537]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The use of listed cinemas can change, and listed buildings built for another purpose may subsequently have been converted into cinemas. My Department does not monitor such changes. However, English Heritage has provided the following details of listed buildings which it believes are currently used as cinemas:

  Pre-1916 Cinemas

  Electric, King's Quay Street, Harwich

  Scala, Market Place, Ilkeston

  Picture House, Bridge Street, Stafford

  Picture Playhouse, Market Place, Beverley

  Dome, Worthing

  Gem, ex-Palace of Light, Great Yarmouth

  Windsor, Broadstairs

  King Edward, Blackpool

  Torbay Picture Palace, Paignton

  Carlton, Westgate

  Duke of York's, Brighton

  Electric, Portobello Road, Kensington, London1

  Ritzy, Brixton, London

  Cameo/Poly, Upper Regent Street, Westminster, London 1919–28

  Apollo, Dock Street, Blackburn

  MGM Magdalene Street, Oxford

  Plaza, Lower Regent Street, Westminster, London

  New Gallery, Regent Street, Westminster, London 1928–40

  Gaumont, (now Odeon), Salisbury

  Cannon, Lime Street, Liverpool

  Gaumont/Astor. Barnstaple

  271

  Embassy (now Cannon), Esher

  Odeon, Faversham

  Dreamland, Merged

  Odeon, Northgate Street, Chester

  Odeon, Blackpool

  Odeon, East Parade, Harrogate

  Odeon, Blossom Street, York

  Odeon, Great North Road, Barnet, London

  Odeon, (now Coronet), Parson's Hill, Woolwich, London

  Odeon, (now Coronet), Well Hall Road, Greenwich, London

  Odeon, Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill, Haringey, London

  Granada (now Cannon), Sheepcote Lane, Harrow, London

  Granada/Options, Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, London

  Richmond (now Odeon), Hill Street, Richmond, London

  Granada/Cannon, Hoe Street, Walthamstow, London

  1Listed Grade II; all others listed Grade II

  Cockpit Theatre
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what his Department's plans are for the Cockpit theatre, London NW8; what representations he has received regarding the future of the theatre; and if he will make a statement. [24494]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 16 May 1995]: The Cockpit theatre is owned by the City of Westminster college, and has been made available for the use of the Soho Theatre Company. I have received one representation about the future of the Soho Theatre Company at the Cockpit theatre. That, however, is entirely a matter for negotiation between the company and the college.

  Windsor Castle
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of his Department's fire, health and safety branch following the Windsor castle fire. [24671]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 16 May 1995]: My Department's branch which deals with fire, health and safety is responsible for precautions in the Department's own offices. It does not bear responsibility for premises occupied by other bodies which the Department sponsors or for which it provides funds. For the occupied royal palaces which are funded by the grant in aid these responsibilities lie with the royal household's own fire and safety branch which was strengthened in accordance with the recommendations of the Bailey report.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the total cost of repair of the fire damage at Windsor castle; if he will list the(a) sources and (b) amounts of the contributions to the cost of the repairs; and when he expects the work to be completed. [24672]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 16 May 1995]: It is currently estimated that the total cost of the repair of the fire damage at Windsor Castle will be about £35 million, including fees and VAT. Some £24.5 million of the cost will be met from the opening of Buckingham palace and charging for entry to the Windsor castle precincts, with the balance of £10.5 million from the grant in aid allocation for the maintenance of the occupied royal palaces. The work is progressing well and is expected to be completed to schedule by mid-1998.
  272

  Royal Palaces
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if a full inventory now exists of what is owned by the state in all royal palaces. [24670]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 16 May 1995]: The royal collection is responsible for works of art and other items held by the Crown on behalf of the nation. The royal household is completing an inventory of these items which is scheduled for completion by the end of 1997. For other items such as office furniture, computers, vehicles and so on inventories are currently maintained.

  London Film Commission
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether he intends to support the London Film Commission initiative. [23691]

  Mr. Dorrell
  My Department has consistently supported the efforts by the British Film Commission and the London Film Commission initiative to establish a film commission for London.

  Play Areas (Safety)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what guidelines he has issued to local authorities to encourage the provision of safety surfacing on play areas; what special financial provision he has made available to local authorities to encourage and enable them to meet this need; and if he will make a statement. [24089]

  Mr. Sproat
  In January 1992, the joint publication "Playground Safety Guidelines" was issued by the Department of Education and Science, the Welsh Office and the National Children's Play and Recreation Unit. This publication provides guidance to playground providers and managers on play safety issues, including safety surfacing, and was sent to all local authorities in England. The publication was updated and reprinted in 1993.

  No specific provision is made within the standard spending assessment for the funding of play areas, although provision for services for children is included within the education and social services assessment, and for recreation within the general services assessment.

  Rugby League
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he has(a) requested or (b) examined a copy of the proposed contract between News International and the Rugby Football League with regard to the sport's television coverage. [24137]

  Mr. Dorrell
  No. Contracts for the television coverage of sport or any other subject are entirely a matter between rights holders and broadcasters.

  Sport
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he intends to publish his Department's White Paper on sport. [24139]

  Mr. Sproat
  We intend to publish the sport policy statement early in the summer.
  273

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Severe Disability Premium
  Mr. Gareth Wardell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date he petitioned the House of Lords for leave to appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal in the Bate case, regarding eligibility for payment of the severe disability premium. [24018]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The petition was lodged on 9 January 1995.

  Expatriate Pensioners
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 4 May,Official Report, columns 307–8, what is the total number of United Kingdom expatriates receiving uprated United Kingdom pensions in (a) Spain and (b) Portugal; which Government pay the cost of these upratings;and what considerations underlie the different treatment of pensioners in those two countries and in the four Commonwealth countries referred to in his answer. [24286]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  In January 1995, UK pensions were in payment to 28,097 beneficiaries in Spain and 3,208 in Portugal. The entire cost of these pensions is met by the UK Government. Uprated pensions became payable in Spain in April 1975, and in Portugal in October 1979, by virtue of reciprocal social security agreements with those countries. Since 1 January 1986, uprated UK pensions have been payable in Spain and Portugal under the EC regulations on social security for migrant workers. The UK has no similar agreements with the four Commonwealth countries referred to in my previous reply.

  Occupational Injuries Report
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has received reports on the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council's investigations into hand arm vibration syndrome, disorders of the knee and occupational rhinitis; and if he will make a statement. [24843]

  Mr. Hague
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has today laid copies of the council's reports before Parliament—Cm 2842, 2843, and 2844. We

  Income support recipients with mortgage interest considered in their assessment

  All cases

  Cases with half mortgage interest

  Cases with full mortgage interest

  Number of cases

  Average MI considered per week £

  Number of cases

  Average MI considered per week £

  Number of cases

  Average MI considered per week £

  1990:

  Great Britain

  310,000

  34.33

  40,000

  33.70

  270,000

  34.43

  North Eastern

  45,000

  23.25

  7,000

  19.32

  38,000

  24.03

  London North

  51,000

  48.12

  7,000

  48.17

  45,000

  48.11

  South Western

  25,000

  39.05

  3,000

  28.64

  28,000

  40.34

  Wales

  26,000

  23.58

  2,000

  26.90

  24,000

  23.31

  Midlands

  52,000

  25.47

  6,000

  24.72

  46,000

  25.57

  North Western

  50,000

  25.33

  8,000

  26.58

  42,000

  25.11

  Scotland

  14,000

  32.64

  2,000

  41.72

  12,000

  31.19

  London South

  47,000

  52.98

  6,000

  57.39

  41,000

  52.38

  274
  shall give them careful consideration and respond to the council's recommendations once the medical, administrative and financial issues raised by the reports have been examined.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the Government to publish their response to the Third Report of the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration published on 20 March about the Child Support Agency. [24945]

  Mr. Burt
  The Government's response is set out in "The Child Support Agency—Reply by the Government to the Third Report of the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner Session 1994–95", Cm2865, published today.

  Benefits Agency Nursery, Brixton
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to visit St. Paul's Angels Benefits Agency nursery, Brixton, before its proposed closure. [24708]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no such plans.

  Mortgage Interest
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people received assistance with mortgage interest payments in each year since 1990; and what is the current average level of assistance, by standard economic region. [23028]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: The information is set out in the table. This shows the numbers of cases and average amount of mortgage interest considered in the assessment of each year since 1990, broken down by region and whether half or full mortgage interest was in payment at the time of the inquiry.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiries, May 1990–1993

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry, May 1994.

  Notes:

  1. Numbers of cases have been rounded to the nearest thousand. Average amounts are correct to the nearest penny.

  2. The regions shown are those which have been used, historically, for social security purposes and are identified by an area code which is given to each claim.
  275

  Income support recipients with mortgage interest considered in their assessment

  All cases

  Cases with half mortgage interest

  Cases with full mortgage interest

  Number of cases

  Average MI considered per week £

  Number of cases

  Average MI considered per week £

  Number of cases

  Average MI considered per week £

  1991:

  Great Britain

  411,000

  44.41

  74,000

  35.61

  337,000

  46.34

  North Eastern

  52,000

  29.91

  9,000

  20.53

  43,000

  31.86

  London North

  80,000

  59.43

  17,000

  43.44

  63,000

  63.80

  South Western

  40,000

  51.30

  7,000

  39.07

  33,000

  64.08

  Wales

  27,000

  34.80

  4,000

  26.62

  24,000

  36.02

  Midlands

  69,000

  35.30

  12,000

  31.95

  57,000

  36.02

  North Western

  58,000

  28.38

  7,000

  22.64

  51,000

  29.20

  Scotland

  18,000

  35.33

  4,000

  24.69

  14,000

  37.99

  London South

  67,000

  63.51

  14,000

  49.22

  53,000

  67.21

  1992:

  Great Britain

  499,000

  44.02

  64,000

  30.59

  435,000

  46.01

  North Eastern

  60,000

  29.93

  7,000

  21.35

  52,000

  31.13

  London North

  100,000

  60.72

  15,000

  39.93

  86,000

  64.29

  South Western

  52,000

  48.30

  6,000

  31.25

  46,000

  60.50

  Wales

  34,000

  33.67

  3,000

  21.47

  31,000

  34.78

  Midlands

  80,000

  33.31

  10,000

  22.43

  70,000

  34.91

  North Western

  68,000

  27.34

  8,000

  24.10

  60,000

  27.78

  Scotland

  19,000

  32.59

  3,000

  21.49

  16,000

  34.50

  London South

  87,000

  61.34

  13,000

  39.63

  74,000

  64.99

  1993:

  Great Britain

  555,000

  42.18

  55,000

  22.76

  500,000

  44.31

  North Eastern

  69,000

  26.34

  8,000

  15.71

  60,000

  22.76

  London North

  112,000

  57.82

  11,000

  29.29

  101,000

  60.92

  South Western

  53,000

  45.64

  5,000

  26.25

  48,000

  47.70

  Wales

  34,000

  29.63

  3,000

  17.39

  31,000

  30.70

  Midlands

  89,000

  32.93

  8,000

  18.89

  81,000

  34.39

  North Western

  73,000

  27.27

  7,000

  16.92

  66,000

  28.30

  Scotland

  22,000

  27.99

  3,000

  16.46

  19,000

  29.81

  London South

  103,000

  59.70

  10,000

  29.90

  93,000

  62.94

  1994:

  Great Britain

  529,000

  38.18

  42,000

  20.87

  487,000

  39.69

  North Eastern

  68,000

  25.30

  7,000

  16.18

  61,000

  26.35

  London North

  105,000

  51.65

  8,000

  28.33

  97,000

  53.66

  South Western

  48,000

  40.69

  3,000

  21.33

  45,000

  42.01

  Wales

  33,000

  27.45

  2,000

  15.55

  32,000

  28.17

  Midlands

  83,000

  29.87

  6,000

  17.56

  77,000

  30.90

  North Western

  70,000

  26.05

  6,000

  16.20

  65,000

  26.91

  Scotland

  24,000

  26.26

  3,000

  16.00

  21,000

  27.78

  London South

  97,000

  54.09

  7,000

  27.31

  89,000

  56.21

  Benefit Statistics
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list, for the last available year, the total amount of expenditure on(a) income support, (b) housing benefit, (c) council tax benefit and (d) family credit given to (i) families containing one or more adults in work and (ii) people in work with no dependants, expressing the data by benefit office area; [23318]

  (2) if he will list, for the last available year, the total amount of expenditure on (a) income support, (b) housing benefit, (c) council tax benefit and (d) family credit given to (i) families containing one or more adults in work and (ii) people in work with no dependants, expressing the data by region; [23319]
  276
  (3) if he will list the number of (a) families containing one or more adults in work and (b) people in work with no dependants receiving (i) income support, (ii) housing benefit, (iii) council tax benefit and (iv) family credit, expressing the data by (i) region and (ii) benefit office area for the latest year possible for which figures are available. [23648]

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer 10 May 1995]: Information cannot be provided in the precise form requested. No information is available for benefit office areas and information for family credit is available only for social security administrative regions. The available information is shown in the tables:

  277

  Income-related benefit recipients and expenditure by standard statistical region

  North

  York and Humberside

  East Midlands

  East Anglia

  South East(ex London)

  IS

  HB

  CTB

  IS

  HB

  CTB

  IS

  HB

  CTB

  IS

  HB

  CTB

  IS

  HB

  CTB

  Families in work in receipt (000s)

  11

  21

  25

  11

  18

  27

  10

  15

  22

  5

  9

  12

  23

  36

  41

  Estimated expenditure (£ million)

  38

  29

  8

  41

  20

  7

  35

  21

  6

  15

  15

  3

  99

  74

  12

  Number of recipients in work without dependants (000s)

  6

  11

  16

  7

  10

  15

  5

  9

  15

  2

  7

  7

  11

  25

  25

  Estimated expenditure (£ million)

  12

  13

  5

  12

  13

  4

  8

  13

  4

  4

  8

  2

  29

  41

  7

  London (Inner and Outer)

  South West

  West Midlands

  IS

  HB

  CTB

  IS

  HB

  CTB

  IS

  HB

  CTB

  Families in work in receipt (000s)

  10

  33

  26

  13

  19

  23

  12

  19

  21

  Estimated expenditure (£ million)

  37

  75

  9

  55

  32

  7

  48

  26

  6

  Number of recipients in work without dependants (000s)

  5

  21

  12

  8

  12

  16

  7

  13

  19

  Estimated expenditure (£ million)

  8

  43

  4

  21

  20

  5

  14

  16

  5

  North West

  Wales

  Scotland

  IS

  HB

  CTB

  IS

  HB

  CTB

  IS

  HB

  CTB

  Families in work in receipt (000s)

  16

  30

  45

  8

  14

  12

  8

  25

  25

  Estimated expenditure (£ million)

  56

  41

  13

  32

  21

  2

  24

  29

  6

  Number of recipients in work without dependants (000s)

  8

  19

  28

  4

  6

  7

  6

  17

  15

  Estimated expenditure (£ million)

  14

  23

  7

  11

  7

  1

  10

  19

  4

  Family credit recipients and expenditure by social security administrative region

  North Eastern FC

  London North FC

  South Western FC

  Wales FC

  Midlands FC

  North Western FC

  Scotland FC

  London South FC

  Families in work in receipt (000s)

  89

  57

  37

  31

  89

  79

  57

  50

  Estimated expenditure (£ million)

  204

  127

  82

  70

  196

  187

  128

  106

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information Systems. 1 per cent. sample May 1993.

  Income Support Statistics Annual Enquiry May 1993.

  Family Credit Statistics Quarterly Enquiry May 1993.

  Notes:

  1. Recipients have been rounded to the nearest thousand, expenditure to the nearest £ million.

  2. "People" has been interpreted to mean singles or couples with no dependants, and "families" as singles or couples with dependants.

  3. Estimated annual expenditure is the total number of recipients multiplied by the average weekly award multiplied by 52 weeks.

HEALTH

  Cancer Treatment
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which NHS hospitals high dose marrow ablative chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow rescue is available. [23147]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.
  278
  It is for clinicians to decide upon the most appropriate form of treatment for each individual patient.

  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many specialists in NHS hospitals have dealt with the condition known as PNET; how many of these are paediatric specialists; and what has been the success rate in each case; [23149]

  (2) how many specialists in NHS hospitals have dealt with the condition known as glioblastoma multiforme;

  279
  how many of these are paediatric specialists; and what has been the success rate in each case; [22148]

  (3) how many paediatric centers in the United Kingdom currently use high—dose chemotherapy with bone marrow rescue in the treatment of children with malignant brain tumours; [23146]

  (4) how many specialists in NHS hospitals have dealt with the condition known as Li Fraumeni syndrome; how many of these are paediatric specialists; and what has been the success rate in each case. [23150]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  However, this is an area where doctors are taking a strong lead in auditing the process and outcome of their care. The United Kingdom children cancer study group, which recently met Department of Health officials, registers cases of childhood cancers treated by its members and acts as an organisation for promoting professional standards in the field of paediatric oncology. Childhood tumours are fortunately uncommon, and some types are rare. The UKCCSG is therefore planning a service to help doctors find the best place to treat rare childhood tumours.

  The recent report of the chief medical officer's expert advisory group on cancer recommends increasing specialisation and sub-specialisation in cancer to enhance outcomes.

  Hospitals
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list each hospital closure referred to the Secretary of State in the last 16 years; [23597]

  2) how many hospitals closures were referred to the Secretary of State for approval due to community health council objection in each year since 1979; and what was the decision of the Secretary of State in each case. [23596]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 18 April, column 120 for a list of proposed closures and changes of use considered by Ministers following community health council objection for the period from January 1992 to December 1994. Information before this could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Ministers approved all the proposals except the proposed closure of Ponteland and Lemington hospitals, Newcastle.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide official figures for the number of hospitals opened and closed since 1 April 1991. [23593]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date her approval ceased to be required for opening or closing a hospital. [23595]

  Mr. Malone
  Ministerial approval has never been required for the opening of a hospital. Ministers continue to make final decisions on closures when they are contested by the local community health council.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what date the decision not to collect information centrally on hospital closures and openings was made; and if she will make a statement; [23591]
  280
  (2) if she will consider reintroducing centrally held information on hospital closures and openings including size, type and location of the hospital in question. [23592]

  Mr. Malone
  The collection of information centrally on hospital closures ceased during 1991. Information on hospital openings has never been collected centrally. We have no plans to change these arrangements.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals there were in England by region and in total on 1 April. [23598]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on the number of hospitals in England is not available for 1 April 1995. For previous years I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave her on 16 May, columns 173–76.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is provided to her Department by regional health authorities on the number of hospitals opened and closed. [23594]

  Mr. Malone
  Regional health authorities refer to Ministers only those proposals for hospital closures which are contested by the local community health council following RHA consideration.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 30 March,Official Report, column 716, how many hospitals provide (a) acute services, (b) maternity services, (c) geriatric services, (d) mental health services, (e) learning difficulty services and (f) specialist services, by region and by total. [22832]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: The information requested is not available centrally.

  Burnley Health Care NHS Trust
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps were taken by the Medical Devices Agency or the former relevant authority before it to certify the safety of the probe implicated in the loss of eyes by patients at Burnley general hospital. [23856]

  Mr. Sackville
  Responsibility for the design of individual medical devices resides with the manufacturer of the device. As soon as the problem was identified, Burnley Health Care NHS trust notified the manufacturers and the Medical Devices Agency, which are issuing a hazard notice to all NHS hospitals.

  Criminal Records
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy that a criminal record should play no part in the assessment of medical needs NHS patients. [23854]

  Mr. Bowis
  It would do so only if information about criminal activity was essential in order to decide on the type or location, of care to be provided for a particular condition.

  Human Rights
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is her policy to accept the provisional recommendations made by the Council of Europe on human rights in its document 1235/1994. [23712]

  Mr. Bowis
  A Government response will be made once final recommendations are formally adopted and published by the Council of Europe.
  281

  Dental Services
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how she plans to develop the role of the community dental service. [24405]

  Mr. Malone
  The Department of Health circular (89)2 provides guidance for health authorities and sets out the role of the community dental service. This circular is available in the Library. We intend to open discussions with the joint negotiating forum, comprising health departments, the Central Committee for Community Dental Services, and health authorities to consider the present role of the community dental service and to provide revised guidance. The guidance will encourage health authorities to assess the need for the community dental service to act as a "safety net", and to make arrangements for services in the light of these assessments.

  Waiting Times
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary for State for Health if she will give the latest waiting list times for(a) in-patient and (b) out-patient treatment for (i) Trent region and (ii) Sheffield health authority for each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [24401]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on in-patient waiting lists and times by district health authority and region in England is given in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", published twice yearly, copies of which are available in the Library. Information on the waiting times of patients for out-patient assessment has been published for two quarters. In the quarter to 31 December 1994, in Trent region 85 per cent, of patients were seen within 13 weeks and 97 per cent. within 26 weeks of referral by their general practitioner. Information on performance at individual trusts will be placed in the Library once the Audit Commission has completed checks on the trusts' information systems.

  Suicides
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the most recent available percentage suicide rate for employed 18 to 65 years old in England. [24553]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on the number of unemployed people who have committed suicide is not available. At death registration, informants are asked for the last occupation rather than the employment status of the deceased.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment she has made of the implications for her community care policy of the absence of private old people's homes in Slough, given the proposal that Slough borough council should become a unitary authority; [24533]

  (2) if she will make a statement on the potential effect on children on the children protection register when Berkshire is divided into six unitary authorities; [24535]

  (3) if she will make a statement on the likely effects on social services provision of the proposed division of Berkshire into six unitary authorities. [24536]
  282
  Mr. Bowis
  All new unitary authorities will be responsible for deciding how their statutory responsibilities for personal social services can best be discharged. On 12 May, the Department issued an advice document to local authorities entitled "Social Services: Maintaining Standards in A Changing World" under cover of local authority social services letter (95)5. Copies of the advice document are available in the Library. It draws attention to the special features of social services which the new authorities will need to consider if they are to deliver those services effectively to people who need them.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS prescriptions for the treatment of epilepsy were dispensed in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many of those prescriptions were for products that were licensed(a) within the last five years, (b) more than 10 years ago and (c) more than 20 years ago. [22840]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 11 May 1995]: The available information will be placed in the Library.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fisheries
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if his common fisheries policy review group will be enabled to visit Canada, Iceland or Norway to report on the advantages and disadvantages of national control of national fishing waters; [23991]

  (2) how many members of the review group on the common fisheries policy have been or are in receipt of research grants from his Department or from EEC sources; and if he will list the grants and projects involved; [23987]

  (3) if he will instruct his common fisheries policy review group to make its first priority to report on the financial viability of the English fishing industry; [23989]

  (4) if he will indicate the geographical base of each member of his review group on the common fisheries policy. [23988]

  Mr. Jack
  I do not intend to dictate to the group what it should or should not discuss, provided that any discussion is about ways of improving the CFP. I am sure there are lessons to be learnt from management regimes operated outside the EU, although I do not anticipate that any foreign visits will be necessary.

  Group members' places of residence are:

  Mr. Goodland: Shetland isles

  Professor McIntyre: Aberdeen

  Mr. Thomas: Hull

  Dr. Gubbay: Ross-on-Wye

  Dr. Cunningham: Portsmouth

  Dr Cooke: Brixham

  Members of the group involved in research activities may well be associated with organisations which receive grants from this Department or from EC sources.

  283
  However, we have no records of members of the group personally receiving research grants from the Department or from EC sources.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fishermen(a) not belonging to and (b) belonging to producer organisations have been prosecuted for illegal catches of fish since 1 January 1990. [24538]

  Mr. Jack
  Information about illegal catches by sector and non-sector fishermen in the form requested is not readily available. However, I refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger) on 28 and 31 March,Official Report, columns 626 and 848 respectively.

  Trading Standards Services Berkshire
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the applicability of the views attributed to his Department on pages 42 and 43 of "Renewing of Local Government in the English shires" to the future of the trading standards service after the proposed division of Berkshire into six unitary authorities. [24548]

  Mrs. Browing
  I hold to our views expressed in the Local Government Commission report, but I accept that the issues of enforcement of food law by trading standards officers were not the only issues that the commission had to consider in making its recommendations on local government re-organisation in Berkshire. Now that it has been agreed what form the reorganisation will take, I am considering what advice on this topic it may be necessary for us to give to the successor authorities.

  Bananas
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the Government's position with regard to the European Community's proposal on bananas. [24679]

  Mr. Jack
  The Commission has proposed a number of changes to the EU bananas regime. These take account of the accession of the three new member states, make proper provision for response to natural disasters in the

  Payments to Spain for agriculture from the EC Budget

  CAP (EAGGF guarantee section)

  (of which fisheries market support)

  EAGCF guidance section (agriculture)

  mecu

  £ million

  mecu

  £ million

  mecu

  £ million

  1992

  3,579

  2,533

  (12)

  (8)

  557

  394

  1993

  4,326

  3,401

  (10)

  (8)

  387

  304

  1994

  4,255

  3,287

  (10)

  (8)

  n/a

  n/a

  Conversion rates: 1992 £1 = 1.4131 ecu; 1993 £1 = 1.2718 ecu; 1994 £1 = 1.2945 ecu

  Sources:

  CAP - 1992 and 1993: EAGGF guarantee section annual financial reports; 1994: Commission working document; EAGGF guidance section - annual reports of the European Court of Auditors

  With regard to future expenditure, the CAP budget is drawn up only a year in advance, and is set in relation to forecast expenditure throughout the Community, and not on the basis of allocations to individual member states. With regard to agricultural structures, Spain has been allocated 3,640 mecu or £3,023 million from the EAGGF guidance section, under objective 1 and objective 5a for
  284
  production areas, provide for quota transferability amongst African, Caribbean and Pacific suppliers, simplify the arrangements for allocating import licences and remove fig bananas from the scope of the regime.

  The Government welcome the proposed improvements in the provisions relating to ACP suppliers. On licence allocation, it will press for simplification of the rules but without undermining existing incentives for wide participation in the development of trade in ACP fruit.

  Lamb Exports
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has as to how many kilos of English lamb exported to France is sold annually in France labelled as French lamb. [24684]

  Mr. Jack
  I have no reason to believe that any English or other UK lamb exported to France in the form of meat is ever sold labelled as French lamb.

  Meat from live sheep exported from the UK to France may be sold labelled as "freshly killed" or "home killed" lamb, but not as French lamb.

  Fish Farms, Salisbury
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fish farm sites are located within the boundaries of Salisbury district council. [24545]

  Mr. Jack
  There are currently 11 fish farm sites registered within the Salisbury postal district area.

  Spain
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much subsidy has been given to Spain in each of the last three years from the European Community for agriculture; and what is the forecast of funding to Spain for the next three years. [24680]

  Mr. Jack
  Receipts by Spain of funds from both the guarantee section, which funds the common agricultural policy, and the guidance section, which funds structural measures in the agricultural sector, of the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund for the last three years are shown in the table below. The EAGGF guarantee section expenditure contains a small element in respect of fisheries market support.

  the period 1994–1999. The allocation to Spain under objective 5b—rural development—for the same period is 664 mecu or £551 millions derived from the EAGGF guidance section, European regional development fund and the European social fund combined. A breakdown of the amount to be funded from the EAGGF guidance section alone is not available.
  285

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many claims for dependency due to fatal injuries were made for criminal injuries compensation under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994; and how many resulted in an award; [23772]

  (2) what was the highest award made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board for psychiatric injury in cases determined under the common law scheme before April 1994; [23769]

  (3) how many criminal injuries compensation cases decided under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994 involved injuries to the dominant hand or arm; [23773]

  (4) what was the highest criminal injuries compensation award made to a child under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994; [23765]

  (5) how many criminal injuries compensation awards involving fatal injuries were dealt with under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994; and what was the highest award; [23767]

  (6) what was the highest criminal injuries compensation award for scarring injuries made under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994; [23774]

  (7) how many fatal criminal injuries compensation cases decided under the tariff scheme would have resulted in a dependency award under the common law scheme; [23755]

  (8) how many criminal injuries compensation cases were determined under the common law scheme in relation to children under 18 years between April 1993 and April 1994; [23764]

  (9) what was the average criminal injuries compensation award made to a victim of child sexual abuse under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994. [23766]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not recorded centrally.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal injuries compensation cases were accepted under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994 which had been lodged out of time; and how many cases were rejected under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994(a) for being out of time and (b) under eligibility rules. [23776]

  Mr. Maclean
  In the year to 31 March 1994, the board received 3,704 out of time applications. In addition, 164 cases were carried forward from 1992–93. At 31 March 1994 the position was:

  Numbers

  Under consideration

  356

  Accepted

  2,715

  Refused

  766

  Abandoned by applicant

  31

  Reasons for refusal are not recorded centrally.
  286
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims for criminal injuries compensation were lodged for consideration under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994; how many were rejected under eligibility rules; and how many resulted in an interim award under the common law scheme. [23771]

  Mr. Maclean
  In the year ending 31 March 1994, the board received 73,473 applications. Some 23,933 cases were rejected, and interim awards were made in 6,492 cases. The latter two figures include cases received before 1993–94.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal injuries compensation cases were pursued by way of appeal to a member level panel under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994; and how many were successfully appealed. [23775]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information is that the board received 15,192 appeals and made 4,094 monetary awards following appeal.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each tariff band, the(a) longest, (b) shortest and (c) average periods for an application for criminal injuries compensation to be determined under the tariff scheme; [23740]

  (2) what was the average length of time to determine an application for criminal injuries compensation under the tariff scheme during the first year of its operation. [23758]

  Mr. Malcean
  All offers of award made under the tariff scheme will be honoured without prejudice to reassessment under the reinstated—1990—scheme. Applicants have three months in which to accept or reject an offer. The information requested will not therefore be available until at least three months after the last offers were made.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many awards for criminal injuries compensation have been made under the tariff scheme involving(a) combination awards for multiple injuries and (b) injuries not specified within the tariff of injuries; [23741]

  (2) what have been the highest and lowest awards for criminal injuries compensation under the tariff scheme for an injury not specified within the tariff of injuries; and what were the injuries involved in each case. [23742]

  Mr. Maclean
  Six hundred and forty-one awards have been offered and accepted in cases involving more than one injury. No awards were made in respect of injuries not specified in the tariff.

  Mr. Jack Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many criminal injuries compensation cases involving sexual violence have been determined under the tariff scheme; [23743]

  (2) how many reviews were lodged under the tariff scheme for criminal injuries compensation against initial determination; [23756]

  (3) what was the average award for criminal injuries compensation under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994; [23777]

  (4) how many criminal injuries compensation claimants have received interim payments under the tariff scheme; [23753]
  287
  (5) how many fatal criminal injuries compensation cases have been decided under the tariff scheme; [23754]

  (6) what was the highest award made under the common law criminal injuries compensation scheme between April 1993 and April 1994; [23768]

  (7) how many awards for criminal injuries compensation were decided under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994. [23778]

  Mr. Maclean
  The answer is 690, 2,918, £4,064, 66, 54, £1,148, 760 and 40,635 respectively.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the average award, (b) the highest award and (c) the lowest award made in criminal injuries compensation cases involving sexual violence determined under the tariff scheme. [23744]

  Mr. Maclean
  The answer is £4,613, £17,500 and £1,00 respectively.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the average award, (b) the highest award and (c) the lowest award made under the tariff scheme for criminal injuries compensation involving psychiatric injury. [23745]

  Mr. Maclean
  This answer is £2,791, £20,000 and £1,000 respectively.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal injuries compensation cases determined under the tariff scheme involved(a) paralysis of all four limbs, (b) paralysis of the lower limbs, (c) hemiplegia, (d) serious brain damage and (e) brain damage with serious impairment. [23746]

  Mr. Maclean
  One award was made in respect of paralysis of all four limbs. No determinations were made in respect of the other categories.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal injuries compensation cases provisionally decided under the tariff scheme are expected to result in a higher award when reconsidered under the common law scheme. [23747]

  Mr. Maclean
  Based on assessments made when the tariff scheme was introduced, 40 per cent. of awards provisionally made might be expected to have been the same as, or less than, awards which would have been made under the scheme based on common law damages and as such to result in higher awards when reconsidered. It should be noted, however, that the provisional awards made are likely to have been typical since, because of the priority which was given to clearing the outstanding cases lodged before 1 April 1994 and the way in which the work was organised, the cases which were settled under the tariff scheme included a high proportion of nil awards.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal injuries compensation cases outstanding under the common law scheme were decided between April 1993 and April 1994. [23748]

  Mr. Maclean
  In the year ending 31 March 1994, the board resolved 65,293 cases.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal injuries compensation claims on behalf of children under the age of 18 years were(a) lodged and (b) determined under the tariff scheme between April 1994 and April 1995. [23759]

  Mr. Maclean
  Some 12,086 applications were received. Compensation was paid in 1,006 cases.
  288
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child victims of sexual abuse lodged applications for criminal injuries compensation between April 1994 and April 1995; and how many have been determined. [23761]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information about the number of such applications is not recorded. Compensation was paid in 225 cases involving child victims of sexual abuse.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what were the administrative costs of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority between April 1994 and April 1995; [23763]

  (2) what is the estimated administrative cost of dealing with the consequences of the House of Lords decision on the criminal injuries compensation scheme; and how much additional criminal injuries compensation he estimates will have to be paid as a result of the decision in respect of cases lodged between April 1994 and April 1995; [23749]

  (3) what was the cost of setting up the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. [23762]

  Mr. Maclean
  I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) on 25 November 1994,Official Report, column 446, and 26 April, Official Report, column 561.

  The additional cost of compensation arising in respect of cases lodged in the year ending 31 March 1995 is likely to be in the order of £85 million.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the time it will take to reassess those criminal injuries compensation cases previously decided under the tariff scheme, in the light of the House of Lords ruling. [23770]

  Mr. Maclean
  I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) on 1 May,Official Report, column 92.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of time for determining criminal injuries compensation cases under the common law scheme between April 1993 and April 1994; and what was the average award. [23985]

  Mr. Maclean
  The board does not record information about the average length of time for determining cases, although paragraphs 3.11 and 3.12 of its 30th annual report do give some information on the subject. The average award was £4,064.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal injuries compensation claims lodged between April 1994 and April 1995 and not determined under the tariff scheme involve(a) fatal injuries, (b) injuries sustained in sexual attack, (c) paraplegia, (d) quadriplegia, (e) hemiplegia, (f) serious brain damage and (g) brain damage resulting in serious impairment. [23750]

  Mr. Maclean
  Some 1,192 cases involving fatal injuries were awaiting initial determination. Information on the other categories is not available.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal injuries compensation claims between April 1994 and April 1995 were(a) lodged under the tariff scheme, (b) decided under the tariff scheme, (c) accepted for eligibility under the tariff

  289
  scheme, (d) rejected for eligibility under the tariff scheme, (e) rejected for eligibility under the tariff scheme which would have been eligible under the common law scheme. [23751]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information is that in the year ending 31 March 1995, 66,387 cases were registered under the tariff scheme. Some 4,891 monetary awards were offered, and 11,076 cases were rejected or received "nil" awards. There is no information as to how many of the cases rejected under the tariff scheme would have been eligible under the common law scheme.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal injuries compensation cases have been decided under the tariff scheme, by tariff band. [23752]

  Mr. Maclean
  The breakdown of awards offered in the year ending 31 March 1995 was as follows:

  Band

  Number

  1

  1,160

  2

  268

  3

  1,324

  4

  76

  5

  432

  6

  153

  7

  736

  8

  170

  9

  93

  10

  72

  11

  70

  12

  244

  13

  50

  14

  2

  15

  5

  16

  24

  17

  12

  18

  5

  19

  2

  25

  1

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal injuries compensation cases were(a) pursued by way of review to the review panel under the tariff scheme and (b) successfully appealed to the review panel under the tariff scheme. [23757]

  Mr. Maclean
  One hundred and twenty appeals were made to the appeals panel. The tariff scheme was withdrawn before the panel considered any cases.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to publish the 30th report of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. [23984]

  Mr. Maclean
  It was published on 11 May 1995.

  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the highest and lowest criminal injuries compensation awards made to children under the tariff scheme between April 1994 and April 1995. [23760]

  Mr Maclean
  The highest and lowest awards made to persons aged under 18 were £30,000 and £1,000.

  African National Congress (Bombing)
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 23 February,Official Report, columns 330–31, what progress has been made in police investigations of the 1982 bombing of the
  290
  London offices of the African National Congress. [24457]

  Mr. Howard
  I understand that the police have now completed their review of the evidence and are considering whether there is a basis for further action in the light of Mr. Williamson's reported remarks.

  Consultants
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what work was carried out on behalf of his Department by EDMC Management Consultants in connection with proposals to privatise the escorting of vehicles carrying abnormal loads on motorways and other roads; and at what cost. [24753]

  Mr. Maclean
  EDMC Management Consultants analysed and defined the skills and competencies which are required for the escorting of abnormal loads on motorways and linked dual carriageways. Its work included advice and recommendations regarding assessment of these competencies and on how possible to draw up a formal qualification in escorting for issue by an awarding body. It is not the Department's policy to waste the value of individual contracts, on the grounds of commercial confidentially.

  Data Protection Registrar
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the office of the Data Protection Registrar. [25186]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The next five yearly review of the office of the Data Protection Registrar will take place in 1995–96. The first stage of the review will consist of a "prior options" study. In accordance with normal practice, this will consider whether the registrar's functions still need to be performed at all—and, if they do, whether they could be privatised, contracted out, or transferred to some other body. The study will shortly begin, and I would welcome comments from interested parties. Comments should be sent by 16 June 1995 to Mr. M. Jones, Room 978, Home Office, Queen Anne's gate, London SW1H 9AT.

  Passport Agency
  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what performance targets he has set for the UK Passport Agency in 1995–96. [25185]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  During 1995–96 I shall expect the Passport Agency to continue to improve its standard of service to the public while seeking further efficiency savings in its operations.

  I have set the agency the following targets:

  (i) to process properly completed straightforward applications within a maximum of 15 working days between April and August 1995, 10 working days between September and February 1996 and 15 working days in March 1996.

  (ii) to process such applications within an overall average of seven working days for the year as a whole, and

  (iii) to reduce unit costs by a further 5 per cent, in real terms in comparison with the outturn for 1994–95.

  291
  The chief executive will remain directly accountable to me for the performance of the Passport Agency. An advisory board, including two private sector members with experience of delivering services to the public, will continue to provide me with an independent assessment of the agency's performance.

  Prisons Expenditure
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the criminal justice

  £ million

  1986–87

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Total estimated expenditure on the criminal justice system in England and Wales1

  4,596

  7,629

  8,770

  9,204

  9,524

  10,100

  Expenditure on prisons (including accommodating prisoners in police cells)

  697

  1,452

  1,586

  1,610

  1,507

  1.5962

  1 Figures include Home Office expenditure on prisons; Home Office and local authority expenditure on the police and probation services; Lord Chancellor's Department expenditure on criminal business related administration, court services and legal aid; and expenditure on the Crown Prosecution Service.

  2 Supply estimate figure.

  One of the principal objectives of the criminal justice system is the prevention of crime. All constituent parts of the system contribute to this objective. Indeed, the Government's White Paper "Police Reform" published in June 1993, Cm 2281, listed fighting and preventing crime as a main aim of the police, who account for over half of all criminal justice expenditure. It is not possible to isolate the resources associated with the crime prevention part of the work of criminal justice agencies. Information about specific Home Office initiatives in crime prevention is set out in paragraphs 4.41 to 4.48 of the Home Office annual report 1995, Cm 2808.

  Probation Service
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the terms of the informal agreement between the European Community Commission and Her Majesty's Government on the use of the restricted procedure in procurement process for the probation service house II framework agreement. [24391]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The conditions for use of the restricted procedure in the procurement process are set out in the Public Supply Contract Regulations, S.I.1991. No. 2679, a copy of which is in the Library. These conditions were complied with in the establishment of the house II—Home Office Unix systems environment—framework arrangement used to set up the agreement for probation services.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Treasury has been alerted to the facsimile correspondence from his Department's Mr. Lindsay Watson to Mr. Guy Lougher of Wragge and Co. on 9 February 1995; and if the questions raised about the award of the house II framework contract are factually and legally accurate. [24393]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Mr. Lindsay Watson's letter of 9 February 1995 was prepared in consultation with the Treasury, who is content that the procedure under which the house II framework arrangement was awarded was in compliance with the Public Supply Contracts Regulations, S.I. 1991, No. 2679.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the award by a probation 292
  budget has been spent on the prison service, including accommodating prisoners in police cells; and what proportion has been spent on crime prevention in each of the last 16 years. [21607]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 1 May 1995]: The full information sought is not available. The information readily available is as follows:

  committee or board of any contract to Bull Information Systems Ltd. under or in pursuance of the house II framework agreement will need to comply with the relevant European Procurement rules in all respects; and if it will need to be separately advertised or publicised by the said probation committee or board under those rules. [24392]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Since the house II—Home Office Unix systems environment—framework arrangement was awarded in accordance with the Public Supply Contracts Regulations, there is no need to have a further competition each time a probation committee or board awards any contract to Bull Information Systems Ltd. under or in pursuance of the house II framework agreement.

  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the relevant European public procurement regulations and laws in relation to the house II—Bull framework agreement—have been implemented. [24390]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The house II—Home Office Unix Systems Environment—framework arrangement was awarded following a competition which complied with the Public Supply Contracts Regulations, SI 1991, No. 2679. The regulations are the mechanism by which the EC supplies directive is implemented.

  Race Relations
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what race relations policies the Prison Service has; and to what extent they are mandatory; [23087]

  (2) what means are in place to check establishments for compliance with race relations policy; and what training is given to those who check compliance; [23088]

  (3) what special arrangements the Prison Service provides for prisoners who are foreign nationals; [23089]

  (4) how many prison governors have a race relations element in their contracts; and what formal race relations management training is given to prison governors; [23135]

  (5) how many prisons have facilities for serving kosher or halal food; [23081]
  293
  (6) how many prison race relations management teams have a membership which includes a representative from an outside racial equality organisation; [23082]

  (7) how many formal complaints on racial grounds have been received by his Department (a) from staff and (b) from prisoners in each of the last five years. [23083]

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr Doug Hoyle dated 17 May 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about race relations in the Prison Service.
  The Prison Service's race relations policy is set out in its policy statement on the subject, a copy of which is attached. This states that all prisoners should be treated impartially and without discrimination on grounds of colour, race and religion. Under the policy, which is mandatory, racially insulting, abusive or derogatory language towards prisoners is not tolerated.
  To check establishments are complying with race relations policy, the prison governors' standard business plan includes targets on race issues, for which governors are accountable to their area manager. Governors are also required to complete an annual race relations checklist. These checklist returns form the basis of an annual report on race relations to the Prisons Board. Additionally, annual reports of Boards of Visitors and reports of inspections by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons frequently cover race issues. No specific training for the purpose of checking compliance is given. However, some of those involved, for example, area managers and some Board of Visitors members, will have received general race relations training.
  Prison governors' contracts include a race relations element and race relations issues are addressed as part of the modular training course for middle managers, including governor grades. This is delivered by the Prison Service Colleges in conjunction with Leeds Metropolitan University. Governors recruited under the Accelerated Promotion Scheme receive race relations training both as part of initial officer training and on subsequent development courses.
  In 1993–94, the latest year for which figures are available, the number of prisons which could provide kosher and halal food were 119 and 117 respectively.
  At present, 39 prison race relations management teams have a membership which includes a representative from an outside racial equality organisation.
  Information on how many formal complaints on racial grounds have been received by the Prison Service from staff and from prisoners in each of the last five years is not available. However, analysis of the annual checklist returns shows that the number of recorded racial incidents, which includes complaints, is as follows:

  Staff

  Prisoners

  1990–91

  0

  22

  1991–92

  11

  95

  1992–93

  20

  121

  1993–94

  16

  206

  1994–95

  1—

  1—

  1Information not yet available.

  With regard to foreign nationals, the Prison Service has produced a Foreign Prisoners' Resource Pack, which provides information and guidance for prison staff working with foreign nationals, and the prisoners themselves. The pack is available in 12 languages and topics include awareness of foreign prisoners' needs and concerns, the criminal justice system, immigration, customs and excise, embassies, interpreting and translating. There is also a Prisoners' Information Pack which is available in 14 languages. In addition the Prison Service has given support for the Nuffield Interpreters Project to encourage accredited interpreters; and has introduced the language line telephone interpreting service into all prisons.
  294
  Prison Service race relations policy statement

  1. The Prison Service is committed absolutely to a policy of racial equality and to the elimination of discrimination in all aspects of the work of the Prison Service. It is opposed also to any display of racial prejudice, either by word or conduct by any member of the Service in his or her dealings with any other person.

  2. All prisoners should be treated with humanity and respect. All prisoners should be treated impartially and without discrimination on grounds of colour, race and religion. Insulting, abusive and derogatory language towards prisoners will not be tolerated.

  3. Race relations concerns every member of the Prison Service. It is the responsibility of every member of staff to ensure that the Department's policy is carried out in relation to other members of staff as well as prisoners.

  4. Members of minority religious groups have the same right to practise their faith as those of the majority faith. Wherever feasible in prison circumstances arrangements are made to give them the same practical opportunity to do so.

  5. All inmates should have equal access to the facilities provided in the establishment including jobs. The distribution of inmates throughout the establishment and its facilities should as far as practicable and sensible be broadly responsive to the ethnic mix of the establishment.

  6. No particular racial group should be allowed to dominate any activity in the establishment to the unfair exclusion of others.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the numbers of offences attributed to juvenile offenders(a) in 1979 and (b) in 1994; what were the numbers of juveniles given custodial sentences (i) in 1979 and (ii) in 1994; and what were the reasons for trends in those statistics. [23936]

  Mr. Maclean
  It is not possible to present an accurate picture of the nature and extent of crime committed by youths aged 10 to 17, as much crime is unreported and not all reported crime is cleared up. We cannot therefore measure the number of crimes actually committed by young people. The best indicator we have is the number of young people known to have been involved in offending, that is, those cautioned by the police for, or convicted by the courts of, a crime.

  Information given in the tables show (a) the number of known offenders by age and type of offence and (b) persons sentenced to immediate custody by age and type of offence for the years 1979 and 1993.

  Reasons for the trends in known offending may include the demographic fall in the general population of persons aged 10 to 17 from 6.4 million in 1979 to 4.9 million in 1993. The trends may also partly reflect the increased use of informal methods for dealing with young offenders.

  1994 data will not be available until autumn 1995.

  Table A—Number of persons found guilty at all courts or cautioned by age and type of offence 1979 and 1993

  England and Wales

  Thousands

  Persons aged 10–17

  All ages

  Type of offence

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  Indictable offences

  Violence against the person1

  13.6

  16.0

  53.1

  63.0

  Sexual offences

  2.7

  1.5

  10.2

  7.6

  Burglary2

  36.8

  19.1

  66.1

  53.1

  Robbery

  1.1

  2.1

  3.3

  5.8

  Theft and handling stolen goods1

  128.7

  73.1

  295.5

  238.8

  295

  Table A—Number of persons found guilty at all courts or cautioned by age and type of offence 1979 and 1993

  England and Wales

  Thousands

  Persons aged 10–17

  All ages

  Type of offence

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  Fraud and forgery

  2.8

  1.9

  22.1

  25.5

  Criminal damage1

  5.3

  4.3

  11.2

  13.5

  Drug offences

  0.5

  7.5

  11.9

  57.0

  Other (excluding motoring)2

  1.9

  3.8

  13.4

  40.4

  Motoring offences1 3

  3.0

  0.3

  21.8

  10.8

  Total indicatable

  196.5

  129.5

  508.7

  515.5

  Summary (excluding motoring)

  58.2

  38.5

  440.3

  551.1

  All offences (excluding motoring)

  254.6

  168.0

  949.0

  1,066.6

  1 A number of indicatable offences were reclassified as summary offences following the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

  2Offenders found guilty, or cautioned for, "going equipped for stealing etc." were counted against burglary offences until 1986, and against "other" from 1987. Historical data provided in this table have been amended to take account of this change.

  3Offenders found guilty only; motoring offence may attract written warnings.

  Table B—Number of persons sentenced to immediate custody at all courts by age and type of offence 1979 and 1993

  England and Wales

  Thousands

  Persons aged 10–17

  All ages

  Type of offence

  1979

  1993

  1979

  1993

  Indictable offences

  Violence against the person1

  1.0

  0.4

  6.9

  7.4

  Sexual offences

  0.1

  0.0

  1.5

  2.0

  Burglary2

  4.3

  1.4

  15.4

  11.8

  Robbery

  0.5

  0.3

  2.3

  3.4

  Theft and handling stolen goods1

  4.9

  0.9

  22.9

  10.1

  Fraud and forgery

  0.1

  0.0

  2.8

  2.4

  Criminal damage1

  0.3

  0.1

  1.4

  0.8

  Drug offences

  0.0

  0.0

  1.0

  3.6

  Other (excluding motoring)2

  0.2

  0.2

  1.8

  4.0

  Motoring offences1 3

  0.2

  0.1

  2.0

  1.1

  Total indicatable

  11.6

  3.4

  57.9

  46.6

  Summary (excluding motoring)

  0.4

  0.4

  3.9

  3.6

  All offences (excluding motoring)

  12.0

  3.7

  61.9

  50.2

  1 A number of indicatable offences were reclassified as summary offences following the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

  2 Offenders found guilty, or cautioned for, "going equipped for stealing etc." were counted against burglary offences until 1986, and against "other" from 1987. Historical data provided in this table have been amended to take account of this change.

  3 Offenders found guilty only; motoring offence may attract written warnings.

  296

  Animal Procedures Committee
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the current members of the Animal Procedures Committee; and which members of the Animal Procedures Committee are employed by animal welfare organisations. [24014]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The current membership of the Animal Procedures Committee is given. Members' association with animal welfare organisations is shown where appropriate.

  Professor Margaret Brazier (Chairman)

  Professor Ronald S. Anderson

  Professor Margaret Boden

  Professor Barry Bridges

  Dr. Fiona Broughton Pipkin

  Dr. David Christopher

  Dr. Yvonne Cripps

  Mr. Roger Ewbank—Director of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

  Dr. John Flack

  Dr. Paul Flecknell

  Professor Susan Iversen

  Mrs. Judy MacArthur Clark

  Miss Cindy Milburn—Special Projects Director, World Society for the Protection of Animals

  Dr. Iain Purchase

  Dr. Jacqueline Southee

  Professor Michael Spyer

  Dr. Anthony J. Suckling—Director of Scientific Affairs RSPCA

  Mr. Les Ward—Director, Advocates for Animals

  Suicides
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is(a) the average suicide rate and (b) the suicide rates for those employed in agriculture in each county in England and Wales. [23406]

  Mr. Bowis
  I have been asked to reply.

  The death rates per 100,000 persons aged 16 to 74 for 1991–93 for (i) agricultural workers and (ii) the whole population, from suicide and self—inflicted injury—international classification of diseases code E950–E959—and for injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted—international classification of diseases code E980–E989, excluding E988.8—are shown in the table.

  Suicide

  Undetermined

  (i) agricultural workers

  19.9

  5.2

  (ii) all persons

  9.3

  3.5

  Information on rates by county could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Hansard: Price Reduction
  Hansard: Price Reduction
  Local Authority Revenue Support Grant
  Local Authority Revenue Support Grant
  Construction Contracts
  Construction Contracts
  Industrial Tribunals: Reduction of Delays
  Industrial Tribunals: Reduction of Delays
  Mr. Clive Froggatt: Views
  Mr. Clive Froggatt: Views
  Legal Aid Reform Proposals
  Legal Aid Reform Proposals