Written Answers of 30 October 1995

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Dementia Relief Trust
  Ms Short
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Dementia Relief Trust to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall. [40713]

  Mr. Michael J. Martin
  I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from Monday 6 November to Friday 10 November 1995.

TREASURY

  Direct and Indirect Taxation
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his answer of 19 December to the hon. Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith),Official Report, columns 944–50, providing a table giving estimates for the burden of direct and indirect taxes in 1996–97 based on the 1995–96 indexed tax and national insurance regime. [39098]

  Mr. Jack
  The burden of direct and indirect taxes in 1996–97 will depend on the level of income and on spending patterns. Figures showing the impact of tax on specimen households will be available after the Budget in the usual way, based on revenue forecasts and economic assumptions published in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report". It would be misleading to provide figures on the basis of speculative assumptions.

  National Lottery
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the tax revenue arising from the sale of national lottery tickets for each of the last 12 months. [39743]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The sale of national lottery tickets began in November 1994. The receipts of lottery duty for each month since are:

  £ 000's

  December 1994

  11,629

  January 1995

  32,755

  February 1995

  29,979

  March 1995

  29,542

  April 1995

  32,860

  May 1995

  64,191

  June 1995

  52,756

  July 1995

  50,962

  August 1995

  60,433

  September 1995

  45,611

  Steam Rollers
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to remove vehicle excise duty from steam rollers, preserved working models; and if he will make a statement. [38116]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  It would not be appropriate to comment on detailed tax issues in the run-up to the Budget.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total estimate revenue which will be raised by the imposition of vehicle excise duty on steam rollers, preserved working models, and the proportion of this sum expressed as a percentage of the overall revenue raised by vehicle excise duty. [38117]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  These vehicles will pay less than £30,000 in total in vehicle excise duty, representing around 0.01 per cent. of total VED receipts. Steam rollers pay the lowest rate of duty of any of the HGV tax classes, which represents a substantial saving over full rates of duty.

  Personal Pension Schemes
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the reduction in employer contributions to public sector superannuation schemes as a result of members opting out to join personal pension schemes. [38266]

  Mr. Waldegrave
  [holding answer 25 October 1995]: No separate assessment has been made of employer contributions as a result of members opting out. Actuaries perform regular valuations on public service schemes. If they advise that employers' contribution rates needs adjusting to take account of the number of opted-out members, and any other factors, appropriate action to adjust the rate would be taken.

  Departments with superannuation votes bid for the sum of money that they estimate they need to cover the cost of pensions. This takes into account the level of employer contributions which are appropriated in aid against expenditure. If there are significant numbers opting out then, other things being equal, there will be an increase in the vote.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the names and salaries of the inspectors of magistrates courts, and give their place of residence; and if he will make a statement. [39231]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Inspectors are currently paid on a civil service grade 7 salary range of £26,535 to £41,092 in London and £25,392 to £39,324 outside London. Progression through the range is subject to satisfactory performance.

  Senior inspectors' salaries range between £35,113 and £38,211. They are also eligible for performance-related non-pensionable cash bonuses of up to a maximum of

  3
  15 per cent. of annual salary, subject to an overall maximum of 50 per cent. for the four-year period covered by their contracts.

  All senior inspectors and inspectors are on four-year fixed-term appointments with the possibility of extension.

  The names and places of residence are as follows:

  Northern Team

  Mr. Colin Monson (Senior Inspector)—North Yorkshire

  Mrs. Sally Radford—North Yorkshire

  Mr. Steve Jacobs—North Humberside

  Mrs. Rachael Jenkinson—Derbyshire

  Western Team

  Miss Julia Eeles (Senior Inspector)—Gloucester

  Mr. Malcolm Dodds—Avon

  Mrs. Janet Macpherson—Avon

  Mrs. Margaret Sleight—Avon

  Eastern Team

  Ms Sue Steel (Senior Inspector)—London

  Mr. Michael Hughes—Hampshire

  Mrs. Margaret Scorer—London

  Ms Louise Goodfellow—London

  Central and Southern Team

  Mr. Duncan Gear (Senior Inspector)—Bedfordshire

  Mr. Robert Spencer—North Humberside

  Ms Susan Mew—Somerset

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which petty sessional divisions in Wales, within magistrates courts committees, have benches of(a) under 10 and (b) under 20 and if he will make a statement. [39228]

  Mr. Taylor
  The number of petty sessional divisions in Wales with a bench strength of(a) under 10 and under 20, on the latest information available, is as follows:

  Magistrates courts committees may at any time submit to the Lord Chancellor, under section 23 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979, proposals for reorganising the petty sessional divisions within their area or the Lord Chancellor may call for a review.

  (a) Benches with under 10 justices

  Number

  Gogledd Preseli

  9

  Machynlleth

  7

  North Meirionnydd

  9

  Ystradgynlais

  9

  (b) Benches with under 20 justices

  Number

  Berwyn

  15

  Brecon

  18

  Carmarthen North

  10

  Ceredigion Ganol

  14

  De Ceredigion

  12

  Gogledd Ceredigion

  19

  Upper Rhymney Valley

  13

  Pwlheli/Porthmadog

  17

  Radnor and Brecknock

  18

  South Anglesey

  18

  South Meirionydd

  19

  4
  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which magistrates courts areas in Wales have been inspected by Her Majesty's inspectorate; and if he will make a statement. [39226]

  Mr. Taylor
  The magistrates courts committee areas in Dyfed and Powys have already been inspected, in the 1995–96 inspection programme. The inspection reports will be published by the end of December 1995 and March 1996 respectively, with versions in Welsh.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what extra resources he will provide to make magistrates court premises more welcoming, including the installation of vending machines; and if he will make a statement. [39230]

  Mr. Taylor
  The provision of refreshments and other facilities for court users is a matter to be determined locally by the magistrates courts committee. Each committee decides, in conjunction with the local authority, how its revenue budget is to be used in any year. Approval for capital projects is subject to the availability of funding and other priorities.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many inspectors of magistrates courts are resident in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [39232]

  Mr. Taylor
  There are no inspectors of magistrates courts resident in Wales at present.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many inspectors will inspect in Wales, in which HM inspectorate team they will inspect; and if he will make a statement. [39227]

  Mr. Taylor
  Each inspection of a Welsh magistrates courts committee will be carried out by the Western inspectorate team—consisting of a senior inspector and three inspectors. They will be joined on each inspection by an associate inspector, a staff member from a magistrates courts committee outside the Western team inspection area.

  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement concerning his policy on smoking in magistrates courts. [39229]

  Mr. Taylor
  Where, if anywhere, smoking is permitted in a magistrates court is a matter of local policy to be determined by the magistrates courts committee.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current breakdown by party political affiliation of members of the Doncaster bench. [38998]

  Mr. Taylor
  The current breakdown by party political affiliation of members of the Doncaster bench on the latest information available is as follows:

  Conservative: 92

  Labour: 50

  Lib/Dem: 25

  Independent/Not Known: 11

  5
  Mr. Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many additional inspectors of magistrates courts he plans to employ, and if he will make a statement. [39233]

  Mr. Taylor
  There are no plans at present to increase the number of inspectors beyond the current complement of one chief inspector, four senior inspectors and 12 inspectors.

  Maxwell Brothers Trial
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the pay telephone available at the Maxwell brothers trial is now available for normal calls in addition to calls to the emergency services; and if he will make a statement. [39079]

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

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your question about the availability of the pay-telephone at the Maxwell brothers' trial.

  A pay-telephone from which all outgoing calls can be made has been available for public use outside the courtroom since the trial began on 31 May 1995.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the dates of the equipment failure in respect of the Maxwell brothers trial to date; which of the problems have now been solved; and if he will make a statement. [39105]

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

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your question about equipment failure at the Maxwell brothers' trial.

  On the first day of the trial, 31 May 1995, there was a problem of interference between the lapel microphones worn by counsel and the instantaneous transcription equipment used by the court reporters. This was resolved within 45 minutes by using fixed desk microphones for counsel. There have been no equipment failures since then.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Ministerial Information Systems
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action has been taken to progress MINIS arising from the report of spring 1995; and if he will make a statement. [39613]

  Mr. Horam
  The multi-departmental scrutiny of Government's management information and planning systems produced its report in May 1995. The report noted many examples of good practice in both the public 6
  and private sectors. Its recommendations provided a checklist of best practice for Departments and agencies to use in developing integrated systems to suit their particular needs.

  The report has been widely welcomed. Departments and agencies have now produced action plans in response to the scrutiny. These plans are being considered by the Prime Minister's adviser on efficiency. Departments and agencies are already taking steps to ensure that their information and planning systems are up to the level of the best, so aiding the Government's continuing quest for greater efficiency.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to install an electronic/computer diary giving details of media events organised by other Government Departments; what estimate he has made of the cost of obtaining, installing and operating such a diary; and if he will make a statement. [39648]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  A dedicated IT-based network linking the offices of Cabinet Ministers will start to become operational next month. Work began on the network in early 1995. By cutting down on paper-based management systems and bringing up-to-date information to all Ministers' offices more quickly, it will improve efficiency and effectiveness both in individual Departments and in the dispatch of collective ministerial business. The forward diary of policy announcements will be only one of the uses to which the new infrastructure is put. The total start-up cost, including hardware and software development, is likely to be in the order of £150,000. Annual running costs are likely to be about £10,000.

  Engagements
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 18 October 1995,Official Report, column 279, (1) on which days he was in the office in August; [38757]

  (2) if he will list the others referred to; [38743]

  (3) if he will list those occasions on which his attendance was required outside London. [38758]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to the reply that I gave the hon. Member on 18 October.

  Office Refurbishment
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what has been the cost to date of refurbishing his Department's offices. [39016]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  In the current financial year expenditure on refurbishment of the Cabinet Office building at 70 Whitehall is estimated at £1,445,000 excluding VAT. Most of this expenditure results from a major programme to replace old wiring in part of the building, which was becoming dangerous. Recent changes in ministerial accommodation did not result in additional expenditure on refurbishment.

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will list the public appointments for which his Department is responsible in the county of South Yorkshire, indicating in each case the duration of the appointment, the date when a new appointment is due, and the salary; [39432]

  (2) if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which his office makes appointments in the county of South Yorkshire, with the total annual budget for each body and the number of appointments made or renewed for each body in each of the last four years. [39462]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 26 October 1995,Official Report, column 749.

  Employee Fraud
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what was the total number of cases of all forms of fraud committed by employees of his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for each year from 1991–92 to 1994–95; and for each of these years, what was the total monetary sum (1) misappropriated in such frauds and (2) subsequently recovered. [39124]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  There were no known frauds committed by employees of the Cabinet Office during this period. The information in respect of those agencies and non-departmental bodies for which the Deputy Prime Minister has responsibility is as follows:

  Year

  Number of cases

  Total misappropriated £

  Total recovered £

  Agencies

  1993–94

  1

  200

  200

  1994–95

  1

  558

  558

  Non departmental public bodies

  1991–92

  1

  100

  100

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of central Government has been in the hands of executive agencies in each year since 1979. [39840]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  Executive agencies are set up under the next steps programme which began in 1988. Prior to that, no such agencies existed. The figures show the percentage of home civil servants working in next steps agencies or on next steps lines at 1 April of each year. The first next steps agency in Northern Ireland was launched in 1990, and figures for the Northern Ireland civil service are shown separately.
  8

  Proportion of home civil servants working on next steps lines at 1 April each year

  Percentage

  1989

  1

  1990

  11

  1991

  40

  1992

  51

  1993

  60

  1994

  63

  1995

  67

  Proportion of civil servants in Northern Ireland working on next steps lines at 1 April each year.

  Percentage

  1989

  none

  1990

  6

  1991

  7

  1992

  26

  1993

  30

  1994

  31

  1995

  41

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list those agencies which do not have(a) a Fraser figure and (b) a ministerial advisory board. [39833]

  The Deputy Prime Minister
  The following agencies do not have a Fraser figure—so-called by reference to the report by Sir Angus Fraser to the Prime Minister in 1991, "Making the Most of Next Steps: The Management of Ministers' Departments and their Executive Agencies":

  Army Base Repair Organisation

  Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency

  Army Technical Support Agency

  Central Office of Information

  Central Statistical Office

  Chessington Computer Centre

  Civil Service College

  Defence Accounts Agency

  Defence Analytical Services Agency

  Defence Animal Centre

  Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency

  Defence Postal and Courier Services

  Defence Transport and Movements Executive

  Disposal Sales Agency

  Duke of York's Royal Military School

  Employment Service

  Government Property Lawyers

  HM Land Registry

  HM Prison Service

  HMSO

  Hydrographic Office

  Industrial Research and Technology Unit

  Logistic Information Systems Agency

  Meteorological Office

  Military Survey

  Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation

  Naval Recruiting and Training Agency

  Ordnance Survey

  Paymaster

  Queen Victoria School

  RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency

  RAF Signals Engineering Establishment

  RAF Training Group Defence Agency

  Recruitment and Assessment Agency

  Royal Mint

  Service Children's Schools (North West Europe)

  Social Security Benefits Agency

  9

  Social Security Child Support Agency

  Social Security Contributions Agency

  Social Security Information Technology Services Agency

  Social Security Resettlement Agency

  Social Security War Pensions Agency

  Training and Employment Agency (Northern Ireland)

  There is no ministerial advisory board in respect of the following agencies:

  Army Base Repair Organisation

  Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency

  Army Technical and Support Agency

  Building Research Establishment

  Central Office of Information

  Central Statistical Office

  Civil Service College

  Compensation Agency

  Court Service

  Defence Accounts Agency

  Defence Analytical Services Agency

  Defence Animal Centre

  Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency

  Defence Postal and Courier Services

  Defence Transport and Movements Executive

  Disposals Sales Agency

  Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency

  Duke of York's Military School

  Employment Service

  Government Property Lawyers

  Historic Scotland

  HM Land Registry

  HM Prison Service

  HMSO

  Hydrographic Office

  Industrial Research and Technology Unit

  Logistic Information Systems Agency

  Military Survey

  Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation

  Naval Recruiting and Training Agency

  Northern Ireland Child Support Agency

  Northern Ireland Prison Service

  Occupational Health and Safety Agency

  Ordnance Survey

  Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland

  Paymaster

  Planning Inspectorate

  Public Record Office of Northern Ireland

  Public Trust Office

  Queen Victoria School

  Radiocommunications Agency

  RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency

  RAF Signals Engineering Establishment

  RAF Training Group Defence Agency

  Rate Collection Agency

  Recruitment and Assessment Agency

  Registers of Scotland

  Royal Mint

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency

  Scottish Court Service

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

  Scottish Office Pensions Agency

  Scottish Prison Service

  Scottish Record Office

  Service Children's Schools (North West Europe)

  Social Security Agency (Northern Ireland)

  Social Security Benefits Agency

  Social Security Child Support Agency

  Social Security Contributions Agency

  Social Security Information Technology Services Agency

  Social Security Resettlement Agency

  Social Security War Pensions Agency

  Student Awards Agency for Scotland

  Teachers' Pensions Agency

  The Buying Agency

  Training and Employment Agency (Northern Ireland)

  Valuation and Lands Agency

  10

  Valuation Office

  Wilton Park

  Former Ministers (Appointments)
  Mr. Derek Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if Her Majesty's Government have reached a conclusion on the text of the guidelines on business appointments of former Ministers. [40210]

  Mr. Freeman
  I have today placed in the Libraries of both Houses guidelines on the acceptance of appointments outside Government by former Ministers of the Crown. The guidelines will come into effect from the start of the next Session of Parliament.

  Civil Service Code
  Mr. Derek Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if Her Majesty's Government have reached a conclusion on the text of the proposed civil service code. [40209]

  Mr. Freeman
  The period of further consultation on the draft civil service code, published in "The Government's Response to the First Report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life", Cm 2931, has ended. Subject to the required Order in Council the Government now propose to bring the new code into operation from the start of 1996, and will finalise the necessary amendments to the civil service management code and arrangements for implementation in consultation with the Council of Civil Service Unions. The intended final text of the code is as follows:

  1. The constitutional and practical role of the Civil Service is, with integrity, honesty, impartiality and objectivity, to assist the duly constituted Government, of whatever political complexion, in formulating policies of the Government, carrying out decisions of the Government and in administering public services for which the Government is responsible.

  2. Civil servants are servants of the Crown. Constitutionally, the Crown acts on the advice of Ministers and, subject to the provisions of this Code, civil servants owe their loyalty to the duly constituted Government.

  3. This Code should be seen in the context of the duties and responsibilities of Ministers set out in Questions of Procedure for Ministers which include:

  —accountability to Parliament;

  —the duty to give Parliament and the public as full information as possible about the policies, decisions and actions of the Government, and not to deceive or knowingly mislead Parliament and the public;

  —the duty not to use public resources for party political purposes, to uphold the political impartiality of the Civil Service, and not to ask civil servants to act in any way which would conflict with the Civil Service Code;

  —the duty to give fair consideration and due weight to informed and impartial advice from civil servants, as well as to other considerations and advice, in reaching decisions; and

  —the duty to comply with the law, including international law and treaty obligations, and to uphold the administration of justice;

  together with the duty to familiarise themselves with the contents of this Code.

  4. Civil servants should serve the duly constituted Government in accordance with the principles set out in this Code and recognising:

  11

  —the accountability of civil servants to the Minister or, as the case may be, the office holder in charge of their department;

  the duty of all public officers to discharge public functions reasonably and according to the law;

  the duty to comply with the law, including international law and treaty obligations, and to uphold the administration of justice; and

  ethical standards governing particular professions.

  5. Civil servants should conduct themselves with integrity, impartiality and honesty. They should give honest and impartial advice to Ministers, without fear or favour, and make all information relevant to a decision available to Ministers. They should not deceive or knowingly mislead Ministers, Parliament or the public.

  6. Civil servants should endeavour to deal with the affairs of the public sympathetically, efficiently, promptly and without bias or maladministration.

  7. Civil servants should endeavour to ensure the proper, effective and efficient use of public money.

  8. Civil servants should not misuse their official position or information acquired in the course of their official duties to further their private interests or those of others. They should not receive benefits of any kind from a third party which might reasonably be seen to compromise their personal judgment or integrity.

  9. Civil servants should conduct themselves in such a way as to deserve and retain the confidence of Ministers and to be able to establish the same relationship with those whom they may be required to serve in some future Administration. They should comply with restrictions on their political activities. The conduct of civil servants should be such that Ministers and potential future Ministers can be sure that confidence can be freely given, and that the Civil Service will conscientiously fulfil its duties and obligations to, and impartially assist, advise and carry out the policies of the duly constituted Government.

  10. Civil servants should not without authority disclose official information which has been communicated in confidence within Government, or received in confidence from others. Nothing in the Code should be taken as overriding existing statutory or common law obligations to keep confidential, or to disclose, certain information. They should not seek to frustrate or influence the policies, decisions or actions of Government by the unauthorised, improper or premature disclosure outside the Government of any information to which they have had access as civil servants.

  11. Where a civil servant believes he or she is being required to act in a way which:

  is illegal, improper, or unethical;

  is in breach of constitutional convention or a professional code;

  may involve possible maladministration; or

  is otherwise inconsistent with this Code;

  he or she should report the matter in accordance with procedures laid down in departmental guidance or rules of conduct. A civil servant should also report to the appropriate authorities evidence of criminal or unlawful activity by others and may also report in accordance with departmental procedures if he or she becomes aware of other breaches of this Code or is required to act in a way which, for him or her, raises a fundamental issue of conscience.

  12. Where a civil servant has reported a matter covered in paragraph 11 in accordance with procedures laid down in departmental guidance or rules of conduct and believes that the response does not represent a reasonable response to the grounds of his or her concern, he or she may report the matter in writing to the Civil Service Commissioners.

  12

  13. Civil servants should not seek to frustrate the policies, decisions or actions of Government by declining to take, or abstaining from, action which flows from ministerial decisions. Where a matter cannot be resolved by the procedures set out in paragraphs 11 and 12 above, on a basis which the civil servant concerned is able to accept, he or she should either carry out his or her instructions, or resign from the Civil Service. Civil servants should continue to observe their duties of confidentiality after they have left Crown employment.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Care Disregard
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many families in Scotland have benefited from the child care disregard of up to £40 a week since October 1994; and what is the average financial gain per family. [39928]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  From 1 October 1994 to 30 June 1995, 5,000 families in Scotland claimed for help with their child care charges. Of these, 2,000 claims were disallowed, 1,000 families had their child care charges allowed but received no extra benefit because they were already in receipt of their maximum family credit and 2,000 families received higher family credit awards as a result of the help with child care charges with an average gain of £12.67 family credit per week.

  Source:

  One in 20 sample of family credit awards made between I October 1994 and June 1995.

  Information Technology
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research has been carried out by the Social Security Information Technology Services Agency into computer systems for the Child Support Agency; and what is the estimated cost of this research. [39931]

  Mr. Burt
  ITSA has supported the Child Support Agency for some years in the provision of its IT services. This has required a considerable amount of detailed analysis into the CSA's requirements and the most appropriate technical solutions. In addition, there have been a number of short reviews carried out including a recent examination of child support systems within the USA. The cost of these activities cannot be separated from overall support costs, but the amount spent on the review has been very small.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps his Department has taken to monitor the operational effectiveness of the computer system supplied by the company EDS to the state of Florida Child Support Agency before awarding EDS the computer system contract for the UK Child Support Agency. [39932]

  Mr. Burt
  As part of the normal tender evaluation process and prior to completion of contract negotiations, officials from DSS visited Florida in early 1992 to discuss with them the EDS system. At that time the system was not fully implemented, but it was demonstrated and no operational problems came to light.

  aintenance Payments
  s Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many parents with dependent children claiming income support were receiving maintenance in each year since 1989; and in the case of Child Support Agency assessments, how many of these were minimum assessments of £2.30 or less. [37589]

  Andrew Mitchell
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: The numbers of income support recipients with dependants receiving maintenance were:

  Year

  Cases

  1989

  174,000

  1990

  171,000

  1991

  194,000

  1992

  210,000

  1993

  196,000

  1994

  114,000

  The figure for 1994 covers only cases in which maintenance is paid directly between the two parties. Figures are not yet available for maintenance collected by the Department.

  Number of cases with maintenance of £2.30 or less

  Year

  Cases

  1989

  7,000

  1990

  5,000

  1991

  8,000

  1992

  7,000

  1993

  4,000

  1994

  4,000

  It is not possible to break this down to show amounts due solely to Child Support Agency assessments. Again, the figure for 1994 covers only cases where maintenance is paid directly between the parties.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [39440]

  Mr. Lang
  The DTI is not responsible for any non-departmental public bodies in the county of South Yorkshire.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [39472]

  Mr. Lang
  Information on lay appointments to the industrial tribunals is not available for South Yorkshire as appointments are made on a regional rather than a county basis. Appointments are made triennially from 25 October for an initial period of three years and are renewable up to age 70. Lay members are not paid a salary but receive a fee of £119 for a whole day's sitting plus travelling and subsistence allowances, where applicable.
  14
  The DTI makes no other public appointments in the county of South Yorkshire.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [39557]

  Mr. Lang
  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 2804, copies of which are in the Libraries of the House. A breakdown by grade could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many times in the current year he has met personally the heads of the agencies which report to him to discuss the work of those agencies. [39863]

  Mr. Lang
  The heads of agencies have meetings with their responsible Ministers to discuss the work of their agencies as appropriate. I would expect to meet them when particular issues arise and in any event to discuss their corporate plans as part of the DTI MINIS management process. I have not met any heads of agencies since my arrival in July.

  Regional Assistance, Doncaster
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to change the present strategy of regional assistance as it affects the Doncaster area. [39449]

  Mr. Page
  None. When the DTI's assisted areas map was announced in 1993 Ministers made it clear that it would last for at least three years. There are currently no plans to revise the map.

  Liquidation Sales
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to strengthen consumer protection legislation as it relates to liquidation sales and similar sales. [38894]

  Mr. Lang
  The Government have no plans to change consumer protection law as it relates to liquidation and similar sales.

  Oil and Gas Division
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people are employed with the Department of Trade and Industry's oil and gas division in Scotland on(a) a full-time and (b) a part-time basis. [39666]

  Mr. Eggar
  [holding answer 27 October 1995]: My Department's oil and gas division employs 41 full-time staff and one part-time in Scotland.

  My Department's offshore supplies office also employs 67 full-time and two part-time staff in Glasgow and eight full-time staff in Aberdeen.

PRIME MINISTER

  President of Iran
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister on what dates in the last two years he received letters from the President of Iran; and on what dates he replied to them. [40277]

  The Prime Minister
  I received a letter dated 30 May 1995 from President Rafsanjani. The letter did not require a reply.

  Policy Unit (Costs
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the cost of the No. 10 policy unit for each year since 1980–81 in(a) cash prices and (b) 1994–95 prices. [38824]

  The Prime Minister
  The cost of the policy unit was not accounted for separately before 1987–88. Expenditure from 1987–88 is listed in cash prices and 1994–95 prices.

  £000's

  Year

  Expenditure Cash

  1994–95 prices

  1987–88

  476

  680

  1988–89

  535

  716

  1989–90

  521

  652

  1990–91

  537

  622

  1991–92

  577

  629

  1992–93

  622

  652

  1993–94

  659

  671

  1994–95

  644

  644

  Departmental Staff
  Dr. Wright
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the number of staff in his office at the beginning of each financial year from 1990 to 1995, expressed as(a) full-time equivalents, (b) head count of numbers of staff employed and (c) identify separately the number of staff in office service support grades either as full-time equivalents or as head count for the same years. [38822]

  The Prime Minister
  The information is as follows:

  Total1 (full-time equivalents)

  Total (head count)

  Office service support grades (head count)

  1 April 1990

  95

  102

  26

  1 April 1991

  97

  102

  26

  1 April 1992

  95

  102

  26

  1 April 1993

  100

  107

  26

  1 April 1994

  100

  107

  26

  1 April 1995

  100

  107

  26

  1The figures for full-time equivalent staff in post have been rounded to the nearest whole number. The figures for 1990 and 1991 include office services support grades working in No. 10 who were formally transferred to the No. 10 complement on 1 April 1992.

  Breast Cancer Campaign
  Ms Corston
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will be in a position to report the precise number of postcards he has received in support of then national postcard campaign for breast cancer. [40389]
  16
  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) on 16 October,Official Report, column 23.

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

  Aid Statistics
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total of overseas aid, excluding EU aid, to be made by his Department in the current financial year; and what were the comparable totals five and 10 years ago. [37869]

  Mr. Hanley
  In 1995–96 the total planned ODA aid budget excluding EC aid is £1,502 million. In 1990–91 it stood at £1,378 million and in 1987–88 at £1,094 million.

  China
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the value of multilateral aid projects to China to which Britain contributes; and what is that cost to Britain of such multilateral aid. [37870]

  Mr. Hanley
  In 1994, the World bank, Asian development bank, and the United Nations aid agencies committed the equivalent of around £2.9 billion to China. An overall estimate of the cost to the UK cannot readily be calculated. In addition, the EC committed the equivalent of some £27 million in 1994, of which the expected British share will be £4.5 million.

  Aid Budget (Discussions)
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with aid agencies regarding the 1996–97 overseas aid budget. [37871]

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any recent formal discussions with aid agencies, but my right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker has regular meetings with non-governmental organisations, to which she attaches high priority and at which all aspects of ODA policies are discussed.

  Hurricane Damage, Caribbean
  Sir Michael Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding recent hurricane damage in the Caribbean; what has been Her Majesty's Government's response. [37899]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have received requests for relief assistance from the Governments of Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda and the Commonwealth of Dominica.

  The following commitments have been made:

  Country

  Purpose

  Amount committed £

  Regional

  Mobilisation of Caribbean disaster relief unit asseaament mission

  16,155

  Anguilla

  Purchase of relief supplies

  143,000

  17

  Country

  Purpose

  Amount committed £

  Anguilla

  Subsistence costs of royal Marines

  10,000

  Antigua

  Anguilla disaster relief fund

  100,000

  Antigua

  Restoration of power supplies (Northern Ireland Electricity)

  381,200

  Baebuda

  Roofing repairs to hospital

  5,000

  Dominica

  Purchase/delivery of basic foodstuffs

  250,000

  In addition, soon after Hurricane Luis passed directly over Anguilla, the West Indies guardship, HMS Southampton, arrived to co-ordinate damage assessment and repairs. She was accompanied by her support ship RFA Oakleaf. Within 24 hours of HMS Southampton's arrival, the assessment was completed and repairs were under way. Work parties from the two ships were bolstered by the arrival of a party of Royal Marines, whose duties included support to the Royal Anguilla police force.

  British forces were also able to make a major contribution in Antigua, where a party of Royal Marines was instrumental in reopening the airport and repairing Halberton hospital as well as undertaking a host of other tasks.

  Regarding longer-term rehabilitation, we have invited Anguilla to submit proposals and are currently considering the needs of the affected independent states.

  Angola
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid is currently being granted to(a) Angola and (b) children in Angola; and if he will make a statement. [38645]

  Mr. Hanley
  We are currently providing bilateral emergency aid through non-governmental organisations and UN agencies for seeds and tools, primary health, humanitarian de-mining, food supply and distribution, demobilisation and logistic support—in addition to our share of EC assistance for similar activities. Children are among the most vulnerable groups in Angola who benefit under many of these interventions. Our longer-term development aid is focused on English language training and a fund to support NGO long-term rehabilitation projects.

  Amazonia
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what safeguards exist within the G7 pilot programme to conserve the Brazilian rain forest to protect the interests of indigenous people in Amazonia. [38544]

  Mr. Hanley
  The programme includes a project to regularise indigenous lands in Amazonia and to protect indigenous populations and areas. The interests of indigenous people are further safeguarded by a separate requirement within the programme that they participate in the zoning of the region.

  Illegal Drug Production
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress he has to report on programmes to eradicate the production of illegal drugs. [37864]

  Mr. Hanley
  ODA' s current largest involvement in such programmes is in Pakistan where there has recently been encouraging progress. ODA approved a further £3.6 million in January this year for phase 2 of the United Nations drugs control programme alternative development project in the Dir district to cover the period 1995 to 1998. Opportunities to identify similar activities in other developing countries remain under constant review.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Postal and Proxy Votes
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what procedures will be put in place prior to the general election to ensure that those entitled to postal and proxy votes are made aware of their rights as soon as possible by means of public advertising; and if he will make a statement. [39159]

  Mr. Ancram
  The nature and extent of advertising or publicity specifically in Northern Ireland has yet to be decided.

  Housing Executive Grants Offices
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the budgetary allocation to Housing Executive grants offices; and if he will make a statement on the measures he will take to deal with the financial deficit faced by such offices and delays in processing applications for home improvement grants. [38810]

  Mr. Moss
  None. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is responsible for the allocation of its financial resources among its regional and district offices. I have, however, increased the overall resources available to the Housing Executive by £18 million during the 1995–96 financial year, bringing the total to £544 million. The chief executive of the Housing Executive has informed me that, in response to the very high demand for grant aid, an additional £8 million has been directed to support the grants budget, bringing the total to £42 million. Due to this continued demand the Housing Executive has prioritised the issue of grant approvals with precedence being given to applications relating to disabled facilities grants, repairs grants, minor works assistance for the elderly and replacement grants which have an element of adaption for the disabled.

  Sheep and Suckler Cow Quota
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the application forms for sheep and suckler cow quota in respect of the 1995 national reserve will be made available; and what is the reason for delay. [38808]

  Mr. Ancram
  Application forms for sheep and suckler cow quota in respect of the 1995 reserves are expected to be available before the end of 1995.
  19
  The opening of these reserves has been delayed because, together with the UK Agriculture Departments, we have been putting into place arrangements to deal with the outcome of a judicial review which found that the administration of part of the 1993 reserve process in the UK has been unlawful. This judgment had repercussions on the supply of quota for subsequent reserve years and it was essential to consider these implications in advance of opening the 1995 reserves.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Madden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to bring legislation to the House restoring 50 per cent. remission to prison sentences served in Northern Ireland prisons; and if he will make a statement. [40448]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The legislation was introduced to the House on 26 October.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in which prisons there are prisoners restricted to closed visits; and what are the numbers of prisoners involved. [39417]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Northern Ireland Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. Alan Shannon. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. D. Shannon to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question relating to closed visits in Northern Ireland prisons and the number of prisoners involved.

  Within the Northern Ireland Prison Service there is provision to restrict a prisoner to closed visits where there is no contact between the visitor and the prisoner, usually in order to prevent the passage of contraband. Such restrictions are applied from time to time on the authority of the Governor. As of 25 October 1995 no prisoner is subject to such a restriction.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many category A prisoners are currently in the prison system in Northern Ireland; and how many are in each sub-category; [38845]

  (2) what arrangements are made for prisoners who are restricted to closed visits to have (a) visits from their legal advisers and (b) consular visits. [38842]

  Sir John Wheeler
  Responsibility for the subject has been delegated to the Northern Ireland Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. Alan Shannon. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from A. D. Shannon to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to two Parliamentary Questions which you have tabled, one relating to visiting arrangements for legal advisers for prisoners restricted to closed visits, and the other in relation to numbers of Category A prisoners in NI prisons.
  20
  Visiting Arrangements

  In Northern Ireland prisoners who are restricted to closed visits with ordinary visitors or relatives are allowed to receive visits from their legal advisers and consular officials in rooms designated for that purpose. Such rooms do not incorporate glass partitions or other restrictions between prisoners and families.

  Number of Prisons in Category A

  In the Northern Ireland Prison Service the terms used in determining the security category of a prisoner differ from the terms used in the Prison Service in England and Wales. I have set out below the broad equivalent categories in each service.

  Northern Ireland

  England

  Top Risk

  Exceptionally High Risk Category A

  High Risk

  High Risk Category A/Standard Category A

  Medium Risk

  Category B

  Low Risk

  Category C

  Using Northern Ireland terms the answer to your second question is that on 23 October 1995 one Top Risk and 356 High Risk Prisoners were held in Northern Ireland Prisons.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  Youth Organisations
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the criteria laid down by the Youth Council of Northern Ireland for grant assistance to (i) uniformed youth organisations; and (ii) other youth organisations. [38846]

  Mr. Ancram
  Youth organisations are considered for funding if they

  (a) have a governing body responsible for all assets and liabilities;

  (b) are registered as a charity or corporated;

  (c) have a published memorandum/articles of association which reflect the objectives of the Northern Ireland Youth Service;

  (d) are voluntary, ie not operating for commercial gain; and

  (e) publish audited accounts.

  There is no differentiation in criteria for assistance to uniformed and non-uniformed organisations.

  The Youth Council is currently reviewing its criteria for funding with the aim of applying new arrangements from April 1997.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what account is taken of the multiple membership of some uniformed youth organisations, by some individuals, when calculating the level of grant aid available from the Youth Council for Northern Ireland; and what impact this has had on organisations that do not include members of other uniformed organisations. [38839]

  Mr. Ancram
  Membership is not a criterion for deciding the levels of funding allocated to youth organisations. The Youth Council for Northern Ireland allocates core funding for HQ administrative costs rather than programme activities.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans has he to increase the funding available to youth organisations in Northern Ireland. [38838]

  Mr. Ancram
  About 5 million ecu will be made available to the youth sector under the European Union special initiative for peace and reconciliation.
  21
  The Government will provide additional funds to meet up to 25 per cent. of the total cost of projects funded under this initiative.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of funding provided to uniformed youth organisations by the Youth Council for Northern Ireland is awarded to organisations perceived to be (i) Catholic, (ii) Protestant, and (iii) non-denominational. [38837]

  Mr. Ancram
  All uniformed organisations are open to membership by young people from all sections of the community. However, a number of organisations are based in particular churches. In these cases, the organisations may be perceived as being associated with a specific denomination.

  Percentage

  Catholic

  23.5

  Protestant

  37.5

  Non-denominational

  39.0

  Cable Television
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what environmental protection measures have specifically been included in contracts awarded to CableTel for cabling in Northern Ireland as a result of experience in England. [38809]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  I have been asked to reply.

  Cable franchisees require licensing under both broadcasting and telecommunications legislation. Although CableTel was awarded the Northern Ireland franchise earlier this year, and on 2 October was licensed under the Broadcasting Act 1990, it has yet to be granted a Telecommunications Act licence to enable it to install and run its systems in the street and on private land within the franchise area. During statutory public consultation on the granting of CableTel's licence there will be an opportunity for representations to be made about the inclusion of licence conditions relating to environmental protection.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what area, in hectares and percentage terms, of environmentally sensitive areas in England is made up of productive, or potentially productive, agricultural land. [37131]

  Mr. Boswell
  Current estimates of productive or potentially productive agricultural land within environmentally sensitive areas in England are:

  Environmentally sensitive areas

  Productive or potentially productive area (hectares)

  Percentage of total area designated

  Stage 1 ESAs (launched in 1987)

  Broads

  24,000

  67

  Somerset Levels and Moors

  25,800

  93

  22

  Environmentally sensitive areas

  Productive or potentially productive area (hectares)

  Percentage of total area designated

  Pennine Dales

  39,900

  86

  West Penwith

  6,700

  93

  South Downs

  51,700

  75

  Stage II ESAs (launched in 1988)

  Breckland

  51,600

  55

  North Peak

  50,500

  92

  Clun

  17,600

  82

  Suffolk River Valleys

  32,800

  75

  Test Valley

  3,300

  69

  Stage III ESAs (launched in 1993)

  Avon Valley

  3,800

  73

  Exmoor

  67,700

  84

  Lake District

  202,600

  83

  North Kent Marshes

  12,200

  83

  South Wessex Downs

  38,300

  83

  South West Peak

  29,500

  87

  Stage IV ESAs (launched in 1994)

  Cotswold Hills

  66,100

  78

  Dartmoor

  84,500

  84

  Blackdown Hills

  32,000

  81

  Essex Coast

  21,300

  79

  Shropshire Hills

  34,900

  91

  Upper Thames Tributaries

  23,200

  84

  Total

  920,000

  80

  The area given in the first column exclude woodland, urban areas—(e.g., built-up land, recreational/amenity land), mineral workings, roads, water (e.g. rivers and lakes), non-farmed land (e.g reedbed, swamp/marginal vegetation and saltmarsh) and unvegetated land (cliff/foreshore, mudflats and bare rock).

  Intervention Beef
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current level of stock in beef, in tonnes, held in intervention in the United Kingdom; and if he will give details of the age profile of the stock. [38983]

  Mr. Baldry
  The level of intervention beef stocks in the United Kingdom on 23 October 1995 was 8,858 tonnes. This figure includes stocks of beef committed under the current processing sale EEC regulation 1181/95.

  The age profile of these stocks is:

  1990: 378.0 tonnes

  1991: 2230.5 tonnes

  1992: 3677.5 tonnes

  1993: 2572.0 tonnes

  Premium Schemes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost in 1994, in Humberside and the three counties of Yorkshire of payments under(a) the sheep annual premium, (b) the suckler cow premium, (c) the beef special premium and (d) the hill livestock compensatory allowances: and what is his estimate of the cost in 1995. [38990]

  Mr. Baldry
  The cost in 1994 and an estimate of the cost in 1995 for Humberside and the three counties of Yorkshire of the sheep annual premium scheme, the
  23
  suckler cow premium scheme, the beef special premium scheme and the hill livestock compensatory allowances scheme are as follows:

  1984 Scheme payments

  £million

  County

  SAPS

  SCPS

  BSPS

  HLCAs

  Total

  Humberside

  1.031

  1.074

  1.476

  0.000

  3.581

  North Yorkshire

  17.172

  4.737

  6.061

  4.107

  32.077

  South Yorkshire

  0.663

  0.610

  0.687

  0.213

  2.173

  West Yorkshire

  1.967

  1.215

  0.938

  0.719

  4.839

  1995 Scheme estimated payments

  £ million

  County

  SAPS1

  SOPS2

  BSPS3

  HLCAs4

  Total

  Humberside

  1.165

  1.407

  1.951

  0.000

  4.523

  North Yorkshire

  19.405

  6.206

  8.012

  4.107

  37.730

  South Yorkshire

  0.750

  0.799

  0.909

  0.213

  2.671

  West Yorkshire

  2.222

  1.592

  1.240

  0.720

  5.774

  Notes:

  1Based on an estimated 13 per cent. increase in premium rate

  2 Based on an estimated 31 per cent. increase in premium rate

  3Based on an estimated 28 per cent. increase in premium rate where extensification is payable and 35 per cent. where it is not payable

  4Based on an estimate of a nil increase in allowance rate

  EC Grant Schemes
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost in 1994, in Humberside and the three counties of Yorkshire, of payments under(a) the environmentally sensitive areas scheme, (b) the nitrate sensitive areas scheme, (c) the farm and conservation grant scheme, (d) the pilot beef and sheep extensification schemes, (e) the woodland grant scheme, (f) the farm woodland premium scheme, (g) the orchard grubbing scheme, (h) the optional five-year set-aside scheme, (j) the habitat scheme, (j) the habitat scheme, (k) the moorland scheme, (l) the countryside access scheme and (n) the organic aid scheme; and what is his estimate of the cost in 1995. [38991]

  Mr. Boswell
  The information is available on a financial year basis as follows:

  Level of expenditure

  £000's

  Scheme

  1994–95 (actual)

  1995–96 (estimate)

  Environmentally sensitive areas

  1,375

  1,479

  Nitrate sensitive areas

  15

  650

  Farm and conservation grant scheme

  2,106

  660

  Pilot beef and sheep extensification schemes

  114

  114

  Woodland grant scheme

  1,064

  1,280

  Farm woodland premium scheme

  1n/a

  1n/a

  Orchard grubbing scheme

  0

  0

  Five year set-aside scheme

  1n/a

  1n/a

  Habitat scheme

  0

  55

  Moorland scheme

  0

  0

  Countryside access scheme

  0

  2

  Organic aid scheme

  0

  2.5

  1n/a = Not Available

  The information requested is not readily available for these schemes and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a scheme of grants for work to and equipment for fishing vessels under 12 m in length which is required by the new safety standards. [39815]

  Mr. Baldry
  The safety code for under 12 m fishing vessels is still being developed by the Department of Transport's Marine Safety Agency in consultation with the fishing industry. The aim is to publish the code in 1996 and for it to come into force in 1997 with requirements for existing vessels being phased in over a two-year period. Once the code is finalised the Government will carefully consider the implications for the current vessel safety grants scheme which applies to vessels of 12 m and over.

  Coriander
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hectares of land during 1995 have been used to grow coriander as an alternative to oilseed rape; what was the figure for 1994; and if he will make a statement. [39537]

  Mr. Baldry
  This Ministry does not routinely collect data on this crop. Coriander was not grown on set-aside in 1994 or 1995. The crop can be used as a green vegetable or for flavouring and the seeds contain 18 per cent. oil predominantly of oleic and petroselenic fatty acids but germination of the crop can be erratic in the UK.

  Intervention Stocks
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total tonnage of disposable stocks of each commodity held in intervention stock in the United Kingdom on 30 June; and what was the figure for that date in(a) 1994, (b) 1993 and (c) 1992. [39535]

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 23 October 1995,Official Report, column 480.

  Oilseed Rape
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many hectares of land during 1995 have been used to grow oilseed rape; and what were the figures for(a) 1985, (b) 1975 and (c) 1965. [39536]

  Mr. Baldry
  The information requested is as follows:

  11968

  1975

  1985

  21995

  Area (hectares)

  6,486

  38,987

  295,620

  441,620

  1 No census data are available for 1965.

  2 Provisional.

  Sources:

  Provisional June census results 1995 (United Kingdom) and estimate of oilseeds on set-aside land.

  Agricultural Statistics United Kingdom 1985.

  Agricultural Statistics England and Wales 1975 and 1968. Figures converted from acres to hectares using 1 hectare = 2.47 acres. No figures collected for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Set-aside Payments
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the 20 highest sums paid in set-aside payments in each of the past three years for which payments have been made. [39824]

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 11 July,Official Report, column 631. Set-aside payments for 1995 are still being made and details will not be available until after the close of the payment window on 31 December.
  26

  Turtles
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement' on his guidelines for fishermen on how to deal with(a) reptiles and (b) endangered species of turtles in the waters around the United Kingdom. [39426]

  Mr. Baldry
  The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides protection for marine turtles within UK territorial waters. If any fisherman finds a reptile or a marine turtle in his nets, it should be returned to the sea.

TRANSPORT

  MOT Tests
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new proposals he has to improve the efficiency of MOT tests on cars and lorries. [39820]

  Mr. Norris
  We are continually looking for ways to improve the efficiency of tests. For example, we believe the introduction of computerisation into the MOT scheme would increase compliance and improve testing standards, so we have recently appointed consultants to advise on the options for doing so. We are also allowing vehicle inspectorate examiners to test HGVs at vehicle operators' premises, provided they are suitably equipped.

  Company Cars
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his calculation of the additional accident rates of company cars; and what measure he plans to introduce to reduce the accident totals. [39818]

  Mr. Norris
  The annual involvement in injury accidents per 10,000 vehicles is given in "Transport Statistics Great Britain 1995", HMSO; for vehicles registered in 1991 to 1993 the accident involvement in 1993 was 128 per 10,000 privately owned cars and 192 per 10,000 company cars.

  My Department works with, and grant aids, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, which is a key provider of driver training courses to companies. These have reduced accidents among company car drivers and have proved cost-effective for employers. The Department is conducting research on the effectiveness of driver training and other fleet management safety policies. Many road safety measures, aimed at all drivers, will also cut accidents among company car drivers.

  US-UK Air Talks
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the current status of the US-UK air talks; and if he will make a statement. [40309]

  Mr. Norris
  Despite concessions offered by the United Kingdom Government, the US Government formally broke off talks on UK-US air services on 20 October. The talks covered a package of new measures designed to increase opportunities for air travellers, shippers and airlines. We stand ready to resume talks as soon as the US Government are ready to do so.

  Bus Companies
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints have been received to date by the Office of Fair Trading on anti-competitive behaviour by bus companies; and how many were made by his Department. [40488]

  Mr. Norris
  I understand that 610 such complaints have been received by the Office of Fair Trading—none initiated by my Department.

  Catalytic Converters
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of cars are fitted with catalytic converters. [39890]

  Mr. Norris
  The last assessment of the percentage of cars fitted with three-way catalytic converters was given in my reply to the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) on 17 July,Official Report, column 877. The number estimated at that time was equivalent to 21.85 per cent. of the total passenger car fleet which numbered 22.2 million at the end of 1994.

  Since all new petrol-engined passenger cars must now be fitted with three-way catalytic converters the percentage will continue to rise.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect on the ozone level of the use of catalytic converters in vehicles. [39891]

  Mr. Norris
  The third report of the United Kingdom photochemical review oxidants group, which advises the Secretary of State for the Environment, states that the"3—way automotive catalyst is the best currently available technology for control of emissions of CO, VOCs and NOx from petrol engine vehicles".

  The report discusses in detail the likely effect of this control on levels of ozone in the air. A copy is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Benzene
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact the use of super-unleaded petrol has had on emissions of benzene. [39893]

  Mr. Norris
  Current data indicate that, on average, petrol—both leaded and unleaded—in the United Kingdom contains between 2 per cent. and 3 per cent. benzene with no significant trends between the grades.

  Low Sulphur Fuel
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to encourage the use of low sulphur fuel by bus operators. [39905]

  Mr. Norris
  Regulations are already in place—SI 1994 No. 2295—which require low sulphur diesel fuel from 1 October 1996. This new fuel, which will be widely available and not restricted to certain market sectors, will bring benefits, in terms of particulate reduction, across the whole of the diesel fleet.

  Devolved Expenditure
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what items of his Department's expenditure have been devolved to local authorities since 1979. [39978]

  Mr. Norris
  The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Tachographs
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his oral answer of 23 October,Official Report,

  29
  column 688, if he will list the inspection rates for tachographs for each of the European Countries referred to. [40009]

  Mr. Norris
  The European Commission has to report every two years to the Council on implementation of the EU regulation on drivers' hours, based upon information supplied by member states. The last report, covering the years 1986 to 1990, provided insufficient detail to compare individual countries accurately. I am sending the hon. Member an extract from it. However, checks carried out by the Vehicle Inspectorate in the United Kingdom exceed the regulation's requirement for member states to check at least 1 per cent. of days worked by drivers and our police forces carry out additional checks.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to encourage tamper-proof tachographs. [39981]

  Mr. Norris
  EU regulations set out the technical specifications for recording equipment in road transport. From 1 January 1996, new vehicles must be fitted with a tachograph which automatically records on the chart any interruption of the power supply and each opening of the tachograph case. In addition, the connecting cable from the transmitter must have improved protection. We have also supported Commission proposals for the introduction of digital recording equipment, and regret that at its meeting in June the Transport Council was unable to agree how best to take these proposals forward.

  Car Alarms
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his Department's policy on the use of car alarms and the impact on noise pollution during the night. [39896]

  Mr. Norris
  Car alarms are a positive deterrent to car crime. I am aware, however, of the concern felt about their potential for noise nuisance and will shortly be consulting on regulations which will reduce the maximum period of audible alarm signal permitted to 30 seconds for new alarms and prohibit the use of audible signals to confirm setting or unsetting of the alarm system. These changes, while not compromising the security value of alarms, should considerably reduce any noise nuisance.

  Noise nuisance can also now be tackled in the street by environmental health officers. Powers under the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993, permit EHOs to forcibly enter cars, in certain circumstances, to disable illegally sounding devices which are causing a noise nuisance.

  Windscreen Washers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his Department's policy towards persons cleaning car windscreens at traffic lights; and if he will make a statement. [39897]

  Mr. Norris
  Road traffic law provides that if a person, without lawful authority or excuse, wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway, he or she is guilty of an 30
  offence. We have no evidence that persons cleaning car windscreens at traffic lights represent a road safety problem.

  Vehicle Pollution
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has to show whether a minority of cars emit a majority of pollution; and what proposals he has to resolve the problem. [39901]

  Mr. Norris
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 18 July at column 1016 and 16 October at column 89.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact vehicle pollution has on drivers inside their vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [39906]

  Mr. Norris
  There is no evidence to suggest that the health of drivers is subject to any greater degree of risk as a result of pollution inside their vehicles than that to which the public at large are exposed.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice his Department offers to motorists buying a new car on the relative health benefits and disbenefits of diesel and petrol cars. [39888]

  Mr. Norris
  At the moment the Government neither recommend nor discourage the purchase and use of diesel or petrol cars on environmental or health grounds. This policy will be reviewed and updated, as necessary, in the light of medical evidence as to the health effects of these fuels.

  HGV Drivers
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department is currently undertaking into the effects of fatigue in heavy goods vehicle drivers. [39982]

  Mr. Norris
  We are continuing with our research programme into the relative effectiveness of possible countermeasures to tiredness, to ensure that the best advice is available to all drivers on how to minimise the risk of having a sleep-related accident.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on penalties for employers who bring pressure on heavy goods vehicle drivers to work illegally long hours; and if he will make a statement. [39992]

  Mr. Norris
  Enforcement authorities can, and do, prosecute employers where it can be proved that they caused or permitted a driver to break the drivers' hours or tachograph rules. These offences carry maximum fines of £2,500—level 4—and £5,000—level 5—respectively. Deliberate falsification of a tachograph chart can result in up to two years' imprisonment.

  Such offences are also taken into account by the licensing authorities when reviewing an operator's compliance with the conditions of his licence. Offenders can be called to a public inquiry, and their licences can be curtailed, suspended or revoked.

  Local Authority Spending
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the balance of spending on transport between local authorities and central Government. [39979]

  Mr. Norris
  Figures for central and local Government expenditure on transport are contained in table 1.17 of "Transport Statistics Great Britain 1995," copies of which are in the Library.

  Trunk Roads
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to conduct a general review of the trunk roads programme. [39848]

  Mr. Watts
  The current programme was set out in "Trunk Roads in England—1994 Review". We keep the programme under review and adjust it as circumstances change.

  Channel Tunnel Link
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he now expects the high-speed link from the channel tunnel to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [39762]

  Mr. Watts
  The start of the main construction works will follow the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill gaining Royal Assent and the promoter completing sufficient design and other work to achieve the necessary raising of finance. The Government will place contractual obligations on the private sector promoter as to the timetable for construction of the main works, but as negotiations with the shortlisted bidders are still under way it is too early to say what the timetable might be. Union Railways planned a construction programme of about five and a half years.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what policy proposals Her Majesty's Government have put to the recent conference held in Vienna to decide on the standards to be adopted for casks used to transport by air consignments of plutonium in mixed oxide form and what response was made by the British delegation to the United States proposals. [39253]

  Mr. Norris
  The Advisory Committee on the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials—ACTRAM—concluded that the air transport of certain physical forms of mixed plutonium—uranium oxide constitutes no significant inhalation hazard. At the meeting in Vienna in September the United Kingdom delegation therefore supported the proposal that such material could continue to be transported by air in packages currently approved to International Atomic Energy Agency standards, provided that the material itself meets stringent test requirements which minimise the potential inhalation hazard.

  The UK, in common with a large majority of other member state delegations, could not accept the United States proposals.

  Humber Bridge
  Mr. Michael Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when legislation will be introduced to enable 32
  powers to be given to him to reduce the debt on the Humber bridge; and if he will make a statement. [39886]

  Mr. Watts
  We remain committed to introducing, at the earliest opportunity, a Bill to deal with the debt.

  Eurostar
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers he has to ensure that sufficient space to allow bicycles to be carried is available on Eurostar. [40058]

  Mr. Watts
  There is no requirement in the current train operator's licence for European Passenger Services and the Secretary of State has no plans to vary this. Eurostar does, however, intend to begin carrying bicycles in a few months' time.

  Departmental Spending
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spends annually on(a) road building, (b) light rapid transits and (c) cycleways. [39771]

  Mr. Watts
  In 1994–95, the Department provided capital resources of £1.9 billion for constructing trunk roads and supporting the construction of local authority roads, and £60.2 million for light rapid transit schemes.

  The majority of the Department's expenditure on cycleways is included in the overall capital settlement for local transport. With the exception of the specific grant the Department is providing this year for the London cycle network, provision for cycleways forms part of local authorities' wider allocation for highways and traffic management schemes. The exact sum spent is at the discretion of the local authorities, and the Department does not collect figures centrally. In addition, many of the Highways Agency's trunk road schemes include measures to improve the safety of cyclists, and the agency is committed to helping provide safe and convenient crossings of trunk roads by the national cycle network.

  Open Skies Pact
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the latest effort of the European Union to replace separate national air traffic accords with an open skies pact between the US and Europe. [39760]

  Mr. Norris
  The European Commission's proposal for a draft negotiating mandate for EU-US negotiations, aimed at liberalising the EC-US market, was put to the Council of Ministers for consideration at its meeting in June 1995.

  The Council agreed to postpone discussion of the Commission's proposal and instead requested the Commission to carry out a thorough analysis to show whether a better result for all member states could realistically be produced by negotiations at Community level and to define the common interest. The study is due

  33
  to be presented at the December Transport Council meeting.

  A34
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about the European Commission's plan to drop legal action on the A34 Newbury bypass and the M77. [39761]

  Mr. Watts
  We welcome the Commission's announcement. It confirms the view that the British Government have taken all along.

  Toll Roads
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals his Department has for the introduction of toll roads; and if he will make a statement. [39766]

  Mr. Watts
  Trials of electronic motorway tolling systems will start next year. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South ( Mr. MacGregor) announced on 2 December 1993,Official Report, columns 646–49, this assessment of technology will provide the basis on which to decide when to bring forward the legislation necessary for electronic motorway charging. I have no other proposals for the introduction on toll roads.

  "Life on the Edge"
  Mr. Mills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the videotape, "Life on the Edge" on guidance to emergency repair operators on motorways. [39623]

  Mr. Watts
  The video and the associated code of practice provide advice on good practice in vehicle recovery operations. They are a welcome initiative from the industry and a valuable contribution towards improving safety standards.

  Rail Privatisation
  Mr. Grocott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated cost to date of rail privatisation. [37914]

  Mr. Watts
  Costs incurred to date by the Department, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and the Office of the Rail Regulator are as follows. They include running costs and consultancy costs.

  £ million

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–961

  DOT

  1.0

  6.7

  3.52

  14.2

  8.8

  OPRAF

  —

  —

  2.4

  16.6

  15.4

  ORR

  —

  —

  1.4

  9.0

  4.0

  Total

  1.0

  6.7

  17.3

  39.8

  28.2

  Notes:

  1Estimated costs to 30 September 1995.

  2Includes £1.5 million contribution by DOT to the costs of setting up Opraf and ORR prior to formal appointments of the franchising director and Rail Regulator.
  34
  In addition, British Rail and Railtrack have incurred costs linked to privatisation. These are shown in the following table:

  £ million

  Year

  BR/Railtrack

  1991–92

  —

  1992–93

  —

  1993–94

  92.2

  1994–95

  131.0

  1995–961

  57.0

  Note:

  1 Estimated costs to 30 September 1995.

HEALTH

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what policy considerations underlie his policy on whether medication for glaucoma sufferers should be dispensed free of charge in the same manner as for diabetes sufferers. [37652]

  Mr. Malone
  Exemption from prescription charges on medical grounds was first introduced in 1968. The list was agreed with representatives of general medical practitioners who made it clear that they could agree to exemption only for certain readily identifiable conditions which called automatically for life-long medication.

  The arrangements were reviewed in 1993 as part of the Government's review for health service spending. We concluded that the present arrangements should stand.

  Capital Expenditure
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the total capital expenditure in(a) trusts by region and (b) health authorities and other bodies in each of the last three years. [37926]

  Mr. Sackville
  The total capital expenditure for 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94 will placed in the Library.

  The audited figures for 1994–95 are not yet available.

  The definition of capital has changed during this period, therefore comparisons between years cannot readily be made. For 1993–94 the threshold value for the definition of capital expenditure was increased from £1,000 to £5,000. This technical change to accounting policy reduced capital expenditure as money spent on tangible assets which was formerly classed as capital was in 1993–94 recorded as revenue. In 1993–94 over £100 million was transferred from capital to revenue to take account of the increase to the capital threshold.

  Accident and Emergency Department
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients presenting themselves to accident and emergency departments within(a) the London area and (b) England in 1994 were assessed by a nurse within five minutes of arriving. [38623]
  35
  Mr. Malone
  In the quarter ended 31 December 1994, 91 per cent. of patients in England were assessed immediately on arrival in accident and emergency departments. The latest information, for the quarter ended 30 June 1995, shows that national performance has risen to 93 per cent. These figures are based on samples.

  Information on the performance of individual London trusts in the quarter ended 31 March 1995 is contained in the 1994–95 NHS performance tables, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Research
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out into(a) cystic fibrosis and (b) colonic strictures; and if he will make a statement; [39317]

  (2) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out into gastrointestinal transit in the elderly; and if he will make a statement; [39315]

  (3) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out into (a) heart rate variability in mountaineers and (b) autonomic function and altitude; and if he will make a statement; [39311]

  (4) what research his Department carried out into the long term safety and efficacy of TCV-116, 4; 8; 12; 16 mg. once daily, in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension; and if he will make a statement; [39303]

  (5) what research his Department has carried out into the evaluation of palliative care services to people with chronic obstructive airways disease; and if he will make a statement; [39056]

  (6) what research his Department has carried out into Valaciclovir international Zoster assessment—VIZA; and if he will make a statement; [39307]

  (7) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out into the long-term consequences of gastrointestinal infections; and if he will make a statement; [39299]

  (8) what proposals his Department has carried out for a multi-centre pilot study to investigate the physical performance of the Allevyn adhesive dressing; and if he will make a statement; [38967]

  (9) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out to assess the efficacy of semipermanent acupuncture needles in the prevention of post-operative nausea and vomiting; and if he will make a statement; [39313]

  (10) what research his Department carried out into avoidable, acute admissions; and if he will make a statement; [39305]

  (11) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out into diagnostic reasoning in occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement; [39297]

  (12) what research his Department has carried out into the maintenance of activity and acceptability of Tianeptine administered in its prolonged release form—1 x 50 mg/day—in the treatment of (a) major depressive
  36
  disorders and (b) dysthymia; and if he will make a statement; [39309.]

  (13) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out to investigate the effects of clinical use on the durability of Versaflex linear compression bandages; and if he will make a statement; [39301]

  (14) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out into the prevention hypoxia after hip fractures; and if he will make a statement; [39316]

  (15) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out into the personality in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy; and if he will make a statement; [39312]

  (16) what research his Department carried out into current local awareness and trends in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome; and if he will make a statement; [39304]

  (17) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out into the BASO breast study; and if he will make a statement; [39296]

  (18) what research his Department has carried out into a randomised, double-blinded, paralleled group, placebo controlled study of topical lithium succinate cream applied either twice or four times daily in the treatment of herpes labalis U2E-93–02–001; and if he will make a statement; [39308]

  (19) what research and evaluation his Department has recently carried out into the needs of adolescent offenders with psychological problems and others with similar difficulties; and if he will make a statement; [39300]

  (20) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out to see if early changes in (a) insulin sensitivity and (b) insulin secretion in early diagnosed type II diabetes predict an ultimate treatment outcome; and if he will make a statement; [39314]

  (21) what research his Department has carried out into the prevention of relapse/recurrence in depression with Isapirone treatment—Esprit—and if he will make a statement; [39306]

  (22) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out into a randomised controlled trial to compare non-pharmacological methods of relieving perineal discomfort following childbirth; and if he will make a statement; [39298]

  (23) what research his Department has carried out into BU9209UK/GP97 comparative effects of Bumetanide plus Captoril, and Frusemide plus Captopril in patients with congestive cardiac failure with long-term follow-up for up to two years; and if he will make a statement; [39310]

  (24) what research and findings his Department carried out into an open multicentre study with response dependent dose titration and with a final double-blind comparison with placebo, run-out period; and if he will make a statement; [39302]

  (25) what research and evaluation his Department has carried out into the use of an analgesic protocol as a means of rationalising the prescribing of analgesics for pain relief; and if he will make a statement. [39318]
  37
  Mr. Malone
  None. Research commissioned within the Department's policy research programme is set out in "Centrally Commissioned Research Programme" and "Centrally Commissioned Research Programme: Commissions 1994/95", copies of which are available in the Library.

  The main agency through which the Government support biomedical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council. The MRC is an independent body receiving its grant in aid from the Office of Science and Technology which is part of the Department of Trade and Industry.

  Osteoporosis
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to help post-menopausal women suffering from osteoporosis. [39606]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health published the report of its advisory group on osteoporosis in January 1995. Copies of the report were distributed to all national health service bodies in England and are available in the Library. The Department is presently working to implement its recommendations. This year, the Department has increased its support for the National Osteoporosis Society.

  Clinical Waste
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department last made a study of the methods used by Doncaster royal infirmary and Mexborough Montagu hospital of the incineration of clinical waste; and if he will make a statement. [39569]

  Mr. Sackville
  My Department does not carry out studies of individual trust clinical waste incineration operations. It does take an overview of clinical waste disposal throughout the national health service and has provided comprehensive guidance.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their cost for(a) the financial years 1994–95 and (b) the estimated figures for the financial year 1995–96, for each executive agency for which he is responsible. [39502]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information requested is shown in the tables in the form readily available from the agencies concerned. The costs include all casual staff and employers' superannuation and national insurance contributions.

  NHS Estate Agency

  Grade

  1994–95 Number

  1995–96 Number

  UG3

  1

  1

  UG5

  4

  4

  UG6

  16

  10

  UG7

  33

  29

  SPTO

  12

  11

  SEO

  3

  5

  HEO

  13

  11

  HPTO

  7

  8

  38

  NHS Estate Agency

  Grade

  1994–95 Number

  199–-96 Number

  EO

  14

  10

  IO

  2

  2

  PTO

  1

  1

  Cost in 1994–95:

  £3,616,043

  Estimated cost in 1995–96:

  £3,360,337

  Notes:

  1. The forecast for 1995–96 is that the numbers of staff will not significantly differ from the position at 30 September. The estimated overall cost for the year is based on that assumption.

  2. The figures include both civil servants as well as staff on three-year contracts. However, they exclude agency secretarial and clerical staff whose numbers were: 34 (1994–95 at a total additional cost of £431,607) and, 33 (forecast for 1995–96 at a forecast total additional cost of £445,296).

  NHS Pensions Agency

  Grade

  1994–95 Whole-time equivalent

  1995–96 Whole-time equivalent

  UG5

  1

  1

  UG6

  2.8

  2.8

  UG7

  2.8

  2.8

  SEO

  9.7

  9.7

  HEO

  22.4

  22.4

  EO

  84.0

  84.0

  Secretaries

  2.8

  2.8

  AO

  249.8

  249.8

  AA

  80.9

  80.9

  Typing Manager

  1.0

  1.0

  Typists

  11.5

  11.5

  Support Manager

  1.0

  1.0

  Support Grade 1

  4.7

  4.7

  Support Grade 2

  38.5

  38.5

  Cost in 1994–95

  £7,482,00.

  Estimated cost in 1995–96

  It is estimated that costs will not vary significantly over 1994–95.

  Note:

  1. For 1994–95, the figures given represent the average whole-time equivalent of staff in 1994–95.

  Medical Devices Agency

  Grade

  1994–1995 Whole-time equivalent

  1995–1996 Whole-time equivalent

  UG4

  1.0

  1.0

  UG5

  3.8

  3.0

  UG6

  6.8

  6.5

  UG7

  23.6

  20.6

  SPTO

  39.8

  34.8

  HPTO

  23.7

  18.4

  HEO

  5.8

  6.0

  PTO

  2.3

  6.0

  EO/AT

  16.0

  11.0

  AO/TEC11

  18.3

  21.7

  AA

  5.7

  5.6

  PES/SPES/TYPIST

  8.7

  7.7

  Cost in 1994–95

  £4,959,000

  Estimated cost in 1995–96

  £4,845,000

  Note:

  1. The 1994–95 figures given represent the average whole-time equivalent of staff in 1994–95.
  39

  Medicines Control Agency

  Grade

  1994–95 Number

  1995–96 Number

  UG3

  1

  1

  UG4

  5

  3

  UG5

  27

  30

  UG6

  15

  14

  UG7

  64

  61

  SEO

  12

  12

  PHOl

  9

  11

  SSO

  4

  4

  HEO

  20

  18

  HPTO

  1

  1

  HSO

  16

  19

  LIB

  1

  1

  PHO2

  4

  3

  EO

  45

  47

  SO

  13

  19

  SPES

  6

  5

  AO

  43

  43

  ASO

  6

  6

  AA

  22

  20

  TYPIST

  2

  5

  TM

  1

  1

  Cost in 1994–95

  £11,594,000

  Estimated cost in 1995–96

  £13,116,000

  Note:

  1. The 1994–95 figure represent the staff in post at 31 March 1995.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to collate centrally by national health trust the expenses paid annually to chairmen; and if he will make a statement. [39544]

  Mr. Malone
  No.

  Free Treatment
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the methods used for identifying those not entitled to free treatment from the NHS; and what are the means used to ensure that payment is made.

  Mr. Sackville
  All national service hospitals are required to have procedures in place to identify and charge patients who are not eligible for free NHS treatment.

  Doncaster Health Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the names of the chairman, general manager or chief executive of the Doncaster health authority and its successor bodies and the Doncaster Healthcare NHS trust in each of the years since 1988–89 and the amounts paid to each person in fees, salaries, other remuneration and expenses for each year; [39540]

  (2) if he will list the names of members serving on the Doncaster health authority, its successor bodies and the Doncaster Healthcare NHS trust in each of the financial years since 1988–89 and the amounts paid to each person in fees, salaries, other remuneration and expenses for each year. [39539]
  40
  Mr. Malone
  Those who have served on the board of Doncaster Healthcare NHS trust since it was established on 1 November 1991—operational on 1 April 1992—and on the board of Doncaster health authority since 1988–89, are as follows:

  DONCASTER HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST

  Chairman:

  1 November 1991 until 30 November 1993: Peter Horsburgh

  6 December 1993 to date: David Bertram

  Non-executive directors:

  M. Spencer (from 1 November 1991 until December 1993), C. Fleming, J. Liversedge, J. Lucas, J. Millar, S. Bryant (from 15.08.94).

  Chief Executive:

  1 November 1991 until January 1995: Michael Bone 16 January 1995 to date: Peter Oldridge (acting chief executive)

  DONCASTER HEALTH AUTHORITY

  Members:

  1988–89: Mr. P. Adey, Dr. A. Berry, Mrs. R. Cottrell, Mr. E. Dickinson, Mr. R. Fawcett, Dr. J. Finbow, Mrs. J. Fish, Mrs. E Harris, Dr. R. Leggett, Mr. J. McHale, Mrs. B. Meeke, Mrs. M. Robinson, Cllr. F. Milnes, Cllr. N. Swan, Cllr. E. Tattersall, Cllr. P. Welsh.

  1989–90: Mr. P Adey, Dr. A. Berry, Mrs. R. Cottrell, Mr. E. Dickinson, Mr. R. Fawcett, Dr. J Finbow, Mrs. J Fish, Mrs. E Harris, Dr. R. Leggett, Mr. J. McHale, Mrs. B. Meeke, Mrs. M. Robinson, Cllr. J. Hawley, Cllr. A. Mitchinson, Cllr. E. Tattersall, Cllr. P. Welsh.

  October 1989 to September 1990: Mr. P. Adey, Mr. G. Bardhan, Dr. A. Berry, Mrs. R. Cottrell, Mr. E. Dickinson, Mrs. J. Fish, Mrs. E. Harris, Mr. R. Fawcett, Dr. R. Leggett, Mr. D. McFadden, Mrs. B. Meeke, Mrs. M. Robinson, Cllr. J. Hawley, Cllr. A. Mitchinson, Cllr. E. Tattersall, Cllr. P. Welsh.

  September 1990 to March 1991: Mr. E. Dickinson, Mrs. E. Harris, Mr. J. Lusby (resigned November 1990), Mr. M Mitchell, (replaced by Mr. T. Sly, November 1990), Mr. J. Staniland.

  April 1991 to date: Mr. E. Dickinson (resigned May 1992), Ms V. Ferres, Mrs. E. Harris, Mr. T. Sly, Mr. J. Staniland, Mr. M. Glover (from April 1993, to replace Mr. Dickinson).

  Chairman:

  1988–89: Malcolm C. Foy replaced by Graham Smith in June 1989.

  1 June 1989 until 31 March 1994: Graham Smith.

  1 April 1994 to date: Keith Jones.

  Chief Executives:

  1989–90: John Lusby until November 1990.

  July 1991 to date: John Newton.

  Chairmen of district health authorities have been entitled to remuneration annually at the following rates:

  Date

  Renumeration

  Prior to 1 April 1989

  £11,868

  Between 1 April 1989 and 31 March 1990

  £12,462

  Between 1 April 1990 and 31 December 1990

  Within the range£13,674 to £17,437

  Between 1 January 1991 and 30 November 1991

  Within the range £13,812 to £17,610

  From 1 December 1991 to date

  Within the range of£15,125 to £19,285

  41
  Non-executive members of health authorities are remunerated at a flat rate of £5,000 per annum—before 1990 they received no remuneration.

  Since December 1991, chairmen of NHS trusts have been remunerated within the range £15,125 to £19,285 per annum. Non-executive directors of trusts are remunerated at a flat rate of £5,000 per annum. Details of expenses paid to NHS board members are not held centrally.

  The total remuneration of the chief executives of Doncaster Healthcare NHS trust and Doncaster health authority during the periods in question is as follows:

  Health authority

  1988–89: £44,105

  1989–90: £47,700

  1990–91: £53,353

  1991–92: £56,438

  1992–93: £70,8321

  1993–94: £73,270

  1994–95: £78,244

  Trust

  1992–93: £47,000

  1993–94: £48,000

  1994–95: £50,000

  1A joint chief executive, for Doncaster DHA and Doncaster FHSA, was appointed on 1 July 1991. Prior to that date there was a DHA general manager and an FHSA general manager.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [39849]

  Mr. Sackville
  My right hon. friend the Secretary of State meets the chief executives of my Department's agencies as and when a specific need to do so arises. Since July, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has held one such meeting.

  Trent Health Authority
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement concerning the location of the new headquarters of Trent health authority, indicating the cost of relocation and the cost of using existing premises. [39500]

  Mr. Malone
  Trent regional health authority will be abolished on 31 March 1996. A number of the functions of the RHA will be carried out by the Trent regional office of the NHS executive. The regional office will occupy the headquarters of the former RHA at Fulwood house, Sheffield. Because the space requirements for the regional office's 135 staff will be smaller than for the RHA, negotiations are under way for Sheffield health authority to take over the freehold for the site and to lease part of the site to the regional office.

  Pharmacists
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to hold centrally records on 42
  the numbers of pharmacists who have been dismissed by his Department as a result of engaging in the practice of fraudulently collecting a prescription fee from a customer and ticking the exempt box on the prescription form; and if he will make a statement. [39509]

  Mr. Malone
  Pharmacists are not employed by the Department of Health but are under contract to individual family health services authorities. FHSAs are responsible for taking action against any pharmacist found to be engaging in fraudulent activities. Details of such cases are not available centrally.

  Since 1 April 1995 all patients presenting prescriptions for dispensing have been asked to sign the declaration on the back of the prescription form indicating the category of exemption claimed or the amount of the charge they have paid.

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which this 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. [39570]

  Mr. Sackville
  None.

  Treatment Costs
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward measures to make all patients aware of the cost of their individual treatment under the NHS. [39741]

  Mr. Malone
  The "Code of Practice on Openness in the NHS", issued in April 1995, sets out the information that NHS trusts are required to make available to members of the public. In most cases, this information will enable estimates of treatment costs to be made. There are no plans to advise patients of the cost of their individual treatment. Copies of the code are available in the Library.

  Employment of Children
  Mr. Couchman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for changes to the law on children's employment. [40690]

  Mr. Bowls
  We have today issued a consultation document proposing some changes to the law on children's employment in England and Wales. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is undertaking a separate but similar exercise in Scotland. Copies of both consultation documents have been placed in the Library.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by(a) trust, (b) health authority and (c) region, the amounts allocated for the administration of the private finance initiative. [40693]
  43
  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 2 May, columns 175–76, for the available information.

  Clinical Negligence
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State, pursuant to his answer of 29 March,Official Report, columns 683–84, when the necessary regulations to establish the special health authority to administer the clinical negligence scheme for trusts will be laid before Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [40791]

  Mr. Malone
  We have today laid before Parliament an order and regulations to set up the special health authority to deal with the establishment and administration of a clinical negligence scheme for trusts under section 21 of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990. The authority will be known as the national health service litigation authority.

  It is my intention to appoint Sir Bruce Martin QC as the chairman of the authority, and Dr. Oscar Craig and Mr. Ronald Bradshaw as non-executive members.

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the currently available methods for the detection of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in living humans. [38559]

  Mr. Sackville
  While there are currently no reliable methods for ante-mortem detection of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, in a small proportion of cases, it may be possible to confirm the diagnosis by a brain biopsy while the patient is still living.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is issued to pathologists and postmortem technicians when handling cases involving or potentially involving transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. [38548]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health issued guidance to national health service post-mortem staff on handling of bodies suspected to have had, or to have been at risk of developing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome in April 1994. Further guidance from the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens on precautions for work with human and animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies was issued in September 1994. Copies of each of these sets of guidance are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the locations where homogenisation and centrifugation of potential transmissible spongiform encephalopathies takes place. [38851]

  Mr. Sackville
  Homogenisation and centrifugation of potential transmissible spongiform encephalopathies should take place in laboratories with containment level 2 facilities, with additional precautions as specified by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens in its guidance on precautions for work with human and animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Information 44
  about the locations of these laboratories is not available centrally.

  Mr. Hinchcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance is issued to NHS personnel in maternity units in respect of patients who have received human growth hormone; and what procedures are operated for the handling of placenta and membranes; [38852]

  (2) what is the procedures for the disposal of human tissue obtained for the purpose of identifying a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy where tests confirm infection; [38553]

  (3) how personnel involved in neurosurgical procedures are advised of potential health risks associated with transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. [38554]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of health issued the NHS with guidance on precautions for work with human and animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies produced by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens in September 1994. Copies of this guidance are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment the Department has made of the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite as a sterilising agent for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies; how widespread is its use; and if he will make a statement. [38555]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Advisory Committee on Dangerous pathogens guidance on precautions for work with human and animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies assesses sodium hypochlorite to be the disinfectant of choice when autoclaving—the method of choice for decontamination—is not practicable. Information on its use is not available centrally but it is believed to be used widely.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the Department's assessment of the nature of the causative agent for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in humans. [38556]

  Mr. Sackville
  There are currently three main hypotheses which identify a prion, virino or virus respectively as the causal agents for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in humans. Details of these hypotheses are contained in the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee's publication "Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: A Summary of Present Knowledge and Research", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the level of occurrence for(a) suspected and (b) confirmed Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, within the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available. [38557]

  Mr. Sackville
  115 suspected cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease were reported to the national CJD surveillance unit in 1994. After further investigation, 59 of these were classified as definite or probable cases, of which 53 were sporadic CJD.

  Prostate Cancer
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has of increases in prostate cancer after vasectomy; and if he will make a statement. [38549]

  Mr. Sackville
  Several studies have been undertaken both in this country and internationally into the possible causal links between vasectomy and prostate cancer. The findings of these studies have been inconclusive.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are his current predictions for the incidence of Alzheimer's disease, within England, for the next 10 years. [38558]

  Mr. Bowis
  The prevalence of dementia is 5 per cent. for people aged 65 years and over and 20 per cent. for people aged 80 years and over. The increase in the elderly population is likely to result in a rise in the numbers suffering from dementia.

  Migration
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people have emigrated from the United Kingdom in the last 10 years; and if he will provide a breakdown by age and nationality. [38207]

  (2) how many immigrants have entered the United Kingdom in the last 10 years; and if he will provide a breakdown by age and nationality. [38208]

  Mr. Sackville
  The information for the years 1983 to 1992 is published in tables 2.1 and 2.9 of "International Migration, 1992". Information for 1993 is published in tables 17 and 19 of "Population Trends", volume 81. Copies of these publications are available in the Library.

  These tables do not include people migrating to or from the Irish Republic and it is also highly likely they exclude people admitted as short-term visitors who are subsequently granted an extension of stay for a year or longer, for example as students, on the basis of marriage, or because they applied for asylum. Estimates of net international migration from 1986 to 1993, including such people, are given on page 5 of "Population Trends", volume 81.

  Boneloc Cement
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what is his calculation of the total number of patients on whom Boneloc cement was used; and where in the United Kingdom it was used. [39819]

  Mr. Sackville
  Section 118 of the Medicines Act precludes the disclosure of information which is provided about products in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

  Hip Replacements
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proposals he has to reduce the percentage of revision of total hip replacement operations. [39821]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Department of Health plans to support research and evaluation programmes aimed at improving the safety, performance and life of total hip 46
  replacements. These include assessment of the clinical performance of implants by explant studies; the development of techniques to predict long-term clinical outcomes from short-term clinical data; and the development and assessment of new materials and technologies. The Department of Health is also supporting an analysis of the data from a five-year outcome study of total hip replacements in the Trent region.

  Herbal Medicines
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct the Office of Fair Trading to investigate misleading advertising of unlicensed herbal medicines. [38663]

  Mr. Sackville
  The Medicines Control Agency regulates the advertising of medicinal products, both licensed and unlicensed. The Medicines (Advertising) Regulations 1994 prohibit the advertising of a relevant medicinal product in respect of which no product licence is in force. The Department has sufficient powers in existing legislation to monitor the advertising of medicinal products, whether licensed or not.

  The Office of Fair Trading is empowered to undertake investigations into complaints against specific advertisements rather than particular sectors of advertising activity.

  Spending Statistics
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the latest available figures for(a) the district health authorities' spend per capita and (b) the family health services authorities' spend per capita for (i) London, (ii) Birmingham, (iii) Manchester, (iv) Liverpool, (v) Leeds and (vi) Newcastle. [40194]

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the per capita spending figure for each(a) district health authority, (b) family health services authority and (c) commissioning agency for 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96. [40282]

  Mr. Sackville
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 12 December 1994 at column 465.
  Figures for 1994–95 and 1995–96 are not yet available.

  Information is not available centrally for commissioning agencies, as they exist only as a managerial arrangement for some district health authorities and family health services authorities, and are not statutory bodies.

  Management Costs
  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will itemise by health authority spending per head of weighted population on management costs. [40280]

  Mr. Malone
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Members for York (Mr. Bayley) and for Dulwich (Ms Jowell) on 27 October,Official Report, column 848.

  Mr. Milburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will itemise spending on(a) M1 management costs and (b) M2 management costs by (i) health authority

  47
  and (ii) trust for each year for which figures are available, by both amount and percentage of income; [40281]

  (2) what measures of management and administrative costs in (a) trusts and (b) health authorities his Department maintains. [40283]

  Mr. Malone
  We shall be publishing information shortly on management costs in national health service trusts and on the costs of running health authorities for 1994–95. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 19 October at columns 363–64, for the details of what information will be provided about trusts' management costs for 1994–95 and what other measures of management costs have been provided previously. The 1994–95 information on the costs of running health authorities will cover all staff and non-staff costs with the exception of costs incurred in direct service provision—for example, health promotion, AIDS co-ordination; inherited costs—for example, premature retirement payments and costs of medical negligence claims—and capital charges on health centres and on surplus property in the process of disposal.

  Cancer
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the incidence of mouth cancer in the United Kingdom for each of the past 10 years. [38099]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 27 October 1995]: The information for the United Kingdom is shown in the table.

  Registration in the United Kingdom on oral cancers ICD91 codes140 (lip), 141 (tongue), 142 (salivary glands), 143 (gum), 144(floor of mouth), 145 (other and unspecified parts of the mouth) from 1980 to 1989.

  Year

  Persons

  1981

  2,344

  1982

  2,345

  1983

  2,273

  1984

  2,277

  1985

  2,201

  1986

  2,239

  1987

  2,380

  1988

  2,618

  1989

  2,481

  19902

  2,567

  1 International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision.

  2 Provisional.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths there were from mouth cancer for each of the past 10 years in the United Kingdom. [38100]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 27 October 1995]: The information for the United Kingdom is shown in the table.

  Deaths cause by oral cancers ICD91 codes 140 (lip), 141 (tongue),142 (salivary glands), gum (143), floor of mouth (144), other andunspecified parts of the mouth (145), in the United Kingdom in the years 1983 to 1994

  Year

  Persons

  1984

  1,152

  1985

  1,142

  1986

  1,064

  1987

  1,130

  1988

  1,150

  48

  Deaths cause by oral cancers ICD91 codes 140 (lip), 141 (tongue),142 (salivary glands), gum (143), floor of mouth (144), other andunspecified parts of the mouth (145), in the United Kingdom in the years 1983 to 1994

  Year

  Persons

  1989

  1,157

  1990

  1,121

  1991

  1,092

  1992

  1,209

  1993

  1,100

  19942

  1,235

  1 International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision

  2 provisional.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current incidence of(a) mouth cancer and (b) testicular cancer. [38101]

  Mr. Sackville
  [holding answer 27 October 1995]: The number of registrations in England and Wales in 1990 (provisional) of mouth cancer (ICD91 codes 140 (lip), 141 (tongue), 142 (salivary glands), 143, (gum), 144 (floor of mouth), 145 (other and unspecified parts of the mouth) is 2,154.

  The number of registrations in England and Wales in 1990 (provisional) for testicular cancer (ICD91 code 186) is 1,322.
  1International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  National Lottery Funding, Northamptonshire
  Mr. William Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is, to the latest convenient date, the total sum allocated under the national lottery and total sum allocated to applications in(a) Northamptonshire, (b) the Corby borough and (c) the East Northamptonshire district. [38336]

  Mr. Sproat
  The total sum allocated under the national lottery, as at 20 October, is £546 million—£546,146,920.04. There have been no awards, to date, for projects based in the Corby borough. A split between projects in the East Northamptonshire district and Northamptonshire are not available. There have been 12 awards to projects based in Northamptonshire with a total grant of £2,375,755.

  National Lottery Administration Costs
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what have been the administration costs to date of the (i) Arts Council Lottery Board, (ii) Sports Council Lottery Board, (iii) National Heritage Memorial Fund, (iv) National Lottery Charities Board and (v) Millennium Commission. [38748]

  Mr. Sproat
  As at 30 September, total administration costs for each of the lottery distributors were as follows:
  49

  Distribution body

  £

  The Arts Council of England

  2,539,411

  The Scottish Arts Council

  368,953

  The Arts Council of Wales

  302,947

  The Arts Council of Northern Ireland

  110,015

  The Sports Council (of England)

  2,543,000

  The Scottish Sports Council

  391,493

  The Sports Council of Wales

  327,451

  The Sports Council of Northern Ireland

  304,255

  The National Heritage Memorial Fund

  2,641,402

  The National Lottery Charities Board

  4,706,848

  The Millennium Commission

  3,101,839

  Total

  17,337,614

  The sums include start-up costs.

  George III Coronation Bible
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what attempts her Department has made to find a purchaser who will keep in the United Kingdom the bible on which King George III swore his coronation oath in 1761; and if she will make a statement. [39023]

  Mr. Sproat
  A licence to export the George III coronation bible was applied for in March this year. The granting of the licence was objected to by my Department's expert adviser and the case was referred in the normal way to the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art.

  My Department accepted the committee's recommendation that a decision on the export licence application should be deferred for three months to give an opportunity for a purchaser to come forward to offer to buy the bible at or above the fair market price of £350,000. A news release announcing this decision was widely circulated on 19 June 1995.

  At the end of the three-month period no offer to purchase had been made, nor were my officials aware of any other interest in purchasing the bible. The export licence was therefore issued and the bible exported in September of this year.

  A report on this case is contained in the 1994–95 report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art which was presented to Parliament on Tuesday 24 October, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Ernest Bevin School, Winsford
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what consideration her Department is giving to listing the school where Ernest Bevin was educated at Winsford, Somerset; and if she will make a statement. [39080]

  Mr. Sproat
  There is no proposal for the listing of any school in Winsford under consideration within my Department at the present time. However, if the hon. Member could provide photographs and location plan of the school where Ernest Bevin was educated, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will ask her advisers at English Heritage for an assessment of whether it is of special architectural or historic interest. As the hon. Member may be aware, Bevins house, Winsford, the birthplace of Ernest Bevin, is already listed in grade II.

  Drugs in Sport
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many persons tested positive in the Sports Council drug testing programme in 1994–95. [39787]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Sports Council publishes a report on its doping control programme annually containing, among other information, statistics on the number of tests taken and the number of positive reports. In 1994–95, the Sports Council reported that 60 persons tested positive for banned substances and there were seven refusals out of a total of 4,374 tests.

  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list those sportspeople who were tested for illegal substances during 1995, indicating those who were drug free and those found to be drug positive. [39797]

  Mr. Sproat
  This information is not available centrally. The names of those tested, and who subsequently test positive, are reported by the Sports Council's doping control unit to the governing body of the sport under whose authority testing has taken place. It is the responsibility of the individual governing body to decide when and how to release that information. Not all substances prohibited in sport are controlled substances. Sports organisations themselves decide on the parameter for controlling drug misuse in sport.

  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much of the Sports Council funds are allocated to anti-drug information. [39786]

  Mr. Sproat
  In 1994–95, the Sports Council's doping control unit spent £86,099 on education and information, supplemented by expenditure by the Sports Councils in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  National Stadium
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the role of her Department in awarding lottery funds to the proposed national stadium. [39789]

  Mr. Sproat
  None. It has always been an important point of the national lottery that the distribution of proceeds should be handled at arm's length from the Government. The award of lottery funding for the new national stadium will be a matter for the Sports Council lottery awards panel when the successful bidder has submitted a formal application.

  Sports NVQs
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what progress has been made on national vocational qualifications for sport; which are the awarding bodies; and what is the role of the Minister of Sport. [39784]

  Mr. Sproat
  There are currently 16 NVQs available in sport. The Sports Council is working closely with sports governing bodies on an on-going programme to implement NVQs in sports where they do not already exist. The awarding bodies for NVQs in coaching are: City and Guilds, Royal Society of Arts and the Business and Technology Education Council. The National Council for Vocational Qualifications, along with the Department
  51
  for Education and Employment, has responsibility for the administration of NVQs, but as Minister for Sport I take a keen interest in the development of NVQs in sport.

  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the NVQs now available for sports; and when she expects NVQs to be available for all sports organisations. [39783]

  Mr. Sproat
  There are currently 16 NVQs available in the coaching of sport. These are: canoeing, karate, cricket, skiing, badminton, squash, basketball, swimming, exercise and fitness, target shooting, football, table tennis, gymnastics, tennis, hockey and windsurfing. NVQs are also available in sports administration and management. The Sports Council is working closely with sports governing bodies on an on-going programme to implement NVQs in sports where they do not already exist.

  Football Dishonesty Inquiry
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment she has made of the inquiry into football financial dishonesty held by the football authorities; what is the role of the Department of National Heritage; and when she expects the report to be passed to her. [39798]

  Mr. Sproat
  The football governing bodies are independent of Government and the Department of National Heritage therefore has no role in the FA Premier league's commission of inquiry into player transfers. I am satisfied that the commission's first interim report, concerning Mr. George Graham, and the subsequent rule changes and codes of conduct adopted by the Premier league indicate that the football authorities are serious in their commitment to ensure the highest possible standards within the game. I look forward to the commission's subsequent reports when they are ready.

  Sports Coaches (Training)
  Miss Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the annual expenditure of the training and promotion of sports coaches by Her Majesty's Government. [39788]

  Mr. Sproat
  The majority of Government support for sport and active recreation is channelled through the GB Sports Council. The Sports Council's grant to the National Coaching Foundation, which provides services for 70,000 coaches throughout the UK, is £1,550,000 for 1995–96. Additional support for coaches is provided through the council's grants to national governing bodies of sport and through other Sports Council funded sports development projects nationwide. The Government's sportsmatch scheme helps fund a small number of schemes which involve the training and promotion of sports coaches. The sports policy statement "Sport: Raising the Game" also identified a number of ways in which coaching would be extended and improved in schools, through clubs, further and higher education and elite athletes.

  Yorkshire Air Museum
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action her Department is taking to preserve the Yorkshire air museum based at Elvington, North Yorkshire, after the closure of Royal Air Force 52
  Elvington, with particular reference to (a) the air shows carried out there and (b) the allocation recently awarded to the museum from national lottery funds; and if she will make a statement. [39518]

  Mr. Sproat
  The decision to close RAF Elvington is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. The Yorkshire air museum would be free to make an offer for the site, should it be placed on the open market, and the Yorkshire and Humberside Museum Council would be able to advise the museum on this and other matters. I understand from the national heritage memorial fund that the closure of RAF Elvington would not affect the grant awarded to the museum from the heritage lottery fund.

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if she will list the public appointments for which her 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; [39458]

  (2) if she will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which her 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. [39437]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department does not have responsibility for any public appointments or appointments to non-departmental public bodies in the county of South Yorkshire.

  Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on local and regional access to future digital terrestrial broadcasting. [38540]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: Digital terrestrial broadcasting will provide opportunities for national, regional and local television and radio services. The Government's proposals for digital broadcasting are set out in "Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting", Cm 2946. Those proposals are designed to let viewers and listeners have access as soon as possible to digital terrestrial broadcasting; ensure that there is a wide range of services appealing to a variety of tastes and interests, including regional and local interests; and give broadcasters the opportunity to provide services in a fair and effective competitive market.

  Millennium Commission
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is her current estimate of the total allocation of national lottery proceeds for the Millennium Commission; and if she will give a regional breakdown of the allocations made so far from the Millennium Commission. [38762]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 23 October 1995]: The Millennium Commission receives a fifth of the allocation for the good causes. As at Friday 20 October, the Millennium Commission's allocation stood at £223.9 million.
  53
  The regional breakdown for the 81 Millennium Commission awards to date is as follows:

  Region

  Amount £

  Number of Awards

  London

  2,200,000.00

  1

  North West

  3,882,000.00

  6

  North East

  —

  0

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  52,112,000.00

  5

  Eastern

  279,890.00

  2

  East Midlands

  2,286,000.00

  4

  West Midlands

  1,980,000.00

  3

  South West

  500,000.00

  1

  South East

  40,466,000.00

  2

  Merseyside

  1,500,000.00

  1

  Scotland

  6,607,980.00

  47

  Wales

  11,941,000.00

  7

  Northern Ireland

  —

  0

  UK Wide

  51,780,000.00

  2

  Totals

  175,534,870.00

  81

ENVIRONMENT

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council tenants in receipt of income support have been able to purchase their homes under the right to buy in each of the past five years. [39265]

  Mr. Curry
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many tenants have completed the purchase of their council homes under the rent-to-mortgage scheme in each month since the introduction of the scheme. [39266]

  Mr. Curry
  Information on completed sales under rent-to-mortgage since the scheme was introduced in October 1993 is given is the table. The figures are taken from the quarterly housing returns received from local authorities in England.

  Year

  Number of sales

  1993

  Q4

  —

  1994

  Q1

  —

  Q2

  —

  Q3

  2

  Q4

  4

  1995

  Q1

  5

  Q2

  2

  Leasehold Enfranchisement Advisory Service
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about future funding of the leasehold enfranchisement advisory service. [39873]
  54
  Mr. Curry
  I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member by my hon. Friend the Member for Hertfordshire, West (Mr. Jones) on 24 January 1995,Official Report, column 111.

  Nuclear Waste Repository, Cumbria
  Dr. John Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution's assessment of the long-term safety of the proposed Nirex repository in Cumbria.

  Mr. Gummer
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has received no proposal from Nirex under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 for a repository in Cumbria and consequently cannot comment on the long-term safety of any such facility.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his assessment of the likelihood of ground water contamination from any future nuclear waste repository in Cumbria; [39737]

  (2) what is his assessment of the likelihood of any radioactive substances from any nuclear waste repository in Cumbria reaching the surface by a colloidal transport process. [39738]

  Mr. Gummer
  It will be for Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution or, after 1 April 1996 the Environment Agency, to assess the case supporting any future application, under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, for a nuclear waste repository in Cumbria. It would be for the developer to address in such a case any potential groundwater contamination and whether colloids or any other transport processes significantly influenced the risk of radioactive substances reaching the surface.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set out the cost of his Department of any investigations that have either been carried out by or commissioned by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution into the proposed Nirex repository site in Cumbria. [39736]

  Mr. Gummer
  No costs were incurred by the Department for the studies that Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution commissioned relating to Nirex's programme. Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution recovered from Nirex the costs of the work undertaken.

  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution has received no proposal from Nirex under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, for a repository in Cumbria and consequently has not commissioned or carried out investigations relating to such a proposal.

  Dr. Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the investigations that have been(a) commissioned and (b) carried out by Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution into the proposed Nirex repository site in Cumbria. [39735]

  Mr. Gummer
  Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution let two contracts for studies relating to Nirex's programme; a contract with W. S. Atkins for a "Scientific review and assessment of Nirex submissions" and a contract with Intera Information Technologies/R. M. Consultants for a "Post closure radiological safety assessment of Nirex proposals". Reports arising from the
  55
  latter contract will be placed in the House Library. Reports from the W. S. Atkins contract are still in preparation and a set will be placed in the Library when they are completed.

  These studies by HMIP were undertaken to test and develop the Inspectorate's assessment capabilities. The studies were not designed to inform HMIP on the suitability of the site in Cumbria for possible future development of a repository.

  HMIP has received no proposal from Nirex, under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, for a repository in Cumbria and consequently has not commissioned or carried out investigations relating to such a proposal.

  Public Appointments, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will list all the non-departmental public bodies to which his Department makes appointments in the county if 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; [39421]

  (2) if he will list the public appointments for which his Department is responsible in the county of South Yorkshire, indicating in each case the duration of the appointment, the date when a new appointment is due, and the salary. [39450]

  Table 3: Composition of SDC board as at October 1995

  Name

  Salary £

  Current appointment

  First appointment

  Chairman: Hugh Sykes

  20,525

  From 30 June 1993 to 31 March 1997

  30 June 1988

  Deputy Chairman: Norman Adsetts OBE

  9,285

  From 30 June 1995 to 31 March 1997

  30 June 1988

  David Heslop OBE

  5,430

  From 1 September 1994 to 31 March 1997

  30 June 1988

  Derek Nice

  5,430

  From 30 June 1994 to 31 March 1997

  30 June 1990

  Peter Newman

  5,430

  From 30 June 1994 to 31 March 1997

  30 June 1988

  Prof. Gareth Roberts

  5,430

  From 22 July 1995 to 31 March 1997

  22 July 1991

  Jenny Bacon

  5,430

  From 1 December 1994 to 31 March 1997

  19 November 1992

  Frank Eul

  5,430

  From 1 December 1994 to 31 March 1997

  6 November 1992

  Mike Bower

  5,430

  From 1 December 1994 to 31 March 1997

  12 November 1992

  Janet Cohen

  5,430

  From 1 September 1995 to 31 March 1997

  1 September 1993

  Jan Wilson

  5,430

  From 20 December 1994 to 31 March 1997

  20 December 1994

  Leasehold Reform Act Codes of Practice
  Mr. Raynsford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish the code of management practice provided for under the provisions of part I of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. [39871]

  Mr. Curry
  We plan to lay before the House very shortly an order which approves the Association of Retirement Housing Managers code of practice for leasehold sheltered housing. It will be published by and be available from the Association of Retirement Housing Managers, 50 City Way, Rochester, Kent ME1 2AB.

  The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has submitted two codes for approval and negotiations on the text are nearing completion.

  Land Management Agreements, Suffolk
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the
  56
  Sir Paul Beresford
  The only body, based in South Yorkshire, to which the Secretary of State makes public appointments is the Sheffield development corporation. For this body, I have provided three tables, giving the information requested. Table 1 shows the total annual budget broken down into total expenditure and total grant in aid for the four financial years between 1992 and 1996, 1995–96 being an estimate. Table 2 shows the number of appointments and reappointments for the calendar years 1992 to 1995 and table 3 shows the current composition of the SDC board.

  Sheffield development corporation Table 1: Total annual budget

  Year

  Total expenditure £

  Total grant in aid £

  1992–93

  14,056,000

  13,185,000

  1993–94

  16,003,000

  12,000,000

  1994–95

  16,122,000

  9,700,000

  1995–96

  117,153,000

  18,600,000

  1 Estimated.

  Table 2: Number of appointments and reappointments

  Year

  Number of new appointments

  Number of re-appointments

  1992

  3

  4

  1993

  1

  4

  1994

  1

  6

  1995

  0

  3

  Environment if he will provide a breakdown, by type, of the land management agreements in existence between land owners and English Nature for the current financial year in the county of Suffolk, giving the amount of funding in each category. [40148]

  Mr. Gummer
  In the current financial year, the following management agreements under sections 15 and 16 of the Countryside Act 1968 are in existence in the county of Suffolk:

  Section

  Number

  Cost

  S15

  29

  104,030

  S16

  5

  94,818

  Social Housing
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify and categorise the 70,000 social lettings referred to in the seventh paragraph of the
  57
  letter of 23 October from his Department to hon. Members on the subject of homelessness legislation. [40279]

  Mr. Curry
  Details of the 70,000 social lettings expected to be provided through public investment in 199–96 were given on page 60 of the Government's Housing White Paper "Our Future Homes", published in June. The figures are as follows:

  Providing homes for rent

  England output

  The Housing Corporation helps housing associations to build new homes to rent.

  27,100

  The Housing Corporation also helps associations to buy and rehabilitate existing homes.

  8,900

  Local authorities fund housing associations to build new homes and buy and rehabilitate existing homes, helped by Government grant.

  11,000

  A small number of new homes are provided from local authorities' own resources

  1,000

  Making better use of existing homes

  We release additional existing social lettings through the Cash Incentive Scheme, giving local authority tenants grants to help them to buy their own homes in the private sector.

  5,500

  We run a similar scheme for housing association tenants, the tenants incentive scheme.

  7,200

  Supporting low cost home ownership

  We help people on low incomes, who need a home, to buy at low cost, by building homes for shared ownership

  4,600

  Through the do it yourself shared ownership scheme, we help people on low incomes, who are often living in social housing, buy on the open market.

  4,700

  Total

  70,000

  Local Government Finance, East Midlands
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the amount of extra grant each county council in the east midlands would receive in 1995–96 if there were no area cost adjustment in the standard spending assessment system. [38919]

  Mr. Curry
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The contribution of the area cost adjustment to authorities' standard spending assessments is some £1.5 billion. It is widely believed, incorrectly, that the abolition of the area cost adjustment would release this amount for addition to the SSAs of authorities throughout England.

  If the area cost adjustment were abolished, it would be necessary to revise the analyses on which the SSA formulae are based. Most of the formulae are based on analyses of expenditure from which the element related to higher costs in London and the south-east has been deducted. If there was no area cost adjustment, the analyses would have to be carried out afresh, based on expenditure without any such deduction.

  We would wish to discuss with the local authority associations what would then be the most appropriate formulae. But if the formulae were recalculated retaining the existing indicators, those indicators would have different weights from those which applied in 1995–96. The resulting standard spending assessments, for all
  58
  authorities in England, would then be as shown in the table which I have placed in the Library. The table also shows the differences between the actual SSA and the alternative SSA. These differences are virtually the same as the differences in each authority's revenue support grant.

  The Department has prepared a technical note about these calculations for the local authority associations. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Canal Freight
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new proposals he has to increase the volume of cargo transport by canals. [39661]

  Mr. Robert B. Jones
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The Government continue to encourage the maximum use of inland waterways for freight transport where this is a practical and economic option. However, freight hauliers must have the freedom to choose the mode of transport that best suits their needs. We draw attention, where appropriate, to the potential of water for the carriage of freight, and to the Government grants that are available.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Attorney-General what steps he is taking to improve the relationship between the Crown Prosecution Service and the police. [37857]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service and the police are working closely together on a number of initiatives including reducing the volume of paper in prosecution files, greater use of information technology and co-ordinated training.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the working of the Crown Prosecution Service. [37859]

  The Solicitor-General
  The primary function of the Crown Prosecution Service is to prosecute firmly but fairly the 1.5 million cases submitted to it each year by the police. The service is working actively with the other agencies in the criminal justice system both to achieve this objective and to improve the way the system treats witnesses and victims.

  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Attorney-General what steps he is taking to improve efficiency in the Crown Prosecution Service. [37853]

  The Attorney-General
  Efficiency in the Crown Prosecution Service continues to improve. My key priorities currently are to improve still further the close liaison between the CPS, the police and the courts.

  Scott Inquiry
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Attorney-General what recent requests he has received from Lord Justice Scott. [37860]
  59
  The Attorney-General
  It is the intention of the inquiry that any exchanges with individual witnesses should be confidential. That is to be respected.

  Lenient Sentences
  Dr. Spink
  To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the impact to date of his ability to appeal against unduly lenient sentences. [37862]

  The Solicitor-General
  The power is now accepted as an important and necessary addition to the criminal justice system because very occasionally a sentence will be imposed in the Crown court which is unduly lenient, and causes disproportionate damage to public confidence in the judiciary.

  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Attorney-General what recent use he has made of his powers to initiate appeals against lenient sentences.

  The Attorney-General
  Since January 1995, 60 offenders have had their sentence referred to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient. One case has since been withdrawn. To date, 20 cases have been determined by the Court of Appeal, all of which have resulted in increased sentences.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Court
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the United Kingdom's EU partners about a common approach to revising procedures following the European Court of Human Rights verdict on the killing of IRA terrorists in Gibraltar; what plans he has to propose an amendment to article 2.2 of the European convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in relation to the phrase"the use of force which is no more than absolutely necessary"
  to take account of the verdict; and if he will make a statement. [38019]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The Government are deeply concerned by the conclusion reached by the European Court of Human Rights in the Gibraltar case and are considering the implications of the court's judgment. When we have come to conclusions, we shall make our views known within the Council of Europe as the European Court of Human Rights is an institution of the Council of Europe and not of the European Union. Consultation with others is an option that we may wish to pursue.

  As regards article 2 of the European convention on human rights, the court did not find a violation in relation to compatibility of the national law on the use of lethal force with article 2 standards.

  The court unanimously rejected most the applicants' claims. It refused to award compensation—on the grounds that those killed were terrorists planning to plant a bomb. The sole point on which the court found against the United Kingdom was over the control and organisation of the operation. The majority of 10 judges thereby overturned the opinion of the European Commission of
  60
  Human Rights which, after conducting its own fact-finding exercise, found in September last year that the Government had not violated the European convention on human rights. The judges also contradicted the conclusion on the lengthy 1988 inquest which, after interviewing 79 witnesses, decided that what had happened was lawful.

  The judgment of the majority, based on no new evidence and defying common sense, has done nothing for the standing of the court in the United Kingdom.

  The dissenting minority of nine, which included some of the most senior judges on the court including its President, disagreed entirely with the majority's findings on the one contentious issue. These they demolished point by point in a lengthy and well-argued joint dissenting opinion.

  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which cases at(a) the European Commission and (b) the Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg costs have been awarded against the United Kingdom Government and how much was paid in each instance; if he will indicate the cases where costs have not been awarded despite a finding against the United Kingdom; and if he will specify the subject matter of each case. [39915]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  In the past two years the Government have been ordered by the European Court of Human Rights to pay costs to successful applicants in the following cases:

  £

  Darnell

  3,207

  Boner and Maxwell

  5,560

  Welch

  15,010

  Tolstoy

  91,516

  McCann, Farrell and Savage

  33,804

  The amounts awarded have been paid, save for the recent case of McCann. In one case, McMichael, the successful applicants were not awarded costs because they claimed none.

  I shall write to the hon. and learned Member detailing the costs awarded by the court in judgments given between 1975 and 1993.

  I shall also write separately detailing costs awarded by the Committee of Ministers over the last two years in United Kingdom cases not referred to the court by the commission. To go back further would involve disproportionate costs.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government intend to pay the costs awarded against them by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of the deaths of Farrell, Savage and McCann in Gibraltar. [39916]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The matter of the payment of costs will be considered in the normal way.

  Mr. McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the numbers of cases at the European Court of Human Rights, by signatory state, which those states have lost; and if he
  61
  will indicate for each such state the date from which its citizens were enabled to bring cases individually. [39917]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The following is the information requested, correct as at 6 October 1995.

  ECHR: comparative table of violations

  State party

  Cases where at least one violation found (At 6 October1995)

  Date of acceptance of article 25

  Austria

  28

  3 September 1958

  Belgium

  20

  5 July 1955

  Bulgaria

  0

  7 September 1992

  Cyprus

  1

  1 January 1989

  Czech Republic

  0

  —

  Denmark

  2

  13 April 1953

  Finland

  2

  10 May 1990

  France

  33

  2 October 1981

  Germany

  12

  5 July 1955

  Greece

  7

  20 November 1985

  Hungary

  0

  5 November 1992

  Iceland

  2

  29 March 1955

  Ireland

  6

  25 February 1953

  Italy

  84

  1 August 1973

  Liechtenstein

  0

  8 September 1982

  Luxembourg

  1

  28 April 1958

  Malta

  1

  1 May 1987

  Netherlands

  23

  28 June 1960

  Norway

  1

  10 December 1955

  Poland

  0

  1 May 1993

  Portugal

  6

  9 November 1978

  Romania

  0

  20 June 1994

  San Marino

  0

  22 March 1989

  Slovakia

  0

  —

  Slovenia

  0

  20 June 1994

  Spain

  7

  1 July 1981

  Sweden

  21

  4 February 1952

  Switzerland

  14

  28 November 1974

  Turkey

  2

  28 January 1987

  United Kingdom

  37

  14 January 1966

  No case for the member states parties has yet reached the court.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps her Majesty's Government have taken to secure full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 752 and withdrawal of regular Croation forces from Bosnian territory. [40015]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Since that resolution in 1991, the United Kingdom has deployed up to 9,000 troops in Bosnia, contributed more than £275.5 million in humanitarian aid and played a leading role in trying to reach a comprehensive settlement to the conflict there.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many refugees have been driven out of Krajina by the Croatian army; and what assistance Her Majesty's Government and the international community are giving to them. [40017]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that approximately 11,000 refugees moved from sector west into northern Bosnia following the Croation military offensive in May. In August, approximately 200,000 Croation Serbs fled from sectors north and south and some 25,000 Bosnian Muslims left the Bihac pocket for Croatia. We have contributed more than £2 million in grants through 62
  non-governmental organisations—Oxfam, Save the Children and the British Red Cross—to meet emergency needs of these refugees, as part of comprehensive assistance programme co-ordinated by UNHCR.

  NATO (Expansion)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards expansion of NATO to the Visegrad countries. [39996]

  Mr. David Davis
  The NATO summit in January 1994 confirmed that the alliance expected and would welcome expansion of its membership to include democratic states to its east, as part of an evolutionary process, and taking into account political and security developments in the whole of Europe. In December 1994, NATO Foreign Ministers set in hand work on a study into the practicalities and principles of enlargement. This study has now been completed and was presented to all partners in Brussels on 28 September. Copies of the study have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The alliance is agreed that it would be premature to discuss at this stage which countries might be invited to join.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relations with Pakistan. [40000]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have good and active relations with Pakistan. We look forward to deepening and extending our political, commercial and cultural links.

  Nuclear-free Zones
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards nuclear-free zones in(a) the Pacific and (b) central and eastern Europe. [39998]

  Mr. David Davis
  On 20 October we announced jointly with the US and France that we would sign the protocols to the south Pacific nuclear-free zone treaty in the first half of 1996. We believe that internationally recognised nuclear weapon free zones, based on arrangements freely arrived at by all the states in a given region, can help prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. However, proposals for such zones have to take into account prevailing circumstances in the area concerned.

  Stranded Holidaymakers, Turkey
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance was offered by the British embassy in Ankara to the passengers on the Airtours flight from Belfast to Dalaman on 9 September, following the collapse of Villmar Holidays; and if he will make a statement. [39923]

  Mr. Hanley
  Consular staff in London, Ankara and Marmaris worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and Villmar Travel's agents in Turkey, Gentur, to help the stranded passengers. Whilst Gentur assumed
  63
  primary responsibility, consular staff intervened to persuade local hotels to accept the CAA's guarantee of payment.

  UNESCO
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to renew British membership of UNESCO. [39967]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We are keeping this issue under review.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relationship to UNESCO. [39966]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We operate an observer section to UNESCO based in the Embassy in Paris which monitors developments within the organisation. This includes coverage, with the assistance of officials in London, of the twice yearly executive board sessions and the biennial general conference.

  We retain membership of certain UNESCO programmes—World Heritage Committee; Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission; and the Intergovernmental Council of the International Hydrological Programme.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much it would cost for the United Kingdom to rejoin UNESCO this year; and what percentage of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Overseas Development Administration budget that represents. [39968]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Annual assessed contribution would be approximately £11 million. This represents 0.31 per cent. of the total FCO-ODA 1995–96 budget.

  In addition, there would be staffing costs which have yet to be quantified.

  Croatia
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government support Croatian membership of the EU. [40013]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Croatia has not applied for accession to the EU. Any application would need to be considered against the background at that time of Croatia's democratic stability and respect for human and civil rights, as well as her relations with other countries in the region.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the current level of human rights abuse in Croatia. [40016]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We continue to receive reports of human rights abuses in Croatia, including killing of civilians. We condemn these atrocities. With our EU

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Albania

  —

  —

  —

  0.030

  0.361

  0.723

  Armenia

  —

  —

  —

  0.014

  0.025

  0.079

  64
  partners, we will ensure that such reports are made available to the international tribunal on former Yugoslavia.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Croatia in respect of human rights abuse and ethnic cleansing in Krajina. [40012]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have condemned the human rights abuses in Krajina and called for the Serb refugees to be allowed to return to their homes if they so wish. Along with our EU partners we have repeatedly warned Croatia that its future relations with the EU are dependent on its respect for human rights and minorities.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations with Croatia. [40014]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The United Kingdom has a resident ambassador in Zagreb. We established diplomatic relations with Croatia in January 1992.

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relations with Bangladesh. [40001]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have good and active relations with Bangladesh. We look forward to expanding our political, commercial and cultural links.

  India
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relations with India. [39999]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have good and active relations with India. We look forward to expanding our political, commercial and cultural links.

  Know-how Fund
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the amounts spent annually since 1989 on the British know-how fund; and if he will list the countries where it has been spent indicating the amount spent per country. [40086]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The amounts spent annually since 1989 on the British know-how fund are, in million pounds sterling:

  1989–90: 63.8881

  1990–91: 13.676

  1991–92: 33.395

  1992–93: 44.866

  1993–94: 57.750

  1994–95: 77.286

  1Including 62 million from the Polish zloty stabilisation fund.

  Expenditure breakdown by country is as follows, in million pounds sterling:
  65

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Azerbaijan

  —

  —

  —

  0.081

  0.122

  0.441

  Belarus

  —

  —

  —

  0.026

  0.086

  0.616

  Bulgaria

  —

  —

  1.034

  1.954

  1.857

  2.179

  Czech Republic

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.768

  2.544

  Former Czechoslovakia

  —

  1.954

  6.594

  7.238

  —

  —

  Estonia

  —

  —

  0.008

  0.359

  0.310

  0.691

  Georgia

  —

  —

  —

  0.026

  0.071

  0.496

  Hungary

  0.004

  1.487

  6.198

  5.794

  6.281

  4.599

  Kazakhstan

  —

  —

  0.005

  0.093

  1.012

  1.909

  Kyrgyzstan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.093

  0.436

  Latvia

  —

  —

  —

  0.326

  0.259

  0.915

  Lithuania

  —

  —

  0.006

  0.404

  1.058

  0.900

  Macedonia

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.174

  2.2512

  Moldova

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.040

  0.124

  Pan Baltic

  —

  —

  0.036

  0.360

  0.627

  0.603

  Poland

  63.8841

  10.067

  10.154

  10.586

  11.878

  10.973

  Romania

  —

  —

  0.926

  3.090

  3.741

  4.829

  Russia

  —

  —

  6.453

  9.024

  18.051

  30.088

  Slovak Republic

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2.569

  2.405

  Slovenia

  —

  —

  —

  0.045

  0.492

  0.935

  Tajikistan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.081

  Turkmenistan

  —

  —

  —

  —

  0.001

  0.038

  Ukraine

  —

  —

  0.001

  2.879

  3.265

  5.330

  Uzbekistan

  —

  —

  —

  0.190

  0.266

  0.302

  Regional projects

  —

  0.168

  1.998

  2.346

  2.343

  2.799

  1Including 62 million Polish zloty stabilisation fund

  2including 2.0 million economic support

  On January 1 1993 the former Czechoslovakia divided into the Czech and Slovak Republics. From then on assistance to these two countries is shown separately. Those joint programmes which began before this date are still recorded under former Czechoslovakia.

  Irish Territorial Claims
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government have raised the matter of the claim on the territory of the United Kingdom by the Irish Republic with international or regional bodies of which both countries are members. [39918]

  Mr. Rifkind
  No. Northern Ireland's status as part of the United Kingdom is not disputed in any international organisation of which the UK and the Republic of Ireland are both members. No purpose would therefore be served in raising the matter in any of these bodies.

  Kashmir
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards relations between India and Pakistan in respect of their dispute over Kashmir. [40011]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have consistently encouraged the Indian and Pakistani Governments to resolve their dispute over Kashmir through bilateral negotiation.

  Brazil (Makuxi Indians)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Brazilian Government concerning the treatment of the Makuxi people by the Roraima state authorities. [38542]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  The Government of Brazil are aware of our concern that the rights of the Makuxi and the other indigenous people of Brazil should be observed and protected. Our embassy in Brasilia keeps in regular touch with the Brazilian authorities and monitors the situation closely.
  66
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he intends to meet representatives of the Makuxi Indians of Brazil when they visit London later this month. [38543]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  Representatives of the Makuxi Indians will meet officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 1 November.

  Former Communist Countries (Elections)
  Mr. Elletson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about assistance provided by his Department to ensure free and fair elections in former communist countries. [37866]

  Sir Nicholas Bonsor
  We have provided a wide range of assistance to former communist countries, including advice on the drafting of constitutions and electoral laws, advice to a range of political parties on campaigning and party management, assisting the development of free and fair media as well as supporting the preparations for elections and election monitoring.

  Visas
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out for each of the last five calendar years(a) the number of cases in which Ministers have reversed the decision of an entry clearance officer and (b) the country in which the entry clearance application was lodged. [40193]

  Mr. Hanley
  The information requested is not available for the years 1991 to 1993 as files are kept for only two years when a visa has been granted. For the years 1994 to 1995 the information is not available except at disproportionate cost.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the relationship between his Department and BMARC between 1980 and 1992. [40103]

  Mr. David Davis
  Research undertaken in the context of the Trade and Industry Select Committee inquiry has revealed no evidence of any contact between BMARC and my Department between 1985–91. However, during the latter period my Department routinely saw export licence applications covering defence sales submitted by BMARC to the Department of Trade and Industry. Information is not readily available for the period prior to 1985. I will write to the hon. Member.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Gamier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the 23 and 24 October meeting of the study group preparing for the intergovernmental conference. [40395]

  Mr. David Davis
  I attended the 10th meeting of the study group, which took place in Brussels on 23 and 24 October, as the Foreign Secretary's representative. The meeting revisited a number of subjects which had come up in earlier discussions.

  With regard to the European Court of Justice, I presented some British ideas for improving the operation of the court, and for helping to overcome problems which arise, especially where judgments may have disproportionate financial implications. Other members of the group had not yet examined our ideas in detail, but undertook to do so on the basis of a short paper which I had circulated to the group, and which has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The meeting considered a paper by the Council legal service on options for simplifying the treaties. I applauded the intention to increase transparency and public comprehension, but doubted whether it would be possible to simplify the structure or wording of the treaties very much without changing their effect. I agreed, nevertheless, that it should be possible to eliminate obsolete articles.

  There was a brief discussion on the role of national parliaments. I again commended ideas in the European Legislation Committee's 24th report on the IGC, which had been circulated in the group. In particular, I supported the recommendation to introduce a formal treaty obligation that national Parliaments should have adequate time to scrutinise draft proposals before these are considered by the Council.

  In a discussion of other Community institutions, I said that all of them needed to be reviewed in the light of experience of Maastricht, and in the expectation of further enlargements. In particular, I raise the question as to whether the Economic and Social Committee was still fulfilling the purpose for which it was intended now that the Commission was systematically engaging in direct consultation with interested parties through Green and White Papers, and following the creation of the Committee of the Regions.
  68
  There was a brief discussion of ways in which fundamental rights are protected in the different member states, on the basis of a council legal service paper which has been placed in the Library of the House, together with other Council legal service papers on national parliaments, Council working methods and treaty simplification.

  Iran
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to improve relations with Iran following the public statements by the President and other members of the Iranian Government that they would play no part in any attempts on the life of Salman Rushdie. [40278]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Government of Iran have not yet given satisfactory assurances of Mr. Rushdie's safety. I urge them to do so.

  Diplomatic Wing Cash Limits
  Mr. Charles Wardle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes he proposes to make in his Department's diplomatic wing cash limits for 1995–96. [40634]

  Mr. Hanley
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary supplementary estimate, the following changes will be made:The cash limit for class II, vote 2—other external relations—will be increased by £80,001,000 from £211,632,000 to £291,633,000. The increase is in respect of contributions by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for international peacekeeping. The increase will be charged to the reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the agenda of the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting includes(a) reform of UN institutions, (b) good governance and (c) steps to reduce international debt. [40026]

  Mr. Hanley
  The Commonwealth Secretary-General, after consulting Heads of Commonwealth Governments earlier in the year, has proposed that each of these subjects be discussed at the Heads of Government meeting in New Zealand in November.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which prisons there are prisoners restricted to closed visits; and how many prisoners are involved. [38840]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  69
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about prisons in which there are prisoners restricted to closed visits; and how many prisoners are involved.

  On 26 October this year, there were fifteen prisoners in England and Wales subject to closed visits. Eight were at Belmarsh prison and seven were at Whitemoor.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are made for prisoners who are restricted to closed visits to have(a) visits from their legal advisers and (b) consular visits. [38843]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the arrangements made for persons who are restricted to closed visits to have (a) visits from their legal advisors and (b) consular visits.

  A policy of closed visits was introduced for category A exceptional risk prisoners on 20 June this year. The aim of the policy was to ensure the most secure conditions possible for the highest risk prisoners. Only the elimination of all contact between prisoner and visitor was regarded as ensuring this security. The position of legal advisors and consular officials was carefully considered before deciding that the policy should also be applied to them to avoid the possibility that they might become potential targets for intimidation, threats or taken hostage in order to coerce them into assisting escape attempts.

  Visits for legal advisors and consular officials take place out of hearing, but in sight of, prison staff. Where it is necessary to pass documents from the visitor to the prisoner the documents can be placed in an envelope which is then passed through an X-ray machine. In the most exceptional circumstances, for example when there is a need to discuss matters with a large number of prisoners at the same time, an Operational Director may authorise an open visit.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many category A prisoners are currently in the prison system in(a) England and (b) Wales; and how many are in each sub-category. [38847]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Seamus Mallon dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of category A prisoners currently held in prison establishments in (a) England and (b) Wales, and the number in each sub-category.

  There are no prison establishments in Wales which hold category A prisoners on a permanent basis. For establishments in England, the information requested is given in the table below:

  Number of category A prisoners held in prison establishments in England and the number in each escape risk classification at 23 October 1995

  Number

  Exceptional escape risk

  15

  High escape risk

  150

  Standard escape risk

  1645

  Total number of category A prisoners

  810

  1 Figure includes 19 young offenders.

  70

  Probation Services
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which ombudsman has jurisdiction to review the administration of probation and after care committees and their related probation services; and if he will make a statement. [39419]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  None. The operation of probation services is subject to inspection by Her Majesty's inspectorate of probation and to review by the Audit Commission.

  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentages of the current probation service work force are(a) over 30 years, (b) male (c) from an ethnic minority background and (d) from a military, police or Prison Service background. [39624]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The latest available information is as follows.

  At 31 March 1995, 35 per cent. of probation service staff—48 per cent. at probation officer grades—were male.

  At 31 March 1994, 6.9 per cent. of probation service staff' and the same proportion for probation officer grades were recorded as belonging to ethnic minority groups.

  Statistics on the age and employment background of probation service staff are not collected centrally.
  1Excludes non-probation officer hostels staff and sessional supervisors.

  Ms Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when circulars on changes to probation training were issued to chief probation officers and to relevant universities. [39596]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Copies of the decision document published on 2 October were sent the same day to each chief probation officer and university providing courses attracting Home Office sponsorship.

  Ms Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for future financial arrangements of probation officer qualification training. [39595]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  As the decision document published on 2 October makes clear, the money now spent on supporting the sponsorship scheme will be devolved to area probation services to fund new training arrangements when the necessary plans and preparations have been satisfactorily made.

  General Election Expenditure
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce limits to control the national spending by political parties in general elections. [39825]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  We have no such plans.

  Daylight Saving
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken and what plans he has for the future to press for the introduction of daylight saving time to reduce road casualties. [39822]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Our policy on future summer time arrangements remain under review, including whether or not it would be right to move to central European time. The effect of any change on road traffic casualties is one of the many issues for consideration.

  Religious Cults
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to allowing into the United Kingdom foreign nationals who are leaders of religious cults responsible for brainwashing and the breaking up of families. [40417]

  Mr. Howard
  All applications for entry are considered in accordance with the immigration rules, including the provisions relating to the refusal of entry on the ground that exclusion from the United Kingdom is conducive to the public good.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about Mr. Moon's application for entry into the United Kingdom. [40400]

  Mr. Howard
  I have directed that Mr. Moon should not be allowed entry to the United Kingdom, on the ground that his exclusion is conducive to the public good.

  EU Common Visa List
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which date he expects visa requirements for entry into the United Kingdom to be determined by an EU common visa list in accordance with the regulation adopted at the Home Affairs Council meeting on 25 September. [39914]

  Mr. Howard
  From 3 April 1996. The common visa list is a list of countries to which a visa regime will be applied by all member states. Visas will remain national documents issued according to nationally determined criteria.

  South Yorkshire Fire Service
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amendment is necessary to the Fire Services Act 1947 to enable South Yorkshire fire service to receive funding for a dedicated rescue vehicle; and if he will make a statement. [40002]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  Under section 1 of the Fire Services Act 1947 a fire authority has a duty to make provision for fire fighting purposes and, in particular, to secure the services of a fire brigade and equipment in order to meet efficiently all normal requirements. Section 3(1)(e) of the Act gives the fire authority discretionary 72
  powers to employ its brigade and use its equipment for purposes other than fire fighting. Fire authorities have been able to provide such services from within their existing resources.

  Bail Hostels, South Yorkshire
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bail hostel places currently exist in South Yorkshire for(a) men and (b) women; and what was the figure for 12 months ago. [39564]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  There are currently 106 approved hostel places available in South Yorkshire for either men or women, and seven places designated for female residents only. In September 1994, there were 112 places available for either men or women, and five places designated for female residents only.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by location the number of places available in bail hostels in the county of South Yorkshire, at the latest available date and what were the figures 12 months ago. [39459]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  In September 1994 and September 1995, the number of places available in each of the South Yorkshire hostels was as follows:

  September 1994

  September 1995

  Norfolk Park (Sheffield)

  39

  39

  Rookwood (Rotherham)

  39

  39

  Town Moor (Doncaster)

  39

  35

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by location the occupancy rate for the hostels in the county of South Yorkshire at the latest available date; and what the figures were 12 months ago. [39460]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  In September 1994 and September 1995, the occupancy rate at each of the South Yorkshire hostels, as a percentage of funded beds, was as follows:

  Percentage

  September 1994

  September 1995

  Norfolk Park (Sheffield)

  89

  87

  Rookwood (Rotherham)

  88

  91

  Town Moor (Doncaster)

  80

  86

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions since 1 September checks have been made on alarm systems and security cameras at Doncaster prison; what are his Department's guidelines; and if he will make a statement. [39546]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  73
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking on how many occasions since 1 September checks have been made on alarm systems and security cameras at Doncaster prison; what are his Department's guidelines; and if he will make a statement.

  Premier Prison Services, the contractor which operates Doncaster prison, is required by the terms of its contract to ensure that alarm systems and security cameras are regularly checked for effectiveness. Repairs, when required, have to be completed within twelve hours. The on site Prison Service Controller monitors these systems continually to ensure proper operation.

  For security reasons it is not usual practice to make public the details of the guidelines.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners at Doncaster prison are currently on rule 43. [39550]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how many prisoners at Doncaster prison are currently on Rule 43.

  On 23 October the following number of prisoners were on Rule 43.

  Adult

  Young Offender

  Segregated under Rule 43/own protection

  5

  4

  Segregated under Rule 43/good order and discipline

  18

  16

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates, of what grade and on what dates have(a) escaped or (b) attempted to escape from Doncaster prison since it was opened. [39513]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how many inmates, of what grade and on what dates have escaped or attempted to escape from Doncaster prison since it was opened.

  On 10 August 1994 one remand prisoner changed places with his visitor and left the prison through the visitors' entrance. He was recaptured the same evening. There have been no other escapes or attempted escapes from Doncaster since it opened on 20 June 1994.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the latest figure of the number of assaults on prisoners at Doncaster prison; [39552]

  (2) what is the latest figure of the number of assaults on custody officers at Doncaster prison. [39553]
  74
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions asking for the latest figures of the number of assaults on prisoners and on custody officers at Doncaster prison.

  Figures for 1994 were published in Table 13 of "Statistics or offences against prison discipline and punishments, England and Wales" (Cm.2934) a copy of which is available in the Library of, the House.

  The latest available provisional information is for assaults proved at adjudication during January to September 1995 when there were 113 assaults on prisoners and 61 on staff and others.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the incidents at(a) Doncaster and (b) Ford prisons notified to his Department in the last year, indicating the date, type and outcome of each incident. [39498]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking about incidents at (a) Doncaster and (b) Ford prisons notified in the last year, indicating the date, type and outcome of each incident.

  Incidents reported to Prison Service headquarters from 1 January to 30 September 1995 are given in the attached table. These incidents are reported for data collection purposes. There is no central record of the outcome of all the incidents.

  Type of incident

  HMP Doncaster

  HMP Ford

  Absconds

  0

  11

  Assaults

  174

  1

  Attempted escapes

  1

  0

  Concerted indiscipline

  4

  0

  Death of inmate

  1

  1

  Drug finds

  197

  35

  Escapes

  0

  1

  Fires

  5

  0

  Food refusal

  4

  0

  Miscellaneous

  10

  1

  Recapture/surrender

  5

  15

  Self-harm

  36

  0

  Temporary release failure

  0

  7

  Tool loss

  3

  0

  Total

  440

  72

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those prisoners requiring immediate transfer from Doncaster prison during the last 12 months(a) had self-inflicted injuries and (b) had injuries received as a result of assault from other prisoners. [39549]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  75
  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how many of those prisoners requiring immediate transfer from Doncaster prison during the last 12 months, had self-inflicted injuries, and had injuries received as a result of assault from other prisoners.

  Two prisoners have required immediate transfer from Doncaster to outside hospital, between 1 October 1994 and 25 October 1995. One was for reasons of self-harm and one as a result of an assault by another prisoner.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by grade, the number of

  Remand/trials

  Convicted/unconvieted

  Sentenced

  Date

  Pop

  Adult

  YOI

  Adult

  YOI

  Adult

  YOI

  Civils

  November 1994

  733

  188

  176

  59

  95

  132

  81

  2

  December 1994

  765

  177

  208

  69

  76

  145

  89

  1

  January 1995

  723

  165

  209

  62

  71

  132

  84

  0

  February 1995

  753

  197

  195

  58

  97

  148

  58

  0

  March 1995

  770

  205

  195

  73

  78

  134

  85

  0

  April 1995

  765

  201

  188

  63

  79

  152

  82

  0

  May 1995

  750

  173

  174

  56

  74

  165

  108

  0

  June 1995

  765

  173

  174

  41

  75

  186

  111

  0

  July 1995

  734

  160

  146

  59

  106

  166

  94

  3

  August 1995

  764

  157

  178

  53

  78

  196

  101

  1

  September 1995

  738

  179

  184

  60

  85

  157

  73

  0

  October 95

  758

  178

  173

  60

  104

  176

  67

  0

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contact(a) the Health and Safety Executive, (b) the Environmental Health Office and (c) the fire service has had with Doncaster prison since it was opened; how many inspections of the prison have been made by each of these bodies; and what the findings were in each case. [38964]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about contacts between the Health and Safety Executive, the Environmental Health Office, the Fire Service and Doncaster prison.

  The Health and Safety Executive examined the alarm systems at Doncaster twice. They considered that the systems were adequate.

  The local Environmental Health Officer visited on 3 August His report is still awaited.

  Doncaster has been inspected by the Home Office Fire and Safety Section on several occasions.

  The local fire brigade has visited Doncaster prison on 13 occasions.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases staff shortages at Doncaster prison have been the reason for the non-production of prisoners in court in the past 12 months. [39053]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
  76
  inmates being held in Doncaster prison on the first day of each month for the last 12 months. [39003]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking if he will list, by grade, the number of inmates being held in Doncaster on the first day of each month for the last 12 months.

  The information requested is given in the attached table.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about cases in which staff shortages at Doncaster prison have been the reasons for the non-production of prisoners in court in the past 12 months.

  There have been no cases of non-production in court as a result of staff shortages at Doncaster.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff at Doncaster prison have(a) resigned or (b) been dismissed since the prison opened. [39002]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how many staff at Doncaster prison have resigned or have been dismissed since the prison opened.

  Doncaster prison opened on 20 June 1994. 629 staff have been recruited in all grades at Doncaster. 127 have since resigned and 12 members of staff have been dismissed. 14 of the staff resigned to take up posts in establishments in the public sector.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been paid by his Department for loss, destruction, or damage to Doncaster prison since it was opened; and if he will indicate the circumstances and amount of each separate payment. [38962]
  77
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arranged for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how much money has been paid by his Department for loss, destruction or damage to Doncaster prison since the prison opened and if he will indicate the circumstances and amount of each separate payment.

  No payments have been made in respect of loss, destruction or damage to Doncaster since it opened.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) staff and (b) people applying to become staff at Doncaster prison since it was opened have been refused Home Office certification as fit to perform such duties, and of these, how many have later reapplied and received such certification. [39021]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about unsuccessful applications for certification to work at Doncaster prison.

  Twenty one people have been refused certification as prisoner custody officers to perform custodial duties at Doncaster prison. None of them was employed at the prison following its opening in June 1994 or subsequently reapplied for certification.

  Director General of the Prison Service
  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria have been used in the past to assess the size of the Director General of the Prison Service's performance-related bonus. [39602]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The former Director General was eligible for payment of a performance bonus of up to 35 per cent. of his basic salary. The amount payable was assessed on the basis of both qualitative and quantative measures reflecting performance against the Prison Service's key targets as set out in the agency's corporate and business plans.

  Ms Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the terms of the financial settlement for the ex-Director General of the Prison Service. [39604]

  Miss Widdecombe
  The former Director General has issued a writ claiming compensation. The matter is being dealt with by the Treasury Solicitor on behalf of the Home Office.

  Fire Services, Wales
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the fire services in Wales. [39584]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The long-standing proposal to establish three brigades in Wales following local government reorganisation from next April is based on clear and unequivocal professional advice from Her Majesty's78
  Chief Inspector of Fire Services and from the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association. After careful consideration of the comments made during the recently completed consultation process, the Government intend to proceed with a three-brigade structure from next April.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received from local authorities in Wales and other bodies, concerning the future structure of local government and consequent implementation in the organisation of the fire service; and if he will make a statement. [38984]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  My right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of representations from local authority interests and others about the brigade structure in Wales, including comments on draft combination schemes from the constituent authorities of each proposed combined fire authority and the existing county fire authorities. The proposal to establish three brigades was based on clear and unequivocal professional advice from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services and from the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers' Association. After careful consideration of the position in the light of the above representations and comments, the Government intend to proceed with a three brigade structure for the fire service in Wales from next April. The draft combination scheme orders were laid in Parliament on 24 October.

  Television Licence Fee
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are currently serving sentences in British prisons for non-payment of the television licence fee. [39739]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Directory General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mrs. Anne Campbell, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many people are currently serving sentences in British prisons for non-payment of the television licence fee.

  The latest available information is for 30 September 1995. On that date there were four people in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales for non-payment of a fine imposed for using a television without a licence.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were serving a prison sentence for the non-payment of a television licence fee as at 10 October. [39754]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking how many people were serving a prison sentence for the non-payment of a television licence fee as at 10 October.

  The latest available information is for 30 September 1995. On that date there were four people in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales for non-payment of a fine imposed for using a television without a licence.

  Drugs Rehabilitation Services
  Mr. Rathbone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the detailed arrangements for drugs rehabilitation services which have been put in place in the mandatory drugs testing prisons in England and Wales; and what measurements of efficiency are being made. [39811]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Mr. Richard Tilt to Mr. Tim Rathbone, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question on the arrangements for drugs rehabilitation services which have been put in place in the mandatory drugs testing prisons in England and Wales; and what measurements of efficiency are being made.

  By the end of the year all prisons will have developed a local drugs strategy which will include arrangements to identify individuals with drug problems and the provision of treatment, counselling and support. The strategy will include a timed implementation plan with performance measures and monitoring arrangements. The local strategy will form part of a prison governor's contract with his/her area manager and will be subject to audit.

  In addition, the Prison Service is substantially expanding the number and type of drug treatment programmes and services. The first phase of expansion involves 13 pilot projects spread over 22 establishments. The projects include therapeutic communities, dedicated treatment units, detoxification, education, counselling and throughcare. We aim to have let the contracts for all these projects by the end of the year. They will be subject to independent evaluation over an 18 month period and the results will inform the future provision of drug treatment programmes throughout the Service. Proposals for 29 establishments to be included in the second phase of the pilot drug treatment programmes have been received and will be implemented during 1996.

  Mandatory drug testing (MDT) is being introduced to all establishments in a rolling programme which will be completed by the end of March 1996. All prisons introducing MDT are required first to send staff to attend a Prison Service drugs strategy course and to develop supportive responses to those prisoners who test positive. An evaluation programme to examine the longer-term impact of MDT has already been established.

  Mock Air Attacks on Prisons
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions or guidance have been issued to prison governors since 27 September 1994 concerning the employment of mock attacks by low flying military jets in an attempt to resolve prison incidents. [38122]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about what instructions have been issued to prison governors since 27 September 1994 concerning the employment of mock attacks by low flying military jets to resolve prison incidents.

  No instructions have been issued with regard to incidents in prisons.

  Blakenhurst Prison
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to ensure that the company running Blakenhurst prison in Birmingham recognises trade unions. [38083]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. John McAllion, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about trade union recognition at Blakenhurst prison.

  Whether or not a trade union is recognised at a contracted out prison is a matter for the contractor. The contractor at Blakenhurst prison, United Kingdom Detention Services, has decided not to recognise a trade union to represent staff.

  There is a staff consultative committee at Blakenhurst which enables staff representatives to meet with senior managers on a regular and formal basis.

DEFENCE

  Procurement Fraud
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the level of reported fraud in his Department in each year since 1990, including all forms of procurement fraud, including those perpetrated by contractors involving corruption of officials by contracts and collusion between officials and contractors; how many officials have been disciplined or dismissed for involvement in these cases; how many officials involved in these cases remain employed by the Ministry of Defence or other Government Departments and agencies; and if he will make a statement. [39158]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The level of reported non-procurement fraud and theft since 1990 is as follows:

  1990–91: 53 cases

  1991–92: 45 cases

  1992–93: 54 cases

  1993–94: 108 cases

  1994–95: 207 cases

  The figures for officials, including service personnel, disciplined or dismissed for non-procurement fraud and theft are as follows:

  1990–91: 104 disciplined and/or dismissed

  1991–92: 51 disciplined and/or dismissed

  1992–93: 55 disciplined and/or dismissed

  1993–94: 85 disciplined and/or dismissed

  1994–95: 124 disciplined and/or dismissed

  The level of reported procurement fraud including corruption and collusion is as follows:

  1990–91: 23 cases

  1991–92: 18 cases

  1992–93: 27 cases

  1993–94: 7 cases

  1994–95: 10 cases

  81
  Three officials were convicted in this period for procurement crimes involving corruption and collusion. Each of them retired at the time or before investigations and prosecution commenced. None of the three is presently employed by another Government Department or agency.

  Trident
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the cost savings that could be made over the next 25 years from the immediate cancellation of the Trident nuclear programme. [39245]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The Government remain committed to the Trident programme. It follows that no detailed assessment has been made of the financial consequences of its cancellation. At this stage of procurement, the chief saving that would accrue from cancellation would be the operating costs, currently estimated to be some £6 billion over the life of the programme.

  Trident remains the most effective means of providing a credible deterrent into the next century. No other use of the resources to be spent on Trident, such as an increase in our conventional forces, could contribute so significantly to deterrence.

  RAF Machrihanish
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the purpose, and the cost, of upgrading RAF Machrihanish in each year since 1990. [39044]

  Mr. Soames
  Information on the cost of upgrading is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since 1990, however, about £56 million has been spent on capital projects at RAF Machrihanish to provide and maintain the level of infrastructure necessary at a NATO forward operating base. The majority of this expenditure was funded by NATO.

  National Radiological Protection Board
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions or advice his Department has given to the National Radiological Protection Board regarding the storage and safekeeping of records, including computerised data, which arose from or related to its study into the effects of radiation on the veterans of British nuclear tests; what instructions he has issued to have parts of this information destroyed; and if he will make a statement. [39212]

  Mr. Soames
  None. The NRPB is, however, proposing to cease to maintain its database on the incidence of death and cancer among veterans of the British nuclear test programme. The existing data will continue to be stored but may be retained in a paper-based or equivalent format.

  Uranium Stocks
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the amounts of uranium stocked at(a) Chapelcross, (b) Dounreay and (c) Sellafield. [39013]
  82
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  It would not be in the national interest to make public details of fissile materials, such as uranium, associated with the defence programme.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by date and location for the last 12 months the low flying monitoring that has been carried out by the RAF Skyguard radars; and what were the results on each occasion. [39529]

  Mr. Soames
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) of 19 October 1995,Official Report, column 344. No breaches of military low flying regulations were detected during the deployments conducted between 1 November 1994 and 20 October 1995, although the results of the Huntingdon deployment between 17 and 20 October 1995 are provisional until the radar and video tapes have been analysed.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the operational range of the RAF Skyguard radars; and if he will make a statement. [39527]

  Mr. Soames
  The maximum range of the Skyguard radar in the search mode is approximately 20 km and in the tracking mode, 15 km. However, effective ranges will vary according to the nature of the terrain in which the radar is operating.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by date and location for the last 12 months the low flying monitoring that has been carried out by the RAF Skyguard radar in the electronic warfare training at Royal Air Force, Spadeadam; and what were the results on each occasion. [39528]

  Mr. Soames
  The Skyguard radar has not been used to monitor military flying at low level within the electronic warfare tactics range at RAF Spadeadam during the past 12 months.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the designation of each unit that currently operates the Royal Air Force Skyguard radar. [39526]

  Mr. Soames
  The RAF Skyguard radars are operated by RAF Spadeadam personnel when operating in the electronic warfare threat role and by RAF Spadeadam and RAF police flying complaints flight personnel when monitoring military low flying.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Skyguard radars are in operational service with the Royal Air Force; and if he will make a statement. [39530]

  Mr. Soames
  There are two Skyguard radars in operational service with the Royal Air Force and one in-use reserve.

  Military Corrective Training Centre (Colchester)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he last visited the military corrective training centre at Colchester; [39491]

  (2) at what dates during the past 12 months his Ministers have visited the military corrective training centre at Colchester. [39488]

  Mr. Soames
  I visited the centre on 21 June 1995.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current types of offences committed for which prisoners at the military corrective training centre at Colchester are convicted; and if he will make a statement. [39505]

  Mr. Soames
  The following list gives details of offences for the current detainees being held at MCTC: Absent without leave and desertion; drug offences; violence; indecency with children; dishonesty; criminal damage and other military offences.

  Lockheed U-2R Missions
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by date, for the last 48 months, and by airfield the number of Lockheed U-2R aircraft missions that have been made from Royal Air Force stations; if the aircraft missions were(a) arriving or (b) departing from the station; and if he will make a statement. [39533]

  Mr. Soames
  United States air force U-2R reconnaissance aircraft have conducted a number of missions in support of NATO and UN peacekeeping and humanitarian aid operations from RAF stations. With the closure of RAF Alconbury's runway on 31 March 1995, the U-2Rs were temporarily transferred to RAF Fairford to continue this mission. However, it is not our policy to comment in further detail on operational matters.

  Yorkshire Air Museum
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department is taking to preserve the Yorkshire air museum based at Elvington, North Yorkshire after the closure of Royal Air Force, Elvington, with particular reference to the air shows carried out there; and if he will make a statement. [39531]

  Mr. Soames
  The Yorkshire air museum is a commercial enterprise situated on its own land adjacent to RAF Elvington. The museum is one of a number of civil organisations to whom my Department has licensed casual use of RAF Elvington both before and since its closure in 1992 as a relief landing ground. Subject to former owner obligations, it is therefore planned to dispose of it in the best interests of the taxpayer by offering it for sale on the open market, at which time the Yorkshire air museum and others will have an opportunity to bid for it. It is, however, our intention to continue to make the airfield available for casual use for as long as practicable before sale.

  Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision he has come to in respect of the future of the battle of Britain memorial flight with particular reference to(a) its composition, (b) its activities and (c) its cost; and if he will make a statement. [39503]

  Mr. Soames
  There are no plans to change the composition or activities of the battle of Britain memorial flight, which will continue to be one of the most celebrated display assets of the Royal Air Force. A review of the current charges for air display assets generally is about to be undertaken, together with a study into the possibility of sponsorship for the BBMF.

  Captain Chris Kelly
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to be in a position to make a statement on the circumstances of the death of Captain Chris Kelly. [39504]

  Mr. Soames
  As the board of inquiry into the death of Captain Kelly is on-going it would be inappropriate to make a statement at this time.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by grade the number 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. [39487]

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

  Information on staff numbers and costs for defence agencies is given in the annual report and accounts of each agency, which are laid before the House or placed in the Library of the House, as appropriate.

  Former Yugoslavia (Reconnaissance)
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by date for the last 48 months the number of Royal Air Force Canberra photo-reconnaissance missions that have been made over former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement. [39532]

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

  Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement in respect of the United Kingdom resuming its nuclear test programme should the United States Government cease their moratorium on nuclear testing. [39574]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Her Majesty's Government have no plans to carry out further nuclear weapon test explosions and we hope to see the negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty successfully completed in the first half of 1996. We have no reason to believe that the United States will abandon its moratorium before then.

  Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
  Mr. Rooker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 16 October,Official Report, column 36, if he will make a statement outlining the procedure enabling students at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, to train for the management and operation of diesel powered submarines. [39959]

  Mr. Soames
  This is a matter for the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency, NRTA, under its framework document. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from A. D. Ferguson to Mr. Jeff Rooker, dated 30 October 1995:

  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked the Chief Executive of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency (NRTA) to reply to your Parliamentary Question, pursuant to the Answer given on 6 October, about the procedures that enable students at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth to train for the management and operation of diesel powered submarines. I am replying on behalf of the Chief Executive who is away.

  You will wish to be aware that the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, which is part of the NRTA, provides initial training to newly entered Royal Naval Officers (as part of the Naval General Training syllabus) and to International students from Foreign and Commonwealth navies. The NRTA does not, however, provide training in support of the management and operation of diesel powered submarines, since such submarines are no longer in operational use by the Royal Navy.

  Operation Deliberate Force
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many targets were hit by RAF missions during Operation Deliberate Force. [40019]

  Mr. Soames
  Twenty-two were hit by RAF aircraft during Operation Deliberate Force.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many munitions and bombs were dropped by the RAF during Operation Deliberate Force. [40021]

  Mr. Soames
  Forty-eight laser-guided bombs and 30 1,000 lb freefall bombs were dropped by RAF aircraft during Operation Deliberate Force.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost so far to the United Kingdom of Operation Deliberate Force. [40020]

  Mr. Soames
  The additional costs to the United Kingdom of Operation Deliberate Force are not separately identifiable from the costs arising from Operation Deny Flight, which are estimated to be some £31 million in 1995–96.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many missions were flown by RAF aircraft during Operation Deliberate Force. [40018]

  Mr. Soames
  RAF aircraft flew 268 missions during Operation Deliberate Force.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the estimates of collateral damage and the number of Bosnian Serb casualties during Operation Deliberate Force as a result of(a) NATO and (b) British action. [40022]
  86
  Mr. Soames
  This information is not available though there is no evidence that Operation Deliberate Force caused significant civilian casualties or other collateral damage. In selecting targets, UN and NATO commanders paid careful attention to minimising such risks.

  Mount Igman
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for East Lothian on 24 October, and to his letter of 17 August, what considerations led him to suggest that a non-governmental organisation's aid convoy over Mount Igman could jeopardise an agreement between the UN and the Bosnian Serb army. [40174]

  Mr. Soames
  The hon. Member was strongly urged to seek the advice of UNPROFOR and the UNHCR on the choice of aid routes to Sarajevo. At the time in question, their advice was firmly against the use of the Mount Igman route in the light of the agreement which the UN had secured with the Bosnian Serbs on the use of the Kiseljak road as the main aid route.

  Married Quarters (Discounts)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discounts are offered on the sale of surplus married quarters; what is the basis of such discounts; and if such discounts can be offered in respect of properties other than the properties in which the claimer of the discount resides. [40491]

  Mr. Soames
  A discount of 30 per cent. is given under the discounted married quarters sales scheme. The 30 per cent discount has a five-year property retention condition, as stipulated by the Inland Revenue, which was based on local authority "right to buy", at the time of the scheme's inception. The married quarters offered for sale in the scheme are surplus, and, as such, would not normally be occupied by the applicant, and are regularly advertised to the three services.

  Gulf War Fatalities
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his most recent estimation of the total number of fatalities suffered in the Gulf war by(a) coalition forces and (b) the Iraqis. [39826]

  Mr. Soames
  Coalition forces suffered the loss of 223 personnel killed in action in the Gulf war.

  No reliable figures are available for Iraqi casualties.

  Polychlorinated Biphenyls (Orford Ness)
  Mr. Fatchett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the responsibility for, and the cost of, removing transformers containing polychlorinated biphenyls buried in his Department's land at Orford Ness in Suffolk. [40192]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department no longer owns any land at Orford Ness; the site was sold to the National Trust in March 1993. The National Trust is in the process of
  87
  removing the contamination, and discussions are taking place between the trust, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which is an adjacent landowner, and the Ministry of Defence to determine how the work should be funded.

  Bosnia (Rents)
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the amounts of rent paid for each of the military facilities used by British troops in Bosnia and in total. [40398]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is not available as the United Nations pays the rent for the military facilities used by British troops in Bosnia.

  Regimental Museums
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the name and location of each regimental museum in the United Kingdom. [40399]

  Mr. Soames
  The information requested is contained in the tables:

  Regimental and corps museums directly funded by the Ministry of Defence

  Corps or regiment

  Location

  Household Cavalry

  Windsor

  Queen's Dragoon Guards

  Cardiff

  The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

  Edinburgh

  York (4/7th DG)

  Royal Dragoon Guards

  Chester (5 Innis DG)

  Eastbourne (QRIH)

  Queen's Royal Hussars

  Warwick (QOH)

  9/12th Lancers

  Derby

  Preston (14/20th H)

  Kings Royal Hussars

  Winchester (RH)

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  (15/19th H)

  Light Dragoons

  Barnsley (13th/18th H)

  Belvoir Castle

  Queen's Royal Lancers

  (16/5th and 17th/21st L)

  Royal Tank Regiment

  Bovington

  Royal Artillery

  Woolwich

  Royal Engineers

  Chatham

  Royal Signals

  Blandford

  The Foot Guards

  London

  Royal Scots

  Edinburgh

  Dover

  Winchester (R Hamps)

  Prince of Wales Royal Regiment

  Guildford

  Kings Own Royal Border Regiment

  Carlisle

  London/Alnwick

  Bury (Lanes Fus)

  Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  Bury (R Warwicks)

  Bury St Edmunds

  Chelmsford (Essex)

  The Royal Anglian Regiment

  Northampton/Norwich

  Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

  Dorchester

  Winchester

  Bodmin (DCLI)

  The Light Infantry

  Shrewsbury (KSLI)

  Prince of Wales Own Regiment of Yorkshire

  York

  The Green Howards

  Richmond

  Royal Highland Fusiliers

  Glasgow

  The Cheshire Regiment

  Chester

  Royal Welch Fusiliers

  Caernarvon

  Cardiff

  Royal Regiment of Wales

  Brecon

  King's Own Scottish Borderers

  Berwick upon Tweed

  Ballymena

  The Royal Irish Regiment

  Armagh (RRF)

  88

  Regimental and corps museums directly funded by the Ministry of Defence

  Corps or regiment

  Location

  Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment

  Worcester/Nottingham

  The Queen's Lancashire Regiment

  Preston

  The Staffordshire Regiment

  Lichfield

  Black Watch

  Perth

  Aberdeen

  Highlanders

  Ford George

  Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

  Stirling

  The Parachute Regiment

  Aldershot

  Brigade of Gurkhas

  Winchester

  The Royal Green Jackets

  Winchester

  Yorkshire and Lancashire

  Rotherham

  Army Air Corps

  Middle Wallop

  Royal Chaplains Department

  Bagshot

  Royal Logistic Corps

  Deepcut/Mychett

  Royal Army Medical Corps

  Deepcut/Mychett

  Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

  Aborfield

  Adjutant General Corps—Royal Military Police

  Chichester

  Royal Army Dental Corps

  Aldershot

  Army Physical Training Corps

  Aldershot

  Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps

  Deepcut/Mychett

  Military museums that are not funded by MOD

  Title

  Location

  Scottish United Services Museum

  Edinburgh

  Cheshire Yeomanry

  Chester

  4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment

  Hull

  Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment Museum

  Luton

  Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Museums

  Hamilton

  Carmarthen Museum

  Carmarthen

  Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry Museum

  Preston

  Duke of Wellington's Regiment Museum

  Halifax

  Durham Light Infantry Museum

  Durham City

  Guernsey Militia Museum

  Guernsey

  Kings Liverpool Regiment Museum

  Liverpool

  Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Museum

  Lancaster

  Kings Own Yorkshire. Light Infantry Museum

  Doncaster

  Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry Museum

  Derby

  Leicestershire and Rutland Yeomanry

  Oakham

  Leicestershire Yeomanry Collection

  Loughborough

  Lincolnshire Regiment Collection

  Lincoln

  Lincolnshire Yeomanry Museum

  Lincoln

  Museum of the Manchesters (Kings Regiment)

  Ashton under Lyne

  Northamptonshire Yeomanry Museum

  Northampton

  Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry Museum

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  Pembroke Yeomanry Museum

  Haverfordwest

  Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum

  Maidstone

  Royal Devon Yeomanry Museum

  Barnstaple

  Royal Leicestershire Regimental Museum

  Leicestershire

  Royal Sussex Regiment Museum

  Eastbourne

  Sherwood Foresters

  Derby

  Somerset Military Museum

  Taunton

  Staffordshire Yeomanry Museum

  Stafford

  The Buffs Regimental Museum

  Canterbury

  Worcestershire Yeomanry Museum

  Worcester

  101 Northumbrian Field Regiment RA(V)

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  89

  Military museums that are not funded by MOD

  Title

  Location

  39 Engineer Regiment Museum

  Waterbeach

  Army Museums Ogilby Trust

  Winchester

  Artists and Rifles Museum

  Chelsea

  Ayrshire Yeomanry Museum

  Alloway by Ayr

  Buckinghamshire Military Museum

  Aylesbury

  Fife and Forfar Yeomanry Museum

  Fife

  Fusiliers London Volunteer Museum

  Newport

  Glamorgan Artillery Volunteers Museum

  Newport

  Hereford Light Infantry Museum

  Hereford

  Hertfordshire Regiment Museum

  Hertford

  Hertfordshire Yeomanry and Artillery Museum

  Hitchin

  Inns of Court and City Yeomanry Museum

  Holborn

  Kohima (2 Div) Museum

  York

  Leeds Rifles Museum

  Leeds

  Liverpool Scottish Regimental Museum

  Liverpool

  London Irish Rifles Museum

  Chelsea

  Loyal North Lancashire Regiment Museum

  Preston

  Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Museum

  Welshpool

  Museum of Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment

  Hammersmith

  Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry Museum

  Oxford

  Queen's Own Mercian Yeomanry Museum

  Telford

  Royal Army Education Corps Museum

  Beaconsfield

  Royal Army Pay Corps Museum

  Winchester

  Royal Berkshire Yeomanry Museum

  Windsor

  Royal Hospital Museum

  Chelsea

  Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Collection

  Camberley

  Royal Military School of Music Museum

  Twickenham

  Royal Monmouthshires RE Militia Museum

  Monmouth

  Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry Museum

  Carlton

  South Lancashire Regiment Museum

  Warrington

  South Notts Hussars Yeomanry Museum

  Nottingham

  Staff College Museum

  Camberley

  Sussex Yeomanry Museum

  Brighton

  Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum

  Warwick

  Westminster Dragoons Museum

  Chelsea

  Yorkshire Yeomanry Museum

  York

  Essex Yeomanry Museum Collection

  Margaretting

  Military and Aero Museums (Aldershot) Trust

  Aldershot

  Combined Operations Museum

  Inveraray

  East Riding of Yorks Yeomanry Collection

  Beverley

  Honourable Artillery Company Museum

  City

  Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry Museum

  Tonbridge

  London Scottish Regimental Museum

  Westminster

  Museum of Army Transport

  Beverley

  Museum of the Scottish Horse

  Dunkeld

  Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry Museum

  Sheringham

  Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry Museum

  Penrith

  Exercise Co-operative Nugget 95
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British personnel were involved in Co-operative Nugget 95 in Louisiana, USA; and if he will make a statement. [37797]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 19 October 1995]: A total of 97 British personnel—five officers and 92 soldiers—were involved in Exercise Co-operative Nugget 95, a NATO sponsored partnership for peace exercise.

  Queen's University Air Squadron, Belfast
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the annual cost of the university air squadron at Queen's university, Belfast; and what percentage it represents of the total annual cost of all the university air squadrons in the United Kingdom. [39351]

  Mr. Soames
  [holding answer 25 October 1995]: The estimated annual cost of Queen's university air squadron for the financial year 1995–96 is £957,000, which represents 9.3 per cent. of the total estimated annual cost of the 16 university air squadrons.

  Employee Fraud
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total number of cases of all forms of fraud committed by employees of his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, for each year from 1991–92 to 1994–95; and for each of these years, what was the total monetary sum (i) misappropriated in such frauds and (ii) subsequently recovered. [39139]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  [holding answer 24 October 1995]: The number of reported non-procurement frauds and thefts committed by Ministry of Defence employees, including defence agencies, during each of the years 1991–92 to 1994–95 is as follows:

  1991–92: 45 cases

  1992–93: 54 cases

  1993–94: 108 cases

  1994–95: 207 cases

  There were no reported frauds and thefts committed by staff working in non-departmental public bodies during the period in question.

  The estimated sums misappropriated and the sums recovered in each of the years 1991–92 to 1994–95 are as follows:

  Misappropriated £

  Recovered £

  1991–92

  63,000

  22,492

  1992–93

  205,000

  37,816

  1993–94

  571,000

  74,725

  1994–95

  1,095,584

  128,722

  With regard to procurement fraud, including corruption and collusion, the numbers of cases recorded over the years in question were as follows:

  1991–92: 18 cases

  1992–93: 27 cases

  1993–94: 7 cases

  1994–95: 10 cases

  Only three of these involved the conviction of Ministry of Defence employees for corruption and collusion.

  The estimated amounts misappropriated against procurement fraud for the years in question were as follows:

  1991–92: £150,000 fraud by a subcontractor—no eventual loss to MOD.

  1992–93: £20,000 advance payment fraud involving no ultimate loss to MOD.

  91

  1993–94: £1,511,500 mainly corruption. Recovery action in hand.

  1994–95: Actual values of loss to MOD to be identified when cases come to fruition.

  French Nuclear Tests
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has received or he expects to receive from the French Government on the current nuclear tests at Muroroa atoll; and to what use he expects to put such information. [39823]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Truro (Mr. Taylor) on 24 October 1995,Official Report, column 587.

  BMARC
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of his Department's police in the BMARC case. [40100]

  Mr. Soames
  I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Leyton on 4 July 1995,Official Report, column 178.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds the documents and diaries of Mr. Gerald James were taken by the Ministry of Defence police; if he will make a statement on he relevance of their contents to his Department's investigations; and when they will all be returned to Mr. James. [40101]

  Mr. Soames
  As part of a wide-ranging MOD police corruption investigation involving the Astra group of companies, a number of documents were seized. All documents seized during those inquiries were considered company documents and were relevant to the inquiry. All documents taken from the Astra group of companies, belonging to those companies, have now been returned to the company liquidators.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts his Department has had with BMARC since 1979. [40102]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Records covering the period since the financial year 1989–90 show that the Ministry of Defence placed the following contracts with BMARC:

  1989–90: approximately 30 contracts valued £6.2 million.

  1990–91: approximately 30 contracts valued £5.5 million.

  1991–92 approximately 15 contracts valued £4.5 million.

  1992–93 fewer than five contracts valued £1.7 million.

  Information for the period before 1989–90 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  British Manufacturer and Research Co. Ltd. went into administrative receivership in April 1992, and since 1992–93 no contracts have been placed with it.

  RB44 Vehicles
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's RB44 light vehicles are roadworthy; and when they became so. [40396]
  92
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  A modification programme to render the Reynolds Boughton RB44 heavy utility truck roadworthy was initiated on 2 October 1995, with approximately 50 vehicles being modified each week. To date, 136 vehicles have been modified and are thus considered roadworthy.

  Dr. Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on servicing the RB44 light vehicles since purchasing them; and by whom the servicing of his Department's RB44 light vehicles is conducted. [40397]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  Servicing of the RB44 heavy utility truck is conducted by military or civilian maintenance personnel or under contract by commercial companies.

  Information on the cost of servicing the vehicles is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Greenham Common
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the circulation list of organisations notified by his Department in respect of the notice of the closure of Greenham Common air base. [39119]

  Mr. Soames
  I have been asked to reply.

  Following the announcement on 30 January 1992 by the US Government of their intention to withdraw from Greenham Common air base, and subsequent correspondence and discussions with the then Member for Newbury, the then Minister for the Armed Forces, my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Sir A. Hamilton) notified the House on 9 February 1993, that the majority of the site was surpluse to requirments and would be disposed of. In accordance with normal practice, letters to this effect were concrurrently sent to the chief executives of Berkshire county and Newbury district councils.

  Defence-related Jobs
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the number of(a) defence and (b) defence-related jobs in (i) Strathclyde and (ii) Scotland as a whole; and if he will make a statement. [41973]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I have been asked to reply.

  For Scotland as a whole, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 October 1995, Official Report, columns 32–33. For Strathclyde, my Department currently has some 5,100 service and 6,200 civilan personnel based there. A breakdown by Scottish region of jobs in the defence industry is not available.

WALES

  Primary Schools
  Sir David Knox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent per pupil in primary schools in Wales in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what was the figure for 1978–79, at constant prices. [37839]
  93
  Mr. Richards
  The latest figures available are for 1992–93: the amount spent per pupil in primary and nursery schools in that year was £1,657, at 1993–94 prices. This compares to £1,086 in 1979–80, the earliest period for which figures are available. This is an increase of 52.5 per cent. in real terms—a fact that the Labour party seems incapable of recognising.

  Planning Policy Guidance
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held regarding incorporation of the Department of the Environment's PPG13 into Welsh planning law and practice; and if he will make a statement. [37840]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This is incorporated in the new draft planning policy guidance for Wales which was issued for public consultation in July.

  Polluted Land
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to update the 1988 register of polluted land in Wales. [37841]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  None—the Environment Act 1995 requires local authorities to survey their areas for contaminated land.

  Job Prospects
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to improve job prospects in(a) Blaenau Gwent and (b) Wales. [37843]

  Mr. Richards
  The Government have created the right conditions for the economy to grow. Output is up and unemployment continues to fall. This shows the success of our policies throughout Wales. In addition, we do not propose to establish an Assembly in Cardiff which would interfere with and damage the Welsh economy. I trust that the hon. Gentleman supports our policy-which is in the best interests of his constituents.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current level of unemployment in(a) Wales and (b) the United Kingdom. [37844]

  Mr. Hague
  In September 1995, the seasonally adjusted number of persons on the claimant count in Wales was 106,300 or 8.2 per cent. of the work force. Corresponding figures for the United Kingdom were 2,265,100 and 8.1 per cent.

  School Rolls
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the current rolls of(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools, including special schools; how many teachers there are in each sector; what were the equivalent figures in May 1979; and if he will make a statement. [37845]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is not available in respect of May 1979. The following table shows data for January in 1979 and 1995.
  94

  At January 1979

  1995 (provisional)

  Primary schools

  Full and part-time pupils on roll

  303,396

  289,206

  Full-time equivalent teachers

  13,581

  12,404

  Secondary schools

  Full and part-time pupils on roll

  241,661

  197,897

  Full-time equivalent teachers

  14,413

  12,288

  Special schools

  Full and part-time pupils on roll

  4,7391

  3,6071

  Full-time equivalent teachers

  634

  546

  1 Full-time pupils and teachers only.

  Source:

  Schools Census.

  Health Funding
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with representatives of the health authorities in Wales concerning funding for 1996–97. [37846]

  Mr. Richards
  NHS funding, including the prospects for 1996–97, were discussed at a meeting held by my right hon. Friend with health authority chairmen on 18 October.

  Town and City Centres
  Mr. Michael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to strengthen development control requirements in order to protect the viability of town and city centres in Wales. [37847]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  This issue is covered in the draft of the new comprehensive planning policy guidance for Wales, comments on which are now being considered.

  European Funding
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the transparent additionality of funds sought from the EC; and if he will make a statement. [37848]

  Mr. Hague
  Following my recent meeting with Commissioner Wulf-Mathies, the Commission has accepted that European structural funds are properly spent in Wales. As a result, £11.4 million of European regional aid to Wales has been released. The measures taken to improve the transparency of the presentation of grants to public bodies will make it very clear that European funds reach and will continue to reach those communities for which they are intended.

  Valleys Initiative
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made on establishing industrial villages as part of the valleys initiative programme. [37849]

  Mr. Hague
  On 14 September 1994, my predecessor announced that he was making available £410,000 via Neath borough council, to the Tonmawr 2000 project implementation group to develop the industrial village concept. The money has been used to provide 190 sq m of business units in Tonmawr to meet a growing demand
  95
  for space from local employers. An extension to the community sports centre is also creating a further five part-time jobs. Progress is being monitored closely.

  Wages
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new proposals he has to raise wage levels in Wales. [37850]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  We have achieved low interest rates, sound public finances and an enterprise culture. These are the foundations of a vigorous and long-lasting recovery and are conducive to higher quality, and therefore better paid, jobs.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what is his calculation of the median wage levels paid in each Welsh parliamentary constituency. [39827]

  Mr Jones
  The available information is based on sample surveys and cannot provide reliable estimates at this geographical level.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has formed as to the extent to which inward investment in Wales is related to its current constitutional position in the United Kingdom. [37851]

  Mr. Hague
  A wide range of factors are considered when inward investors make their investment decisions. Political and economic stability with low interest and inflation rates are major considerations, as are, labour availability and quality, good industrial relations, good communications and a good industrial infrastructure.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he intends to initiate with local authorities in Wales prior to any enlargement of the assisted places scheme. [37852]

  Mr. Richards
  My right hon. Friend will be giving details in due course on proposals to expand the assisted places scheme in Wales.

  Village Shops
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that the proposed business rate relief scheme for village shops will be available for shops in Wales in the near future. [38477]

  Mr. Hague
  I am considering the case for a business rate relief scheme for village shops in Wales. I will announce my conclusion in my forthcoming rural White Paper.

  Medieval Boat, Severn Estuary
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assistance his Department has given to the archaeologists' attempts to raise a medieval boat hull from the Bedwin sands in the Severn estuary; and if he will make a statement. [39435]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The Welsh Office helped to fund the archaeological excavation of the Magor medieval boat as a joint venture with the National Museums and 96
  Galleries of Wales and Laing—GTM, the contractors for the second Severn crossing. The boat was raised from the mud of the Severn estuary in the early morning of Sunday 27 August this year. The Welsh Office contributed £19,428 towards the cost of excavation, with a further £20,239 being spent on recording and dismantling the boat ready for its conservation. A report of the work will also be funded by the Welsh Office.

  Llantarnam Bypass
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the Llantarnam bypass to be completed. [39586]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The contract completion date for the A4042 Llantarnam bypass in 9 January 1996.

  Fire Service Reorganisation
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received regarding the reorganisation of the fire service in Wales. [39578]

  Mr. Jones
  In the past six months, 12 written representations have been received about the reorganisation of the fire brigades in Wales.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has to safeguard the financing of voluntary organisations in Wales after 1 April 1996. [39582]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The White Paper "A Charter for the Future", Cm 2155, emphasised the important role of the voluntary sector. Transition committees were advised to consult voluntary organisations. In preparing their service delivery plans, shadow authorities have been asked to build on existing arrangements and to set out their proposed strategies for working with the voluntary sector. Sections 51 and 54 of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 contain safeguards for contracts or agreements which extend beyond 31 March 1996.

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [39866]

  Mr. Hague
  My predecessor met the chief executive of Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments twice this year, once in January and once in May. Neither I nor my predecessor has met the chief executives of the Planning Inspectorate and ADAS executive agencies this year.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by grade the numbers of staff and their costs 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. [39496]

  Mr. Hague
  For Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments executive agency, responsibility for the subject of the
  97
  question has been delegated to the chief executive, Mr. T. J. Cassidy. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  I also have shared responsibility for the Planning Inspectorate and ADAS agencies. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are arranging for replies to be given separately for these agencies.

  1994–95 Actual

  1995–96 Estimate

  Grade

  Number

  Cost£

  Number

  Cost £

  Chief Executive

  1

  64,247

  1

  70,441

  Grade 6

  4

  171,298

  3

  155,274

  Grade 7

  8

  298,081

  8

  318,750

  Senior Executive

  15

  433,647

  15

  446,847

  Higher Executive

  17

  359,551

  16

  320,473

  Executive

  25

  481,466

  25

  485,289

  Administrative

  44

  518,289

  39

  467,033

  Custodial

  39

  755,685

  46

  882,328

  Industrial

  91

  1,056,493

  85

  1,003,694

  Total

  244

  4,138,757

  238

  4,150,129

  Second Severn Crossing
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the second Severn crossing to be completed. [39585]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The administration of the second Severn crossing is a matter for the Department of Transport, which advises that the bridge is expected to be open to traffic in mid-1996.

  Bridge Repairs
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what estimate he has made of the cost of the repair of bridges in Wales in the current financial year. [39575]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The estimate in respect of trunk roads is £6.8 million. Local authorities are responsible for bridges on non-trunk roads.

  Gwent County Hall
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations the residuary body for Wales has received regarding the future use of the headquarters of Gwent county council. [39583]

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Wales

  Three-year-olds in nursery schools1

  1989–90

  Number

  195

  91

  700

  —

  692

  —

  420

  131

  2,229

  Per cent.

  3.7

  2.1

  11.6

  —

  9.2

  —

  7.4

  2.8

  5.9

  1990–91

  Number

  97

  97

  705

  —

  707

  —

  407

  131

  2,144

  Per cent.

  1.8

  2.3

  11.4

  —

  9.2

  —

  7.0

  2.8

  5.6

  1991–92

  Number

  113

  96

  628

  —

  727

  —

  426

  136

  2,126

  Per cent.

  2.1

  2.2

  9.8

  —

  9.2

  —

  7.1

  2.8

  5.4

  1992–93

  Number

  113

  103

  605

  —

  706

  —

  453

  130

  2,110

  Per cent.

  2.2

  2.5

  9.8

  —

  9.1

  —

  7.8

  2.8

  5.6

  98
  Letter from T. J. Cassidy to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 26 October 1995:

  As Cadw is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Wales has asked me to write to you direct with respect to Cadw in response to your recent Parliamentary Question about staffing grades, numbers and costs.

  The information is provided in the table below in which specialists grades have been assimilated into the equivalent administrative grade:

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  To date, the residuary body for Wales has received written representations from Monmouthshire county council, Torfaen county borough council and Blaenau Gwent county borough council regarding the future use of Gwent county hall.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schools in Wales are currently applying for grant-maintained status. [39593]

  Mr. Richards
  I am currently considering an application from St. Brigid's school, Denbigh.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list(a) the number and (b) percentage of (i) three-year-olds and (ii) four-year-olds attending nursery and primary schools in each of the local education authorities in Wales in each of the last five years. [40104]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is given in the following tables. Figures in the last two tables are revised estimates and not therefore entirely consistent with those given to the hon. Member in my reply of 23 October,Official Report, columns 473–74.
  99

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Wales

  1993–94

  Number

  130

  87

  609

  —

  711

  —

  486

  129

  2,152

  Per cent.

  2.5

  2.1

  9.8

  —

  9.4

  —

  8.4

  2.7

  5.6

  Four-year-olds in nursery schools1

  1989–90

  Number

  97

  75

  352

  —

  415

  —

  305

  53

  1,297

  Per cent.

  1.9

  1.7

  5.9

  —

  5.5

  —

  5.4

  1.1

  3.4

  1990–91

  Number

  49

  93

  351

  —

  413

  —

  331

  53

  1,290

  Per cent.

  0.9

  2.2

  5.8

  —

  5.4

  —

  5.8

  1.1

  3.4

  1991–92

  Number

  56

  98

  317

  —

  423

  —

  311

  55

  1,260

  Per cent.

  1.1

  2.3

  5.0

  —

  5.4

  —

  5.3

  1.2

  3.3

  1992–93

  Number

  58

  93

  308

  —

  393

  —

  260

  52

  1,164

  Per cent.

  1.1

  2.1

  4.8

  —

  5.0

  —

  4.4

  1.1

  2.9

  1993–94

  Number

  65

  94

  305

  —

  373

  —

  239

  52

  1,128

  Per cent.

  1.3

  2.3

  4.9

  —

  4.8

  —

  4.1

  1.1

  3.0

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Wales

  Three-year-olds in primary schools1

  1989–90

  Number

  2,786

  1,583

  2,098

  446

  3,076

  323

  1,348

  3,007

  14,667

  Per cent.

  53.3

  36.6

  34.8

  15.6

  40.9

  23.1

  23.8

  63.7

  38.9

  1990–91

  Number

  3,103

  1,705

  2,217

  185

  3,193

  362

  1,408

  3,028

  15,201

  Per cent.

  58.7

  39.8

  35.9

  6.3

  41.6

  25.4

  24.4

  64.1

  39.7

  1991–92

  Number

  3,268

  1,746

  2,349

  128

  3,277

  368

  1,461

  3,156

  15,753

  Per cent.

  60.2

  40.4

  36.5

  4.2

  41.3

  25.2

  24.5

  65.1

  40.0

  1992–93

  Number

  3,231

  1,628

  2,468

  467

  3,210

  353

  1,616

  3,066

  16,039

  Per cent.

  63.0

  39.7

  39.8

  15.7

  41.2

  25.5

  27.9

  66.6

  42.2

  1993–94

  Number

  3,239

  1,728

  2,525

  434

  3,348

  346

  1,702

  3,231

  16,553

  Per cent.

  61.2

  41.7

  40.6

  14.6

  44.5

  24.7

  29.4

  68.1

  43.5

  Four-year-olds in primary schools1

  1989–90

  Number

  4,865

  3,479

  5,033

  1,908

  6,361

  1,083

  3,936

  4,574

  31,239

  Per cent.

  93.3

  80.8

  83.7

  66.8

  84.9

  77.7

  69.7

  97.2

  83.0

  1990–91

  Number

  4,990

  3,505

  5,029

  1,900

  6,234

  1,095

  4,041

  4,534

  31,328

  Per cent.

  95.6

  82.8

  82.4

  65.5

  82.2

  77.9

  70.8

  97.2

  82.8

  1991–92

  Number

  5,077

  3,666

  5,288

  1,898

  6,606

  1,141

  4,231

  4,558

  32,465

  Per cent.

  95.5

  86.6

  83.8

  63.6

  85.0

  79.7

  72.4

  95.9

  84.0

  1992–93

  Number

  5,146

  3,630

  5,473

  2,213

  6,721

  1,210

  4,508

  4,602

  33,503

  Per cent.

  94.4

  81.5

  84.7

  72.9

  85.1

  80.8

  76.3

  95.4

  84.8

  1993–94

  Number

  5,236

  3,469

  5,341

  2,144

  6,527

  1,151

  4,591

  4,453

  32,912

  Per cent.

  101.6

  84.2

  86.0

  71.6

  83.8

  82.2

  78.7

  96.6

  86.4

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Wales

  Three and four-year-olds in nursery schools1

  1989–90

  Number

  292

  166

  1,052

  —

  1,107

  —

  725

  184

  3,526

  Per cent.

  2.8

  1.9

  8.7

  —

  7.4

  —

  6.4

  2.0

  4.7

  1990–91

  Number

  146

  190

  1,056

  —

  1,120

  —

  738

  184

  3,434

  Per cent.

  1.4

  2.2

  8.6

  —

  7.3

  —

  6.4

  2.0

  4.5

  100

  101

  Clwyd

  Dyfed

  Gwent

  Gwynedd

  Mid Glamorgan

  Powys

  South Glamorgan

  West Glamorgan

  Wales

  1991–92

  Number

  169

  194

  945

  —

  1,150

  —

  737

  191

  3,386

  Per cent.

  1.6

  2.3

  7.4

  —

  7.3

  —

  6.2

  2.0

  4.3

  1992–93

  Number

  171

  196

  913

  —

  1,099

  —

  713

  182

  3,274

  Per cent.

  1.6

  2.3

  7.2

  —

  7.0

  —

  6.1

  1.9

  4.2

  1993–94

  Number

  195

  181

  914

  —

  1,084

  —

  725

  181

  3,280

  Per cent.

  1.9

  2.2

  7.4

  —

  7.1

  —

  6.2

  1.9

  4.3

  Three and four-year-olds in primary schools1

  1980–90

  Number

  7,651

  5,062

  7,131

  2,354

  9,437

  1,406

  5,284

  7,581

  45,906

  Per cent.

  73.3

  58.7

  59.2

  41.2

  62.9

  50.4

  46.7

  80.5

  60.9

  1990–91

  Number

  8,093

  5,210

  7,246

  2,085

  9,427

  1,457

  5,449

  7,562

  46,529

  Per cent.

  77.0

  61.2

  59.0

  35.7

  61.8

  51.5

  47.4

  80.5

  61.1

  1997–92

  Number

  8,345

  5,412

  7,637

  2,026

  9,883

  1,509

  5,692

  7,714

  48,218

  Per cent.

  77.7

  63.3

  59.9

  33.6

  62.9

  52.2

  48.2

  80.3

  61.8

  1992–93

  Number

  8,377

  5,258

  7,941

  2,680

  9,931

  1,563

  6,124

  7,668

  49,542

  Per cent.

  79.2

  61.5

  62.7

  44.5

  63.3

  54.2

  52.4

  81.3

  63.9

  1993–94

  Number

  8,475

  5,197

  7,866

  2,578

  9,875

  1,497

  6,293

  7,684

  49,465

  Per cent.

  81.1

  62.9

  63.3

  43.2

  64.5

  53.5

  54.1

  82.2

  64.9

  1 Figures shown are for January each year. Includes grant-maintained primary schools.

  Calculations based on mid-year population estimates and estimates of pupil ages at December, percentages can therefore exceed 100 per cent, on occasion.

  Symbols: Means nil or less than 0.1 per cent.

  Cardiff Bay
  Sir Anthony Durant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs have been created by the Cardiff Bay development corporation; and how much private sector money has been involved. [37827]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  A total of £420 million of private sector investment has been attracted to Cardiff bay. This has generated around 10,500 jobs, of which nearly 5,500 are permanent.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his current estimate of the winding up date of the Cardiff Bay development corporation; and what consultations he has had with the relevant local authorities concerning the transfer of its assets and liabilities. [40551]

  Mr. Hague
  My predecessor informed the House on 7 July 1994,Official Report, column 465, expected to be possible to wind up the Cardiff Bay development corporation by the end of 1999. This remains the position. Consultations with the appropriate unitary local authorities will open after the reorganisation of local government.

  Tourism Grants
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his letter of 25 October, if he will list the projects offered grants by the Wales tourist board and the national lottery which could be expected to benefit financially from the terms of his letter. [40550]

  Mr. Hague
  I have asked the chief executive of the Wales tourist board to write to the hon. Member and I will arrange for a copy of his reply to be placed in the Library of the House.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list which areas in Wales have trusts which administer(a) ambulance services only, (b) acute services only, (c) community services only, (d) all three services, (e) ambulance and acute, (f) ambulance and community, (g) community and acute, (h) community and for part of the same area acute as well, (i) acute and for part of the same area community services and (j) other combinations; if he will set up an evaluation of the success or otherwise of those models; and if he will make a statement. [40549]

  Mr. Hague
  The information requested is as follows:

  NHS trusts in Wales generally offer services in the following categories:

  Ambulance

  Mid Glamorgan Ambulance NHS Trust

  North Wales Ambulance NHS Trust

  South and East Wales Ambulance NHS Trust

  West Wales Ambulance NHS Trust

  Acute

  East Glamorgan NHS Trust

  Glan Clwyd District General Hospital NHS Trust

  Glan Hafren NHS Trust

  Gwynedd Hospitals NHS Trust

  Morriston Hospital NHS Trust

  Nevill Hall and District NHS Trust

  Swansea NHS Trust

  University Hospital of Wales Healthcare NHS Trust

  Velindre NHS Trust

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital NHS Trust

  Acute, community and ambulance

  Pembrokeshire NHS Trust

  103

  Acute/community

  Carmarthen and District NHS Trust

  Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust

  Llandough Hospital and Community NHS Trust

  Llanelli/Dinefwr NHS Trust

  Powys Healthcare NHS Trust

  Rhondda Healthcare NHS Trust

  Acute, community and mental health

  Bridgend and District NHS Trust

  Glan-y-Môr NHS Trust

  Community/mental health

  Cardiff Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  Clwydian Community Care NHS Trust

  Gwent Community Health NHS Trust

  Gwynedd Community Health NHS Trust

  Mental health/illness

  Derwen NHS Trust

  Dental

  University Dental Hospital NHS Trust

  Experience of the existing configurations endorses the value of local priorities and consensus determining the development of services.

  School Class Sizes
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average class size for primary schools in Wales in January in each local education authority; and what was the actual and percentage change from January 1994 in each Welsh local education authority. [40222]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Average size of ordinary, special and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in each local education authority area in 1994 and 1995 (provisional)

  Average class size

  LEA area

  1994

  1995

  Actual change 1994–95

  Percentage change 1994–95

  Clwyd

  26.2

  26.6

  0.4

  1.6

  Dyfed

  21.7

  22.6

  0.9

  4.3

  Gwent

  27.4

  27.7

  0.3

  1.3

  Gwynedd

  22.8

  22.9

  0.1

  0.3

  Mid Glamorgan

  27.0

  27.1

  0.1

  0.2

  Powys

  22.1

  22.4

  0.3

  1.4

  South Glamorgan

  27.5

  27.1

  -0.4

  -1.4

  West Glamorgan

  25.7

  25.9

  0.2

  0.8

  Wales

  25.6

  25.8

  0.2

  1.0

  Sorce:

  Schools Census.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Barnsley and Doncaster TEC
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many contracts were issued in each financial year since the inception of 104
  Barnsley and Doncaster TEC and this year to date, to provide training for people with special needs; [39032]

  (2) how many contracts were issued by Barnsely and Doncaster TEC in each of the financial years since its inception to provide training for people with special needs. [39045]

  Mr Paice
  The information requested is operational information on the Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council and the question would be best addressed to the TEC to answer.

  Under the terms of the annual funding agreement between the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and Barnsley and Doncaster TEC, the TEC is required to ensure that suitable training will be made available to trainees who have a disability or special training need.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how much the Barnsley and Doncaster TEC has received from the European social fund in each year since its inception. [39047]

  Mr. Paice
  This is a matter for individual training and enterprise councils.

  Carers
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what policies she will pursue to enable carers to undertake employment. [38545]

  Mr. Paice
  The Government recognise that many carers wish to continue in employment, and we encourage this in a number of ways. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has published a booklet, "Employers and Carers", which has been distributed widely to employers. The booklet sets out a number of practical measures which employers may take to assist carers to remain in work. In addition, we promote generally an efficient and flexible labour market in which a wide range of working patterns are available. Flexibility and variety in working patterns help carers to find work that best suits their domestic responsibilities.

  We are making specific provision in the conditions for jobseeker's allowance to enable carers to restrict their availability for employment in line with their caring responsibilities and remain entitled to an allowance. Caring responsibilities will also be taken into account in any consideration of whether a jobseeker has been seeking work actively. Carers who wish to return to the labour market are in most circumstances eligible to join the wide range of programmes available to help unemployment people back to work, from the first day of unemployment.

  Hospital Education
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how teaching hours per pupil and teaching standards in hospitals are monitored. [38547]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Local education authorities have a duty to make suitable educational provision for pupils who are out of school because of illness or injury. The initial responsibility for monitoring such provision is,
  105
  therefore, that of the maintaining authority. The inspection of provision made in a hospital school is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, who heads the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked HMCI to write to the hon. Member about the specific points that he has raised.

  School Borrowing Approvals
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate has been made of the total borrowing approvals if all schools were permitted to borrow against their assets. [40152]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  No such estimate had been made. Capital expenditure financed by borrowing in respect of local authority property, including LEA-maintained schools, is subject to the provisions of part IV of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and regulations made under that Act.

  Voluntary-aided Schools
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will estimate the cost of providing 100 per cent. capital cost to voluntary-aided schools. [40151]

  Mrs. Gillan
  The central Government grant for approved governors' expenditure at voluntary-aided schools is at present paid at a rate of up to 85 per cent. If all work supported by grant in 1995–96 were to be funded at a rate of 100 per cent. the additional cost would be in excess of £17 million.

  Local Education Authorities
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make it her policy to safeguard the role of local education authorities. [40149]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  With the introduction of local management of schools and the growth of the grant-maintained sector, the role of LEAs has evolved significantly. I look forward to their continuing to adapt to changing circumstances.

  Pupils known to be eligible for free school meals in maintained schools in England 1993–95 (provisional)

  Position in January each year

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary and secondary

  Pupils

  Percentage1

  Pupils

  Percentage1

  Pupils

  Percentage1

  1993

  916,068

  22

  466,446

  16

  1,382,514

  20

  1994

  949,787

  22

  517,113

  18

  1,466,900

  20

  1995 (provisional)

  956,495

  22

  539,438

  18

  1,495,933

  20

  1 Day pupils known to be eligible for a free school meal expressed as a percentage of day pupils on roll.

SCOTLAND

  Water Sampling
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what have been the results to date of the water samples that have been taken off the Ayrshire coast and analysed for contamination; and if he will make a statement. [38294]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  As part of its routine
  106

  Fire Service
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) representations and (b) complaints she has received concerning the provisions contained in the conditions of employment 15.3.2(a) for fire service personnel. [39258]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  I have been asked to reply.

  My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has not received any such representations or complaints. However, the National Joint Council for Local Authorities Fire Brigades, which represents fire service employers' and employees' organisations, is the body responsible for matters concerning the conditions of service of members of fire brigades.

  National Funding Formula
  Mr. Blunkett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when she expects to introduce a national funding formula. [40150]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department is exploring the general implications of funding schools by means of a national formula. My right hon. Friend has made it clear that the introduction of such a formula is not an option for the near future.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Hain
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the entitlement to free school meals in the United Kingdom from 1975 to the latest available date expressed(a) numerically and (b) in percentage terms, indicating the figures for (1) primary school pupils, (2) secondary school pupils and (3) total pupils. [40218]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Information on the number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals was collected from maintained schools in England for the first time in January 1993. Information for years since then is shown in the table.

  Information on pupils elsewhere in the United Kingdom is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and, for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  monitoring activities the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food undertook water sampling at a number of locations in the North channel earlier this year. The analysis of these samples show that water quality is not impaired.

  Controlled Drugs
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers the police currently have to enter
  107
  commercial premises and private dwellings without permission to further their investigations of drug dealing, including the suspected trading of Temazepam; and if he will make a statement. [39192]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  In addition to the power to search premises by virtue of a common law warrant where an offence is suspected, constables have specific powers under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

  Section 23(1) confers on constables certain powers to enter premises of persons carrying on business as a producer or supplier of any controlled drug. Section 23(3) enables constables to obtain warrants to enter any premises where it is suspected that certain offences under the Act are being committed.

  Gas Bills
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of Scottish Gas to discuss the abolition of standing charges on fuel bills; and if he will make a statement. [39202]

  Mr. Kynoch
  My right. hon. Friend has no present plans to meet representatives of Scottish Gas. Standing gas charges are a matter for British Gas and the industry regulator, the Office of Gas Supply.

  Capital Charges
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was paid from the national health service revenue budget in Scotland to meet capital charges in each of the most recent five year. [38800]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Each year the revenue budget is increased by the total estimated capital charges for NHS bodies in Scotland.

  The capital charges allocation for each of the most recent five years is as follows:

  Year

  Capital Charges Allocation (£000)

  1991–92

  355,535

  1992–93

  290,425

  1993–94

  321,068

  1994–95

  361,210

  1995–96

  357,446

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which capital projects in the national health service in Scotland are currently being considered under the private finance initiative; and what is the cost of each individual project. [38801]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  All capital schemes are required to explore private finance options. The value of new schemes in progress totals approximately £700 million over the total project lives of these schemes. Major schemes—that is, those with a value of over £5 million—for which private finance options are currently being explored or are in the early stages of business case preparation are:108

  £

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse NHS Trust (new District General Hospital)

  70 million

  Law Hospital NHS Trust (new Law Hospital)

  120 million

  Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh (new RIE)

  140 million

  Western General Hospital (major upgrade)

  60 million

  Edinburgh Sick Children's NHS Trust (new A and E/Outpatients)

  9 million

  Dumfries and Galloway Acute and Maternity NHS Trust (Maternity/Day Care Unit)

  7 million

  Glasgow Royal Infirmary (Maternity Unit)

  24 million

  Aberdeen Royal Hospitals (Children's Hospital)

  6 million

  Tayside Health Board (Forfar Community Hospital)

  8 million

  Renfrewshire Healthcare (Elderly/Disabled Unit)

  8 million

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health NHS Trust (Mental Health facility)

  7 million

  Yorkhill NHS Trust (Theatres development)

  7 million

  Southern General Hospitals (Care of the Elderly Unit)

  8 million

  Ayrshire and Arran Community Healthcare (East Ayrshire Community Hospital)

  9 million

  In addition, there are several hundred other schemes with a value below £5 million which are being considered under the private finance initiative.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much it costs a national health service trust in Scotland to prepare a bid for a capital project under the private finance initiative. [38802]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The costs to each trust in preparing a bid for a capital project varies depending on the size and complexity of the scheme. Estimates indicate that the cost to a trust of bringing a scheme to fruition in terms of preparation and fees varies between 3 per cent. and 5 per cent. of the total capital cost. The majority of these costs would be incurred whether the scheme is publicly funded or funded under the private finance initiative.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the arrangements for reviewing levels of services included in long-term contracts for hospital services which form part of a private finance initiative contract. [38803]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  All contracts include proper provision for ensuring that appropriate information and access are available for regular monitoring of the quality and quantity of services delivered under the contract.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the definition of the clinical services which will be exempted from contracts under the private finance initiative in the national health service in Scotland; and if he will list all of the hospital services which may be included in such contracts. [38804]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  There is no centrally defined list of services which should be included in contracts under the private finance initiative.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the timetable for final approval of capital projects currently being considered under the private
  109
  finance initiative in the national health service in Scotland. [38805]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Each scheme has its own timetable for completion. Final approval for each scheme will be given only after a full business case has been submitted to and approved by the management executive and, in certain cases, Her Majesty's Treasury.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the State for Scotland which hospital services are included in each of the contracts for capital projects in the national health service in Scotland currently being considered under the private finance initiative; and how long is the duration of the contract in each case. [38806]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  It is for NHS trusts to determine which hospital support services should be included in contracts. Contracts between trusts and the private sector will typically be for a duration of 20 to 25 years, with specified breaks and review periods built in.

  Drugs
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the State for Scotland how many people have been convicted of crimes related to their involvement in drug dealing at(a) Paisley sheriff court and (b) Renfrew district court in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [39194]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The available information is given in the table. Information for 1994 will become available in November 1995.

  Persons with a main charge proved for drugs trafficking offences in Paisley sheriff court and Renfrew district court, 1989–93

  Year

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  Paisley sheriff court

  6

  8

  10

  13

  32

  Renfrew district court

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Carpet Manufacturing
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to develop the opportunities for the Scottish carpet manufacturing industry on the international market; and if he will make a statement. [39206]

  Mr. Kynoch
  The Scottish Office recently launched an export development strategy for Scotland, designed to assist companies based in Scotland achieve greater success in international markets. Within the strategy, textiles is included as one of eight priority sectors for which initiatives and projects are being developed.

  School Buses
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further plans he has to review the legislation which governs the operation of school bus services, with particular reference to seat belts, supervision and bus capacity, and if he will make a statement. [39168]
  110
  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Transport safety matters are primarily the responsibility of the Department of Transport. Following a public consultation earlier this year my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport intends to lay this autumn the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations and the Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations. These regulations, which will extend to Scotland, will require lap belts to be fitted to all minibuses and coaches when they are being used specifically to transport children under the age of 16 and end the "three for two" concession to public service vehicles whereby three children under the age of 14 may share a double seat when seat belts are fitted. There are no plans to introduce legislation governing the supervision of school children. Arrangements for the supervision of children on school transport is entirely a matter for each education authority to determine.

  National Library
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what procedures students have to undertake after 1 October to gain access to the collections in the National library for Scotland; [38889]

  (2) what categories of students are to have restricted access to the National library of Scotland after 1 October; and if he will make a statement; [38883]

  (3) what procedures students before 1 October had to undertake to gain access to the collections in the National library for Scotland; [38888]

  (4) what categories of students were allowed access to the National library for Scotland before 1 October. [38884]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The arrangements for allowing access to the collections of the National library of Scotland are the responsibility of the board of trustees. However, my right hon. Friend is aware that the arrangements for access by students have been modified with effect from 1 October 1995 to take account of the increasing pressures on the accommodation for readers and on the condition of the collections. The reading services provided by the NLS are intended for those engaged in research or reference work using the collections. School pupils, college students and undergraduates at ordinary degree level are not normally admitted, but honours students in their third or later year of studies may apply for admission. These restrictions have been in place for a number of years and remain unchanged.

  Before 1 October 1995, eligible honours students could apply for a one-year admission ticket to consult material relevant to a course of studies which was not available elsewhere. Applications had to be countersigned by a professor or lecturer in the appropriate university department. Since 1 October, eligible honours students have been able to apply for short-term admission tickets for access to specific items for a particular research project which are not available elsewhere. Applications have to be countersigned by a nominated senior librarian in the appropriate university library.

  These revised arrangements were discussed with and endorsed by the Scottish Confederation of University and
  111
  Research Libraries which represents all the Scottish university libraries.

  Elections (Disabled Access)
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much it costs to provide and install temporary ramps for disabled access at polling stations during the most recent(a) general, (b) European, (c) regional council, (d) district council and (e) unitary authority elections in Scotland; what assessment he has made of the costs and benefits over a period of five, 10, 15 and 20 years of providing such ramps on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement. [39176]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Grants for election equipment are provided as and when required. Equipment is then used at all subsequent elections. The total grants paid for temporary ramps since my right hon. Friend assumed responsibility for returning officers' fees and expenses in August 1991 is £15,316. Details of the installation costs cannot be identified separately from the overall cost of adapting and fitting up buildings at an election. We are awaiting the passage of the Disability Discrimination Bill prior to considering the funding of permanent ramps.

  Unitary Authorities
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to extend cost centre accounting in the operation of the new unitary authorities, and if he will make a statement. [39198]

  Mr. Kynoch
  As originally announced in 1992, authorities will be required to set up an internal accounting framework for the professional support services that are to be subject to compulsory competitive tendering: construction and property services, information technology, personnel, legal and finance. The framework will show the full cost of providing these services and will also require authorities to allocate these support costs to front-line services, such as housing, planning, education etcetera, to enable front-line managers to monitor their expenditure in these areas.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table showing the(a) committee and (b) management structure of each new unitary authority and the existing island councils. [39162]

  Mr. Kynoch
  An interim report, as of September 1995, has been prepared by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  PACE Youth Theatre Group
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he, or his representative, will visit the PACE youth theatre group based at Paisley arts centre to discuss funding of community arts in Renfrewshire; and if he will make a statement. [39160]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit the PACE youth theatre group. National funding for performing arts projects is the responsibility of the Scottish Arts Council and applications for funding should be addressed to that body.

  NHS Hospitals
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each NHS hospital in Scotland which does not have trust status. [39204]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The table lists NHS hospitals in Scotland which do not form part of an NHS trust and the health board areas in which they are situated.

  MrOrkney Health Board:

  Balfour Hospital, Kirkwall

  Eastbank Hospital, Kirkwall

  Shetland Health Board:

  Gilbert Bain Hospital, Lerwick

  Montfield Hospital, Lerwick

  Western Isles Health Board:

  Daliburgh Hospital, South Uist

  Lochmaddy Hospital, North Uist

  St. Brendan's Hospital, Barra

  Western Isles Hospital, Stornoway

  State Hospitals and Special Health Board:

  State Hospital Carstairs

  Public Bodies
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the names of each member and former member of the House of Lords who, since 1979, has been appointed to any quango or other public body for which he has nomination or appointment rights, giving in each case the title of the post, the salary or honorarium payable and the duration of the appointment. [39166]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The information covers those bodies sponsored by the Scottish Office and listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies". It covers appointments currently held by present members of the House of Lords, excluding appointment as a justice of the peace or member of a children's panel. The following members of the House of Lords hold appointments on Scottish Office bodies:The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres is chairman of the board of trustees National library of Scotland; he was appointed to the board on 1 January 1986 and his appointment is for life. Lord Cameron of Lochbroom is chairman of the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland, with an appointment running from 1 April 1995 to 31 March 2000, and a member of the Scottish Records Advisory Council, with an appointment running from 1 August 1993 to 31 July 1996. Lord Goold is a member of the Scottish Hospital Endowment Research trust; his appointment runs from 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1996. Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden is a member of the board of trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland; his appointment runs from 1 April 1994 to 31 March 1997.

  None of the appointments is salaried or fee paid. Lord Ewing of Kirkford is a non-executive director of the Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals NHS trust; his appointment runs from 7 January 1994 to 30 November 1997 and his salary is £5,000.

  Information for earlier years is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names of all former right hon. and hon. Members who since 1979 have been appointed to any non-departmental public body or other public body for which he has nomination or appointment rights, giving
  113
  in each case the title of the post, the salary or honorarium payable and the duration of the appointment. [39201]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  Of those former Members of Parliament who ceased to be Members of the House in 1987 and 1992, one currently holds appointment on a body for which my Department has responsibility. This is Lord Ewing of Kirkford who was appointed as a non-executive director of the Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals NHS trust on 7 January 1994. He is appointed until 30 November 1997 and his salary is £5,000 per annum. I have also announced the appointment of Mr. Dick Douglas, as chairman designate of the Scottish Water and Sewerage Customers Council. His salary will be £15,000 per annum. The information held centrally by my Department does not show whether appointees were Members of this House during earlier Parliaments nor does it show appointments for earlier years; this could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Heart-lung Transplants
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to allowing heart-lung transplants to be carried out in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [39074]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  A needs assessment is currently being carried out. This, along with other factors, will help inform our consideration of the case for such a service.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to reply to a letter dated 17 June from the hon. Member for East Lothian concerning Mrs. J. Mitchell's claim for hill livestock compensatory allowances. [38854]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  I regret that the hon. Member has not yet received a substantive reply to his letter, but my noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for agriculture in Scotland intends to write to the hon. Member very soon.

  Road Signs
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has for the replacement of existing road signs to include metric distances; [38887]

  (2) what plans he has for the introduction of metric distances for all new road signs. [38886]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None.

  Fox Hunts
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many police hours were spent attending fox hunts in each of the past three years; what was the total cost to public funds within the area of each police authority; and if he will make a statement. [39219]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  This information is not held centrally.

  Students
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he received the Scottish Association of Citizen's Advice Bureau report entitled "Poverty by Degrees: Students—The Evidence of Citizens Advice Bureau clients in Scotland"; and what he intends to do to rectify the deficiencies identified in it. [39237]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I received a copy of the report shortly after its publication in September. I am always pleased to have information on the operation of the student support system, although the sample in this case was not necessarily typical.

  As part of our commitment to monitor student finance we have recently commissioned a new, United Kingdom-wide student income and expenditure survey. It will provide up-to-date, comprehensive, and authoritative evidence on the picture throughout the UK. The survey will be carried out in spring 1966 and the results published later in the year.

  Burns Bicentenary
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of preparations for the commemoration of the Burns bicentenary in 1996, with particular reference to the scale and scope of projects and involvement of the communities and schools in events. [39157]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The programme for the Burns international festival, including details of a number of community and schools events, is expected to be published by the organisers, Burns Festival Ltd., in November. The Scottish Office has no information about any plans which local authorities or other local organisations may have for commemorating the anniversary.

  Absent Voting
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what procedures will be put in place prior to the general election to ensure that those entitled to postal and proxy votes are made aware of their rights as soon as possible by means of public advertising; and if he will make a statement. [39169]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  Arrangements have yet to be finalised for absent voting publicity, but it is proposed, following past practice, to advertise in all the Scottish national daily and Sunday newspapers, and to provide leaflets for the general public through various suitable outlets.

  Scotland Europa
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the work of Scotland Europa Ltd; and what criteria he applies to measure the success of this body. [39223]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  I met recently with the chief executive of Scotland Europa to hear of its work and plans for the future. The subscribers to Scotland Europa's services come from a wide range of interests, including business, educational bodies and local authorities, and the
  115
  numbers are increasing every year. Thus, the body is successful by satisfying its paying customers and increasing their numbers.

  Scottish Enterprise recently decided to continue to provide support to Scotland Europa in order to continue the service to Scottish business and organisations. The criteria against which it will judge the body include its success in providing for its customers information and advice on developments in the European Union, assistance in lobbying, help in seeking out other regional partners and participating in appropriate European programmes.

  Women's conference
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he intends to take to implement the commitments made in Beijing at the United Nations fourth world conference on women; and what resources have been allocated to action the platform agreed. [38882]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Government are committed to ensuring that all Government Departments take full account of the platform for action. Non-governmental organisations have been asked for their views by 1 January 1996. De-briefing meetings, including one in Scotland, will be held with key NGOs shortly and a further meeting to review progress early in 1996. Resources will be allocated from within departmental budgets as appropriate.

  Caravan Storage Facilities
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the(a) need and (b) supply of caravan storage facilities in each Scottish district; and if he will make a statement. [39199]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  None. There is no statutory requirement upon either the Secretary of State or local authorities to ensure provision of caravan storage facilities.

  Telephone Bills
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of British Telecom (Scotland) to discuss the abolition of standing charges on telephone bills; and if he will make a statement. [39205]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Control of British Telecom's prices is a matter for the Director General of Telecommunications.

  MrLocal Councillors
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the(a) daily attendance allowance and (b) subsistence allowance for (i) more than four, but less than eight hours, (ii) more than eight, but less than 24 hours, (iii) 24 hours within the United Kingdom, but outside London, (iv) 24 hours in London and (v) approved overseas travel for elected members of Scottish local authorities would be had these kept pace with inflation since 1974 and expressed in real terms at current prices: what would be the annual attendance allowance, excluding subsistence, of an elected member of a Scottish local authority who was eligible to claim a daily
  116
  attendance allowance for an average of (I) one, (II) two, (III) three, (IV) four, (V) five, (VI) six and (VII) seven official duties per week on different days assuming that the system of payment had remained unchanged since 1974 and based on current prices in real terms. [39167]

  Mr. Kynoch
  As the information requested is particularly lengthy and complex, I shall write to the hon. Member and arrange for a signed copy of the letter to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Floods
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funds are available from European Community sources to undertake projects aimed at reducing the risk of floods to homes, businesses, including farms and public buildings; which organisations may apply for such funding; and if he will make a statement. [39175]

  Mr. Kynoch
  I am not aware of any European Community sources of funds specifically for flood prevention. Under the European structural funds support may be available where there is a clear and demonstrable economic benefit to be derived from the project.

  Regional and islands councils have powers, under the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961, to take flood prevention measures to protect non-agricultural land. Works, other than those of maintenance or repair, have to be widely advertised and submitted to the Secretary of State for confirmation. Grants are available from the Scottish Office at a rate of 50 per cent. for confirmed schemes.

  Planning Policy Guideline
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he
  will introduce statutory requirements for smaller unitary authorities to be able to employ appropriate archaeological officers in respect of NPPG5; and if he will make a statement. [39059]

  Mr. Kynoch
  No. My right hon. Friend published national planning policy guideline—NPPG5 "Archaeology and Planning" in January 1994. This, along with the associated planning advice note 42 "Archaeology—The Planning Process and Scheduled Monument Procedures", sets out the planning policy context and guidelines in respect of archaeological remains and discoveries for Scottish local authorities. It is for the authorities themselves to decide how best to meet their responsibilities within the resources available to them.

  Further Education College Principals
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the current salaries of principals of further education colleges and the amount of any increments that have been awarded in each case, with the reasons for such increments(a) in the previous and (b) the current year. [38872]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  It is for individual boards of management to determine the remuneration of principals. Information on their current salaries will not be available centrally until the 1995–96 annual accounts
  117
  are submitted next year. The remuneration of principals for 1994–95, as shown in the colleges' 1994–95 annual accounts, is as follows:

  Salary excluding pension contribution1994–95

  College

  £'000

  Barony

  44

  Oatridge

  44

  Lews Castle

  45

  Elmwood

  49

  Clackmannan

  47

  Thurso

  45

  Cumbernauld

  44

  Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

  50

  John Wheatley

  42

  Angus

  47

  Banff and Buchan

  50

  Borders

  54

  Glasgow College of Food Technology

  51

  Cambuslang

  46

  Coatbridge

  50

  Stow

  59

  Glenrothes

  52

  Moray

  51

  Lauder

  53

  Anniesland

  46

  Dumfries

  55

  Bell

  85

  Kilmarnock

  47

  Ayr

  54

  Perth

  48

  Glasgow College of Building and Printing

  54

  West Lothian

  44

  Cardonald

  52

  North Glasgow

  52

  Central

  53

  Motherwell

  49

  Langside

  51

  Inverness

  51

  Jewel and Esk

  55

  Clydebank

  58

  Reid Kerr

  53

  Falkirk

  54

  Fife

  55

  James Watt

  60

  Dundee

  61

  Stevenson

  54

  Telford

  62

  Aberdeen

  58

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the financial cost of implementing in Scotland the European Court of Justice ruling on prescription charge exemption for men aged 60 years and over(a) in a full financial year and (b) in respect of reimbursement for the three months prior to the judgment; and if he will ensure that this cost is not met from existing NHS budgets. [38970]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The overall cost of equalising the qualifying age for exemption from prescription charges for men and women at 60 is estimated to be around £4.5 million in a full financial year.
  118
  Refunds of prescription charges paid in the three months prior to the judgment are unlikely to amount to more than £1.5 million.

  Decisions on funding are being taken within the context of the public expenditure survey.

  Royal Alexandra Hospital
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of the floor space of the Royal Alexandra hospital, Paisley is not currently in use; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for this. [39163]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  All floor space in the Royal Alexandra hospital is fully utilised at the present time.

  Operation Eagle
  Mr. McMaster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the results of Strathclyde police's Operation Eagle. [39193]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  I welcome Operation Eagle, which has successfully targeted all tiers of the drug dealing and user network throughout Strathclyde. To date, the police have made over 4,000 arrests; seized significant quantities of illicit drugs with an estimated street value of around £4.2 million together with almost £400,000 in cash; and recovered 35 firearms and 169 rounds of ammunition during drug searches. The operation is continuing. I look forward to opening Strathclyde police's seminar on 8 December which will be reviewing the final outcome.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the State for Scotland how many farm conservation plans have been approved, since revision, in the Machair of the Uists, Barra and Vatersay environmentally sensitive area. [39838]

  Mr Robertson
  As at 24 October 1995, 42 crofters have accepted agreements offered under the revised Machair of the Usists, Barra and Vatersay environmentally sensitive area scheme.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the State for Scotland how many farm conservation plans have been approved in the Stewartry environmentally sensitive area, since its revision, involving payments in year one of the plan of(a) £0-£1,000, (b) £1,001-£2,000, (c) £2,001-£3,000,(d) £3,001-£4,000, (e) £4,001-£5,000 and (f) £5,001-£6,000. [39836]

  Mr Raymond S. Robertson
  As at 24 October 1995, there were 90 approved plans in the revised Stewarty environmentally sensitive area scheme, all of which involve payment in year one. The number of agreements involving tier two payments in year one of the plan is as follows:

  Number

  (a) Up to £1,000

  4

  (b) £1,00-£2,000

  5

  (c) £2,001-£3,000

  4

  (d) £3,001-£4,000

  0

  (e) £4,001–5,000

  73

  (f) £5,001-£6,000

  0

  119
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farm conservation plans have been approved in the Machair of the Uists, Barra and Vatersay environmentally sensitive area, since its revision involving payments under tier two in year one of the plan of(a) £0-£500, (b) £500-£1,000, (c) £1,001-£1,500, and (d) £1,501-£2,000. [39839]

  Mr. Robertson
  The number of agreements in the revised Machair of the Uists, Barra and Vatersay environmentally sensitive area scheme involving tier two payments in year one of the plan is as follows:

  Number

  (a) 0-£500

  16

  (b) £501-£1,000

  10

  (c) £1,001-£1,500

  4

  (d) £1,501-£2,000

  16

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what monitoring and review arrangements he has established to ensure that the agri-environment programme in Scotland contributes to meeting the objectives of "Biodiversity: the United Kingdom Action Plan", Cm 2418. [39835]

  Mr. Robertson
  A 10-year contract has been let for monitoring the impact of the environmentally sensitive area scheme. This will cover ecological, archaeological and landscape effects. We intend to extend these arrangements, in due course, to cover the more recently launched elements of the agri-environment programme.

  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 29 March,Official Report, column 697, what was the final expenditure on environmentally sensitive areas in Scotland in 1994–95; and on what the remainder of the allocated budget we spent. [39844]

  Mr. Robertson
  Provisional outturn expenditure on environmentally sensitive areas in Scotland in 1994–95 was £1.044 million. It is not possible to say precisely how the remainder of the provision was used, but the first priority for the use of any savings of this nature would be to meet inescapable demands for additional unplanned agricultural expenditure or any of the other programme areas for which the Secretary of State is responsible.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the expected expenditure for(a) environmentally sensitive areas and (b) other agri-environment schemes in 1995–96. [39752]

  Mr. Robertson
  Financial provision for(a) environmentally sensitive areas and (b) other agri-environment schemes in 1995–96 is set out in the table.

  Financial provision 1995–96 (£ million)

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas

  5.5

  Other Agri-Environment Schemes

  1.697

  It is too early to anticipate what expenditure will be incurred.
  120
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farm conservation plans have been approved, since designation, in the Cairngorms Straths environmentally sensitive area involving payments under tier two in year one of the plan of(a) up to £1,000, (b) £1,000-£2,000, (c) £2,001-£3,000 and (d) £3,001-£4,000. [39749]

  Mr. Robertson
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The number of agreements in Cairngorms Straths environmentally sensitive area scheme involving tier two payments in year one of the plan is as follows:

  Number

  (a) Up to £1,000

  1

  (b) £1,001-£2,000

  1

  (c) £2,001-£3,000

  2

  (d) £3,001-£4,000

  35

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many farm conservation plans have been approved, since designation, the Cairngorms Straths environmentally sensitive areas. [39748]

  Mr. Robertson
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: As at 24 October 1995, 37 farmers and crofters have accepted agreements offered under the Cairngorms Straths environmentally sensitive areas scheme.

  Prisoners (Closed Visits)
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what arrangements are made for prisoners who are restricted to closed visits to have(a) visits from their legal advisers, and (b) consular visits; [38844]

  (2) in which prisons there are prisoners restricted to closed visits and what are the numbers of prisoners involved. [39416]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 30 October 1995:

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Questions about closed visits for prisoners in Scotland. These concerned (a) the arrangements for prisoners on closed visits to have visits from their legal advisers and consular officials, and (b) in which prisons there are prisoners restricted to closed visits and what are the numbers of prisoners involved.

  As for as (a) is concerned, regardless of whether a prisoner is on closed visits, visits from prisoners' legal advisers are held in rooms specifically designated for that purpose. Consular visits are also held in these rooms. Both types of visits, in accordance with Prison Rules, take place within sight, but outwith the hearing, of prison staff.

  On the (b) the information as at 25 October is as follows:

  Aberdeen

  3

  Barlinnie

  50

  Corton Vale

  11

  Dumfries

  13

  Edinburgh

  9

  Glenochil

  33

  Greenock

  6

  Inverness

  3

  Longriggend

  9

  121

  Low Moss

  6

  Perth

  11

  Peterhead

  1

  Polmont

  5

  Shotts

  7

  Total

  167

  Greater Glasgow Health Board
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the recent employment of Alan Clark Associates by Greater Glasgow health board, and the procedure adopted by the health board in awarding this contract and the involvement of the board itself and the then chairman in the award of this contract. [39406]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: Such information is not held centrally; this is a matter for Greater Glasgow health board.

  School Transport
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money was spent by his Department for each education authority in Scotland for each financial year since 1987–88 in supporting educational transport; and what were the number of pupils covered by this provision for each local authority, the total number of pupils within each education authority during this period, and the percentage covered by free school transport provision. [39408]

  Mr. Robertson
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The detailed information requested cannot be provided in the time scale allowed. I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as that information has been collated.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes his Department is considering to the guidance currently in force relating to the criteria for school pupils in Scotland to qualify for free transport and the manner in which he funds this transport provision. [39409]

  Mr. Robertson
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: Under current legislation, decisions regarding the provision of school transport are entirely a matter for each education authority. Under sections 50 and 51 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, education authorities have a duty to make such transport arrangements as they consider necessary for the provision of free transport, of transport facilities as may be arranged, and for paying all or part of reasonable travel expenses for school pupils belonging to their area. The Government have no plans to amend this legislation, or to change the manner in which this transport provision is funded.

  On 24 May 1995, guidance was issued to the chief executives of the new unitary authorities about the current legislation relating to the provision of school transport as part of detailed guidance on their future education responsibilities from 1 April 1996. There are no plans to add to that guidance.

  Ayrshire and Arran Health Board
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the arrangements made by Ayrshire and Arran health board to administer its public 122
  relations and communications since 1987, the names of agencies employed by the health board to undertake these duties during this period, the tendering process involved in awarding these contracts and the monetary value of contracts awarded to these agencies. [39410]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: Such information is not held centrally; this is a matter for Ayrshire and Arran health board.

  Nursing Home Care
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [40185]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 27 October 1995]: The total number of nursing home residents with preserved rights to the higher levels of income support was 7,940 at November 1994.

  The number of persons admitted on a permanent basis to nursing homes between 1 April 1994 and 31 March 1995 supported in full or in part by local authorities was 4,256.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the cost of(a) doubling and (b) trebling the present £8,000 capital disregard for nursing home fees. [40189]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 27 October 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on Friday 27 October 1995, Official Report, column 853.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [40177]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 27 October 1995]: The necessary information on which to base an estimate is not available centrally.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average length of time a person spends in full-time nursing care. [40181]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 27 October 1994]: The information requested is not available. However, the average lengths of stay of inpatients in hospitals in Scotland in 1994–95 are shown in the following table:

  Days

  Acute specialties

  5.5

  Obsstetrics

  3.3

  Long stay specialties

  63.8

  Psychiatric specialties

  104.8

  Mental handicap

  242.8

  During their stay in hospital inpatients will receive full-time nursing care.

  Nurses' Pay
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to advise the Western Isles health board of a settlement on nurses' pay. [39875]

  Lord James Douglas Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: I expect to be able to advise all health boards in Scotland of a settlement on nurses pay in early November.

  Health Boards
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the status of the Scottish health boards' general managers' group in relation to the Scottish Office. [39397]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: The Scottish health boards' general managers' group advises the Scottish Office Department of Health on matters affecting health boards. It provides a forum for two way communication between the Scottish Office and health boards on health service policy and the performance of the NHS in Scotland.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria he applied in deciding to allocate additional funding to Grampian health board and to Highland health board from moneys available through an underspend in the previous year's NHS budget in Scotland. [38501]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 23 October 1995]: The additional funding to Grampian health board and Highland health board is part of a £16.3 million allocation to be distributed to all health

  School Session

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Below full fee remission threshold

  1,219

  1,292

  1,385

  1,388

  1,423

  Threshold-£10,000

  270

  148

  89

  70

  43

  £10,000-£15,000

  815

  719

  671

  644

  612

  £15,000-£20,000

  485

  552

  583

  591

  584

  Over £20,000

  72

  200

  310

  352

  388

  Total

  2,861

  2,911

  3,038

  3,045

  3,050

  Notes:

  1 Figures from 1992–93 are provisional pending receipt of final audited claims. The numbers of schools with outstanding claims for 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95 are one, seven and 48 respectively.

  2 Annual adjustments are made to the income scales on which parental contributions are calculated, including the threshold level at which full fee remission is applicable. The threshold was £8,200 in 1990–91, £8,987 in 1991–92, £9,384 in 1992–93, £9,522 in 1993–94 and £9,616 in 1994–95.

  3 Figures are not collected centrally on the number of pupils whose parents' relevant incomes are between £20,000 and £24,000.

  Public Relations and Press Officers
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance his Department has issued to NHS trusts and health boards relating to the employment of public relations and press officers by these bodies. [39405]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: No specific guidance has been issued to NHS trusts and health boards relating to the employment of public relations and press officers.
  124
  boards in Scotland on a weighted capitation basis. The boards were notified about the funds in August and formal allocations are expected to issue in November.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what work his Department has so far undertaken to implement the expansion of the assisted places scheme in Scotland; which bodies have been consulted about this, and when he expects to announce further movements on this issue. [39399]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: Officials are currently considering possible options for expanding the assisted places scheme in Scotland, in line with our plans to double to around 6,000 the numbers of children whose parents would otherwise be unable to send them to a Scottish independent school.

  We are consulting the Scottish Council of Independent Schools about how best to expand the scheme, taking account of the geographic spread. We will, however, seek to ensure that particular priority is given to extending choice and opportunity for the poorest families. We are aiming for the first additional places to be provided in the 1996–97 school session.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children on the assisted places scheme had parents whose relevant family income was(a) below £9,450, (b) between £10,000 and £15,000, (c) between £15,000 and £20,000 and (d) between £20,000 and £24,000 as defined by notes and definitions, section 1.3 of "The Scottish Office Statistical Bulletin, Education series", Ref. No. Edn/C5/1995/9, entitled "The Assisted Places Scheme 1983–84 to 1993–94", in the latest five years for which figures are available. [38878]

  Mr. Robertson
  The available information is as follows:

  Dental Services
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each health board area in Scotland for each financial year since 1990–91 the numbers of patients registered with a dentist and the total number of patients registered with a dentist in Scotland for each year during this period. [39395]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answers

  125
  which I gave him on 23 March 1995, Official Report, columns 956–57, and 23 May 1995, column 739.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each health board area in Scotland for each financial year since 1990–91 the number of patients removed by dentists from their

  October 1990-March 1991

  April 1991-March 1992

  April 1992-March 1993

  April 1993-March 1994

  April 1994-March 1995

  Health board

  No. of patients dentists de-registered

  No of dentists involved1

  No. of patients dentists de-registered

  No of dentists involved1

  No. of patients dentists de-registered

  No of dentists involved1

  No. of patients dentists de-registered

  No of dentists involved1

  No. of patients dentists de-registered

  No of dentists involved1

  Argyll and Clyde

  3

  1

  25

  2

  2,241

  14

  42

  7

  —

  5

  Ayrshire and Arran

  —

  —

  14

  10

  1,309

  11

  400

  13

  91

  17

  Borders

  1

  1

  11

  4

  1,432

  4

  683

  4

  41

  4

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  11

  2

  4,518

  10

  1,388

  10

  901

  17

  Fife

  1

  1

  —

  —

  295

  32

  417

  21

  510

  24

  Forth Valley

  —

  —

  42

  12

  201

  23

  63

  18

  210

  35

  Grampian

  —

  —

  9

  5

  257

  21

  179

  18

  361

  44

  Greater Glasgow

  7

  5

  41

  36

  579

  45

  339

  49

  1,070

  87

  Highland

  4

  3

  19

  12

  210

  24

  73

  24

  78

  33

  Lanarkshire

  4

  4

  70

  10

  252

  29

  145

  25

  83

  65

  Lothian

  18

  2

  101

  21

  483

  23

  1,625

  17

  1,319

  23

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Tayside

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  2063

  293

  57

  11

  641

  48

  Western Isles

  —

  —

  —

  —

  37

  4

  16

  4

  —

  4

  n/a—not available.

  1 Number of dentists involved in de-registration in a particular year.

  2 For 1994–95 the figures show the running total of dentists involved in de-registration from July 1992 to March 1995.

  3 From July 1992.

  126
  treatment and the number of dentists involved in this de-registration. [39396]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  [holding answer 26 October 1995]: Formal arrangements for patients to be registered with a dentist were introduced in October 1990. Information supplied by health boards about de-registrations since that date is contained in the table.

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  UN Declaration on the Elimination of Intolerance and Discrimination
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