Written Answers of 24 May 1995

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Contracting Out
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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 and who the successful bidders were and (ii) which contracts were won by 1995–96. [25552]

  Mr. Goodlad
  The information requested in respect of the work subject to a bidding process in(a) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (b) its agency, Wilton Park, and (c) the Overseas Development Administration is shown in the table. To date there have been no bids for work in 1995–96.

  Contract won by:

  FCO

  1993–94

  Travel services

  Thomas Cook

  1994–95

  Unclassified mails

  In-house bid

  Home security service

  Security Facilities Executive

  Reprographics

  In-house bid

  Wilton Park

  1994–95

  Cleaning services

  Coastline Cleaning Company

  ODA

  1993–94

  Facilities management, Victoria street

  In-house bid

  Facilities management, Abercrombie house

  In-house bid

  1994–95

  Information systems services

  In-house bid

  Payroll services

  1Defence Accounts Agency

  1 Notification of award made 1994–95, contract to commence in 1995–96.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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 are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25550]

  Mr. Goodlad
  Work contracted out in(a) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (b) its agency, Wilton Park and (c) the Overseas Development Administration is shown in the table.
  586
  In 1995–96, an exercise to decide on the future ownership of the Natural Resources Institute will also be completed.

  FCO

  Wilton Park

  ODA

  1993–94 Travel services

  1994–95 Home security service Cleaning services

  Cleaning services

  The following services will be investigated in 1995–96 with a view to possible contracting out:

  service

  Travel accounts unit

  Payroll services

  Pensions

  Daytime security

  Messenger services for travel implant

  Note:

  Additional candidates for contracting out are currently under consideration.

  Retirements and Redundancies
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the annual cost to his Department of staff leaving under redundancy/early retirement schemes to incorporate(a) added years lump sum payments, (b) redundancy payments, (c) pension payments, including enhancements and (d) any other special arrangements for (i) 1993–94 (ii) 1994–95, (iii) projected for 1995–96 and (iv) projected for 1996–97. [25664]

  Mr. Goodlad
  The costs to the Department of early retirement and redundancies are borne form the Department's running costs provision.

  A detailed breakdown of the various cost could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The total costs borne on the Department's running costs in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were £3,777,329 and £6,017,362 respectively. For 1995–96, the amount is estimated at £3,598,324. The figures cover both the diplomatic wing and the Overseas Development Administration. Projections for 1996–97 will be determined during the coming public expenditure survey.

  Armenia
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received of attacks and violence against Pentecostal and other evangelical Christians, and members of the Baha'i and Hare Krishna communities in Armenia; and if he will make a statement. [25593]

  Mr. Goodlad
  We have received no reports of such incidents.

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes there have been in the number of staff in employment by grade in(a) his office and (b) each agency for which his office is responsible (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25624]
  587
  Mr. Goodlad
  The numbers of permanent staff employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office diplomatic wing and its executive agency and the Overseas Development Administration in 1993–94, projected out-turn for 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. No projections broken down by grade are available.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff of(a) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) agencies for which the FCO is responsible, were employed on a casual or short-term basis in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995-96. [25480]

  Mr. Goodlad
  I refer the hon. Member to reply that I gave on 22 May,Official Report, column 381.

  Consultancy Expenditure
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the level of expenditure on consultancy by(a) his Department and (b) agencies for which his Department is responsible for (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25551]

  Mr. Goodlad
  The table shows the level of expenditure on consultancy by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Diplomatic and Aid Wings for 1993–94 and 1994–95 and projected figures for 1995–96 including the aid wing's agency, the Natural Resources Institute. Figures for the aid wing exclude expenditure under the aid programme.

  £ millions

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96 Projected

  Diplomatic wing

  14.2

  12.4

  16

  Aid wing

  0.7

  0.5

  0.8

  Natural Resources Institute

  0.02

  0.04

  0.05

  British Prisoners Overseas
  Mr. Ottoway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on appeals for clemency on behalf of British nationals who are sentenced to death overseas. [26110]

  Mr. Baldry
  An appeal for clemency is a request to foreign authorities to exercise such leniency as they can under their own legal and constitutional system.

  We do not automatically appeal for clemency on behalf of British nationals sentenced to death overseas. Appeals for clemency are considered case by case, normally once the domestic legal process has been exhausted.

  We take a number of factors into account in deciding whether to appeal for clemency, including considering whether the sentence complies with established international standards on the application of the death penalty. For example:

  —Is the sentence disproportionate to the crime?

  —Are there grounds to believe there has been a denial or miscarriage of justice?

  —Is an appeal for clemency by the prisoner allowed locally?

  We also take into consideration whether the accused is a dual national, any humanitarian grounds for concern, and the likely effect of an appeal for clemency.
  588
  An appeal for clemency on behalf of a British national is in principle a bilateral matter between ourselves and the state concerned. Where a bilateral appeal has been rejected, we may consider asking our EU partners to join us in supporting an appeal.

  Falklands Islands (Oil)
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what agreement British Gas has reached with Her Majesty's Government on obtaining exclusive rights to explore for oil off the Falkland Islands. [26584]

  Mr. David Davis
  No special agreements have been entered into between any company and either the British or the Falkland Islands Governments. The Falkland Islands Government are responsible for awarding licences to explore for hydrocarbons off the islands. They intend to seek expressions of interest in licences from all companies wishing to be involved in oil exploration.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Mr. Jonathan Carrington Miller
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will review the sentence given to Mr. Jonathan Carrington Miller at Hereford Crown court in May. [24793]

  The Attorney-General
  I am unable to review the sentence in this case as the offences for which the sentence was imposed fall outside the scope of my powers under the Criminal Justice Act 1988.

WALES

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what date his Department has set by which all Welsh executive non-departmental public bodies must(a) establish and (b) publish registers of members' interests; [25387]

  (2) if it is his policy to ensure that all Welsh executive non-departmental public bodies publish registers of members' interests; and what steps he has taken to instigate their publication [25388]

  Mr. Redwood
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 16 May,Official Report, column 131. I expect all Welsh executive non-departmental public bodies to establish a register within the current year.

  Disabled Parking
  Mr. Roy Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidelines he issues to ensure that spaces allocated in public car parks for the disabled are left executively for them; and what measures he is taking to ensure that those guidelines are complied with. [25761]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Designated bays can be provided on the highway or in off-street car parks under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. These are enforceable by law.
  589
  Guidelines for the provision and enforcement of spaces for the disabled are contained in traffic advisory leaflet 5/95 issued by the Department of Transport. Copies of the leaflet are available in the Library of the House.

  In privately owned and operated car parks, it is for individual operators to take whatever steps they consider necessary to see that reserved spaces are not misused.

  Further Education Funding Council
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce the new membership of the Further Education Funding Council for Wales; and if he will make a statement. [26433]

  Mr. Richards
  The following have accepted invitations to be members of the Further Education Funding Council for Wales:

  Mr. Richard Webster, Chairman

  Mr. Stephen Dunster

  Mr. Shaun Dyke

  Mr. Osborn Jones

  Mrs. Caroline Lewis

  Mr. Idris Price

  Mr. Ken Thomas

  Mr. Grant Walshe

  Mr. Trevor Wilmore

  Mr. Dunster, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Walshe have been reappointed for two years from 6 May 1995, and the other members appointed for three years from the same date.

  Professor John Andrews continues as chief executive and member until 5 May 1997.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the procedure for obtaining parliamentary answers in the House of Commons from the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor-General for Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [24077]

  Mr. Newton
  Parliamentary questions relating to matters which fall within the responsibility of the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General for Scotland are addressed to the Secretary of State for Scotland and answered by a Scottish Office Minister.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Child Care
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what are the child care or nursery facilities within his Department; and what is the breakdown in their use(a)by grade and (b)by gender. [15233]

  Mr. Newton
  Privy Council Office staff are able to use the Westminster holiday play scheme, which is organised by the Office of Public Service and Science. So far, no staff have made use of this facility.

TREASURY

  Treasury Reserve
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all the occasions when the Treasury reserve was used in 1994–95; how much was drawn; and which Departments or Ministries were involved. [25734]

  Mr. Aitken
  Provisional outturn figures for public expenditure for 1994–95 will be published as described in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Mr. Banks) on 23 May. The information published will include revised plans and provisional outturn by Department, and the difference between these constitutes the net claim on the reserve. Because these are net figures which include offsets for underspending, it is not possible to break them down into individual claims.

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the occasions in the last five years when the Overseas Development Administration has had to draw on Treasury reserves. [25735]

  Mr. Aitken
  The ODA has drawn on the reserve 22 times in the past five years. The claims were agreed in the usual way on the occasions listed:

  1990–91 Main Estimates

  1990–91 Summer Estimates

  1991–92 Winter Supplementary

  1991–92 Main Estimates

  1991–92 winter Supplementary

  1991–92 Spring Supplementary

  1992–93 Winter Supplementary

  1993–94 Spring Supplementary

  1994–95 Main Estimates

  1994–95 Winter Supplementary

  1994–95 Spring Supplementary

  1995–96 Main Estimates

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what changes there have been in the numbers of staff employed by(a) the Treasury and (b) agencies for which the Treasury 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 projected for 1995–96; [25063]

  (2) how many posts were lost in (a) the Treasury and (b) agencies for which the Treasury is responsible, listing total posts lost agency by agency in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and how many posts are proposed to be lost in 1995–96;

  (3) what changes there have been in the number of staff in employment by grade in (a) the Treasury and (b) each agency for which the Treasury is responsible in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96; [25628]

  (4) how many staff of (a) the Treasury and (b) agencies for which the Treasury is responsible were employed on a casual or short-term basis in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25417]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The numbers of permanent and casual staff employed by the Treasury in 1993–94, projected outturn for 1994–95 and plans for 1995–96 are
  591
  published in the Departmental report of the Chancellor's smaller Departments, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Projections by grade are not available. The Treasury does not have any executive agencies.

  Bank of England Inflation Report
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to instigate an inquiry into the disclosure of the Bank of England's inflation report conclusions before the release time of 11.30 am on 11 May.

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]The bank's inflation report was published at 11.30 am on Thursday 11 May. I have no reason to believe that any unauthorised person had access to the report or its conclusions prior to that time.

HEALTH

  City and East London FHSA
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date she received the section 20(3) report referred to in the City and East London family health services authority 1994 management letter. [23944]

  Mr. Malone
  On 2 February 1995.

  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the(a) chairmen and (b) members of the City and East London family health services authority since 1 January 1990; and what were their terms of office. [25558]

  Mr. Malone
  The City and East London family health services authority was established on 17 September 1990. Those who have served as chairmen since then are:Ms Jacqui Lait from 17 September 1990 to 31 October 1991;
  Mr. Norman Warner from 1 November 1991 to 31 August 1994; and Mr. Peter Holwell from 1 September 1994. Mr. Holwell's term of office is due to expire on 31 March 1996.

  The appointment of non-executive members to City and East London FHSA is a matter for North Thames regional health authority, the hon. Member may wish to contact Sir William Staveley, the chairman, for details.

  Skin Cancer
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information campaigns her Department is funding to increase understanding and awareness of the dangers of exposure to the sun; [24578]

  (2) what work her Department has undertaken in the past year to raise awareness of the dangers to the skin of exposure to sunlight; [24579]

  (3) what steps her Department is taking to ensure that children are protected from exposure to the sun during the summer months; and if she will make a statement. [25477]

  Mr. Sackville
  Skin cancer is a serious public health problem—and one that is largely preventable. In pursuit of "The Health of the Nation" strategy to halt the year on year increase in the incidence of skin cancer, the 592
  Department is collaborating with a number of organisations on a range of initiatives and "health alliances" aimed at tackling skin cancer. These include:
  surveys on behaviour and attitudes to sun exposure in order to refine targeting of action;
  research projects on the nature of skin cancer to help provide a better understanding of prevention and treatment strategies; the issue of comprehensive guidance to the NHS on local skin cancer prevention strategies;
  public information initiatives, such as ultraviolet radiation levels on Television weather forecasts; a Freephone Helpline, and a factsheet on UVR from the National Radiological Protection Board;
  the launch of a "sun know-how" programme of skin cancer prevention initiatives by the Health Education Authority involving more than 1,000 local organisations;
  the issue earlier this month of "Sun Awareness and Protection Guidelines for Schools" to encourage the implementation of prudent sun protection policies in schools;
  most recently, the launch of a poster from the Cancer Research Campaign and the Department aimed specifically at primary health care teams giving prevention and early diagnosis advice.

  In addition, the Health Education Authority is participating in a Sun Awareness Week starting on 5 June, when a number of mainly local events will be mounted.

  The Department will continue to work actively with others to reduce the rising incidence of skin cancer over the next decade and beyond.

  Immunisation
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of adverse reaction among children to immunisation have been reported by the medical profession to her Department in each of the last five years. [24564]

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of reports of adverse reactions to all vaccines in children reported to the Medicines Control Agency is shown in the table, with the total number of immunisations given to children as part of the childhood vaccine programme:

  Time period

  Number of UK reports of adverse reactions (children aged 16 years or less)

  Estimated number of immunisations given as part of the UK childhood vaccine programme (children aged 16 years or less)

  June 91–May 92

  481

  8,000,000

  June 92–May 93

  1,585

  11,000,000

  June 93–May 94

  1,125

  10,000,000

  June 94–present

  1,844

  18,000,000

  Notes:

  1. Information about the adverse reactions for the period June 1991 to May 1992 has not been provided because of disproportionate cost. A report of a reaction does not necessarily mean that it was caused by the vaccine.

  2. In the time period shown, considerable changes have been made to the childhood immunisation programme. Hib vaccine was introduced in October 1992 and the measles and rubella immunisation campaign was carried out during November 1994.

  Local Government Reorganisation, Cleveland
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment she has made of the implications for the implementation of effective care in the community services in Cleveland when the Tees
  593
  health authority makes arrangements with four social services departments following local government reorganisation; [25221]

  (2) if she will make a statement on the implications for child protection services and procedures in the Cleveland area—including the effect on children on the child protection register—resulting from local government reorganisation in Cleveland; and what guidance she has issued in relation to how other agencies, including health, probation and police should maintain effective and consistent working arrangements with four social services departments. [25222]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 17 May,Official Report, columns 281–82.

  Consultancy Expenditure
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the level of expenditure on consultancy by(a) her Department and (b) agencies for which her Department is responsible for (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) the projected figures for 1995–96. [25634]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health and its agencies have spent the following amounts from running costs on consultancy.

  1993–94: £15,933,037

  1994–95: £18,479,405

  The projected figure for 1995–96 is in the region of £15,600,000 and is based on 1993–94 prices.

  Separate expenditure for the Department and agencies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Patients Charter
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide details of the 10 trusts which came closest to meeting each of the new patients charter targets on out-patient waiting times and the area trusts which were furthest from meeting the targets in the latest quarter for which figures are available, indicating the percentages of patients concerned. [25572]

  Mr. Malone
  Data on out-patient waiting times at individual trusts will be published in full shortly and placed in the Library.

  Staff Contracts
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she now has to require NHS trusts to remove gagging clauses from the terms of staff contracts. [26077]

  Mr. Malone
  The contents of employment contracts are a matter to be decided between national health service trusts and their staff and must be expressed in a way which does not conflict with the principles and advice outlined in the NHS Executive's document, "Guidance to staff on relations with the public and the media— EL(93)51". Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  Mental Health Funding
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent a social deprivation score is included as a weighting factor in allocation formulae for mental health funding. [26073]
  594
  Mr. Malone
  There is no index of deprivation in the formula. Instead it uses two needs indices, one for acute services and the other for psychiatric services, both of which take account of a number of health and socio-economic factors.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will list by cost all the NHS projects that have been fully or partly funded under the private finance initiative, and all those currently under discussion; [26106]

  (2) how much investment has been made in the NHS under the private finance initiative in each year since the scheme began. [26105]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 21 April at cols 312–13.

  Hospital Maintenance
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list by region the hospital maintenance backlog as at 31 March. [26078]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 8 December 1994 at cols 359-60 for the latest information available.

  Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library a list of the contracts for hospital and health services awarded so far under the competitive tendering process by each district health authority. [26072]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Departmental Plans
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are her plans for the work of the Department in 1995–96 and beyond. [26434]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I have agreed a statement of the aims, goals and priorities for my Department for 1995–96 and subsequent years.

  The statement covers the whole range of the Department's work relating to health and social services, European Union and other international issues, and internal management.

  The statement includes our specific priorities for the National Health Service Executive, which are taken forward in more detail in the NHS Executive's business plan for 1995–96, approved by the NHS Policy Board, and which was published on 5 April 1995.

  Copies of the statement will be placed in the Library.

  Statement of Responsibilities and Accountabilities
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to publish the statement of responsibilities and accountabilities foreshadowed in the document published in October 1993 on changes in the NHS, "Managing the new NHS". [26435]
  595
  Mrs. Virgina Bottomley
  The statement of responsibilities and accountabilities is being published today. It explains how the Government's responsibilities for health and social care in England are discharged by the Department of Health and the national health service, and the lines of accountability within both organisations to the Secretary of State and to Parliament. Copies of the statement will be placed in the Library.

  Community Care Conferences (Wheelchair Access)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if all the venues for local community care charter regional conferences had wheelchair access facilities; and if she will list all the venues. [25397]

  Mr. Bowis
  Arrangements were made at all the venues used for the regional conferences on local community care charters to allow attendance by disabled delegates. Disabled delegates were invited to contact the conference organisers to specify their needs. Conferences have been arranged at the following locations: Grand hotel, Broad street, Bristol; Wigan conference centre, Waterside drive, Swan Meadow road, Wigan; Civic centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Hotel Russell, Russell square, London WC2 and Jarvis Grand hotel, Granby street, Leicester.

  Treatment Costs
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answers of 9 and 11 May,Official Report, columns 409–10 and 574, (1) if she will make a statement on the relationship between the reductions in treatment costs and length of stay in hospital between 1982–83 and 1992–93; [25904]

  (2) if she will make a statement on the average cost of treating an acute patient contained in the departmental report, Cm 2812, between 1982–83 and 1990–91. [25903]

  GP fundholding scheme by region—1994–95

  Region

  Number of funds

  Number of fundholding practices

  Number of fundholding GPs

  Percentage of GPs1 that are fundholders

  Population served by a fundholding GP (percentage)

  Northern and Yorkshire

  265

  321

  1,500

  41

  40

  Trent

  237

  314

  1,138

  45

  48

  Oxford and Anglia

  208

  233

  1,145

  40

  43

  North Thames

  270

  373

  1,292

  34

  40

  South Thames

  290

  383

  1,507

  42

  44

  South and West

  200

  230

  1,180

  31

  33

  West Midlands

  285

  405

  1,399

  50

  51

  North West

  252

  344

  1,249

  37

  37

  England

  2,007

  2,603

  10,410

  39

  41

  Source:

  Estimates from regional health authorities

  Note:

  1 Unrestricted principals taken from April 1994 GP Census.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner fundholders have contracted with(a) NHS trusts and (b) district health authorities for (i) health visiting services and (ii) community psychiatric nursing services in each of the last five years. [25759]
  596
  Mr. Sackville
  Over the 10-year period from 1982–83 there has been a shift towards day case treatments and shorter hospital stays. These changes reflect improving clinical practice and have brought benefits to patients, who recover better at home with their families, and economic advantages to the national health service, which can treat more patients within the same resources, while maintaining high standards of care.

  Casualty Officer Posts
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the number of vacancies in medical posts in casualty units around the country. [25900]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Whole-time equivalent vacant posts not occupied by a locum in England as at 30 September 1993, accident and emergency, by grade

  Number

  Consultant

  10

  Staff grade

  4

  Senior registrar

  2

  Registrar

  4

  Senior house officer

  4

  Total

  24

  Note:

  All figures are rounded to the nearest whole number.

  GP Fundholding
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of general practitioners are fundholders in each region. [25899]

  Mr. Malone
  From April 1995, it is estimated that 39 per cent. of general practitioners in England are fundholders, serving over 41 per cent. of the population.

  Information, by region, on the general practitioner fundholding scheme is shown in the table.

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Community health services have been included in the general practitioner fundholding scheme since April 1993. GP fundholders are required to contract for health visiting services with an established national health service

  597
  provider of community nursing services, or with a provider of community mental health services for community psychiatric nursing services.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on geographical variations in the uptake of general practitioner fundholding. [25890]

  Mr. Malone
  The strength of general practitioner fundholding is its voluntary nature. It is to be expected therefore that the rate at which family doctors take up the opportunities of fundholding will vary, depending on local circumstances and the state of their practice development. The extensions to fundholding announced last October provide a wider range of options for general practitioner teams to improve services for patients in this way.

  Hospitals
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 30 March,Official Report, col 716, what indication the information obtained from energy consumption returns gives of the change in the number of hospitals between 1 April 1994 and 1 April 1995; and if she will publish the numbers and make a statement. [25897]

  Mr. Malone
  The change in the number of hospitals in England between 1 April 1994 and 1 April 1995 obtained from energy consumption returns is not yet available. These figures have to be treated with caution because they do not define hospitals in accordance with section 128 of the National Health Service Act 1977 and include estimates for incomplete returns.

  Primary Care, London
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the projected revenue savings from the closure of London hospitals in the next three years in real terms; and what is the projected extra money spent in London on primary care in each of the next three years. [25901]

  Mr. Malone
  The revenue savings expected to be released following the changes announced on 4 April are currently estimated to be around £75 million per year. The timing of the release of the savings will depend on the detailed implementation of proposals. Figures for total projected expenditure on primary care are not available. Most elements of family health services expenditure are primarily demand-led and funded accordingly. However, investment in primary and community health services in the London initiative zone area alone is likely to exceed £200 million over the next three years.

  Broadmoor Hospital
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what independent monitoring there has been of the Broadmoor hospital re-build fund; and if she will make a statement. [25760]

  Mr. Bowis
  This is the responsibility of the Special Hospitals Service Authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the authority for details.

  Organ Donation
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training programmes have been initiated for doctors in respect of requesting permission from relatives prior to organ donation. [25881]
  598
  Mr. Sackville
  Much is being done by hospitals in education of their staff about organ donation and approaches to bereaved relatives, including bereavement counselling. As part of this the Government, following consultation with the royal colleges, are piloting a programme of information and training for doctors and nurses working in intensive care units development by the European donor hospital education programme.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the proposed national registration day to promote the national computerised registration system for organ donors. [25889]

  Mr. Sackville
  We will as usual be supporting the publicity activities organised by the group of charities known as "Transplants in Mind" during its National Transplant Week which is held each year in conjunction with the British Transplant Games in July. This year their activities will focus on the national health service organ donor register.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support her Department has provided for the national computerised registration scheme for organ donors; what is its advertising budget; and what has been the expenditure to date on information packs. [25882]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department set up the national health service organ donor register in October 1994. In addition to funding the cost of setting up and maintaining the Register, which is held at the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority, we spent £1.53 million in 1994–95 on publicity material and activities to promote the register. It is planned to spend a similar sum in the current year. This has included national, regional and local newspaper advertisements and the production of 10 million information leaflets—"Life Don't Keep it to Yourself"—containing registration forms of which more than 7 million have already been distributed. About £7,500 was spent on producing 20,200 copies of the "NHS Organ Register and General Practitioners" booklet which were sent to every general practice in England. The United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority has also produced an information leaflet for the general public and a resources and an information pack for the transplant community.

  Treatment Numbers
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many bed days of finished episodes there were in each of the last 10 years; [25883]

  (2) how many people were treated as a hospital in-patient or day-care patient without going on to a waiting list in each of the last 10 years. [25885]

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information for the years 1988–89 to 1993–94 has been published in the annual volumes of Hospital Episode Statistics. Information for the years 1986 and 1987–88 is not available. For 1984 and 1985 information was published in the relevant volumes of Hospital In-Patient Enquiry, but because of changes to information systems in the NHS after 1985, figures are not directly comparable with HES. Copies of the publications are available in the Library.

  The latest available information for patients admitted immediately is shown in the table. Comparable figures are not available for earlier years.
  599

  Year

  Patients admitted immediately

  1988–89

  3,597,501

  1989–90

  3,748,774

  1990–91

  3,786,756

  1991–92

  3,829,414

  1992–93

  4,037,827

  1993–94

  4,291,304

  Source Hospital Episode Statistics.

  Hospital Transport
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many free hospital bus services are provided by(a) her Department, (b) trust hospitals and (c) in total; what was the total expenditure on these services; and what proposals she has to reduce them. [25887]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 9 May,Official Report,columns 412–13, if she will define the meaning of the phrase "not have a major impact" in terms of a percentage reduction in the consumption of tobacco if tobacco advertising were banned. [25891]

  Mr. Sackville
  It is not possible to quantify this phrase in terms of a percentage reduction in tobacco consumption.

  Information Dinner
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the budget for her Department's information dinner in each of the last five years. [25893]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department does not have an information dinner. The right hon. Lady may wish to provide clarification.

  "Making London Better"
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estiamte she has made of public support for her document entitled "Making London Better". [25895]

  Mr. Malone
  "Making London Better" set out the strategic direction for health services in London and the framework within which change would take place. It stated that, where appropriate, there would be statutory consultation before decisions were taken. Proposals for a number of changes have already been the subject of local public consultation by health authorities in the usual way. Detailed information on the public response to those consultations may be obtained from the health authorities concerned.

  Local Pay
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 2 May,Official Report column 713, what projected savings in staff costs will result from the estimated cost of £500,000 for the financial year 1994–95 for the National Health Service Executive support programme for the introduction of local pay. [25898]
  600
  Mr. Malone
  The purpose of the introduction of local pay throughout the health service, facilitated by this support programme, is to provide more flexible working, to redeploy finite resources and to target them more closely on improvements in the quality and quantity of healthcare. The support programme is designed to facilitate the spread of good practice developed by trusts which have made significant progress in developing local pay schemes for different staff groups.

  Cancelled Operations
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 16 March,Official Report, column 704, how many operations were cancelled on the day or after the date when the patient was due to be admitted to hospital by regional health authority, district health authority and in total; and how many were not readmitted within one month for the fourth quarter of 1994–95. [25902]

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

  Termination Payments
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many termination payments have been made by national health service trusts to(a) chief executives, (b) general managers and (c) senior managers; and what was the total amount for each trust since 30 September 1994. [25788]

  Mr. Malone
  Since 30 September 1994 national health service trusts have reported to the National Health Service Executive three termination payments made to chief executives and 38 payments made to both general and senior managers(1).

  The total amount for each trust is as follows:

  NHS trust

  Amount £

  Broadgreen Hospital NHS Trust

  86,167

  Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust

  25,400

  Burnley Health Care NHS Trust

  245,000

  Dudley Priority Health NHS Trust

  17,120

  East Hertfordshire NHS Trust

  22,500

  Enfield Community Care NHS Trust

  35,522

  Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust

  6,328

  Kingston Hospital NHS Trust

  37,402

  Kings Health Care NHS Trust

  23,627

  Mid Anglia Community Health NHS Trust

  5,449

  New Possibilities NHS Trust

  65,199

  Northgate and Prudhoe NHS Trust

  6,500

  North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  11,328

  North West London NHS Trust

  6,500

  Northern Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust

  74,526

  Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust

  54,960

  Nottinghamshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  17,500

  Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

  21,900

  Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust

  35,295

  Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital NHS Trust

  12,122

  Royal Liverpool University Hospital NHS Trust

  35,626

  Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

  7,130

  Salford Mental Health Services NHS Trust

  15,874

  South Devon Health Care NHS Trust

  37,740

  South Downs Health NHS Trust

  8,727

  South Kent Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  30,636

  Southmead Health Services NHS Trust

  30,649

  601

  NHS trust

  Amount £

  Stockport Healthcare NHS Trust

  21,940

  West Herts Community Health NHS Trust

  69,505

  Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Trust

  19,504

  York Health Services NHS Trust

  55,000

  1 Payments made to general managers and payments made to senior managers are not separately identified in the information held centrally.

  Kidney Patients
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Manchester Royal Infirmary's provision for kidney transplant patients. [25879]

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for district health authorities, in consultation with the North West regional health authority, to decide. The right hon. Member may wish to contact Sir Donald Wilson, regional chairman, for further information.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of how many patients die each year from kidney failure; how many of these did not receive dialysis; and what assessment she has made of how many would have survived if they had received a transplant. [25880]

  Mr. Sackville
  In 1992, the latest year for which figures are available, 8561 people died from chronic renal failure. Information on how many of these were not receiving dialysis is not available. It is not therefore known how many were on the active kidney transplant waiting list. No estimate can be made of how many would have survived if they had received a transplant.
  1 Data received from the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals provide kidney dialysis treatment in each region of the NHS; how many patients there are in the catchment area of each hospital; and how many hospitals provide kidney transplants. [25888]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available in the form requested. Kidney dialysis and transplant provision for England in 1993 will be placed in the Library. It is not possible to show numbers of patients per catchment area, as the number of renal units are limited and there is much cross-boundary activity. There are 30 hospitals in England that provide kidney transplants for adult patients.

  St. Bartholomew's Hospital
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many patients are seen on average each week at the minor injuries unit at St. Bartholomew's hospital. [25896]

  Mr. Malone
  The average figure for weekdays is 36 people per day and for weekends 13 people per day.

  Waiting Lists
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people waited for hospital in-patient or day-care treatment for(a) nought to three months and (b) nought to six months in each of the last 10 years; [25884]

  (2) what percentage of patients treated in hospital have come from a waiting list in each of the last 10 years. [25886]
  602
  Mr. Malone
  Such information as is available is given in "Hospital Episode Statistics, England". The latest year for which information has so far been published is 1993–94. Copies are available in the Library.

  Dr. Johnstone
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish communications between the Department of Health NHS Management Executive and Camden and Islington health authority over the last six years in relation to Dr. Johnstone's legal action. [25892]

  Mr. Malone
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  London Hospital
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many name changes the London Hospital has had in the last five years; and what those names were. [25894]

  Mr. Malone
  The name of the Royal London hospital has not changed.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much has been spent on legal aid in each of the five years. [24790]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Net expenditure on legal aid in each of the last five years was as follows:

  1990–91: £682 million

  1991–92: £906 million

  1992–93: £1,093 million

  1993–94: £1,210 million

  1994–951: £1,294 million

  1 Estimated outturn

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of the overall cost of legal aid has been spent on administration in each of the last five years. [24769]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The total cost of legal aid over the past five years has been:

  1990–91: £682 million

  1991–92: £906 million

  1992–93: £1,093 million

  1993–94: £1,210 million

  1994–951: £1,294 million

  The Legal Aid Board is responsible for administering the majority of that expenditure, namely:

  1990–91: £526 million

  1991–92: £720 million

  1992–93: £873 million

  1993–94: £974 million

  1994–951: £1,032 million

  The cost of the Legal Aid Board's administration are met by separate provision as follows:

  1990–91: £33.2 million

  1991–92: £41.2 million

  1992–93: £43.7 million

  1993–94: £47.5 million

  1994–951: £49.0 million

  603
  This gives the following figures for the board's administration costs as a percentage of the legal aid money that the board deals with:

  1990–91: 5.9 per cent.

  1991–92: 5.4 per cent.

  1992–93: 4.8 per cent.

  1993–94: 4.7 per cent.

  1994–951: 4.5 per cent.

  The remainder of legal aid expenditure relates to criminal legal aid in the higher criminal courts, which is administered by the courts concerned. It is not possible to isolate the costs to the courts of administering this part of the legal aid scheme.

  Note:

  1 Figures for 1994–95 are estimated.

  Official Print of Statutes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects there to be an official print of all statutes. [25513]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  An official print of all statutes is published by HMSO immediately upon Royal Assent. An annual volume of Public General Acts and Measures is prepared by the Statutory Publications Office for publication by HMSO. The four parts constituting the 1993 volume were published in March of this year.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Contributions Agency
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently employed(a) in Wales and (b) in Newcastle upon Tyne in the work of the National Insurance Contributions Agency; and what were the corresponding figures for five and 10 years ago. [25014]

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

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Dafydd Wigley, dated 23 May 1995:
  As Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency, I have responsibility for answering on operational matters relating to the Agency. I have been asked to reply to your question about how many people are currently employed in a) Wales and b) Newcastle Upon Tyne in the work of the Contributions Agency; and what were the corresponding figures for five and ten years ago.
  The Agency currently employs 205 staff in Wales. This includes staff both in Field Operations and the Agency's Civil Recovery Section in Cardiff.
  In being asked to supply a figure for the number of staff employed in Newcastle Upon Tyne I have interpreted this to mean those staff who work on the Agency's Newcastle Estate (ie excluding those staff employed in Field Operations offices in the Newcastle area). The number of staff currently employed by the Agency at its Newcastle estate is 5598.
  The Contributions Agency was established as a "Next Steps" agency in April 1991, and prior to that the Contributions Unit had operated within the Department of Social Security from April 1990. Whilst I cannot provide exact details of the number of staff employed by the Contributions Unit in Wales five years ago, I can tell you that the total number of staff employed in our Wales and Severn Estuary Divisions at 1 May 1990 was 307. However, some
  604
  of the staff from the Severn Estuary Division would have been working in its two offices located in England, and records of the precise split in staff numbers between England and Wales have not been kept.
  The number employed by the Contributions Unit at the Newcastle estate on 1 May 1990 was 2029.
  I regret that I am unable to supply corresponding figures for ten years ago as they are not kept in that form. The records of the number of staff actually employed on contributions duties cannot be dis-aggregated from the overall staffing of the Department of Social Security.
  I hope you will find this answer helpful. If I can be of any further assistance please let me know.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many jobs will be lost from the Porthmadog office of the Contributions Agency as a result of the centralisation of the work of the agency to North East England; and if he will make a statement. [25006]

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

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Dafydd Wigley, dated 23 May 1995:
  As Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency, I have responsibility for answering questions on operational matters relating to the Agency. I have been asked to reply to your question about how many jobs will be lost from the Porthmadog office of the Contributions Agency as a result of centralisation of work to North East England.
  Over the last four years the Contributions Agency has centralised some work in Newcastle Upon Tyne while maintaining a local presence. In many areas we have also gradually been reducing the number of local offices by concentrating Field staff in larger, more viable units. Nationally, the combined effect has been to improve the flexibility, efficiency and quality of the service provided. At present I am looking at proposals to establish a Call Centre to handle, on a national basis, all unsolicited telephone calls, but as yet no decision has been made as to where this would be located, and we are conducting a comprehensive national review of the overall organisation and numbers of our Field Offices in order to see how far we should extend the efficiencies already achieved in some areas.
  Since the Contributions Agency was formed in April 1991 four staff have been employed at the Porthmadog Office. However, with the need to achieve operational efficiencies it has quite recently been decided to transfer the processing of clerical work dealt with at Porthmadog to our office in Rhyl. This has resulted in a reduction of two clerical staff at Porthmadog.
  As has been the case since April 1991, the Benefits Agency in Porthmadog will continue to provide a counter service for customers making enquiries about National Insurance matters. If a customer wishes a private interview with a Contributions Agency officer this can be arranged and can take place in the Porthmadog office. Additionally, there is a Customer Access Telephone in the reception area of Porthmadog office which allows the customer to speak directly to Contributions Agency staff free of charge.

  Retirement Pension
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if his Department automatically sends letters notifying people of their eligibility for a pension when they reach retirement age to people(a) who have worked and paid national insurance contributions in the last 25 years and (b) who have not worked and not paid national insurance contributions in the last 25 years. [25039]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The administration of retirement pensions is a matter for Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  605
  Letter from Ian Magee to Mr Jon Owen Jones, dated 23 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Department automatically sending letters to people at retirement age concerning their eligibility for Retirement Pension.
  Approximately four months before a person reaches State pension age (60 for a woman and 65 for a man), the Benefits Agency automatically sends them, by computer process, a form on which to claim Retirement Pension; this is provided they have established some entitlement to a pension, however small. In the case of a man, two claim forms are sent. This is to enable a wife to also make a claim on her husband's National Insurance record. An accompanying form sets out the amount of pension to which it is known the person is so far entitled. Both Welsh and English versions of the forms are sent to addresses in Wales.
  Even if there is no entitlement to any pension at the time the claim forms would be sent, they would still be sent if it was known the person had previously lived abroad or if the person is shown to be either widowed or divorced. In these cases, contributions paid abroad or paid by the former spouse may help establish entitlement to pension.
  The automatic issue of forms to claim Retirement Pension is not a legal requirement, but it is in line with the Agency's aim to provide a high level of Customer Service.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Scotland and Northern Territorial Directorate

  Claims

  September 1993 to September 1994

  October 1994 to March 1995

  Made

  Successful

  Made

  1Successful

  AD1. Tyne Tees

  7,142

  587

  185

  33

  AD2, South Yorkshire and Humberside

  6,521

  776

  214

  33

  AD3, North and West Yorkshire

  2,676

  422

  121

  20

  AD4, Glasgow and Paisley

  242

  8

  5

  0

  AD5, North, Central and West Scotland

  1,895

  60

  24

  1

  AD6, East of Scotland

  2,394

  94

  29

  2

  1 Includes claims received but not decided in the earlier period.

  Wales and Central Territorial Directorate

  Claims

  September 93 to September 94

  October 94 to March 95

  Made

  Successful

  Made

  1Successful

  AD1. East Midlands

  5,685

  613

  234

  53

  AD2. Midlands South West

  652

  55

  8

  8

  AD3. West Mercia

  3,668

  383

  100

  9

  AD4. Wales

  9,388

  1,347

  416

  97

  AD5. Mersey side

  501

  49

  14

  0

  AD6. Greater Manchester

  328

  31

  14

  1

  AD7. Lancashire and Cumbria

  2,270

  151

  53

  6

  1 Includes claims received but not decided in the earlier period.

  Southern Territorial Directorate

  Claims

  September 1993 to September 1994

  October 1994 to March 1995

  Made

  Successful

  Made

  1Successful

  AD1. Anglia

  25

  3

  0

  0

  AD2. Chilterns

  22

  4

  0

  0

  AD3. South London and West Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  AD4. West Country

  144

  3

  8

  3

  AD5. East London and Essex

  0

  0

  42

  0

  AD6. South East

  470

  32

  17

  1

  AD7. Wessex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1 Includes claims received but not decided in the earlier period. Claims for AD3, AD5 and AD7 are dealt with by AD6.

  Bronchitis and Emphysema
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many chronic bronchitis and emphysema claims have been(a) instigated and (b) successful in each of the last five years (i) in total and (ii) in each benefits area directorate. [24773]

  Mr. Hague
  The administration of industrial injuries disablement benefit 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. Mike O 'Brien, dated 23 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about claims made for chronic bronchitis and emphysema both nationally and in each area directorate in the last five years.
  Information about the number of claims and successful claims is not available for all the period requested because chronic bronchitis and emphysema did not become a prescribed disease until 13 September 1993. The available information has been provided at Annex A.
  There was a "take on" exercise which lasted twelve months and the data shown in the table, under the heading September 1993– September 1994, covers this exercise. The data under the heading October 1994–March 1995 covers the six month period from the end of the exercise to the end of the 1994–95 statistical year.
  I hope you find this reply helpful

  607

  National

  Claims

  September 1993 to September 1994

  October 1994 to March 1995

  Made

  Successful

  Made

  Successful

  44,023

  4,618

  1,477

  267

  Included in the successful claims are 48 in 1993–94 and 3 in 1994–95 where although assessed as having a percentage of disability it was below 14 per cent, and therefore did not attract an award of benefit.

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the additional revenue gained to the national insurance fund if women aged between 60 and 65 years were subject to national insurance contributions. [24947]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The effect on the national insurance fund for 1995–96 is estimated to be a gain a of some £70 million.

  Note: figures are for Great Britain.

  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the additional cost to the national insurance fund of exempting men aged over 60 years from paying national insurance contributions [24949]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The effect on the national insurance fund for 1995–96 is estimated to be a loss of some £350 million.

  Note figures are for Great Britain.

  Departmental Staff in Post—April 1993

  HQ

  ISB

  BA

  CA

  CSA

  ITSA

  RA

  WPA

  DSS

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  Total

  Grade 1–4

  15.5

  1.0

  11.0

  1.0

  1.0

  2.0

  0.0

  0.0

  31.5

  Grade 5

  48.5

  20.0

  41.0

  2.0

  3.0

  5.5

  0.0

  0.0

  120.0

  Grade 6

  40.0

  3.0

  235.5

  7.0

  4.0

  17.0

  1.0

  1.0

  308.5

  Grade 7

  188.0

  16.0

  253.5

  30.0

  14.5

  81.0

  5.0

  4.0

  592.0

  SEO

  119.0

  38.0

  617.0

  110.5

  32.0

  238.0

  9.0

  13.0

  1,176.5

  HEO/HEO(D)

  340.0

  189.5

  3,140.0

  458.0

  178.5

  742.5

  26.5

  55.5

  5,130.5

  LOI-EO-AT

  279.0

  170.5

  16,016.5

  2,580.0

  1,260.5

  1,455.0

  46.5

  298.0

  22,106.0

  LOII-AO

  245.5

  406.0

  32,100.5

  3,966.0

  1,246.0

  1,073.5

  62.0

  534.5

  39,634.0

  AA

  98.0

  164.0

  8,272.0

  1,804.0

  168.0

  264.0

  4.0

  366.0

  11,140.0

  SPES-PES

  78.5

  20.5

  105.5

  10.0

  10.5

  27.0

  2.0

  1.0

  255.0

  Typing Grades

  27.5

  53.5

  1,278.0

  110.0

  8.5

  18.0

  3.5

  76.0

  1,575.0

  SM1

  0.0

  0.0

  2.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  2.0

  SM2

  0.0

  0.0

  7.0

  4.0

  0.0

  1.0

  0.0

  0.0

  12.0

  SM3

  1.0

  0.0

  27.0

  10.0

  0.0

  4.0

  134.0

  0.0

  176.0

  SG1

  9.0

  0.0

  374.5

  57.5

  0.5

  54.0

  0.0

  0.0

  495.5

  SG2

  40.0

  19.0

  1,520.0

  205.0

  10.0

  84.0

  0.0

  5.0

  1,883.0

  Professionals

  0.0

  0.0

  36.0

  0.0

  . 0.0

  2.0

  0.0

  0.0

  38.0

  Others

  0.0

  0.0

  18.5

  15.0

  0.0

  0.0

  11.0

  29.0

  73.5

  Industrial

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  54.0

  21.0

  75.0

  Permanent Posts

  1,529.5

  1,101.0

  64,055.5

  9,370.0

  2,937.0

  4,068.5

  358.5

  1,404.0

  84,824.0

  Casual

  32.0

  143.0

  3,327.5

  331.0

  42.0

  501.0

  23.0

  148.5

  4,548.0

  Fixed Term contract

  Figures not available for 1993

  1. Independent statutory Bodies (ISB). 2. Benefits Agency (BA).

  3. Contributions Agency (CA).

  4. Child Support Agency (CSA).

  5. Information and Technology Services Agency (ITSA)

  6. Resettlement Agency (RA).

  7. War Pensions Agency (WPA).

  8. Staff in Post (SIP).

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what changes there have been in the numbers of staff employed by(a) the Department of Social Security and (b) agencies for which the Department of Social Security 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 projected for 1995–96; [25064]

  (2) what changes there have been in the number of staff in employment by grade in (a) his Department and (b) each agency for which his Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96; [25629]

  (3) how many staff of (a) the Department of Social Security and (b) agencies for which the DSS is responsible were employed on a casual or short-term basis in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25419]

  Mr. Hague
  The numbers of permanent and casual staff employed by this Department and each of its executive agencies in 1993–94, projected outturn for 1994–95, and plans for 1995–96 are published in the Department's annual report, a copy of which is in the Library.

  A breakdown by grade reflecting staff in post at the commencement of each of the financial years is in the tables:
  609

  Departmental Staff in Post—April 1994

  HQ

  ISB

  BA

  CA

  CSA

  ITSA

  RA

  WPA

  DSS

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  Total

  Grade 1–4

  15.0

  1.0

  12.0

  1.0

  1.0

  2.0

  0.0

  0.0

  32.0

  Grade 5

  54.0

  36.0

  43.0

  3.0

  3.0

  6.0

  1.0

  1.0

  147.0

  Grade 6

  35.0

  3.0

  214.5

  8.0

  6.0

  16.5

  0.0

  1.0

  284.0

  Grade 7

  183.0

  13.0

  272.5

  40.0

  18.0

  108.0

  4.0

  8.0

  646.5

  SEO

  128.0

  40.0

  587.0

  155.0

  62.5

  361.0

  7.0

  15.5

  1,356.0

  HEO/HEO(D)

  343.0

  180.0

  3,000.0

  572.0

  286.5

  917.0

  24.5

  68.0

  5,391.0

  LOI-EO-AT

  334.0

  215.5

  16,003.0

  2,631.0

  1,488.0

  1,449.5

  40.5

  330.0

  22,491.5

  LOII-AO

  244.0

  490.5

  32,481.5

  4,167.0

  2,505.0

  864.5

  42.5

  594.5

  41,389.5

  AA

  97.0

  220.0

  8,035.5

  1,829.5

  344.0

  109.5

  3.0

  323.0

  10,961.5

  SPES-PES

  82.0

  25.5

  94.0

  14.0

  10.0

  32.0

  2.0

  0.0

  259.5

  Typing Grades

  26.0

  62.5

  1,192.0

  80.0

  12.5

  9.0

  1.0

  73.5

  1,456.5

  SM1

  0.0

  0.0

  2.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  2.0

  SM2

  0.0

  0.0

  10.0

  9.0

  0.0

  1.0

  0.0

  0.0

  20.0

  SM3

  1.0

  0.0

  28.0

  4.0

  0.0

  2.0

  101.0

  0.0

  136.0

  SG1

  5.0

  0.0

  366.0

  86.0

  0.0

  36.5

  0.0

  0.0

  493.5

  SG2

  27.0

  35.5

  1,335.5

  212.0

  12.0

  80.5

  0.0

  5.0

  1,707.5

  Professionals

  0.0

  0.0

  174.5

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  174.5

  Others

  0.0

  0.0

  45.5

  9.0

  3.0

  3.0

  11.0

  54.5

  126.0

  Industrial

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  38.5

  20.5

  59.0

  Permanent Posts

  1,574.0

  1,322.5

  63,896.5

  9,820.5

  4,751.5

  3,988.0

  276.0

  1,494.5

  87,133.5

  Casual

  61.0

  45.0

  3,922.0

  209.0

  494.5

  611.0

  47.5

  145.5

  5,535.5

  Fixed Term Contract

  25.0

  47.0

  1,594.0

  543.0

  138.0

  270.0

  36.0

  58.0

  2,711.0

  Departmental Staff in Post—April 1995

  HQ

  ISB

  BA

  CA

  CSA

  ITSA

  RA

  WPA

  DSS

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  SIP

  Total

  Grade 1–4

  15.0

  1.0

  12.0

  1.0

  1.0

  1.0

  0.0

  0.0

  31.0

  Grade 5

  50.8

  1.0

  42.0

  3.0

  3.0

  7.0

  0.0

  1.0

  107.8

  Grade 6

  42.3

  4.0

  277.9

  11.0

  4.0

  17.0

  1.0

  1.0

  358.2

  Grade 7

  192.2

  13.7

  300.1

  40.0

  22.0

  104.0

  4.0

  6.0

  682.0

  SEO

  130.1

  37.0

  628.1

  172.0

  65.5

  301.2

  6.0

  14.0

  1,353.9

  HEO/HEO(D)

  360.7

  181.0

  3,189.0

  640.0

  324.7

  813.3

  12.6

  70.9

  5,592.2

  LOI-EO-AT

  313.6

  213.8

  17,391.1

  2,767.1

  1,822.4

  1,296.9

  30.3

  387.1

  24,222.3

  LOII-AO

  220.7

  482.6

  34,880.9

  3,701.7

  3,198.4

  800.1

  19.0

  513.2

  43,816.6

  AA

  85.5

  175.4

  7,727.2

  1,323.4

  497.6

  80.3

  1.0

  207.2

  10,099.6

  SPES-PES

  80.7

  25.6

  85.3

  14.9

  9.5

  28.4

  1.0

  1.0

  246.4

  Typing Grades

  18.2

  76.9

  632.0

  70.1

  14.2

  7.5

  0.0

  65.3

  884.2

  SM1

  0.0

  0.0

  2.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  2.0

  SM2

  0.0

  0.0

  7.0

  3.0

  0.0

  2.0

  0.0

  0.0

  12.0

  SM3

  0.0

  0.0

  27.0

  4.0

  0.0

  1.4

  43.0

  0.0

  75.4

  SG1

  5.0

  0.0

  260.7

  39.2

  0.0

  25.0

  0.0

  0.0

  329.9

  SG2

  21.0

  28.2

  1,007.0

  98.6

  12.0

  54.8

  0.0

  1.8

  1,223.4

  Professionals

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Others

  0.0

  40.0

  215.9

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  255.9

  Industrial

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  14.9

  26.0

  40.9

  Permanent Posts

  1,535.8

  1,280.2

  66,687.2

  8,889.0

  5,974.3

  3,539.9

  132.8

  1,294.5

  89,333.7

  Casual

  40.0

  64.9

  3,473.0

  491.0

  205.0

  387.0

  5.0

  263.0

  4,928.9

  Fixed Term Contract

  7.0

  60.0

  2,441.0

  121.0

  79.0

  414.0

  21.0

  23.0

  3,166.0

  Agency Job Losses
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many posts were lost in(a) the Department of Social Security and (b) agencies for which the Department of Social Security 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. [25078]

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

  Income Distribution
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide an analysis and examples of the family types and occupational groups who appear in the top 10 per cent, of the income distribution. [26387]

  Mr. Lilley
  In 1991–92, the latest period for which figures are available, there were 5.7 million people in the top tenth of the income distribution in the UK, of whom 13 per cent, were pensioners, 41 per cent, couples without children, 26 per cent, couples with children and 19 per cent, single, all after housing costs.
  611
  Analysis of the patterns of personal disposable income throughout the UK income distribution will be included in the next edition of households below average income statistics, covering the period 1979 to 1992–93, which will be published on Friday 2 June.

EMPLOYMENT

  Training and Enterprise Council Licences
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress Hertfordshire training and enterprise council is making in meeting the criteria for the award of a three-year licence. [26341]

  Mr. Paice
  I am pleased to announce that Hertfordshire training and enterprise council has now completed the process of meeting the rigorous standard we set for the award of the new three-year licences.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress Thames Valley Enterprise TEC is making in meeting the criteria for the award of a three-year licence. [26342]

  Mr. Paice
  I am pleased to announce that Thames Valley Enterprise TEC has now completed the process of meeting the rigorous standard we set for the award of he new three-year licences.

  Mr. Biffen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress Shropshire training and enterprise council is making in meeting the criteria for the award of a three-year licence. [26583]

  Mr. Paice
  I am please to announce that Shropshire training and enterprise council has now completed the process of meeting the rigorous standard we set for the award of the new three-year licences.

EDUCATION

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what changes there have been to the number of staff employed by (i) her Department and (ii) each agency for which the DFE is responsible in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96; [25491]

  (2) what changes there have been to the number of staff employment by grade in (i) the Department for Education and (ii) each agency for which the DFE is responsible in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96; [25422]

  (3) how many staff of (a) the Department for Education and (b) agencies for which the Department for Education is responsible, were employed on a casual or short term basis in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96; [25506]

  (4) how many posts were lost in (a) the Department for Education and (b) agencies for which the Department for Education is responsible, listing the total posts agency by agency in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95 and how many posts are proposed to be lost in 1995–96. [25073]

  Mr. Boswell
  The numbers of permanent and casual staff employed by the Department, including the Teachers 612
  Pensions Agency, in 1993–94, projected outturn for 1994–95, and plans for 1995–96 are published in the departmental report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. No projections broken down by grade are available.

  Consultancy Expenditure
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the level of expenditure on consultancy by(a) her Department and (b) agencies for which her Department is responsible for (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96.

  Mr. Boswell
  The level of expenditure committed by the Department's central purchasing unit on consultancy for the periods requested is as follows:

  £

  (a) Department

  1993–94

  1,300,000

  1994–95

  1,400,000

  1995–96

  13,000,000

  (b) Agencies

  1993–94

  190,000

  1994–95

  285,000

  1995–96

  1240,000

  1 Projected.

  Retirements and Redundancies
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many staff of(a) the Department for Education and (b) agencies for which the Department for Education is responsible (i) took early retirement, (ii) took voluntary redundancy, (iii) took compulsory redundancy and (iv) were retired on medical grounds in (1) 1993–94 and (2) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25505]

  Mr. Boswell
  Information on DFE staff working in the Teachers' Pensions Agency cannot be separately identified from the Department as a whole without disproportionate cost.

  During 1993–94, a total of 45 staff took early retirement and 10 retired on medical grounds.

  In 1994–95, 20 staff took early retirement and 11 were retired on medical grounds.

  There were no redundancies during either of these years. None are planned for 1995–96, though the Department keeps its staffing requirements under constant review.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the annual cost to the Department of staff leaving under redundancy/early retirement schemes to incorporate (i) added years lump sum payments, (ii) redundancy payments, (iii) pension payments including enhancements and (iv) any other special arrangements for(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95, and projected for (c) 1995–96 and (d) 1996–97. [25643]

  Mr. Boswell
  The costs to the Department of early retirement and redundancies are borne from the Department's running costs provision.

  A detailed breakdown of the various costs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  613
  The total costs borne on the Department's running costs in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were £4.9 million and £2.8 million respectively. For 1995–96, the amount is estimated not to exceed £2.4 million. Projections for 1996–97 will be determined during the coming Public Expenditure Survey.

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

  Mr. Boswell
  The information requested, resulting from market tests, is as follows:

  Market Test

  Year

  Name of Contractor

  (i) Successful bidders for work contracted out

  Provision of data preparation services

  1994–95

  Compower Ltd.

  Provision of banking services to the Teachers Pensions Agency

  1995–96

  Midland Bank

  Development and management of a computerised register of Schools

  1995–96

  The Schools Register

  (ii) Work won by in-house bidders

  Provision of telephone network management

  1993–94

  —

  Development of small IT systems

  1993–94

  —

  Provision of central support services (London)

  1993–94

  —

  Provision of central support services (Darlington)

  1994–95

  —

  All of the tests were under the auspices of the Department, apart from provision of banking services to the Teachers Pensions Agency.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what work has been contracted out(a) by her Department and (b) by agencies for which her Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) projected for 1995–96.

  Mr. Boswell
  Information on work which has been contracted out during the years in questions is as follows:

  Description of work

  Year

  (a) Department

  Provision of data preparation services

  1994–95

  Development and management of a computerised register of schools

  1995–96

  (b) Agencies

  Provision of internal audit services to the Teacher Training Agency (TTA)

  1994–95

  Provision of banking services to the Teachers Pensions Agency

  1995–96

  There is no projection for future work to be contracted out in 1995–96, and no work was contracted out in 1993–94.

  Schools Budget
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will show for each local education authority for the year 1995–96 the element of the potential schools budget which is not delegated to schools through the aggregated schools budget, expressed(a) as a percentage of the potential schools budget and (b) as a sum of money per pupil in schools covered by the LMS scheme. [25037]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The percentage of the potential schools budget not delegated to schools in 1995–96 through the aggregated schools budget is shown for each local education authority in the following table, which is derived from the percentages shown as delegated in the LMS budget statements for 1995–96 published by local education authorities under section 42 of the Education Reform Act.

  The Department is not yet in a position to provide the information requested at (b). I will write to my hon. Friend when these figures are available later in the year.

  Local education authority

  PSB Percentage not delegated

  Avon

  11.9

  Barking and Dagenham

  10.9

  Barnet

  9.8

  Barnsley

  10.9

  Bedfordshire

  8.7

  Berkshire

  7.1

  Bexley

  8.8

  Birmingham

  9.7

  Bolton

  11.1

  Bradford

  11.9

  Brent

  7.0

  Bromley

  12.2

  Buckinghamshire

  11.6

  Bury

  8.2

  Calderdale

  10.9

  Cambridgeshire

  10.7

  Camden

  12.6

  Cheshire

  9.1

  City

  11.0

  Cleveland

  10.6

  Cornwall

  11.1

  Coventry

  8.7

  Croydon

  10.0

  Cumbria

  8.2

  Derbyshire

  10.6

  Devon

  8.1

  Doncaster

  10.0

  Dorset

  10.4

  Dudley

  4.2

  Durham

  11.5

  Ealing

  10.1

  East Sussex

  10.8

  Enfield

  10.6

  Essex

  11.0

  Gateshead

  13.4

  Gloucestershire

  8.9

  Greenwich

  7.3

  Hackney

  13.0

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  9.0

  Hampshire

  11.4

  Haringey

  12.8

  Harrow

  9.8

  Havering

  8.3

  Hereford and Worcester

  9.0

  Hertfordshire

  5.8

  Hillingdon

  10.1

  Hounslow

  11.0

  Humberside

  11.3

  615

  Local education authority

  PSB Percentage not delegated

  Isle of Wight

  9.8

  Isles of Scilly

  n/a

  Islington

  5.9

  Kensington and Chelsea

  10.0

  Kent

  12.5

  Kingston

  10.8

  Kirklees

  12.9

  Knowsley

  6.1

  Lambeth

  13.6

  Lancashire

  12.3

  Leeds

  6.6

  Leicestershire

  11.6

  Lewisham

  12.5

  Lincolnshire

  10.5

  Liverpool

  7.7

  Manchester

  8.0

  Merton

  10.8

  Newcastle

  11.8

  Newham

  14.0

  Norfolk

  8.6

  North Tyneside

  8.2

  North Yorkshire

  10.2

  Northamptonshire

  7.1

  Northumberland

  9.2

  Nottinghamshire

  11.2

  Oldham

  9.4

  Oxfordshire

  8.4

  Redbridge

  9.4

  Richmond

  9.6

  Rochdale

  7.1

  Rotherham

  10.6

  Salford

  9.3

  Sandwell

  11.9

  Sefton

  11.0

  Sheffield

  12.2

  Shropshire

  11.8

  Solihull

  6.0

  Somerset

  8.9

  South Tyneside

  10.8

  Southwark

  12.0

  St. Helens

  14.5

  Staffordshire

  7.2

  Stockport

  9.1

  Suffolk

  9.4

  Sunderland

  7.7

  Surrey

  10.2

  Sutton

  9.8

  Tameside

  10.7

  Tower Hamlets

  9.0

  Trafford

  11.4

  Wakefield

  12.1

  Walsall

  9.7

  Waltham Forest

  6.1

  Wandsworth

  14.6

  Warwickshire

  11.6

  West Sussex

  11.1

  Westminster

  9.8

  Wigan

  7.3

  Wiltshire

  10.4

  Wirral

  9.7

  Wolverhampton

  8.1

  Notes:

  1. n/a = budget statement not yet received

  2. Figures rounded to one decimal place where given to two places in LEA's statement.

  National Curriculum (Gardening)
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to introduce gardening into the national curriculum so as to equip school-leavers with the skills needed to grow vegetables. [15259]
  616
  Mr. Forth
  The national curriculum has just been subject to a major review, and the revised curriculum will be introduced in schools from this September. The Government have announced that we have no plans to make any further major changes for at least five years.

TRANSPORT

  Vehicle Testing
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if local authority DOT—approved testing facilities will continue to test Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles to MOT standards. [25354]

  Mr. Norris
  Any local authority MOT testing stations must test to MOT standards. The Government have announced that taxis and private hire vehicles will in future be treated by suitably equipped MOT testing stations, and is currently considering whether taxis would be subject either to more frequent or more rigorous inspections than under the current MOT scheme.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if private hire vehicle operators with their own garages will be permitted to undertake MOT testing for private hire vehicles. [25355]

  Mr. Norris
  This is permissible at present. The criterion that any prospective MOT tester must satisfy is that they have the necessary skills and facilities to MOT test vehicles. The issue of whether or not they might test their own vehicles as well as others is irrelevant to that question.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if higher standards of MOT testing are required for taxis, public hire vehicles and other public service vehicles. [25356]

  Mr. Norris
  Some licensed taxis are currently exempt from MOT testing on the basis that they are subject to an annual licensing inspection carried out by the licensing authority which is at least as rigorous as the MOT test. In most cases licensing authorities who test taxis require comfort and cleanliness to be tested as well as the roadworthiness of the vehicle. These additional aspects are also included in the annual MOT tests of public service vehicles. Where the licensing authority does not test taxis or private hire vehicles, vehicles are subject to the MOT test as for private cars.

  London-Tilbury-Southend Line
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what policy considerations underlie the decision to allocate the older rolling stock to the London-Tilbury-Southend line under the cascade arrangements; on what occasion this has occurred over the past decade; and if he will make a statement. [25360]

  Mr. Watts
  These decisions have been an operational matter for British Rail.

  Wheelchair-accessible Taxis
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if flexibility will be granted to local authorities discretion, in circumstances where wheelchair-accessible vehicles are taken off the road for short periods following accidents or awaiting repair, to allow taxis which are not
  617
  wheelchair accessible to be operated in the interim period, where the original vehicle will return to use. [25359]

  Mr. Norris
  If a taxi is taken off the road for a period, there is nothing to stop an owner transferring the taxi licence to a substitute vehicle, but the substitute will have to meet the local taxi standards, including wheelchair accessibility where appropriate; it may have to be tested if the licensing authority requires, and licensing fees may be payable.

  Rail Fares
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what Exchequer funding will be made available for each of the next seven years to meet the cost of pegging rail fares; and if he will make a statement. [25613]

  Mr. Watts
  The Government remain firmly committed to the franchising process and to providing the subsidy needed to support passenger railway services, including the effects of the new policy on fares. The level of funding needed for the railways will depend on the bids received by the franchising director for franchises. The Government believe that privatisation will bring efficiency and other improvements to services. All these factors will affect the level of funding required by the railways.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Minerals Plans
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local minerals plans are currently in force in England and Wales. [24973]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Eighteen mineral local plans have been adopted and are currently in force in England. Planning matters in Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Retirements and Redundancies
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the annual cost to the Department of

  1993–94

  1994–95

  (i)

  (ii)

  (iii)

  (iv)

  (i)

  (ii)

  (iii)

  (iv)

  DOE

  120

  31

  0

  38

  26

  3

  2

  32

  SAFE

  7

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Planning

  Inspectorate

  2

  0

  0

  5

  7

  0

  0

  4

  Building

  Research

  Establishment

  10

  0

  0

  3

  19

  0

  0

  3

  The Buying Agency

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  QEII

  Conference

  Centre

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Notes:

  (i) Early retirement,

  (ii) Voluntary redundancy,

  (iii) Compulsory redundancy,

  (iv) Medical grounds.
  618
  staff leaving under redundancy/early retirement schemes to incorporate (i) added years lump sum payments, (ii) redundancy payments, (iii) pension payments including enhancements and (iv) any other special arrangements for (a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and projected for (c) 1995–96 and (d) 1996–97.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The costs to the Department of early retirements and redundancies are borne from its running costs provision. A detailed breakdown of the various costs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The total cost borne on my Department's running costs provisions for 1993–94 and 1994–95 were:

  1993–94 £

  7994–95 £

  DOE1 and next steps agencies

  2,601,328

  2,408,042

  Property Services Agency

  73,668,000

  68,944,000

  For 1995–96, the amount is estimated at:

  £

  DOE1 and next steps agencies

  1,752,600

  Property Services Agency

  28,500,000

  1. The figures for 1994–95 and 1995–96 are net of Treasury funding (ie 80 per cent.) of the cost of retirements occurring after 1 October 1994).

  1 excludes Property Holdings, on which information is temporarily unavailable. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.

  Projections for 1996–97 will be determined during the current Public Expenditure Survey.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff of(a) the Department of the Environment and (b) agencies for which the Department of the Environment is responsible (i) took early retirement, (ii) took voluntary redundancy, (iii) took compulsory redundancy and (iv) were retired on medical grounds in (1) 1993–94 and (2) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25517]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The following information covers staff in my Department, excluding Ordnance Survey and PSA Services.
  619
  Projections for 1995–96 which are not able to be broken down by those categories:

  Number

  DOE

  175

  SAFE

  0

  Planning Inspectorate

  8

  Building Research Establishment

  n/a

  The Buying Agency

  0

  QEIICC Conference Centre

  0

  Planning Regulations
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will review the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (General Development) Order 1988, in respect of permission granted to a householder to construct an outbuilding two metres from a neighbouring dwelling without permission, in circumstances where the neighbouring householder is housebound and the erection of the outbuilding will obstruct his view. [24974]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department keeps the General Development Order under constant review. If I find that the permitted development rights granted by it are being widely abused, I shall consider taking action. I cannot, however, intervene in individual cases.

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, how many staff of(a) the Department of the Environment and (b) agencies for which the Department of the Environment is responsible were employed on a casual or short-term basis in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25515]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The numbers of casual staff employed by my Department and each of its executive agencies in 1993–94, projected outturn for 1994–95, and plans 1995–96 are published in my Department's Annual Report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what changes there have been in the number of staff in employment by grade in(a) his Department and (b) each agency for which his Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25633]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The numbers of staff employed by my Department and each of its executive agencies in 1993–94, projected outturn for 1994–95, and plans 1995–96 are published in my Department's annual report, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. No information or projections broken down by grade are available.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, what changes there have been in the number of staff employed by (i) his Department and (ii) each agency for which his Department is responsible in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25494]

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

  Right to Buy
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people in(a) London and (b) the rest of the country have exercised their right to buy their council house since the right was introduced. [25528]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Between October 1980 and September 1994 some 185,000 council homes in London were purchased by tenants under the right-to-buy legislation. During the same period, about 1,025,000 sales were made to local authority and new town tenants in the rest of England.

  Construction Contracts
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which Government Department he is consulting as to a construction contracts Bill, and if he will make a statement. [25755]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  A number of Government Departments have received copies of my Department's consultation documents, "Latent Defects Liability and 'Build' Insurance" and "Fair Construction Contracts", which follow up proposals for legislation set out in Sir Michael Latham's report, "Constructing the Team".

  City Pride
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on which dates he received the city pride documents from(a) Manchester, (b) Birmingham and (c) London; and if he will estimate the cost of implementing the proposals submitted so far from each. [25768]

  Mr. Curry
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment received the Manchester, Birmingham and London city pride prospectuses on 8 September 1994, 18 April 1995 and 23 January 1995 respectively. The promoters of city pride and the Government have not costed the proposals set out in the prospectuses, most of which are at a provisional stage.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many responses he has received in reply to the consultation paper on the case for licensing houses in multiple occupation; and when he expects to issue his report. [25754]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Members for Cardiff, Central (Mr. Jones) and for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. Michie) on 20 March 1995,Official Report, columns 57–58.

  Housing, Yorkshire and Humberside
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what sum for new rented housing association homes in 1995–96 would have been available if funding outlined in the 1992 Autumn Statement had been maintained for each local authority in Yorkshire and Humberside; [25399]
  621
  (2) what estimate he has for the number of housing association homes for rent which will be built in 1995–96 in each local authority in Yorkshire and Humberside; [25398]

  (3) what is the total central Government funding for new rented housing association homes for 1995–96, excluding tenant incentive schemes, do it yourself shared ownership and major repairs or sales

  Local authority

  Allocation (£m)

  Related units

  1992 Autumn Statement estimated allocation (£m)

  Related units

  Barnsley

  0.88

  33

  2.18

  82

  Beverley

  0.41

  11

  1.02

  27

  Boothferry

  0.30

  12

  0.74

  30

  Bradford

  5.44

  212

  13.55

  528

  Calderdale

  1.21

  47

  3.01

  117

  Cleethorpes

  0.37

  17

  0.91

  42

  Craven

  0.19

  7

  0.47

  17

  Doncaster

  1.59

  70

  3.95

  174

  East Yorkshire

  0.43

  25

  1.06

  62

  Glanford

  0.31

  16

  0.76

  40

  Great Grimsby

  1.11

  51

  2.76

  127

  Hambelton

  0.38

  16

  0.95

  40

  Harrogate

  0.82

  31

  2.03

  77

  Holderness

  0.25

  15

  0.63

  37

  Kingston upon Hull

  1.84

  87

  4.59

  217

  Kirklees

  3.13

  116

  7.79

  289

  Leeds

  4.71

  231

  11.73

  576

  Richmondshire

  0.25

  11

  0.62

  27

  Rotherham

  0.58

  30

  1.44

  75

  Ryedale

  0.44

  22

  1.11

  55

  Scarborough

  0.55

  23

  1.38

  57

  Scunthorpe

  0.16

  10

  0.39

  25

  Selby

  0.37

  40

  0.92

  100

  Sheffield

  2.79

  121

  6.94

  302

  Wakefield

  1.13

  52

  2.81

  130

  York

  0.67

  42

  1.67

  105

  Further social lettings will also be made available through vacancies in local authority and housing association properties; through the Housing Corporation's new-build programme for shared rent/sale; through the corporation's other home ownership initiatives and rehabilitation; through housing association developments funded by local authority housing association grant; and through the cash incentive scheme.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of applicants on council waiting lists for each local authority in Yorkshire and Humberside. [25357]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Local authorities in England report the numbers of households on their housing waiting lists at 1 April each year in their annual housing investment programme returns.

  The latest available data for individual local authorities in Yorkshire and Humberside can be found in section B of the "1994 HIP1 All Items Print", a copy of which is in the Library.

  English Partnerships
  Mr. Evenett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when English Partnerships' management statement and financial memorandum will be available [26195]

  Mr. Curry
  Both documents have today been placed in the Library. The management statement defines the
  622
  programmes for each local authority in Yorkshire and Humberside. [25358]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Allocations made in Yorkshire and Humberside from the Housing Corporation's 1995–96 approved development programme for the provision of new-build rented housing are as follows, together with the Housing Corporation's estimate of what the allocations may have been for 1995–96 if funding plans in the 1992 Autumn Statement had been maintained.

  strategic relationship between the Secretary of State and English Partnerships, and the financial memorandum set out the framework for financial control within which English Partnerships must operate.

  Housing Repairs
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many cases have been brought in England under housing and public health legislation to oblige local authorities to(a) carry out essential repairs to their own dwellings and (b) to give essential repairs grants to owners of private dwelling in each year since 1990. [25803]

  Mr. Robert B Jones
  [holding answer Tuesday 24 May 1995:]The local Government and Housing Act 1989 requires local authorities to give mandatory renovation grants to owners of unfit private dwellings. Mandatory grants given annually since 1990 to the nearest thousand, are:

  1990: 2.6

  1991: 29.7

  1992: 35.5

  1993: 37.4

  1994: 37.8

  The Department does not collect data on the number of repairs local authorities are obliged to carry out to their own dwellings under housing and public health legislation.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Railway Projects
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the railway infrastructure and rolling stock projects supported in the last five years by(a) Overseas Development Administration bilateral aid, (b) EU aid and (c) other multilateral donors to which the Overseas Development Administration contributes giving the date each project was approved, its value and the European companies which obtained contracts as suppliers or consultants to those projects. [24951]

  Mr. Baldry
  Details of railway infrastructure and rolling stock projects supported by ODA in the last five years have been placed in the Libraries of the House. These involve only British companies. ODA is unable to list the projects supported by the European Union and other multilateral donors.

  Loan to Grant Conversion
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost in each of the last five years of converting Overseas Development Administration loans to developing countries into grants; and whether conversion of Overseas Development Administration loans into grants is registered as expenditure in the year in which conversion is made. [25376]

  Mr. Baldry
  The cost in each of the last five years of converting Overseas Development Administration loans to developing countries into grants is shown on the attached table; conversion of Overseas Development Administration loans into grants is not registered in the year in which conversion is made. The repayment amounts are cancelled over the period of the original loan repayment dates.

  Debt cancellation

  £ Thousands

  Principal

  Interest

  Total

  1990–91

  21,424

  637

  22,061

  1991–92

  20,925

  489

  21,414

  1992–93

  19,717

  382

  20,099

  1993–94

  21,995

  1,698

  23,694

  1994–95

  25,041

  3,104

  28,144

  Aid and Trade Projects
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State fozr Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many aid and trade provision projects were refused or postponed solely on financial grounds in 1993–94. [25736]

  Mr. Baldry
  No aid and trade provision projects were refused or postponed solely on financial grounds in 1993–94.

  South Africa
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek an amendment to the draft negotiating mandate on future relations between the European Union and South Africa to enable South African bodies to tender for contracts under the 624
  VIII European development fund on the preferential terms available to the African, Caribbean and Pacific group states under the Lomé convention. [25612]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]There are good prospects that the negotiating mandate on future relations between the European Union and South Africa will enable South African bodies to tender for contracts under the European development fund. The idea of granting to South Africa the ACP's preferential status in EDF tenders, however, raises a number of additional issues which are still under discussion between member states in Brussels.

  Population Control
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries in which the Overseas Development Administration has funded family planning initiatives together with the number of projects, their nature and the amount spent in each case for the last year for which figures are available. [25305]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]The table lists the countries in which ODA supported reproductive health projects in 1994 through the bilateral aid programme, together with the number of such projects, where expenditure exceeded £50,000 per project, and the total amount spent for each country. These projects aim to enable men and women to have better access to family planning; enable women to experience safer motherhood and childbirth; and to improve sexual health. In addition, ODA contributed £19,435,000 in 1994 to the United Nations Population Fund, the International Planned Parenthood Federation and special programmes of the World Health Organisation for population and reproductive health work.

  Reproductive health projects—calendar year 1994

  Country

  Number of projects

  Total expenditure (£)

  Bangladesh

  5

  3,551,847

  India

  5

  1,973,618

  Pakistan

  9

  1,976,910

  Malaysia

  1

  131,026

  Sri Lanka

  1

  102,735

  Cambodia

  1

  135,227

  EI Salvador

  1

  80,000

  Nicaragua

  1

  93,548

  Mexico

  1

  752,366

  Peru

  2

  1,399,441

  Oceania Regional

  1

  214,211

  Russian Federation

  1

  143,475

  Africa Regional

  1

  76,828

  Burkina Faso

  1

  81,764

  Ethiopia

  2

  125,414

  Ghana

  2

  197,250

  Kenya

  4

  1,454,581

  Nigeria

  1

  57,390

  Tanzania

  4

  1,287,399

  Togo

  1

  75,000

  Uganda

  4

  520,712

  Malawi

  7

  809,200

  Sierra Leone

  1

  65,304

  South Africa

  1

  120,016

  Zaire

  2

  50,951

  Zambia

  2

  252,101

  Zimbabwe

  2

  737,598

  Total

  63

  16,463,918.00

DEFENCE

  Flight Simulators
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent flight simulators are used to train RAF jet pilots as an alternative to flying using terrain-following radar. [25156]

  Mr. Soames
  Flight simulators are used for initial and continuation procedural training of crews in the use of terrain following radar; simulators are not, however, sufficiently sophisticated at present to provide a realistic alternative to low level flying training.

  Gulf War Medical Assessment Programme
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces have taken part in his Department's Gulf war medical assessment programme to date; how many of these have since left the services; and for what reason. [25165]

  Mr. Soames
  To date, a total of 246 individuals have been medically examined as part of the Department's Gulf war medical assessment programme, 70 of whom were serving members of the armed forces at the time of their appointment. As it is not relevant to the conduct of the programme, information is not at present available on subsequent changes of status. I will write to the hon. Member when it has been collected.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when Colonel Johnson left his post in the Gulf war medical assessment programme and for what reason; and what is the name of his replacement. [25166]

  Mr. Soames
  Arrangements were made earlier this year for the temporary attachment of an additional consultant, Colonel J. H. Johnston, to the Gulf war medical assessment programme in order to reduce patient waiting times. He participated in the programme between 22 February 1995 and 23 March 1995, by which time waiting times has been brought within acceptable limits. Colonel Johnston will again participate in the programme during the month of June 1995 to cover for a period of leave and other professional commitments of the resident consultant physician.

  Draft Reserve Forces Legislation
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many representations to date he has received concerning the draft Reserve Forces Bill. [25781]

  Mr. Soames
  The draft reserve forces legislation was published on 30 March, and the consultation period continues until Thursday 15 June 1995. By Monday 22 May, some 217 written responses had been received. In addition, many of those present at the Department's series of presentations on the Bill have taken the opportunity to make comments orally.

  Bosnia
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many breaches of the no-fly zone in Bosnia have been recorded in each of the last three months. [25782]
  626
  Mr. Soames
  NATO published figures show that between 1 February and 30 April there were 1,283 reported violations. The monthly breakdown is as follows:

  February: 399

  March: 292

  April: 592

  A further 242 violations have been reported up to 15 May.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many breaches of the ceasefire in Sarajevo have been detected by the British army mortar locating troop in each of the last three months. [25783]

  Mr. Soames
  British mortar and artillery locating personnel in Sarajevo have recorded a total of 683 incidents over the last three months which have involved the firing of one or more mortar or artillery rounds. The figures are broken down as follows:

  March: 63

  April: 74

  May: 546 (figures to 19 May)

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he announced the decision not to replace Britain's contribution to UNPROFOR based in Gorazde; and if he will state the reasons for this decision. [25784]

  Mr. Soames
  The UN were informed in April of the Government's intention not to replace British troops in Gorazde when the present detachment's tour of duty expires in September. By then, British troops will have been in the isolated enclave for 18 months and the Government believe it is time for another UN contingent to take on the responsibility.

  Corporal Neil Hughes
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the board of inquiry took place into the death of Corporal Neil Hughes of the Duke of Wellington Regiment; what was the result of the board of inquiry; what conclusions have been reached as to the responsibility for the death of Corporal Hughes; and if compensation has been made to the widow of Corporal Hughes. [25785]

  Mr. Soames
  A board of inquiry was not held, as all the facts relating to this matter were established during the coroner's inquest and subsequent civil police inquiries. The case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, which decided to take no further action. The compensation claim from the widow of Corporal Hughes has been accepted and an interim payment agreed.

  Lance Corporal Robert Strong
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay the imprisonment of Lance Corporal Robert Strong, formerly of the Parachute Regiment; where he was imprisoned; and what assistance and advice was offered to Lance Corporal Strong following the incident in which he was shot. [25787]

  Mr. Soames
  Lance Corporal Strong has never been imprisoned. He received treatment at the Queen Elizabeth military hospital Woolwich between February and June 1993; and prior to his medical discharge, in line with my Department's policy, he would have been given resettlement advice including information on how to make a claim for benefits.

  Injuries due to Negligence
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what forms of assistance and advice are made available to members of the armed forces who have been injured as a result of the negligent discharge of weapons. [25786]

  Mr. Soames
  All personnel who are injured while serving in Her Majesty's forces are given appropriate treatment by the armed forces medical service, including psychiatric help if necessary. Comprehensive assistance is given to all those disabled however the injury is sustained. Assistance includes intreatment, rehabilitation, and, wherever necessary, retraining and resettlement into civilian life.

  Where death or injury is attributable to service, benefits may be paid from both the Department of Social Security's war pensions scheme and from my Department's armed forces pension scheme. The definition of attributability is widely drawn; accidental death or injury in training or on duty is normally accepted as attributable to service.

  Following the passing of the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 serving and former service personnel have had the same rights as those in civilian life and are able to make a claim in common law against my Department for compensation for personal accident or injury through negligence.

  The procedure for anyone contemplating a claim for compensation is set out in a Defence Council instruction published each year which specifically recommends that prospective claimants approach the Royal British Legion initially as the organisation best placed to liaise with my Department's claims department.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Abortion Law
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he is yet in a position to respond to the recommendations on abortion law in Northern Ireland made by the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights. [24870]

  Mr. Moss
  The Secretary of State wrote to the chairman of the commission on 10 May indicating that he does not propose to suggest any changes in the law at present. A copy of the Secretary of State's letter has been placed in the Library.

  Home Improvement Grants
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the budgetary allocation in respect of home improvement grants to each Housing Executive grants office since 1 April 1993. [24763]

  Sir John Wheeler
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but the chief executive has advised me that the expenditure figures for each financial year were as follows:628

  £ million

  Expenditure

  Office

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Belfast1

  9.6

  9.3

  Newtownards

  2.0

  1.9

  Lisburn

  2.2

  2.5

  Newry

  3.2

  3.8

  Craigavon

  2.6

  3.3

  Ballymena

  1.8

  1.6

  Ballyclare

  1.4

  1.2

  Coleraine

  1.5

  1.6

  Londonderry

  3.2

  2.6

  Omagh

  3.0

  3.9

  Fermanagh

  1.9

  2.3

  Total

  32.4

  34.0

  1 For budgetary purposes three Belfast offices are treated as one unit.

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the budgetary allocation in respect of home improvement grants to each grants office for the 1995–96 financial year. [24764]

  Sir John Wheeler
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but the chief executive has advised me that the allocations for the financial year 1995–96 are as follows:

  Office

  Allocation £ million

  Belfast1

  10.5

  Newtownards

  2.6

  Lisburn

  3.0

  Newry

  4.4

  Craigavon

  4.2

  Ballymena

  2.6

  Ballyclare

  1.4

  Coleraine

  1.5

  Londonderry

  4.3

  Omagh

  3.4

  Fermanagh

  4.1

  Total

  42.0

  1 For budgetary purposes 3 Belfast offices are treated as one unit.

  Environmental Improvement Schemes
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what environmental improvement schemes have been funded for the 1995–96 financial year; and what have been the financial amounts allocated to each scheme. [24766]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The environmental improvement schemes which have been funded in the 1995–96 financial year are as follows:

  Environmental improvement schemes to be undertaken or completed in financial year 1995–96

  Town/Scheme

  1995–96 £000

  Dromore Town Centre/Conservation Area

  14

  Markethill

  17

  Town Hall, Newry

  7

  Riehhill

  71

  Loughgall

  13.5

  Market Square/Town Centre, Downpatrick

  6

  Lower Irish Street, Downpatrick

  30

  Market Street/Bow Street, Lisburn

  5

  Castlewellan

  25

  629

  Environmental improvement schemes to be undertaken or completed in financial year 1995–96

  Town/Scheme

  1995–96 £000

  Market Place, Carrickfergus

  6

  Town Centre/Taxi Rank, Antrim

  1

  Bowling Green, Strabane

  13.5

  Mews Lane, Enniskillen

  14

  War Memorial, Omagh

  2.5

  Churches Avenue, Omagh

  20

  Market Square, Dungannon

  6

  Foundry Lane, Omagh

  12

  High Street/Town Centre, Ballymoney

  5

  Dunluce Avenue, Portrush

  85

  Londonderry

  Walled City conservation area phase 5D

  20

  Foyleside A (Foyle Street)

  242.5

  Foyleside B (Orchard Street, Newmarket Street, Bridge Street, Water Street)

  284.5

  Bank Place

  84.5

  Artillery Street

  141

  Strand Road Upper

  50

  Meadowbank River Scheme

  50

  Additional cleansing/graffiti removal etc

  50

  Union Hall Place

  22.5

  Belfast

  Donegall Square

  1,400

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the budgetary allocation in respect of environmental improvement schemes in each financial year since 1 April 1990. [24767]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is as follows:

  £ million

  1990–91

  5.6

  1991–92

  6.4

  1992–93

  4.6

  1993–94

  3.5

  1994–95

  3.5

  1995–96

  2.7

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what environmental improvement schemes were funded in each financial year since 1 April 1990, and what were the financial amounts allocated to each scheme. [24768]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The following list sets out the environmental improvement schemes and the financial amounts allocated to each scheme from 1 April 1993 only. Information in respect of earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Environmental Improvement Schemes Funded 1st April 1993—31 March 1995

  Town/Scheme

  1993/94 £000

  1994–95 £000

  Dromore Town Centre/Conservation

  Area

  72

  86

  Market Square, Armagh

  1

  8

  St Patrick's, Armagh

  153

  28

  Markethill

  2

  54

  Town Hall, Newry

  122

  18

  Canal Bank, Newry

  13

  3

  Lurgan Town Centre

  26

  42

  630

  Environmental Improvement Schemes Funded 1st April 1993—31 March 1995

  Town/Scheme

  1993/94 £000

  1994–95 £000

  Hill Street/John Mitchell Place, Newry

  -

  70

  Richhill

  —

  4

  Loughgall

  —

  12

  Spruce-Up, Craigavon

  —

  2

  Project Office, Newry

  —

  3

  West Street/Church Place, Portadown

  —

  3

  Queens Parade, Bangor

  171

  27

  Down District Council

  2

  —

  Floodlighting, Lisburn

  1

  9

  Market Street/Town Centre, Downpatrick

  1

  64

  Fair Green, Ballynahinch

  33

  106

  Lower Irish Street, Downpatrick

  73

  -

  Market Street/Bow Street, Lisburn

  —

  94

  Spruce-Up, Downpatrick

  —

  17

  Lighting Scheme, Donaghadee

  —

  23

  Killyleagh

  —

  4

  Provision of Town Parks, D/patrick

  —

  26

  Minor Scheme—Newtownards, Bangor, Holywood

  —

  18

  Heritage Plaza, Carrickfergus

  77

  13

  Rainey Street, Magherafelt

  7

  —

  Market Place, Carrickfergus

  154

  14

  Irish Gate, Carrickfergus

  4

  2

  Draperstown

  23

  120

  Whitehead

  5

  9

  Spruce-Up, Ballymena

  9

  30

  Joymount, Carrickfergus

  —

  5

  Town Centre/Taxi Rank, Antrim

  —

  34

  Fairhill Square, Ballymena

  —

  5

  Phase II, Carnlough

  —

  12

  Bowling Green, Strabane

  5

  52

  Mews Lane, Enniskillen

  96

  66

  Linear Parks, Dungannon

  12

  —

  Abercorn Square, Strabane

  —

  6

  War Memorial, Omagh

  1

  —

  Churches Avenue, Omagh

  29

  9

  Spruce-Up, Omagh

  3

  17

  Town Centre, Cookstown

  —

  15

  Market Square, Dungannon

  —

  5

  Hanover Square, Coagh

  —

  66

  Foundry Lane, Omagh

  —

  1

  Cushendall

  —

  6

  Castle Street, Ballycastle

  17

  —

  O'Connor Memorial, Ballycastle

  1

  —

  High Street/Town Centre, Ballymoney

  20

  135

  Cricket Link, Ballymoney

  60

  —

  Dunluce Avenue, Portrush

  —

  186

  Spruce-Up, Northern

  —

  9

  Project Office, Ballymoney

  —

  10

  Belfast

  St Anne's Square

  30

  39

  Chichester Street, Tree Planting

  17

  3

  Blackstaff Square

  20

  1

  Marquis Street Open Space

  31

  —

  Royal Avenue

  23

  —

  Belfast Harbour Local Plan

  220

  299

  Falls Road SSO

  105

  40

  City Centre Floodlighting Scheme

  41

  —

  Pottinger's Entry

  3

  —

  St Peter's Cathedral

  211

  189

  Bedford Street

  10

  —

  Henry Place

  17

  —

  Craven Street Landscaping

  16

  —

  Donegall Square

  58

  8

  BBC Cliftonville Playing Fields

  18

  —

  NIHE David St/Conway Street Junction

  5

  —

  NIHE Roden Street

  5

  —

  Arthur Square Bandstand

  —

  17

  Castle Lane

  —

  118

  Traffic Calming Studies

  7

  18

  631

  Environmental Improvement Schemes Funded 1st April 1993—31 March 1995

  Town/Scheme

  1993/94 £000

  1994–95 £000

  Suffolk Road Apartments

  —

  16

  QCA Lighting

  —

  50

  Planning MBW Schemes

  —

  225

  NIHE Upper Library Street

  —

  24

  Urban Forestry Schemes

  60

  79

  Maintenance of Landscape Areas

  146

  228

  Belfast CC Maintenance

  123

  68

  Graffitti

  100

  100

  Londonderry

  Walled City Conservation Area Phase 5D

  23.5

  107

  Market Street

  6.5

  —

  Carlisle Square

  7

  —

  Dorman's Wharf

  19

  14.5

  Waterloo Street Upper (Part)

  45.5

  —

  City Walls, Phase 5C

  102.5

  —

  Clooney Terrace

  28.5

  —

  Gartan Square

  11

  —

  Floodlighting City Gates

  8

  —

  General Soft Landscaping

  36

  —

  City Walls, Phase 5D

  107

  —

  Victoria Market Car Park/ Strand Road

  68.5

  34

  Union Hall Place

  36

  62.5

  Additional Cleansing/Graffiti Removal etc

  86.5

  85

  City Walls Interpretive Plaques

  18.5

  —

  Direction Signs

  4

  —

  Londonery Lighting Vision

  51.5

  —

  Miscellaneous Minor Projects (by Roads Service etc)

  127

  44.5

  William Street

  112

  147.5

  Madam's Bank

  26

  12.5

  Expressway Central Reservation

  12.5

  14.5

  City Walls Interpretive Strategy

  18.5

  85.5

  Foyleside A (Foyle Street)

  —

  57.5

  Foyleside B (Orchard Street, Newmarket Street, Bridge Street, Water Street

  —

  180.5

  Painting etc (Street Furniture)

  —

  9

  Bank Place

  —

  10.5

  Additional Street Furniture (Litter bins, fingerposts etc)

  —

  23

  City Walls Lighting

  —

  6.5

  Artillery Street

  —

  4

  St. Columban's College, Kilkeel
  Mr. McGrady
  to ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to make provisions for a special needs unit at St. Columban's college, Kilkeel, Co Down. [24775]

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for making proposals to my Department to establish new special units at Catholic maintained schools rests with the education and library boards in conjunction with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools. No proposal has been made to establish such a unit at St. Columban's college, Kilkeel.

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received from local authorities regarding compulsory competitive tendering in the last two years. [25238]

  Sir John Wheeler
  In the last two years representations about compulsory competitive tendering have been received from Ards borough council, Ballymoney 632
  borough council, Banbridge district council, Belfast city council, Castlereagh borough council, Limavady borough council, Lisburn borough council, Newry and Mourne district council, Newtownabbey borough council and North Down borough council. These representations, which were made following the issue of draft regulations to all district councils on 12 October 1994 setting out the proposed arrangements for the second round of compulsory competitive tendering, sought an abandonment of compulsory competitive tendering or, alternatively, an increase in the "deminimis" level of £100,000 and changes to the phasing arrangements. In addition, during the Prime Minister's meeting with the mayors, chairmen and chief executives of district councils on 23 January, the mayor of Ballymena borough council advocated a moratorium on compulsory competitive tendering.

  Job Losses
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many posts were lost in(a) the Northern Ireland Office and (b) agencies for which the Northern Ireland Office is responsible, listing the total lost posts agency by agency in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and how many posts lost are proposed to be lost in 1995–96. [25071]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Information on the number of staff in the Northern Ireland Office, as published in the Supply Estimates, is as follows. Figures for 1992–93 are included to allow comparison with 1993–94.

  Year

  NIO

  Compensation Agency

  Northern Ireland Prison Service1

  Total

  1992–93

  4,640

  145

  —

  4,785

  1993–94

  4,730

  150

  —

  4,880

  1994–95

  4,810

  150

  —

  4,960

  1995–96

  1,080

  150

  3,590

  4,820

  1 Launched as an agency in April 1995.

  The figures include prison officers and are rounded to the nearest five.

  Bus Companies
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to give greater commercial freedom to Ulsterbus and Citybus. [25725]

  Sir John Wheeler
  None.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to improve the speed of response of his Department so as to meet the commercial needs of Ulsterbus and Citybus. [25726]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The regulatory framework which governs the relationship between the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland and the transport companies is kept under constant review to ensure its continued effectiveness.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland nif he will make a statement on the age and quality of the fleets of Ulsterbus and Citybus relative to deregulated services in Great Britain. [25727]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The different methodology used in preparing such statistics in Northern Ireland and Great Britain makes comparison difficult. At March 1994 the
  633
  average age of the Ulsterbus fleet was just under eight years old and that of the Citybus fleet 8.75.

  In Great Britain, at December 1993, 19 per cent. of the fleet was less than four years old, 27 per cent. between four and seven years old, 20 per cent. between eight and 11 years old, leaving 34 per cent. 12 years old or over. Information as to the respective quality is not available.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hectares of land(a) are eligible for entry into each environmentally sensitive area in Northern Ireland and (b) have been entered in each tier of each environmentally sensitive area in Northern Ireland. [25791]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  Eligible area (hectares)

  Under agreement

  ESA

  Tier 1

  Tier 2

  Tier 3

  Antrim Coast, Glens and Rathlin

  34,600

  9,500

  780

  —

  Slieve Gullion

  13,800

  90

  10

  —

  Mourne Mountains and Slieve Croob

  29,000

  5,710

  180

  —

  West Fermanagh and Erne Lakeland

  57,400

  7,290

  3,060

  130

  Sperrins

  82,950

  3,090

  2,240

  —

  Crown Buildings (Fire Safety)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to allow the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade to assume responsibility for the fire safety inspections and issue of fire certificates for Crown buildings in Northern Ireland. [25866]

  Sir John Wheeler
  This matter is currently under consideration.

  RUC Annual Report
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will lay before the House the annual report for 1994 of the chief constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [26386]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  Copies of the chief constable's annual report 1994 have today been placed in the Library. It is a general report on the carrying out by the RUC of its functions during 1994 which is submitted to the Police Authority for Northern Ireland and transmitted to me for laying before Parliament in accordance with section 15 of the Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970.

SCOTLAND

  George Beattie Case
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the results of his investigations into the new evidence given to the Under-Secretary of State during the Adjournment debate on the George Beattie case on 29 March; and if he will make a statement. [24247]
  634
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The documents handed to me by the hon. Member on 29 March are being examined and relevant inquiries are in hand. The hon. Member will be kept informed of developments.

  Scottish Economy
  Mr. McKelvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Scottish TUC to discuss the Scottish economy. [24248]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend meets the Scottish TUC from time to time and officials maintain regular contacts. My right hon. Friend is therefore kept fully aware of the STUC's views on all matters concerning the Scottish economy.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Scottish Council Development and Industry to discuss trends in the Scottish economy; and if he will make a statement. [24257]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Scottish Office Ministers and officials maintain regular contact with the Scottish Council Development and Industry to discuss economic and other issues. My right hon. Friend last met the Scottish Council Development and Industry when he addressed the annual dinner of the council's London committee on 22 March 1995.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will next meet Scottish Homes to discuss transfer of property; and if he will make a statement. [24249]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to meet Scottish Homes to discuss transfer of property. He issued guidance to Scottish Homes on this matter following which it published procedures for the disposal of its stock.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 21 March,Official Report, column 174, on Scottish Homes, when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South can expect a reply from Sir James Mellon. [25352]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Sir James Mellon wrote to the hon. Member on 28 March and sent me a copy of his letter. I have arranged for a further copy of the correspondence to be sent to the hon. Member.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the value of grants from his Department to voluntary organisations in each of the last three years. [24250]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Grants paid to voluntary organisations by the Scottish Office in the last three years for which information is available were £20.7 million in 1991–92, £25.7 million in 1992–93 and £21.6 million in 1993–94.

  Engineering Jobs
  Mr. Dunnachie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Scottish TUC to discuss the continuing loss of skilled engineering jobs in Scotland. [24251]
  635
  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend meets the Scottish TUC from time to time and officials maintain regular contacts. My right hon. Friend is therefore kept fully aware of the STUC's views on all matters concerning the Scottish economy.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to encourage local authorities to find alternatives to landfill as a method of waste disposal. [24252]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Government favour waste management methods such as recycling and incineration with energy recovery which are higher in the waste management hierarchy than landfill. By requiring local authorities to prepare and update waste disposal plans and waste recycling plans the Government ensures they keep their waste management options under review. Together with the landfill tax which we intend to introduce, this will encourage authorities to respond to our target for recycling household waste.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local government finance. [24253]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend last met representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local government finance on 20 January. He also addressed the convention's annual conference on 10 March.

  Mrs. Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss local government finance. [24255]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend and I are due to meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 12 June as part of the normal consultation on local government finance matters.

  Tree Planting
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the tree planting programme for England, Scotland and Wales for 1995–96. [24254]

  Sir Hector Monro
  As announced in the Government's expenditure plans, we expect about 38,000 hectares of woodland to be planted in 1995–96, including restocking.

  Strengths of the Union
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received about maintaining the strengths of the Union; and if he will make a statement. [24256]

  Mr. Lang
  I have received a number of expressions of support for the maintenance of the Union.

  South East Asia
  Mr. Norman Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next expects to visit south-east Asia to promote Scotland for inward investment and jobs; and if he will make a statement. [24258]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend intends to visit Japan later this year to promote Scotland as a location for inward investment but he has no plans at present to visit South East Asia. The benefits of Scotland as a business location are promoted within South East Asia by Locate in Scotland's representatives in Taiwan and Singapore.

  Forestry Policy
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a further statement about forestry policy. [24259]

  Sir Hector Monro
  We remain committed to the forestry policy set out in "Forestry Policy for Great Britain" and "Sustainable Forestry: The UK Programme", copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Combating Crime
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of Scottish police forces to discuss combating crime.

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend meets representatives of Scottish police forces from time to time, most recently on 10 February.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Darling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those capital projects within the NHS in Scotland that are currently being considered under the private finance initiative; and if he will make a statement. [24242]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  All capital projects currently being proposed in the NHS in Scotland have been considered, or are being considered, as opportunities under the private finance initiative. A list of these projects has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Sports Facilities
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about improvement of sports facilities in Scotland. [24230]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The provision of sports facilities in Scotland has been significantly enhanced in recent years. More, however, remains to be done. The national lottery now provides a marvellous opportunity to develop a wider range of facilities to meet the nation's sporting needs.

  Temazepam
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of the Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs to discuss the rescheduling of Temazepam; and if he will make a statement. [24119]
  637
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has no plans for such a meeting. The reply that my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Mr. Gallie) on 10 May,Official Report, column 756, described the immediate steps being taken to reduce the misuse of Temazepam and confirmed that careful consideration is being given to the advisory council's recommendation on rescheduling the drug.

  Police (Body Armour)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure that all police officers are supplied with body armour. [25143]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is for individual chief constables to take decisions about providing body armour for their officers. The Scottish Office would pay police grant in the usual way at 51 per cent. of the expenditure on any such provision.

  Appeals
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many appeals against conviction and applications for pardon or the prerogative of mercy have been lodged with his office in each of the past 10 years; how long, on average, it took to process each one; how many are still outstanding; how much, on average, such cases cost in terms of time, salaries and expenses for all Government and local government authorities, including the Scottish Office, the Crown Office, procurators fiscal offices and police; and if he will make a statement. [25158]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of cases in respect of which representations were received by my right hon. Friend are as follows:

  1984: 54

  1985: 43

  1986: 39

  1987: 61

  1988: 46

  1989: 60

  1990: 39

  1991: 54

  1992: 58

  1993: 52

  1994: 30

  Representations in respect of 20 cases are at present under consideration. The average time taken to process cases received and cleared in 1994 was 55 working days. Additionally, on 1 January 1995 there were five major cases which had been under consideration for more than 12 months. Comparable figures for earlier years are not available because statistics were not kept in that form. The costs of processing cases are not available in the form requested.

  Job Losses
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many posts were lost in(a) the Scottish Office and (b) agencies for which the Scottish Office 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. [25072]
  638
  Mr. Lang
  The numbers of permanent and casual staff employed by the Scottish Office and each of its executive agencies in 1993–94, estimated outturn for 1994–95, and plans for 1995–96 are published in appendix 4 of my departmental report for 1995, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what changes there have been to the number of staff in employment by grade in(a) the Scottish Office and (b) each agency for which the Scottish Office is responsible, in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96;

  (2) how many staff of (a) the Scottish Office and (b) agencies for which the Scottish Office is responsible, were employed on a casual or short-term basis in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25504]

  Mr. Lang
  The numbers of permanent and casual staff employed by the Scottish Office and each of its executive agencies in 1993–94, estimated outturn for 1994–95, and plans for 1995–96 are published in appendix 4 of my departmental report for 1995, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. No projections broken down by grade are available.

  Mental Health Guidance
  Dr. Bray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to revise the code of practice for the guidance of medical practitioners and others in accordance with the requirements of the Mental Health Act (Scotland) 1984. [25877]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Under section 119 of the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is required to prepare, and from time to time revise, this code of practice. The original code of practice for this Act was laid before Parliament on 16 November 1989.

  It is currently proposed in the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Bill, which recently received its Third Reading in another place, that the ambit of the code of practice should be widened to include after-care services for patients subject to the proposed community care orders and existing provisions for guardianship. We intend to begin a review of the code of practice after the provisions in this Bill have entered into force; the proposed commencement date for the provisions is 1 April 1996.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hectares of land(a) are eligible to be entered into each environmentally sensitive area in Scotland and (b) have been entered into each tier of each environmentally sensitive area in Scotland. [25795]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The number of hectares eligible to be entered into the schemes in each designated area is not known as eligibility depends on the individual circumstances of the agricultural business and the land on the unit. The estimated number of hectares of agricultural land in each designated area and the number of hectares which have been covered by agreements under the schemes are set out in the following table.
  639

  Number of hectares in each designated area

  Hectares covered by tier 1 agreements by 30 April 1995

  Breadalbane

  140,000

  167,966

  Loch Lomond

  36,875

  120,789

  Stewartry

  48,535

  119,626

  Central Borders (formerly Whitlaw and Eildon)

  28,785

  12,395

  Machair of the Uists and Benbecula, Barra and Vatersay

  16,230

  13,911

  Central Southern Uplands

  220,289

  49,625

  Western Southern Uplands

  131,004

  18,721

  Cairngorms Straths

  236,138

  10,493

  Argyll Islands

  177,420

  34,103

  Shetland Islands

  64,090

  633

  1,099,366

  228,262

  1 Excludes hectares covered by expired agreements under the original Schemes.

  All the land entered into tier 1 agreements can be considered for tier 2 of the scheme. The precise requirements of the agreement under tier 2 will depend on the types of land and features of conservation interest on the farm or croft and will be set out in the agreed farm or croft conservation plan.

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farms(a) are eligible to have land entered into each environmentally sensitive area in Scotland and (b) have had land entered into each environmentally sensitive area in Scotland. [25796]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The precise number of farmers and crofters eligible to enter land into the schemes in each designated area is not known, as eligibility depends on the individual circumstances of the agricultural business and the land on the unit. However, all agricultural units will land in a designated area are eligible to apply. The number of agricultural units in each designated area and the number of farmers and crofters who have had land covered by agreements under the schemes are set out in the following table:

  Number of agricultural units in each designated area

  Farmers/crofters who have had land covered by ESA agreements by 30 April 1995

  Breadalbane

  203

  191

  Loch Lomond

  77

  140

  Stewartry

  340

  1134

  Central Borders (formerly Whitlaw and Eildon)

  190

  115

  Machair of the Uists and Benbecula, Barra and Vatersay

  789

  1400

  Central Southern Uplands

  633

  107

  Western Southern Uplands

  455

  49

  640

  Number of agricultural units in each designated area

  Farmers/crofters who have had land covered by ESA agreements by 30 April 1995

  Cairngorms Straths

  284

  12

  Argyll Islands

  435

  50

  Shetlands Islands

  1,350

  13

  4,756

  911

  1 Excludes farmers/crofters whose agreements under the original Schemes have expired.

  Mink Farms
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 3 May,Official Report, column 252, if he will refuse to license any future mink farms. [25738]

  Sir Hector Monro
  Any future applications will be considered on their merits. There are no mink farms in Scotland.

  Sandeel Fishing
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he is carrying out of the environmental impact of sandeel fishing in Shetland waters; and if he will make a statement. [25739]

  Sir Hector Monro
  The Scottish Office marine laboratory has an ongoing programme of research on sandeels and associated environmental issues. In 1993 it published a report entitled "Biology of Sandeels in the vicinity of seabird colonies at Shetland".

  Fisheries Research Vessel
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the timetable for the invitation and assessment of tenders for the construction of a fisheries research vessel; when he expects to announce the successful bid; and if he will make a statement. [25362]

  Sir Hector Monro
  By the end of this year, I hope to be in a position to announce the award of the contract to build a replacement fisheries research vessel. Invitations to tender will be issued by late summer, allowing nine weeks for their submission. A similar period will be devoted to the assessment of tenders.

  European Parliamentary Constituencies
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Boundary Commission for Scotland intends to begin its review of European parliamentary constituencies in Scotland. [26582]

  Mr. Lang
  The Boundary Commission for Scotland has informed me that its review of the boundaries of the eight European parliamentary constituencies in Scotland will commence on 2 June 1995.

  The Commission is unable to forecast at this stage how long the review is likely to take.

  Local Government Employees (Political Restrictions)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what conditions the Scottish Office would require to be fulfilled before removing the political restriction of local government employees. [25395]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]Following the report of the Widdicombe committee, it was agreed that there were certain key posts in local government where it was particularly important that the postholder should be seen to be politically impartial. This remains just as valid today, and we therefore have no intention of abolishing the rules on politically restricted posts.

  Rent-to-mortgage Scheme
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much the Scottish Office(a) is planning to spend in the current year and (b) has spent in previous financial years on promoting the rent-to-mortgage scheme; and how much is being and was spent during these periods on television advertising for the campaign. [25344]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 May 1994]Advertising of the pilot rent-to-mortgage scheme took place in spring 1991 and spring 1992. Subsequently the right to buy and statutory rent-to-mortgage schemes have been promoted together. No decision has yet been taken on any further advertising in 1995–96. Expenditure in each financial year is as follows:

  Total £

  Television Advertising £

  1995–96

  1186,000

  1111,600

  1994–95

  220,000

  116,600

  1993–94

  312,420

  122,100

  1992–93

  nil

  nil

  1991–92

  186,290

  45,600

  1990–91

  194,710

  64,750

  1 Estimate.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Lester
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how the private sector can be involved in European Regional Development Fund projects in the United Kingdom. [25863]

  Mr. Eggar
  It is Government policy to encourage private sector participation in projects partly financed by the European regional development fund. This also accords with the aims of the private finance initiative.

  We have today introduced new criteria for this purpose. These arrangements will help to provide a significant boost to the regeneration of ERDF areas.

  I have tabled a copy of the criteria in the Library of the House. Projects, which may include industrial, transport, environmental, tourism and other economic infrastructure, will need to be of general economic benefit to eligible areas and to meet the other conditions of ERDF grant. Companies wishing to inquire about the possibility of
  642
  ERDF grant for such projects should contact the Government Office for their English region, or the Scottish Office, Welsh Office, or Northern Ireland Departments.

  To encourage maximum private sector involvement, the private sector will be able to make a reasonable profit on investment. Conditions attached to grants will ensure that any excessive profits that might be derived from ERDF grants continue to be used for the general economic benefit of the area and that risks will be shared appropriately between the public and private sectors. Grant will normally be routed through a public sector participant, which will be accountable for proper project administration for grant purposes. Where this is not appropriate, grant may be paid direct to the private sector.

  Regional single programming documents, agreed between the Government and the European Commission, set aggregate targets for private sector contributions, alongside totals of public expenditure and of ERDF grant.

  Research Laboratories
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set his Department's research laboratories for 1995–96. [26388]

  Mr. Heseltine
  In the light of the announcement I made on 14 April 1994,Official Report, columns 251–53 on the future management of the DTI's laboratories, the targets I have set the Laboratory of the Government Chemist and the National Engineering Laboratory for 1995–96 are set out below. In addition, I expect the chief executives of the laboratories, including the National Physical Laboratory, to continue to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to them for reply.

  Primary Financial Targets
  LGC Recovery of full costs from income for customer work.
  NEL Recovery of full costs through "arms-length" contracts from customers.

  Secondary Targets
  LGC: To achieve an average rate of 93 per cent for completion of reports on analysis of (or research into) samples by the date agreed with customers for the year as a whole.
  To achieve more than 87 per cent. of contract research milestones within the time scale agreed with the customer.
  To maintain NAMAS accreditation for the categories of work in which the Laboratory operates, registration for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Laboratory-wide registration to BS EN ISO 9001.
  NEL: To increase the number of non-DTI customers who provide revenues of more than £100,000 per annum by 25 per cent.
  To increase the number of hours charged to customers per staff member by 10 per cent.
  To carry out post completion reviews, with customers, on 20 per cent. of all contracts valued in excess of £250,000.

  Bids are currently being considered from the private sector for the contractorisation of NPL. For the time it is expected to remain an agency, its primary target is to recover its full costs from income for customer work after taking account of the special circumstances arising from the task of preparing for transfer to private management. NEL and LGC are expected to have been privatised by the end of 1995–96 and hence to cease to be agencies.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to publish the report of the steering committee which reviewed responses to the report of the interdepartmental review team on fire safety legislation and enforcement. [25859]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Ministers are currently considering the Government's response to the recommendations of the interdepartmental review of fire safety legislation and enforcement, and we hope to make an announcement in the coming weeks on the way forward.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has now received a report from the steering committee reviewing responses to the inter-departmental review on fire safety legislation and enforcement; and if he will make a statement. [25756]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the right hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed (Mr. Beith).

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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 amongst four unitary authorities as a result of local government reorganisation. [25225]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to hon. Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 22 May 1995,Official Report, columns 429–30. The same considerations apply to Cleveland as to Berkshire.

  Internal Market Advisory Committee
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the specific complaints his Department has raised at the internal market advisory committee since its inception. [25594]

  Mr. Needham
  My Department's single market compliance unit has arranged for 14 cases to be raised at the internal market advisory committee since specific single market complaints were first placed on its agenda last year. These have covered:

  restrictions on the provision of auctioneering services in France;

  Italian taxation of cars over 2 litres;

  Dutch waste water regulations;

  requirements for tyre inflators to be tested to German standards;

  requirements for stack gas analisyers to be tested to German standards;

  Greek regulations on the content of soft drinks;

  discriminatory provisions concerning the operation of security firms in Portugal;

  Dutch requirements involving the double-testing of electric fencing;

  restrictions on the operation of UK qualified accountants in Greece;

  Greek restrictions on the operation of a speedboat for business purposes;

  restrictions on the establishment of private language schools in Greece;

  644

  Portuguese requirements concerning lighting devices on tractors;

  German refusal to accredit non-German bodies to issue the GS mark;

  German requirements for re-testing of samples for liquid density standards.

  Overseas Posts
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what evidence has resulted from major export drives as to the effectiveness of the establishment of commercial posts overseas in terms of increasing exports. [25495]

  Mr. Needham
  The FCO's commercial Posts play a crucial role in the delivery of the Government's export promotion drive. It would be impossible to mount major campaigns such as "Action Japan" or the "Indo-British Partnership" without the support of commercial officers overseas. The "Indo-British Partnership" has been associated with an increase of 50 per cent. in bilateral trade between the UK and India. A new office was opened in Bangalore to help prepare this initiative. Business demand for charged services has nearly tripled. During the period of "Action Japan" and its predecessor, "Priority Japan", exports to Japan have risen significantly. This trend continues as visible exports are 35 per cent. higher in the first three months of 1995 than for the same period last year. I am confident from my recent visit that the 35 Japanese specialists we have in Tokyo contribute a great deal to this success story.

  Manufacturing Companies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimates he has made of the number of companies engaged in manufacturing that have closed their United Kingdom operation and have transferred production overseas to plants owned by those companies or in which they otherwise have a stake since 1990. [25512]

  Mr. Page
  This information is not available.

  Insider Dealing
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the application of section 5(3) of the Public Records Act 1958 to information on inside dealing under section 179 of the Financial Services Act 1986. [25510]

  Mr. Heseltine
  Section 179 of the Financial Services Act 1986 prohibits the disclosure of certain information obtained for the purposes of, or in the discharge of functions under, that Act. Section 179 is therefore a statutory bar on disclosure of the type referred to in section 5(3) of the Public Records Act 1958. Section 5(3), which otherwise places a duty on the Keeper of Public Records to arrange that reasonable facilities are available for public inspection of public records, does not apply to information covered by section 179. Therefore such information will not be made available in the Public Record Office.

  CIS Countries
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new steps he is taking to maximise the involvement of United Kingdom companies in the economic development of the CIS countries. [25022]
  645
  Mr. Needham
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced on 22 May 1995,Official Report, columns 597–99 a package of additional support measures for exporters including trade fairs, inward and outward missions and business links export services. Additional staff will be deployed on the DTI market desks and in our overseas posts and in September an additional export promoter from the private sector will join those already working in the developing CIS markets. These additional resources will help companies take advantage, including through new sector specific initiatives, of the increasing opportunities in these markets.

  Local Bus Services
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list for each of the last 10 years the number of complaints received by the Office of Fair Trading regarding the operation of local bus services and the actions of bus companies reported to his Department. [25911]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The numbers of complaints about competition aspects of local bus operation received by the Office of Fair Trading since bus services outside London were deregulated are as follows.

  Number

  1987

  57

  1988

  58

  1989

  53

  1990

  51

  1991

  68

  1992

  90

  1993

  108

  1994

  56

  Total

  541

  Complaints which my Department receives regarding unfair competition in the industry are referred to the Director General of Fair Trading, who has the initial responsibility for considering them.

  Monopolies and Mergers Commission
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what powers he has to direct the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to reconsider its decision on a case if it appears to him that it may have been given inaccurate information; [25730]

  (2) how many prosecutions there have been since 1973 under section 93(b) of the Fair Trading Act 1973. [25731]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I have no powers to direct the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to reconsider its reports. If it were found that the commission had been misled, a further reference to the commission could be considered.

  I am not aware of any previous prosecutions under section 93B of the Fair Trading Act 1973.

  Bird's Eye Walls Ltd.
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will ensure that the report of the Office of Fair Trading on the investigation into the Bird's Eye Walls freezer exclusivity case, will be published. [25729]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Office of Fair Trading will make a statement when it has completed its investigation 646
  into the evidence given to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission by Bird's Eye Walls Ltd.

  Majority Shareholdings
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [25707]

  Mr. Heseltine
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]The President of the Board of Trade is, by virtue of that office, the majority shareholder in British Nuclear Fuels plc and Nuclear Electric plc. There have been no instances in the last five years of companies, in which I or my predecessors have by virtue of our office been majority shareholders, being wound up.

  General System of Preferences
  Mr. Caborn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will ask the European Commission to bring forward proposals for the provision of the general system of preferences to agricultural produce from South Africa. [25611]

  Mr. Needham
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]From 1 January 1995, South Africa was granted GSP benefits for a limited range of agricultural products. The European Commission is committed, under the terms of the current GSP regulation for agricultural products, to bring forward a proposal to re-examine the scope of those benefits to enable the Council to take a decision to enter into force on 1 July 1995. Her Majesty's Government take the view that South Africa should have access to the full range of agricultural concessions available under the scheme.

  RJB (Mining)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. Betts) of 15 May,Official Report, column 22, on what date the decision was taken to review the status of RJB (Mining) as preferred bidder; and continue as preferred bidder. [25392]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]The position of each of the preferred bidders was kept under review throughout the course of negotiations. Following the decision on proceedings against former directors of the AF Budge companies, which was made on 21 November, the Department specifically reviewed RJB (Mining) plc's status as preferred bidder for the English coal companies in the light of the consideration of the conduct of Mr. Richard Budge in the context of the failure of the AF Budge companies and the decision on those proceedings. The Department concluded on 25 November that RJB (Mining) should properly continue as preferred bidder.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Job Losses
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many posts were lost in(a) the Department of National Heritage and (b) agencies for which the

  647
  Department of National Heritage 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. [25074]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The information in respect of the Department of National Heritage and its two agencies is as follows:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  11995–96

  DNH central Department

  nil

  nil

  Nil

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  11.5

  nil

  70

  Royal Parks Agency

  nil

  nil

  nil

  1 Estimate.

  Churchill Papers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many separate items there are in the Churchill papers; and what are the professional qualifications of those persons who advised him that none of the papers to be sold was a state paper. [25153]

  Mr. Dorrell
  I have never been advised that none of the Churchill papers is a state paper. There are estimated to be around 1.5 million separate papers in the Churchill archive. The archive comprises both state and non-state papers. The papers which were purchased with lottery funds were the non-state papers.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 17 May,Official Report, column 270 on the value of the Churchill archive, what advice he received from each of the bodies listed, the individual historians and relevant institutions as to the appropriate monetary value of the papers. [25600]

  Mr. Dorrell
  My answer of 17 May related to a question about the historical significance of the papers. As to the value, the National Heritage Memorial Fund took independent advice from a different source; this was from a well respected dealer in the field of antiquarian books.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if the Churchill papers are fully catalogued. [25154]

  Mr. Dorrell
  An outline catalogue is available at Churchill college, Cambridge, and at the national register of archives in Chancery lane.

  Work on a detailed catalogue began at Churchill college in 1991. It is expected to take a further five years to complete.

  British Broadcasting Corporation
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage to what extent the closure of BBC Radio CWR and other local radio stations will affect the BBC's statutory obligations in its charter. [25230]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The BBC's royal charter requires the corporation to provide such broadcasting services and facilities as may be required by any licence granted to, or any agreement made with, the BBC by the Secretary of State. Under the terms of the annex to its current licence and agreement the board of governors recognises that the BBC has a duty to undertake to provide a properly balanced service displaying a wide range of subject 648
  matter. Subject to meeting this obligation, it is for the BBC to decide how best to allocate its resources.

  Mr. Jim Cunnigham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many licences have been issued to private radio stations to replace those stations that will be reduced or merged by the BBC. [25229]

  Mr. Dorrell
  It is for the Radio Authority to determine the pattern for licensing independent local radio stations.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussions he has had with the BBC management following the decisions to close BBC Radio CWR and other local BBC radio stations, in respect of the transparency of the BBC's decision-making progress. [25226]

  Mr. Dorrell
  None. The transparency of the BBC's decision-making process is a subject which is being reviewed in the context of discussions about its new charter and agreement.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make it his policy to demand full disclosure of the BBC's future financial plans with particular regard to(a) programme production and (b) local services. [25227]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The White Paper on the future of the BBC proposed that the BBC should publish objectives for each of its services and for programme production, and should undertake public consultation prior to making any material change to the nature of its services.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many local radio stations are to be merged with other radio stations; and if he will list the radio stations that will be merged or lose their licence to broadcast. [25228]

  Mr. Dorrell
  These are matters for the BBC and the Radio Authority. It is for the BBC to determine what local radio services it will provide and for the Radio Authority to license and oversee the development of independent local radio.

  Tourism-related Regulations
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list all those tourism-related regulations that have been amended or repealed as part of the Government's deregulation initiative. [24138]

  Mr. Dorrell
  A complete list of regulations amended or repealed which affect the tourist industry could only be assembled at disproportionate cost, but progress has been made in several of the key areas identified during my Department's inquiry into regulatory burdens on tourism. Examples include food hygiene regulation, road signposting and the Electricity at Work Regulations. We are continuing to follow up a number of issues made to me in the course of the inquiry.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the arts and sports bodies in the London borough of Ealing to which grants have been given from national lottery proceeds; what sum of money was involved in each case; and if he will make a statement. [24811]

  Mr. Dorrell
  There have as yet been no national lottery awards made to arts or sports organisations based in the London borough of Ealing.
  649
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will summarise the criteria used for the allocation of national lottery money in Wales. [24841]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The national lottery distributing bodies operating in Wales have each developed their own eligibility criteria for lottery funding, within the framework provided by the directions made under section 26 of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, and the individual bodies' governing legislation. Copies of the directions have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how he expects the national museums of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to benefit from national lottery money; and if he will make a statement. [24842]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The national museums of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are eligible for national lottery funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will consider relaxing the restrictions for the national lottery on publishing information about the district in which a winning ticket was sold. [25579]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]Protection of winners' anonymity is a section 5 licence condition and therefore a matter for the director general of the national lottery. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures he plans to enable the owners of unclaimed winning lottery tickets to come forward. [25580]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]This is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. I have therefore asked the director general of the national lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the lottery, to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Library of the House.

  Historic Documents
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what special training is given to persons who have responsibility for assessing the historical significance of documents held by his Department. [23282]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Training in assessing the historical significance of departmental records is carried out under the guidance of the keeper of public records. It is provided in a number of different ways, including courses on the appraisal of records and through conferences and seminars arranged by the Public Record Office.

  Rural Economy
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his estimate of the net annual financial saving, or cost, of his Department's submission for the proposed White Paper on the Rural Economy. [24328]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Proposals for the rural White Paper remain subject to continuing collective consideration and discussion. The cost of measures contained in the White Paper will be taken into account in the Public Expenditure Survey.

  VE Day
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to congratulate the staff of the royal parks for their part in the VE day commemorations; and if he will make a statement. 24123]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The VE day commemorations in Hyde park were a great success and I am conveying appropriate congratulations and thanks to all those involved in the organisation of the events, including staff of the Royal Parks Agency.

  Evidence to Select Committees
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, what training his civil servants receive in preparation to give evidence to select committees with special reference to(a) watching a video, (b) written information and (c) oral information. [25577]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]Training is available from the Civil Service College for those civil servants who are likely to appear in person to give evidence. A number of senior civil servants in my Department have already attended such courses.

  A copy of the Cabinet Office guidance "Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees" is sent to all grade 5s and above in my Department. Copies of the guidance are available in the House Libraries.

  Welsh Fourth Channel
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, columns 148–50, to the right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones) if he will state the basis for the Beastall report's conclusions that all five intermediary companies used were genuinely trading; what checks were made with Companies House and each company's auditors with respect to annual reports and accounts pertinent to that issue; and if he will make a statement. [25698]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]Mr. Beastall's concern was to check that the companies involved had not been created merely as vehicles for sponsorship payments. His conclusion that they were genuinely trading was based on evidence from S4C, the proprietors of the companies and, in some cases, ABSA that they were engaged in film, video or programme production or related activities at the time that the sponsorship payments were made.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 16 May to the right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones),Official Report, columns 148–50, what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Fourth Channel Authority concerning the date on which the disciplinary action was taken against the member of S4C in relation to the Pengwyn Pine issue; and what form the disciplinary action took. [25267]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]I have had no discussions with the chairman of the Welsh Fourth Channel Authority on this topic. The timing and form of any disciplinary action is a matter for S4C.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 16 May to the right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones),Official Report, columns 148–50, what proposals he has

  651
  for submitting a report to the Comptroller and Auditor-General; and if he will make a statement on the accountability of the Welsh Fourth Channel Authority to the Committee of Public Accounts. [25266]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]A copy of the report by Mr. John Beastall has been sent to the Comptroller and Auditor General. The chief executive of S4C is designated as the accounting officer for payments made to S4C under the Broadcasting Act 1990. He may be called upon to appear before the Committee of Public Accounts.

  Tourism (EC Funding)
  Mr. Hawksley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if private sector applications are eligible for moneys under European structural fund objective 5B, priority 3 measure 3.1 in the tourism sector. [24581]

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  European regional development fund grants in the tourism sector are covered in all the UK objective 5b single programming documents, although the precise priorities and measures involved vary. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Lester) today, on new rules on private sector involvement in ERDF projects. Tourism projects are treated in the same way as other projects.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Governors
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 May,Official Report, column 17, what steps are being taken to recruit more members of the ethnic minorities to governor grades. [25530]

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 24 May 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the recruitment of members of the ethnic minorities to the prison governor grades.
  During a voluntary survey of staff ethnic origins, four members of the governor grades indicated that they were members of the ethnic minorities. There are a further 520 members of the prison officer grades of ethnic minority origin, who have an avenue of promotion into the governor grades. We expect that the currently small number of governor grades from ethnic minority backgrounds will increase over time, as some of these officers progress through the ranks under the normal arrangements for promotion. The Prison Service is continuing to try and increase the level of recruitment to the prison officer grades from ethnic minority groups.
  The Prison Service's Acceleration Promotion Scheme is attempting to recruit ethnic minority graduates by a range of means. We have taken part in a mentoring scheme with one of the London universities, which arranges for black and Asian students to shadow a manager from the ethnic minorities, and an undergraduate is shortly to be sponsored by the Prison Service through the Windsor Fellowship Scheme. Last autumn, the Accelerated Promotion Scheme's national recruitment campaign placed advertisements in ethnic minority newspapers—The Voice, The Weekly Journal, Asian Times and Eastern Eye—as well as in the national
  652
  broadsheets. Advertising is also placed in careers publications aimed specifically at ethnic minority undergraduates, such as Hobsons' Racial Equality Casebook and Kaleidoscope, both of which are circulated widely among universities and community relations organisations. Attempts will be made late this year to target universities with high numbers of black and Asians students, where we hope to offer presentations outlining career options in the Prison Service, under both the Accelerated Promotion Scheme and more generally.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what number of prison governors, by grade, are women. [25531]

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

  Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 24 May 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of female governors in the Prison Service.
  As at 1 May 1995 there are 1,020 staff employed in governor grades, of whom 96 (9.4%) are women. Broken down by grade the numbers are as follows:

  Grade

  Number of women in grade (%)

  Total number of staff in grade

  Governor 1

  2 (4.4%)

  46

  Governor 2

  5 (6.7%)

  75

  Governor 3

  16 (12.7%)

  126

  Governor 4

  37 (12%)

  309

  Governor 5

  26 (7.8%)

  429

  Governor 5 (APS)1

  10 (28.6%)

  35

  1 Accelerated Promotion Scheme, the Prison Service's fast-track management development scheme.

  The number of female governing governors has increased steadily over the last few years.

  There are now eight male establishments and four female establishments where the governing governor is a woman. These are:

  Bullingdon

  Bullwood Hall (f)

  East Sutton Park (f)

  Erlestoke

  Holloway (f)

  Kirklevington

  Low Newton

  The Mount

  Norwich

  Pucklechurch (f)

  Swinfen Hall

  Woodhill

  The controller at Buckley Hall, a contracted prison, is a woman.

  Lotteries
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will summarise the outcome of the Schindler case concerning the United Kingdom's ban on EC lotteries before the European Court of Justice, and its practical effects. [25763]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The judgment in the Schindler case was delivered by the European Court of Justice on 24 March 1994.

  The court found that the importation of lottery advertisements and tickets into a member state relates to a service within the meaning of the treaty of Rome and that the UK lotteries legislation is an obstacle to the freedom to provide this service. However, the court also

  653
  found that the aims of the UK legislation were to protect the users of the service as well as consumers generally and social order, and that such aims justified the restrictions on the freedom to provide services.

  The practical effect of the judgment has been the continued ability of the UK to ban advertising and promotion of lotteries not permitted by our legislation, including those operating in other member states, under section 2 of the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976.

  Job Losses
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many posts were lost in(a) the Home Office and (b) agencies for which the Home Office 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. [25075]

  Mr. Howard
  Changes in the numbers of posts are not recorded centrally. Consequently the information sought could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Staff in post information can be found in the annual publication "Civil Service Statistics" and in annex 4 of the Department's annual report, Cm 2508, both of which are available in the Library.

  Action Against Crime Pack
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of publishing the Action Against Crime pack; and what proportion of this represents the time spent by his officials. [25151]

  Mr. Howard
  For information on the cost of publication, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Ms Primarolo) on 24 April,Official Report, column 385. The pack was drafted by my officials from existing material in the course of their normal duties and was not costed separately.

  Prisons (Market Testing)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on the selection of prisons for market testing. [26488]

  Mr. Howard
  In August last year, the Prison Service announced a shortlist of establishments which were either poor performers or had been judged to have particular scope for improvement. The Prisons Board intended to select for market testing one or two establishments from this list, but in an attempt to resolve a complaint to the central arbitration committee about this process, selection was deferred.

  The central arbitration committee heard the complaint 1 February and published its determination 27 March. I will place a copy in the Library. The Prison Service is today responding to the central arbitration committee
  654
  determination by providing some additional information about the basis on which the short list was prepared.

  Because of this regrettable delay, the information on which the present short list was prepared is now out of date. A fresh selection process will instead be conducted in due course.

  Prisoner Transfers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been transferred from prisons in the mainland UK to prisons in Northern Ireland and Ireland over the past 10 years. [25401]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]The number of prisoners transferred from prisons in England and Wales to prisons in Northern Ireland over the past 10 years is given in the table. It is not possible for prisoners to be transferred to prisons in the Republic of Ireland because although the Irish Republic has signed the Council of Europe convention it has not yet ratified it.

  Transfer of prisoners to Northern Ireland

  Year

  Number

  1984

  1

  1985

  4

  1986

  2

  1987

  3

  1988

  5

  1989

  17

  1990

  13

  1991

  25

  1992

  26

  1993

  7

  1994

  19

  Foundation for Business Responsibilities
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the fraud division at the Crown Prosecution Service has to investigate the affairs of the Foundation for Business Responsibilities. [24702]

  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply.

  The investigation of alleged criminal offences is a police function. The papers submitted to the CPS by the deputy leader of the opposition of Westminster city council will be referred to the police.

  Derek Bentley
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the report submitted to his Department by the investigating officer on behalf of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis regarding inconsistencies in the evidence, including evidence not available to the court or the public, relating to the case of Derek Bentley. [24936]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question of 18 May,Official Report, column 363.

  Regulation-making Powers: Responsibility for Review
  Regulation-making Powers: Responsibility for Review
  MoD Property: Listing of Churches and Chapels
  MoD Property: Listing of Churches and Chapels
  European Military Satellite Programmes: UK Participation
  European Military Satellite Programmes: UK Participation
  The Samaritans: Funding
  The Samaritans: Funding
  Immigration Act: Conditions of Detention
  Immigration Act: Conditions of Detention
  Crimes Committed Overseas: UK Prosecutions
  Crimes Committed Overseas: UK Prosecutions