Written Answers of 23 May 1995

DEFENCE

  Meteorological Office
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to privatise the Meteorological Office. [24812]

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no such plans.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he proposes to meet Professor Julian Hunt, chief executive of the Meteorological Office to discuss the accuracy of weather forecasts. [24814]

  Mr. Freeman
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence maintains regular contact with the chief executive of the Meteorological Office.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of introducing competition for the Meteorological Office on the quality of weather forecasts. [24813]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Meteorological Office and the private sector have been competing for a number of years for commercial contracts for meteorological services. The competition helps to ensure that the Met Office maintains a very high-quality forecasting service.

  Base Closures
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the MOD bases where closures have been announced in the last five years; and in which parliamentary constituency they are located. [25188]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department does not hold information in the form requested and it could not be provided without disproportionate cost. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) of 3 May,Official Report, columns 234–38. which listed bases sold by my Department since 1990.

  Nuclear Emergencies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of departmental staff and members of the armed services available for mobilisation in the event of a nuclear accident emergency as described at pages 39–40 of the Statement on the Defence Estimates, 1995, Cm. 2800; and what level of training is given to departmental staff on nuclear emergency response. [25263]

  Mr. Soames
  In addition to a small full-time staff in MOD headquarters, the Nuclear Accident Response Organisation could draw on the skills of many hundreds of personnel across the armed forces and the MOD. Their precise number and specialisation would be dependent on the particular circumstances of an accident but it might include medical experts, health physicists,502
  technical/design specialists, radiation monitoring experts, engineering teams and associated logistic and other support staff. In addition to the training given to ensure day-to-day expertise in these functions, appropriate training is also provided to ensure familiarisation with specific procedures relevant to a nuclear accident; the exercises described in the Statement on the Defence Estimates are an essential element in ensuring an effective response organisation.

  Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Vessels
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he is now in a position to announce the agreed final costs for AORO1 and AORO2; and if he will make a statement. [24868]

  Mr. Freeman
  The total cost to the end of April 1995 to my Department is £154.890 million and £204.701 million, actual prices, for AORO1 and AORO2 respectively. Final costs for both vessels have still to be agreed.

  Princess Alexandra Hospital
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total amount of money spent by his Department on civilians receiving medical treatment at the Princess Alexandra hospital, RAF Wroughton, in each of the last five years. [25598]

  Mr. Soames
  No separate records are maintained of the costs of treating civilian NHS patients at service hospitals. The element of total running costs at the Princess Alexandra RAF hospital, Wroughton, proportionate to the percentage of patients treated on behalf of the NHS in each of the last five years is as follows:

  1990–91: £8,100,000

  1991–92: £6,200,000

  1992–93: £7,600,000

  1993–94: £8,400,000

  1994–95: £8,100,000

  These figures include fixed costs which would in any case have been incurred in the treatment of service patients. In addition, because of changes in budgetary responsibility and accounting procedures during the period, the costs are not entirely comparable year on year.

  Tornado Aircraft
  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 15 May,Official Report, column 49, what was the total cost of the damage done to 28 Tornado aircraft based at RAF Coningsby; who will carry out the repairs to the damaged aircraft; when the investigation into the contamination will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the investigation when he has received it. [25597]

  Mr. Soames
  Necessary work to allow the aircraft to resume normal operations was conducted by service personnel immediately after the contamination was discovered. Once full and careful consideration has been given to the investigation I will write to the hon. Member.

  Tri-service Hospital, Haslar
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated total cost of accommodation at the proposed tri-service hospital at
  503
  Haslar. [25599]

  Mr. Soames
  Existing single accommodation will be made available for the staff of the Royal hospital, Haslar. Although some refurbishment may be necessary, the cost of this work is as yet unquantified. Estimates for the requirement of additional married quarters, which will be met in the short term by hiring property or payment of excess rent allowance, are not yet available, although these costs will be partially offset by savings at current locations.

  Personal Protection Weapons
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the removal of personal protection weapons from soldiers in the Royal Irish Regiment. [25353]

  Mr. Soames
  There has been no change in our policy on soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment holding personal protection weapons. The requirement for individual soldiers to retain army-issue weapons is kept under review on a case-by-case basis, and there are no plans to institute a general policy of withdrawing such weapons.

TREASURY

  Inflation
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to alter the inflation target. [24876]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  The Government's aim is to keep underlying inflation in the range 1 to 4 per cent. and to bring it down into the lower half of this range by the end of the present Parliament. I have no plans to change the objective for that period.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it remains his policy to keep RPIX inflation below 2.5 per cent. at the end of the current Parliament. [24552]

  Mr. Nelson
  The Government's policy is to keep underlying inflation, as measured by the retail prices index excluding mortgage interest payments, in the range 1 to 4 per cent, and to bring it down to the lower half of the range by the end of the present Parliament.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate for 1995–96 the number of individuals whose gross income and capital gains exceed(a) £70,000, (b) £80,000 and (c) £100,000, in each case specifying the number paying capital gains tax. [25011]
  504
  Sir George Young
  Available information is in terms of taxable income and capital gains. Provisional estimates are given in the table:

  Number of individual taxpayers, excluding trusts, 1995–96

  Taxable income1 and gains2 over:

  Total

  Paying capital gains tax3

  £70,000

  220,000

  19,000

  £80,000

  170,000

  17,000

  £100,000

  110,000

  14,000

  1 Taxable income is defined as gross income for income tax purposes less those allowances and reliefs which are available at the taxpayer's marginal rate.

  2 Taxable gains are chargeable gains net of reliefs and the annual exempt amount.

  3 Figures exclude gains made by companies which are included under corporation tax.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government intend to publish provisional outturn figures for public expenditure in 1994–95. [25997]

  Mr. Aitken
  The Government propose to replace the annual Cash Limits Outturn White Paper by a comprehensive outturn document covering not just cash limited expenditure but all expenditure within the control total. The aim is to publish the first document in the new early July, a week or so before the normal publication date for the CLOWP. The document will show provisional outturn for 1994–95 for the control total by Department compared with plans, and for individual votes and voted cash limits, non-voted cash limits, external financing limits, and gross and net running costs limits compared with original and final provision.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the figures contained in tables 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 of the public expenditure statistical supplement to the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1995–96 to show the outturn for 1994–95 and estimated outturn for 1995–96. [25193]

  Mr. Aitken
  My answer today to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) described the arrangements for publishing provisional outturn data on public expenditure for 1994–95. For 1995–96, following usual practice, forecast outturn figures will be published in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1996–97 for the control total by Department, and in more detail in the statistical supplement to that report.

  Private Nursing Homes
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with what frequency the Inland Revenue performs spot checks on the accounting practices of owners of private nursing homes. [25488]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: All businesses are liable to have their accounts inspected by the Inland Revenue and investigations are carried out where there is reason to believe the accounts may not be correct. Specific figures relating to nursing homes are not compiled.

  Banks (Tax Relief)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been granted in tax relief to United Kingdom banks against possible default on third world debts in each of the last 10 years; and what is the rationale for such tax relief. [25373]

  Sir George Young
  Provisions by banks operating in the United Kingdom for doubtful sovereign debt—mostly of third world countries, but which may include relatively small amounts for other countries—are estimated to have reduced corporation tax receipts in the last nine years by the following amounts:

  £ million

  1986–87

  70

  1987–88

  190

  1988–89

  550

  1989–90

  490

  1990–91

  880

  1991–92

  120

  1992–93

  120

  1993–94

  120

  1994–95 (provisional)

  120

  Estimates for earlier years are zero or small.

  Third world debt is a feature of banking and losses on sovereign debt represent real losses arising in the normal course of such business. Losses or potential losses on sovereign debt therefore attract relief in broadly the same way as losses or potential losses on trading debts of other businesses.

  Exporters
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has asked the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England to substantiate the claim of December 1993 that exporters were profiteering by raising prices excessively instead of increasing sales. [25478]

  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  I regularly discuss a wide range of economic issues with both the Governor and Deputy Governor of the Bank of England. Export sales have clearly increased since December 1993, growing by 11 per cent. in 1994, the strongest increase in more than 20 years.

  VAT on Spectacles
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make a statement on the state of discussions between British ophthalmic physicians and his Department relating to the overpayment of tax under European directives; and how much his Department estimates is owed by the Customs and Excise to British opticians in overpaid tax. [25343]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Customs and Excise met opticians' representatives on 11 May and discussed the matters arising from the recent High Court decision on the VAT liability of supplies of spectacles. Proposals are awaited from the trade representatives on a number of the issues discussed and these will be considered at a further 506
  meeting planned for mid June. It is difficult to estimate the total amount of tax to be refunded to opticians, because the impact of the High Court decision will vary significantly from business to business; Customs estimate that the figure may be of the order of £250 million including statutory interest.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  South Africa
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will make a statement on the draft negotiating mandate for a new trade regime between the European Union and South Africa; [25610]

  (2) if he will undertake a study into the effect of the proposed free trade area between the European Union and South Africa on the economies of the other member states of the Southern African Customs Union and the Southern African Development Community. [25609]

  Mr. Needham
  The draft negotiating directives presented by the European Commission propose that the EU should respond positively if the South African Government were willing to negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement. The Government believe that such an agreement offers the greatest potential for delivering improvements in access to the EU market for South African products and promoting our long-term trade relations.

  We therefore support the Commission proposal, on the understanding that any free trade agreement negotiated between the EU and South Africa is compatible with World Trade Organisation rules and takes account of South Africa's regional commitments. I believe that this is in line with the recommendation on the future relationship between the EU and South Africa made in the Trade and Industry Select Committee's report on trade with southern Africa published on 27 July 1994. In the process of negotiation, we will urge the European Commission to take into account the possible effects of such an agreement on the economies of South Africa's neighbours and we will also listen carefully to the views of South Africa's partners in the Southern African Customs Union and the Southern African Development Community.

  Balance of Trade
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what has been the balance of trade in oil in 1994 prices for each year since 1978; [25191]

  (2) what has been the balance of trade in manufactured goods in 1994 prices for each year since 1978. [25190]

  Mr. Needham
  The information is published for 1994 by the Central Statistical Office in the "Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics", available in the Library of the House. The information is not available in 1994 prices for other years, although data at 1990 prices is available from the CSO's central shared database, also in the Library of the House.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Trading Standards Services, Cleveland
  Mr. Frank Cook
  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 Local Government in the English Shires" to the future of trading standards services in Cleveland after the division of those services among four unitary authorities as a result of local government reorganisation. [25215]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 17 May,Official Report, column 283. The same considerations apply in Cleveland as in Berkshire.

  Animal Health and Veterinary Group
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now publish the Lebrecht report. [24955]

  Mrs. Browning
  This report on an internal management review of the functions and organisation of the Ministry's animal health and veterinary group was not written with publication in mind and is not suitable for publication. My right hon. Friend did, however, issue a consultation document last October setting out the basis for his provisional conclusions following the review and took the many comments received into account in reaching the decisions that he announced in a written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. French) on 4 May.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why Irish vessels currently enjoy fishing rights off Spitzbergen. [25383]

  Mr. Jack
  For 1995 the European Union has a cod quota of 24,220 tonnes at Spitzbergen and Bear island. In accordance with the traditional allocation key, Council Regulation 3362/94 divides this between the member states as follows:

  Tonnes

  France

  2,130

  Germany

  4,820

  Portugal

  2,390

  Spain

  11,500

  United Kingdom

  3,130

  Other member states except France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Finland and Sweden

  250

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what red fish quotas were offered in Iceland waters in 1994 and 1995 to(a) Britain and (b) Germany; which British firms were offered catches there by his Ministry; and whether they took up the offer. [25384]

  Mr. Jack
  Germany and the United Kingdom were allocated quotas for respectively 1690 tonnes and 1160 tonnes of red fish in Icelandic waters for both 1994 and 1995. The Fish Producers Organisation of Grimsby was offered the UK quota for 1994 but did not take up the 508
  opportunity. For 1995 the United Kingdom quota has not yet been allocated; it is not available before 1 July each year.

  Regional Service Survey
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the results of the recent survey of satisfaction with the levels of service his Department's regional organisation provides for the farming public. [26098]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  In accordance with the principles of the citizens charter, a survey of customers of the MAFF regional service centre was carried out by a firm of independent consultants in early 1995. The overall results are very positive and show that nearly nine in 10 customers felt their MAFF centre had done a good, very good or excellent job in dealing with their most recent scheme or licence application. We will be considering carefully what can be done to address those areas where our customers feel that there is scope for improvement in our performance.

  I have placed copies of the consultants' report in the Library of the House.

  Baby Milk
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations she has had with community nurses, health visitors, midwives and other professionally involved groups concerning the effect of banning the advertising of baby milk within national health service premises on levels of breast feeding commencement; and if she will make a statement. [25605]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the right hon. Member for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (Sir D. Steel) on 14 March 1995, Official Report, columns 550–51.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what information he has on which European Union member states permit the advertising of baby milk(a) in generally available media and (b) health-specific premises on what dates changes in permission for either category of advertising was amended in either direction what subsequent changes occurred in breast feeding commencement levels; and if she will make a statement. [25604]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: I have no such information; there is no requirement on member states to supply it to one another.

  Spanish Veterinary Inspections
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 24 April,Official Report, column 379, how many vets are employed by the Spanish authorities; how many of these have undertaken spot checks of sheep being imported into Spain; how many spot checks were undertaken by the Spanish authorities in the last year for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made as to the extent to which the welfare of British sheep exported to Spain is adequately provided for. [21851]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: The level of spot checking and the resources devoted to it are matters for the Spanish authorities. We maintain contact

  509
  with them, and understand from them that they are satisfied on the basis of their checks that the animals' welfare is satisfactorily protected.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many inspections of live animals for export were made by Ministry vets at(a) Shoreham and (b) Brightlingsea, since 1 January. [24736]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 18 May 1995]: Between 1 January and 12 May there were 60 sailings from Shoreham carrying animals for slaughter or for further fattening and 70 from Brightlingsea. Veterinary inspectors were present at the ports for each sailing, when visual checks were made of the animals on board lorries and export paperwork checked. Veterinary inspection of animals for fitness to travel is carried out at point of departure, not at the port.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) calves and (b) sheep arriving at (i) Shoreham and (ii) Plymouth, in the period between 1 November 1994 and 30 April 1995 were (1) dead on arrival, (2) judged to be unfit to travel and (3) destroyed because of injury or disease; and if he will make a statement. [24735]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 16 May 1995]: The figures for the period specified are as follows:

  Number of animals

  Dead on arrival

  Unfit to travwel

  Destroyed

  Port

  calves

  sheep

  calves

  sheep

  calves

  sheep

  Shoreham

  none

  1

  1

  2

  none

  none

  Plymouth

  none

  none

  none

  none

  none

  none

PRIME MINISTER

  North-West Kent
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit north-west Kent. [23845]

  The Prime Minister
  Although I have no current plans to do so, I hope such a visit will be possible in the near future.

  Scotland
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Prime Minister when he next intends to visit Scotland. [23846]

  The Prime Minister
  I have at present no plans to do so.

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 23 May 1995. [24304]

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 23 May. [24304]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Intelligence and Security Committee
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Prime Minister whether he has yet received a report from the Intelligence and Security Committee on the discharge of its functions under the Intelligence Services Act 1994. [25998]

  The Prime Minister
  I can confirm that I have recently received an interim report from the Intelligence and Security Committee, setting out the broad pattern of its work to date and outlining some of its future priorities for inquiry. I do not consider that the report contains any matter whose publication would be prejudicial to the continued discharge of the functions of the Secret Intelligence Service, Security Service or Government Communications Headquarters, and I have therefore today placed copies of it, as submitted by the Committee, in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Nolan Committee
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will seek to extend the recommendations of the Nolan Committee concerning the conduct of Ministers and officials to include the Governor of the Bank of England and all senior members of his staff. [25379]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so.

  Antanas Gecas
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Prime Minister for what period Antanas Gecas was employed by British intelligence. [25622]

  The Prime Minister
  It remains the Government's policy not to provide information on the operations at the security and intelligence agencies.

  Majority Shareholdings
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those companies in which the holder of his office is a majority shareholder which(a) are currently in existence and (b) have been wound up in the past five years. [25722]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: None.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if the statement of Government policy set out in paragraph 5 of the Bank of England press release of the text of the Deputy Governor's speech to the City branch of the Institute of Directors on 13 December was authorised by him. [25683]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave him on 29 March 1995 Official Report, column 640.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Recycling
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to introduce recycling programmes as part of the work of the Overseas Development Administration. [24991]
  511
  Mr. Baldry
  We are ready to consider support to recycling programmes whenever invited to do so by partner countries. We are, for example, discussing recycling as part of current environmental management projects in India and Egypt.

  Micro-enterprise Development
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with regard to the Grameen trust's training programme application for support. [25090]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: We are keen supporters of micro-enterprise development. We have advised the Garmeen trust that the managers of our micro-enterprise projects in recipient countries will seek to identify suitable opportunities for project beneficiaries to use the trust's training facilities.

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the amount donated by the Overseas Development Administration department for primary health care in Bangladesh, excluding family planning provision, for the last year in which figures are available. [25309]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Our expenditure on primary health care projects in Bangladesh in 1993–94 was £2.55 million.

  Aid and Trade Programme
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total expenditure on the aid and trade programme in each of the last five years; and which British companies have won contracts under this programme. [24884]

  Mr. Baldry
  The final outturn of expenditure for ATP in 1994–95 is not yet available.

  Expenditure for ATP for each of the previous five years was:

  Financial year

  ATP actual expenditure £ million

  1989–90

  61.671

  1990–91

  94.424

  1991–92

  101.183

  1992–93

  93.019

  1993–94

  84.687

  For lists of which British companies have won contracts under the ATP in the last five years I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Eccles (Miss Lestor) Official Report, 16 May, column 121, covering 1993–95 and, for the years 1991–1992, to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 23 November 1994 at column 199.

  Population Control
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what action the Overseas Development Administration takes to ensure that money donated by Her Majesty's Government for family 512
  planning purposes is not used as part of a coercive family planning programme or to free resources in recipient countries for such programmes; [25313]

  (2) what legal provisions govern the funding of coercive population programmes overseas; and what plans he has to promote legislation banning such funding. [25316]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Bilateral programmes are designed and monitored to ensure that they promote reproductive choice on an entirely voluntary and informed basis. We ensure that organisations to which we give funds for reproductive health activities operate similar policies and approaches. We do not believe that it is necessary to introduce legislation to ensure that aid funds for reproductive health programmes are used effectively and in accordance with our policies.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Overseas Development Administration's policy on the provision of financial, personal or community incentives to encourage contraceptive use in developing countries. [25312]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: We believe that decisions by couples and individuals about the use of particular methods of contraception should be made on an entirely voluntary and informed basis and that the use of incentives which are likely to prejudice this principle should be discouraged.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the officials from the Overseas Development Administration who sit on any board, committee, or regular meeting of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the UN Family Planning Association. [25299]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: The British Government have a seat on the executive board of the United Nations development programme, which is also the governing body of the United Nations fund for population activities. Part of each board meeting is devoted to UNFPA business. The United Kingdom is invited to the annual donors meeting of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. In both cases meetings are attended by officials from the Overseas Development Administration's health and population division.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits officials from his Department have made to China to assess the Chinese population control programme or the work of the Chinese Family Planning Association or the UN fund for population activities in China; and what reports exist on such visits. [25303]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Officials from the British embassy in Peking have regular meetings with the relevant Chinese authorities to discuss a range of issues, including China's population policies.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which countries the Overseas Development Administration donates money, directly or via a non-governmental organisation, where overseas aid is tied to acceptance of family planning programmes; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on tying overseas aid to acceptance of family planning programmes. [25311]
  513
  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: None. We do not support making the provision of overseas aid conditional on the implementation of family planning programmes.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what considerations underlie the policy of donating funds from the Overseas Development Administration budget to the core funds of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the UN Family Planning Association rather than to specific earmarked projects undertaken by those organisations; [25298]

  (2) if he will list those organisations involved in family planning projects to which the Overseas Development Administration makes donations to their core funds, together with the amount donated for the last year for which figures are available. [25306]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: The United Nations Population Fund and the International Planned Parenthood Federation have the capacity to allocate and spend their resources in an effective manner. Together with other Governments we set policy for UNFPA and provide guidance for IPPF on the use of resources. Her Majesty's Government representatives seek to ensure that funds are used in ways which are fully in line with British aid policy and priority objectives. On this basis, we and other Governments provide the large majority of funds without earmarking. The efficiency and effectiveness of both organisations would be impeded if the United Kingdom and other donors earmarked their contributions for specific activities.

  In 1994 we gave £7.5 million to the general funds of IPPF and £8.5 million to those of UNFPA.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will place in the Library all reports submitted to the Overseas Development Administration since 1989 by the International Planned Parenthood Federation on population policies in China. [25317]

  (2) what written statements by the International Planned Parenthood Federation, the UN Family Planning Association or the Chinese Family Planning Association condemning or disassociating themselves from any instance of coercive population control in China are held on the files of his Department; and if he will list in each case the instance condemned and the date of the document. [25301]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: The latest annual report from the International Planned Parenthood Federation covering its worldwide operations, together with a sample of statements, by both the United Nations Population Fund and the IPPF, opposing coercion, have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on links between the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the British eugenics movement and the Gaton Institute. [25300]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: We understand from the International Planned Parenthood Federation that some individual members at its founding in 1952 may have had links with the eugenics movement. However, eugenics views have never influenced IPPF's policies or programmes. IPPF makes it an unequivocal condition for membership that each autonomous family
  514
  planning association commits itself to fight all discrimination and coercion based on social or economic status, gender, race, colour, creed or political beliefs.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what definition the Overseas Development Administration uses of what constitutes coercive population control; and in which countries such practices have been identified. [25307]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Population activities would be considered coercive if they sought to infringe the basic right of couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children. Population programes funded by the Overseas Development Administration safeguard and promote this right and facilitate the exercise of such a right by individuals. The Overseas Development Administration does not hold authoritative information on instances of coercion in overseas countries.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the numbers of volunteers provided by the Chinese Family Planning Association to assist in family planning initiatives in China; what assessment he had made of the level of independence of the Chinese Family Planning Association from the central Chinese Government; what information he has on the role played by the Chinese Family Planning Association in recent Chinese "population high tides"; what information he has on the liaison between the Chinese Family Planning Association and the International Planned Parenthood Federation; and what documentation the Overseas Development Administration has received arising from such liaison. [25310]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: The China Family Planning Association is a member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. We understand that there are some 75 million volunteers in CFPA, including many doctors and nurses, who assist with counselling and providing information on family planning. The CFPA does not provide clinical services.

  The CFPA is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, governed by a board of volunteers drawn from all sections of national society. The CFPA has been appointed by the Chinese Government to monitor the national family planning programme and help to ensure that coercion does not take place in the programme. The IPPF provides information on the activities of CFPA as and when required.

  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessments his Department has made for the unmet need for family planning overseas; and on what assumptions such assessments are made. [25308]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: We use estimates of unmet demand for family planning prepared by the United Nations Population Fund and other organisations with expertise in this area. Such estimates are based on demographic and health survey data collected from individual countries. These surveys collect information about couples using family planning and about couples who do not, but who express a desire to limit their family size. Where necessary, we also undertake our own small-scale studies to assess specific reproductive health needs.

  Child Mortality Rates
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional bilateral aid will be provided to meet the goals set at the 1990 world summit for children, to reduce(a) infant mortality rates and (b) under-five mortality rates, by one third by 2000. [25089]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: We are increasing our support for reproductive health programmes, which will enable children and women to enjoy better health through improved child spacing, safer childbirth, and improved access to other essential health care. We expect to commit, over the years 1994 and 1995, at least £100 million for these purposes and in support of other reproductive health goals.

HEALTH

  Nursing Services
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the change in episodes in(a) health visiting, (b) community nursing services, (c) district nursing, (d) community mental handicap nursing and (e) occupational therapy between 1988–89 and 1992–93. [21743]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information available is set out in the table.

  New episodes of care

  1988–89 (000's)

  1992–93 (000's)

  Community psychiatric nursing

  229.7

  303.4

  Community mental handicap nursing

  21.2

  20.5

  District nursing

  2,383.2

  2,152.5

  Occupational therapy1

  774.1

  879.4

  1Figures for occupational therapy are provisional.

  New episodes of care have increased by 32.1 per cent, in community psychiatric nursing and by 13.6 per cent. in occupational therapy. Numbers of new episodes in community mental handicap nursing have remained virtually constant over the period 1988–89 to 1992–93.

  The number of new episodes has reduced by 9.7 per cent. in district nursing. This may reflect the increasingly complex treatment they provide, requiring a longer time to be spent with each patient, and also their role as team leaders. Simpler treatments often administered by district nurses in the past may now increasingly be provided by other members of the care team or through self-medication by patients, enabling district nurses to devote more time to individual patients who require their specialist skills.

  Information on episodes of care for health visitors is not held centrally.

  Surgeons (Suspension)
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many surgeons suspended on full pay by NHS hospital trusts have later been(a) dismissed and (b) reinstated; and how many cases await a decision on the surgeon's future; [24729]
  516
  (2) how many surgeons have been suspended on full pay because of concern about their professional competence by NHS hospital trusts since their inception; [24728]

  (3) what discussions she has had with the General Medical Council on the employment of suspended surgeons in hospitals, other than those in respect of which they were suspended; and what further discussions she plans to have; [24726]

  (4) what advice her Department gives to NHS hospital trusts about the employment of surgeons who have been suspended by other NHS hospital trusts. [24727]

  Mr. Malone
  The General Medical Council, an independent statutory body, is responsible for protecting the public by regulating the medical profession. Its professional conduct committee may attach conditions to a doctor's registration, or suspend or remove a doctor from the register, if the doctor is found guilty of serious professional misconduct. The committee may immediately suspend a doctor, notwithstanding that he may appeal. In exceptional circumstances, interim suspension for two months may be imposed pending a hearing by the professional conduct committee. A doctor whose name is suspended or erased cannot practise in the national health service.

  The GMC's powers are being widened. We have introduced the Medical (Professional Performance) Bill this Session, based on proposals by the GMC, to allow it to take action in cases of seriously deficient professional performance by doctors. This action may include suspension of registration. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will meet the new president of the GMC, when he is elected, to discuss these and other matters.

  A doctor suspended by a NHS trust needs the trust's permission to work elsewhere. We would expect the trust to consider carefully the circumstances in which the doctor was suspended before agreeing to any other employment. Working without permission is a breach of contract. All NHS trusts should obtain references from previous employers as part of their duty to ensure that the competence and integrity of a doctor is not in doubt.

  A decision to disqualify a general practitioner is made by the NHS tribunal. We have supported the Bill introduced this Session by the hon. Member for Woolwich (Mr. Austin-Walker)—the NHS (Amendment) Bill—which will enable the tribunal to protect patients by suspending a GP before a full hearing takes place.

  Guidance on doctors' registration and employment was issued in EL(92)84, copies of which are available in the Library. Figures on the number of suspensions by NHS trusts are not available centrally.

  London Health Services Report
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response she has made to the report on London health services prepared by the Greater London Association of Community Health Councils for London Members of Parliament, dated 10 May, a copy of which has been sent to her. [24739]

  Mr. Malone
  No formal response has been made. However, the report on admissions times which monitors the progress of hospitals towards the new patients charter standard, launched in January 1995 is welcomed. From April 1995, all patients should be given a bed within three to four hours. The community health council figures show
  517
  that progress has been made and it is encouraging to note the relatively small numbers outside the target last year before management attention was focused on this important issue.

  Northern Birmingham Mental Health Trust
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when a negotiating body was formed by Northern Birmingham Mental Health trust to deal with pay and other trade union related matters. [24777]

  Mr. Malone
  This is a matter for the trust. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman, Mrs. Judith Mackay, for details.

  Hepatitis C
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) letters and (b) other representations she has received in the current year concerning the need to compensate those people who are infected by the hepatitis C virus from contaminated blood; and if she will make a statement. [24946]

  Mr. Sackville
  Representations about payments include four parliamentary questions, a short debate in the House of Lords and three early-day motions. In addition, Ministers have received 196 letters.

  Bull Bars
  Sir Nicholas Scott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many admissions to hospital in(a) the London area and (b) nationally have to a significant extent been due to accidents involving bull bars on road vehicles in the latest available year. [25262]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Abortions
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortions involving admission and discharge the same day were performed on women resident in each district health authority and in each regional health authority in England and Wales in 1993; and how many of these operations were performed in NHS hospitals. [25047]

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

  Medical and Dental Education
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to introduce the model of the Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education for the delivery of postgraduate medical and dental education in England; and if she will make a statement. [25048]

  Mr. Malone
  None. The national health service executive is considering the future arrangements for postgraduate medical and dental education in England and a document entitled "Options for the Future Management of Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education" was issued for consultation on 27 March 1995, copies of which are available in the Library. Responses to the document are being considered.
  518
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the NHS has to support medical undergraduates' education. [26202]

  Mr. Malone
  I have placed in the Library a copy of the report, "SIFT into the Future", from an advisory group on future arrangements for the service increment for teaching—SIFT—chaired by Dr. Graham Winyard, health care director of the national health service executive.

  I welcome the direction of change proposed by the advisory group. The report recommends development in the way we meet the additional NHS costs to hospitals, community trusts and general practitioners associated with teaching medical undergraduates. Payments will be based progressively on the demonstrated costs of clinical placements and of facilities to support teaching, within a sound framework of responsibilities, relationships and accountability. The report has been welcomed by the steering group on undergraduate medical and dental education and research.

  I am sending copies of the report to health authorities, family health services authorities, trusts, universities and other interested bodies, seeking views on the detailed recommendations and on plans for implementation.

  Comments are also sought on separate proposals for changes in the service increment for teaching dental students, which follow from the recommendations of the dental hospital subgroup of SGUMDER. I have placed in the Library a copy of the consultation paper about the proposals for change.

  Subject to consultation and to detailed development work, changes will take effect from 1 April 1996.

  London Initiative Zone, Newham
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 16 May,Official Report, column 166 how much of the amount allocated has been spent in (a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1995–96 on each scheme funded through the LIZ initiative in Newham listed in her answer. [25214]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is shown in the table:

  Capital spend £

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Newham

  Essex Lodge (primary care centre)

  22,373

  40,439

  Shrewsbury Road

  217,000

  432,000

  Improvement grants to GP premises

  283,472

  97,373

  Star Lane (primary care center)

  470,128

  130,533

  Stratford Corridor (primary care centre)

  304,132

  188

  Cyprus Dock (resource centre)

  192,000

  138,495

  Notes:

  1. Figures for 1995–96 schemes are not yet available.

  2. Some 1994–95 projects have been carried over into the 1995–96 financial year. These are 533 Barking road, 1 Kennard street, Newham GP Forum and security improvements to GP surgeries.

  Thalidomide Trust
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she has considered in response to the 1994 report of the Thalidomide Trust National Advisory Council, with particular reference to the actuarial projections on the life of the trust. [24972]
  519
  Mr. Sackville
  The Government have not been asked to respond to this report. Representations have, however, been made by Thalidomide disabled people that the moneys held by the Thalidomide Trust are insufficient to meet their needs, and the Government have brought these concerns to the attention of the trust. The Government welcome the further financial help promised by Guinness plc to secure the future of the Thalidomide Trust and underpin the beneficiaries' needs, but have made it clear that adequacy of the settlement with Distillers—now Guinness—is not a matter in which the Government can intervene.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number and percentage of the population(a) across the United Kingdom, (b) in the north-west and (c) in Lancashire which have dental treatment outside the NHS for each year since 1979. [25152]

  Mr. Malone
  Information about the number and percentage of the population who have dental treatment outside the national health service is not available centrally.

  New Hospitals, London
  Mr Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of new hospitals which have opened in central London in the last 10 years, together with their numbers of beds. [25136]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally. My hon. Friend may wish to contact Sir William Staveley and Mr. William Wells, chairmen of North Thames and South Thames regional health authorities respectively, for details.

  Contraception
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost of(a) the registered morning-after pill and (b) the equivalent oral contraceptive; and if she will make a statement. [25046]

  Mr. Sackville
  Schering PC4 is the only product marketed in the United Kingdom for use as a morning-after pill. The cost of a pack of four tablets is £1.40. Oral contraceptives range in price from 37p to £2.77 per cycle, but none is licensed for post-coital use.

  Glaucoma
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps her Department is taking to inform(a) people of Afro-Caribbean origin, (b) diabetics and (c) individuals aged over 40 years with a family history of glaucoma of the increased risks that they face of developing glaucoma; [25029]

  (2) what steps her Department is taking to inform blood relatives of glaucoma sufferers of the availability of free glaucoma checks after they reach the age of 40 years. [25030]

  Mr. Sackville
  All close relatives aged 40 and over— parents, brothers and sisters, and children—of diagnosed glaucoma sufferers are entitled to free national health service sight tests. All optometrists are required to display in their practices a notice advising of the services available under the general ophthalmic services.520
  Information about glaucoma, and the groups most at risk from it, is also available from the International Glaucoma Association. It would not be appropriate to disclose information about a person's health to third parties.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistical evidence she has on whether improvements in the early detection of glaucoma have occurred in the last five years. [25031]

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no centrally collected statistical data on prevalence of glaucoma.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to ensure that uneven standards in testing for glaucoma are minimised. [25032]

  Mr. Sackville
  Screening for diseases of the eye, of which glaucoma is one, is part of the routine sight test procedure carried out by optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitioners. We have no evidence which would lead us to believe that standards of sight testing are uneven.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration her Department has given to widening the availability of free eye tests to all groups that face a significantly higher than average risk of developing glaucoma. [25036]

  Mr. Malone
  Close relatives—parents, children, brothers and sisters—aged 40 or over of diagnosed glaucoma sufferers are already eligible for free sight tests. We have no plans to alter these categories.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Attorney-General how much was paid to leading counsel for the Serious Fraud Office in the prosecution against Roger Levitt; and how much was paid to the counsel team prosecuting in the Barlow Clowes case. [25780]

  The Attorney-General
  Leading counsel for the prosecution in the Roger Levitt case acted for the Serious Fraud Office from January 1991 to December 1993 and was paid a total of £137,405 in fees.

  Over the period 1988 to 1993, covering preparation, trial, and appeal, a total of nine counsel were instructed at different times as part of the prosecution team in the Barlow Clowes case. Five of those nine either were Queen's Counsel or were appointed queen's counsel during the course of the case. The total paid to the team in fees was £1,109,261.80.

  The information referred to above is based on payments made inclusive of value added tax.

ENVIRONMENT

  Industrial Waste
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what new steps he is taking to maximise the recycling of industrial waste materials; [24987]
  521
  (2) what plans he has to encourage the minimisation of industrial waste. [24989]

  Mr. Atkins
  The "Waste Strategy for England and Wales", a consultation draft published in January 1995, sets out the steps the Government are taking to minimise the production of and maximise the recycling of industrial waste materials. A copy is in the Library.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of industrial waste is recycled. [24988]

  Mr. Atkins
  The "Waste Strategy for England and Wales", a consultation draft published in January 1995, includes an estimate that approximately 18 per cent. of industrial waste in the UK is recycled or re-used—table 1.2, page 6. A copy is in the Library.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he next expects to meet representatives from local authorities to discuss waste minimisation and recycling issues. [24990]

  Mr. Atkins
  Representatives from local authorities have regular meetings with the Department to discuss a wide range of waste related issues, including proposals set out in the draft "Waste Strategy for England and Wales".

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the additional administrative staff who will be required by the four unitary authorities created as a result of local government reorganisation in Cleveland. [25219]

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

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about both the transitional and continuing administrative costs of the reorganisation in Cleveland; and what was the outcome of those consultations. [25218]

  Mr. Curry
  Government decisions are collective. The Cleveland (Structural Change) Order 1995, which implements reorganisation in Cleveland, was made on 30 January.

  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the views he has received from the business community in the Teesside area, prior to and since the decision to divide the Teesside conurbation among three unitary authorities. [25224]

  Mr. Curry
  Following publication of the Local Government Commission's final recommendations for Cleveland, we received representations from the local business community both in support of and opposing the commission's proposals. We took these into account, together with other representations, when we decided to put the Cleveland (Structural Change) Order 1995 before the House.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment at what stage is Teesside airport's bid to gain the funding from the ERDF; and what guidelines he proposes to issue in respect of future bids by airports for funds from the ERDF. [24979]
  522
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The application from Teesside airport for ERDF grant is being considered alongside other bids which have been submitted under the north-east objective 2 structural funds programme for funding. There are no proposals to issue guidelines in respect of future bids by airports for funds from ERDF.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has made to the European Commission to reconsider the priority that airports have within the European regional development fund. [24976]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what(a) European and (b) national alternatives there are for bidders who fail to gain funds for capital projects from the European regional development fund through overbidding. [24978]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Competitive bidding for resources available under the structural funds programme plays a major part in ensuring good value for money. Bids for European regional development fund grants have generally exceeded the resources available under current programmes. This has helped to ensure that grant has been made only to those projects which best met the aims and objectives of each programme. Bids which fail to gain ERDF funding may be eligible to receive resources available under other European or national programmes. However, this will depend very much on the activity concerned and whether this is eligible for support under a particular programme.

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many posts were lost in(a) the Department of the Environment and (b) agencies for which the Department of the Environment is responsible, listing the total lost posts agency by agency in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and how many posts are proposed to be lost in 1995–96. [25076]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The numbers of staff employed by my Department and each of its executive agencies in 1993–94 and 1994–95, and plans for 1995–96, are published in my Department's annual report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. This shows the reduction of posts between years.

  Pollution
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by volume, and rivers affected, the annual discharges from abandoned mines and tips in the Yorkshire National Rivers Authority area. [24909]

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: The information requested, so far as it is available, has been provided by the National Rivers Authority and is as follows:
  523

  Discharges from abandoned mines and tips in the southern Yorkshire NRA area

  Location

  Type

  Receiving river

  Volume of Minewater (M3/day)

  Clayton West

  AM

  Dearne Tributary

  1,360

  Silkstone

  AM

  Banks Bottom Dyke

  not known

  Flockton

  AM

  Flockton Beck Tributary

  not known

  Flockton

  TL

  Flockton Beck Tributary

  not known

  Dodworth

  TL

  Silkstone Beck Tributary

  not known

  Wath on Dearne

  CL

  Groundwater

  not known

  Killamarsh

  TL

  Park Brook

  not known

  Upstream of Silkstone Sewage Treatment Works

  AM

  Silkstone Beck

  not known

  Wooley

  PM

  Dearne

  17,000

  Sheffield

  CL

  Rother

  not known

  Chesterfield

  CL

  Rother

  not known

  North Doncaster

  TL

  Swan Sike Drain

  not known

  A1 North of Doncaster

  TL

  Groundwater

  not known

  Castleford

  CL

  Carr Beck

  not known

  Thornton

  AM

  Pitty Beck

  not known

  Todmorden

  AM

  Mitgelde Brook/Calder

  1,000

  Todmorden

  AM

  Beater Clough/Calder

  500

  Holmfirth

  AM

  Calder

  1,000

  Chesterfield

  AM

  Hipper

  60

  Dronfield

  AM

  Barlow Brook

  1,100

  Dronfield

  AM

  Drone

  1,100

  Dronfield

  AM

  Drone

  45

  Dronfield

  AM

  Drone

  1,100

  Dronfield

  AM

  Drone

  25

  Chesterfield

  AM

  Whitting

  110

  Chesterfield

  AM

  County Dike

  45

  Chesterfield

  AM

  Drone Tributary

  50

  Chesterfield

  AM

  Rother

  100

  Chesterfield

  AM

  Hipper

  50

  Chesterfield

  AM

  Rother

  40

  Chesterfield

  AM

  Redlead Mill Brook

  50

  Chesterfield

  AM

  Whitting

  50

  Penistone

  AM

  Don

  2,900

  Stocksbridge

  AM

  Little Don

  1,000

  HMIP prosecutions 1992–1993 (1 April-31 March)

  Division

  Name

  Act

  Offence

  Date of hearing

  Verdict

  Fine

  Cost

  West

  Bloxham Laboratories

  HSW 1974

  Failure to comply with conditions of registration to ensure supervision of the competent use of radioactive material.

  28 April 1992

  G

  £750

  £500

  East

  Harrow Health Authority

  HSW 1974

  Failure to use the best practicable means in operating incineration plant.

  5 May 1992

  G

  £1,000

  £3,468.75

  East

  Esselte Letraset

  RSA 1960

  Failure to comply with condition of registration to prevent unauthorised access to a radioactive source.

  29 June 1992

  G

  £100

  £1,000

  East

  Foster Yeoman

  1906 alkali

  Operating without a certificate of registration.

  2 July 1992

  G

  £3,000

  £2,000

  East

  White Mountain Roadstone

  HSW 1974

  Failure to use the best practicable means in operating roadstone coating plant.

  9 July 1992

  G

  £500

  £1,000

  524

  Discharges from abandoned mines and tips in the southern Yorkshire NRA area

  Location

  Type

  Receiving river

  Volume of Minewater (M3/day)

  Sheffield

  AM

  Don

  500

  Stocksbridge

  AM

  Don

  200

  Sheffield

  AM

  Don

  200

  Sheffield

  AM

  Loxley

  100

  Notes:

  Type of discharge.

  AM Abandoned Minewater.

  TL Tip Leachate.

  CL Contaminated Land.

  PM Pumped Minewater.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many court actions were taken in each of the last three years by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution; what were the gross and net legal costs of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution in each of the past three years; how many of the court actions taken by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution in each of the last three years resulted in prosecution and fines; and what were the total fines imposed by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution in respect of pollution incidents in each of the past three years. [25778]

  Mr. Atkins
  The tables give details of the court actions taken by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution in each of the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95. Fines imposed by the courts and details of costs are also included. All this information is available in HMIP's annual reports, the latest one of which, for the year 1994–95, is due for publication on 21 July. When considering what level of enforcement action to take, HMIP considers not only the environmental consequences and operator culpability, but whether it will be sufficient to ensure that remedial action to prevent a recurrence is carried out. Prosecution is not the only solution in every case, as HMIP endeavours to make the level of enforcement action proportionate to the offence. Enforcement may take the form of a letter of admonishment, an enforcement notice, a prohibition notice, prosecution or even revocation of the authorisation.
  525

  HMIP prosecutions 1992–1993 (1 April-31 March)

  Division

  Name

  Act

  Offence

  Date of hearing

  Verdict

  Fine

  Cost

  North

  Gath Drums (Shipley) Ltd.

  HSW 1974

  Failure to comply with two improvement notices.

  26 August 1992

  G

  Conditional discharge

  £3,905

  West

  Xidex (UK) Ltd.

  RSA 1960

  Breach of conditions relating to storage of radioactive material.

  7 September 1992

  G

  £6,000

  £5,000

  West

  British Coal

  RSA 1960

  Breach of conditions relating to storage of radioactive material.

  12 October 1992

  G

  £20,000

  £6,410

  North

  Pozzolanic Lytag Ltd.

  HSW 1974

  Failure to use best practicable means to prevent emissions of noxious or offensive substances into the atmosphere.

  21 October 1992

  G

  £3,500

  £3,500

  West

  British Steel

  HSW 1974

  Failure to use best practicable means to prevent emission of noxious or offensive substances.

  26 October 1992

  G

  £2,000

  £19,000

  West

  Rhone-Poulenc

  HSW 1974

  Failure to use the best practicable means to prevent emission of sulphur dioxide from their sulphuric acid plant.

  16 November 1992

  G

  £10,000

  £4,048

  West

  West Midlands Regional Health Authority

  RSA 1960

  Breaching 17 offences under Section 13(1)(c)of the RSA.

  18 December 1992

  G

  £51,000

  £8,000

  East

  Knauf UK

  HSW 1974

  Failure to use BPM to prevent unfiltered processed gypsum from escaping into the atmosphere.

  26 January 1993

  G

  £1,500

  £3,270

  West

  Brookridge Timber Ltd

  EPA 1990

  First HMIP prosecution under EPA 1990. Breach of Section 6(1) and section 23(1)—using a toxic substance without authorisation.

  16 March 1993

  G

  £1,650

  £3,000

  Summary detail:

  Total prosecutions: 14.

  Total fines: £101,000.

  Total costs: £64,101.75.

  HMIP Prosecutions 1993–1994 (1 April–31 March)

  Region

  Name

  Act

  Offence

  Date of hearing

  Verdict

  Fine

  Cost

  Anglian

  Nichols Institute Diagnostics

  RSA 1960

  Breach of conditions relating to accumulation of radioactive waste without authorisation.

  6 April 1993

  G

  £10,000

  £2,726

  Southern and HMNII

  UK Atomic Energy Authority

  RSA 1960

  Failure to use BPM to limit the activity of radioactive waste released and to make a record of the means employed.

  16 April 1993

  G

  £5,000

  N/A

  Wales

  Evans Group Ltd.

  Alkali Act 1906 and HSW 74

  Failure to apply for registration for crushing equipment operated on site and failure to apply BPM to prevent emissions into the atmosphere.

  17 May 1993

  G

  £6,000

  £5,000

  Anglian

  Plessey GEC Semiconductors Ltd.

  RSA 1960

  Holding a radioactive source without a certificate of registration.

  17 May 1993

  G

  £1,000

  £2,261

  Anglian

  Essex University

  RSA 1960

  Exceeding their authorised limit for the incineration of radioactive waste.

  21 May 1993

  G

  £800

  £2,651

  North West

  North West Aggregates Ltd.

  HSW 1974

  Failure to use BPM to prevent the release of offensive and noxious fumes.

  7 January 1994

  G

  £8,000

  £11,000

  Wales

  Glan Clwyd District Hospital NHS Trust

  RSA 1960

  Unauthorised disposal of radioactive waste.

  9 February 1994

  G

  £5,500

  £1,775

  526 527

  HMIP Prosecutions 1993–1994 (1 April–31 March)

  Region

  Name

  Act

  Offence

  Date of hearing

  Verdict

  Fine

  Cost

  Southern

  National Power Littlebrook "D" Power Station

  EPA 1990

  Two offences involving discharges of oil to the River Thames.

  16 February 1994

  G

  £7,500

  £13,248

  South West

  ICI Nitram Plant, Severnside, Bristol

  HSW 1974

  Failure to use BPM to prevent discharge of ammonia to atmosphere.

  18 February 1994

  G

  £2,000

  £9,195.18

  Summary Detail:

  Total prosecutions: 9

  Total fines: £45,800

  Total costs: £47,856

  HMIP prosecutions 1994–95 (1 April—year to date)

  Region

  Name

  Act

  Offence

  Date of hearing

  Verdict

  Fine

  Costs

  Midlands

  AGA Gas Ltd., Bardon Filling Plant, Leics

  EPA 1990

  Operation of an unauthorised acetylene plant.

  10 May 1994

  G

  £10,000

  £5,135

  Midlands

  Wednesbury Tubes Ltd., Bilston, W Midlands

  HSW 1974

  Failure to use BPM to prevent the emission into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive substances.

  11 May 1994

  G

  £4,000

  £1,540

  Southern

  Acal Auriema, Slough

  RSA 1960 /IRR 1985 /HSW 1974

  Two charges—failure to hold an authorisation certificate to collect waste radioactive sources for disposal/damage of a waste source.

  20 May 1994

  G

  £14,000

  £2,842.61

  Southern

  Drum Laundry Services Ltd., Aldershot

  EPA 1990

  Failure to prevent a release to controlled waters.

  20 June 1994

  G

  £5,000

  £5,000

  North East

  Safety-Kleen UK Ltd., Rotherham

  EPA 1990

  Failure to prevent a release to controlled waters.

  5 September 1994

  G

  £7,500

  £6,040

  Southern

  Enichem Elastomers Ltd., Hythe, Hampshire

  EPA 1990

  Failure to use BATNEEC to prevent an unauthorised release of styrene.

  9 November 1994

  G

  £5,000

  £12,062

  North East

  British Coal, Wearmouth

  RSA 1993

  Breach of RSA93 over the loss of a radioactive source.

  14 November 1994

  G

  £5,000

  £7,561

  Wales

  Coalite Products Ltd., Beddau

  EPA 1990

  Exceedance of ammonia release limits for discharges to controlled waters.

  21 November 1994

  G

  £22,500

  £10,000

  South West

  Rhone-Poulenc Chemicals Ltd.

  HSW 1974

  Failure to use BPM to prevent an unauthorised release of ammonia.

  28 November 1994

  G

  £12,000

  £5,400

  South

  CET Flexitec Ltd.

  RSA 1993

  Failure to comply with registration condition relating to storage of radioactive source.

  30 November 1994

  G

  £7,000

  £2,500

  South

  Southern Refining Services Ltd.

  EPA 1990

  Failure to comply with conditions of authorisation.

  5 December 1994

  G

  £12,000

  £6,571.85

  North West

  Vinamul Ltd.

  EPA 1990

  Unauthorised escape of substances and failure to ensure control during production.

  31 January 1995

  G

  £19,000

  £13,716

  North East

  ICI Wilton

  EPA 1990

  Failure to prevent an unauthorised release of degraded organic peroxide.

  2 February 1995

  G

  £10,000

  £10,250

  528 529

  HMIP Prosecutions 1994–95 (1 April-year to date)

  Region

  Name

  Act

  Offence

  Date of hearing

  Verdict

  Fine

  Costs

  North East

  Hickson Fine Chemicals

  EPA 1990

  Failure to prevent a release to controlled waters.

  13 February 1995

  G

  £5,000

  £10,694.50

  Anglian

  IGE Medical Systems

  RSA 1993

  Loss of radioactive source.

  24 February 1995

  G

  £5,000

  £5,754.75

  Summary detail:

  Total prosections: 15.

  Total fines to date: £143,000.

  Total costs: £105,066.71.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many court actions were taken in each of the last three years in total and in each authority area by the waste regulation authorities; what was the gross and net costs to each waste regulation authority and in total of legal action taken in each of the past three years; what were the total fines imposed by each waste regulation authority and in total in respect of pollution incidents in each of the past three years; and how many of the court actions taken by waste regulation authorities in each of the past three years resulted in a prosecution and fine. [25779]

  Mr. Atkins
  The information requested is not held centrally. Information on the number and description of prosecutions brought by waste regulation authorities under part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 must be included in the annual reports authorities are required to publish under section 67 of the Act. Authorities are required to publish their reports within six months of the end of each financial year and the first such reports will be those for the financial year 1994–95.

  Contracting Out
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what work has been contracted out(a) by his Department and (b) by agencies for which his Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) projected for 1995–96; [25524]

  (2) for each piece of work subject to a bidding process under the auspices of (a) the Department of the Environment and (b) agencies for which the Department is responsible where work was contracted out who were the successful bidders; and which contracts were won by in-house bidders in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) projected for 1995–96. [25526]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Under the competing for quality programme, results during the 1 October 1993 to 30 September 1994 market testing year are:

  Department of the Environment project

  Successful tenderer

  Security guarding:

  (daytime hours)

  Royal British Legion Attendants Co. Ltd.

  (silent hours)

  Security Facilities Executive

  Management Audit Services

  In-house team

  Construction research:

  Ventilation of underground car Parks

  TBV Science

  Scoping study for HVAC System

  Centre for Configurational Studies—The Open University

  Water economy

  BSRIA

  530

  Department of the Environment project

  Successful tenderer

  Identification and development of source datafor fire risk assessments, part 1

  Four Elements Ltd.

  Identification and development of source data for fire risk assessments, part 2

  Fire SERT Centre (University of Ulster)

  Alternative aggregates

  Mott MacDonald Consultants

  Fire resistance behaviour of trussed rafters

  Trada Technology

  Performance of emulsion preservatives

  Building Research Establishment

  Sprinkler system cost benefit study

  Building Research Establishment

  Comparative strength of masonry walls

  Building Research Establishment

  Agencies

  Successful tenderer

  Security Facilities Executive:

  Cleaning of Ponton Road premises

  Mayfair Window Cleaning Co Ltd.

  Inter-Departmental Despatch Service

  In-house team

  Planning Inspectorate

  Secretarial and typing

  In-house team

  Building Research Establishment:

  Office and printing services

  In-house team

  Audio Visual

  In-house team

  1994–95 Department of the Environment

  Successful tenderer

  Construction Research

  Organically coated metal phase 2

  BDA

  Masonry clad steel frame buildings

  Taywoods

  Timber panels Assessment of ground defamation properties

  CERAM Building Research Establishment

  Notes:

  No other results are available, and no results can be projected for 1995–96.

  Results of market tests are published in the monthly Market Testing

  Bulletin, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he has made in regard to the allocation of capital resources for local authorities to tackle contaminated land in 1995–96. [26101]
  531
  Mr. Atkins
  The Department of the Environment has today written to 49 local authorities and waste disposal authorities informing them of the Secretary of State's intention to issue supplementary credit approvals for 1995–96 totalling nearly £8 million in respect of capital expenditure on 109 new projects to investigate or carry our remedial work to contaminated land.

  The Department has already written to 40 authorities about making SCAs totalling £6.7 million available this year in respect of 127 on-going projects from previous years.

  Between 1990–91 and 1993–94 SCAs worth nearly £40 million were issued to enable work to be undertaken on over 800 contaminated sites. A figure for SCAs spent for 1994–95 is not yet available as authorities are in the process of submitting final returns for that financial year.

  The SCA programme for contaminated land is aimed at tackling problems on sites in local authority ownership or where they have responsibility to take action and cannot recover their costs. The Department operates an assessment and prioritisation procedures to ensure that the available funding goes to projects representing the greatest threat to health or the environment.

  Local Government Commission
  Mr. Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what decisions he has reached on the Local Government Commission's final recommendations on electoral, boundary and other non-structural matters. [26203]

  Mr. Curry
  The Local Government Commission made a number of recommendations on boundary and electoral matters in its final reports on the future of local government in the shire countries of England. My right hon. Friend has now reached decisions on these recommendations.

  Among other factors, he has had regard to the possible interaction between these recommendations and the programme of fresh structure reviews of individual districts which he announced on 2 March. Where the commission has recommended further reviews of boundaries or electoral arrangements he has considered the implications for the commission's programme of periodic electoral reviews and other work. In each case he has considered the commission's reports and the representations he has received, and is satisfied that these decisions will best reflect the identities and interests of local communities and will best secure effective and convenient local government.

  My right hon. Friend accepts the recommendations made for a boundary change in Gloucestershire between the parishes of West Dean and Coleford in the district of the Forest of Dean, and the consequential changes to parish, district and county electoral arrangements. He also accepts the recommended change in boundary between Colchester borough and Tendering district in the Wivenhoe area of Essex, the recommended re-warding of East Hertfordshire district and the recommended re-warding of Newbury district in Berkshire.

  Basildon, Thurrock and Peterborough will be subject to fresh district reviews. My right hon. Friend has already announced that the recommended boundary changes around Basildon which would transfer Wickford to Rochford and Billericay to Brentwood will not be acted upon pending the fresh reviews. It follows that he should
  532
  defer a decision on the recommended changes in electoral representation in Wickford, Billericay, Basildon and the county, which are based on this boundary change. He considers that a decision on the electoral change recommended for Thurrock—an extra two councillors— should also await the fresh review. Similarly, in Peterborough, a decision on the recommended boundary change which would transfer the southern township area from Huntingdonshire to Peterborough will be made in the light of the outcome of the fresh review of Peterborough. He also expects the commission to look again at the re-warding of Peterborough as part of that review.

  In a number of cases the commission suggested it be directed to undertake further reviews. My right hon. Friend will be considering the case for undertaking a review of Cambridge City's boundaries in due course. As he has already announced, he will consider asking the commission to look again at the proposed boundary change around Southend airport. On electoral matters, the commission recommended an early review of electoral arrangements at district and county level in those areas of Essex affected by structural change, the six districts in Berkshire which will gain unitary status and the Suffolk Coastal district. He accepts the case for each of these, and will be discussing with the commission how they may be given priority in its programme of work.

  Decisions in principle on all the commission's structural recommendations have now been announced. Decisions on the remaining planning recommendations were announced on 11 April, and an announcement on the parishing recommendations will be made very shortly. Other matters, such as recommendations for police and fire service arrangements, flow directly from the structural decisions, and will be set out in draft orders for structural change which are the subject of consultation. Similarly, ceremonial matters will be covered in general regulations and in structural change orders which are subject to public consultation.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Official Gifts
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those gifts received by Ministers in their official capacities and reported to the Permanent Secretary in each of the last five years. [23783]

  Mr. Goodlad
  The details of gifts received by Ministers are not made public. Their retention or disposal is dealt with in accordance with "Questions of Procedure for Ministers".

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to support the international action plan and fund proposed by Norway to address(a) safety at nuclear installations, (b) the sound management of nuclear waste and (c) problems associated with the dumping of nuclear waste and arms-related environmental hazards in the Kola peninsula. [25182]
  533
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We share Norway's concerns about nuclear safety and radioactive waste management problems in Russia. The majority of international assistance in this area is currently focused on improving the safety of nuclear reactors. Our main contributions to these efforts are channelled through the European Union's PHARE and TACIS programmes, as well as the G7 multilateral programme of action. As projects in these nuclear safety related programmes begin to bear fruit, increasing emphasis is likely to be placed on the specific problem of radioactive waste management.

  Immigration
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance is being offered to Mrs. Abida Noreen and her daughter, Muneeza Khan (Ref: Imm/C8970) by the United Kingdom post in Islamabad to return as residents of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [25699]

  Mr. Baldry
  I have asked the high commission at Islamabad for details and will arrange for the hon. Member to receive a substantive reply from the migration and visa correspondence unit as soon as possible.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the main constitutional issues on the Government's agenda for the 1996 inter-governmental conference. [25776]

  Mr. David Davis
  We shall not make proposals at the 1996 intergovernmental conference which would involve significant constitutional change. We will also, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on 23 May, block any attempt to extend Community competence into intergovernmental areas such as foreign affairs, defence and home affairs.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Police Order
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether comments on the draft proposals to change the Police (Northern Ireland) Order will be placed in the Library at the conclusion of the period of consultation on 6 June. [24322]

  Sir John Wheeler
  No substantive comments on the draft order have yet been received. I will, however, keep the suggestion under review, bearing in mind that some comments may be offered on a confidential basis.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce into Northern Ireland proposals in relation to the capping of housing benefit similar to those made for England and Wales. [24749]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The implications for Northern Ireland of the proposals for amending the housing benefit scheme in Great Britain are currently being considered.534
  Account will be taken of the different arrangements in Northern Ireland for administering the housing benefit scheme.

  Health Service Contracts
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on all contracts placed by(a) each health board and (b) each health trust with Grafton Recruitment. [24505]

  Mr. Moss
  [holding answer 17 May 1995]: There are currently 52 nursing agencies licensed by the Department, of which two have been issued in respect of Grafton Recruitment. Information on contracts placed by the health and personal social services with these agencies is not held centrally, but by individual health and social services boards and trusts.

  Majority Shareholdings
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those companies in which the holder of his office is the majority shareholder which(a) are currently in existence and (b) have been wound up in the past five years. [25711]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: None in either category.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Advisory Committee on Business Appointments
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants applied to the advisory committee on business appointments for approval for a job offer in the private sector in each of the last five years; and in how many cases the application was refused. [25016]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested, including information on members of the diplomatic service, is set out in the table. Separate applications must be submitted for each appointment or consultancy commission an individual wishes to accept. Under the business appointment rules applications cannot be rejected outright, but approval may be made subject to behavioural conditions or to waiting periods of up to a maximum of two years.

  Number of applications (number of applicants)

  Financial year

  Unconditionally approved

  Conditionally approved

  Total

  1990–91

  12

  9

  21 (16)

  1991–92

  17

  14

  31 (21)

  1992–93

  11

  25

  36 (20)

  1993–94

  8

  15

  23(13)

  1994–95

  13

  17

  30(16)

  Note:

  The figures in brackets refer to the number of individuals who applied; all other figures refer to the number of applications received.
  535
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list by name and profession the members of the advisory committee on business appointments. [25017]

  Mr. Horam
  The members of the Prime Minister's advisory committee on business appointments are:

  The right hon. the Lord Carlisle of Bucklow QC—Chairman

  The Lord Bridges GCMG—Deputy Chairman

  Sir John Blelloch KCB

  Sir Denys Henderson

  Sir Charles Huxtable KCB CBE

  Sir Robin Ibbs KBE

  The right hon. Peter Shore MP

  The right hon. the Lord Thomson of Monifieth KT

  Lord Carlisle, Lord Thomson and Mr. Peter Shore are senior parliamentarians and former Ministers. Lord Bridges is a retired diplomat; Sir John Blelloch is a retired senior civil servant; Sir Charles Huxtable is a retired senior army officer; Sir Robin Ibbs is chairman of Lloyds Bank plc; and Sir Denys Henderson is chairman of the Rank Organisation.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list by Government Department the number of civil servants who have applied to the advisory committee on business appointments for approval to take a job in the private sector in each of the last five years. [25018]

  Mr. Horam
  The number of civil servants, including members of the diplomatic service, who have applied to the advisory committee for approval to take a job in the private sector in each of the last five financial years is set out in the table:

  Number of applicants

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Cabinet Office

  2

  0

  2

  1

  1

  Ministry of Defence

  4

  2

  1

  2

  1

  Department for Education

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Department of Employment

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Department of Energy

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Department of the Environment, including PSA

  1

  3

  1

  2

  1

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  5

  9

  12

  3

  5

  Department of Health

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Home Office

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Northern Ireland Office

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Scottish Office

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Department of Social Security

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Department of Trade and Industry

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Department of Transport

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  Her Majesty's Treasury

  2

  1

  0

  1

  1

EDUCATION

  Dance and Drama
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she has met the Secretary of State for National Heritage to discuss the future of dance and drama training. [23818]

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend has done so.

  Higher Education Review
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the aims of her departmental review of higher education. [23824]

  Mr. Boswell
  My right hon. Friend is reviewing the aims and purposes of higher education with a view to determining its appropriate shape and size at the end of the century and beyond.

  Mathematics and Engineering
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to letters to the hon. Member for Linlithgow from the Minister of State, what proposals Her Majesty's Government have for relating mathematics teaching in schools to the requirements of the engineering profession as set out by the Engineering Council. [23825]

  Mr. Forth
  The mathematics curriculum is relevant to many professions, including engineering. As the hon. Member is aware, the Government are committed to higher standards and higher quality teaching in mathematics for all pupils.

  History Teaching
  Mr. Hawkins
  to ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to review the teaching of history in schools. [23826]

  Mr. Forth
  None.

  School Funding
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations she has received asking her for increased funding for school budgets in 1996–97. [23827]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My. right hon. Friend has received a number of representations on school finances, many of which have requested increased funding for school budgets in 1995–96.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many representations she has now received from(a) parents, (b) teacher and (c) governors regarding school funding for 1995–96. [23834]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of such representations. It is not possible to break down this total into separate categories.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate she has made of the effect of a national funding formula for primary and secondary schools on financial distribution to local education authorities. [22835]
  537
  Mr. Robin Squire
  The detailed effects of a national funding formula would depend on how it was constructed. It is clear, however, that redistributing a national funding total using identical formula factors across the country would result in large numbers of schools gaining, and large number of schools losing compared with their existing levels of funding.

  Selective Grammar Schools
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement about the Government's policy towards selective grammar schools. [23828]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Government believe that schools which select pupils by ability, or which specialise in particular subjects, have an important part to play in giving parents a choice of schooling for their children.

  Nursery Education
  19. Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment she has made of the need for nursery education in Hampshire. [23829]

  Mr. Forth
  It is for local education authorities to determine the need for education provision for children below compulsory school age.

  Sir David Madel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are her future plans for the development of nursery education; and if she will make a statement. [23832]

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has set a target to provide, over time, a pre-school place for all four-year-olds whose parents wish to take it up. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the official task force have been consulting widely with a view to drawing up detailed proposals for the expansion.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State what has been the amount of money given from her Department to London borough councils to help with the provision of nursery schooling in each of the last two years. [23823]

  Mr. Forth
  In 1994–95 local education authorities in London received in total in their education standard spending assessment some £189.870 million in respect of the population of children aged 0 to 4 in their area. In 1995–96 the figure was £199.198 million. How much each local authority spends on nursery provision is a matter solely for the local authority concerned.

  Primary School Pupils
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidelines her Department issues on the optimum number of pupils per class in primary schools. [23830]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None. It is for the governors and head teachers of individual schools to decide how to organise their classes.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many grammar and high schools in Kent have successfully applied for grant-maintained status; and if she will make a statement. [23831]
  538
  Mr. Robin Squire
  Eighteen grammar schools and 46 other secondary schools in Kent have successfully applied for grant-maintained status. This means that half the state secondary schools in the county are now self-governing— a clear illustration of the extent to which Kent parents have appreciated the benefits of GM status for their children's schools.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of pupils on the assisted places scheme receive a free place. [23836]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Over 42 per cent, of assisted place holders are receiving a free place in the current academic year 1994–95.

  Mr. Brandreth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to review the assisted places scheme; and if she will make a statement. [23833]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The assisted places scheme is an outstanding success and popular with parents. It is here to stay under this Government. We will continue to keep its detailed operation under regular review.

  Further Education
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she expects to maintain the unit of resource per student in the further education sector over the next two years. [23837]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government's expenditure plans mean that the funding available for colleges will increase by 4 per cent, in 1995–96 and by a further 3 per cent, in 1996–97. The plans assume that FE sector colleges will make real terms efficiency gains of 5 per cent. in 1995–96 and 3 per cent. in 1996–97.

  Ethnic and Religious Facilities
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education to what extent her Department wishes to encourage the development of additional ethnic and religious facilities in English primary and secondary schools in the future. [23838]

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend considers proposals from promoters of a variety of new voluntary and grant-maintained schools. She takes into account a number of factors, including the extent to which the proposals would enhance the choice, diversity and quality of education in the area; the overall need for additional school places locally and therefore the cost-effective use of public money; and evidence that the new school would be able to deliver the national curriculum.

  Teaching Methods
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidance her Department is giving for methods of teaching classes of all sizes; and if she will make a statement. [24302]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  None. The Teacher Training Agency and Ofsted are to take joint action to identify good teaching methods and improve teachers' effectiveness. The agency is conducting a fundamental national review of in-service training.

  Autism
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for education what plans she has to increase the level of provision for autistic children in north-east London; and if she will make a statement. [24046]

  Mr. Forth
  The assessment of autistic children and the identification of a suitable school for them is the responsibility of the LEA in whose area they live. Not every LEA will be able to, or need to make its own specialist provision. In some cases collaboration between LEAs might be desirable; if this led one or more LEAs to publish statutory proposals for new schools or units, or to the development of additional provision in non-maintained special schools, the Secretary of State would consider any proposals carefully.

  Medical Students
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she or her ministerial colleagues will agree to meet medical student representatives from the British Medical Association to discuss the current level of student loans and other relevant matters. [23817]

  Mr. Boswell
  The pressure of other commitments means that my right hon. Friend and I are unable to meet representatives of the medical students committee. I am well aware of the arguments advanced by the BMA medical students committee, and have answered the points raised by them in correspondence.

  Special Needs
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list by local education authority those secondary schools which are grant maintained, giving for each the number of pupils with a statement of special educational needs for each year since the school became grant-maintained. [25678]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested will take a little time to assemble. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy in the Library.

  Statements of special educational needs are drawn up by the local education authority and name the school which the pupil in question should attend, taking account of parents' preferences and consultation with the schools' governors. A grant-maintained school can neither draw up a statement itself nor refuse admission to a pupil whose statement names that school.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Assaults (Police Officers)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many physical assaults on police officers were recorded in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for each year since 1990. [25034]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information available centrally relates to assaults on police officers recorded for the Hampshire police force area as a whole. Separate information for the Isle of Wight is not available centrally. There were 343 assaults in 1990, 374 in 1991, 388 in 1992 and 355 in 1993. Information for 1994 is not yet available.

  Asbestos Ash
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions his Department has given to police force and fire brigade services to co-ordinate strategies in evacuating communities that are at risk from dispersed asbestos ash following fires on buildings containing asbestos material. [25035]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Guidance has been issued to fire brigades on dealing with incidents involving asbestos and to the police on any type of incident where evacuation is to be considered.

  Prison Statistics
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total number of sentenced offenders, including fine defaulters, received into prison in(a) 1993 and (b) 1994; and how many had committed offences involving (i) violence, (ii) sex and (iii) robbery; [25319]

  (2) what was the total number of sentenced offenders, excluding fine defaulters, received Into prison in (a) 1993 and (b) 1994; and how many had committed offences involving (i) violence, (ii) sex and (iii) robbery. [25320]

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Alun Michael, dated 23 May 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the total number of sentenced offenders, both including and excluding fine defaulters, received into prison in (a) 1993 and (b) 1994; and how many had committed offences involving (i) violence, (ii) sex and (iii) robbery.
  Provisional information for receptions of sentenced prisoners in 1993 and 1994 is contained in the attached table.

  Receptions into Prison Service Establishments, 1993 and 1994, by offence group, including and excluding fine defaulters

  Receptions:

  Receptions:

  Including fine defaulters

  Excluding fine defaulters

  Principal offence

  1993

  1994

  1993

  1994

  Violence against the person

  8,823

  9,979

  7,317

  8,667

  Sexual offences

  1,926

  1,905

  1,899

  1,895

  Robbery

  2,934

  2,933

  2,895

  2,912

  Other offences

  59,283

  69,165

  38,452

  47,784

  All offences

  72,966

  83,982

  50,563

  61,258

  Prison Golf Courses
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated cost of providing a golf course at Swaleside prison on the Isle of Sheppey; what costs had been incurred when the work was stopped; what is the estimated cost of restoring the land to its original condition; what amount was spent to purchase golf clubs and balls; and how many clubs and balls were brought. [17340]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 3 April 1995]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  541
  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Stephen Byers, dated 23 May 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the costs incurred in the abandoned project to construct a three hole golf course at Swaleside prison. I am sorry for the delay in replying to your Question.
  At the time of the cancellation of the project, the cost that had been incurred as a result of labour costs, plant hire and materials was £14,275. Some of the aggregate materials that had already been delivered to the site were recovered and used for construction purposes elsewhere in the prison estate. There have subsequently been cancellation costs of £8,043.
  Some ground work had already been carried out at Swaleside. The work to restore the land will be done by prisoners under the supervision of staff and will need no additional resources.
  The cost of 24 golf clubs, 150 golf balls and 200 practice balls was £709. It is hoped to recover some of this cost through negotiation with equipment suppliers.
  As a result of what happened at Swaleside, it has been made clear to governors that there should be no further proposals to use public funds in this way.

  Al Fayed Brothers
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who signed(a) notices refusing applications by Mr. A. and Mr. M. Al Fayed to be granted British citizenship and (b) letters refusing to explain the reasons for such refusal notices submitted by either applicant or their representatives; and on whose behalf such notices or letters were signed. [25700]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  It is not our practice to disclose details relating to individual applications for British citizenship.

  Police Vehicle Accidents
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the percentage of police vehicles involved in(a) serious and (b) fatal accidents in each of the last 15 years. [25426]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information on the number of police vehicle accidents in England and Wales is for the period 1988–1993 and is given in the table. The figures shown for casualties relate only to death or serious injury in the course of either police pursuits or responses to emergency calls.

  Police vehicle accidents (England and Wales)

  Year

  Total police vehicle accidents

  1Fatal injuries

  1Serious injuries

  1988

  18,917

  22

  282

  1989

  18,481

  39

  333

  1990

  18,941

  24

  317

  1991

  18,445

  32

  271

  1992

  19,560

  30

  300

  1993

  19,504

  34

  300

  1Arising in the course of police pursuits or responses to emergency

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average award for rape plus a serious injury given under the criminal injuries compensation scheme under the tariff scheme operating from April 1994; [24887]
  542
  (2) if he will list for each of the last five years the number of claimants for criminal injuries compensation who were incapacitated for more than 28 weeks and the percentage they represented of (a) the total number and (b) the total cost of claimants in each year; [24889]

  (3) what was the number of awards and total value of awards made (a) in respect of rape and (b) in respect of rape plus a serious injury in each of the last six financial years. [24888]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 May 1995]: This information is not recorded centrally.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the criteria he intends to use in reviewing the criminal injuries compensation tariff once it is in place; [24891]

  (2) if it is his policy that the tariff published with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Bill should be uprated to allow for inflation; and if it is his policy to ensure that the tariff rates are subsequently uprated each year; [24896]

  (3) if it is his policy that the tariff published with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Bill should be implemented as it stands. [24895]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 May 1995]: It is the intention that the tariff which was published on 11 May should be the one which is used when the enhanced tariff scheme starts.

  The injury descriptions in the tariff will be monitored on a continuing basis, and can be adjusted as necessary with the consent of Parliament. It is intended that the tariff levels will be reviewed every three years. No criteria for such reviews have yet been set, but might be expected to include reference to inflation more generally and other pressures on public expenditure.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy that the time limit for applications under the criminal justice compensation tariff should be not less than three years; [24899]

  (2) what will be the time limit for applications under the recently announced tariff scheme for criminal injury compensation. [24898]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 May 1995]: The intention is to set the time limit at two years. Police and other records are often weeded at about three years and this can make it more difficult to obtain documentary evidence to substantiate claims. However, there will continue to be discretion for the scheme administrators to waive the time limit in exceptional cases.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will define the terms dependency/loss of support payments used in note 4 to his paper on the proposed tariff scheme published with the Criminal Injury Compensation Bill, together with the circumstances in which they are relevant and the means by which this relevance would be assessed in a specific case. [24890]
  543
  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 18 May 1995]: Payments for dependency and loss of support will be made to those relations who are able to show that they were financially dependent on the deceased at or before his or her death, or a probability that the deceased would have provided some sort of financial support in the future had he or she lived. They will be calculated by reference to the deceased's contribution to the household budget and the probable length of the dependency.

  Europol Drugs Unit
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff(a) in his Department and (b) in other Government Departments have specific duties relating to the Europol drugs unit. [25051]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Within the National Criminal Intelligence Service two members of staff currently work full-time on liaison duties associated with the Europol drugs unit. Other members of NCIS, the Home Office and Customs and Excise undertake duties associated with the work of the unit as part of their wider responsibilities for national and international police and customs co-operation.

  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost in 1994–95 of the United Kingdom's participation in the Europol drugs unit. [25052]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: For the financial year 1994–95 the United Kingdom's contribution towards the running and staff costs of the Europol drugs unit in The Hague was £849,000. Some additional costs were incurred in the United Kingdom as a result of staff time spent on representational, liaison and other duties associated with the work of the unit.

  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many United Kingdom police officers are currently serving(a) full-time and (b) part-time with the Europol drugs unit. [25057]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: (a) Three; (b) none.

  National Criminal Intelligence Service
  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many United Kingdom police officers are currently serving(a) full-time and (b) part-time with the National Criminal Intelligence Service. [25053]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: As at 1 May there were 248 police officers serving with the National Criminal Intelligence Service, all full-time. Of these, 229 were seconded on central service terms and 19 were on periods of attachment.

  Dr. Howells
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost in 1993–94 and 1995 of the National Criminal Intelligence Service. [25054]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: In 1993–94 the net outturn for the National Criminal Intelligence Service was £20.068 million. The outturn in 1994–95, which has yet to be confirmed, is estimated to be £23.508 million.

  Forensic Science Service Agency
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets he has set for the Forensic Science Service agency for 1995–96. [26102]

  Mr. Howard
  During 1995–96 I expect Forensic Science Service to continue to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. The financial targets for the year are recovery of full economic costs; and a cash unit cost target of £484.91 based on an efficiency gain of 1.98 per cent. The service level targets are to meet 90 per cent. of delivery dates agreed with customers; and to maintain accreditation to national measurement accreditation service and BS5750 standards.

  Boards of Visitors
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has reviewed the role of boards of visitors. [26103]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  On 1 February 1995 I made an announcement in the House that I would conduct a review of the role of boards of visitors. My right hon. and learned Friend and I place great value on the work of boards and on the participation of lay people from the local community in the prison system. There has been considerable change within the Prison Service, particularly after it became an agency, which has placed new and increased demands on boards of visitors. The objective of the review was to find ways to strengthen the role of boards and help them undertake their duties more effectively.

  My review group consisted of Mrs. Lindsay Addyman JP, Mrs Mary Bentall OBE JP, Mr. Colin Edwards, Ms Freda Evans, Mrs Denise Hurst, Mr. Alfred Mossop JP, Mrs Sylvia Peach JP, Mr. Jim Romer, and Mrs Judy Veale OBE JP, all of whom are current or past members of boards of visitors, and Judge Stephen Tumim, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons. The governor of HM prison, Maidstone was co-opted. Support was provided by a small team of officials.

  Written representations within the terms of reference were invited by 3 March from a wide variety of groups interested in penal affairs including boards of visitors, prison governors and others. I chaired a number of meetings during March and April at which the review group considered these representations and in the light of their own wide practical experience, developed the recommendations.

  The main recommendations are that:
  the title "board of visitors" should be replaced by "advisory council";
  a code of practice should be produced and all boards should follow it; a statement of purpose and a common constitution should be adopted by all boards;
  all training for new and experienced members and new chairmen should become mandatory; and a training-needs analysis should be completed;
  there should be a new elected body under the title "national advisory council" to represent to the Secretary of State matters of common concern to boards;
  there should be a director of boards, appointed by open competition, supported by a secretariat based in the Home Office; additional funds of about £300,000 per annum will be necessary; the director's role will be to provide support to boards and to enhance their performance of the watchdog role on behalf of ministers;

  545
  the chairman and vice-chairman of a board should be appointed by the Secretary of State after they have been nominated by a secret ballot of its members;
  the role of the board chairman should be strengthened, his duties should include ensuring the best use of resources within a notional budget set by the Secretary of State, and agreeing with the governor (or prison director) in writing the level of administrative support required from the clerk to the board and other secretarial staff; and
  a 12-month probation period should be introduced for all new members; a new power should be introduced enabling the Secretary of State to suspend a member from duty as a matter of urgency; and objectives should be introduced for members and chairman together with a system of open appraisal.

  One of the remarkable features of the review group was the unanimous agreement on the nature of the problems faced by boards and about their solutions. I am confident that the recommendations will command widespread support. The aim is to have them in place by January 1996.

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

  Crime Statistics
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the percentage change in each category of recorded crime and in total recorded crime(a) between the last two years for which figures are available and (b) between 1979 and the last year for which figures are available (i) in England and Wales and (ii) in each police force area. [25258]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is contained in the tables:

  Identity Cards
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the consultation paper on identity cards. [26104]

  Mr. Howard
  I will lay before Parliament and publish tomorrow a Green Paper on identity cards.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many shops and businesses were successfully prosecuted for selling fireworks to children under the apparent age of 16 years by(a) the police

  Percentage change in numbers of notifiable offences recorded by police force area and offence group 1993–94

  England and Wales

  Percentage change

  Police force area

  Total

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Burglary

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  Fraud and forgery

  Criminal damage

  Other offences

  Avon and Somerset

  -5

  +18

  +22

  -8

  -8

  -6

  -14

  +4

  +30

  Bedfordshire

  -11

  +2

  +2

  +7

  -17

  -11

  -18

  -1

  +34

  Cambridgeshire

  -6

  +7

  +7

  -21

  -6

  -10

  -18

  +10

  +6

  Cheshire

  -7

  +9

  +17

  -19

  -13

  -10

  -3

  +4

  +46

  Cleveland

  +4

  +6

  +9

  +39

  -2

  +4

  -14

  +14

  +24

  Cumbria

  -3

  +11

  +2

  (-19)

  -6

  -7

  +11

  +7

  +5

  Derbyshire

  -6

  -3

  +3

  +18

  -6

  -10

  +2

  +1

  +11

  Devon and Cornwall

  -10

  +12

  -9

  -5

  -7

  -12

  -15

  -13

  +16

  Dorset

  +7

  +9

  +39

  +8

  2

  +6

  -16

  +38

  +1

  Durham

  -3

  +11

  +3

  -9

  -8

  -5

  -11

  +6

  +8

  Essex

  -7

  +8

  -23

  -2

  -13

  -9

  -11

  +4

  +15

  Gloucestershire

  0

  +22

  +220

  +5

  -8

  -4

  +13

  +28

  +30

  546
  and (b) trading standards officers, in each year since 1985. [23572]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Statistics relating to prosecutions undertaken by trading standard officers cannot be identified centrally.

  The table shows the number of police and non-police prosecutions and convictions under section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875, as amended, from 1985 to 1993: 1994 data will not be available until autumn 1995.

  It should, however, be noted that the statistics of court proceedings are based on returns made by the police to the Home Office and although these include offences where there has been no police involvement, such as those prosecutions instigated by Government Departments, local authorities—in this case, probably trading standards officers—and private organisations and individuals, the reporting of these types of offence is known to be incomplete.

  Number of defendants prosecuted and convicted at magistrates courts for selling fireworks to any child apparently under 16 years of age 1 by type of proceeding 1985–1993

  England and Wales

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Year

  Police

  Others

  Police

  Others

  1985

  —

  —

  —

  —

  19862

  6

  —

  —

  —

  19873

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1988

  1

  1

  —

  1

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1990

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1Section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875 as amended by the Explosive (Age of Purchase, etc) Act 1976, s1 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987, sch 4.

  2 A further offender found guilty at the Crown Court.

  3 A further offender found guilty at the Crown Court.

  Telephones
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has made to the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the need for legislation to prevent the cloning of mobile telephones. [23467]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: None.
  547

  Percentage change in numbers of notifiable offences recorded by police force area and offence group 1993–94

  England and Wales

  Percentage change

  Police force area

  Total

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Burglary

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  Fraud and forgery

  Criminal damage

  Other offences

  Greater Manchester

  -7

  -8

  -10

  -1

  -7

  -11

  -17

  +6

  -11

  Hampshire

  -4

  +7

  -25

  +4

  -10

  -4

  -24

  +7

  +11

  Hertfordshire

  -3

  +4

  +11

  -3

  -10

  -3

  -14

  +5

  -16

  Humberside

  -4

  +2

  -13

  +4

  -8

  -1

  -11

  -2

  +35

  Kent

  -4

  +15

  +17

  +1

  -13

  -5

  -10

  +3

  +20

  Lancashire

  -5

  +3

  +7

  +1

  -8

  -9

  +2

  +5

  +17

  Leicestershire

  -1

  +29

  +31

  +11

  +4

  -6

  -6

  +1

  +10

  Lincolnshire

  -9

  +2

  +26

  -25

  -14

  -12

  -10

  +2

  +9

  London, City of

  -6

  -47

  (0)

  (-43)

  -13

  -2

  -13

  +3

  (+11)

  Merseyside

  -4

  +4

  +5

  -8

  -2

  -4

  -39

  -1

  -1

  Metropolitan Police

  -7

  +17

  +8

  +4

  -8

  -11

  -5

  -4

  +41

  Norfolk

  -13

  +7

  +1

  -14

  -23

  -13

  -9

  +2

  +32

  Northamptonshire

  -4

  -5

  +26

  +2

  -9

  -6

  -14

  +12

  +2

  Northumbria

  -5

  -3

  +5

  -1

  -9

  -7

  -4

  +4

  +2

  North Yorkshire

  +7

  +4

  -1

  +52

  +3

  +3

  -13

  +39

  -3

  Nottinghamshire

  -4

  0

  -2

  -1

  -13

  -8

  -10

  +22

  +8

  South Yorkshire

  0

  +4

  +4

  +13

  -2

  -3

  +24

  +7

  +28

  Staffordshire

  -5

  +6

  +6

  0

  -11

  -6

  +1

  +2

  +20

  Suffolk

  -9

  +1

  +3

  +1

  -15

  -14

  -14

  +13

  +18

  Surrey

  -11

  +25

  +23

  -23

  -21

  -12

  -21

  +1

  +37

  Sussex

  -4

  +5

  +8

  +8

  -9

  -3

  -10

  -3

  -2

  Thames Valley

  -7

  +18

  +11

  +24

  -5

  -8

  -18

  -9

  +20

  Warwickshire

  -6

  -3

  -13

  +4

  -12

  -5

  -21

  -1

  +21

  West Mercia

  +1

  +4

  +13

  +9

  -7

  -2

  +1

  +23

  +54

  West Midlands

  -4

  -5

  -10

  +18

  -9

  -5

  -14

  +6

  +5

  West Yorkshire

  -4

  +2

  +3

  -6

  -7

  -5

  -8

  +5

  +10

  Wiltshire

  -8

  -5

  -5

  -7

  -11

  -10

  -16

  +1

  +8

  Dyfed Powys

  -13

  +8

  -31

  (+32)

  -25

  -16

  -20

  -3

  +41

  Gwent

  -4

  +6

  -14

  (-32)

  -6

  -9

  +2

  +3

  +91

  North Wales

  -10

  -9

  -37

  -15

  -15

  -11

  -3

  +2

  +35

  South Wales

  -5

  +2

  -8

  -13

  -2

  -1

  -14

  -17

  +30

  England and Wales

  -5

  +7

  +4

  +3

  -8

  -7

  -10

  +2

  +19

  Note:

  Figures in brackets are based on totals of less than 100.

  Percentage change in numbers of notifiable offences recorded by police force area and offence group 1979–94

  England and Wales

  Percentage change

  Police force area

  Total

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Burglary

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  Fraud and forgery

  Criminal damage

  Other offences

  Avon and Somerset

  +227

  +239

  +120

  +965

  +313

  +200

  +68

  +286

  +708

  Bedfordshire

  +87

  +36

  +71

  +299

  +172

  +73

  +7

  +93

  +65

  Cambridgeshire

  +150

  +201

  +54

  (+426)

  +237

  +119

  +57

  +207

  +370

  Cheshire

  +147

  +128

  +75

  (+435)

  +188

  +107

  +167

  +215

  +1,847

  Cleveland

  +135

  +69

  -12

  (+718)

  +133

  +132

  -40

  +243

  +778

  Cumbria

  +118

  +188

  +82

  (+208)

  +165

  +86

  +3

  +192

  +836

  Derbyshire

  +122

  +108

  +21

  (+378)

  +197

  +100

  -34

  +158

  +442

  Devon and Cornwall

  +152

  +133

  +55

  (+343)

  +296

  +113

  +42

  +175

  +1,017

  Dorset

  +139

  +196

  +93

  (+224)

  +135

  +130

  +39

  +267

  +375

  Durham

  +138

  +109

  +119

  (+217)

  +108

  +136

  +85

  +200

  +1,382

  Essex

  +96

  +111

  +6

  +166

  +130

  +75

  +18

  +157

  +676

  Gloucestershire

  +269

  +312

  +447

  (+867)

  +427

  +220

  +243

  +229

  +1,198

  Greater Manchester

  +100

  +93

  -13

  +985

  +133

  +63

  +6

  +238

  +330

  Hampshire

  +111

  +144

  +28

  +179

  +136

  +98

  -5

  +172

  +909

  Hertfordshire

  +41

  +65

  +14

  (+267)

  +163

  +24

  -62

  +64

  +230

  Humberside

  +182

  +90

  +12

  +431

  +303

  +147

  +147

  +168

  +459

  Kent

  +181

  +257

  +111

  +443

  +157

  +170

  +43

  +276

  +462

  Lancashire

  +123

  +62

  -7

  +363

  +118

  +108

  +39

  +221

  +345

  Leicestershire

  +227

  +243

  +100

  (+1,159)

  +358

  +172

  +147

  +297

  +312

  Lincolnshire

  +172

  +165

  +29

  (+358)

  +242

  +134

  +58

  +261

  +1,110

  London, City of

  -23

  -25

  (+53)

  (-33)

  -41

  -20

  +4

  -41

  (+82)

  Merseyside

  +26

  +102

  +62

  +134

  +6

  +13

  -10

  +123

  +270

  Metropolitan Police

  +52

  +189

  +153

  +309

  +38

  +26

  +26

  +136

  +457

  Norfolk

  +148

  +168

  +83

  (+313)

  +224

  +123

  +34

  +184

  +229

  Northamptonshire

  +151

  +154

  +16

  (+260)

  +226

  +112

  +21

  +270

  +365

  548 549

  Percentage change in numbers of notifiable offences recorded by police force area and offence group 1979–94

  England and Wales

  Percentage change

  Police force area

  Total

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Burglary

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  Fraud and forgery

  Criminal damage

  Other offences

  Northumbria

  +105

  +87

  +10

  +519

  +112

  +51

  +22

  +358

  +720

  North Yorkshire

  +184

  +130

  +11

  (+367)

  +250

  +162

  -16

  +281

  +685

  Nottinghamshire

  +110

  +97

  +20

  +479

  +110

  +77

  +35

  +326

  +134

  South Yorkshire

  +179

  +70

  -6

  +548

  +307

  130

  +56

  +234

  +784

  Staffordshire

  +146

  +103

  +57

  (+486)

  +234

  +114

  +35

  +194

  +45

  Suffolk

  +95

  +130

  +85

  (+219)

  +173

  +67

  +13

  +162

  +159

  Surrey

  +73

  +163

  +29

  (+166)

  +112

  +58

  -20

  +114

  +695

  Sussex

  +120

  +74

  +18

  (+495)

  +162

  +100

  -7

  +238

  +513

  Thames Valley

  +146

  +144

  +34

  +436

  +176

  +129

  +21

  +254

  +813

  Warwickshire

  +205

  +146

  +89

  (+216)

  +291

  +181

  +87

  +220

  +918

  West Mercia

  +139

  +104

  +30

  (+373)

  +182

  +140

  -8

  +144

  +294

  West Midlands

  +102

  +75

  0

  +580

  +127

  +69

  +75

  +180

  +420

  West Yorkshire

  +125

  +86

  +28

  +517

  +172

  +99

  +51

  +154

  +436

  Wiltshire

  +86

  +244

  +29

  (+140)

  +131

  +66

  +9

  +89

  +326

  Dyfed Powys

  +84

  +334

  +2

  (+71)

  +104

  +61

  -38

  +129

  +286

  Gwent

  +87

  +143

  +6

  (+126)

  +100

  +70

  -8

  +147

  +2,055

  North Wales

  +84

  +127

  +8

  (+156)

  +119

  +61

  -48

  +224

  +641

  South Wales

  +120

  +153

  +17

  +152

  +109

  +106

  +24

  +207

  +806

  England and Wales

  +107

  +131

  +49

  +379

  +131

  +81

  +24

  +190

  +454

  Note:

  Figures in brackets are based on totals of less than 100.

  Body Armour
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which European countries routinely supply their police officers with body armour. [25149]

  Mr. Maclean
  We do not have this information.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) bullet-proof and (b) knife-proof vests have been supplied to police officers in each police division in England; [25148]

  (2) how many police officers have been supplied with (a) knife-proof body armour and (b) bullet-proof body armour; and what proportion this constitutes of all police officers. [25141]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not kept centrally.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department is carrying out into body armour for police officers which is both knife and bullet proof. [25155]

  Mr. Maclean
  The police scientific development branch of the Home Office has a continuous programme of evaluating the latest developments in this field. It has in addition, developed test standards and procedures which are provided to manufacturers.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects body armour to be supplied to all police officers in England and Wales. [25142]

  Mr. Maclean
  This is a matter for chief officers of police. I understand, however, that all officers involved in firearms operations are issued with ballistic protection.

  Police Discipline
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) further to the recent report of the Police Complaints Authority, how many police officers were allowed to retire early on medical grounds while facing disciplinary charges in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [25015]
  550
  (2) how many police officers facing disciplinary charges retired early on medical grounds in each of the last five years. [25740]

  Mr. Maclean
  In 1993, 39 officers retired on the grounds of ill health during the course of investigations into their conduct or whilst facing disciplinary action or criminal proceedings.

  Information for earlier years is not available in the form requested.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) further to the recent report of the Police Complaints Authority, what form of disciplinary action was imposed on 1,228 police officers in 1994; [24983]

  (2) further to the recent report papers of the Police Complaints Authority, what was the nature of the 1,228 offences for which disciplinary action was imposed in 1994. [24982]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information available on punishments resulting from disciplinary hearings, including those originating from a complaint, will appear in the Home Office's annual statistical bulletin on police complaints and discipline, which is expected to be published in June.

  Information on the types of complaint which resulted in disciplinary action recorded by the Police Complaints Authority in 1994 will appear in the authority's annual report, which is due to be published shortly.

  Police Training
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 May,Official Report, column 555, what estimates were made of the training costs needed to enable police in England and Wales to be fully aware of the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; and to what extent these were taken into consideration when assessing police funding. [25232]
  551
  Mr. Maclean
  No additions to funding have been made for local training requirements in relation to this Act which were expected to vary according to individual and operational needs. Police funding generally takes into account increasing costs, but forces have to work within budgets to meet changing demands.

  Name Badges (Prison Service)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the policy of his Department that all members within the Prison Service should wear name badges. [22206]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I have asked the Prison Service to review the policy.

WALES

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what review he is making of nursery school provision in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [24849]

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend and I are considering a number of options on how to fulfil the Government's commitment to provide pre-school places for all four-year-olds whose parents wish to take them up.

  In Wales the office of Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools is undertaking a survey of existing provision in the maintained and voluntary sectors.

  Education Funding
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning school funding in 1995–96 from(a) teachers, (b) governors and (c) parents; and if he will make a statement. [24853]

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend and I have received many representations concerning school funding in 1995–96 from many parties. The funding of schools is a local government responsibility. We have made it clear that in our view there is sufficient scope for local authorities in Wales to fund schools appropriately from within the overall settlement they have received. By longstanding arrangement, it is for local authorities in Wales to decide their priorities for spending.

  Doctors (Suspension)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what measures he will take to ensure that general practitioners found guilty of professional misconduct do not continue to practise pending the outcome of their appeal; [24860]

  (2) how many general practitioners found guilty of professional misconduct are continuing to practise pending their appeal; and if he will make a statement; [24839]

  (3) what representations he has received concerning general practitioners who continue to practise pending their appeal; and if he will make a statement. [24859]
  552
  Mr. Richards
  The General Medical Council is the independent statutory authority responsible for regulating the medical profession. In the last two years the GMC has used its powers to suspend doctors in almost 50 per cent. of cases. Representations have been received on individual cases, but these are matters for the GMC, not the Government.

  A Bill currently before Parliament would give the NHS tribunal new powers of suspension.

  School Class Sizes
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines his Department issues on the optimum number of pupils per class in primary schools; and if he will make a statement. [24851]

  Mr. Richards
  Class sizes are a matter for individual school governing bodies.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the amount of Government funding given to each of the public schools in Wales via the assisted places schemes in(a) 1993–94 (b) 1994–95; and if he will make a statement. [24852]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is as follows:

  Total payments to APS schools 1993–94 and 1994–95

  Name of school

  Total payments 1993–94 £

  Total payments 1994–95 £

  Monmouth Boys

  456,071

  468,332

  Penrhos College

  295,428

  309,809

  Howells, Cardiff

  430,751

  452,598

  Rydal School

  252,589

  289,112

  Llandovery College

  256,648

  279,489

  Christ College

  389,754

  410,476

  Howells, Denbigh

  353,064

  365,186

  Monmouth Girls

  186,956

  196,502

  Total expenditure

  2,621,261

  2,771,504

  National Lottery
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the sports bodies in(a) Wales and (b) Clwyd to which grants from national lottery proceeds have been made; and if he will give the amounts given. [24840]

  Mr. Richards
  The first allocation of grants from Sportlot, the Lottery Sports Fund for Wales, has been distributed throughout Wales as follows:

  Applicant

  Amount of grant £

  Cardiff Central Youth Club

  95,192

  Llandaff Rowing Club

  150,623

  Y Pant Comprehensive School

  4,500

  Builth Wells Rugby Club

  60,398

  Llanfapley Cricket Club and Llanfapley Sports and Social Committee

  34,498

  Llanwrda Cricket Club

  10,675

  Clwb Rygbi Castell Newydd Emlyn

  100,000

  Dyffryn Cricket Club/Bryncoch Sports Club

  4,000

  553

  Applicant

  Amount of grant £

  Lampeter AFC

  20,000

  Aberporth and District Youth Club

  45,000

  Pembroke Dock Bowling Club

  10,000

  Dale Yacht Club

  5,000

  Solva Rowing and Watersports Club

  5,000

  Rhydymwyn Football Club

  26,125

  Total

  571,011

  In Clwyd one grant of £26,125 has been made to Rhydymwyn football club.

  Welsh Patients Treated in Chester
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage of beds taken annually by people from Clwyd in Chester hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [25163]

  Mr. Richards
  Reliable information is not available centrally.

  Infertility Treatment
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy concerning treatment for infertility. [25162]

  Mr. Richards
  The NHS in Wales provides a wide range of services for the investigation and treatment of infertility. It is for individual health authorities to determine the extent and type of services in the light of local needs and priorities.

  The Welsh Office has provided guidance in the protocol, "Investment in Health Gain for Health Living", and has drawn attention to the advice contained in "The Effective Health Care Bulletin on the Management of Subfertility", published for the NHS management executive by a consortium of Leeds and York universities and the research unit of the Royal College of Physicians, and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists publication "Infertility—Guidelines for Practice". Copies of these documents are available in the Library of the House.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what contributions are planned from his Department during 1995–96 for funding to facilitate the optimising of take-up of EU grants under the objective 5b programme in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [25008]

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 11 May,Official Report, column 585.

  (a) Income from residential care and nursing placements in registered independent homes for the elderly 1993–941

  £000

  Total income

  (i) Government grants2

  (ii) Sales

  (iii) Fees and charges

  (iv) Other income

  (v) Joint arrangements

  Clwyd

  27

  0

  0

  27

  0

  0

  Dyfed

  1,248

  0

  0

  1,248

  0

  0

  Gwent

  1,203

  0

  0

  1,203

  0

  0

  Gwynedd

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Mid Glamorgan

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  554
  Support for the objective 5b programme can come from a variety of public sector sources, including my own Department. The amount of assistance actually made available from any source in direct support of objective 5b projects will depend on the nature and quality of projects put forward.

  Care in the Community
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the working so far of care in the community in Wales. [25164]

  Mr. Richards
  Local authorities in Wales have made generally good progress since April 1993 with community care. The Welsh Office departmental report, Cm2815, records that in the first year of the new arrangements local authorities assessed over 50,000 people for community care services and over 28,000 were provided with care to help them stay in their own homes.

  Contracting Out
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what work has been contracted out(a) by his Department and (b) by agencies for which his Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what is projected for 1995–96. [25544]

  Mr. Redwood
  As a result of my Department and its agency's competing for quality programmes the following services have been contracted out: 1993–94 building maintenance management; 1994–95 staff training; 1995–96 to date, architects and surveyors services and careers service in Wales. Contracting out of further work in 1995–96 is dependent on the outcome of current market testing exercises.

  Elderly People
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total income in 1993–94 to each local authority and in total from placements of old people in(a) registered and (b) unregistered independent residential care and nursing homes, inside and outside the local authority area and from placements in local authority homes for older people; and if he will break down by income from (i) government grants, inside aggregate external finance and outside aggregate external finance, (ii) sales, (iii) fees and charges, (iv) other income and (v) joint arrangements. [25393]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is given in the following tables, based on revenue outturn forms from local authorities in Wales. Local authorities received no income in 1993–94 from placements in unregistered independent residential care and nursing homes.
  555

  (a) Income from residential care and nursing placements in registered independent homes for the elderly 1993–941

  £000

  Total income

  (i) Government grants2

  (ii) Sales

  (iii) Fees and charges

  (iv) Other income

  (v) Joint arrangements

  Powys

  121

  0

  0

  121

  0

  0

  South Glamorgan

  94

  0

  0

  94

  0

  0

  West Glamorgan

  5

  0

  0

  5

  0

  0

  Total Wales

  2,698

  0

  0

  2,698

  0

  0

  1Provisional. Includes placements in independent sector homes which are not required to register under the Registered Homes Act 1984 because they are managed or provided by an exempt body.

  2Includes specific government grants inside and outside Aggregate External Finance.

  (b) Income from Local Authority Homes for the elderly 1993–941

  £000

  Total income

  (i) Government grants2

  (ii) Sales

  (iii) Fees and charges

  (iv) Other income

  (v) Joint arrangements

  Clwyd

  2,252

  0

  107

  2,036

  109

  0

  Dyfed

  4,537

  0

  21

  3,812

  704

  0

  Gwent

  3,103

  54

  19

  2,548

  474

  35

  Gwynedd

  2,621

  0

  0

  2,559

  62

  0

  Mid Glamorgan

  5,146

  35

  43

  5,068

  0

  0

  Powys

  1,502

  0

  10

  1,475

  17

  0

  South Glamorgan

  1,876

  0

  22

  1,637

  209

  8

  West Glamorgan

  2,371

  17

  33

  2,201

  120

  0

  Total Wales

  23,435

  106

  255

  21,336

  1,695

  43

  1Provisional. Includes income from placements of the elderly mentally infirm, the physically disabled and blind and deaf people. Excludes income form sheltered accommodation.

  2Includes specific government grants inside and outside Aggregate External Finance.

  Schools Inspectors
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list of all schools inspectors indicating those who have undertaken further training to become registered inspectors and are able to tender for school inspections and lead inspection teams. [25391]

  Mr. Richards
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: This is a matter for Her Majesty's chief inspector to deal with and I have arranged for him to write to the hon. Member about it.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to allow radioactive waste from the nuclear power industry to be accepted by local landfill disposal sites. [25773]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is one of the issues being considered in the current review of radioactive waste management policy, as part of which a major consultation exercise was undertaken last autumn. The Government's conclusions on this matter and other aspects of radioactive waste management policy will be published in a White Paper in the summer.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the local landfill disposal sites that accept low level radioactive waste for disposal; and if he will make a statement about the sources of such waste. [25775]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In Wales only one landfill site has been authorised for this purpose—Cilgwyn quarry, near Caernarfon. The very small amounts of waste involved 556
  have come from the university sector and have been regulated in accordance with the Radioactive Substances Act 1993.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to ensure that the privatised utilities in Wales develop comprehensive bilingual policies. [25774]

  Mr. Richards
  It was not intended that the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993 should apply to the private sector. However, many private companies, including privatised utilities, have produced Welsh language schemes voluntarily and in response to customer demand. The privatised utilities have, I believe, a particularly good record of operating bilingual policies successfully.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Income Support
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations his Department and its agencies have received since 1 January about delays in paying income support in respect of persons with extreme difficulties in specialised units(a) nationally and (b) in Somerset; what trends there have been in the time taken to settle these claims; and if he will make a statement. [24285]
  557
  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. David Nicholson, dated 22 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about delays in making payment of Income Support to customers with extreme difficulties living in specialised units in Somerset and elsewhere in Great Britain.
  I understand that the Manager of the Benefits Agency's District Office in Somerset wrote to you on 17 May concerning the Income Support claims of four residents of a specialised unit, two of whom had their cases immediately resolved. Since that date the two outstanding cases have also been resolved and full entitlement to benefit including all arrears due has been sent.
  I am very sorry that there have been difficulties in respect of these particular cases. I am assured, however, that this is an isolated matter and we have no evidence or indication that there is a problem of delays in the payment of Income Support either in Somerset or nationally to customers in these circumstances.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have been refused income support after failing the habitual residence test since its introduction, in the Euston district office of Glasgow; how many have appealed against this decision; how many of those appeals have now been heard by a tribunal; how many claimants won their appeals; how many are still waiting for an appeal date to be given; and how many of those claimants appealing, have applied for an interim payment, and how many of those applicants have been refused. [25403]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of income support is. a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 22 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the operation of the habitual residence test (HRT) for Income Support customers of the Benefits Agency (BA) District Office in Euston.
  The full range of information is not available. Information about the number of customers who pass or fail the HRT is collected and maintained centrally for BA management information purposes. Information is not routinely collected about appeals specifically against HRT decisions, the result of those appeals, or of requests for interim payments on account of Income Support entitlement.
  However, as an aid to their resource planning and management team at Glasgow Benefit Centre has kept an informal record of appeals against Income Support disallowances from customers of Euston District Office who fail the HRT, and of the decisions of the Social Security Appeal Tribunals, for which a notification has been received, in those appeals. The data available is:

  Habitual Residence Test disallowances—3966

  Habitual Residence Test appeals—364

  Appeals heard—97

  Appeals allowed—72

  Hearing date awaited—116

  It should be noted that in a number of cases the local adjudicating authorities revised the disallowance of Income Support as part of a routine review of the decision following receipt of an appeal; a number of appeals have been heard but notification of the Tribunal decision is awaited; and in a number of cases hearing dates have been notified to customers.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will re-institute the collection and publishing of data on the length of time claimants have 558
  been drawing income support by each year of duration above two years, and up to 20 years plus. [25140]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  It is no longer possible to collect reliable information on durations of claims for those people who have been in receipt of income support for relatively long periods. A full explanation is given in the introduction to the 1993 annual statistical enquiry, a copy of which is in the Library.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how far back computerised records of national insurance contributions extend. [25040]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The administration of national insurance is the responsibility of Mrs. Faith Boardman, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Jon Owen Jones, dated 19 May 1995:
  As Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency, I have responsibility for answering questions about operational matters relating to the National Insurance scheme, I have been asked to reply to your question about how far back computerised records of National Insurance contributions extend.
  A cumulative total is held on each contributor's computer account of all National Insurance contributions from April 1948 to March 1975.
  From April 1975, detailed annual records of all National Insurance contributions are held on each contributor's account.
  I hope you will find this reply helpful. If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know.

  HIV Infection
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps his Department is taking to disseminate the guidance to Benefits Agency medical services on HIV infection to doctors and staff. [25247]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. Frank Field, dated 22 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the guidance that is issued by the Benefits Agency on HIV infection.
  "A Guide to Benefits and HIV" was produced by the Benefits Agency in June 1993. It was written in co-operation with many organisations including the Terrence Higgins Trust. The Guide was distributed widely throughout the Agency, and provides advice for staff, including the Agency's medical advisors, and customers about the benefit and welfare issues which affect people with HIV positive related illnesses. There is also advice on other agencies and outside organisations from whom help may be obtained; a list of related publications is also included.
  Additionally, during 1994 guidance was issued to staff, including the Agency's medical advisors, on the following topics:-

  i) the safe disposal of hypodermic needles discarded by the public in Benefits Agency District and Branch Offices.

  ii) precautions to be taken by those administering First Aid, particularly in the avoidance of blood contact.

  iii) the Benefits Agency Policy Statement covering employees and clients who may have AIDS or be HIV positive.

  I have enclosed both "A Guide to Benefits and HIV" and the further guidance I have mentioned, copies of which have been placed in the Library.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Benefit Take-up
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people received social security benefits(a) in total and (b) as a percentage of the eligible population in each year since 1979. [25757]

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

  Sickness and Maternity Pay
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people have been denied statutory sick pay because their earnings were too low in the last year for which figures are available; [25001]

  (2) how many women in the last year for which figures are available have been denied statutory maternity pay because their earnings were too low. [24994]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is not available. Employers are not required to keep information on exclusions.

  Single Person—Aged 25 or over

  £

  Hours Worked

  Rate per hour

  Gross earnings

  Tax and N.I. Contributions

  Take home pay

  Unemployment benefit

  Income support

  Family Credit

  Child Benefit

  Rent

  Rent Rebate

  Council tax

  Council tax benefit

  Total net income

  Net income after rent and Council tax

  Net income after rent and Council tax if no UB entitlement

  16

  2.50

  40.00

  0.00

  40.00

  30.97

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  18.25

  6.60

  2.71

  91.93

  54.42

  40.00

  16

  3.00

  48.00

  0.00

  48.00

  30.97

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  13.05

  6.60

  1.11

  93.13

  55.62

  48.00

  16

  3.50

  56.00

  0.00

  56.00

  30.97

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  7.85

  6.60

  0.00

  94.82

  57.31

  52.18

  16

  4.00

  64.00

  1.76

  62.24

  30.97

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  3.80

  6.60

  0.00

  97.01

  59.50

  53.11

  16

  4.15

  66.40

  2.00

  64.40

  30.97

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  2.39

  6.60

  0.00

  97.76

  60.25

  53.44

  40

  2.50

  100.00

  11.80

  88.20

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  7.06

  6.60

  0.00

  95.26

  57.75

  —

  40

  3.00

  120.00

  17.80

  102.20

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  0.00

  6.60

  0.00

  102.20

  64.69

  —

  40

  3.50

  140.00

  24.34

  115.66

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  0.00

  6.60

  0.00

  115.66

  78.15

  —

  40

  4.00

  160.00

  31.34

  128.66

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  0.00

  6.60

  0.00

  128.66

  91.15

  —

  40

  4.15

  166.00

  33.44

  132.56

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  0.00

  6.60

  0.00

  132.56

  95.05

  —

  Notes:

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

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

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

  4. Benefit Rates reflect increases from April 1995—apart from rent and council tax which remain at April 1994 rates.

  Married couple—Non earning partner

  £

  Hours Worked

  Rate per hour

  Gross earnings

  Tax and N.I. Contributions

  Take home pay

  Unemployment benefit

  Income support

  Family Credit

  Child Benefit

  Rent

  Rent Rebate

  Council tax

  Council tax benefit

  Total net income

  Net income after rent and council tax

  Net income after rent and council tax if no UB entitlement

  16

  2.50

  40.00

  0.00

  40.00

  50.07

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  26.31

  8.60

  7.19

  123.57

  84.06

  40.00

  16

  3.00

  48.00

  0.00

  48.00

  50.07

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  21.11

  8.60

  5.59

  124.77

  85.26

  48.00

  16

  3.50

  56.00

  0.00

  56.00

  50.07

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  15.91

  8.60

  3.99

  125.97

  86.46

  56.00

  16

  4.00

  64.00

  1.76

  62.24

  50.07

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  11.86

  8.60

  2.74

  126.91

  87.40

  62.24

  16

  4.15

  66.40

  2.00

  64.40

  50.07

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  10.45

  8.60

  2.31

  127.23

  87.72

  64.40

  40

  2.50

  100.00

  6.84

  93.16

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  24.31

  8.60

  6.57

  124.04

  84.53

  —

  40

  3.00

  120.00

  12.84

  107.16

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  15.21

  8.60

  3.77

  126.14

  86.63

  —

  Incomes
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the weekly income of(a) a single person aged 25 years or over, (b) a married couple with a non-earning partner and (c) a married couple with a non-earning partner with two children aged four and six years when the person in work was employed for (i) 16 hours and (ii) 40 hours a week at (1) £2.50 an hour, (2) £3 an hour, (3) £3.50 an hour, (4) £4 an hour and (5) £4.15 an hour, assuming full take-up of benefits and assuming that they lived in local authority accommodation paying average council tax and local authority rent. [25045]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is set out in the tables.

  From July, families working 30 or more hours per week will be entitled to an extra £10 family credit A new benefit to provide help to couples and single people without children in low-paid work of 16 or more hours per week is to be piloted from October 1996.
  561

  Married couple—Non earning partner

  £

  Hours Worked

  Rate per hour

  Gross earnings

  Tax and N.I. Contributions

  Take home pay

  Unemployment benefit

  Income support

  Family credit

  Child Benefit

  Rent

  Rent Rebate

  Council tax

  Council tax benefit

  Total net income

  Net income after rent and Council tax

  Net income after rent and Council tax if no UB entitlement

  40

  3.50

  140.00

  19.37

  120.63

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  6.45

  8.60

  1.07

  128.15

  88.64

  —

  40

  4.00

  160.00

  26.37

  133.63

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  0.00

  8.60

  0.00

  133.63

  94.12

  —

  40

  4.15

  166.00

  28.47

  137.53

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  30.91

  0.00

  8.60

  0.00

  137.53

  98.02

  —

  Notes:

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

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

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

  4. Benefit Rates reflect increases from April 1995—apart from rent and council tax which remains at April 1994 rates.

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

  Hours Worked

  Rate per hour

  Gross earnings

  Tax and N.I. Contributions

  Take home pay

  Unemployment benefit

  Income support

  Family credit

  Child Benefit

  Rent

  Rent Rebate

  Council tax

  Council tax benefit

  Total net income

  Net income after rent and Council tax

  16

  £2.50

  40.00

  0.00

  40.00

  0.00

  0.00

  67.90

  18.85

  36.42

  35.38

  11.00

  10.68

  172.81

  125.39

  16

  £3.00

  48.00

  0.00

  48.00

  0.00

  0.00

  67.90

  18.85

  36.42

  30.18

  11.00

  9.08

  174.01

  126.59

  16

  £3.50

  56.00

  0.00

  56.00

  0.00

  0.00

  67.90

  18.85

  36.42

  24.98

  11.00

  7.48

  175.21

  127.79

  16

  £4.00

  64.00

  1.76

  62.24

  0.00

  0.00

  67.90

  18.85

  36.42

  20.92

  11.00

  6.23

  176.14

  128.72

  16

  £4.15

  66.40

  2.00

  64.40

  0.00

  0.00

  67.90

  18.85

  36.42

  19.52

  11.00

  5.80

  176.47

  129.05

  40

  £2.50

  100.00

  6.84

  93.16

  0.00

  0.00

  53.79

  18.85

  36.42

  10.00

  11.00

  2.87

  178.67

  131.25

  40

  £3.00

  120.00

  12.84

  107.16

  0.00

  0.00

  43.99

  18.85

  36.42

  7.27

  11.00

  2.03

  179.30

  131.88

  40

  £3.50

  140.00

  19.37

  120.63

  0.00

  0.00

  34.56

  18.85

  36.42

  4.64

  11.00

  1.22

  179.90

  132.48

  40

  £4.00

  160.00

  26.37

  133.63

  0.00

  0.00

  25.46

  18.85

  36.42

  2.11

  11.00

  0.44

  180.49

  133.07

  40

  £4.15

  166.00

  28.47

  137.53

  0.00

  0.00

  22.73

  18.85

  36.42

  1.35

  11.00

  0.21

  180.67

  133.25

  Notes:

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

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

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

  4. Benefit Rates reflect increases from April 1995—apart from rent and council tax which remain at April 1994 rates.

  Home Responsibilities Protection
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consideration his Department is giving to the treatment of a male claimant of home responsibilities protection credits, for looking after and taking responsibility for his children while his partner is working, in a way which differs from what would apply if the roles were reversed; what plans he has to equalise the treatment; and if he will make a statement. [25789]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Home responsibilities protection protects a person's basic retirement pension by reducing the number of years of contributions otherwise needed for a full pension. The provisions apply equally to both men and women. HRP is available to those with child-caring responsibilities provided that they are entitled to child benefit for a child under age 16. In cases where the caring roles are reversed, it is open to a woman to forgo her 562
  CHB entitlement so that her partner can claim it and thus have access to HRP.

  In-work Benefit Scheme
  Mr. Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made regarding the setting up and running of family credit pilot schemes for families without children; and for how long he intends these pilot schemes to run. [25802]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The pilot of a new in-work benefit for those not able to take advantage of family credit is one of a number of measures which we announced last November to help unemployed people move back into work more easily and increase the opportunities and rewards of work.

  The pilot will run for three years to enable the impact of the new benefit to be properly evaluated. A Green Paper to be published shortly will set out our proposals in detail.

EMPLOYMENT

  Unemployment
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are recorded as having been unemployed for more than six months; and what proportion this is of the total number recorded as unemployed. [22318]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  In April 1995 there were 1,361,160 claimants who had been unemployed for six months or more. This represents 57.3 per cent. of the total number of claimant unemployed. In autumn 1994, according to the labour force survey, there were 1,499,000 people who had been unemployed for six months or more on the internationally standard ILO definition. This represents 59.6 per cent. of the corresponding ILO total. Both figures are on the unadjusted basis.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the minimum wage in other EC countries; which EC countries have a minimum wage of £180 per week equivalent; what assessment he has made of the effect of these minimum wages on jobs and the economy; and if he will make a statement. [23692]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The table gives the most up-to-date information available on national minimum wages in other European Union countries:

  Minimum wage level

  Own currency

  UK equivalent converted at market exchange rates £ per hour (estimated)

  Belgium

  42,808 BF monthly

  5.30

  France

  35.56 FF hourly

  4.60

  Greece

  4,934 Dr daily

  1.70

  Luxembourg

  42,677 LF per month

  5.30

  Netherlands

  2,163.2 Hfl monthly

  4.90

  Portugal

  52,000 Esc monthly

  1.30

  Spain

  62,700 Pts monthly

  1.80

  Note:

  Table uses latest information available in April 1995. Wage rates converted to UK equivalent using spot exchange rates for May 9 1995.

  On the above estimates, on the assumption of a 40-hour working week, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg would have minimum wages of £180 per week or more.

  Minimum wages destroy jobs, particularly among young people. This was the conclusion of the OECD jobs study.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he intends to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Monklands, West of 27 April, regarding the access to work programme. [25159]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The letter was replied to on 16 May 1995, before the hon. Member tabled this question and well within the normal time scale for ministerial reply.

  Health and Safety Executive Publications
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how the price for the Health and Safety Executive's publication, "New and Expectant Mothers at Work—A Guide for Employers", HS(G) 122, was arrived at; what the profit margin is; what profit he expects to make on sales; and what assessment he has made of the deterrent effect of the price on availability of this information to those who need it in order to comply with legal duties. [25211]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  In accordance with Treasury guidelines the Health and Safety Executive aims to recover the costs of production and distribution of its priced publications. There is no profit element built into the price.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what considerations underlie the refusal by the Health and Safety Executive to allow trade unions to photocopy the Health and Safety Executive publication, "New and Expectant Mothers at Work—A Guide for Employers", HS(G) 122, for use by union health and safety representatives. [25213]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I understand that there has been no such refusal by the Health and Safety Executive.

  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many copies of the Health and Safety Executive publication, "New and Expectant Mothers at Work—A Guide for Employers, HS[G]122, have so far been sold; how many would need to be sold to give a substantially complete coverage of employers; and what percentage of employers he estimates will have been reached so far. [25212]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Over 10,000 copies of this guidance have been sold since it was published in December 1994. It is not feasible to estimate the size of the market for the publication.

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what changes there have been in the numbers of staff employed by(a) the Department of Employment and (b) agencies for which the Department of Employment is responsible, listing the changes in the number of staff agency by agency in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what changes are proposed for 1995–96. [25059]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information on staff numbers for the Department can be found in annexe A to table (iii) of the Department's annual report, Cm 2805. A copy of this publication is available in the Library.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what inter-departmental discussions he has conducted to prohibit age discrimination in the civil service; [24996]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effect of age discrimination legislation in Canada and New Zealand; [24999]

  (3) what discussions (a) have been held or (b) are proposed to be held by his Department with employers' organisations on age bars on young and older people. [24995]
  565
  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government are firmly committed to countering discrimination on age grounds in the workplace. I launched a campaign in 1993 to highlight the unfairness of such discrimination. As part of the campaign the Employment Department published in 1994 a booklet, "Getting On", aimed specifically at employers. It urges them to recruit on merit and drop age bars in job vacancies. A series of regional seminars is currently spreading this message among locally invited employers and their organisations.

  Staff in Employment Service jobcentres have been given clear guidance to challenge employers over restrictive upper and lower age limits and to try to persuade them to consider all jobseekers on merit.

  Responsibility for promoting equality of opportunity in the civil service, in particular in the areas of gender, race and disability, but including age discrimination, lies with the Office of Public Service and Science. Civil service policy is that all eligible people have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their suitability. A 1990 ruling not to set age limits on recruitment was extended in 1994 to cover those adverts which give preferred age ranges of applicants. This enables the civil service to benefit from the skills, experience and commitment which older workers can offer. Discrimination on grounds of age alone is now permitted only in exceptional circumstances—for example where there are statutory requirements, and with the prior consent of OPSS.

  In June 1994, the Employment Department published a report entitled "An International Overview of Employment Policies and Practices Towards Older Workers", research series No. 29, containing research into the policies and practices towards older workers in 22 countries, including Canada and New Zealand. The research found no evidence that anti-discrimination legislation has been successful in improving either the economic activity rates of older workers or their employment prospects. A copy of the report is available in the Library.

  Wage Studies
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what studies he has initiated to ascertain how many workers receive less than £66.50 per week. [24997]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The Department has undertaken no such study.

  Statutory Employment Rights
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent he monitors the impact of statutory employment rights on the economic effectiveness of the work force. [24953]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The Department conducts research from time to time to assess the effect of statutory employment rights, including on employment and the economy.

  Graduate Unemployment
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of graduates was unemployed one year after leaving higher education(a) currently (b) in 1979. [25020]
  566
  Mr. Oppenheim
  The latest available estimates for Great Britain from the spring 1994 labour force survey show that 16.6 per cent. of graduates of working age who were not full-time students when interviewed, but were full-time students one year prior to interview were ILO unemployed. There is no information for 1979.

  Access to Work Programme
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy regarding items of equipment purchased under the access to work programme where the beneficiary has ceased to be employed but is actively seeking work. [25323]

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

  Letter from A. G. Johnson to Mr. Tom Clarke, dated 23 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your question about the policy regarding items of equipment purchased under the Access to Work programme where the beneficiary has ceased to be employed but is actively seeking work.
  Special aids and equipment are supplied under the Access to Work programme to help overcome work related needs that arise because of disability. Where a person in receipt of such help is no longer employed but is actively seeking employment and continued use of that equipment would benefit them in finding work, they may retain the equipment for an agreed period at the discretion of the Employment Service. The equipment may then be used in their new job if appropriate.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Majority Shareholdings
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, if he will list those companies in which the holder of his office is a majority shareholder which(a) are currently in existence and (b) have been wound up in the past five years. [25719]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: None.

  Job Clubs
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his policy regarding smoking at job clubs. [25750]

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

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 23 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the smoking policy in Jobclubs.
  In 1994 a policy on smoking in all Employment Service (ES) programmes, including Jobclub, was introduced. The principle of the policy is that participants shall be entitled to a smoke free environment. In practice this means that unrestricted smoking is not allowed on any ES workshops, seminars or courses, including Jobclub. Wherever possible, designated areas and times should be provided for smokers.
  Jobclubs continue to be both popular with the people who join and an effective way of helping them back to work. We are now able to help more members than at any time before and over 266,000 unemployed people joined Jobclub last year.

  567
  I hope this is helpful.

  Disqualification Periods
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest statistics of the periods of disqualification for benefit for those who have voluntarily left employment. [25427]

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

  Letter to M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Paul Flynn dated 23 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about statistics held on the periods of disqualification of benefit for clients who have voluntarily left employment.
  The regular statistics regarding disqualifications are broken down into subjects, not the length of disqualification and I am therefore unable to provide the information you have requested. I am however able to advise that the number of decisions affecting clients who have left employment voluntarily during the three months to 31 December 1994 was 58,425. Of these, 50.2 percent were Adverse Decisions.
  These figures are taken from the unemployment benefit statistics. A copy of this quarterly publication which is an Analysis of Adjudication Officers' Decisions has been placed in the Library.
  A one-off survey, which was part of a larger project looking at adjudication issues carried out in late 1994, gave a snap shot picture of average periods of disqualification during October 1994. The findings showed that for those who left their employment voluntarily, 25 percent were disqualified for the maximum period of 6 months.
  I hope this is helpful.

TRANSPORT

  Driving Theory Test
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he proposes to implement the driving theory test; and if he will make a statement. [26194]

  Mr. Norris
  The previous Secretary of State set in hand detailed developmental work on a separate theory test,Official Report, 9 February 1994, columns 270–71. I announced earlier today that the test will be in the form of a written test lasting about half an hour and consisting of about 35 multiple choice questions on the main principles of safe driving and the responsible use of vehicles on the road. The theory test will need to be passed before a candidate can take the practical test. We see the new test as making an important contribution to safer driving, especially by new drivers.

  Introduction of the new theory test will be the responsibility of the Driving Standards Agency, which plans to contract out the practical implementation work to the private sector. Tenders will shortly be invited from non-governmental bodies for the operation of the theory test through a network of local centres. We shall be seeking a reputable body with experience in conducting assessments and with no financial interest in driving tuition.

  We have carefully considered the alternative of a computerised test involving hazard perception and concluded that for the present this option would be too costly and needs further development. We shall be
  568
  monitoring the effect of the separate theory test with a view to developing it in ways which will further improve road safety, one of which may well be the use of computers.

  We shall be making further announcements in due course on the details of the test.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 10 May,Official Report, column 457 (1) if he will make it his policy to ensure that the public expenditure cover he will make available to the British Railways Board in regard to the contractual and other obligations of the board will be sufficient to cover all industrial injury claims brought by retired British Rail employees following privatisation of British Rail; [25028]

  (2) whether the amount of public expenditure cover that will be made available by his Department to the British Railways Board in regard to the contractual and other obligations of the board will be financially limited. [25027]

  Mr. Watts
  In setting the annual level of public expenditure provision to support British Rail, the Government have regard to all aspects of the board's financial position, including any contractual obligations and any need to make payments arising from industrial injury claims awards.

  Collision Research
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new proposals he has to make road vehicle fronts more absorbent to the force of collision. [25428]

  Mr. Norris
  The United Kingdom has taken a leading role on pedestrian protection research for many years. We have in particular encouraged the preparation of a draft EU directive which would require car fronts to be designed with pedestrian accidents in mind and will continue to press the European Commission to bring forward a proposal without further delay.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate the evidence on the safety value of the use of airbags on the front of cars in Japan. [25529]

  Mr. Norris
  No. Very little information is yet available on this system.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has evaluated into the effects on driver and passenger on vehicles with bull bars when involved in accidents, listing the studies(a) conducted in the United Kingdom and (b) conducted overseas. [25425]

  Mr. Norris
  None. We are not aware of any relevant research.

  Majority Shareholdings
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those companies in which the holder of his office is a majority shareholder which(a) are currently in existence and (b) have been wound up in the past five years. [25706]

  Dr. Mawhinney
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: On (a), majority shareholdings are currently held in the following five companies: Railtrack Group PLC, Union Railways Ltd, European Passenger Services Ltd, National

  569
  Bus Company Pension Trustees Ltd and National Bus Nominees Ltd.

  On (b), a majority shareholding was held in the Red Sea Lights Company, prior to the company being wound up in 1991.

  Marine Safety Exercises
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of the passengers and crew involved were able-bodied; and in what time periods the passengers were evacuated and succoured ashore in the evacuation exercises carried out by the coastguard. [25573]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 22 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 23 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.

  PQ 1811/94/95 The information requested in this PQ is detailed below:

  Exercise

  Number of evacuees

  Percentage able bodied1

  Time: evacuation to reception ashore

  Common

  Aim 3

  183

  91

  2 Hrs

  Claymore

  234

  66

  2 Hrs 44 min

  Goodwin

  160

  94

  2 Hrs 17 min

  Liverpool

  Bay

  42

  86

  2 Hrs 17 min

  Eddy stone

  277

  84

  2 Hrs 54 min

  Webex

  50

  0

  3 Hrs 15 min

  Seafire

  207

  69

  3 Hrs 32 min

  Beauforts

  Dyke

  210

  62

  4 Hrs 02 min

  Sovereign

  250

  94

  2 Hrs 30 min

  1 Remainder In (simulated).

  Munitions Transport
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if permission was granted by the Civil Aviation Authority for British Airways to transport munitions from Hong Kong to London on 4 April. [25571]

  Mr. Norris
  I understand that British Airways was granted permission by the Civil Aviation Authority to carry munitions of war from Hong Kong on 4 April.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what controls exist to regulate the transport of weapons and ammunition as cargo on scheduled civil air services. [25568]

  Mr. Norris
  Article 46 of the Air Navigation Order 1989—Article 51 of the 1995 order—sets out the conditions under which weapons and munitions of war can be carried on civil aircraft. The Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1994 set out the conditions under which dangerous goods, including ammunition, can be carried on civil aircraft.

  Vehicle Licence Payments
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring in a scheme to allow the 570
  payment of the vehicle licence by monthly instalments, at no extra cost. [25540]

  Mr. Norris
  No. This would be costly to administer, and is unnecessary since, under the existing stamp saving scheme, £5 stamps can be purchased at post offices throughout the year for use towards payment of the vehicle licence.

  Contracting Out
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) for each piece of work subject to a bidding process under the auspices of(a) his Department and (b) agencies for which his Department is responsible (i) where work was contracted out, who were the successful bidders and (ii) which contracts were won by in-house successful bidders in (1) 1993–94, (2) 1994–95 and (3) 1995–96; [25664]

  (2) what work has been contracted out (a) by his Department and (b) by agencies for which his Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94 (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) projected for 1995–96. [25662]

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is given in the table. It is not possible to forecast which work will be contracted out in 1995–96 but items in the Department's competing for quality programme which are not yet completed are listed.

  Results of competing for quality programme for 1 April 1992–30 September 1993

  DOT or Agency

  Activity

  Outcome

  Winner where contracted out

  DVLA

  Despatch

  In-house team won

  —

  DVLA

  Security

  In-house team won

  —

  DVOIT

  IT and facilities management for DOT

  Privatised

  EDS

  MSA

  Register of shipping and seamen

  In-house team won

  —

  TRL

  Research commissions

  In-house team win and contracted out

  1Various

  1 Various covers those case where a number of different firms have been awarded contracts or where a range of call-off contracts has taken the place of single supplier.

  Results of competing for quality programme for 1 October 1993–30 September 1994

  DOT or Agency

  Activity

  Outcome

  Winner where contracted out

  Coastguard

  Property management

  Contracted out

  Various1

  DOT

  Computer bureau facilities

  Contracted out

  Digital

  DOT

  Eastcote services: distribution

  Contracted out

  EROS Marketing Support

  DOT

  Other distribution

  In-house team won2

  HMSO

  DOT

  Stationery supplies

  Contracted out

  Dudley Stationery Ltd

  DOT

  Book and periodical procurement

  Two items: One contracted out and one in-house team Won

  Dawson UK Ltd and HMSO

  571

  Results of competing for quality programme for 1 October 1993–30 September 1994

  DOT or Agency

  Activity

  Outcome

  Winner where contracted out

  DOT

  Office machinery

  Contracted out

  Various1

  DOT

  Reprographics

  Transferred to HMSO

  HMSO

  DOT

  Reprographics

  In-house team won

  —

  DVLA

  Telesales

  Contracted out

  Teledata Ltd

  DVLA

  Forms design

  Contracted out

  Claydon Heely international

  VCA

  Microfilm, data storage and reprographics

  Contracted out

  REM Office Systems (Bristol) Ltd

  VI

  IT strategy support

  Contracted out

  EDS

  VI

  Roller brake testing maintenance

  Contracted out

  VL Test Systems

  VI

  Weighbridge Maintenance

  Contracted out

  Metler Toledo

  VI

  Library Services

  Contracted out

  Various1

  VI

  Building and estate management

  Contracted out

  Various1

  VI

  Workshop and stores

  Contracted out

  VLT Limited

  1 Various covers those cases where a number of different firms have been awarded contracts or where a range of call-off contracts has taken the place of a single supplier

  2In-house team for these items is a team from another Government Department.

  Results of competing for quality programme for 1 October 1994–31 March 1995

  DOT or Agency

  Activity

  Outcome

  Winner where contracted out

  DOT

  Managed voice telephony service

  In-house team won1

  CCTA

  DOT

  Records service

  Two items: one contracted out, one in-house team won

  Brittania Data Management (BDM)

  DSA

  Driver test booking service

  In-house team won

  —

  DVLA

  Waste collection

  Contracted out

  ISS Contract Clean (Southern) Ltd.

  DVLA

  Stores and waste management

  In-house team won

  —

  DVLA

  Messenger services

  In-house team Won

  —

  DVLA

  Internal Audit

  Contracted out

  Ernst and Young

  1In-house team for these items is a team from another Government Department.

  Competing for quality items not yet completed

  DOT or Agency

  Activity

  DOT

  Payroll

  DOT

  Library

  DOT

  Enquiry service

  DOT

  New HQ:

  572

  Competing for quality items not yet completed

  DOT or Agency

  Activity

  Telecommunications Post and messengers

  DOT

  Central Services: IT communications network

  DOT

  Correspondence location unit

  DOT

  IDS and couriers

  DOT

  Telecoms

  DOT

  Printing

  DOT

  DOT publications

  Coastguard

  Training

  Coastguard

  Messengers and post room services

  DVLA

  Personnel group

  Highways

  Topographical/architectural model making

  Highways

  Management of land and property acquired for roads programme

  Highways

  Procurement and maintenance of vehicles for winter maintenance of motorways

  Highways

  Administrative arrangements for public inquiries into road schemes

  TRL

  Privatisation of Agency

  Stationary Buses (Pollution)
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he is giving to the practice of stationary tourist buses with their engines running for long periods. [25407]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government deplore the actions of any motorist who leaves an engine running unnecessarily. It is already illegal to do so in certain circumstances.

  London Transport Staff
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed by London Transport on 1 April. [25790]

  Mr. Norris
  London Transport employed 18,602 permanent staff, full-time equivalent, on 31 March, the nearest date for which figures are available from its management accounts.

  Train Repair Services
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what facilities are currently available to repair a train on the InterCity west coast service which develops a fault on its southbound journey; and what facilities will be available in six months' time. [24810]

  Mr. Watts
  This is an operational matter which is the responsibility of British Rail.

  I understand that scheduled maintenance activities on InterCity west coast are carried out principally at Glasgow Polmadie, Manchester Longsight, Wolverhampton Oxley and London Wembley. BR is in consultation with the rail regulator about the future of Wembley depot.

SCOTLAND

  Public Bodies
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce, further
  573
  (a) non-governmental departments, (b) arms-length bodies, (c) trusts and (d) executive agencies in Scotland.

  Mr. Lang
  The three new water authorities are expected to be public corporations. In 1996, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration and the Scottish Water and Sewerage Customers Council, all of which will be non-departmental public bodies, will come into operation. No decisions have yet been taken on the establishment of bodies under section 18, residuary bodies, or section 19, property commission, of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994. There are no plans at present to create further NHS trusts. Forest Enterprise, which has a Great Britain-wide remit and for which I am lead Minister, will be established as an executive agency within the Forestry Commission later this year. In addition, the Scottish Office fisheries research services is a potential candidate for agency status.

  Housing (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if and when he will take steps to make barrier-free standards mandatory for new Scottish housing. [25132]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend is currently considering a number of options for amendment of the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations to extend access for disabled people to new dwellings, taking into account responses to a consultation document issued by the Scottish Office on 8 February 1995.

  Child Witnesses
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which recommendations contained in the report "Live Television Links: An Evaluation of its use by Child Witnesses in Scottish Criminal Trials", central research unit, Scottish Office, 1995 he plans to implement; and if he will make a statement. [24462]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Provisions in the current Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill implement a number of the recommendations in this report which was published last month. The other recommendations in the report are being carefully examined and decisions on the outcome will be announced in due course.

  NHS Consultants
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received from(a) health boards and (b) NHS trusts about difficulties in the recruitment and selection of consultants and other hospital-based medical practitioners in (a) Strathclyde and (b) Scotland; which specialist areas have the greatest problems on such recruitment and selection; and if he will make a statement. [24866]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: We are aware of the difficulties of NHS trusts in recruitment of senior house officers, particularly in accident and emergency medicine and in paediatrics, and
  574
  of consultants. NHS trusts last year reported 120 consultant vacancies with the largest numbers in anaesthetics and general psychiatry. To increase the number of candidates for consultant posts, the establishment of senior registrars in Scotland this year has been increased from 473 to 500. Increases have been made in anaesthetics, general medicine, medical paediatrics, diagnostic radiology, ear, nose and throat surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedic surgery and urology.

  Coronary Heart Disease
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made towards the eradication of premature deaths caused by coronary heart disease in Scotland. [24906]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Deaths from coronary heart disease among people under 65 have fallen from 94 per 100,000 population in 1986 to 72 per 100,000 in 1993, the latest year for which figures are available. The target set in "Scotland's Health—A Challenge To Us All", the policy statement issued in 1992, is to reduce mortality in this age group by 40 per cent, between 1990 and 2000. This will require a further decrease to 46 deaths per 100,000 population. A wide range of initiatives is in train to facilitate progress towards the target by addressing the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease and encouraging the life-style changes which can help prevent it.

  A77
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if there is to be a public inquiry into the upgrading of the A77 from Fenwick to Malletsheugh; and if he will make a statement. [25246]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: There are a number of objections to the order published for the scheme and negotiations are continuing to see whether these can be resolved by agreement. A decision on whether a public local inquiry will be required will be taken later this summer.

  Nurses' Pay
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary for State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley,Official Report, 16 May 1995, column 216 if he will list which NHS trusts have offered nurses a wage increase (a) in excess of 3 per cent., (b) at 3 per cent., with no attached conditions, (c) at 3 per cent., with conditions, (d) under 3 per cent. but above 1 per cent., (e) at 1 per cent. and (f) under 1 per cent. [25248]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: The information requested is as detailed. This

  575
  covers formal offers and notice by trusts of intent to offer. All the offers are, of course, subject to local negotiations.

  NHS Trust

  (a) offers in excess of 3 per cent.

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals

  Edinburgh Healthcare

  Scottish Ambulance Service

  (b) offers at 3 per cent. with no attached conditions

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals

  East and Midlothian

  Grampian Healthcare

  Lanarkshire Healthcare

  North Ayrshire and Arran

  (c) offers at 3 per cent, with conditions

  Argyll and Bute

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Healthcare

  Caithness and Sutherland

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity

  Dundee Healthcare

  Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary

  Fife Healthcare

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals

  Highland Communities

  Inverclyde Royal

  Law Hospital

  Lomond Healthcare

  Monklands and Bellshill

  Perth and Kinross

  Queen Margaret Hospital

  Raigmore Hospital

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  South Ayrshire Hospitals

  Southern General Hospital

  Stirling Royal Infirmary

  West Glasgow Hospitals University

  West Lothian

  Western General Hospitals

  Yorkhill

  (d) offers under 3 per cent. but above 1 per cent.

  Borders Community Services

  Borders General Hospital

  Central Scotland Healthcare

  Dumfries and Galloway Community Services

  Edinburgh Sick Children's

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Services

  Moray Health Services

  Renfrewshire Healthcare

  Royal Alexandra Hospital

  Stobhill

  (e) offers at 1 per cent

  Victoria Infirmary

  (f) offers under 1 per cent.

  None.

  Drumkinnon Bay
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, columns 207–208, on what date (a) his predecessor as Minister with responsibility for industry and (b) officials in his Department were first informed of Dunbartonshire Enterprise's interest in the acquisition of Drumkinnon bay from the Drumkinnon Development Company. [25265]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: I understand that, during his tenure as a Minister, my predecessor was not advised of Dunbartonshire Enterprise's interest in acquiring Drumkinnon bay.
  576
  Officials of the Scottish Office Industry Department first became aware of that interest in early December 1994, although the matter was not formally referred to the Department.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the criteria for owning a registered nursing home in Lanarkshire; and if he will make a statement. [25487]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: The requirements for the registration of nursing homes are set out in the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 as amended. Health boards, as registering authorities, make copies of relevant guidance available to those seeking registration. A copy of the Lanarkshire health board guidance notes on "Registration and Inspection of Nursing Homes" has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will initiate an independent inquiry into the care for the elderly in the Lanarkshire health board area. [25485]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: My right hon. Friend has no plans to initiate an independent inquiry into the care for the elderly in the Lanarkshire health board area.

  Rural Child Care
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake to carry out the recommendations of the European Commission network on child care on child care services for rural families. [25582]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: My right hon. Friend understands that the European Commission's report on child care services for rural families was launched in Scotland earlier this month. He will study it with interest.

  Socialist Education Association
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will include the Socialist Education Association in any relevant lists of bodies to be consulted on educational matters. [25583]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Yes.

  Technical Plastics Ltd.
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the investigation by Strathclyde police into matters arising from a television documentary programme relating to ICL Technical Plastics Ltd. in Glasgow was concluded; and if any prosecution arises as a result. [25615]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: The investigation is not yet concluded.

  Torness Power Station
  Mr. Ingram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funds were provided by the European Commission for the building of Torness nuclear power
  577
  station; and what terms were applied to the provision of the funds. [25493]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: No funds were provided by the European Commission for the building of Torness power station.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received from the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee its report on the radioactive contamination arising from the nuclear waste disposal deep shaft at Dounreay, and what remedial action he intends should be taken to clean up the contamination. [25411]

  Sir Hector Monro
  My right hon. Friend awaits the committee's report on the radioactive particles found at Dounreay and will consider it carefully as soon as he receives it.

  Number of prescriptions issued

  Health Board

  1979–80

  1980–81

  1981–82

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  Argyll and Clyde

  3,020,887

  3,119,305

  3,080,779

  3,215,820

  3,308,346

  3,387,998

  3,416,920

  3,477,819

  Ayrshire and Arran

  2,917,102

  2,950,691

  2,925,920

  2,995,259

  3,034,920

  3,072,132

  3,057,375

  3,108,628

  Borders

  696,541

  713,847

  718,828

  727,461

  741,681

  750,546

  762,220

  771,461

  Dumfries and Galloway

  998,184

  1,016,422

  1,006,361

  1,047,110

  1,066,906

  1,070,408

  1,083,736

  1,116,269

  Fife

  2,302,688

  2,330,990

  2,325,161

  2,361,160

  2,383,291

  2,418,429

  2,435,329

  2,460,693

  Forth Valley

  1,885,324

  1,888,929

  1,850,223

  1,929,467

  1,989,505

  2]024,173

  2,044,775

  2,087,639

  Grampian

  3,181,513

  3,232,774

  3,194,810

  3,291,698

  3,333,170

  3,356,741

  3,350,591

  3,387,637

  Greater Glasgow

  7,429,534

  7,430,775

  7,292,301

  7,506,305

  7,665,852

  7,776,269

  7,745,029

  7,882,635

  Highland

  1,220,693

  1,228,673

  1,215,931

  1,234,509

  1,240,427

  1,233,964

  1,227,784

  1,248,755

  Lanarkshire

  4,011,256

  4,152,073

  4,094,760

  4,225,707

  4,360,576

  4,468,827

  4,472,930

  4,543,104

  Lothian

  4,551,022

  4,665,377

  4,598,347

  4,721,963

  4,801,780

  4,854,429

  4,872,711

  4,962,619

  Orkney

  127,037

  130,326

  129,043

  132,617

  132,909

  134,321

  132,101

  134,106

  Shetland

  167,798

  174,244

  167,464

  165,460

  162,268

  159,572

  161,387

  165,194

  Tayside

  2,595,660

  2,659,792

  2,621,910

  2,708,202

  2,775,500

  2,829,288

  2,865,689

  2,931,406

  Western Isles

  187,125

  211,517

  203,002

  207,764

  216,435

  221,481

  221,113

  222,552

  Total

  35,292,364

  35,905,735

  35,424,840

  36,470,502

  37,213,656

  37,758,578

  37,849,690

  38,500,517

  Number of prescriptions issued

  Health board

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Argyll and Clyde

  3,616,334

  3,732,573

  3,942,096

  4,079,891

  4,300,725

  4,508,277

  4,682,393

  Ayrshire and Arran

  3,226,280

  3,316,494

  3,518,006

  3,604,259

  3,788,332

  3,940,976

  4,073,508

  Borders

  803,902

  821,439

  865,944

  891,690

  947,609

  1,007,194

  1,049,644

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,152,765

  1,190,874

  1,262,296

  1,308,771

  1,382,936

  1,443,633

  1,514,202

  Fife

  2,540,786

  2,632,029

  2,757,067

  2,841,090

  2,967,220

  3,071,638

  3,186,806

  Forth Valley

  2,156,792

  2,199,241

  2,297,756

  2,394,187

  2,537,797

  2,649,311

  2,761,543

  Grampian

  3,556,224

  3,653,754

  3,813,054

  3,898,337

  4,007,418

  4,137,204

  4,288,124

  Greater Glasgow

  8,203,693

  8,344,864

  8,779,589

  8,919,678

  9,374,723

  9,756,522

  10,143,448

  Highland

  1,304,758

  1,349,094

  1,441,004

  1,503,594

  1,603,834

  1,677,624

  1,771,531

  Lanarkshire

  4,735,156

  4,886,894

  5,179,521

  5,270,290

  5,557,051

  5,831,177

  6,105,927

  Lothian

  5,160,088

  5,289,043

  5,517,844

  5,656,233

  5,848,567

  6,021,362

  6,249,471

  Orkney

  136,015

  136,385

  140,905

  146,725

  154,508

  162,625

  167,126

  Shetland

  174,867

  172,265

  178,670

  184,071

  186,501

  190,354

  203,180

  Tayside

  3,076,554

  3,200,984

  3,344,626

  3,465,036

  3,611,409

  3,686,056

  3,783,897

  Western Isles

  228,612

  224,569

  237,024

  237,018

  242,910

  254,958

  276,615

  Total

  40,072,826

  41,150,502

  43,275,402

  44,400,870

  46,511,540

  48,338,911

  50,257,415

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the guidance he has issued to Scottish health boards concerning the issuing of private medical prescriptions to patients where the costs of obtaining the medication on an NHS prescription are greater than those in buying the medication through a private prescription. [25330]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No such guidance has been issued to Scottish health boards.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prescriptions were issued by general practitioners in each health board in Scotland in each year since 1979–80. [25351]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information for each health board for the financial years 1979–80 to 1993–94 is set out in the tables. The figures include prescriptions written by general medical practitioners and dentists, as well as hospital-generated prescriptions from England and prescriptions written for personnel serving in the armed forces.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will notify Scottish local authorities of the relevant date under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 when they should statutorily consult the new unitary authorities before taking decisions with revenue implications for the new councils. [25331]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Section 55 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 requires existing local authorities to gain the agreement of their successors from a date to be specified by my right hon. Friend before committing themselves to major financial transactions. Existing and new authorities are currently being consulted on the proposal that the specified date should be 1 August 1995. A copy of the consultation letter has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the framework which will be adopted for transferring staff on 1 April 1996 from existing regional and district councils to their successor bodies. [26100]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Following discussions with the Local Government Staff Commission (Scotland) and consultations with Scottish local authorities, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and staff representative bodies, I have today laid before Parliament the Local Authorities (Staff Transfer) (Scotland) Order 1995 which requires outgoing local authorities and their successor bodies to draw up and agree detailed schemes for the transfer of staff to the new bodies on 1 April 1996.

  This is an important step in the reorganisation process. The order is designed to ensure a fair and ordered transfer of staff to the new councils, the water and sewerage authorities and the Scottish children's reporter administration. Successful transition to the new authorities is dependent on the efforts of both councillors and staff.

  Education Consultation
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria he uses to establish which bodies should be consulted on educational matters. [25589]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Consultees are selected from lists held by the Scottish Office Education Department of organisations which may have an interest in educational matters. As account is taken of the relevance of each subject to particular bodies, all the organisations listed do not necessarily receive all consultation papers as a matter of course. The aim, however, is always to include the widest appropriate range of interests in any consultation exercise.

  Traffic Calming
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines his Department has issued to the roads departments of Scottish local authorities relating to the provision of traffic calming measures with particular reference to the traffic flows necessary to justify these measures. [25333]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office Industry Department issued guidance on traffic calming to local roads authorities in October 1994. This refers to traffic flows and advises local authorities that traffic calming is more suited to roads which have lower traffic 580
  levels and is likely to be inappropriate on high-speed roads with high volumes of through traffic. The guidance also indicates that traffic calming should not be discounted on busier routes since such treatment may be used to tackle a particular road safety problem. The final decision on which roads, other than trunk roads, should be treated with traffic calming rests with the local roads authorities themselves.

  Ayr Road
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much policing operations at the Ayr road route arising out of roads construction at the location have cost thus far. [25335]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As at 14 May 1995, policing costs associated with the construction of the Ayr road route amounted to £145,526.

  Expelled Pupils
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils were(a) suspended and (b) expelled in each financial year since 1979–80 in each education authority in Scotland. [25336]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information sought is not at present held centrally. However, following a circular issued by the Scottish Office Education Department last year, education authorities are to collect and provide information on exclusions on a school-by-school basis with effect from the current school session as part of the annual exercise to collect statistics on attendance and absence.

  Returns provided in 1993 by education authorities for a working group, comprising representatives from the Scottish Office and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, indicated that there were around 25,000 exclusions from school in total during the school year 1992–93.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the amount of regional selective assistance recovered from Scottish companies and (b) the number of companies involved for each financial year since 1979–80; [25348]

  (2) if he will list for each financial year since 1979–80 those Scottish companies where regional selective assistance was recovered because of the original terms of the offer not being met. [25349]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Recovery figures are given in the table for all assisted projects in Scotland. Details of grant recoveries from individual companies are commercially confidential and are not divulged.

  Financial year

  Amount recovered £000

  Number of companies

  1989–90 or earlier

  67

  4

  1990–91

  1,106

  10

  1991–92

  557

  7

  1992–93

  491

  4

  1993–94

  1,817

  12

  1994–95

  866

  7

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the total number of public inquiries held by the Scottish Office into planning applications, (b) the total costs of these inquiries and (c) the number of public inquiries for each Scottish local authority, for each financial year since 1979–80. [25340]

  Mr. Kynoch
  This information is available only by callendar year. The answer to part(a) is set out. Regarding part (b), the Scottish Office is responsible for the reporter's salary, travelling and subsistence expenses and the hire of the accommodation. The remainder of the costs are borne by the participating parties. It is therefore not possible to give details of the total costs of these inquiries. Information regarding part (c) is not available.

  Calendar Year

  Public Local enquiries held

  1979

  163

  1980

  121

  1981

  166

  1982

  155

  1983

  158

  1984

  123

  1985

  116

  1986

  122

  1987

  95

  1988

  99

  1989

  96

  1990

  116

  1991

  87

  1992

  78

  1993

  88

  1994

  47

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of(a) planning applications passed to the Scottish Office for consideration and (b) planning application refusals overturned by the Scottish Office for each year since 1979–80. [25341]

  Mr. Kynoch
  This information is only available by calendar year and is as set out.

  Calendar year

  Planning appeals

  Appeals allowed

  1Applications notified to the Secretary of State

  1979

  446

  68

  62

  1980

  569

  75

  65

  1981

  549

  117

  60

  1982

  500

  136

  63

  1983

  533

  144

  54

  1984

  566

  149

  42

  1985

  606

  166

  75

  1986

  723

  193

  87

  1987

  724

  223

  129

  1988

  764

  233

  93

  1989

  959

  247

  63

  1990

  1,139

  348

  85

  1991

  1,130

  313

  67

  1992

  1,019

  294

  45

  1993

  916

  267

  41

  1994

  871

  177

  56

  1 These figures relate to the number of applications, in each given year which planning authorities were minded to grant consent to, but which, for various reasons, were required to be notified to the Secretary of State so that he could decide whether or not to call them in for his own determination.

  Scottish Prison Service
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what targets he has set the Scottish Prison Service for 1995–96, its third year of agency status. [26099]

  Mr. Lang
  I have set the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service the following targets:

  Performance measures

  Key targets

  The number of prisoners unlawfully at large.

  —No A category prisoners should escape.

  —The number of escapes by B category prisoners should be no higher that 2.3 per 1,000 prisoners.

  The number of significant incidents.

  The number of significant incidents should be no higher than 10.

  The number of serious assaults on staff and prisoners.

  —The number of serious assaults on staff should be no higher than four per 1,000 staff.

  —The number of serious assaults on other prisoners should be no higher than 10 per 1,000 prisoners.

  Basic quality of life for prisoners.

  By April 1996, 63 per cent. Of available prisoner places will have access to forms of night sanitation.

  The amount of available opportunities for prisoners' self development.

  85 per cent. of convicted prisoners should have the opportunity of at least seven hours per working day of programmed activities.

  Time out of cell for unconvicted prisoners.

  On average, 30 per cent. Of unconvicted prisoner hours— seven in 24— should be available for out of cell activities.

  Average annual cost per prisoner place.

  To keep costs within £26,724 per place available for use.

  The level of absence through staff sickness.

  To reduce the average number of days lost per person per year through staff sickness to 17.

  Councils (Political Restrictions)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the total number of appeals lodged against the classification of posts in Scottish councils as politically restricted and the total number of successful appeals against political restriction, (b) the number of these appeals lodged for each local authority in Scotland, (c) the number of successful appeals against political restriction for each Scottish local authority and (d) the percentage figure for successful appeals for each Scottish local authority, for each financial year since 1989–90. [25337]
  583
  Mr. Kynoch
  Appeals relating to the rules on political restrictions are considered by the political restrictions exemptions adjudicator. Information supplied by his office indicates that the total number of applications for exemption from political restrictions since 1989–90 is 584
  168. Of these, 141 have been granted. Of the remaining 27, 20 were unsuccessful, two were withdrawn, four were declared invalid and one case has still to be determined. The percentage of successful applications was 84 per cent. Statistics are not recorded on a local authority basis.

  Parliament Acts: Scope
  Parliament Acts: Scope
  Cyprus: Turkish Declaration
  Cyprus: Turkish Declaration
  Strategic Airlift and EFLA
  Strategic Airlift and EFLA
  Royal Air Force Regiment Costs
  Royal Air Force Regiment Costs
  EU: Anti-Fraud Measures
  EU: Anti-Fraud Measures
  "Statement on the Community Budget": Format
  "Statement on the Community Budget": Format
  Alzheimer's Disease
  Alzheimer's Disease
  Medical Undergraduate Education
  Medical Undergraduate Education
  Technology Foresight and Forward Look Reports
  Technology Foresight and Forward Look Reports
  MAFF Regional Service: Customer Satisfaction
  MAFF Regional Service: Customer Satisfaction
  Identity Cards: Green Paper
  Identity Cards: Green Paper
  Transport Research Laboratory
  Transport Research Laboratory