Written Answers of 16 October 1995

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Small Claims Cases
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to introduce measures to reduce the delays which occur at small claims courts; what research he has conducted on the cost of these delays to public funds; and if he will make a statement. [36948]

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

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Peter Atkinson, dated 16 October 1995:

  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about delays in the small claims courts.

  The Court Service is pursuing a range of initiatives designed to reduce delays in all types of case in the civil courts, including plans to computerise the county courts to increase both speed and efficiency in the handling of paperwork and the production of orders and notices. It is also working with the Lord Chancellor's Department on consideration of procedural reforms following Lord Woolf s interim report on access to justice.

  At present, over the Court Service as a whole, 94% of administrative work is dealt with within the target of five days or less in the Charter for Court Users. New targets have been set for hearing civil cases. Cases expected to last less than 15 minutes should be heard within 30 days of the court being asked to arrange a date; for longer cases the target is 40 days. At present District Judges hear 98% of short cases and 71% of long cases within target. I am not aware of significant delays in small claims cases but would be glad to investigate any particular instances.

  No research has been conducted on the cost of any delays in small claims cases to public funds.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what research his Department has conducted into the effects that increasing the small claims limit to £3,000 will have on the small claims procedure; and if he will name the courts where pilot schemes have been conducted. [36949]

  Mr. Taylor
  An increase in the small claims limit would not affect the nature of the small claims procedure. No pilot schemes have been conducted. However, if the small claims limit is increased, the effects of this will be closely monitored, as recommended by Lord Woolf.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to introduce measures which will allow people to choose to opt out of the small claims procedure if the limit is increased to £3,000; and if he will make a statement. [36950]
  2
  Mr. Taylor
  Under the rules of court, district judges have discretion to order a case to be referred out of the small claims procedure if it meets certain criteria. The judge can order this after considering the defence, either on application by a party or of his own accord.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the level of weekly disposable income below which(a) free legal aid and (b) contributory legal aid was available in (i) 1979, (ii) 1993, (iii) 1994 and (iv) 1995; what was the percentage of the adult population eligible for (a) and (b) in each of those years; and what is the present-day value in real terms of these disposable income levels. [35545]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The hon. Member will recall that I was unable to provide him with an answer to his question earlier this year. I am now in a position to do so and it is set out in the tables. It is not possible to calculate figures to show the percentage of the adult population eligible for(a) free legal aid and (b) contributory legal aid so I have shown eligible households instead. All figures are annual ones.

  Table 1—Levels of annual disposable income for non-contributory and contributory civil legal aid

  Year

  Non-contributory

  Contributory

  PI

  1979

  7,500

  3,600

  —

  1993

  2,294

  6,800

  7,750

  1994

  2,382

  7,060

  7,780

  1995

  2,425

  7,187

  7,920

  Table 2—What is the present day value in real terms of these disposable levels

  Year

  Non-contributory

  Contributory

  PI

  1979

  3,816

  9,138

  —

  1993

  2,403

  7,126

  7,860

  1994

  2,439

  7,229

  7,935

  1995

  2,425

  7,187

  7,920

  Note:

  1979 figures have been uprated from the retail prices index: "All items excluding Housing" series since 1979.

  Table 3—Percentage of households eligible for non-contributory and contributory civil legal aid (figures given are combined totals)

  Year

  Contributory

  PI

  1979

  77.2

  -

  1993

  48.17

  50.66 (PI)

  1994

  48.45

  51.25 (PI)

  1995

  47.26

  49.67 (PI)

  Note:

  In 1979 the percentage eligible for non-contributory legal aid was 28 per cent. It is more difficult since 1993 to accurately estimate the percentage eligible for non-contributory legal aid. We believe that the figure is in the region of 20 per cent. to 25 per cent.

  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in respect of how many cases the legal aid fund has reimbursed the costs of a successful opponent in each of the past five years. [37158]

  Mr. Taylor
  It is not possible to identify exactly the number of cases in which the legal aid fund has reimbursed the costs of a successful unassisted party
  3
  under the terms of section 18 of the Legal Aid Act 1988; the Legal Aid Board records the number of payments made but not the number of cases in which section 18 costs are reimbursed. The number of payments made each year was:

  1990–91: 119

  1991–92: 134

  1992–93: 171

  1993–94: 186

  1994–95: 158

  Although it is possible that more than one payment may be made in a small number of cases, costs are usually reimbursed by way of a single payment.

  Mr. Marshall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current annual expenditure on legal aid in Britain; and what are the equivalent figures in other EU countries. [37215]

  Mr. Taylor
  Annual net provision for legal aid expenditure in the United Kingdom, excluding administration, for the current financial year is as follows:

  £m

  England and Wales

  1,457

  Scotland

  133

  Northern Ireland

  22

  In the time available it has not been possible to obtain equivalent figures for other EU countries.

  Personal Injury Cases
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Lord Chancellor plans to implement Lord Woolf's recommendation that small personal injury claims under £1,000 should be exempt from the small claims procedure; and if he will make a statement. [36951]

  Mr. John M Taylor
  In his interim report on access to justice Lord Woolf recommendation that all personal injury cases up to £10,000 should be dealt with in the fast track. Lord Woolf is presently developing his detailed proposals for the fast track.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of similarities shared by road traffic accident cases and personal injury cases in the area of assessing liability and quantum, and if he will make a statement. [36944]

  Mr. Taylor
  Insofar as the damages claimed are for personal injuries, road traffic accident cases are treated in the same way as other personal injury claims.

  Financial Penalties
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he has taken or intends to take to monitor the delays by those found guilty of criminal actions in payment to their victims of sums ordered by the courts; and if he will make a statement concerning the efficacy of such arrangements. [37333]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department has set up a working group under the chairmanship of a senior official to identify and promote good practice in the enforcement 4
  of financial penalties—including compensation to victims—and recommended procedural, administrative or legislative changes which would improve the enforcement of such penalties. The group is considering what modifications and improvements may be made to management information systems in the magistrates courts to secure better monitoring of arrears. As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 19 July, Official Report, columns 1300–01—the working group is expected to continue for at least a year but it hopes to be in a position to issue guidance to the courts as and when conclusions are reached during that period.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Anderson Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [36995]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Chief Executives of the Land Registry and the Public Record Office will respond on behalf of their agencies. The chief executives of the Public Trust Office will also respond on behalf of this agency for expenditure from 1 July 1994.

  For my Department, including the Court Service agency, two outsourcing contracts have been granted since 1990, one to Capita—the parent company of Telecom Capita—for specific research work at a value of £40,851 in the financial year 1992–93 and one to Digital Equipment for system development and implementation at a value of £429,362 in the financial year 1993–94. Additional work for the latter contract came to £16,346.

  Letter from Sarah Tyacke to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 16 October 1995:

  I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply to your question about outsourcing contracts.

  The Public Record Office granted no outsourcing contracts to any of the companies which you list. It did, however, grant a turnkey contract for the supply of hardware, software, specially written software and services to Logica in December 1991. The value of this contact, as published in the Official Journal of the European Communities, was £1,318,265. Two further small contracts for enhancements were awarded to Logica in 1994 and 1995. The value of these is restricted on commercial grounds.

  Letter from John Manthorpe to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 16 October 1995:

  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question concerning outsourcing contacts granted since 1990. HM Land Registry has granted no such contracts during the period to the 16 organisations specified.

  Letter from Julia C. Lomes to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 16 October 1995:

  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply as part of the Lord Chancellor's Department's response to your Parliamentary Question, listed on 20 July 1995, regarding outsourcing contracts awarded each year since 1990.
  5
  The Public Trust Office became an Executive Agency on 1 July 1994 and since that date no outsourcing contracts have been awarded by this office. The Public Trust Office will be covered by the Lord Chancellor's Department reply in respect of the period from 1990 to 30 June 1994.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Lord President of the Council how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [36967]

  Mr. Newton
  The Privy Council Office has granted no contracts to the companies in question in the last five years. I am not responsible for any agencies.

TREASURY

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyn/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [36999]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I regret that information prior to 1991 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  HM Treasury has not let any outsourcing contracts with the companies listed.

  HM Treasury did not have any agencies in the period reported above.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue that would be lost if principal private residences were excluded from asset valuation for the purposes of inheritance tax liability. [36440]

  Mr. Jack
  The full-year cost in 1996–97 of excluding principal private residences from asset valuation for the purposes of inheritance tax liability, is estimated at around £300 million. This estimate takes no account of any consequential behavioural changes.

  Mr. French
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on house prices of exempting principal private residences from inheritance tax liability. [36441]
  6
  Mr. Jack
  It would be inappropriate to comment on tax matters at this stage in the Budget cycle.

  Travel Allowances
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rates of travel allowance may be claimed by civil servants in his Department when using their vehicles for official business. [36351]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The current rates of travel allowance that staff in the Treasury may claim when using their vehicles for official business are as follows:

  Standard rate (pence per mile)

  Cars with engine capacity

  Up to 1500 cc

  1501–2000 cc

  Over 2000 cc

  Up to 5,000 miles

  35.7

  40

  43

  Over 5,000 miles

  17

  21

  27

  Motorcycles with engine capacity

  Up to 125cc

  Over 125cc

  First, 4,000 miles at:

  15.4p

  24.7p

  Over 4,000 miles at:

  5.5p

  8.1p

  Public Transport Rate (pence per miles)

  For use of private motor cars and motorcycles not meeting the insurance, ownership and economy and efficiency rules for payment of the standard rate of allowance

  Rate per mile: 22.3

  Pedal Cycle Allowance (pence per mile)

  Rate per mile: 5.6

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the total cost of travel expenses claimed by civil servants using their own vehicles for official business in each of the last five years in his Department; and what would have been the saving in the last year if the maximum rate that could be claimed was set at the lowest rate. [36352]

  Mrs. Knight
  The total cost of travel expenses claimed by civil servants using their own vehicles for official business in the Treasury in the last five years is as follows:

  £000

  1995–96

  7

  1994–95

  21

  1993–94

  23

  1992–93

  32

  1991–92

  29

  1 To date.

  The saving in the last full year can only be estimated, as the records on mileages travelled on individual trips by individual officials are currently held manually and it would involve disproportionate cost to work through those. Of the £21,000 shown for 1994–95, only £7,700 was reimbursed at our maximum rates. The saving had reimbursement been at our lower rate in that year is estimated to be approximately £2.900.
  7

  EDS
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has of the savings to the Inland Revenue over 10 years of the contract between the Inland Revenue and EDS; when the contract was(a) awarded and (b) revised. [36702]

  Mr. Jack
  When the Inland Revenue signed a 10-year outsourcing contract with EDS in May 1994, the estimated value based on the work load identified in the invitation to tender was £1 billion, which represented a potential saving of £225 million over the in-house costs.

  The Inland Revenue is in the process of updating the original estimates to take into account the actual changes to the work load identified in the first year of the contract and revising forecasts for the remaining life of the contract.

  This work is not yet complete and therefore revised figures are not yet available.

  Earnings
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the distribution of earnings and of ages of households having a first child. [36971]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The table shows the breakdown of households by range of total gross weekly earnings and age of eldest dependent child as estimated from the winter 1994 labour force survey. Benefits are excluded.

  Age of eldest dependent child

  0–5

  6–10

  11–15

  >15

  Total

  <£200

  6

  6

  10

  5

  27

  £201–£300

  4

  4

  4

  2

  14

  £301–£400

  4

  4

  5

  2

  16

  £401–£500

  4

  4

  4

  2

  13

  £501–£600

  2

  2

  3

  2

  9

  £601–£700

  2

  2

  2

  2

  7

  £701–£800

  1

  1

  1

  2

  5

  £801–£900

  1

  1

  1

  2

  3

  >£900

  2

  1

  2

  1

  7

  Total

  26

  25

  31

  18

  100

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate his Department has made of the hourly average rate of pay in manufacturing in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) in each of the members of the European Union; [30074]

  (2) what estimate his Department has made of the average hourly rate of pay in food retailing. [37005]

  Mrs. Knight
  Estimates of manufacturing hourly earnings for manual and non-manual workers in the United Kingdom and the other member states of the European Union are published by Eurostat in "Earnings—Industry and Services 1994". This report is available in the House of Commons Library.

  More recent information on hourly earnings by industry of full-time adult workers in Great Britain, is shown in tables X2.1–X2.7 of part A of the April 1995 new earnings survey report, also available in the House of Commons Library. Table X2.1 gives date for all manufacturing, and food retailing is shown in table X2.5.
  8

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his most recent estimate of the number and proportion of the work force in(a) each county and (b) the United Kingdom that are employed in the agriculture and fishing sector. [36722]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The table shows regional estimates from the spring—March to May—1995 labour force survey of the number in employment in agriculture and fishing industries and the proportion they represent of the work force. Estimates for each county are not available.

  Spring 1995

  Agriculture and fishing

  All in employment Thousands

  As a proportion of the work force1 Per cent.

  United Kingdom

  517

  1.8

  Northern region

  22

  1.5

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  47

  1.9

  East Midlands

  46

  2.2

  East Anglia

  36

  3.3

  Greater London

  n/a

  n/a

  Rest of South East

  70

  1.3

  South West

  79

  3.3

  West Midlands

  51

  2.0

  North West

  27

  0.9

  Wales

  41

  3.2

  Scotland

  56

  2.3

  Northern Ireland

  36

  5.1

  Source:

  Labour Force survey.

  n/a Not available; estimate less than 10,000.

  1 Work force is defined as those who are economically active (in employment or ILO unemployed).

  Small Shops (Security Equipment)
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average increase in rateable value for small shops caused by the installation of security equipment; and if he will make a statement. [36947]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information is not available on the average increase in rateable value for small shops caused by the installation of security equipment.

  The effect that security equipment may have on the rateable value of small shops will depend upon its nature and extent. This will vary but, in general, relatively minor security devices fitted in small shops are unlikely to increase the value significantly and in many cases they may not increase the value at all.

  Mr. Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidelines his Department has issued to local valuation offices regarding the rateable value of security devices in small shops. [36945]

  Mrs. Knight
  No specific guidelines have been issued with regard to the rateable value of security devices in small shops, but valuation officers will consider the rateability and value of such items in line with general guidelines on the rateability of plant and machinery.
  9

  Government Expenditure
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's estimate of central Government expenditure per head to each English region in each of the last five years. [36726]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Identifiable general government expenditure per head by region and function for 1992–93 was published in "Public Expenditure"; Cm 2821, table 7.9. An exercise to collect regional figures for general government expenditure for one financial year only is

  Name

  Country

  Sector

  Amount (mecu)

  Lender guaranteed

  Panafon, SA

  Greece

  TEN1 telecoms

  54.74

  EIB

  Groupe Banque Populaire (GBP)

  France

  SME2

  75.91

  GBP

  Telecom Italia

  Italy

  TEN telecoms

  101.38

  EIB

  SNAM Trans-mediterraneo

  Italy

  TEN energy

  100.49

  EIB

  Aeroporto di Malpensa

  Italy

  TEN transport

  375.59

  EIB

  Transgas

  Portugal

  TEN

  4107.22

  EIB

  Total

  515.33

  Notes

  1. Trans-European networks (TEN).

  2. Small-and medium-sized enterprise (SME).

  3.1st tranche of 25.9 mecu signed.

  4.1st tranche of 46 mecu signed.

  Source:

  European Investment Fund Annual Report 1994.

  For 1995, the fund's business plan provides for a total volume of guarantees of between 1.2 billion ecu and 1.5 billion ecu, taking into account both business prospects and the recent enlargement of the Union by the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden. It is expected that the proportion of guarantees on loans granted by the European investment bank will reduce to between 60 per cent. and 75 per cent. of total activity and that the mix between TEN and SME operations will be more in line with the business plan projection of 80:20.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure has been incurred by the European Monetary Institute in respect of preparation for possible designs banknotes or coinage for a common currency; and on whose authority such expenditure was made. [37269]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The European Monetary Institute has the responsibility of supervising the technical preparation of single currency banknotes under the terms of article 109f(3) of the EC treaty, as amended at Maastricht, which has been ratified by all member states. The accounts published by the European Monetary Institute do not separately identify expenditure incurred in fulfilling this responsibility.

  Car Boot Sales
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action is being taken to ensure taxation of trading at car boot sales. [37147]
  10
  carried out annually. Figures for the central Government component are not collected separately, nor is a time series available on a consistent basis.

  European Investment Bank
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what approvals have so far been made under the European Investment Fund for guarantee of loans made for projects within member states of the European Union; and if he will give for each case the purpose of the investment, the amount guaranteed and the financial agency concerned. [37007]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The full list of projects signed is:

  Mr. Jack
  Those who trade at car boot sales are liable to investigation by the Inland Revenue in the same way as any other trader. The Inland Revenue continuously evaluates all areas where there might be under-declaration of taxable profits.

  Privatised Utilities
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from privatised utility regulators suggesting extra taxation to take account of hidden values in respect of the regulated companies. [37071]

  Mr. Jack
  I receive many representations on a wide variety of tax issues in the run-up to the Budget, but it is not my practice to comment on them individually.

  European Union (Convergence Criteria)
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which EU countries are currently achieving the convergence criteria of the Maastricht treaty. [37210]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The question of which countries meet the Maastricht criteria will be decided by the European Council on recommendations from the Commission. On the basis of the latest Commission forecast, Luxembourg, Germany and the UK are likely to have budget deficits below 3 per cent. of GDP and debt ratios below 60 per cent. of GDP by 1996.

  Regulated Monopolies
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals for a special one-off tax on
  11
  gains made by regulated monopolies where the regulator certifies that the gains were unexpected. [37062]

  Mr. Jack
  It would not be appropriate for me to comment on tax measures in the run-up to the Budget.

  Taxation (Foreign Nationals)
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what factors underlie immunity from United Kingdom tax arrangements in respect of the Kuwait investment office in London; and if he will list the other Kuwaiti commercial operations in the United Kingdom to which this immunity extends. [37068]

  Mr. Jack
  The normal rules of tax confidentiality preclude the provision of information about the affairs of named individuals or entities.

  Embassy Staff (Salaries)
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements are in place for the disclosure for tax purposes of salaries and benefits in kind paid to British employees of foreign embassies in London. [37072]

  Mr. Jack
  Some embassies voluntarily operate the "pay as you earn" scheme on the salaries of their British staff. Where the embassy does not do this, it is approached at the end of each tax year by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office—acting on behalf of the Inland Revenue—for details of the emoluments which it has paid during the year to its staff who are liable to tax. Those staff are also under the normal obligation to declare their emoluments in the returns of income which they make to the Inland Revenue.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  India
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of United Kingdom funded projects in India in each of the past six years have been in the states of(a) Kashmir and (b) Punjab. [37105]

  Mr. Hanley
  One project in Kashmir—hydroelectric power—is currently being funded under the aid and trade provision at a total cost of £17 million. Apart from this, the ODA has not given any bilateral aid for projects in either Kashmir or Punjab in the past six years.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many requests for overseas aid assistance have been made by the Indian Government for projects in(a) Kashmir and (b) Punjab states in the past 10 years; and how many of these were approved. [37107]

  Mr. Hanley
  A hydroelectric power project on Kashmir was approved under the aid and trade provision in 1989. No other British bilateral aid projects have been approved in the past 10 years in Kashmir or Punjab. Information on requests during that time from the Indian Government for assistance for projects in Kashmir and Punjab is not readily available, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign 12
  and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the major projects in India funded by United Kingdom overseas aid in the past six years. [37103]

  Mr. Hanley
  Projects over £5 million funded by UK overseas aid in India in the past six years are:

  Maharashtra Water (1990) £16m

  Calcutta Slum Improvement Project (1990) £13m

  Orissa Health and Family Welfare 2 (1991) £20m

  Vijayawada Slum Improvement Project (1991) £17m

  Programme Aid Grant (1991) £30m

  Coal Project Grant (1991) £ 11m

  Andhra Pradesh School Health (1991) £6m

  Programme Aid Grant (1992) £20m

  Western Ghats Environmental Forestry Project (1992) £25m

  High Voltage Interconnector, Chandrapur, (1993) £65m

  Hirakud Hydro (1993) £20m

  Heat Treated Rails (1993) £15m

  Regional Engineering Colleges (1994) £7m

  Eastern India Rainfed Farming Project (1994) £8m

  Andhra Pradesh Energy Efficiency (1994) £43m

  Maharashtra Earthquake (World Bank Programme) £15m

  Gomti River Pollution Control Project (1995) £4m (initial phase)

  Andhra Pradesh District Primary Education (1995) £46m

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the amount of United Kingdom bilateral aid in India in each of the past six years. [37104]

  Mr. Hanley
  UK bilateral aid to India was:

  1989–90: £75.851 million

  1990–91: £88.260 million

  1991–92: £128.144 million

  1992–93: £94.719 million

  1993–94: £79.231 million

  1994–95: £82.652 million

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on respect of granting overseas aid assistance to India; and to what extent this takes into account geographical location of projects. [37106]

  Mr. Hanley
  Priorities for United Kingdom aid are discussed and agreed with the Government of India at annual talks, taking into account priorities of both Governments.

  For management reasons, major new projects are increasingly being focused in a smaller number of target states, including West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.

  Overseas Aid Expenditure
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made to fulfil the statement made by his predecessor at the Overseas Development Institute that Her Majesty's Government had plans to increase annual expenditure on overseas aid. [37363]

  Mr. Hanley
  In his speech to the Overseas Development Institute on 15 February 1995, the then Foreign Secretary reiterated the Government's plans for
  13
  increased aid spending announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement on 29 November 1994.

  In common with all other areas of Government expenditure, these plans are reviewed each year during the public expenditure survey.

  Twa People, Rwanda
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has about the fate of the Twa people of Rwanda, and those of them presently refugees in Zaire; and what plans he has to take any special action to protect these victims of the situation in Rwanda. [37286]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have little specific information about the fate of the Twa people, other than reports by bodies such as the Unrepresented Peoples and Nations Organisation. An UNPO mission to Rwanda in late 1994 estimated that 10,000 Twa were killed in the genocide and civil war of 1994—representing one third of that community in Rwanda—and that a further 8,000 to 10,000 Twa had fled the country.

  Other reports indicate that the Twa form a particularly vulnerable group among the refugees, often living outside the established camps and meriting special attention from UN agencies and non-governmental organisations. The Red Cross and Christian Aid have organised separate food distribution and shelter provision for groups of Twa refugees. Inside Rwanda, the Twa have traditionally been a disadvantaged group, subjected to discrimination. A Christian Aid rehabilitation programme has assisted the Twa, and further programmes targeting the Twa as a group are planned. The UK has contributed to these programmes.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in his Department. [36836]

  The Attorney-General
  Although none of the Departments for which I am responsible uses the private finance initiative for the funding of any services or projects at present, use of the PFI is being considered for future projects where appropriate. It is not expected that use of the PFI would affect the rights of individuals to complain to an ombudsman.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  EU Documents (Parliamentary Scrutiny)
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Lord President of the Council what proposals he has for providing additional opportunities for parliamentary scrutiny of policies under(a) the second and (b) the third pillar of Maastricht.
  14
  Mr. Newton
  The procedures for parliamentary scrutiny of documents emerging under the inter-governmental pillars work well and are kept under review. I await with interest the publication of a report from the Select Committee on European Legislation on the arrangements for the scrutiny of EU documents, which is planned for the autumn. The Government will consider the report carefully together with any proposals the Committee may have for improving the current arrangements.

  Members' Car Allowance
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Lord President of the Council, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cannock and Burntwood (Dr. Wright), 17 July 1995,Official Report, column 914, how many of the Members who claim only one rate of car allowance have cars in each of the three categories.

  Mr. Newton
  There are six Members who submit claims for one rate of vehicle but who have cars registered in all three categories.

SCOTLAND

  Advertising
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those daily and Sunday newspapers used by his Department for advertising purposes in 1994–95; and what was the total expenditure in each case. [36340]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Publicity advertising undertaken by my Department for the period 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1995 was as follows:

  £

  The Scotsman

  9,176

  The Herald

  8,770

  Dundee Courier and Advertiser

  6,543

  Press and Journal

  7,167

  Daily Record

  51,138

  Scottish Daily Express

  1,876

  The Sun (Scottish)

  8,882

  Daily Mirror

  361

  Glasgow Evening Times

  296

  Scotland on Sunday

  9,724

  Sunday Times Scotland

  6,881

  Sunday Mail

  47,795

  Sunday Post

  49,761

  News of the World (Scottish)

  2,100

  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of his Department's advertising budget has been allocated to local weekly newspapers in Scotland in each of the past 10 years. [36341]

  Mr. Forsyth
  The figure for 1993–94 was 5.7 per cent. and for 1994–95, 7.3 per cent. Details for previous years are not held centrally.

  Forestry Commission Land
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all Forestry Commission land sold so far during 1995. [36983]
  15
  Mr. Kynoch
  I have arranged for a list to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in his Departments. [36827]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Under the private finance initiative, Departments or relevant public bodies may contract with private organisations for the supply of services to specified standards. The rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen are not affected assuming that the responsibility to provide services lies with the public authority concerned.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or Agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [36957]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I can confirm that no outsourcing contracts were let to any of the named suppliers during the period in question.

  Population Census
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to include a question on the use of Scots in the next census in 2001 on the same basis as the existing question on Gaelic. [36987]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The General Register Office for Scotland, together with the Census Office for England and Wales, the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, has started to consult users of census information about their needs from the next census of population, planned for 2001. A number of letters have been received expressing support for a question on the Scots language. Needs have also been expressed for information about various other languages and other topics.

  The census offices and users will consider whether these requirements can be met by a set of simple questions without the census form imposing an undue burden on the public. For each topic a preliminary assessment will be made on whether the census is the most appropriate means of collecting the required information. Questions for which there is likely to be a good case will be tested to see if the public find them acceptable and can provide answers of a quality adequate to meet user's needs. Business cases for such questions and previously proven questions will then be considered. The Government's proposals will be pubished in 1998, and the final selection of questions will be approved by Parliament.
  16

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now specify the quantity and nature of the drugs found in the debris near Lockerbie after the destruction of Pan Am flight 103. [37394]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The hon. Member is referred to the answer given on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 87.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance the Crown Office gave to the deputy chief constable of the Dumfries and Galloway police in responding to the letter from the former Bradford police surgeon, Dr. David Fieldhouse, regarding the failure to make further inquiry of him about body DCF12, labelled by Dr. Fieldhouse at a hillside north-east of Shawhill farm, Lockerbie, on 22 December 1988. [37460]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Communications between the prosecuting and Investigating authorities are confidential.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration the Crown Office has now given to the advancing age of those witnesses whom the prosecution proposes to lead in court in relation to the Lockerbie case. [37446]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 90, and have nothing to add except to note that a further seven months have passed.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will now reveal on what dates Scottish police interviewed Dr. David Fieldhouse, Bradford police surgeon, in connection with his work in the Lockerbie area in December 1988; what knowledge he now has of body DCF12, male, hillside north-east of Shawhill farm, found at Lockerbie by Dr. David Fieldhouse, and if the Crown Office has endorsed the apology given in his written report by Sheriff John Mowat to Dr. David Fieldhouse for overlooking his information about Lockerbie body DCF12, male, hillside north-east of Shawhill farm, and for the undeserved criticism of his activities. [37459]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 6 March 1995,Official Report, columns 89 and 90.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has anything to add to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 90, regarding the likelihood of a trial of the Lockerbie suspects taking place. [37464]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  No.

  Adam Busby
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to secure the extradition of Adam Busby from Dublin. [37364]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Arrangements for the backing warrants in Ireland are the responsibility of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate and the police. There is a warrant in force for the arrest of Adam
  17
  Busby and it is not the policy of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate to discuss the steps which might be taken to enforce such a warrant.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Travel Allowances
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what rates of travel allowance may be claimed by civil servants in his Department when using their vehicles for official business. [36355]

  Mr. Hanley
  FCO—diplomatic wing and ODA—staff can claim the following rates when using their private vehicles for official business in the United Kingdom:

  Private cars

  Per mile

  Public transport rate

  22.3p

  Standard rate (up to 4000 miles per year)

  37.0p

  Standard rate (over 4000 miles per year)

  21.0p

  Motor Cycles

  Public Transport rate

  Up to 125cc

  Over 125cc only

  (Up to 4000 miles per year)

  14.1 per mile

  21.8 per mile

  (Over 4000 miles per year)

  5.8 per mile

  8.6 per mile

  The standard rate for private cars is payable only when public transport is unavailable or impractical.

  Overseas mileage rates are calculated by individual diplomatic missions using a formula set by the Treasury and agreed with the Inland Revenue.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the total cost of travel expenses claimed by civil servants using their own vehicles for official business in each of the last five years in his Department; and what would have been the saving in the last year if the maximum rate that could be claimed was set at the lowest rate. [36356]

  Mr. Hanley
  The FCO—diplomatic wing and ODA—processed over 20,000 travel and subsistence claims during the financial year 1994–95. Information on payments made to staff who use their private vehicles for official business in that year and preceding years is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [37000]

  Mr. Hanley
  None.
  18

  Pitcairn Island (Nuclear Tests)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of French nuclear testing on the inhabitants of Pitcairn Island; and what her Majesty's Government's obligations to the Pitcairn Islanders. [36761]

  Mr. David Davis
  We remain committed to the protection of United Kingdom dependent territories. We do not believe that the French nuclear tests should cause any danger to the inhabitants of Pitcairn.

  Food Poisoning, South Pacific
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will commission a study of the increased incidences of the food poisoning strain called ciguatera in so far as it relates to the residents of British dependent territories in the South Pacific, in the context of nuclear weapons tests in the region. [36754]

  Mr. David Davis
  The incidence of ciguatera in the South Pacific is monitored locally. It depends on a variety of factors. We see no need to commission any separate study.

  Middle East
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest assessment of progress in the middle east peace process. [36897]

  Mr. Hanley
  The interim agreement between Israel and the Palestinians was signed in Washington on 28 September. This represents a major achievement in the peace process, which we warmly welcome. The interim agreement paves the way for Palestinian elections in the west bank and Gaza. We will be making a substantial contribution to the EU-organised observation of the elections. Negotiations between Israel and Syria remain suspended for the time being. We hope that they will resume soon.

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the source documents which comprise the scientific evidence at Her Majesty's Government's disposal on the environmental risks posed to coral atolls by nuclear tests to which the Minister of State made reference in the adjournment debate on 19 July. [36839]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The scientific evidence is drawn from a number of sources. Copies of key documents will be available in the Library of the House shortly.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in his Department. [36832]

  Mr. Hanley
  Members of the public have the right to make representations to the appropriate ombudsman about any service or project provided by the Foreign and
  19
  Commonwealth Office—diplomatic wing or Overseas Development Administration—including those funded under the private finance initiative.

  Abdel Ghadanfar
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date Her Majesty's Government was informed by the German Government of the decision to free Abdel Ghadanfar in November 1994; [37454]

  (2) whether Her Majesty's Government was informed of and consulted about the release of, and the decision to free, Abdel Ghadanfar, by the German Authorities in November 1994; and if he will make a statement. [37453]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 9.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) following the court case Air Malta v Granada Television and pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southend, East (Sir T. Taylor) of 31 January,Official Report, column 332, what evidence has now been found to substantiate a Maltese connection with the Lockerbie bombing; [37406]

  (2) what information he has sought since March 1995 from Juge Brugiere in France, in relation to the UTA case, with particular reference to a Libyan connection for Lockerbie. [37423]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) on 6 March 1995,Official Report column 5.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) for what reason Her Majesty's Government supported the US decision that the Montreal convention, requiring attempts at conciliation and arbitration, should not be applied in relation to Pan Am 103 and Lockerbie; and that the preferred action was through the UN Security Council; [37435]

  (2) what consideration has now been given to evidence involving officials of countries other than Libya in relation to Lockerbie; and what efforts her Majesty's Government have made to obtain such evidence concerning nationals of countries, other than Libya, as undertaken on 20 January 1992, Official Report, column 159. [37436]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 6.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met Amro Musa, Foreign Minister of Egypt, to discuss the Lockerbie situation; and what contact he has had since. [37448]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs saw the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 27 September, and expects to meet him frequently in future.
  20
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs following his undertaking given in Glasgow on 3 February, to look into the claims made by the Bradford police surgeon, Dr. David Fieldhouse, what further action he has taken to verify Dr. Fieldhouse's claims about the body count at Lockerbie on 21, 22 and 23 December 1988. [37438]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) on 6 March 1995.Official Report, column 5.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has anything to add to his answer of 6 March,Official Report, column 7, regarding his assertion on 3 February at the Scottish Oils Clubs Annual Dinner that a trial in relation to Lockerbie would be prejudiced by a public inquiry. [37463]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  No.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will now enter into discussions with Dr. Esmat Abdel Maguid with a view to resolving the Lockerbie case; [37442]

  (2) what representations he has now had from Esmat Abdel Maguid on the issue of Libya's position in relation to the Lockerbie case. [37443]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  At his meeting with Dr. Maguid on 5 April, the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd) discussed a range of matters, including Lockerbie.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice has now been sought from her Majesty's Government by the German Government on the reply that they should give to the letter to Bundeskanzler Helmut Kohl, in German from a German national, Elizabeth Mosey, mother of a Lockerbie victim, of 23 January 1995; and what advice was given by her Majesty's Government. [37447]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  None

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his letter of 9 December 1993 to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, if he will now discuss with the German Government the visit to Germany of the Iranian Intelligence Minster, Mr. Fallahian, and subsequent visits by Iranian Ministers at which the destruction of Pan Am 103 was discussed. [37449]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 1.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had from Adnan Omran, assistant secretary-general for political affairs of the Arab League, following the meeting between the League and the United Nations in Vienna in July 1995 about the Lockerbie situation. [37455]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  None.
  21
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's communications with the solicitors of Pan Am, Windels, Marx, Davies and Ives, regarding aspects of the destruction of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, since May 1995. [37440]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 8.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he was last in contact with the Government of Finland about the identity of a caller to the United States embassy in Helsinki on 5 December 1988, warning that within two weeks a bomb would be carried on to an American airliner from Frankfurt, destination New York. [37450]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Grantham on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 8.

  European Legislation|
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the judgments of the Court of the European Community which have required retrospective amendment of any United Kingdom Acts of Parliament or related instrument arising from(a) a Community directive and (b) a Community regulation stating in each case the relevant United Kingdom amended instrument and its principal effect. [37257]

  Mr. David Davis
  We are not aware of any judgment of the European Court of Justice which has required the United Kingdom to amend retroactively legislation arising from a community Directive or Regulation. Some judgments of the Court may have significant retrospective effects without the need for amending legislation, especially in the pensions and social security fields. We intend to address this issue at the 1996 intergovernmental conference.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his letter of 12 July, what contribution Her Majesty's Government have made to the international programme set up under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency to consider the implications of past dumping operations; and what requests he has received from the Russian Government for technical help in relation to the Lepse in Murmansk harbour. [37396]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We continue to participate in the international programme established to assess the risks to human health and the environment from radioactive wastes dumped in the Kara and Barents seas, to examine possible remedial actions and to advise on whether any are necessary and justified. This project, managed by the IAEA in co-operation with the Norwegian and Russian Governments, is expected to report in 1996. No specific request to provide technical assistance for the Lepse has been received from the Russian Government. The European Union is, however, proposing to assist the 22
  relevant Russian authorities by funding a feasibility study into the options for dealing with the Lepse and the radioactive material stored on board.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 3 May,Official Report, columns 313–14; what contribution he has made to the recent discussions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. [37108]

  Mr. Hanley
  We continue to encourage both the Indian and Pakistani Governments to resolve their differences over Kashmir through bilateral negotiation.

  Iranian Airbus
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will put in the Library a copy of the recent statements by the Government of Iran, in the possession of his Department, that the skies would rain blood on America, as a result of the shooting down of an Iranian Airbus by the USS 'Vincennes' [37444]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 8.

  Mr. Prazak
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has now given to the death of British subject, Mr. Prazak, on 22 December 1992, on a Libyan airliner on an internal flight, in the light of approaches from Mrs. Felicity Prazak, a British citizen. [37437]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have helped Mrs. Prazak arrange a visit to her husband's grave in Libya and we are pressing the Libyan authorities to provide a crash report. We are not empowered to launch our own inquiry because the crash involved two Libyan aircraft inside Libyan air space.

PRIME MINISTER

  Self-governing Schools
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) pursuant to his press statement of 24 August concerning his hopes for education, what procedures, flexibilities and diversity will potentially be available to future pupils, or parents, not already available at schools currently under local management arrangements, if they become directly funded under conditions laid down by Her Majesty's Government; and by what means in those circumstances Ministers will ensure that the options now preferred, or currently available, will be maintained under such arrangements. [37358]

  (2) pursuant to his press statement of 24 August concerning education, which freedoms, flexibility, and additional diversity will potentially be available to future parents and pupils in schools now under local management arrangements in England and Wales if they became directly funded under conditions laid down by

  23
  Her Majesty's Government; and by what means Ministers will ensure that options currently available will be maintained. [37383]

  The Prime Minister
  Self-government is a significant and logical step beyond local management. A self-governing school controls its total budget, not just the proportion delegated by an LEA. It is also free to preserve its existing character or to propose changes without reference to the local authority.

  This gives self-governing schools greater flexibility to innovate, and to respond quickly and efficiently to the needs and aspirations of the communities they serve.

  I believe that the benefits of grant-maintained status should be extended to all schools. This option is currently being examined.

  Sports Facilities
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will require all relevant Government Departments to maintain a register listing sporting facilities in receipt of public funds(a) closed after 1 September 1995 and (b) proposed for closure; and if he will then instruct his Minister for Sport to investigate and report to him on relevant reasons for closure. [37336]

  The Prime Minister
  The sports policy statements issued during the summer recognised the important role which sports facilities, including those provided by public funds, play in the development of sport. The documents detail the measures that have taken and will be taking to safeguard and improve the current level of facilities provision. We will also shortly be consulting on a proposal that the Sports Councils should be given statutory consultee status on planning proposals affecting all playing fields. Additionally, the Government will retain statutory area standards to protect school playing fields. The Government do not see a need for a register of publicly funded sports facilities of the kind that the hon. Member suggests.

  Breast Cancer Campaign
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Prime Minister how many postcards he has received expressing support for the national postcard campaign for breast cancer; and how many of these have been answered. [37051]

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister how many postcards he has received in response to the recent campaign on breast cancer. [37481]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a substantial number of representations regarding this campaign.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his letter to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 25 January, what strategy, other than demanding a trial of two junior operatives, Her Majesty's Government now have for obtaining justice for all the victims of the crime of Lockerbie. [37461]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave the hon. Gentleman on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 79.
  24
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will now place in the Library a copy of the memorandum from No. 10 Downing street in 1989 adducing the reasons why Her Majesty's Government would not allow a public inquiry into the Lockerbie crime; and at what level the decision on the public inquiry was taken. [37458]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave the hon. Gentleman on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 78.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minster what reports the United Kingdom and United States authorities in Cyprus have now received from Dr. David Lovejoy, an employee of the United States Government, directly or through other sources, on the movement of the United States hostage rescue team, including Matthew Gannon and Major Charles McKee, subsequently killed at Lockerbie, before the destruction of Pan Am 103; and if he will discuss with President Clinton the reasons why these reports were sought. [37456]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to the answer that I gave the hon. Gentleman on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 80.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister whether Her Majesty's Government were informed by the US authorities on or around 19 December 1988 of the travel plans of Major Charles McKee. [37405]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 79.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his letter of 30 August 1994 to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what examination has recently taken place of the Toshiba and Helsinki warnings in relation to Lockerbie, since the fatal accident inquiry. [37457]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 78.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 26 January,Official Report, column 300, in what month of what year allegations were first made to the effect that Ali Akbar Mostashemi had paid $10 million to have the Lockerbie bombing carried out; who were the competent authorities to whom the Prime Minister refers; and how much of the alleged contradictory material came from Abdul Meged Jiacha. [37434]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 6 March 1995,Official Report, columns 80–81.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment Her Majesty's Government have now made of the role of Khaled Jaafar, a Lebanese victim of the Lockerbie bombing. [37407]
  25
  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave the hon. Gentleman on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 79.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will now discuss with President Clinton the implications regarding Iranian links and baggage being onloaded on Air Malta 180, destination Frankfurt airport. [37445]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 78.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will now discuss with Chancellor Kohl the prima facie evidence that a German-based terrorist organisation used their knowledge of a covert US drugs operation to switch an unaccompanied bag containing drugs with an identical bag containing a bomb which destroyed Pan Am Flight 103. [37441]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave to the hon. Gentleman on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 78.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what information has come recently to Her Majesty's Government about approaches by members of the Jaafar family offering precise testimony about Hezbollah and Achmed Tibril and their role in using a member of the Jaafar family to get a bomb on board Pan Am flight 103. [37395]

  The Prime Minister
  So far as I am aware, no such approaches have been received.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with Chancellor Kohl the reasons why the Justice Department of the German Government have challenged Anglo-US explanations of the Lockerbie crime. [36747]

  The Prime Minister
  The German Federal Ministry of Justice has not challenged the basis on which charges have been brought against the two individuals accused of having carried out the Lockerbie bombing.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 14 February,Official Report, column 571, if he will identify the partners to whom he referred in relation to discussions about Lockerbie and UTA 772. [37452]

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Intergovernmental Panel on the Oceans
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his letter of 9 March to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what 26
  recent consideration Her Majesty's Government have given to the recommendation of the Government's panel on sustainable development on the establishment of an intergovernmental panel on the oceans. [37291]

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is organising an international workshop from 30 November to 2 December to consider the machinery by which global decisions on the oceans take place. The Government will be putting the conclusions of this workshop, with their own views, to the next meeting of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.

  East German Security Service
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations Her Majesty's Government have had recently, since 15 July, from the German Government about their interrogation of Edward Bollier's Stasi control, and the sale of timing devices to the Stasi. [37408]

  The Prime Minister
  So far as I am aware, none.

  Trafficking in Fissile Materials
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his letter of 2 May to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, what progress has been made on the plan of action agreed by the European summit at Essen in December 1994 to improve co-operation between member states of the Union on how to develop programmes of assistance to third countries in relation to illegal trafficking in fissile materials; and if he will make a statement. [37288]

  The Prime Minister
  The Essen report on Illicit Traffic in Radioactive Substances and Nuclear Materials recommended a plan of action to improve co-operation with countries which were potential sources of illicit nuclear material. Since then, EURATOM has promoted a number of projects, the primary aim of which has been to provide assistance on improving nuclear materials accountancy and control. Three projects involving co-operation with Russia are currently under way and five are planned for 1996. The United Kingdom has been pursuing bilateral projects in Russia and Kazakhstan to assist those countries in a range of safeguards-related areas.

  Libya (Extradition)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if the United Kingdom now has an extradition treaty with Libya. [37462]

  The Prime Minister
  No.
  27

DEFENCE

  Royal Fleet Auxiliary
  Mr. Loyden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase the number of ships for service in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; and if he will make a statement. [36439]

  Mr. Soames
  The Government will maintain the Royal Fleet Auxiliary at the level needed to meet the Royal Navy's requirements. There is at present no requirement for an increase in the number of ships in service.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many public interest immunity certificates his Department has issued in each year since 1986. [36693]

  Mr. Soames
  I am unable to provide any details before April 1992. Since that date public interest immunity certificates have been signed by Ministers in this Department to cover a number of individual subjects and, in the event not all the certificates have been used. Total numbers for each year are as follows:

  1992: 3

  1993: 5

  1994: 2

  1995: 3

  Type

  Engine cc Cars

  Full rate p/mile £

  Lower tier p/mile £

  Rate effective date

  Standard Rate Motor

  Cars

  Mileage

  0–1000

  0.27

  0.15

  6 April 1995

  Allowance

  1001–1500

  0.34

  0.19

  (SRMMA)

  1501–2000

  0.43

  0.23

  2001 and over

  0.60

  0.32

  Motorcycles

  0–125

  0.158

  0.062

  6 April 1995

  126 and over

  0.242

  0.090

  Public Transport

  All cars

  0.238

  6 April 1995

  Rate Motor

  Motorcycles

  Mileage Allowance

  0–125

  0.158

  6 April 1995

  (PTRMMA)

  126 and over

  0.238

  Candidates for Employment

  All cars and motorcycles

  0.10

  1 April 1989

  0.05

  Bicycle

  0.062

  6 April 1995

  Note:

  Under current regulations SRMMA may be claimed at full rate to a limit of 4000 miles (1995–96 financial year). Any additional mileage travelled is restricted to the Lower Tier rate.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total cost of travel expenses claimed by civil servants using their own vehicles for official business in each of the last five years in his Department; and what would have been the saving in the last year if the maximum rate that could be claimed was set at the lowest rate. [36366]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The total costs of mileage allowances claimed by Ministry of Defence civilian staff using their own vehicles for official business in each of the last five year is as follows:

  1990–91: £11,960,000

  1991–92: £11,800,000

  1992–93: £11,840,000

  28

  Submarines (Allowances)
  Ms. Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what extra allowances are currently paid to those employed on submarines. [36335]

  Mr. Soames
  Apart from submarine pay, the details of which I gave to the hon. Member in my answer of 18 July 1995,Official Report, column 1184, no extra allowances are paid to personnel because of their specific service aboard submarines. However, all service personnel who are serving in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who are in receipt of United Kingdom rates of pay and who have served a minimum of two years at sea are eligible for longer service at sea bonus, providing they are serving in a qualifying unit, such as the submarine flotilla. Additionally, in recognition of their sea service they receive a waiver of food and accommodation charges and extra travel warrants on return to the United Kingdom.

  Travel Allowances
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rates of travel allowance may be claimed by civil servants in his Department when using their own vehicles for official business. [36365]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The rates of travel allowance currently in payment are as follows:

  1993–94: £11,230,000

  1994–95: £10,700,000

  The estimated savings in the last year —1994–95—if the mileage rate which could be claimed was set at the lowest rate is:

  £1,680,000(=15.7 per cent. of the actual cost).

  Overseas Troops
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of state for Defence if he will list the number of British troops in the various countries where they are stationed. [36350]

  Mr. Soames
  The number of british Army troops stationed at permanent overseas garrisons is as follows:
  29

  Number

  Germany

  26,500

  Hong Kong

  2,600

  Brunei

  680

  Cyprus

  2,700

  Falkland Islands

  300

  Gibraltar

  60

  In addition, about 74,000 Army troops are stationed in the United Kingdom.

  Officers and soldiers from these permanent garrisons are deployed on short-term operational and other tours in a further 77 countries including as defence and military attachés.

  Civilian Projects
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times each of the armed services has been(a) used and (b) requested to carry out civilian projects for private individuals in the last five years. [36974]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. A large number of requests for military aid to the civil community are for work of a minor nature and are handled on a local basis.

  Some training projects are carried out on private land in Scotland from time to time.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish details of the guidelines and regulations by which the armed services can be used to carry out civilian projects for private individuals. [36975]

  Mr. Soames
  Instructions on the conduct of military aid to the civil community, whereby service personnel and equipment can be provided either in emergencies or as a routine activity, are contained in a joint service publication and are summarised in a pamphlet which is available to civil authorities and others. I am placing a copy of the pamphlet in the Library of the House. Examples of routine assistance on special projects are construction, demolition, repair and rehabilitation work. Tasks must be of social value to the community and of good training value to the services.

  Separate regulations exist to cover circumstances in which Royal Engineer or other service units perform tasks of material benefit to a landowner which offer unusual or exceptional training value, the opportunity for which is not readily available on Ministry of Defence property. Such tasks may be undertaken on the basis that the landowner pays for all materials consumed, while we do not seek to recover the labour, plant and transport costs. These regulations are contained in "Army General and Administrative Instructions", which are classified documents.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times, by whom and what was the cost of using(a) the Army, (b) the Royal Air Force and (c) the Royal Navy to carry out civilian projects for private individuals in Scotland in the last five years. [36976]
  30
  Mr. Soames
  There are 31 recorded cases of Royal Engineer units of the Army carrying out projects in Scotland in the last five years in the course of training on private land, although the costs are not kept separately from those of the cost of normal training. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have no records of such activities over the last five years.

  Research (Radiation Tests)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the research projects his Department has undertaken since 1965 involving radiation tests on humans. [36729]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This information in the form requested is not available, but the subject has been investigated and no evidence has been found of any MOD involvement in unethical radiation experiments on humans.

  Duke of Atholl
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to the public funds of the use of armed forces personnel by the Duke of Atholl to shore up the bank at Glen Tilt. [36973]

  Mr. Soames
  The work carried out on the River Tilt presented an exceptional opportunity for a Territorial Army unit to undertake tasks of major training value. The work was primarily of benefit to householders living outside the Atholl estate. No significant extra costs to public funds were incurred as the Duke of Atholl paid for all materials consumed.

  Hawk Weapons
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Answer of 3 May,Official Report, column 525, what studies he will conduct about long-term arrangements to support Hawk detachments at RAF St. Athan; and what is his estimate of the long-term cost of making permanent provision for them. [36963]

  Mr. Soames
  A number of options have been identified to meet the Hawk weapons detachment requirement at RAF St. Athan. An independent option study has been commissioned to examine these options and to determine the most cost-effective permanent arrangement. It is not our practice to publish assessments of the long-term costs of possible options within the defence forward programme.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyn/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net,

  31
  (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m)CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [37003]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Number and value of contracts per financial year per group of companies

  £ million

  Company Group

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995 to July

  Anderson Consulting

  <5

  <5

  >5

  >5

  <5

  <5

  2.6

  0.5

  6.5

  1.4

  1.5

  0.1

  AT and T Istel

  nil

  <5

  <5

  25

  >5

  <5

  0.1

  0.4

  3.0

  0.2

  0.1

  BIS Info Systems

  nil

  <15

  10

  nil

  nil

  nil

  1.1

  1.0

  CFM Group

  nil

  <5

  <5

  nil

  nil

  <5

  0.1

  0.1

  4.7

  CMG Group

  <5

  <5

  >5

  <15

  <5

  <5

  0.1

  0.1

  2.2

  2.2

  0.7

  0.1

  Digital Equipment Group

  422

  257

  281

  183

  80

  28

  8.3

  7.4

  8.2

  9.8

  6.4

  7.7

  EDS Group

  <5

  nil

  62

  79

  62

  17

  0.1

  22

  26

  17

  4.9

  Hoskyns/CAP Gemini

  12

  9

  28

  20

  14

  nil

  1.1

  0.2

  1.0

  8.3

  0.1

  ICL Group

  169

  189

  158

  202

  139

  38

  19

  27

  16

  31

  17

  1.0

  Logica Group

  25

  26

  29

  23

  18

  4

  4.2

  2.8

  3.7

  4.3

  0.9

  1.2

  Nixdorf Computers

  <5

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  .03

  Sema Group (excluding the BAe-SEMA joint

  18

  10

  6

  5

  4

  nil

  venture)

  2.1

  3.0

  0.1

  0.1

  <0.1

  Siemens Group

  194

  213

  223

  246

  181

  101

  48

  16

  52

  101

  90

  41

  1Nixdorf data is included within Siemens, as Siemens Nixdorf Information.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in his Department. [36837]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The parliamentary ombudsman has, subject to the conditions of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967, jurisdiction to investigate complaints from members of the public about the way they have been treated by Government Departments, other public sector bodies engaged in the work of central Government, and those acting on their behalf. The ombudsman can investigate complaints about projects or services funded through the private finance initiative if they are carried out by or on behalf of a Department or public body within their jurisdiction, that is those bodies which are listed in schedule 2 of the 1967 Act.

  Market Testing (Health Services)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what personnel implications will follow from market testing health services for British forces; and if he will make a statement. [36979]
  32
  However, such information as is available is detailed in the table.

  We have no records of any MOD contract in this time scale with the following companies:

  Datasolve

  ITN Net

  Centre File

  Telecom Capita

  Mr. Soames
  It is not possible at this time to say what the personnel implications of the market test of health services in British Forces Germany will be. The winning tender by the Health Alliance is subject to further detailed contractual discussions as well as consultation with the staff and their representatives in UK and Germany. Any proposals will, however, be in full compliance with the terms and conditions of service, and appropriate British or German legislation.

  Jobs
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of jobs are defence-related in(a) all England and Welsh counties, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland. [36782]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This information is not available in the form requested. "UK Defence Statistics 1995", a copy of which is in the Library of the House shows that, in 1994, the deployment of service and MOD civilian personnel, and the estimated number of jobs directly associated with my Department's expenditure on equipment, were as follows:
  33

  England

  Wales

  Scotland

  Service personnel

  156,000

  4,800

  18,400

  MOD civilian staff

  95,000

  4,900

  11,200

  Jobs directly dependent on MOD equipment spending

  93,000

  1,000

  8,000

  Total

  344,000

  10,700

  37,600

  The relevant tables in "UK Defence Statistics 1995" [1.9 and 2.4] break down the figures for England by standard region, but not by county. The figures for jobs in industry do not include jobs dependent on non-equipment expenditure, or on defence exports; nor do they include jobs at subcontractors and other suppliers to MOD contractors. Within the UK as a whole, such jobs are estimated to amount to an additional 280,000, but no breakdown of this UK total is available.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to protect defence-related jobs in the south west in the coming year; and if he will make a statement. [36781]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  My Department's objective is to obtain the best value for money possible for the defence budget, rather than to protect employment in any particular area though, as an employer, we naturally have regard to the employment implications of our decisions. As a customer of industry, we believe that where companies locate, and where they choose to carry out work on our contracts, are matters for the companies themselves to decide. They may of course be eligible for regional assistance, but this is not the responsibility of my Department.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of the total British work force is employed in defence-related jobs. [36784]

  Mr Arbuthnot
  The proportion of the United Kingdom workforce employed in defence-related jobs was approximately 3 per cent., based on the following figures.

  Number

  Strength of Armed Forces on 1 April 1994

  254,500

  MOD UK-based civilian staff on 1 April 1994

  121,600

  Estimated UK employment dependent on defence expenditure in 1993–94 (the latest year for which an estimate is available)

  395,000

  Total

  771,100

  Average UK workforce in employment 1993–94

  25,412,000

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the number of defence-related jobs in Devon and Cornwall. [36783]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Such information as is available is compiled by region rather than by county. The "UK Defence Statistics 1995", a copy of which is in the Library of the House, shows that, in 1994, some 39,700 service personnel, and some 24,800 MOD civilian staff were deployed in the south-west region. In addition, some 18,000 jobs in the region were estimated to be directly 34
  associated with my Department's expenditure on equipment. This last figure does not include jobs dependent on non-equipment expenditure, or on defence exports; nor does it include jobs at subcontractors and other suppliers to MOD contractors. Within the United Kingdom as a whole, such jobs are estimated to amount to an additional 280,000, but no regional breakdown of this figure is available.

  RAF Chivenor
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has changed his policy about the future of the runway at RAF Chivenor since 3 May; and what information about the future of the runway he communicated to a delegation from north Devon. [36985]

  Mr. Soames
  There has been no change in the policy about the future of the runway. I confirmed to members of the delegation from north Devon, whom I met on 26 June 1995, that the runway at Chivenor would not he broken up as a consequence of any relocation of Royal Marine units there, and that the long-term civil aviation needs for north Devon were a matter for the Department of Transport.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now commission an investigation into possible joint uses of the runway at RAF Chivenor by any elements of the armed forces, in order to maintain the runway's viability in the long term. [36986]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 10 May,Official Report, column 526.

  Health Services, Germany
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the statement of requirements for the procurement of community, primary, secondary and dental health services for British forces in Germany. [36977]

  Mr. Soames
  A copy of the statement of requirement is being placed in the Library of the House.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the companies that tendered for, and those that have been shortlisted for, the procurement of community, primary, secondary and dental health services for British forces in Germany indicating non-profit-making organisations. [36978]

  Mr. Soames
  Tenders for the provision of primary, community and secondary health care to the Army and community and secondary health care to the RAF in Germany for five years from 1 April 1996 were submitted by three potential providers:

  a. The Health Alliance—an in-house bid in partnerships with a consortium headed by Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust and including the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmens Families Association.

  b. BMI Health Care in Association with Bradford Community Health NHS Trust.

  35

  c. Synapse—a consortium including Trafford NHS Trust, Lakeview Learning and Independent British Health Care.

  BMI Healthcare and Lakeview Learning were the only private sector organisations involved.

  RAF Valley
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 3 May,Official Report, column 525, what progress has been made in introducing contractorising of support services at RAF Valley; and what bids have been received from the RAF itself in these contracting processes. [36962]

  Mr. Soames
  An invitation to tender was issued on 14 September, leading to a planned contractor award in April 1996. Following consultation with the trades unions and other interested parties, it has been decided not to proceed with an in-house bid.

  Aberport Range
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the sources of income for the Aberport range under agency status. [36984]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is s a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Nick Harvey, dated 16 October 1995:

  Your Parliamentary Question (No 36984) dated 20 July asked the Secretary of State for Defence for the sources of income for the Aberporth range under agency status. Your letter has been passed to me since I am responsible for the day to day running of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency which now includes the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation's site at Aberporth.

  Under agency status, all but a small percentage of Aberporth's income will come from the MOD. The most important customers are the Armed Services (the RAF are forecast to provide about 54% of Aberporth's income and the RN about 5%) and the next most important is the MOD's Procurement Executive with about 33 per cent.

  I hope that this is helpful.

  Sea Dumping (Munitions)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken in regard to the reply H-0293/95, by the European Commission to Christine Crawley MEP, in question No. 87 at Question Time in the European Parliament on 17 May, that it is up to European Union member state authorities to provide information on the nature and quantities of munitions disposed at sea and their location, and to investigate the prospective environmental risks arising in order to minimise them. [36763]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 31 March 1995,Official Report, column 875. Current scientific evidence indicates that dumped munitions present no significant risk to human health or the marine environment.

  Trident
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates were made of the cost of the work 36
  to be undertaken at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston in support of the Trident programme before the work started. [37145]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Estimates were made of the manpower and materials costs that would be involved at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in the design, development and production of the UK Trident warhead. These were reflected in the budget for the establishment. It was also recognised that, as well as utilising existing AWE facilities, the programme would in due course make use of new facilities, coming on stream, in the normal course of renewal.

  Tornado
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) by squadron, air base and contracted company details of the efficiency of Tornado maintenance contracts since they were first contracted out and (b) by squadron and air base details of the efficiency of Tornado maintenance in the five year period prior to contracting out. [37039]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The level of contractor involvement in Tornado maintenance and rectification at squadron and air base level is minimal. RAF personnel undertake almost all of this work and there are no plans significantly to increase the level of contractorisation.

  Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of hiring from abroad diesel powered submarines for training by the Royal Naval Training College, Dartmouth. [37095]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We do not hire diesel powered submarines from abroad for training by the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

  Defence Agreement
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of all papers released since 1988 by the Public Records Office that refer specifically to the 1958 US/UK mutual defence agreement. [37146]

  Mr. Soames
  No. The information requested can be obtained through examination of the lists at the Public Record Office, Kew.

  Submarines
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many diesel powered submarines are owned and operated by the Royal Navy. [37094]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Royal Navy owns four upholder class diesel powered submarines. These are not in operation and we are continuing to examine options for their sale, lease or long term storage.
  37

  Small Arms Ammunition
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the failure rate of small arms ammunition ordered by his Department from Portugal. [37148]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The competition to supply the 7.62mm sniper ammunition for the National Rifle Association for use at its Bisley tournaments in 1995 and 1996 was won by INDEP of Portugal. Following representations from the association about the misfire rate of the ammunition, the Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation carried out extensive tests of the ammunition on standard service issue sniper rifles. No misfires occurred in these tests. It is therefore likely that the misfires reported by the association were a result of using the ammunition in non-standard weapons.

  Gurkhas
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the pension arrangements for the Gurkhas serving the Crown are the same as for other members of the armed services. [37096]

  Mr. Soames
  No. Pensions received by ex-British Gurkha pensioners are governed by the 1947 tripartite agreement, between the Governments of the United Kingdom, India and Nepal. Under the terms of this agreement, which requires British Gurkha personnel to be discharged in their homeland of Nepal, pension provision is governed by the rates paid to Indian Army pensioners. All British Gurkha personnel have to serve a minimum of 15 years before they are eligible to receive a service retirement pension.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to share nuclear weapon designs or nuclear weapon technology with the French Government. [37144]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  We maintain contacts with France on a range of issues relating to nuclear weapons. These contacts include some technical matters and exchanges between scientists. It is not our practice to reveal further details.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been his responses to the communication sent by Colonel James Sullivan of the office of the Secretary of the US Air Force on 17 November 1994, concerning the destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie. [37439]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 6 March 1995,Official Report, column 11.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Brent Spar
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his Department received copies of the reports produced by Smit Engineering and Heeremac prior to the decision to approve the sea dumping of Brent Spar. [36447]
  38
  Mr. Eggar
  The reports submitted by Shell to my Department are listed in the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 4 July 1995,Official Report, columns 152–54. They included studies by McDermott Engineering (Europe) Ltd. and Heerema Engineering Services (UK) Ltd. These studies addressed the fulls cope of work necessary for onshore disposal and showed the cost of that option to be significantly higher than the preliminary assessment by Smit Engineering. The McDermott and Heerema studies contributed to the decision that deep-sea disposal was the best practicable environmental option for the Brent Spar.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research his Department has commissioned into the cumulative environmental impact of sea dumping 50 to 60 production facilities prior to the decision to approve the sea dumping of Brent Spar. [36448]

  Mr. Eggar
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) on 18 July 1995,Official Report, column 1215.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what research his or any other Government Department had commissioned and received on the environmental impact of sea dumping Brent Spar on the deep ocean ecosystems prior to approving the sea dumping of Brent Spar; [36449]

  (2) what was the conclusion of the AURIS report on the proposed sea dumping of Brent Spar relating to the possibility of the Brent Spar breaking up immediately after or during the sea dumping operation; [36451]

  (3) what research drew his Department to the conclusion that the contents of the Brent Spar would disperse slowly over thousands of years. [36450]

  Mr. Eggar
  The Brent Spar Impact Hypothesis by Rudall Blanchard Associates Ltd. dated December 1994 succeeded earlier work carried out by Aberdeen university. The later study concluded that the most likely scenario was that the structure would remain largely intact after its impact with the seabed and would corrode very slowly, probably over the next 4,000 years, in the deep waters of the north-east Atlantic. Government scientists also considered the possibility that the Spar would break up during its descent. or on impact with the seabed. They concluded that, in any of those scenarios, the consequences in terms of risk to the food chain, human health and potential environmental impact would have been insignificant.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the samples taken from the contents of the Brent Spar were analysed before the decision to approve the sea dumping of Brent Spar was made; on what date they were analysed; and when the results were notified to his Department; [36455]

  (2) what samples were taken from the contents of the Brent Spar by his Department, the Ministry of Fisheries and Food or Aberdeen university prior to the decision to approve the sea dumping of Brent Spar. [36454]

  Mr. Eggar
  Independent surveys were carried out which enabled Shell to assess the contents of the Spar and to satisfy Government that deep-sea disposal was the best practicable environmental option. The Norwegian certifying authority, Det Norske Veritas, has been
  39
  commissioned to undertake a further independent assessment of the structure and contents of the Spar. I understand that the results of that study will be available on 18 October.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if his Department was aware of a memorandum dated 6 December 1993 from W. McMinn, an official of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, on the toxicity of the waste water in Brent Spar and recommending the prohibition of discharge prior to the decision to approve sea dumping of Brent Spar. [36452]

  Mr. Eggar
  My Department was not aware of the internal MAFF memorandum prior to the decision. Comments made in that memorandum about the discharge of the contents of the storage tanks were made in the context of removing the oily sludge and ballast water as part of an onshore dismantling option and dumping them in shallow coastal waters. That was totally different to the disposal of the entire structure in over 2,200 m of water in the north-east Atlantic. MAFF issued a statement on 20 June 1995 which it made clear that the concerns expressed in the leaked paper did not apply to deep-sea disposal of the Brent Spar.

  Research Council Funding
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the number of grants and their value for responsive mode funding for chemistry and materials by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for the current funding year and comparable figures for the Science and Engineering Research Council in the previous three years. [36408]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The number of grants and their value for repsonsive mode funding in the chemistry and materials programme of the EPSRC, and figures for SERC in the previous three years, are given in the following table:

  Chemistry

  Materials

  Year

  Number

  Value £ Million

  Number

  Value £ Million

  SERC(September-August)

  1991–92

  110

  6.1

  205

  20.6

  1992–93

  180

  12.5

  330

  44.2

  1993–94

  309

  25.2

  256

  29.9

  EPSRC1(April-July) 1995

  1995

  115

  9.1

  100

  10.1

  1The EPSRC came into effect on 1 April 1994 and introduced new procedures for awarding grants from April 1995. The period from September 1994 to April 1995 was an interregnum period in which no significant awards were made.

  Non-fossil Fuel Option
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 4 April,Official Report, column 1011, when he now expects to make an initial announcement about the timetable for NFFO–4 bids. [37277]

  Mr. Page
  I hope to be able to make an initial announcement shortly on arrangements for the fourth round of bidding for electricity from renewable sources of 40
  energy, known as NFF0–4. My expectation is that further details will be given in Renewable Energy Bulletin No. 6, REB-6, to be published soon after the initial announcement.

  British Catalogue Exhibition, Yemen
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the letter of 4 April from the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Wiltshire, North (Mr. Needham), if he will make a statement on his Department's efforts to stage a British catalogue exhibition in Yemen [37290]

  Mr. Nelson
  My Department is planning to run four catalogue exhibitions in the Republic of Yemen during the first six months of 1996. The exhibitions will be held in the capital, Sana'a and in Taiz, Hodaidah and Aden. Possible dates and venues are being discussed with the local chambers of commerce.

  Trade Promotion (Uzbekistan)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his Department's efforts to promote trade between Britain and Uzbekistan. [36555]

  Mr. Nelson
  Promotion of trade between the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan is spearheaded by a separate section in my Department dedicated to the southern republics of the former Soviet Union. Set up in 1993, following the break-up of the Soviet Union the previous year, the DTI's central Asia and Transcaucasia section is supported by an export promoter for central Asia seconded from the private sector. Its work is complemented by more specialist parts of the DTI such as the oil and gas projects and supplies office, which advises British companies on opportunities in the energy sector, and the projects export promotion division, which assists UK companies in their pursuit of capital projects overseas.

  My Department's trade promotion effort for Uzbekistan is assisted by the Uzbek-British Trade and Industry Council, UBTIC, a high-level forum of senior business men and trade promotion officials from both sides, whose role is to facilitate bilateral trade and investment by British companies in Uzbekistan. The DTI provides two permanent members of UBTIC and also acts as the UK secretariat. UBTIC is chaired on the Uzbekistan side at deputy prime ministerial level while the UK chairman is Geoffrey Bray, a retired senior British business man and former chairman of the BSCC, previously the British Soviet Chamber of Commerce.

  In addition to its day-to-day work advising British companies on business opportunities in Uzbekistan the DTI is actively involved in high profile events such as overseas trade missions, VIP inward visits and seminars and conferences. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy led a trade mission of 25 leading business men to Uzbekistan in May 1994. In March this year, my Department provided financial support to the BSCC's trade mission to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Last month, the Viscount Goschen, Minister for Aviation and Shipping, led a trade mission of British companies in the transport sector to Uzbekistan and elsewhere in central

  41
  Asia; the DTI, in conjunction with the British embassies in Tashkent and Almaty, provided the administrative and briefing support for this mission.

  Here in the UK, the DTI supported the "Doing Business in Uzbekistan" conference in London organised by IBC Financial Focus and will provide support for a similar conference, also organised by IBC, next month. With a number of senior Uzbek Ministers and officials coming to the UK for the conference, the DTI hopes to organise the next meeting of the Uzbek-British Trade and Industry Council around that time. The DTI also supported seminars on central Asia at the Government office in Nottingham in June and at the London chamber of commerce and industry in July. The export promoter for central Asia spoke at both these events.

  Officials in my Department are conscious that, while the overall level of UK trade with, and investment in, Uzbekistan is satisfactory, our commercial success there is largely attributable to the activities of just a few major companies. The DTI is accordingly reviewing its strategy for central Asia and Transcaucasia with a view to increasing the awareness among UK companies of the opportunities which exits both in Uzbekistan and elsewhere in the region.

  Radiation Experiments
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 18 July column 1221, what are the ethical guidelines relating to radiation experiments on humans. [36755]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  As early as 1953, the MRC defined an explicit requirement that informed consent should be obtained by clinical investigators from participants in research. This was complemented in 1963 by a comprehensive statement, "Responsibility in Investigations on Human Subjects", which outlined the standards relating to the use of volunteers in medical research. These guidelines are kept continually under review, and in 1991 strict MRC guidance was drawn up relating specifically to the conduct of research on the mentally incapacitated.

  The MRC does not carry out experiments on human volunteers without obtaining their written permission, and without providing them with detailed information about the purpose of the study and nature of their involvement. Furthermore, such volunteers can withdraw at any time.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations the Medical Research Council had with the parents of children whose body parts were used for radioactivity-related studies from 1965 to 1970. [36445]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Under the Human Tissue Act 1961, consultation with the parents of the children involved would have been the responsibility of the person in lawful possession of the body. This would have been a member of the hospital staff where the post mortem took place, not the Medical Research Council researchers. As far as can be ascertained, it is believed that appropriate consultation took place and that body parts were removed in compliance with the Act.
  42
  Mr. Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research the Medical Research Council undertook involving the removal of bones from the corpses of children in Clwyd between 1965 and 1970. [36446]

  Mr. Taylor
  Nationwide studies looking into the concentration of strontium–90 in human bones were carried out between 1955 and 1970 under the joint auspices of the Medical Research Council and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. For the purpose of this research, pathologists in various parts of the UK supplied samples of fresh bones obtained at autopsy from the bodies of subjects of different age groups, including infants and children.

  From 1959 onwards, results of this study incorporated regional breakdowns by domicile of the people whose bones were used. Information is available for the former county of Denbighshire which roughly corresponds to the present county of Clwyd. This shows that between 1965 and 1970 samples were taken from 18 children who had died aged three months to 17 years.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Medical Research Council on radioactivity experiments conducted on civilians under the direction of the Medical Research Council without the knowledge of the subjects concerned. [36760]

  Mr. Taylor
  The Medical Research Council does not carry out experiments on human volunteers without obtaining their written permission, and without providing them with detailed information about the purpose of the study and the nature of their involvement. Volunteers are given the opportunity to withdraw at any point. There are strict MRC guidelines relating specifically to the conduct of research on children and the mentally incapacitated.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificate
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, how many public interest certificates his Department has issued in each year since 1986. [36688]

  Mr. Lang
  My Department's records show that, since April 1992, 21 public interest immunity certificates have been signed by Ministers of this Department, five of which did not need to be deployed. No central record is kept of certificates signed before that date.

  Jaguar X200 Project
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he examined the costings before agreeing to subsidise the building of the new Jaguar in the United Kingdom; what considerations led him to decide that the subsidy was necessary; and if he will publish the detailed evidence leading him to his conclusion. [36215]

  Mr. Eggar
  DTI Ministers and officials had long and detailed discussions with Ford and Jaguar to evaluate the X200 project.

  The conclusions reached was that there was a strong and genuine commercial case for supporting the project. Moreover, the project will create a significant number of jobs at Jaguar and in the components supply base. The X200 project will also help secure the long-term future of Jaguar's manufacturing operations in the UK.

  43
  The information provided by Jaguar to enable the valuation to be carried out was commercially and market sensitive and given in confidence to the Department.

  Outstanding Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many outstanding contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to

  Company

  Period of contract

  Value

  Comment

  1. Hoskyns

  November 1994—November 1997

  Dependent on volume of work but estimated to be in the region of £15 million—£25 million

  Contracting out of IT Service provision.

  2. ICL

  April 1994–April 1997

  £25 million approximately

  Project OSPREY—to introduce office automation facilities throughout DTI Headquarters and Regional Offices.

  3. SEMA

  1994–97

  £612k

  In each case, the figure quoted reflects the aggregate value of a number of contracts let during the first year of a framework agreement.

  CMG

  1994–97

  £1,469k

  LOGICA

  1994–97

  £95k

  Economic Policy
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what effect the Government's monetary and exchange rate policies have had on the demand for British-produced cars at home and abroad. [36205]

  Mr. Eggar
  The Government's monetary policy is to deliver low inflation and this has been around 3 per cent. for two years. This gives businesses the confidence to invest in the UK. Along with a competitive pound, increases in productivity over the years have allowed British-based manufacturers to operate much more effectively.

  Continuing healthy demand for British cars was reflected in 1994 total car production figures of 1,466,800, of which 618,700–42 per cent.—were for the export market. This represents a 6.3 per cent. increase in production and 38.7 per cent. in exports over 1993.

  Company Mergers
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received urging referral of the bids for Southern Electricity, Midlands Electricity and NORWEB by National Power, PowerGen and North West Water to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. [37482]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Department has received a number of letters concerning these proposed mergers. In line with standard practice, all correspondence has been forwarded to the Director General of Fair Trading, who will, in due course, advise my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on whether he should refer the proposed mergers to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
  44
  (a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [36997]

  Mr. Lang
  Such information is not readily available for the whole Department and could be assembled only at disproportionate cost. However, major contracts let through the DTI's central IT purchasing section relating to the companies listed are as follows:

  Plutonium Exports
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the French authorities have informed his Department or the British nuclear authorities of the research use for which the plutonium exported to France from the United Kingdom was put, to which reference is made at footnote 3(a) of his departmental press release P/95/455 of 13 July on plutonium figures. [36762]

  Mr. Page
  The plutonium exported to France was material for fast reactor research purposes and is subject to Euratom safegards.

  International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals were put by the United Kingdom to the 39th session of the International Atomic Energy Agency general conference in Vienna in September; how were they received; how the United Kingdom responded to or voted on proposals put by other member states of the IAEA; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the United Kingdom submission and final decisions and declarations from the conferences. [37255]

  Mr. Page
  The UK delegation to the 39th general conference of the IAEA played a full part in the drafting and submission by the European Union of resolutions covering the strengthening of IAEA safeguards, illicit trafficking in nuclear materials, the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions relating to Iraq. These draft resolutions were in some cases amended slightly in negotiation with other delegations, but all were eventually adopted by consensus. The UK delegation also participated fully in discussions concerning other resolutions and decisions of the conference.
  45
  A copy of the document produced by the IAEA containing resolutions and other decisions of the general conference will be placed in the Library of the House when it becomes available.

  Minors (Credit Facilities)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will investigate the extent to which banks, and other commercial institutions may, within current statutory provisions, make direct approaches to juveniles under the age of 18 years offering immediate credit; and if he will make a statement. [37357]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  Lenders tend not to provide credit to minors because generally their debts cannot be legally enforced.

  Under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 it is an offence knowingly to invite a minor to borrow money, or to take credit.

  The Government have no plans to investigate.

  Mobile Fresh Water Tanks
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what statutory or other requirements have been made by Her Majesty's Government to require water companies to have available a given number of mobile fresh water tanks, wheeled or otherwise, related to the numbers of population served; and what national arrangements it has made for supply of such equipment in emergencies. [37304]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to this question by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment today at column 162.

  Nuclear Industry (Privatisation)
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what public consultation process he intends to undertake in connection with the proposal to transfer the licenses for nuclear sites to private operators; [36336]

  (2) what public consultation he intends to undertake in connection with the proposal to split ownership and licensing of certain nuclear sites between private and public ownership. [36337]

  Mr. Eggar
  Responsibility for licensing of nuclear sites rests with the independent Health and Safety Executive's nuclear installations inspectorate. I understand that the HSE has used its discretionary powers under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965, as amended, to direct licence applicants to carry out a public body consultation which will last for a period of three months.

  BMARC
  Mr. Wilson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has anything to add to his answers of 28 April,Official Report, column 725, and 20 June, Official Report, column 175, or to the answers of the Secretary of State for Defence of 25 April, Official Report, column 488, 20 June, Official Report, column 237, 27 June, Official Report, column 601 and 18 July, Official Report, columns 1188–89, on BMARC. [37318]
  46
  Mr. Nelson
  I can only comment on the two answers which were given by my Department. I have nothing to add to those answers.

  Industrial and Provident Societies
  Mr. Keen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if action is being taken to bring the scale of fees for industrial and provident societies into line with those now established for limited companies; what efforts his Department is making to ensure that the deregulation initiative guarantees a level playing field between industrial and provident societies and private companies; and if he will make a statement. [32424]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have been asked to reply.

  As part of the Government's deregulation initiative, we intend to bring audit requirements for industrial and provident societies broadly into line with those for companies. This will involve a relaxation of the requirement to prepare and submit accounts and an increase in the audit thresholds. A consultation exercise on these and other deregulatory changes to the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts was carried out earlier this year. The measures will be implemented through an Order under section 1 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. The draft order will be laid early in the next session.

  The Government have no plans to bring the fees for industrial and provident societies into line with those for limited companies. The higher fees in part reflect the more detailed registration procedure for societies, which is needed to ensure that they are either bona fide co-operatives of that they operate for the benefit of the community and so do not need to be registered as companies. However, the Government keep societies' fees under annual review.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Market Testing
  Mr. corbyn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with civil service trade unions concerning market testing. [35893]

  Mr. Horam
  Market testing has been a regular subject for discussion at meetings between Ministers and the civil service trade unions.

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on how he has exercised his new responsibilities. [35894]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain).

  Competitiveness
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what role the Cabinet Office will play in enhancing the competitiveness of United Kingdom industry during the next 12 months. [35895]
  47
  Mr. Freeman
  The Cabinet Office takes forward the competitiveness agenda within Government and with industry. The Deputy Prime Minister regularly discusses competitiveness issues with Cabinet colleagues in the ED(C) Committee, and maintains a close dialogue with business. We will produce a third report on national competitiveness next year.

  Civil Service Morale
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on morale in the civil service since 5 July. [35897]

  Mr. Horam
  Morale in the civil service is best maintained at a high level by allowing staff to perform to the best of their abilities in their chosen career. This Government's civil service reforms enable staff to focus their attention on delivering high quality public services efficiency and effectively.

  Travel Allowances
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what rates of travel allowance may be claimed by civil servants in his Department when using their vehicles for official business. [36357]

  Mr. Horam
  The current rates of travel allowance which may be claimed by civil servants in the Cabinet Office, the Office of Public Service and its agencies, Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the Central Office of Information, are listed. The rates payable in the Cabinet Office, including the Office of Public Service, are being reviewed.

  Cabinet office, OPS and agencies

  Motor Cars

  Miles travelled in a financial year

  Up to 1500 cc

  1501–2000 cc

  Over 2000 cc

  Standard rate mileage

  First 5,000

  35.7p

  42p

  46p

  Over 5,000

  18p

  22p

  30p

  Public transport rate

  23p per mile

  Motor Cycles

  Miles travelled in a financial year

  Up to 125 cc

  Over 125 cc

  First 4,000 miles

  Third Party Insurance

  14.6p

  22. 1p

  Comprehensive Insurance

  16.2p

  25.3p

  Over 4000 miles (all)

  6.1p

  9p

  Pedal cycles

  6p per mile

  COI

  Motor Cars

  Standard Rate Mileage—37p per mile up to 4,000 miles in a year and 21p thereafter.

  Public Transport Rate—23.8p per mile.

  Motor Cycles

  Miles travelled in a financial year

  Up to 125 cc

  Over 125 cc

  Up to 4,000

  14.5p

  22.8p

  Over 4,000

  6.2p

  9.0p

  Pedal Cycles

  6.2p per mile

  48
  HMSO

  Motor cars

  Unified Rate—38p up to 4,000 miles and 21p thereafter.

  Public Transport Rate—25p (up to 20,000 miles)

  Motor Cycles

  Miles travelled in a financial year

  Up to 125cc

  Over 125cc

  First 4,000 miles

  Third Party Insurance

  14.5p

  22.8p

  Comprehensive Insurance

  17.2p

  26.8p

  Over 4,000 miles (all)

  6.2p

  9p

  Pedal Cycles

  6.4p per mile

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the total cost of travel expenses claimed by civil servants using their own vehicles for official business in each of the last five years in his Department; and what would have been the saving in the last year if the maximum rate that could be claimed was set at the lowest rate. [36358]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in his Department. [36835]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  Members of the public would have the same rights to make complaints of alleged maladministration to the relevant ombudsman concerning a project funded through the private finance initiative on behalf of my Departments as they would if the project were publicly financed.

  Civil Service Pensions
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the average and median civil service pension in payment, indicating the highest and lowest figures; and if he will provide the same information in respect of dependants' pensions. [37138]

  Mr. Horam
  The average annual rate of civil service pension in payment to retired officers is £4,325; the median is £3,015. The amounts of individual pensions range from £62,460 to £2.87.

  The average annual rate of pension in payment to dependants of former pension scheme members is £1,820; the median is £1,202. The amounts of individual dependants' pensions range from £26,334 to £2.21.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract: and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net,

  49
  (g) Andersen Consulting (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [36966]

  Mr. Horam
  The nature of current outsourcing contracts let by my Department and agencies since 1990 with the firms listed is set out in the table. Individual contract values, representing the total anticipated cost of the contracts, have been aggregated to preserve commercial confidentiality. The estimated total value of the contracts is £5,239,149. Further information is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Firm

  (a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti

  Management of project risk Software services

  (b) AT and T Istel

  Software, connection and training, and line rental Viewdata information service

  (d) Sema

  Maintenance and support for hardware

  (i) BIS

  Training call-off contract

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/CAP Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) SEMA Group, (e) Datasolve, (j) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre file, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [36998]

  Mr. Howard
  Since 1990 my Department has let one outsourcing contract to SEMA Group for the provision of IT support. The contract was let on 1 November 1994 and was worth approximately £50 million over five years, excluding VAT. There has been no additional work added to the contract.

  Convicted Prisoners Inquiry
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on action he has taken since the receipt of new evidence on 8 June 1993 in the case of convicted prisoners Michael Hickey, Jim Robinson and Vincent Hickey. [37476]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The Merseyside police were asked to make inquiries into some of the matters raised in the petition of 8 June 1993. These inquiries were subsequently widened to take into account further representations submitted during 1994. A report from the police was submitted to us in May 1995 and we are considering it along with all other information about the case in order to decide whether there are grounds for any action.
  50

  Immigration Detainees
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) males and (b) females whose identity is in doubt are currently being detained; and what is the longest current period of detention. [37479]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Information on the total number of persons detained under the Immigration Act 1971 whose identity is in doubt is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs. The longest current period of detention for such a person is nearly 16 months.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will show for each month since money started to flow from the national lottery how much has been(a) disbursed to charities and voluntary organisations, (b) spent on the establishment, administration and running costs of the National Lottery Charities Board and (c) spent, disbursed or deducted for any other purpose. [37485]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The information is not immediately available in the form requested; I will write to the hon. Member. To date, £493 million has been awarded to good causes by 10 of the 11 distributing bodies. Over 70 per cent. of those organisations which have been awarded funds are charities or voluntary organisations working in the fields of national heritage, sports and the arts. I understand that the National Lottery Charities Board will be announcing its first grant awards on 23 October.

  By then, the board will have spent some £6.5 million—less than 3 per cent. of the money currently available to it—on one-off start-up costs and on administration. This compares favourably with other major grant-giving operations. The board expects to have some £300 million to distribute to the voluntary sector next year and subsequent years.

  The National Lottery etc. Act 1993 provides for expenses incurred by the Secretary of State for National Heritage, the Home Secretary, the Office of the National Lottery and the distributing bodies to be recouped from the National lottery distribution fund. To date these have amounted to £18.9 million out of the £1 billion income from the lottery.

  Firearms
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the incidence of the use of firearms in the pursuit of crime in each of the last 20 years. [36442]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is published annually in table 3.1 of chapter 3 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales", copies of which can be found in the Library.

  Information for 1994 will be published during November.
  51

  Travel Allowances
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rates of travel allowance may be claimed by civil servants in his Department when using their own vehicles for official business. [36363]

  Mr. Howard
  There are two classes of reimbursement of cost for staff who use their own vehicles for official business.

  "Public Transport Rate" is currently 23.8p per mile for motor cars, 12.9p per mile for motor cycles with an engine capacity of up to 125cc and 23.8p for cycles over 125cc.

  Standard rate of motor car allowance

  cc engine capacity

  Up to 5,000 miles per annum (pence per mile)

  Over 5,000 miles per annum (pence per mile)

  Up to 1500

  35.7

  19

  1501–2000

  43

  23

  Over 2000

  46

  31

  Standard rate of motor cycle allowance

  cc engine capacity

  Up to 4,000 miles per annum (pence per mile)

  Over 4,000 miles per annum (pence per mile)

  Up to 125

  16.2

  6.2

  Over 125

  26

  9

  Pedal Cycle allowance may also be claimed, at 6.2 per mile.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total cost of travel expenses claimed by civil servants using their own vehicles for official business in each of the last five years in his Department; and what would have been the saving in the least year if the maximum rate that could be claimed was set at the lowest rate. [36364]

  Mr. Howard
  The Department's computerised travel claims payment systems do not separately record travel expenses claimed by staff for using their own vehicles. To provide the information requested would entail disproportionate cost.

  Liquor Licensing
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to remove unnecessary liquor licensing regulations. [36557]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The Licensing (Sunday Hours) Act 1995, which extends the times at which public houses, clubs and off-licensed premises may sell alcohol on Sundays, came into force on 6 August 1995.

  The draft Licensing (Sunday Dancing) Order, which is currently subject to Parliamentary consideration under the order making procedures in part 1 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 includes relaxations of the provisions of the Licensing Act 1964 relating to extended hours orders and special hours certificates. These relaxations will permit the sale of alcohol after the normal licensing hours at dances taking place on a Sunday.
  52
  We have also recently completed public consultation on other reforms to rationalise certain procedural aspects of the special hours certificate system, which allows the sale of alcohol beyond the normal permitted hours at places licensed for music and dancing.

  In addition we plan to repeal section 165 of the Licensing Act 1964, which makes it an offence for a licensee to serve more intoxicating liquor than a customer asks for.

  We are also considering the scope for deregulating other aspects of the liquor licensing system.

  Somali Exceptional Leave Holders
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Somali exceptional leave holders who had not completed four years of status were allowed to be joined by their spouse and children in each year since 1990. [36693]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Information on the number of Somlis who have been joined by their spouse and children within four years of being granted exceptional leave to remain is not available.

  Information on the number of Somalis granted exceptional leave to remain in each year since 1986 is given in table 3.2 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1994", issue 15/95, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Violent Crime (Compensation)
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about changes in compensation to victims of violent crime. [36588]

  Mr. Maclean
  The Criminal Injuries Compensation Bill currently before Parliament provides the framework for an enhanced tariff scheme under which the compensation payable annually to victims should rise from £175 million to £260 million over the next five years. The scheme will continue to be the most generous in the world.

  Police Statistics
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are currently serving in each British constabulary. [36733]

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

  Police force

  Police officer strength As at 31 March 1995

  England and Wales

  Avon and Somerset

  3,000

  Bedfordshire

  1,126

  Cambridgeshire

  1,261

  Cheshire

  1,932

  City of London

  885

  Cleveland

  1,438

  Cumbria

  1,167

  Derbyshire

  1,797

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,877

  Dorset

  1,288

  Durham

  1,353

  Dyfed-Powys

  976

  Essex

  2,921

  53

  Police force

  Police officer strength As at 31 March 1995

  Gloucestershire

  1,163

  Greater Manchester

  7,037

  Gwent

  997

  Hampshire

  3,256

  Hertfordshire

  1,703

  Humberside

  2,029

  Kent

  3,117

  Lancashire

  3,212

  Leicestershire

  1,839

  Lincolnshire

  1,199

  Merseyside

  4,659

  Metropolitan Police

  27,480

  Norfolk

  1,395

  Northamptonshire

  1,156

  Northumbria

  3,606

  North Wales

  1,366

  North Yorkshire

  1,300

  Nottinghamshire

  2,319

  South Wales

  3,014

  South Yorkshire

  3,040

  Staffordshire

  2,231

  Suffolk

  1,191

  Surrey

  1,676

  Sussex

  2,931

  Thames Valley

  3,854

  Warwickshire

  1,013

  West Mercia

  2,046

  West Midlands

  7,019

  West Yorkshire

  5,050

  Wiltshire

  1,261

  Scotland

  Central Scotland

  656

  Dumfries and Galloway

  391

  Fife

  789

  Table A: Notifiable offences recorded by the police 1992–94

  Offences against property1

  Offences against the person

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Police force area

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Avon and Somerset

  167,699

  166,672

  157,409

  5,151

  5,772

  6,791

  586

  894

  1,091

  1,320

  1,863

  1,715

  Bedfordshire

  56,427

  55,648

  49,135

  1,900

  1,936

  1,965

  254

  417

  417

  605

  543

  580

  Cambridgeshire

  62,428

  61,861

  57,588

  2,777

  2,821

  3,030

  437

  393

  421

  291

  308

  242

  Cheshire

  74,560

  75,293

  69,283

  2,784

  2,975

  3,245

  459

  465

  543

  320

  345

  278

  Cleveland

  80,820

  75,174

  78,267

  2,651

  2,227

  2,359

  268

  216

  236

  289

  336

  466

  Cumbria

  42,818

  41,097

  39,622

  1,945

  1,935

  2,153

  168

  246

  250

  100

  91

  74

  Derbyshire

  83,098

  85,829

  80,248

  3,973

  4,097

  3,984

  418

  478

  493

  345

  357

  421

  Devon and Cornwall

  108,923

  114,344

  102,147

  3,926

  4,114

  4,603

  665

  985

  892

  310

  423

  403

  Dorset

  49,441

  49,037

  52,081

  1,505

  1,736

  1,877

  345

  319

  442

  164

  135

  146

  Durham

  63,803

  63,417

  60,949

  2,447

  2,406

  2,665

  412

  495

  510

  153

  164

  149

  Essex

  108,874

  108,291

  99,579

  4,334

  4,188

  4,505

  620

  709

  549

  530

  430

  423

  Gloucestershire

  58,005

  58,148

  57,136

  1,646

  1,759

  2,140

  269

  314

  466

  268

  303

  319

  Greater Manchester

  376,695

  345,332

  319,832

  10,128

  10,049

  9,281

  1,409

  1,357

  1,228

  4,310

  5,424

  5,361

  Hampshire

  145,051

  138,396

  132,393

  5,245

  5,328

  5,705

  1,121

  1,406

  1,056

  605

  564

  585

  Hertfordshire

  56,181

  53,989

  51,976

  1,882

  1,919

  1,996

  294

  275

  305

  349

  273

  264

  Humberside

  122,091

  134,258

  128,921

  4,950

  4,955

  5,054

  773

  798

  695

  419

  526

  547

  Kent

  151,025

  152,558

  144,724

  5,736

  6,185

  7,127

  1,100

  942

  1,099

  605

  631

  635

  Lancashire

  126,860

  129,453

  121,870

  3,196

  3,134

  3,230

  420

  469

  502

  530

  540

  546

  Leicestershire

  92,028

  94,089

  91,952

  3,490

  3,749

  4,855

  559

  471

  617

  864

  1,039

  1,158

  Lincolnshire

  46,087

  49,253

  44,222

  2,229

  2,282

  2,319

  316

  313

  393

  119

  158

  119

  City of London

  6,381

  5,226

  5,004

  230

  238

  125

  29

  23

  23

  62

  51

  29

  Merseyside

  137,970

  130,350

  124,682

  7,134

  7,359

  7,678

  705

  768

  808

  2,036

  2,204

  2,035

  Metropolitan Police

  869,057

  832,936

  770,119

  37,667

  39,586

  46,788

  5,876

  6,400

  6,972

  23,555

  24,486

  25,764

  Norfolk

  64,088

  61,216

  52,706

  1,833

  2,044

  2,187

  384

  366

  370

  212

  217

  186

  Northamptonshire

  56,091

  56,176

  53,980

  2,466

  2,633

  2,498

  295

  291

  367

  293

  301

  306

  Northumbria

  215,436

  204,666

  194,921

  6,348

  6,358

  6,185

  766

  713

  746

  1,064

  1,227

  1,213

  North Yorkshire

  52,105

  55,089

  59,142

  1,921

  1,993

  2,082

  226

  266

  263

  129

  123

  187

  Nottinghamshire

  153,348

  148,191

  141,771

  8,314

  7,690

  7,718

  1,083

  1,167

  1,141

  1,065

  1,202

  1,193

  South Yorkshire

  129,912

  149,775

  148,984

  4,896

  4,815

  5,027

  593

  638

  664

  716

  943

  1.062

  Staffordshire

  90,763

  91,384

  86,256

  5,452

  5,731

  6,089

  446

  520

  551

  391

  414

  416

  Suffolk

  41,502

  39,967

  36,083

  2,087

  2,116

  2,140

  375

  380

  392

  150

  117

  118

  Surrey

  50,497

  49,293

  42,827

  2,025

  2,175

  2,716

  395

  377

  463

  224

  213

  165

  Sussex

  113,568

  106,099

  101,104

  3,134

  3,269

  3,420

  845

  693

  747

  542

  546

  589

  54

  Police force

  Police officer strength As at 31 March 1995

  Grampian

  1,194

  Lothian and Borders

  2,539

  Northern

  649

  Strathclyde

  7,014

  Tayside

  1,091

  Northern Ireland

  Royal Ulster Constabulary

  8,448

  Reserve (full-time)

  3,176

  Reserve (part-time)

  1,507

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes against property and crimes against people were(a) reported to each constabulary and (b) successfully prosecuted by each constabulary in the last three years. [36734]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information is given in the tables. Table A gives the number of notifiable offences recorded by the police and table B gives the number of offenders found guilty at all courts. These tables are not directly comparable as it is not possible to match the number of offences committed against offenders convicted: court proceedings can occur in a different year from the crime; one crime could involve more than one defendant being found guilty; and some offenders convicted of one crime may have also committed other crimes for which they have not been caught or successfully prosecuted. A wider measure would also include cautions and informal action taken by the police, both of which do not result in a court appearance.
  55

  Table A: Notifiable offences recorded by the police 1992–94

  Offences against property1

  Offences against the person

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Police force area

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Thames Valley

  189,930

  192,620

  177,106

  4,762

  4,702

  5,564

  845

  787

  870

  1,011

  911

  1,130

  Warwickshire

  43,086

  43,312

  40,411

  1,275

  1,461

  1,411

  237

  332

  288

  128

  131

  136

  West Mercia

  74,504

  78,399

  79,053

  3,429

  3,298

  3,438

  505

  420

  473

  246

  260

  284

  West Midlands

  309,202

  309,792

  295,031

  11,637

  10,980

  10,407

  1,583

  1,504

  1,354

  5,008

  5,978

  7,028

  West Yorkshire

  289,113

  285,571

  273,139

  9,605

  9,189

  9,414

  1,361

  1,465

  1,504

  2,761

  3,174

  2,968

  Wiltshire

  38,624

  37,977

  34,631

  2,570

  2,621

  2,495

  475

  385

  364

  135

  147

  137

  Dyfed-Powys

  25,624

  21,956

  18,605

  2,188

  2,031

  2,192

  389

  361

  250

  49

  31

  41

  Gwent

  37,775

  36,742

  34,687

  2,394

  2,385

  2,533

  334

  313

  270

  117

  116

  79

  North Wales

  45,757

  44,172

  39,846

  2,611

  2,857

  2,612

  336

  556

  352

  113

  117

  100

  South Wales

  160,887

  158,019

  149,261

  5,904

  6,004

  6,141

  552

  597

  550

  391

  483

  419

  England and Wales

  5,268,135

  5,191,067

  4,898,683

  201,777

  205,102

  219,744

  29,528

  31,284

  31,987

  52,894

  57,845

  60,016

  1 Includes offences of burglary, theft and handling stolen goods, fraud and forgery and criminal damage.

  Table B: Number of offenders found guilty at all courts by police force area 1992–94

  Offences against property1

  Offences against the person

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Police force area

  1992

  1993

  21994

  1992

  1993

  21994

  1992

  1993

  21994

  1992

  1993

  21994

  Avon and Somerset

  4,359

  3,923

  4,130

  753

  586

  613

  105

  80

  90

  99

  100

  102

  Bedfordshire

  1,655

  1,596

  1,600

  316

  286

  295

  30

  42

  48

  50

  40

  44

  Cambridgeshire

  2,273

  2,362

  2,143

  596

  621

  510

  75

  50

  60

  70

  56

  53

  Cheshire

  3,653

  3,615

  3,499

  917

  915

  878

  146

  80

  73

  55

  108

  104

  Cleveland

  3,111

  3,159

  3,099

  777

  569

  500

  47

  39

  34

  54

  60

  69

  Cumbria

  2,484

  2,534

  2,467

  660

  609

  592

  27

  40

  33

  25

  37

  31

  Derbyshire

  3,160

  3,075

  3,013

  1,161

  994

  751

  87

  88

  79

  66

  72

  55

  Devon and Cornwall

  4,591

  4,264

  4,222

  931

  842

  839

  103

  110

  134

  73

  53

  66

  Dorset

  2,190

  1,984

  2,024

  356

  405

  312

  76

  62

  69

  25

  44

  24

  Durham

  2,368

  2,259

  2,329

  555

  563

  554

  58

  59

  57

  39

  53

  27

  Essex

  4,626

  4,291

  3,816

  878

  833

  688

  70

  72

  85

  101

  73

  63

  Gloucestershire

  1,865

  1,630

  1,730

  411

  369

  347

  45

  36

  46

  23

  24

  23

  Greater Manchester

  13,574

  12,548

  12,951

  2,847

  2,565

  2,472

  298

  227

  244

  440

  506

  504

  Hampshire

  6,156

  5,341

  5,421

  1,174

  1,052

  1,048

  165

  225

  245

  84

  83

  71

  Hertfordshire

  2,454

  1,979

  1,884

  394

  334

  292

  45

  34

  51

  37

  59

  36

  Humberside

  3,967

  3,721

  3,621

  903

  758

  682

  102

  77

  71

  68

  72

  44

  Kent

  4,112

  3,828

  5,064

  643

  502

  691

  125

  78

  115

  91

  86

  74

  Lancashire

  7,398

  6,647

  6,737

  1,089

  847

  938

  127

  108

  137

  126

  105

  115

  Leicestershire

  3.023

  2,835

  2,456

  664

  620

  547

  64

  63

  59

  105

  96

  73

  Lincolnshire

  2,253

  2,230

  2,153

  627

  643

  530

  44

  53

  48

  15

  22

  24

  City of London

  413

  352

  306

  50

  43

  30

  7

  4

  7

  9

  6

  5

  Merseyside

  7,635

  7,552

  6,605

  1,209

  1,091

  973

  147

  139

  110

  163

  180

  132

  Metropolitan Police

  27,349

  26,328

  29,121

  4,569

  3,846

  4,650

  818

  644

  634

  1,239

  1,191

  1,249

  Norfolk

  3,126

  2,684

  2,601

  549

  415

  397

  54

  51

  82

  58

  41

  30

  Northamptonshire

  1,926

  1,986

  1,969

  524

  488

  337

  49

  53

  44

  59

  61

  41

  Northumbria

  7,086

  6,764

  6,338

  1,486

  1,398

  1,454

  180

  154

  158

  152

  152

  177

  North Yorkshire

  2,675

  2,653

  2,501

  641

  610

  547

  54

  47

  47

  50

  27

  43

  Nottinghamshire

  5,651

  4,714

  4,911

  1,713

  1,302

  1,083

  168

  122

  122

  141

  125

  132

  South Yorkshire

  5,628

  4,840

  4,774

  1,178

  993

  901

  121

  95

  107

  129

  113

  117

  Staffordshire

  3,739

  3,708

  3,648

  1,092

  1,011

  1,019

  81

  96

  113

  74

  57

  74

  Suffolk

  2,272

  2,057

  2,036

  589

  599

  579

  53

  65

  59

  36

  23

  27

  Surrey

  1,825

  1,627

  1,505

  405

  357

  354

  33

  41

  31

  38

  25

  28

  Sussex

  4,933

  4,417

  4,049

  556

  536

  503

  89

  107

  85

  72

  77

  66

  Thames Valley

  5,603

  5,341

  4,956

  1,130

  1,041

  970

  128

  80

  86

  121

  113

  89

  Warwickshire

  1,415

  1,375

  1,365

  346

  368

  398

  40

  43

  45

  33

  34

  23

  West Mercia

  3,566

  3,255

  3,159

  1,050

  1,066

  1,001

  96

  63

  72

  49

  54

  78

  West Midlands

  11,757

  10,387

  9,735

  3,190

  2,677

  2,681

  405

  311

  329

  512

  501

  495

  West Yorkshire

  10,672

  9,950

  9,246

  2,483

  2,265

  2,054

  242

  203

  224

  298

  326

  312

  Wiltshire

  1,854

  1,694

  1,521

  495

  361

  346

  54

  43

  41

  14

  23

  13

  Dyfed Powys

  1,533

  1,547

  1,430

  536

  419

  422

  47

  42

  44

  21

  14

  11

  Gwent

  2,251

  1,904

  2,059

  651

  560

  603

  40

  45

  43

  41

  30

  27

  North Wales

  2,727

  2,793

  2,777

  763

  874

  739

  56

  69

  71

  28

  39

  34

  South Wales

  7,056

  7,041

  6,979

  1,706

  1,643

  1,505

  155

  188

  150

  99

  133

  97

  England and Wales

  201,964

  188,790

  187,950

  43,563

  38,876

  37,625

  4,956

  4,328

  4,482

  5,082

  5,094

  4,902

  1 Includes indictable offences of burglary, theft and handling stolen goods, fraud and forgery and criminal damage.

  2 Provisional.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department(1) how many females aged (a) 10 to 14, (b) 14 to 17, (c) 17 to 21 and (d) over 21 years were cautioned or found guilty by magistrates' or crown courts in 1993 and 1994 in total and for (i) violence against the person, (ii) sexual offences, (iii) robbery, (iv) burglary, (v) fraud and forgery, (vi) criminal damage, (vii) theft from the person, (viii) theft from a shop, (ix) theft of motor vehicle,
  56
  (x) theft from motor vehicle, (xi) theft of a pedal cycle, (xii) handling and (xiii) other theft; [36247]

  (2) how many offenders were cautioned or found guilty by magistrates' or crown courts in 1993 and 1994 in total and for (a) violence against the person, (b) sexual offences, (c) robbery, (d) burglary, (e) fraud and forgery, (f) criminal damage, (g) theft from the person, (h) theft

  57
  from a shop, (i) theft from the person, (j) theft from motor vehicle, (k) theft of a pedal cycle, (l) handling and (m) other theft; [36249]

  (3) how many males aged (a) 10 to 14, (b) 14 to 17, (c) 17 to 21 and (d) over 21 years were cautioned or found guilty by magistrates' or crown courts in 1993 and 1994

  Table A—Number of female known offenders, those cautioned or found guilty at all courts, for selected indictable offences by age 1993–941

  England and Wales

  Offence description

  Aged 10 to under 14

  Aged 14 to under 18

  Aged 18 to under 21

  Aged 21 and over

  All ages

  Indictable offences

  Violence against the person

  1993

  641

  3,064

  1,139

  4,553

  9,397

  11994

  726

  3,311

  1,087

  4,536

  9,660

  Sexual offences

  1993

  4

  9

  11

  115

  139

  11994

  13

  12

  8

  72

  105

  Robbery

  1993

  44

  206

  58

  87

  395

  11994

  55

  231

  60

  95

  441

  Burglary

  1993

  283

  859

  367

  653

  2,162

  11994

  322

  772

  280

  597

  1,971

  Fraud and forgery

  1993

  83

  553

  1,012

  5,093

  6,741

  11994

  81

  545

  1,000

  5,232

  6,858

  Criminal damage

  1993

  90

  360

  143

  699

  1,292

  11994

  124

  372

  158

  683

  1,337

  Theft from the person

  1993

  50

  111

  82

  292

  535

  11994

  38

  136

  82

  316

  572

  Theft from a shop

  1993

  5,721

  12,394

  5,752

  22,956

  46,823

  11994

  7,076

  13,453

  5,264

  21,282

  47,075

  Theft from a motor vehicle1

  1993

  9

  64

  22

  51

  146

  11994

  9

  59

  10

  64

  142

  Theft from a vehicle

  1993

  30

  131

  58

  92

  311

  11994

  40

  130

  71

  109

  350

  Theft of a pedal cycle

  1993

  26

  59

  13

  27

  125

  11994

  20

  52

  12

  30

  114

  Handling stolen goods

  1993

  183

  875

  1,092

  4,186

  6,336

  11994

  235

  870

  963

  4,537

  6,605

  Other theft

  1993

  520

  1,924

  1,429

  5,378

  9,251

  11994

  534

  1,875

  1,198

  4,924

  8,531

  1 Provisional.

  2 Excludes summary offences of unauthorised taking of a conveyance.

  Table B—Number of male known offenders, those cautioned or found guilty at all courts, for selected indictable offences by age 1993–941

  England and Wales

  Offence description

  Aged 10 to under 14

  Aged 14 to under 18

  Aged 18 to under 21

  Aged 21 and over

  All ages

  Indictable offences

  Violence against the person

  1993

  2,058

  10,204

  8,254

  33,067

  53,583

  11994

  2,227

  10,615

  7,502

  31,197

  51,541

  Sexual offences

  1993

  314

  1,170

  693

  5,302

  7,479

  11994

  301

  1,156

  552

  5,366

  7,375

  Robbery

  1993

  392

  1,531

  1,118

  2,362

  5,403

  11994

  393

  1,578

  975

  2,147

  5,093

  58
  in total and for (i) violence against the person, (ii) sexual offences, (iii) robbery, (iv) burglary, (v) fraud and forgery, (vi) criminal damage, (vii) theft from the person, (viii) theft from a shop, (ix) theft of motor vehicle, (x) theft from motor vehicle, (xi) theft of a pedal cycle, (xii) handling and (xiii) other theft. [36248]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is given in the tables.
  59

  Table B—Number of male known offenders, those cautioned or found guilty at all courts, for selected indictable offences by age 1993–941

  England and Wales

  Offence description

  Aged 10 to under 14

  Aged 14 to under 18

  Aged 18 to under 21

  Aged 21 and over

  All ages

  Burglary

  1993

  4,044

  13,889

  11,219

  21,779

  50,931

  11994

  4,122

  13,350

  10,017

  20,031

  47,520

  Fraud and forgery

  1993

  136

  1,110

  2,482

  15,103

  18,831

  11994

  144

  1,181

  2,339

  15,458

  19,122

  Criminal damage

  1993

  1,227

  2,636

  2,085

  6,229

  12,177

  11994

  1,368

  2,920

  2,041

  6,668

  12,997

  Theft from the person

  1993

  151

  489

  491

  1,270

  2,401

  11994

  194

  594

  462

  1,300

  2,550

  Theft from a shop

  1993

  7,450

  13,816

  8,790

  42,262

  72,318

  11994

  7,962

  14,553

  8,108

  37,796

  68,419

  Theft of a motor vehicle2

  1993

  301

  1,367

  839

  1,635

  4,142

  11994

  282

  1,277

  612

  1,362

  3,533

  Theft from a vehicle

  1993

  1,189

  4,333

  3,470

  3,238

  12,230

  11994

  933

  3,792

  3,163

  3,176

  11,064

  Theft of a pedal cycle

  1993

  620

  1,511

  646

  755

  3,532

  11994

  549

  1,411

  561

  681

  3,202

  Handling stolen goods

  1993

  888

  4,426

  5,421

  18,457

  29,192

  11994

  915

  4,658

  5,171

  22,358

  33,102

  Other theft

  1993

  2,986

  11,450

  9,817

  27,205

  51,458

  11994

  2,753

  11,346

  8,824

  24,197

  47,120

  1 Provisional.

  2 Excludes summary offences of unauthorised taking of a conveyance.

  Table C—Number of known offenders, those cautioned or found guilty at all courts, for selected indictable offences 1993–942

  England and Wales

  Offence description

  1993

  11994

  Indictable offences

  Violence against the person

  62,980

  61,201

  Sexual offences

  7,618

  7,480

  Robbery

  5,798

  5,534

  Burglary

  53,093

  49,491

  Fraud and Forgery

  25,572

  25,980

  Criminal damage

  13,469

  14,334

  Theft from the person

  2,936

  3,122

  Theft from a shop

  119,141

  115,494

  Theft of motor vehicle2

  4,288

  3,675

  Theft from vehicle

  12,541

  11,414

  Theft of a pedal cycle

  3,657

  3,316

  Handling stolen goods

  35,528

  39,707

  Other theft

  60,709

  55,651

  1 Provisional.

  2 Excludes summary offences of unauthorised taking of a conveyance.

  Crime Prevention
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to combat crime in the south west in the coming year. [36735]

  Mr. Maclean
  There are four policy objectives which underpin our efforts to combat crime. They are:

  to do all we can to prevent crime;

  to do all we can to help the police catch criminals;

  60

  to ensure that when suspects are caught they are tried fairly and speedily; and

  to make sure that when courts convict criminals they have the powers they need to deal with them appropriately and effectively.

  These objectives apply as much to the south west as to any other part of the country. The latest Home Office crime figures, revealed by my right hon. and learned Friend on 27 September, show a record-breaking fall in recorded crime. They demonstrate the largest ever fall in recorded crime over a two year period; the longest uninterrupted fall in recorded crime since quarterly figures were first recorded and published; the first fall in recorded violent crime for almost 50 years; and falls in burglary of 5 per cent. vehicle crime of 9 per cent., and sexual offences of 9 per cent. In the south west of England recorded crime has fallen by nearly 6 per cent. In the Devon and Cornwall police area, it has fallen by over 8.5 per cent.

  Prisons Ombudsman
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners' complaints have been referred to the Prisons Ombudsman in each prison service area; in how many cases he has found in the prisoner's favour; and how many and what proportion of his recommendations have been accepted by the prison service; [36893]

  (2) if he will list by category the prisoners' complaints referred to the Prisons Ombudsman, the number and proportion where the ombudsman has found in the

  61
  prisoner's favour and the number and proportion of these recommendations which have been accepted by the prison service. [36894]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The Prisons Ombudsman had received 1,664 letters of complaint by 3 October 1995 of which 448 were eligible for investigation by his office; the eligibility of a further 117 was being considered. Two hundred and ninety three investigations had been completed. Of these, the prisoner's complaint was upheld on 128 occasions. A total of 154 recommendations had been made to the prison service, of which 121–78 per cent.—had been accepted. Twelve—8 per cent.—were not accepted. Four partially accepted and a further 17 were under consideration.

  There are 15 prison service areas in England and Wales and as at 3 October 1995 the Prisons Ombudsman had received the following number of complaints about establishments in each area:

  Area

  Number of complaints

  Central

  99

  Chilterns

  62

  East Anglia

  112

  East Midlands

  144

  Kent

  131

  London North

  187

  London South

  157

  Mercia

  42

  North East

  134

  North West

  80

  South Coast

  79

  Trans Pennine

  143

  Wales and West

  101

  Wessex

  90

  Yorkshire

  72

  The remaining complaints concerned matters which were the responsibility of prison service headquarters.

  The number of complaints received by category were:

  Category

  Number of complaints

  Adjudications

  159

  Assaults

  54

  Security categorisation

  123

  Food

  26

  General conditions

  172

  Regime activities

  55

  Links

  88

  Medical

  48

  Pre-release and release

  237

  Property and cash

  295

  Race

  15

  Segregation

  43

  Transfers and allocation

  251

  Miscellaneous

  98

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the number of(a) men and (b) women from the Ivory Coast who are being held in prisons in England and Wales while they are awaiting decisions on their application for political asylum, as of 17 July; [36113]
  62
  (2) what was the number of (a) men and (b) women being held in prisons in England and Wales while their application for political asylum was being considered as of 17 July; [36115]

  (3) what has been the longest time (a) a man and (b) a woman has been held in a prison in England and Wales while awaiting a decision on their application for political asylum as of 17 July. [36117]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Information as at 17 July 1995 is not available. However, as at 19 July 1995, 53 men and one woman were awaiting initial decisions on their applications for asylum whilst being detained in prison service establishments. Of these, the longest time a male and female have ben held in detention is 348 days and 114 days respectively.

  No nationals of the Ivory Coast were detained in prison service establishments as at 19 July 1995.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department has taken to ensure that failed asylum seekers cannot be identified on their return home. [35826]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  Asylum applications are treated as confidential. Where a failed asylum applicant is returned to his country of origin, the fact that he claimed asylum is not disclosed to the authorities of that country.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy regarding access of foreign embassy personnel to visit asylum seekers held in detention centres and prison establishments. [35825]

  Mr. Baker
  Foreign embassy and high commission personnel are allowed to visit an asylum applicant in detention only if he or she specifically requests or consents to a visit.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in what circumstances his Department gives the names of the asylum seekers in detention, awaiting removal orders, to their embassies. [35827]

  Mr. Baker
  An embassy or high commission will not be notified of the detention of an asylum applicant without the consent of the person concerned. When it is necessary to provide an embassy or high commission with a person's details in order to obtain a travel document, the fact that asylum has been sought is not disclosed.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice is given to asylum applicants from Sri Lanka. [35960]

  Mr. Baker
  All asylum applicants are given details of organisations to which they may turn for legal advice in pursuing their asylum claims.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Sri Lanka in determining his policy on asylum; and to what extent this has changed in the last six months. [35962]

  Mr. Baker
  We keep the situation under continuing review in the light of information from a variety of sources, including the United Kingdom's high commission in Colombo and reports by independent organisations such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
  63
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Sri Lankan asylum applicants have been sent back to Sri Lanka in the last six months. [35961]

  Mr. Baker
  During the period 1 January to 30 June 1995, 13 Sri Lankans refused asylum and exceptional leave to remain after full consideration have been returned to Sri Lanka.

  Young Offenders
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of places available for 12 to 14-year-olds awaiting trial or sentence in each of the last three years. [36260]

  Mr. Maclean
  This information is not collected centrally by my Department.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number and proportion of cautioned juvenile offenders who had been cautioned on(a) a previous occasion, (b) two previous occasions and (c) more than two previous occasions for (i) 1993 and (ii) 1994. [36254]

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend. the Member for Batley and Spen (Mrs. Peacock) on 13 June,Official Report, column 480.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of persistent juvenile offenders identified by his Department in 1993 and 1994, respectively. [36253]

  Mr. Maclean
  There is no agreed definition of persistent offender. A special study of court appearances resulting in convictions in three weeks of 1993 gave the following estimates for 10 to 17-year-olds:

  Estimated number of juveniles1 convicted in 1993 who have conviction2 on two or more previous occasions

  England and Wales

  Number of previous court appearances

  Estimated number of juveniles convicted in 1993 (to nearest 50)

  2

  4,350

  3

  2,850

  4

  1,800

  5–9

  3,650

  10 or more

  550

  1 A few juveniles have more than one appearance in 1993, and will be counted more than once in these figures.

  2 Convictions for a standard list offence, which includes all indictable and triable either way offences plus some of the more serious summary offences.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average length of time elapsed from offence to charge or summons for juveniles in 1993 and 1994; and what was the number and percentage of cases dealt with at first appearance at juvenile court and subsequently at youth court for 1993 and 1994. [36251]
  64
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I have been asked to reply. The average length of time elapsed from offence to charge or summons for juveniles in a sample week in June 1994 was 37 days, the corresponding figure for June 1993 was 36 days. This information comes from the magistrates' courts time intervals survey. In June 1994 it collected information on 1,478 juveniles; the cases of 292—or 19.8 per cent. of these were dealt with at first appearance. The corresponding number of juveniles about which information was collected in the June 1993 sample week was 1331, of which 312—or 23.4 per cent.—were dealt with at first appearance.

  Financial Penalties
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 June,Official Report, columns 398–400, when he expects the study commissioned by the Home Office on the enforcement of financial penalties to be completed; and if it will be made available to hon. Members. [36208]

  Mr. Maclean
  The research on financial penalties commissioned by the Home Office research and planning unit is due to be completed by the end of the year. The findings will be published in due course, and will be available in the Library.

  Deportees
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the average period of time that a person has been held in prison in England and Wales awaiting deportation after they had completed the prison sentence they had been serving; and if he will make a statement; [36110]

  (2) what has been the number of foreign nationals who have been deported immediately from prisons in England and Wales after the completion of their prison sentence in each of the last three years. [36116]

  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The available information is given in the table. Information on the delay, if any, between completion of the prison sentence and removal from United Kingdom is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Persons removed1 from the United Kingdom under the deportation process

  Following a court recommendation

  On non-conducive grounds2

  1992

  506

  142

  1993

  410

  138

  1994

  225

  104

  1Including "voluntary" departures after enforcement action had been initiated.

  2That is, because their continued presence in the United Kingdom was not conducive to the public good, usually following conviction for a criminal offence when the court did not address the question of making a recommendation for deportation.

  Probation Service, Wales
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were employed in the probation service in Wales in(a) l980 and (b) 1994. [36134]
  65
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  The earliest available comparable information covers 1987 and 1994 and is as follows:

  Staff employed by probation services in Wales, in post at

  31 December, whole-time equivalent1

  31 December 1987: 6332

  31 December 1994: 842

  Notes

  1Whole-time staff plus whole-time equivalent of part time staff. Figures rounded to the nearest whole number.

  2 Figure excludes non-probation grade staff employed in hostels. The 1994 total includes 36 such staff.

  Murder Convictions
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names, length of sentence served, and number of appeals of each person whose murder conviction was overturned or who was given a free pardon or life sentence remission from 1976. [31730]

  Mr. Maclean
  The available information is for those originally sentenced to life for murder and where sentences were subsequently reduced, or lifted on appeal or who were given a free pardon or remission whilst serving their sentences in prison service establishments in England and Wales.

  To protect individual privacy, a list of names is not provided but the numbers and average time served under a life sentence are tabulated. Information on the number of appeals of each person is not available.

  Successful appeals and free pardons/remissions from life sentences for murder. Prison Service establishments England and Wales 1976–1994

  Successful appeal

  Free pardon/remission

  Year

  Number

  Time served1 (years)

  Number

  Time served1 (years)

  1976

  2

  0.8

  —

  —

  1977

  4

  0.7

  —

  —

  1978

  8

  1.1

  —

  —

  1979

  4

  2.1

  1

  0.8

  1980

  5

  4.9

  —

  —

  1981

  3

  1.5

  —

  —

  1982

  4

  1.3

  1

  0.6

  1983

  —

  —

  1

  6.1

  1984

  6

  3.7

  1

  0.9

  1985

  9

  1.8

  1

  0.7

  1986

  9

  1.0

  —

  —

  1987

  6

  1.2

  —

  —

  1988

  4

  1.1

  —

  —

  1989

  15

  4.6

  —

  —

  1990

  7

  1.3

  —

  —

  1991

  12

  9.1

  —

  —

  1992

  16

  4.1

  —

  —

  1993

  10

  2.0

  —

  —

  19942

  13

  4.3

  —

  —

  1 Average time served under life sentence, excluding any time spent on remand and any time spent to complete a reduced custodial sentence.

  2 Provisional.

TRANSPORT

  Gateshead Western Bypass
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if a variable-trip matrix model has been used to assess his Department's preferred route for the Gateshead western bypass. [36233]
  66
  Mr. Watts
  No, the cross-Tyne study traffic model, updated by additional data from interview surveys carried out at the Metro centre and Town Valley trading estate in 1991, was used.

  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about progress on the environmental assessment for the Gateshead western bypass proposal in accordance with European Council directive 855/337. [36231]

  Mr. Watts
  The work, which commenced when the scheme was placed in the trunk road programme, will continue to be progressed concurrently with the detailed design of the scheme and the result will be published at the same time as the publication of the orders for the scheme under the Highways Act 1980 in accordance with the statutory requirements.

  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his Department's proposals in respect of the Gateshead western bypass have been revised to take into account the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment report and associated Government guidance. [36232]

  Mr. Watts
  Work is currently in progress to consider the implications for the scheme of the most recent SACTRA report.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account the Highways Agency took of the cost to Dr. Whitelegg of supplying copies of all reference documents referred to in his submission to the inquiry into the Birmingham northern relief road; and if he will make a statement. [36155]

  Mr. Watts
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency.

  The chief executive has written to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Mike O'Brien dated 13 October 1995:
  Just before the House rose for the Summer recess you asked the Secretary of State what account the Highways Agency took of the cost to Dr. Whitelegg of supplying copies of all reference documents referred to in his submission to the inquiry into the Birmingham Northern Relief Road. I am sorry it has not been possible to let you have an earlier reply.
  All objectors will incur some costs in presenting their case at inquiry. We do what we can to reduce these costs by providing access to a range of official documents and reasonable copying facilities free of charge.
  The onus is on an objector to substantiate his own evidence. If he is relying on material contained in other publications to support his case, the Inspector and other parties at the inquiry, including the Highways Agency, will wish to satisfy themselves that the references are accurate and relevant. In practice the only satisfactory way of doing that is to provide the document, or the relevant part of it, to the inquiry. Copies will be made by the Agency where possible.
  In the particular case of Dr. Whitelegg, the Agency asked him to provide copies of documents on which he was depending in his proofs of evidence on behalf of a number of residents' groups and societies. In response to representations from two of the groups the Agency did obtain copies of most of the documents. But there were about 14 that we could not readily obtain. Since Dr. Whitelegg was depending on these publications in his evidence we assumed he would have access to them. We offered to make copies for the inquiry. I understand this arrangement has proved acceptable to the groups concerned.

  67
  You also wrote to John Watts enclosing a copy of your letter dated 18 July to David Shepperd, the Agency's Project Manager for the scheme. I can assure you that the Agency is not trying to obstruct those opposed to its proposals. It is quite usual for the Agency to ask objectors to supply copies of reference material and the new Highways Inquiries Procedures Rules do enable the Secretary of State to require objectors to submit a Statement of Case and copies of documents referred to. Prior to the opening of the inquiry the Agency placed on deposit a number of documents to which it intended to refer in evidence. More have been placed in the library as the inquiry has progressed.
  I hope this is helpful. Ultimately, the decision on whether or not a supporting document should be provided rests with the Inspector.

  Deregulation
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the measures his Department currently proposes to deregulate under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. [36682]

  Mr. Watts
  There are currently six measures which the Department proposes to deregulate under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. The first five were published in 1994 in the DTI publication "Cutting Red Tape".

  1. Approval requirement for parking equipment (Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984): Abolition of the current arrangements whereby local authorities who control parking by means of a traffic order have to use parking equipment of a type approved by the Secretary of State.

  2. Vehicle inspection of HGVs (Road Traffic Act 1988): Allows Vehicle Inspectors more discretion about when to undertake a physical inspection of heavy goods vehicles.

  3. Advance receipt of MOT certificates (Road Traffic Act 1988): Allows a motorist to obtain their first MOT certificate a month in advance, which will be valid for 13 months.

  4. Driving licence renewal (Road Traffic Act 1988): To excuse drivers who held a full driving licence before 1976 (but failed to renew it), from having to retake their driving test, and to introduce greater flexibility governing the issue of British licences in exchange for those issued in other countries.

  5. Tuition of the Theory element of the Driving Test (Road Traffic Act 1988): Allows classroom teaching of the new theory elements of the driving test, without the need for teachers to be registered driving instructors.

  6. Tolled undertakings: To amend existing legislation for the approval of local authority and privately owned tolled undertakings.

  Driving Standards Agency
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he was informed of the proposals by the Driving Standards Agency to abandon its market testing proposals; if a Minister in his Department made the decision to abandon the market test; and if he will place in the Library copies of all correspondence between the agency management and the Department relating to the decision to abandon the market test. [36679]

  Mr. Norris
  I received advise from the chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency in June that the implementation of the market test should be modified so as to achieve a better integration of the driving test booking services with those of examiner deployment and residual functions. My decision was based on that advice; I have decided that the disclosure of that advice, which was provided in confidence to assist internal discussion, would be inappropriate.
  68
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the number of staff likely to be made compulsory redundant as a result of the reversal of the DSA market test, the estimated cost of severance payments and the estimated savings he expects to make by the newly proposed office rationalisation programme. [36680]

  Mr. Norris
  Under the modified arrangements, which have been the subject of widespread consultation with DSA staff and the relevant trade unions, it was assumed that there would be around 70 redundancies, at an estimated cost of £1.4 million. In practice, the final number of redundancies and consequential cost will be significantly smaller. It is hoped that most of these will be on a voluntary basis. The modified arrangements gave additional savings in the region of £20,000 over 10 years.

  Coastguard Stations
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the occasions when a coastguard station has been understaffed by date and station for the last five years. [36695]

  Mr. Norris
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to privatise the national air traffic services; and what is the timetable for the proposed sale. [36681]

  Mr. Norris
  The Secretary of State for Transport announced in November 1994 that the Government continued to favour privatisation of the national air traffic services in principle but that further work was needed on a number of important issues. We are currently considering the further work that has been done. I hope that we shall be in a position to make an announcement about the direction of NATS later in the year.

  Vehicle Defects
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list, by mechanical defect found, the number of heavy goods vehicles found to have a defect during the last 12 months at spot checks undertaken by his Department; [36706]

  (2) if he will list, by mechanical defect found, the number of public service vehicles found to have a defect during the last 12 months at spot checks undertaken by his Department. [36707]

  Mr. Norris
  These are operational matters for the Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency.

  The chief executive has written to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Ms Joan Walley, dated 15 August 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning mechanical defects on heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles found at spot checks undertaken by the Inspectorate during the last 12 months.

  69
  I regret we do not have the information in the form you requested. Mechanical defects described on roadworthiness prohibitions are categorised and stored on the Inspectorate's Roadworthiness Enforcement Database using the relevant Inspection Manual reference number.
  The attached 2 annexes give, for the financial year 1994/95, the number of occurrences of mechanical defects resulting in issue of prohibitions. This information is shown separately for heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles, but it includes inspections done in connection with operator licensing work as well as spot checks. Spot check information alone could not be provided at a reasonable cost. Any Inspection Manual reference number missing from the first column of the annex has not yet been allocated.
  Please bear in mind that the total number of occurrences of mechanical defects cannot be related to the number of prohibitions issued over the same period since a single prohibition notice will, in many cases, have been issued for more than one defect.

  ANNEX A; Occurrence of defect category on prohibitions (HGV)

  HGV inspection manual number

  HGV defect category

  Occurrence of defect category for all HGVs including trailers

  3

  Seat Belts

  12

  5

  Exhaust Emissions

  761

  6

  Road Wheels and Hubs

  2,977

  7

  Size and Type of Tyres

  104

  8

  Condition of Tyres

  4,527

  9

  Sideguards, Rear Under-Run Device and Bumper Bars

  254

  10

  Spare Wheel Carrier

  16

  11

  Tractor to Trailer Coupling

  307

  12

  Trailer Emergency Brake

  25

  13

  Trailer Landing Legs

  11

  14

  Spray Suppression, Wings and Wheel Arches

  526

  15

  Cab Security

  66

  16

  Cab Doors

  49

  17

  Cab Floor and Steps

  131

  18

  Driver's Seat

  41

  19

  Security of Body

  158

  20

  Condition of Body

  379

  22

  Mirrors

  84

  23

  View to the Front

  77

  24

  Glass or Other Transparent Material

  125

  25

  Windscreen Wipers and Washers

  239

  26

  Speedometer

  0

  27

  Audible Warning (Horn)

  15

  28

  Driving Controls

  50

  29

  Tachograph

  25

  30

  Play at Steering Wheel

  60

  31

  Steering Wheel

  24

  32

  Steering Column

  97

  33

  Speed Limiter

  15

  34

  Pressure/Vacuum Warning

  47

  35

  Build up of Pressure/Vacuum

  76

  36

  Hand Lever Operating Mechanical Brakes

  69

  37

  Service Brake Pedal

  27

  38

  Service Brake Operation

  225

  39

  Hand Operated Brake Control Valves

  83

  41

  Condition of Chassis

  570

  70

  ANNEX A; Occurrence of defect category on prohibitions (HGV)

  HGV inspection manual number

  HGV defect category

  Occurrence of defect category for all HGVs including trailers

  42

  Electrical Wiring and Equipment

  139

  43

  Engine Transmission Mountings

  27

  44

  Oil Leaks

  2,928

  45

  Fuel Tanks and Systems

  1,532

  46

  Exhaust Systems

  721

  48

  Suspension Pins and Bushes

  1,251

  49

  Suspensions Spring Units and Linkages

  1,929

  50

  Attachment of Spring Units, Linkages and Sub-frames

  1,743

  51

  Shock Absorbers (Dampers)

  242

  53

  Axles, Stub Axles and Wheel Bearings

  316

  54

  Steering Linkages

  1,957

  55

  Steering Gear

  197

  56

  Power Steering

  308

  57

  Transmission

  720

  59

  Mechanical Brake Components

  1,829

  60

  Brake Actuators

  2,835

  61

  Braking Systems and Components

  5,861

  62

  Rear Markings

  8

  63

  Front Position and Front End Outline Marker Lamps

  57

  64

  Rear Position, Rear End Outline Marker, Rear Fog and Rear Registration

  301

  65

  Reflectors

  41

  66

  Direction Indicators and Hazard Warning Lamps

  599

  67

  Aim of Headlamps

  92

  68

  Headlamps

  273

  69

  Stop Lamps

  1,568

  70

  Trailer Parking Brake

  435

  71

  Service Brake Performance

  2,341

  72

  Secondary Brake Performance

  884

  73

  Parking Brake Performance

  1,264

  ANNEX B; Occurance of Defect Category on Prohibitions (PSV)

  PSV Inspection Manual Number

  PSV Defect Category

  Occurance

  3

  Seal Belts

  11

  5

  Exhaust Emissions

  357

  6

  Road Wheels and Hubs

  276

  7

  Size and Type of Tyres

  11

  8

  Condition of Tyres

  319

  9

  Bumper Bars

  6

  10

  Spare Wheel/Carrier

  3

  11

  Vehicle/Trailer Coupling

  3

  14

  Wings and Wheel Arches

  4

  16

  Passenger Doors. Drivers Doors and Emergency Exits

  632

  71

  ANNEX B; Occurance of Defect Category on Prohibitions (PSV)

  PSV Inspection Manual Number

  PSV Defect Category

  Occurance

  17

  Driver's Accomodation

  10

  18

  Driving Seat

  11

  19

  Security of Body

  12

  20

  Exterior of Body Including Access Doors/Haps, Luggage Compartments

  224

  21

  Interior of Body, Passenger Entrance, Exit Steps and Platform

  662

  22

  Mirrors

  9

  23

  View to the Front

  15

  24

  Conditions of Windows, Glass and other Transparent Materials

  45

  25

  Windscreen Wipers and Washers

  100

  26

  Speedometer

  1

  27

  Audible Warning (Horn)

  6

  28

  Driving Controls

  32

  29

  Tachograph

  2

  30

  Play at Steering Wheel

  18

  31

  Steering Wheel

  6

  32

  Steering Column

  13

  33

  Speed Limiter

  17

  34

  Pressure/Vacuum Warning

  6

  35

  Build up of Pressure/Vacuum

  7

  36

  Hand Lever Operating Mechanical Brakes

  10

  37

  Service Brake Pedal

  6

  38

  Service Brake Operation

  10

  39

  Hand Operated Brake Control Valves

  16

  41

  Condition of Chassis

  37

  42

  Electrical Wiring and Equipment

  39

  43

  Engine and Transmission Mountings

  18

  44

  Oil Leaks

  702

  45

  Fuel Tanks and Systems

  632

  46

  Exhaust Systems

  170

  48

  Suspension Pins and Bushes

  87

  49

  Suspensions Spring Units and Linkages

  286

  50

  Attachment of Spring Units, Linkages and Sub-frames

  124

  51

  Shock Absorbers (Dampers)

  31

  53

  Axles, Stub Axles and Wheel Bearings

  28

  54

  Steering Linkages

  205

  55

  Steering Gear

  39

  56

  Power Steering

  76

  57

  Transmission

  82

  58

  Additional Braking Devices (including Regarders)

  4

  59

  Mechanical Brake Componants

  118

  60

  Brake Actuators

  132

  72

  ANNEX B; Occurance of Defect Category on Prohibitions (PSV)

  PSV Inspection Manual Number

  PSV Defect Category

  Occurance

  61

  Braking Systems and Components

  354

  62

  Rear Markings

  4

  63

  Front Position and Front End Outline Marker Lamps

  4

  64

  Rear Position, Rear End Outline Marker, Rear Fog and Rear Registration Lamps

  20

  65

  Reflectors

  3

  66

  Direction Indicators and Hazard Warning Lamps

  63

  67

  Aim of Headlamps

  13

  68

  Headlamps

  33

  69

  Stop Lamps

  226

  71

  Service Brake Performance

  206

  72

  Secondary Brake Performance

  94

  73

  Parking Brake Performance

  181

  Fish Factory Ships
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow (Dr. Godman) of 27 February,Official Report, column 461, when he expects the consultation document on fish factory ships to be published. [36822]

  Mr. Norris
  We hope to be able to publish our consultation paper examining the problem of substandard and uninsured shipping in United Kingdom waters next month. The paper will include proposals to deal with the particular problems found with fish factory ships — klondykers. Copies will be made available in the Library.

  Railway Services
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes have been made in respect of the choice of route and permitted break in rail journeys following the privatisation of railway services. [37387]

  Mr. Watts
  The British Railways Board is currently developing draft proposals for a routing guide which will set out unambiguously the routes over which passengers may travel when holding any particular ticket. The intention is to document and safeguard existing practice. Where a route is currently widely accepted and used it will be included in the routing guide. There has been no change in respect of the right to break a rail journey at an intermediate station.

  When ready, the guide will be issued to all operators so it will be clear which route or routes passengers may use for their journey. This will eliminate the uncertainty which can arise currently from different interpretations of ticket validity, and will provide a safeguard against piecemeal erosion of the facility to use alternative routes. The BRB is consulting the Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee on the proposals and guide which will be subject to final approval by the franchising director and the rail regulator.
  73

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out the powers under which he proposed to make changes to the driving licence design; and if he will make a statement on the timetable for introduction. [37109]

  Mr. Norris
  Section 98 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 provides that a driving licence shall be in such form as the Secretary of State may determine.

  A proposed EU directive allowing the introduction of plastic photocard driving licences is at present under discussion; I will make a further statement on the introduction of photocards when these discussions are more advanced.

  Bus Service Companies, London
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the approximate additional sum that will be paid by each of the principal bus service companies in London in respect of the cost of non-rebateable fuel duty to be paid in 1995–96 [37340]

  Mr. Norris
  It would not be appropriate for the Government to disclose such information about the London bus companies, all of whom are in the private sector.

  Utility Street Works
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what obligations are placed on water, gas, electric, electricity or other cable or pipe service providers whose equipment is located beneath public bus stops and pavements, other than in emergencies, to(a) inform the police and highway authorities of their intention to excavate road or pedestrian routes and (b) to obtain their permission to do so. [37267]

  Mr. Norris
  Utility street works are governed by the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, under which undertakers with a statutory right to execute street works must give advance notice to the street authority of their planned works, other than minor works; in the street, including the footway; the length of notice is prescribed in regulations and varies according to the circumstances. There is no requirement for undertakers to give advance notice of their works to the police but a code of practice issued under the Act sets out circumstances in which the street authority or traffic authority should inform police of planned works.

  Undertakers do not have to seek permission of either the street authority or the police, but before executing works in a protected street, the consent of the street authority must be obtained. The Act also empowers the street authority to direct the timing of undertakers' works in certain circumstances. The procedure is set out in regulations.

  Bus Fares
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he expects to take to ensure that fares in public stage carriage bus services are no higher than providing a just return on invested capital(a) on
  74
  all routes and (b) where competition has been eliminated by an initial period of free travel or heavily subsidised fares. [37329]

  Mr. Norris
  The setting of fares on bus services is a commercial decision for bus operators. We have no plans to interfere with this process.

  Airline Subsidies
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which EU Governments subsidise their airlines; and which subsidies have been ended since January.

  Mr. Norris
  The Governments of France, Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain currently give state aid to their national airlines in accordance with approvals granted under article 93 of the treaty of Rome. There is no example of a subsidy which has ended since January 1995.

  Driving Tests (Accidents)
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish statistics maintained under health and safety at work regulations of the number of accidents involving vehicles during the driving test; and if he will include statistics in respect of(a) vehicles written off, (b) injuries to examiners and (c) absence from work of examiners as a result of injury while carrying out the driving test. [37116]

  Mr. Norris
  Between 1 April 1995 and 30 June 1995, there were 72 accidents involving vehicles during the driving test which resulted in injury to driving examiners. These were:

  Number

  Whiplash—medically diagnosed

  19

  Whiplash—self diagnosed

  16

  Cuts/bruises

  1

  Pulled muscles

  6

  Back pain

  1

  Neck pain

  18

  Headache

  2

  Shock

  4

  Multiple

  3

  Other

  72

  20 per cent. of these required medical treatment; broken down into:

  35 per cent. Hospital treatment

  56 per cent. GP treatment

  6 per cent. First aider treatment

  3 per cent. Physiotherapist treatment

  DSA has no details of vehicles written off during the driving test.

  As a result of the above accidents driving examiners were absent for a total of 1,320 days during this period.

  Aircraft Inspections
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what inspections are undertaken by his Department or the Civil Aviation Authority on the mechanical fitness of aircraft; how many aircraft have been inspected in each of the last five years; and if he
  75
  will list by airline operator the number of defects found for each of the last five years. [36709]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer to the Viscount Goschen's letter of 30 August explaining the CAA's policy on aircraft surveys, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. The numbers of surveys carried out on aircraft above 5,700 kg maximum total weight authorised—which include all large passenger aircraft—in each of the last five years were as follows:

  1989: 1,206

  1990: 1,120

  1991: 1,096

  1992: 1,056

  1993: 835

  1994: 732

  Information on numbers of defects found during surveys could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by defect found the number of aircraft found to have defects during the last 12 months at inspections undertaken by his Department or the Civil Aviation Authority. [36710]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department does not undertake aircraft inspections. The information in relation to inspections undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Scheme

  Completion date

  Tender cost works only

  Outturn cost

  M63 Stage 4 Widening

  March 1990

  —

  —

  A43 Peartree Hill—Wendlebury Imp

  April 1990

  20.16

  34.122

  A17 Fosdyke Bridge Imp

  May 1990

  2.72

  —

  A40 Swakeleys Road Junction Imp

  May 1990

  10.20

  —

  A408 Great Cambridge Road GSJ

  May 1990

  —

  —

  A19 Peterlee GSJ

  June 1990

  —

  —

  A52 Nottingham Outer Ring Road (Abbey Street GSJ)

  June 1990

  4.59

  —

  M40 Banbury Bypass Section 2

  June 1990

  17.91

  25.39

  M5 Catshill—Lydlate Ash

  June 1990

  13.52

  —

  A35 Charmouth Bypass

  June 1990

  10.73

  —

  A36 Codford Bypass

  June 1990

  2.08

  —

  A14 Catthorpe Interchange

  August 1990

  —

  —

  A13 Lakeside GSJ (S278)

  September 1990

  4.18

  —

  A23 Waddon Marsh Bridge

  September 1990

  —

  —

  A896 Woolsington Bypass

  September 1990

  —

  —

  A140 Dickleburgh Bypass

  October 1990

  2.21

  —

  A435 Alcester Bypass

  October 1990

  8.81

  12.949

  A46 Newark Relief Road

  October 1990

  31.48

  —

  A47 Guyhim Diversion

  October 1990

  3.66

  —

  A66 Addingham Bypass

  October 1990

  —

  —

  A66 Stockton Racecourse GSJ

  October 1990

  —

  —

  A11 Thetford Bpass

  November 1990

  13.05

  —

  A14 Kettering—Thrapston

  November 1990

  25.66

  —

  A41 Bicester Bypass Stage 1 (Ploughley Road—A421 Bicester)

  November 1990

  4.73

  —

  M40 Banbury Bypass Section 3

  November 1990

  52.20

  76.75

  A1 Newcastle Western Bypass (Contract 3)

  December 1990

  24.85

  39.011

  A1 South of Brampton Junction Imp

  December 1990

  1.40

  —

  A27 Pevensey Bypass

  December 1990

  7.71

  —

  A303 Llchester—South Petherton Imp

  December 1990

  —

  —

  A47 East Norton Bypass

  December 1990

  1.17

  —

  M40 Banbury Bypass Section 1

  December 1990

  24.20

  33.88

  M40 Banbury Bypass Section 4

  December 1990

  59.52

  63.84

  M40 Gaydon Section

  December 1990

  34.00

  45.84

  M40 Waterstock—Wendlebury

  January 1991

  64.10

  92.484

  A14 Thrapston—Brampton (A)

  February 1991

  14.19

  —

  76

  Road Schemes
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last five years all the road schemes that have been completed, their projected costs and the actual cost on completion. [31835]

  Mr. Watts
  This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. The chief executive has written to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Joan Walley, dated 30 October 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Road, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to reply to you recent Parliamentary Question concerning road schemes completed in the last 5 years.
  You asked for details of projected costs for each of these schemes together with the actual cost on completion. I enclose a list of all schemes completed in the last 5 years together with details of tender costs (works only) and actual cost on completion, where that information is readily available.
  It has not been possible to supply the actual cost on completion for many of the schemes concerned because final accounts have not yet been agreed with the contractors concerned. To publish estimates of the final outturn in such cases would undermine the position of the consulting engineers appointed by the Agency to administer those contracts in dealing with claims for extra payment submitted by the contractors and therefore place public funds at risk. Also on some schemes records are not immediately to hand and I will write to you again when further information is available.
  77

  Scheme

  Completion date

  Tender cost works only

  Outturn cost

  A1079 Market Weighton Bypass

  March 1991

  3.96

  —

  A12 Capel St Mary GSJ

  March 1991

  3.58

  6.076

  A42 Castle Donnington North Contract 1

  March 1991

  24.73

  27.45

  A42 Castle Donnington North Contract 3

  March 1991

  2.77

  3.234

  A500 Nantwich Bypass

  March 1991

  5.09

  7.268

  M4 J12 Imp

  March 1991

  1.27

  —

  A69 Brampton Bypass

  April 1991

  4.94

  6.17

  A42 Castle Donnington North Contract 2

  May 1991

  16.79

  19.058

  A43 Bilsworth and Milton Malsor Bypass

  May 1991

  15.08

  16.582

  M20 Maidstone—Ashford (Contract 1)

  May 1991

  27.31

  50.86

  M20 Maidstone—Ashford (Contract 2)

  May 1991

  28.67

  37.969

  A14 Rothwell—Kettering

  June 1991

  4.41

  —

  A27 Brighton and Hove Bypass (Dyke Road-Patchem) Contract 1

  June 1991

  16.62

  20.023

  A141 Chester Imp

  June 1991

  17.50

  21.7

  A30 Zelah Bypass

  July 1991

  2.63

  —

  A31 Picket Post Junction Imp

  July 1991

  1.79

  —

  A13 Leamouth Road Junction Imp

  August 1991

  1.54

  —

  A16 Louth Bypass

  August 1991

  5.00

  6.621

  A30 Plusha—Bolventor Imp

  August 1991

  10.67

  13.718

  M40 J4—5 Widening

  August 1991

  35.92

  48.063

  A11 Red Lodge Bypass

  September 1991

  4.84

  —

  A282 Dartford—Thurrock Crossing Approach Roads, Kent

  September 1991

  27.69

  —

  A47 Castor—Allsworth Bypass

  September 1991

  7.51

  —

  M45/A45 Dunchurch GSJ

  September 1991

  1.67

  —

  A16 Boston—Algarkirk Diversion

  October 1991

  8.96

  11.544

  A282 Dartford—Thurrock Crossing

  October 1991

  —

  —

  A282 Dartford—Thurrock Crossing Approach Roads, Essex

  October 1991

  8.32

  —

  A47 Eye Bypass

  October 1991

  5.19

  6.90

  A59 Monk Bridge Imp

  October 1991

  —

  —

  A6 Burton Latimer Bypass

  October 1991

  2.63

  —

  A6 Quorn and Mountsorrel Bypass

  October 1991

  31.76

  43.329

  A14 Kettering Northern Bypass Advance Bridge Works

  November 1991

  —

  —

  A14 Kettering Southern Bypass (M1-A1 Contract 5S)

  November 1991

  30.74

  —

  A35 Axminster Bypass

  November1991

  8.02

  10.943

  A38 Alrowss—Barton Turn (Dogshead Lane

  November 1991

  1.88

  —

  A650 Drighlington Bypass

  November 1991

  4.99

  6.399

  M62 J17–18 Widening

  November 1991

  3.75

  5.75

  A1 Dishforth—Leeming Imp Phase 1 (Gatenby Lane Junction)

  December 1991

  2.66

  4.653

  A127 Rayleigh Weir GSJ

  December 1991

  11.84

  —

  A23 Warninglid-Brighton (Sayers Common-Muddleswood) C2?

  December 1991

  10.47

  —

  A27 Brighton and Howe Bypass (Hangleton—Dyke Road) Contract 2

  December 1991

  8.77

  12.998

  A30 Penhale—Carland Cross Imp

  December 1991

  9.14

  11.628

  A303 Stockton Wood—Chicklade Bottom

  December 1991

  1.30

  1.74

  A35 Yellowham Hill—Troytown Imp

  December 1991

  4.31

  —

  A585 Hensingham Bypass

  December 1991

  4.29

  4.7

  A65 Draughton Bypass

  December 1991

  2.19

  2.79

  M3 Compton—Bassett Widening

  January 1992

  41.60

  51.864

  A10 Brandon Creek—Southery

  February 1992

  —

  —

  A516 Etwell Bypass

  February 1992

  2.66

  —

  A59 Mellor Brook Bypass

  March 1992

  —

  —

  A13 West India Dock Road Interim Junction Imp

  April 1992

  1.00

  —

  A38 Marsh Mills Junction Imp

  May 1992

  22.48

  24.038

  A406 Chingford Road—Hale End Road

  May 1992

  —

  —

  A27 Brighton and Hove Bypass (Patchem-Coldem) Contract 3

  June 1992

  14.77

  19.333

  A6 Market Harborough Bypass

  June 1992

  7.87

  9.531

  A3 Liphook and Petersfield Bypasess

  July 1992

  35.84

  65.72

  A303 Mere—Wincanton Imp

  July 1992

  15.28

  19.404

  A41 Whitchurch Bypass

  July 1992

  8.95

  13.716

  A423 Southam Bypass

  July 1992

  2.22

  —

  A523 Macclesfield Relief Road

  July 1992

  18.80

  25.00

  A1 Marshall Meadows Imp

  August 1993

  —

  —

  A47 East Dereham—North Tuddenham Imp

  August 1992

  6.896

  8.987

  A5/A49 Telford—Shrewbury Bypass

  August 1992

  63.96

  —

  A423 Maidenhead Thicket—Burchetts Green

  September 1992

  8.44

  12.73

  A47 Norwich Southern Bypass Contract 1

  September 1992

  7.99

  14.673

  A47 Norwich Southern Bypass Contract 2

  September 1992

  8.59

  13.094

  78 79

  Scheme

  Completion date

  Tender cost works only

  Outturn cost

  A47 Norwich Southern Bypass Contract 3

  September 1992

  14.75

  18.478

  A47 Norwich Southern Bypass Contract 4

  September 1992

  29.861

  —

  A49 Weaverham Diversion

  September 1992

  4.20

  6.33

  A16 Stickford Bypass

  October 1992

  1.01

  —

  A5 Kilsby Diversion

  October 1992

  0.83

  —

  A66 Bowes Bypass to County Boundary Imp

  October 1992

  9.88

  11.795

  A16 Ludborough Bypass

  November 1992

  1.23

  —

  A2 London Boundary—M2 Imp

  November 1992

  -

  —

  A47 Narborough Bypass

  November 1992

  2.24

  —

  A11 Thetford—Bridgham Heath

  December 1992

  2.22

  2.363

  A14 Thrapston—Brampton (B)

  December 1992

  7.04

  —

  A23 Warninglid-Brighton (Muddleswood-Brighton)

  December 1992

  15.36

  —

  A3 Milford Bypass

  December 1992

  7.89

  10.77

  A38 Bell Bridge—Airewas

  December 1992

  1.45

  —

  A420 Kingston Bagpuize and Southmoor Bypass

  December 1992

  4.30

  —

  A5 Little Brickhill Bypass

  December 1992

  5.838

  8.773

  A585 Fleetwood Dock Street Diversion

  January 1993

  2.20

  3.6

  A30 Okehampton-Launceston Imp

  March 1993

  26.81

  32.999

  A11 Newmarket—Red Lodge

  April 1993

  4.08

  5.083

  A339 Bassingstoke Northern Bypass Stage 3 Dualling

  April 1993

  8.60

  11.9

  A59 Greengates—Gutteridge Imp

  April 1993

  —

  —

  A596 Wigton Bypass

  April 1993

  4.05

  6.324

  A27 Crossbush Bypass

  May 1993

  2.95

  4.43

  A41/A421 Bicester Bypass Stage 2 (A421 Bicrester—Wendlebury) M4

  May 1993

  3.90

  —

  A595 Egremont Bypass

  May 1993

  6.67

  9.169

  A23 Warninglid—Brighton (Warninglid Flyover—Sayers Common) C3)

  June 1993

  14.32

  20.95

  A39 Wadebridge Bypass

  July 1993

  8.30

  —

  A41 Kings Langley Bypass

  August 1993

  19.97

  32.741

  A12 Gorieston Relief Road

  September 1993

  20

  —

  A14 Thrapston—Brampton (C)

  September 1993

  16.36

  —

  A41 Berkhamsted Bypass

  September 1993

  23.9

  —

  A1 Brownieside Imp

  October 1993

  3.49

  —

  M5 J6–8 Widening (Warndon—Strensham)

  October 1993

  59.37

  79.945

  A1(M) Bramham—Wetherby Imp

  November 1993

  15.71

  21.933

  A20 Folkstone—Dover Stage 1 (Folkstone-Court Wood Con 1A)

  November 1993

  3.858

  4.163

  A20 Folkstone—Dover Stage 1 (Folkstone-Court Wood Con 1)

  November 1993

  27.31

  35.697

  A20 Folkstone-Dover Stage 1 (Folkestone-Court Wood Con 2)

  November 1993

  11.55

  15.884

  A27 Westhampnett Bypass

  November 1993

  6.92

  10.118

  M20 J5 and 8 Widening (Maidstone Bypass)

  November 1993

  69.55

  —

  A20 Folkstone—Dover Stage 2 (Court Wood-Dover Con 3)

  December 1993

  21.69

  39.258

  A49 Onibury—Stokesay

  December 1993

  1.85

  —

  A590 Dalton in Furness Bypass

  December 1993

  7.91

  11.364

  M4 J4B-5 Widening

  December 1993

  4.97

  7.55

  A11 Four Wentways—Newmarket

  January 1994

  10.80

  —

  A13 West India Dock Road Junction Imp

  February 1994

  0.28

  —

  M1 J9–10 Widening

  March 1994

  9.72

  13.416

  M25 J15–16 Widening

  March 1994

  29.8

  —

  East London Traffic Control System

  April 1994

  3.71

  —

  A650 Bingley Relief Road Advanced Bridge Works

  May 1994

  —

  —

  A14 Cattorpe—Rothwell (A and B)

  July 1994

  35.62

  —

  A23 Handoross—Pease Pottage Imp

  July 1994

  8.16

  11.925

  A30 Shallowater Hill Imp

  August 1994

  1.70

  —

  A40 Long Lane Junction Imp

  August 1994

  23.88

  —

  M62 J14–17 Widening

  August 1994

  10.20

  16.846

  M1 J1 Imp

  September 1994

  4.23

  —

  A40 Long Lane—West End Road

  October 1994

  —

  —

  A52 Ashbourne Relief Road

  October 1994

  3.19

  4.223

  A19 Easingwold Bypass

  November 1994

  4.58

  —

  A406 Hanger Lane—Harrow Road

  November 1994

  —

  —

  A588 Widness Eastern Bypass (North)

  November 1994

  14.60

  26.19

  A66 Stainmore—Banksgate Bypass

  December 1994

  —

  —

  M3 Bar End—Compton

  December 1994

  25.88

  —

  M56 J4–6 Widening

  December 1994

  11.80

  14.248

  A17 Leedenham Bypass

  March 1995

  3.323

  3.325

  80 81

  Runway Incursion Incidents
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) runway incursion incidents and (b) incidents of runway overshoots there have been at Heathrow and Gatwick airports in each year since 1985. [36685]

  Mr. Norris
  The number of runway incursion incidents which occurred at Heathrow and Gatwick airports in the years since 1985 are as follows:

  Year

  Heathrow

  Gatwick

  1985

  6

  3

  1986

  7

  3

  1987

  2

  0

  1988

  8

  2

  1989

  13

  2

  1990

  0

  0

  1991

  5

  0

  1992

  3

  0

  1993

  2

  1

  1994

  3

  1

  Statistics for runway overshoots for the whole of the period requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However figures are available for 1994 when there were 406 runway overshoots at Heathrow airport and 332 at Gatwick.

  Specialist Vessels (Marine Pollution)
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the EC countries which have dedicated and purpose-built surface vessels available for at-sea recovery or dispersal of pollution; and if he will list the vessels. [35743]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Coastguard Agency. The chief executive has written to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Calum Macdonald, dated 20 July 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  Information from the EC Community Information System 1994 is in the table attached. The EC System does not distinguish between vessels which are purpose-built and solely dedicated for at-sea recovery or dispersal of pollution, and those vessels which are equipped and available for such duties but which may have other roles.

  Country

  Vessels available for at-sea recovery or dispersal of pollution

  Belguim

  Belgica, CMT x 3 Ter Streep

  Denmark

  Preserver, Preventer, Promoter, Protector, Gunnar Seidenfaden, Gunner Thorson, Marie Miljoe, Mette Miljoe

  France

  Citerna

  Germany

  Bottsand, Eversand, Foline, Jansand, Kiel, Kopersand, Marcus, Marline, Mellum, Mposs, Norderhever, Nordsee, Oland, OS01, OS02, OSKI, Scharhorn, Thor, Transporter, Westensee

  Greece

  Argo, LS100, Observer

  82

  Country

  Vessels available for at-sea recovery or dispersal of pollution

  Italy

  Cassiopea x 4, Castor, Cavallino, Ecol Spezia x 2, Giovani M, Grecale Primo, Maestrale, Maria Sole, Montoforte x 6, Nichessa x 16, Priamar, Santa Barbara x 6, Santa Ciro, Scavenger, Spazzamare Airone, Spazzamare Impaemare

  Netherlands

  Barracuda, Cornelia, Frans Naerebout, Ham 310, Hein, Lesse, Mitra, Oilcrab, Orca, Remedie, Rijndelta, Roteb 6, Rotterdam, Sedia, Smal Agt, Terschelling, Zirfaea, Dg Harmsen, Dullaert, Hedinzee, Holland, Roteb 12, Roteb 9

  Portugal

  CDM 423 Barge, Golfinho Do Sado, LDM 421' Barge, Mar Azul, Mar Limpo, Rio Limpo, Tarambola, Tetis

  Spain

  Abasco Limpiamar I, Abasco Limpiamar II, Abasco Limpiamar III, Abasco Limpiamar IV, Alonso De Chaves, Cartagonova, Catalunya, Explorador, Golfo De Vizcava, Hispania, L'Albufera, Marinero, Punta Mayor, Punta Salinas, Punta Service, Remolcanosa Cinco, Ria De Vigo

  United Kingdom

  Oil Recovery: Forth Explorer, Seaspring Oil Dispersal: The following 25 vessels are fitted with marine pollution control unit dispersal systems; Albeit Bightwell, Clandeboye, Deben, Deft, Dextrous, Edengarth, Eskgarth, Fingal, Holmsider, Lady Debbie, Lady Moira, Margam, Norna, Northsider, Oakgarth, Oxcar, Pharos, St. Gluvius, St. Piran, Sulisker, Sun Essex, Sun Kent, Trimley, Westra

  Seat Belts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those areas of EC legislation that prevent the British Government introducing the compulsory fitting of seat belts aboard existing coaches and buses. [36684]

  Mr. Norris
  The Commission has competence to regulate in the area of vehicle standards and, in the case of seat belts in buses and coaches, has introduced standards covering both the seating positions which should be provided with belts and the standards the installations should meet. These requirements are contained in directives 76/115/EEC and 77/541/EEC, both as amended, which cover anchorages and seat belts respectively. Member states may not impose construction standards which go beyond the provisions of those directives.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if his proposed scheme for the control of noise of night flights at London's airports incorporates(a) the period of 2300 hours to 0700 hours currently defined as "the night period" and (b) the period of 2330 hours to 0600 hours currently defined as "the night quota period". [36703]

  Mr. Norris
  Yes. The hours of "the night period" and "the night quota period" were confirmed in my announcement on 16 August 1995 stating that the night
  83
  flying restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted from winter 1995–96 to end of summer 1998 would remain as previously announced on 6 May 1994.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account his proposed scheme for the control of aircraft noise at night in and around London's airports takes of the proposed reductions in the length of the night quota period; and if he will make a statement. [36704]

  Mr. Norris
  The current hours of night quota period were announced on 6 May 1994 and confirmed by my announcement of 16 August 1995. Both the current movements limits and noise quotas apply to the 2330 to 0600 period but there are also restrictions on the noisiest types of aircraft from 2300 to 2330 and from 0600 to 0700. There are also fewer types of aircraft exempt from the current night restrictions than under the 1988–93 restrictions.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by airline company the number of noise limitation breaches committed over the last 12 months at Heathrow airport. [36711]

  Mr. Norris
  Penalties for infringements of the noise limits set by my right hon. Friend are imposed by Heathrow airport Ltd. The airport company provides information on the infringements and on the fines collected to the Heathrow Airport Consultative Committee. I have asked the company to send the reports for the last 12 months to the hon. Lady.

  Accident and Disaster Reports (Implementation of Recommendations)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which recommendations from the report of the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster have not yet been implemented; for what reasons; and what is the target implementation date. [36660]

  Mr. Norris
  All the recommendations of the court of inquiry into the loss of the Herald of Free Enterprise have been taken forward. After consultation and consideration, one recommendation was not supported at the time and some others were not developed further in the light of subsequent technical appraisal, or were taken forward in ways different to those recommended by the inquiry for reasons of technical practicality or because of international developments.

  Two long-term recommendations of the court of inquiry were not implemented. These were the recommendation that roll-on roll-off passenger ferries should have dedicated pumps capable of stripping at a rate of at least 600 tonnes an hour and that there should be drain valves which must be controlled remotely and operable from the bridge.

  Both recommendations were considered, but after consultation were felt to be unnecessary because, in practice, existing drainage arrangements could already cope with amounts of water approaching these levels. Moreover, pumps of the size recommended could not cope with the significantly larger volume of water involved in catastrophic flooding as occurred on the Herald of Free Enterprise and, indeed, on the Estonia. There may also be difficulties in guaranteeing power
  84
  supplies in situations of catastrophic flooding. Automatic drain valves are now fitted as a matter of course, so there is no need for their remote control.

  Two long-term recommendations were implemented in alternative ways. These were the recommendations that the freeboard from the margin line to the vehicle deck should be increased to a minimum of perhaps 1 m, and that attention should be given to recommendations were addressed through an extensive research programme and the subsequent adoption of the SOLAS 90 survivability standard for existing ships.

  The Government believe that there are no recommendations left to be implemented. All have been considered and action taken where appropriate.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the recommendations from the report of the Manchester airport disaster in 1986 that have not been implemented, the reasons why and the target date for implementation. [36667]

  Mr. Norris
  The air accidents investigation branch made 31 safety recommendations in the report into the Manchester airport accident. All of the recommendations were addressed to the Civil Aviation Authority. The CAA reports that only recommendation 4.31, which concerns fire hardening of the aircraft hull, has yet to be brought to conclusion. The research in this area is being carried out jointly by the joint aviation authorities and the US federal aviation administration. It is not possible to predict when action on this recommendation will be complete. The status of AAIB recommendations made to the CAA is contained in "Civil Aviation Publication 652: Progress Report 1995".

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the recommendations from the report of the Kegworth aircrash that have not been implemented, the reasons why and the target date for implementation. [36666]

  Mr. Norris
  The air accidents investigation branch made 31 safety recommendations in the report into the Kegworth aircrash, all of which were addressed to the Civil Aviation Authority. Recommendation 4.09, to fit indicator warning devices alerting pilots of maximum engine vibration levels, was initially accepted but later rejected following extensive consideration. The CAA reports that only recommendations 4.23 and 4.31 have yet to be brought to conclusion. These relate to passenger seating and overhead storage lockers. Both need to be agreed at an international level before action can be taken. The CAA expects agreement to be reached on these issues by the end of 1995. The status of AAIB recommendations made to the CAA is contained in "Civil Aviation Publication 652: Progress Report 1995".

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the recommendations from the report of the Lockerbie bombing that have not yet been implemented, the reasons why and the target implementation date. [36662]
  85
  Mr. Norris
  Two relevant reports have been published in the UK into the Lockerbie disaster. These follow the investigation by the air accidents investigation branch and the fatal accident inquiry.

  The AAIB made five safety recommendations in its report on the disaster: four related to the CAA and one to my Department. All of these recommendations have been implemented and related research projects are underway.

  The sheriff principal made 20 findings in his report on the FAI. Of these, one related to my Department and criticised airline baggage reconciliation procedures. New legal requirements were placed on airlines last year to account for, and to authorise, the carriage of all hold baggage.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the recommendations of the Donaldson report that have not yet been implemented, the reasons why and the target date for implementation. [36664]

  Mr. Norris
  I have placed in the Library of the House a note showing the current position on each of the recommendations of the Donaldson report.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the recommendations from the report of the Marchioness disaster that have not yet been implemented, the reasons why and the target implementation date. [36661]

  Mr. Norris
  All the recommendations in the marine accident investigation branch's report into the collision between the Marchioness and the Bowbelle have been implemented.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the recommendations from the report of the King's Cross fire that have not yet been implemented, the reasons why and the target date for implementation. [36665]

  Mr. Norris
  Of the 127 Fennell recommendations aimed at London Transport/London Underground, 112 have been implemented in full. Work is in hand on the remainder, which are of a more long-term nature. Progress is regularly monitored by Her Majesty's railway inspectorate. The expected dates of implementation, where appropriate, are shown in the following table.

  Fennel recommendation number

  Recommendation

  Completion date

  2

  Escalator replacement programme

  Ongoing

  6

  Non-inflammable escalator lubricant

  Ongoing

  8

  Line Controller's facilities

  By 2001

  16

  Research on air movement

  Ongoing

  36

  Replacement of wooden treads on escalators

  By 2003–2004

  49

  Station ventilation systems

  By December 1995

  52

  Elimination of VIR cable on trains

  By March 1998

  69

  Hazardous materials on rolling stock

  By 2001

  86

  Fennel recommendation number

  Recommendation

  Completion date

  74

  Occupiers of premises complying with code of practice

  Ongoing

  93

  Rule Book

  By December 1996

  114

  Improvement to CCTV

  Ongoing

  115

  Public payphones

  By December 1995

  124

  Secondary means of escape

  Ongoing

  125

  Control of smoke and ventilation

  Ongoing

  142

  Subway link at Kings Cross

  Under consideration in light of CTRL proposals.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the recommendations from the report of the Clapham rail disaster that have not yet been implemented, the reasons why and the target implementation date. [36663]

  Mr. Watts
  Sir Anthony Hidden's report into the Clapham accident made 93 recommendations, 78 of which related to British Rail and the British Transport Police. Action has been taken on all the recommendations addressed to BR and the BTP. Many of the recommendations are on-going, and BR and Railtrack are monitoring compliance. The position on outstanding recommendations is as follows.

  Recommendation 13 related to BR's departmental instructions. BR took immediate steps to ensure understanding of departmental instructions. This did not extend to requiring all staff subject to annual appraisal to sign a statement every two years to the effect that such instructions had been read, because alternative systems for briefing staff on the issue and amendment of departmental instructions were put in place.

  Recommendation 23, that the annual appraisal system, albeit in a simplified form, should be extended to senior technician level was included in restructuring proposals for signalling and telecommunications staff, but was not agreed by trade unions. However, the recommendation has been overtaken by a competence-based approach, as required by the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994.

  Recommendation 27 on the non-statutory reporting of wrong side failures of signalling was implemented on 1 January 1990. Legislation making such reporting a statutory requirement will become effective in April 1996, when revised industry-wide incident reporting requirements are planned to come into effect—recommendation 28.

  As regards on-train data recorders—recommendation 40—this equipment is specified for new rolling stock.

  The major part of the programme to install the national radio network system of communication between driver and the signal man—recommendation 43—was completed by the target date of 1992. Complete fitment of this system is expected by early 1996. A review of this programme led to a decision by BR to install the cab secure radio system in south-east England, which is more appropriate to driver-only operated routes. This system

  87
  will be completed by 1997. Technical difficulties and higher priority safety projects have extended completion of this programme beyond BR's original target date of 1995.

  Recommendation 46 related to automatic train protection. On 30 March, my right hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney) endorsed the view of the Health and Safety Commission that, following extensive work by BR and Railtrack, ATP measures may be justified in parts of the rail network but that the fitment of ATP as developed by BR could not be justified throughout the network. A programme of alternative train protection measures is being developed. Railtrack and BR continue to examine the implementation of these measures.

  Recommendation 55 concerned the structural integrity of rolling stock. BR completed its programme of research—recommendation 54—by the target date of April 1991. BR then discussed this with the Health and Safety Executive's railway inspectorate. HSC endorsed BR's conclusion that very few of those vehicles in classes 411, 413, 415, and 416 were projected to remain in service for eight years or over and that it would not be reasonably practicable to carry out structural changes to these or to the remainder of mark I vehicles.

  Cowden Rail Accident
  Mr Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State when he received, and when he expects to publish, the report of Her Majesty's inspectorate into the Cowden rail accident. [37266]

  Mr. Watts
  Part I of the inspector's report was published on 9 June by the Health and Safety Executive, and copies were placed in the House of Commons Library. The first report explains how the accident happened and addresses the adequacy of the safety mechanisms and procedures on the line. It was called for in advance of the coroner's inquest in order to avoid delaying publication of the conclusions that were not dependent on the outcome of the inquest. The report concluded that the line was adequately and safely signalled and that the signalling equipment was working as it should be.

  Part II of the report will address who was driving the train at the time of the accident, taking into account the additional forensic evidence given at the recent inquest. The inspector's final report will be published by the HSE as soon as possible.

  Departmental Role
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the report produced recently within his Department on the future role of his Department and its perception in Whitehall. [36673]

  Sir George Young
  The Department has not produced a report on its future role and its perception in Whitehall.

  River Thames (Injuries and Fatalities)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last five years the number of serious injuries and fatalities sustained on the River Thames. [36683]
  88
  Mr. Norris
  Figures for the central area of the Thames, between Staines and Dartford creek are as follows1

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Bodies recovered

  43

  44

  51

  46

  43

  Accidents where ambulance called

  14

  17

  11

  13

  12

  Persons rescued from the river

  568

  855

  119

  120

  175

  Attempted suicides

  44

  60

  64

  102

  111

  1 Figures provided by Thames division, Metropolitan police.

  Vessel Inspections
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list, by defect found, the number of vessels found to have a defect during the last 12 months at inspections undertaken by the Marine Safety Agency. [36708]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. The hon. Member has already received a reply from the chief executive and I attach a copy.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Ms Joan Walley
  Thank you for your letter of 1 August requesting details of inspections carried out on ro-ro passenger ferries on Dover and on merchant ships in the UK in general.
  With regard to your first query, relating to inspections carried out on ro-ro passenger ferries in Dover, I would refer you to the answer given by Mr Norris to PQ 1479 and 1467, which can be found in Hansard volume 258 columns 614 to 615.
  Moving on to your second query, relating to inspections carried out by the Marine Safety Agency throughout the country over the last 12 months, a list showing the result of all such inspections by deficiency cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost. However, the United Kingdom carries out its port state control inspections in co-operation with members of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MOU). The results of each inspection carried out in the MOU are recorded on a central database and statistical information is published annually by the Secretariat of the Paris MOU. The number of ships, by deficiency, inspected in the region covered by the Paris MOU can be found in The Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control Annual Report 1994, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons' library.

  Air Traffic Controllers
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list for each of the last five years the average amount of overtime worked by air traffic controllers and the number of staff in post. [36712]

  Mr. Norris
  The vast majority of the United Kingdom's air traffic controllers are employed by the Civil Aviation Authority. Data for other air traffic controllers could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  No overtime has been worked by the CAA's air traffic controllers in the last five years.

  The following figures give the number of air traffic controllers employed by the CAA since 1992.

  1992: 1,298

  1993: 1,297

  1994: 1,380

  1995: 1,428

  89
  The figures requested for 1991 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Vehicle Emissions
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has as to the contribution of the worst(a) 10 per cent. and (b) 20 per cent. of vehicles to noxious and harmful vehicle emissions. [36640]

  Mr. Norris
  Vehicle emissions are strongly influenced by operating conditions and driver behaviour. However, in an analysis of exhaust emission measurements, carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory on a sample of 200 cars selected to be typical of the in-service fleet, 10 per cent. were found to contribute 22 per cent. of total carbon monoxide and 27 per cent. of total hydrocarbon emissions under urban driving conditions; similarly, 20 per cent. of cars tested contributed 39 per cent. of CO and 40 per cent. of HC emissions.

  Large Vehicle Brake Efficiency
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it a requirement that all heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles be driven on a rolling road test installation immediately after work is done on brakes. [36741]

  Mr. Norris
  Heavy goods vehicle and public service vehicle brake efficiency is checked on a rolling road as part of the annual roadworthiness test.

  Operators are encouraged through the guide to maintaining roadworthiness to have access to appropriate brake testing equipment as part of their routine safety inspections. I have no plans to make this a legal requirement.

  Permitted Vehicle Sizes
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the(a) longest and (b) largest vehicle allowed to travel on the roads in the United Kingdom. [36737]

  Mr. Norris
  Regulations specify a maximum permitted length of 18.35 m for drawbar vehicle combinations and a maximum permitted gross vehicle weight of 44 tonnes for both articulated and drawbar vehicle combinations engaged in combined transport.

  Vehicles exceeding these weights and dimensions can operate under provisions contained within the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order 1979. However, for vehicles carrying very large and heavy abnormal indivisible loads the Department authorises each movement by issuing an individual special order to the haulier. Such orders are made under section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the future for heavy vehicles using roads in the United Kingdom indicating suggested weight and size. [36738]

  Mr. Norris
  The present general weight limit in the UK for the largest lorries is 38 tonnes, with 44 tonnes allowed for certain vehicles used for combined road/rail transport. We will be reviewing the effectiveness of the 90
  latter at the end of the year. From 1 January 1999, the UK will have to accept the European Union weight limit of 40 tonnes for international traffic.

  European Union Transport Ministers recently agreed, subject to approval by the European Parliament, to amend the directive on vehicle weights and dimensions so that national rules on dimensions of goods vehicles will be harmonised. This will result in an increase in (i) the maximum length of drawbar-trailer combinations from 18.35 m to 18.75 m and (ii) the maximum width of non-insulated vehicles to 2.55 m.

  In the case of buses, there is no harmonisation of dimensions for vehicles used on national journeys. The maximum length of non-articulated buses remains at 12 with 18 m for articulated vehicles. Some member states allow longer non-articulated buses and we will keep our national dimensions under review.

  Mr. O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what restrictions apply to 44 tonne vehicles using the roads in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Norris
  Vehicles operating between 38 tonnes and 44 tonnes may do so only when taking a container or swap-body to or from a rail terminal on the road leg of a combined road/rail journey. These vehicles must have six axles and road-friendly suspensions, and must carry documentary evidence to show either that the loading unit had travelled by rail terminal or that it was destined to do so.

  Bus Companies (Complaints)
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in how many cases the traffic commissioner has taken action since 1986 as a result of complaint against bus companies failing to fulfil their advertised timetables; which companies have been involved; in what areas of the country; and what level of fines has been charged. [36764]

  Mr. Norris
  Data are not available in the form requested.

  Air Safety Regulatory Authority
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions are currently being held within the joint aviation authority about the establishment of a single regulatory authority for air safety across the joint aviation authority countries; what is the status of the draft convention adopted by the joint aviation authority hoard in March concerning a single regulatory authority; what form of consultation will take place on any moves to establish a new body to regulate aviation safety; what steps he will take to ensure accountability and enforcement with steps he will take to ensure accountability and enforcement within any new structure; and if he will make a statement. [36892]

  Mr. Norris
  No discussions are being held with the joint aviation authorities about the establishment of a single regulatory authority. We are considering a draft convention which would enable national aviation authorities of JAA member states to act through the JAA as ade facto single aviation authority, but expressly does not establish such an authority on a de jure basis. The Civil Aviation Authority would remain the aviation safety

  91
  regulator in the UK. The JAA is, and will continue to be, accountable through the JAA board, on which the UK is represented.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in his Department. [36824]

  Mr. Watts
  Members of the public have the same rights to make complaints to the relevant ombudsman about alleged maladministration in relation to a project funded through the private finance initiative as they would if the project had been publicly financed.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many public interest immunity certificates his Department has issued in each year since 1986. [36687]

  Sir George Young
  I am unable to provide details for 1987–89. Central records were not kept and information before 1989 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Since that date, the position is as follows. As is already a matter of public record, in 1990 the then Secretary of Sate signed four certificates in connection with the fatal accident inquiry into the Lockerbie disaster but, in the event, none was produced at the inquiry. It is also a matter of public record that in 1992, the then Secretary of State signed two certificates relating to the Lockerbie disaster concerning the taking of evidence for proceedings in the United States. In the event, the taking of that evidence did not proceed and the certificates were not produced in that regard.

  Driving Tests
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the risks to the health and safety of driving test examiners while undertaking driving tests. [37115]

  Mr. Norris
  An assessment of the risks to health and safety of driving test examiners while undertaking driving tests was prepared in early 1994 and circulated to all driving examiners on 17 May 1995. This assessment is introduced to all new driving examiners at a very early stage in their training and is included in a Driving Standards Agency health and safety manual held at every DSA location.

  An assessment of risks resulted in the issue of a DSA policy for assaults to all DSA staff on 10 February 1995. This is introduced to trainees as above, and is held in DSA health and safety manuals.

  An assessment of the risks to motorcycle driving examiners resulting from the wearing of radio equipment has recently been completed.

  Railway Safety Centre, Derby
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his proposed sale of the railway safety centre of the British Railways Board at Derby, who 92
  will determine the minimum price at which it will be sold; on what criteria such a decision will be reached; and on what basis a privatised unit will charge when asked for information, advice, or services, (a) urgently and (b) otherwise, by those responsible for (i) operations, (ii) other parts of the national railtrack, train services and stations and (iii) other activity relevant to the safety of staff or public. [37356]

  Mr. Watts
  BR is selling quality and safety services by means of competitive tender and in pursuance of the Secretary of State's objectives set out in section 113 of the Railways Act 1993. Charging arrangements after sale completion will, as now, be a commercial matter for the business and its customers.

  Atlantic Conveyor (Hull Cracks)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list each occasion that his Department's surveyors have visited the former Cunard Line vessel Atlantic Conveyor to investigate the appearance of cracks in her hull; what course of action was ordered to be taken; and what was recorded as being the cause of such cracks; [36670]

  (2) if he will list each occasion that a Lloyd's surveyor has visited the former Cunard Line vessel Atlantic Conveyor to investigate the appearance of cracks in her hull and to oversee or examine any repairs. [36668]

  (3) on how many occasions the former Cunard Line vessel Atlantic Conveyor has had to have cracks in her hull welded. [36669]

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

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Ms Joan Walley, 16 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your three Questions about ATLANTIC CONVEYOR.
  During the period in which ATLANTIC CONVEYOR was registered in the United Kingdom, surveyors from Lloyd's Register made 42 visits, beginning in 1985, in connection with the investigation of cracks in the hull structure. The cracks were repaired immediately either by welding or part renewal of the structure, or conditions of class were imposed on the vessel until permanent repairs could be effected within a defined period. The survey of the hull structure is a matter in which classification societies may act under delegated powers and surveyors from the Department of Transport have not visited ATLANTIC CONVEYOR to investigate the appearance of cracks.
  It is not unusual for some vessels to suffer fracturing of this nature from time to time, particularly if they are exposed to heavy weather, as this vessel has been in North Atlantic trade. Provided that proper maintenance and repairs are carried out by the owners, and repairs to the ship are surveyed by the classification society in accordance with classification procedures, the safety of the vessel is not compromised. At the time of ATLANTIC CONVEYOR's transfer to the Bahamian flag in July 1995, there are no extant conditions of class relating to cracks and I understand there are none at present.

  Newbury Bypass
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the cost to public funds of the construction of the A34 Newbury bypass. [36674]

  Mr. Watts
  This is a operational matter for the Highways Agency.
  93
  I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Ms Joan Walley, dated 16 October 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr. John Watts, has asked me to write in reply to your Parliamentary Question about the cost of constructing the A34 Newbury Bypass.
  The current estimate for the cost of the works and the land is £70 million.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will outline the public consultation he has undertaken in respect of the Newbury bypass. [36676]

  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 Ms Joan Walley, dated 16 October 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Road, Mr. John Watts has asked me to write in reply to your Parliamentary Question about the public consultation undertaken in respect of the Newbury Bypass.
  The public were consulted about route options in 1982; as well as the public we also sought the views of statutory bodies and other interested parties. Exhibitions were held at the same time.
  Following consideration of the comments received at Public Consultation, the preferred route for the bypass was announced in June 1984.
  In 1988, following the publication of draft Orders, a Public Inquiry was held by an independent Inspector to enable objections to the published line to be fully aired.
  In 1990, the Inspector's Report was published along with the decision letter. This followed detailed consideration not only of the report, but of representations received following the public Inquiry and revised National Road Traffic Forecasts. The decision letter also announced modifications to some of the draft Orders, which required further consultation with people likely to be affected by the proposed changes.

  Road Building (Recycled Material)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action his Department is taking to encourage the use of recycled materials in road building. [37044]

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

  Letter for Lawrie Haynes to Mr. John Spellar, dated 16 October 1995:
  The Minister of Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to write to you in reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning action being taken to encourage use of recycled materials in road building.
  Wherever practical, the Highways Agency seeks to provide the opportunity in trunk road contracts for including recycled materials. There is already considerable scope for recycling and extension of this is being investigated as part of the Agency's research programme. A recent change has increased the permitted proportion of many reclaimed bituminous materials from 10 to 30 per cent. In June, the Agency published new advice on the conservation and use of reclaimed materials in road construction and maintenance which highlights the scope for reuse and recycling and is aimed at encouraging a greater awareness of the opportunities available.
  94

  Roadworks Planning
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy in respect of road surface renewal or repair contracts if highway authorities are empowered to include in such contracts provision in respect of minimum potential vehicle flow at given periods in the day and week. [37384]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Nigel Spearing, dated 16 October 1995:
  As you know, the Minister for Railways and Roads, Mr John Watts, has asked me to write in reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what is the policy in respect of road surface renewal or repair contracts if highway authorities are empowered to include in such contracts provision in respect of minimum potential vehicle flow at given periods in the day and week.
  Roadworks planning is a matter for the highway authority. On local roads this will be the local authority, but on trunk roads including motorways the Highways Agency manages works in accordance with requirements set out in our Business Plan.
  The aim is to minimise economic costs through careful planning and specification of lane availability needs.
  Costs minimised through an economic evaluation of maintenance schemes, taking account of works cost and the increased costs to road users and others from the presence of the works. These increased costs are calculated by a computer program which takes into account the extra costs incurred due to delays, vehicle running costs, and accidents. The cost is different for each site and is dependent, amongst other things, on the type of road, traffic flows, percentage of heavy goods vehicles in the flow, the length of the works, and the number and configuration of lanes closed off.
  In order to further reduce traffic disruption and delay at roadworks more schemes are being let using the Lane Rental form of contract. The contractor is given the incentive to expedite the works by earning a bonus for early completion, but incurring a charge for late completion.
  Work is increasingly carried out at night, starting after the evening peak traffic flow has subsided, and finishing prior to the build-up the following morning. The closures take place when traffic volumes are low, and all lanes are available to traffic during the day.

  Rail Electrification
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what consideration he has given to the electrification of the railway between Acton main line station and Acton Wells junction in order to give future direct access for fast electrified train services from Heathrow airport stations on the North London line, and the east and west coast main lines; [37264]

  (2) what is the current estimated completion date for the re-electrification of the railway between Kew Bridge and Willesden Junction high level; and if he will now request Railtrack and the relevant railway operator companies to initiate, in part or in whole, a frequent electrified train service from North Woolwich to South London via Willesden and Clapham Junction; [37261]

  (3) what consideration he has given to the electrification of the railway between South Acton at Kew Junctions and the Kew Bridge chord in order to give direct access from the south-western electrified networks to the North London line, the east and west coast main lines, and an alternative route for channel tunnel passenger stock to and from its North Pole depot and Waterloo International; [37263]
  95
  (4) what considerations he has given to electrification of railway between Action Wells Junction and Cricklewood in order to give direct access for electric trains from the Midland main line to electrified route to the Channel tunnel and the electrified lines of the former Southern Railways. [37262]

  Mr. Watts
  Work is currently under way on the North London line to prepare for the introduction of EPS/Eurostar services beyond London during 1996. This is being accomplished, in part, by the introduction of modern AC electrification between Acton Central and Camden Road which should be accomplished by spring 1996.

  Significant investment is taking place on this route which will improve delivery of existing train services as well as allow international services to be established beyond London.

  The changes will allow Railtrack and the train operating companies to explore other opportunities for the introduction of services to meet markets they may identify. It will be up to them to prepare investment and service changes as they see fit.

  Trains (Carriage of Cycles)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate studies, as part of his policy to minimise the increase in the person miles travelled in motor cars, into the means whereby the effects of the disadvantageous actions taken by British Railways in respect of passenger-accompanied pedal cycles, taken subsequent to the announcement made by it and the Cyclist Touring Club be eliminated, or minimised. [37328]

  Mr. Watts
  No. The carriage of cycles on trains is an operational matter for train operators, balancing cyclists' needs with those of ordinary passengers.

  The franchising director intends to include a requirement in each franchise agreement that franchise operators shall, so far as reasonably practicable and subject to the availability of appropriate space on their rolling stock, ensure that facilities are made available for bicycles on trains at a reasonable, if any, charge to passengers.

  The Cyclists' Public Affairs Group, with the assistance of the Department has produced a guidance document for rail operators "Bikes and Trains—Opportunities for the new operators"—foreword by John Watts) explaining how they can make their services more attractive to cyclists. The document includes advice on the carriage of cycle on trains and the provision of cycle facilities at stations.

  Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what criteria or job description he published with his advertisement for the new chair of the rail passengers advisory committee; and what consultation he had and what reports he had received relating to the work of the committee, and the position of its chairperson, from the Select Committee on Transport; [37404]
  96
  (2) how many applications, suggestions, or recommendation he received in respect of persons to be appointed chair of the rail passengers advisory committee; how many he shortlisted; and if he will make a statement concerning his method of filling this further vacancy. [37273]

  Mr. Watts
  Advertisements for the post of chairman of the Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee made clear to applicants the criteria needed for the post. An example of the advertisements has been placed in the House Library.

  Advertisements for the post were published in March, eliciting 147 applications, and 17 candidates were shortlisted for initial interview. Further advertisements were placed in September to broaden the field of candidates. An additional 235 applications have been received and are under consideration.

  The Select Committee on Transport has not reported on the work or chairmanship of the Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee.

  Railtrack (Contracting Out)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requirement is made on Railtrack to contract out its functions; what is the number of such arrangements extant and how many of these were made when its activities were the responsibility of the British Railways Board; and if he will list those functions newly contracted out since its creation which are related to operational safety. [37359]

  Mr. Watts
  Under the objectives set by the Government for the Railtrack board for 1995–96, the company is expected to procure services from the private sector where appropriate.

  Full data on the number of functions contracted out and the number of these made when Railtrack's activities were the responsibility of the British Railways Board are not held centrally, but in 1994–95, Railtrack contracted out approximately £1.8 billion of work.

  Almost all of Railtrack's functions, including those newly contracted out since Railtrack's creation, relate in some way to operational safety, and are subject to the rigorous safety regime which applies to all Railtrack's activities.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdort, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [37001]
  97
  Mr. Norris
  The information requested is set out in the accompanying table. The value of each contract, and any additional work undertaken, has not been revealed on the grounds that this information is commercially confidential.

  Year

  Contractor

  Nature of Contract

  1990

  Siemens

  Maintenance of the Manchester Box

  1991

  Bis

  Hardware and software support for Management Information System

  1992

  Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segati

  Maintenance and support of file servers and networking system

  ICL

  Enabling agreement for supply of network infrastructure products and services

  Siemens

  Maintenance of NMCS North East region

  Siemens

  Supply of national motorway communication system 2 equipment

  Siemens

  Maintenance of NMCS Eastern and Greater London Region

  1993

  Digital Equipment

  Installation and management of Computing facility

  EDS

  The provision of on-site IT services/management (including supply, advice, support and development) to the Department and several of its Agencies

  Siemens

  Maintenance of SPLC software

  1994

  Digital Equipment

  Provision of a national street works register

  EDS

  Development of new Information systems strategy

  Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segati

  Technical support contract for new information systems strategy

  Logica

  Supply and installation of NMCS central logging facility

  Sema Group

  A study of new and combined technologies and optical technique in variable message signs

  Siemens

  M25 trials of message sign subsystems

  Siemens

  Software maintenance of message sign subsystems

  Siemens

  Supply and installation of mimic driver system

  Siemens

  Supply of NMCS2 Equipment (21 bit transponders, signal drivers, PSU's, site data entry terminals

  Siemens

  Supply, installation and commissioning of motorway signals

  Siemens

  Upgrade NMCS2 to semi-cobs status at Godstone and Manchester control offices

  1995

  Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segati

  IT system strategy study

  Siemens

  Installation commissioning of NMCS2 Outstation Equipment

  West Coast Main Line (Modernisation)
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement regarding delays in modernisation of the west coast main line. [37114]
  98
  Mr. Watts
  The modernisation is progressing well and the evaluation of tenders for developing the train control system will begin shortly with a contract to be let early next year. Work is also at an advanced stage on the strategy for the main implementation contract and this will be let in 1996.

  Coastguard Staff and Operations
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the ratio of managers to regular staff at each coastguard station; [36694]

  (2) if he will list the required number of staff in a coastguards operations room and the level of training required for the staff; [36698]

  (3) how many coastguard stations including auxiliary and part-time stations closed in each of the last five years; [36672]

  (4) if there is a limit on the amount of overtime a coastguard watch officer can undertake; [36696]

  (5) how many MRII/SCS complexes are equipped with sleeping accommodation, restrooms and comprehensively equipped galleys; and what assessment he has made as to whether the equipment provided is enough to sustain a shift for a 24-hour period of duty; [36699]

  (6) if he will list the average amount of overtime a coastguard watch officer did per week for each of the last five years. [36697]

  Mr. Norris
  These are operational matters for the Coastguard Agency. The chief executive has written to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Ms Joan Walley, dated 28 September 1995:
  Thank you for your letter of 23 August requesting information on various aspects of Coastguard Operations.
  1. The number of managers to regular watch keeping staff (Watch Officers and Senior Watch Officers) at each Coastguard Rescue Centre is as follows:

  Rescue Centre

  Senior Watch Officers and Watch Officers

  Regional or District Management Team

  Shetland

  12

  3

  Pentland

  12

  3

  Aberdeen

  19

  5

  Forth

  12

  3

  Tyne Tees

  13

  3

  Humber

  14

  3

  Yarmouth

  15

  5

  Thames

  13

  3

  Dover

  25

  5

  Solent

  18

  3

  Portland

  14

  3

  Brixham

  14

  3

  Falmouth

  16

  6

  Swansea

  18

  5

  Milford Haven

  13

  3

  Holyhead

  12

  3

  Liverpool

  14

  3

  Clyde

  14

  5

  Oban

  12

  3

  Stornoway

  12

  3

  Belfast

  13

  3

  99
  District and Regional Management Teams (DMT/RMT) comprising Station Officers, District Controllers, Regional and Deputy Regional Controllers as well as Coastguard Officers (Senior Watch Officers and Watch Officers) are all "regular staff'; i.e., uniformed, professional Coastguards. DMT and RMT members have an active Operations Room role in major emergencies and at any time if required.

  The above figures do not include the 92 regular Sector Officers, nor the Auxiliary Coastguards who keep watch in rescue centres.

  2. The required number of staff in operations rooms are as follows:

  Senior Watch Officer

  Watch Officers

  In each MRCC except Dover

  1

  3

  In each MRSC

  1

  2

  Dover

  11+1

  3

  1 At MRCC Dover, each watch is headed by a Station Officer, in addition to the Senior Watch Officer.

  All New Entrant Coastguards undertake an initial training lasting approximately one year. After a short familiarisation period (usually six to eight weeks) at their parent station, they undertake six weeks intensive training at the Training Centre. They then return to their parent station for about nine months, during which time, under the guidance of the District Management Team, they work through a taskbook compiled by the Training Centre. They return to the Training Centre for a two week revision and examination period at the end of the year. Subject to successful completion of the taskbook, the exams, an interview board and management reports, they are appointed Coastguard Watch Officers.

  About two years later they could be ready to take Senior Watch Officer and Sector Officer Qualifying Courses. Passing the examinations on these courses, together with management reports indicating their fitness, qualifies them for selection to these posts.

  Auxiliary Coastguard Operations Room Assistants receive 80 hours initial training locally culminating in examinations. They receive 20 hours refresher training per annum thereafter.

  3. No rescue centres have closed in the last five years. The following sector bases and lookouts have closed in the last five years:

  1991:

  Three

  (Seaton Sluice, Tyne Tees District)

  (Maryport and Aberdon lookouts)

  1992:

  Five

  (Sizewell and Orford, Thames District)

  (Bass Point, Portland Bill and Whitehaven lookouts)

  1993:

  One

  (Polrvan lookout)

  1994:

  Six

  (Sea Palling, Yarmouth District)

  (Ives, Gwennap Head, Phyl, Cemaes and Aberdovey lookouts)

  1995:

  Three

  (Prawle, Peveril Point, Fleetwood lookouts)

  The above does not include the relocation of rescue centres or sector bases in new buildings or the amalgamation of sector bases (there have been two of these).

  4. There is no specific limit on overtime other than that applied by the Regional and District Controllers to ensure that individual performance is not compromised.

  5. There have been no occasions when a Coastguard station has been under the control of an unqualified Watch Officer. Staff are selected for the post of Senior Watch Officer (SWO) and allocated to rescue centres one per watch. In their absence they are either replaced by another SWO or a deputising Watch Officer. A deputising Watch Officer is a Watch Officer who is qualified by his or her initial establishment as Coastguard Officer having successfully completed the new entrants' process and who has been approved as deputy by the Regional Management. In order to be selected as SWO on a permanent basis Watch Officers are required to complete a SWO (Qualifier) course run by the Coastguard Training Centre. It is not a requirement that a deputy should have passed this course.
  100
  6. All rescue centres are equipped with rest rooms and comprehensively equipped kitchens. There is no requirement for officers to sustain a 24 hour shift or to need sleeping accommodation.

  7. The table below shows the average amounts of overtime (in hours per week) for each Region in each of the last five years. The averages include all regular watchkeeping staff, ie Senior Watch Officers as well as Watch Officers.

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  North and East Scotland

  5.4

  5.3

  5.5

  4.2

  6.8

  Eastern

  4.4

  4.6

  3.9

  3.5

  3.4

  South Eastern

  2.6

  2.8

  2.4

  1.5

  1.9

  South Western

  5.7

  5.8

  4.9

  4.4

  5.1

  Western

  4.5

  4.6

  4.0

  3.8

  3.9

  West of Scotland and Northern Ireland

  8.7

  7.4

  6.7

  3.8

  3.6

  8. The basic watch level at a rescue centre is the watch level required to meet the normal day-to-day operational commitments at that centre.

  Road Projects, London
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list those projects in the road programme in Greater London approved in principle, which add no route mileage to the road system but are designed principally to improve traffic flow or safety on existing routes indicating for each its cost, current state of planning and statutory processes, and likely commencement and completion dates; [37372]

  (2) if he will list the constraints on increasing the traffic lanes on the Iron bridge spanning the River Lea at Canning Town from six lanes to eight; [37272]

  (3) what is the current number of traffic lanes on trunk roads crossing the River Lea at or adjacent to Canning Town; what is their total maximum predicted traffic flow in each direction; what plans he has to increase the number of such lanes; and what is the increase in traffic flow estimated to result. [37271]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Nigel Spearing, dated 16 October 1995
  I am writing in response to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport, in which you sought information about the A13 Ironbridge to Canning Town Improvement scheme and other schemes in Greater London.
  I wrote to you on 17 October 1994, as did Mr. Norris on 3 March 1995, about the constraints on the use of the existing Iron Bridge. The overriding constraint is that the existing bridge is not wide enough to carry four lanes in each direction and there is no satisfactory way of modifying the structure to do so. There is nothing that I can usefully add.
  I enclose at Appendix A a list of schemes which are in the trunk road programme for Greater London. It shows their cost (as quoted in last year's Review of Trunk Roads in England) and the last stage reached in their preparation. Further progress will depend on the satisfactory completion of the remaining statutory procedures and the continuing availability of funds. All of the schemes arc designed to improve existing routes rather than to extend the trunk road network.
  There are currently three trunk road traffic lanes crossing the River Lea in each direction at or near Canning Town. Only two

  101
  lanes in each direction cater for through traffic: the others serve the slip roads to and from the Canning Town Roundabout. Maximum predicted traffic flows are governed by the capacity of adjacent junctions, link roads and traffic signal installations. The maximum predicted traffic flows quoted at the recent public inquiry for the existing trunk road were as follows:

  Westbound: 2,200 vehicles per hour through traffic with an additional 1,000 vehicles joining from the slip road.

  Eastbound: 4,400 vehicles per hour. (This figure includes about 900 vehicles which peel off at the slip road.)

  The improvement scheme would provide three lanes in each direction for through traffic and two lanes in each direction for slip roads, but one of the latter would be a dedicated bus lane. There would also be a cycle lane on the slip roads.
  At the inquiry, the maximum predicted flows of through traffic on the improved trunk road were quoted as follows:

  Westbound: 4,800 vehicles per hour.

  Eastbound: 4,800 vehicles per hour.

  (There would be no junction constraints in the new configuration.)
  In addition up to 700 vehicles per hour would use each of the slip roads, the peak being in the morning.

  Appendix A

  Order of Total Scheme Cost £ million, excluding VAT

  A40 Gypsy Corner Improvement (LB Hounslow); awaiting construction

  32.4

  A40 Western Circus Junction Improvement (LB Ealing): awaiting construction

  38.2

  A13 West of Heathway—Thames Avenue Improvement (LBS Barking and Dagenham); awaiting construction

  86.9

  A406/A1/A598 Regents Park Road Junction Improvement (LB Barnet): awaiting construction

  57.3

  A13 Movers Lane Junction Improvement (LBs Barking and Dagenham): draft Orders published. Public inquiry completed

  36.8

  A13/A117 Junction Improvement (LB Newham): draft Orders published. Public inquiry completed

  26.3

  A13/A112 Prince Regent Lane Junction Improvement (LB Newham): draft Orders published. Public inquiry completed

  37.0

  102

  Appendix A

  Order of Total Scheme Cost £ million. excluding VAT

  A406 Bounds Green—Green Lane Improvement (LB Enfield): draft Orders published, but to be revised and reissued

  131.8

  A406 Golders Green Road Junction Improvement (LB Barnet): Orders have been made and advance works have started

  22.4

  M4/A4 Link, Hounslow (LBs Hillingdon and Hounslow): at an early stage. Consultants yet to be appointed

  24.0

  A102 Blackwall Third Crossing (LBs Tower Hamlets and LB Greenwich): Public Consultation held—no firm conclusion. Further feasibility work to be done 137.4

  A406 Popes Lane—Western Avenue Improvement (LB Ealing): Secretary of State's decision has been announced. Further work is required on smaller scale options 82.4

  A406 East London River Crossing (LBs Greenwich and Newham): in the Longer Term programme i.e, currently in abeyance

  n/a

  A13 Ironbridge—Canning Town Improvement (LB Newham): draft Orders have been published. Public inquiry to be held

  55.5

  A205 Catford Town Centre Improvement (LB Lewisham): Side Roads Order confirmed. Compulsory Purchase Order yet to be confirmed 12.6

  A4 Henlys/Waggoners Corner Improvement (LB Hounslow): Public Consultation held

  9.9

  A2 Kidbrooke Park Road Interchange Improvement (LB Greenwich): Public Consultation held

  14.1

  M4 J3–4B Widening (LBs Hillingdon and Hounslow): Public Consultation held

  35.4

  M25 Terminal 5 Spur (Heathrow), Surrey (LB Hillingdon): Public Consultation held

  23.4

  Primary Route Network Signing: pilot completed. Completion by 1998

  12.5

  Cable and Communications: in progress. Completion by 2000

  13.8

  The Highways Agency's Business Plan lists 47 Network Enhancement Projects in London, costing between £50,000 and £1 million each, at a total cost of £9.8 million, which are due to start in 1995–96. There is also an ongoing programme of smaller schemes in 1995–96 at a cost of £4.9 million.
  103

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what saving will result from reducing the period of absence during which housing benefit is payable from 52 weeks to 13 weeks; and how many claimants will be affected; [36744]

  (2) how many housing benefit claimants in each of the last three years were convicted prisoners serving sentences of (a) less than 13 weeks, (b) between 13 and 52 weeks and (c) more than 52 weeks. [36746]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  We estimate that up to 10,000 claimants a year may be affected by reducing the period of temporary absence for which housing benefit is payable and that this will save up to £10 million. No information is collected on the number of convicted prisoners of housing benefit during the last three years.

  Benefit Payment Card
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the powers under which he proposes to change the social security order payments book for plastic smart card; and if he will make a statement on the proposed timetable of the change. [37093]

  Mr. Heald
  Section 5(1)(i) of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 provides that the Secretary of State may make regulations which"provide for the … manner in which a benefit … is to be paid and for the information and evidence to be furnished in connection with the payment … "
  Regulation 20A of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987, inserted by Regulation 4 of
  SI 1994/3196 was made under the above power and provides, in effect, for benefit payments to be made on production of a card. We anticipate that the first benefit payment cards will be issued in 1996 with completion of the changeover in two to three years.

  Financial year

  Agency

  Nature of work

  Value of work (estimated) £

  January 1990 to March 1990

  Contributions Agency

  Night time security

  1,349,000

  April 1990 to March 1991

  Benefits Agency

  Security

  725,000

  Contributions Agency

  Day time security

  1,031,000

  Information Technology Services Agency

  Computer Operations Management

  12,931,000

  April 1991 to March 1992

  Benefits Agency

  Estates Management (London)

  1,155,000

  Estates Management (London)

  508,000

  April 1992 to March 1993

  Child Support Agency

  Accommodation and Office Services

  2,313,000

  Audit

  309,000

  Training

  547,000

  April 1993 to March 1994

  Information Technology Services Agency

  Audit

  1,264,000

  DSS Headquarters

  Accommodation and Office Services

  761,000

  Contributions Agency

  Cleaning

  771,000

  Benefits Agency

  Travel Services

  211,000

  Storage/Archives

  516,000

  Accommodation and Office Services

  884,000

  Training for various areas/offices:

  540,000

  679,000

  646,000

  683,000

  637,000

  616,000

  104

  Attendance Allowance
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will state the number of claimants who have been refused attendance allowance; and to what extent the criteria to award attendance allowance takes account of people with restricted mobility being able to attend to their solid fuel heating systems. [37196]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  In 1994–95, the last full year for which figures are available, the Benefits Agency cleared 486,506 claims for attendance allowance, of which 146,924 were refused.

  Entitlement to attendance allowance depends on the extent to which a severely disabled person needs attention in connection with their bodily functions and/or supervision to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others. The criteria do not relate specifically to a claimants' home heating arrangements.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM,(n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [36958]

  Mr. Burt
  Details of the nature and value of contracts awarded to external suppliers following a competitive tender of work previously performed in-house by civil servants are in the table. No additional work has been awarded on these contracts to the companies in question. In-house teams who have retained work following a market test obtain a range of services through contracts with external suppliers. Information on those contracts is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  105

  Financial year

  Agency

  Nature of work

  Value of work (estimated) £

  April 1994 to March 1995

  Information Technology Services Agency

  Security Guarding

  436,000

  Area Computer Centre

  6,297,000

  Benefits Agency

  Publishing Services

  4,466,000

  Accommodation and Office Services for various sites:

  Building management and cleaning services

  905,000

  Facilities management

  3,952,000

  Typing and secretarial

  945,000

  Facilities management

  789,000

  Security services

  192,000

  Office Support

  1,402,000

  Facilities management

  1,375,000

  Office Support

  1,444,000

  Building and facilities management services

  1,517,000

  Security, messengerial, stewards, reprographics and post opening

  646,000

  Typing, secretarial, telephonists and building management

  2,875,000

  Post opening, telephonists, typing, stationary and distribution

  838,000

  Facilities management

  4,251,000

  Postal, security and consumable services

  2,265,000

  Building and facilities management

  1,193,000

  Facilities management

  5,547,000

  Building management services

  1,010,000

  Facilities management

  5,613,000

  Facilities management

  5,275,000

  Typing, word processing, switchboard and reprographics

  2,459,000

  Local accommodation facilities management

  1,654,000

  April 1995 to July 1995

  Information Technology Services Agency

  Computer operations management and distributed IT implementation and support services

  231,400,000

  Housing Benefit and Family Credit
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will bring forward proposals to take account of the value of capital assets by way of property other than the main residence, in applications for family credit. [37089]

  (2) if he will introduce proposals to take account of the value of capital assets by way of property other than the main residence, in applications for housing benefit. [37092]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  In the income-related benefit schemes, taking capital assets, such as property other than the home, into account is the norm. With effect from 2 October 1995, regulations have been amended to restore the policy intention that, in general, tenanted properties should also be taken into account as a capital asset.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the latest annual expenditure of the treatment section of the War Pensions Agency; and what cash limits apply to this expenditure, [37088]
  106
  (2) how many war pensioners are currently receiving financial help from the Pensions Agency treatment section in respect of (a) travel costs for treatment and (b) private treatment not available on the NHS. [37084]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  However, in the year ended 31 March 1995, 4,925 payments were made to meet the travel costs of war pensioners attending hospital for treatment for disablement in respect of which war pension is payable. In the same year 8,389 payments were made for treatment not available under the national health service—including remedial treatment, dental treatment, chiropody and other private treatment such as osteopathy and physiotherapy.

  Total expenditure in the year ended 31 March 1995 was £8,337,770.

  Housing Benefit Subsidy
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the payments of housing benefit subsidy by his Department to each London borough and metropolitan district in the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will list those financial penalties imposed as a result of non-compliance with regulations. [37111]
  107
  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is set out in the tables.

  London Authorities

  Authority

  Subsidy paid for non-HRA rent rebate expenditure 1993–94 £

  Subsidy paid for rent allowance expenditure 1993–94 £

  Subsidy penalties incurred 1993–94 £

  Barking

  0

  6,355,827

  0

  Barnet

  2,320,996

  31,407,483

  0

  Bexley

  315,858

  14,211,026

  0

  Brent

  2,170,702

  66,579,836

  0

  Bromley

  853,129

  37,150,509

  0

  Camden

  2,334,989

  50,110,032

  0

  City of London

  34,652

  512,846

  0

  Croydon

  944,009

  36,764,101

  0

  Ealing

  1,451,433

  46,387,342

  0

  Enfield

  1,879,740

  22,110,066

  0

  Greenwich

  2,195,119

  19,370,751

  0

  Hackney

  12,127,983

  49,971,026

  0

  Hammersmith

  2,271,817

  34,374,285

  0

  Haringey

  1,757,001

  69,423,145

  0

  Harrow

  407,633

  18,049,007

  0

  Havering

  0

  9,124,385

  0

  Hillingdon

  1,171,542

  15,247,872

  0

  Hounslow

  1,603,733

  22,687,110

  0

  Islington

  1,155,175

  30,038,272

  0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  1,323,709

  43,448,050

  0

  Kingston upon Thames

  2,643,633

  8,413,307

  0

  Lambeth

  2,482,802

  53,201,704

  0

  Lewisham

  446,516

  33,636,229

  0

  Merton

  72,112

  17,178,195

  0

  Newham

  6,039,682

  56,981,242

  0

  Redbridge

  84,763

  28,287,889

  0

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,267,410

  12,478,354

  0

  Southwark

  1,469,200

  31,511,360

  0

  Sutton

  265,735

  11,149,812

  0

  Tower Hamlets

  4,866,915

  17,890,177

  0

  Waltham Forest

  1,053,839

  29,348,006

  0

  Wandsworth

  2,355,688

  45,354,684

  0

  Westminster

  1,251,400

  74,463,340

  0

  Metropolitan authorities

  Authority

  Subsidy paid for non-HRA rent rebate expenditure 1993–94 £

  Subsidy paid for rent allowance expenditure 1993–94 £

  Subsidy penalties incurred 1993–94 £

  Barnsley

  320,405

  7,238,878

  0

  Birmingham

  0

  75,161,007

  808,405

  Bolton

  300,876

  12,027,988

  0

  Bradford

  280,087

  32,830,162

  0

  Bury

  1,284,583

  7,338,627

  0

  Calderdale

  656,648

  8,465,058

  0

  Coventry

  766,696

  21,825,790

  0

  Doncaster

  27,288

  10,203,816

  0

  Dudley

  89,094

  7,157,873

  0

  Gateshead

  27,757

  10,643,184

  0

  Kirklees

  1,538,545

  15,083,052

  0

  Knowsley

  26,305

  7,245,949

  0

  Leeds

  274,447

  43,366,356

  0

  Liverpool

  657,053

  57,289,298

  0

  Manchester

  3,127,525

  72,273,662

  0

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  356,293

  22,576,129

  0

  108

  Metropolitan authorities

  Authority

  Subsidy paid for non-HRA rent rebate expenditure 1993–94 £

  Subsidy paid for rent allowance expenditure 1993–94 £

  Subsidy penalties incurred 1993–94 £

  North Tyneside

  121,067

  10,420,023

  0

  Oldham

  539,851

  11,008,362

  0

  Rochdale

  859,235

  10,924,769

  0

  Rotherham

  57,795

  7,716,837

  0

  Salford

  1,911,307

  15,882,162

  0

  Sandwell

  17,515

  10,281,120

  0

  Sefton

  319,051

  18,869,832

  0

  Sheffield

  805,338

  23,815,044

  0

  Solihull

  42,283

  4,475,569

  0

  South Tyneside

  530,190

  8,391,289

  0

  St. Helens

  107,903

  7,072,757

  0

  Stockport

  145,624

  12,986,302

  0

  Sunderland

  402,524

  14,660,492

  0

  Tameside

  1,053,548

  9,958,030

  0

  Trafford

  175,092

  11,162,270

  0

  Wakefield

  289,146

  8,714,297

  0

  Walsall

  94,590

  7,790,772

  0

  Wigan

  1,502,261

  7,854,034

  0

  Wirral

  96,094

  23,564,463

  0

  Wolverhampton

  64,045

  11,094,765

  0

  Water Charges
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the designated amount for water charges included in the calculation of income support levels. [37480]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Income support does not designate separate amounts for particular items in the household budget.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many outsourcing contracts were granted by her Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i)BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [37002]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Departmental records show that no outsourcing contracts have been awarded to any of the companies listed.

  Quality Assurance Document
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what date responses are required to the paper entitled "Quality Assurance Regime for Institutions"; and if she will place copies of the responses in the Library.
  109
  Mr. Robin Squire
  Responses to the quality assurance consultation document are to be sent to the Department by 13 October 1995. There are no plans to place any of these responses in the Library.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will list for each grant-maintained school the number of pupils permanently excluded during each year since the school became grant-maintained; [36645]

  (2) if she will list for each grant-maintained school the number of pupils excluded during each year since the school became grant-maintained. [36167]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This information is not available centrally.

  Education and Training Report
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what response has been made by Her Majesty's Government to the OECD survey of education and training in the United Kingdom; and if she will provide a refutation of its claim that departure from principles extant in public education since 1870 until 1992 are inappropriate. [37381]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State issued the Department's comments on the OECD report in a Departmental press notice on 27 July 1995—Ref: 167/95. My right hon. Friend has no plans to comment further on the report.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the proportion of school leavers from(a) the independent sector and (b) the maintained sector entering degree or teacher training courses in higher education institutions at the latest date for which figures are available. [37478]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will give a breakdown in percentage terms of the numbers of unemployed people for each quarter since 1990 to the present who have been unemployed for(a) up to and including six months, (b) six months up to and including a year, (c) from between a year up to and including two years and (d) over two years who have (i) academic qualifications, (ii) vocational qualifications and (iii) no qualifications. [32367]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have been asked to reply.

  This information is available from the "Labour Force Survey" for Great Britain, annually until 1991 and quarterly from spring 1992 onwards, and can be obtained via the Quantime LFS service available in the Library.
  110

  Earnings
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average weekly earnings are of(a) full-time female workers, (b) part-time female workers, (c) all female workers and (d) all male workers. [31998]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Employees on all rates whose earnings were not affected by absence: April 1994

  £ Week

  £ Hour

  Part-time females

  98.0

  5.06

  Full-time females

  259.2

  6.83

  All females

  197.7

  6.43

  All males

  343.9

  8.46

  Note:

  The weekly earnings of all female employees relative to all male employees is distorted by a greater proportion of female part-time workers.

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of employees in each G7 country are earning at or below the equivalent of £2.50 per hour. [23313]

  Mrs. Knight
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information on proportions of employees earning less than £2.50 in each G7 country is not available.

  Second Jobs
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's latest estimate of the number of people with a second job. [32818]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is published in table 2 of the "Labour Force Survey" quarterly bulletin, No. 12, June 1995. A copy of the publication is available in the Library.

WALES

  Farm Data
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of farms of the size(a) 1–25 hectares, (b) 26–50 hectares, (c) 51–75 hectares, (d) 76–100 hectares, (e) 101–150 hectares, (f) 151–200 hectares and (g) 201 or more hectares for (i) the last available year and (ii) 1985. [36432]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  Farm sizes in Wales

  Holding size

  1985

  1994

  0.1 to less than 1.0 hectares

  238

  342

  1.0 to less than 26.0 hectares

  13,395

  14,145

  26.0 to less than 51.0 hectares

  6,958

  6,216

  51.0 to less than 76.0 hectares

  3,784

  3,574

  111

  Farm sizes in Wales

  Holding size

  1985

  1994

  76.0 to less than 101.0 hectares

  2,033

  2,037

  101.0 to less than 151.0 hectares

  1,821

  1,924

  151.0 to less than 201.0 hectares

  679

  749

  201.0 hectares and over

  900

  923

  All main holdings

  29,808

  29,910

  Note:

  These figures exclude minor holdings.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (1) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [36954]

  Mr. Hague
  My Department has granted no outsourcing contracts to any of the listed companies since 1990. Information on all agencies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Ely Hospital
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he received the full resettlement plan for Ely hospital residents; and when he expects to make his decision on the plan. [37201]

  Mr. Hague
  I have yet to receive a full resettlement plan for Ely hospital residents.

  In-patient Activity
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 11 July,Official Report, column 514, if he will make a statement on the comparative benefits of the use of finished consultant episodes relative to deaths and discharges as the basis for remuneration of hospitals by (a) general practitioner fund holders and (b) health authorities, for in-patient activity. [37385]

  Mr. Hague
  As a basis for purchasing treatment and care from hospitals, whether by GP fundholders or health authorities, both measures have strengths and weaknesses.

  Finished consultant episodes have the advantage over deaths and discharges of allowing the cost of treatment to be associated with the consultant responsible for providing it. The major drawback of finished consultant episodes is that definitions can vary both within and between hospitals, making comparisons difficult whether in terms of activity or cost. By contrast, the definition of an entire episode of treatment or care is more straightforward in the case of deaths and discharges.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Wales have been approached in the last two years with regard to service on quangos; how they were selected; how many indicated they were members of(a) the Labour party and (b) the Conservative party; and
  112
  how many (i) Labour party members and (ii) Conservative party members who expressed a willingness to serve were subsequently appointed. [37211]

  Mr. Hague
  I and my predecessor have made 597 appointments to non-departmental public bodies since 1 September 1993. Details of all appointments by Welsh Office Ministers are held in the Library of the House and updated quarterly. Appointments are made on merit. Candidates are drawn largely from the Welsh Office register of candidates. In addition to self-nominations, names of people willing to serve on a public body are regularly canvassed through advertisements in Welsh newspapers and by letters to professional, public sector and community organisations. I welcome candidates from all sources. Candidates are not currently required to declare any political affiliation: information is not therefore available in the form requested.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what proposals he has to reinstate levels of Government grant in aid to the Welsh Development Agency to remove conditionality on receipts from the European regional development fund for 1996–97. [37203]

  Mr. Hague
  None. As I confirmed to Commissioner Wulf-Mathies on 4 October, European funding is not a factor in determining the level of grant in aid to the WDA.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the European Union Commissioner responsible for the European regional development fund; concerning the suspension of ERDF funds to the Welsh Development Agency; and when he expects to reach agreement on the balance between ERDF grant and United Kingdom Government grant-in-aid to the Welsh Development Agency. [37207]

  Mr. Hague
  I met Commissioner Wulf-Mathies on 4 October. I confirmed that European funding was not a factor in determining the level of the Welsh Development Agency's grant in aid. We agreed that officials should consider ways of improving the transparency of these arrangements. I also volunteered to provide an account of my Department's general procedures for the management and monitoring of European programmes. We agreed to complete this work within two weeks to enable early clearance of outstanding applications.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to compensate the Welsh Development Agency for loss of receipts from the European regional development fund, following a suspension of ERDF payments to the Welsh Development Agency; and if he will make a statement. [37202]

  Mr. Hague
  None. I expect early agreement with the European Commission to allow clearance of outstanding applications.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what subsidies were paid out for environmentally sensitive areas in Wales for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94,

  113
  (c) 1994–95, (d) 1995–96; and how many individuals were recipients of these payments in these years. [37127]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The amount of subsidies paid out for environmentally sensitive areas in Wales was:

  1992–93:£1,503,000

  1993–94: £1,542,000

  1994–95: £1,536,000

  Provision for 1995–96 is £6,971,000 as shown in the 1995–96 Main Supply Estimates, Class XV, Vote 1 (CM 271-XV).

  Information on the number of recipients receiving payments by financial year is not held.

  The number of live management agreements at the end of each financial year was:

  31 March 1993: 857

  31 March 1994: 794

  31 March 1995: 883

  The number of current management agreements as at 31 August 1995 was 1,111.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what area, in hectares and percentage terms, of environmentally sensitive areas in Wales is made up of productive, or potentially productive, agricultural land. [37126]

  Mr. Jones
  The following is the information:

  Hectares productive land

  Percentage of total area

  Cambrian Mountains

  118,780

  77.3

  Lleyn Peninsula

  41,304

  90.9

  Radnor

  91,769

  91.6

  Ynys Mon

  66,063

  92.5

  Preseli

  113,878

  94.2

  Clwydian Range

  25,725

  92.3

  457,519

  88.1

  The figures quoted exclude urban areas, mineral workings, open water and rivers, unvegetated land and coniferous forests which are within the respective environmentally sensitive areas.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the latest out-turn estimate for expenditure on regional selective assistance in Wales for the year 1994–95. [37200]

  Mr. Hague
  £56.95 million.

  Cardiff Bay Opera House Trust
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give details of the most recent allocation of grant in aid to the Cardiff Bay development corporation to cover the administrative running costs of the Cardiff Bay Opera House trust; if he will specify how it relates to previous estimates of the trust's running costs for 114
  1995–96 and previous allocations of grant in aid; and if he will make a statement. [37494]

  Mr. Hague
  There is no grant-in-aid allocation given to the Cardiff Bay development corporation specifically to cover the administrative running costs of the Cardiff Bay Opera House trust. The question of specific payments to the trust is an operational matter for the corporation and I have therefore asked the chief executive to give those details.

  18th Birthday Greeting Letters
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales;

  (1) how many responses have been received to 18th birthday greeting letters sent out by Welsh Office Ministers in their ministerial capacity; [37466]

  (2) what has been the cost to public funds of the practice of Welsh Office Ministers sending 18th birthday greetings in their ministerial capacity to members of the public in each of the last three years and in the current year to date; [37468]

  (3) when the policy of Welsh Office Ministers sending 18th birthday greetings to 18-year-olds outside their own constituencies and in their ministerial capacities was initiated; [37467]

  (4) how many letters of birthday greetings to young people reaching the age of 18 have been sent out by himself and his Ministers in 1994 and 1995 in their Welsh ministerial capacity. [37469]

  Mr. Hague
  There have been no such communications issued from my Department and hence no costs to public funds.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in his department. [36780]

  Mr. Hague
  Members of the public have the same rights to make complaints to the ombudsman concerning a project funded through the private finance initiative in my Department as they would have had if the project had been publicly funded.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications are awaiting departmental approval in principle under the private finance initiative in(a) the health sector, (b) transport sector and (c) other sectors; if he will list each one and its estimated capital value, if he will give his current estimate of the number likely to be approved for actual commencement in this financial year; and if he will make a statement. [37493]

  Mr. Hague
  The Welsh Office examines all of its capital expenditure programmes to identify projects that
  115
  might be taken forward under the initiative. Some projects, such as an energy management scheme at Llandough hospital and a combined heat and power scheme at Withybush hospital, are already in place. Twenty-five projects, with a combined capital value of about £750 million are being examined at the moment with a view to taking them forward under the initiative. There projects in health, transport, Welsh Office administration and other sectors. I hope to make announcements on some of these in the next few months.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Central Science Laboratory
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list by grade the current establishment at his Ministry's site at Sand Hutton, north Yorkshire; what is the current funding; what percentage of the funding is for salaries; and what were the equivalent figures 12 months ago; [32996]

  (2) if he will list the types of work currently being carried out at his Ministry's site at Sand Hutton, north Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [32997]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  I have asked the chief executive of the Central Science Laboratory to reply direct.

  Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 16 October 1995:

  THE STAFFING, FUNDING AND WORK OF THE CENTRAL SCIENCE LABORATORY, SAND HUTTON, N. YORKSHIRE

  You asked two questions about the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) laboratory at Sand Hutton and it may be helpful if I first of all explain the present situation. [32996 & 32997]

  The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) was first launched as an executive agency of MAFF in April 1992 and was re-launched as an enlarged agency two years later following its merger with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) Food Science Laboratories.

  CSL provides a wide range of scientific services to its major customer, MAFF including policy advice, technical support and training, underpinned by research and development (R&D) in the areas of plant health, the authenticity, safety and nutritional value of the food supply; pesticide safety: veterinary residues; the control of pests and diseases of growing and stored foodstuffs; wildlife management and the impact of food production on the environment and the consumer. In addition CSL offers R&D and advice to other Government Departments and public and private sector organisations on a commercial basis.

  CSL is currently located at five major sites in Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Norfolk and Grampian and at several smaller sites throughout the Country. It is planned to relocate the major part of the Agency in summer 1996 to Sand Hutton, N Yorkshire, where a new purpose-built laboratory is at present under construction. The types of work carried out at existing CSL sites and described above will also be carried out at the new site. Precise information about grades and salaries at Sand Hutton are not yet available but I expect that in total about 450 staff will be employed at the new laboratory.

  CSL income in the 1994/95 financial year was £26.267K and staff costs amounted to £14.414K (55%). In the previous financial year respective figures were £16.908K and £9.427K (56%). The increase in income and costs in 1994/95 was the direct result of the enlargement of the Agency following its merger with the MAFF Food Science Laboratories at Norwich and Aberdeen. CSL's published Annual Reports and Accounts give full details and copies should be available in the House Library.
  116

  Consultants
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many contracts and for what total sum were let out by his Department and agencies for which it is responsible to(a) Coopers and Lybrand and its subsidiaries, (b) Peat Marwick and its subsidiaries, (c) Ernst and Young and its subsidiaries, (d) Arthur Andersen and its subsidiaries, (e) Price Waterhouse and its subsidiaries, (f) Grant Thornton and its subsidiaries, (g) Stoy Hayward and its subsidiaries, (h) Robson Rhodes and its subsidiaries, and (i) Pannell Kerr Forster and its subsidiaries, for privatisation, market testing, management advice, accounting, audit, consultancy and other services in 1993–94 and 1994–95. [33921]

  Mr. Boswell
  Centralised records are not kept of individual contracts between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and consultants. It is not, therefore, possible to provide the information requested in the required form. However, the total amounts paid to the consultants named in the question in the relevant years were as follows:

  Year

  Consultant

  Spend

  1993–94

  Cooper and Lybrand

  175,000

  Peat Marwick

  372,718

  Ernst and Young

  212,258

  Arthur Andersen

  nil

  Price Waterhouse

  190,531

  Grant Thornton

  nil

  Stoy Hayward

  22,326

  Robson Rhodes

  nil

  Pannell Kerr Forster

  nil

  1994–95

  Cooper and Lybrand

  5,571

  Peat Marwick

  319,357

  Ernst and Young

  123,140

  Arthur Andersen

  nil

  Price Waterhouse

  72,507

  Grant Thornton

  nil

  Stoy Hayward

  16,450

  Robson Rhodes

  nil

  Pannell Kerr Forster

  nil

  Small Businesses
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring. [34708]

  Mr. Boswell
  The Government recognise the crucial role played by small firms in the UK economy. The Government continue to help smaller companies by keeping inflation and interest rates low and by reducing legislative and administrative and taxation burdens. They also provide direct assistance where appropriate.

  The competitiveness White Paper, published in May 1995, outlines a programme of measures to assist the growth and competitiveness of the small firms sector.
  117

  Public Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many public interest immunity certificates he has signed in respect of documents on listeria in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [34406]

  Mrs. Browning
  So far as I am aware, only one public interest immunity certificate in respect of documents on listeria has been signed by any agriculture Minister.

  The one certificate signed, in December 1993, followed the issue of a writ against the Ministry. As the law then stood, the Minister was under a duty to draw to the attention of the court any documents which, because of their nature, would normally be withheld from disclosure in the public interest. It was then for the court to decide whether, on the facts of the particular case, the overall public interest would best be served by disclosure of the documents.

  The High Court recognised that the Minister had followed correct procedures. It also decided that disclosure would be appropriate in this case, and all documents have been made available to the plaintiff in this case.

  It was not until July 1994 that the House of Lords—in the case of "Wiley"—ruled that Ministers can make voluntary disclosure of such documents where they are satisfied that this is in the public interest. Where the issues involved are difficult, and Ministers decide that they cannot judge where the balance lies, the certificate is made and it remains the function of the courts to decide whether the grater public interest favours disclosure.

  Potato Prices
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the reasons for recent fluctuations in potato prices. [34994]

  Mr. Boswell
  Supplies, and thus the prices, of all vegetables including potatoes are very much affected by weather conditions. A cold wet spring in 1994, then summer drought followed by a wet harvest resulted in a reduced potato crop throughout Europe. The quality of potatoes also suffered. These factors led to a substantial increase in the price of potatoes of an acceptable quality to consumers.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the cost to United Kingdom public funds of administration of the CAP; and if he will make a statement. [35131]

  Mr. Baldry
  Information on the cost of administration of the CAP within the UK is contained in the departmental reports of the Ministry and Intervention Board, Cm 2803, and those of the Scottish Office, Welsh Office and Northern Ireland Office, copies of which are available in the House. An overall position for the Ministry and the Intervention Board can be obtained from annexes 1 and 5 of the report.

  In addition, the report details the expenditure, including administration costs, for the 80 programmes which describe the Ministry's activities. Twenty-two of these
  118
  programmes are directly related to the operation of agricultural schemes, including agri-environment schemes, formulated under the CAP.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the latest estimate of the cost to the average United Kingdom household of the common agricultural policy. [37117]

  Mr. Boswell
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave) to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Nicholson) on 9 March 1995,Official Report, column 328.

  Surplus Food Scheme
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many applications have been received under the EC surplus food scheme in each of the last five years by region; how many were(a) accepted and (b) rejected by the Intervention Board; and if he will make a statement; [34733]

  (2) how many applications have been received by his Ministry under the European Community surplus food scheme; what was the number, by category for each of the last five years; how many applications for each category were turned down; and if he will make a statement. [34734]

  Mr. Baldry
  The number of applications received by the Intervention Board, acting on behalf of the four agricultural Departments which are responsible for the designation process, in each of the last three financial years, is as follows:

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  England

  1,050

  816

  899

  Northern Ireland

  86

  66

  50

  Scotland

  272

  235

  168

  Wales

  95

  78

  86

  The number of organisations designated by the Agriculture Departments was as follows:

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  England

  948

  713

  669

  Northern Ireland

  82

  62

  36

  Scotland

  256

  213

  151

  Wales

  81

  64

  80

  The number of unsuccessful applications was as follows:

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  England

  102

  103

  230

  Northern Ireland

  4

  4

  14

  Scotland

  16

  22

  17

  Wales

  14

  14

  6

  These figures include applications received after the closing date or withdrawn, and those rejected because the

  119
  applicant did not fulfil the conditions of the scheme or planned to operate in an area covered by a more suitable organisation.

  A list of organisations designated in England in 1994, by region, has been placed in the Library.

  Information on applications prior to 1992–93 and further breakdown by geographical regions or type of organisation could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  National Botanic Gardens
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for establishing national botanic gardens in each of the four home countries; and if he will make a statement. [34888]

  Mr. Boswell
  We have no plans to establish new botanic gardens anywhere in the United Kingdom.

  Countryside Access Scheme
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the countryside access scheme costs will be incurred in Wales in 1995–96; and if he will make a statement. [34986]

  Mr. Boswell
  Approximately 3 per cent. of the total payments to farmers for the countryside access scheme—which operates in England and Wales only—will be incurred in Wales in 1995–96.

  Postgraduate Studentship Awards
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the postgraduate studentships supplied by his Department were granted to people studying at Welsh institutions in 1994–95; and if he will make a statement. [34890]

  Mr. Boswell
  Four studentship awards were allocated to Welsh institutions in 1994–95.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many officials of his Department have in the past been seconded to work with DGIII; what part such secondees played in drafting the European Commission discussion document on nutritional supplements produced in December 1991; if they have now(a) returned to placement with his Department, (b) remain with DGIII or (c) obtained employment with pharmaceutical companies; and if he will make a statement. [35097]

  Mr. Boswell
  [pursuant to his reply, 18 July 1995, c. 1058]: I can now inform the hon. Member that the member of staff who returned to the Department in 1992 resigned from the Department in 1994 to take up a post in a pharmaceutical company. I understand that this company is not involved in producing dietary supplements.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures his Department has taken to encourage the promotion of women into senior positions within his Department and its executive agencies. [35628]
  120
  Mr. Boswell
  The Ministry, including its executive agencies, has in place a comprehensive programme aimed at improving the recruitment, retention and development of women staff particularly in the middle and senior management grades and in those specialist scientific, professional and technical areas where the proportion of women is relatively low.

  Priorities under this programme include the provision of assistance with child care and the encouragement of the wider use of alternative working patterns. The Ministry also runs a career break scheme which provides for periods of unpaid leave of up to five years to enable staff to cope with domestic responsibilities such as caring for children or elderly relatives.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list(a) the number of (i) male and (ii) female employees, (b) the number of officials employed at each of the principal grades and the numbers and percentages of women employed at these grades and (c) the number of staff employed at administrative grades and the number and percentage of these staff that are women, in his Department and for each of its executive agencies for each year since 1985. [35690]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 19 July 1995]: The information requested for permanent non-industrial staff in my Department including executive agencies on 1 April 1995 is as follows:

  (a) Total male staff

  6,028;

  Total female staff

  4,651

  (b) Grade

  Total officials

  Women employed

  Percentage women

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  6

  1

  17

  3

  23

  1

  4

  4

  14

  1

  8

  5

  104

  9

  9

  6

  160

  18

  11

  7

  934

  173

  19

  SEO

  681

  131

  19

  HEO

  2,147

  601

  28

  EO

  2,410

  904

  38

  (c)

  AO

  2,407

  1,566

  65

  AA

  1,792

  1,246

  70

  The information is provisional. It is not separately available for executive agencies. Casual and seasonal staff are excluded. For earlier years, the information is not available in the form requested but details by grade and gender for the Department as a whole, including executive agencies, can be found in civil service statistics for each year from 1985 to 1994—copies available in the Library. Details for 1995 will be published later this year.

  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each civil service grade in his Department the number of(a) male and (b) female and (i) full-time and (ii) part-time employees. [35469]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 19 July 1995]: The numbers of permanent non-industrial staff on 1 April 1995 in my Department were as follows:
  121

  Grade

  Total men

  Full-time men

  Part-time men

  Total women

  Full-time women

  Part-time women

  Gl

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  G2

  5

  5

  0

  1

  1

  0

  G3

  22

  22

  0

  1

  1

  0

  G4

  13

  13

  0

  1

  1

  0

  G5

  95

  95

  0

  9

  9

  0

  G6

  142

  139

  3

  18

  15

  3

  G7

  761

  757

  4

  173

  151

  22

  SEO

  550

  546

  4

  131

  112

  19

  HEO

  1,546

  1,537

  9

  601

  514

  87

  EO

  1,506

  1,490

  16

  904

  819

  85

  AO

  841

  830

  11

  1,566

  1,357

  209

  AA

  546

  524

  22

  1,246

  929

  317

  Total

  6,028

  5,959

  69

  4,651

  3,909

  742

  Notes:

  1.Executive agencies are included, for which figures are not kept separately.

  2.Casual and seasonal staff are not included.

  3.Information is provisional.

  Poisons Unit
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer of 4 April,Official Report, column 1037–38, which herbal products or remedies have been placed under surveillance by the poisons unit at Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospital Trust, in the project funded by his Department. [36322]

  Mrs. Browning
  No specific products or remedies are under surveillance. The purpose of the project is to investigate any reported cases of suspected adverse effects from exposure to traditional remedies and food supplements.

  Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the number of United Kingdom fishing vessels that has been decommissioned in each of the last three years; and what has been the cost of this exercise. [36114]

  Mr. Baldry
  There was no UK decommissioning scheme in 1992–93. Some 135 vessels were decommissioned under the 1993–94 scheme at a cost of £7.8 million, and 162 were decommissioned under the 1994–95 scheme at a cost of £8.8 million.

  Crop Planting
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will announce the acreages to be planted in respect of cereals, rape or other specified crops; and if he will give urgent consideration to the time scale for planting rape. [36246]

  Mr. Baldry
  Plantings of oilseed rape may take place in the autumn or spring. Exact timing will depend on individual circumstances but plantings of winter rape are expected to begin in August.

  Claims for 1995 are currently being verified and input into the computer system. It is not possible to determine provisional figures earlier than mid-September when details are notified to the European Commission and
  published.

  Set-aside (Appeals System)
  Mr. Hardy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a system of appeals for farmers aggrieved by decisions made within his Department with particular reference to cases where there may be disagreement about what is or not good agricultural practice in regard to set-aside decisions. [36236]

  Mr. Baldry
  My right hon. and learned Friend is considering the possible need for a more formal system for hearing appeals against the loss of CAP support scheme entitlement arising from alleged breaches of scheme conditions; he is always prepared to ask his officials to look again at the cases where farmers are genuinely aggrieved at decisions taken by his Department.

  Food Advisory Committee
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish those non-personal interests of the Food Advisory Committee listed in the committee's register of members' interests. [36428]

  Mrs. Browning
  Details of the non-personal interests of members of the Food Advisory Committee are contained in the Committee's annual report, which is published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Copies of the report have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Codex Alimentarius Commission
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of his Ministry regarding an increase in consumer representation on the Codex Committee. [36427]

  Mrs. Browning
  Only member nations and associate members of the Food and Agriculture Organisation and/or the World Health Organisation may nominate delegates to the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Some intergovernmental and international non-governmental organisations are invited to attend as observers. We have always indicated to UK interests, both industry and consumers, that, if they wished to nominate individuals to attend meetings, we would he happy to include them in UK delegations. Consumers International—formerly the
  123
  International Organisation of Consumer Unions—has observer status at Codex meetings and does send representatives.

  The UK Codex Consultative Committee which meets to discuss items on the agenda of Codex meetings, has in membership the National Consumer Council, the Consumers' Association, the Consumers in the European Community Group, the National Federation of Consumer Groups, the Food and Drink Federation, the British Retail Consortium and the Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Food and Trading Standards, which represents a cross section of interests in the matters under discussion. A number of other organisations have expressed interest in membership. It is, however, difficult to adjust the membership without upsetting the balance of interests or making the committees too large to operate satisfactorily. I thus have no plans for change; particular interests are co-opted to particular meetings as the need arises.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in his Department. [36838]

  Mr. Boswell
  At present there are no services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in the Department. However, the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, who has jurisdiction in these matters, subject to the conditions of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967, will be maintained for services or projects funded through the private finance initiative.

  Medicines Licensing
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the cases where information has been withheld by his Department under section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968. [36756]

  Mrs. Browning
  Section 118 protects information furnished for the purposes of the Medicines Act, and thus may affect all activities concerning medicines licensing. I am committed to making as much information available as possible within this constraint, but examples of information which would be withheld would include details of manufacturing processes or the addresses of sites at which companies are trialing products under development.

  Table 1: Tonnage of destroyed produce for which EU withdrawal compensation was paid (t)

  Belgium

  Denmark

  Germany

  Greece

  Spain

  France

  Ireland

  Italy

  Luxembourg

  Holland

  Portugal

  UK

  Apples

  6,832

  0

  54

  141,251

  136,627

  657,371

  139

  0

  0

  0

  8,906

  20,019

  Pears

  430

  0

  77

  1,234

  19,594

  32,361

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1,572

  17

  Cauliflowers

  1,872

  0

  1,783

  202

  2.143

  104,203

  138

  930

  0

  0

  241

  16,598

  Tomatoes

  5,853

  0

  208

  3,169

  49

  22,975

  118

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  Apricots

  0

  0

  0

  5,393

  492

  13,605

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nectarines

  0

  0

  0

  114,587

  3,895

  46,368

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Peaches

  0

  0

  0

  597,684

  38,241

  82,373

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1,947

  0

  Lemons

  0

  0

  0

  1,610

  79,163

  116

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Aubergines1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  148

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Grapes

  0

  0

  0

  0

  90

  3,116

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  124

  Insecticides
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the national, European Economic Community or international agreement that imposes conditions concerning use of insecticides, or other potentially harmful substances, in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables imported into the United Kingdom for human consumption. [37265]

  Mrs. Browning
  All imported fruit and vegetables must meet the general provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 and other specific legislation concerning the use of insecticides and other substances. This includes:The Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/1985), as amended, which set maximum residue levels for pesticides which may be used on certain commodities, including some fruit and vegetables;
  The Antioxidants in Food Regulations 1978 (SI 1978/105), as amended, which set maximum residue levels for certain substances which may be used on apples and pears;
  The Preservatives in Food Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/533), as amended, which set maximum residue levels for certain substances which may be used on citrus fruit and bananas;
  Directive 86/2783, which controls the use of sludge for agricultural purposes implemented in the UK by the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/1263), as amended.

  In addition, the use of products on home produced fruit and vegetables is controlled by the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 and the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986.

  Set-aside Scheme
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what factors underlie the non-publication of payments of public money to companies in the farming industry for not growing crops. [37119]

  Mr. Boswell
  Under the set-aside schemes to which the hon. Gentleman refers, we have given an undertaking to claimants that all information regarding their claim is held in confidence. Therefore, no information is published which would enable individual claimants to be identified.

  Overproduction
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the tonnage and value of fruit and vegetables destroyed due to overproduction in the United Kingdom and each EU member state in the latest year for which figures are available. [37118]

  Mr. Baldry
  Information on the tonnages and value of produce destroyed in each member state for which EU compensation was paid in 1992–93, the last year for which figures are available is as follows:
  125

  Table 1: Tonnage of destroyed produce for which EU withdrawal compensation was paid (t)

  Belgium

  Denmark

  Germany

  Greece

  Spain

  France

  Ireland

  Italy

  Luxembourg

  Holland

  Portugal

  UK

  Satsumas

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3,587

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Mandarins

  0

  0

  0

  2,493

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Clementines

  0

  0

  0

  966

  15,502

  8,867

  0

  18,531

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Oranges

  0

  0

  0

  215,679

  200,097

  622

  0

  87,862

  0

  0

  318

  0

  1 Refers to total volume of aubergines for which EU withdrawals compensation was paid. Information on proportion of withdrawn aubergines destroyed is not available.

  Source:

  European Commission.

  Table 2: Cost to FEOGA budget of EU withdrawal compensation for the tonnages shown in Table 1 (ecu)

  Belgium

  Denmark

  Germany

  Greece

  Spain

  France

  Ireland

  Italy

  Luxembourg

  Holland

  Portugal

  UK

  Apples

  790,411

  0

  8,072

  20,235,503

  16,655,255

  75,974,481

  16,775

  0

  0

  0

  837,479

  929,248

  Pears

  42,417

  0

  8,392

  134,624

  1,939,255

  3,205,452

  0

  0

  0

  0

  133,807

  713

  Cauliflowers

  177,864

  0

  176,736

  85,308

  221,774

  11,596,014

  14,517

  177,929

  0

  0

  26,663

  844,150

  Tomatoes

  433,871

  0

  34,963

  250,971

  2,931

  1,682,891

  8,230

  0

  0

  0

  0

  210

  Apricots

  0

  0

  0

  1,128,643

  78,436

  2,660,195

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Nectarines

  0

  0

  0

  25,478,004

  804,266

  9,402,688

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Peaches

  0

  0

  0

  107,336,391

  4,297,182

  14,997,163

  0

  0

  0

  0

  340,201

  0

  Lemons

  0

  0

  0

  230,468

  10,704,524

  16,421

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Aubergines1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8,195

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Grapes

  0

  0

  0

  0

  9,999

  349,697

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Satsumas

  0

  0

  0

  0

  221,170

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Mandarins

  0

  0

  0

  445,170

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Clementines

  0

  0

  0

  118,480

  1,705,287

  966,909

  0

  2,053,059

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Oranges

  0

  0

  0

  35,576,560

  25,818,502

  76,934

  0

  10,795,070

  0

  0

  37,876

  0

  1 Refers to total volume of aubergines for which EU withdrawal compensation was paid. Information on proportion of withdrawn aubergines destroyed is not available.

  Source:

  European Commission.

  Environmentally Sensitive Farming
  Mr. Hinchcliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken towards encouraging farming methods which support conservation measures and promote habitats for breeding birds. [35147]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 18 July 1995]: We are expanding the range of schemes to encourage environmentally sensitive farming and plan to spend over £100 million on such schemes in the UK in 1996–97. The environmentally sensitive areas, countryside stewardship, habitat and moorland schemes in particular will benefit a wide range of habitats and species, including birds.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many calves from herds known to have had BSE have been exported over the last five years; and to which countries they have been exported. [34863]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 19 July 1995]: The information requested is not available. In any case, it is not an EC requirement that calves exported from the UK have to originate from herds in which no case of BSE has been diagnosed.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what proportion of calves exported from the United Kingdom are checked by his Department's vets at the time they are given an export certificate to ensure they are not from herds with a history of either BSE or EBL. [34865]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 19 July 1995]: It is not an EC requirement that calves exported from the UK have to originate from herds in which no case of BSE has been diagnosed. However, before signing an export health
  126
  certificate for any consignment the certifying local veterinary inspector must obtain documentary evidence from owners/exporters/auctioneers and MAFF that none of the calves is the progeny of a BSE-infected dam or originates from a herd in which EBL has occurred within a specified time.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many calves from herds known to have had EBL have been exported over the last five years; and to which countries they have been exported. [34867]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 19 July 1995]: We are aware from audit procedures that one animal exported to Belgium in 1994 originated from a herd in which EBL had occurred during the previous three years. Under EC rules, the animal will have been slaughtered by six months of age.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what safeguards he has put in place to ensure that animals exported from the United Kingdom with further fattening certificates are not immediately slaughtered on arrival at destination. [35479]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 19 July 1995]: EC animal health and welfare rules do not preclude the slaughter of animals exported for further fattening and accompanied by further fattening health certification. It is the responsibility of the veterinary authorities of the importing country to ensure that appropriate controls are imposed once exported animals arrive at their place of destination.

  Mr. Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many animals were exported from the United Kingdom in 1994 and 1995 to date with a further fattening export certificate; and how many animals
  127
  during the same period were exported with a for slaughter certificate. [35478]

  Mrs. Browing
  [holding answer 19 July 1995]: Information in respect of exports to other member states is as follows:

  1994

  11995

  Cattle for further fattening

  301,009

  104,400

  Cattle for slaughter

  1,623

  760

  Sheep for further fattening

  1,038,572

  202,327

  Sheep for slaughter

  79,901

  4,126

  Pigs for further fattening

  10,718

  358

  Pigs for slaughter

  9,471

  296

  Goats for further fattening

  0

  0

  Goats for slaughter

  2

  0

  1 To end of May.

  Note:

  These figures are collated from the ANIMO system and show the number of animals certified for export from the United Kingdom to other member states. The figures remain provisional and subject to change.

  Arable Area Payments Scheme
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by county the number of landowners receiving payments under the arable area payments scheme of(a) less than £25,000, (b) between £25,000 and £50,000, (c) between £50,000 and £1 million and (d) above £1 million, for the latest year for which figures are available. [35364]

  Mr. Baldry
  [holding answer 19 July 1995]: It is not possible from information held to differentiate between landowners and tenants receiving payments under the arable area payments scheme and such information could not he obtained without disproportionate cost.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many days were lost in sickness in the last 12 months by employees in his Department.(a) in total and (b) as a proportion of the number of days worked; and what was the cost of this absence. [34585]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 14 July 1995]: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  However, selected aggregated data are provided by the Civil Service Occupational Health and Safety Agency on an annual basis. Provisional data for the 1994 calendar year show that in the core-Department—including the Pesticides Safety Directorate and Veterinary Medicines Directorate Agencies—59,572 working days, 3.28 per cent. of the total, were lost through sickness. The OHSA is not able to provide the cost of such absences except at disproportionate cost.

  Responsibility for such matters within ADAS, Central Science Laboratory, Central Veterinary Laboratory and Meat Hygiene Service Agencies has been delegated to the agency chief executives and—with the exception of the
  128
  Meat Hygiene Service Agency, which was formed only on 1 April 1995—I have asked them to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Letter from Phillip Needham to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 16 October 1995:

  The Minister of Agriculture has asked me to reply direct to your Parliamentary Question number 1679 in which you sought details of how many days were lost in sickness in the last twelve months by employees in his Department (a) in total and (b) as a proportion of the number of days worked; and what was the cost of this absence. (34585)

  ADAS was formed as an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Welsh Office in April 1992.

  During the period 1/7/94 to 30/6/95 the total sick leave taken by all ADAS staff (permanent, casuals etc.) was 11,012 days. This equates to 1.9% of the number of days worked. We are not able to put an exact value on the cost of these absences, but estimate that it was approximately £650,000 (based on average salary costs).

  You may wish to note that these figures have not been adjusted for weekends and bank holidays where sick leave extended beyond the normal working week.

  Letter from P. I. Stanley to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 16 October 1995:

  NUMBER OF DAYS LOST IN SICKNESS AND THE RELATED COST

  The Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question about the number of days lost in sickness in the last twelve months and the cost of this absence, as this is a matter within my operational responsibility. (34585)

  The most recent data I am able to provide relates to the 1994 calendar year. The figures are provisional and have been adjusted to take account of weekends and Bank Holidays. The number of days lost in sickness by Central Science Laboratory employees was 4077. As a proportion of the number of days worked this amounts to 2.48%.

  I am unable to tell you the cost of this absence as a grade/salary breakdown is not readily available and such information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Letter from T. W. A. Little to Mr. Ian McCartney, dated 16 October 1995:

  The Minister has asked me to reply to your question about sickness absence during the last twelve months at CVL. (34585)

  For the calendar year 1994, 6,546 days were lost through sickness. This represented 4.34% of the days worked. I am afraid I am unable to provide you with the cost of absence since the records do not readily show this information. It could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The figures are still provisional for 1994 and are adjusted by bank holidays and weekends. The source was the Occupational Health Safety Agency sickness/absence database.

HEALTH

  Osteoporosis
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidelines he has issued in respect of preventive and treatment strategies for patients in high-risk groups of osteoporosis; [36332]

  (2) what action has been taken to consider the role of diet in the prevention of osteoporosis; and if he will make a statement. [36333]

  Mr. Sackville
  It is the responsibility of professional bodies to develop clinical guidelines where a need has been identified. Discussions have begun between the Department and the relevant medical royal colleges with a view to their developing clinical guidelines for
  129
  osteoporosis. In addition, a new expert advisory group has been set up and will be considering the dietary aspects of osteoporosis prevention. Details of the group will be announced shortly.

  Prescriptions
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to remove the statutory requirement for a prescription charge to be paid for each drug contained in hormone replacement therapy preparations. [36334]

  Mr. Malone
  None. Where two, or more, prescribed drugs are dispensed, a prescription charge is payable for each one even though, for patient convenience or through manufacturers' packaging arrangements, they may be supplied together in a single combination pack or duo pack.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will conduct a review of the principal factors underlying the non-redemption rate of prescriptions issued by general practitioners; and if he will make a statement; [37047]

  (2) if he will undertake a comprehensive review of the prescription system; and if he will include in such a review the option of altering pharmacists' regulations to allow individual pharmacists to offer patients the option of paying the cost price where this is less than the standard per item prescription charge. [37049]

  Mr. Malone
  Extensive charge exemption and remission arrangements, among the most generous in Europe, ensure that only those able to afford the national health service prescription charge are asked to pay. The scheme was last reviewed in 1993 as part of the fundamental review of health expenditure. There are no current plans for a further review, either of the scheme itself or of the reasons why patients may choose not to present prescriptions for dispensing.

  Total fundholders budgets

  General Practitioner Fundholding (retained) Savings

  Management allowances

  £ million

  £ million

  As a percentage of budgets set

  £ million

  As a percentage of budgets set

  1991–92

  400

  14.5

  3.7

  10

  2.5

  1992–93

  800

  28.3

  3.5

  19

  2.4

  1993–94

  1,800

  64.2

  3.5

  38

  2.1

  Final figures for 1994–1995 are not yet available.

  Mr. Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health(i) what evaluation his Department has made of general practitioner multi-funds as purchasers of secondary health care services; [36614]

  (2) what is the number of general practitioner multi-funds in the NHS by regional and nationally. [36613]

  Mr. Malone
  Information about multi-funds is not collected centrally. Multi-funds are administrative arrangements whereby one or more fundholders work together to share administration or purchasing expertise
  130
  Where a medicine is available only on prescription, doctors may already issue private prescriptions free of charge to NHS patients, although they are not obliged to do so. Pharmacists then set and charge patients a price for the medicine and a private dispensing fee.

  Temazepam
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action his Department is taking to reduce the illegal use of Temazepam; [36624]

  (2) what representations he has received concerning the illegal use of Temazepam. [36625]

  Mr. Bowis
  On 10 May,Official Report, columns 747–59, my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council announced a range of measures to help combat its misuse. This included a public consultation exercise on a proposal to ban national health service prescribing of the soft gelatin gel filled capsule formulation of the drug under schedule 10 to the NHS (General Medical Service) Regulations 1992. The Department of Health received 168 responses to the consultation exercise and these are being carefully considered. An announcement will be made shortly.

  On 12 September my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department also announced that the drug was to be moved from schedule 4 to schedule 3 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985, which would make unlawful possession an offence, require pharmacies to store the drug more securely, and impose import and export licensing controls. Manufacturers and wholesalers will also be required to store the drug securely.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has that the administrative costs of GP fundholding are less than budget savings. [36634]

  Mr. Malone
  Information about fundholder savings and management allowances expenditure is shown in the table, which does not include start-up costs.

  which can provide improved services for patients. How general practitioners choose to manage their fund, whether singly or in groups, is a matter for individual fundholders.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which sites within the NHS have been subject to market testing; and which services on those sites have been market tested. [36642]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.
  131
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department or the NHS executive has issued to health authorities or trusts about the market testing of physiotherapy services. [36646]

  Mr. Sackville
  None that is specific to physiotherapy.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the value of NHS contracts by district and region placed with independent sector providers for

  Contract value £000

  Region

  Catering

  Domestic services

  Other hotel ancillary services

  Anglia/Oxford

  1,199.10

  8,563.82

  17,793.14

  North West (including Mersey)

  4,462.85

  18,013.65

  35,460.27

  Northern and Yorkshire

  13,363.11

  16,159.02

  65,212.49

  North Thames

  3,159.30

  31,181.71

  50,592.81

  South Thames

  3,587.23

  18,087.73

  36,782.08

  South and West

  1,407.20

  9,469.60

  29,948.07

  Trent

  1,483.34

  4,023.60

  9,469.44

  West Midlands

  4,632.55

  5,417.98

  23,329.61

  Total

  32,294.68

  110,917.11

  209,587.91

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the value of NHS clinical contracts by district and region placed with independent sector providers for(a) radiology, (b) pathology, (c) imaging and (d) other clinical services for (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94 and (iii) 1994–95. [36794]

  Figures in £000

  Region

  Radiology

  Pathology

  Imaging

  Other clinical services

  Anglia and Oxford

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  52.6

  North Thames

  Nil

  224

  98

  280

  North West

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Northern and Yorkshire

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  305

  South Thames

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  277

  South and West

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  893.5

  Trent

  Nil

  Nil

  182

  Nil

  West Midlands

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  3,181.6

  Sheep Dipping
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the health risk associated with long-term exposure to chemicals used for dipping sheep. [36612]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health's staff continually assess evidence relating to the health risks associated with long term exposure to chemicals used for dipping sheep. In particular officials provided expert input into the two meetings held by the Veterinary Products Committee in 1992 and 1993 to discuss the future licensing of organophosphorus sheep dips. The Department continues to provide expert input to the medical and scientific panel which the VPC set up to investigate the long-term health effects of exposure to these products. The panel has yet to report its final conclusions.

  Cancer
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list by region the proportion of NHS
  132
  (a) catering (b) cleaning and (c) other ancillary services for (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94 and (iii) 1994–95. [36795]

  Mr. Sackville
  From information recorded on the national health service executive market testing database, the aggregate value of contracts awarded by NHS trusts to another contractor, including other NHS trusts, for the baseline year 1992–93 is shown in the table by region for each service grouping requested. For later years the records are incomplete. Information is not maintained by district.

  Mr. Sackville
  The table shows the information recorded on the national health service executive's market testing database, and covers market testing of the specified services by NHS trusts, where the contract was awarded to a non-NHS contractor. The analysis is by region, but not by district, for 1992–93. Information for 1993–94 and 1994–95 is still incomplete.

  cancer patients receiving modern anti-emetics, HT3 antagonists, while on chemotherapy; [36628]

  (2) what is the proportion of NHS cancer patients receiving modern anti-emetics, HT3 antagonists, whilst on chemotherapy in (a) England and (b) other OECD nations. [36627]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement in full the recommendations of the Calman report on the commissioning of cancer services in the NHS. [36626]

  Mr. Sackville
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has accepted the report's recommendations and welcomed the aim of delivering a uniformly high level of cancer care based on a network of expertise covering primary as well as secondary care. We support the development of designated specialist cancer units and centres and look to the national health service to make systematic progress in implementing this strategy.
  133
  Mr. Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many new patients are seen per year by NHS oncologists; and what are the comparable figures in other OECD states; [36635]

  (2) if he will publish figures, by region and nationally, for the proportion of NHS cancer patients referred to a cancer specialist. [36637]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Travel Allowances
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what rates of travel allowance may be claimed by civil servants in his Department when using their own vehicles for official business. [36369]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department, with the exception of the Medicines Control Agency, has adopted a single motor mileage rate of 30p per mile for all motor cars and 15p per mile for all motor cycles. The Medicines Control Agency rates are as follows:

  Engine cc:

  Up to 1500 cc

  1501–2000 cc

  Over 2000 cc

  Up to 5000 miles

  35.7p

  42p

  46p

  Over 5000 miles

  23p

  27p

  35p

  Hospital Medical Consultants at 30 September each year England—whole-time equivalents

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Palliative Medicine

  12.1

  13.4

  14.1

  19.5

  22.1

  31.8

  Medical Oncology

  24.7

  23.7

  30.7

  32.7

  41.5

  61.5

  Clinical Oncology

  190.2

  185.6

  202.5

  200.1

  198.8

  221.2

  Mr. Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the number of consultant oncologists per head of population in(a) England and (b) other OECD countries. [36615]

  Mr. Malone
  There were 282.7 hospital medical and clinical consultant oncologists—whole-time equivalents—in England as at 30 September 1994, 0.6 per 100,000 population. Data on the number of oncologists per head of population in OECD countries are not available centrally.

  Intensive Care Unit Beds
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to set up a central telephone and computer system to provide accurate information for clinicians on the availability of ICU beds across the country. [36622]

  Mr. Sackville
  This is one of the points being considered by a working group of experts looking into admission to intensive care.

  Bloomsbury and Islington College of Nursing and Midwifery
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the numbers and grades of those
  134
  The Agency pays 23p per mile when a car is used in preference to public transport.

  Consultant Oncologists
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to meet the recommendation of the Royal College of Radiologists that there be a minimum of 470 NHS consultant oncologists by 2000; and what progress is being made towards this target. [36638]

  Mr. Malone
  The Government seek to ensure an adequate supply of appropriately trained doctors in each specialty, including both medical and clinical oncology. This involves planning the number of doctors in higher specialist training on a specialty basis and including all relevant parties in the process. However, employment of consultants is a matter for local employing bodies, who make medical staffing decisions in the light of competing priorities and the health care needs of the local population.

  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him today for the number of consultant oncologists up to and including September 1994.

  Mr. Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish figures for the number of(a) consultant medical oncologists, (b) consultant clinical oncologists and (c) palliative care specialists working in the NHS for each of the last five years for which figures are available. [36636]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is shown in the table.

  who will be made redundant because of the closure of the Bloomsbury and Islington college of nursing and midwifery; [36632]

  (2) what representations he has received concerning the proposed closure of the Bloomsbury and Islington college of nursing and midwifery; and if he will make a statement. [36633]

  Mr. Sackville
  The closure of the Bloomsbury and Islington college of nursing and midwifery is a matter for the North Thames regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Sir William Staveley, chairman of the authority, for details.

  Dental Services
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the recommendations of the committee convened to review the provision of NHS dental services and the date on which he expects to publish the recommendations. [36443]

  Mr. Malone
  The Government have not convened such a committee. We have, however, been working closely with the General Dental Services Committee on the detailed development of the reform proposals that I announced to the House on 5 April,Official Report. columns 1214–15.
  135
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many salaried dental practitioner posts have been(a) approved and (b) filled since 1 January 1994. [36809]

  Mr. Malone
  The number of salaried dentist posts approved from 7 January 1994 to 22 September 1995 is 36. Over the same period the net increase in the number of salaried dentists was 26.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many referrals were received by the community dental service in(a) 1992–93, (b) 1994–95 and (c) in respect of patients unable to obtain treatment within the general dental service. [36819]

  Mr. Malone
  Family health services authorities in England report that between 1 August 1994 and 22 September 1995 that they suggested to 1,399 patients that treatment might be available through the community dental service. Information is not available in this form before 1 August 1994.

  Numbers of patients waiting for orthodontic in-patient or day case treatment, by region and monthly time band, at 31 March 1995

  Region

  0–2

  3–5

  6–8

  9–11

  12–14

  Total

  Northern and Yorkshire

  23

  16

  1

  0

  0

  40

  Trent

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Anglia and Oxford

  29

  37

  23

  33

  22

  144

  North Thames

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Thames

  15

  5

  0

  0

  0

  20

  South and West

  31

  19

  1

  0

  0

  51

  West Midlands

  7

  8

  0

  0

  0

  15

  North West

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  SHAs

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  110

  85

  25

  33

  22

  275

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total number of children by region waiting for orthodontic treatment on the NHS for each month since January 1994. [36811]

  Mr. Malone
  Children are not identified separately in information collected on numbers of patients waiting for in-patient or day case treatment.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to improve dental care for elderly people in residential and nursing homes; and if he will make a statement. [36821]

  Mr. Bowis
  Last April the Government announced a range of reforms of national health service dentistry, including its intention to strengthen the community dental service's role in ensuring continued access to NHS dental services for all who wish to use them. This development should benefit those patients in residential and nursing homes unable to use the mainstream general dental service.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices in the United Kingdom are accepting children for orthodontic treatment on only a private contract basis. [36810]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.
  136
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to initiate pilot studies on purchaser-provider arrangements for the dentist service; and if he will make a statement. [36815]

  Mr. Malone
  The package of reforms I announced on 5 April reaffirmed the Government's aim to introduce a system of local contracts between health authorities and dental practices similar to that which operates elsewhere in the health service. Such a system will need careful piloting and evaluation before a decision is taken on nationwide introduction. To run pilot projects would require primary legislation. The Government will seek to introduce the necessary legislation when parliamentary time allows. Bids for pilot projects will then be invited.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average waiting time by region for orthodontic treatment at hospitals. [36813]

  Mr. Malone
  At 31 March 1995 there were 275 patients waiting for in-patient or day case orthodontic treatment. No patient had waited more than 15 months and information by region is shown in the table. Waiting times for patients being treated on an out-patient basis are not collected centrally.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total budget for the community dental service in(a) 1992–93, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1995–96; and what is the projected budget for (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97. [36820]

  Mr. Malone
  Expenditure on the community dental services in 1992–93 was £75,770,000. Figures are not available for later years. The level of future expenditure on the community dental service is a matter for health authorities, as the local purchasers of health care, to decide.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total amount allocated by his Department to dental schools for capital improvements in(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 and (c) 1995–96; and what proportion of this amount in each year was passed on to dental schools by hospital trusts. [36816]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department does not allocate capital funds direct to dental schools for capital improvements. Up to and including 1994–95 a central allocation for the re-equipment of dental hospitals was made to each regional health authority for the schools in its area. The total allocated was £4,608,000 in 1993–94 and £4,788,000 in 1994–95 which was split equally between the schools to produce £384,000 and £399,000 a year respectively. These amounts were allocated by the
  137
  RHAs to the appropriate health authorities and national health service trusts. Records are not kept centrally of any additional capital allocated to dental schools by the health authority or trust.

  From 1995–96 there is no central allocation. Dental schools are required to put bids in for capital funds from the trust's capital programme. Records are not kept centrally of the capital allocated.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of trained orthodontists for each year since 1991; and what was the estimated requirement for orthodontists in each of those years. [36812]

  Mr. Malone
  Any dentist who has the necessary facilities, experience of expertise may provide orthodontic treatment.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total amount allocated by his Department for orthodontic training for each year since 1991; and what is the projected budget for orthodontic training for(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97. [36818]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has carried out into the working of the capitation payment system to dentists for dental care of children; and what plans he has to change this system. [36814]

  Mr. Malone
  The Government have commissioned two research studies on the operation of the capitation system since it was introduced in 1990.

  The reports are at different stages of readiness. That from the university of Birmingham is in its final form and I have today placed it in the House of Commons Library. The report from the university of Manchester will be available shortly. Both research teams have plans to disseminate their findings more widely.

  The improvement of the capitation system was one of the package of proposals for the reform of NHS dentistry that I announced on 5 April. The Government intend to reform the capitation system by relating payments to dentists to disease levels in children. We are discussing the detailed development of this and the other elements of the package with the representatives of the dental profession.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, formerly health services authority if he will list by region and in total the number of people(a) deregistered from NHS dental treatment and (b) seeking help from their local FHSA to find a NHS dentist, since July 1992. [36994]

  Mr. Malone
  This information will be placed in the Library. At 31 July 1995, as at 1 July 1992, there were 27.3 million patients registered with national health service dentists in England.

  Redundancy Payments
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer on 27 March,Official Report, column 412, if he will publish a breakdown of the
  138
  grades of staff made redundant and the cost of redundancy payments, made to each grade of staff, for each of the last 10 years. [36647]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on the cost of redundancy by grade is not collected centrally.

  Nursing and Midwifery Education
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the real terms NHS expenditure on nursing and midwifery education, for each of the past 15 years nationally and by region. [36621]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many public interest immunity certificates his Department has issued in each year since 1986. [36689]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 19 July, column 1286.

  Deaths
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elderly, over 65 years of age, people died last year in their homes in(a) Lancashire and (b) each other county in England. [36453]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table.

  Deaths at home for over 65s in 1994 for each country in England

  65 and over

  Greater London

  9,785

  Greater Manchester

  4,449

  Merseyside

  2,564

  South Yorkshire

  2,309

  Tyne and Wear

  2,270

  West Midlands

  4,705

  West Yorkshire

  3,343

  Avon

  1,786

  Bedfordshire

  674

  Berkshire

  971

  Buckinghamshire

  957

  Cambridgeshire

  1,282

  Cheshire

  1,587

  Cleveland

  1,082

  Cornwall

  1,186

  Cumbria

  1,108

  Derbyshire

  1,825

  Devon

  2,268

  Dorset

  1,531

  Durham

  1,273

  East Sussex

  1,703

  Essex

  2,988

  Gloucestershire

  1,125

  Hampshire

  2,720

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,407

  Herefordshire

  1,454

  Humberside

  1,562

  Isle of Wight

  329

  Kent

  2,816

  Lancashire

  2,715

  Leicestershire

  1,523

  Lincolnshire

  1,173

  Norfolk

  1,674

  Northamptonshire

  834

  Northumberland

  644

  139

  Deaths at home for over 65s in J 994 for each country in England

  65 and over

  North Yorkshire

  1,361

  Nottinghamshire

  1,472

  Oxfordshire

  948

  Shropshire

  805

  Somerset

  979

  Staffordshire

  1,919

  Suffolk

  1,375

  Surrey

  1,605

  Warwickshire

  932

  West Sussex

  1,315

  Wiltshire

  992

  Total

  85,325

  Children Act 1989
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will remove public schools from the provisions of the Children Act 1989. [36556]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Children Act covers the welfare of children in England and Wales wherever they are. There are no plans to amend its provisions to exclude the welfare of children in independent boarding schools.

  Chlamydia
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department has concerning the

  Expenditure on mental health services 1978–79 to 1992–931

  Year

  Hospital expenditure £ million

  Percentage change year on year

  Community expenditure2 3£ million

  Percentage change year on year3

  Health authority expenditure £ million

  Percentage change year on year

  1978–79

  489.8

  —

  20.7

  —

  489.8

  —

  1979–80

  507.9

  3.7

  —

  —

  507.9

  3.7

  1980–81

  560.9

  10.4

  —

  —

  560.9

  10.4

  1981–82

  567.9

  1.2

  —

  —

  567.9

  1.2

  1982–83

  564.6

  -0.6

  —

  —

  564.6

  -0.6

  1983–84

  568.5

  0.7

  —

  —

  568.5

  0.6

  1984–85

  577.0

  1.5

  —

  —

  577.0

  1.5

  1985–86

  572.9

  -0.7

  —

  —

  572.9

  -0.7

  1986–87

  593.2

  3.5

  28.6

  —

  593.2

  3.5

  1987–88

  638.2

  7.6

  29.3

  2.4

  638.2

  7.6

  1988–89

  659.8

  3.4

  87.3

  —

  715.1

  3—

  1989–90

  647.5

  -1.9

  103.8

  18.9

  713.6

  -0.2

  1990–91

  636.4

  -1.7

  113.9

  9.7

  709.6

  -0.6

  1991–92

  739.9

  —4

  140.4

  4—

  817.7

  4—

  1992–93

  754.0

  1.9

  165.9

  18.2

  845.0

  3.3

  1 All figures are expressed at 1978–79 prices. The mental health expenditure is made up of the following:

  (a) Hospital: in-patient and out-patient expenditure—the consultant specialities of mental health, child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, psychotherapy and old age psychiatry, day patient expenditure—in the categories mental health (alcoholism, drug abuse, psychogeriatrics and general), child and adolescent psychiatry and forensic psychiatry.

  (b) Community: community mental health nursing expenditure and local authority personal social services for people with mental health problems.

  (c) Health authority: hospital expenditure and community mental health nursing expenditure.

  2 Local authority personal social services data are not available for the years 1979–80 to 1985–86.

  3 Figures for 1978–79, 1986–87 and 1987–88 are local authority personal social services expenditure only. The percentage change figure for 1987–88 on 1986–87 reflects this. Community mental health nursing expenditure was not collected separately in years before 1988–89. It was included with other community expenditure.

  4 Figures for 1991–92 cannot be compared with those for 1990–91 for the following reasons:

  (a) The introduction of the NHS reforms in 1991–92 and changes to accountancy practices; and

  (b) The revision of the local authority personal social services expenditure return meaning that information on client group spend was provided directly by local authorities rather than being apportioned by the Department of Health.

  Note:

  1. Increases in local authority personal social services expenditure data in 1992–93 are, in part, due to refinement of the basis for Department of Health apportionment.
  140
  incidence of chlamydia; and what measures his Department is taking to combat the spread of infection among the population with particular reference to women. [36952]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information about chlamydia is published in the statistical bulletin entitled "Sexually Transmitted Diseases, England 1994", copies of which are available in the Library. The Health Education Authority and other organisations issue materials on sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia, to help people understand what bacterial and viral infections exist and how they should be treated. People who think they may have been at risk can make use of the network of open-access genito-urinary medicine clinics which offer confidential advice and treatment. In addition, the Department plans to set up, in parallel with on-going research, an expert group to consider the practical implications that might arise if any screening programme for chlamydia was to be introduced for different population groups and in different settings.

  Mental Health Services
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the real increases and real reductions in spending on mental health services for(a) hospital, (b) community services and (c) health authorities, for each year since 1979, taking 1979 as the base line. [36898]

  Mr. Bowis
  The information is shown in the table.
  141

  NHS (Private Patients)
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of the recent decision by BUPA to withdraw automatic cover for intensive care treatment for patients who undergo routine surgery. [36623]

  Mr. Sackville
  This will depend on factors which are not predictable, including future patients' individual circumstances and unexpected complications during treatment. People who have a right to national health service treatment retain their right whether or not they are receiving, or have received, private treatment.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the projected capital spending within the NHS for(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97; and how much of that total he estimates will be funded through the private finance initiative; [36787]

  (2) what is the projected capital spending on family and community health services within the NHS for (a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97; and what proportion will be funded through the private finance initiative. [36789]

  Mr. Sackville
  Gross capital spending within the National Health Service for 1995–96 is estimated to be £2,028 million. The Government's spending plans for 1996–97 will be announced in the Budget.

  Spending on family health services and on community health services is not separately identified.

  These figures are additional to capital arising from the private finance initiative. At present, capital projects with a total value of approximately £1 billion are being tested for private finance.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in his Department. [36831]

  Mr. Sackville
  The rights of complaint of members of the public about NHS services are unaffected by the private finance initiative.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many capital expenditure bids have been exempted from normal private finance initiative rules. [36981]

  Mr. Sackville
  The potential for private finance is always thoroughly investigated before public funding is made available. This rule applies to all capital investment projects submitted for approval since the issue of the capital investment manual to the national health service in June 1994.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he proposes to offer to trusts negotiating contracts under the private finance initiative in relation to foreclosure in the event of default on obligations. [36796.]

  Mr. Sackville
  Guidance on the general principles to be applied in contracting with construction companies is 142
  set out in the National Health Service Estates publication "Contracts and Commissions for the NHS Estate", issued to all NHS trusts. Trusts, in consultation with the NHS executive headquarters, are responsible for ensuring that contracts with the private sector cover the eventuality of default by the private sector partner. Trusts are therefore urged to take legal advice at all stages of negotiating such contracts.

  NHS Clinical Contracts
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the value of NHS clinical contracts placed with independent sector providers by district and region for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94 and (c) 1994–95; and what proportion this represented of the total NHS budget for each of those years. [36793]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Infant Formula Advertising
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to ban the advertising of formula milk products in hospitals and clinics. [36805]

  Mr. Sackville
  The advertising and promotion of baby milks are restricted by the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations which came into force on 1 March 1995.

  Private Companies (Advice)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the private companies that have advised his Department during the past five years. [36991]

  Mr. Sackville
  No central record is kept and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Acute Beds
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department classifies as an acceptable level of occupancy for acute beds in respect of(a) the district general hospitals and (b) teaching hospitals. [36791]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health has not attempted to set-a definitive level for bed occupancy rates. Optimum levels are dependent on an examination of local factors and are not therefore suitable or capable of being the subject of central advice.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department's target remains to reduce the number of acute beds, by 40 per cent. by 2005 in England and Wales. [36790]

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no national target for reducing acute beds in England. The number of acute beds needed has to be decided at local level, based on contracted work loads and taking account of local circumstances, such the local rate for emergency admissions, the level of day case treatments and the availability of alternative services, such as hospital at home schemes.

  Responsibility for hospital services in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
  143

  Breastfeeding
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total amount spent by his Department on the promotion of breastfeeding for each year since 1991; and what is the projected budget for(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97. [36801]

  Mr. Sackville
  The expenditure by the Department on publicity materials to promote breastfeeding is as follows:

  Financial year

  £

  1991–92

  Nil

  1992–93

  30,000

  1993–94

  28,000

  1994–95

  58,000

  1995–96

  51,000 (estimated)

  1996–97

  not yet determined

  Total expenditure, through section 64 grant aid programme, to voluntary bodies concerned with the promotion and support of breastfeeding, is as follows:

  1991–92: 66,000

  1992–93: 58,000

  1993–94: 70,000

  1994–95: 55,500

  1995–96: 57,000 (provisional)

  1996–97: not yet determined

  In addition, we have contributed £38,000—paid over the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96—of the £50,600 funding from the United Kingdom Health Departments towards the costs of the "Invest in Breast" training programme introduced jointly by the Royal College of Midwives and the Health Visitors Association which was launched last May.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into the potential savings to the NHS of encouraging more mothers to breastfeed their babies in the last five years. [36802]

  Numbers of patients on waiting lists on 31 March 1995 who had been waiting for:

  Region

  0–2 months

  3–5 months

  6–8 months

  9–11 months

  In-patients

  Day cases

  In-patients

  Day cases

  In-patients

  Day cases

  In-patients

  Day cases

  Northern and Yorkshire

  36,356

  37,550

  20,677

  14,110

  12,879

  7,028

  7,969

  3,265

  (45.8%)

  (60.3%)

  (26.1%)

  (22.7%)

  (16.2%)

  (11.3%)

  (10.0%)

  (5.2%)

  Trent

  26,908

  23,728

  14,086

  8,192

  8,538

  3,737

  4,614

  1,674

  (48.5%)

  (63.3%)

  (25.4%)

  (21.9%)

  (15.4%)

  (10.0%)

  (8.3%)

  (4.5%)

  Anglia and Oxford

  29,759

  24,662

  16,414

  9,517

  9,797

  4,461

  5,742

  2,263

  (46.7%)

  (59.2%)

  (25.7%)

  (22.8%)

  (15.4%)

  (10.7%)

  (9.0%)

  (5.4%)

  North Thames

  40,708

  39,115

  22,467

  16,148

  15,817

  9,020

  11,673

  5,935

  (40.5%)

  (51.8%)

  (22.4%)

  (21.4%)

  (15.7%)

  (11.9%)

  (11.6%)

  (7.9%)

  South Thames

  35,628

  39,348

  19,694

  15,369

  13,181

  8,685

  8,791

  5,065

  (42.2%)

  (54.4%)

  (23.3%)

  (21.2%)

  (15.6%)

  (12.0%)

  (10.4%)

  (7.0%)

  South and West

  37,479

  34,739

  19,207

  12,057

  8,362

  4,489

  2,105

  1,043

  (55.8%)

  (66.4%)

  (28.6%)

  (23.0%)

  (12.4%)

  (8.6%)

  (3.1%)

  (2.0%)

  West Midlands

  25,861

  27,933

  14,265

  11,340

  6,877

  4,834

  128

  24

  (54.8%)

  (63.3%)

  (30.2%)

  (25.7%)

  (14.6%)

  (11.0%)

  (0.3%)

  (0.1%)

  North West

  42,891

  48,113

  21,309

  15,679

  12,822

  7,674

  6,692

  3,640

  (51.2%)

  (64.1%)

  (25.5%)

  (20.9%)

  (15.3%)

  (10.2%)

  (8.0%)

  (4.8%)

  Note:

  Figures in brackets represent proportion of all in-patient or day case patients waiting on 31 March 1995 at each region.

  Source:

  Provider based Körner returns.
  144
  Mr. Sackville
  Publicly funded research studies have shown that there are substantial health benefits for babies who are breastfed rather than bottle fed.

  The Department's "Breastfeeding: good practice guidance to the NHS" provides an estimate, based on the research findings on the benefits of breastfeeding and of the potential savings to the national health service that could be achieved from increased breastfeeding. The guidance was issued in May and copies are available in the Library.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make training on breastfeeding mandatory for general practitioners and other health service professionals. [36804]

  Mr. Sackville
  The body responsible for general practice vocational training—the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice—expects general practitioners to be skilled in recognising and making appropriate decisions about all health problems presented by their patients. The specific curricular arrangements to achieve these attributes are the responsibility of regional postgraduate organisations.

  The English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting is responsible for approving—to standards set by the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting—institutions to provide courses for these three professions. Midwifery and health visiting courses include breastfeeding.

  Hospital waiting Lists
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the waiting times for in-patient admission and day surgery by(a) three months, (b) six months, (c) nine months and (d) 12 months by region. [36798]

  Mr. Malone
  Information in the form requested is not available. The numbers of patients waiting, by regions, for in-patient and day case treatment as at 31 March 1995 are shown in the table.
  145

  GP Surgeries
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many administrative and clerical staff have been employed in general practitioners' surgeries by region, including London, since 1990–91; [36989]

  (2) what has been the total of practice managers located in general practitioners' surgeries employed by GP fundholders or non-fundholders by region, including London, since 1990–91. [36988]

  Mr. Malone
  Information on the type and number of general practitioner practice staff is contained in the publication "GMS Basic Statistics—England and Wales", copies of which are available in the Library. The fundholding status of GPs is not separately identified.

  Baby Friendly Initiative
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State. for Health (1) how many hospitals have been awarded UNICEF/WHO baby friendly awards; [36807]

  (2) what support his Department intends to give to hospitals working towards baby friendly status; and if he will make baby friendly status a mandatory requirement for NHS trusts. [36803]

  Mr. Sackville
  Two hospitals in England have been awarded the WHO/UNICEF/UK baby friendly initiative status which indicates an international standard in the promotion of breastfeeding. Others are working towards this.

  The Department's "Breastfeeding Good Practice Guidance to the NHS" was issued to the national health service, including trusts, in May this year. It was prepared in consultation with the national breastfeeding working group on which the UNICEF/UK baby friendly initiative were represented. The guidance gives some prominence to the baby friendly initiative "10 steps to successful breastfeeding" and asks purchasers to incorporate its principles within their purchasing plans. Copies of the guidance are available in the Library.

  Consultants
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) management, (b) medical and (c) other consultants employed by his Department during the past five years. [36993]

  Mr. Sackville
  No central record is kept and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Medicines Act 1968
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the cases in which information has been withheld by his Department under section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968. [36757]

  Mr. Sackville
  Except where disclosure would be in performance of duties placed upon holders of information, including public safety, the Medicines Act 1968 protects information obtained, furnished or gathered as a146
  requirement of the Act. This would include trade secrets and manufacturing processes.

  Fluoridation
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to ensure that water companies comply with requests from local health authorities for water fluoridation other than when technical considerations prevent them from doing. [36817]

  Mr. Malone
  Fluoridation of water supplies is a matter for local decision. Local health authorities have no power to compel water suppliers to fluoridate.

  NHS Pension Scheme
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if men and women in the NHS pension scheme have contributed the same percentage contributions since 1972; [36800]

  (2) what representations he has received regarding discrimination against women doctors in the NHS pension scheme in the last year; and if he will make a statement. [36799]

  Mr. Malone
  The contribution level of both men and women in the national health service pension scheme has been at 5 per cent. of pensionable earnings for manual workers, 6 per cent. of pensionable earnings for other staff, since 1972. Widower benefits were introduced into the scheme at no extra cost in April 1988. A voluntary purchase scheme was available until June 1989 to enable those members who wished to have additional widowers benefits cover to buy past service, costs being shared by NHS employers.

  On 6 April the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Sackville), met representatives of the British Medical Association seeking retrospective improvements of widowers benefits. Since I July 1994, 29 right hon. and hon. Members have written on the same subject.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre Files, (i) Centre Files, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (q) Logica. [36955]

  Mr. Sackville
  No central record is kept and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  GP Premises
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the projected capital spending by region on GP premises for(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97. [36788]
  147
  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) on 25 January, column 259.

  Formula Milk
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to limit the use of formula milk products by the NHS. [36806]

  Mr. Sackville
  While recognising and promoting breast feeding as the best start to life for infants the Government recognise some women will choose not to, or will not be able to, breastfeed. The use of formula milk products will reflect the choice mothers make about how to feed their babies.

  Wellhouse Trust
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the Wellhouse Trust will be exempted from the private finance initiative rules in raising funds for the new Barnet hospital project; [36980]

  (2) what factors underlay his decision regarding capital expenditure by the Wellhouse Trust; and if he will make a statement. [36982]

  Mr. Sackville
  No. The trust is pursuing private finance initiative procedures for phase 1b of the redevelopment of Barnet general hospital. Phase la is under construction at a cost of £29 million. The new hospital will help to ensure local people have access to comprehensive and high quality acute services.

  Private Contracts
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the private companies that have been awarded contracts by his Department during the past five years. [36992]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Senior Registrars and Registrars
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received relating to his proposal to remove the contract of small registrars and small senior registrars from the regional health authority to national health service trusts. [36742]

  Mr. Malone
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received letters from representatives of senior and junior doctors about our plans for junior doctors' contracts. He met with them on 13 July and emphasised Ministers' commitment to ensuring that the high standards of medical education and training are maintained. A package of safeguards has been developed that will protect the continuity and high quality of training programmes. Guidance to the service is now being worked up in conjunction with the medical profession.

  GP Paperwork
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what amount of time GPs devote to paperwork on 148
  average, by fundholder and non-fundholder, (a) now and (b) for whichever dates information is conveniently available in each of the last five years. [36990]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is not available.

  Personal Social Services Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the social services standard spending assessment in each English and Welsh county for the current financial year. [36714]

  Mr. Bowis
  Personal social services standard spending assessments for 1995–96 for English county councils are set out in the standard spending assessment handbook 1995–96, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Variations in Health
  Ms. Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the sub-group of the chief medical officer's health of the nation working group, variations in health is due to report; and when the report will be published. [36792]

  Mr. Sackville
  The variations sub-group of the chief medical officer's health of the nation working group has now reported. Its report will be published shortly.

  Health Advisory Council
  Ms. Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the reinstatement of the Health Advisory Council; and if he will make a statement. [36808]

  Mr. Sackville
  I am not aware of a body of that name.

  Community Care
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of total national spending the Department of Social Security was spending in each English and Welsh county in the financial year prior to transfer of responsibility for care in the community to local authorities; and what proportion of funds allocated by his Department for care in the community are distributed in each English and Welsh county. [36713]

  Mr. Bowis
  I assume the hon. Gentleman is referring to community care and not the mental health care in the community. The Department of Social Security figures for 1992–93 relate to the amount paid in income support to residents of the independent sector residential homes. All other community care, residential, domiciliary and day services, were provided by social services departments. The information for England will be placed in the Library. Information relating to Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the population in each English and Welsh county is over pensionable age; and what is the English and Scottish average. [36715]
  149
  Mr. Sackville
  The information is in the table.

  Mid-1994 population estimates Persons of pensionable age(1) as a percentage of all residents

  Percentage

  Great Britain

  18.3

  England

  18.3

  Wales

  19.9

  Scotland

  17.8

  Counties.-

  Greater London

  15.7

  Greater Manchester

  17.3

  Merseyside

  18.7

  South Yorkshire

  18.5

  Tyne and Wear

  18.9

  West Midlands

  17.8

  West Yorkshire

  17.4

  Avon

  18.7

  Bedfordshire

  14.8

  Berkshire

  14.5

  Buckinghamshire

  14.6

  Cambridgeshire

  16.4

  Cheshire

  17.6

  Cleveland

  16.8

  Cornwall and Isle of Scilly

  22.8

  Cumbria

  20.3

  Derbyshire

  18.7

  Devon

  22.8

  Dorset

  25.2

  Durham

  18.6

  East Sussex

  24.8

  Essex

  18.7

  Gloucestershire

  19.7

  Hampshire

  17.8

  Hereford and Worcester

  19.0

  Hertfordshire

  17.1

  Humberside

  18.7

  Isle of Wight

  26.4

  Kent

  19.0

  Lancashire

  19.2

  Leicestershire

  17.0

  Lincolnshire

  21.3

  Norfolk

  22.1

  Northamptonshire

  16.6

  Northumberland

  19.6

  North Yorkshire

  20.4

  Nottinghamshire

  18.0

  Oxfordshire

  16.1

  Shropshire

  18.3

  Somerset

  21.9

  Staffordshire

  17.3

  Suffolk

  20.3

  Surrey

  18.6

  Warwickshire

  18.1

  West Sussex

  23.5

  Wiltshire

  17.7

  Clwyd

  20.5

  Dyfed

  22.0

  Gwent

  18.9

  Gwynedd

  22.8

  Mid-Glamorgan

  18.1

  Powys

  22.0

  South Glamorgan

  18.1

  West Glamorgan

  20.6

  Source:

  Population Estimates Unit, OPCS.

  1 65 and over for Unit, OPCS.

  Postgraduate Education (Registrars)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to ensure that high standards of 150
  postgraduate education and training for registrars are protected. [36743]

  Mr. Malone
  The medical Royal Colleges and their Faculties are responsible for the standards of training and education of registrars. Under the reforms of specialist medical education currently being implemented, the registrar and senior registrar grades will be abolished and replaced by the new specialist registrar grade. We are working with the royal colleges and postgraduate deans to ensure that training in the specialist registrar grade will be of the highest possible standard.

  Booth Hall Children's Hospital
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the occupancy rate and number of patients seen in the last three years at Booth Hall hospital. [37355]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally. The right hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. T. F. Lavin, chairman of Manchester Children's Hospitals national health service trust, for details.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received on the future of Booth Hall; from which organisations; and what has been his response; [37354]

  (2) what replacement services are proposed in replacement of those provided currently by Booth Hall children's hospital. [37353]

  Mr. Sackville
  Ministers have replied to eight letters from hon. Members. Officials have replied to 37 letters from members of the public.

  Under the health authorities' proposals, all services currently available at Booth Hall children's hospital would be re-provided elsewhere. It is envisaged that routine paediatric services for local children would be provided at North Manchester general hospital. The more specialist, regional services would move to the Royal Manchester children's hospital, Pendlebury.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the report on paediatric care in Greater Manchester and when he will make an announcement on the future of Booth Hall children's hospital. [37352]

  Mr. Sackville
  The North West regional health authority commissioned Sir David Hull, professor of child health at Nottingham university, to carry out an independent and thorough review of service and make recommendations for the future. On the basis of Professor Hull's recommendations, Manchester and Salford and Trafford health authorities drew up specific proposals for the development of high quality, city-wide services for children. The proposals are currently set aside pending the outcome of a possible judicial review.

  Accident and Emergency Services
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what instruction or advice his Department has issued to regional or district health services concerning criteria for contracts which they make with providers of accident and emergency services on a capitation or other basis and in relation to patterns of access to those services: and where such advice or information is published. [37330]
  151
  Mr. Sackville
  Health authorities are expected to enter into contracts with appropriate providers covering all accident and emergency attendances, regardless of the district of residence of the attenders.

  This was explained in the document "Contracts for Health Services: Operational Principles" published in September 1989, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Fertility Treatment
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many district health authorities place restrictions, other than age-related ones, on the availability of fertility treatment; [37309]

  (2) if he will list the district health authorities which have an age-related policy regarding the purchase of fertility treatment, together with details of the age at which each of these denies treatment, specifying what kind of fertility treatment is being limited. [37308]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration he has given to introducing guidelines to ensure consistency of provision of fertility treatment across district health authorities. [37310]

  Mr. Sackville
  Advice on the services available under the national health service for the treatment of infertility is contained in the effective health care bulletin on "The Management of Subfertility", August 1992, published for the NHS management executive by a consortium of Leeds and York Universities and the research unit of the Royal College of Physicians, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Local health authorities are responsible for the provision of local health services, including the provision of infertility services. Decisions about the availability of these services must be left to individual health authorities as they are in the best position to determine priorities in the light of local needs and circumstances.

  Residential Care Homes
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate his Department has of the number of complaints made about care in(a) residential and (b) nursing homes during the last year; [37010]

  (2) what estimate his Department has of the number of (a) residential and (b) nursing homes that are holders of BS5750, and of investors in people awards; [37012]

  (3) what estimate his Department has made of the number of care assistants in residential homes that have nursing qualifications. [37015]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has of the number of registered residential homes and the number of registered nursing homes. [37013]

  Mr. Bowis
  As at 31 March 1994 in England, there were 17,600 residential care homes for adults registered with local authorities and 5,100 nursing homes registered 152
  with health authorities. A number of homes may be registered for both residential and nursing care under the terms of the Registered Homes Act 1984.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the average gross and net profits made by private residential and nursing homes. [37018]

  Mr. Bowis
  Information is not available centrally on which to base such an estimate.

  Blood Stocks
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress on the development of a national computing system to control blood stocks. [37137]

  Mr. Sackville
  I understand that the National Blood Authority expects to go out to tender shortly for bids to supply a new computer system for the national blood service.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps health authorities are taking to safeguard health staff carrying out their duties. [37042]

  Mr. Malone
  Under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992, it is a requirement that employers and staff agree appropriate methods locally for ensuring the safety of their working environment.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has(a) to introduce safety guidelines to all health authorities aimed at minimising risks to staff and (b) to introduce a legal obligation on all health service bodies to ensure that such staff in the course of their duties are protected and in the event of sustaining injuries or contracting diseases have legal safeguards against employer negligence. [37043]

  Mr. Malone
  The national health service executive has issued guidance to NHS employers on health and safety at work issues, EL(93)66 and occupational health service matters HSG(94)51, which underline NHS employers' statutory duties to promote a safe working environment for staff, and on security "The NHS Security Manual", 1995. Copies of these documents are available in the Library. In the event of staff sustaining an injury or contracting a disease at work, they may be eligible for benefits under the NHS injury benefits scheme.

  Complaints Procedures
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for legislation to introduce new national health service complaints and disciplinary procedures for general practitioners; on what date would these procedures take effect; and if he will make a statement. [37046]

  Mr. Malone
  The Government intend to lay measures before Parliament to introduce new national health service complaints and disciplinary procedures for family health services practitioners from 1 April 1996.
  153

  Excess Winter Death Rates
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 763, what methodology is used to calculate excess winter death rates; and if he will publish the figures for all deaths in the relevant periods in each year since 1989. [37311]

  Mr. Sackville
  Excess winter deaths are defined as the number of deaths in the four months from December to March less the average of the numbers in the preceding autumn—August to November—and the following summer—April to July.

  The excess winter mortality index is the number of excess winter deaths expressed as a percentage of the average of the number of deaths in the autumn and winter periods.

  The numbers of deaths in each winter period in England and Wales since 1989 are as follows:

  1989–90: 225,790

  1990–91: 214,259

  1991–92: 209,509

  1992–93: 198,092

  1993–94: 208,425

  Hospitals (Car Parking)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will require all district health authorities, as a condition of any contract entered into with providers of hospital services, to refrain from making any charge for car parking for those visiting patients or receiving out-patient treatment at their establishments. [37371]

  Mr. Sackville
  No.

  Islington Social Services
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local authority social service departments have made inquiries of his Department in respect of the index he holds of ex-employees of Islington who were referred to in the White report. [37099]

  Mr. Bowis
  Three.

  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure local authority social service departments have access to the list he holds of names of former employees of Islington social services department named in the White report. [37098]

  Mr. Bowis
  The Department has undertaken to check against its consultancy service index any names submitted by a local authority of any employee of theirs in the child care field who is understood to be a former employee of Islington social services department.

  Information Disclosure
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the matters which staff of his Department are precluded by employment conditions from discussing with their Member of Parliament. [37102]

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no list of matters which staff of the Department are precluded by their employment conditions from discussing with their Member of 154
  Parliament. They may not, however, without prior permission, disclose official information held by the Department or another Government Department unless it has already been made public, nor should they discuss matters in such a way as to bring into question their political impartiality.

  Private Psychiatric Hospitals
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for health how many extra contractual referrals were made by health authorities to private psychiatric hospitals containing source accommodation in(a) 1994 and (b) the first six months of 1995; and how many were made in each case to hospitals run by Partnership in Care Ltd. [37025]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Home Visits (Security)
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will call for a report from NHS trusts on arrangements in place to improve the security of midwives, district nurses and other carrying drugs to relieve pain to patients in the community. [37100]

  Mr. Malone
  No. There is a continuing responsibility on national health service trust management to ensure that staff in the community can practice in safety. The NHS executive provides guidance to local managers who must devise local solutions in their own particular circumstances. The NHS security manual includes a suggested "check list" to be used by staff involved in home visiting.

  Hospitals, Manchester
  Mr. Alfred Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of hospital provision in South Manchester; when he expects to make any further assessment; and if he will make a statement. [37168]

  Mr. Sackville
  In November 1994, the North West regional health authority considered a report by Professor Herbert Duthie into the future shape of health care in south Manchester. Following amendments to the original proposals and a further period of public consultation, Manchester health authority has now agreed plans to improve health services in south Manchester, including those based in hospitals. In doing so, the health authority has accepted a number of demands put forward by South Manchester community health council and is currently working with South Manchester university hospitals NHS trust and others on the detailed arrangements.

  NHS Staff Retirement
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total of NHS staff(a) retiring on pension and (b) taking early retirements on pension for each of the last 10 years; and what was the annual cost of early retirements in each of the last 10 years. [22739]

  Mr. Sackville
  [pursuant to his reply, 11 May, c. 569–70]: I regret that the information provided in the previous reply was incorrect. I have asked the chief executive of the NHS Pensions Agency, Mr. A. F. Cowan, to send the hon. Member a revised answer.
  155
  Letter from A. F. Cowan to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 13 October 1995:
  "To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the total of NHS staff (a) retiring on pension and (b) taking early retirements on pension for each of the last 10 years; and what was the annual cost of early retirements in each of the last 10 years."

  I regret that the information previously provided was incorrect.

  Age retirements over the last 4 years

  1991–92: 11,734

  1992–93: 12,774

  1993–94: 11,666

  1994–95: 11,364

  Ill-health retirements over the last 4 years

  1991–92: 7,323

  1992–93: 8,327

  1993–94: 9,520

  1994–95: 9,030

  Early retirements over the last 4 years

  1991–92: 2,818

  1992–93: 3,313

  1993–94: 5,837

  1994–95: 5,732

  Full cost of early retirements for the Scheme, excluding ill-health retirements in each of the following financial years is:

  1992–93: £137.291m

  1993–94: £158.827m

  1994–95: £211.383m

ENVIRONMENT

  Civil Servants (Allowances)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what rates of travel allowance may be claimed by civil servants in his Department when using their own vehicles for official business. [36367]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The mileage allowances payable to civil servants using their own vehicles in my Department are:

  Cars—Standard mileage rate

  Engine capacity

  Up to 1500cc

  1501–2000cc

  Over 2000cc

  Pence per mile

  Up to 4000 miles (pa)

  34

  43

  47

  Over 4000 miles (pa)

  19

  23

  30

  A special rate of 23.8p per mile is payable where staff choose to use their own car, even when public transport is available.

  Motor Cycles and Motor Cycle Combinations

  Engine capacity

  Up to 125cc

  Over 125cc

  Up to 4000 miles (pa) (comprehensive insurance)

  16.2

  25.3

  Up to 4000 miles (pa) (third party insurance)

  14.5

  22.8

  Over 4000 miles

  6.2

  9.0

  Pedal cycles

  6.2p per mile

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total cost of travel expenses 156
  claimed by civil servants using their own vehicles for official business in each of the last five years in his Department; and what would have been the saving in the last five years if the maximum rate that could be claimed was set at the lowest rate. [36368]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The total cost of travel expenses claimed by staff using their own vehicles for official business was some £450,000 in 1993–94 and £640,000 in 1994–1995. Records are no longer available for earlier years and records showing the actual rate claimed are not kept. It is not possible, therefore to estimate the saving if the lower rate had not been claimed in each case.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many public interest immunity certificates his Department has issued in each year since 1986. [36692]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Secretary of State for the Environment has not produced a public interest immunity certificate in legal proceedings in any year since 1986.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are estimated to be homeless in each English county. [36730]

  Mr. Clappison
  Data on households which local authorities accept responsibility to secure accommodation for under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act are reported by local authorities districts on a quarterly basis. Total acceptances by the districts in each county for the quarter ending June 1995, the latest available are set out in the table.

  Number

  Avon

  580

  Bedfordshire

  187

  Berkshire

  345

  Buckinghamshire

  279

  Cambridgeshire

  243

  Cheshire

  1—

  Cleveland

  481

  Cornwall

  210

  Cumbria

  111

  Derbyshire

  656

  Devon

  1—

  Dorset

  345

  Durham

  162

  East Sussex

  587

  Essex

  631

  Gloucestershire

  216

  Greater Manchester

  2,469

  Hampshire

  848

  Hereford and Worcester

  435

  Hertfordshire

  1—

  Humberside

  268

  Isle of Wight

  58

  Kent

  1—

  Lancashire

  1—

  Leicestershire

  1—

  Lincolnshire

  217

  London

  6,320

  Mersey side

  744

  Norfolk

  1—

  North Yorkshire

  1—

  Northamptonshire

  219

  Northumberland

  130

  157

  Number

  Nottinghamshire

  1—

  Oxfordshire

  1—

  Shopshire

  231

  Somerset

  292

  South Yorkshire

  591

  Staffordshire

  1—

  Suffolk

  290

  Surrey

  394

  Tyne and Wear

  855

  Warwickshire

  131

  West Midlands

  1—

  West Sussex

  346

  West Yorkshire

  1,568

  Wiltshire

  373

  1 Not available—returns have not been received from all authorities in the county. Details of acceptances in individual authorities are available in a supplementary table which is released alongside the quarterly information bulletin on homelessness statistics.

  Housing Investment Programme
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much each English county has received via district councils under the housing investment programme. [36731]

  Mr. Clappison
  English counties do not receive any resources via district councils under the housing investment programme.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much each local authority received per head through central Government grants in 1994–95. [36732]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I have placed the information in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the total standard spending assessment funding allocated to each English and Welsh county for this financial year. [36768]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The requested information for English counties is available in the Library. The standard spending assessments for authorities in Wales are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will discuss with Staffordshire fire service the effects of the revised standard spending assessment calculation on fire service operations; and if he will make a statement. [37037]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Shortly after the Budget, we will consult on our proposals for the local government finance Settlement for 1996–97. We are willing to discuss our proposals with any authority at that stage, so far as time permits.

  Birds
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take to stop the decline in population of(a) song thrushes, (b) bullfinches, (c) lapwings, (d) reed buntings, (e) grey partridges, (f) tree sparrows and (g) turtle doves; and if he will make a statement. [36904]
  158
  Mr. Clappison
  A number of steps are being taken by my Department, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to help in the recovery of these species. These include:

  Habitats beneficial to these species are included in the sites of special scientific interest and special protection areas classified under the EC birds directive.

  Agri-environment schemes developed under EC regulations, stewardship and woodland grant schemes encourage farming practices which help conserve habitat important to farmland birds;

  Targets for the conservation of habitats to be developed under the UK biodiversity action plan;

  Funding research and development projects on the effect of farming techniques on farmland bird populations;

  Sponsorship of Royal Society for the Protection of Birds projects to provide practical information on farmland birds for farmers, their advisors and others.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he can take to increase the number of breeding pairs of(a) corncrake and (b) stone curlew on the British Isles. [36942]

  Mr. Clappison
  Since 1991, the Government have been involved in schemes in Scotland to provide financial incentives to landowners and farmers to introduce farming methods which are more conducive to breeding corncrakes. The Government are also working with landowners to protect nesting stone curlews on arable land in Wessex and East Anglia.

  The biodiversity steering group is expected to advise the Government on action plans for the corncrake and stone curlew to improve their conservation status. The steering group will report later this year.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what financial support he will make available to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds towards its song thrush research project. [36941]

  Mr. Clappison
  Although we are not planning to give financial support to this project, my Department is currently negotiating with contractors on research to assess whether the use of herbicides and insecticides on agricultural land be contributing to the decline in the number of certain UK species, including song thrushes, and to provide information about the impact of pesticides on bird populations.

  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also funds research related to farmland birds.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsman about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative through his Department. [36833]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Members of the public have the same rights to make complaints of alleged maladministration to the relevant ombudsman concerning a Department of the Environment project which is privately financed as they would have had if the project had been publicly financed.
  159

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many outsourcing contracts were granted by his Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, (g) Andersen Consulting, (h) Centre File, (i) BIS, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Siemens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG, and (q) Logica. [36965]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  This information is not held centrally by my Department and to collect it would involve a disproportionate cost.

  Water
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he gave and what(a) statutory and (b) other bodies he consulted concerning the impact on personal health and hygiene and public health, particularly on children, the elderly and the sick, of his policy to encourage the use of water meters for domestic premises; and if he will place the relevant documents in the Library. [37369]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Department of the Environment and the Office of Water Services commissioned a survey on "The Social Impact of Water Metering" the report of which was published in August 1992. A copy of the report is in the Library. The views of a wide range of organisations were sought in the Department's consultation paper "Using Water Wisely" published in July 1992. A copy of this document and a list of the organisations which responded to it are available in the Library.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the approximate revenue cost per given annual volume of water lost by leakage from(a) high and (b) low pressure water mains at which it becomes non-economic to eliminate such leakage, using average or median national costs for producing potable public supplies. [37337]

  Mr. Clappison
  The economic cost of leakage varies significantly, not only between companies but also within each company's operating area. An average national figure would not be meaningful.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to annex B, paragraph 8 of his document "Water Conservation; Government Action", what were the methodology and assumptions used; and what is the range of cost/value calculations he has used in determining his public targets for reduction by water companies in leakage for their mains distribution system. [37370]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government does not at present propose to set mandatory leakage targets. The water companies themselves are in the best position to judge costs and benefits of leakage control. It will be for the Director General of Water Services to negotiate demanding voluntary leakage targets which take account of varying local circumstances.
  160
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what(a) advice has been issued and (b) regulations have been made by her Majesty's Government concerning the desirability of fitting of cisterns in domestic premises for the continued supply of water for hygiene and hot water systems during interruptions in mains supply. [37274]

  Mr. Clappison
  Section 66 of the Water Industry Act 1991 allows water undertakers to require certain properties to be provided with a cistern. In the case of a relevant house, the cistern should be capable of holding sufficient water to provide an adequate supply for a period of 24 hours.

  Except in an emergency, a water undertaker may cut off a supply of water to any premises for the purposes of carrying out any necessary works only after having served reasonable notice on the consumer. If any supply of water to those premises for domestic purposes is interrupted for more than 24 hours for the purposes of carrying out those works then the water undertaker has a duty to the consumer to provide an emergency supply of water within a reasonable distance of the premises.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the mean daily evaporation rates from free water surfaces of reservoirs and rivers over a given period for known locations in England and Wales for an appropriate period of summer drought. [37368]

  Mr. Clappison
  Standard hydrological textbooks provide the equations, and the Meterological Office reports the data, from which estimates of free water evaporation can be made.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment following his conclusions in paragraph 29 of his White Paper, "Water Conservation, Government Action", that reduction in the need for additional capital investment in supply of water leads to consequential savings of cost for consumers, what are(a) nationally and (b) on a local basis the appropriate percentages of water charges that have been devoted to such investment (i) by undertakings which were previously regional water authorities and (ii) other water companies. [37382]

  Mr. Clappison
  Between 1989–90 and 1994–95 the water industry's investment on water resource development was about 5 per cent. of total investment on the water service during this period. Water company capital programmes may be funded by a combination of debt or equity finance and retained profits. Information on the percentage of water charges that has been devoted by the various water companies to this resource development is not held centrally.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the names or descriptions of the relevant statutory or non-statutory bodies now fulfilling the duties, including reportage, of(a) the former National Water Council and (b) the former regional water authorities, as specified in sections 4 and 24 respectively of the Water Act 1973 before their replacement or repeal later. [37276]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Water Act 1983 provided for the dissolution of the National Water Council, which was primarily a consultative and advisory body on matters
  161
  relating to national water policy, and for its functions to cease by order of the Secretary of State. Subsequently, water authorities established their own non-statutory body, the Water Authorities Association—now the Water Services Association—to promote their interests nationally and to inform consumers about their activities.

  Following the reorganisation of the water industry in England and Wales in 1989, the functions of the former water authorities are now largely undertaken by a combination of the National Rivers Authority, the drinking water inspectorate and the successor water and sewerage companies themselves.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what support from public funds, by nature and amount, ceased to be available to the former regional water authorities in England and Wales in privatisation. [37270]

  Mr. Clappison
  Water companies ceased to have access to the national loans fund on privatisation. The amounts borrowed would have varied annually depending upon their capital requirements. They continue to be eligible to apply for Government grants and support from European funds for qualifying schemes.

  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will request the relevant bodies, agencies or organisations concerned with the conservation, purification and distribution of potable water supplies in England and Wales to prepare a report on national water resources, taking into account circumstances of the winter of 1976 and those of the summer of 1995; [37367]

  (2) what is the general increase in demand for potable water supplies in periods of summer drought over average summer consumption (a) for each of the principal water regions and (b) nationally; and what assessment he has made of the purposes to which that extra demand is put. [37365]

  Mr. Clappison
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment announced on 1 September that the Department will be conducting a review of all aspects of legislation, planning, organisation and preparation for droughts. This will include consideration of changes in patterns of demand for water which have happened or which seem likely, and will involve all the interests concerned.

  Sewers (Rodent Infestation)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what statutory powers he exercises over suppliers of water disposal services in respect of levels of rodent infestation in sewers; where standards relating to such infestation are publicised; and what powers elected authorities or district health authorities possess to inspect and enforce levels of infestation. [37268]

  Mr. Clappison
  There is no specific duty on water and sewerage companies in relation to the control of rats in sewers. However, all sewerage undertakers have programmes to control and reduce the number of rats in their systems. Local authorities have a long-standing duty to keep themselves informed about the sufficiency of drainage systems in their area to ensure that they do not pose a threat to public health. Failure to control rat 162
  infestations on property could be enforceable by the local authority environmental health officer under part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, if it is judged to be a statutory nuisance.

  Mobile Fresh Water Tanks
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what statutory or other requirements have been made by Her Majesty's Government to require water companies to have available a given number of mobile fresh water tanks, wheeled or otherwise, related to the numbers of population served; and what national arrangement it has made for supplying of such equipment in emergencies. [37281]

  Mr. Clappison
  Water companies have a duty under the Security Measures (Water and Sewerage Undertakers) Direction 1989 to have plans in place to ensure the provision of essential water supplies at all times. The direction also requires that the water companies shall provide such facilities, including works, plant and equipment, as will secure the implementation of these plans, which should be mutually complimentary and co-ordinated between the companies.

  Urban Renewal Grants
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the urban renewal grant repayment conditions in the case of a dwelling where the grant recipient dies within the statutory three years and the dwelling is then sold by a new owner. [37113]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We propose to extend the house renovation grant repayment conditions to cover such cases at the next suitable legislative opportunity.

  Fire Authorities (Coastline Factor)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has that fire authorities with a coastline incur extra costs from the coastline factor. [37036]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The measure of coastline was introduced into the fire SSA formula in 1995–96 to reflect additional costs that authorities with coastline face compared with inland authorities. Authorities situated on the coast have less scope than inland authorities for drawing reinforcements from neighbouring brigades and therefore need greater self-sufficiency to provide the same standard of service as other local authorities.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from fire services adversely affected by the inclusion of the coastline indicator in the standard spending assessment calculation for fire services. [37035]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  During consultation on the 1995–96 local government finance settlement, the Secretary of State for the Environment received two representations from local authorities concerning the use of a coastline factor in the fire standard spending assessment. Other representations have been received subsequently.

  Urban Development Areas
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer concerning
  163
  employment in urban development areas, Official Report, 18 July, column 1427–28, how many of the 63,025 jobs quoted for the London docklands area existed in the same, or equivalent form outside that area prior to the re-location of the enterprises or services concerned.

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The London Docklands development corporation does not hold records which enable an analysis of gross jobs in the way requested.

  Canary Wharf
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much has been contributed(a) item by item (b) in toto by public funds to the infrastructure serving the complex of the Canary wharf project; and what is this figure as a proportion of the estimated current freehold value of the property, or the highest public offer extant, together with the purchase price of the site from the Port of London Authority and its selling price to the first Canary Wharf Company. [37332]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Public spending on infrastructure serving the Canary wharf area totals £44.5 million and is broken down as follows:

  £ million

  West Ferry Road Phase 1 Heron Quays Roundabout

  5.3

  Canary Wharf Eastern Access Road

  22.3

  West Ferry Road Electricity sub-station and National Grid Enhancement

  16.9

  Of course, all infrastructure expenditure by the London Docklands development corporation brings regeneration benefits to the economy and attractiveness of the docklands overall. Isolating separate areas of expenditure and attributing it to particular projects distorts its significance and broader benefits.

  No valuation of the current freehold value of the Canary wharf complex is available.

  The LDDC acquired land within the Canary wharf site from the Port of London Authority as part of a package deal—including water areas—and no separate breakdown of the land value is available. Of the 72 acre site purchased by Olympia and York, about 22 acres of land and 21 acres of water were in LDDC's ownership and these were sold for £8 million cash plus £12 million towards additional infrastructure.

  Countryside Commission
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was spent on advertising the post of chairman of the Countryside Commission; what was the cost of employing St. James Management Recruitment; what other costs were involved in making the appointment; and if Mr. Simmonds applied for the post. [37386]

  Mr. Clappison
  The total cost of employing St. James's Management Recruitment was some £31,000, of which some £8,000 represented advertising costs. The other costs involved in making the appointment relate to the time spent on the recruitment process by Ministers and officials in the Department, for which figures are not available. Mr. Simmonds did not apply but was approached by St. James's.
  164

  Biodiversity Convention
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what statutory, or other, consultations are being initiated by Her Majesty's Government with statutory and other bodies in fulfilment of obligations arising from(a) the biodiversity convention and (b) legislation of the European Community consequent on the biodiversity convention. [37275]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government have consulted widely in the development of the UK biodiversity action plan which was produced in accordance with article 6 of the biodiversity convention. The publication of the plan in January 1994 followed a consultation involving some 300 organisations, including a two-day seminar in May 1993. In June 1995, a biodiversity steering group was established to advise Government on taking forward the plan. The group includes representatives from central and local government, the statutory conservation agencies, industry, the national collections and academia, landowners and land managers and the voluntary conservation bodies. It will publish a report in December and a Government response is planned early in the new year. Copies of both documents will be placed in the Library.

  The UK delegation to the first meeting of the conference of the Parties to the Biodiversity Convention held consultation meetings with interested parties both before and during the meeting in Nassau last year. This approach is being repeated in preparation for the second conference next month in Jakarta.

  The Government issued a public consultation paper in October 1993 about the legal transposition of the EU habitats directive. The Conservation (Natural Habitats & C.) Regulations 1994, approved by Parliament in October 1994, were prepared in the light of the consultation. In March this year, the Government consulted interested parties on a list of possible special areas of conservation under the directive. Similar consultation takes place before the classification of special protection areas under the birds directive.

  Basking Sharks
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to include basking sharks on the list of endangered species; and if he will make a statement. [37038]

  Mr. Clappison
  The basking shark has been considered for protection under the Wildlife Countryside Act 1981 on two previous occasions but there was insufficient evidence to support protection.

  The Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Government's statutory conservation adviser, is currently considering which species should be recommended for protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act as part of the third quinquennial review. The case for the basking shark is being reviewed, but it is too early to say whether the evidence will result in the species being protected.

  Water Companies (Share Value)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the(a) total and (b) percentage increase in the capital value of those publicly owned

  165
  assets, now privatised, on the basis of share capital at the time of issue and valuation on total share value at a given date during 1995. [37366]

  Mr. Clappison
  Information on the market capitalisation at floatation of the 10 water holding companies in England and Wales, is contained in the National Audit Office report "Department of the Environment: Sale of the Water Authorities in England and Wales", a copy of which is in the Library. Current share values vary daily according to fluctuations in the stock market and this information is not held by my Department.

  Industrial Estates
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many industrial estates are owned by local authorities; and what is the total value of such estates. [37132]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The Department's records show that between 260 and 290 local authorities have an interest in industrial estates and that the total value of these industrial estates is in the region of £750 million to £1,000 million.

  City of London Common Council
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received

  Percentage

  Region

  Shops

  Offices

  Warehouses

  Factories

  Other

  Northern

  +28

  +48

  +41

  +26

  +18

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  +26

  +55

  +35

  +24

  +21

  East Midlands

  +24

  +34

  +21

  +18

  +20

  East Anglia

  +16

  +14

  +14

  +4

  +18

  Inner London

  -16

  -58

  -12

  -10

  -11

  Outer London

  +10

  -4

  +7

  -2

  +14

  Rest of South East

  +8

  -12

  +3

  -3

  +12

  South West

  +12

  +13

  +14

  +6

  +17

  West Midlands

  +32

  +55

  +49

  +35

  +28

  North West

  +35

  +49

  +44

  +29

  +22

  Fair Rents
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he proposes to introduce(a) amending legislation, (b) revised guidance to rent officers and rent assessment committees or (c) any other action to reverse the effect of the Court of Appeal judgment on the use of comparables in setting fair rents in the case of Spath Holme Ltd. v. Greater Manchester and Lancashire Rent Assessment Committee. [37488]

  Mr. Clappison
  The statutory basis on which fair rents are determined is set out in section 70 of the Rent Act 1977, which consolidated the Rent Act 1968. In essence, a fair rent is what a landlord could achieve in a market in which the supply of, and demand for, accommodation are in balance—that is, in the absence of scarcity. This has been the understanding since fair rents were introduced, and the judgment of the Court of Appeal does nothing to change that. We therefore do not propose to legislate to change the current statutory basis.

  The Secretary of State does not issue guidance to rent officers and rent assessment committees to seek to influence them in the exercise of their independent statutory jurisdiction, and it would be wrong to do so.
  166
  regarding the abolition of the Alderman's veto and extension of the franchise in the City of London; and if he will make a statement. [37112]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We have received one such representation. We have no plans to reform the arrangements for election to the common council.

  Commercial Leases (Rent Reviews)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress is being made in the development and publication of a code of practice in relation to rent reviews in commercial leases. [37120]

  Mr. Clappison
  The commercial property industry and professional bodies are now completing their discussions on the code, and plan to publish it before the end of the year.

  Rateable Values
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the average change in rateable values between 1990 and 1995 for(a) commercial and (b) industrial properties for each region in England. [37136]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The latest information I have is as follows:

  Employment Trends (Effect on Mortgage)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will initiate studies concerning the impact of the spread of employment by short-term contract instead of permanent contracts of employment, on the ability of persons and families to obtain mortgages for the purchase of homes. [37334]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department has no current proposals for studies concerned specifically with the impact of labour market changes on the mortgage/housing market. However, employment trends figure prominently in many housing research areas and in our discussions with mortgage lenders.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Heritage Funds
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to encourage the distribution of heritage funds to those areas which receive none at present. [35899]
  167
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  I want to see the widest possible distribution of heritage funds, whether for grant in aid or the proceeds of the national lottery. Already the lottery has made possible a total of 1,405 grant awards the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, with a total value of over £543 million.

  Sport in Schools
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what responses she has received about the Prime Minister's proposals for sport in schools. [35909]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Prime Minister, the Secretary of State and I have received 23 letters from hon. Members and 252 from members of the public commenting on aspects of the policy statement "Sport: Raising the Game." Some 68,000 copies of the statement have now been distributed, many in direct response to requests from members of the public. The response has been overwhelmingly positive and we welcome any ideas that emanate as a result of publication of the statement.

  Public Library Service
  Ms Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recent representations she has received on the public library service. [35910]

  Mr. Sproat
  We have received representations on both the Aslib report, which is a key element in the public library review, and the KPMG/Capital Planning Information report on the scope for contracting out in public libraries. My right hon. Friend plans to make a further statement to Parliament by the end of the year.

  Television Coverage of Sport
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how she intends to ensure that the country's great sporting events are shown live on terrestial television. [35911]

  Mr. Sproat
  Sports rights holders should be free to dispose of their broadcasting rights in the way they choose. Rights owners should be allowed to judge the balance between the level of income from broadcasting rights, the size of the television audience, the amount and type of coverage and the impact on potential spectators and supporters.

  Piers
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what priority is given by her Department to the maintenance and development of piers in seaside areas; and if she will make a statement. [35912]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Seaside resorts play a significant role in the tourism market—accounting for nearly 50 per cent. of domestic tourist spend on all holidays in this country—and piers are an important feature of the traditional seaside resort. My Department has listed some 29 piers in England, including Southend pier in my hon. Friend's constituency.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will implement the 168
  recommendations of the Rowntree report on "The Impact of the National Lottery". [35913]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Rowntree report was one contribution to a lively debate. The Government are keeping all aspects of the national lottery under review.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what percentage of sales of national lottery tickets is made in the north-west; and what percentage of the distributed proceeds to date has been made in the north-west. [35919]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  A report is placed in the Library of the House each month which includes a breakdown of awards made by region. Some 100 projects in the north-west region have so far been awarded almost £18 million. I shall ask the Director General of the National Lottery to write to you about the sale of national lottery tickets.

  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals there are to change the competition arrangements and the good causes allocation of the national lottery. [35921]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  The lottery is making a tremendous contribution to the good causes agreed by Parliament. I have no plans to propose changes to these arrangements.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list all recipients of lottery funding over 50,000. [35923]

  Mr. Sproat
  A report on the distribution of national lottery proceeds is placed in the Library of the House each month which lists awards made. To date, 620 of 1,405 awards made have been for more than £50,000.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when further details will be available regarding the financing of sport from national lottery funds. [35918]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Sports Council will announce the next set of awards in the first week of November.

  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will take steps to arrange that Camelot be required to give details of national lottery ticket sales at each outlet; and if she will make a statement. [36416]

  Mr. Sproat
  This is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. I have therefore asked the Director General of the National Lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the lottery, to write to my hon. Friend, placing copies of his response in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to provide additional funding for public sports facilities. [35915]

  Mr. Sproat
  It is for local authorities and other suppliers of public sports facilities to determine their level of expenditure on sporting provision, in the light of their own priorities. The Department recognises the important role that both local authorities and the other suppliers of public sports facilities play in this area and the Sports Council will continue to work closely with them, as appropriate, in pursuing its objectives.
  169

  Royal Opera House
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement about the future capital funding of the royal opera house. [35916]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The royal opera house is looking to a number of sources of funding for the new development project. These include major donations as well as the national lottery.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures her Department is taking to attract film makers to make films in Britain. [35917]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  My Department funds the British Film Commission, which actively markets to overseas producers, the United Kingdom's considerable wealth and diversity of locations, facilities and industry expertise.

  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations she has received on the Government's review of the film industry. [35926]

  Mrs. Bottomley
  Since publication of the Government's policy paper on the British film industry in June, I have received seven representations from various members of the British film industry. On the whole these have given a very positive response to the paper, generally welcoming the various initiatives we announced.

  Music Teaching
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations she has had from major orchestras concerning teaching of music to children [35920]

  Mr. Sproat
  I have had no such representations.

  Media Ownership
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what she is doing to reduce the concentration of national media in the hands of a small number of owners. [35924]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  The Government's proposals for the future regulation of media ownership are set out in its policy document, Cm 2872, published in May 1995. These aim to preserve the diversity of the broadcast and press media, while introducing greater flexibility in ownership to reflect the needs and aspirations of the industry.

  British Academy for Sports
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussions she has held so far concerning the location of the new British Academy for Sports. [35925]

  Mr. Sproat
  None. The GB Sports Council is taking this initiative forward. The council is at present developing proposals for the possible structure and 170
  content of the British Academy of Sport and, following consultation this autumn, the sports councils across the UK will, by 31 March 1996, be open to consider bids to the national lottery to establish the academy.

  Football Transfer Fees
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she last met officials of the Football Association to discuss the issue of transfer fees. [35927]

  Mr. Sproat
  Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have regular meetings with all the football bodies to discuss various issues of significance to the sport.

  Violence on Television
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps she is taking to curb violence on television. [35922]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Broadcasters in the UK are independent of Government but have clear responsibilities with regard to programme content. Both the BBC and ITC undertook to monitor violence on television as a result of meetings with my predecessor last year. I have now received the findings of the study, and I am pleased to note that the amount of television violence broadcast on the terrestrial channels in the UK is down. I will be meeting with the chairman of both the ITC and BBC to discuss how the findings of the study can be taken forward. However, it will remain the duty of the broadcasting regulatory bodies to continue to monitor the amount of violence broadcast on television.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsman about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in her Department. [36829]

  Mr. Sproat
  The parliamentary ombudsman has, subject to the conditions of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967, jurisdiction to investigate complaints from members of the public about the way they have been treated by Government Departments, other public sector bodies engaged in the work of central Government, and those acting on their behalf. The ombudsman can investigate complaints about projects or services funded through the private finance initiative if they are carried out by or on behalf of a Department or public body within his jurisdiction, that is those bodies which are listed in schedule 2 to the 1967 Act.

  The Department itself has no capital projects so does not engage directly in the private finance initiative. However, its two agencies, the Royal Parks agency and the Historic Royal Palaces agency, have a substantial number of private finance initiative projects, for activities ranging form car park systems to restaurant refurbishment. Both agencies are under the jurisdiction of the parliamentary ombudsman and so members of the public are able to pursue complaints about the agencies'

  171
  services or projects funded by the private finance initiative through this avenue.

  The Department is also contributing to the new Royal Armouries museum in Leeds, a private finance initiative scheme due to open in spring 1996. This is being financed in partnership with a private company, Royal Armouries (International) plc. The Royal Armouries does not come under the jurisdiction of the parliamentary ombudsman, so members of the public are unable to make complaints through this avenue. However, the Royal Armouries will have in place at the new museum a charter standard statement which will explain to members of the public how they can complain to the Master of the Armouries if they are dissatisfied with the museum related services they receive.

  Travel Allowances
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what rates of travel allowance may be claimed by civil servants in her Department when using their own vehicles for official business. [36361]

  Mr. Sproat
  Mileage allowance rates in the Department of National Heritage with effect from 1 October 1995 are as follows:

  Car Standard Rate

  Up to 1500cc

  1501–2000cc

  Over 2000cc

  Up to 4,000 miles

  34p

  43p

  47p

  Over 4,000 miles

  19p

  23p

  31p

  Public Transport Rate

  23p

  —

  —

  Passenger supplement

  First passenger

  2p per mile

  —

  Others

  1p per mile

  —

  Equipment supplement

  3p per mile

  —

  Motor Cycles

  Up to 125cc

  Over 125cc

  Up to 4,000 miles

  Third party insurance

  14.6p

  22.1p

  Comprehensive insurance

  16.2p

  25.3p

  Over 4,000 miles

  6.1p

  9.0p

  Bicycles

  Mileage allowance

  6p

  —

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the total cost of travel expenses claimed by civil servants using their own vehicles for official business in each of the last five years in her Department; and what would have been the saving in the last year if the maximum rate that could be claimed was set at the lowest rate. [36362]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department was created only in April 1992.

  The available figures for standard rate motor mileage claims in my Department are as follows

  1993–94: £82,273

  1994–95: £75,210.28

  172
  For the period 13 April 1992 to 31 March 1993 the information is not available in the format requested.

  The saving in the last year if the maximum rate that could be claimed was set at the lowest rate—until 1 October 1995—of 35.7p per mile would be £1,985.36.

  Eurotica Satellite Service
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will take steps to prescribe the TV Eurotica Satellite Service under the terms of section 177 of the Broadcasting Act 1990. [36444]

  Mr. Sproat
  I understand that my hon. Friend's question relates to TV Erotica. There is, however, a similarly named satellite service called Eurotica. The Independent Television Commission has not, under section 176 of the Broadcasting Act 1990, notified us that the satellite service Eurotica is unacceptable. The Secretary of State has however, been notified of the unacceptability of a similar service, TV Erotica, and the ITC has recently confirmed that that service has repeatedly been broadcasting unacceptable material. Discussions with the European Commission and Sweden, with the objective of reaching an amicable settlement, are in train, and we shall shortly be considering what further action to take.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many outsourcing contracts were granted by her Department or agencies in each year since 1990, indicating the nature and value of each contract; and if any additional work was added and of what value to(a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti, (b) AT and T Istel, (c) EDS, (d) Sema Group, (e) Datasolve, (f) ITN Net, Equipment supplement 3p per mile (g) Andersen Consulting (h) Centre File, (j) Telecom Capita, (k) ICL, (l) Digital Equipment, (m) CFM, (n) Seimens, (o) Nixdorf, (p) CMG and (g) Logica. [36960]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department was established on 13 April 1992. IT service provision has been outsourced in line with the policy set out in the White Paper on "Competing for Quality". Sema Group won the contract through competitive tender. The value of the contract is of the order of £1 million per annum. Neither of my Department's two agencies has outsourced any contracts to the companies mentioned in the questioned.

  Tourism
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much his Department allocates for tourism promotion in each tourist board area. [36718]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Department of National Heritage sponsors the English tourist board which makes grants to the regional tourist boards in England for the operation of national programmes. The formula for funding RTBs is agreed between the ETB and the RTBs and is based on scale, need and performance. The regions can also apply for additional funding for specific projects from a tourism development fund.

  In 1994–95 the total funding made available to the regional tourist boards, including their allocation from the TDF, was as follows:

  173

  £

  Cumbria

  473,000

  East Anglia

  618,000

  East Midlands

  456,000

  Heart of England

  537,000

  London

  754,000

  Northumbria

  394,000

  North West

  558,000

  South East England

  522,000

  Southern

  1,106,000

  West Country

  615,000

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  490,000

  Total

  6,523,000

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Former Mental Hospital Patients
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the number of killings by discharged mental hospital patients with personality disorders; what assessment he has made of the scope of the current laws in(a) Northern Ireland and (b) Great Britain to prevent such killings; and what proposals he has for change. [36716]

  Mr. Moss
  I am aware of one such case in Northern Ireland, the circumstances of which are currently the subject of an independent review.

  The operation of the powers of detention under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, and of the Mental Health Act 1983, is not significantly different in practice. Neither the Act nor the Order is intended to allow the detention in hospital of someone whose condition is not amenable to treatment. Under the Northern Ireland Order, personality disorder alone is not sufficient grounds for detention for treatment, but a person may be detained where he or she is also suffering from mental illness. In England and Wales, a patient with a psychopathic or personality disorder may only be detained under the 1983 Act where treatment is likely to alleviate or prevent a deterioration of his condition.

  I have no proposals for change to the Northern Ireland mental health legislation, but the need for change is kept under regular review. In addition, the Mental Health Commission for Northern Ireland has a statutory duty to monitor the operation of the order.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the rights of individual members of the public to make complaints to any of the appropriate ombudsmen about services or projects funded through the private finance initiative in his Department. [36828]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Northern Ireland ombudsman has, subject to the conditions of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 and the Commissioner for Complaints Act (Northern Ireland) 1969, jurisdiction to investigate complaints from members of the public about the way they have been treated by Government Departments, other public sector bodies engaged in the work of central government, and those 174
  acting on their behalf. The ombudsman can investigate complaints about projects or services funded through the private finance initiative if they are carried out by, or on behalf, of a Department or public body within his jurisdiction, that is those bodies which are listed in schedules 1 and 2 respectively, to the above Acts.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what subsidies were paid out for environmentally sensitive areas in Northern Ireland in(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–5 and (d) 1995–6; and how many individuals were recipients of these payments in these years. [37129]

  Mr. Ancram
  The expenditure on ESAs for the years 1992–93 to 1995–96 and the number of persons receiving payment is as follows:

  Year

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–961

  Expenditure (£'000s)

  465

  586

  527

  697

  Claimants

  1,062

  1,059

  1,050

  526

  1 To 6 October 1995

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what area, in hectares and percentage terms, of environmentally sensitive areas in Northern Ireland is made up of productive, or potentially productive, agricultural land. [37128]

  Mr. Ancram
  The total land area of the five areas designated as environmentally sensitive areas in Northern Ireland is 247,000 hectares. Of this, 221,800 hectares—89 per cent.—is productive agricultural land.

  Queen's University, Belfast
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the amount of financial support Her Majesty's Government distribute to Queen's university, Belfast and the amount of additional financial support Queen's university receives from the European Union. [37209]

  Mr. Ancram
  In the 1993–94 academic year, the latest year for which figures are available, the Queen's university of Belfast received financial support amounting to £55.8 million directly from central Government sources and additional support amounting to £6.4 million from the European Union.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy in respect of playing the national anthem at graduation ceremonies at Queen's university, Belfast. [37361]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Queen's university, as with all other universities in the United Kingdom, is an autonomous and independent body, and as such is responsible for its own internal affairs, practices and procedures. The playing of the national anthem at graduation ceremonies is not a matter of Government policy; it is entirely for the university authorities to determine.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many military service personnel have
  175
  received awards following injuries received in Northern Ireland from the Northern Ireland criminal injuries compensation scheme; how many cases have been reviewed after an award has been made; and how many awards were increased as a result of review. [37097]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Compensation Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Denis Stanley. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. A. Stanley to Mr. Jeff Rooker, dated 16 October 1995:

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply, on behalf of the Compensation Agency, to your recent Question regarding the number of military service personnel who have received compensation under the Northern Ireland criminal injury compensation scheme.

  Compensation is paid under the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988, which provides a right to compensation for injury or death caused by violent (including terrorist) offences in Northern Ireland. This scheme applies equally to civilians and members of the security forces.

  The number of claims resulting in payment to military service personnel in each year since 1989–90 is set out in the table below. (Military service personnel has been taken to include members of the regular Army and both full-time and part-time members of the UDR/R Irish.)

  Awards of Compensation to Military Service Personnel

  Financial Year

  Number of awards

  1989–90

  336

  1990–91

  375

  1991–92

  146

  1992–93

  382

  1993–94

  307

  1994–95

  295

  Information about the number of awards prior to 1989–90 is not available.

  It is not possible under the legislation to re-open cases or increase amounts once awards have formally been settled and the appeal period passed or where, in contested cases, awards are made by the Courts. Neither the Courts nor the Secretary of State can subsequently reinstate cases.

  You may also wish to know that most applicants obtain the services of solicitors and will therefore have received legal advice before accepting offers of compensation in full and final settlement of their claims. Army Legal Services provide military personnel with advice at no cost to the individual and, in cases where outside solicitors are engaged, the Agency pays the reasonable costs and expenses incurred in making out and verifying successful claims, which normally includes the costs of such solicitors.

  I trust this explains the position fully.

  Proposed Legislation (Consultation)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which external bodies, bodies and individuals have been consulted to date in the drafting process of(a) the proposed Race Relations Order and (b) the proposed Contracting Out and Deregulation Order (Northern Ireland) 1995. [37390]

  Mr. Ancram
  We have not yet reached the drafting process stage in relation to the proposed Race Relations Order and accordingly no formal consultation has taken place.
  176
  In advance of publication of the proposals for a Deregulation and Contracting Out (Northern Ireland) Order, an extensive number of bodies and individuals was consulted. On publication of the proposals, a number of additional bodies are individuals received copies. A full list of consultees has been placed in the Library.

  Bangor-Belfast Road
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans are under consideration for the Bangor to Belfast road in relation to noise abatement, traffic calming and safety; and what measures are(a) already decided or (b) in progress. [37165]

  Mr. Moss
  Although there are no plans under consideration for this route in relation to noise abatement, a number of traffic management and road safety measure are proposed. These measures include, in particular, the introduction of new technology which will enable traffic signals along the route to be controlled remotely so that signal settings can be optimised to cater for varying traffic flows, and the provision of right turning lanes at the busiest junctions along the route. It is planned to start work on most of the proposals in the next financial year, subject to the availability of the necessary finance.

  Public Works Loan Board
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of whether the transfer of responsibilities for local authority lending from his Department to the Public Works Loan Board would(a) result in savings to public funds and (b) provide a more effective service. [37197]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Loans to local authorities in Northern Ireland are made from the Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund by the Department of Finance and Personnel on similar terms to those which are extended to local authorities in Great Britain through the Public Works Loans Board. The administrative charges to local authorities in Northern Ireland are in most cases the same as those levied in Great Britain. In a minority of cases the Northern Ireland charges are less.

  It is appropriate that the scheme continues to be administered locally along with other transferred matters.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people gave their nationality as(a) British and (b) Irish on the electoral registration form in 1994–95; and what other significant numbers and nationalities were otherwise specified. [37213]

  Mr. Ancram
  Information about nationality included on the 1994–95 electoral registration forms in Northern Ireland was not recorded centrally as there is no legal requirement to record statistics on nationality.

  Information is available, however, on the nationality of those EU nationals who registered separately to vote in the 1994 European election. The nationalities were as follows:

  177

  Number

  Belgium

  1

  Denmark

  7

  France

  54

  Germany

  51

  Greece

  1

  Italy

  5

  Netherlands

  38

  Portugal

  4

  Spain

  8

  Total

  169

  Abandoned Vehicles
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will review Northern Ireland planning legislation to ensure that the powers available to him regarding the unauthorised dumping of wrecked or abandoned vehicles are(a) as strong as those in Great Britain and (b) sufficient to protect the environment properly. [37248]

  Mr. Moss
  District councils in Northern Ireland have the power to remove or dispose of abandoned vehicles and to initiate proceedings under the Pollution Control and Local Government (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. This legislation is broadly similar to that obtaining in Great Britain. Planning legislation would not be an appropriate code to deal with abandoned vehicles.

  Nursery Education
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration was given to extending he under-fives initiative to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [37315]

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) on 11 July,Official Report, columns 519–20.

  Civil Service Transfers
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy by mutual agreement specifically to permit transfers of staff between the Northern Ireland civil service and the home civil service on marriage. [37392]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Northern Ireland civil service and the home civil service are separate civil services and there are no formal rights of transfer between them. It is the policy of both services, however, to seek to facilitate inter-service transfers on compassionate grounds, whenever possible, and the criteria for compassionate transfers include those who need to move to be with their spouse.

  Joyriding
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many people have been charged with offences relating to(a) joyriding and (b) other traffic offences since 1 September 1994; [37040]
  178
  (2) how many people have been charged with offences relating to (a) joyriding and (b) other traffic offences in the nine months before 1 September 1994. [37041]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Figures for the number of persons charged are not available. The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts was as follows:

  1 Dec 1993–31 August 1994

  1 Sept 1994–31 May 1995

  Number proceeded against for unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle1

  420

  408

  Number proceeded against for other motoring offences2

  16,815

  17,375

  Notes:

  1 "Joyriding" is taken to be the offence of 'unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle'.

  2 'Other traffic offences' is taken to mean summary motoring offences and to exclude indictable offences such as "reckless driving causing death/grievous bodily injury".

  Police Staff
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many people are employed in the Police Authority of Northern Ireland departments in respect of(a) information technology, (b) buildings and (c) transport; and what is the cost of running these departments annually; [37059]

  (2) how many people are employed in the Royal Ulster Constabulary departments in respect of (a) information technology, (b) buildings and (c) transport; and what is the cost of running these departments annually. [37058]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is as follows:

  Police authority

  Number of staff

  Staff costs (estimate 1995–96) £

  Information

  Technology1

  68

  1,931,500

  Buildings

  28

  650,850

  Transport

  197

  3,620,650

  RUC

  Information

  Technology1

  68

  1,931,500

  Buildings

  11

  443,040

  Transport

  102

  3,154,840

  1 Information as to annual running costs of these departments, other than staff pay and related costs, is not available. The information technology department operates on a joint basis.

  Farming and Forestry (Accidents)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recorded accidents in the farming and forestry industry have occurred in each of the last three years; and how many have been fatal. [37135]

  Mr. Ancram
  During the calender years 1992, 1993 and 1994 there were 64, 64 and 70 accidents respectively reported to Department of Agriculture's health and safety inspectorate.

  There were six fatalities in 1992, 10 in 1993 and 14 in 1994.
  179

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to ensure that interest rates for local authority lending are issued in advance. [37199]

  Sir John wheeler
  Interest Rates are fixed on a weekly basis by the Treasury and are promulgated by the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Public Works Loans Board at the same time. They take effect from their time of issue. It is not possible to give advance notice of interest rate changes since these are subject to market volatility.

  Fair Employment
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in which perceived religious category the fair employment monitoring process of the Northern Ireland civil service places those applicants or employees who have attended integrated secondary schools. [37391]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Northern Ireland civil service relies on the primary school attended for the longest period of time, "The First Schools Method", as its principal method of making a determination of the perceived religious category of an applicant or employee. Where use of the "Schools List" fails to produce a determination of Protestant or Roman Catholic the service then relies on information specified under the "Residuary Method" in the Fair Employment (Monitoring) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 to make a determination, insofar as this is possible. Under the "Schools List" maintained by the Fair Employment Commission for the purposes of the regulations, integrated schools, whether primary or secondary, are among the schools which are unclassified for religious monitoring purposes.

  Small Loan
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Department of Finance and Personnel expects to introduce a rule similar to the PWLB circular 105 allowing a refinancing of small loans. [37198]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The Department of Finance and Personnel, having consulted with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, the approving authority for loans to local government in Northern Ireland, intends to apply the terms of PWLB circular 105 as they relate to refinancing of small loans, from 1 November.

  Prevention of Terrorism Legislation
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 and the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991 have been invoked in Northern Ireland. [37214]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Statistics on the operation in Northern Ireland in 1995 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991 and the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 are available in the Library, but I am sending the hon. Member the information he seeks.
  180

  House Building
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will assess the special circumstances pertaining in the current year that have affected the cost of house building and construction in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the measures he intends now to take to deal with the cost and budgetary consequences within this financial year. [37389]

  Mr. Moss
  Tender prices for public sector housing contracts have shown a sharp increase in the past year and the reasons for this are being examined. The budgetary consequences will be considered in the context of in year monitoring of the amount allocated to the Northern Ireland public expenditure block.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Ms Mowlam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals applied to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary in its most recent round of recruitment; and of these how many were(a) women and (b) Catholics. [37060]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The most recent recruitment competition was advertised in March/April of this year.

  The total number of applicants was 2,058 of whom 811, or 40 per cent. of applicants, were female and 467, or 23 per cent. of applicants, were perceived to be from the Roman Catholic community.

  Race Relations Legislation
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what considerations underlay the decision to bring race relations law into operation in Northern Ireland by means of an Order in Council; what consideration was given to amending the existing Great Britain legislation to include Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [37212]

  Mr. Ancram
  The consultative document published in December 1992 considered a number of ways in which race relations legislation could be enacted in Northern Ireland. Having considered the responses, it was decided that the commitment to the early introduction of race legislation would be best achieved by way of a separate race relations Order in Council.

  The extension of the Race Relations Act 1976 was not included as an option for legislation on the grounds that it would not be appropriate in the context of the particular circumstances and scale of race relations issues in Northern Ireland.

  Country Parks
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce an environmental sensitivity forum to advise on the future arrangements for, and operation of, Crawfordsburn and Redburn country parks. [37156]

  Mr. Moss
  The Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside advises my Department on the
  181
  management of country parks. I am not clear as to what the hon. Member has in mind regarding an environmental sensitivity forum and perhaps he would write to me with further details.

  Life Sentence Prisoners
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the current life sentence prisoners who have served more than 14 years in prison, indicating whether they are loyalist or republican prisoners. [37208]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Prisons Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alan Shannon. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. D. Shannon to Rev. Ian Paisley, dated 16 October 1995:

  Sir John Wheeler has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question in which you have asked for a list of life sentence prisoners who have served more than 14½ years in prison, including whether they are loyalists or republican prisoners.
  182
  The paramilitary affiliation of prisoners is recorded for prison management purposes, not for classification. In addition, it is not the policy of the Prison Service to disclose particulars pertaining to individual prisoners.

  There are currently 25 life sentence prisoners who have served more than 14½ years in custody. They are broken down by perceived affiliation as follows:

  Loyalist: 15

  Republican: 7

  Others: 3

  Of these 11 (7 loyalist and 4 republican) are already in possession of provisional release dates. They are currently involved at various stages of the Pre-release Scheme.

  Boundary Commission Reports
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he proposes to take in respect of the fourth periodical and second supplementary reports of the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland. [37475]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I have today laid before Parliament the fourth periodical and second supplementary reports of the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland together with a draft Order in Council for giving effect, without modifications, to the recommendations contained in the reports.

  Taxing Masters: Professional Qualifications
  Taxing Masters: Professional Qualifications
  Legal Aid Payments
  Legal Aid Payments
  Prisoners: Transfer Criteria
  Prisoners: Transfer Criteria
  Fire Safety: Review
  Fire Safety: Review
  Local and Parliamentary Representatives: Emoluments
  Local and Parliamentary Representatives: Emoluments
  Organophosphates: Research into Effects on Humans
  Organophosphates: Research into Effects on Humans
  Ford Motor Company: Subsidy
  Ford Motor Company: Subsidy
  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Awards
  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Awards
  The Art Market: Effects of European Legislation
  The Art Market: Effects of European Legislation
  Unemployed 16 and 17 Years-Olds: Support
  Unemployed 16 and 17 Years-Olds: Support
  Actively Seeking Work Regulations: Numbers Disentitled to Benefit
  Actively Seeking Work Regulations: Numbers Disentitled to Benefit
  Restart Courses and Benefit Reductions
  Restart Courses and Benefit Reductions
  Jobplan Workshop and Benefit Reductions
  Jobplan Workshop and Benefit Reductions
  Voluntary Unemployment and Benefit Reductions
  Voluntary Unemployment and Benefit Reductions
  Share Options: Tax Treatment
  Share Options: Tax Treatment
  The Economy: Growth
  The Economy: Growth
  EC Budget: Prevention of Fraud
  EC Budget: Prevention of Fraud
  Motability: NAO Investigation
  Motability: NAO Investigation
  Agriculture Council, 17 July
  Agriculture Council, 17 July
  Organophosphorus Sheep Dips
  Organophosphorus Sheep Dips
  Nectarines: Withdrawal Payments
  Nectarines: Withdrawal Payments
  Tobacco: EU Subsidy Reductions
  Tobacco: EU Subsidy Reductions
  Lettuce: Control of Nitrate Levels
  Lettuce: Control of Nitrate Levels
  Sheep Dipping: Airborne Levels of Organophosphates
  Sheep Dipping: Airborne Levels of Organophosphates
  Organophosphates: Exposure Measurement
  Organophosphates: Exposure Measurement
  Royal Parks
  Royal Parks
  Royal Automobile Club
  Royal Automobile Club
  Buses: European Legislation
  Buses: European Legislation
  Defence Procurement: Value for Money
  Defence Procurement: Value for Money
  European Defence
  European Defence
  MoD: Employment of Ex-officials
  MoD: Employment of Ex-officials
  Tomahawk Missiles
  Tomahawk Missiles
  Computerised Systems: Hacker Vulnerability
  Computerised Systems: Hacker Vulnerability
  UK Military Procurement: Cost
  UK Military Procurement: Cost
  UK Military Procurement: US Influence
  UK Military Procurement: US Influence
  UK Military Procurement and Europe
  UK Military Procurement and Europe
  European Community Legislative Instruments
  European Community Legislative Instruments
  European Legislation: Repeal Progress
  European Legislation: Repeal Progress
  European Union Regulations
  European Union Regulations
  European Union: Areas of Competence
  European Union: Areas of Competence
  Self-governing Sovereign States: Characteristics
  Self-governing Sovereign States: Characteristics
  Bosnia: Reported Atrocities against Muslims
  Bosnia: Reported Atrocities against Muslims
  Hong Kong: Consistency of the Law
  Hong Kong: Consistency of the Law
  Hong Kong: Court of Final Appeal
  Hong Kong: Court of Final Appeal
  Beijing UN Conference on Women
  Beijing UN Conference on Women
  China: Population Policy
  China: Population Policy
  European Union: Declaration of Interests
  European Union: Declaration of Interests
  The First Secretary of State: Responsibilities
  The First Secretary of State: Responsibilities
  Scott Inquiry/Nolan Committee
  Scott Inquiry/Nolan Committee
  Divisions in the House of Lords: Government Defeats
  Divisions in the House of Lords: Government Defeats