Written Answers of 6 November 1995

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Mental Incapacity
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the proposed legislation by the Law Commission on mental incapacity; and if he will make a statement. [41357]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Government have welcomed the Law Commission's report on mental incapacity as an important contribution to the debate on decision making where a person lacks capacity to make decisions for themselves. The Government recognise, however, that the report raises important and sensitive issues of principle. We set up an interdepartmental working group to co-ordinate consideration of the report on 15 March 1995. The group produced an initial report for Ministers by its target date of 1 September. Ministers are considering the group's report with that of the Law Commission.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to complete his consideration of the draft Mental Incapacity Bill; and if he will make a statement. [41589]

  Mr. Taylor
  The Government set up an interdepartmental working group to co-ordinate consideration of the Law Commission report on 15 March 1995. The group produced an initial report for Ministers by its target date of 1 September. Ministers are now considering the group's report with that of the Law Commission.

  Frederick West (Memoirs)
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received regarding the proposals by the Official Solicitor(a) for the publication of the memoirs based on the confession of the late Frederick West and (b) for the proceeds of such publication to go to the West family. [40691]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's Department has received five separate representations regarding proposals by the Official Solicitor(a) for the publication of the memoirs based on the confessions of the late Frederick West and (b) for the proceeds of such publication to go to the West family. In addition, an early-day motion on this subject has been tabled.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Electro-shock Weapons
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 3 July,Official Report, column 76, what further progress has been made in the investigation into
  534
  matters relating to British Aerospace and the export of electro-shock equipment. [41482]

  The Solicitor-General
  The police have submitted a report to the Crown Prosecution Service which has been considered. No decision will be made regarding the institution of criminal proceedings until the conclusion of the separate inquiries being conducted by the Strathclyde police.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his Department's letter of 11 September, if the Strathclyde police have completed their investigations into the allegations made in the Dispatches programme in respect of the export of electro-shock equipment involving ICL Technical Plastics Ltd. of Glasgow. [41434]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I have been asked to reply since the question relates to a Scottish police investigation. The inquiries being conducted by Strathclyde Police into these allegations are being pursued with due expedition but are not, as yet, concluded.

TREASURY

  Inflation
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average inflation rate between October 1974 and May 1979 and May 1979 to date; and if he will make a statement. [40679]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Between October 1974 and May 1979 the average rate of inflation, as measured by the retail prices index, was 15.1 per cent. per annum. This compares with 6.4 per cent. for the period May 1979 to September 1995, the latest month for which information is available.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pensioners in each standard region of the United Kingdom, in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and for the United Kingdom as a whole, are exclusively or very largely dependent on state pension; and if he will express that figure as a percentage of the overall number of pensioners. [40456]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Data on the number of pensioners mainly dependent on state pension are not available. The figures show, for the standard regions, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom as a whole, the number of retired households mainly dependent on state pensions and other state benefits as a percentage of all retired households, as estimated from the 1994–95 family expenditure survey. The figures are subject to sampling variations.

  Retired households mainly dependent on state pensions and other state benefits as a percentage of all retired households

  Percentage

  United Kingdom

  45

  England

  45

  North

  50

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  48

  North West

  46

  East Midlands

  50

  West Midlands

  51

  535

  Retired households mainly dependent on state pensions and other state benefits as a percentage of all retired households

  Percentage

  East Anglia

  51

  Greater London

  39

  South East excluding Greater London

  43

  South West

  35

  Wales

  44

  Scotland

  45

  Northern Ireland

  54

  Capital Gains Tax (National Grid)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much capital gains tax he expects to receive in connection with the demerger of the national grid. [41392]

  Mr. Jack
  The tax affairs of particular companies are a confidential matter between those companies and the Inland Revenue.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to release a figure for the amount of capital gains tax levied in connection with the demerger of the national grid. [41393]

  Mr. Jack
  I am unable to release such a figure because the tax affairs of particular companies is a confidential matter between those companies and the Inland Revenue.

  Unquoted Shares
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate(a) the value of unquoted shares sold in the latest year available, including shares in wholly owned companies and (b) the taxable gains on these shares before allowing for any (i) reliefs or (ii) exemptions claimed. [41394]

  Mr. Jack
  I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Tax Relief
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate for the latest available year(a) the number of people and (b) the value of tax relief given under capital gains tax (i) retirement relief and (ii) re-investment relief. [41391]

  Mr. Jack
  The latest estimates for the costs of capital gains tax retirement and re-investment reliefs are given in table 1.6 in the 1995 edition of "Inland Revenue Statistics". Reliable estimates for the numbers of people claiming these reliefs are not available.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total amount of capital gains tax that(a) has been deferred and (b) is still deferred through use of the various reliefs afforded to capital taxpayers. [41395]

  Mr. Jack
  I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation 536
  Committee before the end of 1995; and if he will make a statement. [41542]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I refer to the answer that my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave to my hon. Friend earlier today.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Inland Revenue's business plan and the way it will now work on deregulation policy with the Department of Social Security. [41519]

  Mr. Jack
  The Inland Revenue management plan for 1995–96 to 1997–98 foreshadowed plans for the Inland Revenue and the Contributions Agency of the Department of Social Security to work more closely together with a view to providing a better service to customers and lifting the burdens on business. Details of the joint working programme were announced on 19 September 1995.

  The joint working programme is an important part of each Department's deregulation initiative. It has been drawn up with small businesses particularly in mind and should help to make their dealings with the government machine more straightforward and less burdensome.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer by the repeal of each rule and regulation which has so far been the subject of a reference to the Deregulation Committee from his Department; and in how many cases a compliance cost assessment has been carried out. [41543]

  Mrs. Knight
  The Treasury has laid three draft deregulation proposals to date. The Deregulation (Building Societies) Order was laid on 9 May, the Deregulation (Credit Unions) Order on 11 July and the Deregulation (Friendly Societies) Order on 17 July. The draft orders will not lead to any significant cost savings for the Exchequer.

  The explanatory documents which were presented to the committee alongside each of the draft orders contain an assessment of the cost savings to business and any other persons whom the draft orders are intended to benefit.

  Inquiries (Small Firms)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many compulsory inquiries are issued by the Central Statistical Office to small firms each year; how many Prodcom quarterly inquiries are sent out to small firms each year; and what is the estimated total cost of these inquiries to(a) each small business and (b) the Exchequer. [41548]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information on the number of forms to the level of detail requested is currently held only for those inquiries included in the interdepartmental business register. Out of a total of 663,000, 304,500 forms were sent to businesses with fewer than 25 employees between July 1994 and June 1995. Some 1,170 small firms with fewer than 25 employees were included in the Prodcom quarterly inquiry, resulting in 4,680 forms in that year.

  In July 1995 the Central Statistical Office took over responsibility for the former Employment Department's employer surveys. Including the inquiries conducted by the former Employment Department, there were in total

  537
  some 1,743,000 forms sent to businesses in the 1994 calendar year. This figure includes an estimate for the former Employment Department's biennial census of employment based on an average of the number of forms sent out for that inquiry in 1993 and 1994. The 1994 costs on the same basis were estimated at £22 million to business and £23 million to the Exchequer. Information which would enable a breakdown of these costs between smaller and larger businesses is currently not available in respect of all the inquiries. The Central Statistical Office is in the process of developing a compliance plan which will provide more detailed breakdowns of the costs of all the inquiries. This will be available in April 1996 and a copy placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Grants
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what grant-giving funds his Department is responsible, requiring a private sector contribution, where the use of national lottery funds is now allowed to count towards that private sector portion. [38611]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for National Heritage on 31 October, columns 186–87.

  Tax Allowances and Reliefs
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his answer to the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke) of 11 February 1992,Official Report, column 430, on average tax allowances and reliefs for those with gross earnings up to £120,000, differentiating between reliefs and allowances claimed at the marginal rate and reliefs and allowances claimed at other rates. [39107]

  Mr. Jack
  Available estimates for taxpayers in 1995–96 are in the table. It is not possible to provide reliable estimates for the specified bands above £100,000.

  Gross income range £ per year

  Average amount of tax reliefs and allowances claimed at marginal rates set against income

  Average amount of tax reliefs and allowances claimed at other rates, set against income

  0–10,000

  3,900

  650

  10,000–20,000

  4,100

  1,550

  20,000–30,000

  4,600

  2,250

  30,000–40,000

  5,100

  2,600

  40,000–50,000

  5,900

  2,800

  50,000–60,000

  6,500

  2,850

  60,000–70,000

  7,100

  2,900

  70,000–80,000

  7,800

  2,900

  80,000–90,000

  7,900

  2,700

  90,000–100,000

  9,000

  2,700

  Over 100,000

  13,800

  2,750

  Average

  4,300

  1,400

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list figures for the donations and cost of tax relief on(a) covenants to charities and (b) gift aid for taxpayers with gross income of over (i) £40,000, (ii) £60,000, (iii) £80,000 and (iv) £100,000. [39110]
  538
  Mr. Jack
  Provisional estimates for individual taxpayers in 1995–96 are as, follows:

  Covenants to charities

  Total income

  Donors

  Gross donations £ million

  Cost of tax relief £ million

  Over £40,000

  156,000

  150

  60

  Over £60,000

  70,000

  80

  30

  Over £80,000

  40,000

  50

  20

  Over £100,000

  27,000

  40

  15

  Gift aid

  Total income

  Donors

  Gross donations £ million

  Cost of tax relief £ million

  Over £40,000

  20,000

  90

  35

  Over £60,000

  11,000

  65

  25

  Over £80,000

  6,500

  55

  20

  Over £100,000

  5,000

  50

  20

  Gilts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking in respect of sharp movements in gilts prior to the impact day of the new tax regime; and if he will make a statement. [40961]

  Mr. Jack
  Gilt prices respond to a variety of influences, of which prospective tax change is only one. My right hon. and learned Friend has already announced his proposals for tax reform in this field in broad outline, and the date on which it should come into effect. He does not believe any special measures are needed as these plans move towards implementation.

  Housing Benefit Payments
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what impediments exist to details of payment of housing benefit to private landlords being made available to the tax authorities. [40904]

  Mr. Jack
  There are no impediments to the Inland Revenue's powers to require returns from local authorities of housing benefit payments made to private landlords.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions exemption from inheritance tax has been granted for bequests to political parties since 1988; and how much revenue was forgone. [40777]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: I regret that this information is not available.

  Profit-related Pay
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue yield from restricting relief on profit-related pay to relief at the marginal rate of(a) 25 per cent. and (b) 20 per cent. giving in each case the number of people affected and the average loss per taxpayer. [40783]
  539
  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: Information about profit-related pay schemes is derived from annual returns provided by employers. These show the total amounts of profit-related pay and the numbers of participants but do not include information about the distribution of earnings. The total revenue cost of the scheme is tentatively estimated on the assumption that the distribution of participants by marginal tax rate is similar to that for employees generally. On this basis, the revenue yield from restriction to 25 per cent. and 20 per cent. might be about £90 million and £230 million respectively at 1995–96 levels. But it would be misleading to provide estimates about numbers of losers and average amounts of loss on the basis of very general assumptions.

  Personal Allowances
  Mrs. Maddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Darby v. Sweden case which was considered by the European Court of Human Rights in 1990 and its implication for the eligibility of women with disabled husbands for additional personal allowance. [40841]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: The case of Darby v. Sweden concerned a Finnish resident who worked in Sweden and was required to pay the Swedish church tax simply because he was not registered as a resident of Sweden. Dr. Darby's complaint, which was upheld by the court, was brought under article 1 of protocol 1 of the European convention on human rights which concerns the peaceful enjoyment of possessions. That article has no relevance to the eligibility of claimants to additional personal allowance.

  Tobacco Duty
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the duty on tobacco products; what the nature of such representations has been; what response he has given to any such representations; and if he will make a statement. [41294]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: We have received a number or representations. The majority of these asked that tobacco taxation not be increased in the forthcoming Budget. All representations concerning tobacco taxation will be considered very carefully in the period leading up to the Budget, but it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the percentage of those working in domestic service are(a) of ethnic minority origin and (b) female. [39945]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The labour force survey for spring 1995 shows that of an estimated 151,000 people employed as domestic personnel in private households, 76 per cent. were female. The LFS sample of people of ethnic minority origin in this group is too small to provide a reliable estimate.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many 20 to 24-year-olds were employed(a) at the
  540
  latest date for which information is available and (b) 12 months earlier. [41822]

  Mrs. Knight
  Information from the labour force survey shows there were 2.637 million persons aged 20 to 24 years in employment in Great Britain at summer 1995 and 2.657 million at summer 1994.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  School Milk Subsidies
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to alter the current subsidy arrangements for school milk. [40918]

  Mr. Baldry
  Our participation in the discretionary elements of the EC school milk subsidy scheme is kept under review.

  Fishing Licences
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has reached a decision on the National River's Authority's Anglian Coast (Limitation of Net Licences) Order 1994. [41882]

  Mr. Baldry
  My hon. Friend has previously drawn my attention to the views expressed by his constituents on this issue. I am now pleased to tell him that I have received the inspector's report on the public inquiry into this order. It recommends that the order be confirmed, provided that a number of amendments are made. The most significant amendment proposed by the inspector is that licences for this fishery should not be limited to those dependent on fishing for their livelihood. I have accepted these recommendations, and, provided the NRA consents to the amendments, intend to confirm the order on this basis. All existing licence holders will therefore continue to be eligible to hold licences. No new licences will be issued, however, and the fishery will gradually be phased out.

  People's Dispensary for Sick Animals
  Sir Terence Higgins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the additional cost of treating various kinds of sick animals by PDSA dispensaries as a result of European Union legislation. [39360]

  Mrs. Browning
  The PDSA has represented that changes to United Kingdom law made by the Medicines (Restrictions on the Administration of Veterinary Medicinal Products) Regulations 1994 to implement EC legislation will increase the cost of treating companion animals. These regulations contain provisions which had already passed into good veterinary practice in the UK, by means of the British Veterinary Association's code of practice for the prescribing of medicinal products, introduced in 1991. Following a recent meeting between officials from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the director general of the PDSA at which these issues were discussed and clarified, we have been able to give assurances which should ensure that that the PDSA does not incur additional costs as a result of the application of the regulations.
  541

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Martin Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which his 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. [39424]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  In the county of South Yorkshire there are three non-departmental public bodies to which the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food makes appointments.

  The Yorkshire regional flood defence committee is a statutory executive committee of the National Rivers Authority, which meets its administrative costs. Expenditure is accounted for by the National Rivers Authority. In 1994, four appointments were made or renewed. There have been no other appointments in the last four years.

  The appointments of two MAFF appointed members of the South and West Yorkshire agricultural wages committee were renewed in each of the years 1993 and 1994. No other appointments have been made in the last four years. There is no separate regional budget for agricultural wages committee work.

  Appointments are made to the regional panel for the Ministry's north-east region which includes the county of South Yorkshire. Regional panel members do not receive a fee for their services but may claim travel and subsistence allowances.

  Year

  New/renewed appointments

  Total annual budget £

  1992–93

  13

  2,900

  1993–94

  3

  2,100

  1994–95

  3

  3,300

  1995–96

  2

  14,000

  1 Estimate.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [41113]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Breakdown 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 on 1 April 1990 have also been placed in the Library of the House.
  542

  EC Agriculture Council
  Mr. Harry Barnes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Croydon, North-East (Mr. Congdon), of 18 October 1995,Official Report, columns 285–86, what was the voting record of each member state on items agreed at the meeting of the European Community's Agriculture Council held on 25 September; and if he will make it his practice to list all votes, including where there have been no votes, in the future. [41090]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The answer referred to makes clear that the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 25 September 1995 took two decisions, both by qualified majority, Portugal voting against in one instance and the United Kingdom opposing in the other. The affirmative vote by all other member states, in each case, is implicit.

  Peanut Allergy
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to raise awareness in catering establishments and takeaways of the dangers of peanut allergy. [41136]

  Mrs. Browning
  Following the publicity about the dangers to allergic individuals of severe reactions to peanuts and other nuts, my officials met various sectors of the food industry, including the catering sector, to discuss what could be done. We are continuing to explore ways of improving awareness and encouraging information exchange and we are also in touch with consumer groups including the Anaphylaxis Campaign which has itself done much to alert sufferers to the dangers and to heighten awareness in the industry. In addition, the Ministry is investing £500,000 per year in research on food allergies to help elucidate the nature of the problem.

  Dimetridazole
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the ban of the use of dimetridazole and its effect on the United Kingdom bird industry. [41625]

  Mrs. Browning
  We are aware of the concerns about this ban and a number of options to assist the game bird industry are under active consideration.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Co-operative Organisations (Central and Eastern Europe)
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the British organisations delivering consultancy to co-operatives in central and eastern Europe are themselves co-operatives; and what is the extent to which co-operative organisations are on the tender lists for such co-operative projects in central and eastern Europe. [40916]

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no co-operatives on the ODA's register of organisations interested in know-how fund work. Nor is there any record of co-operatives having been awarded contracts for KHF work.
  543
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amount of funds is allocated to developing and restructuring the co-operative sectors of the countries in central and eastern Europe as a proportion of private sector projects; how many projects make up the allocation to the co-operative sector in central and eastern Europe; and what percentage of such projects has been awarded to British organisations to deliver the consultancy requirements. [40917]

  Mr. Hanley
  The know-how fund does not allocate funds specifically to the co-operative sectors of the countries in central and eastern Europe. Nor does it keep statistics specifically on the amount of money spent on the co-operative sector, but if a proposal to support co-operatives is received and it meets the criteria applied by the know-how fund it will be considered on its merits.

  The know-how fund awards all its contracts to British organisations.

  Poverty
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that any proposals for a reduction in the overseas budget shall not affect those programmes aimed at fighting poverty in the developing world. [39936]

  Mr. Hanley
  The overriding goal of the British aid programme is to improve the quality of life of people in poorer countries by contributing to sustainable development and reducing poverty and suffering. Her Majesty's Government will maintain a substantial and effective programme increasingly focused on the poorest countries.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has had from the president of the World bank about the priority to be accorded to fighting poverty in the developing world by the developed nations. [39962]

  Mr. Hanley
  At the annual meetings of the World bank and IMF in October, the president made a strong appeal for adequate funding of the International Development Association to ensure that global efforts to support poverty reduction in the poorest countries are not set back.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Secretary of State for Defence about the reduction of arms sales as a contribution to fighting poverty in the developing world. [39938]

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has made no representations to the Secretary of State for Defence on this matter.

  The United Kingdom actively supports the emphasis placed by the donor community, including the International Monetary Fund and the World bank, in their relations with developing countries on the implications for economic and social development of an excessive level of military expenditure. We have made it clear that we consider the setting of an appropriate level of military expenditure to be an important part of good government. It is one of the factors we take into account when deciding our allocations of bilateral aid.
  544
  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth, Affairs what commitment Her Majesty's Government have made to encouraging economic and social development in the world's poorest nations as recommended in the 1980 Brandt report. [39942]

  Mr. Hanley
  Sustainable economic and social development is at the heart of the United Kingdom's overseas aid programme. Many of the recommendations of the 1980 Brandt report have been incorporated into policy making. Around two thirds of our bilateral aid allocatable by income group goes to the world's poorest countries.

  Aid Expenditure
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the United States authorities about overseas aid expenditure. [39937]

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary has not held such discussions. However, my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development last held discussions about overseas aid expenditure with the US authorities when she visited Washington in June this year.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government plan a reduction in the proportion of gross national product currently spent on overseas aid. [39940]

  Mr. Hanley
  Future levels of aid will depend on the outcome of the public expenditure survey, which is currently under way.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what comparison he has made between the proportion of gross national product spent on foreign aid by the United Kingdom and(a) Denmark and (b) Sweden. [39941]

  Mr. Hanley
  The United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden spent the following proportions of gross national product on aid in the last three years.

  Percentage

  1992

  1993

  1994

  (a)United Kingdom

  0.31

  0.31

  0.31

  (b) Denmark

  1.02

  1.03

  1.03

  (c) Sweden

  1.03

  0.99

  0.90

  Women's Programmes
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the Government's recent proposals for the overseas aid budget will affect those programmes aimed at helping women in the developing world to which the Government committed itself at the UN women's conference in Beijing. [39939]

  Mr. Hanley
  Programmes aimed at helping women in the developing world will continue to be an important priority for ODA. Future spending plans are currently under discussion.
  545

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Millennium Exhibition
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will issue guidance on entrance charges to the proposed millennium exhibition. [40082]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Millennium Funding
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what study or consideration she has given to the relative income generation potential of the bids for millennium funding in Wales from the Welsh national stadium and the Cardiff Bay opera house. [38048]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what consultations she has had in relation to the compliance with the publicly stated conditions for funding from the Millennium Commission of(a) the redevelopment of the Welsh national rugby stadium and (b) the Cardiff Bay opera house; [37819]

  (2) if she will list the reports prepared for the Millennium Commission in relation to the bids for funding (a) the Cardiff Bay opera house and (b) redevelopment of the Welsh national rugby stadium; and what were the main positive and negative recommendations contained in each report with respect to the project under review; [37823]

  (3) what estimate she has of the level of matching private funds available corresponding to the bids for assistance from the Millennium Commission for (a) the Cardiff Bay opera house and (b) the redevelopment of the Welsh national rugby stadium; [37821]

  (4) what estimates she has made of the relative levels of public support in Wales for the proposals to obtain Millennium Commission funding for (a) the redevelopment of the Welsh national rugby stadium and (b) the Cardiff Bay opera house; and if she will make a statement; [37820]

  (5) what deadline she has given for the determination of the bids for funding from the Millennium Commission of (a) the Cardiff Bay opera house and (b) the redevelopment of the Welsh national rugby Stadium. [37822]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  [holding answer 19 October 1995]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consultations she has had with the organisations applying to the Millennium Commission for funding; and what guidance she has issued to them concerning their eligibility or otherwise for funding where geographically applicable from(a) the European regional
  546
  development fund, (b) the Wales tourist board, (c) the Welsh Development Agency and Development Board for Rural Wales and (d) other public grant-aiding bodies; and what proposals she has to issue further clarification in the guidelines. [38416]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  [holding answer 20 October 1995]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what special measures she proposes for ensuring that appropriate tests of public support are carried out in respect of millennium fund projects submitted from Wales; and if she will make a statement. [40724]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

PRIME MINISTER

  Remploy Consortium
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has had from the trade union side secretary of the Remploy Consortium; what reply he is sending; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement. [40934]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received one such representation, which will be responded to in due course by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Education and Employment.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) pursuant to his oral answer of 2 May,Official Report, columns 167–68, what progress is being made towards repealing those regulations identified as unnecessary burdens to business; [41569]

  (2) if a compliance cost assessment has been completed on each regulation to be repealed; and what is the estimated saving to (a) small businesses and (b) the public funds from the repeal of each regulation. [41570]

  The Prime Minister
  We have identified over 1,000 regulations for repeal or amendment and are on target to have dealt with over half of those by the end of the year. The requirement to carry out a compliance cost assessment applies to regulations imposing additional burdens on business while the programme of repeals and amendments is concerned with reducing the burden. However, to take an example, simplification of the food temperature control regulations will help small businesses and generate savings of about £40 million a year for the industry as a whole without removing any necessary public health protection.

  Overseas Aid Budget
  Ms Lestor
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many letters about the size of the overseas aid budget he has
  547
  received from hon. Members since 1 September; and what was the comparable figure for the same period in the previous year; [41664]

  (2) how many letters about the size of the overseas aid budget he has received from non-governmental organisations since 1 September; and what was the comparable figure for the same period in the previous year; [41662]

  (3) how many letters about the size of the overseas aid budget he has received from members of the public since 1 September; and what was the comparable figure for the same period in the previous year. [41663]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a substantial number of representations on this matter over the past 12 months.

  President Chirac
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library(a) a copy of the memorandum on defence and security co-operation agreed with President Chirac of France on 30 October and (b) the text of the press conference he jointly hosted with President Chirac on 30 October. [41473]

  The Prime Minister
  I have already done so.

  Quebec (Ex-premier's Remarks)
  Mr. Mates
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it clear to the ex-premier of Quebec Her Majesty's displeasure at his remarks about ethnic minority groups and the recent referendum. [41327]

  The Prime Minister
  The outcome of the referendum is a matter for Canadians in Canada. The Canadian Prime Minister has called for reconciliation. We wish the Canadian people well in the task of working together to this end.

  Official Inquiries
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all the official inquiries he and his department have undertaken over the last five years indicating the dates they were initiated and the date when the findings were released to the public. [41450]

  The Prime Minister
  I have set up no further inquiries since my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster answered a similar question from my hon. Friend the Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Mr. Forman) on 25 May,Official Report, columns 717–20.

  Marriage
  Mr. Patten
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to help married families since April 1992; [40898]

  (2) what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to strengthen the institution of marriage since April 1992. [40899]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government are fully committed to supporting the institution of marriage. Marriage is the bedrock of family life. Stable families are good for our children. They are a source of love and discipline, and of support for weaker members. However,548
  we recognise that marriage is also a personal matter. We have taken several steps to support marriage, while at the same time respecting the privacy of personal relationships and choice.

  This Government believe that married couples should receive recognition in the tax system. Married couples therefore receive tax treatment on both income and capital. They pay nearly £260 per year less in tax than most single people on the same income, at a total cost of £2.7 billion in 1995, and are treated more favourably for capital gains and inheritance tax. Inheritance tax reliefs for married couples are alone worth around £950 million in 1995–96.

  We also believe that people should have access to help to overcome problems in their marriages. The Government have therefore given £8.5 million to marriage guidance and research organisations since April 1992.

  To take this further, an interdepartmental group on marriage was set up in April this year to identify how Government can develop additional services to help couples who are considering marriage or whose marriages are in difficulty.

  Housing is a crucial issue for married families. Our White Paper "Our Future Homes" sets out the aim of ensuring that a decent home is in reach of every family. We want to make sure that the allocation of social housing includes the need to support married couples who take a responsible approach to family life as an important objective.

  We want to take away as many barriers to marriage as possible. For this reason, the Government supported a private Member's Bill in 1994 which widened the choice of venues for couples wishing to marry by civil ceremony.

  Government Ministers meet representatives from the Churches and other organisations supporting marriage on an on-going basis to discuss the scope for further initiatives.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for(a) the financial year 1994–95 and (b) the estimated figures for the financial year 1995–96, for each executive agency for which he is responsible. [39479]

  Mr. Hanley
  The FCO diplomatic wing has one agency, Wilton Park, for which the information requested is given in the table. For the ODA, the chief executive of the Natural Resources Institute will write shortly to the hon. Member with the details requested.

  Staffing levels

  1994–95

  1995–96

  HCS 5

  1

  1

  HCS 6

  1

  1

  HCS 7

  5

  5

  EO

  8

  8

  AO

  2

  3

  PS

  3

  3

  CM III

  1

  1

  549

  Staffing levels

  1994–95

  1995–96

  CHEF II

  3

  3

  SGB II

  8

  8

  Total cost

  £630,538

  £664,000

  Figures are gross and include national insurance contributions and superannuation.

  Letter from Anthony Beattie to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 November 1995:

  NATURAL RESOURCES INSTITUTE—STAFFING

  In his reply of 30 October to your question to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs about staffing in executive agencies, Mr Hanley indicated that I would write to you separately about the position in the Natural Resources Institute (NRI). I now attach the information which you require. It needs some explanation.

  Numbers of staff in NRI by grade, and their cost in 1994–95 and 1995–96

  1994–95 (actual)

  1995–96 (estimated)

  Man years

  Pay cost £

  Man years

  Pay cost £

  Grade 3

  1.0

  76,054

  1.0

  78,008

  Grade 5

  4.7

  264,851

  4.2

  202,494

  Department Regional Vet Officer

  1.7

  97,372

  0.9

  38,632

  Grade 6

  22.4

  1,258,534

  22.7

  965,257

  Advisory Officer 1

  16.4

  660,537

  10.4

  367,966

  Grade 7 (Accountant)

  1.0

  35,253

  0.9

  28,783

  Grade 7

  106.6

  4,107,098

  93.2

  3,105,853

  Advisory Officer II

  2.6

  111,848

  2.3

  64,016

  Senior Scientific Officer

  74.2

  2,329,698

  66.5

  1,724,471

  Senior Research Officer

  19.5

  476,447

  15.1

  311,292

  Senior Executive Officer (Accountant)

  0.5

  17,069

  0.9

  20,736

  Senior Executive Officer

  3.4

  100,922

  5.2

  124,417

  Senior Information Officer

  2.0

  35,603

  1.7

  42,648

  Higher Scientific Officer

  54.0

  1,338,217

  45.5

  895,525

  Higher Executive Officer

  4.2

  131,632

  3.1

  64,929

  Higher Graphics Officer

  1.0

  24,301

  0.9

  18,492

  Higher Mapping and Charting Officer

  1.0

  24,617

  0.9

  18,672

  Scientific Officer

  30.8

  601,838

  29.0

  463,804

  Information Officer

  1.0

  41,431

  0.9

  15,972

  Librarian

  1.0

  3,857

  0.9

  17,439

  Executive Officer

  19.3

  355,919

  14.4

  220,618

  Typing Manager

  2.0

  36,821

  1.7

  27,296

  Administrative Officer

  44.5

  559,503

  42.0

  458,823

  Assistant Scientific Officer

  17.3

  285,597

  12.8

  168,750

  Administrative Assistant

  2.6

  27,492

  2.5

  21,463

  Assistant Information Officer

  1.0

  18,270

  1.7

  27,670

  Assistant Librarian

  2.5

  37,337

  1.7

  26,750

  Graphics Officer

  1.0

  10,256

  0.9

  10,780

  Mapping and Charting Officer

  1.0

  21,790

  0.9

  16,609

  Mapping and Charting Tech Grade 1

  1.0

  15,256

  0.0

  0

  Personal Secretary

  11.8

  217,873

  9.2

  126,001

  Professional and Technology Officer

  2.0

  39,346

  1.7

  9,964

  Support Grade Band 1

  8.5

  108,272

  6.9

  73,124

  Support Grade Band 2

  12.3

  135,968

  10.4

  95,823

  Tech Grade 1

  5.9

  92,098

  5.2

  69,078

  Typist

  8.3

  87,614

  8.3

  95,375

  490.0

  13,786,591

  426.3

  10,017,526

  Iraq
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what information Her Majesty's Government had received on activities conducted since 1985 in connection with(a) the BADR-2000 missile, (b) project 144 on missile modification,
  550
  The first point is that staffing levels in NRI are highly variable. They reflect day to day changes in the large number of individual projects and contracts which make up our business. It is therefore not meaningful to speak in terms of absolute numbers in a particular grade for a complete year as the numbers will change significantly over that period.

  We have therefore based the data on the number of man-years of employment in each grade over the two years about which you have asked.

  There is a further complication in respect of the estimated figures for 1995/96. We are currently in the process of implementing a voluntary redundancy programme which has as its aim the reduction of staffing levels to 360 by 1 April 1996. We do not know - and cannot reasonably speculate about - the identity of the staff who will volunteer to accept redundancy or when precisely they might be released. We have therefore compiled the 1995/96 estimate on the assumption that the volunteers will be evenly distributed across all grades and that the timing of their departures will occur on a straight-line basis between the end of September (when the first departures began to occur) and 31 March 1996.

  All this does mean, I am afraid, that the 1995/96 estimate is subject to a considerably greater degree of uncertainty that might ordinarily be the case.

  (c)project 1728 on liquid propellant rocket engines and
  (d) the Karama project on production of missile guidance and control by Iraq, prior to the publication of the eighth biannual United Nations Special Commission report on the visits of the UN Special Commission on Iraq, pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 687 of 1991; [41505]
  551
  (2) what information Her Majesty's Government had received on activities conducted since 1985 at (a) the Muthanna state establishment, (b) the Al Hakan facility, (c) the Al Hazen Ibn Al Haythan Institute in Al Salman,
  (d) the single cell protein plant at Tajis, (e) the Sammarra drug factory and (f) the Muhammadiyat weapons test range in Iraq, in regard to development of biological and chemical weapon or precursor agent development, prior to the publication on 11th October of the UNSCOM eight biannual report on its mission to Iraq. [41504]

  Mr. David Davis
  It is not our practice to comment in detail on information given to us in confidence by UNSCOM. Nor do we comment on intelligence matters.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional assistance has been offered by Her Majesty's Government to meet the acute shortage of funds detailed at page 35 of the UNSCOM eighth biannual report on its mission in Iraq pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 687 of 1991. [41472]

  Mr. Davis
  We strongly support the work on UNSCOM and make a major effort to supply personnel, equipment and expertise. The funds which the United Kingdom commits to this have been about £1 million per annum. We have no plans to increase this.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, column 862, if he is following up any evidence that British companies have supplied materials relevant to Iraqi programmes to acquire weapons of mass destruction; and if he will make a statement. [41433]

  Mr. Davis
  Inspections by the UN Special Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency have revealed the names of many companies from Britain and other countries which have traded with Iraq. UNSCOM and the IAEA inform us in confidence of British equipment found in order to help verify Iraqi statements. However, it is not our practice to comment on information passed to us by these organisations or to publish the names of the companies. Any evidence of wrong-doing will be investigated and, if appropriate, will be a matter for the courts.

  Crown Colonies (Governors)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Foster) of 30 October,Official Report, columns 10–11, if the obligation to restrict political activities also applies to governors of Crown colonies. [41280]

  Mr. Hanley
  Most governors of our dependent territories are diplomatic service officers and are therefore subject to diplomatic service regulations which restrict political activities. Where politicians are appointed as governors, on contract, these regulations do not apply and they may make political statements in their personal capacity.
  552

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in Sri Lanka and on reports of the recent massacres of civilians in the north and east. [42020]

  Mr. Hanley
  We condemn the recent brutal massacres of civilians which have taken place, especially those in villages in the north and east of Sri Lanka. These outrages bear all the hallmarks of operations carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam—LTTE—and deserve the condemnation of the entire international community. We deplore the loss of life and destruction resulting from this conflict, and urge both the Government and the LTTE to take all possible steps to avoid further civilian casualties.

  We continue to believe that a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka can be achieved only through a sustainable political settlement, reached through peaceful negotiation. The Government of Sri Lanka have put forward wide-ranging proposals for constitutional reform, which we believe could provide the basis for a negotiated settlement acceptable to all Sri Lankans. We urge all who are concerned to see a lasting and peaceful settlement to the conflict to make every effort to persuade the LTTE to respond positively to the constitutional opportunities now emerging.

  Arms Sales (Peru and Equador)
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on arms sales to Peru and Ecuador following the outbreak of fighting in January in the long-standing border dispute. [42021]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The Government's policy is to support sales of UK defence equipment where this is compatible with our political, strategic and security interests. At all times, we have followed our established and public practice of considering individual sales to Peru and Ecuador on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the international guidelines to which we are committed. We shall continue to process applications on a case-by-case basis. Some licence applications for the export of military equipment were not approved during the period of heightened tension between Peru and Ecuador. The recent reduction in tension between the two countries is encouraging.

  Bosnia
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning requests to UN headquarters in Zagreb in July for air strikes to protect Srebrenica; and if he will make a statement. [41220]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary in the House on 12 July 1995,Official Report, columns 947–66.
  553

  Immigration
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to introduce a system whereby a reference number is allocated to each individual who contacts entry clearance staff about an application for a visitor's visa, who is advised not to proceed, and then acts upon the advice, and if he will make a statement. [41396]

  Mr. Hanley
  Some entry clearance issuing posts operate a preliminary assessment system whereby an applicant may be advised by an entry clearance officer that his application is unlikely to succeed, should he choose to proceed with the application. A fee is not taken unless an application is formally lodged. It is made clear to applicants that they are not obliged to follow this advice.

  Posts are required to maintain a record of the number of those who accept preliminary assessment advice. Additionally, posts are required to retain a record of those individuals who accept this advice for a period of six months after their inquiry to help deal with any subsequent inquiries.

  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many potential applicants in(a) 1994 and (b) January to June 1995 seeking visitors' visas at (i) Islamabad, (ii) Delhi, (iii) Bombay and (iv) Lagos have been advised not to pursue their application; and if he will make a statement. [41397]

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of potential applicants for non-settlement visas who were offered and accepted advice that their application was unlikely to succeed before they had paid their (non-refundable fee) in;

  (a) 1994 was:

  (i) Islamabad 10803

  (ii) New Delhi 8179

  (iii) Bombay 1689

  (iv) Lagos 916

  (b) January to June 1995 was:

  (i) Islamabad 4853

  (ii) New Delhi 3125

  (iii) Bombay 2231

  (iv) Lagos 165

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out, for the most recently available 12-month period, the figures of applications for settlement in the United Kingdom from each country in the world, categorised by reasons for application and, in each case, the number and percentage of acceptance and refusals with, where available, reasons for rejection; and if he will, as appropriate, provide the same information with regard to applications for visits. [41712]

  Mr. Hanley
  Information on visas granted and refused by country of application is published in table 2.1 of the Home Office Command Paper "Control of Immigration Statistics United Kingdom 1994" issued on 10 August 1995, Cm HMSO, a copy of which is in the Library.
  554
  Figures are not available in any format categorised by reasons for application or reasons for refusal in either settlement or visit cases. To compile such statistics would incur disproportionate cost.

  Brazil
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what attempts have been made by Her Majesty's embassy in Brazil to meet representatives of the Makuxi people in Roraima concerning their land rights and the implementation of the Group of Seven policies. [41824]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  A British embassy official met representatives of the Makuxi people in Roraima between 8 and 15 October.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to him recently on behalf of the Makuxi Indians in Brazil; and what was his response. [41812]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Representatives of the Makuxi had discussions with officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 1 November.

  United Arab Emirates
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's ambassador has made to the Government of the United Arab Emirates about the proposed flogging of a 16-year-old Filipina girl; and if he will make a statement. [41628]

  Mr. Hanley
  The UAE Government are well aware of the international concern over Sahara Balabagan. The judicial process has still not been exhausted, and we will continue to follow the case.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for Her Majesty's Government's policy of the recent attack on the Pakistan embassy in Kabul. [41711]

  Mr. Hanley
  We condemn the attack by demonstrators on the Pakistan embassy in Kabul in September. We continue to support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General's special representative to broker a peace agreement. Permanent peace in Afghanistan will be achieved only if the major Afghan leaders and their supporters genuinely want it.

  Peru
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have been held by her Majesty's embassy in Peru with the Government of Peru to discuss the operation of the emergency provisions and human rights; and if he will make a statement. [41825]
  555
  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Meetings are held regularly, most recently on 25 October with the director general for human rights in the Peruvian Foreign Ministry.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his letter of 14 July, ref. 132969, when he expects to reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Ealing, North of 13 July relating to the case of Mr. Neil McGowan. [41710]

  Mr. Hanley
  An interim reply has been sent to the hon. Member for Ealing, North from the migration and visa correspondence unit. A substantive reply will follow as soon as possible. The delay is regretted.

SCOTLAND

  Pollution (Loch Lomond)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to reduce pollution in Loch Lomond. [40478]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Clyde River Purification Board is responsible for monitoring and controlling pollution in Loch Lomond.

  Scottish Natural Heritage
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the amounts awarded by SNH in 1994 under section 15 agreements for each owner and occupier. [40311]

  Mr. Kynoch
  This is a matter for Scottish Natural Heritage. I have asked the chief executive to reply to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the current review of SNH to be completed; if he will make a statement on its remit; and if its findings will be published. [40312]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right hon. Friend will make a statement on the conclusions of the study group on SNH shortly.

  Incapable Adults (Legislation)
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the legislation proposed by the Scottish Law Commission on incapable adults. [41356]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend welcomes the publication of this very important report, which contains a number of far-reaching proposals in relation to incapable adults. He is giving careful consideration to these proposals.

  Forestry Grants
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for 556
  Scotland if he will list the current recipients of forest access grants, the value of the grant for each year and the total value for Scotland. [41704]

  Mr. Kynoch
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of the signed letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Respite and Continuing Care Beds
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) NHS and (b) private respite care beds were available (i) by region and (ii) by health authority in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [41406]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many NHS continuing care beds have been available in each(a) region and (b) district in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [41421]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is available for regions only and is shown in the table.

  National Health Service Hospitals in Scotland—Average available staffed beds in the specialties of mental handicap, psychogeriatrics and geriatric long stay:

  Years ending 31 March

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Region

  Scotland

  19,378

  19,594

  18,305

  16,910

  15,878

  Borders

  375

  349

  308

  301

  292

  Central

  1,607

  1,530

  1,454

  1,451

  1,384

  Dumfries and Galloway

  553

  562

  547

  550

  511

  Fife

  1,474

  1,430

  1,301

  1,238

  1,152

  Grampian

  2,271

  2,269

  1,928

  1,711

  1,612

  Highland

  580

  559

  531

  525

  598

  Lothian

  2,571

  2,492

  2,378

  2,200

  2,202

  Orkney

  64

  78

  69

  47

  51

  Shetland

  87

  87

  87

  86

  81

  Strathclyde

  8,099

  8,568

  8,134

  7,340

  6,604

  Tayside

  1,597

  1,584

  1,475

  1,371

  1,308

  Western Isles

  98

  87

  93

  89

  83

  Financial Reserves
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what financial reserves have been held(a) by trusts and (b) health authorities in each region in each of the last three years; [41418]

  (2) if he will itemise the financial reserves of each (a) trust and (b) health authority in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [41425]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  NHS trusts and health boards, in the interests of sound financial planning and management, do maintain financial reserves, for use in year. The total involved will vary throughout the year. Detailed information on these constantly changing amounts is not held centrally.
  557

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Fireworks
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when Kanash Ltd. imported consignments of Red Lion fireworks to the United Kingdom; how many container loads were included; what checks were undertaken at the port of entry; and the number of container loads the location of which the Health and Safety Executive is now aware. [41726]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I understand from Customs and Excise and the Health and Safety Executive that the fireworks in question were imported through Southampton in September 1995. A total of seven container loads were brought in. Existing arrangements do not specifically require analytical tests to be carried out on each consignment of fireworks at the port of entry and none was undertaken in this instance. Such tests do, of course, require specialised equipment and facilities. I understand that some fireworks remain at the importer's leased deport at Chorley but the bulk were distributed to various parts of the United Kingdom. The importer is co-operating with the Health and Safety Executive in providing full details and is recalling all its imported fireworks.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what provision of the Explosives Act 1875 may be enforced by trading standards officers in metropolitan areas. [41767]

  Mr. Evans
  Enforcement of the majority of the provisions of the Explosives Act 1875 is provided for by the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1989. In metropolitan counties, enforcement is a matter for fire authorities or, depending upon the provision in question, the Health and Safety Executive. The regulations do not, however, provide for enforcement of a number of specific provisions of the 1875 Act. These include, for example, section 31—sale of gunpowder and explosives to children. My Department takes the view that trading standards departments are able to bring prosecutions under this section in cases where the police have not become involved or have decided not to proceed.

  My Department draws no distinction between metropolitan and other areas in this respect.

  Research Councils
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will name the members of the two appointments panels set up to select the new chief executives of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council. [41883]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The membership of the recruitment boards for the appointment of new chief executives to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council is as follows:

  The permanent secretary, Department of Trade and Industry (board chairman);

  The chief scientific adviser, Office of Science and Technology;

  The Director General of Research Councils, Office of Science and Technology;

  558

  The chairman of the relevant research council;

  Two independent members—one from academe, and one from the relevant industry.

  Campbell's Soups
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to meet representatives of Campbell's Soups to discuss competition in the production of soup. [39715]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I have no such plans.

  Dounreay (Reprocessing of Nuclear Fuel)
  Mr. Chisholm
  to ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to hold consultation exercises to assess the opinion of the Scottish people with regard to the reprocessing of American spent fuel rods at Dounreay. [41627]

  Mr. Page
  Reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel at Dounreay is an established industrial process which has been undertaken at Dounreay for more than 30 years. It is carried out subject to nuclear installations inspectorate and Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate regulation. There is no reason to engage in public consultation about the continuation of such a well-established and well-regulated activity.

  Commercial reprocessing will be an important factor in maintaining employment levels in the Dounreay area. The DTI will continue to support it provided that the appropriate regulatory requirements continue to be met and there is a commercial return.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what correspondence he has received from the United States Government concerning opposition to the reprocessing of American spent fuel rods at Dounreay. [41626]

  Mr. Page
  The US Department of Energy has sent my officials two copies of letters they have received opposing reprocessing at Dounreay.

  Home Brewery, Nottingham
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations he has received on the future of the Home Brewery, Nottingham; [41963]

  (2) what information he has on the effect the merger of Scottish and Newcastle Ltd. and Courage Ltd. will have on Home Brewery, Nottingham. [41969]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Department received a number of representations about the Scottish and Newcastle/Courage merger including the future of the Home Brewery in Nottingham. In giving his advice to me on the merger, the Director General of Fair Trading took account of all relevant factors, as I did in making my decision on the case. Any information about the commercial operations of the parties supplied to the DOFF or myself under merger control procedures, including about the future of the Home Brewery, must remain confidential.

  Brewery Mergers
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many public houses Scottish and
  559
  Newcastle Ltd. owned or supplied before the merger with Courage Ltd.; [41967]

  (2) how many public houses Scottish Courage currently own; and how many Scottish Courage will own or supply after fulfilling the undertakings given to prevent reference of the merger between Scottish and Newcastle Ltd. and Courage Ltd. to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. [41968]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  At the time of giving his advice to me on the Scottish and Newcastle/Courage merger, the Director General of Fair Trading estimated that the parties would between them have owned or supplied about 7,500 pubs, which included some 4,350 pubs owned by Inntrepreneur Estates Ltd. and supplied by Courage. This figure is not complete as it does not include all supply agreements entered into by the parties as part of their normal commercial activities. The undertakings provide for the reduction in Scottish and Newcastle's tied estate to a maximum of 2,624–115 pubs fewer than its maximum permitted tied estate under the beer orders—and for the early release of 1,000 pubs from the supply agreement with IEL. It is not possible to say how many public houses the merged company, Scottish Courage, will supply in total in the future since that will depend on how successful the company is in competing for supply agreements in the competitive beer market.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what percentage of the United Kingdom's final beer sales is Scottish Courage's share after the merger of Scottish and Newcastle Ltd. and Courage Ltd.; [41965]

  (2) what percentage of the United Kingdom's beer sales was Scottish and Newcastle Brewery Ltd.'s share before the merger with Courage Ltd.; [41964]

  (3) what percentage of the United Kingdom's final beer sales will be Scottish Courage's share after the merger of Scottish and Newcastle Ltd. and Courage Ltd. [41966]

  Mr. Evans
  At the time of giving his advice to me on the Scottish and Newcastle/Courage merger, the Director General of Fair Trading estimated the parties' combined share of final beer sales in the UK to be about 30 per cent., of which Scottish and Newcastle had 11 per cent.

  Walker Wingsail Systems, Plymouth
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what financial assistance has been given by his Department to Walter Wingsail, Plymouth, since 1987. [41336]

  Mr. Page
  I believe that the hon. Member is referring to Walker Wingsail Systems plc. My Department has not provided any financial assistance to the company in question since 1987, with the exception of a small contribution of some £4,000 towards some consultancy work under the enterprise initiative.

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost of ministerial transport in each of the past five years; what allowance has been paid 560
  to Ministers who use their own vehicles; and what has been the cost in each of the past five years. [40734]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The total cost, excluding VAT, of ministerial transport provided from the government car service and under private contract for the financial years:

  1990–91: £165,724

  1991–92: £178,982

  1992–93: £272,524

  1993–94: £349,520

  1994–95: £362,167

  These figures reflect structural and ministerial changes within the Department resulting from machinery of government changes. Ministers who use their own vehicles on official business are entitled to claim the standard motor mileage allowance, which currently ranges from 19p to 46p depending on engine size and distance travelled. A breakdown of such claims could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his latest outturn forecast for regional selective assistance offers and expenditure in England in 1995–96; and how it relates to planned expenditure. [41784]

  Mr. Eggar
  The forecast outturn for offers of RSA in 1995–96, in England, is £140 million. Expenditure in 1995–96 is expected to be close to our estimate of £103.7 million. Grants are paid in instalments against progress on the project, typically over a period of three to five years. Most of the expenditure on grants offered in 1995–96 will be spread over future years.

  Small Firms Conference
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will list the organisations which have been invited to participate in next year's conference on small firms; [41518]

  (2) when he expects next year's UK conference on small firms to take place; who will fund it; how much he expects it to cost; how much of the cost will be met from public funds; and what topics he expects it to cover. [41517]

  Mr. Page
  The "Your Business Matters" series of conferences, the majority of which will take place in 1995, are being run by a team of leading business organisations—the Institute of Business Directors, the CBI, the British chambers of commerce, the TEC National Council, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Forum of Private Business. The timing and funding of the conferences is the responsibility of the organisers.

  I understand that the topics likely to be covered will be a reflection of the issues raised at the regional conferences.

  Total Access Communications System
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will place in the Library copies of all issues of his specifications for a total access communications system including extended total access communications
  561
  system and BABT—British Approvals Board for Telecommunications—six special investigation test schedules and relevant specifications for authentication. [41386]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: I have arranged for the information to be placed in the Library of the House. Detailed specifications for authentication are subject to commercial confidentiality provisions.

  3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals
  Sir Trevor Skeet
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the effect that granting a patent upon combinatorial chemistry 3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals will have on restricting the scope and availability of basic science research. [41980]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  My officials in the Patent Office have been unable to identify any patent granted to an organisation called 3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals. However, the grant of a patent would not prevent others from doing acts for experimental purposes relating to the subject matter of the invention. If that research were to lead to a new invention which fell within the scope of the patent, it would be necessary to obtain a licence under the patent before it could be commercialised. If the invention were such as to make a substantial contribution to the art and three years had elapsed since the grant of the patent, a licence could not be refused.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what regulations his Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1995; if he proposes to conduct a compliance cost assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a compliance cost assessment to assess the advantages or disadvantages of such a repeal. [41562]

  Mr. Lang
  There are no plans to repeal any further regulations by the end of 1995. However, four proposals for deregulatory amendments to company and competition law are currently before the Select Committee on Deregulation.

  The requirement to carry out a compliance cost assessment applies to regulations which impose additional burdens on business while the programme of repeals and amendments is concerned with reducing the burden. However, it is estimated that cost savings of at least £100,000 a year will result from the amendments currently proposed.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer by the repeal of each rule and regulation which has so far been the subject of a reference to the Deregulation Committee from his Department; and in how many cases a compliance cost assessment has been carried out. [41547]

  Mr. Lang
  My Department has laid four draft deregulation proposals to date. The savings to the Exchequer as a result of these orders are virtually impossible to quantify but are likely to be very small.
  562
  However, it is estimated that they will result in savings to business of at least £100,000 a year.

  The explanatory document which is presented to the Committee alongside each draft order is required to contain an assessment of the cost savings to business and any other persons whom the draft order is intended to benefit.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Deportations
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if M15 is to work with the immigration service in respect of deportations. [39934]

  Mr. Howard
  It remains the case that the Security Service may provide information to assist in the exercise of powers under immigration legislation in cases involving national security.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to amend the regulations regarding deportation of those who leave their employers because of mistreatment and abuse. [39947]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  None. The immigration laws are applied firmly but fairly to all persons liable to deportation. However, full consideration is always given to the compassionate circumstances of each case before any decision is taken.

  Foreign Workers
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the possible outcome for foreign domestic workers suffering abuse from their employers. [39933]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Domestic workers who are abused by their employers are advised to contact the police. Information about this is set out in the leaflet issued to domestic workers before arrival in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to act vigorously against employers who mistreat foreign domestic employees. [39935]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The Government deplore all abuse of foreign domestic workers. The procedures in place guard against abuse as far as is possible. Any employer who uses violence towards an employee would be subject to the criminal law.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the extent to which immigration procedures may contribute to an increase in the number of individuals working in domestic service but unregistered as such. [39963]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  None. Current procedures are designed to ensure that only those domestic workers entitled to work as such in the United Kingdom are admitted or allowed to remain.
  563
  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are allowed to remain in the United Kingdom only because they have a contract of employment. [39946]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  None. A person subject to immigration control needs to qualify for leave to remain under the immigration rules, or, in the case of overseas domestic workers, under the terms of the relevant concession.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of(a) the numbers of those people brought into the United Kingdom as domestic employees and (b) the percentage of those who suffer mistreatment and abuse. [39948]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Comprehensive information on domestic workers admitted to the United Kingdom is not available. There are some entry clearance data for the 21 posts abroad which are likely to deal with the vast majority of applications by domestic workers. In the first six months of this year, nearly 6,300 visas were issued at these posts to domestic workers.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will inform in-country asylum seekers from countries who have undergone events likely to give rise to a well-founded fear of persecution that their entitlement to social security benefits will not cease on 8 January 1996. [41036]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  If declarations are made in respect of individual countries in accordance with the proposed benefit regulations, nationals of the countries concerned who submitted in-country asylum applications would be informed, as would relevant organisations and voluntary groups.

  The benefit entitlement of all in-country applicants whose claims were lodged before 12 October will be protected until the next decision on their claim, regardless of whether their countries have undergone such events.

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many of those applying for asylum in 1994 had children with them in the United Kingdom; what percentage of the total this represents; and how many children were involved; [41502]

  (2) how many persons applied to the United Kingdom for asylum in 1994; and how many were successful. [41499]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  In 1994, 32,830 principal applicants applied for asylum in the United Kingdom. Of those, approximately 4,000, 12 per cent., were accompanied by dependants. The estimated total number of dependants was 9,400, of whom approximately half were minor children.

  In 1994, 825 principal applicants were granted asylum and a further 3,660 were refused asylum but granted exceptional leave: 16,500 were refused asylum.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of those seeking asylum do 564
  so (a) at the port of entry and (b) within the United Kingdom mainland after entry. [41500]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  In the last year, October 1994 to September 1995, there have been 40,180 applications for asylum. Of these, approximately 30 per cent. were made at the port of entry and 70 per cent. made after entry into the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people are currently awaiting a decision on their application for asylum in the United Kingdom; and what is the date of the oldest application; [41498]

  (2) how many of those currently awaiting determination of their applications for asylum in the United Kingdom submitted their application (a) after their existing leave to remain had expired and (b) within three weeks of its expiry. [41496]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The number of outstanding applications for asylum in the United Kingdom as at 30 September 1995 was 64,415. The oldest outstanding application for asylum is not separately identifiable.

  Of the 64,415 outstanding asylum applications, approximately 31,000 were lodged by people who had previously been given leave to enter or leave to remain in the United Kingdom. An estimated 7,200 of these applications were lodged after such leave had expired. Information regarding the number of these applications submitted within three weeks of their leave expiring is not readily available.

  Remand Prisoners
  Sir John Hunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current number of remand prisoners who have been held in custody for a period in excess of three months. [41091]

  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 Sir John Hunt, dated 6 November 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what is the current number of remand prisoners who have been held in custody for a period in excess of three months.

  The latest provisional information relates to the length of time since first reception into a Prison Service establishment in England and Wales on 30 June 1995 and is given in the attached table.

  Remand prisoners in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on 30 June 1995 held on remand for over 3 months1

  On 30 June 1995

  Number on remand for over 3 months

  24,200

  1 Awaiting trial or sentence. Time since first reception on remand into a Prison Service establishment. This includes any intervening time spent on bail, but excludes any time spent in police cells beforehand.

  2 Rounded provisional estimate.

  565

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of his Department's inspectors monitor the use of research animals by personal licensees, project licence holders and designated establishments; and if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the inspection system. [41041]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  All members of the animals (scientific procedures) inspectorate are involved in monitoring the use of animals in research. I am satisfied that the system is fully effective in delivering the objectives of the legislation.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of(a) personal licensees, (b) project licence holders and (c) designated establishments in the United Kingdom are permitted to carry out research on animals. [41042]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  At 31 December 1994, there were 15,807 personal licensees, 4,013 project licence holders and 331 certificates of designation.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many procedures on animals were carried out for tobacco research in(a) 1993 and (b) 1994; and if he will give details of the experiments carried out for tobacco research; [41043]

  (2) how many procedures on animals were carried out for alcohol research in (a) 1993 and (b) 1994; and if he will make a statement; [41044]

  (3) if he will list the areas of research which were responsible for the increased use of primates between 1993 and 1994; [41046]

  (4) if he will list the pharmaceutical products which use primates in their research; and what was the number of primates used in (a) 1993 and (b) 1994 for each product. [41086]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The numbers of procedures on animals are listed in "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain" for 1993, Cm 2746, and 1994, Cm 3012.

  Prior to 1 January, figures for the number of animal used in fundamental or applied research involving tobacco or its products were not separately recorded.

  The number of procedures for alcohol research for 1993 was 7,328 and for 1994, 9,119.

  The increase in the use if primates is attributable to increased demands for regulatory testing of medical and dental products.

  Primates are used in many ares of medical research. Where regulatory testing is concerned, it is not always known, at the time of testing, the product for which individual ingredients may be used.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the reasons for the delays in 566
  publishing "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain" for (a) 1993 and (b) 1994. [41045]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies which the then Under-Secretary of State gave to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor) on 18 January,Official Report, column 527, and the hon. Member for Glanford and Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) on 27 January, Official Report, column 455. It was not practical to publish in July this year since the returns were not complete by that date. The annual Command Paper was last published in July in 1992, and for reasons explained in the earlier replies the annual publication is likely to appear in the autumn in future.

  Sentenced Prisoners Convention
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many countries have ratified the European Council convention concerning the return of sentenced prisoners; how many have agreements with the United Kingdom; how many British citizens have been repatriated to prisons in the United Kingdom over the last five years to date; what discussions have taken place with each country to determine the principles of repatriation agreements; if he will list the main features of each such agreement; what arrangements exist to review them; if the receiving country may reduce the sentence imposed by another jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement; [41047]

  (2) how many British citizens given prison sentences in America have been repatriated to prisons in the United Kingdom in the last five years, to date; what prior agreement was reached in each case on the sentence to be served in the United Kingdom; what principles were agreed in discussions between both Governments before repatriation procedures were agreed; what arrangements were made for reviewing such procedures; and if he will make a statement; [41084]

  (3) if Her Majesty's Government reserve the right to arrange to vary any prison sentence set by an overseas jurisdiction in the case of any person legally repatriated to prison in the United Kingdom under international agreement; how many such persons in the last five years, to date, applied for such a variation to be applied; to whom such applications have been made; and if he will make a statement. [41085]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Council of Europe convention on the transfer of sentenced persons has been ratified by the United Kingdom and 31 other countries. The United Kingdom and four other countries have ratified the Commonwealth repatriation scheme. The United Kingdom has also entered into a bilateral prisoner repatriation agreement with Thailand.

  The principles of repatriation are set out in each of the three agreements, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The main features of all three agreements are that: repatriation requires the consent of both jurisdictions and the prisoner concerned; the prisoner's sentence is not subject to further appeal and has at least six months left to run, and the prisoner is a national of the jurisdiction to which repatriation is sought and the acts which gave rise

  567
  to the sentence would have constituted a criminal offence there.

  The operation of the convention is reviewed by the European committee on crime problems of the Council of Europe. The Commonwealth scheme may be reviewed by the Commonwealth Secretariat. The bilateral agreement may be reviewed by either jurisdiction.

  All repatriation requests are considered on their individual merits in consultation with the foreign jurisdiction. The United Kingdom has opted to conduct repatriation arrangements on the basis of continued enforcement of the original sentence. Under these arrangements, the jurisdiction responsible for administering a prisoner's sentence following repatriation is bound by the legal nature and duration of the original sentence. It is not therefore possible for the United Kingdom to vary or reduce the sentence imposed by a foreign jurisdiction. If, however, a foreign sentence is by its nature or duration incompatible with the law of the United Kingdom, the sentence may be adapted to a sanction prescribed in law for a similar offence. Any such adaptation must not aggravate by its nature or duration the sanction imposed by the sentencing state or exceed the maximum prescribed by law in the United Kingdom. Since 1990, the United Kingdom has conducted one repatriation of a British prisoner on the basis of the original sentence being adapted in this way with the consent of the sentencing jurisdiction and the prisoner concerned.

  Between 1990 and 1994, 44 British prisoners were repatriated to the United Kingdom from foreign jurisdictions, including 11 prisoners repatriated from the United States of America. In each case, repatriation was conducted on the basis of both jurisdictions and the prisoner concerned consenting to the arrangements to be made for the continued enforcement of the sentence imposed.

  Internet
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what investigations his Department has made into the practicality of the regulation of material available on the Internet; [41819]

  (2) what representations he has received about the possible regulation of material available on the Internet. [41817]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of letters expressing concern about the availability of obscene and pornographic material on the Internet. The interdepartmental group on obscenity is examining this issue and hopes shortly to be discussing it with Internet service providers.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is responsible for more general questions relating to the regulation of the Internet and other computer networks.

  Industry is responsible for more general questions relating to the regulation of the Internet and other computer networks.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers are available to the police 568
  to take action against users who make material available on the Internet which would be illegal in any other medium. [41818]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The provisions of the criminal law apply to material disseminated on the Internet in the same way as to material disseminated on other media. It is, for example, an offence to publish obscene material or child pornography on the Internet. We have recently taken action in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to ensure that our controls keep pace with advances in technology. This has included clarification of the law to assist the police in gaining access to computer bulletin boards.

  Ridgewell Air Force Base
  Sir Alan Haselhurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration is being given to the former Air Force base at Ridgewell in Essex as the site for a new high security prison; and if he will make a statement. [41709]

  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 Sir Alan Haselhurst, dated 6 November 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the former airforce base at Ridgewell in Essex as I have operational responsibility for the Prison Service.

  The Prison Service has not been considering this site for a new high security prison. If the site is available, the Prison Service will examine its suitability as a potential site for new prison development.

  Prisons Ombudsman
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of cases referred to the prisons ombudsman since his appointment. [40943]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The prisons ombudsman had received 1,810 letters of complaint by 31 October 1995, of which 464 were eligible for investigation by his office; the eligibility of a further 159 was being considered.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of persons in the last 12 months who have been caught trying to take illegal drugs into prison while visiting an inmate. [41859]

  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. Tom Cox, dated 6 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of persons in the last 12 months who have been caught trying to take illegal drugs into prison while visiting an inmate.

  569
  Between 1 January and 30 September this year, the total number of incidents reported to Prison Service headquarters of visitors caught trying to take illegal drugs into prison while visiting an inmate was 1,109.

  Visitors' Visas
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visitors' visas were(a) granted and (b) refused from applicants in (i) Pakistan, (ii) India, (iii) Bangladesh and (iv) Nigeria in (1) 1992, (2) 1993, and (3) 1994. [41723]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Information on visas granted and refused by country of application is published in table 2.1 of the Home Office Command Paper "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1994", issued on 10 August 1995, Cm 2935, by HMSO, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Fires
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) deaths and (b) severe injuries from fires occurred in houses in multiple occupation for the years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95. [41053]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Information about deaths and injuries in fires in houses in multiple occupation, attended by local authority fire brigades, is published in table G of the Home Office publication "Fire Statistics United Kingdom 1993", available in the Library; 1993 is the latest year for which such statistics are available.

  Discretionary Life Sentences
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has issued a notice of appeal against the High Court judgment concerning the case of Paul Norwey, Stephen Nordone, Sean Kinsella, Noel Gibson and Brendan Dowd; what action he is taking to change procedures concerning discretionary life sentence prisoners applying for parole; and if he will make a statement. [40565]

  Miss Widdecombe
  My right hon and learned Friend has decided not to appeal against the High Court judgment in this case. Arrangements are now in hand to ensure that the cases of discretionary life sentence prisoners are referred to the Parole Board so that they may be heard by a discretionary lifer panel immediately on expiry of the prisoners' tariffs or shortly thereafter. It will be entirely a matter for the panel to decide whether to direct release.

  New Prisons
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will name the prisons to be built by 2000, with the costs of each. [40459]

  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 6 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about new prisons to be built by the year 2000.
  570
  Six new prisons are planned to be built under the private sector design, construct, manage and finance (DCMF) initiative announced by the Home Secretary on 2 September 1993. The first two prisons will be at Bridgend in South Wales and at Fazakerley on Merseyside. These are due to open in 1997–98. A site for a third prison has been identified in the Salford area of Greater Manchester, but the local planning authority have objected to the proposal. The Prison Service is considering making a request to the Secretary of State for the Environment to determine the dispute and this could lead to a public inquiry. Site searching for the remainder of the DCMF projects is in progress and it is too early to give locations and likely timescales.
  In addition to the six new DCMF prisons, the former Lowdham Grange prison near Nottingham will be rebuilt as a 500 bed, category B prison to be operated by the private sector. The prison is planned to open during 1997–98.
  An annual management charge will be paid, subject to contract, so far as Fazakerley and Bridgend prisons, are concerned. Costs are not available at this time. Costs for Lowdham Grange and the other DCMF prisons are not yet known.

  Prison Escorts
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will break down the savings achieved for each privatised prison escort area, showing how the savings are achieved; [40463]

  (2) what is the cost for letting each escort contract; to whom each contract has been let; what is the budget reduction for each area as a result of the privatisation of the escort service, to how many staff posts is this equivalent; and what redundancies have occurred so far. [40462]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for these matters 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 6 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the contracted out court escort service.
  To date contracts have been implemented for the provision of this service in four of the eight court escort areas in England and Wales. This work was previously undertaken by the Prison Service and the police.
  The attached table shows the contractor in each area together with information about costs and, insofar as the Prison Service is concerned, budget reductions expressed in financial and staffing terms. The savings relate to posts in the police and Prison Service deployed on court escort duties on a full time and part-time basis and vehicle mileage costs.
  The actual level of reduction in respect of police service posts could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Decisions about how to manage the reductions, which were effected by top slicing police service budgets, were taken locally.
  The direct costs to the Prison Service of the process of letting the contracts were approximately £150,000 per area.
  571

  Area

  Contractor

  Annual cost £ million1

  Previous cost £ million2

  Saving £ million

  Budgetary reduction (Prison Service) £ million3

  Number of staff posts lost (Prison Service) 4

  Redundancies

  7 (East Midlands)

  Group 4 Court Services

  8.1

  10.7

  2.6

  1.6

  78

  —

  3 (London)

  Securicor Custodial Services Ltd.

  22.0

  29.8

  7.8

  3.8

  250

  3

  4 (East Anglia)

  Group 4 Court Services

  7.8

  8.3

  0.5

  1.9

  86

  1

  6 (Merseyside, Greates Manchester North Wales)

  Group 4 Court Services

  12.5

  14.7

  2.2

  2.7

  124

  —

  1 Contract cost based on first year of full operation.

  2 Equivalent cost of the Police and Prison Service operation prior to contracting out (includes overheads, vehicle costs, catering and medical support).

  3 Budgetary reductions relates to Prison Service only.

  4 The posts shown as being given up were those sufficient to meet the cost of the Prison Service contribution to the contract cost. Other officers previously employed on court escort work were redeployed to other operational duties.

  Certified National Accommodation
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of certified national accommodation for each of the next five years. [40458]

  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 6 November 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent question about the estimate of certified normal accommodation in prisons in England and Wales for each of the next five years.

  The most recent available projections were those published in May as part of the Prison Service's 1995 corporate plan. Revised and updated projections will be published in the new year as part of the 1996 corporate plan.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Salaries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Lord President of the Council 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.

  Mr. Newton
  It is the Government's normal policy to publish civil servants' salaries in bands. Accordingly, the lowest full-time salary in payment within the Privy Council Office fell within the band £10,000 to £14,999 in both 1994–95 and 1995–96. The highest full-time salary fell within the band £65,000 to £69,999 in both years.

  I am not responsible for any agencies or non-departmental public bodies.

  Annual Remuneration
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will estimate the number of individuals in his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies whose annual remuneration including
  572
  benefits in kind exceeded (i) £100,000, (ii) £200,000 and (ii) £300,000 in (1) 1985–86, (2) 1990–91, (3) 1992–93 and (4) 1994–95 and (5) 1995–96.

  Mr. Newton
  No member of the Privy Council Office staff receives or has received annual remuneration in excess of £100,000. I am not responsible for any agencies or non-departmental public bodies.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Strangers' Cafeteria
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the staff who work in the Strangers' Cafeteria have yet been consulted on the proposed rearrangement of the cafeteria. [41387]

  Mr. Beith
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: Yes. The management of the Refreshment Department has actively sought the views of staff who work in both the Members' and Strangers' Cafeterias since proposals were first made for the modernisation of these outlets in a consultant's report in July 1992.

  Payment of Claims
  Mr. Stern
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will highlight, in the 1995–96 and subsequent reports of the Commission, in how many cases claims submitted by the hon. Members to the Fees Office are delayed for more than 50 per cent. of the average number of days for the year claimed. [40275]

  Mr. Beith
  At present such statistics are not collected. A monitoring exercise such as the one described by the hon. Gentleman could be implemented only at disproportionate cost and with a loss of effective processing time which would lead to additional delays.

  Mr. Stern
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, what steps he is taking to restore the average delay in payment of claims submitted by hon. Members to the Fees Office to the levels achieved in 1993–94. [40274]
  573
  Mr. Beith
  The average delay in payment fluctuates with the number of claims received and available resources. The current turnaround of claims is better than the level recorded in the Commission's annual report for 1993–94 and therefore restoration measures are not required.

  Staff (Ethnic Monitoring)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, what proportion of those employed in domestic service in the House are from ethnic minority backgrounds. [39943]

  Mr. Beith
  Ethnic monitoring of staff employed by the Commission has been in place since 1988. This is carried out on a voluntary basis and not all staff choose to respond to the ethnic monitoring questionnaire. The current figures for staff in the respective ethnic groupings are as follows:

  Numbers of staff

  Percentage

  White

  877

  64.9

  Asian (East African)

  1

  0.01

  Asian (Indian)

  12

  0.9

  Asian (Other)

  8

  0.6

  Black (African)

  23

  1.7

  Black (Carribbean)

  26

  1.9

  Black (Other)

  3

  0.2

  Other

  8

  0.6

  Questionnaires not returned

  394

  29.1

  Total

  1,352

  Contracted-out Services
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, which House of Commons work has now been contracted out; if he will give the date when the contract commenced and the numbers of workers; and what numbers of staff are not subject to any contracting out arrangements. [39323]

  Mr. Beith
  [holding answer 23 October 1995]: Services are contracted out by House Departments where this can meet the requirements of the House and provide benefits in quality, efficiency and value for money. The area where this is done on the largest scale is new works and maintenance of the parliamentary estate, where 96 per cent. of the work is contracted out by the Parliamentary Works Directorate. A team of 97 directly employed labour provides a service in dealing with emergencies, urgent minor requests and shift working to attend boilers and other plant.

  If the hon. Member has any particular areas on which he would like detailed information, I would ask him to contact the Director of Works or the relevant Head of Department.
  574

  Disabled People (Access)
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what access provision is being made for disabled people in the new parliamentary building; what organisations have been consulted; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  A ramp is provided between the pavement to the main entrance and the main courtyard level, a rise of 0.5 m. The lifts at each corner of the courtyard will reach all floors of the building. The six Members' rooms on the sixth floor are the only rooms not readily accessible to disabled persons, as they are reached from the floor below by spiral staircases. There are lavatories for the disabled on all the main floors. The new parliamentary building has been designed according to good practice and current regulations. Consultation with appropriate organisations is undertaken from time to time as necessary but has not so far taken place in connection with the new parliamentary building.

  Decanting of Parliamentary Buildings
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee which buildings in the Palace of Westminster were decanted to be refurbished or cabled during the summer recess; if he will place the tender specifications in the Library; what delays there have been in the work contracted; what fines have been levied on the contractors; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Ray Powell
  The parts of the Palace of Westminster decanted for summer recess works were the Upper Committee Corridor North in the Commons and Principal Floor West Front and the Lord Chancellor's Department in the other place. The ground floor of the Norman Shaw North building and No. 2 The Abbey Garden were also vacated.

  Tender specifications for specific contracts can be made available by the Director of Parliamentary Works should the hon. Member wish to consult him. All offices were available for occupation when the House returned from the recess in October. No fines have been levied on the contractors.

  Travel Costs
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what would be the reduction of the annual total costs of travel by hon. Members if the travel allowance rates for staff in the Treasury were substituted for the rates that may be claimed.

  Mr. Newton
  This information is not available and could be produced only at a disproportionate cost.

  Charity Payroll Giving
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer of 19 October,Official Report, column 303, if he will list by party affiliation the 45 right hon. and hon. Members who are signed up to the charity payroll giving scheme operated by the Fees Office.
  575
  Mr. Newton
  The party affiliation of the 45 right hon. and hon. Members who participate in the charity payroll giving scheme operated by the Fees Office is not a matter of public record.

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many orders were put before Parliament in each of the years between 1979–94 during parliamentary recesses; and if he will indicate those Government Ministers responsible for those orders and the number of orders per Government Department.

  Mr. Newton
  The numbers of statutory instruments laid before the House of Commons in each year from 1979 to 1994, during parliamentary recesses, including Christmas, Easter, Whitsun and summer are as follows:

  1979: 236

  1980: 216

  1981: 206

  1982: 233

  1983: 170

  1984: 207

  1985: 161

  1986: 258

  1987: 232

  1988: 267

  1989: 253

  1990: 231

  1991: 323

  1992: 275

  1993: 293

  1994: 425

  It would not be possible, except at disproportionate cost, to provide figures by reference to the presenting Minister or Government Department.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many orders were laid before Parliament during the summer adjournment; by which bodies; and on which date.

  Mr. Newton
  The number of statutory instruments laid before the House of Commons during the summer adjournment was 260. The Departments responsible were the Treasury (18), the Home Office (eight), the Department of Trade and Industry (13), the Department of Transport (16), the Privy Council (five), the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (18), the Department of the Environment (29), the Welsh Office (eight), the Department of Social Security (10), the Scottish Office (54), the Department of National Heritage (three), the Northern Ireland Office (nine), the Department of Education and Employment (12), the Department of Health (41) and the Lord Chancellor's Department (12). There were four Instruments from the General Synod, relating to ecclesiastical law, which were laid in the name of the Clerk of the House.
  576

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Deregulation
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress towards deregulation. [39725]

  Mr. Freeman
  Among recent initiatives, we have agreed to launch a joint initiative with the French Government to consider the reduction of regulatory burdens on small businesses.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 27 March,Official Report, column 410, what progress is being made towards realising the target of repealing those regulations identified as unnecessary burdens to business; how many of these will be repealed by the end of the year; and if he will make a statement. [41574]

  Mr. Freeman
  Over 1,000 regulations have been targeted by Departments for repeal or amendment to remove unnecessary burdens on business and we are on target to have dealt with over half of those by the end of the year.

  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what new deregulation initiatives he is considering. [39726]

  Mr. Freeman
  With the help of the deregulation task force, we continue to identify changes to existing rules and requirements to reduce the burdens they impose without removing necessary protections. Particular areas the task force will be focusing on over the next few months include the labour market, planning, building regulations, financial services, the health sector and different approaches to regulation. We are also working to make enforcement provisions fairer, more transparent and more consistent, including use of the new powers in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. In order to ensure that new requirements are introduced only where they are really needed, Ministers have agreed to certify when regulation is brought forward that the regulation strikes an appropriate balance between cost and benefit.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995, and if he will make a statement. [41546]

  Mr. Freeman
  The Cabinet Office provides the Deregulation Committee with a monthly statement showing those deregulation proposals which are the subject of consultation and an indication of those which may be brought forward as draft proposals in the following two months. Copies of the October statement have been placed in the Vote Office.

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the cost of ministerial transport in each of the past five years; what allowance
  577
  has been paid to Ministers who use their own vehicles; and what has been the cost in each of the past five years. [40745]

  Mr. Freeman
  The cost of ministerial transport for Ministers located in the Cabinet Office, excluding VAT, in each of the last five financial years up to 31 March 1995 is as follows:

  1990–91: £82,950

  1991–92: £94,916

  1992–93: £102,076

  1993–94: £102,596

  1994–95: £132,479

  No allowances were paid to Ministers for the use of their own vehicles during this period.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Farming and Forestry Industry (Accidents)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer on 16 October,Official Report, column 178, what action his Department is taking to reduce the number of fatal accidents in the farming and forestry industry. [38867]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Department of Agriculture's health and safety inspectorate will, through its on-going programme of statutory inspections and accident prevention education, continue to work towards improving health and safety awareness in the farming and forestry industry. There are also strong links developing with the Republic of Ireland on this matter to share information and experience.

  Ormeau Road Arrests
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were arrested or charged for disturbance on the lower Ormeau road over the marching season; and how many of these people are from the lower Ormeau road. [39365]

  Sir John Wheeler
  A total of 26 arrests were made during the "marching season" on the lower Ormeau road. Of these, 17 were from the lower Ormeau road area and nine were from elsewhere. On all cases files are with the Director of Public Prosecutions for decision.

  Domestic Electricity Costs
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many homes in Northern Ireland are heated solely by electricity. [39637]

  Mr. Ancram
  Figures for the 1994–95 continuous household survey show that an estimated 9 per cent. of households in Northern Ireland are heated solely by electricity. The 1991 census recorded a total of some 530,000 households in Northern Ireland.

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the cost of ministerial transport in each of the past five years; what allowance 578
  has been paid to Ministers who use their own vehicles; and what has been the cost in each of the past five years. [40747]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Records on ministerial transport, including internal and overseas air transport, are available only for the last three financial years, April to March. These costs, which are greatly inflated by necessary security requirements, were:

  1993–94: £992,663

  1994–95: £1,041,077

  1995–96: £365,641 (to 31 October 1995)

  Ministers at the Northern Ireland Office do not use their own vehicles. Consequently, no allowances have been paid.

  James Dixon Home, Belfast
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what have been the security costs incurred at the former James Dixon home in Rugby avenue, Belfast since it was vacated by the Eastern health and social services board; and what consideration is being given to making it available for(a) student accommodation and (b) single accommodation by transfer to a registered housing association or similar body. [40886]

  Mr. Moss
  The building has been unoccupied since June and is currently being secured 24 hours per day at a cost of £2,000 per month.

  South and East Belfast Trust has been considering alternative uses for the premises. An approach has been made by the Belfast Community Housing Association and the trust, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Social Services, will be entering into discussions with the housing association in the near future to consider its proposals for the future use of this facility.

  Child Support
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those Department of Health and Social Services benefits that are not taken into account in child support assessments; if they are taxable; and if he will make a statement. [40889]

  Mr. Moss
  The benefits which are disregarded in the calculation of net income under the child support formula are listed in schedule 2 to the Child Support (Maintenance Assessments and Special Cases) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992. I have arranged for a copy of the regulations to be placed in the library. The social security benefits listed in the schedule are non-taxable.

  GPs' Dispensing Lists
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what process of consultation was undergone before it was decided that patients living less than 5 km from a pharmacy would no longer be able to collect medication from a general practitioner's surgery; what considerations underlie the application of the 5 km rule to Northern Ireland and the one-mile rule in Great Britain; what effect the rule change will have on residents of Lisbane, County Down; and if he will make a statement [41229]
  579
  Mr. Moss
  Extensive consultation and deliberation have taken place over two and a half years, involving health and social services boards, the Central Services Agency and the representative bodies of both the medical and pharmaceutical professions. Health and social services councils are now going to be consulted about the final draft of the revised guidelines. When boards come to implement the guidelines they will be approaching individual patients about their needs and circumstances, as they review their general practitioners' dispensing lists.

  Regulations governing dispensing by doctors in Northern Ireland are similar to those operating in Scotland, but different to those which apply in England and Wales. The guidelines operating under the various regulations are therefore also different. The one-mile rule in England and Wales is actually contained in regulations but is not used in determining whether a patient has serious difficulty in obtaining medication from a pharmacy. Under the revised Northern Ireland guidelines it is proposed to use 5 km distance from a pharmacy as the general basic test for serious difficulty. This is considered reasonable, given that a two-mile rule has been in operation from 1957 and there have been significant improvements in transport and telecommunications since then. In addition, many pharmacies are now providing collection and delivery services, making it easier for patients to get their drugs. Boards will, however, have the flexibility to exercise judgment in relation to individual patients when reasons other than distance exist for serious difficulty. In exercising such judgment, boards will have as their paramount concern the overall needs of patients and their access to the professional services of both general medical practitioners and community pharmacists.

  The effect of the changes on the residents of Lisbane, County Down, will not be known until the revised guidelines are applied by the Eastern health and social services board, in relation to individual patients on general practitioners' dispensing lists.

  Waste Disposal, Newtownards
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment his Department has made of the risks to public health arising from the unofficial dump in the disused quarry at the intersection of the Ballybarnes and Tullynagardy roads in Newtownards; and if he will make a statement about provision of official dumps in the Newtownards area. [41230]

  Mr. Moss
  The licensing of waste disposal facilities is a matter for the district council—in this case Ards borough council. The council has licensed the site in question at Craiganee quarry and reports that there are no matters relating to the site which constitute a public health nuisance. The council has adopted a 10-year waste disposal plan for the borough which is regularly reviewed.

  Stormont Fire
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those recommendations of the Doyle report into the Stormont fire which have already been implemented by Government Departments and those which have not. [41231]
  580
  Mr. Moss
  The Doyle report made 30 recommendations in relation to fire safety of Crown buildings in Northern Ireland. To date, some 22 of these have been put into practice by Northern Ireland Departments while the remaining eight are in the process of implementation.

  Those recommendations which have already been implemented are contained in the following paragraphs of the report:

  Paras 1.4.1 to 1.4.3

  Paras 1.4.6 to 1.4.12

  Paras 1.4.15 to 1.4.16

  Paras 1.4.18 to 1.4.23

  Paras 1.4.25 to 1.4.28

  Roads Expenditure
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the capital expenditure on each class of road in each of the past five years in the borough of ards; when the proposed link road at Portaferry/Comber road, Newtownards was first included in the local area plan; at what stage is the design and acquisition of lands for the road; and if he will make a statement about the programme for construction of this link road. [41232]

  Mr. Moss
  Details of capital expenditure by roads classification are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate costs. Overall capital expenditure covering major and minor works, traffic management and accident remedial schemes, street lighting and car park provision in the Ards borough council area was for the years in question as follows:

  1990–91: £1,101,000

  1991–92: £472,000

  1992–93: £792,000

  1993–94: £612,000

  1994–95: £558,000

  The Portaferry road-Comber road link, Newtownards appeared in the North Down area plan which was published in 1972. At the moment, design work is at a very preliminary stage and a final line for the road has yet to be determined. The scheme is included in the current major road works programme with a planned starting date in the 1999–2000 financial year, subject to the necessary finance being available.

  Health and Social Services Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial reserves have been held(a) by trusts and (b) by health authorities in each region in each of the last three years. [41416]

  Mr. Moss
  The financial reserves held by health and social services trusts and boards are disclosed in the annual financial accounts.

  The reserves held by the health and social services trusts and boards in each area are as follows:

  581

  Table 1: Health and social services trusts summary of reserves

  £ thousands

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Eastern board

  34,019

  31,769

  Western board

  n/a

  n/a

  Southern board

  2,899

  2,254

  Northern board

  n/a

  n/a

  Table 2: Health and social services boards summary of reserves

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  Eastern board

  442,603,370

  191,760,873

  13,382,566

  Southern board

  104,032,224

  79,039,728

  42,301,620

  Northern board

  113,255,648

  159,409,479

  149,872,036

  Western board

  133,211,810

  143,012,738

  143,511,842

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will itemise the financial reserves of each(a) trust and (b) health authority in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [41426]

  Mr. Moss
  The financial reserves held by health and social services trusts are disclosed in the annual financial accounts. The tables itemise the reserves held by trusts in each area for 1993–94 and 1994–95.

  Table 1: Health and social services trusts reserves 1993–94

  £ thousands

  Revaluation reserve

  Donation reserve

  Income and expenditure reserve

  Total reserves

  Eastern board area

  Belfast City hospital

  8,050

  321

  2,628

  10,999

  Ulster North Down and Ards

  2,691

  4,111

  797

  7,599

  Royal Group of hospitals

  6,708

  2,476

  1,602

  10,786

  Greenpark

  2,655

  830

  931

  4,416

  Eastern Ambulance service

  131

  —

  88

  219

  Total

  20,235

  7,738

  6,046

  34,019

  Southern board area

  Craigavon Area hospital

  2,213

  —

  686

  2,899

  Total

  2,213

  —

  686

  2,899

  The comparative figures for this trust were restated in 1994–95. The figure tabled is the restated amount.

  Table 2: Health and social services trusts reserves 1994–95

  £ thousands

  Revaluation reserve

  Donation reserve

  Income and expenditure reserve

  Total reserves

  Eastern board area

  Belfast City hospital

  5,516

  480

  1,619

  7,615

  Ulster North Down and Ards

  1,937

  4,424

  (217)

  6,144

  Royal Group of hospitals

  4,985

  3,033

  1,958

  9,976

  Greenpark

  2,117

  899

  806

  3,822

  Eastern Ambulance service

  119

  —

  4

  123

  Mater hospital

  (76)

  3,372

  113

  3,409

  South and east Belfast

  (761)

  130

  1,291

  660

  582

  Table 2: Health and social services trusts reserves 1994–95

  £ thousands

  Revaluation reserve

  Donation reserve

  Income and expenditure reserve

  Total reserves

  North and West Belfast

  (473)

  50

  169

  (254)

  North Down and Ards

  (186)

  —

  962

  776

  Down and Lisburn

  (1,023)

  46

  475

  (502)

  Total

  12,155

  12,434

  7,180

  31,769

  Southern board area

  Craigavon Area hospital

  1,741

  12

  495

  2,248

  Newry and Mourne

  (384)

  62

  135

  (187)

  Craigavon and Banbridge

  (237)

  10

  420

  193

  Total

  1,120

  84

  1,050

  2,254

  Only six trusts were in existence in 1993–94 and there were none before that date. Thirteen trusts existed in 1994–95.

  The reserves held by health and social services boards are disclosed in the annual financial accounts. The table itemises the reserves held by boards in each area for the last three years.

  Table 3: Health and social services boards

  Health and social services board

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  Eastern board

  Capital Account

  427,062,751

  180,092,696

  8,358,987

  Donation Reserve

  5,870,066

  3,982,357

  0

  Balance due to/from Department

  9,670,553

  7,685,820

  5,023,579

  Total

  442,603,370

  191,760,873

  13,382,566

  Southern board

  Capital Account

  102,702,412

  76,386,249

  36,975,989

  Donation Reserve

  145,316

  537,946

  437,960

  Balance due to/from Department

  1,184,496

  2,115,533

  4,887,671

  Total

  104,032,224

  79,039,728

  42,301,620

  Northern board

  Capital Account

  107,835,922

  152,836,035

  142,946,098

  Donation Reserve

  768,456

  379,094

  507,858

  Balance due to/from Department

  4,651,270

  6,194,350

  6,418,080

  Total

  113,255,648

  159,409,479

  149,872,036

  Western board

  Capital Account

  128,209,888

  135,840,456

  135,970,475

  Donation Reserve

  444,227

  380,785

  328,717

  Balance due to/from Department

  4,557,695

  6,791,497

  7,212,650

  Total

  133,211,810

  143,012,738

  143,511,842

  The figures for 1994–95 are provisional pending final clearance from the appointed auditor.

  Continuing Care Beds
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many NHS continuing care beds have been available in each(a) region and (b) district in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [41420]
  583
  Mr. Moss
  Information is not available in the format requested. The table shows the average number of available beds in long stay wards only for people who have a learning disability or are mentally ill, and the average number of available beds in wards for elderly and young physically disabled patients.

  Year

  Long-stay

  Elderly

  Young physically disabled

  1990–91

  3,481

  2,519

  39

  1991–92

  3,182

  2,315

  42

  1992–93

  2,826

  2,121

  37

  1993–94

  2,312

  1,934

  55

  1994–95

  1,931

  1,830

  55

  Respite Care Beds
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) NHS and (b) private respite care beds were available (i) by region and (ii) by health authority in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [41408]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

  Advertising Expenditure
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission how much has been spent on outside advertising agencies for each year since 1979; and if he will list the specific advertising campaigns undertaken by his Department, their purpose and their cost. [32480]

  Sir Peter Hordern
  The National Audit Office does not engage in advertising campaigns, other than for graduate and specialist recruitment. The costs of advertising for recruitment purposes are currently around £90,000 each year.

DEFENCE

  No. 13 Air Experience Flight
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of annual savings to the defence budget of the proposed closure of No. 13 Air Experience Flight, Royal Air Force volunteer reserve. [41389]

  Mr. Soames
  The estimated annual savings to the defence budget of the closure of No. 13 Air Experience Flight of the Air Cadet Organisation would be £190,000.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the air experience flights of the Royal Air Force volunteer reserve in the United Kingdom identifying which it is planned to(a) close and (b) move in the next three years. [41398]
  584
  Mr. Soames
  The current air experience flights of the Air Cadet Organisation are listed. A proposal to close No. 13 Air Experience Flight of the Air Cadet Organisation has recently been the subject of consultation and is now receiving consideration. The amalgamation of the flying operations of university air squadrons and air experience flights at regional locations, using the University Air Squadron Bulldog aircraft, has recently been announced and will be implemented in 1996. One of the effects will be that six air experience flights, which are marked with asterisks on the list, will reform at new locations.

  Current Structure

  No. 1—RAF Manston*

  No. 2—Hurn Airport*

  No. 3—Colerne Airfield

  No. 4—Exeter Airport*

  No. 5—Cambridge Airport

  No. 6—RAF Benson

  No. 7—RAF Newton

  No. 8—RAF Shawbury*

  No. 9—RAF Finningley*

  No. 10—RAF Woodvale

  No. 11—RAF Leeming

  No. 12—RAF Turnhouse*

  No. 13—Belfast City Airport

  Rifle Ammunition
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests have been performed on rifle ammunition purchased from the Portuguese firm INDEP to determine their failure rate; what was the failure rate of the ammunition; what is his Department's standard failure rate of rifle ammunition; if his Department has encountered any technical problems with the ammunition; and if the ammunition purchased from INDEP has been assessed as satisfactory. [41568]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The 7.62 mm sniper rifle round produced by INDEP, which won the recent competition to supply ammunition for the National Rifle Association, has been subjected to three sets of tests. Prior to INDEP's inclusion in the tender invitation list, the design integrity of their round was established. During production, sample rounds underwent a number of acceptance tests examining different aspects of the manufacture of the rounds and their functioning in service weapons. Pass-fail criteria varied from test to test but were rigorous; no critical defects were allowed and major defects could not occur in more than one round in 1,000. To date all acceptance tests have been satisfactory. Finally, following the NRA's reports of misfires, the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation carried out extensive tests during which over 1,500 rounds of INDEP ammunition were fired from service issue sniper rifles. No misfires occurred. We remain satisfied that the INDEP ammunition is to the specification laid down in the contract.

  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department purchased rifle ammunition from the Portuguese firm INDEP; how many rounds of ammunition were purchased; and what was the total value of the order. [41567]
  585
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  INDEP was awarded a contract for 1.3 million rounds of 7.62 mm sniper rifle ammunition on 10 February 1995. The contract value is commercially confidential.

  Reserve Forces
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to(a) disband, (b) merge and (c) move any units of the Territorial Army and Royal Naval reserve in Northern Ireland in the next three years. [41400]

  Mr. Soames
  None.

  Anglo-French Defence Measures
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the joint defence measures agreed with the Government of France on 13 October. [41564]

  Mr. Soames
  The UK-French summit on 30 October reviewed the wide range of bilateral defence co-operation between the United Kingdom and France and agreed to build further on this. Discussions also highlighted a common position on a wide range of defence issues.

  Mobile Cellphones
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures his Department possesses to prevent the accidental monitoring of mobile cellphones. [41566]

  Mr. Soames
  It is MOD policy that only cellphones used by MOD personnel for official use are subjected to monitoring, and the equipment can be programmed to monitor only calls involving specified cellphones.

  If a non-MOD call is unintentionally intercepted during a scanning sweep of frequencies then the procedure laid down, in accordance with the Interception of Communications Act 1985, requires the operator to stop monitoring of the call immediately, dispose of all recorded material from that intercept and log the incident.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995; and if he will make a statement; [41531]

  (2) what regulations his Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1995; if he proposes to conduct a compliance cost assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a compliance cost assessment to assess the advantages or disadvantages of such a repeal; [41554]

  (3) what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer by the repeal of each rule and regulation which has so far been the subject of a reference to the Deregulation Committee from his Department; and in how many cases a compliance cost assessment has been carried out. [41532]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department is not a regulator of business so it does not refer proposals to the Deregulation Committee. As a non-regulatory Department we are 586
  playing a full part in the deregulation initiative by focusing our efforts on relieving unnecessary administrative burdens on our suppliers, streamlining contracts procedures and improving communications.

  RAF University Cadetships
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the cost in the academic year 1996–97 of the travelling and accommodation expenses of students at Queen's university, Belfast holding university cadetships sponsored by the Royal Air Force to attend training at university air squadrons in Great Britain. [41403]

  Mr. Soames
  There are currently no students at Queen's university holding university cadetships sponsored by the RAF. Assessments of the costs of travel and accommodation for any future students at Queen's university awarded a cadetship sponsored by the RAF in the future will be made as and when awards are approved.

  Cadet Forces (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has(a) to disband, (b) merge and (c) move units of the Army Cadet Force and for the Cadet Corps in Northern Ireland in the next three years. [41399]

  Mr. Soames
  There are currently no plans to disband, merge or move units of the Army Cadet Force or the Combined Cadet Force in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he is making for the Royal Air Force to provide air experience in powered aircraft to cadets of the Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force in Northern Ireland following the closure of No. 13 Air Experience Flight of the Royal Air Force volunteer reserve. [41390]

  Mr. Soames
  A proposal for the closure of No. 13 Air Experience Flight of the Air Cadet Organisation is still receiving consideration. If accepted, air cadets in Northern Ireland would be offered the same level of flying opportunities as cadets on the mainland, the establishment of a volunteer gliding school offering powered gliding, and the provision of opportunities for air experience flights during annual camps on the mainland.

  Army Helicopter (Misuse)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make a statement on the conclusions of his Department's special investigation branch into the allegations concerning the misuse of an Army helicopter to transport a commanding officer to a golf competition in Scotland. [41565]

  Mr. Soames
  The special investigations branch has completed and submitted a report into the allegations concerning the misuse of an Army helicopter. This is now being considered by my Department and I will advise the hon. Member of the outcome shortly.

  University Air Squadron
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase the complement of aircraft and qualified flying instructors of university
  587
  air squadrons in Great Britain to provide training for students from Queen's university, Belfast holding university cadetships sponsored by the Royal Air Force following the closure of Queen's University Air Squadron, Belfast. [41401]

  Mr. Soames
  At present, there are no plans to increase the complement of aircraft or qualified flying instructors at university air squadrons in Great Britain to provide flying training for students at Queen's University, Belfast holding university cadetships sponsored by the RAF. Should the decision be taken to close the Queen's University Air Squadron, the flying training of any students holding RAF sponsored cadetships would be undertaken from within existing resources.

  Radioactive Debris
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made since 1965 by the Meteorological Office of the fallout pattern of radioactive debris arising from the French atmospheric weapon tests conducted in the Algerian Sahara desert between 1960 and 1966; and if he will make a statement on what(a) public protection and (b) information measures have been taken since 1965 in the United Kingdom. [40258]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Meteorological Office makes no assessment of fallout patterns of radioactive debris. It does, however, provide essential meteorological data and forecasts to the other Government Departments with responsibility for public protection and information measures.

  AEA Technology, formerly a division of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, has measured the deposition and air concentration of long-lived radioactive material produced as a result of weapons tests in the atmosphere since the late 1950s. Annual reports have been published.

  In the event of an accident involving defence nuclear material in the UK, the Ministry of Defence nuclear accident response organisation would work in conjunction with the appropriate civil agencies to ensure an effective response to safeguard the public. Where appropriate, the information necessary to deal with such an event has been issued by the MOD under the provisions of the Public Information for Radiation Emergencies Regulations 1992.

  Public safety schemes exist in respect of all UK berths used by nuclear powered submarines, and guidance on appropriate protective measures in the event of an accident during the transportation of nuclear weapons has been issued to local authorities and the emergency services.

  A national response plan, which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, was put in place in 1988 to deal with the possible impact on the UK from overseas nuclear accidents or major radioactive release overseas, of whatever origin.
  588

  Air Force Recruitment
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current maximum age requirement for recruits to enter the Air Force; what was this age limit two years ago; and if he will make a statement. [41563]

  Mr. Soames
  The information is as follows:

  Years and under

  Age requirement from 1 September 1995

  Age requirement two years ago

  Officers

  General Duties (Air) Pilot

  24

  24

  General Duties (Air) Navigator

  26

  26

  General Duties (Ground) Air Traffic Control

  25½

  30

  General Duties (Ground)

  Fighter Control

  30

  30

  General Duties (Ground)

  Intelligence

  30

  30

  Engineer

  29½

  130

  Supply

  26½

  130

  Administrative (Secretarial)

  25½

  130

  Administrative (Education)

  27½

  130

  Administrative (Catering)

  27½

  130

  Administrative (Physical Education)

  27½

  127

  Security (Regiment)

  25½

  26

  Security (Provost)

  30

  130

  Specialists

  Legal

  330

  330

  Chaplains

  339

  339

  PMRAFNS

  35

  35

  Medical Secretarial

  130

  130

  Medical

  39

  439

  Dental

  333

  33

  Airmen/Aircrew

  31

  226

  Ground Trades

  24

  39

  1 Exceptionally, recruits could be considered up to the age of 39 years.

  2 Exceptionally, recruits could be considered up to the age of 31 years.

  3 Older candidates could be considered on their merits.

  4 Older candidates could be considered in exceptional circumstances.

  Temporary age restrictions have been imposed from 1 September 1995 on entry to training in the RAF. Given reductions and restructuring in the RAF following changes in the strategic environment, these restrictions are necessary to maintain a balanced age-rank structure for the future. The revised age criteria will be kept under regular review.

  Training Assistance
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which foreign Governments training assistance has been offered since 1992; and what was the total receipt in respect of such assistance in the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95. [40492]

  Mr. Soames
  According to available records the following countries have received United Kingdom assistance since 1992:
  589

  Country

  Albania

  Angola

  Antigua and Barbuda

  Austria

  Australia

  Bahamas

  Bahrain

  Bangladesh

  Barbados

  Belarus

  Belgium

  Belize

  Bermuda

  Botswana

  Brazil

  British Virgin Islands

  Brunei

  Bulgaria

  Burma

  Cambodia

  Cameroon

  Canada

  Cayman Islands

  Chad

  Chile

  Colombia

  Cyprus

  Czech Republic

  Denmark

  Dominica

  Ecuador

  Egypt

  Estonia

  Falkland Island

  Fiji

  Finland

  France

  Gambia

  Germany

  Ghana

  Gibraltar

  Greece

  Grenada

  Guatemala

  Guyana

  Honduras

  Hong Kong

  Hungary

  India

  Indonesia

  Ireland

  Israel

  Italy

  Ivory Coast

  Jamaica

  Japan

  Jordan

  Kenya

  Kuwait

  Latvia

  Lebanon

  Lesotho

  Malawi

  Malaysia

  Maldives

  Malta

  Mauritus

  Mexico

  Montserrat

  Mozambique

  Morocco

  Namibia

  Nepal

  Netherlands

  New Zealand

  590

  Nigeria

  Norway

  Oman

  Pakistan

  Paraguay

  Peru

  Philippines

  Poland

  Portugal

  Qatar

  Romania

  Russia

  Saudi Arabia

  Senegal

  Seychelles

  Sierra Leone

  Singapore

  Slovakia

  Slovenia

  South Africa

  South Korea

  Spain

  Sri Lanka

  St. Kitts

  St. Lucia

  St. Vincent

  Sudan

  Swaziland

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  Tanzania

  Thailand

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Turkey

  Turks and Caicos

  Uganda

  Ukraine

  UAE

  Uruguay

  USA

  Venezuela

  Yemen

  Zaire

  Zambia

  Zimbabwe

  The list covers training provided in the UK and training provided by UK service personnel overseas. In addition, forces on exercise overseas often provide limited training to, or train alongside, the armed forces of the host nation. A central record of such training is not maintained.

  According to available records the following total receipts were received from foreign Governments in respect of such assistance in financial years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95:

  1992–93: £35,298,325

  1993–94: £45,117,356

  1994–95: £51,126,747

  Military Hospitals (Health Services)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the administrative cost of market testing and contracting out the services provided by the military hospitals at Ruinteln and Wegberg in Germany; when these hospitals will close; how many(a) service personnel and (b) United Kingdom civilian staff will be made
  redundant; how many organisations made full bids to take
  over these services; and if the contract was awarded to
  the lowest bidder. [40760]
  591
  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to my answers to the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 16 October 1995,Official Report, columns 32–35. The total cost of mounting the project in terms of the full-time project and in-house bid teams and consultancy support is estimated at some £1,700,000. The Health Alliance submitted the lowest compliant bid to provide full primary, community and secondary health care to the Army and primary and community health care to the RAF in Germany from 1 April 1996.

  Royal Flight
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft, of which type, make up No. 32, the Royal Squadron; what is the original capital value of each aircraft; how old each is; and what is its present value. [41383]

  Mr. Soames
  Details of the composition of No. 32, the Royal Squadron, which is responsible for royal, VIP and other communications flying, are set out in the table. Under the Government's resource accounting initiative, the capital values of all such assets are being identified; however, this work will not be complete until April 1998.

  Aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron—at 1 November 1995

  AC Type

  Date procured

  Current age

  Total AC by type

  Flight A

  BAe 146 100 Series

  April 1986

  9 years, 6 months

  13 AE

  BAe 146 100 Series

  July 1986

  9 years, 3 months

  BAe 146 100 Series

  January 1991

  4 years, 9 months

  Flight B

  Wessex HCC Mk4

  June 1969

  26 years, months

  2 AE

  Wessex HCC Mk4

  June 1969

  26 years, 4 months

  Gazelle HT Mk4

  18 January 1984

  11 years, 9 months

  Gazelle HT Mk3

  31 August 1978

  17 years, 2 months

  2 AE +

  Gazelle HT Mk3(IUR)

  31 July 1973

  22 years, 3 months

  22IUR

  Gazelle HT Mk3(IUR)

  5 July 1973

  22 years, 4 months

  Flight C

  BAe 125 700 Series

  23 February 1983

  12 years, 8 months

  6 AE

  BAe 125 700 Series

  14 March 1983

  12 years, 7 months

  BAe 125 700 Series

  15 April 1983

  12 years, 6 months

  BAe 125 700 Series

  23 August 1983

  12 years, 2 months

  BAe 125 700 Series

  26 November 1983

  11 years, 11 months

  BAe 125 700 Series

  17 February 1984

  11 years, 8 months

  BAe 125 600 Series

  24 April 1973

  22 years, 6 months

  1 AE +

  BAe 125 600 Series(IUR)

  26 April 1973

  22 Years, 6 months

  1 IUR

  1Aircraft established.

  2In use reserve.

  Mr. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the usage of the royal flight in each of the five years to April 1995 was used by the royal family(a) as a proportion of occasions used and (b) as a proportion of distance covered. [41384]

  Mr. Soames
  The percentage of passenger carrying flights by the Queen's flight on which a member of the royal family was a passenger in each financial year from 1990–91 to 1994–95 was as follows:

  1990–91: 94 per cent.

  1991–92: 95 per cent.

  1993–94: 94 per cent.

  1993–94: 90 per cent.

  1994–95: 88 per cent.

  592
  Information on distance covered could not be provided without disproportionate cost.

  Nuclear Weapons, France
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial arrangements are in place governing the Franco-British Joint Commission on Nuclear Policy and Doctrine. [41447]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) on 23 October,Official Report, column 476.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the memoranda of understanding which currently exist between Britain and France with regard to all aspects of nuclear weapons; and if he will set out the purpose of each memorandum giving the date on which each one was signed, whether its text is still classified, on what dates each one has been amended, why it was amended on each occasion and what other countries are party to it. [41446]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I have nothing to add to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor) on 24 October,Official Report, column 587.

  Jobs, Clwyd
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the number of(a) defence and (b) defence-related jobs in Clwyd; and if he will make a statement. [41250]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This information is not available in the form requested. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Devon (Mr. Harvey) on Monday 16 October,Official Report, columns 32–33. There are currently 423 service men and 1,285 civilians based in Clwyd, mainly at RAF Sealand.

  Military Hospitals, Germany
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the revenue cost of running(a) Rinteln and (b) Wegberg military hospital in Germany in each of the last five years: and what the annual cost will be of replacement medical services provided by the Health Alliance. [40762]

  Mr. Soames
  The running costs for the British military hospital Rinteln and the RAF hospital Wegberg in the last five years, including an estimate of expenditure for the current financial year, are as follows:

  RAF (H) Wegberg

  £ million BMH Rinteln

  1991–92

  10.7

  9.2

  1992–93

  11.7

  10.6

  1993–94

  12.2

  13.2

  1994–95

  12.3

  15.7

  1995–96

  12.5

  16.6

  It is not possible to give comparable figures for the replacement service as there will be a fundamental change in the method of provision of health care services and there will be overlap with other elements of the health care service in Germany.
  593
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent on capital projects at(a) Rinteln and (b) Wegberg military hospitals in Germany in each of the last five years. [40761]

  Mr. Soames
  There has been no capital expenditure at RAF hospital Wegberg in the last five years. Capital expenditure at the British military hospital Rinteln in the last five years, in deutschmark millions, was:

  BMH Rinteln

  1991–92

  0

  1992–93

  0

  1993–94

  2.6

  1994–95

  0.3

  1995–96

  8.4

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of(a) his Department's invitation to tender documents and (b) the service specification that forms part of the contract awarded to the Health Alliance for replacing the health services provided currently by the military hospitals at Rinteln and Wegberg. [40763]

  Mr. Soames
  A copy of the invitation to tender will be placed in the Library of the House. A copy of the statement of requirement—service specification—is already available in the Library of the House.

  Corporate Head Office Technology System
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his plans for the future of the corporate head office technology system; if he intends to update the Unix-based OfficePower system; and how CHOTS will relate to the relocated Procurement Executive. [41119]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Unix-based corporate headquarters office technology system is currently being upgraded for the fourth time since the start of implementation in 1991. This latest upgrade delivers OfficePower Version 7 replacing the existing version of OfficePower 450 on CHOTS. There are no plans to update OfficePower beyond version 7.

  A review involving a wide range of existing and potential CHOTS users established a clear need to operate a range of modern commercial software on the CHOTS workstation. As a result, it was agreed in May 1995 that a further development be undertaken. This work is now well under way with the objective of providing MicroSoft Windows applications on CHOTS. The full extent to which current and future CHOTS installations will use this development is still under consideration.

  A number of CHOTS terminals will be installed at Abbey Wood. These terminals, plus connections with other IT systems, at Abbey Wood will allow the relocated Procurement Executive headquarters to communicate with the wider CHOTS population.

  Gurkha Troops
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Gurkha troops qualify for the same pay and conditions as their British counterparts. [41108]
  594
  Mr. Soames
  Pay and conditions of service for Gurkhas serving the Crown are largely governed by the 1947 tripartite agreement, between the Governments of the United Kingdom, India and Nepal. Under the terms of this agreement, Gurkha basic pay is linked to Indian army rates of pay. British Gurkhas do, however, receive a substantial addition to their basic pay which takes into account the cost of living at their duty station. In the United Kingdom, where the tasks carried out by Gurkhas are similar to their regular counterparts, the addition is calculated to ensure comparability. British Gurkha conditions of service are also governed by the tripartite agreement and are comparable to those in the Indian Army; they do, however, recognise the unique cultural and religious character of British Gurkha personnel.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [41124]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Breakdowns by Department and executive agency for 1 April 1995 of the number of permanent staff, the number of casual staff—that is normally those engaged for a period 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.

  Departmental Employees (Disabled People)
  Mrs. Liddell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many registered disabled civilians are employed by his Ministry. [41507]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  At 1 April 1995 my Department and its agencies employed 1,355 registered disabled civilians, representing 1.1 per cent. of all civilian staff.

  Gulf War (Misappropriated Funds)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the reasons why £43,000 was misappropriated from public funds during the Gulf war; and to which cost centre the sum was reimbursed in the transaction mentioned at page 20 of his departmental appropriation accounts, 1994–95, volume 1, class 1 on defence, HC paper 757–I, of 17 October. [41469]

  Mr. Soames
  The sum of £43,000 was reimbursed in the transaction mentioned at page 20 of the MOD's departmental appropriation accounts, 1994–95, volume 1, class 1 on defence, HC paper 757–I, of 17 October, following the conviction of an officer who admitted he had defrauded the MOD of that sum while on service in the middle east between May 1992 and October 1993.

  By their nature, consolidated fund extra receipts are sums that the MOD is not allowed to retain for the benefit

  595
  of defence votes. Therefore, no departmental cost centre has been reimbursed with this recovery.

  VC10 Aircraft (Repainting)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) United Kingdom and (b) non-United Kingdom companies bid for the contract A3a/453 with his Department for re-painting of RAF VC10 aircraft; on what grounds Sogerma-Socea of Bordeaux was selected; and if he will make a statement. [41322]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Three companies bid for the contract for repainting RAF VC10 aircraft, two UK and one non-UK. The contract was placed on the basis of the lowest price and lowest risk. None of the bidders proposed to paint the aircraft in the UK.

  Nuclear Weapons (Legality)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what official monitoring his Department has of the proceeding begun at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on 30 October on the legality of nuclear weapons. [41470]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We have maintained a close interest in the requests by the World Health Organisation and the UN General Assembly to the International Court of Justice for advisory opinions on the legality of nuclear weapons since May 1993.

  Indonesian Pilots (Training)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made to train Indonesian pilots at RAF Valley. [41385]

  Mr. Soames
  It is not Government policy to reveal specific details of training undertaken by overseas students in the United Kingdom.

  Field Ambulances
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make an announcement regarding the order for field ambulances. [41279]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We expect to make an announcement by early 1996.

  Departmental Properties, Southampton
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many domestic properties owned by his Department are unoccupied in Marchwood and Calshot, near Southampton. [41455]

  Mr. Soames
  As at 30 September 1995, there were 54 vacant married quarters at Marchwood and Calshot. Of these, 30 were awaiting demolition as part of the plan to demolish 64 underscaled maisonettes and redevelop the area with houses. The remainder of the vacant properties were either awaiting major maintenance work, already allocated to service families due to move in shortly or formed part of the management margin needed to ensure that accommodation is available to house entitled service personnel.
  596

  Royal Welch Fusiliers (Gorazde)
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the statement of the General-Secretary of the United Nations in respect of the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Gorazde. [41285]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The UN Secretary-General's statement of 18 August reflected the British Government's decision not to replace the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Gorazde at the end of their tour. British troops has served in the town for 18 months. The London conference in July, and subsequent air action by NATO, made abundantly clear the international community's resolve to deter attacks on Gorazde and other safe areas.

  Solvent Buoyage
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answers of 31 October,Official Report, column 165, on Solvent buoyage, if he will define the limits of the Dockyard port; and if his answers include the navigation buoys laid in the Solvent by the Navy outside the entrance to Portsmouth harbour. [41368]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The limits of the dockyard port of Portsmouth are defined at paragraph 3 of Statutory Instrument 1978 No. 1881, the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth Order 1978, a copy of which is found in the Library of the House. All navigation buoys located within the limits of the Portsmouth dockyard port area are the responsibility of the Queen's harbour master, Portsmouth.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 October,Official Report, column 165, if the Queen's harbour master charges light dues on the Navy's buoyage in the Solvent to merchant shipping. [41369]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The Queen's harbour master at Portsmouth does not charge any dues for buoyage within the area for which he is responsible.

ENVIRONMENT

  Urban Regeneration, Sheffield
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many initiatives have been taken since June 1987 to deal with urban dereliction and inner-city decay in Sheffield by means of encouraging development and improvements to the city; if he will list each initiative, indicating the amounts expended under each heading; and if he will include grants which have been made to Sheffield, including all funding from European Union sources. [40572]

  Mr. Curry
  Between 1 April 1987 and 31 March 1996, estimated, Sheffield metropolitan district will have benefited from approximately £262.688 million of grant funding from United Kingdom Government—Department of the Environment—and European Union sources for
  597
  regeneration schemes. The amount for each initiative is set out in the table.

  £ million

  Urban programme

  58.017

  English partnerships1

  10.986

  Estate action

  55.7762

  Urban development corporation

  93.210

  Urban partnership fund

  0.675

  Challenge fund

  2.568

  European regional development fund

  39.830

  European social fund3

  1.626

  1 Includes city grant and derelict land grant prior to 1 April 1994.

  2 Grant and SCAs.

  3 From 1 January 1994. Earlier figures are available only on a county basis.

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment 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. [40735]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information is provided in respect of all DOE Ministers:

  1990–91: £270,000

  1991–92: £265,000

  1992–93: £254,000

  1993–94: £258,000

  1994–95: £258,000

  All figures are exclusive of VAT.

  No DOE Ministers use their own vehicles for official purposes.

  Meetings with Local Authorities
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the delegations from local authorities whose meetings with Ministers in his Department have been cancelled in the past two weeks. [40654]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding reply given Tuesday 31 October 1995]: No ministerial meetings with local authorities have been cancelled within the past two weeks. However, Earl Ferrers, the Minister for the Environment and Countryside, was obliged to withdraw from attending the Association of District Councils conference on 31 October.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times in the past year he has met local authority organisations to discuss the services that they provide and the means by which they are financed. [41138]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Secretary of State met representatives of the local authority associations on six occasions in the past year to discuss a range of issues affecting local government.

  Carers
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much the Carers (Recognition and 598
  Services) Act 1995 is to cost local authorities in (a) England and (b) the west midlands; and if local authorities will receive extra funding from central Government to meet the cost of implementation. [41014]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We do not expect the implementation of the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 to add significantly to local authorities' costs.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate the Association of Metropolitan Authorities has sent to provide him about the increase in local authority spending needed to provide the same level of public services for the year 1995–96 as in 1994–95 in(a) England and (b) the west midlands. [41011]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The local authority associations submitted a joint report in October 1994 which indicated that local authorities in England would need to increase aggregate expenditure in 1995–96 by approximately £3 billion at 1994–95 prices over 1994–95. There were no separate figures for the west midlands.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the increase in local authority spending needed to provide the same level of public services as in 1994–905 for the year 1995–96 in(a) England and (b) the west midlands. [41010]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Each year, the Government estimate the total revenue spending which authorities in England should incur. This is known as total standard spending and mounted to £43.507 billion in 1995–96 including provision of £50 million for the transitional costs of local government reorganisation. In 1994–95, TSS amounted to £42.664 billion including provision of £10 million for local government reorganisation. Authorities have discretion within their capping limits to spend more than this on services.

  In arriving at a figure for 1995–96, the Government took account not only of demographic pressures and inflation but of the scope for efficiency gains and re-prioritising. TSS was distributed to local authorities through standard spending assessment which reflect local circumstances.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times a month he has met the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss exclusively the spending requirements of local authorities. [41012]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend has met his right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on numerous occasions in recent months. The spending requirements of local authorities have been among the many subjects they have discussed.

  South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make available additional finance under the Bellwin scheme, or any other scheme, to South Yorkshire fire and civil defence authority in view of its unforeseen expenditure in 1995. [41365]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My right hon. Friend has recently considered a request from the South Yorkshire fire and
  599
  civil defence authority for support through the Bellwin scheme for additional expenditure incurred as a consequence of the increased demand for fire services during the recent drought. The Bellwin scheme is intended to support expenditure resulting from sudden one-off emergencies, rather than in response to conditions which have led to an increased demand for an authority's normal services over a prolonged period. My right hon. Friend has decided, therefore, not to establish a Bellwin scheme of financial assistance for South Yorkshire fire and civil defence authority on this occasion. The authority has been advised accordingly. We have no plans to make any additional grants available in respect of this expenditure.

  Goole
  Mr. Cran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers he has and in what circumstances to refer back the Local Government Commission's recommendations concerning Goole and rural Goole for reconsideration. [41610]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Where a report on a review is submitted to the Secretary of State by the Commission he may, under section 15(6) of the Local Government Act 1992. if he thinks fit, direct the commission to conduct a further review of any area to which the report relates and to make revised recommendations as respects that area.

  Further Education Development Association
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what grant his Department has paid to the Further Education Development Association; on what date this grant was made; what consultation with local authorities preceded payment; and what statutory provisions govern such payment. [41806]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Each year my right hon. Friend makes a determination of the amount of revenue support grant payable in the forthcoming financial year to bodies specified in regulations made under section 76(4) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. In the Local Government Finance Report 1995–96, approved by this House on 1 February, the amount of £71,656 was determined as payable in 1995–96 to the staff college. This amount was in accordance with the expressed wishes of the local authority associations, which my right hon. Friend consulted before determining the sum concerned. My Department makes payments of revenue support grant in 12 monthly instalments. From 7 April 1995, the Further Education Development Agency became the sole trustee of the staff college and in this capacity has been paid revenue support grant of £41,797 to date in 1995–96.

  Somerset House
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment to what uses Somerset house is currently put. [40231]

  Mr. Gummer
  The east, west and new wings of Somerset house are occupied by the London headquarters of the Inland Revenue. The south wing is occupied by the principal registry of the family division of the High Court. The north wing of the building is leased to the Courtauld 600
  Institute of the university of London for an art gallery and library.

  Town Centre Rents
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies he has made of the impact of upward-only rent reviews on the town centre property market. [40232]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  None.

  The Government considered the issue of upward-only rent reviews in their review of commercial property leases concluded in 1994. We urged the commercial property industry to introduce a code of practice dealing with upward-only rent reviews, among other issues. The industry plans to publish a code very soon.

  Domestic Water Meters
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 23 October,Official Report, column 410, what proportion of domestic premises in each of the English regional water companies were fitted with water meters in (a) 1994–95, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1992–93. [41223]

  Mr. Clappison
  In 1993–94 and 1994–95 the proportion of metered water customers of the 10 water and sewerage companies was as follows:

  Households percentage1

  1994–95

  1993–9

  Anglian

  11.2

  6.1

  Dwr Cymru

  2.7

  2.5

  North West

  4.1

  3.0

  Northumbrian

  0.6

  0.4

  Severn Trent

  7.0

  6.2

  South West

  6.9

  5.4

  Southern

  11.2

  10.5

  Thames

  4.8

  4.1

  Wessex

  8.4

  6.6

  Yorkshire

  5.4

  4.1

  1 Company estimates. Comparable information for 1992–93 is not available.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 23 October,Official Report, column 410, what is the current charge made by each of the English regional water companies for the installation of a water meter in domestic premises. [41222]

  Mr. Clappison
  Where water companies adopt a programme of metering they do not make a charge to customers for the cost of installing the meter. Where a customer chooses to have a meter, the customer pays for the installation. The amount varies between companies and Ofwat is pressing hard to secure lower installation charges where companies' charges are too high. The current charges made by each of the water companies are shown in tables 5.1 and 5.2 in Ofwat's 1995–96 report on tariff structures and charges, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
  601

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the timetable for establishing a UK environment agency; how many staff will it employ and at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [41520]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government are not intending to establish a UK environment agency. However, the Environment Agency for England and Wales was established on 8 August and is planning to take over the functions of Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution, the National Rivers Authority and the local waste regulation authorities on 1 April 1996. Approximately 9,000 staff will be transferred to the Environment Agency from the predecessor bodies. Staffing costs will be met out of the agency's provision which will be determined in the light of the Government's decisions on public expenditure, to be announced by the Chancellor later this month.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995; and if he will make a statement. [41521]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I refer to the oral answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster earlier today.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer by repeal of each rule and regulation which has so far been the subject of a reference to the Deregulation Committee from his Department; and in how many cases a compliance cost assessment has been carried out. [41522]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department has not yet laid any draft order before the Committee.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what regulations his Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1995; if he proposes to conduct a compliance cost assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a compliance cost assessment to assess the advantages or disadvantages of such a repeal. [41550]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In response to recommendations made by the Health and Safety Commission in its review of regulations to simplify and clarify health and safety law, I will shortly be laying before Parliament the Health and Safety (Repeals and Revocations) Regulations 1995 which will repeal:

  Section 133 of the Factories Act 1961

  Homework Orders 1911, 1912, 1913, 1929 and 1938

  The Slaughterhouse Order 1962

  The Slaughterhouse (No. 1) Regulations 1962

  The Slaughterhouse (No. 2) Regulations 1962

  The Railway Running Sheds Order 1961

  The Railway Running Sheds (No. 1) Regulations 1961

  The Railway Running Sheds (No. 2) Regulations 1961

  The Hours of Employment (Conventions) Acts 1936

  The Horizontal Milling Machines (Amendment) Regulations 1934

  602
  This programme of repeals is concerned with reducing the burden of regulation on business. As they do not impose any new costs on business a cost-benefit assessment was not necessary.

  I will also be laying before Parliament before the end of the year the Health and Safety Information for Employees (Modification and Repeals) Regulations 1995, which will remove 53 legal requirements to display posters and notices. However, it is estimated that these proposals will result in an overall estimated cost saving of £1.4 million over 10 years.

  The cost to the Health and Safety Executive of producing a cost-benefit assessment will vary depending upon the complexity of the proposed regulatory package, and the amount of supporting information that needs to be collected. A cost-benefit assessment for a relatively straightforward proposal to repeal regulations, such as those of posters and notices, would typically be in the region of £5,000.

  Housing (Pensioners)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what national, regional and local figures his Department maintains on forms of housing tenure among pensioners. [41415]

  Mr. Clappison
  Information on the tenure of pensioners is available from the 1991 census and from regular interview surveys, notably the survey of English housing, the general household survey and the labour force survey. The household surveys can provide national and regional figures but sample sizes are not large enough to provide reliable figures for smaller areas. The House of Commons Library holds reports on the census and on all these surveys.

  National and regional information is also available from a special survey sponsored by my Department in 1991 and 1992. The results are published as "A National Survey of Elderly People in the Community", a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment where each of the container loads of Red Lion fireworks were stored; for how long, and what monitoring was carried out during storage. [41728]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The nominated legal place of keeping required for Red Lion fireworks was at Chorley. Samples were taken of the fireworks held there and submitted to compliance testing at recognised test houses. Seven container loads were moved to Chorley on 16 and 17 September and three of those were subsequently re-exported on 23 September.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reports the Health and Safety Executive has received from Cleveland trading standards departments about the number of fireworks produced by Black Cat which contain sulphur chlorate, and what response the HSE has made. [41774]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The HSE received information from Cleveland trading standards department of first one and then a further eight fireworks sold by Black Cat that were alleged to contain sulphur and chlorate admixtures.
  603
  Each firework type mentioned was tested by the health and safety laboratory for the HSE, the results were evaluated and as a result a general recall was ordered for the "Thunderstorm". Results obtained for the remainder were sent in writing to the Cleveland trading standards department on 1 November 1995.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration the HSE has given to prosecuting Kanash Ltd. and the Royal Ordnance factory in respect of Red Lion fireworks and if he will make a statement. [41778]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The HSE issued notices to Kanash Ltd. to prohibit any further distribution or sale of those Red Lion fireworks which failed spot checks. The question of legal proceedings is under consideration.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information about compliance with BS 7114 appeared on the "Thunderstorm" firework produced by Red Lion Fireworks; and what assessment he has made as to the extent of such compliance. [41787]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The label on the "Thunderstorm" firework says that is complies with BS7114:2:88. Tests for compliance are carried out by trading standard officers.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when and by whom the HSE was informed of the presence of sulphur chlorate in "Thunderstorm" fireworks, produced by Black Cat; and what action was taken on the basis of the information supplied. [41772]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Information was received in two ways. The more comprehensive was provided by trading standards offices in Cleveland on 26 October and led to the further sampling and testing by HSE on 27 and 28 and the general recall then immediately ordered.

  Earlier information received from a competitor company on 3 and 17 October was less precise and came only after HSE had visited Black Cat as part of its national campaign.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment where and when were tests carried out on the consignment of Red Lion fireworks; what were the results; and when they were communicated to the HSE. [41776]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The sequence of events was set out by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Competition and Consumer Affairs on 1 November 1995,Official Report, columns 273–74.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which companies' firework products were tested by the Health and Safety Executive for sulphur chlorate between 1965 and 1995; which products were involved; and what were the results and dates of the tests. [41790]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Due to statutory restrictions on disclosure of information it is not possible in the time available to list the names of the companies involved. Information for years prior to 1984 would be available only at disproportionate cost.
  604

  Year

  Number of companies

  Number of fireworks tested

  Number fail test

  Number pass test

  1995*

  13

  30

  3

  27

  1993

  Not recorded

  17

  0

  3

  1992

  Not recorded

  3

  0

  17

  1991

  1

  1

  0

  1

  1990

  1

  1

  1

  0

  1989

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1988

  1

  3

  0

  3

  1987

  11

  126

  3

  123

  1986

  10

  80

  9

  71

  1985

  —.

  —

  —

  —

  1984

  5

  47

  0

  47

  Total

  311

  16

  295

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are now the whereabouts of the container loads of Red Lion fireworks. [41729]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I understand that some fireworks remain in the leased depot at Chorley, but the bulk were distributed to various parts of the United Kingdom. The importer is co-operating with the Health and Safety Executive in providing full details and is recalling all its imported fireworks.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many container loads of Red Lion fireworks were at the Royal Ordnance depot in Chorley; for how long; and what tests were carried out there. [41775]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Seven container loads of fireworks were moved to Chorley on 16 and 17 September when released from the port of importation. Three of them were re-exported on 23 September.

  Samples were taken for testing at recognised test houses in Derbyshire and Yorkshire, and later by HSE for check test purposes.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment is sulphur chlorate is permitted as a constituent of fireworks. [41789]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Order in Council 15 of 30 April 1894 to the Explosives Act 1875 prohibits the manufacture, import, keeping, conveyance or sale of any fireworks containing an admixture of sulphur and chlorate.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements the Health and Safety Executive put in place to investigate and monitor Kanash Ltd. and Red Lion fireworks. [41727]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Health and Safety Executive made arrangements to receive test reports from recognised test houses in Great Britain—to show compliance with British standard 7114:1988 and with Order in Council 15 on the prohibition of admixtures of sulphur with a chlorate before distribution could begin. All results were satisfactory and authorisation was given. However, two fireworks failed spot checks and prohibitions were then placed on any further distribution of them.
  605
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the steps taken by the HSE to ensure the withdrawal of "Thunderstorm" fireworks from sale. [41773]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The distributor, Black Cat, was required to stop any further distribution and to make arrangments to recover all "Thunderstorm" fireworks or selection boxes which contained that item from its retail outlets. At the same time, a press notice was issued to advise the public that a fault had been detected and that the firework or selection box should be returned to the place of purchase.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what attempts the HSE have made to trace buyers of Red Lion fireworks; and what records Kanash Ltd. has provided to assist them. [41777]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Health and Safety Executive issued a press notice to alert the public and Kanash Ltd. has been co-operating with officials in recalling the fireworks in question.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when Kanash Ltd. applied to the Health and Safety Executive for approval to import Red Lion fireworks to the United Kingdom; what was the Health and Safety Executive's response to that application; and what was the date of that response. [41724]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The sequence of events was set out by my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Competition and Consumer Affairs on 1 November 1995,Official Report, columns 273–74.

  Mr. Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the terms of the approval given to Kanash Ltd. regarding the import of Red Lion fireworks. [41725]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Kanash Ltd. was required to show evidence of compliance with conditions for authorisation as set out in section 40(9) of the Explosives Act 1875, as amended.

  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the implications for the import of explosive devices into the United Kingdom of non-compliance with BS7114. [41768]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  BS7114 relates only to fireworks. Compliance with that standard is one of the main conditions to be satisfied for the authorisation of any firework and is an important element in deciding if any particular firework is safe. Non-compliance means that the firework cannot be supplied in Great Britain.

  Housing Improvement Grants
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total sum paid towards housing improvement grants by English local authorities annually since 1979. [41720]
  606
  Mr. Clappison
  The table shows total payments of all types of house renovation grant by local authorities in England, as reported to the Department. It covers payments under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Housing Act 1985 and earlier legislation. The figures include estimates to cover local authorities that did not provide this information to the Department.

  House renovation grants: total final grants payments

  England

  £ million

  1979

  100.2

  1980

  127.3

  1981

  148.2

  1982

  282.2

  1983

  655.5

  1984

  839.4

  1985

  525.1

  1986

  394.9

  1987

  362.0

  1988

  247.2

  1989

  328.7

  1990

  314.0

  1991

  299.4

  1992

  398.9

  1993

  428.7

  1994

  468.4

  Canary Wharf
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the total contribution from public funds to the Canary wharf office complex from(a) grants, (b) subsidies, and (c) write-offs. [41722]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  No grants or subsidies have been provided by the London Docklands development corporation. As a result of Olympia and York—the developers of Canary wharf—going into administration, the LDDC, in common with other creditors, received 15p in the pound on its debts outstanding as at spring 1992 with Olympia and York contractors and Olympia and York Canary Wharf Ltd. The LDDC, therefore, wrote off 85 per cent. of its debt which amounted to £608,167.

  Dangerous Wild Animals
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many licences have been issued by local authorities to private individuals to keep dangerous wild animals. [41721]

  Mr. Clappison
  This information is not held centrally since licensing under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 is the responsibility of district councils and the councils of London boroughs.

HEALTH

  Doncaster Health Commission
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the legal fees incurred by Doncaster health commission form part of its management running costs. [39007]

  Mr. Sackville
  Yes.
  607

  Measles, Mumps and Rubella
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the recommendation made by his departmental scientist and others that a second dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine should be administered before school age has been implemented. [40079]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's recommendation is presently under consideration.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the likelihood of the adverse reactions to the administration of both MR and MMR vaccines; and what account is taken of the possibility of under-reporting of(a) rash, (b) fever, (c) arthritis in all children, (d) arthritis in females of child-bearing age, (e) meningitis, (f) encephalitis and (g) convulsions following such vaccinations. [40063]

  Mr. Sackville
  The measles and rubella components of the MR vaccine are the same as those in MMR and the profile of adverse reactions to these components of both vaccines is the same. Prior to the national introduction of MMR vaccine in the United Kingdom in 1988, post-immunisation symptoms were assessed, using active surveillance, in more than 10,000 children, including some for whom it was the second dose of measles. Published studies from the United States, which used active and passive reporting systems, have also been considered by my Department.

  It is well established that there is under-reporting of suspected adverse reactions to any medicinal product, but serious conditions are more likely to be reported. This fact is taken into account when assessing data from spontaneous reports. However, in respect of MR vaccine, doctors were asked by the chief medical officer to report all reactions. It is likely that this, combined with the widespread awareness and magnitude of the campaign, led to enhanced compliance with the reporting of certain conditions that may not be casually related to the vaccine. The public health laboratory service is conducting on-going studies to look at MMR immunisation and meningitis, encephalitis and convulsions.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice is given to parents of children who have suffered life-threatening anaphylaxis following egg ingestion before the planned administration of MR vaccine. [40071]

  Mr. Sackville
  The leaflet "Measles: Why every child in school needs to be protected from measles this autumn", containing a consent form, was sent to all parents before immunisation took place; it stated that MR injection should not be given if their child has had a serious life-threatening reaction after eating eggs. This advice was also given to all health professionals.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what survey or other scientific information underlay his Department's press release of 28 July 1994 on the plans for a nationwide measles vaccine campaign. [40075]

  Mr. Sackville
  A list of articles and scientific papers will be placed in the Library, all of which have been published and underpinned the decision of the Joint 608
  Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to recommend to Ministers that a measles immunisation campaign was necessary.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has as to the average length of the immunity established in children vaccinated with MMR or MR vaccinations. [40067]

  Mr. Sackville
  Follow-up of the first children to receive measles vaccine in the United Kingdom 30 years ago has shown that immunity to measles persists at least this length of time. Rubella vaccine for school girls and adult women was introduced 25 years ago and immunity has been shown to persist in this group for at least this long. The combined MMR vaccine was only introduced for young children in the UK in 1988 but studies in other countries show persistence of immunity in this age group for at least 20 years. However, most of this information relates to persistence under conditions where the natural diseases are still circulating and may be boosting immunity. Also, with each vaccine there is a proportion of children—5 to 10 per cent.—who do not develop immunity the first time that they are vaccinated.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to arrange for public access to the data held at the National Institute for Biological Standards on the effects of vaccines upon children known to suffer from allergies. [40081]

  Mr. Sackville
  The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control does not hold information on the effects of vaccines upon children known to suffer from allergies.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to establish a scheme to encourage parents or guardians to submit their own reports on suspected vaccine damage from MMR or MR directly to(a) the Committee on Safety of Medicines and (b) the Medicines Control Agency. [40065]

  Mr. Sackville
  We have no such plans. Parents and guardians are, however, recommended to discuss any concerns with their family doctor. Health professionals are encouraged to report suspected adverse reactions to the Medicines Control Agency. It is important that the details of the patient's medical condition and medication that has been taken are known. Therefore, it is most appropriate to obtain reports of suspected vaccine damage from the patient's doctor who will be able to supply all the information needed.

  All reports of suspected adverse drug reactions are assessed by professional staff of the MCA. The Committee on Safety of Medicines is an independent expert committee that advises the licensing authority and Ministers on matters relating to the safety, quality and efficacy of medicines.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the scientific papers on the association between the RA 27/3 rubella vaccine and arthritis of which his Department took account in formulating the national campaign of MR vaccination last November. [40080]
  609
  Mr. Sackville
  A comprehensive list of papers is contained in the publication "Adverse effects of pertussis and rubella vaccine" published by the United States National Academy Press, ISBN 0 309 0449 5. A copy of the extract will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what follow-up his Department has established in respect of reported cases of convulsions linked to vaccinations. [40064]

  Mr. Sackville
  Follow-up is carried out after a serious reaction is reported under the yellow card system to obtain further details of the patient's medical history and other factors relevant to the reaction, in order to assess whether the reaction is likely to be associated with the vaccine. This procedure is carried out by the professional staff of the Medicines Control Agency.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the children for whom there are reports of suspected damage from the administration of MR vaccine were known to have a history of(a) asthma, (b) allergies and (c) fitios febrile convulsions. [40070]

  Mr. Sackville
  Over 8 million children in the United Kingdom have been immunised with MR vaccine. By October 1995, the Medicines Control Agency had received 2,735 suspected adverse reactions affecting 1,202 children. Some children were reported as having more than one reaction. However, the receipt of a report of a reaction does not necessarily mean that it has been caused by the vaccine.

  Of the 1,202 children with suspected reactions to MR vaccine, 41 were reported as having a history of asthma—or chest symptoms suggestive of asthma—32 were reported as having preexisting allergic conditions and four febrile convulsions.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many instances financial penalties have been applied to the manufacturers of the measles-rubella vaccine used in the vaccination campaign begun in November 1994 because of an identified fault in the supply of vaccines or instruments as to its preparation. [40078]

  Mr. Sackville
  None. Deliveries of the vaccine and the immunisation equipment were made on time. Surplus stocks of vaccine occurred because of an excess in the amount of diluent provided. These surplus stocks have been returned to the supplier and credits have been received.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information he has received in regard to the number of children who have suffered physical or psychological trauma as a suspected result of immunisation against measles. [40365]

  Mr. Sackville
  To October 1995, the Medicines Control Agency has received reports of 2,690 physical reactions relating to the MMR campaign, out of approximately 8 million children who received MR vaccine in the United Kingdom. For MMR vaccine, since 1987, the MCA have received 4,264 reports of physical reactions and 38 psychiatric/psychological reactions. Some 9.6 million doses of MMR have been distributed in the UK since the vaccine was introduced. However, the receipt of a report of a reaction does not necessarily mean that it has been caused by the vaccine.
  610
  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been carried out by his Department of the effects of booster shots of measles vaccinations. [40266]

  Mr. Sackville
  Studies have been carried out by the public health laboratory service since 1987 in this country and there are a number of other international publications.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what specialist medical advice is available from the health service to counsel and support children who have suffered from the suspected adverse effects of measles vaccination. [40269]

  Mr. Sackville
  All children with illness, of whatever sort, receive advice and support from appropriate medical specialists.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of all letters received by his Department's principal medical officer from(a) the United States Government's health authorities and (b) the US national immunisation program in the past year on measles immunisation programmes; and if he will make a statement on the advice received from his American counterpart on measles immunisation. [40287]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: The Department's principal medical officer has not received letters from the United States Government's health authority or the US national immunisation programme in the past year on measles immunisation.

  In 1994, advice on adverse reactions following a second dose of MMR was received from US authorities and this was included in information sent to all doctors in September 1994; a copy of this information is in the Library.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to establish a structured interview programme in respect of families alleging deleterious effects from immunisation against measles. [40270]

  Mr. Sackville
  There is already a well-established satisfactory system in place for monitoring adverse reactions to all medicines, including vaccines.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out(a) the month of manufacture of the component constituents, (b) the date of cultivation of the viruses and (c) the dates of alteration of the viruses used in the measles and rubella vaccination campaign launched in November 1994. [40284]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: Two manufacturers supplied the vaccines used in the measles and rubella vaccination campaign. The finished batch products, produced in August and September 1994 were manufactured from a number of bulk component constituents each of which was made over a period of several months in 1989, 1992, 1993 and 1994. Cultivation of the viruses used in these batches occurred during manufacture of the bulk component constituents. The viruses were obtained from master seed viruses attenuated some 25 to 30 years ago.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation was made by his Department of the reasons why the Trivirix MMR vaccine was withdrawn from use in Canada in May 1990; what considerations led
  611
  to his Department's to withdraw the MMR vaccine from use in the United Kingdom; and when it was withdrawn. [40288]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: The decisions that were taken by the Canadian authorities to discontinue using Urabe strain mumps vaccines were known to other licensing authorities. At that time, there was insufficient evidence of a problem with the strain of mumps vaccine in the United Kingdom for a change in vaccine policy to be advised.

  Alerted to the existence of a potential problem of mumps vaccine virus meningitis by the Canadians, the Department of Health commissioned the public health laboratory service to undertake a study which allowed the detailed monitoring of possible vaccine associated cases. The studies undertaken were of an intensity that had not been undertaken anywhere else in the world. This involved 13 health districts. Some 28 vaccine associated cases were identified, all in recipients of MMR vaccines containing the Urabe mumps strain, indicating a risk of one in 11,000 with the vaccines.

  As soon as data were available confirming the extent of the risk, showing that an alternative vaccine did not have this level of risk and was equally effective, and adequate alternative supplies were available, the Urabe vaccines were replaced. This occurred in September 1992.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the evidence his Department has evaluated in respect of suspected links between vaccinations administered for tuberculosis and(a) epileptic fits and (b) febrile convulsions. [40730]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: All reports of suspected adverse reactions to vaccines are regularly reviewed by professional staff of the Medicines Control Agency. The report of a reaction does not necessarily mean it was caused by the vaccine.

  Since 1963, reactions have been reported in 795 people who had received BCG vaccine. In 11 children suspected reaction were classified as "convulsions". Six of these reactions were closely related to immunisation and were associated with fainting. The number that were febrile convulsions cannot be identified from the available information. Approximately 500,000 BCG vaccinations are given each year mostly in schoolchildren aged 10 to 13 years.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans exist to introduce improved vaccine monitoring of the side effects of the administration of MMR vaccinations. [40069]

  Mr. Sackville
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to change the monitoring of the side effects of the administration of MMR vaccine. There is a well-established satisfactory system in place already for monitoring adverse reactions to all medicines, including vaccines.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what survey his Department has conducted of children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella in the past year in regard to the numbers and the proportion suffering from a reaction rash to the administration of the vaccine. [40072]
  612
  Mr. Sackville
  Between 26 October 1994 and 26 October 1995, there have been 220 spontaneous reports in the United Kingdom of suspected adverse reactions in patients who have received measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Of these, 67 were rashes or other similar skin reactions. However, the receipt of a report of a reaction does not necessarily mean that it has been caused by a vaccine. There have been 950,000 doses of MMR distributed in the UK in the past year.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been done by his Department, or consultants to his Department, into the causes of sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis; and what steps have been taken to combat this disease. [40076]

  Mr. Sackville
  Sub-acute sclerosing panencephalitis was shown to be due to wild measles virus in 1967 by a United Kingdom virologist working in Belfast. The effects on SSPE of the introduction of measles vaccination in 1968 has been investigated by the public health laboratory service which keeps a register of all cases. This surveillance has shown that the vaccine protects against SSPE and that the incidence of this condition has dramatically decreased since routine measles immunisation was introduced.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what study his Department has set up to correlate vaccination records for MMR with(a) school attendance records, (b) hospital admission records and (c) general practitioners' records. [40068]

  Mr. Sackville
  The public health laboratory service is conducting studies to look at adverse events associated with MMR vaccination using hospital admissions data and general practioners' records. Pilot studies in single districts with hospital records have been published. Larger studies using both data sets are in progress. MMR is given routinely at 12 to 15 months, an age when children do not attend school. No study has been set up to look at school attendance records.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made by his Department of secondary complications arising from(a) measles, (b) mumps and (c) rubella. [40077]

  Mr. Sackville
  A number of investigations have been carried out by the public health laboratory service over the last 30 years that have looked at the severity and complications of natural measles, mumps and rubella infection. These studies have been based on hospital admissions and laboratory confirmed cases. Numerous other studies, both in this country and abroad, have also been conducted and these have been considered by my Department. Studies continue to confirm that there is significant morbidity associated with measles and mumps infection and with rubella infection during pregnancy.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what variation has been recorded in the incidences of congenital rubella syndrome in the United Kingdom since 1986. [40073]

  Mr. Sackville
  The number of reported cases of congenital rubella in the United Kingdom since 1986 is shown in the table.
  613

  Number of Cases

  1986

  30

  1987

  40

  1988

  25

  1989

  15

  1990

  13

  1991

  3

  1992

  17

  1993

  3

  1994

  7

  1Includes triplets (thus, number of affected pregnancies = 5).

  These was a substantial drop in the number of cases following the introduction of MMR in October 988 and an increase in 1994. The figures for the most recent years—1990 onwards—are not complete as some affected children are not diagnosed or reported until they are older.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment hid Department has made as to whether natural measles normally convey life-long immunity. [40061]

  Mr. Sackville
  It is established medical fact that measles is a serious disease which does convey life-long immunity for those who survive it.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department was informed of the likelihood of a measles epidemic in the winter of 1994–95. [40268]

  Mr. Sackville
  Evidence was presented to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in November 1993 that pointed to an epidemic between 1996 and 1997. By the middle of 1994, it became apparent that an epidemic could occur earlier.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent information he has received from the World Health Organisation in regard to its assessment of the spread of measles. [40271]

  Mr. Sackville
  The conclusions and recommendations of the 10th meeting of the World Health Organisation's European advisory group on the expanded programme on immunisation held in Copenhagen on 24 to 25 April stated:"single dose measles immunisation strategies would not reach the Regional targets and with such strategies there would continue to be recurrent epidemics. The alternative augmented strategies will impose higher resources requirements but will be cost-effective by preventing cyclical epidemics".

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the(a) expected and (b) actual number of deaths from measles in each year since 1987; what is the expected number of deaths for the next year; and what is the mortality rate from measles; [40272]

  (2) which historic outbreaks of measles were considered when assessing the number of children expected to die of measles before the establishment of the measles immunisation campaign in November 1994; and how many deaths occurred in each such epidemic. [40676]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Measles has been a notifiable disease since 1940. Epidemics, with associated deaths occurred regularly until the introduction of vaccine in 1968. This historic data, along with notifications and deaths from 1968 to 1993, were used in making predictions for future epidemics. Details of deaths since 1987 are shown in the table.
  614
  In predicting deaths in future epidemics, consideration was given to the expectation than an epidemic would primarily affect older individuals than previously. In such individuals, case fatality rates from measles are much higher.

  Deaths recorded at Office of Population Censuses and Surveys having measles as an underlying cause for all ages in England and Wales 1987–94

  Year

  Total expected

  Total observed

  1987

  6

  6

  1988

  1

  16

  19891

  7

  3

  19901

  2

  1

  19911

  1

  1

  19921

  1

  2

  19931

  1

  4

  19941

  3

  21

  1 After the introduction of MMR vaccine in 1988, measles notification are not an accurate measure of the incidence of disease (Brown et al, British Medical Journal 1994, so for 1989–94 notifications are corrected for misdiagnosis before applying mortality rates.

  2 Provisional figure.

  No deaths due to indigenously acquired acute measles are expected within the five to 16 year age group in 1996.

  The age specific case fatality rates from measles during the period of 1971–88 were:

  Age group

  Deaths per 100,000 cases

  <1 year

  41

  1–4 years

  16

  5–9 years

  10

  10–14 years

  32

  15–24 years

  89

  25+ years

  92

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources were given to each area health authority to support the vaccination campaign against measles and rubella started in November 1994. [40286]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: District health authorities were supplied free of charge with measles and rubella vaccine, syringes, needles, sharps containers and publicity materials. Implementation costs were met from existing national health service resources.

  Immunisation Campaigns
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter on the measles and rubella immunisation campaign by the chief medical officer sent to all doctors on 27 September 1994; and if he will indicate whether his chief medical officer received any negative responses to his letter. [40074]

  Mr. Sackville
  A copy of the letter is available in the Library. The letter was sent to over 90,000 health care professionals and the chief medical officer received 35 written replies to his letter, only two of which were negative about the campaign.
  615
  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which countries in the European Union have conducted immunisation campaigns against measles, mumps and rubella in the past 10 years. [40235]

  Mr. Sackville
  All countries of the European Union have immunisation programmes that include MMR vaccine. Almost all of them follow two dose programmes for MMR.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings(a) he, (b) other departmental Ministers or (c) departmental officials have had for the past two years with representatives of the Justice Awareness and Basic Support group to discuss problems with immunisation campaigns conducted by his Department. [40267]

  Mr. Sackville
  I am not aware that the Justice Awareness and Basic Support group have formally requested a meeting with Ministers or officials.

  Mr. Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the measles innoculation campaign of winter 1994–95. [40285]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: The campaign was highly effective. Some 92 per cent. of the children aged five to 16 years were immunised. In much of the country, measles virus transmission has been interrupted. An epidemic has been averted. Since January 1995, there have been approximately 50 confirmed cases, of which eight were imported.

  Cemfuel
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 24 October,Official Report, column 567, what assessment he has made of the second report of the Environment Committee on burning of secondary liquid fuel in cement kilns, HC479 of Session 1994–95; and if he will commission studies into the possible health effects of burning cemfuel. [40452]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health will contribute to the Government response to the Environment Committee report. We have no plans to commission any studies on this subject.

  Internet
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals in(a) Sheffield, (b) Yorkshire and (c) Humberside have been connected to the Internet; and if he will make a statement. [40574]

  Mr. Sackville
  Records are not available centrally of individual connections to the Internet by prospective national health service users. However, framework contracts have been awarded to British Telecom and Mercury for wide area network services to establish a NHS-wide networking service to support the business requirements of NHS organisations. This electronic communications infrastructure dedicated to the NHS will, in turn, be able to be connected to the Internet through secure, centrally managed, gateways. It will remain for individual organisations to decide whether to take up the option of being connected to the Internet through the secure gateway available as part of the NHS-wide networking service.
  616

  Psychiatric Hospitals
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many psychiatric hospitals are due to close(a) in 1996 and (b) in years subsequent to 1996; [41103]

  (2) how many psychiatric hospitals have closed in 1995 and in each year since 1979. [41100]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information is available on the closure of large mental illness hospitals in the report "Survey of English Mental Hospitals March 1994—Monitoring the Closure of the Water Towers", copies of which are available in the Library. Information for 1994–95 is not available centrally.

  Residential Care Homes and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct the social services inspectorate to consult proprietors of private residential homes and nursing homes in Coventry about the impact of Coventry social services department's variation from the conditions of registration with particular reference to staffing requirements. [40896]

  Mr. Bowis
  We have reminded local and health authorities, in recently published guidance, of the need to consult all providers about local standards. Copies of the guidance LAC(95)12 and HSG(95)41 are available in the Library. Representations by proprietors of residential care or nursing homes in Coventry should be made through the independent unit advisory panel, the local authority complaints procedure or the local government ombudsman.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff are currently employed in his Department and 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. [41120]

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

  Adipose Tissue
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into causes of layers of adipose tissue on the wall of the abdomen, tapering to the hip bones; and if he will make a statement. [40953]

  (b) Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 30 October,Official Report, columns 35–37.
  617
  Evaluation of research into abdominal obesity is covered by "Reversing the increasing problem of obesity in England: a report from the Nutrition and Physical Activity Task Forces", recently published by my Department.

  Beta-Interferon
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to restrict the use of beta-interferon to controlled trials; and if he will make a statement. [41508]

  Mr. Sackville
  Currently there are no marketing authorizations—product licences—for beta-interferon in the United Kingdom but approval has been given for clinical trials to test the efficacy of beta-interferon in multiple sclerosis.

  In addition to the use of beta-interferon in controlled clinical trials, if a doctor identifies the need to treat a patient using this unlicensed medicine, he would be able to do so on a "named-patient" basis in accordance with section 9(1) of the Medicines Act 1968 without the patient taking part in a clinical trial and without the doctor notifying the licensing authority. However, a doctor prescribing an unlicensed product does so entirely on his own responsibility. To stop such a use of beta-interferon would be a restriction on clinical freedom and prevent a doctor from offering his patient what in his clinical judgment is the most appropriate treatment for that patient.

  NHS Estates Agency
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the framework document for the NHS Estates agency. [42095]

  Mr. Sackville
  I have today published the agency's new framework document, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Nut Allergies
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken since May 1994 to ensure that all general practitioners in England and Wales make it a rule to refer patients with nut allergy to a specialist allergy clinic. [41135]

  Mr. Sackville
  The chief medical officer's update No. 2, which was sent to all doctors in May 1994, included advice on the management of peanut anaphylaxis. In October 1994, the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Pathologists jointly produced guidelines on good allergy practice and standards of care for providers and purchasers of allergy services within the NHS. The treatment of individual patients is a matter of professional clinical judgment.

  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths from peanut allergy have been recorded in the past 12 months. [41134]

  Mr. Sackville
  There were two deaths in 1994—the latest year for which data are available—in which the cause of death was stated as an allergic reaction to nuts.

  The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys has no record of any specific mention of peanuts appearing on any death certificate during this period.
  618

  Bed Closures
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence his Department has of whether a halt to bed closures in London is necessary. [41260]

  Mr. Malone
  Developments in health care, such as day surgery, non-invasive treatment and improved drug therapies, mean that more patients are being treated with fewer beds. London health authorities are responsible for planning the level of provision to meet patients' needs.

  Community Psychiatric Nurses
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community psychiatric nurses there are(a) in total and (b) per head of population in each health authority area. [41410]

  Mr. Bowis
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995; and if he will make a statement. [41533]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave him today.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what regulations his Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1995; if he proposes to conduct a compliance cost assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a compliance cost assessment to assess the advantages or disadvantages of such a repeal. [41555]

  Mr. Sackville
  By the end of 1995, we expect to amend three regulations covering exemptions from clinical trials, hospices and registration of mother and baby homes. We are also consulting on a number of proposals for deregulation including those which will repeal unnecessary regulations on imported food.

  The requirement to carry out a compliance cost assessment applies to regulations which impose additional burdens on business while the programme of repeals and amendments is concerned with reducing burdens.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer of the repeal of each rule and regulation which has so far been the subject of a reference to the Deregulation Committee from his Department; and in how many cases a compliance cost assessment has been carried out. [41534]

  Mr. Sackville
  My Department has not yet laid any draft orders before the Committee.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all mergers that have taken place between trusts, indicating the reason given for each merger. [41428]
  619
  Mr. Malone
  Mergers have taken place between the following national health service trusts:

  Guy's Hospital (formerly part of Guy's and Lewisham NHS Trust) with St. Thomas's Hospital NHS trust;

  Harrow Community Health Services NHS trust with Hillingdon Community Health NHS trust;

  Homewood NHS trust with Weybourne Community NHS trust;

  Royal Liverpool University Hospital NHS trust with Broadgreen Hospital NHS trust;

  West Dorset Community Health NHS trust with West Dorset Mental Health NHS trust;

  Wolverley NHS trust with North Warwickshire NHS trust.

  The main reason for any trust merger is to improve patient care. Further information on the reasons for the above trust mergers may be obtained from the individual trusts.

  GP Lists
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were deregistered by general practitioners in each of the last 10 years in each family health services authority and in total, at the request of the general practitioner; and if he will list whether reasons were given and whether the general practitioner was a fundholder or not. [41492]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Dr. Spink) on 2 November, column 457. The fundholding status of the general practitioner is not separately identified.

  Mrs Beckett
  To ask the Secretary for Health what consideration has been given to making it a condition of the striking off of a patient by the general practitioner that an explanation is given. [41479]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 29 June,Official Report, column 789.

  GP Fundholders
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary for Health what is his latest evidence on whether there are different levels of service to patients of fundholders and others. [41573]

  Mr. Malone
  Every independent study of the fundholding scheme, from the National Audit Office to the Office of Economic Co-operation and Development, has found that fundholding has brought real benefits to patients including reduced waiting times and improved access to services; this has had the effect of driving standards up for all patients.

  Personal Social Services
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary for Health what has been the level of spending on personal social services in each year since 1992–93 in respect of(a) the elderly, (b) children, (c) learning disabilities, (d) young physically disabled, (e) mentally ill and (f) others. [41414]

  Mr. Bowis
  Local authority net expenditure on services for the personal social services client groups from 1990–91 to 1993–94, the latest year for which information is 620
  available, is given in table 7.6, page 116 of health and personal social services statistics for England 1995, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Domiciliary Care
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary for Health what information his Department maintains about failure rates among private sector domiciliary nursing or residential care providers. [41412]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information about failure rates in any sector is not collected by the Department.

  Market Testing
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the expenditure on the introduction and implementation of market testing in each of the last five years. [41571]

  Mr. Sackville
  Detailed information on market-testing costs since the Government's competing for quality programme began in 1992 can be found in the "Market Testing Bulletin—Special Report" dated 9 January 1995. Copies of the bulletin are available in the Library.

  Nursing Home Fees
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what would be the level of the present £8,000 capital disregard for nursing home fees if it had been uprated by the rate of inflation since its introduction. [41430]

  Mr. Bowis
  Since its introduction in April 1993, it would have increased to £8,478 in April 1995.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 October,Official Report, column 422, when he expects to be in a position to release the mid-1994 population estimates together with the corresponding 1995 electorate figures. [41304]

  Mr. Sackville
  Shortly.

  Financial Reserves
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will itemise the financial reserves of each(a) trust and (b) health authority in each of the last three years for which figures are available; [41427]

  (2) what financial reserves have been held (a) by trusts and (b) by health authorities in each region in each of the last three years. [41419]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information from central returns will be placed in the Library.

  Community Care
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of per capita spending on community care services is undertaken in each local area of England. [41411]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to key indicators of local authority social services 1995, a copy of which is available in the Library.
  621

  Hospital Readmissions
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department maintains on hospital readmission rates(a) by health authority and (b) by trust. [41429]

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  NHS Patients
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have refused to be discharged from NHS care to a nursing or residential home(a) nationally, (b) regionally and (c) by health authority area since February 1995, indicating where patients have subsequently been placed. [41413]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Continuing Care
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many NHS continuing care beds have been available in each(a) region and (b) district in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [41423]

  (2) how many (a) NHS and (b) private respite care beds were available (i) by region and (ii) by health authority in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [41405]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information collected from the national health service is published in "Bed Availability for England", copies of which are available in the Library. Information from the independent sector does not identify the purpose for which beds are provided.

  Psychiatric Beds
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute psychiatric beds are available(a) in total and (b) per head of population in each health authority area. [41409]

  Mr Bowis
  The information available centrally is shown in the table and provides the average daily number of available beds for short stay mental illness in 1993–94 and beds per 100,000 population by former English regional health authority.

  Average daily number of available beds—short stay mental illness—all ages—1993–94

  Beds1

  Beds per 100,000

  Northern

  1,467

  47.28

  Yorkshire

  1,743

  47.00

  Trent

  1,900

  41.75

  East Anglian

  850

  40.57

  North West Thames

  1,607

  45.64

  North East Thames

  1,701

  44.61

  South East Thames

  1,243

  33.43

  South West Thames

  1,296

  43.21

  Wessex

  1,153

  36.56

  Oxford

  930

  35.86

  South Western

  1,421

  42.65

  West Midlands

  2,110

  39.88

  622

  Average daily number of available beds—short stay mental illness—all ages—1993–94

  Beds1

  Beds per 100,000

  Mersey

  1,273

  52.75

  Northern Western

  2,069

  51.32

  England

  21,293

  43.87

  Note:

  Trusts in the regions listed do not provide services exclusively for the populations of those regions. Overall figures for short stay psychiatric beds have remained stable since 1988.

  Source:

  1 DH KHO3 returns.

  South and West Regional Health Authority
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the South and West regional health authority's submission to the Ministry of Defence "Front Line First" review. [41478]

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for the South and West regional health authority. The right hon. Member may wish to contact Ms Rennie Fritchie, chair of the authority, for details.

  Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence his Department has on whether Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare national health service trust has an explicit policy of giving preference to patients from general practitioner fundholders. [41572]

  Mr. Malone
  None.

  Locum Medical Staff
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department maintains on the number and costs of using locum medical staff. [41431]

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

  Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Service Medical Staff: England 30 September 1994—Whole-time equivalent.

  Number

  All permanent paid and honorary staff

  47,030

  Locum staff

  2,740

  Locums as a percentage of all staff

  5.8

  Information on costs of using locum medical staff is not available centrally.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all private finance initiative proposals for the development of national health service hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [41622]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. Betts) on 28 June,Official Report, column 690.

  Since that reply, three further schemes with a capital value over £1 million have been approved under the private finance initiative, as follows:

  623

  (1) NHS-wide clearing service; for exchange of activity data to support NHS contracts and to provide nationally required statistics. Capital value approximately £5.5 million.

  (2) Royal Berkshire and Battle NHS trust; for the provision of car parks, office accommodation, private patient wing, sympathetic retail outlets and leisure centre at a capital value of approximately £15 million.

  (3) Aintree Hospitals NHS trust; for the provision of a patient hotel conference and dining facility at a capital value of approximately £2.7 million.

  Health Authority Cash Limits
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions are made for local health commissioning(a) when health authorities face shortfalls in their budget and general practitioner fundholders have unspent allocations; and if he will make a statement. [41623]

  Mr. Sackville
  It is for regional health authorities to manage overall spending within the regional cash limit set by the national health service executive. Regional health authorities set cash limits for health authorities and agree budgets for general practice fundholders. They are therefore responsible for managing any over or underspends within the overall resources available to them.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the minimum number of hours per week the office of a community health council must be open to the public in order to comply with the Community Health Councils (Access to Information) Act 1988. [41719]

  Mr. Malone
  The Community Health Council (Access to Information) Act 1988 does not place any duty on community health councils in respect of minimum opening hours.

  Secure Unit Places
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what were the numbers of secure places (beds) available on 1 January and 1 July for each year from 1985 to 1995(a) for children and young people and (b) for children and young people aged 15 and 16 years, in each case indicating the number available (i) for boys, (ii) for girls, (iii) for both and (iv) in total; [41334]

  (2) what were the total numbers of local authority secure places (beds) available for holding children and young people on 1 January and 1 July in each year since 1985. [41335]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information available centrally is contained in "Children accommodated in secure units, year ending 31 March 19XX".

  Employment of Children
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to bring the Employment of Children 624
  Act 1973 into effect; and if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards implementation of that Act. [41686]

  Mr. Bowis
  A comprehensive framework for the protection of children at work already exists. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Mr. Couchman) on 30 October,Official Report, columns 42–43, detailing my recently announced proposals for some minor improvements to that system.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibility falls to local authorities for the care of asylum seekers' children who have no other means of support; and if he will make a statement. [41828]

  Mr. Bowis
  The responsibility that falls to local authorities for the care of asylum seekers' children is the same responsibility they have for any other children who may be "in need" as set out in section 17 of the Children Act 1989.

  NHS Management Numbers and Costs
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each year sine 1989 the number and cost of general and senior managers in the NHS by region and total. [39385]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 21 July 1994—Official Report, columns 591–92, and to the replies I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 24 October 1994, Official Report, column 451, on 31 October 1994, Official Report, columns 902–3, on 3 November 1994, Official Report, column 1267, and on 18 July, Official Report, columns 1152–53.

  Information on the number of general and senior managers at 30 September 1994 is shown in the table. Information on costs for 1994–95 is not yet available.

  NHS hospital and community health services—general and senior managers by region at 30 September 1994

  Numbers

  England Total

  22,950

  Northern

  1,040

  Yorkshire

  2,020

  Trent

  1,720

  East Anglian

  980

  North West Thames

  1,080

  North East Thames

  1,960

  South East Thames

  1,570

  South West Thames

  1,160

  Wessex

  1,290

  Oxford

  1,080

  South Western

  1,110

  West Midlands

  2,180

  Mersey

  1,070

  625

  NHS hospital and community health services—general and senior managers by region at 30 September 1994

  Numbers

  North Western

  1,600

  SHAs and Others

  3,080

  Source:

  Department of Health non-medical work force census.

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 whole-time equivalents. The total does not equal the sum of the components due to rounding.

  NHS Priority Setting
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the participants, and the organisations that they represented, who attended the recent conference initiated by his Department, the Royal College of Physicians and the British Medical Association in respect of establishing a national framework for rationing national health service treatment; if he will send the hon. Member for Don Valley a copy of the letter since circulated to participants at the conference by Mr. Alasdair Liddel, giving his assessment of the conference; and if he will make a statement. [41007]

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what(a) meetings and (b) other consultations he has had with health authorities and health commissions with regard to the introduction of a national framework for health care rationing in the NHS; and if he will make a statement; [40923]

  (2) what (a) meetings and (b) other consultations he has had with any organisations representing the medical profession with regard to the introduction of a national framework for health care rationing in the NHS; and if he will make a statement; [40924]

  (3) what studies his Department has undertaken regarding the introduction of a national framework for health care rationing in the NHS; [40925]

  (4) what plans he has to introduce a national framework of rationing in the NHS; [40926]

  (5) what report he has received about the meeting in September initiated by the NHS executive about a national framework for the rationing of health care in the NHS; who proposed that the meeting should take place; if he will list those present; if he will make available the report of the meeting; and if he will make a statement; [40927]

  (6) what plans he has to hold meetings to discuss national rationing of health care in the NHS; who will participate; and if he will publish the reports of those meetings. [40928]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: There are no plans to introduce a national framework for rationing services and no work has taken place to prepare such a framework. In their response earlier this year to the Health Select Committee on priority setting, Cm 2826, the Government set out their approach to priority setting at three levels, in the following terms:
  626
  Ministers, advised by the Department of Health, set out the framework of national priorities and targets for improvement. This is done through annual priorities and planning guidance to the NHS and through important policies such as "The Health of the Nation" White Paper and the patient's charter;
  Health authorities and GP fundholders assess the needs of the people they serve and decide what treatments and services are required to meet those needs. This process should be informed by proper consultation with the public;
  Individual clinicians decide the most clinically appropriate treatment and clinical priority for each patient, based on their assessment of that patient's needs.

  Earlier this year, officials in the NHS executive agreed with leaders of the medical profession and senior NHS managers that it would be helpful to meet together to discuss priority setting issues. This meeting took place on 28 September 1995 and involved a wide range of interests including patients' representatives. Views were exchanged on a personal and non-attributable basis. The note sent to participants summarising the discussion was not intended as a public document and to publish the letter would break the undertaking given to the participants.

  There was general consensus at the meeting that:

  setting priorities was a necessary part of life in any health care system

  the role of Ministers and the NHS executive in setting a small number of national priorities was acceptable with no dissent about the current set of priorities.

  individual clinicians want to be free to take decisions about individual patients, but do not want to be left taking responsibility in isolation for difficult decisions

  there is scope for spreading good practice in approaches to priority-setting at local (health authority) level.

  NHS Expenditure
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the spending per head of population on(a) primary care and (b) secondary care in (i) inner London, (ii) outer London, (iii) England and (iv) by each family health services authority in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on variations in amounts. [40793]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Primary care has been interpreted as family health services and per capita spend is for family health services authorities. Secondary care has been interpreted as hospital and community health services and per capita spend is for district health authorities.

  For the per capita spend for DHAs and FHSAs for 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94, I refer the right hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 12 December 1994, Official Report, column 465, and to the reply the then Minister for Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney) gave him on 26 May 1994, Official Report, column 305.
  627
  The total FHSA and DHA per capita spend for England for 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94 is shown in the table.

  1991–92 £

  1992–93 £

  1993–94 £

  England DHA per capita spend

  355

  376

  370

  England FHSA per capita spend

  115

  132

  153

  Total DHA and FHSA per capita spend

  470

  508

  523

  Note:

  Comparisons of these figures should be treated with caution as not all expenditure covered arises from population activities and crude populations do not take into account difference in age structure or relative health needs across the country. In addition, FHSA per capita spend includes GP fundholder expenditure on both primary and secondary care services and this will vary with the distribution of GP fundholders.

  Source:

  Annual accounts of health authorities and mid-year population estimates.

  Assisted places scheme

  Numbers of assisted pupils in academic year

  Region

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  North East

  806

  873

  913

  939

  995

  North West

  6,365

  6,408

  6,542

  6,550

  6,569

  Yorks and Humberside

  1,742

  1,794

  1,839

  1,893

  1,940

  East Anglia

  1,267

  1,340

  1,377

  1,430

  1,436

  East Midlands

  1,735

  1,846

  1,914

  2,002

  2,020

  West Midlands

  2,591

  2,721

  2,776

  2,869

  2,932

  South West

  3,129

  3,246

  3,381

  3,451

  3,499

  South East

  4,193

  4,403

  4,762

  4,891

  5,008

  Greater London

  4,912

  5,010

  5,170

  5,266

  5,348

  Figures relate to England only.

  Cornish Language
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her Department's assessment of the current level of the teaching of the Cornish language; and what measures she proposes to promote the teaching of the Cornish language. [40552]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend does not collect information on the teaching of Cornish. She has no proposals to promote Cornish teaching: it is for schools and other education establishments to decide what subjects to teach once they have met the requirements of the national curriculum and other statutory requirements.

  Primary Schools
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action she is taking to raise standards in primary schools. [40553]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The national curriculum and its assessment, national tests, regular inspections, improvements to teacher training and our improving schools programme all act to raise standards in primary schools. The chief inspector of schools has confirmed that our reforms are improving the quality of education.
  628

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils(a) in each local education authority band and (b) in each region received support under the assisted places scheme in each of the past five years. [40938]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Information on the place of residence of pupils in the assisted places scheme is not collected centrally. Many schools serve wide catchment areas and may offer places to pupils from outside the local authority area in which they are situated. I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Squire) gave to the hon. Member for Gloucester (Mr. French) on 3 July,Official Report, columns 35–37, containing information on the numbers of assisted place holders at schools situated within each local authority area for the academic year 1994–95. Information for earlier years is not readily available.

  The numbers of assisted place holders within each region for each of the last five years are given in the table:

  Social Affairs Council
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Spring) of 19 October,Official Report, column 379, what was the voting record of each member state on items agreed at the meeting of the European Community's Social Affairs Council held on 5 October; and if she will make it her practice to list all votes, including where there have been no votes, in the future. [41089]

  Mr. Forth
  There were no votes taken at the Council. The resolutions on the image of men and women in the media, the fight against racism and xenophobia, and co-operation with third countries in the field of youth were adopted unanimously, without discussion.

  Grant-maintained Status
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many "Going GM" conferences her Department has organised; at what cost; and how many more are planned. [41087]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has organised 54 "Going GM" conferences at a total cost of around £720,000. We have firm plans to hold another nine
  629
  between now and February 1996. Conferences this term have been over-subscribed and we are reviewing how to meet the increased demand for places.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list for each education authority the number of(a) voluntary-aided, (b) voluntary-controlled, (c) special agreement, (d) county and (e) grant-maintained schools; in each case what is the total number of pupils and the number in each category in (a) the primary sector and (b) the secondary sector; and what is the number of schools in England in each category. [41299]

  Number of parental ballots of grant-maintained status

  Number of ballots

  "Yes" ballots

  "No" ballots

  (i)1 September 1993 to 31 August 1994

  (a) Voluntary aided

  59

  31

  28

  (b) Voluntary controlled

  25

  16

  9

  (c) Special agreement

  1

  1

  0

  (d) County

  184

  109

  75

  (ii) 1 September 1994 to 31 August 1995

  (a) Voluntary aided

  15

  6

  9

  (b) Voluntary controlled

  13

  10

  3

  (c) Special agreement

  0

  0

  0

  (d) County

  57

  34

  23

  Note:

  "Yes" ballots are those where a majority of parents voted in favour of seeking grant-maintained status, and "No" ballots are those where a majority voted against. Initial ballots have been disregarded where a second ballot was required because of low turnout or the Secretary of State having declared a ballot void.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the total number of parents voting (i) in favour of and (ii) against grant-maintained status in ballots between(a) 1 September 1992 and 31 August 1993 (b) 1 September 1993 and 31 August 1994 and (c) 1 September 1994 and 31 August 1995. [41301]

  Mr. Squire
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Number of parents voting in grant-maintained ballots

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  1 September 1992 to 31 August 1993

  1 September 1993 to 31 August 1994

  1 September 1994 to 31 August 1995

  (i) Parents voting in favour of GM status

  251,250

  63,703

  17,322

  (ii) Parents voting against GM status (including spoilt papers)

  142,593

  57,078

  18,087

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate she has made of the full-year cost in(a) transitional grant and (b) formula allocation of capital grant in the event of all the present voluntary aided schools becoming grant-maintained during the same financial year. [41303]
  630
  Mr. Squire
  I shall place the information in the Library.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the number of parental ballots on grant-maintained status in(a) voluntary-aided, (b) voluntary-controlled, (c) special agreement and (d) county schools (i) between 1 September 1993 and 31 August 1994 and (ii) between 1 September 1994 and 31 August 1995; and in each case, how many ballots have resulted in a majority of parent voting (1) in favour of and (2) against grant-maintained status. [41300]

  Mr. Squire
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Mrs. Gillan
  It is for the Funding Agency for Schools to determine the balance between the level of formula allocation and other forms of capital grant. The cost in(a) transitional grant and (b) formula allocation becoming grant-maintained during the same financial year will depend on levels of grant prevailing at the time.

  Voluntary-aided Schools
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been(a) the level of capital expenditure and (b) the governor's share of capital expenditure in voluntary-aided schools in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [41302]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The level of capital expenditure over the past three years has been as follows:

  £ thousands

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  (a) Total Governors' expenditure eligible for grant on which grant was paid

  95,681

  94,104

  89,139

  (b) —of which Governors' Contribution

  14,352

  14,116

  13,371

  Notes:

  1. Governors' contribution based on 15 per cent. of approved building work costs. Information on additional annual expenditure incurred by governors, not approved for grant assistance, on cash-limited and off-programme work, is not held centrally.

  2. Governors' contribution includes expenditure supported by Central Government loans.

  3. The figures do not include local authority capital expenditure at aided schools, information on which is not held centrally.

  4. The figures do not include expenditure on repairs.
  631
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what time scale has been allowed for responses to her Department's consultation paper on self-government for voluntary-aided schools; and what factors underlay her Department's rejection of the time scale periods recommended in(a) the Department of Environment publication "Action for Central Government" and (b) her Department's document on efficient scrutiny into the administrative burdens on schools. [41714]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The consultation paper was published on 27 October with a request for responses by 24 November 1995. As the paper made clear, my right hon. Friend intends to consider the possibility of legislation in the coming parliamentary Session in the light of responses. This necessitates an unusually short consultation period, for which an apology was given in the letter to consultees accompanying the paper.

  Mr. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to publish in full responses to her Department's consultation paper on self-government for voluntary-aided schools and if she will make a statement. [41716]

  Mr. Squire
  A summary of responses will be made available on request, and a copy will be placed in the Library. Wider access to the responses themselves will be subject to consultees' consent.

  Mr. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on what dates copies of her Department's consultation paper on self-government for voluntary-aided schools were sent to(a) voluntary-aided schools, (b) grant-maintained former VA schools, (c) local authority associations and (d) local education authorities. [41717]

  Mr. Squire
  The consultation paper was published on 27 October 1995. Some 4,400 copies were dispatched on that day and on the following two working days.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the rules and regulations she proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995; and if she will make a statement. [41529]

  Mr. Forth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what regulations her Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1995; if she proposes to conduct a cost compliance assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a cost compliance assessment to assess the advantages or disadvantages of such a repeal. [41553]

  Mr. Forth
  There are no plans to repeal any regulations by the end of 1995.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer by the repeal of each rule and regulation which has so far been the subject of a reference to the Deregulation Committee from her Department; and in 632
  how many cases a cost compliance assessment has been carried out. [41530]

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend has laid one draft deregulation proposal to date. The draft order, which speeds up the process by which schools may change their session times, will not lead to any savings to the Exchequer.

  Community Action Scheme
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people are on the community action scheme. [41833]

  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.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Stephen Byers, dated 6 November 1995:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your question about the number of people presently on the Community Action programme.

  At the end of September 1995 there were 12,900 people on Community Action.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Accelerated Modern Apprenticeships
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people are undertaking accelerated modern apprenticeships; and how many to date have completed such a course. [41832]

  Mr. Paice
  Reliable information on the number in training or completing accelerated modern apprenticeships is not available at present.

  Youth Training
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the number of 16 and 17-year-olds on youth training in each region in August 1994 and August 1995. [41834]

  Mr. Paice
  The number on youth training in each region is given in the table. Information has been given for July 1995, the latest available month. It is not possible to provide figures for those aged 16 and 17 on youth training. Therefore, the table covers all those on youth training.

  Youth training Great Britain and regions number in training

  Region

  August 1994

  July 1995

  South east

  25,700

  24,500

  London

  18,200

  16,800

  Eastern

  21,500

  19,600

  South west

  18,000

  19,100

  West Midlands

  27,100

  26,300

  East Midlands

  22,400

  22,700

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  27,600

  26,100

  Merseyside

  11,100

  12,300

  North west

  37,100

  32,900

  North east

  18,900

  16,800

  Wales

  14,600

  13,000

  Scotland

  32,300

  30,300

  Great Britain

  274,500

  263,700

  Source:

  TEC Management Information Returns, Welsh Office, The Scottish Office, Employment Service.
  633

  Training Programmes
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people were on training for work programmes in each month of 1995. [41830]

  Mr. Paice
  Information on the number on training for work up to July 1995, the latest month for which figures are available, is given in the table.

  Training for work—Great Britain 1995

  Month

  Number on programme

  January

  130,100

  February

  132,900

  March

  118,100

  April

  99,000

  May

  95,200

  June

  92,600

  July

  85,800

  Source:

  TEC Management Information Returns, Welsh Office, The Scottish Office.

  Internet
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received about the regulation of material available to schoolchildren on the Internet. [41820]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has received a number of comments on this issue in response to the Education Department's consultation paper "Superhighways for Education". A summary of the responses will be published later this month.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to improve the regulation of material available in schools on the Internet. [41814]

  Mr. Squire
  The National Council for Educational Technology earlier this year published advice for teachers and parents on access to computers and on-line communications. These issues were also covered in the Education Department's consultation paper "Superhighways for Education". The outcomes of this consultation will be announced shortly.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Educational and Employment what guidelines currently exist to restrict the material made available to schoolchildren on the Internet. [41813]

  Mr. Squire
  The National Council for Educational Technology has published guidance for schools and colleges on the use of the Internet, including considerations relating to access to undesirable materials. The NCET has also published guidance for teachers and parents on these issues.

  Pre-School Learning Alliance
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what annual grant has been made by her Department to the Pre-School Learning Alliance or to its predecessor the Pre-School 634
  Playgrounds Association in each year since 1990; for what purpose the grant is intended; and what plans she has for the continuance of such a grant for such purposes once plans for universal nursery vouchers are fully implemented. [41629]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Grants paid by the Department since 1990–91 are as shown in the table. They support the training of playgroup staff, and are reviewed annually. No decisions have been taken about the level of grant from 1997–98, when the voucher scheme is to be implemented fully.

  Financial year

  £ thousands

  1990–91

  179

  1991–92

  327.5

  1992–93

  649.5

  1993–94

  887

  1994–95

  1,195

  1995–96

  1,195

  Mr. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to implement the recommendations of the study commissioned by her Department and undertaken in 1994 into the use of the grant made by her Department to the Pre-School Learning Alliance. [41630]

  Mr. Squire
  The independent review into the use of the Pre-School Playgroups Association of its grant from the Department in support of staff training was undertaken in 1993. The review found that the PPA made effective use of its grant and obtained value for money. The review's findings were taken into account by the Department in determining its grant to the PPA in 1994–95, which increased by 35 per cent. over the preceding year.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimates she has made of the impact of the proposed nursery voucher scheme on nursery provision for three-year-olds; and if she will make a statement. [41707]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The voucher scheme should not affect existing places for three-year-olds. The proposed funding mechanism will allow local authorities and other providers to continue to spend on such places as they judge appropriate.

  Modern Apprenticeship Scheme
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people are on the modern apprenticeship scheme. [41831]

  Mr. Paice
  Modern apprenticeship prototypes started in September 1994. Modern apprenticeships became available in all TEC areas in September 1995. An early estimate of numbers of modern apprenticeships in September 1995 is 4,000.
  635

WALES

  Primary Care
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the spending per head of population on primary

  Expenditure in 1994–95 £000s

  Population

  Spending by FHSAs per head of population £

  Primary care—provision of health care by FHSAs

  Clwyd

  79,084

  417,400

  189

  Dyfed

  70,499

  352,300

  200

  Gwent

  80,416

  452,300

  178

  Gwynedd

  45,647

  240,400

  190

  Mid Glamorgan

  92,136

  544,600

  169

  Powys

  26,806

  120,200

  223

  South Glamorgan

  70,966

  414,800

  171

  West Glamorgan

  74,049

  371,000

  200

  Wales

  539,603

  2,913,000

  185

  Secondary care—provision of health care by district health authorities

  Clwyd

  165,505

  417,400

  404

  East Dyfed

  101,291

  238,700

  424

  Gwent

  192,783

  452,300

  426

  Gwynedd

  113,909

  240,400

  474

  Mid Glamorgan

  255,750

  544,600

  470

  Pembrokeshire

  49,522

  113,600

  436

  Powys

  56,804

  120,200

  473

  South Glamorgan

  225,410

  414,800

  543

  West Glamorgan

  155,387

  371,000

  419

  Wales

  1,319,361

  2,913,000

  453

  Notes:

  1. Primary care is interpreted as expenditure on health care by FHSAs. It includes all GP fundholders' expenditure.

  2. Secondary care is interpreted as expenditure on health care by district health authorities.

  3. Expenditure are as reported by authorities in their annual accounts for 1994–95.

  4. Population data are as reported in 1994 survey (as at 30 June) by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, columns 845–6, what plans he has to collate information about the number of children in classes in Wales. [41286]

  Mr. Richards
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The annual schools census collects information from primary schools on the number of registered classes by size of class, but not on the precise number of pupils in those classes. Such information is sufficient to monitor trends in the number of larger classes in primary schools and I have no plans at present to collect further information. The census results are published in table 3.06 of "Statistics of Training and Education in Wales: Schools" No. 3 1995, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. From these results, broad estimates can be made of the number of pupils in each class size.

  Grants
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [38594]
  636
  care (a) in the health authority areas and (b) in total; if he will list the figures for secondary care; and if he will make a statement on variations in amounts. [40812]

  Mr. Richards
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: The information requested is set out as follows:

  Mr. Richards
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on Tuesday 31 October by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, the Department of National Heritage,Official Report, column 186.

  Measles Immunisation
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to establish a structured interview programme for families in Wales allegedly suffering from deleterious effects from immunisation against measles. [40647]

  Mr. Richards
  None. There is already a well-established satisfactory system in place for monitoring adverse reactions to all medicines, including vaccines.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of pupils on the assisted places scheme received a free place in each year since its operation. [41158]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is as follows:
  637

  Assisted places scheme—Wales

  Academic year

  Total APS pupils

  Number of pupils with full free remission

  Percentage with full fee remission

  1981–82

  114

  50

  44

  1982–83

  220

  96

  44

  1983–84

  318

  157

  49

  1984–85

  403

  178

  44

  1985–86

  495

  202

  41

  1986–87

  580

  248

  43

  1987–88

  622

  256

  41

  1988–89

  633

  240

  38

  1989–90

  631

  226

  36

  1990–91

  634

  222

  35

  1991–92

  662

  252

  38

  1992–93

  700

  294

  42

  1993–94

  691

  283

  41

  1994–95

  720

  318

  44

  Nursery Schools
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average unit cost of providing a nursery place in(a) nursery schools and (b) nursery classes in primary schools; and what are the figures for each local education authority. [41172]

  Mr. Richards
  Expenditures on nursery and primary schools are not separately identified on local government returns to the Welsh Office so separate unit costs cannot be calculated. Unit costs for nursery and primary schools combined are contained in an education finance bulletin produced by the Welsh Office's training and education intelligence unit. A copy of the bulletin is in the Library of the House.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [41117]

  Mr. Hague
  Breakdowns by department and executive agency for 1 April 1995 of the number of permanent staff, the number of casual staff—that is, normally those engaged for a period of up to 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.

  Hospices
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy concerning the funding of hospices; and if he will make a statement. [41265]

  Mr. Richards
  Since 1 April 1995, funds for hospices have been included in the health authority allocations. Authorities will be expected to assess local health needs and commission an appropriate level of palliative care, entering into three-year rolling contracts, where possible.
  638

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease have been reported in Wales and if he will make a statement. [41248]

  Mr. Richards
  Since May 1990, details of suspected cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the United Kingdom have been reported to the national CJD surveillance unit in Edinburgh. Suspected cases are classified as definite, probable or possible. During the period May 1990 to October 1995, there were 15 definite, one probable and five possible cases of CJD from Wales.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of general practitioners in Wales are currently fundholders; and if he will make a statement. [41264]

  Mr. Richards
  There are 649 general practitioners, some 38 per cent. of all GPs, working in 146 GP fundholding practices in Wales.

  Carers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) male and (b) female carers there are in each county in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [41247]

  Mr. Richards
  This information was collected for the first time this year as part of the Welsh health survey. Comprehensive results from the survey will be published early in 1996.

  Voluntary-aided Schools
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many voluntary-aided schools there are in each of the Welsh counties; and if he will make a statement. [41251]

  Mr. Richards
  The number of voluntary-aided primary and secondary schools in each local education authority as at January 1995 is shown in the table. Details of school denomination are collected only for primary and secondary schools.

  Local Education Authority

  Primary schools1

  Secondary schools1

  Clwyd

  25

  3

  Dyfed

  16

  1

  Gwent

  19

  2

  Gwynedd

  7

  —

  Mid Glamorgan

  16

  4

  Powys

  9

  —

  South Glamorgan

  32

  6

  West Glamorgan

  112

  2

  Wales

  136

  18

  1 Includes Voluntary Church in Wales aided and Voluntary Roman Catholic. Provisional data.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to publish a consultation paper on self-government for voluntary-aided schools; and what time period will be allowed for responses to be made. [41715]
  639
  Mr. Richards
  A bilingual consultation paper was issued on 31 October. Responses are requested by 24 November.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995; and if he will make a statement. [41541]

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer by the repeal of each rule and regulation which has so far been the subject of a reference to the Deregulation Committee from his Department, and in how may cases a compliance cost assessment has been carried out. [41577]

  Mr. Hague
  My Department has not yet laid any draft orders before the Committee.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what regulations his Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1995; if he proposes to conduct a compliance cost assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a compliance cost

  Number of residents in short stay care

  As at 31 March

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Wales

  1990

  Residential Care

  Homes1

  21

  16

  6

  24

  3

  1

  19

  15

  105

  Nursing Homes2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  Residential Care

  Homes1

  26

  13

  9

  21

  8

  5

  45

  22

  149

  Nursing Homes1

  9

  6

  6

  18

  —

  2

  3

  13

  57

  1992

  Residential Care

  Homes1

  35

  10

  3

  12

  2

  8

  56

  23

  149

  Nursing Homes1

  19

  9

  40

  10

  3

  —

  5

  14

  100

  1993

  Residential Care

  Homes1

  56

  16

  2

  14

  1

  3

  51

  37

  180

  Nursing Homes1

  34

  20

  36

  4

  2

  —

  8

  29

  133

  1994

  Residential Care

  Homes1

  41

  18

  5

  12

  3

  7

  48

  22

  156

  Nursing Homes1

  61

  39

  31

  18

  3

  1

  14

  12

  179

  1 Excluding residents in residential care homes for people with substance misuse and in homes with fewer than four residents in total.

  2 Numbers of short stay residents were not collected for nursing homes before 1991.

  NHS Financial Reserves
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will itemise the financial reserves of each(a) trust and (b) health authority in each of the last three years for which figures are available; [41424]
  640
  assessment to assess the advantages or disadvantages of such a repeal. [41559]

  Mr. Hague
  There are no plans to repeal any regulations by the end of 1995.

  Continuing and Respite Care
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many NHS continuing care beds have been available in each(a) region and (b) district in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [41422]

  (2) how many (a) NHS and (b) private respite care beds were available (i) by region and (ii) by health authority in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [41407]

  Mr. Richards
  Information concerning the number of beds in NHS hospitals is collected centrally on the basis of specialties recognised by the royal colleges. As neither continuing care nor respite care are recognised specialities the information requested is not available for NHS hospitals.

  Private and voluntary residential care homes and private nursing homes make returns to the Welsh Office of the numbers of residents who were admitted as short-stay residents. These are defined as persons for whom the home is intended to provide a holiday or temporary care, for example while their relatives or usual carers are on holiday. The most recent figures are shown in the table.

  (2) what financial reserves have been held (a) by trusts and (b) by health authorities in each region in each of the last three years. [41417]

  Mr. Richards
  As the information requested is detailed, I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.
  641

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how Welsh-speaking medical students are currently undertaking courses leading to a qualification as a general medical practitioner in the university of Wales; and what the figures were in 1990 and 1995. [41486]

  Mr. Richards
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to increase the number of Welsh-speaking general medical practitioners in Wales. [41485]

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend has no jurisdiction in this matter. Recruitment policies are the responsibility of family health services authorities and, in the case of partnerships, the existing doctors in the practice. The distribution of doctors throughout England and Wales is the responsibility of the Medical Practices Committee.

  Science Education
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the promotion of science education in Wales. [41624]

  Mr. Hague
  The basis for action on the promotion of science education in Wales is to be found in the two documents "Science in the National Curriculum" and "A Bright Future: Getting The Best for Every Pupil at School in Wales", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest outturn forecast for regional selective assistance offers and expenditure in Wales in 1995–96 and its relationship to planned expenditure. [41783]

  Mr. Hague
  The latest estimate of the total value of regional selective assistance offers accepted by businesses in Wales during 1995–96 is £60 million. The original voted expenditure for the year was £42.429 million, but subject to parliamentary approval of a supplementary estimate, a further £11.009 million will be made available to meet anticipated additional demand in-year.

  Grant is paid in instalments against progress on projects, typically over a period of three to five years, so much of the grant offered in 1995–96 will not fall to be paid until later years.

  OSIRIS
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 31 October,Official Report, column 231, what is the life of the OSIRIS contract. [41835]

  Mr. Hague
  The life of the OSIRIS contract is expected to be seven years.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 31 October,Official Report, column 231, which firms have tendered for the OSIRIS project; and what is the approximate estimated annual rental payment for the capital, repair and running costs of the system and the duration of the approximate rental period. [41837]
  642
  Mr. Hague
  The information requested cannot be given as it is commercially confidential.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 31 October,Official Report, column 231, on the OSIRIS system, what evaluation he has made of the relative merits of having fewer staff with more personal computers as against the present level of staff with fewer computers; and if he will make a statement. [41836]

  Mr. Hague
  The requirement for the OSIRIS contract was evaluated on the basis of any given level of staff gaining efficiency by sharing better access to, and usage of, information.

  Estatecare Division (Sale)
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date he submitted his proposed advertisement for the sale of the Estatecare division of the Welsh Health Common Services Authority to the European Communities Official Journal. [41839]

  Mr. Hague
  There is no requirement to advertise the sale in the Official Journal.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, columns 101–2, if he will list the procedures for merging trusts or amending their area of coverage; what consultations he has had with the chairmen of the trusts in Wales in relation to mergers and takeovers and if he will make a statement. [41843]

  Mr. Hague
  Applications from trusts significantly to alter their configuration are subject to public consultation in the normal way. If an application is approved, the existing trust(s) would be dissolved and immediately re-established in line with the approval. I have had no consultations with trust chairmen on this issue.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, columns 101–2, if he will list those mixed function trusts which are deemed to cover a different geographical area for different functions. [41841]

  Mr. Hague
  Trusts are not confined to particular geographical areas for the services they offer. Currently those mixed function trusts which are deemed to cover a different geographical area for different functions are:

  Llandough Hospital and Community NHS trust Rhondda Healthcare NHS trust

  Bridgend and District NHS trust

  Glan-y-Mor NHS trust

  Cardiff Community Healthcare NHS trust Gwent Community Health NHS trust.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, columns 101–2, if he will list for each trust the total money turnover figure estimated for the present financial year and, for those trusts with more than one category at health care provision, the financial turnover in each category. [41840]
  643
  Mr. Hague
  The estimated operational income of each NHS trust in Wales in 1995–96 is shown in the following table:

  £ thousands

  NHS Trust

  Operational Income

  Mid Glamorgan Ambulance

  8,330

  North Wales Ambulance

  12,830

  South and East Wales Ambulance

  17,883

  West Wales Ambulance

  10,218

  East Glamorgan

  49,122

  Glan Clwyd

  60,246

  Glan Hafren

  90,103

  Gwynedd Hospitals

  59,959

  Morriston Hospital

  69,148

  Nevill Hall and District

  42,452

  Swansea

  59,179

  University of Wales Healthcare

  166,591

  Velindre

  11,524

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital

  57,020

  Pembrokeshire

  42,480

  Carmarthen and District

  39,170

  Ceredigion and Mid Wales

  22,487

  Llandough Hospital

  58,686

  Llanelli/Dinefwr

  30,974

  Powys Healthcare

  42,339

  Rhondda Healthcare

  30,349

  Bridgend and District

  66,999

  Glan y Mor1

  70,505

  Cardiff Community

  57,261

  Clwydian Community Care

  61,643

  Gwent Community

  58,173

  Gwynedd Community

  48,605

  Derwen

  23,403

  University Dental Hospital

  8,338

  In shadow form. A breakdown of these figures into each category of health care provision is not held centrally.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, columns 101–2, what representations he has received in relation to trusts taking over directly managed units; and what consultations he has had with Welsh Association Health Authorities and Trusts in relation to collusion by trusts interested in taking over directly managed units. [41844]

  Mr. Hague
  Three months' public consultation on applications from Bridgend and District NHS trust and Glan Hafren NHS trust to merge with the Hensol health unit and the Rhymney Valley health unit respectively commenced on 25 September 1995. To date, nine representations have been received. WAHAT has been consulted but has not responded to date.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, columns 101–2, if he will list the principal differences between the trusts he has listed as providing community services, either on their own or in combination with acute, and those trusts he has listed as offering community services in combination with mental health services. [41842]

  Mr. Hague
  Apart from the range of services provided, there is no fundamental difference in the way which trusts are established or managed.
  644

  Derwen NHS Trust
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the geographical area of coverage of the Derwen national health service trust. [41785]

  Mr. Hague
  Trusts are not confined to particular geographical areas for the services they offer. Currently, the Derwen national health service trust provides mental health/illness and learning disability services for the areas of the new unitary authorities of Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire, and in-patient psychiatric services for Pembrokeshire.

  A-level Students
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many students sat A-level examinations in the summer term 1995 in each secondary school and further education college in Wales. [41684]

  Mr. Richards
  I intend to publish the information requested in school and college performance booklets later this month. Copies of the booklets will be sent to the hon. Member and further copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many students were registered to begin A-level courses in September 1993 in each secondary school and further education college in Wales. [41685]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 31 October,Official Report, column 230, what consultations he has had with Welsh local authority associations regarding his proposals for (a) elected member and (b) local government officer representation on the monitoring committees of the structural funds. [41838]

  Mr. Hague
  I shall be meeting the local authority associations next month to discuss their proposals for an economic development strategy for Wales. I understand that the associations will wish to discuss at that meeting various matters concerning the management of the structural funds.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Mortgage Protection Insurance
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he has taken to monitor the effect on social security recipients of mortgage protection insurance policies. [39698]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We continue to monitor the quality, availability and cost of mortgage protection insurance and welcome the developments so far. We are also monitoring the scheme to ensure that an appropriate balance is maintained between public and private provision.
  645

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his assessment of the current regulatory environment for occupational pensions. [39699]

  Mr. Heald
  The Pensions Act 1995, to which Royal Assent was given in July, introduces a number of measures which will give greater security and accountability to the occupational pensions sector, including the establishment of the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority.

  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he will take to combat fraud in occupational pensions. [39704]

  Mr. Heald
  The measures in the Pensions Act 1995, which received Royal Assent in July, reflect the Government's commitment to safeguarding the security of occupational pension scheme assets.

  Benefits and Taxation
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to reform the relationship between benefits and taxation. [39700]

  Mr. Burt
  In 1988 we reformed the relationship between income-related benefits and tax to reduce the incidence of high marginal tax rates. In line with the Government's long-standing policy that benefits which replace earnings should be taxable in the same way as earned income, incapacity benefit became taxable in April 1995. We have already announced that the back-to-work bonus and the child maintenance bonus will not be subject to taxation. Any further plans on taxation are a matter for my right hon. and Learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will specify minimum wage rates for jobs offered to persons who will be in receipt of the jobseeker's allowance after its introduction in 1996 which would allow those persons to refuse a job on the grounds of unacceptably low wages. [39701]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  No. We shall be carrying forward established practice.

  Social Security Reforms
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what effect he estimates his social security reforms will have had on public spending by the year 2020 in 1994–95 prices. [39702]

  Mr. Lilley
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Amess).

  Poverty and Homelessness (Young People)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking to tackle poverty and homelessness among 16 to 24-year-olds. [39705]
  646
  Mr. Roger Evans
  We are getting the unemployed back to work. In last year's Budget we announced a £700 million package of benefit and employment measures to do just that.

  Social Security Fraud
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for further action to control social security fraud. [39706]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend to the Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans).

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people and what percentage have(a) passed and (b) failed the new incapacity benefit all-work test in (i) England and (ii) Wales. [39707]

  Mr. Burt
  Separate figures for England and Wales are not available. By the end of September, in Great Britain as a whole, 116,349 medical examinations had been performed but decisions had not been made on all cases: 18,895 people had been found capable of work. A figure for those found incapable of work following examination is not available.

  These figures are provisional. It is too early to draw conclusions about the long-term effect of the new procedures.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received from organisations representing people with disabilities about the exclusion of claimants from incapacity benefit. [39709]

  Mr. Burt
  None.

  Pensioner Households (Consumer Goods)
  Sir Michael Neubert
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioner households had(a) a fridge, (b) a car, (c) a freezer, (d) a telephone and (e) a television in 1979; and how many do today. [39708]

  Mr. Heald
  In 1979, 57 per cent. of pensioners were in households with a telephone; by 1992–93 this figure had risen to 93 per cent. There were rises from 88 per cent. to 99 per cent. for ownership of fridges; 32 per cent. to 78 per cent. for freezers or fridge freezers; and 34 per cent. to 50 per cent. for cars or vans. The proportion with televisions rose from 96 per cent. in 1979 to virtually 100 per cent. in the 1990s.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent estimate he has made of the adequacy of the state retirement pension and income support to pensioners. [39710]

  Mr. Heald
  The value of the basic state retirement pension has been maintained in line with prices. Since 1988 pensioners receiving income-related benefits, including income support, have seen a real terms increase in benefit worth around £1.2 billion a year.
  647

  Post Office Payment of Pensions
  Mr. Thomason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if pensioners will continue to be able to choose to have their benefits paid through the Post Office. [39711]

  Mr. Heald
  Pensioners will continue to be able to choose to have their benefits paid directly into their bank or building society accounts by automated credit transfer or to collect them at the post office.

  Plans to automate the system for paying benefit at post offices are well advanced. For customers, this will mean that order books and giros are replaced with a benefit payment card, which they will hand to the post office clerk to obtain details of the benefit due to them. Starting next year, this change is likely to be phased in over a period of two to three years. Pensioners and other benefit recipients will be informed about what is happening, and exactly what they will need to do, nearer the time when cards are to be issued to them. People who choose to be paid by ACT will not be affected by this change and will not need a benefit payment card.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the length of time it takes for assessments to be made by the Child Support Agency. [39694]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  In straightforward cases, where both parents co-operate, the agency aims to complete the assessment in six to 12 weeks. In other cases, the process is inevitably more lengthy.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many of the parents with care who withdrew income support claims within four weeks of being contracted by the Child Support Agency had been claiming income support for(a) less than one month, (b) between one month and three months, (c) between three and six months, (d) between six months and one year, (e) between one and two years and (f) over two years; [41039]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 25 October, Official Report, column 711, how many parents with care withdrew their claims to income support within eight weeks of an investigation under the requirement to co-operate; and if he will provide a month-by-month breakdown for 1994–95 and the current financial year. [41081]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The information is not required for the agency's business and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 23 April,Official Report, column 484, on the benefit savings achieved by the liable relatives unit in 1991–92, in how many cases the unit took action to arrange, increase or enforce payments of maintenance; and in how many of those cases a claim for income support was withdrawn within four weeks. [41083]
  648
  Mr. Mitchell
  The information requested is not available in the form requested. However, information on legal proceedings taken to obtain maintenance during the calendar year ending 1991 is in the table.

  Number

  New orders applied for

  1,321

  Number granted

  1,316

  Enforcement/variation of existing order applied for

  316

  Number granted

  292

  We have no figures for claims withdrawn, but the number of claims involving liable relatives where income support ceased within four weeks, in the year 1991–92, was 80,261.

  Benefits (Residence Qualification)
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to require all foreign visitors to the United Kingdom to establish residence before qualifying for benefit. [39703]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Residence requirements have always played a significant part in social security benefits. We have also recently announced proposal to extend restrictions on persons from abroad claiming benefits.

  State Pensions
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the current value in real terms of the state retirement pension for(a) single pensioners and (b) married couples if it had been uprated in line with prices or incomes, whichever was the higher; what would be the value in current value in real terms of the Christmas bonus to (a) single pensioners and (b) married couples on the same basis for the same period; what would be the cost of restoring the link between pensions and incomes or prices, whichever was the higher, during the current financial year expressed as a weekly amount of national insurance contributions to an employee on average earnings and his or her employer; what is the amount of weekly average earnings on which this figure is based; what would be the cost of restoring the link based on the whole burden of retirement pensions being transferred to taxation expressed as a percentage increase in general taxation; and if he will make a statement. [39321]

  Mr. Heald
  It is estimated that the weekly rate of category A basic retirement pension would be £79.45 from April 1995 and the combined rate of category A and category B basic retirement pension payable to a couple would be £127.15 if the rates had been increased in line with the higher of earnings of prices since 1980.1

  It is estimated that the Christmas bonus would be £28.80 if it had been increased in line with the higher of earnings or prices since 1980.1

  Expenditure on retirement pension and linked benefits for those over state pension age would, as a result of restoring the link between pensions and the higher of incomes or prices, be increased by an estimated £9.8 billion in the 1995–96 financial year.2
  649
  The increase in national insurance contributions to support this would result in an extra weekly cost of £8.45 to an employee on male average earnings and an extra £7.92 for his employer.

  Male average earnings of £377 at April 1995 have been used.

  The whole burden of retirement pension is estimated as £41.2 billion; this is the current cost of retirement pensions and linked benefits paid to people over state pension age, £31.4 billion, plus the extra cost of restoring the link, £9.8 billion. To raise £41.2 billion would mean increasing the basic rate of income tax from 25 per cent. to 47 per cent. If income-related benefits are taken into account, £38.5 billion would be transferred to taxation and the basic rate of income tax would increase to 45 per cent.

  Notes:

  1Estimates provided by Department of Social Security, Analytical Services Division-in each step of the calculation the benefits have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence.

  The Retail Prices Index (all items) as published by the Central Statistical Office has been used for prices uprating.

  Earnings upratings have been calculated on the basis of the Department for Education and Employment's Average Earnings Index (Whole economy unadjusted) as amalgamated in the Abstract of Statistics published by the Department of Social Security, Analytical Services Division.

  2Estimate provided by the Government Actuary's Department based on benefit rates calculated as per note 1. The estimate includes the extra costs of Retirement Pension and linked benefits paid to people over State pension age in particular Widow's Benefit and Incapacity Benefit.

  Habitual Residence Test
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list by postcode for Doncaster and Mexborough the number of claimants who have been prevented from receiving benefits as a result of the habitual residence test for each month since its inception; of those refused, how many went to appeal; and how many won their appeals. [39559]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Information is not available in the format requested. Statistics are not collected by reference to a claimant's postcode and appeal statistics are not collected against different types of decisions.

  Information on the number of people who have failed the habitual residence test is recorded in the Official Report, 23 October 1995, columns 486–89.

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will list the public appointments for which his Department is responsible in the county of South Yorkshire, indicating in each case the duration of the appointment, the date when a new appointment is due, and the salary; [39457]

  (2) if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which his 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. [39442]

  Mr. Burt
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is responsible for the appointments to the South Yorkshire and Humberside war pensions committee. The current 650
  committee of 30 members was convened on 1 January 1991 for five years. The committee has no annual budget and no salaries are payable.

  The numbers of new appointments, to replace members who have resigned or died, are shown in the table.

  Year

  Appointments

  1991

  1

  1992

  2

  1993

  2

  1994

  5

  1995

  0

  Statutory Maternity and Sick Pay
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has to simplify the administration of statutory maternity pay; [40091]

  (2) what plans he has to simplify the administration of statutory sick pay. [40092]

  Mr. Heald
  We intend to introduce a number of simplifications to the statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay schemes from April 1996. These will include a considerable reduction for employers in the amount of mandatory SSP record-keeping; more flexible time limits for providing SSP information to employees; removing the exclusion from SSP and SMP of employees, including certain mariners, air personnel and continental shelf workers, who are outside the European Economic Area during a period of sickness or maternity; reducing to one month the period for notifying sick absence to an employer where there is good cause for delay, removing the need for employers to issue a form to every leaver who was recently sick and allowing this form, where issued, to be a computer print-out. We will be laying regulations to give effect to these changes in due course.

  These proposals arise out of a consultation paper that was issued in March which sought views from all sides of industry on cutting red tape in the SSP-SMP schemes. The consultation formed part of the Government's on-going deregulation programme of lifting burdens on business. We are grateful to all those organisations and individuals who responded. Their contributions proved very valuable in helping us to decide the way forward. Copies of the responses will be placed in the Library.

  The consultation paper also sought views on whether employers should be allowed to opt out of SSP if they pay at least the equivalent in occupational sick pay. Employers' organisations were generally in favour of opting out as a means of reducing administration costs, but there were concerns that small businesses could not opt out as they did not generally have occupational sick pay schemes. Employees' organisations were concerned that employees' statutory rights would be removed.

  In the light of these concerns, we propose to retain the underlying liability to pay SSP but exempt any employer who pays contractual remuneration, including occupational sick pay, at or above the SSP rate for a day of incapacity for work, from the need to operate the detailed SSP rules. This revised scheme will ensure that employees' rights are fully protected, reduce administrative burdens and also be available to employers

  651
  with or without an occupational sick pay scheme. We aim to introduce the new arrangements from April 1997 by means of an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, following further consultation on the detailed proposals.

  Other changes to the SSP scheme which received support but which require amendment of primary legislation will be considered as soon as a suitable opportunity arises. They include changing the rule on SSP entitlement during a trade dispute; removing the links between separate contracts of service with the same employer and removing the exclusion from SSP of women who have received maternity allowance within eight weeks of the start of a period of sickness.

  These changes build on the simplification of the SSP and SMP schemes which we implemented last year. The lower rate of SSP was abolished so that all employees who qualify now receive the same rate of SSP. For SMP three service qualification tests of 26 weeks, two years and five years were replaced by one test of 26 weeks employment. In addition, all women qualifying for SMP now receive 90 per cent. of their earnings for the first six weeks of maternity leave and a flat rate for the next 12 weeks. Previously, the rate of SMP paid depended on the length of service a woman had with her employer.

  Income Support
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps are being taken to identify those disabled people who were underpaid income support as a result of a failure by the Benefits Agency to include the severe disability premium in their assessments, and who are no longer in receipt of income support; and what steps are being taken to invite fresh claims from those disabled people who were wrongly refused income support in order that the arrears of benefits due to them will be paid. [40144]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  On 19 December 1994, the Secretary of State announced that the Benefits Agency was to examine all live claims for income support with potential entitlement to the severe disability premium, and to establish what action was required to those cases where income support was no longer in payment. The exercise to examine live claims is now nearing completion. An announcement will be made shortly about plans for further action.

  Motability
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what guidelines his Department issues to Motability about the refusal of insurance cover to disabled drivers; and if he will make a statement; [40643]

  (2) how many disabled persons are currently without the use of a car because of the application of rules on insurance introduced by Motability; and if he will make a statement; [40645]

  (3) in what circumstances Motability refuses insurance cover to disabled drivers; [40649]

  (4) what penalties are imposed by Motability on drivers under its charge who have been penalised by the courts for driving with excess alcohol; and if he will make a statement; [40644]
  652
  (5) how many disabled drivers have been refused insurance cover by Motability; for what reasons; and if he will make a statement. [40677]

  Mr. Burt
  Motability is an independent organisation. The rules and administration of the scheme's insurance cover are decided by the governors and are not matters for the Secretary of State. Any questions on these issues should be referred to the director, Noel Muddiman.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to learn whether his request to the House of Lords for leave to appeal against the Halliday-Fairey decision of 14 October 1994 has been successful. [40895]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The petition for leave to appeal is under consideration by the House of Lords. The respondent has been invited to lodge objections to the petition by 7 November. A decision will be made thereafter.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what amount of housing benefit was paid to or for private landlords in the last year for which figures are available. [40901]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information available is set out in the table and relates to Great Britain only. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is reponsible for the payment of social security benefits in Northern Ireland.

  Rent Allowance Expenditure

  Year

  Expenditure (£ million)

  1993–94

  4,173

  Source:

  Table 3, Social Security Departmental Report 1995.

  Private Pension Provision
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social security what is the total amount of funds in private pension provision in the United Kingdom; and what is the equivalent figure for the two next largest European Union countries. [39683]

  Mr. Heald
  In 1992, the total amount of funds in private pension provision in the United Kingdom was around £500 billion. This is more than three times the amount in either of the two European Union countries with the next largest level of pension funds—£160 billion for Germany and £140 billion for the Netherlands.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what he estimates to be a practical timetable for implementing proposals to eliminate discrimination against disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [39684]
  653
  Mr. Burt
  We will establish the National Disability Council early next year. After consultation and publication of draft regulations we plan to introduce the new rights in the employment field towards the end of 1996. The first of the many rights of access to goods and services—the right not to be refused service—will start at the same time, as will protection for disabled people seeking to rent or buy property. Following a similar process of consultation the remaining rights will be phased in subsequently.

  War Widows
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to end local variation in the treatment of war widows and war disabled pensioners. [39723]

  Mr. Heald
  We have no such plans.

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to improve the flexibility of personal pensions in retirement. [40036]

  Mr. Heald
  We have introduced two measures in the Pensions Act 1995 which will improve the flexibility of personal pensions in retirement. The first measure will bring the age-related rebates for personal pension holders who have contracted out of the state earnings-related pension scheme, which will make such pensions attractive across a broader age range. The second measure permits more flexible use of personal pensions savings, by allowing personal pension holders to draw an income from their fund each year and defer buying an annuity until a time of their choosing up to age 75.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security of how many cases he is aware in which an attendance allowance was awarded to a person with limited leave to remain in the United Kingdom in each of the years 1993, 1994 and 1995. [41037]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information requested is not available.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what regulations his Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1995; if he proposes to conduct a cost compliance assessment on each regulation repealed; and what is the estimated cost of undertaking a cost

  May 1993

  November 1993

  May 1994

  November 1994

  England

  104,060

  90,620

  79,140

  70,240

  Scotland

  11,460

  10,360

  8,760

  7,940

  Wales

  9,060

  7,880

  6,860

  6,600

  Great Britain

  124,600

  108,860

  94,760

  84,780

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Residential Care/Nursing Home Quarterly Enquiries.
  654
  compliance assessment to assess the advantages or disadvantages of such a repeal. [41549]

  Mr. Heald
  The following regulations are due to be repealed by the end of 1995:

  Social Security (invalid Care Allowance) Regulations 1976–Regulation 8(2)(b);

  Occupational Pension Schemes (Equal Access to Membership) Regulations 1976;

  Occupational Pension Schemes/Equal Access to

  Membership/Amendment Regulations 1995.

  The requirement to carry out a cost compliance assessment applies to regulations which impose additional burdens on business. As these regulations did not impose a burden on business cost compliance assessments were not required.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995; and if he will make a statement. [41523]

  Mr. Heald
  This Department will not be repealing or amending any rules or regulations by means of a reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995. However, we aim to introduce from April 1997 an easement to allow employers to substitute contractual remuneration for statutory sick pay for any day of sickness by means of an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer by the repeal of each rule and regulation which has so far been the subject of a reference to the Deregulation Committee from his Department; and in how many cases a cost compliance assessment has been carried out. [41524]

  Mr. Heald
  The Department has not yet repealed any rules or regulations by reference to the Deregulation Committee.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) of 27 October,Official Report, column 853, if he will list the number of nursing home residents with preserved rights to higher levels of income support in (a) April 1993, (b) November 1993, (c) April 1994 and (d) the latest figure available (1) nationally, (2) regionally and (3) by area. [41435]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Information is not available in the format requested. Information is available only for residents in nursing homes with preserved rights who are in receipt of income support and is set out in the table:
  655

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates have been made by his Department on the effects on asylum seekers' children of the loss of social security benefits to their parents. [41827]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We have made no such estimate. The Government believe that it cannot be right to pay benefits to asylum seekers who apply for asylum after being admitted to this country as visitors unless there has been an upheaval in their home country. Those people who apply for asylum on entry to the United Kingdom will still have access to benefits while their asylum application is considered.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received concerning the effects of removing social security benefits to asylum seekers. [41826]

  Mr. Evans
  The Government referred proposals affecting the benefit entitlement of asylum seekers and other persons from abroad to the Social Security Advisory Committee on 11 October. The committee has invited representations. I expect to receive its report and recommendations during December. I have also received a number of items of correspondence.

  Earnings Top-up
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will announce his further plans for earnings top-up, the proposed pilot benefit for working people without dependent children.

  Mr. Lilley
  I have today announced my decisions on the eight areas in which the earnings top-up pilot scheme will operate from October 1996. I have also placed in the Vote Office the draft rules of the scheme.

  The rules set out the scheme list by postcode for the eight pilot areas in which earnings top-up will be paid—four at a higher rate, scheme B, and four at a lower rate, scheme A. The two benefit rates are intended to test the relative effectiveness of different levels of assistance in meeting the aim of the scheme: to help lower-paid people to move into work and be better off in it.

  The areas have been selected from an original shortlist using wholly objective criteria related to unemployment rates, vacancy rates, population density and operational feasibility. They are areas from which we expect to be able to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of this approach if extended nationally.

  The eight pilot areas are:
  Scheme A (Lower Rate): These pilot areas will give an estimated average weekly boost to income of £16 for single people under 25, and £24 for couples:

  Newcastle upon Tyne TTWA1, including parts of Stanley, Consett, Newburn, Gateshead, Shields Road, Felling, West Moor, Blaydon on Tyne, Cramlington, Whitley Bay, Wallsend, North Shields, and Prudhoe.

  Castleford and Pontefract TTWA, including parts of Knottingley, and Normanton;

  Wakefield and Dewsbury TTWA, including parts of South Elmsall, Hemsworth, and Batley;

  656

  Barnsley TTWA, including part of Wombwell, and Hoyland.

  Southend TTWA, including parts of Brentwood, Rayleigh, Burnham on Crouch, Basildon, Canvey Island, Stanford le Hope, Grays, and Tilbury.

  Bangor and Caernarfon TTWA, including parts of Penygross and Beaumaris; Conway and Colwyn TTWA, including parts of Colwyn Bay, Llanwrst, and Lundudno;

  Denbigh TTWA;

  Dolgelllau and Barmouth TTWA;

  Holyhead TTWA including parts of Llangefni and Amlwych;

  Shotton; Flint and Rhyl TTWA, including parts of Mold and Holywell;

  Wrexham TTWA, including parts of Cefnmawr and Llangollen.

  Scheme B (Higher Rate): These pilot areas will give an estimated average weekly boost to income of £18 for single people under 25, and £25 for couples:

  Sunderland TTWA, including parts of Birtley, Chester le Street, Houghton Le Spring, Peterlee, East Boldon, and Washington.

  Doncaster TTWA, including parts of Thorne.

  Bournemouth TTWA, including parts of Wimbourne, Christchurch, and Ringwood.

  Perth and Crieff TTWA:

  Dumbarton TTWA, including parts of Alexandria, and Helensburgh;

  Stirling TTWA.

  We expect that about 20,000 people will benefit from the earnings top-up pilot. The four areas which have been selected as controls for the evaluation of the pilot are:

  Middlesbrough TTWA

  Hartlepoole and Stockton on Tees TTWA

  Rotherham and Mexborough TTWA

  Worksop TTWA

  Southampton and Isle of Wight TTWA

  Blaenau Gwent and Abergavenny TTWA

  Brecon TTWA

  Llandeilo TTWA

  Llanelli TTWA

  Monmouth TTWA

  Pontypool and Cwmbran TTWA

  Notes:

  1 TTWA = Travel to Work Area. These are areas in which 75 per cent. of the population working in the area also live there, and vice versa.

  The rules of the scheme will be published in final form once there has been an opportunity for Parliament to consider the proposals.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many cases of benefit fraud have come to light in each year since 1990 as a result of unsolicited information passed to the Benefits Agency by members of the public; [38753]

  (2) if he will list those areas selected to pilot Operation Speakeasy; [38755]

  (3) what is the cost of Operation Speakeasy; [38754]
  657
  Mr. Heald
  The investigation of benefit fraud is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 3 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the number of benefit fraud cases which have come to light in each year since 1990 as a result of unsolicited information passed to the Benefits Agency by members of the public, the areas selected to pilot the fraud referral hotline, previously known as Operation Speakeasy and the cost involved.
  Information on the number of benefit fraud cases that have come to light as a result of unsolicited information from members of the public is only available from April 1995.
  During the period 1 April 1995 to 30 August 1995 we have received 127,301 referrals from the public. These have resulted in 72,474 investigations and of the investigations completed so far, 30,687 of these have proved to be cases of benefit fraud.
  The fraud referral hotline was launched in September this year. This is a freephone telephone line which allows members of the public to report allegations of benefit fraud to trained fraud staff. It is to be piloted in four areas Hull, Stockport, Blackburn/Burnley and Tunbridge Wells.
  The pilot has incurred an initial outlay of around £30,000 but the final cost will not be known until the exercise is completed.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.
  658

  Invalidity Benefit
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance applies to the award of invalidity benefits to people who have undergone laryngectomies and tracheotomies. [39680]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The administration of Social Security benefit 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. Jim Cunnigham, dated 3 November 1995:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what guidance applies to the award of invalidity benefits to people who have undergone laryngectomies and tracheotomy.

  Invalidity Benefit and Sickness Benefit were replaced by Incapacity Benefit with effect from 13 April 1995. The Adjudication Officers Guide is available to Adjudication Officers to assist them in reaching a decision on benefit entitlement. In addition, they have access to the Medical Advisors Guide and the Background Information to Incapacity for Work Guide which provide background information on certain medical conditions. No specific guidance is given to Adjudication Officers awarding benefits to people who have undergone laryngectomies and tracheotomy.

  Factors such as breathlessness and fatigue are taken into account in deciding on the appropriate level of limitations for every activity if a person is assessed under the functional All Work Test.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

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