Written Answers of 26 October 1995

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Capital Building Programme
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list each capital building programme, costing more than £1 million, completed in each year since 1979–80, by or on behalf of his Department or local magistrates committees, together with the cost expressed in 1995–96 prices. [38331]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  A schedule of all Crown, combined court and county court schemes is attached at annexe A. The readily available information on magistrates courts schemes is attached at annexe B. Although it is completed for the last four years, the Department does not hold detailed records of all magistrates court schemes completed prior to 1992 which is when responsibility transferred from the Home Office.

  Annexe A: Crown county and combined court building project

  £ million

  Title of scheme

  Type of court

  Works cost cash

  Works cost1995–96 prices

  1979–80

  0

  0

  1980–81

  Wood Green Phase 1

  Crown

  1.25

  2.73

  Leicester

  Crown

  4.42

  9.66

  Romford

  County

  1.03

  2.24

  Nottingham Phase 1

  Crown

  2.23

  4.86

  Birmingham Newton St

  County

  1.10

  2.40

  Snaresbrook Phase 1

  Crown

  2.78

  6.07

  Total

  12.80

  27.97

  1981–82

  Burnley

  Crown

  1.50

  2.99

  Kings Lynn

  Crown

  1.12

  2.22

  Bolton

  Comb

  4.00

  7.97

  Total

  6.61

  13.18

  1982–83

  Portsmouth

  Comb

  7.00

  13.02

  Chelmsford

  Crown

  5.61

  10.43

  Leeds

  Comb

  9.68

  18.00

  Southwark

  Crown

  12.60

  23.44

  Total

  34.89

  64.89

  1983–84

  RCJCrypt

  High

  2.47

  4.38

  Maidstone

  Comb

  10.20

  18.14

  Total

  12.67

  22.52

  1984–85

  Liverpool

  Comb

  43.44

  73.55

  Snaresbrook Rebuild (Fire)

  Crown

  1.40

  2.37

  Total

  44.84

  75.92

  732

  Annexe A: Crown county and combined court building project

  £ million

  Title of scheme

  Type of court

  Works cost cash

  Works cost1995–96prices

  1985–86

  Oxford

  Comb

  5.17

  8.29

  Swindon

  Comb

  2.36

  3.79

  Salisbury

  Crown

  1.18

  1.89

  Total

  8.71

  13.97

  1986–87

  Isleworth D.O.G. House

  Crown

  4.43

  6.91

  Milton Keynes

  County

  1.17

  1.82

  Guildford

  Crown

  4.70

  7.32

  Manchester Wood St Phase 1

  Crown

  10.13

  15.78

  Peterborough

  Comb

  3.96

  6.16

  Southampton

  Comb

  7.08

  11.02

  Total

  31.46

  49.01

  1987–88

  Birmingham

  Crown

  8.87

  13.12

  Newcastle Moot Hall

  Crown

  1.68

  2.48

  Nottingham Phases 2&3

  Crown

  6.18

  9.14

  Norwich

  Comb

  7.02

  10.38

  Swansea

  Crown

  5.15

  7.62

  Total

  18.90

  42.74

  1988–89

  Lambeth

  County

  1.14

  1.58

  Coventry

  Comb

  5.25

  7.28

  Telford

  County

  1.05

  1.46

  Snaresbrook Phase 2

  Crown

  2.50

  3.47

  St. Dunstans House

  High

  1.67

  2.31

  Truro

  Comb

  4.93

  6.84

  Middlesex Guildhall

  Crown

  6.90

  9.56

  Grimsby

  Comb

  4.84

  6.71

  Derby

  Comb

  7.40

  10.26

  Croydon

  Comb

  15.13

  20.97

  Total

  50.82

  70.44

  1989–90

  Doncaster

  Crown

  3.42

  4.44

  RCJ 123 Additional

  HC

  11.36

  14.72

  Manchester Cr Sq/Wd St 2/3

  Comb

  4.97

  6.44

  Taunton

  Crown

  2.79

  3.62

  Wood Green Phase 2

  Crown

  15.26

  19.77

  Total

  37.80

  48.99

  1990–91

  Wolverhampton

  Comb

  9.17

  11.00

  RCJ Thomas More

  High

  2.54

  3.05

  Newcastle Quayside

  Comb

  17.13

  20.56

  Total

  28.84

  34.61

  1991–92

  Northampton

  Comb

  11.49

  12.97

  Teesside

  Comb

  15.09

  17.04

  Hull

  Co-loc

  11.28

  12.73

  Stoke

  Comb

  9.50

  10.72

  Stafford

  Comb

  10.35

  11.68

  Harrow

  Crown

  17.61

  19.88

  Lincoln

  County

  2.31

  2.61

  Luton

  Crown

  9.96

  11.25

  Warrington

  Comb

  7.48

  8.44

  Newport

  Crown

  10.90

  12.30

  Total

  105.96

  119.63

  1992–93

  733

  Annexe A: Crown county and combined court building project

  £ million

  Title of scheme

  Type of court

  Works cost cash

  Works cost1995–96 prices

  Carlisle

  Comb

  9.29

  10.08

  St. Albans

  Crown

  16.34

  17.73

  Central London County

  Court Phase 1

  County

  1.62

  1.76

  Bradford

  Comb

  18.85

  20.45

  Chester

  Crown

  6.55

  7.10

  Borough

  Crown

  19.06

  20.68

  Dartford

  County

  2.16

  2.34

  Total

  73.87

  80.15

  1993–94

  Woolwich

  Crown

  31.15

  32.80

  Bristol

  Crown

  33.49

  35.26

  Total

  64.64

  68.06

  1994–95

  RCJ East Wing

  High

  15.57

  16.08

  Neath and Port Talbot

  County

  1.31

  1.35

  Pontypridd

  County

  1.42

  1.46

  Central London County

  Phase 2

  County

  6.43

  6.64

  Newport (IOW)

  Comb

  2.23

  2.3–0

  Leicester

  County

  3.47

  3.59

  Birmingham

  County

  33.34

  34.44

  Cardiff County

  County

  3.49

  3.61

  Total

  67.25

  69.47

  1995–96

  Canterbury

  Comb

  15.69

  15.69

  Preston

  Comb

  24.84

  24.84

  Worcester

  Comb

  7.80

  7.80

  Total

  48.33

  48.33

  Grand Total

  658.37

  849.87

  Annexe B: Magistrates court building projects

  £ million

  Scheme

  Actual cost

  Cost at 1995–96 prices

  1981–82

  Lancaster

  1.925

  3.836

  1987–88

  Merton

  3.196

  4.727

  Lewes

  2.394

  3.541

  1988–89

  Lowestoft

  2.099

  2.909

  Brighton

  2.289

  3.172

  Port Talbot

  1.415

  1.961

  Stockport

  4.63

  6.417

  Bath

  2.098

  2.908

  Dewsbury

  2.394

  3.318

  1989–90

  Brent

  7.782

  10.085

  Cardiff

  7.401

  9.592

  Hertford

  4

  5.184

  Oldbury

  2.795

  3.622

  Woking

  2.064

  2.675

  Thames

  5.086

  6.591

  734

  Annexe B: Magistrates court building projects

  £ million

  Scheme

  Actual cost

  Cost at 1995–96 prices

  1990–91

  Bootle

  2.935

  3.522

  Bury

  3.541

  4.249

  Chester

  3.700

  4.440

  Basildon

  2.700

  3.240

  Great Yarmouth

  3.167

  3.811

  Harrogate

  2.351

  2.821

  Lincoln

  4.113

  4.935

  Milton Keynes

  4.587

  5.504

  Newton Aycliffe

  1.657

  1.988

  Wigan

  5.077

  6.092

  City of London

  3.990

  4.788

  1991–92

  Haywards Heath

  2.576

  2.908

  Kendal

  1.552

  1.752

  Wimbledon

  3.196

  3.608

  Leicester

  7.432

  8.391

  1992–93

  Bedlington

  2.848

  3.090

  Woolwich

  3.294

  3.574

  Newport (IOW)

  3.406

  3.695

  Taunton

  2.503

  2.716

  1993–94

  Fareham

  2.637

  2.777

  Leeds

  18.132

  19.093

  Llandudno

  1.810

  1.906

  North Shields

  3.262

  3.435

  Rotherham

  5.400

  5.686

  1994–95

  Newham

  11.747

  12.135

  Shrewsbury

  3.983

  4.114

  Rhondda

  1.678

  1.733

  Barrow

  3.072

  3.173

  Bexley

  1.208

  1.248

  Milton Keynes

  1.108

  1.144

  1995–96

  Nottingham

  20.000

  20.000

  Mansfield

  5.127

  5.127

  West London

  8.335

  8.335

  Unregistered Land
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the acreage and percentage of land in each county in England which is unregistered. [38037]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The registration of land is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Land Registry which was established as an executive agency of the Lord Chancellor in July 1990. The question concerns a specific matter on which the chief executive of the agency is best placed to provide the answer. I have accordingly asked the chief executive of Her Majesty's Land Registry to reply direct.

  Letter from E. Beardsall to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 26 October 1995:
  Acreage and Percentage of land in each English County which is unregistered
  In the absence of the Chief Executive, who is presently away from the office, I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question to

  735
  him concerning the acreage and percentage of land in each county of England which is unregistered.
  I regret that statistics relating to unregistered land or to land acreage are not maintained by the Registry but I can tell you that out of an estimated 20 million titles in England, nearly 15 million are registered. The majority of registered titles relate to residential properties in urban areas.
  I hope this information will be helpful.

  Pay Bargaining
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will provide in respect of his plan of pay delegation submitted to the Treasury(a) a description of the staff in each bargaining unit covered by the plan, distinguishing staff in HQ functions, agencies and agency candidates, and in other identifiable business units and (b) proposals for trade union recognition in each bargaining unit and the negotiating machinery to be put in place in each bargaining unit. [38271]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  In addition to the headquarters of the Lord Chancellor's Department and associated offices, the Lord Chancellor has responsibility for four agencies: the Court Service, Her Majesty's Land Registry, the Public Record Office and the Public Trust Office. He is also responsible for the Legal Aid Board, which is an executive non-departmental public body.

  The Public Trust Office and the Court Service became executive agencies in July 1994 and April 1995 respectively, but pay issues of common interest have continued to be subject to joint consultation with LCD HQ. From 1 April 1996, however, the headquarters of the Lord Chancellor's Department—with associated offices—the Court Service and the Public Trust Office will each assume responsibility for the pay and grading of their staff and from that date will become separate units for collective bargaining purposes. The Legal Aid Board already has delegated responsibility in this area, from 1 April 1995. Staff in headquarters, the two agencies and the Legal Aid Board are primarily in senior management, executive, clerical, secretarial and office support grades. The Court Service also includes county court bailiffs, clerks to HM judges and a small number of domestic staff, the latter serving judges' lodgings.

  The present pay and grading structures are, however, now under review. It is not envisaged that, in the immediate term, there will be any significant changes in the present recognition arrangements with the trade unions, who have been invited by headquarters and the two agencies to be party to interim pay agreements which would remain in place pending the outcome of the pay and grading reviews. Changes in pay, structure and collective bargaining arrangements may follow, after consultation and negotiation, as a result of these reviews.

  The chief executives of Her Majesty's Land Registry and the Public Record Office have been asked to reply direct.

  Letter from Sarah Tyacke to Mr. John McAllion, dated 26 October 1995:
  I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply to your question about pay delegation.

  (a) The Public Record Office, a small Government Department and an Executive Agency of the Lord Chancellor's Department, is making its own arrangements for pay
  736
  delegation. All staff, comprising the unified (administrative and curatorial), secretarial, conservator and support grades, are covered in the bargaining unit.

  (b) The office is proposing to continue current trade union recognition (FDA, NUCPS, CPSA and IPMS), and is seeking single table bargaining arrangements.

  Letter from E. Beardsall to Mr. John McAllion dated 26 October 1995:
  In the absence of the Chief Executive, who is presently away from the office, I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question to him concerning pay delegation in HM Land Registry.
  As a separate department, the Registry has always dealt directly with HM Treasury and, since 1 April 1994, has been responsible for its own pay and grading systems. Agreed negotiating machinery is in place which involves three trade unions representing all groups of Land Registry staff.
  I do hope that this answers the points raised with the Parliamentary Secretary but please contact me if I can be of any further assistance.

TREASURY

  Less-developed Countries (Debt)
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table projecting, for each less-developed country, the total debt stock and annual debt service obligation if the Trinidad and Madrid terms were to be implemented in full. [38396]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  I regret that the figures are not available to produce meaningful projections as requested.

  Our objective in proposing the Trinidad terms for bilateral debt, and the multilateral debt initiative launched in Madrid, is to reduce the debt burden of the poorest, most indebted countries to sustainable levels. We continue to pursue this objective.

  Tobacco Industry
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the latest figures of people employed in the tobacco industry at the latest available date and the figures for 1990. [39286]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Available information closest to that requested is for employees in employment in the tobacco manufacturing industry at September 1989, 1991 and 1993. The information is provided in the following table.

  Year

  Employees (thousands)

  1989

  11.4

  1991

  8.7

  1993

  8.0

  Source: CSO.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs, created in the last year, were in(a) small and medium-sized companies, (b) manufacturing industries and (c) service industries. [39376]
  737
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The information requested for small and medium-sized companies is not available. Information for manufacturing and services is available only for the net change in jobs and is provided in the following table.

  Employment in Great Britain: June (thousands)1

  1994

  1995

  Net change

  Manufacturing

  4,052

  4,086

  34

  Services

  17,832

  18,145

  313

  Note:

  1 Includes employees and self-employed.

  Source: CSO.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is proposing to reduce tendering costs for public finance initiative schemes. [37162]

  Mr. Jack
  This is, of course a private not a public finance initiative—although the Government want to keep costs down for both the private and public sectors. I am keen to see an increase in the use of the private finance initiative for the scouring of public projects. However, I am aware of concerns about the costs involved in this exercise and plan shortly to meet with representatives of the construction industry to discuss the matter. However, as experience of the PFI grows costs will continue to fall as Government and business improve their expertise in making contracts in this way. The Government are also encouraging the spread of best practice among Departments, for example by avoiding over-prescriptive specifications.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the rate of higher rate of income tax necessary to counterbalance the effect of(a) abolition of the lower rate of income tax and (b) the abolition of the lower rate of income tax and national insurance contributions for the lowest band tax payers. [37959]

  Mr. Jack
  It would be inappropriate to comment about the range of possible changes to tax rates and thresholds being assessed for the Budget statement. The direct revenue effects of illustrative tax changes are shown in "Tax Ready Reckoner and Tax Reliefs" published by HM Treasury in July, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Tax Evasion
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of evasion of payments of(a) income tax and (b) other tax have been discovered in each of the last five years; and what has been the value of the revenue recovered in both categories. [37922]

  Mr. Jack
  The information requested for taxes administered by the Inland Revenue is as follows:738

  Year

  Income tax investigations

  Other investigations

  Yield from counter-evasion work (£ million)

  1989–90

  57,997

  12,551

  933

  1990–91

  61,755

  13,219

  1,091

  1991–92

  59,993

  14,421

  1,324

  1992–93

  55,611

  12,952

  1,361

  1993–94

  58,420

  12,200

  1,295

  1994–95

  57,701

  10,643

  1,378

  The figure of yield for 1994–95 cannot be compiled on a basis exactly comparable with earlier years, owing to a change in the way these figures are maintained. Unlike previous years, it includes the yield from all employer compliance work.

  Pensions
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average accrued capital value based on private sector annuity rates or other appropriate calculation method of(a) a civil service employee's pension and (b) other public sector employee's pensions of those (i) employees retiring this year and (ii) those current and past employees with future pension rights at retirement. [37884]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  Information for all public sector and public service pension arrangements is not kept centrally. However, the table sets out the average capitalised values of retirement benefits for civil servants who are members of the principal civil service pension scheme together with corresponding figures for two of the large public service schemes.

  Approximate capitalised value of average accrued retired benefit entitlement

  Pension scheme

  Pensioners retiring over the year to1 October1995£

  Active members at1 April 1995£

  Pensioners with preserved benefits at1 April 1995£

  1. PCSPS (excluding N.I.)

  98,000

  32,000

  14,000

  2. NHS (England, Wales, Scotland and N.I.)

  80,000

  30,000

  10,000

  3. Teachers' Superannuation Scheme (England and Wales)

  146,000

  61,000

  16,000

  Notes:

  The capitalised values include the value of pension benefits, lump sum retirement benefits and attached spouse's pensions.

  The values for pensioners retiring over the year to 1 October 1995 exclude those retirements due to ill health.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Fidelity Bonus
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to funding a fidelity bonus paid to couples who stay married for five years. [39030]
  739
  Mr. Jack
  I have received many interesting proposals in the run-up to the Budget which I am considering carefully.

  Black Economy
  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the latest date when an investigation into the black economy took place; what was its findings; and what was the estimate of the extent of the black economy, and the resulting loss of revenue in income tax, in actual and at 1995 prices. [39009]

  Mr. Jack
  It is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the size of the black economy. However, the Inland Revenue has an on-going programme to detect and deter evasion in all areas of the tax system for which it is responsible. I refer the hon. Member to the chapter entitled "Compliance" in the annual report of the board of Inland Revenue for the year ending 31 March 1995, which may be found in the House of Commons Library.

  Sir Ralph Howell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of the size of the black economy. [39008]

  Mr. Jack
  It is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the size of the black economy.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of people who will pay capital gains tax in 1996–97 and 1997–98. [39091]

  Mr. Jack
  The number of individuals and trustees who will have capital gains tax liabilities arising from disposals in 1996–97 and 1997–98 are provisionally estimated at 90,000 and 95,000 respectively.

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the behavioural effects of the abolition of capital gains tax. [39102]

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

  Advance Corporation Tax
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of ACT receipts for
  1995–96. [39095]

  Mr. Jack
  The forecast of advance corporation tax receipts for 1995–96 made at the time of the 1995 summer economic forecast was £9.5 billion.

  Defence Expenditure
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the savings that could be made annually by linking British defence expenditure to the average level of other western European countries. [39252]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  None. UK defence expenditure is determined by UK defence needs and spending priorities. It would be meaningless to link it to the average of other countries' defence spending.
  740

  Overseas Aid Budget
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations his Department has received from(a) members of the general public, (b) hon. Members and (c) non-governmental organisations on the size of the overseas aid budget since 1 September; and what were the figures for the same period last year. [39084]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  The information is as follows:

  1 September1995 to23 October1995

  1 September1994 to23 October1994

  (a) Letters from general public

  1,150

  35

  (b) Hon. Members' letters

  260

  20

  (c) Non-governmental organisations' letters

  1—

  1—

  1 Not separately recorded.

  Redundancy Payments
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to end or alter the tax reliefs available on the first £30,000 of redundancy payments; and if he will make a statement. [39143]

  Mr. Jack
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]I cannot anticipate my right hon. and learned Friend's Budget statement.

  Employee Fraud
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total number of cases of all forms of fraud committed by employees of his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for each year from 1991–92 to 1994–95; and for each of these years, what was the total monetary sum (1) misappropriated in such frauds and (2) subsequently recovered. [39126]

  Mrs. Angela Night
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]The total number of cases of fraud and the total monetary sum misappropriated and subsequently recovered is shown in the following table.

  £

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  HM Treasury

  (cases)

  (0)

  (1)

  (0)

  (0)

  misappropriated

  nil

  22

  nil

  (0)

  recovered

  —

  nil

  —

  —

  Forward: Civil Service Catering

  (cases)

  (2)

  (19)

  (1)

  (0)

  misappropriated

  60,000

  78,496

  268

  nil

  recovered

  nil

  790

  nil

  nil

  Agencies

  (cases)

  (2)

  (2)

  (3)

  (0)

  misappropriated

  nil

  31,754

  nil

  nil

  recovered

  —

  23,573

  —

  —

  741

  £

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  NDPBs

  (cases)

  (0)

  (0)

  (0)

  (0)

  misappropriated

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

  recovered

  —

  —

  —

  —

  National Insurance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the additional revenue yield which would result from extending employers' national insurance contributions to all fringe benefits currently liable to income tax only. [29141]

  Mr. Heald
  I have been asked to reply.

  We estimate the figure to be £250 million based on 1994–95 figures.

TRANSPORT

  Transport Council
  Mr. Sykes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the result of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 28 September. [40234]

  Sir George Young
  The Transport Council met in Brussels on 28 September. My hon. Friend the Minister for Railways and Roads represented the United Kingdom.

  The Council discussed proposals for a Community negotiating mandate on road transport agreements with certain central and eastern European countries, and invited the Committee of Permanent Representatives to prepare detailed texts with a view to agreement at the December Transport Council.

  The Council met Transport Ministers from the nine central and eastern European countries which have association agreements with the European Community. Discussion concentrated on the approximation of legislation and development of infrastructure.

  The Council reached a common position on a consolidating and amending directive on the weights and dimensions of goods vehicles, which extends to national traffic the limits on dimensions—but not weights—applying to international traffic. On the initiative of the UK and the Netherlands, existing goods vehicles which cannot comply with the new provisions may continue in use in national transport until the end of 2006.

  The Council also reached a common position on a directive transposing into Community law and applying to national transport the existing regulations on the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail. Special, more stringent rules will continue to apply to the channel tunnel.

  The Council reached political agreement on a scrapping scheme to reduce capacity in the inland waterways industry. Together with Germany, the UK opposed the use of Community funds for this purpose. The Council also
  742
  reached political agreement on a regulation giving inland waterways operators the freedom to provide services in any member state.

  The Council continued to discuss the Commission's proposals for liberalisation of ground handling services at Community airports. These will now be considered further by the Committee of Permanent Representatives. The Council agreed a resolution on air traffic management in situations of crisis and congestion.

  Other items raised at the Council included proposals for a plastic card driving licence, which were welcomed by the UK and other member states, and taxation of aviation fuel.

  Trans-European Transport Networks
  Mr. Tracey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the United Kingdom's share of the funds available in 1995 for priority projects under the European Community's financing programme for trans-European transport networks. [40233]

  Sir George Young
  Priority projects in the United Kingdom will receive some £22 million, which is just over 15 per cent. of the total funds available for priority projects in 1995 and more than any other member state will receive from the EC fund. In addition to the £7 million for the west coast main line, which I announced in the House on 18 October,Official Report, column 370, the channel tunnel rail link will receive £13.6 million and schemes along the Ireland-UK-Benelux road link will benefit from £1.6 million. The UK will also receive £36,000 million for road traffic management research and has an interest in a number of other traffic management schemes, including a global navigation satellite system, which will together receive some £16 million of TENs funding in 1995.

  Airports
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the maximum current capacity of each terminal of(a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Stansted for (i) passengers and (ii) flights. [39367]

  Mr. Norris
  These are matters for BAA plc.

  The number of passenger air transport movements at Stansted is limited to 78,000 per annum under the Stansted Airport Aircraft Movement Limit Order 1987.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers used Stansted airport in(a) the year of its opening and (b) 1994. [39371]

  Mr. Norris
  Stansted airport opened for commercial use in 1946, but the first regular services did not operate until the following year. The new terminal opened in March 1991, and in that year 1.9 million passengers used the airport. The comparable figure for 1994 was 3.3 million passengers.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake the environmental impact assessment in respect of a new terminal 5 at Heathrow. [39774]

  Mr. Norris
  No. An environmental impact assessment was prepared by BAA plc prior to its application for planning permission for a fifth terminal.
  743
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers used each of the terminals at(a) Heathrow and (b) Gatwick in (i) 1984 and (ii) 1994. [39379]

  Mr. Norris
  I understand from BAA plc that the information requested is as follows:

  1984

  1994

  Million passengers

  Heathrow Terminal 1

  11.46

  21.37

  Heathrow Terminal 2

  7.45

  8.23

  Heathrow Terminal 3

  10.23

  10.79

  Heathrow Terminal 4

  1—

  10.97

  Gatwick South Terminal

  13.95

  12.76

  Gatwick North Terminal

  2—

  8.29

  1 Opened April 1986.

  2 Opened March 1988.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of existing(a) passenger and (b) freight capacity is being used currently at (i) Heathrow, and (ii) Gatwick and (iii) Stansted. [39373]

  Mr. Norris
  This is a matter for BAA plc.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has for passenger use of(a) existing Heathrow terminals, (b) Gatwick terminals, (c) Stansted and (d) terminal 5 at Heathrow in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2005. [39372]

  Mr. Norris
  I understand that BAA plc has presented the following projections to the Heathrow terminal 5 public inquiry:

  2000

  2005)

  (million passengers per year)

  Existing Heathrow Terminals

  60.0

  52.6

  Gatwick Terminals

  22.1

  27.3

  Stansted

  7.1

  12.5

  Heathrow Terminal 51

  —

  14.4

  1 Application to build terminal 5 is currently the subject of a public inquiry. If planning permission is granted, BAA pic aims to have the first phase open by 2003.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessments he had made of the environmental impact of the airports on(a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Stansted. [39366]

  Mr. Norris
  For Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, the Department publishes an aircraft noise exposure index in the form of annual aircraft noise contours using Leq—equivalent continuous sound level, 16 hour dBA. It is the responsibility of airport operators or developers to undertake appropriate environmental impact assessments of any major new developments proposed at airports.

ENVIRONMENT

  Green Belt Land
  Sir Michael Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions in the past five years he has granted planning permission for the development on land in the metropolitan green belt for 744
  (a) motorways and (b) motorway service areas; and if he will make a statement. [38353]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We are not aware of any such cases in metropolitan green belt land around London. Approval should not be given for inappropriate development in a green belt except in very special circumstances. Further advice on control over development in green belts is given in section 3 of planning policy guidance note 2—revised—January 1995.

  My right hon. Friend has called in four planning applications for motorway service areas on different sites in the green belt, along the M25 in Epping Forest district, Essex. They were considered at a joint inquiry which ended in the summer. The Government Office is awaiting the inspector's report.

  The Secretary of State is minded to grant permission for a motorway service area in the green belt, on the M25 at Iver, Buckinghamshire, but is considering further representations on new evidence that has arisen.

  Motorway Service Areas
  Sir Michael Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the locations for possible motorway service areas adjacent to the M25 which were rejected by his inspector as being unsuitable on the ground that they are off-line. [38355]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  We are not aware of any such cases.

  Noise Legislation
  Mr. Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his proposals to improve the current noise legislation. [38039]

  Mr. Gummer
  I am aware of my right hon. Friend's continuing interest in this important subject. We are currently considering both the written responses to the recommendations in the consultation paper on neighbour noise controls and the results of recent trials of the proposed new night noise offence. We hope to announce shortly how we propose to take forward the recommendations.

  Queen Elizabeth Hospital
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate(a) the costs and(b) the costs of delay relating to the planning inquiry into the developing at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in the borough of Greenwich., [38736]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  No. Such estimates are unnecessary as they are not material to the Secretary of State's decision on whether a planning application should be called in.

  Public Inquiries
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the shortest, the average and the longest period of delay in setting up a local public inquiry. [38735]
  745
  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The provision of information on public local inquiries is the responsibility of the planning inspectorate. I have asked the inspectorate's chief executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from James Greenfield to Mr. Peter Bottomley, dated 23 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State asked the Chief Planning Inspector to reply to your question about the shortest, the average and the longest period of delay in setting up a local public inquiry. Mr. Shepley is away from the office this week, and I am writing on his behalf.
  In the case of planning appeals and planning applications called-in for the Secretary of State's decision, the Inquiries Procedure Rules state that the inquiry shall be not later than 20 weeks or 22 weeks respectively after the relevant start date for the case, unless such a date is impracticable. Generally, the earliest possible date for an inquiry to be arranged is about 14 weeks after the relevant date (16 weeks or more for called-in applications), allowing the parties adequate time to submit and exchange statements and prepare proofs of evidence within the recommended timescales.
  There is general delay in arranging dates for these inquiries caused by the need to provide Inspectors for development plan inquiries. The Planning and Compensation Act 1991 required mandatory district wide plans to be published by local authorities, so that future development control decisions were made in accordance with the plans, unless material considerations indicated otherwise. Ministers expectations were that all plans would be in place by the end of 1996. Extra Inspectors have been recruited, but need to undergo an extensive training programme before they become fully effective.
  Within the Inspector's published Business Plan there are a number of performance targets, many of which are measured against the time taken to complete 80‥ of our caseloads. The latest statistics show that during September, 80‥ of the dates for inquiries proposed by the Inspectorate to the parties were made within 40 weeks of the relevant dates. The earliest date proposed was made in week 18, and the latest date in week 51. The average waiting time for an inquiry date was 35 weeks.

  Special Areas of Conservation
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list proposed special areas of conservation in the United Kingdom that contain specimens of shore dock. [39244]

  Mr. Clappison
  The sites proposed to Government by the statutory nature conservation agencies, working through the Joint Nature Conservation committee, as possible special areas of conservation representing an appropriate UK contribution for the shore dock—Rumex rupestris—to the European Union wide Natura 2000 network were:

  Angelsey Coast Dunes (Glannau Mons)

  Fal and Helford

  Isles of Scilly Complex

  Penhale Dunes

  Plymouth Sound and Estuaries

  The Lizard

  Following a public consultation on those proposals in the spring, the Anglesey coast dunes site was submitted to the European Commission as a candidate special area of conservation in June. I anticipate that other sites for this species will go forward as candidate special areas of conservation later this year.
  746

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by county, those designated areas that have been damaged in each of the last four years, with the cause of damage in each case. [39064]

  Mr. Clappison
  The information is not available in the form requested. Information on damage to SSSIs is contained in the annual reports of English Nature, copies of which are in the Library.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of people receiving benefit, where the level of housing benefit has been capped in line with the local reference rate, on the overall availability of private rented accommodation; [38895]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the private rented sector will be used only by people with a guaranteed income capable of paying the levels of rent demanded following the capping of housing benefit levels. [38871]

  Mr. Clappison
  Under the changes to the housing benefit system, housing benefit will continue to meet in full rents at or below the general level of rent for similar accommodation in the same locality. Even where the market rent is above the general level, housing benefit will meet half the excess. The effect of the new system will depend on the decisions landlords and tenants reach on rents locally and we will be monitoring this closely.

  The Housing White Paper made it clear that we see the private rented sector as an important complement to social housing for people on low incomes. We are committed to providing an effective housing benefit system that enables low income households to rent in the private sector.

  Wetland Sites
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to invite the application of the Montreux procedure, in accordance with resolution C.5.4 of the Ramsar convention, for those United Kingdom wetland sites where the Joint Nature Conservation Committee has recently predicted or recorded negative changes in ecological character. [39238]

  Mr. Clappison
  None. The United Kingdom is a strong supporter of the Ramsar convention, which does much valuable work in fostering the conservation and wise use of wetlands. The United Kingdom national report to the sixth meeting of Ramsar contracting parties in 1996 states that the ecological character of 12 of the 95 United Kingdom Ramsar sites has changed, is changing or is likely to change. No additional UK sites are appropriate for inclusion on the Montreux record. In responding the UK national report, the Ramsar secretariat stated that the UK report is one of the most comprehensive, detailed and open of the reports they receive. A copy of the UK national Ramsar report is in the House Library.

  One UK Ramsar site, the Dee estuary, is currently on the Montreux record, and was the subject of a monitoring visit last autumn by the Ramsar bureau and other

  747
  international wetland experts who reported to my right hon. Friend this summer. A response to this report is currently in preparation.

  Water Extraction Licences
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if water extracted from boreholes or aquifers requires a water extraction licence: and if he will make a statement. [38994]

  Mr. Clappison
  The National Rivers Authority has a duty to manage water resources, including groundwater, under part II of the Water Resources Act 1991. Most abstractions from groundwater require a licence from the authority. The major exemptions are for agriculture or domestic use below 20cm per day.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list by(a) region or county and (b) location the number of new water extraction licences that have been approved since 1 July; and if he will indicate the amount of water granted to be extracted. [38993]

  Mr. Clappison
  The number of new abstraction licences issued by the National Rivers Authority between 1 July and 15 October, with their associated quantities, are as follows:

  Region

  Number of new licences

  Quantity(Megalitres perannum)

  Anglian

  26

  462

  North West

  21

  200

  Northumbria and Yorkshire

  38

  2,751

  Severn Trent

  53

  6,811

  Southern

  5

  14,708

  South Western

  34

  13,040

  Thames

  4

  2,801

  Welsh

  22

  35,920

  Total

  203

  76,693

  These figures do not include variations, successions, drought orders or re-issued time limited licences. The quantities for Welsh, South Western and Southern regions have been distorted by the issue of several very large, low loss licences—fish farms, Hydropower and cooling.

  Rural Housing
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation to exempt small rural villages from his Department's new right-to-buy arrangements for(a) local authorities and (b) housing associations' tenants to ensure their homes are not turned into holiday cottages or sold to outsiders; and if he will make a statement. [39057]

  Mr. Clappison
  Following the publication of the Housing White Paper, we consulted widely on the proposal for a purchase grant scheme for tenants of housing associations. In the light of concerns expressed about the impact of the proposals on the availability of social housing in rural areas, we have concluded that existing and future housing association properties situated in rural communities of less than 3,000 people will not be included in the purchase grant scheme. This will be provided for in legislation.
  748
  The purchase grant proposals relate only to tenants of housing associations, and not those of local authorities.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the effect of the abolition of discretionary subsidies on homelessness among the most vulnerable groups in society. [38897]

  Mr. Clappison
  The changes to the housing benefit rules that will be introduced in January 1996 are intended to bear down on high rents in the private rented sector. There is no reason to assume that the changes will affect the level of homelessness.

  Water, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will investigate the extent to which water in the aquifers of the Doncaster area geological syncline could be used in greater volumes, either in the public water supply or other purposes; what is the current cost of obtaining potable water from this source; what capital and revenue cost would be incurred in using sufficient water for these uses so as to stabilise the height of the local water table; and if he will make a statement. [39035]

  Mr. Clappison
  The National Rivers Authority has a duty to conserve and secure the proper use of water resources in England and Wales. I understand that the Sherwood sandstone aquifer in the Doncaster area is already fully utilised for public water supply. It is possible that some groundwater could be made available from the carboniferous stratum, but the quantities are expected to be small and the water quality poor. The cost of obtaining a potable water supply or stabilising the local water table have not been investigated.

  Latham Report
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about progress on implementing the Latham report. [38868]

  Mr. Clappison
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Strathkelvin and Bearsden on 18 July 1995,Official Report, column 1065. We have now published the results of the two consultation exercises and continue to consider legislative proposals in the light of these, and subsequent discussions with the construction industry.

  Drinking Water
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest information he has for each of the water companies of the level of dissolved lead in water pipes; and if he will make a statement. [38995]

  Mr. Clappison
  The standard for lead in drinking water in England and Wales is a maximum allowable concentration of 50 microgrammes per litre—ug/litre. This standard relates to unflushed samples at consumers's taps and is equivalent to an average concentration of about 20ug/litre. This is more stringent than the 5Oug/litre standard in the European Community directive on water intended for human consumption which relates to flushed samples.
  749
  There is no lead in the water that leaves treatment works. Most of the lead is picked up from the consumers own pipework. The drinking water inspectorate has issued a leaflet to advise consumers on simple steps they can take to minimise the levels of lead in their drinking water.

  Number of samples containing lead in various concentrations by company for 1994

  Company

  Number of samples taken

  Lead concentration µg/litre

  <10

  11–20

  21–30

  31–40

  41.–50

  51–100

  >100

  Anglian

  2,272

  2,181

  63

  20

  4

  2

  1

  1

  Bournemouth and West

  Hampshire

  73

  71

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bristol

  321

  212

  39

  31

  12

  10

  12

  5

  Cambridge

  247

  185

  41

  14

  4

  1

  —

  2

  Chester

  20

  19

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cholderton

  3

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dwr Cymru

  1,437

  1,236

  71

  40

  20

  17

  27

  26

  East Surrey

  271

  252

  12

  2

  2

  2

  1

  —

  Essex and Suffolk

  1,045

  981

  32

  11

  9

  7

  4

  1

  Folkestone

  64

  54

  6

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hartlepoole

  12

  12

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mid Kent

  137

  131

  3

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Mid Southern

  179

  178

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North East

  906

  717

  112

  42

  15

  9

  10

  1

  North Surrey

  73

  63

  2

  4

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Northumbrian

  1,125

  941

  87

  39

  22

  12

  22

  2

  North West

  15,868

  12,103

  1,426

  829

  472

  320

  500

  218

  Portsmouth

  243

  193

  28

  13

  4

  11

  3

  1

  Severn Trent

  4,834

  3,645

  455

  286

  148

  110

  156

  34

  Southern

  869

  731

  64

  22

  18

  8

  15

  11

  South Staffs

  489

  406

  47

  17

  8

  2

  9

  —

  South East Water

  345

  294

  19

  11

  7

  6

  8

  —

  South West

  671

  573

  53

  17

  10

  6

  10

  2

  Sutton District

  32

  31

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tendring Hundred

  268

  263

  3

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Thames

  1,082

  1,014

  50

  5

  8

  1

  4

  —

  Three Valles Water

  1,599

  1,435

  90

  42

  16

  6

  8

  2

  Wessex

  1,304

  1,152

  71

  33

  12

  13

  10

  13

  Wrexham

  52

  49

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Yorkshire

  2,783

  2,235

  252

  111

  54

  34

  62

  35

  York Waterworks

  113

  107

  3

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  Total samples in 1994

  38.737

  31,467

  3,034

  1,596

  852

  567

  862

  356

  Per cent, of total samples

  -

  81.25

  7.85

  4.1

  2.2

  1.5

  2.2

  0.9

  Birmingham Airport
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to call in the planning application for expansion of Birmingham international airport. [39621]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  The application is still being considered by the local planning authority, Solihull metropolitan borough council. Should they be minded to approve it the application will be notified to the Secretary of State in due course and he will then decide whether to call it in for his own decision.

  Tenants
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he will take to enable tenants in rent arrears to transfer to cheaper accommodation where this is at the tenant's request. [38538]

  Mr. Clappison
  None. Transfers of local authority tenants and rent arrears are matters for local authorities.
  750
  The table sets out the number of samples containing lead in various concentrations by water company for 1994, the latest year for which information is available. No distinction is made between dissolved lead and particulate lead.

  Incinerators
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment pursuant to his answer of 21 February, when he now expects to publish Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution's report on polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins and polychlorinated d:benzofurans in the vicinity of inc inerators. [38904]

  Mr. Clappison
  It should be available before Christmas.

  Area Cost Adjustments
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what research he has commissioned on the use of travel-to-work areas to calculate area cost adjustment; what further studies have been commissioned into area cost adjustments, and if he will make a statement. [38918]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We commissioned research into the possible use of travel-to-work areas from the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies at
  751
  Newcastle university. The report of this work has subsequently been discussed with the local authority associations in the standard spending assessment sub-group.

  This sub-group has received a number of other papers on area cost adjustment which include or comment on other research work. These are a report from a technical sub-group which sought to investigate alternatives to the current methodology, a commentary by the south east counties on the alternatives, and a paper by the metropolitan districts which covered a report by Ernst and Young on the current methodology.

  The Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration has announced his proposals for an independent review of the adjustment. I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my hon. Friend gave on 17 October 1995, Official Report, column 185–86.

  Homelessness, London
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are currently homeless in London. [39645]

  Mr. Clappison
  Local authorities in England report on their quarterly PIE return to my Department the number of households for whom they accept responsibility to secure accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985.

  The latest estimate for London appears in table 1 of "Households found accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act 1985: England. Statistics for the second quarter of 1995", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Housing, London
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many London homes(a) public and (b) private sectors are unmodernised. [39369]

  Mr. Clappison
  The 1991 "English House Condition Survey" recorded modernisation only in relation to kitchens and bathrooms. The following were found in London.

  Public sector

  Private sector

  Percentage of sector

  Number

  Percentage of sector

  Number

  Unmodemised kitchen

  142,000

  20.6

  325,000

  14.1

  Unmodernised bathroom

  216,000

  31.4

  486,000

  21.1

  The 1991 EHCS defines an unmodernised kitchen or bathroom as one with amenities more than 25 years old.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homes in London are unfit for habitation. [39368]

  Mr. Clappison
  The 1991 "English House Condition Survey" found 301,000 London dwellings to be unfit under section 604 of the Housing Act 1985, as amended by schedule 9 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
  752

  Development Land
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has for the amount of(a) land and (b) buildings in London which are available for development. [39370]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Department of the Environment does not hold detailed information on buildings in London available for development. A central register of unused and underused public land was maintained in the Department from 1981 onwards in accordance with part X of the Local Government Planning and Land Act 1980. In 1989 this responsibility was transferred to local authorities.

  Berkshire County Council
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment if he intends to appeal against the ruling of the High Court on 6 October 1995 that his decision to abolish Berkshire county council and transfer its functions to the six existing district councils was invalid in so far as it concerns the transfer of functions to the borough of Bracknell Forest and the royal borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. [40487]

  Mr. Gummer
  The court ruling was not a judgment on the merits of my decision on the structure of local government in Berkshire, but turned on a point of interpretation of the Local Government Act 1992 which I feel needs to be tested further. Leave to appeal was granted by the High Court, and I shall be serving notice of appeal to enable the matter to be argued further in the Court of Appeal. I shall not lay the Berkshire (Structural Change) Order before Parliament while the appeal is proceeding.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Departmental Responsibilities
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list his Department's responsibilities. [38450]

  Mr. Lang
  My Department's responsibilities are indicated in the list of ministerial responsibilities which is published regularly by the Cabinet Office and is available through the Vote Office. The Department's objective is to help UK business compete successfully at home and abroad. It also aims, through the Office of Science and Technology, to strengthen the UK's science engineering and technology capability and to maximise its contribution to national economic performance and quality of life.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received following the revocation of the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1986. [39348]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  My Department has received a number of inquiries about the implications of the revocation of the 1986 regulations. My officials have held discussions with representatives of the trading standards service and explained that the supply of fireworks to
  753
  children under 16 remains an offence both under section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875 (as amended) and under the General Product Safety Regulations 1994.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reintroduce the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1986. [39347]

  Mr. Evans
  I am satisfied that the requirements currently in place are adequate to prevent the sale of fireworks to children under 16 years of age. I do not believe there is any need for changes in the legislation.

  Newsagents
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he last met the chief executive of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents; and what was discussed. [39088]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I met Mr. Bob Frost, chief executive of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, on 13 July 1995.

  Mr. Frost expressed the NFRN's concerns about recent developments, in particular: the recent increases in wholesaler's carriage charges; the changes being made in wholesale distribution areas; the decision by several publishers to reduce the newsagent's margin on retail sales; and the effect on newsagents of orders made against the NFRN under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1976.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Office of Fair Trading's proposals which require that all retail newsagents supplied from the same distribution point must by October 1996 be charged the same rate for delivery. [39087]

  Mr. Evans
  The OFT has no such proposal. However, I agree with the OFT that high carriage charges should not be used as a means of deterring new entrants.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the recent increases in carriage charges on newspaper outlets. [39086]

  Mr. Page
  It appears that wholesalers have increased their charges to recover an increased element of the expenses associated with distribution and delivery. That is a matter for their commercial judgment.

  Company Takeovers
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what reviews of the law and regulations regarding company takeovers have been carried out since 1985; and what were their main conclusions. [39262]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  In 1988, the Government published the results of a review of mergers policy and the merger control procedures of the Fair Trading Act 1973—"Mergers Policy—a DTI paper on the policy and procedures of merger control". The main conclusion was that the policy towards mergers should remain unchanged but that a number of changes would be made to merger control procedures to help speed up decision. The changes introduced include a non-mandatory prenotification system and the power to accept divestment undertakings in lieu of reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. More recently, following a review of merger 754
  control procedures as part of the Government's deregulation initiative, a number of changes have been made or are to be made, including the power to accept behavioural undertakings in lieu of reference to the MMC and a reduction in the period during which a merger may be referred to the MMC from six to four months.

  Mr. Nicholson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will make a statement on the objectives of the current law regarding company takeovers. [39264]

  Mr. Evans
  The Fair Trading Act 1973 gives my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade discretion to refer qualifying mergers to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission where he believes they may operate against the public interest. Since 1984, the Government's policy has been that, in determining whether mergers should be referred, the primary consideration is the effect on competition. Certain mergers are also subject to the City code on takeovers and mergers which is a non-statutory code administered by the panel on takeovers and mergers. The code and the panel operate principally to ensure fair and equal treatment of all shareholders in relation to takeovers. The code also provides an orderly framework within which takeovers are conducted.

  In 1987, a review of the operations of the takeover panel identified a number of measures to strengthen the panel's regulation of takeovers while maintaining its existing non-statutory status. The measures were designed to improve the monitoring and investigative capabilities of the panel and to bring the panel into a closer relationship with the regulatory arrangements established by the Financial Services Act 1986.

  The Trade and Industry Committee of the House also undertook a review of takeovers and mergers policy and made a number of recommendations, which were published on 27 November 1991, HC 90. The Government's response to that report was published on 26 February 1992, HC 300.

  Newspaper Industry
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his proposals for deregulatory changes within the newspaper industry. [39085]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The changes introduced in October 1994 have had 'a significant effect in opening the retail market. I have no further proposals in this area.

  Cable Companies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many complaints he has received in the last 12 months from (i) members of the public, (ii) local authorities and (iii) hon. Members about cable companies failing to reinstate properly the pavement or highway after cabling work is completed. [38850]
  755
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  One complaint was received between 21 October 1994 and 20 October 1995 stating that a cable company had not met its statutory requirements with regards to reinstatement. However, the number of complaints received during this period expressing displeasure over reinstatements by cable operators are as follows:

  Members of the public: 41

  Local authorities: 2

  Hon. Members: 21

  The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 sets the standard of works for cable operators and the utilities, and provides that both interim and permanent reinstatements must conform with the statutory national specification. All cases of defective reinstatement which are identified by the local highway authority must be rectified at the undertaker's expenses; additionally, the undertaker must for each proved defect bear the cost of the initial investigation and three further follow-up inspections.

  The number of complaints per kilometre trenched has fallen.

  Mountain Bikes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action his Department is taking in respect of those manufacturers who sell mountain bikes that are unsafe for use other than on a tarmac road as notified to him by Nottingham university in the research it has carried out for his Department; and if he will make a statement. [39017]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The report commissioned by my Department into the safety of mountain bikes made a number of recommendations aimed at better matching the performance of mountain bikes with user's expectations and intended use. My officials will shortly be discussing the detailed findings of the completed research with the bicycle industry.

  Barnsley and Doncaster Training and Enterprise Company
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much funding has been provided to Barnsley and Doncaster TEC. for small and medium-sized businesses in each year since its inception, including the current financial year; what is his forecast for the coming financial year; and if he will make a statement. [39556]

  Mr. Page
  Barnsley and Doncaster TEC has received funding for the support of small and medium-sized businesses from numerous Government and European sources. The main DTI support is the enterprise budget which was £328,000 in 1993–94, £362,500 in 1994–95 and is forecast to be £294,000 in 1995–96.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the hon. Member for Walsall, North may expect to receive a reply to his letter of 5 September concerning a company in his constituency which is being dealt with by the offices of the Minister for Trade. [39646]

  Mr. Nelson
  I replied to the hon. Gentleman's letter on 23 October.
  756

PRIME MINISTER

  British Workers (Japan)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to discuss with the Japanese Government the position of those British workers in Japan who, after paying into the Japanese state retirement pension scheme, are eligible neither for a pension nor for a lump sum payment [39393]

  The Prime Minister
  Officials in the Department of Social Security have held informal, exploratory discussions with Japanese officials about a social security agreement between the two countries concentrating on matters of national insurance contribution liability. We have had no formal request from the Japanese Government for such an agreement, but any such approach would be carefully considered.

  Free Phone Numbers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the Departments and agencies that provide a free phone number allowing members of the public to pass on information regarding private individuals. [38893]

  The Prime Minister
  This information is not held centrally.

  Young Scientists Contest
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister what were his engagements on 11 September; what factors made it impossible for him to accept an invitation to open a European contest for young scientists on that date; and if he will make a statement. [39029]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no record of an invitation to open such a contest on 11 September. I did receive an invitation, in February, to attend the meeting on 12 or 13 September, but I declined the invitation since I had no plans to be in Newcastle on that date; nor was I.

  Cabinet Committees
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish an updated list of ministerial Committees of the Cabinet. [39495]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Dr. Twinn) on 18 July,Official Report, columns 1005–12.

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the campaign led by the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association for recognition and compensation for those veterans who participated in or witnessed nuclear tests held by the United Kingdom. [39208]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces gave to the hon. Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) on 25 May,Official Report, column 662.
  757

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the public appointments for which his Department is responsible in the county of South Yorkshire, indicating in each case the duration of the appointment, the date when a new appointment is due, and the salary; [39434]

  (2) if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which his Office makes appointments in the county of South Yorkshire, with the total annual budget for each body and the number of appointments made or renewed for each body in each of the last four years. [39463]

  The Prime Minister
  For these purposes, my Office is part of the Cabinet Office—Office of Public Service. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Scottish Breast Campaign
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Prime Minister how many postcards he has received from the Scottish Breast Campaign; and to how many of these he has replied. [38772]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 October 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) on 16 October, Official Report, column 23.

  Duke of Windsor (Papers)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on information relating to(a) the conduct of the Duke of Windsor in world war two, (b) Anthony Blunt's visit to Schloss Friedricshof in April 1945 and (c) documents taken from Schloss Friedricshof in 1945 held by Her Majesty's Government; and when this information will be available for public inspection. [38002]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 October 1995]: Papers removed from Schloss Friedricshof by Sir Owen Morshead, the King's Librarian, and Anthony Blunt in 1945 were returned to Schloss Friedricshof in 1951.

  Papers relating to the Duke of Windsor's passage through Spain and Portugal in 1940 were published in 1957 in volume X of "Documents on German Foreign Policy".

  United Nations Day
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what engagements he had to mark United Nations Day. [36752]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: I attended the United Nations 50th anniversary commemorative summit meeting in New York between 22 and 24 October.

  French Nuclear Tests
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss French nuclear testing in the Pacific in his forthcoming meeting with President Jacques Chirac of France. [38428]
  758
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: I shall be holding talks with President Chirac on 30 October, during the Anglo-French summit. It is expected that the talks will cover a wide range of current issues.

  Joseph Rotblat
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister what communications he has had with Joseph Rotblat on winning the Nobel peace prize. [39269]

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister what correspondence he has had with Professor Joseph Rotblat since the award to him of the Nobel peace prize; what assessment he has made of the works of the Pugwash Foundation; and if he will make a statement. [38831]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: None.

  Employee Fraud
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the total number of cases of all forms of fraud committed by employees of his(a) office and (b) non-departmental public bodies for each year from 1991–92 to 1994–95; and for each of these years, what was the total monetary sum (1) misappropriated in such frauds and (2) subsequently recovered. [39123]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: None.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Information Technology
  Mr. Butler
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to ensure that Government Departments are making best use of the skills and expertise of the private sector in their expenditure on information technology. [40457]

  Mr. Freeman
  The private finance initiative has the aim of delivering high quality and more cost-effective public services by bringing the private sector more directly into the provision of those services. Expenditure on information technology on which government spends over £2 billion per year is a key area where the private finance initiative has demonstrated a vital role.

  Many Government Departments have already established dedicated private finance units. But, given the unique nature of information systems and information technology projects, I am establishing a new team to work specifically on IS/IT projects. This will be in the Office of Public Service, and draw on resources from the private finance panel executive and CCTA, the Government centre for information systems.

  The new unit will ensure that the principles of the private finance initiative are applied to IT expenditure across the whole of Government, with strong backing from the centre of Whitehall.
  759

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which his Office makes appointments in the county of South Yorkshire, with the total annual budget for each body and the number of appointments made or renewed for each body in each of the last four years; [39467]

  (2) if he will list the public appointments for which his Department is responsible in the county of South Yorkshire, indicating in each case the duration of the appointment, the date when a new appointment is due, and the salary. [39430]

  Mr. Freeman
  There are no Cabinet Office, Central Office of Information or HMSO public appointments in South Yorkshire.

  Agencies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 17 October to the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mr. Chapman),Official Report, column 183, if the three appointments of consultants in connection with the future of his agencies were made after considering alternative sources for such appointments tested by competition; and if those appointments are subjected to (a) maximum total cost ceilings (b) maximum cost per day ceilings or (c) a time limit for their appointment. [39334]

  Mr. Freeman
  The three appointments of consultants in connection with the future of my agencies were made through a competitive process following an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

  The appointment 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 is subject to a maximum total cost ceiling and a time limit.

  The total fees for the appointments in relation to HMSO and Chessington Computer Centre are fixed in so far as the projects conform to the terms of reference in the invitation to tender and the assumptions set out in the bids from the financial advisers. Elements outside the control of the financial advisers may lead to an application for additional fees which would then need to be carefully considered. Expenditure will be closely monitored.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Salmon Advisory Committee
  Sir Cranley Onslow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has reached a decision on the future of the Salmon Advisory Committee. [40202]

  Mr. Baldry
  The Salmon Advisory Committee has now largely completed the various tasks that Fisheries Ministers have asked it to undertake. Six of its reports have been published and a further five reports are nearing completion. When its current work is completed, the committee's report will provide a set of studies 760
  comprehensively examining all the factors that affect salmon during the various stages of their life cycle as well as on a range of other important topics. The committee's published reports have all been well received.

  The terms of appointment of a great majority of the committee's members will shortly come to an end, and with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales I have been considering whether the life of the committee should be extended for a further period. We have concluded that, once the committee has completed its current programme of work, there are no further tasks for it to undertake of sufficient importance to justify its retention. The committee will, therefore, be wound up at the end of the current financial year.

  A particularly valuable feature of the Salmon Advisory Committee is that it represents views from all part of Great Britain. My right hon. Friends and I do not wish to lose the opportunity to seek advice on salmon issues on a Great Britain basis and we are, accordingly planning to hold regular meetings with representatives of the various organisations interested in salmon fisheries; these will take place at least once a year and will provide a forum for the discussion of matters relating to salmon and salmon fisheries.

  My right hon. Friend and I wish to thank all members and former members of the Salmon Advisory Committee for their hard work and dedication; they have made a major contribution to improving our understanding of salmon. Particular credit is due to the committee's chairman, Professor George Dunnet, CBE who, sadly, died last month. We have asked Mr. Robert Clerk OBE, an existing member of the committee, to take over the duties of chairman for the remaining life of the committee.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Mr. Robert Banks
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of BSE there have been in animals born in each year since the ruminant feed ban was introduced. [40301]

  Mrs. Browning
  Up to 24 October 1995, BSE has been confirmed in the following numbers of animals born after the ruminant fed ban was introduced on 18 July 1988:

  19881: 10,689

  1989: 9,364

  1990: 2,425

  1991: 461

  1992: 6

  1993: 1

  119 July-31 December:

  Countryside Schemes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost in 1994, in Humberside and the three counties of Yorkshire, of payments made under(a) the countryside stewardship scheme, (b) the hedgerow incentive scheme, (c) the countryside premium scheme and (d) the wildlife enhancement scheme; and what is his estimate of the cost in 1995. [38989]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.
  761
  Payments in the counties in question in the financial year 1994–95 under the countryside stewardship scheme totalled £1.279 million and under the Wildlife Enhancement scheme £464,000. Payments for the two schemes in 1995–96 are estimated to be £1.534 million and £330,000 respectively. The hedgerow incentive scheme was combined with countryside stewardship in October 1994 and separate costs are not available. Countryside premium is not available in the counties in question.

  Animal Transits (Deaths)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate for the number of sheep and lambs who die in transit each year. [31128]

  Mrs. Browning
  It is not possible to produce such an estimate from the information available.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what proportion of calves that are exported from the United Kingdom are checked by MAFF at the time that an export certificate is signed to see if they are from herds with histories of either bovine spongiform encephalopathy or enzootic bovine leukosis; [38707]

  (2) how many calves from herds known to have had BSE have been exported in each of the last five years; and to which countries they have been sent; [38709]

  (3) how many calves from herds known to have had EBL have been exported in each of the last five years; and if he will indicate to which countries they have been Sent. [38708]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers that I gave to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 16 October 1995,Official Report, column 125–26.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many imperfect animal health certificates, including their schedules, were recorded by his staff monitoring livestock exports at Brightlingsea during September; [38695]

  (2) what action was taken in respect of imperfect animal health certificates recorded by his staff at Brightlingsea during September. [38697]

  Mrs. Browning
  No consignments of live animals exported out of Brightlingsea during September were accompanied by imperfect animal health certification.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many imperfect animal health certificates, including their schedules, were recorded by his staff monitoring livestock exports at Dover during September; [38696]

  (2) what action was taken in respect of imperfect animal health certificates recorded by his staff at Dover during September. [38698]

  Mrs. Browning
  In September, the documentation accompanying two consignments of live animals which underwent official checks before their export from Dover was found to be incorrect. In the first instance, the export health certificate indicated that there were 260 animals in 762
  the consignment although there were in fact only 160. The certifying veterinary inspector confirmed that the certificate should have referred to 160 animals and amended the certificate appropriately, in accordance with official procedures for making such amendments. In the second instance, the export health certificate number was misread by the certifying veterinary inspector and misquoted on the accompanying schedule listing the animals in the consignment. As soon as the certifying inspector confirmed the error, the schedule was amended by MAFF personnel and the export allowed to proceed.

  Spring Traps
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what policy consideration led to the decision to add four spring traps to the previous list of 11 traps already approved for use under the Spring Traps Approval Order 1995. [38699]

  Mrs. Browning
  Under the Pests Act 1954, the Ministry has to consider proposals for the use of spring traps for animals. The four new traps met the necessary conditions for approval.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria were used by him for approval of the four new traps he has added to the list of 11 traps already approved for use under the Spring Traps Approval Order. [38701]

  Mrs. Browning
  The four traps were assessed for their safety, efficacy and humaneness. The impact and clamping forces delivered by the BMI Magnum 55, 110 and 116 traps were all at least equal to, or greater than, those for traps previously approved for the same species under the 1954 Act. The Aldrich spring activated animal snare is a spring-operated, live-capture, padded foot snare; it was tested first on a human volunteer and then results were collected in the field.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why he added four spring traps to the previous 11 traps already approved for use under the Spring Traps Approval Order before the outcome of the current consideration being given to the humane trapping standards by his Department and the British Standards Institute. [38700]

  Mrs. Browning
  The work of the International Standards Organisation's Technical Committee 191 is not yet complete and discussions are still taking place. Under the Pests Act 1954, the Ministry has to consider proposals for the use of spring traps for animals and cannot unreasonably delay consideration of such proposals.

  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if animals were used to test any of the four new traps he has added to the list of 11 traps already approved for use under the Spring Traps Approval Order; and if the Animal Procedures Committee of the Home Office was consulted. [38702]

  Mrs. Browning
  No animals were used in the laboratory assessment of the three new BMI traps. For the Aldrich spring activated snare, field results were collected.

  As required under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, the relevant Home Office inspector was consulted.
  763

  Sheep Dips
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of organophosphate compounds in licensed sheep dips sold in the British Isles have passed the neurotoxicity screen tests required by EC regulations, and if he will make a statement. [38691]

  Mrs. Browning
  There are two organophosphate compounds used in products authorised in the United Kingdom as sheep dips. Reviews of the products are being undertaken by the Veterinary Products Committee in accordance with directive 81/852/EEC, as amended, and guidelines published by the European Commission. These include a requirement for data to assess any risk which might result from exposure to the products.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ban the use of organophosphate-based sheep dips pending the completion of the epidermiological studies of organophosphate-related illness being pursued by a consortium of Government Departments; and if he will make a statement. [38618]

  Mrs. Browning
  The safety of organophosphorus sheep dips is kept under constant review by the Veterinary Products Committee, the independent body of scientists which advises the Government on veterinary medicines matters. Its most recent advice, following assessment of a report from the Institute of Occupational Health on research into the long-term health effects of exposure to organophosphorus sheep dips, is that, on the basis of current scientific evidence, the marketing of OP dips should continue. However, it is essential that the guidance in the leaflet "Sheep dipping" and label instructions on the product are carefully followed in full.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department will suspend the sale of all organophosphate-based dips which(a) have not passed the neurotoxicity screening tests or (b) have not yet been tested; and if he will make a statement. [38693]

  Mrs. Browning
  Following a review of organophosphorus sheep dips by the Veterinary Products Committee in 1993, the committee concluded there was no scientific evidence for a ban. This advice by the VPC was re-affirmed earlier this year, following its assessment of Institute of Occupational Health report about research into the possible long-term health effects of exposure to organophosphorus dips. Ministers' decisions following VPC advice on such reviews are made public.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minster of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the available research material his Department has(a) evaluated and (b) commissioned on the toxicity and neurotoxicity of organophosphate compounds; and if he will make a statement. [38617]

  Mrs. Browning
  As part of its comprehensive review of the issues surrounding OP dips in 1993, the Veterinary Products Committee considered a considerable number of scientific papers, some published and others containing confidential information. A full list of all the papers involved was included as an annex to MAFF news release 424/93 issued on 1 December 1993 announcing the outcome of the review. A copy of this news release is available in the Library of the House.
  764
  MAFF has not commissioned any research on the toxicity or neurotoxicity of organophosphate compounds. However, MAFF is jointly commissioning with the Department of Health and the Health and Safety Executive an epidemiological study. The results of this study will be published.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to extend the use of BHC (Gammexane)-based sheep dips; and if he will make a statement. [38615]

  Mrs. Browning
  No BHC (Gammexane)-based products are currently authorised for use as sheep dips. The last product licence for such products was withdrawn by the company in 1991, and there are no plans to re-introduce these products.

  Sheep Scab
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will extend the provision of research into new methods of sheep scab control to include the commission of a full economic audit of the options currently available for controlling this disease; and if he will make a statement. [38614]

  Mrs. Browning
  On 10 July 1995, when I gave the results of the 1995 spring surveillance exercise carried out by the State Veterinary Service into the incidence of sheep scab, I announced that I had also requested a review of the alternative options that may be available to deal with this disease.

  A consultation paper will be issued shortly.

WALES

  Rechem International, Pontypool
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to hold a public inquiry into Rechem International, Pontypool. [39594]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Sweeney) on 18 July,Official Report, columns 1203–04.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to make his announcement on the level of revenue support grant for the new local authorities in Wales. [39577]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  In accordance with the normal timetable, provisional standard spending assessments for local authorities, including provisional levels of revenue support grant and non-domestic rate income, will be announced in mid-December. The final 1996–97 local government revenue settlement will be announced in late January.

  Cardiff Bay Opera House
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 18 October,Official Report, column 285, and his answer of 18 July, Official Report, columns 1200–01, concerning the Cardiff Bay

  765
  Opera House Trust, if he will specify the nature of the potential conflict of interests problem resolved in September 1993. [39816]

  Mr. Hague
  The attention of Welsh Office officials was drawn to the fact that Grosvenor Waterside, a subsidiary of Associated British Ports, might become a member of the trust. It was agreed that the company should not be represented on the trust until such time as the terms of purchase of the land had been formally agreed.

  Housing Association Ombudsman
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce legislation establishing an ombudsman in Wales to deal with complaints against housing associations which are registered with Tai Cymru, in line with the arrangements for England and Scotland. [39874]

  Mr. Hague
  I am considering the question of such complaints procedures in the light of my consultation paper "More Choice in the Rented Sector".

  Land Authority for Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 19 October,Official Report, column 341, if the use of the Land Authority for Wales compulsory purchase powers to acquire land on the Caldicot Levels will require his approval. [39876]

  Mr. Hague
  Yes.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Tony Banks
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds summonses have not been issued against those involved with the Dutch transport firm Nicolay following allegations of offences under the Welfare of Animals during Transport Order. [35601]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 19 July 1995]: I have been asked to reply.

  The summonses issued by Dover magistrates court on 8 December 1994 for service in the Netherlands on W. Nicolay by and named employees of the company were received by the UK central authority in the Home Office on 3 February 1995 and were forwarded for service to the Ministry of Justice in The Hague on 26 February. The summonses were not served by the authorities in the Netherlands, but the company submitted voluntarily to the jurisdiction of the magistrates court. The charges against the employees were withdrawn. The case was heard on 23 October 1995.

  Prison Population
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of the daily prison population of a minimum 766
  jail sentence for (a) drug traffickers and (b) burglars with three previous convictions; [39598]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effect on the jail population of abolishing remission for prisoners serving less than one year; [39600]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the effect on the daily prison population of moving the eligibility for remission to the 85 per cent. point of each sentence. [39599]

  Mr. Maclean
  A White Paper will be published early in 1996 setting out full details of the Government's proposals on sentencing and our assessment of their implications.

  Prison Inspections
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances(a) hon. Members and (b) members of their staff are allowed to accompany the chief inspector of prisons when he visits a prison in hon. Members' constituencies; and if he will make a statement. [39548]

  Miss Widdecombe
  It is not normal practice for HM chief inspector of prisons and prison inspectors to be accompanied by visitors while conducting inspections of prison establishments in England and Wales.

  Doncaster Prison
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the members of the board of visitors at Doncaster prison; and when their term of office expires. [39551]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The members of the board of visitors at HMP Doncaster are as listed:

  Mrs. Audrey Anne Murphy JP (Chairman)

  Mr. John Sammuel George Share (Vice Chairman)

  Mr. Michael Andrew JP

  Mrs. Diane Atkinson

  Mrs. Hazel Pauline Bailey JP

  Mr. William John Barton

  Mrs. Yvonne Cooke

  Mr. Pete Etherington

  Mr. Martin John Faulkner

  Mr. Barry Michael Goforth

  Mr. Roy Hunt

  Miss Susan Iris Mackay

  Mr. Douglas Manners

  Mrs. Carole Diane O'Neill JP

  Mrs. Maureen Oakes

  Mrs. Andrea Robinson

  Mrs. Cynthia Janice Thomas JP

  Mrs. Pauline Wilson

  The term of appointment of members of the board of visitors at HMP Doncaster is up to the triennial review date of the board, which is 31 December 1996.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the chief inspector of prisons is next scheduled to visit Doncaster prison; and if he will make a statement. [39547]
  767
  Miss Widdecombe
  The next announced full inspection of HMP Doncaster is scheduled to begin on 10 March 1996. Whether HM chief inspector—if by then in post—will visit on that occasion will be a matter for decision at the time.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the subcontractors providing services at, or relating to, Doncaster prison since it opened whose contract was terminated before its time of expiry; and if he will indicate the reason for the contract being terminated; [38965]

  (2) if he will list the subcontractors currently providing services at or relating to Doncaster prison; and if he will list in each case the services provided, the length of contract and the cost of the contract. [38966]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the temporary director general of the prison service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 26 October 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about present and former sub-contracted services at Doncaster prison.
  Premier Prison Services does not sub-contract any operating functions involving security, the provision of prisoner programmes, health care, food services, works services or laundry.
  There are, however, several specialist contracts in place to deal with the maintenance of computer equipment; electronic locking systems; closed-circuit television linked to video recording systems; and specialist plant and equipment. In addition, specialist medical personnel support Doncaster prison on a contractual basis when required. The terms of such contracts are a matter of commercial confidentiality for Premier Prison Services and the contractors concerned.
  To date Premier Prison Services has not terminated any contract with sub-contractors at Doncaster prison.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current reinstatement value of Doncaster prison; how it is calculated; and how often it is reassessed. [39054]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary director general of the prison service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 26 October 1995:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the current re-instatement value of Doncaster prison, how it is calculated, and how often it is assessed.
  Doncaster prison is contractually managed by Premier Prison Services. Under the terms of the contract, damage to the structure of the prison buildings is the responsibility of the contractor, except where it is deemed to have been outside the contractor's control.
  The pre-final account construction costs of Doncaster prison are estimated at £92.4 million (including VAT, variation of price and resource costs). However, given the extent of the liability agreed with the contractor and the need to evaluate the cost of damage should it occur, it is not necessary for the Prison Service to calculate, or re-assess, the costs of the potential re-instatement value of the
  768
  prison. This is not our practice even for prisons for which we must fully bear any re-instatement costs.

  Badsworth Hunt
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by date and location the number of police deployed to keep the peace at each meeting of the Badsworth hunt during the last 12 months. [39562]

  Mr. Maclean
  This is an operational matter for the chief constable of West Yorkshire.

  Farm Fires
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fires occurred on United Kingdom livestock farms in each of the last five years; how many(a) poultry and (b) other animals died in farm fires in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [39335]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The available information is for fires in agricultural buildings attended by local authority fire brigades; livestock farms are not separately identified in the statistics. The latest year available is for 1993.

  Fires in agricultural buildings1 showing poultry and other animals killed, United Kingdom 1989–93

  Fires

  Animals killed

  Year

  Total

  in which animals died

  Poultry2

  Other

  Total

  1993

  1,820

  104

  38,165

  4,322

  12,487

  1992

  2,050

  123

  442,808

  4,651

  47,459

  1991

  1,885

  120

  5188,483

  6,147

  194,630

  1990

  2,072

  101

  674,649

  17,499

  92,148

  1989

  2,233

  121

  758,967

  16,382

  75,349

  Notes:

  1 Includes buildings associated with agriculture, forestry and fishing.

  2 Includes chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese.

  3 Includes 3 fires killing 1,000 chickens, 3,000 chicks and 3,300 ducks.

  4 Includes 7 fires killing 1,000, 1,000, 3,000, 5,500, 9,000, 9,600 and 15,000 chickens.

  5 Includes 5 fires killing 5,000, 5,000, 13,000, 21,000 and 90,000 chickens.

  6 Includes 5 fires killing 10,000, 18,000 and 30,000 chickens, 5,000 turkeys and 5,082 ducks.

  7 Includes 3 fires killing 8,258, 18,000 and 27,000 chickens.

  Source:

  Home Office Fires Statistics.

  Pipe Hawk
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police authorities who currently use the ground-probing system Pipe Hawk; and if he will make a statement. [39022]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand that the Pipe Hawk ground-probing radar system has been used by the Gloucestershire, Essex and Gwent police.

  Firemen (Deaths and Injuries)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the number of injuries to and deaths of firemen in each of the last five years in (i) Wales and (ii) England; and if he will make a statement. [38987]
  769
  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information is given in the following table:

  Deaths and injuries of fire brigade personnel while on duty in England and Wales 1990 to 1994–95

  England

  Wales

  Year

  Deaths

  Injuries1

  Deaths

  Injuries1

  1990

  5

  671

  1

  59

  1991

  3

  880

  1

  42

  1992

  3

  811

  0

  50

  19932 Ql

  0

  251

  0

  25

  1993–94

  3

  722

  0

  75

  1994/5p3

  1

  567

  0

  40

  1 Injuries are defined as those which result in absence of duty for at least one month or 2 weeks or more of hospitalization.

  2 January to March 1993. Since 1993 data is collected on a financial years (April to March) basis; prior to that it was on a calender year.

  3 Figures for 1994–95 are provisional and those for England exclude London Fire Brigade casualties. In 1993–94 there were 149 non-fatal London Fire Brigade casualties and no deaths.

  Source:

  Home Office

  Prison Service
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the 137 full submissions referred to in Mr. Lewis's letter of resignation which the prison service were required to submit to the Home Office between October 1994 and January 1995 together with the name of the addressee. [38860]

  Miss Widdecombe
  No. The advice given to Ministers is confidential.

  Mr. McFall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what date the director general of the prison service provided evidence to the inquiry; and on how many occasions he was called out of the interview on the instructions of Ministers, as described in paragraph 3.81 of the report of the Learmont inquiry; [38863]

  (2) on how many occasions the then Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Stirling, called out the director general of the prison service from his interview, as described in paragraph 3.85 of the Learmont report; and what was the nature of the business which necessitated this action. [38864]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The former director general, Mr. Lewis, was interviewed by members of the inquiry team on five occasions. The interview referred to in paragraph 3.85 of Sir John Learmont's report took place on 29 March 1995. On this occasion, the beginning of the interview was delayed, there was an early adjournment for lunch, and Mr. Lewis was called out on one occasion during the afternoon, because my right hon. Friend the Member for Stirling, who was then Minister of State, requested urgent briefing about matters which were the subject of media interest and on which radio and television interviews had been requested. These matters included the market testing programme, the rise in the prison population, and the high intensity training scheme.
  770

  Public Events (Arrests)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many arrests were made during the VE-day anniversary celebrations held in Hyde park, London in May; and if he will list the offences committed; [39082]

  (2) how many arrests were made during the lesbian and gay parade march in London on 24 June; and if he will list the offences committed. [39077]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Fire Service, Wales
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of people employed in the fire service in Wales in each of the brigades. [38985]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The following table shows the establishment figures as at 1 January 1995 which have been taken from returns made by the brigades:

  Regular firefighters

  Retained firefighters

  Control room personnel

  Clwyd

  185

  225

  22

  Dyfed

  228

  342

  17

  Mid Glamorgan

  335

  264

  21

  South Glamorgan

  323

  24

  17

  West Glamorgan

  247

  111

  18

  Gwent

  286

  189

  20

  Gwynedd

  105

  418

  15

  Powys

  31

  257

  9

  Total

  1,740

  1,830

  139

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on response rates by the fire brigades in Wales. [38988]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The following table shows the average response time in minutes in respect of fire incidents, taken from when the brigade answered the first call to when the first fire appliances attended at the fireground:

  Brigade

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Clywd

  7

  7

  8

  7

  7

  Dyfed

  9

  9

  9

  9

  8

  Gwent

  8

  8

  7

  8

  7

  Gwynedd

  9

  9

  9

  9

  10

  Mid Glamorgan

  9

  8

  9

  9

  9

  Powys

  10

  11

  11

  10

  10

  South Glamorgan

  6

  6

  6

  7

  6

  West Glamorgan

  7

  7

  7

  7

  6

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the annual budget for each fire brigade in Wales, in real terms, in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [38986]
  771
  Mr. Kirkhope
  The budgeted net current expenditure for the brigades concerned—at constant 1995–96 prices—is as follows:

  £ million

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Clwyd

  8.8

  8.7

  8.8

  8.8

  9.5

  Dyfed

  9.1

  9.2

  8.7

  9.2

  9.2

  Gwent

  11.7

  11.3

  11.6

  11.6

  11.4

  Gwynedd

  6.1

  5.9

  6.2

  6.2

  6.1

  Mid Glamorgan

  12.8

  12.8

  13.1

  13.1

  13.0

  Powys

  2.9

  2.8

  2.9

  2.9

  2.9

  South Glamorgan

  10.0

  9.7

  9.8

  10.0

  9.9

  West Glamorgan

  10.3

  9.4

  9.7

  10.0

  10.1

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total cost involved in the tagging of Clive Barratt of Kings Lynn, Norfolk; and if he will make a statement. [30811]

  (2) if he will list the number of people (a) men and (b) women who have been given a tagging system by courts; and what is the average cost of such a scheme. [30812]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The electronic monitoring trials in Manchester, Reading and Norfolk are expected to cost a total of about £1.6 million over nine months. It is not possible to ascribe costs to an individual offender.

  The trials started in July this year. As of 23 October, 11 men and no women have been sentenced to electronically monitored curfew orders. One of the purposes of the trial is to assess the cost-effectiveness of electronic monitoring.

  Mr. Matthew Powell
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Police Complaints Authority has finished its investigations into Mr. Matthew Powell of Nottingham; what was the result of its investigations; and if he will make a statement. [39081]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand that the investigation into Mr. Powell's complaint against the Nottingham constabulary, which is being supervised by the Police Complaints Authority, has not yet been completed.

  General Election (Voting)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures will be put in place prior to the general election to ensure that those entitled to postal and proxy votes are made aware of their rights as soon as possible by means of public advertising; and if he will make a statement. [39171]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply to his question on 22 May,Official Report, column 497.
  772

  Cemeteries
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of when the supply of land for burials in urban areas will become exhausted. [38852]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  None. The provision of cemeteries is a local matter.

  Animal Transport
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration has been given to issuing summonses against those involved with the Dutch transport firm Nicolay on behalf of Kent county council concerning offences alleged under the Welfare of Animals During Transport Order 1994. [38703]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The summonses issued by Dover magistrates' court on 8 December 1994 for service in the Netherlands on W. Nicolay and named employees of the company were received by the UK Central Authority in the Home Office on 3 February 1995 and were forwarded for service to the Ministry of Justice in the Hague on 26 February. The summonses were not served by the authorities in the Netherlands, but the company submitted voluntarily to the jurisdiction of the magistrates' court. The charges against the employees were withdrawn. The case was heard on 23 October 1995.

  Pay Bargaining
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide in respect of his plan for pay delegation submitted to the Treasury(a) a description of the staff in each bargaining unit covered by the plan, distinguishing staff in HQ functions, agencies and agency candidates, and in other identifiable business units and (b) proposals for trade union recognition in each bargaining unit and the negotiating machinery to be put in place in each bargaining unit. [38286]

  Mr. Howard
  The prison service, forensic science service and the fire service college already have delegated authority from the Secretary of State to make their own pay arrangements, and each has established its own recognition and negotiating arrangements. The Passport Agency is expected to have delegation from 1 April 1996.

  The delegation plan which was recently submitted to the Treasury covered the remainder of Home Office staff. These comprised some 9,000 staff at grade 6 level and below.

  There are no agency candidates at present and no plans to create more than one bargaining unit within the non-agency Home Office. We intend to recognise the First Division Association, National Union of Civil and Public Servants—which will become the Public Services, Tax and Commerce Union on 1 January—Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialist and Civil and Public Services Association for the grades for which they are currently recognised. We also plan to recognise the Immigration Service Union for immigration service grades. Talks have taken place with all five unions about negotiating machinery. Our preferred option is for single

  773
  table bargaining but, as the other four unions will not sit with the ISU, separate arrangements will be needed to cover immigration service grades. These are not yet finalised, but may involve separate negotiations with the NUCPS/PTC and with the ISU.

  Mr. Peter Clowes
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement of the detailed charges which were brought against Mr. Peter Clowes in connection with the collapse of the Barlow Clowes companies and related matters, and of which Mr. Clowes was convicted; what was the sentence awarded by the courts in this case; what part of the sentence has so far been completed; what stage in the process of parole has been reach; if he will set out all statements made by the courts or parole authorities about the extent to which Mr. Clowes has had sufficient time in prison satisfactorily to consider and appreciate the impact of his action upon his victims; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that Mr. Clowes remains in prison for the full term of his sentence. [39325]

  Miss Widdecombe
  [holding answer 25 October 1995]: Mr. Peter Clowes was convicted in February 1992 on eight counts of making a false statement to induce investment contrary to section 13(1) of the Prevention of Fraud (Investments) Act 1958 and on ten counts of theft contrary to section 1(1) of the Theft Act 1968. Mr. Clowes was sentenced to ten years imprisonment in all. To date he has served about three years eight and a half months of that sentence.

  Mr. Clowes became eligible for parole in June this year. All prisoners, like Mr. Clowes, who were sentenced before 1 October 1992 to sentences of 12 months imprisonment or more become eligible to be considered for parole after serving one third of their sentence. Mr. Clowes was not granted parole at his first review. His legal representatives sought leave to move for a judicial review of that decision. Leave was refused but an appeal against that refusal was successful. The decision not to grant parole will therefore be subject to judicial review. This aspect of Mr. Clowes' case is therefore sub judice and I regret that I am unable to give details of his parole reports.

  Once eligible for parole, prisoners such as Mr. Clowes are assessed annually by the Parole Board and if release on licence is not recommended they are released unconditionally once they have served two thirds of their sentence. If Mr. Clowes is not granted parole he can expect to be released in October 1998.

  Women's Refuges
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the funding for women's refuges for each of the last five years and for the current year. [38471]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  In 1995–96 the Department is providing, through the Housing Corporation, £2.2 million in capital funding for women's aid projects in England largely to provide refuge places. Comparative figures for earlier years are given in the table. No information is available about revenue funding.
  774

  1994–95 £4.6 million

  1993–94 £5.8 million

  1992–93 £5.4 million

  1991–92 £5.2 million

  1990–91 £1.7 million

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many women's refuges there are per region and in the country as a whole; [38469]

  (2) what has been the percentage change in the number of women attending women's refuges in the past five years nationally and in each region. [38466]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government do not have information about the number of women's refuges, or the number of women staying in refuges. Some information on the number and locations of refuges is being collected.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the number of women's refuges; and in which regions they will be introduced. [38472]

  Mr. Clappison
  I have been asked to reply.

  The provision of women's refuges is best decided by local authorities and other agencies, taking into account such issues as the local supply of housing available for short-term use in emergency situations.

SCOTLAND

  Fox Hunting
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ban fox-hunting on land under his jurisdiction, and if he will make a statement. [39217]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The Government believe that all field sports are a matter for the conscience and decision of the individual, and we have no plans to introduce legislation to ban fox-hunting.

  Fox hunting on land owned by my right hon. Friend and managed by the Forestry Commission is permitted only where it has traditionally taken place or where the right to hunt or to grant facilities to hunt has been reserved in the title. No permissions are currently granted for the hunting of foxes on any of the remaining land owned by my right hon. Friend.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the materials which were licensed for dumping in the Irish sea and North channel,(a) within and (b) outside the area known as the Beaufort's dyke, in each of the last 20 years giving a brief description of such materials indicating who issued licensing permits for such dumping and the original source of the dumped material. [38590]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 25 October 1995]: The Scottish Office is responsible for licensing the disposal of materials at sea in Scottish waters.
  775
  The majority of licences issued by the Department over the past 20 years in respect of the North channel and Irish sea have related to the dumping of dredge spoil to facilitate the safe passage of vessels, or from engineering works. In addition, licences have been issued covering the disposal of 50 tonnes of nitrocellulose sludge from the ICI/Nobels Ardeer explosives factory in 1974, 3,213 tonnes of creamery waste from the Stranraer creamery in 1978 and 1,890 tonnes of rainwater contaminated with gas liquors from a number of dismantled gas holders in 1985.

  Vandalism (Schools)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what new measures are being considered to reduce the cases of vandalism in Scottish schools. [37938]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 20 October 1995]: There is a range of measures which education authorities can consider to reduce vandalism in schools, including for example physical measures such as installation of security lighting and closed circuit television surveillance. However, the most appropriate course of action in each case will depend on local circumstances.

  Adam Busby
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans the Director of Public Prosecutions has to seek the extradition of Adam Busby from the Irish Republic. [38493]

  The Attorney-General
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 October 1995 by the Minister of State at the Scottish Office to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Mr. McNamara), Official Report, column 16.

  No warrant for the arrest of Adam Busby has been issued in England or Wales, and therefore the question of extradition to this jurisdiction has not arisen.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  AIDS
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what projects are currently being supported by the Overseas Development Administration to care for people with HIV/AIDS in developing countries. [38780]

  Mr. Hanley
  The United Kingdom currently supports some 35 projects in 10 developing countries to care for people with HIV/AIDS. Financial commitments amount to £7.3 million through the bilateral aid programme. A proportion of the UK's contribution to UN organisations, the World Bank and European Commission is also used for HIV/AIDS-related activities, including care for people who are HIV infected. The UK has provided £37.3 million to the World Health Organisation global programme on AIDS since its inception in 1987.
  776
  Miss Lestor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Overseas Development Administration's strategy for addressing the needs of people infected with HIV/AIDS in developing countries. [38781]

  Mr. Hanley
  I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 25 October Official Report, columns 644–45.

  Tibet
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amount of EU funds have been made available to Tibet; for what purposes; and to which organisation. [38621]

  Mr. Hanley
  The EC is financing two projects in the Tibetan autonomous region. Both are being implemented through the non-governmental organisation "Medecins Sans Frontières". These are: (i) a physiotherapy project aimed at training doctors and assisting people suffering from a crippling illness called "Big Bone Disease", —EC assistance approximately £98,000; and (ii) a health care and hospital refurbishment project in the Lhasa district—EC assistance approximately £315,000.

  The EC is also considering a contribution of 7.6 million ecu—some £6.3 million—towards the cost of an integrated rural development project in Pa Nam. If the EC contribution is confirmed, it will focus primarily on support for agricultural extension, rural water supply, education and health services and a special project management unit.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Mr. Tom Ikimi
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his officials contacted Mr. Tom Ikimi, Foreign Minister for Nigeria, during his visit to the United Kingdom in September; and if he will make a statement. [39063]

  Mr. Hanley
  Neither Ministers nor officials had contact with the Nigerian Foreign Minister, who was in Britain on a private visit.

DEFENCE

  Tenders (Anonymity)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlie the need for anonymity for the organisation that won tender No. 4964A; and if he will make a statement. [38304]

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

  Training, Germany
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has held with the German authorities concerning the availability of(a) land areas

  777
  and (b) airspace over eastern Germany for training use by British forces; and if he will make a statement. [38118]

  Mr. Soames
  None.

  Nuclear Tests (Memorials)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to commission a suitable national memorial to the British veterans of nuclear and atomic tests carried out since 1950; and if he will make a statement. [39221]

  Mr. Soames
  It has been a long-standing policy of successive Governments that the cost of such memorials is met from public subscription or private donations rather than from public funds.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantities of(a) radioactive wastes and (b) surplus conventional explosives his Department has disposed of in the Hurd Deep off Alderney; and if he will place in the Library copies of departmental documents which cover these disposals. [39256]

  Mr. Soames
  Complete records of past sea dumping of munitions at Hurd Deep are not available. Details of the UK's sea disposal programme for low and intermediate level radioactive wastes, including wastes generated by MOD establishments, some of which was disposed of in Hurd Deep, are contained in a report commissioned by the Department of the Environment titled "Report of the Independent Review of Disposal of Radioactive Waste in the Northeast Atlantic", published in November 1994.

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which his Department makes appointments in the county of South yorkshire, indicating the total annual budget and the number of appointments made or renewed for each body in each of the last four years. [39423]

  Mr. Soames
  None.

  Queen's Flight
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what official duty the Duke of York was performing when he made use of an aircraft of the Queen's Flight on 22 July; and if he will make a statement. [39295]

  Mr. Soames
  The Duke of York attended the British open golf championship at St. Andrews on 22 July at the invitation of the Royal and Ancient. This was an official engagement which was listed in the court circular.

  Private Lee Clegg
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he gave to funding Private Lee Clegg's referral to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. [39746]
  778
  Mr. Soames
  In the absence of legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for the MOD to provide funds. Should a reference to the Court of Appeal be made in future, the MOD would consider the matter.

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he gave to treating Private Lee Clegg's application for financial assistance from the Ministry of Defence as if he had been on legal aid. [39747]

  Mr. Soames
  Like any other United Kingdom citizen, Private Clegg can apply for legal aid; the criteria for eligibility are not a matter for my Department.

  Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes
  Mr. John Carlisle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has initiated a review of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. [40236]

  Mr. Soames
  A review of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, NAAFI, has now begun, and is being led by Mr. Geoffrey Dart on secondment from Marks and Spencer plc.

  As a Crown-owned body, the structure and scope of business of the NAAFI will be subjected to the normal prior options tests. Comments and contributions from those with an interest in NAAFI and its work would be welcome and should be sent, by 1 December 1995, to Mr. Dart, independent review of NAAFI, Ministry of Defence, Metropole building, room 4/55, Northumberland avenue, London WC2N 5BL.

  Mr. Dart's report is due to be completed by 31 January 1996.

  Mr. David Hart
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 October,Official Report, column 360, on what projects, other than procurement contracts, Mr. David Hart provides advice. [39773]

  Mr. Portillo
  Mr. Hart offers advice on aspects of the management, efficiency and capabilities of the MOD and the armed forces.

  Vehicle Accidents
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many, accidents involving vehicles transporting his Department's weapons and ammunition have been recorded in each of the past five years; and if he will state in each instance the(a) date and time, (b) location and (c) cause of accident. [37722]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 19 October 19951: My Department's traffic accident database only records loads as being "hazardous" or "non-hazardous"; it does not specifically identify weapons and ammunition. It has, however, been possible to separately identify the following accidents involving vehicles transporting MOD weapons and ammunition in each of the past five years:

  779

  1990

  (a) 09.30 4 October 1990

  (b) Shoeburyness

  (c) Other driver error

  1991

  (a) 12.40 24 April 1991

  (b) Hameln, Germany

  (c) Driver error

  1992

  None

  1993

  (a) 07.45 23 June 1993

  (b) Hameln, Germany

  (c) Driver error

  (a) 09.20 8 September 1993

  (b) En route Crombie to Ernesettle

  (c) Brake problems

  1994

  (a) 10.45 25 July 1994

  (b) Dean Hill, near Salisbury

  (c) Other driver error

  (a) 18.00 1 September 1994

  (b) Helensburgh

  (c) Driver error

  (a) 09.30 21 December 1994

  (b) J12/J13 of M6

  (c) Faulty wheelbearings.

  Nuclear Weapons Tests
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 18 July,Official Report, column 1178, if he will take action to correct the Blue Book data reference S-0514906 relating to ex-corporal J. D. Wilson's presence at British nuclear tests to include Grapple X with Grapple Y and to exclude reference to Grapple Z; and if he will send amended records to the War Pensions Agency. [37749]

  Mr. Soames
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Terrorists (Early Release)
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received in relation to the call for early release of terrorists from prison. [36909]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking on the early release of prisoners in Northern Ireland. [36913]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  These are not political prisoners but offenders who have committed grave crimes for which they have been sentenced by the courts. Primary legislation enacted by Parliament must continue to govern the proportion of their sentences they serve in prison. In a speech at Queen's university on 25 August, I set out the Government's policy and I shall be introducing a Bill today.
  780

  Tourism
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further proposals he has to promote Northern Ireland as a tourist venue. [36910]

  Mr. Ancram
  The Government's responsibilities for tourism are undertaken by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board whose proposals include continued television and press advertising working to encourage new air links to Northern Ireland and stepped-up promotion to the travel trade and conference market.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of the peace process. [36911]

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest position on the peace process. [36914]

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the prospects for a lasting peace in the Province of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [36922]

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of the peace process. [36921]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Sir Thomas Arnold), for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) and for Neath (Mr. Hain).

  Electricity Interconnector
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current position regarding the inquiry into the electricity interconnector to Scotland. [36912]

  Mr. Moss
  The report and recommendations of the Planning Appeals Commission following its inquiry into the electricity interconnector is expected in early 1996.

  Drugs Misuse
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are being taken to counter the problem of drugs misuse in Northern Ireland. [36916]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I have established the new top-level central co-ordinating group for action against drugs, of which I am chairman. It will drive forward and build upon action emerging from the policy statement of the Northern Ireland Committee on Drug Misuse which will be published shortly.

  Road Safety
  Mr. McAvoy
  To ask the Secretary for State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to improve road safety in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [36918]

  Mr. Moss
  In July 1995, the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Department of Health and Personal
  781
  Social Services joined together to publish a comprehensive road safety plan for Northern Ireland. This covers the three-year period to 1997 and is intended to increase the effectiveness of road casualty reduction measures by providing a more strategic approach to the planning, co-ordination and delivery of road safety activities. The plan will contribute to and support Northern Ireland's road safety target, which is:
  "by the year 2000 to reduce the total number of people killed and seriously injured on Northern Ireland's roads by one-third compared with the average of the 1981n to 1985 figures".

  Road traffic legislation is being strengthened and brought more closely into line with the rest of the United Kingdom; legislative proposals include the introduction of a penalty points scheme for traffic offences.

  Education Administration
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the administration of education in Northern Ireland. [36919]

  Mr. Ancram
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made on 7 September, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

  Framework Document
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in implementing the proposals in the framework document. [36920]

  Sir Patrick Mayhew
  The proposals in the framework document were presented as an aid to discussion and negotiation between the parties and not for implementation by the Governments. We believe that the framework documents identify the issues on which there will need to be agreement if there is to be a political settlement which is acceptable across the community in Northern Ireland.

  Cancer Services
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on cancer services in Northern Ireland. [26923]

  Mr. Moss
  My Department has established a cancer working group, under the chairmanship of the chief medical officer, to review the current provision of cancer services in Northern Ireland and to make recommendations by 31 March 1996 as to how the services can be improved. Any major decision on the pattern of cancer services, including new investments, will be taken in the light of the work of that group and my Department's response to it.

  Local Authority Waste Disposal Companies
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to introduce local authority waste disposal companies in Northern Ireland similar to those in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [36924]
  782
  Mr. Moss
  Most of the district council areas in Northern Ireland are of insufficient size to support the cost of separate waste disposal companies. Accordingly, it is not proposed to make provision for the introduction of such companies.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for the restructuring of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [36925]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to him on 25 May,Official Report, column 749, and 29 June, Official Report, columns 777–78. The Government have since announced that the publication of their detailed proposals on the reform of the tripartite structure will be by way of a White Paper.

  Roads Programme
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much is being spent in the current year on new roads; how many miles of roads this covers; and if he will make a statement. [36926]

  Mr. Moss
  Under the major works programme for roads, covering schemes costing over £200,000 each, approximately £7 million is being spent on 8.7 km—5.4 miles—of new roads during 1995–96. In addition, a further £2 million is scheduled to be spent on land acquisition payments for other schemes to be constructed in subsequent years of the five-year programme and on final payments in respect of schemes completed prior to 1995–96.

  Details of new roads to be constructed during 1995–96 under the minor works programme—covering schemes costing under £200,000 each—are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The total budget for this programme in 1995–96 is £12 million.

  Peace and Reconciliation Institute
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received concerning the distribution of funds under the terms of the European Union's Peace and Reconciliation Institute. [36927]

  Sir John Wheeler
  In recent months, my right hon. and learned Friend has met representatives of voluntary organisations and the hon. Member for Antrim, North (Rev. Ian Paisley). My hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, North-East (Mr. Moss) and I have met with delegations led by Northern Ireland Members of the European Parliament to discuss a variety of issues in relation to the European Union special programme for peace and reconciliation. A vast range of written submissions was made as a result of the extensive consultation exercise carried out by the Department of Finance and Personnel.

  Benefits
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of individuals in Northern Ireland live in households receiving one or more means-tested benefits. [36928]
  783
  Mr. Moss
  It is estimated that approximately 533,000 individuals, or 32 per cent. of the population, in Northern Ireland live in households receiving one or more means-tested benefits.

  Economic Conferences
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what new investment in Northern Ireland 784
  has resulted from the economic conference hosted by the Prime Minister and President Clinton. [36917]

  Mr. Ancram
  The inward investment gestation period is usually at least 18 months, so no immediate investment has yet been secured. The conference firmly established Northern Ireland on the investment map. The Industrial Development Board has had over 150 US inquiries since the Washington conference and recorded a threefold increase in US companies visiting Northern Ireland in the year since the ceasefire.
  785

HEALTH

  AIDS
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been allocated to the Health Education Authority to spend on HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns for 1995–96 and for the four previous financial years. [37753]

  Mr. Sackville
  The allocation to the Health Education Authority for public education covers work on HIV/AIDS and other aspects of sexual health. The amounts spent since 1991–92 and the estimated spend for 1995–96 are shown in the table. The figures exclude funding for the National AIDS Helpline but include a share of accommodation and other overheads costs.

  1991–92: £9.071 million

  1992–93: £9.776 million

  1993–94: £7.060 million

  1994–95: £7.523 million

  1995–96: £6.207 million (estimate)

  GP Lists
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what sanctions his Department is able to impose upon doctors who remove patients from their list(a) without good cause and (b) against the patients' interests; [37637]

  (2) in what circumstances doctors are permitted to remove patients from their list because the patient has made a complaint against the doctor; [37638]

  (3) what action he has taken to prevent doctors from removing patients from their list because the patient is (a) too expensive to treat or (b) makes an unusually high demand on the doctor. [37640]

  Mr. Malone
  Where a general practitioner-patient relationship breaks down it is important that there are no more restrictions than are necessary on the freedom of either party to terminate the relationship. Safeguards are in place to prevent discrimination against patients. The General Medical Council issued advice in 1992 to all doctors that it is unacceptable to discriminate against patients on ground of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, colour, religious belief, perceived economic worth or the amount of work they are likely to generate by virtue of their clinical condition. Disciplinary action can be taken against any doctor who acts unethically.

  Construction Projects
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) construction projects worth over £25 million and (b) IT projects worth over £1 million have commenced in each of the last three years, by region. [37924]

  Mr. Sackville
  The available information is shown in the tables.

  Construction projects of £25 million and over1

  Region

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  South Thames

  0

  1

  1

  North Thames

  0

  0

  0

  Anglia and Oxford

  0

  0

  0

  North West

  3

  0

  0

  786

  Construction projects of £25 million and over1

  Region

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  West Midlands

  0

  0

  0

  Trent

  0

  0

  0

  Northern and Yorkshire

  0

  1

  1

  South and West

  1

  1

  0

  Notes:

  1 Projects included with approved cost at tender excluding Value Added Tax and inflation of £25 million or more which have been reported under Computerised National Capital Intelligence Service and Exchange (CONCISE).

  Schemes started on site in the financial years 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95.

  IT projects of £1 million or over 1

  Region

  1993–94

  1994–95

  South Thames

  3

  4

  North Thames

  0

  0

  Anglia and Oxford

  1

  2

  North West

  2

  2

  West Midlands

  3

  1

  Trent

  1

  1

  Northern and Yorkshire

  1

  1

  South and West

  2

  0

  Notes:

  1 Projects included with a whole life cost of £1 million or more.

  Schemes started on site in the financial years 1993–94 and 1994–95.

  Asthma
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what conclusions have been reached by his Department with respect to the links between asthma and poverty, particularly poor housing. [38311]

  Mr. Sackville
  Risk factors for asthma include: environmental tobacco smoke; maternal smoking; poor fetal nutrition; and modern home environments with central heating, double glazing and reduced ventilation, which may favour increased concentrations of allergens such as house dust mites and moulds. Due to the complex interaction of these factors it is difficult to quantify the effects of any one factor on asthma or to establish causal links between housing conditions and health.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met members of the National Asthma Campaign to discuss air quality reporting and other concerns of the group. [38873]

  Mr. Sackville
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met members of the National Asthma Campaign. However, on 23 November the Departments of Health and of the Environment are holding a conference on "Asthma: Possible Causes, Successful Management" in association with the NAC and the Institute for Environment and Health at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre. The conference will be addressed by Ministers of both Departments.

  Doncaster Health Commission
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much the Doncaster health commission spent on legal fees in each year since 1993; [39005]
  787
  (2) how many legal actions were initiated by Doncaster health commission which were (a) discontinued and (b) settled out of court, for each year since 1993. [39006]

  Mr. Malone
  This information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to approach Mr. K. Jones the chairman of Doncaster health authority for details.

  Male Fertility
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what study his Department has carried out into the risks to male fertility resulting from environmental oestrogen phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls, bovine oestrogen and urine from contraceptive users; and if he will make a statement. [38874]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of the Environment, in consultation with the Department of Health, commissioned the Medical Research Council Institute for Environment and Health to review the health aspects—including male reproductive disorders—of environmental oestrogens. The institute's report, "Environmental Oestrogens: Consequences to Human Health and Wildlife" found no evidence of a causal link between apparent changes in reproductive health in human beings with exposure to oestrogens and other chemicals in food and the environment. Copies of the report are available in the Library. The report made a number of research recommendations which Departments are considering.

  Infertility Treatment
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if Doncaster Health Commission has sought from his Department advice as to the most cost-effective and cost-efficient means of providing infertility treatment in its area. [38977]

  Mr. Sackville
  It is the responsibility of individual health authorities to determine the provision of infertility treatment in the light of local needs. Advice has been made available to all health authorities and national health service trusts through the publication, "Effective Health Care Bulletin on Management of Sub-fertility", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Social Services, Dorset
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been(a) the increase in Government funding of social services in Dorset and (b) the inflation rate since (i) 1979 and (ii) 1990; and if he will make a statement. [38972]

  Mr. Bowis
  Figures for individual local government services were not available before 1981–82. Funding for personal social services in Dorset increased from £19.7 million in that year to £43.5 million in 1990–91, and £86.5 million in 1995–96. Inflation from 1981–82 and 1990–91 has been 98 and 19 per cent. respectively—as measured by the gross domestic product deflator.

  In real terms personal social services resources in Dorset have increased by 121 per cent. since 1981–82, and by 67 per cent. since 1990–91.
  788

  Chlorofluorocarbons
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has plans to take off the prescribed list medicinal aerosols containing chlorofluorocarbons as a propellant. [38875]

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  Diabetes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department has taken in respect of the statements of patients with diabetes mellitus about their care during the operative period; and if he will make a statement. [38968]

  Mr. Sackville
  None. It is a matter of good professional practice to ensure that patients are fully clinically assessed before they undergo general anaesthesia and surgery, and that their condition is monitored during and after the operation.

  Trent Region
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will detail, for each financial year since 1990–91, the resource allocation per head of population for each health district in the Trent region. [38976]

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for the Trent regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact, Mr. Keith Ackroyd CBE, chairman of the authority for the details.

  Appointments
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each NHS trust in the Trent region, those trusts that currently have unfilled vacancies for(a) chairmen and (b) non-executive directors. [38974]

  Mr. Malone
  Those national health service trusts in Trent region which currently have unfilled vacancies for chairmen or non-executive directors are:

  Chesterfield and North Derbyshire royal hospital NHS trust

  One non-executive director vacancy.

  Sheffield Children's hospital NHS trust

  One non-executive director vacancy.

  Complaints
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints he has received in(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95 and (d) 1995 to date from patients and organisations representing patients at Doncaster royal infirmary and Montagu hospital NHS trust; and what assessment he has made of the working of the patient's charter in respect of this trust. [38978]

  Mr. Malone
  Collated information on complaints to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State about individual trusts is not available centrally. However, for details of complaints made direct to the Doncaster royal infirmary and Montagu hospital national health service trust, the hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman, Mr. Ray Tonkinson.
  789

  South Yorkshire Ambulance Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many ambulances are currently operated by the South Yorkshire ambulance service; what is their current age; and how many days the ambulances spend on average out of service; [39580]

  (2) how many employees of the South Yorkshire ambulance service were dismissed in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95; [39541]

  (3) how many maintenance depots the South Yorkshire ambulance service current operates; if he will list their locations; and what the figure was 24 months ago. [39581]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available centrally. The hon. Member may wish to contract Dr. B. M. Kingston the chairman of South Yorkshire metropolitan ambulance and paramedic service national health service trust for details.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish figures for the performance of the South Yorkshire ambulance service in each month from July 1994, showing the percentage of calls responded to within 14 minutes for the(a) Doncaster, (b) Barnsley, (c) Rotherham and (d) Sheffield health areas; what is the target specified in the patient's charter; and what extra provision is provided for the large rural areas within the county. [39608]

  Mr. Sackville
  The patient's charter states that a person calling an emergency ambulance—999 call—can expect it to arrive within 14 minutes in an urban area or 19 minutes in a rural area. Individual ambulance services as a whole are classified as being either urban or rural. The South Yorkshire metropolitan ambulance and paramedic service NHS trust—SYMAS—is classified as an urban service.

  In 1994–95 SYMAS responded to 92.1 per cent. of emergency calls within 14 minutes. More detailed information is not collected centrally and the hon. Member may wish to approach Dr. B. M. Kingston the chairman of South Yorkshire metropolitan ambulance and paramedic service national health service trust for details.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by wave the start-up costs for each NHS trust, by region. [39499]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 18 July Official Report, column 1154.

  South Yorkshire Ambulance Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent of his responsibilities for the South Yorkshire ambulance service. [39445]

  Mr. Sackville
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has statutory responsibility to provide ambulance services in England such as he considers necessary to 790
  meet all reasonable requirements. Subject to this overall responsibility, the operation of ambulance services in South Yorkshire is a matter for the board of the South Yorkshire metropolitan ambulance and paramedic service national health service trust.

  Tuta Blood Packs
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many blood donations were destroyed after the recall by the National Blood Authority of blood in Tuta blood packs; [36849]

  (2) what was the total amount of blood moved between transfusion centres on the evenings of 29 and 30 June to compensate for the loss of donations in Tuta packs. [36851]

  Mr. Sackville
  I understand from the National Blood Authority that some 7,500 units of blood were withdrawn from use following their first issue of warnings about the use of Tuta bags on 30 June. A further 2,500 were withdrawn following the further warning issued on 4 and 5 July. A daily breakdown is not available, but I understand that some 3,000 units of blood were transferred between centres from the nights of Thursday 29 June and Sunday 2 July, to maintain supplies of blood particularly in the areas most affected by the recall. All centres had adequate stocks to meet hospital demand on 4 July.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Medicines Control Agency will complete its investigation into the use of faulty Tuta blood packs; and if its findings will be published. [36850]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Medicines Control Agency has completed its investigation and copies of the report will be placed in the Library.

  Wessex Information Systems
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the outcome of the legal action by the Wessex regional health authority against Wessex Information Systems; [38267]

  (2) what was the sum sought from Wessex Information Systems by the Wessex regional health authority in the recent legal action; and what was the sum agreed in the final settlement; [38269]

  (3) if he will list the legal actions taken by the Wessex regional health authority against suppliers and contractors involved in the Wessex RISP project giving the total costs incurred by the regional health authority and the total sum received. [38270]

  Mr. Sackville
  This is a matter for the South and West regional health authority. The hon. Member may wish to contact Ms Rennie Fritchie, regional chairman, for details.
  791
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice was given by his Department to the Wessex regional health authority prior to the settlement of the legal action by the Wessex regional health authority against Wessex Information Systems. [38268]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department did not give any advice in relation to this case.

  Diseases
  Mr. Hinchcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of(a) cholera, (b) typhoid fever, (c) paratyphoid fever, (d) dysentery, (e) food poisoning and (f) diphtheria, were notified in 1993 and 1994. [38536]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is shown in the table:

  Cases reported in England and Wales

  1993

  1994 (provisional)

  Cholera

  23

  30

  Typhoid fever

  175

  236

  Paratyphoid fever

  93

  134

  Dysentery

  6,841

  6,961

  Food poisoning (total)

  68,587

  82,587

  Diphtheria

  6

  9

  Notification of infectious diseases are published annually in the MB2 Series (Communicable Disease Statistics), copies of which are available in the Library. The latest available publication is Series MB2 No. 20 (1993).

  Suicide
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his strategies for the reduction of deaths from suicide in(a) adults and (b) adolescents. [38537]

  Mr. Bowis
  A wide range of initiatives are being pursued. The key themes of our suicide prevention work are improving mental health services, increasing public awareness of mental health issues, targeting occupational and demographic groups at particular risk of suicide, and reducing access to means. The overall suicide rate has now fallen in each of the last four years.

  In addition, we have a comprehensive strategy to improve child and adolescent mental health. Most recently, public awareness work in support of World Mental Health Day focused particularly on young people.

  "Health of the Nation"
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to address "Health of the Nation" targets for obesity. [38593]

  Mr. Sackville
  Measures to address obesity include:

  activity by the nutrition task force programme to reduce the proportion of fat in the diet;

  proposals from the physical activity task force for helping more people to be more active more often;

  a major campaign being developed by the Health Education Authority to promcte regular moderate physical activity and to highlight the contribution of physical activity to the prevention of obesity; and

  research reviews of effective intervention with regard to the prevention and treatment of obesity.

  792

  Deliberate Self Harm
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the incidence of deliberate self harm amongst(a) adults and (b) adolescents, annually from 1987. [38539]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Market Testing
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 6 June to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East (Mr. Brown),Official Report, column 28, if he will place in the Library a list of the contacts for hospital and health services awarded so far under competitive tendering process by each NHS trust in England since 6 June. [39650]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information will be placed in the Library.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to answers of 13 January,Official Report, columns 255–56 and 28 March, Official Report, column 568, which NHS clinical services and which non-clinical services are currently being market tested; and if he will list the companies tendering for business and the location of each market testing operation. [39651]

  Mr. Sackville
  The only new entry to the list provided in January would cover the market testing of perfusionist services by one trust. The list covers services which one or more NHS trust has market tested in recent years, as notified to the NHS Executive's market testing database. The other information is not available centrally.

  Private Patients
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many private inpatients and how many private outpatients were seen within the NHS and using NHS facilities by region and in total in(a) 1989–90 and (b) the latest date for which figures are available. [39386]

  Mr. Sackville
  Information on the number of private patients—finished consultant episodes—treated in national health service hospitals in England by region of treatment for 1989–90 is contained in the annual publication, "Hospital Episode Statistics". Similar information on private outpatient attendances is contained in "Outpatient and ward attenders". The latest year for which figures are available for is 1993–94. Copies of the publications are in the Library.

  Hospitals
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information the NHS Executive has on the number of hospitals in each region and in total in England at 1 April; [39387]

  (2) what is the Department's definition of a hospital; [39388]

  (3) if he will review the decision not to collect centrally the number of hospitals in England. [39389]
  793
  Mr. Malone
  I refer the right hon. Member to reply I gave her on 16 May Official Report, columns 173–76. There are no plans to collect additional information centrally.

  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new hospitals were(a) begun and (b) completed in each year since 1974. [39391]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information is not available centrally in the form requested. Information is collected on reported major capital projects, and this information is shown in the table.

  Capital schemes in the NHS

  Calendar year

  Start on site

  Finish on site

  1980

  16

  8

  1981

  34

  10

  1982

  44

  15

  1983

  36

  38

  1984

  51

  32

  1985

  47

  44

  1986

  52

  38

  1987

  60

  51

  1988

  70

  65

  1989

  73

  75

  1990

  56

  66

  1991

  52

  81

  1992

  51

  63

  1993

  20

  77

  1994

  61

  55

  Notes:

  1. Information was first collected for starts on site after 1 January 1980.

  2. Prior to 1 January 1986 reporting was on a voluntary basis for schemes with a works cost over £2 million.

  3. Returns became mandatory for schemes with a works cost over £1 million from 1 January 1986.

  4. With the introduction of the Capital Investment Manual (CIM), reporting thresholds were changed to over £1 million total cost from September 1994.

  Hospital Closures
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish an updated list of all hospital closures that have been referred to his Department for decision, including those awaiting a decision, giving the nature of all organisations objecting, the decision, if any, and date. [39390]

  Mr. Sackville
  An updated list of proposed closures and changes of use considered by Ministers for the period from January 1992 to September 1995 will be placed in the Library. All except Higham Grange rehabilitation centre and Hartford Hall rehabilitation hospital have been contested by the relevant community health council. Other organisations may have objected but full details could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Ministers approved all the proposals except the proposed closure of Ponteland and Lemington hospitals, Newcastle. No decision has been made on Booth Hall children's hospital, Manchester, while the consultation process is subject to judicial review.

  Abortions
  Mrs. Beckett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of abortions were carried out by the NHS in each (i) district health authority, (ii) regional health 794
  authority and (iii) in total in each of the last five years; and what was the total number of abortions performed in each year. [39649]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information will he placed in the Library.

  The total number of abortions—residents and non-residents—performed in each year are published for the years 1990 to 1992 in "Abortion Statistics 1992" (OPCS Series AB no.19, table 2). The corresponding figures for 1993 and 1994 are published in "Legal abortions in England and Wales 1994" (OPCS Monitor series 95/8, table 1), copies of which are available in the Library.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of cases of all forms of fraud committed by employees of his(a) Department,(b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, for each year from 1991–92 to 1994–95; and for each of these years, what was the total monetary sum (i) misappropriated in such frauds and (ii) subsequently recovered. [39138]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: The details of all forms of fraud committed by employees of the Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies are as follows:

  Total Cases

  Amount Misappropriated £

  Amount Recovered £

  1991–92

  Department-1

  171.50

  171.50

  Agencies-Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  NDPBs-Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1992–93

  Department-2

  20.80

  Nil

  Agencies-Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  NDPBs-1

  4,700

  Nil

  1993–94

  Department-3

  9,652.45

  Nil

  Agencies-Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  NDPBs-Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  1994–95

  Department-3

  14,388.12

  12,869.62

  Agencies-1

  50.00

  50.00

  NDPBs-1

  300.00

  300.00

  1 Not a final figure. Recovery action is being pursued inappropriate cases.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Classroom Assistants
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many classroom assistants were employed in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools for each year since 1988. [39149]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The available information is shown in the table.
  795

  Full-time equivalents of education support staff1 in maintained schools in England 1992–95 Position in January each year

  Year

  Primary

  Secondary

  1992

  32,483

  16,969

  1993

  36,441

  17,770

  1994

  41,117

  19,466

  1995 (provisional)

  46,324

  21,463

  1 Nursery assistants, special needs support staff and other support staff including librarians, technicians, medical care staff and child care assistants.

  Voucher Scheme
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if she will list the companies that have been shortlisted to administer the voucher scheme; [39150]

  (2) how many companies have submitted bids to run the voucher scheme; [39151]

  (3) what estimates she has received from those companies shortlisted to administer the voucher scheme for the cost of administering the voucher scheme; [39152]

  (4) when she expects to announce which company will be appointed to administer the a voucher scheme. [39153]

  Proposals under consideration for

  LEA

  Places proposed to be removed where known

  (a) Up to 3 months

  (b) 3–6 months

  (c) 6–9 months

  (d) 9–12 months

  (e) In excess of 12 months

  Avon

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Barnet

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  Bexley

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Birmingham

  210

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Buckinghamshire

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  2

  Bury

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cheshire

  27

  3

  6

  —

  —

  —

  Croydon

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Cumbria

  —

  6

  4

  —

  —

  —

  Dorset

  —

  —

  2

  3

  —

  —

  Dudley

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Sussex

  330

  3

  5

  —

  —

  —

  Essex

  217

  3

  2

  —

  1

  1

  Gloucestershire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Greenwich

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Hampshire

  60

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Haringey

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Harrow

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  Hertfordshire

  350

  3

  6

  2

  —

  —

  Humberside

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Kent

  103

  7

  5

  —

  1

  6

  Kirklees

  160

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Lancashire

  —

  —

  1

  3

  2

  1

  Lincolnshire

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  Liverpool

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Newcastle

  148

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Norfolk

  34

  —

  10

  1

  1

  —

  Northamptonshire

  19

  4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Northumberland

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  North Yorkshire

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Nottinghamshire

  578

  —

  5

  —

  2

  —

  Oldham

  218

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  796
  Mr. Robin Squire
  Of the 170 companies which expressed an interest in administering the nursery voucher scheme, 10 were invited to tender for the contract. Details of the tenders, including the names of the companies and their proposed fees, are covered by commercial confidentiality. The company appointed to administer the scheme will be announced shortly.

  School Reorganisations and Closures
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which local education authorities have school reorganisation or closure proposals under consideration by her Department; how many surplus places will be removed by each local education authority as a result of their proposals; and which authorities, since the submission of their proposal to her Department, have been waiting for a decision for(a) up to three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to none months, (d) nine to 12 months and (e) in excess of 12 months. [39154]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The table lists proposals under consideration by the Department for the closure, alteration or establishment of county and voluntary schools; the number of places that it proposed will be removed as result of the proposals, where this is a factor and the number involved is known; and the length of time the proposals have been under consideration.
  797

  Proposals under consideration for

  LEA

  Places proposed to be removed whereknown

  (a) Up to 3 months

  (b) 3–6 months

  (c) 6–9 months

  (d) 9–12 months

  (e) In excess of 12 months

  Oxfordshire

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Richmond upon Thames

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Salford

  177

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Sefton

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Solihull

  60

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Somerset

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  South Tyneside

  128

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Stockport

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  Suffolk

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Surrey

  60

  1

  7

  —

  —

  —

  Tameside

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Tower Hamlets

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Waltham Forest

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Wandsworth

  266

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Warwickshire

  203

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  West Sussex

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Wigan

  321

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Wiltshire

  107

  5

  5

  1

  —

  —

  Wirral

  72

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Wolverhampton

  208

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Primary School Class Sizes
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage and how many primary school pupils are currently in classes of

  Numbers and percentages of pupils in single teacher classes of size in maintained primary schools in each local education authority area in England 1994 to 1995

  Position in January each year

  31–35

  36–40

  41+

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  1994

  City

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Camden

  542

  6.1

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Greenwich

  2,301

  13.3

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Hackney

  499

  3.7

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Hammersmith

  795

  11.1

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Islington

  892

  6.9

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  418

  8.3

  36

  0.7

  0

  0.0

  Lambeth

  816

  5.2

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Lewisham

  1,318

  7.2

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  South wark

  2,331

  12.3

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Tower Hamlets

  601

  4.6

  37

  0.3

  0

  0.0

  Wandsworth

  1,471

  10.5

  150

  1.1

  45

  0.3

  Westminster

  352

  4.9

  76

  1.1

  0

  0.0

  Barking

  1,183

  8.3

  232

  1.6

  0

  0.0

  Barnet

  2,319

  11.1

  115

  0.6

  0

  0.0

  Bexley

  5,838

  31.6

  72

  0.4

  0

  0.0

  Brent

  1,819

  9.6

  338

  1.8

  0

  0.0

  Bromley

  10,239

  46.8

  146

  0.7

  0

  0.0

  Croydon

  4,667

  19.6

  229

  1.0

  0

  0.0

  Ealing

  4,001

  19.6

  145

  0.7

  0

  0.0

  Enfield

  7,201

  35.2

  36

  0.2

  0

  0.0

  Haringey

  657

  3.9

  75

  0.4

  0

  0.0

  Harrow

  3,472

  22.2

  72

  0.5

  0

  0.0

  Havering

  4,030

  21.3

  146

  0.8

  0

  0.0

  Hillingdon

  4,422

  24.9

  431

  2.4

  43

  0.2

  Hounslow

  4,570

  28.7

  749

  4.7

  0

  0.0

  Kingston upon Thames

  5,299

  56.0

  185

  2.0

  0

  0.0

  Merton

  2,783

  22.6

  268

  2.2

  63

  0.5

  Newham

  1,201

  5.4

  116

  0.5

  0

  0.0

  Redbridge

  8,054

  50.3

  402

  2.5

  0

  0.0

  Richmond upon Thames

  869

  8.8

  112

  1.1

  153

  1.5

  798
  (a) 31 to 35, (b) 36 to 40 and (c) 40-plus in each local education authority and in total; and what were the equivalent figures in January 1994. [39380]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The information requested is shown in the following table.
  799

  Numbers and percentages of pupils in single teacher classes of size in maintained primary schools in each local education authority area in England 1994 to 1995

  Position in January each year

  31–35

  36–40

  41+

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  Sutton

  4,552

  38.8

  144

  1.2

  0

  0.0

  Waltham Forest

  3,088

  17.8

  112

  0.6

  0

  0.0

  Birmingham

  25,730

  26.9

  1,373

  1.4

  61

  0.1

  Coventry

  4,940

  19.5

  601

  2.4

  0

  0.0

  Dudley

  6,524

  27.1

  369

  1.5

  604

  2.5

  Sand well

  8,863

  32.7

  1,312

  4.8

  0

  0.0

  Solihull

  6,200

  34.1

  511

  2.8

  0

  0.0

  Walsall

  5,066

  22.8

  511

  2.3

  0

  0.0

  Wolverhampton

  4,774

  22.3

  381

  1.8

  0

  0.0

  Knowsley

  5,271

  31.0

  644

  3.8

  0

  0.0

  Liverpool

  11,660

  24.5

  918

  1.9

  42

  0.1

  St. Helens

  4,586

  31.6

  851

  5.9

  0

  0.0

  Sefton

  7,742

  31.6

  475

  1.9

  41

  0.2

  Wirral

  5,410

  18.8

  474

  1.6

  44

  0.2

  Bolton

  7,010

  31.8

  1,608

  7.3

  428

  1.9

  Bury

  5,087

  32.6

  1,024

  6.6

  128

  0.8

  Manchester

  8,446

  20.5

  1,173

  2.9

  0

  0.0

  Oldham

  7,746

  36.9

  779

  3.7

  92

  0.4

  Rochdale

  7,300

  39.8

  552

  3.0

  168

  0.9

  Salford

  5,603

  25.2

  1,127

  5.1

  87

  0.4

  Stockport

  6,813

  28.2

  1,265

  5.2

  101

  0.4

  Tameside

  10,943

  51.1

  1,136

  5.3

  0

  0.0

  Trafford

  7,729

  41.9

  1,340

  7.3

  82

  0.4

  Wigan

  7,572

  29.0

  2,380

  9.1

  45

  0.2

  Barnsley

  5,185

  26.0

  376

  1.9

  95

  0.5

  Doncaster

  6,296

  23.7

  1,252

  4.7

  0

  0.0

  Rotherham

  2,334

  10.4

  235

  1.1

  0

  0.0

  Sheffield

  6,821

  18.1

  1,460

  3.9

  0

  0.0

  Bradford

  8,214

  25.6

  567

  1.8

  0

  0.0

  Calderdale

  4,942

  28.3

  326

  1.9

  0

  0.0

  Kirklees

  8,391

  26.8

  981

  3.1

  0

  0.0

  Leeds

  16,686

  28.2

  2,719

  4.6

  0

  0.0

  Wakefield

  8,738

  32.3

  1,258

  4.7

  0

  0.0

  Gateshead

  1,786

  10.8

  76

  0.5

  0

  0.0

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  5,083

  24.8

  760

  3.7

  0

  0.0

  North Tyneside

  3,408

  22.7

  447

  3.0

  50

  0.3

  South Tyneside

  2,915

  20.1

  489

  3.4

  52

  0.4

  Sunderland

  4,022

  15.4

  222

  0.8

  0

  0.0

  Isles of Scilly

  31

  18.5

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Avon

  25,695

  34.1

  1,058

  1.4

  0

  0.0

  Bedfordshire

  7,314

  19.7

  1,701

  4.6

  49

  0.1

  Berkshire

  15,220

  27.0

  1,070

  1.9

  0

  0.0

  Buckinghamshire

  16,670

  29.1

  2,310

  4.0

  92

  0.2

  Cambridgeshire

  13,979

  25.2

  1,100

  2.0

  0

  0.0

  Cheshire

  27,187

  32.6

  2,922

  3.5

  84

  0.1

  Cleveland

  10,863

  18.8

  2,523

  4.4

  0

  0.0

  Cornwall

  12,409

  32.4

  1,032

  2.7

  0

  0.0

  Cumbria

  8,568

  22.1

  732

  1.9

  85

  0.2

  Derbyshire

  25,613

  34.1

  4,055

  5.4

  314

  0.4

  Devon

  19,328

  24.9

  1,847

  2.4

  0

  0.0

  Dorset

  17,562

  42.6

  580

  1.4

  0

  0.0

  Durham

  13,729

  26.5

  1,283

  2.5

  0

  0.0

  East Sussex

  18,862

  39.8

  435

  0.9

  0

  0.0

  Essex

  29,961

  25.2

  768

  0.6

  0

  0.0

  Gloucestershire

  10,644

  25.4

  479

  1.1

  0

  0.0

  Hampshire

  40,820

  31.5

  3,484

  2.7

  0

  0.0

  Hereford and Worcester

  9,432

  20.1

  478

  1.0

  0

  0.0

  Hertfordshire

  20,658

  26.8

  600

  0.8

  86

  0.1

  Humberside

  21.804

  28.1

  3,973

  5.1

  137

  0.2

  Isle of Wight

  1,672

  23.9

  190

  2.7

  0

  0.0

  Kent

  40,873

  33.0

  697

  0.6

  0

  0.0

  Lancashire

  39,104

  33.4

  5,884

  5.0

  124

  0.1

  Leicestershire

  13,760

  19.2

  673

  0.9

  0

  0.0

  Lincolnshire

  11,975

  25.2

  667

  1.4

  0

  0.0

  Norfolk

  10,584

  18.5

  445

  0.8

  146

  0.3

  North Yorkshire

  12,653

  22.9

  965

  1.7

  84

  0.2

  Northamptonshire

  9,402

  20.2

  188

  0.4

  0

  0.0

  Northumberland

  6,301

  33.0

  1,559

  8.2

  41

  0.2

  800

  801

  Numbers and percentages of pupils in single teacher classes of size in maintained primary schools in each local education authority area in England 1994 to 1995

  Position in January each year

  31–35

  36–40

  41+

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  Nottinghamshire

  17,125

  20.8

  2,658

  3.2

  164

  0.2

  Oxfordshire

  5,242

  13.7

  563

  1.5

  45

  0.1

  Shropshire

  8,530

  25.5

  555

  1.7

  0

  0.0

  Somerset

  10,074

  28.9

  402

  1.2

  0

  0.0

  Staffordshire

  24,238

  27.8

  5,720

  6.6

  780

  0.9

  Suffolk

  5,386

  13.2

  222

  0.5

  0

  0.0

  Surrey

  13,064

  19.2

  635

  0.9

  42

  0.1

  Warwickshire

  11,984

  28.8

  756

  1.8

  0

  0.0

  West Sussex

  10,459

  20.6

  475

  0.9

  0

  0.0

  Wiltshire

  11,784

  25.7

  401

  0.9

  0

  0.0

  England

  978,995

  25.7

  92,481

  2.4

  4,697

  0.1

  1995 (provisional)

  City

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Camden

  569

  6.3

  36

  0.4

  0

  0.0

  Greenwich

  2,433

  13.8

  72

  0.4

  50

  0.3

  Hackney

  569

  4.0

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Hammersmith

  1,294

  16.6

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Islington

  1,055

  8.1

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Kensington and Chelsea

  221

  4.5

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Lambeth

  540

  3.4

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Lewisham

  1,072

  5.8

  73

  0.4

  47

  0.3

  South wark

  2,446

  12.5

  37

  0.2

  0

  0.0

  Tower Hamlets

  728

  4.8

  0

  0.0

  50

  0.3

  Wandsworth

  1,238

  8.7

  221

  1.6

  0

  0.0

  Westminster

  607

  8.8

  39

  0.6

  0

  0.0

  Barking

  994

  6.6

  271

  1.8

  52

  0.3

  Barnet

  2,179

  10.4

  112

  0.5

  0

  0.0

  Bexley

  7,761

  38.9

  73

  0.4

  0

  0.0

  Brent

  2,098

  11.2

  158

  0.8

  188

  l.0

  Bromley

  11,305

  50.5

  291

  1.3

  0

  0.0

  Croydon

  5,863

  23.2

  110

  0.4

  0

  0.0

  Ealing

  4,059

  18.9

  78

  0.4

  0

  0.0

  Enfield

  8,156

  39.5

  36

  0.2

  0

  0.0

  Haringey

  1,006

  5.8

  39

  0.2

  0

  0.0

  Harrow

  4,080

  25.0

  72

  0.4

  0

  0.0

  Havering

  4,625

  23.9

  37

  0.2

  0

  0.0

  Hillingdon

  4,320

  23.6

  427

  2.3

  86

  0.5

  Hounslow

  4,863

  29.1

  787

  4.7

  41

  0.2

  Kingston upon Thames

  5,960

  61.4

  256

  2.6

  0

  0.0

  Merton

  2,938

  23.3

  223

  1.8

  138

  1.1

  Newham

  2,604

  11.0

  76

  0.3

  0

  0.0

  Redbridge

  7,902

  48.8

  435

  2.7

  0

  0.0

  Richmond upon Thames

  1,980

  19.8

  0

  0.0

  60

  0.6

  Sutton

  4,214

  34.8

  114

  0.9

  0

  0.0

  Waltham Forest

  3,330

  18.8

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Birmingham

  27,064

  28.0

  1,080

  1.1

  107

  0.1

  Coventry

  7,016

  26.2

  784

  2.9

  75

  0.3

  Dudley

  5,506

  22.6

  562

  2.3

  867

  3.6

  Sandwell

  9,902

  35.8

  871

  3.1

  42

  0.2

  Solihull

  6,589

  35.4

  917

  4.9

  0

  0.0

  Walsall

  5,875

  25.5

  511

  2.2

  42

  0.2

  Wolverhampton

  5,220

  23.9

  626

  2.9

  0

  0.0

  Knowsley

  5,349

  29.4

  899

  4.9

  52

  0.3

  Liverpool

  11,288

  24.3

  1,023

  2.2

  230

  0.5

  St. Helens

  4,496

  30.6

  1,011

  6.9

  0

  0.0

  Sefton

  7,775

  31.0

  1,018

  4.1

  0

  0.0

  Wirral

  5,449

  18.6

  627

  2.1

  0

  0.0

  Bolton

  8,190

  36.2

  1,982

  8.8

  194

  0.9

  Bury

  5,633

  36.0

  801

  5.1

  0

  0.0

  Manchester

  9,026

  21.4

  1,008

  2.4

  177

  0.4

  Oldham

  7,853

  36.5

  782

  3.6

  188

  0.9

  Rochdale

  7,542

  39.0

  473

  2.4

  87

  0.4

  Salford

  6,128

  27.0

  753

  3.3

  94

  0.4

  Stockport

  6,962

  28.2

  849

  3.4

  47

  0.2

  Tameside

  10,553

  48.4

  738

  3.4

  0

  0.0

  Trafford

  8,455

  44.6

  1,193

  6.3

  41

  0.2

  Wigan

  8,941

  33.6

  2,347

  8.8

  87

  0.3

  802

  803

  Numbers and percentages of pupils in single teacher classes of size in maintained primary schools in each local education authority area in England 1994 to 1995

  Position in January each year

  31–35

  36–40

  41+

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  Number of pupils

  Percentage1

  Barnsley

  5,625

  28.0

  383

  1.9

  193

  1.0

  Doncaster

  6,692

  25.5

  1,605

  6.1

  41

  0.2

  Rotherham

  2,961

  13.0

  308

  1.4

  0

  0.0

  Sheffield

  9,467

  24.1

  1,408

  3.6

  244

  0.6

  Bradford

  9,500

  28.7

  1,207

  3.7

  0

  0.0

  Calderale

  5,558

  30.3

  108

  0.6

  0

  0.0

  Kirklees

  10,466

  32.5

  1,733

  5.4

  91

  0.3

  Leeds

  18,551

  30.6

  2,428

  4.0

  266

  0.4

  Wakefield

  8,420

  30.2

  2,070

  7.4

  54

  0.2

  Gateshead

  2,084

  12.3

  153

  0.9

  0

  0.0

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  5,854

  28.7

  756

  3.7

  134

  0.7

  North Tyneside

  4,467

  29.7

  413

  2.7

  50

  0.3

  South Tyneside

  2,766

  18.9

  747

  5.1

  103

  0.7

  Sunderland

  3,410

  12.8

  191

  0.7

  0

  0.0

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  0

  0.0

  Avon

  25,550

  32.8

  1,277

  1.6

  92

  0.1

  Bedfordshire

  8,288

  21.4

  1,531

  4.0

  509

  1.3

  Berkshire

  14,692

  25.3

  828

  1.4

  85

  0.1

  Buckinghamshire

  17,591

  29.5

  2,944

  4.9

  670

  1.1

  Cambridgeshire

  14,211

  25.5

  735

  1.3

  0

  0.0

  Cheshire

  26,906

  31.5

  3,196

  3.7

  213

  0.2

  Cleveland

  11,332

  19.4

  2,527

  4.3

  0

  0.0

  Cornwall

  12,878

  32.8

  1,039

  2.6

  87

  0.2

  Cumbria

  10,374

  26.2

  968

  2.4

  110

  0.3

  Derbyshire

  27,071

  35.1

  5,414

  7.0

  474

  0.6

  Devon

  21,844

  27.5

  1,770

  2.2

  45

  0.1

  Dorset

  17,058

  40.4

  980

  2.3

  0

  0.0

  Durham

  14,215

  27.2

  1,240

  2.4

  0

  0.0

  East Sussex

  19,221

  39.8

  470

  1.0

  0

  0.0

  Essex

  30,666

  24.8

  979

  0.8

  230

  0.2

  Gloucestershire

  11,044

  25.4

  551

  1.3

  0

  0.0

  Hampshire

  41,963

  32.4

  1,967

  1.5

  46

  0.0

  Hereford and Worcester

  10,011

  20.7

  481

  1.0

  41

  0.1

  Hertfordshire

  22,320

  28.1

  692

  0.9

  42

  0.1

  Humberside

  22,058

  27.7

  4,393

  5.5

  445

  0.6

  Isle of Wight

  1,749

  24.8

  111

  1.6

  0

  0.0

  Kent

  43,201

  33.6

  722

  0.6

  285

  0.2

  Lancashire

  42,290

  35.0

  6,298

  5.2

  244

  0.2

  Leicestershire

  15,730

  21.1

  1,413

  1.9

  424

  0.6

  Lincolnshire

  13,595

  27.7

  955

  1.9

  82

  0.2

  Norfolk

  11,793

  20.0

  218

  0.4

  55

  0.1

  North Yorkshire

  16,110

  28.4

  1,598

  2.8

  50

  0.1

  Northamptonshire

  10,244

  21.2

  332

  0.7

  0

  0.0

  Northumberland

  6,720

  34.9

  1,269

  6.6

  41

  0.2

  Nottinghamshire

  19,413

  23.4

  3,186

  3.8

  543

  0.7

  Oxfordshire

  5,940

  15.2

  384

  1.0

  98

  0.3

  Shropshire

  9,304

  27.0

  668

  1.9

  0

  0.0

  Somerset

  10,140

  28.3

  583

  1.6

  53

  0.1

  Staffordshire

  25,921

  29.4

  4,569

  5.2

  657

  0.7

  Suffolk

  6,142

  14.5

  254

  0.6

  0

  0.0

  Surrey

  11,382

  16.6

  647

  0.9

  89

  0.1

  Warwickshire

  12,906

  30.4

  899

  2.1

  175

  0.4

  West Sussex

  12,219

  23.0

  660

  1.2

  0

  0.0

  Wiltshire

  14,007

  29.5

  696

  1.5

  0

  0.0

  England

  1,047,741

  26.8

  97,882

  2.5

  10,103

  0.3

  Training for Work
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is(a) the average number of training for work leavers who gained a qualification or credits towards a qualification and (b) the number of leavers entering employment in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994 (i) nationally and (ii) for each training and enterprise council. [39778]
  804
  Mr. Paice
  As the information requested contains a large amount of data, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent on the training for work programme in each year between 1991 and 1995 and what is the projected account in 1995–96; what was the number of starts and filled places in each year; and what is the projected figure for 1995–96. [39776]
  805
  Mr. Paice
  In April 1993, training for work replaced employment training and employment action. The information requested is given in the following table.

  1991–92 Outturn(1)

  1992–93 Outturn(2)

  1993–94 Outturn(3)

  1994–95 Provisional outturn

  1995–96 planned

  Expenditure (£ million)

  753.7

  766.8

  760.2

  683.0

  574.0

  Starts (000s)

  252

  291

  292

  280

  225

  Filled places (000s)

  119

  105

  124

  95

  92

  Notes:

  1. In the expenditure figures for 1991–92, the ET element relates to England and Wales and the EA element relates to England, Scotland and Wales.

  2. In the expenditure figures for 1992–93, the ET element related to England only and the EA element related to England and Scotland

  Training Costs
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average amount spent by employers on training each of their employees in 1992 and 1994. [39779]

  Mr. Paice
  The data requested are not available.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the budget for each training and enterprise council for 1995–96. [39777]

  Mr. Paice
  The budget made available to each training and enterprise council in England by the Department fore 1995–96 is shown in the following. The responsibility for TECs in Wales lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  TEC budgets 1995–96

  £

  South East

  Hampshire

  27,323,756

  Heart of England

  12,535,357

  Isle of Wight

  3,638,642

  Kent

  36,282,620

  Milton Keynes and North Bucks

  11,127,628

  Surrey

  12,128,689

  Sussex

  22,550,765

  Thames Valley Enterprise

  31,720,395

  London

  Aztec

  12,254,997

  Centec

  23,865,389

  Cilntec

  20,391,148

  London East

  36,266,110

  North London

  20,674,806

  North West London

  11,157,405

  Solotec

  19,115,941

  South Thames1

  33,827,403

  West London

  18,620,229

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire

  13,021,470

  Cambstec

  7,849,613

  Essex

  31,658,402

  Greater Peterborough

  11,207,428

  Hertfordshire

  20,838,636

  Norfolk and Waveney

  24,523,751

  Suffolk

  15,019,798

  806

  TEC budgets 1995–96

  £

  South West

  Devon and Cornwall

  43,815,751

  Dorset

  14,574,980

  Gloucestershire

  14,241,391

  Somerset

  12,359,270

  Westec

  27,879,781

  Wiltshire

  12,223,966

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  34,557,562

  Central England

  10,400,327

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  24,665,865

  Dudley

  9,882,928

  Hawtec

  12,895,288

  Sandwell

  12,664,294

  Shropshire

  11,977,681

  Staffordshire

  28,901,500

  Walsall

  8,003,525

  Wolverhampton

  9,781,984

  East Midlands

  Greater Nottingham

  18,273,503

  Leicester

  22,313,670

  Lincolnshire

  22,918,889

  North Derbyshire

  10,661,439

  North Nottinghamshire

  15,957,808

  Northamptonshire

  12,516,841

  Southern Derbyshire

  17,104,924

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Barnsley and Doncaster

  24,942,444

  Bradford and District

  17,376,587

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  19,763,424

  Humberside

  33,126,307

  Leeds

  20,043,842

  North Yorkshire

  15,406,306

  Rotherham

  11,174,354

  Sheffield

  20,634,318

  Wakefield

  10,704,117

  North West

  Bolton and Bury

  15,017,992

  Cumbria

  17,843,301

  Eltec (East Lanes)

  19,840,603

  Lawtec (Lanes West)

  28,822,730

  Manchester

  43,011,107

  Metrotec Ltd. (Wigan)

  11,090,965

  Normidtec

  15,382,978

  Oldham

  9,109,551

  Rochdale

  9,539,178

  South and East Cheshire

  13,971,563

  Stockport/High Peak

  12,050,452

  Merseyside

  Cewtec

  20,880,534

  Merseyside

  52,238,640

  Qualitec

  8,336,638

  North East

  County Durham

  25,698,704

  Northumberland

  14,150,915

  Sunderland City

  16,478,872

  Teeside

  31,069,685

  Tyneside

  37,505,997

  1 South Thames TEC: the figure shown is the 1995–96 allocation which will be reallocated to the receiver and the successor TECs.

  807

  "Race for Opportunity"
  Mr. Nigel Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the launch of the business in the community campaign "Race for Opportunity". [40361]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The Government warmly welcome the move by major companies to champion "Race for Opportunity". These companies recognise the diverse talents and business opportunities which our multiracial society has to offer. Champions of the campaign will take full account of the ethnic minority community in all aspects of their business, from marketing and purchasing to employment, and they will strive to become good corporate citizens. Such efforts are to be congratulated.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Trials (Media Coverage)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Attorney General how many trials have been stopped in the last three years as a result of media coverage, in how many cases media coverage has been cited by the court as a reason for returning a not guilty verdict; and if he will list the cases. [38319]

  The Attorney-General
  There is no central record of cases coming within the criteria set out in the hon. Member's question. The two prosecuting authorities for which I have responsibility—Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office—have identified the following cases in which criminal proceedings have been stayed on the grounds of "abuse of process" because the court has held that media coverage has made a fair trial impossible.

  Name

  Date

  Charge

  Anthony Grunwell

  June/July 1993: Snaresbrook Crown Court

  Theft from motor vehicle

  R. v. Reade, Morris and Woodwiss

  15 October 1993: Central Criminal Court

  Conspiracy to pervert the course of justice

  R. v. Hassan and Caldori

  24 July 1995: Isleworth Crown Court

  Conspiracy to distribute counterfeit currency

  R. v. Geoffrey Knights

  24 October 1995: Harrow Crown Court

  Causing grievous bodily harm

  R. v. Zaheer and Others

  11 October 1995: Harrow Crown Court

  Violent disorder

  The table is compiled from individual recollection and is not necessarily exhaustive.

  The inquiries referred to above have identified two cases where media coverage has been a factor, but not the only factor, in a decision to quash convictions. Those cases related to proceedings against Michelle Taylor and Lisa Taylor (11 June 1993) and Vincent Wood (6 July 1995).
  808

  Barings Bank
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Attorney General (1) if all information requested by the Serious Fraud Office from the Singapore authorities has been handed over; [38400]

  (2) what action he is taking in respect of the decision of judicial managers and prosecutors in Singapore with regard to access for Serious Fraud Office investigators to documentation in Singapore relating to Barings. [38401]

  The Attorney-General
  Baring Futures (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. is under the control of judicial managers appointed by the Singapore High Court to which the Serious Fraud Office made an application for an order that the judicial managers disclose certain company records. That application was not granted and the SFO is currently appealing the decision to the Court of Appeal of Singapore.

  I have myself corresponded with my counterpart in Singapore.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Secuirty (1) what assessment he has made of the number of people who would claim to be entitled to specific benefit if a national minimum wage was introduced at £3.50 per hour, £4 per hour and £4.50 per hour for all employees aged 18 years and over; [36765]

  (2) what estimates he has made of the effect on the level of expenditure on specific benefits if a national minimum wage was introduced at (a) £3.50 per hour, (b) £4 per hour and (c) £4.50 per hour for all employees aged 18 years and over. [36766]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  No assessment has been made.

  National Insurance Numbers
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will sanction the use of national insurance numbers as a means of reference by(a) the Student Loans Company and (b) the universities and colleges admission system. [37066]

  Mr. Heald
  We have a policy of restricting the use of national insurance numbers to national insurance, tax and social security benefit-related purposes.

  State Pensions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the amount of(a) the widow's payment and (b) the Christmas bonus in the year 1996–97 if they had been uprated (i) in line with earnings and (ii) in line with prices since the date when they were announced and the date when they were introduced. [38161]
  809
  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested. Since 1988, benefit upratings have been based on movement in the retail prices index over the preceding September to September period. Data on

  Column 1 Benefit/allowance

  Column 2 Date introduction announced

  Column 3 Date introduced

  Column 4 Rate at announcement £

  Column 5 Rate when introduced £

  Column 6 Current rate £

  Column 7 Rate at April 1996 if amount at Column 4 uprated by prices since date at Column 2 £

  Column 8 Rate at April 1996 if amount at Column 5 uprated by prices since date at Column 3£

  Christmas bonus

  November 1972

  December 1972

  10.00

  10.00

  10.00

  69.75

  69.75

  Widow's payment

  December 1985

  April 1988

  1,000.00

  1,000.00

  1,000.00

  1,584.65

  1,473.20

  Notes:

  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence.

  2. The retail prices index (all items) up to September 1995 as published by the Central Statistical Office has been used for uprating.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the percentage change in the real value of the pensioners' Christmas bonus since it was first paid; to what amount it would have to be changed to restore its original value; and if he will increase it this Christmas. [39653]

  Mr. Heald
  If the £10 Christmas bonus had been uprated in line with prices since it was first paid in December 1972, it would be £67.15 at December 1995. The £10 bonus represents about 15 per cent. of this figure. We have no plans to increase the bonus.

  Notes:

  1: Figures rounded to nearest 5 pence.

  2: The retail prices index (all items) up to September 1995 as published by the Central Statistical Office has been used for prices uprating.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to pay the state retirement pension from the actual birthday of the claimant; and if he will make a statement. [39392]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) on 28 April,Official Report, column 715.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the national insurance yield in a full year from extending employers' class 1A national insurance contributions to all non-cash or dividend remuneration currently defined as income for income tax purposes but not for national insurance purposes. [39111]

  Mr. Heald
  The estimate is £250 million based on 1994–95 figures.

  Social Security Expenditure
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the social security spending as a percentage of gross domestic product for each year since 1978. [38820]
  810
  earnings growth in the period September 1994 to September 1995 are not yet available. The available information is in the table.

  Mr. Burt
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe) on 23 March,Official Report, column 342.

  Fraud
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the savings made by his Department in tackling organised method of payment fraud in 1993–94 and 1994–95; what were the reasons for any changes in savings; and what new policies his Department intends to take to increase substantially the savings by tackling organised method of payment fraud. [37591]

  Mr. Heald
  We have adopted a number of preventative measures as key elements of our strategy for tackling fraud. The redesign of the order book has dramatically reduced the incidence of counterfeiting and manipulation, and the use of secure delivery arrangements for order books to post offices has significantly reduced losses in transit. This has meant a reduction in the Benefits Agency's organised fraud teams' detected savings from £54.8 million for method of payment fraud in 1993–94 to £20.3 million in 1994–95.

  We intend to continue the policy of enhancing preventive measures such as the electronic stop notice system in the south-east of England and the incentive scheme for post offices to identify fraudulent encashments. The benefit payment card which is scheduled to begin roll-out in 1996 will replace payment by order books and giro cheques. It is estimated it will help eliminate fraud of £140 million a year.

  Alongside this preventive work, organised fraud teams will continue to examine new organised fraud trends that may emerge and develop their intelligence and operational capabilities to detect and investigate this type of fraud.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) in how many cases children have had an increase in child support maintenance and how many have had a decrease, as a result of being assessed by the Child
  811
  Support Agency; and if he will provide a breakdown of these statistics; [37594]

  (2) what is the proportion of Child Support Agency cases assessed at (a) zero to £2.35, (b) £2.36 to £4.99, (c) £5 to £9.99, (d) £10 to £19.99, (e) £20 to £29.99, (f) £30 to £39.99, (g) £40 to £49.99, (h) £50 to £59.99, (i) £60 to £69.99, (j) £70 to £79.99 and (k) £80 or more who were previously paying no maintenance, excluding those which are new separations. [37596]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 25 October 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security on the subject of maintenance payments.
  Whilst it is not possible to exclude new separations, an estimated figure for Income Support cases only is available and is set out in the table below. This is produced based on five per cent. samples of Income Support and Child Support Agency cases, carried out in February 1993 and August 1995 respectively.
  Most of the cases included in these samples will be Income Support taken on in the first year of the Agency, when it was estimated that around 50 per cent. of those cases taken on were not already receiving maintenance. This proportion has increased to an estimated 77 per cent. since April 1994, so we would expect the percentage assessed who were not previously receiving maintenance (38.95 per cent.) to increase in future samples.
  You also asked for information on how many cases children have had an increase in child maintenance and how many have had a decrease, as a result of being assessed by the Child Support Agency. This information is not available.

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

  Number of cases: (000's)

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

  (a) £0 to £2.35

  60

  17.97

  (b) £2.36 to £4.99

  1

  0.30

  (c) £5 to £9.99

  2

  0.60

  (d) £10 to £19.99

  4

  1.20

  (e) £20 to £29.99

  5

  1.50

  (f) £30 to £39.99

  6

  1.80

  (g) £40 to £49.99

  7

  2.10

  (h) £50 to £59.99

  8

  2.40

  (i) £60 to £69.99

  4

  1.20

  (J) £70 to £79.99

  3

  0.90

  (k) £80 or more

  29

  8.69

  Total

  130

  38.95

  Notes:

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

  2. Number of cases includes interim and full maintenance assessments.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many cases have been cleared without assessment by the Child Support Agency in the last six months, with a breakdown of the reasons; [37597]
  812
  (2) if he will give a breakdown of all cases cleared by the Child Support Agency in the last six months showing (a) those where the absent parent is unnamed, (b) other cases which were cleared without assessment, (c) cases where a category A interim assessment was issued and (d) cases where the absent parent was assessed to pay (1) zero to £2.35, (2) £2.36–£4.99, (3) £5–£9.99, (4) £10–£19.99, (5) £20–£29.99, (6) £30–£39.99, (7) £40–£49.99, (8) £50–£59.99, (9) £60–£69.99, (10) £70–£79.99 and (11) £80 or over and to express these figures as numbers of cases cleared during that period and as percentages. [37607]

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

  Letter from Miss. Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 25 October 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about cases cleared by the Agency.
  You asked for a breakdown of cases cleared in the last six months without a maintenance assessment. As data for September is not yet available, I have based the reply on the first 5 months of the financial year.
  During this period, the Agency cleared 128,726 cases of which 44,357 were full maintenance assessments and 8,618 were category A interim maintenance assessments. A further 75,751 cases were cleared without an assessment. As we have no business need to record more specific reason for clearance we cannot provide a more detailed breakdown of these cases.
  A breakdown of the full maintenance assessments by amount and as a proportion of cases cleared is attached.
  You also asked about cases in which the absent parent was not named. Since April 1995, there have been 35,223 cases in which the absent parent may not have been named. This includes 15,054 cases in which "good cause" for not naming the absent parent was accepted, and 20,169 in which it was not accepted. In cases in which "good cause" was accepted, the person with care may have identified the absent parent, but because of the possible threat to the person with care, or child, the case was not pursued. In some cases, the parent with care may subsequently have named the absent parent and the Agency has pursued maintenance.

  Full assessments by amount and as a proportion of cases cleared: 1 April 1995 to 31 August 1995

  Weekly maintenance

  Full assessments (000's)

  Per cent, as a proportion of cases cleared

  £0 to £2.352

  20.7

  16.08 per cent.

  £2.36 to £4.99

  0.5

  0.39 per cent.

  £5 to £9.99

  0.9

  0.70 per cent.

  £10 to £19.99

  2.7

  2.10 per cent.

  £20 to £29.99

  3.3

  2.56 per cent.

  £30 to £39.99

  3.5

  2.72 per cent.

  £40 to £49.99

  3.8

  2.95 per cent.

  £50 to £59.99

  3.4

  2.64 per cent.

  £60 to £69.99

  2.5

  1.94 per cent.

  £70 to £79.99

  2.5

  1.94 per cent.

  £80 or more

  2.4

  1.86 per cent.

  Total

  146.0

  35.73 per cent.

  Notes

  1 Data extracted from a 5 per cent. sample of cases. As a result, total differs slightly from that recorded by clerical system (44,357).

  2 Includes absent parents on income support.
  813
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was(a) the total staff employed by the Department of Social Security's liable relatives unit at the time of its abolition, (b) the total staff currently employed by the Child Support Agency, (c) the average amount of maintenance collected per employee by the Department of Social Security's liable relatives unit in the last year of its operation, weighted for 1995 prices and (d) the average amount of maintenance collected per employee by the Child Support Agency in the last year. [37600]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 23 October 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security concerning the Child Support Agency and the Liable Relatives Unit.
  You asked for a comparison of the average amount of maintenance collected per employee between the DSS Liable Relative Unit in its last year of operation, and the CSA. I am afraid that it is not possible to provide information in this form. We do not know how much maintenance was paid direct between parents during the operation of the Liable Relative Unit, and other Department of Social Security staff were involved in the work (e.g. on finance, visiting and training) who were not in the Unit itself. As far as this Agency is concerned, our staff are solely responsible for all child maintenance work, but by no means all of them are directly involved in maintenance collection duties.
  Such comparisons between the two systems are misleading, as the nature and organisation of the work the Agency does has greatly changed in comparison with the previous system.
  As at 31 March 1995, the CSA employed 6,393 staff. During the 1994/95 year the Agency was involved in the payment of over £187 million in maintenance collected for Child Support assessment.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many former income support claimants were lifted off this benefit due to maintenance paid by the Child Support Agency in each month since January 1994. [37601]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 20 October 1995:
  I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State concerning the number of former income support recipients who no longer receive income support as a result of maintenance payments.
  Since January 1994, almost 11,800 claimants have ceased to claim Income Support because the maintenance assessment exceeded the amount of Income Support in payment. A table showing the monthly breakdown is attached.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Number of claimants

  1994

  January

  643

  February

  491

  March

  1,191

  April

  614

  May

  403

  June

  905

  July

  1,378

  August

  655

  814

  Number of claimants

  September

  560

  October

  451

  November

  975

  December

  552

  1994 total

  8,818

  1995

  January

  546

  February

  628

  March

  511

  April

  317

  May

  265

  June

  212

  July

  219

  August

  241

  1995 total

  2,939

  1994–95 total

  11,757

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will give an account for the cases investigated by the Child Support Agency under the requirement to co-operate which are not explained by good cause accepted, absent parent named or reduced benefit directive imposed; [37602]

  (2) how many cases were investigated by the Child Support Agency during 1994–95 under the requirement to co-operate; and if he will provide a month-by-month breakdown showing in how many cases good cause was accepted, in how many a reduced benefit directive was imposed and in how many the absent parent was named; [37604]

  (3) if he will provide an explanation of the cases investigated by the Child Support Agency under the requirement to co-operate which are not accounted for by good cause accepted, absent parent named or a reduced benefit directive; and if he will provide a breakdown of these statistics. [37605]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 25 October 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security concerning parents with care and the requirement to co-operate with the Child Support Agency in arranging maintenance.
  You asked for a monthly breakdown of the outcome of requirement to co-operate investigations completed during 1994/95 and details of such investigations. The attached table shows the information requested.
  Of the 38,573 cases where good cause was not accepted, a reduced benefit direction was appropriate in 17,451 cases. In the remaining 21,122 cases, either the Child Support Officer, having had regard for the welfare of the parent with care or any children living with her, decided that a reduced benefit direction was not appropriate, or the parent with care later chose to co-operate with the Agency.
  I hope this is helpful.
  815

  Requirement to Co-operate Decisions 1994–95

  Month

  Good cause accepted

  Absent parent named

  Good cause not accepted

  Reduced benefit direction issued

  Investigations completed

  April

  3,335

  1,073

  2,705

  205

  7,113

  May

  3,915

  1,191

  2,904

  258

  8,010

  June

  4,018

  1,200

  3,071

  892

  8,289

  July

  3,682

  944

  2,831

  1,143

  7,457

  August

  3,636

  864

  3,306

  1,726

  7,806

  September

  3,187

  792

  2,545

  2,846

  6,524

  October

  3,006

  844

  2,449

  3,791

  6,299

  November

  3,465

  937

  3,554

  2,969

  7,956

  December

  2,269

  609

  2,854

  1,285

  5,732

  January

  3,177

  770

  4,399

  973

  8,346

  February

  3,839

  958

  3,699

  922

  8,496

  March

  4,137

  993

  4,256

  441

  9,386

  Total

  41,666

  11,175

  38,573

  17,451

  91,414

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many complaints have been received by the Child Support Agency in each month since its launch. [37603]

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

  Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 25 October 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security on the number of complaints the Child Support Agency has received since its launch.
  From the launch of the Agency in April 1993 to August 1995, over 52,500 written complaints have been received by the Agency. Monthly figures are available from April 1994, and are shown in the table attached.
  Many of these complaints are from persons who are opposed to the legislation but not actually affected by it. The number of letters received that contain complaints specifically about the Agency's performance is not separately identified, but it is considerably less than the overall figure shown above.
  I hope this is helpful.

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  April

  1,465

  3,025

  May

  1,984

  2,481

  June

  1,881

  3,113

  July

  1,992

  2,281

  August

  Monthly

  1,131

  3,160

  September

  breakdown

  2,536

  —

  October

  unavailable

  2,579

  —

  November

  3,070

  —

  December

  2,458

  —

  January

  1,483

  —

  February

  3,121

  —

  March

  3,948

  —

  Total

  10,846

  27,648

  14,060

  Benefit Uprating
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will(a) list, for each benefit which is not being uprated and each capital or income limit which is not being raised, the reasons for not doing so and (b) list
  816
  the current value of each such benefit or limit and the value that would have resulted from increasing it in line with prices and average earnings since it was (i) last increased or (ii) introduced when announcing benefit rates for 1996–97. [39660]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available. Details of the benefit uprating from April 1996 will be released as part of the Budget.

  Appeal Tribunals
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the current rates of remuneration of chairpersons and members of(a) social security, (b) medical, (c) disability and (d) child support tribunals. [39658]

  Mr. Burt
  The available information is in the table. Members of social security and child support appeal tribunals are not paid but can claim loss of earnings.

  Position

  Appeal tribunal

  Daily rate £

  Chairman

  All

  250

  Medical member

  Medical

  228

  Medical member

  Disability

  186

  Lay member

  Disability

  115

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the combined value of(a) child dependency increase and child benefit for the child of a widow and (b) children's allowance and child benefit for the child of a war widow at current and April 1995 prices and as a percentage of average earnings, in November 1979 and at each subsequent uprating date. [39654]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information is in the tables:
  817

  Table 1: Widows benefit

  Uprating date

  Rate of Child Benefit plus child dependency increase for first child£

  Gross adult weekly average earnings £

  As a percentage of gross adult weekly average earnings

  Equivalent value of benefit at April 1995 prices£

  November 1979

  11.10

  100.60

  11.0

  27.45

  November 1980

  12.25

  120.20

  10.2

  26.27

  November 1981

  12.95

  132.40

  9.8

  24.80

  November 1982

  13.80

  142.40

  9.7

  24.87

  November 1983

  14.10

  156.70

  9.0

  24.24

  November 1984

  14.50

  167.00

  8.7

  23.75

  November 1985

  15.05

  178.70

  8.4

  23.38

  July 1986

  15.15

  189.10

  8.0

  23.15

  April 1987

  15.30

  198.90

  7.7

  22.39

  April 1988

  15.65

  218.40

  7.2

  22.04

  April 1989

  16.20

  239.70

  6.8

  21.12

  April 1990

  16.90

  263.10

  6.4

  20.13

  April 1991

  17.95

  284.70

  6.3

  20.09

  October 1991

  18.95

  294.70

  6.4

  20.90

  April 1992

  19.40

  304.60

  6.4

  20.83

  April 1993

  19.80

  316.90

  6.2

  20.98

  April 1994

  20.00

  325.70

  6.1

  20.67

  April 1995

  20.25

  336.30

  6.0

  20.25

  Table 2: Widows benefit

  Uprating date

  Rate of Child Benefit plus child dependency increase forsubsequentchildren£

  Gross adultweeklyaverageearnings£

  As a percentage of gross adult weekly average earning

  Equivalent value of benefit at April 1995prices£

  April 1991

  17.95

  284.70

  6.3

  20.09

  October 1991

  18.20

  294.70

  6.2

  20.07

  April 1992

  18.65

  304.60

  6.1

  20.02

  April 1993

  19.05

  316.90

  6.0

  20.19

  April 1994

  19.25

  325.70

  5.9

  19.89

  April 1995

  19.50

  336.30

  5.8

  19.50

  Notes:

  1. Gross adult weekly earnings have bee n rounded to the nearest 10p.

  2. From October 1991 the combined rate of child benefit and child dependency increases for the first child and subsequent children diverged. Table 4 reflects the rate in payment for subsequent children from that point.

  Table 3: War widows benefit

  Uprating date

  Rate of Child Benefit plus child dependency increase for first child£

  Gross adultweeklyaverageearnings£

  As a percentage of gross adult weekly average earnings

  Equivalent value of benefit at April 1995prices£

  November 1979

  14.00

  100.60

  13.9

  34.62

  November 1980

  15.35

  120.20

  12.8

  32.92

  November 1981

  16.10

  132.40

  12.2

  30.84

  November 1982

  17.10

  142.40

  12.0

  30.82

  November 1983

  17.45

  156.70

  11.1

  30.00

  November 1984

  17.90

  167.00

  10.7

  29.32

  November 1985

  18.55

  178.70

  10.4

  28.82

  July 1986

  18.65

  189.10

  9.9

  28.50

  April 1987

  18.85

  198.90

  9.5

  27.59

  April 1988

  19.25

  218.40

  8.8

  27.11

  April 1989

  19.85

  239.70

  8.3

  25.88

  818

  Table 3: War widows benefit

  Uprating date

  Rate of Child Benefit plus child dependency increase for first child£

  Gross adultweeklyaverageearnings£

  As a percentage of gross adult weekly average earnings

  Equivalent value of benefit atApril'1995prices£

  April 1990

  20.65

  263.10

  7.8

  24.60

  April 1991

  21.90

  284.70

  7.7

  24.52

  October 1991

  22.90

  294.70

  7.8

  25.26

  April 1992

  23.40

  304.60

  7.7

  25.12

  April 1993

  23.85

  316.90

  7.5

  25.27

  April 1994

  24.10

  325.70

  7.4

  24.90

  April 1995

  24.40

  336.30

  7.3

  24.40

  Table 4: War widows Benefit

  Uprating date

  Rate of Child Benefit plus child dependency increase forsubsequentchildren£

  Gross adultweeklyaverageearnings£

  As a percent, of gross adult weekly average earning

  Equivalent value of benefit at April 1995prices£

  April 1991

  21.90

  284.70

  7.7

  24.52

  October 1991

  22.15

  294.70

  7.5

  24.43

  April 1992

  22.65

  304.60

  7.4

  24.31

  April 1993

  23.10

  316.90

  7.3

  24.48

  April 1994

  23.35

  325.70

  7.2

  24.13

  April 1995

  23.65

  336.30

  7.0

  23.65

  Notes:

  1. Gross adult weekly earnings have been rounded to the nearest 10p.

  2. From October 1991 the combined rate of child benefit and child dependency increases for the first child and subsequent children diverged. Table 2 reflects the rate in payment for subsequent children from that point.

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the effect on an early leaver's pension rights if his period of employment was too short to qualify for a pension under the employer's pension scheme and the employer fails to pay a contributions equivalent premium within the prescribed time limit. [39659]

  Mr. Heald
  A contributions equivalent premium is payable to the state if someone leaves a contracted-out salary-related occupational pension scheme before state pension age with less than two years' pensionable service with his employer. Payment of a CEP means that the employee's rights under the state earnings-related pension scheme are restored as if he had not been in contracted-out employment. Where a CEP is not paid within the prescribed time limit the employer's pension scheme remains liable to provide a guaranteed minimum pension and is notified accordingly by the Contributions Agency. There is no liability to pay a CEP which does not exceed £17.00. In this situation, the amount payable is treated as having been paid and the earner's SERPS rights restored as if he had not been in contracted-out employment.
  819

  Income Support
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the annual change in the amount of income support payable to a single pensioner with savings of £5,000, £8,000 or £8,100 in 1995–96 if the capital limits had been raised since 1986 in line with(a) prices and (b) average earnings. [39656]

  Mr. Rogers Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. However, we are able to give figures showing the change in the amount of tariff income brought to account, as a result of the capital limits being uprated by(a) the retail prices index and (b) average earnings since 1988. The estimated changes in tariff income are set out in the table:

  Amount of capital held £

  Change in tariff income under capital limits uprated by (a) prices £

  Change in tariff income under capital limits uprated by (b) earnings £

  5,000

  5

  7

  8,000

  5

  7

  8,100

  16

  14

  Notes:

  1. The capital limits of £3,000 and £6,000 have been uprated by (a) the retail prices index, and (b) average earnings from 1988 to 1995–96 prices, and not 1986. The question has been answered in this form because income support was not in place until 1988. No account has been taken of governmental increases to the limits since 1988.

  2. For cases on income support with capital held below the current upper limit of £8,000 the change in their weekly tariff income is equivalent to the gain in income support.

  3. Those with capital of £8,100 might become entitled to income support under the upper capital limit, depending upon their underlying entitlement to income support, reduced by the tariff income indicated in the table.

  Name

  Constituency

  Date answered

  Hansard reference

  Mr. Mark Robinson

  Somerton and Frome

  19 June

  Vol. 262 col. 16

  Mr. John Battle

  Leeds West

  27 June

  Vol. 262 col. 584

  Mr. John Battle

  Leeds West

  27 June

  Vol. 262 col. 584

  Ms Jean Corston

  Bristol East

  18 July

  Vol. 263 col. 1089–90

  Ms Jean Corston

  Bristol East

  18 July

  Vol. 263 col. 1089–90

  Ms Jean Corston

  Bristol East

  18 July

  Vol. 263 col. 1091–94

  Mr. John McAllion

  Dundee East

  19 July

  Vol. 263 col. 1484–85

  820

  Widow's Benefit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what change in the £1,000 widow's payment would be required in April 1996 in order to restore it to its value in relation to(a) prices and (b) average earnings in 1985. [39655]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available in the format requested. Since 1988, benefit upratings have been based on movement in the retail prices index over the preceding September to September period. Data on earnings growth in the period September 1994 to September 1995 are not yet available. If the widow's payment had been uprated in line with prices since December 1985, it would be £1,584.65 at April 1996.

  Notes:

  1. Figures rounded to nearest 5 pence.

  2. The retail prices index (all items) up to September 1995 as published by the Central Statistical Office had been used for prices uprating.

  Households Below Average Income
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he intends to publish any amendment to "Households Below Average Income: a statistical analysis 1979–1992/93". [40237]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  I have today placed in the Library of the House an addendum to the publication "Households Below Average Income: a statistical analysis 1979–1992/93" published on 2 June 1995. This sets out the minor corrections necessary in a number of places in the document, as a result of two data errors. Both errors are well within the margins of error which were set out in the original publication.

  I have written to the hon. Members correcting replies to parliamentary questions based on the incorrect data. Details of these parliamentary questions are in the table.

  Legal Education and Conduct: Report of Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee
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  Electricity Consumption in Wales
  Electricity Consumption in Wales
  Berkshire: Local Government Structure
  Berkshire: Local Government Structure
  Satellite Dish Sizes
  Satellite Dish Sizes
  University Air Squadrons
  University Air Squadrons
  Queen's University (Belfast) Air Squadron
  Queen's University (Belfast) Air Squadron
  MoD Hospital Units
  MoD Hospital Units
  Prisoners: PPG Testing
  Prisoners: PPG Testing
  Imprisonment for Fine Default
  Imprisonment for Fine Default
  Parkhurst Prison Board of Visitors: Vacancies
  Parkhurst Prison Board of Visitors: Vacancies
  Mental Health Act Detainees Released under Supervision
  Mental Health Act Detainees Released under Supervision
  Adoptions: Reduction in Numbers
  Adoptions: Reduction in Numbers
  Prescription Charges Equalisation
  Prescription Charges Equalisation
  Mental Illness Hospitals: In-Patients
  Mental Illness Hospitals: In-Patients
  Mr. John Smeaton
  Mr. John Smeaton
  UN Population Award Laureates
  UN Population Award Laureates