Written Answers of 7 November 1995

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Nursery Facilities
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what plans his committee has for the construction of nursery facilities in the Palace of Westminster. [42012]

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  The Committee has no power to authorise the construction of facilities of any kind. This is a matter for the House of Commons Commission.

  New Parliamentary Building
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what is the current estimated cost of the new phase 2 Parliamentary Building. [41175]

  Mr. Channon
  The approved estimate for the new Parliamentary Building is £154 million at 1992 prices, plus any increases in building prices which occur before the contracts are completed in 1999. There are no indices to cover this period so the final cost could be only speculative at this stage.

  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee how many(a) hon. Members and (b) others he estimates will be accommodated in the new Parliamentary Building phase 2 indicating an upper and lower projection. [41174]

  Mr. Ray Powell
  The new Parliamentary Building will provide offices for at least 210 hon. Members. It will also accommodate an equivalent number of Members' support staff, but the building has been designed flexibly so that Members can, subject to the rules then current, accommodate more staff in either their own or their support offices if they wish.

  Public Access
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what plans his Committee has to alter the entrance for the public to the Palace of Westminster to enable Westminster Hall to be the entrance route via New Palace Yard. [42019]

  Mr. Ray Powell
  None.

  Catering Facilities (Refurbishment Cost)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what was the total cost of the recent refurbishment of catering facilities in the Palace of Westminster. [42011]
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  Mr. Ray Powell
  The contract value for the work undertaken this year to modernise the Members' and Strangers' cafeterias and kitchen and the Speaker's state kitchen is £1,600,000.

  Norman Shaw North and South
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what consideration was given to the recycling of materials discarded from Norman Shaw North during refurbishment work; and if he will make a statement. [42015]

  Mr. Ray Powell
  The recycling of materials discarded during the refurbishment of Norman Shaw North is a matter for the main contractors.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what future plans there are for refurbishment of Norman Shaw North and South; and if he will make a statement. [42013]

  Mr. Powell
  It is planned to install the Parliamentary Data Video Network on the first and second floors of Norman Shaw North next year and the remaining floors in 1997. The opportunity will be taken to carry out a limited refurbishment on a similar basis to the work successfully undertaken on the ground floor this year.

  Only limited work was carried out in Norman Shaw South when it was acquired from the Metropolitan police and it will shortly require complete refurbishment. The long-term programme envisages that this work should be started once the new Parliamentary Building is completed at the end of the decade.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what is the total cost of the refurbishment of the ground floor of Norman Shaw North during the recent recess. [42016]

  Mr. Powell
  The project was undertaken to fulfil the decision of the House to make the PDVN available to hon. Members and their staff. This year's phase of the work involved the provision of the network on the ground floor, together with refurbishment work which it was sensible to carry out at the same time, and the installation of monitors to allow Members on the upper floors and in Norman Shaw South to receive the "clean feed" of the proceedings in the Chamber. The estimated cost of the phase is £0.7 million.

DEFENCE

  Radar Interference
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to neutralise the recently installed radar equipment at HMS Cambridge at Wembury, south Devon so as to prevent interference with hearing aids of residents in nearby villages and to prevent security lights from being tripped; and if he will make a statement. [41491]

  Mr. Soames
  The new Watchman radar which is sited at HMS Cambridge provides air traffic control cover above the Plymouth sea exercise areas for flag officer sea training, whose activity has recently moved from Portland to Plymouth.
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  These radars first entered service about five years ago and there are now more than 50 in use in the UK. We are not aware that similar problems are being encountered elsewhere and therefore had no expectation of any in south Devon. However, we have arranged for a team of technical experts to visit the area to examine the impact of the radar and to investigate the problems that local residents are reporting. This is planned to commence on 9 November. The team proposes to conduct a "surgery" in the area, followed by technical investigations. Should it be established that the radar is indeed causing these problems, we shall of course do all that we can to resolve them.

  French Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make it his policy that the United Kingdom Government will decline to receive, consider or make use of any information or data resulting from the current French nuclear testing programme; [41494]

  (2) if the United Kingdom Government have, at any time, made it their policy to decline to receive, consider or make use of any information or data resulting from French nuclear tests other than the present series. [41495]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We have neither asked for, nor been offered, information or data resulting from the current French test programme. The UK is not involved in any way in these tests. Data from French tests would not be directly relevant to our nuclear weapons. The Government believe that it would be irresponsible to rule out for the future any form of co-operation with any of our allies, consistent with our international non-proliferation obligations, which might help us fulfil our responsibility to ensure the safety and reliability of our nuclear deterrent.

  Mr. Robin Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions and on what dates, aircraft carrying(a) supplies and (b) nuclear materials to the French nuclear test site at Muroroa Atoll in the South Pacific have been authorised to use United Kingdom airspace since June of this current year. [42064]

  Mr. Soames
  I know of no such flights in United Kingdom airspace.

  Forces Manpower
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for defence if he will list the front-line level of uniformed manpower in the British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force in April 1985, April 1990, April 1995 and the projected level in April 1996 and April 1997. [41379]

  Mr. Soames
  The approximate strength of uniformed manpower for each of the three services in April of the years requested is as follows:

  1985

  1990

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Royal Navy

  70,000

  63,000

  51,000

  48,000

  46,000

  British Army

  170,000

  160,000

  116,000

  113,00

  112,000

  Royal Air Force

  93,000

  90,000

  71,000

  65,000

  57,000

  These figures are inclusive of trainees and, in the case of the Army, Gurkhas—but not the Royal Irish Regiment,
  662
  Home Service Force. Estimates of strength for 1996 and 1997 are sensitive to assumptions about recruitment and retention rates.

  Aircraft Loaders
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what military purpose two self-propelled aircraft loaders are required, as set out in future purchase No. SMC31ARAF076; what consideration was given to leasing or contract hire of such vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [41320]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The two self-propelled aircraft loaders are required to support C130 and VC10 aircraft. Their military purpose is to transport air cargo loads between the aircraft and storage areas, and to transfer those loads both into and out of the aircraft. The leasing of equipment is routinely considered as part of the replacement decision. In general, however, there is no commercial equipment available which meets the specific military requirements and the leasing or contract hire of purpose-built self-propelled aircraft loaders has been shown to be uneconomic. As the specialist nature of these vehicles rules out the leasing of commercially available types, and as the high cost of refurbishment of existing vehicles, which are over 20 years old, precludes that option, purchase was assessed to be the most economic means of meeting its operational requirement.

  Materials Handling Equipment
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the operation of the fleet of materials handling equipment. [41586]

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

  Defensive Monitoring Units
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which unit of(a) the Army and (b) the Royal Navy is responsible for defensive monitoring of Army and Royal Navy frequencies; and if he will make a statement. [41588]

  Mr. Soames
  It is not our policy to comment on operational matters of this kind.

  Nuclear Materials (Transport)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to change the escort status of nuclear material conveyed by road through South Yorkshire. [41619]

  Mr. Soames
  No changes are currently planned to the escort arrangements for nuclear material convoys operated by the Ministry of Defence. It is not our practice to comment on the routes used by such convoys.

  Accident, Padarn Lake
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 October,Official Report, column 587, if he will place in the Library a report of the RAF board of inquiry into the accident at Padarn lake on 12 August 1993. [41576]
  663
  Mr. Soames
  Copies of the summary of the board of inquiry are being placed in the Library today.

  Tornado Aircraft
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado aircraft are stationed at RAF Bruggen; and how many currently have two serviceable engines. [41346]

  Mr. Soames
  There are currently 54 Tornado GR1 aircraft stationed at RAF Bruggen. However, 14 of these aircraft are currently deployed elsewhere on operations and training or undergoing major maintenance. Of the remaining 40 aircraft, 28 currently have two serviceable engines.

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF service men were engaged on servicing Tornado aircraft in 1992; and how many(a) service men and (b) civilians are doing so now. [41349]

  Mr. Soames
  The following figures relate to Tornado maintenance carried out by the RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency at RAF St Athan and RAF Sealand:

  1992

  1 November 1995

  Service Personnel

  641

  1,031

  MOD Civilians

  421

  470

  Total

  1,062

  1,501

  Servicing of Tornado aircraft at front-line operating bases is also carried out by service personnel; however, the number of personnel involved is not readily available.

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer from the Attorney-General on 30 October 1995,Official Report, columns 12–14, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and what was the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41216]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I refer to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  Asbestos Injuries
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to review the recent court case on asbestos injury; and what assessment he has made of the effect the court case will have on the claims from ex-service personnel who had contact with asbestos during their military service. [41850]

  Mr. Soames
  Any former service personnel suffering an illness as a result of exposure to asbestos dust during their time in the armed forces is eligible for a war pension. However, where the exposure to asbestos dust occurred in service prior to May 1987, section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947 precludes payment of common law compensation for resultant illness. Following repeal of 664
  section 10 of this Act, compensation may he paid if exposure occurred after May 1987. The recent court case referred to has not altered this position.

  Defence Contracts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the percentage and cash values of contracts given to British companies by his Department for defence products; and how many jobs were retained and created as a result of such contracts for each of the last five years. [33096]

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

  Maintenance Trolleys
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what military purpose 16 aircraft hydraulic system maintenance trolleys are required, as set out in future purchase No. SMC31BRAF574; what consideration was given to leasing or contract hire of such vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [41321]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The 16 hydraulic system maintenance trolleys are required to support the VC-10 and Tristar fleets. Their military purpose is to test the hydraulic systems of these aircraft as an aid to fault diagnosis and to prove system performance following maintenance or rectification whether carried out at RAF stations in the UK or when deployed abroad. The tender documents for this contract will include a clause encouraging innovative proposals and any lease or hire options which are put forward by industry will be considered on their merits.

  Armoured Vehicles
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what response has been received to his recent invitation to companies to supply modern wheeled armoured vehicles for a demonstration of such vehicles for senior officers; how much notice was given of this proposed demonstration to potential exhibitors; for what reason the demonstration is to include driving experience for selected officers; on the basis of what previous experience of driving armoured vehicles these officers will be selected; and if he will make a statement. [41239]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Companies have been invited to provide, at their own cost, examples of wheeled armoured vehicles, to give a general demonstration of the capabilities of such vehicles in the context of the Army's potential future equipment requirements. The demonstration will not in any sense be a formal assessment of the vehicles. As part of the demonstration, senior officers with responsibilities relating to the use of armoured vehicles will be given an opportunity to receive first-hand experience of driving the vehicles, in order to gain a better understanding of modern wheeled vehicle technology. Five companies have responded. They were originally given one month's notice, but the demonstration has now been postponed until spring 1996.

  Fuel Tankers
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the tankers in service with the Royal Air Force are capable of the mid-air refuelling of F-16 aircraft. [41489]
  665
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  No.

  Rolls-Royce Engines (Tornadoes)
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cause of the delay at Rolls-Royce in reconditioning RB199 engines for RAF Tornadoes; how many are currently with Rolls-Royce or waiting to be sent to it; how many would be unserviceable at any one time under usual conditions; and what steps the Government are taking to ensure that Rolls-Royce resolves the problems it currently faces and meets the terms of its contract for servicing RB 199 engines for the RAF.[41347]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Complete RB 199 engines are not currently, nor have been held at, Rolls-Royce for reconditioning. Modules for incorporation into the RAF Tornado RB199 engine are reconditioned by Rolls-Royce. Production delays have been experienced because of industrial action at Rolls-Royce plants earlier this year. RAF logistics command has maintained continuous pressure on Rolls-Royce to meet the RAF's requirements and a programme of measures has been initiated to achieve required production levels. CinC Logistics Command met Rolls-Royce senior executives last week and used the occasion to impress on them the need for their personal and continued commitment in meeting new production targets.

  Spare Parts (Tornadoes)
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on spare parts for RAF Tornado aircraft each year for the past five years; and how much is in the estimates for this purpose in the current year. [41350]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The value of spares expenditure incurred for Tornado airframe and engine spares, avionics, special to type ground equipment and test sets for each of the past five years was as follows:

  1990–91: £176 million

  1991–92: £214 million

  1992–93: £200 million

  1993–94: £184 million

  1994–95: £161 million

  The provision for the current year is £149 million.

  These figures do not include details of expenditure in respect of local purchases, spares orders placed by commodity range managers and spares purchased from other nations under mutual supply support arrangements, which are not available centrally.

  Ammunition
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made as to the necessity of the retention of a comprehensive domestic capability to manufacture ammunition required by British armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [41635]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We keep under review the availability and dependability of our sources of supply for ammunition. This does not necessarily require the maintenance of a comprehensive domestic capability to manufacture every type of ammunition in service.

  Defence Joint Ventures
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contact there has been between Ministers or civil servants and Royal Ordnance or BAE regarding the setting up of a joint company or other arrangement involving GIAT of France; and if he will make a statement. [41637]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department has been kept informed about a possible joint venture between Royal Ordnance and GIAT, and the progress of discussions. Such exchanges are in confidence. Any firm proposals which arose would be subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities in the usual way.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the public finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41732]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  To date my Department has approved one project under the private finance initiative; the value of this scheme is commercially confidential.

  Artillery Shells
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many 155 mm artillery shells were sold off by his Department in each year between 1980 and 1990; and if he will list each country purchasing the shells and the average price obtained. [42060]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The records of sales conducted by the Ministry of Defence, prior to the privatisation of Royal Ordnance in 1985, or of surplus shells between 1985 and 1990, are not available. Questions related to sales conducted by Royal Ordnance plc since that date are a matter for the company.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the number and value of 155 mm shells and cartridges produced for export by the United Kingdom in each of the years 1980 to 1990; and to which countries these items were exported. [42062]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  It remains Government policy not to reveal details of exports of defence equipment. Such information is confidential between the customer and the supplier.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many 155 mm shells were purchased by his Department for the Falklands war; and what was the country of origin of those shells and shell components and the average price paid. [42061]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  No 155 mm guns were used in the Falklands war and therefore no 155 millimetre shells were purchased.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many 155 mm shells and parts of 155 mm shells were purchased by his Department each year between 1980 and 1990; and what was the average price paid for these shells. [42057]
  667
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information required could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons in his Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid. [42507]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The number of staff in my Department wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry is two and their direct annual salary costs is £60,632. It is not possible to identify the number of people involved on a part-time or occasional basis within the Department or as external consultants or advisers, but the amount so far spent by my Department on external advice is £48,601.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his Department relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42058]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times in each month of the current year he has met personally the heads of the agencies which report to him to discuss the work of those agencies. [39854]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's ownership responsibilities for the 23 defence agencies are usually discharged in the first instance by a designated officer or official in the Department or one of the service commands. Meetings between Ministers and defence agency chief executives occur infrequently, when the nature of the business requires it.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the
  668
  value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41734]

  The Solicitor-General
  To date, the Law Officers' Departments have not used the private finance initiative for the funding of any schemes. However, use of the PFI is being considered for future projects where appropriate.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Attorney-General how many persons in his Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or a full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid. [42076]

  The Attorney-General
  Leaving aside members of Sir Richard Scott's inquiry team, a number of staff in my Departments work on matters related to the Scott inquiry from time to time as part of their duties and it is not possible to estimate the overall cost. The amount so far spent by my Departments on external advice is £9,940. It is not the practice to name staff or external advisers in these circumstances. The costs of staff in the Treasury Solicitor's Department providing legal services to client departments in connection with the inquiry are included in charges invoiced to Departments.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Attorney-General how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his Department relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42077]

  The Attorney-General
  Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

  Marchioness Inquest
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General when the Director of the Crown Prosecution Service expects to receive the transcripts of evidence to the inquest into the deaths which followed the sinking of the Marchioness; and when the Crown Prosecution Service will take a decision on whether to initiate a prosecution. [41951]

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service expects to receive transcripts of the evidence given at the inquest within the next four weeks. Once they have been considered, and any further inquiries which may prove necessary have been completed, a decision on whether criminal proceedings should be instituted can be made. It is not yet possible to say when that stage will be reached.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41733]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  For the Lord Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service and the Public Trust Office, no such schemes have yet been approved.

  Law Commission
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement setting out the criteria by which suitability for appointment to the Law Commission is assessed; and if he will bring forward to the House proposals to ensure that future appointments are first subjected to detailed parliamentary scrutiny. [42109]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Appointments to the Law Commission are statutory and are made by the Lord Chancellor under section 1 of the Law Commissions Act 1965. The 1965 Act, as amended by the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, requires that appointees must be legally qualified or have experience in a judicial office or as a teacher of law in a university. Appointees must also satisfy the Lord Chancellor of their good health.

  The chairman of the Law Commission is appointed by the Lord Chancellor, usually from the ranks of experienced High Court judges. Before reaching his decision, the Lord Chancellor customarily consults senior members of the judiciary. In considering the suitability of candidates for membership of the Law Commission, the Lord Chancellor appoints, in accordance with the principles of fair and open competition, those candidates who appear from the information available to have the best qualifications and experience for appointment. Successful candidates will be lawyers of recognised standing, experience and ability who can make significant contributions to the reform and development of the law.

  The cost of the Commission 1982–19941

  Sub head

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988

  Accommodation charges2

  308,200

  340,500

  400,400

  364,200

  343,000

  344,000

  355,200

  Headquarters overheads4

  64,200

  64,900

  78,700

  133,300

  141,100

  140,600

  168,500

  Printing and Publishing: supply of information technology, office equipment and books

  339,900

  272,490

  217,000

  190,600

  270,100

  107,600

  137,300

  Salaries of Commrs (including ERNIC)

  221,500

  203,100

  182,600

  203,700

  213,600

  223,200

  204,500

  Salaries of draftsmen, legal staff, secondees and consultants (including ERNIC)

  518,900

  533,000

  537,600

  623,100

  635,300

  712,900

  826,900

  Salaries of non-legal staff (including ERNIC)

  203,500

  245,300

  264,100

  276,000

  284,200

  295,400

  316,500

  Superannuation

  140,900

  201,500

  174,100

  171,300

  148,600

  177,900

  213,500

  Telephone/postage

  16,600

  16,800

  21,600

  12,400

  14,400

  18,600

  17,700

  670
  There are no proposals to make future appointments to the Law Commission subject to detailed parliamentary scrutiny.

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the current members of the Law Commission, indicating in each case the date upon which they were appointed, the date upon which their term of appointment ceases and the specific qualities and experience which were the basis of their appointment. [42108]

  Mr. Taylor
  The dates of the terms of appointment of the current members of the Law Commission are set out in the table. The criteria on which appointments are based are set out in my earlier answer to my hon. Friend.

  Name

  Date of appointment

  Date of expiry of appointment

  The right hon. Mr. Justice Brooke

  1 January 1993

  31 December 1995

  Charles Harpum

  1 January 1994

  31 December 1998

  Diana Faber

  31 January 1994

  30 January 1999

  Stephen Silber QC

  11 April 1994

  10 April 1999

  Andrew Burrows

  1 October 1994

  30 September 1999

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to appoint to the Law Commission in future only those individuals who have demonstrated by their own lifestyles a commitment to the institution of marriage and respect for human life. [42112]

  Mr. Taylor
  No. The Lord Chancellor wishes to maintain his present policy with regard to appointments to the Law Commission, which are made in accordance with the procedures set out in my earlier answer to my hon. Friend.

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the total cost of the Law Commission, including accommodation costs at estimated market rates, in each of the year since it was established; if he will give a breakdown of those costs indicating the amounts spend on(a) staff costs, (b) allowances and fees, (c) publication costs, (e) the estimated cost of accommodation at market rates and (f) all other identifiable costs. [42110]

  Mr. Taylor
  The available information about the cost of the Law Commission is given in the table.

  The other information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
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  The cost of the Commission 1982–19941

  Sub head

  1982–83

  1983–84

  1984–85

  1985–86

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988

  Travel and Subsistence

  4,900

  9,200

  6,600

  10,400

  7,600

  9,500

  4,500

  Entertainment

  300

  400

  500

  200

  200

  500

  300

  Miscellaneous

  700

  2,610

  3,000

  1,400

  4,200

  4,400

  3,300

  Total

  1,819,600

  1,889,800

  1,886,200

  1,986,600

  2,062,300

  2,034,600

  2,248,200

  Sub head

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Accommodation charges2

  377,800

  377,800

  460,100

  465,500

  502,900

  3916,900

  Headquarters overheads4

  205,100

  205,100

  228,000

  345,500

  379,200

  603,800

  Printing and Publishing: supply of information technology, office equipment and books

  139,600

  139,600

  5243,100

  215,400

  217,400

  187,100

  Salaries of Commisioners (including ERNIC)

  250,700

  250,700

  276,200

  300,300

  386,5006

  361,300

  Salaries of draftsmen, legal staff, secondees and consultants (including ERNIC)

  989,500

  989,500

  1,058,300

  1,120,600

  71,485,900

  1,406,600

  Salaries of non-legal staff (including ERNIC)

  345,600

  345,600

  372,400

  380,600

  7401,400

  357,400

  Superannuation

  245,800

  245,800

  265,800

  308,100

  8—

  —

  Telephone/postage

  24,600

  24,600

  935,900

  25,800

  33,500

  28,600

  Travel and Subsistence

  6,500

  6,500

  5,500

  8,400

  10,300

  7,000

  Entertainment

  1,000

  1,000

  600

  500

  500,

  10—

  Miscellaneous

  5,700

  5,700

  11,900

  18,300

  26,200

  15,200

  Total

  2,591,900

  2,591,900

  2,957,800

  3,279,000

  3,443,300

  3,883,900

  1 These figures have been published in the annual reports of the Commission. Until 1988, the figures were related to a "parliamentary year". As from 1988, the figures have related to the calendar year. In no case has the financial year been used as the base.

  2 Component relating to ground rent, rates and major works supplied by the Lord Chancellor's Department, for the years 1988 to date.

  3 This figure reflects the costs of a five yearly rent review, which produced a 130 per cent, increase, and necessary new works to the building (e.g. a new security system).

  4 Portion of the total cost of the Lord Chancellor's Department headquarters attributed to the Commission. The portion attributed to individual parts of the Department is proportional to the number of staff paid as established staff, including research assistants. The 1993 figure excluded any sum for the information technology services provided by the Lord Chancellor's Department, as they were used very little. In 1994, they were used very much more, and a notional figure has therefore been attributed for them in 1994.

  5 Included in the 1991 and 1992 figures for office equipment are sums of £90,000 and £60,000 respectively, which represent the cost of converting the computer system.

  6 This figure included not only superannuation (see n9 below) but also a lump sum paid on retirement.

  7 Figures from 1993 onwards show the actual expenditure on salaries. In previous years, salaries were shown as a multiple of the December monthly salary figures, which gave an exaggerated result.

  8 As of April 1993 superannuation is included in the Lord Chancellor's Department's salary budget and is not shown separately.

  9 This includes some £9,000 spent on converting to a system of direct dialling in.

  10 As from 1994 Entertainment is included in Miscellaneous.

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the package of remuneration and expenses which may be claimed by members of the Law Commission. [42111]

  Mr. Taylor
  The current chairman of the Law Commission is a High Court judge and, as such, receives a salary of £98,957 per annum. He does not receive any additional remuneration for his work as chairman of the Law Commission. The salary of other members of the Law Commission is currently £69,500 per annum. The office of commissioner is pensionable, but superannuation arrangements depend on individual circumstances. As elsewhere in the Crown's service, travel and subsistence expenses may be payable, on the same basis as senior civil servants, if and when a commissioner is required to travel or stay away overnight in the course of his or her duties.

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the square footage and address of all accommodation currently occupied by the Law Commission; and if he will estimate the current market rent which could be realised through the letting of that accommodation. [42113]
  672
  Mr. Taylor
  A total of 1,651.1 sq. m. at Conquest house, 37–38 John street, London WC1N 2BQ. The market rent, as valued at June 1995, is £122,000 per annum.

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to abolish the Law Commission [42107]

  Mr. Taylor
  No, that is not the Lord Chancellor's intention.

  Mrs. Winterton
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to make a statement to the House on each and every occasion that the Law Commission(a) commences and (b) concludes a consideration of a particular area of law. [42105]

  Mr. M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor is required by the Law Commissions Act 1965 to lay before Parliament any programmes prepared by the commission, and approved by him, for the examination of different branches of the law. The sixth programme was laid before Parliament in June. He is similarly required by the Act to lay before Parliament any proposals for reform formulated pursuant to such programmes.

  Right of Audience
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when a decision will be made by the Crown Prosecution Office as to extended right of audience. [42097]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Law Society's application to be authorised to award qualifications for rights of audience in the higher courts to employed solicitors is under consideration in accordance with the procedure set out in the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. There is a related application by the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Treasury Solicitor to have rule 402(1)(c) of the Bar's code of conduct deemed not to have been approved under the provisions of s31(1)(b) of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. This is the rule which restricts employed barristers rights of audience.

  The Lord Chancellor and the designated judges announced that they would adjourn their consideration of this related application until they had considered the advice from the Lord Chancellor's advisory committee on legal education and conduct on the Law Society's application. The Lord Chancellor has recently received ACLEC's advice and this is being considered together with other representations. The Lord Chancellor and the designated judges will make an announcement in due course.

  Advisory Committee Membership
  Mr. Batiste
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the members and qualifications of the Lord Chancellor's advisory committee. [42096]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I understand the question to refer to the Lord Chancellor's advisory committee on legal education and conduct. Details of the members appear in the latest annual report of the committee, published on 27 October 1995, copies of which have been placed in the libraries of both Houses. The members and their qualifications are as follows:

  Members

  Qualifications

  The Right Honourable The Lord Steyn (Chairman)

  Lord of Appeal in Ordinary

  His Honour Judge Gower QC (Vice Chairman)

  Resident Judge, Crown Court, East Sussex

  Lee Bridges

  Principal Research Fellow, University of Warwick

  Professor Richard Card

  Head of School of Law and Professor of Law, De Montfort University, Leicester

  Eric Hammond OBE

  Member of the Employment Appeal Tribunal; General Secretary, Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Union, 1984–92

  Professor Bob Hepple

  Professor of Law; Master of Clare College, Cambridge

  Dr. Neville Hunnings

  Editor, Common Market Law Reports since 1964

  Ian McNeil JP

  Chartered Accountant in Practice. Former President of Institute of Chartered Accountants and currently Chairman of the Institute's Professional Conduct

  674

  Members

  Qualifications

  Directorate

  Charles Plant

  Solicitor

  Ms Usha Prashar CBE

  Civil Service Commissioner; Director, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, 1986–91

  Nicholas Purnell QC

  Barrister

  Professor Peter Scott

  Professor of Education, University of Leeds

  Graham Smith CBE

  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation

  David Steel QC

  Barrister

  Mrs. Mary Tuck CBE

  Former Head of Home Office Research and planning Unit, former National Chair, Victim Support, member of the Parole Board

  David Ward

  Solicitor and former President of the Law Society

  David Wilkins

  Educational Consultant; former Chief Inspector of Schools, Nottinghamshire

  Land Ownership
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to require all land to be registered. [41271]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Because of the security and simplicity of titles afforded to land owners under the land registration system, it has been the policy of successive Governments to promote the progressive registration of unregistered titles. Compulsory registration of titles on sale and on the grant of long leases was first introduced in 1899 in central London. Since then, compulsory registration has been extended progressively to other parts of England and Wales—a process which was completed in December 1990. There are currently over 15.5 million registered titles and it is estimated that there remain between 4 and 5 million titles which are as yet unregistered.

  While the existing statutory provision of compulsory registration on sale will continue to reduce the number of unregistered titles, there are a significant number of unregistered titles which are likely to remain unsold, and therefore unregistered indefinitely. Accordingly, the Law Commission, together with the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Land Registry, have been considering in the context of reviewing the commission's third and fourth reports on land registration what additional mechanisms might usefully be put into place to accelerate the process of registering the remaining land in England and Wales. As a result, there was published in September this year a joint report by the Law Commission and the Land Registry, Law Com. No. 235, Cm 2950, which proposes extending compulsory registration to the following additional dispositions of unregistered land: assents, vesting deeds, conveyances by way of gift, conveyances pursuant to a court order and first legal mortgages.

  The appendix to the report contains a draft Bill which, if enacted, would give effect to these proposals, together with certain other recommended reforms, and a suitable opportunity is being sought to bring forward such a Bill for consideration by Parliament.
  675
  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimates he has made of the acreage of rural land in England which is in foreign ownership. [41355]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The question concerns a specific matter on which the chief executive of Her Majesty's Land Registry Executive Agency is best placed to provide the answer. I have accordingly asked the chief executive to reply direct.

  Letter from John Manthorpe to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 7 November 1995:
  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question on the acreage of rural land in England which is in foreign ownership.I regret that statistics relating to land acreage or the nationality of registered proprietors ar not maintained by the Registry and I am therefore unable to supply the information requested.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his Department relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42075]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many persons in his Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or a full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list those their names; and how much each is paid. [42074]

  Mr. Taylor
  There are no members of staff in my Department employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry, on either a full-time or a part-time basis. My Department does not employ an external consultants or advisers in relation to the inquiry.

HEALTH

  Psychiatric Hospitals
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds there were in each of the psychiatric hospitals that have closed(a) in 1995 and (b) in each year since 1979. [41101]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information available centrally is published in "Bed availability for England", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mental Health Services
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reports have been commissioned by his Department to review mental health services in the last five years; and what action has been taken as a result of the findings of such reports. [41102]
  676
  Mr. Bowis
  The reports commissioned by my Department are set out in the following list. They have provided useful in helping to develop of a comprehensive range of mental health services to support Government policy. Copies of the published reports will be placed in the Library.

  The Clinical Standards Advisory Group report on Schizophrenia;

  The report of the Mental Health Nursing Review Team;

  Services for the Mental Health of Children and Young People in England: A National Review;

  The Health Advisory Service (HAS) Review, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Together we stand;

  The HAS Review of the Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry Service;

  The HAS Review, People who are Homeless, A Place in Mind;

  The HAS Review, Suicide Prevention, The Challenge Confronted;

  The Homeless Mentally Ill Initiative—an evaluation of four clinical teams;

  Factors Influencing the implementation of the Care Programme Approach;

  Survey of English Mental Illness Hospitals, March 1993 and March 1994;

  Confidential Inquiry into Homicides and Suicides by Mentally Ill People;

  Review of Health and Social Services for Mentally Disordered Offenders and others with similar needs;

  Report of the Working Group on High Security and related Psychiatric Provision;

  Report of the Department of Health and Home Office Working Group on Psychopathic Disorder;

  The Extent of Local Arrangements for the Diversion of the Mentally Abnormal Offender from Custody;

  The Brixton Diversion Project;

  Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Complaints about Ashworth Hospital;

  The relationship between the NHS and the Criminal Justice System;

  The NHS and the Penal and Criminal Justice Systems;

  The Education and Training of Doctors in the Health Care Service for Prisoners;

  Psychopathic and Antisocial Personality Disorders;

  Bentham Unit—Summary Report;

  Good Practice in Medium secure units;

  An Analysis of Pump Priming for Multi-Agency Projects;

  The Survey of English Mental Illness Hospitals March 1993 and March 1994.

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners in(a) the Ealing, North constituency and (b) the remainder of the London borough of Ealing are fundholders; how much cash is involved in each case; and if he will make a statement. [41770]

  Mr. Malone
  The information available centrally for Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow family health services authority indicates that 67 general practitioners are fundholders. For further information, I refer my hon. Friend to Sir William Staveley, the chairman of North Thames regional health authority.
  677
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral answer of 31 October,Official Report, column 90, if he will list the repeated independent assessments of the substantial savings and improved patient care achieved by general practitioner fundholders to which he referred. [41927]

  Mr. Malone
  Considerable independent research into the general practitioner fundholding scheme has been carried out by a number of people and organisations—for example, Professor Howard Glennerster, Professor Julian Le Grand, Professor John Howie, the King's Fund, the National Audit Office and the Office of Economic Co-operation and Development.

  Mental Health Services (Coventry)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients with mental illness were treated at Walsgrave hospital in each year since 1990; [41603]

  (2) how many rehabilitative beds for mental health patients have been lost during the past year in Walsgrave hospital, Coventry. [41600]

  Mr. Bowis
  Walsgrave hospital did not have a mental illness specialty for the years in question.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many staff with responsibility for mental health in Walsgrave hospital, Coventry, have left their post in the last year; [41599]

  (2) if he will make a statement on projected mental health provision at Walsgrave Hospital. [41601]

  Mr. Bowis
  These are matters for the Walsgrave Hospitals national health service trust. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the trust for this information.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Coventry require hospital treatment for mental illness. [41602]

  Mr. Bowis
  Coventry health authority is responsible for purchasing mental health services for the people of Coventry. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the authority for this information.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations from mental health organisations he has received expressing concern about the level of mental health provision in(a) Coventry and (b) England and Wales in the last year. [41604]

  Mr. Bowis
  We receive many representations on a wide variety of mental health subjects.

  Community Care
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been refused community care in East Sussex without a reassessment of their needs since the introduction of the current scheme. [41235]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally. My hon. Friend may wish to contact the chairman of social services for that county.

  Child Care
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost of keeping a child in local authority care for one year. [41501]

  Mr. Bowis
  The latest estimates available centrally are for 1992–93 and relate to the average annual gross expenditure by local authorities on children looked after in foster placements and in residential accommodation. These were £7,100 and £45,200 respectively.

  Injection Pens
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make(a) injector pens and (b) needles for injector pens available on the NHS for people with diabetes. [41993]

  Mr. Malone
  Disposable injection pens are available on general practitioner prescription and manufacturers supply reusable ones to people with diabetes through hospital diabetic clinics. There are no plans to make reusable pens and needles prescribable by GPs.

  NHS Treatments
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all the treatments that are available on the NHS; and if he will specify for each health authority area what treatments are available on the NHS and what treatments are available only privately. [41990]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to establish a national database which lists, by health authority area, which treatments are available on the NHS and which treatments are available only privately. [41989]

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  NHS Pension
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend the NHS pension provision to practice nurses and other practice staff who are contracted to a practitioner rather than to the NHS direct. [41885]

  Mr. Malone
  This matter is currently under consideration.

  Property Dealings
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list which health authorities and trusts have lost money as a result of property dealings as described in a memorandum from Mr. Brian Marsden, deputy director of the NHS executive's finance and performance directorate to all trust and health authority chief executives on 30 September; if he will list which private organisations were involved in each case and the amount of money lost in each case; and if he will make a statement. [41984]

  Mr. Sackville
  It would not be appropriate to comment on leaked confidential documents.

  Hospices
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines are issued by his Department for the allocation of capitation weighted funding to hospices outside a health authority's geographic area; [41978]

  2) if he will make a statement on the relationship between capitation weighted funding for hospices by health authorities and the cost of core services provided by these hospices. [41979]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department issues guidance to health authorities and total purchasing pilot general practice fundholders on the purchase of hospice and palliative care services. The Department does not issue specific guidance on the use of general allocations for this purpose as this is a matter for local determination.

  The weighted capitation formula is used to inform allocations to health authorities for hospital and community health services. The national formula uses forecast resident population adjusted for age, relative health need and the geographical variation in the cost of providing services.

  It is then for health authorities to purchase health care for their resident population taking account of local circumstances and characteristics, and within the framework of national policies and priorities.

  Purchasing Plans
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of all the health care purchasing plans agreed by every health commission and health authority in England in the last two years. [41991]

  Population Projections for the years 2000, 2010 and 2020

  Thousands

  2000

  2010

  2020

  Age

  M

  F

  Total

  M

  F

  Total

  M

  F

  Total

  Under 5

  1,661

  1,583

  3,243

  1,517

  1,445

  2,962

  1,546

  1,473

  3,019

  5 to 15

  3,643

  3,452

  7,095

  3,585

  3,406

  6,991

  3,350

  3,191

  6,541

  16 to 24

  2,756

  2,614

  5,370

  3,051

  2,901

  5,952

  2,938

  2,796

  5,734

  25 to 44

  7,491

  7,203

  14,693

  6,892

  6,574

  13,465

  6,535

  6,263

  12,798

  45 to 64

  5,783

  5,844

  11,627

  6,789

  6,776

  13,565

  7,156

  7,016

  14,172

  65 to 84

  2,970

  3,806

  6,777

  3,282

  3,895

  7,177

  4,011

  4,616

  8,627

  85 and over

  282

  758

  1,040

  374

  853

  1,227

  461

  891

  1,353

  16 to 64

  16,030

  15,661

  31,690

  16,732

  16,251

  32,982

  16,629

  16,075

  32,704

  Note:

  Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  Oral Contraceptives
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the dates and those attending the meetings he or his officials have held with those companies involved in the marketing of third generation oral contraceptives containing gestodene and desogestrel since the statement made by the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products on 27 October. [41488]

  Mr. Sackville
  No meetings have taken place between the Medicines Control Agency and pharmaceutical companies regarding oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene since October 27.
  680
  Mr. Malone
  Copies of health authorities' purchasing plans are not available centrally. The plans are available on request from individual health authorities.

  Expenditure
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each year since 1992, the average cost to the NHS and community centre services of someone aged(a) under five, b) five to 15, (c) 16 to 24, (d) 25 to 44, (e) 45 to 64, (f) 65 to 84), (g) 85 or over and (h) 16 to 64 overall; and if he will provide estimates for the number of people in those age groups of each sex and in total and the respective average cost to the NHS and community care services for each group in 2000, 2010 and 2020. [41983]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information available on the average estimated cost per head to the national health service by age is shown in the table. Information on personal social services expenditure by age group is not available centrally.

  £

  Age group

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Under 5

  530

  577

  5 to 15

  289

  300

  16 to 64

  411

  431

  65 and over

  1,419

  1,457

  Notes:

  1. Figures are expressed in real terms at 1993–94 prices.

  2. The figures are per head of population and cover expenditure on hospital and community health services and family health services only.

  3. A more detailed breakdown is not available for total NHS expenditure.

  Population projections for the years 2000, 2010 and 2020 are shown in the table. No estimates have been made of expenditure by age for these years.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for health further to his oral contraceptive statement of 23 October,Official Report, column 701–2, if he will review the advice given to general practitioners and family planning professionals in the light of the statement made by the CPMP on 27 October, concerning those oral contraceptives which contain gestodene and desogestrel. [41487]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products assessment makes it clear that, on the basis of three studies, oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Its position statement
  681
  also envisages that it may be appropriate to inform doctors and women about the risks of oral contraceptives but it does not specify what information should be provided about the increased risk of venous thromboembolism. This and the fact that the CPMP's statement is not a binding opinion indicates that it is a mater for individual member states to deal with based on their particular prevailing circumstances.

  The advice recently given by the Committee on Safety of Medicines on oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene has been reviewed in the light of the CPMP's statements. The action we have taken in the United Kingdom is consistent with the CPMP's statements and therefore no additional action is necessary at present. The matter will be kept under close review in the light of any new scientific evidence which may emerge.

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if expenditure on the national health service in 1995–96, in cash terms, will exceed the planned amount, as set out in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report, 1995–96"; and if he will make a statement. [41802]

  Mr. Sackville
  Government spending on the national health service in 1995–96 is currently expected to be in line with the plan set out in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report".

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the expenditure on the national health service in 1979; and what is at present on a cash basis; [41872]

  (2) what has been the percentage change in real terms in expenditure on the national health service between 1979 and the current year. [41877]

  Mr. Sackville
  Total national health service expenditure has risen from £6,273 million in 1978–79 to an estimated £31,974 million in 1995–96, an increase of 69.7 per cent. in real terms.

  Advertising
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the future of the referral system following changes to rules governing advertising by doctors; [41632]

  (2) what is his policy regarding the control of advertising of medical services; and if he will make a statement. [41633]

  Mr. Malone
  I will write to the hon. and learned Member.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the public finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41741]
  682
  Mr. Sackville
  For information on the number and type of schemes approved under the private finance initiative, and the value of those schemes, I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave the hon. and learned Member for Montgomery (Mr. Carlile) on 6 November. Public sector contributions will depend upon the performance of the private sector in each individual contract awarded.

  Microbiological Food Safety
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much Government funding is being put into research into E. coli 0157 in the current financial year; and what plans he has to increase the amount of Government-funded research into this bacteria. [41639]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Government are spending just over £0.5 million on research into E. coli 0157 in the current financial year and an overall total of nearly £1.5 million up to March 1998. Further substantial funding is planned over the next two to three years.

  Psychiatric Beds
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric beds have been lost in each region in each of the last five years; and what are the planned numbers for further closure. [41942]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information available is published in "Bed Availability for England", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement in respect of the number of children occupying adult psychiatric beds(a) nationally, (b) regionally and (c) at health authority level in each of the last five years. [41946]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children's psychiatric beds have been available in each of the last three years(a) nationally, (b) regionally and (c) by health authority. [41940]

  Mr. Bowis
  I refer the hon. Member to "Bed Availability for England", a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 31 October,Official Report, column 208, what is the estimated cost in a full year of raising the threshold for contribution to the cost of residential care for the elderly from £8,000 to (a) £10,000, (b) £12,000, (c) £14,000 and (d) £16,000, assuming that the total capital disregard figure (i) remains at £3,000 and (ii) is increased to £6,000. [41928]

  Mr. Bowis
  The table shows the estimated increased cost in a full year to local authorities personal social services expenditure of placing elderly people into residential care homes1.

  Estimates have been made on the basis of generalised data from the elderly population as a whole and are a guide only. The figures quoted do not take account of any possible effects of such changes on Department of Social

  683
  Security expenditure, or of demographic changes. Such estimates would also depend on the rate of tariff income between the upper and lower thresholds.

  Illustrative figures for raising thresholds to:

  (£ million England)

  Upper threshold £

  Lower threshold-£3,000

  Lower threshold-£6,000

  10,000

  3

  20

  12,000

  4

  22

  14,000

  5

  23

  16,000

  7

  25

  1Figures do not include residents in nursing homes.

  Personal Social Services
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the level of spending on personal social services, discounting the effects of the special transitional grant and other specific grants, for(a) the elderly, (b) children, (c) those with learning disabilities, (d) young physically disabled persons, (e) mentally ill persons and (f) others. [41982]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Care Homes (Abuse)
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many investigations have been undertaken in each of the last five years into abuse of residents in(a) children's, (b) residential and (c) nursing homes; and what have been the outcomes. [41944]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Spending Statistics
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, column 47, on spending statistics, when figures for (a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96 will be available. [41953]

  Mr. Malone
  Figures for 1994–95 will be published shortly. No decisions have yet been made on the timing of publication of figures for 1995–96.

  Capital Expenditure
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 30 October,Official Report, column 34–35. on capital expenditure, when 1994–95 figures will be available. [41952]

  Mr. Sackville
  Provisional figures are expected to be available by the end of November 1995.

  Mental Hospitals
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental hospitals have closed in each region during each of the last five years; and what further closures are planned. [41941]

  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.

  Community Psychiatric Nurses
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's recommended level of community psychiatric nurses per head of population. [41945]

  Mr. Bowis
  Decisions on appropriate staffing levels are for local managers. They are in the best position to determine the number of staff needed in the light of local circumstances.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average annual payment, for each of the last three years for which figures are available, for patients who paid for NHS dental treatment, per family health service authority. [39799]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 30 October 1995]: I will write to the hon. And learned Member.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  China
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he takes to ensure that no United Kingdom aid to China disbursed via the World bank or EC involves the use of forced labour camps in Chinese prison camps. [41278]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have no evidence to suggest that either World bank or EC funding for projects in China has involved the use of forced labour. The World bank, however, is taking very seriously recent allegations about links between a World bank-funded project in Xinjiang province and labour camps and has launched an investigation of the claims, while confirming that it would not condone lending for projects involving the use of forced labour.

  OECD Countries (Aid Expenditure)
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the per capita spending on overseas aid in the last year for which figures are available for each member country of the OECD. [41263]

  Mr. Hanley
  The table gives a breakdown of OECD member countries' per capita spending on overseas aid for 1994.

  OECD members' per capita spending on overseas aid

  1994 Net oda US$ millions

  1993 Population (millions)

  US$ Per capita expenditure

  Australia

  1,087

  17.71

  61.4

  Austria

  561

  7.94

  70.7

  Belgium

  677

  10.06

  67.3

  Canada

  2,230

  27.82

  80.2

  Denmark

  1,450

  5.19

  279.4

  Finland

  289

  5.07

  57.0

  France

  8,447

  57.65

  146.6

  Germany

  6,751

  80.77

  83.6

  Ireland

  105

  3.57

  29.4

  Italy

  1,967

  57.84

  34.0

  Japan

  13,239

  124.85

  106.0

  685

  OECD members' per capita spending on overseas aid

  1994 Net oda US$ millions

  1993 Population (millions)

  US$ Per capita expenditure

  Luxembourg

  59

  0.40

  147.5

  Netherlands

  2,531

  15.28

  165.6

  New Zealand

  111

  3.46

  32.1

  Norway

  1,137

  4.31

  263.8

  Portugal

  296

  9.85

  30.1

  Spain

  1,247

  39.13

  31.9

  Sweden

  1,703

  8.71

  195.5

  Switzerland

  978

  6.98

  140.1

  United Kingdom

  3,197

  58.04

  55.1

  United States

  9,851

  258.06

  38.2

  Source:

  1994 net oda—OECD Statistics.

  1993 population—World Bank Atlas 1995.

  Brazil
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring is being carried out by the British Government on the spending of G7 money on the G7 financed pilot plan for the Amazon, and if he will make a statement on the steps being taken to protect the Makuxi Indian people in Brazil. [41823]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: Britain contributes to the pilot plan trust fund, which is managed by the World bank and monitored by an independent international advisory group. We attend regular meetings of participants and in-country co-ordination. One component of the pilot plan is a project to protect indigenous peoples and their lands.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has to change the Overseas Development Administration cash limits for 1995–96. [41142]

  Mr. Hanley
  [pursuant to his reply, 31 October 1995, c. 140]: The answer should have read: "Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit on the external assistance vote (class II, vote 5) will be increased by £4,919,000 from £1,759,358,000 to £1,764,277,000. The increase is in respect of rollover of underspending against the 1994–95 external assistance vote. The increase will be offset by a claim on the reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure. The cash limit includes the cost of services provided in connection with the privatisation of the Crown Agents. This expenditure is not included in the control total".

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Grants
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [3595]
  686
  Mr. Boswell
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich (Mr. Sproat) on 31 October 1995,Official Report, columns 186–87.

  Racing Pigeons
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement regarding the use of drugs in pigeon racing, and what discussions he has had with the Belgian Minister of Agriculture regarding the situation in Belgium. [40681]

  Mrs. Browning
  Veterinary medicines for racing pigeons are subject to the normal controls on the manufacture, sale and supply of veterinary medicines. No product may be marketed in the United Kingdom other than in accordance with a marketing authorisation, issued following an assessment by the independent Veterinary Products Committee against the statutory scientific criteria of safety, quality and efficacy.

  The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has pursued reports of illegal sales in the UK to pigeon fanciers of veterinary medicines imported from the Community and will continue to follow up and further reports that may be received.

  I understand that the Belgian authorities are concerned about the misuse of veterinary medicines to enhance the performance of racing pigeons and are putting in place legislation to test birds for drug misuse. The Ministry has no evidence of pigeon fanciers in the UK misusing drugs on their birds in order to enhance their performance.

  If the hon. Member has a specific concern, I will be happy to look into it if he could write to me with the details.

  Departmental Buildings, Clwyd
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has undertaken of the safety of the site, grounds and infrastructure of his Department's former buildings at Rhydymwyn, Clwyd. [41243]

  Mr. Boswell
  Dames and Moore, environmental consultants commissioned by Drivers Jonas, acting on behalf of my Department, produced an environmental assessment of the Valley factory site at Rhydymwyn in May 1994. This is under consideration. There is no danger to local residents so long as they do not trespass on the site.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to publish proposals for the use of his Department's former buildings at Rhydymwyn, Clwyd. [41240]

  Mr. Boswell
  A report jointly commissioned by my Department, the Welsh Development Agency and Delyn borough council on the remediation of the site is expected by the summer of 1996. Proposals will be published as soon as agreement with those with a direct interest in the site has been reached.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions his Department has had with the National Rivers Authority regarding toxic
  687
  waste entering the watercourse at Rhydymwyn, Clwyd, from his Department's former buildings on site. [41241]

  Mr. Boswell
  Representatives from the National Rivers Authority were present at a meeting between Ministry officials and Delyn borough council in March 1995 to discuss the site. The NRA has been given the results of the environmental consultants' investigations. I understand that the NRA has a monitoring point on the site which has been in place for some years. However, the NRA has not indicated to the Ministry that it is concerned about water quality within the watercourse.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Development Agency regarding the future use of his Department's factory at Rhydymwyn, Clwyd. [41242]

  Mr. Boswell
  Officials from my Department have met the Welsh Development Agency on two occasions. My Department continues to work closely with both WDA and Delyn borough council with a view to reaching agreement on the future of the site.

  Cheese
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish for England and for the United Kingdom the total volume of cheese production in tonnes and in pounds sterling at constant 1995 prices for each of the last three years. [41464]

  Mrs. Browning
  The total volume of cheese production in the United Kingdom for the years in question was as follows.

  Year

  Production 000 tonnes

  1992

  327

  1993

  333

  1994

  331

  Production statistics for England alone are not available. We do not routinely monitor the monetary value of UK cheese production.

  Training Courses, North-west
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the institutions in the north-west offering(a) agricultural and (b) horticultural training; and if he will make a statement on the nature of the courses; and if he will list the number of places offered and the number of vacancies. [41493]

  Mr. Boswell
  In the north-west of England, Myerscough college, Preston, and Newton Rigg college, Penrith, offer a variety of agricultural and horticultural courses leading to the attainment of degrees, diplomas, certificates and national vocational qualifications. A full list and details of the courses, including places offered and vacancies, can be obtained from the colleges themselves. Alternatively, the "Directory of Courses in Land-Based Industries", published by the farming press, contains comprehensive information on all full-time and sandwich courses currently available in the land-based industries.
  688
  Details of training courses and providers can be obtained from the Industry Training Organisation for Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture, ATB-Landbase Limited, based at the National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG, telephone 01203 696996.

  Microbiological Food Safety
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into E. coli 0157 bacteria in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [41638]

  Mrs. Browning
  The Department is supporting, and will continue to support, research on this important food poisoning organism, including the detection of the organism and conditions leading to its growth, survival and death in foods. In addition, research is also directed at gaining a greater understanding of the incidence of the organism in cattle and its carriage into the food chain.

  In formulating future research priorities in this area, the Department will take account of the recommendations for research on this organism identified by the independent advisory committee on the microbiological safety of food in its report published in June of this year. In producing the report, the advisory committee evaluated all the scientific information on this organism which was currently available. Officials will continue to assess new developments in this area in conjunction with colleagues in the Department of Health.

  Coastal Protection
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the projects, their location and cost funded last year and the year before from his budget on coastal protection. [41691]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible for flood and coastal defence policy in England. The Ministry administers the Coast Protection Act 1949 and provides financial assistance for approved capital works, and studies, undertaken by coast protection authorities to protect land from erosion and encroachment by the sea. A list of the schemes approved for grant aid and supplementary credit approval to enable authorities to borrow to cover the residual costs in the 1993–94 and 1994–95 financial years is as follows:

  Coast protection schemes approved in 1993–94

  Local authority

  Scheme

  Estimated eligible cost (£000)

  Restormel B.C.

  Towan Beach, Newquay

  167

  Kerrier D.C.

  Porthleven Phase 8

  325

  Penwith D.C.

  Chyandour to Long Rock, Penzance

  1,372

  Penwith D.C.

  Strategic Study-Lizard Point to Lands End

  85

  East Devon D.C.

  Emergency Works-Sidmouth

  545

  Poole B.C.

  Strategic Study-Poole

  80

  New Forest D.C.

  Emergency Works-Hurst Spit

  125

  New Forest D.C.

  Emergency Works-Calshot Spit

  27

  New Forest D.C.

  Barton on Sea Phase 4

  170

  Medina B.C.

  Emergency Works-Sea Wall near Cowes Castle

  16

  689

  Coast protection schemes approved in 1993–94

  Local authority

  Scheme

  Estimated eligible cost (£000)

  Gosport B.C.

  Preliminary Study-Lee on the Solent

  25

  Portsmouth C.C.

  Preliminary Study-Camber Quay

  12

  Portsmouth C.C.

  Ten Gun Battery

  33

  Havant B.C.

  Sandy Point, Hayling Island

  269

  Chichester D.C.

  Strategic Study-Pagham to Langstone

  210

  Arun D.C.

  Pagham Beach, Phase 2

  489

  Adur D.C.

  Preliminary Study-River Walk, Shoreham

  3

  Wealdon D.C.

  Preliminary Study-Birling Gap

  6

  Eastbourne B.C.

  Emergency Works-Langney Point and the Redoubt

  99

  Canterbury C.C.

  Beach Monitoring Programme-Canterbury Coastline

  60

  Canterbury C.C.

  Wave and Tide Measurement-Canterbury Coastline

  36

  Canterbury C.C.

  East Cliff, Herne Bay

  217

  Canterbury C.C.

  Swalecliffe

  119

  Canterbury C.C.

  Hampton Pier Avenue, Herne Bay

  623

  Canterbury C.C.

  Preliminary Study-Tankerton Bay

  185

  Tendring D.C.

  Clacton on Sea Phase la

  4,941

  North Norfolk D.C.

  Sheringham, Stage 1

  2,238

  Holderness B.C.

  Preliminary Study-Aldbrough

  3

  Holderness B.C.

  Preliminary Study-Cowden

  4

  Holderness B.C.

  Preliminary Study-Withernsea

  13

  Holderness B.C.

  Preliminary Study-Hornsea

  3

  Holderness B.C.

  Emergency Works-Withernsea

  1,191

  Scarborough B.C.

  Strategic Study-Scarborough

  10

  Easington D.C.

  Strategic Study for the Durham Coast

  17

  Sunderland B.C.

  Hendon Sea Wall

  697

  Berwick upon Tweed B.C.

  Preliminary Study-Spittal Point

  34

  Berwich upon Tweed B.C.

  Preliminary Study-Holy Island Road

  4

  Allerdale D.C.

  Preliminary Study-Silloth-Skinburness

  13

  Allerdale D.C.

  East Cote Groyne, Silloth

  81

  Barrow in Furness

  Earnse Bay, Walney Island

  788

  Lancaster C.C.

  Morcambe Phase 4

  4,580

  Eastleigh B.C.

  Preliminary Study-Hamble Common

  3

  Eastleigh B.C.

  Preliminary Study-Netley Cliff

  10

  Coast Protection Schemes approved in 1994–95.

  Local Authority

  Scheme

  Estimated Eligible Cost (£thousands)

  West Somerset D.C.

  Strategic Study—Hartland Point to Sand Bay

  23

  North Cornwall D.C.

  Trevone, Padstow

  79

  Restormel B.C.

  Beach Monitoring—Towan Beach, Newquay

  9

  Kerrier D.C.

  Breageside. Porthleven Helston

  114

  690

  Coast Protection Schemes approved in 1994–95.

  Local Authority

  Scheme

  Estimated Eligible Cost (£thousands)

  Caradon D.C.

  Emergency Works—Portwrinkle

  6

  South Hams D.C.

  Sedgewell Cove, Bigbury-on-Sea

  84

  East Devon D.C.

  Sidmouth phase 2

  6,664

  West Dorset D.C.

  Preliminary Study for Seaton, Lyme Bay

  15

  West Dorset D.C.

  Emergency Works—Ringstead

  9

  West Dorset D.C.

  Emergency Works—Charmouth

  3

  West Dorset D.C.

  Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth

  236

  Pool B.C.

  Emergency Works—Sandbanks Peninsula

  37

  Bournemouth B.C.

  Bournemouth

  56

  South Wight D.C.

  Eastern Esplanade Phase 1—Ventnor

  329

  South Wight D.C.

  Brambles Chine, Colwell Bay

  84

  South Wight D.C.

  Preliminary Study—Castle Haven, Niton

  22

  South Wight D.C.

  Horseshoe Bay, Bonchurch, Ventnor

  160

  South Wight D.C.

  Western Esplanade, Ventnor

  379

  Medina B.C.

  Egypt Point—Gurnard Bay

  835

  Chicester D.C.

  Park Copse, Selsey

  408

  Arun D.C.

  Kingston and Rustington

  294

  Arun D.C.

  Eastern Seawall, Bognor Regis

  93

  Arun D.C.

  Aldwick Groyne, Renovations phase 2

  62

  Arun D.C.

  Strategic Study

  141

  Arun D.C.

  Beachy Head—Selsey Bill

  145

  Adur D.C.

  Ropetackle River Wall, Shoreham-by-Sea

  344

  Lewes D.C.

  Emergency Works—Peacehaven Phase 1

  65

  Shepway D.C.

  Strategic Study-South foreland to Beachy Head

  80

  Shepway D.C.

  Hythe

  2,009

  Dover D.C.

  Deal and Kingsdown

  1,687

  Thanet D.C.

  St. Mildred's Bay, Westgate-on-Sea

  1,038

  Thanet D.C.

  Pegwell Cove to Western Undercliff

  625

  Canterbury C.C.

  Strategic Study—Isle of Grain to Dover Harbour

  105

  Tendring D.C.

  Strategic Study—Harwich to Canvey Island

  93

  Tendring D.C.

  East Terrace, Walton-on-the-Naze

  424

  Suffolk Coastal D.C.

  Strategic Study, Suffolk Coast

  67

  Great Yarmouth B.C.

  Emergency Works—Caister Sea Wall

  230

  Great Yarmouth B.C.

  Emergency Works—Caister

  170

  Great Yarmouth B.C.

  Rock Armour Fish-Tail Groynes at Caister

  677

  North Norfolk D.C.

  Overstrand

  1,676

  Holderness B.C.

  Withernsea Sea Wall, Refurbishment Phase 1

  1,860

  Holderness B.C.

  Emergency Works—Groynes At Withernsea

  114

  East Yorkshire B.C.

  Bridlington, Alexandra Promenade

  595

  Scarborough B.C.

  Emergency Works—Holbeck Cliff, South Bay

  1,881

  Berwick-upon-Tweed B.C.

  Emergency Works—Spittal Promenade

  26

  691

  Coast Protection Schemes approved in 1994–95.

  Local Authority

  Scheme

  Estimated Eligible Cost (£thousands)

  Copeland B.C.

  Preliminary Study for Selker Bay to Tarn Bay

  10

  Lancaster C.C.

  Preliminary Study for Sunderland Point

  5

  Blackpool B.C.

  Emergency Works—Red Bank

  24

  Isles of Scilly Council

  Bryher

  685

  Isles of Scilly Council

  Preliminary Study for the Isles

  20

  Isles of Scilly Council

  Porth Cressa, Hugh Town St. Mary's

  966

  Notes:

  1. C.C.-City council.

  2. B.C.-Borough council.

  3. D.C.-District council.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [41537]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 6 November 1995, Official Report, column 490.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [41557]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: Examples of regulations which are expected to be brought forward for repeal this year include a series of national measures relating to food composition and food additives and contaminants.

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

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [41538]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: My Department has laid two draft deregulation proposals to date, removing certain burdens under the Corn Returns Act 1882 and in relation to slaughterhouses. No estimate has been made of the likely savings to the Exchequer as a result of these proposed orders, but they are likely to be small.

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

  Cash Limits
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foot what changes are proposed in his Department's cash limits for 1995–96.[40630]

  Mr.Dougles Hogg
  [pursuant to his reply,27 October 1995,c. 828–29]: I should like to add that the running costs limit for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will increase by £5,278,000,from £329,416,000 to £334,694,000.

FORIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications his Department has had from the World court project since June on the action started on 30 October at the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the legality of nuclear weapons. [41471]

  Mr. David Davis
  The World court project United Kingdom wrote to us on 26 September 1995. A reply was sent.

  Argentina
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are to return the British Council library to Buenos Aires. [41644]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The British Council has never had its own library in Argentina. The library in Buenos Aires belonged to the Buenos Aires Cultura—Anglo—Argentine cultural association. That still exists but is no longer co-located with the Council. The British Council continues to work closely with the Culturas throughout Argentina to meet the needs for books in English.

  Northern Cyprus
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with whom he has discussed the education facilities for young people over the age of 16 years who live in the Karpas area of occupied northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement on what facilities and regulations apply to such youngsters who are seeking further and high education. [41854]

  Mr. David Davis
  The high commission and British Council office in Nicosia maintain regular contact with the Cypriot education authorities. In the Karpas area, there is a middle school in the town of Galacia, and high schools in the towns of Trikomo and Yialousa. There is also a vocational high school covering the Karpas area. There are four universities in northern Cyprus, with a total enrolment of around 13,000.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the number of children under the age of 18 years who are now living in the Karpas area of occupied northern Cyprus. [41855]

  Mr. Davis
  We have no information on this subject. There has been no census in northern Cyprus since 1992, and detailed census figures are not made publicly available.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list, with dates of implementation, all European and international action and agreements to which the United Kingdom Government are party, that have been taken against the Nigerian military regime. [41338]

  Mr. Hanley
  In response to the annulment of the presidential elections in 1993, and the subsequent return to power of the military government, we and our European partners introduced a series of measures against the Nigerian military. The details of those measures were set out in an answer to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) on 2 December 1993,Official Report, column 680.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the dates and content of meetings that Her Majesty's Government have had with representatives of the Nigerian military regime since 17 November 1993. [41351]

  Mr. Hanley
  There have been no meetings between British Ministers and members of the Nigerian military regime in either Britain or Nigeria since the European Union adopted its measures in December 1993. There has been occasional contact in the margins of international meetings in third countries. Contact has been maintained at official level in furtherance of British policy towards Nigeria.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Nigeria's military regime including details of the policy towards arms sales to the regime and its relation to European Union agreements. [41352]

  Mr. Hanley
  We continue to press for an early return to democratic civilian rule and a restoration of full human rights in Nigeria. In line with EU measures agreed with our partners against the Nigerian military in December 1993, all applications for new licences for the export of defence equipment to Nigeria have been reviewed case by case, with the presumption of denial. We are keeping these measures under review in the light of progress towards civilian democratic rule.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Nigeria concerning the death penalty ordered against Ken Saro-Wiwa and others; and if he will make a statement. [42002]

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will make representations to the Government of Nigeria about the death sentence imposed on Ken Saro-Wiwa. [41465]

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 1 November,Official Report, column 266.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact he has had with the United Kingdom embassy in Lagos concerning the safety of Abdul Onibiyo following his recent deportation from the United Kingdom. [42004]
  694
  Mr. Hanley
  Her Majesty's high commission in Lagos has had no contact with Mr. Onibiyo since his removal from the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have been held by Her Majesty's ambassador in Lagos to discuss human rights; and if he will make a statement. [42001]

  Mr. Hanley
  Her Majesty's high commissioner in Lagos has regular meetings with representatives of non-governmental human rights organisations. Human rights issues are also raised regularly with the Nigerian authorities and discussed at meetings of European Union heads of mission in Lagos.

  Burundi
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received about a massacre of Hutus near Ngozi in Burundi; and what representations his Government have made to the Government of Burundi. [41998]

  Mr. Hanley
  The UN secretariat has reported to the Security Council that a number of people have been killed in recent operations involving guerilla forces and the Burundi army, including 50 deaths at Ngozi. Together with our partners in the EU, we continue to give our strong backing to the efforts of the UN and OAU to assist the moderate and broad-based government, and bring an end to the inter-ethnic violence in Burundi.

  Sudan
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to influence the Government of the Sudan to prevent the persecution of Christians and Animists in southern Sudan. [41634]

  Mr. Hanley
  We continue to express our concerns about the human rights situation in Sudan to the Sudanese Government, bilaterally, with EU partners, and through the United Nations. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary raised the subject with the Sudanese ambassador on 13 September, as I did on 2 August.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41740]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including the Overseas Development Administration, has not yet approved any schemes under the private finance initiative. All new capital spend is considered under the PFI, including spending on home and overseas estate, information technology and other technical equipment.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons in the Secret Intelligence Service and at GCHQ are on the public
  695
  payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or a full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry, and how much each is paid. [42051]

  Mr. Hanley
  There are no staff in the Secret Intelligence Service or at GCHQ wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry. It is not possible to identify the number of people involved on a part-time or occasional basis within the Department or as external consultants or advisers, nor is it our practice to comment on financial matters relating to the security and intelligence agencies or to name their staff or external advisers.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons in his Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list them; and how much each is paid. [42049]

  Mr. Hanley
  The number of Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry is three and their annual salary cost is £74,539, at 1994–95 rates. It is not possible to identify the number of people involved on a part-time or occasional basis within the Department or as external consultants or advisers, but the amount so far spent by this Department on external advice is £318,165.46. It is not the practice to name staff or external advisers.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42052]

  Mr. Hanley
  Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his Department relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42050]

  Mr. Hanley
  Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

  Harjit Singh
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his officers last contacted the Indian authorities concerning the progress of the court case into the disappearance of Harjit Singh; and what was the outcome of their representations. [42098]

  Mr. Hanley
  We remain in touch with the Indian authorities about the case of Harjit Singh. The final court hearing was held on 29 August. Judgment is now awaited.

  Bankruptcy
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many petitions for bankruptcy have been begun by his Department for 696
  businesses with under 500 employees in each of the last five years. [40524]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: None.

  Annual Remuneration
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the number of individuals in his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non departmental public bodies whose annual remuneration including benefits in kind exceeded (i) £100,000, (ii) £200,000, (iii) £300,000 in (1) 1985–86, (2) 1990–91, (3) 1992–93, (4) 1994–95 and (5) 1995–96. [40808]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Other than pension contributions, benefits in kind are not normally paid to staff in the Department, agencies and NDPBs. As members of the principal civil service pensions scheme, staff receive benefits in accordance with the scheme rules, which have been deposited in the Library of the House. The number receiving annual remuneration above the sums specified, excluding pension benefits in the years in question, were:

  1985–86

  1990–91

  1992–93

  1994–95

  1995–96

  (i)

  none

  none

  1

  1

  1

  (ii)

  none

  none

  none

  none

  none

  (iii)

  none

  none

  none

  none

  none

  Salaries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the(a) the lowest and (b) the 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. [40809]

  Mr. Hanley
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: It is the Government's normal policy to publish civil servants' salaries in bands. Accordingly, the lowest full-time salary for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office fell within the band:

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  The lowest full-time salary fell within the band

  7,000–12,000

  7,000–12,000

  The highest full-time salary fell within the band

  106,000–111,000

  110,000–115,000

  At the agency Wilton Park, the lowest full-time salary fell within the band

  7,000–12,000

  7,000–12,000

  At the agency Wilton Park, the highest full-time salary fell within the band

  39,000–44,000

  39,000–44,000

  For Non-Departmental Public Bodies, the lowest full-time salary fell within the band

  7,000–10,000

  7,000–10,000

  697

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  For Non-Departmental Public Bodies, the highest full-time salary fell within the band

  85,000–89,999

  90,000–94,999

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral answer of the Attorney-General of 30 October,Official Report, column 12, relating to decisions of the European

  Judgements in cases before the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights in which United Kingdom Departments have participated since 16 October 1993

  European Court of Justice

  Date of ECJ Judgement

  Reference

  Case description

  Cost to UK Public Funds (excluding the cost of Government counsel)

  20 October 1993

  C92/92

  Colins v. Imrat Handelsgesellschaft

  None

  27 October 1993

  C338/91

  Mme H Steenhorst-Neerings v. Bestuur van de Bedrijfsver eniging voor Detailhandel Ambachten en Huisvrouwen

  None

  27 October 1993

  C337/91

  Mme A M van Gemert-Derks v. Bestuur van de Nieuwe Industriele Bedrijfsverenigine

  None

  27 October 1993

  C93/91

  Evrard

  None

  27 October 1993

  C69/91

  Decoster

  None

  27 October 1993

  C92/91

  Taillandier

  None

  27 October 1993

  CI 27/92

  Enderby v. Frenchay Health Authority

  None1

  10 November 1993

  C48/91

  Kingdom of the Netherlands v. Commission of the European Communities

  None

  10 November 1993

  C60/92

  Otto v. Postbank

  None

  17 November 1993

  C2/91

  Meng

  None

  17 November 1993

  C185/91

  Reiff

  None

  17 November 1993

  C245/91

  Ohra

  None

  29 November 1993

  C132/92

  Birds Eye Walls Ltd. v. Friedal M. Roberts

  None

  30 November 1993

  C317/91

  Renault v. Audi

  None

  14 December 1993

  C110/91

  M. Moroni v. Firma Collo GMBH

  None

  15 December 1993

  C116/92

  Huyton and others

  None

  15 December 1993

  C63/92 and C33/93

  Lubbock Fine and Co. v. Commissioners of Customs and Excise/Empire Stores v. Commissioners of Customs and Excise. (Date of judgment 2 June 1994)

  Costs directly attributable to these two cases are estimated at between £500,000 and £1 million. In both cases, as a result of ECJ judgments, there will have been a marginal reuction in the overall estimated future revenue yield.

  16 December 1993

  C275/92

  Schindler

  None

  22 December 1993

  C152/91

  David Neath v. Hugh Steeper Ltd.

  None

  19 January 1994

  C364/92

  Eurocontrol

  None

  25 January 1994

  C212/91

  Angelopharm GmbH v. Freie und Hanses Tadt Hamburg

  None

  27 January 1994

  C287/92

  Alison Mainland Toosey v. Chief Adjudication Officer

  None

  23 February 1994

  C236/92

  Comitato di coordinamento per la Difesa della Cava and others v. Regione Lombardia and OthersNone

  24 February 1994

  C368/92

  Administration des Duanes v. Solange Chiffre

  None

  24 March 1994

  T3/93

  Air France v. Commission

  None

  24 March 1994

  C80/92

  Commission v. Belgium

  None

  13 April 1994

  C128/92

  H. J. Banks and Co. v. British Coal Corporation

  None

  24 April 1994

  C2/92

  The Queen v. the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, ex parte Dennis Clifford Bostock

  None

  24 April 1994

  C40/92

  Commission v. United Kingdom (supervision of Milk Marketing Boards)

  None

  5 May 1994

  C21/92

  Marlies and Heinz Bernd Kamp v. Hauptzollamt Wuppertal

  None

  5 May 1994

  C421/92

  Habermann Beltermann v. Arbeiterwohlfahrt Bezirksuerband

  None

  698
  Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and if he will further indicate the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41207]

  Mr. David Davis
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: The table contains a list of the judgments in cases before the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights in which UK Departments have participated since 16 October 1993. The UK has also gained from ECJ decisions, or the threat of court action in cases involving other member states, such as the penalties incurred by the Italian and Spanish Governments for breaching the EC milk quota regulations.
  699

  Judgements in cases before the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights in which United Kingdom Departments have participated since 16 October 1993

  European Court of Justice

  Date of ECJ Judgement

  Reference

  Case description

  Cost to UK Public Funds (excluding the cost of Government counsel)

  5 May 1994

  C38/93

  H. J. Glawe Spiel und Unterhaltungsgerate Aufstellungsgesellschaft mbH and Co. KG v. Finanzamt Hamburg-Barmbeck-Uhlenhorst

  None

  19 May 1994

  T2/93

  Air France v. Commission

  None

  2 June 1994

  C313/92

  Van Swieten

  None

  2 June 1994

  C401 & 402/92

  Criminal proceedings against tankstation't heukske vof and j.b.E Boermans

  None

  2 June 1994

  C69 & 258/93

  Punta Casa

  None

  2 June 1994

  C356/93

  Techmada Internationale Medizinisch-Technische Marketing und Handels GMBH and Co. KG V. Oberfinanzdirektion Koeln

  None

  9 June 1994

  C153/93

  Delta Schiffahrts

  None

  22 June 1994

  C9/93

  Ideal Standard

  None

  3 July 1994

  C432/92

  The Queen v. the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, ex parte S.P. Anastasio (Pissouri) Ltd. and others

  £179,000

  7 July 1994

  C420/92

  Elizabeth Bramhill v. Chief Adjourdication Officer

  None

  14 July 1994

  C91/92

  Dori v. Recreb

  None

  14 July 1994

  C32/93

  Webb v. Emo Air Cargo

  None1

  9 August 1994

  C43/93

  Raymond Vander Elst v. Office des Migrations Internationals

  None at present

  9 August 1994

  C396/92

  Bund Naturschutz in bayern e V Richard Stahnsdorf and Others v. Freistaat Bayern

  None

  15 September 1994

  C293/93

  Houtwipper

  None

  28 September 1994

  C128/93

  Madame G.C. Fisscher v. 1 Voorhuis Hengelo BV and 2. Stichting Bedrijfspensioenfonds

  Eventual capital cost of up to £15 million. Figure represents estimated maximum likely capital costs of judgements for public service pension schemes

  28 September 1994

  C28/93

  Van den Akker v. Shell

  None

  28 September 1994

  C57/93

  Mme A. A. Vroeg v. 1 NCIV Institut voor Volkshuisvesting BV and 2. Pensioenfonds NCIV

  Included in C128/93 (Fisscher)

  28 September 1994

  C200/91

  Coloroll Pension Scheme Trustees Ltd. v. Russell and others

  None

  28 September 1994

  C408/92

  Constance Christina Ellen Smith and others v. Avdel Systems Ltd.

  None

  28 September 1994

  C7/93

  Bestuur van het Alegmeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds Pensions v. G.A. Beune

  None

  5 October 94

  C280/93

  Federal Republic of Germany v. Council of the European Union

  None

  5 October 94

  C96/94

  Centro Servizi Spediporto

  None

  5 October 94

  C165/91

  S.J.M van Munster v. Rijksdienst Voor Pensioenen

  None

  15 November 1994

  Opinion 1/94

  World Trade Organisation

  None

  6 December 1994

  C410/92

  Elsie Rita Johnson v. Chief Adjudication Officer

  None

  15 December 1994

  C399/92

  Helmig v. Stadt Lengerich

  None

  15 December 1994

  C409/92

  Schmidt v. Deutsche angestellten-krankenkasse

  None

  15 December 1994

  C425/92

  Herzog v. Arbeiter-samariter-bund landverband hamburg

  None

  15 December 1994

  C34/93

  Lange v. bundesknappschaft bochum

  None

  15 December 1994

  C50/93

  Kussfeld v. Firma detlef bogdol gmbh

  None

  15 December 1994

  C78/93

  Ludvig v. Kreis Segeberg

  None

  14 February 1995

  C279/93

  Finanzamt Koln-Altstadt v. Roland Schumackers

  None

  16 February 1995

  C425/93

  Firma Calle Grenzshop Andresen GmbH and Co. KG v. Allegmeine Ortskranken-kasse fur den Kreis Schleswig-FlensburgNone

  23 February 1995

  C358/93 and 416/93

  (Joined Cases) Criminal proceedings against Aldo Bordessa, Vicente Mari Mellado and Concepcion Barbero Maestre v. Audiencia Nacional Spain

  None

  24 March 1995

  Opinion 2/92

  OECD National Treatment Instrument

  None

  700

  701

  Judgements in cases before the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights in which United Kingdom Departments have participated since 16 October 1993

  European Court of Justice

  Date of ECJ Judgement

  Reference

  Case description

  Cost to UK Public Funds (excluding the cost of Government counsel)

  28 March 1995

  C324/93

  R v. Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Evans Medical Ltd., intervener: Generics (UK) Ltd. None at present

  30 March 1995

  C65/93

  European Parliament v. Council of the European Union

  None

  5 April 1995

  C103/94

  Zoulika Krid v. Caisse National D'Assurance Vieillesse des travailleurs Salaries

  None

  6 April 1995

  C4/94

  BLP Group plc v. Commissioners of Customs and Excise

  None

  10 May 1995

  C384/93

  Alpine Investments

  None

  31 May 1995

  C400/93

  Specialarbejderforbundet 1 Danmark v. Industri

  None

  9 June 1995

  C394/92

  Michielsen

  None

  13 July 1995

  C116/94

  Jennifer Meyers v. Adjudication Officer

  Not yet known. Case referred back to Social Security Commissioner. Costs will depend on his decision

  11 August 1995

  C92/94

  1. Secretary of State for Social Security 2. Chief Adjudication Officer v. Mrs. Rose Graham and others

  None

  5 October 1995

  C440/93

  Regina v. Licensing Authority of the Department of Health and Norgine. Ex parte: Scotia Pharmaceuticals Ltd. None

  12 October 1995

  C85/94

  V.Z.W.P.IA.G.E.M.E and others v. B.V.B.A. Peeters

  None

  19 October 1995

  C137/94

  Richardson

  £44 million per annum, plus a cost of £11 million for respective claims going back 3 months.

  1 For these cases the annual costs to public funds will depend on how many public sector employeer now succeed in sex discrimination or equal pay claims which would, before the decision of the court, have failed. Government lawyers estimate that any such costs should be very low.

  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by the Attorney General on 30 October, Official Report, column 12–14. This answer included nine cases concerning the 1968 Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgments in which the UK chose to submit written observations. In none of these cases was the UK a party and there was therefore no question of paying legal costs to another party, or compensation.

  European Court of Human Rights

  Date of ECHR judgment

  Case description

  Cost to UK public Funds (excluding Government counsel)£

  26 October 1993

  Darnell

  8,207.40

  23 February 1994

  Stanford

  None

  18 July 1994

  Wynne

  55.23

  21 September 1994

  Al Fayed

  None

  28 October 1994

  Murray

  None

  28 October 1994

  Boner and Maxwell

  14,373

  9 February 1995

  Welsh

  15,010.33

  24 February 1995

  McMichael

  8,000

  5 May 1995

  Air Canada

  None

  13 July 1995

  Tolstoy

  91,516.94

  27 September 1995

  McCann

  To be determined

  I do not yet have complete information on the following ECJ cases:

  Case number

  Case reference

  C109/92

  Max Wirth

  C392/92

  Schmidt

  C382/92

  Commission v. United Kingdom

  C383/92

  Commission v. United Kingdom

  C28/92

  Maria Belleke

  702

  Case number

  Case reference

  C458/93

  Saddilk

  C434/93

  Bozkurt

  Ministers in the Departments responsible for these cases will write to the hon. Gentleman shortly.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Greenbury Report
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's response to the recommendations addressed to them in the report by the study group on directors' remuneration chaired by Sir Richard Greenbury. [42094]

  Mr. Lang
  The study group on directors' remuneration chaired by Sir Richard Greenbury published its report on 17 July. In an oral statement to the House that day,Official Report, columns 1311–12, I set out the Government's initial response, welcoming the group's work and the emphasis placed by its report on the need for pay to be justified by performance. The support which the report has commanded since its publication, and the

  703
  fact that those to whom the report is addressed have already begun to act upon its recommendations, are further confirmation both of the value of the group's work and of the effectiveness of the self-regulatory approach that it promotes.

  In the short time since the recommendations were published, it has become clear that the Greenbury report will do much to improve accountability and communication with shareholders, and to foster best practice in setting executive remuneration.

  The Government welcome the stock exchange's agreement to enforce the Greenbury recommendations through its listing rules, which are binding on listed companies. Since publication of the report, the stock exchange has consulted on the wording of amendments to its listing rules designed to give effect to recommendations contained in the Greenbury report relating to the determination and disclosure of executive directors' remuneration and the explanation of company policy on executive remuneration. The stock exchange has now issued amended listing rules, which will come into effect for reporting periods ending on or after 31 December 1995. It is undertaking further consultation on incorporating other aspects of the Greenbury recommendations into its rules.

  The Greenbury recommendations are primarily addressed to listed companies whose shares are traded widely, and the decision of the stock exchange to amend the listing rules is therefore an appropriate way forward. The Government do not propose to duplicate these requirements in legislation, but will seek to ensure that the legislation relating to disclosure of directors' remuneration is consistent with the Greenbury recommendations as implemented through the listing rules. In particular, the Government accept the recommendation that the Companies Act 1985 should be amended to remove overlap with the group's recommendations for full disclosure of directors' remuneration. We also note the conclusions reached by the Greenbury group on the disclosure of pension entitlements, and the recommendation that the information which companies supply on directors' pension entitlements should reflect the value of the pension entitlements to the director, rather than the pension contributions made by the company. We accept the recommendation that the Government should review the Companies Act requirements for disclosure of information on directors' pensions once the technical issues raised by the Greenbury recommendation have been resolved and companies are able to make the new form of disclosure.

  We will undertake public consultation on detailed proposals for amending the Companies Act by statutory instrument, which will take account of these two specific recommendations and more generally will ensure consistency of approach between the Companies Act requirements and the Greenbury recommendations.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced his intention to make amendments to the rules on the taxation of executive share options in the next Finance Bill.

  The Government welcome the emphasis which the Greenbury report places on accountability to shareholders. We recognise the need to ensure that both institutional
  704
  investors and private shareholders can continue to play their part in the affairs of the companies in which they invest. A company's annual general meeting provides a focus for shareholder involvement, particularly for private shareholders. Recent events have demonstrated the importance which shareholders rightly attach to the opportunity offered by the annual general meeting to express their views and to debate issues of general concern to the company. This is a matter to which the Employment Select Committee drew particular attention in its recent report on the remuneration of directors and chief executives of privatised utilities. The committee recommended that the Companies Act should be amended to require shareholders' resolutions, where they are supported by a sufficient number of shareholders and are limited in length, to be circulated by the company to all shareholders without cost. The Government will next year be seeking views on the existing statutory rules under which shareholders may table resolutions for discussion at general meetings, and whether any amendments are necessary in order to ensure that the arrangements work effectively without imposing undue burdens either on the company or on its shareholders.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the arrangements for providing Export Credits Guarantee Department support to Jordan. [42228]

  Mr. Lang
  I have been advised by the Export Credits Guarantee Department's accounting officer that, in his view, the risks involved in giving medium-term guarantees for exports to, and investments in, Jordan under sections 1(1) and 2 of the Export and Investment Guarantees Act 1991 do not meet ECGD's normal underwriting criteria.

  However, in view of the importance which the Government attach to assisting the economic development of Jordan, given its key role in the middle east peace process, I have instructed him to make arrangements for such guarantees to be issued in support of commercially viable projects which will benefit Jordan's economy. These guarantees will be excluded from ECGD's break-even objective for new business.

  European Space Agency Council
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the outcome of the recent European Space Agency ministerial Council at Toulouse. [42229]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I attended the meeting at ministerial level of the European Space Agency Council in Toulouse on 19 October. Important decisions were taken which will reinforce ESA's contribution to the UK's industrial and scientific goals for space and to European space collaboration generally. My ministerial colleagues and I agreed unanimously to set a level for the ESA science programme capped at 347 million ESA accounting units a year for 1996–2000, except to the extent that inflation exceeds 3 per cent.—that is, some 15 per cent. below earlier proposals. This decision was vital to allow the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council to devote adequate resources to domestic scientific activity
  705
  which exploits the opportunities provided by the ESA programme. We endorsed the introduction of reforms to ESA's procurement practices and to internal management and structures, including a 12 per cent. staff reduction, which will significantly improve the agency's value for money and contribution to industrial competitiveness. We further agreed to develop and bring forward proposals in a year's time on industrial policy, including reforms to the agency's system of geographical industrial return. The ecu was adopted as ESA's unit of account, for both national contributions and contracts with industry, a change which also brings about the end of the system of retroactive exchange rate adjustments to member states' contributions. Agreement was reached on the European contribution to the international space station, in which the UK does not participate, and on the Ariane complementary programmes for which I indicated political support. A further formal ministerial meeting was envisaged to take space in Belgium in 1998, together with an informal meeting at the end of next year.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41747]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Private finance was used in the refurbishment of the DTI's premises at 1 Victoria street and the relocation of the Radiocommunications Agency to South Quay 3 in docklands. These projects were valued at £68 million and £5.5 million respectively and were completed in the current financial year. Commercial rents will be paid in respect of the buildings. No further projects have yet been approved under PFI but all DTI projects are now considered under the initiative and likely proposals have been identified.

  Export Licences
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the practice not to disclose details of export licences has precluded providing information on the country of origin and destination of goods which are the subject of trans-shipment licences on every occasion that applications for such information has been made in 1993. [42018]

  Mr. Nelson
  To ascertain whether the practice precluded the provision of such information in 1993 would involve disproportionate cost. I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to her on 1 November 1995,Official Report, column 354–35.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if export licences have been applied for or granted for the export of logging trucks to Jakarta, Indonesia, in the past five years. [42017]

  Mr. Nelson
  None in the period 1990 to 1995. Examination of manual records for earlier years would entail disproportionate costs.

  Electronic Batons (Exports)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the countries of origin and the destinations of the electronic batons which were covered by transhipment licences issued in(a) 1985, (b) 1986, (c) 1987, (d) 1988, (e) 1989 and (f) 1990. [40650]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  No transhipment licenses for such goods were issued in 1989 or 1990. To confirm the position in respect of the earlier years could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his Department and the Export Credits Guarantee Department relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42054]

  Mr. Nelson
  Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

  Westcountry Development Corporation
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consideration the Government have given to the Westcountry development corporation's Coopers and Lybrand report about public sector funding of the south-west; and what action it intends to take in response. [41646]

  Mr. Page
  The Prime Minister commissioned the regional director of the Government office for the south-west to evaluate the claims made in the Coopers and Lybrand report and to report back. That report is with Ministers. My hon. Friend the Minister for Trade and the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration are meeting Westcountry development corporation on 5 December to discuss the report. The findings of the report will be made public soon after.

  Gas-powered Domestic Water Heaters
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people have died or been injured by accidents due to a fault in gas-powered domestic water heaters in each of the past four years. [41668]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The estimated numbers of people receiving treatment at accident and emergency units in the United Kingdom, for injuries from faults in gas-powered water heaters, are presented in the table. The corresponding numbers for fatalities in England and Wales are also given. However the figure for 1993, normally provided by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, is not available.

  Data year

  Non-fatal accidents (UK)

  Fatalities (England and Wales)

  1990

  56

  0

  1991

  114

  1

  1992

  88

  2

  1993

  50

  0

  Nuclear Material (Road Transport)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the Association of Chief Police Officers about escorting nuclear material by road. [41618]

  Mr. Page
  None. The escort of nuclear materials is carried out, where necessary, by the UK Atomic Energy Authority constabulary, with whom the appropriate arrangements are in place. These include provision for notification of local Home Office and Scottish Office police forces, where appropriate.

  GIAT of France
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what contact there has been between Ministers or civil servants and Royal Ordnance or BAe regarding the setting up of a joint company or other arrangement involving GIAT of France; and if he will make a statement. [41636]

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department has regular contact with British Aerospace about collaborative opportunities, including possible arrangements between Royal Ordnance and GIAT. These discussions are commercially confidential.

  British American Business Groups
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total number of British-American business groups in the United Kingdom with whom his Department is in contact; and if he will make a statement. [41860]

  Mr. Nelson
  My Department has regular contact with a number of associations in the United Kingdom interested in promoting trade with the USA, including the British-American chamber of commerce in London and the British-American business groups in the north-west and in Bristol.

  Consultancy Brokerage Service
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade with what he intends to replace the Consultancy Brokerage Service; and at what cost to public funds. [42005]

  Mr. Page
  The Consultancy Brokerage Service will not be replaced by any centrally driven initiative.

  My Department will, however, be working with business links to ensure that they each have in place an acceptable approach to consultant selection. The Department would not rule out a modest contribution to the development of that work but no applications for support have been agreed nor have any funds been allocated.

  Manufacturing Labour Costs
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the manufacturing labour costs per hour in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) each EU country for which equivalent figures are available, (c) the USA, (d) Canada and (e) Japan at the latest available date. [41871]
  708
  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information is provided in the table.

  International comparisons of hourly compensation costs in US Dollars for production workers in manufacturing, 1994

  Country

  Hourly compensation costs in US Dollars

  United Kingdom

  13.62

  Germany

  27.31

  Belgium

  22.97

  Austria

  21.73

  Netherlands

  20.91

  Denmark

  20.44

  Finland

  18.89

  Sweden

  18.81

  France

  17.04

  Italy

  16.16

  Spain

  11.45

  Portugal

  4.57

  Canada

  15.68

  USA

  17.10

  Japan

  21.42

  Source:

  "International Comparisons of Hourly Compensation Costs for production Workers in Manufacturing, 1994. Supplementary tables".

  "US Department of Labour—Bureau of Labour Statistics.

  World Trade (Shares)
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the share of world trade held by each of the 20 countries in the world that had the largest shares of world trade in 1979; and if he will provide the equivalent information for the most recent year for which figures are available. [41870]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The answer is in the following table:

  Shares of world visible exports—20 largest exporters 1979 and 1994

  Rank

  Country

  Per cent, share

  1979

  1

  USA

  11.9

  2

  F R Germany

  11.3

  3

  Japan

  6.7

  4

  France

  6.6

  5

  UK

  5.7

  6

  Italy

  4.7

  7

  Netherlands

  4.2

  8

  Saudi Arabia

  3.8

  9

  Canada

  3.8

  10

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  3.7

  11

  Sweden

  1.8

  12

  Switzerland

  1.7

  13

  USSR

  1.7

  14

  Iraq

  1.3

  15

  Kuwait

  1.2

  16

  Iran

  1.2

  17

  South Africa

  1.2

  18

  Spain

  1.2

  19

  Nigeria

  1.1

  20

  Libya

  1.1

  1994

  1

  USA

  12.2

  2

  Germany

  10.0

  3

  Japan

  9.4

  4

  France

  5.7

  5

  UK

  4.9

  6

  Italy

  4.5

  7

  Canada

  3.9

  8

  Hong Kong1

  3.6

  709

  Shares of world visible exports—20 largest exporters 1979 and 1994

  Rank

  Country

  Per cent, share

  9

  Netherlands

  3.2

  10

  China

  2.9

  11

  Belgium/Luxembourg

  2.6

  12

  Singapore1

  2.3

  13

  Korea

  2.3

  14

  Taiwan

  2.2

  15

  Spain

  1.8

  16

  Switzerland

  1.7

  17

  Russia

  1.5

  18

  Sweden

  1.5

  19

  Malaysia

  1.4

  20

  Mexico

  1.4

  Note:

  1 Includes significant re-exports.

  Source:

  IMF Direction of Trade.

  Artillery Shells
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the number and value of 155 mm shells and cartridges produced for export by the United Kingdom in each of the years 1980 and 1990; and to which countries these items were exported. [42063]

  Mr. Nelson
  This is a matter for my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, and I refer the hon. Member to his answer of today.

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the reply of the Attorney-General of 30 October,Official Report, column 12 relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and if he will further indicate the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41206]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him today by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member for Boothferry (Mr. Davis).

  BCCI
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met the liquidators of BCCI to discuss progress with the liquidation. [41288]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: My officials last met the joint liquidators on 31 March 1995.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many creditors reports have been published by the liquidators of BCCI. [41289]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: Three annual reports to the Secretary of State made under regulation 14 of the Insolvency Regulations 1994 have been made available to the creditors of BCCI. In addition, the joint liquidators have reported to the creditors on specific issues as they have arisen in the liquidation.
  710
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outstanding settlement issues in the BCCI liquidation. [41290]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: No. These are matters for the joint liquidators.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much creditors' money is currently held by the liquidators of BCCI. [41291]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The joint liquidators are holding funds of £415 million. Additional sums have been recovered and are held in pool realisation accounts on behalf of the pooled liquidation. Sums held in these accounts currently amount to $694 million.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money has been recovered by the liquidators of BCCI since the liquidation commenced. [41292]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The joint liquidators had recovered £694 million since their appointment. In addition, $694 million has been recovered directly into pooled realisation accounts by the liquidators of the pooled liquidation.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much money has been received by the liquidators of BCCI from(a) the USA settlements (b) other parties and (c) the sale of First American bank. [41291]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The pooled liquidations have received $487 million in respect of American settlements. The liquidators of the pooled liquidations have not yet received any funds from the sale of the First American bank.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total of fees taken by the liquidators of BCCI, Touche Ross, in respect of the liquidation(a) in dollars, (b) in £ sterling. [41295]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: Total authorised fees drawn by the joint liquidators to 15 October 1995 amount to £116 million.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total fees taken by the solicitors acting for the liquidators of BCCI Messrs Lovell White Durrant in respect of the liquidation(a) in dollars and (b) £ sterling. [41296]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: Legal fees paid to Messrs Lovell White Durrant and other solicitors by the joint liquidators amount to approximately £50 million.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he now expects the creditors of BCCI to receive their first compensation payment. [41297]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The joint liquidators have advised my officials that the timing and amount of any distribution to creditors is dependent on the determination of the appeal currently before the Court in Luxembourg.

  Felixstowe-Zeebrugge Ferry Service
  Mr. David Porter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when his Department was first informed of the
  711
  closure of the P and O ferry service from Felixstowe to Zeebrugge; what steps his officials took to assess the impact of the closure on the economy of Suffolk; and if he will now make a statement. [41082]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: My Department was first made aware of the closure of the Felixstowe to Zeebrugge ferry service on 27 September. While regrettable, the closure of the service is a commercial matter for the company. The Government office for eastern region monitors the state of the economy in Suffolk but no separate assessment has been made of the impact of the closure of the ferry service.

  Felixstowe is this country's largest container port. It is expanding and only two weeks ago exceeded its own container handling records. I have no plans to make a statement.

  Post Office Closures
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to prevent post office closures in rural areas. [41687]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: The commercial prospects of the network of post offices have already been much enhanced by Government initiatives on automation, and on freedom to take on new business. We will continue to work with the Post Office to make sure that the benefits of these initiatives are captured.

  Rom Data Corporation
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 2 March,Official Report, column 719, if his Department was aware of the previous business and bankruptcy record of directors of Rom Data Corporation in Cornwall before making grants to the Company in (a) 1991–92 and (b) 1994. [34648]

  Mr. Lang
  [pursuant to his reply, 19 July 1995, c. 1562]: The Department has now conducted its own investigation into the circumstances of the regional selective assistance grant made to the Rom Data Corporation and has passed the relevant information to the SFO, which has agreed to investigate the matter further. In addition, the Department's internal inquiries to date suggest that the background to the directors of the Rom Data Corporation may not have been investigated at the time that the decision was made to make the grant in 1991, in which case the replies given by my hon. Friends on 2 March 1995, column 719 and 19 July 1995, columns 1561–62 may not be correct. As soon as these inquiries have been completed, I will report further.

SCOTLAND

  Toll Exemptions
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the exemptions for which vehicles displaying disabled orange badges are eligible on the(a) Tay bridge (b) Erskine bridge (c) Forth road bridge and (d) Skye bridge. [40141]
  712
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Disabled persons who display orange badges on their vehicles to officers at the Tay, Erskine and Forth road bridge toll booths and complete the appropriate form are exempt from tolls. The procedure applies for each trip across these bridges. Disabled drivers who are exempt from payment of vehicle excise duty are exempt from tolls on Skye bridge. Other users of Skye bridge can buy a book of 10 tickets and can cross at £2.44 for each journey. This is less than the 50 per cent. fare reduction provision—£2.70—offered by the ferry operators, Caledonian MacBrayne, for vehicles displaying an orange badge whose drivers can produce documentary proof of their disability. The exemption arrangements were put before the public local inquiry which considered the Skye bridge toll arrangements and no objections were received. However, I have written to the chairman of Skye Bridge Ltd. in order to discuss the exemption arrangements.

  Caledonian MacBrayne
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the annual revenue earned by Caledonian MacBrayne from carriage of commercial goods vehicles on all routes to and from the Western Isles in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1995 at 1995 values. [40140]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Year

  Revenue £000

  RPI adjusted (base December 1994)

  1980

  1,190

  2,582

  1985

  1,530

  2,341

  1990

  2,193

  2,527

  1994–95

  2,566

  2,566

  Sporting Venues (Security)
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration has been given to the establishment of an inspectorate for sport to lay down basic rules for security and safety at sporting venues following the death of boxer, James Murray. [41129]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  There are a number of provisions in place to deal with security and safety at sporting venues in Scotland, including powers under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 and the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1980. There are no plans to adjust these provisions or to establish an inspectorate for sport. Medical safeguards for boxing are matters for the British Boxing Board of Control and have recently been the subject of a review.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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

  713
  a proportion of the total workforce; and what were the corresponding figures for five years ago. [41116]

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

  £ Thousand

  Actual expenditure

  Current estimate

  Existing PES provision

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Farm woodland scheme (closed to new applicants 31 March 1992)

  446

  461

  414

  470

  470

  Farm woodland premium scheme (opened 1 April 1992)

  14

  485

  1,089

  1,650

  2,200

  Total

  460

  946

  1,503

  2,120

  2,670

  Official Inquiries
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all the official inquiries the Lord Advocate's Department has undertaken over the last five years indicating the dates they were initiated and the dates when findings were released to the public. [41454]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Lord Advocate's Department has not undertaken any official inquiries in the last five years. On 14 September 1992, W. A. Nimmo Smith QC and J. D. Friel, regional procurator fiscal of north Strathclyde, were invited by the Lord Advocate to undertake an inquiry into an allegation of a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in Scotland. Their report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed on 26 January 1993.

  Forests
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial aid he intends to provide to rural local councils to maintain public access to forests. [41705]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Government appreciate the value of our forests for access and recreation, and we have taken steps to strengthen the arrangements for making agreements to maintain public access to forests which are sold by the Forestry Commission. The commission will meet the local authorities' legal costs in drawing up these agreements.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the mean(a) tier one payment and (b) tier two payment for each environmentally sensitive area in Scotland. [41701]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The information is set out in the table.

  Farm Woodland Premium Schemes
  Mr. Lord
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost to public funds of the farm woodland premium schemes in the years ended March 1993, 1994 and 1995; and what is the projected cost for each of the next two years. [40882]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Expenditure in Scotland on annual payments to farmers participating in the farm woodland scheme and farm woodland premium scheme in each of the last three financial years, estimated expenditure for the current year and the existing PES provision for next year, are shown in the table.

  £

  Mean tier 1 payment during 1994–95

  Mean tier 2 payment during 1994–95

  Breadalbane

  1,602

  3,735

  Loch Lomond

  1,469

  1,369

  Stewartry

  1,120

  4,431

  Central Borders

  1,200

  3,500

  Machair of the Uists and Benbecula, Barra and Vatersay

  323

  975

  Central Southern Uplands

  952

  4,235

  Western Southern Uplands

  912

  5,305

  Cairngorms Straths

  1,722

  3,899

  Argyll Islands

  1,099

  0

  Shetland Islands

  601

  1,570

  Mrs. Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total payment for each environmentally sensitive area in Scotland for the past two fiscal years. [41703]

  Mr. Robertson
  The information is set out in the table.

  £ 1993–94

  £ 1994–95

  Breadalbane

  154,000

  229,000

  Loch Lomond

  77,000

  77,000

  Machair of the Uists and Benbecula, Barra and Vatersay

  215,000

  109,000

  Stewartry

  453,000

  335,000

  Central Borders (formerly known as Whitlaw/Eildon)

  50,000

  36,000

  Central Southern Uplands

  11,000

  150,000

  Western Southern Uplands

  3,000

  59,000

  Cairngorms Straths

  —

  17,000

  Argyll Islands

  —

  24,000

  Shetland Islands

  —

  8,000

  Total

  963,000

  1,044,000

  715
  Mrs. Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many units in each environmentally sensitive area were entered under tier one only in Scotland. [41702]

  Mr. Robertson
  The total number of agreements under the Scottish environmentally sensitive area scheme is 930: the numbers containing tier one requirements only are set out in the table below:

  Number1

  Central Southern Uplands

  34

  Western Southern Uplands

  14

  Stewartry

  4

  Argyll Islands

  1

  1 As at 3 November 1995.

  Decommissioning
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of applications for fishing vessel decommissioning in the most recent decommissioning round received from each port of registration in Scotland from which applications were received; and what was the number of successful applications in each case. [41261]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: The table lists by port the number of decommissioning applications received in Scotland under the third round of the scheme, and the number of successful applications in each case:-

  Port

  Number of applications received

  Number of successful applications

  Aberdeen

  2

  2

  Arbroath

  4

  4

  Ayr

  7

  7

  Buckie

  2

  0

  Campbeltown

  3

  1

  Eyemouth

  3

  1

  Fraserburgh

  6

  5

  Kirkwall

  3

  2

  Lerwick

  5

  0

  Lossiemouth

  3

  2

  Mallaig

  4

  3

  Macduff

  2

  0

  Oban

  1

  1

  Peterhead

  5

  4

  Pittenweem

  1

  0

  Stornoway

  10

  10

  Total

  61

  42

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the rules and regulations he proposes to repeal or amend by means of reference to the Deregulation Committee before the end of 1995; and if he will make a statement. [41539]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given earlier by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
  716
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [41540]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: My Department has an interest in two of the draft deregulation proposals laid to date. The explanatory document which is presented to the Committee alongside each draft order contains an assessment of the benefits, including any cost savings, to business and to any other persons whom the draft order is intended to benefit.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [41558]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: The Scottish Office is currently taking forward the review or repeal of legislation in areas as diverse as the sale of farmed salmon roe, social work, slaughterhouses and town and country planning. 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.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Archaeological Sites
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the archaeological sites that have been revealed as(a) crop marks and (b) parch marks in field as a result of aerial photography during the last 12 months. [40006]

  Mr. Sproat
  Archaeological aerial photography is carried out in England by the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, supported by regional aerial archaeologists assisted by RCHME grants. I am pleased to say that advantage was taken of the recent exceptional drought and additional funds were made available to survey Stonehenge and other nationally important areas. However, it is not the RCHME's practice to distinguish between buried archaeological sites displayed in cereal and other arable plants, knows as, "crop marks", and those presenting themselves under conditions of exceptional drought in grass, known as "parch marks". For the purposes of recording and interpretation, parch marks are regarded as a specialised sub-category of crop mark. A list of photographs showing crop marks is not available in an abbreviated form, although details and copies of all photographs funded by grants are readily available for consultation at the RCHME's headquarters in Swindon.
  717

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as a revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41743]

  Mr. Sproat
  In the Department of National Heritage, which includes its two agencies, five projects have been approved to date:

  (i) Royal Armouries project (Historic Royal Palaces Agency;

  (ii) Hampton Court catering (Historic Royal Palaces Agency);

  (iii) Dell Restaurant (Royal Parks Agency);

  (iv) Lido, Hyde Park (Royal Parks Agency);

  (v) Car Parking, Regents Park and Hyde Park (Royal Parks Agency).

  In the bodies sponsored by the Department, one project has so far been approved, for computer equipment for the British Library.

  The total value of these projects is:

  (i) Royal Armouries: £42.7 million

  (ii) Hampton Court: £1.3 million

  (iii) Dell Restaurant, Regents Park £0.8 million

  (iv) Lido, Hyde Park: £0.5 million

  (v) Car parking, Regents Park and Hyde Park: £0.1 million; and,

  (vi) British Library computer equipment: £0.55 million.

  The initial and continuing public sector contributions are:

  Initial £ million

  Continuing

  (i) Royal Armouries

  1.5

  £18.5 million over the five years 1993–98

  (ii) Hampton Court catering

  0.31 (1995–96)

  + £0.17 million to date

  (iii) Dell Restaurant, Regents Park

  0.14

  Small positive annual return expected.

  (iv) Lido, Hyde Park

  0.3

  Small positive annual return expected.

  (v) Car Parking, Regents Park and Hyde Park

  None

  +£0.275 million to date (1995–96)

  (vi) British Library computer equipment

  None

  None

  1 Positive figures indicate that projects generate income, and require no continuing revenue support.

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. [40736]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Department of National Heritage was established in 1992 and figures are not therefore available 718
  before the 1992–93 financial year. The cost of ministerial use of the Government car service in the years for which information is available is as follows:

  £ thousands

  1992–93: 167.21

  1993–94: 192.7

  1994–95: 151.3

  1 Figure includes cost attributable to Permanent Secretary's office.

  No allowance has been paid to Ministers who use their own vehicles.

  Stonehenge
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what success she had had in carrying out the pledges made by the Government in respect of the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the world heritage site at Stonehenge; and if she will make a statement. [40005]

  Mr. Sproat
  Stonehenge, with its surrounding landscape, is one of the most important of Europe's pre-historic monuments. Its significance is recognised by its designation as a world heritage site. The Government fully support the efforts of English Heritage and the National Trust to improve the setting of the stones and provide better facilities for visitors. The possible re-routing of the A303 trunk road is a key factor in any plans for improving the Stonehenge landscape. Discussions have taken place between the Department of Transport, the Ministry of Defence, English Heritage, and my Department; and the Highways Agency will be holding a planning conference in early November for public discussion of route options.

  Special Adviser
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the job description of her special adviser Mr. John Bercow; how many other applicants applied for the post; what is his salary and length of service contract; and if she will make a statement. [39517]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  With the approval of the Prime Minister, and after interviewing a number of candidates, I appointed Mr. Bercow personally as my special adviser. For special advisers' roles and salary arrangements, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. McMaster) on 28 February 1995, at columns 484–85. The appointments of special advisers terminate in the circumstances set out in the model appointment letter for special advisers. A copy is in the Library.

  Public Libraries
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, further to her Department's press release, "Public Libraries in the 1990s," if she will list all the lottery awards made to public libraries to date. [38746]

  Mr. Sproat
  There have been five awards made to public libraries to date. The awards are as follows:
  719

  Distributing Body

  Date

  Recipient

  Region

  Amount £

  Arts Council of Wales

  24 March 1995

  The Cardiff Old Library Trust

  Cardiff

  2,000,000

  Arts Council of Wales

  17 July 1995

  Clwyd Library and Information Service

  Mold

  6,000

  Scottish Arts Council

  1 September 1995

  Scottish Poetry Library

  Edinburgh

  506,301

  The National Heritage Memorial Fund

  19 September 1995

  Tameside Central Library

  Ashton-Under-Lyne

  1,400,000

  The Arts Council of England

  21 September 1995

  Bradford Central Lending Library

  Bradford

  58.310

  In addition, the Ruskin library at the university of Lancaster has been awarded a grant of £2,314,259 to provide a new home for the world's greatest collection of the works of John Ruskin, the 19th-century social reformer and critic. Though the library is not, in essence, a public lending library, the award will make the collection easily accessible to the general public for the first time.

  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the number of functioning public libraries in England annually since 1979. [41718]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: Such information is contained in the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's "Public Library Statistics", copies of which are held in the House Library. The latest actual information is for 1993–94, but estimates are available for 1994–95.

  Television Cabling
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the percentage of the land area of each county in England which is(a) cabled and (b) currently being cabled. [41672]

  Mr. Sproat
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will give powers to the Independent Television Commission to alter and amend the boundaries of a local delivery area proposed by a cable franchise applicant so as not to exclude sizeable towns and adjacent settlements. [41674]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Broadcasting Act 1990 gives the ITC powers to determine the areas to be covered by local delivery licences and to alter those areas when licences come up for renewal.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many local delivery cable franchise areas stand alone and are not contiguous with another. [41673]

  Mr. Sproat
  Nineteen of the 127 cable franchises awarded by the Cable Authority, and two of the 22 local delivery franchises advertised by the Independent Television Commission, which replaced the authority, stand alone and are not contiguous with another.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many staff are currently employed in her Department and in related agencies, on(a) temporary or casual employment contracts and (b)
  720
  part-time employment contracts given (i) as an internal figure and (ii) as a proportion of the total work force. [41127]

  Mr. Sproat
  Breakdowns by Department and executive agencies for 1 April 1995 of the number of permanent staff, the numbers of casual staff—normally those engaged for a two-year 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.

  Concessionary Television Licences
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent representations she has received from(a) pensioners and (b) other bodies urging the abolition of the television licence concession in favour of a low-cost television licence for all pensioners. [41675]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Government receive regular representations from and on behalf of pensioners, calling either for the extension of the concessionary television licence scheme or for reduced fee licences for all pensioners. There are few specific requests to abolish the concessionary scheme.

  Sport (Disabled People)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what part the British Academy of Sport will be playing in the furtherance of sailing for the blind and sailing for disabled people; and when she expects to make an announcement on plans for disabled sports men and women. [41593]

  Mr. Sproat
  The precise functions of the British Academy of Sport will not be decided until the Sports Council's consultation is completed and bids to establish it are invited. The Government have no plans to make an announcement on disabled sports men and women, though we expect that the measures and recommendations announced in the sports policy statement, "Sport: Raising the Game", which the Government published on 14 July, will be interpreted and adapted for all sportsmen and women, regardless of their individual circumstances.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many medals(a) able-bodied and (b) disabled British sailing sports men and women have won in the last four years. [41592]

  Mr. Sproat
  I understand from the Royal Yachting Association that British crews have won a total of 18 medals in International Yacht Racing Union sanctioned world championships in the last four years, and one medal
  721
  at the 1992 Olympic games. In the same period, disabled British sailors have won a total of five medals in their respective world championships and the 1992 Paralympics.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proportion of British athletes took medals at(a) the last Olympic games and (b) the last Paralympic games. [41591]

  Mr. Sproat
  A total of 45 British competitors from a team of 389 won medals in 20 events at the 1992 Olympic games; 83 from a team of 205 won 128 medals at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics; and 26 from a team of 93 won 11 medals at the 1992 Madrid Paralympics.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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 how many cases a compliance cost assessment has been carried out. [41528]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: My Department has not yet laid any draft orders before the Committee.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what regulations her Department proposes to repeal by the end of 1995; if she 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. [41552]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: There are no plans to repeal any further legislation by the end of 1995, but we are currently consulting on a number of proposals for 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.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. [41527]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 6 November 1995, Official Report, column 590.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what estimate her Department has made of the short-term effects of the balances held by the lottery distribution fund on the PSBR; and what discussions her Department has had with Her Majesty's Treasury on this matter. [40087]

  Mr. Sproat
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury today. My Department has regular discussions 722
  with Her Majesty's Treasury and exchanges information on the flow of lottery funds which enable it to assess the effect of lottery funds on the PSBR.

  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to ensure that there is an equitable distribution of Millennium Commission funds between Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the regions of England. [41226]

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what guidelines she has(a) given and (b) proposed for determining the geographical balance of grants from the millennium fund as between (a) Wales, (b) Scotland, (c) Northern Ireland, (d) England and (e) the regions of England; and if she will make a statement. [40725]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Millennium Commission has been directed by the former Secretary of State for National Heritage under the section 26 directions concerning matters to be taken into account when making funding decisions. Direction 2 (H) states that the Millennium Commission shall take into account"the objective of ensuring that major projects are supported in each country of the United Kingdom".

  The spread of national lottery awards on a regional basis is a matter for the Millennium Commission. The commission seeks to ensure a fair geographical distribution of lottery proceeds. In its second round of awards the commission is encouraging applications from those regions which submitted few in the first round.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make it her policy to make available figures for the distribution of national lottery proceeds by constituency. [41237]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department is currently developing a dedicated database system which will enable me to make available figures on the distribution of national lottery proceeds across the United Kingdom by constituency.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the distribution of grants awarded by the Millennium Commission between Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the regions of England in both monetary and percentage terms. [41228]

  Mr. Sproat
  A report on the distribution of national lottery proceeds is placed in the Library of the House each month which includes information in the format requested. The October edition will be placed in the Library of the House in the coming week.

  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will give a breakdown by standard planning region of lottery grants since the introduction of the national lottery. [41221]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the total lottery moneys allocated to be spent to date within each of the English regions, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. [41234]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: A report on the distribution of national lottery proceeds is placed in the Library of the House each month which includes information in the format requested. The October edition will be placed in the Library of the House in the coming week.
  723
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals she has for providing representation from Wales in the membership of the Millennium Commission. [40728]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 31 October I995]: Members of the Millennium Commission are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen. They are not appointed to represent specific areas of the United Kingdom. The commissioners have a broad range of experience and travel widely before making any decisions concerning the allocation of national lottery funds.

  Annual Remuneration
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many individuals in(a) her Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies received annual remuneration including benefits in kind exceeding (i) £100,000, (ii) £200,000 and (iii) £300,000 in each year since 1985–86. [40860]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Other than pension contributions, benefits in kind are not normally paid to staff in the Department, agencies and NDPBs. As members of the principal civil service pension scheme, staff receive benefits in accordance with the scheme rules which have been deposited in the Library of the House.

  The Department of National Heritage was created in April 1992. It has two agencies—the Historic Royal Palaces Agency, created in October 1989, and the Royal Parks Agency, created in April 1993. Prior to the year 1994–95 no staff in the Department of National Heritage, its agencies and non-departmental bodies received annual remuneration above £100,000. The numbers receiving annual remuneration above the sums specified in the following year was:

  Organisation

  1994–95

  Department of National Heritage

  0

  DNH agencies

  0

  DNH non-departmental public bodies

  1

  Notes:

  1. The above figures relate to staff based in the United Kingdom.

  2. Figures for the current financial year 1995–96 will not be available until after the end of the financial year.

  No staff received remuneration in excess of £200,000.

  Salaries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what was the(a) lowest and (b) highest full-time salary paid to any employee in her (i) Department, (ii) agencies and (iii) non-departmental public bodies in (1) 1994–95 and (2) 1995–96. [40861]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: It is the Government's normal policy to publish civil servants' salaries in bands.

  Organisation

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  The lowest full-time salary fell within the following bands

  Department of National Heritage

  5,000–9,999

  5,000–9,999

  DNH agencies

  5,000–9,999

  5,000–9,999

  724

  Organisation

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  DNH non-departmental public bodies

  0–4,999

  0–4,999

  The highest full-time salary fell within the following bands

  Department of National Heritage

  85,000–89,999

  90,000–94,999

  DNH agencies

  60,000–64,999

  60,000–64,999

  DNH non-departmental public bodies

  100,000–104,999

  100,000–104,999

  Notes:

  1. The above figures relate to staff based in the United Kingdom.

  2. Figures for the current financial year 1995–96 are estimates only (actual figures will not be available until after the end of the financial year).

TREASURY

  Gross Domestic Product
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the per capita gross domestic product for each of the 20 countries in the world that had the highest wealth per head in 1979; and if he will list the equivalent information for the most recent year for which figures are available. [41869]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The figures requested are available only for countries who are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The most recent year for which data are available is 1993. These are shown in "National Accounts Main Aggregates: Volume 1", published by the OECD and held in the House of Commons Library.

  Shareholding
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals in the United Kingdom he estimates were shareholders in the 1979; and how many he estimates are shareholders at the latest date for which figures are available. [41873]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  In 1979 there were 3 million shareholders in the United Kingdom. The figure had risen to 10 million by 1993.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by(a) the Treasury, (b) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and (c) the Bank of England relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42080]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons in(a) the Treasury, (b) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and (c) the Bank of England are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or a full-time basis in relation to

  725
  the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid. [42048]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  There are no staff in the Treasury wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry. In HM Customs and Excise, there are two staff wholly employed on these matters and their direct salary cost is £36,114 per annum. It is not possible to identify the number of people involved on a part-time or occasional basis, but the amount so far spent by the Treasury on external advice is very small. HM Customs and Excise has so far spent £4,112.50. It is not the practice to name staff or external advisers.

  Bank of England staff or consultancy costs would not be public expenditure. I understand that no Bank of England staff are wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry, and the bank has incurred no expenditure on external advice.

  Disposable Incomes
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual money increase in net disposable income(a) between 1974 and May 1979 and (b) between June 1979 and the present date at constant prices. [41880]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The average annual increase in real personal disposable income at 1990 prices between the first quarter of 1974 and the first quarter of 1979 was £1.27 billion. Between the second quarter of 1979 and the second quarter of 1995 the average increase was £1.97 billion.

  Inflation
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual rate of inflation from(a) 1974 to May 1979 and (b) June 1979 to date. [41881]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Between the start of 1974 and May 1979 the average rate of inflation, as measured by the retail prices index, was 15.5 per cent. per annum. This compares with 6.3 per cent. for the period June 1979 to September 1995, the latest month for which information is available.

  Strikes
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average annual number of working days lost through strikes(a) from 1974 to 1979 and (b) from 1979 to date. [41878]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The average annual number of working days lost in the United Kingdom through strikes from 1974 to 1979 was 12.2 million and from 1979 to 1994 was 6.6 million.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of working days lost through strikes in(a) 1978 and (b) the last year for which figures are available. [41879]

  Mrs. Knight
  In 1978, 9.4 million days were lost to strikes in the United Kingdom. This compares with a 1994 total of 278,000.

  Private Medical Insurance
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost of tax relief on private medical insurance for those over 60 years who are non-taxpayers. [39093]

  Mr. Jack
  Relief is given to all individuals, whether taxpayers or not, who pay qualifying private medical insurance premiums for those aged 60 or over. The cost of giving relief to non-taxpayers is estimated to be £3 million in 1995–96.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [39494]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Estimated outturn for 1994–95 and plans for 1995–96 for civil service manpower and pay bill are set out in the Treasury's annual report, Cm 2817, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House. A breakdown by grade and individual agency could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effects of the moneys held by the national lottery distribution fund on the public sector borrowing requirement. [40085]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  So far, the direct effect of the moneys held by the national lottery distribution fund has been to reduce the PSBR by £1.1 billion. This reflects timing lags between receipt of the money into the NLDF and its spending on good causes.

  The effect of the lottery on the PSBR will be unwound in due course as the NLDF runs down its surplus by increasing its grants to good causes.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the impact on the public sector borrowing requirement of the national lottery, distinguishing between revenue raised through taxation, lottery money not yet distributed and lottery money remaining unclaimed. [40778]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: The table gives the relevant figures. The direct impact of the national lottery, before allowing for the displacement of other tax receipts, was to reduce the PSBR by £0.4 billion in 1994–95. The summer economic forecast projected that the direct effect of the lottery would be to reduce the PSBR by £1.4 billion in 1995–96. This assumed lottery spending of £5 billion.

  Lottery prize money that remains unclaimed after 180 days is paid into the national lottery distribution fund. At the end of September, unclaimed lottery prize money received by the NLDF was £15 million.

  The effect of the lottery on the PSBR will be unwound in due course as the NLDF runs down its surplus by increasing its grants to the good causes.
  727

  The direct effects of the lottery on the PSBR

  £million

  Outturn 1994–95

  Forecast 1995–96

  Receipts

  Betting duty on Lottery

  104

  600

  Payments into the NLDF

  295

  1,350

  Total General Government Receipts

  399

  1,950

  Payments

  Payments from the NLDF

  6

  550

  Total General Government Expenditure

  6

  550

  PSBR

  -393

  -1,400

  To date the total receipts of the NLDF, including interest, are £1.2 billion. This includes unclaimed prize money of £15 million. Deductions from the NLDF, for payment of both expenses and draw down to distributing bodies, so far totals £71.7 million. To date 2,329 projects have been approved, with a total value of £671 million. Most of the schemes approved are for capital spending, with a resultant lag between commitment and cash flow from the NLDF.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect on the public sector borrowing requirement in the first six months of 1995–96 of the cash flows associated with the receipts and disbursements of national lottery funds; and if he will make a statement. [40825]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: The table gives the relevant figures. The direct impact of the lottery, before allowing for the displacement of other tax receipts, was to reduce the PSBR by £1 billion in the first six months of 1995–96.

  The effect of the lottery on the PSBR will be unwound in due course, as the NLDF runs down its surplus by increasing grants to the good causes.

  The direct effects of the lottery on the PSBR in the first six months of 1995–96

  £ million

  Receipts

  Lottery duty

  307

  Payments into the distribution fund

  747

  Total general Government receipts

  1,054

  Payments

  Payments from the distribution fund

  52

  Total General Government Expenditure

  52

  PSBR

  -1,002

  To date, the total receipts of the NLDF, including interest, are £1.2 billion. This includes unclaimed prize money of £15 million. Deductions from the NLDF, for payment of both expenses and draw-down to distributing bodies, so far totals £71.7 million. To date 2329 projects have been approved, with a total value of £671 million. Most of the schemes approved are for capital spending, with a resultant lag between commitment and cash flow from the NLDF.

  Child Allowances
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the comparative administrative costs of child allowances made available as(a) cash payments by (i) order and (ii) direct deposit in family accounts and (b) tax allowances to (i) one parent and (ii) to either parent, noting the burden in each case on employers. [41137]

  Mr. Jack
  The total administration costs of child benefit and one-parent benefit were estimated to be £132 million in 1993–94, the latest year for which information is available. It is not possible to split the costs between payments made by order book and those made by automated credit transfer.

  The administrative costs of the other items listed would depend on the nature of such schemes.

  Mr. Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for a cost-effective, fair solution to the problem of a taxable child cash allowance being worth more to a married couple with one person earning £100,000 than to a married couple with each earning £15,000. [41140]

  Mr. Jack
  It would be inappropriate for me to comment on tax matters at this point in the Budget cycle.

  Alcohol Tax
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the assumptions for the calculations of the estimated revenue for taxation on whisky and whiskey before and after the last three proposed changes; and if he will estimate the actual revenue in the current year and the past two years and(b) the revenue maximising tax rate. [41141]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The estimated revenue effects for changes in spirits taxation follow normal practice. The responsiveness of spirits sales to changes in price is based on elasticities produced by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. It is assumed that changes in duty are fully passed on to consumers and that consumers' real incomes are constant. The effect on revenue reflects both the changes in revenue from spirits itself and also the change in revenue from diversion of expenditure into or from other goods as a result of the duty change,

  The actual revenue from excise duty on spirits in the last two years and the forecast for the current year are as follows:

  Revenue (spirits)

  £ billion

  Actual 1993–94

  1.7

  Actual 1994–95

  1.8

  Forecast 1995–96

  1.9

  The assumptions underlying the revenue costings described imply that current duty levels are below the revenue maximising rate.

  Unemployment
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the basis for the figure of
  729
  £13.2 billion as the total cost for unemployment for 1992–93 as given by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in a letter dated 13 October 1993, ref.cst.ps/dr/llmp12.10, to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North; and if he will publish figures showing the overall cost of unemployment for 1993–94 and 1994–95 calculated on the same basis. [41375]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The figure in my predecessor's letter was not an estimate of the cost of unemployment. It was simply the total public expenditure on various items specified by my hon. Friend. The corresponding figures for 1993–94 and 1994–95 are estimated at £14.3 billion and £13.5 billion respectively.

  Overseas Aid Budget
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [41660]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The information is as follows:

  Letters from general public

  Numbers

  1 September 1995 to 3 November 1995

  2,000

  1 September 1994 to 3 November 1994

  35

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters about the size of the overseas aid budget he has received from hon. Members since 1 September; and what was the comparable figure for the same period in the previous year. [41661]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The information is as follows:

  Hon Members' letters

  Numbers

  1 September 1995 to 3 November 1995

  340

  1 September 1994 to 3 November 1994

  20

  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [41659]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  We do not keep separate records on the number of letters we receive from non-governmental organisations.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the final outturn for 1994–95 for(a) each running costs limit and (b) the Ministry of Defence's operating costs limit. [42241]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The final outturn for each running costs limit and the Ministry of Defence's operating costs limit in 1994–95 are shown in the following table:730

  £ thousand

  Gross running costs limits

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Diplomatic Wing)

  491,127

  Overseas Development Administration

  71,244

  Intervention Board Executive Agency

  31,073

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  277,839

  Department of Trade and Industry

  310,237

  Office of Fair Trading

  18,182

  Office of Telecommunications

  8,633

  Office of Gas Supply

  3,791

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  9,665

  Department of Employment

  1,421,833

  Health and Safety Commission

  168,415

  Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

  21,407

  Department of Transport

  387,734

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising

  3,468

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  7,620

  Department of the Environment

  206,111

  Property Holdings

  17,044

  Office of Water Services

  9,042

  Home Office

  1,649,029

  Charity Commission

  21,794

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  412,269

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  17,684

  Public Record Office

  25,227

  Crown Prosecution Service

  222,507

  Serious Fraud Office

  10,323

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  28,320

  Crown Office

  33,010

  Department for Education

  86,666

  Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England

  28,836

  Department of National Heritage

  25,415

  Office of the National Lottery

  2,559

  Department of Health

  242,029

  Office of Population Censuses and Surveys

  47,732

  Department of Social Security

  2,901,531

  Scottish Office

  329,938

  Scottish Courts Administration

  25,258

  Scottish Record Office

  4,451

  General Register Office for Scotland

  7,023

  Welsh Office

  77,412

  Office of Her Majesty's Chief

  3,208

  Inspector of Schools In Wales Northern Ireland

  775,698

  HM Treasury

  72,389

  HM Customs and Excise

  744,964

  Inland Revenue

  1,634,138

  Department for National Savings

  193,578

  Registry of Friendly Societies

  8,055

  National Investment and Loans Office

  1,256

  Central Statistical Office

  47,746

  Government Actuary's Department

  5,739

  Cabinet Office—Office of Public Service and Science

  64,646

  Central Office of Information

  1,235

  Cabinet Office—Other Services

  40,106

  Security and Intelligence Services

  437,544

  Privy Council Office

  2,535

  731

  Net running costs limits

  £ thousand

  Wilton Park (FCO)

  282

  ADAS Agency (MAFF)

  11,481

  Central Science Laboratory (MAFF)

  0

  Central Veterinary Laboratory (MAFF)

  0

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate (MAFF)

  0

  Accounts Services Agency (DTI)

  0

  Central Services (DTI)

  0

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist (DTI)

  0

  National Engineering Laboratory (DTI)

  0

  National Physical Laboratory (DTI)

  0

  Radiocommunications Agency (DTI)

  0

  Vehicle Certification Agency (DoT)

  0

  Transport Research Laboratory (DoT)

  0

  QEII Conference Centre (PH)

  6.199

  Security Facilities Executive (PH)

  0

  Building Research Establishment (DoE)

  0

  Ordnance Survey

  12,993

  PSA Services

  88,163

  Forensic Science Service (HO)

  0

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency (DNH)

  0

  Social Survey Division (OPCS)

  0

  Information Technology Services Agency (DSS)

  0

  Registers of Scotland

  0

  Valuation Office (IR)

  0

  Paymaster Agency

  0

  Civil Service College (OPSS)

  2,286

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency (NI)

  0

  Operating costs

  Ministry of Defence

  17,193,297

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes are proposed to the Central Statistical Office's cash and running costs limits in 1995–96. [42193]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XVII, vote 12 will be increased by £1,630,000 from £48,400,000 to £50,030,000 and the running costs limit by £14,936,000 from £46,630,000 to £61,566,000. These increases reflect:

  (a) The take-up of entitlement under the end-year flexibility scheme for running costs (£76,000) and capital (£854,000), as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82.

  (b) Additional capital to meet the net additional cash requirement, for 1995–96, of the cost of the move to new premises in London, which CSO will share with OPCS (£700,000).

  (c) Additional running costs arising from increased sales, offset by a corresponding increase in appropriations in aid (£518,000).

  (d) A transfer of provision from the former Department of Employment, class V, vote 1, to CSO, in respect of the transfer of responsibility for the compilation and publication of labour market statistics (£14,342,000 running costs, £60,000 capital and £240,000 receipts).

  The increases are offset by inter-departmental transfers and additional receipts or are agreed charges to the reserve and do not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Consolidated Fund Shareholding
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the effect on the public sector borrowing requirement of selling all shares still held which are listed 732
  in table B13 of the Consolidated Fund and national loans fund accounts 1993–94, assuming share prices were those of 24 October 1995. [40773]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 31 October 1995]: Information on all the shares which are assets of the Consolidated Fund is not held centrally. The Treasury holdings of shares have a total value of around £1,400 million at the closing market prices of 24 October 1995. If it were possible to sell all shares at these prices, the public sector borrowing requirement would be reduced by a like amount, less the costs of sale. In practice, some of the shares could not be sold in this way because they have been retained for bonus share entitlements.

  No decisions have yet been taken on the timing or method of any sales.

  Salaries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of individuals in his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, whose annual remuneration including benefits in kind exceed (i) £100,000, (ii) £200,000, (iii) £300,000 in each of the years (1) 1985–86, (2) 1990–91, (3) 1992–93, (4) 1994–95 and (5) 1995–96. [40832]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Other than pension contributions, benefits in kind are not normally paid to staff in the Department, agencies or NDPBs. As members of the principal civil service pension scheme, staff receive benefits in accordance with the scheme rules which had been deposited in the Library of the House. The numbers receiving annual remuneration above the sums specified, excluding pension benefits in the years in question, are as follows:

  1985–86

  1990–91

  1992–93

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Department

  (i)

  —

  1

  2

  2

  2

  (ii)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (iii)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Agencies

  (i)

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  (ii)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  (iii)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Note:

  Members of the Treasury's NDPBs are either unpaid, or paid a daily fee depending on the work they carry out.

  Mr. Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [40803]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: It is the Government's normal policy to publish civil servants' salaries in bands.

  Accordingly, the lowest full-time salary fell within the band:

  1994–95

  1995–96

  (i) Department

  £5,000–£9,999

  £5,000–£9,999

  (ii) Agencies

  Up to £4,999

  Up to £4,999

  (iii) NDPB's'

  —

  —

  733
  The highest full-time salary fell within the band:

  1994–95

  1995–96

  (i) Department

  £110,000–£115,000

  £115,000–£120,000

  (ii) Agencies

  £110,000–£115,000

  £90,000–£95,000

  (iii) NDPBs1

  —

  —

  1 Members of the Treasury's NDPBs are either unpaid, or paid a daily fee depending on the work they carry out.

  Mr. Peter Wilmott
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he made to Mr. Santer of the European Commission that Mr. Peter Wilmott, Director General of Customs and Indirect Taxation at the European Committee, should be retained in post. [41404]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: Neither my right hon. and learned Friend nor any other Treasury Minister made such representations. United Kingdom policy generally is to ensure that the number of senior posts in the European Commission held by British citizens reflects the UK's importance as a member of the European Union. In the light of Mr. Wilmott's departure, the UK is therefore seeking to maintain the number of posts filled by British citizens at that level within the Commission.

  Rules and Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [41560]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: There are no plans to repeal any further regulations by the end of 1995.

  VAT (Harmonisation)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on which dates during 1995 officials of Her Majesty's Treasury have attended discussions with the European Commission in Brussels on the harmonisation of value added tax within the European Union; and if he will list the individuals whom they met. [41402]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: Officials of HM Customs and Excise regularly attend meetings with the European Commission in Brussels to discuss a wide range of VAT-related issues. In doing so they meet a number of Commission officials at all levels in the Directorate General for Customs and Indirect Taxation.

ENVIRONMENT

  PSA Services
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about PSA Services. [42242]
  734
  Mr. Gummer
  PSA Services' operational functions were either closed or successfully privatised during 1992–93. Since October 1993, when the building management businesses were sold, a residuary unit has been responsible for dealing with a number of post-sale personnel and finance issues and for discharging Government's responsibilities under the sale agreements. By 31 March 1996 these on-going functions will be absorbed by the Department of the Environment; consequently, the PSA will formally cease to exist from that date.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to the answer of 27 June,Official Report, columns 549–60, if the Government have now studied the full text of Mr. Justin Ognall's judgment on separate valuation for council tax purposes of annexes set aside for elderly relatives and if the Government have decided what action may be necessary. [40256]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Housing Corporation
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total value of public sector loans made by the Housing Corporation under the Housing Act 1974; [40563]

  (2) what is the Housing Corporation's total debt outstanding to the national loans fund under its borrowing in the Housing Act 1974. [40564]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Housing Corporation's lending and borrowing powers are now contained in the Housing Associations Act 1985. As at 31 October 1995, the outstanding principal on the corporation's lending to housing associations was £952.6 million. At the same date, the outstanding principal on Housing Corporation loans from the national loans fund was £942.6 million.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the total budget for the enhanced urban network air pollution monitoring programme for 1995–96; [41152]

  (2) if he will publish a list of the sites to be included in the enhanced air pollution monitoring programme by 1997, including the time frame for each site. [41153]

  Mr. Clappison
  In January 1995 the Department of the Environment merged the enhanced urban network and the statutory urban networks to form a harmonised national automatic urban monitoring network. The current contract value for the automatic urban network is £2,084,874, exclusive of VAT, for the financial year 1995–96. This sum includes both the central management, quality assurance and quality control of the network.

  The Department intends to expand the automatic urban network by 13 centrally funded sites by the end of 1996. Sites have been announced for Manchester, Glasgow, Sheffield, Nottingham, Bradford, Wolverhampton, Plymouth, Norwich, Stoke on Trent, and a further two locations in London. An additional two sites will be announced next year.
  735
  In addition, the Department aims to integrate a total of 35 locally operated sites into the national network by 1996. The location of the first 17 of these sites was announced in October this year. The Department plans to integrate sites at Oxford and the London borough of Brent by November 1995. Within Greater London sites at Sutton, two sites: Greenwich; Haringey, two sites; Kensington and Chelsea; Hounslow; Hackney; Tower Hamlets; Bromley; Camden; Wandsworth; Southwark, two sites and Lewisham will be integrated by April 1996, subject to the approval of the Department's quality assurance and quality control unit.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times serious air pollution has occurred without being forecast by his Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [41162]

  Mr. Clappison
  An air quality forecast of the following day's air quality for ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide is updated twice a day and is made available to the public as part of the Department's air quality information service via Freephone, Ceefax, Teletext, the Internet and a wide range of other media outlets. An air quality descriptive banding is predicted for each of nine regions of the United Kingdom. Since 1 April 1991, across the United Kingdom, there have been three occasions of "very poor" air quality when "poor" air quality was forecast and two occasions of "very poor" air quality when "good" air quality was forecast.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times in the last 12 months motorists have been asked to leave their cars at home due to high levels of air pollution; what estimate he has made of the number who complied; and if he will make a statement. [41754]

  Mr. Clappison
  In the last 12 months, in periods of elevated air pollution, the Department of the Environment has advised motorists to leave their cars at home four times.

  A survey undertaken following a period of poor air quality at the beginning of August this year found that 18 per cent. of drivers surveyed said that they had decided not to use their cars on at least one occasion during the high levels of air pollution. This compares with 10 per cent. reporting taking action when a similar survey was carried out the previous year.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the extent to which standards in houses in multiple occupation need to be improved; and what plans he has to set up a national registration scheme whereby landlords of such property would have to be licensed. [41055]

  Mr. Clappison
  An assessment of the need to improve standards in houses in multiple occupation was published in "Houses in Multiple Occupation—Consultation paper on the case for licensing", Department of the Environment, November 1994, and "Improving Standards in Houses in Multiple Occupation", Department of the Environment, July 1995. Copies of both are in the Library. I have no plans to set up a national licensing scheme.
  736
  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to make mandatory grants available to landlords of houses in multiple occupation in order that they may improve the safety and the standards of health in their property. [41056]

  Mr. Clappison
  Proposals for changes to the house renovation grant system, which includes grants to landlords, are contained in the explanatory paper "The Future of Private Housing Renewal Programmes". A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of current housing stock is made up of houses in multiple occupation. [41054]

  Mr. Clappison
  The definition of a house in multiple occupation is very wide and for statistical purposes is not capable of precision. In practice, there is considerable case law as to what constitutes an HMO and this will depend on the circumstances in each case. For the 1995 local authority HMO survey, the Department asked authorities to report the presence of six different HMO types, regardless of whether the LA considered them to be HMOs. The percentage of the current English housing stock in all of these types of HMO was found to be is 3.2 per cent., table 1 although more than half of these are buildings converted into self-contained flats which many authorities do not regard as true HMOs.

  Total number of HMOs in England 1995

  Type of HMO

  Number

  (Per cent, stock)

  Traditional HMOs (houses converted into bedsits)

  111,000

  (0.5)

  Shared houses/flats

  100,000

  (0.5)

  Households with lodgers

  41,000

  (0.2)

  Purpose-built HMOs

  17,000

  (0.1)

  Hostels, guest houses, boarding houses, B and Bs

  17,000

  (0.1)

  Buildings converted into self-contained flats

  352,000

  (1.8)

  All types of HMO

  638,000

  (3.2)

  Construction Industry
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce a construction contracts Bill designed to improve relations between clients, contractors and subcontractors in the construction industry; and what alterations he has considered. [41016]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government's consultation paper "Fair Construction Contracts" set out our proposals for legislation to promote less adversarial contractual arrangements in construction projects with a view to bringing about more co-operative working relationships. We have published the results of the consultation exercise and are considering legislation in the light of these and subsequent discussions with the construction industry.

  The Government are working with other members of the construction industry board on a range of initiatives to promote industry relationships based on teamwork.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy in respect of improving the relationship between clients, contractors
  737
  and subcontractors in the construction industry; and what assessment he has made the improvement in the value for money that would result from such a change. [41015]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government share the concern of the construction industry about the level of adversarialism in the industry. We support the view expressed in Sir Michael Latham's report "Constructing the Team" that a real improvement in relationships depends upon moving from a culture based on conflict to one of co-operation. We are actively supporting and encouraging such a culture change and are taking a strong lead, together with other members of the construction industry board, in implementing the Latham recommendations.

  While the information available does not permit a precise calculation of the scope for improving value for money by reducing conflict, we follow Sir Michael and the industry consensus in believing that increased

  Company

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995

  Prosecutions

  North West

  —

  1

  2

  6

  9

  12

  1

  Southern

  —

  1

  4

  1

  1

  1

  —

  South West

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Wessex

  —

  2

  —

  3

  3

  1

  —

  Thames

  —

  3

  7

  5

  7

  3

  2

  Welsh

  —

  7

  15

  9

  1

  1

  1

  Anglian

  —

  3

  6

  5

  1

  2

  —

  Northumbrian

  1

  4

  2

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Yorkshire

  1

  1

  7

  1

  13

  1

  —

  Severn Trent

  —

  2

  7

  2

  4

  3

  2

  Convictions

  North West

  —

  1

  2

  6

  7

  11

  1

  Southern

  —

  1

  4

  1

  1

  1

  —

  South West

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Wessex

  —

  2

  —

  3

  3

  1

  —

  Thames

  —

  3

  7

  5

  7

  3

  2

  Welsh

  —

  7

  15

  9

  1

  1

  1

  Anglian

  —

  3

  6

  5

  1

  2

  —

  Northumbrian

  1

  4

  2

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Yorkshire

  1

  1

  6

  1

  13

  1

  —

  Severn Trent

  —

  2

  7

  2

  4

  3

  2

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what measures he proposes to reduce the number of sites of special scientific interest that are damaged by road developments; [40912]

  (2) what assessment he has made of whether the current system of sites of special scientific interest provides sufficient protection for endangered habitats and rare wildlife species against new developments, including quarries; [40985]

  (3) if he will make it his policy to develop a new system of measures to preserve a percentage of each endangered habitat and rare wildlife species in England, Scotland and Wales; [40986]

  (4) what assessment he has made of whether the current system of sites of special scientific interest provides sufficient protection for endangered habitats and rare wildlife species; [40989]

  (5) what assessment he has made of the extent to which new measures are needed to preserve a percentage of each endangered habitat and rare wildlife species in England, Scotland and Wales. [40991]
  738
  teamwork could make the industry significantly more competitive and productive. Sir Michael recommended that, overall, it would be realistic to set a target to achieve 30 per cent. savings in construction costs by the year 2000.

  Water Companies (Prosecutions)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many times each of the privatised water companies have been(a) prosecuted and (b) convicted for water pollution offences in (i) the current year and (ii) each of the last five years; and if he will list the dates. [41164]

  Mr. Clappison
  The information requested is set out in the tables, except for the dates of prosecutions on which I shall write to the hon. Gentleman shortly. The figures attributed to 1995 are for the period since April.

  Mr. Clappison
  The United Kingdom's "Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan" contains some 59 broad targets, including a commitment to develop specific costed targets for key species and habitats for the years 2000 and 2010.

  Notification as a SSSI identifies land of scientific interest. It ensures that in the determination of development proposals, the land use planning system takes careful account of nature conservation interests. Where conflict is unavoidable, appropriate mitigation measures are taken to minimise adverse effects. The continuing decline in SSSI loss and damage demonstrates the effectiveness of the system.

  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those sites of special scientific interest in English Nature's report on hydrological threats to sites of special scientific interest as being liable to be adversely affected by water abstraction. [41305]

  Mr. Clappison
  English Nature undertook an internal survey in 1991. This preliminary study identified SSSIs which may be affected. However, these need to be further investigated before a list is published.
  739
  Mr. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those sites of special scientific interest identified by recent research carried out by English Nature and the university of Liverpool that could be adversely affected by eutrophication. [41306]

  Mr. Clappison
  English Nature will shortly publish a report containing this information. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will(a) list and (b) make a statement on the sites of special scientific interest (i) along the western side of Southampton Water and the Solent and (ii) in the New Forest. [41456]

  Mr. Clappison
  The information requested is as follows:

  Southampton Water—Eling and Bury marshes; Hythe to Calshot marshes;

  Solent—North Solent; Hurst castle and Lymington river estuary; Thorness bay; Newtown harbour; Bouldnor and Hamstead cliffs; Yar estuary;

  New Forest—the New Forest.

  These sites have been notified for their biological and geological importance.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many incidents involving damage to sites of special scientific interest in 1994 have resulted in prosecution. [41972]

  Mr. Clappison
  None. Prosecution is sought only when circumstances warrant such action. Where a site has been damaged, the first approach is to seek the co-operation of the landlowner in restoring it and avoiding any further damage.

  Tenants (Repossessions)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effects the reduction from 13 to eight weeks for the time a landlord may repossess his property will have on tenants; and if implementation of such a policy will be accompanied by legislation allowing courts to safeguard the security of tenant in extenuating circumstances, with special reference to a delay in the payment of housing benefit. [41057]

  Mr. Clappison
  For many landlords, having a tenant who does not pay the rent can be very difficult, especially if there is a loan to repay. Under the legislative change we propose, a tenant will have to be at least eight weeks in arrears before the landlord can serve two weeks' notice of possession proceedings. By the time the case reaches court, the tenant will generally owe substantially more than eight weeks' rent. The change is not expected to cause any particular problems for tenants who claim housing benefit—about 80 per cent. of housing benefit cases are possessed within 14 days of all the required information being received. Where claims are delayed, through no fault of the claimant, local authorities have a statutory duty to make payments on account. We do not propose any additional legislative safeguards.

  Housing Estates (Regeneration)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what safeguards he will be 740
  introducing to ensure that the regeneration of poor-quality estates, outlined in the housing White Paper, will not be affected by cost-cutting building companies; and what regulation he will be implementing to make certain that building standards are safe and tenants' rights are recognised. [41052]

  Mr. Clappison
  The building regulations establish minimum standards of health and safety for all new dwellings created by new construction or conversion.

  In addition, we are actively promoting a competitive construction industry which focuses on quality. For example, we are working with the other members of the construction industry board to implement the recommendations in Sir Michael Latham's report "Constructing the Team".

  Waste Management
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what targets are being set in respect of the next(a) five years, (b) 10 years and (c) 20 years by his Department for the reduction of controlled waste going to landfill sites; and what percentage of municipal waste will be targeted for recycling at the end of a 10-year period. [41323]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government intend to publish waste management targets in the waste strategy for England and Wales which we expect to publish before the end of the year.

  Unified Business Rate
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 16 October,Official Report, column 166, what transitional arrangements he is proposing in respect of the increases in unified business rates in the west midlands. [41326]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The transition scheme phasing in the effects of the 1995 revaluation, and contained in the Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) Regulations 1994, SI 1994 No. 3279, limits increases in rates bills from one year to the next to 10 per cent. plus inflation. There are tighter limits for small properties—those with rateable values less than £10,000, or £15,000 in Greater London—of 7.5 per cent. plus inflation, or 5 per cent. plus inflation if there is living accommodation on the same premises.

  Environmental Legislation
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans his Department has to initiate legislation concerning the protection of the environment during the next 12 months. [41445]

  Mr. Clappison
  I would prefer not to anticipate Her Majesty's forthcoming Gracious Speech.

  Wild Birds
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds concerning the decline of bird species; and if he will make a statement. [41439]
  741
  Mr. Clappison
  My Department has regular contact with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds on a wide range of issues relating to conservation of birds. The society regularly publishes reports on trends in wild bird populations. A recent report dealt with farmland birds.

  Mr. Mark Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what changes are intended to be made to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 concerning the defences available to those who need to take urgent action to kill wild birds to prevent agricultural damage; and what plans there are to align the licensing provisions in the Act for killing or other use of birds more closely with the provisions of the EC directive on the conservation of wild birds. [42249]

  Mr. Gummer
  Regulations have today been laid in both Houses which would change the provisions of section 4(3)(c) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which provide certain defences to the killing or injuring of wild birds to protect agricultural interests, to bring them into line with the defences provided in section 10(6) of the Act in respect of the killing or injuring of wild animals. The defences would be available to those who could show that there was no other satisfactory solution to killing or injuring wild birds; that if the need for such action could have been foreseen, a licence should have been applied for as soon as practicable and not yet have been determined; and that the person should notify the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as soon as reasonably practicable after taking such action.

  The regulations would extend the provisions of section 16 of the Act governing licensing authorities' responsibilities and the conditions under which licences may be issued, and would increase the range of licensing purposes.

  These changes, which follow consideration of responses to public consultation, would align the Act more closely with the detailed derogation requirements of the birds directive.

  Air Monitoring Stations
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the location of all air monitoring stations in the United Kingdom. [41810]

  Mr. Clappison
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 31 October 1995,Official Report, column 178.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to reduce the burden of business rates on small traders. [41670]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Small properties—those with rateable values of less than £10,000 or £15,000 in Greater London—receive more generous treatment under the transition scheme, which is phasing in the effects on rates bills of the 1995 revaluation.

  As announced in the rural White Paper published on 17 October, the Government also intend to introduce, at a suitable legislative opportunity, a new rate relief scheme targeted specifically on general stores and post offices in villages.

  War Pensioners
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to introduce measures whereby war pensioners will be housed by local authorities only if they have exhausted all their income from war pensions. [41606]

  Mr. Clappison
  We have no such plans.

  Hazardous Waste
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if the EC directive on hazardous waste incineration applies in retrospect to authorisations granted before January 1997 by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution for the burning of liquid fuels in cement kilns; [41985]

  (2) if the EC directive on hazardous waste incineration will apply to the burning of secondary liquid fuels in cement kilns. [41986]

  Mr. Clappison
  The hazardous waste incineration directive requires transposition into UK law by the end of 1996. On the basis that secondary liquid fuels constitute waste, the relevant provisions of the directive will apply to the burning of SLF in cement kilns. Plants for which authorisations to burn SLF are granted before 1 January 1997 will be required to meet these provisions by 30 June 2000 at the latest.

  Isle of Wight
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those projects and schemes received by his Department for funds from the single regeneration budget from the Isle of Wight. [41848]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  One bid for funding from round two of the single regeneration budget challenge fund has been received from a partnership led by the Isle of Wight council, entitled "Altogether Wight".

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his decision on the Isle of Wight's application for single regeneration budget funds. [41849]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  It is intended that decisions on successful bids for the second round of the single regeneration budget challenge fund will be made by Christmas.

  Special Protection Areas
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is(a) the total number and (b) the total area of (i) special protection areas and (ii) special areas of conservation in the United Kingdom. [41851]

  Mr. Clappison
  Some 107 special protection areas have been designated in the UK covering a total area of some 355,000 hectares. Further designations are expected shortly.

  In March, public consultation began on 280 possible special areas of conservation covering over 900,000 hectares. The final list must be agreed with the European Commission. The designation of agreed sites should be completed by 2004.

  Liquid Fuel Waste
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to issue guidance to the waste regulation authorities about the classification of secondary liquid fuel as waste. [41987]

  Mr. Clappison
  Whether or not a substance is waste must be determined on the facts of the case and the interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts. The Department has provided guidance on the interpretation of the definition of waste in DoE circular 11/94.

  The Department's views on the classification of secondary liquid fuel as waste were set out in our initial response of 13 June 1995 to the Environment Select Committee's report on the burning of this fuel in cement kilns. We have no plans to revise the guidance issued to waste regulation authorities in DoE circular 11/94.

  Mrs. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will ensure that the Government will respond to the Environment Select Committee's second report on burning of secondary liquid fuels in cement kilns before Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution reaches a decision on the permanent authorisation for the burning of secondary liquid fuels in cement kilns. [41988]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government have already given their initial response to the Environment Select Committee and stated that when Parliament enacted the Environmental Protection Act 1990, EPA90, the systems thus created were, and are, sufficiently robust to cope with the regulation of cement kilns and secondary liquid fuels. Her Majesty's inspectorate pollution has a statutory obligation to deliver the requirements of EPA90 for all plants under its control. Under the circumstances, I see no useful purpose in delaying HMIP decisions.

  Housing, Sheffield
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will increase resources for the provision of social housing in the Darnall area of Sheffield following the publication of the Darnall review. [40038]

  Mr. Clappison
  The need for social housing in the Darnall area is a matter best determined by Sheffield city council in consultation with the local community and other housing providers in the area. Allocations under the housing investment programme will be announced in December. Bids for Housing Corporation resources are due on 24 November, and allocations will be announced in early February.

  Bats
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if English Nature recommends the removal of bat roosting sites after October. [40556]

  Mr. Clappison
  English Nature makes every effort to negotiate the retention of bat roosting sites. Where this is not possible, English Nature advises on the least harmful time of year to perform operations on a bat roost. This time will vary according to whether the site is used by the bats during the summer, or during the winter for hibernation. English Nature makes every effort to ensure that any removal of hibernacular sites does not take place between 1 November and 31 March.
  744
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what legislation protects bats and their breeding sites. [40557]

  Mr. Clappison
  All bats are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994. Under sections 9 and 10 of the 1981 Act and regulations 39 and 40 of the 1994 regulations, unless a licence has been granted, it is an offence to kill or injure a bat deliberately or intentionally to possess or sell one or offer it for sale or to damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure bats use for shelter. Certain assemblages of bats may also qualify as a roost notified as a site of special scientific interest.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what licences have been issued for the further removal of bat roosting sites on the route of the A34 Newbury bypass; and where and when such works will be carried out. [40558]

  Mr. Clappison
  No licences have been issued for the further removal of bat roosts on the route of the A34 Newbury bypass.

  Recycling
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what tonnage of waste is estimated to be recycled, annually; what percentage this constitutes of total waste; and if he will make a statement. [40328]

  Mr. Clappison
  An average of 38 million tonnes of controlled wastes, excluding sewage sludge and dredged spoils, are estimated to be recycled annually. This represents 22 per cent. of total controlled waste arisings. The Government's overall policy aim for achieving more sustainable waste management is to increase the proportion of waste managed by the options towards the top of the waste hierarchy including recycling.

  Vacant Dwellings
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current number of vacant dwellings. [41645]

  Mr. Clappison
  Estimates of the numbers of vacant dwellings on 1 April 1994, the latest date for which figures are available, are as follows:

  Number of vacant dwellings

  Local authority1

  70,300

  Housing associations2

  20,700

  Other public sector3

  17,000

  Private sector1

  737,000

  Total

  845,000

  Sources

  1HIP1 returns.

  2Housing Corporation HAR10/1 retrurns.

  3Government Departments and HIP1 returns.

  There are doubts about the quality of some authorities' estimates of the number of private sector vacants; independent survey data suggest that the HIP1 figures may over-estimate the total of these vacants.

  Green Belts
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what size land area constitutes a major development site in a green belt area; and what is his definition of a major development site. [41694]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  PPG2 gives guidance on major existing developed sites in green belts. If such a site is specifically identified in an adopted local plan or unitary development plan, construction of new buildings for the purpose of limited infilling or redevelopment is not inappropriate, providing it meets criteria stated in the PPG. The guidance applies only to sites which are substantial. Its proposed application to any particular site is tested through the planning process.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to advise or instruct local planning authorities to publish lists of sites for major development in green belt areas as part of his revised PPG2. [41688]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  PPG2 stipulates that, if limited infilling or redevelopment of a major existing developed site in the green belt is not to require justification by very special circumstances, the site must be specifically identified for this purpose in an adopted local plan or unitary development plan.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities have put forward revised guidelines to their urban development plan submissions following the revision to PPG2 for green belt sites. [41689]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many extra dwellings he estimates being approved for planning permission in the current year in green belt areas following his revision to PPG2. [41690]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have made no such estimate. The revised PPG2 enables local plans and unitary development plans to provide greater certainty about the future of major existing developed sites and speedier development control decisions. The previous guidance permitted the redevelopment of redundant hospitals and, in very special circumstances, of other sites. The revised guidance stipulates that redevelopment must have no greater impact on the green belt than the existing development, and where possible less; must contribute to green belt land use objectives, such as countryside access and outdoor recreation; and must not occupy a larger area of the site than the existing buildings.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many planning applications for major development sites in green belt areas he has called in since he published the revised guidance note on PPG2. [41692]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have called in 18 applications for development in the green belt since January 1995. This figure includes various types and sizes of development on different sorts of site.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what notice he has had of planning applications for the development of major development sites of green belt areas, which include applications to 746
  build more than (a) 10, (b) 20, (c) 50 and (d) 100 houses, since his revised guidance note on PPG2. [41693]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Planning applications for development in the green belt are formally notified to me only if they are departures from the development plan. Information on the scale of individual proposals is not collected centrally. Applications for the limited infilling or redevelopment of major existing developed sites specifically identified for this purpose in adopted local plans or unitary development plans would not be departures.

  Public Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the public finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41739]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department of the Environment and its sponsored bodies attracted around £4 billion in private investment in support of its programmes in 1994–95 and expects to increase that figure in 1995–96. This will assist the delivery of a very large number of projects, most notably ones relating to housing, inner cities and regeneration. Secondary legislation to encourage and facilitate private finance initiative schemes in the local authority sector came into effect from 1 April 1995 and the Government aim to implement further measures by 1 April 1996. It is not practicable for the Department to collect detailed information on each project being advanced under private financing arrangements.

  Home Owners
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of home owners in Britain in 1979; and what is the number at present. [41874]

  Mr. Gummer
  An estimated 10.2 million households owned their own home in 1979, and 15.4 million in 1993, the most recent year for which figures are available for the whole of Great Britain.

  These estimates are based on the general household survey and the survey of English housing. Like all estimates from surveys, they are liable to sampling variability.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much money has been allocated to TECs for training from the single regeneration budget for 1995–96. [42008]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Planned expenditure by training and enterprise councils on continuing programmes which now form part of the single regeneration budget is £40 million in 1995–96. In addition, there are 45 schemes which were successful under round one of the SRB challenge fund where a TEC is receiving funding as the accountable body on behalf of the SRB partnership concerned. Planned expenditure in 1995–96 on these schemes is £22 million. It is not possible to identify how
  747
  much of the total of £62 million, expected to be paid to TECs from the single regeneration budget in the current year, will be specifically for training activities. TECs may also be receiving indirect funding from the SRB challenge fund where they are members of SRB partnerships but not the nominated accountable body.

  Business Start-up Grants
  Mrs. Roche
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for each training and enterprise council area how many firms have received business start-up grants in each of the last 12 months. [42007]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The business start-up scheme was incorporated into the single regeneration budget from 1 April 1994 and ceased as a separate programme on 31 March 1995. For 1994–95, the information requested has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Since 1 April 1995, support for new businesses is one of the objectives of the SRB challenge fund. Some 70,000 business start-ups are forecast to be supported under schemes approved in the first challenge fund bidding round. The second bidding round was launched on 12 April and this will provide further opportunities for similar support.

  Water Profits
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the profits of each water company in England and Wales in each year since 1989 as recorded by Office of Water Services. [42135]

  Mr. Clappison
  Current cost operating profits for each of the regulated water companies in England and Wales for each financial year from 1990–91 are given in figure 4 of Ofwat's 1994–95 report on the financial performance and capital investment of the water companies in England and Wales, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Building Research Establishment
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the future of the Building Research Establishment. [42245]

  Mr. Gummer
  The Building Research Establishment has made great strides in developing new services and improving operational efficiency since becoming an executive agency in 1990. It has played a central role in support of the Government's policy and executive responsibilities as they relate to construction and buildings. Government and other customers of BRE have a continuing need for access to the technical excellence and objectivity of judgment which BRE provides and which is much valued. I wish, however, to see BRE's expertise more directed towards stimulating innovation in construction and to helping industry improve its performance and competitiveness. I believe that closer links between BRE and industry will be achieved more effectively if BRE were in the private sector.

  I therefore intend to commission consultants later this month to advise me on the relative advantages and disadvantages of the options for transferring BRE to the private sector. The consultants will be asked to take account of the need of the Government, industry and
  748
  clients for construction research, advice and technical support which will be accepted as authoritative and independent of sectoral interests. The options examined will include the proposal from representatives of construction interests for a national centre for construction research and advice. Meanwhile, BRE will remain an executive agency of my Department under its present chief executive. I shall make a further statement when I have considered the consultants' report.

  Local Government Staff
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will finalise the measures to compensate staff who suffer a drop in remuneration as a result of local government reorganisation. [42246]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I am today laying before the House regulations which will give effect to a scheme for detriment compensation. The regulations are being made following two separate consultation exercises, which generated helpful comments. The scheme provides for compensation staff in England and Wales who suffer a drop in remuneration as a result of local government reorganisation. Such staff will, provided they meet certain criteria, receive compensation equal to three times the drop in remuneration, payable over 36 months. This will provide transitional relief to staff if they work in an authority directly affected by reorganisation and suffer a drop in salary during the prescribed period. By avoiding the need for redundancy payments and encouraging councils to retain existing employees in new jobs, the scheme should benefit staff, employers and the taxpayer.

  Pan-European Environment Conference
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the outcome of the Pan-European conference of Environment Ministers held in Sofia on 23 to 25 October; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Gummer
  The Sofia conference reaffirmed the political framework and programme of action agreed in Lucerne in 1993 for pan-European co-operation to improve the environment, with particular reference to central and eastern Europe. Steps will be taken to strengthen the links between this process and the Helsinki environment and health process. The decisive role of domestic finance and policy reforms in achieving greater environmental investment in central and eastern Europe and the role of external finance as a catalyst to help bring this about were stressed. The importance of an effective dialogue between business on environmental matters was also strongly emphasised. The conference endorsed the strategy prepared by the Council of Europe as a framework for the conservation of pan-European biological and landscape diversity. It also endorsed the environmental programme for Europe which makes recommendations for long-term action on some of the findings of the pan-European state of the environment report published in September 1995. The conference reaffirmed the importance of public participation including the role of non-governmental organisations. It called for the development of a regional convention on public participation to be considered. The next "Environment for Europe" conference will be held in Denmark in 1998.

  Audit Commission
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he has made for appointing a chairman of the Audit Commission. [42248]

  Mr. Curry
  I am minded to appoint Roger Brooke as a member and chairman of the Audit Commission for three years from 1 December 1995. This appointment is still subject to consultation, as required by section 11(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1982.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes any further changes to his Department's cash limits for 1995–96. [42244]

  Mr. Gummer
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the following changes will be made:

  The cash limit for class VII, vote 2—regeneration and countryside and wildlife—will be increased by £20,466,000 from £1,500,333,000 to £1,520,799,000. The increase is the net effect of the payment of £20,716,000 on capital projects which slipped from previous years for the city challenge programme within the single regeneration budget, the docklands light railway, Central Manchester development corporation, Trafford Park development corporation, coalfield areas fund, the Victoria arena Manchester and European Community regeneration projects, a transfer of £250,000 from the Department of Health in respect of urban programme payments following an excess transfer in the main estimates and a reduction of £500,000 to allow supplementary credit approvals to be issued in respect of the urban programme from the DoE/RCW non-voted cash limit.

  The non-voted cash limit for regeneration and countryside and Wildlife, DoE/RCW, will be increased by £21,283,000 from £1,482,233,000 to £1,503,515,000. The increase is the net effect of the payment of £21,033,000 on capital projects which slipped from previous years for the same programmes on the cash limit for class VII, vote 2 including £817,000 for the issue of supplementary credit approvals for the Victoria arena Manchester and the transfer of £250,000 from the Department of Health in respect of urban programme payments following an excess transfer in the main estimates.

  There will be associated increases to external financing limits for urban development corporations, by £15,775,000 from £243,739,000 to £259,514,000; and by £12,000,000 from £143,898,000 to £155,898,000 for the Urban Regeneration Agency—English Partnerships.

  The DoE/European regional development fund cash limit remains unchanged at £184,219,000.

  The increases are covered in full by take-up of the entitlement to capital end of year flexibility announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82, and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the last date by which the orders for 750
  structural change must be laid before the House in order for elections to take place for the successor unitary authorities in May 1996; and what is the anticipated date that the Government expect to lay the order for structural change before the House in respect of (i) Leicester city, (ii) Rutland district council, (iii) Nottingham city, (iv) Plymouth city, (v) Torbay borough council, (vi) Wokingham district council, (vii) Newbury district council, (viii) Reading city, (ix) Windsor and Maidenhead district council, (x) Slough borough council, (xi) Bracknell Forest district council, (xii) Southend on Sea borough council, (xiii) Herefordshire, (xiv) The Wrekin district council, (xv) Thurrock borough council, (xvi) Northampton borough council, (xvii) Halton borough council, (xviii) Warrington borough council, (xix) Peterborough city, (xx) Dartford and Gravesham borough councils, (xxi) Gillingham borough council and Rochester/Medway city, (xxii) Blackburn borough council and (xxiii) Blackpool borough council. [41950]

  Mr. Curry
  There is no statutory requirement to lay structural change orders by a particular date. However, given the requirements governing the publication of the notice of election in the Local Elections (Principal Areas) Rules 1986 along with the administrative needs of the returning officer, we consider that an order should be made not less than two months before the date of the election to which it relates.

  For all those districts which are the subject of fresh reviews by the Local Government Commission—xiv-xxviii—whether or not there will be an order to be laid will of course depend on the commission's final recommendations and the Government's response to them. For the others, there are outstanding issues such as judicial review in the case of Berkshire or the fact that the commission is examining the further case for unitary structures in certain counties. We aim to lay these orders before Parliament during the new Session once these various matters are resolved.

TRANSPORT

  "Sally Star"
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department received the first draft of the Marine Accident and Investigation Branch report into the fire aboard the ro-ro passenger vessel "Sally Star" on 25th October 1994. [41680]

  Mr. Norris
  The incident referred to occurred on 25 August 1994. The Secretary of State did not receive a copy of any drafts of the report. A copy of the final version was sent to him on 19 October 1995.

  Marine Safety Agency
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations led him to advise the Marine Safety Agency to cancel its appointment with the hon. Member for Nottingham, North scheduled for 6 November at 11 am. [41779]

  Sir George Young
  The meeting was cancelled because it would not be appropriate for an official to brief an opposition spokesman in the absence of a Minister.

  Aircraft Noise
  Sir John Cope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he has taken to encourage aerodromes to introduce noise amelioration schemes in accordance with his announcement of March 1993 in respect of the conclusions of the review of aircraft noise legislation; and what assessment he has made of their impact. [41437]

  Mr. Norris
  It has been the Government's policy for many years that measures to minimise noise nuisance from aerodromes are best developed and monitored locally. The Government continue to encourage aerodromes to consult their local communities. Many aerodromes have established voluntary arrangements and at most of the larger airports consultation is required. The manner in which consultation is conducted is a purely local issue, in which the Government have no role.

  Sir John Cope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to issue the national guidance on aircraft noise amelioration, in accordance with his announcement of March 1993 in respect of the review of aircraft noise legislation. [41438]

  Mr. Norris
  In due course.

  Sir John Cope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what considerations will determine whether the use of non-military aircraft at military airfields will be subject to the new legislation on aircraft noise amelioration, set out in his announcement of March 1993 in respect of the conclusions of the review of aircraft noise legislation. [41436]

  Mr. Norris
  The use of military aerodromes by civil aircraft is governed by military regulations, which are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 25 October,Official Report, columns 578–79, if he will provide a breakdown of the £7 million European funding awarded indicating the amount allocated to each project, the terms of reference and the timetable for the project. [41258]

  Mr. Watts
  The funds were awarded to project costs incurred in 1995 as a whole, and not to any particular phase of the west coast main line scheme. Most of the relevant work in 1995 will be on feasibility studies, including the examination of the use of an in-cab control system and running high-speed trains and physical works to allow the running of European passenger services as far as Glasgow.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State 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. [41556]
  752
  Mr. Watts
  We are developing a number of proposals for repeal or deregulatory amendment which we hope to bring forward this year. These include: abolition of the requirement for local authorities to use type approved parking equipment; liberalising signing for tourist attractions; amendments to regulations concerning cycle racing on the highways; the updating and consolidation of navigation and collision regulations for merchant shipping.

  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.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated savings 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. [41536]

  Mr. Watts
  My Department has not yet laid any draft orders before the committee.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [41535]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster at column 593.

  Gateshead Bypass
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to improve the A1 western bypass around Gateshead. [41821]

  Mr. Watts
  We are working closely with Gateshead metropolitan borough council on options for the improvement of the A1 around Gateshead.

  Transport Projects (Moratorium)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the savings resulting from a moratorium on transport construction projects which have not yet begun construction in(a) the current year and (b) 1996–97. [41781]

  Mr. Watts
  None.

  Car Phones
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what information he has recently received about the installation and use of mobile telephones in cars; and if he will make a statement about their safety; [41480]

  (2) if he will introduce safety standards for the installation of mobile phones in cars.

  Mr. Norris
  The Department has no evidence of accidents occurring as a result of mobile phones in cars interfering with vehicle electronic systems.

  A forthcoming EC directive will require new types of vehicle to have a minimum level of resistance to electromagnetic interference. In addition, the Department

  753
  is discussing with the Radiocommunications Agency, an executive agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, how best to ensure that devices such as in-car phones do not produce excessive interference which might affect vehicle electronic systems.

  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to curb the use of hand-held mobile telephones by car drivers while driving; and if he will make a statement. [40935]

  Mr. Norris
  The Highway Code makes it clear that drivers must exercise proper control of their vehicles at all times and should not use a hand-held telephone while driving.

  Transport Council
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Scarborough (Mr. Sykes) of 26 October,Official Report, columns 731–32, what was the voting record of each member state on items agreed at the meeting of the European Community's Transport Council held on 28 September; and if he will make it his practice to list all votes, including where there have been no votes, in the future. [41088]

  Sir George Young
  There were no formal votes at the 28 September Transport Council, but, as reported in my answer of 26 October to the hon. Member for Scarborough (Mr. Sykes), the UK and Germany opposed a scrapping scheme to reduce capacity in the inland waterways industry: other member states supported the measure.

  I shall continue to list all formal votes, or the fact that no votes were taken, when reporting on future Transport Councils.

  A36 (South Newton)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 19 July,Official Report, column 1327, when he plans to install experimental electronic speed limit warning signs on the A36 at either end of South Newton village. [41259]

  Mr. Norris
  The experimental electronic speed limit warning signs on the A36 are due to be installed at either end of South Newton village before Christmas.

  Road Building
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what spending has been provisionally allocated to road building for the current year and for 1996–97 for projects which have yet to begin construction. [41780]

  Mr. Watts
  We have allocated £683 million to national schemes (schemes over £3 million in value) for the current year together with £108 million for network improvement schemes (schemes less than £3 million in value). These allocations are contained in the Highways Agency business plan. No decision has yet been taken on allocations for 1996–97.

  European Aviation Centre
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards a European aviation centre. [41594]
  754
  Mr. Norris
  The term "European aviation centre" is not one that the Department recognises. If the hon. Member would provide further details, my noble friend the Minister of Aviation and Shipping will write to him.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [41115]

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

  M1
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the proposed completion dates for current construction work on the M1; and what is his latest information on whether the dates will be met. [40980]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Sir Irvine Patnick, dated 6 November 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, what are the proposed completion dates for current construction work on the M1; and what is his latest information on whether the dates will be met.
  The contract for the widening M1 between junctions 21 and 21A is due to end in February 1996 but we are currently considering an extension to late March because of unforseen ground conditions. If that extension is granted, we have no reason to thin that the revised date will not be met.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to widen the M1 from junctions 23 to 28. [41001]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 6 November 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question, asking the Secretary of State for Transport, what proposals he has to widen the M1 between Junctions 23 and 28.
  The road programme contains two schemes covering this section of the M1. A preferred option for widening between Junctions 23A and 25 to dual 4 lanes was announced in March 1995.
  Proposals for widening the motorway to dual 4 lanes between Junctions 25 and 28 were put to the public in July 1994. We are considering the responses received.

  National Transport Debate
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish a Green Paper following the national transport debate. [40992]

  Sir George Young
  Once my colleagues and I have considered responses to "Transport: The Way Ahead" we will publish a further report drawing together the threads of the debate.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the organisations who contributed to the national transport debate and place copies of their responses in the Library. [40993]

  Sir George Young
  Individual responses, and the list of respondents, will not be made available for public inspection since we did not indicate in "Transport: The Way Ahead" that we would be doing so.

  Bus Companies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to re-regulate in any material way the operations of bus companies. [41273]

  Mr. Norris
  I have no such proposals. I am considering, with the help of the bus working group, which I am chairing with the bus industry, local authority associations and the users, what sensible measures might be introduced to assist buses within the deregulated framework.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which five cities have the largest municipally owned or controlled bus companies in the United Kingdom. [41329]

  Mr. Norris
  In terms of vehicle numbers including tramcars, the five largest local authority-owned bus companies, in descending order, are: Lothian RT, Nottingham, Blackpool, Cardiff and Reading.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the proposed sales of municipal bus companies to which he withheld his consent; and if he will give reasons in each case. [41270]

  Mr. Norris
  Consent for the proposed sale of a municipal bus company has in some cases been withheld because the method of sale did not meet the requirement that public assets must be sold by means of a competitive tender. It would not be appropriate to provide details of these cases as they are commercially sensitive.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 24 October,Official Report, column 579, if he will make it his policy to monitor changes of ownership within the bus industry where this involves the onward sale of a

  Number of heavy goods vehicles, public service vehicles, private and light goods vehicles inspected and the number of vehicles prohibited at roadside 'spot' checks over the past five years

  Vehicle type

  Number of vehicles inspected

  Number of vehicles prohibited

  Percentage

  1990–91

  Heavy goods vehicles

  108,204

  17,014

  15.7

  Public service vehicles

  20,713

  1,125

  10.5

  756
  company after a management-employee buy out for a local authority. [41307]

  Mr. Norris
  No.

  Probationary Drivers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of car accidents for the latest year for which figures are available, involve drivers who passed their driving test in the preceding 12 months. [41277]

  Mr. Norris
  The information is not available in this form but drivers aged 17 and 18 were involved in some 5 per cent. of all injury accidents during the period 1992–94.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent consideration he has given to the introduction of probationary driver plates to be displayed for a period on cars driven by newly qualified drivers. [41276]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 22 February,Official Report, column 188. We are keeping this issue under review but I have yet to see any conclusive evidence that P-plates are effective in reducing road accidents.

  North Bridge, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the life expectancy of the North bridge, Doncaster. [41580]

  Mr. Watts
  The existing North bridge in Doncaster is the responsibility of the local highway authority, Doncaster metropolitan borough council.

  Roadside Vehicle Inspections
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last five years the number of inspections undertaken by the Vehicle Inspectorate at roadside checks and the percentage of vehicles found to be defective. [40996]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Vehicle Inspectorate. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 6 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the number of inspections undertaken at roadside checks and the percentage of vehicles found to be defective for the last 5 years.
  The attached table shows the number of roadworthiness inspections carried out by vehicle type and the number that were prohibited as a result of a mechanical defect being found. The prohibition figure includes both immediate and delayed prohibitions.
  757

  Number of heavy goods vehicles, public service vehicles, private and light goods vehicles inspected and the number of vehicles prohibited at roadside 'spot' checks over the past five years

  Vehicle type

  Number of vehicles inspected

  Number of vehicles prohibited

  Percentage

  Private and light goods vehicles

  12,405

  2,779

  22.4

  Private and light goods vehicles special checks1

  —

  —

  —

  1991–92

  Heavy goods vehicles

  110,753

  17,632

  15.9

  Public service vehicles

  20,859

  2,547

  12.2

  Private and light goods vehicles

  35,231

  5,461

  15.5

  Private and light goods vehicles special checks1

  —

  —

  —

  1992–93

  Heavy goods vehicles

  134,382

  18,786

  14.0

  Public service vehicles

  29,542

  2,366

  8.0

  Private and light goods vehicles

  31,781

  4,799

  15.1

  Private and light goods vehicles special checks1

  44,720

  1,236

  2.8

  1993–94

  Heavy goods vehicles

  134,266

  19,019

  14.2

  Public service vehicles

  29,686

  2,594

  8.7

  Private and light goods vehicles

  21,270

  3,339

  15.7

  Private and light goods vehicles special checks1

  33,103

  223

  0.7

  1994–95

  Heavy goods vehicles

  130,035

  20,075

  15.4

  Public service vehicles

  32,826

  3,315

  10.1

  Private and light goods vehicles

  21,360

  3,259

  15.3

  Private and light goods vehicles special checks

  70,899

  2,580

  3.6

  1 Special checks cover emissions, tyres and lights.

  Briefings (Civil Servants)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards civil servants in his Department at grade 2 or above arranging briefings for the opposition spokesmen on their responsibility. [40711]

  Sir George Young
  Prior ministerial approval is required for briefings with officials at any grade and requests should be made to the Private Office of the relevant Minister. A Minister may wish to be present at any briefings which is arranged.

  Midland Main Line
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what cost-benefit analysis his Department has received on electrifying the midland main line; and if he will make a statement on its future. [41000]

  Mr. Watts
  The Department has not received any cost-benefit analysis on the electrification of the midland main line during the last five years. Railtrack informs me that it will continue to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the line.

  Nottingham Station
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all those organisations that currently operate in and from Nottingham railway station, specifying in each case whether they own or lease assets and services once wholly delivered by BR with particular reference to catering, parking, track, signals, rolling stock and platforms. [40988]

  Mr. Watts
  Nottingham station is owned by Railtrack and operated under a lease by Regional Railways Central, which is the main passenger service operator. Midland Main Line also operates services to and from Nottingham 758
  and manages the travel centre at the station. Regional Railways Central leases all its rolling stock from the three rolling stock leasing companies, Eversholt, Porterbrook and Angel Train Contracts. Midland Main Line leases its rolling stock from the Porterbrook leasing company. Station catering is provided by Travellers' Fare under contract from Regional Railways Central. The platforms and the car park are managed by Regional Railways Central. The track and signals are owned by Railtrack.

  Heathrow Airport
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are directly employed at Heathrow Airport; what estimate he has made of how many staff would be employed at the new terminal 5; and what is his Department's estimate of the number of employees in west London who are employed on work dependent on Heathrow. [41281]

  Mr. Norris
  These are matters for the British Airports Authority.

  Plane Crashes
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all plane crashes in United Kingdom airspace since 1980 giving the date and location of each crash and the types of aircraft involved [41442]

  Mr. Norris
  It is estimated that over 3,000 accidents involving civil aircraft have occurred in the United Kingdom since 1980. The vast majority of these were minor accidents involving light aircraft. A record of all reportable civil aviation accidents and incidents is held on a computer database by the Civil Aviation Authority. I have asked the chairman of the authority to write to the hon. Gentleman to establish his exact data requirement.
  759

  Carriage of Bicycles (Trains)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will summarise the minimum conditions to which cyclists will be entitled in respect of the carriage of bicycles on trains, as a result of the passenger service requirements issues so far. [41255]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The franchising director intends to specify requirements in respects of the carriage of bicycles on passenger rail services in the franchise agreements that he makes with franchises. He intends to include in franchise agreements the requirement that franchise operators shall, so far as is reasonably practicable and subject to the availability of appropriate space on their rolling stock, ensure that facilities for the carriage of bicycles on trains are made available at reasonable, if any, charges. There will be no provisions relating to the carriage of bicycles in the passenger service requirements, which are concerned with the protection of an overall level and pattern of service base on the BR timetable in operation immediately prior to franchising.

  European Passenger Services
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the costs to public funds of creating those assets of European Passenger Services which it is now intended to privatise. [41256]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: The value of EPS's fixed assets covering land and buildings, plant and equipment and rolling stock, as stated in the company's annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 1995 is £1,149.4 million. This figure includes assets to a value of £357.6 million which have been leased. The value of any assets acquired since 1 April 1995 will be included in the next annual report for the company.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the 1995–96 turnover and subsidy requirement under the section 52 agreement with the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising for(a) Great Western Trains, (b) LTS Rail and (c) South West Trains companies. [41257]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 3 November 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. McLeish), Official Report, 13 July, column 706. Negotiations between the franchising director and the British Railways Board on the support appropriate to each individual train operating company are yet to be completed. I will write to the hon. Member when the level of support has been agreed and will place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

  Cones Hotline
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on what date the cones hotline was established; and if he will make a statement as to its current status and past effectiveness; [40805]
  760
  (2) how many phone calls there have been to the cones hotline and its successor service since the establishment of these services; and if he will give a breakdown of the number for each full year of the service; [40833]

  (3) how many traffic cones have been removed in response to communication via the cones hotline and its successor service; if he will list (a) the number of occasions when this has occurred and (b) the total length of cones in metres removed; and if he will make a statement; [40804]

  (4) what has been the total cost to date of establishing and running the cones hotline and its successor service; [40806]

  (5) what is his estimate of the total mileage of traffic cones in place on the United Kingdom roads network; and what was the equivalent figure for October 1992. [40807]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: These are operational matters for the Highways Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Laurie Haynes to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 6 November 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking the Secretary of State for Transport for information on the cones hotline and its successor service.
  The cones hotline was introduced in June 1992 and was incorporated into the new, more general Highways Agency information line in September 1995. Information on the cones hotline service was given in Hansard on 10 July 1995, vol 263, cols 403 to 404. Highways Agency regularly reviews the needs of road users and we decided to expand the service into a broader information service which will be abe to tell people where roadworks are in place, when they are due to be completed and what delays can be expected as well as giving more general information about the Highways Agency.
  Between June 1992 and September 1995 there was a total of 19,500 calls to the hotline and information line. There were 6,000 calls between June 1992 and February 1994, a further 8,000 calls between March 1994 and February 1995 and 5,500 calls between March 1995 and September 1995.
  The cost of establishing and running the cones hotline prior to March 1994 is not available as, until then, calls were routed through the Department of Transport's general enquiry number. The estimated average cost of handling each call during the financial year 1994–95 is £2.22. The only additional cost of setting up the new service will be change to roadwork signing. Costs for these will be negligible because new signs are generally being phased in as new roadwork sites are started.
  The traffic management arrangements for the roadwork at M3 junction 2 (M25 interchange) were changed at the beginning of this month following calls from motorists and discussions with the local police and our agents. Information is not held centrally on the length of roadwork altered or removed following calls.
  The Highways Agency is responsible for trunk roads including motorways in England. Our target is to keep 93% of lanes available on each individual route, and 95% of lanes on the whole trunk road network available at all times. Over the first six months of this financial year, we exceeded this target with over 99 per cent. of lanes on the trunk road network available. Information is not available on the equivalent figure for October 1992, or on the extent of roadworks on local authority roads in England. Roads in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the respective Secretaries of State.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Ports (Privatisation)
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has reached a decision on the privatisation of the ports of Dover, Ipswich and Tyne. [42100]

  Sir George Young
  Following consultation with the trust port authorities concerned, I have decided to use my powers under the Ports Act 1991 to require the port authorities of Ipswich and Tyne to submit schemes for privatisation. As regards Dover, I accept the harbour board's advice that it would be better for privatisation to be deferred for two years until the effect of the channel tunnel on the port's business is clearer. The board has assured me that it is its aim to submit a scheme for privatisation by September 1997.

  Newbury Bypass
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contracts have been let to carry out preliminary works for the construction of the A34 Newbury bypass. [40555]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Cynog Dafis, dated 7 November 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, what contracts have been let to carry out preliminary works for the construction of the A34 Newbury Bypass.
  We have let a contract which has been completed for the demolition of the properties needed for the scheme and plan to let a contract in the next few weeks for advance site clearance. This work will take place before the main works begin next year.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what examination he has made of the Highways Agency's detailed cost-benefit analysis of the Newbury bypass; and if he will make a statement on the estimated economic benefit of this road. [40554]

  Mr. Watts
  The cost-benefit analysis prepared for the schemes progress through the statutory procedures was considered by the then Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Southend, West, (Mr. Channon) when he considered the public inquiry inspector's report in February 1989. He accepted the inspectors' recommendation that the scheme should proceed. The Highways Agency study looked again at the economic evaluation and this was considered as part of the whole report by the then Secretary of State, my right hon.Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney) when he decided that the scheme should proceed. This decision is supported fully by my right hon. Friend the current Secretary of State. The net present value of the benefits of the scheme, at current prices, range between £124.8 million on low traffic growth assumptions and £285.6 million assuming high growth.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on what date he expects the tender documents for the Newbury bypass to be sent out to contractors; [41954]
  762
  (2) what has caused the delay in the issue of Newbury bypass tender documents to contractors beyond the end date expected in August; [41958]

  (3) on what date he now expects the construction of the Newbury bypass to commence; [41956]

  (4) by what date he now expects the Newbury bypass to be completed; [41957]

  (5) by what date he now expects the tendering process for the Newbury bypass to be completed. [41955]

  Mr. Watts
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State confirmed on 11 October that the Newbury bypass will go ahead.

  We are aiming to complete the tendering process in order to meet that commitment. Work will start as soon as possible in 1996 and we would anticipate that construction would be completed some two or so years after award of contract.

  Following upon the previous Secretary of State's decision to go ahead with the bypass, work has continued to complete EC procedures for competition and bring the tender documents up to date. There has been no undue delay. The Highways Agency has moved as quickly as possible. We currently expect tenders to be invited within a few weeks.

  Oil Tankers (Movements)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he proposes to review safety procedures and pollution control regarding movements of oil tankers. [41459]

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

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Cynog Dafis, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about oil tanker movements.
  A number of internationally-agreed routeing measures are in place around the United Kingdom (UK) to enhance safe navigation and protect the marine environment. Measures include Areas to be Avoided, Precautionary Areas, Recommended Routes, Traffic Separation Schemes and a Deep-Water Route west of the Hebrides, specifically for large tankers.
  This Agency reviews the effectiveness of the routeing measures around the UK and takes rigorous action to follow up reported infringements. In particular, the Agency considers carefully any recommendations on routeing matters made by the Department of Transport's Marine Accident Investigation Branch as a result of its investigations into collisions and groundings.
  Recent amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention will allow for the introduction of compulsory ship-reporting systems from 1 January 1996 and compulsory ship-routeing systems from 1 January 1997, subject to their acceptance at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The UK is at the forefront of efforts to develop a workable system of automatic ship-identification transponders and is pressing at the IMO for the early introduction of this equipment on oil tankers. Transponders will increase the ability of coastal states to monitor the movement of shipping.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new plans he has to tighten regulations regarding movements of bulk oil tankers. [41490]
  763
  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required, both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41748]

  Mr. Watts
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Transport and Road Safety to the hon. Member for Nottinhgam, North (Mr. Allen) and 6 November. As to public sector contributions for approved projects, the position is as follows:

  Project

  Public funding

  Northern Line trains

  Payments to GEC over the period of the contract are confidential.

  Midland Metro Line 1

  In total, some £130 million is being contributed by the public sector towards the capital cost of the scheme. There is no public sector revenue support.

  Emergency Tugs
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost in the financial year of stationing emergency tugs at(a) Stornoway and (b) Dover; and what is the estimated cost for the stationing emergency tugs at the same ports during the forthcoming winter for six months from 1 November. [41730]

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

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. James Wallace, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with operational matters, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  The cost for the emergency tugs for winter 1994–95 (4 months) was as follows:

  (a) Stornoway: £425,500

  (b) Dover Strait: £418,400

  The estimated cost of the vessels for winter 1995–96 (6 months) is as follows:

  (a) Stornoway: £1,000,000

  (b) Dover Strait: £1,100,000

  Red Routes
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the new priority routes, red routes, to be introduced in Islington; on which roads; at what costs; and if he will make a statement. [42043]

  Mr. Norris
  The programme of implementation of red routes is a matter for the traffic director for London. In Islington, he is currently introducing red route measures on the A501 Pentonville road, at a cost of 764
  around £500,000, and measures on the A503 Seven Sisters road are planned for 1997, subject to finance, at a cost of around £1 million.

  Car-free Areas (London)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to authorise car-free areas in inner London; and if he will make a statement. [42041]

  Mr. Norris
  It is for local highway authorities to consider whether to introduce such schemes.

  Traffic-Free Zones (London)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies have been undertaken by the Government office for London into the possibility of creating traffic-free zones in inner London; and if he will make a statement. [42040]

  Mr. Norris
  None.

  Car Commuting Estimates
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his latest estimates for the level of daily car commuting into central London for 1996 to the year 2000; and if he will make a statement. [42042]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department's most recent cordon survey recorded 114,000 cars entering central London between 7 am and 10 am on a typical weekday in 1993. Projections are not made for short spans of years but on present assumptions, growth is expected to average about 0.5 per cent. per year between 1991 and 2011.

  Burnley and Pendle Bus Co.
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what indication he has given to Pendle council or any of its councillors regarding his consent to the sale of Burnley and Pendle Bus Co. [41920]

  Mr. Norris
  For reasons of commercial confidentiality, it is not my practice to disclose the details of any correspondence with a local authority on such an issue.

  Vehicle Emission Checks
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what budget is allocated for enforcing emission standards; how many vehicle owners are fined for failing emission standards every year; and how many light vehicles fail emission standards at road tests every year. [42117]

  Mr. Norris
  The total budget for vehicle emissions checks in 1995–96 is £621,900, which includes £400,000 for the special emission blitzes we have been running over the past year. Latest figures show that around 16 per cent. of taxis, 4 per cent. of cars, and 8 per cent. of light goods vehicles exceed prescribed emission limits. Offenders are normally given 14 days to obtain a new MOT certificate in order to demonstrate that any roadworthiness defects have been corrected. Most comply and so there is only a very small number of prosecutions.

  Bus and Coach Industry
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of the EC bus and coach directive on the United Kingdom industry. [42115]

  Mr. Norris
  We are currently awaiting a formal proposal for a bus and coach construction directive from the Commission. We have had full discussions with the manufacturing and operating industry and will do everything possible to ensure that any directive protects both the interests of industry and the future of existing UK vehicle types.

  Transport Policy
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what were the main findings of the interactive survey to examine public attitudes to transport policy and the environment. [42116]

  Mr. Norris
  Results from the first stage of this research are not expected until the new year.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish a response to the 18th report of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution, transport and the environment. [41755]

  Mr. Norris
  Decisions on the Government's response will be taken in the light of the national debate on transport policy.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is proposing(a) to promote (i) cycling, (ii) walking and (iii) use of public transport and (b) to reduce the amount of road traffic. [41756]

  Mr. Norris
  A range of measures is already in place. Views on further measures were invited as part of the national debate on transport policy.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he intends to take to reduce the proportion of urban journeys undertaken by car(a) in London from 50 per cent. in the London area to (i) 45 per cent. by 2000 and (ii) to 35 per cent. by 2020 and (b) in other urban areas from 65 per cent. (i) to 60 per cent. by 2000 and (ii) 50 per cent. by 2020. [41762]

  Mr. Norris
  Views on the desirability of such targets, and the measures required to meet them, were invited as part of the national debate on transport policy.

  Ship-identification Transponders
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has currently been made through the International Maritime Organisation for the early introduction of ship-identification transponders on oil tankers. [41864]

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

  Letter from R.M. Bradley to Mr. Elliot Morley, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about transponders.
  766
  There appears to be broad international acceptance of the principle of transponders and it is encouraging that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has now developed a performance standard for a system based on VHF radio, which is particularly suitable for monitoring coastal shipping.
  The United Kingdom is continuing its efforts at the IMO to secure the compulsory carriage of transponders on larger ships as soon as possible. As part of that drive, this Agency is conducting a trial using automatic ship-identification transponders on a number of ships in the Dover Strait.

  Official Hospitality (Expenditure)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list(a) the total amount spent by his Department on hospitality and (b) each item of expenditure over £1,000 spent on hospitality by his Department in each of the last five years. [40995]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport—excluding its agencies—has spent the following amounts on official hospitality over the past five years.

  1990–91: £204,040

  1991–92: £170,015

  1992–93: £233,762

  1993–94: £234,986

  1994–95: £127,247

  These figures have been obtained from the Department's computerised accounts system. The categories of expenditure used to obtain the figures are:

  C1300: Entertainment UK (superseded in 1993–94 by C1305 and C1306)

  C1301: Official teas/working lunches

  C1305: Entertainment UK (ministers)

  C1306: Entertainment UK (others)

  C1310: Entertainment overseas (ministers)

  C1311: Entertainment overseas (others)

  C1320: Road opening ceremonies

  C1321: Medal ceremony costs.

  The number of items of expenditure over £1,000 in each of the above categories over the past five years is as follows:

  C1300

  C1301

  C1306

  C1311

  C1320

  C1321

  Total

  1990–91

  13

  11

  —

  3

  1

  1

  29

  1991–92

  1

  1

  —

  3

  8

  3

  16

  1992–93

  4

  2

  —

  2

  3

  1

  12

  1993–94

  —

  2

  1

  1

  2

  —

  6

  1994–95

  —

  —

  3

  2

  —

  —

  5

  Freight Transport
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the percentage of freight sent by(a) road and (b) rail in each year since 1979. [41811]

  Mr. Watts
  The percentage of total freight sent by(a) road and (b) rail in each year since 1979 is as follows:

  Year

  Rail percentage of billion tonne KMs

  Road percentage of billion tonne KMs

  1979

  11

  55

  1980

  10

  53

  1981

  10

  54

  767

  Year

  Rail percentage of billion tonne KMs

  Road percentage of billion tonne KMs

  1982

  9

  53

  1983

  9

  52

  1984

  7

  55

  1985

  8

  55

  1986

  9

  56

  1987

  9

  58

  1988

  8

  60

  1989

  8

  62

  1990

  7

  62

  1991

  7

  61

  1992

  7

  61

  1993

  7

  64

  1994

  6

  65

  Source:

  TSGB, 1995.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to increase the proportion of freight carried by rail and decrease the proportion of freight carried by road. [41758]

  Mr. Watts
  Rail must improve its performance if it is to attract new traffic and retain existing freight customers. The key to this is liberalisation and privatisation. We have already opened up the rail network to competition. Privatisation of British Rail's freight businesses will follow as soon as possible.

  Rail freight is being further encouraged by a considerably enhanced grants regime. Some 145 grants have been awarded since 1979, with a total value of £100 million at today's prices, securing traffic to rail equivalent to over 2.5 million lorry journeys per year.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the total amount of EU funds that have been made available to the channel tunnel rail link; for what purposes and to which organisations; and if he will make a statement. [41761]

  Mr. Watts
  Grant has been provided from the transport infrastructure programme since 1991 to support Union Railway's expenditure on feasibility studies for the channel tunnel rail link project. The payments made are as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1991

  4.0

  1992

  9.6

  Directive number

  Title

  Outstanding action

  95/21/EC

  On the enforcement, in respect of shipping using Community ports and sailing in the waters under the jurisdiction of the member states, of international standards for ship safety, pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions (port state control).The Regulations are being redrafted and it is intended to have domestic legislation in place at the beginning of 1996.

  94/57/EC

  Concerning common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations and for the relevant activities of maritime administrations.

  Draft regulations are being prepared and will be the subject of public consultation. No Parliamentary timetable has yet been set.

  768

  Year

  £ million

  1993

  8.0

  1994

  14.7

  Total

  36.3

  Note:

  £1 = 1.25 ECU.

  The Commission has recently awarded £13.6 million feasibility studies grant to Union Railways from the 1995 trans-European networks programme. This programme has replaced the transport infrastructure programme.

  Union Railways, a Government-owned company, is responsible for CTRL project development. Its feasibility studies work includes environmental and consultation work, geotechnical surveys, business planning and engineering design.

  Drivers' and Pilots' Working Hours
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what transport issues relating to(a) drivers' hours and (b) pilots' hours are currently before the EC's Social Committee and what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on each of them. [41766]

  Mr. Norris
  The European Commission's Joint Transport Committee on Road Transport is carrying out a survey of drivers' working hours in member states and has been asked to produce conclusions on the adoption of working time into the EU regulation on drivers' hours rules. The committee comprises representatives from employer organisations and unions. The Government are not party to these discussions but will consider the report when produced.

  We are not aware of any issues relating to pilots' hours before European Commission committees at present. However, flight and duty time for aircrew are being considered by the joint aviation authorities and we will consider any recommendation they propose.

  European Directives
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 31 October,Official Report, column 136, if he will list the 12 directives under consideration indicating the action required or being taken in each case and the timetable for parliamentary consideration in each case. [41598]

  Mr. Watts
  My answer of 31 October should have said that only 11 directives require secondary legislation. These directives are listed, along with the action required or being taken in each case:
  769

  Directive number

  Title

  Outstanding action

  94/58/EC

  Concerning the minimum level of training for seafarers.

  The vast majority of the IMO Standards for Training, Certification and Watchkeeping regulations have already been implemented. New legislation is required only for that part dealing with communication by the crew.

  Number not yet assigned

  On the allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and the charging of infrastructure fees.

  Discussions are underway with industry partners in advance of preparation of secondary legislation.

  Number not yet assigned

  On the licensing of railway undertakings.

  Discussions are underway with industry partners in advace of preparation of secondary legislation.

  87/540

  Access to the occupation of carrier of goods by waterway in national and international transport, and on the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications for this occupation.

  The United Kingdom benefits from a derogation for United Kingdom domestic carriers. Secondary legislation is being drafted to provide for certification for United Kingdom carriers operating in other member states and for the recognition in the United Kingdom of certificates granted in other member states for non-United Kingdom carriers using United Kingdom inland waterways.

  94/56

  On the investigation of civil aviation accidents and incidents.

  Implementation of this directive entails amendments to both primary and secondary legislation. It is anticipated that this will be completed before the obligatory date of 21 November.

  92/97

  Amends 70/157 in respect of the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of vehicles.

  Regulations applying this directive to new vehicle types came into effect on 1 October 1995. Regulations applying it to all vehicles entering into service are in preparation and will come into effect on 1 October 1996. Subject to statutory consultation the latter will be made and laid in Parliament early in 1996.

  93/75

  Minimum requirements for vessels bound for or leaving Community ports and carrying dangerous or polluting goods.

  This directive as implemented on 31 October 1995.

  94/55

  On the approximation of the laws of member states with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by road.

  The Health and Safety Executive will soon publish draft regulations for consultation. The regulations are expected to be laid before Parliament in the summer of 1996.

  91/439

  On driving licences.

  Draft regulations amending primary legislation are now with Parliamentary Counsel. The drafting of regulations to amend secondary legislation is in hand. It is not possible at present to indicate when either set of regulations will be submitted to Parliament.

  Cycling
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures exist, or are proposed, to increase cycle use to 10 per cent. of all urban journeys by 2005. [41757]

  Mr. Norris
  We have taken a number of initiatives which are designed to encourage and increase the number of people cycling. I announced in June this year that we intended to identify national targets for more cycling use. The steering group that we have set up to generate a national strategy for cycling will consider what targets are most appropriate.

  Railways (Expenditure)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list figures for total Government spending on the railways for the current year and in each of the last 10 years. [41809]
  770
  Mr. Watts
  The table provides details of the railways' external finance requirement for each year since 1985–86.

  £ million cash

  1985–86

  910

  1986–87

  777

  1987–88

  545

  1988–89

  376

  1989–90

  711

  1990–91

  1,077

  1991–92

  1,464

  1992–93

  2,064

  1993–94

  1,461

  1994–95

  1,541

  1995–96

  1 975

  Notes:

  1 Planned figure.

  1. From 1987–88, figures exclude movements in payroll creditors.

  Ro-ro Ferries
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the decision by the Council of Ministers in respect of the European Parliament's proposal in respect of the safety management certificates of ro-ro ferries visiting EU ports. [41759]

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

  Letter from R.M. Bradley to Mr. Graham Allen dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your request that he make a statement on the decision by the Council of Ministers in respect of the European Parliament's proposal in respect of the Safety Management Certificates of ro-ro ferries visiting EU ports.
  The UK fully supports this proposal which will require all such ro-ro passenger ferries to carry a Safety Management Certificate from the 1 July 1996 regardless of the flag of the vessel.

  Council of Transport Ministers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make available the minutes of the last EU Council of Transport Ministers meeting on 28 September. [41760]

  Mr. Watts
  Details of the voting at the Transport Council were set out in my right hon. Friend's reply of 6 November to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, North-East (Mr. Barnes). Minutes of the Council meetings prior to a Council decision of 2 October 1995 on the release of such minutes were not routinely made public. However, the Council Secretariat has issued a press release reporting on the outcome of the Transport Council. I shall send a copy to the hon. Member.

  Rail Commuters
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which five cities have the lowest percentage of commuters using rail. [41331]

  Mr. Watts
  This information is not held by my Department.

  Road Accident Statistics
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list for each police force area the number of children killed or injured while travelling on school transport for each of the last five years; [40998]

  (2) if he will list for each police force area the number of fatalities resulting from accidents involving heavy goods vehicles for each of the last five years. [40997]

  Mr. Norris
  Available information is shown in the following tables.

  School pupil casualties (travelling to or from school) on a minibus or PSV by police region, severity and year

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Metropolitan Police

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  18

  10

  9

  7

  1

  Slight

  35

  40

  80

  43

  34

  772

  School pupil casualties (travelling to or from school) on a minibus or PSV by police region, severity and year

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Cumbria

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  1

  0

  3

  1

  Slight

  9

  0

  5

  3

  3

  Lancashire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  4

  0

  Slight

  7

  3

  7

  35

  26

  Merseyside

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Slight

  14

  9

  14

  20

  63

  Greater Manchester

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  1

  2

  1

  0

  1

  Slight

  28

  25

  30

  21

  32

  Cheshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  6

  3

  14

  2

  3

  Northumbria

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  1

  2

  0

  0

  2

  Slight

  12

  9

  7

  9

  31

  Durham

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  Slight

  21

  8

  7

  61

  5

  North Yorkshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Slight

  15

  25

  1

  6

  6

  West Yorkshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  3

  0

  2

  Slight

  19

  26

  12

  79

  35

  South Yorkshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  Slight

  10

  4

  20

  13

  25

  Humberside

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Serious

  1

  0

  0

  19

  2

  Slight

  5

  7

  7

  54

  2

  Cleveland

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  1

  3

  2

  1

  0

  West Midlands

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  Slight

  0

  12

  7

  23

  12

  Staffordshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Slight

  34

  4

  5

  14

  39

  773

  School pupil casualties (travelling to or from school) on a minibus or PSV by police region, severity and year

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  West Mercia

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  14

  21

  10

  27

  14

  Warwickshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Slight

  3

  2

  6

  0

  6

  Derbyshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  13

  4

  1

  7

  4

  Nottinghamshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Slight

  11

  11

  9

  12

  18

  Lincolnshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Slight

  7

  17

  5

  43

  10

  Leicestershire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  25

  18

  28

  0

  1

  Northamptonshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  1

  4

  2

  0

  4

  Cambridgeshire

  Fatal

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  0

  4

  8

  0

  0

  Norfolk

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  5

  60

  1

  5

  0

  Suffolk

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Slight

  20

  2

  25

  4

  5

  Bedfordshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  2

  7

  2

  2

  2

  Hertfordshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  1

  0

  0

  5

  0

  Slight

  7

  0

  25

  9

  1

  Essex

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  9

  2

  4

  28

  9

  Thames Valley

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  2

  0

  2

  1

  0

  Slight

  7

  26

  70

  35

  22

  774

  School pupil casualties (travelling to or from school) on a minibus or PSV by police region, severity and year

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Hampshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Slight

  11

  3

  16

  0

  22

  Surry

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  19

  3

  1

  39

  1

  Kent

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Slight

  11

  2

  3

  10

  6

  Sussex

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Slight

  8

  3

  20

  1

  14

  City of London1

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Slight

  46

  5

  3

  5

  7

  Avon and Somerset

  Fatal

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  2

  7

  2

  7

  6

  Gloucestershire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Serious

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  18

  0

  0

  13

  22

  Wiltshire

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Slight

  0

  4

  30

  1

  0

  Dorset

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  20

  0

  10

  1

  10

  North Wales

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  6

  Slight

  5

  1

  5

  64

  93

  Gwent

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Slight

  15

  30

  1

  3

  17

  South Wales

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Serious

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  Slight

  13

  22

  47

  32

  21

  Dyfed-Powys

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  2

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  30

  7

  7

  0

  23

  775

  School pupil casualties (travelling to or from school) on a minibus or PSV by police region, severity and year

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Northern

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  2

  2

  1

  2

  8

  Grampian

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  5

  3

  2

  3

  3

  Tayside

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  16

  2

  1

  2

  1

  Fife

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  2

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Slight

  30

  1

  12

  1

  4

  Lothian and Borders

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  2

  3

  7

  11

  12

  Central

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  14

  20

  4

  10

  4

  Strathclyde

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Serious

  0

  4

  1

  1

  5

  Slight

  22

  22

  17

  11

  78

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Fatal

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Serious

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Slight

  1

  2

  0

  6

  0

  Total Fatal

  0

  1

  1

  3

  2

  Serious

  46

  30

  26

  51

  31

  Slight

  630

  498

  603

  778

  766

  1 Included in Metropolitan area.

  Notes:

  1. The Police do not record the purpose for which the vehicle is being used when involved in injury accidents. Consequently the Mr. Norris: The Mayday call is used where there is a table includes all minibuses and PSV's where a school pupil travelling to or from school was killed or injured.

  2. Scchool pupils have been classified as those aged fifteen and is required. under.

  Fatalities from accidents involving HGVs by police area and year

  Police Force Code

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Metropolitan Police

  58

  37

  39

  44

  41

  Cumbria

  33

  14

  18

  17

  11

  Lancashire

  23

  8

  11

  11

  13

  Merseyside

  9

  6

  7

  10

  7

  Greater Manchester

  23

  24

  24

  22

  11

  Cheshire

  20

  32

  16

  18

  19

  Northumbria

  17

  14

  13

  5

  6

  Durham

  11

  12

  8

  7

  3

  North Yorkshire

  23

  36

  21

  23

  18

  West Yorkshire

  25

  24

  16

  25

  18

  South Yorkshire

  13

  10

  12

  20

  8

  Humberside

  11

  11

  19

  15

  15

  Cleveland

  1

  8

  2

  0

  1

  West Midlands

  35

  14

  23

  12

  14

  Staffordshire

  18

  12

  12

  8

  19

  West Mercia

  31

  18

  23

  30

  31

  776

  Fatalities from accidents involving HGVs by police area and year

  Police Force Code

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Warwickshire

  3

  7

  16

  22

  8

  Derbyshire

  13

  22

  17

  23

  13

  Nottinghamshire

  22

  21

  12

  9

  15

  Lincolnshire

  39

  16

  20

  18

  18

  Leicestershire

  15

  20

  24

  20

  13

  Northamptonshire

  24

  23

  11

  12

  6

  Cambridgeshire

  30

  18

  15

  10

  18

  Norfolk

  17

  15

  22

  18

  22

  Suffolk

  9

  6

  9

  10

  9

  Bedfordshire

  12

  8

  20

  15

  7

  Hertfordshire

  17

  11

  8

  11

  8

  Essex

  28

  28

  21

  17

  6

  Thames Valley

  46

  35

  34

  24

  25

  Hampshire

  34

  21

  17

  18

  16

  Surrey

  13

  11

  4

  5

  5

  Kent

  17

  21

  27

  22

  14

  Sussex

  17

  12

  16

  14

  7

  City of London1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon and Cornwall

  11

  11

  13

  17

  8

  Avon and Somerset

  18

  25

  21

  15

  11

  Gloucestershire

  17

  12

  10

  4

  13

  Wiltshire

  14

  15

  18

  14

  16

  Dorset

  6

  13

  8

  4

  14

  North Wales

  10

  18

  4

  12

  10

  Gwent

  3

  2

  6

  1

  5

  South Wales

  9

  5

  9

  7

  11

  Dyfed-Powys

  17

  13

  11

  9

  14

  Northern

  7

  8

  5

  7

  7

  Grampian

  9

  9

  11

  9

  12

  Tayside

  7

  13

  11

  9

  7

  Fife

  5

  2

  2

  4

  5

  Lothian and Borders

  15

  11

  15

  9

  6

  Central

  5

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Strathclyde

  22

  36

  27

  27

  26

  Dumfries and Galloway

  3

  11

  11

  13

  7

  Total

  885

  782

  742

  699

  620

  1 Included in Metropolitan area.

  Heathrow Airport (Emergency Calls)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the numbers and categories of Mayday aircraft for Heathrow airport for the last 10 years. [42114]

  Mr. Norris
  The Mayday call is used where there is a serious and/or imminent danger and immediate assistance is required.

  Mayday calls are normally made to air traffic control centres rather than to airport. Monday calls made by aircraft bound for Heathrow airport for the last 10 years are as follows:

  Years

  Mayday calls

  1985 to 1989 inclusive

  0

  1990

  2

  1991

  0

  1992

  0

  1993

  1

  1994

  1

  1995

  1

  Hidden Report
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the legal obligation on the British Railways
  777
  Board to implement the recent recommendation of the Hidden report, following the Clapham accident, is also binding on Railtrack. [42082]

  Mr. Watts
  Railtrack, like the British Railways Board, implements railway accident inquiry recommendations relating to its responsibilities according to the principles of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. The Act is based on reducing risks as low as reasonably practicable, taking into account costs and safety benefits.

  All the Hidden report recommendations addressed to British Rail and the British Transport police have either been implemented, or have alternative actions in hand, or are on-going. The position on outstanding recommendations is recorded in my reply to a question by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 16 October 1995, columns 86–87.

  A350
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate of future traffic flows has been made by his Department for the A350 between the M4 and Warminster in both directions. [41856]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Faber, dated 7 November 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate of future traffic flows has been made by his Department for the A350 between the M4 and Warminster in both directions.
  The A350 is a principal road for which Wiltshire County Council is the highways authority. However, the Highways Agency have carried out limited traffic survey work on the A350 at West Aston to the east of Trowbridge, in connection with our trunk road proposals for the A36 East of Bath-Beckington Improvement scheme. The annual average two-way daily flow forecast for the year 2018 at West Aston is in the range 27,000–35,000 if there is no improvement to the A36, and in the 18,000–24,000 if the A36 East of Bath-Beckington Improvement scheme is built to dual carriageway standard on the preferred route.

  International Marine Safety Corps
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards re-establishing an international marine safety corps to inspect vessels globally. [41595]

  Mr. Norris
  The original international marine safety corps was set up in 1978 primarily to provide expert advice to developing countries in the formulation of regulations and survey procedure.

  International co-operation in maritime safety has now advanced to a point where re-establishment of such a corps would no longer be appropriate or necessary.

  Roads Expenditure
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list total Government spending on roads in each year for the last 10 years. [41808]

  Mr. Watts
  The information requested regarding total Government spending on roads, in cash terms in each year for the last 10 years is set out below in £ million:778

  1985–86: 1,317.8

  1986–87: 1,391.8

  1987–88: 1,476.6

  1988–89: 1,599.3

  1989–90: 1,852.5

  1990–91: 2,435.4

  1991–92: 2,623.8

  1992–93: 2,919.3

  1993–94: 3,084.6

  1994–95: 2,929.2

  European Court Decisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the oral answer of the Attorney-General of 30 October,Official Report, column 12, relating to decisions of the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights, if he will list those European Court decisions relating to responsibilities of his Department over the past two years; and what was the estimated annual cost to public funds of each decision. [41217]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign Office.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 7 November. [40299]

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 7 November. [40300]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister is travelling to New Zealand to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

  Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of the 31 October 1995,Official Report, column 96, regarding membership of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, if he will make a further statement. [41994]

  The Prime Minister
  I understand that the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) was a member of Parliamentary Labour CND in the 1980s. I would be delighted if he has since recanted his views.

  Council of Europe and Western European Union
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the information bulletin on the activities of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of the Western European Union covering the period March to September 1995. [42215]

  The Prime Minister
  I have done so today.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Terrorist Offences
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were first prosecuted for terrorist type offences(a) in the year prior to the 1 September 1994 in respect of crimes occurring before 1 September 1993 and (b) in the year prior to 1 September 1995 in respect of crimes occurring over a year before that date. [38483]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I will write to the hon. and learned Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Occupational Health and Safety
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public funds have been made available to the Northern Ireland occupational health and safety group over the last three years. [40887]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Since 1 April 1992 the Health and Safety Agency for Northern Ireland has contributed £11,226 to initiatives involving the Northern Ireland occupational health and safety group. Details are provided in the table.

  Financial year

  Purpose of payment

  Amount £

  1992–93

  Purchase of display stand space at Group conference

  130

  1993–94

  Contribution towards costs of Group safety quiz and three Group safety awareness seminars

  5,500

  1994–95

  Contribution towards costs of Group safety quiz, school leavers' seminars and school video project

  4,450

  1995–961

  Costs of advertising occupational safety awards scheme

  1,146

  Total

  11,226

  1 To date.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration is given in the rules relating to the Child Support Agency to pre-existing debts owned by the absent parent; what assessment he has made as to whether the regulations are leading to bankruptcies; and what evidence he has as to the relationship between claims for incapacity benefit and the agency's financial demands. [40890]

  Mr. Moss
  At present no allowance is made for pre-existing debts in the child support maintenance formula. Such debts will, however, be considered under the proposed departure system, which it is anticipated will come into force towards the end of 1996.

  While we have undertaken no formal evaluation, there is no indication that child support regulations have led to bankruptcies; nor is there any evidence of a relationship between claims for incapacity benefits and the requirements to pay child support maintenance.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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 workforce; and what were the corresponding figures for five years ago. [41118]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is listed:

  Temporary/casual employment

  Percentage of total workforce

  Part-time employment

  Percentage of total workforce

  1995

  1,365

  5.21

  1,910

  7.29

  1990

  1,137

  4.18

  754

  2.77

  The 1990 figures for civilian staff of the Prison Service are not included as the information is not held in the format requested.

  Official Inquiries
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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 dates when findings were released to the public. [41449]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is as follows:

  Official enquiries

  Date initiated

  Date findings released to public

  The Stormont Fire and Fire Safety in Crown Buildings Inquiry

  January 1995

  April 1995

  'An Abuse of Trust' an investigation by the Social Services Inspectorate

  November 1992

  January 1994

  Review of the Operational Policy in Belfast Prison for the Management of Paramilitary Prisoners from opposing factions.

  December 1991

  March 192

  Business Assistance
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people who have been helped to return to business in Northern Ireland by the local enterprise development unit, have also received assistance from(a) Industrial research and technology unit and (b) the Training and Employment Agency. [41896]

  Sir John Wheeler
  One company which was established following the original launch of LEDU's "Making it Back Home" campaign in 1991 has received assistance from both the Training and Employment Agency and the industrial research and technology unit.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many businesses in Northern Ireland have(a) applied for assistance from the export marketing research scheme and (b) been granted

  781
  assistance by the export marketing research scheme in the past five years in Northern Ireland. [41904]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Since March 1990, 11 Northern Ireland companies have applied for assistance under the export marketing research scheme. Of these, eight applications were successful and three were rejected.

  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public funds were invested in the Rath Mor community business centre in Creggan, Londonderry; what assistance was given to the project by the International Fund for Ireland; what plans there are for the location of a Wellworths supermarket in the centre; and if he will make a statement about the availability of public funds for supermarket chains from(a) Great Britain; and (b) the Republic of Ireland locating in Northern Ireland. [41947]

  Mr. Moss
  The public sector contribution to the Rath Mor centre comprised a grant of £1.08 million and a loan of £0.27 million paid by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland together with an amount of £12,500 paid by the local enterprise development unit of the Department of Economic Development.

  I understand that the International Fund for Ireland has assisted the development. The fund is administered by an independent board appointed jointly by the two Governments. All disbursements are a matter for that Board and questions regarding them should be directed to the fund's chairman, Mr. William T. McCarter, PO Box 2000, Belfast BT4 3SA.

  Wellworths has occupied the supermarket unit in the Rath Mor centre since it opened.

  There are no public funds available for supermarket chains from Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland wishing to locate in Northern Ireland.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money will be available in total every year for the "Making it Back Home" scheme. [41898]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The initial budget will be £2 million next year. Experience from that year will help set future budgets.

  Jobskills Programme
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will list the names of the Training and Employment Agency approved providers of the jobskills programme in Northern Ireland; [41900]

  (2) how many people are currently participating in jobskills programmes in Northern Ireland (a) in the 16–24 year age group, (b) in the 25–60 year age group, (c) who have never been in employment and (d) who have been unemployed for more than one year; [41902]

  (3) how many of the participants in the jobskills programme in Northern Ireland are currently on a jobskills access course. [41901]

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  782
  A list of organisations approved by the Training and Employment Agency to provide training for the jobskills programme has been placed in the library.

  Letter from Ian Walters to Ms Marjorie Mowlam, dated 6 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me, as the Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency, to reply to your questions about Jobskills.

  1. Question No 1683

  Attached is a list of the organisations approved by the Training and Employment Agency to provide training for the Jobskills programme.

  2. Question No 1696

  The numbers of participants in Jobskills Access from the latest information available at 13 October 1995 is 1,496.

  3. Question No 1691

  From the latest information available the number of people participating in the Jobskills programme at 13 October 1995:

  (a) in the 16–24 year age group is 9,104;

  (b) in the 25–60 year age group is 1,477.

  The eligibility conditions for entry to Jobskills do not require information from participants which would provide answers to questions (c) and (d).

  I hope you find this helpful.

  Investors (Visits)
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many investors visited the(a) district of Down (b) borough of Castlereagh (c) borough of Ards at the request of the industrial development board in each of the past 10 years and if he will make a statement about the number of new jobs promoted by the IDB in each of these areas. [41908]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested on the number of visits by investors is not available for all of the period specified and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The table shows the number of IDB sponsored visits by potential investors to the areas concerned between April 1993 and September 1995.

  Visits by investors

  District Council

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96 (to 30 September)

  Total

  Newtownards

  10

  3

  1

  14

  Castlereagh

  5

  3

  5

  13

  Down

  2

  10

  3

  15

  In the past 10 years IDB has promoted a total of 2,863 jobs in the areas concerned as follows:

  District council area

  Down

  Castlereagh

  Ards

  Total

  1985–86

  10

  141

  155

  306

  1986–87

  67

  168

  247

  482

  1987–88

  108

  124

  298

  530

  1988–89

  318

  95

  164

  577

  1989–90

  24

  404

  67

  495

  1990–91

  —

  68

  50

  118

  1991–92

  —

  84

  149

  233

  1992–93

  —

  18

  49

  67

  1993–94

  —

  —

  41

  41

  1994–95

  —

  —

  14

  14

  Total

  527

  1,102

  1,234

  2,863

  European Regional Funds
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if private sector funding is admissible to match funding available under the European Union objective 1 funding programmes for Northern Ireland; [41889]

  (2) if private sector funding is admissible to match funding available under European Union objective 2 funding programmes for Northern Ireland. [41890]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Northern Ireland is entirely an objective 1 region and as such the Government welcome private sector contributions to projects which the structural funds support. Where activities merit and are eligible for support under approved programmes in Northern Ireland private sector contributions are admissible as matching funding.

  Radioactivity
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what systems are in place to monitor levels of radioactivity in the seas surrounding Northern Ireland and how often such monitoring is carried out. [41891]

  Mr. Moss
  In Northern Ireland the Department of the Environment's chief inspector, appointed under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, monitors levels of radioactivity in the Irish sea and the Northern Ireland coastal environment.

  The inspectorate arranges for samples of seaweed, sediment, fish, nephrops and winkles to be collected and forwarded for analysis by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's fisheries research laboratory at Lowestoft. Samples are taken quarterly except in the case of sediments, where the frequency is six monthly. The Northern Ireland results are published annually in the MAFF report "Radioactivity in Surface and Coastal Waters of the British Isles" and in the Northern Ireland abstract of statistics.

  In addition to this programme the inspectorate monitors the gamma dose rate in air over intertidal sediments in each district council in Northern Ireland with a coastline.

  Peace and Reconciliation Programme
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what have been the administration costs to date to the Northern Ireland Office for the management and distribution of the European special support programme for peace and reconciliation. [41894]

  Sir John Wheeler
  To date, the administration of the European special support programme for peace and reconciliation has been undertaken by the Department of Finance and Personnel and other Northern Ireland Departments from within their existing resources. This activity is undertaken alongside other activities and has not been separately costed. As is the case with other structural fund programmes, the costs of this administration will not be scored against the programme.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if private sector funding is admissible to match funding available under the European Union programme for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. [41888]
  784
  Sir John Wheeler
  The Government welcome private sector contributions to projects which the structural funds support. As is the case with all other European programmes, there is scope for the private sector and private finance to play their part in the special support programme for peace and reconciliation.

  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the funding allocated under the European Union special support programme for peace and reconciliation has been distributed to organisations in Northern Ireland to date; and what percentage this is of the total planned spending for the first year of the programme. [41893]

  Sir John Wheeler
  To date, no funding from the special support programme for peace and reconciliation has been distributed to organisations outside central Government in Northern Ireland, though provisional allocations have been determined for all measures. It is hoped that payments under the technical assistance sub-programme and for some projects can be made in November 1995. This reflects the need to establish the novel delivery mechanisms envisaged in the programme, including the need to develop contracts between the European Commission, Northern Ireland departments and intermediary funding bodies. In addition, the Government recognise that small organisations, which would not usually apply for funding, must be given time to submit an application. Any funds unspent in the first year of the programme will be carried forward to future years.

  Asbestos Pipes
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of(a) the presence and (b) the effects on health of asbestos fibres in water systems using asbestos cement pipes; what proposals exist to monitor the presence of asbestos fibres in the proposed Mourne to Belfast water supply pipelines; what is the estimated cost of monitoring the pipeline during its working lifetime; and if he will make a statement about the use of asbestos cement pipes for water supply systems. [41906]

  Mr. Moss
  The Department has commissioned a study by the water research centre to advise on the use of asbestos cement pipes for public water supply. The questions asked by the right hon. Gentleman are being considered as part of the study. I will let him know the outcome of the study in due course.

  Community Work Programmes
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is(a) the target number of trainees set for the pilot projects under the community work programme in (i) Fermanagh, (ii) Strabane and (iii) west Belfast and (b) the target date for completion of the pilot projects; [41895]

  (2) how many trainees have been placed to date under the community work programme pilot project in (a) Strabane, (b) Fermanagh and (c) west Belfast. [41905]

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  785
  Letter from Ian Walters to Ms Marjorie Mowlam, dated 6 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your questions on the Community Work Programme.
  The target number of participants and current occupancy in each of the pilot areas is as follows:

  Target

  Occupancy

  Fermanagh

  250

  89

  Strabane

  250

  38

  West Belfast

  500

  69

  A full evaluation of the Community Work Programme will be undertaken by March 1997 when decisions will be taken regarding the future of the Programme.

  Deregulation
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration led to the decision not to replicate sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 in the proposed Northern Ireland Order. [41866]

  Mr. Ancram
  This approach was not adopted because of concerns that subordinate orders, made under an Order in Council, would not be subject to formal scrutiny by Parliament— a situation substantially at odds with that in Great Britain.

  Employment Schemes
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what structures are in place to monitor the success rates of people gaining full-time employment after finishing a placement with an action for community employment scheme in Northern Ireland. [41899]

  Mr. Ancram
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Ian Walters to Ms Marjorie Mowlam, dated 6 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me, as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency, to reply to your question about ACE.
  The ACE Leavers Survey is a biannual survey which examines the destinations of leavers three months after leaving the programme. The first survey analyses the results of those who leave in May each year with a corresponding exercise being carried out for October leavers.
  A Community Audit Return is undertaken on an annual basis. All ACE Projects are asked to provide information on a range of measures related to their performance including destinations of leavers.
  In 1994–95, 19% of ACE leavers entered full-time employment.
  I hope that you find this helpful.

  Planning Permission (Black Mountain)
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultations with the local community took place before the Department of the Environment gave planning permission to White Quarry Industries for quarrying to go ahead in the Black Mountain area of Belfast. [41903]
  786
  Mr. Moss
  Prior to 1974, express planning permission was not required in Northern Ireland for the continuation of operations in respect of a quarry undertaking which had been in existence when planning control was first introduced in 1944. The Black Mountain quarry was such a quarry undertaking and enjoyed what were known as "existing use rights". Quarry operations were brought under control in 1974 subject to a compensation provision for loss of existing use rights. Since that date eight planning applications for planning permission for the continuation of quarrying at Black Mountain have been granted subject to conditions. Before the applications were determined, notices were placed in local newspapers, in accordance with normal statutory procedures, giving the opportunity for members of the public to make representations and objections which were taken into account before the applications were determined.

  Export Marketing Research Scheme
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money is available to employers of up to 500 workers in Northern Ireland under the export marketing research scheme. [41911]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The maximum amount of financial assistance available to Northern Ireland employers under the export marketing research scheme is £20,000 per project. A maximum of two projects can be funded annually.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what private sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41744]

  Sir John Wheeler
  No schemes under the private finance initiative, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in November 1992, have been approved in Northern Ireland to date. A number of areas, including two pilot projects covering sewage treatment plans in the water executive with an estimated value of £20–25 million are under consideration. It is too early, however, to put a total value on these schemes or estimate what the public sector contribution is likely to be.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons in his Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid. [42078]

  Sir John Wheeler
  None.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his Department relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42079]
  787
  Sir John Wheeler
  Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

  Guided Learning Hours
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 4 April,Official Report, column 1062, what definition he intends to introduce to mirror the concept of guided learning hours appropriate to England and Wales. [41949]

  Mr. Moss
  The guided learning hours concept does not apply in Northern Ireland where the distinction between full-time and part-time courses remains clear in all sectors of education. The determining rules for Northern Ireland will continue to be that attendance at a full-time course will normally exclude a person from benefit. Attendance at a part-time course will not exclude that individual from benefit, so long as he or she remains available for and actively seeking work.

  Abortions
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will commence recording as a separate statistic the number of medical terminations of pregnancy carried out in the Northern Ireland health service; and for what reasons they are not so recorded. [42083]

  Mr. Moss
  The number of medical terminations of pregnancy carried out in the Northern Ireland health service is not collected as a separate statistic. The Abortion Act 1967 does not apply in Northern Ireland and thus there is at present no legal obligation for doing so.

  Regimental Pension Provision
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those sections of the RUC, Royal Ulster Constabulary reserve, Ulster Defence Regiment and Royal Irish Regiment that were since 1969 ineligible to join their appropriate public sector pension scheme and if he will list(a) the dates on which they became eligible, (b) what backdating was applied and (c) in each case which sections were (i) part-time and (ii) full-time; and what plans he has to review the position of those whose service has not been pensionable. [42084]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Pension provision for the UDR and the RIR is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary.

  The RUC full-time reserve was given access to the RUC pension scheme on 1 July 1994 and awarded full credit for service from 6 April 1988.

  The RUC part-time reserve does not have access to the RUC pension scheme. However, in the light of a recent European Union directive, a review of the terms and conditions, including pensions, of part-time employees generally will be undertaken by the Northern Ireland Office.

  Former members of the Ulster Special Constabulary who on 1 March 1969 had less than 10 years' continuous mobilised service or who had 10 or more years of such service but elected to retain their mobilised status, and
  788
  who were subsequently embodied in the RUC on 1 May 1970 as full-time "auxiliary constables", are entitled under the terms of the RUC Pensions Regulations 1988 to a gratuity rather than a pension. Their entitlement is under review at present.

  Civil Service Transfers
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to add to the categories of compassionate grounds for facilitating inter-service transfers between the Northern Ireland and home civil service of those civil servants who marry a person resident in Great Britain and vice versa. [42085]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I have no plans to add to the categories of compassionate grounds for facilitating inter-service transfers. As I said in my reply to the hon. and learned Gentleman on 16 October 1995,Official Report, column 177, the criteria for compassionate transfers between the Northern Ireland civil service and the home civil service include those who need to move to be with their spouse. A civil servant seeking a transfer because of marriage to a person resident in Great Britain or vice versa would be eligible for consideration.

  However, movement is dependent on suitable vacancies being available and the recent contraction of both services has reduced opportunities for transfers.

  Ulster Scots Language
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Arts Council's policy in respect of initiatives to support the Ulster Scots language. [42087]

  Mr. Ancram
  I shall write to the hon. and learned Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will propose to the Arts Council that it(a) takes steps to give symbolic recognition to the Ulster Scots language and (b) produces part of its annual report in that language. [42088]

  Mr. Ancram
  I shall write to the hon. and Learned Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Annual Remuneration
  Mr. Malcom Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals in(a) his Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies received annual remuneration including benefits in kind exceeding (i) £100,000, (ii) £200,000 and (iii) £300,000 in each year since 1985–86. [40858]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 1 November 1995]: Other than pension contributions, benefits in kind are not normally paid to staff in the Northern Ireland Office and NI Departments, agencies and NDPBs. As members of the principal civil service pensions scheme, staff receive benefits in accordance with the scheme rules which have been deposited in the Library of the House. The numbers receiving annual remuneration above the sums specified, excluding pension benefits, in the years in question, is not available in some Departments prior to 1992–93. In 1992–

  789
  93, one individual received annual remuneration exceeding £100,000.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Ministerial Information Systems
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he has established a MINIS system for his office. [41468]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  Yes.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41736]

  Mr. Horam
  The Cabinet Office, including the Office of Public Service, HMSO and the Central Office of Information have not approved any schemes to date under the private finance initiative.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41735]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  In respect of the Cabinet Office (Office of Public Service), HMSO, and COI, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many persons in(a) his Office and (b) the Central Office of Information are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list them; and how much each is paid. [42070]

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no staff within my private office or within the Central Office of Information wholly employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry. It is not possible to identify the number of people involved on a part-time or occasional basis within my private office or the Central Office of Information or as external consultants or advisers. It is not the practice to name staff or external advisers.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many persons have been authorised to have

  Local Education Authority net current expenditure on education administration

  Cash prices

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  £000

  Percentage of total education1spending

  £000

  Percentage of total education1spending

  £000

  Percentage of total education1spending

  £000

  Percentage of total education1spending

  Clywd

  5,992

  3.9

  7,903

  4.4

  8,057

  4.1

  7,585

  4.7

  Dyfed

  5,847

  4.3

  5,370

  3.5

  8,262

  4.8

  6,865

  4.3

  Gwent

  n/a

  n/a

  6,821

  3.5

  7,184

  3.5

  6,707

  3.5

  790
  access to documents held by (a) his Office and (b) the Central Office of Information relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42071]

  Mr. Freeman
  Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by the Deputy Prime Minister's Office and the Office of Public Service relating to the Scott inquiry; and if he will list such persons. [42056]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  Ministers, former Ministers, officials and other advisers have access to material relating to the inquiry as necessary in order to carry out their responsibilities.

WALES

  Local Education Authorities (Administrative Costs)
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by local eduation authority the number of administrative staff employed and the administrative costs in cash and constant terms, indicating the percentage of total education spending in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [41159]

  Mr. Richards
  The latest available outturn information is given in the tables. Administration expenditure includes service strategy and regulation and management and administration within the education management and support services sector. Administration expenditure was charged directly to the relevant parts of the education service in 1990–91 for Gwent, 1990–91 and 1991–92 for Gwynedd and 1993–94 for Powys, and is not available separately. Outturn information is not available on a consistent basis for 1989–90.

  The number of administrative staff employed by education authorities cannot be identified from the information held centrally. The estimated number of full-time and part-time non-manual staff employed in the education service, other than lecturers and teachers, in June 1994 was 11,050–8,870 full-time equivalents.

  This comprises all non-manual support staff identified as employed within the education service and includes administrative, secretarial and clerical staff, youth and community workers, nursery and other non-teaching classroom assistants, library staff serving educational establishments, educational psychologists and careers guidance staff. Figures for individual education authorities are not published by the Local Government Management Board because estimates at this level of disaggregation are not sufficiently reliable.
  791

  Local Education Authority net current expenditure on education administration

  Cash prices

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  £000

  Percentage of total education1spending

  £000

  Percentage of total education1spending

  £000

  Percentage of total education1spending

  £000

  Percentage of total education1spending

  Gwynedd

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  4,553

  4.2

  4,081

  4.1

  Mid Glamorgan

  9,347

  4.3

  9,459

  3.8

  11,221

  4.4

  10,501

  4.2

  Powys

  2,290

  4.8

  2,254

  4.1

  3,283

  5.4

  n/a

  n/a

  South Glamorgan

  4,519

  3.1

  5,406

  3.2

  3,920

  2.3

  2,696

  1.7

  West Glamorgan

  5,245

  3.6

  5,131

  3.2

  6,293

  3.7

  4,586

  3.0

  Constant 1994–95 prices

  Clywd

  6,948

  3.9

  8,625

  4.4

  8,449

  4.1

  7,722

  4.7

  Dyfed

  6,779

  4.3

  5,861

  3.5

  8,664

  4.8

  6,989

  4.3

  Gwent

  n/a

  n/a

  7,444

  3.5

  7,534

  3.5

  6,828

  3.5

  Gwynedd

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  4,775

  4.2

  4,155

  4.1

  Mid Glamorgan

  10,838

  4.3

  10,323

  3.8

  11,767

  4.4

  10,691

  4.2

  Powys

  2,655

  4.8

  2,460

  4.1

  3,443

  5.4

  n/a

  n/a

  South Glamorgan

  5,240

  3.1

  5,900

  3.2

  4,111

  2.3

  2,745

  1.7

  West Glamorgan

  6,081

  3.6

  5,600

  3.2

  6,599

  3.7

  4,669

  3.0

  1Excluding school catering.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many students taking places in teacher training for(a) primary and early years and (b) secondary in each of the last three years were able to teach through the medium of Welsh; and if he will make a statement about the extent to which all schools will have sufficient staff to meet the Welsh language requirements of the national curriculum. [41156]

  Mr. Richards
  The number of student teachers enrolled on to Welsh medium primary and secondary initial teacher training courses in the period 1992 to 1994 is shown in the table. Enrolment figures for 1995 are not yet available.

  Primary

  Secondary

  Total

  1992

  229

  95

  324

  1993

  197

  103

  300

  1994

  203

  121

  324

  In addition, students on English medium courses of training, but who are Welsh speaking, may also be available to teach in Welsh medium schools if prospective employers judge that the individual teachers can meet the needs of their school.

  As from September 1996, all ITT primary courses are required to have, as an integral part of their courses, training in Welsh as a second language. This should increase substantially the number of teachers capable of teaching Welsh in primary schools.

  The enrolment target given to the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales for secondary courses with Welsh as the main subject takes into account the Department's published projections of demand for teachers of Welsh. In 1994, the number of students enrolled on secondary Welsh courses increased, for the fifth consecutive year, and was in line with the target set. A substantial investment is also being made in in-service training for teachers, particularly to support the teaching of Welsh as a second language and to enable schools to meet the requirements of the national curriculum.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of state for Wales what is the average class size in(a) grant-maintained secondary schools and (b) grant-maintained primary schools; and what changes in average class size have taken place in each of the last three years. [41169]

  Mr. Richards
  Average class sizes in grant-maintained primary and secondary schools are shown as follows:

  Average Class Size1

  Year

  Primary Schools

  Secondary Schools

  September 1991

  —

  20.9

  September 1992

  —

  22.5

  January 19942

  25.9

  21.1

  January 19953

  25.2

  20.8

  1 Average class size is calculated as the number of pupils divided by the number of classes. In the case of primary schools, the number of classes used is the number of registered classes whereas for secondary schools it is the number in which the pupils were taught in a specified period on the day of the school census.

  2 From 1993–94 onwards class size information has been collected in January not September.

  3 Provisional data.

  Source:

  School Census.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many pupils at(a) primary and (b) secondary level currently attend grant-maintained schools; and what was the percentage attended at each level listed by local education authority. [41155]

  Mr. Richards
  The number of pupils in grant-maintained schools in each local authority as at January 1995 is as follows.

  Local Education Authority

  1Number of pupils

  2Per cent.

  Primary schools

  Clwyd

  489

  1.2

  Dyfed

  —

  —

  Gwent

  223

  0.5

  Gwynedd

  270

  1.3

  Mid Glamorgan

  —

  —

  793

  Local Education Authority

  1Number of pupils

  2Per cent.

  Powys

  26

  0.2

  South Glamorgan

  —

  —

  West Glamorgan

  —

  —

  Wales

  1,008

  0.3

  Secondary schools

  Clwyd

  3,739

  13.8

  Dyfed

  —

  —

  Gwent

  1,573

  5.2

  Gwynedd

  —

  —

  Mid Glamorgan

  —

  —

  Powys

  —

  —

  South Glamorgan

  3,144

  11.2

  West Glamorgan

  975

  4.0

  Wales

  9,431

  4.8

  16-year-olds in full-time education for each local education authority area in Wales1 1992–93

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Population2

  5,100

  100

  4,100

  100

  5,200

  100

  2,900

  100

  6,600

  100

  In schools3 4

  1,938

  38

  2,310

  57

  1,977

  38

  1,166

  40

  2,898

  44

  In sixth Form colleges5

  510

  10

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  In FE institutions5

  833

  16

  764

  19

  1,688

  32

  713

  24

  1,379

  21

  Total

  3,281

  64

  3,074

  75

  3,665

  70

  1,879

  64

  4,277

  65

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Wales

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Population2

  1,400

  100

  4,600

  100

  4,400

  100

  34,400

  100

  In Schools3 4

  632

  44

  1,921

  42

  882

  20

  13,724

  40

  In Sixth Form Colleges5

  —

  —

  347

  7

  —

  —

  857

  2

  In FE Institutions5

  388

  27

  1,045

  23

  2,268

  52

  9,078

  26

  Total

  1,020

  70

  3,313

  72

  3,150

  72

  23,659

  69

  1993–94

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Population2

  4,900

  100

  4,000

  100

  5,100

  100

  2,600

  100

  6,200

  100

  In Schools3 4

  1,829

  38

  1,965

  49

  2,031

  40

  847

  33

  2,868

  47

  In Sixth Form Colleges5

  556

  11

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  In FE Institutions5

  865

  18

  996

  25

  1,733

  34

  995

  38

  1,316

  21

  Total

  3,250

  67

  2,961

  75

  3,764

  73

  1,842

  71

  4,184

  68

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Wales

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Population2

  1,400

  100

  4,500

  100

  4,100

  100

  32,700

  100

  In Schools3 4

  588

  42

  1,883

  42

  869

  21

  12,880

  39

  In Sixth Form Colleges5

  —

  —

  383

  8

  —

  —

  939

  3

  In FE Institutions5

  370

  27

  1,000

  22

  2,129

  52

  9,404

  29

  Total

  958

  69

  3,266

  72

  2,998

  73

  23,223

  71

  61994–95

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Population2

  4,800

  100

  4,100

  100

  5,000

  100

  2,700

  100

  6,300

  100

  In schools3 4

  1,793

  37

  1,986

  48

  1,928

  38

  979

  36

  2,876

  46

  794
  Notes:

  1 The total number of full-time pupils in secondary schools and for primary schools the total number of full-time and part-time pupils. Provisional data.

  2The total number of pupils in grant-maintained schools as a percentage of the total number of pupils in the local education authority. Provisional data.

  Source:

  Schools Census.

  Full-time Education
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was(a) the number and (b) the percentage of 16-year-olds in full-time education in (i) school sixth forms, (ii) sixth form colleges and (iii) colleges of further education in each local education authority in each of the last three years. [41148]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is in the following tables.
  795

  61994–95

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  In sixth form colleges5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  In FE institutions5

  1,712

  36

  1,116

  27

  1,178

  23

  942

  35

  1,342

  21

  Total

  3,505

  73

  3,102

  75

  3,106

  62

  1,921

  70

  4,218

  67

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Wales

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Population2

  1,500

  100

  4,500

  100

  4,200

  100

  33,200

  100

  In schools3 4

  691

  47

  1,967

  43

  854

  20

  13,074

  39

  In sixth form colleges5

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  In FE institutions5

  317

  21

  1,394

  31

  2,251

  53

  10,252

  31

  1,008

  68

  3,361

  74

  3,105

  73

  23,326

  70

  Notes:

  1Information based on providing LEA and not student domicile. Ages as at 31 August prior to academic year. Sixth Form Colleges transferred from LEA control on 1 April 1993 and are now funded by the FEFCW. From 1994–95 no distinction is made between Sixth Form Colleges and any other type of Further Education Institution.

  2 Population based on mid year estimates and rounded to nearest hundred.

  3Includes all 16 year olds at Maintained, Grant Maintained, Independent and Special Schools.

  4 At January each year.

  5 At November each year.

  6 Provisional.

  Source:

  FESR and STATS1.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by local education authority or local authority area the capital expenditure on colleges of further eduction in both cash and constant prices since 1978–79. [41163]

  Mr. Richards
  The figures for 1978–79 to 1992–93 are not available. Capital expenditure made available by the Further Education Funding Council for Wales since it became responsible for funding the FE sector in April 1993 is shown in the table by local education authority area.

  LEA Area

  1993–94 £

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  Clwyd

  2,307,260

  5,584,663

  2,900,083

  Dyfed

  4,613,090

  4,599,179

  2,588,230

  Gwent

  2,153,694

  3,484,716

  1,058,175

  Gwynedd

  4,219,279

  4,962,548

  1,613,573

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,619,187

  4,279,814

  1,529,900

  Powys

  488,784

  1,536,977

  923,045

  South Glamorgan

  1,550,465

  2,517,561

  835,627

  West Glamorgan

  1,680,790

  3,627,462

  1,213,878

  Non-County Based1

  34,656

  75,137

  14,043

  Total

  18,667,206

  30,668,057

  12,676,554

  Grand total £62,011,817

  1 In respect of Workers Educational Association and YMCA.

  School Catering
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total net expenditure on the school catering service in each local education authority in each of the last five years. [41154]
  796
  Mr. Richards
  The latest available outturn information is given in the following table. Figures for 1989–90 have been reworked to match, as closely as possible, the definition of current expenditure used from 1990–91 onwards.

  Current Expenditure on School Catering

  £ thousands

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  Clywd

  3,241

  3,280

  3,801

  4,039

  2,297

  Dyfed

  3,430

  4,518

  6,300

  6,113

  5,177

  Gwent

  4,920

  5,254

  5,124

  5,458

  5,828

  Gwynedd

  2,259

  2,976

  3,629

  3,907

  3,403

  Mid Glamorgan

  7,454

  8,296

  9,164

  10,051

  9,760

  Powys

  1,066

  1,253

  1,465

  1,441

  1,261

  South Glamorgan

  1,840

  2,244

  2,904

  4,846

  3,873

  West Glamorgan

  2,903

  2,716

  3,183

  3,505

  3,370

  Total Wales

  27,113

  30,537

  35,570

  39,360

  34,969

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average class size in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools; and what were the comparable figures in 1989 to 1994. [41171]

  Mr. Richards
  The table shows the average class size in Wales for both primary and secondary schools.

  Average class size1 as at:

  Primary Schools

  Secondary Schools

  September 1989

  24.8

  20.5

  September 1990

  24.8

  21.0

  September 1991

  25.0

  21.5

  September 1992

  25.0

  21.4

  797

  Average class size1 as at:

  Primary Schools

  Secondary Schools

  January 19942

  25.6

  20.1

  January 19953

  25.8

  21.1

  1 Average class size is calculated as the number of pupils divided by the number of classes. In the case of primary schools, the number of classes used is the number of registered classes, whereas for secondary schools it is the number in which the pupils were taught in a specified period on the day of the school census.

  2 From 1993–94 onwards, class size information has been collected in January not September.

  3 Provisional data.

  Source: Schools Census

  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of primary school pupils in Wales taught in classes of over 40 pupils in(a) January 1994 and (b) January 1995, per local authority and if he will make a statement. [41631]

  Mr. Hague
  The annual schools census collects information about class sizes only in respect of the number of classes, not the precise number of pupils in the classes. The information can, however, be used to make broad estimates of the numbers of pupils in classes of a particular size. On the basis of these estimates, there were approximately 500 pupils in ordinary classes of more than 40 pupils in January 1994 and approximately 700 in January 1995. These pupils represented 0.2 per cent. of all pupils in ordinary classes in January 1994 and 0.3 per cent. in January 1995.

  No estimates are available for individual local authorities.

  New Homes
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total number of new homes started by(a) local authorities and new towns and (b) housing associations in each year since 1974. [41150]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Greenwich (Mr. Raynsford) on 19 October 1995,Official Report, column 340.

  Dunlop Semtex Factory
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action his Department has taken to date to preserve the Brynmawr rubber factory; and if he will make a statement. [40947]

  Number of pupils (full time equivalent)1

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Clwyd

  36,538

  27,367

  37,208

  26,487

  37,512

  26,303

  37,683

  26,774

  Dyfed

  31,339

  23,682

  31,853

  23,182

  31,846

  23,310

  31,839

  24,014

  Gwent

  40,055

  29,227

  41,499

  28,222

  42,070

  28,129

  42,441

  28,810

  Gwynedd

  19,742

  16,357

  19,868

  15,549

  19,258

  15,285

  19,179

  15,340

  Mid Glamorgan

  53,417

  37,539

  54,892

  36,161

  55,374

  35,899

  55,410

  36,792

  Powys

  10,188

  7,986

  10,361

  7,814

  10,392

  7,739

  10,471

  7,800

  South Glamorgan

  34,794

  26,627

  35,599

  25,743

  36,541

  25,857

  37,333

  26,544

  West Glamorgan

  33,804

  23,214

  34,463

  22,565

  34,731

  22,671

  34,778

  22,928

  Wales

  259,877

  191,999

  265,743

  185,723

  267,724

  185,193

  269,134

  189,002

  798
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In 1986, the former Dunlop Semtex factory at Brynmawr was listed grade II* as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The associated boiler house was listed grade II. As listed buildings, listed building consent—from the local planning authority—is required before either structure can be altered or demolished. In 1986, an application to demolish the factory was called-in for determination by the then Secretary of State and consent refused. Subsequently, a working party was convened by the local planning authority under the chairmanship of Dame Margaret Weston to seek uses for the buildings. The Welsh Office has given financial assistance towards the costs of a project to re-use the boiler house as a theatre. The future of the former factory building continues to be considered through the planning system.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to make a statement on local government finance, and if he will include additional information in respect of Welsh Office expenditure. [41049]

  Mr. Hague
  In accordance with usual practice, I plan to announce my proposals for 1996–97 local government total standard spending and aggregated external finance in a written parliamentary answer on Budget day, 28 November.

  I hope to make an oral statement to the House some time in December on public expenditure in Wales. My statement will include expenditure on Welsh Office services; provisional standard spending assessments for local authorities; details of a damping scheme to limit increases in council tax levels in 1996–97; my capping proposals and relevant notional amounts; and local government capital settlements for 1996–97.

  Pupil-teacher Ratios
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by local education authority the number of(a) primary pupils and (b) secondary pupils and the number of teachers with the pupil-teacher ratio in both categories since 1989. [41157]

  Mr. Richards
  Information on pupils, teachers and pupil teacher ratios in maintained primary and secondary schools in each local education authority area since 1989 is as follows:
  799

  1992–95

  1993–94

  1994–952

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Clwyd

  37,882

  27,269

  38,407

  26,753

  38,978

  27,172

  Dyfed

  31,645

  24,289

  31,567

  24,571

  31,816

  24,861

  Gwent

  43,025

  29,440

  43,792

  30,002

  44,662

  30,536

  Gwynedd

  19,544

  15,445

  19,680

  15,318

  20,220

  15,303

  Mid Glamorgan

  56,976

  37,743

  56,814

  38,590

  56,881

  39,479

  Powys

  10,588

  7,885

  10,688

  7,927

  10,941

  8,071

  South Glamorgan

  38,234

  27,229

  39,472

  27,364

  39,840

  28,150

  West Glamorgan

  35,115

  23,263

  35,242

  23,876

  35,282

  24,325

  Wales

  272,009

  192,563

  275,662

  194,401

  278,620

  197,897

  1 Includes both GM and LEA schools. Secondary includes sixth form colleges prior to 1993–94. Full-time equivalent of pupils: each part-time pupil is treated as half of a pupil.

  2 Provisional.

  Number of qualified teachers (full-time equivalent)1

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1992–92

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Clwyd

  1,482

  1,718

  1,510

  1,679

  1,550

  1,676

  1,563

  1,711

  Dyfed

  1,554

  1,495

  1,597

  1,469

  1,599

  1,472

  1,614

  1,480

  Gwent

  1,756

  1,966

  1,798

  1,889

  1,801

  1,857

  1,801

  1,841

  Gwynedd

  951

  1,142

  945

  1,110

  926

  1,082

  907

  1,074

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,308

  2,380

  2,347

  2,297

  2,311

  2,271

  2,355

  2,328

  Powys

  518

  555

  519

  544

  508

  529

  510

  537

  South Glamorgan

  1,536

  1,606

  1,607

  1,651

  1,691

  1,641

  1,716

  1,656

  West Glamorgan

  1,566

  1,592

  1,609

  1,531

  1,615

  1,498

  1,617

  1,477

  Wales

  11,671

  12,454

  11,932

  12,170

  12,001

  12,026

  12,083

  12,104

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–952

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Clwyd

  1,610

  1,746

  1,588

  1,641

  1,565

  1,599

  Dyfed

  1,625

  1,517

  1,636

  1,535

  1,599

  1,528

  Gwent

  1,843

  1,886

  1,864

  1,859

  1,870

  1,861

  Gwynedd

  926

  1,074

  915

  1,035

  953

  1,019

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,386

  2,378

  2,416

  2,452

  2,409

  2,500

  Powys

  513

  535

  524

  544

  533

  553

  South Glamorgan

  1,737

  1,675

  1,747

  1,652

  1,798

  1,698

  West Glamorgan

  1,646

  1,486

  1,673

  1,516

  1,668

  1,531

  Wales

  12,286

  12,297

  12,363

  12,234

  12,395

  12,289

  1 Includes both GM and LEA schools. Secondary includes sixth form colleges prior to 1993–94. Full-time equivalent of teachers: the full-time equivalent of part-time teachers express the teachers' service in hours as a proportion of school week, normally 32.6.

  1 Provisional.

  Pupil teacher ratio1

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–97

  1991–92

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Clwyd

  24.7

  15.9

  24.6

  15.8

  24.2

  15.7

  24.1

  15.7

  Dyfed

  20.2

  15.8

  19.9

  15.8

  19.9

  15.8

  19.7

  16.2

  Gwent

  22.8

  14.9

  23.1

  14.9

  23.4

  15.2

  23.6

  15.7

  Gwynedd

  20.8

  14.3

  21.0

  14.0

  20.8

  14.1

  21.2

  14.3

  Mid Glamorgan

  23.2

  15.8

  23.4

  15.7

  24.0

  15.8

  23.5

  15.8

  Powys

  19.7

  14.4

  20.0

  14.4

  20.5

  14.6

  20.5

  14.5

  South Glamorgan

  22.7

  16.6

  22.2

  15.6

  21.6

  15.8

  21.8

  16.0

  West Glamorgan

  21.6

  14.6

  21.4

  14.7

  21.5

  15.1

  21.5

  15.5

  Wales

  22.3

  15.4

  22.3

  15.3

  22.3

  15.4

  22.3

  15.6

  800 801

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  Secondary

  Clwyd

  23.5

  15.6

  24.2

  16.3

  24.9

  17.0

  Dyfed

  19.5

  16.0

  19.3

  16.0

  19.9

  16.3

  Gwent

  23.4

  15.6

  23.5

  16.1

  23.9

  16.4

  Gwynedd

  21.1

  14.4

  21.5

  14.8

  21.2

  15.0

  Mid Glamorgan

  23.5

  15.9

  23.5

  15.7

  23.6

  15.8

  Powys

  20.6

  14.7

  20.4

  14.6

  20.5

  14.6

  South Glamorgan

  22.0

  16.3

  22.6

  16.6

  22.2

  16.6

  West Glamorgan

  21.3

  15.7

  21.1

  15.7

  21.2

  15.9

  Wales

  22.1

  15.7

  22.3

  15.9

  22.5

  16.1

  1 Includes both GM and LEA schools. Secondary includes sixth form colleges prior to 1993–94. Pupil teacher ratio is calculated as the ratio of full-time equivalent pupils t full-time equivalent teachers.

  2 Provisional.

  Improvement Grants
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in each housing authority area are waiting for(a) improvements and (b) disabled improvement grants; and what percentage of the population this is for each area. [41170]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Pupil Statistics
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by local education authority in cash and constant prices the spending per child in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools since 1989 and the average cost per pupil in cash and constant prices of an assisted place since 1989. [41161]

  Mr. Richards
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Historic Houses
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what support is given to help private owners of homes that have a historic and architectural interest to retain and maintain their homes; and if he will list those private historic homes which have received grants over the past three years, giving the amount of grant in each case and the specific purpose of each grant. [41149]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office may offer grants for the repair of buildings judged to be of outstanding historical or architectural interest or for works that make a significant contribution towards the preservation or enhancement of a conservation area. The Historic Buildings Council for Wales must be consulted before a grant is made and details of grants and their purpose are set out in the council's annual reports, which have been laid before the House.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are estimated to be homeless in each local housing authority area, and what were the comparable figures in 1986 and 1990. [41147]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Information on people accepted as homeless under part III of the Housing Act 1985 is shown in the table.
  802

  People accepted as homeless in Wales

  Number

  Between 1 April and 30 June

  19861

  19901

  11995

  Aberconwy

  43

  20

  42

  Alyn and Deeside

  84

  80

  118

  Arfon

  9

  22

  24

  Blaenau Gwent

  114

  221

  159

  Brecknock

  34

  50

  84

  Cardiff

  456

  650

  489

  Carmarthen

  34

  45

  49

  Ceredigion

  24

  87

  67

  Colwyn

  13

  27

  62

  Cynon Valley

  229

  116

  37

  Delyn

  80

  241

  51

  Dinefwr

  51

  31

  99

  Dwyfor

  53

  38

  31

  Glyndwr

  13

  17

  9

  Islwyn

  34

  101

  83

  Llanelli

  76

  66

  41

  Lliw Valley

  55

  104

  13

  Meirionnydd

  38

  63

  39

  Merthyr Tydfil

  46

  141

  123

  Monmouth

  211

  69

  26

  Montgomery

  27

  44

  87

  Neath

  212

  151

  137

  Newport

  295

  665

  295

  Ogwr

  421

  304

  600

  Port Talbot

  33

  94

  84

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  44

  70

  98

  Radnor

  12

  14

  29

  Rhondda

  61

  36

  52

  Rhuddlan

  51

  38

  22

  Rhymney Valley

  172

  148

  52

  South Pembrokeshire

  25

  88

  69

  Swansea

  161

  98

  646

  Taff-Ely

  75

  145

  111

  Torfaen

  212

  194

  107

  Vale of Glamorgan

  100

  316

  142

  Wrexham Maelor

  169

  212

  148

  Ynys Mon

  14

  9

  57

  1Figures relate to people accepted as homeless through the quarter to 30 June.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each civil service grade dealing with education at all levels the number of(a) male and (b) female and (i) full-time and (ii) part-time employees and the comparable figures for 1990 and 1985. [41151]
  803
  Mr. Hague
  The following tables show the numbers of staff in my Department by grade dealing with education as at 1 November 1995 and 1 October 1990.

  The staff figures shown for 1 November 1995 exclude staff working in the office of Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools in Wales, which was established as a separate department in 1992.

  Comparable figures for 1985 are not available.

  Count of Staff Working in the Education Department by Grade by Sex as at 1 November 1995

  Males

  Females

  Grade

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  Grade 3

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Grade 5

  4

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Grade 7

  6

  —

  2

  —

  8

  SEO

  4

  —

  —

  1

  5

  HEO

  10

  —

  4

  1

  15

  HEOD

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  AT

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  EO

  11

  —

  12

  1

  24

  AO

  3

  —

  7

  5

  15

  PS

  —

  —

  4

  —

  4

  AA

  3

  —

  5

  2

  10

  TYP

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  43

  —

  36

  10

  89

  Count of staff working in the Education Department by grade by sex as at 1 October 1990 (including OHMCI)

  Males

  Females

  Total

  Grade

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Grade 3

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Grade 4

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Grade 5

  9

  —

  —

  —

  9

  Grade 6

  35

  —

  11

  —

  46

  Grade 7

  8

  —

  4

  —

  12

  SEO

  3

  —

  1

  —

  4

  HEO

  11

  —

  2

  1

  14

  EO

  6

  —

  11

  —

  17

  AO

  5

  —

  6

  —

  11

  PS

  —

  —

  13

  —

  13

  AA

  2

  —

  3

  —

  5

  TYP

  —

  —

  2

  —

  2

  Casual AA

  2

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Casual TYP

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  83

  —

  54

  1

  138

  Nursery Classes
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each local education authority and for Wales as a whole the number of statutory proposals made for the introduction of new nursery classes into a school during each of the last three years, indicating how many of these were in respect of Welsh medium schools. [41440]

  Mr. Richards
  The number of statutory proposals made by local authorities or governing bodies of voluntary schools to make a significant change in the character of a school by introducing a nursery class is given as follows. None was in respect of a Welsh medium school.
  804

  Number of statutory proposals published to establish nursery classes/units at infant/primary schools by relevant county and all Wales within the last three academic years:

  County

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Clwyd

  2

  0

  2

  Gwent

  2

  1

  2

  South Glamorgan

  0

  1

  7

  West Glamorgan

  2

  1

  1

  All Wales

  6

  3

  12

  Permanent Exclusions
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list by local education authority for each of the last five years the number of(a) primary and (b) secondary pupils who have been permanently excluded from school to attend pupil referral units; [41317]

  (2) if he will list by local education authority for each of the last five years the number of (a) primary and (b) secondary pupils who are receiving home tuition after being permanently excluded from school and (i) the average, (ii) the most and (iii) the least tuition hours provided [41319]

  Mr. Richards
  This information is not collected centrally at present. Consideration is, however, being given to the introduction of monitoring arrangements for the collection of such data.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by local education authority the number of pupils in each of the last five years who have been permanently excluded from(a) LEA-maintained schools and (b) grant-maintained schools; and what percentage of the school population this represents in each case. [41308]

  Mr. Richards
  I refer the hon. member to my reply of 19 July 1995 to the hon. Member for Darlington, (Mr. Milburn)Official Report, columns 1403–4.

  Cheese Production
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish a list showing which varieties of cheese are produced in Wales together with the location of these production centres and his estimate of the total volume of production in tonnes for each of the last three years. [41463]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The following varieties of cheese are produced in Wales:

  Caerphilly

  Cheddar and other rigid hard pressed cheeses

  Brie

  Specially blended cheeses such as:

  Y Fenni, St Illtyd, Harlech, Tintern Cambrian

  Goats cheeses

  Sheep cheeses

  Mozzarella

  Stilton

  This list may not be exhaustive.

  There are 29 cheese producers in Wales, nine of whom are major producers.
  805

  Location of cheese producers

  Area

  Number

  Clwyd

  3

  Dyfed

  19

  Glamorgan-Mid

  1

  Glamorgan-West

  1

  Gwent

  1

  Gwynedd

  3

  Powys

  1

  Information on the volume of production is not available.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the total volume of cheese production in Wales in tonnes and in pounds sterling at constant 1995 prices for each of the last three years, expressing each set of figures as a proportion of the corresponding totals for the United Kingdom. [41462]

  Mr. Jones
  This information is not available for Wales.

  NHS Finance
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of the NHS budget in Wales was spent on management, administrative and clerical staff in(a) 1989 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [41245]

  Mr. Richards
  The proportion of the NHS budget in Wales spent on management, administrative and clerical staff in 1988–89 and 1994–95 was about 6 per cent. and 7 per cent. respectively.

  Nurse Regrading
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about regrading in the nursing profession. [41246]

  Mr. Richards
  The management and staff side secretaries of the Nursing and Midwifery Negotiation Council are working together to formulate arrangements to complete all the clinical grading appeals as soon as possible.

  Pupils with a statement of special educational needs linked to emotional and behavioural difficulties 1

  Local Education Authority

  Primary schools

  Secondary schools

  January 1994

  January 19952

  January 1994

  January 19952

  Local Education Authority

  Clwyd

  50

  57

  48

  89

  Dyfed

  99

  96

  36

  42

  Gwent

  125

  154

  124

  116

  Gwynedd

  16

  24

  9

  13

  Mid Glamorgan

  23

  18

  11

  15

  Powys

  10

  22

  9

  13

  South Glamorgan

  45

  62

  14

  35

  West Glamorgan

  19

  9

  4

  5

  Wales

  387

  442

  255

  328

  1Includes children in both mainstream classes/units and special classes/units within the school.

  2Provisional.

  Unitary Authorities
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the unitary councils have formally selected the name of their council; if he will indicate, in each case,

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by local education authority the amount(a) not included and (b) included in schools' budgets to cater for special educational needs; and what were the comparable figures for 1990. [41315]

  Mr. Richards
  According to the section 42 budget statements submitted earlier this year by local education authorities in Wales, the following amounts have been retained by LEAs in 1995–96 for special needs support services including special units:

  £

  Clwyd

  3,412,000

  Dyfed

  8,005,000

  Gwent

  1,606,000

  Gwynedd

  1,747,000

  Mid Glamorgan

  4,377,000

  Powys

  1,447,000

  South Glamorgan

  4,520,000

  West Glamorgan

  991,000

  Comparable figures for 1990 are not available because the content of the section 42 statement was changed in 1992.

  Details of the amounts delegated to schools through their LEA's local management of schools budget formulae for special educational needs are not collected centrally.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by local education authority the numbers of(a) primary and (b) secondary school children who have received statements because of their emotional and behavioural difficulties in each of the last five years. [41318]

  Mr. Richards
  Information for 1994 and 1995 on the number of pupils in primary and secondary schools with statements of special need linked to emotional and behavioural difficulties is shown in the table. The information relates to the major need of the pupil identified on the individual statements of special educational need. Comparable figures for earlier years are not available.

  the name chosen; if there are separate English and Welsh versions; and if he will make a statement. [41380]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The 22 unitary councils bear the names of their authority area as approved by Parliament in the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994.
  807
  All authorities have Welsh and English names as listed in schedule 1 to the Act and are identified as either counties or county boroughs. The authority names were chosen after an extensive consultation exercise held in the spring of 1993. The new section 21 of the Local Government Act 1972—inserted by section 2 of the 1994 Act—requires all councils to have Welsh and English titles. Section 74 of the 1972 Act provides for local authorities to change the name of their area. Until 1 October 1996, a name change requires the consent of the Secretary of State for Wales. His consent is not required after that date. If a name is changed under section 74 and there are generally accepted alternative Welsh and English forms of the name, or alternative names, both names should be used.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the name of each community or town council within each of the new unitary council areas. [41381]

  Mr. Jones
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Traffic Calming
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each county and for Wales as a whole for 1992, 1993 and 1994(a) the number of applications received to implement traffic-calming measures (b) the number for which permission was granted (c) the total actual expenditure for each category and (d) the total actual expenditure paid for by the Welsh Office, together with this amount expressed as a proportion of (c), and if he will make a statement. [41441]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  On the Welsh trunk road network, the Welsh Office is considering approximately 20 locations as possible sites for trials of significant traffic-calming measures mainly on the rural network in Gwynedd, Powys and Dyfed.

  To date, eight sites have been authorised with a total cost of approximately £400,000 being fully funded by the Welsh Office as the trunk road highway authority. Design work is proceeding on a further three locations.

  The information on the county road network is not held by the Welsh Office. However the Welsh Office has received eight applications for the approval of 20 mph zones and a number of additional applications for the authorisation of non-standard measures in the period 1992–94. Decisions on implementation rest with the local highway authority and funding is provided from unhypothecated resources.

  National Blood Service
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning the reorganisation of the National Blood Service as it affects Wales. [41266]

  Mr. Richards
  The review of the National Blood Service undertaken by the National Blood Authority is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. Organisational changes stemming from the review which could have implications for the delivery of blood services in Wales will be considered by the Welsh Office and the managers of the National Blood Transfusion Service (Wales).

  Prostate Cancer
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of prostate cancer have been treated in each of the last 10 years, and if he will make a statement. [41249]

  Mr. Richards
  Information on the number of cases of prostate cancer treated is not available. The latest information on the number of new cases of prostate cancer registered by the Wales Cancer Registry is given in the following table.

  Prosate Cancer (ICD9 185)

  Year

  Number

  1981

  569

  1982

  548

  1983

  625

  1984

  691

  1985

  705

  1986

  681

  1987

  699

  1988

  729

  1989

  859

  1990

  857

  Source:

  Wales Cancer Registry.

  English and Welsh Education
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to improve spoken English and Welsh in schools. [41316]

  Mr. Richards
  The revised national curriculum, in place from September 1995, sets clear targets for improvements in spoken English and Welsh. Progress against these targets is assessed at ages seven, 11 and 14 and at age 16 through the GCSE. Additionally, discussions will be held shortly with the Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales and the Welsh Joint Education Committee on recording grades of spoken English and Welsh on GCSE certificates.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of these schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41737]

  Mr. Hague
  Within Welsh Office programmes, no contracts have been signed to date under the private finance initiative for projects costing over £1 million. Information on schemes costing less than £1 million is not collected.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many persons in his Department are on the public payroll or employed as consultants or advisers and work on a part-time or full-time basis in relation to the Scott inquiry; if he will list their names; and how much each is paid; [42044]
  809
  (2) how many persons have been authorised to have access to documents held by his Department relating to the Scott inquiry and if he will list such persons. [42045]

  Mr. Hague
  None.

  Environment Charters
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those district councils which have published environmental charters since 1991; and if he will make a statement. [42081]

  Mr. Hague
  This information is not held centrally. In 1993 the Government published guidance to assist local authorities in the production of local environmental charters and a number of Welsh councils have now prepared these.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish those projects promoting the Welsh language and culture which have received European funding during the last five years, indicating the amount received in each case. [42092]

  Mr. Hague
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Rural Development
  Mr. John Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if in the further consideration he is giving to rural development he will issue guidelines as to how much housing development he will allow in villages, in order that they retain their present character. [40937]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: At present, planning guidance on housing development in villages is included in planning policy guidance note 7 "The Countryside and The Rural Economy", issued in January 1992. This indicates that new housing will continue to be required in rural areas to sustain the health of the rural economy and the viability of village communities and that in many villages, provision can be made for modest development without damage to the character of the village. It is for the local planning authorities to determine the level of housing allowed in particular villages. These issues have been raised in the responses to the consultation exercises which have taken place both on the proposed revision of planning policy guidance in Wales and on the forthcoming rural White Paper for Wales. My right hon. Friend is now considering the responses received.

  Mr. Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration he has given to Welsh Office guidelines on out-of-town store development; and what account he has taken of the rules governing planning applications in England. [40936]

  Mr. Jones
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: Planning policy guidance on out-of-town retail developments is incorporated in the draft planning policy guidance (Wales) document which my right hon. Friend issued for public consultation in July. This draft provides
  810
  similar planning policy guidance to that contained in the draft PPG6—"Town Centres and Retail Developments" issued by DoE for Consultation in England.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by type of product(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41742]

  Mr. Howard
  Two contracts have been awarded under private finance initiative terms to date:

  The police national network

  Immigration detention facilities at Gatwick airport

  The total capital values of these projects are matters for the contractors, but are estimated to be £50 million and £12 million respectively.

  No public sector initial contribution has been required. Individual police forces purchase usage of PNN from public funds, but the value during the lifetime of the scheme will vary with demand. The rental for the Gatwick centre is projected to be £987,000 per annum.

  Private Security Industry
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if it is his policy to introduce legislation in the coming Session of Parliament to bring into effect statutory regulation of the private security industry; [41930]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to establish a system of regulation in the private security industry to provide for (a) the international nature of operators and (b) the range of inter-related services provided by some operators; [41936]

  (3) if he will make it his policy to introduce a statutory system to regulate the private security industry; and if he will set a target date for these measures; [41929]

  (4) if he will make it his policy to protect those companies in the private security industry which his Department assesses to be well run under statutory regulation of the industry; [41939]

  (5) if he will make it his policy to establish a system of regulation for the private security industry which can respond quickly to changes in the market. [41937]

  Mr. Maclean
  The case for regulation is being considered in the light of the Home Affairs Select Committee report. We will provide a full response to the Committee as soon as possible.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms are in place in his Department to ensure that any private security company providing services to his Department is and remains a member of the relevant voluntary regulatory body for the industry. [41934]
  811
  Mr. Howard
  No formal systems are in place, but membership of voluntary regulatory bodies may be taken into account with other factors when assessing companies for the award of security services contracts.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to bring into effect arrangements to allow for proper vetting procedures for(a) employees and (b) employers within the private security industry within statutory provisions to regulate that industry. [41938]

  Mr. Maclean
  We are aware that there are concerns about the employment within the industry of individuals with criminal records. The whole issue of disclosure of criminal records for employment vetting purposes is currently under review. A White Paper containing the Government's proposals in this area will be issued during the next few months.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to give powers to the police to intervene in the work of the private security industry in circumstances where there is a threat to public safety. [41926]

  Mr. Maclean
  The police have comprehensive powers to protect the public and to deal with criminal behaviour whenever it occurs.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will include(a) manned guarding and (b) patrol duties and (c) door supervision within statutory provisions to regulate the private security industry. [41931]

  Mr. Maclean
  The issue of regulation for the industry is under review. We are aware that concerns lie mainly in the contract manned guarding sector, which includes private patrolling services. Door supervisors raise particular difficulties which are being tackled through local registration schemes—a measure which the Home Affairs Select Committee supported—and guidance on these will shortly be issued.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the private security firms undertaking work for his Department during the present financial year and for each of the last five financial years, listing in each case and for each year the total number of full time equivalent posts paid for by his Department and the numbers in each category of role in each year; [41932]

  (2) how many private security firms employed by his Department have ceased to be a member of the relevant voluntary regulatory body during the period in which such services were being provided; and if he will indicate (a) the firms and (b) the regulatory bodies concerned; [41935]

  (3) if he will list the organisations providing private security services of any sort to his Department or to any agency responsible to him or to his Department in the current financial year and in any part of each of the past five financial years; indicating against each name the voluntary regulatory body or bodies to which each belongs. [41933]
  812
  Mr. Howard
  The following organisations have provided private security services to my Department over the past five years. Those marked are currently employed.

  Airline Security Consultants Ltd.

  Arrnaguard Ltd.*

  Aviation Defence International

  Aviation Security Consultants*

  Burns International Security Services Ltd.*

  Care Security Systems Ltd.*

  Chubb Wardens Ltd.

  Chubb Alarms Ltd.*

  Defence Security Services

  Defenco Security Services*

  Felixstowe Security Co

  Group 4 Court Service Ltd.*

  Group 4 Remand Services Ltd.

  Group 4 Prison Services Ltd.*

  Group 4 Securitas (Security Express)*

  Group 4 Total Security Ltd.*

  Grundig International Ltd.

  Harlow Security Systems Ltd.

  Lisburn Security Services*

  Maritime Aviation Security Services*

  North Essex Security Services Ltd.

  Potton Leisure Ltd.

  Premier Prison Services Ltd.*

  Reliance Security Service Ltd.*

  Rentokil Security Services Ltd.

  Scrottons Aviation Security*

  SDA (1979) Ltd.

  Securicor Custodial Services Ltd.*

  Securicor Ltd.*

  Securicor Management Group

  Securicor Security Services Ltd.*

  Securiguard Services Ltd.*

  Securite Service Ltd.

  Security Express Guards Ltd.

  Security Ulster Ltd.*

  Security Wales Ltd.*

  Sigma Security Ltd.*

  Shorrock Security Guards Ltd.*

  Sterling Granada

  UK Detention Services Ltd.*

  Information about the voluntary regulatory bodies to which these organisations belong, and whether the membership of such bodies has been maintained for the duration of the contract period, is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information about the number of staff employed on each contract and their role is also not readily available; in some cases the number varies from day to day for operational reasons.

  Kent Police Costs
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the expenditure on the police in Kent in 1979; and what it is at present and on a cash basis and as a percentage change in real terms since 1979. [41876]
  813
  Mr. Maclean
  Total expenditure on the Kent county constabulary has increased from £27.05 million in 1978–79 to an estimated £164.93 million for 1995–96. This is a real terms increase of 103 per cent.

  Mr. Abdul Onibiyo
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he gave to the safety of Abdul Onibiyo before ordering his removal to Nigeria; and if he will make a statement. [42003]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Mr. Onibiyo's asylum application was fully considered and rejected. This decision was subject to review by the independent appellate authority, which dismissed his appeal. Mr. Onibiyo's further application for leave to appeal to the tribunal was not granted and he was therefore returned to Nigeria under normal immigration procedures.

  Employment Vetting
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to introduce effective penalties against those who fail to follow proper procedures in respect of(a) vetting of staff, (b) vetting of employers and (c) provision of appropriate training to those so employed. [41925]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Government have been engaged in a review of all aspects of the employment vetting process and will be publishing a White Paper within the next few months setting out its proposals for new vetting arrangements.

  Stage Hypnosis
  Mr. Tim Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the review established to examine the evidence of the possible risk of harm to people taking part in stage hypnosis will report its findings. [42216]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The expert panel appointed to consider this matter submitted its report on 11 October 1995. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. The report concludes that there is no evidence of serious risk to the public from stage hypnosis. The report recommends that it may none the less be desirable to revise the scope of present licensing arrangements and the terms of associated guidelines. A public consultation paper will accordingly be issued shortly to interested parties.

  Electronic Monitoring
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has taken in respect of representations from the Magistrates Association about the trials of electronic monitoring currently in progress in Manchester, Reading and Norfolk: and if he will make a statement. [42217]

  Mr. Howard
  I have agreed to extend the area covered by the trials from the city of Manchester to the whole of Greater Manchester, and from Reading to the whole of Berkshire, and a statutory instrument has been made to give effect to this from Monday 6 November. As a separate issue, I am considering whether to extend the number of courts involved in the trial.
  814
  I have also agreed to fund a Magistrates Association seminar on sentencing in relation to electronic monitoring and this will be held on 8 and 9 November.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are being made for the reception and support of those additional people whom he announced on 6 August the Government had accepted under the temporary protection programme for people from the former Yugoslavia. [42218]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  On 28 July this year the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees wrote to a number of Governments asking for further 5,000 temporary protection places for citizens of the former Yugoslavia. In view of the pressing humanitarian need, my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary announced on 6 August that the United Kingdom would accept 500 people, principals and dependants, under the programme. This was an addition to the 1,000 vulnerable people and their dependants accepted under the previous programme announced in November 1992. The United Kingdom was one of the first countries in the world to respond to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' request.

  The UNHCR will continue to be responsible for identifying those who are most in need of temporary protection. The first group arrived on 5 October and arrangements are in hand to bring in a further group shortly. The Home Office is continuing to liaise with UNHCR about the timing of further arrivals.

  The Home Office is funding the Refugee Council and other voluntary agencies to support these new arrivals, by running reception centres to accommodate them on arrival, arranging more permanent housing and providing support in the community. Two centres have been opened and two more will open in November. On leaving the reception centres the evacuees will be housed, as were those on the current programme, in "clusters" which enable them to support each other but do not place an undue burden on local services. Programmes are being established to involve volunteers in the work of reception centres and in providing community help such as sports, social and cultural events.

  A request was also received from the International Organisation for Migration for the United Kingdom and other countries to accept for treatment sick and wounded people from the former Yugoslavia. The United Kingdom has agreed to accept a further 20 medical evacuees. Three patients have so far arrived under this programme.

  In addition to the temporary protection programme, the Home Office continues to examine carefully asylum applications made in the United Kingdom by people from the former Yugoslavia. Up to the end of June more than 12,000 people had applied for asylum. The Government's policy remains that those refused asylum will not be expected to return to a war zone, but will be granted leave to remain exceptionally until it is safe for them to return.

  Police Personnel Services
  Mr. Booth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his proposals for bringing competition to bear on police personnel services. [42219]
  815
  Mr. Maclean
  It is the Government's intention that compulsory competitive tendering should be introduced to police white collar support services as part of a rolling programme. Detailed consultation proposals for police personnel services were issued on 24 February 1995. The Government have now considered the responses received from the police service, local authority associations and other interested bodies.

  The Government have decided that police authorities will be subject to the same CCT regime for personnel services as other authorities defined under the Local Government Act 1988, except for a number of specific exemptions. The exemptions centre on the provision of operational and specialist training, together with the personnel work associated with police complaints and discipline, unsatisfactory performance proceedings against police officers, and discharging probationary constables. The exemptions will protect operational policing, security, and management functions special to the police service.

  Prisoner Costs
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total cost per prisoner in each prison within the United Kingdom. [41971]

  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. John Heppell, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the cost per prisoner in each prison within the United Kingdom.
  The attached table shows the net average operating cost per prisoner per year for each of the prisons in England and Wales for the year 1993–94, the latest year for which information has been published.
  Information on prisons in Scotland is a matter for the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service and on prisons in Northern Ireland for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Prison Service.

  Net operating cost for prisoner per year

  Establishment

  Net operating cost per prisoner per year £

  Local prisons and remand centres

  Bedford1

  27,419

  Belmarsh

  29,310

  Birmingham

  20,077

  Brinsford

  20,273

  Bristol

  24,824

  Brixton1

  33,764

  Bullingdon/Oxford

  19,896

  Canterbury

  29,500

  Cardiff

  20,925

  Chelmsford

  23,692

  Dorchester

  21,390

  Durham

  27,006

  Elmley

  17,110

  Exeter

  22,572

  Gloucester

  25,893

  Haslar

  15,603

  Highdown

  23,732

  Holme House

  19,292

  816

  Net operating cost for prisoner per year

  Establishment

  Net operating costper prisoner peryear£

  Hull

  25,065

  Lancaster Farms1

  24,000

  Leeds

  16,864

  Leicester1

  23,780

  Lewes

  24,024

  Lincoln

  16,890

  Liverpool

  16,331

  Manchester1

  43,087

  Moorland1

  17,298

  Norwich

  26,969

  Pentonville

  23,124

  Preston

  20,583

  Rochester

  35,000

  Shrewsbury

  20,000

  Swansea

  21,790

  Wandsworth

  25,461

  Winchester

  28,177

  Woodhill1

  26,514

  Wormwood Scrubs

  25,560

  Contracted out prisons

  Blakenhurst

  21,727

  Wolds

  18,069

  Dispersal prisons

  Frankland

  38,905

  Full Sutton

  34,122

  Long Lartin

  36,982

  Parkhurst1

  55,066

  Wakefield

  25,270

  Whitemoor1

  32,099

  Category B training prisons

  Albany

  25,574

  Blundeston

  20,000

  Dartmoor

  21,002

  Garth

  17,717

  Gartree

  29,249

  Grendon/Springhill

  21,237

  Kingston-Portsmouth

  30,189

  Maidstone

  19,415

  Nottingham

  25,121

  Swaleside

  16,298

  Category C Training Prisons

  Acklington

  14,050

  Aldington

  21,429

  Ashwell

  13,695

  Blantyre House

  20,213

  Brockhill

  22,388

  Camp Hill

  21,127

  Channings Wood

  14,071

  Coldingley

  25,455

  Downview

  20,357

  Erlestoke

  23,500

  Everthorpe

  22,273

  Featherstone

  14,638

  Haverigg

  18,563

  Highpoint

  16,410

  Kirklevington Grange

  29,508

  Lancaster

  14,800

  Latchmere House

  16,279

  Lindholme1

  18,851

  Littlehey1

  14,857

  The Mount

  13,816

  Ranby

  18,269

  Risley1

  19,850

  Send

  20,370

  Shepton Mallet

  20,000

  Stafford1

  17,631

  817

  Net operating cost for prisoner per year

  Establishment

  Net operating costper prisoner per year£

  Stocken

  15,385

  Thorpe Arch

  20,245

  Usk/Prescoed

  22,330

  The Verne

  14,695

  Wayland

  14,201

  Wellingborough1

  18,557

  Whatton

  16,588

  Wymott

  24,051

  Adult Male Open Prisons

  Ford

  13,064

  Hewell Grange

  16,250

  Kirkham

  11,504

  Leyhill1

  14,925

  Morton Hall

  12,651

  North Sea Camp

  15,385

  Rudgate

  14,015

  Standford Hill1

  17,532

  Sudbury/Foston

  13,948

  Young Offender Closed Establishments

  Aylesbury

  28,070

  Castington

  19,291

  Deerbolt

  19,242

  Dover

  27,320

  Glen Parva

  16,780

  Hollesley Bay1

  31,186

  Huntercombe/Finnamore Wood

  23,176

  Northallerton

  25,490

  Onley

  15,914

  Portland

  21,557

  Stoke Heath

  21,377

  Swinfen Hall

  24,260

  Werrington House

  21,154

  Wetherby

  27,132

  Young Offender Open Establishments

  Guys Marsh

  28,750

  Hatfield and Gringley

  23,377

  Thorn Cross

  21,965

  Young Offender Remand Estabishments

  Feltham

  20,267

  Hindley

  23,051

  Low Newton

  19,433

  Reading

  31,788

  Female Establishments

  Askham Grange

  20,588

  Bullwood Hall

  32,407

  Cookham Wood

  22,727

  Drake Hall

  18,717

  East Sutton Park

  21,333

  Holloway

  31,435

  New Hall

  32,667

  Pucklechurch

  39,344

  Styal

  29,534

  Vehicle Crime
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each year since 1990 the numbers of(a) thefts from vehicles and (b) thefts of vehicles, together with the numbers of vehicles involved (i) by make of vehicle and (ii) by year of manufacture. [41862]
  818
  Mr. Maclean
  The requested information on the number of thefts from and of a motor vehicle is published in table 2.18 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales" Cm 3010, a copy of which is in the Library. Information is not collected centrally on the make and year of manufacture of vehicles.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was(a) the number of vehicles stolen, (b) the number of vehicles recovered and (c) the recovery rate for 1994 (i) in the United Kingdom and (ii) by constabulary area. [41458]

  Mr. Maclean
  The latest published information relates to England and Wales and is contained in table 2.14 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1994", Cm 3010. A copy of this publication is in the Library. Information on Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the Secretary of State for each Department.

  Prisons (Efficiency Savings)
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the target efficiency savings from the year 1992–93 to 1995–96 in each of Her Majesty's prisons within the United Kingdom; and what ere the actual savings in spending from 1992–93 to 1994–95. [41970]

  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. John Heppell, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the target efficiency savings from the year 1992–93 to 1995–96 in each of Her Majesty's prisons within the United Kingdom; and the actual savings in spending from 1992–93 to 1994–95.
  For England and Wales as a whole current expenditure costs per prisoner place reduced in real terms by 2.1 percent between 1992–93 and 1994–95, equivalent to £27 million. Details relating to individual prisons are not readily available.

  Access to Criminal Records
  Sir Andrew Bowden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the Government White Paper on new arrangements for access to criminal records. [41695]

  Mr. Maclean
  I expect to publish the White Paper within the next few months.

  Immigration
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the exercise of discretion in allowing a person who has resided in the United Kingdom for more than 10 years with leave to remain indefinitely, it is his practice to take into account residence in(a) Ireland and (b) other parts of the common travel area. [41467]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Under the long residence concession, a person who has 10 years or more continuous lawful residence in the United Kingdom, or 14 years continuous residence regardless of legality, may qualify for the grant of indefinite leave to remain in the absence of any strong
  819
  countervailing factors. For the purposes of the concession, residence in the Republic of Ireland is not considered to be residence in the United Kingdom and is therefore not taken into account. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are, for the purposes of the concession, considered to be part of the United Kingdom. Residence in the islands is therefore taken into account.

  Police National Computer
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of information available to the police between January 1991 and 22 May 1995 has been placed on to the Phoenix system of the police national computer; which company has the contract for preparing the information to be placed on Phoenix; what percentage of files which have been attempted to be loaded have been rejected by the system in each week of September 1995; what was the expected number of files to be placed on the system for each week in September; what was the actual number which were loaded; and to what extent these results breached the contract. [41360]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Phoenix database holds specified categories of data. It is not possible to assess what proportion this forms of all information available to the police between January 1991 and 22 May 1995. Since Phoenix went live on 22 May 1995 the police have input information directly for new offenders. Conversion of existing records by keying data from scanned images of the microfiche records held by the national identification service, and the provision of specially written software for quality assurance and problem resolution is undertaken by PCL Group Ltd.

  The percentage of records which have been loaded and rejected by the system in each week of September 1995 is shown in the table, together with the actual number of records loaded in each week. The expected average number of records to be placed on the system for each week over the life of the contract is 46,000. Discussions between the Home Office and PCL Group on technical and contractual matters are commercially confidential.

  Records exported to Phoenix in September 1995

  Week

  Total accepted

  Percentage rejected

  1

  7,178

  28.23

  2

  3,087

  30.14

  3

  3,866

  27.84

  4

  765

  23.5

  Mr. O' Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been received from(a) police officers and (b) others about the quality of information on Phoenix. [41362]

  Mr. Maclean
  We have received no complaints about the quality of the information currently held on Phoenix from the police service or others.

  Mr. O' Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Phoenix system on the police national computer went live; and when was it nationally announced to go live. [41358]
  820
  Mr. Maclean
  The Phoenix system went live on 22 May 1995. The police service was informed of this date on 24 March 1995.

  Mr. O' Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many days in September 1995 the police national computer office attendant did not receive tapes from the company designated to provide information to go on to Phoenix. [41361]

  Mr. Maclean
  Tapes were not sent to Hendon data centre on nine of the 21 working days in September.

  Mr. O' Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of(a) pre-1981 information and (b) post-1981 information is on Phoenix for direct access by the police. [41359]

  Mr. Maclean
  All criminal record data held on the police national computer was transferred to the Phoenix database on 22 May 1995. This comprised 2.8 million records originating before 1981 which consisted of name and criminal record office number and 2.3 million records originating after 1981 which also included details of convictions. Back record conversion is in progress which will add information currently held only on microfiche to selected earlier records. It is not possible to state precisely what percentage of all criminal record information held centrally or locally by the police service this represents.

  Police Numbers
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the numbers of police posts requested and granted under the annual application procedure in each police authority region in 1995; and if he will make a statement; [41452]

  (2) if he will list the numbers of officers requested by each chief constable in each police authority region for the year 1995–96 under the annual application procedure; and if he will make a statement. [41451]

  Mr. Maclean
  No applications were submitted for 1995–96. The centralised system of determining police numbers by setting an establishment of officers for each police force was abolished from 1 April 1995.

  Mr. Carlile
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he expects to allocate the 3,000 new police officers outlined in the Prime Minister's speech of October 1995; where he will locate the officers; what is the timetable; and if he will make a statement. [41453]

  Mr. Maclean
  Funding will be provided to enable chief constables to recruit an additional 5,000 officers over the next three financial years. The basis on which that funding will be distributed between police authorities is still to be decided. An announcement about police funding will be made after the Budget.

  Gaming Act Review
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish his review of the Gaming Act 1968; and if it is his intention to introduce legislation in the next Parliamentary Session. [41364]
  821
  Mr. Kirkhope
  We are currently reviewing the present controls on casinos and bingo clubs as part of the Government's deregulation initiative. Public consultation would be necessary before introducing legislation. We hope to publish a consultation paper soon.

  Young Offenders (Yorkshire)
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to establish a secure unit for young offenders in(a) Barnsley, (b) South Yorkshire or (c) Yorkshire. [41367]

  Mr. Maclean
  We have no plans to set up a secure training centre in Barnsley, South Yorkshire or Yorkshire and no plans to establish a new young offender institution in this area.

  Prisoners from Wales
  Mr. Allan Rogers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) convicted and (b) remand prisoners from Wales are currently in custody (i) by county (ii) by sex and (iii) in total. [41382]

  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. Allan Rogers, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many a) convicted and b) remanded prisoners from Wales are currently in custody i) by county ii) by sex and iii) in total.
  Table 1 gives the number of prisoners born in Wales who were held on 30 September in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales. Information by county of birth is not routinely collected. However, the 1991 National Prison Survey collected this information for the prisoners in that sample. The numbers given in table 2 should be treated with care as they are taken from a medium sized sample study.

  Forces

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995

  Avon and Somerset

  66

  42

  56

  175

  Bedfordshire

  35

  27

  53

  36

  Cambridgeshire

  64

  105

  66

  73

  Cheshire

  42

  43

  40

  93

  City of London

  71

  93

  23

  8

  Cleveland

  5

  28

  22

  107

  Cumbria

  16

  11

  18

  44

  Derbyshire

  14

  31

  28

  68

  Devon and Cornwall

  38

  46

  51

  29

  Dorset

  33

  27

  28

  46

  Durham

  49

  27

  134

  100

  Dyfed-Powys

  14

  9

  7

  16

  Essex

  107

  140

  138

  267

  Gloucestershire

  5

  6

  10

  27

  Greater Manchester

  100

  100

  107

  110

  Gwent

  27

  15

  13

  20

  Hampshire

  94

  180

  215

  195

  Hertfordshire

  49

  53

  57

  69

  Humberside

  14

  6

  89

  49

  Kent

  96

  74

  89

  95

  Lancashire

  9

  23

  45

  57

  Leicestershire

  27

  18

  41

  78

  822

  Table 1: Population in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on 30 September 1995 whose country of birth was Wales1

  Sex

  Type of custody

  Males

  Females

  Remand

  489

  3

  Sentenced

  1,754

  25

  Fine defaulters

  20

  —

  Total

  2,266

  28

  1 Provisional figures, total includes 3 non-criminal prisoners.

  Table 2: The 1991 National Prison Survey sample showing county of birth within Wales

  County

  Number in the sample

  Clwyd

  15

  Dyfed

  11

  Gwent

  28

  Gwynedd

  10

  Mid Glamorgan

  29

  South Glamorgan

  41

  West Glamorgan

  25

  Powys

  3

  Police Standard Spending Assessment
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take into account the number and type of police stations within a police authority's area when calculating the police standard spending assessment. [41275]

  Mr. Maclean
  No.

  Police (Firearms)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last year officers in each police force had to draw firearms in the line of duty; and what are the figures for each of the previous three years. [41363]

  Mr. Maclean
  Numbers of police operations in England and Wales in which firearms were issued to officers are as follows:
  823

  Forces

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995

  Lincolnshire

  21

  22

  41

  50

  Merseyside

  35

  57

  74

  116

  Metropolitan Police

  1,520

  1,838

  12,585

  1,804

  Norfolk

  38

  28

  30

  56

  North Wales

  38

  29

  34

  60

  North Yorkshire

  16

  26

  25

  25

  Northamptonshire

  11

  10

  43

  40

  Northumbria

  325

  320

  299

  593

  Nottinghamshire

  35

  28

  77

  47

  South Wales

  24

  18

  22

  55

  South Yorkshire

  39

  78

  244

  172

  Staffordshire

  15

  18

  29

  21

  Suffolk

  84

  99

  75

  119

  Surrey

  37

  64

  36

  60

  Sussex

  116

  63

  53

  375

  Thames Valley

  37

  34

  48

  65

  Warwickshire

  12

  12

  28

  25

  West Mercia

  63

  64

  73

  50

  West Midlands

  66

  172

  209

  141

  West Yorkshire

  200

  377

  258

  181

  Wiltshire

  15

  18

  12

  26

  England and Wales Total

  3,722

  4,479

  5,625

  5,843

  1 This figure is unreliable due to inadvertent double-counting.

  Figures for operations in which firearms were issued to officers are not available for the first three months of 1994. The number of operations in which police firearms were fired was five in 1991, 12 in 1992, five in 1993 and six between 1 January 1994 and 31 March 1995.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide figures collected by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary on domestic violence incidents recorded by the police in England and Wales in 1994 in terms comparable with the 1993 figures given in the answer on 26 October 1994 to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Mossley Hill (Mr. Alton),Official Report, columns 640–41. [41173]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information available has been provided by Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary and is in the table. It covers incidents of domestic violence recorded by the police in England and Wales in calendar year 1993 and financial year 1994–95. HMIC is currently examining the reasons for the disparities highlighted in the table and the methods used by police forces to record incidents of domestic violence.

  Domestic violence incidents recorded by the police in England and Wales in 1993 and 1994–95

  Forces

  19931

  1994–952

  Avon and Somerset

  n/a

  1,570

  Bedfordshire

  n/a

  6,338

  Cambridgeshire

  2,253

  2,566

  Cheshire

  17,918

  3,117

  different classification used

  City of London

  0

  3

  Cleveland

  3,448

  3,397

  Cumbria

  654

  1,857

  collection and systems improved

  Derbyshire

  7,606

  n/a

  Devon and Cornwall

  n/a

  7,294

  Dorset

  5,624

  6,138

  Durham

  3,277

  1,619

  Dyfed-Powys

  1,223

  1,612

  824

  Domestic violence incidents recorded by the police in England and Wales in 1993 and 1994–95

  Forces

  19931

  1994–952

  Essex

  1,724

  12,011

  under-recording in 1993

  Gloucestershire

  2,401

  4,612

  Greater Manchester

  33,988

  35,084

  Gwent

  135

  207

  Hampshire

  n/a

  4,908

  Hertfordshire

  3,367

  3,748

  Humberside

  8,401

  514

  different classification used

  Kent

  5,875

  5,865

  Lancashire

  6,090

  5,601

  Leicestershire

  4,075

  4,467

  Lincolnshire

  373

  625

  Merseyside

  11,956

  14,088

  1993 figure revised from previous table

  Metropolitan Police

  11,420

  n/a

  Norfolk

  881

  n/a

  North Wales

  287

  357

  North Yorkshire

  15,841

  n/a

  Northamptonshire

  2,104

  2,508

  Northumbria

  2,071

  10,364

  used wider classification

  Nottinghamshire

  1,990

  2,267

  South Wales

  3,451

  3,830

  South Yorkshire

  482

  n/a

  Staffordshire

  n/a

  n/a

  Suffolk

  1,396

  1,619

  Surrey

  3,155

  4,471

  Sussex

  1,157

  2,107

  Thames Valley

  9,167

  3,547

  1993 includes domestic disputes

  Warwickshire

  n/a

  500

  West Mercia

  916

  631

  1 Calendar year.

  2 Financial year.

  Child Sex Offenders
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what records exist within his Department in respect of convicted child sex offenders who have committed such offences outside the United Kingdom; [40945]
  825
  (2) in what circumstances his Department seeks to be informed of people convicted of sex offences overseas who have served their prison sentence and have then departed to the United Kingdom. [40944]

  Mr. Maclean
  The national criminal intelligence service maintains a paedophile index which holds detailed intelligence based information on known active paedophiles, whether they are active in the United Kingdom or abroad. There is no formal requirement for NCIS to be notified of the convictions of people normally resident in the United Kingdom who commit child sex offences abroad, but it receives information from foreign law enforcement agencies and also from non-governmental organisations concerned about overseas paedophile activities.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the arrangements for children giving evidence in court against alleged sex offenders; and if he will make a statement. [41708]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: We keep this area of law under review. We have already done a great deal to make it easier for children to give evidence effectively and to make the experience less of an ordeal. Recent research has indicated that the provisions for children's evidence which we have introduced have been useful, particularly in reducing the level of trauma for the child. We are considering in conjunction with the other agencies involved how further practical improvements can be made.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to implement the recommendations of the report, "The Game's Up", on child prostitution. [39697]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: We share the concern of the Children's Society about child prostitution and fully support the multi-agency approach recommended by the report. We will continue to encourage all the agencies concerned to give a high priority to action to prevent the sexual exploitation of children and young people.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [41121]

  Mr. Howard
  Breakdowns by Department and executive agency for 1 April 1995 of the number of permanent staff, the number of casual staff—normally those engaged for a period of up to 12 months, but, exceptionally, up to two years—and the number of part-time staff are presented in the civil service staff in 826
  post summary table for 1 April 1995, a copy of which is in the Library. Estimates on a comparable basis for 1 April 1990 have also been placed in the Library.

  Crime, South Yorkshire
  Sir Irvine Patnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the latest quarterly recorded crime figures for South Yorkshire metropolitan area; what the figures were one year ago; and if he will make a statement. [40978]

  Mr. Maclean
  There were 37,494 offences recorded in the South Yorkshire police force area in April to June 1995. This represents a fall of 3 per cent. over the April to June 1994 figure of 38,500 offences.

  HM Inspector of Prisons
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the name of the new inspector of prisons. [40946]

  Mr. Howard
  In due course.

  Ministerial Transport
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [40738]

  Mr. Howard
  The information requested is as follows:

  1990–91: £210,096

  1991–92>: £170,903

  1992–93: £207,980

  1993–94: £233,916

  1994–95: £195,916

  Home Office Ministers do not use their own vehicles for official business.

  Prison Service Performance Indicators
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with the seven key performance indicators since the appointment of Derek Lewis as Director General of the Prison Service. [39603]

  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 Ms Janet Anderson, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the Prison Service's progress against its Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) since April 1993.
  The attached table shows the Service's KPI performance in the first six months of 1995–96 and compares this performance to 1992–93.
  827

  Prison service performance against KPIs; April 1993-September 1995

  Key performance indicator (KPI)

  Performance: April to September 1995

  Comparison to 1992–93

  KPI1: Escapes

  64 escapes in total so far, including 15 which, in previous years, would have been the responsibility of the police, (annualised escape rate 0.19 per cent, of population)

  169 in same period 1992–93 (annualised rate of 0.74 per cent, of population):

  KPI2: Assaults

  2,739 assaults in total so far this year (annualised assault rate 10.7 per cent, of population)

  2,244 in same period 1992–93 (annualised rate 9.9 per cent, of population). 10 per cent, reduction on same period 1994–95

  KPI3: Overcrowding

  no prisoners held 3 to a cell for 1 so far this year

  average of 817 in same period 1992–93

  KPI4: Sanitation

  97 per cent of prisoners have 24 hour access to sanitation

  70 per cent in March 1992

  KPI5: Purposeful activity

  average of 25.5 hours per prisoner per week so far this year

  23.7 hours per prisoner per week in 1992–93

  KPI6: Time unlocked

  41 per cent, of prisoners unlocked 12+ hours at end of August

  24 per cent of prisoners unlocked 12+ hours at end March 1993

  KPI7: Minimum visits

  100 per cent of prisoners exceeding minimum visits so far this year

  90 per cent. at end March 1993

  KPI8: Cost per prison place

  in 1994–95, the average cost of a prison place was £22,037 (at 1992–93 prices

  in 1992–93, the average cost of a prison place was £22,588.

  1 Escapes which would, in previous years, have been the responsibility of the police, are shown separately, to ensure a like-for-like comparison, these are excluded in the year-to-year measurement of escapes as a percentage of the prison population.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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.[41545]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: My Department has laid two draft deregulation proposals to date. The measures concerned are not expected to accrue any significant savings to the Exchequer, but certain benefits to business are expected. For example, in the case
  828
  of the draft Deregulation (Greyhound Racing) Order, the financial savings likely to accrue to the greyhound industry have been estimated at £260,000 per annum.

  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.

  Michael Hunt
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what conditions Michael Hunt is released from prison; and if he will make a statement. [41076]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 2 November 1995]: I will write to the hon. Member.

  Secure Training Centres
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now outline the measures he proposes to take following the court hearing of 26 September to ensure that the secure training centres conform to the Children Act 1989 and the volume 4 guidance and regulations. [41370]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: Secure training centres will be regulated by secure training centre rules as provided for in section 6 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and contract terms. Secure training centre rules will be made by statutory instrument shortly before the first centres open, and it is intended that they will take account for the principles on which the Children Act 1989 is based.

  Volume 4 of the Children Act 1989 guidance and regulations produced by the Department of Health for children's homes will not apply to secure training centres. However, it is a source document for the development of the rules.

  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to complete the signing of the first two contracts for secure training centres; and if he will lodge the relevant documents in the Library, with particular reference to information which indicates how the contracts comply with the Children Act 1989. [41371]

  Mr. Maclean
  [holding answer 6 November 1995]: The signing of the first two contracts for the provision of secure training centres at Gringley, Nottinghamshire, and at Cookham Wood, Kent will take place as soon as possible after completion of negotiations with tenderers. The final signed contract documents will be placed in the Library. These documents will not contain commercially confidential information such as costs or prices.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to increase the security of the Needlewood centre in Barnsley to accommodate young offenders. [41366]

  Mr. Bowis
  I have been asked to reply.
  829
  Responsibility for the arrangements for the accommodation of young persons in the Needlewood centre, Barnsley, lies with Barnsley metropolitan borough council. The hon. Gentleman may wish to contact the chairman of the social services committee of the council.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many absent parents had their Child Support Agency assessments(a) increased and (b) decreased as a result of the changes introduced in April; and if he will provide a breakdown. [41038]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 6 November 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary for Social Security about Child Support Agency assessments.
  It is estimated that no more than 150 absent parents have had their child maintenance assessments increased because of the April changes. We believe that nearly all these relate to cases where parents with care were awarded an allowance for travel to work costs.
  So far over 40,000 absent parents had their maintenance decreased because of the April changes. It is not possible to give a precise breakdown of this figure and cases are still being processed. It is estimated that almost 19,000 absent parents benefitted from the new 30% of net income limit on the amount of maintenance an absent parent is required to pay and 16,000 benefitted from the inclusion of all housing costs in exempt income. So far about 2,000 absent parent have benefitted from either the award of allowances of property and capital settlements or from the award of an allowance for travel to works costs. The balance of over 3,000 cases would have been reduced because they were affected by one or more of the other changes (e.g. reduction in the maximum amount paid under the formula; liability plus arrears to be a maximum 33% of absent parents earnings).

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will outline the specific changes that have recently been made to the accuracy measurements of the Child Support Agency to ensure that they align with the definition used by the National Audit Office. [41040]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 6 November 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about accuracy measurements of the Child Support Agency.
  The Child Support Agency developed a definition to measure the accuracy of maintenance assessments, in liaison with the National Audit Office during 1994/95.
  The Agency asked the National Audit Office to examine how this definition worked in practice as part of the audit undertaken early in 1995. The National Audit Office concluded that we should alter our method of measuring the cash value of assessments in the following ways.
  We should exclude from the calculation any cases which were closed prior to assessment.
  830
  We should attempt to establish whether assessments made before all the evidence was gathered, were correct at the time of the assessment. If so these should be treated as correct, as the value of the assessment was not in error. Although procedures may not have been followed precisely, this will not have had an adverse impact on our clients. Other cases in this category, for instance where the missing evidence would result in a changed assessment, should be treated as errors.
  Both these changes were implemented from April 1995.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to establish an independent complaints adjudicator for the Child Support Agency. [41887]

  Mr. Mitchell
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked the chief executive to look at current complaints procedures and see how they might be improved. One of the options could be the establishment of a Child Support Agency complaints adjudicator. It is too soon to say whether such an arrangement could operate in the context of CSA business.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the cases assessed by the Child Support Agency would have had no opportunity to arrange a child maintenance agreement(a) because they are new separations or (b) for some other reasons. [41339]

  Mr. Mitchell
  All cases assessed by the Child Support Agency have had the opportunity to make a child maintenance agreement whether or not they are newly separated. However, if an agreement is made which is insufficient to remove the need for the parent with care to claim either income support, family credit or disability working allowance, the parent with care may be required to authorise the Secretary of State to take action to recover child support maintenance.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the absent parents who had previously paid no child maintenance at the time they were taken on by the Child Support Agency were on benefits. [41341]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The agency does not collect this information as there is no business need for it.

  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will report on the review of the arrangements for compensating clients who have a genuine grievance against the Child Support Agency. [42192]

  Mr. Mitchell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Morley and Leeds, South (Mr. Gunnell) on 17 July 1995,Official Report, column 1300.

  Since its inception, the agency has had the facility to consider special payments to compensate clients where a clear, unambiguous error or delay has been caused by the agency.

  Although each case is considered on its individual merits, the agency has now established clear criteria for deciding whether, and if so, how much, to pay in compensation.

  The details of this scheme, which is comparable to those operated by other DSS agencies, have now been

  831
  developed from experience of cases arising in this new and unique business. This will ensure that each case receives fair and consistent consideration.

  Claimants, Doncaster and Mexborough
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of current benefit claimants at each of his Department's benefit offices covering the Doncaster and Mexborough area; and what the figure was 12 months ago. [39483]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 6 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what is the number of current benefit claimants at each of his Department's benefit offices covering the Doncaster Mexborough area; and what was the comparable figure 12 months ago.
  The latest information for locally administered benefits (ie those benefits calculated and paid at the Benefit Agency's local offices) is provided in the enclosed Appendix A and includes the comparable figure for 12 months ago. You should note that more than one benefit can be payable to a customer at the same time.
  Information is usually collated at District level. On this occasion, however, I am able to give you details about incapacity benefits for Doncaster East, Doncaster West and Mexborough offices and details about Income Support for Doncaster East and Doncaster West. The Rother and Dearne District includes Mexborough, Goldthorpe, Rotherham South and Rotherham North offices. Information about Income Support is only available at District Level for Rother and Dearne.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  The latest available statistics for locally administered incapacity benefits are as follows:

  Appendix A—incapacity benefits

  Doncaster West BO

  Doncaster East BO

  Mexborough BO

  September 1994

  Invalidity Benefit

  7,457

  6,018

  4,025

  Sickness Benefit

  1,909

  1,354

  308

  Maternity Allowance

  24

  24

  11

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  1,095

  788

  577

  September 1995

  Incapacity Benefit1

  8,323

  7,000

  4,239

  Maternity Allowance

  41

  27

  11

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  1,231

  839

  597

  1From 13 April 1995 Invalidity Benefit and Sickness Benefit were replaced by Incapacity Benefit.

  Income Support

  August 1994

  August 1995

  Doncaster East BO

  13,039

  13,054

  Doncaster West BO

  17,397

  17,664

  Rother & Dearne District Office

  38,431

  38,686

  Note:

  More than one benefit can be payable to a customer at the same time.

  Grants
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [38608]

  Mr. Burt
  We have no schemes which seek exclusively non-public sector funding in partnership.

  Consultancy Costs
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost of the employment of Ernst and Young as consultants in two pilot areas commencing on 2 October in connection with the identification of benefit claimant fraud; and which two areas have been selected for this. [39973]

  Mr. Heald
  The estimated cost of the employment of Ernst and Young to work in partnership with fraud managers in the Benefits Agency for a period of 12 months is £525,000. The two areas taking part are West Mercia and Manchester. This partnership will examine work processes, information technology and management of fraud investigations. What we learn from this partnership will be applied across the whole of the Benefits Agency, helping further to increase the productivity of its fraud investigation services and to target resources more effectively.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Clelland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security approximately how many blind or partially sighted people have appealed to the disability appeal tribunal against the disability living allowance unit's decision not to award them the middle rate of the DLA care component since 14 October 1994. [40892]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Temporary and Part-time Staff
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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 a proportion of the total workforce; and what were the corresponding figures for five years ago. [41122]

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

  National Insurance Contributions
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the extra return to the Exchequer resulting from removing the upper limit on
  833
  employees' national insurance contributions; and what proportion of employers' national insurance contributions that would represent if their gross national insurance contributions were reduced by that amount overall. [40907]

  Mr. Heald
  The additional return and proportion of employers' national insurance contributions would be about £3.1 billion and 12.8 per cent. respectively in Great Britain for 1995–96 in a full year, if the upper limit on employees' NICs was removed, but an upper earnings limit at current levels remained in place for the purposes of calculating contracted-out rebates. Information for Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Source: Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his policy towards the introduction of exemptions from national insurance contributions for employers of seafarers; [41596]

  (2) if he will list the European countries which (a) exempt and (b) do not exempt seafarers employers from national insurance contributions. [41597]

  Mr. Heald
  Exemptions for this or any other group of employers would be contrary to the principle of universal contribution liability for universal benefit coverage on which the national insurance scheme is based. The information in the table shows that most European countries do not exempt seafarers' employers from contribution liability. We are, however, aware of the concerns expressed by the shipping industry about their national insurance position and these are being considered.

  European Countries which (a) exempt and (b) do not exempt seafarers employers from national insurance contributions

  (a) Exempt

  Denmark1

  Portugal1

  (b) Not exempt

  Belgium

  Luxembourg

  Finland2

  France

  Germany

  Greece

  Ireland

  Italy

  Netherlands

  Norway

  Spain

  Switzerland

  United Kingdom

  Notes:

  1. Exemption applies only in respect of crews of ships on the second register.

  2. Contributions are refunded to employers in respect of crews of ships on the second register.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total weekly cost of benefits paid to those awaiting determination of their application for asylum in the United Kingdom as at 12 October. [41497]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The latest figures available are in the November 1994 quarterly statistical inquiry. This indicates there were about 42,000 asylum seekers in 834
  receipt of income support. The estimated cost of income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit payments to those people was about £5 million per week. The information is not available for other benefits.

  Parliamentary Ombudsman
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases his Department or its agencies has been criticised by the parliamentary ombudsman since 1979. [41253]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is in the table.

  Year

  Complaints upheld

  Complaints not upheld but department criticised

  Total

  1979

  42

  15

  57

  1980

  50

  9

  59

  1981

  53

  16

  69

  1982

  26

  34

  60

  1983

  29

  44

  73

  1984

  38

  41

  79

  1985

  42

  29

  71

  1986

  48

  33

  81

  1987

  40

  37

  77

  1988

  33

  25

  58

  1989

  36

  23

  59

  1990

  38

  47

  85

  1991

  48

  32

  80

  1992

  52

  36

  88

  1993

  68

  19

  87

  1994

  62

  25

  87

  Widow's Benefit
  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the number of widows in receipt of widow's benefit excluding those receiving widow's bereavement allowance as at March. [41612]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested. The number of widows in receipt of widow's benefit at March 1995 is 290,0001. The number of widows in receipt of widow's bereavement allowance in the 1995–96 tax year is 70,0002.

  Source:

  1. DSS Statistics

  2. Inland Revenue Statistics

  War Pensions
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those councils in Norfolk which allow war pensioners and war widows to keep all their war pension even if they are receiving benefits and those which do not. [40114]

  Mr. Heald
  The following local authorities in Norfolk have advised me that they operate local schemes which disregard war pensions in full when calculating entitlement to housing benefit and council tax benefit: North Norfolk, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, Breckland and Broadland.

  Great Yarmouth, South Norfolk and Norwich city have advised that they do not operate such a local scheme.
  835
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much, on average, war pensions have changed in real value since the new guidelines for determining housing and council tax benefit were introduced. [41605]

  Mr. Heald
  Since the introduction of the revised housing benefit scheme in April 1988, the basic weekly rate of war disablement pension payable in respect of a 100 per cent. disabled private soldier, and equivalent, has increased from £67.20 to £101.10. If increased only in line with the retail prices index, the estimated current rate would be £95.30 per week.

  The basic weekly rate of war widow's pension payable to the widow of a private soldier, and equivalent, has increased from £67.20 to £76.35. Increases in line with RPI alone would have produced an estimated current rate of £75.85 a week.

  In addition, since April 1990, most war widows have received a fully upratable supplementary pension—originally £40 a week, currently £49.77—which is totally disregarded for housing benefit and council tax benefit purposes.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of Social Security what extra provision is and will be provided for the existing claimants who will lose benefit due to the change to incapacity benefit from invalidity benefit over the first three years in which incapacity benefit is paid. [41962]

  Mr. Burt
  Unemployment benefit and income-related benefits such as income support are available to those who are no longer incapable of work and who are seeking and available for employment. In addition, significant extra resources have been made available to the Employment Service over the first three years to fund back-to-work help for those leaving incapacity benefit.

  Disability Discrimination
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if children with learning difficulties who are currently attending special schools for children with learning difficulties will be automatically protected under the disability discrimination legislation. [41340]

  Mr. Burt
  The definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Bill, subject to the provisions of schedule 1, provides that a person has a disability for the purposes of the Act if he has or has had a physical or mental impairment which has or had a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Children who meet this definition will be protected by the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Bill and by complementary provisions of the Education Act 1993.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children with learning difficulties are estimated to be covered under the Disability Discrimination Bill. [41343]

  Mr. Burt
  Centrally maintained statistics are not kept in a form that will provide this information. The definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Bill does not correlate directly with information held by the Department of Health about children who have learning disabilities,836
  or to definitions used by the Department for Education and Employment to collect information about children with learning difficulties.

  Evidence from epidemiological studies suggest that there are about 30,000 children under the age of 16 in England with severe or profound learning disabilities, but others with a mild or moderate degree of learning disability.

  Under the Education Act 1993, a child has special educational needs if he or she has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of that age. This difficulty in learning may be entirely unrelated to any disability. It has been estimated that up to one in five children may have special educational needs at some time in his or her school career.

  In view of the existing comprehensive protection under the 1993 Act and code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs, the House has agreed that education should be excluded from the scope of part III of the Bill. Subject to that, the other relevant provisions of the Disability Discrimination Bill will apply equally to children with special educational needs as to all other people.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what financial assistance will be available for children with learning difficulties to enable legal action to be taken on their behalf under the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Bill. [41345]

  Mr. Burt
  The majority of actions taken under the new right of access will be via the small claims procedure, where the proceedings are informal, legal representation is not required and no costs can be awarded. Where actions are taken in open court of proceed to higher courts, legal aid will be available to children with learning disabilities provided they meet the normal means and merits tests. Children are assessed for legal aid according to their own means and not their parents. A child is therefore more likely to be financial eligible than an adult.

  Child Support
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement in respect of the operational policy of the Department of Social Security liable relatives unit and the child support unit when arranging child maintenance from liable parents. [41779]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  There was no liable relative unit as such: liable relative work formed part of the operation of DSS local offices. The aim of liable relative sections in those offices was to ensure that people liable to maintain their spouse, child or sponsored immigrant did so to the best of their ability, where possible removing the need for income support. The child support unit had similar aims but relating to child maintenance only.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much the combined value of child benefit and child dependency increases would have to be raised in April 1996, in cash and percentage terms to restore them to their November 1979 values relative to prices and average earnings for(a) war widows and (b) other widows. [41640]

  Mr. Mitchell
  The information for values relative to prices is set out in the table.
  837
  The same information for value relative to average earnings is not yet available.

  War widows

  Cash rise

  Percentage rise

  Eldest qualifying child

  £10.60

  43.4

  Other children

  £11.35

  48

  Other widows

  Eldest qualifying child

  £7.50

  37

  Other children

  £8.25

  42.3

  Notes:

  1. A higher rate of child benefit for the eldest child was introduced in April 1991. Prior to that date all children were paid at the same rate.

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5p.

  3. The retail prices index, all items, as published by the Central Statistical Office was used in the calculation.

  Lone Parents
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much his Department has spent on research into(a) lone-parent families and (b) absent parents, in each year since 1989. [41800]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The Department's research programme is announced each year. Details and overall costs of all projects are set out in the Department's research yearbook, published annually by HMSO, copies of which are available in the Library. Previous editions cover projects from 1989 onwards; the yearbook for 1994–95 will contain details of projects currently under way and will be published in December.

  Income Support (Young People)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost in a full year of reintroducing income support payments for 16 to 17-year-olds. [41867]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Information is not available to calculate the cost of reintroducing income support payments for 16 to 17-year-olds within normal estimating margins. The behaviourial factors are difficult to estimate; however, illustrative costs, based on a range of assumptions, are in the table:

  Cost of restoring income support to 16 and 17-year-olds

  £ million

  Assumptions

  Benefits costs1996–97

  10 per cent. move from Education to Income Support

  340

  20 per cent. move from Education to Income Support

  550

  40 per cent. move from Education to Income Support

  975

  Notes:

  1. Costs are derived from the movement of young people from education to income support plus the cost of those who claim income support while waiting for a youth training placement plus the costs of those who claim income support who are not in education, training, nor employment.

  2. In addition to assumptions regarding the movement from education to income support, it is assumed that: all 16 and 17-year-olds move on to income support from day one of the policy change; 15 per cent. of the families of 16 and 17-year-olds in education are on income support; this assumption is the basis for an
  838
  estimate of reduction in cost as a result of families losing entitlement to dependency and other family benefits; half of the 16 and 17-year-olds who claim income support move away from home and live independently and so receive housing benefit; and half of the 16 and 17-year-olds are the only children in their families.

  3. The numbers of education and youth training are based on projections for 1996–97.

  4. The numbers not in education, training or employment are based on information from the spring labour force survey and DSS benefit statistics.

  5. Costs have been rounded to nearest million but are not accurate to that degree.

  Medical Reports
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to apply(a) the commitment given by his predecessor on 8 July 1988, Official Report, column 1355, during the passage of the Access to Medical Reports Act and (b) the provisions of the Access to Health Records Act 1990 to medical reports prepared by the Benefits Agency for its own use or that of an equivalent authority overseas; and if they will be available to, and may be corrected by, the subject of the report. [41997]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  It has for many years been the practice of the Department of Social Security to supply copies of medical reports in connection with claims to benefit at the request of the claimant, subject to any information which could be detrimental to the claimant's well-being removed.

  In the event of an appeal against a decision made by the independent adjudicating authorities, copies of all reports are supplied to the claimant, again subject to withholding information as described above. If the claimant disagrees with the information in the reports, an appeal to the relevant tribunal is the means by which they can express their disagreement.

  Nursing Home Residents
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the annual cost of higher level income support payments to nursing home residents with preserved rights in each of the last three years(a) nationally, (b) regionally and (c) by area. [41943]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table:

  Annual cost of income support limits for nursing home residents

  £ million

  1992

  1993

  1994

  England

  1,071

  1,184

  916

  Scotland

  127

  132

  104

  Wales

  106

  100

  78

  Great Britain

  1,300

  1,416

  1,097

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the million. Due to rounding some of the totals may not tally.

  2. Estimated annual expenditure is calculated by multiplying the number of cases in May of each year by the average weekly income support at the enquiry date and then multiplying by 52.

  Source:

  Income support statistics residential care/nursing home quarterly inquiries May 1992–1994.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Apprenticeships
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government have to increase apprenticeships for school leavers. [40047]

  Mr. Paice
  The Government welcome employers' enthusiastic response to the modern apprenticeships initiative. We hope that approaching 30,000 trainees will be recruited in the current year.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils are currently educated in grant-maintained schools. [40049]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  More than 680,000 pupils are currently being educated in grant-maintained schools in England.

  Primary School Class Sizes
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many primary school pupils in England are taught in classes of 36 or more; and if she will make a statement. [40051]

  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many primary school children are currently being taught in class sizes of more than 35. [40055]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  In January 1995 there were 108,000 primary school pupils taught in classes of 36 or more in England.

  Economic Regeneration, Workington
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what contribution her Department is able to make to local economic regeneration in Workington. [40052]

  Mr. Forth
  This Department makes a major contribution to the development of Workington through the activities of the Employment Service and Cumbria training and enterprise council.

  Grammar Schools, Kent
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many grammar schools there are in Kent. [40053]

  Mrs Gillan
  Thirty-nine.

  School Repairs
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to deal with the backlog of repairs to schools. [40054]

  Mrs. Gillan
  It is up to individual local education authorities and governors to make their own plans for any repairs to schools.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make it her policy to ensure that education standard spending assessments are adjusted fully to take into account increases in pay and prices and demographic changes. [40056]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  When determining the level of resourcing for education, the Government take into account the pressures on the education service, including projected trends in pupil numbers and inflation. But we also look at the scope which local authorities have for making efficiency savings and consider what the country can afford given the continuing need for restraint in public expenditure.

  Primary School Standards
  Sir Malcolm Thornton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action she is taking to raise standards in primary schools. [40117]

  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.

  Higher Education Review
  Sir Fergus Montgomery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made on her review of higher education. [40118]

  Mr. Forth
  We consulted earlier in the year on the purpose of higher education and its future shape and size. Around 100 responses were received: copies have been placed in the Library. As my right hon. Friend announced at the beginning of July, a further consultative paper will be issued around the turn of the year.

  Work Experience
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to give pupils at secondary schools the opportunity for direct experience in the workplace. [40119]

  Mr. Paice
  We have asked training and enterprise councils and their local partners to encourage work experience for pupils and have made funds available specifically to support it for all in their last year of compulsory schooling. The need for further action is being kept under review.

  School Discipline
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures the Government have taken to promote good discipline in school classrooms. [40120]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend announced on 27 September a range of initiatives to help schools combat the problem of disruptive pupils. These initiatives build on guidance on pupil behaviour and discipline sent to all schools, as part of the "Pupils with Problems" pack in May last year. We have also asked the consultative
  841
  group on school standards to advise the Department on what else can be done to help schools maintain and improve discipline.

  Access to Work
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are her plans for the access to work programme once Royal Assent has been given to the Disability Discrimination Bill. [40121]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The access to work programme is being reviewed following its first year of operation, as we announced would happen when it was launched. We intend to continue providing help under the programme, and the review is therefore taking account of the experience of its operation so far, and of the implications of the Disability Discrimination Bill. We intend to announce details of any changes to the programme before the Act comes into force.

  Remploy
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement about the future of Remploy. [40122]

  Mrs Gillan
  I am not aware of any developments that would warrant a statement.

  Unemployment (Teenagers)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what factors she has assessed as having the greatest impact on the levels of unemployment among(a) teenage women and (b) teenage men. [40123]

  Mr. Forth
  The acquisition of relevant qualifications and work-related skills, and the creation of a competitive, efficient and flexible labour market, are particularly important in keeping unemployment low among both teenage men and teenage women.

  Whithinfields School
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will visit Halifax to inspect working conditions at Withinfields school, Southowram. [40124]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit Withinfields school. I visited the school on 21 April 1995.

  Further Education Colleges (Funding)
  Mr. Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations she has received regarding the funding of further education colleges. [40125]

  Mr. Paice
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received some 20 representations regarding the funding of further education colleges since colleges' 1995–96 allocations were announced by the Further Education Funding Council at the end of May.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her policy on the optimum class size in primary and secondary schools. [40126]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  It is for the governors and headteachers of individual schools to decide how to organise their classes.

  Jobfinder's Grant
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many unemployed people in each region and in Great Britain as a whole have applied for a jobfinder's grant and(a) received a grant and (b) not received a grant since April; what is the means-tested savings limit in each region; what procedures are in place for appeals for people whose grant applications are turned down; if she will provide a breakdown of recipients of the jobfinder's grant by their gross weekly wage level; and if she will make a statement. [41918]

  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. Terry Rooney, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the Jobfinder's Grant.
  The attached table (Annex 1) shows the number of Jobfinder's Grants applied for and awarded nationally and by region since the programme was introduced on 18 April (22 May in Yorkshire and Humberside region, where a more flexible variant to the programme is being piloted) up to 6 October, which is the latest date for which figures are available.
  The table also shows the gross weekly wage level of grant recipients. To be eligible for the grant, applicants must take jobs paying £150 gross per week or less (£250 per week gross or less in Yorkshire and Humberside region).
  The savings limit for the grant is £2,800 in all regions except Yorkshire and Humberside and the South West, where it is £2,600. (In these two regions, pilot variants to the programme allow grants of up to £400, which is double the £200 flat rate grant in the rest of the country.)
  The grant has been made available to help jobseekers who have been unemployed for a very long time to overcome the barrier, perceived or otherwise, of the transitional phase from losing benefits to receiving their first wage. It is not a benefit and there is no statutory right to the grant. Therefore, there is no formal appeals procedure for applications which are turned down.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Annex 1: Jobfinder's grant

  Grants applied for (up to 6 October)

  Grants awarded (up to 6 October)

  National total

  9,128

  5,478

  London and South East

  1,289

  745

  South West

  751

  426

  Wales

  563

  369

  West Midlands

  1,328

  814

  North West

  1,252

  826

  Scotland

  782

  377

  Northern

  718

  446

  843

  Annex 1: Jobfinder's grant

  Grants applied for (up to 6 October)

  Grants awarded (up to 6 October)

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  734

  526

  East Midlands and Eastern

  1,711

  949

  Gross weekly wage level

  Number of grant recipients

  £200+ gross per week

  30

  £150-£199 gross per week

  320

  £100-£149 gross per week

  3,691

  Less than £100 gross per week

  794

  Wage not known

  18

  Note:

  This information is from a database held by the company contracted to evaluate the Jobfinder's Grant, on the basis of 4,853 grant recipients inputted to the database up to the end of October.

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is the cash value of the contract awarded to Capita Managed Services Ltd. to administer the nursery voucher scheme in the financial years(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97; [42034]

  (2) what estimate was given by Capita Managed Services Ltd. for the cost of administering the nursery voucher scheme. [42035]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The financial details of the Government's contract with Capita Managed Services Ltd. to administer the nursery voucher scheme are commercially confidential, but the contract was awarded by competitive tender from a short list of 10 companies.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what budget has been allocated for the nursery voucher information campaign in(a) Norfolk, (b) Kensington and Chelsea, (c) Wandsworth and (d) Westminster. [42033]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The total budget allocated to inform parents and providers about the first phase of the nursery voucher scheme in voluntary local education authorities, is £750,000. It is not possible to break this down for individual voluntary areas.

  European Funds
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what element of European social funds is restricted solely to objective 4; and when the Government intend to draw up an objective 4 programme.[41981]

  Mr. Forth
  The Government have not allocated any European social fund money to objective 4 and have no plans to draw up a programme for that objective.

  Training and Employment, Sheffield
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will encourage the development of a local training and employment plan in the Darnall 844
  area of Sheffield following the publication of the Darnall review. [40037]

  Mr. Paice
  I know that the local training and enterprise council is taking a keen interest in the Darnall review. I fully support sensible initiatives to revitalise disadvantaged areas.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action she is taking to safeguard existing nursery education places for three and four-year-olds under her proposed national voucher scheme for all four-year-olds; and if she will make a statement. [40298]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The parents of every four-year-old will receive a nursery education voucher which they can redeem for three terms of good quality nursery education in the state, private or voluntary sector. In exercising the choice which the voucher scheme provides, parents are likely to continue to make use of places which meet the needs of them and their children.

  The voucher scheme should not affect existing places for three-year-olds. The proposed funding mechanism will allow local authorities to continue to spend on such places as they judge appropriate.

  Student Loans Company
  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions she has had with the Student Loans Company regarding levels of debt experienced by students. [40050]

  Mr. Forth
  I have had a number of discussions with senior executives at the Student Loans Company. It is entirely right that graduates should contribute towards the cost of their higher education. The loans scheme is fair and generous.

  Skills Training Agency Sites
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which of the former sites occupied by the Skills Training Agency have been disposed of and which remain for disposal; who have been appointed to advise on the disposal, what fees they have been paid to date; and what is the amount so far received from the sale of the sites. [40939]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following former Skills Training Agency sites have been disposed of:

  Leicester; East Lancashire; Chelmsford; Leeds; Wakefield;

  Edinburgh; Southampton; Slough; Reading; Twickenham;

  Portsmouth; St. Helens; Cardiff and Deptford.

  The sites remaining for disposal are as follows:

  Letchworth; Swindon; Northampton; Ipswich and Skyline

  House.

  Chartered surveyors King and Co—now Kings Sturge and Co—were appointed to advise on the disposal. Its fees are determined, under their contract with the Department, using different percentage figures according to the method of disposal—that is, sale of freehold or assignment of leasehold interest.
  845
  The net amount so far received from the sale of sites is £14,731,372.

  Disability Discrimination
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if children with learning difficulties who have received a statement of special educational needs under the provisions of the 1981 and 1993 Education Acts will be automatically protected by the Disability Discrimination Bill. [41342]

  Mr. Forth
  Under the Education Act 1993 local education authorities have a statutory duty to arrange the provision specified in a statement of special educational needs. In view of the existing comprehensive protection under that Act, the House has agreed that education should be excluded from the scope of part III of the Bill. Subject to that, the other relevant provisions of the disability Discrimination Bill will apply equally to children with statements as to all other people.

  Access to Work Scheme
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will list the employers contacted by her Department during the last three months in respect of providing voluntary funding for adaptations for disabled employees under the access to work scheme; [41794]

  (2) how many employers have been contacted by letter by her Department during the last three months concerning the voluntary payment of adaptations for disabled employees undertaken under the access to work scheme; and if she will indicate the number of employers who (a) offered to pay voluntary contribution in full, (b) offered to part-fund costs and (c) expressed objections to paying any costs in part or in full. [41793]

  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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about employers contacted by letter concerning voluntary contributions towards adaptations for disabled people undertaken under the Access to Work programme.
  The information you ask for is not kept centrally, but it is our policy to ask every employer to consider whether they are able to make a contribution.
  The Government launched the Access to Work programme in June 1994 without a requirement by employers to contribute towards the cost of help. However, it has always been our practice to seek voluntary contributions from employers. There are also some cases where the help we provide for individual disabled people clearly gives additional benefits to the employer's business. In those cases, we negotiate what it is reasonable for the taxpayer to pay and we expect the employer to pay the rest.
  The number of applications made under Access to Work and the scale and the costs of help are increasing. We therefore decided that all Placing, Assessment and Counselling Teams (PACTs) should adopt a common approach to employers to ensure that the approach was made at the appropriate level within companies. Local PACT managers are responsible for administering the Access to Work programme, including asking employers for contributions toward the cost of help.
  I am sorry I cannot be more helpful.
  846
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many payments of(a) £100 or less, (b) between £100 and £250, (c) between £250 and £500, (d) between £500 and £1,000 (e) between £1,000 and £5,000 and (f) over £5,000 have been made under the access to work scheme since June 1994. [41798]

  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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the distribution of payments made under the Access to Work programme since June 1994.
  We do not regularly gather details of the distribution of the cost of help given under Access to Work and do not therefore have the information you ask for. However, we have recently received sample information of spend during the first 3 months of the current year, and I can say that the cost of providing special aids and equipment, which amounts to around 70% of the total cost of the programme, fell within the following bands:

  Cost of providing special aids and equipment

  Percentage of people assisted

  Under £100

  19

  £101 to £259

  14

  £251 to £500

  22

  £501 to £1,000

  20

  £1,001 to £5,000

  23

  Over £5,000

  4

  In 1994/95, the first year of Access to Work, 10,349 people wer helped and so far this year about 6,000 new people have benefited.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she expects to receive recommendations from her departmental review team regarding the future of the access to work scheme. [41797]

  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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the timing of the departmental review of Access to Work.
  I expect the review to be completed and a report and recommendations presented to the Secretary of State by the end of December 1995.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will indicate how many applications for assistance under the access to work scheme have exceeded the £21,000 ceiling since June 1994; and what proportion that represents of the total number of applications made for assistance under the scheme. [41791]
  847
  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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of applications for help under the Access to Work programme since June 1994 that have exceeded £21,000. The information you have requested is not available.
  While there is a ceiling of £21,000 on Access to Work help for an individual over a 5 year period, Regional Directors have authority to exceed this limit in exceptional circumstances. We do not maintain records on applications for help which exceed this ceiling but information gathered in June this year showed that we had agreed packages of help of over £21,000 for 70 people. This figure is included in the total of 10,023 people helped by Access to Work, in the period from 6 June 1994 to 31 May 1995.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will list the research commissioned by her Department during the last six months as part of her Department's review into the access to work scheme; [41795]

  (2) if she will make it her policy to publish the results of all research undertaken or commissioned by her Department as part of the departmental review into access to work. [41796]

  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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the research undertaken and commissioned for the review of Access to Work.
  We have commissioned Social and Community Planning Research to undertake research to feed into the Access to Work review. As an independent organisation they will be free to publish their research in due course. We expect that a report of the review will be published after it has been presented to the Secretary of State.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list by type of project(a) how many schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative, (b) what is the value of those schemes and (c) what public sector contribution will be required both initially and as revenue support during the lifetime of the schemes. [41738]

  Mr. Forth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has only a limited role in approving projects under the private finance initiative in the education sectors. Individual institutions, and local education authorities in the case of county and voluntary controlled schools, are free to enter into contracts with private sector bodies without recourse to her. She expects them to make full use of the freedoms and opportunities the private finance initiative offers to achieve best value for money.
  848
  The Employment Service has procured a personnel administration system under the private finance initiative. The value of the project, over seven years, is £3.2 million. This represents the contract costs over the life of the project which will be met by the Employment Service.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to consult with(a) disability organisations, (b) the Employers Forum on Disability, (c) the Confederation of British Industry, (d) the Institute of Directors and (e) the Federation of Small Businesses prior to the publication of recommendations concerning the departmental review of the access to work scheme. [41792]

  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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about plans to consult certain organisations about the review of Access to Work.
  The review is a Departmental study of the operation of Access to Work after its first year. We have no plans to request formal contributions from external bodies prior to publication although some organisations and individuals have given their views.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Pupil Costs
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the percentage change in real terms in expenditure per child in(a) primary an (b) secondary education between 1979 and the current year. [41875]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I will write my right hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of the reply in the Library.

  Employment Schemes
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many unemployed people have been referred to restart courses by Employment Service counsellors since April in each region and in Great Britain as a whole; how many of them were unemployed for over two years; how many attended and completed the course; what were the outcomes of the participants; how many had their income support reduced for not attending or failing to complete their attendance at the restart course; if she will break down this information by(a) ethnicity, (b) disability and (c) gender; and if she will make a statement; [41912]

  (2) how many unemployed people have been referred to jobplan workshops by Employment Service counsellors since April in each region and in Great Britain as a whole; how many of them were unemployed for over one year; how many attended and completed the workshop; what were the outcomes of the participants; how many had their income support reduced for not attending or failing to complete their attendance at the jobplan workshop; if she will break down this information by (a) ethnicity, (b) disability and (c) gender; and if she will make a statement; [41913]
  849
  (3) how many unemployed people have been referred to workwise and worklink by Employment Service counsellors since April in each region and in Great Britain as a whole; how many were referred direct from restart interviews and how many were referred from the 1–2–1 programme; how many attended and completed the courses; what were the outcomes of the participants; how many had their income support reduced for not attending or failing to complete their attendance at the workwise and worklink course; if she will break down this information by (a) ethnicity (b) disability and (c) gender; and if she will make a statement; [41914]

  (4) how many people have joined (a) jobclubs, (b) jobsearch seminars and (c) job review workshops in each region and in Great Britain as a whole since April; how many have left each programme during this period; what were the outcomes of the participants; if she will break down this information by (i) ethnicity, (ii) disability and (iii) gender; and if she will make a statement. [41916]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions 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. Terry Rooney, dated 7 November 1995:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions to him about Workwise/Worklink and 1–2–1, Jobclubs, job search seminars, Job Review Workshops, Restart Courses and Jobplan Workshops. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The attached tables show for each region and nationally programme performance information and participant characteristics from April 1995 to September 1995 as follows:

  Table 1: Workwise/worklink management information April-September 1995

  Northern

  Y&H

  EM&E

  L&SE

  SW

  Wales

  WM

  NW

  Scotland

  National

  Number referred to programme

  2,161

  1,011

  2,166

  7,263

  2,158

  528

  1,848

  1,675

  2,850

  21,660

  Starters on programme

  1,094

  505

  886

  2,894

  1,119

  254

  836

  724

  1,149

  9,461

  Completers on programme

  833

  347

  605

  2,135

  853

  175

  600

  508

  771

  6,827

  Outcomes—Jobcentre Job

  38

  8

  17

  56

  38

  18

  29

  13

  29

  246

  —Non Jobcentre Job

  71

  29

  57

  204

  113

  18

  93

  36

  49

  670

  —ES TEC/LEC programmes

  261

  93

  152

  648

  225

  69

  200

  159

  296

  2,103

  —Other

  86

  30

  28

  231

  71

  12

  60

  22

  35

  575

  —Total Outcomes

  456

  160

  254

  1,139

  447

  117

  382

  230

  409

  3,594

  Number of Benefits Agency decisions made for clients failing to start or complete

  418

  170

  402

  1,173

  368

  73

  279

  367

  724

  3,974

  The above data can not be broken down by characteristics for each data item but information is collected by participants as follows:

  Northern

  Y&H

  EM&E

  L&SE

  SW

  Wales

  WM

  NW

  Scotland

  National

  Starters Ethnic Group 1 (White)

  1,055

  431

  776

  2,039

  1,050

  244

  651

  668

  1,121

  8,035

  —Ethnic Group 2 (Black/African)

  3

  9

  37

  474

  22

  4

  42

  17

  2

  610

  —Ethnic Group 3 (Asian)

  17

  59

  53

  200

  9

  5

  125

  26

  13

  506

  —Ethnic Group 4 (None of above)

  4

  3

  6

  83

  6

  0

  9

  4

  2

  117

  —Ethnic Group 5 (Not any)

  15

  3

  14

  98

  32

  1

  9

  10

  11

  193

  Starters Male

  908

  395

  714

  2,138

  874

  211

  633

  550

  906

  7,329

  —Female

  186

  110

  172

  756

  245

  43

  203

  174

  243

  2,132

  Starters Health Problem

  94

  47

  94

  249

  115

  14

  65

  54

  62

  794

  850

  Table 1 — Workwise and Worklink

  Table 2 — Jobclubs

  Table 3 — Job search seminars

  Table 4 — Job Review Workshops

  Table 5 — Restart Courses

  Table 6 — Jobplan Workshops

  Information is not routinely collected in respect of outcomes by individual characteristics of leavers. However information on characteristics is collected when participants join a programme, except for job search seminars, and this data has been included in the tables.

  For job search seminars information about the numbers joining the programme is provided, but details about those not completing the programme are not routinely collected. In addition details about client characteristics and numbers entering non-job outcomes is not routinely collected.

  Job Review Workshops are targeted mainly at unemployed professional and executive people and help individuals identify transferable skills so that they are able to consider a wider range of occupations. Information about outcomes which participants may enter during or following the two day workshop is not routinely collected.

  Information about the number of attenders who have had their Income Support reduced for failing to attend or complete a programme is not routinely collected. The Benefits Agency (BA) provide the Employment Service with the number of decisions made on referrals to them for benefit sanctions. These decisions include both the numbers having their income support reduced and the numbers referred to them who do not have any sanction imposed. I have therefore provided information about the number of BA decisions made in respect of Workwise, Restart Courses and Jobplan Workshops.

  The number of people helped by attending the programmes mentioned have been 318,737 so far this year. Over 116,000 people have taken up positive outcomes as a result of their attendance, including over 64,000 unemployed people who have entered jobs.

  I hope this is helpful.
  851

  Table 2: Jobclub Management Information April-September 1995

  Northern

  Y&H

  EM&E

  L&SE

  SW

  WALES

  WM

  NW

  Scotland

  National

  Number Entrants

  7,170

  10,625

  10,593

  39,749

  10,040

  5,753

  12,252

  14,238

  12,105

  122,525

  Number Leavers

  7,845

  10,504

  12,410

  46,542

  10,576

  6,255

  12,160

  15,530

  11,900

  133,722

  Outcomes

  Jobcentre Job

  890

  874

  852

  2,614

  898

  844

  866

  874

  1,959

  10,671

  Non Jobcentre Job

  2,264

  3,544

  3,511

  14,393

  3,843

  2,157

  3,993

  4,761

  3,858

  42,324

  Other Positive Outcomes

  632

  1,045

  1,179

  4,090

  1,271

  740

  1,347

  1,196

  1,435

  12,935

  Total Outcomes

  3,786

  5,463

  5,542

  21,097

  6,012

  3,741

  6,206

  6,831

  7,252

  65,930

  Northern

  Y&H

  EM&E

  L&SE

  SW

  Wales

  WM

  NW

  Scotland

  National

  Leavers—Ethnic Group 1 (White)

  7,695

  9,607

  11,506

  34,158

  10,225

  6,066

  9,954

  14,065

  11,696

  11,5512

  —Ethnic Group 2 (Black African)

  27

  195

  220

  5,718

  128

  48

  565

  259

  19

  7,179

  —Ethnic Group 3 (Asian)

  47

  559

  493

  3,764

  75

  61

  1,452

  434

  80

  6,965

  —Ethnic Group 4 (None of above)

  36

  63

  62

  1,500

  47

  26

  75

  104

  37

  1,950

  —Ethnic Group 5 (Not say)

  40

  80

  129

  1,402

  101

  54

  114

  128

  68

  2,116

  Leavers—Male

  6,552

  8,355

  9,937

  34,894

  8,259

  4,967

  9,287

  12,443

  9,604

  104,298

  —Female

  1,293

  2,149

  2,473

  11,648

  2,317

  1,288

  2,873

  3,087

  2,296

  29,424

  Leavers—Health Problem

  609

  908

  1,731

  4,285

  1,384

  793

  986

  994

  1,141

  12,831

  Table 3: Job Search Seminar Management Information April—September 1995

  Northern

  Y&H

  EM&E

  L&SE

  SW

  Wales

  WM

  NW

  Scotland

  National

  Total Attenders

  2,332

  3,909

  2,255

  10,051

  2,685

  823

  2,653

  2,612

  2,462

  29,782

  Outcomes—Jobcentre Job

  49

  88

  29

  140

  42

  25

  34

  44

  94

  545

  —Non Jobcentre Job

  193

  546

  216

  1,428

  385

  111

  236

  263

  223

  3601

  —Total Placings

  242

  634

  245

  1,568

  427

  136

  270

  307

  317

  4146

  The above data can not be broken down by characteristics.

  Table 4: Job review workshops management information April-September 1996

  Northern

  Y&H

  EM&E

  L&SE

  SW

  Wales

  WM

  NW

  Scotland

  National

  Total Starters

  751

  1,718

  1,219

  5,422

  1,899

  499

  1,268

  1,305

  1,437

  15,508

  Total Completers

  694

  1,589

  1,144

  5,032

  1,763

  471

  1,133

  1,206

  1,322

  14,354

  Starters—Ethnic Group 1 (White)

  725

  1,626

  1,137

  4,511

  1,848

  486

  1,124

  1,235

  1,388

  14,080

  —Ethnic Group 2 (Black/African)

  9

  13

  14

  331

  13

  1

  36

  10

  0

  427

  —Ethnic Group 3 (Asian)

  8

  51

  37

  307

  10

  8

  77

  34

  12

  544

  —Ethnic Group 4 (none of above)

  4

  10

  8

  103

  8

  2

  7

  7

  4

  153

  —Ethnic Group 5 (Not say)

  5

  18

  23

  170

  20

  2

  14

  19

  33

  304

  Starters—Male

  573

  1,289

  944

  4,068

  1,482

  388

  934

  1,019

  1,067

  11,764

  —Female

  178

  429

  275

  1,354

  417

  111

  324

  286

  370

  3,744

  Starters-Health Problem

  91

  229

  192

  583

  272

  47

  141

  168

  116

  1,839

  The above date can not be broken down by characteristics for each data Item but information is collected by participants as above:

  Table 5: Restart courses management information April—September 1995

  Northern

  Y&H

  EM&E

  L&SE

  SW

  Wales

  WM

  NW

  Scotland

  National

  Number referred to programme

  5,217

  9,459

  10,087

  36,147

  6,054

  4,420

  8,746

  11,644

  9,628

  101,402

  Starters on programme

  3,297

  5,482

  5,435

  18,733

  3,179

  2,421

  4,977

  6,269

  5,011

  55,344

  Completers on programme

  2,938

  4,441

  4,651

  16,021

  3,220

  2,072

  4,238

  5,217

  4,239

  47,037

  Outcomes—Jobcentre Job

  19

  44

  44

  150

  42

  44

  65

  40

  95

  543

  —Non Jobcentre Job

  51

  163

  150

  587

  169

  72

  143

  158

  139

  1,632

  —ES TEC/LEC programmes

  458

  691

  778

  3,991

  622

  400

  1,239

  1,203

  1,359

  10,741

  —Other

  114

  285

  195

  941

  169

  60

  226

  163

  67

  2,220

  —Total outcomes

  642

  1,183

  1,167

  5,669

  1,002

  576

  1,673

  1,564

  1,660

  15,136

  Number of Benefits Agency decisions made for clients failing to start or complete

  657

  1,167

  1,248

  3,614

  741

  636

  776

  2,062

  1,839

  12,740

  The above date can not be broken down by characteristics for each data Item but information is collected by participants as above:
  852 853

  Northern

  Y&H

  EM&E

  L&SE

  SW

  Wales

  WM

  NW

  Scotland

  National

  Starters—Ethnic group 1 (white)

  3,199

  4,841

  4,805

  14,268

  3,464

  2,306

  4,004

  5,704

  4,825

  47,416

  Ethnic group 2 (black/african)

  14

  127

  206

  1,950

  45

  20

  280

  142

  6

  2,790

  Ethnic group 3 (asian)

  30

  350

  207

  1,290

  23

  19

  567

  236

  29

  2,751

  Ethnic group 4 (none of the above)

  14

  49

  44

  411

  34

  12

  36

  50

  29

  679

  Ethnic group 5 (not say)

  40

  115

  173

  814

  153

  64

  90

  137

  122

  1,708

  Starters—male

  2,884

  4,769

  4,679

  15,815

  3,147

  2,129

  4,272

  5,426

  4,346

  47,467

  —Female

  413

  713

  756

  2,918

  572

  292

  705

  843

  665

  7,877

  Starters—health problem

  396

  884

  884

  2,433

  680

  333

  762

  721

  586

  7,679

  Starters—U/E for 24 months+

  2,870

  4,178

  4,565

  14,452

  3,119

  1,758

  4,077

  5,153

  4,315

  44,487

  Table 6: Jobplan management information April-September 1995

  Northern

  Y&H

  EM&E

  L&SE

  SW

  Wales

  WM

  NW

  Scotland

  National

  Number referred to programme

  9,161

  14,877

  14,833

  59,290

  14,790

  7,551

  15,717

  21,629

  19,438

  177,286

  Starters on programme

  5,445

  7,371

  7,208

  27,437

  7,994

  3,683

  7,909

  9,876

  9,194

  86,117

  Completers on programme

  5,149

  6,803

  6,648

  25,528

  7,416

  3,395

  7,314

  9,124

  8,442

  79,819

  Outcomes—jobcentre job

  47

  48

  86

  242

  102

  40

  123

  90

  222

  1,000

  —Non jobcentre job

  145

  341

  226

  805

  269

  124

  315

  290

  263

  2,778

  —ES TEC/LEC programmes

  1,142

  1,463

  1,177

  6,668

  1,581

  864

  2,247

  1,805

  2,837

  19,784

  —Other

  312

  514

  285

  1,184

  253

  105

  514

  294

  197

  3,658

  —Total outcomes

  1,646

  2,366

  1,774

  8,899

  2,205

  1,133

  3,199

  2,479

  3,519

  27,220

  Number of Benefits Agency decisions made for clients failing to start or complete

  1,192

  1,848

  1,979

  5,939

  1,993

  983

  1,494

  3,591

  3,562

  22,581

  The above data can not be broken down by characteristics for each data item but information is collected by participants as follows:

  Northern

  Y&H

  EM&E

  L&SE

  SW

  Wales

  WM

  NW

  Scotland

  National

  Starters—Ethnic group 1 (white)

  5,230

  6,578

  6,424

  20,522

  7,411

  3,454

  6,485

  8,982

  8,813

  73,899

  —Ethnic group 2 (black/african)

  25

  150

  188

  2,991

  166

  40

  412

  224

  27

  4,223

  —Ethnic group 3 (asian)

  70

  415

  336

  2,202

  76

  40

  786

  366

  114

  4,405

  —Ethnic group 4 (none of the above)

  33

  54

  58

  602

  55

  37

  65

  76

  37

  1,017

  —Ethnic group 5 (not say)

  87

  174

  202

  1,120

  286

  112

  161

  228

  203

  2,573

  Starters—male

  4,718

  6,236

  5,969

  22,071

  6,492

  3,088

  6,509

  8,293

  7,798

  71,174

  —Female

  727

  1,135

  1,239

  5,366

  1,502

  595

  1,400

  1,583

  1,396

  14,943

  Starters—health problem

  708

  1,156

  1,261

  3,506

  1,340

  512

  1,308

  1,101

  1,047

  11,939

  Starters—U/E for 24 months+

  5,392

  7,146

  7,130

  25,976

  7,353

  3,167

  7,655

  9,731

  9,009

  82,559

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will set out, according to the results from the youth training leavers survey, the number and level of NVQs or credits towards NVQs or other qualifications gained by people leaving YT in the period April 1994 to December 1994, for each region and for England and Wales as a whole, for all leavers and by ethnic group, disability and gender showing male, female and all; and if she will make a statement; [41922]

  (2) if she will set out, according to the results from the training for work leavers survey, the number and level of NVQs or credits towards NVQs or other qualifications gained by people leaving training for work in the period April 1994 to December 1994, for each region and for England and Wales as a whole, for all leavers and by ethnic group, disability and gender showing male, female and all; and if she will make a statement; [41924]

  (3) what are the results of the youth training leavers survey for the period April 1994 to December 1994, for each TEC area in England and Wales and for each region
  854
  and for England and Wales as a whole, broken down to show the number and proportion of leavers who were (a) in full-time work with the same employer, (b) in full-time work with a different employer, (c) in part-time work, (d) on a full-time course at a college or training centre, (e) on another YT scheme, (f) doing something else, (g) unemployed and (h) had obtained a vocational qualification; what was (i) the number of questionnaires issued, (ii) the usable percentage response rate and (iii) the percentage of respondents who were early leavers and the reasons stated for leaving training early; and if she will make a statement. [41996]

  Mr. Paice
  As the information requested is contained in a large number of tables, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Travel-to-Interview Scheme
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will place in the Library a copy of the report of the evaluation of the
  855
  travel-to-interview scheme pilot in the north-west region; and if she will make a statement. [41917]

  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. Terry Rooney, dated 7 November 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the evaluation report of the Travel to Interview Scheme.
  The findings of the evaluation are still under discussion. I anticipate the report will be available in the next few weeks and a copy will be placed in the Library.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Consultancy Costs
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the full cost to her Department of the evaluation carried out by Coopers and Lybrand of the training for work starts and outcomes funding pilots; and if she will make a statement. [41919]

  Mr. Forth
  The report provides a thorough analysis of the funding pilots. The findings were considered carefully when the funding arrangements for training for work in 1995–96 were decided. The covering note which accompanies the consultants' report explains the background to those decisions.

  Long-Term Unemployment
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what new measures she will bring forth to counter long-term unemployment. [40138]

  Mr. Forth
  We have a very wide range of programmes which are bringing long-term unemployment down. Their success is demonstrated by the fact that it has been falling now for six quarters in a row.

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

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [pursuant to his reply, 18 October 1995, c. 299–300]: The following revised and updated table, setting out the percentage of the potential schools budget not delegated by each LEA for 1995–96, should be substituted for the table contained in the answer given to the hon. member on 24 May 1995, Official Report, columns 614–15.

  Local Education Authority

  Percentage not delegated

  Avon

  11.9

  Barking and Dagenham

  10.9

  Barnet

  9.8

  Barnsley

  10.9

  Bedfordshire

  8.8

  Berkshire

  6.9

  Bexley

  8.8

  856

  Local Education Authority

  Percentage not delegated

  Birmingham

  9.7

  Bolton

  11.1

  Bradford

  12.0

  Brent

  6.5

  Bromley

  12.2

  Buckinghamshire

  11.6

  Bury

  8.2

  Calderdale

  10.9

  Cambridgeshire

  10.7

  Camden

  12.6

  Cheshire

  9.1

  City

  11.1

  Cleveland

  10.6

  Cornwall

  11.0

  Coventry

  8.7

  Croydon

  10.0

  Cumbria

  8.2

  Derbyshire

  10.7

  Devon

  8.1

  Doncaster

  10.3

  Dorset

  10.3

  Dudley

  4.2

  Durham

  11.5

  Ealing

  10.1

  East Sussex

  11.1

  Enfield

  10.6

  Essex

  11.0

  Gateshead

  13.4

  Gloucestershire

  8.9

  Greenwich

  7.4

  Hackney

  13.1

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  9.2

  Hampshire

  11.4

  Haringey

  12.8

  Harrow

  9.9

  Havering

  8.3

  Hereford & Worcester

  9.2

  Hertfordshire

  5.9

  Hillingdon

  10.1

  Hounslow

  11.2

  Humberside

  11.3

  Isle of Wight

  9.8

  Isles of Scilly

  14.9

  Islington

  6.1

  Kensington and Chelsea

  10.0

  Kent

  12.5

  Kingston

  10.8

  Kirklees

  12.9

  Knowsley

  6.1

  Lambeth

  13.6

  Lancashire

  12.3

  Leeds

  6.6

  Leicestershire

  11.6

  Lewisham

  12.4

  Lincolnshire

  10.5

  Liverpool

  7.5

  Manchester

  8.0

  Merton

  10.8

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  11.8

  Newham

  13.5

  Norfolk

  8.6

  North Tyneside

  8.2

  North Yorkshire

  10.2

  Northamptonshire

  7.1

  Northumberland

  9.2

  Nottinghamshire

  11.2

  Oldham

  9.4

  Oxfordshire

  8.4

  Redbridge

  9.4

  Richmond

  9.6

  Rochdale

  7.1

  Rotherham

  10.6

  Salford

  9.3

  Sandwell

  11.9

  857

  Local Education Authority

  Percentage not delegated

  Sefton

  11.3

  Sheffield

  12.2

  Shropshire

  11.8

  Solihull

  6.0

  Somerset

  8.9

  South Tyneside

  10.8

  Southwark

  12.0

  St. Helens

  10.5

  Staffordshire

  7.2

  Stockport

  9.1

  Suffolk

  9.4

  Sunderland

  7.7

  Surrey

  10.2

  Sutton

  9.8

  858

  Local Education Authority

  Percentage not delegated

  Tameside

  10.7

  Tower Hamlets

  9.1

  Trafford

  11.4

  Wakefield

  12.1

  Walsall

  9.7

  Waltham Forest

  6.1

  Wandsworth

  14.6

  Warwickshire

  11.6

  West Sussex

  11.1

  Westminster

  9.8

  Wigan

  7.3

  Wiltshire

  10.4

  Wirral

  9.7

  Wolverhampton

  8.1

  Sri Lanka
  Sri Lanka
  Overseas Development Administration: Education Expenditure
  Overseas Development Administration: Education Expenditure
  Ascension Island and Diego Garcia
  Ascension Island and Diego Garcia
  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  European Convention on Human Rights: Protocol No. 9
  European Convention on Human Rights: Protocol No. 9
  Council of Europe and WEU Assemblies: Report of UK Delegation
  Council of Europe and WEU Assemblies: Report of UK Delegation
  Paternity Leave in the EU
  Paternity Leave in the EU
  Overseas Development Administration: Cash Limit
  Overseas Development Administration: Cash Limit
  Human Rights Treaties: Duty of Compliance
  Human Rights Treaties: Duty of Compliance
  Lloyd's Solvency
  Lloyd's Solvency
  Oxford Prison
  Oxford Prison
  Asylum Applications: Short Procedure Pilot Scheme
  Asylum Applications: Short Procedure Pilot Scheme
  Asylum Applications from Nigerians: Refugee Council Report
  Asylum Applications from Nigerians: Refugee Council Report
  Asylum Applications: Refusals
  Asylum Applications: Refusals
  Charity Commissioners
  Charity Commissioners
  Citizens of Former Yugoslavia: Temporary Protection Places
  Citizens of Former Yugoslavia: Temporary Protection Places
  Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme: Structured Settlements
  Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme: Structured Settlements
  Electronic Monitoring
  Electronic Monitoring
  Organophosphates: Chronic Toxicity
  Organophosphates: Chronic Toxicity
  Hypothermia
  Hypothermia
  Prostate Cancer: NHS Research Priorities
  Prostate Cancer: NHS Research Priorities
  US War Loan: Repayments
  US War Loan: Repayments
  Social Security Expenditure: Effects of Policy Change
  Social Security Expenditure: Effects of Policy Change
  "Budgeting for Food on Benefits"
  "Budgeting for Food on Benefits"
  Asylum Seekers: Welfare Benefits
  Asylum Seekers: Welfare Benefits
  Average Earnings and Pensions: Increases since 1980
  Average Earnings and Pensions: Increases since 1980
  Meat and Live Animal Exports
  Meat and Live Animal Exports
  European Council, 26 October
  European Council, 26 October
  Reserve Forces: Doctors and Consultants
  Reserve Forces: Doctors and Consultants
  HELIOS II Programme
  HELIOS II Programme
  Anglo-American Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement
  Anglo-American Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement
  "No Day Named" Motions and Questions
  "No Day Named" Motions and Questions
  Armed Service: Medical Staff
  Armed Service: Medical Staff
  Stirling Corporation (Water etc.) Order Confirmation Act 1922
  Stirling Corporation (Water etc.) Order Confirmation Act 1922
  Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993: Releases
  Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993: Releases
  Seat Belt Wearing
  Seat Belt Wearing
  Dover, Ipswich and Tyne: Privatisation
  Dover, Ipswich and Tyne: Privatisation