Written Answers of 2 November 1995

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Grants
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what grant-giving funds his Department is responsible, requiring a private sector contribution, where the use of national lottery funds is not allowed to count towards that private sector portion. [38600]

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my Friend the Minister of State, Department of National Heritage on 1 November 1995,Official Report, columns 186–87.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department will be in a position to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Oldham, West of 1 September following up a letter of 18 July concerning the case of Mohammed Nadeem, GV100/28257. [40731]

  Mr. Hanley
  The migration and visa correspondence unit replied to the hon. Member's letter of 1 September on 27 October. The delay in replying is regretted.

  Cyprus
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the names of those holders of British passports who went missing during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. [41178]

  Mr. David Davis
  We have no record of any single nationality British citizens still missing following events in Cyprus over the last 30 years. Under international law, British citizens with dual nationality are the responsibility of the country of their second nationality while in that country. The cases of dual nationals who went missing in Cyprus were submitted to the UN committee on missing persons by the Government of Cyprus. If there are dual nationals amongst those Cypriots known to be missing, they are not specifically listed as such.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take to ascertain the fate of those holders of British passports who went missing in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. [41176]

  Mr. Davis
  It is for the UN committee on missing persons to examine these cases. We have no locus to act for dual nationals in the country of their second nationality. The British High Commission in Nicosia remains in close touch with the committee and is ready to 376
  check with the committee that all cases of dual UK/Cyprus nationals brought to its attention are being examined.

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral answer of the Attorney-General of 30 October 1995,Official Report, column 12, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and if he will further indicate the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41207]

  Mr. David Davis
  The information requested will take some time to compile. I shall reply to the hon. Member shortly.

  Zaire
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the alleged killings of peaceful protesters during a rally in Kinshasa, Zaire on 29 July. [40599]

  Mr. Hanley
  An unauthorised demonstration was held on 29 July in Kinshasa by the Unified Lumumbist party—PALU—close to the transitional Parliament buildings. Demonstrators clashed with the gendarmerie and, most regrettably, 10 people died: one gendarme and nine demonstrators.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information and representations he has received about the human rights situation in Zaire. [40598]

  Mr. Hanley
  Through the British embassy in Kinshasa we are in regular contact with a broad range of human rights organisations and political parties in Zaire. We receive information on a regular basis about human rights issues from non-governmental organisations, the press and political parties.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Zaire about protection of human rights in the country. [40600]

  Mr. Hanley
  We remain concerned at the human rights situation in Zaire. Through the British embassy in Kinshasa we keep in close touch with the Zairean authorities over the need to improve respect for human rights, including issues that affect refugees in the great lakes region.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 2 November. [39339]
  377
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 2 November. [39341]

  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 2 November. [38959]

  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.

  Annual Remuneration
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will estimate the number of individuals in his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies whose annual remuneration, including benefits in kind exceeded (i) £100,000, (ii) £200,000 and (iii) £300,000 in (1) 1985–86, (2) 1990–91, (3) 1992–93, (4) 1994–95 and (5) 1995–96. [40813]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 1 November, column 324.

  Salaries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the(a) lowest and (b) highest full-time salary paid to any employee in his (i) Department, (ii) agencies and (iii) non-departmental public bodies in (1) 1994–95 and (2) 1995–96. [40814]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 1 November, columns 324–25.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost to public funds in respect of the Benefits Agency staff who travelled around Spain earlier this year explaining to resident United Kingdom citizens how to claim pensions and social security allowances; and if he will make a statement. [39051]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 1 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the cost to public funds in respect of the Benefits Agency staff who travelled around Spain earlier this year explaining to resident United Kingdom citizens how to claim pensions and Social Security allowances.
  A visit to Spain was made by Benefits Agency staff during the period 4 June 1995 to 8 June 1995. This was in response to requests from the British Consulate and customer representative
  378
  organisations to provide sufficient information to them to better understand and answer enquiries from Benefits Agency customers living in, or visiting Spain. The cost of the visit was less than £4,000.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for(a) the financial year 1994–95 and (b) the estimated figures for the financial year 1995–96, for each executive agency for which he is responsible. [39560]

  Mr. Burt
  Estimated outturn for 1994–95 for civil service manpower and pay bill and manpower plans for 1995–96 are set out in the Department's annual report, Cm 2813, copies of which are in the Library.

  A breakdown by grade and individual agency could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Statutory Maternity Pay
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to reduce the statutory maternity pay rebate. [40093]

  Mr. Heald
  Any proposed changes in the level of reimbursement of statutory maternity pay paid by employers would be announced and would require primary legislation.

  Vaccine Damage Payments
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria are used by the vaccine damage payments unit to decide on the merits of claims and order of magnitude of payments arising from claims; and on what basis as to liability claims are made. [40273]

  Mr. Burt
  Vaccine damage payments are made by the Secretary of State under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 and associated regulations. The Act and regulations set out the conditions of entitlement, including medical and disability conditions, which must be satisfied before payment is made. Where a claim is successful a single tax-free payment of £30,000 is made. The payment is made without acceptance of liability and does not affect the claimant's right to seek compensation through the courts.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list the total number of individuals claiming housing benefit in each of the past five years; [40688]

  (2) if he will list the total sums of money paid in housing benefit in each of the past five years. [40686]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is set out in the table.
  379

  Housing benefit recipients and expenditure for Great Britain

  Year

  Recipients Thousands

  Financial year

  Expenditure £ million

  1991

  4,030

  1991–92

  5,100

  1992

  4,326

  1992–93

  6,375

  1993

  4,533

  1993–94

  7,793

  1994

  4,650

  1994–95

  9,193

  1995

  4,734

  1995–96

  10,253

  Notes:

  1. Figures for number of recipients is taken from count made on last working day of May for each of the given years. Figures refer to benefit units which may be a single person or a couple.

  2. Expenditure figures for 1995–96 are the estimated outturn. Figures for other years are outturn.

  3. Sources of data: Housing Benefit Management Information System and the 1995 departmental report.

  Lone Parents
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department is currently undertaking to investigate whether child maintenance payments set at too high a level can provide a work disincentive to some lone parents. [40316]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The Department has an on-going programme for evaluating the effects of child support. Research by the Policy Studies Institute has already established that over 90 per cent. of parents with care who are not working have past work experience, and that maintenance provides an important incentive for those who want to return to work.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the parents with care who cease benefit claims after the intervention of the Child Support Agency reapply within a six month period. [40317]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what information he had in respect of the legal dispute between EDS and Computer Associates at the time of placing the Child Support Agency computer system with EDS. [40320]

  Mr. Burt
  The Secretary of State had no information about any legal dispute between EDS and Computer Associates at the time of placing the child support computer system with EDS.

  Asylum Seekers>
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many persons receiving(a) income support, (b) housing benefit and (c) council tax benefit he expects to lose their entitlement on 8 January 1996 as a result of the determination of a claim for asylum on or after 12 October 1995; and what would be the cost in 1996–97 of preserving that entitlement; [40612]

  (2) how many persons receiving income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit, respectively, he expects to lose their entitlement on 8 January 1996 as a
  380
  result of having claimed benefit as asylum seekers on or after 12 October 1995; and what would be the cost in 1996–97 of preserving that entitlement. [40625]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: It is estimated that following an asylum decision in the period after 12 October, some 7,000 existing asylum seekers who applied for benefits before that date may lose their entitlement when the regulations come into effect. The gross cost of preserving those entitlements during any appeals process in 1996–97 is estimated at £15 million. This does not allow for those who may have lost their entitlement under the previous regulations.

  A further 6,000 in-country asylum seekers who are expected to claim benefit after 12 October may also lose their entitlement to benefits when the regulations come into effect. The gross cost of preserving those entitlements in 1996–97 is estimated at £30 million. This extra cost arising because their entitlements would have to be preserved during the initial decision making process as well as any appeals process.

  Asylum seekers are separately identified only in the income support scheme. Approximately 55 per cent. of asylum seekers in receipt of income support are also in receipt of housing benefit. Some 15 per cent. are also in receipt of council tax benefit.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) which countries have been notified to him by the Home Secretary as having(a) before 12 October 1995 and (b) on or after 12 October 1995 undergone a significant upheaval; and how many asylum seekers from each of those countries have claimed income support since 12 October; [40626]

  (2) if people claiming asylum while in Great Britain on or after 12 October 1995 as a result of a significant upheaval in their country of origin which occurred before 12 October will be treated as asylum seekers for purposes of entitlement to benefit. [40628]

  Mr. Evans
  I have not yet received notification of any upheaval list countries.

  Motability
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Department will receive a report from the National Audit Office on Motability and Motability Finance Ltd. [40929]

  Mr. Burt
  The status and timing of the report from the National Audit Office on Motability is a matter for the Comptroller and Auditor General.

  Earnings (Replacement Ratios)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the current replacement ratio of(a) a single person, (b) a married couple, (c) a married couple with one child, (d) a married couple with two children and (e) a married couple with three children and jobs paying at (i) 25 per cent. of median wages, (ii) 50 per cent. of median wages, (iii) 60 per cent. of median wages, (iv) 75 per cent. of median wages, (v) 80 per cent. of median wages and (vi) 90 per cent of

  381
  median wages. [41079]

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

  Replacement ratios show potential out-of-work income as a percentage of in-work income. It should be noted that the figures provided for couples assume that only one partner is in work. The replacement ratio is likely to be significantly lower if both partners are in work.

  Changes made to the tax and national insurance systems and to the structure of income-related benefits since 1985 have led to a significant reduction in the

  Replacement ratios at various percentages of median earnings

  Percentage of median earnings

  Family Type

  25 per cent.

  50 per cent.

  60 per cent.

  75 per cent.

  80 per cent.

  90 per cent.

  Single person

  85

  52

  42

  33

  30

  27

  Married couple

  94

  79

  64

  50

  47

  41

  Married couple with 1 child aged 3

  83

  80

  80

  68

  63

  56

  Married couple with 2 children aged 4 and 6

  87

  86

  85

  79

  74

  65

  Married couple with 3 children aged 3,8 and 11

  91

  90

  88

  83

  82

  77

  Notes:

  1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 1 per cent.

  2 Median earnings are £323.20 gross per week, based on all males in full-time work at April 1995 (New Earnings Survey 1995).

  3 Replacement ratios shown are based on in work and out of work income after the payment of housing costs. Out of work income figures used include the cash value of milk tokens and free school meals where appropriate.

  4 All family types shown are assumed to live in local authority accommodation and pay average rent, appropriate to family size, and average council tax. Families with children are assumed to work for 30 or more hours per week and have no childcare costs.

  5 Married couple examples assume only one partner working. All examples assume no income other than earnings, income-related benefits and, where appropriate, Child Benefit.

  6 All benefit rates used in the calculation of replacement ratios are for 1995–96.

  Council Tax Benefit
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what will be the estimated cost of ending the capital and notional income testing rules for council tax benefit for retired people while retaining unchnged the present tests for actual income. [41035]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The estimated cost of removing the lower and upper capital limits and the tariff income rule for pensioners is £340 million in council tax benefit. This assumes that actual income from capital would be taken into account.

  Notes:

  1. Although the question refers to retired people, it has been interpreted to refer to people over 60 years of age and living in the community. The cost for those in residential or nursing care is not applicable, as these are exempt from council tax.

  2. Estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  3. The estimate is based on data from the 1991, 1992 and 1993 Family Expenditure Survey, adjusted to be consistent with reported data from the 1994 HBMIS dataset for council tax benefit.

  4. All figures are uprated to 1995–96 prices and benefit levels.

  5. Given the tenuous nature of the data and the methodology used to arrive at this estimate, the figure are broad order of magnitude as opposed to robust estimates.

  Income Support
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the income support and housing benefit income of(a) a single person, (b) married couple, (c) married couple with one child, (d) married
  382
  numbers with very high replacement ratios of over 90 per cent. It is estimated that only a tiny proportion of the working population have replacement ratios of over 100 per cent.

  The new premium in family credit from July for those working 30 or more hours per week will further reduce the numbers with very high replacement ratios. In addition, a new in-work benefit aimed at couples and single people without children will be tested from October 1996 to examine its effects on increasing the gain from work, in the same way as family credit does now for families with children.

  couple with two children and (e) married couple with three children assuming an average housing benefit payment. [41080]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information is provided in table 3.1 of the tax benefit model tables, a copy of which is in the Library.

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the oral answer of the Attorney-General of 30 October,Official Report, column 12, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and if he will further indicate the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41213]

  Mr. Burt
  I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Attorney-General how many staff are currently employed in his Department and in related agencies on(a) temporary or casual employment contracts and (b) part-time employment contracts, given as an actual figure and as a proportion of the total work-force; and what were the corresponding figures for five years ago. [41112]
  383
  The Attorney-General
  Breakdowns by Department and executive agency for 1 April 1995 of the number of permanent staff, the number of casual staff—normally those engaged for a period of up to 12 months, but exceptionally up to two years—and of the number of part-time staff are presented in the civil service staff in post summary table for 1 April 1995, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Estimates on a comparable basis for 1 April 1990 have also been placed in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of which countries he expects, on the basis of the information at present available to him, to make a declaration on 8 January 1996 for the purposes of the Income Support (General) Regulations 1995 that they have undergone events likely to give rise to a well-founded fear of persecution among their nationals. [40627]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  We envisage that a declaration will be made only if a major upheaval occurs in a country. It is not proposed to make a declaration in respect of upheavals which have already taken place, since nationals of the country concerned who were present in the United Kingdom will have had adequate opportunity to claim asylum before 12 October. Under the draft regulations, the benefit entitlement of a person who claimed asylum before that date will be protected until a decision is taken on their claim.

  National Lottery Charities Board
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 23 October 1995,Official Report, column 448, if he will list (a) the consultants employed by the National Lottery Charities Board in the 14 months up to September 1995 and (b) the amounts paid to each firm. [39817]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: This is a matter for the National Lottery Charities Board, on which the hon. Member may wish to contact the chief executive. The National Audit Office has full access to contract and payment details.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 23 October 1995,Official Report, column 448, if he will specify the travel costs claimed by each member of the National Lottery Charities Board. [40659]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: Of the £44,000 reimbursed to the chairman and members of the National Lottery Charities Board up to the end of September 1995, £21,000 was paid in travelling expenses for legitimate attendance at board meetings and journeys on official board business. These figures are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office.
  384

  Michael Joseph McKenny
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will release Joseph McKinney from Frankland prison; what is Mr. McKinney's date of birth; and how many years of his sentence he has served. [40450]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 30 October 1995]: The prisoner referred to was convicted under the name of Michael Joseph McKenny.

  Mr. McKenny was born on 7 February 1927. He has served eight years and seven months of a 16-year sentence. His final statutory parole review is due to commence in January 1996. If he is not released as a result of that review, his earliest date of release will be in January 1997.

  Metropolitan Police (Settlements)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been paid by the Metropolitan police in out-of-court settlements in each of the past three financial years and the current year to date. [41182]

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Byers) on 17 July 1995,Official Report, column 933. This information is recorded by calendar year, not by financial year. The amount paid in out of court settlements this year up to 31 October is £488.000.

  Football Matches (Policing)
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend charges made upon London football clubs for police presence in or at stadiums to include all officers employed outside the ground in connection with matches; and if he will make a statement. [41179]

  Mr. Maclean
  Policing outside football grounds is part of the duty of the police to maintain law and order in public places and to keep traffic flowing. It would not be appropriate to make charges.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the payments to police forces made by each of London's Premier and Football League clubs in season 1994–95 and 1995–96 to date. [41181]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from the Metropolitan police that the payments—which are not necessarily the same as the amounts billed—are those given in the table.

  Payments to Metropolitan police

  Club

  1994–95 season £

  1995–96 season1 £

  Arsenal

  332,659.52

  9,499.91

  Barnet

  49,524.31

  5,159.90

  Brentford

  69,016.21

  0.00

  Charlton

  25,427.74

  2,974.75

  Chelsea

  363,476.16

  21,187.40

  Crystal Palace

  183,057.73

  0.00

  Fulham

  35,513.76

  2,021.40

  Leyton Orient

  16,293.57

  7,023.21

  385

  Payments to Metropolitan police

  Club

  1994–95 season £

  1995–96 season1 £

  Millwall

  125,840.29

  29,625.22

  Queens Park Rangers

  100,058.84

  0.00

  Tottenham Hotspur

  161,127.84

  0.00

  West Ham United

  172,376.87

  0.00

  Wimbledon

  130,932.86

  28,443.58

  Total

  1,765,305.70

  105,935.37

  1 (as at 30-09-95)

  National Insurance Status
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from employers' organisations in respect of the Government's plans to make employers check on employees' national insurance status; and what proportion of these have been in favour of the proposals. [40968]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) on 1 November 1995,Official Report, column 270.

  Doncaster Prison
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the disturbances that have occurred since Doncaster prison was opened; and if he will make a statement. [40955]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of disturbances that have occurred since Doncaster prison was opened.
  Doncaster prison was opened on 20 June 1994 and from that date until 30 September 1995, a total of 48 incidents of concerted indiscipline were reported to Prison Service headquarters.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who or what organisation initiated the litigation about the tariff scheme for criminal injuries compensation; and to what extent this litigation was funded out of public funds. [40705]

  Mr. Maclean
  The applicants in the application for judicial review were the Fire Brigades Union, the National Association of Schoolmasters and Women Teachers, Unison, GMB, the Royal College of Nursing, the Transport and General Workers Union, the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, the Prison Officers Association, the Civil and Public Services Association and the Trades Union Congress. After the House of Lords judgment, the applicants were awarded costs; these costs and the costs incurred by Government were met from public funds.
  386
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of whether the police and medical authorities are co-operating sufficiently with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board concerning cases of the constituents of the hon. Member for Bolton, North-East. [40496]

  Mr. Maclean
  Under the terms of the criminal injuries compensation scheme the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board is exclusively responsible for the handling and determination of individual applications. The CICB reviews on an on-going basis the responses of the police and medical authorities to requests for reports. It advises that there are no significant problems in the Bolton, North-East area.

  Gambling
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions on the commercial promotion of gambling are currently in place; and what have been the changes in the last five years. [40750]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Section 42 of the Gaming Act 1968 prohibits, with certain exceptions, advertisements which inform the public of premises on which gaming takes place or which invites them to participate in such gaming. The main exceptions are:

  advertisements relating to incidental activities at non-commercial entertainments; to amusement centres and arcades; and to travelling showman's pleasure fairs;

  print advertisements relating to bingo which do not contain inducements;

  signs displayed on bingo premises giving information on prizes;

  signs outside casinos indicating that gaming takes place on premises.

  Section 10 of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963 provides a general prohibition on advertisements relating to particular betting shops. There are exceptions for advertisements which are published inside betting shops and those which can be seen from outside the premises, provided that they comply with certain restrictions which are prescribed in regulations.

  The Broadcasting Act 1990 makes the Independent Television Commission and the Radio Authority responsible for drawing up and enforcing codes governing standards and practice for advertising and programme sponsorship on television and radio respectively. There is a general prohibition on advertising of betting and gaming in the advertising codes. This prohibition does not apply to advertisements relating to lotteries permitted under National Lottery etc. Act 1993 and the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976, or the football pools. In addition, the ITC and Radio Authority programme sponsorship codes prohibit betting and gaming companies from sponsoring television and radio programmes about certain activities related to the same form of betting or gaming as that in which the company deals.
  387
  Changes introduced in the last five years include:

  the Bingo Act 1992, which introduced a partial relaxation of restrictions on print advertising of bingo;

  the Licensed Betting Offices (Amendment) Regulations 1995, which gave betting shops greater freedom to advertise in their windows;

  changes to the ITC and Radio Authority advertising codes in December 1993 and April this year, respectively, to allow broadcast advertising of the national lottery;

  changes to the ITC and Radio Authority programme sponsorship codes in January and December 1994, respectively, to allow betting and gaming companies to sponsor certain types of programmes;

  changes, in April this year, to the ITC and Radio Authority advertising codes to allow broadcast advertising of the football pools.

  Prison Education
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate for spending on prison education for 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 following the Woodcock and Learmont reports. [40461]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the estimate for spending on prison education for 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 following the Woodcock and Learmont reports.
  Budgets for education services are devolved to governors who base their spending plans on local needs taking into account the number of teacher contact hours which can be purchased from their education provider at the agreed contract price.
  The estimate for spending on prison education in 1995–96, including Public Library Authority library provision but excluding Vocational Training and Construction Industry Training spending, is £37,093,000.
  Estimates of expenditure for 1996–97 and 1997–98 will be determined as part of the strategic planning cycle on which negotiations are currently taking place. Final decisions will not be taken until shortly before the start of the next financial year.

  Prison Service Performance Indicators
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make changes to the Prison Service's key performance indicators; and if he will make a statement. [40454]

  Performance against key targets: 1994–95—Dispersals

  Average population 1994–95

  KPI1: Escapes

  KPI 2: Assaults as percentage of average population

  KPI 5: Regime hours

  KPI 6: Time unlocked (weekdays)

  KPI 8: Cost per place (£)

  Frankland

  418

  0

  12.2

  20.0

  10

  32,662

  Full Sutton

  543

  0

  13.4

  25.1

  10.5

  31,509

  Long Lartin

  355

  0

  9.3

  22.3

  11

  29,437

  Parkhurst

  226

  3

  16.8

  17.6

  11.3

  32,947

  Wakefield

  696

  0

  4.9

  20.1

  11.6

  23,731

  Whitemoor

  474

  6

  23.4

  21.4

  10.3

  32,397

  Average

  452

  1.5

  13.3

  21.1

  10.8

  29,944

  388
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about proposed changes to the Prison Service's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
  The Prison Service has achieved its existing targets on visits and trebling. The remaining indicators do not now fully reflect the impact of new work that the Service has taken on (for example, the mandatory drug testing programme). The Service is therefore committed to developing new indicators to reflect its performance across the range of its work.
  We are now considering what changes are necessary in the light of Sir John Learmont's recommendation on performance indicators.
  The Prison Service Framework Document requires changes to the KPIs to be approved by Home Office, Treasury and Office of Public Service Ministers.

  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the figures for each key performance indicator for each prison for the year 1994–95. [40453]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. George Howarth, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about figures for key performance indicators (KPIs) for the year 1994–95.
  The figures are set out in the attached tables, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House. Establishments are grouped by type to make it easier to compare performance between establishments of a similar kind.
  The tables do not include data on KPIs 3, 4 or 7. The target for KPI 3 was to ensure that the average number of prisoners held three to a cell intended for one was fewer than in 1993–94. The outcome was that there was no trebling in any establishment. On KPI 4, the target was to provide 24 hour access to sanitation in at least 3,500 more cells, thus ensuring that at least 95% of prisoners have access to sanitation at all times. This target is managed nationally, not locally, and the outcome was that 4,191 more cells were provided with 24 hour access to sanitation. On KPI 7, the target was to ensure that all prisons had the opportunity to exceed the minimum visiting entitlement throughout the year. This was achieved in full at all establishments.
  389

  Category B

  Average population 1994–95

  KPI 1: Escapes

  KPI 2: Assaults as percentage of average population

  KPI 5: Regime hours

  KPI 6: Time unlocked (week days)

  KPI 8: Cost per place (£)

  Albany

  415

  0

  6.5

  25.3

  11

  19,725

  Blundeston

  381

  0

  10.5

  23.3

  12

  18,873

  Dartmoor

  532

  3

  7

  23.7

  10

  16,384

  Garth

  505

  0

  5

  20.0

  9.1

  18,750

  Gartree

  275

  0

  3.6

  28.3

  12.3

  21,751

  Grendon (see also Spring Hill)1

  185

  0

  1.3

  28.6

  13

  19,121

  Kingston

  135

  0

  2.2

  26.8

  12.5

  23,226

  Maidstone

  459

  0

  6.3

  22.3

  11.7

  18,051

  Nottingham

  207

  1

  5.3

  25.8

  12

  24,775

  Swaleside

  502

  1

  11.8

  22.8

  10.5

  18,359

  Average

  360

  0.5

  6

  24.7

  11.4

  19,092

  1 Some establishments consist of a 'parent' establishment and one or more satellite establishments with different functions. Figures are shown separately except for combined figures for KPI 2 and KPI 8 which are shown under the parent establishment.

  Open Prisons (Male)

  Average population 1994–95

  KPI 1: Escapes

  KPI 2: Assaults as percentage of average population

  KPI 5: Regime hours

  KPI 6: Time unlocked weekdays

  KPI 8: Cost per place (£)

  Ford

  440

  0

  1.1

  37.3

  13.3

  10,357

  Hewell Grange

  164

  0

  1.2

  42.8

  24

  15,152

  Hollesley Bay (see also Warren Hill)1

  162

  0

  12.5

  38.1

  24

  22,124

  Kirkham

  521

  0

  0.2

  48.7

  13.5

  10,870

  Leyhill

  387

  0

  0

  40.0

  24

  14,634

  Morton Hall

  161

  0

  1.2

  46.0

  24

  14,286

  North Sea Camp

  204

  0

  0

  62.7

  16.5

  15,423

  Rudgate

  261

  0

  0.4

  47.2

  14

  13,937

  Spring Hill (see also parent establishment Grendon)2

  205

  0

  —

  39.4

  24

  —

  Stanford Hill

  361

  0

  0.8

  41.8

  14.5

  15,104

  Sudbury Foston

  422

  0

  0.2

  46.8

  14.5

  12,308

  Average

  299

  0

  0.6

  44.6

  18.8

  14,847

  1 Some establishments consist of a 'parent' establishment and one or more satellite establishments with different functions. Figures are shown separately except for combined figures for KPI 2 and KIP 8 which are shown under the parent establishment.

  2 Figures for KPI 2 and KPI 8 are shown under the parent establishment.

  Female establishments

  Average population 1994–95

  KPI 1: Escapes

  KPI 2: Assaults as percentage of average population

  KPI 5: Regime hours

  KPI 6: Time unlocked (weekdays)

  KPI 8: Cost per place (£)

  Local

  503

  5

  37

  19.5

  9.8

  29,595

  Holloway

  64

  0

  75

  18.0

  11

  48,214

  Pucklechurch

  284

  2.5

  56

  18.8

  10.4

  38,904

  Average

  Closed

  Bullwood Hall

  121

  1

  16.5

  30.4

  12

  29,365

  Cookham Wood

  129

  1

  16.3

  29.3

  10.5

  24,167

  New Hall

  178

  3

  32

  29.4

  12

  26,633

  Styal

  235

  1

  14.5

  34.8

  13.3

  29,167

  Average

  166

  1.5

  19.8

  31.0

  12

  27,333

  Open

  Askham Grange

  114

  0

  1.8

  45.4

  24

  17,647

  Drake Hall

  224

  0

  1.8

  36.9

  24

  14,902

  East Sutton Park

  89

  0

  0

  36.8

  24

  19,149

  Average

  142

  0

  1.2

  39.7

  24

  17,233

  Average for all female establishments

  184

  1.2

  21.6

  31.2

  15.6

  25,713

  390

  391

  Young Offender Institutions

  Average Population 1994–95

  KRP 1: Escapes

  KPI 2: Assaults as percentage of average population

  KPI 5: Regime hours

  KPI 6: Time unlocked (weekdays)

  KPI 8: Cost per place £

  Closed

  Aylesbury

  219

  0

  45.2

  26.6

  9.3

  24,399

  Castington

  275

  0

  24.7

  25.2

  9.3

  17,667

  Deerbolt

  387

  5

  17.6

  24.8

  10.8

  16,630

  Dover

  272

  0

  12.9

  23.6

  9.3

  18,354

  Glen Parva

  769

  2

  23.7

  21.9

  9

  14,769

  Guys Marsh

  196

  0

  8.7

  41.6

  13.4

  16,667

  Warren Hill (see also parent establishment Hollesley Bay)1

  159

  0

  27.9

  8

  Huntercombe (see also Finnamore Wood)2

  197

  0

  21.2

  24.9

  11

  17,009

  Onley

  476

  2

  33.8

  23.4

  12

  14,038

  Portland

  369

  0

  10.6

  29.6

  10.7

  14,098

  Stoke Heath

  263

  1

  28.5

  28.6

  12.5

  16,667

  Swinfen Hall

  182

  0

  8.2

  29.7

  10.1

  24,176

  Werrington

  107

  9

  69.2

  42.1

  13.5

  21,239

  Wetherby

  137

  8

  21.9

  38.2

  12

  18,878

  Average

  286

  1.9

  24.2

  29.2

  10.8

  17,344

  1 Figures for KPI 2 and KPI 8 are shown under the parent establishment.

  2 Some establishments consist of a 'parent' establishment and one or more satellite establishments with different functions. Figures are shown separately except for combined figures for KPI 2 and KPI 8 which are shown under the parent establishment.

  Young offender remand centres

  Average population 1994–95

  KPI 1: Escapes

  KPI 2: Assaults as percentage of average population

  KPI 5: Regime hours

  KPI 6: Time unlocked (weekdays)

  KPI 8: Cost per place (£)

  Open YOI

  Finnamore Wood (see also parent establishment Huntercombe)1

  25

  0

  38.0

  —

  Hatfield

  161

  0

  8.7

  38.4

  13.3

  21,111

  Prescoed (see also parent establishment USK)1

  49

  0

  42.5

  18.8

  Thorn Cross

  167

  0

  13.2

  46.5

  12.5

  13,333

  Average

  101

  0

  11

  41.4

  12.9

  17,222

  Remand Centres

  Brinsford

  458

  3

  27.3

  23.7

  9.1

  20,253

  Feltham

  805

  0

  29.7

  30.4

  10

  18,472

  Hindley

  268

  1

  29.1

  22.7

  8.8

  23,220

  Lancaster Farms

  344

  0

  22.4

  23.5

  12

  22,281

  Low Newton

  248

  0

  22.2

  23.1

  9

  25,253

  Moorland

  485

  0

  29.3

  24.9

  11.5

  17,433

  Northallerton

  170

  0

  25.9

  23.5

  10.3

  32,432

  Reading

  177

  0

  25.4

  27.1

  10.5

  29,121

  Rochester

  257

  2

  26.8

  25.1

  11.5

  19,487

  Average

  357

  0.7

  26.4

  24.9

  10.3

  23,106

  Average for all YOI remand establishments

  283

  1.2

  23.9

  29.5

  10.8

  20,944

  1 Figures for KPI 2 and KPI 8 are shown under the parent establishment.

  Category C

  Average population 1994–95

  KPI 1: Escapes

  KPI 2: Assaults as percentage of average population

  KPI 5: Regime hours

  KPI 6: Time unlocked weekdays

  KPI 8: Cost per place £

  Acklington

  613

  2

  4.1

  26.6

  12.1

  13,757

  Aldington

  118

  4

  0.8

  31.4

  12

  17,293

  Ashwell

  384

  4

  2.9

  35.3

  15.5

  13,861

  Blantyre House

  94

  2

  0

  33.2

  15.3

  22,105

  Brockhill

  117

  1

  1.7

  34.4

  12.3

  20,497

  Camp Hill

  389

  1

  4.6

  28.0

  12

  17,271

  Channings Wood

  568

  6

  2.1

  29.3

  11.3

  13,805

  Coldingley

  283

  2

  7.1

  25.4

  13.5

  20,890

  Downview

  277

  4

  2.9

  32.3

  11.5

  20,906

  Erlestoke

  250

  3

  3.2

  30.5

  12.8

  20,000

  Everthorpe

  217

  2

  7.8

  29.7

  11.3

  18,447

  392

  393

  Category C

  Average population 1994–95

  KPI 1: Escapes

  KPI 2: Assaults as percentage of average population

  KPI 5: Regime hours

  KPI 6: Time unlocked weekdays

  KPI 8: Cost per place £

  Featherstone

  574

  12

  3.8

  28.5

  10.4

  14,858

  Haverigg

  344

  5

  1.5

  36.6

  12.5

  18,136

  Highpoint

  602

  3

  6

  27.9

  13

  15,169

  Kirklevington

  76

  0

  0

  47.3

  24

  23,457

  Lancaster

  243

  3

  4.9

  26.9

  12

  16,016

  Latchmere House

  139

  0

  0

  55.9

  24

  14,765

  Lindholme

  545

  6

  2.4

  29.1

  15.3

  15,722

  Littlehey

  555

  4

  5

  32.3

  10.8

  14,334

  The Mount

  476

  3

  5.9

  26.9

  12.1

  14,876

  Oxford2

  77

  0

  0

  41.5

  17

  19,303

  Ranby

  335

  13

  3.9

  31.7

  13.3

  17,579

  Risley

  725

  3

  13.1

  28.5

  10.5

  18,117

  Send

  119

  1

  1.7

  34.9

  12.7

  22,124

  Shepton Mallet

  189

  0

  5.8

  27.5

  12

  24,684

  Stafford

  516

  1

  11

  25.3

  9.2

  19,291

  Stocken

  392

  0

  5.1

  34.0

  12.5

  16,414

  Thorpe Arch

  164

  8

  0.6

  34.8

  11.7

  22,289

  USK (see also Prescoed)1

  179

  0

  0

  32.3

  18.8

  20,661

  The Verne

  533

  4

  1.5

  31.5

  14.5

  14,855

  Wayland

  542

  1

  3.9

  26.6

  12

  13,793

  Wellingborough

  306

  4

  3.3

  29.6

  12

  16,667

  Whatton

  213

  0

  6.6

  31.1

  12.8

  17,593

  Wymott

  389

  0

  3.6

  36.6

  13.3

  10,907

  Average

  330

  2.9

  3.7

  32.2

  13.5

  16,330

  1 Some establishments consist of a 'parent' establishment and one or more satellite establishments with different functions. Figures are shown separately expect for combined figures for KPI 2 and KPI 8 which are shown under the parent establishment.

  2 Re-opened April 1994. Cost per place figure includes Bullingdon.

  Local prisons adult remands

  Average Population 1994–95

  KPI 1 Escapes

  KPI 2: Assaults as per cent. of average population

  KPI 5: Regime hours

  KPI 6: Time unlocked (week days)

  KPI 8: Cost per place (£)

  Bedford

  296

  2

  9.5

  22.9

  10.5

  24,422

  Belmarsh

  724

  0

  14.2

  15.7

  11.2

  26,397

  Birmingham

  778

  1

  12.2

  20.5

  6.9

  21,816

  Bristol

  456

  0

  7.2

  23.1

  11.8

  23,896

  Brixton

  605

  1

  14.9

  18.3

  8.6

  31,366

  Bullingdon1

  622

  0

  19.2

  24.2

  11.5

  19,303

  Canterbury

  259

  0

  5

  24.9

  12

  34,783

  Cardiff

  421

  0

  13.3

  23.3

  11.9

  28,399

  Chelmsford

  371

  1

  10.8

  16.1

  7.2

  33,068

  Dorchester

  202

  0

  3

  21.2

  10.3

  30,714

  Durham

  612

  4

  6.5

  19.0

  10.5

  22,446

  Elmley

  609

  1

  10.5

  22.5

  10.5

  18,009

  Exeter

  391

  1

  9.5

  22.6

  9

  27,660

  Gloucester

  248

  1

  16.1

  23.2

  9.5

  29,858

  Haslar

  126

  7

  0

  31.8

  12.3

  16,327

  Highdown

  584

  0

  12.2

  21.0

  11.5

  19,260

  Holme House

  613

  2

  8.6

  16.2

  9

  18,336

  Hull

  394

  1

  25.4

  21.0

  12

  34,146

  Leeds

  1,042

  0

  14.3

  15.5

  7

  19,675

  Leicester

  339

  1

  14.2

  22.7

  10

  42,784

  Lewes

  325

  1

  10.5

  18.6

  8.9

  22,572

  Lincoln

  609

  2

  6.7

  19.9

  11.2

  23,210

  Liverpool

  1,222

  3

  6.2

  17.5

  7.2

  18,371

  Manchester

  843

  1

  8.4

  20.3

  12.8

  20,188

  Norwich

  362

  2

  14.4

  23.1

  10.9

  30,584

  Pentonville

  720

  2

  12.8

  27.9

  10.5

  19,336

  Preston

  492

  1

  12.6

  18.4

  6.8

  28,180

  Shrewsbury

  276

  1

  11.2

  21.8

  10

  33,523

  Swansea

  211

  4

  16.6

  21.9

  12

  27,273

  Wandsworth

  907

  1

  16.3

  23.5

  10

  18,288

  Winchester

  385

  0

  9.6

  23.0

  8.8

  24,675

  Woodhill

  518

  0

  20.3

  24.0

  12

  24,735

  Wormwood Scrubs

  804

  0

  7.5

  15.2

  9.6

  29,132

  Average

  524

  1.2

  12.4

  21.2

  10.4

  23,408

  1 Cost per place figure includes Oxford

  394

  395

  Contracted out prisons

  Average Population 1994–95

  KPI 1: Escapes

  KPI 2: Assaults as a percentage of average population

  KPI 5: Regime hours

  KPI 6: Time unlocked (weekdays)

  KPI 8: Cost per place £

  Blakenhurst

  629

  0

  —1

  —1

  14

  17,874

  Buckley Hall2

  24

  0

  4.2

  —1

  13.5

  86,667

  Doncaster3

  557

  1

  33.8

  —1

  12

  18,040

  Wolds

  320

  0

  15.3

  —1

  13.8

  20,059

  Average

  382.5

  0.25

  17.7

  —1

  13.3

  19,627

  1 Regime hours not available in comparative form.

  2 Opened in December 1994. The KPI 8 figure reflects the general build up of population.

  3 Opened in June 1994.

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the public appointments for which his Department is responsible in the county of South Yorkshire, indicating in each case the duration of the appointment, the date when a new appointment is due, and the salary. [39461]

  Mr. Howard
  My Department is responsible for the following appointments in South Yorkshire:

  one member of the selection panel on appointments of independent members to the South Yorkshire police authority;

  the board of visitors at the following prison establishments:

  Doncaster

  Lindholme

  Moorland Young Offenders Institution

  Hatfield Young Offenders Institution.

  The appointment to the selection panel is for two years. A new appointment is due on 8 August 1996. There is no salary but members are entitled to be paid allowances; the rates to be determined at the police authority's discretion. The Home Office recommends the allowances should be consistent with those paid to police authority members, that is £15 per hour up to a maximum of £120 per day and £3,000 per year.

  Members are appointed to the boards of visitors for a maximum period of three years to coincide with the triennial review date of that board. Appointments are made for varying periods of up to three years and new appointments are made as and when vacancies arise. Members are unpaid volunteers though they can claim for expenses they have incurred as a result of the performance of their official duties.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which his Department makes appointments in the county of South Yorkshire, with the total annual budget for each body and the number of appointments made or renewed for each body in each of the last four years. [39571]

  Mr. Howard
  The only such bodies in South Yorkshire to which my Department makes appointments are the boards of visitors at the following prison and young offender establishments:

  HMP Doncaster;

  HMP Lindholme;

  HMP and Young Offenders Institution Moorland;

  HMYOI Hatfield

  396
  The national boards of visitors budgets for the financial years 1991–92 to 1994–95 were as follows:

  £ thousands

  Year

  Budget1

  1991–92

  378,000

  1992–93

  507,000

  1993–94

  734,000

  1994–95

  764,000

  1 These figures include the liaison section, which manages the administration of boards of visitors, and all local board expenses.

  The total number of national appointments to the boards of visitors were as follows:

  Year

  Appointments

  1991

  346

  1992

  350

  1993

  344

  1994

  243

  Total

  1,283

  The following table illustrates the appointments/reappointments during the last four years—1 January 1991 to 31 December 1994—in the South Yorkshire area.

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Total appointments

  Doncaster

  —

  —

  —

  11

  11

  Lindholme

  2

  2

  2

  16

  22

  Moorland

  4

  —

  15

  —

  19

  Hatfield

  —

  —

  15

  —

  15

  Total

  6

  2

  32

  27

  67

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times in each month of the current year he has met personally the heads of the agencies which report to him to discuss the work of those agencies. [39859]

  Mr. Howard
  I met the former Director General of the Prison Service 11 times in January, four times in both February and October, 10 times in March, once each in April, August and September, three times in both May and July and five times in June, an average of one meeting a week over the 10-month period. I met the chief
  397
  executive of the Passport Agency once in April. I had no meetings with the chief executives of the Forensic Science Service and the Fire Service College—the other Home Office agencies—during that period. I receive quarterly reports from the chief executives on the performance of their agencies.

  Military Corrective Training Centre, Colchester
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he last visited the military corrective training centre at Colchester; [39515]

  (2) on what dates during the last 12 months his Ministers have visited the military corrective training centre at Colchester. [39514]

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon. and learned Friend last visited the military corrective training centre at Colchester on 3 March this year. The right hon. Member for Stirling (Mr. Forsyth) visited the centre on 3 May.

  Fire Services, Wales
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is prepared to receive further representations on the re-structuring of the fire services in Wales. [39579]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The consultation period has ended and drafts of the orders containing the schemes which will establish the three combined fire authorities in Wales were laid in Parliament on 24 October. This stage could not have been postponed without putting the timetable for reorganisation at risk. For the future, if representations are made we shall consider them.

  Camden Hopscotch Asian Women's Group
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all grants given, and any future grants planned, by his Department to the Camden Hopscotch Asian women's group, indicating the amount and dates. [38131]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  From April 1992 to March 1995, the Home Office supported a project entitled training and employment opportunities for Bangladeshi women, which was run by the Hopscotch Asian women's centre. Payments of some £19,000, £32,000 and £38,000 in the three financial years were made under the ethnic minority grant to the Central London training and enterprise council, which acted on behalf of the Home Office in relation to the project.

  The Home Office has agreed to pay grant to Kingsway college, under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966, in respect of a project to be run by the college for two years in association with the Hopscotch Asian women's centre. The maximum potential grant cost is £25,000 in 1995–96, and £50,000 in 1996–97.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Meeting Heads of Agencies
  Mr. Gordan Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many times in each month of the current year she has met personally the heads of the 398
  agencies which report to her to discuss the work of those agencies. [39860]

  Mr. Sproat
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has met the chief executive of the Royal Parks Agency once, in September. No such formal meetings have been held with the chief executive of the Historic Royal Palaces Agency although one is planned for November.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for(a) the financial year 1994–95 and (b) the estimated figures for the financial year 1995–96, for each executive agency for which she is responsible. [39466]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have responsibility for two executive agencies: the Historic Royal Palaces Agency and the Royal Parks Agency. The information in respect of both agencies is as follows:

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  Grade

  (a) Number 1994–95

  (b) Number 1995–961

  Grade 3

  1

  1

  Grade 5

  6

  6

  Grade 6

  1

  1

  Grade 7

  15

  17

  SEO and equivalent

  18

  20

  HEO and equivalent

  26

  30

  EO and equivalent

  47

  47

  AO and equivalent

  146

  144

  AA and equivalent

  209

  138

  Industrials

  55

  55

  Totals

  524

  459

  Notes:

  1Estimate.

  1. Information on the cost of staff by grade is not held.

  2. In 1994–95, the payroll cost of the staff listed above was 10,400,000 (as recorded HRPA Annual Report).

  3. In 1995–96, the estimated payroll cost for the staff listed above is £9,047,000 (as recorded in HRPA Sixth Corporate Plan).

  Royal Parks Agency

  List by grade of number and cost of staff

  1994–95 Actual

  1995–96 Estimate

  Number of staff

  Cost

  Number of staff

  Cost

  Grade 5

  1.0

  56,250

  1.0

  60,483

  Grade 7

  2.1

  95,003

  2.0

  88,493

  SEO

  4.2

  133,561

  4.0

  139,244

  HEO

  9.1

  215,834

  9.8

  262,792

  EO

  14.2

  279,927

  14.9

  292,752

  AO

  23.8

  347,219

  26.8

  355,803

  AA

  5.4

  56,775

  2.3

  22,305

  Typist

  1.4

  21,315

  1.5

  23,339

  Principle Park Manager

  1.0

  50,374

  1.0

  51,348

  Park Superintendent II

  3.0

  113,012

  3.0

  115,253

  Park Superintendent III

  8.0

  250,998

  8.0

  254,164

  Park Supervisor

  12.5

  306,345

  12.0

  311,265

  SPTO

  2.0

  34,078

  2.0

  35,355

  PTO

  0.5

  12,555

  3.0

  64,436

  HMCO

  1.0

  26,861

  1.0

  27,606

  BAND 14 (Gamekeeper)

  3.0

  64,009

  3.0

  65,124

  Chief Officer

  1.0

  51,779

  1.0

  81,215

  399

  Royal Parks Agency

  List by grade of number and cost of staff

  1994–95 Actual

  1995–96 Estimate

  Number of staff

  Cost

  Number of staff

  Cost

  Deputy Chief Officer

  1.3

  53,129

  1.0

  37,470

  Inspector

  6.8

  243,121

  7.5

  277,080

  Sergeant

  22.8

  735,901

  20.3

  693,144

  Constable

  143.4

  3,830,672

  139.4

  3,682,061

  Groom

  5.6

  48,283

  5.3

  54,380

  Total

  273

  7,027,001

  270

  6,995,112

ENVIRONMENT

  Fair Rents
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the number of tenants with registered fair rents at the end of each of the past five years. [40687]

  Mr. Clappison
  The estimates available for tenants in England are as follows:

  Private rented

  Housing Association

  1990

  1320,000

  —

  1992

  —

  4405,000

  1993

  2220,000

  4385,000

  1994

  3170,000

  4330,000

  1 Summer 1990.

  2 Average for financial year 1993–94.

  3 Average for financial year 1994–5.

  4 At 31 March.

  The estimates for private renters are from the 1990 private renters survey and, from 1993–94, the survey of English housing. Like all estimates from sample surveys, they are subject to sampling error. The estimates for Housing Association tenants are based on returns to the Housing Corporation.

  Living-over-the-shop Grant, Newcastle
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the applications for living-over-the-shop grant support was received for Clayton street and High Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne; how many dwellings units are proposed for these projects; and when he expects to make a decision on them. [40495]

  Mr. Clappison
  An SRB challenge fund plan to regenerate the Grainger Town area of Newcastle upon Tyne was received in the Government office for the nort-east on 27 October 1995. This plan includes a living-over-the-shop programme to bring city centre disused upper floors back into the use for residential purposes. A decision will be issued by the Government Office for the north-east as soon as possible. Approval of individual projects within the programme is subject to delegated arrangements which do not normally involve Ministers.
  400

  Ramsar Convention
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list candidate wetlands of international importance in the United Kingdom proposed for listing under the Ramsar convention. [40753]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government are considering the sites listed which have been proposed for Ramsar listing by the statutory conservation agencies.

  Site

  County or region

  Site

  County or region

  Avon Valley

  Hampshire Dorset

  Greenlaw Moor and Hule Moss

  Borders

  Breydon Water

  Norfolk

  Westwater

  Borders

  Deben Estuary

  Suffolk

  Lake of Menteith

  Central

  Duddon Estuary

  Cumbria

  Castle Loch, Lochmaben

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Dungeness-Pett Levels

  Kent, East Susex

  Lock Inch and Torrs Warren

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Foulness

  Essex

  Loch of Strathbeg

  Grampian

  Humber Flats, Marshes and Coast Phase 2

  Humberside Lincs

  Muir of Dinnet

  Gramian

  Mersey Estuary

  Merseyside Chesire

  Ythan Estuary, Sands of Forvie and Meikle Lochs

  Grampian

  Midland Meres and Mosses Phase 2

  Chesire, Shropshire, Staffs and Clwyd

  Loch Ruthven

  Highland

  Morecambe Bay

  Cumbria Lanes

  Moray Basin, Firths and Bays

  Highland

  Northumberland Coast

  Northumberland

  River Spey/Insh Marshes

  Highland

  Pevensey Levels

  East Sussex

  Firth of Forth

  Lothian

  Poole Harbour Somerset Levels

  Dorset Somerset

  East Sanday North Roe and Tingon

  Orkney Shetland

  Southampton Water and Solent

  Hampshire, Isle of Wight

  Inner Clyde Estuary

  Strathclyde

  Thames Estuary and Marshes

  Kent

  Rhinns of Islay

  Strathclyde

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the United Kingdom is designated under the Ramsar convention; and what percentage areas of their territories other EU member status have designated. [40752]

  Mr. Clappison
  Approximately 1.3 per cent. of the United Kingdom is listed under the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance. Similar information is not readily available for other EU member states.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if there is a timetable for the designation of candidate Ramsar wetlands included on the United Kingdom's shadow list. [40754]

  Mr. Clappison
  Including three sites in dependent territories, the United Kingdom has already listed 95 wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar
  401
  convention—far more than any other country in the world. A number of additional proposed sites are under consideration, but there is no firm timetable for future listings.

  Planning Permission
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers are available to development corporations in respect of(a) short-cutting or avoiding standard procedures for planning permission and (b) extending their spheres of influence beyond their recognised boundaries. [40709]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Urban development corporations are bound by the planning powers which are set out in sections 148 and 149 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. A corporation cannot use these powers outside its designated area.

  Charter Trustees
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will establish charter trustees to preserve the office of mayor of Beverley and the civic regalia; and if he will set out their duties and the manner of their appointment. [40595]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  It is our intention that charter trustees for Beverley will be established on 1 April 1996.

  The charter trustees will be the district councillors elected for wards wholly or partly comprised in the area for which charter trustees are established.

  As charter trustees, they will be required to hold an annual meeting at which the first business would be to elect one of their number as mayor and another as deputy mayor. They may also exercise powers to appoint local officers of dignity and may acquire and maintain historic or ceremonial property, except land, of the area for which they are established.

  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the appointment of charter trustees to preserve the office of major of Beverley will allow the post to be held as in the past in the absence of the establishment of a town or parish council; and what powers the major will have. [40596]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The charter trustees for Beverley may elect one of their number as town major and another as deputy mayor: it is not necessary for there to be a town or parish council in existence. The mayor presides at the meetings of the charter trustees but has no formal statutory functions. His role is representative or ceremonial.

  Local Government Reviews
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if it is his intention to direct the Local Government Commission to conduct reviews to establish the case for or against new parishes. [40597]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Local Government Commission is devoting its attention to the structure reviews of individual districts which we have directed it to carry out. When these have been completed, its next priority must be the periodic electoral reviews that it has 402
  a statutory duty to undertake. Against this background, we expect to direct it to carry out only a few, if any, parishing reviews over the next few months.

  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects the Local Government Commission to complete all outstanding local government district and other reviews. [40594]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We expect the Local Government Commission to complete the district reviews by 2 January 1996.

  Local Authority Crematoriums
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reasons he was unable to lay an order before Parliament relating to the sale of local authority crematoriums prior to the summer adjournment of Parliament. [40568]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Approved Investments) (Amendment No.2) Regulations 1995 provide for increases in the usable proportion of local authorities' capital receipts from sales of shops and car parks, as well as of crematoriums. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration announced the increases for shops and car parks on 23 March, and stated that they would apply from 1 September, so the regulations needed to come into effect by then. Discussions with local authorities were held before the regulations were laid, so as to ensure that the increases applied in as wide a range of circumstances as possible. The regulations were laid as soon as possible after those discussions.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidelines he will issue in respect of the commercial development of crematoriums sold off by local authorities following the order of 2 August. [40569]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We have encouraged authorities in considering any disposals to take into account the need to ensure competitive pricing and continuing quality of service.

  Rough Sleepers
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has of the number of people currently regularly sleeping rough in central London; what was the equivalent figure in previous estimates; and if he will make a statement. [41130]

  Mr. Clappison
  Independent street counts of people sleeping rough are undertaken twice yearly in central London, co-ordinated by Homeless Network, the umbrella organisation for voluntary sector agencies helping street homeless people in the capital. The information requested is:

  Number of people sleeping rough in central London

  Percentage sleeping rough for more than one year

  May 1995

  270

  66

  November 1994

  288

  76

  May 1994

  268

  72

  November 1993

  287

  77

  June 1993

  348

  74

  403
  It is, however, likely that people sleeping out for a period of time will occasionally make use of hostel, nightshelter or winter shelter accomodation.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the rough sleepers initiative contained in the housing White Paper will be funded from local authority housing budgets. [41051]

  Mr. Clappison
  Decisions on future public expenditure commitments cannot be made before the Budget statement by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 28 November 1995.

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his timetable for publishing the Government's biodiversity plan; [40909]

  (2) what is his timetable for the biodiversity plan being approved by the relevant Cabinet committee; [40910]

  (3) what representations he has received from other Government Departments about the biodiversity plan. [40911]

  Mr. Clappison
  The United Kingdom was one of the first countries to produce a national biodiversity plan when "Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan"was published in January 1994. The plan contains some 59 board targets including a commitment to develop specific costed targets for key species and habitats for the years 2000 and 2010.

  A biodiversity steering group, chaired by my Department, with members drawn from all sectors was established to take forward work under the plan. The steering group, which has consulted all the relevant Government Departments, will submit its advice to the Government in a report to be published in December this year. I expect a Government response to the report to be made by the spring of 1996.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff are currently employed in his Department and in related agencies on(a) temporary or casual employment contracts and (b) part-time employment contracts, given as an actual figure and as a proportion of the total work force; and what were the corresponding figures for five years ago. [41125]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Breakdowns by Department and executive agency for 1 April 1995 of the number of permanent staff, the number of casual staff—normally those employed for a period up to 12 months, but, exceptionally, up to two years—and of the number of part-time staff are presented in the civil service staff in post summary table for 1 April 1995, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Estimates on a comparable basis for 1 April 1990 have also been placed in the Library of the House.

  Farm Safety
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last met representatives of the Transport and General Workers Union to discuss farm safety; and if he will make a statement. [38930]
  404
  Sir Paul Beresford
  Since my Department took over responsibility for health and safety at work I have not met representatives of the Transport and General Workers Union. The Health and Safety Commission and Health and Safety Executive give advice and enforce the law in relation to farm safety. The Transport and General Workers Union is represented on the commission's agriculture industry advisory committee, which last met on 26 October.

  County Hall
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the decision by the Shirayama Group to sell or lease county hall, London, to another hotel group; and how much is still owed by Shirayama from the original purchase price of the building. [41185]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  No. Proposals for the sale or lease of the Riverside building of county hall are a matter for the freehold owners, Shirayama. The terms of the sale, with which Shirayama has to date wholly complied, were that £50 million was to be paid on completion with a deferred payment of £10 million to be paid in the period 1997 to 2012.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements are in place to secure the balance of the purchase price of county hall from the by Shirayama Group in the event of the building being sold or leased to a third party. [41184]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The deferred payment was secured by a legal charge on the Riverside building granted Shirayama in favour of the London Residuary Body or its successor.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what report has been made by English Heritage on the removal of the war memorial in county hall by the Japanese owners of the building; and if he will make a statement. [41188]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None, as far as I know.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has happened to the book of remembrance previously located adjacent to the war memorial on the principal floor of county hall, London. [41183]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I understand that the book of remembrance is now located at the headquarters of the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority on Albert embankment.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what applications have been made by the current owners of county hall, or their representatives, to remove or delist artefacts or listed features of the building. [41187]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  None, as far as I know.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when English Heritage last inspected county hall, London, and submitted a report to his office. [41189]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  On 19 October. There is no requirement to report to me.
  405
  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what licences have been applied for by the current owners of county hall, the Shirayama Group, in respect of sea mammals to be housed in the proposed aquarium on the site. [41186]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I understand that the owners of county hall intend to open an aquarium on the site. If the proposed aquarium is to be open to the public for more than seven days a year, it would need to be licenced under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. It would be for the London borough of Lambeth to decide whether to issue such a licence. I understand that the council has not so far received an application from the Shirayama Group.

  If the owners wished to import for display at the aquarium any species covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild and Fauna and Flora, they would need to apply for an import permit from my Department, and, for some species, an exemption certificate permitting the display of such specimens. We have received no CITES applications from the group.

  Particulate Matter
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the total and percentage source contributions to United Kingdom PM10 particulate matter from(a) diesel cars, (b) petrol cars, (c) petrol light goods vehicles, (d) heavy goods vehicles, (e) buses, (f) domestic heating, (g) bonfires, (h) power stations and (i) other industry. [41193]

  Mr. Clappison
  The most recently published UK inventory of emitted PM10 was published in the second report of the quality of urban air review group in December 1993, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Of a total of approximately 250,000 tonnes of PM10 emitted in 1991, diesel cars accounted for 1 per cent., petrol cars 9 per cent., petrol light goods vehicles 1 per cent., heavy goods vehicles 12 per cent., buses 2 per cent., domestic heating 47 per cent., power stations 7 per cent., and other industry 18 per cent. No information is available on the contribution of bonfires. These proportional contributions apply to the whole of the UK and do not reflect the relative contributions in urban areas or in periods of elevated pollution levels.

  Volatile Organic Compound Controls
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what basis small service stations will be excluded from the requirements of stage 1 VOC controls for petrol delivery; and when such controls will be introduced. [41192]

  Mr. Clappison
  Under the stage 1 of the EC petrol vapour recovery directive, member states are allowed to grant a derogation from the requirements of the directive to those service stations with an annual throughput of 100–500m3/year—those below this threshold are exempt in any case—which are located in a geographical area or on a site where vapour emissions are unlikely to contribute significantly to environmental or health problems. The implementation date for all other existing service stations of this size is 2004 and as such there is a nine-year delay before the derogation takes affect.
  406
  My Department is consulting industry and other interested parties on how this derogation should be applied.

  London Residuary Body
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 1421 if he will list the outstanding responsibilities of the London Residuary Body. [41190]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The outstanding responsibilities of the London Residuary Body are to distribute to the London boroughs any remaining sums outstanding, and to make arrangements for the transfer of any residue rights and liabilities to successor authorities.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to ask the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea to prepare the accounts of the London Residuary Body in 1995–96; and if he has set a date for the order to wind-up the London Residuary Body. [41180]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The London Residuary Body has an arrangement with the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea to prepare the residuary body's final report and accounts for 1995–96. As to the winding up of the London Residuary Body, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 July 1995,Official Report column 1421.

  Archway Tower
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 6 July,Official Report column 334, regarding the future of Archway tower, what discussions his Department has had with estate agents regarding the disposal of the lease; and if he will make a statement. [41070]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Letting agents appointed by Property Holdings continue to pursue a number of avenues for disposal and are in discussion with the landlords.

  Pollution (Central London)
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the results of research undertaken by Warren Spring Laboratory in 1993 into personal exposure to pollution in central London. [41191]

  Mr. Clappison
  The results of the research were published in Warren Spring Laboratory report IR 353(AP) in November 1992 and LR 982(AP) in April 1993. Copies are being placed in the Library.

  Mesothelioma and Asbestosis
  Sir Michael Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, how the number of cases of mesothelioma and asbestosis reported in the London borough of Hillingdon exceeds the average figure for England as a whole during the past 25 years; and if he will publish the number of such cases reported for(a) Hillingdon and (b) England as a percentage of the population. [41074]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Health and Safety Executive maintains registers of deaths in Great Britain for which mesothelioma or asbestosis are mentioned on the death
  407
  certificate. Mesothelioma and asbestosis crude death rates per million population for males and females are given for the London borough of Hillingdon and for England as a whole in the tables.

  Mesothelioma

  Year of death

  Crude death rate per million population

  Hillingdon

  England

  Males

  1976–79

  15

  11

  1980–83

  11

  15

  1984–87

  33

  22

  1988–91

  43

  29

  Females

  1976–83

  3.2

  3.0

  1984–91

  4.2

  4.0

  Asbestosis

  Crude rate per million population

  Year of death

  Hillingdon

  England

  Males

  1978–91

  16

  7.7

  Females

  1978–91

  0.60

  0.75

  The mesothelioma register records a geographical code for area of usual residence at death from 1976 onwards, and the absestos register from 1978 onwards. The latest year for which complete data is available in 1991.

WALES

  Measles-Rubella Immunisation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what considerations led to the decision not to include details of each of the known side effects of immunisation in the booklet, "Measles—Why every child in school needs to be protected from measles this autumn," which was distributed by the his Department in Wales. [40658]

  Mr. Richards
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: The content of the measles booklet was underpinned by research to establish what information parents regarded as most important. This research, conducted by the Health Education Authority, showed that parents were unaware of the seriousness of measles. The final leaflet which was approved by the Measles Immunisation Group, an expert committee comprising a wide range of NHS professionals, reflected parents' information priorities about the need for measles and rubella immunisation.

  Side effects from measles-rubella vaccine are rare, but the more common ones are covered in the booklet. Doctors were given more detailed information on the full range of possible adverse reactions. Parents were advised to discuss any further concerns with their family doctor.

  The measles booklet distributed in Wales was the same as that for the rest of the UK, except that it was bilingual.
  408

  Fire Services
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales to what extent extra resources are made available to fire authorities with a coastline. [41146]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There are no indicators specific to fire authorities with a coastline in the capital and revenue distribution formulae for 1995–96 and the proposed formulae for 1996–97.

  Motorway Surfacing
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many miles of motorway there are in Wales, what percentage of them are surfaced by the new low-noise, no-spray tarmac and what plans he has for(a) all motorways (b) dual carriageways and (c) A roads to be so resurfaced. [41145]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  There are 78 miles of motorway in Wales, of which 7 per cent. is currently surfaced with the new porous material. Further lengths will be resurfaced where the cost can be justified.

  The dual carriageway section of the A4042 Llantarnam bypass currently being constructed will also have the new surface. There are no further plans to use such a treatment elsewhere on trunk roads.

  Kidney Patients
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans there are to improve access to dialysis treatment for renal patients in mid-Wales; and if he will make a statement. [40919]

  Mr. Hague
  Though Wales has one of the highest access rates in Europe for renal dialysis, health authorities and NHS trusts will continue to assess the case for extra provision against need.

  In the case of Mid Wales, I understand that there is a possibility of introducing dialysis facilities at Bronglais general hospital, Aberystwyth along the lines of those currently being provided at West Wales general hospital, Carmarthen. There are also proposals to enhance the existing facilities at Shrewsbury.

  Environmental Industries
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to promote the growth of the environmental industries sector in Wales. [40962]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Continual efforts are made to highlight opportunities in all industrial sectors through a programme of company visits and awareness raising seminars. A major business and environment campaign is planned which will, among other things, demonstrate business opportunities in the sector.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the extent of the environmental industries sector in Wales; and if he will list the names of the companies involved. [40963]

  Mr. Jones
  This information is not readily available.
  409

  Charter Trains
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the impact of increases in track access charges on special trains in and to Wales. [41466]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Charter train operators have had to face cost increases. In the past, British Rail provided these services on a marginal cost basis which in effect meant cross-subsidisation with taxpayers' money. Under the new arrangements, charges by Railtrack to charter train operators reflect the full cost of services provided.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Historic Buildings Council
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the current members of the Historic Buildings Council; what is their defined role and responsibility; who appoints each of them; and how often they meet. [39922]

  Mr. Moss
  The current members of the Historic Buildings Council are:

  Mrs. P. Wilson (Chairman)

  Mrs. D. Corcoran

  Dr. M. Gould

  Mr. S. C. McGuckian

  Ms J. Pyne

  Mr. D. Stelfox

  Mr. T. Brown

  Mr. C. Corry

  Dr. P. Mowat

  Mrs. F. Jay-O'Boyle

  Mrs. J. Smyth

  Mr. J. D. Thompson

  The functions of the council are as follows:

  (a) to give advice on the listing of buildings of special architectural or historic interest, or amendment of lists so compiled;

  (b) to give advice on the designating of conservation areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearances of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance;

  (c) to keep under review, and from time to time report to the Department on the general state of preservation of listed buildings;

  (d) to advise the Department on such matters relating to the preservation of buildings of special architectural or historic interest as the Department may refer to it;

  (e) to advise on applications for the exemption of listed buildings from capital transfer tax;

  (f) to advise on the issue of certificates stating that buildings are not intended to be listed;

  (g) such other functions as are conferred on it by any statutory provision.

  All members of the Historic Buildings Council are appointed by the head of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.

  The Historic Buildings Council usually meets on a monthly basis.
  410

  Private Patients
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 18 July 1995,Official Report, columns 1119–20, if he will now confirm and update the figures on private patient income. [39952]

  Mr. Moss
  The table shows income from private patients for each health and social services board for 1994–95. This information has been extracted from the 1994–95 accounts of the health and social services boards. These accounts are as yet unaudited and therefore the figures supplied may be subject to change.

  In my previous reply, I provided unaudited figures for trusts for 1994–95. The trusts accounts have now been audited and I can now confirm these figures.

  Private patient income for each health and social services board—1994–95

  Health and social services board

  Total private patient income 1994–95

  £

  Northern Board

  314,791

  Southern Board

  23,343

  Eastern Board

  0

  Western Board

  179,037

  Total — Northern Ireland

  517,171

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list, by trust in each region, details of income from private patients for 1993–94 and 1994–95(a) as a total and (b) as a percentage of total trust income. [39951]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested for health and social services trusts for 1993–94 and 1994–95 years is outlined in tables 1 and 2. For the years in questions there were no trusts in either the Northern or the Western health and social services board areas.

  Table 1: Private patients income 1993–94

  HSS Trusts

  Total private patient income £000

  Total income £000

  Private patient income as a percentage of total income Per cent.

  Eastern Board Area

  Belfast City Hospital

  412

  78,765

  0.52

  Eastern Ambulance

  1

  6,491

  0.02

  Greenpark

  315

  41,414

  0.76

  Royal Group of Hospitals

  1,308

  113,621

  1.15

  Ulster, North Down and Ards Hospitals

  463

  48,951

  0.95

  Southern Board Area

  Craigavon Area Hospital

  227

  42,048

  0.54

  Total—Northern Ireland

  2,726

  331,290

  0.82

  411

  Table 2: Private patients income 1994–95

  HSS Trust

  Total private patient income £000

  Total income £000

  Private patient income as a percentage of total income per cent.

  Eastern Board Area

  Belfast City Hospital

  426

  81,463

  0.52

  Down and Lisburn

  46

  75,649

  0.06

  Eastern Ambulance

  8

  7,052

  0.11

  Greenpark

  371

  44,953

  0.83

  Mater Infirmorum Hospital

  16

  17,429

  0.09

  North Down and Ards Community

  0

  31,485

  —

  North and West Belfast Community

  0

  65,192

  —

  Royal Group of Hospitals

  1,366

  121,370

  1.13

  South and East Belfast Community

  27

  75,286

  0.04

  Ulster North Down and Ards Hospitals

  413

  52,269

  0.79

  Southern Board Area

  Craigavon Area Hospital

  142

  42,791

  0.33

  Craigavon and Banbridge

  0

  28,130

  —

  Community Newry and Mourne

  159

  39,344

  0.4

  Total—Northern Ireland

  2,974

  682,413

  0.44

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times in each month of the current year he has met personally the heads of the agencies which report to him to discuss the work of the those agencies. [39857]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  In January, I had one meeting with the head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service. I met him again, once in February, twice in June and once in October.

  I met the chief executive of the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland in April 1995.

  Ballywalter Primary School
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to make secure the grounds of Ballywalter primary school. [39927]

  Mr. Ancram
  The South-Eastern education and library board has no plans to make additional security provision at Ballywalter primary school.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what method of appeal is available to property owners who dispute a historic building preservation order; and if the appeals body is independent of the Department of the Environment. [39920]
  412
  Mr. Moss
  There is no legislative provision giving a right of appeal against the decision of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland to list a building as being of special architectural or historic interest. However, any person may make representations to the Department that a building should cease to be listed on the grounds that it is not of special architectural or historic interest, and such representations are carefully considered. Where an application for listed building consent to carry out alterations is refused, the applicant may appeal that decision to the Planning Appeals Commission, which is independent of the Department.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Historic Buildings Council has produced a register of the buildings currently listed with it for circulation to the public. [39921]

  Mr. Moss
  The Historic Buildings Council does not have a register of listed buildings. The official lists are prepared and held by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland. A copy of the relevant lists is sent to divisional planning offices and district councils, where they may be inspected by the public. A full list is also available for inspection in the monuments and buildings record at the public office of the Environment Service of the Department at 5/35 Hill street, Belfast.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many properties have received historic buildings preservation orders since 1974 in(a) Belfast; and (b) Northern Ireland excluding Belfast; how many are grade A, and how many are grade B; what criteria are used to determine which grade; what criteria are used to reach decisions as to whether to list; and what process is undergone in determining the listing of buildings. [39919]

  Mr. Moss
  Since 1974 some 1,018 buildings in the Belfast area have been listed of which 35 are category A and 983 are category B. The number of buildings listed since 1974 elsewhere in Northern Ireland is 7,057 of which 157 are category A and 6,900 are category B.

  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is responsible for listing buildings of special architectural or historic interest; the criteria for listing include the building's age, condition, style, aesthetic quality, structural system, any innovatory architectural qualities, and its historic importance.

  The listing process includes a physical survey of the building, the application of the listing criteria and consultations with the local district council and the Historic Buildings Council.

  Ardmillan Bay (Pollution)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to clear up the environmental pollution at Ardmillan bay in Killinchy, County Down, and if he will make a statement. [39926]

  Mr. Moss
  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has been investigating water quality in Ardmillan Bay, Killinchy and recently wrote to a developer who is responsible for a private sewage treatment plant discharging into the bay. Subsequently, the Department's environment service took a statutory sample of the effluent emanating from this treatment plant and enforcement action will be considered, as appropriate.
  413
  The environment service will continue to monitor the situation. The Department's water executive would be prepared to adopt this sewage treatment works and sewers if the developer brings these up to the required standard.

  Grant-giving Funds
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what grant-giving funds his Department is responsible, requiring a private sector contribution, where the use of national lottery funds is not allowed to count towards that private sector portion. [38605]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage on 30 October 1995,Official Report, columns 48–49.

  Salaries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the(a) lowest and (b) highest full-time salary paid to any employee in his (i) Department, (ii) agencies and (iii) non-departmental public bodies in (1) 1994–95 and (2) 1995–96. [40859]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: It is the Government's normal policy to publish civil servants' salaries in bands. Accordingly, the lowest full-time salary fell within the band:

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  Northern Ireland office and NI departments

  4,669–9,826

  4,669–10,279

  Agency

  4,669–9,826

  4,669–10,279

  Non-departmental public body

  4,669–8,878

  4,669–8,878 (currently under review)

  The highest full-time salary fell within the band:

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  Northern Ireland Office and NI Departments

  95,000–99,999

  95,000–99,999

  Agency

  52,704–62,817

  55,000–82,500

  Non-departmental public body

  95,001–100,000

  95,001–100,000

  Domestic Electricity Supply
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many households are estimated to be without a mains electricity supply. [41204]

  Mr. Ancram
  Figures from the 1994–95 continuous household survey suggest that 0.3 per cent. of households in Northern Ireland are not connected to an electricity supply. The 1991 census recorded a total of 530,000 households in Northern Ireland.
  414

  School Transport
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to have discussions with the education and library boards concerning open enrolment and related school transport policy. [40263]

  Mr. Ancram
  I have no plans for discussions with the education and library boards about open enrolment policy. However, my Department is currently engaged in consultations with board officials about the home-to-school transport arrangements.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Late Payment (Small Businesses)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how often his Department and each agency within it has failed to pay invoices due to small businesses within 30 days in each of the last five years. [40517]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information required to answer the question fully is not held centrally. Since 1992, the Department and its agencies have conducted periodic surveys of performance against the Government's target of 30 days for the payment of invoices. Four surveys have been carried out, covering all invoices paid during specific periods. Those surveys show the percentage of invoices paid within 30 days as follows:

  1991–92: 82.5 per cent.

  1992–93: 83.4 per cent.

  1993–94: 89.4 per cent.

  1994–95: 93.9 per cent.

  The target for this financial year is 95 per cent. A new survey is under way, but the results are not yet available.

  Information relating specifically to small businesses and for earlier years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The Lord Chancellor is now responsible for four agencies: the Court Service, Her Majesty's Land Registry, the Public Record Office and the Public Trust Office. Information relating to the Court Service is included above, as it became an agency only after the period covered by the information available; and information relating to the Public Trust Office is included up to the time it acquired agency status in July 1994. In respect of the Land Registry, the Public Record Office, and the Public Trust Office from July 1994, the question concerns operational matters on which the chief executives are best placed to provide answers. I have accordingly asked them to reply direct.

  Letter from Julia C. Lomas to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 1 November 1995:
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to you as part of the Lord Chancellor's Department's response to your Parliamentary Question, listed on 26 October 1995, regarding the

  415
  number of invoices from small businesses which were not paid within 30 days of receipt over the last five years.
  The Public Trust Office became an Executive Agency of the Lord Chancellor's Department on 1 July 1994, prior to which the departmental Headquarters maintained these records on our behalf. We have maintained our own records since becoming an Agency and one month sample of invoices are checked each year to establish how many were paid on time. For the monthly sample for 1994 of 129 invoices 109 (ie. 85%) were paid within terms. Whilst this figure excludes HMSO invoices it does not specifically refer to small businesses, to do so would be at disproportionate cost.

  Letter from Sarah Tyacke to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 1 November 1995:
  I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply, in respect of the Public Record Office, to your question about the prompt payment of invoices due to small businesses.
  The Public Record Office has not systematically recorded its performance in paying invoices nor which of its suppliers are small businesses, over the last five years. The answer to your question could therefore be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
  In eight months of 1994–95, it monitored its performance in paying invoices and found that 98% were paid within 30 days.
  Other occasional monitoring exercises over the last five years have produced similar results.

  Letter from John Manthorpe to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 1 November 1995:
  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question on the number of instances in which the Land Registry has failed to pay invoices to small businesses within 30 days in each of the last 5 years.
  Records of the size of the supplier are not maintained and therefore I am able only to supply details of all late payments to both large and small businesses. These relate to credit periods up to and including 30 days. In the years 1993/94 and 1994/95 sampling indicated that the annual numbers of such payments were as follows:

  1993/94: 2019 (8 per cent.)

  1994/95: 2954 (10 per cent.)

  In the majority of these cases, payment was delayed whilst verification was sought relating to queries on the invoices. Payment was effected once such queries were satisfied.
  Details for the previous three years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Family Homes and Domestic Violence Bill
  Mr. Coe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary Lord Chancellor's Department how he proposes to proceed with the Family Homes and Domestic Violence Bill. [41753]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Family Homes and Domestic Violence Bill was timetabled to complete its stages in the House of Commons on the basis that it was uncontentious. This has proved not to be so. Contentious points have arisen during the last stages of this parliamentary Session. My right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has listened to the concerns expressed about the Bill, and he is considering them. The timetable is such, however, that it is now impossible to make further progress this session. My right hon. and noble Friend will continue to work on the Bill with a view to bringing it back before Parliament as soon as possible.
  416

  Information Technology Systems (Confidentiality)
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps have been taken to secure the confidentiality of information technology systems, and accountability to the judiciary, in the course of the implementation of the Government's private finance initiative in the(a) county court system and (b) Crown court system. [39909]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked him to reply direct.

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Paul Boateng, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your Question about the confidentiality and accountability of information technology systems introduced within the Government's Private Finance Initiative.
  Any contractor will have to ensure that information systems serving the county courts and the Crown Court provide confidentiality and support to all who use the systems. They will be operated within the framework provided by the appropriate Rules of Court and other legislation.

  Local Office County Court System
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what administrative processes and support functions are included in the statement of service requirements of the local office county court system. [39911]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked him to reply direct.

  Letter from M.D. Huebner to Mr. Paul Boateng, dated 1 November 1995:
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your Question about what administrative and support functions are included in the LOCCS Statement of Service Requirements.
  The Statement of Service Requirement for the Local Office County Court System procurement project requires bidders to submit proposals for:

  provision of the CaseMan service;

  provision of the County Court central information systems service;

  provision of the County Court Information Systems Development Service.

  Bidders may, if they choose, offer to provide other information systems services and other related support services to the Court Service and Lord Chancellor's Department, subject to the restrictions contained in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the companies shortlisted for the bidding process for the local office county court system project. [39910]

  Mr. Taylor
  The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked him to reply direct.
  417
  Letter from M.D. Huebner to Mr. Paul Boateng, dated 1 November 1995:
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your Question about the companies shortlisted for the LOCCS project.
  The following have been shortlisted for the Local County Court System (LOCCS) Procurement Project:

  Electronic Data Systems Limited;

  SEMA Group plc;

  Siemens Business Services Limited;

  Unisys Limited.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which companies have been shortlisted for the bidding process for the local office county court system; and what are the criteria for the involvement of the private sector in this process. [39913]

  Mr. Taylor
  The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked him to reply direct.

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Paul Boateng, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the companies shortlisted for the bidding process for the local office county court system and the criteria for private sector involvement in this.
  The Requirements of the Local County Court System (LOCCS) Procurement Project were advertised in the Official Journal of the European Community. The following have been shortlisted:

  Electronic Data Systems Limited;

  SEMA Group plc;

  Siemens Business Services Limited;

  Unisys Limited.

  Since the cost of meeting the requirements will exceed the Department's financial delegation the Government requires the Department to test the availability of private finance under the Private Finance Initiative. The fundamental principles of the Private Finance Initiative are that:

  the private sector contractor must assume genuine risk, and;

  value for money must be demonstrated for any expenditure by the public sector.

  Contracting Out (Court Service)
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department at what stage in the process of the contracting out of services relating to the Court Service it is required under schedule 16 to the Deregulation and Contracting Oct Act 1995 that the senior judiciary be consulted; on what occasions such consultations have taken place; and in respect of which services. [39912]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The question concerns a specific operational matter on which the chief executive of the Court Service is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked him to reply direct.

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Paul Boateng, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the judicial consultation required under the above Act when contracting out services.
  418
  The Lord Chancellor is required to consult the senior judges before making an order under the provisions of Schedule 16 to the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1995. No such consultations have yet taken place.

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to the answer of the Attorney-General of 30 October, column 12, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and what was the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41219]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The information requested is not readily available. The question will be answered in detail by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

DEFENCE

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Dover
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about Defence Agency status for the Army's personnel, pay and pensions administration. [41642]

  Mr. Soames
  As originally announced to the House by the then Minister of State for Defence Procurement on 2 November 1993,Official Report, column 124, the Army's pay and personnel administration functions are to be considered for defence agency status. A prior options study is therefore being undertaken to determine whether agency status would be appropriate. If agency status is agreed, then the organisations that will be considered for inclusion within the prospective agency are the Army personnel centre, which now includes administration of Army pensions as well as pay and personnel, and which will be fully formed in Glasgow by mid-1997, and a substantial part of the Adjutant General's information centre, Worthy Down, Winchester.

  Phosphorous Canisters, Kintyre
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the wounding of Gordon Baillie of Kintyre by a phosphorous canister on 20 October. [40792]

  Mr. Soames
  We have been investigating the source and origin of the phosphorous devices which have been washed ashore recently. They are very old and decayed and have proved difficult to identify. Defence experts now believe that they probably formed part of the filling for second world war incendiary devices. There is no record of such devices being dumped but investigations are continuing.

  Gordon Baillie received burns to his right hand and arm on 20 October after handling one of these devices which had been washed ashore near his home. A Royal Navy explosive ordnance disposal team attended the scene within 20 minutes of the incident having being reported and dealt with the remains of the device. The local authorities in the area have issued extensive material

  419
  warning the public of the dangers, and the Royal Navy teams and other emergency services involved in the operation to dispose of these items are making every effort to eradicate the risk of such an incident occurring again.

  Disbanded Regiments (Funds)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how regimental funds of disbanded regiments are disbursed; and what regard is paid to outstanding liabilities before funds are so disbursed. [40392]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is set out in chapter 15 of the service funds Army regulations, a copy of which I have placed in the Library of the House.

  Outstanding liabilities should be identified and settled before its residual funds may be disbursed.

  Grants
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what grant-giving funds his Department is responsible, requiring a private sector contribution, where the use of national lottery funds is not allowed to count towards that private sector portion. [38597]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for National Heritage on 31 October 1995,Official Report, column 186.

  Gurkhas
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members of the Gurkha troops are in the ranks of the Parachute Regiment; [41097]

  (2) what percentage of the ranks of the Parachute Regiment are occupied by Gurkha troops. [41098]

  Mr. Soames
  There are no Gurkha troops currently serving in the Parachute Regiment.

  Armed Forces Medical Services
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of medical services for the armed forces. [40428]

  Mr. Soames
  Changes to the defence medical services, which were announced last year as part of "Front Line First", will be largely complete by April 1996. The resulting organisation will be able to meet the future requirement for efficient and effective medical support for the armed forces.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of(a) surgeons and (b) anaesthetists currently employed by the armed forces; what is the most current assessment of need for the Defence Medical Services for (a) and (b); and if he will make a statement. [40434]

  Mr. Soames
  There are currently 117 surgeons and 64 anaesthetists serving in the regular armed forces. The requirement for surgeons and anaesthetists from 1 April 1996 will be 116 and 95, respectively. The shortfall in anaesthetists is being addressed.
  420
  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Cambridge military hospital and its present contribution to health services for the armed forces. [40432]

  Mr. Soames
  Closure of the hospital will take place by April 1996 as previously announced. Its health care services in support of the armed forces are being transferred progressively to the Royal hospital, Haslar, the Duchess of Kent military hospital, Catterick, and the Ministry of Defence hospital units, including that at the Frimley Park hospital, which are being established under the reorganisation of the defence medical services.

  Bases (US Use)
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the change of control to the US Army intelligence and security command at Menwith Hill station falls within the remit of the terms of the War Office/US air force agreement of 11 December 1951. [40874]

  Mr. Soames
  It is not our practice to comment on the confidential arrangements between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America concerning the use of Menwith Hill station by United States forces. While Her Majesty's Government retain legal possession of the Menwith Hill site and control over the use that is made of its facilities, it is for the United States Department of Defense to decide the personnel assignment arrangements required to meet the operational objectives of the station.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if there is any intention to use American security police in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence police at Menwith Hill station to secure this base. [40875]

  Mr. Soames
  No.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what legal basis the National Security Agency of America is operating and controlling the Menwith Hill station base. [40876]

  Mr. Soames
  Her Majesty's Government has made the site available for the use of forces of the United States of America by arrangements which are appropriate to the comity which exists between the two allied powers for their mutual defence and defence of their allies.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the National Security Agency of America operates at RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Feltwell and RAF Molesworth. [40877]

  Mr. Soames
  Her Majesty's Government have made these sites available for the use of forces of the United States of America. It is not our policy to comment in further detail on operational matters.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the commanding officers or heads of establishment at RAF Lakenheath; RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Molesworth. [40879]

  Mr. Soames
  Her Majesty's Government have made these sites available for the use of United States forces. the names of the United States commanding officers at these bases are as follows:
  421

  RAF Lakenheath: Colonel D.F. MacGhee, United States air force

  RAF Mildenhall: Colonel J.W. Morehouse, United States air force

  RAF Molesworth: Lieutenant Colonel G.B. Evans, United States air force.

  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the terms of the administrative arrangements between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America for the base at Menwith Hill station. [40880]

  Mr. Soames
  The site at Menwith Hill has been made available to the United States visiting forces and their civilian component in accordance with the agreement regarding the status of forces of parties to the North Atlantic treaty of 1951 and other arrangements which are appropriate to the relationship which exists between the United Kingdom and the United States for the purposes of our common defence.

  Civil Trespass
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what powers the Ministry of Defence police have in respect of civil trespass. [40878]

  Mr. Soames
  Ministry of Defence police have the same powers of arrest as the Home Department police force in respect of trespass. They also have powers under military lands byelaws.

  Royal Welch Fusiliers, Bosnia
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what discussions took place between British commanders, his Department, the United Nations and UNPROFOR before the deployment of troops from the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Gorazde on the task set for the Royal Welch Fusiliers operation there; [41201]

  (2) what discussions took place between British commanders, the United Nations and UNPROFOR about changing the mandate of the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Gorazde during the operation; [41200]

  (3) what mandate the Royal Welch Fusiliers were operating under when they arrived in Gorazde; and what changes were made, to that mandate during their deployment. [41198]

  Mr. Soames
  The Royal Welch Fusiliers, deployed to Bosnia as part of the British contribution towards UNPROFOR, were operating under the UN's humanitarian and peacekeeping mandate for the duration 422
  of their tour. Discussions took place both prior to and during their deployment on a range of subjects including the unit's tasks. Restrictions were subsequently placed on some operations in order to reduce the risk to the troops concerned.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what equipment and armour the troops of the Royal Welch Fusiliers took into Goradze at the beginning of their operation; what additions were made; and for what reasons. [41199]

  Mr. Soames
  On deployment to Gorazde the Royal Welch Fusiliers were equipped with Saxon armoured personnel carriers, anti-tank weapons, 51mm mortars, general purpose machine guns and standard infantry small arms. This equipment was subsequently supplemented with heavy machine guns and smoke grenades to enhance the level of protection afforded to British troops.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what request was made by(a) his Department or (b) commanders of the Royal Welch Fusiliers for reinforcements or additional armaments during the Royal Welch Fusiliers operation in Goradze; and what was the response. [41197]

  Mr. Soames
  There were no requests for reinforcements. Additional armaments requested and supplied were heavy machine guns and smoke grenades.

  Telephone Monitoring
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if(a) the Army and (b) the Navy are permitted by his Department to monitor public cellphone networks; and if he will make a statement. [40970]

  Mr. Soames
  The services are permitted to conduct telephone monitoring where it is designed to ensure that security regulations are being observed by military users. These activities are governed by the Interception of Communications Act 1985.

  European Armaments Agency
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement of the conclusions of the meeting of 20 October of the Western European Armaments Group concerning the development of a European Armaments Agency. [40969]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  At their meeting of 20 October, the national armaments directors of the Western European Armaments Group noted the considerable progress made towards developing the structure under which a possible European Armaments Agency could be established.
  423

TREASURY

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what was the total tax relief paid to those in receipt of private medical insurance in each year since the introduction of the scheme; how much has it cost to administer the scheme in each year; and how many people have claimed relief; [37231]

  (2) what is the estimated annual cost to the Exchequer of the provision of private medical insurance as a perk to employed persons due to the tax exemption for those earning less than £8,500. [37233]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 19 October 1995]: Information on the total tax relief and number of people claiming the relief for private medical insurance premiums in each year since the start of the scheme, is given in the table.

  Tax relief on private medical insurance contracts for individuals aged 60 or over

  Year

  Approximate number of contracts

  Approximate number of individuals covered

  Cost of tax relief (£ million)

  1990–91

  350,000

  500,000

  40

  1991–92

  350,000

  500,000

  60

  1992–93

  350,000

  500,000

  70

  1993–94

  375,000

  550,000

  80

  1994–95

  375,000

  550,000

  95

  1995–961

  375,000

  550,000

  110

  1 Provisional.

  Changes in the scheme announced in the Finance Act 1994 included restricting the tax relief to the basic rate. This has meant that the total cost of the relief in 1994–95 and 1995–96 is lower than it would otherwise have been. Administrative costs were estimated to have been about £150,000 a year up to 1994–5 but, again as a result of the Finance Act, costs have now fallen to an estimated £50,000 in 1995–96. Information on the annual Exchequer cost of providing this relief to employees with earned income including benefits, of less than £8,500 a year is not available.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings there have been since 1 September 1993 between the Chancellor or another Minister in the Treasury and representatives of private health insurance companies; and what was the subject matter of each meeting. [37232]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 19 October 1995]: Treasury Ministers have meetings with representatives of a broad range of commercial organisations from many sectors, including the private health insurance industry. Since 1 September 1993, a number of meetings with representatives from the private health insurance industry have taken place, covering a wide variety of issues.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates have been made of the cost of extending private medical insurance tax relief to those policies specifically designed to cover long-term care needs. [39382]
  424
  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: It would be inappropriate for me to comment on tax matters at this stage of the Budget cycle.

  Tobacco Duty
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recent meeting with the Paymaster General and hon. Members concerning duty on tobacco products. [39287]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: I recently saw the hon. Gentleman and the hon. Members for Wrexham (Dr. Marek), Easington (Mr. Cummings), Normanton (Mr. O'Brien) and Warley, West (Mr. Spellar) and heard their representations concerning duty on tobacco products.

  Oil Taxation Office
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed with the Inland Revenue's oil taxation office in Scotland(a) full time and (b) part time. [39663]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 27 October 1995]: The Inland Revenue oil taxation office is located in London. It employs 41 full-time and two part-time staff, and deals with the corporation tax and petroleum revenue tax affairs of UK oil and gas producers and associated concerns. A number of Inland Revenue offices in Scotland are responsible for other oil-related matters. These include PAYE matters, the liabilities of divers, and the income tax and corporation tax liabilities of oil industry support concerns based in Scotland. The total number of Inland Revenue employees in Scottish tax and collection offices is approximately 5,700. No information is centrally available on the number of staff in Scotland whose work is related to the oil industry, and obtaining this information would involve disproportionate cost.

  Bankruptcy Petitions
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor Exchequer how many petitions for bankruptcy have been begun by his Department for businesses with under 500 employees in each of the last five years. [40504]

  Mr. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: The total number of petitions for bankruptcy in 1995 is two. No petitions for bankruptcy were begun in any of the previous five years.

  Late Payment (Small Businesses)
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how often his Department and each agency within it has failed to pay invoices due to small businesses within 30 days in each of the last five years. [40503]

  Mr. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: The Treasury aims to pay all legitimate invoices within 30 days, irrespective of the size of the business concerned. Records of the promptness of payment for the past five years are not maintained, but over the last three years the following percentage of invoices were not paid within 30 days.

  1993–94: 14 per cent.

  1993–94: 18 per cent.

  1995–96: 14 per cent.

  425
  Most of these invoices were delayed due to problems associated with the particular suppliers, such as an error in the invoice or failure to deliver the goods or service.

  Immoral Earnings
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were(a) prosecuted and (b) convicted for failure to pay income tax and national insurance while living off immoral earnings in each of the last five years. [40579]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: This information is not available.

  Retail Prices Index
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the impact on the retail prices index of(a) raising insurance premium tax to 5 per cent., (b) giving a £50 rebate to each electricity customer and (c) raising fuel and tobacco duties by (i) 5 per cent. (ii) 3 per cent. in real terms. [40768]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: The estimated RPI effects are:

  Per cent.

  RPI

  RPI Ex MIPs

  Raising insurance premium tax:

  to 5 per cent.

  0.03

  0.03

  £50 rebate to each electricity customer1

  Raising fuel duties:

  by 5 per cent. real (8.9 per cent, nominal)

  0.22

  0.23

  by 3 per cent. real (6.9 per cent, nominal)

  0.17

  0.18

  Raising tobacco duties:

  by 5 per cent. real (8.9 per cent, nominal)

  0.24

  0.25

  by 3 per cent. real (6.9 per cent, nominal)

  0.18

  0.19

  1 The size and timing of any effect of a rebate to electricity customers depends on how the rebate is effected. Assuming the rebate qualified as a price reduction for RPI purposes and that the full rebate was made to all households in the same quarter, then the effect of a £50 rebate to all domestic electricity consumers in the United Kingdom would be to reduce the all items RPI by between 1 and 1½ per cent, by the end of the quarter. A one-off rebate would have a temporary effect only; if there were no other changes the index would return to its previous level by the end of the following quarter.

  Housing Investment Trusts
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when he proposes to make an announcement on the detail of the tax provisions for housing investment trusts; [40765]

  (2) if he will estimate the revenue cost in a full year of allowing financial institutions to invest in privately rented property through the housing investment trusts proposed in the paper, "Our Future Homes", assuming that the trusts pay no capital gains tax for gains within the trust and pay corporation tax at the rate of 25 per cent. [40766]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: It would not be appropriate for me to comment on tax matters at this stage of the Budget cycle.
  426

  Tax Simplification
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made by the Inland Revenue on the report on tax simplification in accordance with clause 160 of the Finance Act 1995; and what is the estimated date of publication of this report. [40733]

  Mr. Jack
  The Inland Revenue is preparing its report on tax simplification and this will be presented to Parliament and published before the Christmas recess.

  Employment Statistics
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed by businesses employing(a) 0–9 employees, (b) 10–99 employees and (c) 100–499 employees in each year since 1979; and if he will break these figures down by (i) region, (ii) ethnicity and (iii) gender. [40965]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information on the number of people employed in workplaces with one to 10, 11 to 49 and 50 or more employees is available from the labour force survey for Great Britain, annually between 1984 and 1991 and quarterly from spring 1992 onwards. It can be obtained via the Quantime LFS service available in the Library.

  Tax Bands
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the cost in a full year of introducing a new 30 per cent. tax band on £3,000 of income above the basic rate band; and what would be the yield from introducing a 60 per cent. upper rate at a 40 per cent. rate limit of(a) £50,000, (b) £70,000 and (c) 100,000. [39105]

  Mr. Jack
  The full-year cost of introducing the 30 per cent. band at 1996–97 levels would be about £590 million compared with an indexed tax regime.

  The table gives the yield from introducing a new top rate of tax of 60 per cent. for taxable income above £50,000, £70,000 and £100,000. These estimates do not allow for any behavioural changes that might result from the introduction of the new tax rate.

  Lower limit of taxable income for 60 per cent, rate £

  Full year revenue yield at 1996–97 levels1 (£ billion)

  50,000

  4.3

  70,000

  3.1

  100,000

  2.2

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

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are liable for income tax at the higher level; how many people would be taken out of higher rate tax if the basic rate limit was raised by(a) £500, (b) £1,000, (c) £1,500, (d) £2,000, (e) £2,500, (f) £3,000, (g) £3,500, (h) £4,500 (i) £5,000; and how much of the revenue cost of such a measure would be in 1996–97 and 1997–98 after indexation. [39097]

  Mr. Jack
  It is estimated that there will be 2.2 million higher rate taxpayers in 1995–96. Providing all of the details sought would involve disproportionate cost. The table gives available estimates for 1996–97 showing the
  427
  variation in the revenue costs and the numbers of people affected over the range of specified increases in the basic rate limit.

  Increasing the basic rate limit by1

  Full year revenue cost at 1996–97 levels2

  Number of people taken out of higher rate

  £

  £ million

  thousands

  500

  170

  100

  2,500

  770

  450

  5,000

  1,400

  760

  1 Compared to an indexed 1995–96 regime.

  2 The estimates include consequential effects on capital gains tax. They do not take into account any behavioural changes which might result from the introduction of the new regime.

  Profit-related Pay
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers are in receipt of profit-related pay; and how many of them are higher rate taxpayers. [39109]

  Mr. Jack
  There are around 2.5 million participating employees in about 10,000 live registered profit-related pay schemes. Reliable information on the distribution of earnings and the numbers of participants at each marginal tax rate is not available.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost in a full year of raising the threshold for inheritance tax by(a) £10,000, (b) £20,000, (c) £30,000, (d) £40,000, (e) £60,000, (f) £80,000 and (g) £100,000, specifying in each case the number of people who would be taken out of tax by the measure. [39096]

  Mr. Jack
  The estimated full-year costs of increasing the indexed threshold for inheritance tax by the specified amounts, and the associated reductions in taxpaying estates, are given in the table:

  Raise IHT by threshold

  1996–97full year cost £ million

  Number of estates taken out of tax

  £10,000

  80

  2,500

  £20,000

  150

  4,000

  £30,000

  220

  6,000

  £40,000

  280

  7,500

  £60,000

  390

  9,000

  £80,000

  480

  11,000

  £100,000

  560

  12,000

  Tax Allowances and Reliefs
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his answer to the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke) of 11 February 1992,Official Report, column 430, on income tax liability as percentage of gross income. [39106]

  Mr. Jack
  Available estimates for 1995–96 based on a projection of the 1993–94 survey of personal incomes are as follows:428

  Estimated number of taxpayers (thousands)

  Income tax liability as a percentage of gross income1

  Gross income over £100,000

  Higher rate taxpayers

  Less than 35 per cent.

  60

  2,190

  Less than 30 per cent.

  10

  1,970

  Less than 25 per cent.

  —

  1,360

  Less than 20 per cent.

  —

  180

  Less than 15 per cent.

  —

  —

  Less than 10 per cent.

  —

  —

  Less than 5 per cent.

  —

  —

  1Total income for tax purposes.

  Millionaires
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of millionaires in the United Kingdom. [39100]

  Mr. Jack
  It is not possible to assess precisely the number of living millionaires in the United Kingdom at any one time. The only available estimates are derived from inheritance tax data on a year-of-death basis. Relevant information for 1991–92 is given at the end of table 13.1 on page 128 of Inland Revenue statistics 1995.

  Gardening Leave
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the staff of the Treasury were on gardening leave on 1 October and at each previous quarter day from 1 October 1992; and what is(a) the maximum permissible gardening leave that the Treasury allows and (b) the average actually taken. [39333]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Details of the number of Treasury staff on gardening leave—those not working, but excluding those on statutory paid leave, maternity leave or long-term sick leave—by quarter from 1 July 1993 to 1 October 1995 is given in the table. The information for 1 October 1992, 1 January and 1 April 1993 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  HM Treasury staff on "gardening leave" by quarter

  Headcount

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1 January

  —

  9

  8

  1 April

  —

  13

  21

  1 July

  6

  10

  19

  1 October

  6

  9

  8

  The marked increase on 1 April 1995 was a result of the Treasury further expenditure review. Following the Treasury's voluntary redundancy programme, the numbers have returned to the usual levels of less than 1 per cent.

  The Treasury does not set limits for the amount of time that staff are on gardening leave but the aim is to keep the amount to a minimum. To that end, we have set in place procedures to allocate project work to staff who are temporarily between postings.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list contracts(a) signed under the private finance initiative over the last six months and

  429
  (b) which he expects to be signed under the private finance initiative over the next three months, and if he will make a statement. [39344]

  Mr. Jack
  The two largest individual contracts that have been signed in that period are for the new national insurance recording system and the Midland Metro light rail project. In addition, the contract to supply a new train service on the Northern line was signed some six and a half months ago. In the next three months, contracts are expected to be signed for, among others, the first tranche of design, build, finance, operate roads, two privately financed prisons and two hospital projects.

  In addition to this, numerous small PFI deals have been signed at local level primarily in health sectors and information technology.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times in each month of the current year he has met personally the heads of the agencies which report to him to discuss the work of those agencies. [39865]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Four executive agencies—the Royal Mint, the Valuation Office, Paymaster and the Central Statistical Office—are responsible to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. My right hon. and learned Friend is in contact with the heads of these agencies as appropriate. To date this year, he has met personally the head of the Central Statistical Office.

  Retired People (Income Tax)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of persons over retirement age who paid income tax in the latest financial year for which figures are available; and how many were liable to pay more than £500 in income tax. [40706]

  Mr. Jack
  It is estimated that in 1995–96 there will be around 10 million people aged 65 or over, about 3 million of whom will pay income tax. Personal allowances available to people aged 65 or over ensure that only 1.8 million will be liable to pay more than £500 in income tax.

  Unemployment (Sheffield)
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what percentage unemployment has changed in each of the Sheffield parliamentary constituencies since July 1987. [40979]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Unadjusted claimant unemployment

  Parliamentary constituency

  Percentage change1 July 1987– September 1995

  Sheffield Central

  -33.2

  Sheffield Attercliffe

  -35.2

  Sheffield Brightside

  -32.9

  430

  Unadjusted claimant unemployment

  Parliamentary constituency

  Percentage change1 July 1987–September 1995

  Sheffield Hallam

  -31.8

  Sheffield Heeley

  -34.8

  Sheffield Hillsborough

  -30.9

  Total Sheffield constituencies

  -33.2

  1 The figures are based on unadjusted data and are therefore subject to seasonal influences as well as changes in the coverage of the count.

SCOTLAND

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is the practice of his Department to give prior notice to right hon. and hon. Members when he or a Minister from his Department attends an official engagement or organises an official visit to their constituencies and if he will make a statement. [39156]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Arrangements are in place within my Department to give right hon. and hon. Members notice when I or any other Minister from my Department attends an official engagement or organises an official visit to their constituency.

  Prisoners (Immigration Status)
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are in Scottish prisons for reasons related to immigration status. [38830]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. Malcolm Chisholm, dated 2 November 1995:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of people held in prison for reasons related to immigration status.
  Information on the number of prisoners held in relation to immigration status is collected on a monthly basis. The average number in August 1995 was 27.

  New Departmental Accommodation
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost of land procurement, planning designing, constructing and fitting out the new Scottish Office building; how many additional jobs have been created, both directly and indirectly; what is his estimate of the additional accommodation costs or savings which will be achieved in each of the next 10 financial years; and if he will make a statement. [39165]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The building at Victoria quay was purchased by Property Holdings for incorporation into the government estate at a total cost of £46.925 million excluding VAT, which includes the site, construction and professional fees. Fitting-out costs of approximately £14.5 million for occupational services works are being met by the Scottish Office.
  431
  It is difficult to estimate the effect of the development on jobs. At the peak of construction activity, there was a work force of 600 on site and during fit-out, an average of 140. Fifteen hundred staff and contractors are working in the building and they and visitors to it will provide custom for local businesses.

  My Department estimates that running cost savings of about £3 million a year will be achieved from lower opportunity cost rentals than were payable on the buildings given up, economies of scale, the energy efficient design of the building and its flexibility to respond to changing working patterns. There will also be considerable gains to the operational efficiency of the Department due to the co-location of a large number of staff on a single site.

  Temazepam
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the number of deaths in each of the past five years which were related to the abuse of the drug Temazepam; what estimate he has made of the percentage of those which involved the gel formulation; and if he will make a statement. [39195]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The number of deaths certified as being due to drug misuse for the years 1990 to 1994 is as follows:

  1990: 136

  1991: 125

  1992: 153

  1993: 209

  1994: 247

  With regard to the number of deaths which were related to the abuse of the drug Temazepam, figures where Temazepam was the sole cause of death are not available. However, for the year 1994 the number of deaths where Temazepam was found was 52. Figures for previous years and the percentage of those which involved the gel formulation are not available.

  All figures are contained in the report "Collection of Information on Drug Related Deaths by the General Register Office for Scotland", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the number of people who have had one or more limbs amputated as a result of injecting the gel formulation of the drug Temazepam during each of the past five years. [39183]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Because of the covert nature of the misuse, information on the precise extent of physical injury or damage resulting when Temazepam soft gelatin gel-filled capsules are injected is not held centrally.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for(a) the financial year 1994–95 and (b) the estimated figures for the financial year 1995–96, for each executive agency for which he is responsible. [39520]
  432
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  As the information requested is lengthy, I shall arrange for copies of the lists to be placed in the House Library.

  Parliamentary Constituencies
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now publish full constituency data for the new parliamentary constituencies in Scotland. [40207]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not held centrally. The Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) Order 1995 gave effect to the proposals of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland, copies of whose report have been placed in the House of Commons Library. The new constituencies do not come into effect, however, until the next general election. Until then, electoral registration officers have a statutory duty to publish registers according to the present constituencies, but they also make preparations to enable the registers to be adapted for use at the next general election.

  Wheelchairs
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of new electrically powered wheelchairs supplied by the national health service in Scotland over the past five years. [40260]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Information on the overall number of powered chairs issued in the last five years is not held centrally. Details of the number of indoor/outdoor powered chairs and indoor powered chairs purchased since the provision of special funding in 1992 are set out.

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Indoor/Outdoor

  313

  267

  286

  193

  Indoor

  497

  409

  187

  1 For six months 1 April 1995 to 30 September 1995.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will review the current criteria for eligibility for electrically powered wheelchairs to be provided by the national health service; [40259]

  (2) if he will relax the criteria to enable more national health service patients to qualify for electrically powered wheelchairs in Scotland in future. [40262]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The criteria to determine eligibility for the provision of electrically powered wheelchairs were established in September 1992 in consultation with the clinicians in the artificial limb and appliance centres. Following a review after practical experience of the arrangements, it was decided that these criteria had been too tightly drawn, and they were revised to embrace a wider range of patients. The revised criteria were agreed by all centres in 1994. In view of this recent revision, there are no plans for a further review at present.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost of supplying electrically powered wheelchairs by the national health service in Scotland over the past five years; and what plans he has to provide finance for the next three-year period. [40261]
  433
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The provision of patient-controlled electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs was announced in February 1992. Initial funding of £2.5 million was earmarked over the following three years to provide around 1,300 electrically powered wheelchairs for use both indoors and outdoors by severely disabled people. The level of funding to be provided in future years is still to be determined.

  Category A Prisoners
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many category A prisoners are currently in the prison system in Scotland; and how many are in each sub-category. [38841]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 30 October 1995]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 2 November 1995:
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of category A prisoners held in prison; and the numbers in each sub-category.
  As at 20 October 1995 there were 20 category A prisoners held in Scotland. Category A is not divided into sub-categories in Scotland.

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the cost of ministerial transport in each of the past five years; what allowance has been paid to Ministers who use their own vehicles; and what has been the cost in each of the past five years. [40748]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The cost to the Scottish Office of ministerial transport in each of the last five years is as follows:

  1991–92: £234,803

  1992–93: £224,163

  1993–94: £256,270

  1994–95: £292,143

  1995–96: £150,723 (6 months)

  No payments have been made to Ministers for the use of their own vehicles in the past five years.

  Homelessness
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish details of which local authorities have benefited from the additional £29 million supplementary capital allocation issued in six bidding rounds between 1991 and 1994 to enable authorities to tackle homelessness; and if he will set out the individual initiatives funded through the allocations, indicating for each individual project(a) the local authority through which the allocation is channelled, (b) the target client group, (c) the number of units provided, (d) the physical type of accommodation, (e) whether the project provides temporary or permanent accommodation, (f) the capital cost of each project, (g) whether the project was funded through the housing revenue account or the non-housing revenue account and (h) which of the six bidding rounds the project is funded through. [40641]
  434
  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Between 1991 and 1993, a total of £22.6 million additional capital allocations were made available to local authorities in response to specific bids made by them. In 1993–94 and 1994–95, further supplementary capital allocations of £4.35 million and £2.62 million respectively were provided to allow authorities to accelerate or enhance the investment plans for the homeless contained in their housing programmes. Information on the distribution of these resources is set out in the table which follows. Detailed information on individual projects in the form requested is not held centrally.

  Additional allocations capital £ million

  Local Authority

  HRA

  non-HRA

  Financial year

  Borders

  Berwickshire

  0.040

  —

  1991–92

  0.050

  —

  1992–93

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  0.221

  —

  1992–93

  Roxburgh

  0.260

  —

  1992–93

  Tweeddale

  0.204

  —

  1991–92

  0.120

  —

  1992–93

  Central

  Clackmannan

  0.350

  —

  1992–93

  0.100

  —

  1993–94

  Falkirk

  0.654

  —

  1991–92

  0.302

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.100

  1992–93

  0.150

  —

  1993–94

  Stirling

  0.260

  —

  1991–92

  0.200

  —

  1992–93

  0.110

  —

  1993–94

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Annandale and Eskdale

  —

  0.228

  1992–93

  0.110

  —

  1993–94

  Nithsdale

  —

  0.100

  1991–92

  —

  0.400

  1992–93

  —

  0.130

  1993–94

  Stewartry

  0.085

  —

  1991–92

  0.125

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.100

  1994–95

  Wigtown

  —

  0.184

  1992–93

  —

  0.150

  1994–95

  Fife

  Dunfermline

  0.065

  —

  1991–92

  0.138

  —

  1992–93

  Kirkcaldy

  0.343

  —

  1991–92

  0.227

  —

  1992–93

  0.174

  —

  1993–94

  North East Fife

  0.165

  —

  1992–93

  0.080

  —

  1993–94

  Grampian

  Aberdeen

  0.465

  —

  1991–92

  —

  0.075

  1991–92

  0.350

  —

  1992–93

  0.100

  —

  1993–94

  0.350

  —

  1994–95

  Banff and Buchan

  0.200

  —

  1991–92

  0.030

  —

  1994–95

  Gordon

  —

  0.150

  1991–92

  0.240

  —

  1992–93

  0.100

  -

  1993–94

  0.050

  —

  1994–95

  435

  Additional capital allocations £ million

  Local Authority

  HRA

  non-HRA

  Financial year

  Kincardine and Deeside

  0.156

  —

  1992–93

  Moray

  0.125

  —

  1991–92

  0.090

  —

  1992–93

  Highland

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  0.300

  —

  1992–93

  0.150

  —

  1993–94

  0.020

  —

  1994–95

  Caithness

  0.060

  —

  1992–93

  Inverness

  0.160

  —

  1991–92

  0.580

  —

  1992–93

  0.250

  —

  1993–94

  Lochaber

  0.045

  —

  1991–92

  0.227

  —

  1992–93

  0.200

  —

  1993–94

  Nairn

  0.220

  1992–93

  0.100

  —

  1993–94

  Ross and Cromarty

  0.400

  —

  1992–93

  0.155

  —

  1993–94

  Syke and Lochalsh

  0.150

  —

  1992–93

  Lothian

  East Lothian

  0.275

  —

  1991–92

  0.346

  —

  1992–93

  0.150

  -

  1993–94

  0.120

  —

  1994–95

  Edinburgh

  0.930

  —

  1991–92

  0.681

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.200

  1993–94

  —

  0.200

  1994–95

  Midlothian

  0.450

  —

  1992–93

  0.044

  —

  1993–94

  West Lothian

  0.208

  —

  1992–93

  0.100

  —

  1993–94

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  0.250

  —

  1991–92

  0.200

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.220

  1993–94

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  0.124

  —

  1992–93

  Clydesdale

  0.040

  —

  1991–92

  0.270

  —

  1992–93

  0.110

  —

  1993–94

  —

  0.050

  1993–94

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0.032

  —

  1991–92

  0.292

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.130

  1993–94

  —

  0.132

  1994–95

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0.285

  —

  1992–93

  0.150

  —

  1993–94

  0.120

  —

  1994–95

  Cunninghame

  0.144

  —

  1991–92

  0.405

  —

  1992–93

  0.156

  —

  1993–94

  Dumbarton

  0.413

  —

  1991–92

  0.247

  —

  1992–93

  0.080

  —

  1993–94

  East Kilbride

  0.130

  —

  1992–93

  Eastwood

  0.190

  —

  1992–93

  0.080

  —

  1994–95

  Glasgow

  0.900

  —

  1991–92

  0.775

  —

  1992–93

  0.250

  —

  1993–94

  0.600

  —

  1994–95

  Hamilton

  0.356

  —

  1992–93

  0.200

  —

  1994–95

  Inverclyde

  0.125

  —

  1991–92

  0.100

  —

  1992–93

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  0.210

  —

  1991–92

  0.060

  —

  1992–93

  0.150

  —

  1993–94

  436

  Additional capital allocations £ million

  Local Authority

  HRA

  non-HRA

  Financial year

  Kyle and Carrick

  0.625

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.150

  1994–95

  Monklands

  0.350

  —

  1992–93

  0.100

  —

  1993–94

  0.250

  —

  1994–95

  Motherwell

  0.200

  —

  1991–92

  0.367

  —

  1992–93

  Renfrew

  0.318

  —

  1991–92

  0.600

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.016

  1992–93

  Strathkelvin

  0.160

  —

  1991–92

  0.050

  —

  1992–93

  Tayside

  Angus

  0.290

  —

  1992–93

  Dundee

  0.515

  —

  1991–92

  0.681

  —

  1992–93

  0.221

  —

  1993–94

  Perth and Kinross

  0.456

  —

  1992–93

  0.200

  —

  1993–94

  Islands Areas

  Orkney

  —

  0.135

  1992–93

  0.100

  —

  1993–94

  0.200

  —

  1994–95

  Shetland

  0.130

  —

  1992–93

  Western Isles

  0.120

  —

  1991–92

  0.220

  —

  1992–93

  Edinburgh

  0.930

  —

  1991–92

  0.681

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.200

  1993–94

  —

  0.200

  1994–95

  Midlothian

  0.450

  —

  1992–93

  0.044

  —

  1993–94

  West Lothian

  0.208

  —

  1992–93

  0.100

  —

  1993–94

  Strathclyde

  Argyll and Bute

  0.250

  —

  1991–92

  0.200

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.220

  1993–94

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  0.124

  —

  1992–93

  Clydesdale

  0.040

  —

  1991–92

  0.270

  —

  1992–93

  0.110

  —

  1993–94

  —

  0.050

  1993–94

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  0.032

  —

  1991–92

  0.292

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.130

  1993–94

  —

  0.132

  1994–95

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0.285

  —

  1992–93

  0.150

  —

  1993–94

  0.120

  —

  1994–95

  Cunninghame

  0.144

  —

  1991–92

  0.405

  —

  1992–93

  0.156

  —

  1993–94

  Dumbarton

  0.413

  —

  1991–92

  0.247

  —

  1992–93

  0.080

  —

  1993–94

  East Kilbride

  0.130

  —

  1992–93

  Eastwood

  0.190

  —

  1992–93

  0.080

  —

  1994–95

  Glasgow

  0.900

  —

  1991–92

  0.775

  —

  1992–93

  0.250

  —

  1993–94

  0.600

  —

  1994–95

  Hamilton

  0.356

  —

  1992–93

  0.200

  —

  1994–95

  Inverclyde

  0.125

  —

  1991–92

  0.100

  —

  1992–93

  437

  Additional capital allocations £ million

  Local Authority

  HRA

  non-HRA

  Financial year

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  0.210

  —

  1991–92

  0.060

  —

  1992–93

  0.150

  —

  1993–94

  Kyle and Carrick

  0.625

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.150

  1994–95

  Monklands

  0.350

  —

  1992–93

  0.100

  —

  1993–94

  0.250

  —

  1994–95

  Motherwell

  0.200

  —

  1991–92

  0.367

  —

  1992–93

  Renfrew

  0.318

  —

  1991–92

  0.600

  —

  1992–93

  —

  0.016

  1992–93

  Strathkelvin

  0.160

  —

  1991–92

  0.050

  —

  1992–93

  Tayside

  Angus

  0.290

  —

  1992–93

  Dundee

  0.515

  —

  1991–92

  0.681

  —

  1992–93

  0.221

  —

  1993–94

  Perth and Kinross

  0.456

  —

  1992–93

  0.200

  —

  1993–94

  Islands Areas

  Orkney

  —

  0.135

  1992–93

  0.100

  —

  1993–94

  0.200

  —

  1994–95

  Shetland

  0.130

  —

  1992–93

  Western Isles

  0.120

  —

  1991–92

  0.220

  —

  1992–93

  1. HRA: Housing revenue account expenditure on authority's own stock.

  2. Non-HRA: non-housing revenue expenditure on other housing provision.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the health services that have been market tested by, or notified to, his Department and won by the private sector indicating(a) the location and (b) the organisation winning the tender. [40619]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: The list of contracts won by the private sector following market testing in the NHS in Scotland is set out in the table:

  Health board area

  Service type

  Contractor (Number of contracts)

  Argyll and Clyde

  Hotel Services

  Mediguard (1)

  Painting

  John Miller and Son (4)

  Capital Decorator (2)

  Trident Main Services (1)

  Grounds Maintenance

  Russell Landscape (1)

  Ayrshire and Arran

  Hotel Services

  Mediguard (1)

  Painting

  Baxter and Gillespie (4)

  Moss Painting (2)

  Financial

  Bank of Scotland (1)

  Transport

  Cochrane Leasing (1)

  Turner Hire Drive (1)

  Vehicle

  Maconochies of Kilmarnock

  Maintenance

  (1)

  Supplies

  Meadowhead Stores (1)

  Dumfries and

  Estates

  Crossan Electrical (1)

  Galloway

  Maintenance

  Fife

  Catering

  Sodexho (1)

  General Ancillary

  Initial Healthcare (1)

  Mediguard (2)

  438

  Health board area

  Service type

  Contractor (Number of contracts)

  Grampian

  Domestic

  Mediguard (4)

  Car Parking

  Securiguard Ltd. (1)

  Internal Audit

  Coopers and Lybrand (1)

  Occupational Health

  RGIT Health Ltd. (1)

  Care Management

  CHS (1)

  Greater Glasgow

  Domestic

  Hospital Hygiene (2)

  Sunlight (1)

  Initial Healthcare (4)

  Olscot Ltd. (3)

  Catering

  Sodexho (1)

  Portering

  Sunlight (4)

  Mediguard (1)

  Hospital Hygiene (2)

  Olscot Ltd. (1)

  Painting

  HAT Painting Ltd. (4)

  McLean and Speirs Ltd. (3)

  Fitzroy Building (1)

  Grounds Maintenance

  P and D Services (1)

  CBC Lands Division (4)

  OCS Cleanmaster Ltd. (1)

  Financial

  Bank of Scotland (1)

  Highland

  Laundry

  John O'Groat Co. Ltd. (2)

  Lanarkshire

  Portering

  Sunlight (1)

  Pall Mall Services (1)

  Hospital Hygiene (1)

  Multi-Services

  Sunlight (1)

  Initial Healthcare (2)

  Catering

  Mediguard (1)

  Estates Maintenance

  Serco Services Ltd. (1)

  Painting

  HPC Coating (2)

  Bell Decorating (1)

  Lothian

  Multi-Service

  Sodexho (1)

  Domestic

  Initial Healthcare (1)

  Catering

  Sodexho (1)

  Mediguard (1)

  Hotel Services

  Initial Healthcare (1)

  Painting

  HAT Painting Ltd (1)

  Estates Maintenance

  Drake and Scull (1)

  Engineering

  Drake and Scull (1)

  Shetland

  Hotel Services

  Gardner Merchant (1)

  Tayside

  General Ancillary

  Talorplan (1)

  Car Parking

  Securicor Guard Service (1)

  Laundry

  Gordons (1)

  Wheelchair Technical Support

  Archibald Young (1)

  Bankruptcy Petitions
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many petitions for bankruptcy have been begun by his Department for businesses with under 500 employees in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Since the enactment of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 1985, there has only been one case of sequestration, in 1992, in which the Secretary of State for Scotland was the petitioning creditor.

  Anuual Remuneration
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many individuals in(a) his Department,(b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies receive annual remuneration including benefits in kind exceeding (i) £100,000, (ii) £200,000 and (iii) £300,000each year since 1985–86. [40872]
  439
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Other than pension contributions, benefits in kind are not normally paid to staff in the Department, agencies and NDPBs. As members of the principal civil service pensions scheme, staff receive benefits in accordance with the scheme rules which have been deposited in the Library of the House.

  No individual in my Department or its agencies has received over £100,000 annual remuneration in the specified period. One employee in a non-departmental public body will receive marginally in excess of £100,000 in the financial year 1995–96.

  Salaries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the(a) lowest (b) highest full-time salary paid to any employee in his (i) Department, (ii) agencies and (iii) non-departmental public bodies in (1) 1994–95 and (2) 1995–96. [40873]

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: It is the Government's normal policy to publish civil servants' salaries in bands. On this basis, the information requested is as follows:

  Year

  Highest full-time salary £

  Lowest full-time salary £

  Department

  1994–95

  95,000–99,999

  4,000–4,999

  1995–96

  95,000–99,999

  4,000–4,999

  Agencies

  1994–95

  55,000–59,999

  4,000–4,999

  1995–96

  75,000–79,999

  4,000–4,999

  NDPBs

  1994–95

  95,000–99,999

  —

  1995–96

  100,000–104,999

  —

  The lowest salaries in the table are given to 16-year-olds in the most junior grades. Information on the lowest-paid salary paid in an NDPB could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Nurse Call Bell Systems
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines cover the operation of nurse call bell systems in NHS hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [39804]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is for individual trusts in Scotland, in the light of local circumstances, to determine their operational arrangements for nurse call systems and to ensure that they are brought to the attention of their staff during training and ward orientation. Technical guidance on call systems is contained in health technical memoranda 2015 "Bed Head Services", a copy of which will be placed in the Library.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is in a position to make a statement for a second round of bidding under the Scottish renewables obligation. [41845]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Following a consultation exercise earlier this year about the first order, the proposed second order would oblige ScottishPower and Hydro-Electric to secure more—about 70 to 80 MW—of their output from 440
  renewable sources. The consultation exercise showed broad support for the Government's approach to developing renewable energy.

  The first order led to 30 quality renewables projects with a total capacity of 76 MW securing contracts with ScottishPower and Hydro-Electric. I am now minded to make a second order under the Scottish renewables obligation in 1996. I hope that this proposed second order will again attract technically sound and innovative projects which will be even more competitive on price. If so, the second order is likely to be about the same size as the first. I see this as an opportunity for the renewables industry to show that it is responding to the challenges which it faces.

  My Department will be issuing further guidance shortly for prospective applicants. The two Scottish public electricity supply companies are currently assembling information and guidelines for parties interested in submitting schemes into SRO2. Applicants are invited to make contact now with the relevant Scottish company ie the one in whose area the development is proposed, to discuss any aspect of the process.

  Electricity Supplies
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many households in Scotland are estimated to be without a mains electricity supply. [41203]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend does not make such estimates.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Electromagnetic Radiation (Power Lines)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research he has been informed of on the relationship between electromagnetic radiation from power lines and cancer; and if he will make a statement. [39809]

  Mr. Eggar
  The most recent advice received about the alleged link between electromagnetic fields from power lines and cancer is a statement issued in March 1994 by the National Radiological Protection Board, based on a set of Scandinavian studies. These studies did not establish that exposure to EMF was a cause of cancer, although they provided some evidence to suggest that the possibility exists in the case of childhood leukaemia. A five-year study of the incidence of childhood cancers, taking into account a range of possible causes, is being conducted by the UK Co-ordinating Committee on Cancer Research, the results of which are expected in 1997.

  Trade Union Right Commissioner
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what overseas visits were carried out by the Commissioner for Rights of Trade Union Members and for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action during 1994–95; and what was the cost, duration and purpose of each visit. [40933]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  None.
  441

  Renewable Energy
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet able to make a statement on the outline arrangements for the fourth round of bidding for electricity from renewable sources of energy, known as NFFO-4. [41647]

  Mr. Page
  Following consultation earlier this year with over 50 associations and individual bodies with an interest in non-fossil fuel obligation orders in respect of renewable energy, I can now announce my outline policy proposals.

  Government policy is to work towards 1,500 MW DNC—declared net capacity—of new renewables-based generation capacity in the UK by 2000—and I shall continue with this broad aim. From current assessments, my Department expects that a total of 900 MW will commission and generate electricity under the first three renewables NFFO orders in England and Wales, from current Scottish and Northern Ireland—Sottish renewable order and Northern Ireland NFFO—orders, from prospective future SRO and NI-NFFO orders, and from capacity built outside NFFO/SRO arrangements. On this basis, a further 600 MW would be required to deliver the 1,500 MW policy and it is likely that this will be met by future orders for England and Wales. However, the working assumption is that only about two-thirds of projects, and capacity contracted under future NFFO arrangements will proceed to commissioning, with the implication that the level of obligations set in future orders beyond NFFO-3 will need to be about 50 per cent. higher than the capacity likely to be commissioned. I therefore expect that new NFFO orders for England and Wales of about 900 MW will be required to deliver the 600 MW of operational capacity. To the extent that it appears in later years that more or less capacity will commission under earlier NFFO orders or outside NFFO arrangements, I shall take that into account in setting the policy for future NFFO arrangements.

  I have considered the representations made to my Department on past and future arrangements, and have taken into account the practical considerations in making a series of further orders. I propose to make a fourth renewables order—NFFO-4—in early 1997 in respect of the 12 regional electricity companies in England and Wales in their capacity as public electricity suppliers, and one further order in 1998. I currently expect each of these orders to be for approximately 400 MW to 500 MW of new capacity, but will review these levels in the light of further estimates of capacity likely to come forward under the third order—NFFO-3—the quality and cost of the proposal received, and the expected degree of convergence towards the market price represented by those proposals, relative to average and marginal prices paid under NFFO-3. This new round of bidding for electricity from renewables, launched today, is expected to stimulate further convergence between electricity prices under NFFO and the market price for electricity—bringing electricity from renewables closer to the point where they can compete in the open market against conventional generation. I expect proposals to be even more competitive than under NFFO-3. I will be taking into account estimates of the percentage of projects in each technology band likely to go forward to commissioning in NFFO-4, but on the basis of past
  442
  experience would expect the fourth order to lead to construction and operation of a total of 300 MW to 400 MW of new capacity from all technology bands.

  In setting out the prospective technology bands, I have taken into account the extent to which available resources have or would be taken up by existing NFFO contracts, the extent of demonstration provided by those contracts, and the Department's priorities attached to demonstrating the use of other renewable energy fuels and technologies.

  For the NFFO-4 order, I am considering separate bands for new generating stations, based on

  Wind power: split into two bands, ie large windframs and small-clusters/single-machines, but with the split point at less than the 1.6 MW DNC used for NFFO-3;

  Hydro: from stations with a total capacity of less than 5 MW DNC;

  Landfill gas: from licensed sites where tipping was being carried our prior to 22 July 1993;

  Energy crops and/or forestry waste: by gasification-by-partial-combustion or pyrolysis;

  Municipal and industrial waste by fluidised-bed combustion: including the use of non-gaseous sewage-matter (up to 10 per cent. on a dry-weight basis);

  Municipal and industrial waste with combined-heat-and-power technology: including the use of non-gaseous sewage-matter (up to 10 per cent. on a dry-weight basis)

  Agricultural and food-processing waste by anaerobic digestion: food-processing waste limited to a maximum of 20 per cent. on a dry-weight basis.

  During the parliamentary passage of the Environment Bill, my right hon. Friend the then Minister for the Environment and Countryside stressed that the Government attached great importance to CHP schemes to help carry forward their energy efficiency policies. He explained that that was why the Government were seeking a power to include in a future NFFO/renewables order a technology band defined by reference to heat as well as electricity. The Environment Act, with the new power, became law before the summer recess. The new power enables me to consider a band based on municipal and industrial waste with combined heat and power. This gives generators with suitable schemes, with prospects of supplying substantial quantities of heat, the opportunity to bid into a specific CHP band. If suitable schemes come forward at a competitive price, I should be prepared to use the new power to include such a band.

  In order to promote diversity among developers of renewable energy projects, I reserve the right, as in NFFO-3, to limit the number of projects or capacity for which any particular developer can gain contracts in this fourth round of bidding.

  As with NFFO-3, my intention is that the NFFO-4 order should run for 15 to 20 years—as from early 1997. This would enable the RECs to offer generators premium payments for up to 15 years, with the difference between the NFFO contract price and the pool price being financed through the fossil fuel levy, paid by licensed electricity suppliers and reflected in electricity bills.

  I understand that the regional electricity companies expect to select projects through a competitive tendering process and that contracts will be offered to successful bidders at their bid price.
  443
  I am discussing prospective arrangements with the Director General of Electricity Supply and the regional electricity companies, to whom I shall in due course provide further guidance about my proposals in respect of the proposed NFFO—4 order. Confirmation of my outline policy proposals on NFFO—4, and the details of that further guidance to the RECs, will be published shortly in "Renewable Energy Bulletin No 6"—REB—6. I understand that the RECs expect to initiate the competitive tendering process shortly thereafter.

  Those project developers who have not already done so should contact:

  Renewable Energy Enquiries Bureau, ETSU, Harwell, OXII ORA

  (tel 01235 432450 or 433601, fax 012335 433131 or 432923 to put their name on the mailing list for REB-6. In addition, those project developers who have not already done so should also register their interest in NFFO-4, by letter or fax to:

  Non-Fossil Purchasing Agency Ltd

  Bamburgh House

  Market Street

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  NE1 6BH

  (fax 0191 210 2888 or 0191 210 2887)

  Generators with existing NFFO contracts need not register with the NFPA, as they will automatically be sent a copy of the information notes.

  The Office of Electricity Regulation has considered what site-specific evidence of the extent of the renewable energy resource it will require from developers when making their technical submissions for NFFO-4. I understand that Offer has decided that:
  developers of wind projects will be required to submit evidence of site wind resource over a minimum period of 12 months, which must include at least 13 weeks continual measurement on site which shall include measurements made over a winter period;
  developers of hydro projects will be required to submit evidence of site hydro capacity based on:

  i) the mean flow data for the water course covering a period of at least 15 years, available from the Institute of Hydrology; or

  i) 15-year rainfall data from a given catchment area, making due allowance for adsorption, run-off and evaporation rates, to calculate the river flow at the off-take point for the generating station; or

  iii) on-site data over a period of two years, normalised to the mean average rainfall over a period of at least ten years.

  developers of landfill gas projects will be required to submit evidence of on-site pumping trails over a period of not less than 30 days of continual measurement.

  The municipal and industrial waste with combined heat and power—MIW/CHP—band is intended for schemes which are capable of delivering substantial qualities of heat. I understand that, to this end, Offer has decided that developers of MIW/CHP schemes will be required to provide evidence of conditional contracts to supply heat—such contracts to be conditional upon their schemes being awarded NFFO contracts and going forward to commissioning—when making their economic/commercial submissions to Offer. The
  444
  existence of such contracts will form a part of Offer's will-secure test for CHP schemes.

  Developers will wish to ensure that they can meet these resource-determination/heat-contract requirements, when preparing their submissions.

  The document "Consultation on the NFFO Process—A Summary Report (1995)", which summarises the 53 written submissions, is available from the Renewable Energy Enquiries Bureau at ETSU, at the above address.

  The Government expect to decide the policy for the proposed NFFO-5 order after making the NFFO-4 order, in the light of the circumstances at the time. The NFFO-5 order will not necessarily have the same size or technology bands as the proposed NFFO-4 order.

  In line with my Department's policy of stimulating use of electronic communications, this statement is being made available via the Internet on the DTI world wide web "server" at "http://www.dti.gov.uk/nffo".

  Covert Operational Procurement Exhibition
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what(a) financial and (b) other assistance is given by Her Majesty's Government to the COPEX arms exhibition. [40095]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 27 October 1995]: No Her Majesty's Government financial or other assistance was given to the covert operational procurement exhibition which was held between 31 October and 2 November 1995 at Sandown park.

  Chemical Weapons Bill
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the outcome of the consultation on the draft Chemical Weapons Bill which was published by his Department on 19 July. [41649]

  Mr. Lang
  A revised draft taking account of the comments we have received has been published today and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

  EU Industrial Regeneration Funds
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for allocation of funds from the EU's Resider II programme to United Kingdom steel regions, following his Department's announcement of the UK's share of the EU industrial regeneration funds; and if he will make a statement. [40834]

  Mr. Eggar
  The European Commission's proposals of 4 October for the use of the European structural funds community initiatives reserve include an extra 60 mecu for the United Kingdom, and Gibraltar, for Konver, Resider, Rechar and Retex together.

  In accordance with articles 11 and 29a of Council regulations 4253/88, as amended by Council regulation 2082/93, the Commission's proposals and draft guidelines for the use of the reserve are to be submitted to the management committee for Community initiatives for an opinion, and for information to the European Parliament; and may then be amended. Only after that will member states be invited by the Commission to send applications

  445
  for assistance. At that stage, which is unlikely to be reached for some months, the Government will decide how they propose to use whatever definitive allocations to the UK have been decided.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff are currently employed in his Department and in related agencies on(a) temporary or casual employment contracts and (b) part-time employment contracts, given as an actual figure and as a proportion of the total work force, and what were the corresponding figures for five years ago. [41114]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Breakdown by Department and executive agency for 1 April 1995 of the number of permanent staff, the number of casual staff—that is, normally those engaged for a period of up to 12 months, but exceptionally up to two years—and of the number of part-time staff are presented in the civil service staff in post summary table for 1 April 1995, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Estimates on a comparable basis for 1 April 1990 have also been placed in the Library of the House.

  Lloyds Bank and Trustees Savings Bank Merger
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects a decision to be made on whether to refer the merger of Lloyds bank and the Trustees Savings bank to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he make a statement. [40948]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Director General of Fair Trading is currently considering the proposed merger and will advise my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in due course. A decision on whether or not it should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission will be taken once that advice is received.

  Small Businesses
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board Of Trade how many small businesses in each sector of the economy there were in each year since 1979. [40966]

  Mr. Page
  The most recent estimates of the number of small businesses by sector were published in "Small and Medium sized Enterprise (SME) Statistics for the United Kingdom, 1993" which is in the Library of the House. There are no comparable figures for earlier years.

  Ethnic Minority Business Initiative
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to replace the ethnic minority business initiative. [40964]

  Mr. Page
  My Department has no plans to replace the ethnic minority business initiative following the transfer of funding from the Home Office to the single regeneration budget. Financial support for ethnic minority initiatives continues to be available within the single regeneration budget administered by the Department of the Environment via regional Government offices. Business links have been established to provide a range of help to individual businesses, including ethnic minority businesses.
  446

  Loan Guarantee Scheme
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money(a) in real terms and (b) when adjusted for inflation has been invested in the loan guarantee scheme in each year since 1982–83. [40967]

  Mr. Page
  The table gives Government expenditure for each year, net of premium income and recoveries, in actual value and adjusted for inflation.

  Small firms loan guarantee scheme net expenditure

  £million

  Actual

  Adjusted to 1994 values

  1982–83

  10.8

  19.1

  1983–84

  27.2

  46.2

  1984–85

  32.9

  53.2

  1985–86

  27.1

  41.3

  1986–87

  11.5

  16.9

  1987–88

  3.5

  5.0

  1988–89

  3.8

  5.1

  1989–90

  5.6

  7.0

  1990–91

  16.5

  18.9

  1991–92

  27.5

  29.7

  1992–93

  19.2

  20.0

  1993–94

  12.8

  13.1

  1994–95

  16.2

  16.2

  Cash and Running Cost Limits
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether any changes will be made to his Department's cash limits and running cost limit for 1995–96. [41650]

  Mr. Lang
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the cash limit for class IV, vote 1—programmes and administration—will be increased by £9,512,000 from £1,233,829,000 to £1,233,341,000. This net increase results from:

  (i) the take up of running costs and capital end-year flexibility (£9,470,000, including £200,00 machinery of government transfer from class XVIII, vote 1);

  (ii) expenditure relating to the privatisation of the National Engineering Laboratory (£1,633,000);

  (iii) capital-related expenditure on videoconferencing (£1,000,000); and

  (iv) other miscellaneous changes (£169,000);

  offset by a reduction in provision to offset a corresponding increase on class IV, vote 4, £2,760,000. This increase will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Within this total, the gross running cost limit for the Department of Trade and Industry is being increased by £49,665,000 from £314,962,000 to £364,627,000. This change comprises:

  (i) the take up of £6,157,000 in running costs end-year flexibility as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82 offset by £1,253,000 for an increase in VAT refunds (£53,000) and the reclassification of expenditure (£1,200,000).

  (ii) £1,006,000 in respect of the contractorisation of the National Physical Laboratory.

  447

  (iii) machinery of government transfers from the former Employment Department (class V, vote 1) in respect of running costs (£38,849,000) and the Office of Manpower Economic (£1,573,000); and

  (iv) machinery of government transfers from the Cabinet Office: Office of Public Service (class XVIII, vote 1) of £5,580,000 offset by transfers to class XVIII, vote 1 from class IV, Vote 1, of £2,247,000.

  As a result of related machinery of government transfers, the DTI also becomes responsible for administering the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service running cost limit of £22,978,000.

  In addition, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class IV, vote 10 (Office of Gas Supply), will be increased by £1,188,000 from £5,352,000 to £6,540,000 and the gross running cost limit by £1,054,000 from £5,136,000 to £6,190,000. The increase is required for additional staff and running costs—as reflected in the explanatory and financial memorandum of the Gas Bill—for the additional duties placed on the director general by the licensing provisions of the new gas legislation.

  Additionally, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XVIII, vote 2 (science programme) will be increased by £8,606,000 from £1,284,246,000 to £1,292,852,000. This increase results from the take up of £5,606,000 in capital end-year flexibility as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82 and of £3,000,000 which is sought to take forward initiatives to strengthen partnerships with industry. This latter increase will be offset by a reduction in the end-year flexibility entitlement on class XVIII, vote 1 (Cabinet Office: Office of Public Service) running costs.

  Electricity Supply
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many households in England and Wales are estimated to be without a mains electricity supply. [41202]

  Mr. Page
  According to the English house condition survey of 1991, some 2,000 dwellings were without a mains electricity supply. The Welsh Office estimates that in 1993, less than 0.1 per cent. of households in Wales had no mains electricity supply.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the performance of the Patent Office since it became an agency. [41648]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Since the Patent Office became an agency in 1990, it has consistently met its financial objectives and has successfully introduced accruals accounting. It has reduced overhead costs—that is, the cost of common services, by 46 per cent. over five years—and has substantially reduced its overall cost base. Through savings passed on to the customer, fees have been held steady for the last three years. In addition to these financial improvements, it has focused heavily on quality and standards of service to its customers and was awarded a charter mark in 1993.
  448
  The Patent Office's performance as an agency has won recognition both within the UK and overseas. In recent years delegations from many different countries—Japan, China, Korea, the former Russian States, New Zealand, Canada and the USA—have visited the office to learn about its management and operational procedures. I therefore welcome the fact that Vice-President Gore referred specifically to the success of the British Patent Office as an executive agency in his decision to make the US Patent and Trademark Office the first of a series of agencies to be transformed into a performance-driven, customer-oriented organisation.

HEALTH

  Contraception
  Mrs. Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners have faxes; and what proportion of general practitioners were faxed with details of the warning on the seven brands of contraceptive pill. [39969]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Committee on Safety of Medicines' advice on oral contraceptives was sent by the Epinet electronic communication system to all directors of public health, who were asked to activate their established cascade arrangements to forward the message to: all family health services authorities to forward to all general practitioners; family planning doctors and nurses; medical directors of all hospital units within the district to cascade to appropriate hospital consultants in particular: obstetricians and gynaecologists; and the chief executive of the health authority. The detailed arrangements for cascading messages are determined locally. Precise information on the number of general practitioners who have faxes and the proportion who received details of the advice by fax is not available, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Asthma
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has that asthma attacks increase with increases in car pollution, with particular reference to nitrogen dioxide. [39892]

  Mr. Sackville
  The latest report of the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, "Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution", was published on 19 October. One of the report's main conclusions was that most asthmatic patients are unaffected by exposure to such levels of non-biological air pollution as commonly occur in the United Kingdom. A small number of patients experience clinally significant effects which occasionally require an increase in medication or attention by a doctor. In commenting specifically on exposure to traffic, the report stated that there was a consistent, although modest, association between exposure to traffic and asthma prevalence in children. Traffic pollution was a plausible explanation though socio-economic and other environmental factors could also play important roles. The report also concluded that nitrogen dioxide levels are
  449
  unlikely to be an important influence on daily variations in asthma occurrence.

  Copies of the report have been placed in the Library.

  Trent Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls have been made to the NHS helpline in the Trent regional health authority area for each month since its establishment; and how much has been spent in establishing, publicising and administering the helpline. [39444]

  Mr. Malone
  The tables detail the number of calls which the Trent regional health information service have received since its inception in April 1992 to September 1995 and the full contract price paid to Nottingham community health national health service trust to provide the service.

  The contract price includes the cost of publicising and administering the service. There was an established local health information service in Nottingham prior to the establishment of the national HIS network. The contract price for 1991–93 includes a sum of £66,000 to upgrade accommodation, furnishings and IT software prior to Nottingham community health NHS trust taking responsibility for providing the regional HIS.

  Illustration of the number of calls received by Trent Regional HIS since it was established in April 1992

  Month

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  April

  130

  837

  849

  1,604

  May

  141

  702

  864

  1,799

  June

  118

  731

  1,349

  1,893

  July

  134

  685

  1,052

  1,734

  August

  129

  735

  1,033

  1,717

  September

  285

  941

  1,715

  1,917

  October

  294

  750

  2,111

  n/a

  November

  393

  747

  1,951

  n/a

  December

  217

  466

  1,162

  n/a

  January

  529

  700

  2,023

  n/a

  February

  1,386

  780

  1,776

  n/a

  March

  1,110

  980

  1,916

  n/a

  Total

  4,866

  9,054

  17,801

  110,664

  1 To date.

  Illustrates the contract value between Trent regional health authority and Nottingham community health NHS trust for the provision of the regional freephone HIS

  Year

  Value of contract

  1992–1993

  £177,181 Includes £66,000 contribution towards upgrading accommodation, furniture and IT software.

  1993–1994

  £137,859 Includes £13,810 for an ethnic development outreach worker in Leicester.

  1994–1995

  £149,637 Includes £14,402 for an ethnic development outreach worker in Leicester.

  1995–96

  £155,193

  Dental Services
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of active registrations of capitation 450
  patients for dental treatment in (a) Doncaster, (b) Barnsley, (c) Rotherham and (d) Sheffield family health services authorities in the age categories (i) nought to two years, (ii) three to five years, (iii) six to nine years, (iv) 10 to 14 years, (v) 15 to 17 years and (vi) under 18 years as at 30 June for each of the last four years; and what was the take-up for each age group per 100 local population for each of the years. [39469]

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

  Salisbury National Health Service Trust
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration underlay the decision of Salisbury NHS trust to defer non-urgent elective admissions from Bath and Wiltshire health commission until April 1996; for what reasons it was able to admit similar patients referred by fundholding general practitioner practices; and what representations(a) his Department and (b) the NHS executive have made to the Salisbury trust about this issue. [40714]

  Mr. Sackville
  Non-urgent elective admissions from the health commission for Wiltshire and Bath have not been deferred until 1996. Patients from general practitioners whether fundholders or not are having routine operations at the trust. Routine admissions have been slowed to take account of an unexpected 15 per cent. increase in activity. The national health service executive is working closely with the trust to monitor progress.

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost of ministerial transport in each of the past five years; what allowance has been paid to Ministers who use their own vehicles; and what has been the cost in each of the past five years. [40741]

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is shown in the table. Information for financial years 1991–92 and 1993–94 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. For the financial year 1990–91 I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams) on 13 December 1993,Official Report, column 474. No allowances have been paid to Ministers who use their own vehicles.

  Financial year

  Total amount (£)

  1994–95

  280,536

  1993–94

  281,174

  Blood Service Staff
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the amounts awarded in each of the last three years in performance-related pay to management at the National Blood Authority's plasma fractionation centre; [40700]

  (2) if he will list the amounts awarded in each of the last three years in performance-related pay to management at each of the National Blood Authority's establishment. [40701]
  451
  Mr. Sackville
  These are matters for the National Blood Authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. J. Adey, the chief executive of the authority, for details.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number and total year's experience there of employees who left the national blood transfusion service over the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [39810]

  Mr. Sackville
  A total of 496 staff left the national blood service in the year ending 31 March 1995. Their length of service with the national blood service was as follows:

  Number

  Less than a year

  136

  At least 1 year, but less than 5 years

  190

  At least 5, but less than 10 years

  90

  At least 10, but less than 15 years

  25

  More than 15 years

  55

  I understand this staff turnover to be within the normal range in the service, in any one year.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on central functions of his Department on(a) staff salaries, (b) consultancy fees, (c) redundancies and (d) recruitment, in each of the last five years. [40695]

  Mr. Sackville
  Separately identifiable running cost expenditure by the Department of Health and its agencies on staff salaries, consultancy fees and recruitment is shown in the table.

  £ million

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Staff salaries

  103

  114

  127

  117

  113

  Consultancy fees

  18.4

  24.3

  18.4

  15.9

  18.5

  Recruitment

  —

  —

  0.80

  0.53

  0.37

  Live births to girls aged under 16 and conceptions to girls aged under 16 leading to maternities or to abortions under the Abortion Act 1967, by health region of usual residence 1985–94

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  Conceptions

  Live births

  Conceptions

  Live births

  Conceptions

  Live births

  Conceptions

  Live births

  Conceptions

  Live births

  England and Wales

  n/a

  1,401

  9,194

  1,365

  9,135

  1,303

  8,782

  1,261

  8,382

  1,317

  England

  n/a

  1,306

  8,684

  1,271

  8,590

  1,215

  8,246

  1,190

  7,922

  1,234

  Health Region:

  Northern and Yorkshire

  n/a

  229

  1,422

  244

  1,329

  199

  1,371

  233

  1,339

  240

  Trent

  n/a

  149

  994

  156

  961

  152

  927

  135

  907

  146

  East Anglia and Oxford

  n/a

  106

  813

  106

  816

  99

  720

  94

  749

  103

  North Thames

  n/a

  135

  942

  130

  936

  132

  900

  125

  823

  121

  South Thames

  n/a

  144

  995

  134

  963

  136

  863

  131

  861

  121

  South and West

  n/a

  132

  980

  117

  1,018

  127

  928

  120

  918

  129

  West Midlands

  n/a

  172

  1,215

  157

  1,155

  160

  1,111

  138

  1,029

  160

  North West

  n/a

  239

  1,323

  227

  1,412

  210

  1,426

  214

  1,296

  214

  Wales

  n/a

  95

  510

  94

  545

  88

  536

  71

  460

  83

  452
  The Department has had no compulsory redundancies. The cost of voluntary early requirements in 1994–95 was £700,000.

  Cambridge Military Hospital
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for health what additional resources will be made available to(a) North Hampshire health commission or (b) Bath and Wiltshire health commission to take account of the cost of transferring care for NHS patients from the Cambridge military hospital, Aldershot, and the RAF hospital, Wroughton, to NHS provider units. [40715]

  Mr. Sackville
  I am aware of the difficulties faced by North and Mid Hampshire health commission following the decision by the Ministry of Defence to close the Cambridge military hospital. The health commission has kept me in close touch with its programme for reproviding the Cambridge military hospital services.

  The implications for the NHS of the closure of the MOD hospitals are currently being discussed between the health commissions and the NHS executive.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of Cambridge military hospital and its present contribution to health services for NHS patients. [40433]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply given today by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces. The local health authorities are currently working closely with local national health service trusts and general practitioners to ensure that there is no break in local services and these services are provided to patients charter standards.

  Conceptions and Births
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of(a) conceptions and (b) births by region and nationally, among girls under the age of 16 years in each of the last 10 years. [40683]

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is shown in the table. Full data for 1994 are not yet available.
  453

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Conceptions

  Live births

  Conceptions

  Live births

  Conceptions

  Live births

  Conceptions

  Live births

  Conceptions

  Live births

  England and Wales

  8,634

  1,306

  7,822

  1,426

  7,254

  1,314

  7,243

  1,403

  n/a

  1,353

  England

  8,111

  1,231

  7,362

  1,335

  6,786

  1,241

  6,790

  1,325

  n/a

  1,251

  Health Region:

  Northern and Yorkshire

  1,413

  265

  1,274

  245

  1,156

  233

  1,160

  243

  n/a

  201

  Trent

  898

  152

  849

  160

  828

  173

  818

  156

  n/a

  164

  East Anglia and Oxford

  724

  84

  642

  111

  583

  97

  522

  97

  n/a

  90

  North Thames

  845

  118

  839

  130

  790

  120

  755

  143

  n/a

  121

  South Thames

  904

  136

  773

  150

  762

  129

  812

  150

  n/a

  137

  South and West

  938

  117

  778

  120

  695

  125

  717

  117

  n/a

  127

  West Midlands

  1,046

  136

  987

  171

  922

  157

  911

  190

  n/a

  200

  North West

  1,343

  223

  1,220

  248

  1,050

  207

  1,095

  229

  n/a

  211

  Wales

  523

  75

  460

  91

  468

  73

  453

  78

  n/a

  102

  >

  Boundaries are as at 1 April 1994.

  Data for England and Wales do not include evente to mothers who are normally resident outside England and Wales.

  Conceptions not leading to maternities or to abortions under the Abortion Act 1967 are not included in the statistics, as information about them is incomplete.

  Burials and Cremations
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bodies were buried or cremated by local authorities under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 in each of the past five years. [40587]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Psychiatric Care
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been killed by someone who has recently had psychiatric care(a) in 1995 and (b) in each year since 1979. [41109]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Chilled Foods
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Ministry is taking to ensure that chilled foods are safe to eat when bought.from retailers. [38928]

  Mr. Sackville
  We are committed to maintaining high standards of food safety. Revised Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995 were brought into force on 15 September 1995. Under the regulations, chilled foods which are likely to be harmful to health, because they support either the growth of pathogenic micro-organisms or the formation of toxins, must be kept at a maximum chill temperature of 8 deg. C. This requirement applies to food retailers. The regulations are enforced at local level by environmental health officers employed by local authorities.

  Neuroleptic Drugs
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the results of the prescription and use of neuroleptic drugs for mentally ill people. [39668]

  Mr. Bowis
  The introduction of neuroleptic drugs has been one of the most significant advances in psychiatry, facilitating the introduction of modern methods of care and enabling many mentally ill people to lead fuller and more productive lives.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have died following 454
  inappropriate prescription or dosage of neuroleptic drugs in each year since 1992–93. [39669]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Dunfermline, West (Ms Squire) on 27 April,Official Report, column 621.

  Neurosurgical Units>
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability of neurosurgical facilities in Sussex. [39801]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 8 June,Official Report, columns 307–308.

  Power Lines
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his assessment is of the risk to health of electromagnetic radiation from power lines; and if he will make a statement; [39800]

  (2) what research has been performed on the relationship between electromagnetic radiation from power lines and cancer; and if he will make a statement. [39803]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien) on 3 November 1994,Official Report, columns 1274–75.

  Nurse Call Bell Systems
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines cover the operation of nurse call bell systems in NHS trust hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [39802]

  Mr. Sackville
  It is for individual trusts to determine operational policies for nurse call systems in the light of local circumstances. Technical guidance is published in health technical memoranda 2015 "Bed Head Services", a copy of which will be placed in the Library shortly.

  NHS Management
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the average pay rise of NHS chief
  455
  executives for the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [39806]

  (2) what guidelines are in effect concerning the salary and employment conditions of NHS trust chief executives; and if he will make a statement. [39807]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on average pay rises of national health service chief executives is not available centrally. For those staff employed on the national terms and conditions for general and senior managers, basic salaries were last increased by 2.2 per cent. from 1 September 1994. The effect on the pay scales is set out in health service guideline, HSG(95)7, copies of which are available in the Library.

  NHS trust boards are accountable for the proper appointment, appraisal and remuneration of their senior executives and, as in all their functions, boards must have regard to the public service values of accountability, probity and openness enshrined in the codes of conduct and accountability issued to NHS boards in April 1994. The code of accountability requires all national health service boards to establish a remuneration and terms of service committee to exercise proper control of executive board members' remuneration.

  Needles
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make needles for the use of administering insulin available on prescription; and if he will make a statement. [39805]

  Mr. Malone
  Disposable syringes with attached needles are already available on general practitioner prescription.

  Hospitals (Voluntary Fundraising)
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the total income to the NHS from voluntary fundraising in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [40431]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Blood Products
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the final destinations of all blood products from United Kingdom donors which have been sold abroad; and if he will make a statement; [40435]

  (2) if he will list all blood products by type, from United Kingdom donors, which have been sold by Bio-Products Laboratory; and if he will make a statement. [40436]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Bio-Products Laboratory, which is part of the National Blood Authority, offers surplus blood products for sale abroad only after national health service demand is satisfied. The only blood product where present availability significantly exceeds NHS demand is albumin, although small quantities of factor 8 and factor 9 are sometimes surplus to NHS requirements. The products are exported worldwide. This avoids waste of a valuable resource and keeps down costs to the NHS. The alternative would be destruction.
  456

  Medical Cost Inflation
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will define medical cost inflation; and what has been the rate of medical cost inflation in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [40416]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department has no measure of medical cost inflation. Health service specific inflation is calculated as a combination of hospital and community health services pay and price inflation. Pay inflation is defined as the change in units costs for HCHS staff weighted by the share of expenditure on each staff group. Price inflation is defined as the change in the prices of goods and services in the health service weighted according to the share of expenditure on each area.

  The table shows HCHS inflation from 1984–85 to 1993–94.

  Year

  HCHS inflation estimate

  1984–85

  5.8

  1985–86

  4.9

  1986–87

  7.0

  1987–88

  8.5

  1988–89

  10.6

  1989–90

  6.3

  1990–91

  8.7

  1991–92

  10.1

  1992–93

  6.9

  1993–94

  3.4

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the regional variations in the percentage of general practitioners that have become fundholders. [40920]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Derby South (Mrs. Beckett) on 24 May,Official Report, column 597.

  Anderson Fabry Disease
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what treatment is available through the national health service for patients with Anderson Fabry disease; at which NHS trusts treatment can be obtained; and if he will make a statement. [40921]

  Mr. Sackville
  Anderson Fabry disease is a rare inherited disorder of metabolism for which there is no known cure. Treatment of the various symptoms of the disease is a matter of clinical judgment and varies according to the individual case. The availability of services for such treatment is a matter for local determination.

  Mental Health Act 1983
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elderly people of pensionable age have made formal complaints of wrongful detention under the mental health Acts in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [40922]
  457
  Mr. Bowls
  We do not collect this information, but I am advised by the Mental Health Act Commission, which has the statutory duty of protecting the interests of patients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, that in its experience it is extremely rare for a patient to be detained illegally.

  Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many orthopaedic operations will be subcontracted to other hospitals by Bradford Hospitals NHS trust; [41072]

  (2) what has been the percentage change in funding available to Bradford hospital NHS trust in the current financial year; and what has been the increase in operations required to be carried out. [41071]

  Mr. Sackville
  There are matters for Bradford Hospitals national health service trust. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. Rodney Walker, chairman of the trust, for details.

  Hip Replacement Operations
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are awaiting hip replacement operations in Bradford; and what is the average waiting time. [41075]

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for Bradford health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mrs. Zahida Manzoor, chairman of the authority, for details.

  Orthopaedic Surgeons
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the timescale for recruitment of the target number of orthopaedic surgeons required by Bradford to meet the demand for orthopaedic operations. [41073]

  Mr. Malone
  This is a matter for Northern and Yorkshire regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. John Greetham CBE, chairman of the authority, for details.

  GP Lists
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been removed from their doctor's list by decision of the doctor in each of the last five years. [37636]

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were removed from general practitioner lists by family health services authorities; and if he will indicate the reasons for their removal in 1993–94 and 1994–95. [40664]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: Available data held centrally relate only to the years 1992–93 and 1993–94 and are contained in health service indicators, a copy of which is in the Library.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Salaries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what is the(a) lowest and (b) highest full-time salary paid
  458
  to any employee in his (i) Department, (ii) agencies and (iii) non-departmental public bodies. [41078]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 1 November by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service,Official Report, column 324.

  Annual Remuneration
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the number of individuals in his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies whose annual remuneration including benefits in kind exceeded (i) £100,000, (ii) £200,000 and (iii) £300,000. [41077]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 1 November,Official Report, column 324 by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service.

  Regulations
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimates he has made of the compliance costs for small businesses of regulations introduced since April 1992. [40480]

  Mr. Freeman
  The information requested is not available. As part of its approach to producing good regulation, the Government have adopted the deregulation task force's principle of "think small first" which means making sure that regulations will not have a disproportionate impact on small businesses. The Government have incorporated the "small business litmus test" as part of the compliance cost assessment procedure to give practical effect to this principle which is carried out on all regulatory proposals which impact on business. The results of the test are included in individual compliance cost assessments on regulatory proposals which are available in the House Libraries.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many regulations carried into law since 1979 have been identified by the deregulation unit as suitable for repeal. [39845]

  Mr. Freeman
  We have identified over 1,000 regulations for amendment or repeal, but information about the date each regulation was carried into law is not centrally held. By adopting the deregulation task force's principles of good regulation—"think small first", proportionality, and goal-based regulation—we aim to get regulation right first time. We believe that the effects of legislation should be regularly monitored and reviewed and changes made if they are justified.

  Grants
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what grant-giving funds his Department is responsible, requiring a private sector contribution, where the use of national lottery funds is not allowed to count towards that private sector portion. [38596]

  Mr. Horam
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage on 1 November,Official Report, columns 186–87.
  459

  Recruitment
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many applications have been received in the last five years for civil service posts at executive officer grade or above from applicants aged over 45 years; and how many of those were from women. [40212]

  Mr. Horam
  Since 1991 such departments and agencies have been responsible for their own recruitment, within the framework laid down by the civil service order in Council 1995 and the recruitment code issued by the Civil Service Commissioners. Figures on applicants are not centrally collected. However, in the past five years among external applicants to "fast stream" posts, the average proportion of women applicants has been 41 per cent., and in the last year women have made up 10 per cent. of external applicants for posts at the current grade 5 level and above. No figures are available about the number of applicants aged over 45 years.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many and what percentage of applications for civil service posts at executive officer grade or above in the last five years by persons aged 45 years or older were successful; and how many of those were from women. [40213]

  Mr. Horam
  Figures on applicants are not centrally collected. However in the last five years more than 18 per cent. of entrants to the civil service at executive officer level and above have been age 45 and over.

  Year

  All entrants at EO level and above

  Of whom aged 45 and over

  Of whom over women

  1990–91

  8,524

  1,344

  173

  1991–92

  7,041

  1,228

  165

  1992–93

  5,845

  1,037

  163

  1993–94

  5,159

  1,055

  114

  1994–95

  4,322

  998

  139

  I can add that over the last five years, in external recruitment to "fast stream" posts, women have formed an average of 41 per cent. of applicants and 37 per cent. of successful applicants. In the last four years, women have made up 45 per cent. of successful external applicants for senior appointments. Equivalent figures are not available about the number of applicants aged over 45 years.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been(a) applied for and (b) spent under objective 3 of the European structural fund. [40932]

  Mr. Forth
  The information requested is as follows:

  1994:

  (a) applied for from the Commission, final total - £352,842,016

  (b) paid to applicants so far—£290,645,724

  460

  1995:

  (a) applied for from the Commission so far—£207,949,790

  (b) paid to applicants so far £139,068,016

  Student Loans
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent discussions her Department has had with lending banks and building societies regarding the provision of student loans. [41131]

  Mr. Forth
  Such talks have taken place and are continuing. It would be premature to discuss the details now, but any announcement relating to them will be made to the House at the appropriate time.

  Skill Needs Survey
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what was the original date for intended publication of the "Skill Needs in Britain 1995" survey; and when it is now expected to be published. [40931]

  Mr. Forth
  It was originally planned that the work of this survey should be completed by the end of September. It is now expected that the contractor will publish the report in December.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Egg Production
  Mr. Atkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in getting the Commission to move forward its review of the use of battery cages in egg production. [38927]

  Mrs. Browning
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has pressed Commissioner Fischler to bring the matter forward during 1996. The Commissioner has indicated that he will try to do this.

  Western Waters
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in securing adequate control measures for access to the western waters. [38937]

  Mr. Baldry
  The agreement at the Fisheries Council last week was a considerable negotiating success in which our essential concerns were met. The control arrangements which will operate in western waters from 1 January 1996 are realistic and will allow effective monitoring and control with a significantly reduced burden on fishermen compared with what would have resulted from the Commission's original proposals.

  Fishing
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to involve United Kingdom fishermen in discussions on future developments in the industry. [38938]
  461
  Mr. Baldry
  I hold frequent meetings with representatives of the fishing industry and it is my intention to meet the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations on a regular basis as well as visiting ports and meeting local fishermen.

  Norwegian Territorial Waters
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many United Kingdom-registered fishing vessels have fished in Norwegian territorial waters in the past three years; and what estimate he has made of the number of fishing vessels from other member states of the European Union fishing those grounds. [38940]

  Mr. Baldry
  The numbers of UK vessels that have fished in the Norwegian exclusive economic zone are:

  284 in 1992

  271 in 1993, and

  248 in 1994.

  We are seeking from the European Commission equivalent figures for other member states.

  Mushrooms
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to promote British mushrooms. [38941]

  Mr. Boswell
  We promote mushrooms and all other British produce at every opportunity.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate the EU Commission has published about CAP spending in 1996; and what is the legal limit of such spending. [38943]

  Mr. Baldry
  The 1996 draft budget for common agricultural policy expenditure has been set at the level of the guideline of 40,828 million ecu or £34,069 million. This is the legally binding ceiling on CAP expenditure.

  Mr. Callaghan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of CAP fraud were recorded in the EU in 1994. [38945]

  Mr. Baldry
  In 1994, there were 1,610 cases, valued at £313 million, of CAP irregularities, which include fraud, reported across the Community.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the total cost of the CAP in 1996. [38950]

  Mr. Baldry
  The 1996 draft budget for the common agricultural policy has been set at the level of the guideline of 40,828 million ecu, £34,069 million. The CAP also imposes a cost on consumers but the scale of this cannot be assessed in advance.

  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the average change in the price of foodstuffs arising from the common agricultural policy. [41448]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Recent reports that the prices of milk, sugar and beef are more than doubled by the common agricultural policy are exaggerated and misleading. They appear to be based on an inaccurate 462
  understanding of the OECD's consumer subsidy equivalent. This is a measure of the subsidy element in farm gate prices and relates to the degree to which farm gate prices exceed reference or "world" prices. The recently published estimates wrongly apply the CSE percentage for various commodities to retail prices instead of to farm gate prices. Because the farm gate price is only a fraction of the retail price, the effect of the CAP on the latter is necessarily considerably lower. This would be smaller still if it were possible to take account in calculating CSEs of the fact that world prices would be higher in the absence of the CAP.

  We have placed in the Library a note demonstrating that overall costs of the CAP to United Kingdom citizens in 1993 were about £4 per person per week, of which about £3 is due to higher food prices. Even this estimate is likely to be on the high side because the effects of the CAP on world prices have not been taken into account. However the cost of the CAP, and its effect on food prices, is one of the reasons why the Government are pressing for its reform.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the level of hill livestock compensatory allowances. [38946]

  Mr. Boswell
  On 26 October, I met the members of the Hill Farm Advisory Committee. The level of hill livestock compensatory allowances was discussed. Later today, Agriculture Ministers will meet representatives of the farming unions in the context of the autumn review of economic conditions in the hills and uplands which considers the rates of payment and conditions for the HLCA scheme in the approaching year. In addition, officials have met a number of other organisations whose members have an interest in the HLCA scheme to hear their views on this subject.

  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement in the importance of hill livestock compensatory allowances to the maintenance of communities in remote areas. [38949]

  Mr. Boswell
  It is difficult to determine precisely the importance of hill livestock compensatory allowances to the maintenance of communities in remote areas. However, the deadline in the labour force on agricultural holdings in the less-favoured areas over recent years has been slower than the decline in other areas. The contribution which the HLCA scheme makes to hill farm output has declined from 9 per cent. in 1992–93 to 6 per cent. in 1994–95. Other direct subsidies are now much more significant than they were; direct headage payments to livestock farmers in the hills and uplands are expected to amount to £615 million, of which £107 million will come from HLCA payments.

  Fish Conservation
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that control systems applicable to fish conservation measures are equally applicable throughout EU countries. [38947]

  Mr. Baldry
  The Commission is responsible for ensuring that member states have in place effective
  463
  systems for monitoring compliance with the common fisheries policy. its powers of audit were enhanced in 1993 and the Commission will shortly be reporting on the enforcement performance of member states during 1994.

  Dairying
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met representatives of the dairy industry to discuss employment levels in the industry. [38948]

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. Friend the Minister regularly meets representatives of all sides of the agriculture industry, including the dairy sector, to discuss issues of importance to them.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures are in place to prevent meat from animals with tuberculosis from entering the human food chain. [38931]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 deal comprehensively with the meat supply aspects of this important issue of food safety and consumer protection in Great Britain.

  Agricultural Land
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of agricultural land is currently in food production; how many acres this represents; and if he will make a statement. [39340]

  Mrs. Browning
  The provisional results for England from the June 1995 agricultural census show an estimated 8,818,000 hectares, of land to be devoted to crop production, involving bare fallow, grassland and rough grazing. This is 90 per cent. of agricultural area. The remaining 10 per cent. 995,000 hectares is accounted for by set-aside scheme land, woodland and all other land on agricultural holdings.

  Statistics of previous years are available in "The Digest of Agricultural Census Statistics" which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Fish Stocks
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will apply to the structural fund for a subsidy for British fishermen for loss of fishing opportunities owing to inadequate quotas. [40601]

  Mr. Baldry
  Structural fund assistance may be used only to finance measures to offset the loss of income suffered as a result of a temporary cessation of fishing activities caused by unforeseen and non-repetitive events. Under the principle of relative stability, the UK has a guaranteed percentage share of the annual total allowable catches agreed in EU and north Atlantic waters. But the actual level of TACs reflects the pressure of fishing effort on available stocks. The UK is providing a total of £53 million for decommissioning to help reduce this pressure.
  464

  Forestry
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all Forestry Commission woods currently for sale in England; and if he will make a statement on the targets for the disposal of land by(a) area and (b) projected income. [40675]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary for Scotland gave the hon. Member for Sherwood (Mr. Tipping) on 25 October, Official Report, columns 685–87. As set out in the Government's expenditure plans 1995–96 to 1997–98, the Forestry Commission plans to sell about 15,000 hectares of forest land in each of the next three years, and expects to receive a total of about £60 million from the sale of forest land and surplus properties during that period. The Commission expects about 15 per cent. of these sales to be in England.

TRANSPORT

  Road and Bridge Maintenance
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list(a) the number of kilometres of motorway renewed, (b) the number of kilometres of trunk road renewed, (c) the number of bridges assessed for structural capacity and (d) the number of bridges strengthened by his Department in each of the financial years since 198990 including plans for the current year. [41194]

  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. Graham Allen, dated 2 November 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will list (a) the number of kilometres of motorway renewed, (b) the number of kilometres of trunk road renewed, (c) the number of bridges assessed for structural capacity and (d) the number of bridges strengthened by his Department in each of the financial years since 1989–90 including plans for the current year.
  The information requested for financial years 1989–90 to 1992–93 can be found in "Transport Report 1994—The Government's Expenditure Plans 1994–95 to 1996–97", Cm 2506, presented to Parliament in March 1994. For subsequent years the figures are as follows:-

  1993–94 outturn

  1994–95 outturn

  1995–96 plans

  Motorway renewal (nlks1)

  234

  277

  134

  Other Trunk Road renewal (nlks1>)

  293

  563

  261

  Bridges assessed

  1,793

  1,254

  820

  Bridges strengthened

  46

  164

  86

  1 Nearside lane kilometres.

  Driving Tests
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 27 October 1995 to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice),
  465
  Official Report, column 865, what percentage of people taking the driving test fail after the (a) first, (b) second, (c) third, (d) fourth, (e) fifth, or (f) at their sixth or subsequent attempts. [41058]

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

  Letter from B. L. Herdan to Mr. Peter Bottomley, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the percentage of people taking the driving test who fail. We do not routinely collect this information as it does not directly affect the operation of the Agency.
  For consistency of testing, and in fairness to the candidate, it is preferable if the examiner is not made aware of the number of previous attempts a candidate has made at a test. The overall failure rate on driving test in the last two financial years was:

  1993–94: 52%

  1994–95: 53%

  As part of our third Customer Survey, completed in March this year—the results of which were published in July, we asked a random sample of all our customers whether it was their first test or a repeat attempt. Of 1,187 people in the sample who had recently taken their driving test, 29% (340) had just failed and of these failures 26% (88) were at the first attempt, 34% (114) at the second, 21% (72) at the third, 9% (30) at the fourth, 6% (19) at the fifth and 5% (17) were at their sixth or subsequent attempt.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish the results of his survey on illegally operated heavy goods vehicles; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [41196]

  Mr. Norris
  A report on the Vehicle Inspectorate's survey of illegally operated heavy goods vehicles will be made available by the end of this year. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Artillery Ranges
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) pursuant to his answer of 19 July 1995,Official Report, column 1323, when he will write to his hon. Friend; [41034]

  (2) when his research project at the Transport Research Laboratory on the effects on drivers of sudden noise from artillery ranges will be completed. [41132]

  Mr. Watts
  The Transport Research Laboratory has completed its research programme and expects to finalise its report shortly. The Highways Agency will provide my hon. Friend with a copy of the report as soon as it is available.

  Road Improvement Schemes
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of contracts awarded and their value for major improvement schemes on the trunk road and motorway network in each financial year since 1989–90, including plans for the current year. [41195]

  Mr. Watts
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
  466
  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 2 November 1995:
  As you know, John Watts has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, to list the number of contracts awarded and their value for major improvement schemes on the trunk road and motorway network in each financial year since 1989–90 and our plans for the current year.
  The number and value of contracts for major improvement schemes awarded in each of the past 5 financial years is shown in the table below. The contracts included are those worth in excess of £5m and the total contract values are those at the time of contract award.

  Financial year

  Number of contracts

  Value of contracts

  1990/91

  27

  £515m

  1991/92

  20

  £500m

  1992/93

  14

  £543m

  1993/94

  29

  £762m

  1994/95

  13

  £555m

  Our plans for the current year are set out in Annex B of the Agency's Business Plan for 1995/96 a copy of which I enclose for your information.I also enclose a copy of the first Annual Report of the Highways Agency which sets out the progress made in the first full year of its existence.

  Shipping (Waste Audit)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce mandatory checks, by way of a waste audit, for all ships calling at British ports. [40412]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about mandatory checks, by way of a waste audit, for all ships calling at British Ports.
  Internationally agreed regulations within the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78) require that properly maintained oil record books are available for inspection on ships. Oil tankers are required to carry records of their cargo and bilge pumping operations whilst other ships are required to have a record of bilge pumping. To ensure that these requirements and other safety measures are met, the United Kingdom (UK), in co-operation with European neighbours, has introduced port state control procedures. Under these procedures port state control inspectors can, by examining the book, trace the fate of all oils loaded on board ships.
  Recent amendments to the international regulations (MARPOL 73/78) include a requirement for garbage record books. The UK has been at the forefront of that development and it is anticipated that requirements will be transposed into UK statute when they come into effect in 1997. Other recent amendments to MARPOL 73/78 will call for additional monitoring of potentially polluting shipboard operations. The effects of those amendments will be audited to establish whether further controls are necessary.

  Salaries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the(a) lowest and (b) highest full-time salary paid to any employee in his (i) Department,

  467
  (ii) agencies and (iii) non-departmental public bodies in (1) 1994–95 and (2) 1995–96. [40869]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: It is the Government's normal policy to publish civil servants' salaries in bands. Accordingly the highest and lowest full time salaries fell within the following bands:

  1994–95£

  1995–96£

  Central Department

  Highest

  95,000 to 99,999

  95,000 to 99,999

  Lowest

  under 5,000

  5,000 to 9,999

  Agencies

  Highest

  100,000 to 104,999

  100,000 to 104,999

  Lowest

  under 5,000

  under 5,000

  Information for non-departmental public bodies is not immediately available and I will write to you separately with those figures.

  Annual Remuneration
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many individuals in(a) his Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies received annual remuneration including benefits in kind exceeding (i) £100,000, (ii) £200,000 and (iii) £300,000 in each year since 1985–86. [40868]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Other than pension contributions, benefits in kind are not normally paid to staff in the department, agencies and NDPBs. As members of the principal civil service pension scheme, staff receive benefits in accordance with the scheme rules which have been deposited in the Library of the House. In the Department and its agencies only one person currently receives an annual remuneration above £100,000. This was also the case in 1994–95 and 1993–94. Before that no-one received £100,000 or more. No one has received £200,000 or above.

  Information for non-departmental public bodies is not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Member separately with those figures.

  Oil Dumping at Sea
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he intends to take to prevent tankers dumping oil at sea following the recent pollution incident at Flamborough Head. [39337]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 27 October 1995]: This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Elliot Morley, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the recent pollution incident at Flamborough Head.
  The UK operates routine aerial surveillance to detect and deter illegal discharges. This was identified by Lord Donaldson in his report on the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping as an important tool in deterring vessels from discharging illegally.
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  The UK, as a member of the Bonn Agreement, works closely with other contracting States to conduct joint surveillance of the North Sea. At the forth North Sea Conference in June, Ministers agreed to work on ways of making aerial surveillance a more effective deterrent against illegal discharges. The UK is also committed, together with other North Sea states, to the aim of designating the North Sea a special area for the purposes of oil pollution. Special area status will mean that all oil discharges in the North Sea will be illegal once the agreement is implemented.

  Ferry Safety
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have been killed while travelling on board United Kingdom ferries over the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [40303]

  Mr. Norris
  Four.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are employed on ferry safety inspections; and if he will make a statement. [40304]

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

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of staff employed on ferry safety inspections.
  All Marine Safety Agency (MSA) surveyors, with the exception of fishing vessel surveyors, are available to carry out port state and flag state inspections, but the number of surveyors engaged on inspections will vary from district to district according to the availability of ships for inspection and other duties. Surveyors are not restricted to carrying out inspections within one district. Concentrated inspections involve surveyors from outside the region in which the inspection takes place and the team inspecting fish factory ships anchored off Lerwick may be comprised of surveyors from regions outside Scotland. For this reason, it is more accurate to give figures not by district, but for the MSA as a whole.
  In 1994/95, 75 MSA surveyors were engaged in survey and inspection work, out of a total of 129 surveyors in post.

  Night Flights
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he has taken to limit night flights in the south-east; what is(a) the current and (b) the proposed fine for flying at the wrong hours and on the wrong course. [40712]

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend may specify restrictions on aircraft taking off or landing at aerodromes designated for the purposes of section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982. The only airports so designated are Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. For all other airports, such as Luton and London City, night restrictions may be imposed voluntarily by the airport operator or may be imposed by planning conditions.

  Since 24 October 1993, night restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted have comprised a maximum number of movements which can be made at each airport each season with a quota, related to an aircraft's noise classification on take-off or landing, as a supplementary control designed to encourage the use of quieter aircraft. The movements limits and quotas apply during the night quota period from 2330 to 0600. There are also restrictions on the noisiest types of aircraft from 2300 to

  469
  2330 and from 0600 to 0700 to provide further protection. Further details are set out in the annex to my announcement of 16 August 1995, a copy of which was placed in the House Library. Monitoring returns are provided by the airport companies to their respective airport consultative committees.

  At the designated airports, my right hon. Friend also prescribes noise preferential departure routes and sets noise limits for departing aircraft. There are no statutory powers to penalise poor track keeping on the noise preferential routes. Financial penalties for infringements of the noise limits are imposed by the airport companies under their charging powers. The financial penalties for breaches of the night noise limit-102 PNdB, 89 dBA—are £500 for exceeding the limit by 3dB or less and £1,000 for breaches of more than 3dB. On 3 October, we published a consultation paper proposing a 2dB reduction in the night limit and a 3dB reduction in the daytime limit plus an improvement in monitoring efficiency by increasing the number of noise monitors and improving their location.

  City of Nottingham Authority
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes will take place on transport matters when the city of Nottingham becomes a unitary authority; and if he will make a statement. [40914]

  Mr. Norris
  On becoming a unitary authority, the city of Nottingham would become a highway and traffic authority, with direct responsibility for the local roads in its area. In exercising these and its existing responsibilities we would expect the new authority to work closely with its neighbours at the strategic level to deliver improved local transport services.

  Robin Hood Railway Line
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the Robin Hood railway line of price competition between bus companies covering the route; and if he will make a statement. [40913]

  Mr. Norris
  I am aware of the very keen price competition between bus operators covering the route of the Robin Hood line, in particular between Hucknall and Nottingham. Nottinghamshire county council, which has sponsored the reopening of the Robin Hood line, is closely monitoring the position.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money(a) his Department, (b) the EC, (c) the county council, (d) local councils and (e) other partners have put into the Robin Hood line to date; and what amounts will have been paid by the completion of the line. [40987]

  Mr. Norris
  The capital cost of constructing stages 1 and 2 of the Robin Hood line has been around £23 million. My Department has so far provided £6.5 million from the coal regeneration fund towards the construction of stage 2 and £367,000 towards the construction of Bulwell station in stage 1. Around £4.5 million is expected from the EC and the majority of the remainder 470
  has been provided by Nottinghamshire county council, which is the sponsor of the scheme, with contributions from the district councils. My Department is currently considering the case for further resources to cover capital cost increases on stage 2.

  Traffic Wardens
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what policies exist or are proposed to transfer the functions of traffic wardens to local authorities. [40983]

  Mr. Norris
  The Road Traffic Act 1991 provided for the decriminalisation of most non-endorsable on-street parking offences and for local authorities to take over enforcement responsibilities from traffic wardens. The new arrangements apply in all London boroughs, although traffic wardens continue to enforce parking controls on red routes. The Government published guidance in May this year for local authorities outside London on how to apply to the Secretary of State to take on this responsibility.

  Local Authority Transport Policy Funding
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes have taken place in the Government's policy on financing local authority transport policies since 1979. [40981]

  Mr. Norris
  The most recent change in the Government's approach to the financing of local transport was the introduction of the package approach to funding in 1994–95. This enables local authorities to submit bids for packages of measures covering all forms of transport, and to do so in partnership with each other if they wish.

  Information on earlier changes to the local transport financing system could be produced only at disproportionate cost. My Department publishes guidance on funding to local authorities in its annual transport policies and programme circulars, copies of which are deposited in the Library of the House.

  Nottingham Light Rapid Transit System
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what decisions are outstanding by his Department that are delaying the building of the light rapid transit system in Nottingham. [40984]

  Mr. Norris
  My Department has, at present, no outstanding decisions to make on the Nottingham express transit scheme. DOT officials have provisionally agreed Nottingham's section 56 appraisal and look forward to working closely with the recently appointed NET project development group over the coming year. Government funding for this scheme will of course depend on confirmation of the case for funding, the resources available at the time and the quality of competing bids for other local transport schemes.

  Grants
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what grant-giving funds his Department is
  471
  responsible, requiring a private sector contribution, where the use of national lottery funds is not allowed to count towards that private sector portion. [38610]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer to the answer given by the Minister for National Heritage on 31 October 1995,Official Report, columns 186–87.

  Severn Bridge
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what monitoring is in place to ensure that any fracturing of the strata due to compressive forces, or from other causes, as a result of the construction and subsequent use of the new Severn bridge is brought to(a) his Department's and (b) public attention; what investigations were undertaken prior to its construction to determine the risk of damage to underlying strata and fresh water resources; and what indemnity has been agreed to cover any such damage and for the Government to undertake corrective measures. [40139]

  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. William Ross, dated 2 November 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, what guarantees or undertakings for compensation where given by the Government to (a) contractors, (b) companies and (c) consultants involved with the construction and use of the new Severn Bridge crossing in respect of (i) pollution and (ii) future pollution to the supply of fresh water from the aquafissure Big Spring Severn Tunnel for supply to industrial and commercial undertakings.
  No guarantees or undertakings for compensation were given by Government to any of the contractors, companies or consultants involved in the construction and use of the new Severn Bridge in respect of pollution or future pollution to the supply of fresh water from the Great Spring.
  Any claims for compensation arising out of a breach of the Concessionaire's obligations under the Concession Agreement would be met by the Concession Company, Severn River Crossing Plc, under the terms of its Concession Agreement with the Secretary of State.
  This situation applies both during the construction period and for the duration of the subsequent operation period which under the terms of the Concession Agreement is for a maximum of 30 years from April 1992.
  Guarantees, undertakings and assurances in relation to monitoring and/or compensation were however given during the passage of the enabling legislation, the Severn Bridges Act 1992, to third parties who could be adversely affected by any pollution to the fresh water in the Great Spring that was attributed the construction of the new Severn Bridge. Such parties included British Rail, Welsh Water, NRA and Messrs Whitbreads.

  Mr. Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guarantees or undertakings for compensation were given by the Government to(a) contractors, (b) companies and (c) consultants involved with the construction and use of the new Severn bridge crossing in respect of (i) pollution and (ii) future pollution to the supply of fresh water from the aquafissure Big Spring Severn tunnel for supply to industrial and commercial undertakings. [40142]

  Mr. Watts
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
  472
  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. William Ross, dated 2 November 1995:
  As you know, John Watts has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport what monitoring is in place to ensure that any fracturing of the strata due to compressive forces, or from other causes, as a result of the construction of, and the subsequent use of the new Severn Bridge is brought to (a) his Department's and (b) public attention; what investigations were undertaken prior to its construction to determine the risk of damage to underlying strata and fresh water resources; and what indemnity has been agreed to cover any such damage and for the Government to undertake corrective measures.
  Monitoring systems are in place to monitor the effects of the new bridge on both the Severn Rail Tunnel and the Great Spring. These are provided by Severn River Crossing (SRC) Plc under the terms of the Concession Agreement. The regular and frequent results of the monitoring exercise are provided to all parties concerned including their Government Agent on behalf of the Secretary of State. There are no specific arrangements to bring the results of the monitoring to the attention of the public.
  The Government commissioned consultants to report on the risks and likelihood of damage to the Great Spring prior to the project being put out to tender. The Consultant's view that the risks would be minimal was accepted.
  It would be for SRC to take corrective action should any damage occur as a result of a breach of their obligations under the Concession Agreement. The Concessionaire is required to hold the Secretary of State fully protected and indemnified in respect of any such damage.
  If no breach was involved then the onus and cost would fall on the Government.

  Traffic Generation Report
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road schemes evaluated or re-evaluated so far in the light of the traffic appraisal unit's guidance following the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment report on traffic generation have been treated as complex or less complex in terms of guidance. [40588]

  Mr. Watts
  So far, the Highways Agency has considered 56 schemes in the light of the SACTRA report on induced traffic. The provisional assessments indicate that 12 are complex, 26 are intermediate and 18 are simple.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many schemes currently in the national road programme he expects to categorise as complex when they are evaluated in the light of the guidance from the traffic appraisal unit following the SACTRA report on traffic generation. [40590]

  Mr. Watts
  In respect of the national road programme as a whole, the Highways Agency is undertaking SACTRA-induced traffic assessments for all schemes at the appropriate stage in their preparation. So far, 12 of the 56 schemes considered have been provisionally assessed by the agency as complex. But it would not be right to extrapolate that trend to the whole programme, in which there are approximately 300 active schemes. The induced traffic assessments have to be done on a scheme-byscheme basis and we will not know the overall picture until this work has been completed.
  473

  Solent Light Dues
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers the inspector considering the Western Solent inquiry has, if the Western Solent comes under the control of a competent harbour authority, to direct that authority to make arrangements for the transfer of buoyage and the waiving of light dues for Isle of Wight ferries and other vessels. [40369]

  Mr. Norris
  The inspector would have no powers to direct any harbour authority to arrange for the transfer of buoyage responsibilities or the waiving of light dues for any vessel.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Strang
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vessels on the United Kingdom register of fishing vessels are owned by interests based in the Netherlands. [39364]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
  474
  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Dr. Gavin Strang, dated 2 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about he number of UK registered fishing vessels owned by interests based in the Netherlands.
  Unfortunately this information is not available. When the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 came into force on 21 March 1994, the only eligibility requirement for companies wishing to register fishing vessels on the UK register was that they be incorporated in a member state of the European Economic Area with a place of business in the UK. It is therefore no longer necessary for the Register of Shipping and Seamen to know the nationality of shareholders and thus the information you require is not collected.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will respond to the sixth report from the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, "The Channel Tunnel Rail Link and Exceptional Hardship", HC270. [41506]

  Sir George Young
  The Government responded yesterday to the Chairman of the Committee. A copy of the response has been placed in the Library.

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