Written Answers of 27 October 1995

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Aid Budget
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [39083]

  Mr. Hanley
  Since 1 September 1995, FCO Ministers have received over 1,000 letters from members of the public and over 800 letters from hon. Members and non-governmental organisations about the size of the overseas aid budget. This far exceeds the number received during the same period in 1994.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Grant-giving funds
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what grant-giving funds his Department is responsible, requiring a private sector contribution, where the use of national lottery funds is not allowed to count towards that private sector portion. [38603]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is not responsible for any grant-giving funds.

  The chief executives of the Court Service and of the Public Trust Office will write to the hon. Member on the matters for which they have responsibility.

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Chris Smith, dated 24 October 1995:
  PQ 95/807: GRANT-GIVING FUNDS REQUIRING PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRIBUTION
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your question about grant-giving funds requiring a private sector contribution.
  The Court Service is not responsible for any organisations or bodies that award grants. This question will be answered in detail by the Secretary of State for the Department of National Heritage.

  Letter from Julia C. Lomas to Mr. Chris Smith, dated 24 October 1995:
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to you as part of the Lord Chancellor's Department's response to your Parliamentary Question, listed on 19 October 1995, regarding grant-giving funds requiring a private sector contribution.
  The Public Trust Office is not responsible for any grant-giving funds.
  822

DEFENCE

  Pay Delegation
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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 headquarters 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. [38284]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Ministry of Defence delegation plan in respect of pay for non-industrial staff breaks the Department down into three groupings—first, those agencies that already hold delegated pay authority for non-industrial staff; secondly those agencies planning to assume such authority from 1 April 1996 and thirdly, the main core Department, including non-departmental public bodies, agencies and candidate agencies which have not yet assumed their own delegations.

  The figures in parts (a) of the answer include figures for industrial staff for completeness although responsibility for negotiating the pay of these staff was accepted by the Ministry of Defence as a whole in 1994 and a number of agencies and other organisations within the Department have since assumed delegated responsibilities for their pay. Figures for non-industrial staff exclude staff who will form part of the new senior civil service to be formed on 1 April 1996.

  Trade union recognition and negotiating machinery are in respect of non-industrial staff representation only.

  1. Those agencies already holding delegated authority for non-industrial staff are as follows:

  MET OFFICE

  (a)

  Non-Industrial staff—2,250.5

  (Industrial staff—23)

  (b)

  Unions recognised—IPMS, NUCPS, CPSA

  Negotiating Machinery—Single table "Met Office Pay Negotiating Forum"

  SERVICE CHILDRENS SCHOOLS (NORTH WEST EUROPE)

  (a)

  UK domiciled Teachers—633

  Professional Support staff—29

  Administrative grades—14

  (b)

  For teachers:

  Unions recognised—NUT, NASUWT, ATL, NAHT, SHA, PAT

  Negotiating Machinery—Single table bargaining

  For Support and Admin staff:

  Unions recognised—FDA, NUCPS, IPMS, CPSA, AEP, NAIA

  Negotiating Machinery—Single table bargaining

  DERA

  This agency, previously DRA, was expanded on I April 1995. Figures for non DRA staff therefore reflect those joining the expanded DERA who will only be covered by DERA bargaininhg arrangements from April 1996 onwards.

  823

  (a)

  Non-Industrial Staff—7,431 DRA 1,629 Non-DRA

  (Industrial Staff—1,131 DRA 1,221 Non-DRA)

  (b)

  Unions recognised—IPMS, NUCPS, CPSA

  Bargaining Machinery—Single table bargaining

  2. Those agencies planning to assume delegated authority from 1 April 1996 are:

  HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE

  (a)

  Non-Industrial Staff—754

  (Industrial Staff—35)

  (b)

  Proposed TU recognition—IPMS, NUCPS, CPSA, FDA, Retired Officers Association (ROA)

  Proposed Negotiating Machinery—Single table bargaining

  RAF MAINTENANCE GROUP

  This agency plans to take partial delegation to be applied in one area only, that is No 16 Maintenance Unit, RAF Stafford. Details refer to this unit only, therefore, and not to the whole agency, the remainder of which is subsumed into the final part of this Answer covering the remainder of the Department.

  (a)

  Non-Industrial Staff—269.5

  (Industrial Staff—432)

  Service personnel—648 (not affected by delegation)

  (b)

  Proposed TU recognition—CPSA, NUCPS, IPMS

  Proposed Negotiating Machinery—To be discussed with TUs

  3. The remainder of the Ministry of Defence—that is, the core headquarters and those non-departmental public bodies, agencies and candidate agencies who have not yet accepted pay delegation—is made up as follows:

  (a)

  Non-Industrial Staff—64,244—Core Department

  —19,733—Agencies

  —9,431.5—Candidate Agencies

  —1,176—NDPBs

  (Total Industrial Staff—35,678)

  (b)

  Proposed TU Recognition—CPSA, NUCPS, IPMS, FDA, Retired Officers Association (ROA), MOD Staff Association (MODSA), Defence Police Federation.

  Proposed Negotiating Machinery—Arrangements for 1996 under discussion with TUs. Long term arrangements to be developed in the light of Departmental pay and grading review now under way.

  Cash and Operating Costs Limits
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the class I cash limits and Defence operating costs limit for 1995–96. [40629]

  Mr. Soames
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the following changes will be made:824

  Class I cash limits

  £000s

  Vote

  Current cash limit

  Change

  Revised cash limit

  1

  10,616,956

  180,000

  10,796,956

  3

  6,145,325

  -180,000

  5,965,325

  These changes allow for increased expenditure on class I, vote I to reflect revised expectations of receipts from the planned sale of married quarters. The increase will be offset by lower expenditure on class I, vote 3 and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure. There is no change to the block Defence cash limit.

  As a result, the Ministry of Defence operating costs limit will be increased by 180 million from £16,587,218,000 to £16,767,218,000.

  Indonesia (Aircraft Exports)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Hawk 100s, and how many Hawk 200s, are to be delivered to Indonesia under current arrangements; and when deliveries will start. [37710]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Details of the commercial arrangement for the supply of 24 Hawk aircraft are confidential between the supplier and the customer.

  Compensation Claims
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has paid in compensation claims in each of the last five years. [37777]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 19 October 1995]: The amounts are as follows:

  £ million

  Financial year

  Amount paid

  1990–91

  16

  1991–92

  14

  1992–93

  16

  1993–94

  19

  1994–95

  57

  1 Includes compensation expenditure relating to service women dismissed on grounds of pregnancy (£5 million in 1993–94 and £35 million in 1994–95).

  RAF Chivenor
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 3 May 1995,Official Report, column 525, what was the number of sorties flown from RAF Chivenor as part of its own training task, in addition to those sorties originating from RAF Valley, during the last two weeks of weapons task training from RAF Chivenor. [36961]

  Mr. Soames
  None.
  825

ENVIRONMENT

  Local Education Authorities (Grants)
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of each local education authority's budget is covered by central Government grant. [38330]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The information has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Local Government Finance
  Sir Peter Hordern
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the amount of revenue support grant paid to West Sussex county council in each of the last five years to the latest convenient date, indicating the percentage movement in each year. [38581]

  Mr. Curry
  The available information is as follows:

  West Sussex county councill

  RSG paid into general fund £

  Percentage movement from previous year

  1993–94

  126,131,000

  Not available1

  1994–95

  153,329,000

  21.56

  1995–96

  142,811,000

  (6.86)

  Note:

  1Before 1993–94, the revenue support grant was paid into the constituent districts' collection funds.

  Source:

  Revenue account returns (RA95 and RA96).

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the amount top sliced for area cost adjustment as a percentage of standard spending assessment for each financial year since 1988–89. [38917]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The total of the area cost adjustment is not pre-determined as a top slice from the total of standard spending assessments. It is determined principally from the differentials in earning.

  The contribution of the area cost adjustment factor in the standard spending assessment was given in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton, (Mrs. Winterton) on 20 October 1995, Official Report, columns 383–84. Standard spending assessments were not introduced until 1990–91.

  Eland House
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding progress on the refurbishment of Eland house. [38896]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Eland house is currently being constructed by Land Securities, which expects to be able to hand over the building within the next three weeks.

  Fitting-out works for Department of the Environment occupation will commence shortly thereafter.
  826

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what methods English Nature uses to calculate the numbers of sites of special scientific interest damaged in England each year. [39241]

  Mr. Clappison
  English Nature's fourth annual report, a copy of which is in the Library, sets out its methods. The report also confirms that the categories of damage to SSSIs in England are based on the "Common Standards for Monitoring" report by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (1993).

  Abandoned Mine Workings (Pollution)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps are being taken to monitor(a) mine water pollution and (b) methane emissions from abandoned mine workings in South Yorkshire. [39033]

  Mr. Clappison
  The answers are as follows:

  (a) Mine Water pollution

  The Coal Authority monitors mine water levels at 11 sites in south Yorkshire, and the National Rivers Authority monitors mine water discharges. The two authorities are working together closely, in the light of results from monitoring, to develop a clearer understanding of the mine water situation in the area and a strategy for the prevention of future problems.

  (b) Methane emissions

  The Coal Authority carries out regular monitoring for methane at 15 sites in south Yorkshire. It is also working with Rotherham and Barnsley borough councils to monitor and address methane problems in these areas.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list all test bore holes sunk in south Yorkshire in each year since 1990 to monitor mine water flows. [39034]

  Mr. Clappison
  Neither the National Rivers Authority nor the Coal Authority is aware of any test bore holes sunk in south Yorkshire since 1990 specifically for the monitoring of mine water flows. However, a number of mine shafts and boreholes sunk for other purposes in the past are used by the Coal Authority to monitor the mine water situation.

  Major Fires (Reports)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment if he will seek a meeting with the chief inspector of HM factory inspectorate on the matter of liaison between HMFI and the fire brigade in preparing reports on major fires at installations covered by the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations, with regard to restrictions placed on fire service personnel in respect of disclosure of information received in the course of duty, to outside bodies. [39261]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  I am satisfied with liaison arrangements between the Health and Safety Executive's factory inspectorate and fire brigades in respect of incidents at major hazard sites and have no plans to meet HM chief inspector of factories to discuss this matter.
  827
  Disclosure of information received by fire service personnel in the course of duty is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, pursuant to his answer of 18 April,Official Report, column 29, what information he has about the source of the drums containing radioactive uranium waste found at Chelveston in January; and if he will make a statement. [40164]

  Mr. Clappison
  Investigations by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution are still under way, hut arc now nearing completion.

  Mr. Robert Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has yet discovered the source of the depleted uranium found at Poplar farm, Chelveston on 13 January; and what action he has taken against the land owner, the source of the material and the carrier of the material. [40217]

  Mr. Clappison
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) earlier today.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment (1) what has been the response of the Cabinet Environment Committee to the findings of the House of Lords Select Committee on Sustainable Development in paragraph 6.31 of its recent report, HL 72; and whether the Committee had integrated environmental concerns with energy policy; [38204]

  (2) what is his response to the recommendations in paragraph 6.15 of the report from the House of Lords Select Committee on Sustainable Development, HL 72, that there should be a clear and prompt re-statement of the functions and purposes of the Government's own internal integrating mechanisms. [38205]

  Mr. Clappison
  The Government published their full response to the Lords Select Committee Report on Sustainable Development (HL 72) on Thursday 12 October as Cm 3018. Paragraphs 66 to 68 of the response set out the position on the Energy Saving Trust—paragraph 6.31 of the report. Paragraphs 81 to 84 of the response restate the functions and purposes of the Government's own internal integrating mechanisms.

  Cable Laying (Damage to Trees)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment what representations and evidence he has received on the damage done to trees by cable television companies; and what action he is taking. [38206]

  Mr. Clappison
  In the light of widespread public concern about the effects on tree roots of cable and utility companies trenching activities, guidelines to help minimise damage were published by the National Joint Utilities Group in April. To help inform a review of the guidelines, after six months' experience of their operation, the Government have invited local authorities in particular to submit comments on how well the guidelines are working by the end of October.
  828

  HSE Offshore Safety Division
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are employed with the Health and Safety Executives offshore safety division in Scotland on(a) a full-time and (b) a part-time basis. [39665]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  At 1 April 1995, 116 full-time staff and six part-time staff were employed in the Health and Safety Executive's offshore safety division in Scotland.

  Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to change his Department's cash and running costs limits for 1995–96. [40637]

  Mr. Gummer
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the following cash limit changes will he made.

  The cash limit for class VII, vote 1 (housing and construction, England), covering sections B, C, D and G of that vote, will be increased by £425,000 from £111,990,000 to £112,415,000. This change reflects a transfer of provision from the Department of Social Security in respect of additional rent officer service costs arising from housing benefit changes.

  The cash limits for regeneration, and countryside and wildlife, will be increased by £12,283,000 from £1,482,233,000 to £1,494,516,000. The changes reflect the payment of £12,033,000 on capital projects which slipped from previous years for the city challenge programme within the single regeneration budget, the docklands light railway, Central Manchester development corporation, Plymouth development corporation, coalfield areas fund and the Victoria arena, Manchester. The increase is covered in full by take up of part of the entitlement to capital end year flexibility announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on July 13, 1995—Official Report, columns 776–82. A transfer of £250,000 from the Department of Health in respect of urban programme payments also is necessary following an excess transfer in the main estimates.

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

  The Department of the Environment/European Regional Development Fund cash limit will be increased by £9,000,000 from £184,219,000 to £193,219,000 through the take-up of part of the entitlement to end year flexibility on the DOE Regeneration, and Countryside and Wildlife cash limit announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on July 13, 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82. Of this, £3,000,000 is for supplementary credit approvals for local authority capital projects and £6,000,000 for other payments.

  The cash limit for class VII, vote 3—Environmental Protection and Water—will be reduced by £91,000 from £311,535,000 to £311,444,000. The change reflects a transfer of provision for storage and distribution of energy efficiency publicity materials to vote 5 and a token

  829
  supplementary estimate to take on expenditure on pneumoconiosis compensation and awareness of workplace health issues from class V, vote 1 as a result of machinery of government changes.

  The cash limit for class VII, vote 5 (Administration) will be increased by £91,000 from £226,009,000 to £226,100,000 to reflect the transfer of Energy Efficiency Office provision from class VII, vote 3 (Environmental Protection and Water) for the storage costs of publicity material. In addition, the Department will receive payment of £543,000 from class V, vote 1 (Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services) in respect of staff and other support costs relating to liaison with the Health and Safety Executive, which is offset by an equivalent increase to running costs.

  Overall, the Department's gross running costs limit will be increased by £634,000 from £228,220,000 to £228,854,000.

  Following the announcement on 5 July of the creation of the new Department for Education and Employment and the consequent machinery of government changes, the Department of the Environment is now responsible for class V, vote 3 (Health and Safety Commission—previously entitled Health and Safety Commission and Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service). To effect this change in responsibility, a token increase of £1,000 is sought for this cash-limited vote.

  The cash limit for class VII, vote 6 (Office for Water Services) will be increased by £819,000 from £8,146,000 to £8,965,000 in order to take-up end year flexibility on running costs, announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on July 13, 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82.

  All increases will be offset by savings or charged to the reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will reconsider the policy of claiming rent back from the landlord, as opposed to the tenant, in cases where the tenant has received housing benefit subsequent to acquiring a job. [39267]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  I have been asked to reply.

  The circumstances in which local authorities seek recovery of overpaid housing benefit are varied. Regulations are sufficiently flexible to enable authorities to exercise discretion in doing this and they are encouraged to exercise this discretion fairly. Authorities cannot recover overpaid housing benefit from landlords if the benefit has been paid to the claimant. Recovery may, however, be made from the landlord if the benefit has been paid directly to him, although local authorities are required to make landlords aware that they may be liable. to repay any overpayment before any such direct payment arrangement is introduced. There are no current plans to change these arrangements.
  830

PRIME MINISTER

  Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Mr. Sumberg
  To ask the Prime Minister if there are any proposals to change the 1995–96 cash limit or running costs limit for the Cabinet Office: Other Service vote. [40635]

  The Prime Minister
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for the Cabinet Office: Other Services (class XIX, vote 1) will be increased by £2,999,000 from £37,749,000 to £40,748,000. At the same time the running costs limit will be increased by £2,772,000 from £40,895,000 to £43,667,000.

  The increases reflect the residual transfer of running costs provision for central services previously funded by Her Majesty's Treasury: administration (class XVII, vote 1) (£272,000) following the machinery of government changes announced on 16 December 1994.

  The vote is eligible for an increase of £2,747,000 in respect of end-year flexibility for running costs expenditure as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 15 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82. The supplementary estimate gives effect to £1,500,000 of this increase.

  The vote is also eligible for a cash limit increase of £1,227,000 in respect of end year flexibility arrangements for capital expenditure as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 14 July 1995, Official Report, column 776–82. This supplementary estimate gives effect to the increase.

  Some £1,000,000 will be transferred from capital into running costs.

  All the increases are either offset by inter-departmental transfers or have been charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Public Appointments (South Yorkshire)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Attorney-General 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. [39538]

  The Attorney-General
  There are none.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which his Office 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 [39428]

  The Attorney-General
  There are none.

  Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on whether the CPS and the SFO should become executive agencies. [40585]
  831
  The Attorney-General
  I announced on 6 December 1993 that consideration was to be given to whether the CPS and the SFO should become executive agencies under the Government's next steps initiative. Following a prior options study by an interdepartmental group, I announced on 22 September 1995 that I had concluded that it would not be right to restructure either the CPS or the SFO as an executive agency. The special character of the CPS and the SFO as independent prosecuting authorities and their well-established relationship with me as Attorney-General, which is enshrined in the statutory concept of superintendence, are best maintained by retaining their present status.

  However, both organisations will be introducing the principles of next steps, such as clarity of objectives, the determining of suitable performance targets, and the delegation of management responsibilities. These principles will provide the basis for further improvement in the management of the work of the CPS and the SFO in line with the approach set out in the recent civil service White Papers. Work to bring this about is under way.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Nursery Voucher Scheme
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the implications of the introduction of the proposed nursery voucher scheme for the local management of schools formula. [38159]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department is considering the implications of the nursery voucher for LMS schemes. However, since LMS schemes vary, the implications will be different for each scheme.

  Child Care
  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the evaluation of the out-of-school child care grant will be published. [38741]

  Mrs. Gillan
  I hope to publish the report during the winter.

  Ms Armstrong
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her intention with regard to future support for school-age child care; and if she will make it her policy to continue actively to support school age child care and enable local and national agencies to do the same. [38742]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Any decision on future support for school age child care will be based on a full assessment of our current out-of-school child care initiative, including costs and benefits, and on wider Government policy for public expenditure.

  Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Mr. Riddick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what changes will be made to the cash limits or running costs limits of her Department for 1995–96. [40638].

  Mrs. Gillian Shephard
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the supplementary estimate the following changes will be made:832
  The cash limit for class V, vote 1—Department for Education and Employment: Employment programmes and central services—will be increased by £853,000 from £2,121,711,000 to £2,122,564,000.
  The cash limit for class V, vote 2—Department for Education and Employment: Employment Service—will be reduced by £848,000 from £907,800,000 to £906,952,000.
  The cash limit for class V, vote 1—Department for Education and Employment: Schools, research and miscellaneous services—will be increased by £12,639,000 from £722,844,000 to £735,483,000.
  The cash limit for class X, vote 2—Department for Education and Employment: higher and further education and student support—will be increased by £185,000 from £5,908,377,000 to £5,908,522,000.
  The cash limit for class X, vote 3—Department for Education and Employment: administration—will be reduced by £45,000 from £340,000 to £90,295,000.
  The running costs limit for class V, vote 1 will be £294,401,000, the running costs limit for class V, vote 2 will be £1,023,060,000, the running costs limit for class X, vote 3 will be £86,455,000. Therefore, the overall running costs for the Department for Education and Employment will be £1,403,916,000.

  The cash limit increase on class V, vote 1 is as a result of a net transfer from the Employment Service to the Department for Education and Employment in respect of personnel functions and premises costs.

  The cash limit reduction on class V, vote 2 is as a result of a net transfer of £887,000 to the Department for Education and Employment in respect of personnel functions and premises costs. This decrease is offset by a net transfer of £5,000 from the Welsh Office, class XV, vote 3, in respect of the accommodation costs of an office in Lampeter and a net transfer of £34,000 from class V, vote 2 in respect of manual giro reconciliation work.

  The increase on class X, vote 1 is in respect of the take up of the capital end-year flexibility entitlement of £1,796,000 announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82, and provision of £10,900,000 for specialist schools which was within the Department's cash plans but held outside the vote until further information on the participating schools was available. This increase is offset by a contribution of £57,000 from the Welsh Office towards the funding of the special needs tribunal.

  The cash limit on class X, vote 2 is to be increased by £185,000 to provide for an increase of that amount to the Higher Education Funding Council to cover the costs of students attending diploma in social work conversion courses as part of the probation officer training. This increase is offset by a reduction in the cash limit of class VIII, vote 1.

  The cash limit for class X, vote 3, will be reduced from £90,340,000 to £90,295,000 to reflect the transfer of £45,000 to the Privy Council, class XIX, vote 3, to support the running costs of its central drugs co-ordination unit.

  The running costs limit reduction is a result of transfer of provision to DTI (Class VI, vote 1), of to DoE (Class VII, vote 5) and of to CSO (class XVII, vote 12) as part of the machinery of government change, and as a result of a transfer of £45,000 to the Privy Council (class XIX, vote 3).
  833
  There will be an increase of £2,100,000 in the non-voted cash limit DFEE/LACAP for local authority capital for specialist schools. That amount was within the Department's cash plans but not added to the cash limit until further information on the participating schools was available. The local authority capital cash limit will be increased from £44,798,000 to £46,898,000.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Export Promotion Services, North-West
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of export promotion services in the north-west. [39607]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  All companies in the north-west have access to the full range of Government export promotion services. This support includes:

  access to national network of export development and export promoters with specific country experience;

  generic and specific export market intelligence;

  identify potential overseas business partners;

  on-the ground help in overseas markets;

  award schemes to encourage good export practice.

  Complementary services are available through local chambers of commerce and other private sector organisations. Export services are increasingly accessible through business links as the network expands throughout the region.

  Industrial Death and Retirement Fund
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what occasions(a) the National Coal Board and (b) the British Coal Corporation have identified the industrial death and retirement fund separately within their annual report and statement of accounts; what interest has accrued on the assets of the industrial death and retirement fund since 7 June; what is the protected level of benefit to be paid from the fund in (i) 1996 and (ii) 2000; and on what occasions (1) the National Coal Board and (2) the British Coal Corporation had a liability to pay benefit if there were insufficient money in the fund. [40098]

  Mr. Page
  This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation and I have asked the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to ensure that businesses consuming less than 100 Kw of electricity per annum enjoy similar refunds to those which have been negotiated for domestic consumers of electricity. [39965]

  Mr. Eggar
  The regional electricity companies have agreed that, subject to the listing of the National Grid becoming effective, each of their domestic customers will received a discount of £50, inclusive of VAT.

  Electricity prices have fallen by an average of 6.5 per cent. in real terms since vesting to commercial and industrial customers. All customers will benefit from the further reductions in the pipeline thanks to the new
  834
  distribution price control, the reduction of the fossil fuel levy when the nuclear industry is privatised and lower generation and supply costs.

  Export Licences
  Mr. David Nicholson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of export licences are processed by his Department(a) in less than two weeks, (b) from two weeks to one month and (c) longer than two months; and what representations he has received over delays in processing. [39263]

  Mr. Nelson
  The code of practice of the Export Control Organisation commits the ECO to aim to process licence applications within certain time scales.Where an application has to be sent to other Departments for advice, to achieve completion within 20 working days ("circulated cases");
  Where the application does not have to be circulated, to achieve completion within 10 working days ("non-circulated cases").

  These targets are based on the exporter having supplied all the necessary information in support of the application, the details of which are readily available both in the ECO's notes for guidance and other awareness material. Statistics are kept to monitor performance against these targets. The compilation of other, ad hoc, statistics would involve a search of individual licence records which would divert valuable resources away from the essential task of processing export licence applications.

  Performance against the targets in the last three years are as follows:

  Circulate Cases Percentage

  Non-circulated cases Percentage

  1992

  67

  68

  1993

  61

  56

  1994

  68

  69

  However, the performance in respect of cases requiring consultation with other Departments—about three-quarters of the total—has fallen in recent months, dropping to an average of 49 per cent. Ministers and senior officials have received some representations from exporters on the matter, both directly and via hon. Members. There have been a number of reasons. The discovery of circumstances where export controls seem to have failed in the past has sharpened even further the need to ensure that such controls are properly enforced. The staff in the licensing units have been reminded that while industry can expect that applications are dealt with expeditiously, there remains a need to ensure that all export licence applications are properly supported by the necessary documentation and other information. Many delays are caused by proper documentation not having been provided. In parallel with this, long-planned introduction of improved system and procedures designed, among other things, to ensure proper rigour in the consideration of applications, has tended to lengthen the process.

  I am mindful of the need to process applications as expeditiously and thoroughly as possible. Every effort is being made to do so.
  835

  Departmental Work
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the work of his Department since 1990. [38076]

  Mr. Lang
  Throughout this period, the work of the Department of Trade and Industry has been to help United Kingdom business compete successfully at home and abroad. Since machinery of government changes in July 1995, the DTI 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.

  The DTI's activities and achievements since 1990 have included:
  a continuing dialogue to identify business needs and ensure that these are taken into account by Government and within the European Union;
  a leading role in the Government's effort to enhance the UK's international competitiveness, described in detail in two White Papers "Competitiveness: Helping Business to Win" in 1994 and "Competitiveness: Forging Ahead" in 1995;
  the promotion of trade liberalisation world-wide. The UK played a major part in the successful conclusion in December 1993 of the Uruguay round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the subsequent establishment of the World Trade Organisation. Estimates from GATT/WTO suggest that potential gains in world income from implementation of the Uruguay round will build to $510 billion in the year 2005 and in each subsequent year. As the world's fifth largest trading nation, the UK is set to be one of the largest beneficiaries;
  export promotion activities directed at ensuring that UK business is able to take full advantage of overseas market opportunities;
  the promotion of UK business interests in an expanding EU. The DTI has taken a leading role in the negotiation of market-opening legislation, for example in the insurance and telecommunications sectors, and in maximising the business benefit from the EU;
  widening choice and stimulating enterprise by promoting competition and privatisation. For example, liberalisation of the telecommunications market has provided a steadily growing range of new services. Some 100 new licences have been issued since the ending of' the BT/Mercury duopoly in domestic services in 1991. Over 4 million homes are now passed by cable companies. Prices have fallen for business and domestic consumers. British Telecom's main prices have fallen by over 35 per cent. since privatisation in 1984;
  development and delivery of a wide range of programmes to support business, including programmes to promote innovation; to foster small firms, and to respond flexibly to the needs of different regions and areas with special difficulties. A network of business links has been established which bring together all the most important local sources of help for business, particularly small firms;
  policies directed to ensuring that the nation's energy needs are met cost-effectively. Privatisation and liberalisation of energy markets have brought clear benefits. Average industrial gas prices have fallen by about 25 per cent. in real terms in the last five years, and industrial electricity prices by 6 per cent. Competition for supply in the domestic sector will not begin. until 1998, but prices have already fallen by 13 per cent. in real terms for gas and by 6 per cent. for electricity (excluding VAT in both causes). Further reductions are expected as full competition begins;
  836
  encouraging inward investment from all over the world. The Invest in Britain Bureau, funded by the DTI, acts as a single point of contact in the UK for potential investors, and markets the UK abroad as an investment location. The UK attracts the highest share of Japanese and US investment in the EU;
  maintaining confidence in markets by fair, proportionate and effective regulation. The DTI's regulatory responsibilities include competition policy; consumer affairs; company investigations; insurance regulation; management of the radio spectrum; telecommunications regulation and offshore exploration licences.

  A detailed account of the work of my Department has been published annually since 1990 as part of the White Paper on the Government's Expenditure Plans:

  Command Number

  1990

  The Government's Expenditure Plans

  Cm 1504 of

  1991–92 to 1993–94

  February 1991

  Trade and Industry

  1991

  The Government's Expenditure Plans

  Cm 1904 of

  1992–93 to 1994–95

  February 1992

  Trade and Industry

  1992

  The Government's Expenditure Plans

  Cm 2204 of

  1993–94 to 1995–96

  February 1993

  Trade and Industry

  1993

  Trade and Industry 1994.

  Cm 2504 of

  The Government's Expenditure Plans

  March 1994

  1994–95 to 1996–97

  1994

  Trade and Industry 1995.

  Cm 2804 of

  The Government's Expenditure Plans

  March 1995

  1995–96 to 1997–98

  March 1995

  These reports have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Martyn Gregory
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the result of the writ issued by Mr. Martyn Gregory received by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [38716]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The matter was settled on 28 July 1995 when the Department apologised to Mr. Gregory in open court and agreed to make a payment of £55,000 to him in respect of both damages and his legal costs. It was made clear that while it had not been its intention to question Mr. Gregory's integrity, the Department did not accept allegations of Government connivance contained in his television programme' and was satisfied that no contravention of export controls had occurred in respect of such matters.

  Mobile Telephone Equipment
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the number and types of(a) analogue a(b) digital mobile cellnet telephone stations or part equipments which have been stolen or lost in (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) Europe and (iii) elsewhere, if these incidents have occurred (1) at the manufacturer's premises, (2) in transport or (3) at proposed or operational

  837
  sites; and what software relevant to mobile cellnet telephones has been lost, stolen or mislaid. [40143]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  This information is not held by my Department. These are matters for the enforcement authorities, the telecommunications operators and the manufacturers concerned.

  British Geological Survey (Petroleum Division)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people are employed by the British Geological Survey's petroleum division in Scotland on(a) a full-time and (b) a part-time basis. [39667]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  Petroleum activities within BGS are carried out within the survey's petroleum geology, geophysics, and offshore surveys division. In Scotland, 51 full-time personnel who are Edinburgh-based undertake work that relates directly and indirectly to petroleum.

  Technology Foresight Programme
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much additional money has been made available from his Department's budget for projects under the technology foresight programme. [38869]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  In announcements made earlier this year, additional funds were made availble to underpin foresight dissemination and implementation as follows:£3 millons to take forward foresight through the LINK mechanism:
  A £40 millions foresight challenge fund spread over the next three years, all of which would be matched by industry;
  £70 millions, spread over the next four years, for the rest of DTI to support innovation and foresight, part of which would be matched by industry.

  Including matching sums from industry this package is worth approximately £170 million.

  Export Licence Applications
  Mr. Byers
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade who ordered the destruction of the records of export licence applications for goods on the military list made during the years(a) 1980, (b) 1981, (c) 1982, (d) 1983, and (e) 1984. [39285]

  Mr. Nelson
  [holding answer 25 October 1995]: The public records, Board of Trade eighth schedule, submitted to both Houses of Parliament in June 1950, gave notice in the disposal schedule for all export licence application papers to be automatically destroyed after six years. The Public Records Act 1958 removed the need to comply with this schedule, but the then Board of Trade continued to follow the practice of destruction after six years. This continued until July 1991 when it was decided not to destroy any existing application papers. That practice has continued to date.

  Temazepam
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to impose upper limits on the(a) manufacture, (b) import and (c) export of the drug Temazepam based upon the current and projected levels of required legitimate use within the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [39191]
  838
  Mr. Maclen
  I have been asked to reply.

  None. Additional controls to prevent diversion from the legitimate trade in Temazepam, including import and export licences, will shortly be introduced.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Organophosphate Products
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department proposes setting up training programmes for those using organophosphate products for the control of cattle warbles, and if he will make a statement. [38690]

  Mrs. Browning
  My Department has no plans for setting up such a course. The National Proficiency Test Council already offers a certificate of competence in the safe use and handling of veterinary medicines. This covers the safe use and proper disposal of all veterinary medicines. A copy of a leaflet about the certificate is being placed in the Library of the House.

  Common Agricultural Policy Budget
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the draft CAP budget expenditure published by the EU for 1996; what is the legal limit of such expenditure; and what was the actual expenditure in each of the past 10 years. [37631]

  Mr. Baldry
  [pursuant to his reply, 20 October 1995, Official Report, c.408]: The 1996 draft budget for common agricultural policy expenditure has been set at the level of the guideline—the legally binding ceiling on CAP expenditure—of 40,828 million ecu or £34,069 million. Initial indicators are that 1995 expenditure will be about 35,000 mecu—about £28,000 million—some 3,000 mecu—£2,418 million—below the guideline. Expenditure in 1994 was 32,970 mecu—£25,264 million—some 3,495 mecu—£2,678 million—below the guideline. Details of expenditure on the common agricultural policys in previous years are contained in the annual financial reports on the European agricultural guidance and guarantee fund, guarantee section, copies of which have been deposited in the Library of the House. The latest available report relates to 1993.

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

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class III, vote 4 (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: departmental research, advisory services and administration, executive agencies and certain other services) will be increased by £8,338,000 from £322,070,000 to £330,408,000. The vote 4 supplementary estimate will give effect to the end year flexibility entitlement of £6,778,000 for running costs and £60,000 for capital announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995,Official Report, columns 776–82. The supplementary estimate also reflects a £3,000,000

  839
  reduction in appropriations in aid and a £1,500,000 reduction in running costs for the Meat Hygiene Service due to transitional relief given to fresh meat plants.

  The Intervention Board executive agency is eligible for an increase of £2,791,000 in respect of end year flexibility arrangements for running costs expenditure. At this stage it is proposed to take up £1,266,000 of this entitlement and increase the agency's running costs limit from £32,400,000 to £33,666,000.

  Agriculture Council
  Mrs. Currie
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Luxembourg on 24 and 25 October; and if he will make a statement. [40632]

  Mr. Douglas Hogg
  The Council adopted by qualified majority an amended Commission proposal enabling member states to pay national aids, under defined conditions, to farmers who had experienced considerable income losses as a result of significant currency depreciation in other member states. The original proposal was opposed by the United Kingdom, Italy and Sweden—comprising 24 votes—which meant it could not be adopted if a member state invoked the Council decision reflecting the agreement reached at Ioannina in Greece on 27 March 1994. I invoked this decision, thereby requiring the Council to seek a basis for agreement involving at least 65 votes, that is with fewer than 23 votes opposing or abstaining. As a consequence of this, the proposal was amended, in particular to require aid payments to be reduced or cancelled if currency depreciations were subsequently reversed. Although this was a significant and welcome improvement, it went less far than I would have liked. I therefore abstained on the vote. Italy voted against and Sweden in favour.

  The Council also discussed reform of the rice regime and held a first discussion of the Commission's proposal to reform the fruit and vegetables regime. On the latter, I welcomed the proposed steps towards reducing the role of intervention and urged the Council to commit itself to eventual abolition of intervention in this sector. I stressed the importance of focusing support on a wider range of organisations than the narrowly defined traditional producer co-operatives proposed by the Commission.

  Under other business, I expressed concern about the Commission's decision to reduce malt exports refunds and effectively shorten the period for which export certificates were valid. Several other Ministers supported. The Commissioner undertook to reflect and if necessary adjust the measures in the light of experience.

  I also pressed the Commission to retain provision for guaranteed set-aside, so that the important environmental benefits of these arrangements could be preserved. I argued that any proposal setting limits of nitrate in lettuce must reflect the scientific advice. I drew attention to the lack of any health risk to UK consumers, the need to promote consumption of vegetables and the devastating effect which unduly restrictive rules would have on the UK glasshouse industry. I therefore argued that there was no justification for the setting of such limits.
  840

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for changes to the 1995–96 cash limits within his responsibilities. [40680]

  Mr. Howard
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class VIII, vote 1 (Home Office administration, police, probation and other services, England and Wales) will be increased by £3,419,000 from £4,436,657,000 to £4,440,076,000. The increase is the net effect of: a transfer £38,000—running costs—from the Department of Environment in respect of section 11 grant administration; a transfer of £250,000 from the Welsh Office in respect of expenditure related to police force reorganisation in the Rhymney valley; a reduction of £1,160,000 in the local authority non-voted HO/LACAP cash limit from £116,333,000 to £115,265,000 for the development of the national probation service information systems strategy and police information technology; a transfer from offender programmes of £275,000 to the Department for Educationa and Employment and Welsh Office in respect of additional cost of places for Home Office sponsored students; a transfer from equal opportunities and general of £4,000—running costs—to the Department of Environment in respect of transfer of responsibility for countryside byelaws; the take-up of £250,000 from the reserve—running costs—for special constables; and the take up of £2,000,000 from the reserve for temporary protection for war victims from former Yugoslavia. There is also a diminution of police and probation capital grants by £1,740,000.

  In consequence of these changes, the Home Office gross running cost limit will increased by £284,000 from £1,740,331,000 to £1,740,615,000.

  The increase will be offset by savings, transfers or charges to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Amusement Machines
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to present to the Deregulation Select Committee proposals under the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963 relating to amusement machines with cash prizes. [39976]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  We hope to present a draft order containing our proposals shortly.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next expects to meet the Lord Chief Justice; and what issues he will seek to discuss with him. [39756]

  Mr. Maclean
  My right hon. and learned Friend meets the Lord Chief Justice from time to time to discuss issues of mutual concern. The next such meeting has not yet been arranged.
  841

  Dorset Police (Expenditure)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been(a) the increase in Government funding for the police in Dorset and (b) the inflation rate since (i) 1979 and (ii) 1990; and if he will make a statement. [38971]

  Mr. Maclean
  Expenditure on the police in Dorset has increased since 1978–79 by 515 per cent. and since 1989–90 by 46 per cent. Estimated rates of inflation over the periods in question are:

  (i) 1978–79 to 1995–96: 200 per cent.

  (ii) 1989–90 to 1995–96: 29 per cent.

  Women's Refuges
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his policy on the provision of after-care services for women leaving refuges; which services are being provided with national coverage; and what funding has been made for after-care services for women leaving refuges in each of the last five years and the current financial year; [38464]

  (2) how many women are taken care of by women's refuges; and what estimates he has made of the extent of unmet need. [38470]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from my right hon. Friends at the Departments of Health and of the Environment that the information requested is not currently available. Consideration is, however, being given by the official and ministerial groups on domestic violence to improving the collection of data on the range of services and facilities available to those suffering from the consequences of domestic violence.

  Departmental Work
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work of his Department since 1990. [38075]

  Mr. Howard
  A wide range of actions have been taken:

  to strengthen the police service in England and Wales;

  to tackle crime through legislation, crime prevention, action on juvenile crime, and improving the efficiency of the probation service;

  to enable the Prison Service to meet the demands on it;

  to improve immigration control;

  to develop co-operation with other European Union members.

  The police service in England and Wales has undergone a major programme of reform since 1990. The main vehicle for the reforms is the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994. Its aim is to bring up to date the management, organisation and funding of the police service. The Act also introduced reforms to promote effective police performance and increase local accountability. It set up new free-standing police authorities which now include independent members. I have given up detailed controls over police staffing numbers and capital expenditure, and within cash limits it is now for police authorities and chief constables to decide how to spend their money. I set key objectives for policing in England and Wales to focus on major public concerns. Police authorities are required to consult the local community about the priorities for policing in their
  842
  area, and to report back each year on how their force has performed. Police rank structure and remuneration have been revised and adapted to support the new structures.

  A Metropolitan police committee consisting of a chairman and 11 members was established this year to advise and support me in my role as police authority for the Metropolitan police.

  The number of police officers in England and Wales increased to 127,222 in March 1995, and the service is expected to grow by a further 500 officers this year. The number of officers of constable rank in the service has increased by 1,825 since 1990. Additional funding will be provided to enable chief constables to recruit an additional 5,000 officers over the next three years. Action has been taken to reduce administrative burdens on the police to free police time for core duties, and since 1990 some 3,500 officers have been released for operational duties through civilianisation.

  A new police national computer has been installed to deal with increasing numbers of transactions. It was enhanced in May this year by the launch of Phoenix, the criminal justice record service, giving the police instant computer access to the national collection of criminal records. The police national network, a state of the art telecommunications highway of the police service, has been set up and the first ever national strategy for police information systems adopted.

  The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 provided for the setting up of a computerised database of DNA samples taken from persons charged or reported for a recordable offence. The database went live in April 1995.

  The Criminal Justice Acts 1991 and 1993 strengthened the range and effectiveness of community penalties and provided a new statutory framework for sentencing. Courts are able to take into account previous convictions when passing sentence, and to impose longer sentences where necessary to protect the public from dangerous offenders. Powers have been introduced to enable unduly lenient sentences to be reviewed and increased. Maximum penalties have been increased for many offences including causing death by dangerous or drink driving, possession or distribution of prohibited weapons and making obscene or malicious telephone calls. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 contained a wide range of measures designed to tackle crime and protect the public, including restrictions on bail and allowing the courts to draw inferences from the silence of defendants in certain circumstances. Comprehensive national standards for the supervision of offenders in the community by probation and social services in England and Wales were introduced in 1992 and revised in 1995. A Green Paper "Strengthening Punishment in the Community" was published in March 1995 proposing that sentencers should have greater choice and flexibility in community sentencing, through the creation of a single, integrated community sentence. Separate programmes of action have also been taken to develop, implement and co-ordinate policies for tackling drugs misuse and domestic violence.

  Legislation has also been passed to enable the United Kingdom to participate more effectively in international co-operation against crime; to combat money laundering and confiscate the proceeds of crime; to ratify the United

  843
  Nations convention against the illicit traffic in drugs; to improve extradition arrangements within the European Union and between our Council of Europe partners.

  Legislation has been passed to strengthen the law on obscenity, child pornography and video classification and to provide measures for dealing more quickly and effectively with squatters; to deal with so called "joyriders"; to improve the efficiency of the magistrates courts; to strengthen the powers of the Courts of Appeal in England and in Wales; to establish a Criminal Cases Review Commission to investigate and refer possible miscarriages of justice to the courts; and to give courts jurisdiction over offences of murder, manslaughter or culpable homicide committed as violations of the laws and customs of war in Germany or German-occupied territory, during the second world war, by those who at the time of their offences were not British, but who subsequently became citizens or residents in the United Kingdom. A bill has also been introduced to pave the way for a new scheme for compensating the blameless victims of crimes of violence.

  There have been important developments in crime prevention. In 1993, the Home Office issued a practical guide to crime prevention for local partnerships which helps local communities to develop their own strategies for tackling crime. In September 1994, the Government launched the partners against crime campaign to increase the contribution of individuals in the fight against crime through membership of neighbourhood watch and the special constabulary. In September 1995, I announced a new grant fund for the special constabulary to help forces to increase their numbers of special constables.

  The Government have encouraged the greater use of closed circuit television in the prevention and detection of crime. In 1994–95, £5 million in Government money levered in a further £13.8 million to fund over 100 new CCTV schemes across the country. In October 1995, the Government announced further financial support for CCTV schemes to provide 10,000 new cameras over three years.

  In October 1995, I announced the establishment of a national crime prevention agency to bring together the key bodies in the promotion of crime prevention.

  Steps have been taken to combat juvenile crime. Legislation has been passed to give the courts wider powers to deal with serious and persistent juvenile offenders, including provision for a new secure training order which will be available for 12 to 14-year-olds who persistently offend. Action is in hand to establish five secure training centres in which those sentenced to the order will serve the first half of their sentence. We have also acted to stop the inappropriate use of cautioning. In October 1995, I announced plans to set up a ministerial group on juveniles to consider ways of strengthening measures to prevent those children who are most at risk of offending from becoming involved in crime.

  An efficiency scrutiny of probation service in-house training began in 1991 has been completed and implemented, and new arrangements for qualifying training and the recruitment of probation officers were announced this year. A major efficiency programme, backed by the introduction in 1994 of key performance indicators and the establishment of a national information
  844
  system strategy, is on-going and will produce significant cash savings while maintaining a high quality of service delivery.

  In addition, action has been taken to secure better co-operation among all criminal justice agencies and the legal professions. Acting on the recommendations of the Woolf report into the prison disturbances in 1990, the Criminal Justice Consultative Council was established in January 1992 and 24 local area criminal justice liaison committees some months later.

  In the Prison Service, the largest new prisons building programme this century has continued with 13 new prisons opening since 1990. Competition has been introduced as a stimulus to better performance in the Prison Service, with four prisons now being operated by the private sector. The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 put industrial relations in the Prison Service on a new footing by clarifying the legal position of prison officers and governors under employment law, confirming that these groups of staff have the same employment rights as other crown servants, while also confirming that it is illegal for them to be induced to take industrial action. The Act also allows for associated changes to be made to pay determination arrangements for the staff affected.

  Since the Prison Service became an executive agency on April 1993, it has reduced the rate of escapes by 76 per cent., ended the practice of holding three prisoners in cells designed for less than that number; provided 24-hour access to sanitation for 95 per cent. of prisoners; and increased the amount of purposeful activity being undertaken by prisoners. A new system of release on temporary licence which came into force on 25 April 1995 has reduced temporary release failures by over 75 per cent. compared with the same period last year. A programme of mandatory drug testing in prisons and a new national framework of incentives and earned privileges, linking incentives to prisoners' behaviour, have both been introduced during 1995.

  There have been a number of important improvements to the immigration control. The Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993 has enable the average decision time for the asylum applications to be halved; further proposals for dealing with undeserving applications will be announced shortly.

  The extension of visa regimes to nationals of a number of countries, the development of Carriers' Liability Act procedures, the increase in forgery detection rates and the introduction of a computerised suspect index have all strengthened the control. Revised shift patterns and the introduction of service standards at ports of entry have enabled the Immigration Service to cope with significant increases in both casework and passenger arrivals which rose from 47 million in 1990 to 63 million in 1994. Since November 1993, some 240 additional places have been provided in purpose-built accommodation for immigration detainees and a further 125 places will shortly be made available at a new centre at Gatwick.

  Since 1990, close co-operation has continued with our partners in the European Union in tackling a range of common problems in the area of justice and home affairs. Before 1992, such work took place in a number of working groups such as those on immigration, the Trevi groups on police co-operation, the European committee to

  845
  combat drugs and the judicial co-operation working group. This work resulted in a significant body of agreements and, particularly in the areas of police and customs work, the development of highly effective procedures for operational co-operation by member states. The third pillar of the treaty on European Union, which came into force in November 1992, brought this work within a unified framework and has enabled the tradition of intergovernmental co-operation on justice and home affairs issues to continue successfully. Four major conventions have been signed, covering extradition arrangements, fraud against the Community budget, Europol and the customs information system, together with a large number of important instruments particularly in immigration and asylum policy.

  Crime Statistics
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) violent crimes and (b) sexual assaults took place against (i) men, (ii) women and (iii) in total for (1) 1993 and (2) 1994 at major railway stations and on London Underground. [37526]

  Mr. Maclean
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport on 23 October,Official Report, column 467.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he discussed the new boundaries for Northern Ireland constituencies with the

  Year

  Organisation

  Survey topic

  Consultants

  Cost consultant fees(ex VAT) £

  Civil service expenditure £

  1991

  NICS Service-Wide

  Current management practices and how they are perceived by staff

  KMPG Management Consulting

  43,530

  12,000

  1992

  Industrial Development Board (IDB)

  Internal areas of strengths and weaknesses

  PA Consulting

  13,500

  10,300

  1992

  Social Security Agency (SSA)

  Staff attitudes in relation to four key business themes of SSA

  Design Partnership

  13,900

  —

  1992

  DHSS

  Gauging staff attitudes across a wide range of Personnel Issues

  Development Partnership

  5,131

  —

  1993

  DOE

  Staff attitudes in to: communication, performance management, career development, line management, stress, organisation

  Research and Evaluation Services and Queen's University

  9,400

  5,500

  1994

  Industrial Development Board

  Internal areas of strengths and weaknesses

  PA Consulting

  9,600

  8,500

  1994

  DHSS

  Standards of service provided by Personnel management branch

  Price Waterhouse

  7,469

  —

  1994

  NICS Service-Wide

  Research into the organisational culture in the senior grades in the NICS

  KPMG Management Consulting

  25,832

  —

  846
  Southern Irish Foreign Minister, Mr. Dick Spring, on 17 October. [38576]

  Mr. Ancram
  No

  Irish and Ulster-Scots Languages
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people answered the Irish language question in the affirmative at the last census; if he will arrange that in the next census the questions on the Northern Ireland census form relating to speaking and understanding the Irish language are printed in Irish and that it will require a positive written answer in the Irish language for an adult individual or family to be counted as Irish speaking; and if he will consider a similar question for speakers of the Ulster-Scots language. [38484]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The number of people who answered the Irish language question in the affirmative at the last census was 142,003. The number and form of questions to be included in the 2001 census has not yet been determined. Those finally decided on will be as a result of consultation, testing and review. The suggestions put forward by the hon. Gentleman will be considered as part of this process. A census order including the proposed questions will be laid before Parliament in 1999.

  Staff Attitude Surveys (Civil Service)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the staff attitude surveys carried out in the Northern Ireland civil service over the last five years, the particular topic investigated, which consultants were employed and at what cost in consultants fees and civil service expenditure. [38481]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is as follows:
  847

  Year

  Organisation

  Survey topic

  Consultants

  Cost consultant fees(ex VAT) £

  Civil service expenditure £

  1995

  Child Support Agency (CSA)

  Organisation climate survey to gauge feelings of staff about structures and workings of CSA

  Research and Evalution Services

  6000

  —

  1995

  Social Security Agency (SSA)

  Research to identify the underlying causes of sick absence in the Agency

  The Industrial Society (Survey not yet completed)

  10,000

  —

  Chief Constable's Certificates
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list by district council area those apparently sectarian attacks necessitating the issue of Chief Constable's certificates, or requests for same, since 1 January 1990 made upon(a) Catholic Church property, (b) Protestant Church property, (c) state schools, (d) Catholic schools and (e) Orange halls. [38485]

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

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people pay the cost of their nursing home care(a) in full and (b) in part; and how many have their costs entirely met through (i) income support and (ii) their local authority. [40186]

  Mr. Moss
  At 31 March 1995, health and social services boards, under their community care responsibilities, were meeting the care costs of 2,822 nursing home residents.

  Information about the numbers of nursing home residents in receipt of the preserved rights rate of income support or who are self-financing is not readily available.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the cost of(a) doubling and (b) trebling the present £8,000 capital disregard for nursing home fees. [40190]

  Mr. Moss
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of people who have had to sell their homes to fund the cost of their long-term stay in(a) residential and (b) nursing homes in each of the last five years. [40178]

  Mr. Moss
  This information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average length of time a person spends in full-time nursing care. [40182].

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  848

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what telephone call rates for people living within the area served by Kingston Communications are charged when using the Child Support Agency's advice telephone service; what monitoring of these rates is conducted by his Department; and in what circumstances his Department will pay compensation for telephone users that have been charged at a higher rate than for local telephone call service. [38729]

  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 Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne dated 27 October 1995:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security on the Child Support Agency's telephone advice service.
  The Agency offers several enquiry and advice lines, and provides customers with a reduced—rate-calls service to its six Centres. All these services are provided by means of the British Telecommunications "Link-Line" facility. The numbers, all prefixed 0345, are charged at the BT local call rate. This applies to all calls no matter who the subscriber is billed by. This means that an 0345 call made in Hull is charged at the same rate as a call from anywhere else within the UK.
  I understand from Kingston Telecommunications that their local call charge is different to BT's. It may be this disparity that is causing the misunderstanding about the charges made for calls to the Agency from Hull. Although an 0345 call made in Hull costs more than a local call within the Kingston Telecommunications network, it is still cheaper than a direct dialled long distance call from Hull to any of the Agency's Centres.
  The Agency in conjunction with the Departmental Information Technology Authority constantly monitor the rates and tariffs of our telecommunications suppliers so that the maximum discounts can be achieved for our customers.
  As with all matters, the Agency will consider a compensation payment where a clear and unambiguous error by the Agency has resulted in a financial loss to a client. Each such case is decided on its own merits.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will revise the guidance given to family credit claimants in the claim form and information leaflets to ensure that they are aware of the circumstances in which delaying their claim for the purpose of obtaining pay slips or other documents will result in loss of one or more weeks' benefit. [39657]
  849
  Mr. Roger Evans
  The administration of family credit is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Flynn dated 26 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about revising the guidance given to Family Credit (FC) claimants in the claim form and information leaflets to ensure that they are aware of the circumstances in which delaying their claim for the purpose of obtaining pay slips or other documents will result in loss of one or more weeks benefit.
  Since the introduction of FC in April 1988, the claim form (FCI) has been regularly updated. The current version has been designed to take account of comments made by customers, in an annual customer Opinion Survey, regarding the guidance on the claim form about delaying their claim.
  From April 1996, the FCI will include eight separate, highlighted statements informing the customer that sending in a claim should not be delayed in order to obtain any relevant documents.
  I hope that you find this reply useful.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to decide on the legal responsibility for paying housing benefit to tenants of the Greenwich hospital. [38582]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The issue of the status of Greenwich hospital, for housing benefit purposes, is being reviewed.

  Fraud
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will relate the £1.4 billion a year cost of social security fraud he announced in July to the annual total of £558 million published by his Department in January 1994; and if he will make a statement. [39076]

  Mr. Heald
  The figure of £1.4 billion refers to the estimated annual loss to income support from fraud, indicated by the results of a survey into the extent of benefit fraud and error on income support and unemployment benefit undertaken in late 1994. These results were announced in July 1995. The figure of £558 million is the amount of fraud detected and stopped in 1992–93. The amount of fraud detected and stopped has risen to £717.6 million in 1994–95.

  Industrial Injuries
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many reduced earnings allowance claims are currently outstanding for each of the benefit offices covering the Doncaster and Mexborough postal districts; [39038]

  (2) what is the average time taken to process a PD4 claim at (a) each of the disability benefit centres covering the Doncaster and Mexborough postal districts and (b) nationally. [39039]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is not available and could be obtainable only at disproportionate cost.
  850

  Cash Limits
  Dr. Twinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to change the cash limits of his Department for 1995–96. [40211]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the cash limit for class XIII, vote 3 will be increased by £14,566,000 from £403,139,000 to £417,705,000.

  The revision takes account of the new scheme for private sector tenants from 2 January 1996 and provides for subsidies to local authorities in respect of discretionary spending on rent allowances—£2.5 million—above the maximum rent; for subsidies to housing and local authorities towards the cost of administering the housing benefit scheme and for subsidies to charging and levying authorities towards the costs of administering the council tax benefit scheme—£12,066,000.

  The increase will be charged to the reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Independent Living Fund
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for the ILF were outstanding on 1 September; and how many of these had been outstanding for more than six months. [38110]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  The information requested is not available in the format requested and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. I am informed by the director of the independent living funds that there are currently 455 applications to the independent living (1993) fund outstanding where no decision has been made. Nine of these have been waiting for more than six months.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the total number of asylum seekers receiving income support at the discounted rate of 90 per cent. for the latest available date and for the equivalent date in 1992, 1993 and 1994. [39878]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The information is set out in the table.

  Number of cases

  November 1993

  40,000

  November 1994

  42,000

  Note:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Figures for November 1992 are not available.

  3. Figures prior to November 1994 include about 2 to 3 thousand cases which, although still recorded as asylum seekers, were in fact no longer being paid at the 90 per cent. rate.

  Source:

  Income support statistics quarterly enquiries November 1993 and 1994.
  851

  National Insurance Fund
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost to the national insurance fund of allowances given in respect of private pension insurance for each of the last five years. [39879]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table.

  Paid in the year

  Contracted-out rebate

  2 per cent. Incentive

  2 per cent. Addition

  Total £ million

  1990–91

  1,462

  512

  —

  1,974

  1991–92

  1,739

  598

  —

  2,337

  1992–93

  1,897

  644

  —

  2,541

  1993–94

  2,051

  690

  —

  2,741

  1994–95

  1,719

  17

  220

  1,956

  Note:

  Figures relate to Great Britain.

  This table shows the expenditure on contracted-out rebates and incentive payments for appropriate personal pensions in each of the last five years for which published figures are available. Figures for 1994–95 are estimates.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the total subsidy paid to the national insurance fund for each of the past five years. [39880]

  Mr. Heald
  The treasury grant to the national insurance fund was £7,589 million in 1993–94 and £6,280 million in 1994–95. There was no such payment into the national insurance fund for the preceding three years.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Union Flag
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the Government's policy on flying the union flag from Government and other public buildings. [39847]

  Mr. Sproat
  The regulations for flying flags on Government buildings are issued by the Department of National Heritage in consultation with the Lord Chamberlain's Office. Under Her Majesty's command, flags are flown on 20 appointed dates. Flags may also be flown additionally by special command of Her Majesty. There are no regulations for the flying of flags on other buildings.

  Football (Financial Dishonesty)
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what discussions she has had with Government legal officers on the status of the Football Association report into financial dishonesty in football. [39795]

  Mr. Sproat
  None. This is an internal matter for the football authorities.

  Drug Testing Programme
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the annual cost of the drug testing programme run by the Sports Council. [39785]
  852
  Mr. Sproat
  In 1994–95, the Sports Council's expenditure on doping control was £819,301. In addition, the Sports Councils in Wales, in Scotland and in Northern Ireland spent a total of £87,952 on doping control.

  Sports Coaching
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans her Department has for the development of sports coaching at national level and school level. [39790]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Department of National Heritage will continue to assist in the development of sports coaching at national and school level through its funding of the GB Sports Council. In particular, the Government's sports policy statement, "Sport: Raising the Game", published on 14 July, also outlines the Sports Council's intention to spend an additional £1 million on providing opportunities for trainee and serving teachers to gain coaching qualifications.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Congdon
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what changes she proposes to make to her Department's cash limits for 1995–96. [40636]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the cash limit for class XI, vote 1 will be increased by £23,776,000 from £993,273,000 to £1,017,049,000. This is to increase provision for assets accepted in lieu of tax, for the British library St. Pancras project and for compensation payments in respect of the concessionary television licence scheme. The increase will be met partly by recovery of overpayment of compensation payments made in previous years under the concessionary television licence scheme, by a reduction in the capital provision for the Historic Royal Palaces agency, from savings on provision made for commemorations to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of world war 2, and by a charge to the reserve. The increase will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Cusworth Hall, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assistance her Department is giving to the restoration of the 18th century chapel at Cusworth hall, Doncaster; and if she will make a statement. [39073]

  Mr. Sproat
  Government funding for repairs to historic buildings is channelled, through English Heritage, which contributed £25,000 towards repairs to Cusworth hall, including its painted chapel, between 1988 and 1993. Further repairs to the chapel may be eligible for additional grant aid from English Heritage.

  Historical Building Renovation
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list, by location, buildings of historical importance that are currently being renovated in Humberside and in each of the three counties of Yorkshire; and if she will make a statement. [39001]
  853
  Mr. Sproat
  This information is not held centrally and could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. The numbers of grade I and II buildings in these counties in receipt of repairs grants from English Heritage, for instance, number in excess of 100 in 1994–95 and 1995–96 to date.

  Merchant Taylor's School, Rickmansworth
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action she is taking to save from demolition the world war pill-box attached to the grade II listed structure Great hall at Merchant Taylor's school, Rickmansworth; and if she will make a statement. [38963]

  Mr. Sproat
  None. I understand that, following an application from the owners, consent for the demolition of this grade II listed pillbox has been granted by the local planning authority, Three Rivers district council. Arrangements have been made for the structure to be recorded.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the guidelines which determine the exclusion of projects receiving lottery money from access to the public funds they would normally receive. [38346]

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) pursuant to her answer of 27 June to the hon. Member for Knowsley, North, (Mr. Howarth)Official Report, column 598, what further guidance has been issued with respect to matching national lottery awards with public funds; [39145]

  (2) what principles govern the definition of partnership funding from the public sector that is eligible to match awards of funding from the national lottery. [39122]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: The Government have always made it clear that the partnership funding required for national lottery-supported projects could come from any source. We have also made it clear that applicants for lottery support who intend to seek partnership funding from other public sector sources, be they central Government, local authority or European funds, should ensure that the scheme in question allows for other funds toward the project to come from other public sector sources. There are a number of grant schemes which are specifically designed to lever funds from non-public sector sources. Lottery proceeds are clearly public sector funds and could not, therefore, count as private sector partnership funding to such grants.

WALES

  Organophoshorus Sheep Dips
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will encourage initiatives in Wales in parallel with those of the National Farmers Union and the British Medical Association in running seminars on the hazards of organophosphorus toxicity; and if he will make a statement. [38620]
  854
  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The National Farmers Union and the British Medical Association arranged a conference earlier this year to discuss organophosphorus sheep dips. I understand that they have no plans for any further seminars on this subject. Advice on the safe handling and disposal of sheep dip is available in various forms, including a leaflet produced jointly by the Health and Safety Executive, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of the Environment. This was distributed to all farmers in the United Kingdom.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what methods the Countryside Council for Wales uses to calculate the number of sites of special scientific interest damaged in Wales each year. [39240]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The definitions used in categorising damage to sites in Wales are set out in the annual report of the Countryside Council for Wales, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Grant-Maintained Schools
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish information on the cost on the series of conferences organised by the Grant Maintained Schools Foundation for Wales for head teachers and chairs of governors on grant-maintained status between September 1995 and June 1996. [38541]

  Mr. Richards
  The cost of these seminars is a matter for the foundation.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people pay the cost of their nursing home care(a) in full and (b) in part; and how many have their costs entirely met through (i) income support or (ii) their local authority. [40184]

  Mr. Hague
  Nursing homes in Wales reported that of their 10,661 residents on 31 March 1994:

  1,845 were wholly privately supported;

  5,128 were supported in whole or in part by the Department of Social Security;

  1,322 were supported in whole or in part by both the local authority and the Department of Social Security;

  933 were supported in whole or in part by the local authority;

  45 were supported by the health authority;

  1,388 residents did not disclose their means of financial support.

  Separate figures are not collected centrally to show the proportions of fees that are met by individuals. Almost all residents placed in nursing homes by local authorities will make some contribution towards the costs from their income, such as pensions.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the cost of(a) doubling and (b) trebling the present £8,000 capital disregard for nursing home fees. [40188]

  Mr. Hague
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health.
  855
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what is his estimate of the number of people who have had to sell their homes to fund the cost of their long-term stay in(a) residential and (b) nursing homes in each of the last five years; [40176]

  (2) what is the average length of time a person spends in full time nursing care. [40180]

  Mr. Hague
  This information is not available centrally.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what percentage and how many primary school pupils were in classes of 40 or more in each local education authority in Wales and in total; and what was the actual and percentage change in numbers from January 1994 in each Welsh local education authority and in total; [39983]

  (2) what percentage and how many primary school pupils were in classes of 36 or more in each local education authority in Wales and in total; and what was the actual and percentage change in numbers from January 1994 in each Welsh local education authority and in total; [39984]

  Indicative SSA £ million

  Position at July 1995 Disaggregated budget requirement £ million

  Implied band D council tax £

  Indicative SSA £ million

  Position at October 1995 Disaggregated budget requirement £ million

  Implied band D council tax £

  Anglesey

  58.5

  59.3

  341

  59.1

  59.3

  320

  Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire

  101.0

  107.7

  466

  102.9

  107.7

  422

  Aberconwy and Colwyn

  86.9

  86.6

  300

  86.6

  85.9

  292

  Denbighshire

  76.9

  80.5

  418

  75.4

  81.4

  491

  Flintshire

  111.9

  115.4

  378

  109.7

  115.6

  426

  Wrexham

  95.8

  97.9

  371

  95.4

  97.5

  367

  Powys

  110.4

  112.8

  370

  111.4

  112.8

  348

  Cardigan

  57.7

  63.6

  561

  57.2

  63.8

  590

  Pembrokeshire

  96.9

  98.6

  369

  96.4

  98.3

  372

  Carmarthenshire

  142.9

  151.2

  473

  144.8

  151.3

  443

  Swansea

  190.3

  191.2

  324

  188.5

  191.2

  348

  Neath and Port Talbot

  115.4

  125.9

  558

  117.2

  125.9

  515

  Bridgend

  105.6

  109.5

  408

  106.2

  109.5

  392

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  93.9

  94.2

  316

  92.5

  94.2

  346

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  199.3

  214.4

  530

  202.0

  214.4

  490

  Merthyr Tydfil

  53.1

  56.2

  500

  54.2

  56.2

  435

  Caerphilly

  139.8

  145.7

  433

  140.9

  145.7

  407

  Blaenau Gwent

  61.7

  67.1

  591

  63.0

  67.1

  524

  Torfaen

  75.5

  77.3

  370

  76.0

  77.3

  351

  Monmouthshire

  62.4

  59.7

  231

  62.0

  59.7

  242

  Newport

  115.3

  111.5

  226

  114.4

  111.5

  246

  Cardiff

  243.7

  245.1

  325

  238.9

  245.1

  371

  Wales

  2,394.6

  2,471.5

  392

  2,394.6

  2,471.5

  392

  Notes:

  1. Indicative SSAs and disaggregated budgets relate to county and district services only.

  2. Estimated council tax levels include the element for police services.

  Cash Limits
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes he proposes to make to the cash limits for his Department and the office of Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools in Wales for the current financial year. [40633]
  856
  (3) what percentage and how many primary school pupils were in classes of 31 or more in each local education authority in Wales and in total; and what was the actual and percentage change in numbers from January 1994 in each Welsh local education authority and in total. [39985]

  Mr. Richards
  Information about class sizes in Wales is collected centrally only in respect of the number of classes, not the number of pupils in classes.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make available the latest 1995–96 indicative standard spending assessments and disaggregated budget figures for unitary authorities. [40631]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The figures, along with those issued by the Welsh Office on 19 July, are set out as follows. They show the funding the new authorities would have received if they had taken up their responsibilities on 1 April 1995. The figures will be discussed by the Welsh Consultative Council on Local Government Finance on 16 November.

  Mr. Hague
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, the cash limit on class XV, vote 1 will be reduced by £5,000,000 from £29,557,000 to £24,557,000; the cash limit on class XV, vote 2 will be increased by £14,481,000 from £645,453,000 to £659,934,000; the cash limit on class XV, vote 3 will be increased by £7,749,000 from
  857
  £553,941,000 to £561,690,000; the cash limit on class XV, vote 6 will be reduced by £2 million from £2,266,342,000 to £2,264,342,000 and the cash limit on class XV, vote 7 will be increased by £275,000 from £8,471,000 to £8,746,000.

  Running costs limits for the Welsh Office and the office of Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools which were not spent in 1994–95 have been carried forward under the normal end-year flexibility arrangements into 1995–96, increasing the running costs limits by £486,000 from £75,412,000 to £75,898,000 and £250,000 from £3,281,000 to £3,531,000 respectively.

  The local authority capital cash limit—WO/LACAP—will be increased by £15,019,000 from £500,514,000 to £515,533,000. The Housing for Wales cash limit WO/HFW will be increased by £2.3 million from £103,210,000 to £105,510,000.

  The decrease in the cash limit for vote 1 arises from lower forecasts of the amount required to meet claims for agricultural grants and measures.

  The increase in the cash limit for vote 2 is mainly in respect of (i) an additional £11,009,000—including £6,247,000 take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement—to meet additional demand for payments of regional selective assistance; (ii) an increase in the Welsh Development Agency's grant in aid and public dividend capital of £1,400,000 (offset by a corresponding decrease in WDA's non-voted provision); (iii) an additional £750,000 for grant maintained schools—take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement—for essential backlog maintenance.

  The increase in the cash limit for vote 3 allows mainly for the take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement for the central Government road programme—£2,288,000—the National Library of Wales—£1,700,000—and secure accommodation—£3,250,000.

  The decrease in the cash limit for vote 6 reflects mainly a reduction in the provision for shadow authorities' special grant in respect of the proportion of the grant that will not be claimed until 1996–97. Of the £2,000,000 decrease, £1,750,000 has been transferred to WO/LACAP and the remaining £259,000 has been transferred to class VIII, vote 1 as a contribution towards the costs involved in the reorganisation of police authorities in Wales.

  The increase in the cash limit for vote 7 results mainly from the take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement£250,000—and a transfer of £25,000 from class XV, vote 2 in respect of payments to the Welsh Joint Education Committee for examination data.

  The increase in the non-voted cash limit WO/LACAP comprises (i) £1,750,000 transferred from class XV, vote 6, and (ii) the take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement of £13,269,000—mainly for information technology for local government reorganisation and the strategic development scheme.

  The increase in the Housing for Wales cash limit reflects the take-up of end-year flexibility entitlement.

  None of the proposed changes will add to the planned total of public expenditure.
  858

HEALTH

  Pay Delegation
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide in respect of his plan for pay delegation submitted to the Treasury(a) a description of the staffing each bargaining unit covered by the plan, distinguishing staff in headquarters 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. [38276]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department plans to take pay delegation as a single bargaining unit. Delegation will cover all administrative and professional staff at grade 6 and below. A procedure agreement detailing arrangements for trade union recognition and for the negotiating machinery is under discussion.

  Management Costs
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the management costs(a) in cash terms and (b) as a proportion of their total income for each district health authority and each family health services authority in England in (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94 and (iii) 1994–95. [38381]

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was(a) the per capita expenditure of each (i) district health authority and (ii) family health services authority on (b) the management costs for each authority for each year since 1993–94; and what are the planned costs for the current and next financial years. [38108]

  Mr. Malone
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State shall publish information on district health authority and family health services authority costs shortly.

  North Thames Region
  Sir Michael Shersby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent to which the private finance initiative has progressed within the North Thames region; and if he will list those projects that have received outline business case approval. [38692]

  Mr. Sackville
  The private finance initiative has made good progress within the North Thames region. Projects in the North Thames region approved under the private finance initiative are available in the Library. Business cases are not dealt with centrally at the outline stage.

  District Health Commissions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by regional health authority and by name, the number of district health commissions currently in operation; what are their management statements; and what is the estimated annual cost of each one. [38979]

  Mr. Malone
  Health commissions exist only as management arrangements to promote joint working between authorities, and have not separate existence. In all cases, the statutory bodies—district health authorities and family health services authorities—remain the accountable authorities.
  859
  Details of the management structures of health authorities are not held centrally. Information on the costs of health authorities and family health services authorities will be published shortly.

  Water Charges
  Mr. Butcher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will encourage the water companies to agree universal flat rate charges for the water consumed by each hospital within a region for budgeting and hygiene purposes. [39010]

  Mr. Sackville
  No. General policy is to encourage the suppliers to relate water charges to costs incurred, including the volume of consumption, without cross-subsidy. This provides an incentive to national health service and other customers to negotiate the best available terms of supply and to ensure economies in use.

  Temazepam
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is his latest estimate of the number of people who have had one or more of their limbs amputated as a result of injecting the gel formulation of the drug Temazepam during each of the past five years; [39185]

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the number of deaths in each of the past five years which were related to the abuse of the drug Temazepam; what estimate he has made of the percentage of these which involved the gel formulation, and if he will make a statement. [39197]

  Mr. Bowis
  Because of the covert nature of its misuse, information on the precise extent to which Temazepam is misused and on the precise extent of the physical injury or damage which may result when Temazepam soft gelatin gel-filled capsules are injected is not available centrally.

  However, the scientific and medical literature record a number of limb amputations following misuse of the capsules by injection. Other serious health complications reported which can cause lasting physical damage or injury include thromboses, gangrene, ischaemia, cellulitis, tissue necrosis and abscesses.

  The number of deaths certified as due to abuse of Temazepan—ICDs1 304.1, 304.7, 304.8, 305.4, 305.9— alone or with other drugs for the years 1989–1993 in England and Wales is

  1989: 7

  1990: 12

  1991: 13

  1992: 15

  1993: 15

  British Dental Students Accepted Each Year By UK Dental Schools since 1985

  Dental Hospital

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Birmingham

  75

  76

  77

  75

  62

  65

  68

  66

  66

  68

  Bristol

  36

  47

  45

  46

  45

  49

  51

  54

  61

  62

  Cardiff

  47

  47

  46

  47

  49

  53

  55

  55

  53

  59

  Guy's UMDS

  87

  84

  84

  84

  90

  91

  86

  85

  93

  89

  King's College

  52

  61

  54

  54

  54

  56

  54

  54

  57

  59

  Leeds

  53

  53

  53

  53

  50

  53

  52

  54

  50

  52

  Liverpool

  55

  54

  53

  56

  57

  57

  52

  55

  46

  54

  The London

  55

  55

  52

  50

  53

  56

  53

  54

  61

  58

  860
  The available data do not differentiate between the different formulations of Temazepam that may be available in any one year.

  My right hon. friend the Secretary of State for Health announced on 17 October a ban on general practitioners prescribing Temazepam capsules under the national health service from 1 January 1996. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department announced on 12 September increased controls on all formulations of Temazepam under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985.

  Needles (Safe Disposal)
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision exists for the safe disposal of needles by diabetics. [39065]

  Mr. Sackville
  People with diabetes who self-administer insulin by injection within their own homes may be prescribed needle clipping devices. When full, the device should be appropriately sealed and left with the used syringes at an agreed collection point.

  Departmental Appointments South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [39448]

  Mr. Sackville
  The public appointments in South Yorkshire for which the Department is responsible, and the dates on which new appointments are due and the rates of remuneration will be placed in the Library. The appointments are made for periods of up to four years.

  Solihull Hospital
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will intervene to ensure that Solihull hospital continues as an independent hospital. [39620]

  Mr. Malone
  The provision of health services for the residents of Solihull and the decision on how and where these are provided are matters for Solihull health authority, and I refer my hon. Friend to the adjournment debate on 25 October,Official Report, columns 991–98.

  Dental Students
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many British dental students have been accepted by each dental school in the United Kingdom for each year since 1985. [38115.]

  Mr. Malone
  The information is shown in the table.
  861

  British Dental Students Accepted Each Year By UK Dental Schools since 1985

  Dental Hospital

  1985

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Manchester

  62

  60

  59

  61

  64

  59

  55

  67

  60

  67

  Newcastle

  70

  71

  67

  65

  69

  65

  63

  67

  69

  71

  Sheffield

  46

  45

  43

  41

  48

  49

  48

  46

  47

  56

  University College

  48

  47

  46

  48

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dundee

  41

  36

  47

  44

  54

  53

  54

  56

  45

  51

  Edinburgh

  40

  41

  38

  42

  41

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Glasgow

  65

  63

  65

  63

  70

  62

  69

  77

  67

  83

  Belfast

  36

  37

  35

  31

  29

  27

  26

  25

  27

  29

  Blood
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many date expired units of donated blood were destroyed at the end of August 1993, 1994 and 1995. [38098]

  Mr. Sackville
  Most National Blood Service blood centres operate a rolling programme of destruction of units of blood which have become date expired, rather than waiting until the end of the calendar month. The following figures therefore relate to the number of date expired units of donated blood destroyed throughout the month of August in the years in question: 1993—2724 units, 1994—2230 units, 1995—2668 units; this represented 1.35, 1.15, and 1.18 per cent. respectively of total units of blood collected in the previous month in each case.

  Oral Cancer
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to improve early detection of mouth cancer. [38102]

  Mr. Sackville
  The chief dental officer is chairman of the National Advisory Group on Screening for Oral Cancer, a group recently formed to co-ordinate work in the detection and prevention of oral cancers. This will enable dentists to be provided with information needed to examine the oral health of their patients more effectively.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients with mouth cancer were first seen by their dentist in each of the past 10 years prior to referral to hospital for treatment. [38103]

  Mr. Sackville
  This information is not available centrally.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the abolition of free dental check-ups on the incidence of mouth cancer patients who are referred to hospital only when the oral cancers are already large. [38104]

  Mr. Sackville
  Regular dental inspections offer ideal opportunities for dentists to check for oral cancer as a routine part of an oral examination. The latest information shows that the number of examinations is at approximately the same level as it was before the introduction of charges for examinations. Some 25 per cent. of adult courses of national health service treatment get full or partial relief from charges. All children are treated free of charge.
  862
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will institute a survey of the evidence regarding the relationship between the availability of free dental check-ups and the early detection of mouth cancer. [38105]

  Mr. Sackville
  We have no plans to do so.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to improve public education about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of mouth cancer. [38106]

  Mr. Sackville
  Oral cancer can result from smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol. Both areas are highlighted in general health education initiatives and health education. Dentists and doctors advise patients of the dangers of tobacco and alcohol.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department has provided for oral cancer work. [38109]

  Mr. Sackville
  Diagnosis of oral cancer is provided through the general and community dental services and treatment through the hospital dental service. The Department has commissioned research into oral health education.

  Dental Register
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new registrations on the dental register have been made for each year since 1985. [38111]

  Mr. Malone
  The total number added by new registrations to the dental register from 1985 is in the table.

  Registered for

  Total

  1985

  1,103

  1986

  1,036

  1987

  1,083

  1988

  1,038

  1989

  1,047

  1990

  1,206

  1991

  1,075

  1992

  1,141

  1993

  1,254

  1994

  571

  The drop in the numbers added to the register in 1994 is due to the effect of the extension in 1990 of the British dental undergraduate course from four years, one term to five year.
  863

  Queen Charlotte's Hospital
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about services for women with post-natal depression at Queen Charlotte's hospital, London; and if he will make a statement. [38114]

  Mr. Malone
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received one such letter. The post-natal depression clinic at Queen Charlotte's hospital provides a valuable consultant-led service.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people pay the cost of their nursing home care(a) in full and (b) in part; and how many have their costs entirely met through (i) income support or (ii) their local authority. [40187]

  Mr. Bowls
  Figures published by Laing and Buisson in "Care of Elderly People: Market Survey 1995" suggest that in February 1994 an estimated 41,000 elderly or physically handicapped people in nursing homes in Great Britain were "self-payers".

  The total number of nursing home residents with preserved rights to the higher levels of income support was 85,000, in November 1994, of whom around 1,000 were wholly dependent on income support.

  At 31 March 1994, local authorities in England were supporting, in whole or in part, a total of 25,200 adults in nursing homes. Some residents placed in nursing homes through arrangements made by local authorities will also receive income support. Almost all residents placed by local authorities will make some contribution towards the costs from their income such as pensions. Some residents of nursing homes have been placed there and paid for by local health authorities.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of(a) doubling and (b) trebling the present £8,000 capital disregard for nursing home fees. [40191]

  Mr. Bowls
  It would depend on the total capital disregard threshold and the rate of tariff income between that and the upper figure.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is his estiamte of the number of people who have had to sell their homes to fund the cost of their long term stay in(a) residential and (b) nursing homes in each of the last five years. [40179]

  Mr. Bowis
  No such estimate has been made.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is the average length of time a person spends in full-time nursing care. [40183]

  Mr. Bowls
  This information is not available centrally.

  Unregistered Childrens Homes
  Ms Coffey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the numbers of proprietors of unregistered children's homes, based on social services' inspectorate study published in August who had convictions relating to(a) fraud, (b) sexual abuse and (c) physical abuse. [38188]
  864
  Mr. Bowls
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: We received reports of two proprietors having convictions for fraud and one having convictions relating to sexual abuse. The homes are now closed.

  Nuclear Industry (Health of Workers)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what follow-up monitoring programmes exist in respect of the health of workers who have retired from employment in the nuclear industry. [39257]

  Mr. Eggar
  I have been asked to reply.

  The nuclear industry, including the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, British Nuclear Fuels plc and Nuclear Electric, carry out or commission epidemiological studies of their current and former, including retired, employees. Through these programmes, data are assembled on the mortality record of the current and past workforce. Detailed mortality studies using this data undertaken by independent researchers have been published. These compare overall mortality, and mortality from individual diseases, between radiation workers, including those who have left the industry, and both non-radiation workers and the general public.

  Employers in the nuclear industry also contribute data to the National Registry for Radiation Workers operated by the National Radiological Protection Board. A first analysis of the data held on the NRRW covering more than 95,000 nuclear industry employees and former employees in the UK has been published. This showed that deaths from all causes amongst these employees and former employees were 85 per cent. of those expected from national statistics for the general population, while deaths from all cancers were 86 per cent. of those expected. A second analysis is expected to be carried out in the near future. In addition, data on the mortality record of workers in the UK nuclear industry have been included in a study published by the International Agency for Research into Cancer which studies the health of nuclear industry workers in a number of countries.

TREASURY

  Hourly Average Earnings
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will detail full-time and part-time hourly average earnings, inclusive and exclusive of overtime, and annual percentage increases in earnings, inclusive and exclusive of overtime, for(a) all workers formerly covered by wages councils, (b) workers formerly covered by the clothing manufacture, licensed residential and licensed restaurant, licensed non-residential, hairdressing, retail food wage councils allied trades and retail trades non-food and (c) all worker using the matched samples from the 1994 and 1995 new earnings surveys. [37608]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The new earnings survey records for 1995 are due to be combined with the database of employees formerly covered by wages councils within the next two months. Once that has been done, we shall know whether the results are statistically reliable.
  865
  I shall write to the hon. Member when this has been done.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of new jobs, created in the last year, have been taken by(a) women, (b) people with disabilities and (c) ethnic minorities. [39377]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The available information from the labour force survey shows that between spring—March to May—1994 and spring 1995 the number of people of working age in employment in Great Britain rose by 249,000. Over the same period, the number of women in employment rose by 75,000, and the number of people in employment from ethnic minorities increased by 38,000.

  The latest available information on people whose work is affected by long-term health problems or disability, shows that between winter—December to February—1993–94 and winter 1994–95, the number in employment fell by 41,000.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of new jobs, created in the last year, have been taken by people aged(a) between 16 to 19 years, (b) 19 to 25 years, (c) between 25 to 30 years, (d) over 30 years and (e) over 40 years. [39378]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The available information from the labour force survey is shown in the table following.

  Net changes in the level of employment of persons of working age Great Britain spring (March to May) 1994 to spring 1995

  Age

  Net change

  All in employment

  249,000

  16–19

  15,000

  20–24

  -101,000

  25–29

  -40,000

  30+

  374,000

  40+

  104,000

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of new jobs have been taken, in the last year, by people with(a) national vocational qualifications, (b) no qualifications, (c) first degrees and (d) other professional qualifications. [39375]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The available information from the labour force survey is shown in the table following.

  Net change in the level of employment of persons of working age, by highest qualification held in Great Britain, spring (March to May) 1994 to spring 1995

  Net change

  All in employment

  249,000

  With no qualifications

  -302,000

  Whose highest qualification is:

  First degree

  136,000

  Higher degree

  45,000

  Professional qualification

  -66,000

  Other qualification

  436,000

  866
  There was a net increase of 267,000 between spring 1994 and spring 1995 in the number of people in employment of working age in Great Britain who said they had a national vocational qualification.

  Mr. Byers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of unemployed(a) men and (b) women have (i) no qualifications, (ii) a vocational qualification, (iii) five GCSE's or equivalent, (iv) two A-levels and (v) a degree. [39775]

  Mrs. Knight
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The available information from the labour force survey is shown in the table following.

  Proportions of ILO unemployed persons of working age, by highest qualification Great Britain: spring 1995

  Percentage

  Men

  Women

  All of which

  100

  100

  No qualifications

  28

  27

  Vocational qualifications below degree level

  23

  13

  GCSE or equivalent academic qualification of which

  14

  24

  Five or more GCSE's (A-C) or equivalent

  6

  9

  A-levels or equivalent academic qualification

  5

  7

  of which two or more A levels or equivalent

  4

  4

  Degree or equivalent, or higher

  6

  6

  All other qualifications

  22

  23

  Treasury Industry Group
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed with the Treasury's industry group in Scotland on(a) a full-time basis and (b) a part-time basis. [39662]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  There is no group of this name within the Treasury.

  Tax Inspectors (Guidelines)
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the review of the guidelines for tax inspectors in respect of section 313 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. [37289]

  Mr. Jack
  I understand that representations have been made to the Inland Revenue about the application of section 313 of the Act to situations where certain undertakings are given by employees as part of a financial settlement upon termination of their employment. The Revenue are discussing these with the representative bodies concerned.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the costs in a full year of increasing the threshold for capital gains tax by(a) £1,000, (b) £2,000, (c) £3,000, (d) £4,000 and (e) £6,000; and how many people would be taken out of capital gains tax as a result of each of these measures. [39090]

  Mr. Jack
  The estimated full-year costs of increasing the indexed capital gains tax threshold by the specified amounts, and the associated reductions in taxpayer numbers, are given in the following table:
  867

  Raise CGT threshold by

  Full year cost(1996–97)£ million

  Full year cost(medium term)£ million

  £1,000

  10

  20

  £2,000

  20

  40

  £3,000

  30

  60

  £4,000

  50

  80

  £6,000

  70

  110

  Raise CGT threshold by

  Number of taxpayers taken out of tax

  £1,000

  around 10,000

  £2,000

  around 20,000

  £3,000

  25,000–30,000

  £4,000

  30,000–40,000

  £6,000

  40,000–50,000

  The estimates given take account of the likely effect of changes on the volume of disposals in a full year, caused by changes in taxpayer behaviour.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the likely revenue consequences in a full year due to(a) straightforward revenue loss and (b) behavioural effects of the introduction of a maximum rate of capital gains tax of 25 per cent. [39155]

  Mr. Jack
  The full year costs of introducing a maximum rate of capital gains tax of 25 per cent. are shown in the table. Estimates are given before and after taking into account the likely effect of changes on the volume of disposals in a full year, caused by changes in taxpayers' behaviour.

  Introducing a maximum CGT rate of 25 per cent.

  Full year cost(1996–97)£ million

  Full year cost(medium term)£ million

  Without behavioural effects

  450

  600

  With behavioural effects

  300

  450

  The figures exclude gains made by companies which are charged to corporation tax.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate for repayments of corporation tax for the year 1995–96. [39094]

  Mr. Jack
  Corporation tax repayments in 1995–96 are expected to be about £2.35 billion.

  Mortgage Interest Tax
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he consulted the Secretary of State for Social Security on the review of tax on mortgage interest. [38816]

  Mr. Jack
  I consult my right hon. Friend on all matters in which he has an interest.
  868

  Nationalised Industries
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the net effect on public expenditure of the nationalised industries in(a) 1978–79 and (b) 1994–95. [39343]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  In 1979, the nationalised industries' net cost, in terms of public expenditure, measured by their total external financing requirement, was £2.3 billion. The estimated outturn for their total EFR in 1994–95 was £2.9 billion.

  EDS
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 16 October,Official Report, column 7, when he expects to have the information requested on savings to the Inland Revenue from its contract with EDS; and if he will publish it when it is available. [39796]

  Mr. Jack
  It is expected that updated estimates of savings will be available within the next two months when publication will be considered in association with other information about the Inland Revenue's contract with EDS.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Agencies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times in each month of the current year he has met personally the heads of the agencies which report to him to discuss the work of those agencies. [39850]

  Mr. Hanley
  The FCO has two executive agencies, Wilton Park and the Natural Resources Institute. The Foreign Secretary has not met personally with the chairman of either in the current year.

  French Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department has given the inhabitants of the Pitcairn Islands in respect of the series of French nuclear tests; and if he will make a statement. [39480]

  Mr. David Davis
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 16 October 1995,Official Report, column 18.

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [39447]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the ODA are not responsible for making any public appointments in the county of South Yorkshire.
  869

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [39490]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the ODA are not responsible for making any appointments to non-departmental public bodies in the county of South Yorkshire.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will estimate(a) how many residents of the former Yugoslavia became refugees between January and between January and May. (b) how many refugees resulted from the Croatian military offensive in Krajina in May and (c) how many refugees have been created since 31 August. [39995]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The only figures available from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimate that approximately 3,300 refugees went from northern Bosnia to Croatia between January and April.

  The UNCHR estimates that approximately 11,000 refugees moved from sector west into northern Bosnia following the Croatian military offensive in May.

  In August, approximately 200,000 Croatian Serbs fled from sectors north and south and some 25,000 Bosnian Muslims left the Bihac pocket for Croatia.

  Since 31 August, approximately 127,000 Serbs have been displaced within north-west Bosnia; more than 20,000 Croat and Muslim minorities have been expelled from Banja Luka.

  Sudan
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on monitoring human rights conditions in the Sudan. [38107]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Sudanese Government are withholding permission for the UN special rapporteur and for Amnesty International to enter Sudan. Some other human rights groups have been given access. Despite some recent improvements in northern Sudan, the overall human rights situation remains grave.

  Burma
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received about human rights abuses in Burma. [38112]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have received representations about human rights abuses in Burma from a wide variety of sources including church groups, non-governmental organisations and members of the public.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the EU partners concerning the use of chemical weapons against the Karen people in Myanmar. [38113]
  870
  Mr. Hanley
  We discuss the plight of Burma's ethnic groups, including the Karen, and the human rights situation in Burma in our regular contacts with our EU partners. There have not, however, been any discussions specifically about the alleged use of chemical weapons against the Karen with our European Union partners.

  The Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment has analysed samples of equipment allegedly used to transport bacteria against the Karen. No conclusive evidence was found. We deplore any use of bacteriological and chemical weapons and are willing to consider carefully any new evidence of their use in Burma.

  Antarctic Treaty
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions have been held with other signatory states to the Antarctic treaty regarding the siting of the secretariat; and if he will make a statement; [39877]

  (2) what representations have been received from fellow signatories to the Antarctic treaty concerning the siting of the proposed secretariat: and if he will make a statement. [39881]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Grantham (Mr. Hogg) on 24 April 1995,Official Report, column 378.

  The question of the location of the Antarctic treaty secretariat is raised periodically as part of our regular bilateral meetings with other Antarctic treaty parties.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken by his Department to control tourist access to Antarctica since the passage of the Antarctica Act 1994; and if he will make a statement. [39883]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have continued to monitor the activities of all British expeditions, including tourist cruises, as required under article VII(5) of the Antarctic treaty.

  Also, the necessary steps have been taken to bring into force from 1 November the provisions of the Antarctic Act 1994, with the exception of sections 3 to 7. We have made the Antarctic Regulations 1995, which will also come into force on 1 November. These regulations provide details for the issue of permits under the Act.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Edward Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on the 25 to 26 September and 3 October meetings of the study group preparing for the intergovernmental conference. [40099]

  Mr. David Davis
  The eighth and ninth meetings of the study group took place on 25 to 26 September in Brussels and on 3 October in Luxembourg. I attended both meetings as the Foreign Secretary's representative, though I was delayed by other Government business on 25 September and was represented for part of the meeting by the head of European union department, Internal.
  871
  The 25 to 26 Septenber meeting covered topics 4 and 5 of the interim report, which deal with European citizenship and justice and home affairs.

  On citizenship, we repeated our concerns that the concept was associated in the public mind with statehood, and therefore created anxiety about the long-term evolution of the EU. Such concerns, and those related to potential duties of citizenship, did not emerge clearly enough from the chairman's interim report. We also warned against the temptation to develop citizens' rights and non-discrimination clauses in the EU treaty in a way that duplicated rights already protected in national law. We maintained our opposition to EC accession to the European convention on human rights and to the suggestion of a bill of rights in the EU treaty.

  The study group has not yet received the study which it commissioned from the Council secretariat into how the treaty might be simplified without altering its substance. The representatives from the European Parliament, however, circulated a study which the Parliament had commissioned separately, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  On justice and home affairs questions, I said that the interim report was unbalanced in its failure to acknowledge what had been achieved so far, in a very short time, in the third pillar. Britain was determined to improve the operation of the pillar, but did not believe that this would be achieved by compromising its essentially intergovernmental character.

  The 3 October meeting was concerned with the common foreign and security policy and with defence questions.

  There was some discussion of creating a CFSP Secretary-General to give impetus to the preparation and implementation of policy and to help with the growing external representational burden. I said that it was essential that any such figure was the servant of the presidency and of member states. I agreed, however, that CFSP needed a strengthened capacity for policy formulation and planning.

  On decision-making, I continued to insist on the retention of consensus in CFSP as the basic rule. Unanimous decisions gave strength to the EU, as they engaged all member states. If the CFSP ceased to be a common policy and became a majority one, it would be less effective. Would dissenters be free to pursue an independent policy? How could they be prevented from doing so?

  On defence questions, I said that the interim report was confused, and needed to be substantially revised. NATO was the essential basis of Europe's defence, and strengthening of the Western European Union/NATO relationship should be the first priority. The WEU/EU relationship was a subsidiary question. An essential element of the British approach was that the WEU should not be made subordinate to the EU, not least because not all member states were bound by article 5 of the WEU treaty.

  It would be wrong for the latter to be involved in decision-making on the so-called Petersberg tasks—peacekeeping, humanitarian missions and crisis management. Some of these would carry a risk of
  872
  escalation in which the absence of guarantees of mutual assistance between participating states would be a severe disadvantage. In addition only those bound by WEU's article V could judge whether secondary tasks could be undertaken without jeopardising their ability to fulfil their mutual defence commitments.

  Iraq
  Mr. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions the United Kingdom supplied(a) cultures and (b) chemical agents for the Iraqi biological weapons programmes between 1974 and 1990. [40096]

  Mr. David Davis
  Comprehensive information on relevant exports to Iraq is not available because many items were not subject to export licence procedures. Lists of export licences issued for Iraq between the years 1987 and 1990 were supplied to the Select Committee on Trade and Industry in November 1991.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will seek further information from the United Nations special commission on Iraq on the involvement of British companies in Iraq's(a) chemical, (b) nuclear and (c) biological warfare programmes. [40097]

  Mr. David Davis
  We are in regular communication with UNSCOM and follow up any evidence that British companies have supplied materials relevant to Iraqi programmes to acquire weapons of mass destruction.

TRANSPORT

  Oil (Dumping at Sea)
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of tankers dumping oil at sea have been recorded by his Department in the last five years; and how many incidents have resulted in the prosecution of the companies owning the tankers. [39338]

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

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Elliot Morley, dated 27 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question as the question deals with an operational matter, for which I have responsibility as Chief Executive.
  The Coastguard Agency does not record incidents of illegal discharge by vessel type. However, details of significant incidents in which the Agency's Marine Pollution Control Unit has been directly involved show that between 1990 and 1994 (53 incidents) there were 37 incidents involving tankers. Most of these related to collisions, groundings, breakdowns and machinery malfunctions, not all of which involved spilled oil. One case was successfully prosecuted for a MARPOL offence, three were referred to Flag states (outcome awaited) and two were referred for Port State Control Inspections and subsequently cleared.

  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which legislation regulates the dumping of oil at sea by tankers carrying either bilge oil or crude oil. [39336]
  873
  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Elliot Morley dated 27 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about regulations on the dumping of bilge oil or crude oil from tankers.
  The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 Annex I, (Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil), as amended by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL 73/78 Annex 1) to that Convention applies.
  The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Oil Pollution) Regulations 1983, as subsequently amended, give effect to this Convention and Protocol to United Kingdom (UK) ships, wherever they may be, and to other ships in UK waters.

  Dock Labour Force
  Mr. Parry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much was paid in 1989 to reduce the dock labour force nationally; and if he will make a statement. [38535]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: I have been asked to reply.

  Figures for payment made under employment protection legislation in 1989 are not readily available. Payments by Government and port employers in respect of redundancies of registered dock workers under the Dock Work (Compensation Payments Scheme) Regulations 1989 in the financial year 1989–90 totalled £150,077,500 nationally.

  Aircraft Procedure Trials
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the proposed reduced departure wake vortex separation trials at Heathrow airport have been the subject of a full safety audit by the Safety Regulation Group's air traffic services standards department; and if he will make a statement. [39278]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: The proposed trial is currently in the final stages of the Safety Regulation Group's approval process.

  The trial procedures have been the subject of a full audit by the air traffic services standards and the flight operations departments of SRG. A full safety assessment has been carried out by the CAA's national air traffic services.

  Mr. Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the reduced final approach separation trial conducted at Heathrow airport earlier this year had been the subject of a full safety audit by the Civil Aviation Authority Safety Regulation Group's air traffic services standards department; if all the pilots involved in the trial were aware of their participation; and what representations he has received from the airlines involved in respect of the trial. [39274]

  Mr. Norris
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: The procedures associated with this initial trial were evaluated by the air traffic services standards department of the Civil Aviation Authority's Safety Regulation Group.

  All the pilots involved were fully aware of their participation.
  874
  My Department has received no representations from the airlines involved.

  Passenger Ships (Evacuation)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which countries have registered ships carrying passengers whose vessels do not meet the international provisions of evacuation of all personnel; and if he will make a statement. [38622]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Martin Redmond, 27 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the international provisions for evacuation of all personnel from ships carrying passengers.
  Provisions for the evacuation of ships are contained in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 1974), to which 128 states are signatory. The combined fleets of these contracting states constitute approximately 98% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant fleet. Ships registered in those signatory states must comply with the provisions of the Convention. Ships registered in other states will be given no more favourable treatment by states which are party to the Convention.

  Driving Tests
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the Driving Standards Agency to clear the back log of driving test applications on the agency's credit-card booking line; and if he will make a statement. [39075]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Driving Standards Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from B. L. Herdan to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 27 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to the question you raised about the Agency's Credit Card telephone booking lines and backlogs of driving test applications.
  It is recognised that there are currently short-term problems with telephones, and also that there are longer waiting times for tests than might be desired. With respect to the credit card telephone booking service, DSA is obviously wanting to ensure that candidates are aware of the alternative methods for booking a test by Credit Card. Candidates who wish to book by credit card can do so in three ways. They can telephone the credit card line, post their applications quoting their credit card details or fax their application to the appropriate DSA Booking Office. The addresses and Credit Card telephone numbers are included on Driving test application forms obtainable from Driving Test Centres.
  Following the outcome of a Market Test the Agency is in the process of restructuring its Driving Test Booking service which has caused some temporary disruption but which in the longer term will yield a better service at lower cost. Increased use has been made of the popular Credit Card booking facility—up to 60% of business in some Booking Offices is now by telephone. Additional Credit Card facilities are being made available nationally by introducing more telephone lines, Credit Card processing machines and the recruitment of extra staff. Telephone calls to the Agency are dealt with on a queuing system and new technology systems have been procured for automated call distribution within booking offices.
  With the increased resources the Agency is devoting to the Credit Card facility, customers should receive a greatly improved service within the next 3–6 months.

  875
  With regard to test waiting times, the service standard is a 6 weeks average across the country, but this is not currently being achieved—the current average is just over 7 weeks. This is due to temporary staff shortages and a temporary rise in demand for driving tests by those seeking to pass the test before the introduction of the new theory test next July. This situation can be expected to pertain until July 1996 although the backlog will be reduced with recruitment of extra driving examiners which is currently in hand.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what percentage of people taking driving test pass after the(a) first, (b) second, (c) third, (d) fourth, (e) fifth, (f) sixth and (g) seventh and subsequent attempts. [39832]

  Mr. Norris
  This is an operational matter for the Driving Standards Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from B. L. Herdan to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 27 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the numbers of attempts people take to pass their driving test. We do not routinely collect this information as it does not directly affect the operation of the Agency.
  For consistency of testing, and in fairness to the candidate, it is preferable if the examiner is not made aware of the number of previous attempts a candidate has made at a test. The overall pass rate on driving tests in the last two financial years was:

  1993/94: 48%

  1994/95: 47%

  As part of our third Customer Survey, completed in March this year—the results of which were published in July, we asked a random sample of all our customers whether it was their first test or a repeat attempt. Of 1,187 people in the sample who had recently taken their driving test, 837 (71%) had just passed and of these passes, 252 (30%) were at the first attempt, 280 (33%) at the second, 158 (19%) at the third, 86 (10%) at the fourth, 24 (3%) at the fifth and 35 (4%) were at their sixth or subsequent attempt.

  Heathrow (US Airline Access)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the outcome of the recent talks in Washington aimed at clarifying US airline access to Heathrow. [39759]

  Mr. Norris
  A very limited and balanced deal on new transatlantic services at Heathrow and/or Gatwick was one of the items on the agenda for discussion. Despite a UK offer of four new opportunities for passenger flights to London, two at Heathrow arid two at Gatwick, the US broke off negotiations on 20 October. We stand ready to resume them as soon as the US Government wish to do so.

  Ministerial Information System
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what system his Department has corresponding to MINIS; and what arrangements are made for hon. Members to access it. [39617]

  Mr. Norris
  My Department is pursuing the 20 per cent. efficiency gains plan announced by the then Secretary of State to the House on 9 May 1994,Official Report, column 58. My Department is currently working to develop a new resource planning and management system consistent with that envisaged in the efficiency unit report: "Resource Management Systems" and meeting the plans in the White Paper: "Better Accounting for Taxpayers Money" (Cm 1929).
  876
  My Department will continue to place an annual transport report before Parliament.

  Alternative Fuels
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is he doing to promote alternatives to petrol-driven vehicles. [39768]

  Mr. Norris
  The Government are currently considering the role that alternative fuels might play in minimising road transport emissions. To that end, they are continuing to sponsor studies, including the £1.2 million collaborative field trials of alternative fuels announced last year. Results should be available in late 1996.

  Keep Right Sign
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement of progress on implementing the new regulation drafted by the Automobile Association on the use of the keep right sign. [39622]

  Mr. Norris
  We are preparing updated regulations on the signing of temporary obstructions, which will take account of the AA's proposal, and we expect to publish a draft statutory instrument for public consultation soon.

  Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to reduce the number of accidents caused by tiredness in drivers of heavy goods vehicles. [39772]

  Mr. Norris
  We have recently issued new research-based advice to drivers of all vehicles on how best to avoid the dangers of driver fatigue. We are continuing to enforce the regulations which limit driving time of HGV drivers and set minimum requirements for breaks and rest periods.

  Crossrail
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy towards the new crossrail project in London. [39794]

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney) asked for a study on several aspects of the crossrail project, including its structure and ownership under the railway privatisation arrangements, central London employment forecasts, and the advantages and disadvantages of possible small-scale alternatives to it. Ministers will be considering the results of the study when it has been completed.

  Fatal Crash, Settle
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the mechanical digger involved in the fatal road crash with a coach at Settle, North Yorkshire, on 23 August carried a current vehicle excise licence enabling it to be driven on public highways; and if he will make a statement. [39456]

  Mr. Norris
  The vehicle was appropriately licensed.
  877

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. [39471]

  Mr. Norris
  The answers are as follows.

  (1) My right hon. friend is responsible for the appointment of the north-eastern traffic commissioner and deputy traffic commissioners. The north-eastern traffic area includes the county of South Yorkshire. The present traffic commissioner was appointed in 1992, and a new appointment will be due in 2007 when the present incumbent retires. The current standard salary of a traffic commissioner is £43,836 per annum.

  (2) Three deputy traffic commissioners have been appointed to assist the north-eastern traffic commissioner. The appointments are for a fixed term of three years and are due for review in November 1996, December 1996 and April 1997 respectively. Deputy traffic commissioners are paid a daily rate of £186.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for(a) the financial year 1994–95 and (b) the estimated figures for the financial year 1995–96, for each executive agency for which he is responsible. [39497]

  Mr. Norris
  Estimated outturn for 1994–95 and plans for 1995–96 for civil service manpower and pay bill are set out in my Department's annual report (Cm 2806), copies of which are in the Libraries of the House. A breakdown by grade and individual agency could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which his Department 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. [39436]

  Mr. Norris
  The answers are as follows:

  (1) My right hon. friend is responsible for the appointment of the north-eastern traffic commissioner and his deputies whose functions as tribunals classify them as non-departmental public bodies. The north-eastern traffic area includes the county of South Yorkshire. Traffic commissioners do not have a budget but the annual administrative budget for the office which supports the north-eastern traffic commissioner and his deputies in their work is £1.18 million.

  (2) Four appointments have been made within the last four years. The present north-eastern traffic commissioner was appointed in October 1992, and deputy traffic commissioners were appointed in January 1994, April 1994 and October 1995.

  (3) My right hon. Friend is also responsible for the appointment of the chairman of the north-east rail users consultative committee, after consultation with the rail regulator.
  878
  (4) The RUCCs were set up under the Railways Act 1993. They are sponsored by the rail regulator. Budgeting for the RUCCs is managed centrally, the total provision for 1994–95 was £1.119 million. The Secretary of State has appointed one chairman to the NERUCC, in 1995.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times in each month of the current year he has met personally the heads of the agencies which report to him to discuss the work of those agencies. [39864]

  Mr. Norris
  My right hon. Friend has met the chief executive of the Highways Agency on 11 occasions to discuss matters relating to the work of the agency and the chief executive has attended departmental meetings on five occasions when my right hon. Friend has been present. He has discussed the work of the Transport Research Laboratory with its chief executive on two occasions (July and September); and on one occasions he has discussed with the relevant chief executive the work of the Driving Standards Agency (July), the Marine Safety Agency (July), the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (September) and the Coastguard Agency (September). To date, he has not discussed the work of the vehicle inspectorate or the Vehicle Certification Agency with their chief executives.

  Vehicle Pollution Levels
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which agencies are charged with controlling and enforcing vehicle pollution levels; and what assistance they receive from his Department. [39904]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department's Vehicle Certification Agency is responsible for ensuring that new motor vehicle types conform with pre-registration type approval requirements, which include the internationally agreed standards relating to emissions.

  After a vehicle has entered into service, the Department's Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency enforces emissions standards both at annual roadworthiness tests and at the roadside. The agency's own personnel carry out annual tests on heavy vehicles and also carry out compliance checks on all types of vehicle at the roadside. Annual emissions checks on light vehicles are carried out under the MOT testing scheme, which is supervised by the agency.

  The agencies' approval and testing activities are financed by fees paid by applicants although a public expenditure survey allocation is made to them each year to finance their enforcement activities.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many heavy goods vehicles were tested on emission standards as a percentage of the total in 1994; and how many of them were(a) prohibited and (b) prosecuted. [39902]

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

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 27 October 1995:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning emission standards testing of heavy goods vehicles during 1994.

  879
  Every heavy goods vehicle (HGV) is tested for emission standards at annual test. In the financial year 1994/95, the Vehicle Inspectorate tested 447,660 HGVs. Of those that failed, 1.6% failed because of excess emissions. In the same period, the Inspectorate inspected 128,116 vehicles at the roadside. All were examined at least visually for excess emissions. 16,000 were put through an instrumented check. The roadside checks resulted in the issue of 450 prohibitions for excess emissions and one prosecution.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what course of action his Department advises motorists to take if they see gross emissions from other vehicles and wish to report it in order that authorities can take appropriate action. [39895]

  Mr. Norris
  Members of the public are encouraged to report excessively smoky heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles to the Vehicle Inspectorate. The procedure for doing so is explained in detail in a leaflet we published originally in August 1993 and re-launched in March this year. I have placed copies of the up-to-date leaflet in the Library.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to allowing local authorities to stop vehicles in order to carry out emissions tests. [40059]

  Mr. Norris
  There are no plans to change the law which only permits police officers to stop vehicles. Enabling regulations could, however, be made under the provisions of section 87 of the Environment Act 1995 to permit local authorities, with police support, to carry out emissions checks on vehicles using the road. We are currently consulting with interested parties on how this might be done in practice.

  Buses
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secrtary of State for Transport what is the current trend in ownership for United Kingdom bus services. [40168]

  Mr. Norris
  Most bus services are now run by operators in the private sector. The trend is towards larger groupings although the number of operators providing local services continues to increase year on year.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the establishment of a statutory regulator for the deregulated bus industry in the United Kingdom. [40084]

  Mr. Norris
  I have no plans to establish a regulator for the bus industry.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is proposing to counter the problems caused by conflicts between bus companies. [39769]

  Mr. Norris
  The Office of Fair Trading has powers to deal with anti-competitive behaviour between bus companies, and traffic commissioners can act where operators intentionally interfere with the services of other operators or operate services in a manner dangerous to the public.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of buses are more than 12-years-old; and what was the figure in 1986. [40166]
  880
  Mr. Norris
  Of those public service vehicles in the bus taxation class having nine or more seats, 36 per cent. were 12-years-old or more at the end of 1994. The corresponding figure at the end of 1986 was 19 per cent.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to set up a regulator for the bus industry. [40057]

  Mr. Norris
  I have no plans to establish a regulator for the bus industry.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of bus services are controlled by the five largest bus companies in the United Kingdom. [40167]

  Mr. Norris
  Owing to the complexity of the structure of the bus and coach industry it is difficult to give an exact figure. However it is estimated that between 40 and 45 per cent. of local bus mileage is run on services controlled by the five largest bus companies in the UK.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the change in percentage terms(a) in the number of passengers carried and (b) in the revenue generated in real terms since bus deregulation to date. [40029]

  Mr. Norris
  Bus deregulation in Great Britain only affected bus operations outside of London. Figures obtained from annual surveys of public service operators show that passenger journeys on local bus services in Great Britain excluding London declined by 22 per cent. between financial years 1986–87 and 1994–95. Comparable passenger receipts on local bus services, which include concessionary fare reimbursement for groups such as disabled people, the elderly and children, declined by 7 per cent. in real terms over the same period.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he intends to take in response to the recent Office of Fair Trading report in respect of the problems of anti-competitive behaviour in the deregulated bus industry; [40088]

  (2) what is his response to the recent Monopolies and Mergers Commission report into bus deregulation. [40083]

  Mr. Norris
  The general recommendations of the recent MMC report are being considered by the bus working group that I set up earlier this year.

SCOTLAND

  Sheltered Housing
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider giving statutory effect to the NHBC (Scotland) code of practice for sheltered housing. [37930]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend welcomed the introduction by the National House Building Council (Scotland) of the code on a voluntary basis in 1991. We are pleased to see the building industry regulate itself and give protection to its customers, and we do not believe action by the Government to regulate such activity is required at present.
  881
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what control he at present exercises over companies owning sheltered housing in Scotland which(a) fail to hold meetings with residents, (b) fail to publish accounts justifying their service charges and (c) appoint wardens with access to residents' property without consultation. [37928]

  Mr. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend has no powers over how sheltered housing companies manage the properties they own. However, problems encountered within some sheltered housing developments are being considered by the Scottish Law Commission in the context of its work on reviewing property law in Scotland. The need for legislation will be considered in the light of the commission's reports and recommendations.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sites of special scientific interest in Scotland have been denotified since 1981 on the grounds of decline in their scientific interest. [38356]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Information on the number of sites of special scientific interest which have been denotified is published in the annual reports of Scottish Natural Heritage, and the former Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland and Nature Conservancy Council, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

  Scottish Nuclear Ltd.
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will instruct the corporate communications department of Scottish Nuclear Ltd. to refrain from using company resources to promote the case for privatisation. [38752]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Government have announced their intention to privatise the advanced gas-cooled reactor and the pressurised water reactors power stations currently owned by SNL and Nuclear Electric.

  Scottish Nuclear is a limited company governed by the Companies Acts and bound by its memorandum and articles of association. The directors of the company are obliged by law to act in the best interests of Scottish Nuclear and it is for them to decide the company's corporate communications policy.

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the transfer of responsibility for nuclear safety of Scottish Nuclear from Mr. Richard Killick to Mr. John McKeown between 30 August and 7 September; and what assessment he has made of what transition period is sufficient for the transfer of responsibility for safety at nuclear power stations. [38750]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Staff changes within Scottish Nuclear below board level are a matter for that company's management. However I can confirm that Dr. McKeown was the director of safety at Scottish Nuclear prior to Mr. Killick's appointment and has long experience of nuclear safety issues. Scottish Nuclear has an excellent safety record.
  882

  Anti-social Neighbours
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce legislation to penalise anti-social neighbours who are(a) public sector tenants, (b) private sector tenants and (c) owner-occupiers; and if he will make a statement. [29216]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend recently announced his intention to take action to suspend the right to buy of tenants who are subject to eviction proceedings for anti-social behaviour. The Scottish Office has consulted recently on the effectiveness of existing neighbour noise controls, any changes to which would affect both tenants and owner-occupiers. We have also consulted on the introduction of probationary tenancies for public sector tenants. The comments received on both these issues are currently under consideration.

  Apiculture Industry
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to develop the apiculture industry in Scotland; that plan he has to encourage the marketing of Scottish honey elsewhere in the United Kingdom and overseas; and if he will make a statement. [39218]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  While we have no specific plans to develop the apiculture industry in Scotland, there is a wide range of marketing and export support measures provided by the Scottish Office, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the network of local enterprise companies in support of the agri-food industry in Scotland from which the apiculture industry could benefit. The Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department, processing and marketing branch—0l31-244-6386— would be happy to advise industry representatives of the most appropriate sources of support.

  Student Allowances
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if student allowances are available for the purchase of course and class manuals which course organisers consider compulsory for the completion of university classes. [38881]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  For students in full-time higher education, provision for the purchase of books and so on forms an integral part of the overall package of maintenance support provided through maintenance grants and student loans. This enables students to determine their own priorities in terms of expenditure.

  Resit Examinations
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for the latest year available, the average number of resit examinations for students attending each higher education institution in Scotland. [38880]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The information requested is not available.
  883

  Cash and Running Costs Limits
  Mr. Bill Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes he intends to make to the cash limits and running costs provision for 1995–96 within his responsibility. [40586]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimates, I intend to make changes to nine voted cash limits and nine running costs limits:

  The cash limit element of class XIV, vote 1, agriculture and fisheries, Scotland will be decreased by £1,500,000 from £132,667,000 to £131,167,000. The decrease takes account of slower than expected take-up of measures aimed at providing support in special areas.

  The cash limit for class XIV, vote 2, training programmes, roads and transport services, industrial and regional support, Scotland, will be increased by £21,659,000 from £941,222,000 to £962,881,000. The increase includes an additional £4.7 million in capital grant towards investment in new shipping by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd., balanced by a corresponding reduction in the non-voted element of the company's external financing limit; a reduction of £630,000 in the repayment of voted loans—capital—by Scottish Enterprise to be accompanied by a similar reduction in the provision of grant in aid; and the take-up of £16,961,000 capital end year flexibility entitlement as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82, for regional assistance and motorways and trunk roads.

  The cash limit for class XIV, vote 5. housing and environmental services, Scotland will be decreased by £364,000 from £417,068,000 to £416,704,000. The decrease takes account of a reduced requirement of £1,721,000, under departmental administration, environment and central services, which is being transferred to class XIV, vote 8; and a net increase of £1,357,000 covering an increase of £1,606,000 in gross running cost provision for Historic Scotland from £14,215,000 to £15,821,000 reflecting the take-up of end year flexibility entitlements—£151,000 capital and £1,206,000 running costs—further increases in provision for this agency of £400,000 for running costs and £496,000 for capital expenditure which are offset fully by increased appropriations in aid. In addition, there is an increase in provision for the Local Government Staff Commission (Scotland), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and establishes provision for the Local Government Property Commission (Scotland) and for the Monklands inquiry, all of which is offset fully by savings within the vote.

  The cash limit for class XIV vote 10, law, order, miscellaneous health and social services, Scotland, will be increased by a net total of £3,883,000 from £311,890,000 to £315,773,000. Provision for running costs on this vote will be increased by £1,290,000 from £149,619,000 to £150,909,000. This includes a transfer of £58,000 from class XIV, vote 18. The changes include the take-up of the end year flexibility entitlement for the Scottish Prison Service, increasing its running cost provision by £1,028,000 and capital provision by £354,000; for the Scottish Office Pensions Agency, increasing its running cost provision by £204,000 and capital provision by
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  £418,000; and the social work residential accommodation for children capital provision by £1,271,000. A number of other minor transfers have taken place, within the vote itself, from within other votes in the Scottish Office block and from the Department of Social Security vote, in respect of consequences of changes in housing benefit arrangements.

  The cash limit for class XIV, vote 12, hospital, community health (part) and other health services, Scotland, will be increased by a net total of £29,839,000 from £3,131,164,000 to £3,161,003,000. This increase includes £48,482,000 reflecting the partial take up of the end year flexibility entitlement announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 776–82, a transfer of £840,000 from class XII, vote 1 in respect of the Scottish contribution to the Prescription Pricing Authority's administration costs in connection with the assessment of claims under the Scottish low income scheme; a transfer of £246,000 from class XII, vote 1 to cover the costs of services previously funded directly by the Department of Health; a transfer of £17,000 from class XIV, vote 10 to meet the maintenance, repair costs and insurance premiums from invalid three-wheelers, the responsibility for which has transferred to the CSA; a transfer of £1,000 from class XIV, vote 10, in respect of income from insurance claims from invalid three-wheelers; a transfer of £180,000 to class XIV, vote 10 to meet the costs of a merit award given to a member of the Mental Welfare Commission. In addition, there is a reduction in provision of £19,554,000 as a result of a revision of NHS trusts' external financing limit; some adjustments between subheads to reflect revised requirements and changes to anticipated appropriations in aid.

  The cash limit for class XIV, vote 15, education, arts and libraries, Scotland will be increased by £2,101,000 from £965,655,000 to £967,756,000. The increase reflects the full take up of end-year flexibility of £2,000,000 as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 13 July 1995, Official Report, columns 777–78, for further education capital—£1,250,000—and National Library of Scotland building programme—£750,000; also a transfer of £101,000 from class XIV, vote 18 for the Student Awards Agency, Scotland—£36,000 for administrative costs in respect of additional responsibilities and £65,000 in respect of end year flexibility. Running cost provision on this vote will increase by £101,000 from £2,840,000 to £2,941,000.

  The cash limit for class XIV, vote 18, Scottish Office administration is being increased by £5,745,000 to £174,607,000. Within this total, the running cost limit for Scottish Office administration is being increased by £3,391,000 from £149,729,000 to £153,120.000 as a result of the take-up of end-year flexibility—£3.5 million—predominantly to fund staff early departure costs, less inter-vote transfers of £144,000. In addition there is a transfer of £35,000—running costs—from the Department for Education and Employment. The capital provision is also being increased, as a result of the take-up of £720,000 of end-year flexibility and inter-vote transfers. The additional capital provision is to cover information technology costs associated with agricultural grants.

  The overall running cost limit for the Scottish Office, together with its agencies, is being increased by £6,521,000 from £333,087,000 to £339,608,000. This

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  results from the take-up of end-year flexibility, increased provision for Historic Scotland being covered by increased income, and a transfer from the Department of Employment in respect of European social fund work.

  The cash limit for class XIV, vote 19, Scottish Record Office, is being increased by £996,000 to £5,459,000. Within this total, the SRO running cost limit is being increased by £782,000 from £4,804,000 to £5,586,000 and results from the take-up of end-year flexibility to cover increased costs associated with water and sewerage charges, contributions in lieu of rates and other running costs of the new repository. The increase in capital provision results from the take-up of end-year flexibility to meet costs arising from slippage in the construction of the Thomas Thomson house repository.

  The cash limit for class XIV, vote 20, General Register Office (Scotland), is being increased by £337,000 to £5,372,000. Within this total, the GRO(S) running cost limit is being increased by £100,000 from £7,158,000 to £7,258,000, resulting from the take-up of end-year flexibility to compensate for cost increases. The capital increase results from the take-up of end-year flexibility to cover costs of the refurbishment of Ladywell house and New Register house.

  The increases will be offset by savings on other votes within my responsibility or by transfers from other Departments. There will not therefore be any addition to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Agri-environment Schemes
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the expenditure for(a) environmentally sensitive areas and (b) other agri-environment schemes in (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94 and (iii) 1994–95. [39750]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The information is set out in the table:

  £million

  Expenditure

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Environmentally sensitive areas

  1.086

  0.963

  1.044

  The other agri-environment schemes were not launched until 1994–95 and there was no expenditure in that year.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the allocated budget for(a) environmentally sensitive areas and (b) other agri-environment schemes in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97. [39751]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: There is no allocated provision for individual environmentally sensitive areas. Supply estimate provision for 1995–96 and current planned provision for 1996–97 for (a) the environmentally sensitive area scheme and (b) other agri-environment schemes are set out in the table.
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  Financial provision: £ million

  Supply estimate 1995–96

  Planned provision 1996–97

  Environmentally sensitive areas

  5.5

  8.074

  Other agri-environment schemes

  1.697

  4.098

  Rating Revaluation (Appeals)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of state for Scotland how many appeals have so far been lodged in each valuation area in Scotland against the valuation of business premises; how many appeals have been dealt with; how many appeals have been successful; and what was the average amount of time taken to resolve these appeals. [39400]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The information requested is not yet available. It is planned to gather regular statistics on the progress of appeals resulting from the 1995 rating revaluation, from 15 December, the date by which such appeals must be lodged.

  Housing
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent in respect of each development corporation in Scotland in transferring their housing stock to other landlords during the wind-up. [39414]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The information requested is shown in the table. Expenditure includes consultants' fees to tenants' advisers, support to housing associations, conduct of the ballot and registration of title.

  Development Corporation

  Expenditure to 30 September 1995 £

  Cumbernauld

  286,400

  East Kilbride

  359,000

  Glenrothes

  856,300

  Irvine

  476,100

  Livingston

  443,400

  New water Authorities
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money so far has been paid to the members of the new water authorities in their capacities as members of the boards of these organisations. [39412]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: Since the establishment of the three water authorities on 17 July 1995, 32 members, excluding chief executives, have received a total of £45,048.59 by way of remuneration and £5,833.82 in reimbursement of expenses incurred on water authority business.

  The chief executives of the water authorities, who are also members, have since 17 July received a total of £25,851.29 by way of salary and £1,384.61 in expenses.
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  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money the new water authorities have been granted by his Department to cover the cost of their operations during their shadow period. [39411]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: A total of £9.7 million has been allocated for grant in aid to the new water authorities in 1995–96. This represents less than 2 per cent. of the estimated current expenditure on water and sewerage services this year. The allocations to the individual water authorities is shown in the respective grant in aid tables at chapter 4 of the Scottish Office departmental report—published as Cm 2814.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money his Department spent in commissioning consultants Babtie Shaw to draft the proposed water asset transfer schemes for the existing regional and islands authorities in transferring their water assets to the new water authorities. [39413]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The Babtie Group was contracted to prepare a model framework and guidance notes to assist regional and islands authorities and the Central Scotland water development board in drawing up their asset transfer schemes. The cost of that contract was £108,815.98.

  Babties has also been retained to examine and comment upon the asset transfer schemes submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. The value of that contract will be up to £337,750.

  Irvine Development Corporation (Housing)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department estimates will be spent by Irvine development corporation in balloting its tenants on the transfer of its housing stock to alternative landlords during wind-up. [39415]
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  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: Irvine development corporation's costs in balloting their tenants are estimated at £247,000.

  Local Government Reform
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much expenditure his Department has incurred so far as a result of local government reform. [39403]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: A wide range of Scottish Office staff have been involved to varying degrees on local government reform. The administrative and associated costs incurred by them cannot be separately identified. Specific elements of the reform have, however, been separately costed and these are listed in the following table:

  Cost £

  Consultation Paper—"The Case for Change" (1991) and Consultation Paper— "Shaping the New Councils (1992) and associated leaflets, consultation videos, summary of responses etc."

  148,800

  White Paper—"Shaping the Future—The New Councils" and associated leaflets

  58,200

  "The New Councils" leaflet (household drop)

  138,600

  Total

  345,660

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what use his Department has made of outside consultants as part of the process of local government reform in Scotland. [39401]

  Mr. Kynoch
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The services of Touche Ross were used for work in connection with the costs of local government reform.