Written Answers of 17 October 1995

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Agencies
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what are the Government's intentions for HMSO and the other agencies for which he is responsible. [37635]

  Mr. Freeman
  I have appointed Coopers and Lybrand to consider urgently the options for the future of HMSO, with a view to privatisation provided that satisfactory arrangements can be made for the future provision of services to Parliament. The future of HMSO has been uncertain for too long and I am anxious to set in place quickly arrangements which will secure the long-term interests of the taxpayer as well as HMSO's staff and customers, among whom Parliament is particularly important. I believe that these interests are most likely to be secured by privatisation of all but a very small part of HMSO. Consultation is under way with the House authorities about the safeguards necessary to ensure the future provision of the services which Parliament receives from HMSO. I shall be making an oral statement to the House as soon as these consultations are sufficiently advanced and we have received advice from our financial advisers and decided on the way forward.

  The Government intend to sell Chessington Computer Centre as a single viable business in a way which will ensure that it retains its reputation for the provision of high quality services to Government Departments and the wider public sector. Freedom from the constraints of operating within Government will make Chessington better able to serve existing customers and to attract new customers in wider markets. I believe that this is the best way to secure the long-term interests of the taxpayer as well as those of the staff and customers of the business. I have appointed KPMG Corporate Finance to assist with the sale of Chessington. Formal expressions of interest for the business will be sought early in the new year.

  I have also appointed Coopers and Lybrand to advise urgently on ways of increasing private sector involvement in the Occupational Health and Safety Agency, Recruitment and Assessment Services, the Central Office of Information and the Civil Service College. My aim is not only to secure savings for the taxpayer, but also to maintain the best interests of the agencies' customers and staff.

  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,
  184
  (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. [36966]

  Mr. John 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.

  Outsourcing contracts

  (a) Hoskyns/Cap Gemini Segeti

  Management of project risk. Software services.

  (b) AT & 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.

  (k) ICL

  Support for corporate strategy. Software services. Hardware maintenance (2 contracts).

  (l) Digital

  System maintenance.

  (n)/(o) Siemens/Nixdorf

  Call-off contracts for Personal Computers.

  (q) Logica

  Technical support to review Government Data Network (GDN) security policy.

  Government Telecommunications Network (GTN) Managed Network Services Agreement.

  Open Systems Environment (OSE) advice and profiles (3 contracts).

  Strategic Consultancy services.

  Consultancy support for performance monitoring.

  Technical support to assist Telecommunications staff.

  Central Support Staff audit of GDN billing system.

  Review of GDN security policy.

  IT System supply and support contracts.

  Civil Service Pension Scheme
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what plans he has to market test the civil service pension scheme; and if he will make a statement; [37296]

  (2) what provision has been made for in-house bids from civil servants to administer the civil service pension scheme; and if he will make a statement. [37295]

  Mr. Horam
  An order will be laid, under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994, in the next parliamentary Session to enable Departments to market
  185
  test administration of the civil service pension scheme. I intend to make a further statement on the matter at that stage.

ENVIRONMENT

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how the Government are responding to the House of Lords Select Committee report on sustainable development, published on 18 July. [37942]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government published their response to the Lords Select Committee report on sustainable development on 12 October. We did so in

  Year(1 April to31 March)

  Fatal injuries

  Non-Fatal major industries (c)

  Over three-day injuries (d)

  Total

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  1991–92

  46

  7

  495

  39

  1,308

  213

  1,849

  259

  1992–93

  45

  6

  525

  49

  1,361

  164

  1,931

  219

  1993–94

  37

  4

  593

  53

  1,246

  142

  1,876

  199

  (a) Agriculture and horticulture sector. (b) Forestry.

  (c) As defined under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations—RIDDOR—but chiefly amputations, serious fractures and other injuries causing hospitalisation.

  (d) An injury causing incapacity for normal work for more than three days and reportable for employed and self-employed persons only.

  Liquid Effluent Treatment Plants
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his departmental ruling on the applicability of the waste management licensing regulations as applied to liquid effluent treatment plants. [36776]

  Mr. Clappison
  On 1 May 1994, the Government brought into force a new waste management licensing system under part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. On 25 July 1995, I announced that we had decided to extend from 31 July 1995 to 31 March 1996 the transitional arrangements made for the introduction of certain requirements of the new system. The Waste Management Licensing (Amendment No.2) Regulations 1995 give effect to this decision.

  Whether or not the operation of a liquid effluent treatment plant needs a licence must be determined on the facts of the case. The effect of the 1995 regulations is that, where a licence is necessary, operators of treatment plant will have until 31 March 1996 to apply for a licence.

  In the meantime, we are considering whether a case may be made for the exemption of some treatment plant from licensing. In doing so, it is necessary to have regard to the terms of article 11 of the amended EC framework directive on waste and the need to ensure that waste is treated without causing environmental pollution or harm to human health.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he has had with the local authority associations about the area cost adjustment; and if he will make a statement. [37941]
  186
  order that the House should have ample opportunity to consider it before the report is debated on 26 October. Copies of the response have been formally laid before the House and placed in the House Library.

  Farming and Forestry (Accidents)
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the number of recorded accidents in the farming and forestry industry in each of the last three years; and how many have been fatal. [37134]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The table shows the total number of fatal and other accidents in the agriculture and horticulture and forestry sectors reported to all enforcing authorities between 1991–92 and 1993–94.

  Mr. Curry
  I met leading members of the local authority associations on 16 October. The local authority representatives whom I met are considering my proposals for an independent review of the adjustment. The aim would be to establish a method of carrying out the adjustment which commanded the widest degree of acceptance among authorities in all parts of the country, had a sound conceptual basis and was practical to apply.

  I proposed that the review should be steered by a leading academic. It should also have someone knowledgeable about local government finance, nominated by the local authority associations, and someone familiar with central Government processes, nominated by the Secretary of State. Research would be commissioned to assist the review in its work. We would seek a report from the review in June 1996.

  Leisure Activities
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the Government's response to the Environment Select Committee's report on "The Environmental Impact of Leisure Activities" will be published. [37943]

  Mr. Clappison
  Our response is being published today, as a supplementary memorandum, to the Committee's report on "The Environmental Impact of Leisure Activities".

  We welcome the Committee's report, and we are pleased to note the general thrust of the Committee's findings. We share its view that there is no evidence that tourism and leisure pose a serious, immediate or intrinsic threat to the environment. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the need for effective management to take account of potential impacts. These impacts are most likely to be felt and be best resolved at the local level, taking account both of the diversity of the countryside and the knowledge and experience of local communities.
  187
  We strongly agree with the Committee that the economic benefits which tourism and leisure can bring to rural areas should be more widely recognised. We also welcome the Committee's endorsement of the principles of "green tourism" and their contribution towards securing a sustainable tourism industry.

  We have addressed many of these issues in the context of the rural White Paper, which acknowledges the distinctive nature of the countryside, its value to the nation, and the importance of vibrant local communities.

  Ministerial Transport
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the security implications of using hire car companies to transport Government Ministers rather than directly employed drivers. [37149]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 16 October 1995]: Ministers, in the main, are provided with cars and drivers through the Government car service. All GCS drivers are security cleared to an appropriate level.

  During busy periods, the Government car service will sometimes use private companies under contract. In all cases, drivers have the necessary security clearances. Very occasionally, to meet unusual requirement, a private company may be employed which is used so infrequently that security clearances are not justified. In such cases, the involvement of a Minister is not advertised to the company in advance. No substantive security implication therefore arises.

  Renewal Areas
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 25 April,Official Report, column 471, if he will make a progress statement on the research work being undertaken in renewal areas by Austin Mayhead and Co. Ltd. for his Department. [37477]

  Mr. Clappison
  The research has now been completed and a draft final report is due to be delivered to the Department by Austin Mayhead on 31 October.

  Nuclear Waste Repository, Cumbria
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements have been made for the provision of daily transcripts to be made available to(a) participants and (b) outside interested parties of the proceedings of the public inquiry into the application by UK Nirex to construct a rock characteristics laboratory in connection with its nuclear waste repository development programme which began in September in Cumbria. [36753]

  Mr. Clappison
  The arrangements for the public inquiry into the appeal by UK Nirex Ltd. are matters for the Planning Inspectorate agency and Cumbria county council. I have asked the agency's chief executive to write separately to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. Greenfield to Mr. Llew Smith, dated 16 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment has asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive to answer your question about arrangements for providing transcripts of the inquiry, currently being
  188
  held, into the application by UK Nirex Ltd for a rock characterisation facility at Sellafield. I am replying in the absence of Mr Shepley.
  There is no requirement in the Inquiry Procedure Rules for daily transcripts to be made available, either to participants or to interested parties. The only formal record of the proceedings is the Inspector's report to the Secretary of State which will be issued to the main parties with the decision letter.
  However, I understand that one of the interested parties, the National Anti-Dump Network (NAND) is making daily transcripts. Cumbria County Council has agreed to produce photocopies of these and a limited number are periodically being made available at the inquiry venue. I should stress that this is a purely voluntary arrangement, and that the transcripts will not form part of the formal inquiry documentation to be included in the Inspector's report.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make an assessment of the operation of the system by which European regional development funds are filtered through to local authorities and other organisations; and what currently available tables he has for take-up of European development funds by the United Kingdom, in percentages, in relation to other member states. [37279]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Grants are decided and offered by Government Departments after a procedure, agreed by a monitoring committee for the area concerned, which includes scoring applications against project selection criteria and consultation with members of the committee, for example in working groups.

  The projects selection criteria have only recently been introduced. I will make an assessment in due course.

  The European Commission's most recent annual report on the implementation of the reform of the structural funds includes tables for commitments and payments for the period 1989–1993. These show that the UK committed all allocations from the European regional development fund. Payments to the UK made by the end of 1993 were 86.8 per cent., 68.1 per cent. and 76.3 per cent. of these commitments for objectives 1, 2 and 5(b) respectively. Payments for the Community as a whole were 86.2 per cent., 71.3 per cent. and 77.0 per cent. Payments can continue until the end of 1995.

  Regional Development Grant
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of total regional development grants in the last five years have been allocated to each English and Welsh county and to Scotland. [35725]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information requested, based on offers of regional selective assistance accepted between 1 April 1990 and 31 March 1995, is as follows:

  Per cent.

  England

  Cambridgeshire

  0.10

  Cheshire

  1.09

  Cleveland

  2.16

  Cornwall

  1.50

  Cumbria

  0.86

  189

  Per cent.

  Derbyshire

  0.09

  Devon

  1.05

  Dorset

  0.09

  Durham

  2.06

  East Sussex

  0.01

  Essex

  0.07

  Gloucestershire

  0.08

  Greater London

  0.14

  Greater Manchester

  3.50

  Hereford and Worcester

  0.45

  Humberside

  3.35

  Isle of Wight

  0.05

  Kent

  0.19

  Lancashire

  1.14

  Leicestershire

  0.06

  Lincolnshire

  0.12

  Merseyside

  4.04

  Norfolk

  0.04

  North Yorkshire

  0.01

  Northamptonshire

  0.25

  Northumberland

  1.25

  Nottinghamshire

  0.36

  Shropshire

  0.45

  South Yorkshire

  2.26

  Staffordshire

  0.19

  Suffolk

  0.01

  Tyne and Wear

  3.83

  Warwickshire

  0.54

  West Midlands

  4.68

  West Yorkshire

  0.73

  Wales

  Clwyd

  5.84

  Dyfed

  0.81

  Gwent

  5.81

  Gwynedd

  1.11

  Mid Glamorgan

  8.53

  Powys

  0.13

  South Glamorgan

  0.95

  West Glamorgan

  2.14

  Scotland

  37.90

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total regional development grant per head allocated to each English and Welsh county and Scotland in the last five years; and what was the English average. [36724]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The information requested, based on offers of regional selective assistance accepted between 1 April 1990 and 31 March 1995, is as follows:

  Grant per head £

  England

  Cambridgeshire

  2.11

  Cheshire

  16.04

  Cleveland

  55.05

  Cornwall

  45.05

  Cumbria

  24.91

  Derbyshire

  1.32

  Devon

  14.29

  Dorset

  1.94

  Durham

  48.36

  East Sussex

  0.28

  Essex

  0.60

  Gloucestershire

  2.21

  Greater London

  0.30

  Greater Manchester

  19.43

  190

  Grant per head £

  Hereford and Worcester

  9.22

  Humberside

  54.19

  Isle of Wight

  5.22

  Kent

  1.78

  Lancashire

  11.48

  Leicestershire

  0.93

  Lincolnshire

  2.89

  Merseyside

  39.88

  Norfolk

  0.74

  North Yorkshire

  0.21

  Northamptonshire

  6.06

  Northumberland

  58.08

  Nottinghamshire

  4.96

  Shropshire

  15.39

  South Yorkshire

  24.67

  Staffordshire

  2.64

  Suffolk

  0.14

  Tyne and Wear

  48.12

  Warwickshire

  15.80

  West Midlands

  25.37

  West Yorkshire

  4.97

  Average Grant Per Head1

  10.85

  Wales

  Clwyd

  200.96

  Dyfed

  32.86

  Gwent

  184.45

  Gwynedd

  65.88

  Mid Glamorgan

  224.15

  Powys

  15.07

  South Glamorgan

  33.18

  West Glamorgan

  82.20

  Scotland

  105.78

  1 Based on total population for England.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the United Kingdom assisted area population resides in Devon and Cornwall. [36723]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The percentage of the UK assisted area population resident in Devon and Cornwall is 5.03 per cent.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the report of Lord Justice Scott on the inquiry into arms sales to Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [37110]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 16 October 1995]: I understand from Sir Richard Scott that he has virtually finished the section of his report dealing with prosecutions arising from exports to Iraq in the period 1984 to 1990. He is currently completing the writing of his recommendations chapter.

  I understand that the inquiry is engaged in seeking comments on criticisms of individuals made by Sir Richard Scott in the prosecutions section of the report. When Sir Richard has received those comments, he will consider them and, as appropriate, revise the report.
  191
  It is impossible to predict with certainty how soon the report will be completed. This depends on a number of factors, including the extent and promptness of the responses to the draft extracts which have been, and continue to be, sent to people.

  Subject to that, I am informed that the inquiry's own present expectation is that the final text will be completed in early December. The report will then be printed and published as soon as practicable thereafter.

  Newspaper Carriage Charges
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions are taking place between the Director General of Fair Trading, the newspaper wholesalers and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents in relation to newspaper carriage charges. [36953]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  There have been no such discussions involving the Office of Fair Trading since the Director General of Fair Trading announced his decision on 21 August not to refer the wholesale distribution of newspaper to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

PRIME MINISTER

  Priorities
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister what are his priorities for the remaining period of his premiership. [36028]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the speech that I made on 13 October, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Prime Minister 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. [36996]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 October 1995]: For this purpose my office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 16 October 1995.

DEFENCE

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) of 17 March,Official Report, column 735, if he will now make it his practice to release historic details of nuclear weapons numbers in the United Kingdom arsenal. [36840]
  192
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Information on the size of our nuclear forces since the 1970s was published in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1995, Cm 2800, pages 38–39. We have no current plans to release further details of our nuclear weapons numbers.

  Rosyth Naval Base
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the sale of Rosyth naval base; and if he will make a statement. [37738]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I have now received the results of the recent tender exercise for the sale of the naval base. After careful analysis, and the submission of revised bids following further discussions with all the complaint bidders, the tender submitted by the Rosyth 2000 consortium was judged to be the best offer in terms of producing convincing business plans for the regeneration of the area and representing a fair return to the taxpayer for the sale of the base. The consortium has been selected as our preferred tenderer and our negotiations with the company will now continue to ensure a smooth transition of the naval base to civilian use by the end of March 1996. I am confident that Rosyth 2000 has the expertise and financial resources to sustain the regeneration of the area that we all wish to see.

  Military Survey Defence Agency
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key performance targets have been set for the Military Survey defence agency for 1995–96. [37877]

  Mr. Soames
  The Military Survey defence agency key targets for 1995–96 are:

  (1) To complete the endorsed in-year production programme, recognising that this may be impacted upon by unforeseeable, higher priority operational and emergency requirements.

  (2) To implement by 31 March 1996 those three-year review study recommendations applicable to the agency, to include the development of customer agreement procedures.

  (3) To implement by 31 March 1996 the military survey fundamental review redesign report, stage 1, part 2.

  (4) To implement by 1 April 1998 a capability to support a specified geographic requirement package; initially to have costed the geographic implications for the Department by 31 March 1996.

  (5) To improve the work unit cost of the production programme by 31 March 1996 by 3 per cent., in accruals terms, from an agreed 1 April 1995 baseline.

  These key targets take forward much of the work of previous targets and prominence is given to the agency's core outputs. They also drive the management reforms possible because of agency status. More detail on these reforms, including those applicable to the agency and fundamental reviews, are contained in the agency's 1994 annual report, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House shortly.

SCOTLAND

  Roads
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the proposed capital allocation for roads in the
  193
  Angus unitary authority for the years 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99. [36456]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Capital allocations for roads and transport for the new unitary authorities in Scotland, including Angus, have still to be determined for these years.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the capital allocation for roads in Tayside region in each year since 1983, at 1994 prices. [36405]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The annual roads and transport capital allocations for Tayside regional council since 1982–83 at 1994 prices are set out in the table.

  £ million

  Year

  Allocation

  1994–95 prices

  1982–83

  6.50

  11.68

  1983–84

  6.97

  11.97

  1984–85

  8.20

  13.41

  1985–86

  8.00

  12.40

  1986–87

  8.25

  12.42

  1987–88

  8.20

  11.72

  1988–89

  7.50

  10.04

  1989–90

  8.40

  10.51

  1990–91

  8.50

  9.85

  1991–92

  9.50

  10.36

  1992–93

  9.10

  9.54

  1993–94

  9.00

  9.16

  1994–95

  8.85

  8.85

  1995–96

  8.20

  7.96

  Some capital allocations prior to 1995–96 include in year supplementary allocations.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Transfer of Land Report
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether he plans to implement recommendations in the Law Commission's report on Transfer of Land—Obsolete Restrictive Covenants, Law Com. No. 201. [37634]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Due to concerns about the potential costs to the public of using the scheme recommended by the Law Commission, and following careful consideration of representations from the public in this regard, it is not the Government's intention to implement the commission's recommendations. However, the matter will be kept under review following implementation of the commission's recommendations in Law Com. No. 127 for a scheme of land obligations.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Upper Waiting Hall (Exhibitions)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the work of the Henley management college to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
  194
  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 13 November to Friday 17 November 1995.

WALES

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs were created or safeguarded as a result of regional selective assistance granted to companies in Ynys Môn in each year since 1990. [36654]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information is not available in the precise form requested. Regional selective assistance offers accepted between 1 July 1990 and 30 September 1995 where some payments have been made are forecast to create or safeguard 521 jobs. To date, 343 jobs have been accounted for.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Detention Centres (Emotional Disturbances)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish his assessment of the significance of emotional disturbance among young people as a factor associated with inmates of detention centres, indicating his estimate of the proportion of the cost accounted for by such young people; and if he will make a statement. [36631]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Detention centres and youth custody centres were replaced by young offender institutions in 1988.

  Two studies have been commissioned by the Home Office into the mental health of sentenced and unsentenced prisoners. Both include findings on young males in prison, although data on young females were not collated separately from data on adult females. The report of the first study was published in May 1991 under the title "Mentally Disordered Prisoners". The report of the second study, "Mental Disorder in Remand Prisoners" was received by the Home Office in late September 1995.

  The 1990 study showed that 33 per cent. of sentenced young male offenders in the sample group were diagnosed as suffering from some form of psychiatric disorder, including harmful or dependant misuse of substances. The corresponding figure for unsentenced young male offenders in the 1995 study was 53 per cent. of the sample group.

  No figures are available on the cost of maintaining inmates with emotional or mental health problems, as opposed to those without such problems.

  Smoke Alarms
  Mr. Thurnham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the reduction in fire deaths attributable to the installation of smoke alarms. [37133]
  195
  Mr. Howard
  None. However, United Kingdom fire statistics for 1993 reveal death rates for fires in dwellings which are discovered by smoke alarms are lower than those which are not discovered by smoke alarms; three deaths per 1,000 fires compared with nine deaths per 1,000 fires.

  Prisons Ombudsman
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he authorised the office of the prisons ombudsman to refuse to investigate complaints which are received in a prisoner's own handwriting. [37195]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Complaints to the prisons ombudsman are never rejected because they are hand-written. The vast majority of complaints received by the prisons ombudsman are in the prisoner's own writing and are carefully considered to see whether they are eligible for investigation within the terms of the ombudsman's remit. It is, of course, helpful to the ombudsman's office if handwritten letters are legible. The ombudsman also accepts complaints from prisoners written in foreign languages. The detailed procedures are set out in the document, "The Prisons Ombudsman: A Note on Arrangements" a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Operation Bumblebee
  Mr. John Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the trends in domestic burglaries in London since the inception of Operation Bumblebee. [37170]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that prior to the launch of Operation Bumblebee in June 1993, the number of domestic burglaries recorded for the financial year 1992–93 was 127,611. A total of 15,136—11.8 per cent.—of these offences were cleared up. By 31 March 1995 the number of recorded burglaries had fallen to 106,558, while the number of crimes cleared up had risen to 20,666—19.4 per cent.

  Remand Custody
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a)(b) 16 and (c) 17-year-old-boys were remanded into custody during (i) 1990, (ii) 1991 and (iii) 1992. [37186]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The available information on the number of 15 to 17-year-old boys received on remand into prison service establishments in England and Wales is given in the tables. The age split requested is not available for 1990–1991. This information is also published in successive volumes of "Prison statistics, England and Wales"—table 3.9 of the 1992 edition (Cm 2581) and table 2.6 for earlier years. Copies of these publications are available from the Library.

  Table 1: Receptions of male remand prisoners, aged 14–20 into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales 1990–1992

  Age

  Total aged under 21

  Year

  14–16

  17–20

  19901

  1,240

  18,517

  19,575

  19911

  1,164

  19,077

  20,241

  1 Only age split available.

  196

  Table 2

  Age

  Total aged under 18

  Year

  15

  16

  17

  1992

  377

  720

  3,755

  4,852

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people aged(a) 12 to 14 and (b) 15 to 16 years were held in custody on remand in (i) local authority accommodation, (ii) prison services accommodation and (iii) any other venue in 1994 and in each of the previous five years. [36261]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The available information on the number of young persons remanded to local authority accommodation in England is published by the Department of Health in "Children accommodated in secure units"—reference A/F 94/21, table 10. This information is presented on a financial year basis with the last report covering the year ending 31 March 1994. The available information on the number of 14 to 16-years-olds received on remand into prison service establishments in England and Wales is given in the table. No age split is available for 1989–1991.

  This information is published in "Prison statistics, England and Wales", table 3.9 of 1992 and 1993 editions, Cms 2581 and 2893, copies of which are available in the library. No information is available for young persons held in any other venue.

  Receptions of 14, 15 and 16 year old remand prisoners into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales 1989–1994

  Age

  Year

  314

  15

  16

  Total

  19891

  —

  —

  —

  1,476

  19901

  —

  —

  —

  1,243

  19911

  —

  —

  —

  1,168

  1992

  4

  377

  721

  1,102

  1993

  0

  454

  907

  1,361

  19942

  0

  634

  1,103

  1,737

  1 No age split available.

  2 Provisional figures.

  3 Following implementation of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 in October 1992, 14 year old boys may not be remanded to Prison Service establishments.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Farms
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the number of farms of the size(a) 1 to 25 hectares, (b) 26 to 50 hectares, (c) 51 to 75 hectares, (d) 76 to 100 hectares, (e) 101 to 150 hectares, (f) 151 to 200 hectares and (g) 201 or more hectares for (i) the last available year and (ii) 1985. [36430]

  Mr. Boswell
  Statistics for England from the June agricultural census for the years 1985 and 1994 are shown in the table:

  Holding size (hectares)

  1985

  1994

  0.1 to 0.9

  4,405

  4,001

  1.0 to 25.9

  68,839

  72,352

  26.0 to 50.9

  28,188

  25,980

  51.0 to 75.9

  16,233

  15,169

  197

  Holding size (hectares)

  1985

  1994

  76.0 to 100.9

  10,358

  10,095

  101.0 to 150.9

  10,992

  10,969

  151.0 to 200.9

  5,553

  5,503

  201 and over

  9.198

  9,357

  Total holdings

  153.766

  153,426

  1. The above figures exclude minor holdings.

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [36959]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 16 October 1995]: Since 1990, no outsourcing contracts have been granted by the Department or its agencies to any of the companies listed. Consequently, there has been no additional work.

  Fish (Pollution)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the dangers to cod, haddock and plaice stocks in the North sea of the pollutions of hydrocarbons in drilling wastes discharging from rigs [37292]

  Mr. Baldry
  There have been a number of recent studies which examined the levels of hydrocarbons and taint in fish. These show some evidence that oil residues are present but no evidence of taint. There are no dangers to cod, haddock or plaice stocks in the North sea arising from drilling wastes.

HEALTH

  Cancer
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the mortality rates from(a) cervical, (b) breast, (c) lung and (d) bowel cancer in (i) England and (ii) other OECD countries. [36618]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is shown in the table.

  Provisional mortality rates for England 1993

  Description

  ICD91 code

  Crude death rate (per 100,000)

  Malignant neoplasm of the bowel

  152,153,154

  31.3

  Malignant neoplasm of the lung

  162

  62.9

  Malignant neoplasm of the female breast

  174

  49.3

  Malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri

  180

  5.6

  1 International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision.

  198
  The latest available data for other Organisation of Holding size Economic Co-operation and Development countries can be found in the "World Health Statistics Annual 1993", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the mortality rates from all cancers in(a) England and (b) other OECD countries. [36617]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is shown in the table.

  Provisional mortality rates for England 1993

  Description

  ICD91 code

  Crude death rate (per 100,000)

  Malignant neoplasms

  140–208

  270.7

  1 International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision.

  The latest available data for other Organisations of Economic Co-operation and Development Countries can be found in the "World Health Statistics Annual 1993", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Junior Doctors (Accommodation Changes)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department gives to trusts in relation to charging junior doctors for hospital accommodation when they are required by their contract to be resident on call. [37220]

  Mr. Malone
  The terms and conditions of service for hospital medical and dental staff (England and Wales) handbook includes the provisions for charges for residence for junior doctors whether they are compulsory resident practitioners or voluntary resident practitioners. From 1 April 1995 the ceiling on lodging charges for voluntary resident practitioners was removed. AL(MD)4/95, which announced this change, was issued on 12 June 1995 and contains guidance for employing bodies on the provision of accommodation for hospital medical and dental staff, including compulsorily resident practitioners.

  Copies of both documents are available in the Library.

  Travel Allowances
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [36370]

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

  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's assessment of the potential value of a national awareness week focusing on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and similar conditions; and if he will make a statement. [36648]

  Mr. Bowis
  I am advised that it is unlikely that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder would benefit from presentation in this way.
  199
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each of the last three years(a) the total amount estimated to have been spent on mental health treatment and (b) the total amount estimated to have been spent in treating children diagnosed as suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, indicating in each case the percentage of each item as a proportion of the total health budget; and if he will make a statement. [36651]

  Mr. Bowis
  The available information on the amount spent on mental health treatment is shown in the table.

  Information on the amount spent on treating children diagnosed as suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not available centrally.

  Mental illness expenditure cash prices£ million

  Mental illness expenditure 1993–94 prices£ million

  Mental illness as a proportion of total hospital and community health services expenditure Percentage

  1991–92

  2,185.3

  2,341.8

  11.58

  1992–93

  2,350.30

  2,422.2

  11.56

  1. Final figures for 1993–94 are not yet available.

  2. The gross domestic product deflator was used to calculate the 1993–94 prices.

  3. The mental illness expenditure is made up of the following:

  (a) in-patient and outpatient expenditure—the consultant specialities of mental illness, child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, physiotherapy and old age psychiatry.

  (b) day patient expenditure—in the categories, mental illness (alcoholism, drug abuse, psychogeriatrics and general), child and adolescent psychiatry and forensic psychiatry.

  4. Expenditure figures for 1991–92 onwards are not comparable with earlier years due to changes in national health service accountancy practices.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue guidelines to assist head teachers and social workers in providing for the medical problems of hyperactive children; and if he will make a statement. [36652]

  Mr. Bowis
  Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who are regarded as having special educational needs should be assessed on an individual basis by a team of appropriately trained professionals, as provided for in the code of practice on the identification and assessment of special educational needs issued last year by the Department for Education and Employment and the Welsh Office.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his assessment of the linkage between long-term addictive tendencies and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; and if he will make a statement. [36656]

  Mr. Bowis
  Some research suggests that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may have an increased risk of developing further problems later in childhood and in adolescence, including substance abuse. The nature of any such linkage is, however, not yet clear.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department provides for adoptive parents who discover that their adopted child is 200
  affected by attention deficit disorder or similar condition; and if he will make a statement. [36657]

  Mr. Bowis
  Advice for parents, whether adoptive or otherwise, is a matter for professional consideration in each individual case.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of conventional family therapy in the case of families in which one or more children are affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. [36658]

  Mr. Bowis
  Family therapy may play a part in a comprehensive treatment programme which may also include medication and other interventions. With young children and in milder forms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, family therapy may be an appropriate and effective approach on its own—for example, if focused on enhancing parenting skills and helping the child learn strategies to improve concentration.

  Breast Cancer (Radiotherapy Damage)
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of women whose treatment by radiotherapy after breast cancer has led to major permanent injuries; what plans he has to pay compensation in these cases; and what compensation has been paid in each of the last five years. [37224]

  Mr. Sackville
  No estimate has been made but the Department of Health is working with Rage Breast, a patient support group representing women who have had radiotherapy for breast cancer which has led to major permanent injuries. There are no plans to pay compensation in these cases, nor has any compensation been paid in the last five years. We sympathise fully with those suffering as a result of any medical side effect; however, we consider that compensation by the national health service is appropriate only when there is evidence of medical negligence. The Government's position remains that the basis for seeking compensation should be by proof of negligence through the courts.

  "Pocket Guide to the NHS in London"
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the "Pocket Guide to the NHS in London" cost to write, publish and distribute; how many copies have been produced; and to whom and to which organisations it has been distributed. [37424]

  Mr. Sackville
  A total of 15,000 copies of the "Pocket Guide to the NHS in London" have been produced at a total cost of £26,000. The guide has been distributed to a wide range of organisations and individuals in London including health authorities and trusts, hon. and right hon. Members, community health councils, general practices, local authorities and the media. The response to the guide has been overwhelmingly favourable with many requests for additional copies.

  Health Care from Non-NHS Providers
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on purchasing care from non-NHS providers by fundholders, trusts, heath authorities and in total in each year since 1990. [37425]
  201
  Mr. Sackville
  The table details expenditure on purchasing care for 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94 for general practitioner fundholders, national health services trusts, health authorities and in total. Figures for 1990–91 are not available.

  Purchase of health care from non-NHS providers (England) 1991–92 to 1993–94

  £ thousands

  1991–92

  1992–93

  19943–94

  GP fundholders

  3,698

  13,127

  29,899

  NHS trusts

  12,204

  45,436

  50,386

  Health authorities

  194,471

  210,558

  277,716

  Total

  210,373

  269,121

  358,001

  Source:

  1. Annual accounts of family health services authorities; regional, districts and special health authorities for the London postgraduate hospitals, 1992–93 and 1993–94.

  2. Annual financial returns of NHS trusts, regional, district and special health authorities for the London postgraduates hospitals 1991–92.

  London Ambulance Service
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government intend to respond to the second report of the Health Select Committee on London's Ambulance Service, HC 20; and if he will make a statement. [37633]

  Mr. Sackville
  Copies of the Government's response to the Health Committee's report on London's Ambulance Service have been laid before the House today.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Agency Targets
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what targets she has set for the executive agencies in her Department. [37739]

  Mr. Sproat
  The following targets have been set for 1995–96:

  For the Historic Royal Parks agency

  Financial Targets:

  Commercial Surplus—£7.4 million

  Call on the taxpayer: £6.7 million

  Visitor Satisfaction Measures1

  Visitors' average ratings of:

  Value for Money—0.7 to 1.0

  Enjoyment—above 1.4

  Helpful and friendly staff—above 1.4

  Efficiency Target:

  Savings on running costs—2 per cent.

  Conservation Target:
  To complete the fire prevention works planned for 1995–96 and the programme of works identified by the buildings condition surveys as needed in 1995–96. To undertake further detailed inspections of the specific areas identified by the surveys as possibly needing work in 1996–97.
  1Visitor ratings are assessed from market research interviews with 900 visitors, undertaken by independent consultants each summer. 2.0 is extremely good; 1.5 is very good; 1.0 is quite good; 0 is OK; -1.0 is quite poor; -2.0 is very poor.
  For the Royal Parks agency
  202
  Fabric:

  (i) Examine the scope for private sector finance to fund the necessary works required to remove the three remaining buildings on the "at risk" register.

  (ii) Carry out all the outstanding maintenance identified as necessary to meet health and safety obligations.

  (iii) Redraft tender documents for three remaining grounds maintenance contracts which expire in March 1996, invite competitive tenders and award new contracts.

  (iv) Achieve an average rating of at least 75 per cent. across all parks in response to the visitor survey question: "how do you rate the cleanliness of this park?"

  (v) Redraft tender documents for the works management contract.

  Financial:

  (i) Increase income from £1.8 million in 199–95 to £2.3 million from permits, licences, events, concessions and car parking.

  (ii) Achieve 1.5 per cent. improvement in running costs efficiency.

  (iii) Complete development of an agency pay and grading system in order that a new system can be introduced by 1 April 1996.

  Visitor Survey:

  Achieve an overall quality rating of 8 marks out of 10 in response to visitor survey question "Overall, how would you rate the quality of the park?"

  Assessment of soft landscape quality:
  Each park to achieve an overall score of 7 marks out of 10 for its soft landscape presentation.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the total income received to date(a) in tax revenue, (b) in money for distribution to good causes since the start of the national lottery and (c) in interest received on money prior to expenditure being incurred by the distribution boards. [37487]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 16 October 1995]: For the period 22 November 1994 to 30 September 1995, £410.7 million has been paid in duty levied on the national lottery. For the same period, £1,093 million has been paid to the national lottery distribution fund for distribution to good causes and £30.7 million of interest has accrued to the fund as a whole.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage whether the interest on the lottery income earmarked for distribution by the National Lottery Charities Board is being added, automatically and in full, to the money available for future distribution by that board; how the money is being held; and under what rules it is to be released to the board. [37484]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 16 October 1995]: Pending draw down by the distributing bodies, proceeds available from the national lottery are held in the national lottery distribution fund. Funds are invested and balances calculated for each distributing body. The NLDF investment account is revalued before each transaction, either receipt or draw down of funds—for payment of grants or expenses—and interest is apportioned in full to each body. Funds are normally drawn on a monthly basis, in accordance with procedures agreed between the Department of National Heritage, the National Debt Commissioners and the distributing bodies.
  203
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will show(a) the income earmarked for distribution by the National Lottery Charities Board from the income in each month since money started to flow from the national lottery, (b) the cumulative total held in respect of the NLCB at an appropriate point in each month, (c) how much of that total is held respectively (i) by the Treasury, (ii) by his Department or (iii) in any other fund and (d) the rate of interest and the total cash figure earned each month from the sums held. [37483]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 16 October 1995]: The National Lottery Charities Board is allocated one fifth of the money generated by the national lottery for the national lottery distribution fund. Since 22 November 1994, £217.4 million has accrued to the charities board, which is an average of £20.7 million per month. All money paid into the fund, not immediately required for distribution, is paid over to the National Debt Commissioners and invested by them in accordance with Treasury directions. Interest is accrued on the fund as a whole and apportioned to each distributor. To date, £30.7 million of interest has accrued to the fund as a whole, of which £6.3 million is attributable to the charities board.

  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will show(a) the income received in taxation in respect of each month since such income started to flow from the national lottery, (b) the total income from distribution to good causes received in respect of each month since such income started to flow, (c) the proportion and sum earmarked for distribution by the National Lottery Charities Board from each month's income, (d) the sums actually disbursed by the Treasury each month, indicating the amounts within the total passed to the Home Office and direct to the National Lottery Charities Board, (e) the amount of interest earned each month on the sums held by the Treasury for future distribution by the National Lottery Charities Board and (f) the cumulative monthly total including interest held by the Treasury for each month since the income commenced. [37486]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 16 October 1995]: The national lottery distribution fund is maintained under the control of the Secretary of State for National Heritage. All money paid into the fund not immediately required for distribution, is paid over to the National Debt Commissioners and invested by them in accordance with Treasury directions.

  Let by

  Activity

  Name of successful bid

  Won by in-house bid

  1992–93

  DNH

  Computer equipment and related services

  SEMA Group Ltd.

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Banqueting House Security

  Royal British Legion Attendants Company

  No in-house bid

  1993–94

  DNH

  Consultancy for advice on competitive tendering of works management functions

  Watts and Partners

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Reprographics

  Williams Lea FM

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Central typing and secretarial

  Manpower plc

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Mailroom

  Security Despatch Group

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Security

  Royal British Legion Association

  No in-house bid

  204
  For the period 22 November 1994 to 30 September 1995, £410.7 million has been paid in duty levied on the national lottery, which is an average of £41 million per month.

  For the same period, £1,093 million, has been paid to the national lottery distribution fund for distribution to good causes. This is an average of £104 million per month. One fifth of all money paid into the fund is allocated to the National Lottery Charities Board. To date, this equates to £217.4 million, which is accrued at an average of £20.7 million per month.

  To date, £65.3 million has been paid to distributors, an average of £6.5 million per month. Of the total, £6.6 million has been paid to the National Lottery Charities Board.

  Interest accrued on the charities board share of the national lottery distribution fund, since the start of the lottery, totals £6.3 million. This is an average of £0.6 million per month.

  The total value of the fund to date stands at £1,052 million, which represents average monthly income of £100.2 million.

  In-House Bids
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list those parts of his Department or departmental agencies which were privatised without an in-house bid; if he will indicate the expertise which was absent in his Department or departmental agencies which prevented an in-house bid taking place; which future parts of his Department or departmental agencies he intends to privatise; and which of them do not have the necessary in-house expertise to mount an in-house bid. [29432]

  Mr. Sproat
  [pursuant to the reply, 20 June 1995, c. 177–82]: I regret that there was an omission from the reply given by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State. Following is the complete answer that should have been provided.

  Since it was formed in April 1992, my Department and its agencies have contracted out the activities listed. As a newly formed Department, central services had been supplied by former parent Departments and thus there were no existing staff to mount an in-house bid. In order to concentrate on its core policy tasks it was decided to contract out these activities. Activities contracted out in the past and planned for the future, are as follows:
  205

  Let by

  Activity

  Name of successful bid

  Won by in-house bid

  DNH

  Minor maintenance

  Richard Devine

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Cleaning

  Ramoneur

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Reception

  Manpower plc

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Payments and Accounts Services

  Accounts Services Agency

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Property maintenance management

  Tarmac Facilities Management

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kew Palace—Security Services

  Royal British Legion

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Hampton Court Palace—Gardens Litter Clearance

  SITA

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Hampton Court Palace

  Initial Cleaning Services

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Catering

  De blanks

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Cleaning

  Swanlux

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Cash Collection

  Armaguard/Security Express

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Banqueting House—Cleaning Services

  Sloane Cleaning

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Banqueting House—Security

  Royal British Legion

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Banqueting House—Porterage

  Universal

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Banqueting House—Catering

  10 companies used—selected by tender

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Banqueting House—Floristry

  Nancy Ford

  No in-house bid

  1994–95

  DNH

  Provision of works management services for certain properties in central London

  E. C. Harris

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Provision of works management services for central ceremonial activities

  Unicorn Consultancy Ltd.

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Provision of works services management at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich

  Taylor Woodrow Facilities ManagementNo in-house bid

  DNH

  Statue maintenance services

  Stonewest Ltd.

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Services relating to Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree and New Year works

  Building and Property Facilities Management Ltd.

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Record Storage, Retrieval and Review

  Britannia Data Management

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Management of Car Parking Facilities

  Apcoa Parking Ltd.

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Audit Services

  Price Waterhouse

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Estate management duties

  Daniel Smith

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  IT Consultants

  Internet Solutions

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Ticketing/EPOS Systems

  MHG Systems Select Ticketing

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Window Cleaning

  Metropolitan

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Computer Maintenance

  HMSO

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Commercial Guard Force

  RBLA

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Signage—Moat Gardens

  HB Sign Company

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Costumed Interpretation

  Past Pleasures

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Garden Maintenance

  Ground Control

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Hampton Court Palace—Catering

  Town and County

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Hampton Court Palace—Costumed Interpretation

  Past Pleasures

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Hampton Court Palace—Recorded Tour Service

  Acoustiguide

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Catering

  De blanks/Digby Trout

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Cleaning

  Securicor

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Cash Collection

  Armaguard/Security Express

  No in-house bid

  1995–96

  DNH

  Consultancy for provision of professional support and advisory services relating to other Royal Estate Division works responsibilities

  Tenders under consideration

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Services relating to Remembrance Day ceremony works

  Tendering exercise planned for later in the year

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Stationery

  No yet awarded

  No in-house bid

  DNH

  Payments and Accounts Services

  CSL Managed Services

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Car Park Security duties

  Reliance Security

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Entertainment Organiser

  Not yet awarded

  —

  The Royal Parks

  Royal Parks Constabulary, recruit training

  Tenders under consideration

  No in-house bid

  The Royal Parks

  Additional Horse Grooming duties

  Tendering exercise planned for later in the year

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Computer Maintenance

  LCE Computer Systems

  No in-house bid

  206 207

  Let by

  Activity

  Name of successful bid

  Won by in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  HM Tower of London—Cash Collection/Counting

  Security Express

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Catering

  Securicor

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Cleaning

  Securicor

  No in-house bid

  Historic Royal Palaces

  Kensington Palace—Cash Collection

  Armaguard/Security Express

  No in-house bid

  1996–97

  Historic Royal Palaces

  All Palaces Security Warding

  Tenders to be invited September 1995, contract to start 1 April 1996

  No in-house bid

  Millennium Fund
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) how much money has been already promised from the millennium fund in each English and Welsh county; [36719]

  (2) how many individual projects have applied for funding from the millennium fund in each English and Welsh county. [36720]

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

TREASURY

  Local Government Finance, Isle of Wight
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice he will be giving the Department of the Environment following the meeting and correspondence between the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight and Mr. Orchard of the Department of Employment about the data in the new earnings survey and the Isle of Wight and the area cost adjustment formulae. [35989]

  Mrs. Knight
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave him in my letter dated 28 July, a copy of which is available in the Library.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [36823]

  Mr. Jack
  For Treasury and other Chancellor's Departments, members of the public have the same rights to make complaints of alleged maladministration to the relevant ombudsman concerning a project funded through the private finance initiative as they would have had if the project had been publicly financed.

  Profit-related Pay
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he had made of the cost to the Exchequer of profit-related pay for each of the last three years; and what is the estimate for this financial year. [37161]
  208
  Mr. Jack
  Estimates of the cost of income tax relief for profit-related pay schemes in 1994–95 and 1995–96 are published in table 1.6 of Inland Revenue Statistics 1995, a copy of which is in the Library. Estimates for other years can be found in earlier editions.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Outsourcing Contracts
  Mr.McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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) IT 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. [36956]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 16 October 1995]: The following outsourced contracts have been awarded:

  (e) Datasolve—Since 1990 Datasolve has provided a hot-site contingency service for the Water Executive mainframe. As this is the only outsourced contract with this company its value cannot be disclosed for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

  (f) IT Net—Two separate contracts for system software and support for the Department of Economic Development.

  1994–95: £193,613 main contract

  1995–96: £25,560 main contract

  No additional work was added to the contracts.]

  (i) BIS—Two Separate contracts were awarded for consultancy support.

  1993–94: £19,500 main contract

  1994–95: £5,040 main contract

  (k) ICL—a hardware support contract was awarded in respect of the Valuation and Lands Agency computer system, a financial computer system for the Water Executive, road maintenance and traffic accident systems for the Roads Service. As 1994–94 was the only year when more than one contract was in operation the cost of the contracts for other years cannot be disclosed for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

  1994–95: £249,2178 main contract

  No additional contract work was added to the contracts.

  (l) Digital—An office automation system for the DOE NI. The cost cannot be disclosed because of commercial confidentiality.

  209

  (m) CFM—Contracts for the provision of a computer bureau and associated services for NICS Departments and the NIO, data capture for agricultural area aid applications, an accounting system for the Department of Agriculture NI, mainframe computer services for DHSS NI, file storage for the NI Child Support Agency, child benefit payments and giro reconciliation for the Social Security Agency contract programmers and a print and dispatch service for the Rate Collection Agency and a mainframe management contract for the Department of Economic Development.

  Main contract £

  Additional £

  1991–92

  3,520,000

  27,000

  1992–93

  6,128,000

  364,000

  1993–94

  6,146,859

  578,000

  1994–95

  5,706,109

  322,125

  1995–96

  5,162,516

  200,000

  (q) Logica—A software support contract for the Valuation and Lands Agency and the provision and maintenance of a mainframe for the Department of Economic Development.

  Main contract £

  Additional £

  1991–92

  162,008

  137,801

  1992–93

  246,400

  169,173

  1993–94

  279,300

  3,412

  1994–95

  233,380

  58,500

  1995–96

  229,548

  —

  Housing
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, following the 25 per cent. rise above estimates in tender costs for house building in Northern Ireland in the current year, what plans he has to provide emergency extra funding for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. [37388]

  Mr. Moss
  None. However, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive can, along with other important public expenditure programmes, bid for any resources which

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995 to 11 October

  Department of Agriculture

  45

  65

  52

  63

  62

  56

  Department of Economic Development

  45

  79

  71

  54

  44

  36

  Department of Education

  22

  28

  24

  25

  20

  13

  Department of Environment

  183

  224

  244

  210

  208

  166

  Department of Finance and Personnel

  2

  9

  10

  6

  6

  4

  Department of Health and Social Services

  131

  106

  154

  121

  117

  91

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  25

  18

  22

  23

  29

  17

  Medicines Act 1968, 1971 made jointly by Great Britain and Northern Ireland Departments

  11

  8

  20

  10

  22

  4

  Because a number of statutory rules, regulations and orders are made by more than one Department the figures when broken down by Department are greater than the overall total.

  Business Development Service
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the prior options study of the business development service has been completed; and what was the outcome of the study. [37873]
  210
  might become available in-year within the Northern Ireland block.

  National Anthem
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the policy of the Northern Ireland Department of Education in respect of whether the national anthem is sectarian. [37362]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Government's policy remains that the national anthem should be played on ceremonial occasions. Its use on other occasions is a matter for the relevant authorities in each case.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what grounds the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland issued instructions that the national anthem should not be played when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Northern Ireland to open the new Lagan bridge in Belfast. [37360]

  Sir John Wheeler
  No instructions were issued either by the Department of the Environment or my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State.

  Statutory Rules, Regulations and Orders
  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many statutory rules, regulations and orders have been made in total, and by each Northern Ireland Department, over the last five years. [37393]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The total number of statutory rules, regulations and orders made by my right hon. and learned Friend and Northern Ireland Departments over the last five years is as follows:

  1990: 426

  1991: 506

  1992: 536

  1993: 463

  1994: 478

  1995 to 11 October: 362

  The breakdown by Department is as follows:

  Sir John Wheeler
  On 18 January 1994, I announced that the business development service of the Department of Finance and Personnel would be subject to a prior options study. That study is now complete and I have decided that the business development service of DFP
  211
  should become a next steps agency and that preparations for launch should proceed, with a view to agentisation by 1 April 1996.

  Health and Social Services
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many administrators or managers with salaries there were in(a) the Department of Health and Social Services, (b) the management executive, (c) the four area boards and (d) the various trusts for the last available year. [37293]

  Mr. Moss
  The information is as follows:

  DHSS

  Number with pay

  Whole-time equivalent

  DHSS staff employed on health-related matters, excluding the Management Executive

  158

  153.04

  Staff employed in the Management Executive

  334

  328.37

  DHSS total

  492

  481.41

  Trusts

  Number with pay

  WTE

  Belfast City Hospital Trust

  536

  490.19

  Green Park Trust

  296

  271.27

  South and East Belfast Trust

  530

  443.37

  UNDAH Trust

  419

  355.05

  Royal Trust

  828

  757.31

  Mater Trust

  140

  130.17

  North and West Belfast Community Trust

  442

  387.74

  Down and Lisburn Trust

  494

  440.02

  North Down and Ards Trust

  294

  242.11

  Causeway Trust

  426

  376.44

  Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust

  255

  233.14

  Newry and Mourne Trust

  287

  250.97

  Craigavon and Banbridge Community Trust

  222

  188.69

  NI Ambulance Service Trust

  39

  37.91

  Trust total

  5,208

  4,604.38

  Boards

  Number with pay

  WTE

  Eastern Health and Social Services Board

  EHSSB Headquarters

  226

  218.24

  Regional Medical Physics Agency

  9

  7.43

  Regional Supplies Service

  158

  153.08

  Blood Transfusion Service

  49

  44.28

  EHSSB Provider Support

  33

  33.00

  EHSSB total

  475

  456.03

  Northern Health and Social Services Board

  NHSSB Headquarters

  169

  159.70

  Homefirst Community Unit

  662

  568.38

  United Hospital Group

  588

  516.26

  NHSSB total

  1,419

  1,244.34

  212

  Boards

  Number with pay

  WTE

  Southern Health and Social Services Board

  SHSSB Headquarters

  115

  110.50

  Armagh and Dungannon UOM

  361

  318.53

  SHSSB total

  476

  429.03

  Western Health and Social Services Board

  WHSSB Headquarters

  330

  323.09

  Altnagelvin Group

  199

  173.54

  Foyle Community

  266

  229.08

  Omagh and Fermanagh Group

  328

  305.77

  Western Board Commissioners

  64

  58.35

  WHSSB total

  1,187

  1,089.83

  Board grant total

  3,557

  3,219.23

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on self-promotion as distinct from services to patients and clients by(a) the Department of Health and Social Services, (b) the management executive, (c) the four area boards and (d) the various trusts for the last available year. [37294]

  Mr. Moss
  Neither the Department of Health and Social Services, which includes the management executive, nor any of its agent bodies in the health and personal social services incur expenditure on items which could be termed "self-promotion", as distinct from "public relations". Most HPSS bodies have a public relations function which is concerned with the communication to interested parties of information relating to services, service development, and health and personal social services issues generally.

  Chief Constable's Certificates
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the Chief Constable's certificates issued between the commencement of the ceasefire and 30 September 1995 giving the date of the incident and the date of issue. [37225]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Since PIRA declared its ceasefire on 31 August 1994, a total of 951 certificates have been issued by the Chief Constable under the criminal damage and criminal injuries legislation, of which 122 relate to acts committed since that date. Of the 122, a total of 52 relate to acts committed since the loyalist terrorists declared their ceasefire on 14 October 1994, when the general ceasefire situation took effect. The attached table details the number of certificates issued between 1 September 1994 and end September 1995.

  Chief Constable's Certificates issued September 1994 to 30 September 1995 (Includes claims pre- and post- ceasefire)

  Injury

  Damage

  Total

  September 1994

  5

  160

  165

  October 1994

  3

  189

  192

  November 1994

  7

  96

  103

  December 1994

  10

  128

  138

  213

  Chief Constable's Certificates issued September 1994 to 30 September 1995 (Includes claims pre- and post- ceasefire)

  Injury

  Damage

  Total

  January 1995

  0

  80

  80

  February 1995

  2

  109

  111

  March 1995

  2

  35

  37

  April 1995

  5

  44

  49

  May 1995

  8

  16

  24

  June 1995

  1

  7

  8

  July 1995

  2

  17

  19

  August 1995

  1

  3

  4

  September 1995

  1

  20

  21

  Totals

  47

  904

  951

  Incidents from 1 September 1994 to 30 September 1995.

  1 September 199 to 13 October 1994: 66 Damage, four Injury.

  14 October 1994 to 30 September 1995: 51 Damage, one Injury.

  Valuation and Lands Agency
  Mr. Mans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Valuation and Lands Agency in 1995–96. [37874]

  Sir John Wheeler
  For 1995–96 the following key performance targets have been set for the agency:

  (1) To complete 39,000 rating cases, equivalent to 21,000 work units.

  (2) To complete 23,700 client service cases, equivalent to 20,700 work units.

  (3) To have met by 31 March 1996 all 1995–96 non-domestic revaluation project milestones as specified in the business plan.

  (4) To produce an action plan to implement the recommendations of the efficiency scrutiny on Government-owned land and establish a central advisory unit within VLA.

  (5) To achieve a productivity for case working valuers of 316 work units.

  (6) To achieve at least a 2.5 per cent. efficiency saving on the 1994–95 allocation in real terms.

  (7) To reduce the unit cost of casework by 3.5 per cent. in real terms.

  (8) To issue 93 per cent. of certificates for rating cases subject to backdating within 12 months of the events giving rise to revisions of the valuation list.

  (9) To achieve a standard in rating valuations such that 88 per cent. of those determined on appeal are within (plus) + or (minus)—10 per cent. of the initial assessment.

  (10) To complete 84 per cent. of rating appeals within 6 months of receipt.

  (11) To complete 93 per cent. of a representative sample of client services casework within agreed time limits.

  Full details are sent out in the agency's corporate and business plans, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Health and Social Services Estates Agency
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in establishing the Northern Ireland Health and Social Services Estates Agency. [37875]

  Mr. Moss
  I am pleased to announce that the Northern Ireland Health and Social Services Estates Agency was established as an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Services on 2 October 1995, under simplified next steps procedures.
  214
  The agency is the principal source of expertise available to health and personal social services managers in all aspects of an estate which comprises some 427 sites covering approximately 1200 hectares throughout Northern Ireland. The agency has 127 staff, the majority of whom are within professional estates disciplines. The range of estate services which the agency will provide includes policy and strategic advice to the Department, as well as project sponsor support, planning, project management and design and consultancy services for health and personal social service bodies generally.

  I have delegated full managerial authority for the agency's day-to-day operation to its chief executive. A ministerial advisory board will enable me to ensure public accountability for the performance of the agency. The policy and resources framework of the agency is set out in its framework document, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  In addition, I have set challenging targets for the agency in its first six months of operation. These are as follows:

  Financial management
  To manage the agency's resources so as to deliver the business plan within a total budget of £2.156 million;
  To deliver efficiency savings of 4 per cent. and to develop a programme of efficiency reviews to ensure that the most efficient and effective use is made of the agency's resources.
  To develop a programme for the development and implementation of resource accounting system by 31 March 1996;
  To develop service level agreements with client bodies and broad assessments of the prices to be charged for each of these packages of services by 31 March 1996.

  Efficiency of services
  To continue the continuous market test of the design and consultancy function of the agency ensuring a 3 per cent. increase in achieved surplus of £368,000 over the previous market testing period.

  Delivery of services

  To have in place a service level agreement with the Health and Personal Social Services Management Executive for the provision of agreed services by 31 March 1996.
  To complete by 31 March 1996 a comprehensive survey of client satisfaction with the type and quality of the agency's services. This survey will provide the baseline against which future client satisfaction levels will be measured.
  To ensure that the following programme of work is completed:
  Issue of 70 guidance papers on matters of general safety as well as specific guidance on fire safety in residential care premises.
  Completion of the design and achievement of "practical completion" in respect of 25 schemes valued at £7.5 million.
  Completion of business cases for schemes with a value of £48 million.
  Completion of planning of two schemes with a value of £74 million.

  Police Complaints System
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will carry out a review of the police complaints system; and if he will make a statement. [37876]

  Sir John Wheeler
  After consultation with the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Police Authority and the Independent Commission for Police Complaints, the
  215
  Government have concluded that after seven years' operation of the current police complaints system, it is appropriate now to review it. This review constitutes another important part of the major process of review of the policing service in Northern Ireland, and will be co-ordinated with the wider reform of policing structures and with the fundamental review of policing needs which the Secretary of State announced in a speech at Queen's university on 25 August this year.

  The Government will be appointing an independent reviewer shortly to take forward the review. Copies of the terms of reference have been placed in the Library.

  The terms of reference make it clear that the Government want a fundamental and wide-ranging review which will include examination of the current system of investigating complaints into the behaviour of individual officers but will also consider how complaints against police policy and standards of service can be dealt with. The review will begin in November with a report being presented to me no later than May 1996. The results of the review, and the Government's proposals for taking them forward, will be made public.

  I have no doubt that the reviewer will want to consult widely and I hope that, when comments are invited, all those with an interest will make their views known.

TRANSPORT

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what actions have been taken concerning departmental action on bomb warnings since the meeting on 14 June 1989 between assistant secretary C. T. Harris and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Cadman, Lockerbie relatives, and Mr. Derek Dempster, a member of the Air Transport Users Committee. [37451]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 16 October 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave on 6 March 1995, Official Report, column 55.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans he has to improve the criterion for controlling the noise of aircraft landing and taking off at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports; [36705]

  (2) if the existing policy of controlling noise of aircraft landing and taking off at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted remains in force. [36701]

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend's policy on noise abatement measures at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted has not changed.

  A consultation paper proposing increased monitoring efficiency and reductions in the noise limits which apply to departing aircraft at these airports, was issued on 3 October. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. The aircraft noise monitoring advisory committee, which reviewed the departure noise limits, will now study
  216
  the feasibility of noise limits for landing aircraft at these airports.

  Travel Allowances
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what rates of travel allowance may be claimed by civil servants in his Department when using their own vehicles for official business. [36371]

  Mr. Norris
  The present rates of travel allowance that may be claimed by civil servants in the centre of the Department of Transport and in the Highways Agency, Transport Research Laboratory, Coastguard Agency, Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency, Marine Safety Agency and Vehicle Certification Agency are:

  Car (standard rate) engine capacity

  Up to 4,000 miles

  Over 4,000 miles

  Up to 1000cc

  27p

  15p

  1001cc to 1500cc

  35.7p

  19p

  1501cc to 2000cc

  42p

  23p

  2001cc and above

  46p

  30p

  Public transport rate

  23.8p per mile

  Motor cycles

  Up to 125cc

  Over 125cc

  Up to 4,000 miles

  with third party insurance

  14.6p

  22.1p

  with comprehensive insurance

  16.2p

  25.3p

  Over 4,000 miles

  6.1p

  9p

  Pedal cycles

  6.2p per mile

  The Driving Standards Agency figures are:

  Per mile

  Standard Rate

  Up to 1500cc

  1501–2000cc

  Over 2000cc

  Up to 5,000 miles

  35.7p

  42p

  46p

  Over 5,000 miles

  18p

  22p

  30p

  The public transport rate

  23p 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

  9p

  The pedal cycle allowance

  6p per mile

  The Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency figures are:

  Engine size (cc)

  First 5,000 miles

  Over 5,000 miles

  Class A Up to 1500

  35.7p

  18p

  Class B 1500–2000

  42p

  22p

  Class C Over 2000

  46p

  28p

  Public Transport Rate Rail Classes

  23p

  217
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the total cost of travel expenses 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. [36372]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport, including its agencies, holds no detailed record of this expenditure past the end of each financial year.

  During 1994–95 the spend for the Department's Central Transport Group, together with the Highways Agency, Marine Safety Agency, Coastguard Agency, Vehicle Certification Agency, and Transport Research Laboratory was £1.418 million. If claims had been limited to the lowest level—that is, the public transport rate of 23.8p per mile—the spend would have been £944,000. Disaggregated figures for the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency, Driving Standards Agency and Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency are not available.

  Traffic Measures, Newbury
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what detailed studies he undertook into traffic reductions in Newbury in order to alleviate the problems of congestion from local vehicles; [36678]

  (2) what on-the-ground measures he has undertaken to assess the environmental impacts of the Newbury bypass during the review period; [36675]

  (3) what account he has taken of the findings of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution 18th report, with particular reference to recommendations 59 and 96, and possibilities and options for traffic reductions in the review of the A34 Newbury bypass and the subsequent decision to proceed with the road; and if he will make a statement. [36677]

  Mr. Watts
  The inspector who held the public inquiry in 1988 agreed with the Department that the bypass would not solve all Newbury's traffic problems, but he did conclude that it would provide sufficient relief to enable local authorities to introduce effective measures to relieve the residual problems.

  The recent study commissioned by my right hon. Friend for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney) looked at traffic management—including the measures covered by RCEP recommendation 96—public transport and minimal improvements to the existing road as an alternative to the proposed bypass. The conclusion was that the benefit of such measures were constrained by the limited number of canal/river crossings and the congested junctions at either side. The bypass will allow the space for a new approach to transport and traffic in the town by removing the heavy through traffic.

  The team which carried out the study based its work on existing environmental data collected for the public consultation and the two public inquiries, visiting the site to put this in context. In assessing the information thus collected, the team applied the current environmental assessment procedures set out in the Department of Transport's design manual for roads and bridges.
  218
  RCEP recommendation 59 was considered by the recent study, but the measures that this would involve would force more traffic on to local routes unsuited to heavy traffic, much of which would end up travelling longer distances. If the measures covered by RCEP recommendation 96 were implemented on their own, they could worsen the situation. By removing the through traffic, the bypass will allow the space for a new approach to transport and traffic in the town.

  M25
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if it is possible to construct the additional lanes proposed for the M25 between junctions 14 and 15 without an expansion of the existing curtilage or boundaries of the M25 at this section; [36419]

  (2) for what reasons the proposed widening of the M25 between junctions 13 and 15 announced by him on 3 April exceeds the capacity which the British Airports Authority has said would be sufficient to absorb additional traffic generated by the proposed additional terminal 5 at Heathrow;

  (3) pursuant to his statement of 3 April, Official Report, columns 1391–93, to what extent his traffic forecast for the M25 in the area and approaches to Heathrow airport agrees with the findings of the reassessment following the publication of the Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment report; [36407]

  (4) how the traffic forecast on which he based his decision to plan the widening of the M25 to 10 and 12 lanes over most sections varied from the forecasts previously used in support of the M25 link road scheme, the abandonment of which he announced on 3 April; [36435]

  (5) if he will publish the traffic forecast for the M25 that he used when determining his decision to widen the motorway to 10 and 12 lanes over most sections; [36436]

  (6) to what extent plans for additional motorway lanes proposed between junctions 12 and 16 of the M25 will require a reduction in the widths of the existing lanes or hard shoulder; [36418]

  (7) what remedies or other arrangements he proposes for those people whose properties were covered by the compulsory purchase orders in connection with the defunct scheme for M25 link roads; [36414]

  (8) what were the findings of the reassessment of M25 traffic growth forecasts that stated he would publish after the receipt of the SACTRA report; [36434]

  (9) what factors he intends to take into account when deciding whether to conduct a public inquiry into plans for the additional motorway lanes proposed between junctions 12 and 16 of the M25; [36420]

  (10) what assessment he has made of the effect of a refusal to grant planning permission in respect of BAA's application for Heathrow terminal 5 on the need to widen the M25 between junctions 13 and 15; [36429]

  (11) to what extent the proposal to widen a section of the M25 to 12 and 10 lanes take into account (a) the recommendations of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution and (b) the SACTRA report; [36437]
  219
  (12) which sections of the M25 he intends shall not be widened to a standard of eight lanes. [36413]

  Mr. Watts
  [holding answers 16 October 1995]: Following the withdrawal of the link road proposals between junctions 12 and 16, the Highways Agency has been assessing the widening schemes to be taken forward in their place. The work undertaken so far indicates that the proposed widening between junctions 12 and 15 be accommodated within the existing highway boundary. Between junctions 15 and 16, the proposals to widen to dual five lanes may require small areas of land outside the highway boundary.

  The proposals, which have yet to be published, are expected to maintain standard lane widths and hard shoulders for most of the distance between junctions 12 and 15. At bridges and over certain lengths where there are restrictions, reductions in lane widths and/or discontinuous hard shoulders are expected to be necessary. Some reduction in widths and loss of hard shoulders are likely to be necessary between junctions 15 and 16 but where existing underbridges are to be widened the opportunity will be taken to reinstate hard shoulders which had earlier been dispensed with.

  Traffic forecasts used to assess the change from link roads to widening were based on the same model and growth factors as the forecasts published in May 1994 with the draft Highway Orders for the then proposed link roads. But the design year adopted for the widening is 15 years from now compared with 2015 for the link roads, for the reasons explained by the Secretary of State in his announcement on 3 April. The contribution of the control motorway pilot was taken into account in determining traffic that could be catered for on this section of the M25 in the period up to 2010. This regulates speeds and sets speed limits according to conditions on the motorway.

  Traffic growth is being reassessed and this includes work to test the effect of the factors identified in the SACTRA report. The Highways Agency is also taking into account the appropriate balance between road building and environmental impact raised by the Royal Commission on environmental pollution. The results will be made available when details of the schemes are published.

  There are remedies proposed for those people whose properties were covered by the draft compulsory purchase orders for the link roads. The Highways Agency has offered to pay all reasonable costs incurred from the date of the first notice of the draft orders by the owners of these properties in preparing an objection to the draft orders.

  When the proposals for both widening schemes are published, all the comments received will be considered by the Secretaries of State before a decision on the way forward is taken. They would consider the weight and nature of objections to any draft highway orders in determining the need for an inquiry. Where the widening does not involve draft orders, as is likely between junctions 12 and 15, there is no statutory requirement for a public enquiry.

  The scope of the widening of the M25 between J13 and 15 is governed by the need to reduce congestion on the motorway and provide for the predicted traffic in the next
  220
  15 years, whether or not the fifth terminal at Heathrow airport proceeds. Refusal of planning permission would therefore not alter the proposals for the M25.

  The only sections for which dual four lanes do not exit or for which there are no schemes in the roads programme to widen to dual four lanes are clockwise from junction 28 to junction 3.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list for(a) the Shetland maritime rescue co-ordination centre, (b) the Aberdeen maritime rescue co-ordination centre, (c) the Great Yarmouth MRCC, (d) the Dover MRCC, and (e) the Falmouth MRCC and (f) the Humber MRCC the dates in 1995 when the centre was understaffed and an unqualified senior watch officer was on duty; [36671]

  (2) if he will list for the Shetland MRCC from September 1994 to January 1995 inclusive, the dates when the centre was undermanned and when an unqualified senior watch officer was on duty. [35700]

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

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Ms. Joan Walley, dated 16 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions as the questions deal with operational matters, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  Questions 2504, 2498, 2492, 2491, 2471 and 2463/94/95 were answered in my reply of 28 september in response to your letter of 23 August, addressed directly to me (copy attached).

  The following information replies to questions 2478 and 2486/94/95.
  Coastguard instructions allow watches which are short by one Regular Watch Officer to be made up by using Auxiliary Coastguard Operations Room Assistants. The figures below show the dates when there was a shortfall on that provision. In many cases the shortfall was not for a full twelve hour watch.

  MRCC ABERDEEN 1995:

  1 Jan-1; 13 Jan-1; 16 Jan-1, 17 Jan-1; 24 Jan-1; 4 Feb-1; 6 Feb-1; 20 Feb-1; 2 Mar-1; 20 Mar-1; 26 Mar-1; 13 Apr-1; 14 Apr-1; 18 Apr-1; 19 Apr-1; 21 Apr-1; 22 Apr-1; 29 Apr-1; 1 May-1; 25 May-1; 29 May-1; 2 Jun-1; 1 Jun-1; 15 Jun-1; 16 Jun–1; 18 Jun-1; 22 Jun-1; 24 Jun-1; 2 Jul-2; 13 Jul-1; 22 Jul-1; 23 Jul-1; 26 Jul-1; 28 Jul–1; 1 Aug—Aug-1 4 Aug-1; 6 Aug-1.

  MRCC Dover

  1 Apr-1; 26 Jun-1; 3 Jul-1; 4 Jul-1; 14 Jul-1; 20 Jul-1; 27 Jul-1; 2 Aug-1.
  During 1995—and for Shetland, from September 1994 to January 1995—there were no shortfalls in the numbers of watchkeepers at the following rescue centres; Shetland; Humber; Yarmouth; Falmouth.
  There have been no occasions when a Coastguard station has been under 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 deputising Watch Officer. A deputising Watch Officer is a Watch Officer who is "qualified" by their initial establishment as Coastguard Officer, having successfuly completed the new entrants process and who has been approved as deputy by the Regional Management. Senior Watch Officer are required to complete a SWO (Qualifier) course run by the Coastguard Training Centre. Successful completion of this course is a perquisite to selection as SWO on a permanent basis. It is not a requirement that a deputy should have passed this course.
  221
  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

  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) am all "regular staff"; ie, 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 6 to 8 weeks) at their parent station, they undertake 6 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.
  222
  3. No rescue centres have close 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, Peverll Point, Fleetwood lookouts)

  The above does not include the relocation of rescue centres of sector bases in new buildings or the amalgamation or sector bases (there have been 2 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 entrant's 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.

  6. All rescue centres are equipped with rest rooms and comprehensively equipped kitchens. There is not 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, i.e, 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.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Costs
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the costs to a household of a child, aged(a) one, (b) eight and (c) 15. [36970]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  This information is not available. The cost of a child in any household will inevitably depend on a wide range of factors, including income.
  223

  Compensation Recovery
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will commission an independent review of the responses to the consultation exercise contained in the Government's reply, Cm 2997, to the Social Security Committee's fourth report of 1994–95, HC 196, on compensation recovery, in the same style as the analysis published on the Government measures to tackle discrimination against disabled people. [37470]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The consultation exercise on compensation recovery is different in scale and range of groups affected to the exercise concerning measures to tackle discrimination against disabled people. I therefore have no plans to commission an independent review on this occasion.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library copies of all responses to his consultation exercise contained in the Government's reply, Cm 2997, to the Social Security Committee's fourth report of 1994–95, HC 196, on compensation recovery, which do not specifically request that they remain confidential. [37471]

  Mr. Evans
  A summary of the main responses to the consultation exercise will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library a list of the individuals and organisations who have been sent copies of the Government's reply, Cm 2997, to The Social Security Committee's fourth report of 1994–95, HC 196 on compensation recovery. [37472]

  Mr. Evans
  I will do so shortly.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many weeks elapsed between the publication of the fourth report from the Social Security Committee of 1994–95, HC196, on compensation recovery, and the publication of the Government's reply, Cm 2997, to that report; how many weeks he has allowed for responses to the consultation exercise on the proposals in Cm 2997, and if he will extend the deadline for receipt of responses to his consultation exercise. [37473]

  Mr. Evans
  The periods are 12 and six weeks respectively. The issues on which the Government are seeking views are closely tied to the Select Committee's central recommendations. When the consultation exercise ends, it is likely that those commenting will have had a total of 18 weeks to form a view on the implications of those recommendations. However, we will consider any reasonable request for an extension to the deadline where the respondent contacts the Department by 13 November.

  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to his answers of 29 November 1994,Official Report, column 625, and 27 June 1995, Official Report, column 587, if he will set out the final outturn figures on the operation of the compensation recovery unit for the financial year 1994–95; and if he will give such comparable data as he has available for the current financial year. [37474]

  Mr. Evans
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
  224
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Field, dated 16 October 1995:

  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about information relating to the operation of the Compensation Recovery Unit during the 1994/95 financial year and the first half of the 1995/96 financial year.

  The information is provided in the table below:

  Period

  Number of cases

  Total amount recovered £ million

  Operating costs £ million

  1/4/94-31/3/95

  39,915

  1110.1

  2.8

  1/4/95-30/9/95

  19,874

  161.8

  1.5

  1 These figures includes monies recovered from both final and interim settlements.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Income Support, Derby
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the number of people on income support for the city of Derby and in each of its constituent wards; [37139]

  (2) what is the number of people for whom direct payments are made in respect of (a) gas, (b) electricity and (c) rent and council tax for the city of Derby and in each of its constituent wards. [37140]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the right hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Margaret Beckett, dated 16 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the number of people receiving Income Support and the numbers for whom direct payments, in respect of gas, electricity, rent and council tax is being made, in the city of Derby and in each of its constituent wards.
  Statistics are maintained on the Income Support live load for each of the Benefit Agency's Districts. These are not co-terminus with the areas covered by Parliamentary Constituencies.
  The Benefits Agency's Central Derbyshire District comprises of the Derby (Becket Street) and Ilkeston offices. The Benefit Agency's South Derbyshire District comprises of the Derby (London Road) and Burton-on-Trent offices.

  At the end of August this year, the figure for the number of people receiving Income Support in the Central Derbyshire District was 33,996. In the South Derbyshire District the figure was 24,527.
  Appendix A provides details of the numbers of people in the Central and South Derbyshire Districts who have their fuel, rent and council tax paid direct from their Income Support. Separate statistics are not kept for gas and electricity.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Appendix A

  Central Derbyshire DO

  August 1995

  District Payment (DP) Load—Fuel

  1,059

  DP Load—Rent arrears/amenity charges

  401

  DP Load—Council Tax

  292

  South Derbyshire DO

  DP Load—Fuel

  1,203

  225

  Appendix A

  Central Derbyshire DO

  August 1995

  DP Load—Rent arrears/amenity charges

  384

  DP Load—Council Tax

  345

  Note:

  Customers may have more than one direct payment.

  This data is provisional and is subject to amendment.

  Benefits Agency Mail
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidelines govern arrangements agreed between the Benefits Agency and the Post Office for Post Office employees to open mail addressed to the Benefits Agency; how many such arrangements are in place; and what training is provided for Post Office employees covered by such arrangements. [37218]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Rhodri Morgan, dated 16 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the arrangements between the Benefits Agency (BA) and the Post Office to open mail addressed to the BA.
  In taking forward the Governments Competing for Quality initiative, the BA market tested a range of accommodation and office services throughout the country. This included opening and sorting post addressed to BA offices.
  Services were packaged geographically for market testing and, following competitive tender, some of the work was awarded to external suppliers and some retained in-house. Seven of the successful in-house teams have contracted out their post opening services to the Royal Mail.
  The guidelines which govern the arrangements between the Royal Mail and the BA are laid down in the 'Benefits Agency Postal Security Framework'. This covers:

  post receipt,

  post opening,

  post despatch,

  mandatory checks, and

  discretionary checks.

  The guidelines apply to all staff opening BA post, whether this is the BA's own staff, Royal Mail employees or any other external contractor.
  These arrangements are clearly set out for potential bidders in the Invitation to Tender document, and are contained within the contract document between the Royal Mail and the BA.
  Royal Mail staff received a minimum of one weeks initial training from the BA. Additional training is given as and when required to meet the particular needs of individual offices.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date consent was first sought and given for the Benefits Agency to agree arrangements with the Royal Mail for Royal Mail employees to open letters addressed to the Benefits Agency, what specific conditions relating to confidentiality govern such arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [37219]

  Mr. Evans
  This is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  226
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Rhodri Morgan, dated 16 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the date consent was first sought and given for the Benefits Agency (BA) to agree arrangements with the Royal Mail for the opening of post addressed to the BA. You also asked what specific conditions relating to confidentiality governed the arrangements.

  The arrangements for each contract awarded to Royal Mail were approved by the BA's Chief Executive and Department of Social Security Ministers. Approval for the first of these contracts was given on 22 March 1994.

  Confidentiality of information is governed by legislation and the conditions of contract. Section 123 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 makes it a criminal offence to disclose personal information provided for Social Security purposes. All staff working for Royal Mail on BA business are required to sign a declaration acknowledging the provisions of Section 123. This is a condition of the contract (Condition 33) between the BA and the Royal Mail.

  Contracts require that mail has to be opened under supervision in separate secure areas within the Royal Mail premises. The accommodation used for post opening is locked at all times and only staff directly involved in the contract are allowed access to the room. The contract further requires that post marked 'private', `confidential' or 'personal' is to be passed to the BA unopened. Sorted mail is put into sealed bags and is delivered to the appropriate BA office for processing.

  I enclose Appendix A which is a copy of Condition 33 of the contract and Appendix B which is a copy of the confidentiality agreement.

  I hope this reply is helpful.
  Appendix A
  33 Confidentiality
  33.1 The Contractor shall:
  (a) treat as confidential all unpublished information which may be derived form or obtained in the course of or in connection with the Contract; and
  (b) take all necessary precautions by contract or otherwise to ensure that all such information is treated as confidential and not disclosed by its employees, servants, agents or sub-contractors.
  33.2 The Authority undertakes to treat as confidential all unpublished information supplied by the Contractor under or in connection with the Contract.
  33.3 The provisions of this Condition shall not apply to any information appertaining to either party which is held in the public domain.
  33.4 Section 123 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 shall apply to this Contract. It is an offence for any Person to disclose any information obtained while carrying out the Service, where that information relates to a particular person.
  33.5 The Contractor shall introduce procedures which ensure that only Approved Persons are given any information relating to the Authority's business. These procedures shall be subject to Approval.
  33.6 The Contractor undertakes to store all items, and any personal data or information acquired in connection with the Contract only at Premises specifically Approved in advance.
  Appendix B
  Confidentiality Agreement
  Declaration—To be signed by all Staff prior to being given access to Government information.
  My attention has been drawn to the provisions of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 Section 123. I am fully aware of the serious consequences which may follow any breach of this Act.
  I am aware that it is a criminal offence to disclose personal information that has been provided for social security purposes.

  227
  I understand that I will not be free to communicate official information/knowledge acquired in the course of performing the Services, whether written or oral, to anyone who is not authorised to receive such information.
  I realise that upon termination of my contract of employment, I will continue to be bound by the provisions of this Act.
  I understand that this declaration does not extend to information which is in the public domain.

  Signed:

  Surname:

  Forename(s):

  Contractor's Name:

  Date of Agreement:

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what provision he has made to promote advice to employers via the Child Support Agency on the method of the payment of deductions from earnings orders, which will ensure that parents in care and their children receive the child maintenance due to them with minimum delay; and if he will make a statement. [37050]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Rhodri Morgan, dated 17 October 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security on the subject of Deduction from Earnings Orders (DEOs).
  When a DEO is issued to an employer it clearly states the amount to be deducted and when this should be paid to the Child Support Agency; it also provides guidance on the methods of payment.
  Additional guidance for employers on DEOs is contained in a Child Support Agency leaflet called "Advice for Employers". I have enclosed a copy of this for you. The Agency also has an enquiry line for employers should they require further information (local rate telephone number 0345 134134) and we hold meetings with employers' representatives and payroll providers.
  We have not identified any general problems or concerns with this method of payment.

  Habitual Residence Test
  Ms Bridget Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have been made homeless while awaiting the(a) judgment and (b) appeal of their habitual residence tests as a result of their inability to produce evidence of income while their cases were in progress.

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  This information is not available centrally.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Transfers between Schools
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement about the age of transfer between schools in Buckinghamshire. [36002]
  228
  Mr. Paice
  It is for Buckinghamshire local education authority in respect of its schools and for the governing bodies of individual voluntary and grant-maintained schools to publish proposals if they wish to change their age range. My right hon. Friend will consider any such proposals on their merits. My officials stand ready to advise on the technical aspects.

  Hours of Study Limit
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the effect of limiting permitted hours of study by recipients of social security benefits on recruitment in the further education colleges. [36003]

  Mr. Forth
  There has been no change in the permitted number of hours of study by current recipients of benefit. The number of students entering further education courses continues to rise, increasing by 3 per cent. in 1994–95 over the previous year.

  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the effect on college recruitment of the changes to the 21-hour rule. [36014]

  Mr. Forth
  There is no intention that the introduction of job seeker's allowance in October 1996 will lead to any change in the permitted hours of study by recipients on benefits. The number of students entering further education courses continues to rise, increasing by 3 per cent. in 1994–95 over the previous year.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the progress made in the implementation of the jobseeker's allowance. [36004]

  Mr. Forth
  Work is continuing on the preparations for introducing the jobseeker's allowance.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the effect of the jobseeker's allowance on wage levels. [36017]

  Mr. Forth
  The jobseeker's allowance will help unemployed people to compete effectively for jobs and will therefore contribute to the general improvement in employment prospects that the country is experiencing.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what services will be provided by the Employment Service for those people who are ineligible for jobseeker's allowance and are seeking employment. [37031]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M.E.G. Fogden to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 17 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about what services will be provided by the Employment Service (ES) for those people who are ineligible for Job Seekers Allowances (ISA) and are seeking employment.

  229
  There are no plans to change the nature of the services currently available for people who are not claiming benefit.
  The public access employment service including vacancy displays provided by the ES through its network of Jobcentres will continue to be available to people seeking work, irrespective of whether or not they qualify for JSA.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Dunn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils are currently being helped by the assisted places scheme. [36005]

  Mrs. Gillan
  In the school year 1994–95, 29,747 pupils held assisted places under the Department's scheme in England.

  Local Employment and Training Projects
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals she has to encourage local employment and training projects similar to the Allerton outreach team in Bradford. [36006]

  Mr. Paice
  The single regeneration budget challenge fund now enables local people to define their needs and priorities. This year we are providing £125 million to support 200 new projects. Many of these include employment and training objectives.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the total number of unemployed people in the United Kingdom. [36007]

  Mr. Forth
  In August, seasonally adjusted claimant unemployment stood at 2,295,000—down by more than half a million since the labour market recovery began.

  Special Needs
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her policy towards the outcomes necessary for young people with special needs on training courses. [36008]

  Mr. Paice
  It is the Government's policy that all young people are given the opportunity to maximise their potential.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Merchant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils are currently being educated in grant-maintained schools. [36009]

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the number of pupils who attend grant-maintained schools in the United Kingdom. [36108]

  Mrs. Gillan
  We estimate that more than 660,000 pupils are currently being educated in grant-maintained schools in England. The figure for the United Kingdom as a whole is more than 670,000.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice is given to grant-maintained schools about the operation of schools' admission and exclusion procedures in 230
  relation to Sex Discrimination Acts and Race Relations legislation. [36643]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Guidance is contained in circulars 6/93, "Admissions to Maintained Schools", and 10/94, "Exclusions from School". Copies of both circulars were sent to all maintained schools and have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the requirements on the governing bodies of grant-maintained schools in respect of the process of consultation about proposals to alter admission arrangements. [36641]

  Mr. Squire
  The Department's circular 6/93, "Admissions to Maintained Schools", a copy of which was placed in the Library, advises all admission authorities to take into account local views before changing their admission arrangements.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what capital funds have been provided to grant-maintained schools for emergencies outside the normal annual bidding round; to which schools; and for what purpose in each of the financial years 1990–91 to 1994–95. [35811]

  Mr. Squire
  These matters are now the responsibility of the Funding Agency for Schools. I have asked the chairman of the Funding Agency to write to the hon. Member with this information.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) primary and (b) secondary school governing bodies were under a duty to consider whether to conduct a parental ballot on grant-maintained status during the 1994–95 school year; how many ballots have been held in (i) primary and (ii) secondary schools since 1 September; and, in each case, how many resulted in votes in favour of grant-maintained status and how many resulted in votes against. [35810]

  Mr. Squire
  We estimate that the governing bodies of about 18,200 primary schools and 3,000 secondary schools were under a duty to consider whether to conduct a parental ballot on grant-maintained status during the 1994–95 school year. The overwhelming majority determined that they would not conduct such a ballot. The number of ballots held and their outcome during the same period is as follows:

  Type of school

  Number of ballots held

  Number of ballots in favour

  Number of ballots against

  Primary

  59

  37

  22

  Secondary

  26

  13

  13

  Ministerial Duties
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the most significant finding she has made since assuming the duties of the Department of Employment. [36010]

  Mr. Forth
  That the integration of policies for education and employment will increase Britain's competitiveness by raising education and skills levels,
  231
  advancing knowledge and promoting a flexible and efficient labour market—in particular, by providing a single focus on young people in the crucial years between 14 and 19.

  Nursery Education Vouchers
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many local authorities have so far volunteered to take part in phase 1 of the nursery education voucher scheme. [36011]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  As I announced earlier, Kensington and Chelsea, Wandsworth, and Westminster have confirmed their decision to take part in the first phase of the voucher scheme, beginning in April 1996.

  I hope to add to this list in the near future.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her oral statement of 6 July,Official Report, columns 517–19, in respect of the provision for providers to borrow capital for premises against the value of voucher income, who she envisages will underwrite such loans. [36152]

  Mr. Squire
  As the Secretary of State previously stated, we envisage that borrowing or similar arrangements will take place on the strength of the anticipated voucher income. Any additional underwriting of the loans will be a matter for negotiation in the normal commercial way.

  Modern Apprenticeship Scheme
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement regarding the operation of the modern apprenticeship scheme. [36012]

  Mr. Paice
  Modern apprenticeships are now available in more than 50 sectors. Many employers are offering places nationwide and recruitment of young people for this year's intake is well under way.

  School Transport (Finance)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to compel local authorities to finance the cost of transport of children to grammar schools. [36013]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to change the current statutory position whereby local education authorities have a duty to provide free transport to the nearest suitable school for pupils who live beyond the designated walking distances.

  Higher and Further Education
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of school leavers in England go on to higher and further education.

  Mr. Forth
  Almost 80 per cent. of 16-year-olds go on to further education. Approaching 30 per cent. of young people enter full-time higher education.

  Internet
  Mr. Dykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will give details of her 232
  Department's initiatives to augment public access to Internet information and training. [36016]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The UK Education Departments' super-highways initiative was launched earlier this year. As part of this, our consultation paper "Superhighways for Education" considered the use of network connections, including the Internet, in all sectors of education and sought views widely. We shall be announcing the outcome later this year, including plans to evaluate a series of projects piloting innovative communication technologies in education. Work is also in progress on the potential of super-highways to deliver training.

  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the arrangements and practice of statementing of children suffering from attention deficit disorder and similar conditions in schools; and if he will make a statement; [36655]

  (2) if she will examine what measures could be put in place to equip schools to deal more effectively with children suffering from attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; [36649]

  (3) what assessment she has made of the significance of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in explaining withdrawal of children from state education in favour of home tuition; and if she will make a statement. [36650]

  Mr. Forth
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies that I gave him on 24 January 1995,Official Report, columns 166–67 and on 26 June 1995, Official Report, columns 503–4.

  Pupil Medication
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidelines and controls exist regarding decisions by head teachers on the giving of medication in schools; and if she will make a statement. [36653]

  Mr. Forth
  Many schools and local education authorities already have policies on giving medication in schools. The Department is currently consulting on general guidance for LEAs, schools and teachers on managing children with a range of medical conditions, including administering medication. It is intended that this guidance will draw together much of the good practice already followed by some schools and LEAs.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his her Department's latest estimate of the number of children in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in England and Wales that are being taught in classes of over 30 pupils. [35997]

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  The number of pupils in England in single-teacher classes of 31 pupils over in January 1995 was just under 1.2 million in maintained primary schools and 201,000 in maintained secondary schools.

  Information on class sizes in Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
  233
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage, and how many primary school pupils were in classes of more than 30 in January in each local education authority and in total; and what was the actual and percentage change in

  Numbers and percentages of pupils in classes of 31 or more taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in each local education authority in England: 1994 and 1995 (provisional)

  1994

  1995 (provisional)

  Change

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage2

  City

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Camden

  542

  6.1

  605

  6.7

  63

  11.6

  Greenwich

  2,301

  13.3

  2,555

  14.5

  254

  11.0

  Hackney

  499

  3.7

  569

  4.0

  70

  14.0

  Hammersmith

  795

  11.1

  1,294

  16.6

  499

  62.8

  Islington

  892

  6.9

  1,055

  8.1

  163

  18.3

  Kensington and Chelsea

  454

  9.0

  221

  4.5

  -233

  -51.3

  Lambeth

  816

  5.2

  540

  3.4

  -276

  -33.8

  Lewisham

  1,318

  7.2

  1,192

  6.4

  -126

  -9.6

  Southwark

  2,331

  12.3

  2,483

  12.7

  152

  6.5

  Tower Hamlets

  638

  4.9

  778

  5.1

  140

  21.9

  Wandsworth

  1,666

  11.8

  1,459

  10.3

  -207

  -12.4

  Westminster

  428

  5.9

  646

  9.4

  218

  50.9

  Barking

  1,415

  9.9

  1,317

  8.7

  -98

  -6.9

  Barnet

  2,434

  11.6

  2,291

  10.9

  -143

  -5.9

  Bexley

  5,910

  32.0

  7,834

  39.2

  1,924

  32.6

  Brent

  2,157

  11.4

  2,444

  13.0

  287

  13.3

  Bromley

  10,385

  47.5

  11,596

  51.8

  1,211

  11.7

  Croydon

  4,896

  20.5

  5,973

  23.7

  1,077

  22.0

  Ealing

  4,146

  20.3

  4,137

  19.2

  -9

  -0.2

  Enfield

  7,237

  35.4

  8,192

  39.7

  955

  13.2

  Haringey

  732

  4.3

  1,045

  6.0

  313

  42.8

  Harrow

  3,544

  22.6

  4,152

  25.5

  608

  17.2

  Havering

  4,176

  22.1

  4,662

  24.1

  486

  11.6

  Hillingdon

  4,896

  27.5

  4,833

  26.4

  -63

  -1.3

  Hounslow

  5,319

  33.5

  5,691

  34.1

  372

  7.0

  Kingston upon Thames

  5,484

  57.9

  6,216

  64.0

  732

  13.3

  Merton

  3,114

  25.3

  3,299

  26.2

  185

  5.9

  Newham

  1,317

  6.0

  2,680

  11.3

  1,363

  103.5

  Redbridge

  8,456

  52.8

  8,337

  51.5

  -119

  -1.4

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,134

  11.4

  2,040

  20.4

  906

  79.9

  Sutton

  4,696

  40.1

  4,328

  35.7

  -368

  -7.8

  Waltham Forest

  3,200

  18.4

  3,330

  18.8

  130

  4.1

  Birmingham

  27,164

  28.4

  28,251

  29.2

  1,087

  4.0

  Coventry

  5,541

  21.9

  7,875

  29.4

  2,334

  42.1

  Dudley

  7,497

  31.1

  6,935

  28.5

  -562

  -7.5

  Sandwell

  10,175

  37.5

  10,815

  39.1

  640

  6.3

  Solihull

  6,711

  36.9

  7,506

  40.3

  795

  11.8

  Walsall

  5,577

  25.1

  6,428

  27.9

  851

  15.3

  Wolverhampton

  5,155

  24.1

  5,846

  26.8

  691

  13.4

  Knowsley

  5,915

  34.8

  6,300

  34.7

  385

  6.5

  Liverpool

  12,620

  26.6

  12,541

  27

  -79

  -0.6

  St. Helens

  5,437

  37.5

  5,507

  37.4

  70

  1.3

  Sefton

  8,258

  33.7

  8,793

  35.1

  535

  6.5

  Wirral

  5,928

  20.4

  6,076

  20.7

  148

  2.5

  Bolton

  9,046

  41.0

  10,366

  45.9

  1,320

  14.6

  Bury

  6,239

  40.0

  6,434

  41.1

  195

  3.1

  Manchester

  9,619

  23.4

  10,211

  24.2

  592

  6.2

  Oldham

  8,617

  41.1

  8,823

  41.0

  206

  2.4

  Rochdale

  8,020

  43.8

  8,102

  41.8

  82

  1.0

  Salford

  6,817

  30.6

  6,975

  30.8

  158

  2.3

  Stockport

  8,179

  33.8

  7,858

  31.8

  -321

  -3.9

  Tameside

  12,079

  56.4

  11,291

  51.8

  -788

  -6.5

  Trafford

  9,151

  49.6

  9,689

  51.1

  538

  5.9

  Wigan

  9,997

  38.2

  11,375

  42.7

  1,378

  13.8

  Barnsley

  5,656

  28.3

  6,201

  30.9

  545

  9.6

  Doncaster

  7,548

  28.4

  8,338

  31.7

  790

  10.5

  Rotherham

  2,569

  11.5

  3,269

  14.4

  700

  27.2

  Sheffield

  8,281

  21.9

  11,119

  28.3

  2,838

  34.3

  Bradford

  8,781

  27.3

  10,707

  32.4

  1,926

  21.9

  Calderdale

  5,268

  30.1

  5,666

  30.9

  398

  7.6

  Kirklees

  9,372

  29.9

  12,290

  38.2

  2,918

  31.1

  234
  numbers compared with January 1994 in each local education authority and in total. [36759]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  235

  Numbers and percentages of pupils in classes of 31 or more taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in each local educationauthority in England: 1994 and 1995 (provisional)

  1994

  1995 (provisional)

  Change

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage1

  Number

  Percentage2

  Leeds

  19,405

  32.7

  21,245

  35.1

  1,840

  9.5

  Wakefield

  9,996

  37.0

  10,544

  37.8

  548

  5.5

  Gateshead

  1,862

  11.2

  2,237

  13.2

  375

  20.1

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  5,843

  28.5

  6,744

  33.1

  901

  15.4

  North Tyneside

  3,905

  26.0

  4,930

  32.7

  1,025

  26.2

  South Tyneside

  3,456

  23.9

  3,616

  24.7

  160

  4.6

  Sunderland

  4,244

  16.2

  3,601

  13.5

  -643

  -15.2

  Isles of Scilly

  31

  18.5

  0

  0.0

  -31

  -100.0

  Avon

  26,753

  35.5

  26,919

  34.5

  166

  0.6

  Bedfordshire

  9,064

  24.4

  10,328

  26.7

  1,264

  13.9

  Berkshire

  16,290

  28.9

  15,605

  26.8

  -685

  -4.2

  Buckingshamshire

  19,072

  33.3

  21,205

  35.6

  2,133

  11.2

  Cambridgeshire

  15,079

  27.2

  14,946

  26.8

  -133

  -0.9

  Cheshire

  30,193

  36.2

  30,315

  35.5

  122

  0.4

  Cleveland

  13,386

  23.2

  13,859

  23.7

  473

  3.5

  Cornwall

  13,441

  35.1

  14,004

  35.6

  563

  4.2

  Cumbria

  9,385

  24.2

  11,452

  29.0

  2,067

  22.0

  Derbyshire

  29,982

  39.9

  32,959

  42.7

  2,977

  9.9

  Devon

  21,175

  27.3

  23,659

  29.8

  2,484

  11.7

  Dorset

  18,142

  44.0

  18,038

  42.8

  -104

  -0.6

  Durham

  15,012

  28.9

  15,455

  29.5

  443

  3.0

  East Sussex

  19,297

  40.7

  19,691

  40.8

  394

  2.0

  Essex

  30,729

  25.8

  31,875

  25.8

  1,146

  3.7

  Gloucestershire

  11,123

  26.5

  11,595

  26.7

  472

  4.2

  Hampshire

  44,304

  34.2

  43,976

  33.9

  -328

  -0.7

  Hereford and Worcester

  9,910

  21.1

  10,533

  21.8

  623

  6.3

  Hertfordshire

  21,344

  27.7

  23,054

  29.0

  1,710

  8.0

  Humberside

  25,914

  33.4

  26,896

  33.8

  982

  3.8

  Isle of Wight

  1,862

  26.6

  1,860

  26.4

  -2

  -0.1

  Kent

  41,570

  33.6

  44,208

  34.4

  2,638

  6.3

  Lancashire

  45,112

  38.5

  48,832

  40.4

  3,720

  8.2

  Leicestershire

  14,433

  20.2

  17,567

  23.6

  3,134

  21.7

  Lincolnshire

  12,642

  26.6

  14,632

  29.8

  1,990

  15.7

  Norfolk

  11,175

  19.5

  12,066

  20.5

  891

  8.0

  North Yorkshire

  13,702

  24.8

  17,758

  31.3

  4,056

  29.6

  Northamptonshire

  9,590

  20.6

  10,576

  21.9

  986

  10.3

  Northumberland

  7,901

  41.4

  8,030

  41.8

  129

  1.6

  Nottinghamshire

  19,947

  24.2

  23,142

  27.8

  3,195

  16.0

  Oxfordshire

  5,850

  15.3

  6,422

  16.4

  572

  9.8

  Shropshire

  9,085

  27.2

  9,972

  29.0

  887

  9.8

  Somerset

  10,476

  30.1

  10,776

  30.1

  300

  2.9

  Staffordshire

  30,738

  35.3

  31,147

  35.3

  409

  1.3

  Suffolk

  5,608

  13.8

  6,396

  15.1

  788

  14.1

  Surrey

  13,741

  20.2

  12,118

  17.7

  -1623

  -11.8

  Warwickshire

  12,740

  30.6

  13,980

  32.9

  1,240

  9.7

  West Sussex

  10,934

  21.6

  12,879

  24.2

  1,945

  17.8

  Wiltshire

  12,185

  26.5

  14,703

  31.0

  2,518

  20.7

  England

  1,076,173

  28.2

  1,155,726

  29.6

  79,553

  7.4

  1 Pupils in single teacher classes of 31 and over expressed as a percentage of all pupils in single teacher classes.

  2 Change in the number of pupils in classes of 31 or more pupils taught by one teacher between 1994 and 1995 expressed as a percentage of pupils in classses of 31 or more pupils taught by one teacher in 1994.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many public interest immunity certificates her Department has issued in each year since 1986. [36691]

  Mr. Forth
  One certificate was issued in 1991 and one in 1992 in civil court cases to which the then Secretary of State for Education was a party.

  Travel Allowances
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what rates of travel allowance
  236
  may be claimed by civil servants in her Department when using their vehicles for official business. [36353]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Two rates are payable depending on the circumstances of the journey involved. The public transport rate is 23p to 23.8p per mile. The standard mileage rate is 35.7p to 46p per mile up to the first 5,000 miles and 18p to 30p per mile thereafter, depending on engine size.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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
  237
  in the last year if the maximum rate that could be claimed was set at the lowest rate. [36354]

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

  Pupil Costs
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the average expenditure per primary school and per secondary school pupil of(a) all London boroughs, (b) all metropolitan counties and (c) all other English and Welsh counties. [36773]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table sets out for each local education authority in England and Wales the net institutional expenditure per pupil in LEA-maintained pre-primary/primary and secondary schools for the latest year for which figures are available.

  Cost per pupil in LEA-maintained schools

  1993–94

  Net institutional expenditure per pupil

  Pre-primary/primary £

  Secondary £

  London boroughs

  Corporation of London

  3,587

  0

  Camden

  2,047

  2,716

  Greenwich

  2,009

  2,583

  Hackney

  1,958

  2,617

  Hammersmith

  2,534

  3,329

  Islington

  2,719

  3,005

  Kensington and Chelsea

  2,394

  3,266

  Lambeth

  2,666

  3,296

  Lewisham

  2,058

  2,614

  Southwark

  1,806

  2,421

  Tower Hamlets

  2,656

  3,157

  Wandsworth

  2,139

  2,795

  Westminster

  2,592

  2,739

  Barking

  1,790

  2,355

  Barnet

  2,006

  2,952

  Bexley

  1,573

  2,341

  Brent

  1,633

  1,835

  Bromley

  1,525

  2,280

  Croydon

  1,793

  2,309

  Ealing

  1,915

  2,575

  Enfield

  1,768

  2,531

  Haringey

  2,236

  3,041

  Harrow

  1,913

  2,439

  Havering

  1,636

  2,290

  Hillingdon

  1,804

  2,670

  Hounslow

  1,935

  2,405

  Kingston upon Thames

  1,728

  2,284

  Merton

  1,853

  2,463

  Newham

  1,708

  2,563

  Redbridge

  1,640

  2,526

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,794

  2,280

  Sutton

  1,639

  1,978

  Waltham Forest

  1,821

  2,526

  Metropolitan counties

  Birmingham

  1,572

  2,330

  Coventry

  1,684

  2,469

  Dudley

  1,490

  2,098

  Sandwell

  1,681

  2,349

  Solihull

  1,574

  2,217

  Walsall

  1,672

  2,281

  Wolverhampton

  1,357

  2,300

  Knowsley

  1,485

  2,243

  Liverpool

  1,586

  2,613

  St. Helens

  1,605

  2,315

  238

  Cost per pupil in LEA-maintained schools

  1993–94

  Net institutional expenditure per pupil

  Pre-primary/primary £

  Secondary £

  Sefton

  1,448

  2,204

  Wirral

  1,552

  2,299

  Bolton

  1,581

  2,119

  Bury

  1,432

  1,979

  Manchester

  1,547

  2,328

  Oldham

  1,645

  2,278

  Rochdale

  1,307

  1,974

  Salford

  1,505

  2,215

  Stockport

  1,466

  2,310

  Tameside

  1,442

  2,095

  Trafford

  1,428

  2,156

  Wigan

  1,437

  2,141

  Barnsley

  1,539

  2,101

  Doncaster

  1,425

  2,022

  Rotherham

  1,723

  2,271

  Sheffield

  1,573

  2,119

  Bradford

  1,654

  1,969

  Calderdale

  1,607

  2,162

  Kirklees

  1,579

  2,207

  Leeds

  1,647

  2,164

  Wakefield

  1,577

  2,150

  Gateshead

  1,664

  2,252

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,697

  2,187

  North Tyneside

  1,469

  1,995

  South Tyneside

  1,463

  1,948

  Sunderland

  1,509

  2,114

  Other counties

  Avon

  1,571

  2,288

  Bedfordshire

  1,639

  2,103

  Berkshire

  1,592

  2,214

  Buckinghamshire

  1,735

  2,286

  Cambridgeshire

  1,534

  1,956

  Cheshire

  1,483

  2,106

  Cleveland

  1,461

  2,129

  Cornwall

  1,535

  2,160

  Cumbria

  1,667

  2,216

  Derbyshire

  1,600

  2,214

  Devon

  1,503

  2,157

  Dorset

  1,485

  2,065

  Durham

  1,664

  2,114

  East Sussex

  1,643

  2,270

  Essex

  1,724

  2,286

  Gloucestershire

  1,523

  2,084

  Hampshire

  1,583

  2,180

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,617

  2,038

  Hertfordshire

  1,664

  2,245

  Humberside

  1,621

  2,257

  Isles of Scilly

  2,401

  4,415

  Isle of Wight

  1,598

  2,027

  Kent

  1,397

  2,079

  Lancashire

  1,669

  2,347

  Leicestershire

  1,629

  2,263

  Lincolnshire

  1,496

  2,322

  Norfolk

  1,585

  2,309

  North Yorkshire

  1,555

  2,187

  Northamptonshire

  1,522

  2,125

  Northumberland

  1,686

  2,083

  Nottinghamshire

  1,653

  2,381

  Oxfordshire

  1,765

  2,191

  Shropshire

  1,577

  2,354

  Somerset

  1,583

  2,138

  Staffordshire

  1,534

  2,078

  Suffolk

  1,673

  2,190

  Surrey

  1,701

  2,215

  Warwickshire

  1,555

  2,420

  West Sussex

  1,579

  2,467

  Wiltshire

  1,521

  2,379

  England

  1,630

  2,245

  239

  Cost per pupil in LEA-maintained schools

  1993–94

  Net institutional expenditure per pupil

  Pre-primary/primary £

  Secondary £

  Welsh counties1

  Clywd

  1,534

  2,357

  Dyfed

  1,859

  2,258

  Gwent

  1,531

  2,363

  Gwynedd

  1,725

  2,503

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,626

  2,427

  Powys

  1,782

  2,224

  South Glamorgan

  1,552

  2,228

  West Glamorgan

  1,854

  2,592

  Wales

  1,657

  2,375

  1 1992–93 at constant 1993–94 prices.

  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average unit cost per pupil for part-time provision in(a) nursery schools, (b) nursery classes in primary schools and (c) playgroups, at the latest available date. [36175]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The table shows estimates of unit costs in maintained schools for 1993–94, based on the assumption that part-time pupils attend for half the normal attendance time of full-time pupils, and, on average, cost half as much as a full-time pupil.

  1993–94 estimated unit costs £

  Full-time equivalent

  Part-time (50 per cent.)

  Nursery school

  3,250

  1,625

  Nursery class in primary school

  2,660

  1,330

  Note:

  Because expenditure returns do not distinguish spending on nursery schools and classes from other primary school spending, the figures above are estimates based on apportionment of total expenditure.

  Unit costs in play groups are not collected centrally.

  Equal Opportunities
  Mrs. Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals she has to promote the equal treatment of women. [35891]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The Government will continue to promote the interests of women at work, in education and beyond, and to promote effective equality of opportunity at work. In addition to a strong legislative base, this policy has meant that the United Kingdom has one of the lowest rates of women's unemployment in the European Union, and that the gap between men's and women's earnings continues to narrow.

  Dance Education
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she expects to reach a decision on the future of discretionary awards for dance education. [37169]

  Mr. Forth
  The Government are continuing to review this issue. Any plans for change would be announced to Parliament in the usual way.
  240

  Postgraduate Students
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many postgraduate students during the current academic year received the maximum contribution towards their bills; and what percentage this was of the total number of post-graduates; [37303]

  (2) what proportion of British postgraduate students during the last academic year received a state grant for maintenance. [37249]

  Mr. Forth
  Information is not available in the form requested.

  In the academic year 1993–94, the latest year for which data are available, there were 43,800 postgraduate award holders in the United Kingdom—22 per cent. of the postgraduate population. Information on the level of maintenance paid is not collected by the Department for all these award holders.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how many postgraduate students during the last academic year received support from access funds; and what was the average level of support. [37250]

  Mr. Forth
  Information for the last academic year will be available later in the year.

  During the academic year 1993–94, 9,267 postgraduate students at higher education institutions in England received support from the access funds. On average, these students receive £463 each.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what estimate her Department has of the average amount of the careers development loans currently held by postgraduates. [37254]

  Mr. Forth
  The average loan amount for career development loans approved for postgraduates currently in training is £4,429.39.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of British postgraduates during the last academic year paid their own tuition fees. [37302]

  Mr. Forth
  Figures for the academic year 1994–95 show that at 31 December 1995 there were 231,000 United Kingdom-domiciled postgraduates—full time and part time in UK higher education institutions, including the Open university, of whom 35 per cent. paid their own tuition fees.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what estimate her Department has of the number of postgraduate students in British universities during the last academic year; and what proportion of these students were British born and educated. [37301]

  Mr. Forth
  Figures for the academic year 1994–95 show that at 31 December 1995, there were 290,000 full-time and part-time postgraduate students in United Kingdom higher education institutions, including the Open university, of which 80 per cent. were domiciled in the UK.
  241

  Public Access Job-broking Service
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the future of the public access job-broking service; how many stand-alone offices providing such a service were in use in(a)(b) 1985, (c) 1990 and (d) 1995; and if she will list the year of closure of each office and its location. [37205]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Mr. Rhodri Morgan, dated 17 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the future of the public access job broking service and the stand alone offices providing such a service.
  We do not maintain detailed records concerning the numbers of offices although I am able to advise that at the start of the project in 1989/90 to integrate our benefit offices and Jobcentres, the Employment Service (ES) had a total of 1,800 offices. By the end of 1990, 300 integrated offices had been opened. This number has risen to 950 by September this year. The total number of offices is currently 1,124.
  It is expected that the public access job broking service will continue to be provided by the ES as at present. The current system is geared to the needs of unemployed people, particularly those at a disadvantage in the labour market. It is also used by people seeking to change work, including those facing redundancy.
  The service will be enhanced by a new computer system, the Labour Market System (LMS), which is being piloted in some Jobcentres at present. National implementation of LMS is scheduled to take place during 1996.
  LMS will, for the first time, give Jobcentre people access to client, job opportunities, programme and other information via one computer system. This will enable us to provide a more professional service to all our clients, through for example, searching for suitable vacancies or opportunities quickly and easily.

  Availability for Work Rules
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance and instructions apply in respect of people deemed capable of work under the all-work test when such people are unable to work full time as defined by the availability for work regulations. [37026]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 17 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about what guidance and instructions apply in respect of people deemed capable of work under the all work test when such people are unable to work full time as defined by the availability for work regulations.
  It may help if I explain that the receipt of unemployment benefits is conditional upon a person being available for and actively seeking employment. This means that they must be available to start work immediately; must not place such restrictions on the work they are willing to do which would leave them with no real prospects of finding a job and must take those steps, each week, which offer them their best prospects of obtaining work.
  242
  Unemployed clients are not required to work full-time. Indeed there is no definition of "full-time" in the unemployment benefit regulations. However they must be available to work some hours every day they claim benefit.
  If a client imposes restrictions on any of the conditions of employment they are willing to accept, they may nevertheless satisfy the availability for work condition provided they have reasonable prospects of getting a job within those restrictions. However, if a client with health problems or disability imposes restrictions, and those restrictions are reasonable in view of their physical and, or, mental condition, they do not have to satisfy the requirement of having reasonable prospects.
  People who have been deemed capable of work as a result of the all work test for incapacity benefit and who subsequently claim unemployment benefits, are seen by one of my client advisers. I recognise that people who have been taken off incapacity benefit may need specialist help to get back to work. In addition to the extra programmes and opportunities introduced for these clients, I have also issued my advisers with additional guidance to help them understand the problems faced by these clients, many of whom will have been out of the labour market for some time. As well as informing clients about jobs and other opportunities open to them, my people will agree with them the type of work they can reasonably be expected to do. My advisers will also explain the availability and actively seeking employment conditions and advise clients what they must do in order to satisfy these conditions.
  If an adviser decides that a client needs more specialised help, they may refer them to a Disability Employment Adviser who is specially trained to advise people with health problems or disability which may affect their ability to get, and hold down, a job.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Jobcentre, Kings Norton
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what current plans there are to open an Employment Service jobcentre in Kings Norton, Birmingham. [37032]

  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Dr. Lynne Jones, Dated 17 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding any current plans to open an Employment Service Jobcentre in Kings Norton, Birmingham.
  The Employment Service has no plans at present to open a Jobcentre in Kings Norton itself. At present unemployed clients who live in the Kings Norton catchment area are handled by Selly Oak Employment Service Jobcentre.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Employment Service Staff
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what reductions in staffing levels in the Employment Service are planned in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99; and how many of these are as a result of targeted efficiency savings arising from the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance; [37030]

  (2) what is the planned number of staff to be transferred from the Employment Service to the Benefits Agency to administer the jobseeker's allowance. [37029]
  243
  Mr. Forth
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from M. E. G. Fogden to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 17 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the planned staffing levels in the Employment Services (ES) over the next four years and the expected numbers who will transfer from ES to the Benefit Agency (BA) to process Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) payments.
  The latest estimates available of staffing in the ES over the years in question are contained in the Employment Department's 1995 Departmental Report, a copy of which is in the library. As at March 1995, the estimates for staffing in 1996–97 were 40,960 and 39,148 in 1997–98. No estimate was made for 1998–99.
  These figures are being looked at again as part of this year's Public Expenditure Survey and are likely to change, particularly because under the JSA responsibility for paying unemployment benefits will transfer from the ES to BA. This will help streamline the administrative process. However, there is no target for specific efficiency savings in staff numbers as a result of the introduction of the JSA.
  Currently, within the JSA Project, design work is being done on the business processes for its implementation, Each business process details the activities which need to be done in order to complete a specific task, for example Taking a New Claim from a Jobseeker.
  From these business processes, we will be able to assess the number of people required to transfer from ES to BA to process payment of JSA. This area of work is ongoing and numbers have yet to be finalised.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she 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 percentages of these staff that are women, in her Department and for each of the executive agencies for each year since 1985. [35683]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  [holding answer 19 July 1995]: Figures for the former Employment Department Group and its executive agency, the Employment Service, can be found in table 5 of "Civil Service Statistics", a copy of which is available in the Library. Figures for 1995 will be published later this year.

  Figures for the former Department for Education, which are not shown separately in "Civil Service Statistics", are set out in the table for 1993 to 1995. Figures for previous years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Head Teacher Training
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what procedures exist for ensuring that training providers measure up to the standards envisaged in head teacher training. [36270]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  I will ask the chairman of the Teacher Training Agency to write to the hon. Member about the quality assurance procedures applied to Headlamp training providers.
  244
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what advice she decides the training needs of newly qualified head teachers. [36274]

  Mr. Squire
  The Headlamp scheme allows governors and head teachers to decide the specific training needs to be met under the scheme. I will ask the chairman of the Teacher Training Agency to write to the hon. Member about the general Headlamp criteria.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what organisations her Department plans to involve in the Headlamp scheme; and what expertise each brings to this work; [36284]

  (2) how many teachers she expects to take part in the Headlamp scheme in its first year of operation; [36294]

  (3) of those teachers taking part in Headlamp during its first year how many (a) are practising head teachers and (b) are practising deputy heads; [36295]

  (4) what consultation has taken place with (a) teacher unions, (b) school governors or bodies representing them and (c) parents and bodies representing them in developing the Headlamp programme. [36271]

  Mr. Squire
  The development and management of Headlamp is a matter for the Teacher Training Agency. I will ask the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is the expected cost of the Headlamp scheme in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97; and what was the budgetary provision for the training of head teachers in 1994–95. [36292]

  Mr. Squire
  In the grant for education support and training programme for 1994–95, £1.3 million was made available for head teacher mentoring. Schools and local education authorities could also support headteacher training from the separate GEST support for school management, totalling £22.4 million. In the GEST programme for 1995–96, these are covered by school effectiveness grant, which supports expenditure of £121.5 million. Grant-maintained schools may use special purpose grant (development) to pay for head teacher training. I will ask the chairman of the Teacher Training Agency to write to the hon. Member about the expected cost of Headlamp.

  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, on what criteria she decides the training needs of newly qualified head teachers. [36275]

  Mr. Squire
  The Headlamp scheme allows governors and head teachers to decide the specific training needs to be met under the scheme. I will ask the chairman of the Teacher Training Agency to write to the hon. Member about the general Headlamp criteria.

  School Advertising
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what rules exist governing the use of broadcast advertising by schools seeking to attract pupils to enrol. [36173]
  245
  Mr. Robin Squire
  Schools are not prohibited from broadcast advertising and educational services in general are not unacceptable under the Independent Television Commission code. But any advertisements for schools would be subject to the same rules as apply to all other advertisements under the code.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the rental charges and associated costs on her Department's premises, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith street. [35777]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  In the current financial year, the rental charges and associated costs amount to £12.9 million.

  Students with Disabilities
  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many physically disabled people there are over(a) 18 and (b) 30 years of age currently engaged in higher or further education. [36141]

  Mr. Forth
  Provisional estimates for 1994–95 indicate that 44,200 students with all types of learning difficulties and/or disabilities aged 18 or over, were engaged in further education. Of these, 26,500 were aged 30 or over. Specific information on the numbers of students with physical disabilities is not collected centrally. Information on the numbers of such students in higher education is currently not held centrally.

  Sir John Hannam
  To ask the Secretary of State for 246
  Education and Employment when she expects the Further Education Funding Council to publish a definitive policy for physically disabled students; and if she will make a statement on her policy in this area. [36140]

  Mr. Forth
  The Further Education Funding Council has established its learning difficulties and/or disabilities committee to advise the council on how it can best fulfil its legal responsibilities towards students with learning difficulties and disabilities. The committee will report to the FEFC in 1996. The FEFC has published its policy about provision for students with disabilities in a number of circulars.

  The Government's policy is that learning difficulty or disability should not be a bar to access to further education. The provisions in education legislation governing further education for people with disabilities are comprehensive, covering the complementary responsibilities of the FEFC, local education authorities and educational institutions. They recognise the requirement to make available further education which is appropriate to the needs of individual students, in an accessible setting with associated support.

  The Government plan to build on these provisions through the current Disability Discrimination Bill by placing a duty on the FEFC to require further education sector colleges, as a condition of grant, to produce disability statements outlining their provisions for disabled students. The FEFC will also be required annually to report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on its progress to date and future plans for the provision of further education for students with disabilities.

  Transfer of Land: Law Commission Recommendations
  Transfer of Land: Law Commission Recommendations
  Sustainable Development: Select Committee Report
  Sustainable Development: Select Committee Report
  Environmental Impact of Leisure Activities: Response to Report
  Environmental Impact of Leisure Activities: Response to Report