Written Answers of 3 April 1996

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  HMSO
  Mr. Patrick Thompson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what further information he plans to make available to Parliament at this stage of the privatisation of HMSO. [25219]

  Mr. Freeman
  An advertisement for the sale of HMSO appeared in the press on Tuesday 26 March. Potential bidders who satisfy the pre-qualification process will receive the information memorandum describing the business for sale shortly after Easter. The information memorandum has been written primarily to meet the requirements of these bidders. It contains commercially sensitive material and therefore, in order to protect the interests of the Crown, access to the information memorandum will be carefully controlled, with bidders signing a comprehensive confidentiality agreement.

  However, in recognition of the unique role which HMSO plays by providing services which are essential to the smooth working of Parliament, I have already agreed that a copy of the information memorandum will be provided, on a confidential basis, to the Clerk of the Finance and Services Committee.

  On further consideration of Parliament's particular interest in this privatisation, I have decided to arrange for an edited version of the information memorandum to be placed shortly in the Library of the House. This edited version will contain information relevant to the House's interest in the sale but will exclude commercially sensitive information.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24513]

  Mr. Newton
  My Department fully supports the Government's strategy set out in the White Paper, "Making Waste Work, a waste strategy for England and Wales". The adoption of a separate Privy Council Office waste minimisation strategy and target may not be appropriate, given the Department's small size and the fact that it is located within the Cabinet Office. Consideration will be given to this, however, in the coming months.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Television Receivers
  Mr. French
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will commission a report on the technical and practical considerations of requiring all new television receivers to be fitted with a V-chip; and if she will make a statement. [22139]

  Mr. Sproat
  The Government are studying the technical and practical implications of the V-chip, and other similar devices. On 26 March the Department hosted a seminar organised by the Advertising Association at which Dr. Pober, executive director of the US Entertainment Software Rating Board, and Professor Goldstein, an expert in studies on violence and the media from Utrecht university, shared their knowledge of the experience to date in the USA.

  Contracts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what guidelines are currently in force in her Department and its executive agencies relating to competitive tendering and the use of single negotiated tenders; on what grounds single negotiated tenders can be used; and what procedures are in place within her Department to ensure that the use of single negotiated tenders in competitive tendering processes is justified in all cases. [22848]

  Mr. Sproat
  My Department and its executive agencies abide by the Government's public purchasing policy, published in the document "Public Purchasing Policy: Consolidated Guidelines". The policy states that goods and services are to be acquired by competition unless there are convincing reasons to the contrary. In addition, EC procurement directives and the World Trade Organisation government procurement agreement require most contracts above specified thresholds to be awarded following competition, subject to certain specified exceptions. The central unit on procurement's guidance note No. 40 provides an overview of best practice in the competitive tendering process.

  To ensure that value for money is obtained, goods and services are subject to competitive tender wherever practicable. In exceptional circumstances, single tender action may be permissible where (i) there is no alternative source of supply, (ii) specialist knowledge or expertise exists with a particular supplier, (iii) there is an overriding urgency arising from circumstances outside the Department's control. Any case for single tender action must be approved at director or chief executive level in the agencies and head of division level in my Department.

  My Department has a single tender delegation from HM Treasury of £25,000. Beyond this, my Department has no authority and must seek approval from HM Treasury.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded by her Department and its executive agencies on the basis of single negotiated contracts in each of the last three years; if she will list the companies involved and the value of the contract in each case; what percentage this represented of contracts awarded by her Department and its agencies after
  227
  competitive tendering; and, in each case, why the contracts were awarded on the basis of a single negotiated tender. [22862]

  Mr. Sproat
  The total number and value of single tender contracts, with a value exceeding £500, awarded by my Department and its agencies in each of the last three years is shown in the table. In order to preserve commercial confidentiality, the information cannot be identified by value and individual contractor. In the majority of cases the reason for single tender has been due to (i) the specialist knowledge and expertise of the selected contractor, and (ii) overriding urgency arising from circumstances outside my Department's or its agencies' control. As can be seen from the table, the value of contracts let by single tender represents a small percentage of the total value of contracts let by my Department and its agencies.

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Total number of contracts let by single tender

  13

  26

  36

  Total value of contracts let by single tender

  £178,806

  £401,200

  £489,140

  Single tender contracts expressed as a Percentage of competitive contracts (by number)

  8

  8

  9

  Single tender contracts expressed as a percentage of competitive contracts (by value)

  1.3

  1.6

  1.6

  Sports Council (Information Technology Training)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when Sports Council staff will be fully trained in IT skills to handle administration of all programmes; and if she will make a statement about the training needs. [23086]

  Mr. Sproat
  These are matters for the members and senior management of the Sports Council, who have day-to-day responsibility for ensuring that the council operates as effectively and efficiently as possible with the resources at its disposal.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for her Department, indicating the targets set. [24503]

  Mr. Sproat
  Waste minimisation is a key aspect of my Department's existing green housekeeping strategy. We are planning to set targets for waste minimisation by the end of 1996.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to her Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24404]
  228
  Mr. Sproat
  The Department of National Heritage is currently reviewing the necessity for any changes to computer systems to support the year 2000.

  Children's Play
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the new arrangements for children's play will commence. [25217]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  On 21 November 1995,Official Report, column 67, I announced that, subject to the successful completion of post-tender negotiations, the National Playing Fields Association would carry out work for my Department in the areas of playwork education and training, information dissemination and play safety. I am pleased to report that my Department has successfully completed post-tender negotiations with the association and that it will be carrying out work for my Department in these three areas from 1 May.

  Public Libraries
  Mr. Robert G. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on contracting out in public libraries. [25218]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  Following consultation with a wide range of interested parties on the report commissioned by my Department from KPMG on contracting out in the public library service, which was published following my previous written answer on 19 July 1995,Official Report, columns 1457–58, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and I have decided for the present not to introduce competitive tendering in the public library service on a compulsory basis. However, we believe that the public library service should be encouraged to continue to improve its management and effectiveness by involving the private sector more. We intend to explore, over the coming months, how this can best be done and to set out our proposals in detail later in the year.

  Lyric Theatre, Wales
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what representations she has had concerning the adoption of a new lyric theatre for Wales as a successor scheme to the scheme for the Cardiff Bay opera house as a candidate for Millennium Commission funding; [22107]

  (2) what consultations she has had with the chairman of the Millennium Commission on the involvement of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh and their companies in bidding jointly with the Cardiff Bay development corporation for millennium funding for a new lyric theatre for Wales in Cardiff bay. [22418]

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  [holding answers 21 and 22 March 1996]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

TRANSPORT

  Motorway Tolling
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many consortiums he now expects to take part in the motorway tolling trials; when contracts for the trials will be signed; and when he expects the trials to begin. [22764]

  Mr. Watts
  Negotiations with consortiums invited to participate in the motorway tolling trials are continuing.

  Highways Agency Budget
  Sir Thomas Arnold
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the Highways Agency budget for 1996–97 is to be distributed between(a) regions and (b) individual schemes. [23082]

  Mr. Watts
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Sir Thomas Arnold, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent question about how the Highways Agency budget for 1996–97 is to be distributed between (a) regions and (b) individual schemes.
  Information relating to planned 1996–97 expenditure was published in our Business Plan on 1 April. For the National Trunk Road Programme funds are not allocated to regions but to individual schemes. An allocation of £713 million has been made for expenditure on the attached list of National Schemes and on settlements for some completed schemes. Levels of expenditure on individual schemes will be determined by the speed at which works progress during the year.

  Road

  Schemes under construction at April 1996

  M1/M621

  Link Road, Leeds MB

  M1

  J21-21A Widening Phase 1, Leicestershire

  M4/M5

  Second Sevem Crossing Approach Roads, Avon

  M4

  Second Sevem Crossing, Avon

  M5

  J18–19 Widening, Avon

  M6

  J20–21 Widening, Lancashire

  M25

  J7–8 Widening, Surrey

  M25

  J8–10 Widening, Surrey

  M65

  Blackburn Southern Bypass Contract 1, Lancashire

  M65

  Blackburn Southern Bypass Contract 2, Lancashire

  M66

  Denton-Middleton Contract 1, Tameside MB, Manchester MB Oldham MB, Bury MB, Rochdale MB

  M66

  Denton-Middleton Contract 2, Tameside MB, Manchester MB Oldham MB, Bury MB, Rochdale MB

  A1(m)

  Walshford-Dishforth, North Yorkshire

  A4/A46

  Batheaston/Swainswick Bypass, Avon

  A11

  Besthorpe-Wymondham, Norfolk

  A12

  Hackney Wick-M11 Link Contract 2, LBs Hackney, Redbridge Waltham Forest, Newham

  A12

  Hackney Wick-M11 Link Contract 4, LBs Hackney, Redbridge Waltham Forest, Newham

  A13

  Thames Avenue-Wennington, LB Barking and Dagenham

  A13

  Blackwall Tunnel/Cotton Street Junction Imp, LB Tower Hamlets

  A47

  Walpole Highway/Tilney High End Bypass, Norfolk

  A50

  Blythe Bridge-Queensway Phase 1, Staffordshire

  A50

  Blythe Bridge-Queensway Phase 2, Staffordshire

  A249

  M2-Iwade Imp. Kent

  A406

  Silver Street-Fore Street Imp, LB Enfield

  A406

  East of Falloden Way-Finchley High Road, LB Barnet

  A428

  Bedford Southern Bypass, Bedfordshire

  A564

  Derby Southern Bypass and Derby Spur Contract A, Derbyshire

  230

  Road

  A568

  Widnes Eastern Bypass (South) Cheshire Trunk Road Cabling and Communications, London

  Schemes expected to start by 31 March 1997

  A12

  Hackney Wick-M11 Link Contract 1, LB Hackney, Redbridge, Waltham Forest

  A12

  Hackney Wick-M11 Link Contract 3, LB Hackney, Redbridge, Waltham Forest

  A13

  Wennington-Mar Dyke, Essex

  A13

  West of Heathway-Thames Avenue Imp, LB Barking and Dagenham

  A34

  Newbury Bypass, Berkshire

  A40

  Gypsy Corner Imp. LB Hounslow

  A40

  Western Circus Junction Imp. LB Ealing London Primary Route Signing Project

  London Underground
  Mr. Deva
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with the chairman of London Transport the stopping of Piccadilly line trains at Turnham Green. [23437]

  Mr. Norris
  Yes. I shall raise the matter at my next regular meeting with the chairman of London Transport.

  Central Railway plc
  Mr. Pawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has reached a decision on the application by Central Railway plc for directions under rule 12 of the Transport and Works (Applications and Objections Procedure) Rules granting waivers from compliance with certain application requirements in respect of the Central Railway project. [24954]

  Mr. Watts
  Yes. Having taken into account the views we have received from Members of Parliament, local planning authorities and others, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has decided to refuse Central Railway's applications for waiver directions under rule 12 of the Transport and Works (Applications and Objections Procedure) Rules, in so far as they relate to the provision of plans, sections and cross-sections of the works. Subject to further consideration of the scope of non-compliance, he is prepared to agree to partial waivers in respect of the serving of application documents on certain local planning authorities and other statutory bodies. He may also be prepared to waive full compliance with the rules relating to the placing of site notices, subject to being satisfied that persons affected would not be materially prejudiced by such a decision. My right hon. Friend's reasons for refusing waivers are set out in a letter sent today to Central Railway plc. Copies of the letter have been placed in the House of Commons Library and will be sent to all MPs with a constituency interest.

  Newbury Bypass
  Sir David Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the clearance work for the Newbury bypass. [25216]

  Mr. Watts
  The Highways Agency has completed the tree felling stage of the clearance work. A few trees remain on site, some of which harbour wildlife, which
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  will not be disturbed until later in the year—in compliance with environmental legislation. Furthermore, some 85 per cent. of felled trees have been cleared from the site.

  The sheriff has completed all necessary evictions of protesters from camps along the route.

  Six tenders have been received for the main works contract and we expect to award the contract in the near future. Work will start towards the middle of the year with the aim of opening the bypass in the summer of 1998.

  Crossrail
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the findings of the Montagu report on alternative funding of Crossrail before his further intentions for the future of the project are announced. [24280]

  Mr. Norris
  I have today placed the report in the Library, with the associated consultants' report on small-scale alternatives to Crossrail. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Dr. Twinn) on the next steps.

  Crash Tests
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) on 22 March,Official Report, column 388, (1) what representations he has received from (a) consumer groups and (b) car manufacturers and their representatives about how best to present the test results [24451]

  (2) if a test can be repeated at the request of the manufacturer; [24453]

  (3) if he will introduce legislation to require manufacturers to make the test results available to the public; [24455]

  (4) if he will make it his policy to make the test results available to the public; [24456]

  (5) if he will list the supermini cars currently involved in the testing programme; [24450]

  (6) what consultations he has undertaken with (a) consumer groups and (b) car manufacturers and their representatives about how best to present the test results; [24452]

  (7) what arrangements exist for car manufacturers to view the data before they are published.[24454]

  Mr. Norris
  I have not received representations from, nor consulted, industry or consumer groups on how best to present the test results, although I have had some representations from industry that any procedure should be fair.

  There have been discussions with vehicle manufacturers at official level on the test procedure. Manufacturers of car models tested are invited to witness the tests and are shown the results. If there are doubts over the validity of a test, a repeat test might be arranged.

  The car models in the current test programme are: Fiat Punto, Ford Fiesta, Nissan Micra, Renault Clio, Rover 100, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Polo. Their comparative performance will be identified in the report
  232
  if the research findings show such comparisons to be meaningful and fair. It is the Department of Transport's responsibility to make the research results available to the public.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24498]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department's property managers are to prepare local action plans and targets to minimise waste.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24399]

  Mr. Norris
  The Department of Transport is participating in the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency initiative to address the issue and implications of the year 2000 for computers in the public sector.

  European Driving Licence
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what stage it was agreed that the European driving licence should include 12 gold stars; if it was agreed by majority voting; what was the United Kingdom's position; if the United Kingdom Government may incorporate a Union Jack in the United Kingdom format; and what provision there is for drivers who wish to maintain a licence not incorporating gold stars. [24281]

  Mr. Norris
  I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the proposed photocard licence, which will have the letters UK surrounded by the European logo of 12 stars. A common position on the draft directive providing for the photocard was adopted at the Transport Council on 7 to 8 December 1995, with United Kingdom support. The European logo makes licences easily recognisable throughout the EU and will be of assistance to the many drivers who drive abroad. There is no provision for driving licences to be issued in different formats, but we have no plans to call in current licences. There is scope for national symbols to be inserted on the photocard.

ENVIRONMENT

  Cement Kiln Dust
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much cement kiln dust from the Clitheroe cement works went to agricultural or related uses in 1993 and in each subsequent year; and what were the particular agricultural or related uses to which the dust was put. [23536]

  Mr. Clappison
  No kiln dust from the Clitheroe cement works went to agricultural or related uses during the period from 1993 to date.

  Fly-tipping
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make the enforcement of sections 33 and 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 a matter for local authorities with particular reference to control of fly-tipping. [24178]

  Mr. Clappison
  No authority is precluded from taking enforcement action under sections 33 or 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 where it has sufficient evidence to do so. However, the Environment Agency is a competent authority for the purposes of the amended EC framework directive on waste; the authority responsible for issuing waste management licences under section 35 of the 1990 Act; and the authority with which exemptions from licensing are registered. In the Department's view, therefore, the Environment Agency is the appropriate authority to take enforcement action where necessary under section 33 of the 1990 Act.

  No authority has a specific duty to enforce the duty of care under section 34 of the 1990 Act. However, the effect of regulation 4 of the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991 is to require a person on whom the Environment Agency serves a notice to provide a copy of the written description of the waste and of the transfer note which those involved in the transfer of waste are required by regulation 3 to keep. The Department has no plans to amend regulation 4 of the 1991 regulations.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has established the cause of the delay experienced by applicants for European regional development fund grants in the west midlands; and what measures he will take to promote greater efficiency in the handling of applications for the 1997–99 programmes. [24179]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  In the west midlands objective 2 programme, a competitive entry of over 800 initial applications lead to a lengthy short-listing process. The requirement to secure additional information on the 240 full applications subsequently received then resulted in the process overall taking longer than anticipated.

  Greater efficiency in the handling of applications in the 1997–99 programme will be achieved by more rigorous selection of only high-quality projects at the initial stage for subsequent detailed appraisal.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what savings to date have been made by his Department as a result of out-sourcing arrangements made with the EDS computer system; what assessment he has made of the equivalent costs for carrying out this work in-house; and if he will make a statement. [24226]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  My Department currently has no out-sourcing arrangements with the EDS computer system.

  Green Belt Land (Waste Tipping)
  Mr. Chris Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what powers he has to intervene in 234
  respect of local authority decisions not to refer to him decisions to tip large quantities of spoil on green belt land; [24249]

  (2) what are the limits placed upon (a) the volume of waste which may be tipped on green belt land and (b) the period of time during which this may occur, if the ultimate use of the land is said to be for an appropriate use; and if he will make a statement. [24250]

  (3) in what circumstances a local planning authority may authorise the tipping of waste on green belt land without the approval of the Secretary of State. [24252]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  Local authorities are required to determine on their individual merits planning applications for the tipping of waste on green belt land, its proposed after-use and the time scale involved by taking into account the provisions of the development plan and all other material considerations, including Government planning advice such as, in this case, planning policy guidance note 2: "Green Belts". The disposal of waste also requires a waste management licence from the Environment Agency.

  Local authorities are required to notify the Secretary of State of any planning application which they do not intend to refuse and which will significantly prejudice the implementation of the development plan so that he can consider whether or not to call it in for his own determination. In addition, the Secretary of State has power to call in other applications, but in all instances he will do this only if in his view they give rise to planning issues of wider than local importance and then only if these issues warrant a decision by him rather than by the local authority.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy with regard to the tipping of waste on green belt land. [24251]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  The tipping of waste on green belt land is inappropriate development unless it maintains openness and does not conflict with the purposes of including land in the green belt. Further advice is given in paragraphs 1.5 and 3.12 of planning policy guidance note 2, "Green Belts".

  Metal Recyclers
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has undertaken(a) a cost compliance assessment and (b) a small business litmus test of the proposals outlined in waste management planning as they apply to metal recyclers. [24462]

  Mr. Clappison
  My Department prepares compliance cost assessments in accordance with general Government guidelines, and they include a small business litmus test. The guidelines require a compliance cost assessment to be prepared for proposed legislation or when preparing statistical surveys which will involve business. "Waste management planning—principles and practice" sets out the way in which waste regulation authorities—now the Environment Agency—should collect information on wastes and waste management facilities and use it to promote integrated waste strategies, leading to more sustainable waste management. It gives non-statutory guidance on the way surveys should be carried out, but
  235
  does not constitute the preparation of a survey. Accordingly, no compliance cost assessment was deemed to be necessary for this document.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will announce his capping principles for 1996–97 and the list of authorities which he intends to designate. [24785]

  Mr. Gummer
  My capping principles for 1996–97 are as follows:(i) Unitary authorities and county councils will be able to increase their budget requirement by 3 per cent. or the increase in their education, personal social services and fire standard spending assessments, whichever is the greater.
  (ii) Metropolitan districts outer London boroughs and fire and civil defence authorities,including London, will be able to increase their budget requirement by 2 per cent. or the increase in their education, PSS and/or fire SSAs, as appropriate, whichever is the greater.
  (iii) Inner London boroughs will be able to increase their budget requirement by 1.5 per cent. or the increase in their education, PSS and fire SSAs, whichever is the greater.
  (iv) Shire districts will be able to increase their budget requirement by 0.5 per cent.
  (v) Police authorities will be able to increase their budget requirement by 3.5 per cent. or the increase in their police SSA, whichever is the greater.
  Authorities budgeting more than 12.5 per cent. above SSA are subject to a cash freeze.
  There is a general proviso that no authority is to be designated if its budget requirement is £10,000 or less above the limit implied by these principles.

  In accordance with sections 54 and 56 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, I have decided to designate the following authorities. The amount given after each authority is the amount which I am proposing should be the maximum amount calculated by each authority as its budget requirement for 1996–97.

  £ Million

  Cambridgeshire County Council

  402.590

  Oxfordshire County Council

  332.024

  Essex County Council

  974.218

  Merseyside Fire and Civil Defence Authority

  52.780

  Greater Manchester Fire and Civil Defence Authority

  76.958

  Tyne and Wear Fire and Civil Defence Authority

  37.444

  Authorities which have been designated for council tax capping now have 28 days, starting today, in which to inform us whether or not they accept their proposed cap. Essex county council, Tyne and Wear fire and civil defence authority, Greater Manchester fire and civil defence authority and Merseyside fire and civil defence authority have been designated at the budgets they originally set and therefore do not have to reduce their budgets nor incur rebilling costs.

  Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire have been designated at a lower level than they proposed. If they accept, the cap is confirmed by notice and the authorities can set a revised lower budget and lower council tax bills forthwith. If they challenge, they must propose an alternative amount together with their reasons for doing so. At this stage, authorities have the opportunity to meet us to explain their
  236
  case. Once we have considered all the available information, we shall propose final caps which will be included in an order, a draft of which is debated by the House of Commons. If the draft order is approved, final caps are set by notice and revised budgets and council tax levels must then be set by the authorities concerned.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24409]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We understand, on advice from the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency, that this problem is largely confined to old computer systems. The Department's computer systems are primarily based on more modern technology and any older systems which remain are expected to be replaced before 2000.

  Director General of Water Services
  Mr. Hargreaves
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what decision he has taken on the appointment of the Director General of Water Services from 30 June 1996. [25123]

  Mr. Gummer
  The Secretary of State for Wales and I have decided to reappoint Mr. Byatt until 31 July 2000. This will enable him to carry out and complete the implementation of the outcome of a further periodic review of water charge limits to apply from 1 April 2000.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the indicative allocations to Government offices for the regions in respect of round 3 of the single regeneration budget challenge fund. [25124]

  Mr. Curry
  The indicative regional allocations for the first two years of round 3 of the challenge fund are shown, expressed in terms of bands.

  These figures relate to the current total provision for round 3 of £200 million for 1997–98 and 1998–99, with £50 million of this available in 1997– 98. The funding available to each region for new schemes also reflects commitments arising from earlier bidding rounds. The sums available to support approved round 3 schemes in later years are subject to annual public expenditure decisions. The final allocations will depend upon Ministers' decisions on the bids submitted for support in response to the bidding guidance, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Final bids are due to be submitted by 23 September 1996.

  £ million

  London

  64–70

  South East

  13–16

  Eastern

  2–5

  South West

  6–8

  East Midlands

  5–8

  West Midlands

  9–12

  Merseyside

  7–10

  237

  £ million

  North West

  24–28

  Yorks and Humberside

  20–24

  North East

  30–34

  Compulsory Competitive Tendering
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what exemptions from the requirements of compulsory competitive tendering will be granted to local authorities affected by structure and boundary changes which have been announced but not yet confirmed by orders following the district structure reviews. [25125]

  Sir Paul Beresford
  We intend that the exemptions already granted to authorities affected by structure and boundary changes which have been announced but not yet confirmed by orders following the county structure review will be extended to those similarly affected by the outcome of the district reviews. This means that, for existing blue collar services, the requirements of CCT will be suspended from the date of the order until 18 months after the reorganisation date-or up to 24 months in the case of housing management.

  So far as white collar CCT services are concerned, an implementation timetable is already specified for authorities being reorganised, but no timetable is laid down for authorities that might be reorganised from 1 April 1998. Local authorities reorganised from 1 April 1998 will be allowed the same periods for implementation of white collar CCT as those already laid down for authorities being reorganised from earlier specified dates.

  Sulphur Protocol
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he plans to publish proposals for ensuring that the United Kingdom meets its commitments under the second UN Economic Commission for Europe sulphur protocol. [25126]

  Mr. Clappison
  Under the terms of the second UNECE sulphur protocol, the United Kingdom is committed, among other things, to reducing national emissions of sulphur dioxide by 80 per cent. by 2010 compared with 1980 levels. We are developing a national strategy for meeting these commitments. The strategy will go beyond the existing national plan, which gives effect in the United Kingdom to the requirements of the EC large combustion plant directive in looking at all sources of emissions.

  In developing the strategy, we are now reviewing the operation of the national plan to see whether it will still be appropriate in its current form, in the context of the strategy and in the light of the substantial reductions which have been achieved, and those which are now forecast, in the level of emissions from large combustion plant.

  We hope to publish a consultation document on our proposals shortly.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Hammersmith to the 238
  Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison), of 8 December 1995 concerning same-sex relationships and housing policy. [20491]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 12 March 1996]: I wrote to the hon. Member for Hammersmith today.

  Abattoir Waste
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of abattoir waste volume which enters United Kingdom sewerage systems annually; and if he will make a statement on the adequacy of water treatment works when dealing with potential bovine spongiform encephalopathy contaminated material. [23221]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: Information for England and Wales provided by the sewerage undertakers shows that there are approximately 200 abattoirs with trade effluent consents. The annual volume of abattoir effluent entering the sewerage system is unavailable. Information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  The adequacy of standard forms of sewage treatment on potential BSE-contaminated material is unknown. All animals exhibiting clinical symptoms of BSE are killed and incinerated. The specified bovine offals, which include all the tissues known to harbour BSE infectivity, are removed from cattle at slaughter and destroyed. As a result, it is unlikely that any BSE-contaminated material could enter the sewerage system.

  Yorkshire Water
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library the inventory of Yorkshire Water reservoirs, treatment works and other water storage assets operational at the point of privatisation. [24204]

  Mr. Clappison
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: This information is contained in pages 562 to 570 of the "Prospectus for the Water Share Offers", which was issued in November 1989. A copy is in the Library.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  R v. Burt and Adams Ltd.
  Sir Ivan Lawrence
  To ask the Attorney-General what has been the expense to public funds of the case of Rv. Burt and Adams Ltd. on the trading-up of non-monetary prizes from amusement machines; and what is the expected cost of the proposed appeal to the House of Lords if that appeal should fail. [23291]

  The Attorney-General
  The judicial and court costs for the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal totalled approximately £2,593. The prosecution costs in those proceedings were £12,707.29. This does not include those costs attributable to Crown Prosecution Service staff who worked on the case as part of their ordinary duties. It is not possible to give an estimate of the overall costs of the appeal to the House of Lords.

  Executive Agencies
  Lady Olga Maitland
  To ask the Attorney-General what further progress he has made towards establishing executive agencies in his Department under the Government's next steps initiative; and if he will make a statement. [25162]

  The Attorney-General
  On 15 March 1995, I informed the House,Official Report columns 580–81, that the Treasury Solicitor's Department had been selected as a candidate for executive agency status. I am pleased to announce that I established the Treasury Solicitor's Department as an executive agency on 1 April. The chief executive will have clear responsibilities for improvements in efficiency, effectiveness and quality of service. These responsibilities are to be set out in the agency's framework document, which will be published and copies placed in the Library. Targets are set out in the agency's corporate and business plans. An annual report and accounts will be produced and copies also put in the Library.
  240
  The agency has 390 staff based in London. It will continue to provide legal services to Government Departments and other publicly funded bodies, but on a more commercial basis. It will continue to compete, where appropriate, with private firms of solicitors. The establishment of the Treasury Solicitor's Department as an executive agency will provide the appropriate structure and discipline to enhance its ability to supply a more efficient, economic and effective delivery of legal services to its clients. I have appointed Mr. Michael Saunders, the present Treasury Solicitor, to be the agency's first chief executive.

  The key performance targets are as follows: to achieve efficiency savings of 2; per cent. per annum; to recover the full operating cost for chargeable services of the agency; to achieve 90 per cent. customer satisfaction in advisory services; to achieve 2 per cent. reductions in the average unit cost per chargeable hour or per case as appropriate.

  I wish the chief executive and his staff every success for the future.

WALES

  Regional or Minority Languages
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans the Government have to sign the Council for Europe charter on regional or minority languages. [25128]

  Mr. Hague
  The Government have given thorough consideration to the merits of signing this charter. We believe that, in the United Kingdom's case, the Government are better placed to assess the needs of, and determine the level of support for, indigenous minority languages. For this reason, we have decided not to sign.

  Purchase Grant Scheme
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to consult on his proposals to exempt rural communities from the purchase grant scheme; and if he will make a statement. [25129]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  We have today issued a consultation paper asking for comments from local authorities, housing associations and other interested parties on our proposals for exempting rural communities from the new purchase grant scheme.

  As is made clear in the recent White Paper, "A Working Countryside for Wales", we recognise the particular difficulty in building or finding replacement properties for rent in rural areas, and the planned statutory scheme for future publicly funded developments will not therefore apply to rural communities across Wales which have a population density of less than 150 persons per sq km. This will help ensure the availability of affordable housing for rent in rural Wales where this issue is of special concern.

  The Housing Bill currently before Parliament would give my right hon. Friend the power to designate by order rural areas where the new right would not arise.

  1

  2

  3

  4

  Average A/AS level point score for 16 to 18-year-old candidates entered for 2 or more A levels or AS equivalent in 19951

  Percentage of 15-year-olds achieving 5 or more GGSEs grades A to C in 1995

  Average primary school class size at January 1995

  Average secondary school class size at January 19952

  Maintained Schools in:

  Percentage

  Rank

  Rank

  Rank

  Dyfed

  16

  47

  2

  22.6

  7

  19.5

  6

  Powys

  16

  50

  1

  22.4

  8

  17.0

  8

  South Glamorgan

  16

  41

  5

  27.1

  2

  22.0

  1

  West Glamorgan

  16

  38

  6

  25.9

  5

  20.5

  3

  Clwyd

  15

  42

  3

  26.6

  4

  21.0

  2

  Gwent

  15

  37

  7

  27.8

  1

  20.5

  3

  Gwynedd

  15

  42

  3

  22.8

  6

  19.0

  7

  Mid Glamorgan

  13

  33

  8

  27.1

  2

  19.6

  5

  Figures are ranked from highest to lowest.

  1 The A/AS level score is calculated for each pupil who was entered for A/AS level examinations on the basis of scores as follows:

  A level: A = 10 points, B = 8, C = 6, D = 4, E = 2.

  AS levels: A = 5 points, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, E = 1.

  2 Data are for a specific period in the school timetable on the census enumeration date.
  242
  In the case of the voluntary scheme, the statutory list of exempted areas will be available for associations to use.

  The consultation paper sets out the way we propose to implement this designation and invites comments on the methodology and on the list of areas we plan to exempt. Copies have been deposited in the Library of the House.

  Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin 1996
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much funding will be allocated to Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin 1996 by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [23179]

  Mr. Richards
  For 1996–97, the Welsh Office has allocated total funding of £689,872 to Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin comprising £537,000 under section 26 of the Development of Rural Wales Act 1976 and £152,872 under the support for child and family services grant scheme.

  Schools (Examination Statistics)
  Mr. Sweeney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by rank order the A-level examination results for each Welsh education authority and show beside each result, together with the education authority's rank order for each statistic,(a) the GCSE result, (b) the average number of pupils in each primary class in that authority, (c) the average number of pupils in each secondary class in that authority, (d) the cost per primary pupil place, (e) the cost per secondary pupil place, (f) the primary school pupil-teacher ratio and (g) the secondary school pupil-teacher ratio. [23665]

  Mr. Richards
  The information requested is contained in the following table.

  Within the table the columns numbered 1,2,3,4,7 and 8 are in respect of local education authority maintained and grant-maintained schools, while columns 5 and 6 are in respect of LEA maintained schools only.
  243

  5

  6

  7

  8

  Net funding per pupil in LEA maintained nursery & primary schools at cash prices,1993–94

  Net funding per pupil in LEA maintained secondary schools at cash prices,1993–94

  Primary school Pupil teacher ratio at January 1995

  Secondary school pupil teacher ratio at January 1995

  Maintained schools in:

  £

  Rank

  £

  Rank

  Rank

  Rank

  Dyfed

  1,865

  1

  2,206

  6

  19.9

  8

  16.3

  4

  Powys

  1,683

  3

  2,254

  3

  20.5

  7

  14.6

  8

  South Glamorgan

  1,455

  7

  2,116

  8

  22.2

  4

  16.6

  2

  West Glamorgan

  1,644

  4

  2,383

  2

  21.2

  6

  15.9

  5

  Clwyd

  1,428

  8

  2,133

  7

  24.9

  1

  17.0

  1

  Gwent

  1,532

  6

  2,214

  5

  23.8

  2

  16.4

  3

  Gwynedd

  1,696

  2

  2,410

  1

  21.2

  5

  15.0

  7

  Mid Glamorgan

  1,539

  5

  2,228

  4

  23.6

  3

  15.8

  6

  Figures are ranked from highest to lowest.

  House Building
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many council houses were built in(a) 1976, (b) 1989, (d) 1994 and (e) 1995 in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement; [23752]

  New dwellings completed1

  1976

  1986

  1989

  1994

  1995

  Local authority

  Housing association2

  Local authority

  Housing association

  Local authority

  Housing association

  Local authority

  Housing association

  Local authority

  Housing association

  Aberconwy

  30

  —

  —

  —

  —

  24

  20

  72

  —

  87

  Alyn and Deeside

  115

  —

  33

  19

  29

  26

  16

  23

  —

  107

  Arfon

  111

  —

  —

  9

  31

  40

  —

  79

  —

  29

  Blaenau Gwent

  269

  —

  —

  38

  39

  64

  —

  3

  26

  71

  Brecknock

  289

  —

  —

  —

  12

  65

  —

  71

  —

  54

  Cardiff

  471

  —

  —

  38

  —

  462

  —

  385

  1

  356

  Carmarthen

  228

  —

  18

  —

  4

  2

  —

  24

  —

  23

  Ceredigion

  161

  —

  41

  17

  3

  83

  —

  12

  —

  32

  Colwyn

  22

  —

  18

  —

  —

  34

  —

  36

  —

  52

  Cynon Valley

  165

  —

  —

  40

  —

  67

  —

  36

  —

  50

  Delyn

  177

  —

  —

  16

  —

  12

  —

  46

  —

  49

  Dinefwr

  30

  —

  34

  —

  —

  22

  —

  7

  —

  16

  Dwyfor

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  8

  —

  17

  —

  4

  Glyndwr

  67

  —

  —

  8

  42

  7

  —

  25

  —

  —

  Islwyn

  102

  —

  40

  —

  28

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9

  Llanelli

  238

  —

  40

  —

  81

  4

  45

  6

  78

  27

  lliw Valley

  122

  —

  34

  14

  6

  14

  —

  71

  29

  27

  Meirionnydd

  103

  —

  —

  —

  12

  —

  —

  32

  —

  51

  Merthyr Tydfil

  187

  —

  —

  —

  20

  26

  —

  51

  —

  51

  Monmouth

  108

  —

  74

  —

  16

  121

  —

  39

  —

  89

  Montgomeryshire

  110

  —

  26

  19

  15

  79

  —

  203

  —

  56

  Neath

  119

  —

  26

  10

  4

  —

  —

  60

  —

  69

  Newport

  462

  —

  119

  74

  105

  65

  108

  10

  4

  49

  Ogwr

  504

  —

  40

  —

  —

  —

  —

  234

  —

  55

  Port Talbot

  —

  —

  —

  39

  —

  40

  —

  72

  —

  11

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  110

  —

  9

  29

  20

  29

  12

  72

  —

  73

  Radnorshire

  146

  —

  2

  37

  —

  4

  6

  38

  —

  50

  Rhondda

  74

  —

  —

  12

  —

  73

  —

  79

  —

  40

  Rhuddlan

  17

  —

  44

  —

  24

  16

  —

  108

  16

  30

  Rhymney Valley

  267

  —

  15

  27

  24

  80

  —

  38

  —

  69

  South Pembrokeshire

  95

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  95

  6

  39

  Swansea

  530

  —

  —

  33

  9

  112

  20

  369

  6

  356

  Taff-Ely

  136

  —

  12

  20

  24

  16

  —

  82

  —

  67

  Torfaen

  307

  —

  34

  7

  —

  —

  —

  105

  10

  79

  Vale of Glamorgan

  670

  —

  36

  —

  6

  21

  —

  41

  —

  —

  Wrexham Maelor

  242

  —

  11

  28

  12

  24

  —

  200

  —

  17

  Ynys Mon

  80

  —

  34

  —

  —

  23

  —

  —

  —

  14

  Notes:

  1 This information is based on local authority returns which may underestimate the level of building activity.

  2 Data for 1976 were collected jointly with other public sector completions. The total for all categories was 285.

  Source:

  Local authority returns.
  244
  (2) how many houses were built by housing associations in each local authority area in (a) 1976,(b) 1986, (c) 1989, (d) 1994 and (e) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [23753]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The information requested is given in the following table:

  School Buildings
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance he has given to the unitary authorities concerning sub-standard school buildings. [23533]

  Mr. Richards
  The condition of school buildings is the responsibility of local education authorities.

  Health Services in Rural Areas
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to extend the provision of health services closer to patients in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [23525]

  Mr. Richards
  One of the commitments made in "Caring for the Future"—the NHS Wales plan for improving quality—is to increase safe and effective care closer to people's homes. I would expect health authorities, GP fundholders and NHS trusts to take this into account when determining what health services are provided to patients in rural areas.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in what circumstances doctors are permitted to dispense prescriptions to patients living in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [23524]

  Mr. Richards
  Doctors may be permitted to dispense drugs and appliances to patients who satisfy their health authority that they reside in a controlled locality more than one mile from the nearest pharmacy, or would for other reasons have serious difficulty in reaching a pharmacy.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many assisted school places there are currently; and what sums were received by each school in the scheme in the latest school year. [23534]

  Mr. Richards
  There are some 720 assisted school places in Wales. The total amount of central Government funds received by each of the schools in the scheme for the academic year 1994–95 is as follows:

  Academic year 1994–95

  Schools

  Total received by schools £

  Christ College, Brecon

  411,648

  Howell's Cardiff

  441,926

  Howell's Denbigh

  369,460

  Llandovery College

  280,530

  Monmouth Boys

  475,037

  Monmouth Girls

  199,541

  Rydal Penrhos (Girls division)

  316,277

  Rydal Penrhos (Co-education division)

  305,270

  Council House Sales
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the amounts(a) realised and (b) held by each local authority from council house sales receipts since council house sales were introduced; and if he will make a statement. [23751]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The available information is given the following table:
  246

  Receipts From the sale of council houses1

  £ million

  Receipts from the sale of council houses 1 April 1981 to 31 March 1995

  Usable receipts from the sale of council houses available at 31 March 1995

  Total outstanding loan debt

  Districts:

  Alyn and Deeside

  18.4

  0.5

  35.1

  Colwyn

  8.9

  0.6

  27.8

  Delyn

  15.7

  0.0

  32.3

  Glyndwr

  13.1

  0.5

  12.0

  Rhuddlan

  9.5

  0.4

  27.7

  Wrexham Maelor

  42.0

  1.0

  74.6

  Carmarthen

  16.4

  0.8

  35.8

  Ceredigion

  20.7

  1.2

  21.6

  Dinefwr

  9.7

  0.6

  28.1

  Llanelli

  28.3

  0.0

  47.7

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  27.0

  2.6

  41.8

  South Pembrokeshire

  12.6

  1.2

  21.1

  Blaenau Gwent

  26.5

  2.2

  103.9

  Islwyn

  36.9

  0.4

  50.8

  Monmouth

  31.9

  3.6

  45.8

  Newport

  53.5

  7.6

  122.0

  Torfaen

  58.4

  2.7

  83.1

  Aberconwy

  16.3

  0.2

  20.3

  Arfon

  16.5

  0.0

  29.7

  Dwyfor

  3.9

  0.3

  15.9

  Meirionnydd

  7.6

  0.0

  10.6

  Ynys Mon

  17.5

  0.2

  53.7

  Cynon Valley

  13.6

  0.0

  52.9

  Merthyr Tydfil

  20.2

  0.3

  64.2

  Ogwr

  50.3

  0.6

  74.9

  Rhondda

  5.7

  0.0

  87.3

  Rhymney Valley

  35.5

  0.0

  71.7

  Taff Ely

  36.4

  0.5

  42.0

  Brecknock

  15.9

  1.2

  31.6

  Montgomeryshire

  13.6

  0.7

  23.2

  Radnorshire

  8.0

  0.4

  13.2

  Cardiff

  101.0

  7.1

  184.0

  Vale of Glamorgan

  38.7

  6.7

  60.0

  Port Talbot

  33.4

  0.0

  40.2

  Lliw Valley

  18.2

  0.0

  39.7

  Neath

  21.7

  0.0

  40.0

  Swansea

  47.9

  0.2

  135.6

  Total

  951.2

  44.4

  1,902.0

  1 Includes receipts from the sale of dwellings and the repayment of principal from local authority mortgages.

  Fishing
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will increase the resources of the Welsh Agriculture Department for the provision of a mechanism to meet the needs of fishing; and if he will make a statement. [23797]

  Mr. Richards
  I am satisfied that the resources of the Welsh Office Agriculture Department are sufficient to meet the needs of fishing in Wales.

  Sea Fisheries Committee
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish an all-Wales sea fisheries committee; and if he will make a statement. [23798]
  247
  Mr. Richards
  Sea Fisheries Committees are set up under the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966 at the request of their constituent local authorities. This is therefore a matter for the local authorities or the SFCs themselves.

  Sea Empress Oil Spill
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the criteria for lifting the ban imposed on fishing in the designated area affected by the Sea Empress oil spill. [23799]

  Mr. Richards
  The safety of consumers is paramount and the current restrictions will be lifted only when health and fisheries scientists advise that fish from the area are once again safe to eat.

  There are no statutory limits on the amount of oil in fish or shellfish which is deemed safe and I am advised that it is not possible to set limits for all the possible constituents of oil. Therefore, in deciding when and where sections of the fishing industry will be allowed to operate again in the restricted area, our considerations will be on the basis of data on normal background concentrations for areas subsequently affected by the spill and such data from elsewhere around the UK. That is, we will consider whether levels are significantly higher than normal background levels.

  Fish and shellfish from elsewhere around the coast of Wales and the UK remain safe to eat.

  Forestry
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of trees planted by the forestry industry within each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [23822]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  The number of trees planted each year in Wales has increased from about 6.5 million to about 7 million over the last five years.

  Cardiff University Hospital
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the recent release by Cardiff University hospital from its mortuary of one body in mistake for another. [24488]

  Mr. Richards
  The circumstances leading to this regrettable incident are being investigated by the University Hospital of Wales NHS trust and the coroner's office. The trust will examine whether proper procedures were adhered to and implement any necessary improvements to current systems.

  Welsh Office officials will be kept informed to determine whether lessons learnt should be disseminated more widely.

  Assaults on Teachers
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of pupils assaulting teachers were reported in Wales in(a) 1975, (b) 1985 and (c) 1995; and if he will make a statement. [24603]

  Mr. Richards
  This information is not available centrally.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Office, indicating the targets set. [24502]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  Waste reduction is already an important feature of the Department's strategy for improving green standards internally and a range of targets are in place for reducing the amount of office waste the Welsh Office sends to landfill. These are the recycling of 37 tonnes of waste paper, 16,000 cans and 600 printer toner cartridges each year.

  The Welsh Office will also review its current practices, particularly in the light of a recent pilot study of waste management carried out by the Department of the Environment, to see if existing performance can be further improved upon.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24397]

  Mr. Hague
  I do not expect there to be any difficulties in ensuring that my Department's computer systems can cater for the year 2000.

  Rail Freight Terminal, South Wales
  Sir Wyn Roberts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to receive recommendations from the Welsh Development Agency relating to the location of a rail freight terminal in south Wales. [25130]

  Mr. Hague
  I have today agreed with the Welsh development agency that it should enter into further discussions with the promoters of the proposal for a rail freight terminal at Wentloog near Cardiff.

  The WDA board sought my agreement after its meeting on Friday at which it considered a consultant's report on the two proposals then before it. The board has concluded that the Wentloog site offers the better prospect but that further discussions with the promoters are necessary to determine whether, and if so to what extent, it might wish to offer assistance. It will also be looking for substantial and firmly committed private sector funding.

  Public Bodies
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to paragraph 1.29 of his departmental report for 1996, what were the outturn figures for 1992–93, 1993– 94 and 1994–95; and what were the outturn figures for expenditure on publicity by executive non-departmental public bodies in each of the past five years. [23560]

  Mr. Gwilym Jones
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: Paragraph 1.29 of the Welsh Office departmental report for 1996 provides details of forecast outturn expenditure for 1995–96 on publicity by the Department and forecast spend by non-departmental public bodies in 1996–97.
  249
  Publicity expenditure by the Welsh Office for the years 1992–93 to 1994–95 is as follows:

  1992–93: £1,974,000

  1993–94: £1,358,000

  1994–95: £1,725,000

  Publicity expenditure by public bodies is as follows:

  1994–95: £17,197,000 outturn

  1995–96: £17,662,000 forecast outturn

  Figures for the two years include for a number of public bodies, their total marketing budget and reflect for others all expenditure on publications; exhibitions and soon in pursuance of their statutory functions. Information is provided for 1994–95 and 1995–96 only; comparable figures for earlier years are not available.

  Abortion Facilities, North Wales
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the reasons for the withdrawal of local termination of pregnancy facilities within the NHS in north Wales. [23561]

  Mr. Richards
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The responsibility for the commissioning of abortion services in north Wales rests with the North Wales health authority. It is for individual health authorities to assess the health care needs of their local population and to decide priorities within their overall resources.

  General Medical Practitioners
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the whole-time equivalent number of NHS general medical practitioners working in each family health service association area in Wales at the latest date for which figures are available. [24384]

  Mr. Richards
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The information, which relates to 1 April 1995, is given in the following table.

  Whole-time equivalent number of general medical Practitioners1

  Clwyd

  221

  Dyfed

  212

  Gwent

  233

  Gwynedd

  156

  Mid Glamorgan

  294

  Powys

  81

  South Glamorgan

  230

  West Glamorgan

  202

  1 Unrestricted principals.

PRIME MINISTER

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Prime Minister what savings to date have been made by the Cabinet Office as a result of out-sourcing arrangements made with the EDS computer system; what assessment he has made of the equivalent costs for carrying out this work in-house; and if he will make a statement. [24237]
  250
  The Prime Minister
  For these purposes, my office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service, on 2 April,Official Report, column 85.

  Danish Tour Guide (Manslaughter)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Prime Minister what letters of condolence have been sent by the British Government to the family of the Danish tour guide for whose manslaughter three British service personnel have been convicted; when they were sent; and which Government Minister sent them. [24564]

  The Prime Minister
  I understand that the then commanding officer, British Forces Cyprus, sent a letter of condolence to the family.

  Conduct of Government Business
  Mr. Simon Coombs
  To ask the Prime Minister what advice has been furnished to Government Departments on the conduct of Government business during the period prior to local and European elections. [24545]

  The Prime Minister
  The Cabinet Office is circulating to Departments today the normal guidance to civil servants on the principles which they should observe in relation to the conduct of Government business during the period prior to local and European elections. It is as follows:

  Local and European elections
  1. Local and European Election campaigns differ from general elections in that there is no prospect of a change of government consequent upon the elections, and the business of government continues as usual. However, there is an increasing tendency by all political parties to approach local and European elections from a national point of view, with nationally produced material. Officials of all departments should therefore take especial care during the period of local or European election campaigns not to undertake any activity which could call into question their political impartiality, or could give rise to the criticism that public resources are being used for party political purposes. Particular care should be exercised in relation to the announcement of sensitive decisions with a local or European dimension, and in relation to paid publicity campaigns.
  2. The following general principles should be observed:
  (a) there should be even-handedness in meeting information requests from candidates from different political parties. Such requests and responses should be channelled through the appropriate Minister's private office and handled in accordance with the principles laid down in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information;
  (b) special advisers should if necessary be reminded of the rules against circulating material on party paper within departments;
  (c) particular care should be taken over official action and the use of public resources, including publicity, surrounding and supporting Ministerial announcements which have a bearing on local or European matters;
  (d) similar care should be taken over announcements of decisions made at official level. In some cases it may be better to defer an announcement until after the election but this would need to be balanced carefully against any implication that deferral could itself influence the political outcome; each case should be considered on its merits; and
  (e) special care should be taken in respect of paid publicity campaigns, particularly new campaigns, which should not be open to the criticism that they are being undertaken for party political purposes.

  251
  3. The period of sensitivity preceding local or European elections is not fixed in relation to any particular date, but for the purposes of this guidance, the general convention is that particular care should be taken in the three weeks prior to polling day.

  European Court of Justice
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise at the next European Council the operation of the European Court of Justice. [22342]

  The Prime Minister
  The Turin Council of 29 March agreed an agenda for the intergovernmental conference including the operation of the European Court of Justice.

TREASURY

  Beef Stocks
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the Inland Revenue will treat, for tax purposes, stocks of beef held by butchers ready for sale whose value has been eroded by the collapse of the beef market. [23769]

  Mr. Jack
  The same rules on trading stock will apply to butchers as to other traders.

  An accountant will draw up a traders' accounts using the normal accounting conventions. These conventions recognise trading stock losses and deal with them appropriately in the accounts. Tax treatment follows these conventions and allows for the profits and losses of trading stock when working out the taxable income. Butchers' stock losses will be treated in the same way as the stock losses of any other trader.

  Earnings
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the percentage of workers on adult rates of pay in part-time employment whose hourly earnings(a) including and (b) excluding overtime pay are less than (i) £4.26 per hour, (ii) £5.68 per hour, (iii) £6.03 per hour and (iv) average weekly earnings in (x) Great Britain, (y) Scotland and (z) the regions of Scotland broken down by (1) male manual, (2) male non-manual, (3) all male workers, (4) female manual, (5) female non-manual, (6) all female workers, (7) all manual, (8) all non-manual and (9) all workers. [22058]

  Mrs Angela Knight
  Information is available from the April 1995 "New Earnings Survey". The information is in the tables.

  NES—April 1995 (GB) Part-time employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey period was unaffected by absence

  Including overtime percentage of employees earning

  Excluding overtime percentage of employees earnings

  Gross hourly earnings

  £4·26

  £5·03

  £5·68

  £4·26

  £5·03

  £5·68

  Great Britain

  Male manual

  60·0

  73·5

  81·0

  60·8

  73·2

  80·9

  Male non-manual

  32·4

  45·0

  50·8

  32·8

  44·6

  50·5

  All males

  46·0

  59·0

  65·6

  46·6

  58·6

  65·4

  Female manual

  71·4

  84·4

  90·4

  72·2

  84·6

  90·4

  Female non-manual

  35·3

  51·9

  62·6

  36·0

  52·1

  62·6

  All females

  47·5

  62·9

  71·9

  48·2

  63·1

  71·9

  252

  NES—April 1995 (GB) Part-time employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey period was unaffected by absence

  Including overtime Percentage of employees earning

  Excluding overtime percentage of employees earnings

  Gross hourly earnings

  £4·26

  £5·03

  £5·68

  £4·26

  £5·03

  £5·68

  All manual

  69·2

  82·3

  88·6

  70·0

  82·4

  88·5

  All non-manual

  35·0

  51·2

  61·2

  35·6

  51·3

  61·2

  All workers

  47·3

  62·3

  71·0

  47·9

  62·4

  71·0

  Scotland

  Male manual

  61·9

  75·6

  81·9

  62·5

  72·5

  83·1

  Male non-manual

  37·6

  51·9

  59·1

  37·0

  51·4

  58·6

  All males

  49·0

  63·0

  69·8

  49·0

  61·3

  70·1

  Female manual

  73·2

  85·5

  90·3

  74·1

  86·1

  90·1

  Female non-manual

  35·3

  50·5

  622·4

  36·1

  50·5

  62·4

  All females

  50·5

  64·6

  73·6

  51·3

  64·8

  73·5

  All manual

  71·5

  84·1

  89·1

  72·4

  84·1

  89·1

  All non-manual

  35·6

  50·7

  62·0

  36·2

  50·6

  62·0

  All workers

  50·3

  64·4

  73·1

  51·0

  64·3

  73·1

  Borders

  Male manual

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Male non-manual

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  All males

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Female manual

  58·3

  83·3

  83·3

  58·3

  83·3

  83·3

  Female non-manual

  31·1

  48·9

  55·6

  31·1

  48·9

  53·3

  All females

  40·6

  60·9

  65·2

  40·6

  60·9

  63·8

  All manual

  61·5

  84·6

  84·6

  61·5

  84·6

  84·6

  All non-manual

  30·4

  47·8

  54·3

  30·4

  47·8

  52·2

  All workers

  41·7

  61·1

  65·3

  41·7

  61·1

  63·9

  Central

  Male manual

  66·7

  75·0

  75·0

  50·0

  58·3

  75·0

  Male non-manual

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  All males

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Female manual

  77·1

  87·5

  97·9

  83·3

  89·6

  97·9

  Female non-manual

  42·9

  54·8

  67·9

  44·0

  54·8

  67·9

  All females

  55·3

  66·7

  78·8

  58·3

  67·4

  78·8

  All manual

  76·4

  87·3

  96·4

  81·8

  87·3

  96·4

  All non-manual

  43·8

  55·1

  67·4

  42·7

  53·9

  67·4

  All workers

  56·3

  67·4

  78·5

  57·6

  66·7

  78·5

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Male manual

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Male non-manual

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  All males

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Female manual

  82·4

  94·1

  94·1

  76·5

  94·1

  94·1

  Female non-manual

  56·7

  63·3

  76·7

  56·7

  66·7

  76·7

  All females

  66·0

  74·5

  83·0

  63·8

  76·6

  83·0

  All manual

  76·2

  95·2

  95·2

  76·2

  95·2

  95·2

  All non-manual

  54·8

  61·3

  74·2

  54·8

  64·5

  74·2

  All workers

  63·5

  75·0

  82·7

  63·5

  76·9

  82·7

  Fife

  Male manual

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Male non-manual

  58·3

  75·0

  75·0

  58·3

  75·0

  75·0

  All males

  60·0

  70·0

  70·0

  60·0

  70·0

  70·0

  Female manual

  81·5

  83·3

  88·9

  81·5

  83·3

  88·9

  253

  NES—April 1995 (GB) Part-time employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey period was unaffected by absence

  Including overtime Percentage of employees earning

  Excluding overtime percentage of employees earnings

  Gross hourly earnings

  £4·26

  £5·03

  £5·68

  £4·26

  £5·03

  £5·68

  Female non-manual

  42·0

  53·6

  68·1

  40·6

  52·2

  65·2

  All females

  59·3

  66·7

  77·2

  58·5

  65·9

  75·6

  All manual

  79·0

  80·6

  85·5

  79·0

  80·6

  85·5

  All non-manual

  44·4

  56·8

  69·1

  43·2

  55·6

  66·7

  All workers

  59·4

  67·1

  76·2

  58·7

  66·4

  74·8

  Grampian

  Male manual

  55·6

  66·7

  81·5

  55·6

  66·7

  81·5

  Male non-manual

  30·8

  34·6

  42·3

  30·8

  34·6

  38·5

  All males

  43·4

  50·9

  62·3

  43·4

  50·9

  60·4

  Female manual

  62·3

  84·4

  87·7

  63·1

  84·4

  87·7

  Female non-manual

  32·2

  49·1

  59·6

  32·7

  48·5

  59·6

  All females

  44·7

  63·8

  71·3

  45·4

  63·5

  71·3

  All manual

  61·1

  81·2

  86·6

  61·7

  81·2

  86·6

  All non-manual

  32·0

  47·2

  57·4

  32·5

  46·7

  56·9

  All workers

  44·5

  61·8

  69·9

  45·1

  61·6

  69·7

  Highland and Island

  Male manual

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Male non-manual

  36·4

  45·5

  45·5

  36·4

  45·5

  45·5

  All males

  50·0

  60·0

  65·0

  50·0

  60·0

  65·0

  Female manual

  82·4

  94·1

  94·1

  82·4

  94·1

  94·1

  Female non-manual

  56·4

  70·9

  80·0

  56·4

  80·0

  80·0

  All females

  70·7

  83·7

  87·8

  70·7

  87·8

  87·8

  All manual

  80·5

  92·2

  93·5

  80·5

  92·2

  93·5

  All non-manual

  53·0

  66·7

  74·2

  53·0

  66·7

  74·2

  All workers

  67·8

  80·4

  84·6

  67·8

  80·4

  84·6

  Lothian

  Male manual

  63·0

  77·8

  81·5

  63·0

  77·8

  81·5

  Male non-manual

  42·2

  64·4

  66·7

  42·2

  62·2

  66·7

  All males

  50·0

  69·4

  72·2

  50·0

  68·1

  72·2

  Female manual

  77·3

  83·6

  88·2

  78·2

  82·7

  87·3

  Female non-manual

  34·1

  49·6

  58·8

  35·0

  49·1

  59·3

  All females

  48·2

  60·7

  68·5

  49·1

  60·1

  68·5

  All manual

  74·5

  82·5

  86·9

  75·2

  81·8

  86·1

  All non-manual

  35·4

  52·0

  60·1

  36·2

  51·3

  60·5

  All workers

  48·5

  62·3

  69·1

  49·3

  61·5

  69·1

  Strathclyde

  Male manual

  63·1

  75·4

  81·5

  63·1

  69·2

  84·6

  Male non-manual

  33·8

  48·5

  61·8

  33·8

  50·0

  61·8

  All males

  48·1

  61·7

  71·4

  48·1

  59·4

  72·9

  Female manual

  72·5

  85·0

  91·2

  73·6

  85·9

  90·7

  Female non-manual

  30·5

  46·6

  59·5

  31·5

  46·7

  59·8

  All females

  47·6

  62·2

  72·4

  48·6

  62·7

  72·4

  All manual

  71·2

  83·7

  89·9

  72·2

  83·7

  89·9

  All non-manual

  30·8

  46·8

  59·7

  31·7

  47·1

  60·0

  All workers

  47·7

  62·1

  72·3

  48·6

  62·3

  72·4

  254

  NES—April 1995 (GB) Part-time employees on adult rates, whose pay for the survey period was unaffected by absence

  Including overtime Percentage of employees earning

  Excluding overtime percentage of employees earnings

  Gross hourly earnings

  £4·26

  £5·03

  £5·68

  £4·26

  £5·03

  £5·68

  Tayside

  Male manual

  54·5

  81·8

  81·8

  54·5

  81·8

  81·8

  Male non-manual

  33·3

  50·0

  58·3

  41·7

  50·0

  58·3

  All males

  43·5

  65·2

  69·6

  47·8

  65·2

  69·6

  Female manual

  74·6

  84·5

  85·9

  74·6

  85·9

  87·3

  All non-manual

  46·2

  59·6

  74·0

  48·1

  60·6

  74·0

  All females

  57·7

  69·7

  78·9

  58·9

  70·9

  79·4

  Female manual

  72·0

  84·1

  85·4

  2·0

  85·4

  86·6

  All non-manual

  44·8

  58·6

  72·4

  47·4

  59·5

  72·4

  All workers

  56·1

  69·2

  77·8

  57·6

  70·2

  78·3

  n/a = Data not available due to limited sample size.

  New Earnings Survey, April 1995 (GB) Average weekly earnings, of part-time employees on adult rates, whose pay for the Survey period was not affected by absence

  Including overtime

  Excluding overtime

  Manual £

  Non-Manual £

  All £

  manual £

  Non-Manual £

  All £

  Great Britain

  Males

  98.1

  149.8

  126.3

  86.4

  144.0

  117.8

  Females

  76.6

  114.2

  101.6

  72.2

  109.3

  97.0

  All

  80.8

  118.8

  105.4

  75.0

  113.8

  100.1

  Scotland

  Males

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Females

  78.2

  116.6

  101.4

  72.9

  111.2

  96.0

  All

  80.8

  118.2

  103.2

  74.2

  112.6

  97.2

  Fife

  Males

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Females

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  All

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  81.1

  n/a

  Grampian

  Males

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Females

  n/a

  120.6

  102.6

  73.0

  n/a

  98.1

  All

  75.2

  124.3

  103.7

  71.3

  119.1

  99.1

  Lothian

  Males

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Females

  n/a

  120.2

  107.3

  75.0

  114.3

  101.6

  All

  123.6

  123.6

  111.9

  n/a

  n/a

  105.1

  Strathclyde

  Males

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Females

  81.4

  121.1

  105.1

  74.6

  115.4

  98.9

  All

  83.4

  119.7

  104.7

  75.4

  114.0

  98.1

  1. Data are not available for Borders, Central, Dumfries and Galloway, Highlands and Islands are Tayside due to limited sample sizes.

  n/a = Result not available due to limited sample size.

  EU Contributions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the gross contribution to be made to the European Union in the
  255
  calendar year 1996 and the appropriate net contribution; and if he will publish a table showing these figures for the previous four years. [24068]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The Government's forecast of the United Kingdom's gross and net contribution to the European Community in 1996 will shortly be published in the annual White Paper, "Statement on the Community Budget". Outturn figures for the years 1992 to 1995 are set out in the table:

  £ million

  Year

  Gross contributions before abatement

  Abatement

  Gross contributions after abatement

  Public sector receipts

  Net contribution after abatement and public sector receipts

  1992

  6,738

  -1,881

  4,857

  -2,827

  2,030

  1993

  7,985

  -2,539

  5,446

  -3,291

  2,155

  1994

  7,189

  -1,726

  5,463

  -3,253

  2,211

  1995

  8,889

  -1,207

  7,682

  -3,522

  4,160

  Income Tax
  Mr. Forman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 14 March,Official Report, column 688, what is his estimate of the average rate of income tax in 1996–97 for (a) a two-earner married couple with no children and (b) a two-earner married couple with two children under 11 years of age, if the households concerned are on (i) half average household income, (ii) average household income and (iii) twice average household income. [24105]

  Mr. Jack
  Standard comparisons are based on calculating income tax liabilities with incomes at multiples of full-time male average earnings and full-time female average earnings—adult rates, all occupations. Estimates for 1996–97 are given in the table.

  Income tax as a percentage of earnings

  Multiple of average earnings1

  0·5

  1

  2

  Two-earner married couple with no children

  10·6

  17·3

  23·5

  Two-earner married couple with two children under 112

  4·9

  14·4

  22·0

  1 Full-time males plus full-time females on adult rates, all occupations.

  2 Net of child benefit.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage of their population paying the higher rate of income tax for each regional council area and district council area in Scotland. [23796]

  Mr. Jack
  Information derived from the survey of personal incomes for the larger Scottish regions in 1993–94 is shown in the table. I regret that reliable estimates are not available for the smaller regions or district council areas.
  256

  Number of higher rate taxpayers in 1993–94 expressed as a percentage of people aged 16 years or over

  Scotland

  3·0

  Central

  3·0

  Fife

  2·0

  Grampian

  4·8

  Highlands

  2·8

  Lothian

  3·9

  Strathclyde

  2·5

  Tayside

  2·8

  Occupational Pension Schemes
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what is the total sum contributed by employers to occupational pensions on behalf of employees in the last year for which figures are available; [23978]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of (a) higher rate taxpayers, (b) basic rate taxpayers and (c) lower rate taxpayers who benefit from employers' contributions to occupational pension schemes; [23976]

  (3) how much of the tax relief on employers' occupational pension contributions is attributable to (a) higher rate taxpayers, (b) basic rate taxpayers and (c) lower rate taxpayers; [23979]

  (4) what is the estimated average rate of tax relief on employers' contributions to occupational pension schemes. [23977]

  Mr. Jack
  The latest estimate, which is still provisional, is that total employers' contributions to occupational pensions 1994–95 were about £10,300 million. Information is not available to enable employers' contributions to be related to particular individuals. The revenue cost of not treating employers' contributions as a taxable benefit in kind of the employees is based on an average marginal tax rate of about 28 per cent., giving a cost of tax relief of around £2,900 million. This assumes that the distribution of marginal tax rate is similar to that of employees generally, but it would be misleading to provide the more detailed information requested on the basis of very general assumptions.

  Mr. Cunningham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of employees in pensionable employment whose pension entitlement is not at present covered by the earnings ceiling. [23980]

  Mr. Jack
  The information is not available centrally. Only the trustees of individual occupational schemes would be able to provide this information.

  Unemployment Statistics
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of unemployed persons in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) Wales, aged under 25 years; how many have never attained full-time employment; how many have a higher education qualification; and if he will make a statement. [23800]
  257
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Information available from the labour force survey for autumn—September to November—1995 is shown in the table. It is not seasonally adjusted.

  United Kingdom

  Wales

  International Labour Organisation unemployed aged under 25

  737,000

  35,000

  Of which: Have a higher education qualification1

  80,000

  2—

  Never had a paid job

  295,000

  12,000

  of which: in full-time education

  106,000

  2—

  1Qualification above A-level or equivalent.

  2Estimate below 10,000 not shown.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what savings to date have been made by his Department as a result of out-sourcing arrangements made with the EDS computer system; what assessment he has made of the equivalent costs for carrying out this work in-house; and if he will make a statement. [24235]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Treasury currently has no out-sourcing arrangements with the EDS computer system.

  Budget (Women)
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will ask his Department to conduct a separate analysis of the impact the measures in this year's Budget will have on women in advance of his autumn Budget statement; [22726]

  (2) what assessment his Department made in advance of the autumn Budget statement of the impact which the measures in last year's Budget would have on women. [22727]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  The impact of the Budget on all groups is considered very carefully.

  VAT (Sanitary Products)
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated revenue generated from value added tax on sanitary products for women in each of the last four years; and what would be the estimated annual cost to the Treasury of reducing value added tax on sanitary products to the lowest permissible level. [22762]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  No actual figures are available on the revenue generated from value added tax on sanitary products for women; however, it is estimated to be of the order of £40 million annually. The estimated annual cost to the Treasury of reducing value added tax on sanitary products to 5 per cent. the lowest permissible level, is approximately £25 million.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration his Department has given to reducing value added tax on sanitary products to a lower rate. [22763]
  258
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  Since the last Labour Government agreed with other EU member states in 1977 that the UK would not extend the scope of its existing zero rates, it is not possible to zero-rate these products. Member states may apply to them a reduced rate of not less than 5 per cent., but it remains Government policy not to have a reduced rate for anything except domestic fuel and power in the interests of having as simple a rate structure for the tax as possible.

  Unfunded Pension Liabilities
  Mr. David Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the dissemination of information among member states' Ministers and senior officials relating to unfunded pension liabilities and other member state unfunded liabilities in connection with a single European currency. [22624]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  Measuring future pensions and other liabilities on a comparable basis for different countries is not straightforward, but studies have been undertaken by the OECD and others and widely disseminated. These suggest that, compared with other member states, the UK is in a relatively favourable position in this area.

  VAT and Excise Office, Hammersmith
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many customers have attended in person to pay VAT and related taxes on the last date for payment in each of the last 12 months at Griffin house VAT and excise office, Hammersmith. [23659]

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  One hundred and twenty-eight customers have attended in person to pay taxes on the last date for payment during the year to February 1996. The number of customers attending in each month are:

  Number

  31 March 1995

  23

  28 April 1995

  8

  31 May 1995

  4

  30 June 1995

  4

  31 July 1995

  15

  31 August 1995

  18

  29 September 1995

  14

  31 October 1995

  3

  30 November 1995

  3

  29 December 1995

  10

  31 January 1996

  9

  29 February 1996

  17

  128

  In addition, 571 envelopes were deposited for onward transmission to the Department's accounting centre in Southend, and it is fair to assume that a significant proportion of these would have included payments.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24398]
  259
  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Treasury is aware of the problem and has already taken action. It will take into account forthcoming guidance to be issued by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency in April and, in parallel, it is investigating the scale and complexity of the problem as it affects its own information technology systems. We will proceed on the basis of the results of this exercise.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24509]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  The Treasury supports fully the Government statement in the White Paper, "Making Waste Work, A strategy for sustainable waste management in England and Wales". We aim to set targets by the end of 1996.

  Manufactured Goods
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on trends in the balance of trade in manufactures since 1992. [24827]

  Mrs. Angela Knight
  There has been no obvious trend in the balance of trade in manufacturers since 1992, although the volume of exports has increased faster than the volume of imports.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Matthew Banks
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made towards agreeing private finance initiative projects in 1995–96; what steps he is taking to increase the number of private finance initiative contracts; and if he will make a statement. [25127]

  Mr. Jack
  The private finance initiative is now making a serious contribution to the delivery of services to the public. Within 12 months, the Government have agreed projects with a capital value of £4.8 billion. In addition, projects with a capital value of around £300 million are at preferred bidder stage. A further £330 million worth is expected to be agreed shortly. These are listed in the tables.

  These figures tell only part of the story. The total value of a PFI deal to the private sector can typically be three times the capital value because the Government contract to buy services associated with an asset for years to come.

  Through PFI, the Government have achieved more than many people ever thought possible, though agreeing this number of deals has not been without problems. I have published new procurement guidelines today which will be circulated throughout the public sector. They are a practical response to comments made by people active in PFI and are designed to help smooth out processes, reduce bidding costs and speed up the flow of good deals. I have placed a copy in the Library.

  PFI offers prospects for the public and private sectors to work in partnership throughout the country. I am about to embark on a tour to promote PFI regionally and to hear directly from people active on PFI contracts.
  260
  From this solid base, the Government intend to go on to agree at least £14 billion worth of deals by the end of 1998–99. The PFI is unlocking new resources, producing a new range of investment opportunities and increasingly replacing more old-style public sector capital spending and service procurement.

  Agreed private finance initiative projects

  £ million

  Home Office

  Bridgend prison

  50

  Fazakerley prison

  50

  Immigration Nationality Department

  20

  Other Home Office projects

  20

  Transport

  Channel tunnel rail link

  3,000

  Northern Line trains

  400

  Ist tranche design, build, finance and operate

  380

  Social Security

  National insurance recording computer system

  150

  Health

  South Bucks district general hospital

  40

  St. James', Leeds

  50

  Royal Berks and Battle

  20

  Norwich and Norfolk district general hospital

  170

  Swindon and Marlborough

  90

  Smaller deals

  70

  Defence

  RAF vehicle fleet in Germany

  50

  Other defence projects

  55

  Scotland

  Dundee district council: waste to energy

  40

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse NHS trust

  60

  Other Scottish health projects

  20

  Wales

  University Hospital Wales

  10

  Environment

  Waltham Forest housing action trust

  15

  Total value of agreed announced projects

  4,760

  Other hospital projects with identified preferred bidder but which have yet to be announced

  300

  Examples of imminent projects

  Projects

  £million

  Docklands Light Railway extension

  120

  Longbenton DSS: Newcastle site redevelopment

  80

  Benefit payments automation through Post Office

  120

  British museum support building

  10

  Total

  330

DEFENCE

  Defence Estimates
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the 1996 statement on the defence estimates; and if he will ensure that the 1996 edition of "Defence Statistics" will be published concurrently. [23442]
  261
  Mr. Soames
  On current plans, the statement on the defence estimates 1996 should be published and laid in the House on 1 May 1996. As last year, we expect to publish the 1996 edition of "Defence Statistics" in mid-July, the earliest feasible date, allowing for compilation and validation of information relating to the end of the financial year.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what out-sourcing contracts his agencies have with the EDS software computer system; what is the current cost; when the contract ends; what are the penalties involved should he seek early termination of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [23739]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, the Hydrographic Office and the Meteorological Office under their framework documents. I have asked the chief executives to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
  You asked the Secretary of State for Defence for details about out-sourcing contracts his agencies have with the EDS software computer system. I am replying on behalf of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).
  I have assumed that the question refers only to computer software systems and I have based my answer on this. DERA does not have any such contracts with EDS.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Letter from J. P. Clarke to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
  1. You recently asked the Secretary of State for Defence two Parliamentary Questions relating to out-sourcing contracts with EDS software computer systems. As your questions relate, in part to the Hydrographic Office and such issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Hydrographic Office, I have been asked to reply to you.
  2. I have assumed you would not object if I were to answer both of your questions in this letter and on that basis I can advise you that the Hydrographic Office has no out-sourcing contract with EDS. Furthermore the Hydrographic Office has never had any out-sourcing arrangement with EDS and, as a consequence, no savings can be reported.
  3, I hope this information has been helpful.

  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
  As Chief Executive of the Meterological Office I am replying to your recent questions to the Defence Secretary concerning out-sourcing contracts with EDS.
  We currently have no such contracts.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the savings to date to his Department and his Department's agencies from out-sourcing arrangements made with the EDS software computer system; what assessment he has made of the equivalent costs for carrying out this work in-house; and if he will make a statement. [24360]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This information is not held centrally for my Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  262
  The matters fall also, however, to the chief executives of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, the Hydrographic Office and the Meteorological Office under their framework documents. I have asked the chief executives of those agencies to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
  You asked the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the savings to-date to his Department and his Department's agencies from out-sourcing arrangements made with the EDS software computer system compared with the use of in-house services. I am replying on behalf of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).
  I have assumed that the question refers only to computer software systems and I have based my answer on this. DERA does not have any such contracts with EDS.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Letter from J. C. R. Hunt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
  As Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office I am replying to your recent questions to the Defence Secretary concerning out-sourcing contracts with EDS.
  We currently have no such contracts.

  Letter from J. P. Clarke to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
  1. You recently asked the Secretary of State for Defence two Parliamentary Questions relating to out-sourcing contracts with EDS software computer systems. As your questions relate, in part to the Hydrographic Office and such issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the Hydrographic Office, I have been asked to reply to you.
  2. I have assumed you would not object if I were to answer both of your questions in this letter and on that basis I can advise you that the Hydrographic Office has no out-sourcing contract with EDS. Furthermore the Hydrographic Office has never had any out-sourcing arrangement with EDS and, as a consequence, no savings can be reported.
  I hope this information has been helpful.

  Helicopters
  Mr. Allason
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the ratio of support and maintenance technicians for helicopters in support of the Army between those operated by the Royal Air Force and the Army air corps. [24130]

  Mr. Soames
  The Army air corps has an aircraft establishment of 260 helicopters, with 43 reserves. These receive first and second-line technical support from 1,022 aircraft engineering officers and men, and 293 contractors' personnel. The Royal Air Force has an aircraft establishment of 138 support helicopters, with 35 reserves. These are supported by 1,708 aircraft engineers, and 230 contractors' personnel. Third-line support of these helicopters is provided under tri-service arrangements. It would be misleading to draw a direct comparison between these two sets of figures. The technical complexity of the helicopters involved is very different, as are the levels of maintenance carried out at the second line by the two services.

  Cyprus (Discipline)
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many violent incidents were recorded by
  263
  the British Army in Cyprus which occurred off base and involved the civilian population in each of the last five years. [24076]

  Mr. Soames
  Until recently, this information has not been held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. For the period 1 January 1995 to 1 January 1996, there were 16 cases of grievous bodily harm involving members of the British Army in Cyprus. Of these, seven were between soldiers, seven were attacks on soldiers by civilians, and two were attacks on civilians by soldiers.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the legal costs so far for the defence of riflemen of the Royal Green Jackets for all the charges relating to the attack and killing of Louise Jensen on Cyprus in 1994 for(a) the pre-trial stage of the proceedings taken against them by the authorities in Cyprus and (b) the trial. [24132]

  Mr. Soames
  The bills presented for legal aid have not differentiated between pre-trial and trial costs. Bills presented to 31 December 1995 have amounted to £170,000. We estimate that additional bills to date yet to be presented will add a further £30,000 approximately.

  RAF Bentwaters
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to ensure the integration into the local economy of the development of the vacant site at RAF Bentwaters; and if he will make a statement. [24372]

  Mr. Soames
  Over a period of two years, my Department has liaised extensively with the local authorities, Suffolk county council, and Suffolk Coastal district council and the Department of the Environment to agree a planning brief for this site. That brief has now been adopted in the structure and local plans, and will form the basis on which detailed planning applications from the purchaser are determined.

  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the bids received for the recently vacated site of RAF Brentwaters; and if he will make a statement. [24373]

  Mr. Soames
  It is not our practice to disclose the bids received for surplus property as this information is commercially confidential.

  RAF Woodbridge
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the bids received for the recently vacated site of RAF Woodbridge; and if he will make a statement; [24375]
  (2) what plans he has to ensure the integration into the local economy of the development of the vacant site at RAF Woodbridge; and if he will make a statement. [24374]

  Mr. Soames
  RAF Woodbridge was taken into the Army estate on a phased basis between 1993 and 1995. It is currently being used for training and as accommodation. The only vacant site at Woodbridge barracks is the former USAF technical site, no bids for which have been invited. Its future use is being considered 264
  by a firm of civilian consultants. The opinions, views and concerns of the local authorities and communities will be taken into consideration before any decisions are made.

  Gulf War Syndrome
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the research conducted by Dr. Howard Urnovitz into the effects of oral polio vaccines administered to service and medical personnel serving in Operation Granby is referred to his Department's continuing review of the origins and consequences of Gulf war syndrome. [24291]

  Mr. Soames
  My Department will consider all relevant research material on the health problems experienced by Gulf veterans.

  Patriot Missiles
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluation has been made of the effectiveness of patriot missiles during the Gulf war. [24199]

  Mr. Soames
  It is not our practice to comment on the effectiveness of military equipment used by allies, unless it is also in service with our own forces.

  Defence Accounts Agency (Visits)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what visits on official business staff of the defence accounts agency have undertaken in the last 12 months; what was the date and purpose of the visits in each case; how many members of staff the agency has working in non-United Kingdom locations for periods in excess of three months; and in which countries they are located. [24190]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  This is a matter for the chief executive of the Defence Pay and Personnel Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from M. A. Rowe to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 3 April 1996:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about visits on official business and overseas working as the matters referred to fall within my responsibilities as Chief Executive of the Pay & Personnel Agency.
  The Pay & Personnel Agency, in common with its predecessor the Defence Accounts Agency, does not maintain records in the detail you ask, and to assemble the necessary statistics would entail the expenditure of disproportionate time and cost. It is, however, Agency practice that all such visits are properly scrutinised before they take place and are only undertaken when alternative arrangements are not practical.
  The Pay & Personnel Agency employs six people in a non-United Kingdom location. These are civilian staff locally employed in Malta, administering the pension entitlements of Maltese nationals who were at one time employed by the United Kingdom Government.

  Alcohol Awareness Policy
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the alcohol awareness policy for the armed forces(a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in Cyprus and (c) in other overseas ports; and if he will make a statement. [24473]
  265
  Mr. Soames
  The armed forces have a comprehensive alcohol awareness policy. Each service has in place a comprehensive system of education and training on alcohol-related problems. Pamphlets, films and lectures are used to make all personnel aware of the dangers of abuse. Education on alcohol abuse is given to all new recruits on entry and this is continued in units regularly and prior to deployment overseas. Commanding officers are encouraged to limit the number of bars in their units, and opening hours are controlled and monitored. Instructions are published regularly in unit orders to remind personnel of their responsibilities in these matters and the pursuit of sport and other leisure activities is actively encouraged as a means of preventing personnel becoming bored and spending too much time in bars. Officers and non-commissioned officers are trained to recognise symptoms of abuse and all three services offer rehabilitation programmes for those with alcohol-related problems.

  Misconduct in relation to alcohol is dealt with as a disciplinary issue. Drunkenness is a specific offence under the Service Discipline Acts and charges are brought where appropriate.

  The policy applies equally at home and overseas, but local commanders may carry out additional awareness training as may be necessary to cover local conditions.

  In Cyprus all new arrivals, service, civilians and dependants over 18, as well as all visiting personnel and units, are briefed on the dangers of alcohol abuse. This message is reinforced regularly through a rolling programme of alcohol abuse briefings, through routine orders and other orders and the chain of command. The Soldiers, Sailors and Air Force Association further reinforces this message through an active command health promotion programme. The commander, British forces Cyprus keeps the policy on alcohol abuse under constant review, imposing, as necessary, restrictions such as out-of-bounds arrangements or requirements for personnel to sign out and sign in when leaving and returning to barracks in off-duty time. In the wake of the Louise Jensen trial, the commander, British forces Cyprus has begun a full and radical review of what more might be done.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24411]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  The capability of the Ministry of Defence's existing computer systems to recognise the year 2000 date change is already under investigation and an initial impact survey has been carried out to give an indication of the likely extent of the problem.

  Early signs are that the effects may not be as severe as originally thought since the managers of most of the MOD's computer systems have already taken action to avoid date change errors. However, further work is in hand to provide a more comprehensive picture and it is expected that this will lead to the issue of guidance to computer users and systems managers. The work being undertaken currently by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency on this matter is being carefully monitored.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24505]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  As set out in the statement on the defence estimates 1995, Cm 2800, the Department is reviewing its overall waste management arrangements, including waste minimisation. Office waste is only one of many defence waste streams. The Department of the Environment is producing guidance on the minimisation of office waste, on which we intend to draw in formulating MOD strategies for waste management and minimisation.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  War Pension Appeals
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average time lapse between notice of appeal being given to the war pensions appeal tribunal and the case being heard; what is the shortest time; and what is the longest time before an appeal has been heard. [24044]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  As at February 1996, the average time for a case to be heard at the pensions appeal tribunals from the date the appeal was received was 55 weeks. Of those cases finally determined during that month, the shortest waiting time was nine weeks and the longest 302 weeks.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the age profile in five-yearly intervals of outstanding applicants before the war pensions appeal tribunal. [24046]

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

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applicants before the war pensions appeal tribunal are cases alleging combat-induced post-traumatic stress disorder. [24048]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is not available as the pensions appeal tribunals do not record appeals by the type of medical condition subject to appeal.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the number of appeals currently outstanding before the war pensions appeal tribunal; and what was the number for each year for the past 10 years. [24043]

  Mr. Evans
  As at February 1996, there were 10,657 appeals outstanding. The number of appeals lodged has increased threefold in the last three years. The number outstanding as at the end of each of the last 10 years was as follows:

  1986: 1,841

  1987: 2,194

  1988: 1,837

  1989: 2,135

  1990: 1,658

  267

  1991: 1,821

  1992: 1,356

  1993: 2,405

  1994: 5,737

  1995: 9,697

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the increase in throughput of appeals before the war pensions appeal tribunal as a result of the recent increase in tribunal members. [24045]

  Mr. Evans
  The appointment of additional tribunal members during 1995 has meant that the number of venues where appeals are normally heard on a weekly basis has increased from four to eight, and it is planned to increase that number to 10 in may. In 1995, 4,907 cases were decided, compared with 2,863 in 1994.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases before the war pensions appeal tribunal have lapsed as a result of the death of the applicant. [24047]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is not available as the pensions appeal tribunals do not keep a record of cases that have lapsed due to the death of the appellant. There is provision for the next of kin to continue the case.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24405]

  Mr. Evans
  My Department is aware of this potential problem and is assessing the impact on its computer systems.

  County Court Service (Wales)
  Mr. Ron Davies
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has to reorganise the county court service in Wales. [24521]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  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. Ron Davies, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the county courts in Wales.
  The Court Service constantly monitors and reviews the viability of its court network in the light of changing business needs and workload trends. A business case has been submitted to Court Service Headquarters proposing the transfer of administrative work from Ammanford County Court to the county courts at Llanelli and Carmarthen and to a new court centre at Swansea but retaining judicial sittings at Ammanford. Initial business cases are also being considered for the closure of Mold and Holywell County Courts. All proposal will be subject to a period of widespread public consultation. The final decision on the closure of any county court is, however, for the Lord Chancellor.
  268
  A survey of users has been conducted at Chepstow, Aberdare and Caerphilly County Courts to establish the extent of the service that these courts provide to the public. The results of the surveys are currently being evaluated and no decisions have yet been made.
  The structure of the Wales and Chester Circuit is also being reshaped as part of the Court Service Management Structure Review. This is an administrative reorganisation and there will be no effect on the business of the county courts.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases were heard during each of the last three years at Caerphilly county court; and what percentage of these cases received legal aid. [24522]

  Mr. Evans
  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. Ron Davies, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of cases heard at Caerphilly County Court.
  No Circuit Judge sits at Caerphilly County Court; instead cases are listed at the trial centre at Pontypridd. In 1995/6, 25 cases from Caerphilly were heard at Pontypridd. It is not possible to identify Caerphilly cases from Pontypridd's lists for the earlier two years.
  In 1993/94, 220 District Judge hearings were held in open court and 768 in chambers. In 1994/5 these numbered 164 and 746 respectively and in 1995/6, 89 and 773. It is not possible to identify which of these involved parties receiving legal aid and this information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Davies
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current annual cost of providing the County court service in Caerphilly. [24517]

  Mr. Evans
  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. Ron Davies, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the cost of providing the county court service at Caerphilly.
  The annual cost, including judicial and administrative salaries and accommodation and running costs, is approximately £93,269.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24508]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  The Lord Chancellor's Department will set a target for overall waste reduction by December 1996.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what savings to date have been made by his Department as a result of outsourcing arrangements made with the EDS computer system; what
  269
  assessment he has made of the equivalent costs for carrying out this work in-house; and if he will make a statement. [24232]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  My Department has not entered into any outsourcing contracts with EDS.

  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what outsourcing contracts his agencies have with the EDS software computer system; what is the current cost; when the contract ends; what are the penalties involved should he seek early termination of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [23727]

  Mr. Evans
  The Lord Chancellor has responsibility for four agencies: the Court Service, HM Land Registry, the Public Record Office and the Public Trust Office. As the question concerns a specific operational matter, the chief executives of the agencies have been asked to reply direct.

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to the above Question about the number of computer contracts held by the firm EDS.
  The Court Service has no computer contracts with this company.

  Letter from Julia C. Lomas to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to you as part of the Lord Chancellor's Department's response to your Parliamentary Question, listed on 27 March 1996, regarding out-sourcing contracts with the EDS software computer system.
  The Public Trust Office does not have any out-sourcing contracts with the EDS software computer system.

  Letter from John Manthorpe to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, to reply to your recent question concerning out-sourcing contracts with the EDS software computer system. H M Land Registry has granted no such contracts to this company.

  Letter from Sarah Tyacke to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
  I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply for the Public Record Office to your question about out-sourcing contracts.
  The Public Record Office has no out-sourcing contracts with the EDS software computer system.

  Metropolitan Police (Civilian Officers)
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the transfer of civilian enforcement officers from the Metropolitan police service to the inner and outer London magistrates courts will be covered by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and the acquired rights directive. [23445]

  Mr. Jonathan Evans
  I have received legal advice stating that, in general, transfers of civilian enforcement staff from the police to magistrates courts committees are likely to be subject to these regulations. Whether the regulations apply in any particular situation depends on all the facts of the case, which will be different from one area to the next. Each magistrates courts committee or police authority involved in a transfer of staff must 270
  therefore determine for itself whether the regulations will apply to it, obtaining its own legal advice on the matter if necessary.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which interested parties or bodies were consulted about the decision to transfer the posts and duties of civilian enforcement officers from the Metropolitan police service to the inner and outer London magistrates courts. [23443]

  Mr. Evans
  The following organisations were consulted either by my Department or by the Home Office about the decision to transfer the responsibility for enforcement duties from the police throughout England and Wales to magistrates courts committees, every MCC, including the inner London magistrates courts service and all outer London MCCs; the Central Council of MCCs; the Magistrates Association, the Justices' Clerks' Society; the Standing Conference of Justices' Chief Executives and Clerks to MCCs; the Association of Magisterial Officers; the Association of Chief Police Officers. Decisions on the transfer of individual posts will be for the Metropolitan police and the relevant MCCs to resolve jointly. So far as I am aware, no such decisions have yet been made by those bodies.

  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if legislation will be required to enable civilian enforcement officers to carry out their duties when they are no longer employed as the direct agents of the commissioner for the Metropolitan police. [23446]

  Mr. Evans
  No legislation will be required to enable civilian enforcement officers to carry out their duties if, instead of being employed by the Metropolitan police, they are employed and duly authorised by a magistrates courts committee, by a local authority or by another police authority. We are currently clarifying whether legislation would be required to enable civilian enforcement officers to carry out enforcement duties in other circumstances.

SCOTLAND

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalophy
  Mrs. Liddell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what total level of compensation has been given to farmers for the destruction of cattle infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy in each year since 1990 in Scotland. [22935]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The information requested is held centrally on the basis of Great Britain as a whole, and a breakdown by country could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The total level of compensation paid to farmers on a Great Britain basis in each year since 1990 was:

  1990: £12.3 million

  1991: £28.1 million

  1992: £56.3 million

  1993: £92.6 million

  1994: £116.2 million

  1995: £126.6 million

  271
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cattle have been identified as suffering from BSE in Scotland by(a) breed and (b) number for each year since 1993. [23792]

  Mr. Robertson
  The information requested is as shown in the following tables:

  Breed

  Cases confirmed at 1 March 1996

  Aberdeen Angus

  28

  Aberdeen Angus crosses

  489

  Ayrshire

  391

  Ayrshire crosses

  29

  Charolais

  38

  Charolais crosses

  50

  Friesian

  3,042

  Friesian crosses

  565

  Galloway

  3

  Galloway crosses

  9

  Hereford

  34

  Hereford crosses

  1,416

  Highland

  5

  Highland crosses

  1

  Holstein

  180

  Holstein crosses

  26

  Jersey

  20

  Jersey crosses

  2

  Limousin

  45

  Limousin crosses

  434

  Luing

  0

  Luing crosses

  4

  Murray Grey

  2

  Murray Grey crosses

  2

  Romagnola

  1

  Romagnola crosses

  4

  Simmental

  61

  Simmental crosses

  498

  Other breeds (including crosses)

  127

  Total

  7,506

  Year

  Number of confirmed cases

  1993

  2,208

  1994

  1,326

  1995

  659

  1996 (15 March 1996)

  48

  Mrs. Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which inhabited Scottish islands have had no recorded cases of BSE since 1989 [23793]

  Mr. Robertson
  Information on incidence of BSE is collected on a regional basis and a breakdown of the detail requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Countryside Premium Scheme
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money will be available from the countryside premium scheme for 1996–97 and 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [23794]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Around £2 million is available for the countryside premium scheme in 1996–1997 although the timetable for bringing the scheme into operation means that it is difficult to predict how much of 272
  this amount will be required. My noble Friend will decide later this year on the funding requirements for the scheme in 1997–98.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which further education colleges in Scotland will have their grant in aid reduced in 1996–97; by how much; for what reasons; and which of these will be required to educate more students than the current year. [24038]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The information is set out in the table.

  College

  Variation from 1995–96 grant £

  Ayr

  -84,300

  Barony

  -22,500

  Bell

  -265,200

  Clackmannan

  -14,100

  Clydebank

  -291,300

  Coatbridge

  -188,400

  Dumfries and Galloway

  -135,900

  Dundee

  -525,100

  Falkirk

  -60,600

  Fife

  -371,900

  Glasgow College of Building and Printing

  -241,600

  Glasgow College of Food Technology

  -168,700

  Glasgow College of Nautical Studies

  -191,100

  Glenrothes

  -136,700

  Inverness

  -314,400

  Jewel and Esk Valley

  -369,800

  Lews Castle

  -103,200

  Oatridge

  -94,400

  Stevenson

  -131,900

  Thurso

  -133,000

  West Lothian

  -241,300

  Grant levels of these colleges are reducing as a result of the implementation of a new funding formula, which rewards colleges which have been most successful in reducing unit costs and attracting and retaining students. No specific targets for student growth have been set for these colleges.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what efficiency savings have been required of the further education colleges in each year since incorporation; and what is the total amount of money saved since incorporation. [24039]

  Mr. Robertson
  Colleges were expected to achieve an efficiency saving of 3 per cent. 1993–94 and 1994–95 and 4 per cent. in 1995–96. Because financial information pre and post incorporation cannot be meaningfully compared, it is not possible to quantify the amounts of money saved. Between 1993–94 and 1994–95 colleges delivered efficiency gains of 4 per cent. on student activity which was 6 per cent. higher.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research has been conducted by his Department in Scotland on the consequences of incorporation of further education colleges. [24040]
  273
  Mr. Robertson
  A research study into the operation of further education college boards of management, funded by the Scottish Office, was published in June 1995. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of(a) administrative and (b) management staff employed at colleges (i) on the date of incorporation and (ii) at present. [24041]

  Mr. Robertson
  Information on the number of administrative and management staff employed at colleges on the date of incorporation is not held centrally. The total full-time equivalent number of support staff, on a disaggregated basis, in academic year 1994–95, the latest for which information is available, was 4,517.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many lecturing staff were employed in further education colleges(a) at the date of incorporation and (b) at present; and how many were (i) full time and (ii) part time. [24031]

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

  Number

  October 1992

  5,562

  Full-time

  4,960

  Part-time

  6,850

  Full-time equivalent

  Academic year 1994–95

  Full-time

  5,606

  Part-time

  7,448

  Full-time equivalent

  6,903

  Information on staff numbers at 1 April 1993 is not held centrally. The October 1992 figure is the information collated prior to incorporation. Academic staff numbers are now collated on an academic year basis.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which colleges of further education were in deficit at the end of the last financial year; by how much; and which colleges his Department assesses to be in deficit in the current financial year. [24032]

  Mr. Robertson
  At 31 March 1995 the audited accounts showed that the deficit on total reserves, after making provision for the future cost of pension enhancements given for early retirement, for the following colleges was as shown in the table.

  College

  £000

  Aberdeen

  -565

  Anniesland

  -153

  Central College of Commerce

  -59

  Clydebank

  -305

  Coatbridge

  -239

  Falkirk

  -346

  James Watt

  -309

  John Wheatley

  -56

  Langside

  -134

  Moray

  -543

  North Glasgow

  -1,129

  Stevenson

  -593

  274

  College

  £000

  Thurso

  -101

  West Lothian

  -96

  Information regarding financial outturns at 31 March 1996 is not yet available.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy that no(a) closures and (b) amalgamations of further education colleges will occur in the next financial year. [24033]

  Mr. Robertson
  My right hon. Friend has presently no plans to close or amalgamate colleges.

  Clydesbank College
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what basis he reduced the budget of Clydebank college in the current year. [24034]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  Formula funding aims to increase student participation on a cost-effective basis whilst maintaining quality. It rewards colleges which have been most successful in reducing unit costs and attracting and retaining students. The reduction in 1996–97 was largely due to the college's failure to attract additional students. The setting of the college budget is undertaken by the college board of management.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the financial position of Clydebank college. [24035]

  Mr. Robertson
  The latest audited accounts to 31 March 1995 show that Clydebank college had a deficit since incorporation of £70,000. In addition a deficit of £235,000 was inherited from pre-incorporation. Officials are in dialogue with college management over their plans to address its financial position.

  Further Education Budget
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the strategic aim of his method of calculating the further education budget in terms of increasing skill levels in Scotland. [24036]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  The aim is to increase student participation on a cost-effective basis, while maintaining quality, and thus increase the skills levels and economic competitiveness of Scotland.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what account he takes of levels of local unemployment in allocating budgets to further education colleges. [24037]

  Mr. Robertson
  None, as investigation has shown this not to be a significant factor in determining the total costs of colleges. Colleges delivered 6 per cent. more student activity between 1993–94 and 1994–95. Higher levels of student activity are enhancing employment prospects.

  Inward Investment
  Sir Hector Monro
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the name and location of new industries that have been attracted to Scotland by Locate in Scotland during the last 12 months. [24282]
  275
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  All our dealings with inward investors are undertaken on a commercially confidential basis and we do not therefore publish details of individual projects except in cases where details of the project have been announced by the company itself. The following table contains details of the new projects attracted to Scotland which have been the subject of public announcements since April 1995. A number of inward investors have of course also announced plans to expand their existing facilities in Scotland.

  Date of announcement

  Company

  Location

  April 1995

  Birkbys Plastics Ltd.

  Glenrothes

  April 1995

  Patrol Manufacturing

  Glasgow

  June 1995

  Selfcare Inc.

  Inverness

  July 1995

  MAN Truck and Bus UK Ltd.

  Bellshill

  July 1995

  PET Processors LLC

  Dumfries

  July 1995

  Canon (UK) Ltd.

  Glenrothes

  August 1995

  British Gas

  Edinburgh

  August 1995

  National Australia Group

  Clydebank

  August 1995

  BT

  Motherwell

  September 1995

  Precision Tube Technology

  Peterhead

  September 1995

  Bi-Link Metal Specialities

  Cumbernauld

  October 1995

  Lexmark International

  Rosyth

  November 1995

  Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd.

  Mossend

  November 1995

  Motorola

  East Kilbride

  November 1995

  Foxconn UK Ltd.

  Erskine

  February 1996

  DuPont

  Hamilton

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24403]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office is taking steps to ensure that administrative computer systems for which it is responsible will recognise the year 2000 and will continue to process information properly.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24500]

  Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
  The Scottish Office is introducing an environmental management system based on the British Standard BS7750 for its largest building at Victoria quay in Edinburgh. As part of the system waste minimisation targets will be set and introduced as appropriate across the remainder of the estate. The initial review for the system has been completed and data collected in order to develop waste minimisation targets by the end of 1996.

  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the performance of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency against targets for 1995–96 and the setting of its targets for 1996–97. [24978]
  276
  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  The agency is on course to meet the Commons targets for 1995–96 which my predecessor set out in his answer of 9 February 1995,Official Report, columns 359–60.

  For 1996–97 I have set the agency the following key performance targets:
  fulfilment of the service level agreement with the Scottish Office agriculture, environment and fisheries department within the running costs voted to the agency for 1996–97;
  recovery of full economic costs for charged services;
  continuation of the programme of consultation of all major customers on the quality of the work done by the agency;
  completion of 92 per cent. of all scientific tests and analyses within the timescale set by customers; and
  improvement in the unit of the scientific work of the agency (cost per direct scientist hour).

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Gallie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the 1996–97 charging scheme for local air pollution control in Scotland under part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. [25181]

  Mr. Kynoch
  Charges to cover the costs of local enforcing authorities in regulating processes which are subject to part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 were introduced in Scotland in April 1992.

  With the approval of the Treasury, and following consultation with local authority associations and industry, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has made a revised scheme specifying the scale of fees and charges to take effect from 31 March 1996. From 1 April, the new Scottish Environment Protection Agency has taken over the regulation of these processes.

  The main changes are that the standard application fee is increased by £25 to £1,015, the application fee for a former Alkali Act works is reduced to £300, the substantial change fee is increased by £15 to £650, and the annual subsistence charge is increased by £20 to £625.

  The scheme has today been laid before both Houses of Parliament and a copy placed in the Libraries.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the workings of the environmentally sensitive area agri-environment scheme in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [23016]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: All aspects of the workings of the environmentally sensitive area scheme are kept under review.

  Abattoirs (Hygiene Standards)
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent assessment he has made of the hygiene standards in Scottish abattoirs. [24444]

  Mr. Raymond S. Robertson
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: I understand that my right hon. and learned Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked the chief executive of the Meat Hygiene Service to reply to the hon. Member direct. The Meat Hygiene Service operates across Great Britain and is accountable to the British Agriculture Ministers jointly.

  Self-catering Properties (Rateable Value)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what account is taken of(a) wages of the spouse of proprietor, (b) self-employed national insurance contributions, (c) pension contributions of the proprietor and spouse of proprietor and (d) turnover in assessment of the rateable value of self-catering properties; [24260]

  (2) if he will list the criteria used in the assessment of the rateable value of self-catering premises. [24266]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: Valuation for rating in Scotland is the responsibility of either the council or valuation joint board assessor as appropriate. In carrying out this function assessors are entirely independent of both local and central Government and reach their decisions in accordance with statute and case law.

  Government Expenditure Plans
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the planned expenditure falling within the Scottish block of the Government's spending plans in respect of(a) industry, (b) housing, (c) roads and transport, (d) law and order, (e) education, (f) arts and libraries, (g) environmental services, (h) social work services and (i) health, for each of the years 1989–90 to 1994–95 inclusive, the outturn expenditure for 1995–96, the estimated outturn expenditure and for 1996–97, using 1989–90 as the base year for comparison and excluding expenditure on additional functions taken on as a responsibility by the Secretary of State since 1989–90, and adjusting for transfers between programmes. [8724]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 7 March 1996]: A tabulation on the lines requested is contained in my departmental report, a copy of which has been deposited in the House Library.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the total expenditure of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on publicity for each of the years(a) 1979–80, (b) 1989–90, (c) 1991–92, (d) 1993–94, (e) 1994–95 and (f) 1995–96 (i) to date and (ii) as estimated for the whole year; what estimate he has made of such expenditure for 1996–97; and if he will break these figures down to indicate expenditure on (1) advertising and (2) press and public relations. [11356]

  Mr. Michael Forsyth
  [holding answer 25 January 1996]: Expenditure by Scottish Office Departments and its agencies was as follows:

  Year

  Total expenditure

  Press and PR

  Print and publications

  Advertising

  1979–80

  263,000

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  1989–90

  2,251,000

  n/a

  763,000

  1,488,000

  1991–92

  3,905,000

  1,900,000

  785,000

  1,220,000

  1993–94

  3,174,000

  1,300,000

  816,000

  1,058,000

  1994–95

  4,192,000

  1,461,000

  1,049,000

  1,682,000

  1995–96

  4,507,000

  964,000

  1,724,000

  1,819,000

  n/a = not available.

  278
  Advertising includes press, television, radio, cinema and poster advertising.

  Budgets for 1996–97 have not yet been finalised.

  Details of expenditure by non-departmental public bodies are not held centrally.

  Running costs figures are shown in the column headed Press and PR. No public relations companies have been employed during these years.

  The Scottish Office and its agencies carry out pre-post evaluation of all their publicity campaigns and their accounts are audited on a regular basis.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Middle East Peace Process
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the peace process in the middle east. [22629]

  Mr. Hanley
  We have been appalled at the recent terrorist attacks in Israel.

  The UK condemns these outrages and will work with her friends and allies to combat the terrorist threat and continue to work for peace.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit the middle east in 1996 to discuss the peace process. [22649]

  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to follow up the recent peace conference to help ensure the security of Israel.[22630]

  Mr. Hanley
  A meeting of officials to follow up the Sharm el-Sheikh conference took place in Washington on 27 to 29 March. The UK will play a full part in preparation of a ministerial level follow-up to take place later this week.

  Taiwan
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he is having with representatives of the Government of the USA on the question of differences between China and the USA over the future of Taiwan. [22635]

  Mr. Hanley
  My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the current tensions between China and Taiwan when he met US Secretary of State Christopher in Moscow on 23 March. They agreed to remain in close contact and to urge both sides to resume dialogue as soon as possible.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese Government over their planned exercises off Taiwan.[22638]

  Mr. Hanley
  We made our grave concerns about the Chinese military exercises known to the Chinese both directly and through our public and parliamentary
  279
  statements. The EU issued a statement on 8 March. Although military exercises have now finished, we continue to urge restraint and an early resumption of cross-straits dialogue.

  European Union
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the Government plan to put forward to improve openness and transparency within the European Union. [22636]

  Mr. David Davis
  We are committed to making the European Union more open and transparent and have supported a number of proposals to achieve this. We are considering our policy on any proposals for more openness and transparency, in the context of the on-going intergovernmental conference.

  Public Interest Immunity Certificates
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis Ministers in his Department sign public interest immunity certificates. [22637]

  Mr. Hanley
  We are guided by the law according to which in appropriate cases we weigh, but subject always to the overriding discretion of the court, the public interest in non-disclosure against the public interests in disclosure for the purposes of doing justice.

  European Security Policy
  Dr. Goodson-Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his European counterparts over a common security policy.[22639]

  Mr. David Davis
  I regularly discuss common foreign and security policy matters with my EU counterparts, most recently at the Foreign affairs Council on 25 March.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends next to raise the subject of European Security at the ministerial Council of the Western European Union. [22641]

  Mr. Davis
  European security will be discussed by the WEU Council of Ministers at its next meeting in Birmingham on 7 May, under the chairmanship of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and me.

  Nuclear Proliferation
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new proposals he has to reduce nuclear proliferation. [22640]

  Mr. David Davis
  We are currently supporting a number of initiatives intended to strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. These include the International Atomic Energy Agency's efforts to improve its ability to detect clandestine nuclear activities, support for early conclusion of a comprehensive test ban treaty, and a range of measures to make more effective relevant supplier regimes.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when was the last meeting between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Gibraltar to discuss the future of the colony; and when the next meeting is planned. [22642]

  Mr. David Davis
  We are in regular contact at ministerial and official level with the Government of Gibraltar on the range of issues which affect the territory. These contacts will be maintained. I was in Gibraltar last November for discussions with a wide range of Gibraltarians, including the Chief Minister and representatives of other political parties.

  European Institutions
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage greater access to European institutions by members of national Parliaments of EU member states. [22644]

  Mr. David Davis
  We support greater involvement of national Parliaments in the European Union, and more contact between national parliamentarians and the European institutions. We are looking at how to take this forward in the forthcoming intergovernmental conference.

  Sub-Saharan African
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement setting out his Department's priorities for sub-Saharan Africa. [22646]

  Mr. Hanley
  Our priorities are to ensure political and economic stability in the region through the promotion of democracy and good government-including free and fair elections; to encourage the support of conflict prevention and peacekeeping; to promote human rights and to promote UK trade and investment and harmonious bilateral relations.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to bring forward the date of a referendum on the future of the Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement. [22647]

  Mr. Hanley
  We continue to urge full co-operation with the UN operation in the Western Sahara by Morocco and Polisario, which would establish the date for a referendum. In our view, the earlier the details of the referendum can be agreed, the better.

  Counter-terrorist Initiatives
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) guidance and (b) assistance he has given counter-terrorist initiatives in respect of the (i) Israeli and (ii) Palestinian authorities following the conference at Sharm-el-Sheikh. [22648]

  Mr. Hanley
  We co-operate against terrorism with both the Israeli Government and the Palestine National Authority and we are urgently examining ways in which to deepen that co-operation.

  Iraq
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions the United Nations special commission on Iraq has investigated(a) mines and (b) processing plants for phosphates or phosphoric materials in Iraq; and what conclusions they reached. [24200]

  Mr. David Davis
  UNSCOM has inspected numerous facilities in Iraq connected with the production of phosphates or phosphoric materials. Those with the potential to be involved in producing weapons of mass destruction have either been destroyed or included in the ongoing monitoring and verification system. There is further detail in the UNSCOM report of 10 April 1995, a copy of which is in the Libraries of the House.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what savings to date have been made by his Department as a result of out-sourcing arrangements made with the EDS computer system; what assessment he has made of the equivalent costs for carrying out this work in-house; and if he will make a statement. [24227]

  Mr. Hanley
  This Department has no out-sourcing arrangements with EDS.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Harry Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's role as a guarantor power in Cyprus. [22929]

  Mr. David Davis
  The United Kingdom, along with Greece and Turkey, is a joint guarantor power of the Republic of Cyprus under the 1960 treaty of guarantee. Britain is at the forefront of international efforts to find a solution to the Cyprus problem.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24408]

  Mr. Hanley
  This Department has put in hand a study to determine which, if any, of its computer systems will be affected by this problem. In addition, the Government Centre for Information Systems has initiated a programme of consultation and education in which we are participating.

  The Overseas Development Administration is updating its computer systems, most of which already recognise the year 2000. In the process, adjustments are being to the two systems that require changes for the next year 2000. These adjustments will be completed within the next 18 months.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a282
  statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24511]

  Mr. Hanley
  We aim to put in place office waste minimisation targets by the end of 1996, in keeping with the commitment in the Government White Paper "Making Waste Work". The overall target will be reduce the amount of waste by 15 per cent. over the period 1 April 1996 to 31 March 1998.

  Terrorism Conference
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent conference in Cairo to discuss measures to combat terrorism.[22631]

  Mr. Hanley
  A meeting of officials to follow up the Sharm el-Sheikh conference took place in Washington on 27 and 29 March. The UK will play a full part in preparation of a ministerial level follow-up to take place later this week.

  British Council
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future funding of the British Council's work in the middle east.[22645]

  Mr. Hanley
  The British Council plays an extremely valuable role in supporting our diplomatic and aid objectives in the middle east. Following the recent public expenditure survey settlement, we will shortly be discussing with the British Council its proposals for the distribution of resources both between and within individual regions.

  Ms Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the work of the British Council in the middle east; and if he will make a statement [22643]

  Mr. Hanley
  Heads of mission in middle east countries where the British Council is represented, provide regular assessments of the council's work. These serve to confirm that the council makes a very valuable contribution to our diplomatic and aid objectives.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Executive Action
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those areas of executive action where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision. [20539]

  Mr. Howard
  As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member on 14 March,Official Report, column 712, comprehensive records are not kept in the form requested. Section 44(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981 expressly provides that I am not required to give reasons for my decisions on applications for citizenship.

  Firearms
  Mr. Alton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences committed by young people between the ages of 11 and 18 to 25 years have involved firearms in each of the last five years. [23732]

  Mr. Maclean
  Data held centrally on notifiable offences recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been used does not identify those responsible for the offences.

  Information for the years 1990 to 1994 on the number of persons cautioned and convicted of offences involving the use of firearms, including air weapons, in England and Wales by age group and type of offence, is given in the table.

  Data for 1995 will not be available until autumn 1996.

  Number of persons cautioned and found guilty (known offenders) of offences involving the use of firearms by age and type of offence 1990–1994

  England and Wales

  Year/age group

  Indictable

  Summary

  11-17 years of age

  1990

  424

  1,491

  1991

  434

  1,146

  1992

  326

  1,103

  1993

  340

  854

  1994

  443

  1,005

  18-25 years of age

  1990

  1,514

  1,453

  1991

  1,509

  1,201

  1992

  1,418

  973

  1993

  1,268

  635

  1994

  1,344

  548

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated number of hand-guns in Wales. [23754]

  Mr. Maclean
  The number of hand guns legally held on firearms certificates in Wales is estimated by the police forces concerned to be about 13,500.

  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many existing gun licences by police authority have been revoked during the past five years. [23986]

  Mr. Maclean
  Information on the number of revocations of both firearm and shotgun licences, by police force, is published in the annual Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Firearm Certificate Statistics, England and Wales", copies of which can be found in the Library.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many gun licences have been renewed during the last five years in South Yorkshire; [23988]

  (2) how many new gun licences have been (a) considered, (b) approved and (c) refused in each of the last five years in South Yorkshire. [23987]

  Mr. Maclean
  The readily available information is shown in the following table:
  284

  Firearm and shotgun certificates—South Yorkshire

  New certificates

  Renewals

  Firearms

  Shotguns

  Granted

  Refused

  Granted

  Refused

  Firearms

  Shotguns

  1990

  137

  2

  439

  14

  440

  2,713

  1991

  125

  3

  556

  15

  486

  2,576

  1992

  128

  —

  457

  17

  507

  1,870

  1993

  184

  —

  527

  7

  385

  2,603

  1994

  197

  —

  470

  15

  374

  2,184

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of residents with a licence to keep a firearm on their premises in South Yorkshire(a) at present, (b) last year, (c) in 1991 and (d) in 1986. [23989]

  Mr. Maclean
  The readily available information relates to the number of firearm and shotgun certificates on issue in South Yorkshire at 31 December each year. This is as follows:

  Firearm and shotgun certificates on issue in South Yorkshire at 31 December

  Firearm certificates

  Shotgun certificates

  1986

  1,718

  11,460

  1991

  1,507

  8,806

  1993

  1,597

  9,174

  1994

  1,766

  9,137

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the discussion paper on possible changes to the control of firearms which was put before the Firearms Consultative Committee by its two police members referred to in chapter 3 of the fourth annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee. [24082]

  Mr. Maclean
  Copies of the Firearms Consultative Committee's annual reports are in the Library. Chapter 3 and annex E of the committee's fourth annual report contained a summary of the proposals made in the discussion paper referred to. The release of individual papers submitted to the Firearms Consultative Committee is a matter for the committee and the authors of the paper.

  Metropolitan Police (Civilian Officers)
  Mr. Boateng
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations were received by the Metropolitan Police service from interested parties or bodies about the decision to transfer the posts and duties of civilian enforcement officers to the inner and outer London magistrates courts. [23444]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that his officials have received representations from the trade union side of the departmental Whitley council, the Public Services, Tax and Commerce Union, and that the Metropolitan police have liaised with the chair of the strategic management body for the outer London courts, a number of clerks for inner and outer London magistrates courts, the Lord Chancellor's Department, and the Association of Chief Police Officers.

  Police National Computer
  Mr. Spellar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 25 March,Official Report, column 406, how many individual records for criminal convictions are held on the police national computer. [23537]

  Mr. Maclean
  Criminal record data held on the police national computer comprise 2.8 million records originating before 1981, which consist of name and criminal record office number and which are supported by microfiche records of convictions held by the national identification service, and 2.3 million records originating after 1981 which include details of convictions.

  CS Gas
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the concentration of active agent used in the CS sprays currently on trial; what is the solvent used; and what is the total volume of liquid in each canister. [23563]

  Mr. Maclean
  The information is as follows: 5 per cent., methyl isobutyl ketone and 30 ccs.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute an urgent inquiry into the use of CS gas spray during an incident in Rank's south Wirral leisure park on 25 March. [23965]

  Mr. Maclean
  No. This is an operational matter for the chief constable, who is conducting an investigation.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on how many occasions Merseyside police have used CS gas since its introduction on a trial basis in the Birkenhead division; [23963]

  (2) on how many occasions CS spray has been used in each pilot area in the United Kingdom;[24711]

  (3) on how many occasions CS spray has been used in the pilot areas after the initial arrest.[24709]

  Mr. Maclean
  Statistical information will be made available when the trials are complete.

  Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate
  Mr. Peter Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of the misuse of gamma hydroxy butyrate have been reported to his Department during the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [24140]

  Mr. Sackville
  There is no requirement to report cases of misuse of gammahydroxybutyrate to the Home Office and any reports to the Department of health's drug misuse databases are not at present recorded separately.

  Mr. Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has received that gamma hydroxy butyrate be re-classified as a dangerous drug and added to the list of controlled substances. [24139]

  Mr. Sackville
  Since mid-1994 we have received seven letters, three questions from Members of Parliament and a similar small number of letters from members of the public about the classification of the drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

  Immigration
  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-EC nationals travelling to the United Kingdom from other EU member states were found by the United Kingdom immigration service to have inadequate travel or entry documentation in terms of United Kingdom requirements during 1995(a) at Heathrow airport, (b) at the port of Dover, (c) on trains from Brussels or Paris, (d) at Waterloo station and (e) at Coquelles shuttle terminal; and how many in each category were refused leave to enter the United Kingdom. [24003]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information requested is as follows:(a) The number arriving specifically from European Union airports is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  (b) 1,526.
  (c) Subsumed within the figure at (d) (all Paris and Brussels trains terminate at Waterloo; records are not maintained according to the place of embarkation).
  (d) 1,218.
  (e) All passengers travelling to the United Kingdom via Coquelles are seen by a United Kingdom immigration officer at Coquelles; those without adequate documentation are not permitted to travel.
  Statistics relating to the number of passengers who arrive both without adequate documentation and who are also refused leave to enter are not readily available. Such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many £2,000 penalties were notified to carriers under the terms of the Immigration (Carriers Liability) Act 1987 in respect of non-EC nationals travelling to the United Kingdom from other EU member states who were found to have inadequate travel or entry documentation in terms of United Kingdom requirements during 1995(a) at Heathrow airport, (b) at the port of Dover, (c) on trains from Brussels or Paris, (d) at Waterloo station and (e) at Coquelles shuttle terminal. [24098]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) The number arriving specifically from European Union airports is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  (b) 116.

  (c) The provisions of the Act do not apply to channel tunnel traffic.

  (d) The provisions of the Act do not apply to channel tunnel traffic.

  (e) The provisions of the Act do not apply to channel tunnel traffic.

  Deportations
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were deported in(a) January, (b) February and (c) March. [24426]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The numbers of persons removed under the deportation process, including voluntary departures after deportation action had been initiated, in January and February 1996 were 149 in each month. In addition, 241 and 197 illegal entrants were removed, or
  287
  departed voluntarily, in the respective months. All the figures are provisional. The corresponding data for March are not yet available.

  Winson Green Prison
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those people detained in HM prison Winson Green under Immigration Act powers during the months of January, February and March have been deported. [24425]

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

  Letter from Alastair Papps to Lynne Jones, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking, how many of those people detained in Birmingham prison under Immigration Act powers during the months of January, February and March have been deported.
  There were 23 people discharged and deported from Birmingham prison in January and 22 in February. There is no information currently available for March.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were detained in HM prison Winson Green, under Immigration Act powers in(a) January, (b) February and (c) March; and what were the nationalities of those detained. [24424]

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

  Letter from Alastair Papps to Lynne Jones, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking, how many people were detained in Birmingham prison under Immigration Act powers in (a) January, (b) February and (c) March; and what were the nationalities of those detained.
  Information for 31 January and 29 February is given in the attached table. There is no information currently available for March.

  Population of Immigration detainees at HM Birmingham on 31 January and 29 February 1996 by nationality1

  Number

  Nationality

  31 January

  29 February

  Bangladesh

  2

  —

  China

  5

  3

  Algeria

  2

  6

  India

  27

  25

  Nigeria

  4

  5

  Pakistan

  6

  9

  Others

  5

  7

  Total

  51

  55

  1 Provisional figures.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who had at some stage applied for asylum were detained in HM prison Winson Green during(a) January, (b) February and (c) March; and what were the nationalities of those detained. [24423]
  288
  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information requested is in the table.

  Population of asylum detainees at HMP Birmingham on 31 January, 29 February and 29 March 1996 by nationality1

  Nationality

  31 January

  29 February

  29 March

  Algeria

  —

  4

  5

  Bangladesh

  2

  —

  2

  China

  6

  4

  —

  India

  22

  16

  14

  Pakistan

  8

  9

  7

  Nigeria

  2

  2

  —

  Others

  2

  1

  3

  Total

  42

  36

  31

  1 Estimated breakdown.

  Doncaster Prison
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who are the current members of the race relations management team for Doncaster prison; in each case where is their place of(a) employment and (b) residence. [24489]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the members of the race relations management team for Doncaster prison.
  I attach a table with details of the employment and residence of the members of the race relations management team at Doncaster.

  Name

  Employment

  Residence

  J. Mandefield (Chairperson)

  premier Prisons Servises (PPS), Operations Manager

  HMP Doncaster

  C. Barrett (Race Relations Liaison Officer)

  PPS, Throughcare Coordinator

  HMP Doncaster

  Rev. I. Jennings

  PPS, Chaplaincy

  HMP Doncaster

  Mr. Khan

  Imam

  The Mosque, St James' Street, Waterdale, Doncaster

  D. Kirkham

  South Yorkshire Probation Service, Senior Probation Officer

  HMP Doncaster

  S. Armiger

  PPS, Catering Manager

  HMP Doncaster

  M. Samuels

  South Yorkshire Probation Service

  Arundel Gate, Sheffield

  Ms Verma

  Doncaster Council for Racial Equality

  Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

  D. King

  Doncaster Council for Racial Equality

  Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

  J. Lewis

  PPS, Nurse

  HMP Doncaster

  P. Etherington

  Board of Visitors

  HMP Doncaster

  Metropolitan Police Art Theft Squad
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time and part-time members of the police, and at what rank, worked in the art theft squad of the Metropolitan police at any convenient date in 1976, 1986, 1991 and 1996; and if he will make a statement. [23152]

  Mr. Maclean
  I understand that precise records are not available for 1976 but that the unit then employed a total of some 13 staff. The unit was not operating as such in 1986. In 1991 there were three staff, one of whom was a civilian. The present staffing is one detective sergeant, two detective constables and two civilian staff. I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the name and remit of the art and antiques unit, originally the philatelic squad, has changed several times since its inception in 1968.

  Buckley Hall Prison
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will specify what(a) improvements and (b) other recommendations have been made by the Prison Service's regional area manager with respect to Buckley Hall prison; which have been implemented; and on what dates. [24168]

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

  Letter from Alastair Papps to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the timing and implementation of improvements and other recommendations at Buckley Hall which have been made by the Prison Service area manager.
  The area manager tours Buckley Hall prison in the company of the Director and Controller. During this tour he may make numerous verbal recommendations of an advisory nature. This is fully in keeping with the type of observations which he would make in any of the public sector prisons for which he is responsible. The Controller, who is present, ensures that recommendations are implemented.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the present full complement of(a) part-time and (b) full-time staff by grade currently employed by Group 4 at Buckley Hall prison; [24172]

  (2) what is the full complement of (a) part-time and (b) full-time staff by grade employed by Group 4 at the end of Buckley Hall prison's first year of operation; [24171]

  (3) how many ex-Prison Service staff are currently employed by Group 4 at Buckley Hall; and at what grades; [24094]

  (4) what has been the cost of damage to the building, fixtures and fittings as a result of disturbances and other incidents at Buckley Hall from the date of opening to the present time; and what proportion of these costs have been borne by (a) his Department and (b) Group 4. [24095]
  290
  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about Buckley Hall prison.
  The table below shows the complement of full-time and part-time staff (excluding sub-contractors) employed by Group 4 at Buckley Hall prison at the end of the first year of operation and currently.

  Month

  Full-time staff

  Part-time staff

  End December 1995

  131

  18

  End March 1996

  138

  25

  The previous employment of any staff at the prison is a matter for Group 4. Prison Service responsibility is limited to the certification of prisoner custody officers. However, I understand that seven staff who are currently employed at Buckley Hall prison have had previous employment in a public sector prison.
  The Prison Service has borne no costs for damage to buildings, fittings and fixtures. I understand that Group 4 have spent £2,287 on materials at Buckley Hall in respect of damage incurred during reportable incidents.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many times, and in what circumstances, Group 4 has been financially penalised for failing to perform under the terms of its contract for Buckley Hall prison; [24096]

  (2) how many times, and in what circumstances, default notices have been issued to Group 4 in respect of its performance at Buckley Hall; on how many occasions financial penalties have been levied in respect of default notices that have been issued; and if he will list in each case the reason for not levying financial penalties in respect of a default notice. [24093]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about improvement notices and financial penalties imposed on Group 4 in respect of Buckley Hall prison.
  To date, no financial penalties have been imposed and four improvement notices have been issued. These relate to the standard of cleaning in the dining-room; the supervision of prisoners; the failure to provide an agreed number of industrial work places; and the provision of sentence plans and compacts for prisoners. Financial penalties have not been imposed because, in each case, the Prison Service has been satisfied that Group 4 has taken appropriate action to remedy the situation.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans there are for a full inspection of Buckley Hall prison by Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons; and what is the intended date of this visit. [24169]

  Miss Widdecombe
  A full inspection of Buckley Hall prison will be undertaken in the first half of 1997. This is in accordance with the policy of Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons that all new prisons should be
  291
  operational for some two years before being fully inspected: this is to allow processes and systems to become established.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Prison Service visited Buckley Hall prison on the 25 March; what were the grades of the Prison Service members; what was the purpose of the visits; and what conclusions were drawn by members of the Prison Service. [24173]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the purpose, grades and conclusions drawn by members of the Prison Service who visited Buckley Hall on 25 March.
  The monthly progress planning meeting group was held on 25 March at Buckley Hall prison and was attended by Mr T A Bone, Area Manager for the Trans Pennine area; Mr S Eley, governor 3; and Mrs R Simpson, grade 7, of the Contracts and Competition Group at Prison Service headquarters.
  The purpose of the meeting was to monitor the contract.
  No specific conclusions were made.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the incidents which have occurred at Buckley Hall prison that have been reported to the Prison Service.[24170]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking for a list of the incidents which have occurred at Buckley Hall prison that have been reported to the Prison Service.
  The attached table shows the number and types of incidents reported from 14/12/94 to 29/2/96 inclusive.

  Incident type

  Number of incidents

  Abscond

  4

  Assault

  19

  Self harm

  2

  Attempted escape from escort

  2

  Attempted escape

  3

  Concerted indiscipline

  7

  Drugs

  26

  Escape

  2

  Escape from escort

  2

  Fire

  3

  Temporary release failures

  30

  Key lock compromise

  1

  Miscellaneous

  3

  292

  Incident type

  Number of incidents

  Recaptures surrenders

  9

  Rooftop demonstrations

  2

  Tool loss

  2

  Total

  117

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what terms the original signed contract between the Prison Service and Group 4 for the running of Buckley Hall prison has been amended. [24277]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about amendments to the contract between the Prison Service and Group 4 for the running of Buckley Hall prison.
  The changes made are described in the attached table.

  Amendment number

  Date of amendment

  Subject of amendment

  1(T)

  22 November 1994

  Extension of period for negotiation of Performance Measurement System

  2 (S/T)

  20 October 1996

  Changes in procedures for visits, including the introduction of a requirement for prisoners to wear identification bibs, and to correct a typographical error

  3 (T)

  20 October 1996

  Change of Prison Service representatives who are authorised to amend contract

  4 (S)

  16 January 1996

  Incorporation of a Performance Measurement system and consequential change in amount of maximum penalty points, in any period of 12 months

  5 (T)

  7 March 1996

  Clarification of arrangements for adjusting payments in the light of penalty points accrued under the Performance Measurement system

  KEY: "S" = amendment requires a significant change in service

  "T" = amendment is of a technical nature, that is it clarifies or corrects the text or introduces new names and addresses, etc.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 19 March,Official Report, column 154, on smuggling into Buckley Hall prison, (a) what is the estimated cost of the additional fencing and the possible installation of external cameras, (b) who will be responsible for payment of such extra security measures and (c) who was responsible for the design of the initial prison fence. [24298]

  Miss Widdecombe
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison
  293
  Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the cost of additional fencing and installation of external cameras at Buckley Hall, as well as both the responsibility to pay for this extra security and the design of the initial prison fence.
  The cost of additional cameras and fencing will be incurred by Group 4.
  The initial prison fence is standard Prison Service design for category C prisons.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations his Department will carry out into recent allegations about absconding by prisoners at Buckley Hall prison who have been given cleaning tasks outside the prison. [24299]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about whether an investigation would be carried out into recent allegations about absconding by prisoners at Buckley Hall prison who have been given the cleaning tasks outside the prison.
  The Controller considered it unnecessary to carry out an investigation. The only prisoner to abscond from an outside work area had, up to the time of this incident in December, been a model prisoner, with the lowest security classification.

  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals there are for an investigation to be carried out into the prisoner who was recaptured in the car park of Buckley prison; if this incident was classified as an escape attempt; and what penalty was imposed on Group 4 following this incident. [24300]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about whether an investigation would be carried out into the circumstances of the recapture of a prisoner in the car park at Buckley Hall prison; if the incident would be classified as an escape attempt; and if a penalty would be imposed on Group 4.
  The Prison Service Controller carried out an investigation into the recapture of a prisoner in the car park at Buckley Hall prison. the Prisoner was charged under Prison Rule 47, paragraph 7, escaping from prison custody. He was found guilty and warded the maximum penalty of 42 added days.
  Group 4 have not been penalised.

  Bosnian Refugees
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees from Bosnia have been convicted of criminal offences in the United 294
  Kingdom; and how many have been deported as a result of conviction. [24042]

  Mr. Kirkhope
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Category C Prisoners
  Ms Lynne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of prisoners who have failed to return from authorised leave from each male category C prison and have subsequently been caught or returned voluntarily since 14 December 1994. [24097]

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

  Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
  The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking the number of prisoners who have failed to return from authorised leave from each male category C prison and have subsequently been caught or returned voluntarily since 14 December 1994.
  The attached table shows the relevant information from 14 December 1994 to 29 February 1996 inclusive.

  Prison

  Number of prisoners

  Acklington

  11

  Aldington

  1

  Ashwell

  3

  Blantyne House

  3

  Brockhill

  1

  Buckley Hall

  21

  Camp Hill

  10

  Channings Wood

  6

  Coldingley

  20

  Downview

  25

  Erlestoke

  22

  Everthorpe

  13

  Featherstone

  16

  Guys Marsh

  4

  Haverigg

  6

  Highpoint

  2

  Kirklevington

  19

  Lancaster

  4

  Latchmere House

  11

  Lindholme

  15

  Littlehey

  10

  The Mount

  6

  Ranby

  9

  Risley

  21

  Send

  13

  Shepton Mallet

  9

  Stafford

  4

  Stocken

  17

  Usk

  3

  The Verne

  3

  Wayland

  3

  Wealstun

  15

  Wellingborough

  7

  Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the 1,000 regulations identified for
  295
  repeal or amendment by the Prime Minister are the responsibility of his Department; of those, which (a) have been repealed or amended and (b) are planned to have been repealed or amended by the end of the 1995–96 parliamentary Session; and if he will list those whose repeal has saved business more than £1 million per annum. [23658]

  Mr. Howard
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 2 April, Official Report, column 85.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Mature Students
  Mr. Kevin Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many mature students currently enter higher education in the Yorkshire and Humberside area; and what was the figure in each year since 1986. [23831]

  Mr. Forth
  The available information is given in the following table:

  Mature1 entrants to higher education in Yorkshire and Humberside2

  Academic year

  Number

  1987–88

  15,395

  1988–89

  17,211

  1989–90

  18,034

  1990–91

  19,587

  1991–92

  23,324

  1992–93

  25,707

  1993–94

  26,427

  1994–95 (provisional)

  29,740

  1 Those aged 21 and over on an undergraduate course, and those aged 25 and over on a postgraduate course. Data for ex Universities Funding Council institutions are for full-time home entrants only throughout the time series.

  2 Entrants to institutions located in Yorkshire and Humberside.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what savings to date have been made by her Department as a result of out-sourcing arrangements made with EDS computer system; what assessment she has made of the equivalent costs for carrying out this work in house; and if she will make a statement. [24239]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The Department has made no out-sourcing arrangements for computer systems with EDS.

  Barnsley and Doncaster TEC
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many days were taken over the European social fund audit at Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council; what was the cost; and if she will make a statement. [24492]

  Mr. Forth
  The last visit to Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council was made by auditors from 296
  Directorate General V of the European Commission in October 1993. The audit took one day to complete. Information on costs is not available.

  Higher Education Expenditure
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the public expenditure per higher education student in cash and real terms for the years(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95 (c) 1995–96 and (d) planned for 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 (i) in total, (ii) on student support costs, (iii) on tuition costs and (iv) in capital expenditure terms; and if she will list these figures for the universities of (1) Teeside, (2) Sunderland, (3) Durham, (4) Northumbria and (5) Newcastle upon Tyne. [23702]

  Mr. Forth
  The total public expenditure per higher education student is set out in the tables. Information is not readily available for individual universities.

  Public expenditure per student in cash terms (£)

  Actual

  Planned

  Year

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Total

  6,519

  6,655

  6,681

  6,501

  6,368

  6,271

  Student support

  1,505

  1,691

  1,732

  1,692

  1,631

  1,571

  Teaching and research

  4,649

  4,622

  4,589

  4,560

  4,512

  4,518

  Capital

  365

  342

  360

  249

  225

  182

  Public expenditure per student in cash terms (£)

  £, 1995–96 prices

  Actual

  Planned

  Year

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Total

  6,786

  6,805

  6,681

  6,327

  6,046

  5,824

  Student support

  1,567

  1,729

  1,732

  1,647

  1,549

  1,458

  Teaching and research

  4,840

  4,726

  4,589

  4,438

  4,284

  4,196

  Capital

  380

  350

  360

  242

  214

  169

  Capital Spending
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list in rank order of spending per pupil the initial Government borrowing allocation for education capital spending for the years(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1996–97 for each local education authority. [23703]

  Mrs. Gillan
  Education annual capital guidelines totals for 1994–95 and 1995–96, pupil numbers in county and voluntary controlled schools at January 1994 and January 1995, and ACG cover per pupil are given in the following tables, in descending order. Pupil numbers for January 1996 are not yet available. Apart from small amounts for local education authority liability at voluntary-aided schools, ACGs cover capital work at county and controlled schools only. Bids are assessed against clear priority criteria, which are not based on pupil numbers, and the ACG cover is used for particular schools, not spread across all schools in the LEA.

  Amounts actually spent by LEAs on capital work at their schools will differ from their ACG totals and full details are not yet available. In many cases the amount is somewhat higher than the ACG.
  297

  Full-time equivalent pupil numbers in maintained schools: by status January 1995

  LEA

  County and controlled school pupils

  1995–96ACG

  ACG per pupil (£)

  Corporation of London

  0

  0

  0

  Tower Hamlets

  26,992

  12,131

  449

  Manchester

  48,254

  17,190

  356

  Isle of Wight

  16,042

  4,693

  293

  Gloucestershire

  43,385

  10,611

  245

  Salford

  27,553

  5,625

  204

  Wakefield

  44,139

  8,704

  197

  East Sussex

  76,363

  15,026

  197

  Wandsworth

  15,384

  2,994

  195

  Redbridge

  28,302

  5,132

  181

  Lincolnshire

  58,617

  9,867

  168

  Shropshire

  53,155

  7,423

  140

  Kent

  157,204

  21,248

  135

  Isles of Scilly

  283

  307

  131

  Haringey

  22,851

  2,713

  119

  Buckinghamshire

  80,147

  9,245

  115

  Enfield

  29,591

  3,234

  109

  Sutton

  15,226

  1,660

  109

  Barnsley

  30,446

  3,314

  109

  Calderdale

  20,824

  2,193

  105

  Sunderland

  41,972

  4,159

  99

  Liverpool

  46,313

  4,576

  99

  Oxfordshire

  69,041

  6,767

  98

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  32,247

  3,093

  96

  Devon

  124,546

  11,627

  93

  Coventry

  38,729

  3,587

  93

  Suffolk

  87,261

  7,676

  88

  Cumbria

  47,078

  4,105

  87

  Tameside

  27,659

  2,403

  87

  Cambridge

  77,288

  6,669

  86

  Hereford and Worcester

  81,968

  6,865

  84

  Barking and Dagenham

  23,420

  1,899

  81

  Essex

  120,824

  9,668

  80

  Hampshire

  187,546

  14,762

  79

  Wigan

  26,836

  2,066

  77

  Waltham Forest

  26,912

  2,028

  75

  Avon

  123,775

  9,318

  75

  Cleveland

  80,588

  6,051

  75

  Bradford

  67,689

  5,076

  75

  Hounslow

  27,341

  2,035

  74

  Birmingham

  130,472

  9,210

  71

  Harrow

  23,742

  1,644

  69

  Surrey

  81,449

  5,545

  68

  Solihull

  26,723

  1,805

  68

  St. Helens

  19,028

  1,236

  65

  Sheffield

  65,160

  4,177

  64

  Lewisham

  24,024

  1,540

  64

  Croydon

  29,173

  1,860

  64

  Sefton

  28,433

  1,698

  60

  Cornwall

  63,432

  3,719

  59

  Barnet

  24,050

  1,408

  59

  North Tyneside

  26,353

  1,520

  58

  Lancashire

  141,422

  8,105

  57

  Oldham

  29,455

  1,660

  56

  Knowsley

  16,632

  935

  56

  Cheshire

  123,181

  6,657

  54

  Bromley

  24,877

  1,335

  54

  Dorset

  62,871

  3,340

  53

  Gateshead

  24,669

  1,306

  53

  Bexley

  27,693

  1,420

  51

  Camden

  11,822

  570

  48

  Wiltshire

  60,029

  2,786

  46

  Wirral

  41,344

  1,912

  46

  Northamptonshire

  75,616

  3,454

  46

  Somerset

  58,597

  2,608

  45

  Durham

  82,146

  3,545

  43

  298

  Full-time equivalent pupil numbers in maintained schools: by status January 1995

  LEA

  County and controlled school pupils

  1995–96ACG

  ACG per pupil (£)

  Kingston upon Thames

  11,710

  487

  42

  Merton

  16,675

  681

  41

  North Yorkshire

  92,632

  3,647

  39

  South Tyneside

  21,042

  827

  39

  Humberside

  132,267

  4,994

  38

  Norfolk

  86,063

  3,122

  36

  Derbyshire

  111,327

  4,031

  36

  Ealing

  24,743

  ,89l

  36

  Southwark

  21,250

  740

  35

  Northumberland

  44,157

  1,499

  34

  Wolverhampton

  33,482

  1,087

  32

  Hillingdon

  14,986

  475

  32

  Leicestershire

  126,622

  3,845

  30

  West Sussex

  81,151

  2,400

  30

  Bolton

  30,243

  884

  29

  Bury

  20,224

  557

  28

  Kirklees

  54,199

  1,455

  27

  Trafford

  23,420

  575

  25

  Lambeth

  16,488

  389

  24

  Newham

  36,114

  829

  23

  Leeds

  93,362

  2,081

  22

  Berkshire

  89,641

  1,961

  22

  Stockport

  35,801

  736

  21

  Bedfordshire

  71,608

  1,455

  20

  Warwickshire

  56,193

  1,074

  19

  Greenwich

  28,879

  487

  17

  Kensington and Chelsea

  4,822

  67

  14

  Dudley

  38,032

  499

  13

  Hackney

  18,691

  241

  13

  Rochdale

  23,607

  301

  13

  Nottinghamshire

  136,029

  1,677

  12

  Walsall

  35,091

  430

  12

  Islington

  17,316

  207

  12

  Doncaster

  45,148

  536

  12

  Brent

  16,968

  179

  11

  Hertfordshire

  112,070

  1,109

  10

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  9,238

  91

  10

  Staffordshire

  143,972

  1,291

  9

  Richmond upon Thames

  14,178

  121

  9

  Havering

  26,694

  199

  7

  Rotherham

  39,405

  267

  7

  Sandwell

  45,137

  275

  6

  Westminster

  7,857

  40

  5

  Office of Standards in Education Report
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list(a) the name, type and pupil number of each school that has failed an Ofsted report, by local education authority of location, (b) the number of requests to suspend an Ofsted report on grounds of (i) actual or (ii) possible closure by name, type and pupil number of each such school listed, by local education authority of location, and (c) if each such request was granted. [23704]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  This is a matter for Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, who heads the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked Mr. Chris Woodhead to write to the hon. Member.

  Education Authority Expenditure
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will place the non-London
  299
  metropolitan local education authorities in rank order of expenditure per pupil at (a) primary and (b) secondary level for the years (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95, (iii) 1995–96 and (iv) 1996–97. [23705]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The following tables show net institutional expenditure per pupil in metropolitan councils in(a) pre-primary and primary and (b) secondary local education authority maintained schools in 1993–94 and 1994–95, the latest year for which outturn figures are available.

  Net institutional expenditure per pupil—metropolitan councils (cash terms) 1993–94

  LEA

  £

  Pre-primary and primary

  Rochdale

  1,307

  Wolverhampton

  1,357

  Doncaster

  1,307

  Trafford

  1,428

  Bury

  1,432

  Wigan

  1,437

  Tameside

  1,442

  Sefton

  1,448

  South Tyneside

  1,463

  Stockport

  1,466

  North Tyneside

  1,469

  Knowsley

  1,485

  Dudley

  1,490

  Salford

  1,505

  Sunderland

  1,509

  Barnsley

  1,539

  Manchester

  1,547

  Wirral

  1,552

  Birmingham

  1,572

  Sheffield

  1,573

  Solihull

  1,574

  Wakefield

  1,577

  Kirklees

  1,579

  Bolton

  1,581

  Liverpool

  1,586

  St. Helens

  1,605

  Calderdale

  1,607

  Oldham

  1,645

  Leeds

  1,647

  Bradford

  1,654

  Gateshead

  1,664

  Walsall

  1,672

  Sandwell

  1,681

  Coventry

  1,684

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,697

  Rotherham

  1,723

  Secondary

  South Tyneside

  1.948

  Bradford

  1,969

  Rochdale

  1,974

  Bury

  1,979

  North Tyneside

  1,995

  Doncaster

  2,022

  Tameside

  2,095

  Dudley

  2,098

  Barnsley

  2,101

  Sunderland

  2,114

  Sheffield

  2,119

  Bolton

  2,119

  Wigan

  2,141

  Wakefield

  2,150

  Trafford

  2,156

  Calderdale

  2,162

  300

  Net institutional expenditure per pupil—metropolitan councils (cash terms) 1993–94

  LEA

  £

  Leeds

  2,164

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2,187

  Sefton

  2,204

  Kirklees

  2,207

  Salford

  2,215

  Solihull

  2,217

  Knowsley

  2,243

  Gateshead

  2,252

  Rotherham

  2,271

  Oldham

  2,278

  Walsall

  2,281

  Wirral

  2,299

  Wolverhampton

  2,300

  Stockport

  2,310

  St. Helens

  2,315

  Manchester

  2,328

  Birmingham

  2,330

  Sandwell

  2,349

  Coventry

  2,469

  Liverpool

  2,613

  1994–95

  LEA

  Pre-primary and primary

  Doncaster

  1,444

  Tameside

  1,447

  Wigan

  1,474

  Trafford

  1,477

  Sefton

  1,487

  Bury

  1,492

  Salford

  1,507

  St. Helens

  1,521

  Barnsley

  1,550

  Rochdale

  1,552

  Manchester

  1,558

  Stockport

  1,566

  Wirral

  1,567

  Knowsley

  1,575

  Dudley

  1,575

  Sunderland

  1,576

  Wakefield

  1,590

  Solihull

  1,605

  Kirklees

  1,607

  Sheffield

  1,612

  Oldham

  1,621

  South Tyneside

  1,623

  Liverpool

  1,634

  North Tyneside

  1,636

  Gateshead

  1,638

  Leeds

  1,645

  Bolton

  1,646

  Wolverhampton

  1,648

  Calderdale

  1,651

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  1,660

  Walsall

  1,664

  Sandwell

  1,666

  Bradford

  1,681

  Coventry

  1,705

  Rotherham

  1,719

  Birmingham

  1,721

  Secondary

  Doncaster

  2,025

  Bury

  2,032

  Bradford

  2,041

  301

  1994–95

  LEA

  Wakefield

  2,046

  Tameside

  2,046

  South Tyneside

  2,062

  Barnsley

  2,102

  Calderdale

  2,104

  Sheffield

  2,110

  Wigan

  2,130

  Sunderland

  2,142

  North Tyneside

  2,145

  Salford

  2,151

  Stockport

  2,152

  Dudley

  2,205

  Rotherham

  2,220

  Leeds

  2,223

  Rochdale

  2,225

  Solihull

  2,225

  Sefton

  2,227

  Knowsley

  2,227

  Sandwell

  2,224

  St. Helens

  2,247

  Kirklees

  2,256

  Gateshead

  2,257

  Bolton

  2,261

  Oldham

  2,293

  Wirral

  2,294

  Walsall

  2,314

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2,314

  Trafford

  2,319

  Wolverhampton

  2,341

  Birmingham

  2,356

  Coventry

  2,418

  Manchester

  2,435

  Liverpool

  2,603

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will place the non-London metropolitan local education authorities in rank order of administrative expenditure per pupil for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96. [23706]

  Mr. Squire
  The following table shows administrative expenditure per pupil as returned by the metropolitan councils for 1994–95, the latest year for which outturn figures are available.

  Metropolitan Councils—Administrative costs per pupil

  1994–95 LEA

  Gross expenditure Cost per pupil £

  North Tyneside

  53

  Trafford

  60

  Sunderland

  73

  Barnsley

  74

  St. Helens

  81

  Wolverhampton

  81

  Wigan

  82

  Solihull

  82

  Wakefield

  89

  Stockport

  89

  Dudley

  91

  Doncaster

  93

  Sefton

  94

  Rotherham

  95

  Bradford

  96

  Calderdale

  97

  Sandwell

  99

  Liverpool

  99

  Leeds

  100

  302

  Metropolitan Councils—Administrative costs per pupil

  1994–95 LEA

  Gross expenditure Cost per pupil £

  Rochdale

  102

  Bury

  104

  Tameside

  108

  Wirral

  108

  Walsall

  110

  Oldham

  112

  Sheffield

  114

  South Tyneside

  114

  Birmingham

  118

  Manchester

  125

  Gateshead

  135

  Bolton

  136

  Knowsley

  136

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  137

  Coventry

  146

  Kirklees

  146

  Salford

  204

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to her Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24410]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  Officials who take responsibility for the Department's computer systems are keenly aware of the potential difficulties presented by the year 2000. During the coming months they will undertake a thorough audit of the software to establish the scale of the problem. They will then prepare and execute a plan of action to overcome them using, where necessary, advice from the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency and suppliers.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for her Department, indicating the targets set. [24504]

  Mr. Robin Squire
  The former Education and Employment Departments both had established "green housekeeping" strategies consistent with their business needs. Waste minimisation forms an important part of the DFEE integrated strategy, but specific targets have not been set.

  Student Loans Company
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the status of the Student Loans Company. [25122]

  Mr. Forth
  Following a report by the National Audit Office, and with the agreement of its board, the Student Loans Company has been designated as a non-departmental public body with effect from 1 April 1996.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her present estimate of the monetary value of the backlog of school buildings repair and maintenance. [22787]

  Mrs. Gillan
  [holding answer 26 March 1996]: It is for local education authorities and school governors to assess the need for maintenance work in respect of school premises which they own and maintain.

  Firlands Training Ltd.
  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she has taken to obtain information from the Department of Trade and Industry concerning its investigation of Firlands Training Ltd. under section 447 of the Companies Act into the liquidation of AST in 1995 and the fitness of its directors and other persons to be directors of public companies. [24431]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: It is not the policy of the Department for Education and Employment to comment on the affairs of individual companies.

  Dance Training
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students were pursuing vocational training in dance(a) in 1979 and (b) in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement. [23461]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: Information is not available for 1979. The number of students enrolled on further or higher education courses in dance in each year from November 1990 to 1993 is shown in the following table:

  November

  Number of students enrolled on FE or HE courses in dance

  1990

  6,600

  1991

  8,600

  1992

  7,100

  1993

  7,800

  These figures exclude students in universities formerly funded by the Universities Funding Council, although the number of these students is likely to be small.

  Directly comparable information for November 1994 is not available because of changes to the data collection systms for further and higher education students. However, the indications are that the number of dance students was broadly unchanged from 1993.

  General National Vocational Qualifications
  Mr. Bryan Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pre-16 students have begun GNVQ courses or have undertaken the GNVQ part one. [24366]

  Mr. Paice
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: Information on the total number of pre-16 students studying GNVQ
  304
  courses is not held centrally. Some 6,000 students are currently studying part 1 GNVQ pilot courses.

  Staff (Hourly Rates)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the lowest hourly rate for(a) full-time and (b) part-time staff employed (i) by central Government and (ii) by next steps agencies. [21481]

  Mr. Jack
  I have been asked to reply.

  Two thirds of civil servants have their pay determined in 1995–96 under delegated arrangements, for which information on pay rates is not held centrally. The following figures relate to pay rates agreed under national arrangements.

  The lowest national civil service pay rate is £4,669 per year for an administrative assistant and typist, aged 16 years. This is £2.43 per hour based on a net 37-hour week. Very few staff will be on this pay point. Aside from age points, the lowest national civil service pay rate is £6,928 for the administrative assistant grade, or £3.60 per hour for a net 37-hour week.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Export Controls
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list(a) the number and countries of destinations of licences approved under each heading of the Export of Goods Control Orders 1994, part III, group I and (b) the number and countries of destination of licences refused under each heading. [22654]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Statistical analyses of export licences granted for military, paramilitary and security equipment during 1993, 1994 and 1995, with details of refusals in these categories in 1995, have been placed in the Library of the House. Details of licences refused for these categories of equipment in 1993 and 1994 are set out in the annual reports of the export control organisation of the Department of Trade and Industry for those years, which are also available in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for export licences were received under headings ML4, ML18 and PL5027 of the Export of Goods Control Order 1994 and how many were(a) granted and (b) refused. [24201]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of today to his related question.

  Contracts
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded by his Department and its executive agencies on the basis of single negotiated contracts in each of the last three years; if he will list the companies involved and the value of the contract in each case; what percentage this represented of contracts awarded by his Department and its agencies after competitive tendering; and, in each case, why the contracts were awarded on the basis of a single negotiated tender. [22863]
  305
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Information relating to contracts is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The chief executives of the Department's existing executive agencies have been asked to respond separately.

  Data in respect of the former National Physical Laboratory, National Engineering Laboratory and Warren Springs Laboratory executive agencies are no longer readily available.

  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 29 March 1996:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question concerning the number of contracts for goods or services awarded by The Insolvency Service on the basis of single negotiated contracts in the last three years, the companies involved and the values of the contracts, and why the contracts were awarded on this basis.
  In the last three years The Service has awarded only one contract using the single negotiated tender procedure. In February 1994 Stoy Hayward were awarded the contract to undertake a feasibility study to assess the scope for private sector involvement in the case administration work of Official Receivers. The company had recently completed a pre-feasibility study of this matter and it was therefore considered appropriate to utilise the knowledge and understanding gained from their initial research in undertaking the second stage of the project. The value of the contract amounted to £72,263 (inc VAT).
  Information regarding the percentage this contract represented of total contracts awarded by competitive tendering could only be provided at disproportionate cost given the number of contracts awarded by the Insolvency Service across its 33 sites.

  Letter from David Durham to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 29 March 1996:
  The President of the Board of Trade, the Rt Hon Ian Lang asked me to reply to your question about contracts awarded for goods and services on the basis of single negotiated contracts during the last 3 financial years by Companies House Executive Agency.
  We have only examined contracts with a value of more than £10,000 since this is threshold above which, under DTI guidelines, competitive tendering is generally undertaken.
  During the period there were two single negotiated contracts compared to a yearly average of 25 contracts awarded after competitive tendering.
  The detailed information you sought is as follows:

  Financial year

  Company name

  Goods/Services

  1993/94

  Guardian Computer Services

  Disaster standby services

  1994/95

  Rank Xerox

  4890 Laser Printer

  The reasons for single tender action were respectively that in the first case the company was, as far as we were able to establish, the only one in the field providing disaster standby services for ICL 2980 mainframe computer systems; and in the second case that any other source would have required existing investment in printer driving software and data to be replaced.

  In relation to contract value, it is not the Department's practice to disclose individual contract values, on grounds of commercial confidentiality. However, I can say that the combined value of the two contracts was approximately £450,000.
  306
  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 29 March 1996:
  I am replying for the Patent office to your question to the President of the Board of Trade about the number of single negotiated contracts awarded in the last three years.
  The single negotiated contract procedure is used only rarely for purchases over £10,000 when urgency, monopoly supplier or other factors demand it. In 1994/5 Peter Prowse Associates, a PR company with intellectual property experience, was appointed to help in advertising activities at a cost of £75,000, and after advice was sought from other Government Departments a CCTV security camera system was purchased from Sensormatic CamEra Ltd for £100,000 to help control an increase in thefts from motor vehicles from the Office's headquarters site. In 1995/6 £80,000 was spent with Sun Microsystems to provide access to Internet since the Patent Office had standardised on SUN UNIX equipment. A Docuprint print engine was also purchased in 1995/6 for £105,000 from Rank Xerox as part of an IT development project.

  Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 29 March 1996:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about single tender action. I regret that the information you requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Letter from R. D. Worswick to Mr. Brian Donohoe, dated 29 March 1996:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question about contracts awarded by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC) on the basis of single negotiated contracts in each of the last three years.
  LGC follows a procedure based on the principles set out in the DTI's Procurement Manual for purchasing goods and services which forms part of its quality system accredited to BS EN ISO 9001. Single negotiated tendering would only be used where the nature of the goods or services makes competitive tendering pointless (and would need to be justified in writing by the person authorising the expenditure), except in the case of low value purchases (where likelihood of repeat orders also becomes a consideration). However the specific information you request cannot be provided without considerable expenditure of effort at disproportionate cost to the Laboratory.

  Electro-shock Equipment
  Mrs. Clywd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what occasions(a) Security Defence Marketing Services and (b) Compass Safety International have (i) requested and (ii) been granted an export or transhipment licence with regard to electro-shock batons.[23026]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  It has been the practice of successive Administration not to reveal details of applications for export licences or export licences. However, in view of the current public interest in the matter, I am prepared, by way of exception, to confirm that, from 1991, the point from which records are readily available, there were no such occasions.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 1996,Official Report, column 716, what was the country of origin and receipt for the 1993 licence for the transhipment of electronic batons. [23028]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  I refer the hon. Member to the Minister for Science and Technology's letter to her of
  307
  3 August 1995 in response to her question tabled on 17 July 1995. For the reason given in that letter, I am not prepared to release any further details about this matter.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade to what extent human rights considerations were taken into account before the granting of transhipment licences for electro-shock equipment in 1993. [23027]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The same consideration was given to this application as applies to all others.

  Parcel Force
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if Parcelforce has a monopoly on foreign parcels coming into the United Kingdom from overseas; and what responsibility they have for claims for loss or damage. [23403]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  Parcelforce has a monopoly on foreign parcels that enter the UK under Universal Postal Union arrangements. Claims for loss and damage on items for delivery by Parcelforce in the UK would normally be settled by the overseas post office. Parcelforce would pay claims on any items posted in the UK for delivery abroad.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what obligations are placed on Parcelforce to deal with complaints and claims for loss or damage to parcels posted to the United Kingdom from overseas. [23402]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The Universal Postal Union parcels agreement specifies how claims for loss or damage for incoming international parcels posted to the UK should be handled. The Post Office is a party to the agreement and its procedures for claims for such parcels comply with it.

  Meat Industry (Job Losses)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made in respect of(a) Staffordshire and (b) each other county of the number of (i) temporary and (ii) permanent job losses in the meat industry following the recent developments in respect of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. [24101]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  At the moment, no estimate has been made by my Department.

  Birds Eye Walls
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he will take to ensure that the Monopolies and Mergers Commission delivers to his officials investigating Birds Eye Walls provision of misleading information, all necessary papers, including transcripts of oral evidence, relating to the 1994 investigation into ice cream; [24458]

  (2) if he will now refer Birds Eye Walls to the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of the ice cream market. [24457]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I am satisfied with the co-operation which I am already receiving from the 308
  Monopolies and Mergers Commission. Any criminal investigation that might be required will be undertaken by my Department and not by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  Guinness plc
  Mr. Maxton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he plans to publish the report drawn up by the inspectors from his Department into the affairs of Guinness plc following their appointment by his predecessor in December 1986. [24356]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  The inspectors have not yet completed their inquiries into the membership and affairs of Guinness plc and in consequence are not in a position to submit a final report. When they are, it will be carefully considered for publication.

  Unregulated Gasoline
  Dr. Michael Clark
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the sale from garage forecourts of lead replacement gasoline not regulated by a specific British standard. [24810]

  Mr. Page
  At the time of the last Budget, the Government decided to remove most of the excise duty advantage from higher octane unleaded petrols, which include lead replacement gasoline. The drafting of British standards is the responsibility of the British Standards Institution, BSI.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24512]

  Mr. Page
  The Department plans to commission an independent study to improve existing information about office waste with a view to setting a waste minimisation target by the end of this year for its headquarters offices.

  Nuclear Fuel (Reprocessing)
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the(a) direct and (b) incidental costs of processing spent fuel from advanced gas-cooled reactors. [24707]

  Mr. Page
  The terms for the reprocessing of spent advanced gas-cooled reactor—fuel are a commercial matter for British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.—Nuclear Electric Ltd. and Scottish Nuclear, the companies with which BNFL has contracted to do this work. The accounts for Nuclear Electric plc and Scottish Nuclear for 1994–95, the latest available year, show the amounts provided for this work.

  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the full financial liability for processing all spent advanced gas-cooled reactor fuels will fall on the owners of the advanced gas-cooled reactor stations following privatisation. [24706]
  309
  Mr. Eggar
  As I have stated on numerous occasions, we have established the basic principle that assets will be followed by the associated liabilities. I can confirm that full financial liability for spent reactor fuel will fall on the owners of the reactors following privatisation.

  Helms-Burton Act
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the impact of the Helms-Burton legislation on British businesses. [22614]

  Mr. Nelson
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Lloyd) on 1 April 1996,Official Report, column 8.

  Small Business
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total number of new businesses with fewer than 100 employees established in each of the last four years, and how many were set up by women. [22793]

  Mr. Page
  Figures of the number of businesses registered for VAT for 1992 to 1994, the latest year for which date are available, are given in the table:

  Number of VAT registrations in the United Kingdom 1992–1994

  Year

  VAT registrations (thousand)

  1992

  187

  19931

  191

  19941

  190

  Note:

  1 Figures for 1993 and 1994 include adjustments to allow for the increase in the VAT threshold in November 1993

  Source:

  DTI Small Firms Statistics Unit.

  About 45 per cent. of all businesses are VAT registered, so the total number of start-ups can be expected to be around double the number of new registrations.

  Almost all new businesses will have fewer than 100 employees. Research by Barclays bank plc found that women accounted for 27 per cent. of start-ups in 1995, compared with around 25 per cent. earlier in the 1990s.

  Muroroa Atoll
  Mr Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what input the United Kingdom has into the International Atomic Energy Authority investigation of Muroroa atoll; and who will be considering, on behalf of the United Kingdom Government, the geological stability of the site. [23153]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  The International Atomic Energy Authority has undertaken, at the invitation of the French Government, to assess the radiological situation of the atolls of Muroroa and Fangataufa. The study will, inter alia, assess the geological stability and hydrology of the atolls. Experts from the United Kingdom will take part both in the study and in the high-level international advisory committee of scientists who will provide scientific guidance and direction to the IAEA on all matters related to the conduct of the study.
  310
  The study's findings, conclusions and recommendations will be contained in a report of the international advisory committee. This report will be published by the IAEA.

  Regional Development Organisations
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the business plans of the English regional development organisations; and what level of financial support he proposes to offer for 1996–97. [25117]

  Mr. Eggar
  I have studied the current performance and future plans of the eight English regional development organisations. I am pleased to say that they continue to make a significant contribution to the work of my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau, to the overall success of the UK in attracting inward investment, and in particular to their regions' performance. In recognition of this, I have today offered £8.68 million of grant for their inward investment promotion activities for 1996–97. I have also made available a total of £531,000 for inward investment promotion activities in the south-east and eastern regions, to be undertaken by the Government offices.

  This 4.5 per cent. increase in funding is to enable the UK to remain competitive in promoting its locational advantages in the face of increasing competition for mobile inward investment projects. I have allocated the grant aid as follows.

  Regional Development Organisation

  1996–97 £000

  Northern Development Company (NDC)

  1,660

  INWARD Ltd (in the north-west)

  1,388

  Yorkshire and Humberside development agency (YHDA)

  1,410

  West Midlands development agency (WMDA)

  1,128.2

  East Midlands Development Company Ltd. (EMDC)

  810

  Devon and Cornwall Development International (DCDI)

  905

  London First Centre

  1,010

  West of England development agency (WEDA)

  370

  Activities in the south-east and eastern regions

  531

  Grant is offered on an annual basis according to past performance, ability to absorb additional funding effectively, and for an agreed programme of future activities, with proper regard to value for money. It is Government policy to encourage direct inward investment to the UK because it contributes significantly to economic growth. Inward investment brings benefits both to the country as a whole and more specifically to the assisted areas.

  Nuclear Power (Privatisation)
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made in the preparations for the privatisation of the nuclear industry. [25120]

  Mr. Eggar
  I am pleased to report that significant progress is being made in the arrangements for privatising British Energy. Agreement has been reached in principle on the capital structure of the company. Details will be included in the share offer prospectus in due course.

  Three further significant milestones were passed on 31 March, 1996:
  311
  an independent segregated fund, which will provide for the cost of eventual decommissioning of British Energy's nuclear power stations, was established and will come into effect on privatisation. The fund will receive an initial endowment of about £230 million from the British Energy Group; the group will initially contribute £16 million per year in real terms to the fund thereafter. An independent trust, known as the Nuclear Trust, will manage the segregated fund and will own a funding company—the Nuclear Generation Decommissioning Fund Ltd;

  British Energy plc, and its operating subsidiaries Nuclear Ele tric Limited and Scottish Nuclear Limited, were formally vested, as was Magnox Electric plc, which will operate the magnox power stations in the public sector;

  new nuclear site licences granted by the Health and Safety Executive for all British Energy and Magnox Electric nuclear power stations came into force.

  Arrangements for the British Energy share offer are also on course. The offer is planned for July 1996. It will comprise on open-priced international tender offer to institutional investors and a UK public offer aimed at retail investors. The launch of the UK public offer is planned for late May. At least 30 per cent. of the shares are expected to be offered to retail investors. This proportion may be increased if retail demand is strong. Payment for the shares will be in instalments. The share price in the UK public offer will be at a discount to the international offer price. Incentives and preference in allocation will be available to individuals who register for the UK public offer through a share shop. Arrangements for share shops' participation in the UK public offer were announced on 28 March 1996.

  Social Affairs Council
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Social Affairs Council meeting held on 29 March. [25116]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  I attended the EC Social Affairs Council meeting on 29 March in Brussels with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Social Security. There were no formal votes involving the UK.

  There was an open discussion on the future of social protection, at which my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Mr. Mitchell) represented the UK. He recognised the similar challenges facing member states —aging populations, affordability and efficiency—and emphasised the need to take decisions about social security at national level.

  The other 14 member states agreed the directive on parental leave, subject to German parliamentary scrutiny. This directive is based on the Maastrict agreement on social policy and does not apply to the UK.

  Political agreement was reached on a common position on the draft directive on the posting of workers. The UK and Portugal opposed the agreement.

  There were Commission presentations on a Commission communication on Community structural policies and employment, and on a Commission communication on worker information and consultation.
  312
  The Presidency announced that there would be an interim progress report at the Florence European Council on employment matters and confirmed details of forthcoming events to consider Presdent Santer's proposed "confidence pact".

  Telecommunications Council
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Telecommunications Council on 21 March. [25118]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The deputy UK permanent representative to the European Union represented the UK at the Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 21 March.

  Following the unanimous political agreement reached at the last Telecommunications Council, the Council agreed a common position on a series of guidelines for trans-European telecommunications networks. The Council also reached political agreement on a draft directive on interconnection in telecommunications—Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg opposed. A short debate followed on a Commission communication on directories and other telecoms information services in a competitive environment. The Presidency adopted conclusions calling on member states and the Commission to continue to monitor developments in the sector.

  The Presidency gave a progress report on discussion of a draft directive to amend the open network provision framework and leased lines directives 90/387/EEC and 92/44/EEC to a competitive environment. The Commission made a brief presentation of its communication on universal service for telecoms in a competitive environment. A draft decision for EU action on satellite personal communications services was referred back to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for further discussion. There was also an informal lunchtime discussion on the progress of multilateral negotiations in the World Trade Organisation on basic telecommunications with Sir Leon Brittan.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24400]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  My Department is aware of the problem and has already had initial discussions with the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency—the Government centre for information systems—and our main computer services supplier. CCTA has initiated a programme of consultation and education in which we are participating and, in parallel, we are investigating the scale and complexity of the problem as it affects our own IT systems. We will proceed on the basis of the results of these exercises.

  Coal Industry Pneumoconiosis Compensation Scheme
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many claims were settled under the coal industry pneumoconiosis compensation scheme from 1989 to date; when he will update the schedule of
  313
  payments under the coal industry pneumoconiosis compensation scheme; if they will be back-dated; and if he will make a statement. [24830]

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

  Assistance to Companies
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade in respect of how many liquidated companies in the south-west which received financial support from his Department in each of the last eight years his Department are creditors; and what is the total owed. [20792]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 14 March 1996]: The information, in respect of recipients of support under the Department's regional, enterprise and technology schemes, is as follows:

  Year of liquidation

  Number of companies

  Total amount owed

  £ thousand

  1988

  4

  141

  1989

  10

  197

  1990

  18

  465

  1991

  12

  290

  1992

  13

  280

  1993

  10

  182

  1994

  8

  471

  1995

  4

  137

  All but £81,000 of the above has been written off.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what safeguards exist in his Department to ensure that conflicts of interest do not arise between employees of his Department or others giving advice in any capacity in his Department's regional offices in respect of the issuing of financial assistance to local businesses; and when they were introduced. [22566]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 25 March 1996]: The Department's conditions of service have for many years required staff to declare any conflicts of interest. Failure to do so can lead to disciplinary action against the member of staff concerned. Under the Department's standard conditions of contract for consultants, external advisers who fail to declare a conflict are exposed to the possibility of termination of contract and other legal action. This has been the position since 1992. The Department announced in February that all future contracts with external advisers will contain a clause requiring them to agree not to take up appointments with firms on which they have previously given advice in relation to regional selective assistance grant applications for a period of two years after payments to these firms have ceased. The Department is considering whether similar action should be taken in respect of other financial assistance schemes.

  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what checks are in operation to ensure that the conditions under which financial assistance is approved by his Department are met by the companies that have received this assistance. [22570]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 25 March 1996]: The checks vary depending on the nature of the assistance given and the risk to which the Department is exposed.

  ROM-Data Corporation Ltd.
  Mr. Jamieson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will allow immediate access by the hon. Member for Plymouth, Devonport, on a private and confidential basis, to the completed full report by his Department into events surrounding the collapse of the ROM-Data Corporation Ltd. in December 1994; and if he will make a statement. [23555]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: This report covers matters which are the subject of a current inquiry by the Serious Fraud Office and a preliminary investigation under the Department's own disciplinary proceedings. It would not accord with the requirements of employment law or the Department's own procedures, and would be unfair to those involved, to provide access to any such material until these investigations are complete and the employees concerned have had an opportunity to put their case.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the oral answer of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member for Colchester, North (Mr. Jenkins) on 26 February.Official Report, column 576, if he will list those statutory instruments and Acts of Parliament which have been gold plated in the past five years; and what steps he is taking to amend or repeal each piece of gold plating on existing legislation.[23627]

  Mr. Lang
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: The Government's policy is not to add unnecessary burdens with implementing EC directives. Departments take every opportunity to review existing legislation in the light of this. Officials are currently working on revised guidance to enable Ministers to see where implementing legislation goes beyond the underlying EC directive.

  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated annual saving to business from the Deregulation (Wireless and Telegraphy) Order 1996. [23641]

  Mr. Sproat
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  The deregulatory gain for the television dealer trade arising from this order is estimated to be about £10,000 a year.

  Environmental Technology Industry
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the British market demand for environmental technology was met by(a) Britain, (b) Germany, (c) the United States of America and (d) Japan in (i) 1990, (ii) 1991, (iii) 1992, (iv) 1993, (v) 1994 and (vi) 1995. [24113]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: It is not possible to identify how much of the UK market is met by specific countries due to re-exporting of imported goods. Figures for manufacturer sales and exports can include imported goods.
  315
  There is no international agreed definition of the environmental technology industry. The available information for imports of pollution control and

  1993

  £000

  Implied imports

  Imports from

  Product category

  UK market

  (Total)

  Germany

  USA

  Japan

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying air

  145,858

  21,169

  3,969

  9,100

  168

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excl air) by a liquid process

  545

  809

  583

  20

  0

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excl air) by electrostatic process

  3,424

  458

  364

  87

  0

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excl air) by a catalytic process

  17,431

  33,504

  3,897

  629

  1

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excl air) by a thermic process

  n/a

  236

  152

  65

  0

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases

  17,664

  24,707

  1,108

  3,036

  1,281

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying water

  n/a

  45,085

  9,808

  10,397

  294

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying liquids

  n/a

  21,513

  5,467

  3,313

  304

  Activated carbon

  n/a

  16,776

  487

  4,338

  542

  Instrumentation for measuring and analysing liquids

  77,528

  22,410

  1,408

  7,562

  2,431

  Gas or smoke analysis apparatus (electronic)

  44,804

  16,025

  3,139

  6,161

  3,282

  Gas or smoke analysis apparatus (non-electric)

  -38,063

  18,800

  7,168

  1,694

  6,708

  Parts of machinery for filtering and purifying gases and liquids

  81,377

  83,011

  23,022

  27,339

  5,674

  Furnaces and ovens for the incineration of rubbish (non-electric)

  12,592

  12

  9

  0

  0

  Industrial and laboratory furnaces, including incinerators (Non-electric)

  12,542

  4,754

  183

  887

  2,096

  Parts of industrial and laboratory furnaces and ovens

  21,340

  13,002

  4,604

  1,012

  134

  Total

  57,064

  324,270

  65,368

  75,640

  22,914

  Source:

  Overseas Trade Statistics, PRODCOM.

  1994

  £000

  Implied imports

  Imports from

  Product category

  UK market

  (Total)

  Germany

  USA

  Japan

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying air

  141,522

  16,762

  3,802

  4,289

  311

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excl air) by a liquid process

  1,107

  2,653

  72

  31

  1

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excl air) by an electrostatic process

  -244

  1,021

  564

  382

  0

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excl air) by a catalytic process

  n/a

  51,969

  1,244

  513

  7

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excl air) by a thermic process

  n/a

  499

  308

  8

  0

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excl air)

  -50,326

  10,769

  683

  3,560

  803

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying water

  n/a

  41,736

  10,427

  8,342

  338

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying liquids

  n/a

  25,641

  5,309

  5,751

  641

  Activated carbon

  n/a

  17,521

  1,262

  3,217

  939

  Instrumentation for measuring and analysing liquids

  101,881

  30,108

  5,265

  8,925

  2,740

  Gas or smoke analysis apparatus (electronic)

  28,618

  14,662

  3,738

  5,310

  965

  Gas or smoke analysis apparatus (non-electric)

  -24,039

  21,350

  4,629

  1,412

  10,373

  Parts of machinery for filtering and purifying gases and liquids

  138,228

  97,641

  27,995

  28,702

  7,639

  Furnaces and ovens for the incineration of rubbish (non-electric)

  16,737

  65

  0

  0

  0

  Industrial and laboratory furnaces, including incinerators (Non-electric)

  18,252

  4,025

  537

  1,416

  4

  Parts of industrial and laboratory furnaces and ovens

  23,676

  8,996

  1,763

  1,043

  842

  Total

  99,591

  345,417

  67,597

  72,903

  25,601

  Source:

  Overseas Trade Statistics, PRODCOM.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of profits earned by British environmental technology industries derived from export sales in(a) 1990, (b) 1991, (c) 1992, (d) 1993, (e) 1994 and (f) 1995. [24109]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The information is not available centrally.
  316
  monitoring equipment is given in the table. This is based on definitions prepared by ECOTEC on behalf of the joint environmental markets unit.

  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of British environmental technology industries derived less than(a) 10 per cent. and (b) 20 per cent. of their earnings from exports in (i) 1992, (ii) 1993, (iii) 1994 and (iv) 1995. [24110]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: Information on individual company exports and production is not held centrally.
  317
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the British share of the British environmental technology market for(a) air monitoring, (b) water monitoring, (c) waste treatment, (d) water treatment, (e) energy management, (f) waste disposal and (g) air pollution treatment technologies in (i) 1990, (ii) 1991, (iii) 1992, (iv) 1993, (v) 1994 and (vi) 1995. [24114]

  Mr. Page
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: It is not possible to identify how much of the UK market is met by UK-produced goods due to re-exporting of imported goods. Figures for manufacturer sales and exports can include imported goods.

  1993

  £000

  Product category

  UK manufacturer sales

  Exports

  Imports

  Implied UK market

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying air

  179,532

  56,000

  21,169

  145,858

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excluding air) by a liquid process

  1,986

  2,400

  809

  545

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excluding air) by an electrostatic process

  3,204

  200

  458

  3,424

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excluding air)by a catalytic process

  1,560

  19,600

  35,504

  17,431

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excluding air) by a thermic process

  n/a

  40

  236

  n/a

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excluding air)

  6,111

  13,600

  24,707

  17,664

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying water

  n/a

  82,800

  45,085

  n/a

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying liquids

  n/a

  44,000

  21,513

  n/a

  Activated carbon

  n/a

  13,700

  16,776

  n/a

  Instrumentation for measuring and analysing liquids

  114,929

  60,100

  22,410

  77,528

  Gas or smoke analysis apparatus (electronic)

  91,172

  63,100

  16,025

  44,804

  Gas or smoke analysis apparatus (non-electric)

  12,310

  69,800

  18,800

  -38,063

  Parts of machinery for filtering and purifying gases and liquids

  126,616

  131,800

  83,011

  81,377

  Furnaces and ovens for the incineration of rubbish (non-electric)

  14,039

  1,500

  12

  12,592

  Industrial and laboratory furnaces, including incinerators (non-electric)

  17,813

  10,100

  4,754

  12,542

  Parts of industrial and laboratory furnaces and ovens

  36,706

  26,700

  13,002

  21,340

  Total

  183,727

  595,440

  324,270

  57,064

  Source:

  Overseas Trade Statistics, PRODCOM.

  1994

  £000

  Product category

  UK manufacturer sales

  Exports

  Imports

  Implied UK market

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying air

  178,396

  54,300

  16,762

  141,522

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excluding air) by a liquid process

  1,448

  3,000

  2,653

  1,107

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excluding air) by an electrostatic process

  0

  1,300

  1,021

  -244

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excluding air)by a catalytic process

  n/a

  26,700

  51,969

  n/a

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excluding air) by a thermic process

  n/a

  100

  499

  n/a

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying gases (excluding air)(excluding 8421.39-51 to -75)

  5,485

  66,600

  10,769

  -50,326

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying water

  n/a

  102,700

  41,736

  n/a

  Machinery and apparatus for filtering and purifying liquids

  n/a

  41,000

  25,641

  n/a

  Activated carbon

  n/a

  11,400

  17,521

  n/a

  Instrumentation for measuring and analysing liquids

  123,498

  52,400

  30,108

  101,881

  Gas or smoke analysis apparatus (electronic)

  70,511

  56,500

  14,662

  28,618

  Gas or smoke analysis apparatus (non-electric)

  15,700

  61,100

  21,350

  -24,039

  Parts of machinery for filtering and purifying gases and liquids

  143,696

  102,700

  97,641

  138,228

  Furnaces and ovens for the incineration of rubbish (non-electric)

  17,172

  500

  65

  16,737

  318
  There is no international agreed definition of the environmental technology industry. Using as a definition of environmental products industries, ones producing "a product which enhances or prevents the deterioration of the external environment", it is estimated that in 1992 UK manufacturer sales of environmental products were £5.4 billion, exports were £850 million, imports were £495 million and the UK market was £5.1 billion. Estimates have not been made for later years.

  The available information for the UK market for pollution control and monitoring equipment is given in the table. This is based on definitions prepared by ECOTEC on behalf of the joint environmental markets unit.
  319

  1994

  £000

  Product category

  UK manufacturer sales

  Exports

  Imports

  Implied UK market

  Industrial and laboratory furnaces, including incinerators (non-electric)

  21,945

  7,900

  4,025

  18,252

  Parts of industrial and laboratory furnaces and ovens

  48,256

  33,600

  8,996

  23,676

  Total

  193,782

  621,800

  345,417

  99,591

  Patent Office
  Mr. Alex Carlile
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what core functions of the Patent Office are being considered for contracting out; and if he will make a statement. [24160]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The remit placed on the Patent Office by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in his statement of 14 December 1994 was to contract out activities wherever this was compatible with its statutory role and good value for money. In pursuit of this remit, the Patent Office, in its latest corporate plan for the next five years, foresees the employment of up to 750 civil service staff supported by about 250 contracted staff working for external suppliers. Services currently under consideration for contractorisation are the London front office, informatin technology services and the central inquiry unit.

  Torture Equipment
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action the British Government take to ensure that British companies do not re-export torture equipment originating in third countries. [24274]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The Government control the export of weapons under the Export of Goods (Control) Order. It is not, however, practicable to control the export of the wide range of articles that might be misused for the purposes of torture. The Government deplore the use of torture in any circumstances and would never knowingly do anything to support its practice or any trade in instruments of torture anywhere in the world.

  Mr. Lloyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure that British companies do not engage in the off-shore sale of equipment which could be used for torture purposes. [24273]

  Mr. Oppenheim
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The Government deplore the use of torture in any circumstances and would never knowingly do anything to support its practice, or any trade in instruments of torture anywhere in the world.

  However, it is not practicable to regulate trade in the wide range of articles that might conceivably be misused for the purposes of torture. In respect of goods licensable under the Export of Goods (Control) Order, however, the Government are considering whether to cover this issue in forthcoming public consultation on a range of export control matters following Sir Richard Scott's recent report.

  Defence Technology
  Ms Rachel Squire
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to develop a national strategy for defence technology. [23688]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I have been asked to reply.

  In July 1995, my Department announced its intention of establishing a technology strategy for access to, and development of, defence technology. Since that time, there have been discussions with defence industry, academia and other interested parties. It is envisaged that a further round of consultations will be initiated shortly with the object of publication of the technology strategy in the autumn.

  Mr. Squire
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what increase in funding has been provided for technology demonstrator programmes for defence since the 1995 report from the technology foresight panel. [23695]

  Mr. Arbuthnot
  I have been asked to reply.

  Since the 1995 technology foresight report from the defence and aerospace panel, the defence budget has increased its funding for technology demonstrator programmes by £12.3 million over the next 10 years.

  Executive Action
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those areas of Executive action where he has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision. [20533]

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  Comprehensive records are not kept in the form requested. My Department is committed generally to giving reasons for administrative decisions to those affected, in accordance with the code of practice on access to Government information. My Department has identified from readily available sources the statutory powers of inquiry under the Financial Services Act 1986, the Insurance Companies Act 1982 and the Companies Act 1989 where, although the Secretary of State has to have reason to exercise these powers, he does not have to give reasons for his decision to do so. Import, export and sanctions licensing is also an area where the Secretary of State has discretion to act in respect of an individual without giving reasons for his decision.

  Home and Overseas Trade Committee
  Sir David Steel
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to establish an interdepartmental committee to oversee home and overseas trade as recommended by Sir Richard Scott. [21299]

  Mr. Lang
  None at present.

  EC Research Council
  Sir Michael Grylls
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Research Council held on 25 March. [25121]

  Mr. Ian Taylor
  The Council undertook an initial exchange of views on the Commission's proposal to increase the funding of the fourth framework programme for research and technological development by 700 mecu. Such an increase would require amendment of the financial perspectives. The UK, with five other member states, repeated its opposition to such amendment.

  The Council adopted a resolution outlining a strategy for the EU' s relations with third countries in research and technological development. The Council met the research Ministers of the nine associated states of central and eastern Europe and the Baltic to exchange views on the scope for strengthening their scientific and technological links with the EU.

  The Council had a brief initial debate on the Commission's green paper on innovation. The Council will return to the matter in June. The UK drew attention to the contribution that the launch of EASDAQ in September 1996 would make to improving financing for high technology ventures, a key concern of the green paper.

  Scott Report
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in his examination of issues raised by the Scott report. [24177]

  Mr. Lang
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the document placed in the Library of the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster last month entitled, "The timetable for taking forward recommendations of the Report of the Inquiry into the export of defence equipment and dual use goods to Iraq and related prosecutions".

  Manufacturing Processes (Beef and Beef By-products)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list all the proprietary products, additives and commonly used manufacturing processes which involve the use of beef or beef by-products which are available for sale in United Kingdom retail outlets. [24091]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: I have been asked to reply.

  This information is not centrally recorded and cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.

HEALTH

  Health Authorities (Irregular Payments)
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much was received by each of the 17 persons in receipt of irregular payments from the former Yorkshire regional health authority; [22732]
  322
  (2) if he will break down by recipient and health service body the £579,000 of irregular expenditure on relocation qualified in the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the NHS—England—summarised accounts 1993–94; and in each case (a) how much was paid to each recipient and by which body; (b) how much has been recovered and (c) what action is planned to facilitate the recovery of outstanding amounts. [22733]

  Mr. Malone
  Irregular relocation payments, totalling £579,000, were made as follows:

  Former Yorkshire RHA

  South Birmingham DHA

  £

  £

  19,750

  131,000

  48,750

  —

  55,000

  —

  43,750

  —

  5,250

  —

  23,000

  —

  16,250

  —

  7,950

  —

  6,000

  —

  49,915

  —

  67,200

  —

  10,250

  —

  28,750

  —

  4,750

  —

  4,500

  —

  13,500

  —

  23,800

  —

  19,455

  —

  The successor authorities are pursuing the recovery of these moneys. Repayment terms have been agreed in one case.

  Residential Accommodation
  Mr. Nicholas Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what rate of interest on invested capital is to be assumed by a local authority when assessing the charge to be made to a person in residential accommodation arranged by that local authority. [23401]

  Mr. Bowis
  The formula for calculating the contribution a resident makes from his capital between the lower and upper limits is not intended to represent any rate of return that could be obtained from investing that capital. It provides a straightforward method of calculating the weekly contribution which people with capital in between the two limits are expected to make from those resources to help meet their accommodation costs.

  GP Fundholding (Wakefield)
  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many fundholding GPs in the Wakefield area have agreed to enter into a total fund project. [23428]

  Mr. Horam
  Discussions are being held with all general practitioners in Wakefield health authority about their involvement with the district wide total purchasing project. This includes the 148 existing fundholders and a further 28 GPs in their preparatory year.

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has evaluated on the ability of the human immune system to fight against infection by the agent responsible for BSE in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans; and if he will make a statement. [24176]

  Mr. Horam
  The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee has considered this issue and has concluded that the classical immune response is not seen in these diseases, since the human immune system does not play a major role in protection against the agents causing spongiform encephalopathies. The evidence from scrapie in sheep suggests that immuno-suppressed subjects are at no greater risk than those whose systems are intact.

  Mr. Fisher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish all the scientific evidence he has evaluated since 1992 on bovine spongiform encephalopathy. [24539]

  Mr. Horam
  The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee provides the Government with expert scientific advice on BSE and CJD. In 1995, SEAC published "Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: A Summary of Present Knowledge and Research", copies of which are available in the Library. Arrangements are in hand to publish the evidence about a previously unrecognised form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in a scientific journal as soon as is practicable.

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of SEAC. [24174]

  Mr. Horam
  The information requested is as follows:

  Chairman

  Professor J. R. Pattison

  Dean of University College London Medical School where he is also Professor of Medical Microbiology.

  Deputy Chairman

  Dr. R. G. Will

  Consultant neurologist at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh and Director of the UK CJD Surveillance Unit.

  Membership

  Professor I. V. Allen

  Neuropathologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.

  Professor J. Almond

  Virologist and Professor of Microbiology at the University of Reading.

  Professor F. Brown FRS

  Virologist, Molecular Pathology, Plum Island Animal Disease Center, USA.

  Mr. R. Bradley CBE

  Veterinary Pathologist and Chairman of the BSE sub-group of the Scientific Veterinary Committee.

  Professor J. Collinge

  Head of the Prion Diseases Group at St. Mary's College Hospital, London.

  Dr. W. D. Hueston

  Epidemiologist at the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.

  Dr. R. H. Kimberlin

  Independent Consultant on scrapie and related diseases

  324

  Dr. Mike Painter

  Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, City of Manchester.

  Mr. D. B. Pepper

  Private veterinary surgeon.

  Professor P. Smith

  Epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

  Dr. W. Watson

  Former Director of the Central Veterinary Laboratory.

  Children (Residential Care)
  Mr. Spearing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state(a) the approximate costs of maintaining children in residential care in local authority and voluntary charitable institutions for children of (i) primary and (ii) secondary school age, (b) the approximate total expenditure by these bodies for the latest available years and (c) the net reduction in cost to public funds for each child fully adopted at the same ages. [24414]

  Mr. Bowis
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research his Department has carried out to assess the educational standards of residents and ex-residents of residential children's homes; and what assessment has been made of such standards, with particular reference to reading and writing skills, compared to those of other children; [24519]

  (2) what research his Department has carried out to assess the offending and reoffending rates of residents and ex-residents of residential children's homes; and what assessment he has made of such rates compared with those of other children. [24518]

  Mr. Bowis
  No specific research has been carried out on these areas of residential care. A study which looks at a sample of 224 young people while they are in residential care and examines outcomes, including education and offending behaviour is, however, nearing completion.

  Mr. Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are in place for(a) local authorities and (b) other bodies to monitor the educational achievements and offending rates of residents and ex-residents of residential children's homes; and what arrangements exist for action to be taken by such bodies if such rates are unsatisfactory. [24520]

  Mr. Bowis
  These are matters for each local authority to determine. To assist them, however, in May 1995, the Department launched a set of materials called "Looking after Children: Good Parenting, Good Outcomes". The materials form a complete package for assessing, planning and reviewing the experiences and progress of children for whom statutory agencies have taken responsibility. Specific education sections include questions not only on progress and achievements of children but on the opportunities and support being provided within the care placement to enable them to succeed educationally. Seventy-two local authorities are implementing the materials.
  325
  Matters affecting local education authorities and other arrangements for monitoring the educational achievements of these children are primarily for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.

  Relocation Support
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what conclusions the NHS executive has reached from its inquiries into irregular relocation support to staff after February 1993; and what was(a) the total cost of such support and (b) the amount to be recovered (i) in total and (ii) by health authority. [21997]

  Mr. Malone
  [holding answer 21 March 1996]: None. The new General Council agreement on removal expenses, promulgated on 11 February 1993, allows an employing authority to meet any reasonable cost incurred in relocation.

  Clinical Audits
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many clinical audits have been carried out by(a) health authorities, (b) trusts and (c) GPs in total, and for each region; [24192]

  (2) how many clinical audits have been carried out for each broad group of treatments and procedures in each of the last three years. [24193]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the expenditure on clinical audit by NHS regions up to the most recent period for which information is available; and what was the cost per audit in each region and the cost per head of current population in each region. [24225]

  Mr. Horam
  The expenditure on clinical audit by all national health service regions in 1994–95 was estimated to be £61 million in the National Audit Office report presented to Parliament on 7 December 1995. It is not possible to disaggregate this figure to give cost per audit or per head of population.

  Lateral Epicondylitus
  Mr. Galbraith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of people(a) discharged from hospital and (b) referred to out-patient departments with the diagnosis of lateral epicondylitus in each of the last five years. [24195]

  Mr. Horam
  Data available centrally do not separately identify lateral epicondylitis. The condition is one of a group under the general heading of enthesopathy of the elbow region, region, ICD9 726.3. The number of finished consultant episodes within this group, where a discharge from hospital is indicated, in each of the last five years for which figures are available, is shown in the table. Data on referrals to out-patient departments are not available centrally.
  326

  England

  Number

  1989–90

  1,696

  1990–91

  3,182

  1991–92

  3,478

  1992–93

  3,789

  1993–94

  4,195

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what savings to date have been made by his Department as a result of out-sourcing arrangements made with the EDS computer system; what assessment he has made of the equivalent costs for carrying out this work in house; and if he will make a statement. [24228]

  Mr. Horam
  The Department has no out-sourcing arrangements with EDS.

  Medical Research
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures he currently takes to safeguard against fraud involving medical research studies for which he is responsible;[24486]

  (2) what measures he is taking to safeguard against fraud involving medical research studies for which he is responsible. [24485]

  Mr. Horam
  It is the responsibility of the whole medical research community and its sponsors—which includes research councils, medical charities, Government Departments and industry—to ensure good practice in the conduct of research. This operates largely on a self-regulating basis through the principles of peer review and through guidelines on good practice which are issued by a number of bodies.

  This Department has had a code of practice since 1993 which sets out the principles and practices for the commissioning and management of all departmentally funded research and development.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set up a review body to address(a) the investigation of fraud and (b) the review of complaints involving medical research. [24482]

  Mr. Horam
  It is the responsibility of the whole medical research community and its sponsors—which includes research councils, medical charities, Government Departments and industry—to ensure good practice in the conduct of research.

  This Department is committed to maintaining high standards in the commissioning and management of the research that it funds and maintains open dialogue with the wider research community on all aspects of research.

  There is no intention, at present, for this Department to set up a review body for the investigation of fraud.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the formal career structure for research staff involved in medical research studies. [24483]
  327
  Mr. Horam
  In February, the Department issued a first statement of a research capacity strategy for the Department and the national health service. This statement is out for consultation in the research community and the NHS until the middle of April, copies are available in the Library. This exercise—which covers a range of medical and health care professionals—will be supplemented by meetings with relevant organisations. It will also be considered by the national forum of medical research funders, prior to the publication of a further statement.

  This consultation exercise recognises that responsibility for developing and maintaining a workforce capable of delivering high-quality research rests with a number of organisations, and the Department is committed to working with others to achieve that end.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning fraud involving medical research studies; and if he will make a statement. [24484]

  Mr. Horam
  My Department met with the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to discuss the issue of scientific fraud. My Department also maintains close contact with the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant in aid from the office of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, which has set up a working group to re-examine the issue of good research practice.

  Contact Orders
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to monitor the impact on the health of children of contact orders under section 8 of the Children Act 1989. [24791]

  Mr. Bowls
  None.

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to carry out research on the impact of contact orders under section 8 of the Children Act 1989, on regular attendance by children at places of religious worship. [24790]

  Mr. Bowls
  None.

  Accident and Emergency Services
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many designated receiving unit accident and emergency departments do not have an associated 24-hour observation ward; and what proportion of the total this represents. [24708]

  Mr. Horam
  This information is not available centrally.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received about the future of accident and emergency units in Lancashire hospitals following publication of the Audit Commission report; and if he will make a statement. [24123]

  Mr. Horam
  We have received three letters on this subject. Accident and emergency services in Lancashire are a matter for the county's four district health authorities. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairmen of these authorities for more details.

  Intensive Care Beds
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds there are in each intensive care unit in England; and if he will make a statement. [24637]

  Mr. Horam
  "Bed availability for England", a copy of which is available in the Library, contains the available information by individual national health service trusts, directly managed units and the special health authorities with summary tables for England.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24407]

  Mr. Horam
  Preliminary analysis of the Department of Health's own mainframe computer systems has already been undertaken to assess the likely impact of the change of millennium. A further detailed analysis is to be carried out during 1996–97 to fully assess the impact of the change.

  National health service systems users and suppliers have been alerted to the problem by a series of articles published over the last year in the British Journal of Healthcare Computing and Information Management by the information management centre. The IMC will later this month be deciding what further action is necessary.

  The NHS central register is in the process of installing a new computer system as part of the new NHS number programme. The specification for the system includes provision for the year 2000.

  This issue is common to many organisations and the Department will be collaborating with other government and non-governmental agencies to ensure that intelligence is shared.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24516]

  Mr. Horam
  In common with other Departments, we will set targets for minimisation of office waste by the end of 1996.

  We are currently in the process of establishing reliable baseline data on which these targets will be based.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  All-party Negotiations
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if amendments can be made to the consultation paper, "Ground Rules for Substantive All-party Negotiations", following consultations with Northern Ireland political parties. [22443]

  Mr. Ancram
  As the hon. Member acknowledges, the paper issued on 15 March was a consultation paper. There needs to be widespread agreement on the issues covered
  329
  in the paper and I am grateful for the detailed comments which have now been received from most of the recipients.

  Terrorism
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list all terrorist activity having taken place in the constituency of West Belfast since 10 April 1992. [23547]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Details of incidents are not recorded on a constituency basis, however, I can give the hon. Member an indication of the number of incidents which may be considered to be terrorist-related which occurred in the general area of West Belfast.

  Between 10 April 1992–28 March 1996

  Number

  Deaths

  42

  Shooting incidents

  386

  Bombing incidents

  153

  Incendiaries

  11

  Casualties as a result of 'punishment' shootings

  147

  Casualties as a result of 'punishment' assaults

  116

  Armed robberies

  389

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease have occurred in each o the Northern Ireland parliamentary constituencies in each of the last 10 years; [23411]

  (2) how many Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease-related deaths have occurred in Northern Ireland in the last 10 years. [23412]

  Mr. Moss
  There have been six cases, all fatal, resulting in one death in each of the years 1986, 1992, 1993 and 1995 and two deaths in 1989. Information is not available by parliamentary constituency.

  Benefits (West Belfast)
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in West Belfast are currently in receipt of disability living allowance. [23413]

  Mr. Moss
  In August 1995, there was a total of 10,882 people in receipt of disability living allowance in the following wards; Andersonstown, Beechmount, Blackstaff, Clonard, Colin Glen, Falls, Falls Road, Glencairn, Glencolin, Glen Road, Highfield, Kilwee, Ladybrook, Shankill, Twinbrook, Upper Springfield and Whiterock.

  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many people from West Belfast have applied for attendance allowance in each of the last five years; and what percentage of applications have been disallowed; [23415]

  (2) how many people from West Belfast have applied for invalidity benefit or incapacity benefit in each of the last five years; and what percentage of applications have been disallowed; [23417]
  330
  (3) how many people in West Belfast have applied for disability living allowance in each of the last five years; and what percentage of applications were disallowed. [23414]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is not available.

  Prisoners
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the case of Messrs Patrick Kane, Sean Kelly and Michael Timmons. [23548]

  Sir John Wheeler
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to my response to his motion for the Adjournment of the House of 15 March 1995,Official Report, columns 872–80. I re-emphasised my right hon. and learned Friend's assurance that, pending the establishment of the criminal cases review commission, he was willing to consider most carefully any further material put to him about the cases of Messrs Kane, Timmons and Kelly. He has not received any substantive material in the meantime.

  Attendance Allowance
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in West Belfast are currently in receipt of attendance allowance. [23416]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is not available at present.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Dr. Hendron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people from West Belfast are currently in receipt of incapacity benefit. [23418]

  Mr. Moss
  The information requested is not available at present.

  Brooklands Primary School
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the enrolment in each of the past five years at Brooklands primary school; what is the expected enrolment at the school in each of the next five years; what proposals there are to provide additional accommodation at the school; how many places in primary one will be available in the next academic year; how many applicants there are for places in primary one at the school for the next academic year; and if he will make a statement. [23682]

  Mr. Ancram
  The enrolments in each of the past five years are as follows:

  Year

  Number of pupils enrolled

  1991–92

  548 (at January 1991)

  1992–93

  552 (at October 1992)

  1993–94

  537 (at October 1993)

  1994–95

  558 (at October 1994)

  1995–96

  576 (at October 1995)

  It is not possible to accurately project an enrolment figure for each of the next five years. It is estimated, however, that the long-term enrolment of the school will be 593, excluding nursery accommodation.
  331
  Provision of controlled primary school places in Dundonald is the responsibility of the South-Eastern education and library board. I understand that the board has no plans to increase the size of Brooklands primary school at present but is reviewing demand for primary school places in the Dundonald area.

  The Department has approved a temporary variation to the school's admissions number to 87 for the 1996–97 school year. The school has received 92 applications.

  Public Bodies (Women)
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he proposes to increase the number of women employed in senior positions in public bodies in Northern Ireland. [23970]

  Sir John Wheeler
  The chief executives' forum, the association of chief executive officers of public bodies in Northern Ireland, is actively seeking to encourage women to further their careers within the public services. This month, under the auspices of the women's group of chief executives within the forum, a formal network is to be established for women who have attained senior management positions within the civil service and in public bodies throughout the Province: addressing the problems experienced by women in management in the public services a conference will consider what might be done to help, support and encourage women managers in their careers. This initiative has the full support of my right hon. and learned Friend and the Baroness Denton of Wakefield, the Northern Ireland Office Minister with responsibility for womens' issues, who will address the conference.

  The initiative forms part of a programme of work in the area of gender and equality of opportunity being pursued by the chief executive's forum. In December 1994 the forum and the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland published a joint research report and a number of recommendations. The findings of the report have been accepted by all the public bodies involved and endorsed by the Government. The recommendations of the report are currently being acted upon and, 15 months after publication of the report, further work has been commissioned to ascertain progress and to identify and encourage the spread of good practice.

  Peace Programme
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) women and (b) men have been appointed to each of the partnership committees established to oversee the European peace programme in Northern Ireland. [23968]

  Mr. Moss
  District partnerships are currently being established in each of the 26 district council areas. The composition of the partnerships is to be approved by the overseeing body, the Northern Ireland partnership board. At present the breakdown of women and men is as follows:

  Women

  Men

  Total

  NIPB

  9

  14

  23

  Antrim

  5

  13

  18

  Ards

  8

  13

  21

  Armagh

  5

  12

  17

  332

  Women

  Men

  Total

  Castlereagh

  10

  15

  127

  Ballymena

  6

  18

  24

  Ballymoney

  4

  14

  18

  Banbridge

  5

  13

  18

  Belfast

  7

  14

  21

  Carrickfergus

  6

  12

  18

  Coleraine

  7

  17

  24

  Cookstown

  5

  16

  21

  Craigavon

  8

  13

  21

  Derry

  9

  12

  21

  Down

  8

  13

  21

  Fermanagh

  11

  19

  30

  Larne

  6

  12

  18

  Limavady

  6

  15

  21

  Lisburn

  4

  17

  21

  Magherafelt

  5

  10

  15

  Moyle

  7

  14

  21

  Newry and Mourne

  6

  13

  19

  Newtownabbey

  7

  17

  24

  North Down

  11

  13

  24

  Omagh

  8

  10

  18

  South Tyrone

  6

  20

  26

  Strabane

  5

  17

  22

  1Some names still to be confirmed.

  Making Belfast Work
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) women and (b) men have been appointed to the "Making Belfast Work" board. [23969]

  Mr. Moss
  "Making Belfast Work" is an interdepartmental programme focusing on the most disadvantaged areas of Belfast. "Making Belfast Work" does not have a board but its strategy is set by the Belfast special action group which comprises senior civil servants from Government Departments and is chaired by Sir David Fell, head of the Northern Ireland civil service.

  Mourne Conduit Replacement Contracts
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what account he took when seeking tenders for the two Mounre conduit replacement contracts of the request on page 15 of "A Green Guide for Suppliers of Goods and Services to the Northern Ireland Civil Service" published by the Environmental Service of the Department of the Environment. [24352]

  Mr. Moss
  The "Green Guide" was not published by the Department's environment service until 13 October 1995, some five months after the issue of tender documents for the Mourne conduit replacements scheme.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the savings to date to his Department and his Department's agencies from out-sourcing arrangements made with the EDS software computer system; what assessment he has made of the equivalent costs for carrying out this work in-house; and if he will make a statement. [24359]
  333
  Mr. Moss
  The Northern Ireland Office, the Northern Ireland departments and their agencies have one contract with EDS. This contract resulted from EDS taking over a public sector organisation which had previously provided the relevant service. An in-house service did not therefore exist and could have been established and maintained only at a higher cost than the contract with EDS.

  Hospital Contracts
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are used by the Eastern area health and social services board in drawing up its present contracts as a customer of (i) the Royal Victoria hospital, (ii) the Belfast city hospital and (iii) the Ulster hospital, Dundonald; and what is the value of the present contracts at these three hospitals. [24377]

  Mr. Moss
  The criteria used by the Eastern health and social services board in contracting for services take account of: Government policy; the assessed health and social care needs of its resident population; the available resources; the services offered by providers and their effectiveness, efficiency, quality and value for money; and patient and client choice.

  The value of 1995–96 contracts between the Eastern health and social services board and (i) the Royal Group of hospitals trust (ii) the Belfast City hospital trust and (iii) the Ulster North Down and Ards hospital trust are as follows:

  Provider

  1995–96 Contract value £

  Royal Group of Hospitals Trust

  48,301,000

  Belfast City Hospital Trust

  39,082,000

  Ulster, North Down, and Ards Hospitals Trust

  38,080,000

  Racial Discrimination
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will introduce legislation to inhibit racial discrimination. [23804]

  Mr. Ancram
  I expect to issue a draft legislative proposal for an Order in Council later this year.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how(a) the policy appraisal and fair treatment guidelines and (b) targeting social need policy have been applied to ensure equality for members of ethnic minority communities. [23807]

  Mr. Ancram
  The policy appraisal and fair treatment guidelines, which came into effect on 1 January 1994, aim to ensure that in the development or review of policies and programmes departments and agencies do not unfairly or unnecessarily discriminate against specified sections of the community, including people of different ethnic groups. The first annual report on PAFT recorded a range of measures in support of ethnic minority groups, and in 1995 the Government announced their intention to introduce race relations legislation in Northern Ireland.

  Through the targeting social need initiative the Government seek to improve social and economic conditions by targeting resources on areas and people objectively defined as being in greatest need.
  334
  Irish travellers are a minority community which experiences high levels of disadvantage. However, generally speaking, membership of an ethnic minority group in Northern Ireland does not, of itself, indicate that a person suffers socio-economic disadvantage.

  Travelling People
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to improve the treatment of travelling people in Northern Ireland. [23806]

  Mr. Moss
  As I announced on 27 April 1995 it is the Government's intention to introduce legislation on race relations in Northern Ireland as soon as possible. The legislation will be introduced by Order in Council and will specifically refer to the Irish traveller community as an ethnic group. I expect to issue a draft of the legislative proposal later this year.

  The Northern Ireland Department of Environment has published a review of Government policies affecting travellers in Northern Ireland. Interested parties have been consulted and Government's response to the recommendations will be published later in the year.

  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action has been taken to meet the accommodation needs of travellers; and how many sites(a) have been provided and (b) are planned. [23809]

  Mr. Moss
  To date 10 sites have been provided, one is nearing completion and a further two sites are planned.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24515]

  Mr. Moss
  Office waste minimisation is a key aspect of the green housekeeping strategy of Northern Ireland departments. A strategy for office waste minimisation, containing precise targets, will now be drawn up.

  Gas Supply Licences
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy that no licence to operate gas supply in Northern Ireland be granted within three months of the coming into operation of article 8(8) of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. [23906]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: No. A gas market in Northern Ireland offers many benefits and it is the intention to encourage rapid and extensive development of such a market. The purpose of articles 8(8) is to enable the development of the new gas market to commence on the earliest possible date.
  335
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy that no licence be granted under articles 8 and 9 of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order which will give monopoly of supply at the expense of competition. [23908]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: No. The ability to grant exclusive rights under articles 8 and 9 reflects the very significant commercial risks associated with the development of a new gas industry in Northern Ireland entirely from scratch. Any applications for exclusive rights will be considered on their merits.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that licences granted under the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order contain a requirement that domestic gas be supplied to the whole of the Province. [23904]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: The development of a natural gas industry in Northern Ireland will be undertaken by the private sector on grounds of commercial viability. It would not be appropriate for any licence holder to be compelled to supply gas to domestic consumers throughout the Province.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that licences granted under the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order will require immediate open access and full transparency of charges for use of gas supply networks. [23905]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 1 April I996]: No. Periods of exclusivity may be appropriate because of the commercial risks attaching to the development of the new natural gas industry in Northern Ireland. Once any exclusivity period had ended, there would be third party access to the network on the basis of regulated charges.

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy that no licence will be issued under article 8(8) of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 without an evaluation of all licence applications and their area of operation and a full public consultation. [23907]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer I April 1996]: When issuing a licence for any area the Department of Economic Development and the Regulator will have regard for their general duties under article 5 of the order. The purpose of article 8(8) is to enable the development of the new gas market to commence on the earliest possible date.

  Unlawful Industrial Action Commissioner
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the costs of operating the Northern Ireland commissioner for protection against unlawful industrial action; who is the current commissioner; how many applications for assistance have been made over the last two years; and if he will give the equivalent data for its Great Britain counterpart. [23787]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action is Mrs. Margaret Ann Dinsmore. The Northern Ireland post was established on 1 October 1995.
  336
  The other information requested is as follows:

  Operating costs

  Number of applications for assistance

  1995–96

  1994–95

  1995–96

  NI Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action

  1£12,000

  n/a

  none

  (Great Britain) Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action

  £92,771

  none

  3

  1 Apportioned costs. Administration of NI Commissioner for Protection Against Unlawful Industrial Action is shared with NI Commissioner for the Rights of Trade Union Members.

  n/a = not applicable.

  Bridges
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list(a) the daily vehicle traffic flow and (b) the projected flows in the originating plans for (i) the new bridge on the A2 Bangor road into the Belfast harbour estate and (ii) the new Foyle bridge in Londonderry. [23783]

  Mr. Moss
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The information is as follows:

  A2 Bangor road bridge

  Foyle bridge

  Daily traffic flow

  1,581

  20,167

  Projected traffic flow in originating plans

  The new bridge on the A2 was constructed by the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The Department does not have details of the projected flow in the originating plans

  20,000

  Training (Irish Republic)
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what reciprocal financial arrangements exists in respect of(a) nursing studentships and (b) other professional training positions between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic; [24436]

  (2) what reciprocal financial arrangements exist in respect of third level education between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. [24434]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: None in respect of nursing studentships or awards administered by the Department of Education and the education and library boards.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been the number of professional training positions, with special reference to nursing studentships, provided during each of the past five years for students from the Irish Republic; and what has been the cost to relevant Northern Ireland Departments. [24435]
  337
  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The information is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Gentleman when it becomes available and place it in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what has been the number of students from Northern Ireland who have received their third level education in the Irish Republic during each of the past five years; and what has been the cost of(a) their tuition fees and (b) their maintenance grants to the Department of Education for Northern Ireland; [24433]

  (2) what has been the number of students from the Irish Republic who, under current European regulations, have received their third level education in Northern Ireland during each of the past five years; and what has ben the cost of their tuition fees to the Department of Education for Northern Ireland. [24432]

  Expenditure of Anglo-Irish Secretariat

  1985–96

  1986–87

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Salaries

  24,430

  110,704

  132,101

  139,211

  156,658

  200,159

  256,573

  240,439

  226,529

  239,732

  Travel and Subsistence

  4,853

  18,031

  12,932

  14,167

  17,938

  17,874

  23,303

  23,900

  17,207

  10,460

  Other running costs

  123,495

  80,754

  46,863

  41,687

  41,854

  65,390

  98,461

  72,929

  70,373

  57,981

  Maintenance costs

  34,946

  141,798

  42,139

  50,375

  103,518

  121,563

  148,807

  43,616

  76,943

  21,083

  Receipts from Government of Republic of Ireland

  —

  -33,316

  -39,756

  -41,235

  -41,985

  -39,531

  -51,816

  -295,791

  -75,136

  -88,829

  Total

  187,724

  317,971

  194,279

  204,205

  277,983

  365,455

  475,328

  85,093

  215,916

  240,427

  1. Other running costs comprise costs of training and conferences, hospitality, uniforms and protective clothing, telecomms, stationery printing etc., publications, office equipment, publicity and advertising, postage, vehicles, accommodation charges and running costs.

  2. Maintenance costs comprise costs of estate management DOE(NI) and Non-DOE(NI), maintenance and minor works DOE(NI) and non-DOE(NI).

  3. Receipts from Government of Republic of Ireland for 1992–93 included a contribution towards the cost of political talks.

  Beef Industry
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in how many beef herds in Northern Ireland BSE has been identified; and how many beef cattle from these herds have been slaughtered in each year since 1986. [24209]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: BSE has been identified in 229 beef herds in Northern Ireland.

  BSE was made notifiable in Northern Ireland in November 1988 when recording of cases of the disease commenced. The number of cattle from beef herds which have been slaughtered since then is:

  1988: 1

  1989: NIL

  1990: 15

  1991: 26

  1992: 47

  1993: 53

  1994: 80

  1995: 42

  1996: 6.

  338
  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The information is not readily available. I will write to the hon. Gentleman when it becomes available and place it in the library of the House.

  Maryfield Secretariat
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what has been the total cost to his Department for each of the years 1986 to 1995 of maintaining the Maryfield secretariat in terms of(a) salaries and (b) travel and miscellaneous expenses;[24437]

  (2) what has been the total cost to his Department for each year from 1986 to 1995 of maintenance costs and running cost for the Maryfield building; and what has been the contribution, in each of those years, from the Government of the Irish Republic. [24438]

  Sir John Wheeler
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The information is as follows:

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated total number of beef cattle in Northern Ireland at present; and how many beef cattle there were in Northern Ireland in each year since 1986. [24210]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: The information is given in the table:

  Year

  Numbers of beef cattle at December (000)

  1986

  1,090

  1987

  1,046

  1988

  1,084

  1989

  1,123

  1990

  1,136

  1991

  1,177

  1992

  1,183

  1993

  1,224

  1994

  1,235

  1995

  1,236

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how frequently animals are recorded in cow farm herd record books checked against computerised records of beef herds held by the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. [24211]
  339
  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland computerised animal records for all herds are checked at least once a year.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the advantages of requiring animal feed manufacturers to contribute to the cost of compensating farmers where outbreaks of BSE in beef cattle in suckler herds and beef producing herds can be traced to the supply of contaminated livestock feed since 1986. [24213]

  Mr. Ancram
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: No such assessment has been made.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Competitive Tendering (Contracts)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded in each of the last three financial years by his Department and its executive agencies after competitive tendering; and what was the total combined value of these contracts. [21040]

  Mr. Boswell
  From records held centrally, over the last three financial years the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and its executive agencies have let a minimum of 1,600 contracts following competitive tender. These have a combined total value of £199,556,000.

  Live Animal Transport
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many companies dealing with the transportation of livestock have been prosecuted for failing to provide adequate rest stops in each of the last five years. [21227]

  Mrs. Browning
  This information is not kept centrally.

  Intervention Beef
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of(a) the amount of beef held in cold stores under European Union intervention rules, (b) the amount of that beef which is from animals fed pre-1989 protein feed and (c) the amount of intervention beef which has been distributed to the most needy in the United Kingdom in each year since 1989. [23154]

  Mr. Baldry
  The answers to these questions are as follows:(a) As at the end of February, the latest date for which EU figures are currently available, beef held in cold stores under EU intervention rules totalled, 5,458 tonnes.
  (b) Exact information on the amount of beef currently held in intervention stores derived from animals fed pre-1989 ruminant protein feed is not available. In the UK, however, the figure is likely to be negligible on the basis that upwards of 99 per cent. of the animals in question would have been born after 1989, and the majority of those born before that date would have been finished on grass.
  (c) The amount of beef taken from intervention for distribution to the most needy in the United Kingdom in each year since 1989 is shown in the table. The greater part of this was processed into canned beef for distribution.
  340

  Year

  Beef (tonnes) taken from intervention for distribution to the needy in the UK

  1989

  2,975

  1990

  3,000

  1991

  3,000

  1992

  2,965

  1993

  6,200

  1994

  6,480

  1995

  7,700

  Organophosphate Poisoning
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken by his Department to educate doctors about organophosphate poisoning; and if he will make a statement. [23178]

  Mrs. Browning
  I refer to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam) on 1 April,Official Report, column 47.

  EDS Ltd.
  Mr. Redmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what out-sourcing contracts his agencies have with the EDS software computer system; what is the current cost; when the contract ends; what are the penalties involved should he seek early termination of the contract; and if he will make a statement. [23738]

  Mr. Boswell
  Centrally held records show that neither the Ministry nor any of its agencies hold out-sourcing contracts with EDS. Consequently, there are no current costs; contract end dates; or potential penalty fees. Fees for early discharge of contractual arrangements are a matter for negotiation between the Ministry and its suppliers.

  Irradiated Food
  Ms Estelle Morris
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the incidence of irradiated food products being supplied in the United Kingdom in the(a) retail, (b) wholesale and (c) import sector without complying with food labelling legislation. [24197]

  Mrs. Browning
  Local authorities are responsible for enforcing food labelling legislation. However, as validated tests are now available for a number of irradiated foods we intend to initiate a surveillance programme on this in the near future.

  Ms Morris
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will notify enforcement authorities of those companies submitting food products for irradiation treatment.[24198]

  Mrs. Browning
  As required under the Food (Control of Irradiation) Regulations 1991, details of any licence issued to irradiate food are published in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes and announced in a press release.

  Currently only one company, Isotron plc of Swindon, is licensed to irradiate herbs and spices.

  Munitions Dumps
  Mr. Foulkes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 12 March,Official Report, columns 510–11, if radioactive waste was dumped by British ships in the English channel after 1966. [24221]

  Mr. Baldry
  Radioactive waste was last dumped in the English channel, at the Hurd deep dump site, in 1963. Details of UK sea-disposal operations are given in the 1984 "Report of the Independent Review of Disposal of Radioactive Waste in the North East Atlantic", a copy of which is in the Library.

  Wheat and Barley
  Mr. Marlow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the margin per acre achieved by growers of wheat and barley for each of the last 15 years in(a) constant and (b) current prices, setting out the definition used by his Department of margin or margins where more than one classification is appropriate. [24279]

  Mr. Baldry
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 18 March 1996,Official Report, column 27. The 1994–95 edition of "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom", referred to in that earlier answer, has now been published. A description of the composition of and uses for gross margins is contained in chapter 3 of "Farm Incomes in the UK 1992–93". Copies of these publications are available in the Library of the House.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24396]

  Mr. Boswell
  In January this year the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's information technology directorate initiated a project with the aim of ensuring that, by the end of 1998, all existing and planned computer systems for which the Ministry is responsible will be in a position effectively to manage the century date change on 1 January 2000.

  Night Shooting Licences
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer of 21 February,Official Report, column 180, if any further night shooting licences have been issued; how many deer have been shot on the new licences and by which licence; and if he will make a statement. [24496]

  Mrs. Browning
  Following my reply of 21 February, no further notices to shoot deer at night have been issued by MAFF.

  Deer and Fox Hunts
  Mr. Morley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost to the Forestry Commission of supervising deer and fox hunts in the New forest by(a) keeps and (b) administrative costs. [24497]
  342
  Mr. Boswell
  The Forestry Commission spends some £11,000 per annum on supervising deer and fox hunts in the New forest. This includes keepers' wages, the costs of vehicles, and other administration charges.

  Disease Eradication Fund
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the amount of money expended in the United Kingdom from the EU disease eradication fund; [23336]

  (2) which farmers in the United Kingdom have benefited from the EU disease eradication fund; [23337]

  (3) which projects are currently being funded by the EU disease eradication scheme. [23335]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: Northern Ireland has been approved funding in 1996 of 50 per cent. of the laboratory costs associated with the testing of samples taken under the Aujeszky's disease eradication scheme, up to a maximum of 100,000 ecus—approximately £84,000.

  Information on projects currently funded in other member states is not available except at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the United Kingdom contribution to the EU disease eradication fund since its inception. [23334]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 28 March 1996]: The United Kingdom contributes to the European Community budget as a whole. Details can be found in the annual White Paper statements on the EC budget. For 1996, the United Kingdom is forecast to contribute 15 per cent. to the EU budget before the Fontainebleau abatement is taken into account and 11 per cent. after abatement.

  Regulations
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the 1,000 regulations identified for repeal or amendment by the Prime Minister are the responsibility of his Department; of those which(a) have been repealed or amended and (b) are planned to have been repealed or amended by the end of the 1995–96 parliamentary session; and if he will list those whose repeal has saved business more than £1 million per annum. [23648]

  Mr. Boswell
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: I refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 2 April, Official Report, column 85.

  Slaughterhouses (Hygiene)
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest assessment of the hygiene standards in red meat slaughterhouses in England and Wales. [24446]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Meat Hygiene Service to reply to the hon. Member direct.
  343
  Letter from J. McNeill to Mr. Henry McLeish, dated 3 April 1996:
  As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), your questions regarding hygiene standards in red meat slaughterhouses in England, Scotland and Wales have been passed to me for reply. [24446]
  Since early 1994 the Hygiene Assessment System (HAS) has been operating in red meat slaughterhouses. HAS is the method developed by the State Veterinary Service to assess and monitor hygiene standards in slaughterhouses. HAS looks at the specific aspects of performance within five main categories-ante-mortem, slaughter and dressing, personnel and practices, maintenance and hygiene of premises and general conditions and management.
  As you may know, the MHS took over responsibility for inspection in licensed fresh meat premises in England, Scotland and Wales on 1 April 1995. This work was previously undertaken by local authorities. One of the targets set by Ministers for the MHS in 1995/96 was to establish a benchmark of HAS scores in licensed slaughterhouses. Information on the benchmark scores will be published in the MHS annual report, due to be published later this year. Copies of that report will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. McLeish
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total number of staff involved in the Meat Hygiene Service in each year since 1989–90; what are the planned numbers of staff for each of the years 1996–97 to 1998–99. [24448]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 2 April 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Meat Hygiene Service to reply to the hon. Member direct.

  Letter from J. McNeill to Mr. Henry McLeish, dated 3 April 1996:
  As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your question concerning the number of staff employed by the MHS has been passed to me for reply. [24448]
  The Meat Hygiene Service was launched on 1 April 1995 as an Executive Agency of MAFF. It took over from some 300 local authorities responsibility for enforcement of the hygiene and welfare at slaughter legislation in licensed meat premises in England, Scotland and Wales. Consequently there are no MHS staff numbers prior to that date.
  The MHS currently employs 509 red meat and 163 poultry meat inspectors on a full time basis. In addition it utilises 69 inspectors (62 red meat; 7 white) on fixed term contracts of 100 weeks duration. There is also a pool of 222 staff (203 red; 19 white) used on a casual basis. As you will appreciate, these last two sets of figures in particular fluctuate according to demand.
  These meat inspection staff are supervised by Official Veterinary Surgeons (OVSs). The MHS directly employs 39 OVSs and in addition contracts out work to 110 full time equivalent vets to supplement them. 3 vets are also utilised on a casual basis.
  Staff numbers for future years will depend on the actual number of plants operating at the time and any policy developments, as recently on SBO controls. No definitive figures are available at this time.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to allow farmers affected by the crisis in the beef industry to graze cattle on set-aside land until it is possible to market them. [23846]
  344
  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: EU rules do not currently allow the grazing of cattle on set-aside land between 15 January and 31 August. In light of the exceptional and unforeseen difficulties facing UK producers in marketing their cattle, we are discussing urgently with the Commission the possibility of varying this requirement on a temporary basis.

  Beef (Labelling)
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to require food processors and producers to clearly label products which involve the use of beef or beef by-products. [24090]

  Mrs. Browning
  [holding answer 1 April 1996]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) on 2 April 1996, Official Report, columns 196–97.

  We have no plans to impose further labelling requirements. Food suppliers may, of course, display additional information in relation to their products, provided that it is true and not misleading.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each site in Tyne and Wear, apart from local retail offices, at which staff of(a) the Contributions Agency, (b) the Benefits Agency and (c) the Information Technology Services Agency are employed; and if he will give the numbers employed by each agency in (i) actual numbers are (ii) whole-time equivalent numbers at (1) 31 December 1994 and (2) 31 December 1995. [13283]

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

  Such information as is available is in the table.

  Contributions Agency—actual staff figures at 31 January 1995

  Location

  Number

  Longbenton

  3,783

  Broadway West

  52

  Kenton Bar

  1,100

  Scottish Life House

  97

  Hebburn

  546

  Lancaster House

  112

  Alfred Wilson House

  532

  Bellway

  17

  Durham House

  Nil

  Emerson House

  Nil

  Tyne View

  Nil

  Total

  6,239

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on how many occasions in each of the past five years Ministers in his Department have passed(a) hon. Members' letters and (b) hon. Members' questions to agencies for response; and what this figure is as a percentage of the total number of letters and questions received. [19416]
  345
  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Parliamentary Questions

  Session

  Total number PQs tabled

  Number answered by chief executives

  Percentage1

  1992–93

  3,244

  495

  15

  1993–94

  2,359

  442

  19

  1994–95

  2,749

  389

  14

  1995–962

  1,666

  204

  12

  Notes:

  1Rounded to nearest whole number.

  2Up to 2 April 1996.

  1. Figures for written answers were obtained by doing a manual count and may be subject to error.

  Source: Departmental archive of written answers and ministerial correspondence.

  Correspondence

  Year

  Total correspondence

  Number of chief executive replies

  Percentage1

  1994

  23,193

  2,388

  10

  1995

  19,645

  2,192

  11

  Notes:

  1Rounded to nearest whole number.

  1. Figures for written answers were obtained by doing a manual count and may be subject to error.

  Source: Departmental archive of written answers and ministerial correspondence.

  Session

  Total Parliamentary Questions tabled

  Disproportionate cost replies as a Total

  Not centrally available replies as a Percentage1

  Total

  Percentage1

  1992–93

  3,244

  117

  4

  17

  1

  1993–94

  2,359

  129

  5

  6

  0

  1994–95

  2,749

  123

  4

  25

  1

  1995–962up to 2 April 1996

  1,666

  126

  8

  11

  1

  Notes:

  1Rounded to nearest whole number.

  2Up to 2 April 1996.

  Source:

  Departmental archive of written answers; figures were obtained by a clerical count and may be subject to error.

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost of answering parliamentary questions in each parliamentary Session since 1989–90. [22897]

  Mr. Burt
  This Department does not calculate the data requested and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  State Earnings-related Pension Scheme
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost of the new contracted-out SERPS rebate which will take effect from April 1997 for each of the next 10 years. [21440]

  Mr. Heald
  The contracted-out rebate is set for a maximum of five years only. Estimated costs for the financial years 1997–98 to 2001–2, in terms of national insurance fund revenue forgone, are set out in the table.

  Isle of Wight (Expenditure)
  Mr. Barry Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 4 March 1996,Official Report, columns 77–78, what information his Department collates in respect of its expenditure on the Isle of Wight. [20072]

  Mr. Burt
  With the exception of housing benefit and council tax benefit expenditure as it relates to local authorities, the Department does not routinely collate any expenditure information on specific areas of Great Britain.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many questions were tabled to his Department in each Session since 1987–88; how many were not answered on grounds of disproportionate cost; what percentage of the total number of questions this represented; how many were not answered on the grounds that the information was not centrally available; and what percentage of the total number of questions this represented. [21146]

  Mr. Burt
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table:

  Cost of contracted-out rebate for 1997–98 to 2001–2

  Year

  £ billion (rounded)

  1997–98

  7.7

  1998–99

  7.8

  1999–01

  7.9

  2000–01

  8.0

  2001–02

  8.1

  1. Costs are estimated on the basis of the levels of contracting out and other assumptions used for the Government Actuary's report on the Pensions Bill 1994, Cm 2714.

  2. The amounts shown are the costs in respect of each financial year and have been rounded to one decimal place. In some cases, the costs will not fall in the financial year to which they relate. In particular, payments by the DSS to appropriate personal pensions and occupational money purchase schemes will not fall due until the following financial year.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for how long after the date of commencement of the Pensions Act 1995 state scheme premiums may be paid in respect of earners who were employed in
  347
  contracted-out employment which occurred before that date in order to buy them back into the state earnings-related pension scheme for that period. [23126]

  Mr. Heald
  No specific time limit has been prescribed within which payment of state scheme premiums outstanding at 6 April 1997 should be made.

  Occupational Pension Schemes
  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what priority is to be given under the transitional arrangements applicable to the wind-up of occupational pension schemes which have insufficient assets to meet liabilities in full to(a) refunds of contributions to active members with fewer than two years' pensionable service and (b) increases to pensioners of pensions in payment guaranteed under scheme rules. [23162]

  Mr. Heald
  Draft regulations containing our proposals for the transitional arrangements which will operate for 10 years from April 1997 were issued for consultation on 22 January 1996. The consultation period ended on 4 March. We are considering the comments that we received.

  The priority order of liabilities set out in the draft regulations under the transitional arrangements are:
  (a) any liability attributable to the payment of voluntary contributions;
  (b) any liability for pensions, excluding increases, where entitlement to payment has arisen;
  (c) (i) any liability for accrued contracted-out rights in the scheme, which will be the whole of any accrual after April 1997 in a contracted-out scheme, excluding increases and any contribution equivalent premium to buy rights back into the state scheme; or
  (ii) the return of contributions to members with less than two years pensionable service where that period of service has not given the member any accrued rights under the scheme;
  (d) any liability for increases to pensions referred to in paragraph (b);
  (e) any liability for increases to pensions referred to in paragraph (c);
  (f) any liability for non-contracted out accrued rights together with any increases.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) by what date his Department will make available to(a) employers and (b) occupational pension scheme administrators, the documentation required to be completed in relation to the contracting arrangements under the Pensions Act 1995; [23157]

  (2) what advice his Department has issued as to the date by which employers should decide what (a) their future pensions arrangements and (b) their future contracting-out status should be to enable them to comply with the conditions of the new contracting-out provision. [23164]

  Mr. Heald
  The administration of national insurance is the responsibility of Mrs. Faith Boardman, the chief executive of the Contributions Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from George Bertram to Mr. John Denham, dated 2 April 1996:
  As the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency is away from the office on annual leave. I have responsibility for answering questions about operational matters relating to the Agency and the National Insurance (NI) scheme in her absence.
  348
  I have been asked to reply to your questions relating to the advice and documentation arrangements for employers and occupational pension scheme administrators under the Pensions Act 1995. In view of the nature of the questions I have combined the response.
  Guidance on the contracting-out arrangements for employers and occupational pension schemes is currently being prepared and consultation with the pensions industry will commence shortly. The guidance will be available by Autumn 1996 and will include examples of the documentation to be used.
  New contracting-out arrangements for Contracted-Out Salary Related Schemes come into effect from April 1997, although there will be a transitional period to enable employers to complete the re-election exercise. The Agency will shortly issue information to schemes about the general handling and timetable. Employers' future pension arrangements are a matter for them, they will however need to ensure they take decisions on their contracting-out status in time to comply with this.
  I hope you will find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what evidence he has that there are sufficient designers of pensions information systems software to enable contracted-out schemes to design and test their own software between the date at which his Department makes the detail of such an information system available to employers and occupational scheme administrators and the date of coming into force of the contracting-out provisions of the Pensions Act 1995. [23163]

  Mr. Heald
  The Department of Social Security has consulted pensions interests extensively throughout the process of developing the proposals contained in the Pensions Act 1995 and associated secondary legislation, so the broad structure of the new system is already well-known. The main regulations which impact on scheme administration will be laid before Parliament in the next few weeks; those on the new flexibilities for mixed benefit schemes will follow soon after. The Contributions Agency will shortly release draft guidance on the contracting-out arrangements from 6 April 1997, with the final guidance to be issued in the autumn. The guidance will include specimen forms.

  We believe that this gives all concerned enough time to make the arrangements needed for contracting out from April 1997.

  Mr. Denham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, following the commencement of the contracting-out provisions of the Pensions Act 1995, he will immediately withdraw a contracting-out certificate if it comes to his notice that(a) a contracted-out occupational scheme exceeds the limits on employer-related investments as a result of an increase in the value of the equity of the sponsoring employer as a result of a takeover bid, (b) that a contracted-out occupational pension scheme has inadvertently breached the conditions for contracting out or (c) that an occupational scheme used for contracting out exceeds the limit of employer-related investments as a result of a transaction between the sponsoring company and the company in whose equity the occupational scheme has
  invested. [23165]
  349
  Mr. Heald
  From April 1997, contracting-out occupational pension schemes will be asked to provide an assurance, periodically, that the scheme complies with any prescribed restrictions on employer related investment.

  The Contributions Agency, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, will have the power to cancel a contracting-out certificate where any condition relating to the issue of that certificate is no longer satisfied. It is intended that there will be liaison between CA and the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority, once either agency becomes aware of a scheme that has breached any restriction in employer related investment. The purpose of this liaison will be to provide both bodies with the information necessary to carry out their tasks and to ensure a co-ordinated and consistent approach in any necessary investigation and/or action.

  Table A: Claimants earning less than £80 a week

  £ million

  Benefit

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Family credit1

  147

  161

  333

  485

  577

  Disability working allowance1

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3

  5

  Housing benefit2

  193

  217

  288

  329

  388

  Community charge benefit2

  105

  46

  44

  3—

  3—

  Council tax benefit2

  3—

  3—

  3—

  66

  75

  Total

  445

  424

  665

  883

  1,045

  Notes:

  3Represents periods before benefits were introduced/after they were replaced.

  1. All figures are rounded to the nearest million and therefore may not sum.

  Sources:

  11996 departmental report.

  2Estimates derived from the 1 per cent. Housing Benefit Management System sample annual inquiry.

  Table B: Claimants earning £80 to £120 a week

  £ million

  Benefit

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Family credit1

  148

  174

  230

  276

  314

  Disability working allowances1

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1

  2

  Housing benefit2

  44

  57

  69

  74

  85

  Community charge benefit2

  30

  13

  12

  3—

  3—

  Council tax benefit2

  3—

  3—

  3—

  10

  10

  Total

  222

  244

  311

  361

  411

  Notes:

  3Represents periods before benefits were introduced/after they were replaced.

  1. All figures are rounded to the nearest million and therefore may not sum.

  Sources:

  11996 departmental report.

  2Estimates derived from the 1 per cent. Housing Benefit Management System sample annual inquiry.

  Table C: Claimants earning £120 to £160 a week

  £million

  Benefit

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Family credit1

  77

  106

  132

  154

  181

  Disability working allowance1

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1

  1

  Housing benefit2

  12

  24

  37

  39

  43

  Community charge benefit2

  16

  6

  7

  3—

  3—

  Council tax benefit2

  3—

  3—

  3—

  4

  4

  Total

  105

  136

  176

  198

  229

  Notes:

  3Represents periods before benefits were introduced/after they were replaced.

  1. All figures are rounded to the nearest million and therefore may not sum.

  Sources:

  11996 departmental report.

  2 Estimates derived from the 1 per cent. Housing Benefit Management System sample annual inquiry.

  In-work Benefits
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost for each of the last five years of benefit payments made to employed claimants earning(a) less than £4,000 per annum, (b) £4,000 to £6,000 per annum and (c) £6,000 to £8,000 per annum. [21423]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  The available information in respect of the in-work benefits is in the tables. Annual earnings figures are not available. The tables provide information on benefit costs for claimants in weekly earnings bands corresponding approximately to the annual amounts requested, as recorded at the time of claim.

  Office Closures
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the location and (b) the number of job losses or relocation of employees for each (i) Contributions Agency office and (ii) Benefits Agency office which has closed in Scotland since 1990. [21571]

  Mr. Heald
  The information requested is in the tables:

  Contributions Agency

  The contributions agency has continuously reviewed its field organisation in light of customer expectation, information technology developments, the drive for efficiency and reduced running costs

  Location

  Year

  Job losses

  Relocated to

  Number of staff

  Dundee West

  1991

  Nil

  Dundee East

  4

  Glasgow—

  Anniesland

  Glasgow City

  1

  Rutherglen

  Glasgow South

  3

  Craigston

  Glasgow South

  4

  Shettleston

  Bridgeton

  3

  Kirkwall

  BA1

  1

  Lerwick

  BA1

  1

  Port Glasgow

  Paisley

  1

  Coatbridge

  1992

  Nil

  Hamilton

  3

  Cowdenbeath

  Dunfermline

  2

  Edinburgh—

  West

  Argyle House

  7

  East

  Argyle House

  6

  North

  Argyle House

  6

  South

  Argyle House

  6

  City

  Argyle House

  13

  Glasgow—

  Bridgeton

  Glasgow City

  3

  Springburn

  Glasgow City

  1

  Lanark

  Wishaw

  1

  Leven

  Kirkcaldy

  2

  Motherwell

  Wishaw

  3

  Aberdeen South

  1993

  Nil

  Aberdeen North

  14

  Dumbarton

  Clydebank

  3

  Glasgow—

  Glasgow City

  1

  Provan

  Airdrie

  1994

  Nil

  Hamilton

  5

  East Kilbride

  Hamilton

  5

  Glasgow—

  Southside

  Glasgow South

  4

  Lauriston

  Glasgow South

  7

  Irvine

  Ayr

  4

  Johnstone

  Paisley

  4

  Wishaw

  Hamilton

  3

  Arbroath

  1995

  Nil

  Dundee

  3

  Clydebank

  Paisley

  2

  Greenock

  Paisley

  6

  Kilmarnock

  Ayr

  3

  Dunfermline

  1996

  Nil

  Kirkcaldy

  2

  1. No actual job losses; staff at Kirkwall and Lerwick transferred to the Benefits Agency (BA) and the remainder were relocated in Contributions Agency locations.

  2. Data is provisional and subject to change.
  352

  Benefits Agency: The following rationalisation of the Benefits Agency estate was undertaken as part of the drive for increased efficiency

  Location

  Year

  Job losses

  Relocated to

  Number of staff

  Newton Stewart

  1995

  Nil

  Part time outlet

  Nil

  Dundee West

  1993

  4

  Staff relocated within Dundee. Job losses were all cleaners

  92

  Aberdeen

  1993

  Nil

  Staff relocated to Greyfriars House in Aberdeen

  71

  Lothian West (Edinburgh)

  1995–96

  Nil

  Staff relocated to Bathgate

  50

  1. Data is provisional and subject to change.

  Departmental Contractors and Suppliers
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures his Department is taking to ensure that its contractors and suppliers(a) pay their employees a wage which ensures such employees do not need supplementary welfare payments via various state benefits and (b) meet workplace health and safety regulations; and if he will make a statement. [21462]

  Mr. Burt
  Wage levels are considered along with other information which collectively allows the Department to determine a contractor's ability to provide a work force at the required skills level. However, terms and conditions of employment, including wages, are a matter between the contractor or supplier and his employees, subject of course to any relevant legal requirements. Compliance with health and safety requirements is a legal requirement for the contractor or supplier. The Department always seeks assurances that contractors are fully aware of their obligations in this matter.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would have been the cumulative loss of revenue to the national insurance fund if the employee contribution rates for 1978–79 had remained in force up to 1996–97. [21697]

  Mr. Heald
  If the employees' contribution structure, rates and level of contracted-out rebates in force in 1978–79 remained in force from 1988–89 up to 1996–97, about £26.5 billion less would have been paid into the national insurance fund. There is insufficient data to provide a reliable estimate in respect of the period prior to 1988–89.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Retirement Pensions
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost to the Exchequer of enabling those of retirement age to claim their retirement pensions on the date of attainment of pension age rather than the following Monday. [22100]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 19 March,Official Report, column 181.
  353
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the extra cost to public funds in the current year of paying the state pension from the date of the birthday on which the person attains pensionable age. [22532]

  Mr. Heald
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 19 March,Official Report, column 181.

  Benefits Agency Offices (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Benefits Agency offices in Wales are located in rural districts; and if he will list them. [22378]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  As the interpretation of "rural districts" is subjective, we are unable to give a definitive reply on what constitutes a rural district.

  There are a total of 75 benefit offices located in Wales, 34 of which are main benefit processing sites and 41 of which are public caller outlets. They are as follows:

  Main processing sites

  Public caller outlets

  Caernarfon

  Ystradgynlais

  Aberystwyth

  Pontlottyn

  Llangefni

  Tredegar

  Newtown

  Brecon

  Porthmadog

  Bargoed

  Dolgellau

  Port Talbot

  Holyhead

  Abertillery

  Wrexham

  Monmouth

  Colwyn Bay

  Abergavenny

  Deeside

  Pontypool

  Rhyl

  Chepstow

  Llanelli

  Blaenavon

  Ammanford

  Bangor

  Carmarthen

  Barmouth

  Haverfordwest

  Blaenau Ffestiniog

  Pembroke Dock

  Cardigan

  Swansea

  Knighton

  Morriston

  Lampeter

  Neath

  Llandrindod Wells

  Porth

  Llandysul

  Aberdare

  Machynlleth

  Bridgend

  Pwllheli

  Pontypridd

  Welshpool

  Tonypandy

  Ferndale

  Cardiff Central

  Maesteg

  Barry

  Mountain Ash

  Cardiff East

  Treorchy

  Cardiff West

  Gorseinon

  Merthyr Tydfil

  Pontardawe

  Blackwood

  Pontardulais

  Caerphilly

  Kidwelly

  Ebbw Vale

  Llandeilo

  Newport

  Tumble

  Cwmbran

  Denbigh

  Holywell

  Llandudno

  Llangollen

  Mold

  Ruthin

  Shotton

  Yorkshire Regional Health Authority
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ask the Contributions Agency investigation and fraud teams to inquire into the evasion 354
  of national insurance contributions by former chairmen and non-executive directors of Yorkshire regional health authority. [22933]

  Mr. Heald
  The administration of the Contributions Agency is a matter for Mrs. Faith Boardman, the chief executive. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from George Bertram to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 2 April 1996:
  As the Chief Executive of the Contributions Agency is away from the office on annual leave, I have responsibility for answering questions about operational matters relating to the Agency in her absence.
  I have been asked to reply to your question to the Secretary of State if he will ask the Contributions Agency investigation and fraud teams to inquire into evasion of National Insurance contributions by former Chairmen and non executive Directors of Yorkshire Regional Health Authority.
  Together with the Inland Revenue under our general rules of confidentiality I cannot discuss individual cases.
  It may be helpful if I explain that most National Insurance contributions are collected by the Inland Revenue on behalf of the Contributions Agency. Investigations into PAYE and National Insurance compliance may be carried out by either Department when there is evidence of irregularities.

  Child Support Agency (Computer Systems)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what computer system enhancements have taken place to allow the Child Support Agency to handle the departures scheme; who supplied the enhancements; what they cost; and to what extent they were based on existing computer packages. [23330]

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

  Letter from Ann Chant to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 2 April 1996:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency computer system.
  The existing Child Support Computer System (CSCS) has been upgraded to incorporate the new functions associated with the Departures scheme. The enhancements were supplied by the existing CSCS supplier, EDS, working as part of a joint development team of Child Support Agency, Information Technology Services Agency and EDS staff.
  The total cost of the enhancements are "commercial in confidence".
  A number of Departmental approved computer packages, which form part of the Departments IT infrastructure, have been used to integrate with the mainframe CSCS. These are Windows, ABC Flowcharter and Autoroute. No enhancements were made to these products. The enhancements to the CSCS are being developed through Rapid Application Development techniques by use of the Huron product.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Advice Lines
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what use was made of the 0800 advice service across north Staffordshire in 1995–96; what was the cost of the service; what mechanism he has adopted to assess the value of the service to claimants; and if he will make a statement as to the continued availability of this service. [23723]
  355
  Mr. Roger Evans
  This is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ursula Brennan to Ms Joan Walley, dated 2 April 1996:
  As Peter Mathison is on leave at the moment, the Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what use was made of the 0800 advice service across North Staffordshire in 1995–96; what costs were involved; what mechanism he has adopted to assess the value of the service to claimants; and if he will make a statement as to the continued availability of this service.

  The information is not available in the form requested, this is because the Freeline, Social Security service is operated on a national basis. Since November 1994 customers dialling the Freeline number can be connected to any one of the Freeline Centres across the country.

  Annex A gives the national details for the number of calls answered and the cost.
  Freeline, Social Security is covered in the Benefits Agency national customer survey. The National Freeline Co-ordinators Office also conduct their own annual customer survey and they have a formal complaints procedure.
  A review of the service is currently looking at options for handing these types of enquiries within the overall benefit advice service.
  I hope you find this reply useful.

  Annex A: National Freeline—Performance/costs 1995–96

  (1) Call answered

  (2)Costs

  3.2 million

  £6.6 million1

  1Staff/running costs (including telecomms). Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  Figures are rounded to nearest 100,000.

  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many calls the Benefits Agency's freeline benefit advice line receives on average per year; how many calls it received for each year of its operation; and how many calls he estimates will be received in the next two years. [23819]

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

  Letter from Ursula Brennan to Mr. Frank Field, dated 2 April 1996:
  As Peter Mathison is on leave at the moment, the Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many calls the Benefits Agency's (BA's) freeline benefit advice line receives on average per year; how many calls it received for each year of its operation; and how many calls he estimates will be received in the next two years.
  Freeline. Social Security has been operating since 1984, however information about the number of calls is available only from 1993. The number of calls received has been taken to mean the number of calls answered by an advisor.
  The average number of calls received is approximately 2.4 million per year and the number of calls received is shown in the list below:

  1993–94: 1.5 million

  1994–95: 2.6 million

  1995–96: 3.2 million.

  These figures are rounded to the nearest 100,000.
  356
  The target set for the number of calls to be answered for 1996–97 has been set at 3.4 million, a target has not been set for 1997–98. However a review of the service is currently underway.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Lump Sum Widow's Payment
  Mr. Chris Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost to the Exchequer of(a) increasing the lump sum widow's payment to £1,500 and (b) thereafter uprating this new payment annually in line with the retail price index.[23587]

  Mr. Heald
  The extra cost of increasing the widow's payment to £1,500 would be approximately £21 million in 1996–97 and £22 million in 1997–981.

  Uprating in 1997–98 would cost approximately £650,000 per 1 per cent. increase.

  Note:
  1Source: Government Actuary's Department. Figures rounded to nearest million.

  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will extend industrial disease No. Al2 to include frequent and repeated movements of the hand and wrist as a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, in addition to the use of hand-held vibrating tools. [23972]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  There are no plans at present to extend the current terms of prescription in respect of carpal tunnel syndrome.

  Mrs. Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cases of carpal tunnel syndrome were granted compensation under industrial injuries legislation in each of the last five years. [23971]

  Mr. Evans
  The information is not available in the format requested. Carpal tunnel syndrome in respect of hand-held vibrating tools was added only in April 1993 to the list of prescribed diseases for which industrial injuries disablement benefit can be paid. The available information is set out in the table:

  Results of initial medical assessments where carpel tunnel syndrome is diagnosed from 19 April 1993 to 30 September 1995

  Period

  All cases

  0 per cent.1

  1–13 per cent.2

  14–100per cent.

  19 April 1993 to 31 December 1993

  254

  205

  40

  9

  1 January 1994 to 31 December 1994

  434

  116

  263

  55

  1 January 1995 to 30 September 1995

  241

  44

  158

  39

  Grand total

  929

  365

  461

  103

  1Cases where there is no loss of faculty or it is assessed at less than 1 per cent.

  2 Benefit is normally paid only for assessments of 14 per cent. or more. Entitlement to benefit could arise if an assessment in this range could be aggregated with one or more other assessments to reach 14 per cent.

  1. Based on 100 per cent. count of cases.

  Reduced Earnings Allowance
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will postpone his decision to introduce the withdrawal of reduced earning allowance to women who have reached the age of 60 years until it has been subjected to parliamentary scrutiny. [24253]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  No. Parliament agreed, in passing the 1988 Social Security Act, that compensation for loss of earnings through reduced earnings allowance should continue past pension age only for those men and women who continued in regular employment. Otherwise it should cease and be replaced by retirement allowance payable at 25 per cent. of rate of reduced earnings allowance.

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the problem of non-recognition by computers of the year 2000 with regard to his Department's computers and those for which it is responsible. [24401]

  Mr. Burt
  The Department is currently assessing the impact of the millenium on its information technology systems and will work closely with suppliers to ensure that any necessary changes to our benefits delivery system are carried out well in advance of the change of the century.

  One-parent Benefit
  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what savings his Department expects to make by freezing one-parent benefit and lone-parent premium. [22728]

  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  Some £15 million per year from 1996–97.

  Ms Jowell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his time scale for the phasing out of one-parent benefit and lone-parent premium. [22725]

  Mr. Mitchell
  Over time, the intention is to narrow the existing gap between benefits which go to lone parents and those which go to couples. Decisions on the pace and time scale of this process will be taken from year to year. Draft regulations to implement our proposals to restructure family benefits have been referred to the Social Security Advisory Committee. Subject to completion of the statutory consultation procedures and to Parliamentary approval, the draft regulations are expected to be laid in May/June and to come into force in April 1997.

  Retention and Regeneration Packages
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to establish retaining and regeneration packages to assist staff and locations affected by proposed run-downs in his Department's employment after 1 April. [23701]

  Mr. Burt
  It is inevitable that Departmental efficiencies will result in staff reductions. However, it is too early to assess the possible impact of this on staff or particular localities.

  Lowered Standard of Occupation Allowance
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of persons in receipt of the allowance for lowered standard of occupation in each year for the past 10 years. [24050]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is in the table:

  Numbers in receipt of allowance for lowered standard of occupation at 31 December

  Year

  Number

  1986

  10,886

  1987

  10,827

  1988

  10,670

  1989

  10,523

  1990

  10,395

  1991

  10,487

  1992

  10,866

  1993

  11,876

  1994

  13,437

  1995

  14,200

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the annual cost of the allowance for lowered standard of occupation for the past 10 years and the estimated cost for the coming financial year. [24052]

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

  The estimated cost for 1996–97, rounded to the nearest £5 million, will be around £25 million at cash prices.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what provision exists for an appeal against the withdrawal of the allowance for lowered standard of occupation. [24054]

  Mr. Heald
  There is no right of appeal against a decision on behalf of the Secretary of State on a war pension supplementary allowance. Such decisions may be formally challenged only by judicial review.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons in receipt of allowances for lowered standard of occupation have been offered re-engagement in the regular or reserve forces. [24049]

  Mr. Heald
  The information is not available.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many persons have had their allowance for lowered standard of occupation cancelled on the grounds that their pensioned disablement does not prevent them from carrying out their service occupation; [24051]

  (2) how many persons were given a medical examination prior to the decision being taken in deciding to revoke the allowance for lowered standard of occupation. [24053]

  Mr. Heald
  A total of 1,301 pensioners are to have their allowance cancelled on the ground that the war pensioned disablement does not prevent them following their regular service occupation. In order to determine their entitlement to a war disablement pension or gratuity under the war pensions scheme, a medical or audiometric
  359
  examination is normally necessary. Records of these examinations were available when eligibility for the allowance for lowered standard of occupation was reviewed.

  Waste Minimisation
  Ms Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on progress in establishing an office waste minimisation strategy for his Department, indicating the targets set. [24514]

  Mr. Roger Evans
  At their meeting on 29 January 1996, green ministers agreed that the Department of the Environment would complete its waste measurement pilot scheme and by 31 March 1996 set realistic targets for future waste minimisation. Departments would use this information and the Department of the Environment's waste minimisation target figures to establish their own waste minimisation targets by the end of 1996.

  Within the Department of Social Security, a pilot scheme is currently operating in selected Benefits Agency offices to examine a number of key environmental issues including waste minimisation. Findings will be reported later this year, when areas for improvement and targets for waste minimisation will be considered.

  EU Initiative to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his written answer to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms Quin) on 6 February.Official Report, column 178, if the European Commission has provided a justification for expenditure without legal authority following the Government's inquiry about the legal basis of their funding for projects seeking to combat social exclusion. [25182]

  Mr. Lilley
  The European Commission has not provided a legal justification for these particular expenditure plans, made without the approval of the Council of Ministers. The Government have therefore this week made an application to the European Court of Justice challenging the legal basis of this expenditure. We believe that other member states share our concern. Commission proposals for a further Community spending programme on social exclusion projects were previously blocked in the Council of Ministers by Germany and the UK.

  The challenge is not aimed at stopping sensibly planned funding in support of disadvantaged people. The Government are already funding many projects to combat social exclusion in the UK through inner city challenge, adult training, health care, housing and literacy programmes.

  Council of Europe: Agenda for April
  Council of Europe: Agenda for April
  Greek-Turkish Border
  Greek-Turkish Border
  NATO: Enlargement
  NATO: Enlargement
  Boot Camps
  Boot Camps
  UN Committee on Racial Discrimination: UK Report
  UN Committee on Racial Discrimination: UK Report
  Child Support Agency
  Child Support Agency
  Local and European Elections: Conduct of Government Business
  Local and European Elections: Conduct of Government Business
  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
  Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
  Air Pollution Control Scheme, Scotland
  Air Pollution Control Scheme, Scotland
  Sulphur Dioxide Emissions Control Strategy
  Sulphur Dioxide Emissions Control Strategy
  Water Directives: Implementation Costs
  Water Directives: Implementation Costs
  Employed Solicitors: Rights of Audience
  Employed Solicitors: Rights of Audience
  European Court of Human Rights: Saunders v. United Kingdom
  European Court of Human Rights: Saunders v. United Kingdom
  European Court of Human Rights: Goodwin v. United Kingdom
  European Court of Human Rights: Goodwin v. United Kingdom
  Code of Practice on Access to Government Information
  Code of Practice on Access to Government Information
  HMSO Privatisation
  HMSO Privatisation
  Motorway Bridge Programme
  Motorway Bridge Programme