Written Answers of 3 November 1995

ENVIRONMENT

  Planning Policy Guidance
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the revised guidance paper No. 6 will be published. [40684]

  Level of debt for each local authority in Greater Manchester

  £ million

  At 31 March 1991

  At 31 March 1992

  At 31 March 1993

  At 31 March 1994

  At 31 March 1995

  Bolton

  215

  216

  146

  152

  157

  Bury

  117

  115

  82

  80

  87

  Manchester

  1,275

  1,382

  1,326

  1,277

  1,173

  Oldham

  274

  274

  242

  242

  258

  Rochdale

  248

  278

  212

  204

  209

  Salford

  450

  467

  403

  376

  425

  Stockport

  165

  156

  116

  104

  123

  Tameside

  248

  262

  186

  183

  188

  Trafford

  113

  109

  81

  82

  89

  Wigan

  276

  278

  250

  237

  244

  Greater Manchester

  3,381

  3,538

  3,045

  2,937

  2,953

  1. The amounts include long-term borrowing undertaken in accordance with approvals issued under local authority capital finance legislation, and also temporary debt (less than one-year) to cover cash flow shortages.

  2. Outstanding amounts for longer term borrowing are not collected regularly. There have been three surveys—in 1991, 1993 and 1994. Figures for 1992 and 1995 have been estimated using data on flows of longer term borrowing collected quarterly.

  3. Part of the decrease in debt between 1992 and 1993 can be attributed to the commutation of the PWLB debt which took place in October 1992.

  Trust Councils
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to introduce trust councils into local authority management. [41013]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We have no plans for a trust councils initiative.

  English Nature
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which members of the council of English Nature have management agreements with English Nature; and where. [41475]

  Mr. Clappison
  None of them.

DEFENCE

  Laser Weapons
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many laser weapons that(a) have the potential to blind enemy troops and (b) the potential to disrupt their eyesight temporarily are possessed by the United Kingdom forces; and what development plans his Department has in this area.
  476
  Sir Paul Beresford
  There have now been over 500 responses to the draft revised planning policy guidance note on town centres and retail developments. These are now being considered carefully. I hope to publish the final version on PPG6 early next year.

  Local Government Debt, Manchester
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current level of debt for each local authority in Greater Manchester; what was the figure for each year since 1988–89; and what are the equivalent figures for the whole of the Greater Manchester metropolitan area. [41099]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information from 1991 to 1995 is as follows:

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I have nothing to add to the information contained in the letter from my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence to the hon. Member dated 17 August 1995, a copy of which I have placed in the Library of the House.

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [40737]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Salaries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [40865]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: It is the Government's normal policy to publish civil servants' salaries in bands. Accordingly, the lowest full-time civilian salaries in the Department, agencies and NDPBs fell within the band:

  477

  1994–95: Less than £5,000

  1995–96: Less than £5,000

  The highest full-time civilian salary in the Department fell within the band:

  1994–95: £95,000—£99,999

  1995–96: £95,000—£99,999

  The highest full-time civilian salary in agencies fell within the band:

  1994–95: £145,000—£149,999

  1995–96: £145,000—£149,999

  The highest full-time civilian salary in NDPBs fell within the band:

  1994–95: £85,000—£89,999

  1995–96: £85,000—£89,999

  The highest military salary fell within the band:

  1994–95: £115,000—£119,999

  1995–96: £ 120,000—£124,999

  and the lowest military salary fell within the band:

  1994–95:
  £5,000—£9,999

  1995–96:
  £5,000—£9,999

  Annual Remuneration
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [40864]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Those who received annual remuneration above the sums specified, excluding pension benefits, in the years in question were:

  (i) Exceeding £100,000

  Department

  Agencies

  NDPBs

  Military

  1985–86 to

  1990–91

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1991–92

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1992–93

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1993–94

  0

  1

  0

  2

  1994–95

  0

  1

  0

  2

  (ii) and (iii)—no staff in the Department, agencies, NDPBs or the armed forces received remuneration in excess of £200,000 in the years in question.

  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 or armed forces pensions scheme, staff receive benefits in accordance with the rules which have been deposited in the Library of the House.

PRIME MINISTER

  Opposition Parties (Civil Service)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the conventions whereby civil service Departments take steps to consult the Opposition about their policies towards the end of a Parliament; and when such steps are 478
  planned to be taken before the end of the current Parliament. [40883]

  The Prime Minister
  The convention has been that, by authority of the Prime Minister, towards the end of a Parliament or when a general election has been called, Opposition parties may arrange, with the authority of their party leaders and through the head of the civil service, contacts with senior civil servants. These arrangements are designed to allow briefing on factual questions on departmental organisational changes which Opposition parties have in mind or which may result from Opposition party policies. Any exchanges would be confidential. Following the last general election, I told the leader of the Opposition that I would be content to authorise confidential exchanges between senior civil servants and Opposition spokesmen from January 1996.

  Copex Arms Exhibition
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Prime Minister what(a) financial and (b) other assistance is given by Her Majesty's Government to the Copex arms exhibition. [40094]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board Trade.

  Duke of Windsor (Papers)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 26 October,Official Report, column 747, how many other documents relating to the conduct of the Duke of Windsor during world war two are held by Her Majesty's Government. [40678]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: British official papers in question have been released to the Public Record Office with the exception of a few items, which will be re-reviewed under the open government initiative and released at the appropriate time.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations Her Majesty's Government have received from the Arab League in relation to Libyan sanctions and Lockerbie. [39290]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: None.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [41123]
  479
  Mr. Hanley
  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.

  Hong Kong Overseas Public Servants
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Hong Kong overseas public servants. [41764]

  Mr. Hanley
  We plan to introduce legislation as soon as time allows. Copies of a draft Hong Kong (Overseas Public Servants) Bill are being made available in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Foreign Affairs Council
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Foreign Affairs Council on 30 October. [41696]

  Mr. David Davis
  The A points listed in document 11057/95, which will be deposited in the Library of the House as soon as it is available, were adopted unanimously.

  The Council took note of resolutions in documents 9914/95 (PE-RE 61) and 10679/95 (PR-RE 67). A copy of these documents will be deposited in the Library of the House as soon as they are available.

  An Association Council with Turkey took place. The Council decided on the implementation of the EU/Turkey Customs Union agreement.

  The presidency noted Latvia's application to join the EU, lodged in Madrid on 27 October. The Council agreed on a formal acknowledgment referring to the procedure laid down in article 0 of the treaty.

  The Council reached agreement on participation in the Euro-Mediterranean conference at Barcelona on 27 November.

  The Council discussed a draft association agreement with Morocco. A special Foreign Affairs Council is to be convened on 10 November with the aim of reaching final agreement, preceded by discussion in the Committee of Permanent Representatives.

  The Commission presented a communication on strengthening EU-Mexico agreement. This was remitted to COREPER for further discussion.

  The Commission presented a draft Council decision for conclusion of the EU/Mercosur inter-regional framework agreement, which was remitted to COREPER.

  The presidency reported on the Troika visit to the middle east. The head of the EU electoral unit reported on preparations for election monitoring. The Commission's communication on relations with the Palestinians was remitted to COREPER for detailed examination.
  480
  The Council discussed the setting up of the World Trade Organisation appellate body.

  The Council discussed EU/US relations in preparation for the EU/US summit on 3 December.

  The Council adopted a policy paper on former Yugoslavia, covering civilian aspects of implementation of an eventual peace settlement. The Council reaffirmed its support for the EU Mostar administrator's continuing efforts to unify the city.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Official Solicitor
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the present Official Solicitor commenced his appointment; by what mechanism the appointment is(a) made and (b) terminated; and what is the official address of the post. [40702]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The present Official Solicitor commenced his appointment on 1 August 1993, following an open competition. The appointment is statutory and is made by the Lord Chancellor under section 90 of the Supreme Court Act 1981. Under the provisions of the 1981 Act, as amended by the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, the postholder has tenure until the completed year of service in which he or she attains the age of 62. In addition, the 1981 Act provides that the Lord Chancellor may remove the appointee from office on account of misbehaviour or on account of inability to perform the duties of the office. The official address of the post is:

  The Official Solicitor to the Supreme Court

  Official Solicitor's Department

  81 Chancery Lane

  London WC2 1DD

  Acts of Parliament
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those Acts of Parliament since 1979 which have not been brought into force either fully or in part. [40481]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  On the basis of information available up to 27 October 1995, the following are the Public General Acts of Parliament since 1979, which, as at 1 November 1995, have not been brought into force either fully or in part:

  Antarctic Minerals Act 1989 (c.21)

  Smoke Detectors Act 1991 (c.37)

  Osteopaths Act 1993 (c.21)

  Road Traffic (Driving Instruction by Disabled Persons) Act 1993 (c.31)

  Civil Evidence (family Mediation) (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.6)

  Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (c.10)

  Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995 (c.13)

  Land Registers (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.14)

  Geneva Conventions (Amendment) Act 1995 (c.27)

  Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995 (c.30)

  481
  The following Acts are not yet in force but are due to come into force fully or in part on fixed dates in 1996:

  Motor Cycle Noise Act 1987 (c.34)

  Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 (c.12)

  Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c.21)

  Shipping and Trading Interests (Protection) Act 1995 (c.22)

  Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 (c.23)

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further assistance he proposes to give to Afghanistan, in light of recent developments in that country and following the new inter-agency consolidated appeal from the United Nations. [41959]

  Mr. Hanley
  Following a detailed review of aid to Afghanistan by an ODA-led mission earlier this summer and in light of the UN appeal launched in October, my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development has approved a package of further assistance amounting to £3.5 million, which will be provided through a number of UN agencies, as well as the International Red Cross and some UK-based non governmental organisations.

HEALTH

  Retirement Ages
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average retirement age of national health service employees, per professional group, in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [40437]

  Mr. Sackville
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the NHS Pensions Agency under its chief executive, Mr. A. F. Cowan. I have asked him to reply to the hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from A. F. Cowan to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 3 November 1995:

  The Secretary of State for Health has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as it falls within my area of responsibility.

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Region

  Number of GP fundholders

  Net cumulative savings available for spending (£ million)

  Number of GP fundholders

  Net cumulative savings available for spending (£ million)

  Number of GP fundholders

  Net cumulative savings available for spending (£ million)

  Northern and Yorkshire

  596

  1.9

  1,023

  7.2

  1,236

  16.9

  Trent

  312

  1.5

  740

  3.0

  1,045

  7.2

  Anglia and Oxford

  363

  1.8

  722

  5.0

  1,067

  10.4

  North Thames

  349

  1.7

  705

  3.6

  894

  7.2

  482
  Data is held centrally on the average age at retirement for the members of the NHS Pension Scheme in England and Wales over the period 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1994, split by broad professional groups. A more detailed breakdown by year of retirement is only available at disproportionate cost. The first table shows the average age at retirement in normal health excluding redundancies; the second table shows the average age on retirement in ill-health only.

  Average age on normal retirement 1989–1994, excluding redundancies

  Professional group

  Male

  Female

  Administrative staff and hospital medical staff (excluding female nurses)

  64

  62

  Mental health officer (non manual)

  60

  60

  Manual workers (excluding MHO's)

  64

  61

  Mental health officer (manual)

  56

  60

  Medical Practitioner

  63

  63

  Dental Practitioner

  63

  63

  Female nurse, physiotherapist, midwife or health visitor

  —

  60

  Average age on ill-health retirement only

  Professional Group

  Male

  Female

  Administrative staff and hospital medical staff (excluding female nurses)

  51

  51

  Mental health officer (non manual)

  49

  49

  Manual workers (excluding MHO's)

  53

  52

  Mental health officer (manual)

  50

  50

  Medical Practitioner

  54

  52

  Dental Practitioner

  51

  49

  Female Nurse, Physiotherapist, midwife, health visitor

  —

  50

  GP Fundholding
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the amount of money being held on behalf of fundholders at regional level by region for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95. [36797]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested is shown in the table. By 1994–95 there were 8,889 general practitioner fundholders covering 34 per cent. of the population, with budgets totalling £2.8 billion. Savings available for spending totalling £84 million—equivalent to 3 per cent. of 1994–95 budgets.

  In any one year, a large proportion of the retained savings will date from the previous year and will not therefore be available for use until the final audit of fundholders' accounts has been completed. Savings may be retained for up to four years to be used for the benefit of patients of the practice.
  483

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Region

  Number of GP fundholders

  Net cumulative savings available for spending (£ million)

  Number of GP fundholders

  Net cumulative savings available for spending (£ million)

  Number of GP fundholders

  Net cumulative savings available for spending (£ million)

  South Thames

  387

  2.3

  749

  3.5

  1,345

  8.6

  South and West

  442

  1.3

  755

  4.5

  1,103

  9.1

  West Midlands

  322

  2.5

  687

  5.7

  1,098

  14.7

  North West

  388

  1.8

  759

  4.3

  1,101

  10.2

  England

  3,159

  14.8

  6,140

  36.7

  8,889

  84.4

  Source:

  Regional offices.

  Notes:

  Savings spent in previous years or voluntarily returned to health authorities during the audit process are not included in the figures.

  Grants
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [38601]

  Mr. Bowls
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of National Heritage on 31 October,Official Report, columns 186–87.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each NHS trust in the Trent region, those(a) chairmen and (b) non-executive directors who currently reside outside the boundaries of the district health authority in which that trust is situated. [38975]

  Mr. Malone
  For the latest information I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Sherwood (Mr. Tipping) and the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) on 2 November 1994,Official Report, columns 1231–32. This information is not routinely collected. In order to provide the answers given on 2 November 1994, a special exercise was conduced. To update this information would mean repeating that exercise and incurring a disproportionate cost of approximately £7,000.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make it his policy to collate centrally the names of NHS trust chief executives who resign, or whose contracts are terminated together with the name of the trust involved and the amounts paid for loss of office; and if he will make a statement; [39545]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to hold centrally records on how many employees of NHS trusts have been (a) dismissed, (b) made redundant, (c) given early retirement and (d) had their contracts revoked with compensation in

  Hospital medical staff by grade for cancer specialties in England at 30 September each year

  Numbers

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  All staff

  100

  520

  30

  100

  530

  40

  120

  550

  50

  Consultant

  30

  210

  10

  40

  210

  20

  50

  220

  20

  Staff grade1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  10

  —

  Associate specialist

  —

  10

  —

  —

  10

  —

  0

  10

  —

  484
  excess of (i) the NHS redundancy provision, (ii) £100,000 gross and (iii) £250,000 gross; and if he will make a statement. [39543]

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  Royal Hallamshire Hospital
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what current research the Royal Hallamshire hospital, Sheffield is carrying out for his Department; and what research it has carried out during the last 12 months. [39568]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 30 October,Official Report, columns 35–37.

  Prescription Drugs
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the 50 most expensive and 50 least expensive prescription drugs available in the NHS; what is the cost of each to the NHS; and how many prescriptions for each have been issued during the last 12 months for which records are available; [40698]

  (2) what was the cost to the National Health Service of each of the 50 most commonly prescribed drugs for the latest available 12-month period; and how many prescriptions for each drug were issued. [40697]

  Mr. Malone
  The information requested cannot be supplied as it contains data which are confidential.

  Cancer Specialists
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time cancer specialists are working in the NHS; in what specialties; and what were the corresponding numbers in each of the last five years. [40699]

  Mr. Malone
  The available information is shown in the table by grade for cancer specialties in England at 30 September each year.
  485

  Hospital medical staff by grade for cancer specialties in England at 30 September each year

  Numbers

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  Senior registrar

  10

  60

  0

  10

  70

  0

  20

  70

  10

  Registrar

  10

  80

  0

  10

  80

  0

  20

  80

  0

  Senior house officer

  20

  100

  10

  20

  100

  10

  20

  100

  10

  House officer

  0

  20

  —

  0

  10

  —

  0

  10

  —

  Other staff

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hospital practitioner

  —

  10

  —

  0

  10

  0

  0

  10

  0

  Clinical assistant

  20

  50

  10

  20

  50

  10

  20

  60

  10

  Numbers

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  All staff

  160

  530

  80

  170

  520

  100

  190

  560

  130

  Consultant

  50

  220

  20

  60

  230

  30

  80

  250

  40

  Staff grade1

  —

  10

  0

  0

  20

  0

  0

  20

  0

  Associate specialist

  —

  10

  —

  —

  10

  —

  —

  10

  —

  Senior registrar

  20

  50

  10

  30

  50

  20

  30

  50

  20

  Registrar

  30

  80

  10

  20

  70

  10

  20

  80

  20

  Senior house officer

  30

  100

  10

  30

  100

  10

  20

  100

  10

  House officer

  10

  10

  —

  10

  10

  —

  0

  10

  —

  Other staff

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hospital practitioner

  0

  10

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Clinical assistant

  20

  50

  20

  30

  40

  30

  30

  40

  30

  1 Staff grade is a new grade from 1989. — signifies a zero value.

  O = signifies a number between '0' and '5'.

  All figures are rounded to nearest '10'.

  Whole time equivalents

  1989

  1990

  1991

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  All staff

  70

  450

  20

  70

  460

  30

  80

  480

  30

  Consultant

  20

  190

  10

  20

  190

  10

  30

  200

  10

  Staff grade1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0

  —

  —

  10

  —

  Associate specialist

  —

  10

  —

  —

  10

  —

  0

  10

  —

  Senior registrar

  10

  50

  0

  10

  60

  0

  20

  60

  0

  Registrar

  10

  80

  0

  10

  80

  0

  10

  80

  0

  Senior house officer

  20

  100

  0

  20

  100

  10

  20

  100

  10

  House officer

  0

  20

  —

  0

  10

  —

  0

  10

  —

  Other staff

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hospital practitioner

  —

  0

  —

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Clinical assistant

  0

  10

  0

  0

  10

  0

  0

  10

  0

  Whole time equivalents

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  Medical oncology

  Clinical oncology

  Palliative medicine

  All staff

  120

  460

  60

  120

  450

  70

  140

  490

  80

  Consultant

  30

  200

  20

  40

  200

  20

  60

  220

  30

  Staff grade1

  —

  10

  0

  0

  10

  0

  0

  10

  0

  Associate specialist

  —

  10

  —

  —

  10

  —

  —

  10

  —

  Senior registrar

  20

  50

  10

  20

  50

  20

  30

  50

  20

  Registrar

  20

  80

  10

  10

  70

  10

  20

  80

  10

  Senior house officer

  30

  100

  10

  30

  100

  10

  20

  100

  10

  House officer

  10

  10

  —

  10

  10

  —

  0

  10

  —

  Other staff

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hospital practitioner

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Clinical assistant

  10

  10

  0

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  10

  1 Staff grade is a new grade from 1989. — signifies a zero value.

  O = signifies a number between '0' and '5'.

  All figures are rounded to nearest '10'.

  486

  Psychiatric Patients
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many new beds have become available for psychiatric patients in NHS hospitals in 1995 and in each year since 1979; [41107]

  (2) how many psychiatric patients have been moved from hospitals that have been closed down to alternative NHS hospitals in 1995 and in each year since 1979; [41105]

  (3) how many psychiatric patients have moved from hospitals that have closed down to private psychiatric hospitals in 1995 and in each year since 1979. [41104]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current number of beds in private psychiatric hospitals; and what is was in each year since 1979. [41106]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information on the current number of beds in private hospitals in 1993–94 designated for mental illness and people with learning disabilities is published in "Private hospitals, homes and clinics registered under section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Prior to 1993–94, the data did not differentiate between hospitals/clinics and nursing homes.

  Ballon Angioplasty
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has participated in the research carried out by Dr. Julian Gunn, Professor David Cumberland and Professor David Crossman in respect of patients suffering from angina after receiving balloon angioplasty; and if he will make a statement. [40952]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 30 October,Official Report, columns 35–37.

  Ecstasy
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research his Department has commissioned to discover whether the drug Ecstasy is demethylenated by human cytochrome P.4502D6 (CYP 2D6); and if he will make a statement; [41004]

  (2) what research his Department has commissioned to discover whether the drug Ecstasy is a substitute for human CYP 2D6; and if he will make a statement. [41005]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 30 October,Official Report, columns 35–37.

  Residential Care Homes
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which the conditions imposed on private residential homes and nursing homes in Coventry are within the scope of legal requirements or his Department's guidelines. [40897]

  Mr. Bowis
  Responsibility for the regulation of private residential care homes and nursing homes lies with the local authority and health authority respectively. It is for them to ensure that homes comply with statutory requirements and to develop local standards for 488
  registration. Guidance issued recently to authorities promotes sensible, pragmatic and consistent approaches in setting standards.

  Individual Treatments
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning his intention to remove grommets from the list of approved treatments; and what reasons were given for their removal. [41110]

  Mr. Malone
  No list of approved treatments exists. Health authorities and general practitioner fundholders are responsible for assessing the needs of the people they serve and deciding what treatments and services are required to meet those needs, within the framework of national priorities. Decisions about individual treatments are a matter for the individual clinician together with the patient, based on an assessment of clinical need, and taking account of available evidence of effectiveness.

  Laryngectomies and Tracheotomies
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will create a body that is able to answer questions and concerns from people who have undergone laryngectomies and tracheotomies. [39679]

  Mr. Sackville
  Surgeons and other professional staff in hospital ear, nose and throat departments are available to answer questions and address the concerns of patients undergoing this treatment. The National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs also provides advice and has branches attached to a number of hospitals which specialise in laryngectomies.

  NHS Administration Costs
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the change in administration costs in the NHS since 1989–90; and how he intends to achieve the 5 per cent. cut in health authority spending on administration he announced on 11 October. [41516]

  Mr. Malone
  The table sets out health authority administration expenditure from 1989–90 to 1993–94, the latest year available. I expect the national health service executive regional offices to agree with individual authorities figures for the cost of running the authority for 1996–97 which will, in aggregate, deliver the 5 per cent. cash savings my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 11 October 1995.

  Health authority administration expenditure 1989–90 to 1993–94

  £ million

  1989–90

  691

  1990–91

  871

  1991–92

  786

  1992–93

  900

  1993–94

  1,069

  Source:

  Summarised annual accounts of regional health authorities, district health authorities, special health authorities for the London postgraduate hospitals and family health services authorities/family practitioner committees.

  Notes:

  1. The figures represent the total revenue expenditure on pay and accommodation costs of staff of all disciplines and their support staff employed at headquarters levels.
  489
  2. RHA, DHA and SHA costs are reported in the accounts as "Authority administration and purchasing expenses". This includes capital charges from 1991–92. FHSA/FPC administration costs are those reported in the accounts as revenue administration costs and represent that part of the total expenditure which is not medical, dental, ophthalmic or pharmaceutical.

  3. Changes in the years in the roles and responsibilities of family practitioner committees, which became family health services authorities in 1990, RHAs and DHAs, which started to transfer provider functions to NHS trusts in 1991–92, together with changes in accounting policies, particularly the inclusion of capital charges in health authorities' administration and purchasing expenditure, mean that the figures are not comparable.

  Employment of Children
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, further to his announcement' of 30 October Official Report column 42–43 regarding changes in child employment law, if he will publish details of the representations he has received recommending that the limit on children's work of two hours on a Sunday be increased to between five and eight hours; and if he will list the organisations and their papers submitted in support of this proposed change to the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, as amended. [41388]

  Mr. Bowis
  The consultation I announced on 30 October is intended to provide us with the views of others on what in our view would be a sensible change to the current law.

  Public Health Link
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what procedure general practitioners will be notified in the case of immediate category of notification procedure on the public health link system being activated. [41512]

  Mr. Sackville
  Following consultation with the profession, the chief medical officer wrote to all doctors on 24 February 1994 setting out the new arrangements for communications with the profession (PL CMO(94)3). Where there is a need to send information very quickly to doctors, the public health link system is activated. The message is transmitted electronically to district directors of public health who have the responsibility for forwarding it, with the minimum of delay, to the relevant health professionals. Every district has set up its own locally determined mechanisms for cascading the information. For example, some general practitioners would receive the information electronically via a local e-mail system, others by fax, others by courier, and in some instances the message could be conveyed by a telephone call.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of whether the public health link system of communications which uses the EPINET system will operate satisfactorily if the immediate category of notification procedure needs to be activated. [41511]

  Mr. Sackville
  The public health link system was set up in February 1994, following consultation with the profession and in response to a recognised need to get important urgent information to doctors. The system was first tested on 6 July 1994 when a test message was sent to district directors of public health to cascade to all doctors. This test message enabled districts to assess their local arrangements.
  490
  Since then the cascade system has been activated a further seven times, for example to provide information about Ebola virus and plague. The system has generally been welcomed and has worked well, though it is recognised that it is very difficult for each district to get information to each and every doctor within a few hours. Each use of the cascade has provided a valuable opportunity to assess and revise the local and central arrangements for cascading information. A list of the cascade messages, and chief medical officer letters and updates, is included in the annual report "On the State of the Public Health", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whom he intends to consult in his review of the public health link procedure for notifying general practitioners that he announced in his statement to the House of 23 October,Official Report, columns 701–10, when he expects to conclude the review; and if he will publish the results. [41513]

  Mr. Sackville
  The review of arrangements for communicating urgent information to all doctors has already started. The results of the review will be discussed with the profession. We shall ensure that the conclusions from that review will be acted upon.

  Dental Services
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by family health services authority the number of people registered with NHS dentists in England in(a) December 1993, (b) July 1994, (c) December 1994 and (d) July 1995. [41514]

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

  Waiting Times
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding the waiting times for patients of general practitioner fundholders and the patients of general practitioners who are not fundholders in the North and Mid-Hampshire health commission area. [41515]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

WALES

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [40749]

  Mr. Hague
  The information is not readily available in respect of all transport and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The cost of ministerial use of the official car service, a significant element of ministerial travel arrangements, over the five years is as follows:

  1990–91: £144,209

  1991–92:£158,535

  491

  1992–93:£170,062

  1993–94: £174,069

  1994–95:£176,452

  Ministers who use their own vehicles are paid normal civil service rates. The cost in 1994–95 was £1,020 and in 1995–96 to date, £915. The cost of the previous three years is not readily available.

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales he will list by local housing authority,(a) the amount each authority has used from the sale of council houses since April 1981 to pay off its debts, (b) the amount each authority currently has on deposit from the sale of council houses and (c) the amount saved in interest payments on debts in the case of (a) and the amount received in interest in the case of (b). [40689]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The available information is given in the following tables.

  £000

  Authority

  Usable receipts from the sale of council houses available at 31 March 1995

  Outstanding loan debt as at 31 March 1995

  Alyn and Deeside

  521

  35,067

  Colwyn

  569

  27,763

  Delyn

  0

  32,279

  Glyndwr

  456

  11,980

  Rhuddlan

  397

  27,743

  Wrexham Maelor

  992

  74,603

  Carmarthen

  776

  35,755

  Ceredigion

  1,170

  21,618

  Dinefwr

  608

  28,115

  Llanelli

  0

  47,698

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  2,597

  41,828

  South Pembrokeshire

  1,209

  21,090

  Blaenau Gwent

  2,199

  103,856

  Islwyn

  390

  50,848

  Monmouth

  3,585

  45,849

  Newport

  7,642

  122,004

  Torfaen

  2,660

  83,132

  Aberconwy

  247

  20,265

  Arfon

  0

  29,695

  Dwyfor

  303

  15,939

  Meirionnydd

  0

  10,635

  Ynys Mon

  246

  53,675

  Cynon Valley

  0

  52,914

  Merthyr Tydfil

  345

  64,194

  Ogwr

  633

  74,913

  Rhondda

  0

  87,253

  Rhymney Valley

  0

  71,738

  Taff Ely

  532

  41,957

  Brecknock

  1,188

  31,614

  Montgomeryshire

  689

  23,199

  Radnorshire

  399

  13,239

  Cardiff

  7,053

  183,971

  Vale of Glamorgan

  6,702

  60,004

  Port Talbot

  0

  40,166

  Lliw Valley

  0

  39,742

  Neath

  0

  39,981

  Swansea

  242

  135,631

  Clwyd

  n/a

  145,656

  Dyfed

  n/a

  118,889

  Gwent

  n/a

  171,914

  Gwynedd

  n/a

  80,160

  Mid Glamorgan

  n/a

  134,775

  Powys

  n/a

  57,412

  492

  £000

  Authority

  Usable receipts from the sale of council houses available at 31 March 1995

  Outstanding loan debt as at 31 March 1995

  South Glamorgan

  n/a

  171,374

  West Glamorgan

  n/a

  170,118

  Dyfed /Powys Police Authority

  n/a

  4,377

  Gwent Police Authority

  n/a

  4,050

  North Wales Police Authority

  n/a

  3,179

  South Wales Police Authority

  n/a

  11,306

  Total Districts

  44,350

  1,901,954

  Total Counties

  n/a

  1,050,298

  Total Police Authorities

  n/a

  22,912

  Total Wales

  44,350

  2,975,164

  Source:

  Local authority returns.

  Failure to use sale proceeds to redeem existing debt would have resulted in correspondingly higher outstanding loan debt and correspondingly increased interest charges paid by council taxpayers in Wales.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the technical meeting between his officials and those of the regional development directorate of the European Commission in relation to the supply of information material to the Welsh Office reduced grant in aid to the Welsh Development Agency and the additionality principle. [37814]

  Mr. Hague
  [holding answer 19 October 1995]: I am pleased to say that the Commission has now accepted that European structural funds are properly spent in Wales and has released all previously blocked resources. Agreement has also been reached on improving the presentation of European regional development fund support made to the WDA and other public bodies in Wales.

  Veterinary Services
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the availability of Welsh Office veterinary services in mid Wales. [39808]

  Mr. Hague
  The Government's veterinary field service provides veterinary services throughout Great Britain. VFS officers are employed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, but on a wide range of subjects, state veterinary service officers working in Wales do so on my behalf, in view of my responsibilities for matters such as farm animal health, welfare and meat hygiene.

  A review of the VFS earlier this year recommended an improved and streamlined management structure, and the Government announced on 4 May a number of changes to the VFS. In future there will be fewer, larger VFS divisions, altering from four to three in Wales. The future VFS divisional offices in Wales will be located at Cardiff, Carmarthen and Caernarfon. The present VFS divisional office at Llandrindod Wells will remain as an area office, as will the current area office at Ruthin. The number of front-line veterinary and technical staff will stay the same.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the cost of the assisted places scheme in Wales for each of the last three years for which figures are available. [40466]

  Mr. Hague
  Expenditure in Wales on the assisted places scheme for each of the financial years 1992–93 to 1994–95 was £2,457,230, £2,621,261 and £2,771,504 respectively.

  Primary School Pupils
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many primary school pupils were taught in classes of more than 30 pupils, in total and as a percentage of all pupils, in each local authority in(a) January 1994 and (b) January 1995. [40429]

  Mr. Hague
  On the basis of provisional January 1995 schools census figures, there were some 67,800 pupils in ordinary classes of more than 30 in maintained primary schools in Wales in January 1994 and approximately 72,500 in January 1995; these pupils represented 26.5 per cent. of all pupils in ordinary classes in January 1994 and 28.0 per cent. in January 1995.

  Information on the basis of individual local authorities is not currently available.

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average annual cost of educating a primary school pupil in a class of 30 pupils. [40430]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is not available centrally.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  AGCO-Massey Ferguson Merger
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he or his officials have had regarding the AGCO takeover of certain Massey Ferguson operations in Coventry; and what notification he has received of expected job losses. [41284]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  None. In the first instance, it is for the Director General of Fair Trading to consider and advise my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on all qualifying mergers under the Fair Trading Act 1973. That advice would take into account all relevant factors.

  Investment (United States)
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what initiatives he has taken to attract United Kingdom firms to invest in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement. [40576]

  Mr. Nelson
  United Kingdom companies have a long history of investing in the United States. It is the most popular destination for direct investment overseas and the United Kingdom is the largest foreign investor in the United States.

  My Department encourages British companies to consider the investment option in drawing up strategies for doing business with American companies. As one
  494
  element of the "North America Now" trade promotion campaign we have a programme of help for United Kingdom companies seeking strategic partners in north America.

  Annual Remuneration
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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, (iii) £300,000 in (1) 1985–86, (2) 1990–91, (3) 1992–93, (4) 1994–95 and (5) 1995–96. [40815]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Other than pension contributions, benefits in kind are not normally paid to staff in the department, agencies and NDPBs. No individual—in the Department, its agencies or its NDPBs has received remuneration, excluding pension benefits, above £100,000 in any of the years specified.

  Salaries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [40816]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  [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 in all three organisations fell within the band:

  1994–95: £4,000-£8,999

  1995–96: £4,000-£8,999

  The highest full-time salary relating to civil servants in agencies fell within the bands:

  1994–95: £65,000-£69,999

  1995–96: £70,000-£74,999

  and in the Department:

  1994–95: £95,000-£99,999

  1995–96: £95,000-£99,999

  The highest full-time salary relating to non-civil servants in NDPB's fell within the band:

  1994–95: £95,000-£99,999

  1995–96: £95,000-£99,999

  New Parliamentary Building
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, pursuant to his answer of 23 October,Official Report, column 460, what percentage of existing contracts have gone to British firms; when he expects the award of the cladding contract to be announced; and how many (a) UK cladding firms and (b) other firms have been invited to tender for the cladding contract. [40682]

  Mr. Ray Powell
  Many of the companies which are invited to tender for the new parliamentary building contracts are multi-national in either their ownership or their operations, or both. Consequently it is not possible to provide a precise answer about the use of "British firms".
  495
  Of the three major contracts let to date, two went to a British-based company. Numerous smaller contracts have been awarded for work which has been carried out almost entirely in the UK although the companies may not have been UK owned.

  The tender list for the fenestration units reflected the fact that the cladding industry tends to be dominated by continental European companies. Initially, five companies were invited to tender at least two of which have a significant UK presence. Negotiations are still underway to determine which of the offers is the most competitive in terms of both time and cost. An announcement is not expected this year.

  SCOTLAND

    Waverley Court, Paisley
    Mr. McMaster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his best estimate of the total cost to the public purse of keeping Waverley court at Foxbar in Paisley empty for six years following a decision by Scottish Homes to dispose of it to the private sector; what were the costs in terms of(a) lost rental income, (b) resettlement allowances, (c) decoration payments, (d) removal expenses, (e) furniture storage expenses, (f) other rehousing payments and costs, (g) staff time in developing the package, (h) staff time in consultation with individual tenants or groups of tenants, (i) staff time in briefing, consulting, guiding and instructing outside bodies, (j) staff time in working with potential developers, (k) loss of rental income for the whole period, (l) all consultancy fees relating to the building during the whole period and (m) other costs; what will be the cost of demolishing the building and clearing the site; what action he intends to take to ensure such events cannot occur again; and if he will make a statement. [39188]

    Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
    The information requested is a matter for Scottish Homes and I have asked its chairman, Sir James Mellon, to write to the hon. Member.

    Mr. McMaster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will seek a meeting with the chairman of Scottish Homes to discuss the cost to the public purse of its decision to evacuate Waverley court at Foxbar in Paisley six years ago; if he will instruct an investigation into the circumstances which caused Scottish Homes to seek disposal of the building to the private sector without first checking that private sector financiers were willing to lend or enter into mortgages on the property or its component parts; if he will instruct the board of Scottish Homes to instruct disciplinary investigations arising from the performance of its officials in this episode; and if he will launch a full-scale investigation into the loss of public funds; [39189]

    (2) if he will launch a public inquiry into the possible misuse of public funds, maladministration and negligence of Scottish Homes in relation to Waverley court at Foxbar in Paisley. [39173]
    496
    Mr. Robertson
    My right hon. Friend is aware of the corrrespondence between the hon. Member and the chairman of Scottish Homes and has no plans to initiate any inquiry into the matter.

    Ministerial Visits
    Mr. McMaster
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list visits made by him and each of his Ministers since they were appointed to the Scottish Office, and if he will make a statement. [39207]

    Mr. Michael Forsyth
    Since taking up my present appointment I have made one visit overseas. This was to the Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 26 October. Details of visits undertaken by other Scottish Office Ministers are given in the table.

    Date

    Location

    Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

    15 September to 19 September 1995

    Helsinki

    8 October to 10 October 1995

    Stockholm

    Mr. Raymond Robertson MP

    17 October 1995

    Brussels

    Mr. George Kynoch MP

    26 August to 31 August 1995

    Taiwan

    24 October to 29 October 1995

    USA

    Earl of Lindsay

    3 October 1995

    Cologne

    30 October to 2 November 1995

    Washington

    Special Educational Needs
    Mr. Home Robertson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what grants or other financial assistance have been awarded by the Scottish Office, in the financial year 1995–96, to organisations representing children with specific speech or language disorders; and what assistance has been given to organisations representing children with other physical disadvantages. [40170]

    Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
    A range of organisations represent children with special educational needs, including children with physical disadvantages and also speech and language disorders. Funding has been given by the Scottish Office to the following organisations in this area in the current financial year.

    Organisation

    Amount £

    Children in Scotland

    170,000

    Disability Scotland

    275,592

    en ABLE

    25,755

    Epilepsy Association of Scotland

    3,500

    Family Fund

    2,270,600

    Royal National Institute for Deaf People

    30,000

    Royal National Institute for the Blind

    27,000

    Scottish Association for the Deaf

    7,993

    Sense Scotland

    47,083

    Scottish Council for Spastics

    24,000

    Spinal Injuries Scotland

    15,372

    497
    Mr. Home Robertson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which of the organisations listed as useful contacts in the Scottish Office parents' guide to special educational needs(a) provide a helpline to families on record of needs, (b) provide written guidance or advice to supplement the official literature on record of needs arrangements and procedures and (c) provide support or speak for parents of children at record of needs meetings or appeals. [40169]

    Mr. Robertson
    The 27 organisations listed in the parents' guide to special educational needs provide a variety of advice and assistance to parents of children and young persons with special educational needs. Detailed information on the services offered by each of the organisations listed is not held centrally; however, their telephone numbers are listed.

    Organisation

    Telephone numbers

    Association for all Speech Impaired Children

    0171-236 3632

    0171-236 6487

    Barnardo's

    0131-334 9893

    British Red Cross Society

    0141-332 9591

    Catholic Education Commission

    0141-943 0494

    Children in Scotland1

    0131-228 8484

    Church of Scotland

    0131-225 5722

    Disability Scotland

    0131-229 8632

    Dyslexia Institute

    0141-334 4549

    Epilepsy Association of Scotland

    0141-427 4911

    ENABLE2

    0141-226 4541

    Linking Education and Disability (LEAD)

    0131-339 5408

    National Deaf Children's Society

    0171-229 9272

    National Federation of Blind of the UK

    01924-291313

    Royal Institute for the Blind

    0171-388 1266

    Royal National Institute for the Deaf

    0171-387 8033

    Royal National Institute for the Blind

    0131-225 6242

    Royal National Institute for the Deaf

    0141-332 0343

    Scottish Association for the Deaf

    0131-556 8137

    Scottish Consumer Council

    0141-226 5261

    Scottish Council for Spastics

    0131-337 9876

    Scottish Dyslexia Association

    01786-446650

    Scottish Downs Syndrome Association

    0131-313 4225

    Scottish National Federation for the Welfare of the Blind

    01463-233663

    Scottish Society for Autistic Children

    0131-557 0474

    Scottish Spina Bifida Association

    0131-332 0743

    SENSE IN SCOTLAND

    0141-221 7577

    Spinal Injuries Scotland3

    0141-440 0960

    1 Formerly Scottish Child and Family Alliance.

    2 Formerly Scottish Society for the Mentally Handicapped.

    3 Formerly Scottish Spinal Cord Injury Association.

    Mr. Home Robertson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what grants or other financial assistance have been awarded by the Scottish Office, in the financial year 1995–96, to organisations currently listed in the Scottish Office parents' guide to special educational needs to enable them to equip themselves with the necessary information to offer appropriate advice or guidance to parents. [40173]

    Mr. Robertson
    Of the organisations listed in the current edition of a parents' guide to special educational needs, those shown have received funding from the Scottish Office in the current financial year. It is not possible to say what proportion of the funding shown is used by the organisations for provisions of advice or guidance to parents of children with special educational needs. Detailed information on that aspect is a matter for the individual organisation concerned.498

    Organisation

    Amount (£)

    Children in Scotland

    170,000

    Disability Scotland

    275,592

    enABLE

    25,755

    Epilepsy Association of Scotland

    3,500

    Royal National Institute for Deaf People

    30,000

    Royal National Institute for the Blind

    27,000

    Scottish Association for the Deaf

    7,993

    Scottish Consumer Council

    20,500

    Sense Scotland

    47,083

    Scottish Council for Spastics

    24,000

    Spinal Injuries Scotland

    15,372

    New Homes
    Mr. Chisholm
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new homes have been started by(a) local authorities and (b) housing associations in each year since 1974; and what is his estimate of the likely number of starts in 1995–96 and 1996–97. [39929]

    Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
    I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Raynsford) on 24 October,Official Report, column 510.

    Beaufort Dyke
    Mr. Foulkes
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the full nature and extent of the independent marine survey of the Beaufort dyke area announced by his Department on 24 October with particular reference to(a) sonary soundings, (b) investigation by divers, (c) other physical checks and (d) video investigations; if he will undertake to publish the report in full; and if he will make a statement. [40221]

    Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
    [holding answer 30 October 1995]: The Under-Secretary with responsibility for industry—my hon. Friend the Member for Kincardine and Deeside (Mr. Kynoch)—told the House on 24 October, that the routine monitoring survey, planned for next spring by the Department's marine laboratory, Aberdeen to determine the effect on the marine environment of the munitions dump sites in the Beaufort dyke area, would be brought forward to mid-November this year. In view of the Government's concern for public safety over the arrival of large quantities of phosphorus canisters on the foreshore of the Clyde estuary and surrounding islands, the survey has been extended in an attempt to identify their source and whether they were disturbed by recent pipeline trenching operations in the area. The fisheries research vessel Clupea will undertake the survey in mid-November. The work will comprise:

    analysis of sea bed sediment samples and a trawl survey to confirm that there has been no environmental contamination resulting from munitions dumping;

    exploratory under-water television studies and side-scan sonar investigations to confirm the distribution of any dumped munitions;

    analysis of commercially exploited fish and shellfish species to ascertain the presence of contaminants that may be related to dumping activity;

    The survey will not include investigation by divers.

    The results of the survey will be published when available.
    499

    Forestry Commission
    Mrs. Ewing
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are employed by the Forestry Commission on(a) a part-time and (b) a full-time basis in (i) Scotland, (ii) England, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland. [40670]

    Mr. Kynoch
    [holding answer 1 November 1995]: The number of people employed by the Forestry Commission is:

    Country

    Part-time employees

    Full-time employees

    Scotland

    166

    1,859

    England

    161

    1,315

    Wales

    45

    474

    These figures do not include contractors working in Forestry Commission forests.

    The Forestry Commission does not operate in Northern Ireland.

    Mrs. Ewing
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much land(a) in acres and (b) in percentage terms is owned by the Forestry Commission in (i) Scotland (ii) England (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland. [40671]

    Mr. Kynoch
    [holding answer 1 November 1995]: The information is as follows:

    Country

    Forestry Commission land (acres)

    Percentage of total land in each country

    England

    660,000

    2.1

    Scotland

    1,700,000

    8.9

    Wales

    331,000

    6.5

    The Forestry Commission does not manage land in Northern Ireland.

  NORTHERN IRELAND

    Higher Education
    Mr. Llwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the proportion of young people from Northern Ireland entering higher education in(a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; and if he will make a statement. [29023]

    Mr. Ancram
    The proportion of young people from Northern Ireland entering higher education was 36.4 in 1993–94 and 37.2—provisional—in 1994–95.

    Fold Housing Association
    Mr. Robert McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what extend the figure in the Department of the Environment approved rules of 15 per cent. to 20 per cent. of tenants in the Fold Housing Association being actively able to help its fellow tenants is being met; and what assessment he had made of the adequacy of the target figure. [40559]
    500
    Mr. Moss
    Information on Fold Housing Association's target balance between active and less active tenants in sheltered housing is not collated or monitored by the Department. The need for such a balance is currently being considered in a review of the social housing needs of older people which is jointly being carried out by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations. It is hoped that the report will be produced before the end of this year. I will arrange for copies to be forwarded to the hon. and learned Member and placed in the Library.

    Tuition Fees (Grants)
    Mr. Robert McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many students from Northern Ireland have their tuition fees paid while attending educational institutions in the Irish Republic; [40560]

    (2) what are the estimated savings to the Northern Ireland budget from the 1996–97 academic year onwards arising from students from Northern Ireland at public sector educational institutions in the Irish Republic no longer being required to have their tuition fees paid by education and library boards in Northern Ireland; and how many students in the last year have been paid grants in respect of their applications meeting the eligibility requirement of United Kingdom residence and schooling in the Irish Republic during the last three years. [40561]

    Mr. Ancram
    In the 1994–95 academic year tuition fees were paid for 1,622 students from Northern Ireland attending education institutions in the republic of Ireland. Final figures are not available for the current academic year.

    The savings referred to are estimated at £1.7 million in the 1996–97 financial year and at £2 million in both the 1997–98 and 1998–99 financial year.

    Some 583, 891 and 1,370 Northern Ireland students attending institutions of higher education in the Republic of Ireland were in receipt of maintenance grant in the last three academic years.

    Graduates
    Mr. Robert McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was(a) the number of Northern Ireland graduates, (b) the number and proportion of graduates recruited in the Northern Ireland civil service, (c) the number of recruits overall, (d) the number and proportion of the total who were graduates and were taken on in jobs where a degree was an eligibility requirement, (e) the number and proportion of recruits to the general and administrative grades where a degree was a requirement and (f) the number of graduates recruited to grades where a degree was not an eligibility requirement in each of the last three years. [40562]

    Sir John Wheeler
    The number of Northern Ireland graduates for 1992–93 and 1993–94, and the number of recruits overall and details of graduates recruited to permanent non-industrial posts in the Northern Ireland civil service for 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95 are set out in the following table:
    501

    1992–93

    Per cent.

    1993–94

    Per cent.

    1994–95

    Per cent.

    (a) Number of NI graduates1

    3,843

    —

    4,220

    —

    n/a

    —

    (b) Number and proportion of graduates recruited to NI Civil Service

    277

    7.2

    102

    2.4

    99

    n/a

    (c) Number of recruits overall to NI Civil Service2

    1,554

    —

    633

    —

    540

    —

    (d) Number and proportion of recruits where degree required

    132

    47.6

    36

    35.3

    40

    40.4

    (e) Number and proportion of recruits to general and administrative grades where degree required

    6

    2.2

    6

    5.9

    1

    1.0

    (f) Number of graduates recruited where degree not required

    142

    —

    66

    —

    54

    —

    1 Northern Ireland domiciled graduates from Northern Ireland universities. Figures not yet available for 1994–95.

    2 Non-industrial permanent recruits. Includes recruits who obtained a degree since appointment.

    Community Alarms
    Mr. Clifford Forsythe
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultation he had with health and social services boards or trusts prior to issuing guidance to social security offices which led to applicants requiring community alarms being refused community care grants to purchase them; and when he intends to rectify the situation. [41474]

    Mr. Moss
    Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

    Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Clifford Forsythe, dated 3 November 1995:

    I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the provision of Community Care Grants for Community Alarm Systems.

    I should first of all assure you that there has been no recent change in policy regarding the provision of grants from the Social Fund for Community Alarm systems. The position is that the Health and Social Service Boards/Trusts (HSSB/Ts) are responsible for the provision of a wide range of services under the government's community care policies. This provision can include community alarm systems, but it is a matter for the individual Boards to decide what resources should be made available from their overall budget for any particular form of help.

    Social Fund Community Care Grants complement these provisions and a person who is getting Income Support may be entitled to a grant for the purchase of a Community Alarm System. In considering awards, Social Fund Officers must look carefully at all the circumstances of each individual case including the possibility that help may be available from another source such as the HSSB/Ts. Thus the need for close liaison between the Social Security Agency and the local social services departments.

    Internal procedural guidance on this subject was issued earlier in the year but unfortunately some offices did not interpret this correctly and applicants were wrongly advised to contact the HSSB/Ts for help. Steps have already been taken to ensure that all applications for Community Care Grants for community alarms are handled correctly. In addition, offices have been asked to identify and review those cases which were incorrectly handled.

    I hope this helps explain the position for you.

    Bankruptcy Petitions
    Mrs. Roche
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many petitions for bankruptcy have been begun by his Department for businesses with under 500 employees in each of the last five years. [40514]

    Sir John Wheeler
    [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Rate Collection Agency under its chief executive, Mr. D. W. Gallagher. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
    502
    Letter from D. W. Gallagher to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 2 November 1995:

    You asked the Secretary of State how many Petitions for Bankruptcy have begun by his Department for businesses with under 500 employees in each of the last five years.

    The numbers of Petitions for Bankruptcy and Winding-Up actions begun by the Rate Collection Agency for businesses with under 500 employees in each of the last five years is as follows:

    1991–92: 27

    1992–93: 147

    1993–94: 92

    1994–95: 94

    1995–96: 60

    I hope you find this information helpful.

  TREASURY

    Unemployment
    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds from ethnic minority backgrounds in each year since 1992–93. [39677]

    Mrs. Angela Knight
    Estimates from the labour force survey are shown in the table.

    ILO unemployed persons aged 16 to 24 from ethnic minority groups Great Britain

    Spring

    Number

    1992

    76,000

    1993

    77,000

    1994

    74,000

    1995

    76,000

    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds in each year since 1992–93. [39676]

    Mrs. Knight
    [holding answer 2 November 1995]: Claimant unemployment by age, for the months of January, April, July and October, and ILO unemployment by age, for the quarters spring, summer, autumn and winter, can be obtained from the NOMIS database accessed by the House of Commons Library.

    Bank of Credit and Commerce International
    Mr. Vax
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the progress of litigation between the liquidators of BCCI and the Bank of England. [41332]
    503
    Mrs. Knight
    The matter is before the court and it is not possible to comment further in these circumstances.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next intends to meet the Governor of the Bank of England to discuss the liquidation of BCCI and the issue of the liquidators' writ against the Bank of England. [41333]

    Mrs. Knight
    My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor and the Governor meet regularly to discuss a range of issues.

    Tax Evasion
    Mr. Milburn
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by the Inland Revenue on tax evasion investigations and at what cost in each of the last five years. [37923]

    Mr. Jack
    Approximate numbers of staff units—full-time equivalent staff—and their cost, are as follows:

    Staff units

    Cost £m

    1990–91

    3,200

    103

    1991–92

    3,400

    115

    1992–93

    3,500

    124

    1993–94

    3,800

    137

    1994–95

    4,400

    166

    The figures for 1994–95 cannot be compiled on a basis exactly comparable with earlier years, owing to a change in the way these figures are maintained. Unlike previous years, they include details of staff employed on all employer compliance work.

    Pension Schemes
    Mr. Nigel Griffiths
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average contribution to personal or occupational pension schemes by employees(a) under 40 years old, (b) between 40 and 50 years old and (c) over 50 years old, expressing the figures both in cash terms and as a percentage of gross income. [39092]

    Mr. Jack
    Latest provisional information for 1995–96 is as follows:

    As a perentage of

    Age

    Average contribution to a personal or occupational pension scheme £

    Gross income

    Income from employment

    Under 40

    800

    4.5

    4.5

    Between 40 and 50

    1,100

    5.0

    5.5

    Over 50

    1,200

    5.5

    6.5

    Public Appointments
    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the public appointments for which his Department is responsible in the county of 504
    South Yorkshire, indicating in each case the duration of the appointment, the date when a new appointment is due, and the salary; [39431]

    (2) if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which his office makes appointments in the county of South Yorkshire, with the total annual budget of each body and the number of appointments made or renewed for each body in each of the last four years. [39468]

    Mrs. Angela Knight
    The Chancellor's Departments and agencies make no appointments to non-departmental public bodies in the county of South Yorkshire.

    Temporary and Part-time Staff
    Mr. Ian McCartney
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [41111]

    Mrs. Angela Knight
    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.

    Child Benefit
    Mr. Peter Bottomley
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of employment changes each year to parents of children eligible to child benefit. [41139]

    Mrs. Angela Knight
    The latest available estimates from the labour force survey show that in spring 1994 there were 9.3 million parents in Great Britain who were eligible to claim child benefit—with a child aged zero to 15 or 18 or under full-time education. Among those in this group who were in employment in both spring 1993 and spring 1994, 757,000 changed their employment at least once during the intervening period.

    Regional Expenditure
    Mr. Ron Davies
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a breakdown for the current financial year for each standard planning region in England, for expenditure on(a) agriculture, fisheries, food and forestry, (b) trade, industry, energy and employment, (c) road and transport, (d) housing, (e) other environmental services, (f) law, order and protection services, (g) education, (h) national heritage, (i) health and personal social services and (j) social security. [41050]

    Mr. Waldegrave
    No information is currently available on expenditure in 1995–96 attributed to each English standard planning region. An annual exercise to collect regional figures for general Government expenditure for one outturn year only is carried out annually. A functional breakdown of regional expenditure
    505
    will be given for financial year 1993–94 in the statistical supplement to the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", which will be published in March 1996.

    Michael Allcock
    Mr. Byers
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Ministers have signed public interest immunity certificates in the case of Inland Revenue v. Michael Allcock. [38195]

    Mr. Jack
    [holding answer 24 October 1995]: No Treasury Minister has signed public interest immunity certificates in connection with the prosecution of the Inland Revenue employee, Michael Allcock, which is being conducted by the Crown Prosecution Service.

    Capital Allowances
    Mr. Bayley
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the cost of tax relief in the latest available year for capital allowances to businesses with gross profits of(a) £1 million, (b) £2 million, (c) £3 million, (d) £4 million, (e) £5 million and (f) £10 million. [40770]

    Mr. Jack
    [holding answer 31 October 1995]: The latest estimates for 1995–96 are:

    £ million

    Business with gross profits (lower limit)

    Cost of Tax relief for capital allowances

    10

    3,500

    1

    500

    2

    500

    3

    300

    4

    300

    5

    1,100

    10

    9,000

    Total

    15,200

    1 Includes businesses with current year losses.

    Economic and Finance Council
    Ms Quin
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU ECOFIN Council of 23 October. [40114]

    Mr. Kenneth Clarke
    [holding answer 1 November 1995]: I represented the United Kingdom at the Economic and Finance Council of the European Union in Luxembourg on 23 October.

    The Council welcomed Finland's convergence programme.

    The Council agreed, in principle, that a single, short report on employment prepared by representatives of the Economic Policy Committee, the Commission and the Social Affairs Council be submitted to the Madrid European Council.

    The Council considered a communication from the Commission on the approximation of excise duty rates, in which all that is proposed is further detailed consultation.

    The Council discussed the loan guarantee fund and specifically the level of the guarantee from the Community budget for European investment banks
    506
    external lending. Most member states agreed that the level of the guarantee should be reduced from 100 per cent. to 75 per cent. It was decided that further work was required on the conditions of the guarantee.

    The Council mandated the Committee of Perparent Representatives and the financial questions working group to continue work on a Commission proposal for a directive on a carbon/energy tax, providing a framework for those member states wishing to levy such a tax.

    There were discussions with the Finance and Economic Ministers of the central and east European countries on banking and financial issues.

    National Lottery
    Mr. Malcolm Bruce
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if it is his policy to review the 12 per cent. tax rate set in relation to expenditure on the national lottery; and if he will make a statement; [40831]

    (2) what assessment he has made of the effect on the annual total tax yield as a consequence of the establishment and tax treatment of the national lottery; if he will publish his Departments assessment; and if he will make a statement. [40826]

    Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
    [holding answer 1 November 1995]: The then Chancellor, the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Thames (Mr. Lamont), said in his Budget statement on 16 March 1993, Official Report column 192:
    "I have taken into account the level of tax on other forms of gambling and the extent to which spending is likely to be diverted from other taxed activities. Much, of course, will depend on how the lottery develops and I shall keep the position under review, but for the first year of its operation, I propose that national lottery tickets should be taxed at a rate of 12 per cent.

    My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor has kept the position under review, but I cannot anticipate his Budget statement.

    Pay Review Bodies
    Mr. Andrew Smith
    To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when(a) the recommendations of the pay review bodies and (b) the Government's conclusions on the pay review bodies will be published. [40732]

    Mr. Waldegrave
    [holding answer 2 November 1995]: We expect to publish the pay review body reports by early February as usual, and to give the Government's response at the same time.

  AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

    Fisheries Council
    Ms Quin
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Fisheries Council of 26 October. [40116]

    Mr. Baldry
    [holding answer 1 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Medway (Dame P. Fenner) on 31 October, Official Report, columns 213–14.

    Late Payment (Small Businesses)
    Mrs. Roche
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [40535]

    Mr. Boswell
    [holding answer 1 November 1995]: The information is not available in the format requested. From 1991 to 1994 prompt payment performance was measured by a manual sampling process, not restricted to small businesses. This sampling established MAFF's overall payment performance including payments to farm businesses, many of which will be small businesses, as:

    1990–91: not recorded

    1991–92: 77 per cent.

    1992–93: 85 per cent.

    1993–94: 85 per cent.

    1994–95: n/a—see below

    During 1994 MAFF was in the process of installing a computerised payments system and as a result consistent, statistically valid data on prompt payment performance could not be collected. Data emerging from the new system indicate 85.41 per cent. of all payments made by MAFF in the first quarter of 1995–96 were made by the due date. Strategies are in place to provide more refined data from 1 April 1996, including performance on payments to small business; and to use these data to secure further improvements in MAFF's prompt payment record.

    Responsibility for this matter is delegated to agencies, and I have asked the chief executives to reply direct.

    Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 3 November 1995:

    As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), your question regarding payment of invoices has been passed to me for reply with regard to this Executive Agency. As you may know, the MHS was established on 1 April this year. Therefore, we do not have sufficient data to provide you with an answer, such information would be collated after a full year of operation. [40535]

    I can advise you, however, that the MHS is committed to payment of all invoices within timescales agreed with our suppliers. We have procedures in place to monitor payments to ensure that this is adhered to. In particular, we pay careful attention to the payment of our veterinary contractors. We have 176 practices supplying the majority of our veterinary services in meat plants. It is important to us that we maintain good working relations with these practices, many of which are small firms. We realise that one of the best ways of doing this is through prompt payment of their bills and ensure that this is done.

    Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 3 November 1995:

    The Minister has asked me to reply to your question on the timing of invoice payments to small businesses. [40535]

    Over the last five years, the policy of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (known as the Central Veterinary Laboratory until 30 September 1995) has been to pay all invoices within 30 days. Where we know that we are dealing with a small business, we aim to pay within 5 to 10 days. We are not aware of any failures to apply this policy although, clearly, in cases of disputes with suppliers, settlement will tend to take a little longer.
    508
    Letter from Professor P. I. Stanley to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 3 November 1995:

    You asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about the number of times his Department and Agencies have failed to pay invoices due to small businesses within 30 days in each of the last five years. The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) became a MAFF executive agency in April 1992 and the Minister has asked me to reply to you in respect of the period since then, as this is an operational matter for which I am responsible. [40535]

    When CSL invoices are paid no differentiation is made between the size of businesses and so, the information is not available in the form you have requested. However since 1993 the Agency has measured overall prompt payment performance by manual sampling of supplier invoices. This sampling indicates that the percentage of invoices paid within 30 days of the invoice date has been as follows:

    1993/94:80%

    1994/95:90%

    1995/96:86%

    Letter from G. K. Bruce to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 3 November 1995:

    The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply, in respect of the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), to your question about payment of invoices to small businesses. [40535]

    The Pesticides Safety Directorate was established as an Agency on 1 April 1993. We continue to rely on the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to effect our payments and up to the time of our relocation to York in October 1994 it was not possible to identify our payment processing performance separately from that of our core Department. Since our relocation we have put in place a system to monitor performance on a sample basis. Our records show that so far during 1995/96, 98% of all valid invoices and 100% of invoices to small businesses have been paid within 30 days of receipt.

    Letter from Phillip Needham to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 3 November 1995:

    The Minister of Agriculture has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question (Number 1953) in which you asked how often each Agency has failed to pay invoices due to small businesses within 30 days for the last five years. [40535]

    ADAS was formed as a Next Steps Agency in 1992. In our Report and Accounts 1994/95 (which is lodged in the library of the House of Commons), we state that it is our policy to pay suppliers against invoice within agreed trading terms.

    Unfortunately, we could not extract the information you require without disproportionate costs to this agency.

    Letter from Dr. J. M. Rutter, to Mrs. Barbara Roche, dated 3 November 1995:

    The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about the time taken by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to pay invoices due to small businesses, as this is an operational matter for which I am responsible.

    In arranging payment of invoices, we make no distinction between those due to small or large businesses, but aim to pay them all within 30 days or the terms of the invoice if less. Since the VMD was established as a Next Steps Agency in April 1990, payment of invoices has been carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on our behalf. Information on core MAFF payment performance contained in the reply to your question from the Minister, therefore also embraces that for the VMD.

  HOME DEPARTMENT

    Doncaster Prison
    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been
    509
    relocated to Doncaster because of disturbances at other establishments since Doncaster prison was opened; what was their grade; and if he will make a statement. [40950]

    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 3 November 1995:

    The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of prisoners who have been relocated to Doncaster because of disturbances at other establishments since Doncaster prison was opened; their grade, and if he will make a statement.

    Doncaster prison received a number of convicted prisoners from Everthorpe prison after a disturbance there on 2/3 January 1995. Doncaster has also received other individual prisoners involved in disturbances at other prisons, but these figures are not recorded locally or at Prison Service headquarters.

    Clacton Police Station
    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department was notified by Essex police force that a time capsule was being buried beneath Clacton police station on 23 August; what was the cost of the operation; what was placed in the capsules; and if he will make a statement. [40951]

    Mr. Maclean
    Neither I nor my Department would expect to be notified about such a local matter. I understand that the capsule, which cost £50, was buried in the foundations of the new police station now being constructed in Clacton at no additional cost to the building project. It contains some 29 items among which are a photograph album of the old station, handcuffs, fingerprinting kit, custody record and a book of comments by serving staff. Although the decision is an entirely local one, it seems to me an entirely suitable and inexpensive way of preserving for posterity the hard work and endeavours of these local police officers who serve their community so well.

    Asylum applications of nationals of Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Algeria, January to September 1995

    Sri Lanka

    Nigeria

    Algeria

    Total asylum applications

    1,510

    4,550

    1,409

    Applied in-country of which:

    those with leave to remain

    7 per cent.

    14 per cent.

    12 per cent.

    out-of-time applications

    4 per cent.

    20 per cent.

    8 per cent.

    illegal entrants and means of entry unknown

    38 per cent.

    47 per cent.

    68 per cent.

    Applied at port of entry

    51 per cent.

    19 per cent.

    12 per cent.

    Female Prison Escapees
    Mr. George Howarth
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many female prisoners have(a) escaped from an establishment, (b) escaped from an escort, (c) attempted to escape from an establishment, (d) attempted to escape from an escort, (e) absconded from an establishment and (f) absconded from an escort, in each of the last three years. [40640]

    Boot Camps
    Mr. George Howarth
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the planned regimes for the proposed boot camps. [40639]

    Miss Widdecombe
    On 18 September, my right hon. and learned Friend announced details of the new high intensity training regime to be introduced next June at Thorn Cross young offender institution. The regime will have discipline and hard work as its foundation and the emphasis will be on personal responsibility underlined throughout by very strict standards of behaviour. A typical day will begin at 6 am sharp with drill followed by an intensive schedule of training, education, work and other physical activity. The day will end with lights out at 10 pm.

    Discussions are taking place between officials from the Prison Service and Ministry of Defence about the possibility of establishing a young offender institution at the military corrective training centre at Colchester.

    Asylum Seekers
    Mr. David Nicholson
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimates he has made of the proportion of asylum seekers originating from(a) Sri Lanka and (b) Nigeria who reached the United Kingdom via a last point of departure in the European continent in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement on the practice of interrupted travel to the final destination; [40708]

    (2) what proportion of applications for asylum from nationals of (a) Sri Lanka, (b) Nigeria and (c) Algeria are made by persons already resident in the United Kingdom as visitors, tourists and students; and if he will make a statement. [40707]

    Mr. Kirkhope
    The number of applications made by nationals of Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Algeria and the percentages of when the application was made is given in the table.

    Information on the number of applications for asylum from people who reached the United Kingdom via another European country is not separately identifiable.

    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 3 November 1995:

    The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many female prisoners have (a) escaped from

    511
    an establishment; (b) escaped from an escort; (c) attempted to escape from an establishment; (d) attempted to escape from an escort; (e) absconded from an establishment; and (f) absconded from an escort, in each of the last three years.

    Escapes from establishment

    Escapes from escort1

    Attempted escape from escort

    Attempted escape from escort

    Abscond from establishment

    1 April 1992-31 March 1993

    6

    9

    —

    4

    126

    1 April 1993-31 March 1994

    1

    8

    —

    2

    126

    1 April 1994-31 March 1995

    5

    6

    2

    6

    174

    1 April 1995-30 September 1995

    —

    2

    —

    1

    54

    1 Includes escapes from the court escort service which would have beer, the responsibility of the police service in previous years (1 in 1993).

    1. Figures for escapes from escort exclude recaptures within 15 minutes provided that no further offence has been committed.

    2. Figures for attempted escapes and attempted escapes from escort include those recaptured within 15 minutes where no further offence was committed.

    Prison Officers
    Mr. George Howarth
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the total numbers of(a) prison officers, (b) senior officers, (c) principal officers and (d) prisoner custody officers, in the Prison Service; if he will list the number and percentage of each grade who are identified as of ethnic minority origin; and if he will make a statement. [40455]

    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 3 November 1995:

    The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of staff in the prison officer grades and equivalents in the Prison Service and the number of those who are of ethnic minority origin.

    The information for 3 October 1995 is given in the following table.

    Grade

    Total number

    Number from ethnic minorities

    Per cent of total

    Prison Officer

    19,539

    476

    2.4

    Senior Officer

    3,531

    43

    1.2

    Principal Officer

    1,332

    8

    0.6

    On the same date there were 728 prisoner custody officers at contractually managed prisons, of whom 23 (3.16%) were from ethnic minorities.

    DNA Samples
    Mr. Beith
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 11,000 DNA samples referred to in his speech of 12 October and held by the national centre were taken from(a) persons suspected of crime, (b) persons subsequently convicted of crime and (c) other persons; how many of these persons have been notified that their samples continue to be held; and for how long they will be held. [39957]

    Mr. Maclean
    A precise breakdown of the samples held on the national DNA database on 12 October is not available.

    The database currently contains approximately 11,200 profiles from samples taken from individuals under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, as amended, and approximately 600 profiles from crime scene samples.
    512
    The information is given in the attached table. There are no absconds from escort—only escapes.

    Profiles derived from samples taken from people who are not suspected of crime but who volunteer to participate in mass screenings are not held on the database.

    On the retention of samples, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given in his question on 31 October, Official Report, column 166.

    Grants
    Mr. Chris Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [38602]

    Mr. Kirkhope
    I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Minister of State, Department of National Heritage on 31 October,Official Report, columns 186–87.

    African National Congress Office (Bombing)
    Mr. Hain
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of Thursday 22 June, Official Report, column 471, if he will give a progress report on the investigation into the bombing of the London office of the ANC in 1982; and he will place a copy of the report, when complete, in the Library. [41133]

    Mr. Howard
    I understand that, as part of this continuing investigation, officers from the Metropolitan police service hope to travel to South Africa this month to interview several people, after which they would submit a further report to the Crown Prosecution Service. Such reports cannot be made public for legal reasons, but the police will write to the hon. Member on conclusion of the investigation.

    Football Clubs (Police Charges)
    Mr. Tony Banks
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for what reasons football clubs in different parts of the country are charged different hourly rates for police officers of comparable rank; [41177]

    (2) what was the hourly rate charged to (a) Manchester United FC and (b) Chelsea FC for the presence of (i) a chief superintendent, (ii) a superintendent, (iii) a chief inspector, (iv) an inspector, (v) a police sergeant, and (vi) a police constable; and if he will give the reasons for the differences between (a) and (b). [41205]
    513
    Mr. Maclean
    [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The Police Act 1964 gives discretion over charging for police special services to the local police authority. Home Office guidance, based on Audit Commission recommendations, is that charges should be set at the level which will enable full cost recovery to be achieved. We would therefore expect charges to vary where the force incurs higher costs, for example in paying London weighting and London allowance or in paying rest-day rates to officers who are deployed on overtime.

    The charges currently payable by Manchester United FC and by Chelsea FC are set out in the table:

    Rank

    Hourly charge payable1

    By Manchester United FC to Greater Manchester Police2 £

    By Chelsea FC to the Metropolitan Police £

    Constable

    29.91

    28.63

    Sergeant

    35.17

    34.75

    Inspector

    43.34

    43.88

    Chief Inspector

    46.96

    47.25

    Superintendent

    58.36

    53.50

    Chief Superintendent

    63.33

    57.50

    1Charges (exclusive of VAT) as at 1 September 1995. Rates may vary on public holidays or if the force is given reduced notice that the match is to be played.

    2Greater Manchester police have recently revised their estimates of the full cost of their special services. Better estimates of central overheads (together with the recent police pay rises) have resulted in a 20 per cent, increase in charging rates.

  TRANSPORT

    Marine Safety Agency
    Mr. Allen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Marine Safety Agency's budget has been over the last five years; what it is for 1996–97 and if he will make a statement. [40305]

    Mr. Norris
    The Marine Safety Agency was established on 1 April 1994 and the gross budgets for the first two years of operation are as follows:

    1994–95: £31.7 million

    1995–96: £30.8 million

    The budget for 1996–97 has not yet been settled.

    Flags of Convenience
    Mr. Allen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the trends in the use of flags of convenience. [40366]

    Mr. Norris
    Shipowners are free to choose the flag under which their ships operate and will be influenced in their choice by a number of factors. Internationally, there has been a trend over the last 25 years for greater use of open registers. We are aiming to improve the competitive position of British shipping and to make the use of the Red Ensign more attractive through a range of positive measures outlined to the House by the then Secretary of State on 21 April 1994,Official Report, columns 1077–78. However, while flag states may legitimately seek to encourage ships onto their registers, we do not
    514
    believe that it is acceptable for shipowners to register ships with flag states which do not have the capability of supervising the safety of their ships, or which do not do so effectively.

    The Government are determined to take a strong line against substandard shipping whatever flag it flies. Accordingly, the Marine Safety Agency inspects 30 per cent. of foreign ships visiting UK ports and also publishes monthly lists of those ships which are detained. We also fully support work in the International Maritime Organisation to improve compliance with international conventions.

    Ministerial Transport
    Dr. Lynne Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [40743]

    Mr. Norris
    The cost of ministerial transport in each of the past five years has been:

    1995–96: £125,000 (First 6 months of current financial year)

    1994–95: £288,000

    1993–94: £286,000

    1992–93: £280,000

    1991–92:£219,000

    1990–91: £186,000

    Motor mileage allowance has been paid to Ministers who use their own vehicles. The cost in the current and previous two financial years is as follows. Information before that is not available.

    1995–96: None to date

    1994–95: £43.26

    1993–94: £56.12

    Transport Policies and Programmes
    Mr. Allen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy on allowing unspent TPP to be carried over into the next financial year. [41003]

    Mr. Norris
    Under the TPP system, the Department of Transport makes capital allocations for local transport infrastructure by means of transport supplementary grant, grant under section 56 of the Transport Act 1968, annual capital guideline, and supplementary credit approval. The allocation of TSG in the annual local transport settlement is adjusted to take account of the amount underspent in past years. As section 56 grant is paid in arrears, the question of unspent resources does not arise. ACG is a borrowing approval that can be used on any local authority service. It is not recoverable and authorities have wide discretion over its use. SCA is allocated for a specific financial year. Local authorities are required to surrender the unused portion of their allocation.

    Sites of Special Scientific Interest
    Mr. Allen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures are taken by his Department to ensure that sites of special scientific interest are not damaged by road development. [40990]
    515
    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 3 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 measures are taken by his Department to ensure that Sites of Special Scientific Interest are not damaged by road development.

    My Department has a long standing policy of keeping trunk roads away from protected areas such as Sites for Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), so far as is reasonable possible. When it is not possible to avoid such areas, every effort is taken on minimise landtake from the affected site and, where possible, measures are provided to reduce adverse effects.

    Bus Stop Information Displays
    Mr. Allen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the experiments known to his Department on bus stop information displays using satellite links; and what his Department is doing to promote them. [40999]

    Mr. Norris
    My Department is aware of experiments using satellite-based systems in Birmingham, Ipswich and Nottingham. Passenger information systems sponsored by local authorities are eligible for funding through the transport policies and programme system.

    Departmental Expenditure
    Mr. Allen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last five years the budget for his departmental expenditure and the percentage of gross domestic product spent on transport. [40994]

    Mr. Norris
    The information required on departmental expenditure can be found in the relevant "Financial Statement and Budget Report".

    Gross domestic product is a measure of output while much transport expenditure is intermediate. Total transport expenditure is thus not calculated as a component of GDP. However, a separate exercise has estimated total expenditure on transport including intermediate expenditure. The estimated expenditures expressed as a percentage of GDP, at market prices, for 1990 to 1994, are as follows:

    1990: 18 Per cent.

    1991: 17 Per cent.

    1992: 18 Per cent.

    1993: 18 Per cent.

    1994: 17 Per cent.

    Spending Decisions
    Mr. Allen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what proposals he has to devolve spending decisions on transport to(a) local authorities and (b) regions; [41008]

    (2) what transport decisions are taken at regional level rather than at central or local government levels. [40982]

    Mr. Norris
    We take full account of advice from the Government offices for the regions on transport decisions relevant to them, for example on the allocation of 516
    transport resources for capital investment by local authorities. There are no plans further to devolve decisions to the regional offices.

    Local authorities have a wide range of transport powers and responsibilities. They are responsible for taking their own decisions on transport spending priorities within the total resources available to them.

    Rail Charges
    Mr. Allen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what rights of appeal exist when a rolling stock company or Railtrack imposes large increases on rail operators. [41002]

    Mr. Watts
    Initial leases for vehicle fleets, agreed between the passenger rolling stock companies and the train operators, are in place and are at a fixed price. Renewals will be negotiated between the parties in a competitive market.

    Access contracts between Railtrack and train operators are approved by the Rail Regulator. The operators can appeal to the regulator if they consider that the charges proposed by Railtrack are unreasonable.

    Motor Cycles
    Mr. Cann
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in respect of the Barton/Metten compromise agreed between motor cyclists' representatives and the European Parliament, at the Council of Ministers meeting in November relating to the European multi-directive COM (93) 449-COD 470 of 30 November 1993. [41224]

    Mr. Norris
    We expect to be considering the amendments to the motor cycle multi-directive proposed by the European Parliament at the November Council of Ministers.

    The Government have made clear their view that anti-tampering measures should be required only for mopeds and learner motor cycles. The Government consider that the noise and emission standards contained in the draft directive generally represent the appropriate levels for all categories of mopeds and motor cycles.

    Passenger Transport Executives
    Mr. Allen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which are the five largest cities in the United Kingdom without a passenger transport executive. [41330]

    Mr. Norris
    Measured by population, the five largest cities in the United Kingdom without a passenger transport executive are Edinburgh, Bristol, Cardiff, Belfast and Leicester.

    Buses
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the average age of the bus fleet operated by(a) private bus companies and (b) municipal undertakings. [41283]
    517
    Mr. Norris
    The records held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency show that, at the end of 1994, public service vehicles in the bus taxation class having nine or more seats had an average age of just under 10 years. The split of the average age of the fleet between private bus companies and municipal undertakings is not readily available.

    M66 Manchester Outer Ring Road
    Mr. Chris Davies
    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when tenders will be let for construction of the main carriageway of the M66 Manchester Outer Ring Road; and what is the reason for the delay. [39987]

    Mr. Watts
    [holding reply 30 October 1995]: There has been no unexpected delay. I hope to be in a position to award a contract for the first part of the remaining main carriageway, (Contract 1) around the turn of the year. Tenders for the second part (Contract 3) are yet to be sought.

  EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

    National Vocational Qualifications
    Mr. Mills
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils qualified for NVQs in(a) retail, (b) manufacturing, (c) the car industry, (d) fast fit cars, (e) golf, (f) restaurants, (g) travel agents, (h) tailoring, and (i) equine activities in each of the last five years. [38795]

    Mr. Paice
    Data are not available in the form requested. The following table shows the number of full national vocational qualification certificates, including expired NVQs, awarded in each of NCVQs framework areas up to the end of 1994.

    Table 1: Numbers of full NVO certifications: awards by framework area

    prior to 1991

    1991

    1992

    1993

    1994

    Total awards (000s)

    57

    110

    152

    201

    238

    Tending animals and plants

    1—

    1

    3

    5

    9

    Extracting/providing natural resources

    0

    1—

    1

    2

    3

    Constructing

    5

    2

    10

    23

    28

    Engineering

    1

    3

    7

    15

    25

    Manufacturing

    1

    3

    5

    7

    8

    Providing goods and services

    20

    33

    36

    48

    58

    Health, social and protective services

    6

    21

    7

    12

    18

    Providing business services

    24

    47

    83

    89

    87

    Communicating

    0

    1—

    1—

    1—

    1—

    Developing/extending knowledge/skill

    0

    0

    1—

    1—

    1—

    Source:

    NCVQ.

    Note:

    1Less than 500.
    518
    Mr. Mills
    To ask the Secretary for State for Education and Employment what is the percentage of the relevant age group in each EU country which has passed a national vocational qualification type qualification in each of the past five years. [38797]

    Mr. Paice
    The total number of national vocational qualifications awarded in the UK between their launch and the end of 1994 is about 758,000 according to figures supplied by NCVQ. Data are not available on the number of individuals gaining such awards; nor are data available in a comparable form for other EU member countries.

    Total NVQs awarded in the United Kingdom to 31 December 1990: 58,294; total awarded in 1991: 111,235; total awarded in 1992: 152,114; total awarded in 1993: 202,426; and total awarded in 1994: 239,780.

    Barnsley and Doncaster Training and Enterprise Council
    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the reason given by Barnsley and Doncaster TEC for making an operating loss for the financial year 1993–94, and if she will make a statement. [38631]

    Mr. Paice
    The information relating to the operating surplus/deficit made by Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council is available in the TEC's annual report for 1993–94. A copy of this report is held in the Library.

    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many(a) adults and (b) young people on average participated in the Barnsley and Doncaster TEC training scheme in each month in the past two years; and if she will indicate the average percentage of those who gained qualifications. [38981]

    Mr. Paice
    The number participating in youth training and training for work in the Barnsley and Doncaster Training Enterprise Council area are given in the following table. The table also includes information on those gaining qualifications.

    Barnsley and Doncaster TEC

    1993–94

    1994–95

    Youth Training

    Average number in-training

    4,040

    3,710

    Percentage of leavers gaining a qualification or credit towards one:

    52 per cent.

    (January-December 1994) 53 per cent.

    Training for Work

    Average number in-training Percentage of leavers gaining

    3,460

    3,130

    Percentage of leavers gaining a qualification or credit towards one:

    39 per cent.

    (January-December 1994) 45 per cent.

    Source:

    TEC management information returns, YT and TFW national follow-up surveys.
    519
    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to what extent Barnsley and Doncaster TEC is involved in(a) the open learning credits initiative and (b) the skill choice initiatives; what achievements have been made under the programme; what yearly funding it has received to date; and when the initiative will end. [39011]

    Mr. Paice
    Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council did not take part in either the open learning credits pilots or the skill choice initiative.

    The open learning credits pilots were run in 1993–94 to trial the use of open learning for unemployed people. There were 14 pilots involving 17 TECs and two local enterprise councils. Total funding for the pilots was £2.97 million. The purpose of the pilots was to trial the use of open learning for unemployed people. The pilots were fully evaluated and identified a number of benefits including choice, flexibility, high levels of client satisfaction and the opportunity to target particular client groups.

    Skill choice was a two-year initiative run in 1993–94 and 1994–95. There were 14 TECs and three local enterprise companies involved and total expenditure was £19. 5 million. The aim of the initiative was to help individuals, mainly those in employment, to purchase the vocational guidance and assessment services of their choice. The total number of individuals helped over two years was 250,000, and employers participating in the initiative reported significant economic benefits.

    Evaluation reports for both programmes have been placed in the Library.

    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions she has had with her colleagues in increasing the funding of Barnsley and Doncaster TEC. [38982]

    Mr. Paice
    There are no plans to increase the allocation of funds to Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council in the current financial year. However, the TEC along with others, may benefit from additional resources available through funds already committed for national/regional competitions between TECs. These include performance-related funding, skills challenge and the achievement of additional qualifications through youth training.

    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to extend or amalgamate the boundaries of the Barnsley and Doncaster TEC, and if she will make a statement. [39048]

    Mr. Paice
    I am not aware of any plans to extend or amalgamate the boundaries of Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council. It is for TECs themselves to propose any structural change.

    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if Barnsley and Doncaster TEC uses adult training credits within its training for work provision; and if she will make a statement. [39451]

    Mr. Paice
    The information requested is operational information on the Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council and the question would be best addressed to the TEC to answer.
    520
    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the estimated number of people who have found permanent work during the last 12 months as a result of training at the Barnsley and Doncaster TEC. [39453]

    Mr. Paice
    In 1994, 43 per cent. of those leaving training for work from Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council were in a job six months after leaving. In the same period, 50 per cent. of youth training leavers were in a job.

    As the information comes from surveys, it is possible to give only percentages not actual numbers.

    School Buildings
    Mr. Spearing
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer of 19 October concerning amendments to the regulations to school buildings, which of the bodies she lists favoured removal of any regulatory standard; which provisions she now proposes to remove and when; and by what means she announced her own views. [39319]

    Mrs. Gillan
    The Department issued a consultation letter on 14 August 1995. Responses were requested by 18 October 1995 and are now being analysed. We will, of course, give careful consideration to respondents' views before making any decisions on the final shape of the regulations.

    Nursery Education
    Mr. Blunkett
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the number and percentage of(a) three-year-olds and (b) four-year-olds in local education authority maintained pre-school provision in each authority, at the latest date for which figures are available. [39118]

    Mr. Robin Squire
    Information on pupils aged three and four in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in each local education authority in England in January 1995 is shown in the following table. The Department does not publish information on participation rates of individual age cohorts by local education authority.

    Pupils aged three and four in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in each local education authority in England—January 1995 (provisional)

    Pupils (age at 31 August 1994)

    3three

    2four

    Percentage of population aged three and four at 31 December 1994

    Camden

    845

    4

    25

    Greenwich

    2,229

    746

    48

    Hackney

    1,898

    11

    35

    Hammersmith and Fulham

    1,069

    271

    46

    Islington

    1,473

    80

    37

    Kensington and Chelsea

    603

    153

    27

    Lambeth

    1,603

    490

    31

    Lewisham

    1,869

    612

    37

    Southwark

    2,323

    91

    42

    Tower Hamlets

    2,456

    267

    58

    Wandsworth

    2,056

    54

    35

    Westminster

    801

    187

    31

    521

    Pupils aged three and four in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in each local education authority in England—January 1995 (provisional)

    Pupils (age at 31 Augustl994)

    3three

    2four

    Percentage of population aged three and four at 31 December 1994

    Barking and Dagenham

    2,046

    6

    46

    Barnet

    2,024

    44

    32

    Bexley

    1,413

    6

    23

    Brent

    2,459

    17

    37

    Bromley

    162

    2

    2

    Croydon

    1,999

    12

    21

    Ealing

    3,143

    7

    46

    Enfield

    1,620

    3

    22

    Haringey

    2,354

    50

    44

    Harrow

    1,006

    3

    18

    Havering

    464

    3

    9

    Hillingdon

    1,430

    1,923

    49

    Hounslow

    2,362

    0

    40

    Kingston upon Thames

    1,028

    14

    35

    Merton

    1,860

    387

    55

    Newham

    2,925

    1,206

    52

    Redbridge

    970

    310

    20

    Richmond upon Thames

    653

    1

    18

    Sutton

    816

    1,147

    41

    Waltham Forest

    1,738

    899

    39

    Birmingham

    10,471

    17

    34

    Coventry

    1,910

    0

    24

    Dudley

    2,626

    11

    37

    Sandwell

    3,844

    136

    54

    Solihull

    1,877

    3

    36

    Walsall

    3,505

    2

    59

    Wolverhampton

    3,175

    6

    54

    Knowsley

    2,336

    23

    62

    Liverpool

    4,941

    4

    46

    St. Helens

    1,489

    3

    35

    Sefton

    2,290

    5

    36

    Wirral

    2,156

    1

    26

    Bolton

    2,703

    3

    41

    Bury

    1,448

    0

    30

    Manchester

    5,116

    1,764

    54

    Oldham

    2,455

    3

    37

    Rochdale

    2,074

    10

    33

    Salford

    2,922

    22

    53

    Stockport

    1,972

    3

    27

    Tameside

    2,377

    1

    39

    Trafford

    2,056

    30

    43

    Wigan

    2,050

    4

    25

    Barnsley

    1,975

    869

    48

    Doncaster

    3,647

    1

    44

    Rotherham

    2,176

    1,110

    46

    Sheffield

    3,888

    1,473

    42

    Bradford

    5,142

    634

    44

    Calderdale

    1,945

    1

    36

    Kirklees

    3,985

    31

    40

    Leeds

    7,147

    549

    47

    Wakefield

    3,389

    976

    54

    Gateshead

    1,675

    2

    36

    Newcastle upon Tyne

    2,761

    7

    39

    North Tyneside

    2,306

    0

    55

    South Tyneside

    1,971

    3

    53

    Sunderland

    3,300

    1

    42

    Avon

    4,844

    52

    21

    Bedfordshire

    3,010

    2,003

    32

    Berkshire

    3,043

    3,721

    32

    Buckinghamshire

    1,785

    1,201

    16

    Cambridge

    2,174

    8

    12

    Cheshire

    4,528

    75

    21

    522

    Pupils aged three and four in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in each local education authority in England—January 1995 (provisional)

    Pupils (age at 31 August1994)

    3three

    2four

    Percentage of population aged three and four at 31 December 1994

    Cleveland

    7,179

    5

    60

    Cornwall3

    1,393

    175

    15

    Cumbria

    2,971

    40

    25

    Derbyshire

    6,515

    2,168

    38

    Devon

    1,998

    855

    12

    Dorset

    726

    0

    5

    Durham

    6,356

    29

    46

    East Sussex

    1,424

    54

    10

    Essex

    1,604

    981

    7

    Gloucestershire

    27

    0

    0

    Hampshire

    1,750

    67

    5

    Hereford and Worcester

    868

    770

    9

    Hertfordshire

    6,734

    2,673

    34

    Humberside

    6,343

    2,308

    38

    Isle of Wight

    150

    3

    7

    Kent

    1,853

    43

    5

    Lancashire

    7,235

    24

    21

    Leicestershire

    3,119

    1,913

    21

    Lincolnshire

    1,917

    33

    14

    Norfolk

    1,119

    119

    7

    North Yorkshire

    3,096

    489

    22

    Northamptonshire

    3,024

    4

    18

    Northumberland

    2,411

    7

    41

    Nottinghamshire

    7,807

    4,995

    50

    Oxfordshire

    1,668

    1,521

    19

    Shropshire

    1,332

    669

    18

    Somerset

    521

    2

    5

    Staffordshire

    6,602

    94

    25

    Suffolk

    1,650

    1,422

    17

    Surrey

    2,423

    345

    12

    Warwickshire

    2,109

    4

    17

    West Sussex

    828

    308

    7

    Wiltshire

    397

    158

    4

    England3 4

    277,376

    46,064

    27

    1 Includes pupils who became four years of age by 1 January 1995.2

    Excludes pupils who became five years of age by 1 January 1995.

    3 Includes Isles of Scilly.

    4 Includes Corporation of London.

    Funding, Dorset
    Mr. David Atkinson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the(a) increase in Government funding on education in Dorset and (b) the inflation rate since (i) 1979 and (ii) 1990; and if she will make a statement. [38973]

    Mr. Robin Squire
    The information is not available in the form in which it has been requested. I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library.

    Teachers' Pay
    Mr. Blunkett
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average point on the teachers' pay scale at which teachers were appointed in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools, for each year since 1988. [39115]
    523
    Mr. Robin Squire
    The points on the qualified teachers' pay scale at which new entrant classroom teachers were typically appointed in England for the financial years 1988–89 and 1993–94 are shown in the following table:

    Typical scale or spine point1 2 to which new entrants were appointed in:

    Financial Year

    Primary schools

    Secondary schools

    Point

    Value £

    Point

    Value £

    1988–89

    4

    8,859

    4

    8,859

    1989–90

    4

    9,390

    4

    9,390

    1990–91

    4

    10,503

    4

    10,503

    1991–92

    3

    11,502

    4

    12,051

    1992–93

    3

    12,366

    3

    12,366

    1993–943

    2

    12,633

    2

    12,633

    1 At least 50 per cent, of new appointees are placed either on or below this point.

    2 In the academic years 1988–89 to 1990–91 teachers, other than head teachers and deputies, were paid on an 11 point incremental main scale. From 1 December 1991 the main scale was shortened to 10 points. From 1 September 1993 the Government introduced a new common 18-point pay spine for classroom teachers. In the academic years 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 the point of entry for a teacher with a good honours degree was point 4; and ordinary degree was point 2; a non-graduate was point l.The point of entry in 1991–92 and 1992–93 for a teacher with a good honours degree was point 3; others were point 1. The point of entry in 1993–94 for a teacher with a good honours degree was point 2; others were point 0. For each of the years shown further discretionary points could be gained for various reasons, eg recruitment and retention.

    3 Data for 1993–94 are estimated.

    Public Appointments
    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which her Department makes appointments in the county of South Yorkshire, indicating the total annual budget and the number of appointments made or renewed for each body in each of the last four years. [39422]

    Mr. Robin Squire
    The Secretary of State for Education and Employment makes appointments to:

    (a) The Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities (Sheffield and Rotherham)

    (b) The Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities (Wakefield, Barnsley and Doncaster)
    CEPDs do not hold budgets. Their functions are financed by the Employment Service out of regionally held budgets.
    The press committees were constituted in April 1994 and will run for three years. Each committee consists of a chairman and up to 13 members.

    (c) The Further Education Funding Council regional committee (Yorkshire and Humberside)
    The FEFC regional committee has no separate budgets. Its functions are financed from the FEFC's central budget.
    The committee consists of 11 members and a chairman. The current chairman was appointed in April 1993 and the 11 members in October 1993.

    Temporary Teachers
    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make it her policy to collate centrally the number of temporary teachers paid on a daily rate who are employed by each(a) college and (b) university in England for longer than 26 weeks during each year; and if she will make a statement. [39506]

    Mr. Robin Squire
    My right hon. Friend has no plans to collate such information.

    Nursery Education Vouchers
    Sir Thomas Arnold
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what response she has had from the Metropolitan borough of Stockport about taking up the voucher scheme for nursery education. [39609]

    Mr. Paice
    The Metropolitan borough of Stockport has responded to the consultation papers which cover elements of the nursery education voucher scheme. The council has resolved not to participate in phase 1 of the scheme.

    Local Education Authority Administration
    Mr. Spring
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the level of administrative or overheads expenditure per pupil in the local education authorities in(a) Suffolk, (b) Cambridgeshire and (c) Norfolk for the last three years
    available. [39615]

    Mr. Robin Squire
    The table shows, at 1994–95 prices, the gross costs per pupils of expenditure on central administration recorded by(a) Suffolk, (b) Cambridgeshire and (c) Norfolk education authorities for 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94, the latest year for which figures are available. These figures have not been adjusted for any changes of function. The figures may not be comparable between LEAs of differing local accounting practices.

    Central administrative gross expenditure per pupil (pre-primary/primary, secondary and special 1994–95) prices

    LEA

    1991–92 £

    1992–93 £

    1993–94 £

    Suffolk

    160

    169

    100

    Cambridgeshire

    145

    124

    128

    Norfolk

    94

    142

    86

    England

    146

    160

    138

    Free School Meals
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many assisted pupils qualified for free school meals for the most recent years for which figures are available. [40484]

    Mrs. Gillan
    The information requested is shown in the table and relates to the last three academic years and to England only.
    525

    Assisted places scheme

    Academic year

    Numbers of assisted pupils qualified for free school meals

    1992–93

    3,002

    1993–94

    3,521

    1994–95

    3,867

    Assisted Places Scheme
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the total amount paid under the assisted places scheme for(a) uniform grant, (b) school travel grant and (c) travel grant for visiting universities for the most recent years for which figures are available. [40483]

    Mrs. Gillan
    The information requested is given in the following table and relates to participating schools' expenditure in the last three academic years in England only. Figures for travel grant to enable assisted pupils visit universities for the purpose of interviews are not collected separately: they are subsumed in the total for school travel grants.

    Assisted places scheme

    £000

    Total cost of

    Academic year

    uniform grants

    travel grants

    1992–93

    813

    1,639

    1993–94

    869

    1,878

    1994–95

    940

    2,123

    School Governors
    Sir Irvine Patnick
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in encouraging parents to become school governors, and if she will make a statement. [40573]

    Mr. Robin Squire
    The governing bodies of all maintained schools must include parents governors, elected by the parents of pupils at the school, as one means of giving parents power to influence the nature and quality of the education their children receive. It is increasingly recognised that governors, including parent governors, play a key part in deciding the conduct and development of their school. The available evidence suggests that most schools are able to find sufficient parent and other governors to serve. The Government are grateful for the time, effort and commitment which governors devote, and we will continue to encourage parents and other members of the local community to undertake this demanding but rewarding task.

    Employment Service Client Advisers
    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if performance-related management of client advisers in the Employment Service is related to the number of unemployed within the area of their work. [39673]

    Mr. Forth
    Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service Agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
    526
    Letter from D. J. Litton to Mr. Jim Cunningham, dated 3 November 1995:

    The Secretary of State has asked me, in the absence of the Chief Executive, to reply to your question about the performance management of client advisers in the Employment Service (ES).

    It may help if I briefly outline the performance management system which operates in the ES. Effective performance management is vital if we are to achieve our business objectives as set out in the Annual Performance Agreement between the Secretary of State and the ES. Agreement and achievement of performance and development objectives for everyone in the ES, including client advisers, plays a critical part in our performance management arrangements and the achievement of these business objectives.

    Client advisers, like all other people in the ES, need to understand what they are required to achieve throughout the year. Performance targets and standards are set and used to ensure that our business objectives are met, value for money is delivered and individuals are properly rewarded for their performance.

    Each client adviser:

    has key responsibilities and operational objectives based on the Agency's and the individual Jobcentre's operational plans. These operational plans are derived from the Annual Performance Agreement and take account of the number of unemployed people nationally and within the locality;

    agrees with their line manager how their performance is to be measured;

    agrees personal development objectives where necessary to sustain and enhance their performance; and

    has regular reviews with their line manager to assess achievement against operational and developmental objectives. During these reviews external factors, notably changes in their local labour market will be taken into account.

    I hope this is helpful and assures you that the performance management of our advisers is part of a comprehensive system which takes into account all the factors that are likely to be relevant.

    Jobseeker's Allowance
    Mr. Jim Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in what circumstances unemployed volunteers claiming the jobseeker's allowance are able to continue their voluntary employment; and what benefits they will be entitled to between ending voluntary work and starting paid employment. [39681]

    Mr. Forth
    Claimants will be able to undertake voluntary work while in receipt of a jobseeker's allowance as long as they are actively seeking work and available for work at 48 hours' notice. If they decide to stop undertaking voluntary work, they will have to be immediately available for work; in other respects, their benefit entitlement will not be affected. On starting paid employment of more than 16 hours a week, they may be eligible for a range of in-work benefits, depending on their individual circumstances.

    Area Cost Adjustments
    Mrs. Ann Winterton
    To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the level of area cost adjustment expressed as a percentage add on to the primary and secondary standard spending assessments that receive area cost adjustment, the value of the London weighting as a percentage of average teacher and pay, and the amounts of any other qualifiable costs taken into account in determining the area cost adjustment in each authority that receives area cost adjustment. [38171]
    527
    Mr. Robin Squire
    [holding answer 20 October 1995]: The information requested on the level of the area cost adjustment is set out in the "Local Government Finance Report (England) 1995–96", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

    Some care must be taken in drawing conclusions about the area cost adjustment using information on teachers' salaries and London weightings.

    All the employment groups relevant to the local authority labour market for education have to be taken into account—not just teachers—since the area cost adjustment has to take off non-teaching costs, which account for about a third of education labour costs.

  SOCIAL SECURITY

    Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema
    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications his Department's Benefits Agency offices in the Doncaster and Mexborough area have received during the last 12 months in respect of chronic bronchitis and emphysema; of those how many have(a) been accepted on first application, (b) been refused, (c) gone to appeal and (d) been accepted following an appeal; and what were the figures for the previous 12 months. [39439]

    Mr. Roger Evans
    The administration of industrial injuries disablement benefit is a matter for Mr. Peter

    Table 1: September 1993-October 1994

    Successful

    Failed (reason)

    Area

    Claims

    20 year rule

    20 year rule

    Lung test1

    CAT 1 PNEUMOCO NIOSIS

    South Yorkshire and Humberside

    6,521

    773

    171

    6,551

    3,957

    1 These figures were collected by the disability benefits centre at Leeds. Leeds DBC also dealt with other areas so the figures do not equate exactly.

    Table 2: October 1994-September 1995

    Area

    Claims

    Successful

    Failed (all reasons)

    Doncaster

    92

    16

    112

    Rother and Dearne

    141

    21

    187

    Note:

    Tables include claims received but not decided within the period.

    Source:

    100 per cent. count, figures are subject to amendment.

    Benefits Agencies, South Yorkshire
    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each Benefits Agency office in South Yorkshire indicating(a) the number of employees and (b) the number of claimants receiving benefit through these offices; and how many each office had paid out by way of (i) crisis loans and (ii) community care grants under the social fund in each of the last four years. [39443]
    528
    Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

    Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 2 November 1995:

    The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many applications the Benefits Agency offices in the Doncaster and Mexborough area have received during the last 12 months in respect of chronic bronchitis and emphysema; of those how many have (a) been accepted on first application, (b) been refused, (c) gone to appeal and (d) been accepted following an appeal; and what were the figures for the previous 12 months.

    Not all the information requested is available. This is because figures for the number of claims made for chronic bronchitis and emphysema, also known as PD D12, since the end of the initial twelve month take-on period have been collected separately and in a slightly different format. The take-on period lasted from September 1993 to October 1994.

    It is also not possible to provide specific information about the number of appeals against decisions on PD D12 claims as these are not kept separate from other prescribed diseases.

    The available information is shown in the enclosed tables. The information in the first three columns of Table 1 was collected at Area Directorate level. The information in columns four and five was collected at the Disability Benefit Centre (DBC) at Leeds. Table 1 covers the South Yorkshire and Humberside areas which include Doncaster and Mexborough.

    From 3 October 1994, the number of claims for PD D12 has been recorded at District Office level. The offices at Doncaster East and Doncaster West form the Doncaster District. Mexborough, Rotherham, Goldthorpe and Wath-on-Dearne offices form the Rother and Dearne District. Table 2 shows the information for those two Districts.

    I hope this reply is helpful.

    Mr. Roger Evans
    The administration of the social fund is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

    Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 2 November 1995:

    The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for a list of the Benefit Agency offices in South Yorkshire indicating (a) the number of employees and (b) the number of claimants receiving benefit through these offices; and how many each office had paid by way of (i) Crisis Loans and (ii) Community Care Grants under the Social Fund in each of the last four years.

    With the formation of the Benefits Agency in April 1991, offices were grouped into Districts and figures for each branch office cannot be given separately. Annex A - C gives information for each District in South Yorkshire.

    The latest available data for the number of employees in South Yorkshire is provided at Annex A at District level.

    Annex B gives the latest available number of customers receiving benefits as at 30 September 1995 and the latest available figures for Income Support as at 31 August 1995. You should note that a customer may receive more than one of the benefits listed.
    529
    The number of customers in each office that had been paid a Crisis Loan or a Community Care Grant during the last four years is not available. This is because information on the Social Fund is not kept by customer but by applications made to the Fund. Annex C provides details of the number of successful applications.

    I hope you find this reply helpful.

    Annex A: The number of employees in each district in South Yorkshire

    As at 30 September 1995

    District

    Employees

    Rother and Dcarne

    389

    Sheffield East

    340

    Sheffield West

    292

    Barnsley

    234

    Doncaster

    306

    Annex B: Customers in receipt by benefit type in each district in South Yorkshire

    As at 30 September 1995

    District

    Incapacity benefit

    Maternity benefit

    Severe disablement benefit

    Rother and Dearne

    18,588

    42

    2,716

    Sheffield East

    9,444

    58

    1,799

    Sheffield West

    10,155

    81

    1,539

    Barnsley

    14,469

    62

    1,409

    Doncaster

    15,323

    68

    2,070

    Customers in receipt of income support in each district in South Yorkshire

    As at 31 August 1995

    District

    Income support

    Rother and Dearne

    38,686

    Sheffield East

    36,037

    Sheffield West

    33,261

    Barnsley

    22,451

    Doncaster

    30,718

    Annex C: Number of CL and CCG Awards made by each district in south Yorkshire from April 1991 to March 1995

    District

    CCG Awards

    CL Awards

    1991–92:

    Rother and Dearne

    2,950

    2,704

    Sheffield East

    3,102

    7,295

    Sheffield West

    2,345

    5,886

    Barnsley

    2,009

    2,243

    Doncaster

    1,818

    3,456

    1992–93

    Rother and Dearne

    3,167

    2,902

    Sheffield East

    3,244

    7,494

    Sheffield West

    2,473

    6,176

    Barnsley

    2,080

    2,489

    Doncaster

    1,511

    3,810

    1993–94

    Rother and Dearne

    3,153

    2,839

    Sheffield East

    3,243

    7,723

    Sheffield West

    2,273

    5,912

    Barnsley

    2,211

    1,818

    Doncaster

    1,784

    4,144

    1994–95

    Rother and Dearne

    1,746

    1,841

    Sheffield East

    1,560

    4,064

    Sheffield West

    970

    3,396

    530

    Annex C: Number of CL and CCG Awards made by each district in south Yorkshire from April 1991 to March 1995

    District

    CCG Awards

    CL Awards

    Barnsley

    1,157

    1,135

    Doncaster

    888

    2,118

    Mr. Redmond
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by location each of his Department's benefit agencies(a) districts and (b) directorates that cover the postcode areas of (i) Doncaster and (ii) Mexborough; and if he will indicate in his answer the postcodes concerned. [39558]

    Mr. Evans
    This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

    Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 2 November 1995:

    The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the postcodes covered by the Benefit Agency's districts and directorates in Doncaster and Mexborough.

    The enclosed Appendix A lists the names and addresses of the offices in Doncaster and Mexborough and the postcodes they cover. This should, however, only be used as a general guide because local offices are not organised by postcode but on a geographical basis. In some instances postcode areas are covered by more than one District.

    I hope you find this reply helpful.

    Appendix A

    Postcodes areas covered by the Doncaster East, Doncaster West and Mexborough offices. To be used as a guide only:

    Doncaster East Benefit office,

    St Peters House, Princes Street, Doncaster,

    DN1 3NY

    Postcodes DN1

    Postcodes DN2

    Postcodes DN3

    Postcodes DN4

    Postcodes DN5

    Postcodes DN7

    Postcodes DN8

    Postcodes DN9 (Part)

    Postcodes DN10 (Part)

    Postcodes DN14 (Part)

    Doncaster West District office,

    Castle House,

    Princegate,

    Doncaster,

    DN1 3XT

    Postcodes DN1

    Postcodes DN2

    Postcodes DN4

    Postcodes DN5

    Postcodes DN6

    Postcodes DN11

    Postcodes DN12

    Postcodes DN14 (Part)

    531

    Postcodes S66 (Part)

    Postcodes WF8 (Part)

    Mexborough Benefit office,

    Crown Buildings,

    Adwick Road,

    Mexborough,

    S64 OBD

    Postcodes DN5

    Postcodes DN12

    Postcodes S63

    Postcodes S64

    Child Support Agency
    Ms Lynne
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much of the maintenance claimed as new maintenance by the Child Support Agency would have been due under pre-CSA agreements. [40315]

    Mr. Andrew Mitchell
    The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.

    Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 2 November 1995:

    I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about child maintenance.

    Between launch in April 1993, and August 1995, as a direct result of Child Support assessments, the Agency has collected or arranged maintenance totalling £300m. It is not possible to say how much of this maintenance would have been due under pre-CSA agreements.

    Ms Lynne
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much of the Child Support Agency's outstanding debt is attributable to type A interim assessments. [40318]

    Mr. Mitchell
    The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.

    Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 2 November 1995:

    I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about how much of the Child Support Agency's outstanding debt is attributable to Category A interim maintenance assessments (IMAs).

    Of a total outstanding debt of £700m at the end of August 1995, it is estimated that £456m was the result of IMAs.

    It is not possible to further break down the £456m debt by category of IMA, but the vast majority of this debt can be attributed to category A IMAs. This is because the other types of IMAs (Category B, C and D) are used in circumstances where the absent parent is most likely to be cooperating with the Agency.

    Since 18 April 1995, IMAs have been converted to full maintenance assessments (FMAs) from the effective date of the assessment, as soon as the absent parent provides sufficient information for this to be done. FMAs are generally much lower than IMAs and it follows that much of the IMA debt is provisional.

    Ms Lynne
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of the child 532
    maintenance assessments issued to absent parents who have previously paid no maintenance including nil and minimum assessments. [40319]

    Mr. Mitchell
    The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.

    Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 2 November 1995:

    I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security requesting a breakdown of child maintenance assessments. This information is available for parents with care receiving Income Support.

    Whilst it is not possible to provide a breakdown relating to absent parents, an estimated figure for parents with care is available and is set out in the table attached. This is produced based on five percent samples of Income Support and Child Support Agency cases, taken in February 1993 and August 1995 respectively.

    Most of the cases included in these samples will be Income Support taken on in the first year of the Agency, when it was estimated that around 50 per cent of those cases taken on were not already receiving maintenance. This proportion has increased to an estimated 77 per cent. since April 1994. We would expect the percentage assessed who were not previously receiving maintenance (38.95%) to increase in future samples as Income Support data for 1994 and 1995 becomes available.

    I hope this is helpful.

    Maintenance assessed at August 1995 for parents with care who received no maintenance whilst on Income Support in February 1993

    Number of cases (000s)

    As a percentage of the 333,500 cases assessed at August 1995 who were in receipt of Income Support in 1993

    (a) £0 to £2.35

    60

    17.97

    (b) £2.36 to £4.99

    1

    0.30

    (c) £5 to £9.99

    2

    0.60

    (d) £10 to £19.99

    4

    1.20

    (e) £20 to £29.99

    5

    1.50

    (f) £30 to £39.99

    6

    1.80

    (g) £40 to £49.99

    7

    2.10

    (h) £50 to £59.99

    8

    2.40

    (i) £60 to £69.99

    4

    1.20

    (j) £70 to £79.99

    3

    0.90

    (k) £80 or more

    29

    8.69

    Total

    129

    38.95

    Note:

    The table may include some instances where maintenance was paid to the DSS in respect of the claimant and/or dependant(s) at February 1993 and some cases where there was no entitlement to maintenance at February 1993.

    Number of cases include interim and full maintenance assessments.

    Bank of Credit and Commerce International
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the total amount of moneys paid by his Department to the liquidators of BCC1, Touche Ross, in respect of staff mortgage interest payments for each year since 1991 and for each month since 1 January 1995. [41287]

    Mr. Andrew Mitchell
    The information is not available.

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