Written Answers of 25 May 1995

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Immigration Adjudicators
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many full-time and part-time immigration adjudicators employed by the Immigration Appellate Authority are currently designated as special adjudicators to hear appeals against a refusal of asylum; and what plans he has to increase that number. [26179]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Of the 20 full-time and 91 part-time immigration adjudicators appointed by the Lord Chancellor, 20 and 57 respectively are currently designated as special adjudicators to hear appeals against a refusal of asylum. Increases in the numbers of full-time and part-time immigration adjudicators are planned during the course of 1995.

  It is expected that all full-time immigration adjudicators appointed will be designated as special adjudicators. Increases in the number of part-time immigration adjudicators designated as special adjudicators will be made as they gain sufficient experience of immigration work, the number depending on the work load of the Immigration Appellate Authority.

  Mrs. Kuldip Kaur
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 4 May,Official Report, column 259, concerning Mrs. Kuldip Kaur, what decision was taken by the regional adjudicator on whether her appeal may proceed out of time; and if he will make a statement. [25996]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I now understand that the Immigration Appellate Authority sent copies of the case papers to the former address of Mrs. Kaur's representatives. These were returned by the Post Office undelivered, and as Mrs. Kaur's representatives had not had an opportunity to submit their written observations, a decision was not taken by the adjudicator on 12 May.

  The case papers have now been sent to Mrs. Kaur's representatives at their current address. I apologise for the delay to Mrs. Kaur's case and confirm that it is now due to be placed before the regional adjudicator on 23 June.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the day and exact time when his Department's press office released copies of the Green Paper on legal aid published on 17 May to(a) legal correspondents of the broadsheet newspapers, (b) the Bar Council, (c) the Law Society, (d) the National Association of Citizen's Advice Bureaux, (e) the National Consumer Council, (f) the Consumers' Association, (g) the Law Centres' Federation and (h) the Legal Action Group; and if he will make a statement. [26020]
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  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's Department's press office invited representatives of the media, including the legal correspondents of the broadsheet newspapers, to collect one copy each of the Green Paper on legal aid, embargoed for 16.00 on 17 May, from the Department's headquarters building at 11.15 on 17 May. Representatives of the Bar Council, the Law Society, the National Association of Citizen's Advice Bureaux, the National Consumer Council, the Law Centres' Federation, and the Legal Action Group received advance copies on the same basis. A copy of the Green Paper on legal aid was sent to the Consumers' Association by post on 17 May.

DEFENCE

  Chinook Crash, Mull of Kintyre
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the results of the inquiry into the Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre on 2 June 1994. [26619]

  Mr. Soames
  The circumstances of this tragic accident have been the subject of a most exhaustive investigation. The proceedings are now almost complete and I hope to release the findings by the middle of June. A summary will be placed in the Library of the House in the usual way.

  Defence Postal and Courier Services
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to rationalise the activities of the Defence Postal and Courier Services agency. [26751]

  Mr. Soames
  As part of "Front Line First", my Department announced its intention to integrate departmental mail services, rationalise vehicle fleets, provide better training of all personnel and set up a strategic management structure across all three services.

  These proposals were explained in a consultative document issued on 9 March 1995. No objections to the proposals were received during the consultation period, and I have therefore decided that we shall begin work on rationalising the mail and courier operations of the Department. A number of activities previously carried out at several separate locations in the centre of London will be rationalised, and concentrated at the British forces post office site, in Mill Hill, north-west London. This will involve the main MOD mail sorting operation and the Defence Postal and Courier Service terminal centred on St. Giles court, London WC2, and mail and courier vehicles currently located at Regents Park barracks.

  Inglis barracks, Mill Hill is the headquarters of the Defence Postal and Courier Service agency and will absorb the additional personnel management and training commitment implicit in the rationalisation.

  We will of course continue to consult staff and trade unions about the detailed implementation of this rationalisation.

  Royal Marines School of Music, Deal
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has concluded its consideration of the future of the Royal Marines school of music, Deal; and if he will make a statement. [26693]

  Mr. Soames
  Our proposal to transfer the Royal Marines school of music from Deal was announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 14 July 1994,Official Report, column 1171. A consultation document was issued on 17 October. We have considered very carefully all the representations made during the consultation period.

  I can now announce that we have decided to confirm the preferred option contained in the consultative document. The Royal Marines school of music will therefore transfer from Deal to Portsmouth, by spring 1966, where it will be housed in the Royal Naval detention quarters. They will not be required for their present purpose from the autumn of this year, and can be refurbished at modest cost to adapt them for the Royal Marines school of music.

  The move will result in significant savings for the Defence budget. The closure of the stand-alone site at Deal, which is far too large for its present purpose, and the removal of the school to within the perimeter of the larger naval base at Portsmouth will save about £3 million per year in support costs. No significant additional support costs will be incurred at Portsmouth where the naval base has adequate infrastructure to absorb the relatively small school of music. The case for the transfer of the Royal Marines school of music has been thoroughly discussed with all interested parties including the hon. Member for Dover (Mr. Shaw), who has represented his constituents' views with understandable vigour. Indeed, of the many measures arising as a result of the "Defence Costs Study", the decision to close the Royal Marines school of music at Deal is one taken only with the greatest regret and in view of the clear financial case. We fully recognise the warm and close relationship which has grown up between the people of Deal and the Royal Marines in an association which dates back to 1664. I know that successive generations of recruits have been grateful for the friendliness and support they have received.

  Advisers
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the names of the individuals who were recruited from outside the civil service and the military to advise him on "Options for Change" and "Front Line First", respectively. [26143]

  Mr. Freeman
  No external advisers were recruited for "Options for Change". For external advisers on "Front Line First", I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley) gave to the hon. Member for Leyton (Mr. Cohen) on 29 April 1994,Official Report, column 399.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his previous paid special adviser, Perry Miller, underwent security clearance. [26146]

  Mr. Rifkind
  Yes.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what restrictions on future employment were made when Perry Miller was recruited as his special adviser. [26142]
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  (2) what written agreement on the scope of employment to be undertaken by Perry Miller when he left his Department as special adviser was reached with his private sector employer. [26144]

  Mr. Rifkind
  None, as special advisers are at present explicitly excluded from the business appointments rules.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his unpaid adviser, David Hart, underwent security clearance. [26147]

  Mr. Rifkind
  Mr. Hart has been subject to the checks necessary to permit him from time to time to have access to classified information.

  Trident
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assurances were provided by his Department to Devonport Management Ltd. in relation to the refitting of Trident submarines; and if he will make a statement; [26130]

  (2) what is his Department's policy concerning the location of the refitting of Trident submarines; and what change there has been in his Department's policy in the last two years; [26132]

  (3) what recent discussions he has had with Babcock International concerning the refitting of Trident submarines. [26131]

  Mr. Freeman
  It was announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 24 June 1993,Official Report, column 447, that, subject to satisfactory contractual negotiations, refitting of Trident submarines will be undertaken at Devonport. Contractual negotiations are continuing, the details of which are commercially confidential, and no assurances have been provided to Devonport Management Ltd. There has been no change to that policy and Babcock International has no involvement of which I am aware with the provision of nuclear facilities at Devonport.

  Anti-ballistic Missile Defence System
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on the development of a European anti-ballistic missile defence system. [26128]

  Mr. Freeman
  The UK is currently considering whether a requirement exists for ballistic missile defence and this will be informed by the programme of pre-feasibility studies which I announced in the House on 18 October 1994, at columns 239–400. This assessment will include opportunities for European collaboration.

  Royal Welch Fusiliers, Gorazde
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Royal Welch Fusiliers based in Gorazde have(a) an adequate supply of fuel and (b) adequate stocks of food. [26252]

  Mr. Soames
  Yes, although restrictions on the movement of convoys to and from Gorazde have limited the use of fuel to essential tasks.
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  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the date of the three most recent deliveries of mail to the Royal Welch Fusiliers based in Gorazde. [26251]

  Mr. Soames
  On 21 April, 28 April and 19 May.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the morale of the Royal Welch Fusiliers based in Gorazde; and if he will make a statement. [26124]

  Mr. Soames
  The British contingent in Gorazde is in good spirits and morale is high. Regular contact is maintained with the base and the situation is closely monitored.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the Royal Welch Fusiliers based in Gorazde are under water rationing; and if water is available for washing purposes; [26250]

  (2) if the Royal Welch Fusiliers based in Gorazde are under water rationing; and if water is available for washing purposes. [26250]

  Mr. Soames
  In order to preserve fuel, the water purification plant at the British base in Gorazde is running at a reduced rate and consequently some rationing of purified water has been introduced. However, supplies are being supplemented with sterilised water and adequate stocks are available. Water is also freely available for washing purposes.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the(a) leave roster for the Royal Welch Fusiliers based in Gorazde and (b) backlog in the granting of leave to members of the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Gorazde; [26122]

  (2) what effect recent fighting in Gorazde has had on the granting of leave to members of the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Gorazde. [26123]

  Mr. Soames
  Restrictions on the movement of UN personnel to and from Gorazde have caused some difficulties for the leave roster of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. There are currently some 42 personnel with a backlog of leave which they are expected to be able to take before the end of their current tour of duty.

  Nimrod Aircraft
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which company is responsible for the maintenance and support of the Nimrod aircraft which crashed off the coast of Scotland on 16 May; when the contract with the company commenced; how many of his Department's aircraft are maintained by this company; who was responsible for the maintenance and support of the Nimrod aircraft before this contract came into force; and if he will list the dates and circumstances of any previous accidents involving Nimrod aircraft in the last five years. [26090]

  Mr. Soames
  Maintenance and servicing of RAF Nimrod aircraft is currently undertaken by RAF personnel at the Nimrod major servicing unit at RAF Kinloss. As a result of the "Competing for Quality" initiative, the work of the NMSU has been market tested and FRA Serco will assume responsibility for Nimrod servicing next month.
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  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the conclusion of the investigation into the recent crash off Scotland of a Nimrod aircraft; if he will place a copy of the report in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [26126]

  Mr. Soames
  A RAF board of inquiry was convened immediately after the accident; it is not, however, expected to report for some time. A copy of the summary of the inquiry's findings will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the base of the Nimrod which recently crashed off the Scottish coast; what operational duties it was carrying out at the time of the crash; and how many crew were on board the aircraft. [26089]

  Mr. Soames
  The Nimrod aircraft which ditched in the Moray firth on 16 May 1995 was based at RAF Waddington. It was engaged in a post-servicing air test. A total of seven crew were on board.

  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft his Department possesses; what was the total cost of purchase of the aircraft; and where the aircraft are stationed. [26125]

  Mr. Freeman
  There are 26 operational Nimrod MR2 aircraft, including two in use reserves plus four spares. All are stationed at RAF Kinloss. The original total cost of these aircraft is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes to his Department's policy on a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty have been made in the last four years. [26176]

  Mr. Freeman
  For many years, HMG have been committed to achieving the conclusion of an effective and verifiable comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. We welcomed in August 1993 the conference on disarmament mandating an ad hoc committee on a nuclear test ban to negotiate such a treaty. We have kept our policy under close review and, for example, on 6 April this year announced in the conference on disarmament that we have now accepted that there should be no exemption in the draft treaty for tests in exceptional circumstances.

  Office Accommodation
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he maintains a record of the total office area of his Department's main building on Whitehall which remains unused. [26175]

  Mr. Freeman
  My Department does record office accommodation which becomes temporarily vacant in main building. This record is updated on a regular basis.

  Compulsory Drug Tests
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Army have taken part in compulsory drug tests; how many of these were positive drug tests and what has happened to these people; if individuals or units are selected for compulsory drug tests; which units have had compulsory drug tests; and how people are selected for compulsory drug tests. [26082]

  Mr. Soames
  At present, 4,420 officers and soldiers have provided specimens of urine as part of the
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  compulsory drug testing programme. To date, 21 soldiers have tested positive; and of these, 15 have been either discharged or recommended for discharge; two are recommended to be given formal warnings, one of whom it is also recommended should be reduced in rank; two have elected for premature voluntary release; a decision on the remaining two is awaited. Units or sub-units have been selected at random, and individuals within them have been chosen by random selection of surname initial. The units and sub-units selected are as follows:

  Ministry of Defence, (Army department Main Building)

  Headquarters Northern Ireland

  Headquarters 1st (UK) Armoured Division

  Headquarters 42nd (Northern Western) Brigade

  Headquarters Herford Garrison

  Headquarters Lisburn Station

  Headquarters Joint Support Group Northern Ireland

  16 Air Defence Regiment Royal Artillery

  47th Field Regiment Royal Artillery

  33 Engineer Regiment Royal Engineers

  1st (UK) Armoured Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment

  15th Signal Regiment

  16th Signal Regiment

  241 Signal Squadron

  253 Signal Squadron

  Joint Communications Unit (Northern Ireland)

  1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards

  1st Battalion The Scots Guards

  1st Battalion The Kings Own Scottish Borderers

  1st Battalion The Queens Lancashire Regiment

  1st Battalion The Highlanders

  2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment

  9th Regiment Army Air Corp

  5 Airborne Brigade Combat Services Support Battalion

  12 Supply Regiment Royal Logistic Corp

  15 Supply Regiment Royal Logistic Corp

  21 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corp

  221 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron Royal Logistic Corp

  321 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron Royal Logistic Corp

  5 Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corp

  Army Pay and Documentation Office (Northern Ireland)

  Royal Military Police Training Centre Chichester

  2nd Regiment Royal Military Police

  74 Provost Company Royal Military Police

  115 Provost Company Royal Military Police

  36 Detachment Special Investigation Branch Royal Military Police

  32 Army Education Centre

  45 Army Education Centre

  Education Services

  7 Dental Group

  9 Dental Group

  Garrison Labour Support Unit Herford, Germany

  Army Families and Welfare Services Herford, Germany

  Army Careers and Information Office Herford, Germany

  Station Services Office Herford, Germany

  Where parts of the units only are to be tested, individuals are selected by random selection based on surname initials. The selection involves the commanding officer and the drug testing officer completing separately a matrix. One matrix lists initials and the other contains numbers. Once completed, one matrix is then placed on the top of the other, and the surname initials are listed in order of priority according to the random selection. Personnel are then tested until the number of specimens
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  allocated for testing that day are collected. If a whole unit is to be tested, as has been the policy since the beginning of March, the unit is selected by my Department at random from those available, and all personnel in barracks on that day are tested.

  Western European Union
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy concerning the creation of a WEU military satellite capability; and if he will make a statement. [26127]

  Mr. Soames
  The Western European Union is currently studying the possibilities of co-operation on a military satellite capability. The United Kingdom is contributing fully to that work. No decisions have yet been taken.

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy in respect of nuclear test veterans, and if he will make a statement. [26177]

  Mr. Soames
  Over a period of more than 40 years from the atmospheric nuclear tests in the 1950s and early 1960s, up to the end of 1990, there has been no overall excess of death and malignant disease among British nuclear test veterans. Out of over 20,000 veterans studies by the National Radiological Protection Board, more than 3,000 would have died, over 900 of them from cancer, if the veterans had suffered the same death and cancer rates as members of the public in the same age groups. In fact, fewer than 2,800 veterans died, fewer than 800 of them from cancer, these figures being no higher than for the matched control group in the NRPB study. These facts do not sustain a case for compensation.

  Manpower Reductions
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is to be the percentage fall in the manpower strength of(a) the Army, (b) the Royal Air Force and (c) the Royal Navy between January 1990 and the completion of his Department's plans under the "Options for Change" and "Front Line First" initiatives. [26129]

  Mr. Soames
  The percentage fall in manpower strength of the Army, Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy on completion of MOD's plans under "Options for Change" and the "Front Line First" initiatives will depend on such factors as recruiting and turnover of personnel. Some of the "Front Line First" initiatives are still being considered. Manpower forecasts indicate that by 1995–96, manpower strengths will have fallen by 26 per cent, in the Army, 24 per cent, in the Royal Air Force and 21 per cent, for the Royal Navy since January 1990. These figures include some of the "Options for Change" measures already implemented.

  Gibraltar Garrison
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) of 20 December 1994,Official Report, column 1535, how many people have benefited from the tailored training courses provided by the Ministry of Defence for those affected by the drawdown of the Gibraltar garrison; and if he will make a statement. [26267]
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  Mr. Soames
  To ease the impact of reductions in the garrison, the Ministry of Defence in Gibraltar provides training and retraining opportunities for its locally entered civilian staff. Courses are conducted either internally or by employing external educational authorities for vocational training. They include driver instruction, information technology, management, administration and engineering, all of which are recognised by the Gibraltar Government as valuable skills for future employment. Some 250 personnel have so far benefited from these training initiatives.

  EC Explanatory Memoranda
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many explanatory memoranda on EC proposals his Department has prepared since 19 July 1993; and for how many explanatory memoranda on EC proposals compliance cost assessments have been drawn up. [25799]

  Mr. Freeman
  None.

  Building Works
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for each piece of work subject to a building process under the auspices of(a) the Ministry of Defence and (b) agencies for which the Ministry of Defence is responsible, where work was carried out, who were the successful bidders, and which contracts were won by in-house bidders in (1) 1993–94 and (2) 1994–95 and (3) 1995–96. [25498]

  Mr. Freeman
  The MOD assumed responsibility for the management and procurement of its works services from the PSA in April 1990. This was a new sphere of activity for the Department for which it had no in-house capacity. To meet this requirement, MOD set up Defence Works Services to act as its intelligent customer capability.

  All of the information requested is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, it is possible to provide details of works contracts placed by my Department for construction projects, each costing more than £24,000, excluding VAT.

  Contracts

  Value (inc. VAT) £ million

  a)1993–94

  568

  720

  b) 1994–95

  479

  545

  c) 1995–96

  22

  125

  Note:

  1 April 1995 only.

  My Department has no in-house capability for construction contracts and therefore there are no in-house bids.

  Details of MOD works requirements are published fortnightly in the "Works Services Opportunities" bulletin—an example of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library—which is widely available on subscription.

  Retirements and Redundancies
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people in(a) the Defence Department and (b) agencies for which the Defence Department is
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  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 is the projected figure for 1995–96. [25475]

  Mr. Freeman
  Details of staff who left my Department early are set out in the table. Records held centrally do not distinguish between staff of individual top level budgets or agencies, or terms of redundancy. Such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Our present plans assume that more than 2,000 staff will leave under early retirement or redundancy terms in 1995–96.

  Year

  Early retirement

  Redundancy

  Ill-health retirement

  1993–94

  399

  2,639

  1,200

  1994–95

  166

  3,058

  1,120

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [25663]

  Mr. Freeman
  The costs to my Department of early retirement and redundancies are borne from the running costs provision. A detailed breakdown of the various costs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The total costs borne on my Department's running costs in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were £62 million and £59 million respectively. For 1995–96, the amount is estimated at £51 million. Projections for 1996–97 will be determined during the coming public expenditure survey.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many posts were lost in(a) the Defence Department and (b) agencies for which the Defence Department is responsible, listing the total lost posts agency by agency for (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and how many posts are proposed to be lost in 1995–96. [25085]

  Mr. Freeman
  Historical information on posts lost is not kept centrally by my Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The total number of permanent UK-based posts which it is estimated will be lost in 1995–96 is some 6,000.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what changes there have been in the numbers of staff employed by(a) the Ministry of Defence and (b) agencies for which the Ministry of Defence 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; [25066]

  (2) how many staff of (a) the Defence Department and (b) agencies for which the Defence Department 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; [25482]

  (3) what changes there have been in the number of staff in employment by grade in (a) his Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25555]
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  Mr. Freeman
  The numbers of permanent and casual staff employed by my Department in 1993–94, projected outturn for 1994–95, and plans for 1995–96 are published annually in the departmental report by the Ministry of Defence, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  No projections broken down by grade are available.

  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work on the Iranian desk of the Defence Export Services Organisation. [26134]

  Mr. Freeman
  The DESO does not have a desk responsible specifically for Iran. Inquiries are handled by a section of three people, who are also responsible for seven other countries.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Intergovernmental Conference on Political Union
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in respect of the intergovernmental conference on political union convened by the European Council at its meeting in Dublin on 25 and 26 June 1990, he will state(a) the date and location of each meeting, (b) the names of those representing the United Kingdom, (c) the relevant duration of each meeting and (d) which parts of the draft treaty on political union (i) were, and (ii) were not incorporated into the draft treaty on European Union signed at Maastricht on 9 and 10 December 1991.

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 7 March 1995]: Ministerial meetings were held on the following dates as part of the 1990–91 intergovernmental conference on political union:

  Date

  Representative

  Location

  1990

  15 December

  (Formal Opening of IGC) Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary

  Rome

  1991

  4–5 February

  Foreign Secretary

  Brussels

  4 March

  Foreign Secretary and the right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)

  Brussels

  26 March

  (Informal Foreign Ministers meeting) Foreign Secretary

  Luxembourg

  8 April

  (Special European Council) Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary

  Luxembourg

  15 April

  Right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)

  Luxembourg

  27–28 April

  (Informal Foreign Ministers meeting) Foreign Secretary

  Luxembourg

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  Date

  Representative

  Location

  13–14 May

  Foreign Secretary and the right hon. Member for Watford (Mr.Garel-Jones)

  Brussels

  3 June

  (Informal Foreign Ministers meeting) Foreign Secretary

  Dresden

  17–18 June

  Foreign Secretary

  Luxembourg

  23 June

  Right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)

  Luxembourg

  28–29 June

  (European Council) Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary

  Luxembourg

  29–30 July

  Right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)

  Brussels

  30 September

  Foreign Secretary and the right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)

  Brussels

  5–6 October

  (Informal Foreign Ministers meeting) Foreign Secretary

  The Hague

  28 October

  Right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)

  Brussels

  4–5 November

  Foreign Secretary and the right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)

  Brussels

  12–13 November

  Foreign Secretary and the right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)

  The Hague

  2–3 December

  Foreign Secretary and the right hon. Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones)

  Brussels

  9–10 December

  (European Council) Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary

  Maastricht

  This was an on-going negotiation, none of which was finalised until the Maastricht European Council on 10 December 1991, following which the treaty on European Union was signed at Maastricht on 7 February 1992.

  Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy in respect of the recommendations made in the European Parliament's motion on the extension of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, adopted on 5 April, relating to(a) nuclear weapon states opening all their nuclear facilities to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency, (b) the creation of an international office to control plutonium and highly enriched uranium, (c) nuclear weapon states declaring that they will refrain from the first use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states, (d) for the conference of disarmament to begin negotiations on a nuclear weapons convention, (e) for the nuclear weapons states to agree a timetable and funding for fulfilling their obligations under article VI of the

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  nuclear non-proliferation treaty and (f) for the creation of a nuclear weapons register; and if he will list those recommendations which Her Majesty's Government (i) support and (ii) do not support.

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 4 May 1995]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs made a statement on the nuclear non-proliferation treaty review and extension conference on 16 May. Our civil nuclear facilities are subject to international safeguards. We do not support any of the other recommendations.

  European Union
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which east European states he expects to be eligible for EEC membership; what timetable he envisages; and what size of fishing fleet each of these states has. [25381]

  Mr. David Davis
  The Copenhagen European Council in 1993 agreed that the associated countries of central and eastern Europe that so desired would become members of the European Union. Their accessions would take place once they were able to assume the obligations of membership. The present associates are Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria. Similar association agreements are expected to be signed with the Baltic states at the 12 June Foreign Affairs Council, and another is being negotiated with Slovenia.

  According to the latest FAO figures, for 1992, the Polish fishing fleet has 521 vessels, 249,079 gross tonnage; the Bulgarian, 38 vessels, 86,600 gross tonnage; the Latvian, 141 vessels, 343,236 gross tonnage; the Lithuanian, 162 vessels, 236,268 gross tonnage; the Estonian, 249 vessels, 180,921 gross tonnage; and, according to 1989 OECD figures, the Romanian fleet has 106 vessels, 237,457 gross tonnage. Figures are not available for Slovenia.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the specific contributions to the nation's security which arise from membership of the European Union which are not adequately covered by membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the Western European Union, the United Nations and Organisation of Security and Co-operation. [25770]

  Mr. David Davis
  The security of the United Kingdom is enhanced by the contribution that membership of the European Union makes to our prosperity. It benefits from intergovernmental co-operation under the Maastricht treaty in the fields of justice and home affairs, especially with respect to fighting cross-border crime and drug trafficking. Our participation in the common foreign and security policy enables us to exercise greater influence in foreign affairs, including relations with Russia, Ukraine and central and eastern Europe.

  National Minorities
  Sir Donald Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 March,Official Report, column 731, what further actions are necessary prior to ratification by the United Kingdom of the Council of Europe framework convention for the protection of national minorities; when he expects these actions to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [25473]
  668
  Mr. David Davis
  The framework convention accords closely with our national legislation and policies on non-discrimination equality of opportunity, hence our decision in principle to ratify it. There are some technical points which we wish to consider further before ratifying.

  Ms Mukhtaj Bibi
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Ms Mukhtaj Bibi, ref: GV100/21701/VT, is going to be interviewed and the United Kingdom post in Islamabad in connection with her application to enter the United Kingdom. [25990]

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

  Turkey
  Sir Russell Johnston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government to support the proposal of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in recommendation 1266–1995, that the Committee of Ministers should call on Turkey to withdraw its forces from northern Iraq and set a specific timetable for Turkey to bring its constitution and legislation in line with the principles and standards of the Council of Europe; and if he will make a statement. [25860]

  Mr. David Davies
  At its meeting on 11 May, the Committee of Ministers took note of the Parliamentary Assembly's recommendation 1266–1995 on"Turkey's military intervention in norther Iraq and on Turkey's military intervention in northern Iraq and on Turkey's respect of commitments concerning constitutional and legislative reforms",
  and instructed its deputies to prepare a reply.

  We have noted with satisfaction the announcement by the Turkish Government on 4 May that their forces have withdrawn completely form northern Iraq. We are urging the Turkish Government to take equal account of our concerns over democratisation and human rights.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reply he has received to his representation made on 19 April to Foreign Minister Carlos Westendorp about the delays on the Gibraltar-Spain border. [26260]

  Mr. David Davis
  None.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) of 20 December,Official Report, column 1535, what courses of action Her Majesty's Government have taken as a consequence of the deliberations of the Gibraltar joint economic forum; [26268]

  (2) what assistance and advice has been offered to the Gibraltar Government to expand and diversify their economy; and if he will make a statement. [26255]

  Mr. David Davis
  We have provided extensive advice and assistance to the Government of Gibraltar. An economic study, identifying market opportunities which could be exploited by Gibraltar, was supplied in 1993, and another dealing with the impact of MOD drawdown and ways to compensate for that in 1994. In 1994, we set
  669
  up the joint economic forum to consider ways of assisting Gibraltar in the wake of that rundown. We have also negotiated considerable EC structural funds help for Gibraltar. The MOD runs a training programme.

  All this took place against the background of the completion of the 1986 to 1990 development grant, following which the Gibraltar Government have not requested further UK bilateral assistance.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the longest wait and extent of delays for pedestrians and cars in either direction on the Gibraltar-Spain border, for each day since 17 May. [26259]

  Mr. David Davis
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis), of 17 May,Official Report, column 307, if he will amplify on the method by which Her Majesty's Government have stood up for the rights of Gibraltarians in the current border problems; and what is the measure of success to date. [26257]

  Mr. David Davis
  The oral statement of the Minister of State referred to set out the position.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad) of 20 December,Official Report, column 1534, if he has anything to add to his comments about spurious claims by the Spaniards in regard to the success rate of the Royal Gibraltar police in seizing illegal substances. [26265]

  Mr. David Davis
  I have nothing further to add to the remarks made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury, except to add my own congratulations to the splendid achievements of the members of the Royal Gibraltar police. The continued achievements this year are worthy of the highest praise.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current status of the talks under the Brussels process in respect of Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [26254]

  Mr. David Davis
  The last ministerial meeting under the Brussels process took place on 20 December 1994. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer the Minster of State, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg), gave the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr. Shersby) on 10 January 1995,Official Report, column 62.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reply the United Kingdom ambassador to Spain has received following his representations on 21 April to the Spanish Foreign Minister about the delays on the Gibraltar-Spain border. [26261]

  Mr. David Davis
  None. I made clear in my oral statement of 17 May,Official Report, columns 300–7, the attitude of the Spanish Government to the delays at the Spain-Gibraltar frontier remains unacceptable.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad), of 20 December,Official Report, column 1533, if it is Her Majesty's Government's
  670
  policy to abide by the democratically expressed wish of the people of Gibraltar, in respect of their links with the Crown. [26269]

  Mr. David Davis
  Yes. Our commitment remains firm, as set out in the preamble to the 1969 Gibraltar constitution.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 20 December 1994,Official Report, column 1535, what response has been received to the request that the Spanish Government substantiate their allegations that Gibraltar is a money laundering centre. [26188]

  Mr. David Davis
  None.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those European directives which the United Kingdom Government have requested the Gibraltar Government to enact in their legislature. [26263]

  Mr. David Davis
  As in any other part of the EU, the Gibraltar Government must implement all applicable EU legislation.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by the United Kingdom Government to the Spanish Government since 17 May about the delays on the Gibraltar-Spain border; and what replies have been received. [26258]

  Mr. David Davis
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has made our views clear to the Spanish Foreign Minister.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. Goodlad), of 20 December,Official Report, column 1532, if he will detail the protests previously made by Her Majesty's Government to Spain about border controls and delays. [26266]

  Mr. David Davis
  On 1 December 1994, I summoned the Spanish ambassador to express our strong concern at the intrusive and disruptive checks in question; and made clear that they should cease. We also repeatedly and vigorously protested at the highest levels to the Spanish authorities on other occasions.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has in his discussions and communications with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, intimated circumstances where the United Kingdom Government might suspend the Gibraltar constitution or dismiss the Gibraltar Government. [26253]

  Mr. David Davis
  No.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the legislation, other than that derived from European directives, which the United Kingdom Government have requested the Gibraltar Government to enact in their legislature; and if he will detail the reason in each case. [26262]

  Mr. David Davis
  We have asked the Government of Gibraltar to enact a number of pieces of legislation relating to good government and fulfilling the UK's international obligations.
  671
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 December 1994,Official Report, column 1535, what response has been received to the request that the Spanish Government substantiate their allegation that the co-operation of Gibraltar has been refused in respect of combating money laundering. [26189]

  Mr. David Davis
  None. We have asked the Spaniards twice since then at trilateral talks with Gibraltar, and have received no response.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Boothferry, (Mr. Davis), of 17 May,Official Report, column 307, what response has been received in respect of United Kingdom protests at the delays on the Gibraltar-Spain border from (a) the Schengen states, (b) the European Commission, (c) the Schengen secretariat and (d) the Schengen presidency. [26256]

  Mr. David Davis
  We cannot provide details of confidential discussions; but we are confident that our concerns are fully understood by all those to whom we have spoken.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what quantity of illegal substances has been seized by the Royal Gibraltar police in each of the past two years. [26264]

  Mr. David Davis
  In 1993, approximately 1.5 tonnes were seized or found. In 1994, over 2 tonnes were seized or found.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what protests have been made to the Moroccan Government over the arrests of Polisario supporters on 11 and 12 May during a peaceful demonstration; and if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the Western Sahara. [26270]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The UN is investigating the incident and will report to the Security Council. We continue to support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to bring about an early resolution of the dispute concerning the Western Sahara in accordance with the UN's settlement plan.

  Armenia
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he now expects a British embassy to be established in Armenia; and if he will make a statement. [25983]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  We expect our ambassador, Mr. David Miller OBE, to arrive at post in Yerevan by the end of July.

  Iran
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on the export of arms to Iran; and what changes there have been to it there have been in the last two years. [26135]
  672
  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  There have been no changes to our policy on arms exports to Iran since it was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 1 March 1993. We continue to apply the following criteria in considering applications for the export of licensable goods to Iran:

  (i) With two exceptions we should not approve licences for any goods or technology on the military or atomic energy lists— schedule 1, part 3, groups 1 and 2—of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1992, as amended. The exceptions are:

  (a) goods essential for the safety of civil aircraft and air traffic control systems;

  (b) radioactive material in the form of sources for medical equipment and deuterium labelled compounds for medical use.

  (ii) We should not approve licences for any equipment, including the exceptions to the complete ban mentioned above, where there was knowledge or reason to suspect that it would go to a military end-user or be used for military purposes.

  Existing export licences, approved under the old guidelines, will remain valid. We shall support efforts among supplier countries, in particular the G7 and our European partners, to promote a harmonised approach to effective controls on the export of dual-use goods to countries of particular concern.

TRANSPORT

  Smoked Glass Windows (Cars)
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce legislation to prohibit motorcars having smoked glass in their side and rear windows. [25408]

  Mr. Norris
  No. Regulation 32 of Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 already prohibits, with certain limited exceptions, the fitment of excessively dark or smoked glass in the windows of motorcars first used on or after 1 June 1978.

  British Rail Employees (Statutory Rights)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if former employees of British Rail working for a new railway contractor following the privatisation of British Rail will be entitled to statutory redundancy pay and statutory sick pay based upon their cumulative employment under both employers. [25806]

  Mr. Watts
  Provided a move from one employer to another is part of a transfer of an undertaking where employees are transferred with their existing contracts of service to the new undertaking—that is, a transfer to which the provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 apply— then continuity of employment is maintained. This means that employment with both employers counts towards any statutory or contractual entitlements which have a minimum qualifying period or are based on length of service.

  Road Accident Victims (Compensation)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the Road Traffic Acts with a view to providing scope for compensation for the victims of driving offences. [26190]
  673
  Mr. Norris
  There are no plans for such a review.

  Motor Cycle Tests
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many motor cycle testing stations there are in(a) Bradford and (b) Leeds; what is the current waiting list at each of these stations; how many test inspectors are employed at each station; how many hours and on what days each station holds tests; what contingency arrangements are to be introduced if motor cyclists are unable to be tested before the expiry of a provisional licence; and if he will make a statement; [26138]

  (2) what action he is taking to facilitate motor cyclists living in (a) Bradford and Leeds and (b) other parts of West Yorkshire to take any tests they are required to take without undue delay. [26137]

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

  Letter from B. I. Herdan to Mr. Max Madden, dated 25 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your questions about motorcycle tests in Bradford and Leeds.
  The Agency offers motorcycle tests at the centres at Wibsey, Bradford and Horsforth, Leeds. At these centres local demand is such that current waiting times are 2 and 9 weeks respectively. These include test slots provisionally reserved by Approved Training Bodies where payment is required not later than 10 clear working days before the day of the test. Earlier dates may therefore become available at Horsforth if provisionally reserved slots are not taken up, or there are cancellations, and the centre is within reasonable travelling distance of Wibsey where current demand is not so great. There is one motorcycle examiner at each centre who conducts tests three days a week. At Wibsey this is on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and at Horsforth on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. These involve full daily programmes of 8 tests a day.
  Where there is a specific need for an earlier test date, for example the expiry of a provisional licence, our Regional Office in Newcastle which currently deals with the books for West Yorkshire always endeavours to make additional programmes available to meet this need. This will obviously depend on the examiner resources available at the time and the method of notice given by the candidate.

  Lorry Registration
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has that United Kingdom lorry firms are registering their vehicles elsewhere in the European Union; and what loss of revenue is involved. [26027]

  Mr. Norris
  I know of no such evidence.

  A13
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest date when the construction of the new A13 road between the Heath way-Thames avenue and Mardyke-Wennington sections must commence before compensation or penalty payments may be invoked by the promoters of the channel tunnel rail link route; and if he will make a statement. [26026]

  Mr. Watts
  The competition to select the private section promoter is still under way, and the details of the contract between the promoter and the Secretary of State are not yet finalised. However, the environmental statement for the hybrid Bill assumed that these sections of the A13 would be completed before the relevant part of CTRL construction commenced.

  Taxis (Smoking Ban)
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the Government's policy on allowing licensed taxi drivers to ban smoking in their cabs; and what plans the Government have to allow them to do So. [26184]

  Mr. Norris
  Taxi drivers may request passengers not to smoke in their cabs.

  The courts, in interpreting the compellability law, have ruled that the fact that an intending passenger was smoking was not a "reasonable excuse" for the driver to refuse to carry him or her.

  The Government have already announced in "The Health of the Nation" White Paper that they propose to change the law to allow a taxi driver to designate his or her cab as a "no smoking" one and then to refuse passengers that are smoking. This proposal awaits a suitable legislative opportunity.

  Driving Tests
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his letter M/PSO/5928/95 of 1 May, when he expects to complete his assessment of hazard perception tests and to reach decisions about heavy elements in driving tests as required by the second EC directive on driver licensing. [25761]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 24 May 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Mr. Bottomley) on 23 May, Official Report, columns 567–68.

  Double Glazing Grails
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what grants his Department provides for double glazing of residential properties adjacent to motorways where noise levels are unreasonably high. [25033]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]: This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 25 May 1995:
  The Minister for Railways and Roads, John Watts, has asked me to reply to your recent question about the provision of double glazing adjacent to motorways where noise levels are unreasonably high.
  The Highways Agency does not provide specific grants for double glazing of residential properties.
  Owners of properties eligible under the Noise Insulation Regulations 1975 are offered a provision of insulation or grant in lieu in accordance with the relevant specifications set out in Schedule 1 of the Regulations. The regulations specify secondary glazing of existing windows or exceptionally a new replacement double window.

  Bus Services (Complaints)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by traffic area office for each of the last five years the number of complaints received from members of the public regarding the operation of local bus services. [25912]

  Mr. Norris
  The available information is given in the attached table.
  675

  Number of complaints received by Traffic Area Offices from the general public since 1990

  Traffic Area

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  WTA

  84

  53

  87

  101

  105

  SEMTA

  34

  40

  62

  42

  69

  NWTA

  41

  59

  52

  35

  32

  SCOT

  37

  63

  55

  95

  120

  ETA

  98

  103

  76

  71

  109

  NETA

  1220

  1230

  237

  321

  205

  WMTA

  n/a

  n/a

  90

  133

  109

  SWTA

  n/a

  n/a

  96

  60

  110

  Note:

  1 Estimated figures.

  Road Scheme Acquisitions
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what Acts and statutory instruments road scheme acquisitions have or will have been made of(a) housing north and south of the A40 Western avenue in the London borough of Hammersmith and (b) housing on the north side of the A13 Newham way west of its intersection with the A112 Prince Regent land; and in respect of each scheme (i) what are the costs of housing acquisitions and compensations, (ii) what is the total cost of the scheme, (iii) what statutory procedures are outstanding and (iv) what are the firm dates of commencement and completion. [24481]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Nigel Spearing, dated 25 May 1995:
  I have been asked to write to you with the information you requested in your question in the house about the trunk road improvement schemes at A40 Western Circus and A13/A112 Prince Regent Land junctions.
  The Secretary of State for Transport acquires properties for road construction under the Highways Act 1980, the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 and the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 and, in planning blight cases, under the Town and Country Planning act 1990. He pays compensation for the properties acquired under the Land Compensation Acts 1961 and 1973.
  The Highways Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of State, requires (a) houses north and south of the A40 for the trunk road improvement scheme at Western Circus in the Borough of Hammersmith and (b) houses north of A13 Newham Way to the west of A112 Prince Regent Land for the improvement of the A13/A112 junction.
  (1) The total cost of the housing and compensation for these properties is estimated for (a) at £3.1 million and for (b) £3.4 million.
  (ii) The total estimated costs of the schemes are (a) £48 million and (b) £40 million; including costs already incurred of £10 million and £3 million respectively.
  (iii) The statutory procedures for (a) are complete, and for (b) are awaiting a decision by the Secretaries of State whether the scheme should proceed, following the public inquiry held last year. The outstanding statutory procedures for (b) are:
  the A13 Trunk Road (A112 Prince Regent Lane Junction Improvement, The Trunk Road and Slip Roads) Order 19; the A13 Trunk Road (A112 Prince Regent Lane Junction Improvement, Slip Roads) Order 19;
  the A13 Trunk Road (A112 Prince Regent Lane Junction Improvement) Compulsory Purchase Order (No.) 19; and the proposal to issue a certificate of exchange land; entitled, The Open Space Land at Canning Town Recreation Ground, former Beckton Lido Site and Prince Regent Lane Playing Field.
  676
  (iv) The main construction of the A40 Western Circus scheme is planned to start in the first quarter of 1996; a firmer date for start of works will not be available until tenders for the project have been assessed. The improvement scheme for the A13/A112 junction will proceed to construction after the statutory procedures are completed, provided resources are available.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Export Licences
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) under which military list specifications, as specified in group 1 of part III of schedule 1 of Statutory Instrument 1992 No. 3092 goods for export to Argentina were refused five export licences in 1993; [25751]

  (2) goods for export to China were refused three export licences in 1993. [25752]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The goods in question were classified under ML5, ML9 and ML10 in respect of Argentina and ML5, ML11 and ML15 in respect of China.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 30 March,Official Report, column 777 if the exporters of goods with potential defence applications were required in every case to obtain end user certificates for the export of goods licensed under the military list. [25697]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Where military list goods were to be exported to an overseas Government Department, no end-user certificate was required by the DTI export licensing unit, though a copy of the contract or purchase order was requested.

  For military list exports to companies and private consignees, exporters were required to submit sufficient information to enable the ELU to assess the export licence application. The guidance note on filling out an export licence application said that exporters should supply an end-user certificate, or an end-use statement or an international import certificate, but this was not insisted upon in all cases.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the companies to which export licences were granted for the export of electronic batons in 1991. [25614]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: No licences were granted for these goods in 1991.

  Iraq (Export Credit Guarantees)
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 30 March,Official Report, column 777, if BMARC received support from the Export Credits Guarantee Department for contracts with Iraq between 1985 and 1990. [25684]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  No.

  Instruments of Torture
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will further regulate the sale of equipment which can be used, and has been designated, for use against persons in repressive conditions. [25693]
  677
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: It is not feasible to control the export of the many innocuous goods that can be misused for torture. Exports of weapons, security and para-military police goods are controlled under the terms of the Export of Goods (Control) Order. Licences are granted only after careful consideration of the political and military implications of the proposed sale, with particular attention paid to the human rights record of the proposed recipient country. The Department would not knowingly give any support to promote sales overseas of torture equipment. I see no need for further regulation.

  The regulation of firearms sales within Great Britain is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent economic assessment he has made of the economic benefits of regional airports to regional economies. [24977]

  Mr. Eggar
  The Department of Trade and Industry has not made any such recent economic assessment. The Department is aware of a recent study by the Civil Aviation Authority entitled "The Economic Impact of New Air Services", which examines the impact of new long haul services from Manchester and Birmingham airports. This contains useful references to other similar studies.

  Consultants
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the level of expenditure on consultancy by(a) his Department and (b) agencies for which his Department is

  Early retirement

  Voluntary redundancy

  Compulsory redundancy

  Medical retirement

  Current total projections 1995–96 (all categories)

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1993–94

  1994–95

  DTI

  302

  64

  5

  28

  22

  16

  31

  34

  300

  Agencies:

  CH

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  8

  13

  0

  INSS

  10

  18

  0

  0

  0

  7

  13

  11

  13

  LGC

  14

  7

  0

  10

  0

  1

  0

  1

  5

  NEL

  0

  0

  69

  44

  0

  0

  0

  0

  10

  NPL

  35

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  8

  0

  55

  NWML

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  PATS

  1

  7

  0

  0

  0

  1

  7

  13

  18

  RA

  10

  5

  0

  0

  4

  0

  5

  2

  6

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the annual cost to his 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. [25635]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Most of 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.
  678
  responsible for (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25542]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 10 February 1995,Official Report, column 429, which shows the fees paid by the Department for general consultancies for 1993–94. Corresponding provisional outturn figures for 1994–95, budget figures for 1995–96 and a breakdown of the 1993–94 figure between the Department and its agencies are detailed in the following table.

  £000

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Department

  3,345

  4,445

  1—

  Executive Agencies

  1,429

  1,734

  1,584

  Total

  4,774

  6,179

  1,584

  Note:

  1 The Department's allocation for 1995–96 will be set shortly in the light of the outcome of MINIS 95.

  Retirements and Redundancies
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff of(a) the Department of Trade and Industry and (b) agencies for which the DTI is responsible (i) took early retirement, (ii) took voluntary redundancy, (iii) took compulsory redundancy and (iv) were retired on medical grounds in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25416]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The figures requested are shown in the following table. The 1995–96 projections represent current estimates which may be modified during the course of the year. In preparing these tables, redundancies have been taken as covering those cases which involve early severance on redundancy.

  The total costs borne by the Department in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were £13,498,000 and £13,515,000 respectively. For 1995–96, the amount is estimated at £3,634,000. Projections for 1996–97 will be determined during the coming public expenditure survey.

  Contracting Out
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what work has been contracted out(a) by his Department and (b) by agencies for which his Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what is projected for 1995–96. [25541]
  679
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The following areas of work have been contracted out under the "Competing for Quality" programme. For those areas where work is shown as under way in 1995–96, contracting out will be dependent on the Department or agency receiving bids which offer value for money compared with keeping the activity in-house.

  (a) Areas of work contracted out by the Department in:

  (i) 1993–94

  Central Training

  Offshore Geology

  Stationery Supply

  Translation

  (ii) 1994–95

  IT Services

  Accounts Services Agency

  Work is under way to contract out the following in 1995–96:

  Services Management Division Building Management National Physical Laboratory

  In addition, the following areas of work were contracted out in part under partnership arrangements between the private sector and in-house staff in 1994–95:

  Mail and Messengers

  Reprographics

  Central File Store

  Internal Audit

  Oil and Gas IT Services

  (b) Areas of work contracted out by agencies for which the Department is responsible in:

  (i) 1993–94

  Patent Office

  Various Support Services

  (ii) 1994–95

  Radiocommunications Agency

  Ships Radio Licensing

  Work is under way to contract out the following in 1995–96:

  Companies House

  London Office and satellites

  Edinburgh Office

  Cardiff Office; range of activities

  Insolvency Service

  Official Receivers' Administrative Functions

  Patent Office

  Various support services

  Radiocommunications Agency

  Various Support Services

  Regional Challenge
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of the cost of the launch of regional challenge and the cost of administering it; and if he will make a statement. [25701]

  Mr. Eggar
  The cost to Government Departments of the launch of regional challenge has been less than £10,000. The challenge will be administered within the normal running cost budgets of the various Departments and Government offices responsible for structural funds administration.

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if moneys from European Union sources will be used to fund regional challenge. [25702]

  Mr. Eggar
  Yes. Regional challenge is a competition for grants from the European regional development and social funds.

  Petrol
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the total sales of petrol in the United Kingdom are now accounted for by the sale of unleaded and super unleaded fuel. [26013]

  Mr. Page
  In the first quarter of 1995, premium unleaded petrol and super unleaded petrol accounted for 56.3 per cent. and 4.7 per cent. respectively of total sales of petrol in the United Kingdom. Thus, 61 per cent. of total petrol sales were unleaded.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the review team's report regarding fire safety legislation and enforcement matters arising from the deregulation proposals has now been considered; and when he expects to be able to make a statement on the outcome. [26245]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 24 May 1995,Official Report, column 643.

  Import and Export Controls
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the emergency powers contained in the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939 have been made permanent by subsequent amending legislation. [25511]

  Mr. Heseltine
  The judgment handed down by the Court of Appeal on 22 May confirmed on all counts the continuing validity of the powers to control imports and exports in the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939, and in the orders made under that Act. The Import and Export Control Act 1990 made the powers in the Act permanent.

  Nuclear Power
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the special status of nuclear power stations that guarantees that they run continuously to provide base load electricity will be reviewed as a result of privatisation; [25284]

  (2) by what authority nuclear power stations are empowered to provide their maximum output whenever available to base load electricity supply. [27277]

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: For safety reasons, Nuclear Electric's plants are permitted by the National Grid Company to offer a level of flexible operation less than that of other generating plant. In Scotland, arrangements dealing with SNL's access to the Scottish distribution system are covered by the Nuclear Energy Agreement between SNL and Scottish Power and Hydro-Electric.

  I understand that Nuclear Electric and the National Grid Company are in discussion about ways in which the flexibility of their plant can be increased without in any way compromising rigorous standards of safety.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions will be imposed on the new privatised nuclear company from diversifying into building gas-fired power stations. [25291]
  681
  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Decisions on new generating plant will be a commercial matter for the privatised companies, subject to meeting the appropriate regulatory requirements.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 25 May. [24806]

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 25 May. [24807]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning, I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the correspondence between Nelson Mandela and himself on the issue of Lockerbie. [25952]

  The Prime Minister
  No. It is not my normal practice to do so.

  Wild Mammals (Protection) Bill
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Prime Minister, what amount of correspondence he has received requesting that extra parliamentary time be given to the Wild Mammals (Protection) Bill. [26133]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a substantial number of representations on the Wild Mammals (Protection) Bill.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Prime Minister by what date he expects to decide whether Her Majesty's Government's submission to the reflections group of the inter-governmental conference should be placed before Parliament either as a White or Green Paper. [25390]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: I have made it clear that Parliament will have a full opportunity to discuss the issues relating to the intergovernmental conference before that conference gets under way. Precisely when the conference will start is not yet clear. Meanwhile the Government are examining in detail what the British position should be. The purpose of the study group is explanatory. My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will represent the Foreign Secretary. We do not intend to make a single written submission, although we naturally contributed to the Council submission which has been published as Command Paper 2866. Parliament will be kept informed of the study group's progress.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Large Narcissus Fly
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what research her Department has carried out into methods of controlling the large narcissus fly; [24740]

  (2) what research her Department has carried out into the effect of the large narcissus fly on daffodil crops; [24741]

  (3) how much money has been spent on research into methods of controlling the large narcissus fly in each year for the last five years; [24742]

  (4) what plans her Department has to fund research into alternative methods of controlling the large narcissus fly. [24743]

  Mr. Jack
  The large narcissus fly is widely recognised as representing a serious problem for commercial bulb production. Consequently, our research has focused on methods of control. This has included studies of the efficacy of insecticides; the susceptibility of narcissus varieties to the fly; and the effects of a range of growing practices. The Department's spend on this strategic research, on behalf of the industry, since 1991 was as follows:

  1991–92: £32,000

  1992–93: £34,000

  1993–94: £35,000

  1994–95: £36,000

  In April 1995, the Department established a new, four-year project estimated to cost £40,000 in 1995–96, investigating the relationship between the large narcissus fly and the chemicals emitted by narcissus plants. The identification of such chemicals may offer some opportunity for attracting flies to decoy plants and then destroying them, repelling flies from narcissus crops or for breeding varieties resistant to attack by the fly.

  New Zealand Flatworm
  Mrs. Wise
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the areas in which the New Zealand flatworm has now been observed; and what guidelines he has issued to growers and gardeners in those areas; [25203]

  (2) what steps he is taking to deal with the spread of the New Zealand flatworm and its threat to the United Kingdom worm population; [25205]

  (3) what discussions he has held with his New Zealand counterpart as to how the New Zealand flatworm is dealt with in its native habitat with particular reference to its predators. [25204]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Government have sponsored research which shows that the New Zealand flatworm has been found in certain areas of the United Kingdom. These findings have been sporadic and have largely been confined to private gardens, allotments and some garden centres and the flatworm is not considered likely to pose a major threat to the agricultural and horticultural industries in the United Kingdom. A code of practice is planned to supplement information and advice already provided by the Agricultural Departments to industry and the public. This advice emphasises the need to avoid spreading the New Zealand flatworm. Since 1992, it has been an offence in Great Britain under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to release flatworms, or allow them to escape, into the wild. It is understood from contacts in
  683
  New Zealand that in its natural environment a number of factors combine to maintain a balance between the flatworm and the native earthworm population.

  Tuberculin Testing
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the qualifications he will require to allow lay personnel to carry out tuberculin testing under veterinary direction. [24954]

  Mrs. Browning
  My Department is consulting with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons on this matter. If and when an order is made to allow lay personnel to carry out tuberculin testing, the necessary qualifications will be published.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from Compassion in World Farming on the lawfulness of restrictions on(a) the export of calves for rearing in veal crates and (b) the export of all live farm animals; and if he will make a statement on them. [24984]

  Mrs. Browning
  Compassion in World Farming wrote to my right hon. Friend on 4 April advising him to consider the lawfulness of restrictions of this type. My right hon. Friend wanted, before replying, to have the advice he had sought from lawyers on the legal opinion, commissioned from Gerald Barling QC by the RSPCA, which argued that a ban on the export of calves would be legal. My right hon. Friend's conclusions in the light of that legal advice were set out in his reply of 22 May to the hon. Member for Nuneaton, (Mr. Olner), column 456, and conveyed to CIWF in a letter which he sent on the same date. The letter also explained that he saw no reason to change his view that a ban on the export of all live farm animals would be incompatible with European law, as well as with the Government's policy.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for how long the MV Northern Cruiser carrying livestock trucks from Dover to Boulogne on Friday 12 May was delayed outside Boulogne; what was the cause of delay, when he was informed of the delay by the boat's operators; whether, as a result of the delay, any of the animals went without being offered food and water for more than 15 hours; if any prosecutions are to be brought; and if he will make a statement. [25581]

  Mrs. Browning
  We have not at present received any information which suggests that an offence occurred under the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1994, in relation to the voyage of the Northern Cruiser on 12 May 1995.

  Retirements and Redundancies
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [25665]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The cost to the Department, including its agencies, of early retirements and 684
  redundancies are borne from the Department's running costs provision.

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

  The total costs borne on the Department's running costs in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were £7 million and £9 million respectively. For 1995–96, the total amount is estimated at £7 million. Projections for 1996–97 will be determined during the coming public expenditure survey.

  Vessel Engine Capacity
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of whether the engine capacity registered by(a) British, (b) Spanish and (c) Dutch vessels under the multi-annual guidance targets is accurate; what steps are taken to check this in each country; and if he has asked the Commissioner to verify registered capacities under the programme. [25385]

  Mr. Jack
  It is the European Commission's responsibility to ensure that member states comply with Community obligations, and for member states authorities to ensure proper administration in relation to their own vessels. In the United Kingdom, it is the responsibility of the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to ensure that the details entered on a vessel's certificate of registry accurately reflect that vessel's characteristics. The characteristics of the engine of each vessel on the UK register are obtained by a surveyor approved by the Marine Safety Agency before registration of the vessel takes place.

  Where specific instances of discrepancies arise or are brought to my attention, they are taken up with the Commission or, in the case of a UK-registered vessel, with the Marine Safety Agency.

  Eastern European Fishing Fleets
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has on the size of the fishing fleets of Bulgaria, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia; and what historic fishing rights each of these nations can claim in British or European waters before the Fishing Limits Act 1976. [25382]

  Mr. Jack
  The latest year for which information on the size of nations' fishing fleets is available is 1992, showing the following:

  Country

  Number of vessels

  Size

  Bulgaria

  38

  186,600 GRT

  Poland

  521

  249,079 GRT

  Latvia

  141

  343,236 GRT

  Lithuania

  162

  236,268 GRT

  Estonia

  249

  180,921 GRT

  Source: FAO fleet statistics.

  1 GRT = gross registered tonnage.

  Before the Fishery Limits Act 1976, British waters extended only to 12 miles. None of the above countries fished within our 12 mile limits, nor have they claimed historic fishing rights within the British fishing limits established in 1976. The EU currently has reciprocal fishing agreements with Poland and the three Baltic states, but these are confined to the Baltic sea. We have no record of Bulgarian vessels having fished in waters around the United Kingdom.

  Coarse Fish Close Season
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research into the likely effects of the ending of the coarse fish close season his Department has considered. [25595]

  Mr. Jack
  We have not commissioned any special research into the likely effects of ending the coarse fish close season. However, in coming to a conclusion on a recent proposal from the National Rivers Authority to dispense with the coarse fish close season on lakes, ponds and reservoirs, we took account of opinions expressed by a wide range of expert bodies. We also noted that in those parts of England and Wales in which the close season had already been dispensed with, there was no evidence that this had an adverse effect on either fisheries or fish.

  Bovine Immunodeficiency
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what survey he has made of research into BIV being undertaken in other countries. [25857]

  Mrs. Browning
  In September 1994, senior veterinarians from the Veterinary Investigation Service, and the virology department of the Central Veterinary Laboratory carried out a study tour of North America, where research into bovine immunodeficiency-like virus has been undertaken for a number of years. Discussions were held with the veterinary regulatory authorities in Washington and Ottawa and with veterinarians and research workers at the National Animal Disease Centre, Ames, Iowa; the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland; the Louisiana State university; the Animal Disease Research Institute, Ottawa; Ontario Veterinary college, Guelph; and the veterinary laboratory services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Guelph, Ontario.

  The veterinary regulatory authorities in the USA and Canada confirmed that they had no concerns whatsoever over food safety with respect to BIV and were unaware of any concern by the public health authorities with regard to BIV. They also confirmed that there was no scientific evidence that the lentivirus in question caused immunodeficiency in cattle.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of whether it has been proved that the BIV organism is destroyed by normal dairy pasteurization. [25855]

  Mrs. Browning
  Judging from the similarities with other lentiviruses, we would expect that bovine immunodeficiency-like virus would get into milk but that pasteurisation would kill it. We are carrying out experimental work at the Department's Central Veterinary Laboratory to investigate this hypothesis.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research is being conducted into BIV and cross infection to humans. [25852]

  Mrs. Browning
  None. Bovine immunodeficiency-like virus infection of cattle has been known for a long time. There is no evidence that it affects humans, whether through contact with animals, through drinking milk or 686
  eating meat or indeed when injected into the body, as happened, accidentally, to two US researchers who suffered no ill effects. Experimental efforts in the USA to grow the virus in human cells have failed. It is characteristic of these types of viruses to be highly species specific.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what number and percentage of United Kingdom herds are infected by BIV. [25856]

  Mrs. Browning
  A limited laboratory investigation was carried out by the Central Veterinary Laboratory in 1990. Several hundred cattle sera, from a considerable number of cattle herds spread throughout Great Britain, were tested as part of a programme to develop a diagnostic test for bovine immunodeficiency-like virus. Approximately 10 per cent. of the samples tested were serologically positive for BIV using the tests being developed at that time. This level of infection is consistent with what has been found in other countries but the investigation was not structured nor were the results validated and for that reason it is not possible to estimate with any precision what is the actual level of incidence of BIV infection in the United Kingdom.

  A full-scale survey would currently be inappropriate, particularly in the absence of a specific and sensitive test suitable for widespread application.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hectares of land(a) are eligible for entry into each environmentally sensitive area in England and (b) have been entered into each tier of each environmentally sensitive areas in England. [25793]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The information for environmentally sensitive areas in England is as follows:

  Eligible area in hectares

  Area currently under agreement in hectares

  Stage I ESAs (launched in 1987)

  Broads

  24,000

  Tier 1–8,596

  Tier 2–5,906

  Tier 3–354

  Tier 4–256

  Total

  15,112

  Pennine Dales

  39,100

  Tier 1–24,280

  Tier 2–1,198

  Total

  25,478

  Somerset Levels and Moors

  25,900

  Tier 1–10,630

  Tier 2–2,244

  Tier 3–881

  Total

  13,755

  South Downs

  51,700

  Tier 1–4,810

  Tier 2–408

  Tier 3–5,964

  Total

  11,182

  West Penwith

  6,900

  Tier 1–6,125

  687

  Eligible area in hectares

  Area currently under agreement in hectares

  Stage II ESAs (launched in 1988)

  Breckland

  51,600

  Tier 1–2,595

  Tier 2–99

  Tier 3–2,431

  Tier 4–281

  Total

  5,406

  Clun

  18,900

  Tier 1–12,125

  Tier 2–1,142

  Tier 3–178

  Total

  13,445

  North Peak

  50,500

  Tier 1–22,980

  Tier 2–11,244

  Total

  34,224

  Suffolk River Valleys

  32,600

  Tier 1–6,910

  Tier 2–1,607

  Tier 3–324

  Tier 4–98

  Total

  8,939

  Test Valley

  3,300

  Tier 1–934

  Tier 2–116

  Total

  1,050

  Stage III ESAs (launched in 1993)

  Avon Valley

  3,800

  Tier 1–572

  Tier 2–42

  Total

  614

  Exmoor

  67,700

  Tier 1–38,529

  Tier 2–931

  Total

  39,460

  Lake District

  219,300

  Tier 1–87,280

  Tier 2–4,066

  Total

  91,346

  North Kent Marshes

  11,600

  Tier 1–3,030

  Tier 2–599

  Total

  3,629

  South Wessex Downs

  38,300

  Tier 1–17,583

  Tier 2–1,218

  Total

  18,801

  South West Peak

  27,000

  Tier 1–11,279

  Tier 2–3,043

  Total

  14,322

  Stage IV ESAs (launched in 1994)

  Blackdown Hills

  32,200

  Tier 1–3,162

  Tier 2–49

  Total

  3,211

  Cotswold Hills

  66,100

  Tier 1–20,128

  Tier 2–939

  Total

  21,067

  688

  Eligible area in hectares

  Area currently under agreement in hectares

  Dartmoor

  89,000

  Tier 1–6,729

  Tier 2–324

  Total

  7,053

  Essex Coast

  23,000

  Tier 1–1,925

  Tier 2–115

  Tier 3–223

  Total

  2,263

  Shropshire Hills

  34,900

  Tier 1–7,035

  Tier 2–32

  Total

  7,067

  Upper Thames Tributaries

  18,000

  Tier 1–2,264

  Tier 2–312

  Tier 3–262

  Total

  2,838

  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms(a) are eligible to have land entered into each environmentally sensitive area in England and (b) have had land entered into each environmentally sensitive area in England.

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Records are not kept of the number of farms in each designated environmentally sensitive area in England which are eligible to enter the scheme.

  The number of agreements in each ESA in England is as follows:

  Number

  Stage I ESAs (launched in 1987)

  Broads

  740

  Pennine Dales

  716

  Somerset Levels and Moors

  888

  South Downs

  213

  West Penwith

  187

  Stage II ESAs (launched in 1988)

  Breckland

  113

  Clun

  195

  North Peak

  76

  Suffolk River Valleys

  396

  Test Valley

  32

  Stage III ESAs (launched in 1993)

  Avon Valley

  32

  Exmoor

  390

  Lake District

  812

  North Kent Marshes

  52

  South Wessex Downs

  130

  South West Peak

  320

  Stage IV ESAs (launched in 1994)

  Blackdown Hills

  126

  Cotswold Hills

  276

  Dartmoor

  156

  Essex Coast

  62

  Shropshire Hills

  123

  Upper Thames Tributaries

  106

  French Pig Sector (Illegal Aid)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in relation to his representations to the EU for the recovery of illegal aid to the French pig sector. [25742]

  Mr. Jack
  After sustained pressure from the United Kingdom, the European Commission finally initiated article 93(2) procedure against two schemes in the pigmeat sector in April 1994. The two schemes were a FF30 million scheme for relieving pig producers of the high cost of commercial loans already taken out and a reduced rate loan arrangement through Stabiporc using Government funds, and Government guarantees for loans given by commercial banks and other organisations.

  The Commission's decisions announcing that it had found elements of both schemes to be illegal and requiring the repayment of the illegal aid were published on 8 and 10 November and 23 December 1994. The French Government are required to advise the Commission of steps they have taken to recovers the illegal aid.

  I understand that the Commission is in dialogue with the French Government. We shall persist with our pressure on the Commission to ensure that the French Government recover the aid which was illegally paid.

  Sheep Slaughter (France)
  Mr. Dowd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received on the recent slaughter in Paris of sheep exported from Britain; what assessment he has made of compliance with the EU directive on the slaughter of animals; what representations he has made to the French Government in the light of the article; and if he will make a statement. [25800]

  Mrs. Browning
  The allegations in a daily newspaper about the slaughter of sheep in Paris have been discussed with officials of the French Ministry of Agriculture. I am advised that such slaughtering elsewhere than in a slaughterhouse is illegal under French law, although the European directive on the protection of animals at slaughter permits it, subject to certain conditions. I understand that the French Government are discussing this matter with the relevant organisations and therefore, neither my right hon. Friend nor I believe that it is necessary to make representations to them on this matter.

  Farm and Conservation Grant Scheme
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what expenditure has been saved as a result of the ending of the farm and conservation grant scheme; and if that saving has been redirected to other areas of MAFF expenditure. [25744]

  Mr. Jack
  No decision has yet been made to discontinue the farm and conservation grant scheme. An official working group reviewing the development of environmental land management schemes in England has proposed that the F and CGS should not continue as a separate scheme in England after February 1996, but that capital grants for conservation purposes should then be integrated into the countryside stewardship scheme. The working group's proposals were published for public consultation on 18 May. Current expenditure on conservation grants under the F and CGS in England amounts to £4 million in a full year.
  690

  Majority Shareholdings
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [25703]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: None.

  Water Level Management Plans
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps his Department took to consult representatives angling organisations before publishing the procedural guide for operating authorities entitled water level management plans; [23103]

  (2) for what reasons no angling organisations are included in the list of useful contacts and addresses in annex II of his Department's guide water level management plans. [23104]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 11 May 1995]: The main purpose of the procedural guide to which my right hon. Friend refers is to help flood defence authorities to draw up water level management plans in areas of conservation importance so as to balance the needs of flood defence, economic activity, and conservation. Such plans are prepared at local level and the guide emphasises the importance of consultations with all those affected, including recreational and sporting interests, during the preparation of a water level management plan for a particular area.

  Although representative angling organisations were not consulted prior to publication of the Ministry's procedural guide, such organisations should be consulted by local flood defence authorities when individual plans are in preparation. Annex II of the guide is not intended as an exhaustive list of all those who should be consulted, but to meet my right hon. Friend's point representative angling organisations and other recreational and sporting interests will be added when the guide is next reprinted.

EDUCATION

  Area Cost Adjustment
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will list for each education authority(a) not in receipt and (b) in receipt of area cost adjustment for the last year that figures are available. [25953]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requesed is set out in the attached lists.

  LEAs WHICH RECEIVE AREA COST ADJUSTMENT CITY OF LONDON

  Inner London Boroughs

  Camden

  Greenwich

  Hackney

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  Islington

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Lambeth

  Lewisham

  691

  Southwark

  Tower Hamlets

  Wandsworth

  Westminster

  Outer London Boroughs

  Barking

  Barnet

  Bexley

  Brent

  Bromley

  Croydon

  Ealing

  Enfield

  Haringey

  Harrow

  Havering

  Hillingdon

  Hounslow

  Kingston upon Thames

  Merton

  Newham

  Redbridge

  Richmond Upon Thames

  Sutton

  Waltham Forest

  Shires

  Bedfordshire

  Berkshire

  Buckinghamshire

  East Sussex

  Essex

  Hampshire

  Hertfordshire

  Kent

  Oxfordshire

  Surrey

  West Sussex

  Isle of Wight

  Isles of Scilly

  LEAs WHICH DO NOT RECEIVE AREA COST ADJUSTMENT

  Metropolitan Authorities

  Birmingham

  Coventry

  Dudley

  Sandwell

  Solihull

  Walsall

  Wolverhampton

  Knowsley

  Liverpool

  St. Helen's

  Sefton

  Wirral

  Bolton

  Bury

  Manchester

  Oldham

  Rochdale

  Salford

  Stockport

  692

  Tameside

  Trafford

  Wigan

  Barnsley

  Doncaster

  Rotherham

  Sheffield

  Bradford

  Calderdale

  Kirklees

  Leeds

  Wakefield

  Gateshead

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  North Tyneside

  South Tyneside

  Sunderland

  Shire Counties

  Avon

  Cambridgeshire

  Cheshire

  Cleveland

  Cornwall

  Cumbria

  Derbyshire

  Devon

  Dorset

  Durham

  Gloucestershire

  Hereford and Worcester

  Humberside

  Lancashire

  Leicestershire

  Lincolnshire

  Norfolk

  North Yorkshire

  orthamptonshire

  Northumberland

  Nottinghamshire

  Shropshire

  Somerset

  Staffordshire

  Suffolk

  Warwickshire

  Wiltshire

  Complaints
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education what policy and procedures exists for dealing with complaints against her Department by members of the public; when the policy was last updated; what time limit and target for dealing with such complaints her Department has; and what follow-up procedure exists where complainants are not satisfied with her Department's response to a complaint. [26224]

  Mr. Boswell
  Any complaint about the conduct of a member of the Department would be dealt with under the Department's agreed disciplinary procedures. These are set out in its terms and conditions handbook, which was
  693
  revised in 1994 and made available to all staff. If a complainant remains dissatisfied with the handling of a complaint, it is open to them to take further action through the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

  Information Technology Teachers
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many qualified information technology teachers there were in secondary schools in each year since 1979; and what proportion of the total number of teachers in this subject they represent. [25772]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is available only for 1984, 1988 and 1992 from the secondary school staffing surveys. In those years, the number of full-time teachers who were teaching information technology, including computer studies, in maintained secondary schools in England and who had a post A-level qualification in information technology was as follows:

  Year

  Number of IT teachers (000)

  Number with an IT qualification (000)

  Percentage with qualification

  1984

  9.4

  2.3

  24

  1988

  12.1

  3.1

  26

  1992

  10.4

  2.8

  27

  The total number of full-time teachers with an information technology qualification, including those not teaching IT, in each year was:

  Year

  All teachers with an IT qualification (000)

  1984

  4.1

  1988

  6.4

  1992

  7.1

  It should be noted that the definition of information technology has changed slightly over the years, so the figures quoted may not be strictly comparable.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  VAT on Fuel (Compensation)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what is the total cost of the compensation for VAT on fuel given annually to women aged between 60 and 65 years. [24948]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list, by town or city and region, all his Department's research trials, conducted since 1990, aimed or associated with trials testing procedures to prevent the fraudulent encashment of instruments of payment, giving(a) the cost of each trial, (b) the target population, (c) the period of trial, (d) other joint/collaborative agencies and (e) schemes involving incentive payments to participants. [24985]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This information is laid out by geographical area since January 1994, the first date for 694
  which information is available. No specific target population was sought, since this was not an important factor in any of the trials.

  Devon

  Hole punching of order books by Postmasters prior to their return to BA offices, to render them valueless.

  Cost: £ Nil

  Period: 05 September 1994–02 December 1994

  Other agencies: Post Office Counters Ltd.

  Incentive involved: No

  Sunderland

  Identity trial

  Cost: £ Nil

  Period: 06 March 1995 due to end 03 June 1995

  Other agencies: Post Office Counters Ltd.

  Incentives involved: No

  London and Clyde Valley

  Secure delivery order books

  Cost: £ Nil

  Period: 10 October 1994–02 December 1994

  Other agencies: Post Office Counters Ltd.

  Incentives involved: No

  London

  Alert-Computerised system to prevent fraudulent encashment of lost or stolen order books.

  Cost: £2.4 million

  Period: 30 November 1992–31 August 1994

  Other agencies: Post Office Counters Ltd.

  Incentives involved: No

  London

  Secure delivery of order books

  Cost: £21,936

  Period: 22 March 1993–02 April 1995

  Other agencies: Post Office Counters Ltd. and Royal Mail

  Incentives involved: No

  Manchester

  UV lamps—Post Office use

  Cost: £11,808

  Period: 04 July 1994–31 August 1994

  Other agencies: Post Office Counters Ltd

  Incentives involved: No

  Birmingham

  Post Office Reward Scheme

  Cost: £18,594

  Period:25 October 1993–29 August 1994

  Other Agencies: Post Office Counters Ltd

  Incentives involved: Yes

  Midlands Area

  Post Office Reward Scheme

  Cost: £95,931

  Period: 30 August 1994–ongoing

  Other agencies: Post Office counters Ltd.

  Incentives involved: Yes

  Benefit Recipients
  Ms Short
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of claimants for each benefit were(a) male and (b) female for the latest available

  Figures rounded to nearest Thousand

  Benefit

  Total claimants (000s unless indicated)

  Total males (000s)

  Males as percentage of total claimants

  Total females (000s)

  Females as percentage of total claimants

  Date of enquiry

  Non-means tested benefits

  Attendance allowance1

  996

  286

  29

  710

  71

  31 March 1994

  Child benefit

  6,905

  227

  3

  6,678

  97

  31 December 1994

  Child's special allowance3

  69

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  31 December 1994

  Disability living allowance1

  1,491

  769

  52

  723

  48

  28 February 1995

  Guardian's allowance3

  2,125

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  31 December 1995

  Invalid care allowance

  127

  39

  31

  88

  69

  31 March 1995

  Industrial death benefit

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Industrial injuries disablement2

  209

  180

  86

  29

  14

  3 April 1993

  Invalidity benefit

  1,580

  1,156

  73

  424

  27

  3 April 1993

  Maternity allowance

  16

  —

  —

  16

  100

  31 March 1993

  Non contributory retirement pension

  28

  6

  20

  22

  80

  30 September 1994

  One parent benefit

  925

  80

  9

  845

  91

  31 December 1994

  Other industrial injuries benefits3

  312

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1994

  Reduced earnings allowance/retirement allowance2

  155

  125

  81

  30

  19

  3 April 1993

  Retirement pension

  10,139

  3,579

  35

  6,560

  65

  30 September 1994

  Sickness benefit

  534

  312

  58

  222

  42

  3 April 1993

  Severe disablement allowance

  316

  121

  38

  195

  62

  3 April 1993

  Unemployment benefit

  2,341

  1,784

  76

  556

  24

  10 November 1994

  Widow's benefit

  324

  —

  —

  324

  100

  30 September 1994

  War pension4

  99

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  31 March 1995

  Means tested benefits

  Council tax benefit5

  5,641

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  30 November 1994

  Disability working allowance

  5

  3

  60

  2

  40

  31 October 1994

  Family credit6

  578

  250

  43

  327

  57

  October 1994

  Housing benefit

  4,711

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  30 November 1994

  Rent rebate

  3,009

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  30 November 1994

  Rent allowance

  1,702

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  30 November 1994

  Income support

  5,675

  2,702

  48

  2,973

  52

  May 1994

  Notes:

  1 Beneficiaries.

  2 Assessments current at 3 April 1993.

  3 Extract figures quoted.

  4 All claims includes first and subsequent claims.

  5 Figure includes 53,000 second adult rebate cases.

  6 Figures based on sex of main earner.

  7 Male and female recipients may not total due to rounding.

  Retirements and Redundancies
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff of(a) the Department of Social Security and (b) agencies for which the DSS is responsible (i) took early retirement, (ii) took voluntary redundancy, (iii) took compulsory redundancy and (iv)

  Retirement on medical grounds

  Compulsory redundancy

  Other early retirement/voluntary redundancy

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Department of Social Security1

  472

  650

  64

  41

  352

  823

  Benefits Agency

  395

  513

  0

  0

  207

  294

  Child Support Agency

  13

  21

  0

  0

  6

  4

  696
  year. [25138]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is in table.

  were retired on medical grounds in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25420]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The available information is in the table.
  697

  Retirement on medical grounds

  Compulsory redundancy

  Other early retirement/voluntary redundancy

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Contributions Agency

  37

  49

  0

  0

  67

  244

  Information Technology Services Agency

  15

  27

  0

  0

  50

  246

  Resettlement Agency

  2

  0

  64

  41

  15

  15

  War Pensions Agency

  —

  14

  0

  0

  —

  2

  Notes:

  No projections are available for 1995–96.

  1 The number of retirements and redundancies in the executive agencies are included in the departmental figures.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95, and projected for (c) 1995–96 and (d) 1996–97. [25638]

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

  A detailed break-down of the various costs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The total costs borne on the Department's running costs in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were £23.975 million and £17.903 million—provisional—respectively. For 1995–96, the amount is estimated at £22.607 million. Projections for 1996–97 will be determined during the coming public expenditure survey.

  Motability
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures are in place to ensure the best use of public money by Motability and its associate companies and charities and that those bodies are accountable to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [25947]

  Mr. Hague
  Motability is an independent charity which receives grant in aid from the Department for all its administration costs and part of its grant-making provision. A comprehensive financial agreement exists between the Department and Motability which has been drawn up in accordance with Government accounting procedures. This gives Motability the responsibility for ensuring it obtains good value for money in its dealings with suppliers to the scheme.

  Contracting Out
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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 (iii) the projected figures for 1995–96. [25657]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The value of work previously carried out by civil servants and contracted out by the Department and each of its agencies in 1993–94 and 1994–95 is shown in the tables. In 1995–96, we will be examining running costs of some £166 million with a view to contracting out. We will examine a further £27 million with a view to inviting in-house bids, together with bids from the private sector, in market tests. We
  698
  cannot predict in advance of the market tests the value of work that will be contracted out.

  Financial year April 1993–March 1994

  Value £

  Benefits Agency

  Travel Services

  200,000

  Accommodation and Office Services

  840,000

  Training

  3,609,191

  Storage Archives

  490,000

  Headquarters

  Accommodation and Office Services

  722,734

  Facilities Management

  Accommodation and Office Services

  2,114,000

  Information Technology Services Agency

  Audit

  1,200,000

  Contributions Agency

  Cleaning (Emerson house)

  732,202

  Financial year April 1994–March 1995

  Benefits Agency

  Publishing

  4,326,046

  Accommodation and Office Services (19 Contracts)

  43,707,618

  Storage Printed Material

  2,711,019

  Information and Technology Services Agency

  Security Guarding

  422,000

  Area Computer Centre

  6,100,000

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for each piece of work subject to a bidding process under the auspices of(a) his Department and (b) agencies for which his Department is responsible (i) where work was contracted out, who were the successful bidders and (ii) which contracts were won by in-house bidders in (1) 1993–94, (2) 1994–95 and (3) 1995–96. [25651]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The Department and its agencies procure a wide range of goods and services by competitive tender. I have provided information showing the outcomes of competitive tenders of work carried out by civil servants and a copy has been placed in the Library.

  Consultants
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [25644]
  699
  Mr. Hague
  The available information is in the table. Information on projected levels of expenditure for 1995–96 is not available.

  Financial Year

  Agency

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  Benefits Agency

  8,111,715

  5,730,220

  Contributions Agency

  3,170,895

  1,113,425

  Information Technology Services Agency

  17,996,000

  9,660,000

  Child Support Agency

  2,300,000

  7,426,938

  Resettlement Agency

  95,111

  65,203

  War Pensions Agency

  1—

  456,798

  Sub totals

  31,673,721

  24,452,584

  DSS Headquarters

  2,322,877

  1,653,173

  Grand total

  233,996,598

  26,105,757

  1 War Pensions Agency set up 1 April 1994. Consultancy expenditure for 1993–94 included in Benefits Agency total.

  2 This figure has been adjusted from those previously quoted due to accounting adjustments.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps his Department are taking to inform family credit claimants of the extra money they are entitled from July for working full time. [25808]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We plan to undertake extensive publicity to inform people about the new premium for working 30 hours or more a week on family credit and the associated extra help in housing benefit, council tax benefit and disability working allowance. People already receiving family credit or disability working allowance will receive a new claim pack shortly before their renewal claim is due to be made. The claim pack will advise them of the new premium.

  We plan also to provide information to advisors of people likely to be affected to inform them of the new premium.

  Notes:

  1. Because approval for expenditure on the campaign cannot be given until regulations have been laid, we cannot be explicit at this stage on the form the advertising will take.

  2. The new claim pack is planned to be available a few days in advance of the change.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of family credit claims from employees currently take five working days to be dealt with from the time of the claim being received by his Department; and if he will give the figures for each working day up 30 working days. [25807]

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

  Letter from Ian Magee to Mr. David Chidgey, dated 25 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the clearance times of claims made by employees to Family Credit.
  The table below details the information that you have requested. Such figures are produced on a monthly basis and I have therefore provided information for the month ending 30 April 1995 which is the latest full month available. The figures provided relate only to employees and do not include claims made by self-employed people.
  700

  Days

  Percentage cleared

  5

  47.2

  6

  52.3

  7

  54.8

  8

  57.7

  9

  63.9

  10

  67.1

  11

  71.5

  12

  73.6

  13

  75.6

  14

  79.4

  15

  81.1

  16

  83.7

  17

  84.8

  18

  85.8

  19

  87.8

  20

  88.6

  21

  90.0

  22

  90.5

  23

  91.0

  24

  92.0

  25

  92.5

  26

  93.1

  27

  93.4

  28

  93.7

  29

  94.3

  30

  94.5

  I hope you find this reply helpful

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, columns 185–88, if he will publish a breakdown of the location of asylum seekers as at 10 May listed as 'other' in table 3 of the answer. [25810]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  This information is not readily available as comprehensive statistics are not currently compiled on all the places of detention of persons who have sought asylum. For this reason, only the main places were separately identified.

  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, columns 185–88, when he now expects to phase out the detention of asylum seekers in prisons and police cells. [25811]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The plans to expand and improve the detention accommodation for which the immigration service is responsible will reduce the need to hold immigration detainees in prisons and police cells in the future.

  There will, however, always be a need for some immigration detainees to be accommodated in prisons, either because of known violent tendencies or because of a need for closer supervision than can be provided in immigration detention centres. Similarly, there will be a continuing need to use police cells for the initial detention of immigration offenders detected within the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum-seekers have been removed to Sweden on safe third country grounds since 26 July 1993; and how many of those so removed have been returned to the United Kingdom by the Swedish authorities. [26174]
  701
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The available information identifies 29 persons who had been refused asylum in the United Kingdom on safe third country grounds having been removed to Sweden since 26 July 1993. Of these, four have been returned to the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum are currently outstanding. [26180]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  As at 31 April 1995, there were 57,610 applications for asylum outstanding in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 695, to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan), if he will identify the evidence which indicates that in the bulk of cases the asylum application is not made immediately after leave to enter or remain has been granted, but shortly before it is due to expire. [25692]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  An analysis of the available information for 1994 suggests that some 60 per cent. of asylum applications made by in-time visitors had not been made within one month of arrival in the United Kingdom, and about 40 per cent. had not been made within three months.

  Immigration Officers
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the establishment of immigration officers at Leeds—Bradford airport; and if he will make a statement. [26139]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 31 March,Official Report, column 860. As part of the routine review of staffing and work load levels, the complement of immigration officers at Leeds—Bradford has recently been increased by one.

  Eurostar
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum have been made by individuals arriving at Waterloo railway station on board Eurostar trains since January. [26181]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Between 1 January 1995 and 24 May 1995, a total of 148 applications for asylum were made by passengers arriving at Waterloo international terminal on Eurostar trains.

  Detention Costs
  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 May,Official Report, column 364, what was the total amount of detention costs reclaimed from carrying companies in (a) the most recent financial year for which information is available, (b) 1994 and (c) 1995 to date. [26273]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The total amount of detention costs reclaimed from carrying companies in the financial year 1994–95 is £674,538.51. The total for 1994 is £597,125.21, and the total for this year to 23 May is £289,136.07.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 8 March,Official Report, column 181, if he will make a statement on the parameters applying to filing systems under the draft data protection directive; and if he will make a statement on the implementation of the data protection directive. [26448]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  In implementing the directive in respect of manual data, member states must have regard to the definition of a "personal data filing system" contained in article 2. Subject to this, the directive allows member states some flexibility in determining precisely the types of manual records to which the directive should apply. Once the final form of the directive is known, we shall be consulting widely on how these and other provisions should be implemented in United Kingdom law.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the new offence of procuring unregistered disclosures, under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; and what discussions he has had with the Data Protection Registrar in relation to this offence. [26449]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  On the information available to me, I believe that the new offence, which was brought into force in February this year, has had a positive effect upon the unacceptable activities at which it was aimed. The Data Protection Registrar has kept Home Office officials closely informed of her plans for enforcing the offence.

  Equine Crime Unit
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to enhance the work and performance of the Metropolitan equine intelligence unit; and if he will make a statement. [25596]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that he plans to make more resources available to the equine crime unit, including personnel and information technology. The unit is now based in New Scotland Yard.

  Immigration
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce application forms for use by foreign nationals wishing to apply for leave to remain in the United Kingdom. [26623]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Application forms will enable the Immigration Department to provide a more efficient service to applicants at a lower cost to the public purse. Genuine applicants will receive a speedier decision while those not entitled to further leave to stay will be refused more quickly, strengthening the immigration control. From 5 June, application forms for requests for limited leave to remain will be available from the application forms unit of the Immigration Department. Forms for settlement applications are in preparation. The scheme will not include applications under European Community law or applications for asylum. The operation of the scheme will be reviewed later this year following which we envisage making the use of application forms compulsory.

  Departmental Performance
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what performance indicators and performance targets there are for measuring the performance of his Department in(a) answering letters from members of the public and (b) answering telephone calls from members of the public; how performance is monitored; and what are the latest figures for performance measured against the target set. [26234]

  Mr. Howard
  Individual units and agencies are required to set clear targets for the time taken to deal with correspondence from the public and to monitor performance against those standards. The targets set range from five to 30 working days. Some parts of the Department use computerised tracking systems to monitor performance, and others take samples periodically. No records are however kept centrally of performance against targets.

  There is no similar system of targets for answering telephone calls in most parts of the Department, but standards relating to courtesy and helpfulness have been laid down.

  Complaints
  Ms. Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what policy and procedures exist for dealing with complaints against his Department by members of the public; when his Department last updated its policy; what time limit and target for dealing with such complaints his Department has; and what follow-up procedure exists where complainants are not satisfied with his Department's response to a complaint. [26218]

  Mr. Howard
  There are various arrangements for dealing with complaints in different parts of the Department. These involve a range of time limits and targets. For example, the UK Passport Agency aims to deal fully with all problems raised within 15 working days, or to acknowledge them within five working days if they are not straightforward, and the Immigration and Nationality Department aims to respond within eight weeks of receiving a complaint.

  The IND complaints system is monitored by an independent Complaints Audit Committee, which ensures that procedures are working effectively. The leaflets on complaints procedures produced by the Passport Agency and by IND make it clear that complainants who are not satisfied with the response they receive can raise the matter with the Home Office Minister responsible for the service, or with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

  Contracting out
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for each piece of work subject to a bidding process under the auspices of(a) the Home Office and (b) agencies for which the Home Office is responsible where work was contracted out, who were the successful bidders; and which contracts were won by in-house bidders in (i) 1993–94; (ii) 1994–95; and (iii) 1995–96. [25523]

  Mr. Howard
  The table set out, for 1993–94 and 1994–95, the results of those "Competing for Quality" exercises in the Home Office, including the Prison Service, which proceeded to competition.
  704

  Activity

  Result

  (i) 1993–94—Prison Service

  Court Escort and Custody Services—Metropolitan Area

  Contract awarded to Securior Services

  Doncaster Prison

  Contract awarded to Premier Prison Services

  Manchester Prison

  In-house win

  (ii) 1993–94—rest of Home Office

  Statistical Data Collection

  In-house win

  Internal Audit

  In-house win

  Immigration and Nationality Department Security Guards

  In-house win

  (iii) 1994–95—Prison Service

  Buckley Hall Prison

  Contract awarded to Group 4

  Court Escort and Custody Services—East Anglia, the North West and North Wales

  Contract awarded to Group 4

  Facilities Management at the Prison Service College, Newbold Revel

  In-house win for administration, works and ground maintenance. Contract awarded to Taylorplan Services for catering and housekeeping

  IT Helpdesk

  Contract awarded to Serco

  (iv) 1994–95—rest of Home Office

  Central Typing Services

  In-house win

  Records Storage and Retrieval

  In-house win

  Administrative Computer Services

  Contract awarded to Sema Group plc

  Central Training Services

  In-house win

  Central Reprographics and Design and Illustration Services

  Service Level Agreement awarded to Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO)

  Central Office Keeping and Messengerial Services

  In-house win

  Immigration and Nationality Department Typing Services

  In-house win

  Immigration and Nationality Department Messengerial and Reprographic Services

  In-house win

  Immigration and Nationality Department File Management

  Contract awarded to Britannia Data Management (BDM)

  705
  No contracts or service level agreements have yet been awarded as a result of "Competing for Quality" exercises in 1995–96.

  The estimated annual savings figures arising so far from the "Competing for Quality" programme since April 1992 are £19 million for the Prison Service and £11 million for the rest of the Home Office.

  A substantial number of competitions also take place outside the "Competing for Quality" programme, mainly to meet requirements for a wide range of specialist services. Information on the results of these competitions is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Dangerous Dogs Act
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the total cost so far of keeping dogs held under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in kennels; and if he will make a statement; [25671]

  (2) what has been the total cost so far of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991; and if he will make a statement. [25670]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Information on the cost to the police, local authorities, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the courts of operating the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is not held centrally.

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what changes there have been in the number of staff employed by (i) the Home Office and (ii) each agency for which the Home Office is responsible in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96;.[25496]

  (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; [25632]

  (3) how many staff of (a) the Home Office and (b) agencies for which the Home 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. [25514]

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

  Contracting Out
  Ms. Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what work has been contracted out by (i) his Department and (ii) by agencies for which the Department is responsible in(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and projected for 1995–96. [25521]

  Mr. Howard
  Details of work contracted out by my Department and agencies for which my Department is responsible for the specified years, are as follows:
  706
  1993–94

  i. Court Escorts— Greater London (Area 3).

  ii. HMP Doncaster

  iii. Education services in some prison establishments following the Further and Higher Education Act.

  iv. HMP Reading (staff and inmate catering).

  1994–95

  i. Campsfield House Immigration Detention Centre

  ii HMP Buckley Hall

  iii. Banking Services

  iv. Court Escorts—East Anglia (Area 4).

  v. Court Escorts—Merseyside, Greater Manchester, North Wales (Area 6).

  vi. Legal Services—Fire Service College.

  vii. Radio link installation and maintenance—Police Department.

  viii. Immigration and Nationality Department—File storage and retrieval services.

  ix. Building support services—Forensic Science Service

  x. Administrative Computer Services.

  xi. IT Helpdesk.

  Projected work— 1995–96

  i. Court Escorts—South West, South Wales (Area 1).

  ii. Court Escorts—South, South East (Area 2)

  iii. Court Escorts—West Midlands, Mid Wales (Area 5).

  iv. HMP Bridgend—Design, Construct, Manage and Finance.

  v. HMP Fazakerley—Design, Construct, Manage and Finance

  vi. HMP Lowdham Grange—Rebuild on Existing site.

  vii. HMP Coldingley—Staff/Inmate catering and prison shop.

  viii. HMP Brixton—Staff Catering

  ix. HMP Wealstun—Staff catering and prison shop.

  x. HMP Highpoint—Prison Shop

  xi. Transport for Police Staff College Bramshill.

  Information on low-value work that has been contracted out during the period specified is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Talbot Bail Hostel
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report on the Port Talbot bail hostel will be published. [25406]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Early in the summer.

  Trespassers
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the police have used their discretionary power to direct trespassers to leave land since 8 November 1994. [25539]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Lewis Probation Centre
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received, and what consultations he has had, concerning the closure of Lewis probation centre, Neville street, Riverside, Cardiff; and what proposals he has to fund alternative specialist provision. [25601]
  707
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received no representations concerning the decision of the South Glamorgan probation committee to relocate its probation centre, with Home Office capital grant support, from Lewis street to Westgate street, Cardiff.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to reform the legislation in respect of Crown buildings which require a fire certificate but are not obliged to apply for one; and if he will make a statement; [25861]

  (2) when he expects to lay before the House the Fire Precautions (Places of Work) Regulations to be made under section 12 of the Fire Precautions Act 1971. [25862]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Action on both these issues will depend on the outcome of the Government's consideration of the recommendations of the interdepartmental review of fire safety legislation and enforcement on which we hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Mentally Ill Offenders
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places were available in secure units for mentally ill offenders(a) in 1990 and (b) in the latest year for which figures are available. [26081]

  Mr. Bowis
  I have been asked to reply.

  In 1990, there were 572 places in medium secure units. By March 1995, this had increased to 792. The completion of our centrally funded building programme, to which we have allocated more than £47 million between 1991 and 1995, will take the total to over 1,150 by the end of 1996. There are also about 450 places in interim secure psychiatric units, many of which are of medium secure standard, and others which are funded by health authorities in independent sector facilities.

  In addition, there are about 1,600 places in the three special hospitals at Ashworth, Broadmoor and Rampton. The number of secure places in local hospitals is not recorded centrally but is estimated at about 2,000.

  There were no purpose-built NHS medium secure places in 1979, despite the fact that the Glancy committee had recommended them in its 1974 report.

WALES

  Industrial Development
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his oral answer of 24 April,Official Report, columns 504–5, concerning Government grants and locational incentives, if he will ensure that no jobs are lost in the food processing industry in Wales as a direct displacement arising from grant-aided new jobs being created in the same industrial sector in Northern Ireland. [24950]

  Mr. Redwood
  When applications for assistance are being assessed displacement is always considered and the same criteria apply throughout the United Kingdom. The hon. Gentleman has written to me about a particular case and I will reply to him as soon as possible.

  Water Treatment Directive
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list those areas of the Welsh coastline that have been designated(a) less sensitive and (b) high natural dispersion areas under the urban waste water treatment directive, 91/27 I/EEC; and if he will make a statment; [25991]

  (2) what criteria has been used to designate those areas of the Welsh coastline as less and high natural dispersion areas under the urban waste water treatment directive, 91/271/EEC; and if he will make a statement; [25993]

  (3) what plans he has to reclassify the Severn and Afan estuaries as coastal waters under the urban waste water treatment directive, 91/271/EEC, and what practical effect reclassification will have on existing or future sewage discharges in these estuaries [25992]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 18 May 1994 by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Environment and Countryside, columns 511–12.

  The criteria for identifying high natural dispersion areas—otherwise known as less sensitive areas—are set out in annex II B of the urban waste water treatment directive. A map showing all the areas identified in England and Wales as high natural dispersion areas was placed in the Library of the House. Maps defining, for the purposes of the directive, the outer limits of estuaries, including the Severn and Afan, are available for inspection at the National Rivers Authority's principal offices. The Government have no plans to redefine these limits.

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what changes there have been in the numbers of staff employed by(a) the Welsh Office and (b) agencies for which the Welsh Office 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. [25060]

  (2) 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 in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96 [25625]

  (3) how many staff of (a) the Welsh Office and (b) agencies for which the Welsh 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. [25490]

  Mr. Redwood
  The numbers of permanent and casual staff employed by my Department and Cadw in 1993–94, projected outturn 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.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many posts were lost in(a) the Welsh Office and (b) agencies for which the Welsh 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. [25082]

  Mr. Redwood
  This information is not held centrally.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff of(a) the Welsh Office and (b) agencies
  709
  for which the Welsh Office is responsible (i) took early retirement, (ii) took voluntary redundancy, (iii) took compulsory redundancy and (iv) were retired on medical

  Welsh Office

  Cadw

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Early Retirement

  4

  39

  16

  —

  1

  —

  Redundancy

  9

  25

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Ill Health

  19

  28

  3

  3

  3

  1

  32

  92

  19

  3

  4

  1

  These figures include those who chose redundancy as an alternative to employment at other locations. Projected figures are not available.
  710
  grounds in (1) 1993–94 and (2) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25479]

  Mr. Redwood
  The information is set out as follows:

TREASURY

  Debt Management
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on Government debt management. [26624]

  Mr. Nelson
  Yes. The current tax rules for gilts and bonds inhibit the development of new types of gilts and bonds and make the introduction of an official gilt strips market impossible. They also offer scope for tax avoidance and hence necessitate lengthy and complex anti-avoidance legislation.

  The Inland Revenue has therefore today published a consultative document outlining a much simpler system, under which all returns on gilts and bonds would be taxed as income. This would also provide a consistent framework for the taxation of new types of bonds and gilts.

  Reform on these lines is a necessary precondition for the introduction of an official gilt strips market. The Bank of England is today publishing a consultative document on the introduction of a strips market.

  The consultative period will end on 30 June and the Government will make an announcement shortly afterwards on how they intend to proceed.

  Copies of both consultative documents have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Environmental Satellite Accounts
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has set a date for the establishment within the Central Statistical Office of a new unit to develop a pilot system of environmental satellite accounts linked to national accounts. [25293]

  Mr Nelson
  The Central Statistical Office is in the course of establishing the unit which will carry out this development.

  Real Net Capital Stocks
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide estimates of real net capital stocks by industry at 1990 replacement cost for each year since 1979. [25197]

  Mr. Nelson
  Estimates of real net capital stock by industry at 1990 replacement cost are unavailable.

  Estimates of gross capital stock by industry at 1990 replacement cost are shown in table 14.8 of "United Kingdom National Accounts", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Sterling-dollar Exchange Rate
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in the real exchange rate of the dollar to the pound in terms of relative export unit values for manufactures in the second quarter of 1994 compared to the first quarter of 1980; and what estimate he has made of the effect of this change on the balance of trade between(a) the United States of America and (1) the world and (2) the United Kingdom and (b) the United Kingdom and (1) the United States of America and (2) the world. [25675]

  Mr. Nelson
  The sterling-dollar real exchange rate in terms of export unit values for manufactures can be calculated from data available on the Central Statistical 712
  Office database, which can be accessed through the Library of the House.

  The balance of trade between countries depends on a variety of factors, including price and non-price competitiveness, domestic demand, and overseas demand, none of which are easy to isolate.

  Retirements and Redundancies
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the annual cost to the Treasury of staff leaving each Department under redundancy or early retirement schemes, to incorporate(a) added years lump sum payments, (b) redundancy payments, (c) pension payments, including enhancements and (d) other special arrangements for (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95, (iii) projected for 1995–96 and (iv) projected for 1996–97. [25471]

  Mr. Nelson
  The costs of early retirement and redundancies are borne from individual Departments' running costs provision in respect of their own staff. But in the case of individuals leaving the civil service in the period 1 October 1994 to 31 March 1997, Departments will bear 20 per cent. of such costs, with the remaining 80 per cent. being covered by the Treasury, through the civil superannuation vote, as announced in the civil service White Paper (Cm 2627).

  For 1994–95, the cost to the civil superannuation vote of the 80:20 central funding scheme was £26.9 million. Provision for £150 million has been taken in main estimates for 1995–96. Projections for 1996–97 will be determined during the coming public expenditure survey.

  Contracting Out
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for each piece of work subject to a bidding process under the auspices of(a) the Treasury and (b) agencies for which the Treasury is responsible (i) who the successful bidders were when work was contracted out and (ii) which contracts were won by in-house bidders in (1) 1993–94, (2) 1994–95 and (3) 1995–96. [25559]

  Mr. Nelson
  The table shows the work subjected to competition by the Treasury under the "Competing for Quality" initiative, who won the contracts and in which year.

  Successful Bidders

  Contract

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Library Services

  In house Team

  Nil

  Nil

  Touche Ross

  Internal Audit

  Price Waterhouse

  Nil

  Nil

  Security Guarding

  Nil

  SAFE

  Nil

  Mortgage Holders (Compensation)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to compensate mortgage holders unable to meet their mortgage costs owing to rises in interest rates. [24222]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 24 May 1995]: The Government have no such plans. Home ownership is very affordable in the UK: less than one third of the total increase in base rates since September 1994 has been passed through by building societies to average variable mortgage rates. Even allowing for that increase, the overall reduction in mortgage interest rates since October

  713
  1990 has resulted in a net saving of £130 per month for the average mortgage holder. Fixed-rate mortgages are available for borrowers who want certainty about the level of their mortgage payments over a given period.

  Taxation
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish estimates for the revenue cost/yield in 1996–97 and for a full year of levying a new top rate of tax of(a) 30 per cent., (b) 35 per cent., (c) 45 per cent., (d) 50 per cent., (e) 55 per cent., (f) 60 per cent., and imposing it on incomes above (i) £27,825, (ii) £30,000, (iii) £40,000, (iv) £50,000, (v) £60,000, (vi) £70,000, (vii) £80,000, (viii) £90,000, (ix) £100,000 and, (x) £110,000 (xi) £120,000, (xii) £130,000, (xiii) £140,000 and, (xiv) £150,000, and assuming that where the new top rate is lower than 40 per cent., the 40 per cent. band is abolished, and where it is higher, the 40 per cent. band remains in place; [23349]

  (2) if he will provide estimates for the revenue cost or yield in 1995–96 and for a full year of levying a new top rate of tax of (a) 30 per cent., (b) 35 per cent., (c) 45 per cent., (d) 50 per cent., (e) 55 per cent. and (f) 60 per cent. and imposing it on incomes above (i) £27,825, (ii) £30,000, (iii) £40,000, (iv) £50,000, (v) £60,000, (vi) £70,000, (vii) £80,000, (viii) £90,000, (ix) £100,000, (x) £110,000 (xi) £120,000, (xii) £130,000, (xiii) £140,000 and (xiv) £150,000 assuming that where the new top rate is lower than 40 per cent., the 40 per cent. band is abolished, and where it is higher, the 40 per cent. band remains in place. [23975]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: To provide all of the details sought could be done only at disproportionate cost. Therefore, the table gives available estimates showing the variation in revenue costs over the specified ranges of tax rates and bands of taxable income. These estimates do not allow for any behavioural changes that might result from the introduction of the new tax rate.

  £ billion

  Full year revenue cost (-)/yield (+) at 1995–96 levels1 Higher rate

  Lower limit taxable income £

  30 per cent.

  45 per cent.

  60 per cent.

  24,300

  -4.7

  2.4

  9.3

  50,000

  -6.2

  1.0

  3.9

  70,000

  -6.5

  0.7

  2.7

  100,000

  -6.8

  0.5

  1.9

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

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue yield in 1995– 96 and in a full year of introducing an alternative minimum tax of(a) 20 per cent., (b) 25 per cent., (c) 30 per cent. and (d) 35 per cent. at the levels of income of (i) £50,000, (ii) £60,000, (iii) £70,000, (iv) £80,000, (v) £90,000, (vi) £100,000, (vii) £110,000, (viii) £120,000, (ix) £130,000, (x) £140,000 and (xi) £150,000. [24365]

  Sir George Young
  [holding answer 16 May 1995]: The table gives available estimates showing the variation in revenue yields over the specified ranges of tax rates and thresholds of gross income up to £100,000. Reliable
  714
  estimates are not available for higher thresholds of gross income.

  £ million

  Full year revenue yield at 1995–96 levels Rate of minimum tax

  Gross income

  20 per cent.

  25 per cent.

  30 per cent.

  35 per cent.

  Over £50,000

  15

  60

  510

  2,030

  Over £70,000

  10

  20

  100

  700

  Over £100,000

  5

  10

  40

  250

  Note:

  The estimates do not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from the introduction of the new arrangements.

  VAT (Tour Operators)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will delay the introduction of VAT on tour operators total margin until he has reviewed the equity of the exemption of operators with an in-house travel capacity; and if he will make a statement. [24760]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 17 May 1995]: No. The proposed changes which bring the VAT scheme for tour operators into line with a judgment of the European Court of Justice were announced by Customs and Excise last October, over 14 months before the implementation date of 1 January 1996. While I recognise that some concern has been expressed about possible distortions of competition, there are differing views within the industry and this is one of several complex issues which does not relate solely to the 1 January 1996 changes and which can be addressed only in the longer term and in full consultation with industry representatives. It will therefore be included in a wide-ranging review of the tour operators' margin scheme which Customs proposes to begin next month.

  I am satisfied that, in the meantime, the changes must be made, and a Treasury order will be laid before the House.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from(a) the Association of Independent Tour Operators and (b) other small companies in the outbound travel industry to his VAT changes to tour operators margin scheme; and if he will make a statement. [25590]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Association of Independent Tour Operators and others have raised several concerns about the proposed changes to the tour operators' margin scheme. The changes, which were announced by Customs and Excise last October and will be implemented on 1 January 1996, bring the scheme into line with a judgment of the European Court of Justice. Many, but not all, wish to see the implementation of the changes delayed.

  Some concern has been expressed about possible distortions of competition. This is one of several complex issues connected with the scheme which do not solely relate to the 1 January 1996 changes and which can be addressed only in the longer term and in full consultation with industry representatives. Customs propose to begin just such a wide-ranging review of the scheme next month.
  715
  There will also be further contacts between Customs and Excise and the Association of Independent Tour Operators to discuss the position, but I am satisfied that the changes must be made, and a Treasury order will be laid before the House.

  Leeds/Bradford Airport
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when a flexible anti-smuggling team of Customs and Excise was first established at Leeds/Bradford airport; and how many Customs and Excise staff are based permanently at the airport; how many people arriving at the airport have telephoned requesting to declare goods for excise charges to be levied; and if he will make a statement. [26140]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Flexible anti-smuggling teams were introduced by Customs at Leeds/Bradford airport in early 1992. There are no Customs staff based permanently at the airport. Local Customs management estimate that about six telephone calls per month are made to declare goods for which excise charges are to be levied.

  There are no Customs-free ports or airports. Over recent years, Customs enforcement strategy has progressively moved away from a static presence at all ports and airports towards more flexible checks operated by fast response teams targeted at both areas and times of highest risks. At major ports and airports these anti-smuggling teams are based on site, the smaller places being covered by mobile anti-smuggling strategy, which encompasses both anti-smuggling and fiscal controls, there are some locations where passengers can telephone Customs if they have anything to declare for fiscal purposes. This facility is not a part of anti-smuggling controls.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the absence of permanent Customs and Excise staff at Leeds/Bradford airport. [26141]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Since 1 January 1994, two representations have been received referring specifically to concerns about the absence of permanently based Customs staff at Leeds/Bradford airport, and a further representation expressed concern about airports, including Leeds/Bradford, which have no permanently based staff.

  Developing Countries (Debt)
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the total stock of existing and estimated debt outstanding to the United Kingdom by developing countries for each year from 1990 to 2000; [22674]

  (2) if he will list by country the total stock of existing and estimated debt outstanding to the United Kingdom by developing countries for each year from 1900 to 2000. [22677]

  Mr. Nelson
  The figures for the Export Credit Guarantees Department are not readily available. To assemble them manually would incur disproportionate costs. Figures for outstanding ECGD debt stock as at 31 March 1995 are below. For the ODA figures, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her by the Under-Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 10 May 1995,Official Report, column 463.
  716

  Outstanding debt stock as at 31 March 1995—ECGD

  £ million

  Africa

  Algeria

  70.69

  Angola

  56.97

  Benin

  3.83

  Burkina Faso

  1.94

  Cameroon

  58.61

  C A R

  0.25

  Congo

  106.96

  Cote d'Ivoire

  30.25

  Egypt

  345.48

  Ethiopia

  9.80

  Gabon

  118.06

  Gambia

  2.36

  Ghana

  8.34

  Guinea Republic

  5.06

  Kenya

  57.45

  Liberia

  6.64

  Madagascar

  18.14

  Malawi

  0.72

  Mali

  11.36

  Mauritania

  7.50

  Morocco

  121.73

  Mozambique

  87.66

  Niger

  10.64

  Nigeria

  2,304.30

  Senegal

  2.62

  Sierra Leone

  3.62

  Somalia

  16.22

  Sudan

  168.23

  Tanzania

  163.31

  Togo

  13.22

  Uganda

  25.33

  Zaire

  80.03

  Zambia

  236.45

  4,153.77

  America

  Argentina

  142.29

  Bolivia

  41.47

  Brazil

  861.44

  Chile

  0.00

  Costa Rica

  1.72

  Cuba

  28.55

  Ecuador

  60.85

  Guyana

  117.21

  Jamaica

  4.32

  Mexico

  193.65

  Nicaragua

  0.91

  Peru

  130.60

  Trinidad and Tobago

  12.24

  1,595.25

  Asia and Middle East

  Indonesia

  3.55

  Philippines

  53.83

  Vietnam

  10.40

  Jordan

  365.21

  432.99

  6,182.01

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Departmental Committees
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list all the departmental committees of inquiry which have been established since November 1990, and in each case the date of establishment and the name of the chairman. [23145]

  Mr. David Hunt
  I list in the table those inquiries of which I am aware. I assume that "departmental committee
  717
  of inquiry" should include any ad hoc inquiry set up by a Minister or Ministers bringing in expert or lay opinion and chaired by someone from outside Government to investigate either a specific event or a more general issue.

  Departmental Committees of Inquiry

  Department

  Committee

  Established

  Chairman

  MAFF

  Advisory Committee on Flood and Coastal Defence Research and Development

  December 1990

  Mr. P. Ackers

  MAFF

  Expert Group on Animal Feeding-stuffs

  February 1991

  Professor G. E. Lamming

  MAFF

  Committee on Sea Level and Wave Recording

  February 1991

  Mr. M. J. Tucker

  MAFF

  Committee on the Ethics of Genetic Modification and Food Use

  September 1992

  Reverend Dr. J. C. Polkinghorne FRS

  MAFF

  Review of the Hygiene and Structural Requirements in a Sample of Slaughterhouses which have applied for temporary derogations under the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1992

  October 1992

  Dr. A. M. Johnston Mr. B. J. Spun

  MAFF

  Committee to Review Fertility Aspects of Sewage Sludge Application to Agricultural Land

  January 1993

  Professor A. D. Bradshaw

  MAFF

  Ad Hoc Committee to consider the Ethical Implications of Emerging Technologies in the Breeding of Farm Animals

  May 1993

  Professor Michael Banner

  Attorney General

  Possible merger of SFO with CPS

  July 1994

  Rex Davie

  MOD

  MOD Policy Study

  December 1993

  Sir John Blelloch

  MOD

  Independent Review of Armed Forces' Manpower, Career and Remuneration Structures

  April 1994

  Michael Bett

  MOD

  Review of Representational Entertainment in the Armed Forces

  October 1994

  Sir Peter Cazalet

  DFE

  Review of the Further Education Unit and Further Education Staff College

  January 1993

  Ken Young CBE

  DFE

  Review of the National Curriculum and Assessment Framework

  April 1993

  Sir Ron Dearing

  DFE

  A short study to investigate the potential of emerging technologies to improve the effectiveness of the learning process for pupils of statutory school age

  January 1995

  Peter Seaborne

  DFE

  Review of the 16–19 Qualifications Framework

  April 1995

  Sir Ron Dearing

  DOE

  Inquiry into the Rating of Plant and Machinery

  June 1991

  Derek Wood QC

  DOE

  Enquiry into the Planning System in North Cornwall District

  August 1992

  Miss Audrey M. Lees

  DOE

  Task Force on Government Departments' Empty Houses

  December 1992

  John Baker

  DOE

  Inquiry into the Investment arrangements of the National Rivers Authority

  March 1993

  Sir Michael Kerry

  DOE

  Review of the Procurement and Contracting in the Construction Industry

  July 1993

  Sir Michael Latham

  DoH

  Committee of Enquiry into Complaints about Ashworth Hospital

  April 1991

  Sir Louis Blom-Cooper

  DoH

  Fundamental Review of the Existing System of Remuneration of General Dental Practitioners

  July 1992

  Sir Kenneth Bloomfield KCB

  DoH

  Panel of persons appointed under the Medicines Act 1968 to hear company representations on the proposed revocations of the product licences for Halcion/Triazolam

  January 1993

  Miss Diana Cotton QC

  DoH

  The Allitt Enquiry

  May 1993

  Sir Cecil Clothier

  DoH

  Review of NHS Complaints Procedures

  June 1993

  Professor Alan Wilson

  DoH

  Advisory Group on Osteoporosis

  November 1993

  Professor P. J. Barlow

  DoH

  Task Force to Review Services for Drug Misusers

  May 1994

  Reverend Dr. John Polkinghorne FRS

  DoH

  Expert Group to Investigate Cot Death Theories

  November 1994

  Lady Sylvia Limerick

  HO

  Royal Commissionon Criminal Justice

  July 1991

  Viscount Runciman of Droxford

  HO

  Enquiry into Police Rewards and Responsibilities

  July 1992

  Sir Patrick Sheehy

  HO

  Enquiry into the Escape of IRA Prisoners from Whitemoor Jail

  September 1994

  Sir John Woodcock

  HO

  Enquiry into Prison Security

  December 1994

  Sir John Learmont

  LCD

  An Inquiry into Access to Civil Justice

  March 1994

  Conducted by Lord Justice Woolf

  DNH

  Review of press Self-Regulation

  July 1992

  Conducted by Sir David Calcutt QC

  DNH

  Fire protection measures for the Royal Palaces

  January 1993

  Sir Alan Bailey

  NI

  Taxi Industry

  November 1991

  Mr. R. Stirling

  NI

  Operational Policy in Belfast Prison from Management of Paramilitary Prisoners

  December 1991

  Viscount Colville of Culrose QC

  NI

  Overtime Inquiry

  January 1993

  Sir John Blelloch

  NI

  Northern Ireland Energy Efficiency Action Group

  March 1993

  Dr. William J. McCourt

  NI

  Stormont Fire and Safety in Crown Buildings

  January 1995

  Sir Reginald Doyle

  718
  I have not included inquiries set up routinely in pursuance of responsibilities under a statutory requirement, for example public inquiries held under planning legislation.
  719

  Departmental Committees of Inquiry

  Department

  Committee

  Established

  Chairman

  OPSS

  Expert Working Group on Human Genome Research

  February 1993

  Professor Kay E. Davies

  OPSS

  Review of UK Microbial Culture Collections

  January 1994

  Professor Roger Whittenbury CBE

  OPSS

  Committee to Review the Contribution of Scientists and Engineers to the Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology

  January 1995

  Sir Arnold Wolfendale FRS

  PM

  Committee on Standards in Public Life

  October 1994

  Lord Nolan

  SO

  Committee to review Curriculum and Examination in the Fifth and Sixth years of Secondary Education in Scotland

  March 1990

  Prof. John M. Howie CBE

  SO

  The Cairngorms Working Party

  March 1991

  Magnus Magnusson KBE

  SO

  The Loch Lomond and Trossachs Working Party

  November 1991

  Sir Peter Hutchinson Bt CBE

  SO

  Committee to review Initial Training of Further Education College Lecturers

  May 1992

  Prof. Janette Anderson

  SO

  Inquiry into Cervical Cytopathology at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock

  April 1993

  Dr. Euphemia McGoogan

  DSS

  The Pension Law Review Committee

  June 1992

  Prof. Roy Goode

  DTI

  Coal Task Force

  November 1990

  Dr. Eoin Lees

  DTI

  Renewable Energy Advisory Group

  September 1991

  Dr. Martin Holdgate

  DTI

  Radio Spectrum Review Committee Stage 3: 28–470 Mhz

  July 1992

  Sir Colin Fielding CB

  DTI

  Inquiry into the Export of Defence Equipment and Dual-Use Goods to Iraq 1984–90

  November 1992

  Sir Richard Scott

  DTp

  Review of London Underground Limited's response to fires and other emergencies

  September 1991

  Dr. Brian Appleton

  DTp

  Inquiry into river safety

  December 1991

  John W. Hayes

  DTp

  Inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping

  January 1993

  Lord Donaldson

  DTp

  Assessment of what further work should be undertaken to identify the cause of the sinking of the MV Derbyshire

  March 1995

  Lord Donaldson

  DTp

  Review of Coastguard actions during and after the Lyme Bay canoe tragedy

  May 1995

  John Reeder QC

  DTp

  Study into aircraft noise mitigation measures at Redhill Aerodrome and Wycombe Air Park

  November 1990

  A. J. O'Connor

  HMT

  Inquiry into the Supervision of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International

  July 1991

  Rt Hon. Lord Justice Bingham

  HMT

  Report on the role and functions of the Securities and Investments Board

  July 1992

  Andrew Large

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Children's Play Funds
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage in what areas of children's play funds will be available to bid for in the coming year. [25771]

  Mr. Sproat
  Bids will be invited in the near future for funds to carry out work in the areas of information dissemination, playwork education and training, and play safety.

  National Vocational Qualifications
  Ms Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the centres and the sports concerned in the awarding of national vocational qualifications. [25043]

  Mr. Sproat
  Thirty-three sports were included in a pilot project to establish national vocational qualification centres.

  These are:

  archery

  association football

  athletics

  badminton

  basketball

  bowls

  canoeing

  cricket

  cycling

  dinghy sailing

  720

  exercise and fitness

  fencing

  gymnastics

  hockey

  judo

  mountaineering

  movement and dance

  netball

  orienteering

  rowing

  rugby league

  rugby union

  skiing

  squash

  sub aqua

  surfing

  swimming

  table tennis

  target shooting

  tennis

  trampolining

  volleyball

  721
  Currently, there are 12 fully approved centres in the following sports:

  association football

  swimming

  hockey

  gymnastics

  tennis

  basketball

  karate

  yachting

  A number of other centres are in line for approval by the end of this year.

  Ms Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) how many national vocational qualifications have been awarded in martial arts; [25042]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the progress of awarding national vocational qualifications for martial arts. [25041]

  Mr. Sproat
  National vocational qualifications will not be awarded in the category "martial arts". There are eight different recognised martial arts, each with varying styles and techniques and each has to be treated separately in its

  Let by

  Activity

  Name of successful bid

  Won by in-house bid

  (i) 1993–94

  DNH

  Consultancy for advice on competitive tendering of works management functions

  Watts and Partners

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Reprographics

  William Lea FM

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Central Typing and Secretarial

  Manpower plc

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Mailroom

  Security Despatch Group

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Security

  Royal British Legion association

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Minor Maintenance

  Richard Devine

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Cleaning

  Ramoneur

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Reception

  Manpower plc

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Payments and Accounts Services

  Accounts Services Agency

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Property maintenance management

  Tarmac Facilities Management

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kew Palace—Security Services

  Royal British Legion

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Hampton Court Palace—Gardens Litter Clearance

  SITA

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Hampton Court Palace

  Initial Cleaning Services

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Catering

  De blanks

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Cleaning

  Swanlux

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Cash Collection

  Armaguard/Security Express

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Banqueting House—Cleaning Services

  Sloane Cleaning

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Banqueting House—Security

  Royal British Legion

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Banqueting House—Porterage

  Universal

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Banqueting House—Catering

  10 companies used—selected by tender

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Banqueting House—Floristry

  Nancy Ford

  No in-house bid

  (ii) 1994–95

  DNH

  Provision of works management services for certain properties in central London

  E C Harris

  No in-house bid

  722
  preparation for NVQ centre approval. Details of awards in the eight recognised martial arts are not available.

  Contracting Out
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what work has been contracted out(a) by his Department and (b) by agencies for which his Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) projected for 1995–96; [25661]

  (2) for each area of work subject to a bidding process under the auspices of (i) his Department and (ii) agencies for which his Department is responsible where work was contracted out who were the successful bidders; and which contracts were won by in-house bidders in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1995–96. [25518]

  Mr. Dorrell
  Details of work contracted out for the first time which would previously have been carried out in-house by (i) my Department and (ii) the two agencies for which I am responsible in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) 1995–96 are given in the table below. Only one of the tenders was subject to an in-house bid, which was successful.
  723

  Let by

  Activity

  Name of successful bid

  Won by in-house bid

  DNH

  Provision of works management services for central ceremonial activities

  Unicorn Consultancy Ltd.

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Provision of works services management at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich

  Taylor Woodrow Facilities Management

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Statue maintenance services

  Stonewest Ltd.

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Services relating to Trafalger Square Christmas Tree and New Year works

  Building and Property Facilities Management Ltd.

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Record Storage, Retrieval and Review

  Britannia Data Management

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Management of Car Parking Facilities

  Apcoa Parking Ltd.

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Audit Services

  Price Waterhouse

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Estate management duties

  Daniel Smith

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  IT Consultants

  Internet Solutions

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Ticketing/EPOS Systems

  MHG Systems Select Ticketing

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Window Cleaning

  Metropolitan

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Computer Maintenance

  HMSO

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Commercial Guard Force

  RBLA

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Signage—Moat Gardens

  HB Sign Company

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Costumed Interpretation

  Past Pleasures

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Garden Maintenance

  Ground Control

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Hampton Court Palace—Catering

  Town and County

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Hampton Court Palace—Costumed Interpretation

  Past Pleasures

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Hampton Court Palace—Recorded Tour Service

  Acoustiguide

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Hampton Court Palace—Warding Services

  Group 4

  In-house bid unsuccessful

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Catering

  De blanks/Diby Trout

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Catering

  Securicor

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Cash Collection

  Armaguard/Security Express

  No in-house bid

  (iii) 1995–96

  DNH

  Consultancy for provision of professional support and advisory services relating to other Royal Estate Division works responsibilities

  Tenders under consideration

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Services relating to Remembrance Day ceremony works

  Tendering exercise planned for later in the year

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Stationery

  Not yet awarded

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Payments and Accounts Services

  CSL Managed Services

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Car Park Security duties

  Reliance Security

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Entertainment organiser

  Not yet awarded

  —

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Computer Maintenance

  LCE Computer Systems

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Cash Collection/Counting

  Security Express

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace— Catering

  Securicor

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Cleaning

  Securicor

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Cash Collection

  Armaguard/Security Express

  No in-house bid

  Archaeological Sites
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if it remains Her Majesty's Government's policy to legislate, as parliamentary time permits, to implement proposals for new controls for archaeological sites. [24723]

  Mr. Dorrell
  The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 is the primary legislation in operation to safeguard ancient monuments and archaeological remains in England, Wales and Scotland. Proposals to update and improve the 1979 Act will be included in the Heritage Green Paper which I intend to publish later this year.

  Consultants
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the level of expenditure on consultancy by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies for which his Department is responsible for(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) projected for 1995–96.

  Mr. Dorrell
  My Department's expenditure on consultancy for the years 1993–94, 1994–95 and the forecast expenditure for 1995–96 is as follows:724

  DNH £

  Agencies £

  1993–94

  1,547,125

  4,456,430

  1994–95

  1,145,996

  2,470,325

  1995–96(est)

  761,000

  2,430,921

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) how many staff of(a) the Department of National Heritage and (b) agencies for which the Department of National Heritage 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; [25508]

  (2) 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. [25497]
  725
  Mr. Dorrell
  The numbers of permanent and casual staff employed by my Department and its two executive agencies—the Royal Parks agency and the Historic Royal Palaces agency—in 1993–94; projected outturn 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.

  Majority Shareholdings
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. [25712]

  Mr. Dorrell
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: In my capacity as Secretary of State for National Heritage, I am not a majority shareholder in any companies which are either (a) currently in existence or (b) have been wound up in the past five years.

EMPLOYMENT

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many staff of(a) the Department of Employment and (b) agencies for which the Department is responsible (i) took early retirement, (ii) took voluntary redundancy, (iii) took compulsory redundancy and (iv) were retired on medical grounds in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1994–95. [25414]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The information is not readily available in the form requested. The total number of staff who left on voluntary early retirement schemes in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were 1,909 and 1,884 respectively. The total number of staff who left on ill health retirement in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were 291 and 328 respectively. It is too soon to project the likely outcomes for 1995–96.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the annual cost to his 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. [25636]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The cost to the Department of early retirement and redundancies are borne from the department's running costs. A detailed breakdown of the various costs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The total costs borne on the Department's running costs in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were £61.87 million and £25.7 million respectively. It is too soon to project the costs to be borne for 1995–96 or 1996–97.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how many staff of(a) the Department of Employment and (b) agencies for which the Department is responsible, were employed on a casual or short-term
  726
  basis in (i) 1993–94 and (ii) 1994–95; and what is the projected figure for 1995–96; [25413]

  (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. [25626]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The numbers of permanent and casual staff employed by the Department and the Employment Service agency in 1993–94, estimated outturn for 1994–95, and plans for 1995–96 can be found in annexe A table iii of the Department's annual report, Cm 2805, a copy of which is available in the Library. No projections broken down by grade are available.

  Job Vacancies
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer of 16 May,Official Report, column 160, what consideration he has given to instructing jobcentres to refuse the acceptance of job vacancies with age restrictions in all circumstances where the employer cannot prove that age limits are essential to the performance of the job. [25804]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government are not convinced that refusing to accept vacancies with age restrictions would persuade many employers to change their attitudes. Those employers who currently insist on imposing age restrictions may choose to fill their vacancies by other means. We are concerned that any movement away from using jobcentres would have a harmful effect on the job prospects of the unemployed, especially those who are disadvantaged.

  Minicab Drivers
  Mr. Bendall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many operations against benefit fraud by minicab drivers have been mounted by the Employment Service since January 1991; how many investigations were carried out; how many minicab drivers were found to be claiming social security benefits; what was the value of the benefits saved; and what was the cost of the operation. [26182]

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

  Letter from A. G. Johnson to Mr. Vivian Bendall, dated 25 May 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your question about investigations by Employment Service (ES) Inspectors into mini cab drivers since 1991.
  Unfortunately, the information you requested is not available.
  Over the last 18 months (the period for which details concerning individual investigations is kept) ES Inspectors have carried out over 400,000 investigations covering all areas of the economy. However case files are held under clients' names and not by occupation or industry.
  Experience has shown that benefit fraud is more prevalent in certain areas of employment, mini cab driving being one. My inspectors have and will continue to target these areas. Often it has been legitimate licensed taxi drivers and their trade associations who have provided information for my inspectors to act on.
  Although I am unable to supply the information you seek on the investigation of mini cab drivers, the table below shows the performance of the ES Inspectors over the last three years.
  727

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Total number of staff

  1,343

  1,343

  1,343

  (investigators)

  (780)

  (780)

  (780)

  £71.15

  £80.12

  £92.1

  Gross savings1

  million

  million

  million

  Cost of fraud Operation

  £26.44

  £26.84

  £27.5

  million

  million

  million

  £44.71

  £53.28

  £64.6

  Net savings

  million

  million

  million

  Investment return2

  £2.69

  £2.99

  £3.35

  Number of sign-offs3

  61,129

  67,426

  78,231

  1 This figure is calculated by multiplying the weekly amount of benefit saved by 22. The 22-week figure was identified by the Department of social Security research and represents the average number of weeks claimants would have remained on the register if they had not been investigated by fraud staff.

  2 Pounds of benefit saved for ever £ of cost.

  3 Number of clients withdrawing their claims to benefit after investigation by ES inspectors.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Workstart
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed people will be taking part in the new workstart pilot schemes running in(a) the west midlands and (b) the north-west. [25805]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The new workstart pilots, which pay a subsidy to employers who recruit very long-term unemployed people, began last month in the west midlands conurbation, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

  No targets have been set for the number of people who will participate on the individual workstart pilots. However, 5,000 places are available for the pilots as a whole.

  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps his Department is taking(a) to evaluate the workstart pilot scheme in the west midlands in which a subsidy for placing an unemployed person is negotiated with an employer on an individual basis and (b) to monitor the workstart pilot scheme in the north-west in which the use of a subsidy varies according to the duration of a client's unemployment; and when he expects to publish the results of his evaluations. [25809]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information on the workstart pilots is being collected in three ways: routine management information; a database which will contain details of participants' characteristics and a survey of employers.

  A final report will be available in late 1996.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what studies have been commissioned by Her Majesty's Government into the impact on employment over the next decade from information technology; and if he will make a statement. [25984]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Several studies have been commissioned into the future impact on employment of information technology:The Government's technology foresight programme has examined a wide range of technology developments which will underpin improvements in the UK's wealth creating capacity. This has included the IT sector and developments of new IT-based businesses.
  Several Government Departments co-funded the "Britain in 2010" study which included an assessment of the impact of new technology on jobs.
  728
  The Department of Trade and Industry has commissioned a feasibility study into the impact of telecommunications and computer applications on the international mobility of jobs.
  A major study of teleworking, carried out for the Employment Department in 1992, highlighted the ways in which this new form of working can create employment opportunities.
  A recent study for the Department of Trade and Industry highlighted the potential of telework for increasing the competitiveness of British industry.

  Advances in IT play a key role in helping to increase productivity and enhance the competitiveness of British industry, contributing to employment growth and improving living standards. IT has facilitated the growth of new forms of working such as telework, which give more people the opportunity to participate in the labour force, help businesses to retain skilled workers and increase employment opportunities in remote areas.

  Allerton Outreach Team
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what further funding he has authorised to support two staff and running costs of the Allerton outreach team in Bradford; and if he will make a statement. [25987]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The original Employment Service source of funding for the Allerton outreach team has been absorbed into the single regeneration budget and the Employment Department no longer has a direct involvement in funding this project, which is managed by Bradford council.

  However, for 1995–96, the Bradford and district training and enterprise council has made available £10,000 towards the cost of an outreach worker. I understand that the balance of the cost is being met by Bradford council. The TEC has also arranged for up to £10,000 of guidance vouchers to be available for Allerton's residents. I do understand that a trainee under the training for work programme continues to provide a second team member. A full range of ED programmes are available to help unemployed people in Bradford including the residents of Allerton.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what response he received from the National Advisory Council on Employment of People with Disabilities to his consultation on Government measures to tackle discrimination against disabled people with regard to(a) the remit of the new advisory body proposed in the consultation document, (b) additional functions which the new advisory body might undertake, over and above those proposed in the consultation document, (c) infrastructure and resources for the new advisory body and (d) exclusion of small firms from the new statutory requirements proposed in the consultation document; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the response of the National Advisory Council on Employment of People with Disabilities. [26084]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Government have published a full analysis of the responses to the consultation exercise entitled "A Consultation on Government Measures to Tackle Discrimination Against Disabled People: An Analysis of the Responses", and a copy of this has been placed in the Library. Our general policy is not to publish particular responses to the consultation document.
  729
  The National Advisory Council on Employment of People with Disabilities advised my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The council's advice was sought on the employment and training implications of the consultation proposals. NACEPD's advice is provided direct to Ministers or to officials, and its views are subsequently made known publicly through periodic reports on its activities. Such a report is not due yet, so I have arranged for a copy of NACEPD's response to the consultation document to be placed in the Library.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which non-departmental public bodies within the responsibility of his Department are subject to scrutiny by(a) the ombudsmen, (b) the National Audit Office, (c) the Audit Commission and (d) other monitoring officers; which are covered by citizens charters; in which performance indicators apply; and in which members are liable to surcharge. [23969]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 15 May 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright) on 25 April 1995, Official Report, column 477. In addition to the executive non-departmental public bodies listed in that reply, the Department sponsors the following NDPBs:

  The National Advisory Council on the Employment of People with Disabilities;

  Committees for the Employment of Disabled People, around 60 local committees;

  Supported Employment Consultative Group;

  Race Relations Advisory Group.

  These advisory bodies are convened to advise the Department on the impact of Government employment policies on people with disabilities and ethnic minorities. They have no grant in aid are supported within the Department's running costs. None of them provides a service direct to the public. They are therefore all potentially subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office but not by the Parliamentary Commissioner or the Audit Commission. None is covered by citizens charters or performance indicators. In none of the NDPBs for which the Department is responsible are the members liable to surcharge and none is subject to scrutiny by monitoring officers other than those referred to above and those carrying out normal audit functions.

SCOTLAND

  Former Ministers
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what rules and regulations are laid down by his office regarding former Ministers taking up appointments with companies with which they have been involved while Ministers. [23053]

  Mr. Lang
  No specific rules or regulations are laid down by my office. Existing guidance is contained in paragraph 105 of "Questions of Procedures for Ministers", a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Departmental Property
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been the total capital and recurring costs of improvements and replacements in relation to the fabric, decoration, carpeting and facilities of(a) Dover house, (b) Bute house and (c) Alhambra house in each year since 1979. [24103]

  Mr. Lang
  The information available for each full financial year for which detailed records are held by the Scottish Office is as in the table. Works in previous years were carried out by the Property Services Agency and my Department does not hold information from which these buildings could be identified separately:

  Building

  Year

  Capital £

  Maintenance £

  Alhambra

  House

  1990–91

  90,778.31

  15,121.03

  1991–92

  76,349.69

  15,638.30

  1992–93

  6,685.10

  45,274.75

  1993–94

  13,616.11

  6,279.37

  1994–95

  4,059.52

  35,944.66

  Dover House

  1990–91

  100,056.43

  16,094.90

  1991–92

  107,643.96

  12,400.31

  1992–93

  184,779.49

  35,283.21

  1993–94

  64,555.14

  17,971.33

  1994–95

  80,186.26

  66,570.16

  Bute House

  1990–91

  21,828.12

  20,700.76

  1991–92

  19,347.71

  24,802.82

  1992–93

  8,407.70

  20,731.24

  1993–94

  14,153.23

  17,946.15

  1994–95

  7,490.65

  35,104.58

  Dover house and Bute house are both grade A listed buildings. Alhambra house was vacated by the Scottish Office in November 1994.

  Giant Hogweed
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he plans to require the owners of land to which the public may have access to eradicate heracleum mantegazzianum; if he will give local authorities a duty to control heracleum mantegazzianum; and if he will make a statement about the dangers associated with this plant. [24083]

  Sir Hector Monro
  There are no plans to bring forward legislation to impose new duties in relation to heracleum mantegazzianum on landowners or local authorities. Heracleum mantegazzianum contains large amounts of sap whose toxins can cause painful blistering, and humans coming into contact with the plant may require medical treatment.

  Health Boards
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to alter the boundaries of health boards; and if he will make a statement. [24975]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My noble and learned Friend the Minister of State is considering, in consultation with relevant interests, whether adjustments should be made in the small number of cases where the boundaries of the new local authorities intersect those of health boards.

  Retirements and Redundancies
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff of(a) the Scottish Office and (b) agencies for which the Scottish Office 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. [25503]

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is set out in the table below. Staff numbers for the Scottish Prison Service are shown separately.

  Projected

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  (a) The Scottish Office

  (i) Early retirement

  35

  30

  25

  (ii) Voluntary redundancy

  47

  144

  100–200

  (iii) Compulsory redundancy

  —

  —

  —

  (iv) Medical grounds

  26

  19

  20

  (b) Agencies

  (i) Early retirement

  3

  4

  2

  (ii) Voluntary redundancy

  3

  12

  6

  (iii) Compulsory Redundancy

  1

  —

  1

  (iv) Medical grounds

  3

  31

  6

  (c) Scottish Prison Agency

  (i) Early retirement

  50

  160

  150

  (ii) Voluntary redundancy

  3

  3

  1—

  (iii) Compulsory Redundancy

  —

  —

  —

  (iv) Medical grounds

  80

  60

  60

  1 None expected.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the annual cost to his 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, (c) projected for 1995–96 and (d) projected for 1996–97. [25470]

  Mr. Lang
  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.

  The total costs borne on the Scottish Office running costs in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were £900,000 and £1.5 million respectively. For 1995–96 the amount is estimated at £1.6 million.

  For the Scottish Prison Service the total costs borne in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were £900,000 in each year and for 1995–96 the amount is estimated at £800,000.

  Projections for 1996–97 will be determined during the coming public expenditure survey.

  Consultants
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the level of expenditure on consultancy by(a) his Office and (b) agencies for which his Office is responsible for (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) projected for 1995–96. [25645]
  732
  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is currently not held centrally and is therefore not available. Steps are, however, being taken to establish a central record of such information. I shall write to the hon. Member with the information requested as soon as it becomes available and place a signed copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

  Contracting Out
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for each piece of work subject to a bidding process under the auspices of(a) his Department and (b) agencies for which his Department is responsible (i) where work was contracted out, who were the successful bidders and (ii) where contracts were won by in-house bidders in (1) 1993–94, (2) 1994–95 and (3) 1995–96. [25656]

  Mr. Lang
  The information requested is as set out:

  (a) The Scottish Office core

  Activity

  Successful bidder(s)

  (1) 1993–94

  Superannuation

  Ministry of Defence

  Animal House Services

  Western General Hospital

  Audit of NHS Boards

  KPMG Peat Marwick; Coopers and Lybrand; Price Waterhouse

  Scottish Fire Service Training School Catering

  Gardner Merchant

  Design, Print and Publication Services

  HMSO

  Education, Social Work and Transport Statistics

  In-house teams

  Recruitment

  In-house teams

  Drawing Office

  In-house team

  Telecommunications Depots

  In-house team

  (2) 1994–95

  Additional typing services

  Carol Jones Recruitment Ltd.

  Data Preparation

  Saztec and AlphaNumeric

  Mainframe Applications Support

  FI Group plc

  Audit of second wave NHS Trusts

  KPMG Peat Marwick; Price Waterhouse; Ernst and Young

  Audit of third wave NHS trusts

  Ernst and Young; Scott Moncrieff; KPMG Peat Marwick; Price Waterhouse

  Facilities management and messengerial services at Victoria Quay

  Serco Services Ltd.

  Security at Victoria Quay

  In-house team

  (3) 1995–96

  Publications distribution and Sales

  HMSO

  Agencies

  Activity

  Successful bidder(s)

  (1) 1993–94

  Scottish Prison Service—Building and Electrical Maintenance Work atHM Prison, Barlinnie

  AMEC

  Scottish Prison Service—Building and Electrical Maintenance Work at three establishments (Perth, Shottsand Edinburgh)

  In-house team

  Scottish Prison Service, Central Stores

  In-house team

  733

  Agencies

  Activity

  Successful bidder(s)

  (2) 1994–95

  Scottish Prison Service—Building and Electrical Maintenance Work at six establishments (Longriggend, Aberdeen, Peterhead, Corntonvale,Polmont, Glenochil)

  In-house team

  Security at the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  Burns Security

  Scottish Office Pensions Agency—Development, Supply and Maintenance of Pensions Administration Systems

  McDonnel Information Systems

  Prison-based Education, Scottish Prison Service

  Motherwell College, Stoke College, James Watt College, Falkirk College, Aberdeen College, Angus College, Coatbridge College, Highland Regional Council

  Historic Scotland, Patrolmen at Edinburgh Castle

  Pinkerton Security Services

  Historic Scotland—Gardening and Grounds maintenance work at Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Park

  In-house team

  Typing and clerical support at Registers of Scotland

  In-house team

  No external contracts have yet been awarded during 1995–96 in respect of agencies for which my Department is responsible.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what work has been contracted out(a) by his Department and (b) by agencies for which his Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) projected for 1995–96. [25659]

  Mr. Lang
  The information is as set out.

  (a) The Scottish Office

  (i) 1993–94

  Superannuation

  Animal House Services

  Audit of NHS Boards

  Scottish Fire Service Training School Catering

  Design, Print and Publication Services

  (ii) 1994–95

  Additional typing services

  Data Preparation

  Mainframe Applications Support

  Audit of 2nd wave NHS trusts

  Audit of 3rd wave NHS trust

  Facilities management and messengerial services at Victoria Quay

  (iii) 1995–96

  Publications distribution and sales

  (b)Agencies

  (i)1993–94

  Scottish Prison Service—Building and Electrical Maintenance and minor works at HMP Barlinnie.

  (ii) 1994–95

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency—Security

  Scottish Office Pensions Agency—Development, Supply and Maintenance of Pensions Administration Systems

  Historic Scotland—Patrolmen at Edinburgh Castle

  Scottish Prison Service—Prison-based education

  734

  (iii) 1995–96

  Scottish Prison Service—Maintenance and minor works at Castle Huntly, Dumfries, Penninghame, Noranside, Friarton, Greenock, Inverness, Low Moss and Dungavel establishments. Registers of Scotland—Pre-application reports.

  Departmental Performance
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what performance indicators and performance targets there are for measuring the performance of his Department in(a) answering letters from members of the public and (b) answering telephone calls from members of the public; how performance is monitored; and what are the latest figures for performance measured against the target set. [26232]

  Mr. Lang
  Where members of the public write to Ministers and the reply is made on their behalf by departmental officials, there is a target of 20 days for doing so. In 1994, 14,846 such replies were issued—76 per cent, within the target of 20 days.

  Where members of the public write direct to departmental officials, the setting of targets for the issue of replies is a matter for individual divisions and units. There is no centrally laid down target and no central collection of performance figures by individual divisions and units.

  The target for answering telephone calls to the Scottish Office central inquiry unit is an average of 10 seconds. Weekly performance is monitored electronically. During a recent 10-day period, 14,208 calls were handled. The average response time was 11 seconds.

  Complaints
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what policy and procedure exist for dealing with complaints against his Department by members of the public; when his Department last updated its policy; what time limit and target for dealing with such complaints his Department has; and what follow-up procedure exists where complainants are not satisfied with his Department's response to a complaint. [26216]

  Mr. Lang
  My Department provides a wide range of services to the public. A single department-wide complaints procedure would not be appropriate. Our complaints procedures are tailored to the particular circumstances of the service provided and the needs of the users. A comprehensive review of our complaints procedures was carried out in 1992. Time limits for dealing with complaints were introduced. They vary from service to service. Most of our complaints procedures provide for complainants to refer their complaint to a more senior level if they are dissatisfied. If the matter is not resolved to the complainant's satisfaction he or she can ask a Member of Parliament to refer the matter to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration.

  Belvidere Hospital
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the names of all the bodies which have any responsibility for all or part of the services provided at Belvidere hospital, Parkhead, Glasgow; and to which organisation the hospital belongs. [26186]
  735
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS trust, The Southern General Hospital NHS trust and the West Glasgow Hospitals University NHS trust have responsibility for the services provided at Belvidere hospital.

  Greater Glasgow health board is in discussion with the Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS trust over the transfer of the assets of the hospital to that trust.

  Glasgow City Council
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the electorate for each of the new unitary authority wards in the Glasgow city council area as at 6 April. [26187]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The electorate for each of the new unitary authority wards for the city of Glasgow council at the latest available date, 15 February 1995, are given in the table:

  Electoral ward

  Total electorate

  1. Drumry

  5,997

  2. Summerhill

  5,821

  3. Blairdardie

  5,309

  4. Knightswood Park

  6,502

  5. Knightswood South

  5,556

  6. Yoker

  6,048

  7. Anniesland

  6,081

  8. Jordanhill

  5,813

  9. Kelvindale

  6,326

  10. Scotstoun

  5,812

  11. Victoria Park

  5,898

  12. Broomhill

  6,348

  13. Hyndland

  7,272

  14. Hillhead

  6,197

  15. Partick

  7,064

  16. Kelvin

  7,242

  17. Firhill

  5,916

  18. Woodlands

  6,532

  19. Kelvingrove

  5,699

  20. Anderston

  5,232

  21. Merchant City

  6,044

  22. Milton

  5,680

  23. Possil

  5,258

  24. Keppochhill

  5,643

  25. Summerston

  5,797

  26. Maryhill

  5,493

  27. Wyndford

  5,521

  28. Robroyston

  4,989

  29. Gartcraig

  6,211

  30. Carntyne

  5,870

  31. Royston

  6,299

  32. Milnbank

  6,350

  33. Dennistoun

  5,626

  34. Springburn

  6,038

  35. Cowlairs

  6,099

  36. Wallacewell

  6,027

  37. Calton

  4,780

  38. Bridgeton

  5,610

  39. Dalmarnock

  5,112

  40. Queenslie

  5,367

  41. Greenfield

  6,029

  42. Barlanark

  5,851

  43. Tollcross Park

  5,198

  44. Braidfauld

  5,176

  45. Shettleston

  6,132

  46. Mount Vernon

  6,606

  47. Garrowhill

  5,988

  48. Baillieston

  6,494

  49. Garthamlock

  4,694

  50. Wellhouse

  5.579

  51. Easterhouse

  5,466

  736

  Electoral ward

  Total electorate

  52 Drumoyne

  5,804

  53. Govan

  5,121

  54. Ibrox

  5,755

  55. Kingston

  5,109

  56. Pollokshields East

  5,784

  57. Maxwell park

  5,506

  58. Penilee

  6,034

  59. Craigton

  6,972

  60. Cardonald

  5,376

  61. Pollok

  5,145

  62. Mosspark

  6,693

  63. Crookston

  5,563

  64. South Pollok

  5,034

  65. Arden

  4,217

  66. Levernholm

  5,582

  67. Carnwadric

  5,964

  68. Newlands

  6,211

  69. Cathcart

  5,957

  70. Pollokshaws

  5,633

  71. Strathbungo

  6,153

  72. Langside

  5,355

  73. Hutchesontown

  4,418

  74. Oatlands

  5,807

  75. Govanhill

  6,415

  76. Battlefield

  6,832

  77. Mount Florida

  5,274

  78. Aitkenhead

  5,642

  79. Carmunock

  5,007

  80. Castlemilk

  5,393

  81. Glenwood

  4,203

  82. Toryglen

  4,689

  83. King's Park

  3,650

  474,990

  NHS Numbers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an undertaking that the new NHS number will be used only with respect to the provision of health-related services; and if he will make a statement. [26399]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There are no proposals to reissue the NHS number in Scotland where a community health index number has been in use for many years. We have no plans to use the community health index number for anything other than health-related purposes.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department will issue the new Scottish unitary authorities with their indicative budgets for 1995–96. [25332]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 23 May J995]: My right hon. Friend intends to lay a report before the House, in accordance with section 24 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, in the autumn specifying the amounts which he will use as the baseline for considering capping action in 1996–97. However, in recognition of the shadow councils' need to have early knowledge of the amounts for the purpose of beginning to prepare budgets for 1996–97, my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to issue his proposed figures by about the end of June.

  The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities is being fully consulted about the preparation of the figures and those existing local authorities which are being disaggregated have agreed to have discussions with

  737
  relevant shadow councils about the appointment of their 1995–96 budgets to the new council areas.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of(a) applications for trust status which have been turned down by the Scottish Office, (b) applicants involved and (c) amounts of money spent by the national health service management executive in supporting these unsuccessful applicants for each year since 1991–92. [25329]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]: Four applications for trust status have been rejected. These were as follows:

  Princess Margaret Rose Orthopaedic Hospital

  Lothian College of Nursing and Midwifery

  Forth Valley Healthcare

  Western Isles Health Unit

  The costs incurred by the NHS in supporting these applications amounted to:

  1991–92: £50,000

  1992–93: £69,730

  1993–94: £195,000

  The application made by Forth Valley Healthcare was subsequently re-submitted and accepted as a conjoint application with the Royal Scottish National Hospital and Community NHS trust to form Central Scotland Healthcare NHS trust.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the correspondence addresses and the names of the executive and non-executive directors of the NHS trusts established in April. [25345]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]: The executive and non-executive directors of the NHS trusts established in April are as follows:

  Argyll and Bute NHS Trust (Aros, Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31)

  Non-executive directors

  Executive directors

  Mrs. Hester Gardiner

  Chief Executive: Mr. Jonathan R. Best

  Dr. J. Stewart Moffat

  Medical Director: Dr. Angus MacKay

  Mr. John Wilson

  Nursing Director: Mr. Rob Brown

  Miss Catherine Pollock

  Finance Director: Mr. Graeme Oram

  Mr. Ian Smyth

  Human Resources Director: Mr. John McCormick Business and Operations Director: Mr. Steven Gallagher

  Borders Community Health Services NHS Trust (Dingleton Hospital, Melrose, TD6 9HN)

  Non-Executive Directors

  Executive Directors

  Dr. Daniel Jones

  Chief Executive:

  Mrs. Marie Mackie

  Mr. John Turner

  Dr. Andrew Simpson

  Medical Director:

  Mrs. Marni Lamb

  Dr. Bruce Low

  Mr. Angus Davidson

  Nursing Director:

  Mr. Paul Martin

  Finance Director:

  Mr. Robert Kemp

  Human Resources Director:

  Miss Janet Kyle

  Mental Health Director:

  738

  Borders Community Health Services NHS Trust (Dingleton Hospital, Melrose, TD6 9HN)

  Non-Executive Directors

  Executive Directors

  Mr. Hector Christic

  Clinical Services Director:

  Mrs. Irene Morris

  Estate Director:

  Mr. Bill Wilkie

  Borders General Hospital NHS Trust (Borders General Hospital, Melrose, Roxburghshire TD6 9BS)

  Non-Executive Directors

  Executive Directors

  Mrs. Ann Bryce

  Acting Chief Executive:

  Mr. Allistair Matheson

  Professor Kenneth Fowler

  Medical Director:

  Dr. Peter Buchan

  Mr. George Finlay

  Nursing Director:

  Vacant

  Mrs. Elspeth Bruce

  Finance Director:

  Mr. Allistair Matheson

  Mr. Graham Watt

  Human Resources Director:

  Mr. Simon Crouch

  Dumfries and Galloway Community Services NHS Trust (Crichton Hall, Crichton Royal Hospital, Glencapple Road, Dumfries DG1 4TF)

  Non-Executive Directors

  Executive Directors

  Dr. Robert Grieve

  Chief Executive:

  Dr. Tom Shearer

  Mr. Alexander Scott

  Medical Director:

  Dr. John Waterhouse

  Mr. Ronald Percy

  Nursing Director:

  Mr. Richard Swift

  Mr. William Alexander

  Finance Director:

  Mr. Keith Stephenson

  Mrs. Janette Richardson

  Human Resources Director:

  Miss Dorothy Elsey

  Glasgow Dental Hospital and School NHS Trust (378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JZ)

  Non-executive directors

  Executive directors

  Rev. Malcolm Cuthbertson

  Chief Executive:

  Dr. Doreen Steele

  Mrs. Elspeth Farmer

  Dental Director:

  Vacant

  Sir David Mason

  Nursing Director:

  Ms Teresa Kemp

  Mr. John Bannon

  Finance Director:

  Mr. Colin Brown

  Mrs. Joy Travers

  Human Resources Director:

  Dr. Doreen Steele

  Research Director:

  Vacant

  Lanarkshire Healthcare NHS Trust (Strathclyde Hospital, Airbles Road, Motherwell ML1 3BW)

  Non-executive directors

  Executive directors

  Mrs. Peggy Murphy

  Chief Executive:

  Mr. David Parr

  Mrs. Winifred Sherry

  Medical Director:

  Dr. Allan Sinclair

  Ver Rev. Dr. Hugh Wyllie

  Nursing Director:

  Mrs. Helen Scott

  739

  Lanarkshire Healthcare NHS Trust (Strathclyde Hospital, Airbles Road, Motherwell ML1 3BW)

  Non-executive directors

  Executive directors

  Mrs. Mary Smith

  Finance Director:

  Miss Elaine Ramage

  Mr. Robert Thomson

  Human Resources Director:

  Mr. Kenny Small

  Planning and Contracts Director:

  Mr. Kenny Small

  Director of Estates:

  Mr. Leslie Lambert

  Lomond Healthcare NHS Trust (Vale of Leven District General Hospital, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, G83 OUA)

  Non-executive directors

  Executive directors

  Mrs. Eileen Gorie

  Chief Executive: Mr. Stephen Hayes

  Rev. Ian Miller

  Medical Director: Mr. Eric W. Taylor

  Mrs. Elizabeth McHard

  Nursing Director: Vacant

  Mr. Archibald Mackenzie

  Finance Director: Mr. Ross Arbuckle

  Mr. David Morrell

  Human Resources Director:

  Mrs. Francine G. Ewen

  Scottish Ambulance Service NHS Trst (National Headquarters, Tipperlinn Road, Edinburgh EH 10 5UU)

  Non-Executive Directors

  Executive Directors

  Mr. William Campbell

  Chief Executive: Mr. Andrew

  Freemantle

  Mr Greer Johnston

  Medical Director: Mr. Andrew

  Marsden

  Mr. Neil Menzies

  Finance Director: Mr. Brian J. Roy

  Dr. David Cormack

  Human Resources Director: Mr. John

  Bateman

  Miss Ann Foster

  Logistics Director: Mr. Clive Wooller

  Dental Services
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many dental patients were registered at 31 March in each health board area in Scotland. [25350]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]: The number of patients registered with a dentist at 31 March in each health board area in Scotland is shown in the table.

  Dental patients registered at 31 March 1995—by Health Board area in Scotland

  Health board

  Patients registered

  Scotland

  2,473,758

  Argyll and Clyde

  204,708

  Ayrshire and Arran

  192,382

  Borders

  55,105

  Dumfries and Galloway

  65,869

  Fife

  170,247

  Forth Valley

  132,150

  Grampian

  256,628

  Greater Glasgow

  458,436

  Highland

  82,613

  Lanarkshire

  241,947

  Lothian

  375,991

  Orkney

  4,766

  Shetland

  6,822

  Tayside

  217,007

  Western Isles

  9,087

  Non-domestic Rates
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much the Scottish Office estimates will be raised through the imposition of non-domestic rates charges on empty properties during the financial year 1995–96. [25338]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]: It is estiamted that the additional rates income due to changes in unoccupied property relief will be £23.5 million in 1995–96. This was taken fully into account in determining the level of the unified business rate for 1995–96, so there is no additional burden on business ratepayers in aggregate as a result of this measure.

  Official Visits
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many official visits on ministerial business each Minister in his Department undertook during the last 12 months to each parliamentary constituency in Scotland. [25339]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]: To list visits made to each Scottish constituency in the last 12 months would involve disproportionate costs. However, since 20 May 1994, Scottish Office Ministers have made a total of 313 visits to Scottish constituencies.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the number of planning application refusals considered by the Scottish Office and (b) the number of planning application refusals which were overturned by the Scottish Office for each year since 1979–80 and for each planning authority. [25342]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]: This information is available only by calendar year. The answer to part (a) of the question is as set out. The answer to part (b) regarding the number of planning applications which were overturned by the Scottish Office for each year since 1979 is also set out, but it is not possible to break this down for each planning authority.

  Calendar year

  Planning appeals decided

  Planning appeals allowed

  1979

  319

  68

  1980

  320

  75

  1981

  415

  117

  1982

  409

  136

  1983

  445

  144

  1984

  396

  149

  1985

  508

  166

  1986

  542

  193

  1987

  589

  223

  1988

  636

  233

  1989

  702

  247

  1990

  960

  348

  1991

  923

  313

  1992

  886

  294

  1993

  765

  267

  1994

  643

  177

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total income in 1993–94 of each
  741
  local authority and in total from placements of old people in (a) registered and (b) unregistered independent residential care and nursing homes, inside and outside the local authority area and from placements in local authority homes for older people; and if he will break down by income from (i) government grants, inside aggregate

  Local Authority Income relating to fully staffed residential homes for older people: 1993–94 (Provisional)

  £ thousands

  Income source

  Borders

  Central

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fife

  Grampian

  Highland

  (i)Government grants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (ii) Sales

  —

  —

  —

  59

  —

  42

  (iii) Rents, fees and charges

  1,522

  1,701

  1,013

  1,453

  3,525

  1,337

  (iv) Other accounts and authorities1

  —

  257

  5

  —

  —

  6

  (v) Other incomes

  —

  —

  —

  6

  280

  —

  Total income

  1,522

  1,958

  1,018

  1,518

  3,805

  1,385

  Notes:

  (1) Includes income for other accounts in the same local authority and from other local authorities.

  Source:

  Local financial returns made by local authorities to Scottish Office.

  £ thousands

  Income source

  Lothian

  Strathclyde

  Tayside

  Orkney

  Shetland

  W Isles

  Scotland

  (i) Government grants

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  45

  45

  (ii)Sales

  20

  47

  —

  —

  76

  —

  244

  (iii)Rents, Fees and charges

  4,482

  10,230

  2,689

  242

  296

  399

  28,889

  (iv)Other accounts and authorities1

  2

  173

  —

  —

  —

  —

  443

  (v)Other income

  —

  1

  10

  5

  4

  —

  306

  Total income

  4,504

  10,451

  2,699

  247

  376

  444

  29,927

  Notes:

  1 Includes income for other accounts in the same local authority and from other local authorities.

  Source:

  Local financial returns made by local authorities to Scottish Office.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the procedures that operate in the Lanarkshire health board area for inspecting nursing homes; and if he will make a statement. [25484]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: The Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938, as amended, places the responsibility for the registration and inspection of nursing homes on the local health board. The Scottish Office Home and Health Department has issued model guidelines for the registration and inspection of nursing homes for elderly people, for people with dementia, for people with a learning disability and for homes providing acute services. All health boards are expected to follow this national guidance.

  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will visit Orchard house nursing home to assess the quality of care provided for the elderly residents at that home. [25486]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: My right hon. Friend understands that an inquiry by Lanarkshire health board into the standards of care at Orchard house nursing home has been under way for some months, and is expected to report to the board in early June.
  742
  external finance and outside aggregate external finance, (ii) sales, (iii) fees and charges, (iv) other income and (v) joint arrangements. [25394]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]: The available information is shown in the following table:

  Lanarkshire Health Board
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details as to the length of service, salary and qualifications of the Lanarkshire health board's senior nursing officer. [25483]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: Such information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may therefore wish to pursue his query with Lanarkshire health board.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by English county and Scottish region Forestry Commission woodland currently offered for sale, under offer or proposed for sale within the next six months; and if he will state for each piece of woodland its size and the steps which have been taken to ensure that public access on foot is permitted after any sale takes place. [24619]

  Sir Hector Monro
  [holding answer 18 May 1995]: The information is as follows:

  County/Region

  Name of property

  Area (hectares)

  Continued public access

  WOODLAND CURRENTLY FOR SALE ON THE OPEN MARKET

  England

  Cambridgeshire

  Langley High Wood

  49

  d

  Cornwall

  Hay Wood

  54

  d

  743

  County/Region

  Name of property

  Area (hectares)

  Continued public access

  Port Elliot, Pathada,

  95

  d

  Perdredda

  Treworgey Wood

  17

  d

  Cumbria

  Black Knors

  25

  b

  Derbyshire

  Moorhall Wood

  8

  d

  Devon

  Bedpark

  8

  d

  Hawkmoor

  22

  b

  Durham

  Campville

  30

  b

  Stanley Wood Cottages

  31

  c

  Essex

  Audley End Estate

  57

  d

  Humberside

  Greenwickdale Wood

  37

  d

  Leicestershire

  Bolt Wood

  27

  d

  Lincolnshire

  Hurn Wood

  9

  d

  Shropshire

  Coed Detton

  14

  b

  Somerset

  Higher Bitcombe

  30

  d

  South Yorkshire

  Greensprings Wood

  12

  a

  Old Park Wood

  41

  c

  Owston and Duck Holt

  66

  d

  Woods

  Scotland

  Borders

  Edgarhope

  143

  d

  Spottiswoode

  191

  b

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Glaik

  62

  b

  Grampian

  Aquharney

  128

  a

  Auchinroath

  62

  b

  Glenbuchat

  539

  d

  Greenness

  115

  d

  Longhill (part)

  120

  b

  New Pitsligo

  42

  e

  Highland

  Abriachan

  865

  b

  Achrugan

  559

  a

  Ardelve

  26

  b

  Cuidrach

  58

  b

  Duisky

  89

  d

  Garvan, North

  112

  d

  Garvan, South

  183

  d

  Loch Ashie

  437

  d

  Lundavra

  148

  a

  New Kelso

  43

  d

  Tote

  421

  b

  Uig

  40

  b

  Strathclyde

  Daljarrock

  51

  b

  Docherneil

  83

  b

  Glenmard

  56

  b

  Tayside

  Camusericht

  295

  d

  Upper Glenprosen

  230

  d

  WOODLANDS CURRENTLY UNDER OFFER

  England

  Berkshire

  Lot Wood (part)

  6

  d

  Cambridgeshire

  West Wood

  30

  d

  Cornwall

  Branchecombe

  2

  d

  Coldgear

  4

  d

  Cutmere and Bara

  4

  d

  Moor/Scullop

  3

  d

  Cumbria

  Foulshaw Big Belt

  13

  b

  Warriners Wood

  4

  b

  Isle of Wight

  Timber Copse

  8

  a

  Kent

  Post Wood

  26

  a

  Lancashire

  Long Ellers Wood

  2

  d

  Lincolnshire

  Halstead Wood

  26

  d

  Somerset

  Frys Wood

  25

  e

  South Yorkshire

  Walkers Wood

  6

  b

  Suffolk

  Wrights Wood

  5

  d

  Scotland

  Borders

  Fruid, land at

  62

  b

  Gala Blocks

  153

  a

  Central

  Stronvar

  2

  b

  Fife

  Kirkton Barns

  26

  d

  Grampian

  Lenabo

  332

  a

  Moreseat of Hatton

  38

  d

  Oldtown Belt

  3

  c

  White Cow Wood

  448

  a

  Wood of Wrae

  50

  a

  Highland

  Clava and Craggie

  34

  d

  Craskie Woods

  49

  b

  Eilean Darach and

  110

  b

  Dundonnel

  Faichem Wood

  7

  b

  744

  County/Region

  Name of property

  Area (hectares)

  Continued public access

  Garbole Forest

  699

  b

  Glencannich Wood

  70

  b

  Lochlait Wood

  90

  a

  Muchrachd Wood

  29

  b

  Rebeg

  77

  b

  Strathclyde

  Kirnan Wood

  222

  d

  Tayside

  Claysykes

  17

  b

  a. Access agreement has been concluded.

  b. Local authority declined to enter an access agreement.

  c. Local authority is considering whether to enter an access agreement.

  d. A third party with an interest has declined to enter an access agreement or restrictions in the Commission's title prevented the offer of an access agreement.

  e. Sale commenced before the introduction of the arrangements for access agreements.

  Advance notification of areas being considered for sale is given in the "Estates Gazette" in respect of all woodlands of more than five hectares, together with any other land having a known conservation, recreation or amenity interest. Copies of the "Estates Gazette" are held in the Library of the House.

  Entrepreneurship
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy for the encouragement of entrepreneurship in Scotland; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of this policy. [22651]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Entrepreneurship is essential to the continued competitiveness of the Scottish economy. The Government have in place a range of initiatives aimed at encouraging young people to consider a career in business, supporting such careers with an appropriate training infrastructure and providing assistance and advice on the creation and development of small businesses. Specific initiatives include the recent publication of a new framework for action for the development of improved education/industry links; the business birth rate strategy operated by Scottish Enterprise, which is aimed at increasing the number of business start-ups in Scotland; and the promotion by Scottish Enterprise of 1995 as "The Year of the Entrepreneur"—a concept which acts as a framework for a series of events and presentations aimed specifically at encouraging entrepreneurship. More generally, all local enterprise companies are pursuing policies aimed at promoting business activity and entrepreneurship throughout Scotland. The effectiveness of this policy is evidenced by the continuing success of the Scottish economy, both domestically and in terms of its export performance.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Roger Levitt
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) what discussions he has had about the Roger Levitt case since 21 May; [26281]

  (2) when plea bargaining began in the case of Roger Levitt. [26246]
  745
  The Attorney-General
  Since 21 May, I have discussed the case with officials simply for the purpose of preparing answers to parliamentary questions. I refer my hon. Friend to my earlier written answers on the 9 December 1993, and 17 December 1993 at columns 332–33 and 1045–46 respectively, which explained the events that led up to Mr. Levitt's plea.

  Butte Mining
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Attorney-General what consultations he has had with the director of the Serious Fraud Office concerning the investigation into the company affairs of Butte Mining. [26592]

  The Attorney-General
  I frequently meet the director of the Serious Fraud Office for discussions about matters of departmental interest, including casework. It is my policy not to divulge the subject matter of such meetings or operational details of current investigations.

  "Tomorrow's Job" Investigation
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Attorney-General how many reports have been referred by the Metropolitan police to the Crown Prosecution Service from the "Tomorrow's Job" investigation; how many have been referred to him by the Crown Prosecution Service; and what action he has taken. [25986]

  The Attorney-General
  The police have forwarded one interim report to the Crown Prosecution Service which specifically arises out of their inquiries concerning "Tomorrow's Job". The Crown Prosecution Service is considering this report and will submit it to me if it concludes that proceedings may be justified against any person for an offence requiring my consent.

  Crown Prosecution Service Report
  Mr. Madden
  To ask Mr. Attorney General on what date the Crown Prosecution Service referred to him a report, concerning a printer, received by the Crown Prosecution Service last August from the Metropolitan police; and what action he is taking in this matter. [25988]

  The Attorney-General
  Papers relating to the case to which the hon. Member refers were submitted to me by the Crown Prosecution Service on 13 April 1995. I requested and am awaiting a more detailed analysis of the relevant material.

  "Red Watch"
  Mr. Madden
  To ask Mr. Attorney General when the Crown Prosecution Service received from the Metropolitan Police the third issue of "Red Watch"; and what action has been taken by the Crown Prosecution Service. [25989]

  The Attorney-General
  The publication "Red Watch" is a part of the "Combat 18" magazine issue No. 3. The Metropolitan police supplied the Crown Prosecution Service with a copy of that magazine on 20 January 1995, for information only. A police report and the evidence gathered in the investigation into the publication of "Combat 18" magazine issue No. 3 has been delivered to the Crown Prosecution Service on 6 April 1995 and a prosecution is under consideration.

  Disciplinary Proceedings
  Mr. Straw
  To ask the Attorney-General how many solicitors employed by the Crown Prosecution Service since 1987 have been the subject of disciplinary proceedings by the Law Society(a) before their employment with the Crown Prosecution Service commenced and (b) during their employment with the Crown Prosecution Service. [25994]

  The Attorney-General
  The information sought by the hon. Member could be definitively obtained only by a trawl of the personal files relating to all solicitors currently employed, as well as those previously employed. That exercise would involve disproportionate costs.

  A review by the Department, with the assistance of the Law Society had identified (a) three solicitors who were the subject of disciplinary proceedings before their employment commenced with the Crown Prosecution Service, whom one remains in the employment of the Crown Prosecution Service, with the agreement of the Law Society. The other two ceased to be employed in 1989. The answer to (b) is that two solicitors have been the subject of disciplinary proceedings during their employment with the Crown Prosecution Service, but neither has had their practising certificate withdrawn. Both are still employed by the Crown Prosecution Service.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Global Environment Facility
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who is Her Majesty's Government's representative on the council of the global environment facility; and what arrangements have been made for his or her accountability to Parliament. [24724]

  Mr. Baldry
  The executive director for the United Kingdom's constituency in the council of the Global Environment Facility is Mr. David Turner, head of environment policy department in the Overseas Development Administration. The Government are accountable to Parliament for expenditures under the global environmental assistance programme through the Minister for Overseas Development.

  Countdown 2000
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Overseas Development Administration has to assist the Leprosy Mission for the Countdown 2000 campaign. [25876]

  Mr. Baldry
  The Overseas Development Administration is not directly involved in the Countdown 2000 campaign, but has supported the Leprosy Mission's work in developing countries for some years and will continue to do so. Current funding involves programmes in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Chad.

  Family Planning
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the amounts spent by the Overseas Development Administration in the overall sum spent on family planning on(a) advertising and information, (b) abortion and abortifacients,

  747
  (c) barrier methods of contraception, (d) chemical methods of contraception and (e) sterilisation. [25310]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: The table lists the relevant bilateral commitments in 1994:

  £ million

  Family planning component

  1994 Commitment

  Abortion and abortifacients

  nil

  Barrier methods (condoms)

  3.339

  Chemical (hormonal) methods

  7.12

  Notes:

  1. Support for voluntary surgical contraception, as one of a variety of methods of contraception available, has been an element of commitments for projects in previous years. There were no such commitments in 1994.

  2. All the projects in question provide information about family planning and the range of contraceptive methods available. Such information is provided as part of an overall service to clients and is not separately costed.

  Mr. David Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what records his Department keeps of instances or reports of coercive family planning overseas. [25304]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 22 May 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 23 May at column 514.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future provision for waste disposal in Northern Ireland. [24631]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Arrangements for the disposal of waste will be determined by district councils, taking into account the specific needs of their areas, the costs to the community and the requirement for proper environmental safeguards.

  Bodies (Information)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he raised with the Sinn Fein delegation in his bilateral talks the question of the fate of those killed by the Provisional IRA who are still unburied; and if he will make a statement. [24632]

  Mr. Acnram
  Yes. During yesterday's meeting in exploratory dialogue with Sinn Fein I raised this important issue and called upon it to use its influence to ensure that the families of the bereaved were given such information as the IRA had about their fate and the whereabouts of their bodies.

  Peace Process
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made by the Secretary of State in his discussions with the Dublin Government on the peace process. [24633]

  Mr. Ancram
  My right hon. and learned Friend last met the Tanaiste at the intergovernmental conference in 748
  Dublin on 28 April; the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach met in the margins of the VE ceremonies in Moscow. On both occasions, the progress of the peace process and the right ways of advancing it were discussed.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a further statement on the progress of the exploratory dialogue and substantive talks which he is conducting with political parties in Northern Ireland. [24637]

  Mr. Ancram
  Exploratory dialogue with the loyalists and Sinn Fein continue on the basis set out in the reply I gave the hon. Members for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) and for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) earlier today.

  As for substantive talks, my right hon. and learned Friend has invited the four main parties to discuss with him bilaterally the issues on which there would need to be agreement if there is to be a comprehensive settlement. So far, a meeting has been held with the Ulster Unionist party, and meetings with the alliance and SDLP are currently being arranged. The DUP has regrettably not responded formally to my right hon. and learned Friend's invitation—at least not at this stage.

  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about latest progress in the peace negotiations. [24639]

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Members for Walsall, North, (Mr. Winnick) for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) and for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) earlier today.

  Irish Medium Schools
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what new proposals he has to improve the work of Irish medium schools. [24635]

  Mr. Ancram
  Improvements in the work of Irish medium schools are primarily a matter for their boards of governors. All grant-aided Irish medium schools can avail themselves of the extensive curriculum advisory and support services provided by the education and library boards.

  Northern Ireland-Scotland Co-operation
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Secretary of State for Scotland to promote trade, tourism and greater co-operation between Northern Ireland and Scotland. [24636]

  Sir John Wheeler
  My right hon. and learned Friend meets the Secretary of State for Scotland frequently to discuss matters of common interest.

  Private Lee Clegg
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received
  749
  about the case of Private Clegg in the last three months; and what response he has made to them. [24638]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Private Clegg's case has generated very great interest, including a number of petitions and over 4,000 individual letters from the public. Approximately half the correspondents have been sent replies.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to restructure the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [24640]

  Sir John Wheeler
  None at present. The Government published proposals for reform of the tripartite structure in 1994. The Police Authority and the RUC are currently conducting public consultations on policing services. The RUC is engaged in a detailed consultation process, both within the force and externally, which will identify future policing strategy. Any change to the structure of the RUC will be based on careful professional evaluation of policing needs, and take into account the consultation processes.

  Terrorist Disarmament
  Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made over the handing over and destruction of terrorist arms and explosives in Northern Ireland. [24641]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton).

  Abortion
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many right hon. and hon. Members representing Northern Ireland constituencies have made representatives(a) supporting and (b) opposing extension to the Province of the Abortion Act 1967. [24642]

  Mr. Ancram
  In the last three years, no Northern Ireland Member has made representations supporting the extension of the Abortion Act 1967 to Northern Ireland. Seven Northern Ireland Members have made representations to Ministers expressing their opposition to the extension of the Act.

  Police (Seat Belts)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if police officers will now wear seat belts in cars. [24643]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary will keep its policy on the wearing of seat belts under review, but it must continue to be a matter of judgment as to whether or not a police officer wears a seat belt according to the prevailing circumstances and assessment of the security risk.

  Benefit Applications
  Mr. Clifford Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are taken to apply the parity of treatment arrangement between Northern 750
  Ireland and Great Britain to ensure equality of treatment between identical social security benefit applicants residing in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. [24644]

  Mr. Ancram
  Although social security benefits are available in Northern Ireland on the same basis as they are in Great Britain, Northern Ireland has its own social security legislation and the independent adjudication authorities are obliged to apply this in deciding on applications for benefit having regard to the particular circumstances of the applicant only. The statutory appeal procedures can be invoked if the applicant is dissatisfied with the decision in their case.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what effort are being made to attract inward investment into the Province. [24645]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland acting through the Department of Economic Development has overall responsibility for attracting inward investment to Northern Ireland. It has representative offices in Great Britain, Germany, the United States and Asia. In light of a more positive business climate in Northern Ireland, the IDB plans substantially to increase its overseas representation. Already, an office has been opened in Atlanta, Georgia and a person has been appointed in Singapore to research and to identify foreign investment potential.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the level of inward investment in Northern Ireland since the ceasefires. [24646]

  Mr. Ancram
  Investment inquiries have risen dramatically since the ceasefires to 743 in the six months ended 31 March compared to 189 in the corresponding period last year. First-time visits also rose from 146 in 1993–94 to 163 in 1994–95. However, because of the long lead time on decisions by companies about their internationally mobile investments, it will be some time before the practical benefits of the ceasefires are seen in terms of much needed additional jobs on the ground.

  Industrial Disputes
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the number of days lost in industrial disputes in Northern Ireland. [24647]

  Sir John Wheeler
  In Northern Ireland the number of days lost due to industrial disputes has fallen significantly in recent years. It fell to a record low of nine days per 1,000 employees in 1994 from an average of 76 days over the previous 10-year period.

  Irish Constitution
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Taoiseach to discuss articles of the Irish constitution. [24648]

  Mr. Ancram
  My right hon. and learned Friend last met the Taoiseach at a memorial ceremony at Islandbridge on 28 April. The purpose of the ceremony was to pay tribute to those Irish people who fought and died in the British forces in the last war.
  751
  The Irish constitution and any possible changes to it are a matter for the Irish Government, Parliament and people. "A New Framework for Agreement" sets out the Irish Government's commitment to remove any jurisdictional or territorial claim of legal right over the territory of Northern Ireland contrary to the will of its people.

  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will seek to persuade the Government of Ireland to declare that they have no selfish, political economic or strategic interest in Northern Ireland. [25954]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Irish Government have made it clear that, as part of a wider agreement, they will introduce and support changes in the Irish constitution. The Taoiseach has said that those changes would remove any jurisdictional or territorial claim of legal right over the territory of Northern Ireland contrary to the will of its people.

  Energy Costs
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he next expects to meet the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce to discuss energy costs in the Province. [24649]

  Sir John Wheeler
  There are no plans for such a meeting.

  Police Complaints
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will lay before Parliament copies of the annual report of the Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Patrick Mayhew
  The commission's report for 1994, which is the seventh annual report to be produced by the commission since its establishment in 1988, was laid before Parliament on 26 April. The report sets out the purpose and values of the commission. It provides details of the commission's work during the year in supervising the investigation of complaints against the police and of its role in disciplinary proceedings.

  The report shows clearly the valuable work which is carried out by the commission in ensuring that complaints against the police are dealt with independently and in effective manner.

  I am grateful to the chairman and members of the commission for the important work they do to sustain and increase public confidence in the police complaints system.

  Tape-recorded Interviews
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last discussed the tape recording of interviews with suspects with the Chief Constable of the RUC; and what plans he has to bring practice in Northern Ireland into line with that elsewhere in the UK. [24634]

  Sir John Wheeler
  My right hon. and learned Friend and I have regular meetings with the Chief Constable.

  Tape recording of interviews under the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 follows guidelines similar to the English PACE codes. I intend to replace these guidelines in a revised set of codes for Northern Ireland in early 1996.

  Housing Executive
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the existing Housing Executive developments which have been transferred for management purposes to housing associations. [25923]

  Mr. Ancram
  A number of housing executive properties in the streets listed have been transferred to housing associations for management purposes:

  South Region (Portadown)

  Corcain park

  Millington park

  Moeran park

  North-east Region (Coleraine)

  Glenvarra drive

  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the Housing Executive new build schemes which will be transferred to housing associations for implementation and management. [25924]

  Mr. Ancram
  The new build schemes, which it has been agreed will transfer from the Housing Executive to housing associations for implementation and management, are as follows:

  Maphoner road, Mullaghbawn, phase 2, Co Armagh

  Ballygowan road, phase 2, Banbridge, Co Down

  Bowtown road, phase 5, Newtownards, Co Down

  Camphill, Newtownbutler, phase 6, Co Fermanagh

  Ballyekelly, phase 1, Co Londonderry

  Burnside road, Coleraine, Co Londonderry

  2–20 Charleville street, Belfast

  Market Testing
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what considerations underlay the requirements on health authorities to submit quarterly reports on competitive tendering; and what consideration was given to adopting the English model of an annual report. [25239]

  Mr. Ancram
  The White Paper "Competing for Quality" requires all UK health Departments to monitor and report annually on progress by their agent bodies in market testing. The Department of Health and Social Services has therefore adopted this process. In addition, the Department has asked for the co-operation of boards and trusts in providing interim quarterly updates of the same information as is contained in the annual returns, to assist in responses to inquiries and to meet the reporting requirements of the efficiency unit.

  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what instructions his Department has issued to health boards and health trusts regarding competitive tendering. [25236]

  Mr. Ancram
  Health and social services boards and trusts have been advised that they must implement Government policy set out in the White Paper "Competing for Quality". In addition, and in keeping with the NHS in Great Britain, there is a management requirement to market test the specific services of domestic, laundry and catering.

  RUC Drug Squad
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average number of officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the drug squad in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement
  753
  about the presence of illegal drugs in Northern Ireland. [24957]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Every operational RUC officer is aware of the drugs issue and is a resource in combating drugs offences within Northern Ireland. At sub-divisional level, there are some 70 officers operating within 30 drugs liaison units whose sole responsibility is to address the problems of drug offences at a local level.

  The headquarters drugs squad itself over the past 10 years has had on average 36 officers, arising from 34 in 1985 to a present strength of 44 officers, including the recent upgrading to Detective Superintendent of the post of head of drugs squad.

  Northern Ireland, like other parts of the UK and Europe, does have an identifiable problem in the availability of illegal drugs, although it does not yet suffer the widespread abuse of drugs found elsewhere. One indicator of the availability of illegal drugs is the rate of seizures by the RUC; the Chief Constable's report for 1994 gives full details of drug seizures by the RUC and other agencies, which show a clear upward trend.

  The Government, together with the RUC and other agencies, both statutory and voluntary, are committed to a robust multi-agency approach to tackle effectively all aspects of the drugs problem in Northern Ireland.

  Sheep Subsidy
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many farmers receive the subsidy of £39.80 per head for sheep which are neither kept for breeding lambs nor for having their wool shorn; and if he will make a statement on the practice of keeping non-productive sheep for the purpose of collecting the sheep subsidy. [24958]

  Mr. Ancram
  To be eligible for sheep annual premium, animals need only be females at least 12 months of age or have given birth to a lamb. Northern Ireland statistics on this scheme do not identify the purposes for which eligible animals are kept.

  Retirements and Redundancies
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the annual cost of his 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, (c) projected for 1995–96 and (d) projected for 1996–97. [25469]

  Sir John Wheeler
  For staff leaving the Northern Ireland Office and other Northern Ireland Departments these costs are accounted for as non-departmental running costs, exempt, until 31 March 1994. From 1 April 1994, these costs are accounted for as departmental running costs as in the home civil service.

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

  The total costs in respect of officers leaving the Northern Ireland Office and the other Northern Ireland Departments in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were £10,900,000 and £7,082,000 respectively.

  The planning of early retirements which will take place in 1995–96 are still at an early stage, and for this reason it is not possible to provide projected costs although there
  754
  is estimates provision for £3,000,000 expenditure at this time. Projections for 1996–97 will be determined during the coming public expenditure survey.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many staff of(a) the Northern Ireland Office and (b) agencies for which the Northern Ireland Office 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. [25501]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is as follows:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  (i) Took early retirement

  NIO (excluding agencies)

  2

  1

  0

  Agencies

  1

  0

  0

  (ii) Took voluntary redundancy

  NIO (excluding agencies)

  13

  12

  0

  Agencies

  0

  0

  15

  (iii) Took compulsory redundancy

  NIO (excluding agencies)

  0

  0

  0

  Agencies

  0

  0

  0

  (iv) Were retired on medical grounds

  NIO (excluding agencies)

  11

  15

  n/a

  Agencies

  1

  2

  n/a

  It is not possible to forecast the number of retirements on medical grounds.

  Belvoir Park Hospital
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what hospital costs and what increase in revenue costs have been anticipated as a result of the decision by the Eastern area health board to remove the infectious diseases service from Belvoir Park hospital; [24963]

  (2) if the fixed costs of the infectious diseases service at Belvoir Park hospital, following its closure, will be transferred to the other service at Belvoir hospital; what will be the consequences for all area boards and general practitioner fundholders who purchase cancer treatment services at Belvoir hospital; and to what extent these consequences were taken into consideration by the Eastern area health board prior to its decision to close down the infectious diseases service at Belvoir hospital; [24966]

  (3) if he will make available the option appraisals and business case which identified benefits against the costs involved in the transfer of the infectious diseases service from Belvoir Park hospital; [24968]

  (4) if the Eastern area health board consulted with the Northern and Southern area health boards prior to the decision by the Eastern board to close the infectious diseases service at Belvoir Park hospital; what representations he has received from the Northern and Southern health boards; and to what extent these area health boards presently use the infectious diseases service at Belvoir Park hospital; [24964]

  (5) to which hospital the infectious diseases service at Belvoir Park hospital will be transferred; and what is the target date for completion of this transfer. [24967]
  755
  Mr. Ancram
  The Eastern health and social services board's original proposal concerning the transfer of the infectious diseases service was incorporated in its acute hospital services strategy, published in November 1993 after consultation with wide range of groups and individuals including the other three boards. The Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, North-East (Mr. Moss), has not had any representations from any of these boards about this proposal. The latest figures available show that in 1993— 94 354 patients from the Northern board and 336 from the Southern board used this service at Belvoir Park.

  My noble Friend Baroness Denton approved the board's strategy in March 1994. After detailed investigation and further consideration of the proposal for infectious diseases the board has now decided that the service should be split and that it should be provided by the Royal Group of Hospitals trust and the Ulster, North Down and Ards Hospital trust. A steering group is to be established to take this forward and to complete the transfer by June 1996. It is hoped to do so on a revenue neutral basis. Any capital requirements linked to the transfer will be for the two trusts to meet, within available resources, and in the face of competing priorities.

  With regard to fixed costs, when a service is transferred from one provider to another, the original provider is expected to reduce so far as possible any fixed costs associated with that service over a reasonable period of time.

  Finally, any option appraisal and business case in support of the decision are a matter for the Eastern board and the chairman has been asked to write to the right hon. Gentleman.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of infectious diseases used the service at Belvoir Park hospital in each of the past 10 years; and how many of these cases each year had to be sent to an intensive care facility at another location. [24965]

  Mr. Ancram
  The table shows the number of cases treated in the infectious diseases speciality in Belvoir Park hospital in the last 10 years. Information on the number of cases transferred to an intensive care facility at another location is not available.

  Number

  1984

  1,988

  1985

  2,259

  1986

  2,018

  1987

  2,090

  1988–89

  1,889

  1989–90

  2,253

  1990–91

  2,241

  1991–92

  2,048

  1992–93

  2,079

  1993–94

  2,295

  Government Cleaning Contracts
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if Government cleaning remains on the approved list for tenders for contracts in the health sector in Northern Ireland. [25237]

  Mr. Ancram
  The health and personal social services in Northern Ireland do not operate an approved list system.

  Housing, South Down
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what steps have been taken to replace the remaining Orlit dwellings in the constituency of South Down; [25325]

  (2) how many Orlit dwellings have been replaced with new build in the constituency of South Down since 1 April 1987 to 31 March 1995; and how many have still to be replaced. [25326]

  Mr. Ancram
  These are matters for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that 163 Orlit dwellings have been replaced in the period 1 April 1987 to 31 March 1995 in the South Down constituency. A further 42 Orlit dwellings remain in Housing Executive ownership. The replacement of these dwellings at the end of their useful economic lives depends on a number of factors including housing need in the areas where the dwellings are sited. The Housing Executive has programmed for eight of these dwellings to be replaced in 1996–97.

  Police Body Armour
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to ensure that all police officers are supplied with body armour. [25144]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Royal Ulster Constabulary has provided body armour for its members since 1972. It is on issue at every station and is available to all officers.

  Job Displacement Criteria
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that the same rules are applied with regard to job displacement criteria when industrial development grants are paid to create additional manufacturing capacity in Northern Ireland, as are applied to projects in Wales, Scotland and England; and if he will make a statement. [25004]

  Mr. Ancram
  The rules applied in Northern Ireland regarding job displacement criteria are exactly the same as those applied in all other parts of the United Kingdom.

  International Fund for Ireland
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has made to the United States Government about the importance of Congress(a) maintaining and (b) increasing support to the International Fund for Ireland. [25728]
  757
  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government are very supportive and appreciative of the work of the International Fund for Ireland. Ministers use every opportunity, both at home and abroad, to express the Government's appreciation of the generous international contributions to the fund, in particular the donations made by the United States. We are most grateful to President Clinton for his continuing support and look forward to Congress ratifying an increased US donation of $30 million in 1996 and 1997.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Dr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many farms(a) are eligible to have land entered into each environmentally sensitive area in Northern Ireland and (b) have had land entered into each environmentally sensitive area in Northern Ireland. [25792]

  Mr. Ancram
  The information is as follows:

  ESA

  Eligible farms

  Under agreement (25 April 1995)

  Antrim Coast, Glens and Rathlin

  1,200

  229

  Slieve Gullion

  808

  1

  Mourne Mountains and Slieve Croob

  1,846

  321

  West Fermanagh and Erne Lakeland

  2,815

  303

  Sperrins

  2,170

  37

  Roads, South Down
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to improve the roads infrastructure within the constituency of South Down. [25748]

  Mr. Ancram
  In addition to a substantial programme of maintenance work, a number of minor improvement schemes will be carried out on the A2, A7, A22, A25, A50, B1, B2, B7 and B8 routes in the 1995–96 and 1996–97 financial years. Work on the Church street/Scotch street scheme in Downpatrick is programmed to start in the current financial year subject to the completion of the statutory processes.

  Ambulance Response Times
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many emergency calls for ambulances there have been in(a) Craigavon, (b) Newry and Mourne, and (d) Down districts from January 1995 to 30 April 1995; what has been the (i) longest, (ii) shortest and (iii) average time before the dispatch of an ambulance; and what has been the (1) longest, (2) shortest and (3) average time between the receipt of the call and the arrival of the patient at hospital. [24500]

  Sir John Wheeler
  This information is not available in the format requested. The table shows how many emergency calls were received by the Eastern ambulance trust and the Southern health and social services board during the quarter 1 January 1995 to 31 March 1995.758
  Activation times, defined as the time from receipt of an ermgency call until an ambulance is on its way, and response times, defined as the time from receipt of an emergency call until the arrival of an ambulance with the patient, are also shown. Information on the time from the receipt of an emergency call to the arrival of the patient at hospital is not collected centrally.

  Total number of emergency calls responded to within

  Board/trust

  Total number of emergency calls received

  Total number of emergency calls activated within 3 minutes

  8 mins

  18/21 mins

  Eastern

  6,819

  5,726

  3,355

  6,493

  Southern

  1,345

  1,168

  1667

  11,255

  Notes:

  Information is not collected centrally below board/trust level.

  Abortive calls have been excluded.

  1 The response time was not recorded for one emergency call.

  Race Relations
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his proposals for race relations legislation and his proposals for consultation thereon. [24600]

  Mr. Ancram
  Following a period of public consultation, in response to a question from the hon. Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy) on 27 April 1995,Official Report, column 705, my right hon. and learned Friend made clear his intention to introduce race relations legislation to Northern Ireland by means of an Order in Council.

  A draft proposal for an Order in Council will be published and comments sought in due course.

HEALTH

  Staff
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many posts were lost in(a) the Department of Health and (b) agencies for which the Department of Health is responsible, listing the total lost posts agency by agency in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95; and how many posts are proposed to be lost in 1995–96; [25077]

  (2) what changes there have been in the numbers of staff employed by (a) the Department of Health and (b) agencies for which the Department of Health is responsible, listing the number of staff agency by agency in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95; and what changes are projected for 1995–96; [25065]

  (3) what changes there have been in the numbers of staff in employment by grade in (a) her Department and (b) each agency for which her Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96; [25630]

  (4) how many staff of (a) the Department of Health and (b) for which the DOH is responsible were employed on

  759
  a casual or short-term basis in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95; and what are the projected figures for 1995–96. [25421]

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of permanent and casual staff employed by my Department and each of its executive agencies in 1993–94, projected outturn for 1994–95, and plans for 1995–96 are published in my Department's annual report, a copy of which is in the Library. No projections broken down by grade are available.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff of(a) the Department of Health and (b) agencies for which the Department of Health 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 were the projected figures for 1995–96. [25516]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Department of Health

  Early retirement

  105

  33

  137

  Voluntary redundancy

  0

  104

  237

  Compulsory redundancy

  0

  54

  0

  Retired on medical grounds

  38

  37

  0

  Medicines Control Agency

  Early retirement

  5

  5

  2

  Voluntary redundancy

  0

  3

  0

  Compulsory redundancy

  0

  0

  0

  Retired on medical grounds

  1

  2

  1

  National Health Service Estates

  Early retirement

  6

  1

  7

  Voluntary redundancy

  0

  3

  9

  Compulsory redundancy

  0

  1

  0

  Retired on medical grounds

  0

  0

  1

  National Health Service Pension Agency

  Early retirement

  15

  6

  37

  Voluntary redundancy

  0

  4

  24

  Compulsory redundancy

  0

  0

  0

  Retired on medical grounds

  0

  0

  5

  Medical Devices Agency

  Early retirement

  0

  0

  16

  Voluntary redundancy

  0

  3

  7

  Compulsory redundancy

  0

  0

  0

  Retired on medical grounds

  0

  0

  0

  Notes:

  The Medical Devices Agency did not become an Agency until 27 September 1994 and the figures quoted for it represent the numbers leaving from that date. Figures relating to staff leaving prior to the Agency launch are included in the figures for the Department of Health.

  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the annual cost to the Department of staff leaving under redundancy/early retirement schemes to incorporate (i) added years lump sum payments for (ii) redundancy 760
  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. [25639]

  Mr. Sackville
  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 provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The total costs borne on the Department's running costs in 1993–94 and 1994–95 were £4.51 million and £6.51 million respectively. For 1995–96, the amount is estimated at £2.73 million. Projections for 1996–97 will be determined during the coming public expenditure survey.

  Notes:

  1. Figures include ongoing costs of redundancies/early retirements from previous years.

  2. Costs shown for 1993–94 and 1994–95 include moneys paid to paymaster to offset costs of redundancies/early retirements in future years.

  3. Costs take into account Treasury contribution, from 1 October 1994 to 31 March 1997, of 80 per cent, of costs of reducing staff numbers in that period.

  Hospital providers
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much as a percentage and in real terms hospital provider prices have changed in each of the last two years for providers serving Warwickshire residents, identifying each hospital provider's individual price change. [25206]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mental Disorder
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contribution she expects her Department to make to the committee of specialists recently appointed by the Committee of Ministers to the Council of Europe to consider revision of Committee of Ministers' recommendation No. R(83)2 on the legal protection of persons suffering from mental disorder placed as involuntary patients following recommendation 1235(1994) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; and if she will make a statement. [25327]

  Mr. Bowis
  I understand that the members of this committee have not yet been appointed. We are currently considering how we can most effectively contribute to its work.

  Contracting Out
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) 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; [25652]
  761
  (2) what work has been contracted out (a) by her Department and (b) by agencies for which the Department is responsible in (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95 and (iii) projected for 1995–96. [25527]

  Mr. Sackville
  Available information of all contracts awarded, as part of the Department's "Competing For Quality" market-testing programme, will be placed in the Library.

  Detailed information of contract awards can be found in the "Market Testing Bulletin". This is issued monthly, and copies are available in the Library.

  Medicines Commission
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the occasion in the last five years upon which the Medicines Commission has reviewed the functions of the Committee on the Safety of Medicines and of the Medicines Control Agency; and if she will publish the findings of the reviews. [25608]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Committee on the Safety of Medicines, together with all other committees established under section 4 of the Medicines Act 1968, reports with respect to the performance of its functions to the Medicines Commission on an annual basis. These reports are available in the Library.

  The functions of the Medicines Control Agency are not within the remit of the Medicines Commission.

  General Dental Service: percentage of children aged 0–10 years with permanent teeth which are actively decayed, filled or missing due to decay

  England

  Age

  Tooth condition

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  Actively decayed

  1—

  3

  8

  11

  13

  14

  Filled (otherwise sound)

  2—

  1

  4

  7

  14

  16

  Missing due to decay

  1—

  1—

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Source:

  Children's dental health survey OPCS.

  1 Indicates a proportion of less than 0.5 per cent.

  2 Indicates zero value.

  General Dental Service: average number of permanent teeth for children aged 0–10 years which are actively decayed, filled or missing due to decay

  England

  Age

  Tooth condition

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  Actively decayed

  1

  1

  0.1

  0.2

  0.2

  0.3

  Filled (otherwise sound)

  2—

  1

  1

  0.1

  0.2

  0.3

  Missing due to decay

  1

  0.1

  0.2

  0.3

  0.5

  0.6

  Source:

  Children's dental health survey OPCS.

  1 Indicates a proportion of less than 0.5 per cent.

  2 Indicates zero value.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the estimated percentage of the population with tooth decay, giving the figures for(a) the total United Kingdom population and (b) those aged one to 10 years; [25365]

  (2) what is the estimated number of cases amongst those aged one to 10 years of (a) tooth decay and (b) tooth extraction due to tooth decay. [23569]

  Mr. Malone
  The table shows the proportion of children in England aged from 0 to 10 years with permanent teeth which are actively decayed, filled or missing due to decay. In young children, it is difficult to establish whether a tooth has been lost naturally or through decay. The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys adult dental survey, 1988, shows that in England, 43 per cent, of dentate adults in the survey had decayed or unsound teeth. For further explanation of decay in primary teeth and levels of adult tooth decay, I refer the hon. Member to the following OPCS publications—"Adult Dental Survey (1988)" and "Children's Dental Health in the United Kingdom (1993)". These publications are held in the Library. Information relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
  763
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cases of tooth decay were treated in the United Kingdom in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1990 to 1995; [23566]

  (2) what is the estimated cost of treating tooth decay for (a) the NHS and (b) patients for (i) 1994–95 and (ii) 1990 to 1995. [23568]

  Mr. Malone
  Information is not available about the cost of treating tooth decay or the number of cases. The

  General Dental Service: number of adult courses of treatment and cost1

  England

  Year

  Number of adult courses of treatment

  Total NHS gross expenditure (millions) £

  Cost of the GDS borne by the Exchequer (millions) £

  Cost borne by patient (millions) £

  1990–91

  22,558,739

  1,039.996

  660.267

  379.729

  1991–92

  24,273,099

  1,245.970

  842.000

  403.970

  1992–93

  25,141,300

  1,305.879

  911.092

  394.787

  1993–94

  24,847,648

  1,221.719

  854.695

  367.024

  1994–95

  24,913,096

  1,282.294

  897.266

  385.028

  1 The cost of figures for 1994–95 are provisional.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been deregistered from NHS dental treatment; and how many NHS dentists have given up NHS dental work entirely since July 1992. [26292]

  Mr. Malone
  Since July 1992, 891,554 patients have been deregistered by their dentists for reasons other than retirement. In the same period, a total number of 426 dentists removed their names completely from the dental list for reasons other than retirement. The number of dentists contracted to provide national health service general dental services has, however, increased in the period by over 2 per cent.—15,745 on 31 March 1995 compared with 15,426 on 30 June 1992—and, over the same period, there have been some 33 million additions to NHS dentists' lists. These additions include patients moving from one dentist to another and patients re-registering with the same dentist after a gap.

  Heart Disease
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) cases of heart disease and (b) deaths due to heart disease were recorded for (i) 1994–95 and (ii) 1990 to 1995. [23567]

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of finished consultant episodes for hospital in-patients suffering from heart diseases is published in "Hospital Episode Statistics" which are available from 1988–89 to 1993–94. Copies of the publications are available in the Library.

  The table shows the number of deaths due to heart disease—ICD1 codes 390–429—in England and Wales, 1990–93.

  1990: 173,453

  1991: 174,447

  1992: 169,539

  1993: 178,963

  This information is not yet available for 1994 and 1995.

  1 International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision.
  764
  total costs of the general dental service in England and the total number of adult courses of treatments are shown in the table. Since 1990, the majority of treatment for children has been paid for on a capitation basis and courses of treatment are not separately identifiable. Information relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated cost to the NHS of treating heart disease for(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1990 to 1995. [23570]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Yellow Card Scheme
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her Department's latest estimate of the percentage of adverse drug reactions which are reported by general practitioners via the yellow card system. [25520]

  Mr. Sackville
  The percentage of all adverse drug reactions reported by general practitioners is not known, as there is no means of knowing the total number of adverse drug reactions. A recent survey found that 77 per cent, of general practitioners have used the yellow card reporting scheme. Of 17,635 reports received in 1994 through the scheme, approximately 63 per cent, originated from general practitioners. Most of the remainder were reported by hospital doctors and pharmaceutical companies.

  Committee on the Safety of Medicines
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider inviting a consumer representative to sit on the Committee on the Safety of Medicine to complement the medical experts. [26243]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Committee on the Safety of Medicines is an expert scientific advisory body, and as such members need to have relevant and appropriate expertise. Members do not represent organisations, but contribute by their individual expertise and judgment to the advice given by the body to the licensing authority.

  Chelation Therapy
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been undertaken into chelation therapy; what consideration has been made to make it available within the national health service on a non-discretionary basis; and if she will make a statement. [25591]

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  As with all other forms of treatment, it is for local purchasers to decide in the light of available resources and competing priorities, on the purchase of the most appropriate forms of treatment to meet the assessed health needs of their population.

  GP Fundholding
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research she has commissioned to evaluate general practitioner fundholding against joint commissioning; [25920]

  (2) what evidence she has evaluated to the effect that general practitioner fundholding is more cost effective than joint commissioning. [25921]

  Mr. Malone
  As independent studies have shown, general practitioner fundholding has been a major success since 1991 in improving services for patients. Over 41 per cent, of the population is now registered with a fundholding GP. Joint commissioning is a subsequent development which involves both fundholding and non-fundholding general practitioners working in partnership with health authorities to plan and purchase services. We will be developing our research programme to assess these developments, including the full evaluation of the 51 total purchasing sites, over the coming months.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner fundholding practices per family health service authority are currently in dispute, arbitration or subject to appeal over one or more of their budgets; and if she will make a statement. [25932]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many first, second, third and fourth wave fundholders have since left the scheme. [26199]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally. Indications are that the small number of fundholders who have left the scheme have done so largely because of changes in the practice partnership.

  Hospital Closures
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list all hospitals with overnight beds closed in each year since 1979. [25922]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on closures of hospitals has never been collected centrally in the form requested.

  Special Hospitals
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to grant trust status to Ashworth hospital on Merseyside, Broadmoor hospital in Berkshire and Rampton hospital in Nottinghamshire; and if she will make a statement. [26200]
  766
  Mr. Bowis
  I expect to be making a statement shortly about future management arrangements for the special hospitals.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines are in place for the management and multi-agency response to the initial onset of an acute psychiatric emergency occurring in the community; and if she will make a statement. [25931]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Mental Health act code of practice provides guidance to practitioners on the steps to be taken if a patient requires emergency psychiatric assessment in the community. Copies of the code are available in the Library.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department has, within the past year, made strategic recommendations on how best to allocate mental health expenditure in relation to needs for services. [26075]

  Mr. Bowis
  The annual priorities and planning guidance for the national health service sets the broad direction for the planning and delivery of health services for the coming year. The guidance for 1995–96 identifies mental health as a priority for the medium term. It is the responsibility of district health authorities to prepare local health strategies and purchasing plans to address the national priorities whilst also taking full account of local health needs. A copy of the guidance for 1995–96— EL(94)55—is available in the Library.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the organisations that were involved in her Department's consultation process prior to the publication of the Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Bill. [26019]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information will be placed in the Library.

  Local Pay
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local pay offers from NHS trusts to nurses, midwives and professions allied to medicine have been connected to changes in employment and working conditions in the current pay round; and if she will make a statement. [25937]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally. Terms of local pay offers are a matter for employers.

  Ethnic Minorities
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to address the specific health needs of different ethnic minority groups; and if she will make a statement. [25938]

  Mr. Sackville
  We are totally committed to ensuring that people from ethnic minorities should benefit fully from the national health service. The reforms we have introduced into the NHS require health authorities to assess the health needs of their local population and to deliver the services to meet these needs. To improve information about the use of health services by people from ethnic minorities from 1 April 1995 it is mandatory to record the ethnic group of patients who use in-patient or day-case services. This data will enable purchasers and
  767
  providers to examine the uptake of services, monitor standards and identify any gaps in service provision.

  Since 1989, we have made available £3 million to provide funding for projects to improve access to health services and information for ethnic minorities. The projects are now related specifically to "The Health of the Nation" key areas and to the rights and standards outlined in the patients charter. The patients charter is available in 11 ethnic languages and has been widely distributed.

  We have also established the ethnic health unit as part of the NHS Executive. The aim of the unit is to promote good practice in the NHS, support managers in developing links with local communities and to build ethnic health into the mainstream work of the NHS. The unit has funded many local initiatives to improve services to ethnic minorities.

  Child Abuse
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the social services departmental inspectorate last inspected Newcastle city council social services department; when it next intends to do so; what specific advice has been given to Newcastle social services department in respect of the issues raised in the Hunt report into a multiple child abuse case in Newcastle; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of remedial action taken to deal with the shortcomings identified by the Hunt report. [26206]

  Mr. Bowis
  The social services inspectorate has undertaken a number of inspections relating to different services provided by Newcastle city council's social services department, the most recent in January this year.

  Mr. Hunt's report following his independent inquiry into multiple abuse of children in nursery classes raised issues for several local authority departments and the area child protection committee as well as the Newcastle city council social services department. I am advised that the recommendations requiring immediate action have now been implemented and inspectors from my social services inspectorate are continuing to monitor progress.

  Oculogenital Clinic, Moorfields Eye Hospital
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if statutory consultation requirements were met in relation to the decision by Moorfields Eye hospital to close its oculogenital clinic. [25962]

  Mr. Sackville
  The decision on whether to consult is a matter for the local health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Roland Everington, chairman of Camden and Islington health authority, for details.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations she has had in the last year with other Ministers and Departments concerning combating the levels of air pollution and its effect on health; and if she will make a statement. [25960]

  Mr. Sackville
  Ministers in the Department of Health hold frequent meetings with other Ministers to discuss a variety of matters, which will sometimes include the effects of air pollutants upon health. On this issue we are advised in particular by the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Air Pollution Episodes.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will specify the air-borne pollution most damaging 768
  to health as indicated by Her Department's research into the causes of asthma and links with air pollution. [26602]

  Mr. Sackville
  Levels of air pollution vary considerably from place to place and at different times, and there is no one pollutant which is consistently the most damaging. The effects on individuals are determined by the duration of exposure as well as the level of pollution, and sensitivity to pollutants may also vary between individuals. The Department of the Environment's air quality information line—0800 556677—provides information on the levels of pollutants.

  Sex Change Operations
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the cost to public funds of a sex change operation carried out on the NHS. [26017]

  Mr. Sackville
  As there are a wide range of patient conditions and particular treatment needs, it is not possible to state, with certainty, how much a sex change operation costs.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current waiting list for sex change operations. [26016]

  Mr. Sackville
  For waiting list purposes, sex change operations are included in the plastic surgery speciality. It is not possible to identify sex change operations data separately.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many sex change operations(a) from male to female and (b) from female to male, have been carried out under the national health service in each year since 1990. [26018]

  Mr. Sackville
  Data on sex change operations data are not recorded separately from data on other plastic surgery operations.

  GP Lists
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans her Department has to ensure that general practitioners tell patients the reason why they have been struck off family doctor lists. [26079]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stockport (Mrs. Coffey) on 2 March, column 647.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans her Department has to overhaul the rules regarding the deregistration of patient from general practitioners' practice lists. [26070]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 16 March,Official Report, column 707, when she will publish data for 1993 on patients removed from general practitioner lists. [26083]

  Mr. Malone
  It is planned to include the available information in the health service indicators package due to be published later this year.

  Remedial Training for Doctors
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money was spent on remedial training of(a) general practitioners and (b) hospital doctors in each regional health authority in each of the last 10 years. [26208]
  769
  Mr. Malone
  Remedial training is not separately identified within the overall cost of postgraduate and continuing medical education in the national health service.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England aged over 64 years live in(a) private residential homes, (b) private nursing homes, (c) local authority part III homes and (d) national health service nursing homes; and, of these, how many have the cost of their care paid wholly or partly by (i) their local authority, (ii) their health authority, and (iii) the Department of Social Security; and how many pay for their care wholly from private sources. [25971]

  Mr. Bowis
  At 31 March 1994, there were 142,000 and 53,600 long-stay residents aged over 64 in private residential homes and local authority part III homes respectively. A further 37,000 people were in residential homes provided by the voluntary sector. An estimated 132,000 beds were occupied by people over 64 years in nursing homes registered under section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984. Information on national health service nursing homes is not available centrally.

  The numbers of long-stay residents aged over 64 in residential or nursing homes whose costs are met wholly or in part by the local authority are shown in the table.

  No information is available centrally on the numbers of people whose costs are met wholly or in part by their health authority nor on numbers who pay for their care wholly from private sources. Information on numbers supported wholly or in part by the Department of Social Security is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  Long-stay residents aged over 64 in residential or nursing homes whose costs are met wholly or in part by their local authority England at 31 March 1994.

  Numbers

  Sector

  Residential homes

  Nursing homes

  Private

  21,900

  20,600

  Local authority

  51,500

  —

  Voluntary

  6,800

  1,100

  Source:

  Department of Health return SRI.

  In Vitro Fertilisation
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure that in vitro fertilisation treatment is provided on the NHS by the Cornwall health authority. [26161]

  Mr. Sackville
  It is the responsibility of each individual health authority to determine its provision of infertility treatment in the light of local needs and the availability of resources. The hon. Member may wish to contact Dr. Stanley Dennison, chairman of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly health authority for details.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure that in vitro fertilisation treatment is provided on the NHS by every health authority. [26162]

  Mr. Sackville
  Local health authorities are responsible for the provision of local health services, including the provision of infertility services. Decisions about the 770
  resources to be made available for these services must be left to individual health authorities as they are in the best position to determine priorities in the light of local needs and circumstances.

  Departmental Performance
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what performance indicators and performance targets there are for measuring the performance of her Department in(a) answering letters from members of the public and (b) answering telephone calls from members of the public; how performance is monitored; and what are the latest figures for performance measured against the target set. [26235]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has an explicit aim to answer all letters from members of the public within 28 days. This is included in departmental business plans, and monitored as part of local management responsibilities.

  The majority of telephone calls received from members of the public relate to the national health service and are passed initially through the Department's public inquiry office. Questions that cannot be answered by the inquiry office are passed to relevant parts of the Department for reply. As with written communications, performance targets are set internally and achievement against those targets monitored by local management.

  Asthma
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the number of people currently diagnosed as asthmatic. [25955]

  Mr. Sackville
  There are no comprehensive data on the number of people with a diagnosis of asthma. However, it has been estimated that the prevalence of asthma sufficiently severe to require regular medical supervision is from 4 to 6 per cent, in children and about 4 per cent, in adults. More information is given in "Asthma: An Epidemiological Overview", published on 22 March, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Preventive Medicine
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement outlining her Department's latest initiatives in preventive medicine. [26014]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government launched "The Health of the Nation" strategy in July 1992 as a long-term strategy emphasising disease prevention and health promotion. The strategy involves a wide range of partners both within and outside Government. Already, we are seeing results. For 19 of the 24 targets where data are available, movement is in the right direction.

  Psychiatric Beds
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) long-stay and (b) acute psychiatric beds there were in each regional health authority and district health authority in (i) 1979, (ii) 1990 and (iii) the last year for which figures are available. [26080]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information is not available in the form requested. The available information for 1979 has been published in "SH3 National and Regional Summaries (DHSS Hospital Statistics) 1979" and for later years in "Bed availability in England", copies of which are available in the Library. Because of changes in the
  771
  classifications of beds and health authority boundaries over the period, figures are not strictly comparable.

  Complaints
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what policy and procedures exist for dealing with complaints against her Department by members of the public; when the policy was last updated; what time limit and target for dealing with such complaints her Department has; and what follow-up procedure exists where complainants are not satisfied with her Department's response to a complaint. [26219]

  Mr. Sackville
  The majority of complaints received by the Department from members of the public relate to the national health service.

  Complaints relating specifically to the Department are handled as any other correspondence, and are subject to performance targets set and monitored by local departmental management.

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

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in England aged over 64 years and living in(a) private residential homes, (b) private nursing homes, (c) local authority residential homes and (d) national health service nursing homes have spouse living elsewhere. [25972]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Malaria Prophylaxis
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to make all malaria prophylaxis available over the counter in United Kingdom pharmacies. [26076]

  Mr. Malone
  There are no plans to change the status of those malaria prophylactics which are prescription-only medicines.

  University College Hospital
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds of each type will be lost under the proposed reorganisation of University College London hospital. [26315]

  Mr. Malone
  Camden and Islington health authority is consulting on those proposals. Details are set out in the public consultation document issued on 24 April.

  Swindon Health Care
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to ensure sufficient in-patient accommodation will be available for Swindon and district between the closure of the Princess Alexandra hospital in 1996 and the refurbishment of the Princess Margaret hospital; [26305]

  (2) what steps she is taking to ensure the health care needs of Swindon and district are met following the closure of the Princess Alexandra hospital 1996. [273071

  Mr. Sackville
  These are matters for the Wiltshire and Bath health authority. The hon. Member may wish to 772
  contact the chairman, Mr. Alastair Service CBE, for details.

  Minor Injury Units
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has of the effect of the replacement of accident and emergency centres with trauma centres and minor injuries units on the level of deaths. [26309]

  Mr. Sackville
  We set up a pilot trauma centre at the North Staffordshire Hospitals NHS trust in 1990. This followed a report from the Royal College of Surgeons on the management of patients with major injuries that found that one in every five deaths from major trauma was potentially preventable. The pilot has been evaluated by the medical care research unit at the university of Sheffield and we expect to receive its findings in the summer.

  There is, however, a considerable body of scientific evidence showing that patients with major injuries receive more effective care in large, appropriately staffed, accident and emergency centres, backed up by the main hospital specialties. A review of the literature on the relationship between the size of accident and emergency departments and clinical outcomes prepared by my Department is available in the Library.

  Studies of minor injury units have shown them to be effective in treating patients with minor conditions. The studies also found that nearly all patients use minor injury units appropriately.

  Fluoridation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which water companies add fluoride to the water supply; and which have chosen not to do so. [26572]

  Mr. Malone
  United Kingdom companies which are currently operating—or have at some point operated— fluoridation plant include:

  Severn Trent Water

  South Staffordshire Water

  East Worcestershire Waterworks Company (now part of severn Trent)

  North East Water

  North West Water

  Welsh Water

  Yorkshire Water

  Anglian Water

  Colne Valley Water Company

  It is for a health authority, following extensive public consultation, to submit a request to the water undertakers to fluoridate the water supply on behalf of the local population. Yorkshire Water decided recently not to agree to fluoridate the regions's water supply. The fluoridation of water supplies accords with Government policy and underpins the objectives of the oral health strategy.

  Blood-lead Levels
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what continuous monitoring of blood-lead levels in children is carried out by her Department; if she will publish the results for the last three years for which such information is available; and if she will make a statement; [26591]

  (2) what evidence she has evaluated to indicate that blood-lead levels in children have reached levels (a)

  773
  potentially affecting the central nervous system and (b) causing other effects damaging to health; and if she will make a statement; [26606]

  (3) if she will publish the latest available figures her Department has evaluated on the contribution of air-borne lead to children's blood-lead levels; [26604]

  (4) if she will list the latest available figures her Department has evaluated on the contribution to children's blood-lead levels caused by (a) petrol, (b) food and (c) lead water pipes. [26607]

  Mr. Sackville
  Since 1974, it has been the policy of successive Governments to contain and reduce exposure to lead wherever practicable, particularly in those circumstances where people are most exposed.

  Monitoring programmes have shown a continuing fall in blood-lead levels in children and adults since the early 1970s as controls on sources of lead exposure have been introduced. Since action has been taken to reduce exposure from a wide range of sources including petrol, drinking water, air, food, industrial emissions, paint, cosmetics, ceramic glazes and toys, the contribution made to blood-lead levels by any one source is difficult to estimate and will vary with location and age of the person.

  Continuous monitoring of children's blood-lead levels is not carried out in the United Kingdom. However, lead will be determined in blood samples collected for the 1995 health survey for England from a sample of adults and children aged 11 and over.

  Meals on Wheels
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on meals on wheels by each authority in each of the last 10 years, expressed in 1995 prices. [25764]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information, expressed in 1994–95 prices, will be placed in the Library. The figures should be treated with caution as local authorities differ from year to year in their respective treatment of administrative and other overhead costs. Year-on-year variations may also relied changes in type or method of meal service and changes of contract. New guidelines for future social services accounting have been drawn up by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting and the local authorities, which should result in greater consistency.

  North Tees NHS Trust
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health is she will provide details of the early retirement package given to Mr. Belton, the former chief executive of North Tees NHS trust. [26185]

  Mr. Malone
  Mr. Belton is still employed as chief executive of North Tees NHS trust.

  Medical Records
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance she issues as to the grounds on which a health authority may restrict an individual's access to their own medical records; [25948]

  (2) what is her Department's policy on procedure when individuals request their medical records; [25949]

  (3) what guidelines her Department offers to health authorities on how to respond when patients request their medical records. [25950]
  774
  Mr. Sackville
  Patients have a legal right to see their own health records. For records kept on paper and compiled on or after 1 November 1991, access is provided for by the Access to Health Records Act 1990. For records held on computer, access is provided for by the Data Protection Act 1984. Access may be denied to all or part of the record if disclosure of any information in it might cause serious harm to the physical or mental health of the patient. Access may also be denied if it contains information which would identify a third party, other than a health professional, unless that person has consented to the disclosure. The Access to Health Records Act also permits access to be withheld to protect the health of another person.

  Guidance on the Access to Health Records Act 1990 was issued to the National Health Service in England in August 1991. Guidance on the Data Protection Act 1984 was issued to the NHS in England in 1987 and 1989. Guidance was also issued to the NHS in Wales. A revised handbook, "Introduction to Data Protection in the NHS" was issued in July 1994. All guidance contains advice on procedures to enable patients to see their records. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  Breast Cancer Screening
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many women(a) in England and (b) in the United Kingdom aged (i) 50 to 54, (ii) 55 to 59 (iii) 60 to 64, (iv) 65 and, (v) 66 years or over were screened for breast cancer following an invitation from the national health service breast screening programme in each of the last five years; [26021]

  (2) what percentage of women aged 65 years or over (a) in England and (b) in the United Kingdom were screened for breast cancer through the national health service breast screening programme at their own request or the request of their general practitioner, excluding women who are screened through the diagnostic service, in the latest year for which figures are available; [26023]

  (3) how many women (a) in England and (b) in the United Kingdom aged: (i) 50 to 54, (ii) 55 to 59, (iii) 60 to 64, (iv) 65 to 69, (v) 70 to 74, (vi) 75 to 79, (vii) 80 to 84 (viii) 85 years or over were screened for breast cancer through the national health service breast screening programme at their own request or the request of their general practitioner, excluding women who are screened through the diagnostic service, in each of the last five years. [26022]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally in the form requested. The available information is shown in the tables.

  Breast cancer screening—number of women tested or screened as a result of self or CP referral

  Age

  1992–93

  1993–941

  50–54

  7,393

  7,068

  55–59

  6,405

  6,893

  60–64

  5,220

  5,652

  65–69

  11,136

  12,828

  70–74

  3.194

  4,635

  75 and over

  636

  892

  1 Provisional data only.

  775

  Breast cancer screening—number of women tested or screened as a result of first invitation, or routine recall

  Age

  1992–93

  1993–941

  50–54

  310,028

  324,239

  55–59

  302,167

  314,387

  60–64

  279,605

  291,090

  65–69

  28,700

  29,922

  70–74

  1,053

  187

  75 and over

  56

  10

  1 Provisional data only.

  Percentage of women aged 65 and over tested or screened as a result of a GP or self referral

  1992–93

  1993–941

  Percentage

  0.33

  0.44

  1 Provisional data only.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost per person screened on the national health service breast screening programme. [26025]

  Mr. Sackville
  The estimated average cost per person screened under the national health service breast screening programme in England in 1993–94 was £27.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what amount the national health service breast screening programme spends on screening women 65 years or over; and what percentage of the total budget this is. [26024]

  Mr. Sackville
  It is estimated that in 1993–94 in England, about £1.4 million, representing 5 per cent, of the total breast cancer screening budget, was spent on testing women aged 65 years or over for breast cancer.

  Capital Underspending
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 23 January,Official Report, columns 13–14, if she will provide 1994–95 information on regional health authority capital underspending. [26088]

  Mr. Sackville
  Details of underspending on regional health authority capital cash limits will not be available until all authorities have completed their annual accounts for 1994–95.

  Staff Cars
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was expended on cars for staff by(a) trusts and (b) in total in each of the last five years. [26288]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the right hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 19 December 1994, column 990; the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 24 October 1994, column 450; the reply my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Health gave the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Mrs. Prentice) on 1 March 1994, columns 678–79; and the reply I gave the hon. Member for Brightside on 6 December 1993, columns 70–71.

  GP Vacancies
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner posts were(a) filled and (b) vacant in each health region in each year since 1988. [26087]
  776
  Mr. Malone
  The information is not available centrally.

  Private Patients
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bed days of finished episodes have been provided for private patients treated in NHS hospitals in total and by regional health authority in each of the last five years. [26289]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is detailed in "Hospital Episode Statistics Volume 1", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Vacant Medical Posts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the number of(a) consultant, (b) senior registrar, (c) registrar and (d) senior house officer posts that were vacant in each region, by speciality, in each year since 1988. [26085]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information has been placed in the Library in crown copyright table R5 of the Department's census of the medical and dental work force. As these relate to a single date each year, they may not fairly reflect the trend for the number of vacancies in the stated grades over the year as a whole.

  Cardiac Services, Plymouth
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what cardiac services are available to patients in the Plymouth area. [26286]

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for the South and West Devon health commission. The right hon. Member may wish to contact Mrs. Judy Leverton, chairman of the health commission, for details.

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those local authorities which are considered to be debt free; and what are the Government guidelines on debt to equity ratio for local authorities.

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  [pursuant to his reply, 4 April 1995, c. 1049–50]: the list of local authorities which were debt free as at 30 September 1994 given in that answer was incomplete and should have included Wansdyke. The complete list should therefore read:

  Dorset

  Bedford

  Bracknell

  Breckland

  Broadland

  Chiltern

  Christchurch

  Corby

  Dacorum

  Daventry

  East Cambridgeshire

  East Devon

  East Dorset

  Epsom and Ewell

  Hambleton

  Hertsmere

  777

  Leominster

  Medina

  Mid Bedfordshire

  Mid Sussex

  Newbury

  Rochester upon Medway

  Ryedale

  St. Edmundsbury

  South Bucks

  South Northampton

  South Shropshire

  South Wight

  Suffolk Coastal

  Surrey Heath

  Swale

  Tonbridge and Malling

  Tunbridge Wells

  Wansdyke

  West Sussex

  Barking and Dagenham

  City of London

  Housing Corporation Allocations 1990–91—1995–96 to West Midlands an Birmingham

  Year

  Rent (new build) £ million

  Rent (rehab) £ million

  Total rent £ million

  Percent. of total rent

  Sale (new build) £ million

  Sale (rehab) £ million

  Total sale £ million

  Percent. of total sale

  DIYSO £ million

  Total £ million

  Percent. of total £ million

  Regional cash limit £ million

  1990–91

  Birmingham

  10.45

  5.19

  15.64

  41.2

  0.31

  0.00

  0.31

  23.5

  0.00

  15.95

  40.6

  —

  West Midlands Metropolitan Area (excl. Birmingham)

  10.33

  2.46

  12.79

  33.7

  0.47

  0.00

  0.47

  35.6

  0.00

  13.26

  33.7

  —

  Rest of West Midlands Region

  8.93

  0.64

  9.57

  25.2

  0.54

  0

  0.54

  40.9

  0.00

  10.11

  25.7

  —

  West Midlands (HC Regions)

  29.71

  8.29

  38.00

  100.0

  1.32

  0.00

  1.32

  100.0

  0.00

  39.32

  100.0

  101.77

  1991–92

  Birmingham

  30.77

  6.97

  37.74

  33.6

  2.03

  1.07

  3.10

  33.0

  0.05

  40.89

  33.5

  —

  West Midlands Metropolitan Area (excl. Birmingham)

  26.09

  4.83

  30.92

  27.5

  1.49

  0.34

  1.83

  19.5

  0.16

  32.91

  27.0

  —

  Rest of West Midlands Region

  37.6

  6.08

  43.679

  38.9

  4.47

  0

  4.47

  47.6

  0.07

  48.22

  39.5

  —

  West Midlands (HC Region)

  94.46

  17.88

  112.34

  100.0

  7.99

  1.41

  9.40

  100.0

  0.28

  122.02

  100.0

  140.37

  1992–93

  Birmingham

  29.83

  6.83

  36.66

  27.0

  1.14

  0.84

  1.98

  20.3

  1.76

  40.40

  26.8

  —

  West Midlands Metropolitan Area (cxcl. Birmingham)

  32.28

  11.13

  43.41

  32.0

  3.86

  0.75

  4.61

  47.3

  1.23

  49.25

  32.7

  —

  Rest of West Midlands Region

  49.25

  6.32

  55.57

  41.0

  2.77

  0

  3.16

  32.4

  2.24

  60.97

  40.5

  —

  West Midlands (HC Region)

  111.36

  24.28

  135.64

  100.0

  7.77

  1.98

  9.75

  100.0

  5.23

  150.62

  100.0

  154.82

  1993–94

  Birmingham

  32.49

  12.38

  44.87

  35.1

  3.13

  0.41

  3.54

  31.9

  4.55

  52.96

  34.9

  —

  West Midlands Metropolitan Area (cxcl. Birmingham)

  34.24

  4.11

  38.35

  30.0

  3.28

  0.15

  3.43

  30.9

  3.62

  45.40

  29.9

  —

  Rest of West Midlands Region

  39.03

  5.47

  44.5

  34.8

  4.13

  0

  4.14

  37.3

  4.69

  53.33

  35.2

  —

  West Midlands (HC Region)

  105.76

  21.96

  127.72

  100.0

  10.54

  0.57

  11.11

  100.0

  12.86

  151.69

  100.0

  162.03

  1994–95

  Birmingham

  23.53

  12.61

  36.14

  35.8

  1.41

  0.40

  1.81

  25.1

  3.27

  41.22

  34.7

  —

  West Midlands Metropolitan Area (cxcl. Birmingham)

  21.30

  7.89

  29.19

  28.9

  1.40

  0.85

  2.25

  31.2

  3.47

  34.91

  29.4

  —

  Rest,of West Midlands Region

  29.37

  6.33

  35.7

  35.3

  2.37

  0

  3.16

  43.8

  3.74

  42.6

  35.9

  —

  West Midlands (HC Region)

  74.20

  26.83

  101.03

  100.0

  5.18

  2.04

  7.22

  100.0

  10.48

  118.73

  100.0

  134.21

  1995–96

  Birmingham

  6.93

  4.89

  11.82

  36.0

  1.04

  0.29

  1.33

  39.8

  3.62

  16.77

  36.7

  —

  West Midlands Metropolitan Area (cxcl. Birmingham)

  5.67

  3.26

  8.93

  27.2

  0.86

  0.27

  1.13

  33.8

  2.83

  12.89

  28.2

  —

  Rest of West Midlands Region

  9.25

  2.83

  12.08

  36.8

  0.68

  0

  0.88

  26.3

  3.05

  16.01

  35.1

  —

  West Midlands (HC Region)

  21.85

  10.98

  32.83

  100.0

  2.58

  0.76

  3.34

  100.0

  9.50

  45.67

  100.0

  103.15

  Union Flag
  Mr. David Young
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines his Department issued to local authorities in respect of the flying of flags on(a) VE day and (b) VJ day; and to what extent local authorities are free to determine their own policy. [25328]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department issued no guidelines to local authorities about flying the Union Flag

  West Midlands Housing Corporation
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the West Midlands housing corporation cash allocations for 1995–96 and each of the previous five years broken down into(a) regional cash limit, (b) new rent allocations, (c) new sale allocations, (d) new do-it-yourself sale allocations and (e) rehabilitation-renovation with an indication as to the proportion of these allocations that are within (i) the west midlands metropolitan area and (ii) Birmingham. [24593]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The table shows the housing corporation allocations in 1995–96 and each of the previous five years, by the headings requested, for the corporation's west midlands region; and how much of these were allocated to Birmingham and the west midlands metropolitan area, which has been taken to be Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton. The allocations represent housing corporation resources going into new housing association scheme starts whilst the cash limit represents expenditure on new and existing schemes.

  on VE or VJ Day. Local authorities are completely free to determine their own policy in this respect.

  HM Inspectorate of Pollution
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many scientists employed by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution are specialists in air pollution. [25690]

  Mr. Atkins
  Under HMIP's integrated structure, work on air pollution is undertaken by staff working in multi-disciplinary teams where individuals address all
  779
  aspects of the inspectorate's responsibilities for pollution regulation and control.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current starting salary for a

  £

  Salary minimum

  Grade

  Location

  1 January 1990

  1 August 1990

  1 April 1991

  1 August 1991

  1 August 1992

  1 August 1993

  1 April 1994

  Assistant Pollution Inspector

  London

  —

  18,194

  18,194

  19,377

  20,961

  21,275

  21,275

  National

  —

  18,194

  18,194

  19,377

  20,152

  20,454

  20,454

  Pollution Inspector

  London

  18,488

  20,059

  21,905

  24,379

  25,330

  25,330

  25,837

  National

  18,488

  20,059

  21,905

  23,329

  24,239

  24,239

  24,724

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has had to re-advertise to fill vacancies in professional posts since 1990. [25689]

  Mr. Atkins
  Since 1990, seven recruitment campaigns have been held to increase the number of inspectors in line with the progressive growth in HMIP's complement over this period.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of the professional posts at Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution are currently vacant. [25691]

  Mr Atkins
  Three.

  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people holding professional posts with Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution have resigned since 1990. [25687]

  Mr. Atkins
  Nine.

  Environment Bill
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has, following the House of Lords' decision on 17 November 1994, in support of the Yorkshire Water Company against the National Rivers Authority under section 107 of the Water Act 1989, to bring forward amendments to the Act of the Environment Bill currently before Parliament. [25906]

  Mr. Atkins
  We have no such plans. Our views on this issue were fully set out by my hon. Friend, Viscount Ullswater, during consideration of the Environment Bill in another place.

  Water Pollution
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many of the cases of water pollution due to agriculture, recorded in 1994 occurred as a result of(a) pesticides on crops, (b) silage and (c) fertilizers; [25853]

  (2) what was the number of recorded cases of water pollution caused by agricultural practice in 1994. [25854]

  Mr. Atkins
  The National Rivers Authority publishes a detailed annual statistical report on water pollution incidents in England and Wales. The report for 1994 will be published this summer. However, on the basis of the information currently available which is still being validated, the NRA estimates that there were 3,329 pollution incidents arising from agriculture in 1994, of which 26 can be attributed to pesticides, 259 to silage and 780
  professional at Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution now; and what it was in each of the years since 1990. [25686]

  Mr. Atkins
  The information is as follows:

  17 to solid and liquid fertilizers. In addition, eight can be attributed to sheep dip.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many prosecutions there have been in each of the last five years of water companies for illegally breaching consents to discharge treated sewage. [25905]

  Mr. Atkins
  I understand that there have been 58 such prosecutions of water companies since 1989–90. The annual figures are:

  1989–90: 4

  1991: 17

  1992: 17

  1993: 11

  1994: 9

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many court actions were taken in each of the last three years in total and in each region by the National Rivers Authority; at what gross and net cost to the authority; how many court actions were taken in each of the last three years in total and against each of the water and sewerage companies by the National Rivers Authority; at what gross and net costs; how many of the court actions taken by the National Rivers Authority in each of the last three years in each region resulted in the polluter being prosecuted; and what were the total fines imposed by the National Rivers Authority on(a) polluters and (b) statutory water undertakers in each of the last three years in each region. [25777]

  Mr. Atkins
  [holding answer 23 May 1995]: The National Rivers Authority publishes an annual statistical report on water pollution incidents in England and Wales. The report for 1994 will be published later this year but the latest estimates for that year are included in the tables. In some cases the information is not available in exactly the form requested. As regards the cost of court actions, the NRA does not keep records of its costs categorised annually for individual regions or water and sewerage companies. The average cost to the NRA of bringing a prosecution—reflecting a wide range of prosecutions—is £660. Costs imposed by the courts can vary widely and can rarely be compared with the actual cost of taking a prosecution.

  Total court actions (in respect of incidents occurring in the relevant calendar year and heard by the end of the relevant financial year)

  Region

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Anglian

  34

  45

  45

  Northumbria and Yorkshire

  22

  26

  13

  781

  Total court actions (in respect of incidents occurring in the relevant calendar year and heard by the end of the relevant financial year)

  Region

  1992

  1993

  1994

  North West

  61

  61

  49

  Severn-Trent

  72

  56

  32

  Southern

  5

  5

  9

  South Western

  37

  26

  29

  Thames

  32

  31

  32

  Welsh

  34

  36

  28

  Totals

  297

  286

  237

  Court actions against water and sewerage companies

  Company

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Southern Water

  4

  1

  1

  Severn Trent Water

  1

  4

  2

  South West Water

  2

  —

  —

  Wessex Water

  2

  4

  1

  Northumbria Water

  3

  —

  —

  Yorkshire Water

  1

  11

  1

  Anglian Water

  7

  1

  2

  Thames Water

  5

  7

  4

  North West Water

  4

  6

  13

  Welsh Water

  11

  2

  1

  Total

  40

  36

  25

  Fines against water and sewerage undertakers

  £

  Company

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Total

  Southern Water

  4,800

  5,000

  4,000

  13,800

  Severn Trent Water

  2,000

  8,750

  11,000

  21,750

  South West Water

  6,000

  —

  —

  6,000

  Wessex Water

  4,500

  6,700

  —

  11,200

  Northumbria Water

  6,750

  —

  —

  6,750

  Yorkshire Water

  6,000

  101,000

  5,000

  112,000

  Anglian Water

  30,750

  4,000

  2,500

  37,250

  Thames Water

  20,000

  23,500

  15,000

  58,500

  North West Water

  34,000

  33,000

  56,500

  123,500

  Welsh Water

  39,600

  9,000

  20,000

  68,600

  Totals

  154,900

  190,950

  114,000

  459,350

  Enforcement Successful prosecutions (all polluters) (in respect of incidents occurring in the relevant calendar year)

  Region

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Anglian

  34

  42

  45

  Northumbria and Yorkshire

  22

  24

  13

  North West

  60

  60

  46

  Severn Trent

  72

  56

  31

  Southern

  4

  5

  5

  South Western

  36

  25

  27

  Thames

  30

  29

  28

  Welsh

  32

  36

  27

  Total

  290

  277

  222

  Total fines (all polluters)

  £

  Region

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Northumbria and Yorkshire

  144,150

  176,100

  North West

  167,700

  256,600

  Welsh

  91,775

  74,050

  Severn Trent

  139,550

  172,440

  782

  Total fines (all polluters)

  £

  Region

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Anglian

  164,850

  168,650

  Thames

  202,000

  111,000

  Southern

  80,540

  32,500

  South Western

  100,460

  97,280

  Total

  1,091,025

  1,088,580

  Recycling
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what action his Department has taken to encourage the use of remanufactured goods; [26163]

  (2) what plans he has to encourage investment and expansion in the remanufactured products industry. [26164]

  Mr. Atkins
  The draft "Waste Strategy for England and Wales", published for consultation in January 1995, has opened up a wide debate to identify ways in which all of our waste can be managed in a more sustainable way including the promotion of recycling and manufacture using waste materials. Recycling rates reflect market forces including the costs of recyclate against virgin material, consumer preference and the way in which business buying specifications are set out. Several of the Government's policies set out in the strategy will help secure significant increases in recycling rates, and in particular the producer responsibility initiative which gives an incentive to businesses to increase the amount of recyclate which re-enters the productive loop.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effects on(a) public health, (b) asthma sufferers, (c) the elderly and (d) pregnant women, when ground level ozone reaches 90PPB. [26171]

  Mr. Atkins
  Within Government, the Department of Health takes the lead in assessing the health effects of air pollutants, including advice from its Committee on the Medical Aspects of Air Pollutants. The effects of exposure to ozone depend on the duration of the exposure as well as on the level of the pollutant. The main effects are on the respiratory system and vary considerably from individual to individual. In 1991, the expert advisory group on the medical aspects of air pollution episodes published a report on ozone. A copy is in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether any landfill sites within the parliamentary constituency of Nottingham, North will be used for the disposal of nuclear waste. [26244]

  Mr. Atkins
  At the present moment, there are no proposals for the disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear sites to Nottingham, North. My Department has no knowledge of any future plans in this regard.

  Members' Interests
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to regulate possible conflicts of interest arising when an elected member of a local authority or appointed member of other public bodies acts in a professional capacity for individual employees of the same authority where the employee faces serious disciplinary action. [26204]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We have no proposals to add to the existing legislation and guidance about members' interests.

  Uniform Business Rate
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many appeals against uniform business rate valuations were received from businesses in(a) York and (b) north Yorkshire following the 1987 revaluation; how long on average these appeals took to resolve; and on what date the last of these appeals was resolved; [25965]

  (2) how many appeals against uniform business rate valuations were received from businesses in (a) York and (b) north Yorkshire following the 1992 revaluation; how long on average these appeals are taking to resolve; and how many currently are outstanding. [25966]

  Mr. Curry
  I take it that the hon. Member is referring to the revaluations which took effect on 1 April 1990 and 1 April 1995. A total of 3,677 proposals to alter the 1990 rating list had been received in York and 21,899 in north Yorkshire by 30 April 1995, of which 903 and 4,616 respectively were outstanding at that date. Proposals to alter this list can still be made in some circumstances up to 31 March 1996. One hundred and forty proposals to alter the 1995 rating list had been received in York and 991 in north Yorkshire by 30 April 1995. None have yet been resolved.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of uniform business rate charged in each local authority in England is allocated, according to the uniform business rate distribution formula, to the business ratepayers own authorities. [25968]

  Mr. Curry
  National non-domestic rates—business rates—are collected by billing authorities during the year and paid into the NNDR pool. Funds from the pool, the "distributable amount" are re-distributed on a population basis to all classes of authority in line with the formula set out in the local government finance report. This includes distribution to police and fire and civil defence authorities which do not all operate within the boundary of a single billing authority.

  Billing authorities may make adjustments during the year of the sums contributed to the pool, in line with their collection rates. No adjustments are made in year to the distributed amount.

  It is not therefore possible to calculate the final amount of NDR charged by each billing authority until after the end of the relevant financial year.

  As the distributable amount is calculated on a population basis for each year and the amount collected in that year is not known until the following year, the information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost in the form requested.

  Toner Cartridges
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of toner cartridges have been recycled or remanufactured in each year for the last five years. [26164]

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department does not hold this information, but I understand that the United Kingdom Cartridge Recyclers Association, established in March 1993 to promote the use of remanufactured toner cartridges, may be able to supply industry estimates of the current levels of toner cartridges remanufactured.

  North Sea
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what research his Department has carried out into the levels of hydrocarbons in the North sea; [26167]

  (2) if he will list the research work sponsored by his Department into the effects of oil-based drilling muds in the North sea; [126169]

  (3) what estimates he has made of (a) the average level of hydrocarbons in the North sea and (b) the level of hydrocarbons in the 8 km radius of oil drilling platforms; [26168]

  (4) what assessment his Department has made of contamination around oil drilling platforms in the North sea; [26166]

  (5) what assessment his Department has made of the effects of oil-based drilling muds on the North sea. [26170]

  Mr. Atkins
  Marine laboratories of the fisheries departments carry out research into this area and relevant data are compiled by the Oslo and Paris Commission from information provided by all North sea states involved in offshore activities. This information was reported in the 1993 "North Sea Quality Status" report and its associated sub-regional reports, copies of which are in the House Library.

  In the North sea as a whole, oil concentrations in water are generally low. These reports state that levels of oil may be higher close to production platforms than elsewhere in the North sea. Such concentrations influence the sea floor community in the immediate vicinity and some effects may persist up to several kilometres from the drilling site.

  Going for Green Initiative
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what have been the results so far of the going for green, initiative. [24725]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  On 6 February 1995, the going for green national committee launched its campaign to catalyse people's interest in the environment, inform their understanding of the consequences of the choices they make as consumers, and endorse actions to improve their environment, whether through managing resources better, reducing pollution or cultivating the local environment. Going for green is currently preparing a business plan which includes a strategy for a national campaign, the sustainable communities pilot project and the further development of the eco-schools programme.

  Tinsley, Sheffield
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make available to the National Audit Office, all agreements relating to the building of an airport at Tinsley, Sheffield. [25868]

  (2) if he will make available to the National Audit Office all agreements relating to opencasting at Tinsley, Sheffield. [25869]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  No request has been received from the NAO for information relating to the building of an airport or the opencasting at Tinsley, Sheffield.

  Mr. Clive Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will place in the Library all agreements relating to the operating at Tinsley, Sheffield; [25870]

  (2) if he will place in the Library all the agreements relating to the building of an airport at Tinsley, Sheffield; [25871]

  (3) if he will place in the Library such information held by Sheffield development corporation in respect of opencasting at Tinsley, Sheffield as would have been publicly available if the opencasting had been the responsibility of a local authority; [25872]

  (4) if he will place in the Library information in respect of Tinsley airport such as would have been publicly available had the development been the responsibility of a local authority. [25873]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Documentation relating to the planning decisions for the open casting and the building of an airport at Tinsley is available for inspection at the offices of Sheffield city council and Sheffield development corporation.

  Documentation relating to the development, rather than the planning decisions, at Tinsley is commercially confidential and is not publically available.

  Mr. Clive Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake an investigation to determine if the land at Tinsley, Sheffield being prepared for building an airport runway has been properly compacted following opencasting. [25874]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  It is for Sheffield development corporation as landowner and local planning authority to be satisfied that the land at Tinsley has been properly compacted in accordance with the planning conditions.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which body currently has responsibility for defects resulting from compaction work on the opencast site at Tinsley, Sheffield. [25875]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  British Coal retains responsibility to deal with defects resulting from the compaction of the site.

  Allerton Outreach Team
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further funding to support two staff and running costs of the Allerton Outreach team in Bradford has been secured; and if he will make a statement. [25981]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Employment.

  Lister Mills
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much public money, including the cost of official time, he estimates has been spent to date on the re-development of Lister mills in Bradford, with particular reference to the establishment of a northern branch of the Victoria and Albert museum. [26136]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department contributed £18,500 towards a feasibility study funded jointly with Bradford metropolitan district council and Listers plc in 1989. Information on the cost of the official time spent by public organisations on the wide range of proposals under consideration since 1988 is not recorded.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what indication he has given formally or informally to Millview Developments, owners of Lister Mills in Bradford, that public financial support from his Department will be available to pay for redevelopment at the mills; and if he will make a statement. [26367]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department has given no formal or informal indication to Millview Developments that public financial support will be available to pay for development at Lister Mills, Bradford.

  Drinking Water
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the limits of chlorine and chlorinated substances imposed by the current European Council drinking water regulations. [26394]

  Mr. Atkins
  The EC drinking water directive— 80/778/EEC—does not include a maximum admissible concentration for chlorine. Persistent organochlorine insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls are included within the pesticides and related products parameter and maximum admissible concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 microgram per litre apply for individual and total substances respectively. There are no maximum admissible concentrations for other organochlorine compounds although there is a comment that haloform—trihalomethanes— concentrations must be as low as possible.

  The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 set standards of 100 microgram per litre for total trihalomethanes and 3, 30 and 10 microgram per litre for the chlorinated solvents tetrachloromethane, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethane respectively in addition to those required by the EC directive.

  Dry Stone Walls
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost of rebuilding a derelict dry stone wall for any length for which figures are available. [26450]

  Mr. Atkins
  My Department has not carried out specific research into the costs of rebuilding dry stone walls. The costs in particular cases are likely to be subject to considerable variation depending on a number of factors including a wall's design, height and width, the extent of dereliction, the availability of stone and the nature of the terrain.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking, following the Countryside Commission's national survey of the condition of dry stone walls, to ensure that walls which have major signs of advancing or potential deterioration
  787
  or are in early stages of dereliction are rebuilt or otherwise repaired. [26436]

  Mr. Atkins
  The Government already offer payments for the repair and restoration of stone walls in landscapes eligible for support under the countryside stewardship scheme, the farm and conservation grant scheme and in environmentally sensitive areas. Proposals for the integration and focus of environmental land management schemes in England were published on 18 May by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Fire Authorities
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend the discretionary powers of fire authorities in county council offices to metropolitan fire authorities under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972. [26313]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  There are no plans to extend the provisions of section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 to apply to metropolitan fire authorities.

  1994–95 revenue support grant

  £ per head of population

  Pendle

  Ribble Valley

  Westminster

  Wandsworth

  City of London

  District, etc

  43

  19

  760

  507

  13,105

  County council

  308

  308

  —

  —

  —

  Police authority

  —

  —

  38

  38

  —

  Fire authority

  —

  —

  22

  22

  22

  1995–96 revenue support grant

  £ per head of population

  Pendle

  Ribble Valley

  Westminster

  Wandsworth

  City of London

  District, etc.

  40

  15

  804

  501

  12,166

  County council

  282

  282

  —

  —

  —

  Police authority

  23

  23

  61

  61

  —

  Fire authority

  —

  —

  22

  22

  22

  North Sea Conference
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what policy on toxic discharges into the North sea Her Majesty's Government will advance at the fourth North sea Ministers Conference in Esbjerg; and if he will make a statement. [26395]

  Mr. Atkins
  The Secretary of State announced on 16 May, columns 183–84 the United Kingdom's priorities for the North sea conference including that relating to toxic discharges. A note on our objectives was placed in the Library of the House.

  Housing (Elderly and Disabled People)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many specialist housing schemes and associations providing care and support for vulnerable residents and those at risk there are in the United Kingdom. [26539]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  Research published last year by the Department1 found that there were a total of 14,206 units of very sheltered accommodation for elderly and disabled people provided in England by local authorities, registered housing associations, Abbeyfield societies and almshouses in 1990.

  Leaseholders
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish his proposals to assist local authority leaseholders to sell their flats. [26525]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We plan to announce a package of measures in the next few weeks.

  Revenue Support Grant
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the level of revenue support grant per head in(a) Pendle, (b) Ribble valley, (c) the City of Westminster, (d) Wandsworth and (e) the City of London for 1994–95 and 1995–96. [26565]

  Mr. Curry
  The revenue support grant per head of these authorities is shown in the first row of figures in each of the tables. The tables also show the revenue support grant per head of the other types of authority which serve these areas, since the division of responsibilities for services between types of authorities is different in Lancashire, inner London and the City of London. In particular, in Pendle and Ribble valley, Lancashire county council provides major services which, in London, are provided by the borough and city authorities.

  There were a further 52,679 supported units provided for non-elderly vulnerable residents in England through the Housing Corporation in 1994–95. The Housing Corporation supported a total of 317 housing associations providing care and support to their tenants.

  1 Living Independently—A study of the Housing Needs of elderly and disabled people, HMSO 1994.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Ashton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give undertaking that no nuclear industry waste will be disposed of inside the boundary of the Bassetlaw constituency or the boundary of the Bassetlaw district council in north Nottinghamshire.

  Mr. Atkins
  There are no sites in the Bassetlaw constituency or the boundary of Bassetlaw district council which are authorised by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution for the disposal of waste from nuclear licensed sites. The Government's overall policy in this area will be set out this summer when the conclusions to its review of radioactive waste management are published.

  Nitrate Consultation
  Mr. Stephen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made on the Government's response to last year's consultation on proposed nitrate vulnerable zones under the EC nitrate directive; and if he will make a statement. [26621]

  Mr. Atkins
  My right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Secretary of State for Wales and I issued today our response to last year's consultation. As with the original consultation document, the response document is being sent to farmers in parishes and communities containing a proposed nitrate vulnerable zone, and to other interested groups.

  A major purpose of the consultation was to confirm the accuracy of the proposed zones, using farmers' local knowledge, before their formal designation. Over 500 sets of written comments were received, in the main from farmers in the proposed zones, and in each case an individual response has been sent out. In addition many points have been addressed directly at a local level by the National Rivers Authority and the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service.

  The response document indicates how the Government propose to proceed with designations in the light of comments received. In all, the proposed boundaries for 31 of the 72 zones have been altered and it is proposed that two small groundwater zones should be deferred for further consideration. Maps of the revised zones are available free from MAFF regional services centres and WOAD divisional offices.

  As foreshadowed in last year's consultation document, we have set up an independent review panel, chaired by Mr. Terence Etherton QC and assisted by Dr. Richard Downing and Mr. Alastair Allcock. The panel will assess whether the Government's published methodology has been correctly and consistently applied in drawing up the boundaries in those cases where consultees are dissatisfied with the amended boundaries as set out in the response document. In addition, because of the uniqueness of the proposed surface water zone at Nayland, we have asked the independent review panel to consider the case for and against its designation.

  I am placing copies of the response document in the Library.

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Jacques Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to appoint senior directors of the proposed environment agency. [26620]

  Mr. Atkins
  I have informed the environment agency advisory committee that it may commence the recruitment of senior directors of the proposed environment agency. Approval has already been given for the recruitment of the chief executive, as announced in my reply of 21 April to my hon. Friend the Member for Wyre Forest (Mr. Coombs), columns 288–89.

  Parliamentary approval to this new service will be sought in a summer supplementary estimate for the Department of the Environment's environmental protection and water vote, class VII, vote 3. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £135,000 will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.
  790
  This expenditure is required to meet the cost of recruiting up to six directors. Its urgency reflects the need to have directors in place as soon as possible after Royal Assent, so that they can support the chief executive in planning for the agency to take over its functions from predecessor bodies on 1 April 1996. The successful candidates will not be formally appointed as directors until after the Bill has received Royal Assent.

  Packaging
  Mr. Dicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his proposals for producer responsibility for packaging. [26622]

  Mr. Gummer
  When my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I launched the producer responsibility challenge on 17 July 1993, we took the view that only industry could provide the leadership and know-how necessary to achieve a successful UK initiative on recycling and recovery of packaging waste. Nearly two years later, that industry-led approach has enabled us to meet many of our key objectives. The producer responsibility group of leading businesses involved in packaging has achieved widespread industry support for its plan to secure the recovery and recycling of 58 per cent. of United Kingdom packaging waste and create close to home recycling facilities for eight out of 10 households by the year 2000. After extensive negotiation, in which the UK played a leading part, the European Community has adopted a packaging and packaging waste directive which we now need to implement.

  A major challenge remains. In its first report, the producer responsibility group made it very clear that the initiative could not be successful without legislative underpinning to deter "free riders". Enabling powers to provide that legislative underpinning are included in the Environment Bill, now being considered by Parliament. But we need to specify precisely who in business will be subject to a legal obligation and what action is required to satisfy it. Such an obligation must be simple and clear if it is to be effective and enforceable—in industry's interests as much as Government's. It must also be consistent with wider Government policies, for example on ensuring competition and minimising burdens on business.

  The Government are today publishing, "Producer Responsibility for Packaging Waste—a Consultation Paper", which sets out a variety of options on how such a legal obligation might work and includes a compliance cost assessment. Copies are being placed in the Library. These options have been the subject of lengthy and detailed deliberation by different industry groups in the light of the legislative tests set out in the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minster of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mr. Streeter) on 2 February, Official Report, columns 763–64.

  Several of the options have been put forward by the VALPAK—working representative advisory group— V—WRAG—the industry body which has succeeded PRG and which will continue to be a focus for discussions. Alternative approaches may emerge in consultation but they will need to demonstrate that they have been widely publicised in industry and tested against the same criteria as the options in this paper. The Government will need to make a decision to adopt

  791
  a proposal based on one of these approaches and are keen to have the views of all sectors of industry and commerce, and others who will be involved in achieving our aims, including local authorities and consumers.

  What is most needed now is further work by the proponents of different approaches to help build a consensus behind the best option. The Government would prefer to proceed on the basis of a board consensus on an approach which best meetws the test we have published. We invite all those involved in the production, distribution and use of packaging to meet this challenge.

  Housing
  Mr. Hinchcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of housing association homes for rent which could have been constructed at funding levels announced in the 1992 autumn statement. [25396]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  [holding answer 24 May 1995]: Such estimates depend on the assumptions made. But if allocations and unit costs had been on the same basis as for the current programme, the Housing Corporation estimates that the 1995–96 approved development programme would have provided some 35,900 new build homes for rent if funding levels in the 1992 autumn statement had been maintained.

  Korea: Division of Families
  Korea: Division of Families
  Abkhazia
  Abkhazia
  Lloyd's: Contribution to Balance of Payments
  Lloyd's: Contribution to Balance of Payments
  Sheep Dipping: Safety Guidance
  Sheep Dipping: Safety Guidance
  Industrial Tribunals: Access for the Physically Disabled
  Industrial Tribunals: Access for the Physically Disabled
  Magnox Power Stations: Decommissioning
  Magnox Power Stations: Decommissioning
  Dispensing Doctors: Suppliers' Discount
  Dispensing Doctors: Suppliers' Discount
  VE Day Celebrations
  VE Day Celebrations
  Crown Buildings in Scotland: Fire Certificates
  Crown Buildings in Scotland: Fire Certificates
  Church Buildings: Objections to Faculty Applications
  Church Buildings: Objections to Faculty Applications
  Churches Conservation Trust: Administration of DNH Grant
  Churches Conservation Trust: Administration of DNH Grant
  Redundant Churches: Preservation
  Redundant Churches: Preservation
  Leasehold Reform, Housing and Development Act 1993
  Leasehold Reform, Housing and Development Act 1993
  Packaging Waste: Producer Responsibility
  Packaging Waste: Producer Responsibility
  Homicides by Previously Convicted Murderers
  Homicides by Previously Convicted Murderers
  Immigration Act: Conditions of Detention
  Immigration Act: Conditions of Detention
  Local Prison Accommodation Statistics
  Local Prison Accommodation Statistics